In the Name of Blossom Episode 14 Recap
> In the Name of Blossom Recap
Mu Dan, accompanied by her companions and a carriage filled with carefully tended peonies, set out for a relaxing outing. However, their journey was interrupted by a group of individuals who quickly identified themselves as mountain bandits. They cruelly destroyed Mu Dan's precious flowers, stating that her protection of a few "lousy flowers" was trivial when their families starved. Mu Dan, Fu, and Chun were then taken away. Meanwhile, Jiang Chang Yang was busy investigating a case.
He used the occasion of Minister Zheng's birthday banquet to infiltrate the Minister's study, hoping to find a hidden gift list and ledger. Despite their caution, they triggered a trap, causing hundreds of arrows to fire. Jiang Chang Yang skillfully dodged them but was still struck by an arrow. Though injured, he feigned drunkenness to make an early exit, planning to return quickly.
Just as he was leaving, Liu Lang arrived with urgent news: Mu Dan had been robbed and was being held for a ransom of 200 strings. Fearing the "bandits" might not keep their word and harm Mu Dan, Jiang Chang Yang, despite his severe injury, immediately mounted his horse and rode at top speed towards the mountains. His blood flowed continuously, staining his clothes, but he gritted his teeth, refusing to delay.
Upon finally reaching the remote village, Jiang Chang Yang found Mu Dan seemingly unharmed. He was overcome with immense relief, embracing her tightly as he had feared he would never see her again. Mu Dan, seeing Jiang Chang Yang's pale lips and blood-soaked clothes, learned from Liu Lang that he had ridden all night, pushing himself to the brink.
In that moment, Mu Dan understood the true meaning of settling down; it wasn't about returning to her roots in a specific place, but about finding a sense of belonging. She realized that wherever Jiang Chang Yang was, she would feel at peace. Mu Dan then explained that she was free, and the group they encountered were not real bandits, but desperate villagers and impoverished farmers driven to such actions by disaster and disease.
Jiang Chang Yang, weak and exhausted from blood loss, had to rest and receive treatment in the village. Mu Dan stayed by his side, tending to him meticulously. When he regained some strength, Mu Dan recounted how she, Fu, and Chun had been initially confined in a small hut. She had managed to loosen her ropes and planned to escape.
However, through a window, she witnessed the "bandits" cooking wild vegetables to feed hungry children and saw the ragged clothing of the surrounding women, children, and elderly, realizing they were all disaster victims. Many were also ill and coughing. Moved by their plight, Mu Dan decided not to escape and instead chose to stay and use her own resources to help the sick and starving villagers.
She immediately sent a second letter to the Fragrance Garden to inform them of her safety, not knowing Liu Lang would arrive so quickly with Jiang Chang Yang. Later, Liu Lang sought out Jiang Chang Yang to confess breaking the white jade hairpin Mu Dan had given him. He admitted his jealousy after the Fragrance Garden fire, when Mu Dan seemed to only have eyes for Jiang Chang Yang.
Liu Lang explained that he had seen Jiang Chang Yang's true sincerity: how he endured his injury and rode all night to save Mu Dan, and how he even asked Liu Lang to clean the blood-stained saddle to prevent Mu Dan from feeling guilty. Jiang Chang Yang, understanding Liu Lang's feelings of attachment and exclusivity, reassured him that Mu Dan viewed him as a brother and would always welcome him at the Fragrance Garden, which was his home.
Mu Dan arranged for all her accumulated gold and valuables to be converted into medicine and food, which were then transported to the distressed area. Seeing the villagers finally able to eat, Mu Dan smiled with deep satisfaction. She realized the profound meaning of life. Previously, she had considered the life of a merchant meaningless, but she now understood that purpose could be found in action.
When the County Magistrate arrived and accused them of human trafficking, Mu Dan skillfully defended herself, explaining their philanthropic mission and her identity as the "Top flower merchant in the nation," a title bestowed by His Majesty himself. Fu, however, boldly accused the Magistrate of neglecting his duties, leading to her near arrest. Mu Dan intervened, taking responsibility and offering to go in Fu's place.
The Magistrate, perhaps seeing their sincerity, eventually revealed the harsh truth of the county's plight: empty granaries and funds extorted by corrupt superiors allied with Prince Ning, who sabotaged imperial policies, leaving the people in dire straits. Mu Dan comprehended that achieving widespread justice required systemic change, something even a conscientious local official could not accomplish alone. Yet, she maintained hope that a group of people with great aspirations could bring about a flourishing age for all.
Mu Dan's perspective transformed further. She understood that peonies, once seen as poison, could also be medicine, and resolved to compensate for her mother's past regrets of not being able to save plague victims. She decided to use her business to help more people and challenge the prejudice against merchants, demonstrating that business could contribute to the country.
Regarding Mr. Wu, two conflicting thoughts arose in her mind: one demanded punishment for his evil, while the other acknowledged him as a victim. Unable to hate or forgive, she chose to honor her mother's will, who had decided to let him go. She declared that her new purpose to support an emperor who is diligent and loves the people, ensuring peace and prosperity for the nation, was also her lifelong wish, aligning with Jiang Chang Yang's cause.
To secure a sustainable livelihood for the villagers, Mu Dan identified medicinal herbs like Sanqi grass in the mountains, which could be picked and sold. She aimed to teach them to fish rather than simply giving them fish, and continued to ponder long-term solutions for their prosperity. Jiang Chang Yang observed that she was not only reshaping business practices but also inspiring more individuals to join her in creating wealth for the benefit of all.
As it was time to depart, a young girl named Zhao Zhao presented Mu Dan with an idol of an immortal. Zhao Zhao shared how she had prayed to immortals for her mother's recovery, but her mother only got better when Mu Dan arrived. Mu Dan used this opportunity to advise Zhao Zhao that while immortals were distant, it was far more reliable to depend on oneself.
She encouraged Zhao Zhao to study diligently, acquire skills, and become strong, so she could protect herself and her family. Inspired, Zhao Zhao declared her aspiration to become a shop owner like Mu Dan, earning money to help many people.
