Queen Dugu Episode 15 Recap, Plot

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> Queen Dugu Recap

After putting Jialuo to sleep, Banruo went to comfort her father, Dugu Xin. Dugu Xin lamented Jialuo's current sadness, noting she used to be so cheerful but had become withdrawn due to Mantuo's actions, leading to her illness. He blamed himself for not ensuring his daughter's well-being. Banruo tried to reassure her father, explaining that the doctor believed Jialuo was simply going through a difficult time and would recover quickly with rest and medicine.

Banruo offered to take Jialuo to her mansion to recuperate, but Dugu Xin declined, stating that her mansion had many matters requiring attention and he would care for Jialuo at home. As Banruo left, she expressed her guilt for not looking after her father and Jialuo better, feeling responsible for their troubles. Her maid, Chun Shi, suggested that all the recent misfortunes were caused by Mantuo, and since Mantuo had left, things would improve.

Passing a bakery, Banruo stopped the carriage to buy Jialuo's favorite pastries. While collecting the pastries, Yuwen Hu's subordinate, Ge Shu, approached, indicating Yuwen Hu wished to see her. Banruo followed him to a quiet water pavilion, where Yuwen Hu was waiting. She thanked him for helping Jialuo recently. Yuwen Hu observed her thin appearance and dark circles, accusing Yuwen Yu of not taking good care of her.

Banruo deflected his concern, mentioning her own family's recent troubles, then clarified that the palace, not the Ningdu mansion, was her true future home. Yuwen Hu revealed his deep knowledge of her recent actions, knowing she was aligning with Zhao Gui to provoke him and ultimately weaken Yuwen Jue's power, paving the way for Yuwen Yu to ascend the throne. He understood that Zhao Gui, recently promoted by the Emperor, was eager to challenge him.

Banruo admitted her intentions and challenged Yuwen Hu to stop her. Yuwen Hu, however, laughed and pledged his full support, stating he would not impede her. He made it clear, though, that once she became Empress, she would belong to him. He warned her not to fall in love with Yuwen Yu, sensing from her physical reactions that she still harbored feelings for him despite her marriage.

Banruo acknowledged his observation and decided to press forward with her plan, using his support to achieve her goals. Upon returning to her mansion, Banruo found Yuwen Yu pacing anxiously, worried about her absence. His genuine concern touched her. To express her gratitude, Banruo offered to cook him a fish for dinner, which delighted Yuwen Yu, who immediately rushed off to fish.

Watching him, Banruo reflected on her conflicting emotions, realizing Yuwen Yu was a good husband, but she was not a good wife. Meanwhile, back at the Dugu residence, Jialuo continued to struggle with her illness, eating only to please her father before discreetly vomiting later. Dugu Xin was heartbroken by her suffering.

The housekeeper then announced the arrival of Madam Lu, whom Dugu Xin initially couldn't place until he realized it was Lu Zhen, a noble from the Qi Empire and former owner of Ruyu Shop, with whom he and Jialuo had met in Luozhou. Lu Zhen paid her respects, though Dugu Xin insisted on treating her with deference given her status.

Lu Zhen explained she had come to visit Jialuo, whom she considered a sister, having corresponded with her over the years and hearing about the Dugu family's recent troubles and Jialuo's illness. Dugu Xin explained Jialuo was struggling to cope with the dramatic changes and had become deeply depressed. Lu Zhen requested to see Jialuo, and Dugu Xin readily agreed, hoping Lu Zhen's presence would cheer her up. Lu Zhen and Jialuo joyfully reunited.

Jialuo poured out her heart, recounting her distress after Yuwen Yong's departure and her feelings of uselessness, despite her family's care. She asked Lu Zhen for guidance, wanting to alleviate her father's worries. Lu Zhen took Jialuo to a porcelain kiln, explaining the intricate process of making porcelain, from preparing the clay to glazing and firing. She showed Jialuo new, rough but resilient porcelain, contrasting it with beautiful but fragile old pieces.

Lu Zhen asked Jialuo which she would rather be. She spoke about life being like seasons, constantly changing, and that challenges were inevitable. She reminded Jialuo that at sixteen, she had responsibilities and would face unexpected hardships. Drawing on her own past struggles in the palace, Lu Zhen advised Jialuo to embrace the suffering, comparing it to the clay enduring the kiln's heat, which ultimately transforms it. Jialuo grasped the metaphor, declaring her desire to be a strong, excellent porcelain.

Lu Zhen further advised Jialuo to not just be humble, but to also learn how to use her resources and power wisely, reminding her that as the Prime Minister's daughter, her actions could affect both Zhou and Qi. She stressed the importance of Dugu Xin being able to focus on politics, warning that Yuwen Hu's unchecked power could lead to another war between the two states.

Feeling much better, Jialuo was then stopped by a young kiln worker, Qu Dong, who demanded compensation for her clothes that Jialuo had accidentally dirtied while trying her hand at clay molding. Qu Dong, despite her humble appearance, presented a meticulously calculated, exaggerated list of costs for cleaning, wear and tear, and lost wages, amusing Jialuo. Jialuo, in good spirits, gave Qu Dong her money pouch, much to her maid Chun Ye's dismay.

Later that night, Qu Dong arrived at the Dugu mansion, returning a gold bean she had found inside the pouch, emphasizing her honesty and clear principles. Impressed by Qu Dong's straightforward and clever nature, Jialuo offered her a position as her personal maid, replacing Xiage, and renamed her "Dong Qu." She offered a generous monthly salary and an invitation for Dong Qu to bring her younger sister to live with them.

Dong Qu, after quickly calculating the financial benefits, accepted but clarified she was not selling herself as a slave, expressing her desire for her descendants to remain free. Dugu Xin also approved of Dong Qu, noting her discipline and family loyalty. Chun Ye taught Dong Qu proper etiquette before returning to the Ningdu mansion. Banruo, too, was pleased to learn that such a clever and capable maid was now looking after Jialuo.

Later, at the charity house, Dong Qu expressed concern to Jialuo about the recent drought and potential famine, which could lead desperate villagers to raid the charity's food supplies. Jialuo, realizing the vulnerability of the elderly and children there, decided to adopt Dong Qu's suggestion and employ strong local villagers to cut bamboo for weaving baskets. In return for food supplies through winter, these villagers would form a patrol to guard the charity house.

Jialuo even considered providing them with weapons and training them like an army. Dugu Xin, busy with state affairs, gave Jialuo his blessing to proceed with her plans for the charity house, trusting her judgment. Dugu Xin returned to court after his illness, only to find Emperor Yuwen Jue had become wary of him.

He recounted to Jialuo how the Emperor had promoted Zhao Gui and stripped Dugu Xin of his former powers, leading to escalating conflict between Zhao Gui and Yuwen Hu, destabilizing the court. Jialuo, frustrated, criticized the Emperor's foolishness and ruthlessness, citing his mistreatment of Yuwen Yong. Dugu Xin suspected someone was manipulating Zhao Gui from behind the scenes, and Jialuo suggested investigating Zhao Gui, believing his reckless actions would reveal the mastermind.

Unbeknownst to Dugu Xin, Banruo was indeed the instigator. She was meeting with Zhao Gui, encouraging him to "serve the king" by taking action against Yuwen Hu. She skillfully framed it as clearing the path for her father to retire peacefully as a Taishi, downplaying his political ambition. Yuwen Yu then entered, assuring Zhao Gui that the entire Ningdu family supported his endeavors, regardless of the outcome.

After Zhao Gui left, Yuwen Yu expressed his concern to Banruo, insisting that he handle all future public dealings, especially those involving such dangerous political maneuvers. Banruo explained she acted to spare him from dilemmas and confessed her personal belief that Yuwen Jue was an unfit emperor, citing his poor governance and cruel treatment of his brothers. She confidently declared her intention to ensure Yuwen Yu became emperor, believing he would be a better ruler.

Suddenly, Dugu Xin burst in, having uncovered Banruo's machinations. He angrily confronted her, accusing her of blind loyalty and demanding she order Zhao Gui to halt his military mobilization immediately. Banruo defiantly refused, asserting her independence as Princess of Ningdu and stating her decisions were her own. She argued that stopping now would endanger the entire Ningdu family.

She further rationalized her actions by claiming an incompetent emperor, who caused chaos and civilian suffering, should be replaced, dismissing her father's concerns about reputation as misguided in such tumultuous times. Dugu Xin, furious, disowned her, vowing to prevent her from bringing ruin to the Dugu family's generations-old reputation. Yuwen Yu attempted to mediate, but Banruo remained unyielding, declaring that she wouldn't drag down the Dugu family if things went wrong.

Dugu Xin, exasperated, left, regretting allowing Banruo to marry Yuwen Yu. Back home, Jialuo greeted her father. Dugu Xin, still reeling from the confrontation, pondered reporting Banruo's treachery to the Emperor. Jialuo, however, immediately objected. She reasoned that it was better for the competent Yuwen Yu to replace the cruel and foolish Emperor, who had used Dugu Xin against Yuwen Hu and mistreated Yuwen Yong. She believed Yuwen Yu would fully trust Dugu Xin. Dugu Xin was further incensed by his youngest daughter's unexpected support for Banruo's dangerous ambitions.

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