Blossoms in Adversity Episode 16 Recap, Plot

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Xia Jin’e had Xia Ming take on part-time bookkeeping work for the Hua family and specifically instructed him to avoid others to prevent unnecessary suspicion within the household. Hua Zhi invited Hua Ling to serve as a female instructor at the residence. As a greeting gift, she presented the “Early Spring Creek Walk” painting that Hua Ling had once treasured the most—she had angrily thrown it into a charcoal brazier during a quarrel with Xia Jin’e.

Unexpectedly, Hua Zhi had found someone to restore it. Touched by Hua Zhi’s sincerity, Hua Ling agreed. To prevent the Hua family’s children from ending up as mere merchants or craftsmen, Hua Zhi decided to move the classroom to the training ground and add vocational courses, inviting professionals from various trades to teach. She also invited Gu Yanxi to be the first instructor, to speak about the northern regions.

The madams were skeptical of Hua Zhi’s vocational classes, but Lin Wan advised them to observe first before making judgments. The northern region was also where the Hua family’s men had gone, which brought a heavy mood to everyone. To ease the tension, Gu Yanxi emphasized the advantages and benefits of the northern region, giving everyone a comprehensive understanding. Hua Zhi had put great effort into these vocational classes to cultivate the students’ character.

So Gu Yanxi arranged for the students to run laps around the city at dawn to encourage them to lift their heads high. Through these classes, the Hua family boys broadened their horizons and gained new knowledge. Hua Zhi’s second sister, Hua Xian, returned to visit the family with her son, leaving him to study at the Hua family school. Although she was back at her maternal home, Hua Xian left shortly after arriving, not even visiting her mother.

During Hua Ling’s first lesson, the children couldn’t understand a word she said, and her harsh demeanor frightened Hua Duo to tears. Just as Bo Lin and Bo Li were about to stir up trouble, Zheng Zhi warned them from outside the window. Realizing Zheng Zhi had helped her, Hua Ling sought him out for advice.

Shao Yao came to help at the shop and was playing near the entrance when Shen Huan’s classmates tricked her, claiming that after she drugged Shen Huan, his face broke out in sores and he was on the verge of death. Shao Yao panicked and followed them. Just as they were bullying her, Shen Huan arrived in time to save her.

Shao Yao accidentally let it slip while speaking, and only then did Shen Huan realize the red rash on his face was caused by the drug she had given him. Yingchun came looking for Shao Yao, and Shen Huan left silently without saying a word. Yingchun didn’t recognize Shen Huan but had seen him buying things at the Hua family shop. Without thinking, Shao Yao blurted out his name was Shen Er.

Upon hearing this, Gu Yanxi flew into a rage. Chen Qing received the order and dealt with Shen Huan’s three classmates, while Gu Yanxi personally went to confront Shen Huan. Later, Chen Qing came to the training ground to inform Gu Yanxi that Granny Wei, who served the Empress Dowager, had left the palace that day to offer incense and oil money at the Shanhua Temple. Gu Yanxi instructed him to follow her.

Following Gu Yanxi’s instructions, Chen Qing took the secret letters from the box. When Lin Wan received the box and found it empty, she summoned Hua Zhi for help in copying the original letters. While transcribing them, Hua Zhi thought of Gu Yanxi and went to the training ground, just in time to see Chen Qing reporting to him. Gu Yanxi invited Hua Zhi inside. Without hesitation, she entered.

Gu Yanxi locked the door, pressed his arm against Hua Zhi’s neck, and forced her into a corner. Hua Zhi wasn’t afraid; she even aimed a sleeve arrow at Gu Yanxi. As he glanced at the weapon and lowered his head, Hua Zhi had already drawn his short blade and held it to his neck. As expected, it was just a bluff. Gu Yanxi let go of Hua Zhi and explained the purpose of his visit.

Hua Zhi gave him the secret letters. After reading them, Gu Yanxi found that not only were they harmless, but even a bit endearing. Lin Wan and the Empress Dowager had shared a deep bond and kept in touch all these years. The letters spoke only of poetry and personal sentiments. Gu Yanxi wanted to take the letters to prove the Hua family’s innocence, so Hua Zhi spent the whole night copying them.

Early the next morning, Gu Yanxi left with the transcriptions. After reading the letters, Gu Chengtao reminded Gu Yanxi not to become sentimental like the Empress Dowager. Gu Yanxi replied that his visit to the Hua family wasn’t just about investigating the secret letters—it was also to search for clues about the fire from years ago.

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