The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 35 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
The Emperor, disguised as a commoner, was led to a private teahouse room where he was offered Baiting Tea, a rare treat. From the adjacent room, he overheard Duke Cheng brazenly discussing the sale of tactical maps. Duke Cheng boasted about the genuine map he had provided, which facilitated the swift capture of Zhangyang City, and expressed his readiness to sell more, including maps for Pingsai and Jiuli.
Infuriated by this treason, the Emperor commanded Wu Baiqi to arrest Duke Cheng and the Xuanhan spy. Duke Cheng was subsequently sentenced to execution, and his co-conspirator was apprehended. News of Duke Cheng's downfall spread, and many acknowledged Fu Rong's pivotal role. Her clever strategy, which involved contacting Consort Shu through Zhi Hui, ensured the Emperor personally witnessed the clandestine deal, leaving Duke Cheng no room for denial.
However, Wu Baiqi grew suspicious, questioning how Fu Rong knew the skilled martial artists who had assisted her. This remark made Xu Jin realize that Ruyi Pavilion's existence was close to being exposed, and he resolved to protect Fu Rong from being implicated. Back at Ruyi Pavilion, Fu Rong examined the Phoenix Crown that Liu Ruyi had made for her. A maid explained that she had brought it from Duke Su's Residence, knowing Fu Rong cherished it.
Upon inspection, Fu Rong found a hidden lotus pattern carved within a pearl. She consulted Uncle San, who revealed the symbol likely referred to Lotus Village, a secluded community near Yunluo Temple for devout Buddhists unable to become monks. Uncle San recalled that Liu Ruyi had once sent a secret letter from there after a disappearance. Fu Rong surmised that her master kept the location secret for its protection and speculated the Ruyi token might be hidden there.
On the street, Wu Baiqi encountered Bookkeeper Lu. With Consort Duan deposed, Wu Baiqi knew Lu Zeng likely held the Feng Lai Yi stamp. Lu Zeng lied, claiming Fu Xuan had already taken it, just as Fu Xuan appeared. She exposed Lu's scheme: he had used the stamp for illicit business deals, planning to seize the establishment. Acting on Ruyi Pavilion's behalf, Fu Xuan offered to resolve the matter in exchange for all documents, the stamp, and the deed.
Under her supervision, Lu Zeng surrendered everything to the authorities. Afterwards, Wu Baiqi overheard gossip about "Mr. Yao and Ms. Fu's" wedding and, mistakenly believing it was Fu Xuan, rushed after the bridal sedan. Wu Baiqi burst into the wedding ceremony, knelt before the bride, and declared his love, admitting his recklessness but vowing to prove his lifelong devotion. The stunned groom asked, "Who is Fu Xuan?"
From the crowd, Fu Xuan called out Wu Baiqi's name and pulled him outside, explaining he had crashed the wrong wedding. She clarified that she had already broken her own arranged marriage with a Mr. Shen because her heart belonged to someone else. When Wu Baiqi pressed her, she confessed her feelings for him. He interrupted her self-criticism, declaring he loved her just as she was.
He promised to prove his sincerity over a lifetime and, after she agreed by blinking, announced his intention to formally ask her parents for her hand in marriage. Their exchange culminated in a tender, prolonged kiss. Fu Rong and Uncle San arrived at Lotus Village, where Fu Rong introduced herself as Liu Ruyi's disciple. The owner claimed not to know Liu Ruyi, but his expression betrayed him. Fu Rong left her master's drawing with him and decided to wait.
Unbeknownst to them, Gu Yuan had followed them and was preparing to act. Meanwhile, Xu Jin's search of Duke Cheng's residence revealed that crucial letters were missing, likely taken by Duke Cheng's vanished confidant, Zhong Rui, who had probably defected to Xuanhan. Later, while searching Zhong Rui's room, Wu Baiqi discovered a mask identical to the one worn by Fu Xuan's kidnapper. Realizing Zhong Rui was the culprit, he rushed to the Fu Residence to warn her to be cautious.
Inside Lotus Village, the owner was burning incense before a portrait of Liu Ruyi when he sensed intruders. He swiftly subdued Uncle San and Xiao Qi and attacked Fu Rong, but halted when he saw the Ruyi emblem on her bracelet, recognizing it as a key. He explained Liu Ruyi had entrusted him with a wooden box, to be given to someone wearing that bracelet. From a hidden compartment, he retrieved the box.
Fu Rong unlocked it with her bracelet, finding a letter and the Ruyi token. The letter explained that Ruyi Pavilion had grown beyond her control and was now in peril. It left the decision to either lead it or destroy the token to Fu Rong, urging her to remain true to herself. Fu Rong declared she had made her choice.
As Fu Rong left, a masked assailant, revealed to be Gu Yuan, tried to steal the Ruyi token, but Fu Rong had anticipated the attack and swapped the token with a fake. Defeated and exposed, Gu Yuan retreated to Ju Shui Pavilion and reported her failure to Duke An. She confirmed Fu Rong now possessed the token and the support of Ruyi Pavilion's members.
Though displeased, Duke An maintained his composure, reassuring Gu Yuan of her value and telling her to rest. Wu Baiqi presented Fu Xuan with a box of land deeds and assets as a betrothal gift, explaining his late mother wished for him to find a capable wife to manage Feng Lai Yi. Amused by the unconventional gift, Fu Xuan accepted only the key to Feng Lai Yi as a "deposit."
Later, to surprise him for his birthday, she went to Feng Lai Yi to cook longevity noodles. While there, she saw Zhong Rui's reflection in a mirror. Thinking fast, she threw the hot noodles at him and ran for help. Wu Baiqi, arriving for the surprise, entered just as Zhong Rui tried to flee and was knocked unconscious by waiting guards. On him, they found incriminating letters proving his collusion with Duke Cheng.
After the commotion, Wu Baiqi was touched that Fu Xuan had remembered his birthday. As a gift, he asked for permission to call her "Xuan'er." She consented, teasingly replying that he could call her what he wished, implying more intimate names would follow. Meanwhile, at court, Xu Jin reported on the capture of Xuanhan spies. Duke An then shifted focus to Xu Mao's crimes, revealing they were all enabled by a secret organization that traded information.
Outraged, the Emperor ordered Xu Jin, as head of the Imperial Guards, to eradicate this organization. Xu Jin was trapped, as the order to destroy what was clearly Ruyi Pavilion would force him to act against Fu Rong.
