Episode Summary
Fu Yunnuo, devastated by Qiao Manman's rejection, falls ill and injures himself to try and force a meeting, but Qiao Manman remains firm. Meanwhile, Ji Mo studies for the imperial exams, spurred on by his feelings for Aliya, who is revealed to be a princess. Fu Chengjin arranges a romantic fireworks display for Qiao Manman, confessing he knows her true identity and loves her regardless. Moved, Qiao Manman learns he always knew. Later, Aliya gives Ji Mo a kiss for good luck before his exam, which causes him to faint in the examination hall.
Spoiler Alert
Episode 16 Recap & Spoilers: Hearts in Turmoil
Fu Yunnuo's Despair and Desperate Measures
After Qiao Manman firmly rejected Fu Yunnuo, he was completely crushed, so much so that his heartbreak manifested as a raging fever. For Fu Yunnuo, his entire ambition was fueled by Qiao Manman's childhood encouragement. He strived to become powerful to protect her from being bullied. Now, with her refusal to marry him, his driving force has vanished.
Lovesick and ill, Fu Yunnuo was desperate to see Qiao Manman. He penned a letter and sent his subordinate, Gui Hu, to deliver it, insisting that Qiao Manman herself must open it. However, Qiao Manman had already received an invitation from Fu Chengjin for a moonlit evening. Aware of Fu Yunnuo's intense fixation, she knew she had to make a clean break and refused to accept the letter.
When Gui Hu returned with the news, Fu Yunnuo's hope turned to despair. In a drastic attempt to force a meeting, he wounded his own hand with a sword. He then instructed Gui Hu to rush back to Qiao Manman, claim he'd been attacked by assassins, was gravely injured, and urgently needed her to visit.
Gui Hu, on his second attempt, even knelt before Qiao Manman, pleading for her to see his master. But Fu Yunnuo's increasingly desperate tactics only solidified Qiao Manman's decision not to go. With an internal apology, she turned and walked away, resolute.
Ji Mo's Ambition and Aliya's Royal Secret
Meanwhile, Ji Mo has been grappling with feelings of inadequacy ever since he discovered Aliya is actually a princess from the Xilin Kingdom. Determined to provide a better life for her, he has thrown himself into studying for this year's imperial examinations. Ji Mo's father, however, remains skeptical, doubting his son's chances of passing the notoriously difficult exams and believing that Aliya, with her noble lineage, will inevitably return to her kingdom once her memories are restored.
A Romantic Night and a Startling Confession
Qiao Manman joined Fu Chengjin for an outing to a lively market. He took her hand, leading her to a bridge where a stunning display of colorful fireworks lit up the night sky – a gesture Fu Chengjin had meticulously planned, remembering her fondness for them.
In the midst of this romantic atmosphere, Fu Chengjin confessed his feelings for Qiao Manman. She listened, then thoughtfully murmured that perhaps he loved the wrong person, admitting she wasn't the Xilin Princess but just the ordinary Qiao Manman. Fu Chengjin, gazing at her with deep affection, revealed he had known her true identity all along. He declared that the woman he truly wanted to marry was her – the one who had entered his mansion in the bridal sedan and exchanged vows with him. Qiao Manman was profoundly moved, never having imagined her marriage would find its place within the Prince's residence.
Later that night, Fu Chengjin placed Qiao Manman's bedding on his bed, hoping they would finally sleep together. However, an emotionally full day (or perhaps just comfortable bedding) led to Qiao Manman falling soundly asleep almost immediately.
An Unexpected Exam Outcome
As Ji Mo prepared to enter the examination hall, Aliya gave him an encouraging kiss on the cheek. Unfortunately, Ji Mo, who seems to have an issue with being close to women (perhaps a touch of gynophobia or simply being easily flustered), was so overwhelmed by the memory of the kiss shortly after entering the exam hall that he fainted right at his desk.
