Unchained Love Episode 9 Recap
> Unchained Love Recap
Upon returning to her room, Bu Yinlou found Tong Yun sitting on the floor, distraught. Tong Yun revealed that Eunuch Liu had confiscated all their valuables. Before Bu Yinlou could react, she noticed Tong Yun was burning with a fever. She immediately helped Tong Yun to bed and went to fetch medicine. However, the eunuch in charge of the pharmacy told Bu Yinlou that she needed Eunuch Liu’s permission.
Bu Yinlou sought out Eunuch Liu, who refused to provide any medicine, citing his own recent injury and a shortage of supplies due to a lazy purchasing eunuch. Undeterred, Bu Yinlou subtly offered Eunuch Liu a gift. While initially hesitant, Eunuch Liu's demeanor changed dramatically when he noticed it bore the personal ring mark of Xiao Duo, Chief of the Zhaoding Bureau. He immediately suspected a close relationship between Bu Yinlou and Xiao Duo.
Understanding the urgency, Bu Yinlou did not deny his insinuation, subtly suggesting that Xiao Duo preferred their relationship to remain private. Eager to please, Eunuch Liu swiftly retrieved the medicine, arranged for its delivery, and even had attendants care for Tong Yun. However, a later review of Bu Yinlou's accounts showed a significant deficit with no financial contributions from Xiao Duo.
Suspicious that he had been tricked, Eunuch Liu instructed Li Pingru to discreetly investigate the true nature of Bu Yinlou’s relationship with Xiao Duo. Meanwhile, Xiao Duo, utilizing a jade token, meticulously surveyed and infiltrated various suspicious locations, identifying numerous contact points established by the Prince of Nanyuan in the capital. He then strategically placed his own men within these locations. His chief subordinate, Cao Chunang, entered with a stack of account books, his face grim.
These books, he explained, were sent by Eunuch Liu from the Imperial Mausoleum. Cao Chunang further revealed Eunuch Liu’s scheme: he had lavished Bu Yinlou with expensive food and exotic treasures, intending for her to overspend and incur a debt, thereby creating a pretext to demand money from Xiao Duo and verify their connection. Cao Chunang then delivered an even more startling piece of news: Bu Yinlou had claimed to be Xiao Duo's "lover."
Realizing that Bu Yinlou was facing a difficult situation and was using his name for protection, Xiao Duo immediately departed for the Imperial Mausoleum. Under the bright sun, Bu Yinlou and Tong Yun passed the time playing cards in the courtyard, unaware of Li Pingru secretly observing them. Tong Yun questioned Bu Yinlou about her supposed relationship with Xiao Duo, which Bu Yinlou vehemently denied, making unflattering remarks about how she would never debase herself in such an arrangement.
Hidden from view, Li Pingru overheard these words, became furious, and promptly reported them to Eunuch Liu. Shortly after, Eunuch Liu arrived with his guards, asserting his authority over Bu Yinlou. Unable to tolerate his arrogance, Bu Yinlou defiantly kicked him, escalating the confrontation into a scuffle. Just then, Murong Gaogong, the Emperor, unexpectedly appeared, intervening to protect Bu Yinlou. Simultaneously, Xiao Duo also arrived on the scene.
Concerned about Bu Yinlou’s safety, Murong Gaogong intended to bring her back to the palace. However, Bu Yinlou, having just gained some semblance of freedom, was reluctant to return to a life of confinement. To alleviate the awkward tension, Xiao Duo suggested that the Emperor and Bu Yinlou take a walk. To dissuade Murong Gaogong from taking her back, Bu Yinlou deliberately led them to a cemetery.
There, she gathered a group of concubines and maids, encouraging them to play cards boisterously amongst the graves, presenting herself as a crude and common woman. This unrefined display thoroughly startled Murong Gaogong. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Duo proposed to the Emperor that, following the upcoming mausoleum sacrifice, Bu Yinlou could be officially escorted out of the Imperial Mausoleum under a suitable pretext. He further suggested arranging for nannies to train her in proper etiquette.
Murong Gaogong accepted Xiao Duo's proposal, deciding that Bu Yinlou should temporarily reside at Xiao Duo’s estate to avoid further complications. News of Bu Yinlou gaining the Emperor's favor reached Bu Yinge, the legitimate daughter of the Bu family, filling her with resentment. She believed that all the prestige Bu Yinlou enjoyed should rightfully be hers, as she was initially destined for the palace. She dispatched her mother, Madam Bu, to the Imperial Mausoleum to investigate.
Upon arrival, Madam Bu found Li Pingru performing chores and overheard servants gossiping that Li Pingru had been demoted for offending Bu Yinlou. Seeing an opportunity, Madam Bu engaged Li Pingru in conversation, subtly instigating her to cause trouble for Bu Yinlou during the upcoming mausoleum sacrifice, suggesting that Bu Yinlou's clumsy nature could lead to a grave mistake during the ritual.
On the day of the mausoleum sacrifice, Bu Yinlou, as the Consort Dowager, was to carry the late Emperor's robes out of the mausoleum. As she approached Li Pingru, she was suddenly tripped. Fortunately, Xiao Duo reacted swiftly, catching the robes before they could fall and preventing a serious breach of protocol.
Realizing her desperate act would lead to severe punishment, Li Pingru tried to attack Bu Yinlou, intending to take her down with her, but she was quickly subdued by the imperial guards. After the ceremony, Bu Yinlou confronted Li Pingru, who harbored deep resentment, believing Bu Yinlou had abandoned her by not saving her on a previous fateful night. Bu Yinlou expressed her regret, acknowledging her limitations.
Out of compassion, Bu Yinlou decided to release Li Pingru, telling her to return home where her mother and sister awaited. Calmed down, Li Pingru gained some clarity and, before leaving, warned Bu Yinlou to be wary of Madam Bu. Bu Yinlou later confided in Xiao Duo, explaining her decision by reflecting on the anonymous graves of forgotten concubines in the mausoleum.
She expressed her desire for no one, including Li Pingru, to suffer such a lonely fate, viewing this act of granting freedom as a small victory. Following the mausoleum sacrifice, Bu Yinlou prepared to move to Xiao Duo’s residence. Xiao Duo explained that due to the numerous watchful eyes in the capital, she would need to enter his household under the guise of a distant clan member to avoid suspicion.
Bu Yinlou readily agreed, suggesting that to maintain the facade, they should drop formal titles and use each other's names. Xiao Duo agreed, addressing her as "Yinlou." As they prepared for the procession, Xiao Duo commented on her elaborate attire, playfully questioning if the parade was for her or the late Emperor, to which Bu Yinlou playfully asserted her choice, content in her unconventional style.
