Blossom Episode 15 Recap
> Blossom Recap
In the corridor, Shude encountered Dou Shishu and congratulated him on his safe return from Lizhen and his promotion. However, she also suggested smoking together and expressed her desire to hear him play the zither, but Dou Shishu rejected both requests. He turned away coldly, leaving Shude with an indifferent figure. Song Mo wanted to mobilize the Jinwu Guards to search for Dou Ming but was stopped by Dou Zhao.
Dou Zhao worried that if Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu were seen together by a large crowd, it would ruin their reputations. She proposed that she and Song Mo search for them together. In the woods, they found Wei Tingyu, who had twisted his ankle, and Dou Ming, who was reluctant to leave his side. Feeling guilty, Dou Ming apologized and explained that nothing had happened between her and Wei Tingyu—they had merely encountered each other while chasing a rabbit.
Dou Zhao didn’t hold it against her and suggested Dou Ming and Wei Tingyu ride her horse back. However, Dou Ming hesitated to take her elder sister’s fiancé’s horse, fearing rumors, and proposed that Dou Zhao and Wei Tingyu leave together. At this, Song Mo stepped out and volunteered to escort Wei Tingyu back himself, claiming they shared common interests and could keep each other company.
After inspecting Wei Tingyu's injury, which was only a dislocation, Song Mo reset it and prepared to leave. Suddenly, an arrow flew toward them. Song Mo instinctively shielded Dou Zhao, catching the arrow. A hunter mistook Song Mo, dressed in brown, for a bear and had shot in panic. Song Mo did not blame the hunter but noticed that Dou Zhao appeared shaken. He embraced her and gently asked what was wrong, but Dou Zhao refused to speak.
When Wang Yingxue saw Dou Zhao, she was furious. Despite Dou Ming claiming that it was Dou Zhao who found her and brought her back, Wang Yingxue neither expressed gratitude nor restrained her sarcasm. She mocked Dou Zhao for winning the top honor merely to delay her marriage and vowed to thwart her plans. Dou Zhao said nothing and left, leaving Wang Yingxue astonished that Dou Zhao didn’t retort as usual.
Dou Zhao went alone to the lakeside, recalling a conversation from her childhood with an elderly man who told her that great strength could move mountains and seas. Yet, despite all her efforts, nothing seemed to have changed. Song Mo had nearly gotten hurt because of her. The memory of the old man seemed to reappear, reminding her that she was like a boulder in a river: though it could briefly redirect the water, the currents would always reunite.
An individual’s power was insignificant. When she snapped back to reality, the old man was gone. Distracted and despondent, she almost fell into the water, but Song Mo appeared just in time and caught her in his arms. He tried to probe her thoughts, but Dou Zhao claimed she was merely hungry and weak, which led to her stumble. Song Mo immediately made her a pot of congee. Having been a field cook, preparing food was no trouble for him.
Dou Zhao, however, had no appetite. Song Mo draped his cloak over her shoulders and held her hands, trying to discern her feelings from her expressions, which irritated Dou Zhao. She snapped at him, asking whether figuring out her thoughts gave him a sense of achievement. Song Mo explained that he only wanted to help her relieve her burdens and understand her pressures.
Dou Zhao took a step back, asking him to stay away from her, saying that was the greatest relief he could give her. Under the emperor’s orders, Wei Tingyu reported to the Jinwu Guards under Song Mo’s command. On his first day, he was given food, but Song Mo rebuked him for eating during military training and reminded everyone that such actions warranted punishment. To set an example, Song Mo ate some himself and declared he would also accept punishment.
By the end of the day, the harsh training left Wei Tingyu exhausted, and even simple steamed buns tasted like delicacies to him at dinner. When Song Mo inquired about his marriage to Dou Zhao, Wei Tingyu complained bitterly, criticizing Dou Zhao as an unrefined and unsuitable match. However, he admitted that marrying her was like bringing a golden goose into the family. This angered Song Mo, who used training as an excuse to further discipline Wei Tingyu harshly.
Unable to bear the grueling regimen, Wei Tingyu rallied some noble peers to petition the emperor. The emperor, impressed by Song Mo’s strict discipline, dismissed their complaints and ordered that Wei Tingyu’s grievances be ignored. However, the emperor did take note of Dou Shishu’s accusation that Song Mo frequented brothels and brought courtesans home to warm his feet. He believed marriage would stabilize Song Mo and urged Dou Shishu to settle the young men’s marital issues promptly.
Wang Yingxue and Dou Shiying invited Wei Tingzhen to watch an opera, bringing younger family members along to foster closer ties and finalize the marriage between Wei Tingyu and Dou Zhao. However, Wei Tingyu secretly met with Dou Ming, gifting her a painting to express his affection. Dou Zhao stumbled upon Song Mo carousing with several opera performers. She was displeased, and Song Mo dismissed everyone to speak with her alone.
He directly pointed out that Dou Zhao understood his intentions and asked for clarity. Dou Zhao, unable to face his gaze, tried to flee but was cornered by Song Mo against a wall. Just as she struggled to escape, Wei Tingyu arrived, assuming Song Mo was bullying Dou Zhao. Wei Tingyu pulled Dou Zhao behind him, but Song Mo noticed how Dou Zhao quickly shook off Wei Tingyu’s hand. Amused, Song Mo left without arguing.
Dou Zhao privately confronted Wei Tingyu, urging him to call off the engagement if he didn’t love her. Wei Tingyu, fearful of his sister’s authority, said he was willing to marry. Dou Zhao then suggested consulting an oracle to determine the wedding date. Wei Tingyu grew anxious, hoping Dou Zhao would speak to Dou Shishu to resolve the matter. Frustrated by Wei Tingyu’s cowardice and lack of resolve, Dou Zhao felt even more disheartened.
Song Mo observed everything from the shadows and realized that Dou Zhao didn’t want to marry Wei Tingyu. This lifted his spirits as he eagerly awaited Dou Zhao’s next move. Wei Tingyu again secretly met Dou Ming, who, despite her feelings for him, remained rational. She had investigated his background, discovering his numerous concubines and frequent visits to brothels.
Wei Tingyu knelt and swore to dismiss all his maids, dedicate his art solely to her, and presented her with a portrait of Dou Zhao he had painted. In return, he noticed Dou Ming had embroidered red bean motifs, signifying their mutual affection. When Dou Zhao agreed to consult the oracle, Wang Yingxue found her unusually compliant. Upon hearing that Dou Zhao was unwell, Wang Yingxue grew suspicious.
Wei Tingzhen invited a renowned oracle to perform a divination using tortoise shells. Suddenly, Chen Qushui and Suxin rushed in, claiming intruders were nearby and urging everyone to seek shelter. After the group left, Wang Yingxue secretly returned and witnessed Dou Zhao swapping the auspicious shell with an inauspicious one. Pleased with her foresight, Wang Yingxue had prepared another auspicious shell and instructed her maid to replace it.
However, Dou Ming soon entered, removed the auspicious shell, and replaced it with an inauspicious one. Wang Yingxue, ever cautious, had multiple tortoise shells prepared. She instructed her maid to replace it again but found the fire tongs had been taken by Dou Ming. Unable to retrieve the shell by hand, Wang Yingxue used her sleeve to replace it. Just as she finished, Wei Tingzhen and the oracle returned.
The oracle declared the shell auspicious, but Wei Tingzhen noticed Wang Yingxue’s trembling hands and grew suspicious. As Wei Tingzhen left, she encountered Dou Zhao, who greeted her while feigning illness and presented her with a valuable gift. Wei Tingzhen’s doubts deepened. This, however, was all part of Dou Zhao’s plan. Knowing Wang Yingxue would prepare extensively, Dou Zhao’s true goal was to sow doubt in Wei Tingzhen’s mind.
When Suxin expressed confusion over what they were investigating, Dou Zhao smiled enigmatically, hinting at a drama involving the scheming sisters.
Related Posts
