Episode Summary
The Deng family’s chastity award celebration spirals into scandal as Hanyan and Fu Yunxi uncover a secret affair between Zhang Wanjun and censor Cheng Lei. After blackmailing Lord Deng with the exposé, Zhang rebels against patriarchal constraints, fakes her death, and escapes with Cheng—while Han forces Deng’s hand in a political conspiracy.
Spoiler Alert
The Glory Episode 21: Schemers, Scandal, and a Very Fussy Patriarch
Well, folks, the Deng family just learned the hard way that throwing a party to celebrate a literal chastity award is basically asking for drama. Let’s unpack how this chaotic banquet turned into a soap opera-worthy showdown.
The "Chaste" Celebrations
The episode kicks off with Zhang Wanjun (daughter-in-law of the powerful Lord Deng) receiving a royal chastity commendation (yes, that’s a thing here) for her devotion to her late husband. The Dengs throw a lavish banquet to flaunt their newfound prestige. Meanwhile, our scheming duo—Fu Yunxi and Hanyan—arrive under the guise of guests. Fu warns Han to keep eyes peeled for a mysterious letter that could expose Lord Deng’s political enemies.
Hanyan’s "Subtle" Espionage
Han, ever the social climber, waltzes into the party uninvited. Lord Deng isn’t suspicious—he already knows she’s a smooth operator (she did score a bracelet from Consort Miao last season, after all). But things get spicy when Han notices Zhang Wanjun and her daughter Deng Chan acting super shifty, especially around a certain mystery guest behind a screen.
Follow That Old Man!
When Lord Deng slips away mid-party, Han tails him… only to lose him in the maze of Deng Manor. Meanwhile, Fu raids the gift room (classy) but finds nada. Just as our heroes think they’ve struck out, in walks Cheng Lei—a censor from theDuchayuan (think: ethics watchdog). Han tries to con him into handing over "the letter," but Cheng ain’t budging. Cue Fu popping outta nowhere to knock him unconscious (smooth). They snag a book from his robes…
The Scandalous Novel
Turns out, it’s a copy of The Legend of Hua Yue with juicy margin notes exposing Cheng Lei’s secret affair with someone named "Yaojian." Han and Fu smell blood: Lord Deng prides himself on his family’s "impeccable morals," so this scandal could ruin him. They threaten to leak the book unless he rats out his political allies.
Deng Family Meltdown™
Plot twist! The book’s author is "Chanzhi Xue"—a pen name that just happens to include Deng Chan’s name. When Lord Deng interrogates Cheng Lei, Deng Chan shockingly claims she’s the author and confesses to the affair! But wait—she’s supposed to marry Young Master Zheng next week. Lord Deng, red-faced with rage, disowns her and orders her to marry Cheng Lei instead.
Mama Bear Enters the Chat
Zhang Wanjun (Deng Chan’s mom) bursts in, sobbing that Cheng Lei’s "beneath" her daughter. But Cheng’s hearteyes at Zhang—and Deng Chan’s quiet plea for her mom to shut up—tip Han off: Ohhh, Cheng’s actually into Zhang Wanjun. Later, spies confirm it: Cheng and Zhang are secret lovers, while Deng Chan still pines for Young Master Zheng.
Boom! Fire! Feminism!
When Lord Deng catches Zhang and Cheng together, Han drops the mic: "Why can men have mistresses while women get locked in chastity prisons?" Zhang then delivers a iconic monologue: Her late husband abused her, took credit for her writings, and now she’s done playing the "virtuous widow." She and Cheng flee the manor via a fake suicide-by-fire stunt (courtesy of Han’s scheming).
Epic Blackmail Finale
Han, posing as Zhang, stays behind to taunt Lord Deng with the emperor’s chastity decree—threatening to burn it unless he names Yao Zhidong as the mastermind behind the Consort Miao plot. Defeated, Deng caves. The episode ends with him clutching the decree, screaming about his family’s "honor" to the ancestors… as his world literally burns.
Next Episode Teaser:
Will Yao Zhidong strike back? Can Consort Miao survive this political grenade? And is anyone in this show not having a secret affair? Stay tuned!
Spoiler Snacks:
- Zhang Wanjun’s rebellion is everything.
- Deng Chan’s wedding switcheroo: Young Master Zheng shows up to "rescue" her.
- Fu Yunxi’s smirks per minute: ∞. Classic him.
