Flourished Peony (国色芳华)
note: there may be inaccuracies as updates are made while watching series. information and formatting may be subject to change as new information is added
Synopsis & Character Breakdown
- Genre, Tags, Keywords: historical romance, entrepreneurship, floral industry, Tang dynasty, business partners to lovers
- Episodes: 32
- Episodes Length: 45 minutes
- Where to watch: Mango TV, Viki, Viu (Singapore)
- Part 2 – to be released: 锦绣芳华 | 24 episodes
Synopsis: He Wei Fang (Yang Zi), the daughter of a merchant in the Tang Dynasty, is compelled into an unsatisfying marriage with Liu Chang (Wei Zhe Ming) due to her mother’s frail health. However, their clashing personalities – his indecisiveness and her stubbornness – causes the marriage to deteriorate. Wei Fang crosses paths with Jiang Chang Yang (Li Xian), known for his selfishness that earned him the nickname of “the most corrupt official in Chang An.” However, beneath this facade lies a shrewd, altruistic strategist dedicated to the welfare of the country. Chang Yang helps Wei Fang escape her marriage of convenience and establish her own peony cultivation business, combining Wei Fang’s exceptional skill and Chang Yang’s resourceful backing to build a successful enterprise… but will love blossom between them like the flowers do? (Source: Viki)
Characters
 | Yang Zi [杨紫] He Wei Fang, also known by her courtesy name Mu Dan, agrees to a marriage of alliance with Liu Chang. However, without love or support from the Liu family, she seizes the opportunity to divorce Liu Chang. Attacked and penniless, He Wei Fang sets out alone to Chang’an, where she meets Jiang Changyang, who provides her with a new household registration and identity as Jiang Xiao Hua. Determined to rebuild her life, she sets out to start a peony business in Chang’an. |
 | Li Xian [李现] Jiang Chang Yang, also known by his courtesy name Sui Zhi, is the Vice Minister of the Office of Imperial Ceremonies and a Flower Envoy who collects rare treasure for the Emperor. Known as a “corrupt” official in Chang’an, he hides his sharp wit and true nature behind a facade of selfishness and indifference. By chance, he meets He Weifang at the Liu manor and becomes intrigued by her wit. |
Supporting Cast
- Miles Wei Zhi Ming [魏哲鸣] as Liu Chang … known by his courtesy name Zi Shu, he is He Wei Fang’s husband, infamous for his cowardly nature. His reluctance to fight for his first love allowed his parents to force him into marrying He Wei Fang. However, he paid her little attention until she stopped being submissive and began pursuing a divorce.
- Zhang Ya Qin [张雅钦] as Li You Zhen … also known as County Princess Ji An, she is Prince Ning’s daughter and Liu Chang’s first love. When they were unable to gain Prince Ning’s approval for their relationship, Liu Chang decided to give up.
- Guo Zhe [郭喆] .. Jiang Chang Yang’s subordinate
- Tu Song Yan [涂松岩] as Prince Ning
- Shao Yun [邵芸] as Qin Sheng Yi … formerly known as Qin Wu Er (Wu Niang), she is He Wei Fang’s business partner and the former wife of Wang Qian. She endured physical abuse from Wang Qian until He Wei Fang intervened to help her.
- Guan Yue [管乐] as Zhu Fu … as Madame Sun’s daughter
- Sun Mei Lin [孙美林] as Lyu Geng Chun
- Gu Zi Cheng [古子成] as Mister Qin
- Lin Zi Lu [林子璐] as Bi Yu … Li You Zhen’s maidservant
Flourished Peony
Mini Drama Recaps
Arc 1: First Marriage & Liu Family
- Zhang Lei [张磊] as Father Liu
- Hao Wen Ting [郝文婷] as Mother Liu
- Wang Tian Yu [王天宇] as Qiu Shi … Liu Chang’s servant
- Yuan Ran [苑冉] as Mother He … He Wei Fang’s birth mother
- Li Jin Rong [李进荣] as Father He … He Wei Fang’s father
- Chen Si Si [陈思斯] as Madame He … He Wei Fang’s stepmother
- Liao Yin Yue [廖银玥] as Yu Lu … He Wei Fang’s close servant
- Qiu Bai Hao [邱柏皓] as Chen Zhang … Chen Li Shou’s son and the warehouse keeper of Luoyang
- Liu Ling Zhi [刘凌志] as Chen Liu Shou … Prince Ning’s confidant
Episode 1
On He Wei Fang’s wedding night, she was quietly brought in through the back door of the Liu manor, with no celebration in sight. A drunk Liu Chang was forced to proceed with the marriage ceremony but did not spend the night with her. Despite this, He Wei Fang remained a dutiful daughter-in-law, obediently following her in-laws’ wishes.
After praying for Liu Chang for five hours, He Wei Fang sneaks out to meet Mr. Lin and helps him deliver a flower pot to the Grand Celestial Master Hall. There, she encounters Jiang Chang Yang, who overhears her secretly wishing ill fortune upon the Liu family.
Later, a floral banquet is announced to be held at the Liu manor, with County Princess Ji An and Jiang Chang Yang among the guests. To prepare, the Liu family takes He Wei Fang’s dowry peonies from her garden and plants them in the main courtyard for display.
Episode 2
County Princess Ji An makes no effort to hide her affection for Liu Chang. Jealous of He Wei Fang’s status, she attempts to pluck one of He Wei Fang’s peonies and takes the closest seat to Liu Chang during the banquet. As the guests enjoy the performance, assassins disguised as dancers suddenly attack Jiang Chang Yang, accusing him of enabling the emperor’s indulgences and disrupting the court hierarchy.
Later, while playing archery games with Chen Zhang and Liu Chang, Jiang Chang Yang deliberately misses a shot, a subtle act that does not escape He Wei Fang’s notice.
Determined to reclaim her peonies, He Wei Fang plans to confront Mother Liu but accidentally overhears a shocking revelation—that the medicine given to her mother in exchange for her marriage to Liu Chang was a counterfeit. Devastated and enraged, He Wei Fang decides to confront Liu Chang and demand a divorce.
Episode 3
County Princess Ji An and Liu Chang reminisce about their past, rekindling old memories, while Chen Zhang attempts to curry favor with Jiang Chang Yang. Meanwhile, He Wei Fang decides to visit the two shops included in her dowry, unaware that they have already been sold.
Concerned that He Wei Fang might uncover the truth, Father Liu intercepts her in the streets to prevent her from reaching the shops. In the ensuing confrontation, Yu Lu steps in to protect He Wei Fang but is tragically injured and killed on the spot.
Episode 4
Seeking justice for Yu Lu, He Wei Fang teams up with Chuan Yu and Jiang Chang Yang to expose the Liu family’s scheme to steal her dowry. Meanwhile, County Princess Ji An visits Shui Yu Pavilion and requests Liu Chang to play a song for her. Their closeness draws attention, and Mu Dan seizes the opportunity to lead the banquet guests to catch the two in a compromising situation.
Using this moment to her advantage, He Wei Fang publicly demands a divorce. Unbeknownst to many, the entire incident was a carefully orchestrated plan, executed with the help of County Princess Ji An and Jiang Chang Yang.
Episode 5
Liu Chang, desperate to stop the divorce, confronts Mu Dan in her room. Aware of her deliberate scheme, he tries to force himself on her, leading to her injury. Drunk and frustrated, Liu Chang leaves, prompting Mu Dan to seek Jiang Chang Yang’s assistance in expediting the divorce proceedings through the yamen.
Jiang Chang Yang departs for Chang’an and offers Mu Dan a position under him, but she declines. Before the divorce agreement is finalized, the Liu family makes an attempt on Mu Dan’s life. Meanwhile, Liu Chang discovers that the Zi Xi pill provided for Mu Dan’s mother was a counterfeit.
Arc 2: Settling in Chang’An
- Xin Peng [辛鹏] as Wang Qing … Wu Niang’s abusive ex-husband, who tried to coerce He Wei Fang into a relationship with him.
- Xie Xin [谢心] as Yun Niang … lady of Wan Guan Hall, an establishment owned by Jiang Chang Yang.
- Tong Meng Shi [佟梦实] as Li Xing … also known by Wen Qing, is He Wen Fang’s cousin from her mother side.
Episode 6
Mu Dan arrives at the He manor only to discover that the Liu family has already gotten there. To avoid bringing trouble to her family, she stages her own death and decides to continue to Chang’an on her own. Meanwhile, Liu Chang, furious with his parents for coveting Mu Dan’s dowry and driving her to such a fate, confronts them but ends up being punished.
In Chang’an, Mu Dan struggles to find work without a proper household registration. She stumbles upon Wu Niang’s restaurant and asks for a job but is turned down. However, Wu Niang’s husband, Wang Qing, intervenes and agrees to let Mu Dan stay and work at a reduced wage while he assists her in obtaining a household registration.
Episode 7
Wu Niang reveals Wang Qing’s true nature to Mu Dan, causing her to try to flee. However, Wang Qing catches her in the act. Mu Dan manages to escape into the street and cries for help, where she coincidentally encounters her cousin, Wen Qing, who temporarily helps her evade Wang Qing.
With no other options, Mu Dan decides to bring her peony plant to Wan Guan Hall, hoping to pawn it in exchange for a household registration. There, she meets the owner, Jiang Shang Yang, who agrees to help her under the condition that she provide twenty pots of plants for his aunt, a plant enthusiast. After fulfilling the agreement, Mu Dan receives a new household registration under the name Jiang Xiao Hua.
Episode 8
Mu Dan pawns her mother’s jade necklace for 10 guan to buy Wu Niang’s freedom from Wang Qing. Together, Wu Niang, now with a new name, Qin Sheng Yi, they attempt to start a flower business selling dwarf and affordable peonies. Mu Dan approaches Jiang Shang Yang to invest in their venture.
Jiang Shang Yang, however, deliberately leads Mu Dan to climb Qing Lang Mountain, a restricted hunting area. While hunting with Prince Ning, Jiang Shang Yang shoots near Mu Dan, using the incident as an excuse to avoid discussing marriage with County Princess Ji An.
Arc 3: Starting a Business in Chang’An
- Qu Zhe Ming [曲哲明] as San Lang
- Zhao Rui [钊瑞] as Brother Tang
- Wang Chu Yu [王楚渝] as Brother Pan
- Yang Kun [杨昆] as Madame Sun … incense market vendor
Episode 9
Mu Dan and Jiang Shang Yang descend the mountain as County Princess Ji An arrives to meet Prince Ning and finalize her marriage with Zi Shu. With Prince Ning’s agreement, Zi Shu heads to Chang’an, where he is appointed Vice Minister.
Meanwhile, Mu Dan and Qin Sheng Yi successfully produce their first batch of Fragrant Sleeve peonies, which quickly sells out. However, their dilapidated hut is unsuitable for optimal peony cultivation. The two decide to find a better property before paying Jiang Shang Yang his share of the profits. They discover a large property that meets their needs, though it has two major issues: it is severely rundown and located next to Jiang Shang Yang’s residence. Recognizing its potential, they purchase it from a housing agent.
While cleaning the property, they uncover a hidden gate that leads directly into Jiang Shang Yang’s residence. To their surprise, they learn that the property is not adjacent to Jiang’s manor but actually part of it. After persistent efforts, Mu Dan and Qin Sheng Yi convince Jiang Shang Yang to let them stay.
Episode 10
Mu Dan enters Jiang Shang Yang’s residence on the 15th, an auspicious day to open the warehouse and receive goods. Chuan Yu gives her a tour of the residence, showcasing Jiang Shang Yang’s luxury goods. Mu Dan is able to dedut that Jiang Shang Yang is purposely flaunting his wealth to let the rumors about him spread.
Meanwhile, Liu Chang attends a banquet at Young Master Jia’s residence and feels out of place among the affluent guests. Overhearing talk of a street vendor selling peonies, he visits the market hoping it might be Mu Dan. At the stall, he finds Qin Sheng Yi instead and leaves disappointed, but he later encounters Mu Dan, who has just acquired a Moutan peony from a scammer. When he expresses his regret and offers to help her, she resists, stating that the best way he can help is by continuing to believe she is still dead.
Back at the Jiang residence, Jiang Shang Yang gathers with his friends, and a phoenix kite flies into Mu Dan’s garden. San Lang, curious to see Mu Dan, asks Jiang Shang Yang for a chance to take a peek. With Jiang Shang Yang’s assistance, San Lang ends up falling into the peonies, damaging several of them.
Episode 11
Wang Qing attempts to sabotage Mu Dan’s peony business by rallying a group of disgruntled customers whose flowers have wilted, demanding refunds. The group destroys Mu Dan’s flower cart and follows her home, but Mu Dan resolves the issue with the understanding Madame Sun, a reasonable customer who values Mu Dan’s honesty. Jiang Shang Yang observes Mu Dan’s tears and resilience, leaving him deeply moved.
Qin Sheng Yi later mentions that Madame Sun runs an incense stall, prompting the two to visit her, hoping to learn how to use their peonies to make incense. During their visit, they meet Madame Sun’s daughter, Zhu Fu, who helps them escape another of Wang Qing’s schemes aimed at tarnishing Qin Sheng Yi’s reputation.
Episode 12
coming soon…
Questions and Answers to
Flourished Peony
Is “Flourished Peony” adapted from a novel?
Flourished Peony is adapted from the novel Flourished Peony by Yi Qian Chong (意千重).
Is there a second male lead or female lead?
Liu Chang is Mu Dan’s first husband. The two were arranged to be married so that the He family can get the Zi Xi pill for Mu Dan’s mother. However, once Mu Dan found out that the pill they received was fake, she decided to divorce her husband and move on.
How does “Flourished Peony” end? Does “Flourished Peony” have a happy or sad ending?
Flourished Peony has yet to conclude but based on the novel, it is said to have a happy ending.
First Impressions Drama Review: Flourished Peony
