Episode 20 recap: Nan Gong Yao learned the truth, and Xiao Dou Zi was placed under house arrest.
Xiao Dou Zi asked Nan Gong Yao to appoint a new crown princess, but Nan Gong Yao stated that the crown princess was selected by the empress and could not be easily changed, otherwise it would be considered defying the order and punishable. Xiao Dou Zi made it clear that he would rather be beheaded than comply. As the rain poured down harder, seeing Xiao Dou Zi's unwavering determination and his lingering illness, Nan Gong Yao almost fainted. Xiao Dou Zi was unable to explain the reason, and Nan Gong Yao declared that their relationship had completely severed, and they would never see each other again.
The officials under Liu Jiao Yuan heard that the empress had appointed a new crown princess, and guessed that the emperor's health was concerning. If the crown prince were to ascend the throne, the consequences of their previous actions being exposed would be unimaginable, so they wanted to disassociate themselves from Liu Jiao Yuan.
Xiao Dou Zi tried to sneak out of the palace, but was stopped by the guards. Mei Cheng Xiang was granted permission to visit his daughter, but Xiao Dou Zi expressed that he did not want to get married. Mei Cheng Xiang scolded Xiao Dou Zi for not appreciating the situation, and for the sake of his two older brothers, he could never say such ignorant words again. Mei Yu Shan felt his heart grow cold, realizing that in his father's eyes, he had always been a sacrifice for his brothers.
After Mei Cheng Xiang left, Palace Eunuch Song brought a chest of treasures to appease Xiao Dou Zi, apologizing for his rude words when Xiao Dou Zi first entered the palace. Mei Yu Shan told Xiao Dou Zi that as the crown princess, more and more people would try to curry favor with him.
Xing Shi had already arranged Xiao Dou Zi's secret escape from the palace. When they met again, Xing Shi was more concerned about Mei Yu Shan, suggesting that if Xiao Dou Zi left the palace, Mei Yu Shan could come with them if he did not wish to stay alone. Mei Yu Shan expressed that he had always been treated as a tool by his parents, and had no strong attachment to the Mei family, so he was willing to leave with Xiao Dou Zi and Xing Shi. Xing Shi excitedly grabbed Mei Yu Shan's hand, and Xiao Dou Zi realized that the two had already fallen in love. Glancing at the portrait of Nan Gong Yao, Xiao Dou Zi could only blame fate for its mischievousness.
Bai Ye requested that Nan Gong Yao come to the Tianjie Manor, again trying to prevent the two from getting married. Nan Gong Yao repeatedly asked for the reason, but Bai Ye could not give a truthful answer. Nan Gong Yao questioned if it was because Bai Ye was also in love with Xiao Dou Zi, and Bai Ye admitted his feelings, but insisted that his motive for stopping the marriage was not due to his own selfish desires.
Both Bai Ye and Xiao Dou Zi were trying to prevent the marriage, and Nan Gong Yao believed there must be a hidden reason. He went to the Great Prison to interrogate Ling Xiao, who had originally promised Bai Ye to keep it a secret. But under Nan Gong Yao's threat to Bai Ye's life, Ling Xiao had no choice but to reveal the truth - the person Bai Ye had assassinated a few days ago was Princess Shengdong. Nan Gong Yao then realized Xiao Dou Zi's true identity, understanding the prophecy from their childhood had all been fulfilled.
Nan Gong Yao was on the verge of collapse. Just as Taifeng had once said, one could not control who they loved, and Xiao Dou Zi's ruthlessness was proof of his true feelings for Nan Gong Yao. At the Chunwen Academy, Xiao Dou Zi was suddenly taken away and imprisoned in the Eastern Palace. Guessing that Nan Gong Yao must have uncovered the truth, Xing Shi sent Mei Yu Shan out of the palace first.
Bai Ye, realizing Nan Gong Yao had learned everything, went to the Eastern Palace to request the appointment of a new crown princess, hoping to break the prophecy, or to be allowed to take Xiao Dou Zi and flee far away from the palace. However, Nan Gong Yao stated that he would not replace the crown princess, nor would he allow anyone to take Xiao Dou Zi away from him. As for the kingdom and throne, they meant nothing to him.
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