Unchained Love (Episode 17-18 Recap)

• Title: Unchained Love
• Also Known As: 浮图缘, Floating on the Edge, Forbidden Love
• Director: Wu Qiang
• Casts: Dylan Wang, Chen Yu Qi, Peter Ho, Zheng Li
• Screenwriter: Li Jing Ling
• Genres: Romance, Comedy, Historical
• Country: China
• Episodes: 36
• Original Network: iQiyi
• Where to Watch: iQiyi, WeTV
• Adapted from the web novel: Fu Tu Yuan by You Si Jie

List of Recap:

• Unchained Love (Episode 1-2 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 3-4 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 5-6 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 7-8 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 9-10 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 11-12 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 13-14 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 15-16 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 17-18 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 19-20 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 21-22 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 23-24 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 25-26 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 27-28 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 29-30 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 31-32 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 33-34 Recap)
• Unchained Love (Episode 35-36 Recap) – The End

Hello dear readers… it’s been a long time since I wrote Unchained Love episode recap. I apologized for the late post. In these episodes 17 and 18, we could see how fierce Bu Yin Lou was when jealousy hit her. And how anxious Xiao Duo was when a woman from the past showed up. Will they manage to get through this tribulation of love? Let’s see! But first, let’s meet new character appearance. Happy reading.

New Character Appearance

Qiu Yuebai

Qiu Yuebai was Ah Duo’s lover. She used to be a maid in the palace, but at age of 15, she offended a matron in the palace and got kicked out. She did not have family or friends outside the palace.

He learned that Ah Duo had become a high-ranking official and went to the Xiao Mansion and begged to meet him. Yet, she did not see Xiao Duo but Empress Rong’an accidentally saw her in front of Xiao Duo’s residence.

Episode Recap

Episode 17

Tong Yun, the loyal and thoughtful maid, knew that she could not put some sense into Bu Yin Lou’s head. She decided that she would just let her mistress enjoy her remaining days since nobody knows what the future holds. When they walked into the courtyard, Bu Yin Lou and Tong Yun accidentally saw Cao Chun’ang receiving a guest.

He was Rong Bao, the chief steward of the Prince of Nanyuan. He was there to deliver six beauties who had been carefully selected to take care of Xiao Duo. Tong Yun was angry but Bu Yin Lou did not care at all. She believed that Xiao Duo would reject them all. Yet, she was surprised to hear Xiao Duo did not reject the beauties and told Cao Chun’ang to keep them because he thought that the women was the Prince of Nanyuan’s spies. Yet, Bu Yin Lou did not hear the whole conversation.

Bu Yin Lou was fuming while Tong Yun was happy because her mistress finally had great opportunity to break up with him. But Bu Yin Lou had another idea. She wanted to vent her anger on Xiao Duo’s room, but she could not bear to because she had painstakingly decorated the room.

The group of beauties entered Xiao Duo’s room. They were startled when they saw her. Xiao Duo and Cao Chun’and saw the commotion but Xiao Duo decided not to interfere. They eavesdropped under the window.

Bu Yin Lou told the beauties that Xiao Duo likes to paint. But he did not paint on paper or silk. Instead on the skin of beauties. She said that Xiao Duo likes to soak a thin whip on oil and lashed it out to a beauty again and again. When the fair skin seeped with blood, it would become a beautiful plum blossom on snow painting. And everybody who served him at night would be rewarded with painting.

She offered them to see hers, but nobody dared to see it. Xiao Duo who listened to all her nonsense sighed yet the corner of his lips was slightly crooked.

The beauties believed Bu Yin Lou’s story because Xiao Duo from Zhaoding Bureau was notoriously famous for being ruthless. Bu Yin Lou did not forget to add that Xiao Duo had killed many beauties and even the dog Eunuch Ba had taken part in her lies. The beauties took her story seriously and flew away to save their lives. Xiao Duo told Bu Yin Lou that the beauties were the Prince of Nanyuan’s spies. Yet, Bu Yin Lou scolded him for keeping them around. He was too arrogant. Bu Yin Lou was no longer angry with him.

In Shangqiong Palace, Sun Tai Qing reported that Xiao Duo has sent a message that the Prince of Nanyuan colluded with the Jianghu to sell salt and was involved in West Shu’s illegal weapons forging. He requested to extend his stay. The emperor agreed and ordered Xiao Duo to do whatever it takes so he could take over Yuwen Liang Shi’s military power. Princess Hede heard all the conversations and praised the Emperor for being a decisive person.

The Emperor nonchalantly said that the ultimate power of the world should have been in his hand. The Prince of Nanyuan had coveted his throne therefore he ought to give up his power and make way for him. Princess Hede was stunned to realize that her brother seemed to change into a different person. She was still absent-minded even after she arrived at Yuwen Liang Xu’s room.

Yuwen Liang Xu asked her what had happened. After he listened to her story, Yuwen Liang Xu did not feel worried at all. His brother, Yuwen Liang Shi, was not easy to deal with.

At almost the same time, The Prince of Nanyuan was angry because the beauties were sent back by Xiao Duo. He ordered Rong Bao to use wedding preparation as a reason to investigate Xiao Duo’s weakness.

Bu Yin Lou took charge to prepare Bu Yin Ge’s wedding. When they checked Bu Yin Ge’s dowry, Tong Yun saw a pair of men’s shoes. Bu Yin Lou explained that it was a custom in West Shu that a bride should make shoes for the groom. Tong Yun was sad because her mistress would not be able to make one for the rest of her life. Tong Yun’s words sparked an idea in her mind.

When they were at the mansion, Bu Yin Lou visited Xiao Duo’s study and told him to stand up and take something off. She did not explain anything but Xiao Duo seemed to have some idea in his mind. He was shocked. But immediately stood up and started to take off his belt and robe. Bu Yin Lou frowned and stopped him..

She dragged Xiao Duo and made him sit on the table while she crouched in front of him. Xiao Duo was shocked, but when Bu Yin Lou explained that she wanted to make shoes for him, he relaxed and smiled. Bu Yin Lou told him that when she was young, her mother did not want any money from Bu Family.

So she and her mother used to make shoes and sell them for pocket money. Her story made Xiao Duo feel distressed for her. He told her to only make one pair. There was no need to make shoes in the future because he had money. Bu Yin Lou smiled and agreed.

After an arduous night, Bu Yin Lou made a pair of blue shoes. From Rong Bao, Xiao Duo learned the shoes custom of the West Shu. Even Cao Chun’ang could see that his Godfather was very happy over a new pair of boots.

On Bu Yin Ge’s wedding day, Bu Yin Lou casted a glance at Xiao Duo. She was happy because he wore the shoes she made. When she stared at Bu Yin Ge who performed the wedding ceremony, Bu Yin Lou imagined how happy they were if it was her wedding day. Xiao Duo’s mood depleted when he realized his situation.

He was envious because everybody gets to marry legitimately, while he was not even qualified to see Bu Yin Lou. Cao Chun’ang reminded his master that they were on the Prince of Nanyuan’s turf. And if the prince could see what was on his mind, it would be disadvantageous for them.

On the wedding night, Bu Yin Ge lost her temper because the prince did not come to the nuptial room. The Prince of Nanyuan was not satisfied with her and threatened to ruin her face. Immediately Bu Yin Ge lost her arrogance. To gain his trust, Bu Yin Ge said that Bu Yin Lou had an affair with Xiao Duo. She told him about what happened at the mausoleum and how Xiao Duo took an arrow for Bu Yin Lou. Rong Bao also convinced him that one of his spies said that Xiao Duo had a lover.

The next day, Rong Bao invited Bu Yin Lou on behalf of Bu Yin Ge. Although she did not agree, Rong Bao came up with a reason she could not reject. The Prince of Nanyuan arranged Bu Yin Lou as bait for Xiao Duo. He would give the evidence of their illicit relationship to The Emperor, so he could settle this matter by himself. The prince wanted to make sure that Xiao Duo had a horrible death.

Xiao Duo realized that the Prince of Nanyuan had laid a trap for him. Therefore, he canceled his plan to barge into the Prince of Nanyuan’s mansion to rescue Bu Yin Lou. The quick-witted Bu Yin Lou was able to see that Bu Yin Ge was up to no good and tried to dig for some information about her relationship with Xiao Duo. Bu Yin Lou decided to take advantage of Bu Yin Ge in a mahjong game. She won a lot of money from her, and even in the end, Bu Yin Ge lost all of her dowries.

The Prince of Nanyuan was angry because his plot did not work. He even felt that he had lost his pride because of Bu Yin Ge. He threw Bu Yin Lou out of the mansion and dragged Bu Yin Ge who whined to have another round of mahjong so she could win back her dowry.

Tong Yun was amazed at her mistress’ ability. When they were home, Cao Chun’ang told Bu Yin Lou that his master was asleep. But in reality, Xiao Duo was wide awake. He gloomily looked at the closed door of Bu Yin Lou’s room.

Episode 18

Xiao Duo realized the reality behind Cao Chun’ang’s reminder. He thought that because he was away from the capital, Xiao Duo became greedy and had made the Prince of Nanyuan realized that he treated Bu Yin Lou differently. Cao Chun’ang advised him to end the relationship since they had no future. Xiao Duo did not say anything but stared at Bu Yin Lou’s boots.

The Prince of Nanyuan vented his anger to Bu Yin Ge. After he saw how ridiculous Bu Yin Lou was, he could not believe that Xiao Duo would fall for a girl like her. He punished Bu Yin Ge to reflect on her mistakes at the Ancestral Hall. He also assigned some disciplinary madam to teach her the rule of his mansion. Bu Yin Ge begged for mercy as she was dragged out of the room.

After he ordered Rong Bao out with a task, Lian Cheng suddenly appeared and said that he had been waiting for the Prince of Nanyuan for a day. The prince forgot that he ordered Lian Cheng to play zither for him but now he no longer had the mood to listen to music and dismissed Lian Cheng.

The Prince of Nanyuan’s mood was low until Rong Bao arrived with a letter from Empress Rong’an that said Xiao Duo had a lover named Qiu Yuebai. He told Rong Bao to take Qiu Yuebai to Mingding Tower and later she must be sent to Xiao Duo’s side. Lian Cheng’s ear perked up when he overheard that Xiao Duo had a lover.

Bu Yin Lou wanted to see Xiao Duo, but he was busy all morning. He walked out of his room and did not spare her a glance. She Qilang wanted to remind Xiao Duo that Bu Yin Lou was looking at him, but Cao Chun’ang shut him up. Xiao Duo left the mansion and told Cao Chun’ang to stay and guard Bu Yin Lou.

Bu Yin Lou was confused by Xiao Duo’s indifference. She went to Mingding Tower to see Lian Cheng. After he listened to Tong Yun’s story he cursed Xiao Duo. But Bu Yin Lou still defended him. She said that Xiao Duo might have realized their circumstances were unrealistic therefore, he avoided her. Yet, Bu Yin Lou felt that she was the one who could not let go. Lian Cheng wanted to tell her about Xiao Duo’s lover but every time he spoke, Bu Yin Lou cut his words.

Before Lian Cheng had a chance to tell her again, Cao Chun’ang appeared and urged Bu Yin Lou to leave the building. He muttered that somebody was anxious because she was staying at Mingding Tower. However, Bu Yin Lou still heeded Cao Chun’ang’s words and left immediately. When she left the building, she accidentally saw a flash of Xiao Duo’s figure.

Bu Yin Lou told Tong Yun that she felt that Xiao Duo had followed her. Tong Yun did not believe it and told her that she should erase her imagination. She also said that Xiao Duo might avoid Bu Yin Lou because he only played with her and he was afraid that Bu Yin Lou would really fall in love with him. They did not know that Xiao Duo stood under her window and heard all their conversation. He stared at the rouge in his hand. He bought it for her earlier. Xiao Duo watched Bu Yin Lou check on his room to see whether he was there or not.

Cao Chun’ang rushed to see Xiao Duo. He took him to the gate where Qiu Yuebai stood at the gate. When she saw him, he called him Ah Duo anxiously. Xiao Duo did not know her, but when he heard the name, his eyes widened in shock. Before Qiu Yuebai could get close to him, she fainted on the spot. Xiao Duo told She Qilang to hide her in a room and get a doctor to check up on her. He also warned his subordinate that nobody should find out about her.

The next day Xiao Duo and his subordinates stood in front of the room where they confined Qiu Yuebai. She Qilang confirmed Qiu Yuebai’s identity. She was a palace maid who was kicked out because she offended a matron. Xiao Duo remembered that his brother used to mention a maid in a palace and told him that they were lovers. He was sure that the girl was Qiu Yuebai.

However, they were suspicious about her presence at the moment. When they discussed the matter, Bu Yin Lou suddenly appeared. The three of them stiffened when they heard Bu Yin Lou’s voice. When she stepped forward, they immediately made a formation to prevent her from entering the room.

Bu Yin Lou asked Xiao Duo to accompany her to a festival. Because Xiao Duo refused, she used her position to force him. She took his hand and dragged him out of the mansion. Bu Yin Lou took Xiao Duo to shop, but nothing attracted her attention. They ended up at a tea house to hear a play. Xiao Duo served her tea but Bu Yin Lou refused and ordered a bottle of wine instead.

When they left the tea house, she was drunk. Bu Yin Lou asked Xiao Duo the reason he ignored her. Xiao Duo told her that there were things that they could not say. Bu Yin Lou accused him of being mean to her because he was the one who flirted with her in the first place. She also mentioned that she liked him but he was still silent. She pushed him and told him that she did not care anymore. Bu Yin Lou left the helpless Xiao Duo and ran to the street. When Xiao Duo saw her leaving, a worried look appeared on his face.

Bu Yin Lou saw a woman dragged by Cao Chun’ang and She Qilang into a room. She followed them and barged into Qiu Yuebai’s room. She was startled to see Qiu Yuebai’s delicate appearance. In her drunkenness, she accused Cao Chun’ang to hide a woman.

Suddenly Xiao Duo appeared at the door and asked what had happened. Qiu Yuebai’s eyes lit up upon seeing him. She ran to him and called Xiao Duo in a spoiled tone and held his arm. Xiao Duo’s eyes widen in surprise. He shook up his arm to free it from Qiu Yuebai’s hand.

Bu Yin Lou and Xiao Duo sat on chairs while Cao Chun’ang kneeled on the floor. Xiao Duo was frowning and he seemed anxious. Although Bu Yin Lou was irritated and jealous, she spoke in a cheerful tone. But the tone scared Xiao Duo. He tried to hold her hand but got slapped. Xiao Duo persuaded Bu Yin Lou to wait in her room while he took care of the matter. Bu Yin Lou continued to sneer before she left the anxious pair of master and servant.

Bu Yin Lou’s zodiac must be scorpio because when she got jealous she was scary…😅

Bu Yin Lou’s anger flared inside her room. Tong Yun told her mistress that men tend to be fickle. Although Xiao Duo was a eunuch, deep down inside all men were the same. After some contemplation, Bu Yin Lou decided to return to the capital. But then she hesitated. She thought it would be better if they went into some unknown place and made use of Bu Yin Ge’s dowry so they could have a good life. She imagined her life surrounded by men while Xiao Duo kneeled and cried in front of her and begged not to be replaced.

Tong Yun reminded her mistress that she was there under the order of the Emperor. If she left, it surely would implicate Xiao Duo. Tong Yun also said that she felt that Xiao Duo wanted to break up with her mistress and at the moment, it was a good thing for them. Bu Yin Lou still wanted an explanation from Xiao Duo and went to find him. In front of Qiu Yuebai’s room, she eavesdropped on Xiao Duo and Qiu Yuebai’s conversation.

Qiu Yuebai told Xiao Duo that six years ago, she had waited for him at the designated date and place, but he never came. Later she was sold to Hedong and spent years wandering around. Qiu Yuebai wept pitifully. She told Xiao Duo that she had a question for him about why he did not come that day. Xiao Duo only said that something came up and he was late.

Qiu Yuebai said that she begged her way to the capital. And then she heard that Xiao Duo had become a high official and currently was in West Shu. Xiao Duo was suspicious about the facts that she told him.

Qiu Yuebai’s clothes are made from a high-quality fabric from the capital. Jinguan and the capital were far away, and Qiu Yuebai needed a lot of money to travel. He asked whether somebody took her there and whether that somebody asked her about his past. Qiu Yuebai dodged his question. Xiao Duo told her that she could not step outside the room without his permission.

Just when Qiu Yuebai called Xiao Duo and begged him not to leave, Bu Yin Lou entered the room. And she saw Qiu Yuebai holding onto Xiao Duo’s arm again. He took Bu Yin Lou and dragged her to the main building.

Bu Yin Lou’s hand was hurt and Xiao Duo was afraid that he had hurt her. Because he was anxious, Xiao Duo reminded Bu Yin Lou to stay away from Qiu Yuebai with a fierce expression. And it made Bu Yin Lou think that he was reprimanding her. As the dangerous atmosphere intensified, Cao Chun’ang came to report that Qiu Yuebai cried in her room and asked whether Xiao Duo would come to see her.

Bu Yin Lou seethed in anger and urged him to go. But she remembered to step on Xiao Duo’s foot as hard as she could. Xiao Duo was angry and barged into his room. He told Cao Chun’ang to let Qiu Yuebai cry. Tong Yun also stepped on Cao Chun’ang’s feet and told him that he and his master were bad people.

Xiao Duo told Cao Chun’ang his suspicion. He ordered Cao Chun’ang to check every person that Qiu Yuebai has met along the way. Cao Chun’ang warned him that Qiu Yuebai was a hidden danger. It would be troublesome if she found out that Xiao Duo was not Ah Duo. It was better to kill her. But, Xiao Duo did not want to do that. She was Ah Duo’s people and she was the only person who was sincere towards him at the palace. However, Cao Chun’ang said that Bu Yin Lou was very angry and when a woman gets angry it was dangerous.

Bu Yin Lou’s anger was still raging that she refused to eat the food prepared for her. She cursed Xiao Duo as a shameless vixen. She was determined to break up with Xiao Duo and would not be fooled again by him. Tong Yun was so happy because her mistress finally had figured it out. Yet suddenly Bu Yin Lou muttered her dissatisfaction because Xiao Duo did not come to console her. Tong Yun’s expression was unsightly, she must have thought that her mistress was way beyond repair…🤣

Xiao Duo wandered around in the front of the house. He wanted to deliver some food, but he did not know what to say. Cao Chun’ang told him that he should let Bu Yin Lou misunderstand because it was the best option for both of them. It would be better for her to be sad for a while than waste a lifetime. After contemplating his words, Xiao Duo agreed. But he still gave the food box to Cao Chun’ang and told him to deliver the food.

Qiu Yuebai fainted again and refused to eat the medicine. She made a fuss because she wanted to meet Xiao Duo. Qiu Yuebai could not believe that Xiao Duo had changed his heart. She did not know what to do.

The Prince of Nanyuan listened to Rong Bao’s report that Xiao Duo had treated Qiu Yuebai coldly. However, the prince was not worried at all. He said that a desperate woman would do anything. He gave Rong Bao a drug and ordered him to pour it into Xiao Duo’s food. The drug was fatal if it were ingested.

He had the plan to kill Xiao Duo and put his body in the cold river, on its way to the capital. Lian Cheng who overheard the conversation stilled, the melody stopped and the Prince glanced at him. He immediately recovered his focus and continued to play.

Bu Yin Lou wanted to enter Qiu Yuebai’s room, but She Qilang guarded the door. Tong Yun helped her to divert their attention. When she entered the room, Qiu Yuebai kowtowed her and asked for forgiveness. She said that she wanted to visit Bu Yin Lou, but Xiao Duo forbade her because he was worried about her. Bu Yin Lou raised her chin and saw that Qiu Yuebai had used powder to make her face look sickly pale.

Bu Yin Lou was a quick-witted person. In a flash, she connected the fact that Xiao Duo did not treat Qiu Yuebai as his ex-lover and her memory of Xiao Duo’s twin brother. She even went as far as questioning which one of the two brothers died. And whether Xiao Duo was Xiao Duo. She told Qiu Yuebai to switch her tactic and tried harder.

Xiao Duo came and saw Qiu Yuebai’s room was not guarded. Qiu Yuebai heard his voice and pretended to be assaulted by Bu Yin Lou. She screamed as if Bu Yin Lou almost killed her. Xiao Duo kicked the door and saw the scene. There were no ripples on Bu Yin Lou’s face. She said that if Qiu Yuebai did that, then she would not hesitate. After she said that, Bu Yin Lou hit Qiu Yuebai hard. She stared at Xiao Duo and told him that she had hit Qiu Yuebai and left.

Xiao Duo chased Bu Yin Lou and asked her whether she was okay. Bu Yin Lou spoke indifferently that she was fine. She told Xiao Duo that if he had something that he was hiding from her, he better come clean right now, or else she would not listen anymore. But when Xiao Duo said that he would tell her later, Bu Yin Lou got angry. She shook her hand from his grasp and told him not to bother about it. He went into the room and Qiu Yuebai told him that Bu Yin Lou did not mean it.

Yet, Xiao Duo could see through her lies and told her that if she behaved well, he would protect her for the rest of her life. But if she dared to play the trick in front of Bu Yin Lou again, he would not show any mercy. Xiao Duo told She Qilang to guard Qiu Yuebai well. If she dared to make any more trouble, he ordered to make her mute. Qiu Yuebai sat motionless when she heard his cold voice.

My Musing

Tong Yun really does care so much about her mistress and was always ready to help her. However, could she came up with a better idea? 😂😂