My Heart Episode 14 Recap
> My Heart Recap
Wan Qing was found by Sikong Ying drinking heavily, clearly distressed. Sikong Ying, concerned that she might do something foolish, pressed her to reveal what was bothering her. Wan Qing, with tears in her eyes, explained that Lin Sheng had been her sole companion during her loneliest and most painful years. She had been searching for his killer for a long time, and just days ago, she witnessed the magic power army commit a murder.
The victim's wounds were identical to Lin Sheng's, confirming her agonizing suspicion: the magic power army was responsible for his death, and she vowed to avenge him. Sikong Ying, deeply saddened by her tragic past, tried to reason with her, urging her to consider the children at Ciyou kindergarten, especially Xiaoyi, who had only recently recovered from the trauma of losing his parents.
He now understood why Wan Qing had always kept him at a distance, realizing the immense pain she carried. Sikong Ying promised to help her seek revenge and give her time to heal, imploring her not to torment herself further. Wan Qing, seeing the genuine concern in his eyes, shed tears.
Lu Hongzhu, feigning concern about the impending deadline for the fusang fruit, suggested to Lu Qingqing that she ask the Crown Prince, Mingyang, to intercede with the Empress for an extension. Although Lu Qingqing had been investigating all day without success, she decided to approach Mingyang herself, not wanting her father to take on more burdens.
Zhenzhu, gossiping to Lu Yunxi, expressed her frustration over Lu Qingqing's fortunate fate, noting how Lord Jin, Nangong Yixin, had protected her in Manghuang forest, allowing her to secretly learn magic power. Now, Lu Hongzhu was trying to arrange her marriage to the Crown Prince. Lu Yunxi, already aware of her father and the Empress's scheme to get Lu Qingqing and the Crown Prince together, worried about the implications but felt helpless, fearing her father's wrath if she interfered.
She then considered the possibility of Nangong Yixin knowing about the plot. Unheeding Sikong Ying's warnings, Wan Qing stealthily attacked the magic power army that night. She was severely wounded, but Sikong Ying arrived just in time to save her. After taking her to Doctor Wu, Sikong Ying learned that while her physical injuries were treatable, her primary ailment was a deep-seated emotional distress that needed to be resolved from within.
Wan Qing, overhearing the doctor's words from her room, wept. At Changqiu Hall, Mingyang was preoccupied with worry about Lu Qingqing's inability to find the fusang fruit. Lu Qingqing arrived and requested his help in convincing the Empress to grant her a few more days. Mudan, a maid from the Empress, then delivered a bottle of lotus wine, ostensibly for Mingyang's health, but which was actually an aphrodisiac.
After Lu Qingqing and Mingyang shared the wine, Mudan discreetly dismissed Mingyang's personal guard, Lingyu, on the Empress's orders, leaving the two alone. Worried about Lu Qingqing and Mingyang, Lu Yunxi sent an urgent message to Nangong Yixin, informing him that Lu Qingqing was in danger and had likely consumed the drugged wine. As the effects of the wine took hold, Lu Qingqing and Mingyang became disoriented and stumbled onto a bed.
Mingyang confessed his deep feelings for Lu Qingqing, telling her that despite the numerous beauties on Qiyuan Continent, she was the most special to him. In her intoxicated state, Lu Qingqing mistook Mingyang for Nangong Yixin and reciprocated, expressing her affection for him since their first meeting. As Mingyang leaned in to kiss her, Lu Qingqing's eyes suddenly cleared. Recognizing that the man before her was not Nangong Yixin, she forcefully pushed him away.
Just then, Nangong Yixin burst into the hall. He immediately pulled Lu Qingqing into his embrace, pushed Mingyang, who collapsed unconscious onto the bed, and carried Lu Qingqing out. Lu Yunxi was waiting outside and suggested that Nangong Yixin take Lu Qingqing to Lord Jin's mansion to avoid further scandal at the Lu Mansion, especially with guards posted there. Nangong Yixin agreed. Later, Lu Yunxi entered Mingyang's room and lay down beside him.
Back at Lord Jin's mansion, Lu Qingqing, still disoriented, clung to Nangong Yixin, who gently rendered her unconscious to prevent any complications. The next morning, Mingyang awoke to find Lu Qingqing gone. Upon inquiry, he learned that Nangong Yixin had taken her away. He also discovered that Lingyu had been deliberately locked up and the wine had been drugged. Enraged, Mingyang stormed to the Empress's palace, confronting her about the scheme.
He vehemently stated that he loved Lu Qingqing but would never resort to such despicable means to possess her. He was thankful he hadn't touched her. The Empress then revealed the true motive: Lu Qingqing likely had a magic power stone sealed within her, and according to ancient legends, it could only be awakened through union with a person of royal blood.
This, she claimed, was the reason for her "unwise decision" and was Lu Hongzhu's idea, aiming to secure Mingyang's ascension to the throne. Lu Qingqing woke up in Nangong Yixin's mansion, initially believing her encounter with Nangong Yixin was a dream. Upon seeing Nangong Yixin, she asked what had transpired. Nangong Yixin downplayed the situation, falsely claiming he found her drunk at Mingyang's palace and brought her back to spare her from Lu Hongzhu's scolding.
When Lu Qingqing questioned his return, he again lied, saying his master was in seclusion, and he was bored. Lu Qingqing expressed her concern about the fusang fruit and the potential implication of her family. Nangong Yixin offered to help, noting that their relationship was now inextricably linked, a comment that pleased him.
Upon her return to the Lu Mansion, Lu Qingqing was immediately confronted by Zhenzhu, who began to mock her for her late return and apparent lack of concern amidst the family's predicament. Annoyed, Lu Qingqing used her magic power to silence Zhenzhu, who could only emit dog-like yelps. Nangong Yixin, who was nearby, witnessed this.
He then took Zhenzhu aside and used his magic to force the truth out of her, learning that Lu Yunxi was the one who possessed the fusang fruit. Armed with this information, Nangong Yixin confronted Lu Yunxi. He accused her of having taken the fusang fruit to prevent Lu Qingqing's swift return and allow herself more time with Mingyang.
He urged her to produce the real fusang fruit, warning that she and the entire Lu Mansion would face dire consequences if she refused. Faced with undeniable evidence and the threat of public exposure, Lu Yunxi indirectly admitted her involvement, claiming it was not her desired outcome. As Nangong Yixin left the Lu Mansion, he encountered Mingyang. They found a private spot to talk.
Nangong Yixin urged Mingyang to keep the events of the previous night a secret from Lu Qingqing for her own good and to refrain from using her as a tool for political gain. He emphasized his genuine love for Lu Qingqing and his resolve to protect her from any harm. Mingyang, acknowledging Nangong Yixin's confession of love, declared his own unwavering affection for Lu Qingqing, insisting he would win her heart willingly and would never let her go.
With the three-day deadline expired and no genuine fusang fruit produced, the Empress publicly reprimanded Lu Qingqing in the palace hall. Lu Hongzhu attempted to shield his daughter, offering to take the punishment himself, but the Empress declared that both Lu Qingqing and Lu Hongzhu were to be punished for deception. Lu Qingqing stepped forward, accepting all blame and pleading with the Empress to spare her father and the rest of the Lu Mansion.
The Empress, citing rumors about Lu Qingqing's "improper" behavior in the Crown Prince's palace, offered a solution: if Lu Qingqing married Mingyang as a concubine, she would drop all charges against her and the Lu Mansion. Lu Yunxi, present at the trial, also tried to argue against such a fate, appealing to the Empress to reconsider due to Mingyang's reputation. Lu Qingqing, though, was willing to accept any punishment, even losing her magic or her life, to protect her family.
However, the Empress threatened to exterminate the entire Lu Mansion if Lu Qingqing refused. At this critical moment, Mingyang interjected, vehemently disagreeing with his mother's proposal. He declared that if Lu Qingqing were to marry him, it would be as his rightful Crown Princess, not a concubine, calling such an offer disrespectful. He asserted that he would personally refute all rumors.
The Empress, angered by his defiance, tried to dismiss him, but Mingyang stood firm, stating that a Crown Prince who couldn't protect the woman he loved was worthless and that one must be a man before being a king. Just then, Nangong Yixin arrived unannounced.
He confessed to the Empress that he was responsible for the missing fusang fruit, claiming he had swapped it in Manghuang forest merely as a prank on Lu Qingqing, unaware it would cause such a major stir. Lu Qingqing, startled, tried to deny his confession, reminding him he had been with her, but Nangong Yixin silenced her. Despite the Empress's skepticism and accusations of him harboring ulterior motives, Nangong Yixin presented the genuine fusang fruit.
Seeing the fruit, the Empress had no choice but to drop the charges against Lu Mansion and postpone the marriage talks between Lu Qingqing and Mingyang. However, for "hiding the fusang fruit privately and acting poorly," she sentenced Nangong Yixin to a hundred strikes with a magic whip. Nangong Yixin accepted the punishment with a playful smile, remarking that it would help loosen up his muscles after too much drinking.
That night, Lu Qingqing, concerned, sought out Nangong Yixin despite being told he wasn't seeing visitors. She found him with severe whip marks on his back and wept upon seeing his injuries. Nangong Yixin comforted her, telling her he preferred to see her smile. He then revealed his suspicions: the fusang fruit incident was a set-up orchestrated by Lu Hongzhu.
He pointed out that only she and Qi Yi had handled the fruit, and it must have been swapped in Manghuang forest. He added that with Lu Hongzhu's magic power, her father would have easily detected the fake fruit, yet he presented it to the Empress without questioning Lu Qingqing. Lu Qingqing was shocked, unable to fathom that her father, who had always protected her, would deliberately expose her and their family to such danger.
Nangong Yixin explained that the world was rife with interests, power, and schemes, and her innocence made her vulnerable to becoming a pawn. When Lu Qingqing questioned why her own family would use her, Nangong Yixin firmly told her to remember that only those who genuinely cared for her should be considered true family.
