The Love by Hypnotic Episode 18 Recap
> The Love by Hypnotic Recap
Following Li Mingyue’s departure, she and her entourage sought shelter from the snow in a western pavilion. While Yunsi and Tanli went to retrieve warm clothes for her, Mingyue pondered why Sikong Zhen had given her the mysterious kit. Looking out at the falling snow, her thoughts were with Xing'an city and Li Qian. Suddenly, the sound of horse hooves broke the silence. She turned around anxiously and saw the man she deeply yearned for dismounting his horse.
She hesitated for a moment before he quickly approached her. The two lovers gazed at each other, and Li Qian immediately embraced Li Mingyue, expressing relief that he had caught up with her. Li Qian urged Li Mingyue to stay for him, but a storm of emotions surged within her, quickly turning into resentment. She tearfully confronted him, questioning why he had failed to meet her, leaving her to wait alone for several hours and be mocked by others.
She accused him of constantly pushing her away, calling her a "chess piece" while blaming her for hypnotizing him, and yet pretending to care. Li Qian interrupted her, apologizing profusely. He admitted that it was all his fault, as he didn't know how to love her and had thus pretended to be indifferent and unconcerned. Li Mingyue vehemently declared it was indeed his fault.
She emphasized that she had chosen him that night, but he hadn't come, abandoning her despite claiming to respect her choice. Upon hearing that Li Mingyue had truly chosen him, Li Qian held her tightly. He explained the misunderstanding, revealing that he had thought her letter was a farewell message, which was why he hadn't shown up.
He recounted his desperate journey to find her, which made him finally understand the profound pain of loss and the true feeling of love. Overwhelmed by emotion, they kissed. Yunsi and Tanli arrived outside the pavilion and unexpectedly witnessed the embrace. Tanli smiled, but Yunsi angrily threw down his water bottle, grabbed his horse, and rode away, refusing to admit defeat.
Meanwhile, a servant reported to Qiao Huixin that rumors were swirling throughout Xing'an city about Princess Consort Zi having an illicit affair with the minister from Xiyue. Deducing that Li Qian must be deeply distressed, Huixin resolved to visit him to share his burden. As Qiao Huixin's carriage arrived outside the King's mansion, she saw Li Qian and Li Mingyue dismount from their horses and share a passionate kiss right at the entrance.
Seeing this, Huixin immediately lowered her carriage curtain and chose not to enter. Later, Li Xun and Qiao Huixin went to the palace to visit the Emperor and Consort Shu. The Emperor was preoccupied with concerns over King Zi's recent failure in suppressing a rebel attack. When Huixin spoke in Li Qian's defense, the Emperor was reminded of her previous engagement to him and expressed his intent to bestow her upon King Zi.
Consort Shu interjected, suggesting that the King's wishes should be considered first. The Emperor then summoned Li Qian, questioning him about the circulating rumors. After Li Qian's explanation, the Emperor remained uneasy and pressed his intention to marry Qiao Huixin to him, but Li Qian adamantly stated that he could not comply. Witnessing Li Qian's resolute refusal, Qiao Huixin felt a sharp pain, as if she had been stabbed.
The Emperor, slightly displeased, questioned what would happen if he insisted on bestowing the marriage. At this point, Li Xun intervened, arguing that the timing of such a marriage was improper. He explained that taking a new consort less than a year after a diplomatic marriage would inevitably upset Xiyue and lead them to believe Beixuan was slighting their princess. Li Qian supported this argument, adding that Li Mingyue had recently shown great improvement.
The Emperor found their reasoning sound and did not press the matter further. Walking alone through the palace pathways, Qiao Huixin was enveloped by the falling snow, her figure etched with desolation. Li Xun caught up to her. Huixin continued to defend Li Qian, but Li Xun sternly rebuked her, telling her to stop deceiving herself. He asserted that Li Qian never appreciated her kindness and that marrying him would only bring unhappiness.
Tears streamed down Huixin's face; she had always believed there was no genuine affection between Li Qian and Li Mingyue, but seeing their tender moments that day made her realize the depth of her own unwillingness to accept it. Li Xun comforted her, reminding her that she was still the eldest daughter of the Qiao family and that he would help her exact revenge on those who had wronged her.
Li Qian instructed Queyan not to inform the Princess Consort about his injury. After Queyan left, Li Mingyue approached Li Qian, inquiring about his palace visit and expressing jealousy that Qiao Huixin had also been there. Li Qian chuckled and embraced her, assuring her that no one else could ever catch his eye. Seeing his affectionate demeanor, Mingyue took the initiative and kissed him.
Li Qian then earnestly confessed that when he didn't see her, he kept his longing deep within his heart, and when he sought her out, it was because the longing had become too overwhelming to contain. His heartfelt confession deeply moved Mingyue, who grasped his shoulders, declaring that to alleviate his longing, she would stay by his side at all times.
Li Qian recoiled slightly in pain from her touch, then claimed he had official business and quickly retreated to his study. Mingyue felt quite frustrated, as Li Qian had not slept in her room for two days. She worried that he was bothered by her past with Yunsi, prompting Kangle to suggest that Song Jinyu could help her "test" Li Qian. Meanwhile, Li Qian, noticing Mingyue's recent distance, sought advice from his friends.
Song Jinyu advised him to offer her the very best things, while Sikong Zhen suggested sharing something he had never shared with anyone else. To demonstrate, Sikong Zhen took Li Qian's hand and placed it over his own heart, startling Li Qian.
Sikong Zhen explained that most women seek peace of mind, and Li Qian needed to make Mingyue feel irreplaceable by sharing an unforgettable place, precious memories, or a secret known only to him, thus proving she was different from everyone else in his heart.
