The Song of Glory Episode 24 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
After the morning's imperial court, in the inner manor, Grand Consort Sun, Princess Consort Wang Zijin, and Side Consort Shen Lige were discussing jade. Shen Lige politely admired the Grand Consort's exquisite collection and then suggested they all visit Mount Xiuli to enjoy the beautiful peonies, knowing the Grand Consort loved them. Grand Consort Sun agreed, and they proceeded to the garden.
As they admired the flowers, Xiao Xin rushed in, visibly panicked, to inform Shen Lige that government officials were arguing with Prince Jing Ling about the new system for scholars. Xiao Xin added that the officials were heading to Cheng Xiu Pavilion to demand an explanation from Prince Peng Cheng, even accusing Shen Lige of bewitching him and causing him to neglect his duties.
Alarmed by the escalating situation and concerned for Liu Yikang's and Shen Lige's reputations, Grand Consort Sun decided to go and mediate. Princess Consort Wang Zijin offered to accompany her. Shen Lige, realizing the need to create a distraction, feigned a sprained ankle, preventing her from joining them immediately. With the situation urgent, Grand Consort Sun and Princess Consort Wang Zijin left for Cheng Xiu Pavilion without her.
Shen Lige then seized the opportunity to sneak into Grand Consort Sun's residence, hoping to find the Indian agarwood. To her surprise, Shen Leqing was also there, looking for the same rare herb, noting that Prince Jing Ling was also seeking it. Shen Lige quickly grabbed some agarwood, then pretended to have been fetching a cloak for the Grand Consort.
Meanwhile, at Cheng Xiu Pavilion, General Shen Zhi, under orders from Prince Jing Ling, had brought his soldiers into the inner manor to guard the pavilion, forbidding anyone from entering or leaving. The court officials, led by Xie Hao, vehemently insisted on seeing Prince Peng Cheng, accusing Shen Zhi of obstructing them and covering for Shen Lige, whom they claimed had bewitched the Prince. Shen Zhi defended Shen Lige, demanding proof for their accusations, which only fueled the officials' anger.
The confrontation escalated, with officials calling Shen Zhi arrogant and unreasonable, attempting to force their way in. As the situation grew tense, Prince Jing Ling Liu Yixuan arrived and reprimanded the officials for their disregard for etiquette and intrusion into the inner manor, stating their actions would only complicate matters for Prince Peng Cheng. Grand Consort Sun and Princess Consort Wang Zijin then arrived, and the Grand Consort also admonished Liu Yixuan and the officials, stating their actions were improper.
To appease the insistent officials, Grand Consort Sun offered to personally enter Cheng Xiu Pavilion to check on Prince Peng Cheng. Despite San Bao's attempts to stop her from entering the sleeping chambers, Grand Consort Sun and Princess Consort Wang Zijin forcefully entered the pavilion, only to find it empty. Grand Consort Sun, deeply worried, questioned San Bao about Liu Yikang's whereabouts, but San Bao claimed ignorance.
Outside, Xie Hao seized the moment, accusing Prince Jing Ling of deceiving his superiors and subordinates and fabricating imperial orders, declaring his intent to report the false decree. Just then, Liu Yikang appeared, walking slowly with Shen Lige by his side. He casually greeted everyone, including his mother, and explained that he had been visiting Shen Lige because he heard she had injured her ankle while accompanying Grand Consort Sun in Xiuli Garden.
He feigned surprise at the commotion the officials had caused in such a short time, offering sarcastic gratitude for their "care." He then asserted that Prince Jing Ling's words were his orders and condemned the officials for disrespecting his brother and criticizing his Side Consort. He sternly asked if they were blaming Shen Lige or him. When the officials immediately knelt and begged for forgiveness, Liu Yikang declared he must mete out punishment to uphold the Regent's authority.
Prince Jing Ling interceded, pleading on behalf of the officials, explaining their actions stemmed from worry for Liu Yikang's health. Taking Prince Jing Ling's words into consideration, Liu Yikang punished the officials, including Xie Hao, by withdrawing half a year's salary and ordering them to self-reflect. He then dismissed them. Grand Consort Sun attempted to explain her involvement in the day's events, but Liu Yikang reminded her that family members were forbidden from interfering in court affairs.
Grand Consort Sun conceded she had acted improperly and departed with Princess Consort Wang Zijin. Grand Consort Sun's attendant later informed her that the combination of tiger gallbladder and agarwood was a potent antidote. Grand Consort Sun was alarmed, recalling Liu Yixuan's request for agarwood the previous night and her own lie about it being used up.
She discovered some of her Indian agarwood was indeed missing, deducing that Liu Yikang must have been poisoned and formulating a plan to expose him. Separately, Lu Yuan also deduced Liu Yikang's predicament from the day's events and the stolen agarwood, further deepening his suspicions. Grand Consort Sun, however, was furious with Lu Yuan for his impulsive actions that day, accusing him of implicating Liu Yixuan and warning him against jeopardizing their "greater goal."
Earlier, back at Sanjiu Hall, Shen Lige had urgently sought Chen Shaoxun for another method to awaken Liu Yikang, expressing fear of the dire consequences if scheming traitors learned of Liu Yikang's unconscious state. Chen Shaoxun, though reluctant due to the life-threatening risk, agreed to use silver needles to seal blood veins and converge the poison to a single acupoint, forcing most of it out. Shen Lige insisted he proceed while she went to stall the officials.
Liu Yikang woke up, though Chen Shaoxun explained that it was only a temporary measure; the poison was not fully dissolved, and the tiger gallbladder, which his master possessed, was still needed. Chen Shaoxun left to seek his master and the antidote, entrusting Shen Lige with Liu Yikang's care. Liu Yikang, enduring the pain, reassured Shen Lige he was fine. Afterward, with the immediate crisis averted, Liu Yikang opened up to Shen Lige.
He confessed his regret over the Pengcheng civil unrest years ago, explaining that he lacked real power at the time and could only watch as arrogant noble clans disregarded the law, seized land, and expelled commoners, which ultimately led to the tragedy that befell her birth parents. With this long-standing misunderstanding finally cleared, Shen Lige held no grudge.
Liu Yikang expressed his deep love, hoping they could build a future together, side by side, to create a prosperous and just world. Later, Liu Yikang met with Deputy Fang. Though still unwell, he firmly stated his unwavering intent to reform the law. Fang Qing reported the nobles' resistance in court, but Liu Yikang encouraged him, reiterating his commitment to lay the foundation for future generations.
He stressed that the laws compiled by Shi Lin Hall, the new political measures, the revised census registry, and the nomination of the Household Registry candidate must not change. Shen Lige, seeing Liu Yikang bravely endure his illness while resolutely pursuing his reforms, was deeply moved. She expressed to Chen Shaoxun that Liu Yikang was a good person who truly cared for the citizens, and she could not let him die.
Chen Shaoxun, now agreeing that they should not blindly trust what they hear and that his master Xu Lin had changed, decided to actively seek out Xu Lin for the antidote. Meanwhile, a military report arrived, revealing the Wei army's secret deployment along the Yellow River, indicating an imminent invasion of the northern border. Liu Yikang immediately summoned Shen Tingzhang.
Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi discussed the impending war, with Shen Tingzhang expressing concern about the complex political situation and Shen Lige's recent marriage. They overheard soldiers complaining about noble clans seizing their land and the injustice suffered by General Shen himself during the foundry case, causing deep resentment towards the court.
Shen Tingzhang acknowledged his oversight in failing to address the troops' morale, fearing that if ill-intentioned individuals exploited this resentment, the Suiyuan Army's past merits could become a liability for the Shen family. Before the entire army, in front of a memorial to fallen soldiers, Shen Tingzhang expressed his disappointment that his men had forgotten their mission and were discussing state affairs.
He took full responsibility for the army's lack of discipline and publicly accepted a punishment of twenty military canes. After enduring the beating, he rallied his troops, who, with renewed resolve, shouted their oath to defend the northern border and protect Great Song and its people. Before Shen Zhi departed for the battlefield, Wang Zijin came to see him. She expressed how much she had missed him. Shen Zhi, acknowledging the uncertainty of war, worried about delaying her happiness.
Wang Zijin, however, passionately affirmed her admiration for his martial skills and ambition, stating that she would support him in all his endeavors, believing that only by doing so would she be worthy of him. She pledged to be with him, regardless of life or death. A deeply moved Shen Zhi thanked her for waiting and assured her that her name was forever engraved in his heart. She then urged him to return safely.
Later, Liu Yikang and Shen Lige shared an intimate moment. He playfully reminisced about their first meetings, teasing her about her disguised identity as a merchant and their narrow escapes in the mountains. He then affectionately teased her about her preference for armor over dresses and her superior drinking ability. Shen Lige asked him about his favorite things, recalling he had once asked her the same.
He then revealed that he had told her his favorites while she was asleep: Bixin Wine, pear blossoms, pastries, their boat, a poem, and finally, "you." Shen Lige, blushing, was momentarily shy. Liu Yikang teased her for it. He then winced in pain, and when Shen Lige asked if he was hurt, he quickly masked his discomfort, saying he was fine.
