The Song of Glory Episode 25 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Shen Leqing, sent by Grand Consort to deliver chestnut and chicken soup to Liu Yikang, was told by the guards that Shen Lige was inside and it was not a good time. Feigning weakness and fear of punishment from Grand Consort, Shen Leqing persuaded the guard to allow her quick entry. Inside, she overheard Liu Yikang urging Shen Lige to promise she would never admit to anyone that she tried to assassinate him.
He explained the extreme sensitivity of the situation, which involved the Imperial Court, the Shen family, and even new policies, noting that many people harbored ulterior motives. He warned that if even the smallest detail were revealed, the situation could spiral out of control, but assured her that as long as she denied it, he would be able to handle it.
Shen Lige promised, and in return, asked Liu Yikang to promise they would never be separated, to which he readily agreed. Witnessing their intimate exchange, Shen Leqing's old grievances resurfaced, intensified by new resentment. She then began to secretly monitor Fang Yin Pavilion as instructed by Grand Consort. The next morning, Shen Lige found Liu Yikang had fallen into a coma, prompting her to desperately search for a tiger gallbladder, knowing that without it, his condition was beyond remedy.
She recalled Chen Shaoxun's instructions regarding a special medicine, effective in delaying the poison if Liu Yikang fell into a coma, but cautioned that a specific antidote for the Thousand Thread Poison must be administered within eight hours, or he would surely die. Xu Zhan reported that Chen Shaoxun had been attacked by their master, Xu Lin, and both were now missing, but Xu Lin possessed the tiger gallbladder.
After administering the temporary medicine, Liu Yikang awoke and, despite his deteriorating health, insisted on attending the morning court, believing he must appear strong for the sake of the court and the new policies. Seeing his resolve, Shen Lige resolved to personally seek Xu Lin for the antidote. To safeguard her personal maids, Xiao Xin and Hong Dan, from the perilous mission ahead, Shen Lige deliberately dropped precious items gifted by Liu Yikang, feigning a furious outburst.
She punished them with twenty canes and relegated them to hard labor, overriding their pleas and apologies. Shen Leqing, observing this unusually harsh treatment of Shen Lige's loyal maids, reported her suspicions to Grand Consort, suggesting Shen Lige had a hidden agenda, prompting Grand Consort to intensify surveillance on Fang Yin Pavilion. During the court assembly, Shen Tingzhang reported urgent military intelligence about the Wei Army's movements along the Yellow River, emphasizing the Suiyuan Army's readiness for deployment.
Xie Hao seized the opportunity to report that Shen Tingzhang had led the Suiyuan Army to collectively seek punishment, citing lingering resentment among the officers over the foundry case and their public complaints against the court. He further revealed a circulating nursery rhyme in Jiankang City, "The Prince in Jiankang smiles, Liu Family's nation, Shen Family's army," challenging Shen Tingzhang about the Suiyuan Army's loyalty.
Shen Tingzhang admitted the incident but reiterated that the Suiyuan Army was solely loyal to Great Song, dedicated to protecting its citizens. Lu Yuan then asserted that such rumors were dangerous and could destabilize military morale and public trust. He, along with other ministers, urged Liu Yikang to personally reward the army to quell these unsettling whispers. Liu Yikang, though ailing, reluctantly agreed. Knowing his own critical condition, Liu Yikang gave specific instructions to San Bao.
He ordered that if anyone inquired about Shen Lige, they were to be told she was secluded, copying sutras and praying for the people due to her concern for the northern border, and that no one was to disturb her.
He also dispatched Prince Jing Ling to find Shen Zhi, with the crucial message that Shen Lige was not to return to Prince Peng Cheng Manor, regardless of whether she found the tiger gallbladder, as he prioritized her safety above all else. Furthermore, Liu Yikang handed Prince Jing Ling a draft document for official selection and a book on household registration, entrusting him with the continuation of the new policies should he perish.
He stressed their royal obligation to bear the responsibilities of the world, asserting that personal life and death were insignificant compared to the prosperity of Great Song, and implored Prince Jing Ling to dismantle poor governance, earn the trust of the people, and be strict with the officials. Shen Lige tracked Xu Lin to a secluded forest outside the city.
She desperately pleaded with her master for the medicine, staunchly defending Liu Yikang against Xu Lin's accusations of being a cruel and incompetent ruler responsible for her parents' deaths. Shen Lige insisted that Liu Yikang was a good person dedicated to the welfare of the people, who had diligently worked to eliminate traitors, enduring hardships and patiently bearing burdens for years to establish a well-ordered government.
Xu Lin dismissed her beliefs, accusing her of being swayed by Liu Yikang after knowing him for only a few days, thereby forgetting everything he had taught her over eighteen years. Shen Lige countered by questioning Xu Lin's own principles, asking why he, despite establishing rules against using poison, had poisoned the dagger and then sent Lu Yuan to eliminate her, suggesting he viewed his disciples as mere "chess pieces" in his grand scheme.
Xu Lin defiantly admitted his willingness to do anything to achieve his plan. Shen Lige, acknowledging his past benevolence, declared her willingness to sacrifice her life for Liu Yikang, reiterating her vow to live only if he lived, and to die if he died. As their confrontation escalated, Chen Shaoxun and Xu Zhan arrived. Chen Shaoxun swiftly snatched the tiger gallbladder and tossed it to Shen Lige, urging her to rush back and save Liu Yikang.
Xu Lin, his strength waning, retreated with the aid of several black-clad figures. Meanwhile, Liu Yikang, enduring immense pain, donned his military armor. During the army reward ceremony, blood seeped through his attire, a detail calmly noted by Lu Yuan. Liu Yikang delivered a powerful speech, invoking the legacy of Great Song's Emperor Gaozu and the Shen family's glorious contributions to the Suiyuan Army.
He pledged generous rewards for victory and honorable funerals for fallen soldiers, igniting the morale of the Suiyuan Army as they rallied to protect Great Song and its people. He concluded the ceremony by personally killing a yak, a symbolic act to boost the troops' fighting spirit. Back at the palace, suspicious of Shen Lige's recent behavior, Grand Consort sent Shen Leqing to Fang Yin Pavilion with a gift as a pretext.
Upon returning, Shen Leqing reported conflicting excuses from the maids as to why Shen Lige could not receive visitors—that she was either praying in seclusion or resting after assisting Liu Yikang. Grand Consort, feigning outrage at Shen Lige's disrespect, decided to visit Fang Yin Pavilion herself, accompanied by Xie Yunzhi. Despite Xie Yunzhi's attempts to defend Shen Lige by mentioning her injury, Grand Consort chastised her for being overly indulgent.
Upon finding Fang Yin Pavilion empty, Grand Consort ordered the maids punished. Shen Leqing then "discovered" a bloodied dagger hidden under the dressing table, subtly fueling Grand Consort's suspicion that Shen Lige was the rumored assassin. Grand Consort, convinced, ordered Shen Leqing to summon Major Yue to search the entire manor and apprehend Shen Lige on sight.
Rushing back to the city with the tiger gallbladder, Shen Lige was intercepted at the manor gates by Shen Zhi, who, following Liu Yikang's strict orders, prevented her from re-entering. Before Shen Zhi could send her away, Shen Leqing arrived with Major Yue and guards, proudly brandishing a "Ren Shou Order" to arrest Shen Lige for suspicious activities.
Realizing the urgency and knowing Shen Leqing's underlying concern for Liu Yikang, Shen Lige whispered to her, revealing Liu Yikang's poisoning and her possession of the tiger gallbladder. She implored Shen Leqing not to obstruct her, as Liu Yikang's life hung in the balance, and persuaded her to discreetly give the antidote to Shen Zhi. Shen Lige was then brought before Grand Consort, who questioned her whereabouts, claiming full knowledge of her unauthorized departure and destination.
When Grand Consort ordered a search of her person, Shen Lige protested, invoking her status as Liu Yikang's side consort and the reputational damage such an act would cause, subtly hinting at Grand Consort's true motives by mentioning her own "background."
