Episode Summary
Du Tingxin manipulates the grieving Empress Dowager into taking a poison she believes causes "fake death" to frame the Emperor. This incites a conflict between brothers Xiao Qianqing and Xiao Huan. Qianqing stabs the Emperor but spares his life. Du Tingxin imprisons the Emperor and pushes Qianqing to take the throne. Qianqing plays along to get the antidote for his mother, not knowing Du Tingxin actually gave her lethal poison.
Spoiler Alert
Love and Crown Episode 29 Recap
Hong Qing’s Regret
Hong Qing is in a dark place. He tells Xiao Qianqing that the late Princess Xiao Ying always loved the world outside the palace walls. She loved the flowers out there. He decides he wants to take her away to see that world one last time. He finds an embroidered pouch she made for him. It hits him hard. She really put her heart into it. He releases a bug from the pouch to share a moment with her, but staring at her lifeless face breaks him. The guilt is eating him alive. He just wishes he had come back for her sooner.
The Dowager’s Fatal Mistake
The Empress Dowager, Liu Taihou, is grieving too. She sits there playing with her daughter’s childhood toys. Then Du Tingxin walks in. This woman knows exactly how to twist the knife. She tells the Dowager that the Princess was actually lucid until her mother showed up. She implies the Dowager brings death to everyone, even mentioning the late Emperor. It is cruel manipulation.
Du Tingxin wants total war between the brothers, Xiao Qianqing and Xiao Huan. The Princess’s death isn’t enough fuel for the fire. She needs something bigger. She hands the Dowager a pill. She claims it is a "fake death" drug. She convinces the Dowager to take it and frame the Emperor for poisoning her.
The Setup
Ling Cangcang visits her father, Ling Xuefeng. She finally gets the full picture. Xiao Huan lied to her, but he did it to protect them. Her father wakes up and warns her about the State Preceptor. Cangcang realizes the danger. She grabs the Imperial Seal and races toward the palace.
Back at the palace, Xiao Qianqing watches over his sister. He hates Xiao Huan right now. But deep down, he knows this isn't entirely his brother's fault. Xiao Huan tries to explain himself. Qianqing shuts him down. He blames himself for not taking his sister away earlier.
Then the Dowager makes her move. She walks in and tells Qianqing never to trust the Emperor. She swallows the poison right in front of them. She dies to frame her own son’s rival. Qianqing snaps. He draws his weapon and stabs Xiao Huan.
The Coup Begins
Du Tingxin is thrilled. She thinks her plan worked perfectly. She brings her soldiers to confront the Emperor. But there is a twist. Xiao Qianqing didn't actually kill Xiao Huan. He held back.
Du Tingxin arrives ready to take over. She hears the Empress has already fled the palace. She loses her composure completely. She orders her men to kill Xiao Huan right there. Qianqing steps in. He argues that killing the Emperor is too brutal. Du Tingxin changes tactics. She throws Xiao Huan in prison instead. She starts pressuring Qianqing to take the throne. She gives a speech about saving the people. Qianqing knows she is out of her mind. But he needs to save his mother. He pretends to negotiate. Du Tingxin agrees to help because she thinks she holds all the cards.
The Real Poison
Here is the worst part. Du Tingxin lied to the Dowager. The pill wasn't a fake death drug. It was a slow-acting poison. It will kill her for real in three days. Du Tingxin feels justified. She hates the royal family and thinks they deserve this.
Ministers start harassing Qianqing about burying the Princess in the Imperial Mausoleum. Qianqing screams at them. He is at his breaking point. Zhong Lin arrives to pay her respects to Xiao Ying. She sees Qianqing struggling and offers him some real comfort. He needs it. But they aren't alone. Du Tingxin watches them from the shadows.
