Song of Youth Episode 29 Recap
> Song of Youth Recap
Sun Shijie accompanies Shen Shi to Longen Temple, where he briefly spots a nun resembling Tao Yao, but is called away. The Sun family, led by Sun Yulou, gathers at a wish tree. Sun Shijie, distracted, has Sun Yulou write a romantic wish for him: "May we fly as a pair of lovebirds in the sky, and grow as two branches of one tree on earth." The wish falls, and Lin Shaochun suggests Wu Yuehong read it aloud.
Wu Yuehong, unable to fully grasp its meaning, leaves Sun Shijie disappointed, who feigns a stomachache and departs. Xu Fengqiao later retrieves the wish and realizes its romantic nature, and Lin Shaochun explains its meaning to Wu Yuehong, who is initially delighted. Sun Shijie finds Tao Yao and Song Lian hiding at the temple, with Tao Yao struggling and being admonished. Song Lian tells Tao Yao that Sun Shijie is nearby.
Tao Yao initially wants to avoid him, claiming she wants him to live well without her, even though she is pregnant with his child (a fact she initially tries to deny to Song Lian). Overhearing their conversation, Sun Shijie learns of the pregnancy and prevents Tao Yao from leaving, reconciling with her. Wu Yuehong and Lin Shaochun, searching for Sun Shijie, witness him embracing (or carefully helping) Tao Yao.
Sun Shijie apologizes to Wu Yuehong, revealing Tao Yao's pregnancy, which leaves Wu Yuehong heartbroken. She throws the wish slip at him as Sun Shijie and Tao Yao depart. Shen Shi brings Tao Yao back to the Sun family. Sun Shijie and Tao Yao kneel before Sun Xun and Shen Shi. Sun Xun permits Tao Yao to stay temporarily until the child's birth, after which a blood test will confirm paternity; if not Sun Shijie's, she must leave the family.
Wu Yuehong, angered by Tao Yao's favored status, attacks her, but Sun Shijie protects Tao Yao and takes her away. Tao Yao is given a grand room and expresses her excitement at finally being in the Sun family, though she feigns shame that her pregnancy is the reason. Sun Shijie reassures her, but Tao Yao notices a change in his attitude. Wu Yuehong complains to Lin Shaochun and Sun Yulou.
Lin Shaochun advises caution and asks Sun Yulou to investigate Tao Yao's past via Chen Boyuan. Lin Shaochun later learns Chen Boyuan is missing and suspects Tao Yao. Tao Yao confronts Lin Shaochun, boasting about Sun Shijie's devotion and warning Lin Shaochun not to investigate Chen Boyuan, claiming she has retrieved her bond of servitude. She also uses her pregnancy to threaten Lin Shaochun.
Meanwhile, Baicao Xiansheng falls while gathering herbs, and Yao Dizhu promptly helps him, noticing a severe injury and advising him to stop. Sun Junhao summons Baicao Xiansheng and Yao Dizhu as many soldiers suffer from a high fever, diagnosed as a plague-like illness requiring the rare "hu'er cao". Yao Dizhu volunteers to collect the herb. Sun Junhao, concerned for her safety (fearing wolves), secretly follows.
Yao Dizhu consumes "diburong" for thirst, and Sun Junhao mistakes the red juice for her spitting blood, rushing to her aid. Yao Dizhu then asks him to help gather herbs. Bandits seize Yao Dizhu, mistaking her for Sun Junhao's lover, and use her to threaten him. Sun Junhao, feigning indifference to distract them, declares Yao Dizhu an ordinary citizen of Muchen. When the bandits attempt to kill her, Sun Junhao swiftly kills the bandit.
Yao Dizhu is deeply hurt by his apparent disregard, but Sun Junhao explains his priority is to protect Muchen and its people, promising to avenge her if she died. Despite this, Yao Dizhu initially withdraws from him, focusing solely on caring for the patients. Later, villagers chop down an old tree and discover numerous love letters from Sun Junhao to Yao Dizhu hidden within its hollow.
The letters become public knowledge, embarrassing Sun Junhao, with the entire city talking about them. Yao Dizhu, while initially shy, reads the letters and is overjoyed. She confronts an embarrassed Sun Junhao, praises his writing, expresses her feelings, and demands he take responsibility. Yao Dizhu reveals she had always known he was "Second Master" and understood his previous attempt to send her away using an imposter. She vows to stay and protect Muchen with him. Deeply moved by her profound affection, Sun Junhao embraces her, promising their love is eternal.
