Wonderful Fate Episode 12 Recap
> Wonderful Fate Recap
The imperial physicians arrived to treat Lan Er, who was barely clinging to life. The chief physician informed Yun Yi and Li Fuzhu that Lan Er's wound had been stitched with mulberry bark threads, and she would need daily medication. However, when she would wake depended entirely on her fate, though ginseng could be used to aid her recovery. Li Fuzhu was furious that someone had dared to commit such a violent act within the palace walls.
She immediately ordered Hong Yi to find the culprit and asked Yun Yi for permission to personally handle the perpetrator once identified. Yun Yi agreed. Chef Xue, deeply concerned for Lan Er, rushed off to prepare a special soup, believing that delicious food might rouse her from her coma. Li Fuzhu stayed by Lan Er's bedside, refusing Yun Yi’s suggestion to rest.
When Yun Li offered to keep her company, Yun Yi, not wanting Li Fuzhu and Yun Li to be together, tried several unsuccessful ploys to send Yun Li away before ultimately compelling him to play chess. Alone again, Li Fuzhu spoke to the unconscious Lan Er, reminiscing about modern life, mentioning high heels and how her teachers would be shocked to see her in her current attire. Later, Yun Yi returned to Lan Er's room, finding Li Fuzhu asleep.
He gently placed his outer coat over her, but Li Fuzhu suddenly awoke and caught him. Embarrassed, Yun Yi mumbled an excuse about needing to use the latrine, prompting Li Fuzhu to sarcastically suggest he fertilize her garden before he quickly departed. Despite warnings from his colleagues about the severe punishment for theft, Chef Xue was determined to use a precious millennium ginseng, originally intended for the Empress Dowager's ginseng feast, to brew a tonic for Lan Er.
He declared he would bear all consequences alone. When he brought the soup to Lan Er, he found Hong Yi tending to her. Enraged, Chef Xue confronted Hong Yi, who then openly admitted his affection for Lan Er, nearly infuriating Chef Xue to death.
Despite his anger, Chef Xue then tenderly spoon-fed the soup to the unconscious Lan Er, tearfully promising to cook her favorite dishes every day when she awoke, even inventing a new dish called "A Colorful Rainbow" just for her. Amidst these personal concerns, exciting news arrived: the troops sent to the south had discovered a river. Yun Yi was overjoyed, exclaiming that Yun Lai would be saved from its drought. Soon after, Lan Er stirred and fully regained consciousness.
Li Fuzhu rushed to her side, demanding to know who was responsible for her injuries. Lan Er, with difficulty, identified "the bastard surnamed Ruan," confirming the attack happened in Ruan Qing's chambers. Enraged, Li Fuzhu stormed to confront Ruan Qing, accusing her of the crime. Ruan Qing brazenly denied any involvement, suggesting Li Fuzhu was framing her.
She then taunted Li Fuzhu, asserting that even if she had harmed Lan Er, Li Fuzhu could do nothing, as Lan Er was merely a maidservant, and she could even kill her without repercussions. In a fit of fury, Li Fuzhu slapped Ruan Qing, criticizing her lack of upbringing and declaring that without a good beating, Ruan Qing would never understand the ways of the world. A physical altercation ensued, which Yun Yi quickly intervened to stop.
Li Fuzhu then demanded severe tortures for Ruan Qing, including "torture-racks and pepper spray." Yun Yi, however, shifted the conversation to the urgent need to build a canal now that the river had been found, suggesting the matter with Ruan Qing be set aside for the time being. Li Fuzhu pressed him, reminding him of his promise, but Yun Yi insisted it was not the right time and asked for her trust, assuring her he would uphold justice later.
Li Fuzhu noticed a shift in Yun Yi's attitude toward Ruan Qing, which left her feeling uneasy. Yun Yi then presented Li Fuzhu with a map of the newly found river. Drawing on her knowledge from her own world, Li Fuzhu explained a plan to construct an "underground arch canal" similar to the Zhengguo Canal, emphasizing the importance of utilizing natural drops in terrain for self-irrigation and building robust arched walls to prevent collapse from strong water flow.
She even playfully chided Yun Yi for his clumsy apple-peeling skills. Following her advice, Yun Yi issued an edict to recruit 100,000 able-bodied men to build the canal, aiming to bring prosperity to Yun Lai and reclaim lost territories. News of the ambitious canal project reached Guo Shi and his advisors. The officials expressed skepticism, fearing it would be a costly and fruitless endeavor proposed by the Heavenly Girl. Guo Shi, however, remained calm.
He explained that if the project succeeded, Yun Lai would flourish, and his Ruan family would ultimately benefit when they took over the throne. If it failed, public discontent would lead to Yun Yi's downfall, also serving Guo Shi's interests. He saw it as a win-win situation. Later, a visibly bruised Ruan Qing came to her father, Guo Shi, complaining bitterly about Li Fuzhu's assault and claims of framing.
Guo Shi reprimanded Ruan Qing, emphasizing that Li Fuzhu's expertise was crucial for the canal project at this critical juncture. He ordered his subordinate, Ruan Ding, to prepare lavish gifts for Li Fuzhu as a gesture of apology and to appease her, privately instructing them to take their time in dealing with Li Fuzhu in the future. Li Fuzhu and Lan Er received the opulent gifts.
Li Fuzhu remarked that using money to settle disputes was a "bad habit" prevalent in both ancient and modern times. Lan Er, hesitant, suggested that they might consider letting the matter go, citing Guo Shi's power and the lingering uncertainty about Ruan Qing's guilt. Li Fuzhu, however, declared her intention to accept the money but still pursue justice.
She explained that in her world, fines do not exempt criminals from further punishment, unlike Yun Lai's laws which might view harm to a maidservant as trivial. Li Fuzhu decided to allocate half the compensation to Lan Er and the other half to Chef Xue, acknowledging his sacrifices. Lan Er initially refused her share, but Li Fuzhu insisted, reminding her of Chef Xue's devotion. Lan Er then commented on one of the gift boxes looking like a coffin.
Chef Xue soon arrived with another bowl of soup for Lan Er. He tried to give his share of the compensation to Lan Er, declaring that after their marriage, she would manage their household. Lan Er, visibly uncomfortable, told him to stop his nonsense. While Chef Xue showered her with attention, Lan Er's heart, however, belonged only to Hong Yi. Li Fuzhu jokingly said she would not interfere in their "couple's business."
Xue Baochang then offered soup to Li Fuzhu, and his comment about her having "constipation" (a misunderstanding on his part) led Li Fuzhu to sigh about the immense "chasm" in their understanding. Meanwhile, in her own palace, Ruan Qing was seething with anger, calling herself a "good-for-nothing" for the humiliation she suffered, as her maid tried to comfort her.
