The Song of Glory Episode 1 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
During the Yuanjia era, the political landscape was fraught with internal strife and external threats. Regent Prince Peng Cheng, Liu Yikang, outwardly appeared to work in concert with Lu Yuan, the Minister of the Five Armies who wielded significant military power and largely controlled the court. However, their alliance was merely a facade masking their deep-seated rivalry. Shen Lige, masked, danced at the Tianxiang Dance Hall, performing Grand Consort Sun's unique "Sending Off the Army."
She observed Lu Yuan's arrival and subsequent tense interaction with Liu Yikang. Afterward, she approached Lu Yuan, confessing she had purposefully formed the dance ensemble to get his attention. She claimed that in Jiankang, one must "hold tightly onto the tree that is the Lu family" to establish oneself and achieve riches and honor, especially for someone alone in the world like her and her sisters.
She falsely explained that her father, an artist, had secretly documented the "Sending Off the Army" dance, a lie meant to further her true goal. Her stated desire to get close to Prince Peng Cheng for riches and honor was a mere pretense; her true ambition, as a member of the Zhuque Alliance, was to use this opportunity to get close enough to assassinate him and avenge her family's massacre.
She further suggested that Lu Yuan would want his own "chess piece" close to the prince. Lu Yuan, however, dismissed her, instructing her to continue perfecting her dance until she became "world-famous." Later, Shen Lige discussed with her senior, Chen Shaoxun, confirming that "the fish are on the hook." Chen Shaoxun acknowledged that Lu Yuan's involvement would make their task easier, but warned that assassinating Prince Peng Cheng was no small feat, as his palace was heavily guarded.
Shen Lige expressed her belief that Liu Yikang was merely a figurehead who indulged Lu Yuan, allowing him to commit crimes and harm the common people. She declared that such a wicked man deserved to be punished by all, especially given their deep-seated family vendetta, and vowed to seek justice. Chen Shaoxun relayed the plan: the assassination was scheduled for the eighth day of the month.
The dancers would enter the manor through the western gate and stay in the music room. When the fanfare sounded during their performance on the Fenghuang Stage, it would be the signal for the assassination. A'Nu and others would provide cover. Chen Shaoxun emphasized that this mission, years in the making, aimed to eliminate the traitorous official and restore peace. He would be stationed at the western gate, ready to assist.
He cautioned Shen Lige to act swiftly and not be swayed by personal revenge, ensuring everyone retreated upon his signal. That night, while bathing with A'Nu, Shen Lige reflected on her childhood, recalling her master's words that Prince Peng Cheng was responsible for her parents' deaths. Noticing Shen Lige's somber mood, A'Nu comforted her, assuring her of their success and the freedom that awaited them.
A'Nu playfully mentioned wanting to go to Meizhou, Chen Shaoxun's hometown, making Shen Lige smile, realizing A'Nu's affection for him. Shen Lige suggested A'Nu use the bracelet found in her swaddling clothes to locate her biological parents, who might still be alive. A'Nu eagerly asked Shen Lige to accompany her, promising that if they found her parents, they would make Shen Lige their goddaughter, ensuring she would always have a home. Shen Lige happily agreed.
Meanwhile, Liu Yikang maintained his pretense of illness. Lu Yuan visited, feigning concern as Physician Xu examined him. Liu Yikang dramatically coughed up blood, dismissing the physician afterward. He then confided in Lu Yuan, expressing that only Lu Yuan truly understood him in the imperial court.
Despite this outward show of trust and his feigned illness, Liu Yikang was, in truth, an upright and benevolent ruler who cared deeply for his people, a fact known to his loyal follower Shen Zhi. Shen Zhi had served Liu Yikang for years, understanding his master's aspiration to bring peace to the world and alleviate the suffering of the populace, even as he was temporarily restrained by Lu Yuan's pervasive influence.
Elsewhere, Shen Zhi reported to Liu Yikang about Lu Yuan's increasing lawlessness and the suffering of the common people. Liu Yikang lamented his inability to counter these wicked individuals, acknowledging Lu Yuan's pervasive control over Jiankang City.
Shen Zhi shared news from the northern borders that his father, Shen Tingzhang, was leading the army to fight at Hulao Passage, hoping that a victory would earn sufficient military merit for Liu Yikang to grant him an important position, thus enabling them to reorganize the court and establish a new order. Liu Yikang was determined to seize this opportunity to reverse the current situation.
In the Shen Manor, Madam Shen frequently visited the Ciyou Orphanage, searching for her eldest daughter, who had been abducted eighteen years prior, always returning disappointed. Her younger daughter, Shen Leqing, was caught near Shen Zhi's study. She tried to console her mother, expressing certainty that her sister would eventually return home and promising to treat her mother well.
Unbeknownst to her mother, Shen Leqing secretly harbored feelings for Liu Yikang, though she was well aware that Prince Peng Cheng's manor already had a Princess Consort, Xie Yunzhi. Xie Yunzhi, a gentle and talented woman from a prominent general's family, maintained a reclusive life and rarely appeared in public, yet her position was unshakeable. Before the mission, A'Nu sought out Chen Shaoxun.
She reminded him of their master's teachings, signifying a solemn vow to achieve their goal, even if it meant sacrificing themselves. A'Nu then asked him for a favor: if she did not return, he was to dig up a jar of wine she and Shen Lige had brewed together, hidden under a pear tree on Mount Xiuli, which they had intended for their wedding toasts.
She asked him to drink it for her and presented him with a comb as a gift. On the day of Grand Consort Dowager Sun's birthday banquet, ministers offered their felicitations. Lu Yuan presented a painting depicting Empress Dowager dancing "Sending Off the Army" for Emperor Gao Zu. He then introduced Jiankang's most renowned dancer, Shen Lige, to perform the same dance for the Grand Consort Dowager. Shen Zhi, observing the scene, noticed a discrepancy in the number of dancers.
As the performance began, the dancers dramatically cast off their cloaks, revealing crossbows, and unleashed a volley of arrows towards Prince Peng Cheng. Liu Yixuan, Prince Jing Ling, bravely shielded Liu Yikang and was struck by an arrow. Under the cover of attendants, Grand Consort Sun quickly took Liu Yixuan away. Physicians treated him, but he had lost a lot of blood and remained in critical condition.
Liu Yikang ordered Lu Yuan's arrest, but Lu Yuan vehemently denied complicity, pleading for a chance to pursue and kill the assassins to prove his innocence. Liu Yikang granted his request, but sternly ordered that the assassins be captured alive. Shen Lige relentlessly pursued Liu Yikang into the Cangshu Library. She confronted him, asserting that he had many enemies beyond Lu Yuan. Liu Yikang realized they were using pine oil.
Shen Zhi intercepted Shen Lige, engaging her in a fierce struggle. Lu Yuan arrived, intending to kill Shen Lige, but Shen Zhi intervened, reminding him of Prince Peng Cheng's command to capture her alive. During their confrontation, Shen Lige managed to escape through a secret passage. As Shen Lige fled, a wounded A'Nu called out to her. A'Nu entrusted her with her bracelet, imploring Shen Lige to find her parents and tell them her story.
A'Nu then bravely offered to divert the pursuing soldiers to ensure Shen Lige's escape. Shen Lige desperately tried to hold A'Nu back, unwilling to let her sacrifice herself, but Chen Shaoxun appeared and forcefully separated them, allowing A'Nu to draw the soldiers away while Shen Lige watched in anguish.
