In And the Winner Is Love Episode 35, Shangguan Tou risks everything by administering poison against poison to cure Chong Xuezhi after Prince Lu refuses the antidote. Xuezhi survives, cementing their romantic bond, while a confined Shangguan Zheng makes a somber vow regarding her unborn child, and Tou heads to Lingjian Mountain Manor.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Original Novel | Adapted from the wuxia novel of the same name by Jun Zi Yi Ze |
| Episode | Episode 35 (48 Episodes Total) |
| Lead Cast | Luo Yunxi (Shangguan Tou), Chen Yuqi (Chong Xuezhi) |
| Supporting Cast | Zou Tingwei (Yuwen Muyuan), Tian Yitong (Shangguan Zheng) |
| Streaming Platforms | Youku, iQIYI, Tencent Video, TVING |
Quick Catch-Up: Prince Lu's Cold Rejection and the Desperate Gamble
New here or catching up on the drama? Here is a quick catch-up before we dig into the details. Full spoilers for Episode 35 are ahead.
Episode 35 plunges directly into crisis. Chong Xuezhi collapses from severe internal trauma caused by the Five Colors technique, leaving her life hanging by a thread. Desperate to rescue her, Lin Changyan approaches Prince Lu Xue Lie directly. He appeals to Prince Lu's familial ties, reminding him that Xuezhi is the beloved partner of Shangguan Tou, who is also Prince Lu's brother-in-law. Yet Prince Lu turns him away without hesitation.
"I would have seized that woman and punished her under the law long ago." — Prince Lu
Learning of her husband's cruelty, Princess Consort Shangguan Zheng confronts Prince Lu herself. She begs him with tears to halt his tyrannical path and release the medicine to save an innocent life. Instead of listening, Prince Lu views her plea as defiance against his authority.
"You are only subjugating the martial arts world to prove your own worth." — Shangguan Zheng
"You cannot step foot outside my manor." — Prince Lu
Shut out from obtaining the cure, Shangguan Tou and Lin Changyan face a perilous alternative: combating poison with poison. By introducing a deadly venom, they hope to force open Xuezhi's blocked energy channels, though the procedure carries barely an even chance of survival.
"At best, we have half a chance." — Lin Changyan
Through Lin Changyan's needlework and Shangguan Tou's devotion, Xuezhi pulls through against the odds. If you want to check out the garments worn during these high-tension medical scenes, take a look at our companion breakdown on And the Winner Is Love Episode 35 Outfits: Hairpins and Hanfu Styling Guide.
Character Turning Points: Imperial Insecurity, Devotion, and Maternal Grief
Prince Lu's relentless campaign against Chonghuo Palace has nothing to do with peace. As Shangguan Zheng points out, his aggression stems from deep-seated inadequacy. Lacking martial cultivation and overlooked within the imperial clan, he masks his vulnerability through tyrannical domination over the martial arts world. This inability to endure honest counsel—even from a spouse who genuinely worries for him—foreshadows his eventual undoing.
In stark contrast, the reunion between Chong Xuezhi and Shangguan Tou provides the emotional centerpiece of the episode. Prepared to accept death so she will not burden him, Xuezhi meets a partner whose dedication remains unshakable.
"Just as clouds follow wherever the wind blows, we will remain together forever." — Shangguan Tou
Their mutual oath confirms that facing mortal danger has bound them closer together. Similar thematic stakes between personal honor and court intrigue can also be seen in Blossoms of Power Episode 36 Ending Explained: The Yonghe Era and Family Reunion.
Meanwhile, Shangguan Zheng's storyline delivers the chapter's most heartbreaking beat. Confined to her chambers, she cradles her pregnant stomach and realizes her child's lineage is tied to an unrepentant oppressor.
"I never wanted to take away your right to be born." — Shangguan Zheng
Her quiet whisper hints at a grim resolve. Caught between the Shangguan family and Prince Lu's crimes, she prepares to sever ties with the lineage rather than let her child become another instrument of terror.
Unresolved Clues and What Comes Next in the Story
Episode 35 leaves several major threads hanging that set up the drama's final stretch:
- The Search for the Heavenly Spirit Stone: While Xuezhi is alive, her inner strength remains crippled. Shangguan Tou must travel to Lingjian Mountain Manor to secure the Heavenly Spirit Stone, though whether Yuan Shuangshuang will hand it over remains uncertain.
- Yuwen Muyuan's Precarious Position: Reduced to pawning his own sword, Yuwen Muyuan is cornered and vulnerable. His desperate state has caught Prince Lu's eye, raising doubts about whether he can resist imperial coercion.
- Shangguan Tou's Familial Dilemma: Tou burns to avenge his father's spirit, but moving openly against Prince Lu risks endangering his sister, Shangguan Zheng. This moral bind stalls his blade for now.
"Yuan Shuangshuang is reportedly still there." — Clue to the Heavenly Spirit Stone
For viewers fascinated by complex traps and martial ethics, comparing this struggle with Rainless Bell Episode 35 Ending Explained: The Chongxiao Tower Trap and the Weight of Chivalry highlights how historical dramas handle desperate chivalric choices.
Frequently asked questions
How does Chong Xuezhi survive the Five Colors internal damage in Episode 35?
Because Prince Lu denies Lin Changyan's request for an antidote, Lin Changyan and Shangguan Tou use a fifty-fifty gamble by applying poison against poison alongside targeted acupuncture to unblock Xuezhi's energy channels.
Why does Prince Lu place Shangguan Zheng under house arrest?
Shangguan Zheng confronts Prince Lu about his cruelty, urging him to release the medicine and pointing out that his campaign against the martial arts sects is driven by an urge to prove his own worth. Offended by her challenge, Prince Lu confines her to his manor.
Where does Shangguan Tou plan to travel next?
He prepares to head toward Lingjian Mountain Manor to track down Yuan Shuangshuang and obtain the Heavenly Spirit Stone needed to fully restore Chong Xuezhi's inner energy.
What danger surrounds Yuwen Muyuan at this stage?
Yuwen Muyuan is in dire straits, having pawned his own sword to survive, and his isolated situation has drawn the attention of Prince Lu, who seeks to exploit him.