Episode Summary
In this episode, Jiang Changyang tries to push He Weifang away to protect her from his dangerous mission against King Ning. Undeterred, she finds him at his secret camp and, upon understanding the gravity of his cause, agrees to let him go. A final, emotional farewell on a boat leads to a passionate night, consummating their love before their impending separation.
Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Blossom: Episode 17 Spoilers
Haunted by the past, Jiang Changyang visits the mountain ravine where the ruthless King Ning murdered Prime Minister Lu and his entire family. The memory of this horrific event, a consequence of their shared ambition to save the nation, weighs heavily on him. Fearing that his dangerous path will inevitably endanger He Weifang, he resolves to keep her at a distance for her own safety.
He Weifang receives a letter from Jiang Changyang, stating they should have no further contact. Understanding his motives and refusing to be deterred by danger, she decides to help him. At his former residence, she notices special red clay on a pair of boots, a type of soil found only in the western suburbs. Disguised as a beggar, she sets out to find him.
Jiang Changyang's men capture a person they suspect is a spy for King Ning. To everyone's surprise, when Jiang Changyang removes the captive's hat, he finds it is He Weifang. Finally reunited with him in his military camp, she discovers farewell letters written by his soldiers. She realizes they are on a suicide mission, prepared to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for their country. In the face of such conviction, personal feelings seem insignificant. Understanding the weight of his mission, she smiles and tells Jiang Changyang she will sign the letter of divorcement, freeing him to pursue his goals.
As she is about to leave, Weifang spots the jade hairpin she once gave him tucked among his documents. He had lied about throwing it away; instead, he had it secretly mended with gold. The gesture proves his love for her is real. With a bittersweet smile, she takes the hairpin and breaks it again. She recalls that the hairpin was already broken when San Lang first gave it to Jiang Changyang, perhaps foreshadowing that their love was destined to end from the very beginning.
Determined to support Jiang Changyang's great cause, He Weifang announces her own plan: she will expand her business, Fang Garden, to the south in Jiangnan. The news of her commercial ambitions spreads throughout the city. To make her departure public, she hosts a lively banquet and sale on a boat.
That night, one of Jiang Changyang's men secretly informs Weifang that if she doesn't bid him farewell tonight, they may never see each other again. Unable to suppress his longing, Jiang Changyang goes to the flower boat. He finds Weifang standing alone on the deck under the moonlight, drinking to drown her sorrows. As her wine flask falls and she stumbles, nearly falling overboard, he rushes forward, catching her by the waist and pulling her into a secure embrace.
Face to face again, they can no longer contain their suppressed emotions. Their eyes meet, and a passionate kiss follows. After a long and difficult journey, filled with misunderstandings and the interference of others, they finally spend a night of passion together.
Meanwhile, the Spring Imperial Examination is approaching. It's an opportunity Jiang Changyang fought hard to secure for scholars from humble backgrounds. However, a group of powerful nobles, desperate to find back-door promotions for their own unqualified sons, begin scheming and turn to King Ning for help.
