The Glory Episode 22 Recap, Plot

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Zhang Wanjun had been waiting in the outskirts before leaving, anxiously awaiting Deng Chan’s arrival, fearing that Deng Chan would blame her. However, Deng Chan was genuinely happy for her mother. She had worried that after her marriage, her mother would be left alone and desolate in the inner residence. Now, she could finally be at ease.

Deng Chan also warned Cheng Lei not to mistreat her mother, vowing that she would track him down no matter where he fled if he dared to do so. Cheng Lei gently embraced Zhang Wanjun and swore that he would take care of her and protect her for life.

Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi also came to bid farewell, suggesting that Zhang Wanjun could settle down in Min’an, as Young Master Zheng’s family was there, meaning that she and her daughter could reunite every year during family visits. Zhang Wanjun and Deng Chan were deeply moved, kneeling together to express their gratitude. Zhuang Hanyan hurriedly helped them up, stating that she had her own selfish motives as well—this was merely a mutually beneficial arrangement.

However, Zhang Wanjun knew that if Zhuang Hanyan truly only had ulterior motives, she wouldn’t have come to see them off today. Watching Zhang Wanjun’s carriage disappear into the distance, Zhuang Hanyan seemed to see Ruan Xiwen’s gentle smile and couldn’t help but smile herself, relieved that everything had gone smoothly this time. Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan then sought out Yao Zhidong. Seeing that they had come to persuade him, Yao Zhidong was anything but polite.

He firmly believed that Consort Miao was a wicked enchantress who had enjoyed the emperor’s favor for years and was now even trying to interfere in state affairs, calling her nothing but a femme fatale. However, Zhuang Hanyan cited past beauties from the history of Emperor Li Chao’s dynasty, arguing that in reality, the problem was never the beauties themselves but the rulers.

After all, if the beauties could not even control their own fate, how could they control an emperor? Zhuang Hanyan knew that Yao Zhidong’s daughter, Yao Wangshu, had been forcibly married to Prince Qi and suffered torment day and night. She offered to help Yao Wangshu escape her misery, but Yao Zhidong saw this as an attempt at a trade and adamantly refused to cooperate.

As Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi were leaving, a servant came running in with a report—Yao Wangshu had once again sent a letter pleading for help. However, Yao Zhidong could only sigh in helplessness. Determined to assess the situation at Prince Qi’s residence, Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi set out. Meanwhile, Prince Qi was inside his manor, tormenting Yao Wangshu, forcing her to imitate his deceased wife, Pei Yingyue.

Pei Yingyue’s portrait hung in his chamber every day, and he demanded that Yao Wangshu copy her every word and action. Even making tea incorrectly resulted in a whipping. He forcibly made her drink talisman-infused water, leaving Yao Wangshu feeling worse than death. When Prince Qi learned that Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan had come to visit, he immediately ordered his servants to turn them away.

Ah Zhi, hearing that Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan were struggling to find a way into Prince Qi’s residence, devised a plan. She deliberately provoked Prince Qi’s son, which escalated into a conflict. During the commotion, the young prince fell into the water, giving Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan the perfect excuse to enter the manor. Prince Qi was furious and initially wanted to hold Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan accountable for harming his child.

However, when he laid eyes on Zhuang Hanyan, his anger dissipated into a smile. He had long heard of Zhuang Hanyan’s name, and her cool and elegant demeanor bore an even stronger resemblance to Pei Yingyue. Prince Qi summoned Yao Wangshu to meet the guests, but she refused, which infuriated him. Just as he was about to punish her, Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan intervened, persuading him to let it go.

Zhuang Hanyan took the initiative to visit Yao Wangshu and was granted permission. However, upon arriving at Yao Wangshu’s quarters, she found the doors tightly shut, with charcoal burning inside—the young woman was attempting suicide. Zhuang Hanyan hurriedly opened the windows and reassured Yao Wangshu that she could help her escape this hell. Hope flickered once more in Yao Wangshu’s eyes.

Yao Wangshu revealed that ever since Pei Yingyue’s death, Prince Qi had consulted Master Duan, who claimed that as long as he found someone with a similar appearance to Pei Yingyue and made her drink talisman-infused water daily, Pei Yingyue’s soul would eventually possess her body. Thus, Yao Wangshu was forced to drink the water every day.

According to Yao Wangshu, Zhuang Hanyan’s cold and refined features resembled Pei Yingyue’s even more, which made Zhuang Hanyan finally understand why Prince Qi had reacted so differently upon seeing her. With this realization, she devised a plan—one that would turn the situation in Yao Wangshu’s favor. Returning to the tea hall, Zhuang Hanyan pretended to scold Yao Wangshu for being unworthy, while lavishly praising Prince Qi’s devotion and deep love.

She marveled at how rare it was for a man to still cherish a deceased wife after so many years. Before leaving, Zhuang Hanyan deliberately refused to hold Fu Yunxi’s hand while mounting the carriage and even complained that the carriage was too cramped. Prince Qi, pleased with himself, immediately ordered his own carriage to escort them back. Fu Yunxi sensed that Zhuang Hanyan had another plan and asked if she intended to marry Prince Qi to free Yao Wangshu.

However, Zhuang Hanyan merely smiled knowingly and cryptically replied, “Pei Yingyue is about to return. ”Later, Yao Wangshu attempted suicide once again, prompting Prince Qi to personally intervene to save her. This was the final stage of the talisman ritual—Prince Qi believed that Yao Wangshu was resisting the spirit of Pei Yingyue. Sure enough, when Yao Wangshu awoke, she had completely transformed into Pei Yingyue, recalling their first meeting and past moments together.

Overjoyed, Prince Qi indulged in a few blissful days with her. However, one night, Yao Wangshu suddenly woke him and questioned how long a mere wandering soul like hers could remain in the mortal world. She insisted that they must die together, terrifying Prince Qi to the point where he no longer dared to stay in his own manor. At that moment, Zhuang Hanyan arrived unannounced.

Overjoyed, Prince Qi personally welcomed her into the inner residence, ordering that Yao Wangshu be locked away. He subtly expressed his affections for Zhuang Hanyan, proposing that she divorce Fu Yunxi and offering to marry her instead. Zhuang Hanyan seized the opportunity to have Prince Qi write a divorce decree, officially freeing Yao Wangshu. Without hesitation, Prince Qi complied. As Prince Qi was writing the decree, Yao Wangshu escaped and cried out from outside the doors, demanding to see him.

Terrified, Prince Qi hastily finished the document and banished her forever. However, as he watched her leave without any resistance or pleading, he sensed something was amiss. Ordinarily, Yao Wangshu should have been weeping and making a scene, so he quickly ordered his men to pursue her. By then, Yao Wangshu had already reached the back gates, where Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi were waiting with a carriage.

They whisked her away, while Fu Yunxi locked the pursuing guards inside the estate. Yao Zhidong was overjoyed to see his daughter return and was deeply grateful to Fu Yunxi and Zhuang Hanyan. Zhuang Hanyan once again pleaded on behalf of Consort Miao, arguing that the empire’s true troubles were not caused by her. She reminded Yao Zhidong that he, too, had a daughter he cherished, and Consort Miao’s parents must feel the same about her.

Moved by these words, Yao Zhidong agreed to postpone any action against Consort Miao, though he vowed to intervene if she ever harbored ill intentions. From then on, no one attempted to impeach her again. Fu Yunxi urged Zhuang Hanyan to visit Consort Miao immediately to make it clear that they were her secret allies. With her support, even if Prince Qi caused trouble in the future, he would not be able to act against them.

Realizing he had been tricked, Prince Qi stormed into Fu Yunxi’s residence, demanding that he turn his sham divorce into reality. He even drew his sword, intent on killing Fu Yunxi. Just then, Zhuang Hanyan stepped out and rebuked Prince Qi for trying to break up another couple’s marriage in their own home. Taking advantage of the distraction, Fu Yunxi seized Prince Qi’s sword and forced him to leave. However, Prince Qi soon returned with soldiers, surrounding the couple. Just as battle seemed imminent, Eunuch Feng arrived with an imperial decree—Consort Miao had summoned Zhuang Hanyan to the palace.

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