Your Sensibility My Destiny Episode 20 Recap
> Your Sensibility My Destiny Recap
Mo Qingchen confronted Ji Dingyue, first expressing his hope that Ji Dingyue could return to his childhood kindness, but then stated his disappointment that Ji Dingyue had become "a bloodthirsty sword" and declared that if Ji Dingyue remained unrepentant, he would no longer be polite and would openly confront him.
He reminded Ji Dingyue of his past kindness, recalling an incident when Ji Dingyue, at six years old, defended Mo Qingchen and took the blame, and also Ji Dingyue's three years of mourning and vegetarianism after his mother's death, highlighting his exceptional filial piety. Ji Dingyue dismissed these sentiments, claiming they were "born different" and there was "no need to say such ludicrous things."
He then challenged Mo Qingchen directly, asking if he was there about Ling Yan's death, asserting he had "no doubts about this matter." Mo Qingchen declared that while he had tolerated Ji Dingyue's "nasty things" for years, he would no longer allow him to "do whatever he wants" and would not relinquish "what is supposed to be mine." Ji Dingyue, equally tired of Mo Qingchen's "calm and breezy pretence," accepted the open hostility.
Mo Qingchen concluded by stating he would take all of Ling Yan's belongings to Lin Chi, as Ji Dingyue "doesn't deserve to keep them." Internally, Ji Dingyue mourned Ling Yan's death, blaming himself, and vowed to fight Mo Qingchen to avenge her, declaring Mo Qingchen's "death will come soon." Meanwhile, the Emperor discussed the rampant "salt smuggling issue in Quzhou" with Eunuch Dai, admitting he needed to make an urgent decision.
Eunuch Dai, noting the Emperor's improved health and expected full recovery by the upcoming Ancestral Remembrance Ceremony, urged him to prioritize his well-being. The Emperor confirmed the ceremony's arrangements were complete, except for selecting a prince to "seek blessings at the auspicious time," a choice Eunuch Dai explained would "send a clear message to the world" about the succession.
The Emperor mused over his three adult sons: Ji Dingyue (Prince Rui) was ambitious but unscrupulous; Ji Dingluan (Prince Jing) was benevolent but disinterested in governing; and Mo Qingchen, though superior in talent and martial arts, was distracted by "personal relationship." Eunuch Dai reassured the Emperor that Mo Qingchen's focus on romance was temporary. The Emperor then summoned all three princes.
Upon receiving the summons, Mo Qingchen worried about Lin Chi, who was still grieving Ling Yan, but, recognizing the national importance, instructed Ling Shu to "take care of Madam" before departing for the palace. In Qin Zheng Hall, the Emperor sought the princes' advice on the Quzhou salt issue. Ji Dingluan, still formulating his thoughts, suggested that cheaper contraband salt might "ease the burden of civilians."
Ji Dingyue proposed a punitive approach, offering to "lead an army to eradicate" the salt bandits and impose "harsher punishment" on smugglers. Mo Qingchen offered a more nuanced perspective, identifying the salt bandits as "ordinary citizens"—"low-wage labourers" and "sailors"—and advocating for a three-pronged strategy: "improve the trading method," "reduce tax for salt merchants," and "clean up the salt officials" by appointing "influential local merchants as officials."
He explained this would elevate merchants' status, attract smaller salt merchants away from illegal trade, and allow them to focus on legitimate business, fostering healthy "official salt" operations. Impressed, Ji Dingluan and Ji Dingyue praised Mo Qingchen's thoroughness. The Emperor, wanting time to reflect, dismissed them to wait outside. Concurrently, Lin Chi, still deeply affected by Ling Yan's death, visited Ji Dingyue's mansion, going to Ling Yan's former room.
There, she discovered a sachet embroidered by Ling Yan for Ji Dingyue, revealing Ling Yan's profound, albeit unrequited, love for him. Lin Chi lamented her sister's innocence and devotion to a man who never showed her tenderness or kept a promise. As she grieved, Ji Dingyue's subordinates arrived and abducted her.
Upon learning from Ling Shu that Lin Chi was missing, Mo Qingchen inferred from Ji Dingyue's earlier words that Lin Chi was in his custody but believed Ji Dingyue wouldn't harm her immediately. He wrote a letter to the Emperor, which Eunuch Dai delivered, explaining that he understood the Emperor's intentions behind the summons and left because he didn't want to "affect your judgment."
The Emperor, initially angered by Mo Qingchen's departure, was pleased by the letter's content, which showcased Mo Qingchen's understanding of his teachings. Despite Ji Dingyue's offer to step in, the Emperor ordered Eunuch Dai to decree Mo Qingchen as the representative prince for the Ancestral Remembrance Ceremony. Mo Qingchen then hurried back to Wu Mo Manor.
Lin Chi was brought before Ji Dingyue, where she accused him of being the "culprit behind the family massacre back then," and that Ling Yan "must have died in your hands." Ji Dingyue admitted, "Ling Yan is dead because of me." Lin Chi demanded to know his motives for such cruelty, especially since Mo Qingchen "has no intention to be your enemy," attributing his actions to sheer jealousy.
Ji Dingyue detailed his long-standing animosity towards Mo Qingchen, whom he saw as his "destined enemy." He highlighted Mo Qingchen's privileged status as the Empress's son, his exceptional talents, and the Emperor's clear favoritism. Ji Dingyue revealed that his own grandfather was killed for a prophecy, and his mother was subsequently murdered by the Empress for uncovering the truth. He explained his relentless pursuit to find Mo Qingchen's weakness and "prove the innocence of my family to Father."
He confessed that the Empress had sent Mo Qingchen to the Lin family to "recuperate" for a supposed weakness, which Ji Dingyue knew was tied to a "prophecy of a demon that will bring calamity to the empire." He admitted that during Mo Qingchen's stay, he "ordered Leng Feng to kill everyone," ensuring that when Mo Qingchen awoke amidst the dead and covered in blood, he would become "the suspect of the massacre," a fate Ji Dingyue deemed "deserved. .
. as a demon." Lin Chi condemned him for using her family as a tool, to which Ji Dingyue coldly replied, "That's your destiny." Lin Chi then asked if he ever truly loved Ling Yan, given he adopted her but then killed her after ten years. Ji Dingyue declared, "Love is nothing but a lie. . . It will eventually disappear."
He proclaimed he had "lost everything now" and would not let Mo Qingchen "live happily either," especially now that Mo Qingchen's appointment to the Ancestral Remembrance Ceremony positioned him as the prime candidate for the throne. Ji Dingyue revealed he had poisoned Lin Chi with the "Zhuyu plant," which would cause "organ failure" in three days.
He offered an antidote if Mo Qingchen would "admit that you are the demon who has no sensory perception in the prophecy" during the Ancestral Remembrance Ceremony, "in front of Father, in front of the Empress, and in front of all the ministers." Mo Qingchen, arriving to confront him, furiously told Ji Dingyue to "scram." Ji Dingyue sneered that Mo Qingchen, despite his abilities, was "ruined because of a woman in the end."
Ling Shu confirmed that Lin Chi was "deeply poisoned" with "Zhuyu plant," and without an antidote in three days, she "will die." He explained that a crucial herb for the antidote grew in the remote "cold land of the northern county," making it impossible to retrieve in time. Mo Qingchen, unwilling to let Lin Chi "die because of me," agreed to Ji Dingyue's demand but instructed Ling Shu to keep the deal a secret from Lin Chi.
Lin Chi soon awakened, apologizing for being his "weakness" and getting him "in trouble," deducing that Ji Dingyue was using the antidote to threaten him. Mo Qingchen reassured her not to worry, promising to find a cure. When she pressed him about the deal, Mo Qingchen lied, claiming Ji Dingyue merely wanted him to "withdraw from the competition for the throne," promising an antidote if he stepped down.
He confessed that he had never cared for "the throne, status and power," pointing to his secluded life at Wu Mo Manor and his never seeking a royal title. He told her that before she came into his life, he "didn't care about anything or anyone in the world," but she "made him feel things, have emotions, have someone to worry about." He passionately declared, "You are all I need."
Later, Mo Qingchen privately expressed his apologies to Lin Chi, his parents, Ji Dingluan, Ling Shu, and Ling Hua for a significant action he was about to take, hoping they would not blame him, and promised to "twinkle every night" as a star, waiting for them. The next day, Mo Qingchen met with the Emperor to thank him for the appointment to the Ancestral Remembrance Ceremony. The Emperor admitted he had "already chosen you in my heart."
Mo Qingchen expressed gratitude for the Emperor's "considerate and protective" care, despite their perceived distance. He then respectfully implored the Emperor to promise that "no matter what happens in the future, please do not blame Mother," as he was "Mother's only son" and "her only hope." The Emperor, stating his principles as a "wise emperor," assured Mo Qingchen that if his mother was innocent, he would "love and cherish her" and would "judge right and wrong fairly."
Mo Qingchen bowed in profound gratitude. Later, Mo Qingchen practiced archery with Ji Dingluan, teaching him that "when your heart is straight, so is your arrow," and that one should "aim with your heart too." Back at Wu Mo Manor, Mo Qingchen gave Lin Chi medicine to "fight the toxin" and "slow the effect," falsely claiming the poison "doesn't cause me any pain."
Lin Chi then shared a sweet dream of them having three children—two girls and a boy—and enjoying a happy day at the marketplace. Mo Qingchen playfully suggested having "two boys and two girls" for fairness, joking about taking "another wife" if Lin Chi couldn't bear the extra child, which she playfully forbade. Granting her dream, Mo Qingchen offered to take her to the marketplace right away, a suggestion Lin Chi joyfully accepted.
