Fated Hearts Episode 16 Recap
> Fated Hearts Recap
Ling Xueying, concerned for Fu Yixiao's healing hand injury, advised her to avoid strenuous activities and let others assist her with heavy tasks, explicitly forbidding archery. Fu Yixiao expressed deep gratitude to Lord Ling for saving Ning Fei and treating her injuries, assuring Ling Xueying that she held no blame towards him.
Ling Xueying then relayed that her father had instructed her not to inquire further about Ning Fei, affirming that Ning Fei had been delivered and would receive the necessary help. She then pressed Fu Yixiao about her plans to leave Susha, reasoning that since Xia Jingshi's malicious intent was uncovered and their ties severed, there was no longer a reason to remain in Yujing.
Ling Xueying's father was urging her return to Zhengnian Villa, and she extended an invitation for Fu Yixiao to join her. She elaborated that if Fu Yixiao agreed, her loyal followers would accompany them, and as sworn sisters, Fu Yixiao would share the title of Young Mistress of Zhengnian Villa. As an alternative, Ling Xueying offered to have her father adopt Fu Yixiao, ensuring she would have a family.
Fu Yixiao thanked her but explained that she had promised Feng Suige to help him identify the traitor in Susha. Frustrated, Ling Xueying retorted that it was Feng Suige's responsibility and Fu Yixiao had already done enough. She voiced her lingering fear from Fu Yixiao's recent assassination attempt, asking if she wasn't afraid to remain. Fu Yixiao assured her of her ability to protect herself.
Ling Xueying then directly questioned if Fu Yixiao had developed feelings for Feng Suige, noting a change in her demeanor and their constant, inseparable presence, perpetually "discussing important matters" day and night. As Fu Yixiao and Ling Xueying conversed, Lu Ke arrived urgently, informing Fu Yixiao that Feng Suige requested her presence at his residence for critical discussions. Fu Yixiao promptly left with Lu Ke. They later arrived at the Lotus Pavilion.
Outside, Fu Yixiao spotted a familiar figure and, instructing Feng Suige to enter ahead, she discreetly followed. Inside, Feng Suige encountered Murong Yao, who had an appointment with Ruyan, the head courtesan. Murong Yao, initially surprised to see Feng Suige in such a venue, introduced him to Ruyan as a close friend, then boasted about having paid a significant sum for Ruyan's company, implying Feng Suige was taking advantage of his connection.
Feng Suige then dismissed Ruyan's offer to change into performance attire, stating his purpose was not entertainment but to ask her questions. He then abruptly told Murong Yao to leave. Murong Yao protested, accusing Feng Suige of deceit regarding his alleged unfamiliarity with Ruyan and his first visit to the pavilion. Despite Murong Yao's complaints, Feng Suige insisted he depart, assuring him it was merely a questioning.
After Murong Yao reluctantly left, Feng Suige calmed Ruyan and questioned her about using the Rongtong Escort Agency for a delivery to Pingling City in Jinxiu. Ruyan confirmed the delivery but claimed ignorance about the contents or recipient, citing industry practice. When pressed for her patron's identity, Ruyan initially refused, fearing for her safety in Yujing City. Feng Suige then used thinly veiled threats, referencing a past incident where he inflicted a prolonged, agonizing death upon someone.
Recognizing him as the First Prince, Ruyan confessed that Manager Luo of Changsheng Bank had commissioned her to make the delivery because he was too intoxicated to go himself. She swore she was merely running an errand and was unaware of the goods' nature. After securing her confession, Feng Suige prepared to leave. Murong Yao, who had been waiting, re-entered, expressing concern for Ruyan and chiding Feng Suige for his harshness.
Feng Suige dismissed his concerns, reminding him of his important duties as commander of the Imperial Guards. Feng Suige then instructed Lu Ke to immediately bring Manager Luo of Changsheng Bank to him. Before Lu Ke could depart, Feng Suige realized Fu Yixiao had not returned. Worried, he ordered Lu Ke to proceed with finding Manager Luo while he went to search for Fu Yixiao.
Fu Yixiao, having followed Wu Ying, found herself deliberately led into a secret chamber that was, in fact, the former death camp. Wu Ying, mocking Fu Yixiao's supposed carelessness, revealed that a death camp hideout would never be without traps. A shocked Fu Yixiao recognized Wu Ying and questioned how she was still alive. Wu Ying retorted that her survival was because of Xia Jingshi, who had granted her a new lease on life.
Wu Ying further taunted Fu Yixiao, reminding her that if Xia Jingshi hadn't saved her back then, she would not have survived. She accused Fu Yixiao of ingratitude and plotting betrayal. Fu Yixiao, in disbelief, questioned how Xia Jingshi could be involved, as he had explicitly told her the death camp was utterly eradicated.
Wu Ying scoffed, explaining that the death camp was Xia Jingshi's personal power base, and he had only claimed its destruction to secure Fu Yixiao's unwavering loyalty over the years. Wu Ying then claimed she would have killed Fu Yixiao upon her arrival in Yujing if maintaining her cover hadn't been paramount. After incapacitating Fu Yixiao with a muscle-weakening incense, Wu Ying ignited lamp oil, setting the chamber ablaze.
A weakened Fu Yixiao desperately tried to reach a caged child, pleading for her to "live on" while remembering a grim past memory of how recruits in the death camp were branded and trained. As flames engulfed the chamber and shouts of "fire" echoed, Feng Suige arrived, calling out Fu Yixiao's name. He rescued her, pulling her from the inferno while she frantically begged to be put down to save the child, repeatedly crying "Live on!"
Feng Suige held her back, telling her the child was already dead and that she would only perish with her. After composing herself, Fu Yixiao explained to Feng Suige that the death camp abducted young men and beautiful maidens, transforming them into ruthless killing machines where their lives and deaths were beyond their control. This was why, she explained, Xia Jingshi had saved her, Xiao Weiran, and Ning Fei: to secure their loyalty.
Feng Suige realized this explained why Xia Jingshi had arrived in Susha for the marriage alliance without any accompanying army; the hidden death camp was his true, formidable weapon, intrinsically linked to his ongoing schemes. Fu Yixiao vowed that regardless of Xia Jingshi’s plans, she would not allow such an inhumane place to continue existing.
Feng Suige pledged to stand with her, promising to help her turn all her past enemies, those who haunted her nights, into mere bones beneath their feet. They sealed this promise with a shared "deal," after which Feng Suige urged her to rest and avoid further emotional distress, reminding her of Lord Ling’s warning against agitation. He assured her he would send people to search for the whereabouts of the death warriors.
Meanwhile, Lu Ke reported to Feng Suige that Manager Luo had drowned ten days prior, an apparent murder. This new information suggested the enemy had been prepared, as the lead to the escort agency had not yet been discovered at that time. Lu Ke also informed Feng Suige that the group of riders (Wu Ying's followers) had departed through the south gate. Feng Suige immediately instructed Lu Ke to summon Song Cheng and ensure the riders' whereabouts were relentlessly pursued.
Separately, Feng Suige and his sister, Feng Xiyang, reconciled. Feng Suige apologized for not having informed her beforehand about his plan to detain Xia Jingshi, acknowledging that it was inconsiderate given Xia Jingshi was her future husband. Feng Xiyang, in turn, expressed regret for her earlier harsh words. Feng Suige reassured her that he would never blame his royal sister, recognizing her growth and independence.
He clarified that while it was his duty as her brother to foresee dangers and protect her, he respected her own thoughts and decisions. He pledged to support her marriage to anyone she loved, as long as she would not regret it, emphasizing his deepest wish for her happiness as a fulfillment of his promise to their mother. Feng Xiyang asked if he would attend her wedding.
He promised to be there to witness her marriage, reiterating that her happiness was paramount, and he would respect her wishes even if he foresaw potential future regrets. On the day of the wedding, Feng Xiyang, adorned in her bridal attire, listened to the royal decree before bidding an emotional farewell to her parents, promising to take care.
Her father, the Emperor, praised her as his most considerate and sensible child, but also reminded her of the marriage’s importance for the alliance while urging her never to compromise her own happiness. Outside the grand hall, Feng Suige’s attendant questioned if he would not attend the princess’s wedding, but Feng Suige remained outside, silently watching Feng Xiyang's procession.
As the marriage ceremony between Feng Xiyang and Prince of Zhennan Xia Jingshi concluded with bows to heaven and earth, parents, and each other, a royal sibling expressed curiosity about the First Prince's absence. That night, Yujing City erupted in fireworks, celebrating the alliance with great festivity. Fu Yixiao remarked on the city's liveliness. Feng Suige explained that it was a celebration for the princess's wedding, a time when lovers often strolled together.
Fu Yixiao then asked Feng Suige about his thoughts on the kind of woman he might marry. He admitted he had never considered it before but, prompted by her, seemed to ponder it. Not long after, Fu Yixiao suggested they join a lively crowd nearby. They found themselves at a stall making clay figurines. The vendor, mistaking them for lovers, encouraged them to make figurines for each other. Fu Yixiao sculpted a figure resembling Feng Suige.
When she teased that his figurine looked like her, he playfully denied it, revealing his was a wolf. Feigning annoyance, Fu Yixiao questioned why he had been looking at her. Feng Suige then clarified his choice, stating that in his heart, Fu Yixiao was like a wolf: wise, brave, decisive, and fearless. He explained that she was the only person with whom he had experienced the joy of meeting a kindred spirit and the happiness of fighting alongside someone. He presented the clay wolf to her as his first gift to a woman and insisted she accept it.
