Fated Hearts Episode 2 Recap
> Fated Hearts Recap
Ling Xueying and her maid arrived at the forbidden area behind Zhengnian Villa and were intercepted by Feng Suige's guards, who promptly tied them up. While in captivity, Ling Xueying's maid recognized the injured woman they had brought back, exclaiming that she was the Red-Clad General, Fu Yixiao, whose actions led to Susha's crushing defeat in the Battle of Pingling. The maid worried that Feng Suige would not spare her.
Ling Xueying requested Feng Suige to show mercy and allow Fu Yixiao to recuperate at Zhengnian Villa, explaining that Fu Yixiao had saved her life after she encountered trouble on Tiangeng Mountain, where Fu Yixiao was already badly injured and suffering from amnesia. Feng Suige, however, ignored her plea, stating it was pointless to waste valuable medicine on someone already dying. He took the amnesiac Fu Yixiao away. Feng Suige then tasked his subordinate, Yun Fang, to investigate Tiangeng Mountain.
The investigation revealed signs of a struggle in the forest, with most traces deliberately erased. However, a corpse found by the river bore a Jinxiu waist token. Combined with observations of a fall from a height after an arrow injury, Feng Suige concluded that Fu Yixiao had been shot and fell from a cliff, miraculously surviving but losing her memory, only to be pursued by assassins.
Yun Fang expressed confusion, noting Fu Yixiao's high standing as a hero of Jinxiu and close aide to the Prince of Zhennan, Xia Jingshi, making it inconceivable that someone from Jinxiu would target her. This confirmed Feng Suige's suspicion that someone in Jinxiu wanted Fu Yixiao dead. Meanwhile, in Susha, Prime Minister Zhuang was seen lamenting his inability to openly honor his son, Jingheng, who was a General of Cavalry at a young age.
His foster son, Zhuang He, arrived late, prompting criticism from Prime Minister Zhuang for his irresponsible behavior. Zhuang Ming, the Vice Minister of Justice and Prime Minister Zhuang's nephew, later warned Zhuang He not to celebrate too soon, as Feng Suige's body had not been found after his carriage plunged down a 300-meter cliff, despite Zhuang He's assurance that Feng Suige could not have survived.
Zhuang Ming also cautioned Zhuang He that Prime Minister Zhuang was unaware of the assassination attempt and would disapprove of such reckless actions. Zhuang He expressed confidence that news of Feng Suige's death would soon reach Yujing, allowing him to gain Prime Minister Zhuang's favor and consolidate the Zhuang family's power in Susha. In the imperial palace, Emperor Feng Pingcheng was displeased by flowery, unhelpful memorials from ministers.
His eunuch noted Prime Minister Zhuang's unusual silence regarding the Pingling defeat, especially with the Second Prince's coming-of-age ceremony approaching. An urgent report arrived, revealing that Feng Suige had been ambushed and fallen off a cliff, his fate unknown. The Emperor, unmoved, declared that if Feng Suige could not survive this trial, he was unworthy of being his son and refused to send a search party.
A flashback revealed the Prince of Zhennan, Xia Jingshi, proposing to Fu Yixiao with his mother's bracelet as a betrothal gift, vowing eternal devotion. Fu Yixiao, however, requested he present it after she returned victorious from the Battle of Pingling.
Despite his deep feelings for Fu Yixiao, who disappeared after the battle, Xia Jingshi received an imperial decree: Jinxiu would cease hostilities with Susha for the sake of its people, and Xia Jingshi was ordered to marry the Princess of Susha. With a heavy heart, he accepted the decree. Feng Suige subjected Fu Yixiao to harsh questioning and torture, including whipping and waterboarding, to test her amnesia and uncover the truth.
He noted a change in her demeanor, realizing she had recalled some memories. He explained that someone in Jinxiu wanted her dead, suggesting her ordeal was no accident, and demanded she reveal what she knew, stating it was the only reason he would spare her life. Fu Yixiao retorted with "47" and bit Feng Suige's arm in retaliation.
Despite his guards' demands to kill her, Feng Suige stopped them, asserting that the Battle of Pingling was more complex than it seemed, and Fu Yixiao held the key to unraveling a mystery crucial to both their survival. He then personally tended to her severe back wounds, applying medicine and dismissing her objections about propriety, stating death was too simple an escape and she should treasure the second chance granted by fate.
His subordinates were surprised, noting he had never personally dressed anyone's wounds before and questioning his motives for such severe initial punishment followed by gentle care. Upon learning that Feng Suige was still alive, Zhuang He panicked and sought help from Zhuang Ming. Zhuang Ming advised Zhuang He to proactively strike first.
He suggested using the Feng Battalion soldiers as scapegoats for the Pingling defeat, arguing that the Emperor and court would demand accountability for the unexpected loss after breaking through Zhennan Pass. If Feng Suige's men were implicated and fell into their hands, Zhuang Ming believed they could fabricate charges, forcing Feng Suige to compromise to save his loyal subordinates. Zhuang He excitedly declared he would make Feng Suige beg him.
Feng Suige, meanwhile, informed his subordinates that he would travel to the capital tomorrow with Fu Yixiao. When questioned about the lack of an imperial summons, he merely emphasized the importance of returning for the fifth day (a significant date, implied to be Jingheng's death anniversary) and ordered them to compile a list of fallen soldiers from Pingling, ensuring their families received compensation and care.
In the carriage on the way to the capital, Fu Yixiao, now more aware, freed herself and attacked Feng Suige. He easily subdued her, warning her against rash actions due to her injuries and amnesia, reiterating that he was not her true enemy and that powerful forces in Jinxiu sought her death. He challenged her to choose cooperation for survival or defiance for death, which he would use to honor his fallen soldiers.
Fu Yixiao, though quieted, declared she would not be manipulated. As they approached the capital, scouts reported that Emperor Feng Pingcheng was hosting the coming-of-age ceremony for the Second Prince, Feng Chengyang. Feng Suige, clenching his fist, ordered them to proceed directly to the palace. His subordinate grumbled about the Zhuang family deliberately choosing this day for the ceremony. At the city gate, Zhuang He, in his capacity as a city gate official, blocked Feng Suige and the Feng Battalion.
He accused the battalion of treason, citing Susha's inexplicable defeat at Pingling and Feng Suige's ambush during his retreat as evidence of a spy within their ranks. He announced he was acting under Prime Minister Zhuang's, the Empress's, and the Emperor's orders to take the Feng Battalion to the Ministry of Justice for questioning, a place from which no one returns alive. The Emperor, informed of the standoff, refused to intervene, stating Feng Suige must prove himself.
As the situation escalated, Feng Battalion soldiers, including veteran Cao Yuan and vanguard death warrior Hong Shan, bravely stepped forward, offering to be taken to the Ministry of Justice in place of their comrades, passionately defending their loyalty and emphasizing their long service and sacrifices. Feng Suige ordered his men to remove their armor, then publicly recounted Cao Yuan's valor and Hong Shan's injuries, proclaiming their undeniable loyalty and challenging the notion of them being traitors.
When the soldiers roared their disbelief at the accusations, Zhuang He called it rebellion and ordered their arrest. Feng Suige then invited Zhuang He closer. Misinterpreting this as compliance, Zhuang He approached, only for Feng Suige to suddenly seize his throat, lift him into the air, and, with a grim declaration that a death anniversary required a sacrifice, crush his neck. Feng Suige then loudly ordered his forces to enter the city.
After passing through the streets of Yujing City, they arrived at the First Prince's mansion. Feng Suige told Fu Yixiao to recover there, promising to discuss their cooperation once she was fully healed. Fu Yixiao questioned the idea of cooperating with him. In response, Feng Suige asked if she was not curious to know who had shot her on the cliff and who wanted her dead.
Feng Suige, leaving Fu Yixiao in the care of his men, proceeded directly to the palace with Lu Ke, entering Chengde Hall without a summons. Inside Chengde Hall, the Second Prince, Feng Chengyang, a kind and innocent young man who admired Feng Suige, greeted his brother warmly. Feng Suige questioned the timing of the ceremony, and Feng Chengyang explained his mother had chosen it.
Feng Suige then pointedly asked if the Emperor, like the Second Prince, was unaware of the true significance of the day. The Emperor acknowledged the unfortunate timing. Feng Suige apologized to Feng Chengyang for disrupting his ceremony, promised a future compensation, and sent him away with the mention of a new sword. The Emperor then demanded to know the reason for the defeat at Pingling.
Before Feng Suige could speak, Zhuang Ming preemptively accused the Feng Battalion of harboring a spy, citing Feng Suige's ambushes as proof that someone had leaked military intelligence. Feng Suige agreed with Zhuang Ming's reasoning, then announced that he had already found the spy. At that moment, Lu Ke requested an audience and entered with a box. Feng Suige instructed Lu Ke to show the box to Prime Minister Zhuang, saying he might recognize the traitor.
Zhuang Ming, seeing that Prime Minister Zhuang was hesitant, pressed for the contents. Feng Suige suggested Zhuang Ming might be interested, revealing the severed head of Zhuang He. Feng Suige then declared that Zhuang He was the one who attempted to assassinate him on his journey, having confessed before his execution, and claimed he acted alone. Zhuang Ming immediately countered, demanding an investigation and calling Feng Suige's statement unproven and grounds for murder. Feng Suige, facing Prime Minister Zhuang, then asked pointedly, "What say you, Prime Minister? Should I have killed him?"
