The Moon Brightens for You Episode 17 Recap
> The Moon Brightens for You Recap
The episode began in the midst of a fierce battle at the Zhou Family residence. Zhong Buming's plans were thwarted when Zhan Qinghong unexpectedly joined the fray, and Lin Fang and Zhan Podi, previously thought to be incapacitated by poison, recovered. By the time Zhong Buming realized A-Liu’s betrayal, it was too late. Cornered, Zhong Buming demanded Zhan Podi surrender the Seven-star swordsmanship, threatening his life. Zhan Podi defiantly refused, swearing he would die before handing it over.
Zhong Buming then called for Zhan Qinghong to be brought forth, but she appeared unharmed, assuring her father she was well. She explained that Lin Fang’s supposed stab wound was a pre-arranged trick with a hidden mechanism, while Lin Fang added that the poison had been replaced, signifying Zhong Buming's impending demise. During the conflict, Shen Yanzhi led her forces into the Zhou residence to confront Feng Bufei.
Overwhelmed by Zhan Podi, Zhong Buming and Feng Bufei were forced to retreat. As they fled, Zhong Buming launched hidden darts. A-Liu, stepping in front of Lin Fang to shield him, was struck and mortally wounded. Even Shen Yanzhi’s skills could not save him. In his final moments, Zhou Bo (A-Liu’s alias) took Zhan Qinghong's hand and placed it in Lin Fang’s, urging her to cherish the person by her side.
He also requested to be buried with Xiu beneath a specific flower, a wish that was honored. Misinterpreting Zhou Bo’s dying words, Zhan Qinghong later penned a letter to Wen You expressing her feelings of longing. Later, she confronted Lin Fang, demanding a complete account of the battle at the Zhou Family, stating she would not let the matter rest without a clear explanation. Lin Fang, acknowledging Zhan Qinghong's persistence, revealed the full truth.
He confessed that he and A-Liu had been in communication and that he knew A-Liu was from the West Yan Kingdom. He had instructed A-Liu to deliver a secret message to Shen Yanzhi, inquiring about the "Golden Toad," to confirm his allegiance when seeking Zhan Podi's help.
Lin Fang explained that he deduced A-Liu's true identity from his West Yan custom of touching noses to show affection, his lack of reaction to a specific token meant for the real Zhou Bo, and his showboating to Zhan Qinghong during a banquet. A-Liu, in turn, had revealed his true goal was to kill Zhong Buming, aligning with Lin Fang's objectives.
Lin Fang had kept Zhan Qinghong unaware to deceive Zhong Buming into believing his scheme had succeeded, causing him to drop his guard and not suspect Zhan Podi's feigned cooperation. After explaining everything, Zhan Qinghong remained angry about Lin Fang's secrecy and demanded an apology. Lin Fang expressed his regret for causing her worry, and she, in turn, apologized for slapping him. Zhan Podi then suggested they all rest, and he and his wife prepared to depart.
Zhan Qinghong questioned why she was excluded from the plan, and her father playfully suggested it was to prevent her from revealing secrets. Her mother interjected, explaining that Lin Fang simply wanted to protect her from danger, a sentiment she shared. After the successful operation, Zhan Podi and his family left the inn. Lin Fang pledged to Zhan Qinghong’s parents that he would ensure her safety.
They affectionately teased her about Lin Fang, mentioning the special "fried bacon with ice lotus" private dish they would make for him, a privilege she didn’t enjoy. They reminded her of her duties as a guardian to Lin Fang, urging her to be responsible, avoid reckless actions, and follow his instructions. They bid a fond farewell, promising to reunite. Meanwhile, Xiahou Ying visited Wen Rou, seeking her help for Lin Fang, who was afflicted by an unknown poison.
Xiahou Ying described the poison's progression: a bloodstain on Lin Fang's left arm that traveled along the hand's lesser Yin heart meridian, from the Shaochong to the Shenmen point, gradually moving towards his heart, and would be fatal once it reached the Jiquan point. The poison was exacerbated by strong emotions, causing severe chest pain and weakness. Wen Rou admitted she had never encountered such a rare poison but promised to investigate for a few days to find a cure.
Before Xiahou Ying left, he returned a flower message he believed was from her, stating he needed to clearly reject her feelings in person to avoid further complications, citing their age difference. Wen Rou clarified that the flower message wasn't from her but was mistakenly left in a pastry box, so he had rejected someone else's affection. She refused his rejection and, using Lin Fang’s illness as leverage, insisted he accept a pouch she had made, filled with refreshing herbs.
Xiahou Ying accepted the pouch, entrusting Lin Fang’s treatment to her. The flower message incident inadvertently led Princess Hua Yao to misunderstand Wen You's feelings. Prompted by Wen Rou, Wen You visited Hua Yao to clarify. He explained that his preference for the red cake was due to a promise to Zhan Qinghong after losing a sword match, not an expression of love for Hua Yao.
He reiterated that he saw Hua Yao only as a sister and his heart belonged solely to Zhan Qinghong, stating he would marry no one else. Hua Yao was heartbroken, revealing that she had already arranged for Prime Minister Wang to seek an imperial decree for their marriage, leaving little room for reversal. Wen You desperately pleaded with her to ask the Emperor to withdraw the decree, leaving Hua Yao in agony.
Elsewhere, Wang Bucheng, Zhong Buming, and Feng Bufei regrouped. It was revealed that their retreat from the Zhou Family was a calculated move. Wang Bucheng commended their plan, while Feng Bufei grumbled about Zhong Buming's mistakes and implied he might be demoted. Wang Bucheng, their leader, dismissed their losses, stating that abandoning the Weiwu Hall was a necessary sacrifice for greater objectives, and that compared to acquiring the Seven-star swordsmanship, everything else was insignificant.
Wen Rou, claiming that Dendrobium candidum was scarce, invited Xiahou Ying to accompany her to gather herbs. Xiahou Ying found it peculiar that the common herb was unavailable in Jun’an. He later discovered that Wen Rou had purchased all the Dendrobium candidum herself, her true intention being to spend time with him, a fact confirmed when a maid accidentally revealed it.
Enraged, Xiahou Ying confronted Wen Rou, accusing her of being a negligent pharmacist by hoarding medicine and toying with him. Wen Rou, frightened by his anger, tearfully confessed her genuine affection, asserting her bravery in expressing her feelings. Xiahou Ying, however, dismissed her as childish, implying she saw him merely as a coveted prize. Overwhelmed, Wen Rou fled. She then encountered Wen You, who was on the verge of eloping.
He declared that life without Zhan Qinghong was meaningless and he was prepared to give up everything for her. Despite initial worries about the imperial decree's impact on the Wen Family, Wen Rou supported her brother's pursuit of love. She confided in him about Xiahou Ying’s sudden fury, describing him as a changed man.
Wen You advised her to sincerely apologize to Xiahou Ying, assuring her that beneath his stern exterior, he was a reasonable and gentle man who would not hold a grudge. Simultaneously, Shen Yanzhi uncovered the authentic military report at Zhou Bo’s house. Lin Fang read the report, which exposed the three demons of the nether world as the murderers of his father, Lin Xiaotian, decades ago.
Consumed by rage over his unavenged father, Lin Fang's poison flared up, causing him to cough up blood. He reflected on his father's final moments, realizing his father's thoughts were still of him even as he died.
