Ms. Cupid in Love Episode 22 Recap
> Ms. Cupid in Love Recap
A sudden thunderclap and downpour trap Shangguan Ya in a temple, preventing her departure. Overwhelmed, she sobs, lamenting her wish falling apart and feeling ensnared by fate. She blames Bo Yan, wishing he had returned to the heavenly realm sooner to spare her the pain of their potential separation. She fears being left alone, unable to see or hear from him, and accuses him of being hard-hearted. Bo Yan, who has been listening from behind, approaches and embraces her.
She initially struggles against him, asking him to release her and questioning his presence. Bo Yan reassures her, explaining that he now has the answer to her previous query: despite the perfections of heaven and the imperfections of the human world, the human world holds her, a unique treasure heaven lacks. Shangguan Ya, still worried about their different lifespans, reminds him that he could find other beautiful, immortal Shangguan Yas in heaven.
She longs for a simple, mortal love, to know his whereabouts if they were apart, or to grow old together, but she doubts its possibility given his divine nature. She concludes that had she known the pain of eventual loss, she would have preferred never to start. Bo Yan firmly declares that she will never lose him.
He vows to stay by her side regardless of whether the marriage chaos is resolved or if he retains his deity status, stating that without her, everything else is meaningless. Witnessing Bo Yan and Shangguan Ya's emotional reunion, Li Fu reflects on his own relationship with Ouyang Jing. He recalls her earlier questioning about his return to heaven and optimistically assumes she is reluctant for him to leave.
He muses that even direct women can become hesitant in love and imagines Ouyang Jing secretly crying and wondering about his sincerity and willingness to stay. He decides that if she were to beg him, he would consider remaining in the human world and resolves to go comfort her. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya asks Ouyang Jing for a significant amount of money. She explains it's for Bo Yan's upcoming birthday, which she believes coincides with the God of Marriage's birthday.
She plans a surprise celebration, including limited-edition clothes and shoes. Li Fu, eavesdropping, fumes to himself about Bo Yan usurping his birthday even before fully taking over his divine position. He vows to clarify the misunderstanding. Ouyang Jing later confronts Li Fu, who is still lingering outside her room, but her brief questions about his well-being offer no clear indication of her feelings, leaving Li Fu perplexed. Shangguan Ya diligently prepares for what she believes is Bo Yan's birthday.
Bo Yan, having been vaguely informed of "birthday preparations," decides he should also prepare a gift for Shangguan Ya. He discusses gift ideas with Li Fu, intending to enlist the God of Fortune to buy gifts for Shangguan Ya. Li Fu attempts to subtly hint that it's "his" birthday, but Bo Yan dismisses his suggestions, remaining focused on finding gifts for Shangguan Ya. Bo Yan, along with the God of Fortune, takes Shangguan Ya shopping at the night market.
The God of Fortune, observing Bo Yan's newfound devotion, is amused by how the once cold God Yan'guang has become a doting follower. As Shangguan Ya picks out several items, the God of Fortune offers Bo Yan advice on how to genuinely compliment a woman's choices. Bo Yan eagerly buys all the selected items, instructing them to be sent to the Top Matchmaker and leaving a generous tip. The God of Fortune notes that Bo Yan now truly understands love.
Ouyang Jing, unable to find Li Fu, asks Bo Yan about his whereabouts. It is then that the group collectively realizes the birthday Shangguan Ya had been planning was actually Li Fu's. Feeling overlooked, Li Fu wanders off, lamenting that no one remembers his special day. Ouyang Jing intercepts the despondent and slightly inebriated Li Fu, pulling him inside. He is surprised by a heartwarming party, where the Shangguan family and Bo Yan light fireworks and wish him "Happy Birthday."
Overwhelmed, Li Fu expresses that the greatest joy in the human world has been finding such loving and loyal friends. Later, as several couples gather at the Hongluan tree to pray, a cluster of fake branches unexpectedly falls, exposing the fraud. The enraged citizens swarm the Top Matchmaker agency, accusing Shangguan Ya's family of deceiving them for personal gain.
An energetic young man confronts Shangguan Ya, detailing how his girlfriend, Xiang, fainted upon learning the tree was a fake and is now despondent, believing true love itself to be a sham. Shangguan Ya tries to explain that the Top Matchmaker also just learned of the deception and has never profited from matchmaking, even using her own dowry for marriage assemblies.
She pleads for time to investigate and promised justice, but the crowd remains agitated, chanting "Matchmaking is useless, let's enjoy being single!" The protest escalates into chaos, with people pushing and hitting others. Concurrently, another group petitions Xu Yunchuan at the county magistrate's office, demanding the Top Matchmaker be shut down. Xu Yunchuan recognizes the leader of the protest but prioritizes going to the Top Matchmaker to protect Shangguan Ya.
At the Top Matchmaker, Shangguan Ya is pushed to the ground and sustains minor injuries. Xu Yunchuan quickly intervenes, dispatching his guards to control the crowd. Bo Yan rushes to Shangguan Ya's side, deeply concerned. Xu Yunchuan confesses that he was responsible for faking the Hongluan tree, explaining he acted out of a desire to restore the public's faith in love after realizing the original tree couldn't be saved, but admits he misjudged the severe consequences.
Shangguan Ya, understanding his good intentions, forgives him. However, Bo Yan is furious, scolding Xu Yunchuan for causing Shangguan Ya's injuries and the damage to the Top Matchmaker, demanding he leave. Xu Yunchuan challenges Bo Yan's right to speak when Shangguan Ya has already forgiven him. During their argument, Xi reports that the Hongluan tree incident has led many to believe Yueyang City is an ill-fated place for marriage, resulting in a surge of divorce demands.
The escalating marriage chaos reaches the capital, greatly displeasing the Emperor. Xu Yunchuan is informed that unless the situation is resolved, the matchmaking industry will be abolished, and he will face severe punishment, including losing his official post. Under immense pressure, Xu Yunchuan decides to implement drastic measures. He issues a decree offering rewards for marriage, imposing severe penalties for divorce, and ordering a 30-day jail sentence for anyone causing disruption.
Despite his aide's concerns about public unrest, Xu Yunchuan insists on immediate enforcement. The agitated public erupts in further protests, viewing the decree as unjust coercion. Xu Yunchuan, resolute, orders the arrest of the main agitators. Shangguan Ya, however, is deeply troubled by these harsh methods. Bo Yan, realizing Xu Yunchuan's severe orders are a desperate attempt to protect Shangguan Ya and the matchmaking industry, feigns an excuse to leave Li Fu and heads to Xu Yunchuan's office.
Li Fu, unaware of Bo Yan's true motives, questions his sudden interest in Xu Yunchuan. Meanwhile, Shangguan Ya learns from Ouyang Jing that Xu Yunchuan's drastic actions are likely driven by political pressure. Deciding to appeal to him with reason and emotion, she also sets off for his office, instructing Ouyang Jing not to inform Bo Yan to avoid jealousy.
At his office, Xu Yunchuan drafts a memorial to the Emperor, arguing against the abolition of the matchmaking industry, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the issue, and cautioning against hasty measures that could cause greater instability. His aide points out that Xu Yunchuan is risking his career to defend the industry, to which Xu Yunchuan replies that his official position is trivial compared to protecting Shangguan Ya.
Bo Yan then enters, confronting Xu Yunchuan and demanding he retract the harsh order. Bo Yan, admitting his own responsibility for the marriage chaos, argues that severe punishment will only cause suffering. Xu Yunchuan retorts, questioning Bo Yan's inability to resolve the chaos despite being a deity and accusing him of merely stirring up trouble. Their argument escalates, with Bo Yan vowing to force the retraction, and Xu Yunchuan accusing him of incompetence and prioritizing "someone else's fiancée."
As their heated exchange culminates, Shangguan Ya knocks and enters, stating she came to inquire about the new strict orders. Bo Yan quickly hides behind a screen, eager to hear her approach. Li Fu walks briskly down a street, his hands behind his back. He glances up at a bridge where an elegantly dressed woman stands. After a slight shake of his head, he quickens his pace and walks toward her.
