The Song of Glory Episode 39 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
After Lu Wan'er disappeared from the execution grounds, Chen Shaoxun searched for her relentlessly. He visited the orphanage, where children excitedly greeted him, but the madam confirmed Lu Wan'er hadn't been there since their last shadow puppet show. Chen Shaoxun, still concerned, asked to be notified if any information about her surfaced. Meanwhile, Liu Yixuan, preparing for his temporary exile to the Imperial Mausoleum, waited in vain for Lu Wan'er at Moran Xuan.
He expressed deep worry, fearing fate might not bring them together again before his departure. Unbeknownst to Liu Yixuan, Wang Gong had already recognized his lingering affection for Lu Wan'er and orchestrated her reappearance, tasking her with getting close to Liu Yixuan for revenge. Liu Yixuan then met with Liu Yikang, thanking him for sparing Sun Taifei's life, acknowledging the difficulty of the decision.
Liu Yikang expressed his wish for Sun Taifei to live a peaceful life in the Imperial Mausoleum. However, Liu Yixuan, still deeply worried about his mother, wished to accompany her to fulfill his filial duty, despite the uncertainty of his return. Liu Yikang tried to persuade Liu Yixuan to stay, emphasizing his need for him during the implementation of the new policy following Lu Yuan's downfall.
Nevertheless, Liu Yixuan remained resolute, feeling he had caused enough trouble and needed to distance himself from court affairs, promising to return if Liu Yikang truly needed him. Liu Yikang eventually relented, wishing his brother a safe journey. On the day of her departure, Sun Taifei, now demoted to commoner status, reflected on her past, finally understanding that "the Bodhisattva fears the original action, all living creatures fear the consequences."
An attendant delivered a box of soothing incense from the Director of Central Secretariat, Xie Hao, wishing her a smooth life in the Imperial Mausoleum. Sun Taifei accepted the gift, asking the attendant to convey that "we don't need to bring up things that have already come to pass." As her carriage prepared to leave, Liu Yixuan rushed to her side, insisting on accompanying her.
Sun Taifei initially resisted, calling herself a sinner and not wanting to implicate him further, but Liu Yixuan declared that no matter what, she would always be his mother, and he would regret it if he didn't fulfill his filial duty. Sun Taifei, tearfully accepting his devotion, confessed she had made things difficult for him. Liu Yixuan reassured her that he was happy for the chance to accompany her.
From a distance, Liu Yikang watched the carriage depart, his expression somber. At the imperial court, Liu Yikang announced the reinstatement and promotion of the Shen family. General Zhenbei Shen Tingzhang, lauded for his military prowess, was ordered to return to court and appointed Minister of the Five Armies.
His eldest son, Shen Zhi, was named Protectorate General, tasked with leading the central troops, while his second son, Shen Feng, received the title of Anbei General for his outstanding achievements in the North. This concentration of military power in the Shen family stirred disquiet among some ministers. One minister voiced concerns about the past Xu Zixian case, the sudden death of Side Consort Li, and the Shen family's previous retirement, suggesting a public explanation was needed to prevent criticism.
Liu Yikang clarified that the Shen family's imprisonment and Side Consort Li's supposed death were "expedient ploys." He then produced Lu Yuan's full confession, detailing all his crimes, and announced that it would be publicly declared as a warning. The ministers, now satisfied, praised Liu Yikang's wisdom.
He then acknowledged the collective efforts of all officials in the Northern war and their bravery in upholding Great Song's legitimacy against Lu Yuan, calling them loyal and righteous, and seeking their continued assistance for the future of the Imperial Court. Within Prince Peng Cheng's manor, Liu Yikang conversed with Princess Consort Xie Yunzhi. She inquired about Shen Lige's hand injury, noting it had healed with her balm.
Xie Yunzhi spoke of Shen Lige's courage and heroism, acknowledging her martial background, while Liu Yikang commended Xie Yunzhi's own dignity and propriety. Though Xie Yunzhi suggested affection might not stem from "goodness," Liu Yikang affirmed his respect for her understanding of justice, which she considered a blessing. Later that evening, in the Prince's manor, San Bao and Xiao Xin bantered playfully about Side Consort Li's cooking, teasing San Bao for wanting to taste it.
When Liu Yikang arrived, he was informed that Side Consort Li was in the kitchen preparing food for him. Shen Lige excitedly presented her meal, eager for Liu Yikang to taste her efforts, claiming it would be far better than what she cooked in Matou. Liu Yikang praised the food, and Shen Lige warmly invited everyone to share the meal, fulfilling a promise made in Matou.
San Bao and Xiao Xin, taking a subtle hint, made excuses to leave, clearly enjoying their own burgeoning affection for each other. Liu Yikang then playfully remarked on the saltiness and semi-cooked nature of Shen Lige's dishes, comparing them humorously to her earlier, less refined cooking during their time in Matou. He declared his love for her "half-cooked, salty, and oily food," promising to finish it all. They shared toasts and continued to tease each other.
Shen Lige, in a tipsy state, boasted about her superior martial arts and drinking capacity, lamenting that if she were male, she would join her father and elder brother on the battlefield. Liu Yikang, however, affectionately told her that Great Song had enough warriors, and her "big job" was to be his good Side Consort and "bear him a son or daughter."
Shen Lige feigned shyness, then admired a peony, reciting a poem about giving the flower as a token of promise. She then expressed her preference for the pear flowers Liu Yikang had planted for her, to which he promised to make the entire garden bloom with them and brew Bixin wine together. Meanwhile, on the road to the Imperial Mausoleum, Liu Yixuan's carriage encountered Lu Wan'er being harassed by thugs demanding money.
Recognizing her, Liu Yixuan immediately intervened, instructing Sun Taifei to stay safe while he rushed to Lu Wan'er's aid. He fought off the thugs and checked on her, noticing the music book he had given her. He then introduced Miss Wan'er to Sun Taifei, explaining their previous acquaintance through music.
Lu Wan'er then tearfully recounted a fabricated story about her older brother being harmed by villains while selling goods in Sichuan, dying and leaving her with a huge debt, leaving her homeless and rejected by distant relatives. Sun Taifei, feeling pity for the girl, offered her shelter, suggesting she could play the zither to alleviate boredom in the Imperial Mausoleum.
Lu Wan'er initially addressed her as "Grand Consort," but Sun Taifei gently corrected her, reminding everyone of her new commoner status. Lu Wan'er gratefully accepted the offer to accompany them. Upon their arrival at the Imperial Mausoleum, a servant disrespectfully treated Sun Taifei as a commoner. Liu Yixuan, witnessing this, became enraged and ordered the servant to be severely punished, declaring that he would not tolerate snobbery towards the downtrodden, despite Sun Taifei's attempts to intervene.
He then assured his mother that he would arrange for the best craftsmen to repair their quarters and bring her favorite peony flowers. Separately, Xie Hao visited Xie Yunzhi, questioning why she seemed unconcerned about the Xie family's future, especially with Shen Lige's growing influence over Liu Yikang. He also referenced his own "temporary measures" of conspiring with the Grand Consort and Lu Yuan.
Xie Yunzhi rebuked her brother for his "villain's heart," defending Shen Lige's bravery and significant contributions fighting alongside Prince Peng Cheng. She affirmed their genuine love and stated that if Shen Lige were to bear the Prince's eldest son, she would offer her sincerest blessings without jealousy.
Xie Yunzhi reminded Xie Hao of the Xie family's long-standing loyalty to Great Song and advised him to learn from Lu Yuan's downfall, urging him to remain wholeheartedly loyal to the Emperor and Prince Peng Cheng. Xie Hao, finding no common ground, concluded their conversation and departed. Back in Prince Peng Cheng's manor, Shen Lige eagerly prepared for Shen Madam's visit, arranging cushions and lotus seed soup, hoping to show her mother she was living happily.
Shen Leqing, secretly observing, noticed Wang Zijin bringing Shen Madam. When Shen Madam arrived, she greeted Shen Lige as "Side Consort Li," not recognizing her as her daughter, and confusedly asked to find "Jia'er." Shen Lige, though saddened, maintained her composure, explaining she felt a kinship with Shen Madam and offering her the specially prepared lotus seed soup.
As Shen Madam tasted the familiar flavor, Shen Lige explained her mother's recipe: never removing the lotus seed core, a tradition in their military family to remember the bitterness and hardships of their lives. These words triggered fragmented memories of Jia'er in Shen Madam's mind, but she still only recognized Shen Lige as "Side Consort Li." After Shen Madam departed, accompanied by Wang Zijin, Shen Lige confessed her sadness to Wang Zijin.
She speculated that her mother's memory loss was a coping mechanism to forget the trauma of being harmed by Lu Yuan in prison, choosing to forget to protect herself from the fear of losing her daughter again. Shen Lige concluded that her mother's happiness and health were paramount, making her recognition less important. Wang Zijin comforted her, expressing hope that Shen Madam's condition would improve once Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi returned and the family was reunited.
Shen Lige then reminded Wang Zijin that Liu Yikang had already sanctioned her marriage to Shen Zhi in Matou, assuring her that their love would find a way after his brother's return.
