Qing Luo Episode 22 Recap
> Qing Luo Recap
Ye Xiudu gently played "Phoenix Seeking His Mate," his face soft in the candlelight. He expressed his deep affection, singing of a beautiful lady he couldn't forget, saying that without her, he was lost. He then presented a carefully prepared wooden box, intending to fulfill their unfinished marriage.
When Yu Qingluo questioned if he had been preparing all this time, Ye Xiudu explained that despite his amnesia, he vaguely remembered her fondness for the tune, so he learned to play it at Qunfang Whorehouse. Upon seeing Nannan's drawing, Yu Qingluo realized that Ye Xiudu and Nannan had already reconciled. Ye Xiudu acknowledged that Nannan's drawings helped him recall some memories.
He then expressed a deeper understanding of the Four Kingdom Contest, stating it was not only to restore the Ye family's honor but also to protect his family and friends. He affirmed that without Yu Qingluo and Nannan, honor and fame were meaningless to him. He knelt and presented a unique mask ring, crafted by Mr. Ou, asking Yu Qingluo to marry him and complete their family. He spoke of praying under falling stars to realize one's deepest desires.
However, Yu Qingluo heartbreakingly refused, saying she had already found Nannan's biological father. Yu Qingluo explained that Shangguan Jin was the one who rescued her from a rogue seven years ago at the Four Kingdom Contest banquet, and that he had been trying to acknowledge their past connection, but she had mistakenly thought he harbored ill intentions.
Hearing this, Ye Xiudu was deeply hurt and sought solace in alcohol, clutching a wine bottle while recalling his past promises to Yu Qingluo and how they now seemed impossible to fulfill. Yu Qingluo, though outwardly firm, was also in immense pain, standing silently at his door, sharing his sorrow.
Shangguan Jin had confronted Yu Qingluo, threatening that if she agreed to marry him after he won the Four Kingdom Contest, he would present the Duanyu bird as a betrothal gift. The next day, Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli prepared to depart for Jinglei Kingdom. Ye Xiudu, disheveled and distraught, watched Yu Qingluo leave, his heart in pieces.
Ye Haoran and Li Zifan tried to console him, urging him to not give up and to consider the hidden reasons behind Yu Qingluo's actions. Li Zifan speculated that Yu Qingluo might be investigating Jinglei Kingdom's collusion with Xiuluo Sect. Ye Haoran reminded Ye Xiudu that he had vowed not to give up on Yu Qingluo, even if Nannan's biological father reappeared. At that moment, Mo Xian reported that Princess Qingning had arrived and wished to see Ye Xiudu.
Meanwhile, Yu Qingluo comforted Nan Nan, explaining that they had moved from Fengcang Pavilion because he was sick, and she didn't want to jeopardize Ye Xiudu's participation in the Four Kingdom Contest by potentially spreading his illness. Nannan promised to recover quickly to see Ye Xiudu sooner.
Jin Liuli discussed Nannan's condition with Yu Qingluo, revealing that while the Duanyu bird's feather only delayed the poison, the true cure required either the bird's blood or a blood transfusion from a direct male relative. However, the poison would then transfer to the donor. Jin Liuli realized Yu Qingluo was fearful that Ye Xiudu, upon learning he was Nannan's biological father, would sacrifice his own life to save their son.
Just then, Shangguan Jin entered, bringing the Duanyu bird's feather. Yu Qingluo, noticing the feather's dull color and messy texture, confidently declared that the Duanyu bird was ill, likely from being caged too long. She warned Shangguan Jin that if anything happened to the bird or Nannan, she would hold him responsible. Shangguan Jin, who had secretly overheard Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli's conversation and now knew Ye Xiudu was Nannan's true father, merely promised to ensure Nannan's safety.
After leaving, Shangguan Jin instructed his guards to keep a close watch on Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli, preventing them from leaving their rooms. Yu Qingluo followed Shangguan Jin to see him meet with Shuang Ke. She was almost discovered upon her return, but Ye Xiudu suddenly appeared at the door. Ye Xiudu demanded to see Nannan, stating he would not give up on Yu Qingluo, regardless of the circumstances.
Shangguan Jin, however, defiantly embraced Yu Qingluo, calling her his future wife and Nannan his son, and audaciously invited Ye Xiudu to attend their wedding banquet after he won the Four Kingdom Contest. Ye Xiudu fiercely declared that Yu Qingluo would always be his woman and that he would personally take Shangguan Jin's life at the upcoming contest.
With Nannan's condition temporarily stabilized, Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli surmised that the Duanyu bird, along with Xiuluo Sect's forces, must be hidden within the inner city, the battleground for the Four Kingdom Contest. Yu Qingluo ensured Nannan was well-protected by four guards. Meanwhile, Ye Xiudu's team, including Li Zifan and their teacher, rallied with renewed determination to restore the Ye family's honor.
Ye Haoran, however, continued to pester Jin Liuli for information regarding Yu Qingluo's sudden actions, but Jin Liuli remained tight-lipped, reminding him of their opposing sides. The Four Kingdom Contest officially commenced, with Zhan Changgong as the chief examiner, announcing the rules. The contest, divided into two rounds, would be held in Zuimeng City's inner city, which had been cleared of all non-participants. Contestants, blindfolded and randomly placed throughout the inner city, would compete to collect special identity wooden plates.
The two teams possessing the most plates by the final bell would advance. As the contest began, Yu Qingluo utilized scorpions as guides. She overheard Xiuluo Sect soldiers discussing their orders from Deputy Chief Shuang Ke to find medicine for a bird. Realizing they were referring to the Duanyu bird, Yu Qingluo quickly disguised herself as a Xiuluo Sect member, infiltrated their ranks, and successfully drugged Shuang Ke, rendering her unconscious.
However, Shangguan Jin then appeared, revealing he had anticipated her actions and was trailing her. He boasted of capturing Ye Haoran and Qingning, claiming the Tianyu Kingdom and Fengcang Kingdom were now hesitant to act, and that he had sown discord in Liuyun Kingdom, ensuring his victory. Yu Qingluo, unfazed, refuted his claims, declaring that she already had her beloved and that Ye Haoran and Qingning were not in his hands.
At that moment, Ye Xiudu and Li Zifan, disguised as Xiuluo Sect soldiers, revealed themselves, attacking Shangguan Jin's men. It was then revealed that Qingning had previously testified to Ye Xiudu that Shangguan Jin, suffering from an eye disease seven years prior, could not have saved Yu Qingluo at the banquet. Ye Xiudu, upon hearing this, realized Yu Qingluo's story was a fabrication and that Nannan must be in danger, compelling Yu Qingluo to act under duress. Since then, Ye Xiudu had been secretly protecting Yu Qingluo and Nannan, having long considered them his family, vowing to face any problems together and resolve what she could not.
