Qing Luo Episode 13 Recap
> Qing Luo Recap
The episode begins with Nan Nan, Ye Haoran, Jin Liuli, and Ye Xiudu sharing a carriage. Ye Xiudu offers a bouquet of forget-me-not flowers to Yu Qingluo, explaining it’s to make Ye Haoran feel less awkward about giving flowers. Nan Nan immediately claims the flowers, promising to carry them for his mother and reminding Ye Xiudu to never forget him and his mom.
Ye Haoran then presents Jin Liuli with a white pond lily, explaining its symbolism: to rise above the mud and embrace goodness. Enraged by his words, Jin Liuli hurls the flowers back at Ye Haoran, calling him an idiot. Jin Liuli, annoyed with the situation, decides to personally ensure Nan Nan is preoccupied. At Qin Restaurant, Jin Liuli reveals a special “chicken feast” where one chicken contains a lucky copper coin that grants a wish.
Nan Nan eagerly declares he will win the coin for Aunt Jin. Jin Liuli proposes a chicken-eating contest between Nan Nan and Ye Haoran, which Nan Nan confidently accepts, boasting his unparalleled chicken-eating skills (Yu Qingnan). While the contest commences, Ye Xiudu takes Yu Qingluo on a "unique and perfect date" to a pastry shop. He explains they will use kuoke beans, which Yu Qingluo once mentioned are used in Southeast Asia for a sweet treat that expresses romantic feelings.
He names their creation “Heart-to-Heart,” much to Yu Qingluo’s delight and admiration for his hidden talents. Back at the restaurant, Nan Nan eventually finds the lucky copper coin. Realizing Yu Qingluo and Ye Xiudu are gone, he deduces that the chicken feast was a “distract the tiger from its mountain lair” scheme. Using a tracking device, “Xiaobaihe,” he sets off to find his mother, despite Jin Liuli’s attempts to stop him.
At the pastry shop, as Ye Xiudu finishes preparing the “Heart-to-Heart” pastries and leans in for a kiss, Nan Nan bursts in, accusing Ye Xiudu of inappropriate behavior towards his "Shinao" (master's wife/mother). Yu Qingluo quickly explains they were making heart-shaped pastries as a surprise gift for Jin Liuli to give Ye Haoran. When Jin Liuli and Ye Haoran arrive, Nan Nan questions Jin Liuli about the surprise.
Ye Haoran felt it was time to tell Nan Nan the truth, but Jin Liuli, caught off guard, impulsively kisses Ye Haoran and declares it the surprise. Afterward, Yu Qingluo asks Jin Liuli about the kiss, who complains about the "smell of chicken" from Ye Haoran and denies any romantic feelings. Yu Qingluo then tells Jin Liuli to focus on Nan Nan, who is now closely following them.
Nan Nan, still upset about being tricked, insists on sleeping with Yu Qingluo. Yu Qingluo confides in Jin Liuli that Nan Nan is fiercely protective and preventing her and Ye Xiudu from being alone. Jin Liuli quickly excuses herself. Later, Ye Haoran confronts Ye Xiudu for sacrificing him during the date.
Ye Xiudu encourages Ye Haoran to be brave and honest about his feelings for Jin Liuli, revealing that he has already sought the King's permission to marry Yu Qingluo, conditional on winning the Four-Kingdom Contest trials. He emphasizes his genuine desire for a perfect date with Yu Qingluo before the trials.
Ye Haoran then turns the advice back on Ye Xiudu, asking if he experiences specific physical symptoms after kissing Jin Liuli, much like how Ye Xiudu felt for Yu Qingluo on Yaowang Island, urging him to face his feelings. Ye Haoran then finds Jin Liuli, presenting her with roses that he explains symbolize “sincere and unswerving love.” Jin Liuli wonders if he has finally had a breakthrough.
As Ye Haoran leans in, she anticipates a kiss, but he instead checks his pulse, counting aloud. He triumphantly declares his pulse doesn't indicate romantic feelings for her, and he hasn't developed lovesickness. Furious, Jin Liuli tells him to "get out" and throws the roses at him. That evening, Yu Qingluo discovers the courtyard filled with flower lanterns depicting her and Ye Xiudu’s shared memories.
Ye Xiudu embraces her, playfully calling himself a "lecher" who meticulously plans only for her, and assures her Nan Nan is asleep. They sit together to enjoy the “Heart-to-Heart” pastries. As their moment grows intimate, Nan Nan suddenly appears, questioning what they are doing alone "at midnight." They hastily explain they are discussing the Four-Kingdom Contest. Nan Nan points out the flower lanterns and paintings, which they claim are for reviewing past experiences.
They also describe the pastries as stimulating Yang and improving mental clarity for the contest. Nan Nan tries a pastry, finds it delicious, but sternly warns Ye Xiudu against any inappropriate actions towards his mother. Observing Nan Nan’s reaction, Ye Xiudu realizes Ye Haoran was right and decides it's better to be frank with Nan Nan than to keep hiding their relationship. The next day, Nan Nan, feeling energized by the Heart-to-Heart pastry, accompanies Ye Xiudu on a hunting trip.
Ye Xiudu teaches him how to hunt an eagle, and Nan Nan nearly succeeds. Ye Xiudu praises his skill, recalling his own first hunt at Nan Nan's age. Nan Nan vows to surpass Ye Xiudu and become the most powerful general. Meanwhile, Yu Qingluo goes to the training ground and learns from Mo Xian that Ye Xiudu and Nan Nan are hunting in the back mountains, so she goes to find them.
Nan Nan, enjoying roasted wild chicken prepared by Ye Xiudu, compliments his cooking and encourages him to win the upcoming contest against Yu Zuolin, mentioning he’s taken leave from his mentor to cheer him on. Ye Xiudu then carefully asks Nan Nan if he thinks his mother is happy, and if he could accept a decent, handsome, skilled, and truly loving man as his father, especially if that man also loves Nan Nan.
Nan Nan quickly realizes Ye Xiudu is referring to himself. Ye Xiudu confirms it, promising to treat Nan Nan even better than his biological father, explaining that while Nan Nan wants to protect his mother, Yu Qingluo also needs love and protection. Nan Nan demands to know when Ye Xiudu fell in love with his mother. Ye Xiudu states he vowed on Yaowang Island to marry only Yu Qingluo.
Heartbroken and enraged, Nan Nan misinterprets this as Ye Xiudu using him as "bait" to get close to his mother. He calls Ye Xiudu "disappointing" and dramatically declares their master-apprentice relationship over. Yu Qingluo and Han witness the emotional outburst. Yu Qingluo sends Han to follow Nan Nan, while Ye Xiudu laments rushing things. Yu Qingluo comforts him, assuring him that Nan Nan’s anger stems from how much he cares about Ye Xiudu, and that with time, he might understand.
She urges Ye Xiudu to focus on the upcoming trials, and he assures her that her presence gives him all the motivation and determination he needs. Yu Qingluo then announces her decision to participate in the contest as a medical officer. Ye Xiudu objects, citing the danger. Yu Qingluo explains she has given the antidote for Sisha cream to Mo Xian, neutralizing Yu Zuolin's initial plan.
She further reveals her strong personal motivation, stating she seeks revenge against Yu Zuolin for previously using Gu Yebai to impersonate Nan Nan's biological father, and insists on accompanying Ye Xiudu to assist and protect him. Ye Xiudu remains concerned, revealing that his Night Guard hasn't seen Yu Zuolin training, hinting at a hidden strategy. She gives Ye Xiudu a hand-stitched protective sachet containing heart-refreshing grass, which she says will help his hemophobia and ensure his safety during the trials.
Ye Xiudu is touched, notes it's her first gift, and vows to wear it always. He agrees to her participation on the condition that she stays by his side. Meanwhile, Yu Zuolin observes a subordinate who has taken the newly developed five-grass powder, noting a significant increase in their strength and speed. He is pleased and plans to use the powder to defeat the Night Guard.
On the day of the selection trials, Jin Liuli arrives, playfully teasing Ye Xiudu about being there to witness his failure, but he confidently declares his intent to win. Yu Qingluo mentions that Nan Nan, despite his earlier anger, was inquiring about the contest, showing he still cares. The rules are announced: Yu's troops and the Night Guard will start from the east and west of General Hill respectively, with ambushes and assassinations permitted.
The first team to find and claim the battle flag, located at a designated spot, will represent Fengcang Kingdom in the Four-Kingdom Contest. Participants receive tokens. Yu Zuolin and Ye Xiudu shake hands. Yu Zuolin taunts Ye Xiudu, suggesting General Hill will be his burial ground, to which Ye Xiudu retorts that Yu's troops will perish there. The trials officially begin.
A subordinate tries to persuade Nan Nan to watch, but Nan Nan refuses, saying he doesn't want to see his "disobedient apprentice" and hopes he loses, correcting himself that Ye Xiudu is no longer his apprentice. The subordinate notes Nan Nan spent the entire night complaining about Lord Yuyang (Ye Xiudu). Inside General Hill, Ye Xiudu, Yu Qingluo, Ye Haoran, and Mo Xian find themselves disoriented. Ye Haoran's compass is malfunctioning due to the hill being a mine.
Yu Qingluo identifies sun-shielding mushrooms, which prefer dark, damp places, to deduce they are on the north side of the hill. Mo Xian consults a map, confirming the battle flag is at the foot of the south side. As they prepare to head south, Yu Zuolin and his subordinates, enhanced by the five-grass powder, ambush them. Yu Zuolin declares that he finds killing more entertaining than a treasure hunt, stating he can find the flag later after killing them all. He orders his men to "kill them all."
