The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 2 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Following the assassination attempt at Ju Shui Pavilion, Duke Su's subordinate, Xu Jia, reports that while the female accomplice escaped, Qi Ce, a prosecutor from the Criminal Investigation Bureau, has taken over the case—a strange move, as it should fall under the Hengjing County Magistrate's jurisdiction. They suspect the attack is linked to the army rations corruption case in Guanyan Town.
A month earlier, Duke Su had discovered his troops were being fed substandard food while fifteen carts of fine grain from the capital had vanished, leading him to execute the corrupt Imperial Guard Inspector, Qiu Gao Yi. The grain transport officer, Huo Xing, was also assassinated en route to the capital, indicating a ruthless mastermind is trying to silence all witnesses, with Duke Su being the final target.
Despite the danger, Duke Su is determined to expose the truth, not just for himself, but for the soldiers who bleed for the nation while corrupt officials prosper. Haunted by premonitions of a disastrous marriage to Duke Su, Fu Rong laments that every encounter with him brings bad luck. She resolves to find a way to avoid this fate.
At the Imperial Court, Duke An questions his nephews, the third prince Duke Cheng and the fifth prince Duke Huai, about Duke Su's absence. Duke Huai scornfully dismisses his half-brother Duke Su as a "sinner" who, instead of recuperating quietly, caused a stir at the Yuedan Commentary. Duke An rebukes him, clarifying that Qiu Gao Yi’s death was part of the rations investigation, a matter for the Emperor to decide.
The Emperor then arrives and, after announcing the retirement of the previous commander, appoints Duke Su as the new Commander of the Imperial Guards for three months, tasking him with investigating the rations case. Despite Duke Huai's objections, Duke Su accepts the position. Feeling persistently unlucky, Fu Rong finds Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba, pays them for the Daoist costume she borrowed, and asks for a way to break a "terrible relationship."
They advise her to steal the person's undergarment and burn it. As she contemplates this, a procession announces the arrival of the new Commander of the Imperial Guards. To her horror, the man on horseback is Duke Su, the very "jinx" she needs to avoid. At the Imperial Guards barracks, Duke Su is met with blatant disrespect.
The soldiers are gambling, and Deputy Commander Liang Tong, reeking of alcohol, tries to humiliate him by forcing him to dismount far from the entrance. Duke Su complies but then systematically dismantles Liang Tong's authority, questioning his civilian attire, public drinking, and the hazardous placement of barricades. Producing a ledger, Duke Su exposes corruption, including a lame man listed as an active soldier, and accuses Liang Tong of betraying his duty.
Holding a blade to his throat, Duke Su declares that such conduct insults the soldiers fighting at the border and orders Liang Tong to be punished according to military law. Fu Rong slips into the chaotic barracks, witnessing Duke Su expose a servant attempting to answer roll call for his master. The real soldier, Wu Baiqi—Imperial Guards Lieutenant and son of Lord Xindu—appears and arrogantly challenges Duke Su's authority.
The two engage in a fierce duel, first with spears and then hand-to-hand. Wu Baiqi lands a blow on Duke Su's pre-existing chest wound, but Duke Su still overpowers and defeats him. Humbled, Wu Baiqi concedes. With his wound reopened, Duke Su goes to his quarters to bathe. Fu Rong seizes the opportunity, sneaking in to steal his undergarment from a clothes rack. The ever-vigilant Duke Su senses her and ensnares her with his robe.
Xu Jia recognizes her from the Yuedan Commentary and accuses her of being an accomplice. Fu Rong frantically explains she is the second daughter of the Hengjing County Magistrate and was only trying to steal his garment to break a curse as advised by a "master." Unconvinced, Duke Su orders her father to be summoned to retrieve her. At the Fu residence, a maid informs Fu Xuan that Fu Rong is in trouble.
Fu Xuan immediately takes her father's official token and goes to the barracks. She finds a frustrated Fu Rong and a sullen Wu Baiqi. When Wu Baiqi dismisses her as another privileged young lady, Fu Xuan astutely turns his own reputation against him, questioning how an Imperial Guard unit led by a known profligate could be trusted to investigate corruption when they can't even ascertain a woman's identity before tying her up.
Presenting her father's token, she pressures Wu Baiqi, who, captivated by her wit and beauty, relents and lets them go. Before they leave, he asks for her name, and she replies, "Fu Xuan." Back at his residence, Duke Su is informed that Fu Rong has been released. He decides to keep her under observation.
Reminded of the Emperor's three-month deadline, he recounts the grim details of the rations case: how his soldiers nearly starved because their provisions were replaced with pebbles and husks, reinforcing his resolve to find justice. Meanwhile, at Ju Shui Pavilion, Master Wen learns that the woman who saved Duke Su was Fu Rong, daughter of Fu Pin Yan, who was promoted from Jizhou.
The name "Jizhou" startles him, making him wonder if she could be the "Nong Nong" from his past. He immediately orders a carriage to visit the Fu residence. There, Fu Pin Yan, aware of the incident, furiously chases Fu Rong with a ruler. Just as he corners her, Master Ju Shui arrives and shields her from the blow. He explains his visit by claiming Fu Rong broke his jade pendant at the Yuedan Commentary.
As compensation, he proposes she serve as a study aide at Ju Shui Pavilion for one month. After her mother points out that becoming Master Ju Shui's "unofficial disciple" would elevate Fu Rong's social status and aid her betrothal to Earl Yan, her father gratefully accepts the prestigious offer. On the day of her departure, Qi Ce arrives to invite both sisters to view cliff carvings. With Fu Rong committed to Ju Shui Pavilion, only Fu Xuan can accept.
Upon arriving at the elegant pavilion, Fu Rong is met by a stern Master Wen, who warns her to stay out of forbidden areas and not ask prying questions, setting strict boundaries for her new role.