Episode Summary
Zhuang Shiyang’s dark past resurges as he’s exposed for poisoning his father and framing sister Hanyan. Betrayals explode between Hanyan, Fu Yunxi, and Shiyang, while Ruan Xiwen’s escape with lover Yuwen Chang’an ends in a poisoned wedding tragedy. Hanyan vows revenge after her mother’s death, but Shiyang hides behind imperial power—and a conflicted Fu Yunxi.
Spoiler Alert
The Glory Episode 18: Betrayals, Poisoned Wedding Cakes, and a Mother’s Last Breath
Hold onto your jade hairpins, folks—Episode 18 of The Glory is a lot. Let’s unpack this emotional dumpster fire where family bonds are shattered, poison is the appetizer of choice, and absolutely no one trusts anyone. Buckle up.
The Zhuang Family Curse: Daddy Issues Edition
Rewind to the past: Zhuang Shiyang (our resident snake-in-a-robe) once pledged loyalty to corrupt official Pei Dafu as his “godson.” Why? Because Zhuang’s dad, Zhuang Hanliang, tried to expose Pei’s crimes. Shiyang begged his father to back off, fearing Pei would slaughter their whole family. But Hanliang, unimpressed by his son’s spinelessness, beat him with a stick (ouch). That night, Shiyang poisoned his dad’s snacks, framed his sister Zhuang Hanyan as the “Barefoot Ghost” reincarnate, and blamed her for the murder. Classy!
Present Day: Family Dinner Turns into a Roast Session
Fast-forward to now: Fu Yunxi (master of the brooding stare) drops the bomb that he’s also Pei Dafu’s godson. Hanyan, realizing she’s been played by both her father and her maybe-boyfriend, is crushed. Shiyang smugly reveals he blackmailed Fu during their family’s prison stint to save his own skin—hence why Fu let Hanyan recover a key corpse (Wu Youzhi) earlier. Fu fires back by accusing Shiyang of accidentally poisoning his own daughter, Zhuang Yuqin. At this point, Hanyan’s tears could fill the Imperial moat.
”Let’s Run Away!” (Spoiler: It Doesn’t Work)
Hanyan confides in her ride-or-die guard Chai Jing, vowing to flee the capital with her mom, Ruan Xiwen. But Fu overhears and exits stage left, heartbroken. Later, Hanyan confronts Shiyang for a divorce document to free her mom from their toxic marriage. Shiyang resists… until Ruan Xiwen, suddenly walking again, threatens to expose his crimes. He caves, signing the papers with ✨dramatic tears✨.
Wedding Bells… and Death Tolls
Ruan Xiwen and her long-lost love Yuwen Chang’an ditch the capital for a cozy cottage wedding. But Shiyang, still salty his wife never loved him, poisons their celebratory fish. The couple, knowing they’re doomed, toast anyway, exchange vows, and die mid-kiss. It’s tragic, poetic, and very Shakespearean—if Shakespeare wrote about political schemers in ancient China.
Hanyan’s Final Straw
Ruan Xiwen, crawling through flames (courtesy of Shiyang’s arson), gasps her last words to Hanyan: “I’m sorry I never hugged you enough.” Cue the ugly crying. Hanyan storms to the Zhuang estate, dagger in hand, but Shiyang’s protected by soldiers… and Fu Yunxi, now forced to point a sword at her. The episode ends with Hanyan screaming into the void as the gates slam shut.
Spoiler Snacks:
- Barefoot Ghost Myth: It’s just Shiyang’s gaslighting tactic. Surprise!
- Fu’s Redemption? He claims he didn’t know Hanyan eavesdropped on his convo at Nanshan Clinic. Jury’s out.
- Shiyang’s Motive: Dude’s a textbook narcissist. His villain speech? “No one ever loved meee!” (eyeroll)
Next Episode Tease: Will Hanyan go full Kill Bill on her dad? Can Fu redeem himself? And why does everyone keep eating suspicious snacks?! Tune in… but maybe skip the wedding cake.
