The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Episode 17 Recap
> The Romance of Hua Rong 2 Recap
Hua Rong and Qin Shangcheng shared a quiet moment, enjoying roasted chicken, with Hua Rong remarking on Qin Shangcheng’s excellent cooking. Qin Shangcheng expressed his contentment, saying he would happily stay trapped there with her forever. However, Hua Rong reminded him of her promise to uncover his true identity and to discover the mysterious figure behind Duanmu Bai’s schemes.
Qin Shangcheng assured her that he harbored a deep grudge for past wrongs, including the assassination attempt at Mermaid Bay and her hypnotized attempt on his life, all of which pointed to their enemy’s ultimate goal: the Sacred Sword. Hua Rong puzzled over the Sacred Sword’s significance, especially its connection to rescuing Duanmu Qingcang and the hundreds of people from Prince Mu's Residence.
Qin Shangcheng surmised that Duanmu Bai's desire for the Sacred Sword to become the alliance leader indicated a strong link to the Imperial Alliance, and he was determined to foil Duanmu Bai's plans. Deciding not to delay, they resolved to find a way out of Orchid Valley and complete the second assessment. Meanwhile, Chi Hong deliberately followed Duanmu Bai. When he questioned her presence, she claimed it was merely a coincidence as there was only one path to Orchid Valley.
Duanmu Bai attempted to take an alternative route to avoid her, but Chi Hong, after a dramatic gesture, declared that Hua Rong and Qin Shangcheng’s relationship had likely rekindled, freeing her from any pretense. She insisted on accompanying him, and Duanmu Bai eventually acquiesced. Later, while Chi Hong roasted sweet potatoes for him, Duanmu Bai suddenly noticed numerous poisonous insects infesting the trees. His immediate solution was to run.
During their escape, Chi Hong discovered a poisonous spider on her shoulder, which Duanmu Bai carefully removed. To his dismay, he then found a spider on his own shoulder and saw that the trees were swarming with them. They fled again, but Duanmu Bai was bitten, succumbing to the poison and collapsing unconscious. Chi Hong bravely sucked the poison from his wound and applied medicinal herbs. When Duanmu Bai awoke, he questioned what else she had done.
She playfully suggested he might have wished for something more. He thanked her for saving him but maintained his lack of interest in her. Chi Hong, however, pointed out that he still kept her butterfly hairpin, revealing his hidden feelings. She acknowledged his family mission and assured him she would wait for his answer after the Imperial Alliance Conference.
As Hua Rong and Qin Shangcheng journeyed, they observed an increasing number of orchids leading to a bamboo forest, which Hua Rong speculated might be the core of Orchid Valley. Qin Shangcheng confirmed the valley’s perilous nature, emphasizing the need for vigilance, and discreetly marked their path. Despite their efforts, they found themselves lost, circling back to their starting point. Hua Rong wondered if they had entered a maze.
Qin Shangcheng recalled a similar formation called "Changlin Formation" from an ancient text, noting that it could only be broken by finding its "water-surrounded" center. Since they hadn't encountered any water, Qin Shangcheng suggested resting until morning. Hua Rong, however, had an immediate solution: using sharpened bamboo sticks to test the soil’s moisture, a method she had secretly learned from her father during his military campaigns. Together, they began their search.
Hua Rong’s method proved successful as the soil became increasingly damp, indicating a nearby water source. Qin Shangcheng praised her skill, confident that the formation's center was close. They soon discovered a unique flower beside a spring, which Qin Shangcheng identified as the key to breaking the formation. Upon removing the flower, water flowed freely, and the Changlin Formation was broken. Unbeknownst to them, Duanmu Bai’s master watched from afar, a sinister smile playing on his lips.
Hua Rong found the flower fragrant, but Qin Shangcheng, aware of the Orchid Valley’s many dangers, warned her about strange poisons and told her to discard it immediately, which she did. They later found a small wooden house. Qin Shangcheng mentioned he had left markers for Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian to meet them there before they all proceeded together. Inside, Hua Rong felt a sudden unease but dismissed it.
The house was filled with various medicinal herbs, indicating that its former occupant possessed profound knowledge of both medicine and poisons. Qin Shangcheng discovered a medical text describing a "Blood Exchange" technique, which involved using an orchid decoction and a giant silkworm to transfer blood from a healthy person to a poisoned one, thereby delaying the spread of toxins and buying time for an antidote to be developed. He noted the potential life-saving application of such a method.
He also found a name, Mu Qing, suggesting the house belonged to a distinguished figure within the Imperial Alliance, explaining the protective herbs guarding the house from insects. Suddenly, Hua Rong collapsed, her symptoms clearly indicating poisoning. Qin Shangcheng realized she had been poisoned by the strange flower she smelled earlier. To save her, Qin Shangcheng immediately performed the Blood Exchange technique on Hua Rong, effectively mixing his blood with hers and declaring that they would never be separated again.
Qian Dayou and Zhang Xian arrived, confirming the poison as "Love-breaking Hibiscus," a unique Imperial Alliance toxin. They explained that blood lines would appear from the back, converging into a hibiscus pattern on the palm, deepening in color as the poisoning worsened, leading to death within two days. The only way to entirely cure it was to "break emotional entanglements." Hua Rong overheard their conversation and confronted Qin Shangcheng, fearing he would abandon her after they left Orchid Valley.
Qin Shangcheng passionately denied it, vowing to win the Imperial Alliance Leader position to find the antidote, assuring her they would face all challenges together. Duanmu Bai and Chi Hong were the first to return to the Imperial Alliance. Chi Hong promptly withdrew from the competition, declaring her sole interest lay with Duanmu Bai. Qin Shangcheng and Hua Rong arrived shortly after.
Qin Shangcheng sternly informed Kong Lin that while Hua Rong had overcome the traps, she had been poisoned and hypnotized, and he would hold someone accountable. Hearing this, Duanmu Bai confronted Kong Lin, his master, for poisoning Hua Rong, warning him against any further unauthorized actions. Kong Lin explained that his actions were for Duanmu Bai’s benefit, to secure the last emperor's testamentary edict from the secret chamber.
He revealed that Love-breaking Hibiscus was a unique Imperial Alliance poison, and its sole antidote was hidden within that very chamber. Duanmu Bai reasserted his authority, instructing Kong Lin to focus only on retrieving the edict. Qin Shangcheng, desperate to find an antidote for Hua Rong, was approached by Duanmu Bai.
Duanmu Bai explained that the antidote was in the secret chamber, which could only be opened with the Sacred Sword, and the Sacred Sword itself could only be drawn by the "Imperial Son’s blood," a title he claimed for himself, making him the only one who could save Hua Rong.
Trusting him for Hua Rong’s sake, Qin Shangcheng gave Duanmu Bai the Sacred Sword, declaring his indifference to the alliance leader position and warning Duanmu Bai of severe repercussions if he failed to save Hua Rong. During the altar ceremony, Duanmu Bai attempted to draw the Sacred Sword but failed. The assembled crowd began to question his claim as the Imperial Son, accusing him of being a fraud and demanding the chance to try themselves.
Enraged, Qin Shangcheng confronted Duanmu Bai for his deception. Chi Hong stepped forward to defend Duanmu Bai, warning everyone not to touch "her man." Hua Rong intervened to quell the escalating conflict, reiterating that the Sacred Sword required the blood of an Imperial Son. She rebuked the Imperial Alliance members for their selfish pursuit of power, which led to infighting and disregard for fellow disciples' lives.
She then asked Qin Shangcheng if she could destroy the Sacred Sword if it only brought bloodshed. Accidentally, she spilled some of her blood onto the Sacred Sword, which surprisingly activated a hidden mechanism. To everyone's astonishment, Hua Rong then pulled the Sacred Sword from its stand, thus becoming the new Imperial Alliance leader. Kong Lin, seemingly resigned, acknowledged her as the leader and offered to lead them to the antidote.
Kong Lin guided them, including Qin Shangcheng, Hua Rong, Duanmu Bai, Qian Dayou, and Zhang Xian, into the intricate secret chamber. He cautioned everyone not to touch any objects due to the numerous hidden mechanisms. He led them to the "Pharmacy," claiming that all Imperial Alliance antidotes were stored there. Once everyone had entered, Kong Lin sealed the door, trapping them inside. Qin Shangcheng and his companions frantically searched for the antidote but found nothing.
Realizing they were imprisoned, Qin Shangcheng angrily confronted Duanmu Bai, accusing him of conspiring with Kong Lin and demanding either the antidote or that he open the door. Duanmu Bai admitted Kong Lin was his master but insisted he genuinely did not know how to open the door and was equally baffled by Kong Lin's decision to trap him as well. As Qin Shangcheng, disbelieving, prepared to attack Duanmu Bai, Hua Rong discovered a hidden door.
Finally, Hua Rong told Qin Shangcheng that her "complete" self had returned, and she had kept her promise. Qin Shangcheng jokingly reminded her of a past incident where her mermaid form had stabbed him. She offered to compensate him, and he playfully suggested a kiss. After she kissed him once, he claimed it wasn't enough, prompting another kiss. Still not satisfied, he kept pushing, causing her to warn him not to take advantage.
He pretended to be shocked, asking if she was trying to murder her own husband. She apologized, explaining that she was still adjusting to being herself again, and her "professional habit" as a general had momentarily taken over. He accepted her explanation, saying they would get used to it, and they walked away together.
