The Song of Glory Episode 44 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Shen Lige, accompanied by Shen Feng, arrived at Zhi Jian Hall to demand justice for their father and brother. Xie Hao, the Director of Central Secretariat, attempted to block her entry, citing rules against women in the hall, but Shen Lige firmly stated her identity as Shen Tingzhang's daughter and her purpose: to present Xue Qiu, the principal culprit in their murder, who had already confessed. Prince Peng Cheng, Liu Yikang, allowed them to enter.
Shen Lige informed the court that her father and brother were ambushed by Lu Yuan's remaining forces and that Xue Qiu had admitted to conspiring in the murders. However, when prompted to reveal the mastermind, Xue Qiu unexpectedly accused Liu Yikang. He claimed Liu Yikang had captured him and offered him a deal: kill Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi, and he would be allowed to escape Jiankang.
Xue Qiu further alleged that Liu Yikang had merely used the Shen family and, now that they had achieved great things, feared their power and sought to eliminate them. Shen Lige quickly denounced this as a deliberate setup. At this point, the Commandant of Justice presented a newly discovered piece of evidence: a jade pendant found near the crime scene at Weiyang Lake. When pressed by Xie Hao, Xu Zhan, Liu Yikang's closest official, admitted the jade pendant was his.
However, he insisted he had never been to Weiyang Lake and that the pendant was planted to frame him. When asked for his whereabouts on the day of the assassination, Xu Zhan claimed Liu Yikang had sent him to buy sponge cake for Shen Lige. He recounted how, on his way back, he helped a beggar child and, in the confusion, the sponge cakes were stolen, and he realized later his pendant was gone.
He had no witness to corroborate his story other than Liu Yikang himself. Xie Hao immediately seized on the inconsistencies, questioning why a highly skilled secret guard would be sent on such a task and how he could be so easily robbed by a beggar. Shen Feng, enraged, confronted Xu Zhan, accusing him of fabricating a lie that even a child wouldn't believe.
He then turned his fury on Liu Yikang, accusing him of betraying the loyal Shen family after their many sacrifices, including his father's lifelong service and his sister's unwavering support. He even implied Liu Yikang's orders were selfish and that he had intentionally delayed reinforcements during the Battle of the Northern Border, exposing Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi to danger. Shen Lige intervened, stopping her brother's outburst and reiterating her trust in Liu Yikang.
She apologized for Shen Feng's rude and emotional behavior, attributing it to his recent bereavement. Liu Yikang acknowledged Xue Qiu's testimony as a malicious attempt to sow discord between himself, the Shen family, and the court. He pointed out the illogical nature of the supposed plot, stating that if he were truly behind it, he would have ensured no such obvious evidence or flimsy alibis existed. Xie Hao conceded that the narrative contained questionable points.
Liu Yikang then handed Xue Qiu over to the Commandant of Justice for a thorough investigation, welcoming any scrutiny to prove the court's innocence. Later, Liu Yikang explained to Shen Lige that the underlying purpose of this entire scheme was to weaken the influence of humble families and deter others from serving the Imperial Court, making them fear him and ultimately sabotaging the new policy. He understood that uncovering the true mastermind would take time.
Meanwhile, outside, San Bao and Xiao Xin tried to dissuade Xu Zhan from his self-imposed penance. Xu Zhan, filled with remorse for his carelessness, which had allowed Liu Yikang to be falsely accused and the real culprit to evade justice, insisted on punishment. Liu Yikang, understanding Xu Zhan's need to reconcile with his guilt, lightly punished him by docking half a year's wage and ordering him to kneel until dark.
San Bao and Xiao Xin then accompanied Xu Zhan into the city to search for the sponge cake vendor and the beggar child, hoping to find witnesses who could verify Xu Zhan's alibi. Shen Lige shared her suspicion that Xie Hao was the mastermind, recalling how she had tracked a black-clad assailant from the ambush scene directly to Xie Hao's manor. She was frustrated that her plan to expose him through Xue Qiu had been thwarted by his cunning counter-plot.
Liu Yikang elaborated on Xie Hao's true nature, describing him as a power-hungry schemer who had previously manipulated Lu Yuan and was now determined to stop the new law. He warned Shen Lige to be extremely cautious and to gather irrefutable evidence before acting. Shen Lige reflected on her father's unwavering commitment to the new law despite knowing the risks.
She expressed her desire to return to Shen manor for a few days to comfort her mother and Shen Feng, and to facilitate her investigation of Xie Hao's activities. Liu Yikang agreed, promising to face any challenges together. At the Shen manor, Wang Zijin sternly reprimanded Shen Feng for his rash behavior in court, urging him to look beyond superficial appearances. She reminded him of the profound trust his father, brother, and sister had placed in Prince Peng Cheng.
Wang Zijin then presented Shen Feng with a custom-ordered sword that Shen Feng himself had commissioned for Shen Zhi, encouraging him to carry it as a symbol of his brother's presence and to think more carefully before acting. Meanwhile, Mei Qi arrived in Jiankang from the northern region, seeking "Brother Shen Feng," whom she believed she was destined to marry. Mistaking an old general for Shen Feng, she initiated a confrontation.
When the real Shen Feng appeared, they engaged in a brief skirmish, during which Mei Qi bit him. Shen Feng tied her up, much to her indignation. Shen Lige arrived and, recognizing Mei Qi, ordered Shen Feng to release her. Mei Qi realized that "Shen Feng," whom she had saved and who had promised her a husband, was actually Shen Lige. Shen Lige apologized for the deception, explaining it was a necessary ruse due to the circumstances.
Shen Lige arranged for Mei Qi to stay at the manor. Later, Shen Feng expressed remorse for his impulsiveness, acknowledging the deep trust and loyalty between the Shen family and Prince Peng Cheng. Shen Lige, while understanding his grief, advised him to maintain composure as a general and to avoid actions that would benefit their enemies.
She asked him to focus on caring for their mother and Wang Zijin, promising to tell him when the right time came to seek revenge. Shen Feng agreed not to act rashly. As they spoke, Mei Qi unexpectedly grabbed Shen Feng's sword, leading to another lively argument between the two. Elsewhere, Xie Hao convened a clandestine meeting with several aristocratic officials. He questioned the true benefits of Prince Peng Cheng's new law and emphasized that the people's opinion was paramount.
He used a painting, depicting a sudden downpour causing mountains to collapse and rivers to be blocked, as an allegory. He interpreted the new law as this "sudden rain" and the noble clans as the "lofty mountain range" whose collective power could be used to "cut off the rivers and streams," thereby dismantling the new policy.
Xie Hao then unveiled his audacious plan: on the 28th day, between 11 PM and 1 AM, they would instigate widespread civilian riots by setting fire to farmlands in Chen, Pengcheng, and Jingzhou. This, he argued, would demonstrate that the new law was not only detrimental to the country and its people but also contrary to public sentiment, thus ensuring its demise.
Despite some initial apprehension about the risks involved, Xie Hao rallied the officials, reminding them that they shared a common fate. He made them stamp their seals as a pledge, warning of severe penalties for any who would betray their alliance, and urged them to remain united to safeguard their long-term prosperity.
