The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 5 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Following the raid on their operations, Qi Ce and Qin Qing knelt before a furious Marquis Xindu. Enraged that their secret organization had been compromised without his knowledge, the Marquis kicked Qi Ce and demanded an explanation. Qi Ce, insisting he had been cautious, speculated that Duke Su might be responsible. Scornful of Qi Ce's incompetence, the Marquis threatened to destroy him if the organization collapsed.
After Qin Qing pleaded for Qi Ce's life, the Marquis questioned why they hadn't sought help from the omniscient Ruyi Pavilion. Qi Ce explained that the Pavilion, which typically initiated contact, had been silent for some time. The Marquis gave them five days to resolve the assassination plot against Duke Su, warning that failure would endanger not only Qi Ce but also his sister, Qi Zhu.
Realizing the deadline was impossible, Qin Qing urged Qi Ce to flee the capital with his sister to survive, suggesting they could return if an opportunity arose. Agreeing to meet her outside the city, Qi Ce went to his sister. He lied that her wedding was postponed due to the groom's sudden illness and proposed they take a trip with their mother, an outing he claimed he had long wanted.
Meanwhile, at the Fu Residence, Fu Rong brought Fu Xuan special dates as a peace offering, apologizing for her past behavior but struggling to convince her sister of Qi Ce's duplicity without proof. Her chance came when her informants, Xiao Qi and Xiao Ba, reported that Qi Ce was at Drunken Spring Court. Fu Rong implored Fu Xuan to go with her to witness Qi Ce’s true character, stressing that it concerned her future happiness.
Fu Xuan reluctantly agreed, warning this was the last time she would indulge Fu Rong's schemes. At Drunken Spring Court, Qin Qing was packing for their escape when Qi Ce burst in, having been summoned by a mysterious note. They instantly knew they had been lured into a trap. Outside, Fu Rong dragged Fu Xuan to the door, loudly calling for Qi Ce. As they arrived, a blade shot through a crack in the door, aimed at Fu Rong.
Xu Jin, who was lying in wait, pulled her into his arms. To maintain the pretense of a simple ambush on a cheating lover, he protectively called her "Rong'er". Ignoring the bizarre situation, Fu Rong slapped the stunned Qi Ce. He immediately tried to explain the "misunderstanding" to Fu Xuan, but she, having seen the danger and deceit, coldly announced that her family had misjudged him and that she was severing all ties with him.
As Xu Jin escorted the sisters away, he mockingly remarked to Qi Ce that beauty can lead a man astray. Later, Fu Rong explained to Xu Jin that based on her earlier eavesdropping and the presence of armed men, Drunken Spring Court was clearly Qi Ce's secret base. Fu Rong then begged Xu Jin to spare Qi Ce's innocent sister and mother, and he assured her no innocent person would be implicated.
When she asked about Qi Ce's fate, Xu Jin stated that attempting to assassinate a prince was a capital crime, especially since he was the target, and Fu Rong conceded that she could not interfere. Convinced of Qi Ce’s treachery, Fu Xuan later asked Fu Rong about her connection to Xu Jin, noting he seemed to treat her "specially." Fu Rong deflected, saying he was only "specially fierce" towards her.
Back at Drunken Spring Court, Qi Ce and Qin Qing's suspicions of a setup were confirmed when a subordinate reported that the street vendors hadn't actually fled but had merely relocated to a nearby market. Realizing their cover was blown, Qi Ce ordered Qin Qing to gather their men to escape that night, abandoning his plan to use medicine on Fu Xuan for another time.
Elsewhere, the young marquis Xu Mao offered Fu Xuan his "condolences" for her broken engagement, which Fu Rong sharply corrected, stating that an engagement being called off was not the same as losing a husband. That night, as Qi Ce and Qin Qing tried to flee Drunken Spring Court, they were surrounded by Xu Jin's forces. Declaring their ruse exposed, Xu Jin ordered their arrest, and Qi Ce was taken to prison.
Xu Jin then reported to the Emperor, detailing three assassination attempts and revealing the mastermind was Qi Ce, a prosecutor from the Criminal Investigation Bureau. The Emperor was shocked a mere prosecutor would be so bold, but Xu Jin suggested a larger conspiracy connected to the military ration corruption case in Guanyan Town. The Emperor granted Xu Jin full authority to investigate but warned him to secure irrefutable evidence for every action.
He then urged Xu Jin to visit his birth mother, Consort Shu. During the visit, Consort Shu offered Xu Jin tea from his childhood home and his favorite hibiscus pastries. Their reunion was interrupted by Xu Jin’s younger brother, Xu Hao, who criticized him for neglecting their mother. Consort Shu defended Xu Jin, explaining that he was sent away at a young age after being deemed to have a cursed destiny following the Empress’s death.
At his residence, Marquis Xindu learned of Qi Ce's arrest from Xu Mao. Fearing Qi Ce would expose the military ration scandal, Xu Mao suggested having him killed in prison. The Marquis dismissed the idea, noting that with Qin Qing having just committed suicide, another death would be too suspicious. He remained confident he could control Qi Ce but stressed that securing Consort Duan's help was now critical to their plans.
Meanwhile, at her family's bamboo house, Qi Zhu was caring for her bedridden mother when a servant brought news of her brother's arrest. Due to the family's association with Qi Ce, Fu Xuan decided to retreat to Yunluo Temple for meditation to escape gossip, planning to leave after Fu Rong had arranged for Qi Zhu's care.
Later, while on her way to deliver paintings to Ruyi Pavilion, Fu Xuan's maid bumped into a servant from the rival shop, Feng Lai Yi, and their scrolls were accidentally swapped. The servant, Bi Yu, quickly realized the mistake due to the different scroll designs and returned the correct paintings, assuring them they had not been opened. At the Qi Residence, Qi Zhu found that the First Madam had confiscated her entire dowry.
Desperate to bribe the prison guards to see her brother, she begged for just two items back. When the Madam callously refused, Fu Rong intervened, threatening legal action if the dowry was not returned by nightfall. In the prison, Qi Zhu found a bloodied and disfigured Qi Ce. Tearfully, she thanked Fu Rong for making the visit possible.
Qi Ce reacted with bitter laughter, accusing Fu Rong and Fu Xuan of hypocrisy, claiming they used the engagement to provide cover for Xu Jin and orchestrate his downfall. He furiously condemned them for the Qi family's ruin and warned a naive Qi Zhu that they would lead her to the same fate. Shaken, Qi Zhu began to distance herself from Fu Rong. Tragically, her chronically ill mother, overwhelmed by grief and the strain of travel, passed away.
In her final moments, Qi Zhu had tried to comfort her by lying that Qi Ce would be released soon and they would all attend her wedding together. After her mother died, a devastated Qi Zhu furiously pushed Fu Rong away, accusing her and her sister of destroying her family.
Despite Fu Rong's remorseful apologies and explanation that she only ever meant to protect her own sister, the grief-stricken Qi Zhu refused to listen and demanded she leave and never be seen again.
