Unchained Love Episode 34 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
Xiao Duo had been imprisoned in the Zhaoding Bureau’s jail for some time, and the bureau itself showed no signs of activity. Murong Gaogong, driven to extremes, accused the Zhaoding Bureau of treason and dispatched Yu Zun to execute all Zhaoding Guards. Meanwhile, Cao Chunang and Tong Yun were racing on horseback, carrying Eunuch Ba, attempting to flee the capital. However, they were intercepted by the Imperial Army en route.
Fortunately, the Zhaoding Guards arrived just in time to rescue them, ensuring the safety of the two individuals and their dog. It was later revealed that on the day he was summoned to the palace, Xiao Duo had already sensed the impending danger. He had proactively redeployed the Zhaoding Guards outside the capital and instructed Cao Chunang and Tong Yun to discreetly meet with Qilang.
Inside the palace, Bu Yinlou had been in a prolonged state of intermittent unconsciousness since her return from prison, appearing almost lifeless. However, upon Murong Gaogong's arrival, she quickly composed herself, picking up her bowl to eat, feigning a peaceful existence. Observing her seemingly tranquil demeanor, Murong Gaogong became enraged, smashing her bowl and demanding to know why she had betrayed him.
Bu Yinlou found his accusation amusing, stating that since they had never loved each other and she owed him nothing, there could be no talk of betrayal. Murong Gaogong refused to relent, asserting his deep affection for Bu Yinlou and accusing her of owing him greatly. Bu Yinlou slowly turned to face him, exposing his hypocrisy.
She pointed out that despite his claims of profound love, he knew nothing about her – her preferences, her favorite books, her hobbies, or her aversions. He didn't care about her true self, only a "false shadow" he had secretly admired in his youth. Bu Yinlou expressed pity for Murong Gaogong, believing he didn't know what he truly desired, condemned to live a life of illusion.
She revealed that his pursuit of power was disguised as love, and every step he took on this path only exposed his underlying weakness. With a cold smile, she then defiantly uttered three words to him, "Screw you!" Enraged, Murong Gaogong slapped her across the face, but Bu Yinlou retaliated instantly with a slap of her own.
Murong Gaogong, in a frenzy, violently gripped Bu Yinlou's neck, ordering her to be his Empress, to adore him, submit to him, and regard him as her sole master. Bu Yinlou, unyielding, challenged him, stating that she wanted to see who could truly "overturn the heavens."
She accused him of using his power to coerce and insult her, making her live in constant fear, asserting that she had already exerted all her strength merely to avoid hating him, and questioned his right to demand her love or gratitude. When he challenged her to kill him, she dared him to kill her, knowing he wouldn't dare, as her death before the coronation would shatter his imperial prestige.
She then clarified that her struggle was not just for love, but for the freedom to be a living person, to think, love, and hate as she pleased, rather than being a puppet. Murong Gaogong then furiously blamed her for all his suffering, including forcing him to become emperor and killing his own nephew, whose ghost, he claimed, haunted his dreams.
In response, Bu Yinlou mockingly suggested an alternative narrative where she feigned obedience, rose through the ranks with Xiao Duo's help, and eventually usurped his power, becoming the Empress Dowager who would establish her own rules. Murong Gaogong, horrified, accused Xiao Duo of turning her into a madwoman, but Bu Yinlou asserted she had never changed for anyone and was never the obedient person he imagined.
She revealed that she had pitied him and hesitated to scheme against him, but he had continually pushed her. Murong Gaogong, still desperate for control, then declared his intention to publicly dismember Xiao Duo at the coronation ceremony as a "gift" for her. In the following days, Bu Yinlou often spoke nonsensically, feigning madness by dressing as Noble Consort Shao and dancing in the pavilion. Palace rumors began to spread rapidly.
Unable to bear it, Murong Gaogong personally went to see her. Upon entering the room, he found Bu Yinlou with dull, vacant eyes, tearing pearls from a phoenix coronet, and muttering strange words about the "burial of Tribute Ladies" and the ghosts of Noble Consort Shao, Prince Rong, and her own child haunting the palace. She claimed she had died during that burial and that Xiao Duo was the last person she saw.
She declared that the Imperial City would consume her and her beloved, dismissing titles like Empress and honor as jokes, and challenged anyone to see who could risk more and "overturn the heavens." The rumors quickly spread beyond the Imperial City walls, leading officials to deliberate on revoking Bu Yinlou's title. When summoned to court, Murong Gaogong questioned them. Sun Taiqing reported that the palace staff who had slandered Consort Duan had committed suicide the previous night, leaving no witnesses.
Murong Gaogong, angered, threatened to execute anyone caught spreading such rumors. Later, Murong Gaogong, convinced that Bu Yinlou was faking her madness, vowed that she would remain his Empress and the coronation would proceed as scheduled, declaring he had a lifetime to "wear her down." Suddenly, news arrived from the Zhaoding Bureau prison that Xiao Duo had secretly escaped. Murong Gaogong flew into a rage, immediately ordering a city-wide lockdown.
However, Yu Zun's extensive search throughout the capital yielded no trace of Xiao Duo. Determined to capture him, Murong Gaogong decided to proceed with the coronation procession, parading Bu Yinlou through the city, hoping Xiao Duo would fall into his trap. The coronation ceremony arrived as scheduled. Bu Yinlou wore a magnificent bridal gown, though her face showed no trace of joy. Meanwhile, Xiao Duo meticulously wiped his short blade, lost in thought.
As he opened his door, he found the Zhaoding Guards surrounding him. Despite his attempts to dissuade them and his order for them to leave the capital, they insisted on accompanying him, reaffirming their unwavering loyalty and commitment as Zhaoding Bureau members, stating they would rather die with him. Before their departure, Meng Jieyu arrived with several pots of wine, offering them as a farewell toast.
Meng Jieyu had initially been reluctant to shelter them and the other fugitives, but the Little Prince had persuaded her. The Little Prince then reminded Xiao Duo of his prior promise to help rescue Princess Hede, who was imprisoned by her emperor brother.
