The Chang'an Youth Episode 19 Recap
> The Chang'an Youth Recap
Han Shangshu met with Shen Yiyi and expressed his great admiration, proposing to marry his daughter, Han Yu'er, to Shen Yiyi. Startled, Shen Yiyi quickly declined, claiming she was unworthy of the Minister of War's daughter, and hastily excused herself, feigning an urgent matter.
After Shen Yiyi left, Han Shangshu mused to himself that it was indeed "her" and that he had finally found "her," having noticed the Sinan pendant on Shen Yiyi, further solidifying his suspicions about her true identity as a royal descendant. On her way back, Shen Yiyi inadvertently bumped into Tang Jiuhua, who immediately noticed her preoccupation. When Shen Yiyi confided that Han Shangshu had proposed a marriage between her and his daughter, Tang Jiuhua grew suspicious.
He pointed out that the Minister of War, known for his high standards, would never marry his precious daughter to a merchant's son with no official rank or prominent family background. Tang Jiuhua then remembered he had to go home to see his grandmother and left, advising Shen Yiyi to be cautious as Lord Han was a cunning old man with hidden motives. Shen Yiyi reflected on Tang Jiuhua's words, finding them insightful.
She recalled the mysterious disappearance and reappearance of her Sinan pendant around the time she met Lord Han, suggesting he might have uncovered some clues. Yang Zian, observing Shen Yiyi's deep thought, approached her. She recounted the situation, and Yang Zian agreed with Tang Jiuhua's analysis, concluding that Han Shangshu must know something to make such an unusual offer, possibly deliberately testing her.
Shen Yiyi then playfully asked Yang Zian when he first fell in love with her, given that she had not yet revealed her female identity. Yang Zian evaded the question, instead caressing her head and telling her to prioritize her safety and to seek him out if she ever encountered danger. He advised her that Shangyi School offered a measure of protection and urged her not to wander carelessly. Yang Zian then left for home to meet his father.
Seeing both Yang Zian and Tang Jiuhua return to their families, Shen Yiyi sighed, wondering when she would have a home to go back to. Dugu Muxue, noticing her melancholy, suggested they go out and enjoy themselves. He offered to buy her some peach blossom wine from Ningxiang Pavilion.
Shen Yiyi, however, mentioned that the line for the popular peach blossom wine would be too long, but Dugu confidently stated he had his ways and left quickly, promising to return before her tea cooled. At home, Yang Zian discussed Censor Tu's murder case with his father. He expressed his suspicion that all recent incidents, including the bad money case and the abduction case, seemed connected to Ningxiang Pavilion, and he believed there was an insider in the imperial court.
His father cautioned him, noting Ningxiang Pavilion's widespread connections among officials and martial artists in Chang'An, making it incredibly difficult to investigate. He advised Yang Zian to focus on his studies at Shangyi School and let others handle the case, warning him not to be blinded by superficial details, using an analogy of a burnt fish to illustrate that things are not always as they seem.
Yang Zian, however, was determined to continue the investigation, hoping to become an upright official like his father. Meanwhile, Dugu Muxue went to Ningxiang Pavilion for the promised wine but found it sold out. As he left, he encountered Yang Zian. Dugu Muxue confided that the Ningxiang Pavilion's boss, Ning Xiang, bore a striking resemblance to the assassin he had saved during Censor Tu's assassination, and she carried a familiar scent.
He speculated that Ning Xiang was deeply involved in the recent cases. Yang Zian agreed, suggesting they start their investigation with the boss of Ningxiang Pavilion, offering to handle it since he frequently visited the establishment. Elsewhere, Han Shangshu oversaw the production of counterfeit currency. He inspected the coins, deeming them incorrect in weight and texture, and demanded that his subordinate shorten the production time and improve the quality.
He instructed the subordinate to ensure Minister Zhang Yu either accepted the illicit funds (over thirty thousand taels of silver) or faced deadly consequences. Han Yu'er, smitten with Shen Yiyi, tried various ways to impress her but was repeatedly rejected, leaving her distraught. Noticing his daughter's unhappiness at dinner, Han Shangshu learned of her affection for Shen Yiyi.
To Han Yu'er's delight, he pledged his full support for her choice, even mentioning that Shen Yiyi wears the Sinan pendant despite claiming not to like jade. At Shangyi School, the students began their swordsmanship classes, which would be a significant part of the graduation exam. The instructor explained that swordsmanship would be combined with the civil exam for the total graduation score, with the top-scoring student earning an audience with the Emperor and receiving personal commendation.
Worried about her late start and potential inability to graduate with top honors, Shen Yiyi practiced diligently after class, secretly hoping to win the top prize to secure an audience with the Emperor and investigate the truth of Shen Dieyi's origins. Tang Jiuhua observed her hard work and advised her to rest, reminding her that everyone has their weaknesses and cannot excel at everything. Shen Yiyi, however, remained resolute, believing she could achieve what others could.
Tang Jiuhua received a summons from his grandmother, who had repeatedly expressed a desire to meet his future wife. While pondering whom to bring to appease his grandmother, he spotted Han Yu'er in the marketplace. Seizing the opportunity, he gleefully took her with him. At his home, Tang Jiuhua's grandmother showered Han Yu'er with affection, impressed by her respectful demeanor and a jade pendant gifted by Han Yu'er as a symbol of longevity.
Han Yu'er skillfully charmed the old lady by feigning sympathy and concern, making the grandmother utterly delighted with her grandson's choice. Shen Yiyi continued to struggle with swordsmanship despite her efforts, feeling discouraged and fearing she might not graduate. Dugu Muxue found her despondent and encouraged her not to give up. He demonstrated several sword forms and offered to teach her every night at midnight, under strict conditions, an offer Shen Yiyi eagerly accepted, promising to work hard.
Han Shangshu invited Shen Yiyi to his manor to discuss the marriage proposal again. Shen Yiyi firmly rejected him, stating her lifelong wish was to find "one true love." Her words profoundly moved Han Shangshu, as they echoed the sentiment of the late Crown Prince, his former confidant. The Crown Prince had also insisted on marrying an regular civilian woman rather than seeking power through alliance, a memory that further convinced Han Shangshu of Shen Yiyi's royal lineage.
After leaving Han Shangshu, Shen Yiyi met Dugu Muxue at their designated spot for sword practice. Under his rigorous guidance, her skills rapidly improved. She became engrossed in swordsmanship, contemplating techniques even while eating or reading, eventually managing to exchange several moves with Dugu Muxue. During a break, Shen Yiyi asked Dugu Muxue about his philosophy that "the sword is not in the hand but in the heart" and the meaning of "the feeling of sword."
Dugu Muxue explained these were his adoptive father's teachings. His adoptive father, a general, had raised him after he was orphaned, instilling strict discipline and the ambition of a warrior dedicated to serving the country. Dugu Muxue described his adoptive father as an upright man who had fought countless battles and had only two disciples, Dugu himself and Rou.
On his deathbed, the adoptive father had expressed his only regret was not finding Rou and entrusted Dugu Muxue with this task. Later, Yang Zian found Shen Yiyi training tirelessly and hurting her hand. He worried about her reckless determination to win the first place, questioning why she was risking her life for scores and rankings, unlike her usual easy-going self. Shen Yiyi revealed that she needed to get the first place to enter the palace.
When Yang Zian pressed for more details, she remembered her promise to Tang Jiuhua not to disclose her true intentions and fabricated a story about wanting to tour the palace. Unconvinced, Yang Zian felt hurt by her lack of trust, but Shen Yiyi insisted she had a secret she couldn't reveal yet. Frustrated, Yang Zian left, leaving Shen Yiyi lamenting their misunderstanding, while Tang Jiuhua, who had witnessed the exchange, wondered what was happening between them.
