Song of Youth Episode 13 Recap
> Song of Youth Recap
Southern regions face severe flooding, sending numerous displaced people to the capital. They flock to wealthy households, including the Lin residence. Initially, Mammy Chang blocks the gates due to the overwhelming number of people. However, Lin Shaochun decides to use her dowry silver to establish a relief shelter and clear out empty rooms in the mansion to accommodate the victims.
Meanwhile, Sun Xun, a high-ranking official, observes his rival, Liang Jingguan, who has been reinstated to his official post in the capital after impressing the Emperor with a memorial on disaster relief. Sun Xun, having previously impeached Liang Jingguan, feels resentful. At the relief shelter, Xiao Ya is greatly impressed by Wang Jun, a kind young master from the prominent Wang family, who tirelessly volunteers. Lin Shaochun asks Sun Yulou to investigate Wang Jun, who confirms his good character.
Xiao Ya and Wang Jun work well together, and she begins to develop feelings for him. Sun Yulou, inspired by Lin Shaochun's benevolence, plans to go south for disaster relief. He hopes to earn merit and persuade the Emperor to grant him a marriage to Lin Shaochun, who encourages him to do good deeds. Xiao Ya accidentally injures her foot, and Wang Jun tenderly carries her to be bandaged, showing great concern that deeply moves her.
Lin Shaochun notices Xiao Ya's affection but Xiao Ya, feeling unworthy due to her humble background, believes a union with Wang Jun is impossible. Lin Shaochun reassures her and promises to help. Lin Shaochun accompanies Xiao Ya to the Wang family to propose marriage. Madam Wang rejects Xiao Ya because of her low social standing.
Lin Shaochun then subtly threatens Madam Wang by revealing knowledge of the Wang family's misdeeds, forcing Madam Wang to reluctantly agree to the marriage to protect her family's reputation. However, Wang Jun intercepts Lin Shaochun and Xiao Ya, rejecting the marriage himself. He claims that as the legitimate eldest son of the Wang family, he cannot marry a servant. Xiao Ya is heartbroken.
Lin Shaochun, sensing Wang Jun's true feelings despite his rejection, decides to host a "throwing of the embroidered ball" event for Xiao Ya. Wang Jun protests, fearing Xiao Ya might marry someone unworthy. During the event, Wang Jun secretly watches as Xiao Ya's embroidered ball is caught by another man, and he storms off to drink.
Lin Shaochun confronts him, and Wang Jun confesses that his birth mother was murdered by Madam Wang, and he fears Xiao Ya would suffer the same fate if she married into the corrupt Wang household. He also expresses concern for his younger sister, Wang Luoshui, if he were to leave. Lin Shaochun encourages him to establish his own household.
Lin Shaochun devises a cunning plan: she informs Madam Wang that Wang Jun has contracted a deadly plague and intends to donate all his property to the court for disaster relief. Fearing the loss of her assets, Madam Wang agrees to divide the family, effectively disowning Wang Jun and Wang Luoshui from her branch. Lin Shaochun then presents Wang Jun with his inherited property and encourages him to start anew.
Although Wang Jun still desires Xiao Ya, he believes she is taken. Lin Shaochun urges him to "snatch" her back. On Xiao Ya's wedding day, Wang Jun courageously intervenes, fighting off the sedan chair carriers and declaring his love. Xiao Ya rushes out and agrees to marry him. Lin Shaochun reveals that this was all her elaborate scheme to unite Wang Jun and Xiao Ya.
Wang Jun expresses his gratitude, promising to cherish Xiao Ya, and they leave with Wang Luoshui to settle in another county. Mammy Chang is thankful for Lin Shaochun's efforts for Xiao Ya but worries about Lin Shaochun's own marriage prospects with Sun Yulou. Separately, Su Yingxue discovers Sun Xun's memorial recommending Liu Quan for the position of Imperial Censor and informs Jia Fengyuan, who covets the post.
Jia Fengyuan then spreads rumors that Sun Xun has already "internally decided" Liu Quan as Censor, infuriating the Emperor. Sun Youzhen, Sun Xun's son, attempts to defend his father. Sun Xun, hearing of the rumors, gathers his household to find the leaker. A dog is used to identify the culprit, barking continuously at Su Yingxue. Su Yingxue confesses to secretly reading the memorial, claiming she wanted Liu Quan to deliver a letter to Sun Junhao, her husband.
Shen Shi, Sun Xun's wife, believes her and intercedes, leading to Su Yingxue being confined for a month. To dispel the Emperor's suspicions, Sun Xun is compelled to recommend Jia Fengyuan for the Censor position instead. Su Yingxue later secretly meets Jia Fengyuan, who expresses delight at his successful scheme and promises to treat her well, despite her complaints about his methods.
Meanwhile, Xu Fengqiao, pleased by the absence of Wu Yuehong (who has returned home) and Su Yingxue's confinement, feels she can now dominate the Sun family. She forces Sun Jingge to study diligently, hoping he will succeed in the imperial examinations.
