The Song of Glory Episode 29 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Disturbed by the ongoing national unrest and the self-serving actions of those in power, Shen Tingzhang, who has spent half his life in battle, grew weary of court intrigue. Deciding to resign, he began to dismiss his household staff, keeping only a few loyal retainers.
His plan was to retire with his wife, Madam Shen, to their hometown after the upcoming war, where he would build a half-acre lotus pond to help her recover from her condition and live out their remaining years in peace. He carefully packed all of Madam Shen's favorite items into their carriage, assuring her, "I'm peeling lotus seeds for you. I know you don't like to eat bitter food. I got rid of the lotus seed core for you, too.
I peeled them well for you. Be good. . . . Jia'er likes to eat sweet food, and you also." He added, "But life has been rough for you since you married me. . . . After I retire from my duties and leave all these troubles far away, our family can stay at our old house in our hometown. I will dig and make a half-acre lotus pond for you."
Madam Shen, suffering from her condition, could only repeat her desire to peel lotus seeds for "Jia'er," scattering them in distress. Shen Tingzhang gently comforted her, promising, "I'm here. Everything will be fine. Don't be scared." Meanwhile, Liu Yikang gathered ten years of records on the conditions of the Song citizens and his personally written political strategies and outlines.
He entrusted all of these to Liu Yixuan, hoping he would not only manage the home front during the war but also lay a strong foundation for the new policies. Liu Yixuan, initially hesitant, felt Liu Yikang should oversee such a significant undertaking. However, Liu Yikang stressed that implementing the new policies and fighting the enemy were equally important. He declared his lifelong aspiration to restore discipline, reform the court's dispirited attitude, and bring order to the people.
He urged Liu Yixuan to prioritize the people and protect the Great Song, cautioning him that valuing friendship should not lead to indecisiveness or emotional hindrance. He advised Liu Yixuan to distinguish between right and wrong, even when it came to their Mother Consort, as filial piety and governance required different approaches. He also instructed Liu Yixuan to only trust San Bao for communication from the northern border.
Unbeknownst to Liu Yikang and Liu Yixuan, Lu Yuan was exploiting Liu Yixuan's inexperience. He met with Xie Hao, suggesting that with Prince Peng Cheng at war and the government leaderless, the court would demand soldiers and provisions from the noble clans. This, Lu Yuan argued, could be used by Xie Hao to control the northern border and restrict the Imperial Court, achieving two goals at once and easily securing the interests of the nobility.
Lu Yuan admitted his defeat might be a good thing, as he planned to take advantage of the situation before Liu Yixuan became more adept, discreetly impeding his progress. He sought Xie Hao's secret assistance while he was away at the northern border. As Shen Zhi prepared for the expedition, Wang Zijin brought ten jars of potent wine from her father's cellar, tied with blue silk, for his journey.
Shen Zhi expressed his deep gratitude, acknowledging her courage in saving Shen Lige from the execution grounds and Shen Feng from assassins. Wang Zijin, wanting to spend more time with him, playfully asked him to teach her archery. During the lesson, she expertly hit the target, revealing she had learned archery for him long ago. She confessed she just wanted to be alone with him and witness his skills.
She admitted her affection for his reserved, unromantic, and "wooden" nature, yet lamented their repeated separations due to fate. Shen Zhi, touched, apologized for his reserved nature and vowed, "What I'm determined to do, I will definitely not give up on it. Trust me. In the future, no matter how hard it is, I will definitely persist until the end."
To demonstrate his resolve, Shen Zhi took Wang Zijin to her family's manor, where he knelt outside and loudly declared his love and his pledge never to disappoint her. Wang Zijin, in turn, swore to marry only Shen Zhi. Witnessing their profound devotion, Wang Zijin's father declared that if Prince Peng Cheng returned victoriously, he would approve their marriage. That night, on a quiet boat, Liu Yikang visited the unconscious Shen Lige.
He brought various foods they had shared during their first market visit, recalling how she had made the entire city shine with her smile. He confessed that before meeting her, his life was solely focused on state affairs, leaving him ignorant of his own preferences. She had awakened him to personal desires, which he now wished to share with her. He even ate some spicy mustard sauce, recounting how she once tricked him into eating it, hoping she would awaken.
Outside the boat, sky lanterns rose, each representing his hope for her to wake up soon. " Even if it's a year, five years, ten years, or forever, I can still wait," he whispered, "As long as you can be by my side, then I'll be satisfied." With a heavy heart, he said goodbye, urging her to wait for his return.
Later, Liu Yikang adorned Sanjiu Hall with numerous ink paintings of Shen Lige, depicting her in various expressions and intimate moments. As Shen Lige lay there, surrounded by these images and the distant sounds of footsteps, she unconsciously clutched the jade pendant in her hand. On the day of the northern expedition, Lu Wan'er and Sun Taifei knelt in separate temples, offering prayers.
Lu Wan'er prayed for her "Older Brother" (Lu Yuan) to return safe and sound and win the war. Sun Taifei, concerned for Prince Peng Cheng, prayed for his safety despite his severe injuries, offering to fast and copy sutras daily, even to give her life for his safe return. As the city was cast in a somber twilight, the generals drank their farewell wine.
Liu Yikang, on horseback, led the troops out of the city, leaving Jiankang in Liu Yixuan's care. Separately, Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi had already secretly mobilized their own forces. After settling Madam Shen for her journey home, they intended to join Liu Yikang's army. As their carriage approached the city gate, a crowd of citizens blocked their path, some pleading for them to stay, while others, influenced by malicious rumors, accused Shen Tingzhang of cowardice.
Shen Tingzhang calmly addressed them, assuring everyone that Prince Peng Cheng would personally drive out the Wei Army and restore peace. Shen Zhi and Wang Zijin shared a tearful farewell, with Wang Zijin promising, "I will wait for you." Since Liu Yikang's departure, Liu Yixuan had diligently immersed himself in the documents and manuscripts left behind by Prince Peng Cheng. He even neglected meals, determined not to disappoint Liu Yikang's trust.
His studies revealed that several noble clans had illegally seized civilian land and maintained private armies, leading to a long-standing deficit in the national treasury and a dwindling number of soldiers. Ji Shu warned that the planned conscription and grain collection would inevitably conflict with the interests of these powerful clans, making the task exceedingly difficult.
However, Liu Yixuan declared he was prepared, even for "rough tactics" if necessary, and accepted Ji Shu's offer to be his "vanguard" in this political battle. He expressed his hope that General Shen Tingzhang would soon reach the northern border to assist Liu Yikang, while also inquiring about Side Consort Li, for whom there was no news. Meanwhile, Lu Wan'er, having seen her brother off, invited Liu Yixuan for a visit. They played a sorrowful duet.
Lu Wan'er, though not understanding warfare, expressed her belief in the Great Song soldiers, including her older brother, who she was confident would return victorious. She also spoke of her recent fainting spell and her renewed interest in learning medicine from Chen Shao-xun, hoping to help others. Liu Yixuan praised her compassionate heart and found enlightenment in their conversations. Days later, Wang Zijin frequently visited Sanjiu Hall to care for Shen Lige.
The room remained adorned with Liu Yikang's ink paintings, and a pear blossom tree had been added. Wang Zijin showed Lige the paintings, commenting on Liu Yikang's beautiful renditions and how much he missed her. She read aloud a letter from Liu Yikang, filled with tender inquiries about Lige's well-being, requests to buy her favorite flower cakes, and musings about the scent of the pear blossoms, asking Wang Zijin to water them daily.
He assured Lige not to worry about him and to rest well. As Wang Zijin turned to water the pear blossoms, Shen Lige's fingers subtly twitched, and a flicker of awareness returned to her eyes.
