My Dear Destiny Episode 14 Recap
> My Dear Destiny Recap
Lv Ao was agitated, fearing for Qiqi’s life after she was nearly killed. He lamented his own scheme that had put Qiqi in danger. Although he had initially intended to clear her name before releasing her, the recent attempt on her life made him realize he could no longer wait. Just then, Consort Dowager Gao arrived, requesting to speak with Lv Ao about the Ugly Lady.
Consort Dowager Gao presented Lv Ao with a signed confession from Li'niang, where she admitted to using gu to frame the Ugly Lady. When Lv Ao inquired about Li'niang’s whereabouts, Consort Dowager Gao revealed that Li'niang had committed suicide due to her crime. Consort Dowager Gao then suggested that since Li'niang was dead, further punishment was futile. Instead, to exonerate the Ugly Lady, who had been unjustly sent to the West Yard, Li'niang’s crime should be publicly announced.
She had already prepared an edict to ensure the Ugly Lady’s honorable return. Lv Ao agreed, though he was suspicious of Consort Dowager Gao's sudden eagerness to assist, believing she had ulterior motives. Lv Ao expressed his doubts to Yinzi, recalling how Qiqi had previously rejected his offer to take her from the West Yard. He worried she might defy Consort Dowager Gao’s edict, which would provoke the Consort Dowager to cause trouble.
Yinzi, however, confidently assured Lv Ao that he knew a way to convince the Ugly Lady to leave the West Yard. Yinzi sought out Lian Qiao in the kitchen. Lian Qiao, upset that His Majesty had not trusted Qiqi, wished to see Lv Ao to plead Qiqi’s case. Yinzi said he couldn't arrange that, but shared the good news that Lv Ao intended to bring the Ugly Lady back. Lian Qiao was thrilled.
Meanwhile, an official arrived at the West Yard to announce Consort Dowager Gao's edict, but Qiqi declared that she did not wish to leave. Lian Qiao and Yinzi then rushed in. Seeing Qiqi, Lian Qiao was heartbroken by her thinness and insisted on staying with her in the West Yard if Qiqi refused to leave.
Yinzi quickly intervened, fabricating a story about how Lian Qiao had suffered terribly since Qiqi’s incarceration, becoming a masterless servant, bullied, deprived of necessities, and even beaten, showing a superficial burn mark on Lian Qiao’s hand as proof. Yinzi further claimed that if Qiqi did not return to Tide Yard, Lian Qiao and the other servants would be reassigned by Consort Ling, implying a much worse fate.
Qiqi, deeply moved by Lian Qiao’s supposed plight, agreed to accept the edict to protect her loyal maid from Consort Ling’s cruelty. Before leaving, Qiqi approached Aunt Zhao, asking her to come along to her yard and live out her days in peace. Aunt Zhao, however, became agitated and pretended to be mad, accusing Qiqi of trying to harm her or the late Consort Yin. She forcefully pushed Qiqi out of her room.
Understanding Aunt Zhao's distress, Qiqi promised to return and visit her in the future. As Qiqi exited the West Yard, she was met by a grand procession, with Wei Xun waiting. Bystanders remarked on the Ugly Lady’s apparent favor. Qiqi entered the waiting sedan, only to find Lv Ao already inside. She tried to exit, but Lv Ao ordered the sedan to move.
Inside, they bickered over the speed of the sedan, with Qiqi demanding haste and Lv Ao insisting on a slower pace. Qiqi called him a "Tyrant," and they began to scuffle, much to the embarrassment of the sedan bearers. Meanwhile, Consort Ling saw the elaborate sedan and, assuming it only carried Qiqi, was annoyed by her audacious return. She halted the sedan, declaring her intent to greet her "sister" and teach her proper palace hierarchy and etiquette.
With a flourish, she pulled open the sedan curtain, only to be utterly shocked to find Lv Ao seated inside. Lv Ao sternly rebuked her, and she immediately fell to her knees, apologizing profusely and claiming she was merely joking with Qiqi. Lv Ao dismissed her, and the sedan continued its journey. Upon arriving at her chambers, Qiqi quickly slipped inside, avoiding Heng, and locked Lv Ao out.
Yinzi tried to soothe the frustrated Lv Ao, explaining that Qiqi's anger was understandable given her recent suffering in the West Yard. Lv Ao reluctantly left, but not before discreetly instructing Heng to protect Qiqi and ensure her safety. From inside, Qiqi observed Lv Ao speaking intently with Heng and immediately suspected they were conspiring against her again. She warned Lian Qiao to keep her distance from Heng and to trust no one.
Wei Xun reported his findings from his investigation of the West Yard to Lv Ao. He revealed that Mother Gui's handkerchief bore the same embroidery pattern as the one tainted with Spica Prunellae found in the kitchen, though Mother Gui's had no scent. He deduced that Mother Gui, who had served Consort Dowager Gao before being assigned to the West Yard, likely received the handkerchief from the Consort Dowager.
Wei Xun believed Mother Gui herself was not involved in the Spica Prunellae incident. Lv Ao cautioned against alerting anyone, instructing Wei Xun to instead deploy more Shadow Guards to monitor Consort Dowager Gao’s movements. Lv Ao, uncharacteristically attentive to his appearance, prepared a welcoming feast for Qiqi. He waited impatiently, but as evening turned to night with no sign of her, he sent Yinzi to urge her to come.
Yinzi arrived at Qiqi's chambers, where Lian Qiao informed him that Qiqi was "not in a good mood" and would not be attending. Later, Heng brought Qiqi a bowl of Almond and Walnut Soup. Qiqi, however, was cold and aloof, telling Heng to place the soup on the table and refusing her offer to help her change, preferring Lian Qiao's assistance instead.
Frustrated by Qiqi's intentional snub, Lv Ao resolved to practice his swordsmanship and summoned Wei Xun to be his sparring partner, despite the late hour. The next morning, Qiqi discovered her wounds had healed miraculously fast. She questioned Lian Qiao, who confirmed this rapid healing was a recent phenomenon. Qiqi realized her extraordinary healing ability began after she "became" Chou Qingli. Shortly after, Consort Dowager Gao arrived to visit. Qiqi, still feigning illness, thanked her for clearing her name. Consort Dowager Gao reassured Qiqi, stating she had always believed Qiqi was innocent and reiterated that Li'niang had confessed to her crimes and subsequently committed suicide.
