The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 26 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Confined to Duke Su's residence with a feigned eye injury, the Princess of Xihe demands Duke Su's constant presence, claiming she is afraid of the dark. Seeing through her ruse, Duke Su dismisses his attendants, leaving Fu Rong to handle the situation. The Princess is startled to discover Fu Rong instead of Duke Su and angrily demands she leave. Unfazed, Fu Rong embraces the Princess, gently coaxing her to sleep.
Outside the room, Duke Su hears the commotion and smiles, confident in Fu Rong's ability to manage the guest. The Emperor summons Duke Su, offering to reinstate him as the head of the Jinyi Guards to investigate a case. However, the Emperor notes that Duke Su's previous dismissal was due to Fu Rong, causing resentment among the soldiers. To appease them, Duke Su must either marry a principal consort or divorce Fu Rong.
Duke Su politely declines the position, stating that if the soldiers remain resentful, he should not accept it. He requests the Emperor return the gold seal to Duke An, who had already relinquished it, preferring scholarly pursuits. Meanwhile, at Feng Lai Yi, Wu Baiqi confronts the new manager, Ji Qing Ting, about the shop's ledgers.
Ji Qing Ting smugly reveals that while Wu Baiqi was grieving, Consort Duan had him sign transfer documents at the Chamber of Commerce, making Feng Lai Yi legally hers. He explains that since the ten-day protest period has passed, Wu Baiqi has no legal recourse. Enraged, Wu Baiqi draws his sword and holds it to Ji Qing Ting's throat. Fu Xuan intervenes, grabbing the blade bare-handed to stop him. Wu Baiqi immediately sheathes his sword, shaken.
Outside, Wu Baiqi anxiously checks Fu Xuan's hand, relieved she is unharmed. He laments that Feng Lai Yi was his mother's legacy and Consort Duan exploited his despair. Fu Xuan reassures him, promising to help reclaim it. Back at Duke Su's residence, the Princess of Xihe continues her act, complaining to Duke Su that Fu Rong disturbed her rest. Behind the Princess's back, Duke Su and Fu Rong share a quiet moment of gratitude.
Later, Fu Xuan visits Wu Baiqi with flu medicine. They devise a plan to reclaim Feng Lai Yi. Fu Xuan explains that Consort Duan, wary of Ji Qing Ting's potential embezzlement, uses three separate stamps for the business. They conspire to sow discord between Consort Duan and Ji Qing Ting by having Ruyi Pavilion's upcoming product launch divert business from Feng Lai Yi. When Consort Duan sees the reduced income, she will inevitably suspect Ji Qing Ting of skimming profits.
That evening, Duke Su gives Fu Rong a back massage as she worries about Ruyi Pavilion's launch. He informs her that the Emperor wants him to investigate the missing weapons in Kushui Village, meaning he will be away. Fu Rong expresses relief that he can complete his mission, feeling guilty for his previous dismissal. While giving him a massage in return, she discovers he is ticklish.
Duke Su jokes that a ticklish man is said to fear his wife, and they share a tender kiss, unknowingly witnessed by the Princess of Xihe from the doorway. The next morning, the Princess is found in the garden, destroying flowers with shears. Xu Jin appears, takes the shears, and calmly states that since her eyes are clearly healed, she can return to the palace the next day. Distraught, the Princess retreats to her room.
Fu Rong visits her, presenting a hairpin with a "Rooftop" constellation design. She explains that people of this sign, while ill-tempered, are kind-hearted. Fu Rong admits she only tolerated the Princess's behavior because the Princess had once saved Duke Su's life, urging her to not become the kind of person she once despised. The Princess, moved, decides to return to the palace. Elsewhere, Ji Qing Ting secures a large deal and sends for Consort Duan's stamp.
On his way to sign the documents, Wu Baiqi intentionally bumps into him, apologizing profusely while discreetly stealing the stamp. Wu Baiqi later explains to Fu Xuan that he deliberately revealed himself so that Ji Qing Ting, if questioned, would blame him instead of Ruyi Pavilion, further fueling conflict between him and Consort Duan. Ruyi Pavilion reopens, showcasing a new collection inspired by constellations. The pieces are a huge success.
Mr. Ju Shui (Duke An in disguise) visits and, in private, tells Fu Rong that he has returned the command of the Jinyi Guards to Duke Su. He also relays the Emperor's condition for full reinstatement: marrying a principal consort or divorcing Fu Rong. After he leaves, Duke Su arrives to congratulate her. He tells Fu Rong he must leave for Kushui Village but will leave his men to protect her.
Fu Rong, feigning indifference, simply asks him to write to her. As planned, Consort Duan's subordinate confronts Ji Qing Ting about the missing stamp and the failed deal. Ji Qing Ting blames Wu Baiqi, but the subordinate is unconvinced and warns him that if profits don't meet expectations, Consort Duan will assume he is embezzling funds. Meanwhile, Fu Rong struggles to design affordable jewelry for commoners. A hairpin made from a crossbow arrow sent by Duke Su proves impractical.
She discovers an old, simple design by her master, Liu Ruyi, that was never made because the craftsman, Master Xu, had retired. Fu Rong tracks down Master Xu and, introducing herself as Liu Ruyi's disciple, asks to learn his craft. Master Xu, saddened to hear of Liu Ruyi's passing, agrees to teach her on one condition: she must first find the legendary "seven-color light." Fu Rong is stumped by the task. Soon after, Wu Baiqi and Fu Xuan visit.
Hearing of her quest, Wu Baiqi's eyes light up, and he takes her to a dye workshop where soap bubbles refract sunlight into vibrant rainbows. " This is the seven-color light," he declares. Fu Rong clarifies that she needs a "seven-color light stone" for crafting jewelry, not just the light itself, but she appreciates the beautiful sight.