Decreed by Fate Episode 10 Recap
> Decreed by Fate Recap
Fang Xianxun observed Wenren Jing's true affection for Lu Tingxiao and resolved to help them unite. After an incident where Lu Tingxiao shielded Wenren Jing from harm and feigned a serious injury, Wenren Jing diligently cared for him. During his recovery, Lu Tingxiao praised Wenren Jing's cooking, even as his servant pointed out that the injury was not severe and that he was enduring the bed rest for Wenren Jing's sake.
Lu Tingxiao also noticed Wenren Jing's scalded hand from cooking and tenderly treated it, later presenting her with flowers. Fang Xianxun, witnessing their growing intimacy, confessed his feelings to Wenren Jing. A misunderstanding led him to briefly believe she reciprocated, but he soon realized her heart truly belonged to Lu Tingxiao. Convinced she was simply unaware of her own feelings, Fang Xianxun challenged Lu Tingxiao to a confrontation.
Concerned for her apprentice, Wenren Jing urged Lu Tingxiao not to harm him. Lu Tingxiao later pressed Wenren Jing to acknowledge her true feelings, disregarding what others might say and emphasizing his trust only in her words. Although Wenren Jing initially denied liking Lu Tingxiao, citing his teasing nature despite his admirable qualities, she eventually understood her feelings, and the two solidified their relationship.
Lu Tingxiao expressed his heartfelt wish for Wenren Jing to live a life of peace and joy. Meanwhile, Wenren Jing, Fang Xianxun, and Lu Tingxiao began searching for the missing Qin Yiyi, who had been uncontactable for several days. Their search led them to Baihua Brothel, where they were informed that Qin Yiyi was no longer there. Upon investigating further, they encountered Wang Yizhi, the proprietor of Baihua Brothel, along with Hong Zhong.
During their conversation, Wang Yizhi cunningly insinuated that Chonglou, an organization of interest to Wenren Jing and Fang Xianxun, was established by Hong Yuanshan, Hong Zhong's father. Following this, Fang Xianxun confronted Hong Zhong, discovering a half-waist badge bearing the "Hong" character, which confirmed his suspicions about the Hong family's connection to Vice-general Wang's death. Separately, Lu Tingxiao rescued Hong Yuanshan from an ambush, introducing himself as being from Boqing Hall.
This rescue raised suspicions with Feng Shu, who questioned Lu Tingxiao's opportune appearance, leading to some friction within Fang Xianxun's group. Hong Yuanshan, conversing with his subordinate Zhang Jiu, expressed concern over Wang Yizhi's actions, especially since the recently murdered "Wang servant" was revealed to be a North Kingdom Vice-general.
Fearing that Chonglou was in jeopardy and unwilling to be controlled by Master Wang, Hong Yuanshan ordered Zhang Jiu to expedite the transfer of women, who had been poisoned with a love poison by Wang Yizhi, out of the city. Hoping to enlist Lu Tingxiao's aid, Hong Yuanshan invited him to his mansion for a discussion. Lu Tingxiao arrived at Hong Yuanshan's mansion, accompanied by Fang Xianxun and Wenren Jing.
Hong Yuanshan warmly welcomed them, particularly thanking Lu Tingxiao for saving his life and acknowledging his martial prowess, which Lu Tingxiao downplayed, attributing it to ancestral practice rather than his chosen profession as a matchmaker. Lu Tingxiao then inquired about the recent disappearances of young girls, but Hong Yuanshan claimed no knowledge. During the meeting, Fang Xianxun, feigning a stomachache, excused himself to follow Zhang Jiu.
Later, Zhang Jiu reported to Hong Yuanshan that "Young Master" (referring to Wang Yizhi) had not yet been found. Impatient, Hong Yuanshan reiterated his command to swiftly transfer the women out of the city that very night. Meanwhile, one of the captive women, likely Qin Yiyi, cleverly feigned illness to secure an opportunity to escape, offering a jade piece to her captors. As midnight approached, Zhang Jiu oversaw the women being given a substance before they were confined in cloth boxes and prepared for transport out of the city.
