Destiny of Love Episode 22 Recap
> Destiny of Love Recap
In the following days, Fu Chengjin began organizing the wedding with Jiufeng. Every day, they brought in bright red wedding drapes, lanterns, and candles. Qiao Manman worried Fu Chengjin would exhaust himself, but Fu Chengjin wanted to give her the wedding of her dreams. At this time, a eunuch secretly sent by the emperor arrived. Fu Chengjin invited him for tea and listened to the emperor’s message—he hoped Fu Chengjin would return and help manage state affairs.
But Fu Chengjin calmly replied that he was now a commoner. Although Fu Yunnuo could be impatient at times, he believed with guidance, he could manage the court. While the eunuch secretly sought out Fu Chengjin, Fu Yunnuo also sent spies to monitor every move between Fu Chengjin and the emperor. Fu Yunnuo’s subordinate discovered that Qiao Manman was still alive and that Fu Chengjin was preparing for the wedding.
Fearing that Fu Yunnuo might become distracted—since he had previously been indecisive due to love—the spy was silenced and killed to keep things quiet. When Fu Yunnuo learned that the emperor was still secretly in contact with Fu Chengjin, he wrote a letter instructing his men to kill any palace envoy seeking Fu Chengjin on sight. This completely cut off the emperor’s connection with Fu Chengjin.
Meanwhile, the emperor received memorials daily urging him to appoint a crown prince—clearly pushed by Fu Yunnuo’s supporters. The emperor summoned Fu Yunnuo and questioned him about secretly courting officials. Fu Yunnuo again suggested appointing his candidate as Grand General of the Northwest, but the emperor rejected it, saying the man was unreliable. Fu Yunnuo boldly claimed the man had already pacified rebels while in office. This decision had been made without the emperor’s approval.
Enraged, the emperor lashed out, but Fu Yunnuo coldly reminded him it was time to enjoy his twilight years and ordered the eunuch to take good care of the emperor. Fu Yunnuo’s ambition now knew no bounds. His past patience was gone. Even when locusts caused a disaster in the capital, he was indifferent.
Not only did he ignore the crisis, but he also had the leisure to play the guzheng and ordered his men not to report the matter to the emperor. If necessary, he permitted the use of force against the victims. In Fu Chengjin’s village, an influx of disaster victims had begun. If it continued, it would eventually burden the villagers.
After a discussion with the village chief, Fu Chengjin decided to requisition grain from local wealthy households—fifty dou of millet per family. He used the millet to make many steamed buns, broke them into pieces, and added them to porridge to help fill the victims’ stomachs and buy more time for relief. Fu Chengjin’s integrity and benevolence won much praise from former court officials.
Compared to Fu Yunnuo’s negligence and irresponsibility, Fu Chengjin’s actions seemed far more fitting for a monarch. When Fu Yunnuo heard of the praise Fu Chengjin was receiving, he burned with jealousy. He felt it was he who had granted Fu Chengjin his freedom. Since Fu Chengjin remained ungrateful, Fu Yunnuo resolved to show no more mercy. Upon confirming that Qiao Manman was indeed alive, Fu Yunnuo immediately ordered his guards from Gui Lake to head to the secluded village.
Other than sparing Qiao Manman’s life, they were to kill everyone else. While preparing her red bridal veil for the wedding, Qiao Manman’s veil was accidentally torn by Fu Chengjin. With the big day approaching, Yue Tao took the initiative to help, promising to mend it for her. As their two masters interacted more frequently, Yue Tao and Fu Chengjin’s personal guard Jiufeng also developed feelings for each other, and they, too, planned to spend their lives together.
