The Song of Glory Episode 21 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Shen Lige announced there was another method to uncover the true culprit behind the poisoning. She explained that antiarin, when touched, leaves traces on the hands that would react with honey water, turning it dark, thus exposing anyone who had handled it. Shen Leqing, however, had already washed her hands beforehand and then touched the antiarin-laced handkerchief to Yu Yan, expertly framing her. When the test was performed, antiarin traces were indeed found on Yu Yan's hands.
Despite Yu Yan's desperate pleas of innocence, claiming Shen Leqing had framed her and attempted to harm Shen Lige, Princess Consort Xie Yunzhi was overcome with grief and fury. She exclaimed that after serving her for so many years, Yu Yan could commit such a malicious act, greatly disappointing her. Xie Yunzhi immediately ordered Yu Yan's execution, while Ling Xi was sentenced to receive thirty canings and be expelled from the manor.
Shen Leqing received a lighter punishment of hard labor. After the sentencing, Shen Lige confronted Shen Leqing privately, slapping her. Shen Lige declared the slap was for the innocent victims and for their parents, who still held hope for Shen Leqing. She sternly warned Shen Leqing that if it weren't for their consideration for their parents, Shen Lige would have seen her dead a thousand times over.
Shen Leqing defiantly questioned Shen Lige's right to lecture her, prompting Shen Lige to list all the evil deeds Shen Leqing had committed. Shen Lige asked if Shen Leqing ever considered their parents' feelings, to which Shen Leqing chillingly replied that she did not consider her mother as her own. Shen Lige concluded that Shen Leqing was beyond salvation. Later, Sun Tai Fei, having recognized Shen Leqing's cunning, had her brought to Ren Shou Pavilion.
Sun Tai Fei admitted she knew of Shen Leqing's scheme and asked if she was secretly sent by her "good nephew," which Shen Leqing confirmed. Sun Tai Fei then revealed her intention to keep Shen Leqing, likening her to a flower she would choose to keep or cut based on her liking.
She assigned Shen Leqing to stay in Ren Shou Pavilion and "cut those flowers and grasses," but also issued a stern warning not to overstep her boundaries or let her cleverness lead to ruin. Shen Lige encountered Shen Zhi, her older brother. She informed him about Shen Leqing's malicious actions and her subsequent punishment, expressing her suspicion that Shen Leqing had powerful connections, given her ability to enter the royal mansion and her link with the Secretariat Director.
Shen Zhi confirmed that the Secretariat Director and Lu Yuan were indeed allies, and he considered Shen Leqing beyond redemption. He urged Shen Lige to be extra cautious in the future and to keep their mother unaware of Shen Leqing's recent misdeeds to spare her worry. While Shen Lige assured him she would be careful and had her own plans for Shen Leqing, she insisted on telling their mother.
Shen Zhi then met with Liu Yikang, reporting that the Danyang Confucian Academy attacker was dead and Lu Yuan had deployed troops to protect all Confucian academies, praising Liu Yikang's shrewd strategy. He then confessed his younger sister Shen Leqing's wrongdoings, asking Liu Yikang to cast the blame on him. Liu Yikang, however, dismissed the matter, stating that the Princess Consort had already handled it.
Changing the subject, Liu Yikang inquired about Shen Zhi's own marriage prospects, mentioning his father's recently rejected marriage proposal from the Wang Manor. He advised Shen Zhi to pursue his love, warning him of future regret if he did not. Later, Shen Zhi had a clandestine meeting with Wang Zijin at a back door. They both confessed how much they missed each other.
Shen Zhi earnestly promised to work tirelessly to change himself, hoping to win her father's approval and marry her, vowing never to give up. Wang Zijin assured him that she would always think of him, considering their union her greatest blessing in this life. That night, Liu Yikang, immersed in thoughts of Shen Lige, lit and released numerous sky lanterns into the night sky. One of the lanterns bore the inscriptions "Heroine, Fourth Brother" and a verse about longing.
He mused aloud, wondering why his "Heroine" refused to see him. At the same time, within the royal mansion, Shen Lige was playing her zither. Her attendant noticed the beautiful sky lanterns, and Shen Lige, seeing the familiar inscriptions, immediately surmised they were from Liu Yikang. Both, drawn by an unspoken connection, rushed to the riverside where the lanterns originated. However, fate intervened, and they narrowly missed each other once again.
Liu Yikang arrived at the boat only to find it deserted, while Shen Lige reached the riverbank just as the last of the lanterns drifted away. With a wistful heart, she recited a poem, expressing eternal farewell and undying love. Lu Wan'er returned to Moshun Xuan and was pleasantly surprised to find Liu Yixuan waiting for her. He expressed his concern for her well-being, noting her weariness.
Lu Wan'er confessed that while she had initially thought it best to maintain distance after experiencing separation, she found it too difficult. She conveyed her joy at their reunion and promised to be open-minded and honest, hoping to demonstrate her devotion to him. They then shared a moment, playing music together. Meanwhile, Lu Yuan, observing his sister's noticeably happier demeanor, felt a sense of relief.
However, his expression quickly hardened into deep hatred as his gaze fell upon his father's memorial tablet in the Lu Ancestral Hall. He reflected on his unwavering ambition for the resurgence of the Lu family and his determination to achieve it at any cost. He anticipated Shen Lige's upcoming wedding, believing it would be an event worth watching. Shen Lige, having failed two assassination attempts on Liu Yikang, decided her next opportunity would be on their wedding night.
She was deeply conflicted, worried about implicating the Shen family. Her attendant, Xiao Xin, found her awake late, teasingly asking if she was nervous about marrying Liu Yikang or curious about his personality, even mentioning that Liu Yixuan had spoken well of him as a ruler, though his health was rumored to be poor. Shen Lige dismissed Xiao Xin's chatter, but later, in solitude, she solemnly promised her parents that she would not let any outcome implicate the Shen family.
Meanwhile, Xu Lin added a potent "Thousand Thread Poison" to a dagger and instructed Chen Shaoxun to deliver it to Shen Lige without revealing the poison. Chen Shaoxun hesitated, but Xu Lin sternly reminded him of their Zhu Que Alliance oath and the ruthless nature of assassins, warning him against succumbing to fleeting affections. He emphasized that this was their final chance, promising freedom upon success.
That same night, Xu Lin reported to a mysterious cloaked figure, who inquired about the arrangements for their upcoming move and expressed unease about the potential wavering of their operatives. Xu Lin guaranteed their unwavering commitment, but the cloaked figure, holding wooden figurines, ominously declared that human hearts were fickle, and for absolute security, those involved should not be allowed to live once the task was complete.
Despite his heavy conscience, Chen Shaoxun delivered the poisoned dagger to Shen Lige as instructed. Following tradition, Shen Lige returned to Shen Manor before her wedding. She was greeted by her family, sharing a lighthearted moment with her younger brother. She then confided in her mother about Shen Leqing's recent betrayal. Her mother expressed deep remorse, regretting that what she thought was a good solution for Shen Leqing had ultimately led to more harm.
Shen Lige reassured her mother that Shen Leqing had received her just punishment and urged her not to dwell on it. Her mother's greatest wish was for Shen Lige and Liu Yikang to have a long, harmonious, and fruitful marriage, blessed with a child. Acknowledging Shen Lige's direct nature, her mother advised her to be cautious in the complex imperial manor, to protect herself, speak less, and be more observant.
With tenderness, her mother combed Shen Lige's hair, a traditional custom, wishing her happiness and a harmonious life with Prince Peng Cheng. The grand wedding day arrived, transforming Jiankang City's main streets with ten miles of red silk and the sound of drums and gongs as officials gathered to offer congratulations.
Liu Yixuan, witnessing the elaborate procession, commented on the extraordinary grandeur for a general's daughter, attributing it to Liu Yikang's devotion, the Shen family's past sacrifices, and Emperor Gaozu's decree, expressing his hopes for their lasting happiness. Shen Lige, resplendent in her ornate bridal gown and elaborate coiffure, completed the intricate wedding rituals, bidding farewell to her parents and brothers. Attended by a retinue of maids, she formally took residence in the Fangyin Pavilion, officially becoming Concubine Li.
That night, as Liu Yikang had not yet returned to their chamber, Shen Lige sat by the bed, holding a ceremonial fan that veiled half her face, her visible eye gleaming with resolute determination.
