Unchained Love Episode 1 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
In the 11th year of Longhua, the death of Emperor Yuanzhen throws the Ye Dynasty into turmoil. With the young Prince Rong as heir, various factions vie for control, with the Zhaoding Bureau, led by the eunuch Xiao Duo, being the most formidable. Upon arriving at the palace, Xiao Duo demonstrates his ruthlessness by stepping on a kneeling servant's hand and having him dragged away. His subordinate, Cao Chun'ang, informs him that the Emperor died without leaving a decree.
Outside, Grand Secretary Zhou Chengde gathers ministers to protest the Zhaoding Bureau's influence. Xiao Duo confronts them, publicly exposing Zhou's corruption in the Spring Imperial Examinations and ordering his imprisonment. Meanwhile, Lady Bu, a low-ranking concubine, is designated as a tribute lady to be buried with the late Emperor. Her maid, Tong Yun, sends a message to Lady Bu's family for help. As the tribute ladies are gathered, Lady Zhang uses her connection to the Empress to escape her fate.
Seeing this, Beauty Li begs the well-connected Lady Bu for help, but Bu knows her family, who sent her to the palace in place of her stepsister, will not save her. Still, she promises Beauty Li they will not die. Empress Rong'an, now wielding power, seizes Prince Rong from his mother, Noble Consort Shao, and taunts her to join the late Emperor in death.
The Empress then attempts intimacy with Xiao Duo by asking him to warm her hands, but he pulls away. She reveals her alliance with the Prince of Nanyuan, Yuwen Liangshi, whom she intends to make regent. Alarmed, Xiao Duo orders Cao Chun'ang to investigate. Alone, Xiao Duo reaffirms his secret vow to kill the Prince of Nanyuan to avenge someone from his past.
Prince Fu, who feigns being a harmless lantern maker, secretly meets with Xiao Duo and begs him to save Lady Bu. Xiao Duo agrees in exchange for an unspecified condition, which the Prince accepts without hesitation. Desperate, Lady Bu and Beauty Li try to fake a severe illness. The ruse almost works, but Lady Bu's stepmother arrives.
Feigning concern, she then secretly bribes the eunuch in charge, Yan Sunlang, to ensure Lady Bu is still sacrificed, framing it as an act of loyalty that will bring honor to their family. With all hope seemingly lost, Lady Bu gives her final instructions to Tong Yun before being led with the other women into the Futu Pagoda to be buried alive.
