Rewriting Destiny Episode 21 Recap
> Rewriting Destiny Recap
Xia Lan hurried to pack her belongings, preparing to leave the manor. When Xue Mu arrived, she informed him that her brother, Xia Yaozu, had returned. Xue Mu feigned surprise, claiming it was impossible as he believed Yaozu was dead, but Xia Lan clarified that the recovered body was not her brother's. Xue Mu offered to visit Yaozu, expressing concern for his well-being, but Xia Lan insisted Yaozu needed to rest and should not be disturbed for a few days.
Before leaving, Xue Mu subtly inquired if anyone else knew of Yaozu's return, and Xia Lan confirmed she had told no one. He warned her to keep it secret from Xu Ziyan, hinting at Xu Ziyan's supposed manipulations. Unbeknownst to Xue Mu, this entire exchange was a cleverly orchestrated trap by Xia Lan and Xu Ziyan.
Xue Mu, believing he was acting secretly, immediately dispatched an assassin to follow Xia Lan and eliminate the person sleeping in Yaozu's bed that night. The assassin was caught and confessed everything, revealing that Xue Mu had ordered him to kill Xia Yaozu, Xia Deshui, and Miss Zhao, threatening his family if he refused. Xia Lan was heartbroken to learn of Xue Mu’s betrayal, lamenting his deceit despite her father raising him for years.
Xia Yubing and Xu Ziyan presented this testimony to an investigating censor. During the proceedings, it was further clarified that Xue Mu had ordered the assassin to kill Miss Zhao, but it was Xue Mu who ultimately poisoned her after the assassin had left. Additionally, it came to light that Xia Yaozu, blackmailed by Xue Mu, had only incapacitated Miss Zhao, thereby enabling Xue Mu to commit the murder and making Xia Yaozu an accomplice.
Based on these confessions and testimonies, the censor ordered Xue Mu's immediate arrest. Soldiers searched Xue Mu’s manor and the Office of Administration but failed to find him. A servant indicated Xue Mu's last known location was his study, where a piece of calligraphy was found, its ink still fresh. Based on the ink, Xue Mu had left a few hours earlier, apparently having fled with a large sum of money.
Realizing Xue Mu had escaped, the censor ordered General Li to secure the city gates and post wanted posters to ensure his capture. The censor then turned his attention to Xia Yaozu's case. Xia Yaozu was brought before the censor and remorsefully confessed his role in Miss Zhao's injury, explaining he was blackmailed by Xue Mu and only knocked Miss Zhao unconscious, allowing Xue Mu to commit the murder.
Xia Lan, having just learned of Yaozu's arrest, rushed in and desperately interceded for him. She admitted her desire for revenge had driven her brother's actions and that she was to blame for the fire at Twenty-four Terrace, asking to be punished in his stead. The censor asked Xia Yubing and Xu Ziyan for their opinions regarding the siblings' fates. After discussing, Xia Yubing and Xu Ziyan expressed understanding for their actions, which were driven by familial revenge.
They decided to forgive Xia Lan for the arson. For his complicity in Miss Zhao's death, Xia Yaozu was sentenced to fifty canings. After his punishment, Xia Yaozu and Xia Lan were returned to the Xia Manor, which Xia Yubing had generously given back to them, hoping they would live honestly. The siblings lit incense for their father, promising to live better lives and cause no further trouble.
Yubing's father also had an opinion on the matter, cautioning Yubing to retain the title deed, suggesting a lingering distrust. Xia Yubing, accompanied by her loyal servant, searched the streets for a new location for Twenty-four Terrace, but she found every available shop unsuitable. She decided to inspect a secluded spot alone, but as she did, Xue Mu, who had been secretly tracking her, ambushed and abducted her. Her servant, realizing she was missing, immediately rushed to inform Xu Ziyan.
Xia Yubing awoke to find herself in a remote, dimly lit room, dressed in a red bridal gown. Xue Mu, also in wedding attire, meticulously applied makeup to her face. Xia Yubing took a bite out of him, and in a twisted gesture, he wiped the blood onto her face, telling her how perfect she looked.
He seemed to have lost his mind, passionately declaring his desire to marry her and claiming she would no longer have to do anything but be his wife. Xia Yubing tried to reason with him, reminding him that everyone was searching for her and that they could negotiate if she returned. Xue Mu, however, dismissed her concerns, confident that no one would find them.
She then attempted to stall by insisting on an auspicious time for the ceremony, which Xue Mu reluctantly agreed to. During this brief reprieve, Xia Yubing desperately tried to talk sense into him, reiterating that she had no affection for him, only seeing him as a cousin. Xue Mu, however, insisted she loved him but had simply forgotten.
He justified his past murders, claiming Xia Deshui deserved death for framing his parents and that Miss Zhao was "stupid" for getting in his way. Xia Yubing vehemently rejected his twisted logic, accusing him of being selfish and delusional. In a fit of rage, Xue Mu slapped her across the face when she declared her hatred for him and stated he was inferior to Xu Ziyan. Meanwhile, Xu Ziyan and others frantically searched the surrounding mountains for Xia Yubing.
Xia Yubing, still bound, managed to loosen her ropes while Xue Mu was asleep and attempted to flee, but Xue Mu woke and intercepted her. He became increasingly agitated, lamenting that everyone had betrayed him and left him alone, clinging to Xia Yubing and declaring she was his only hope. He insisted all his actions were out of love for her, but Xia Yubing retorted that he only acted for himself.
Her cries for help were heard by her father, Xia Shi, who had joined the search party. Xia Shi confronted Xue Mu, demanding his daughter's release. Xue Mu refused, intent on taking Xia Yubing as his bride. Xia Shi bravely fought Xue Mu, enduring multiple stab wounds to create an opening for Xia Yubing to escape. Xu Ziyan and the others arrived just as Xue Mu, severely wounded, fled the scene.
Xia Shi, however, succumbed to his injuries and died in Xia Yubing's arms, his last words acknowledging that he had finally done something right. Devastated, Xia Yubing grieved for her father, lamenting his sacrifice while Xue Mu remained at large. Xu Ziyan comforted her, expressing his sorrow over Xue Mu's escape and hoping he would never resurface. He reassured her that she should not blame herself.
Later, Xia Lan approached a still-grieving Xia Yubing, informing her that she had overseen the rebuilding and redecoration of Twenty-four Terrace, hoping to earn her forgiveness. Xia Yubing simply responded that the past was behind them. The three sisters, Xia Yubing, Xia Lan, and Xia Liuqing, subsequently celebrated the joyous reopening of the renovated Twenty-four Terrace, pledging to work together. Elsewhere, Ye Wenzhao brought Xia Liuqing to his father, Mr. Ye, seeking his approval for their marriage.
Mr. Ye initially agreed but then imposed a condition: Xia Liuqing must demonstrate business acumen, implying she should be as capable as Xia Yubing. Xia Liuqing, unfazed, argued that professions varied and her popular butter biscuits were proof of her skill. Mr. Ye dismissed her culinary talents as insufficient for a wife in the Ye family. Determined to prove him wrong, Xia Liuqing declared she would learn business to earn his approval.
She then approached Ye Wenzhao, informing him that she and Xia Yaozu would learn business from him, to which Ye Wenzhao happily agreed. Meanwhile, Xue Mu, still a fugitive, experienced a severe headache, followed by a sudden and vivid memory flashback. He saw himself crying for Xia Yubing and vowing to avenge her, leaving him to wonder about the source of this profound memory.
