The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 18 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Following his escape from the capital, Xu Jin and Fu Rong continued their search for Coroner Hu. Meanwhile, Duke An's men reported that while Hu Ming was missing, Duke Cheng's forces were active in Hu Village. Suspecting Duke Cheng intended to silence the coroner, Duke An ordered Wen Xing to investigate all case files for anyone surnamed Hu, believing this person was key to exonerating Fu Rong.
Later, learning that Hu Ming had indeed vanished, Duke An dispatched his own secret guards to Hu Village with explicit orders to rescue Fu Rong and Hu Ming, but to leave Xu Jin to his fate. Xu Jin and Fu Rong arrived in Hu Village, where Xu Jin noted numerous dry hoofprints, indicating that a large group on horseback had already been there, likely to capture or kill Coroner Hu.
To gather information, Fu Rong devised a plan, smearing blood on Xu Jin’s lip to make him appear injured. Presenting themselves as siblings from Yuzhou attacked by bandits on Zhe Gu Hill, they convinced an old woman to give them shelter. The woman offered them what little food she had. Perceptive from her own past, the old woman quickly deduced they were an eloped couple, not siblings.
Playing along, Fu Rong fabricated a story about a cruel stepmother forcing her into a marriage, which prompted their flight. She then inquired about her supposed maternal uncle, Hu Ming. The old woman identified Hu Ming as a filial coroner from the capital and directed them to his mother’s home. Despite their eagerness to leave, the old woman insisted they stay the night, preparing a single blanket for them.
As they sat awkwardly on the bed, Fu Rong noticed a loose thread from a woman's garment on Xu Jin's sleeve and repeatedly asked if he cared about it. As he leaned closer to her, he suddenly blew out the lamp. At that moment, they detected movement outside. Realizing it was unsafe to stay, they prepared to leave. Fu Rong left her hairpin as payment and a token of gratitude before they slipped out.
As they fled, they were ambushed by assassins firing arrows from the shadows. Xu Jin shielded Fu Rong, injuring his arm, but used his white fan to deflect more arrows before pulling her into the forest. After a long chase by masked men, they hid in tall grass and narrowly escaped. Xu Jin observed that their pursuers seemed to be avoiding the Imperial Guards, deducing that the most dangerous place—Hu Ming’s house—was now the safest.
At Hu Ming’s house, only his mother was present. A skilled healer, she treated Xu Jin’s arm while chiding him for his carelessness. She initially denied knowing anything about a post-mortem report or her son’s whereabouts. Xu Jin revealed his identity as the Fourth Prince and explained that Fu Rong had been framed, pleading for her help and promising protection. Just then, officers from the Criminal Investigation Bureau burst in to arrest her.
After Xu Jin swiftly struck down one of the officers, the terrified woman revealed that Hu Ming was hiding in a Taoist abbey at the foot of Zhe Gu Hill. Xu Jin promised to send his guards to protect her once he regrouped with them. The assassins pursued them again, cornering them at a lake. With no other escape, they jumped into the water. Washed ashore, they found themselves in a beautiful scene, surrounded by countless fireflies.
Fu Rong marveled at the beauty in their dire situation. Recalling her previous claim of not fearing death, Xu Jin confessed that he only felt such fear before he met her. He gave her his white fan for self-defense, declaring that both his fan and his heart were one-of-a-kind and now belonged to her. Fu Rong accepted, teasing him about proposing with just a fan, but told him not to give such a unique item to anyone else.
The assassins surrounded them again. Xu Jin, believing they wouldn't kill him, prepared to surrender so Fu Rong could escape. However, Commander Guo Rui and the Imperial Guards arrived, driving the assassins away. Guo Rui informed Xu Jin they were there to arrest him on imperial orders, not to rescue him. Citing his trust in Xu Jin's integrity, Guo Rui allowed him to leave on the condition that he return to the capital by the next day.
Xu Jin instructed Guo Rui to protect Hu Ming's mother and to have his aide, Mr. Ge, meet them at the East Gate. At the Fu Residence, Wu Baiqi tossed a note to Fu Xuan. She read it and burned it, making him think she didn't trust him. At the Taoist abbey, Xu Jin and Fu Rong found Hu Ming. He initially feigned ignorance, but when Fu Rong told him his mother had nearly been arrested, he relented.
After learning Xu Jin had protected her, Hu Ming admitted he had the original post-mortem report. Xu Jin revealed his royal identity and promised protection, convincing Hu Ming to return with them and testify. As they reached the capital, Fu Rong insisted on facing the consequences with Xu Jin and rode with him through the city gates just before they closed. Fu Xuan and Wu Baiqi were waiting for them.
Fu Xuan explained that Wu Baiqi's note had asked her to come to the East Gate if she trusted him. She admitted she had burned the note to prevent eavesdroppers, as she was worried about her injured younger brother. As a way of thanks, Wu Baiqi suggested she could help with his business ledgers, and she agreed to assist when needed. Fu Rong was taken back to the Criminal Investigation Bureau, and Xu Jin was brought to the palace.
When Duke An heard, he cursed Xu Jin for being useless. Later, Duke An played chess with the Emperor while Xu Jin knelt below, being beaten with rods. The noise disrupted the game, and the Emperor finally addressed Xu Jin, who accepted full blame for his lawless actions but insisted he did it because an innocent life was at stake. He implored the Emperor to hold a new trial to uncover the truth.
At the public hearing, presided over by the Emperor, Prosecutor Ding Peng presented Coroner Jiang's report, insisting Fu Rong was guilty. Acting as Fu Rong's counsel, Xu Jin argued that it was illogical for the weaker Fu Rong to overpower Liu Ru Yi. He then presented Hu Ming, who testified that Ding Peng had dismissed him from the case.
Hu Ming’s report revealed that Liu Ru Yi’s body showed advanced rigor mortis, indicating she had died nearly an hour before Fu Rong arrived at the scene. Exposed, Ding Peng confessed he hadn't read Hu Ming's report carefully, having been eager to claim credit by using his relative, Coroner Jiang. The Emperor ordered Fu Rong’s immediate release and a public announcement of her innocence. He also decreed that the traumatized Hu Ming be cared for by the bureau.
Ding Peng was demoted to a common constable, fined a year's salary, and sentenced to fifty lashes. The Emperor ordered the investigation into Liu Ru Yi's murder to continue. For her "absurd behavior," Fu Rong was ordered to copy the "Female Commandment" at home, and her father, Fu Pin Yan, was fined three months' salary. Finally, Xu Jin was commanded to return to the palace with the Emperor.
