Episode Summary
Xiao Ying recovers her sanity and gets Hong Qing to agree to marriage after a chaotic day involving kite flying and stealing candy. Ling Cangcang discovers she is pregnant, causing Xiao Huan to become overprotective and ban her favorite books. Du Tingxin, heartbroken and drunk, mistakes Lu Qi for the Emperor, then plots with the Lingbi Sect to cause trouble. Hong Qing leaves on a dangerous mission, leaving Xiao Ying distraught and refusing to sleep.
Spoiler Alert
"Love and Crown" Episode 24
Chaos and Candy
We start with Xiao Ying. She finally seems lucid. The "Divine Stone" influence must be fading because she is actually acting like a person again. She is out flying a kite and having a great time. Hong Qing is right there watching her every move. He is basically her shadow at this point.
She almost takes a spill. Hong Qing dives in to catch her. He saves her from the fall but slices his hand open in the process. Xiao Ying sees the blood. She gets mad at the kite for hurting him and throws her favorite toy away. That is a strong reaction.
Then she gets cold. She huddles into Hong Qing’s massive cape. He freezes up. He is literally shaking because he is so nervous being that close to her. It is cute but also painful to watch.
The moment gets ruined fast. Xiao Ying sees a kid eating candied hawthorn. She is hungry. Hong Qing tries to take her to get actual food. She ignores him. She drops her princess dignity and snatches the candy right out of the kid's hand. The kid goes home crying.
A Midnight Proposal
Hong Qing is not impressed. He looks angry about the theft. Xiao Ying promises she will change. She uses this moment to confess her feelings again. You can tell Hong Qing is fighting a losing battle. He actually likes her.
He caves. He tells her he will ask Xiao Huan for permission to marry her. Xiao Ying is ecstatic. She bounces away happily. She even buys a new candy stick to pay back the crying kid.
She doesn't wait for morning. She rushes straight to the palace. Xiao Huan and Ling Cangcang are asleep in bed. They wake up to find Xiao Ying staring at them. It is creepy but effective. She asks her brother to authorize the marriage.
Xiao Qianqing hears the news and is thrilled for her sister. Hong Qing officially agrees. Xiao Ying takes this seriously. She starts memorizing books daily just to be a proper wife.
The Royal Heir
Xiao Qianqing and Xiao Huan have a little contest. They shoot arrows at each other over a dagger. Xiao Huan wins. But the real action is on the sidelines. Zhong Lin notices Ling Cangcang is obsessed with sour food.
Later, the group is eating grilled fish. Ling Cangcang feels sick. Everyone panics. Imperial Physician Li shows up. He drops the bomb. The Emperor is going to be a father. Xiao Huan is over the moon.
Not everyone is celebrating. Lu Qi watches Du Tingxin. She is devastated that the Emperor is happy with someone else. She wonders why Xiao Huan gets an heir and a good life while she suffers.
Heartbreak for Lu Qi
Du Tingxin turns to alcohol. She gets drunk and asks Lu Qi if he likes children. Lu Qi gets his hopes up. He thinks this is his moment. Then she looks at him and calls him "Your Majesty." She thinks he is the Emperor. That has to hurt.
Back at the palace, Xiao Huan goes into full protective mode. He finds Ling Cangcang’s fantasy novels. He gets mad. He thinks they are bad for the baby. He tries to force her to do boring activities. He makes her choose from a bunch of healthy dishes she hates. She refuses to eat. Xiao Qianqing thinks this is a waste. He gives the rejected food to Zhong Lin.
Seeds of Rebellion
Ling Cangcang feels trapped. She wants to see her father, Ling Xuefeng. We see him in a remote yard. He is gardening. He makes a cryptic comment about seeds sprouting. He says his big moment is coming when they bloom. That sounds ominous.
Ling Cangcang hates the restrictions. Xiao Huan is being too careful. She feels suffocated.
Meanwhile, Du Tingxin gets some intel. She decides to leak it to the Lingbi Sect. She wants to cause trouble for Shi Yan and Hong Qing without getting her hands dirty. She hopes this will help Lu Qi rise in rank.
Separation Anxiety
The Lingbi Sect Saintess gets the message. The trouble starts immediately. Xiao Huan orders Hong Qing to go save Shi Yan. Hong Qing preps for the mission. He asks a friend to look after the Princess.
Xiao Ying is back to her old ways. She hugs a flower pot. She waits for it to bloom. She hears Hong Qing is gone. She refuses to sleep until she sees him. Her guards are terrified. Hong Qing’s friend tries to talk sense into her. She screams at him to get out.
