The Song of Glory Episode 19 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
After Yixian Hall was destroyed, Liu Yixuan ensured that all the scholars were properly housed in Prince Peng Cheng's manor under the guise of discussing literature and poetry. He reassured Liu Yikang that their food and lodging had been taken care of and that there would be no more danger. The scholars were diligently drafting new policies.
Liu Yixuan explained that the current ranking system, based on family bloodlines, allowed eldest sons of wealthy families to become officials without assessment at twenty years old. He stressed that without changes, there was no hope for Great Song. Liu Yikang agreed, showing great foresight, stating that he intended to push these new policies to uproot evil and make his determination clear to the nobles.
Sun Taifei, though pleased to see Liu Yixuan and Liu Yikang growing closer, was concerned by their secrecy. She nagged Liu Yixuan about his marriage, but he dismissed her concerns, saying he was busy with "trivial matters" and discussing literature with Liu Yikang. Sun Taifei mentioned the recent noise and debates in the manor, asking how long the groups of people would stay. Liu Yixuan downplayed their significance, claiming they were merely scholars invited by Liu Yikang to exchange opinions.
Despite his casual response, Sun Taifei sensed he was hiding something from her. As the weather turned colder, Chen Shaoxun visited Benevolence Courtyard with blankets, medicine, and warm clothing for the children. He was greeted by Nanny Song and the excited children, who affectionately called him "Older Brother Xun." While distributing gifts, he encountered Miss Lu Wan'er, who was playing with the orphans. They recognized each other, calling out "Physician" and "Miss," and were delighted to reconnect.
Nanny Song noted their acquaintance. They spent the afternoon making dumplings with the children, addressing each other as "Older Brother Xun" and "Wan'er," their identities remaining a mystery to one another. Back at Han Ling Pavilion, Shen Lige applied the Skin Comfort Balm, reminded by her maid, Hong Dan, not to disappoint the Princess Consort's kindness. Soon after, Lige developed a high fever.
Xiao Xin wanted to summon the imperial physician, but Qiu Qin explained that Han Ling Pavilion was a separate courtyard, requiring Princess Consort's approval to call a doctor. Qiu Qin initially hesitated, citing the late hour, but Xiao Xin's insistence on Lige's worsening condition and the potential wrath of Prince Peng Cheng swayed her.
Qiu Qin went to Jiao Hua Pavilion, Princess Consort's residence, but Yu Yan, Princess Consort's maid, blocked her, claiming the Princess Consort was resting after dealing with concubine selection matters. Yu Yan suggested that Lige's status was not important enough to disturb the Princess Consort. Qiu Qin, understanding the message, left. Worried, Xiao Xin and Hong Dan then decided to seek help independently. Hong Dan went to Jiao Hua Pavilion, but Yu Yan again turned her away.
Suddenly, Shen Leqing appeared and deliberately knocked over a tray of the Princess Consort's medicine, framing Hong Dan for the accident. Princess Consort Xie Yunzhi arrived, and Yu Yan downplayed the incident as an "insignificant maid" causing a disturbance. Hong Dan was then severely beaten with a staff as punishment for breaking manor rules. Meanwhile, Lige, recalling Shen Leqing's earlier inquiries about her scar, began to suspect her involvement.
Xiao Xin then rushed to the pharmacy, but the guards refused her entry since she wasn't ill. Desperate, Xiao Xin drenched herself in well water, then knelt in the cold, begging Physician Sun to save Lige. Physician Sun, however, had already been bribed and refused to help. Fortunately, San Bao arrived just in time, handing Xiao Xin an antidote and urging her to give it to Lige. Earlier, Shen Leqing had confided in Yu Yan about her scheme.
Yu Yan complained about the chaos Lige had brought to the manor, and Leqing admitted to adding extra "Jianxueku," a skin enhancer that is lethal in high doses, to Lige's ointment. She emphasized that this was her sole action and planned for Lige to die without medical intervention. Meanwhile, Shen Lige, who had anticipated Shen Leqing’s plot and was only feigning her illness, saw an opportunity.
Once her loyal maids left to seek help, she arose from her bed, full of vigor, and changed into night clothes. She snuck into Liu Yikang's study to assassinate him but found it empty. Unbeknownst to her, Liu Yikang was on a boat, playing a zither and deeply missing his "heroine." Later, Xiao Xin returned with the antidote from San Bao, badly bruised from her ordeal.
Lige was deeply moved by the suffering both Xiao Xin and the beaten Hong Dan had endured for her. She apologized for their pain, made them rest, and resolved to act immediately to expose the mastermind. Later, Shen Lige confronted Yu Yan about Hong Dan's unjust punishment, accusing her of hypocrisy in upholding manor rules while being rude. Lige slapped Yu Yan and ordered her out of Han Ling Pavilion.
Shen Leqing quickly consoled a furious Yu Yan, who raged about being slapped by a "commoner." Leqing seized the opportunity to suggest adding even more "Jianxueku" to Lige's ointment. She gave Yu Yan a "gift" to solidify their conspiracy. Lige, pretending to still be unwell, instructed a maid (Lingxi) to apply the ointment. Shen Leqing and Yu Yan observed from a distance, with Leqing commenting on Lige's resilience.
However, Lige was prepared and caught Lingxi red-handed with a packet of "Jianxueku." Lige then presented her case to Princess Consort Xie Yunzhi, explaining her symptoms and how she caught Lingxi meddling with the ointment. Physician Sun confirmed that while "Jianxueku" could aid healing in the correct dosage, an excessive amount was deadly. He confirmed the dosage in Lige's ointment far exceeded the prescription. Lingxi refused to speak when questioned.
Xie Yunzhi, declaring her a vicious person, ordered Yu Yan to personally interrogate Lingxi and, if she still refused to confess, to hand her over to the Commandant of Justice. Xie Yunzhi promised Lige justice and further medical treatment for her scars. Separately, Wang Zijin had not received any letters from Shen Zhi for days.
Suspecting he was a coward for giving up after her father, Duke Wang, had rejected the Shen family's marriage proposal, she defied her father's wishes, disguised herself as a man, and snuck out to confront Shen Zhi at the Shen Manor. She passionately questioned why he had given up so easily and forgotten his promises. Shen Zhi, touched, assured her he had not forgotten and would marry only her, vowing to persist until her father agreed.
Shen Feng, Shen Zhi's brother, then appeared and jokingly suggested they "cook the rice" (consummate before marriage) to force Duke Wang's hand, much to Shen Zhi and Zijin's embarrassment. Shen Tingzhang, their father, arrived and, seeing Zijin, promptly asked Shen Feng to escort her home. Afterward, Shen Tingzhang warned Shen Zhi not to be too close to Zijin. However, Shen Zhi remained resolute, affirming his lifelong commitment to marrying Wang Zijin and his belief that Duke Wang would eventually consent, regardless of the difficulty.
