Your Sensibility My Destiny Episode 23 Recap
> Your Sensibility My Destiny Recap
Mo Qingchen grew anxious when Lin Chi had not returned after a long time. Ling Shu and Mo Qingchen prepared to search for her separately while Ling Hua waited. Just then, Zhuang Chen, Ji Dingluan, and Qiu Wan arrived, bringing news that Ji Dingyue had taken control of the imperial court and the inner palace, and that the Emperor was under surveillance, Du Ruo was arrested, and the Empress was to be punished.
Upon hearing Ji Dingluan's account, Mo Qingchen immediately understood they had fallen into a trap, as Ji Dingyue must have intended to lure them out to find his hiding place. Zhuang Chen reassured him that even though Ji Dingyue's men had followed them into the forest, they wouldn't find their way into the compound due to the formations he had set up around it.
Mo Qingchen, however, quickly deduced that Lin Chi was in danger because Ji Dingyue's men had followed them "into the forest". They rushed to the forest and, indeed, found only Lin Chi's fallen basket, confirming she had been captured by Ji Dingyue's people. Realizing Ji Dingyue’s ultimate goal was his death rather than the throne, Mo Qingchen declared his willingness to die.
He then sent Ji Dingluan with a letter to Ji Dingyue, offering his own life in exchange for the lives of the Emperor, the Empress, Du Ruo, and Lin Chi. He swore an oath, warning of divine retribution if Ji Dingyue failed to uphold his end of the bargain. Ji Dingyue agreed to Mo Qingchen's terms but stated that if Mo Qingchen did not die, someone else would perish every day.
Ji Dingyue went to the prison to see Lin Chi, telling her that Du Ruo was now half-dead, having sacrificed himself to ensure their escape. He mockingly added that although the Emperor might protect Du Ruo, he could not show favoritism and would have to condemn Du Ruo for forging a gold tablet and faking an imperial decree to release prisoners, deceiving the Emperor. Lin Chi was devastated by this news.
Later, Ji Dingluan returned, carrying a coffin, confirming Mo Qingchen's apparent death. Ji Dingyue, surprised that Mo Qingchen truly died for a woman (Lin Chi), ordered the coffin opened. After verifying the body was cold and breathless, he was secretly pleased, believing he had finally avenged his mother. He declared that he only killed Mo Qingchen to eradicate a "demon."
Ji Dingluan then conveyed Mo Qingchen's final requests: to be given a royal funeral as a prince, with his body lying in the palace for three days before a dignified burial in the imperial mausoleum. Mo Qingchen also demanded that the Emperor, Empress, and Lin Chi be spared. Ji Dingyue agreed not to kill Lin Chi and the Empress, but vowed he would never let a "dangerous person roam free".
Ji Dingluan insisted on personally informing Lin Chi of Mo Qingchen's death, suggesting Ji Dingyue could send guards to monitor him. In the prison, Lin Chi initially refused to believe Mo Qingchen was dead, convinced he would come to rescue her. Ji Dingluan then told her that Mo Qingchen had indeed died but wanted her to live, and covertly slipped a mushroom into her hand.
The Emperor, upon hearing of Mo Qingchen's death, was furious with Ji Dingyue, condemning him for fratricide and declaring that even with Mo Qingchen gone, Ji Dingyue would never gain the throne. Ji Dingyue maintained that his actions were not for power but to seek justice for his mother, who he believed died unjustly, and for himself, unloved by the Emperor.
The Emperor refuted this, calling Ji Dingyue a "silly kid" who was easily manipulated, and stated that his mother deserved her fate for slandering the Prince and Empress. Ji Dingyue later stood before Mo Qingchen’s coffin, lamenting their adversarial fate. He blamed Mo Qingchen for appearing in his life, believing they could have been good brothers otherwise, and questioned why he hated Mo Qingchen and when that hatred began.
He acknowledged that even with Mo Qingchen dead, he still felt no joy and the Emperor still blamed him, leaving him feeling as empty as ever. Visiting his mother's memorial tablet, Ji Dingyue declared that Mo Qingchen had died by his hand, yet his hatred remained undiminished, and the Emperor still refused to vindicate his mother.
He recalled his fond memories of Ling Yan, who had always cared for him, feeling utterly alone and determined to honor his mother's memory and ensure her tablet would be properly worshipped for generations, believing all his sacrifices would be in vain otherwise. A jailer then reported unusual behavior from Lin Chi. Meanwhile, the Empress's attendants were outraged by the stale food sent to her in her confinement. The Empress, confined and insulted, remained powerless.
Separately, the Emperor, also confined by Ji Dingyue, lamented his isolation and the tragic death of Mo Qingchen, believing it to be a consequence of his own past mistakes. Mo Qingchen, who had faked his death using the "imperceptibility" effect of the mushroom, descended into the prison to rescue Lin Chi. Ji Dingyue confronted them, holding Lin Chi hostage and threatening to kill her if Mo Qingchen resisted.
He demanded Mo Qingchen stab himself with poisoned needles, which would paralyze him. Mo Qingchen complied, collapsing to the ground. As Ji Dingyue released Lin Chi, telling her to say her goodbyes, Lin Chi embraced Mo Qingchen. Her tears, imbued with the power of shared perception, fell onto Mo Qingchen, instantly enhancing her martial arts skills. She struck Ji Dingyue down, catching him completely by surprise.
Lin Chi, enraged and wanting to avenge her family, intended to kill Ji Dingyue, but Mo Qingchen, now recovering and with regained senses, stopped her. Ji Dingluan then arrived and apprehended Ji Dingyue. Ji Dingluan brought Ji Dingyue before the Emperor. The Emperor immediately inquired about Mo Qingchen's condition, visibly relieved to hear he only suffered minor injuries and had returned to rest. He then dismissed everyone, wishing to speak with Ji Dingyue privately.
The Emperor told Ji Dingyue that, despite his belief, he had always protected him in his heart. Ji Dingyue, however, refused to believe this, accusing the Emperor of sacrificing his mother and maternal grandfather to protect him. He defiantly challenged the Emperor to kill him as well, threatening that he and his mother's vengeful spirits would haunt the Emperor's nights. Enraged by Ji Dingyue's obstinacy, the Emperor ordered him dragged away and imprisoned in the imperial prison.
After the ordeal, Mo Qingchen carried Lin Chi back to Wu Mo Manor. Lin Chi expressed relief that Mo Qingchen was alive but worried about his injury, even asking if he wanted to "switch back," referring to the perception exchange. Mo Qingchen, however, had insisted on returning to the manor for some alone time with her. Noticing Lin Chi's quietness, Mo Qingchen asked if she was still upset that he didn't let her kill Ji Dingyue.
He then explained his decision to spare Ji Dingyue, believing that Ji Dingyue and the Emperor still had unresolved issues that needed to be clarified, and that Ji Dingyue should understand the reasons behind his downfall rather than dying with a twisted sense of righteousness. Lin Chi agreed, adding that she feared their current happiness was a dream that might end at any moment, and that was why she dared not be too happy. Mo Qingchen playfully urged her to bandage his wound, or the dream might indeed end if he bled to death.
