Episode Summary
Qiao Manman, fearing her identity is compromised, is reassured by Fu Yunnuo, who knows her secret and promises to help her escape the Prince's Mansion. Haunted by Fu Yunnuo's warning that her presence endangers Fu Chengjin (due to her healing his leg), Qiao Manman makes the painful decision to ask Fu Chengjin for a "heli" (divorce by mutual agreement). She believes this will protect him and sever his attachment. Fu Chengjin is devastated but agrees to address it after the Emperor's birthday celebrations. Both Qiao Manman and Fu Chengjin suffer emotionally. Meanwhile, Qiao Manman, Fu Chengjin, and Fu Yunnuo collaborate on planning the Emperor's birthday banquet. Fu Yunnuo's support helps Qiao Manman when the Noble Consort initially rejects her ideas. Qiao Manman actively avoids Fu Chengjin, unable to tell him her true reasons for leaving. Fu Yunnuo later reminds Qiao Manman of a childhood promise to be his wife, which she dismisses as a youthful jest given their current circumstances.
Spoiler Alert
"Destiny of Love" Episode 13 Recap & Spoilers: A Painful Decision
Fearing Fu Yunnuo had seen through her disguise, Qiao Manman quickly played dumb, insisting she had never left the Xilin Kingdom. Fu Yunnuo reassured her, explaining that he had intentionally not exposed her to his father, the Emperor, and promised to protect her identity moving forward.
Touched by Fu Yunnuo's heartfelt words, and remembering their childhood acquaintance, Qiao Manman began to trust him. She retrieved a cherished brocade box, showing him a cloud pattern on it that resembled a kite he once made. She hoped he could help her open it. Fu Yunnuo readily agreed and also mentioned he would find an opportunity to help her leave the Prince's Mansion safely.
Back at the Prince's Mansion, Qiao Manman couldn't shake off something Fu Yunnuo had whispered to her on the day she was abducted: that she had invited trouble by healing Fu Chengjin's leg, and leaving quickly was the best way to protect Fu Chengjin. These words replayed in her mind. Now, having developed feelings for Fu Chengjin, she couldn't bear the thought of him coming to harm.
Qiao Manman decided to speak with Fu Chengjin. After much deliberation, she proposed a "heli" (divorce by mutual agreement). She reasoned this would conceal her false identity and also make Fu Chengjin resent her, thus severing his attachment. Fu Chengjin was stunned by her request. He had believed Qiao Manman was his soulmate, someone with whom he would spend the rest of his life. Hearing her confirm her intention to separate left him heartbroken. He reluctantly agreed to petition his father, the Emperor, after the upcoming birthday celebrations.
In the following days, Fu Chengjin was consumed by the pain of abandonment. Jiutian, his attendant, was also puzzled by Qiao Manman's decision, finding women's hearts to be as deep and unfathomable as the ocean. Qiao Manman, too, was miserable. How could it not be painful to give up someone she deeply loved? But since Fu Chengjin had coldly agreed to her request, she believed he would keep his word, and her departure from the Prince's Mansion was imminent.
The Emperor had appointed Fu Chengjin and Fu Yunnuo to jointly organize the upcoming imperial birthday celebration. This meant the three of them needed to discuss the details. Qiao Manman meticulously planned every aspect. However, when she presented the plan to the Noble Consort, several of her suggestions were immediately rejected. The atmosphere became awkward. Fu Chengjin staunchly defended Qiao Manman's proposals, stating they were carefully prepared and discussed with him. Fu Yunnuo also chimed in, adding that some of the ideas were his. As the Noble Consort had always favored Fu Yunnuo, hearing of his involvement, she ceased her criticism of Qiao Manman and even extended the deadline for finalizing the banquet plans by ten days.
Lately, Qiao Manman had been intentionally avoiding Fu Chengjin whenever she saw him approaching. Sometimes, Fu Chengjin would pointedly stop her to talk, asking why she was being so distant. Qiao Manman would stammer, unwilling to reveal the truth – that her decision to leave was to protect him.
Fu Yunnuo also sought opportunities to meet with Qiao Manman again. He asked if she had considered his offer to leave with him after the birthday celebrations. He reminded her of her childhood promise to become his wife, asking if she had forgotten. Qiao Manman responded awkwardly, dismissing it as a childish joke, stating that their current statuses were too different, and many things from the past were no longer appropriate.
