Song of Youth Episode 21 Recap
> Song of Youth Recap
Sun Shijie, deeply enamored with Taoyao, follows her one night to a dilapidated temple where she meets a masked man from the Four Seas Gang. The man demands money and beats Taoyao when she refuses to swindle Sun Shijie, claiming he is the only one she cares for. Sun Shijie intervenes, falsely stating he has informed the authorities, which scares the masked man and his accomplices away.
Taoyao then confesses to Sun Shijie that their encounter was part of a meticulously planned deception, where she was either coerced by the Four Seas Gang or initiated the scheme herself but unexpectedly fell in love with him. She claims she tried to escape multiple times but was caught and beaten. Believing her, Sun Shijie vows to protect her, even contemplating divorcing Wu Yuehong to marry Taoyao.
He seeks help from Magistrate Du, who agrees to protect Taoyao, hoping for Sun Shijie's favor with Sun Xun. Meanwhile, Sun Yulou asks Yao Dizhu to investigate Taoyao, and Yao Dizhu reports her findings to Lin Shaochun. Lin Shaochun confronts Sun Shijie with evidence of Taoyao's history of swindling. Sun Shijie, however, remains convinced Taoyao is an innocent victim. Magistrate Du arrests members of the Four Seas Gang based on Taoyao's information. The gang admits to coercing Taoyao into fraud.
Lin Shaochun urges Magistrate Du to prosecute Taoyao, but Magistrate Du, pressured by Sun Shijie, refrains from holding Taoyao accountable. Feeling discontent, Sun Shijie complains to Taoyao about Lin Shaochun's "hard-heartedness." Taoyao, wanting to appear virtuous and consolidate her position, insists on going to jail to protect Sun Shijie. Magistrate Du imprisons her.
Taoyao, however, has bribed a jailer and orchestrated a plan: she convinces Black Ear, a prisoner sentenced to execution, to sign a confession taking full responsibility for coercing her. Taoyao secures Black Ear's cooperation by arranging for his family's financial security, after which Black Ear drinks poison and dies. Magistrate Du, presenting Black Ear's confession, formally exonerates and releases Taoyao. Lin Shaochun, discerning the deception, warns Taoyao that justice will eventually prevail.
Taoyao, maintaining her façade, humbly refuses Sun Shijie's immediate offer to marry her, citing her poor background and recent imprisonment. Seeking deeper understanding, Lin Shaochun consults Liu Sanjue, who reveals Taoyao's true ruthless nature. Liu Sanjue recounts buying Taoyao from a troupe years ago after witnessing her mistreatment and aspiring to train her into a star. Taoyao endured harsh training, performing with bleeding feet, driven by ambition for wealth.
However, her insatiable desire for money led her to leave Liu Sanjue and pursue a life of swindling. Liu Sanjue later learned that Taoyao had financially ruined Cao San, the very man who once championed her. Despite Taoyao's cruel betrayal, Cao San, dying in a dilapidated temple, still proclaimed her the kindest woman he knew. After Cao San's death, Taoyao publicly mourned him, deceiving many into believing her sincere grief.
Lin Shaochun concludes that Taoyao is a cunning and formidable adversary. Unaware of Sun Shijie's true feelings, Wu Yuehong diligently tries to please Sun Xun and Shen Shi with pastries and an awkward poem, amusing the family. Lin Shaochun, disheartened by Wu Yuehong's naivety, excuses herself. Sun Yulou comforts Lin Shaochun. Determined to expose Taoyao, Lin Shaochun inquires about a medicine that could convincingly simulate severe illness without causing actual harm.
