Unchained Love Episode 25 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
Upon returning to the palace, Rong'an found Princess Hede persistently accompanying her. Growing impatient, Rong'an finally addressed Hede, who then warned her that if the day's events were disclosed to Murong Gaogong, neither Rong'an nor Consort Duan would fare well. Rong'an, understanding the implications, decided to suppress the incident. She had a message conveyed to Suhuai, the maid who knew too much, threatening Suhuai's family in the capital to ensure her silence, while also promising to remember Suhuai's cooperation.
Left alone, Princess Hede pondered the strange circumstances. Her maid then informed her of a rumor from Shangqiong Palace that Consort Duan had a lover in West Shu, for whom she had offended the Emperor and been sent to Deer's Reed Residence.
It seemed too coincidental that Xiao Duo had given Bu Yinlou his Chief's ring, a symbol of his high office in the Zhaoding Bureau, and despite the Emperor's suspicion, had sent his trusted men to protect her in secret. Hede began to suspect that Bu Yinlou's mysterious lover might indeed be Xiao Duo. Meanwhile, Qilang reported to Xiao Duo that Bu Yinlou had escaped Deer's Reed Residence and kidnapped Rong'an.
Confused and concerned, Xiao Duo wondered if she intended to die with Rong'an and sought out Tong Yun at the Dyeing Workshop, where she had been sent as punishment. Under pressure from Xiao Duo, Tong Yun revealed that Bu Yinlou had refused to sleep with Murong Gaogong and had planned to disfigure herself with poison to avoid it.
Tong Yun confessed that she had inadvertently given them away, leading to her punishment and Bu Yinlou's forced relocation to Deer's Reed Residence. Tong Yun further explained that on the day they were at Yanguo Mountain, Bu Yinlou did not get off the carriage, even though Murong Gaogong had sent his best fighter, Yu Zun, and troops to ambush them.
Bu Yinlou's refusal to disembark was a desperate act to protect Xiao Duo, as she felt it was her turn to shield him, just as he had always protected her. Tong Yun concluded by revealing that Bu Yinlou's kidnapping of Rong'an was an attempt to find the culprit for Xiao Duo, fulfilling a long-held promise to him. Overwhelmed with emotion, Xiao Duo wept.
Qilang then informed him that Bu Yinlou had deliberately consumed something harmful to feign illness and paid the doctor to keep silent, all to save Xiao Duo. Realizing her self-sacrifice and cunning, Xiao Duo called her a "scheming little liar." He attempted to go to Deer's Reed Residence immediately but was stopped by Qilang, only to be summoned by Murong Gaogong himself.
At Deer's Reed Residence, Murong Gaogong was personally tending to a seemingly unresponsive Bu Yinlou, even offering her a beautiful rosemallow necklace. He berated the maids for their disloyalty, implying they were at fault for Bu Yinlou's unresponsiveness. Murong Gaogong made Bu Yinlou promise to wear the necklace daily as a symbol of her obedience. To Bu Yinlou's horror, Murong Gaogong then had her cousin, Lian Cheng, brought in, battered and bruised.
Bu Yinlou rushed to her cousin, distraught, and desperately tried to explain their innocent relationship to Murong Gaogong, insisting Lian Cheng was the only family her mother had left. Murong Gaogong, however, refused to believe her, still convinced she harbored a lover and citing rumors of her intimate relationship with a man in West Shu.
In a fit of rage, Murong Gaogong forced a short dagger into Bu Yinlou's hand and, using her as an unwilling instrument, plunged it into Lian Cheng, demanding to know the identity of her true lover. With his dying breath, Lian Cheng urged Bu Yinlou, using her birth name, Zhuoying, to always be happy and free. Murong Gaogong, furious at Lian Cheng's defiance, stabbed him again, killing him. Bu Yinlou, heartbroken, collapsed to the ground.
Xiao Duo arrived at Deer's Reed Residence to find Lian Cheng's lifeless body. Murong Gaogong, in a chilling confession, revealed his long-standing obsession with Bu Yinlou, recounting how he had watched her since childhood. He declared his bone-deep love for her and how he had removed "that man" from her life, believing she could now finally see him.
Murong Gaogong spoke of how red suited her when Lian Cheng's blood splattered her face and emphasized that obedience was the key to safety and longevity in the Imperial City. Hiding his fury, Xiao Duo humbly agreed with Murong Gaogong. The Emperor then suggested that Xiao Duo visit Bu Yinlou more often at Deer's Reed Residence, given their past connection. Xiao Duo respectfully declined, reiterating his duty was solely to serve Murong Gaogong.
Murong Gaogong then sought Xiao Duo's advice on how to bring Consort Duan back to the palace, as his mother and court officials opposed it. Xiao Duo proposed that Bu Yinlou copy Buddhist scriptures and present them publicly during the upcoming Buddha's Birthday, demonstrating her sincerity and virtue. This act, he reasoned, would allow Murong Gaogong to summon her back to the palace without significant opposition.
Murong Gaogong approved the plan and entrusted Xiao Duo with all the preparations for the Buddha's Birthday. After leaving the Emperor, Xiao Duo immediately dispatched Qilang and his men to search thoroughly for Lian Cheng's body. Princess Hede, still troubled by Bu Yinlou and Xiao Duo's rumored connection, confronted Xiao Duo, metaphorically warning him not to covet what belonged to the royal family. Xiao Duo defiantly admitted his long-standing admiration for Bu Yinlou.
When Hede reminded him that Bu Yinlou was the Emperor's consort, Xiao Duo retorted that Murong Gaogong did not deserve her. Hede expressed her disappointment, feeling betrayed after years of friendship and admiration for his integrity. Xiao Duo, in turn, accused Hede of disregarding others' suffering and questioned if she truly understood the Emperor's cruelty towards Bu Yinlou. Hede dismissed his words, reiterating that it was none of his concern.
She pressed him about his intentions for the Buddha's Birthday, and he stated his unwavering desire to see Bu Yinlou. Hede warned him not to be reckless, but Xiao Duo challenged her to stop him if she could. Later, Hede learned from her maid about Lian Cheng's death and Bu Yinlou's deteriorating condition, solidifying her resolve to prevent Xiao Duo from causing further trouble during the Buddha's Birthday celebrations.
On the day of the Buddha's Birthday, Xiao Duo orchestrated a meeting by sending a messenger, using Rong'an's name, to Bu Yinlou. The message conveyed Rong'an's desire for a truce and an invitation to meet by the lake, mentioning "Ruyi Alley six years ago." Bu Yinlou agreed to the meeting, dismissing her maid. Feeling a sudden dizziness, she decided to go to the lake alone.
Meanwhile, Princess Hede intervened, intercepting Rong'an, who had become suspicious and was questioning Bu Yinlou's maid about her departure. Hede covered for Bu Yinlou by saying she had asked her to fetch some small items and then discreetly sent Rong'an away. Bu Yinlou arrived at the secluded lake, wondering if Rong'an truly intended to reconcile. Suddenly, Xiao Duo appeared and pulled her onto a boat as an eclipse began, casting the surroundings in an eerie light.
On the boat, Bu Yinlou, trembling with fear, urged Xiao Duo to be calm, threatening to scream and call the Imperial Guards, which she briefly did. She confessed her deep fear of imperial power, convinced that being with him would lead to his death. Xiao Duo, holding her, called her "Zhuoying" and reassured her. He revealed that Lian Cheng was not dead; his men had found him alive and sent him to safety.
Xiao Duo promised her that they would both be fine and would not die. Despite his reassurances, Bu Yinlou, still overwhelmed by terror, pushed him away, repeatedly denying her feelings for him. Xiao Duo, bewildered by her rejection, questioned why she still kept his ring and placed it alongside the rosemallow necklace if she truly no longer wanted him. Bu Yinlou threw the ring away, and Xiao Duo, in turn, ripped the necklace from her neck.
He admitted he had been "crazy for a long time" and refused to let her feign submission to Murong Gaogong, risk her life for him, or speak words she did not mean. He refused for them to become strangers. He declared that the only way he would stop was if she killed him. Bu Yinlou despaired, saying the Imperial City was like a prison with walls on all sides, making escape impossible. Xiao Duo, however, vowed to tear down those walls. Bu Yinlou called him a "bastard" for not listening, to which he simply replied, "Fine."
