Decreed by Fate Episode 6 Recap
> Decreed by Fate Recap
After interrogating Lan Que, who had impersonated Qu Liuyun, and learning that a masked man mentioned "Chonglou," Wenren Jing returned to Boqing Hall late at night. Lu Tingxiao questioned her whereabouts, but Fang Xianxun intervened on her behalf. The following day, Lu Tingxiao attempted to restrict Wenren Jing's movements, but she defiantly asserted her independence. Later, Wenren Jing spotted a man she suspected to be the leader of the men in black.
To verify her suspicion that he bore a specific tooth mark on his thigh—one she had previously witnessed Qu Liuyun inflict—she disguised herself and followed him into a men's bathhouse. Her attempts at discreet observation were unsuccessful, and she was quickly identified as a "female rogue" by the other patrons, who began to chase her. Fortunately, Fang Xianxun, who was also present, pulled her into a tub, allowing her to escape.
Wenren Jing questioned Fang Xianxun's presence and the numerous scars on his body, but he was more concerned with confirming the tooth mark, a detail he later instructed his subordinate to investigate, hinting at a significant personal discovery. Back at Boqing Hall, Wenren Jing asked Lu Tingxiao to teach her martial arts, but he dismissed her request. Suddenly, Fang Xianxun appeared, announcing his return and revealing himself to be the long-unseen landlord of Boqing Hall by presenting a property deed.
Wenren Jing expressed surprise but also delight at her disciple's identity, praising him for the spacious and affordable establishment. Lu Tingxiao challenged the authenticity of the deed, arguing that the property belonged to Boqing Hall until the lease expired. Fang Xianxun challenged the existence of a lease, and Lu Tingxiao admitted there was no formal contract, only a monthly rent agreement.
With both men asserting their claims, Wenren Jing intervened, proposing a fair competition "in a man's way" to decide who would control the hall. Wenren Jing, preferring a cultured contest over violence, suggested a drinking competition, believing it would reveal their true characters. Confident in Fang Xianxun's high tolerance and Lu Tingxiao's apparent lack of it, she assured Fang Xianxun of victory. Both men accepted the challenge, declaring they would not hold back.
Unbeknownst to them, Liu Zhan and Zheng Lin were secretly observing the scene from a distance with a telescope, eagerly anticipating the drama. As the competition progressed, Wenren Jing grew concerned about the vast quantities of wine being consumed. Eventually, Fang Xianxun succumbed to the alcohol and passed out. Lu Tingxiao, still conscious, then mocked Wenren Jing, asking if she now understood who was truly more formidable, implying her plan had failed.
After the drinking match, Wenren Jing found both men heavily intoxicated. Lu Tingxiao, in his drunken state, claimed to have a beloved and warned her not to touch him, which piqued Wenren Jing's curiosity. Fang Xianxun, equally drunk, boasted about his unmatched beauty and martial prowess, and both men then declared themselves "generals." Realizing their pronouncements were merely drunken ramblings, Wenren Jing got them to sleep.
When Lu Tingxiao complained about the cold, she moved closer to act as his blanket. Meanwhile, Liu Zhan and Zheng Lin continued to spy on Boqing Hall. Zheng Lin questioned if Liu Zhan was developing feelings for someone, which Liu Zhan vehemently denied, reminding himself that his priority was to restore his family's business. After Zheng Lin commented on his distraction, Liu Zhan began to contemplate using Wenren Jing for his schemes.
While tidying up the drunken men's clothes, Wenren Jing discovered a Yugou Token. She recognized it as belonging to an informant organization founded by her late father, whose current leader was Qin Zhao, also known as "Princess Xiangxiang," a master of martial arts and disguise. Wenren Jing deduced that either Lu Tingxiao or Fang Xianxun must be Qin Zhao or at least affiliated with the Yugou organization, recalling their drunken claims of being "generals."
Unable to determine from whom the token fell, she instructed her sister, A'ling, to secretly return to the capital to investigate a man named Yin Sishen. Wenren Jing then attempted to identify Qin Zhao. After confirming Fang Xianxun had no distinctive scent, she approached Lu Tingxiao and detected a subtle fragrance on him, which she associated with the "Princess Xiangxiang" nickname. Convinced he was Qin Zhao, she poked him until he woke.
When she asked if he was Lu Tingxiao, he denied it. Wenren Jing then confronted him with the Yugou Token, claiming it had fallen from his coat. He did not deny her accusation that he was Qin Zhao and, when asked about his purpose in Pingyang, confirmed he was on a secret mission that he could not disclose.
She bombarded him with questions, and in the process, connected Lan Que's disguise abilities to the Chonglou organization, realizing there might be a link between Yugou and Chonglou. When she pressed him about Lan Que, he feigned a headache to avoid answering. Believing Lu Tingxiao to be Qin Zhao, Wenren Jing took him to meet Lan Que.
She confronted Lan Que about the missing women and appealed to her compassionate side, referencing Lan Que's previous actions towards Qu Liuyun and her mother. Lan Que, confirming her affiliation with Chonglou, agreed to reveal what she knew if Wenren Jing could find a widow named Zhu Xiuchun in Pingyang and bring her to her. Lan Que then revealed that Qu Liuyun was in danger.
Acting quickly on the warning, Wenren Jing and the man she believed to be Qin Zhao immediately went to rescue Qu Liuyun. They successfully saved her, and in gratitude, Qu Liuyun handed over a package that Lan Que had left for her.
