Episode Summary
In this episode, Xuexi's attempts to win over Jiang Changyang are thwarted when he firmly rejects her romantic confession. Jiang Changyang also asserts his authority by stopping the Grand Princess's plan to demolish He Weifang's quarters for Xuexi's sake. Meanwhile, He Weifang makes a major breakthrough in the Fang Yuan arson case, identifying the accelerant used and suspecting Li Youzhen as the culprit. She and Jiang Changyang team up to expose the truth, which leads to Li Youzhen confessing her crime to the Emperor to protect her adoptive father. The episode ends with Li Youzhen being publicly punished.
Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Blossom, Episode 7: Spoilers
The drama intensifies as relationships are tested and a dangerous plot is unraveled. The episode opens with officials from the palace arriving at Jiang Changyang's residence. To He Weifang's surprise, they begin measuring her and Dafu's living quarters, announcing that the Grand Princess has ordered the "dilapidated rooms" to be torn down and replaced with pavilions, simply because Xuexi fancies them.
Later, at Xuexi's birthday celebration, the beautiful stage of roses and peonies that He Weifang painstakingly arranged is desecrated by swordsmen Xuexi invited to perform. The final straw for He Weifang is seeing a pair of tea cups intricately inscribed with "Qingqing zijin" and "Youyou woxin," classic verses of longing. Whether a gift from or to Jiang Changyang, the message of intimacy is clear, and a heartbroken He Weifang retreats to her room.
That evening, a tipsy Xuexi confesses her lifelong affection for Jiang Changyang, even draping herself in his arms. However, Jiang Changyang, ever the gentleman, firmly rejects her advances. He clarifies that while he may have spoken carelessly in their youth, years have passed, and he can only ever see her as a sister, never a wife. Crushed, Xuexi accepts his rejection.
When Jiang Changyang learns of the plan to demolish He Weifang's quarters, he furiously intervenes, reminding the palace official that it is his residence and not even the Grand Princess can alter it without his consent. Xuexi quickly steps in to dismiss the official, claiming she is only staying for a few days and will soon leave to accompany the Grand Princess.
Meanwhile, He Weifang's investigation into the arson at Fang Yuan makes a breakthrough. She deduces that a highly flammable and prohibited substance, "Xuanqing fire oil," was used to cause the massive blaze. Her suspicion falls on the jealous Li Youzhen, especially after recalling that Li Youzhen's associate, Liu Chang, had purchased a large amount of jewelry from her garden the day before the fire. The challenge, however, is making the captured sailors who transported the oil confess that Li Youzhen was their mastermind.
Jiang Changyang finds He Weifang packing, mistakenly believing she is being forced out. After he clarifies that he has stopped the demolition, he learns of her investigation. He offers to interrogate the sailors, noting his experience with such desperate men. They agree to team up once more, as their goals are aligned: she wants justice against Li Youzhen, while his ultimate target is the Prince of Ning.
Their joint effort proves successful. They manage to bring the issue of the Xuanqing fire oil to the Emperor's attention. The Emperor is enraged to learn that this military-grade oil has been stolen from the stockpiles of Ren Jingzhao. Fearing that her adoptive father will be implicated, Li Youzhen confesses to the arson. The episode concludes with He Weifang watching as Li Youzhen receives her punishment of caning, a moment of stark justice for all the lives she ruined.
