Destiny of Love Episode 18 Recap
> Destiny of Love Recap
The next day, the martial arts competition resumed. Qiao Manman sat by the banquet table and saw that her brother would be facing a burly man with solid muscles. It seemed her brother was doomed this time. Qiao Manman was extremely nervous, but Ji Mo suddenly surprised everyone by claiming that, as a nation of etiquette, they might as well try a different competition method—using only one finger. Hu Er Sa was astonished to hear this.
How could this frail-looking scholar possibly win with just one finger? Hu Er Sa boldly agreed and even personally set the rules: if Ji Mo could make him unable to stand with one finger, he would concede defeat. Ji Mo, feigning calmness, tapped Hu Er Sa’s forehead with his index finger. Unexpectedly, Hu Er Sa exerted great effort but truly couldn’t get up. Everyone applauded in amazement.
Even with repeated attempts, Hu Er Sa still couldn’t stand, leaving no doubt that Fu Chengjin had won the competition and brought honor to Dongzhao Kingdom. The emperor was delighted and immediately conferred the title of Martial Champion upon Ji Mo. They had passed another hurdle. Qiao Manman was overjoyed and brought Fu Chengjin back to Wanshifang that night to celebrate. A Li Ya excitedly made hot pot for everyone.
The group was particularly cheerful that night, eating and chatting, filled with hope for the future. Meanwhile, Hu Er Sa drowned his sorrows in alcohol at Fu Yunnuo’s place. Fu Yunnuo reminded him that losing the competition might not be a misfortune. Soon, he planned to use his power to transfer Ji Mo to the southern border to fight in the war. That way, he could completely restrain Qiao Manman.
Given the deep sibling bond between Qiao Manman and Ji Mo, she would never bear to see him suffer. That night, Qiao Manman, slightly tipsy and weak, was carried on Fu Chengjin’s back under the bright moonlight. Lying on his back, she sighed, saying that Fu Chengjin was supposed to marry a princess of Xilin Kingdom, but fate had other plans. Fu Chengjin didn’t mind; he never cared about the status of Xilin Kingdom.
Once again, he reaffirmed that Qiao Manman was the woman he had always wanted to marry. At bedtime, Qiao Manman gazed at Fu Chengjin with deep affection and said that after finishing something tonight, they could be completely honest with each other. Fu Chengjin took it seriously, thinking she was going to offer herself to him.
But after a brief exchange, Qiao Manman asked him to close his eyes and handed him a brocade box that had belonged to her late mother. Fu Chengjin quickly opened the box, which contained a letter from Qiao Manman’s father to her mother. In the letter, the father wrote that if he didn’t return within half a month, her mother should escape with their infant daughter. Qiao Manman’s eyes welled with tears.
Her mother had waited for her father all her life, year after year, even on her deathbed still hoping for his return—only for the wait to stretch into hopelessness. Two days later, Qiao Manman heard the news that Ji Mo had been sent to the south for battle. Furious, she immediately went to confront Fu Yunnuo and slapped him across the face.
Fu Yunnuo stopped his guards and explained that even if he hadn’t arranged it, as the Martial Champion, Ji Mo was naturally expected to serve the country in battle. Qiao Manman knew she couldn’t change his order and had to leave in frustration. Since Fu Chengjin had successfully stood on his own legs again, the emperor began planning to pass the throne to him. But to do that, Fu Chengjin needed to earn military merit.
The emperor suggested Fu Chengjin go fight in the south and promised to assign secret guards to ensure his safety. At first, Fu Chengjin refused outright. But seeing his father’s earnest hopes, he couldn’t bear to let him down and finally agreed, promising not to disappoint him. As the expedition neared, Qiao Manman not only packed Fu Chengjin’s luggage but also made many bamboo dragonflies. In their childhood, bamboo dragonflies symbolized peace.
Fu Chengjin took her to the imperial garden, where there were many bamboo dragonflies. He had even invited the emperor beforehand. When the emperor arrived, Fu Chengjin deliberately told Qiao Manman that he hoped the bamboo dragonflies would bring peace to his princess consort and that any matters during the expedition should be reported to him without delay.
