Rewriting Destiny Episode 16 Recap
> Rewriting Destiny Recap
Xia Yubing remained convinced that Jiang was suspicious, but Xia Liuqing continued to believe he was the young beggar she had met in her childhood. Their differing opinions caused friction between the sisters. Meanwhile, Ye Wenzhao approached Xia Liuqing, offering her money, and openly expressed his disapproval of Jiang’s attention towards her. He then revealed to Xia Yubing that he had seen Jiang stealthily climbing over the wall of the Xu residence the night before Xu Ziyan's arrest.
While Ye Wenzhao lacked concrete proof, he was confident that Jiang would eventually expose himself, noting that his people had been observing Jiang and noticed he often stayed out all night, suggesting he had another secret dwelling. That night, Xia Yubing, intending to follow Jiang, was ambushed and knocked unconscious shortly after leaving. It was later revealed that Xue Mu and Jiang had anticipated her move.
Xue Mu warned Jiang that Xia Yubing was already suspicious of him and urged him to be cautious. Xue Mu then visited Xu Ziyan in prison, stating he was there to "see him off." Xu Ziyan quickly deduced that Xue Mu was behind everything, including the deaths of Miss Zhao and Xia Deshui. Xue Mu did not deny it, calmly explaining his simple objective: for Xu Ziyan to plead guilty to all charges.
He informed Xu Ziyan that Xia Yubing’s store had been sealed due to his arrest, and by confessing, Xu Ziyan could enable Xia Yubing to achieve her desires. Xia Yubing awoke to find Xia Liuqing tending to her. She explained that she had been knocked out by Jiang. Xia Liuqing, enraged, wanted to pursue Jiang, but Xia Yubing stopped her, convinced that Jiang had already fled.
Xia Yubing expressed remorse for her carelessness in not vetting Jiang’s background, regretting the trouble it had caused. Later, Xu Ziyan’s father, Xu Guangling, visited his son in prison, accompanied by Xia Yubing. Seeing Xu Ziyan's deteriorated state, Xia Yubing felt a pang of sorrow. However, Xu Ziyan, hardened and seemingly indifferent, stated he did not wish to see her.
Xia Yubing attempted to evoke his sympathy by feigning illness and dizziness, but Xu Ziyan remained cold, telling her to seek a doctor instead of wasting time pretending. Despite his harsh words, Xia Yubing declared she would never divorce him. Xu Ziyan, observing Xue Mu nearby, tore a piece of his clothing and, using his own blood, hastily wrote a document, which he presented as a divorce agreement. He deliberately acted coldly, fearing Xue Mu's presence.
Xia Yubing showed the cryptic blood-written document to Xia Liuqing. The next day, the official seals on Xia Yubing's store were surprisingly removed. Before she could celebrate, however, devastating news arrived: Xu Ziyan had confessed to all crimes. Distraught, Xu Ziyan demanded to see Xue Mu again.
He pleaded with Xue Mu to take care of Xia Yubing after his death, imploring him to remember all her needs and quirks, from her dislike of jujube water and her tendency to eat cold food during her period to her independent spirit and her "incurable disease" that required timely medication from a case located in the Xu residence. Xue Mu dismissed his advice, reminding Xu Ziyan they grew up together.
He refused to collect Xia Yubing’s medicine, declaring her health was not his concern. He argued that he would provide Xia Yubing with a life of comfort as the Chief Administrator’s wife, whether she desired it or not, claiming it was superior to any life with Xu Ziyan. Desperate, Xu Ziyan knelt before Xue Mu, begging him to ensure Xia Yubing lived a long life. Xia Yubing, pondering the "divorce letter," found it baffling and illegible.
Fortunately, Xu Ziyan’s attendant recognized his master’s unique speed writing. He deciphered the message: "If it's post-death poisoning, the poison can't go deep down into the corpse. It will stay in the throat." Xu Ziyan's true intention was for Xia Yubing to perform an autopsy. That night, Xia Yubing and Xia Liuqing ventured to Xia Deshui's grave. Despite Xia Liuqing's initial apprehension about disturbing the dead, they dug up the coffin.
As instructed by Xu Ziyan's message, they found Xia Deshui's throat discolored and black, confirming he had been poisoned after his death. The following morning, Xia Yubing dramatically arrived at the government office, presenting Xia Deshui’s coffin as evidence to clear Xu Ziyan’s name. She passionately explained that the black throat and teeth, with no abdominal abnormalities, proved post-death poisoning, suggesting it matched Miss Zhao’s case.
However, the official, irritated by her unusual method, dismissed her claims, angrily stating that Xu Ziyan had already confessed and was scheduled for execution that very day. Xia Liuqing, incensed by the injustice, nearly confronted the official, but Xia Yubing restrained her, deciding they needed a new plan. Later, Xia Yubing sought Xue Mu’s help, informing him of the impending execution.
Xue Mu, feigning powerlessness, claimed the censorate had tied his hands, offering only empty comfort as he patted her shoulder. Meanwhile, Gu Gu appeared, reminding Xia Yubing that her hourglass of life was nearly empty and she needed to make money, but Xia Yubing prioritized saving Xu Ziyan. The night before his execution, Xu Ziyan, resigned to his fate, began to hallucinate Xia Yubing by his side.
At the execution ground, just as the executioner prepared to strike, Xia Yubing dramatically intervened, shouting for a halt. She declared Xu Ziyan innocent and threw herself onto him, vowing to die with him. Unexpectedly, Ye Wenzhao then joined them, lying on Xia Yubing and proclaiming his solidarity. Soon after, Xia Liuqing arrived from above, pushing Ye Wenzhao away and taking his place on Xia Yubing, instructing Ye Wenzhao to lie on her instead.
A-Guang also joined the growing pile of protestors. The outraged official ordered all those obstructing the execution to be beheaded. However, just as the executioner prepared his blade, Xu Guangling arrived with a higher-ranking Imperial Censor, who immediately ordered the case related to Xu Ziyan to be reopened for retrial.
