Resumen del episodio 17 de The Song of Glory
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Shen Leqing, left with no other options, approached Protectorate Lieutenant-General Lu Yuan for refuge. She stated she had resolved her own issues and was willing to serve him, even if it meant entering Prince Peng Cheng's manor as a maid, as long as she could be under his command. Lu Yuan initially scoffed, deeming her no longer valuable since she no longer resided with the Shen family.
Shen Leqing argued that her motive was not just the Shen family, and warned him that if Shen Lige became Prince Peng Cheng's side consort, she would cause him even more harm. She vowed to take care of Shen Lige before the wedding. To prove her loyalty, she unhesitatingly accepted a cup of poisoned wine offered by Lu Yuan, who then knocked it away, convinced of her sincerity.
Lu Yuan agreed to her terms, arranging for her to enter the manor through the recommendation of Director of the Central Secretariat Xie Hao and instructing her to closely monitor Shen Lige's every move and report back to him at all times. Later, thieves infiltrated Yixian Hall at night, setting it ablaze and destroying the manuscript for the new policy. A scholar had been killed before being burned in the blaze. News of this spread, causing much discussion.
Lu Yuan, already possessing a copy of the new policy outline, invited Director of the Central Secretariat Xie Hao to discuss the matter. Xie Hao initially expressed disdain at associating with Lu Yuan. However, after being shown the new policy outline, Xie Hao was enraged to learn that Prince Peng Cheng intended to reform the Nine Grade official ranking system and select chief officials by examination.
He found it absurd that commoners and the nobility would share power in the court. He declared that powerful families not of the nobility had never been given official powers, and that the nobility and the poor could never share the same world. Lu Yuan used this to further his own agenda. Meanwhile, Shen Lige met with Liu Yikang on a boat for drinks.
Liu Yikang, wanting to know everything about her, including her name and family, expressed concern over her constant solitude and involvement in fighting, which always made his heart ache. He promised to protect her. Shen Lige, however, interrupted him as he was about to reveal his own identity, stating it was unnecessary because he was already in her heart. After Liu Yikang succumbed to the wine and fell asleep, Shen Lige, feigning intoxication, confessed her true identity aloud.
She revealed her name was Lige, but she was not a Shen. She was an orphan and an assassin from the Zhu Que Alliance, having wandered and completed missions since childhood. She spoke of the warmth she found in the Shen family, a stark contrast to her past. She also shared her newfound joys, mentioning her fondness for Bixin wine, pulp cakes, a particular poem, the little boat they were on, pear flowers, and most importantly, him.
She returned a jade pendant to him, hoping it would protect him in her stead, and left him a message. Liu Yikang later woke to find her gone, reading her message, which confirmed her departure. Recognizing Shen Lige's straightforward nature and her strong aversion to evil, Chen Shaoxun worried about her ability to navigate the complexities of Prince Peng Cheng's manor.
He had Kong Cheng purchase the "Secret Record of Prince Peng Cheng's Manor" and instructed Shen Lige to study and memorize its contents. Chen Shaoxun reiterated his concern that Lige might let her emotions cloud her judgment, despite his previous reminders to conceal her assassin identity and act discreetly. He then tasked Kong Cheng with closely monitoring any news from Prince Peng Cheng's manor while Shen Lige was there.
Upon her arrival at Prince Peng Cheng's manor, Shen Lige was led to Han Ling Pavilion by the senior maid, Qiu Qing. Mindful of Chen Shaoxun's earlier instructions to conceal her assassin identity and act as though nothing was amiss, she did not notice Shen Leqing, who was also present in the manor. Soon after, Senior Maid Yue Mei arrived from the palace, sent by Grand Consort Dowager to instruct Shen Lige on etiquette.
Yue Mei, assuming Shen Lige would be a soft target, tried to assert her authority. However, Prince Jing Ling, Liu Yixuan, had already taught Shen Lige the necessary court etiquette, allowing her to anticipate Yue Mei's condescending remarks. Shen Lige not only avoided embarrassment but also deftly challenged Yue Mei's attempts to undermine her, leaving the Senior Maid speechless by questioning her position and reminding her not to overstep her authority as a servant.
Meanwhile, Princess Consort Xie Wunzhi, disagreeing with her brother Xie Hao's decision to bring Shen Leqing into the manor, deliberately assigned her to clean the outer areas and instructed her personal maid, Yu Yan, to closely monitor her. Shen Leqing, initially relegated to a poor sleeping arrangement, quickly began to ingratiate herself with the other maids.
Despite being initially cold-shouldered due to Princess Consort Xie Wunzhi's obvious disdain, Shen Leqing humbly offered small gifts and asked for advice on the Princess Consort's habits, gradually winning them over, including Yu Yan. Shen Leqing had also brought her maid, Ling Xi, into the manor, securing Ling Xi's loyalty by arranging for her younger siblings back home to be settled. She encouraged Ling Xi to help her, promising a good future.
Following Shen Leqing's instructions, Ling Xi actively sought to build relationships with the maids in Han Ling Pavilion. She then began to spread rumors throughout the manor, alleging that Shen Lige had once lived among commoners and bore a large scar on her back. The rumors eventually reached Qiu Qing, who became suspicious. When Shen Lige prepared to bathe, Qiu Qing attempted to verify the rumor.
Shen Lige initially dismissed all servants except her personal maid, Xiao Xin, making direct observation difficult. Undeterred, Qiu Qing intentionally tripped maid Hong Dan, causing her to fall toward Shen Lige and accidentally rip her clothing. Qiu Qing saw that Shen Lige's skin was unblemished and had no scar. Feigning anger at Hong Dan's clumsiness, Qiu Qing ordered her to be beaten twenty times and sold from the manor.
Shen Lige intervened, protecting Hong Dan and questioning the severity of the punishment for a minor mistake. She asserted that all people should be treated with forgiveness and respect, regardless of status, as there were no inherent differences between humans. Shen Lige then declared that she would take Hong Dan as her personal maid, alongside Xiao Xin.
While Xiao Xin expressed confusion over Qiu Qing's actions, Shen Lige acknowledged the underlying motive and subtly warned Qiu Qing to be less meddlesome. Separately, Shen Tingzhang prepared lavish betrothal gifts to propose marriage for his son, Shen Zhi, and Wang Zijin, who were mutually affectionate. Before his departure, a letter arrived confirming Shen Leqing's disappearance; she had not arrived in Tongcheng City, and her guards were missing, prompting Shen Tingzhang to immediately dispatch men to search for her.
Despite this concern, he proceeded to the Wang residence. Initially, Wang Gong, Wang Zijin's father, refused to meet him, claiming a busy schedule brewing peach blossom wine. Wang Zijin intervened, urging her father to meet General Shen. Eventually, Wang Gong met Shen Tingzhang, expressing great respect for the General's decades of service defending the Northern border. However, he regretfully declined the marriage proposal. He explained his deep concern for his only daughter, having lost his sons in battle.
He wished for Wang Zijin to live a life of peace, far removed from the court's entanglements. Wang Gong considered Shen Tingzhang, despite being a distinguished official, to be "in the middle of a storm" and stated that he was too old to bear any more hardships. Upon Shen Tingzhang's return with the gifts, Shen Feng questioned why the marriage was rejected, to which Shen Tingzhang merely stated that Wang Gong was ill and he would try again another day.
