I've Fallen For You Episode 12 Recap
> I've Fallen For You Recap
At Baifang Inn, concern was voiced over Zhao Cuo and his companions' delayed return. News arrived that the county magistrate had apprehended the well poisoner and thwarted an assassination attempt by two thieves. Meanwhile, the captured He Ruoyao, an inspector appointed by the Lord, threatened her captor, warning of repercussions for her harm. The captor, revealed to be the county magistrate, dismissed her threat, suggesting she inquire with the King of Hell. Zhao Cuo arrived, demanding He Ruoyao's release.
The county magistrate, addressing Zhao Cuo and Sanqi, urged them to surrender their weapons to avoid suffering. Sanqi retorted that threatening them was foolhardy, as she and Zhao Cuo were the children of powerful magistrates; killing them would be suicidal. The magistrate dismissed their threats, stating his intention to kill them and had no plans to let them go.
He planned to attribute their deaths to the plague or kidnappers to evade retribution from their families, ensuring a "perfect" execution of his plan. Sanqi scoffed, doubting his ability to succeed. During the ensuing fight, Sanqi urged a companion to take the others and flee while she provided cover. Zhao Cuo refused to leave her, resulting in his injury. Sanqi rushed to his side, concerned for his well-being; Zhao Cuo simply stated he had "spit blood."
Seriously, Zhao Cuo asked Sanqi if she would marry Bai Yifei if he died. Sanqi called his name, and he boasted of his martial arts and charm superiority over Bai Yifei. Sanqi agreed he was better. The magistrate ordered his men to kill them. Later, at the Baifang Yamen, Zhao Quandui asked Jinxin (Sanqi) to preside over the case.
Jinxin revealed that the "county magistrate" was an imposter, Liu Qi, who had murdered the real Qin Fang and hidden his body in a statue at the God of Paradise Temple. Liu Qi confessed, revealing that he had been Qin Fang's bookboy and childhood sweetheart of Qin Fang's wife. Upon Qin Fang's appointment as magistrate of Baifang County, his affair with Liu Qi's wife was discovered, leading Liu Qi to kill him and hide the body.
Overcome with guilt, Liu Qi impersonated Qin Fang, intending to atone for his sins through good governance, continuous incense offerings at the temple, and setting up a memorial tablet for Qin Fang at home. However, an abbot he hired unknowingly discovered the corpse during renovations, forcing Liu Qi to kill the abbot and frame a plasterer. Jinxin pressed him about the plague. Liu Qi was surprised by her discovery.
Jinxin explained her deductions: Biluo Root residue found by the well, linked to the large water vats in Liu Qi's mansion. She deduced he poisoned the well to create a fake plague, isolating Baifang County to eliminate specific targets and secretly added powdered Biluo Root to distributed herbs to frame the doctor. His flawed plan required constant re-poisoning, leaving residue. His stockpiling of clean water also raised suspicion.
Jinxin revealed their strategy: spreading rumors of poisoned well water to attract his attention, while Zhao Cuo and Bai Yifei laid an ambush, and she and Jinxin searched his room, finding conclusive evidence of Biluo Root. Jinxin questioned why, after successfully impersonating Qin Fang, he risked further murder. Liu Qi vaguely stated it was "to kill those damned people" but refused to elaborate.
Jinxin pressed him, asking if the men in black were the masterminds who supplied him with the Biluo Root, noting a county magistrate's inability to acquire such a rare substance. Liu Qi warned them not to investigate further and to pretend they never saw the escaping man in black, warning them of the power they were up against. Jinxin questioned why he killed for them when he could have remained Qin Fang.
Liu Qi admitted that "they found me" and threatened him with exposure of his impersonation. Jinxin urged him to confess everything about the men in black to find the truth and atone for his sins. As Liu Qi began to speak, an arrow struck him, silencing him permanently. A man in black hidden in the rafters had shot him. Everyone chased the assassin, but failed to catch him.
As he lay dying, Liu Qi warned Jinxin and the others to give up, stating they "can't defeat them." Later, at Zhao's Mansion, Duan Xuewei inquired about Zhao Cuo's condition. She reported a severe internal injury requiring slow recovery, and that he would likely awaken in a few days after acupuncture and herbal remedies. Sanqi offered to fetch medicine, but Duan Xuewei declined, offering to do so herself.
Duan Xuewei declared her intention to personally oversee Zhao Cuo's daily care and remain by his side to prevent further harm. He Ruoyao, in male disguise, questioned Duan Xuewei's implications, wondering if she suspected Sanqi would harm Zhao Cuo. Sanqi quickly interjected, clarifying Duan Xuewei's intentions. In Quandui Hall, He Ruoyao discussed the situation with Sanqi.
She sought clarification: Sanqi was Zhao Cuo's legal wife, Duan Xuewei was his childhood sweetheart, returned after eight years, and Sanqi was leaving Zhao's Mansion and Zhao Cuo to facilitate their reunion. He Ruoyao expressed confusion, noting Sanqi's intelligence and questioning Duan Xuewei's audacity in claiming another's husband. Sanqi insisted she had her reasons and genuinely considered Duan Xuewei a friend.
He Ruoyao acknowledged Sanqi's magnanimity but pointed out that Duan Xuewei, deeply in love with Zhao Cuo, was likely to become Sanqi's enemy, especially with Zhao Cuo comatose after saving Sanqi. Sanqi, distressed, asked what she should do. He Ruoyao suggested she talk to Duan Xuewei and apologize if she valued the friendship, concluding that women were simply "troublesome." Zhao Quandui, observing He Ruoyao, mused about how long "Mr. He" (He Ruoyao in disguise) could maintain the act.
He Ruoyao, making her presence known, questioned his presence. In her inspector's disguise, He Ruoyao pointed out her duty to inspect various regions. She stated that the southern city had no wrongful cases thanks to Jinxin, but Zhao Quandui's northern city "had many problems." Zhao Quandui, from the Northern Taifu Mansion, requested clarification. He Ruoyao announced her intention to inspect the northern city and told him to prepare.
Internally, Zhao Quandui, disliking He Ruoyao but unwilling to allow her to stay near Jinxin, decided to accompany her to the northern city, even to his own Bai's Mansion, as a "sacrifice." He "agreed" to her inspection, and they made plans to depart. Back at the Southern Taifu Yamen, Zhao Quandui and his subordinates were initially wary of a crowd outside.
However, a villager from Baifang County approached, expressing gratitude and offering "native eggs" as thanks for saving their lives from the plague. More villagers praised him as "Justice Zhao" and a "guardian angel," abandoning their previous criticism of him as an "incompetent official." Zhao Quandui was delighted, attributing his renewed popularity to Jinxin, his "mascot." At Bai's Mansion, He Ruoyao oversaw the relocation of her belongings. Bai Yifei confronted her, questioning her actions.
He Ruoyao nonchalantly replied she was moving in. When Bai Yifei protested, He Ruoyao reminded him that he had invited her to inspect the northern city, requiring a stay of at least ten days. She dismissed his suggestion of an inn, citing her integrity and frugality as an official, emphasizing the high cost of inns. She then boldly announced her intention to move into Bai Yifei's Qiyu Chamber, citing its suitability for her work.
Bai Yifei was furious, demanding she remove her things, but his father intervened, welcoming He Ruoyao and instructing Bai Yifei to vacate his room. He Ruoyao subtly criticized Zhao Quandui, contrasting his alleged incompetence with her own record, offering her case files for review. Bai Yifei's father agreed to discuss matters that evening. He Ruoyao, further ingratiating herself, complimented his clothes and asked where he bought them.
Sanqi later apologized to Duan Xuewei for deceiving her, causing Zhao Quandui's misunderstanding, and for Zhao Cuo's injury. She hoped for forgiveness and continued friendship. Duan Xuewei initially agreed but then twisted her words, stating that a true apology in her hometown required self-stabbing. She demanded Sanqi stab herself to maintain their "sisterhood." Duan Xuewei dropped her pretense, revealing her disdain for Sanqi, calling her "hypocritical and stupid."
She expressed disappointment that Zhao Cuo, during her absence, had fallen for Sanqi, almost making her dislike him. When Sanqi denied liking Zhao Cuo and insisted he liked Duan Xuewei, Duan Xuewei scoffed, saying she wasn't foolish enough to believe her. She admitted she had known about Sanqi and Zhao Cuo's relationship from their first meeting, initially believing Sanqi was a temporary replacement due to Zhao Cuo's loneliness.
However, seeing his hesitation between them, she now considered Sanqi a genuine rival, acknowledging she had underestimated her. She spitefully declared her profound dislike for Sanqi from the beginning and curtly told her to stop talking about sisterhood or friendship. After this, He Ruoyao noticed the marks on Sanqi's face and expressed concern, blaming herself for suggesting the apology. Sanqi reassured her that it wasn't her fault.
Sanqi reiterated her decision to move out of Zhao's Mansion and leave Zhao Cuo forever. He Ruoyao, still perplexed, offered to distract Duan Xuewei so Sanqi could have a last meeting with Zhao Cuo. In Zhao Cuo's room, Sanqi approached his bedside. She spoke to his unconscious form, wishing he wasn't so quiet. She reminisced about his bullying but acknowledged his protection in danger. Tearfully, she bid him farewell, promising that "your jinx won't bother you anymore." She apologized, recalling his words about loyalty among friends, and confessed that she was the one breaking her word.
