Episode Summary
In this episode, He Weifang narrowly escapes Liu Chang's clutches with the help of Xiao Xuexi and the newly-returned Chuan Yu. Refusing to flee, she secures funds from Jiang Changyang's aunt and travels south with her loyal friends. There, she builds a thriving business by aiding famine victims and cleverly striking a deal to employ local bandits as her transport crew, bringing peace and prosperity to the region while secretly funding the Hedong Army's war effort.
Spoiler Alert
In the Name of Blossom: Episode 21 Spoilers
Just as Liu Chang corners He Weifang, her desperate attempt to kill him with a hairpin fails due to her lack of strength. Pinned to the ground and on the verge of being captured, salvation arrives in the form of Xiao Xuexi, the treasured daughter of the Xiao family. With her own guards in tow, Xuexi reminds Liu Chang that he no longer holds any official power, forcing him to back down and watch as she rescues Weifang.
Weifang is puzzled as to how Xuexi found her. Xuexi reveals a welcome surprise: their friend Chuan Yu is alive. After learning of Jiang Changyang's assassination, Chuan Yu had been secretly protecting Weifang and was the one who sent for help, allowing Xuexi to arrive in the nick of time.
With her friends, including Chuan Yu, now back by her side, Weifang is urged by Xuexi to flee with them. However, Weifang refuses to leave, her desire for revenge burning too brightly. She thanks Xuexi and instead goes alone to see Jiang Changyang's aunt, his only remaining relative. Heartbroken by her nephew's fate, the aunt agrees to lend Weifang the funds she needs to seek justice against King Ning and the corrupt officials in the court, promising further aid if necessary.
Determined to secure provisions for the Hedong Army, Weifang prepares to travel south. Her loyal companions, Xiao Chun and Da Fu, insist on joining her, and Chuan Yu comes along as well, reuniting the group of devoted friends. The journey by boat is difficult for Weifang, who suffers from seasickness, but Da Fu is there to care for her with remedies.
Upon arriving in the south, Weifang adopts a new identity. She begins by earning the trust of the local famine victims, providing them with porridge. She then teaches them to identify and gather valuable local medicinal herbs, which she buys from them and sells for a high price. The profits are then used to fund more food relief, creating a sustainable cycle of aid and commerce.
Her new base of operations is frequently harassed by border bandits who raid out of desperation, as they have no land to farm. Seeing an opportunity rather than a threat, Weifang proposes a deal to the bandit leader. She offers them consistent, paid work transporting her goods by land and water, as well as access to her pharmacy for their families' medical needs. In exchange, they must cease their life of plunder. After considering the offer, the bandits agree, bringing their herds down from the mountains and ending their raids. The local people, now living in peace, are immensely grateful to Weifang, showering her with gifts upon her departure.
As her business empire grows, Weifang continuously converts her earnings into gold to support the front-line soldiers. On the anniversary of Jiang Changyang's death, she secretly visits his grave to mourn, releasing river lanterns in his memory. In her quiet moments of grief, she sometimes imagines his spirit visiting her, gently urging her to let go of her quest for vengeance, a burden she finds impossible to set down.
Her journey eventually takes her to Zhang County, where she must deal with a notorious local scoundrel known for extorting merchants. When he predictably demands a "passage fee," Weifang is prepared. She presents him with a piece of the incriminating evidence she has already gathered against him, causing him to back down in fear. After passing, she submits all her evidence to the county magistrate, ensuring the bully will finally face justice.
