The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 12 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Following a carter's description, Xu Jin and Fu Rong discovered a hidden cave in the wilderness containing scattered sulphur powder and nitre fragments, confirming the materials had been transported there. On their return to the capital, their young charge Guan Ge asked for candied haw. Xu Jin stepped out of the carriage to buy some and coincidentally encountered Dong Fang Li.
Watching from the carriage window, Guan Ge immediately recoiled, identifying Dong Fang Li as the man who had previously given him candy. Wen'er, Dong Fang Li's son, showed significant improvement in his health. When Xu Jin visited the Dong Residence, he mentioned that an inventory of the imperial storehouse revealed some missing items, causing Dong Fang Li's hand to freeze in mid-air.
After leaving, Xu Jin instructed his subordinate Xu Jia to spread a rumor that a farmer had accidentally discovered the valley near Hong Village, aiming to see who was manipulating his uncle from behind the scenes. Later, Xu Jin discussed the matter with his mother, Consort Shu, who recalled her brother Dong Fang Li's upright character, noting he is an honest man who would never accept unearned favors. Meanwhile, Wu Baiqi intensified his martial arts training.
Xu Jin presented him with a handmade wooden spear, advising moderation and promising a real silver spear if Wu Baiqi succeeded in the upcoming Imperial Guard selection. After several days of surveillance, Xu Jia reported that Dong Fang Li had moved the sulphur and nitre to a guarded rice storehouse in Hong Village.
Xu Jin ordered his men to stand by, choosing to observe their next move to understand the true purpose of the materials, despite the risk of being implicated. He knew the situation was a trap designed to restrain him by leveraging his connection to his maternal uncle. At Ruyi Pavilion, Fu Rong was designing new patterns when her master, Liu Ruyi, entered.
Noticing the faint scar on Fu Rong's forehead, Liu Ruyi offered to draw a forehead marking to conceal it. Fu Rong asked if Liu Ruyi had been to Hong Village, but she denied it, explaining she was scouting locations for a new workshop. Fu Rong also inquired about a unique bracelet Liu Ruyi had made, and her master affirmed it was an inimitable design exclusive to the pavilion.
Liu Ruyi then cautioned Fu Rong against associating too closely with royals like Duke Su and Duke An due to their differing statuses. During a sudden rainstorm, Xu Jin took shelter under the eaves of Ruyi Pavilion. Fu Rong brought him ginger tea. Their conversation led Xu Jin to a realization: handling Dong Fang Li's situation required a desperate strategy to "rise from the ashes."
As he hurried to leave, Fu Rong handed him an umbrella, revealing it was the same one he had previously left for her. This gesture, along with the cooling cream and food he had also secretly left, confirmed for Fu Rong that Xu Jin had been silently caring for her. The next morning, Duke An visited the Fu Residence to see Fu Rong. He complimented her forehead marking, remarking that a flaw can enhance beauty.
He learned her good mood was because Xu Jin had found a potential solution to Dong Fang Li's predicament. Upon leaving, Duke An encountered Fu Rong's father, Fu Pinyan, who subtly conveyed that Fu Rong was not a suitable match for royalty. Later, Fu Pinyan explained to his wife that he prioritized Fu Rong's safety and happiness over social standing, believing that a royal marriage, even to an idle duke, would trap her in dangerous power struggles.
In the courtyard, Fu Rong and her sister Fu Xuan teased each other. Fu Xuan joked that Fu Rong might become a Duke's consort, while Fu Rong playfully suggested Fu Xuan was destined to be a match for the "Little Marquis," Wu Baiqi. Xu Jin summoned Dong Fang Li and directly addressed the sulphur and nitre matter.
Unwilling to name the mastermind, Dong Fang Li promised to lure him out, asking Xu Jin not to show mercy when the time came. He admitted his reputation was ruined and that a desperate gambit to "rise from the ashes" was his only hope. Meanwhile, Duke An had a letter delivered to Duke Cheng, informing him that Dong Fang Li's allegiance was wavering.
In response, Duke Cheng went to the Dong Residence and seized Wen'er, threatening the boy to coerce his father into compliance. Seeing his son in danger, a desperate Dong Fang Li pleaded with Duke Cheng, now fully aware of what he must do. The final assessment for the Imperial Guards' Corporal began, with only eight candidates remaining.
The test, designed to evaluate both intellect and martial prowess, required them to obtain a blueprint by solving clues across three checkpoints in the city. In the final stage, as candidates scrambled for the prize, an elderly man was brutally beaten by an assailant. While others rushed past, Wu Baiqi hesitated and then intervened, subduing the attacker. Just as another candidate claimed victory by finding the blueprint, the old man lit a firework, signaling the true winner.
Xu Jin appeared and declared that a qualified Corporal must possess not only skill and adaptability but also a benevolent heart. He proclaimed Wu Baiqi the winner and formally presented him with a silver spear, entrusting him with the duty of defending the nation.
