The Song of Glory Episode 43 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
On the day of the Shen family father and son's funeral, dignitaries arrived to offer their condolences. Wang Zijin, already in mourning attire, stood grieving deeply for Shen Zhi. Her father, the Duke of Shixing County, observing her, silently played "Ji Kang's Everlasting Clarity" on his zither, a public display of his admiration for General Shen Tingzhang's character and his profound respect for the Shen family.
Shortly after, Xie Hao, the Director of Central Secretariat, also offered his condolences, feigning sorrow for the government's great loss and advising Shen Lige, whom he addressed as Side Consort Li, to restrain her grief. She thanked him. Prince Peng Cheng, Liu Yikang, and Prince Jing Ling, Liu Yixuan, then arrived.
Liu Yikang spoke of General Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi, who had defended the North and fought for Great Song their entire lives, praising their military prowess and countless victories as pillars of the government. On behalf of His Majesty and the people, he expressed deep apologies to the Shen family, then personally raised a banner and beat a drum in honor of the fallen heroes. After the burial, Wang Zijin resolved to stay at the Shen residence.
She told Shen Lige that since she and Shen Zhi had already had their wedding ceremony in Matou with Heaven and Earth as their witnesses, she was now his wife for life and felt no regret. She insisted Shen Lige call her "sister-in-law" from then on. Wang Zijin shared that although Shen Zhi was not good at expressing himself, she had long recognized his love for her.
She produced letters from him: one comforting her after her grandfather's death, promising that those who passed watched over them; another, secretly delivered when her father had confined her to the house, where Shen Zhi proudly claimed "Zijin" were the best two words he had ever written; and a final letter from the North, where he promised to return soon, stating that marrying her was the faith that spurred him to victory in battle.
Shen Lige embraced her sister-in-law, offering silent comfort. Later, Madam Shen returned from the temple. Shen Lige hastily concealed the memorial tablets for her father and brother. Madam Shen, still suffering from her illness, struggled to understand the somber atmosphere in the house. Shen Leqing, however, continued to subtly manipulate Madam Shen. When Madam Shen discovered Shen Lige in Jia Ning Pavilion, a room she believed was reserved for her daughter, she lashed out.
She questioned Shen Lige's identity and presence, emphasizing that every item in the pavilion was meant for her own daughter. Fuelled by Shen Leqing's insidious suggestions, Madam Shen accused Shen Lige of wanting to kill her and, in a fit of rage, slapped her. She then tearfully demanded that Side Consort Li leave the Shen family immediately and never touch her daughter's belongings again.
Though heartbroken, Shen Lige suppressed her pain and agreed to move out, instructing her maid, Xiao Xin, to pack their belongings at once to avoid further upsetting Madam Shen. Unable to bear her grief and determined to find the culprits, Shen Lige secretly set out alone. Her brother, Shen Feng, caught up with her, insisting that he join her.
He declared that with their father and eldest brother gone, he was the last male member of the Shen family and no longer needed protection; it was his turn to protect her. Shen Lige agreed, provided he listened to her instructions. Following clues, they tracked Xue Qiu to a secluded spot in a suburban forest, near where Lu Yuan had been clandestinely buried, as the emperor had forbidden a proper burial.
Shen Lige, identifying a roughly hewn tombstone marked "Tomb of Lu Yuan," angrily slashed at it with her sword. Knowing Xue Qiu would eventually come to pay his respects, they set up an ambush. As expected, Xue Qiu arrived that night to mourn Lu Yuan. Before he could react, Shen Lige and Shen Feng ambushed him. Shen Lige confronted him, stating that since he had pledged his life as Lu Yuan's loyal dog, she would not let him go unpunished.
As she prepared to take him to the Commandant of Justice for interrogation, several masked assassins suddenly appeared, attacking Xue Qiu directly with lethal intent. Shen Feng swiftly engaged the assassins, fighting them off while one of them managed to stab Shen Lige before fleeing. Fortunately, Shen Lige had worn golden soft armor, leaving her unharmed, though the assassin unknowingly left traces of fluorescent powder on her.
She instructed Shen Feng to take the seriously wounded and unconscious Xue Qiu back to San Jiu Hall for treatment and monitoring, while she followed the faint glow of the powder. Her pursuit led her directly to the gates of Xie Manor, confirming her suspicions about the true mastermind. Shen Feng, after taking Xue Qiu to San Jiu Hall, informed Chen Shaoxun that Xue Qiu was in critical condition.
Shen Lige soon arrived, emphasizing to Chen Shaoxun that Xue Qiu was the sole witness who could identify the person behind her father and brother's murder. She implored him to revive Xue Qiu and ensure he was fully conscious. Meanwhile, Xie Hao's subordinate reported the failed assassination attempt, claiming to have stabbed Shen Lige. Xie Hao was furious, chastising his subordinate for underestimating Shen Lige and revealing his presence.
He worried that if Xue Qiu remained alive, he would confess everything. However, he cautioned against rash action, instead ordering his subordinate to erase all traces of Xue Qiu and temporarily leave Jiankang, instructing him to maintain composure and observe the situation. Back at San Jiu Hall, Chen Shaoxun successfully stabilized Xue Qiu, who eventually regained consciousness. Shen Lige immediately pressed him for answers, demanding to know who was helping him and who was trying to kill him.
Xue Qiu, resigned to death, refused to talk, defiantly stating he would never testify against Xie Hao. He even claimed full responsibility for the murders of Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi, which provoked an enraged Shen Feng to attempt to kill him, only to be restrained by Shen Lige and Chen Shaoxun. Shen Lige then used a strong tactic of psychological provocation. She told Xue Qiu that his vengeance for Lu Yuan was misplaced.
She argued that Xie Hao had never respected the Lu family, using Lu Yuan merely as a tool to kill others and the Lu family as a stepping stone to power. She laid out how Xie Hao was the true mastermind behind the conspiracy, intercepting provisions and altering reports, only to sacrifice Lu Yuan as a scapegoat to protect himself when the scheme was exposed. Initially, Xue Qiu dismissed her words as an agitation tactic, denying any mastermind.
But Shen Lige continued, calling him cowardly and foolish, asserting that Lu Yuan's true revenge would never be settled if Xue Qiu refused to speak the truth. Her words finally resonated, and Xue Qiu, his expression shifting, tacitly agreed to cooperate. While these events unfolded, Liu Yixuan returned to the Imperial Mausoleum to formally bid farewell. There, he encountered Lu Wan'er, who had intentionally left her zither, "Jian Jia," dusty, creating a scene of neglect.
Noticing the instrument and a zither score, Liu Yixuan felt a pang of guilt, remembering their past days. He apologized for his abrupt departure during the Shen family tragedy. Lu Wan'er, ever understanding, assured him that she comprehended his concern for important officials like the Shen family and for their friend, Shen Lige. She even played a tune for him, despite an injured finger, which she casually attributed to an accident while heating wine.
She hoped her music could ease his worries, reassuring him that Madam Shen and the Shen family would recover. Liu Yixuan, touched by her empathy, confessed that she was the only one who truly understood his concerns and offered to help tend to her wound. Simultaneously, the Commandant of Justice, deeply admiring General Shen Tingzhang, refused to let his death remain a mystery.
Despite his subordinates' claims that the crime scene at Weiyang Lake had been cleaned and heavy rains had washed away evidence, he insisted on a thorough re-investigation. He declared that General Shen, who had dedicated his life to Great Song and fought countless battles, could not be allowed to go to the netherworld with an unresolved grievance. He vowed to bring the culprit to justice. In Zhijian Hall, Liu Yikang convened court, announcing Liu Yixuan's return to assist in governing.
He clarified that Liu Yixuan had been loyal in helping execute the traitor Lu Yuan and deserved commendation. However, given the unsettling impact of General Shen's death on military morale, he had specifically recalled Liu Yixuan to Jiankang to aid him in the regency and alleviate the burdens of Great Song. Liu Yixuan pledged to ensure the smooth implementation of new policies.
Liu Yikang then presented a plan to pilot new laws in three regions—Peng Cheng, Jingzhou, and Chen Prefecture—promising nationwide implementation if successful. Fang Qing was tasked with overseeing these reforms, which included reforming the justice system, promoting poor families, selecting officials based on merit, assigning work to the unemployed, and rewarding diligence. The ministers unanimously supported the initiatives.
At that moment, the Commandant of Justice arrived, reporting that his men had found a jade pendant at Weiyang Lake, a new and crucial piece of evidence. Before he could submit it, Shen Lige and Shen Feng, accompanied by Xue Qiu, dramatically entered Zhijian Hall. Xie Hao immediately objected, arguing that a woman from the inner palace had no right to enter the court, calling Shen Lige's behavior inappropriate.
However, Shen Lige boldly declared that as Shen Tingzhang's daughter, she had captured Xue Qiu, the killer of her father and eldest brother, and had come to seek justice from Prince Peng Cheng.
