Episode Summary
Zhou Ruyin is betrayed by Zhuang Shiyang, who attempts to have her killed after her murder confession. Rescued by Han Yan, Ruyin allies with her upon learning Shiyang murdered her daughter and Ruan Xiwen. They uncover a forged IOU implicating Shiyang in financial crimes. Meanwhile, Fu Yunxi faces family turmoil and is arrested during a village investigation exposing Shiyang’s loan-shark scheme using Han Yan’s name.
Spoiler Alert
The Glory Episode 26: Betrayals, Bloody Hairpins, and Paper Trails
Let’s talk about The Glory’s latest chaos, because this episode had more twists than a palace concubine’s braided wig.
Zhou Ruyin’s Face-Off (Literally)
After confessing to murdering Zhuang Hanliang in court, Zhou Ruyin thought she’d masterminded her way to safety. Joke’s on her! Zhuang Shiyang—ever the loving husband /s—sold her off to human traffickers. Desperate, Ruyin tried to slash her own face with a hairpin to lower her "market value," but Shiyang snatched it away like a villainous magician. He played nice, asking the traffickers to "find her a good home," but secretly ordered her buried alive in the countryside. Enter Han Yan, our resident spy queen, who swooped in to rescue Ruyin. The irony? Ruyin never imagined her savior would be the woman she’s spent years scheming against.
Buried Secrets (and Bodies)
The trauma bonding intensifies when Ruyin learns Shiyang murdered not just her rival Ruan Xiwen… but also Ruyin’s own daughter, Zhuang Yuqin. Cue the maternal rage spiral. Han Yan, ever the philosopher, drops truth bombs: "Real nobility isn’t about gold or titles—it’s about controlling your own destiny." Turns out, Ruyin’s late frenemy Xiwen used to say the same thing. Between sobs, Ruyin finally hands over the smoking gun: a forged IOU that could destroy Shiyang.
Evidence 101: Always Keep a Backup
Flashback time! Years ago, Shiyang’s illiterate wife Wei Shi accidentally handed Ruyin a loan document from Shiyang’s shady dealings in Shiyang Village. Ruyin swapped the real IOU for a fake, keeping the original as her "break glass in case of murderous husband" insurance. Now, she gifts it to Han Yan, but not before helping loyal servant Tao Mama escape with enough cash to retire. Drama note: Ruyin refuses to flee Beijing, vowing to watch Shiyang’s downfall… and protect her surviving daughter Yushan.
Meanwhile, in the Fu Household…
While Han Yan’s out solving crimes, her husband Fu Yunxi is stuck explaining why their fake divorce letter got "accidentally" discovered. His excuse? "It was just a prank, mom!" Smooth. The real heartbreaker? Their adopted daughter A’zhi, terrified of losing her new mom, gets a tear-jerking pep talk from Han Yan about love and family. But right when things get cozy, Yunxi hands Han Yan… an actual divorce paper? His vibe: "No time to explain, let’s road-trip to Shiyang Village!"
Shiyang Village: Where Everything Goes to Hell
The village visit starts with elderly locals begging Han Yan to "spare their children." Confused? Same. Turns out Shiyang’s been laundering money through her name, using loan sharks to exploit farmers. The kicker: Everyone thinks she’s the predatory lender. Before our duo can process this, Magistrate Yan arrives to arrest them. Yunxi plays hero, letting himself get cuffed while Han Yan hides. Final shot: His longing glance at her hiding spot.
MVP of the Week: Tao Mama
Shoutout to Shiyang’s chef/co-conspirator Tao Mama, casually enjoying a home-cooked meal with her boss post-trafficking cleanup. Her face says "I’ve seen things," and honestly? Same.
Next Episode Predictions:
- Yunxi’s jailhouse glow-up
- Han Yan going full Sherlock on those IOUs
- Ruyin’s inevitable betrayal (or redemption?)
- Someone needs to check on A’zhi’s emotional stability.
This show remains a wild ride—less a period drama, more a telenovela with fancier costumes.
