Song of Youth Episode 24 Recap
> Song of Youth Recap
Sun Shijie brings Peach Blossom home, declaring his intention to take her as a concubine. This shocks his wife, Wu Yuehong, whom Sun Shijie blames for trying to sell Peach Blossom through a middleman. He threatens to divorce Wu Yuehong if she continues to be difficult. Wu Yuehong admits Xu Fengqiao suggested selling Peach Blossom, leading to an argument.
Sun Shijie states that the middlemen have been caught and Peach Blossom deserves justice, also instructing Sun Jingge to discipline Xu Fengqiao. Sun Xun and Shen Shi disapprove of Peach Blossom, seeing her as disreputable, and forbid Sun Shijie from taking her as a concubine. Sun Xun gives Sun Shijie an ultimatum: disown Peach Blossom or be disowned himself. Peach Blossom then feigns illness and faints.
Sun Shijie cradles her, accuses Sun Xun of being heartless, and defiantly leaves with Peach Blossom, despite Wu Yuehong's distraught cries. The next day, officials impeach Sun Shijie, leading the Emperor to dismiss him from office. Sun Shijie returns to Peach Blossom, who consoles him and offers her jewelry to sell for their livelihood, deepening his affection and guilt. Meanwhile, Wu Yuehong seeks advice from Lin Shaochun and Xu Fengqiao.
Xu Fengqiao suggests letting Peach Blossom enter the household to control her, but Wu Yuehong fears losing Sun Shijie's attention entirely. Lin Shaochun advises Wu Yuehong to consider her future and alternative solutions, promising to help deal with Peach Blossom while cautioning her against rash actions. In another development, Lin Shaochun learns that Xu Fengqiao is troubled by Chen Gongzi, whose father once saved Sun Laotaiye's life, creating a deep debt for the Sun family.
Chen Gongzi frequently extorts money for his gambling debts and debauchery, even complaining to Sun Xun if his demands are not met. Unable to deal with him, Xu Fengqiao goes to her maiden home. Lin Shaochun decides to investigate Chen Gongzi to stop his exploitation of the Sun family. On her journey, Xu Fengqiao's pity for beggars leads her to give them money, which attracts more beggars who attempt to rob her carriage until her servant, Yinsuo, calls for officers.
Concurrently, Yao Dizhu travels to Mucheng and stays at an inn, where she encounters a distressed Liu Huilan, who mentions wanting to leave someone. The inn has two "Heavenly Character Room No. 1" rooms. While Yao Dizhu bathes and contemplates how to seduce Sun Junhao, he and his men mistakenly enter her room while searching for a bandit's wife. Yao Dizhu, seeing him as an opportunity to test her charm, attempts to seduce him, but he remains unimpressed.
A scream from the adjacent room leads Sun Junhao to discover Liu Huilan murdered, presumably by bandits. Yao Dizhu also witnesses this. The innkeeper explains that Sun Junhao, known as "Second Master," often helps local people against rampant bandits whom local officials fear. Yao Dizhu later notices Sun Junhao tracking her. He explains he's investigating Liu Huilan's murder and seeks her help. Yao Dizhu demands he treat her to a meal. After she eats, Sun Junhao abruptly leaves.
Back at the inn, Yao Dizhu finds her bag disturbed and suspects Sun Junhao. The next day, her horse's horseshoe is loose. A scammer named Zhao Da tricks Yao Dizhu into leaving her horse and bag with him, promising to fix the horse and store her bag in a wardrobe, which turns out to be a decoy. Yao Dizhu realizes she's been scammed and is left penniless.
She then encounters Sun Junhao again and insists on traveling with him to Mucheng after he initially offers her money. Seeing Zhao Da in the street, Yao Dizhu points him out, leading to a chase. Zhao Da is caught and, after Yao Dizhu tricks him into believing her stolen money is poisoned, he confesses. Sun Junhao recovers her bag, and Yao Dizhu continues to insist on staying with him. Sun Junhao notices they are being tracked but proceeds silently.
