The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 40 (Ending) Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
An imperial decree arrived at Duke Su's Residence, announcing Duke Su's sudden death in Xuan Han and ordering his virtuous concubine, Fu Rong, to be a sacrificial offering to appease his spirit, posthumously conferring upon her the title of Duchess Su. Upon hearing the news, Fu Rong remained calm, reflecting on her promise with Xu Jin: "In life we share the same quilt. In death we share one grave."
Fu Xuan soon rushed to her sister's side, heartbroken and pleading for her to live, even if it meant defying the imperial order. Ge Chuan then presented a divorce agreement signed by Xu Jin, explaining that Duke Su had entrusted it to him to ensure Fu Rong's safety should anything happen.
Fu Rong realized that even in death, Xu Jin was still thinking of her, but she promptly threw the agreement into the fire, declaring that Duke Su had already done enough and that accompanying him was the only thing she could do now. Fu Xuan cried out, insisting they could find another way, but Fu Rong remained resolute, entrusting her mother's care to her sister.
She then sent Lan Xiang away, urging her to leave quickly to avoid being sacrificed as well, despite Lan Xiang's tearful pleas to stay. Seeing Fu Xuan's emotional state, Wu Baiqi reluctantly rendered her unconscious, while Fu Rong entrusted the care of the Fu Family to him. Fu Rong, dressed in her formal attire, entered the coffin, holding Xu Jin's clothes, a white fan, and a bronze hairpin, and then fell unconscious.
The funeral procession departed from Duke Su's Residence, passing by the Fu Residence, where Fu Xuan, now awake, was weeping uncontrollably, scattering paper money into the street. Meanwhile, Xu Jin, having ridden day and night, finally rushed back to Duke Su's Residence, only to be told that his consort, Fu Rong, had already been sent for the sacrificial offering, as everyone believed he was dead. Immediately, he turned his horse and raced towards the mausoleum.
Bursting into the tomb and prying open the coffin, Xu Jin found it empty. At that very moment, Fu Rong awakened to find herself before Duke An, who revealed his elaborate scheme to fake her death and substitute her during the procession. Seeing the empty coffin, Xu Jin immediately suspected Duke An, deducing that Fu Rong was likely hidden at Ju Shui Pavilion. He, along with Wu Baiqi and Xu Jia, rushed to the location.
After incapacitating Wen Xing, who was guarding the outside, they entered the pavilion. Xu Jin quickly searched for a mechanism, believing Duke An was undoubtedly inside. Once a hidden chamber was discovered, the three men split up to search. Inside, Fu Rong held a fan blade to Duke An's throat, confronting him about his elaborate scheme, realizing that the "accident" that led to her supposed death was entirely his doing.
Duke An attempted to justify his actions, claiming that with Duke Su dead and her presumed deceased, she could reclaim her former freedom, rather than remaining a confined Duchess Su. Fu Rong, however, retorted, questioning if he had remained unchanged either. Suddenly, the sounds of fighting from outside alerted Fu Rong, and she exclaimed in surprise that Duke Su was still alive.
Before she could react further, Duke An knocked her unconscious and placed her back into a coffin within the secret room, then sealed the door to confront Xu Jin. Moments later, Fu Rong regained consciousness. Observing the details of the secret room, she noticed a discrepancy with a candlestick and a drop of wax, leading her to discover a loose brick. Locating the hidden mechanism, she opened the door and escaped.
Outside, Xu Jin and Duke An were locked in a fierce battle. As Xu Jin momentarily faltered, Duke An seized the opportunity to thrust his sword forward. Without hesitation, Fu Rong threw herself in front of Xu Jin, taking the poisoned blade herself. She collapsed, uttering, "If there is a next life, I still want to be your wife."
Xu Jin desperately cried out for an antidote, but Duke An, seeing Fu Rong sacrifice herself for Xu Jin, became utterly despondent. Remarking on her willingness to die for a man he deemed unworthy, Duke An declared he would join her, proclaiming his one wish was to live for one person, and then tragically plunged the poisoned sword into his own abdomen. At that moment, others, including Consort Dowager Wen, arrived. Mother and son were reunited in a tragic farewell.
Consort Dowager Wen revealed to Duke An that the fire at Hong Fu Temple was a deceptive maneuver orchestrated by the Emperor. Ministers had accused her of being a malevolent influence, and the Emperor, in a bid to protect her, had feigned her death during the blaze to ensure her safe departure from the palace. Duke An, who had spent years plotting revenge based on this misunderstanding, expressed his deep longing for his mother.
Consort Dowager Wen explained that she stayed hidden for his safety, leading Duke An to a heartbreaking realization. " I used all means to seek revenge," he confessed, "I harmed everyone. But the person who was really wrong has always been me. I'm sorry." With this newfound understanding, he finally found peace, dying in his mother's arms. On the stargazing platform, Xu Jin held a weak Fu Rong, reminding her of their promise to travel the world together.
As he spoke of their future travels through the seasons, Fu Rong slowly opened her eyes. Later, the couple visited Consort Shu to explain the miracle of Fu Rong's survival. Fu Rong revealed that she had not only crafted a heart-protecting armor for Xu Jin but also secretly prepared one for herself. The poisoned blade had not penetrated deeply, only causing a superficial wound that induced a state of false death, thus saving her life.
Consort Shu expressed her relief and worry. Duke Huai then inquired about the Princess of Qingping, Qi Zhu. Xu Jin confirmed that he had searched for her extensively but had found no trace; she had vanished after that fateful day. This revelation left Duke Huai visibly saddened. Once Wen Xing recovered from his injuries, he prepared to depart with Consort Dowager Wen to a Valley of Flowers, carrying Duke An's ashes to bury them there as per the Emperor's permission.
Lan Xiang rushed to catch up, presenting him with an embroidered pouch. She informed him that the Emperor had pardoned him and assigned him to protect Consort Dowager Wen. Wen Xing, however, sadly stated he would not return, believing he and Duke An could never atone for their past misdeeds. He advised Lan Xiang to give the well-made pouch to someone else before departing with Consort Dowager Wen.
During a court session, Duke Su reported the recent events to the Emperor and then requested that the leader of the Ruyi Pavilion be summoned. To the Emperor's surprise, Fu Rong herself appeared, holding the Ruyi Pavilion token. The Emperor expressed his astonishment, reminding her that he had previously ordered the organization's destruction. Fu Rong clarified that Ruyi Pavilion was an organization dedicated to upholding justice, composed of loyal individuals who had been misled.
She presented the token as a symbol of their willingness to serve the nation. Duke Su further vouched for Ruyi Pavilion, stating that his survival was due to their assistance and emphasizing that its impact depended on the user. Convinced, the Emperor ordered a halt to all actions against Ruyi Pavilion, announcing that its members would be reorganized into a new department under Duke Su's direct control.
With this matter resolved, Duke Su presented another unexpected request: permission to divorce his side consort, Fu Rong. The Fu Residence was soon adorned with red celebratory drapes. It was revealed that Xu Jin intended to remarry Fu Rong, this time as his official wife. He explained that promoting a concubine was considered inappropriate, and he desired to give Fu Rong a grand, legitimate wedding, allowing her to proudly wear the Phoenix Crown.
On the wedding day, Wu Baiqi arrived at the Fu Residence to pick up the bride. Fu Xuan and the other women playfully blocked the entrance, demanding red packet money. Wu Baiqi, in turn, teased Fu Xuan, insisting that all his finances were managed by her, implying she held the purse strings for their future together, leading to good-natured banter before they finally let him in.
Under her red veil, Fu Rong smiled radiantly as Xu Jin, mounted on a tall horse, led the wedding procession. The couple finally exchanged vows, officially sealing their union. Later, in the bridal chambers, after the guests had departed, Xu Jin gently lifted her veil. Fu Rong, now officially his wife, tenderly addressed him as "my dear husband."
He asked about her happy demeanor, to which she replied that she had experienced the same recurring dream as before, but this time, the nightmare had transformed into a beautiful dream.
