Qing Luo Episode 21 Recap
> Qing Luo Recap
Qingheng confronted Ye Xiudu, stating that Qingning had explained her lie, but despite that, Qingning had protected him with her chastity. Qingheng declared he could not tolerate Ye Xiudu treating Qingning merely as a disciple and sister. He announced his intention to take revenge in the upcoming Four Kingdom Contest, personally settling the score for his sister. Ye Xiudu accepted the challenge, unfazed, questioning Qingheng's ability to do so.
After Ye Xiudu left, Qingning asked Qingheng what they discussed, but he only told her that she would participate in the Four Kingdom Contest and must not disgrace their Tianyu Kingdom. Shangguan Jin found Yu Qingluo and invited her to his mansion to release the chick they had saved together, which could now fly. He also mentioned a feast prepared to thank her for helping Jinglei Kingdom.
Ye Xiudu, arriving, firmly interjected, stating they appreciated the gesture but would not attend the feast. He offered to accompany Shangguan Jin himself if he wished to release birds in the future, then led Yu Qingluo away, leaving Shangguan Jin seething with frustration. Ye Haoran expressed his joy to Ye Xiudu, believing his older brother had finally returned to his true self after overcoming his troubles in love. Ye Xiudu, in turn, acknowledged Ye Haoran’s blossoming relationship with Jin Liuli.
The two brothers celebrated their newfound happiness, toasting with water in lieu of wine. Yu Qingluo presented Ye Xiudu with the war flag of Fengcang Kingdom, entrusting him to lead its soldiers to victory in the Four Kingdom Contest, thereby restoring the honor of the Ye family and Fengcang. Ye Xiudu promised to win the championship for her, but she clarified that the victory was for himself, as it had been his dream for seven years.
He then confessed that, for him, nothing was more important than her. Later, Jin Liuli admired a gift for Yu Qingluo, remarking on Ye Xiudu’s unwavering attentiveness. Yu Qingluo, however, worried that Ye Xiudu's intense focus on her might make him vulnerable in the upcoming contest, with Qingheng as a declared rival and the Xiuluo Sect lurking in the shadows.
Jin Liuli reassured her, emphasizing that while Ye Xiudu had lost his memory, his formidable martial skills remained intact, making him capable of overcoming any adversary. Just as they were discussing these concerns, Luo Hanguo rushed in to report that Nan Nan had arrived and was already clashing with Ye Xiudu.
Yu Qingluo had anticipated this, knowing Ye Xiudu’s memory loss meant he wouldn't recognize Nan Nan, leading to immediate conflict between the two who were once like father and son. Ye Xiudu, forgetting Nan Nan was his master, challenged him, stating he would let Nan Nan go if he called him "dad." Nan Nan refused, reminding Ye Xiudu that he once admired his superior medical and poison skills.
Their argument escalated into a fight, during which Ye Xiudu, still suffering from memory loss, mistakenly called Nan Nan "Xiao Han" and publicly humiliated him. After the fight, Ye Xiudu even suggested a draw, proposing they call each other 'Master' and 'Dad', but Nan Nan vehemently refused, storming off infuriated. That evening, Yu Qingluo attempted to speak with Nan Nan, but he locked himself in his room, determined to defeat Ye Xiudu for forgetting him.
The next morning, Yu Qingluo tried to coax Nan Nan with a variety of delicious dishes, while Luo Hanguo praised Nan Nan’s administrative skills, noting that Fulong Inn’s income had increased by thirty percent under his management due to the popularity of crispy chicken. Yu Qingluo noticed Han Shuishi was absent. Luo Hanguo, with a hint of jealousy, explained that Mo Xian had called Han Shuishi away to train with Ye Xiudu, Mr. Li, and Ye Haoran.
When the men failed to return by dinner, Luo Hanguo’s suspicions were piqued. He mentioned smelling Bazhen rouge and powder, a unique fragrance from the Qunfang Whorehouse, on Han Shuishi. He deduced that Han Shuishi, and therefore the others, must have been there. Incensed, Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli immediately headed to the Qunfang Whorehouse. Upon arriving, Jin Liuli witnessed Ye Haoran attempting to redeem a courtesan and angrily confronted him.
Yu Qingluo, meanwhile, found Ye Xiudu receiving a lesson on playing the "Phoenix Seeking His Mate" melody from another woman. Misinterpreting the situation, Yu Qingluo became furious and, as a form of punishment, kissed Ye Xiudu, transferring a poison to his lips. She declared their matter far from over and left in a huff. Ye Xiudu quickly followed, trying to explain that their visit to the Qunfang Whorehouse was a form of training.
He clarified that they had studied previous Four Kingdom Contests and discovered that obstacles were often hidden in places like brothels and gambling houses to ambush participants, and their visit was merely to adapt to the competition environment. Yu Qingluo remained skeptical until Ye Haoran, known for hiccuping when lying, corroborated Ye Xiudu's story without a single hiccup.
Internally, Ye Haoran rationalized his statement, acknowledging that while it "was" training, it was specifically for Ye Xiudu’s marriage proposal, making his words technically true. Ye Xiudu seized the moment to reassure Yu Qingluo of his unwavering devotion, stating that he had no interest in any woman other than her. However, Nan Nan, observing the interaction, immediately discerned Ye Xiudu’s lie, noticing that he had touched his nose, a habit Nan Nan himself displayed when being untruthful.
Nan Nan threatened to expose Ye Xiudu to Yu Qingluo unless he called him "master." Ye Xiudu reluctantly complied. Nan Nan then presented Ye Xiudu with a book titled "Legend of Lord Yuyang," hoping it would help him regain his memories and recall their bond. As Ye Xiudu read, fragmented memories resurfaced. He finally conceded that Nan Nan had won and sincerely promised to call him master from that day forward.
Despite this, Ye Xiudu asserted that Nan Nan would still need to call him "dad" because he planned to propose to Yu Qingluo and desired to create a complete family for her and Nan Nan. Nan Nan enthusiastically agreed to keep the proposal a secret. Meanwhile, Ye Haoran approached Jin Liuli to apologize for the incident at the Qunfang Whorehouse. He tried to explain his presence there as merely offering guidance to the women, a "love for teaching."
Jin Liuli dismissed his excuses, saying his "love at first sight" was merely based on appearance. She then scoffed at his suggestion of breaking up. To prove his genuine affection, Ye Haoran presented her with the Kylin Sword, an ancestral heirloom of the Ye family gifted to him by his father, and swore an oath of eternal loyalty, promising never to speak such words to another woman.
Jin Liuli accepted the sword, playfully threatening to use it on him if he ever betrayed her. Inspired, Nan Nan decided to complete Ye Xiudu’s unfinished painting as a wedding gift for Yu Qingluo and Ye Xiudu. He needed special painting ink for this endeavor. Qingning appeared and offered to provide all the painting ink from Tianyu Kingdom. Initially annoyed by her sudden presence, Nan Nan relented when he learned she was Ye Xiudu’s disciple.
He then demanded she call him "Grandmaster." Qingning, finding him adorable, ruffled his hair and complied. Yu Qingluo was later seen attempting to discreetly track Ye Xiudu when she encountered Shangguan Jin again. He renewed his advances, but Yu Qingluo coldly rejected him, telling him to respect himself and cease bothering her. Shangguan Jin, frustrated by her rebuffs, met with Shuang Ke. Shuang Ke informed him that Qingheng’s investigation into the epidemic had been successfully redirected towards Liuyun Kingdom.
She then presented Shangguan Jin with the last remaining Duanyu bird, explaining that its saliva could be used to create the potent "Duanyu Hong" poison, with its feathers serving as the antidote. Shangguan Jin immediately saw an opportunity. Soon after, Luo Hanguo frantically reported that Nan Nan had suddenly fainted. Yu Qingluo quickly realized the painting ink Nan Nan was using was poisoned; her Hundred Grass Juice turned purple upon contact.
Luo Hanguo revealed that Lvhe, Qingning’s maid, had purchased the ink from Wenxuan Study. Yu Qingluo rushed to Wenxuan Study, where Shangguan Jin was waiting for her. She demanded the Duanyu bird’s feathers to cure Nan Nan, who was poisoned with Duanyu Hong. Shangguan Jin, using Nan Nan's critical condition as leverage, insisted on speaking with Yu Qingluo alone.
Once they were by themselves, he vehemently expressed his desperate love, reminiscing about his search for her over the past three years and his anguish at finding her with another man. Yu Qingluo, however, remained unmoved, stating she barely remembered him and had no interest in becoming a "prince’s wife." She demanded he state his terms directly. Shangguan Jin then explained the terrifying effects of Duanyu Hong, emphasizing that without the antidote within twelve hours, Nan Nan would die.
He then asked what she was willing to trade for the cure. Yu Qingluo ultimately secured the antidote. Jin Liuli, though curious why Shangguan Jin yielded so easily, chose not to press the issue upon seeing the tears in Yu Qingluo’s eyes. Yu Qingluo then strictly instructed Jin Liuli and Han Shuishi not to reveal any details of the day’s events to Ye Xiudu.
That night, Ye Xiudu led Yu Qingluo to a stunningly romantic scene adorned with countless flowers, flickering candles, and illuminated sky lanterns. He knelt before her, presenting a unique mask-shaped ring, and proposed, "Qingluo, it's time to fulfill my promise to give you and Nan Nan a complete family. . . Marry me." He confessed that she was his only wish. Yu Qingluo responded by kissing him, accepting his proposal.
