My Dear Destiny Episode 2 Recap
> My Dear Destiny Recap
Qiqi, having jumped into Phoenix Lake in an attempt to return to the Witch Tribe, found herself unable to breathe and quickly resurfaced. The palace guards, startled by her appearance, mistook her for a water ghost, causing her to flee in a panic. During her escape, she encountered an elderly, drunken man who introduced himself as Luo Jiuchen, the Royal Astronomer.
He claimed to observe celestial phenomena and know everything, advising Qiqi to stay, for the current her was the true, complete her. Qiqi dismissed his words as nonsensical. Meanwhile, Wei Xun reported Qiqi’s strange behavior, including her jump into the lake, to the King of Yiqi, Lv Ao. He also mentioned that Luo Jiuchen had helped her.
Lv Ao, reflecting on Luo Jiuchen's eccentric nature and his usual disregard for royal commands, found it peculiar that he would intervene for the Ugly Lady. Concerned, Lv Ao ordered Wei Xun to keep a close watch on Qiqi and ensure she did not leave the palace. He suspected Qiqi might have recalled the events of the full moon night and decided he needed to test her personally.
Just then, Lord of Ji, Lv Che, who had been traveling extensively, arrived at the palace. He remarked on Lv Ao's apparent unhappiness regarding the Ugly Lady's revival. Lv Ao, in turn, questioned Lv Che about the duration of his stay, and then, feeling despondent, invited Lv Che to drink with him, an invitation Lv Che declined, citing a need to see his mother first. Later, Qiqi asked Lian Qiao who had rescued her from the lake.
Lian Qiao had no idea, stating Qiqi was already on the bank when she found her. Then, the head eunuch Yinzi delivered the news that His Majesty had summoned Qiqi for "service" that night. Confused by the term, Qiqi loudly repeated "to sleep with His Majesty" after Lian Qiao whispered its meaning. While Lian Qiao prepared Qiqi for her bath, Qiqi inquired about Lv Ao. Lian Qiao lauded His Majesty as an extraordinary, diligent ruler and "the light of Yiqi."
However, Qiqi remembered her Senior Brother Wu Ji's description of Lv Ao as a brutal, cruel man who espoused violence, a stark contrast to Lian Qiao's praise. Qiqi then asked about Lv Ao's relationship with his concubines, feeling relieved when she learned he was too preoccupied with state affairs to care for his harem, concluding he must be an ascetic.
Lian Qiao sternly warned Qiqi not to reveal her true identity in the King's chambers, explaining that doing so could lead to her execution as a spy and implicate her father. Lian Qiao urged Qiqi to seize this opportunity and perform well. Qiqi, however, scoffed at the idea of sleeping with "that tyrant." Yinzi, having waited a long time, finally entered Qiqi's room to hurry her along. He was astonished to see Qiqi had painted two chrysanthemums on her face.
Qiqi explained that since His Majesty was noble and unconstrained, he would surely appreciate the flowers, which symbolized nobility. Yinzi, startled but unable to openly criticize, merely praised her "creative" idea. Despite Lian Qiao's attempts to wipe it off, Qiqi insisted on keeping her chrysanthemum make-up. Yinzi then instructed Qiqi to undress and get into a quilt so she could be carried to the King. Qiqi firmly refused to undress and insisted on walking herself.
After a brief argument, Yinzi reluctantly agreed. Lian Qiao, concerned, tried to bribe Yinzi with gifts from the border to speak up for Qiqi if she angered His Majesty, but Yinzi refused to interfere. Qiqi complained that she had been walking for too long and was exhausted. Yinzi repeatedly assured her they were almost there, but Qiqi, distrustful, refused to walk any further, making Yinzi squat with her on the steps outside the chamber. Just then, Lv Che emerged.
Qiqi immediately recognized him as the man who saved her from the water and was instantly smitten by his handsome appearance. She eagerly grabbed his sleeve, calling him her savior and asking if he remembered her. Lv Che, maintaining his composure upon seeing her make-up, calmly stated that he had only heard of her and this was their first meeting, suggesting she might be mistaken. Yinzi urged Qiqi to release Lv Che and continue on.
As Lv Che prepared to leave, he leaned in and whispered to Qiqi to cherish life, making her realize he did remember her. Qiqi was delighted but immediately regretted her outrageous make-up, which she had intended as a prank for Lv Ao. She then muttered her disappointment that Chou Qingli had married Lv Ao instead of Lv Che. Upon entering Lv Ao's bed-chamber, Qiqi found it empty. She pulled back the curtains and discovered a wolf.
Far from being afraid, she gently stroked its head. The wolf, surprisingly docile, rubbed against her face. Believing the wolf was unjustly imprisoned, Qiqi released it. Moments later, Lv Ao appeared, and Qiqi finally realized that the man she had repeatedly encountered was, in fact, His Majesty. Lv Ao questioned her ability to communicate with the wolf. Fearing her Witch Tribe identity would be exposed, Qiqi claimed she was simply naturally liked by animals.
As Lv Ao moved closer, Qiqi, recalling Lian Qiao’s remark about his ascetic nature, decided to test him. She pushed him onto the bed, took a sip of wine, and attempted to feed it to him directly. Disgusted, Lv Ao quickly pushed her away. He then noticed the absence of a scar on her collarbone and pressed her about what she remembered from the night of the full moon.
When Qiqi feigned ignorance of the drowning incident, Lv Ao claimed his pet wolf had accidentally pushed her into the river and told her not to think too much of it. Qiqi tried to leave, but Lv Ao pulled her back, ordering her to sleep on the floor. The next morning, Lv Ao awoke to find Qiqi still on the floor. Observing her face, he secretly admitted she was "not so ugly."
Qiqi, upon waking, found Lv Ao staring at her, making her feel uneasy. She assumed he wanted a hug when he stretched out his arms, but he merely asked her to help him change. Qiqi, unfamiliar with the elaborate palace attire, clumsily struggled to dress him. Watching her fumbling, Lv Ao eventually dressed himself, inwardly deeming her a fool. News of Chou Qingli's regained intelligence and beauty quickly spread throughout the palace.
Li'niang sought out the Wangfei, informing her of the rumors and asking how to proceed. The Wangfei, intrigued, ordered Li'niang to bring Chou Qingli to her own palace. Back in her room, Qiqi found Lian Qiao preparing food, convinced Qiqi needed to restore her strength after a night with the King. Qiqi tried to explain that nothing had happened, but Lian Qiao was too caught up in her assumptions to listen. Qiqi recalled that her Blood Jade, a relic left by Lan Yu, had mysteriously reacted last night. She resolved to stay in the palace longer to investigate its significance.
