Young Blood Episode 34 Recap
> Young Blood Recap
A conflict arose in Binzhou between Song and Xia merchants, who quickly gathered their respective forces, on the verge of a violent confrontation. Recognizing that such an incident would implicate Zhao Jian's father, a local official, Yuan Zhongxin stepped forward to mediate the dispute on behalf of Prince Zhao and Zhao Jian. He was joined by Qin Wuya, a general of the Wuyi Army responsible for Binzhou's commerce and the father of a child Yuan Zhongxin had recently saved.
Known for his amiable and generous nature, Qin Wuya commanded enough respect for both sides to agree to disperse their men and pursue peaceful trade. Afterward, the members of the Seven Chambers gathered. Both Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian sensed something amiss with the merchant conflict. The group discussed their suspicions about the old market soldier incident and Liang Zhu’s disappearance. They resolved to investigate both matters to prevent potential conflict between Song and Xia.
Later, Yuan Zhongxin and Jing visited Yuan Boqi. After a brief reunion, Yuan Boqi presented Yuan Zhongxin with a document related to the Yuan family, explaining it was an offer for a stable post in the Ministry of Revenue.
He stressed that the path of the Secret Repository was dangerous and, as his elder brother, he wished for Yuan Zhongxin to lead a "safe and normal life," not a life of wealth, a sentiment he claimed was "your mother's last wish." Yuan Zhongxin, however, harbored deep resentment towards the Yuan family for their past neglect, especially during his mother's death.
He accused Yuan Boqi of acting behind the family's back and scoffed, asking if he was expected to "accept everything that you don’t want." Yuan Zhongxin rejected the offer, asserting he would decide his own life and declaring, "Stay out of this!" Following the tense exchange, Zhao Jian comforted Yuan Zhongxin, urging him to understand his brother's good intentions, even if his methods were misguided, much like her own father's concern for her future.
Yuan Zhongxin acknowledged Yuan Boqi’s lifelong protection, remarking that since he was little, his brother "has been punched greatly just to protect me." But he now felt grown enough to reciprocate: "I can also protect him and I can be his shelter." He resolved to take whatever steps necessary to deal with Liang Zhu for his brother's sake. Meanwhile, Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Jing found the mysterious soldier from the old market.
Wei Yanei, ever the opportunist, excitedly discussed his grand plans to establish "exchange agencies" to facilitate trade for Xia businessmen, aiming to "control the whole market" and become "a tycoon in Binzhou." Xue Ying, however, urged him to "stop talking" and "keep looking for Liang Zhu." The trio followed the soldier, discovering his hideout was elaborately booby-trapped with "poisonous powders" and "antibugging strings," suggesting the occupants were no ordinary people.
Though the soldier eventually escaped, Liang Zhu’s sudden appearance at the same location led Wei Yanei, Xue Ying, and Jing to suspect him as an accomplice. Wei Yanei worried Liang Zhu was gathering allies against Yuan Boqi, but Xue Ying pointed out the logical inconsistencies. Zhao Jian forewarned that trouble was likely to erupt with Yuan Boqi's upcoming appointment as Deputy Commander. Yuan Zhongxin decided to implement a plan to lure out Liang Zhu.
The next day, Yuan Zhongxin set a trap, feigning his own kidnapping to draw Yuan Boqi to a desolate tea shop. Yuan Zhongxin explained to his brother that he knew Yuan Boqi "wouldn’t have come if I wasn’t 'kidnapped'." Liang Zhu, who had been secretly monitoring Yuan Boqi, followed him to the location. Liang Zhu confronted Yuan Boqi, mistakenly believing he was meeting with Xia agents, and declared, "I’m killing you today!"
In the ensuing struggle, Liang Zhu injured Xue Ying, who was hidden nearby. Mistaking Xue Ying for a Xia agent, Liang Zhu accused Yuan Boqi of being in collusion with Xia. Yuan Zhongxin and his team quickly clarified the misunderstanding, explaining they were there to protect Yuan Boqi. Liang Zhu revealed he was in Binzhou to "spy on" Yuan Boqi, suspecting him of having "traded secretly with Xia to keep yourself alive" in the past.
He further explained that his recent disappearance was due to his pursuit of "deserters," who turned out to be Xia spies he had tracked to their now-abandoned hideout. Realizing his error, Liang Zhu was angered by Yuan Zhongxin's suspicions and challenged him. As they argued, an arrow flew from the woods towards Liang Zhu. Yuan Boqi instinctively shielded Liang Zhu, taking the arrow in his place.
Zhao Jian immediately recognized the fleeing assassin’s eyes, identifying him as "the soldier in Old Market." Liang Zhu, surprised by Yuan Boqi’s protective act, asked why he was saved. Yuan Boqi dismissively replied, "Just by chance. Don’t care too much." Liang Zhu, though grateful, remained suspicious of Yuan Boqi’s past connections with Xia, warning, "If you’re a traitor, I’ll kill you." Yuan Boqi simply responded, "I’ll be waiting," before Liang Zhu departed.
After the encounter, Yuan Boqi left to meet the newly arrived Commander Zhou. Commander Zhou, an old acquaintance of Lu Guannian, conveyed a message to Yuan Zhongxin from Dean Lu: the situation with the "newly organized army in Binzhou mattered a lot," and Yuan Zhongxin was urged "not to make troubles." Yuan Zhongxin scoffed at this, declaring, "I’m not a firecracker that booms!"
Commander Zhou recounted Lu Guannian’s description of Yuan Zhongxin as a "wild monkey," too "crafty to trust," to which Yuan Zhongxin retorted, "He’ll be an old monkey then!" Later, Yuan Boqi expressed his relief to Yuan Zhongxin, observing that his younger brother, who once exhibited "defense and alienation" in his eyes, now displayed "trust" among his friends. He warmly congratulated Yuan Zhongxin on "finally have friends."
Yuan Zhongxin then visited Zhao Jian, who informed him that Jing was observing her various suitors while Wang Kuan and Xue Ying continued to search for the mysterious soldier. Yuan Zhongxin tentatively asked Zhao Jian if she was "really getting married." She confirmed she had to comply due to her father’s severe illness, doing so only to "relieve" him. Yuan Zhongxin stammered, attempting to offer help, "Shall I… shall I help you with that?"
but was interrupted by Jing announcing the arrival of Lin Mosheng, the suitor approved by Prince Zhao. Expecting a handsome man, Yuan Zhongxin was surprised by Lin Mosheng's plain appearance. Zhao Jian explained that Lin Mosheng, as the "president of Binzhou Chamber of Commerce," was considered "young and promising" by her father due to his role in managing the upcoming Xia royal family caravan. Unbeknownst to Yuan Zhongxin, Prince Zhao had him "kidnapped" within his own mansion to speak privately.
Yuan Zhongxin, deducing he was still within the Prince’s estate, accused him of orchestrating the abduction. Prince Zhao feigned anger about Yuan Zhongxin's relationship with his daughter but then confessed his deeper paternal worries. He spoke of his fear that Zhao Jian would die "alone" without experiencing "the most common and most precious happiness" of true love and companionship.
He revealed that he had intentionally introduced Lin Mosheng, whom he described as having "exactly the same temper and wisdom as you," to see if Zhao Jian would accept him, as a test of her true feelings for Yuan Zhongxin. Prince Zhao then admitted his "actual" reason for summoning Yuan Zhongxin: he had discovered that Lin Mosheng was a morally corrupt individual with "a dozen concubines." Directly confronting Yuan Zhongxin, Prince Zhao asked, "Zhao Jian likes you. What about you?"
He explained that Zhao Jian "never laughed in Binzhou" until Yuan Zhongxin arrived, and her rare smiles were "Because of you!" Prince Zhao implored him to speak truthfully: "Do you like my daughter? And would you like to marry her?" After a long pause, Yuan Zhongxin finally confessed, "I… I like her."
Pleased, Prince Zhao then laid out his conditions for marriage: Yuan Zhongxin must live in the Zhao mansion, never hinder Zhao Jian's dreams, and take primary responsibility for childcare. Overwhelmed by the demands, Yuan Zhongxin responded, "I can’t marry her."
