Resumo do episódio 14 de Love & Crown
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Emperor Xiao Huan, claiming to be gravely ill and unable to govern, issued an imperial decree appointing his brother, Xiao Qianqing, Prince of Yuzhang, as Regent. Xiao Qianqing was thereby granted full authority over rewards and punishments, as well as all military and state affairs. Following this proclamation, Xiao Huan, in disguise, embarked on an arduous journey to rescue Ling Cangcang. During his first court session as Regent, Xiao Qianqing, Prince of Yuzhang, presided from the throne.
A minister, Xing, boldly suggested that the Emperor's current illness and recent misfortunes in the palace were due to an incompatibility in his and the Empress's astrological signs. Another minister vehemently refuted this, asserting the Emperor's poor health stemmed from recent natural and man-made disasters, not the Empress. Xiao Qianqing intervened, declaring an end to such "idle talk" about the imperial couple and redirecting attention to Kumor's ongoing siege of Jiangzhou.
Grand Tutor Ling Xuefeng concurred, emphasizing the critical situation in Jiangzhou and pressing Xiao Qianqing to swiftly dispatch the second batch of relief grain. However, when a minister reported the worsening locust plague in Xuzhou and the depletion of aid, Xiao Qianqing claimed to be suffering from a terrible headache and abruptly adjourned the court, deferring further discussion on the grain supply.
Following the abrupt adjournment, some ministers expressed their discontent to Grand Tutor Ling Xuefeng, criticizing Xiao Qianqing for prioritizing the Xuzhou locust plague over the pressing military needs of Jiangzhou, especially since the Jiangzhou grain had been personally secured by Ling Xuefeng. Ling Xuefeng, however, dismissed their suggestions of lodging a formal complaint with the Emperor.
Instead, he dispatched a subordinate to Xuzhou with a stern instruction for the local governor: regardless of the true situation, the official report sent back to the capital must unequivocally state that the locust plague had receded. Ling Xuefeng privately mused that since Xiao Qianqing was so keen on Xuzhou's disaster, he would give him a "pleasing answer." Xiao Qianqing later visited his mother, the Empress Dowager, who immediately inquired if Ling Xuefeng had troubled him during court.
Xiao Qianqing confidently replied that he would not tolerate such disrespect, unlike his more lenient imperial brother. The Empress Dowager expressed surprise at Xiao Huan's decision to appoint Xiao Qianqing as Regent, interpreting it as a possible strategy to create a power struggle between him and Ling Xuefeng. She warned her son to be cautious and not allow himself to be manipulated.
She also relayed her concern about Xiao Huan's apparent severe illness, which she witnessed the previous night, noting his tightly guarded hot spring retreat and the lack of information. She speculated Xiao Huan was using the regency as a ploy to make Xiao Qianqing commit errors, thereby justifying his exile back to Southern Chu. Xiao Qianqing, however, remained self-assured, asserting his capability and declaring he would not be easily controlled by his brother again.
Changing the subject from his brother, Xiao Qianqing inquired about his sister, Princess Xiao Ying. Meanwhile, Hongqing was confronted by a temperamental Xiao Ying, who refused to eat. She excitedly presented him with a jar of snake-repelling powder she had concocted, claiming her extensive research on venomous snakes allowed her to create it.
Hongqing, however, was stern, reminding her that Guard Wang Xiong had nearly lost his life from a snake bite because of her "research," and accused her of reckless endangerment. Xiao Ying tearfully defended herself, insisting that Guard Wang had claimed to be fearless of snakes due to his Southern upbringing, and she had even provided him with protective measures, never intending any harm. Distressed by Hongqing's accusations, she began to lash out, claiming everyone was trying to hurt her.
The Empress Dowager then advised Xiao Qianqing to firmly establish his position at court, as her and Xiao Ying's security depended on it. She urged him to exploit his temporary regency to eliminate Ling Xuefeng, suggesting that escalating disasters could create opportunities, but stressed the importance of discretion. Upon being informed that Eunuch Feng was waiting to usher him to review memorials, Xiao Qianqing bid his mother farewell.
When Xiao Qianqing visited Xiao Ying, she presented him with new poisons, urging him to test them on Xiao Huan. He gently asked her to promise not to use poisons to harm people. Distressed, Xiao Ying felt misunderstood, believing everyone thought she intended to kill. She insisted her only target was Xiao Huan, and implored Xiao Qianqing to believe in her inherent goodness. She also complained about Hongqing's continued anger over Guard Wang's snakebite, which she believed wasn't her fault.
Xiao Qianqing, understanding her affection for Hongqing, playfully suggested punishing Hongqing or even making him her "brother-in-law." Xiao Ying denied liking him in that way, so Xiao Qianqing promised to bring Hongqing to apologize. As he was leaving, Xiao Ying asked for some silver, claiming it was for a "very important" use. Ling Cangcang, held captive by Kumor's forces, was offered food by Kumor. She sarcastically remarked on his hospitality, given that she had previously stolen his army's grain.
Ling Cangcang continued to insist she was not the Empress, but her claim was countered by Kumor presenting the Phoenix Seal. Quick-witted, she claimed she had "stolen it" while attempting to procure a different, more valuable item (the Lingbi Sect leader's token) from the Emperor, then spun a tale about accidentally joining the army to earn her military pay before escaping. Kumor dismissed her stories as unbelievable.
During a separate, tense exchange with Kumor's sister, Kuminjia, Ling Cangcang accused her of using "dirty tricks," to which Kuminjia retorted that Ling Cangcang was no stranger to such methods herself. Unfazed, Ling Cangcang taunted Kumor about his army's month-long unsuccessful siege of Jiangzhou, implying his reliance on her as a "hostage Empress" showed weakness.
Kumor remained unperturbed, revealing he had received word that Great Qi's envoys would arrive in five days for peace talks, at which point Ling Cangcang's true identity would be clarified. Kuminjia found Ling Cangcang amusing and expressed regret that she was a woman, otherwise she would have asked her brother to spare Ling Cangcang for her own amusement.
General Lu Qi informed Preceptor Du Tingxin that their Qingyu Guard, a light cavalry unit of less than a hundred, could reach Jiangzhou in three days with continuous marching. However, Du Tingxin ordered a delay, instructing the troops to rest for the entire next day and only depart mid-morning the day after that.
When General Lu Qi questioned the delay, citing the urgency of the situation and the "vital" hostage held by Kumor (referring to Ling Cangcang), Du Tingxin explained her strategy: by making Kumor wait, she intended to dampen his aggressive spirit, believing he would then be more inclined to negotiate peace with Great Qi. She also reasoned that since Kumor suspected Ling Cangcang was the Empress, he would not harm her, making her a valuable bargaining chip.
Therefore, a slight delay in her arrival would only serve to strengthen their negotiating position. Back at the palace, Xiao Qianqing reluctantly returned to the task of reviewing memorials. He quickly grew bored, dismissing many as trivial, like reports on lychee harvests or perfunctory inquiries about the Emperor's health. He realized his imperial brother had indeed left him to handle all the "hard labor."
Reading a report from the Xuzhou governor claiming the locust plague was under control and the populace well-fed, Xiao Qianqing ironically noted Ling Xuefeng's "efficiency" in getting such news to the capital. Declaring himself tired, he announced his intention to relax at the hot spring retreat and instructed Eunuch Feng to tell Hongqing that if he wanted the memorials reviewed, he would have to fetch Xiao Qianqing himself.
Eunuch Feng, unable to persuade Xiao Qianqing, was forced to send Hongqing to the hot spring retreat. Upon Hongqing's arrival, Xiao Qianqing was already bathing. Zhong Lin had found her way in, demanding to know Ling Cangcang's true whereabouts, dismissing Xiao Qianqing's past promises as "worthless." In a playful yet exasperated move, Xiao Qianqing pulled her into the bathing pool.
Just then, Hongqing entered, catching a glimpse of a woman before Xiao Qianqing hastily submerged Zhong Lin and barked at Hongqing to leave. After Hongqing left, Xiao Qianqing pleaded with Zhong Lin to undertake a mission to Xuzhou. Zhong Lin initially refused, insisting her priority was to find Ling Cangcang, whose whereabouts were unknown. Xiao Qianqing then revealed that Ling Cangcang was actually in Jiangzhou, with Xiao Huan already en route to rescue her, alleviating Zhong Lin's immediate concern.
He then explained that the escalating disaster in Xuzhou was intrinsically linked to the crisis in Jiangzhou, implying that resolving the former was crucial to saving the latter. Zhong Lin initially dismissed this as "nonsense," but Xiao Qianqing appealed to her sense of justice, reminding her of Fenglai Pavilion's founding principles of "upholding justice and punishing evil." Convinced, Zhong Lin agreed to go to Xuzhou to obtain a written confession from the corrupt governor.
Xiao Qianqing, relieved, gave her a piece of clothing and solemnly declared that his "life and everything he had" now rested in her hands. After Zhong Lin departed, Hongqing once again urged Xiao Qianqing to return to the palace. Xiao Qianqing, however, stated he was in a foul mood due to a "vexing matter" concerning Princess Xiao Ying, and implied Hongqing was involved.
He passionately defended Xiao Ying, describing her as inherently kind and innocent, despite her occasional unpredictable behavior, and asserted his unwavering belief that she would never intentionally harm innocent people. Hongqing, realizing his misjudgment, expressed remorse. Xiao Qianqing further explained that Xiao Ying's pure heart made her especially susceptible to hurt from those she cherished.
He then suggested a remedy for his own mood: Hongqing should go to Xiao Ying, making every effort to cheer her up, hinting that only then would he be inclined to resume his regent duties. Hongqing readily agreed to apologize to the princess. Hongqing sought out Xiao Ying and sincerely apologized for his previous misunderstanding.
Xiao Ying, in turn, offered him the silver she had received from her brother, along with her most cherished trinkets, requesting he give the money to Guard Wang, as she felt responsible for his injury despite his initial deception. She then asked Hongqing if he would cease being angry with her and promised to heed his advice on her actions. Hongqing encouraged her to follow her own heart.
Xiao Ying then revealed she remembered Hongqing saving her during a fire at the Crown Prince's Hall, where he had shielded her with his arm. She confessed to biting him then, as a way to ensure she would recognize and find him later. She pledged to treat him well now that she had found him, deeply touching Hongqing, who humbly replied that it was merely his duty as an Imperial Guard.
Meanwhile, Ling Xuefeng confronted Xiao Qianqing again, asserting that with the Xuzhou situation reportedly under control, there was no longer any reason to delay the release of grain for Jiangzhou. Xiao Qianqing, however, maintained his stance, stating he would only issue the grain after the Ministry of Revenue completed its inventory and he personally verified the count, a process he estimated would take "seven or eight days."
He attempted to reassure Ling Xuefeng by mentioning that Preceptor Du Tingxin had departed with ample provisions, which should address Jiangzhou's immediate needs. Unconvinced, Ling Xuefeng insisted that this was merely a temporary solution and firmly declared he would return in three days, expecting Xiao Qianqing's official decree to release the grain.
