I've Fallen For You Episode 11 Recap
> I've Fallen For You Recap
He Ruoyao, identifying herself as the imperial commissioner, arrived in Baifang County with He Jinxin, a special guard from Southern City (Sanqi in disguise), Zhao Cuo, son of the Southern City Taifu Magistrate, and Bai Yifei, son of the Northern City Taifu Magistrate. She informed County Magistrate Qin Fang that she was inspecting Baifang County under orders from the Lord of Taoyuan City, investigating a recent gang-related incident.
Qin Fang reported that several kidnappers who had attempted to abduct Zhao Cuo were found dead on a barren mountain, the county coroner concluding they had killed each other over the spoils. Their bodies were subsequently buried. He Ruoyao then inquired about a rumored plague. Qin Fang, feigning surprise, acknowledged the plague but minimized its severity, claiming the affected villagers were not in mortal danger and that medical houses were treating them diligently.
He stated that he had blocked the main roads of Baifang County to prevent its spread. He Ruoyao pressed him about a death penalty review file, to which Qin Fang replied that the Taifu Magistrate had withheld sentencing due to lingering doubts. He Ruoyao, disguised as a man, engaged in a verbal sparring match with Bai Yifei. Zhao Cuo, noticing He Ruoyao's (as "Mr. He") attentive behavior towards Sanqi, grew suspicious.
Bai Yifei tried to dissuade He Ruoyao from participating in the investigation, citing the dangers and the plague, but He Ruoyao dismissed his concerns, commenting on his delicate appearance. Later, while Bai Yifei bathed in the river, Zhao Cuo followed him, suspecting Bai Yifei might also be a woman in disguise and attempting to confirm his gender. After a comical struggle, Bai Yifei thwarted Zhao Cuo's attempts.
Sanqi, with the others, visited the Tian family in Yizhuang, Shifang Village, ostensibly to visit her maternal uncle and aunt. There, she discovered her real parents, disguised as her uncle and aunt, who had been hiding in coffins to avoid repercussions for Sanqi's escape from an arranged marriage. After a brief reunion, they maintained the charade for Zhao Cuo and Bai Yifei. Sanqi's "aunt" jokingly offered old coffin boards as seats, much to the discomfort of the two young men.
Sanqi then inquired about the plague and the kidnappers' bodies. Her "aunt" and "uncle" confirmed the plague's sudden onset and its management with medicine provided by the authorities. Importantly, they had not been contacted by the county yamen to collect any bodies, further fueling Sanqi's suspicions about Qin Fang. The group then visited the God of Paradise temple to investigate the abbot's murder.
A temple attendant explained that the case was closed, with a plasterer named Liu accused of the crime. The attendant also mentioned the plasterer had damaged the temple's statue. He Ruoyao noted the temple's popularity despite its small size and questioned the unconventional statue renovation. The attendant revealed the abbot had secretly decided to refurbish the aging statue. While there, Sanqi detected the faint smell of a decaying corpse.
Sanqi also visited a medical hall, where the doctor reiterated that the plague was mild and easily treatable, reinforcing the notion that it was not fatal. Sanqi concluded the plague was less serious than initially believed, allowing them to focus on locating the kidnappers' bodies. That night, the group went to the mountain where the kidnappers were supposedly buried. Using her childhood knowledge of the area and keen observation of disturbed soil, Sanqi located the burial site.
Despite Zhao Cuo and Bai Yifei's reluctance, they unearthed the bodies. Sanqi's preliminary examination revealed multiple knife wounds, but the victims' purple faces and bulging eyes indicated poisoning, not fatal stabbing. She concluded the knife wounds were inflicted to fabricate a narrative of mutual combat. He Ruoyao deduced that the men in black had poisoned the kidnappers and then killed the sole survivor to conceal the initial poisoning.
He Ruoyao questioned the motive behind the men in black kidnapping and attempting to assassinate Zhao Cuo, leading to an argument between them. Back in Baifang County, Magistrate Qin Fang publicly accused the doctor of poisoning two plague victims with Biluo Root, a rare and potent poison, which he claimed was found in the doctor's possession and in the victims' bodies. Despite the doctor's denials and lack of motive, Qin Fang ordered his imprisonment to quell public unrest.
He Ruoyao insisted on examining the deceased villagers. Sanqi confirmed that these victims showed the same symptoms (purple eyes, black lips) as the poisoned kidnappers, reinforcing the theory that they were also poisoned by Biluo Root. Later, Sanqi discovered something at a well. Back at the inn, she revealed that Baifang County's entire water supply was subtly contaminated with Biluo Root. This chronic, low-dose poisoning was the true cause of the "plague."
Zhao Cuo informed them that Qin Fang had recently started using large water tanks at the yamen, suggesting he knew about the well contamination and had isolated himself from it. Bai Yifei added that Qin Fang, despite his devout patronage of the God of Paradise temple, had allowed the abbot to secretly renovate the old temple statue, against established tradition.
To expose the truth and reveal the real culprit, Sanqi instructed Zhao Cuo to spread news of the poisoned well water among the villagers. Zhao Cuo publicly demonstrated a vinegar test, turning the contaminated water purple, convincing the skeptical townspeople. The alarmed villagers demanded Qin Fang investigate and open the city gates for fresh water. Qin Fang relented, agreeing to open the gates for two hours each morning but maintaining the overall lockdown.
As the villagers dispersed, Zhao Cuo and Bai Yifei prepared to stake out the inn, anticipating an attack from the conspirators. Sanqi and He Ruoyao covertly infiltrated the county magistrate's office. At the inn, Zhao Cuo and Bai Yifei encountered two men in black, apprehending one after a struggle, while the other, a skilled fighter, escaped.
Simultaneously, in Qin Fang's office, Sanqi and He Ruoyao discovered a secret chamber containing a stash of Biluo Root, confirming Qin Fang's involvement in the poisoning. They promptly left with the evidence.
