Blossom Episode 33 Recap
> Blossom Recap
Miao Ansu only then learned that Anping had sought help from Song Han that day, complaining about being beaten by Dong Qi. However, instead of saving him, Song Han had beaten him to death with a club. A passing coachman witnessed the entire scene, panicked, and fled, but his fleeing figure was noticed by Song Han. When Miao Ansu returned home and was about to light a candle, Song Han suddenly rushed in and kissed her, leaving her flustered.
Song Han had searched all over the capital to buy a necklace for Miao Ansu because it was her first birthday since their wedding. Miao Ansu was moved and asked if Song Han was hiding anything from her. Song Han admitted to many past wrongdoings. Miao Ansu pressed further, asking if he would turn back if given a chance. Song Han nodded. Miao Ansu hugged him tightly. That night, as Song Han slept, Miao Ansu gazed intently at the necklace.
The Emperor woke up to the Empress presenting an elixir, claiming it was made by a Taoist recommended by Lu Yuanpan. The Emperor did not immediately take it. Learning that Eunuch Wang was attending to him, he guessed that Wang Ge must now control the Directorate of Ceremonial, and Lu Yuanpan had already returned to his hometown. Knowing Lu Yuanpan had always advised against trusting Taoists and elixirs, the Emperor realized the Empress had gained the upper hand.
Watching her smile and urge him to take the medicine reminded him of their younger days when they discussed state affairs together. Even when the Emperor grew tired, the Empress's persistent smile had always seemed vibrant, like the morning sun. The Emperor reflected on entrusting the Crown Prince to the late Empress Dowager's care, which must have caused the Empress much grievance. He gently encouraged her to express her grievances if she had any.
The Empress, recalling her efforts to assist the Emperor in handling state affairs, remembered one instance vividly. Upon hearing the Emperor cough, she personally brought medicine to him, only to overhear his decree to have her buried with him after his death to avoid a repeat of the Wu Zhou chaos. Moreover, if the King of Qing attempted to return, he was to be accused of treason and subdued by Duke Dingguo.
From that moment, thoughts of rebellion began to stir within her. However, she refrained from voicing these thoughts, instead expressing gratitude to the Emperor for including her in state matters and sharing her aspirations to participate in the imperial exams when she was young. She urged him once again to take the medicine. At that moment, the Crown Prince and Liang Gelao forced their way in, despite the guards' attempts to block them.
The Crown Prince insisted it was his duty as a subject to care for the Emperor. Liang Gelao suggested the Emperor attend a sacrificial ritual but, considering his health, proposed that the Crown Prince go instead. The Crown Prince was unwilling, insisting on staying by the Emperor's side. The Emperor ordered him to go and allowed Gu Yu to accompany him.
The Emperor assured Gu Yu that if this mission succeeded, Song Mo’s life would be spared, and she would grant Gu Yu any rank he desired in the future. After Gu Yu left, the Empress smashed her cup in anger, feeling that the Emperor had forced her into her current position. The King of Qing conspired with Song Han to stage a coup. During negotiations, Song Han openly made his demands, knowing the King of Qing needed his help.
Enraged by Song Han’s tone, the King of Qing considered killing him with an arrow but hesitated after Song Han killed a soldier to prove his point, warning that the dead were useless allies. The King of Qing reluctantly agreed to Song Han’s terms, promising him the title of the first non-royal king after success. When the King of Qing suggested killing Miao Ansu, Song Han argued that the wealth of the Miao family was critical to their plans.
Realizing Song Han was reluctant to harm Miao Ansu, the King of Qing let the matter rest. The two agreed to launch the coup on the fifteenth. Song Han returned and helped Miao Ansu pin on her hairpin. He intended to send her out of the city early but, before he could speak, Miao Ansu suggested accompanying her parents to deliver Anping’s ashes to Futing.
Song Han advised her to return after the Lantern Festival, not wanting her to endure a long journey, though his true intent was to ensure the coup had concluded by then. Song Mo locked himself in his room, refusing to open the door for anyone. Dou Zhao, worried, went to see him. Song Mo tied himself up and urged Dou Zhao to leave, unwilling to let her see his current state.
He wished to maintain his perfect image in her eyes. Dou Zhao, unconcerned about his graying hair, only hoped he wouldn’t isolate himself. Suddenly, Song Mo coughed up blood. Hearing the commotion, Dou Zhao forced her way in and tried to feed him medicine. Song Mo nearly strangled her but managed to restrain himself, fleeing the room in panic. Desperate, Dou Zhao drank the medicine herself and chased after him, administering it to him mouth-to-mouth.
Meanwhile, Song Han had already seen Miao Ansu off. Song Mo gradually recovered and recalled their first confrontation on a rainy night. Holding a dagger to Dou Zhao’s throat, he had felt as if she were an old friend he hadn’t seen in years. Dou Zhao confessed she had been just as nervous but had tried to remain calm. She also shared her dream about Song Mo.
At that moment, a messenger arrived from the palace, inviting Dou Zhao to a banquet hosted by the Empress. Accompanying the Crown Prince, Gu Yu seized the opportunity to detain him. The Crown Prince, believing Gu Yu’s friendship with Song Mo, was surprised but had no choice but to comply when Gu Yu admitted his own difficulties. Song Han closely monitored Dou Zhao and Song Mo.
Learning of Song Mo’s poisoning and subsequent argument with Dou Zhao, he gleefully informed Ji Yong and the King of Qing, who suggested they take action immediately. At the palace banquet, noblewomen presented rare treasures. Dou Zhao offered exotic Western goods, which some attendees eagerly sought her business advice on. Wei Tingyu sarcastically remarked on Dou Zhao’s apparent decline, implying her late arrival was due to traveling by donkey cart.
Dou Zhao arrived just then and retorted with her own sarcasm. The Empress’s arrival interrupted their exchange, and she praised Dou Zhao’s unique offerings. Dou Zhao also brought a dance performance, symbolizing peace and prosperity, even as violence unfolded outside. Song Han opened the city gates to welcome the King of Qing, who sought to seize the imperial seal and declare his rule before dawn. At the banquet, the Empress raised a cryptic toast, wishing for a fresh start.
Suddenly, guards stormed in, taking the noblewomen hostage. Unperturbed, Dou Zhao glanced at the clock she had brought as a gift, and the Empress realized Dou Zhao had anticipated her plans. Dou Zhao understood the Empress intended to hold the women as hostages to deter any counterattacks. She also knew the Empress would not harm them. However, the Empress, enraged by Dou Zhao’s defiance, ordered her execution. Just then, an explosion occurred near the clock.
Su Yan appeared, capturing the Empress and forcing her to retreat step by step. Wang Ge and his men pursued them. Wang Ge deceived Dou Zhao and Su Yan by claiming Song Mo was dead. When Su Yan was distracted, she was struck by an arrow while shielding Dou Zhao, leading to her capture. Wang Ge ordered Chen Jia to execute Dou Zhao, but Chen Jia turned against him, wounding him instead.
Dou Zhao appealed to the Shadow Guards, urging them not to be tools of the powerful. Moved by her words, they pledged loyalty to Chen Jia. Dou Zhao instructed Chen Jia to guard the city gates and block the King of Qing and Song Han. Song Mo arrived with the Dingguo Army to confront Song Han and the King of Qing. Miao Ansu, pretending to head to Futing, had secretly delivered Dou Zhao’s letter to the Dingguo Army, rallying them to the capital.
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