The Legend of White Snake Episode 22 Recap
> The Legend of White Snake Recap
Tormented by his fragmented memories, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen both struggle to sleep. Xu Xian yearns to recall how he and Bai Suzhen met, became acquainted, and eventually fell in love. He sees a beautiful illusion of her, and then a floating lantern. Suzhen, too, sits alone in the cold wind and heavy rain, gazing at a similar ascending lantern, memories flashing before her eyes.
Xu Xian, startled by the same lantern, accidentally knocks over a water cup, wetting a blurred painting of Suzhen, which triggers a severe headache. He laments, "Meeting is worse than not meeting; having feelings is worse than having no feelings," desperately calling out "Hanwen," consumed by his desperate state. The next morning, Jin Ruyi finds Xu Xian asleep at his desk with Bai Suzhen's portrait.
Filled with jealousy, she immediately instructs servants to remove all of Suzhen's belongings—her plants, paintings, and books—to replace them with new, festive items like Chinese herbaceous peonies. Xu Xian, startled, forcefully stops them, demanding to know who authorized such actions. His sister, Jiaorong, steps in, explaining that Jin Ruyi consulted a geomancer who suggested their recent misfortunes were due to the house's old decor, implying Suzhen's lingering presence.
Jiaorong urges Xu Xian to let go of the past and embrace a new life with Jin Ruyi, reminding him of Jin Ruyi's selfless care during his illness and how he "must be nice to her in the future." A voice screams in Xu Xian's heart, insisting that his fragmented memories and the blurred figure in his dreams are what he truly desires, and he cannot marry Ruyi. However, he is unable to convince either his sister or Jin Ruyi.
Xu Xian firmly states that he feels uncomfortable with the changes and cannot marry Jin Ruyi, having always viewed her as a younger sister, not a romantic partner. He believes a marriage without mutual affection cannot last and wishes to break the engagement. Jin Ruyi, undeterred, refuses, reminding him that Jiaorong has already approved, and wedding invitations have been sent.
She attributes his words to his recent illness and declares she will proceed with wedding preparations, even going to buy jewelry alone if he won't accompany her. Ruyi, despite knowing Xu Xian had no romantic feelings for her, was content just to be by his side, whispering to him, and serving him meals. She deluded herself, paying no heed to reciprocation.
Meanwhile, Xiao Qing emerges from the Sutra Depository, mocking Fahai for meditating outside all night just to "deal with" her. Fahai patiently explains he aims to enlighten her due to her "half-goddess" nature, but Xiao Qing cuts him off, expressing her aversion to the term and her desire to remain a demon, as being called a half-goddess has brought her nothing but bad luck. Unable to enlighten her, Fahai orders her to continue copying scriptures.
Xiao Qing, finding Fahai's asceticism amusing, decides to show him "worldly pleasures." She drags him to a pub, offering him alcohol as an example of human joy. Fahai, calling it "absurd" and "intoxication," attempts to leave. Xiao Qing stops him, arguing that to truly understand and save sentient beings, he must comprehend their joys and sorrows, which, she insists, are found within this "nectar." Fahai counters that he only knows alcohol "can disrupt a man's behavior."
Xiao Qing points to other patrons, reveling and lamenting, challenging him to understand their reasons for happiness and sorrow, asserting this knowledge is crucial for a true savior. Elsewhere, Bai Suzhen, searching for Xiao Qing, inadvertently wanders into a jewelry store. The shop owner immediately recognizes her, recalling the time Xu Xian bought a delicate silver butterfly hairpin for her, asking him to keep it a secret to surprise her, and marveling at their deep affection.
Just then, Jin Ruyi enters, seeking "festive, jolly pairs" for her upcoming wedding. Upon seeing Bai Suzhen, she gleefully announces her marriage to Xu Xian in "half a month" and mockingly invites Suzhen to the wedding. Heartbroken, Bai Suzhen turns to leave, only to bump into Xu Xian who has just arrived. Xu Xian calls out to her and follows her outside. A heavy downpour begins as Xu Xian catches up to Bai Suzhen on a boat on West Lake.
She asks if his headaches still bother him. He admits they return whenever he tries to remember the past. Suzhen advises him to simply forget and, offering tea, congratulates him on his upcoming marriage to Jin Ruyi. When Xu Xian tries to explain his situation with Jin Ruyi, Suzhen dismisses it, stating it's his private matter. Confused and hurt, Xu Xian questions why she continuously pushes him away.
He asks why, if they are truly strangers, he sees her face in the West Lake, the Broken Bridge, a book, a painting, or even a lantern. He desperately wants to know what shared past they might have forgotten. Suzhen, however, insists that their current encounter—the rain, the tea—is merely a fleeting "chance encounter, like floating petals," which will soon vanish without a trace. She urges him not to let "past destiny" interfere with his "good match" with Jin Ruyi.
As the rain subsides, Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian emerge from the boat. Xiao Qing, full of fury, chases Jin Ruyi, who defiantly tries to expose Bai Suzhen as a snake demon. Before Jin Ruyi can finish, Bai Suzhen magically silences her and pulls her aside for a private confrontation. Bai Suzhen sternly accuses Jin Ruyi of using the Peace Talisman to separate her from Xu Xian and administering Mesmerize Powder, causing Xu Xian's severe illness.
Jin Ruyi retorts that even without Bai Suzhen, Xu Xian would never marry a demon, threatening to continue poisoning him if Bai Suzhen doesn't leave. Bai Suzhen, asserting her power, reveals she spares Jin Ruyi only to prevent Xu Xian's sorrow, warning that any future harm to Xu Xian will result in Jin Ruyi's death, emphasizing her resolve with a magical snap of a tree branch. The wedding day arrives with celebratory drums and music.
Jin Ruyi, radiant in her red wedding gown, sits happily in the sedan chair, gazing out and relishing her dream of marrying Xu Xian. Inside, Xu Xian refuses to don his wedding attire, reiterating his refusal to marry Jin Ruyi. Jiaorong scolds him, reminding him of Jin Ruyi's devotion during his illness and how her willingness to marry him was meant to "exorcise bad luck."
She warns that not marrying Jin Ruyi would "force her to death" and threatens to disown him if he doesn't comply, stating their family cannot be so ungrateful. Xu Xian, however, argues that there are other ways to show gratitude, and marrying without love would be "repaying kindness with enmity." Enraged by the spectacle and the injustice to Bai Suzhen, Xiao Qing summons a fierce storm, blowing over the bridal sedan chair and leaving Jin Ruyi disheveled.
Rain heavily strikes Ruyi, making her look like a broken, delicate flower. Xu Xian rushes to help Jin Ruyi, unwittingly avoiding the hidden dark hand of Huang Daoling. Just then, Bai Suzhen, who was looking for Xiao Qing, secretly intervened, blocking Daoling's second attack. Frustrated by his incompetence, Daoling left. However, Daoling's demonic energy attracted Fahai, leading to unlucky Xiao Qing being blamed and captured by Fahai again. Xu Xian again states clearly that he cannot marry Ruyi.
As Jiaorong arrives with an umbrella, Xu Xian spots the white umbrella she carries—the same one he once gifted Bai Suzhen and carved with their vows. This sight triggers a flood of memories, and he finally remembers everything about Bai Suzhen: their love on Broken Bridge, their declaration of love at the old pavilion, the silver hairpin, and the lantern. He sees her among the crowd and rushes to her side.
Embracing her, Xu Xian declares that even if remembering her causes "heart-wrenching pain," it is "worthwhile." They promise each other, "we shall not part for the rest of my life." Fahai relentlessly pursues Xiao Qing into a bamboo forest. Xiao Qing, knowing Fahai would not truly kill or subdue her, playfully leads him in circles, though growing increasingly impatient with his efforts to persuade her to cultivate.
Fahai insists his exorcising staff had sensed killing intent and had led him directly to her. He reiterates his intention to "exorcise evil spirits" from her and take her back to Jinshan Temple for cultivation, declaring he will show "no mercy" if she remains "stubborn" and threatening to use his Zijin Bowl. Xiao Qing, however, taunts him, feigning innocence and mocking his inability to prove she committed murder, claiming she only created wind.
Just as Fahai prepares to use the Zijin Bowl, Zhang Yutang suddenly appears, knocking it away. Xiao Qing, seizing the opportunity, dramatically cries for help, accusing Fahai of trying to "take advantage" of her. Zhang Yutang, believing her, denounces Fahai as a "non-benevolent monk" and vows to protect Xiao Qing, allowing her to escape from Fahai's grasp. Xu Xian publicly addresses the gathering neighbors, taking full responsibility for the day's events.
He declares Bai Suzhen as his only wife for "this life and all eternity," vowing "never to part" and "never to marry again." He expresses deep regret to Jin Ruyi, admitting he gave all his love to Suzhen and cannot spare any for others. He offers to compensate Jin Ruyi in any way but marriage. Jin Ruyi, who had earlier pleaded to be an "equal wife" or even a concubine, is overcome with a mix of fury and bitter laughter.
She furiously asks Xu Xian, "Who I am to you? Why do you have to humiliate me?" She lunges at Bai Suzhen with a golden hairpin, intending to kill her, but Xu Xian bravely steps in front, shielding Suzhen and taking the blow himself. Wounded, he defiantly states he would "rather die than marry" Jin Ruyi. Jin Ruyi, humiliated and enraged, vows to make them pay for this insult, breaking her hairpin as a symbol of her revenge.
Back home, Xu Xian and Bai Suzhen tend to his wound. He apologizes for her suffering and his past mistakes, while she assures him it was not his fault and that he was powerless. Xu Xian reveals he took his copy of the divorce pact from Jiaorong and asks Suzhen for hers, emphasizing the urgent need to burn both to validate their marriage. He declares his unwavering love, fearing only not growing old with her.
Jiaorong arrives, still upset and scolding Xu Xian for his reckless act of taking the hairpin blow. Xu Xian admits his rashness but explains he cannot make the same mistake twice by abandoning Suzhen. To mend Bai Suzhen's tarnished image with his sister, Xu Xian fabricates a story about the Dragon Boat Festival incident, explaining that Suzhen was retrieving an exorcism sachet from Baohetang when he drank the realgar wine and later left to find medicine to save him.
His brother-in-law, Li Gongfu, supports Suzhen, explaining she was too consumed by guilt to clarify. Jiaorong, somewhat placated, still worries about Jin Ruyi's hurt feelings. Xu Xian then draws an analogy, asking Jiaorong to consider her own feelings if her husband were cared for by another "little junior sister" when ill, and that junior sister claimed to be his true match, to encourage her empathy. He asks Jiaorong to talk to Jin Ruyi to ease her pain.
Xiao Qing, meanwhile, complains to Suzhen about Xu Xian's previous "liking the new, disliking the old," blaming him for her own troubles with Fahai. Suzhen defends Xu Xian, attributing his actions to his memory loss and asking Xiao Qing not to be angry.
