Fated Hearts Episode 18 Recap
> Fated Hearts Recap
Xia Jingshi refused to believe that Ning Fei was dead, despite what he'd been told. He argued that if Ning Fei, who had been gravely injured by people sent by Empress Zhuang, had truly met with an accident, Fu Yixiao, given her fiery temper, would have undoubtedly caused chaos throughout Yujing City. Her current calmness made his death seem impossible.
Blaming himself for the unfortunate situation of the "Three Heroes of Jinxiu," Xia Jingshi admitted that it was his insistence on eliminating Fu Yixiao that led to their current predicament. He then instructed Xiao Weiran to discreetly investigate Ning Fei's whereabouts. Meanwhile, Lord Ling examined Fu Yixiao's injured hand. He proposed a highly perilous method to repair the meridians by cutting through the flesh of her shoulder, warning that a single mistake could result in lifelong disability.
Despite the risks, Fu Yixiao bravely agreed. After taking an anesthetic, she fell into a deep sleep, allowing Lord Ling and his daughter, Ling Xueying, to proceed with the intricate surgery. During this time, the Emperor and his ministers were in court. Upon learning that Feng Suige had returned to the capital but failed to report, the Emperor, Feng Pingcheng, immediately dispatched a palace attendant to summon him.
The attendant arrived at Feng Suige’s residence just as Fu Yixiao’s meridian repair surgery concluded. Concerned for her condition, Feng Suige delayed his imperial audience. The Emperor and the entire court waited until nightfall. The palace attendant, trembling with fear, explained the reason for the delay. Feng Pingcheng was visibly enraged but, constrained by the presence of his ministers, he simply stormed off. Later, Imperial Guards Commander Murong Yao arrived to summon Feng Suige, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
Feng Suige complied this time and went to the palace. He met with Mr. Ma on the way, who informed him that the Emperor had been sleepless and was angered at court. Mr. Ma advised Feng Suige to be understanding of his aging father and avoid further arguments. Inside, Feng Suige knelt before Feng Pingcheng, admitting his guilt and requesting punishment. The Emperor spoke of Feng Xiyang, recalling a cherished childhood trinket and her youthful promise never to marry.
He expressed his pain at losing a daughter who eloped and a son who defied an imperial decree for a woman. Feng Suige defended his actions, stating that Fu Yixiao had been gravely injured saving him and was at a critical moment during the summons. He declared that Fu Yixiao was not merely "some woman" but someone he was willing to commit to for life.
Feng Pingcheng, reminding him that imperial marriages were not for princes to decide, warned Feng Suige that ministers would challenge him at court for failing to bring Feng Xiyang back, especially since Hou Jing was inspecting the Capital Garrison and no one would speak for him. Feng Pingcheng then instructed Feng Suige to send Feng Xiyang's dowry to her, reiterating that regardless of whom she married or where she went, she would always be his daughter.
As Feng Suige left the palace, Feng Pingcheng, who had been unwell since Feng Xiyang and Xia Jingshi's escape, collapsed, spitting blood. Empress Zhuang rushed to his side and ordered Prime Minister Zhuang to be summoned. Back at his residence, Fu Yixiao awoke. Ling Xueying told her that her meridians would heal completely and that Feng Suige had defied an imperial order for her, which had changed Ling Xueying's opinion of him.
Surprised, Fu Yixiao asked if Feng Suige had been punished. He arrived at that moment and asked if she was in pain. She bravely replied no, though he knew she was putting on a brave face. He promised to be her "left hand" during her recovery, taking over her tasks. Fu Yixiao joked that he had more important things to do, insisting her injury was "nothing."
Feng Suige reminded her that she didn't need to be strong in front of him. Their conversation was interrupted by Lu Ke, who urgently reported trouble in the palace. Feng Suige immediately went to wake Lord Ling, asking for his help to treat the Emperor. Lord Ling, grumbling about being kept busy, agreed to go. At Zichen Hall, Empress Zhuang and Prime Minister Zhuang were worried about the Emperor's condition.
Empress Zhuang ordered that the news be kept secret and no one, especially Feng Suige, be allowed to approach. She declared her intention to stay and guard the Emperor, emphasizing that the Imperial Hospital staff were their allies. When Feng Suige arrived with Lord Ling, he was blocked by guards. Murong Yao, the Imperial Guards commander, informed Feng Suige that Empress Zhuang had issued the order for no one to enter.
Feng Suige asserted that Lord Ling, a renowned physician, was there to treat the Emperor. Empress Zhuang, however, dismissed Lord Ling as a "wandering physician" and accused Feng Suige of being responsible for the Emperor's sudden illness, since he fell ill right after their meeting. Lord Ling retorted that the Imperial Hospital physicians weren't even qualified to be his apprentices. The confrontation escalated, with Feng Suige demanding Empress Zhuang "get out of my way."
Just as tensions peaked, Mr. Ma emerged from Zichen Hall and invited Lord Ling inside, explaining that Lord Ling was trusted by the Emperor and annually performed a health check-up. Inside the hall, the Imperial Hospital physicians, while loyal to Empress Zhuang, admired Lord Ling's medical prowess, some even having studied under him in the past. Lord Ling ordered everyone to leave, citing the need for fresh air, but Empress Zhuang refused, insisting on staying by the Emperor's side.
Mr. Ma intervened, urging both sides to prioritize the Emperor's well-being. Feng Suige, taking a step back, agreed to wait outside, and Empress Zhuang eventually followed. Outside Zichen Hall, Feng Suige remained on guard. Prime Minister Zhuang instructed Empress Zhuang to summon Chengyang, ensuring both princes were seen performing their filial duties. Meanwhile, Ling Xueying brought medicine to Fu Yixiao.
Noticing Fu Yixiao’s distress over Feng Suige, Ling Xueying suggested they go out the next day with Fang and Shunzi to help her recover and lift her spirits. Fu Yixiao agreed. Feng Suige and Chengyang stood vigil outside Zichen Hall throughout the night. In the morning, Lord Ling emerged and announced that the Emperor was stable but required continued acupuncture. He advised the princes to rest, leaving Murong Yao's Imperial Guards in charge of security.
As he was leaving, Feng Suige spoke with Mr. Ma. He commented on how Mr. Ma was the Emperor's most trusted person and inferred that Mr. Ma was now overseeing the Jinwu Guards. Mr. Ma affirmed that the Jinwu Guards were indeed protecting the Emperor. Mr. Ma then warned Feng Suige that his failure to bring Feng Xiyang back was being used by some at court to accuse him of helping the Prince of Zhennan.
He further cautioned that Fu Yixiao, as a former subordinate of the Prince of Zhennan, could become Feng Suige’s critical weakness if Prime Minister Zhuang chose to exploit the Emperor's unconsciousness to move against him. Later, as Fu Yixiao and Ling Xueying enjoyed a meal on the street, Fu Yixiao noticed the woman who had previously met with Wu Ying. Following her, Fu Yixiao spotted a familiar carriage. A glimpse of a masked figure inside triggered a sudden memory: it was the same person from the carriage she had attempted to shoot before falling off the cliff.
