Fated Hearts Episode 9 Recap
> Fated Hearts Recap
Fu Yixiao sought out Xia Jingshi, not to rekindle their past affections as Lu Ke mistakenly imagined, but to understand her forgotten past. Xia Jingshi presented her with a detailed record he had kept of her life since her memory loss, hoping it would aid her. He offered her the Moon-Shooting Bow, a weapon that had once been hers, but she declined, stating that her injured left hand rendered her unable to use it.
Xia Jingshi, expressing profound regret for having failed her, affirmed his eternal commitment to her safety. He vowed that she would always hold a special place in his heart and implored her to return with him to Jinxiu, to go home. He revealed his past promise to marry her after the Battle of Pingling, a promise he now had to break due to the Emperor's decree for him to marry Princess Feng Xiyang.
Fu Yixiao acknowledged the broken engagement but insisted that as he was now a stranger to her, his marriage alliance for peace was a commendable act, and the past was simply that—past. Meanwhile, back at the First Prince's Residence, Fu Yixiao drank alone, having purchased several jars of wine on her way back. Feng Suige, having learned of Fu Yixiao's initial attempt to apologize for a misunderstanding, decided to acknowledge her gesture.
When he arrived at her room, he found only an opened jar of wine she had left behind. He accepted her implied apology but immediately pressed her about the details of her conversation with Xia Jingshi. Earlier, Feng Suige had dispatched a trustworthy messenger with a letter to the Jinxiu Emperor, instructing them to deliver it to the Yunlai Inn in Shengjing City, Jinxiu Kingdom. He declared it would be a "grand wedding gift" for Xia Jingshi.
As Fu Yixiao reviewed the records provided by Xia Jingshi, a deep suspicion formed in her mind regarding the scarce details surrounding the Battle of Pingling. The book recounted pivotal moments: Xiao Weiran's rescue by Fu Yixiao using the Moon-Shooting Bow, Xia Jingshi saving Fu Yixiao, Xiao Weiran, and Ning Fei from the death camp, and their shared battles as comrades in the Zhennan Army, including a fierce ambush outside Zhennan Pass where Fu Yixiao's bravery saved Xia Jingshi's life.
Yet, the critical period of her fall remained shrouded in brevity. During negotiations between Jinxiu and Susha, the Jinxiu Minister of Rites, Shen Wu, faced a Susha envoy's demand for the twelve counties west of the Pingling River. Xia Jingshi, the Prince of Zhennan, intervened. After consulting with his Emperor to make significant concessions for the alliance, he agreed to split the contested territory, a move that surprised Shen Wu.
However, Xia Jingshi stipulated that Susha must also uphold its promise to return all prisoners, specifically naming Fu Yixiao, the Jinxiu female general, who was currently held in Yujing City. Shen Wu readily agreed to handle her return. Soon after, Shen Wu frantically pleaded with Emperor Feng Pingcheng, explaining that retrieving Fu Yixiao from the First Prince's Residence was a perilous task, causing officials to resign or claim illness.
The Emperor, amused by Shen Wu's theatrics, refused to issue another decree, stating that while promises were made, the actual retrieval of the person depended on Jinxiu's own capabilities. Later, Emperor Feng Pingcheng mused to his eunuch that the First Prince's motive for keeping Fu Yixiao was not mere leverage, but to "muddy the waters" and uncover the truth behind the marriage alliance, acknowledging his son's audacious yet principled nature.
Back in Yujing, Lu Ke reported to Feng Suige that a personal guard of the Prince of Zhennan had been identified as a Jinxiu undercover guard, and was seen interacting with Prime Minister Zhuang's people. This suggested a collusion between Xia Jingshi and Prime Minister Zhuang. Lu Ke speculated that Fu Yixiao's mortal danger might stem from her knowledge of this secret, and that Xia Jingshi's eagerness to take her back was purely to silence her.
Feng Suige decided not to confront Fu Yixiao with this information without concrete proof, believing it best for her to uncover the betrayal by Xia Jingshi herself, pondering if she would seek revenge for being discarded. Meanwhile, at the inn, Fu Yixiao shared drinks with Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran. Ning Fei, observing her still drinking from a large bowl, asked if she was feigning amnesia. Fu Yixiao, however, genuinely stated she couldn't remember.
He then showed her a scar on his chest, acquired during the Battle of Changyu Pass, explaining how her quick action saved him from a poisoned arrow. He further pointed out an identical scar on her leg, both sustained about a month apart, recounting their time nursing each other and the camp's amusement. Finally, he urged Xiao Weiran to show his back, revealing burn scars from when he risked his life to save them from a burning barracks.
Despite their efforts, Fu Yixiao couldn't recall the events, but she was deeply moved by their shared history, camaraderie, and sacrifices. She spent over six hours talking with her old comrades. Fu Yixiao then asked Ning Fei for details about her fall. He informed her that a guard had reported she "fell off the cliff by accident" after the victory of the Battle of Pingling, when her disappearance was first noted. Intrigued, she pressed for details of the battle.
Ning Fei explained that the initial plan was to defend Zhennan Pass, but the day before the Susha attack, Xia Jingshi suddenly changed tactics after a military report reached him, setting up an ambush within the pass, effectively trapping Feng Suige. Fu Yixiao realized that her arrow, intended for Feng Suige, might have inadvertently saved him by preventing him from entering the trap.
She questioned why Xia Jingshi changed his plan, and Ning Fei revealed it was after a military report reached him. Xiao Weiran, now heavily intoxicated, offered no further information. Fu Yixiao, connecting this to Feng Suige's previous comment about a Susha traitor during the Battle of Pingling, wondered if that military report was delivered by the traitor. Later, Xia Jingshi arrived at the inn, concerned when Ning Fei and Xiao Weiran hadn't returned.
He saw Fu Yixiao arranging for the two drunken men to be transported. He informed her of his agreement with Susha for her release and urged her to return to Jinxiu for her safety. Fu Yixiao refused, explaining she had unfinished business. Just then, Feng Suige appeared, sarcastically questioning if she would truly be safer in Jinxiu, noting that the one who tried to kill her was from Jinxiu, not Susha.
The two men verbally sparred, with Xia Jingshi asserting Fu Yixiao was Jinxiu's internal affair, and Feng Suige claiming her safety as his domestic concern since she was at his residence. Fu Yixiao, tired of their bickering, declared she wasn't familiar with Feng Suige and that her affairs were her own. She dismissed both men, sending them away.
Xia Jingshi then attempted to assert his claim, informing Feng Suige that the prisoner exchange was being negotiated and Fu Yixiao would soon be returning to Jinxiu with him. Feng Suige mocked the idea, pointing out that she was not his prisoner to be exchanged. Xia Jingshi insisted Fu Yixiao was a Jinxiu general and her destiny was her own choice, a point Feng Suige agreed with.
Xia Jingshi spoke of his deep bond with Fu Yixiao, which Feng Suige scorned, calling him a "beast" who "flips faces without mercy." Xia Jingshi remained confident Fu Yixiao would regain her memory and return to him, to which Feng Suige chillingly retorted, "Are you truly not afraid of that day coming?" Princess Feng Xiyang, having spoken with her mother about her upcoming marriage and her right to pursue anything she desired, met with Fu Yixiao.
Feng Xiyang, displaying a strategic and possessive nature, declared her awareness of Fu Yixiao's past with Xia Jingshi but claimed not to care. She offered Fu Yixiao a comfortable life in her future mansion or a stable position in the military camp if she chose to stay after Feng Xiyang's marriage to Xia Jingshi, emphasizing her own future role in protecting the peace between the two kingdoms.
Fu Yixiao candidly responded that if Feng Xiyang truly didn't care, she wouldn't have sought her out. Despite her preference for solitude, Fu Yixiao accepted Feng Xiyang's invitation to stroll through the bustling Yujing City. Feng Xiyang reiterated her long-standing relationship with Xia Jingshi, citing his life-saving grace and affection, and their well-matched status. Fu Yixiao simply noted that Xia Jingshi had evidently not shared their past with Feng Xiyang and offered them well wishes.
As they walked, they encountered Xia Jingshi and then Feng Suige. Feng Suige also appeared and, addressing his sister, joined the group. Fu Yixiao again expressed her dislike for crowds, though Feng Xiyang seemed to enjoy them. Feng Suige, to further assert his dominance, deliberately took Fu Yixiao's hand in front of Xia Jingshi. Fu Yixiao tried to pull away, but Feng Suige reminded her that she was still his concubine.
He defiantly stated his intention for Xia Jingshi to witness that his beloved general was now Feng Suige's. Feng Xiyang, secretly pleased, then urged Feng Suige to move on, leaving Xia Jingshi to watch, powerless to intervene.
