Episode Summary
Episode 25 sees Ming Tan uncover an auction selling smuggled goods under the guise of genuine antiques. Meanwhile, Jiang Xu is drawn into a dangerous plot involving Qiu Yue, who possesses a list of officials bribed by the Su family. Su Erong orchestrates a complex scheme to frame Jiang Xu for the murder of Lord Yin, using a drugged Qing Yu as an apparent victim. Ming Tan confronts Wen Zong about his connections to "Boss Su" and her own identity as the Princess Consort of Dingbei is revealed. The situation escalates with a lockdown of the inn by Lord Tan. The climax arrives when Qing Yu recants her initial testimony, exposing Su Erong's entire conspiracy, revealing that both she and Jiang Xu were drugged. Qiu Yue, having been rescued by Jiang Xu's men from Su Erong's attempt to silence her, corroborates Qing Yu's account and reveals that her lover, Lord Zhou, was murdered by the Su family for possessing the incriminating list.
Spoiler Alert
"Youthful Glory" Episode 25: Recap & Spoilers
The episode kicks off at a bustling auction where Ming Chu makes a surprising appearance, bidding a hefty 400 liang for a treasure box, supposedly a former relic casket. Ming Tan, spotting her from afar, is taken aback, wondering why Ming Chu isn't at home "reflecting on her misdeeds" as expected. Ming Tan herself joins the bidding, and Wen Zong gallantly purchases a scented sachet for her at 1,500 liang. However, Ming Tan's sharp eye soon detects an anomaly: an incense burner stand isn't from the Daxian period. She realizes the auction of genuine items is merely a facade; the true purpose is to peddle smuggled goods.
Meanwhile, a separate plot unfolds as Qiu Yue, disguised as a maidservant, approaches Jiang Xu. According to Zhang Huaiyu, Qiu Yue carries a critical list detailing officials bribed by the influential Su family. Their clandestine meeting is violently interrupted by an assassination attempt. Jiang Xu cleverly creates a diversion by knocking over a teacup, but Qiu Yue is spotted by Su family members shortly after leaving the room.
The conspiracy deepens as several corrupt officials, desperate to save their own skins, offer their incriminating evidence to Jiang Xu. As they make their hasty departure, the opportunistic Qing Yu tries to ingratiate herself with them. Later, Qing Yu isolates Lord Yin, luring him to another room with warnings about the Su family's enduring power should he betray them. She plies him with wine until he loses consciousness. Jiang Xu, too, begins to feel an overwhelming drowsiness and collapses at his desk.
Sensing the time is ripe, Su Erong departs the auction's main hall, ready to "close the net" on his scheme. Qiu Yue reappears, and Su Erong, fearing that "a long night breeds many troubles" (delays could cause complications), orders her to be swiftly eliminated.
Jiang Xu awakens to a scene of horror: he's clutching a bloody sword, Qing Yu is on a nearby couch with her clothes in disarray, and Lord Yin lies dead on the floor. Su Erong bursts in with local officials, dramatically claiming Qing Yu had forewarned him of potential trouble before attending a recent banquet. With Jiang Xu seemingly caught red-handed, Su Erong accuses him of the clandestine murder of a high-ranking court official.
Ever astute, Ming Tan dispatches her attendant Zhui Yu to follow Su Erong. She then directly confronts Wen Zong, demanding to know if he is allied with the mysterious Boss Su. Wen Zong, acknowledging her perceptiveness, is then starkly informed that his true adversary is not her, but the formidable Dingbei Wang (Prince of Dingbei).
Just then, soldiers surround the premises. Ming Chu, terrified at the prospect of arrest, spots Ming Tan and desperately tries to use their familial ties. It is at this moment that Wen Zong learns Ming Tan's true identity: she is the Princess Consort of Dingbei. Wen Zong, however, remains outwardly unconcerned about any association with the Su family, viewing himself as a mere uninvolved spectator. Unbeknownst to most, Jiang Xu had already taken precautions, assigning secret guards to protect Ming Tan due to the potential dangers linked to her status.
Despite being ensnared in a dangerous frame-up, Jiang Xu maintains his composure. The local Cishi (Prefect) and Su Erong are eager to secure his arrest and conviction. Their efforts are abruptly halted by the arrival of Lord Tan, the Zhongshu Shilang (Vice Minister of the Secretariat), who immediately orders a complete lockdown of the inn, permitting no one to leave. Su Wenjun, upon receiving this news, remains unperturbed, utterly confident in the "foolproof" nature of Su Erong's intricate plan.
Back at the chaotic auction site, Ming Tan insists that the Xiaowei (Captain) interrogate Wen Zong, whom she believes to be a far more significant figure than he lets on. She also summons Ming Chu’s husband, Young General Feng. He candidly acknowledges that Ming Chu’s arrogant and unruly behavior has indeed caused a great deal of trouble. Ming Chu, far from showing any gratitude, bitterly blames Ming Tan for her current predicament and perceived humiliation. Ming Tan sharply reminds her that the items Ming Chu so eagerly purchased were smuggled goods – the very same type of illicit activity for which their own father was implicated, a crime Ming Chu should rightfully despise. Young General Feng swiftly declares his family’s non-involvement in any smuggling operations and sternly warns that Ming Chu will not be spared if she is found to be involved. Despite this, Ming Chu remains defiant. Young General Feng explains to her that Ming Tan had only singled her out in an attempt to preserve the Feng family's reputation, but Ming Chu’s gaze towards her sister remains filled with undiluted hatred.
The tables begin to turn dramatically when Su Erong receives word that Qiu Yue has escaped his clutches.
The climax arrives as Qing Yu regains consciousness and delivers a bombshell testimony. She admits that Jiang Xu did threaten some officials, but vehemently denies that he killed Lord Yin, nor was she assaulted. The entire elaborate setup, she tearfully confesses, was orchestrated from start to finish by Su Erong. Both Jiang Xu and Lord Yin had their wine drugged. Su Erong coerced her into framing Jiang Xu, she explains, because her "life was not her own to control," leaving her with no choice.
Qing Yu publicly names Su Erong as the mastermind. Her crucial corroborating witness is none other than Qiu Yue, who miraculously survived Su Erong’s assassination attempt thanks to Jiang Xu’s timely intervention and rescue by his men. Qiu Yue then courageously steps forward to reveal the full, tragic truth: her lover, Lord Zhou, had been in possession of the damning list of bribed officials and was murdered by the Su family to silence him.
