The Song of Glory Episode 15 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
The imperial court was convened, and ministers urged Liu Yikang to decide wisely how to purge the Imperial Court and rid them of future troubles. Liu Yikang stated that the matter of the army had hidden issues, explaining it was his idea due to Wei Country repeatedly crossing the borders, causing him anxiety. He had secretly ordered Prince Jing Ling, Liu Yixuan, to supervise a skilled army to practice military tactics and shock the enemy.
However, Liu Yixuan had then secretly ordered Lu Yuan to supervise them. Despite ministers expressing skepticism about such a serious matter being treated emotionally, Liu Yikang produced a command from his sleeve. He read the order, which commanded Prince Jing Ling, Liu Yixuan, to recruit and enlist elite soldiers for use during wartime, to be done secretly. Liu Yikang explained that he had not formally announced this command to devise strategies in secret and avoid revealing military plans.
He then shifted his focus to Lu Yuan, accusing him of using this task to commit corruption, abuse the law, privately forge black iron, collude with the Prince of Jiang Dong, and devastate the loyal Shen family. He directly asked Lu Yuan if he was guilty, then ordered guards to bring in the Prince of Jiang Dong, who identified the Fish Pulse Sword as evidence against Lu Yuan.
Liu Yikang further accused Lu Yuan of rebellious intentions for dispatching troops without an imperial order to surround Jiankang City. Lu Yuan claimed the secret letter was forged, but Liu Yikang countered that it bore Lu Yuan's official seal. At this critical moment, Lu Yandi stepped forward, proclaiming that he was the one who wrote the secret letter, covered it with Lu Yuan's official seal, privately forged black iron, and dispatched troops to surround Jiankang City.
He insisted that these actions had nothing to do with Lu Yuan, who was busy interrogating the Shen family at the time. Lu Yandi pleaded guilty to heinous crimes, stating that all records of manufactured weapons, accounts, and payments were in his study under his name, and Lu Yuan knew nothing. Following support from other ministers for a fair resolution, Liu Yikang ordered Lu Yandi to be taken to the Commandant of Justice.
He then pronounced the Lu family's punishment: stripping them of their accordances and titles, removing Lu Yuan's present post while keeping his official title, demoting him to Protectorate Lieutenant-General, and confining him to the Lu manor to reflect on his mistakes, without leaving without an imperial order. In the prison, Lu Yandi shared wine with his son, Lu Yuan, lamenting that it wasn't the old wine but he still remembered its flavor.
He spoke of the Prince of Jiang Dong owing him three thousand mu of farmland and instructed Lu Yuan about a sword in his study, behind which lay a door to precious items he had collected. Lu Yuan expressed his unfilial regret, but Lu Yandi told him to stop, saying he could save him this time but not next, advising him to take the money and live out his days.
Lu Yandi then sent Lu Yuan away, telling him he was on his own. Alone, Lu Yandi reflected on ancient wisdom, reciting, "He who is careful in his modesty, receives little blame. Loyalty and sincerity bring everlasting peace. The way of Heaven is to harm what is full. The ambitious ones are always hurt." He then bid Lu Yuan farewell, "Yuan'er, take care," before ending his own life.
Meanwhile, at the Shen manor, the family joyfully welcomed Shen Tingzhang and his son, who had been released. Shen Tingzhang thanked Shen Lige, who humbly dismissed his gratitude. The family celebrated their reunion, preparing to eat glutinous rice balls for unity and happiness. Liu Yixuan went to see his mother, Sun Tai Fei, who embraced him with relief. Seeing the faint red mark on her neck from her earlier attempt to hang herself, Liu Yixuan was deeply shaken.
He knelt and apologized for causing her worry, promising to be more thoughtful and inform her of future matters, making no more decisions on his own. Sun Tai Fei reminded him that Liu Yikang had protected him, urging him to visit his Fourth Brother first. Later, Liu Yikang conferred upon Liu Yixuan the golden seal of the Tiger Tally, giving him command of the Black Armored Brigade.
He recited an edict that lauded his loyalty and talent in supporting the Imperial Court and serving the people. Liu Yixuan pledged his life and loyalty, then boldly requested to recommend Huo Yun. He explained that Huo Yun had been forced to commit serious crimes but had refused to change his aspirations, rescuing artisans in the foundry and contributing significantly to General Shen's case.
Liu Yixuan hoped Liu Yikang would be lenient and recruit Huo Yun for a post in the army. Liu Yikang agreed, appointing Huo Yun as a military officer in the Black Armored Brigade to serve Great Song. Later, Liu Yixuan discovered a letter from Lu Wan'er, indicating she had left temporarily. He reflected on his recent suffering, concluding that understanding Prince Peng Cheng's thoughts and resolving his inner turmoil was a gain after misfortune, leaving him feeling relaxed.
Liu Yikang, in the meantime, prayed at the late emperor's shrine, reporting that he and Xuan'er were safe and that he had fulfilled his promise to protect him. Afterwards, he joined Sun Tai Fei, who offered him handmade pastries, reminiscing about his childhood. A servant informed them that the wedding gift for the side consort had arrived at the Shen manor.
Sun Tai Fei then questioned Liu Yikang's plans for a lavish wedding for Shen Lige, a side consort, who would enter through the main gate, finding the etiquette excessive. She worried how the Xie family and other chancellors would react to him marrying a girl from a humble family this way. Liu Yikang revealed he "wanted" them to care, as these powerful clans had been seizing people's territory. He intended to use the Shen family to challenge them.
Accepting his decision, Sun Tai Fei suggested that since Shen Lige had been lost as a child and came from a family of generals, she might not be well-versed in etiquette. She proposed Shen Lige move into the manor early to learn etiquette and control her personality, to which Liu Yikang agreed. At the Lu manor, no ministers attended Lu Yandi's funeral. Lu Wan'er arrived, heartbroken, crying and asking Lu Yuan why their father had committed suicide in prison.
Lu Yuan comforted her, promising to take care of her. Xue Qiu reported to Lu Yuan about the court's recent events, including Liu Yikang rewarding Liu Yixuan and pardoning Huo Yun. Lu Yuan dismissed the idea of "deep brotherly affection" as fleeting before royal power. Xue Qiu also mentioned the Shen manor wedding preparations and the risk to the marriage if Shen Lige's assassination attempt on Liu Yikang were exposed.
Lu Yuan, however, was resolute that the marriage would not be dropped. Looking at his father's memorial tablet, Lu Yuan expressed regret for not having listened to his father earlier but declared he would not give up his ambitions. He resolved to "watch and see," believing Liu Yikang would eventually be "caught in his own trap." Meanwhile, Shen Lige made food for Chen Shaoxun and Kong Cheng, thanking them for their help.
Chen Shaoxun observed that Shen Lige was becoming more humane, attributing it to the Shen family, though he was unsure if this change was good or bad, as long as she was happy. Shen Lige affirmed that she had not abandoned her plan to assassinate Liu Yikang and would deal with Lu Yuan afterwards. Kong Cheng eagerly offered to help.
When Kong Cheng complained about not being able to afford components for his new weapon designs, Shen Lige promised to help him. Liu Yixuan visited Lu Yuan at his manor, mockingly addressing him as "Protectorate Lieutenant-General Lu." He inquired about Lu Yandi's funeral, and Lu Yuan acknowledged Liu Yikang's mercy in allowing his father to be buried in the ancestral grave.
Liu Yixuan warned Lu Yuan, reminding him that he should be well aware of his father's guilt and to engrave Liu Yikang's "favor" in his heart. Unrepentant, Lu Yuan expressed regret for failing to remove Liu Yixuan's "poisonous sting" and for Liu Yikang losing a "golden opportunity" because of him. He claimed he had no intention of repeating his crimes and would serve Liu Yikang and Liu Yixuan well.
Liu Yixuan countered that if he repeated his actions, his life would not be so lucky, and no one would take the blame for him again. Later, reflecting alone in a pavilion, Liu Yixuan recited a proverb about seizing the moment. Xiao Xin arrived to thank him for his help. Expressing her desire to live by her own abilities, she prepared to leave. Liu Yixuan, knowing she had no home, offered to arrange a place for her.
Shen Lige then arrived, also checking on Liu Yixuan, and gave him an exquisite peace and safety knot. In a tender gesture, Liu Yixuan tied the knot around Shen Lige's neck for extra safety. Liu Yixuan then informed Shen Lige that the Grand Consort hoped she would move into the manor to learn etiquette and suggested Xiao Xin, being alert and resourceful, could serve as her personal maid.
Xiao Xin readily agreed, excited to follow Shen Lige, who promised to treat her like a sister. The two immediately bonded, toasting to their future. Xiao Xin playfully promised to make Shen Lige "white and fat," leading Liu Yixuan to joke that Xiao Xin was the one who truly needed to learn etiquette.
