The Legend of Taotie Episode 16 Recap
> The Legend of Taotie Recap
Zhu Chengbi had been unconscious in bed for many days, neither eating nor drinking, and showed no signs of waking up. Seeing her lying motionless, Chang Qing felt deeply sorrowful. He recalled the days when Zhu Chengbi, full of energy, would cheerfully call on him to do this and that. Those were such happy times. Yet, in just a few days, she had become so weak.
Resolving to do whatever it took, Chang Qing decided to venture out to collect the medicinal ingredients listed in the prescription. Zhao Heng questioned his subordinate about whether the thief of the *Red Plum Umbrella* had been found. To his surprise, the masked subordinate admitted that he was the one who had stolen it. He explained that before Mei Sheng passed away, he had coughed up blood on the umbrella, forming a pattern resembling red plum blossoms.
From then on, the umbrella gained the ability to gather people's souls. He revealed that by placing the umbrella over Zhu Chengbi's head, her illness could disappear. However, he did not disclose that he had also stolen the *Seeking Fragrance Manual* to trade it for Ji Wenzhen’s *Dragon Scale Sword*. Anxious to save Zhu Chengbi, Zhao Heng immediately brought the *Red Plum Umbrella* to her. When he opened the umbrella by her bedside, Zhu Chengbi slowly regained consciousness.
Meanwhile, Chang Qing, accompanied by several servants, was out gathering medicinal ingredients. Enduring harsh conditions, he never allowed himself a moment of rest. Wan Er, the county princess, had returned to Wuxia. She was deeply infatuated with Zhao Heng and asked him when he would marry her. However, Zhao Heng’s heart was with Zhu Chengbi, and he had no feelings for Wan Er.
Bound by filial duty, he gave the excuse that Wuxia was in the midst of a disaster and he could not focus on holding a grand wedding. During the day, Zhao Heng busied himself with managing governmental affairs, but he frequently visited Tianxiang Tower. Curious, Wan Er assumed he had some request to make of Zhu Chengbi and decided to follow him there. What she saw surprised her: Zhao Heng was attentively caring for Zhu Chengbi.
Thinking it was Zhu Chengbi’s culinary skills that had captivated him, Wan Er attempted to get closer to Zhu Chengbi and asked her to teach her some recipes. Following Zhu Chengbi’s instructions, Wan Er prepared delicious dishes. Yet, when she presented them to Zhao Heng, he only took a couple of bites before setting the bowl aside. The next day, Wan Er went to Tianxiang Tower again and overheard Zhao Heng and Zhu Chengbi conversing warmly.
She noticed the affectionate way Zhao Heng looked at Zhu Chengbi, and in that moment, she realized the truth: Zhao Heng liked Zhu Chengbi. Though anger surged within her, she suppressed it and joined them. She saw Zhao Heng savoring Zhu Chengbi’s poorly made dishes with great enthusiasm. Curious, Wan Er tried the food herself and found it unpalatable. Zhao Heng discreetly signaled her not to expose this. Wan Er immediately claimed it was delicious.
Meanwhile, Ji Wenzhen, despite obtaining the recipe for *“Heaven and Earth in Spring,”* failed to replicate it no matter how hard she tried. Enraged, she recalled her master’s words and believed the failure was due to her hands. She decided to instruct a sorcerer to cut off Little Stone’s hands, ensuring that no one else could surpass her or their master in success.
Late at night, the sorcerer carried out Ji Wenzhen’s cruel orders, using magic to sever both of Little Stone’s hands. The next morning, when Zhao Heng sent his subordinates to fetch pastries, they found Little Stone lying in a pool of blood. Elsewhere, Chang Qing finally encountered the mystical Linglu, a deer spirit. According to the prescription, they needed the antlers of a Linglu.
Upon seeing Chang Qing, the Linglu eagerly approached him and asked if he had found the path to the heavens. Chang Qing lied, claiming that he hadn’t found it yet but needed one of the Linglu’s antlers. Although the Linglu knew Chang Qing was deceiving it, it was willing to sacrifice itself for even the slightest hope. After Chang Qing cut off one of its antlers, the Linglu collapsed and passed away.
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