In the Name of Blossom Episode 16 Recap
> In the Name of Blossom Recap
Amidst public outcry, Jiang Chang Yang, the Floral Envoy and Vice Minister of the Office of Imperial Ceremonies, found himself besieged by furious citizens. Accused of corruption, he was publicly denounced and his mansion searched. He Wei Fang, his business partner, bravely confronted the hostile crowd, declaring her unwavering loyalty to Jiang Chang Yang, even as accusations of complicity were hurled at her.
Jiang Chang Yang, while accepting the decree that stripped him of his titles and confiscated his assets, vehemently denied the most severe charge of embezzling Ministry of Revenue funds. He stated that his wealth was either legitimate profit or recorded bribes from officials and presented ledgers as proof, but Zhang Qiu Feng, the official leading the arrest, dismissed his pleas.
In Prince Ning’s residence, the Prince expressed his displeasure at Zhang Qiu Feng’s heavy-handed tactics, which had caused unnecessary complications and exposed the Prince’s own people. However, he acknowledged Zhang Qiu Feng’s successful promotion to Minister of Revenue. Later, Jiang Chang Yang explained to He Wei Fang that he had deliberately sacrificed his position to secure Zhang Qiu Feng’s promotion.
This was a strategic move to facilitate the removal of over thirty corrupt officials, who would be replaced by upright ones. He reassured her that Prince Ning’s actions were merely a test and not a serious threat to his life. Concerned for his safety, He Wei Fang offered her caravan for his escape if necessary, but Jiang Chang Yang advised her to keep her Wuyong Hall business separate from court politics.
He Wei Fang maintained her defiance, asserting that her businesses, which served the common people, would remain unaffected. That night, He Wei Fang anxiously awaited news of Lian Zhou, for whom she had prepared a special flower juice to feign a skin condition and help her escape the cruel clutches of Pei Zhong.
However, Lian Zhou’s maid arrived with the tragic news that Pei Zhong had dragged Lian Zhou away and tortured her to death before she could use the medicine. During her ordeal, Lian Zhou had pleaded with Prince Ning for help, but to no avail. He Wei Fang was heartbroken, lamenting her repeated failure to save the women in her life.
Deeply moved by Lian Zhou’s desolate end of being unceremoniously thrown into a mass grave, He Wei Fang personally undertook her funeral, meticulously dressing her and arranging her burial to give her the dignity she was denied in life. Jiang Chang Yang visited Wuyong Hall to comfort He Wei Fang over Lian Zhou’s death, reminding her that she was not an immortal and had already saved countless lives.
During their conversation, He Wei Fang's confidante, Liu Lang, hinted at Jiang Chang Yang’s affection. When pressed, Liu Lang confessed that she had told Jiang Chang Yang the truth about the broken jade hairpin incident and revealed the injuries he had concealed after He Wei Fang's kidnapping. Liu Lang explained she saw his true care in his efforts to hide his pain and wanted him to convey his feelings personally.
He Wei Fang, though initially upset, forgave Liu Lang but warned her against hiding any future risks Jiang Chang Yang took for her. Keen to protect herself, He Wei Fang asked Jiang Chang Yang to teach her martial arts. Despite his skepticism, she remained resolute. She also asked for the broken hairpin back to repair it, but he admitted to having discarded it as bad luck.
Later, in an attempt to bridge the distance between them, she fabricated a story about a broken heater and insisted on staying in his room, even attempting to share his bed to project an image of intimacy to outsiders. Though Jiang Chang Yang remained reserved, she continued to probe him, only to be met with his usual evasiveness. Jiang Chang Yang later met with the Emperor, who was using the guise of "Mr. Third."
The Emperor informed him of the tragic death of Assistant Minister Lu, who, along with his family, was drowned by Prince Ning as a warning to other officials. The Emperor declared they could no longer delay their plans, as their loyalists were now positioned in various departments. He suggested a strategic move involving General Yu Chang bringing his Hedong army to the capital under the pretext of paying respects to the late emperor.
The Emperor also acknowledged Jiang Chang Yang’s commitment to ensuring He Wei Fang's safety before their planned action. In a private conversation with Liu Lang, the Emperor revealed the source of Jiang Chang Yang's deep-seated trauma. He recounted a painful memory from years ago: Princess Shouchang had treated the young Jiang Chang Yang like an elder sister.
At Jiang Chang Yang's suggestion, the Emperor and Princess went on an incognito relief mission, only to discover a region in utter desolation, contrary to Prince Ning's false reports. To expose the corruption, Jiang Chang Yang proposed secretly gathering evidence. However, their movements were exposed, and Prince Ning’s agents set a fire. Jiang Chang Yang saved the Emperor but tragically watched Princess Shouchang perish in the flames, her death then unjustly blamed on innocent victims.
The Emperor explained that this experience drove Jiang Chang Yang to become the vilified "Floral Envoy," punishing himself by denying any personal happiness. His reluctance to get closer to He Wei Fang, the Emperor concluded, stemmed from a deep fear that she might suffer a similar fate. Armed with a new understanding of his past, He Wei Fang confronted Jiang Chang Yang, declaring her feelings for him were inescapable.
She emphasized that her attraction stemmed not from a need for protection but from his audacious character—a man who conceals great righteousness behind a cavalier demeanor. Acknowledging the extreme risks, she reiterated her lack of fear and vowed to walk toward him, regardless of the consequences. Haunted by his past, Jiang Chang Yang questioned if she would follow him even to her death. He Wei Fang responded that from that moment on, they were one family.
He urged her to live a full life instead, confessing he could not guarantee success and could not bear to drag her into a fatal endeavor. As she remained resolute, declaring she was not afraid to die, a vulnerable Jiang Chang Yang finally confessed his own terror: "But I am. I'm afraid you'll die."
