The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 28 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
After the presentation of Feng Lai Yi's plagiarized design, Fu Rong prepared her backup entry. However, her troubles weren't over, as Gu Yuan accidentally dropped the newly-completed hairpin into the furnace, destroying it. With time running out, Fu Rong modified one of Liu Ru Yi's old coronet drafts, using existing jewelry and shell pearl pieces to create a stunning lotus crown.
At the presentation, Consort Duan dismissed Ruyi Pavilion's work as mere fancy knick-knacks, though she noted the craftsmanship was suspiciously similar to Feng Lai Yi's and questioned its artisan, Ji Qing Ting. The Emperor, however, praised the crown as luxurious yet tasteful. Fu Rong explained its symbolism: the lotus for purity, the petals for the empire's people, and the central pearl for the prosperity of Dayu under his rule, impressing him with her thoughtfulness.
Just as the Emperor requested a closer look, the crown was presented, revealing the central pearl had turned black. Consort Duan immediately accused Fu Rong of using inferior materials and deceiving the Emperor. The sabotage was, in fact, the work of Princess Consort of Qingping, Qi Zhu. Intercepting the crown on its way to the presentation, she secretly applied a powder to the pearl as part of a contingency plan.
Fu Rong denied the accusation, insisting she used the finest pearls. Granted permission to inspect it, she detected a pungent scent. At that moment, Princess of Xihe, Cui Wan, arrived wearing a hairpin Fu Rong had gifted her. Borrowing the hairpin and a bowl of hot water, Fu Rong explained that the rushed lotus crown lacked the protective coating applied to other Ruyi Pavilion pieces, making it susceptible to silver nitrate, which she had smelled.
By dissolving the protective layer from Cui Wan's hairpin in the water, she cleaned the pearl, restoring its original luster. The Emperor absolved Fu Rong, praising the lotus crown as a masterpiece and awarding Ruyi Pavilion the contract to craft the palace's jewelry. Consort Duan, her plagiarism scheme foiled, suspected Ji Qing Ting was a weak link and decided to investigate him, while Qi Zhu assured her she had another plan to eliminate Fu Rong.
Pleased that Fu Rong was safe, Xu Jin instructed his men to keep a close watch on Ruyi Pavilion, certain Consort Duan would retaliate. Later, while walking through the city, Xu Jin and Fu Rong saw children flying kites. Admitting he'd never done so, Fu Rong promised to make one for them to fly together, and Xu Jin offered to teach her archery in return.
Their moment was cut short when Ge Chuan brought news of a lead on Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba, forcing Xu Jin to depart. Soon after, Attendant Chen delivered the palace materials to Ruyi Pavilion. Fu Rong diligently verified every item before stamping the two copies of the handover document. That night, Ruyi Pavilion's artisans were ambushed and brutally beaten, their hands injured so severely they couldn't work.
Meanwhile, Ji Qing Ting gloated, having hired thugs to besiege Ruyi Pavilion's entrance after they posted recruitment notices, aiming to disrupt their operations. Distressed by the attacks and the siege, Fu Rong visited an injured artisan, Master Han. There, she discovered a uniquely designed hairpin made by his son. Recognizing the boy’s raw talent, she hired him and, inspired, instructed Gu Yuan to recruit the apprentices of the other injured artisans, quickly assembling a new team.
As the thugs continued to cause chaos, Xu Jin, already concerned about reports that Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba were being pursued by assassins, learned of the trouble at Ruyi Pavilion. He confronted the mob, challenging them to identify the material of a white chess piece. When they all failed, he dismissed them as frauds and had Xu Jia swiftly subdue them. Under pressure, a thug confessed that Ji Qing Ting of Feng Lai Yi had hired them.
When the Emperor heard, Consort Duan quickly appeared before him, feigning ignorance and "righteously" disavowing Ji Qing Ting. Claiming he had acted out of resentment, she urged the Emperor to punish him severely. In reality, she had already confirmed Ji Qing Ting was bribed by Wu Baiqi and decided to eliminate the disloyal subordinate who knew too much.
Fu Rong was perplexed by Consort Duan’s actions, but soon joined Xu Jin in the courtyard as he began making a kite for her. Their quiet moment was again interrupted by Ge Chuan, informing Xu Jin he must leave again for a few days. Elsewhere, Wu Baiqi explained to Fu Xuan that Consort Duan's move was a calculated one to eliminate a pawn while gaining the Emperor’s favor.
He planned to approach Consort Duan to repurchase Feng Lai Yi, but Fu Xuan remained skeptical, believing the matter was far from over. Her instincts proved correct. After Ruyi Pavilion delivered the finished jewelry, Consort Duan dramatically confronted Fu Rong, accusing her of embezzling materials. She presented a handover document bearing Ruyi Pavilion's stamp but listing a far greater quantity of silver than Fu Rong's copy.
The Emperor arrived and, to verify the claim, sent for the copy kept at Ruyi Pavilion. To everyone's shock, that document had also been altered to show the inflated numbers. With seemingly irrefutable evidence against her, Fu Rong’s protests of being framed were dismissed. The Emperor declared her guilty, ordered her imprisonment in the Criminal Investigation Bureau Jail, and sealed Ruyi Pavilion. From afar, Duke An deduced the plot was aimed at Xu Jin, not just Fu Rong.
He resolved to exploit the situation, predicting Xu Jin's inevitable pleas to the Emperor would create a conflict he could use to separate the couple while also securing Fu Rong's rescue. Believing Consort Duan lacked the cunning for such a scheme, he ordered his subordinate to find the true mastermind behind her. Meanwhile, Consort Duan and Qi Zhu celebrated their victory, having arranged for Duke Cheng to hide the "stolen" materials.
In a remote location, Xu Jin found Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba. They immediately accused him of murdering Liu Ru Yi, revealing Gu Yuan had told them Xu Jin was the last to see her alive after an argument. Xu Jin countered by telling them of the suicide note Fu Rong found, but they vehemently denied she would ever abandon Ruyi Pavilion. Vowing to uncover the truth themselves, they departed, with Xu Jin's men secretly following.
Upon his return, Xu Jin was met with the devastating news of Fu Rong's imprisonment and Ruyi Pavilion's closure. At the now-empty shop, Fu Xuan wept in despair, comforted only by Wu Baiqi, who silently offered her a handkerchief.
