Episode Summary
Du Tingxin discovers the brutal truth about her mother's death and vows revenge against Xiao Huan, hiding her hatred behind a mask of compliance. Xiao Ying creates a scandal with a phantom pregnancy and gets publicly rejected by Hong Qing. Xiao Qianqing rescues Zhong Lin from a sexual assault plot orchestrated by the Dowager, leading the Emperor to officially sanction their marriage.
Spoiler Alert
Love and Crown Episode 23 Recap: Villain Origin Stories and Phantom Pregnancies
Du Tingxin Spirals Out of Control
Du Tingxin is not handling the truth well. She overheard a private conversation between Ling Cangcang and Xiao Huan. It broke her. Now she spends her days drowning in alcohol. She grabs anyone nearby to vent. She hates that Cangcang is Xiao Huan’s beloved while she is just a tool.
She recalls her childhood. She used to hide away when life got too hard. Xiao Huan was the one who found her. He offered a hand during her darkest times. That memory clearly hurts now. She pulls out a note left by Ling Xuefeng. She confronts the man in front of her with questions. She feels the world owes her a debt. She believes the former emperor died so others could usurp the throne. They framed her mother as a promiscuous woman to cover their tracks.
The details are gruesome. Her mother was tied to a bed and burned alive while pregnant. The royals did this to save face. Du Tingxin cannot accept that she lost her royal status while these people thrive. She wants blood. She decides Xiao Huan must pay for her mother's death.
The Mask Goes On
Du Tingxin makes her moves. She tells Ling Xuefeng to stay in the temple and avoid people. Then she tests Lu Qi. He holds a knife and offers to let her kill him. She sees his loyalty. She decides not to kill him. He is more useful alive as her henchman.
She changes her face for the public. She meets Ling Cangcang and acts respectful. She behaves perfectly in front of the Emperor. She admits she was narrow-minded about the Jiangzhou situation. She praises the Emperor's strategy. Xiao Huan sees her water conservancy map. He is impressed by her attention to detail. He thinks she can handle big responsibilities. She accepts the praise, but the joy is gone from her eyes.
A False Alarm and a Public Rejection
Chaos erupts in the palace. Xiao Ying tells Xiao Qianqing she is pregnant. Qianqing loses his mind. He slaps Hong Qing right in front of Xiao Huan. Xiao Huan defends his guard. He refuses to believe Hong Qing would cross that line. He also doubts his sister is actually pregnant.
The doctor arrives. The verdict is embarrassing. Xiao Ying is not pregnant. She has "lovesickness." She missed Hong Qing so much she imagined the symptoms. Ling Cangcang comforts her.
Xiao Ying decides to go for broke. She confesses her love to Hong Qing publicly. Hong Qing shuts it down. He claims his status is too low. He says he isn't worth her kindness. He rejects her in front of everyone and leaves. Xiao Ying is crushed. Ling Cangcang tries to be positive. She thinks Xiao Ying showed courage. Xiao Qianqing wants to force the issue. Xiao Huan stops him. He says you can't force love. Qianqing calls him a hypocrite.
The Dowager Plays Dirty
Xiao Qianqing focuses on his own love life. He visits Zhong Lin. He fakes a bug bite to get sympathy and confess his feelings. Zhong Lin pushes back. She has poison in her blood from childhood. She can't cure it. Qianqing doesn't care. He goes to his mother to ask for permission to marry.
The Dowager does not approve. Her methods are vile. She has her people kidnap Zhong Lin. They force her to copy scriptures in a room with strange incense. The Dowager sends a man in to defile her. She wants to ruin Zhong Lin's reputation.
Qianqing anticipates his mother's cruelty. He bursts in and saves Zhong Lin. He calls out the Dowager for her disgusting tactics.
The Emperor Steps In
Qianqing takes Zhong Lin to Xiao Huan. He demands a marriage decree. The Dowager tries to pressure the Emperor to say no. Xiao Huan ignores her. He grants the marriage. He promises that he and Ling Cangcang will protect Zhong Lin from bullies.
Qianqing is thrilled. Zhong Lin is hesitant. She doesn't believe someone like him could love someone with nothing. Qianqing assures her he loves her for who she is. Zhong Lin finally opens up. She explains why she is so loyal to Ling Cangcang. Cangcang saved her life when they were children.
Xiao Ying isn't done yet. She continues her pursuit of Hong Qing. She spots a palace maid confessing to him. She assumes this other woman is the reason for his rejection.
