The Love by Hypnotic Episode 26 Recap
> The Love by Hypnotic Recap
At the temple of the god of marriage, the Emperor arrived with his concubine, accompanied by King Zi Li Qian and his wife Li Mingyue, and King Ling Li Xun with his wife Qiao Huixin. The city magistrate, Cao Fu, presented the temple's secretary, who appeared suspicious. The secretary nervously reported that Princess Zi, Li Mingyue, had made arrangements at the temple, but he was unsure if they involved gunpowder.
At this, Li Qian's second wife, Pei Shutang, feigned shock and fainted, claiming Li Mingyue intended to harm her. Li Qian wanted his guard Diwu Cheng to escort Pei Shutang home, but Qiao Huixin intervened, arguing this might leak news and allow Li Mingyue to flee. Qiao Huixin offered to personally escort Pei Shutang to the Ling residence for her safety, and the Emperor agreed.
Shortly after, Fu'er, a maid from the Zi household, confessed that she had bought gunpowder for Li Mingyue, though she claimed ignorance of its intended use. Li Xun immediately suspected a premeditated act, suggesting it amounted to rebellion. With everyone on high alert, Li Xun opened the incense burner where the "gunpowder" was supposedly hidden. To his surprise, he found only carved wooden mandarin ducks and concentric knots, items used for blessing marriages.
Li Xun was perplexed, recalling that he had his man, Qin Yuan, confirm it was gunpowder just the previous night. Meanwhile, en route to the Ling residence, Pei Shutang faked sickness and had Qiao Huixin stop the carriage. She seized the opportunity to escape to Sikong's residence, where she was reunited with Mister Baishang. Qiao Huixin realized they had been tricked.
Sikong, who helped orchestrate the escape, remarked that he did it for his friend and his friend's "difficult-to-handle princess," hinting at Li Qian and Li Mingyue's involvement in the scheme. Back at the temple, Li Xun pressed Li Qian about the location of the gunpowder Li Mingyue had bought. Just then, fireworks lit up the sky, and Princess Kangle arrived with Li Mingyue.
Kangle joyfully explained that the fireworks were a surprise for the Emperor and his concubine for the Bird Festival. She had pestered Li Mingyue for days to buy gunpowder and help her make them. Li Qian then clarified that the wooden ducks and knots found in the incense burner were for blessings, and Li Mingyue had even included prayers for the Emperor, his concubine, and Li Xun's family.
The truth became clear, leading Li Qian to suggest that someone had deliberately framed his wife. Li Xun, realizing his error, knelt and admitted his dereliction of duty. Qiao Huixin rushed back, reporting Pei Shutang's sudden disappearance and accusing Li Qian of being involved. The two brothers argued fiercely. The Emperor chastised Li Xun for stirring up trouble and ordered him to reflect on his actions under house arrest.
Cao Fu was dismissed, and Fu'er was beaten to death for her false testimony. In a private moment, Li Qian explained to Li Mingyue that he had to let her bury real gunpowder initially to trick the ever-suspicious Li Xun and Qin Yuan, ensuring they would take the bait before the items were swapped. He then praised her, saying that with her involvement, everything went smoothly. Following this incident, Li Qian and Li Mingyue's relationship deepened.
They prayed together to the god of marriage, vowing to be together for all lifetimes. When Li Qian jokingly asked what she would do if the Emperor ordered him to take another concubine, she turned the question back on him. He vowed he would rather die than comply, satisfying her. They continued to playfully tease each other.
Elsewhere, Li Xun faced a different reality; his defeat had stripped him of his power, and Pei Ling, Pei Shutang's father, now resented him. Feeling weary, Li Xun expressed his desire to simply grow old with Qiao Huixin, even if it meant not becoming the crown prince. However, Qiao Huixin refused to give up, stating her father's revenge remained unfulfilled. She declared that if Li Xun lost heart, she would seek vengeance alone.
Pained by her words, Li Xun vowed to bear all her burdens, hoping to see her smile again. Qiao Huixin asserted that her path would be arduous and that Li Xun was her only reliance, pledging to help him achieve glory and "trample Li Qian underfoot." In his heart, Li Xun grieved that he could not be the man Qiao Huixin truly loved, yet he loved every aspect of her.
The next morning, Li Qian appeared tired, leading his friends, Jin Yu and Azhen, to tease him about a pleasant night. They joked about the potency of the Qinan incense and speculated about his romantic encounters, referencing Li Mingyue's previous use of gunpowder for dealing with betrayal. Li Qian assured them he could control himself. The friends then humorously noted that with Princess Kangle now pursuing Jin Yu, at least he would be spared any more unwelcome concubines.
Soon after, news arrived that for the Emperor's birthday, a delegation from Xiyue was en route, led by the new Crown Prince, Kaierbi. To Li Qian's dismay, Yunsi would also be accompanying them. Li Qian was troubled, having learned that Yunsi had distinguished himself in battle, becoming the highest commander of the Xiyue cavalry. Later, Li Mingyue approached Li Qian on a swing, teasingly stating she couldn't sleep alone and had come to take him back to rest.
Li Qian, appearing dispirited, informed her of Yunsi and Kaierbi's impending arrival. Li Mingyue feigned excitement, claiming she missed her brother and Yunsi. Li Qian grew more agitated, asking if she no longer felt the need to hide her feelings from him. Li Mingyue gently held his hand, reassuring him that she had entirely moved on and now saw Yunsi only as an old friend.
She reasoned that if she were to hide her feelings, that would be the real cause for his concern. Li Qian, hearing this, felt greatly relieved. Later, outside the mansion, Li Mingyue was delighted to see her horse, Shifei. She took it for a ride, but the horse seemed uncontrollable and led her to a bamboo forest, where Yunsi was waiting. Li Mingyue angrily confronted him, realizing he was behind Shifei's erratic behavior.
Yunsi presented her with a bride's crown, declaring that no matter what, she would always be Aimaila to him, the woman he wished to spend his life with. Li Mingyue admired the crown but gently told him to give it to a woman who truly loved him. Yunsi passionately explained that he had returned to Xiyue, sought out the most dangerous battlefields, and climbed the ranks.
He asserted that Xiyue's military power was now strong enough to resist Beixuan, and his influence in the army was so great that even the Xiyue King could not control him. He believed nothing could stop them now. Upon learning that Li Mingyue had been taken by Shifei, Li Qian worried that Yunsi, given his temperament, might forcibly abduct her. He immediately ordered a city-wide lockdown to ensure no one took Li Mingyue away.
Li Qian then set off to search the markets she frequented. Meanwhile, Li Mingyue candidly told Yunsi that her past choices were for herself and that she had truly fallen in love with Li Qian, genuinely considering Yunsi her good brother. Enraged and heartbroken, Yunsi threw the bride's crown to the ground. Li Mingyue rode away. As she departed, Qiao Huixin appeared behind Yunsi. His resolve hardened, Yunsi declared that he now believed that as long as Li Qian lived, Aimaila would never return to him, and therefore, Li Qian had to disappear.
