Decreed by Fate Episode 7 Recap
> Decreed by Fate Recap
After a recent rescue, a woman who had been held captive was questioned about her ordeal. She recounted how her captors had spoken of her suitability as an actress and their intent to send her to a place called "Buletu," which was identified as a location in the North Kingdom. Despite her family having never left Pingyang, she denied any connection to the North Kingdom or acquaintance with Lan Que, the woman who had impersonated her.
Given the clear danger of assassins attempting to silence her, she was advised to leave immediately for her safety. Meanwhile, at the Boqing Hall, Director Liu Zhan was found talking to himself about his feelings for Miss Ling, declaring that despite past grievances, he would forgive Wenren Jing, but would not be deterred from pursuing Miss Ling.
Chairman Fang Xianxun arrived, explaining his presence as a long story and stating that he was the only one currently at the Boqing Hall. Liu Zhan, anxious about Miss Ling’s absence and safety, offered Fang Xianxun some cakes he had bought for her. Fang Xianxun discovered a ring hidden inside the cakes, realizing they were a gift for Miss Ling.
Liu Zhan then confessed his affections and pleaded with Fang Xianxun not to reveal his secret to anyone, especially Miss Ling, fearing it would ruin his reputation. When asked when he fell for Miss Ling, Liu Zhan described his feelings, explicitly contrasting her with Wenren Jing. Fang Xianxun, however, chastised him for disparaging Wenren Jing and refused to help, threatening to expose Liu Zhan’s gossiping nature to Miss Ling, which would further deter her. Liu Zhan, disheartened, then departed.
Separately, Mr. Wang, usually sweeping the east street, was seen helping out with chores, indicating the temporary absence of new staff. Later, as night fell, Wenren Jing and Lu Tingxiao realized it was too late to find a carriage back to the city, deciding instead to spend the night at a roadside inn. Lu Tingxiao requested two rooms, but the innkeeper explained that due to high demand, only one room was available.
Wenren Jing agreed to take the single room and ordered two bowls of noodles. Upon entering the room, they squabbled over who would get the bed. While they were eating, a strange vine-like object, identified as Lan Que’s earth vine, suddenly emerged and tightly bound their hands together, making it impossible to separate them. They argued over whose curiosity led to them touching the vine and getting entangled. Suddenly, black-clad assassins burst into their room.
With their hands bound, Lu Tingxiao’s fighting ability was significantly hampered. He urged Wenren Jing to escape, intending to cut off his own hand to ensure her safety. At this critical moment, Fang Xianxun arrived, mocking Lu Tingxiao's attempts at heroics and declaring he would protect both of them. During the intense fight, Lu Tingxiao sustained injuries. After a fierce struggle, the assassins were defeated; one bit into a hidden poison capsule, dying instantly.
The trio deduced that these were highly organized, ruthless outlaws, though their ultimate motive remained unknown. After the fight, Fang Xianxun tended to Lu Tingxiao’s wounds. Noticing the vine binding Lu Tingxiao and Wenren Jing, he attempted to untangle it, only to find himself also ensnared by the mysterious plant. Now all three were bound together.
Lu Tingxiao suggested the vine might be from the North Kingdom, connecting it to Lan Que and the men in black’s plan to send the rescued woman to "Buletu" in the North Kingdom. Fang Xianxun, exasperated by their bickering, urged them to unite, but Lu Tingxiao retorted that he and Wenren Jing were already united, implying Fang Xianxun was the outsider. With no immediate solution, they decided to try and rest until the city gates opened in the morning.
To pass the time, Wenren Jing proposed a game. They began playing a truth or dare game, primarily involving drinking. Lu Tingxiao chose to drink rather than reveal his most outrageous act. When it was Wenren Jing’s turn, Fang Xianxun asked Lu Tingxiao about a woman in a portrait, implying she was his love interest. Lu Tingxiao denied it, much to Wenren Jing’s amusement and feigned disgust.
Later, Wenren Jing questioned Lu Tingxiao about the numerous scars on his body, claiming to know because they were "close." Lu Tingxiao simply stated they were battle scars. As Wenren Jing continued to lose and drink more, she became increasingly inebriated. Both Fang Xianxun and Lu Tingxiao offered to drink on her behalf, eventually sharing a drink together in a show of "brotherhood."
The game continued, and when asked why they joined the Boqing Hall, both Lu Tingxiao and Fang Xianxun independently answered, "for her." Completely drunk, Wenren Jing began to refer to both men as "dear husband," declaring that all handsome men were her husbands. In her drunken stupor, she envisioned a fantastical three-person wedding, complete with bowing to heaven, parents, and each other, followed by imagined scenes of their daily life and even a shared bath, humorously accepting the "embarrassing" situation.
