Qing Luo Episode 20 Recap
> Qing Luo Recap
Jin Liuli vocally denounced Ye Xiudu as unfaithful and a womanizer, abandoning those he used and falling for anyone he met. Ye Haoran tried to defend Ye Xiudu, suggesting a misunderstanding, but Jin Liuli told him to stand aside, implying he was part of the problem. Li Zifan then approached Yu Qingluo, offering his support by gifting her a painting he made eight years prior, depicting her smiling.
He explained that he knew her feelings for Ye Xiudu and expected nothing in return, only wishing for her continued happiness. He also expressed his suspicion about Ye Xiudu's situation with Qingning, knowing that Liuli’s "Trouble Solving by Intoxication" would have left Ye Xiudu completely drunk, making any encounter with Qingning impossible. Yu Qingluo, however, dismissed the discussion, stating that the urgent priority was to find the firethorns to save the lives of Zuimeng City's people.
Meanwhile, Qingning, seeing Ye Xiudu, inquired about his relationship with Yu Qingluo, but he remained silent on the matter, instead urging her to sleep as they had to continue their search for firethorns the next day. Yu Qingluo resolved that from now on, she and Ye Xiudu would have no relationship. The next morning, the group continued their journey.
As they resumed their search for firethorns, Yu Qingluo noticed that the euploea mulciber were circling the flowers but not landing, indicating something unusual. She cautioned the others not to touch the firethorns, deducing that an extraordinary master, not the Xiuluo Sect, was guarding them due to the thriving vegetation around. Yu Qingluo used her fan to apply medicinal powder, making the flowers accessible.
However, as they began to gather the firethorns, the euploea mulciber descended, releasing a powder that caused Yu Qingluo and her companions to fall unconscious. Ye Xiudu and Qingning, following marks left by Ye Haoran, were led into Windbell Valley by a young boy sent by the valley chief. As they entered, the gate unexpectedly closed, separating Ye Xiudu from Qingning, who called out to him in alarm.
Ye Xiudu was led to a room where he found his friends, including Yu Qingluo, bound in chains. A voice announced that those who trespassed in Windbell Valley would die. Ye Xiudu calmly confronted the unseen speaker, inferring that his friends were also captive. He explained their purpose was to find firethorns to save lives. The voice asserted that the firethorns were precious and not for everyone, demanding a price for their trespass.
He then presented Ye Xiudu with a harrowing choice: save the mysterious doctor, Yu Qingluo, or his other four friends. Facing the impossible decision, Ye Haoran and Jin Liuli declared their love for each other, affirming that she had read his letter and would die without regret, urging Ye Xiudu to save Yu Qingluo. Jin Liuli warned him to treat Yu Qingluo well, or she would haunt him even in death.
Li Zifan also expressed his willingness to sacrifice himself for Yu Qingluo. Qingning bravely declared she was not afraid to die and would not be a burden to Ye Xiudu. Yu Qingluo, in turn, told Ye Xiudu that she had already given the antidote to "Xiao Han" and that he should save the other four to ensure the city's people could be rescued, even without her.
She made him promise to care for "Xiao Han" and, if he were to marry Qingning, to treat her well. She then pleaded with him not to forget her again, acknowledging their bond but expressing a sense of fate. The mysterious figure pressed Ye Xiudu for a decision. After agonizing hesitation, Ye Xiudu chose to save Ye Haoran, Jin Liuli, Qingning, and Li Zifan.
As the mysterious figure activated the mechanism to unleash spikes upon Yu Qingluo, Ye Xiudu swiftly moved to her side. There, he revealed that his memories had returned, correcting her previous belief that he had forgotten their past. He reaffirmed his love, reminding her of her words before they had once jumped off a cliff together—that she would have no regrets dying in his arms.
He declared that he would not let his woman have any regrets and would die with her. As the spikes descended, the other four mourned their presumed deaths, only for Ye Xiudu and Yu Qingluo to emerge unharmed. Following their escape, Qingning tearfully apologized to Yu Qingluo, confessing that nothing had happened between her and Ye Xiudu in the wooden house.
She admitted to being selfish, fearing that Yu Qingluo would take him away, and acknowledged that Ye Xiudu had already made it clear he loved Yu Qingluo. Yu Qingluo forgave her, and the two reconciled, agreeing to treat each other like sisters. Qin Yin reappeared, explaining that the Windbell Valley's formidable reputation was merely a deterrent for intruders. The doctors who "never returned" had voluntarily stayed to study medicine under the valley chief.
He clarified that the recent trials were the valley chief's way of testing their character, and since they had proven themselves righteous, the firethorns would be given to them. He invited them to dine before leaving. During lunch, Ye Haoran affectionately fed Jin Liuli, sparking envy among the others.
It was revealed that Jin Liuli had secretly read Ye Haoran's love letter, which finally articulated his deep feelings for her, from their first meeting, through their time as friends when he was captivated by her "peculiar dance moves," and even an "unexpected kiss" that made him realize he was deeply in love. He expressed his love using lines from "Immortal at the Magpie Bridge," confirming that their bond was profound.
Yu Qingluo mused on Jin Liuli's skill in "conquering his man." Seeing Ye Xiudu feed Yu Qingluo an orange, Qingning playfully demanded that Li Zifan do the same for her. Yu Qingluo then went to search for the torn marriage contract. Ye Xiudu surprised her by presenting the contract, which he had meticulously reassembled. She feigned continued anger, but he apologized, showering her with sweet words, which she found irresistible.
When she found the orange he offered too sour, he took a bite and then fed it to her again, making it taste sweet. He promised to make up for her loneliness, create new cherished memories, and never lose her again. She made him vow never to forget her again, and he solemnly promised that even if he forgot himself, he would never forget her.
As they prepared to depart, Li Zifan commented on the overwhelming "sour smell of love" in Windbell Valley, though he himself perceived a "sweet fragrance." The valley chief bid them farewell with a flute melody, a tune Yu Qingluo found hauntingly familiar, stirring childhood memories within her. Meanwhile, the Xiuluo Sect leader was astonished that Yu Qingluo and her companions had escaped Windbell Valley alive.
He decided against a direct ambush, noting their likely vigilance, and instead planned to deploy his "exclusive move" through a "little thing" to achieve his goals. Back in Zuimeng City, Yu Qingluo successfully prepared and distributed the antidote, saving the afflicted citizens. Qi Hantian, Shangguan Jin, and Qingheng arrived to express their gratitude.
Qi Hantian, carrying a plaque, sincerely apologized to Ye Xiudu and Yu Qingluo for his past misunderstandings, a gesture Ye Xiudu admired as a unique form of "asking for punishment." Ye Xiudu accepted the plaque, commending Qi Hantian as a "Righteous Man Fighting Injustice." As the others conversed, Qingheng approached Ye Xiudu, reminding him that they still had an unresolved matter between them.
