The Song of Glory Episode 22 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
In Zhi Jian Hall, Protectorate Lieutenant-General Lu Yuan initiated his plans, first dispatching his central army to surround Fang Yin Pavilion. He then met with Grand Consort Sun, reminding her of the assassin from the birthday celebration. Lu Yuan revealed that the assassin was none other than Shen Lige, who was marrying Liu Yikang that very day, and warned that she intended to assassinate Liu Yikang tonight.
He told Grand Consort Sun that he had already made arrangements within the manor but urged her to keep a close watch on Prince Jing Ling, Liu Yixuan, to prevent him from interfering. Grand Consort Sun immediately sent someone to ensure Liu Yixuan was in the manor and to monitor Fang Yin Pavilion. That night, Fang Yin Pavilion was brightly lit. Shen Lige, dressed as Side Consort Li, knelt before Liu Yikang.
With everyone else dismissed, she gripped her dagger and lunged, but Liu Yikang turned, revealing his face. Shen Lige froze, realizing that her target, Prince Peng Cheng, was "Fourth Brother," the man she had fallen in love with and who had helped her previously. Liu Yikang was overjoyed to see her, despite the wound. He reassured her not to be afraid and declared that he would never let her go this time.
Devastated, Shen Lige, who had planned to sacrifice herself to protect the Shen family by dying with Liu Yikang, attempted to take her own life. However, Chen Shaoxun suddenly intervened, pulling her away and urging her to escape. Liu Yikang, gravely injured, ordered Xu Zhan to safely bring Shen Lige back and immediately notify Liu Yixuan. He also instructed San Bao to keep the assassination attempt and his injury a complete secret from outsiders.
As Shen Lige and Chen Shaoxun fled, she expressed her reluctance to leave, fearing that her departure would implicate many. Chen Shaoxun reminded her of the bigger picture and her identity. Just as they left, Lu Yuan arrived at Fang Yin Pavilion with his central army, demanding to investigate. Liu Yixuan appeared, confronting Lu Yuan, while Liu Yikang, despite his abdominal wound, forced himself to appear calm.
He dismissed Lu Yuan’s claims of an assassin, stating that with Lu Yuan’s protection, he couldn't possibly be harmed, then subtly implied Lu Yuan’s quick arrival suggested prior knowledge. Unable to find fault, Lu Yuan promised to do his utmost to apprehend the assassin and left. Inside, Liu Yikang reiterated to Liu Yixuan that Lu Yuan was prepared, and if Shen Lige were captured, the Shen family would face certain death.
He tasked Liu Yixuan with bringing Shen Lige back and keeping the night's events secret. Lu Yuan's central army searched every corner of the manor. Chen Shaoxun and Shen Lige, hiding, were nearly discovered until Xu Zhan, disguised as an assassin, created a diversion, allowing them to escape the Prince Peng Cheng Manor and head to Luohua Shop. Meanwhile, Grand Consort Sun, hearing of Liu Yixuan's movements, sent Yue Fang to intercept him.
Unbeknownst to them, Xu Lin deliberately leaked the secret location to Lu Yuan. Liu Yikang's imperial physician confirmed that his wound was not critical, but the dagger was poisoned. Though suppressed temporarily by needles, the poison would be fatal if an antidote wasn't found. At the Luohua Shop, Shen Lige, fearing she would implicate Chen Shaoxun and Kong Cheng, apologetically knocked out Chen Shaoxun.
She believed she had to return and declare she was not a Shen to protect them, trusting "Fourth Brother" to understand. She resolved to face Lu Yuan alone, believing that after tonight, everything would end. Lu Yuan soon found her, accusing her of being the assassin. He proposed a duel to avoid accusations of unfair advantage. Though they had tangled before, Lu Yuan was still no match for Shen Lige.
As they fought, Xu Lin, hiding, threw several darts at Shen Lige. Distracted, she was easily subdued by Lu Yuan. By the time Liu Yixuan and Xu Zhan arrived, Shen Lige was gone, leaving only signs of a struggle. They realized they were a step too late, concluding that Lu Yuan must have taken Shen Lige to his own manor.
Liu Yixuan theorized that Lu Yuan would imprison Shen Lige to link her to Liu Yikang's stabbing, thereby implicating the Shen family, before publicly handing her over. He planned to enter Lu Yuan's manor through the main gate, while Xu Zhan would secretly infiltrate to locate Shen Lige. Shen Lige was imprisoned in Lu Yuan's dungeon, subjected to torture. Recognizing one of Xu Lin's darts, she felt a profound sense of betrayal and despair.
Seeing two fire basins nearby, she struggled, broke free from her leg restraints, knocked out a guard, and overturned the basins, intending to die in the fire to deny Lu Yuan his victory and make it difficult for him to explain. Liu Yikang, having heard that Liu Yixuan was heading to Lu Yuan's manor, instructed San Bao to prepare a plaque.
Enduring his injury, he went to Lu Yuan’s residence, feigning a celebratory visit, using the plaque as an excuse to stall Lu Yuan and buy Liu Yixuan more time to find Shen Lige. Liu Yikang presented Lu Yuan with a plaque inscribed "Heart of Dog and Horse," seemingly praising his loyalty. During their forced celebration, a fire broke out in the dungeon.
Liu Yikang insisted Lu Yuan stay and drink with him, urging Liu Yixuan to go help put out the fire instead, further delaying Lu Yuan. Xu Zhan successfully infiltrated the dungeon and rescued Shen Lige. As they tried to escape, Xue Qiu blocked their path, intent on killing them, but Liu Yixuan arrived just in time, knocking him unconscious with a wooden bucket.
