Flourished Peony Episode 15 Recap, Plot

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Under Jiang Zhangyang's coercion, Mudan had no choice but to stab herself with a knife. However, she quickly realized the knife was just a toy that retracted upon contact. It dawned on her that Jiang Zhangyang had tricked her. Then, Xu Zuping, sitting outside the hall, spoke up. Seeing the supposedly deceased Xu Jijiu alive shocked Mudan, and she realized the truth was far more complicated than she had imagined. Jiang Zhangyang briefly explained the truth.

On that rainy night, Jiang had been waiting at Xu Zuping’s house to discuss business. When his teacher didn’t return on time, Jiang went out to look for him and discovered assassins attempting to kill Xu Zuping. Jiang eliminated the assassins and saved his teacher.

To fake Xu Zuping’s death, Jiang found the corpse of a condemned prisoner with a similar build and appearance, threw the body into the river, and spread the news of Xu Zuping’s supposed death, thus convincing King Ning of its authenticity. Since Jiang’s estate was frequently visited by influential figures, keeping Xu Zuping there was inconvenient. Understanding Jiang Zhangyang’s meaning, Mudan immediately suggested bringing Xu Zuping to stay at her shop.

Xu Zuping volunteered to serve as an accountant for the shop, leaving Mudan both flattered and surprised. Jiang handed Mudan the medicinal powder for Xu Zuping’s foot baths and the tea he needed to drink daily, demonstrating his trust in her by entrusting his most respected teacher to her care. Mudan didn’t reveal the truth to Qin Shengyi, simply claiming that Xu Zuping was an accountant she had worked hard to recruit from elsewhere.

Meanwhile, Jiang’s estate was bustling with the sound of opera. Curious, Mudan went to watch and learned from Chuan Yu that it was the memorial day for Jiang’s deceased birth mother. Some guests deliberately performed opera to flatter Jiang Zhangyang, hoping to secure an official position. However, Jiang Zhangyang, in a rare show of defiance, rejected these attempts and instead accused the flatterers of bribery. Standing nearby, Mudan suddenly noticed that the puppeteer performing the opera seemed different from usual.

The opera depicted the touching love story between Jiang Yuantang and his first wife, but Jiang Zhangyang knew the truth behind the tale. Late at night, Mudan grilled some meat, and the enticing aroma attracted Jiang Zhangyang. She generously invited him to join her. In the quiet night, Jiang Zhangyang, uncharacteristically, confided in her. The world praised his parents for their lifelong devotion, but only he knew the supposed love was a farce.

After moving to Chang’an, Jiang Yuantang became infatuated with another woman and took her as his mistress. When his wife passed away, Jiang Yuantang was eager to bring the mistress into the household, but Jiang Zhangyang stopped him by threatening to take his own life. Jiang Zhangyang and Mudan, both reluctant to marry, made a bet to see who would break their vow first. The loser would owe the winner ten thousand guan.

Without drafting a formal agreement, Jiang carved “The first to marry wins” on a stone table, signing it with his name. Mudan then added her signature with a peony symbol. The two drank among the flowers, eventually falling asleep on a soft couch. The next morning, Mudan awoke first and was about to admire the elegant profile of the flower-and-bird puppeteer when she was startled by a group of strangers.

Jiang Zhangyang addressed one of the women as “Auntie,” and Mudan realized their identities. Madam Feng, Jiang Zhangyang’s aunt, ordered him to be tied up and taken to the ancestral hall for a scolding. She declared that Jiang and Mudan’s drunken slumber among the flowers had ruined Mudan’s reputation, and the two should marry to preserve Mudan’s honor. Surprisingly, Jiang Zhangyang didn’t refuse and readily agreed. Mudan immediately explained that their relationship was purely transactional.

However, seeing Jiang Zhangyang remain silent in front of Madam Feng, Mudan seized the opportunity to slap him, feigning anger and embarrassment before running off. Instead of being upset, Madam Feng admired Mudan’s boldness, praising her as the first woman daring enough to slap Jiang Zhangyang. She later sent a collection of gold and silver hairpins as an apology gift.

Mudan recalled Chuan Yu delivering Jiang Zhangyang’s message—he was willing to change their profit-sharing ratio to 70-30, provided that Mudan resolutely refused Madam Feng’s offer of marriage.

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