The Glory Episode 8 Recap, Plot

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Yang Ping, having lost part of his ear to Zhuang Hanyan’s bite in childhood, took the opportunity at the banquet to slander her reputation, even accusing her of being crude and unruly as a child. Even Zhuang Yuchi stepped forward to criticize Zhuang Hanyan, claiming she was domineering at home. However, instead of denying the incident, Zhuang Hanyan openly recounted the entire story, exposing how Yang Ping had bullied her since childhood.

As a result, Yang Ping not only failed to tarnish her name but also ended up with a reputation for mistreating his young neighbor. Enraged, he stormed off, while Zhou Ruyin, who had expected to enjoy the spectacle, was visibly displeased that her scheme had failed. Zhuang Hanyan brought some food for Chai Jing in a secluded location.

Discussing Yang Ping’s arrival in the capital, Chai Jing knew that Yang Ping had harbored resentment against Zhuang Hanyan for years and would surely try to eliminate her. However, due to Fu Yunxi’s stringent investigations, Chai Jing had to remain hidden. That night, Zhou Ruyin stole the exam questions from the study and had her son memorize them overnight. When her son struggled to understand the questions, she specifically sought out Young Master He to explain them to him.

At this time, Young Master He had already developed feelings for Zhuang Hanyan at first sight, so he was naturally eager to help upon seeing Zhuang Yuchi’s elder sister. The next day, when the exam began, Young Master He saw the question and realized it was the one he had explained to Zhuang Yuchi the previous night. Knowing that answering it would result in a suspicious similarity, he chose to withdraw from the exam.

Later, Zhuang Yuchi’s response impressed the examiners, who praised him in front of Zhuang Shiyang. However, Zhuang Shiyang knew his son was incapable of such talent and could only play along, refusing to reveal any suspicion of cheating. Even Zhou Ruyin doubted her son’s ability, but Zhuang Yuchi adamantly denied any wrongdoing. Due to his performance in the exam, Zhuang Yuchi stood out among the candidates.

While drinking with other students, he became overconfident and failed to recall the original text when challenged. His statements were met with disagreement from the other scholars, leading to a heated argument that nearly escalated into a fight. The others, finding him not worth their time, left first. Coincidentally, Zhuang Hanyan was drinking next door, while Fu Yunxi and his men were discussing a case at the same tavern. They witnessed all of Zhuang Yuchi’s behavior.

Zhuang Hanyan initially intended to leave but was noticed by Zhuang Yuchi. He stubbornly pulled her along, insisting on marrying her off to Young Master You, even making inappropriate jokes about their wedding night, completely disregarding his role as a younger brother. Fu Yunxi, having noticed Chai Jing in hiding, did not act but instructed his men to summon Zhuang Hanyan, both to rescue her and to use her as bait to lure Chai Jing out.

Fu Yunxi questioned Chai Jing’s identity and her connection to Zhuang Hanyan. Seeing that Zhuang Hanyan refused to answer, he pretended to threaten her. Chai Jing, seeing her benefactor in danger, rushed into the room, only to be completely outmatched by Fu Yunxi. Taking advantage of a moment when Fu Yunxi let his guard down, Zhuang Hanyan held him at knifepoint, allowing Chai Jing to escape. Despite being held hostage, Fu Yunxi was not angered by Zhuang Hanyan’s actions.

Just as they were about to leave, they ran into Minister Gao and his colleagues from the Ministry of Justice at the teahouse. The two quickly hid in a secret chamber and overheard them discussing Pei Dafu’s adopted son, who had been hiding in the capital for years. Minister Gao even mentioned that he had met this adopted son once many years ago.

Later, in the back alley, Zhuang Hanyan and Fu Yunxi were in a heated argument when a guard, mistaking them for a quarreling couple, jokingly asked Fu Yunxi whether he should bring both of them in for questioning. Fu Yunxi agreed and suggested that Zhuang Hanyan accompany him to the Court of Judicial Review, hinting that the matter might be relevant to her. Young Master You, having previously harassed Zhuang Hanyan, remained in Fu Yunxi’s memory.

He ordered his men to teach Young Master You a lesson. The next day, officials congratulated Zhuang Shiyang—word had spread that Zhuang Yuchi’s essay had caught the emperor’s attention. Upon reviewing the exam papers, the emperor expressed his desire to meet this young talent. Hearing this, Zhuang Shiyang hurried to court. Zhuang Yuchi, believing his essay had secured his success, excitedly rushed to the kitchen to share the news with his concubine mother, Zhou Ruyin.

To his surprise, Zhuang Hanyan was present. He took the opportunity to boast, completely unaware of the consequences of his cheating. Zhuang Hanyan merely sneered, realizing she no longer needed to act against him—his downfall was imminent. Soon after, several officials arrived at the Zhuang household, questioning whether Zhuang Yuchi’s essay was truly his own work. When he insisted it was original, the officials produced an exam paper from twenty years ago by Minister Han, which was identical to his.

Zhuang Yuchi stammered, unable to explain. The officials deduced that Zhuang Shiyang, as the proctor, must have been involved in favoritism. Zhuang Shiyang knelt, claiming that the family had failed in discipline and that he would punish his son severely. In an attempt to save her brother, Zhuang Yushan accused Young Master He of being the true author. Young Master He, bewildered, explained that he had merely shared his perspective and that his writing was not identical to Minister Han’s.

To prove his innocence, he even presented his original draft. Zhuang Yushan could not understand why Zhuang Yuchi’s essay matched Minister Han’s so precisely. In the end, Zhuang Yuchi was sentenced to a lifetime ban from the imperial examinations and was publicly humiliated for three days, while Zhuang Shiyang was fined six months’ salary.

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