The Song of Glory Episode 13 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Liu Yikang visited Shen Tingzhang and his son, Shen Zhi, in the Ministry of Justice prison. Shen Tingzhang, despite his injuries, assured Liu Yikang that they would not let Lu Yuan succeed in forcing a false confession, as they had not committed the crime. Liu Yikang, offering medication for Shen Tingzhang's wounds, vowed never to allow loyal subjects to be framed again and urged them to endure, noting a turning point in the unauthorized foundry case.
He acknowledged that he still needed some time to bring Lu Yuan down. Shen Tingzhang reiterated that as long as they didn't confess, Lu Yuan would be powerless against them. Concurring, Liu Yikang resolved to find a way to keep Lu Yuan confined to the Ministry of Justice. In Wuchang, Shen Lige, disguised as a steward from the Lu Manor, arrived with what she claimed were food supplies.
She falsely reported that Jiankang was in dire straits, Prince Peng Cheng had seized their foundry on Qixia Mountain, and Protectorate General Lu Yuan was imprisoned. She urged General Lu Ping to mobilize the Black Armored Brigade for rescue, presenting the Tiger Tally and a sealed military order from Lu Yuan which read, "Rush to mobilize the Wuchang main camp's Black Armored Brigade to Jiankang." Lu Ping, inherently suspicious, accused her of stealing the tally and giving a false report.
He ordered her tied up and held, then dispatched his own men to Jiankang to verify her claims. Shen Lige, anticipating Lu Ping's distrust, had already arranged for Chen Shaoxun and Huo Yun to ambush these scouts. Back in Jiankang, Liu Yikang pressed the Commandant of Justice on the slow progress of the Shen family case. He revealed an imperial decree, commanding Lu Yuan to find the truth within three days, with both witnesses and evidence present.
If Lu Yuan doubted any testimony, he was to investigate personally. Liu Yikang firmly stated that if the case remained unresolved in three days, no one, including Lu Yuan, would be allowed to leave the Ministry of Justice. He also specifically instructed the commandant to prevent any testimony obtained through torture.
To further isolate Lu Yuan and support Shen Lige's plan, Liu Yikang ordered that all communication with the Lu Manor be cut off, news of Lu Yuan's supposed imprisonment be spread, and the Suiyuan Army's supposed advance toward Jiankang be rumored, while closely monitoring Wuchang troops. Meanwhile, in prison, Lu Yuan, frustrated by Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi's refusal to confess to the foundry crime even after severe torture, forcibly took Shen Zhi's hand to stamp a confession.
The Commandant of Justice arrived and confronted Lu Yuan's soldiers for using private torture in a judicial prison. Lu Yuan, feigning innocence, ordered his men to inform Prince Peng Cheng that the Shen father and son had confessed and invited him to arbitrate.
Learning that the Shen family had supposedly confessed and Lu Yuan wanted him to arbitrate, and with no word from Wuchang yet, Liu Yikang instructed his attendant, San Bao, to spread news that Prince Peng Cheng was gravely ill and coughing up blood, to stall Lu Yuan.
The news of Liu Yikang's sudden illness effectively delayed Lu Yuan's plans, as he was told the case required re-investigation and re-interrogation and he could not leave the Ministry of Justice until it was concluded. Recognizing that Lu Yuan would likely try to frame him, Liu Yixuan decided to act proactively.
His advisor warned him that if Shen Lige succeeded in bringing the Black Armored Brigade to Jiankang without an edict, Lu Yuan, when cornered, would surely blame Liu Yixuan for summoning them. Liu Yixuan responded that he was willing to die repeatedly in pursuit of the truth. Before carrying out his plan, he visited Sun Taifei, his mother.
He peeled chestnuts for her, a gesture that reminded them both of simpler times when she peeled chestnuts for him and his Fourth Brother, Liu Yikang. He promised to visit her every day and peel chestnuts for her, declaring them the best things in the world. Back in Wuchang, Huo Yun, having ambushed Lu Ping's scouts, successfully infiltrated the camp.
He, along with other soldiers delivering "iron knives" (actually fake weapons), urged Lu Ping to act, claiming they were delayed by the Suiyuan Army. Shen Lige continued to press Lu Ping, labeling him an "idiot" and a "tortoise" for his hesitation, despite the Tiger Tally, mobilization letter, and what appeared to be black iron. Under intense pressure and believing the evidence, Lu Ping finally ordered the Black Armored Brigade to gather and march to Jiankang.
Upon receiving Shen Lige's pigeon message confirming her success in mobilizing Lu Yuan's Black Armored Brigade toward Jiankang, and that Shen Feng was also on his way, Liu Yikang expressed his relief. He then poured out the "medicine" he had been pretending to drink, declaring he no longer needed it. Soon after, Lu Yuan was summoned to Prince Peng Cheng's manor.
In the manor, Liu Yikang played an old battle tune on a zither, one taught to him by Lu Yuan's grandfather. He engaged Lu Yuan in a discussion about music theory, specifically the five tones and their deeper meanings as the foundation of a kingdom and a monarch. Liu Yikang subtly implied that the kingdom's "Gong" (monarch/foundation) was not in Lu Yuan's heart.
Lu Yuan, ignoring the veiled accusations, presented Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi's forced confessions and urged Liu Yikang to swiftly conclude the case to protect the court's foundations. Liu Yikang dramatically tore up the confessions. He then led Lu Yuan to the city gates. From atop the gate tower, they watched as Lu Ping's Black Armored Brigade approached Jiankang. Suddenly, Shen Feng's Suiyuan Army launched a fierce ambush, quickly routing Lu Ping's forces, which were equipped with fake weapons.
Lu Ping realized he had been tricked and ordered a retreat, but his army was quickly surrounded and defeated. As his forces suffered a crushing defeat, Lu Yuan, with a smirk, told Liu Yikang that despite all his meticulous planning, he had made one miscalculation. He revealed that he possessed Prince Jing Ling's (Liu Yixuan's) written order for forging black iron and training elite soldiers.
He threatened to expose Liu Yixuan if he himself were to fall, effectively dragging Liu Yikang's sixth brother down with him. Just then, Liu Yixuan arrived, proclaiming his intent to confess his crime. Liu Yikang, in a calculated public display, yelled at Liu Yixuan, kicked him to the ground, and accused him of disrespect, ordering him confined to his manor for reflection. Following this, Lu Yuan was arrested for treason and taken to the Ministry of Justice to await sentencing.
Sun Taifei, hearing the news that Prince Jing Ling had plotted with Lu Yuan and both were captured, rushed to Prince Peng Cheng's manor, deeply worried for Liu Yixuan. On her way back to Jiankang, Shen Lige was met by Liu Yikang, who had ridden out to intercept her. As she dismounted, he immediately embraced her tightly, expressing his profound relief and the immense fear he had felt that he might never see her again.
He pleaded with her to promise never to leave him, no matter what happened in the future. Shen Lige, smiling, reassured him that they had succeeded and Lu Yuan was finally captured. Liu Yikang emphasized that her safe return was the most important thing. As they walked back to the city, Shen Lige began recounting the detailed story of how she managed to incite Lu Ping's action in Wuchang.
Later that night, Liu Yikang looked at a document labeled "Edict by Prince Jing Ling." Reflecting on past conversations with Liu Yixuan, he realized that his Sixth Brother had planned to sacrifice himself and enter the dangerous game alone. Overwhelmed by this realization, Liu Yikang felt immense regret, lamenting that as his older brother, he had failed to protect him.
