Qing Luo Episode 24 (Ending) Recap
> Qing Luo Recap
The atmosphere in Fengcang Pavilion was heavy as Yu Qingluo watched Nan Nan determinedly fly a kite. The young boy had written a letter on it, begging God to let Ye Xiudu wake up. Nan Nan explained that he knew Lord Yuyang was in a coma because he had saved him, and even Yu Qingluo couldn't cure him, so he hoped God could.
When the kite string broke and the kite flew away, Nan Nan was distraught, fearing God wouldn't see his plea. Yu Qingluo comforted him, assuring him that God had already received his message. Nan Nan then confessed his promises to God: he would never again secretly eat crispy chicken, play truant, or anger Yu Qingluo and Little Ye. All he wanted was for Little Ye to recover.
Tearfully, Nan Nan asked Yu Qingluo if Little Ye was truly his father, lamenting that he hadn't yet called him "Dad" and feared Little Ye might die. Yu Qingluo confirmed it and promised to do everything in her power to bring him back. Shortly after, Mo Xian delivered a letter to Yu Qingluo from Ye Xiudu.
After reading the letter, Yu Qingluo proposed delaying the Four-Kingdom Contest and gaining early access to the second volume of Shennong Pharmacopoeia to save Ye Xiudu. Li Zifan voiced concerns that the hosts, Qingheng and Tianyu Kingdom, might not agree. However, Situ Yu, with hidden motives, suggested they might be amenable, noting the previous alliance between Tianyu and Fengcang Kingdoms and Prince Qingheng's admiration for Lord Yuyang.
Ye Haoran worried Qingheng would prioritize winning the championship, but Jin Liuli was optimistic, mentioning Qingning's efforts to help. Yu Qingluo emphasized that the medical book was their sole hope and she would pursue it despite the slim chances. Soon, Qingning joyfully reported that her brother, Qingheng, had approved the request. They proceeded to Zuimeng Hall, an imposing structure that Qingning explained housed the Shennong Pharmacopoeia in a nine-lock mechanism box crafted by Tianyu Kingdom's artisans, requiring time to open.
Prime Minister Zhan welcomed them, explaining that Tianyu Kingdom's Monarch had made an exception not solely due to Prince Qingheng's request, but primarily because of Yu Qingluo's meritorious work in quelling the plague. Yu Qingluo expressed her gratitude. As the Prime Minister presented the book, Situ Yu, feigning scholarly interest, asked to join Yu Qingluo in examining it, and she agreed. However, as the box opened, Situ Yu snatched the book, declaring, "The game is over."
When the Prime Minister ordered his arrest, Xiuluo Sect members, disguised among the guards, emerged. Jin Liuli realized that Situ Yu was the Chief of Xiuluo Sect. Yu Qingluo, having anticipated this, revealed that the book in Situ Yu's hand was merely blank pages.
Situ Yu confessed to using Yu Qingluo's proposal to gain access, but she countered that his scheme was a trap to expose him, a strategy devised after she learned from Ye Xiudu's letter that the true enemy was the Chief of Xiuluo Sect. In his letter, Ye Xiudu had also explained his need for secrecy, knowing Yu Qingluo's determined nature to fight for the book regardless of the danger.
Situ Yu then seized Yu Qingluo with a dagger, challenging Qingheng to emerge. Qingheng appeared with guards, ordering Situ Yu to release her. Unfazed, Situ Yu revealed that Zuimeng Hall was once the main shrine of his ancestral Ethnic Mengshan, and the Shennong Pharmacopoeia was their sacred treasure. He claimed he was merely reclaiming what was rightfully his. He then threatened everyone present with death if they did not hand over the true Shennong Pharmacopoeia.
Just as Situ Yu prepared to kill Yu Qingluo, one of the black-clad figures played a flute, a melody Yu Qingluo recognized from Windbell Valley. Butterflies released bone-weakening powder, causing everyone except Yu Qingluo and a few others to collapse. The leader of the black-clad group administered an antidote to Yu Qingluo, then removed his mask, revealing himself to be her father, Han Xiao (also referred to as the head of the Jiang family).
Han Xiao explained that seven years prior, his misplaced trust in Situ Yu had indirectly led to the death of Lord Ye and his comrades, and his sole purpose for living had been to avenge them by destroying Situ Yu and Xiuluo Sect. However, before Han Xiao could assist the others, Situ Yu, astonishingly unaffected by the bone-weakening powder, rose and once again seized Yu Qingluo.
He boasted that he had become immune to all poisons through years of self-experimentation with herbs, developing an anti-poison pill during his relentless quest for vengeance. Yu Qingluo defiantly refused to surrender the Shennong Pharmacopoeia, further enraging Situ Yu. At that critical moment, Ye Xiudu arrived, warning Situ Yu that those who threatened his beloved met a grim end. Situ Yu was shocked, questioning how Ye Xiudu could be alive after being poisoned by Duanyu Hong.
Han Xiao proudly claimed responsibility for Ye Xiudu's recovery. Situ Yu, however, perceived that Han Xiao had only temporarily suppressed the poison, leaving Ye Xiudu still weak and no match for him. Yu Qingluo then recalled a self-defense swordsmanship Ye Xiudu had taught her on a mountain peak, where he had emphasized the importance of self-protection. Understanding his unspoken signal, she used a hidden dagger from her sleeve to break free from Situ Yu's grasp, creating an opening.
Ye Xiudu seized the opportunity and delivered a fatal blow to Situ Yu's throat. Li Zifan, who regarded Situ Yu as his mentor, was heartbroken to witness his death. Outside, Qingheng expressed his belief that Lord Yuyang would not die so easily, as they still had their fated battle to fight. Nan Nan also reassured Yu Qingluo, confident that his grandpa, Han Xiao, would cure Ye Xiudu, as Ye Xiudu always kept his promises.
Soon after, Han Xiao emerged, announcing that Ye Xiudu was safe, much to everyone's relief. He recounted how, with the second volume of Shennong Pharmacopoeia, he had finally developed an antidote for Duanyu Hong, thus curing Lord Ye's eldest son—who was also his grandson's father. Reflecting on the past seven years of guilt, Han Xiao expressed profound relief and a sense of destiny. Given Ye Xiudu's lingering weakness, Han Xiao advised against a crowd of visitors.
Yu Qingluo and Nan Nan were the first to enter. Ye Xiudu apologized for worrying them, promising it was the last time he would deceive them. Yu Qingluo made him vow to never lie to her again. Nan Nan, now aware of the truth, presented a painting he had recreated—a wedding gift for Ye Xiudu and Yu Qingluo, explaining that the original, started by Ye Xiudu, had been poisoned and burned by his mother.
Yu Qingluo gently prompted Nan Nan to use the proper address, and after a moment of hesitation, Nan Nan softly called Ye Xiudu "Dad." Overcome with emotion, Ye Xiudu asked him to repeat it, cherishing the words. Nan Nan then sweetly said, "Dad, I miss you so much." The Four-Kingdom Contest resumed with a climactic final battle between Ye Xiudu and Qingheng.
Qingheng declared his intention to fight with all his might, seeking to honor his father, who had regretted never having a fair fight with Lord Ye. Ye Xiudu eagerly accepted the challenge, and they engaged in a fierce contest. Ye Xiudu ultimately emerged victorious. Upon their return to Fengcang Kingdom, Yu Qingluo and her companions were greeted by a joyous populace celebrating their heroes.
Among the cheering crowd, Mo Xian and Xiao Han were seen together, while Xiaocao pondered the preparations for Yu Qingluo's upcoming wedding feast. While Yu Qingluo's group celebrated, Ye Xiudu and Ye Haoran had already hastened back to the capital to report to the Monarch.
Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli speculated whether their early departure was to inform the Monarch about Situ Yu and the truth of the past Four-Kingdom Contest, hoping to clear Han Xiao's name, or if they had other plans. Soon, an imperial edict arrived, declaring that although Yu Qingluo and Jin Liuli had initially abandoned the contest and "escaped to Jinglei Kingdom," their subsequent return and contribution to Fengcang Kingdom's victory earned them forgiveness.
As a reward, the Monarch decreed that Yu Qingluo would marry Lord Yuyang (Ye Xiudu), and Jin Liuli would marry Minister Ye (Ye Haoran), with the weddings to be held the very next day. Ye Haoran gleefully asked Jin Liuli if his "highly anticipated and impressive proposal" had surprised her. The weddings took place at Prince Ye's Mansion. Lady Ye and Han Xiao were seated as honored parents.
Lady Ye personally thanked Han Xiao for saving Ye Xiudu, acknowledging his past sacrifices and noting the remarkable turn of events that had made their families united by marriage. Li Zifan, serving as the officiant, presided over the ceremonies. Meanwhile, Mo Xian inquired about Qingning, learning that she had gone out to find a wedding gift for her master and hadn't returned, playfully speculating if she was secretly meeting Li Zifan.
The two couples, deeply in love, performed the traditional bows to Heaven and Earth, to their parents, and to each other. Afterward, during the tossing of the embroidered balls, Jin Liuli threw hers, and Mo Xian caught it. Then, Yu Qingluo threw her embroidered ball, and after some playful encouragement, Li Zifan caught it.
Holding the embroidered ball, a bashful Li Zifan went outside to find Qingning, who was just returning, having dealt with a "malicious merchant" who had sold her a counterfeit wedding gift. Li Zifan declared her timing perfect and shyly presented her with the embroidered ball, their hands intertwining as their mutual affection deepened. Later that night, in their respective bridal chambers, Ye Haoran lifted his bride's veil, only to faint in shock upon seeing Shuangke.
Jin Liuli, removing her mask, revealed it had been her all along and playfully chastised the unconscious Ye Haoran for his fear. In another room, Ye Xiudu lifted Yu Qingluo's veil. He told her that compared to her, titles like Commander of the Four Kingdoms and Mr. Warrior were insignificant, and marrying her was his life's proudest achievement. Yu Qingluo replied that she needed no grand promises, only his daily companionship.
Ye Xiudu swore to protect her and Nan Nan forever. Yu Qingluo then teasingly reminded him of their "first night" seven years ago, which led to Nan Nan, and how he couldn't remember it.
Ye Xiudu, reverting to his more flirtatious demeanor from before his memory loss, then turned serious, suggesting that the disappearance of Maid Ge and the absence of the first volume of Shennong Pharmacopoeia from Situ Yu's possession indicated a more mysterious mastermind behind the scenes, and he vowed to uncover them. Yu Qingluo, eager to enjoy their wedding night, told him to stop talking business. When he suggested they have a baby girl for Nan Nan, offering to switch between his two personas during the night for her enjoyment, Yu Qingluo playfully called him "lustful."
