In Blossom Episode 22 Recap
> In Blossom Recap
Bai Xiaosheng came to find Yang Caiwei, acting mysteriously and avoiding Pan Yue. Yang Caiwei quickly said there were no more secrets between them. Bai Xiaosheng suspected something had happened to Zhuo Lanjiang and told them what had occurred that day. The three of them went to the back mountain of Yinyu Tower and discovered that the character on the sack was "Zhuo. " This confirmed that Xinzheng Academy and Yinyu Tower were closely connected.
Pan Yue and Yang Caiwei quickly deduced the structure of the Shuibowen organization, but Bai Xiaosheng was anxious to save someone. When Yang Caiwei tried to stop her, warning her not to take such a risk, Bai Xiaosheng accused her of being unwilling to take risks for her. Yang Caiwei hurried to explain herself, and only then did Bai Xiaosheng calm down. Zhuo’s father, using Zhuo Lanjiang’s name, invited Pan Yue to a banquet at Yinyu Tower.
Pan Yue believed they intended to lay all their cards on the table and that he would definitely go. Zhuo Lanjiang was now refusing food and drink, but Zhuo’s father wasn’t considering his son at all—he was determined to kill Pan Yue, because if Pan Yue didn’t die, then they would. Bai Xiaosheng insisted on going to Yinyu Tower with Yang Caiwei and Pan Yue.
She never used to do such a losing trade, but Yang Caiwei noticed that Bai Xiaosheng liked Zhuo Lanjiang. For Bai Xiaosheng, however, it was a hopeless love. Yang Caiwei advised her to confess her feelings to Zhuo Lanjiang—it’s better to regret doing something than to regret missing the chance. On the day of the banquet at Yinyu Tower, Yang Caiwei was deeply worried. The trip was dangerous, and she feared something might happen to Pan Yue.
Pan Yue calmly went to the meeting alone. Yang Caiwei and Bai Xiaosheng split up, one to steal the key and the other to the kitchen. Zhuo’s father thought Pan Yue’s solitary attendance was disrespectful, but Pan Yue calmly exposed what he had been hiding. Afu tried to persuade Zhuo Lanjiang to eat, but Zhuo Lanjiang felt betrayed by everyone and was heartbroken. He noticed the food had been poked into a square shape—something Yang Caiwei had once mentioned.
Upon opening it, he found a prison key inside. Pan Yue speculated that Zhuo’s father was working for the person behind the scenes because of Zhuo Lanjiang. He had hoped they could talk, but Zhuo’s father planned to die with him. Zhuo Lanjiang escaped from the prison and joined Yang Caiwei and Bai Xiaosheng. They rushed to the main hall to stop Zhuo’s father.
Facing the great fire, Pan Yue remained unflustered, raised his glass in a toast, and then eloquently exposed Zhuo’s father's motivations—he had only wanted to protect Zhuo Lanjiang. But would Zhuo Lanjiang truly be happy if he knew the truth? The three arrived outside the hall. When Sun Zhen threatened them with a sword, Zhuo Lanjiang walked toward him without hesitation. Sun Zhen said everything Zhuo’s father did was for Zhuo Lanjiang.
The person behind the scenes had used Zhuo Lanjiang to control Zhuo’s father, who, knowing he couldn’t escape, chose to be a loyal guard dog. Pan Yue tried hard to persuade him and even brought out the princess’s pardon token. If they told the truth now, there was still time. Zhuo Lanjiang’s urgent shout further shook Zhuo’s father's resolve. He agreed not to oppose the local government anymore but refused to name the mastermind.
Would Pan Yue still protect Zhuo Lanjiang? Pan Yue said he had nothing to do with the matter, and besides, Zhuo Lanjiang was his friend. Pan Yue intended to take Zhuo’s father away, but unexpectedly, Zhuo’s father struck him out. Zhuo Lanjiang watched the flames engulf his father and wept. Zhuo’s father said people in the capital held deep grudges—only through his death could Zhuo Lanjiang be safe.
Zhuo’s father died amid Zhuo Lanjiang’s cries, and the fire destroyed all the evidence. After that day, Zhuo Lanjiang locked himself in his room, drinking all day and ignoring everyone. Seeing his despair, Pan Yue deliberately provoked him, saying Zhuo’s father had protected him all his life and would be furious if he saw him like this. Zhuo Lanjiang finally stopped drinking, though his eyes remained lifeless.
Bai Xiaosheng made soup for him, and seeing the scar on her hand, he drank it. Zhuo Lanjiang built a new memorial tomb for his father and invited Yang Caiwei there to apologize for what his father had done. He admitted he could never repay Yang Caiwei and did not expect her forgiveness. Yang Caiwei said she would never forget or forgive what Zhuo’s father had done, but since he was dead, she wouldn’t hold a grudge.
She advised Zhuo Lanjiang not to blame himself too much, but he said he carried the Zhuo family’s blood—how could he be unrelated? On the next day of their monthly meeting, Zhuo Lanjiang didn’t show up. Instead, he sent a jar of wine and something for Bai Xiaosheng. The two realized he was saying goodbye and rushed to find him. Bai Xiaosheng searched in the rain all day and finally saw his boat slowly drifting away from the shore.
Pan Yue came to find Yang Caiwei and said he believed that if Zhuo Lanjiang was given time, he would return. However, Bai Xiaosheng also left a letter saying she knew where Zhuo Lanjiang had gone. Pan Yue publicly sealed off Yinyu Tower—only in this way would the people in the capital feel at ease. Yang Caiwei spoke with Pan Yue about Gu Yong’s final word before dying—“Yang”—but they realized someone was eavesdropping. That person might be a new clue.
