The Glory Episode 20 Recap, Plot

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After bringing Zhuang Hanyan back, Fu Yunxi held the wedding that very night. Tears fell from beneath Zhuang Hanyan's bridal veil as she grieved over Zhuang Yuchi’s death. If she had grown up in the Zhuang family, she would have been close to Zhuang Yuchi, and things wouldn’t have turned out this way. Sitting alone in the room, Zhuang Hanyan was suddenly embraced by Azhi, who excitedly called her "Mother.

" However, Zhuang Hanyan stated that she was not her mother, which saddened Azhi, making her feel unloved. Just then, Fu Yunxi arrived and witnessed the scene, comforting Azhi. He assured her that Zhuang Hanyan did care for her, but she needed time to accept it. After Azhi left, Fu Yunxi handed Zhuang Hanyan a letter from Chai Jing, who had personally witnessed their wedding and left a note before returning to the sea.

Zhuang Hanyan ran to the shore, but the ship had already set sail. Using all her strength, she shouted Chai Jing’s name. Chai Jing turned back with tears in her eyes and set off countless fireworks over the sea. When they were together before, Chai Jing had promised that if Zhuang Hanyan ever got married, she would release fireworks over the ocean for her.

Watching the dazzling display, Zhuang Hanyan recalled the times she had spent with Chai Jing by the sea and how she once thought she would never marry. Fu Yunxi arrived shortly after, draping a cloak over her shoulders. In her heart, Zhuang Hanyan wished for Chai Jing’s well-being and believed they would meet again. Zhou Ruyin, devastated by Zhuang Yuchi’s death, refused to accept reality. She blamed Zhuang Shiyang for causing their son’s demise and ruining their daughter’s life.

However, Zhuang Yushan was ungrateful and accused her mother of using them for personal gain. While Zhuang Yushan was away, Zhou Ruyin revealed that she had long known Zhuang Shiyang’s secrets. Over the years, she had overheard his nightmares countless times, and she was aware of his ties to the Pei faction. Realizing that Zhou Ruyin was a threat, Zhuang Shiyang harbored murderous intent.

But Zhou Ruyin reassured him that her survival depended on him, and she would never betray him. Understanding her stance, Zhuang Shiyang formally made her his wife. The next day, now officially a wife, Zhou Ruyin gave orders in the courtyard, delighted that Zhuang Yushan would no longer have to address her as "Concubine Mother" but as "Mother. " Additionally, Zhuang Yushan would no longer be regarded as an illegitimate daughter. However, Zhuang Yushan felt no joy.

Instead, she sarcastically remarked that Zhou Ruyin had finally achieved her long-cherished wish and that Zhuang Yuchi’s death was not in vain. She then reminded Zhou Ruyin that Zhuang Yuchi’s death was her fault. Enraged, Zhou Ruyin slapped Zhuang Yushan and insisted that it was Zhuang Hanyan who had killed him. She also planned to arrange a prestigious marriage for Zhuang Yushan so she would have a powerful ally in the future.

But Zhuang Yushan refused to have her fate controlled. Zhuang Hanyan fell ill due to Chai Jing’s departure. Fu Yunxi personally brought her medicine, but she refused to take it. She then told him that before Yuwen Changan and her mother left, she had met with Yuwen Changan. He had spent years gathering evidence against Zhuang Shiyang, intending to help Fu Yunxi seek revenge.

However, since Fu Yunxi had chosen to let go of his grudges and leave with him, Yuwen Changan abandoned his plan for vengeance and sealed the evidence in a sandalwood box before retreating into seclusion with Ruan Xiwen. Zhuang Hanyan asked Fu Yunxi to retrieve the box from the Censorate. Meanwhile, Lady Fu and Kou Eryi were terrified when a bloodstained wild goose was delivered to them. Zhuang Hanyan, arriving at that moment, remained unfazed.

Instead, she remarked that such a rare bird would make an excellent meal, earning Lady Fu’s approval for her composure. However, Kou Eryi took the opportunity to make things difficult, insisting on teaching Zhuang Hanyan the skills of a household manager. Though initially reluctant, Zhuang Hanyan had no choice but to agree. Kou Eryi deliberately instructed Zhuang Hanyan in the etiquette of serving Lady Fu before handing her a stack of account books, reciting figures for her to calculate.

Zhuang Hanyan skillfully used an abacus to keep up, but Kou Eryi deliberately sped up her recitation to overwhelm her. Annoyed, Zhuang Hanyan stuffed Kou Eryi’s mouth with a cloth, bluntly stating that she saw through Kou Eryi’s schemes—her real fear was losing her authority as the household manager. She assured Kou Eryi that she had no interest in power and would not take it from her.

However, Kou Eryi went a step further, suggesting that Fu Yunxi should take a concubine. Without hesitation, Zhuang Hanyan agreed—just as Fu Yunxi walked in and overheard. Fu Yunxi immediately rejected the idea and warned Kou Eryi not to interfere in his marriage again, storming off in anger. Fu Yunxi was visibly bothered by how indifferent Zhuang Hanyan was about him taking a concubine.

She reasoned that their marriage was purely a contractual arrangement, so she had no right to interfere in his affairs. Meanwhile, Fu Yunxi failed to find the sandalwood box at the Censorate. Zhuang Hanyan grew anxious that Zhuang Shiyang would gain even greater power after completing the national compendium, making him harder to bring down. She was eager to become the most influential noblewoman in the capital.

However, to do so, she first needed to win the favor of Noble Consort Miao, the current highest-ranking noblewoman. Having witnessed a past meeting between Noble Consort Miao and her mother, Zhuang Hanyan knew they were not truly close friends. She had heard that Noble Consort Miao was facing difficulties and asked Fu Yunxi to investigate. Rumors spread throughout the household about Zhuang Hanyan’s lack of a "bridal red stain. " Kou Eryi openly accused her of not being a virgin.

Anticipating this issue, Zhuang Hanyan had invited Lord Tan, a former imperial physician, whose word carried weight. Kou Eryi demanded that Lord Tan examine Zhuang Hanyan to determine whether she was a virgin. However, Lord Tan refused, explaining that regardless of his conclusion, it would invite criticism. Instead, he spoke from a medical perspective, stating that the traditional belief in "bridal red" had harmed many women.

He argued that the presence or absence of such a stain was not a reliable measure of chastity. He further pointed out that Zhuang Hanyan was intelligent—if she had any ulterior motives, she could have easily faked it with a bloodstained cloth. The fact that she had not done so proved her integrity. His reasoning left everyone speechless.

As Zhuang Hanyan walked Lord Tan out, she tried to discreetly inquire about Noble Consort Miao, but because of the sensitive nature of the issue, Lord Tan dared not speak freely. Just then, Fu Yunxi returned with news. Since the last Lantern Festival, Noble Consort Miao had been seeking to adopt the Crown Prince, making her ambition to become Empress clear. Many officials feared that if she became Empress, she would dominate the government.

Consequently, some ministers had proposed her removal, but the Emperor, out of past affection, had refused. Fu Yunxi revealed that five influential ministers planned to jointly petition for Noble Consort Miao’s removal—this petition could be the final blow against her. Zhuang Hanyan decided to eliminate these obstacles and help Noble Consort Miao regain power, as it would be beneficial to her own plans. Seeing through Zhuang Hanyan’s ambitions, Fu Yunxi took her to Minister Deng’s residence.

He had only managed to uncover the identity of one of the five officials—Minister Deng, who would be the final recipient of the joint petition before it was presented to the Emperor. It was crucial to intercept it before that happened. Fu Yunxi asked Zhuang Hanyan if she was afraid to take action, but she appeared completely fearless, impressing him.

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