Episode Summary
Yan Yan's school uniform is sabotaged, leading to Fu Ling taking the blame and facing a harsh punishment. Shen Jiangli's reputation is defended, while Shen Qi Lan narrowly escapes consequences. The Cheng Ping Banquet is set to be co-hosted by Shen Jiangli and Shen Qi Lan, intensifying their rivalry. Princess Chu Ya arrives, seeking a past love and potentially influencing peace negotiations.
Spoiler Alert
"My Destined Consort" Episode 22 Recap & Spoilers: Drama Heats Up!
Episode 22 is all about exposing schemes and setting the stage for some major showdowns!
Things kick off at the private school . Yan Yan's teacher discovers that someone messed with the school uniform he gave her. He demands to know who's behind it. A servantspills the beans, claiming Fu Ling, Shen Qi Lan's maid, ordered him to do it. Apparently, the servant thought he was just swapping out a belt, not causing a huge problem. Fu Ling freaks out, denying everything and claiming she doesn't even know the servant.
Meanwhile, First Madam is laying into Shen Jiang Li, saying that just finding a servantisn't enough proof that the child is really Lu Jingming's. Things get tense, so Lu Jingming calls on Chu Zimo to back Shen Jiangli up. Chu Zimo explains that he knew Shen Jiangli was pregnant when he saved her, which confirms that she's telling the truth and that the baby is definitely Lu Jingming's.
The servant then gives a detailed account of how Fu Ling instructed him. The governorfinally understands what's going on and is about to expose Shen Qi Lan. Fu Ling, in a desperate move, takes all the blame, saying she acted alone. Lu Jingxiu signals that they shouldn't try to save Fu Ling. Poor Fu Ling, who was just trying to help Shen Qi Lan, gets sentenced to death by caning . Ouch!
The governorchews out Shen Qi Lan. But because Lu Jingxiu intervenes and the governor feels bad for Shen Qi Lan since she recently lost her child and mother, she gets off with a warning. Shen Qi Lan glares at Shen Jiangli as she leaves, acting like Shen Jiangli set her up. Honestly, it's all her own fault for trying to scheme in the first place. Talk about backfiring!
Next up: the Cheng Ping Banquetin Dong Zhou is coming up. Lots of important guests will be there, including princesses and princes from the palace. Shen Jiangli's mother-in-law is pushing for Shen Jiangli to handle the banquet, but First Madam wants Shen Qi Lan to do it. The governor , trying to be fair, decides to let Shen Jiangli and Shen Qi Lan plan the banquet together.
Shen Jiangli, thinking about Xi Zhou's specialities, orders a bunch of embroidered handkerchiefs. Shen Qi Lan has the same idea and shows up at the same embroidery shop. When they're alone, Shen Qi Lan drops the act and admits she was behind the crazy woman who mistook Yan Yan. She also has the nerve to blame Fu Ling's punishment on Shen Jiangli! Shen Jiangli warns her to be careful, reminding her of Zou Yiniang's fate. Shen Qi Lan gets even angrier and says that was just a taste of what's to come. She promises a real competition at the Cheng Ping Banquet.
The Cheng Ping Banquet arrives, and Princess Chu Ya from Xi Zhou shows up. She's used to getting her way because of her noble status and beauty. Shen Jiangli and Shen Qi Lan show off their talents, and then Chu Ya performs an impromptu song and dance. Each performance is unique and impressive.
After the banquet, Chu Ya's grandmother asks her what she thinks of Dong Zhou. Dong Zhou and Xi Zhou have been at war for years, and the people are suffering. Both governorswant peace. Chu Ya is actually in Dong Zhou to find someone she fell for years ago. The next day, she catches a glimpse of a figure in the courtyard – the soldier she's been dreaming of!
