Episode Summary
In Lingzhou City, Wen Zong's plans to expose the Su family by luring authorities with smuggled goods are complicated by Ming Tan's unexpected arrival, making him suspect her motives, especially with Jiang Xu also present and targeting the Su family. Meanwhile, Yun Yi and Shu Jingran stage a public argument as a diversion. Jiang Xu and Ming Tan further deceive Su Errong's spies by faking an intimate encounter. Shu Jingran and Yun Yi successfully evade their pursuers to visit an acquaintance, with Yun Yi overpowering Su's men. Su Errong, realizing she's been tricked, finds Jiang Xu and Ming Tan in another staged, compromising situation. Jiang Xu intercepts a letter revealing Ming Tan's portrait was sent to Su Errong, indicating the Su family will soon target Ming Tan. At the Su family's auction, Jiang Xu confronts Lord Yin and others, using an imperial decree to pressure them into providing evidence of the Su family's crimes.
Spoiler Alert
"Youthful Glory" Episode 24 Recap & Spoilers: Schemes, Deceptions, and Closing Nets
Wen Zong extends an invitation to Ming Tan for an auction hosted by the influential Su family in Lingzhou. Unbeknownst to many, Su Wenchun has received intelligence that Ming Tan, despite reports of her turning back from her journey, was never actually confirmed to have returned to the capital. Su Wenchun is also reeling from the revelation that Yu Bozhong is, in fact, the leader of the Haiyou Sect and has now repaid kindness with betrayal, turning against him. Wen Zong's initial strategy involved releasing smuggled goods to attract the attention of the Da Xian authorities, hoping to lead them to investigate the Su family. However, Ming Tan's unexpected arrival has him convinced she's a more complex player than he anticipated. With Jiang Xu already in Lingzhou, specifically targeting the Su family, Wen Zong feels his years of scheming are about to pay off – the net is finally closing.
Meanwhile, a public spat erupts between Yun Yi and Shu Jingran. Yun Yi is upset that Shu Jingran didn't prepare her favorite roast chicken, leading to a loud argument that draws onlookers, during which Yun Yi even lands a punch on Shu Jingran. This, however, is a calculated performance. Su Errong, busy setting her own traps, has a room prepared with drinks and snacks, intending to ensnare Jiang Xu. She's also concerned about Zhang Huaiyu, who hasn't been seen in the capital (Shangjing). Su Errong suspects Jiang Xu might be using a diversionary tactic and orders a thorough search, emphasizing that whatever Zhang Huaiyu possesses must not fall into enemy hands. Her spies tailing Shu Jingran report he drove a carriage to a remote location before he and Yun Yi managed to give them the slip. Later, Shu Jingran, laden with food but still feigning anger, gets an explanation from Yun Yi: their public fight was merely an act to mislead their pursuers.
The intrigue deepens when Jiang Xu returns to his room to find Ming Tan waiting. Ming Tan is equally surprised, as her meeting was supposed to be with Su Errong. Jealousy sparks between them, with Jiang Xu accusing Ming Tan of being fickle and Ming Tan criticizing his lack of discretion. The argument culminates in an assertive kiss from Jiang Xu. Aware that Su Errong's spies are eavesdropping, they escalate their "performance," moving to the bed to make their staged intimacy thoroughly convincing.
Shu Jingran and Yun Yi, after a long and evasive journey, finally reach a courtyard at night, their pursuers realizing too late they've been duped. The couple was there to visit an elderly woman they know. The Su family's men, swords ready, prepare to storm the place but find Zhang Huaiyu absent, leading to an awkward moment where they claim they were merely there to offer protection. Yun Yi, having had enough, swiftly takes them down. Later that night, Jiang Xu meets with Zhang Huaiyu, who has been confined for days and is desperate to return to the capital.
Shu Jingran expresses remorse for not being more helpful to Yun Yi, but she reassures him that everyone has different strengths and they complement each other. This warms Shu Jingran's heart, and he even starts daydreaming about their future child being proficient in both scholarly pursuits and martial arts.
Su Errong eventually realizes she's been outmaneuvered by a diversion. She rushes to Ming Tan and Jiang Xu's room, only for a maidservant to insist they haven't left all night. Getting no response to her knocks, Su Errong enters to find a highly embarrassing scene: Ming Tan is kneeling before Jiang Xu, who is on the bed, seemingly begging for his forgiveness. This is another act by Ming Tan, playing the part of rejecting Jiang Xu. The real development is that Jiang Xu has intercepted a letter from the capital addressed to Su Errong, containing Ming Tan's portrait. The Su family is likely preparing to act against her. Jiang Xu decides they must take a significant risk; if the Su family discovers Ming Tan's true identity, they will undoubtedly try to kill her. He is deeply worried for her safety, but Ming Tan reminds him that as a married couple, they are bound to face hardships together.
The embarrassment continues for Su Errong when Shu Jingran and Yun Yi return to the Su residence with the subdued Su family men. News arrives from the capital: Princess Dingbei is confirmed to be in Lingzhou City. This solidifies the resolve to eliminate Jiang Xu, who is now seen as too dangerous to be left alive.
At the highly anticipated auction, Su Errong makes her moves. She arranges for Ming Chu to have a prominent seat and tasks Qing Yu with setting a trap for Jiang Xu. While Ming Tan observes from Wen Zong's private seating area, Qing Yu leads Jiang Xu to Lord Yin. However, Jiang Xu turns the tables. He produces an imperial document authorizing punitive action against several officials (implicitly including Lord Yin and his associates) and uses it as leverage. He demands they provide evidence of the Su family's crimes if they wish to secure their positions and safety within the Maritime Trade Office.
