Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 12 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Six years after Xia Chu had been presumed dead in battle, his childhood sweetheart Chu Shaohua married Chen Dashun. When Xia Chu returned to Qizhou, he found her married. Now, with a desire to travel to France to find ways to save the nation, Xia Chu returned home to bid farewell to his family. Learning of Chu Shaohua's struggles, he decided to take her and her daughter, Xuan, with him.
Although Chu Shaohua initially refused, Xia Chu’s unwavering sincerity, demonstrated by saving her life and treating Xuan like his own child, moved her deeply, and she agreed to accompany him to France. Xia Chu returned a keepsake they once shared and explained that he would go to Peking to arrange their travel documents, including train and boat tickets, a process that would take about three days. Chu Shaohua also needed time to settle her family and Chen Dashun’s mother.
They agreed to meet at the crossroads in three days, and Xia Chu told Shaohua that their plan to go to France was a secret between him and Xuan. Meanwhile, Auntie Song, a relative of the Chen family, heard from the apothecary clerks that Chu Shaohua and Xia Chu were rekindling their relationship. She quickly reported this to Chen Madam, who initially dismissed the rumors, citing Shaohua's earlier promise never to remarry and to dedicate herself to raising Xuan.
However, Auntie Song cautioned Chen Madam that people’s feelings could change and that Shaohua was too cunning to be easily outmaneuvered. Later, Chu Shaohua returned home with Xuan, who began singing an English song Xia Chu had taught her. Seeing the joy on Xuan's face and realizing a book Xuan had was given by "Mr. Xia," Chen Madam started to believe Auntie Song’s warnings. Song Ping, noticing Chu Shaohua’s unusually radiant mood, commented on how "especially beautiful" she looked.
Unbeknownst to them, Yi Dajin, who had an interest in Shaohua's apothecary, had hired Old Liang to track Xia Chu. Old Liang reported that Xia Chu had spent four hours at Huashun Apothecary with "that young widow" before they emerged, "chatting and laughing all the way."
Concluding that the agreement for their departure was finalized, Yi Dajin instructed Old Liang to contact Mrs. Wei of Sanshou Gang and relay a message to Ertu, a bandit who had a grudge against Chu Shaohua. Yi Dajin reminded Old Liang that Ertu had been searching for the young couple he once tried to rob, from whom Chu Shaohua had escaped by holding Ertu hostage – the man was now dead, but the woman was alive and running Huashun Apothecary.
Yi Dajin urged Ertu to act immediately, warning that if Chu Shaohua left Qizhou, Ertu would lose his chance for revenge. Chu Shaohua then met with Mr. Wang and Mr. Jiang, the managers of Huashun Apothecary, to finalize her arrangements for the business. She announced her decision to allocate 40% of the apothecary's shares to Chen Dashun's mother and another 40% to her own mother.
The remaining 20% would be distributed among Mr. Wang, Mr. Jiang, and the other clerks, based on their seniority and positions, with all specifics detailed in a shareholder agreement. She explained that their diligent work was why the apothecary thrived, making their shares well-deserved. Chu Shaohua stipulated that Mr. Wang and Mr. Jiang would jointly manage the apothecary, and neither her mother, Chen Dashun's mother, nor anyone from the Chen or Chu families, could interfere in its operations.
They would only receive dividends, and the shares were strictly non-transferable. She emphasized that this structure would secure both mothers' livelihoods. She also stated that if any shareholder left the apothecary, their shares would be reclaimed. When asked if the families agreed to this plan, Chu Shaohua firmly stated that Huashun Apothecary was her creation, and its disposition was entirely her decision, which she believed was optimal for both families.
She planned to register the agreement at Anke Hall to prevent future disputes. Despite Mr. Wang and Mr. Jiang expressing their reluctance to see her go, Chu Shaohua reiterated that while she hated to leave them and the apothecary, she feared she would regret not pursuing this opportunity for the rest of her life. They wished her and Xuan a safe journey and a bright future, to which Shaohua entrusted the apothecary to their care.
Separately, Old Liang met Mrs. Wei to deliver Yi Dajin's message. He informed her that Ertu’s long-sought young couple was in Qizhou; the man was dead, but the woman was alive and operating Huashun Apothecary. Mrs. Wei agreed to relay the message. Chu Shaohua then visited her mother and brother, Chu Shaozhong, to bid them farewell. She announced her upcoming journey to France with Xuan.
Shaozhong expressed concerns about their safety in a foreign land and questioned why she had to leave when her life was comfortable. Shaohua explained her lifelong dream of exploring the world and how this was her chance. When Shaozhong inquired about the apothecary, Shaohua explained that Mr. Wang and Mr. Jiang would manage it, emphasizing they were her founding partners, not outsiders. Shaozhong, angry, insisted he should manage it instead, feeling she didn't trust him.
Chu Shaohua calmly explained that Shaozhong lacked business acumen, and entrusting the apothecary to him would lead to its ruin, much like Chichun Apothecary. She then informed them that her mother and Chen Dashun's mother would each receive 40% of the apothecary's shares, a sum sufficient to support their families for a lifetime. She reiterated that they would receive only dividends and could not manage the business or transfer shares.
With her plans set, Shaohua prepared to leave, agreeing to meet her mother at Anke Hall in a few days to finalize the documents. Shortly after Chu Shaohua left, Zhou Yan, Shaozhong's wife, arrived at Chu Mother's house, infuriated by Shaozhong's perceived cowardice for not fighting for control of the apothecary. She demanded why Shaohua had allocated shares to the Chen family, especially since Chen Dashun was deceased, arguing that the entire apothecary should belong to the Chu family.
Chu Mother, content with her 40% shares, tried to reason with Zhou Yan, but Zhou Yan insisted on reclaiming what she believed was rightfully theirs. When Shaozhong again showed reluctance, Zhou Yan called him a "coward" and declared she would confront Shaohua herself. Zhou Yan went to Huashun Apothecary and confronted Chu Shaohua, accusing her of being unfair to Shaozhong by denying him shares or a management role.
Chu Shaohua sarcastically proposed that if the apothecary must only belong to "family," then Shaozhong should divorce Zhou Yan, as Zhou Yan was not a Chu by blood, to make Shaozhong a true "insider" who could then receive shares. Enraged, Zhou Yan accused Shaohua of trying to make her sick. Chu Shaohua, equally provoked, retorted that if Zhou Yan found her "disgusting," she could simply burn the apothecary down, so "no one would covet it."
Shaohua fiercely declared her independence, stating she belonged to neither the Chen nor the Chu family, but to herself, and warned Zhou Yan to abandon her greed and schemes, or she would ensure Zhou Yan gained nothing. Zhou Yan, thoroughly defeated and furious, stormed out, threatening Shaohua with future regret. Afterward, Mr. Jiang asked Chu Shaohua why she chose to give shares to her mother instead of her brother.
Chu Shaohua explained that given Zhou Yan's demanding nature, if the shares went directly to Shaozhong, her mother would likely receive nothing, whereas by giving them to her mother, she ensured both would benefit. Later, Chen Madam, now convinced of Shaohua's impending departure, summoned her to the ancestral hall. She prayed to the ancestral tablets of her deceased husband and son, vowing that if anyone dared to break up their family, they would not find peace.
She then confronted Chu Shaohua directly. Shaohua confessed that she was indeed seeing someone and planned to marry him, taking Xuan to live abroad. Chen Madam was distraught, condemning Shaohua for betraying Chen Dashun. Chu Shaohua insisted that Dashun would forever remain in her heart, but she could not live in the past. Chen Madam desperately pleaded with Chu Shaohua not to leave, fearing that Chen Ershun would squander the family's assets.
Shaohua tried to reassure her, explaining her plans for the apothecary and the 40% share allocation. However, Chen Madam adamantly refused to accept that Chu Shaohua's mother would also receive shares, harshly criticizing Shaohua. Shaohua asserted her right to decide, declaring that she answered only to herself. When Chen Madam accused her of being a "wretch" and "lacking in virtue" for seeking a new relationship, Chu Shaohua calmly defended her actions.
She stated that she had treated Dashun with utmost respect, remained dutiful after his passing, and was now leaving the Chen family with a substantial fortune. She declared her conscience clear, having fulfilled all her obligations to both Dashun and the Chen family. Chen Madam continued to hurl insults and even threatened to die if Shaohua left.
Chu Shaohua urged her to stop making a scene, and as Chen Madam's lamentations grew, accusing Shaohua of taking Xuan, Chu Shaohua picked up Xuan and left. Witnessing his mother's profound despair, Chen Ershun comforted her. He then proposed a sinister plan to keep Chu Shaohua and secure the apothecary, suggesting a method to "possess" Shaohua, ensuring she would remain devoted to the Chen family. He asked his mother for help.
Meanwhile, unwilling to concede defeat, Zhou Yan also devised a wicked plan. Chen Madam was initially reluctant, fearing the immorality of the act. However, Chen Ershun persisted, arguing that the greater sin would be for the Chen family to have no heirs. He stressed that Shaohua had a strong will and needed a man to "rein her in."
As Song Ping brought in chicken soup, Chen Ershun rudely dismissed her and secretly handed his mother a packet of sedative, instructing her to put it into Chu Shaohua’s soup. Song Ping, though startled, overheard fragments of their conversation without fully grasping their wicked scheme. Chen Ershun further pressed his mother, reminding her that Chu Shaohua was already taking stock at the apothecary, indicating her imminent departure.
Later, Chen Madam visited Chu Shaohua, apologizing for her behavior the previous day and for speaking "harsh words." Shaohua also apologized for her own attitude. Chen Madam then pleaded with Shaohua to stay, emphasizing that she and the Chen family couldn't manage without her and Xuan. Shaohua gently but firmly reiterated her decision to leave, explaining her desire to expand her business and provide Xuan with a better education.
Chen Madam then tried to persuade Shaohua to let her take Xuan home and spend some time with her before the departure. Shaohua declined, citing Xuan's recent recovery from a cold and the need for her to be well for their upcoming journey. As Chu Shaohua urged her mother-in-law to leave due to the late hour, Chen Madam handed her a bowl of chicken soup, insisting she drink it to "strengthen her constitution," before she reluctantly departed.
