Love and Crown 凤凰台上 (2025) Episode 24 & 25
Two episodes today and a lot happened.
Links to discussion: Masterpost & Ep 1–3 | Ep 4–7 | Ep 8-9 | Ep 10-11 | Ep 12-13 | Ep 14 | Ep 15-16 | Ep 17 | Ep 18-19 | EP 20 | Ep 21-22| EP 23
Spoilers: If you'd like to discuss anything past ep 25, please tag your spoiler.
Poison Princess is as Smooth as her Brothers
Princess Xiao Ying is jealous of a random maid who approached Li Hong Qing but is happy when he denies having a connection to the maid. She trades the antidote for a trip out of the palace with him.
Poison Princess actually knows about standard c-drama dating and chooses to fly a kite? I was expecting something much more exciting.
Wait this is a perfect opportunity to fall into LHQ's arms!
She is quick to take every opportunity to get close to LHQ and he is ok with it.
He is less impressed when her she turns into a spoiled brat stealing haws from a child and then tells him to bead up the older brother when he comes.
LHQ admits to liking her when she is good.
Wakeup!
XH just woke up from a pleasant dream into a nightmare!
XY is so excited about her budding relationship she goes to secure Xiao Haun's blessing. Who thinks in the back of his mind he is wondering if he needs to replace all the guards right?
She is demanding, not asking, that XH agree! Another strong minded Girl going after her Man!
This is the sweetest moment these 2 siblings have had and she even refers to him as gege. Besides barging into their bedroom, Princess Ying is on her best behavior. She is surprisingly rational when she wants to be. XH is pleasantly surprised by the whole encounter and the influence LHQ has on her.
The next day XY apologizes to her attendants making them "happy". She promises XQQ to be with him to the end. She also tells him that she no longer wants to harm XH. LHQ has explained that XH was a child in poor health and so it wasn't intentional that he didn't save her. XQQ is happy she has grown up and is happy.
Xiao's Competing
XH and XQQ are competing in archery while ZL and LCC watch. I almost didn't recognize ZL all dressed up. XH and LCC can't stop flirting with each other but he is still able to win.
XQQ wants a rematch and is making excuses for the loss.
Later XH impresses the ladies with his grilling skills, while XQQ fish makes CC want to hurl.
Get Ready!
Minister Li is called in to check on CC.
After worrying them both he gives XH the good news!
Thankfully despite both their prior health emergencies, the baby is fine.
No wonder she like sour grapes and found the fish smelly!
Not everyone is happy!
She really believes in drowning her sorrows!
General Lu asks Preceptor Du about her visit to XH. Turns out she gave him the water map to show sincerity and to gain his mercy.
General Lu says even if there is trust it wont be like before.
She is really throwing herself a pity party
Who thinks if she hadn't told him she wanted the Empress to die XH might not continued to treat her well?
Turns out she is upset that the Xiao's are happy while her mother was ruined. Does she know it takes two? She is once again mistaking General Lu for XH and asking if he only wants the Empress's children. What is going on in her head? Where are the Nanny's and maid's who are supposed to watch her palace?
Prenatal Education?
XH is having CC's palace searched, she looks guilty and everyone else is nervous.
Is she stealing the country's military or economic secrets?
Turns out CC lied to him about her reading. There are dozen's of 'exciting' books. Wuxia is to tame and she is reading about demons and ghosts. XH has found her some 'classics' to read to properly educate their heir and when she has doubts her knowledge he says he will read it to her.
XQQ is brings a selection of fancy foods from restaurants but CC is not interested. XQQ is offended but XH realizes she doesn't want greasy food. XQQ declares he will take them home to enjoy with ZL.
Which will win Precaution or Schemes
Time is passing by and spring is coming. OMG! CC is still wishing her father was by her side? Meanwhile he is gardening and scheming.
Everyone is being especially careful to keep CC from doing anything risky. She goes to complain to XH who tells her to wait for the all clear from Physician Li. Meanwhile Eunuch Feng is given orders to carefully check everything she uses and LHQ is put in charge of security. XQQ who initially thinks XH is overreacting promises, upon seeing the looks on everyone's faces declares he will watch his mother.
uhh oh - why are there alarms going off!
General Lu is passing messages and medicine back and forth between Preceptor Du and Daddy Ling. Daddy Ling let's her know that Shi Yan is planning a raid on a mountain chapter of the Lingbi sect so she decides to tell them in order to 1) put him in danger, 2) lure LHQ away, 3) give General Lu the Deputy Commander power, and 4) create an opportunity to use Princess Ying. She plans to take them down like dominoes.
I was wondering what Shi Yan and the Xiaoxing guards were up to.
A New Player
Her throne and palace are not as nice as XHs. Just saying.
Is she the woman from the portrait? I thinks so. She also dresses and looks like Preceptor Du. Did she fake her death?
LHQ sets out after hearing Shi Yan was ambushed. I didn't know they were close but I am glad they are willing to help each other out. XH can't afford to lose his top men. Did all the Xiaoxing guards go down?
Apparently the Saintess is really in charge of the Lingbi sect. Is she really? Is she under Daddy Ling's control?
As planned General Lu is left in charge and also given special instructions on how to deal with the Princess and told to tell her to be good and the flower will bloom. We see he gave her a plant and she is taking care of it.
Episode 25
A Meaningful Present
General Lu is using LHQs words to get XY to listen to him. CC arrives to visit and dismisses him. CC praises XY on her behavior and also gives her advice on how to choose a present from LHQ and that it is the best if it comes from the heart. XY decides this means to make it herself.
XY summoned the maid who made a sachet for LHQ to teach her. XH is impressed she overcame her grudge and took this type of action. Everyone is counting on LHQ safe return.
XH mentions the sachet is ugly. Turns out CC made it for him 🤣
He tries to backtrack and swears he likes it. I was waiting for her to offer to make his clothes.
Rescuing Shi Yan
General Lu and the Preceptor are making incense. Does he ever do his day job? Apparently, General Lu is not Daddy Ling's man. He tries to warn Preceptor Du she is just a pawn to him. She doesn't seem to care.
Maleficent Du wonders if the Lingbi sect can kill LHQ?
LHQ makes it inside the mountain chapter and finds Shi Yan plus two. It is a trap! First there are arrows and then fighters. LHQ only brought 8 or so guys and half of them are take out. LXX arrives to help and they escape outside. Shi Yan is carried out by LHQ and the other 2 are also brought out by the 2 remaining imperial guards.
LXX is entrusted with getting Shi Yan and the others to the Capital to report to XH and CC while LHQ distracts the pursuers. He tells Shi Yan he wont die as someone is waiting for him. He takes down many of them but...
The famous falling off a cliff! Plot Armor you better be up for the task.
LHQ is Missing and Princess Ying is Manipulated
LHQ sword is brought to XH with the news. XH orders them to continue the search.
That's right, if there is no body he is alive!
XY arrives in time to overhear and blames XH for intentionally sending LHQ to his death. XQQ is sent for as everyone is worried about what Poison Princess will do. Her attendants have lost her but XQQ finds her in the closet with the plant.
SY is hiding from everyone as she if she get's angry and hurts people LHQ wont like her.
General Lu is hiding in the shadows taunting her and telling her LHQ is dead and she must kill his Majesty to avenge him.
XH arrives to find XQQ sleeping outside keeping watch. XQQ tells him his instincts tell him something is going to happen. XH asks him to be in Court in the morning to support an important proposal. XQQ wonders if he will be worked to death and serve for life but is pleased his brother is coming to him.
XH assures him he isn't giving up on LHQ. LHQ will come back and XY will be ok
Did he just give him a Gold star?
XY comes out to see XQQ and he assures her LHQ will come back. She replies that the Blaze Blossom will bloom. He wonders why she now knows what flower it is.
Maleficent Du is updated that the Princess is planning to use the Dual - Pupil - Art, which is terrifyingly powerful to take down XH. Meanwhile Maleficent Du has been tampering with XHs pills to make him drowsy.
XY goes to see XH, he is again surprised by her arrival and notices the attendants are all out cold. She is asking question about LHQ and I think she is more coherent then I have ever seen her. Meanwhile, CC is checking the cold palace and wonders what she has been up to shup inside and not sleeping. She realizes that XY plans to kill XH and sends for General Lu, XQQ and orders the rest to go with her to rescue the Emperor.
XY orders XH to die and surprisingly throws him easily. He tries to press her acupoints but she still takes a blade and demands he die. CC arrives and orders her to stop.
While General Lu fakes an injury and a dozen guards stay with him instead of going to the Emperor?
CC is slowly getting through to XY by reminding her of what LHQ promised and what he would want. That he loved and respected XH the most and has been with him since he was 9. She warns XY that if she hurts XH, LHQ will never see her again.
XY releases XH and goes after CC instead. She blocks the knife but takes a punch to the stomach. XH gets controls of XY but it is too late CC is bleeding.
XQQ arrives to chaos. XY is out of it.
He is told XH is safe but CC...
He is not happy with lil sister anymore.
XQQ wants to take XY punishment, but XH says he can't die for her. XQQ begs for her life. XH can't even look at it him anymore and storms back inside.
CC finally wakes up!
These episodes were a roller-coaster. They went from Joy to Heart-break in such a short time.
Questions:
Will the Xiao siblings be able to get past this?
Is Shi Yan worth LHQ sacrifice?
When will we see LHQ again?
Is LXX joining the good guys now?
Posted Nov 28, 2025, 5:28 AM UTC