The Song of Glory Episode 5 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
In the past, Emperor Gaozu, after fierce battles, expanded the empire and had four valiant generals, among whom Shen Tingzhang was unparalleled in military might. When the dynasty was established, he was bestowed the honor of "Patriotic Pillar" and an imperial edict decreed future generations of the Shen and imperial families would be united in marriage. Now, after successfully defending the northern borders and achieving a triumphant victory for the Sui Yuan Army, General Shen Tingzhang returned to Jiankang City.
The imperial court was set to entrust the Shen family with significant responsibilities. Liu Yikang, recognizing that this would place the Shen family in a precarious position, requested an imperial decree for a marriage alliance with a daughter of the Shen family. He explained to Shen Tingzhang that this union was the best protection for the Shen family and was crucial for the stability of the state and its common people.
Shen Tingzhang initially expressed hesitation, noting the traditional distinction between nobles and commoners, but ultimately accepted, understanding the gravity of the situation for the Northern border army and the nation. Meanwhile, ""Xie Hao"", a high-ranking official, was deeply troubled by the news of the marriage. His sister, ""Xie Yunzhi"", was Prince Peng Cheng's Princess Consort but had not borne any children in years.
Fearing the rising influence of the Shen family would jeopardize the Xie clan, he tried to persuade the Grand Consort to annul the marriage. He argued that Prince Peng Cheng taking an ordinary woman as a side consort violated ancestral proprieties and could lead to severe consequences for the entire empire. However, the Grand Consort refused, stating that Prince Peng Cheng had the backing of an edict from the great-grandfather of the emperor, making it impossible for her to intervene.
She reassured Xie Hao that Xie Yunzhi would remain the main wife. Frustrated, Xie Hao confronted his sister, Princess Consort Xie Yunzhi, accusing her of passively allowing the slight to their clan. Prince Liu Yixuan, upon hearing about the upcoming marriage alliance, was visibly distraught. His attendant, ""Ji Shu"", noticed Liu Yixuan's particular concern for Shen Lige.
He speculated that Shen Lige, with her strong personality and recent reunion with her family, would likely not agree to marry someone she had never met. He also pointed out that Shen Lige's return to the Shen manor had not been publicly announced. Ji Shu then suggested that the marrying party would likely be Shen Leqing, the second daughter of the Shen family, a remark that immediately brightened Liu Yixuan's mood.
Madam Shen fell gravely ill, and Shen Lige sought a rare prescription from Chen Shaoxun, her Senior Brother, at San Jiu Hall, a place known for trading information in the underground community. Chen Shaoxun, having memorized the formula for treating hysteria after burning the original, warned Shen Lige that the treatment was extremely risky: success would restore Madam Shen's consciousness, but failure would mean irreversible decline. Shen Zhi questioned the origin of such a dangerous prescription.
Despite the high stakes, Shen Lige, for the first time, knelt and called Shen Tingzhang "Father," pleading with both him and Shen Zhi to trust her. She passionately affirmed her genuine desire to save Madam Shen, offering her own life if the prescription proved faulty. Shen Feng's earnest support convinced his father, who, deeply moved by Shen Lige's sincerity and her newfound emotional connection, entrusted Madam Shen's life to her.
Lu Yuan visited the Shen manor, ostensibly to congratulate General Shen Tingzhang on the imperial marriage decree. His compliments were thinly veiled warnings, however, as he spoke of General Shen's past glories and the unique honor of being a "Patriotic Pillar" in a manner that subtly alluded to the dangers of "power overshadowing the emperor." Shen Tingzhang calmly responded, asserting his loyalty to the emperor and reminding Lu Yuan that they both understood the limits of imperial favor.
As Lu Yuan departed, he heard a woman's voice (Shen Lige's) and, though he only saw her back, found it strikingly familiar. After several days of diligent care and treatment, Madam Shen showed signs of improvement and eventually regained consciousness. Shen Lige lovingly embraced her, addressing her as "Mother" and solidifying their bond. Elsewhere, Shen Leqing, who had been copying Buddhist scriptures to reflect on her past mistakes, learned of Shen Lige's efforts.
She dispatched her maid to secretly investigate the prescription, discovering it contained achyranthes. Armed with this knowledge, Shen Leqing deliberately soaked a bamboo scroll in peach kernel juice. She then presented it to Madam Shen, feigning remorse for her past errors. The peach kernel juice, combined with the achyranthes in Madam Shen's system, caused her to suddenly cough up blood and collapse once more.
To enhance her facade of filial devotion, Shen Leqing then dramatically cut her own hand, using her blood to create the illusion of a desperate plea. Shen Lige quickly discerned Shen Leqing's cruel machinations. Instead of exposing her publicly, she confronted Shen Leqing in her room that night. Shen Lige laid bare Shen Leqing's scheme, explaining the interaction of the herbs.
She sternly warned Shen Leqing against any further attempts to harm Madam Shen, threatening to kill her if she dared to act against their mother again. Shen Leqing, initially dismissive, was profoundly shaken by Shen Lige's chilling resolve, realizing the depth of her experience in the dangerous outside world. Following these events, a sense of peace settled over the Shen household. Shen Zhi, having overheard Shen Feng playfully complain about his rigid and wooden nature, reflected on his own behavior.
He approached Shen Lige, presented her with a heated hand warmer, and sincerely apologized for his previous doubts, expressing his belief in her as his sister and acknowledging the joy and improved health she had brought to their family. However, the newfound harmony was short-lived. Madam Shen, upon learning that her daughter was to be married to Prince Peng Cheng as a side consort, was furious.
She lashed out at Shen Tingzhang, accusing him of prioritizing court politics over their family's well-being and sacrificing their daughter's happiness. Shen Tingzhang patiently explained that while Prince Peng Cheng indeed needed the Shen family's military support, they, in turn, needed his protection to navigate the treacherous political landscape, warning against the historical peril of "high achievers threatening the emperor." Shen Leqing, who had secretly admired Liu Yikang for many years and dreamt of marrying him, saw an opportunity.
She tearfully approached Shen Tingzhang, offering to marry Prince Peng Cheng in Shen Lige's place as a way to atone for her past wrongdoings. She further suggested that Shen Lige be sent out of Jiankang temporarily to avoid public scrutiny over an adopted daughter marrying into the imperial family, with the plan to publicly announce Shen Lige's return after the wedding. Shen Tingzhang, in deep contemplation, reluctantly agreed to her proposal.
Unbeknownst to him, Shen Leqing's uncle, Guo Fu, had already made arrangements for assassins to lie in wait outside the city, ensuring Shen Lige would never return alive. Guo Fu even reminded Shen Leqing of her own father's death, implying Shen Tingzhang's ambition played a role in it. As Shen Lige prepared to leave, she shared emotional farewells with her family, especially a tearful Shen Feng and a now-accepting Shen Zhi. With a final silent goodbye, she departed Jiankang City.
Shortly after her carriage left the city gates, Shen Lige was ambushed by assassins. By coincidence, Liu Yikang and his attendant were passing through the same area. Shen Lige recognized him, and together, they fought off the attackers. While skillfully dodging a barrage of sleeve arrows, they accidentally tumbled down a cliff and plunged into a river.
