In the Name of Blossom Episode 10 Recap
> In the Name of Blossom Recap
Through relentless effort, He Weifang and Jiang Zhangyang finally succeeded in cultivating blooming peonies right on schedule. He Weifang delivered the exquisite, improved varieties to the capital and arranged them with great care. Initially, the blossoms were hidden behind folding screens, and the guests were invited to admire the landscape paintings on them first. Many of the guests who had come to the capital with ulterior motives were not sincere in their admiration.
When the emperor instructed them to appreciate the paintings instead of viewing the flowers directly, murmurs of discontent began to spread. Then He Weifang and Jiang Zhangyang appeared before the guests, dressed in formal attire, calm and confident. When the sunlight reached its peak, He Weifang ordered the screens to be removed. The dazzling sight of blooming peonies drew gasps of admiration. None had ever seen such vibrant flowers blossoming in the middle of winter.
The garden was bursting with color, and countless butterflies and rare birds flew toward the peonies, creating a magnificent spectacle that moved some guests to tears. He Weifang, Jiang Zhangyang, and many officials offered their blessings to the flourishing reign and wished the emperor health and longevity. The emperor, overjoyed, bestowed upon He Weifang the title of “The Empire’s Number One Flower Merchant.” That evening, the emperor invited He Weifang and Jiang Zhangyang to a celebratory banquet.
After all the effort and stress of recent days, the overwhelming praise they received felt especially rewarding. When Jiang Zhangyang exchanged glances with He Weifang, he couldn’t help but smile with joy. The emperor asked them to stay the night in the palace. Jiang Zhangyang had thought He Weifang might refuse, but to his surprise, she graciously accepted with a composed gesture. That night, He Weifang and Jiang Zhangyang shared a bed.
With the crisis behind them, He Weifang asked what Jiang Zhangyang planned to do next. Jiang Zhangyang refused to say, explaining that the matter he was involved in was extremely dangerous and that it would be better if she stayed out of it. Knowing too much would only put her at greater risk. He Weifang felt a tinge of sadness—after all they had endured together, sharing hardships and storms, was he now casting her aside?
But Jiang Zhangyang assured her he would never reject her. He simply believed she deserved a better life. Now that the emperor had officially honored her, her business would only thrive from here on, and as long as nothing went wrong, she could live in peace. He Weifang didn’t want to hear more. She got out of bed and walked to the side hall where the peonies were kept. Jiang Zhangyang followed.
Standing before the radiant, fragrant peonies, He Weifang sighed that though they might shine brightly for a moment, in the end, they still could not defy the will of heaven—they could only bloom gloriously for a fleeting time. Slightly tipsy after a few drinks, her usual tension released, He Weifang confessed her feelings to Jiang Zhangyang under the influence of wine. Jiang Zhangyang gently held her, letting her rest against his chest to sleep more comfortably.
The next day, He Weifang and Jiang Zhangyang were preparing to leave the palace. Just then, Xiao Xuexi arrived to pay her respects to the emperor. He Weifang generously told Jiang Zhangyang to accompany Xiao Xuexi to the audience, while she herself rode back alone in a carriage. Commander Pei Zhong happened to be behind them. Seeing how decisively He Weifang gave Jiang Zhangyang and Xiao Xuexi a moment together, he was stunned.
When he asked where He Weifang had gone and heard from a servant that she had gone off to enjoy nature, he found it even more unbelievable. Back at Fang Garden, He Weifang saw many people waiting at the gate—they were members of the Flower Merchants’ Guild, though she had no idea why. Guild leader Lv Gengchun stepped forward to salute her and offered words of congratulations.
He then proposed that since He Weifang had received a personal honor from the emperor, which was also a point of pride for the guild, they hoped she would accept the position of guild leader. He Weifang was quite surprised by the offer. She immediately asked if becoming guild leader would allow her to change certain rules.
Upon receiving confirmation, she took the official letter of appointment and publicly declared a major change: from now on, women would be allowed to join the guild and enjoy the same rights as men. After that, she returned the guild leader’s token to Lv Gengchun, saying that she never intended to take the role for long. Having served as leader for a quarter of an hour and enacted the change she wanted, she was content.
Since the former leader had always been fair and had done no wrong, he should continue in his post and lead everyone to prosperity. He Weifang’s openness and generosity earned her widespread praise.
