Wild Ambition Bloom Episode 8 Recap
> Wild Ambition Bloom Recap
After Mr. Chen and Chen Dashun had been in Shanxi for a month to collect a final payment, Chu Shaohua learned that the region was afflicted with a plague, and all roads leading there had been sealed off by Inspector Yan. She tried to reassure Madam Chen, stating that "Father and Dashun have decades of experience in this trade. They surely know how to administer remedies and guard against infection. They'll be fine for sure.
They'll come back safe and sound!" Madam Chen was distraught, and Zhuang had to escort her back home. Feeling restless, Chu Shaohua told Shitou to hire a carriage, intending to go to Shanxi herself, saying, "I cannot help but worry." Shitou vehemently opposed, explaining, "All routes to Shanxi are sealed off. You couldn't possibly enter. And even if you enter there, what if you catch the plague?"
Chu Shaohua argued she couldn't simply do nothing, but Shitou urged her to stay and "steady madam, and oversee the apothecary. Besides, there's a mountain of work ahead for the branch opening." Chu Shaohua wondered if the branch could even open under such conditions. Meanwhile, Madam Chen, seeking reassurance, consulted Li the Fortune Teller. After casting his divination, he confidently told her, "Your family will surely turn adversity into good fortune! Don't worry.
On the opening day of the new shop, they'll definitely be back." Relieved, Madam Chen shared the news with Chu Shaohua, who, after confirming the prediction, decided to proceed with the branch opening on the originally planned date. On the scheduled opening day, Chu Shaohua welcomed guests like Mr. Feng and Mr. Zhou, but she delayed the signboard unveiling, perhaps holding onto hope for the return of Mr. Chen and Dashun.
However, the situation took a tragic turn when Wei Donglai arrived with devastating news. He recounted that after the routes were sealed, he and the Chen family members were trapped at an inn. Although Dashun was initially well, he was moved by the plight of plague victims who had no treatment and were simply waiting to die. Dashun, feeling a responsibility as a medicine trader, bravely stepped forward to help, ultimately saving over ten lives.
Tragically, he contracted the plague himself. Mr. Chen, in his attempt to save Dashun, also became infected. Within days, both men succumbed to the illness due to ineffective treatment. Wei Donglai further explained that, according to local customs for plague victims, their bodies were buried deep at the site where they died. Madam Chen was overcome with grief, while Chu Shaohua was left in shock.
Struggling to accept the cruel reality, Chu Shaohua suppressed her immense grief to manage the immediate aftermath, including guests offering condolences and urgent business matters for the apothecary, like a shipment needing dispatch. Song Ping worriedly tried to persuade Chu Shaohua to eat, noting she hadn't consumed anything "for a whole day and night." Soon, Chen Ershun rushed home, overcome with sorrow.
He expressed his deep regret, saying he was "utterly useless" and wished he could have "shared a little bit of your burden, you wouldn't have left us like this!" He and Madam Chen shared a tearful embrace, with Madam Chen telling him, "I've been missing you!" Ershun then turned to Chu Shaohua, declaring, "starting today, Xuan is my very own daughter. I'll cherish her with all my heart!" Madam Chen agreed that he had "finally grown up."
Little Xuan, however, could only cry, "My father is gone!" Later, Shitou secretly reported to Chu Shaohua that Chen Ershun had visited the apothecary "multiple times," specifically asking about its "current assets and available cash reserves," and "the holder of the ledger and customer list." Sensing Ershun's intentions, Chu Shaohua immediately retrieved the ledger and customer list, entrusting them to Shitou with strict instructions: "Don't give this to anyone except me."
Shortly after, Chu Shaohua was summoned to a meeting where Chen Ershun had convened Third Elder, the Chen family patriarch, and Madam Chen. Third Elder declared, "A household cannot remain without a head for even a single day. Per the ancestral rules of the Chen family, Ershun shall be the head of the household." Madam Chen promptly agreed. Chu Shaohua, however, firmly interjected, "I disagree."
When Third Elder tried to dismiss her, she asserted that since she was Dashun's wife, she should represent him and "preside over half of this household." She reminded them that while her father-in-law was alive, she already held influence at the main store and oversaw the branch, asking, "Tell me why I can't run this household?" Third Elder maintained that with Ershun present, it was only natural for him to take charge. Ershun promised to "treat you and Xuan well."
Chu Shaohua then stated her terms: "When Father was alive, he explicitly agreed Dashun and I shall manage the branch, with half of its shares allocated to us. Since Dashun is no longer here, that half of the shares rightfully belongs to me and Xuan. Therefore, I think I should manage the branch." Madam Chen, however, sided with Ershun, vehemently denying Chu Shaohua's claims, stating, "I don't know anything about business matters. I don't recall them saying that."
Chu Shaohua accused her of "speaking without conscience," reminding her that "Father and Dashun's seventh-day memorial hasn't even passed yet." She warned Madam Chen not to be "bewitched by his words," given Ershun's known character. Ershun retorted, accusing Chu Shaohua of opposing Madam Chen and being arrogant, while declaring he had "truly grown up." Chu Shaohua made a final plea to Madam Chen, who again denied Mr. Chen's promises, saying, "There is no such thing."
Desperate, Chu Shaohua then implored Song Ping to testify. Under Ershun's intimidating gaze, Song Ping, terrified, feigned ignorance, claiming, "I don't remember" and "I heard absolutely nothing." Ershun then smugly declared the matter settled, warning Chu Shaohua to "live a quiet life and stop stirring up trouble."
Chu Shaohua, enraged, lashed out, asserting that Ershun could not "cover up everything" and threatened to expose his true colors by gathering the "clerks and hired hands at the stores," who "all know perfectly well what's really going on here." Third Elder intervened, calling Chu Shaohua "eccentric, defiant, disobedient, and unfilial." Chu Shaohua snapped back, telling him to "Shut your mouth! This is our family business. Stay out of it!"
She further denounced Third Elder as "confused and easily manipulated," unfit to be the clan leader. Furious, Ershun immediately ordered his men to "Lock her in the woodshed! Starve her for a few days and see if she still shows no respect to her elders!" That night, Song Ping brought food to Chu Shaohua in the woodshed, assuring her that Xuan was safe.
Chu Shaohua asked Song Ping to untie her, but Song Ping, fearing Ershun's threat to "kill anyone who sets you free," refused. Song Ping advised Chu Shaohua to "just yield to him," arguing that "you won't stand a chance against him," and trying to convince her that Ershun's return had improved their living conditions, with "meat at every meal." Chu Shaohua, however, declared, "All I want is fairness!"
She pleaded with Song Ping to help her escape, reminding her that she knew the truth about Ershun's lies. Overwhelmed by fear, Song Ping fled. Later, Ershun discussed Chu Shaohua's stubbornness with Madam Chen, vowing to "starve her for a few more, and she'll beg to obey!" Madam Chen, troubled by her conscience, confessed to Ershun that "When your father was alive, he did say half of the shares should go to Shaohua. Give it to her and settle this."
Ershun vehemently rejected this, arguing that the shares were intended for Dashun, and now that he was gone, they should revert to the Chen family. He expressed distrust, fearing Chu Shaohua would "leave with the shares or hand them straight to her birth family," and warned that "if we yield an inch now. . . she'll swallow us whole!" Nevertheless, Madam Chen, still worried, ultimately asked Ershun to "go try to persuade her" again.
Madam Chen came to Chu Shaohua in the woodshed, attempting to persuade her to give up her claims. She spoke kindly at first, saying, "Ever since you married into the family, I've always treated you as my own daughter. You're undeniably capable," but added, "you're being far too ambitious." She reminded Chu Shaohua that "Dashun doted on you and protected you. But now that he's gone, no one in this family will ever cherish and protect you like he did."
Madam Chen encouraged her to accept a domestic role, suggesting that if Chu Shaohua "had been obedient, none of these would have happened." Deeply pained, Chu Shaohua retorted, "Just because no one will protect me and Xuan, I absolutely refuse to let you bully us as you like. All I sought was my rightful portion. Was that truly so wrong?" She reminded Madam Chen that "only I can make money in our family and be capable of handling this business.
Why ever would you stop me?" Madam Chen then blamed her, saying, "Hadn't you stubbornly pushed for that military supply order, your father and Dashun wouldn't have died!" Chu Shaohua, with anguish, wished she "had known there would be plague, I'd have gone myself instead of letting Dashun go!" but acknowledged that regret "changes nothing." Madam Chen insisted that Ershun "will preside over this household," citing Chen family tradition.
Chu Shaohua challenged her, asking, "Why didn't Father let Er Shun get involved with the apothecary business? Why did he drive him back to his hometown? As his own mother, you should know better than anyone else. Do you truly believe he can carry this family's burden?" Madam Chen defended Ershun, claiming he was "insensible" only because he was young and his father and Dashun were alive.
Now, she asserted, "Ershun will change," promising he would "carry this family on his shoulders." Undeterred, Chu Shaohua warned, "If you give my portion to me, our Chen family can still survive. But if you give everything to Chen Ershun, our family will truly be ruined." She delivered a chilling prophecy: "take one last good look at this house. I'll say this plainly. Before long, none of us will belong here anymore."
Unable to sway Chu Shaohua, Madam Chen left disheartened. Still imprisoned, Chu Shaohua remained defiant. Ershun, complaining to Madam Chen that Chu Shaohua "still won't listen to reason" and "she'll never back down," insisted he couldn't release her for fear of her "spread[ing] rumors" and ruining his business. He then cruelly brought Xuan to Chu Shaohua, using the child as leverage. Xuan, distressed, ran to her mother. Ershun mockingly told Chu Shaohua she was "so beautiful when you smile."
Chu Shaohua warned him, "aren't you afraid at night, Dashun would come to you?" Unfazed, Ershun reiterated, "Now, I am the head of this household. You have no choice but to accept it." When Chu Shaohua firmly declared, "Never!" Ershun threatened, "I'll ask someone to sell you off!" and after musing she "wouldn't fetch much anyway" as "a woman who had a child," he menacingly threatened to sell Xuan to a brothel. Chu Shaohua screamed, "You are such a scumbag!
I'll kill you!" and desperately pleaded, "Release Xuan! Please, I beg you. Release her! I'll agree to anything! I'll give you everything! Please! I'll do whatever you want! Just release her!" Ershun, unfeeling, took Xuan away, promising her a Tanghulu. Subsequently, Ershun gathered all the employees from both the main and branch stores. Chu Shaohua was brought in. With a heavy heart, she instructed Shitou to "hand over the ledger and the customer list to Chen Ershun."
Then, addressing the assembled staff, she formally announced, "from this day forward, all matters concerning both the Chen's main store and branch will be managed by Chen Ershun. I won't be coming back anymore. Thank you all for your support and dedication in the past. Wish Chen's Apothecary continued prosperity." As Chu Shaohua walked out of the apothecary, heavy snow began to fall.
Her heart was heavy with memories of Dashun, recalling their shared dreams of expanding the Chen's Apothecary, with him saying, "You can open them wherever you want. We'll expand our stores across the entire country. One city at a time." Back at the residence, Ershun informed Madam Chen of his decision: she, Song Ping, Chu Shaohua, Xuan, and Ershun's wife were to return to their hometown, Qizhou.
He downplayed any past issues in their hometown, claiming, "That whole mess was two years ago. Nobody even mentions it anymore!" Madam Chen was initially reluctant, admitting she had "just gotten used to living here." However, Ershun insisted she would be "far more comfortable back in our hometown," reminding her that "that place has been your home for decades!"
He reasoned that a change of environment would help her spirits lift and allow her to reconnect with Auntie Song and other relatives. Ershun also revealed his financial calculations, arguing that with fewer family members, their large Peking residence was a "waste." He planned to "surrender this house and move to the backyard of the apothecary," which would save "over 100 silver dollars annually."
He also highlighted that Peking's monthly expenses were equivalent to a year's expenses in their hometown, thus arguing for significant overall savings. Finally, he added a more sinister justification: "Shaohua is a young widow. Even if she intends to preserve her chastity, as every corner of Peking teems with scoundrels, how could she possibly do that? Should anything happen to her, how am I supposed to face Dashun? This would shame our entire Chen family!"
After deliberating, Madam Chen reluctantly agreed to the move. Ershun's wife, who was present, questioned why she couldn't stay in Peking, to which Madam Chen simply replied that she needed her to take care of her. Madam Chen, Song Ping, Chu Shaohua, Xuan, and Ershun's wife eventually arrived back in their hometown. Soon after, Chu Shaohua's mother, Grandma, accompanied by Uncle Shaozhong and Aunt Yan, came to visit.
Upon seeing Chu Shaohua and Xuan, Grandma lamented their fate, asking, "How cruel fate has been to you two! How will you ever manage from here on out?" Chu Shaohua, however, maintained her resolve, assuring them, "Though Dashun is gone, from now on, I'll ensure Xuan and I live well." Grandma then sternly advised her, "you must conform strictly to widowhood customs henceforth. Keep your words few and deeds many.
I hope Mrs. Chen will treat you two kindly for the sake of the late Dashun." Uncle Shaozhong intervened, vouching for his sister, "Shaohua is clever and capable. She won't let anyone take advantage of her. Don't worry." Grandma then questioned Chu Shaohua, "how could you let Ershun seize all the family assets?" Chu Shaohua responded thoughtfully, "From now on, I won't repeat such mistakes. I won't let pain cloud my judgment and weaken my ability to handle things."
When Uncle Shaozhong inquired about her future plans, Chu Shaohua revealed her foresight: "Chen Ershun is a good-for-nothing. He'll likely burn through the entire Chen family fortune in less than two years. So I must devise a way to start my own business and forge a way out for myself and Xuan." Uncle Shaozhong also expressed concern about Chu Shaohua, a young widow, preserving her chastity.
