In the Name of Blossom Episode 11 Recap
> In the Name of Blossom Recap
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"11": "On the night of the Lantern Festival, Jiang Chang Yang had romantically adorned his courtyard with blooming lotus lanterns, planning to confess his feelings to Mu Dan. However, instead of his confession, he received news of Mu Dan's abduction by Captain Pei. Enraged, Jiang Chang Yang immediately led his men to Captain Pei's mansion, where his subordinates killed anyone who stood in their way. Mu Dan found herself captive, her hands and feet bound. Knowing the night was perilous, she feigned disinterest from Jiang Chang Yang, portraying herself as merely a \"humble concubine who earns money for him,\" even offering to drink with Captain Pei if he untied her. Captain Pei, however, believed he had correctly assessed Jiang Chang Yang's true feelings. Soon, the sounds of battle erupted outside, and Jiang Chang Yang quickly located Mu Dan.\n\nCaptain Pei immediately held a sword to Mu Dan's neck, berating Jiang Chang Yang for previously thwarting his plans to defile Xue Xi. He then ordered Jiang Chang Yang to disarm and send his men away, taunting him about the pain of having a loved one taken away and referring to Mu Dan as his \"concubine.\" Jiang Chang Yang clarified that his relationship with Xue Xi was purely sibling-like, and her avoidance of Captain Pei stemmed from a past incident. He accused Captain Pei of taking out his frustrations, born from his failure to fulfill Prince Ning's task, on him. Captain Pei sarcastically recalled Jiang Chang Yang being paired with Xue Xi during the Lantern Festival while still holding onto his \"beloved concubine.\" Jiang Chang Yang dismissed Captain Pei's hopes, stating that Xue Xi's resolute character meant she would never marry him, especially given her ties to Princess Chang. He advised Captain Pei to quit while he was ahead, warning that angering the Xiao family or himself could disturb the Emperor. Captain Pei then admitted his difficulty in handling Xue Xi and asked Jiang Chang Yang for assistance in persuading her. Jiang Chang Yang replied that Xue Xi was extremely determined and he could not influence her choice of husband.\n\nCaptain Pei, seemingly accepting defeat, thanked Jiang Chang Yang for the reminder and told him to take Mu Dan away. As Jiang Chang Yang moved closer, both he and Mu Dan grew wary. Mu Dan suddenly yelled, warning him of a trap, and used all her strength to shove him out of the way, falling into a hidden pit herself. Poison mist immediately began to fill the pit where Mu Dan lay injured and bruised. Jiang Chang Yang desperately tried to pry open the closing trap, even using his hairpin which broke, but the mechanism closed tightly. He called out her name and demanded an antidote from Captain Pei, threatening him with death if Mu Dan succumbed to the poison. Finally, Jiang Chang Yang's men rushed in. Furious that Mu Dan was still harmed by Captain Pei's treachery, Jiang Chang Yang pierced Captain Pei with his sword, demanding he open the trap. Captain Pei, scoffing, asked if Jiang Chang Yang dared to kill him. Jiang Chang Yang, brandishing an imperial sword, asserted his resolve and once again commanded him to open the mechanism. After opening the trap, a wounded Captain Pei spitefully cursed Jiang Chang Yang, proclaiming that only \"lowly merchant women\" would be willing to die for him, unlike noble ladies who would never marry him. He accused Jiang Chang Yang of hypocrisy and predicted he was \"destined to harm his wife and friends,\" condemned to a lonely life, abandoned by all. Jiang Chang Yang silenced him, though Captain Pei's curse deeply alarmed him, as Mu Dan was the woman he loved most, and his dangerous line of work made such a prediction unsettling.\n\nMu Dan was brought home and treated by Master Doctor Fu, who performed acupuncture and released some poisonous blood, assuring them she would recover fully with a few more days of treatment. While waiting for her to wake, Jiang Chang Yang blamed himself for Mu Dan's injuries, acknowledging that Pei Zhong came for him and he inadvertently harmed her. Liu Lang, however, vehemently blamed Jiang Chang Yang, arguing that Mu Dan had faced many dangers solely because of her association with him. Mu Dan, regaining consciousness, immediately asked for Jiang Chang Yang. Liu Lang spitefully suggested Jiang Chang Yang was dead, but Master Doctor Fu quickly clarified he was fine. Mu Dan expressed her unease at his absence after the day's critical situation, though Master Doctor Fu mentioned Jiang Chang Yang sent food and Ejiao pudding through Chuan Yu. Liu Lang questioned Mu Dan's devotion, asking if Jiang Chang Yang was truly worth risking her life for. Mu Dan passionately defended Jiang Chang Yang, stating he had repeatedly pulled her out of darkness and that dying for someone who understood her would leave her with no regrets.\n\nLater, Jiang Chang Yang visited Mu Dan, telling her to rest and recuperate. He told her that he was very fortunate to have her as a close friend but her risking her life for him was a \"heavy burden.\" He reminded her that as the independent owner of Huamanzhu, she should live freely and unrestrained, not compromise for anything, and certainly not put herself at risk for anyone. Mu Dan, agreeing, acknowledged his words. Jiang Chang Yang then declared that from now on, they \"owe each other nothing,\" explicitly stating their \"marriage was a façade, meant for outsiders to see\" and not an expression of \"mutual affection.\" He told her there was \"no need to act as if we are bound by life and death\" and she should no longer take risks for him. Distraught, Mu Dan responded with a quiet \"Mr. Jiang.\" Jiang Chang Yang later explained to Chuan Yu that he made this decision because he was accustomed to countless dangers and could not ask her to endure them with him, believing it would be selfish to keep her by his side. He further explained that he had walked alone through long nights for too long and no longer dared to hope for a lasting future. He believed having her as a \"distant moon to look at\" was already a blessing, and to make her a \"paper lantern\" would be to force her to \"extinguish\" with him if his \"great enterprise\" failed. If she knew his true feelings, her loyalty would prevent her from abandoning him in future perils, and he could not bear the thought of her dying because of him. He believed keeping their relationship as friends allowed him to persuade her to leave when danger arose. Unbeknownst to Pei Zhong, Jiang Chang Yang had instructed She Yan to spare Pei Zhong's life because Pei Zhong commanded Prince Ning's secret forces in Chang'an. Killing him now would allow Prince Ning to appoint a new commander, making it harder to trace all of Prince Ning's hidden forces. Jiang Chang Yang decided to endure the temporary humiliation to achieve his greater objective, though he still intended to avenge Mu Dan.\n\nMeanwhile, a bruised and humiliated Captain Pei, also known as Zi Shu, complained to Prince Ning, accusing Jiang Chang Yang of harming and insulting him, and spreading the matter throughout Chang'an, thereby disrespecting Prince Ning. Prince Ning dismissed his complaint, stating there was no evidence beyond Captain Pei's word and implying that Jiang Chang Yang's actions were restrained given the circumstances. Prince Ning also revealed that Xue Xi had been consistently defending Jiang Chang Yang and advised Captain Pei to admit defeat and focus on maintaining good relations with the Xiao family instead of pursuing Xue Xi. Later, the County Princess approached Zi Shu, noting his late return and solitary drinking on his birthday. She presented him with a jade crown as a celebration gift for his recent promotion, but he rejected it and shattered it. She remarked on their shared plight of pursuing someone relentlessly without success, finding it pathetic.\n\nBack at the Fragrance Garden, Mu Dan learned that her merchant ships heading south had been intercepted, with dock workers citing \"orders from higher-ups.\" Liu Chang then arrived, revealing he had been promoted to a higher position. He stated his purpose was simply to see her and asked her to accompany him for a drink, promising that her ships could then leave the port unimpeded. Mu Dan declined, mentioning she had other trade routes. Liu Chang then offered her a token that would allow her ships to pass freely, but insisted she accompany him for a while. Mu Dan then bluntly asked if he was avoiding her question, stating that his past persistence had led to her business being set on fire and her house raided, and if he continued to pester her, she would have no peaceful life. Liu Chang argued that her troubles stemmed from her association with Jiang Chang Yang, who drew her into danger through his rivalry with Captain Pei. He highlighted his own leg injury, implying the sacrifices he had made, and reminded her of his position as Prince Ning's son-in-law, suggesting that by aligning with him, her business, Huamanzhu, could expand nationwide with unimpeded trade routes. Mu Dan saw through his facade, accusing him of only seeking financial gain and pretending affection. Liu Chang claimed his actions were for a greater cause, to clear obstacles for their future, and insisted he was genuine with her, offering her a future surrounded by peonies. He confessed his heartbreak when he learned of her impending marriage to Jiang Chang Yang, claiming the pain surpassed that of his broken leg. Mu Dan dismissed his definition of love, asserting that true love meant cherishing what the beloved cherished, sharing their pain, and offering fulfillment without confinement. She stated that true love was like a \"bright moon, quietly guarding, enduring forever.\" When Liu Chang asked if she truly loved Jiang Chang Yang, she affirmed it, explaining that Jiang Chang Yang taught her what real love was, while Liu Chang, by pursuing her and disregarding the County Princess, caused harm and jealousy that led to the burning of the Fragrance Garden. She firmly told him that she was now married to the man she loved and there was nothing left between them, advising him to treat the County Princess well. Liu Chang grabbed her arm, prompting Mu Dan to vehemently warn him that if he ever harmed her or her loved ones again, she would fight him to the death.\n\nJiang Chang Yang later visited Mu Dan again, concerned about her encounter with Liu Chang and the obstruction of her merchant ships. He explained that Liu Chang had monopolized river transport, disrupting legitimate trade and involving himself in smuggling and reselling tributes. Jiang Chang Yang worried Mu Dan might be implicated, implying his actions were to protect her and her business. Mu Dan acknowledged this but firmly stated that as the owner of Huamanzhu, she would resolve any issues within her business independently and asked him to trust her ability, urging him to stop worrying about her affairs. She then coldly bid him farewell and left. Jiang Chang Yang later told Chuan Yu not to reveal to Mu Dan that Liu Chang would be eliminated in three days and her merchant ships would then sail unimpeded, accepting the distant relationship he had created."
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