Destiny of Love Episode 17 Recap
> Destiny of Love Recap
Ji Mo felt he had failed miserably. As he left the exam hall, he wallowed in self-pity. A Li Ya and his father saw him throw a hemp rope over a beam and rushed in to talk him down. Ji Mo felt useless—he was nearly thirty, yet had achieved nothing. Ji Shu comforted his son, saying that if he didn’t succeed this year, he could try again next year.
He could still support him, and even A Li Ya chimed in, saying that her medical earnings were enough to help support the household. But Ji Mo was deeply discouraged, believing he could never give A Li Ya a better life. With no other choice, Ji Shu called for Qiao Manman. When Fu Chengjin saw her heading out, he asked if she needed company. Qiao Manman, not wanting him to feel pressured at home, went by herself.
Ji Mo lay in bed without saying a word. Qiao Manman and Ji Shu teamed up to inspire him to stand back up. Though he had failed the exam, Ji Mo had been diligently writing, producing many brilliant stories widely circulated among the people. Qiao Manman encouraged him to start over and not let the characters in his own stories look down on him. Fu Chengjin prepared a room full of candlelight for Qiao Manman.
When she opened the door, she saw red candles arranged in the shape of a heart at the center of the room and was deeply moved. In the center of the candlelight, Fu Chengjin presented her with a gift—a beautifully crafted outfit. He also held out a necklace. This necklace had been gifted to him by the empress on his coming of age, meant for his future princess consort.
Now, it was finally placed on her neck by Fu Chengjin himself. The atmosphere was intimate, and Fu Chengjin picked up Qiao Manman and brought her to the bed. It should have been a romantic night, but outside, Yue Tao asked if Qiao Manman wanted porridge. A while later, Jiu Feng also came, lingering outside the residence worried about Fu Chengjin and even volunteering to keep watch overnight—utterly ruining the couple’s romantic mood.
When Ji Mo was feeling a little better, A Li Ya took him to the market to relax. There, they saw a notice about an upcoming martial arts competition. Ji Mo had just glanced at it when people around began mocking him, asking if he thought too highly of himself—having fainted in the exam hall, and now wanting to fight?
Ji Mo had no martial skills, but after being ridiculed, his pride was wounded, and he stepped up to the stage. He was quickly knocked to the ground. As others finished their matches, the arena was filled with injured competitors. Just as the event was about to end, Ji Mo slowly came to on the ground. Stumbling to his feet, he became the only one still standing—and thus, was named the arena champion.
Fu Yunnuo, unwilling to give up the woman he loved to another man, summoned General Hu Er Sa. Hu Er Sa, being A Li Ya’s brother, naturally knew her well. If he discovered his sister had been swapped, there would be no peace. Fu Yunnuo had Hu Er Sa enter the palace to see the emperor, then stay for a few days. His real goal was to disrupt the peace between Qiao Manman and Fu Chengjin.
As long as General Hu Er Sa remained, Fu Yunnuo believed he had a better chance of succeeding in his plan. Originally, Qiao Manman and Fu Chengjin had planned to leave the palace and its disputes behind. But the emperor summoned them back. The day they met Hu Er Sa, they sensed danger. Though Hu Er Sa didn’t expose Qiao Manman’s true identity outright, the disdain and mockery in his eyes revealed his intent.
The emperor brought his consorts to watch the martial arts competition. As the arena champion, Ji Mo was summoned. Hu Er Sa mocked Dongzhao’s weak martial skills, and the emperor sent four secret guards to teach him a lesson—but they were defeated in moments. Fu Chengjin was going to step in, but Fu Yunnuo quickly suggested that this year’s martial champion fight instead. Ji Mo had only become champion by accident.
Now summoned to the palace arena, he was the last one left. He had never even killed a chicken, so how could he possibly fight the brute Hu Er Sa? The outcome would surely be dreadful. Qiao Manman, seeing her brother about to fight Hu Er Sa, was terrified and signaled Fu Chengjin for help. Fu Chengjin quickly claimed Qiao Manman had fainted from heatstroke. Given the scorching sun, the emperor announced the match would resume the next day.
That night, many were on edge. Ji Mo, terrified from earlier, slept the entire evening. Qiao Manman was nervous about tomorrow’s match, while Fu Chengjin worked actively to find a solution. Fu Yunnuo instructed Hu Er Sa not to expose Qiao Manman’s identity, hoping to win her gratitude. For those dying of thirst, a well is irresistible—and they would play the ones digging the well. But in the end, he wanted her to find the water undrinkable, stuck in her throat. The real drama was just beginning.
