The Chang'an Youth Episode 18 Recap
> The Chang'an Youth Recap
As Shen Yiyi, disguised as Shen Dieyi, prepared to attend a celebration in the palace, she encountered Lord Han. He complimented her dashing appearance and noted she was slightly late, having left something in her carriage. After a brief exchange, Lord Han excused himself, but not before subtly stealing the Sinan pendant from Shen Yiyi. He examined the pendant, wondering if her identity was indeed extraordinary.
During the royal celebration, General Li and the Shangyi School students prostrated themselves before the Emperor, confessing their disobedience in going to battle without imperial consent. The Emperor, however, acknowledged their bravery and exceptional contributions. He specifically commended Shen Yiyi for inventing the Skyquake Bomb, Yang Zian for his brilliant strategies and capturing General Tuoxi, Tang Jiuhua for boosting morale with his drumming, Dugu Muxue for designing the hook spear, and Xiao Xinyuan for his accurate battle sand table.
Each of them was bestowed with the title of County Baron and awarded five hundred bolts of silk, with Shen Yiyi also uniquely receiving a Golden Fish Ribbon. The Emperor even forgave Xiao Xinyuan for secretly enrolling in Shangyi School, recognizing his academic intentions and military merits. He expressed his hope that they would continue to be pillars of the nation.
Later, at the banquet, Shen Yiyi confided in Tang Jiuhua, explaining her plan to investigate the palace's Jadeware House for clues about Shen Dieyi’s birth mother, as records of awarded jade items might reveal something. Suddenly, she realized her Sinan pendant was missing again. Tang Jiuhua accompanied her to search. Yang Zian, seeing their distress, joined them, urging Shen Yiyi to recall her movements.
She recounted how she had found the pendant earlier in the carriage, re-fastened it to her waist, and then met Lord Han. Xiao Xinyuan and Dugu Muxue, having noticed their absence, also came out and offered their help, with Xiao Xinyuan promising to search the palace once Shen Yiyi returned to Shangyi School. Mysteriously, upon returning to the carriage, Shen Yiyi discovered the Sinan pendant again, confirming her suspicion that something strange was afoot.
Back at Shangyi School, the Chief announced a three-day holiday for students to rest, followed by a quiz competition. Initially upset with Shen Yiyi for being careless with the pendant, Tang Jiuhua was reassured when she earnestly told him that the Sinan pendant was more important to her than her own life, and he believed her. Meanwhile, Shen Yiyi found Yang Zian engrossed in a book. She playfully distracted him, and they began playing an idiom game.
When Shen Yiyi playfully said, "I hate you," Yang Zian cleverly responded, "Truth is out there, I like you." Shen Yiyi pressed him to repeat the last part, but he feigned ignorance. During their playful struggle, Yang Zian pulled her into a hug and kissed her. Their intimate moment was witnessed by another student, Bai Shaoqian, who, misunderstanding, thought they had a peculiar hobby. Yang Zian and Shen Yiyi quickly made an excuse to leave.
By a tranquil lake, Tang Jiuhua reflected on his childhood promise to the deceased Shen Dieyi: to bring her a rainbow. He felt sorrow that he never fulfilled this before her passing. Han Yu'er approached, and Tang Jiuhua playfully snatched her glass prism, challenging her to "bring him the rainbow" to get it back. Han Yu'er cleverly projected a rainbow onto his hand using the prism, making him realize that the "rainbow" was always within reach.
Overwhelmed by this epiphany, Tang Jiuhua joyfully lifted Han Yu'er into his arms. Shen Yiyi later sought Xiao Xinyuan for a map of the Imperial Jadeware House. She gave a pretext, claiming she was interested in the nearby Kite House and wanted to visit both. Moved by her words, especially recalling his own childhood fondness for kite-flying, Xiao Xinyuan promised to make her a large kite, expressing that she had become his metaphorical kite, leading his heart to uncharted territories.
At a barbecue with their friends, Tang Jiuhua, having resolved his past grief, revealed to Shen Yiyi that he accepted her true name was Yiyi but wished to continue calling her Dieyi, to which she agreed. He also confided that the deceased Shen Dieyi's origins might be connected to the royal family and urged Shen Yiyi to keep this a secret.
Xiao Xinyuan attempted to show Shen Yiyi the kite he made, but everyone, including Shen Yiyi, was enthralled by a meteor shower. Yang Zian and Shen Yiyi shared a moment, reflecting on the fleeting years at Shangyi School and the unbreakable bond of their "Five Scholars" friendship.
When new dorm assignments were announced, Shen Yiyi and Xiao Xinyuan were once again placed in the same room, much to Tang Jiuhua's frustration, as he still had not been assigned to share a room with Shen Yiyi. The knowledge competition commenced, with Dr. Lin dividing the students into two teams. Correct answers earned eggs, and the team with the most eggs would win an authentic piece of calligraphy.
As the competition neared its end with only one egg left and both teams tied, Dr. Lin posed a final riddle: "If two hands clap hard, which hand hurts more, the left or the right?" Shen Yiyi and Yang Zian, as team leaders, grasped each other's hands, signaling that both hands would feel the pain.
The Chief was deeply pleased, explaining that the competition's true purpose was not merely to declare a winner but to cultivate their minds and foster unity, emphasizing that peace of mind was paramount in all endeavors. After the quiz, Tang Jiuhua complained about the outcome and Yang Zian's competitiveness. Yang Zian defended the importance of fair play, which Shen Yiyi echoed.
Tang Jiuhua, interpreting the earlier "rainbow in hand" moment as a sign that Shen Yiyi was sent by the heavens to protect him, resolved to pursue her, though he felt a pang of jealousy seeing Yang Zian's strong feelings for her. Xiao Xinyuan, feeling a sudden malaise, quietly excused himself.
Meanwhile, Lord Han received a confidential report confirming that Shen Yiyi was not biologically related to the Shen family; Mrs. Shen had died before Shen Yiyi's reported birth, and a woman was buried in the Shen household according to northern burial rites. These details, combined with the Sinan pendant, solidified Lord Han's suspicion that Shen Yiyi was the orphaned child of the late Crown Prince. A flashback revealed Lord Han as the Crown Prince’s loyal confidant.
Years ago, the Crown Prince was framed by the Second Prince and assassinated with his family while returning to the capital. The pregnant Crown Princess managed to escape but vanished. Lord Han, having endured years of patience, vowed revenge against those responsible and swore to find the Crown Prince's heir to restore the imperial bloodline. Later, a servant summoned Shen Yiyi to Changsheng Restaurant to meet Lord Han. Aware of the potential implications, Shen Yiyi was wary.
During their conversation, Lord Han subtly questioned the origin of her Sinan pendant. Shen Yiyi truthfully stated it was a family heirloom. Lord Han then revealed his true intention: he wished to propose a marriage between his daughter, Han Yu'er, and Shen Yiyi, leaving Shen Yiyi utterly surprised.
