My Uncanny Destiny Episode 20 Recap
> My Uncanny Destiny Recap
General Jin Fu ordered Vice General Zhou to kill the person he believed to be an impostor. However, Vice General Zhou had already been swayed by Ye Zhaonan. Previously, Ye Zhaonan had visited Zhou's room with what she presented as an edict, informing him that Liu Xuanming had granted him a title implying marriage to Princess Yunluo, but stressing that he needed to replace General Jin Fu to be truly worthy of Yunluo.
This manipulation led Zhou to betray Jin Fu, and he admitted to poisoning Jin Fu's breakfast bean juice earlier that morning. As Jin Fu was being removed by guards, he was silenced. After Jin Fu was taken away, Ye Zhaonan addressed Vice General Zhou, acknowledging his contribution and asking what reward he desired.
Zhou stated he only wished Ye Zhaonan to fulfill her promise: the positions of General of Muxi City and the title related to being the Lord of Xuanyue City's brother-in-law. He presented what he claimed was Liu Xuanming's personal edict as proof. Ye Zhaonan instructed him to read it aloud for the Muxi soldiers to hear. Zhou announced that Liu Xuanming had betrothed Princess Yunluo to him and personally granted him the title.
Hearing this public declaration, the Muxi ministers immediately accused him of being a traitor collaborating with the enemy. Ye Zhaonan declared that while his past service to Muxi spared him from death, he could not escape punishment. She ordered him dragged out and castrated, ignoring his protests that he had the edict she gave him. Princess Yunluo was later seen personally dealing with Vice General Zhou, telling him he would learn the meaning of retribution for evil deeds.
Later, in the General's Palace, Ye Zhaonan revealed a roster listing ministers who had been bribed by Jin Fu. The ministers quickly claimed the list was fake. Ye Zhaonan stated she did not intend to pursue past matters but hoped the ministers would work together with her with one heart and mind to govern Muxi well, ensure its prosperity, and bring peace to the people. The ministers pledged their loyalty and commitment.
Tan Rang expressed worry to Ye Zhaonan that Princess Yunluo would be angry because he and Ye Zhaonan had planned everything without telling her, admitting he feared Yunluo greatly. He explained that "Sanmei" (Ye Zhaonan) had forced him not to tell Yunluo, believing more people knowing would increase the danger. When Yunluo saw Tan Rang later, she noticed words carved on his back. She questioned who did it.
Tan Rang revealed Ye Zhaonan had ordered a couplet carved on him at Yunluo's request from an earlier time, stating the best assassin in the world had lost to Princess Yunluo. Yunluo angrily questioned Yao Hu, who confirmed he did the carving because Tan Rang had begged Ye Zhaonan (the 'Lord') who ignored him, so Yao Hu performed the task instead.
Liu Xuanming interrupted, scolding Yunluo for her unreasonable and meddling behavior, saying she had become like this from spending too much time with "Sanmei" and had learned all her bad habits. Unbeknownst to Liu Xuanming, Ye Zhaonan was nearby and overheard his criticism, including him calling her undisciplined and arbitrary for handling the significant issue of General Jin Fu without his help, adding that it was dangerous and he was concerned for her safety.
Liu Xuanming acknowledged that Ye Zhaonan had completely resolved the major issue with Jin Fu without his direct assistance, noting that she didn't need his help despite his efforts writing letters for her. He reflected that strategic brilliance and courage are not exclusive to men, citing historical figures like Fu Hao and Zhong Wuyan as examples. He admitted he was impressed by her capabilities.
He then asked Ye Zhaonan if she planned to remain in Muxi City or return to Xuanyue City with him, giving her time to decide. Later, Liu Xuanming and Yi Yangjun shared a meal. Liu Xuanming encouraged Yi Yangjun to eat the head of a crayfish, claiming it was the most delicious and nutritious part, while Liu Xuanming ate the tail. Liu Xuanming expressed curiosity about when Yi Yangjun would give up on "Sanmei."
Yi Yangjun posed a challenging question in return: if Liu Xuanming were to discover that the "Guan Sanmei" he liked was actually the person he most detested, would he still love her? Liu Xuanming did not answer directly but instead suggested Yi Yangjun should be concerned about Princess Huirou, informing him that she had arrived. Eunuch Sun attended to Tan Rang's swollen eye, assuring Ye Zhaonan of his ability to heal it.
Separately, Ye Zhaonan bestowed rewards upon Old Guan, Feng Lei, and Zhao Jing for their loyal service accompanying her from Xuanyue to Muxi City, naming them loyal attendants of the inner court and granting them gold and silk. Old Guan expressed his desire to return home to be with his daughter, and Feng Lei likewise wished to spend time with his mother. Ye Zhaonan agreed, granting them leave and providing them with tokens allowing them to visit the palace anytime.
She affectionately referred to them as her father and brothers, preferring they continue to call her Sanmei. She entrusted Zhao Jing with looking after "Sanmei" in their absence. Yi Yangjun expressed sadness over the state of Tianmu City following his adoptive father's death and the internal conflict among his brothers. Princess Huirou lamented their loss of standing, declaring she now only had Yi Yangjun as family and pleading with him not to abandon her.
Yi Yangjun shared with Huirou that "Guan Sanmei" was actually Ye Zhaonan, explaining his previous plan to help Ye Zhaonan before returning to Tianmu. This revelation caused Huirou to pause and then suggested they stay in Muxi City, thinking since Yi Yangjun cared deeply for "Guan Sanmei", it might be beneficial. Separately, Ke Qianyue approached Zhao Jing, making demands that caused him significant distress and physical reaction.
Ye Zhaonan confided her dilemma to Yi Yangjun, struggling to find a way to reveal her true identity to Liu Xuanming. Yi Yangjun, seemingly able to read her thoughts, confirmed her distress was about confessing this secret. He advised her that the very fact she was troubled by it indicated she believed revealing the truth was necessary, and encouraged her to have faith in Liu Xuanming. Yi Yangjun then announced his decision to leave and travel the world.
He explained that with Ye Zhaonan present, the ideal city would surely be realized, and he would watch her from afar once it was achieved.
Liu Xuanming understood that Yi Yangjun was taking Qian Huirou with him as a way to protect both Qian Huirou (due to his loyalty to his adoptive father and inability to protect another female relative) and "Sanmei" (as he worried about Qian Huirou's motives if left near her), seeing it as the only solution to protect both, effectively a best-of-both-worlds outcome for Yi Yangjun.
Before leaving, Yi Yangjun warned Liu Xuanming not to bully "Sanmei" and to remember that no matter what she did in the future, even if it was difficult for Liu Xuanming to accept, she was acting for their own good.
Reflecting on Yi Yangjun's words, particularly the earlier question about loving someone he hated if they turned out to be "Sanmei," and past events, Liu Xuanming began to piece things together and finally realized that Guan Sanmei and Ye Zhaonan were the same person. Princess Huirou received confirmation from a eunuch she had bribed that Liu Xuanming had entered City Lord Ye's room.
Meanwhile, Ye Zhaonan, unaware that Liu Xuanming had already overheard her practicing, was rehearsing aloud how to confess her identity to him. She decided on a direct approach, stating she was not Guan Sanmei but Ye Zhaonan, the Lord of Muxi City whom he hated the most. Liu Xuanming was shown walking towards her location and hearing her practicing this confession.
