Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Blossom: Episode 4 Recap
With Lianzhou finally sent away, Jiang Changyang feels a sense of relief, having removed one of Prince Ning's spies from his residence. He praises He Weifang for her clever and discreet methods in helping him clear out these obstacles. When he asks what she wants as a reward, she cheekily requests more of his osmanthus wine.
The peace is short-lived. A subordinate rushes to inform He Weifang that Lady Xiao has sent another woman, Xuexi, to stay at the residence. He Weifang sighs, realizing the Eldest Princess is scheming again, this time hoping to match Xuexi with Jiang Changyang.
Meanwhile, Pei Zhong is deeply in love with Xuexi. Hearing that the Eldest Princess intends to give her to Jiang Changyang, he becomes desperate. He arranges to meet Xuexi, who, despite knowing the Eldest Princess's intentions, naively agrees to his invitation.
Pei Zhong, however, is not the gentleman he appears to be. In a private room at an inn, he drugs Xuexi's tea, causing her to fall unconscious. As this unfolds, Jiang Changyang and He Weifang happen to be boating nearby. He Weifang wonders at Jiang Changyang's sudden romantic gesture, but he points to a window across the water where they can see the silhouettes of Pei Zhong and Xuexi. When Pei Zhong suddenly lowers the curtain, He Weifang is puzzled, but Jiang Changyang understands the sinister implication. He deliberately damages their boat to create a pretext for going ashore and conveniently chooses the same inn for a meal.
They arrive just in time. Pei Zhong has already carried the unconscious Xuexi to the bed and is undressing her. He Weifang rushes behind a screen to find Xuexi's clothes torn open and quickly covers her. Jiang Changyang confronts Pei Zhong, warning him that forcing Xuexi will only bring disaster. He reminds Pei Zhong that Xuexi is a woman of strong character who would never marry a man she doesn't love and might even become a nun if she were violated. Furthermore, her powerful family, the Xiaos, would not let him go unpunished. Struck with fear, Pei Zhong allows Jiang Changyang to take Xuexi away.
When Xuexi awakens, she is in tears. He Weifang comforts her, and Xuexi expresses her gratitude. However, she explains that she cannot report Pei Zhong because he is backed by the powerful Eldest Princess and that she can only be more careful in the future.
In a separate plotline, Liu Chang notices unfamiliar faces lurking near his boat. Fearing his secrets are at risk, he has them investigated and discovers a connection to Jiang Changyang's residence, arousing his suspicion and prompting him to plot against them.
At court, many officials are pressuring the Emperor to name Consort Shu's son as the Crown Prince. This makes Consort Shu a target for those who believe the future emperor's mother must be the Empress. During a tea party hosted by Consort Shu, which Jiang Changyang and He Weifang attend, Jiang Changyang offers the consort a pastry. He Weifang, however, recognizes that some ingredients in the pastry conflict with Consort Shu's daily medicine and advises her to wait a day before eating it. Consort Shu casually feeds the pastry to her pet, which immediately collapses and dies, bleeding from the mouth.
An enraged Consort Shu orders an immediate investigation. A doctor confirms that only her portion of the pastries was poisoned, making it a clear assassination attempt. In the ensuing chaos, an accuser points the finger at Jiang Changyang, arguing that he was responsible for procuring the food and is therefore a prime suspect. The Eldest Princess orders Jiang Changyang to be imprisoned.
