Whispers of Fate Episode 3 Recap
> Whispers of Fate Recap
Jiang's father was consumed by grief for his deceased son, Jiang Cheng. A Shui approached him, explaining that Jiang Cheng had loved his father deeply and was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect Yanmen's honor, fearing that his actions would disgrace the sect.
A Shui then shared a personal story, recounting how her own father's first concern was always his daughter, and after his passing, she unhesitatingly sold herself into marriage to ensure her father received a dignified burial. Jiang's father, initially scolding her for such a "foolish" act, soon understood the profound filial piety. He lamented that Jiang Cheng did not realize his life was everything to his father and cried out his son's name in anguish.
Suddenly, Jiang Cheng's friend, Feng Chuanxiang, arrived and vouched for Tang Lici, stating that Tang Lici was not the true murderer and had not administered the poison. Despite Tang Lici having admitted guilt, Feng Chuanxiang's intervention convinced Jiang's father. Wanting his son to rest in peace, Jiang's father released Tang Lici and Chi Yun, stipulating that Tang Lici must help Feng Chuanxiang investigate the truth behind Jiang Cheng's poisoning within seven days.
Chi Yun was astonished by this rapid turn of events, having believed his death was certain. Traveling by boat after their release, Feng Chuanxiang attempted to strike up a friendly conversation with Tang Lici, discussing friendship and sharing tea. Tang Lici, however, found Feng Chuanxiang's efforts disingenuous. He openly mocked the sudden camaraderie, going so far as to call Chi Yun his servant and produce an indenture contract to emphasize the point.
Despite Tang Lici's dismissiveness, Feng Chuanxiang maintained a composed demeanor. Finding Feng Chuanxiang's pretense tiresome, Tang Lici invited him to the bow of the boat to admire the morning view, only to abruptly kick him into the river. Feng Chuanxiang, surprised, accused Tang Lici of breaking their agreement, to which Tang Lici coldly replied that he had no friends and therefore no reason to honor such a relationship, implying Feng Chuanxiang had misunderstood him.
Chi Yun was baffled by Tang Lici's sudden aggression, recalling their pleasant conversation just moments before. Tang Lici then revealed that Jiang Cheng had confessed to him that Feng Chuanxiang was the one who first gave him the Nine-Hearts Scarlet Ghost Pill. Enraged by this betrayal, Chi Yun immediately declared his intention to pursue Feng Chuanxiang and kill him if he was indeed the poisoner.
A Shui, observing Chi Yun's impulsive pursuit, understood that Tang Lici had deliberately provoked Chi Yun, preferring him to act on his own initiative rather than under direct orders. Impressed by her insight, Tang Lici pressed her further, questioning why she wasn't curious about his miraculously healing hand. He then confronted her, forcefully pinning her against a wall, demanding to know if she was an agent of A-Yan (Liu Yan) and what her true purpose was.
A Shui, with reddened eyes, tearfully denied any knowledge. Tang Lici, sensing her sincerity, temporarily believed her. He then revealed that A-Yan (Liu Yan) had a specific reason for placing her with him and instructed her to follow him. Meanwhile, Chi Yun tracked the struggling Feng Chuanxiang, who was pulled ashore by Jiang Qingyu, Jiang Cheng's second uncle. Jiang Qingyu expressed concern and questioned Feng Chuanxiang about Tang Lici. Feng Chuanxiang claimed Tang Lici had betrayed their cooperation.
Jiang Qingyu then stated his own suspicions of poisoning in Jiang Cheng's death and offered to join Feng Chuanxiang in pursuing the truth. Chi Yun observed Jiang Qingyu's intense interest, finding it more fervent than Jiang Cheng's own father's, and decided to continue monitoring the pair as they departed together. Tang Lici and A Shui went to Flowery Stream, Jiang Cheng and Feng Chuanxiang's former residence.
A Shui wondered why Tang Lici was still investigating after having seemingly abandoned the case. Tang Lici explained that A-Yan (Liu Yan) had orchestrated the entire series of events to force him into seeking answers from the Thirteen Towers, thus ensnaring him in A-Yan's intricate plot. By deliberately disrupting A-Yan's predetermined plan, such as falsely confessing to Jiang Cheng's murder, Tang Lici aimed to undermine him.
Tang Lici deduced that both Jiang Cheng and Feng Chuanxiang were, in their own ways, speaking the truth. Jiang Cheng had been unknowingly poisoned with the Nine-Hearts Scarlet Ghost Pill for over a year. When he later visited Feng Chuanxiang, who was secretly administering more of the pill to extend Jiang Cheng's life, Jiang Cheng discovered the covert treatment and tragically misinterpreted it as further poisoning by his friend.
Tang Lici emphasized that this elaborate setup, including the clue from the Thirteen Towers about Flowery Stream after the Hao Manor case, was not coincidental, confirming A-Yan's manipulation. Tang Lici stated he needed to go to the Thirteen Towers to verify his theories and decide whether to play along or expose A-Yan's game. Zhong Chunji, who had followed Chi Yun, found him at the Rising and Falling Land of the No-Exchange Tower, a bustling black market.
She was excited by the prospect of entering this fabled place, renowned for its deadly assassins and comprehensive intelligence. Chi Yun, however, warned her that not just anyone could meet the Porter, the intermediary for the Thirteen Towers. As they waited, a magnificent building dramatically rose from the river, revealing itself as the No-Exchange Tower. Zhong Chunji observed others entering coffins that were then carried away by the currents, and she and Chi Yun followed suit.
Inside the Thirteen Towers, Zhong Chunji asked Chi Yun how he knew so much about this mysterious place. Chi Yun recounted that he had first come to the Thirteen Towers a year prior, desperate to find his fiancée, Bai Suche, after her family, including Bai Yuming, was massacred and her body was never found. He had offered a substantial sum to the notoriously expensive establishment.
However, before he could finalize a deal, Tang Lici intervened, claiming Chi Yun as his servant through an indenture contract and preventing his sale to the Thirteen Towers. Tang Lici then rescued Chi Yun, promising to help him uncover the truth about Bai Suche, which cemented Chi Yun's loyalty and his role as Tang Lici's aide. After confirming his deductions at Flowery Stream, Tang Lici sent A Shui to Yanmen and proceeded alone to the No-Exchange Tower for definitive answers.
There, amidst other mysterious figures, Feng Chuanxiang stepped forward to make an offer for the "real culprit." His price, however, was deemed insufficient unless he offered his life. To everyone's shock, Jiang Qingyu, who was present, seized the opportunity and fatally struck Feng Chuanxiang. Jiang Qingyu then brazenly declared his motive: Feng Chuanxiang's untimely intervention had threatened his carefully laid plan to become the Yanmen leader.
He had paid the Thirteen Towers a high price for this chance to eliminate Feng Chuanxiang. A ghostly apparition of Jiang Cheng then appeared before Tang Lici, questioning why friends would betray and kill each other. Finally, A-Yan (Liu Yan) materialized before Tang Lici, proudly displaying the Nine-Hearts Scarlet Ghost Pill.
He gloated about the pill's success in sowing discord and turning friends against each other, declaring Tang Lici responsible for the resulting chaos and warning him that his friends would suffer for trusting him. Unfazed, Tang Lici firmly stated that it was A-Yan (Liu Yan) himself he was seeking.
