Unchained Love Episode 23 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
Murong Gaogong, restless in Shangqiong Palace, worried about Bu Yinlou's well-being in the remote Deer's Reed Residence, pondering if she was angry with him for sending her there. Eunuch Sun cautioned him, emphasizing his imperial status and the impropriety of humbling himself for a concubine. He advised Murong Gaogong to focus on state affairs. Murong Gaogong acknowledged the wisdom but still decided to send Bu Yinlou summer provisions from his private treasury.
He even considered visiting in disguise, insisting he would only observe from outside without entering, so no one would know. After swiftly clearing the bandits in West Shu, Xiao Duo made his way back to the Imperial City. Upon learning that Bu Yinlou had been sent to the Deer's Reed Residence, he decided to visit her first, even bringing her some cherries.
As he approached, however, his subordinate, Cao Chunang, pointed out that Murong Gaogong was already there, accompanied by numerous guards and lavish gifts. Cao Chunang warned Xiao Duo that if he were to enter, Bu Yinlou would face dire consequences. Realizing the danger, Xiao Duo chose to return to the Zhaoding Bureau instead.
Meanwhile, within the Deer's Reed Residence, Bu Yinlou, though aware of the Emperor's arrival, refused to meet Eunuch Sun or accept the many valuable gifts sent by Murong Gaogong, declaring that these were not what she needed. She privately longed for Xiao Duo's return, then quickly dismissed the thought, believing he would not want to see her.
When Eunuch Sun reported Bu Yinlou's refusal and defiant words, Murong Gaogong was furious, ordering all the gifts returned and declaring she could remain in isolation as long as she wished. Back in Shangqiong Palace, Murong Gaogong was further irked upon learning that Xiao Duo had returned to the capital after his successful campaign but had not yet come to report, viewing it as an act of arrogance.
His frustration mounted when Bu Yulu requested an immediate audience, insisting the matter was too grave for others to bring forth. Despite his annoyance, Murong Gaogong permitted the audience. Bu Yulu, now before Murong Gaogong, reported widespread rumors labeling Xiao Duo as the "True Emperor," asserting that Xiao Duo intentionally cultivated such a dangerous reputation. Bu Yulu boldly declared his unwavering loyalty, willing to serve Murong Gaogong with his life.
Recognizing Bu Yulu's readiness to confront the formidable Xiao Duo, Murong Gaogong immediately appointed him Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, openly stating his intention to use Bu Yulu as an "obedient dog" to curb Xiao Duo's immense power. He then dispatched Yu Zun, the new Commander-general of the Imperial Army, to summon Xiao Duo. Before entering the palace, Xiao Duo's subordinates warned him of the "True Emperor" rumors, recognizing them as a dangerous setup.
In the Hall of Imperial Supremacy, Murong Gaogong greeted Xiao Duo with feigned warmth, only to quickly accuse him of arrogance for not reporting his return sooner. Despite Xiao Duo's humble excuse, Murong Gaogong, citing the "True Emperor" rumors, effectively stripped him of his powers of reviewing memorials and transferred the Zhaoding Bureau's major cases to the Court of Judicial Review.
To further humiliate Xiao Duo, Murong Gaogong then ordered him to serve Empress Rong'an in Changqing Palace, claiming she needed assistance with her servants. Xiao Duo recognized this as a demeaning tactic but remained outwardly composed, contemplating Murong Gaogong and Rong'an's deeper motives. At Changqing Palace, Empress Rong'an was overjoyed to see Xiao Duo, affectionately calling him "A Duo" and inviting him to sit closer. Xiao Duo, however, maintained a cold distance, asserting his inherent indifference.
Rong'an offered to help him reclaim his former power if he returned to her side, but Xiao Duo brushed her off, sarcastically suggesting she needed a physician. He reminded her that she, not he, was the one in dire straits, and mockingly asked if she was now reduced to begging her "old dog."
Rong'an became agitated, reminiscing about her past neglect by the late Emperor and the bullying she endured from Noble Consort Shao, claiming Xiao Duo's presence and words were what sustained her. Xiao Duo vehemently refuted her romanticized version, clarifying that when he first joined the Zhaoding Bureau, she had coerced him into serving her own ambitions, forcing him into a perilous existence. He asserted that it was generous of him not to consider them enemies, let alone friends.
As Xiao Duo turned to leave, Rong'an desperately accused Bu Yinlou of turning him heartless, trying to stop him by viciously slandering Bu Yinlou, claiming she was merely using him as a stepping stone to Murong Gaogong's bed, and that she would abandon him once he was no longer useful. Enraged by her malicious words, Xiao Duo seized Rong'an by the throat, his eyes blazing with murderous intent.
That night, in her room, Bu Yinlou found a basket of cherries, sparking a brief surge of joy as she believed her love interest had returned. However, logic quickly set in, forcing her to dismiss the hopeful thought. Soon after, a knock at the door stirred a renewed sense of anticipation, but upon opening it, she found her father, Bu Yulu.
Her father informed her of his new appointment as Chief Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, emphasizing that Murong Gaogong had elevated him specifically to curb Xiao Duo's power. He advised Bu Yinlou to reconcile with Murong Gaogong to escape her confinement, but she expressed contentment with her current situation. Displeased, Bu Yulu criticized her lack of ambition and linked her recent troubles to her mother's troublesome nephew, the true reason for Murong Gaogong's displeasure.
He then revealed that Xiao Duo had returned, his authority stripped, and had been sent to serve Empress Rong'an. Bu Yulu vowed to utterly destroy Xiao Duo once he found leverage, sternly warning Bu Yinlou to sever all ties with him to protect their family from implication. That evening, Bu Yinlou sensed a familiar presence behind her. Turning, she found Xiao Duo, clad in an Imperial Army uniform, confirming his clandestine entry.
Expressing immediate concern, she urged him to leave, knowing the immense danger he was in. Xiao Duo, however, declared he could no longer endure the separation and the current situation. To force him away, Bu Yinlou resorted to harsh words, reminding him of her past refusal to escape with him, bluntly stating she wanted no part in being a fugitive.
She confessed that her past affection was a deliberate ruse, a manipulation to gain his protection and achieve her ambition of returning to the palace. She admitted to intentionally seducing him and playing mind games, even orchestrating Murong Gaogong's presence in West Shu through her cousin, all to escape his influence. Her ultimate goal, she proclaimed, was to become Empress and reach the pinnacle of power, ensuring she would never again be controlled like her mother.
A heartbroken Xiao Duo pressed her, asking if he meant anything to her, and if she held any genuine affection for him. Bu Yinlou coldly responded that any feelings for him were "not worth a mention" compared to her grand aspirations. Despite her cruelty, Xiao Duo offered to continue helping her achieve her goals, willing to sacrifice his dignity and be used by her, as long as he could have her.
Unyielding, Bu Yinlou pushed him further away, warning him that his own life was in peril and that she knew his secrets, threatening to expose them if he persisted in clinging to her. She then commanded him to "get lost." Bu Yinlou, intent on pushing him away, continued to verbally wound him, even confessing that her expressions of fondness for sweet things were fabricated.
She revealed that her seductive dances, feigned innocence, the orchestrated forced marriage, and even the "accidental" fall into the river where he heroically saved her, were all deliberate ploys. She admitted initially pursuing him because she believed him to be a eunuch, thus a safe entanglement, but discovering he was not rendered their involvement too risky for her ambitions. Heartbroken and enraged, Xiao Duo stormed back to his residence, lashing out in frustration.
He declared that no one was to inquire about Bu Yinlou ever again, asserting that she was no longer connected to him. He expressed his profound pain, lamenting that despite offering her his dignity and everything he had, she had only fooled, trampled, and threatened him, making him feel utterly worthless. Meanwhile, Empress Rong'an received news of Xiao Duo's departure from Deer's Reed Residence, pleased but still wary as long as Bu Yinlou lived, contemplating harsher measures to eliminate her.
The following day, Xiao Duo's subordinates complained about Bu Yulu seizing their important cases and creating obstacles. Preoccupied with his own ongoing investigation into the late emperor's murder, even holding ledgers upside down, Xiao Duo instructed them to stand down from challenging Bu Yulu for now. He also continued to ponder the connection between Yuwen Liangshi and the true culprit. Moments later, he discreetly inquired with Cao Chunang if there was any news from Deer's Reed Residence.
