The Song of Glory Episode 9 Recap
> The Song of Glory Recap
Shen Lige’s mother gently reminded her that Shen Leqing, despite her past mistakes, was a muddled child who had suffered a tough life after her father died on the battlefield while serving Shen Tingzhang. Her mother expressed remorse for not considering Shen Leqing’s feelings after Shen Lige’s return, which she believed led to Shen Leqing’s errors.
With Shen Leqing having agreed to marry into a family in Tong Cheng, Shen Lige’s mother hoped that Shen Lige would set aside any future disagreements. Shen Lige, prioritizing the urgent task of rescuing the artisans and locating the foundry, agreed to her mother’s wishes for now. Later, Shen Lige recounted to Liu Yikang how she had secretly returned to the mountains alone to search for her missing bracelet.
There, she unexpectedly encountered Lu Yuan, who was mercilessly killing the villagers to eliminate witnesses. Thankfully, Huo Yun arrived and helped save many lives. She also observed that the Black Armored Brigade soldiers carried incredibly sharp weapons made from black iron. Liu Yikang explained that during Emperor Gaozu’s reign, a unique method of forging iron involved meteoric rock and water, producing powerful black iron.
However, the water used in this process was highly poisonous, capable of taking lives with prolonged exposure, which led the Imperial Court to ban the method years ago. Shen Lige immediately grasped the significance, stating that if this information was made public, Lu Yuan’s treason would be undeniable, and even Prince Peng Cheng wouldn’t be able to shield him.
She openly expressed her disdain for Prince Peng Cheng, calling him a "bastard" and a "cunning villain" who neglected his duties, appointed corrupt officials, and allowed border conflicts to persist while ignoring the plight of the common people. Liu Yikang listened in silence, taken aback by her deep-seated resentment.
Shen Lige then revealed that she and Huo Yun had privately investigated Lu Yuan’s mansion, discovering that he was on the verge of completing the final batch of black iron and planned to destroy the foundry afterward, having already blocked its entrance. She noted that Qixia Mountain was too vast for a blind search. Liu Yikang suggested a solution: since the forging water was poisonous, any area where it flowed would be devoid of life.
By tracing the water’s path, they could pinpoint the foundry’s location. Thrilled by this breakthrough, Shen Lige moved to inform Huo Yun, but Liu Yikang pulled her back, urging her to be cautious and not proceed alone. He instructed her to return to him after finding the location, promising to bring reinforcements. Shen Lige, flustered, made him swear not to miss their rendezvous. Liu Yikang then went to Shen Manor to finalize plans with Shen Zhi.
He emphasized the need to catch Lu Yuan red-handed before he could dispose of the evidence. Shen Zhi, concerned that involving the central army might alert the enemy, offered the full support of Shen Manor’s forces, declaring his willingness to lay down his life for Liu Yikang. Liu Yikang accepted, outlining a two-pronged attack to encircle Qixia Mountain. As Liu Yikang left, Wang Zijin arrived at the manor, just missing him.
She greeted Shen Lige, who subtly left to allow Wang Zijin to speak privately with Shen Zhi. Wang Zijin, having recently visited Grand Consort Sun, bravely confessed her feelings to Shen Zhi, proclaiming that she would marry no one else and encouraged him to propose. Shen Zhi, deeply moved, asked her to wait a few more days until he completed an important government affair, promising to marry her in a grand and respectful manner afterward.
Meanwhile, Liu Yixuan, defying imperial decree, instructed Ji Shu to mobilize the Danyang troops to assist Liu Yikang. Ji Shu expressed grave concerns, pointing out that Prince Peng Cheng already had the Shen family’s military support and might not appreciate Liu Yixuan’s unauthorized intervention. He also implied that Liu Yixuan’s true motivation was his affection for Shen Lige.
Despite Ji Shu’s strong advice, Liu Yixuan remained resolute, stating he would not reconsider until Lu Yuan was dealt with, and ordered Ji Shu to proceed while keeping it secret from their mother consort. Separately, Shen Leqing secretly met with Lu Yuan, confirming that Shen Zhi had mobilized guards. She pledged her full support to him.
Lu Yuan, upon learning of Ji Shu’s troop movements and Shen Zhi’s guards, ordered Xue Qiu to complete the black iron forging that very night. He then went to Grand Consort Sun, manipulating her by revealing Liu Yixuan’s unauthorized troop mobilization. He warned that this could lead to a charge of treason for Liu Yixuan and implicated his own secret black iron forging as being for Liu Yixuan’s benefit.
Lu Yuan successfully coerced Grand Consort Sun into agreeing to delay Liu Yikang. At the Shen Manor, Shen Tingzhang discovered a forged note, supposedly from Lu Yuan, claiming he had kidnapped Shen Lige and was holding her at Qixia Mountain, luring him into a trap. On the day of the operation, Shen Lige, Liu Yixuan, and Huo Yun searched Qixia Mountain for the foundry, and Shen Lige successfully located the entrance.
Concurrently, Liu Yikang was preparing to leave his manor when he received news that Princess Consort Xie Yunzhi had suddenly fallen ill. Physician Chen confirmed she had been poisoned. Grand Consort Sun arrived and insisted that Liu Yikang personally oversee the investigation. Xie Yunzhi, seemingly in great distress, vaguely blamed "mushroom soup" for her condition and urged Liu Yikang to attend to his important government affairs.
However, after Liu Yikang briefly left, Grand Consort Sun found foxglove hidden in Xie Yunzhi’s hair, and Physician Chen confirmed it could induce similar symptoms. She then theatrically pleaded with Liu Yikang to avenge Xie Yunzhi, who coughed up blood again in an apparent relapse. Pressured, Liu Yikang swiftly arranged for a suspicious servant to be captured as a scapegoat.
He ordered the man handed over to the Commandant of Justice and, feigning illness himself to get away, finally departed for Qixia Mountain. Inside the foundry, Lu Yuan pressed Xue Qiu to accelerate the black iron forging. Soldiers brutally beat the exhausted artisans, provoking a rebellion. When the artisans struck back, Lu Yuan, realizing the black iron couldn’t be completed in time, made a ruthless decision: he ordered the massacre of all artisans to eliminate any witnesses.
By the time Shen Lige and Liu Yixuan arrived, the foundry was strewn with bodies. A fierce battle erupted. Huo Yun arrived with his people, joining the fray. Meanwhile, Shen Tingzhang, lured to Qixia Mountain by the forged note, was ambushed and knocked unconscious by Lu Yuan’s men. Ji Shu, leading the Danyang troops, reached the foot of the mountain but received a letter from Grand Consort Sun ordering him to turn back for Liu Yixuan’s safety.
After a moment of conflicted loyalty, Ji Shu obeyed, taking full responsibility for the troop mobilization. Shen Lige confronted Lu Yuan directly, but the poison from her bracelet began to take its toll, blurring her vision and weakening her. Lu Yuan capitalized on her vulnerability, kicking her to the ground. As Shen Lige lay unconscious, Lu Yuan pulled an iron lock, triggering a massive explosion of molten lava and causing the cave to collapse.
Amidst the chaos, Liu Yixuan bravely rescued the unconscious Shen Lige from the encroaching lava and falling debris. Huo Yun also managed to escape the collapsing cave. Meanwhile, Shen Zhi, having waited fruitlessly for Liu Yikang's orders and witnessing the distant explosion, led his own troops toward the foundry, determined to capture Lu Yuan alive. Upon arriving at the chaotic site, Liu Yikang found Liu Yixuan and Huo Yun. Liu Yixuan assured him that Shen Lige would be fine.
Shen Lige regained consciousness, her first words a burning declaration to kill Lu Yuan. Unbeknownst to her, Lu Yuan had escaped, and Xue Qiu confirmed to him that the crucial batch of specially-made black iron had already been forged.
