Song of Youth Episode 33 Recap
> Song of Youth Recap
To uncover the truth behind a high-profile theft and expose multiple conspirators, Lin Shaochun devises a cunning plan. She has Sun Yulou feign illness, using red phosphorus powder, so that Sun Shijie is appointed to host the funeral for the Consort Dowager. This move is part of a "three birds with one stone" scheme designed to test Taoyao's loyalty, identify the real thieves, clear Sun Shijie's name, and ultimately bring down Liang Jingguan.
During the Consort Dowager's funeral, chaos erupts when the coffin is robbed, and the guards are killed. Liang Jingguan seizes this opportunity to frame Sun Shijie for the crime. He orders Sun Shijie's arrest and, through torture, coerces captured thieves to implicate Sun Shijie and plant stolen items in his duty room. With seemingly irrefutable evidence, the Emperor sentences Sun Shijie to death and confines Sun Xun to his home.
Desperate, Sun Youzhen, Sun Xun, and Sun Yulou plead with the Emperor. Sun Youzhen's persistence eventually secures an audience. Despite their initial reluctance, Sun Yulou, defying his family's concerns, vows to uncover the truth within seven days, promising to share Sun Shijie's fate if he fails. The Emperor grants his request. Meanwhile, the Sun household is in turmoil. Taoyao, fearing the Sun family's downfall, attempts to sell her valuables through Songlian.
Lin Shaochun, having tasked Taoyao with household management to test her, orchestrates Concubine Mei and Manager Song to sell jewels, prompting Taoyao to follow suit. Taoyao then tries to escape with what she believes are silver notes but is intercepted at the dock by Sun Xun, Shen Shi, Lin Shaochun, and Sun Yulou. Lin Shaochun exposes Taoyao's deception: her pregnancy was with another man's child, conceived after leaving Sun Shijie, and she faked a miscarriage, framing Wu Yuehong.
Lin Shaochun also reveals that Sun Shijie's role in the funeral was part of their plan to expose Taoyao. Furious, Taoyao discovers her silver notes are fake. Taoyao and Songlian are arrested. On the final day of the seven-day deadline, Sun Yulou presents his evidence to the Emperor. He reveals he had secretly sprinkled mandrake powder on the funeral items. When the captured thieves are presented, they show clear signs of rashes, while Sun Shijie is unharmed.
Sun Yulou further exposes the thieves as former palace tricksters. The Emperor declares Sun Shijie innocent and orders the thieves' execution. Sun Yulou then publicly accuses Liang Jingguan as the mastermind behind the frame-up. Despite Liang Jingguan's denials, the Emperor, considering his old age, dismisses him from his post. Sun Xun later attempts a conciliatory gesture towards Liang Jingguan, but it is rejected.
With the crisis resolved, Sun Yulou expresses relief and his desire to have a son with Lin Shaochun, who is happy for Wu Yuehong's reconciliation. Sun Shijie goes to the Wu family to reconcile with Wu Yuehong. Her father, Father Wu, initially furious, orders his household guards to beat Sun Shijie. Wu Yuehong bravely intervenes to protect him, and Sun Shijie apologizes profusely.
Although Father Wu suggests a divorce, Wu Yuehong, still devoted to Sun Shijie, chooses to return home with him after her father's reluctant consent and warnings. Later, Lin Shaochun, Sun Yulou, Sun Shijie, and Wu Yuehong go on an outing and encounter Taoyao working as a qin player. Wu Yuehong initially desires to confront her, but Sun Shijie advises against it, considering Taoyao irrelevant. They ignore Taoyao, who also pretends not to recognize them. Lin Shaochun also speaks with Liu Sanjue, suspecting an old connection between her and Sun Xun and Shen Shi.
