The Song of Glory Episode 3 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Shen Lige awoke from a nightmare, calling out for "A'Nu!" As she regained her senses, she realized her new reality: a loving family, with both parents and siblings by her side. Her mother, Shen Madam, was especially doting, tending to her and reminding her of the family's long-standing affection.
Shen Madam explained that the Jia Ning Court where Shen Lige now resided was specially built by her father, Shen Tingzhang, for her, and the name "Jia Ning" was bestowed by the emperor's great-grandfather. She showed Shen Lige a makeup box and a jade ornament, noting they were custom-made for her and that the jade matched her bracelet.
She also revealed that Shen Tingzhang had personally planted a magnolia tree for her 18 years ago, and every year, Shen Madam had gazed upon its blooms, longing for her daughter's return. However, Shen Lige's arrival disrupted the family dynamics. Shen Leqing, who had been considered the eldest daughter, was now relegated to "Second Young Miss" and had to move from Jia Ning Court to Yu Xiu Court.
Though she outwardly accepted the change, her maid observed that even the servants no longer showed them respect. Shen Leqing, despite her inner turmoil, acknowledged that Jia Ning Court had always belonged to her "Older Sister," but she felt a profound sense of injustice and sorrow, for which Shen Madam apologized. Alone in the comfort of Jia Ning Court, Shen Lige was consumed by guilt.
She tearfully reflected that if not for her, A'Nu would have finally reunited with her loving mother, mighty older brother, playful younger brother, and sensible younger sister. Heartbroken, she vowed to avenge A'Nu's death by eliminating Lu Yuan. Meanwhile, Chen Shaoxun operated San Jiu Hall, a medicine shop that secretly served as an intelligence hub. He received a coded message from Xu Lin, instructing him to help Shen Lige gain the Shen family's trust for a later plan.
Worried for Shen Lige's safety and to keep her focused on their primary mission of assassinating Prince Peng Cheng, Chen Shaoxun urged her to leave Jiankang while the city guards were lax, fearing she might meet a tragic end. He explicitly stated that avenging A'Nu was not their priority. However, Shen Lige vehemently refused, intent on avenging A'Nu and her master. She demanded information on Lu Yuan, which Chen Shaoxun initially withheld.
Through the operations of San Jiu Hall, Shen Lige then obtained crucial information: Lu Yuan was involved in weapon trade, colluding with Pei Ruhai, and would receive goods at the East City Ferry at midnight. Unbeknownst to Shen Lige, Shen Leqing's suspicions grew. While attempting to deliver snacks to Jia Ning Court, Shen Leqing discovered Shen Lige was not there.
Later, she witnessed Shen Lige using martial arts to scale walls and enter the mansion, carrying a medicine package from San Jiu Hall. This confirmed Shen Leqing's belief that Shen Lige was "not an ordinary person." Simultaneously, Shen Zhi, Shen Lige's older brother, brought her lotus leaf rolls from Lotus Cloud House. He expressed understanding for her difficult past, acknowledged her martial arts skills, and playfully suggested they spar someday.
That same night, Liu Yikang initiated a coordinated operation against Lu Yuan. He instructed his captain that the Commandant of Justice would intercept goods at the ferry, while his captain would target the weapon warehouse to capture Pei Ruhai. However, the plan unfolded differently: Liu Yikang himself secretly hid in a boat near the pier.
At the Pei Mansion, Shen Zhi, accompanied by the Commandant of Justice, unexpectedly raided the residence and apprehended Pei Ruhai, seizing several boxes of military supplies. Observing this from an alleyway, Liu Yixuan was disheartened. He recalled a previous conversation where he had warned Liu Yikang about Lu Yuan's private army and illicit weapon trade, only to be dismissed and sent back to his mansion. Liu Yixuan felt that his brother still did not fully trust him.
At the pier, Xue Qiu awaited the delivery. Shen Lige, having infiltrated one of the boats, unexpectedly encountered Liu Yikang, who was also investigating Lu Yuan. Realizing they shared a common goal, their initial suspicion eased, and they hid together, observing the pier. Five military boats soon arrived, but Lu Yuan was notably absent, perplexing Shen Lige. Liu Yikang's continuous chatter irritated her, and she silenced him with a sharp glare and a threat.
Upon learning of Pei Ruhai's capture, Lu Yuan initially decided to return to his mansion. However, upon hearing that the Commandant of Justice was heading to the pier, he quickly appeared there. The Commandant of Justice, discovering two additional military boats beyond the three officially recorded, confronted Captain Xue. As Xue Qiu and the Commandant of Justice were in a stalemate, Lu Yuan dramatically appeared, claiming he was merely there for an inspection.
When confronted with the evidence of five boats, Lu Yuan feigned ignorance, shifted the blame to Pei Ruhai, suggesting Pei Ruhai himself was falsifying records and involved in embezzlement. He then attempted to intimidate the Commandant of Justice by accusing him of holding back military supplies from entering the arsenal. Undeterred by Lu Yuan's manipulation, the Commandant of Justice stood firm.
Shen Lige, eager for a clearer view, pressed directly onto Liu Yikang, stepping on his foot and causing him pain, only moving her foot after he complained. As Lu Yuan attempted to force the military supplies into the arsenal, Shen Lige pulled a hidden rope, causing a diversion. Amidst the ensuing chaos, she lunged at Lu Yuan, injuring him. Lu Yuan's gaze fell upon her distinctive magnolia bracelet.
Xue Qiu immediately ordered archers to fire, striking Shen Lige with an arrow. She stumbled away, eventually collapsing on the roadside. Coincidentally, Liu Yixuan, feigning drunkenness to evade Lu Yuan's men who were searching for the assassin, discovered the injured Shen Lige. He discreetly rescued her, deeply impressed by her selfless courage, which reinforced his determination to eliminate corrupt officials.
He offered to take her to a physician, but she thanked him for his kindness and insisted on leaving, promising to repay him another day. Watching her depart, Liu Yixuan affirmed his resolve to never give up on eradicating evil if a woman could be so brave. Shen Zhi took Pei Ruhai to a separate courtyard in the General's mansion for Liu Yikang to interrogate him.
Pei Ruhai confessed that Lu Yuan's family controlled the army, falsified military reports, and embezzled, admitting that the two extra boats belonged to the Lu family for hiding military weapons. He agreed to publicly expose Lu Yuan. Meanwhile, Chen Shaoxun treated Shen Lige's arrow wound, admonishing her for her recklessness, reminding her that simply with her sword, she could not defeat powerful nobles like Lu Yuan, who would never leave behind evidence.
Kong Cheng, who had been made to kneel, was then allowed to rise. Shen Lige covertly returned to the Shen mansion, catching a glimpse of a cloaked Liu Yikang leaving, but did not recognize him. Inside, Shen Leqing informed both Shen Lige and Shen Zhi that Shen Lige's overnight absence had caused Shen Madam to faint from anxiety, triggering an attack of hysteria. Shen Zhi, noticing bloodstains on Shen Lige's hand and bracelet, questioned her whereabouts.
Shen Madam, upon regaining consciousness, vehemently defended Shen Lige, rebuking Shen Zhi for interrogating his own sister like a criminal. She declared that regardless of Shen Lige's suspicious actions or true identity, she was her daughter, a part of the Shen family, and no one would ever harm her again, emphasizing the immense debt they owed her for the eighteen years of separation. She vowed to protect Shen Lige, urging her not to be afraid.
