Unchained Love Episode 6 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
Hearing that Bu Yinlou had accepted a lantern from Murong Gaogong, Xiao Duo went to see her. He found her looking for a place to hang it and immediately expressed his displeasure, inventing fengshui rules and declaring the lantern was not of palace regulation style and must be confiscated. Bu Yinlou initially dismissed the issue but then stated it was a gift from the Emperor that she dared not treat lightly.
Sensing her apparent closeness with the Emperor, Xiao Duo probed her feelings by mentioning the upcoming selection of new palace ladies. Bu Yinlou's enthusiastic reaction, remarking that more pretty faces would liven up the palace, confirmed to Xiao Duo that she held no romantic interest in Murong Gaogong. When Xiao Duo offered to help her win the Emperor's favor, she vehemently declined, stating she was not ambitious and that Xiao Duo was her only true connection in the palace.
She then voiced her concern over the Emperor's frequent visits, astutely pointing out that rumors of him pursuing his late brother's consort would damage his new reign and could even implicate Xiao Duo. Xiao Duo accused her of threatening him but confiscated the lantern nonetheless. Later, Xiao Duo instructed Eunuch Sun to investigate rumors about Bu Yinlou, learning some originated from Chengyuan Palace.
Meanwhile, Murong Gaogong was being praised for pardoning the occupants of Chengyuan Palace, a decision he made for Bu Yinlou. However, he was enraged to learn that Xiao Duo had intercepted and detained several maids from the group for interrogation. He summoned Xiao Duo, who revealed the maids were spreading scandalous rumors that the Emperor was trying to seduce his sister-in-law.
Citing the damage to Bu Yinlou's reputation and the political danger, Xiao Duo advised the new Emperor to distance himself from her to avoid fueling more gossip. After Xiao Duo's departure, the Emperor's eunuch bolstered his master's resolve, arguing that as Emperor, he should simply punish gossipers and take what he desires, including Bu Yinlou, as it is "Heaven's will."
Emboldened, Murong Gaogong went to Bu Yinlou's chambers and embraced her, declaring his wish to make her his consort regardless of her status or any rumors. Just then, Xiao Duo arrived and witnessed the scene, silently gripping his sword in anger. Bu Yinlou firmly refused the Emperor's proposal, stating her desire for freedom—the ability to refuse what one does not want.
Expressing her disdain for life in the Imperial City, she requested to join the other former consorts at the Imperial Mausoleum. Murong Gaogong reluctantly agreed. Xiao Duo insisted on personally escorting Bu Yinlou to the Imperial Mausoleum. His subordinate, Eunuch Sun, suspected he might eliminate her en route, as she knew too many secrets. Xiao Duo dismissed this, wryly telling Sun not to mention the destination, fearing it would make Bu Yinlou "overjoyed."
Indeed, Bu Yinlou was ecstatic to leave the palace. During the carriage ride, she tried to enjoy the streets, but the populace scattered in fear at the sight of Xiao Duo's Zhaoding Bureau guards. Noticing his somber mood, Bu Yinlou began to flatter him, praising his intimidating "Deng Huo" sword. Xiao Duo explained its name comes from the first of the Eight Hells, signifying that the Zhaoding Bureau is a living hell and its agents are "evil spirits."
Bu Yinlou countered that his fearsome reputation was a necessary evil that kept corrupt officials in check, ensuring stability and peace. She declared him the best person she knew after her mother, even joking that if he weren't a eunuch, he could make a fortune with his looks. Xiao Duo admitted her flattery was awkward but that he liked it. Upon arriving at the Imperial Mausoleum, Bu Yinlou noted its proximity to Fushui Town, where her mother lived.
She recalled how her stepmother had coerced her into entering the palace by using her mother's illness as leverage. As Xiao Duo departed, he warned her to keep a low profile. Afterward, Bu Yinlou’s maid commented on Xiao Duo's increasing closeness, but Bu Yinlou dismissed it as calculation, fearing he was planning some future torment for her.
Back in the capital, Xiao Duo confirmed with Eunuch Sun that discreet arrangements were in place to ensure Bu Yinlou's comfort at the mausoleum without drawing attention. At the mausoleum, Bu Yinlou was joyfully greeted by her friend, Li Pingru. Li Pingru expressed her concern, explaining that the former consorts there had lost all ambition, spending their days idly playing mahjong. Unfazed, Bu Yinlou immediately joined a game.
Later, Li Pingru warned her about Eunuch Liu, the cruel and powerful chief eunuch of the mausoleum. Just then, Liu appeared and tried to lure Li Pingru to his room under the pretense of having found her lost bracelet. Sensing Li Pingru's terror, Bu Yinlou intervened, cleverly fabricating a story that she had borrowed the bracelet, forcing Liu to back down.
A subordinate then reminded Liu that they had received orders from the capital to "take care of" Bu Yinlou, preventing him from retaliating. The next morning, Bu Yinlou was late for her duties. Eunuch Liu harshly reprimanded her and announced that each night, one woman would be chosen for the "honor" of serving in the Underground Palace—the late Emperor's tomb.
Li Pingru whispered to Bu Yinlou that the place was rumored to be haunted and that previous attendants had either gone mad or died. After singling out Bu Yinlou with a pointed remark, Liu deliberately chose Li Pingru for the duty. To protect her friend, Bu Yinlou immediately volunteered to accompany her. Inside the tomb, a terrified Li Pingru clung to Bu Yinlou, who remained completely calm and even laid down on the late Emperor's imperial robe.
Frightened by the eerie atmosphere, Li Pingru suggested warding off spirits by chanting the name of someone with a powerful, "evil" aura. She chose Xiao Duo, the "living King of Hell," and began repeating his name for protection. Meanwhile, in the Imperial City, a preoccupied Xiao Duo was briefed on the activities of the captive prince, Yuwen Liangxu.
Xiao Duo explained his plan: by holding Yuwen Liangxu, he intended to lure the prince's powerful brother, the Prince of Nanyuan, into activating his network of spies in the capital for a rescue attempt, which would allow Xiao Duo to capture them all. He believed the prince's fraternal love was a weakness he could exploit. Hearing that Yuwen Liangxu had invited acrobats to his residence, Xiao Duo went immediately. He interrupted the performance and, while inspecting a flying dagger, discovered a hidden container of Monkshood root, a deadly poison.
