The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 20 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Following the wedding night confrontation, Duke An, unwilling to let Fu Rong remain in Duke Su’s residence, proceeds with his plan to abduct her. As Fu Rong, Lan Xiang, and Gu Yuan converse, masked men burst in, knocking the servants unconscious and forcing Fu Rong into the courtyard. Xu Jin intervenes just in time to protect her. The fighting draws others, and as Duke An arrives, a smoke bomb is detonated.
An assassin uses the confusion to attack Xu Jin, but both Wu Baiqi and Duke An throw darts that intercept the assailant, allowing him to escape. Duke An claims his dart was a miss. When Princess of Xihe rushes over, she fusses over Xu Jin's injury and pointedly criticizes Fu Rong for seemingly trying to engage Duke An’s attention while Xu Jin is wounded.
Later, Princess of Xihe and Princess Consort of Qingping intercept the maidservant Qiu Nan, who is bringing water for Xu Jin. Xihe insists on delivering it herself, and Qingping instructs Qiu Nan to report any noteworthy events directly to Xihe. Meanwhile, Duke An's subordinate, Wen Xing, apologizes for the failed abduction and for not finding the Ruyi token in Fu Rong's dowry. An enraged Duke An warns him against further failure.
He recalls a childhood memory of being chased by attackers and finding refuge with a young Fu Rong, whom he affectionately calls "Nong Nong," who bravely protected him and offered him dates. He laments that he allowed her to marry Xu Jin, having hoped she would assassinate him, which would have cleared the path for them to be together.
Now furious that she is trapped, he vows to rescue her and orders Wen Xing to widen the search for the Ruyi token to include other members of Ruyi Pavilion. The next day, Xu Jin and Fu Rong visit the palace. The Emperor inquires about Xu Jin’s injuries, which he downplays, though Consort Shu is clearly distressed. Consort Shu takes Fu Rong to the Imperial Garden, warmly pointing out the "Sunny Bright" jewelry Fu Rong had gifted her.
She expresses her relief that Xu Jin, who has always faced hardships alone, now has a companion, and hopes Fu Rong will care for him. Meanwhile, the Emperor discusses his plan to purge corruption with Xu Jin. He reveals that General Situ of the Huxiao Camp is retiring and that a successor will be chosen through a martial arts competition during the upcoming Imperial hunt, an event Duke An will oversee.
Xu Jin is told to rest and recover for more important duties ahead. As they leave the palace, Duke An secretly passes a note to Fu Rong, arranging a meeting. Elsewhere, Wu Baiqi interrupts a business meeting between Ji Qingting of Feng Lai Yi and a client. Once they are alone, Wu Baiqi confronts him about irregularities in the accounts.
Ji Qingting confesses that he is being extorted by Consort Duan, who is forcing him to use her official seal—the only one besides Wu Baiqi's that can authorize Feng Lai Yi contracts—to funnel money to her. Back at the residence, Xu Jin presents Fu Rong with a hawthorn mixed nut cake. Unaware that she is severely allergic to peanuts, he is puzzled when she gives it to Lan Xiang and Gu Yuan.
To reciprocate his gesture, Fu Rong decides to secretly buy him "Lotus Stamen" wine from a famous shop. Disguised in men's clothing, she and Lan Xiang sneak out, telling an inquisitive Qiu Nan that they are fetching a doctor for Fu Rong's sudden "heatstroke." At the wine shop, Fu Rong has Lan Xiang wait in line while she leaves to meet Duke An. During their clandestine meeting, Fu Rong reveals that she no longer believes Xu Jin murdered her master.
She reasons that if he were the killer, he would not have spared Gu Yuan or allowed Fu Rong to see his injury so soon after the crime. She also questions the testimony of the rice worker who claimed to have seen a man in white. Hearing this, Duke An, who had disguised himself as a rice worker that day, secretly orders Wen Xing to eliminate the witness.
He then offers to help Fu Rong leave Duke Su's residence if she chooses, but cryptically adds that the truth she seeks may be something she can never uncover. When Xu Jin returns, Qiu Nan informs him that Fu Rong has heatstroke and is resting. Finding her room empty, Xu Jin is enraged. He dispatches guards to search the city and orders that all servants on duty be punished for their negligence.
Upon her return, Fu Rong finds the entire household staff kneeling in the courtyard. Xu Jin confronts her, and she admits she left after receiving Duke An's note. Unconcerned with her apologies for disguising herself and leaving without permission, he states that she has missed the point of his anger. He carries her inside as Ge Chuan shouts from the courtyard, trying to make them understand that the Prince is only angry out of concern for her safety.
Xu Jin tells Fu Rong that as his wife, her actions have consequences for everyone in the residence. As Xu Jin departs in anger, Lan Xiang rushes to him, explaining that Fu Rong only left to buy him a thank-you gift and presents the "Lotus Stamen" wine.
Later, Lan Xiang explains the full misunderstanding to a dejected Fu Rong: Xu Jin, thinking she liked the cake, had gone out to buy more, only to return and find Gu Yuan eating the first one. Lan Xiang admits she was too frightened of his fury to explain Fu Rong's peanut allergy.
Meanwhile, Qiu Nan deliberately misleads Fu Rong by telling her that Xu Jin is in a meeting to discuss choosing a "first lady" or main wife, which deeply upsets her. That night, Xu Jin enters their bedroom. Feeling she has failed as a wife—injuring him on their wedding night, causing him trouble, and failing to serve him—Fu Rong suggests they separate. Xu Jin, trying to explain that his anger stems from worry for her safety, is cut off. Believing her presence in the mansion is meaningless beyond being "an extra mouth to feed" and "someone to displease him," Fu Rong repeats her request for a separation.
