Young Blood Episode 39 Recap
> Young Blood Recap
Unbeknownst to them, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian had followed a secret passage and overheard the entire conversation between Yuan Boqi and Mozang Baoli. After returning to Zhao's mansion, Yuan Zhongxin and Zhao Jian shared what they had learned with the others. Wang Kuan believed that obtaining the secret letter would verify the truth, so the Seven Academy members devised a plan to steal it.
Given Yuan Boqi's deep involvement, Zhao Jian, concerned for Yuan Zhongxin, gently advised him not to keep all his burdens bottled up. The following day, as planned, Mozang Baoli distracted Ding Er. Yuan Zhongxin, feigning illness from a supposed poisoning by taking a special medicine, was brought to Zhao's mansion by Zhao Jian and Xiao Jing to draw Yuan Boqi there. Meanwhile, Wang Kuan and Xue Ying covertly entered Ding Er's annex to steal the letter.
Wang Kuan and Xue Ying successfully obtained the letter, but Yuan Boqi soon realized that Yuan Zhongxin's poisoning was a ruse, noticing fresh mud stains on Yuan Zhongxin's shoes, indicating he had been out. He tied up Yuan Zhongxin, Zhao Jian, and Xiao Jing. Yuan Boqi then hurried towards the annex but encountered Wang Kuan, who was making his escape.
During their struggle, a fake letter, which had been prepared for this contingency, accidentally fell into a stove and was quickly consumed by flames. Yuan Boqi, believing the evidence destroyed, left feeling dejected, unaware that Wang Kuan had concealed the real letter and brought it back to Zhao's mansion. Back at Zhao's mansion, the Seven Academy members examined the real letter.
Zhao Jian confirmed that Mozang Baoli's information was accurate: Zhou Xuan had indeed betrayed their nation, as evidenced by the authentic lines and official seal on the letter. Yuan Zhongxin reminded them that he had anticipated such a need and instructed Wang Kuan and Xue Ying to prepare a fake letter to be burned to deceive Yuan Boqi.
However, Zhao Jian worried that Yuan Boqi, being intelligent, would not be fooled for long and would eventually realize the deception and seek the real letter. The group feared that if Yuan Boqi obtained the letter, his intense desire for revenge for the nine thousand fallen soldiers from the Qichuan village battle would lead him to kill Zhou Xuan without regard for the law.
They decided to send the letter to Dean Lu Guannian at the Privy Council in Kaifeng to ensure a just outcome. Yuan Zhongxin argued against approaching the local magistrate, as he was a friend of Zhou Xuan's, raising fears of potential collusion. Realizing that Yuan Boqi was clever and would likely detect any of the Seven Academy members leaving the city with the letter, Wang Kuan discreetly met with Liang Zhu, asking him to undertake the crucial mission.
However, unbeknownst to the group, Liang Zhu secretly delivered the letter to Yuan Boqi instead. Upon seeing the definitive proof of betrayal, Yuan Boqi was filled with uncontrollable anger. Meanwhile, back in his room, Ding Er discovered that Zhou Xuan's secret letter was missing. Unfazed, Ding Er expressed amusement, stating that "the game has started" and he intended to play it, not letting Qin Wuya die in vain.
Later, at the training ground, Yuan Boqi, now in possession of the letter and consumed by rage, challenged Zhou Xuan to a sparring match, but his attacks were fierce, fueled by a clear intent to kill. Zhou Xuan, recognizing Yuan Boqi's prowess as the "God of War," quickly yielded, but Yuan Boqi continued his relentless assault.
Just as Yuan Boqi was about to strike a decisive blow, a flock of carrier pigeons flew past, serving as a signal for him to stop. He abruptly ceased his attack and left. Xue Ying, Yuan Zhongxin, and Zhao Jian, who had been secretly observing, decided to follow the pigeons. They eventually traced them to a seemingly empty building, but unable to find the pigeon keeper, they split up to question local vendors to no avail.
Yuan Boqi then met Ding Er in a private setting. Ding Er, having sent the pigeons, revealed he knew Yuan Boqi had the secret letter, which explained his intense anger and desire to kill Zhou Xuan. Yuan Boqi accused Zhou Xuan of being Ding Er's informer, but Ding Er clarified that Zhou Xuan was merely a collaborator; Yuan Boqi himself was his true agent.
Ding Er further revealed his plan to ignite a war between Song and Xia, and explained that he used a specific Xia proverb as a coded command to force Qin Wuya to commit suicide. He then told Yuan Boqi that while he could kill Zhou Xuan, it could not be done at that moment or location, promising his help later. As Yuan Boqi left, he encountered Yuan Zhongxin, who had been searching for him.
Yuan Zhongxin confronted his brother, stating he knew Yuan Boqi had obtained the secret letter and intended to kill Zhou Xuan. He revealed he had known about Yuan Boqi's clandestine contact with Xia people for years, ever since discovering a Xia waist token on him after the Qichuan battle. He admitted he joined the Secret Repository to protect Yuan Boqi.
Touched by his devotion, Yuan Boqi told him the full story: he was saved by Ding Er after the battle, who then showed him proof that a Song traitor caused their defeat. Yuan Boqi made a pact to serve as Ding Er's informer in exchange for the chance to find and kill the traitor to avenge his fallen comrades. He confessed that this revenge was the only goal that sustained him and warned Yuan Zhongxin not to interfere.
Instead of stopping him, Yuan Zhongxin declared his unwavering support, offering to help kill Zhou Xuan and arrange for someone else to take the blame. Returning to Zhao's mansion, Yuan Zhongxin instructed Zhao Jian to forge a letter using her father, Prince Zhao's, seal and handwriting to arrange a meeting with Zhou Xuan. Later, Zhou Xuan and Yuan Boqi proceeded to the secluded courtyard specified in the letter.
On the way, Yuan Boqi suggested holding a memorial for the Qichuan fallen at the battle site, asking Zhou Xuan to preside over it, which he readily agreed to. Upon arrival, they discovered a staged murder scene. Yuan Boqi immediately instructed Zhou Xuan to secure the area while he pursued the "assailant." However, Yuan Zhongxin quickly revealed to his brother that he and the Seven Academy members had orchestrated the "murder" to entrap Zhou Xuan.
He admitted to lying to his friends, telling them that the Privy Council had ordered Zhou Xuan's secret arrest. Appalled, Yuan Boqi accused him of committing a felony and implicating their friends. Yuan Zhongxin countered that it was necessary to protect his brother, whose safety was paramount. As they argued, Xue Ying knocked Zhou Xuan unconscious and loaded him onto a cart. Yuan Zhongxin insisted on taking full responsibility, urging the others to stay out of it. When Zhou Xuan briefly regained consciousness and questioned the lack of an official order, Yuan Zhongxin used stupefying smoke to render him unconscious again.
