Unchained Love Episode 19 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
Cao Chunang uncovers concerning information: Qiu Yuebai privately met with Empress Rong'an, and a ship belonging to the Prince of Nanyuan's merchant company transported her to Shu. Furthermore, the Prince of Nanyuan's men have been trying to gain access to Qiu Yuebai's room. Seeing this, Xiao Duo decides to use the situation to his advantage by creating an opportunity for them, intending to observe the Prince of Nanyuan's true intentions. That night, Xiao Duo trails Qiu Yuebai to Mingding Tower.
There, Qiu Yuebai desperately pleads with the Prince of Nanyuan's manager to help her win Xiao Duo's affection, lamenting that he treats her more coldly than a stranger. Feigning sympathy, the manager produces a bottle of powder, claiming it is "talisman ash" from a mystic that will make a man fall in love. He advises her to mix it into Xiao Duo's food.
Xiao Duo, already aware that the Prince of Nanyuan had acquired a deadly poison—wolf's bane and snow mugwort—and suspecting it to be this "talisman ash," deliberately allows the scheme to unfold, intending to expose the Prince's plot. Meanwhile, after days of brooding, a frustrated Bu Yinlou resolves to leave with her parrot. As she steps out, she overhears Qiu Yuebai preparing soup for Xiao Duo.
Alarmed, Bu Yinlou retreats to her room, only to witness Qiu Yuebai pouring the mysterious powder into the soup. She discreetly follows Qiu Yuebai and sees her attempting to personally feed the soup to Xiao Duo, who shows no signs of refusing. Bu Yinlou bursts into the room, declaring that Xiao Duo cannot drink the soup because it is drugged. As she lunges to grab the bowl, Xiao Duo dismisses her concerns, insisting it is merely sweet soup.
Infuriated by his refusal to listen, Bu Yinlou snatches the bowl and drinks the entire contents herself. Xiao Duo watches in horror as she collapses. Panicked and enraged, he frantically summons doctors from across the town, but Bu Yinlou remains unconscious. The sight of Xiao Duo's menacing glare sends the terrified doctors fleeing for their lives, abandoning their medical kits. Xiao Duo stays by Bu Yinlou's side, meticulously tending to her.
He reflects on the inherent dangers of being close to him, yet the thought of losing her sends a chilling fear through him, knowing he would descend into madness. Unbeknownst to them, Bu Yinlou's cousin, Liancheng, had secretly replaced the poison with a powerful tonic. Bu Yinlou had merely fallen into a deep sleep from consuming too many restorative herbs at once. When she eventually awakens, the two confess their true feelings, solidifying their bond.
Xiao Duo then reveals his long-held secret: he is not the "Ah Duo" from Qiu Yuebai's past, but Xiao Cheng, Xiao Duo's twin brother. Six years prior, his brother went on an errand from the palace and never returned. Xiao Cheng found him dead, clutching a luxurious silk cord. He recalls seeing the Prince of Nanyuan's carriage in the same alley that night, leading him to suspect the Prince was his brother's murderer.
When the authorities dismissed his report due to the Prince's status, Xiao Cheng took his brother's identity, became a eunuch, and infiltrated the Zhaoding Bureau to gain the power to seek revenge. Bu Yinlou is deeply moved by the hardships he has endured. Xiao Cheng confesses that while he is tired of the deception, he feels liberated sharing the truth with her, believing all his suffering was worth it because it led him to her.
Bu Yinlou lovingly tells him that since he loves her, he now belongs to her and is forbidden from suffering alone ever again, making him promise to never hide anything from her in the future. Knowing the Prince of Nanyuan will now target Qiu Yuebai to silence her, Xiao Duo arranges for her discreet departure. Before she leaves, Qiu Yuebai pieces together the truth from Xiao Duo's words and actions, realizing he is not her long-lost lover.
Recognizing he is offering her a safe escape, she pledges to keep his secret. Seeing no malice in her, Xiao Duo reveals that his brother had indeed gone to their rendezvous that night, and his death was a tragic turn of events, not a betrayal. Understanding at last, Qiu Yuebai leaves in tears. Anticipating the Prince of Nanyuan's men would be sent to Mingding Tower to eliminate witnesses, Xiao Duo arrives first and takes Liancheng.
Employing a mix of threats and persuasion, Xiao Duo extracts crucial information: the Prince of Nanyuan is illicitly forging weapons for the Shu army. Just as Liancheng confesses, Bu Yinlou storms in, berating Xiao Duo for abducting her cousin. Having acquired the intelligence he needed, Xiao Duo had no intention of harming Liancheng. He arranges for Liancheng to be sent safely out of West Shu, assuring Bu Yinlou that his indenture has been retrieved from Mingding Tower.
Liancheng bids a fond farewell to Bu Yinlou, entrusting her care to Xiao Duo. News of the events in West Shu swiftly reaches the Imperial City. Empress Rong'an, consumed by jealousy over Xiao Duo's devotion to Bu Yinlou, subtly leaks the details of her poisoning to Emperor Murong Gaogong. Alarmed, the Emperor immediately sets out for West Shu.
Back in West Shu, Cao Chunang anxiously tries to make Xiao Duo take his monthly medicine, warning of dire consequences if he continues to delay. Meanwhile, Xiao Duo focuses on perfecting a spicy chicken dish for Bu Yinlou. She arrives, delighted with the food he's made for her, and curiously asks about the mysterious medicine, completely unaware of the serious health condition Xiao Duo is hiding.
