The Song of Glory Episode 53 (Ending) Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Days of continuous rain mirrored the heavy heart of Liu Yikang, who knelt at the palace gates for a full day and night, pleading with the Emperor to retract his decree. His knees were raw and bleeding, staining his robes, yet no reply came. Unwilling to tell Shen Lige the truth, San Bao lied, claiming that Liu Yikang had been summoned to attend to the Emperor's illness.
Believing him, Shen Lige lovingly prepared a table full of dishes, instructing San Bao to ensure Liu Yikang ate on time. That evening, Liu Yikang returned to Chenxiu Pavilion, supported by his subordinates, his legs wounded from kneeling. Seeing the untouched feast prepared by Shen Lige, he was overcome with emotion. Suppressing his pain, he changed his clothes and made his way to Fangyin Pavilion, putting on a brave face.
With utmost tenderness, he personally drew Shen Lige's eyebrows, complimenting her beauty with poetry. Shen Lige, unaware of the grim reality, playfully chided him for his old-fashioned ways. Liu Yikang then spun a tale, claiming the Emperor, after acknowledging his years of dedication to state affairs, had granted him three months of rest to recuperate.
He proposed they find a secluded spot by mountains and rivers and live like a fairy couple, suggesting they depart immediately before the Emperor could change his mind. Excited by the prospect, Shen Lige readily agreed. Together, they visited the pear tree they had planted, hanging a new wind chime and promising to add one every year. They closed their eyes, listening to the chimes, imagining them whispering "I love you." Shen Lige began packing for their supposed three-month trip.
She carefully mended a cushion, cherishing it as a symbol of their beautiful memories, and packed injury medicine, remarking that one never knew what unexpected things might happen. When a servant offered to accompany them, Shen Lige insisted on taking care of Liu Yikang herself, saying she rarely had such an opportunity. However, their departure was delayed when Liu Yikang informed her he had urgent state affairs to attend to, promising to return soon and instructing her to wait.
Meanwhile, ministers gathered, demanding an explanation from Liu Yikang, who, visibly distressed, firmly told them the three-day deadline had not yet arrived and he would continue to plead with the Emperor. Unaware of the true urgency, Shen Lige decided to take two jars of Bixin Wine to the Shen Manor as a wedding gift for Shen Feng, using it as an opportunity to visit home.
But upon arrival, she found the manor deserted, calling out for Uncle Zheng, Mei Qi, and her mother to no avail. Her apprehension grew as she then went to San Jiu Tang, only to find Chen Shaoxun and Kong Cheng also missing. Liu Yikang made another attempt to see the Emperor, but was again refused an audience by the palace guards. Later, Liu Yixuan pressed Liu Yikang about the Emperor's decision regarding Shen Lige.
Liu Yixuan passionately argued that Shen Lige was a victim, having been deceived since childhood, and had made significant contributions, from eliminating corrupt officials to participating in battles. He questioned why the Emperor hesitated given Liu Yikang's deep affection for her.
Liu Yikang explained the Emperor's predicament: Wang Mian's confession had exposed Shen Lige's connection to the Zhuque Alliance, making it politically impossible to spare her without facing public criticism and accusations of favoritism, especially given Liu Yikang's powerful position as Regent. Liu Yikang declared, "She is my woman, so I will definitely protect her."
When Liu Yixuan offered his unwavering support, Liu Yikang solemnly entrusted him with the burden of state affairs, asking him to take over the regency to help the Emperor and protect Great Song. Liu Yixuan, understanding the gravity of the situation, pledged not to disappoint him. Unbeknownst to them, Shen Lige had been hiding behind a screen, overhearing their entire conversation.
That evening, Shen Lige prepared an elaborate dinner, filled with dishes that reminded them of their first market outing together. Liu Yikang playfully warned her he'd become a "big fatty" if she kept feeding him so well, teasing that he might "divorce" her, to which she retorted about his own "rotten temper." They released sky lanterns, recalling their shared wish to "exchange my heart for your heart."
Shen Lige spoke from her heart, expressing how, after years of wandering, finding her family and meeting Liu Yikang had been the most precious things in her life, something she could never let go of. She cherished every day with him, feeling blessed. She told him that having him by her side through life and death had made her believe they could overcome anything.
Now that they had finally found peace, she wished for them to be happy, "never to be apart." In a tender moment, she mischievously tricked Liu Yikang into eating spicy mustard sauce, then tried it herself. She then painted a fake beard on him, declaring her love and telling him she preferred him with a beard, affectionately calling him "Old man" and herself "Heroine." They raised their cups, toasting to their love. The next day, the final deadline arrived.
Liu Yikang walked with heavy steps to the palace. After a long wait, he finally emerged, joyfully clutching an imperial decree that spared Shen Lige's life. He raced back to the manor, but it was too late. Shen Lige had spent her final moments by their pear tree, taking down the wind chime that represented her, and drinking a cup of poison. Liu Yikang arrived to find her lifeless body, collapsing beside her and crying out her name in agony.
Three years later, Great Song thrived. The Shen Manor was filled with joy with the arrival of Mei Qi and Shen Feng's baby boy. Shen Feng bravely guarded the borders, ensuring the empire's safety. The northern military strength had fully recovered, and trade with other nations flourished, bringing prosperity and peace to the people.
Liu Yikang and Liu Yixuan had fulfilled their grand ambitions, ushering in an era of prosperity, implementing new selection by merit policies that brought talented commoners into official positions. Despite the passage of time and the flourishing empire, Liu Yikang's love for Shen Lige remained unchanged. He grew a beard again, and every day, he would pluck a pear blossom and take it to Fangyin Pavilion. The pavilion stood as it always had, but its beloved occupant was gone.
He journeyed to the secluded dwelling on Mount Qixia, where he could almost see her face and hear her voice, yet he was alone. Beneath the blooming pear tree, where the wind chimes once whispered their love, Liu Yikang smiled faintly, remembering her fondness for marrow cakes, boat rides, love poems, Bixin wine, and calling him "Old man, Fourth Brother."
His heart ached as he held a mustard cake, lamenting its bitter taste, a poignant reminder of their last playful moment. In his mind, her voice echoed in the wind chimes, whispering, "I love you."
