Love and Crown 凤凰台上 (2025) Episode 29
We are getting close to the end. We will have one episode today and my cohost will be back to do Episode 30 tomorrow and I will finish up the Express.
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 | Ep 24-25 | EP 26 | Ep 27 & 28
Spoilers: If you'd like to discuss anything past Ep 29, please tag your spoiler.
Episode 29
Goodbye to Princess Ying
LHQ doesn't take XQQ attitude and insists on taking XY out as promised.
LHQ takes XY out for of the Palace to say goodbye. He finds the sachet she made and it has both their names. Inside is a bottle with fireflies. This was probably the nicest sendoff for her.
Maleficent Du Manipulates Empress Dowager
Du goes to see Empress Dowager giving her fake sympathy but her words show she knows that that the Empress Dowager had to kill XY to keep her from remembering the incident with the late Emperor. Since she was a child too I am guessing that either her nanny, the recently bribed stewards and head maids, or else the Lingbi sect told her these secrets.
She claims to want to help the Empress Dowager eliminate XH and to support XQQ to take the throne. Her reason is she feels betrayed for giving everything to someone who turned away from her, leading to disappointment, then hatred and finally wanting to get rid of them. She believes the Empress Dowager can relate.
Du's plan is to have the brother's turn against each other so XQQ will fight for the throne
Du's plan is to have the brother's turn against each other so XQQ will fight for the throne. She says XY death has lit a spark but it is not enough, but if Empress Dowager also stakes her life it would spur him into action.
Du gives her a poison that will allow her to fake death.
Du gives her a poison that will allow her to fake death while remaining conscious and also provides her the antidote which is in a slice of ginger. Once the antidote is placed in her mouth within 48 hours the poison will clear. Du even demonstrates it on herself to prove her loyalty.
The Truth is Out
CC arrives and realizes Physician Li didn't send for her but instead it was a trick by XH to get her out of the palace. Before she can rush away Daddy Ling really does wake up.
This time he doesn't hesitate to turn Du in. Guess he realizes who wanted him dead.
Daddy Ling explains XH entrusted the jade seal to her, ensuring her survival and leaving XHs last spark of hope.
It is a nice thought but wouldn't it be better to make a plan?
She rushes back. What difference does she think one woman can make? She is seriously overestimating herself.
The Coup
XH wants to investigate XY death, once again proving how smart he is.
XH asks if XQQ even wants her death exploited.bXH explains XY was nearly cured when she suddenly died, likely due to someone not wanting her to regain her wits.
Empress Dowager comes in and claims XH is lying and this was XH's revenge for the loss of his baby. XQQ doesn't believe it.
Now look who is talking! He could have done it a long time ago.
Empress Dowager claims that XH is eliminating opponents. First he took out Daddy Ling, XY died to implicate her the Empress Dowager so XH can get rid of her then XQQ will be next.
XQQ do not believe this liar over your brother.
When XQQ argues that XH just wants to find the mastermind she claims XH is the mastermind. Since XQQ doesn't trust her she claims she will join XY in the afterlife and takes the poison. Her last words are that XQQ should not trust XH again.
XH is shocked, while XQQ is convinced it was XHs plan and lashes out then tries to stab XH.
I had the same question for XQQ!
Du gets the news about XQQ turning on XH.
Really! It seems like it was only a couple weeks ago you were obsessed with him.
XH accuses Du of betraying him. XQQ seems to realizes the truth when she admits to rebellion. XH accuses her of being the one behind Daddy Ling. She pretends not to know what he means while smiling. XQQ do you now understand that she is the one who harmed XY?
This seems to be the worst news she ever heard. Yes XH once again protected CC.
Du is infuriated to know that the Empress is gone. She orders CC be killed if she returns. In her rage she orders XH killed but XQQ stops her. Saying she cannot kill the Emperor on a whim. That killing XH outright is to easy on him. Instead XH is locked up.
Maleficent Du claims she is helping XQQ. She claims loyalty to Great Qi not XH and has decided to choose to support his ascension. XQQ doesn't trust a madwoman nor does he want the throne. Du wants him to take the throne to punish XH who wants it more than anything and that is why he killed XY and forced Empress Dowager into despair.
XQQ still wants to know why she rebels. Her jealousy over LCC again comes out. She says if XH wont cherish the life she worked to save than she will take it from him.
Yes XQQ tell her what you think of her.
She promises not to kill XH until the day the Empress Dowager is laid to rest.
Du talks to the Empress Dowager. She is not going to cure her but instead let her be sealed in her coffin and in 3 days the poison will take effect.
Du has gotten revenge against the Empress Dowager for harming her mother.
At the funeral vigil for the Empress Dowager several old Ministers want XQQ to give up Princess Ying's remains to be entombed in the Imperial Mausoleum. XQQ is enraged since they never treated her as a Princess when she was alive so he doesn't care about the rites and will not trap her in death. What did XQQ do with XY's body?
Later he is alone holding vigil when ZL arrives. Is she still running Fenglai Pavilion? She is never around. She promises to stay by his side but luckily doesn't say more since Du has come to eavesdrop.
Questions:
Why didn't LHQ come back to take over the Imperial guards? Did XH know it was to late and send him to plan for the next step?
How much of XH's internal power has he lost due to that treatment on XY? When will he recover?
Is XQQ truly going to go against XH?
Who will Du take out first XH or XQQ?
Is the Empress Dowager getting what she Deserves?
Posted Dec 1, 2025, 4:12 AM UTC