Flourished Peony Episode 28 Recap, Plot

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Jiang Zhangyang tempted King Ning with the position of Vice Commissioner of Transportation and reminded him that His Majesty had already met Mudan, and Consort Shu had also seen her. If King Ning insisted on selecting another beautiful and gentle woman for marriage, it would be considered deceiving the emperor. Seeing that King Ning was wavering, Jiang Zhangyang further mentioned that what the County Princess desired was Liu Zishu’s heart.

If he were to take He Weifang as a concubine, it would sever Liu Zishu’s lingering thoughts and be a good thing for the County Princess. Although King Ning didn’t say anything, Jiang Zhangyang knew he couldn’t resist the allure of the lucrative position and finally felt relieved. Mudan, already hidden in a secret chamber for protection, overheard Jiang Zhangyang’s negotiation with King Ning.

After King Ning left, Jiang Zhangyang worried about how to explain this makeshift plan of taking a concubine to Mudan, but to his surprise, Mudan was understanding and broad-minded. For Mudan, her reputation wasn’t as important as her life. Besides, she was already remarried and viewed by society as a profiteering merchant, while the "Hua Niao Shi" was marrying for the first time, making him the one who seemed to be at a loss.

Jiang Zhangyang couldn’t help but laugh—Mudan was no ordinary woman and didn’t need his reassurances at all. Even though Mudan didn’t mind, Jiang Zhangyang was determined to ensure the wedding was properly arranged. However, Mudan preferred to keep things simple, as an elaborate wedding would only draw unwanted attention. Zhu Fu and Xiao Chun disagreed, insisting that the occasion couldn’t be overly modest, and even San Lang warned that visitors bringing gifts to Jiang’s residence tomorrow would flood the entrance.

Despite this, Jiang Zhangyang decided to respect Mudan’s wishes—if she wanted simplicity, then so be it. There would be no banquet for guests, but the wedding gifts would still be delivered. Li Youzhen, having brought this upon herself, came to understand a harsh truth: even the paternal love of royal and noble families for their daughters could not outweigh political interests.

King Ning demanded that Liu Chang marry into his family, stipulating that as long as Liu Zishu signed the agreement to marry into the Ning family and take no other concubines, any of his other demands would be met. Liu Chang was unwilling and attempted to buy time by claiming he needed to consult his family patriarch. King Ning grew furious, threatening to destroy the Liu family lineage. Terrified, Liu Shen immediately signed the agreement on his son’s behalf.

Liu Chang laughed bitterly—what kind of absurd love was this? Not only did he have to marry into another family and forgo having children, but King Ning also expected him to harmoniously coexist with Li Youzhen. Liu Chang, outraged, grew even more resistant, but King Ning had his methods of forcing him into submission.

Unaware of the inside story, Zhu Fu and Xiao Chun, having heard rumors of *Hua Niao Shi* constantly surrounded by beautiful women and living an indulgent life, were deeply worried that Mudan had chosen poorly. Xiao Chun, who had once checked *Hua Niao Shi*’s pulse, found no signs of excessive indulgence; instead, he was in excellent physical condition.

What began as an act between Mudan and Jiang Zhangyang to reassure Zhu Fu and Xiao Chun soon began to feel real to Mudan, as she started to sense a vague, ambiguous connection forming between herself and Jiang Zhangyang. While accompanying Consort Shu in the palace, Mudan not only brought calming and healing incense but also sought to ease her emotional distress.

His Majesty and Jiang Zhangyang, eavesdropping outside, were shocked to hear how much Consort Shu detested the rigid etiquette and formalities of palace life. His Majesty felt a pang of sorrow and instructed Jiang Zhangyang not to tell Consort Shu that he had been there. Liu Chang, now crippled, was imprisoned in the Ning family’s dungeon. In a desperate act of resistance against King Ning’s overwhelming power, he began a hunger strike.

A servant delivering food informed Liu Chang that Liu Shen and his wife had joyfully accepted twenty carts of betrothal gifts, declaring that Liu Chang now belonged to the Ning family in both life and death. Per King Ning’s orders, the servant also brought wedding pastries celebrating He Weifang’s marriage to *Hua Niao Shi*, completely shattering Liu Chang’s hope of ever taking He Weifang as a concubine. Perhaps this was the beginning of Liu Chang’s descent into darkness.

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