Song of Youth Episode 43 (Ending) Recap
> Song of Youth Recap
The story begins as Sun Xun accepts his fate. Despite being accused of various crimes, including corruption and framing court officials, the Emperor, acknowledging his four sons' loyalty and service, pardons his family. Sun Xun drinks a cup of poisoned wine and collapses, seemingly dead. Devastated by his father's death and the family's apparent ruin, Sun Yulou mourns bitterly, drowning his sorrows in wine with his beloved shadow puppets. Lin Shaochun returns to the Sun mansion, finding it in disarray.
She discovers Sun Yulou in despair, believing the family home will be sealed. Lin Shaochun assures him of her unwavering presence. Sun Yulou, however, only asks her to sing "The Purple Hairpin" one last time. As she sings, Sun Yulou recalls their past and love. They dance together until he succumbs to intoxication, falling asleep in her arms. Lin Shaochun then gently lies beside him. The next morning, Lin Shaochun awakens to find Sun Yulou gone, leaving a letter.
In it, he professes his deep love but states he cannot face her due to past grievances, imploring her not to seek him out. Later, Liu Sanjue visits Sun Xun's grave, and Lin Shaochun soon arrives to perform filial duties in Sun Yulou's absence. Liu Sanjue encourages Lin Shaochun to find Sun Yulou, warning her against a lifetime of regret.
Lin Shaochun returns the East Jiao Pearl to Liu Sanjue before resolutely embarking on her quest to find Sun Yulou, clutching his portrait. Before she departs, Yao Dizhu brings Lin Shaochun a letter from Sun Junhao, detailing the family's well-being. Sun Shijie has opened a private school in Mucheng, living happily with Wu Yuehong and their son, Sun Xiaoyi. Sun Jingge runs a repair shop in Mucheng, where he and Xu Fengqiao maintain a lively, if bickering, relationship.
Shen Shi and Aunt Mei live peacefully, still hoping for Sun Xun's return. Sun Junhao also plans to bring Yao Dizhu to live with them when the weather warms. Reassured by the news, Lin Shaochun continues her journey. Meanwhile, after Sun Xun's staged demise, Liang Jingguan, initially thought to be Sun Xun's victim, is reinstated and grows arrogant, mirroring Sun Xun's former power. This was all part of an elaborate scheme orchestrated by Sun Xun, the Emperor, and Lin Shaochun.
Sun Xun's "death" and the family's "ruin" were a ruse to expose Liang Jingguan's deep-seated corruption, including framing Lin Yuandao (Lin Shaochun's father) and embezzling a vast sum of military funds—thirty-eight thousand taels of silver. Lin Shaochun, having initially misunderstood Sun Xun, learned the truth and collaborated in the plan, even faking a break with the Sun family to help expose Liang Jingguan's palace informants. The "fake deaths" of Chang Maoma's family were also part of this deception.
Confronted by the Emperor, Liang Jingguan protested his innocence. To his shock, Sun Xun dramatically reappeared, alive and well, presenting irrefutable evidence of Liang Jingguan's crimes. The Emperor immediately ordered Liang Jingguan's arrest and execution, promising Sun Xun that all involved would be justly rewarded and urging him to find Sun Yulou. Lin Shaochun journeys tirelessly, enduring hardships as she travels far and wide, constantly inquiring about Sun Yulou. Despite repeated setbacks, she never loses hope.
One evening, she discovers Sun Yulou performing a shadow puppet show, telling the story of his and Lin Shaochun's past. A sudden heavy rain scatters the audience, and Lin Shaochun is lost in the crowd. Sun Yulou frantically searches for her, fearing she is gone. Just as he is about to despair, Lin Shaochun appears before him, holding an umbrella. She reveals the truth: Sun Xun is alive, and their family is safe and well.
Overwhelmed with emotion, Sun Yulou tearfully embraces Lin Shaochun. She urges him to return home to reunite with his family, and they cling to each other, shedding years of pent-up sorrow.
