Blossom Episode 14 Recap
> Blossom Recap
Dou Zhao visited Wu Shan in prison. Wu Shan remarked that this was the sixth time he had seen Dou Zhao. Dou Zhao, however, was more concerned about why Wu Shan knowingly walked into a trap. Wu Shan admitted he had suspected it was a trap, but he couldn’t risk the possibility that it wasn’t. He couldn’t gamble with Dou Zhao’s life. He expressed no regret about his imprisonment, though he felt ashamed toward his grandfather.
Wu Shan also urged Dou Zhao not to feel sad for him. Dou Zhao, on the other hand, blamed herself for implicating Wu Shan, saying she should never have gotten to know him. Wu Shan countered that knowing Dou Zhao was the happiest thing in his life. When Wu Shan was brought to the execution ground, the crowd attempted to stop the authorities, proclaiming Wu Shan a good man.
Wu Ge’lao and Song Mo knelt at the palace gates, submitting their resignations. They declared themselves too old and unfit for their roles and admitted their errors, particularly their support for the war. They pleaded to see the Emperor, willing to accept any punishment for their mistakes, even death. At the execution ground, the judge insisted Wu Shan confess to his crimes, but Wu Shan refused to sully his grandfather’s reputation. He would rather die than admit to false charges.
Just as the executioner gave the order, Song Mo arrived in time with an imperial decree. The Emperor, after meeting with Wu Ge’lao, spared Wu Shan’s life. The decree reduced Wu Shan’s rank and assigned him to repair the statues of Yuan You Palace but avoided harsher punishment. Wu Shan glanced at Dou Zhao, who responded with a relieved smile. As Wu Shan prepared to leave the capital, Dou Zhao came to see him off.
Wu Shan told her that freedom is something one can fight for and encouraged her to bravely pursue the one she loves. Dou Zhao watched him leave. Shortly afterward, Song Mo arrived and comforted Dou Zhao, saying that Wu Shan, at least, had escaped the constraints of his family and could now do what he loved. Song Mo handed Dou Zhao a blood-stained letter that Wu Shan had written while in prison, believing he wouldn’t survive.
In it, Wu Shan expressed no regrets but wished not to live as a caged bird. Dou Zhao felt a deep sense of sorrow, realizing that while she could strategize for miles away, she was powerless before the forces of authority, especially those wielded by Dou Shishu. Song Mo then informed Dou Zhao that Dou Shishu would soon be sent on a diplomatic mission to Li Zhen.
The last envoy to Li Zhen had met a tragic end, which explained Dou Shishu’s recent melancholy. All of this had been orchestrated by Wu Ge’lao and Song Mo, who suggested the idea to the Emperor. Song Mo reaffirmed that freedom can be fought for and that the cage could not confine the bird forever. He asked Dou Zhao if she wanted to stop or take a walk up the mountain.
Dou Zhao decided to head up the mountain, and Song Mo quickly followed. Three months later, at the martial arts competition, Dong Qi presented a bow gifted by the previous Emperor, signaling his intent to win. Haichang Bo mocked that Song Mo had no chance, recalling a past incident where Song Mo’s father punished him harshly. Gu Yu, however, immediately retorted, fiercely defending Song Mo.
Meanwhile, the court held a competition of grace and etiquette, open only to daughters of high-ranking officials. Since Dou Shishu had returned victorious, the Dou family’s daughters could participate this time. Wei Tingzhen, one of the judges, had already accepted gifts from Wang Yingxue, intending to help Dou Ming win. However, during the first round, which tested cooking skills, Liang Xiaojie accidentally knocked over Dou Ming’s dish, causing her elimination.
Liang Xiaojie then mocked Dou Zhao’s efforts, claiming her dishes were unworthy of presentation. She attempted to repeat her trick, but Dou Zhao, prepared this time, dodged deftly. Liang Xiaojie’s dish ended up on the ground instead, resulting in her own disqualification. In doing so, Dou Zhao avenged Dou Ming. Dou Zhao went on to win the competition. Wei Tingzhen, already dissatisfied with her, sought to disqualify Dou Zhao for participating in men’s gambling games, deeming it inappropriate conduct.
However, Princess Shude intervened, countering Wei Tingzhen’s claim. She revealed that she herself had ridden horses, shot arrows, and participated in gambling games at Dou Zhao’s age, with the Emperor never having forbidden such activities for women. Wei Tingzhen, faced with Shude’s authority, hastily apologized. In the hunting grounds, Dou Ming witnessed Wei Tingyu sparing a rabbit because he found it too adorable to kill, which increased her fondness for him.
Meanwhile, Shude grew fond of Dou Zhao, finding her demeanor reminiscent of her own youth. When Shude asked Dou Zhao to predict the best hunter, Dou Zhao confidently named Dong Qi. Although Shude believed Song Mo to be the most outstanding, she respected Dou Zhao’s analysis, noting her deep understanding of Song Mo. Dong Qi captured a tiger, while Song Mo only hunted a venomous snake. Song Mo explained that his intent was solely to maintain peace and stability.
Song Yichun mocked Song Mo for his eloquent words, but the Emperor was reminded of Jiang Meisun and rebuked Song Yichun for being an unworthy father. He personally draped his robe over Song Mo and appointed him Commander of the Jinwu Guards. Later, Dou Shishu returned, and the Crown Prince was interrogating him regarding the opening of a horse market. The Emperor rushed to the scene with Shude and Song Mo in tow. Shude, however, brought Dou Zhao along.
Upon arrival, the Emperor listened to the ministers’ debates on the horse market. Shude recommended Dou Zhao speak, citing her expertise in business. Dou Zhao recounted her recent gambling success during the hunt, explaining how she had deliberately influenced expectations to favor Dong Qi, while she secretly bet on Song Mo, resulting in her grand victory. The Emperor, amused, asked for her thoughts on the horse market.
Dou Zhao’s arguments pleased him, leading him to order the implementation of her suggestions. When the Emperor offered a reward for Dou Zhao’s victory, Shude proposed matchmaking Dou Zhao with Song Mo. However, Dou Zhao interjected, requesting instead to plant potatoes. The Emperor agreed, but Dou Shishu brought up Dou Zhao’s engagement to Wei Tingyu, stating that such a venture would not involve Wei Tingyu. The Emperor glanced at Song Mo, seemingly helpless.
Considering that the martial lineage of the Marquis of Jining seemed to be ending with Wei Tingyu, the Emperor ordered him to train at the Jinwu Guards and suggested Song Mo marry Princess Jingyu. Shude objected, citing Jingyu’s strong personality, and the matter was temporarily set aside. As Dou Zhao was leaving, Song Mo stopped her, offering to help annul her engagement. Dou Zhao, however, insisted on handling her matters independently. Just then, they learned Dou Ming had not returned. Dou Zhao speculated she might be with Wei Tingyu and proposed searching for her with Song Mo.
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