The Chang'an Youth Episode 20 Recap
> The Chang'an Youth Recap
Yang Zian observed Shen Yiyi practicing her sword with reckless abandon, almost injuring herself multiple times. He questioned her relentless pursuit of first place, to which she explained it was her only chance to enter the palace and uncover a long-hidden secret. When Yang Zian pressed further about the secret, she remained silent, having promised Tang Jiuhua not to reveal Shen Dieyi's past to anyone. Frustrated, Yang Zian stormed off.
He felt hurt, not by the concealment itself, but by her unwillingness to share the secrets of her heart with him, though he wished they could graduate and remain together forever. Later, in the Book Depository, Yang Zian searched for a tattered piece of paper he had once found, covered with names, including "Zhang Yu."
He now realized it wasn't just a list of officials but a swordsmanship manual, potentially linked to a corruption case and a suspicious fire in the Book Depository. Returning home, he secretly watched his father activate a hidden mechanism in his study, revealing a secret room. After his father left, Yang Zian investigated and discovered a newly minted bad money coin. He noted that previous batches of bad money had been destroyed by the government, making this new type alarming.
He also observed an unfamiliar guard accompanying his father, further fueling his suspicion about his father's activities and undisclosed whereabouts. Lord Yang was summoned by Minister Han. Minister Han reminded Lord Yang of his past, when he betrayed the former Crown Prince but spared the life of the Crown Prince's pregnant wife. He revealed the "Sinan pendant" as proof of Lord Yang's deception of the Emperor, threatening to expose him and ruin the Yang family.
Minister Han questioned Lord Yang about stopping the production of bad money, asserting that Lord Yang no longer had the authority to do so and that production must continue, warning him not to hinder his own financial schemes. This interaction brought back memories for Lord Yang of a conversation with the former Crown Prince, who expressed desires for a prosperous nation and happy citizens over the throne itself, lamenting the loneliness of power if it meant losing loved ones.
Yang Zian, tasked by the Emperor to privately investigate court corruption, found himself in a dilemma. He suspected his father was also investigating the bad money case, given the new coin found in his study. Yet, his father had denied having any leads. This made Yang Zian wonder if his father was under a secret imperial order, or if the bad money, child trafficking, corruption, and collusion cases were all connected to his father.
He internally grappled with the disloyalty of doubting his own father, but also the impossibility of facing him and himself if his father truly was involved. He secluded himself, refusing to see friends. In class, Tang Jiuhua was caught whispering to Shen Yiyi. When Mr. Yang, the Teaching Assistant, questioned him about the lesson, Dugu Muxue subtly prompted Tang Jiuhua by showing him a romantic poem, leading Tang Jiuhua to recite lines about love.
Mr. Yang, infuriated by the "nonsense," ordered Tang Jiuhua to copy Tao Te Ching three hundred times. Earlier, students discussed Yang Zian's absence due to a fever, noting he seemed upset the previous night. Shen Yiyi, hearing this, felt conflicted. Tang Jiuhua encouraged her to visit Yang Zian with him after school, but she declined, still feigning indifference despite her concern.
Yang Zian's father visited him, attempting to casually discuss his ink, known for its high quality, as a simple pleasure in his otherwise frugal life. Yang Zian used the opportunity to subtly probe his father about his investigation into Ningxiang Pavilion and the corruption cases. His father vaguely replied that the accounts checked out, but acknowledged that the scale of the bad money operation, child trafficking, and corruption indicated powerful backing and immense initial funding.
He rhetorically questioned whether investigating such a source was wrong, then swiftly changed the subject to Yang Zian's upcoming graduation exam, urging him to study hard. Yang Zian then asked his father if he had ever "strayed or made mistakes" in his cautious life. His father confessed to faults, specifically regretting his lack of attention to Yang Zian and his brother, which he felt caused their strained relationship.
When Yang Zian gently urged him to "correct mistakes in time" before they become "big ones," his father, appearing burdened, responded that he had realized his errors, but "it's too late." Meanwhile, on the rooftops of Ningxiang Pavilion, Dugu Muxue spotted a black-clad woman who bore an uncanny resemblance to his long-lost adopted sister, Rou. He descended and fought with her, tearing her sleeve to reveal the birthmark on her wrist, confirming it was Rou.
However, the woman, identifying herself as Ning Xiang, insisted "Rou was dead" and that their paths diverged the day she was taken. She told Dugu Muxue to remember the Rou of his childhood and forget the Ning Xiang before him, stating their reunion was merely an accident.
Dugu Muxue, who had traveled from the north to the south to find her, refused to let her go, but Ning Xiang warned him to stop interfering or there would be no way out for him this time. Feeling Yang Zian's distress, Shen Yiyi brought him a bowl of noodles, apologizing for the recent arguments. She perceived his anger stemmed from her secrecy about her reason for seeking first place and her true identity as a girl.
Yang Zian admitted these were his initial thoughts, but said his current upset was for a different reason. Seeing him still in turmoil, Shen Yiyi, feeling that Tang Jiuhua was right about resolving misunderstandings, confessed her deepest secret: she was an orphan, not the real Shen Dieyi. She had promised Lord Shen and Tang Jiuhua to uncover the real Shen Dieyi's origins, which involved a royal Sinan pendant left by Shen Dieyi's mother.
Shen Yiyi revealed that Shangyi School was her only path to the palace to investigate the pendant's history and fulfill Shen Dieyi's last wish, which is why she was so desperate to win first place. Tang Jiuhua, upon learning that Shen Yiyi had revealed everything to Yang Zian, was initially furious, fearing for her safety and accusing her of breaking their promise.
Shen Yiyi, however, explained the immense emotional burden of living with so many lies, pretending to be Shen Dieyi, misleading everyone at Shangyi School, and causing her friends to worry. She expressed her weariness and her reluctance to harm those she cared about through continued deception.
Tang Jiuhua then recalled a past conversation with the real Shen Dieyi, who had taught him that "white lies" were acceptable to protect loved ones, but that if lies were discovered, one must face the truth to avoid hurting those same people further. Understanding Shen Yiyi's plight, Tang Jiuhua later spoke to Yang Zian, confirming Shen Yiyi's story and emphasizing her sincere trust in Yang Zian.
He urged Yang Zian to comprehend her "pains" and to avoid creating further complications for her and her family. Meanwhile, Minister Han met with the Crown Prince, informing him that Zhang Yu was dead and the matter handled. He pressed the Crown Prince to act quickly, as the Second Prince and the "Five Scholars of Shangyi School," including Yang Zian, were gaining popularity and influence.
Minister Han advised that if these individuals could not be swayed to their cause, they must be eliminated, a conversation overheard by Ning Xiang. Dr. Lin announced the upcoming final exams to assess the students' learning at Shangyi School. The news prompted varied reactions, with some students expressing anxiety about passing and others lamenting the impending separation. Xiao Xinyuan expressed his gratitude for having spent so many unforgettable days at Shangyi School. Tang Jiuhua shared a heartfelt sentiment, also expressing his immense gratitude for having met everyone at Shangyi School. As Yang Zian left the classroom, Shen Yiyi called out to him.
