Episode Summary
In this episode, Qiao Manman and Fu Chengjin present their plans for the Emperor's birthday to him, who approves. However, Fu Chengjin has security concerns about the Imperial Garden venue, which Qiao Manman also recognizes; Fu Chengjin promises to bolster security. As Qiao Manman dedicates herself to the preparations, Fu Chengjin shows his care by bringing her food. Meanwhile, Fu Yunnuo dissuades his subordinate, Gui Hu, from carrying out an assassination plot. Later, during a venue inspection with the Emperor, the Consort attempts to frame Qiao Manman for cursing the Emperor using a doll. Fu Chengjin skillfully debunks the accusation by questioning the accuser and highlighting that the doll's fabric, unique to the Xilin Kingdom, was distributed to the harem but not to his mansion, implicating the Consort. In a side story, the romance between Jiu Feng and Yue Tao develops, and Jiu Feng shares palace secrets with Qiao Manman about the Empress.
Spoiler Alert
Destiny of Love Episode 14: Recap & Spoilers
In episode 14 of "Destiny of Love," Qiao Manman and Fu Chengjin prepared to present their plans for the Emperor's birthday celebration. Fu Chengjin, ever supportive, reassured a nervous Qiao Manman that he would be by her side. For Qiao Manman, this was a final opportunity to assist Fu Chengjin, and she was determined to make it flawless.
The Emperor expressed his satisfaction with Qiao Manman's arrangements. However, Fu Chengjin appeared to have some unspoken concerns. Qiao Manman noticed his expression and later, upon re-inspecting the Imperial Garden venue, realized its long, narrow shape and the dense trees at both ends posed a security risk. Since the location had already been confirmed with the Emperor, a last-minute change would be problematic. Fu Chengjin suggested they proceed as planned, promising to significantly increase security measures on the day.
Consumed by the preparations, Qiao Manman was so stressed that she often forgot to eat. Fu Chengjin frequently visited her, bringing meals in a brocade box. His thoughtful gestures deeply touched Qiao Manman.
Meanwhile, Gui Hu, a subordinate of Fu Yunnuo, was secretly plotting an assassination, eager to eliminate his master's rivals. Fu Yunnuo, however, became aware of Gui Hu's intentions. He cautioned Gui Hu against any rash actions, revealing that he now had someone he was desperate to protect and wished to avoid further complications. Understanding Fu Yunnuo's change of heart, Gui Hu immediately instructed his men to call off the assassination.
Later, Qiao Manman walked the Emperor through the decorated venue. He was highly impressed with every detail. Suddenly, the Consort appeared, looking flustered and instructing her attendant to keep something hidden, a deliberate act to pique the Emperor's curiosity. She led him to two guards, one of whom was a palace servant kneeling and trembling. This servant claimed that Qiao Manman had given him a brocade box which, upon inspection, contained a doll intended to curse the Emperor.
The Emperor was enraged and glared at Qiao Manman. Fu Chengjin swiftly pulled her behind him and began to question the accusing servant. He pressed the servant on when Qiao Manman had supposedly handed over the sealed box and how he knew its contents without opening it. The accusation was clearly fabricated, and under Fu Chengjin's sharp questioning, the servant began to lose his composure.
The plot thickened when it was revealed that the fabric used to make the doll was unique to the Xilin Kingdom. The Emperor had distributed this special fabric to the members of his harem, but notably, none had been given to Fu Chengjin's Prince's Mansion. The Consort visibly panicked. Fu Yunnuo quickly interjected, suggesting that there had been recent thefts in the palace and that the Consort had coincidentally lost a bolt of that very fabric. The rather dim-witted Consort eagerly agreed with this explanation. However, to any discerning observer, the true culprit behind the frame-up was obvious.
On a lighter note, the relationship between Jiu Feng, a sword-bearing guard, and Yue Tao was blossoming. Despite his stoic profession, Jiu Feng showed a romantic side, even composing and reciting love poems for Yue Tao. Qiao Manman, curious about the strained relationship between the Emperor and the Empress – who rarely appeared in public and remained secluded in the deep palace – tried to get information from Jiu Feng. Initially hesitant to divulge palace secrets, Jiu Feng quickly changed his tune and shared everything he knew when Qiao Manman playfully threatened to find Yue Tao another suitor.
In this episode, Qiao Manman and Fu Chengjin present their plans for the Emperor's birthday to him, who approves. However, Fu Chengjin has security concerns about the Imperial Garden venue, which Qiao Manman also recognizes; Fu Chengjin promises to bolster security. As Qiao Manman dedicates herself to the preparations, Fu Chengjin shows his care by bringing her food. Meanwhile, Fu Yunnuo dissuades his subordinate, Gui Hu, from carrying out an assassination plot. Later, during a venue inspection with the Emperor, the Consort attempts to frame Qiao Manman for cursing the Emperor using a doll. Fu Chengjin skillfully debunks the accusation by questioning the accuser and highlighting that the doll's fabric, unique to the Xilin Kingdom, was distributed to the harem but not to his mansion, implicating the Consort. In a side story, the romance between Jiu Feng and Yue Tao develops, and Jiu Feng shares palace secrets with Qiao Manman about the Empress.
