The Song of Glory Episode 40 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Shen Leqing approached Xie Hao with a secret note from the Grand Consort, which detailed Xie Hao's complicity in their past plans and mentioned military reports being intercepted to facilitate their actions. When Xie Hao questioned if she was threatening him, Shen Leqing denied it, expressing gratitude for his past help in allowing her into the prince's manor.
She then revealed her plight, stating that with Shen Lige's return, she would have no place if Shen Lige and her family were alive. Xie Hao dismissed her, claiming she had nothing to offer him that would make him work for her. Shen Leqing countered by highlighting Lu Yuan's death and the Shen family's rising power, asking if Xie Hao was content to let them have their way.
She then introduced the injured Xue Qiu, suggesting he could be a valuable asset. Xie Hao recognized Xue Qiu and subsequently took both of them under his wing. San Bao had acquired a parrot from a Western trader, intending to give it to Xiao Xin. However, Liu Yikang intervened, stating his intention to take the bird for Shen Lige, much to San Bao's initial reluctance. Despite the parrot initially refusing to speak, it eventually exclaimed "Love you!"
after Liu Yikang's prodding. Liu Yikang later presented the parrot to Shen Lige, who was surprised when it repeated the phrase. She playfully questioned why he couldn't say it himself. He promised to express his feelings when the time was right and hinted at a surprise for her on the upcoming Double Third Festival. Later, on the night of the Double Third Festival, Liu Yikang led Shen Lige blindfolded to a boat.
The boat's cabin had been transformed into a beautifully decorated space, resembling a wedding hall. He expressed his regret that on their original wedding night, they were enemies. He thanked her for always staying by his side through countless trials and declared his desire to give her a true wedding, one meant solely for them. He then told her, "I love you," and they shared a tender embrace.
In the imperial court, Liu Yikang addressed the issue of powerful families who, during conscription, illegally included military headcounts among their private contingents. These families had also annexed forests, rivers, and developed land that did not belong to them, leaving many common people homeless and forcing them to become workers on noble farmlands.
He announced the emperor's edict to immediately implement a land breakdown system, which would involve thoroughly investigating household registries, reclaiming seized land for the court, and redistributing it to the people. He warned that any noble manors hiding households or falsifying reports would be dealt with by law. Fang Qing was tasked with leading the implementation in various prefectures.
Separately, Fang Qing reported to Liu Yikang that noble clans in Chen and Taiyuan prefectures were particularly rampant, seizing vast amounts of land and concealing over 2,500 refugees, with local officials shirking their duties and nobles refusing to comply. Knowing the deep-seated corruption among officials, Liu Yikang decided a new approach was needed. The following day in Zhi Jian Hall, Liu Yikang feigned anger, scolding the officials for their greed and oppression.
Fang Qing then presented a detailed report, naming families like the Gu family, who had seized 10,000 mu, and the Wang family, accused of occupying Culai Mountain and Tuhai River. When the accused nobles denied these claims and accused Fang Qing of slander, Liu Yikang dramatically ordered their manors to be searched. Fang Qing continued, claiming three million mu of farmland and 50,000 hidden refugees were found across several provinces. A minister defended Fang Qing, condemning the tyrannical nobles.
Liu Yikang, in turn, ordered a thorough investigation of all court officials. At this point, Xie Hao intervened, pointing out inconsistencies in Fang Qing's report. He argued that the total land area of Chen and Jingzhou prefectures was only one million mu, making Fang Qing's claim of 10,000 mu for a single family alone, let alone three million mu across other provinces, preposterous. He also questioned why the Liu family's land was now being attributed to the Wang family.
Xie Hao criticized Fang Qing's inexperience and recklessness, suggesting that his report could cause national chaos. Liu Yikang seized the opportunity, chastising Fang Qing for nearly causing a catastrophe and removing him from the task. When asked who should take responsibility, the ministers unanimously suggested Xie Hao. Liu Yikang then thanked Xie Hao, confident that the new policy would now be implemented smoothly.
He promoted Xie Hao to Grand Tutor, Director of Central Secretariat, and conferred upon him the title of Duke of Donghai, instructing him to personally supervise the investigation of noble private armies, an appointment Xie Hao formally accepted. Later, Xie Hao discussed the recent court events with Vice Minister Liu, suspecting a setup. He noted that Liu Yikang, usually patient, had harshly criticized Fang Qing, who was known for his diligence.
Vice Minister Liu surmised it was a ploy by Liu Yikang and Fang Qing to force Xie Hao into leading the new policy, a deduction Xie Hao confirmed. Xie Hao explained that Liu Yikang had cleverly anticipated his predicament: if he refused, the task would revert to Fang Qing, making the nobles suspect Xie Hao's loyalty.
If he accepted, he would face a dilemma – successfully implement the policy and alienate the noble clans who looked to him as their leader, or fail and give Liu Yikang reason to punish him. Xie Hao acknowledged Liu Yikang's growing shrewdness and expressed concern that the return of Shen Tingzhang and his son would further consolidate Liu Yikang's power, worsening their situation.
Meanwhile, Shen Tingzhang and his son, Shen Zhi, prepared to return to Jiankang after the Wei Army's withdrawal from the Yellow River. Shen Tingzhang, having fought in the North for a lifetime, expressed a bittersweet reluctance to leave but found solace in his sons' maturity and achievements. He mentioned that Prince Peng Cheng had offered him the position of Minister of the Five Armies.
Shen Zhi assured his father that he and his brother, Shen Feng, would live up to his expectations, and promised to send word to Shen Lige and Shen Feng about their imminent return and family reunion. In Jiankang, Wang Zijin took Madam Shen to a jewelry shop, hoping to find accessories for her mother-in-law's impending family reunion.
Shen Lige, also present, tried to engage her mother in conversation, reminding her of their previous meeting at Prince Peng Cheng's manor and their shared lotus seed soup. However, Madam Shen, still suffering from amnesia, only vaguely recalled the soup and did not recognize Shen Lige. Shen Lige attempted to jog her memory by showing her a unique magnolia bracelet, explaining that her mother wanted her to be pure and natural like the flower, prompting her father to custom-make it.
Madam Shen experienced fragmented memories, recalling phrases like "Gather magnolias in the early morning" and the story of the custom-made bracelet, but she still couldn't clearly remember Shen Lige as her daughter. Madam Shen then abruptly announced she needed to pray at the temple and left with Wang Zijin, though she later fondly recalled the lotus seed soup and expressed a wish to make it with Shen Lige, giving Shen Lige a glimmer of hope.
At a temple, Madam Shen prayed for her family and for the safe return of her daughter, Jia'er. Shen Leqing, feigning devotion, entered and prayed for her own birth parents, claiming she was kidnapped as an infant but heard her mother's singing in her dreams. She then sang a familiar childhood lullaby. Madam Shen recognized the song and, overwhelmed with emotion, believed Shen Leqing was her long-lost daughter, Jia'er, embracing her tearfully.
Madam Shen wanted to immediately take Shen Leqing back to the Shen manor. However, Shen Leqing demurred, reminding Madam Shen of a supposed previous agreement to wait for Father's return. Shen Leqing then spun a tale of having been rejected and threatened by "Side Consort Li"—Shen Lige—who allegedly claimed to be the Shen family's only daughter and warned her against returning. Shen Leqing suggested it was safer to wait for Shen Tingzhang to handle the situation.
Madam Shen, believing her, agreed to keep their reunion a secret. To maintain appearances and allow for future meetings, Shen Leqing suggested they copy scriptures together that sought blessings for Father. Meanwhile, at the Imperial Mausoleum, Lu Wan'er spent her time arranging flowers and playing the zither in the company of Sun Grand Consort. Sun Grand Consort grew fond of Lu Wan'er, noticing her affection for Liu Yixuan and teasing her about the special meaning behind her music scores.
Liu Yixuan arrived, prompting Sun Grand Consort to urge him to return to Jiankang to assist Liu Yikang. She acknowledged her past wrongs and hoped Liu Yixuan could make amends for her. Liu Yixuan agreed to return but made her promise to remain at the mausoleum, cultivating herself and refraining from any involvement in court affairs. Sun Grand Consort pledged to plant flowers, copy scriptures, pray for both Liu Yikang and Liu Yixuan, and seek redemption.
Liu Yixuan understood his mother's intentions, but reiterated that he cared not for power but for fulfilling his duties to Great Song and its people. Sun Grand Consort reflected on Liu Yikang's leniency, realizing it was a result of their long-standing bond. She lamented the pain of their estrangement, finally understanding the paramount importance of familial love, and doubted if she would ever see Liu Yikang again.
Liu Yixuan reassured her that Liu Yikang would forgive her as she had acknowledged her mistakes, promising to return to Jiankang soon. Elsewhere, the injured Xue Qiu, consumed by a desire for revenge, vowed to avenge Lu Yuan by targeting Shen Lige, Shen Feng, and Liu Yikang. He sought assistance from Xie Hao, who, recognizing Xue Qiu's current vulnerability, advised him that revenge required a strategic plan, emphasizing the need to "hit a snake at its seven inches."
Xie Hao then handed Xue Qiu a letter, indicating it held the key to their target's weakness. He also assigned his subordinate, Lu Guang, to assist Xue Qiu. Xie Hao strictly instructed Xue Qiu to ensure that all actions taken must appear to have no connection to the Xie family. Xue Qiu assured Xie Hao of his discretion.
