Flourished Peony (国色芳华)

Set in the Tang Dynasty, He Weifang, the daughter of a merchant skilled in cultivating rare peonies, is forced into a loveless marriage to save her mother. After discovering the Liu family’s betrayal and the death of her mother due to fake medicine, she gains the help of the mysterious "Flower and Bird Envoy" Jiang Changyang to escape her unhappy marriage and achieve a divorce. Fleeing to the capital Chang’an, she starts a new life by cultivating and selling peonies, building a floral business. Together with Jiang Changyang, she combines her craftsmanship with his resources to create a successful enterprise, empowering women with difficult pasts and eventually helping the poor, all while their bond deepens into a secret romance.

The 32-episode first season can be broadly divided into four main story arcs:

• Act 1: Unhappy Marriage & Escape (Episodes 1-7): He Weifang is forced to marry into the Liu family and suffers a miserable life. She discovers her mother was killed with fake medicine, then teams up with Jiang Changyang to expose her husband’s affair, achieving a divorce. She flees to the capital after the Liu family attempts to kill her.
• Act 2: Hardship & Starting Over in Chang’an (Episodes 6-10): Fleeing to Chang’an, He Weifang struggles to find work and falls victim to an evil boss. With the help of Jiang Changyang, she obtains a fake identity and rescues another abused woman, naming her "Shengyi." She rents a garden and begins her peony cultivation business.
• Act 3: Growing the Floral Business (Episodes 11-22): He Weifang successfully cultivates rare peonies and partners with Jiang Changyang to launch the brand "Flower Countenance." Together, they establish a flower business, employing women with difficult pasts and building a thriving enterprise.
• Act 4: Political Turmoil & Final Union (Episodes 23-32): As He Weifang’s business grows, she becomes entangled in political conflicts and conspiracies. Amidst rebellion and turmoil, she supports Jiang Changyang’s mission to serve the country. After overcoming these challenges together, they retreat to live in harmony.