Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 23 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
Following Tian Tongdao's false accusation of opium smuggling against Wen's Pharmacy, Police Chief Wang Guodong seized 20,000 silver dollars worth of Oriental Brain-Nourishing Pills destined for Hangzhou. Chu Shaohua went to Wang Guodong to retrieve the goods. Wang Guodong pressed Chu Shaohua to marry him as his eighth concubine. While interacting with him, Chu Shaohua inadvertently discovered evidence of Wang Guodong's opium smuggling and arms dealing.
Xia Yuan, Wen Zhiqiu, Xu Hongnian, and Mei Sandu discussed a plan for Chu Shaohua to continue dealing with Wang Guodong to gather concrete evidence to expose him. Concerned about Wang Guodong harassing Chu Shaohua at her home, Wen Zhiqiu invited her to move into his house. However, Wang Guodong still found her there, driving Wen Zhiqiu out and again pressing Chu Shaohua to marry him.
Chu Shaohua countered by asking if he had dismissed his wife and concubines as she had demanded. Wang Guodong staunchly refused to send them away. Chu Shaohua then declared that if they were to marry, she would continue her relationship with Wen Zhiqiu. Enraged, Wang Guodong threatened to kill Wen Zhiqiu and even Chu Shaohua herself. Chu Shaohua then revealed that she had given him a laxative in his tea. Wang Guodong, suffering severe stomach cramps, rushed to the restroom.
Meanwhile, Wen Zhiqiu, who had been followed by Wang Guodong’s men, managed to evade them and returned to his home by climbing through a window, only to find Wang Guodong gone, presumably to the restroom. When Wen Zhiqiu asked what she had done to Wang, Chu Shaohua pretended innocence, claiming Wang Guodong had simply taken the wrong medicine. Wen Zhiqiu also noted a strange odor in the house, prompting Chu Shaohua to suggest he take a shower.
Wang Guodong, still in agony, demanded an antidote, but Chu Shaohua insisted there was none, and he would simply have to endure the effects. She chastised him for his aggressive demeanor, questioning if she was his enemy or a prisoner. Chu Shaohua then articulated her desire for a "true, romantic love," like in the movies, where she didn't want his wealth or power, but a genuine connection.
Wang Guodong, in his discomfort, initially misheard "romantic love" as "random love" but eventually agreed to a passionate romance. Chu Shaohua clarified that this required him to dismiss his existing wife and concubines. Driven by his suffering, Wang Guodong finally conceded, promising to send them all away as soon as he returned home. True to his word, Wang Guodong dismissed his wife and concubines.
However, they retaliated by going to various newspaper offices, crying out their grievances and publicly denouncing Chu Shaohua as a "vixen" who had ruined their lives. Undeterred, Wang Guodong booked a luxurious hot springs hotel, meticulously decorated by a foreigner he hired for 50 silver dollars, and telephoned Chu Shaohua to invite her for a romantic evening. Chu Shaohua accepted and arrived punctually. Wang Guodong expressed his impatience, but Chu Shaohua assured him his wait would be worthwhile.
As they conversed, Wang Guodong's disgruntled wife and concubines stormed the hotel, causing a scene and shouting insults at Chu Shaohua. Amidst the chaos, Chu Shaohua seized the opportunity to quickly change into a cleaning staff uniform. Shortly after, a gunshot echoed from downstairs, and Wang Guodong was killed. The hotel plunged into pandemonium, and Cheng Hui helped Chu Shaohua escape. Xia Yuan hosted a celebratory dinner for Chu Shaohua.
Kang Erniu, also present, casually mentioned how she "accidentally" let slip Wang Guodong’s plans to his concubines, which led to their public outburst at the hotel. Everyone toasted her "accidental" contribution. Kang Erniu then attempted to flirt with Xia Yuan; in her enthusiasm during a toast, she accidentally shattered his glass, cutting his finger. Without hesitation, she sucked the blood from his wound, leaving both Chu Shaohua and Wen Zhiqiu stunned.
Mei Sandu delivered more good news: Mr. Lu's grandnephew had been appointed the new police chief and, after an investigation, had cleared Wen's Pharmacy of all accusations, promising to return the 20,000 silver dollars worth of Oriental Bunao Pills within a week. Kang Erniu also announced the upcoming premiere of her new movie, "Rage Reborn," leading to another round of celebratory toasts. After the dinner, Chu Shaohua packed her belongings to move back to Kang Erniu's place.
Wen Zhiqiu drove them, offering earnest parting advice to Chu Shaohua, which Kang Erniu observed as a sign of his affection for her. Chu Shaohua quickly dismissed the idea, claiming Wen Zhiqiu was only interested in her ability to make money. Later, Kang Erniu broke off her relationship with Tian Tongxin. Heartbroken, Tian Tongxin attempted suicide by consuming medicine, but fortunately, he was rescued in time. This incident fueled Tian Tongdao’s resentment towards Kang Erniu.
He dispatched his apothecary manager to Peking to locate Lu Ningxiang, a prostitute who bore a striking resemblance to Kang Erniu, intending to publicly shame her. The manager only found Wu, who revealed that Lu Ningxiang had been bought out of Linfang Pavilion five years prior by a young mistress from the Chen family, whose real name was Chu Shaohua. Tian Tongdao immediately understood that Kang Erniu was, in fact, Lu Ningxiang. He promptly leaked this information to the press.
At the premiere of Kang Erniu's new film, "Rage Reborn," a reporter sensationally exposed her true identity as Lu Ningxiang, a former prostitute from Peking's Linfang Pavilion. The situation escalated when Wu, accompanied by Tian's Apothecary manager, stormed into the cinema. Wu further humiliated Kang Erniu by recounting explicit details of her past as a prostitute, claiming she could be touched for eight copper coins and would strip for fifteen. Overwhelmed with shame, Kang Erniu fled the event in distress.
Chu Shaohua, Wen Zhiqiu, and Sun Longyin frantically searched for Kang Erniu, but found no trace of her. Chu Shaohua believed Kang Erniu was still in Shanghai, as she had left all her belongings and money behind. They decided to split up: Wen Zhiqiu went to seek assistance from Xia Yuan, Chu Shaohua headed to the train stations and docks, and Sun Longyin contacted his fellow reporters for leads. They agreed to reconvene at 10 PM.
Meanwhile, Mu Ziru discovered Wu was staying at Tongjiang Inn and intended to confront him with his men. However, Qing Gang leader Mr. Jin indirectly intervened, as Tian's Apothecary had business dealings with him, and his subordinate warned Mu Ziru against taking action against their manager. The newspapers continued to sensationalize Kang Erniu's past. Reporters even traveled to Peking to interview Madam Yan of Linfang Pavilion, who confirmed Lu Ningxiang's history and noted her improved appearance since moving to Shanghai.
Other men came forward, claiming to have "visited" Lu Ningxiang in her past, offering graphic details. Tian Tongxin expressed his concern to Tian Tongdao that Kang Erniu might attempt suicide due to the public pressure, but Tian Tongdao remained unsympathetic. Despondent, Kang Erniu dressed herself beautifully and bought a large quantity of raw Fuzi, a highly toxic herb, intending to end her life.
Chu Shaohua and Wen Zhiqiu, having tracked her to a local apothecary, realized her intentions and desperately searched for her. They eventually found her in a cheap inn, having already ingested the Fuzi. They rushed her to the hospital. Sun Longyin arrived and was informed by Chu Shaohua that Tian Tongdao was behind the entire scheme to publicly disgrace Kang Erniu.
The doctors confirmed that Kang Erniu had taken a lethal dose but, thanks to their timely intervention, her life was saved. Upon regaining consciousness, Kang Erniu expressed her wish to die. Chu Shaohua consoled her, explaining that succumbing would mean letting her enemies win. She promised Kang Erniu her unwavering support, urging her to live for their bond. Moved, Kang Erniu agreed.
Sun Longyin suggested renting a secluded cottage in the countryside for Kang Erniu to recover, offering to stay with her. However, Wen Zhiqiu intervened, passionately arguing against hiding or changing her name. He asserted that her past held no blemish, and the true disgrace lay with those who harmed her. He encouraged her to bravely confront her detractors and live a life of dignity and excellence, showing them they could not break her spirit.
Kang Erniu was deeply touched by his words and resolved to face her future head-on. Sun Longyin praised Wen Zhiqiu's powerful speech. Following several days of preparation by Chu Shaohua, Wen Zhiqiu, and Sun Longyin, a press conference was organized for Kang Erniu. Backstage, Kang Erniu confided in Chu Shaohua, expressing a newfound sense of strength and fearlessness.
Mu Ziru arrived, apologizing for his previous unavailability due to being busy, but declared his intention to stand by Kang Erniu as her boyfriend. He stated that he didn't care about the newspaper reports or her past, reaffirming his desire to be with her. Kang Erniu acknowledged her "disgraceful past," but Mu Ziru dismissed it, noting his own humble origins and emphasizing that superficial appearances do not define a person's worth.
