The Song of Glory Episode 38 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
As the search for Lu Yuan's remaining followers intensified across Jiankang, Xue Que escorted Lu Wan, Lu Yuan's younger sister, to the manor of a Vice Minister. Xue Que believed the Vice Minister would offer refuge due to Lu Yuan's past kindness towards him. He informed Lu Wan that the current crisis was due to an alliance between Prince Peng Cheng and Prince Jing Ling and vowed to avenge Lu Yuan.
The Vice Minister assured Xue Que that he would care for Miss Lu and provided supplies. However, the moment Xue Que departed, the Vice Minister heartlessly ordered Lu Wan to be expelled. She fled in distress to Mo Ran Xuan, where she overheard discussions that revealed Liu Yixuan's true identity as Prince Jing Ling. After this discovery, Lu Wan fled further as guards were dispatched throughout the city to capture her. Meanwhile, San Bao regained consciousness in Xie Hao's manor.
Xie Hao recounted that he was on his way to see Prince Jing Ling when he discovered San Bao severely injured and being taken away by central army soldiers, prompting him to send men to rescue him. San Bao, however, had remained unconscious until now. Xie Hao also informed San Bao that Liu Yikang had safely returned to Jiankang and had already arrested Lu Yuan.
Grateful for being saved, San Bao hastily returned to Prince Peng Cheng's manor, where he was warmly greeted by Xiao Xin. San Bao then recounted his ordeal to Liu Yikang and Shen Lige, explaining that he was kidnapped near Prince Jing Ling's manor, woke up in the Manual Labor Department, was rescued by Xiao Xin, pursued by Lu Yuan's men, and finally saved by Xie Hao.
San Bao then revealed that Grand Consort Sun was behind the attempt to silence him. Shen Lige informed Liu Yikang that Shen Leqing had secretly escaped from the servants' quarters and that Grand Consort Sun's maid, Chun Feng, was also looking for her, which Shen Lige found suspicious. Liu Yikang instructed Xu Zhan to lead the search for Shen Leqing, reminding Shen Lige to focus on her role as Side Consort.
Shen Leqing, disguised, was later seen meeting Xue Que in a secluded alley. Liu Yikang confronted Grand Consort Sun, questioning her actions despite his long-standing gratitude for her maternal care. He recalled her protection during his childhood and how his biological mother entrusted him to her. Grand Consort Sun admitted her mistake, claiming Lu Yuan had temporarily misled her.
She justified her actions by citing the inherent power struggles within the royal family and claimed she was merely trying to protect Liu Yixuan from being exploited by Lu Yuan. Liu Yikang listed her betrayals, from protecting Lu Yuan at Fenghuang Stage, to hindering him with Shen Lige's poisoning at Qixia Mountain, to scheming against the Shen family during his wedding, and intercepting military reports to aid Lu Yuan at the northern border.
He stated that he knew all her deeds and could have tolerated them if they were truly for Liu Yixuan's protection and advancement, but questioned if she ever considered Liu Yixuan's true desires or the pain she caused him. Recalling cherished memories, Liu Yikang spoke of Grand Consort Sun's fondness for chestnuts and how she would reward him with desserts when he peeled them for her.
He remembered her making new outfits for him and Liu Yixuan, and how she once held him through a feverish night. He recounted Liu Yixuan once playfully accusing him of "stealing" his Mother Consort. He lamented how time had changed everything, and while he had sensed her potential to use him, he never imagined she would attempt to kill him, though he admitted a part of him might have known but refused to believe it.
Shen Lige comforted Liu Yikang by sharing her own past with her master, who had pampered her but also used her as a pawn. She explained that she eventually reconciled with the past, understanding that their shared time was real and her master had paid for his wrongs with his life, thus she no longer harbored hatred.
She acknowledged that Liu Yikang's situation was more complex, requiring him to balance many considerations, but assured him she would support any decision he made. Later, Liu Yixuan went to Cheng Xiu Pavilion and pleaded with Liu Yikang to spare Grand Consort Sun. He argued that she was merely a woman misguided by Lu Yuan due to her love for her child.
He offered to leave Jiankang with her forever, believing that with Lu Yuan already convicted, the court would have no further cause for dissent. Liu Yikang reminded Liu Yixuan of their shared oath to help His Majesty establish a peaceful and prosperous world. Liu Yixuan affirmed that he had not forgotten, but declared he would sacrifice everything to save his mother's life. At that moment, Grand Consort Sun appeared, having removed her hair ornaments as a sign of penance.
She identified herself as a guilty woman and respectfully requested Liu Yikang to disregard their filial bond and condemn her to death. Despite Liu Yixuan's renewed pleas to be punished in her place, Grand Consort Sun accepted her fate. Liu Yikang then declared his decree: Grand Consort Sun was demoted to commoner status, to live in the Imperial Mausoleum to reflect on her misdeeds, and was forever forbidden from entering Jiankang.
Both Liu Yixuan and Grand Consort Sun knelt to express their gratitude for his leniency. On the day of Lu Yuan's execution, Shen Lige and Liu Yikang observed from a balcony. Shen Lige confronted Lu Yuan, accusing him of abusing his power, causing chaos in court, and viewing innocent lives as expendable. She highlighted his crimes, including the murder of A'Nu, framing loyal generals, and bringing disaster to the nation.
She asserted that the position of regent represented responsibility for the nation, a role he was unworthy of. Lu Yuan defiantly claimed that power could change anything, but Shen Lige cut him off, stating he did not even deserve to utter Liu Yikang's name. The executioner read out Lu Yuan's extensive list of crimes, including his addiction to power, betrayal of the monarch, and numerous unforgivable misdeeds.
Lu Yuan acknowledged his grave sins and expressed a wish for redemption in the next life. Liu Yikang reflected on the long struggle against Lu Yuan, which had cost the lives of his teacher and countless loyal individuals, culminating in this day of justice. As the executioner carried out the sentence, Lu Wan cried out for her brother, and Xue Que rushed to her side, while the crowd cheered, celebrating the end of Lu Yuan's tyranny.
With Lu Yuan's faction dismantled and years of conflict finally subsiding, Shen Lige, accompanied by Chen Shaoxun and Kong Cheng, visited A'Nu's tomb. Shen Lige retrieved a jar of wine they had hidden under a pear tree on Xiuli Mountain, a wine A'Nu had intended to drink on her wedding night. She offered it to A'Nu's spirit, declaring that Lu Yuan was dead and her revenge exacted.
Shen Lige expressed her deep longing for A'Nu, reminiscing about their shared childhood and training. She then wished that in their next lives, they could all be born into the same family as siblings, free from hatred and killing, living carefree lives, simply doing what they loved. Chen Shaoxun and Kong Cheng echoed her sentiments, wishing to be part of that family as well.
