The Four Episode 40 Recap
> The Four Recap
An Shigeng's crimes were exposed, and he subsequently fled. The Emperor pardoned Shenhou Mansion for harboring an escaped imperial beauty and, through King Xiang, issued two secret imperial decrees to Leng Xue. These decrees presented Leng Xue with an agonizing dilemma: either accept the living command to marry Princess Ziluo and become a royal consort, or face the death command, which stipulated the execution of his beloved, Chu Limo.
Both decrees aimed to separate Leng Xue from the woman he loved, leaving him at a loss for how to choose. Leng Xue, unwilling to marry Princess Ziluo yet equally unwilling to kill Chu Limo, returned to Shenhou Mansion from the palace. To avoid harming Chu Limo, he began to cold-shoulder her and treat her harshly, claiming he was tired of her "clinging" and wanting to push her away.
Unaware of the difficult choice Leng Xue faced, Chu Limo believed he no longer loved her and confided her sorrow to Wu Qing. Wu Qing, noticing Leng Xue's behavior, questioned him about his reasons, asking if he had a hidden hardship. However, Leng Xue lied, claiming he had grown weary of Chu Limo and no longer loved her.
Meanwhile, Wu Qing himself carried a heavy heart; despite having fallen in love with Chu Limo unknowingly during a period of amnesia, he could not forget Ruyan, remaining deeply attached to her. Mu Xue, observing Wu Qing, understood that beneath his composed exterior lay immense suffering. Separately, Ling Yiyi continued to absorb toxic insect venom, struggling with her addiction. Tie Shou discovered her inability to control her cravings and brought her to an ice cave.
Desperate not to disappoint Tie Shou and wanting to end her addiction, Ling Yiyi underwent a difficult internal struggle and attempted to self-mutilate by taking a brick to break her arm. Tie Shou, understanding her intent, threw the brick away. When Ling Yiyi tried to retrieve it, Zhuge Zhengwo appeared to guide her, explaining that she could utilize her "poison hand" for good, rather than evil, to fight evil, uphold justice, and help the weak.
Later, Leng Xue actively invited Princess Ziluo to choose a gift, and at Jiaoniang's birthday banquet, in front of everyone, he formally proposed to Zhuge Zhengwo to marry Princess Ziluo. He refused to explain his reasons, willing to be misunderstood as a man greedy for honor, wealth, and power, which caused the banquet to end on a sour note. Everyone present was unable to comprehend Leng Xue's actions.
Chu Limo was shocked and heartbroken, believing he was attracted to power, though she initially disbelieved he could be such a person and tried to question him, only for Leng Xue to adamantly confirm he was indeed drawn to power. Wu Qing glared at Leng Xue before departing.
Zhui Ming opposed the marriage, pointing out Leng Xue had no love for Princess Ziluo and thus she would not find happiness, and though he worried for the princess, he was powerless as Princess Ziluo herself was determined to marry Leng Xue. Tie Shou, angered by Leng Xue's perceived betrayal of Chu Limo, also believed Leng Xue was marrying Princess Ziluo out of greed for glory and riches, and championed Chu Limo's cause.
Despite everyone's disapproval and opposition, Leng Xue remained steadfast in his decision to marry Princess Ziluo. Overwhelmed by his difficult choice, Leng Xue found himself in pain and sought solace in alcohol. He eventually lied to Chu Limo again, claiming his marriage to Princess Ziluo was for revenge: by marrying the high-ranking princess, he would gain military power necessary to find and exact vengeance upon his enemies, the wolf tribe.
However, the truth was that Leng Xue was forced into this marriage out of sheer helplessness; he had no other option but to marry Princess Ziluo to save Chu Limo from the Emperor and King Xiang's threat.
