I've Fallen For You Episode 16 Recap
> I've Fallen For You Recap
Sanqi was brought to court, where an angry mob demanded her execution. Many accused her of murdering He Jinxin, while others defended her, arguing it was illogical for her to kill He Jinxin and then faint in the room. They questioned Duan Xuewei's absence, suggesting foul play. He Jinxin's family cried for justice, and Sanqi pleaded her innocence, claiming she fainted upon entering He Jinxin's room and found her dead upon waking.
However, some accused Sanqi of previously impersonating He Jinxin to marry into the Zhao family, claiming this proved her guilt. Bai Yifei tried to speak for Sanqi, but his father warned him against it. Because Zhao Quandui, Sanqi's father-in-law, had to recuse himself, Master Bai, the Taifu Magistrate of the northern city, presided over the trial. Zhao Quandui protested, calling it an overreach of authority, but Master Bai dismissed his objections.
Master Bai then declared Sanqi guilty of two crimes: first, deceiving the He family and impersonating their daughter, leading to He Jinxin's murder to cover up her deception; and second, impersonating the "Heart-eating Nanny" to kill many innocent people in the southern city. He sentenced Sanqi to death by fire, to be carried out immediately. Despite Bai Yifei's continued protests, Sanqi was taken to the execution ground.
Bai Yifei and Ruoyao, determined to help, followed, planning to break into the execution ground. On the execution ground, Sanqi pieced together the case. She realized the seemingly obvious clues were too simple for a cunning killer. She remembered Zhao Ming knew martial arts, concluding he couldn't be the murderer. While still unsure of He Jinxin's motive, she recalled Duan Xuewei's disappearance and Zhao Cuo's disappearance. A chilling realization struck her: Zhao Cuo was in danger.
She desperately called out, urging her companions to free her so she could save Zhao Cuo. Just as the executioners were about to light the pyre, He Zhen, the Young Lord of Taoyuan City, arrived and halted the proceedings. His sister rushed to him, questioning his delay. The magistrate quickly briefed He Zhen on Sanqi's alleged crimes, but Sanqi and her supporters vehemently insisted on her innocence and the urgent need to rescue Zhao Cuo from Qiandu Hall.
He Zhen, acknowledging the situation's complexity and the pleas for Sanqi, declared he would personally investigate, effectively stopping the execution and ordering Sanqi's release. Ignoring her own safety, Sanqi begged Young Lord He Zhen to accompany her to Qiandu Hall to rescue Zhao Cuo. Arriving at Qiandu Hall, they found it empty. The group split up to search. Sanqi noticed the room's furnishings were in the Chisang style, indicating it was Duan Xuewei's room, and suggested searching for clues there.
She then discovered a book detailing a "Heart Changing Operation." Understanding the gruesome implications, Sanqi explained that the victims murdered in the Southern City were likely subjects of this procedure. She concluded Qiandu Hall must contain a hidden chamber for these operations and that Zhao Cuo's life was in immediate danger. Meanwhile, in a secret room within Qiandu Hall, Zhao Cuo was held captive by Gui Jianchou and Duan Xuewei, prepared for a heart transplant.
Gui Jianchou revealed Zhao Cuo's pulse was "amazing and rare," making his heart perfect for the operation. Duan Xuewei, present, confronted Zhao Cuo with a twisted declaration of love, stating she wanted his heart to be hers forever. Gui Jianchou's daughter, the intended recipient, lay nearby. Waking, she tearfully begged her father to stop, reminding him of his past as a "famous doctor who helped the world" and pleading him not to kill for her sake.
Gui Jianchou, however, was determined to save her. Duan Xuewei, seeing intruders approach, proposed an alliance with Gui Jianchou: she would help him eliminate the intruders if he allowed her to possess Zhao Cuo's heart. Gui Jianchou, after hesitating, agreed. Sanqi and the others continued their search, noticing an unusually placed straw mat in a shaded part of the courtyard, where herbs wouldn't typically be dried. Sanqi deduced this spot concealed a secret passage.
Hearing Zhao Cuo's cries for help from below, they redoubled their efforts, quickly finding and activating a hidden mechanism that opened the entrance. Sanqi and Wumeng descended into the secret chamber, while the Palace Guards remained outside. Inside, Sanqi confronted Gui Jianchou, accusing him of the murders. He readily admitted to killing the innocent citizens and even Zhao Ming, all in a desperate attempt to save his daughter.
His daughter was horrified to learn the truth about her father's actions and Zhao Ming's fate – Gui Jianchou had claimed Zhao Ming had merely fled. Gui Jianchou revealed that Zhao Ming had been killed for refusing the heart transplant, and he had then framed Zhao Ming to divert suspicion.
Sanqi explained her deductions to Gui Jianchou: she had realized Zhao Ming was framed by noticing the difference between his actual, weak handwriting on pharmacy ledgers and the forceful script in a threatening letter, which indicated a much stronger killer. She further revealed that Gui Jianchou had initially planned to find a suitable heart in the city, but upon discovering Zhao Cuo's unique pulse, changed his target.
Duan Xuewei confirmed her role, admitting she had distracted Sanqi and Zhao Cuo, allowing Gui Jianchou to capture Zhao Cuo and murder He Jinxin, all while framing Sanqi to buy time for the heart transplant. Duan Xuewei then brazenly declared her love for Zhao Cuo, a possessive and twisted affection that sought to claim his heart, even at the cost of his life, so they could be "united forever."
She lamented his love for Sanqi after her return, claiming it made her own heart "wither." Sanqi condemned Duan Xuewei's cruel and selfish interpretation of love, but Duan Xuewei retorted that she didn't care whether Zhao Cuo lived or died, only that his heart belonged to her. Duan Xuewei then unleashed the controlled staff of Qiandu Hall, who were under a "Puppet Trick," against Sanqi and her allies. Sanqi urged her companions not to harm the innocent, controlled individuals.
Gui Jianchou's daughter, distraught by her father's confessions and the ensuing chaos, again pleaded with him to stop. She stated she would rather die than continue to be the cause of such suffering, calling her father a "murderer" instead of the "famous doctor who helped the world" he once was. Gui Jianchou, in his grief and despair, tried to continue the heart transplant, but his daughter, weak and heartbroken, died.
Overwhelmed by sorrow, Gui Jianchou mourned his daughter's death, blaming himself and wishing to join her and her mother in the afterlife. He then activated a self-destruct mechanism, turning Qiandu Hall into a death trap, intending to drag everyone down with him. Amidst the collapse, Zhao Cuo, still under the Puppet Trick's influence, attacked Sanqi. Sanqi desperately tried to appeal to his memories, reminding him of their childhood friendship and their bond.
She even offered to give up her own heart if it would end Duan Xuewei's hatred. Gui Jianchou, in a final act of devotion to Duan Xuewei, attempted to kill Sanqi, but was thwarted. As the hall crumbled, Sanqi carried an unconscious Zhao Cuo. Duan Xuewei became trapped, but Zhao Cuo, momentarily breaking free from the Puppet Trick, called out her name, seemingly trying to save her. Despite his efforts, the room collapsed, burying Duan Xuewei. Sanqi managed to pull Zhao Cuo to safety just as the building gave way.
