The Legend of Taotie Episode 21 Recap
> The Legend of Taotie Recap
Lu Ying went to Tianxiang Tower again to investigate the Hibiscus Banquet. He was curious about what kind of meal could cost 100 taels. When Chang Qing saw Lu Ying’s rude demeanor, he was ready to issue an eviction order. However, Zhu Chengbi arrived just in time. Seeing that Lu Ying was willing to pay 100 taels to try the meal, she instructed Yingtao to bring out the egg flower soup from the Hibiscus Banquet.
When Lu Ying saw it was just a bowl of egg flower soup, he regretted his decision, feeling it was not worth the exorbitant price. His words offended Zhu Chengbi, who used her magic to bind him to a pillar. She pried open his mouth and forcibly fed him the Hibiscus Banquet. Initially, Lu Ying was resistant, but he quickly succumbed to the delicious taste and started eating voluntarily.
After two bites, he felt a burning sensation coursing through his body and soon became disoriented. Lu Ying felt as though he had been lifted onto a sedan chair and carried far away to a peach orchard, where he saw Qu Yan dressed in red. Overcome with joy, he rushed to her and embraced her tightly, expressing his desire to be with her forever.
Qu Yan, moved to tears, told him to go back, but Lu Ying refused, wanting to stay in the moment. Unknowingly, he woke up to find himself still at Tianxiang Tower. Zhu Chengbi explained the secret of the Hibiscus Banquet: it evokes a person’s most cherished memories, which is why so many people are drawn to it. After leaving Tianxiang Tower, Lu Ying went to see Qu Yan and confessed his feelings to her. However, Qu Yan directly rejected him.
She explained that their differing statuses and identities made it impossible for them to be together. Lu Ying insisted that he didn’t care about such things, saying that for the first time in decades, he deeply cared for someone and wished to live an ordinary life, marrying and having children. Qu Yan, knowing Lu Ying’s aversion to demons, coldly issued an order for him to leave.
Back at the Xunlie Division, Lu Ying reflected on how eating the Hibiscus Banquet had not caused him to spontaneously combust. Furthermore, Tianxiang Tower had no motive for murder, so other clues were needed. His subordinates reported that the victim’s previous residence registration was falsified, and his identity had been fabricated. Lu Ying found it suspicious that both victims had questionable identities and wondered what the real cause could be.
Zhu Chengbi visited Qu Yan and learned that Lu Ying had indeed come to see her. Despite clearly liking Lu Ying, Qu Yan had ruthlessly rejected him. Zhu Chengbi was curious about her reasons, and Qu Yan honestly explained that their lifespans were different, making it impossible for them to grow old together. Her words struck a chord with Zhu Chengbi, who had secretly loved a monk for so many years, longing to be with him.
She realized it was all one-sided—how could a demon and a human ever be together for the long term? Zhu Chengbi and Qu Yan drank wine and chatted, and Zhao Heng also joined them. Qu Yan played music for their enjoyment. Slightly drunk, Zhu Chengbi stared at Zhao Heng’s profile and, in a daze, mistook him for Lianxin.
Grabbing Zhao Heng’s arm, she tearfully said she had waited for him for 500 years and begged him never to leave her waiting alone again. Zhao Heng was shocked, realizing Zhu Chengbi’s heart had been occupied by someone she had waited for over five centuries. Despite seeing that Zhu Chengbi was drunk, Zhao Heng refrained from any inappropriate actions, while Qu Yan left early. The room was left with only Zhao Heng and Zhu Chengbi.
As Zhu Chengbi fell into a deep sleep, Zhao Heng murmured that even if she loved someone else, he was unworthy of her with his current status. As long as she didn’t despise him, he was content to remain her friend. Despite his high status and the respect he enjoyed, Zhao Heng was deeply insecure. He was well aware of his humble origins and the scorn he had faced as a child.
Having someone treat him as a friend was already enough to make him happy. Chang Qing, noticing Zhu Chengbi hadn’t returned for a long time, went to Pingyue Lane to look for her. He found Zhu Chengbi and Zhao Heng asleep together, with Zhu Chengbi draped in Zhao Heng’s robe. Sighing, Chang Qing picked up Zhu Chengbi and carried her away.
Shortly afterward, the princess arrived at Pingyue Lane, took the drunken Zhao Heng back with her, and even helped him change his clothes. Wan Er accidentally discovered Zhao Heng’s true identity—he was a half-demon. In his groggy state, Zhao Heng admitted it, confessing that he had endured scorn from his parents as a child and longed for someone who would accept him and never despise him. The princess, deeply in love with Zhao Heng, assured him that she would not reject him because of this.
Related Posts
