In the Name of Blossom Episode 4 Recap
> In the Name of Blossom Recap
After finding a suitable reason to send Lian Zhou back to the Royal Princess, effectively removing obstacles placed by Prince Ning, Jiang Chang Yang was relieved. He praised He Weifang for subtly handling the situation while he was away, including the removal and punishment of Zhao Cai.
When asked what she wanted as a reward, He Weifang joked about the bad reputation she incurred ("jealous, sly, and narrow-minded") and requested ten more jars of osmanthus wine, which Jiang Chang Yang readily agreed to, acknowledging her clever planning had truly eased his worries. They also agreed to establish a secret code for future urgent communications.
Soon after, He Weifang learned from Zhu Fu that Lady Xiao Xuexi, the daughter of General Xiao, had arrived and was staying at the villa. Zhu Fu explained that Prince Ning had invited Xue Xi to the capital to find a match to strengthen his ties with the Xiao family, and the intended candidate was Pei Zhong. The Royal Princess, knowing Xue Xi had grown up with Jiang Chang Yang, had entrusted him with overseeing her stay at the villa.
Pei Zhong, the intended match, pursued Xue Xi. Later, Jiang Chang Yang brought He Weifang out for a boat ride. He pointed out Pei Zhong and Xue Xi at a nearby inn, explaining that he had brought He Weifang there specifically to observe them. They noticed Pei Zhong drawing the curtains, which He Weifang found strange. Jiang Chang Yang deliberately caused an issue with their boat as a pretext to go ashore and enter the inn.
He Weifang rushed ahead and found Xue Xi drugged and distressed, with her clothes dishevelled and Pei Zhong about to take advantage of her. He Weifang quickly covered Xue Xi. Jiang Chang Yang arrived and confronted Pei Zhong, warning him of the severe consequences from Xue Xi's powerful family and Prince Ning if she were disgraced or harmed, suggesting she might even take her own life or become a nun.
Realizing the potential fallout, Pei Zhong agreed to let them take Xue Xi. After they rescued Xue Xi, He Weifang comforted her, urging her not to let the incident define her and emphasizing the value of her life. Xue Xi, in tears, expressed gratitude for He Weifang's timely rescue and explained that her fear was not only for herself but also that Pei Zhong intended to use her as leverage against her family.
Later, Jiang Chang Yang and He Weifang discussed Pei Zhong's true nature, which Jiang Chang Yang knew from his investigations: despite his outwardly calm and gentle demeanor, Pei Zhong was a cruel man who abused women, changing concubines monthly and being responsible for countless deaths. Jiang Chang Yang explained he had to intervene indirectly to avoid arousing Prince Ning's suspicion, as Pei Zhong was Prince Ning's favored candidate.
He Weifang promised to keep this knowledge confidential and assist Jiang Chang Yang in the future. Separately, Liu Chang became suspicious when he noticed unfamiliar people investigating his smuggling activities near his ships. He learned that these individuals were connected to Jiang Chang Yang's businesses, specifically Wanguan Hall.
Liu Chang then discussed the situation, considering that if the investigator was linked to Jiang Chang Yang, he could potentially frame Jiang Chang Yang using the situation, or alternatively, if not linked, he could step in to 'save' Jiang Chang Yang and gain favor. Meanwhile, political maneuvering surrounding the succession was underway. Many officials supported Consort Shu's son, Prince Lang, to be named Crown Prince, seeing him as gifted, favored by the Emperor, and a potential counterweight to Prince Ning.
Jiang Chang Yang discussed this with an ally, suggesting the key factor was not who became Crown Prince, but who raised him, hinting at a strategy involving Consort Hui. Consort Shu hosted a tea banquet, attended by many noblewomen, including Jiang Chang Yang and He Weifang (introduced as Mu Dan). Jiang Chang Yang presented a 'Golden Milk Crisp' pastry, explaining the Royal Princess had instructed him to make it with Xue Xi's beloved hometown flavors.
He Weifang tasted the pastry and warned Consort Shu that one of its ingredients, cassia, conflicted with her medicinal diet and advised her not to eat it that day. Consort Shu gave the pastry to her pet bird, which immediately died after eating it. Consort Shu was horrified and ordered an investigation into the poisoning. An official quickly accused Jiang Chang Yang, citing his role as banquet host, presenter of the pastry, and responsibility for procurement, and demanded his arrest.
He Weifang defended Jiang Chang Yang, pointing out that only Consort Shu's pastry was poisoned and that her own warning contradicted the accusation, highlighting the illogical nature of a public attempt by someone of his status and close ties to the Emperor. Other attendees also spoke in his favor.
An attendant named Shou Zhong was found with gold ingots hidden in his pillow and was implicated; another claimed to have seen Jiang Chang Yang giving instructions to Shou Zhong outside the kitchen. Despite pressure, Shou Zhong insisted Jiang Chang Yang was responsible, even under punishment.
While Consort Shu initially considered letting Jiang Chang Yang investigate, the accusing official insisted that he be detained by the Dali Temple until the truth was found, citing the Emperor's decree that the law applied to everyone. Jiang Chang Yang agreed to go to the Dali Temple. He Weifang attempted to visit Jiang Chang Yang at the Dali Temple but was initially denied entry by a guard who called her a "mere merchant."
She finally gained access when Xue Xi arrived, claiming to be delivering food from the Royal Princess and vouching for He Weifang. Inside, He Weifang tried to make the cell more comfortable for Jiang Chang Yang. They discussed the case, noting that the attendant Shou Zhong was being pressured to maintain Jiang Chang Yang's guilt. He Weifang suspected the frame-up was orchestrated by someone who resented her intervention at the banquet. Jiang Chang Yang acknowledged the trap was meticulously planned.
He told He Weifang that she could not investigate the poisoning herself, explaining that her actions at the banquet had already made her a potential target or suspect for his opponents. He instructed her to remain discreetly within the Jiang Mansion and be wary of Liu Chang and the County Princess. Although He Weifang wanted to help, Jiang Chang Yang insisted he had his own plans to resolve the situation and prioritized her safety.
