Queen Dugu Episode 13 Recap, Plot

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> Queen Dugu Recap

On her wedding day, Mantuo donned a vibrant bridal gown, but her joy quickly soured when she realized her father, Dugu Xin, had not arranged for her brothers to escort her, and the Prime Minister's residence was deserted, devoid of guests for her wedding. Her eyes reddened with fury as she confronted her father, demanding to know why her once-in-a-lifetime wedding was so shabby, especially when her elder sister Banruo had received six ceremonial fans, while she only had two.

Dugu Xin, deeply disappointed by Mantuo's continued focus on such matters, impatiently waved her off, instructing the housekeeper to send her away. Just then, Yang Jian unexpectedly arrived. He humbly stated he wasn't there to cause trouble but wished to honor the tradition of brothers escorting their sisters to the carriage. Since Mantuo's brothers were absent, he requested Dugu Xin's permission to do so. Dugu Xin, touched by Yang Jian's sincerity, granted his request.

As Yang Jian gently took Mantuo's hand to lead her to the sedan chair, he recited a poem about a beautiful, vibrant peach blossom and a bride finding a happy family. Mantuo, tears streaming down her face, grieved the path she had chosen, knowing she should have married this kind young man. Outside, Li Bing, her new husband, waited eagerly, making light of Yang Jian's role.

Yang Jian, heartbroken, watched as Mantuo was carried away, and Li Bing casually invited him to visit them often. Later, on their wedding night, Li Bing tenderly held Mantuo's hand, admitting he couldn't remember anything from the night that led to their marriage and expressing his desire to recreate that intimacy. Mantuo, with a hint of worry, asked if he would truly treat her well forever, to which he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Yang Jian was alone, playing a somber tune on his flute, lost in his despair. In another location, Jialuo was receiving treatment for her wound. The accompanying sister-in-law revealed that Yuwen Yong had personally gone to dangerous cliffs to gather rare herbs for her medicine, unable to wait the ten days a normal procurement would take. Jialuo, touched yet confused, recalled Yuwen Yong saying he didn't like women like her, wondering why he would go to such lengths.

The sister-in-law advised her to pay attention to a man's actions, not just his words, hinting at Yuwen Yong's true feelings and questioning why Jialuo's engagement to Cheng had been so abruptly broken when she and Yuwen Yong had always seemed a perfect match. Jialuo, still pondering, questioned why Yuwen Yong hadn't intervened in her engagement if he truly cared.

A few days later, on Mantuo's day to return home, Dugu Xin received news that Mantuo had officially been granted the title of Duchess. Though he had appeared aloof at her wedding, he had been anxiously awaiting this news, relieved that she was doing well. However, his relief was short-lived as rumors began to spread throughout the capital.

The rumors claimed that Jialuo's cancelled marriage was Dugu Xin's doing, as he allegedly intended to marry Jialuo to Yuwen Yong, thereby supporting Yuwen Yong to usurp the throne, given Emperor Yuwen Jue had no heir. Alarmed by the severity of these accusations, Dugu Xin immediately ordered an investigation and rushed to the palace to explain himself to the Emperor.

Banruo also heard the rumors and initially suspected Mantuo, but then dismissed the idea as too dangerous, as such a crime would implicate their entire family, including Mantuo. She then considered Yuwen Hu but deemed it unlikely, given his recent support for Yuwen Yong. Banruo concluded that some malicious individual must be behind the rumors, but trusted that her father, a loyal minister, would be believed by the Emperor.

At the palace, Yuwen Jue outwardly dismissed the rumors, assuring Dugu Xin of his trust and loyalty. However, he then brought up a new matter, planning to appoint General Zhao Gui as the Minister of Rituals to counter Yuwen Hu's growing influence, entrusting Dugu Xin with the difficult task of securing Yuwen Hu's consent. After Dugu Xin departed, Yuwen Jue's demeanor drastically changed.

He flew into a rage, condemning Dugu Xin as a hypocrite who secretly aligned with Yuwen Hu, even striking the Empress when she attempted to defend Dugu Xin as a loyal minister. Overwhelmed by paranoia and fear of losing his throne due to his lack of an heir, Yuwen Jue expressed his anxiety about Dugu Xin possibly supporting Yuwen Yong, especially if Yuwen Yong, who had gained Yuwen Hu's trust, were to marry Jialuo.

The Queen, recovering, wisely suggested that Yuwen Jue adopt a child from the imperial clan as his heir and take on new concubines to ensure his succession. Relieved by this counsel, Yuwen Jue eagerly embraced the plan, vowing to curb Dugu Xin's power, distribute influence, and "teach that slave Yuwen Yong a lesson." Dugu Xin, meanwhile, understood that the Emperor's trust was a facade and that the appointment of Zhao Gui was a move to dilute his own power.

He received a report indicating that the rumors originated from an opera troupe, whose manager had received money from Mantuo's servant, Qiuci. Suspecting Mantuo's involvement, he ordered Qiuci to be brought for questioning under the pretext of inquiring about Mantuo's married life.

When Mantuo and Li Bing arrived for her return visit, Mantuo observed the lack of a grand reception and openly expressed her resentment that her father didn't come to greet her at the gate as he had for Banruo. Dugu Xin, looking displeased, sent Li Bing to a side hall with Dugu Shun, then confronted Mantuo and Qiuci. He accused Mantuo of spreading the rumors about Jialuo and Yuwen Yong plotting to usurp the throne.

Mantuo initially denied it, but then defiantly admitted her actions, stating she wanted revenge. She blamed her father's favoritism for her "pitiable" marriage to an old man and accused Banruo and Jialuo's mothers of conspiring to cause her own mother's death, declaring it "karma." Mantuo angrily proclaimed her desire for Jialuo to be scorned and Banruo to fail as queen, even if it meant everyone dying together. Overcome with rage and shock, Dugu Xin collapsed, unconscious.

Mantuo, fearing Li Bing would discover the truth, quickly instructed Qiuci to claim Dugu Xin had fainted suddenly. When Li Bing rushed in, she feigned heart palpitations, and Qiuci suggested they return to their lodging. However, Li Bing, concerned about appearances and the three-day return custom, insisted they stay, sending Qiuci to fetch Mantuo's medicine.

The housekeeper, having heard the doctor's diagnosis, suspected Mantuo's culpability and attempted to send for Banruo and Jialuo, but Mantuo, feigning anger, rebuked him for interfering and for always favoring Jialuo. Unaware of the true cause of Dugu Xin's illness, Li Bing continued to dote on Mantuo. Meanwhile, Yang Jian, still distraught over Mantuo's marriage, was found drunk and fighting in the market, drawing comments from onlookers about his wife being "taken" by another.

Jialuo intervened, assisting him, but Yang Jian lashed out, blaming her for Mantuo's unfortunate fate and his own misery. Angered by his ingratitude, Jialuo walked away. When Banruo and Jialuo arrived at the Dugu residence, Mantuo appeared visibly anxious. Dugu Xin eventually regained consciousness, but to preserve Mantuo's reputation, he covered for her, stating that he had merely lost his footing and fallen. Recognizing Mantuo's deceit, Banruo later confronted her in the Buddha hall.

Mantuo, emboldened by her new title as Duchess, tried to deny her actions. However, Banruo, pressing a hairpin to Mantuo's delicate cheek, threatened to tattoo "Jian" on her, exposing her past affair to Li Bing. Terrified, Mantuo pleaded for forgiveness. Banruo sternly reminded Mantuo that without her family's support, her status as Duchess meant nothing, and if she continued to bring shame upon the Dugu family or obstructed Banruo's path to becoming Empress, Banruo would find ways to destroy her.

She gave Mantuo two days to pack her belongings and return to Longxi, warning her to behave properly. Qiuci urged Mantuo to rely solely on Li Bing, to which Mantuo, now humbled, agreed. Later that evening, Banruo and Yuwen Yu escorted Li Bing and Mantuo as they prepared to depart for Longxi. Yuwen Yu, always thoughtful, expressed his care for Banruo and revealed his understanding that her heart did not belong to him.

He vowed to fulfill every task she set for him, hoping that one day she might come to love him. On their journey, Li Bing and Mantuo were surprised to find Jialuo waiting for them. Jialuo explained that Dugu Xin, unable to stand, had sent her to bid them farewell. Mantuo attempted to blame her nanny for the earlier "incident," but Jialuo calmly dismissed the topic.

Jialuo then presented Mantuo with a bag of golden leaves as a gift for her servants and advised her that Dugu Xin had a good friend, Liu Shuweng, in Longxi, whom she could seek help from if needed. Jialuo gently urged Mantuo to take good care of herself on the long journey. Mantuo, watching the capital fade into the distance, defiantly vowed that she would return one day, with pride and honor.

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