Fated Hearts Episode 8 Recap
> Fated Hearts Recap
Xia Jingshi had no recollection of what Princess Xiyang had told him. Princess Xiyang recounted how he had saved her life three years prior, claiming that day he had "stolen her heart" and made her realize women were never meant for the battlefield. Xia Jingshi denied remembering the event and countered her assertion by mentioning Fu Yixiao, a woman who "became a hero far surpassing any man," proving that women could indeed fight.
Princess Xiyang expressed her dismay that he was thinking of another woman and reminded him of the sacrifices she had made to marry him, but Xia Jingshi merely reiterated his point. He then took his leave. On his way back to the inn, Xia Jingshi encountered his old rival, Feng Suige. The confrontation was tense, with Feng Suige mockingly suggesting that if Pingling City had fallen, Xia Jingshi would be his prisoner.
Xia Jingshi retorted that if his arrow had carried more force, Yujing City would be in mourning. Xia Jingshi then directly inquired about Fu Yixiao. Feng Suige casually claimed to have a concubine named Yixiao, whom he had "found by the roadside" and taken in out of pity, accepting her as his concubine after she offered to "repay me with her life."
Xia Jingshi warned Feng Suige not to hold Fu Yixiao responsible for their past grudges, as he had ordered her to shoot. Feng Suige dismissed this, questioning Xia Jingshi's claims of protection when Fu Yixiao's "life was hanging by a thread" and she was "being hunted." Xia Jingshi insisted Fu Yixiao was his general, one of Jinxiu's Three Heroes, indispensable, and demanded her return.
Feng Suige refused, stating he could not grant Xia Jingshi's wish if Fu Yixiao was so important. He added that Fu Yixiao was a person, not property, and would leave if she wished. Feng Suige then revealed Fu Yixiao knew Xia Jingshi was in Susha to marry Princess Xiyang. As a parting gesture, Feng Suige had Ning Fei, with "three broken ribs," sent back to Xia Jingshi's inn.
Back at the First Prince's Residence, Fu Yixiao was plagued by nightmares, battling unseen enemies. Ling Xueying, comforting her, mentioned that Ning Fei, claiming to be Fu Yixiao's brother, had been severely beaten by Feng Suige, suffering three broken ribs. Although Fu Yixiao could only recall Ning Fei's name and not his person, she asked Ling Xueying to treat him, reasoning, "What if he really is my good friend from before?" Ling Xueying agreed and headed to the inn.
At the inn, despite his serious injuries, Ning Fei anxiously inquired about Fu Yixiao. Ling Xueying revealed that Fu Yixiao had sustained severe left-hand injuries and amnesia, remembering neither Jinxiu, the Prince of Zhennan, nor even the Three Heroes. She chastised Ning Fei and Xia Jingshi for failing to protect their comrade, resulting in Fu Yixiao being "no longer the Red-Clad General of Jinxiu." Xia Jingshi asked if Zhengnian Villa had a cure, and Ling Xueying provided a prescription.
Fu Yixiao confronted Feng Suige about his attack on Ning Fei. Feng Suige justified his actions, claiming he spared Ning Fei only for Fu Yixiao's sake and to prevent others from causing trouble in his residence, asserting that Fu Yixiao "belong[s] to me now." Fu Yixiao vehemently denied belonging to him, reminding him that their alliance was for her to regain memories and find traitors. She questioned his motives for hindering her, accusing him of merely trying to control her.
Feng Suige insisted he was protecting her from potential manipulation, revealing that those capable of harming her at Zhennan Pass were few, including Xia Jingshi and her "two brothers." Fu Yixiao accused him of fearing she would regain her memories, abandon their cooperation, and leave him. Feng Suige was visibly hurt by her distrust but maintained that he would not allow her to meet Xia Jingshi.
Unbeknownst to Fu Yixiao, Feng Suige's servants later discussed his internal conflict: he desired her memories for their joint mission but feared she would remember everything, transforming her back into the formidable "female general who must fight His Highness to the death," noting his uncharacteristic focus on "romantic affairs" over the "bigger picture."
Feng Suige received a report that a "secret guards' waist token" was found on a corpse, confirming that only the Prince of Zhennan or Military Advisor Xiao Weiran could mobilize these secret guards. Meanwhile, a servant reporting to Empress Zhuang revealed that Princess Xiyang had met Xia Jingshi and mentioned he once saved her life.
The servant also relayed rumors that Fu Yixiao, the Jinxiu general now at the First Prince's Residence, and Xia Jingshi shared a deep bond, even being "secretly engaged." Empress Zhuang dismissed the engagement rumor but learned that Princess Xiyang was upset after Xia Jingshi mentioned a "female general," though she still "has deep feelings for the Prince of Zhennan" and was "excited about the marriage alliance."
Feng Suige was also informed that Jinxiu's marriage procession was approaching, consisting of over a hundred people and numerous carriages, but notably without any troops dispatched from Zhennan Pass. Furthermore, the Jinxiu Emperor had ordered Zhennan Pass to retreat 30 miles on the day of the alliance, indicating Jinxiu's "genuine sincerity." Despite these assurances, Feng Suige remained cautious, ordering a "detailed list of all attendants" before the procession entered the city.
Xiao Weiran and Ning Fei, now at the inn, entrusted Ling Xueying with a bamboo whistle, their former "token we used to contact Yixiao." They asked her to give it to Fu Yixiao, promising that if she ever blew it, they would come to her aid through any danger. Although Ning Fei tried to arrange an immediate meeting at Zhengnian Villa, Ling Xueying cautioned them about it being "Feng Suige's territory."
Despite acknowledging Fu Yixiao was injured by someone close to her, Ling Xueying implicitly judged the ruthless Feng Suige to be the more dangerous party. Fu Yixiao confided in Ling Xueying, admitting her memories were fragmented, and her feelings for her Jinxiu brothers were distant, like "flowers in a mirror and moon in the water." Ling Xueying pressed her to meet Xia Jingshi, believing he might be "the key to unlocking your memories" and a chance to escape Feng Suige.
Fu Yixiao, however, felt indebted to Feng Suige for protecting her and wanted to uphold her promise to cooperate, needing to help him "at least once before I can leave with a clear conscience." Realizing Feng Suige would prevent a direct meeting, Fu Yixiao devised a plan: she would visit Ling Xueying's courtyard under the guise of "seeing the kids," while Xia Jingshi entered through the back door. She insisted on the meeting happening "today."
As Xia Jingshi prepared to meet Fu Yixiao, a servant of Empress Zhuang arrived, summoning him to the Imperial Garden for a banquet. He was forced to comply, missing the arranged meeting. At Ling Xueying's courtyard, where Fu Yixiao and the children waited, Feng Suige unexpectedly arrived. He noted the courtyard's seclusion with a knowing look. Though Ling Xueying tried to take responsibility, Feng Suige sternly warned her, indicating his awareness of the plot.
He then declared to Fu Yixiao that since they were partners, he would allow her to meet Xia Jingshi, but it must be "in my presence. . . you can speak freely." Meanwhile, Empress Zhuang subtly interrogated Xia Jingshi in the palace, asking about the "female general" in his army, Fu Yixiao, and probing the depth of their relationship.
Xia Jingshi described Fu Yixiao as an orphan who gained "remarkable battlefield skills" and clarified their bond as one "forged in life and death" shared by all soldiers, explicitly denying any other "profound bond." Empress Zhuang, seemingly satisfied, then warned Xia Jingshi about Princess Xiyang's sensitive nature, implying that any "slightest trigger" could jeopardize the alliance. Xia Jingshi's prolonged absence infuriated Fu Yixiao.
She confronted Feng Suige, accusing him of employing "underhanded tactics" to control and imprison her, treating her merely as "a pawn in your game." She asserted that she, "Fu Yixiao, have never been someone who submits to others," and declared she would go to see Xia Jingshi now, threatening to "kill anyone who tries to stop me." She then stormed out of the courtyard and headed directly to the inn. Feng Suige was visibly enraged, initially shouting "Let her die!"
but quickly instructed Yun Fang to discreetly follow and "watch her." At the inn, Fu Yixiao was reunited with Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran, along with their younger brothers. They expressed overwhelming joy and concern for her well-being, but when Ning Fei asked if she remembered them, Fu Yixiao could only recall their names. She asked them not to speak of Feng Suige, and they passionately vowed to protect her from any mistreatment.
Just then, Xia Jingshi returned from the palace. Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran excitedly introduced Fu Yixiao to him. Xia Jingshi, visibly moved, explained his absence was due to an unforeseen summons and expressed his long search and fear of never seeing her again. Fu Yixiao, however, remained expressionless and stated, "I don't remember anything." Xia Jingshi was heartbroken, asking if she remembered nothing of him, Ning Fei, Xiao Weiran, or "everything about Pingling City."
Fu Yixiao confirmed she only had vague recollections gleaned from her younger brothers and Feng Suige, but "besides that. . . I don't remember anything." Xia Jingshi, devastated, continued to press, asking if she remembered "everything between us. . . All that we've shared through thick and thin," but Fu Yixiao's blank gaze offered no recognition.
