The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Episode 9 Recap
> The Blooms At Ruyi Pavilion Recap
Following an invitation she believed was from Qi Zhu, Fu Rong arrived at the Qi Residence only to find her friend unusually distant. Fu Rong had brought a handcrafted headdress and Qi Zhu's favorite dates as gifts, but Qi Zhu seemed confused by her presence. The Princess of Xihe then arrived, revealing she had invited Fu Rong on Qi Zhu's behalf. Fu Rong recognized the princess as the cruel woman from her dream.
The princess presented Qi Zhu with a gift but followed it with a thinly veiled insult, remarking that a "chicken" with a few feathers could never become a "phoenix." Angered by the slight against her friend, Fu Rong threw back a headpiece the princess had previously given her. Seeking to avoid a scene, Qi Zhu stated that while all guests were welcome, she would not tolerate trouble at her inauguration.
The princess then told Fu Rong not to be upset, suggesting she could have her revenge on Qi Zhu once she married Earl Yan. While wandering the grounds, Fu Rong encountered her "little follower," only to be stunned when other officials addressed him as "Prince An," revealing his true identity as both the prince and the esteemed Mr. Ju Shui. She apologized for her previous over-familiarity, but he reassured her that to her, he would always be her "little follower."
He explained that he used the alias "Farmer Ju Shui" to escape the confines of his royal life and give a voice to the common people. Fu Rong expressed her admiration and promised to keep his secret. Later, she stopped by a date tree, reminiscing about a childhood memory of knocking down dates for Qi Zhu. As she tried to pick some, she unknowingly dropped an earring.
Just then, Xu Jin appeared and, seeing her struggle, skillfully knocked down a shower of dates by throwing a few small stones. As Fu Rong joyfully gathered the dates, she overheard the Qi family's matriarch berating Qi Zhu, pressuring her to marry into nobility—even as a concubine—to elevate the family's status. Qi Zhu angrily retorted, recalling how the Madam had abandoned her and her brother and how only Consort Duan's help had ensured their mother a proper burial.
The Madam cruelly threatened Qi Zhu with the same fate as her late brother. Fu Rong intervened, defending Qi Zhu and warning the Madam that any disrespect towards the newly-appointed Princess Consort of Qingping could bring the Emperor's wrath. However, when Fu Rong offered the dates to Qi Zhu, she coldly knocked them to the ground and stormed away. Heartbroken, Fu Rong turned to leave, accidentally stepping on a date and dislocating her ankle.
A distraught Qi Zhu rushed away and collided with Duke Huai. Princess of Xihe witnessed this and taunted Qi Zhu for social climbing. Duke Huai graciously took the blame for the collision, and when the princess asked after Duke Su, he pointed her in another direction, causing her to leave in pursuit. Shortly after, Xu Jin emerged from the shadows. Seeing Fu Rong's injury, he gently carried her to a corridor, where he skillfully reset her dislocated ankle.
The Princess of Xihe returned just in time to see this intimate moment and left in a jealous huff. Later, Prince An found Fu Rong's lost earring by the date tree, a smile gracing his lips as he recognized it. That night, Fu Rong received two packages: one held medicinal ointment, presumably from Xu Jin, and the other contained her earring with a note from Prince An, inviting her to go fishing.
Meanwhile, her master Liu Ru Yi successfully repaired her treasured broken bracelet. The next day, Fu Rong met Prince An by the river. They discussed their philosophies on life, with Fu Rong passionately stating her opposition to arranged marriages, likening them to being caged and expressing her desire for a partnership built on freedom and mutual understanding. Prince An noticed the unique pattern on her newly-repaired bracelet, noting its resemblance to the Ruyi Pavilion's insignia.
Fu Rong explained it was a unique piece and her master's "life's work," which gave Prince An a moment of pause. At Yunluo Temple, Wu Baiqi was lighting a memorial lamp for his mother when he saw Fu Xuan. He followed her to a nearby lake, startling her and causing her to slip on the wet rocks. He lunged to catch her, but they both tumbled into the water.
After a quick apology, Wu Baiqi lifted her out of the lake, feigning nonchalance about the incident despite his racing heart. A flustered Fu Xuan insisted they treat it as an accident and never speak of it again, quickly departing with her maid. Left alone, Wu Baiqi awkwardly muttered to the empty air, saying he was prepared to take responsibility if she wished.
With Marquis Xindu's birthday banquet approaching, Earl Yan delivered an invitation to Fu Rong, hoping she would impress his mother, Lady Xindu, and win her approval for their marriage. This sparked an idea, and Fu Rong secretly sought out the region's most reputable physician, Ninth Uncle of the Sanjiu Apothecary, known for his potent cold remedies.
On the day of the banquet, Xu Jin arrived and, after offering his birthday wishes, subtly questioned Marquis Xindu about his past association with the disgraced Qi Ce. The Marquis defensively downplayed their connection. Soon after, Fu Rong and Fu Xuan arrived, but Fu Rong's persistent cough annoyed Lady Xindu, who deemed it improper and ordered Ninth Uncle to be summoned to treat her.
The festivities were interrupted when Wu Baiqi stormed in, playing the part of a reckless young master. Marquis Xindu, enraged, berated him for relying on the family name and his mother's legacy, "Feng Lai Yi," for his livelihood. Wu Baiqi mockingly retorted that the Marquis should change his surname to Wu if he wanted Feng Lai Yi, then stormed out. In the courtyard, he arrogantly demanded the elderly housekeeper kneel to him, but Fu Xuan intervened.
She chastised Wu Baiqi for his behavior, and the conversation shifted to their fall in the lake. Wu Baiqi playfully suggested he should take responsibility, even hinting that if he hadn't left his family, their childhood engagement might have been to each other. Fu Xuan pinned him against a pillar, warning him to drop the subject. Unfazed, Wu Baiqi reversed their positions, trapping her.
Blushing, Fu Xuan pulled away, declaring she would rather become a nun than marry a "spoiled child" like him. During the feast, Princess of Xihe proposed a game of pitch-pot, offering her own valuable jade bracelet as a prize for the winner. She then challenged Fu Rong directly, proposing they both wager their personal bracelets. Despite Fu Xuan's concerns about the sentimental value of Fu Rong's bracelet, the princess pressured Fu Rong, insinuating she was afraid to compete.
The match began, and Fu Rong quickly took the lead, 40 points to 15. Finding the game too easy, the princess proposed they continue blindfolded. With uncanny accuracy, she scored another 40 points, bringing her total to 55. Fu Rong then took her turn, tying a blindfold over her eyes.
