The Love by Hypnotic Episode 17 Recap
> The Love by Hypnotic Recap
Li Mingyue arrived at Li Qian’s room and remarked that he must have been very busy the day before. Li Qian, attempting to conceal that he had been ambushed by rebels, simply replied that he had rested early. Misunderstanding his coldness, Li Mingyue questioned if he had read her letter. Li Qian, having seen Yunsi leave the previous night and mistakenly believing Li Mingyue had gone to meet him, claimed he had.
Upon learning she only returned to the manor at midnight, he sarcastically noted that Yunsi must have truly cared for her to keep her out so late. Hurt by his words, Li Mingyue revealed that the small scimitar she always carried—a gift from Yunsi—was a reminder of someone who had risked his life to protect her.
She then informed Li Qian that she intended to return to Xiyue with her second brother and Yunsi, adding that she presumed he would be pleased with this decision. Feeling misunderstood, Li Mingyue directly asked Li Qian if the dignified King Zi of Beixuan would easily break a promise. Li Qian, believing she was referring to his pledge to respect her choices, confirmed he would not.
He stated that Beixuan was a chaotic place and it was for the best that she leave soon. Li Mingyue interpreted this as him wishing for her swift departure. Bitterly, she said she could finally leave a place where no one would miss her.
Later, when asked why he didn't try to stop her, Li Qian explained that since she had made up her mind, trying to keep her would only cause her more annoyance, and he had already promised to respect her decision. Meanwhile, upon learning of the situation, Li Xun actively spread rumors that King Zi's consort was secretly involved with the Xiyue minister, causing widespread gossip throughout Xing'an city.
Li Xun expressed his anticipation of the unfolding drama, gloating that Li Qian had not only failed to quell the rebellion effectively but was now unable to even manage his own household affairs. Still wrestling with her doubts, Li Mingyue confronted Yunsi, questioning why Li Qian would eat her pastries, help restore her memories, and risk his life to remove a poisoned arrow if he didn't care for her.
Yunsi countered that Li Qian’s actions were purely political—saving her life to maintain diplomatic relations and helping her recover her memory to preserve his own reputation. He pressed Li Mingyue to understand that he was the only one who truly cared for her, urging her to forget everything about Beixuan and remember their vow, "I swear to the moon that I will never wrong you."
Though Li Mingyue initially tried to make excuses for Li Qian, suggesting he was busy with state affairs, Yunsi’s arguments about Li Qian’s failure to ever confess his feelings or even ask her to stay ultimately broke her resolve. Convinced that Li Qian did not love her, Li Mingyue finally agreed to return to Xiyue with Yunsi. As Li Mingyue prepared to depart, she encountered Li Qian.
She expressed concern about how he would explain her departure to the Emperor, but Li Qian assured her he would handle it and that their personal matters would not affect relations between Xiyue and Beixuan. Before he left, Li Mingyue made one last attempt, asking if he had anything else to say to her. Li Qian paused, then replied that he had nothing more to say and turned away. With snow beginning to fall, a distraught Li Mingyue began packing.
Tanli tried to persuade her to reconsider, but Li Mingyue insisted on leaving, refusing to take any items related to Li Qian. She even broke a rouge box, a wedding gift from the Emperor, in half, declaring that she would leave Beixuan just as she had arrived. The next day, Kangle and Song Jinyu came to bid her farewell. Kangle, insisting that Li Qian was truly sad to see her go, urged her not to leave.
Li Mingyue explained that since Li Qian never asked her to stay, remaining would only make her seem self-important. As Yunsi hurried her to the carriage, Song Jinyu secretly handed Li Mingyue a kit from Sikong Zhen, advising her that it contained a solution for any difficulties she might encounter on her journey. Kangle tearfully asked Li Mingyue to return if she ever had regrets.
Later, Li Qian stood alone, drinking wine as snow fell, lamenting his inability to protect those he cared for despite his high position. Sikong Zhen approached, remarking that Li Qian himself was the one who had let Li Mingyue go and that she was the more pitiful one, destined to spend her life with someone she didn't love. Li Qian disagreed, insisting that she had chosen Yunsi.
He produced her blood-stained letter, which he had interpreted as: "My heart is like stone. Do not wait for my return. The moon is gone. Do not miss me." Sikong Zhen, however, offered an alternative interpretation: "My heart is like yours. Let's meet at the appointed time. See you there. Do not forget."
He explained that Li Qian, having seen Tanli drop a different letter meant for Yunsi, had already concluded Li Mingyue would reject him, causing him to only read rejection in her words. Stunned, Li Qian questioned if he had truly misunderstood. Sikong Zhen pressed him, asking if Mingyue wasn't more important than the lost memories he had worked so hard to recover. Realizing his grave error, Li Qian resolved to find her.
Sikong Zhen then revealed the secret of the kit: he had instructed Mingyue, via Song Jinyu, to head to a pavilion west of the city to take shelter from the snow if she ran into trouble. Armed with this crucial information, Li Qian immediately mounted his horse and rode off in pursuit.
