The Song of Glory Episode 48 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
After Xue Qiu confessed his crimes, revealing that the Director of Central Secretariat, Xie Hao, had colluded with Shen Leqing to forge a letter to lure Shen Tingzhang and Shen Zhi to Weiyang Lake, where he then set a trap to kill them, Shen Lige was furious at Xue Qiu's involvement. Despite Xue Qiu's past claim of avenging the Protectorate Lieutenant-General, Shen Lige expressed deep regret for not killing him earlier, calling him treacherous.
With Xue Qiu's confession, the evidence against Xie Hao was conclusive. Liu Yikang declared that Xie Hao had murdered courtiers, conspired with others, and caused civil unrest, deeming him guilty of unpardonable evil deserving of execution. He condemned Xie Hao's complacency and refusal to change, stating that the needs of Great Song and its people would not be disregarded.
Liu Yikang further ordered the immediate imprisonment and execution of other conspirators like Gu Weiyuan, Liu Lin, and Wang Meng, who had caused civil unrest. Considering that officials from the Xie family in Shixing County had reported the offense to the proper authorities, Liu Yikang spared the Xie family from extermination. However, Xue Qiu, for his selfish desires and the murder of courtiers, was ordered to be executed immediately.
Liu Yikang later discussed with Shen Lige how they used Lu Yuan's younger sister to deceive Xue Qiu, a plan Shen Lige was unaware of. Liu Yikang explained that his senior had found out Xue Qiu had sent Lu Yuan's younger sister to another household. Shen Lige was still concerned for the girl, but Liu Yikang noted that she was already missing. Liu Yikang and Shen Lige returned to the Shen manor.
Liu Yikang addressed Madam Shen as "Mother," stating that as Shen Lige's mother, she was also his. He emphasized that since he and Shen Lige were married, they were now one family, and he would do his best to serve her. Madam Shen was touched, calling him "Kang'er." Liu Yikang expressed his remorse for failing to protect Shen Lige's father and eldest brother, who died fighting for Great Song.
Madam Shen, with a sense of grand justice, said it was their responsibility and mission as subjects, and their family would not shy away from it. Pleased, Madam Shen invited Liu Yikang to stay for lunch and promised to cook for him every day if he visited. Meanwhile, Shen Feng and Mei Qi, back from Jingzhou, were having a sweet conversation in the courtyard, where Shen Feng was gifting Mei Qi a "Red Treasure Box" of palace cosmetics.
Their flirtatious exchange about Mei Qi's improved complexion was overheard by Liu Yixuan and Shen Lige, who teased them. Liu Yikang, seeing their affection, suggested Shen Feng should marry Mei Qi to bring more liveliness to the Shen family. Shen Feng, however, hesitated, claiming he hadn't thought about it. Mei Qi, annoyed, declared that if he didn't marry her, he couldn't marry anyone else, and insisted he pack up to return to Pangu with her.
Shen Feng refused, arguing that as Chief of Pangu, she should be the one to marry into his family. Liu Yikang intervened, playfully suggesting that since Shen Feng was the Anbei General stationed in the northern border and Pangu was also in the northern region, it wouldn't be an issue for him to "marry off to Pangu." Later, during dinner, the Shen family enjoyed a joyful meal. Liu Yikang praised Madam Shen's cooking, saying he wouldn't want to leave.
Shen Lige joked that her mother now had a son and forgot her daughter. After dinner, Shen Lige thanked Liu Yikang, noting her mother hadn't been so happy in a long time. Liu Yikang reflected on the simple and unvarnished nature of familial love, emphasizing the need to cherish it and care for Madam Shen after the loss of her husband and eldest son.
He added that setting a good example would ensure their children would serve them well in the future. Shen Lige questioned his talk of children, to which Liu Yikang reminded her of her promise to give him a "bunch of kids," teasing her. News arrived that the civilian unrest in Jingzhou, Chen Prefecture, and Peng Cheng was a deliberate attempt by Xie Hao to block the new law. With the truth revealed, the chaotic situation abated.
Liu Yikang decreed that the new law would be gradually implemented from test sites to surrounding areas, involving household registration reform, land breaking, and merit-based selection for officials, regardless of their background. Fang Qing, who had successfully drafted, tested, and implemented the new law, was promoted to Director of Central Secretariat, while Wang Wei, Li An, and Lin Yang were appointed Vice Directors of Secretariat.
Liu Yikang urged them all to work together for the new law to benefit the country and its people. Liu Yixuan informed Liu Yikang about the assassination of Protectorate Lieutenant-General Huo Yun in Jingzhou, expressing his belief that only a skilled warrior could have infiltrated the army camp and carried out such an act, ruling out local authorities. He admitted to finding no evidence.
Soon after, another piece of grim news arrived: Hong Dan's body was found in an abandoned well in the Shen manor's back garden, seemingly murdered. It was confirmed that Hong Dan had not left the manor as she claimed. A letter was discovered in her room, addressed to Shen Lige, stating, "Older Sister, I made a mistake, and I feel too ashamed to see you again," which seemed to refer to her theft of Xu Zhan's jade pendant.
Xu Zhan suspected Hong Dan's death was connected to the lost pendant. Shen Lige's maid suggested Hong Dan might have harbored ill intent, leading to her death to silence her. However, Shen Lige refused to believe it, insisting Hong Dan must have faced some difficulty. Driven by anger, Shen Lige visited Xie Hao in prison. She accused him of harming patriotic and innocent people for personal greed, and questioned his claim of acting for Great Song's rightful rule.
She reminded him of his grandfather's will, which removed him from the Xie family registry for his treacherous actions, stating that he was spurned by thousands of people. Xie Hao vehemently denied that his grandfather would disown him. Shen Lige pressed him about the deaths of many, including Huo Yun and his own grandfather. Xie Hao, appearing genuinely shocked by Huo Yun's death, denied killing either of them. Meanwhile, in the imperial mausoleum, Sun Taifei plotted with Lu Wan'er.
She gave Lu Wan'er an expensive jade bracelet, a gift from Emperor Gaozu, to match her plain clothes, instructing her to take some peony flower cakes to Liu Yixuan in Jiankang, ostensibly as a visit on Sun Taifei's behalf. Lu Wan'er accepted the task. Sun Taifei also mentioned her upcoming birthday, expressing sadness that Liu Yikang and Liu Yixuan wouldn't be there to celebrate with her.
Later, Lu Wan'er feigned a recurrence of her heart illness and collapsed near San Jiu Hall, where Chen Shaozun found and treated her. She lied to Chen Shaozun, claiming she left Jiankang to avoid implicating him. She spun a tragic tale of her older brother being killed by evildoers while selling goods, leaving her with a large debt and no family support. Chen Shaozun, believing her, advised her to recuperate at San Jiu Hall.
Seeing Chen Shaozun's close relationship with Prince Peng Cheng, Lu Wan'er felt a surge of hatred, steeling her resolve for revenge despite her conflicting emotions. Back in Jiankang, Liu Yikang was reviewing the essays from the merit-based selection. He shared with Liu Yixuan that many of the proposals for governing the nation provided him with great insight.
He emphasized that these talents, born among the common people, deeply understood their thoughts and desires, and would surely help Great Song and benefit the populace. With Xie Hao and his corrupt officials removed, Liu Yikang asserted that the court was now ready for the new law. He then informed Liu Yixuan that the Emperor had entrusted him with the authority over the central army.
Liu Yixuan was surprised, but Liu Yikang assured him that both he and the Emperor felt most confident in his ambitions and sincerity. Liu Yixuan then delicately brought up Sun Taifei's approaching birthday, expressing his wish to celebrate it with Liu Yikang. Liu Yikang agreed to visit the imperial mausoleum. Shen Lige, overhearing part of their conversation, asked Liu Yikang about the Emperor's sudden decision to give Liu Yixuan central army authority.
Liu Yikang explained that after discussing recent events with the Emperor, the Emperor felt Liu Yixuan was sincere and trustworthy. Shen Lige visited Xie Yunzhi, giving her calligraphy and paintings recovered from the Xie manor, believing Xie Yunzhi would understand them best. Xie Yunzhi recognized a practice painting from her childhood, featuring pine and cypress trees, symbolizing resilience and integrity.
She lamented that her older brother, Xie Hao, had loved to paint them, using their stoic nature to remind himself not to forget his conscience, but now "everything has changed." Shen Lige, too, expressed her inability to comprehend how the desire for power could so drastically change a person, transforming power from a responsibility into a tool for personal greed, ultimately leading to darkness.
Xie Yunzhi questioned if Shen Lige blamed her for her brother's actions, but Shen Lige admired Xie Yunzhi for upholding grand justice over kinship. Later, Xie Yunzhi visited Xie Hao in prison, informing him that his wife and children had returned to their old family home in Chen Prefecture, where his wife would educate them in manners and ensure they would never step into Jiankang or the court again.
She added that even if they became teachers, diligence and a pure heart would uphold the Xie family's legacy and Grandfather's teachings. After Xie Yunzhi left, Xie Hao opened a scroll, breaking down in tears. He expressed deep remorse, confessing that his treacherous and evil acts had wasted his grandfather's teachings, brought disaster to the country and shame to his family.
He felt regret like a hundred poisons devouring his heart and wished for punishment in the netherworld, hoping to atone in the next life. Back at the manor, Shen Lige's maid brought medicine, explaining that Imperial Physician Xu prescribed it to benefit energy, strengthen the spleen, and replenish blood, specifically to help Shen Lige conceive a child. She insisted that both Shen Lige and Liu Yikang must drink it every morning and night.
Despite Shen Lige's hesitation, the maid urged her to drink. Liu Yikang then joined them, asking why she was drinking medicine, and was surprised to learn it was for bearing children. He then teased her about finally agreeing to settle down, no longer fighting and killing, but washing clothes and cooking food.
