Queen Dugu Episode 18 Recap, Plot

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After a night together, Dugu Banruo immediately asked Yuwen Hu if he could deploy his troops. Yuwen Hu replied tenderly, asking if they could meet every day if he returned safely. Banruo, however, commented that once he became emperor, he would have many women vying for his attention and wouldn't need her. Yuwen Hu simply asked her to lie to him, revealing his deep feelings. He then ordered his troops to gather and attack the palace.

His subordinate, Geshu, vehemently tried to dissuade him, cautioning against losing his mind over Dugu Banruo again, but Yuwen Hu was resolute. Geshu muttered about women's charm destroying nations. Just then, a report came: Yuwen Yong, with only one attendant, had broken through the city defenses and was at the palace gates, beating the Jingyang drum and claiming sole responsibility for the private troops. He had come to surrender.

Banruo was shocked, realizing Yuwen Yong was sacrificing himself to take the blame for Jialuo's alleged rebellion, which could cost him his head. Yuwen Hu observed that the Yuwen family was truly affectionate. Banruo quickly urged Yuwen Hu to stop Emperor Yuwen Jue from acting rashly that night and instead hold off until the public trial the next morning, as Yuwen Jue would surely condemn Yuwen Yong to death if given the chance tonight.

At the imperial court the following day, Yuwen Yong declared that the private soldiers at the charity house were his, authorized by his father for military training, and he had merely lent them out to protect against robbers. He pleaded with Yuwen Jue to investigate and not implicate Jialuo. Zhao Gui warned Yuwen Yong against taking the blame for a capital offense like rebellion.

Yuwen Yong insisted that he acted alone, explaining that Jialuo had saved his life before, and he couldn't abandon her. He stressed that his "private army" consisted of fewer than 500 men with old, mismatched weapons, incapable of a rebellion. Yuwen Yu supported Yuwen Yong, confirming that Yuwen Yong's troops had indeed conducted exercises. Yuwen Hu chimed in, suggesting it was all a misunderstanding and questioning how loyal Dugu Xin's daughter could be a rebel.

Other ministers also spoke up, praising Jialuo's character and implying someone was trying to frame the Dugu family and the prime minister, hinting at a setup. Yuwen Jue was enraged, accusing everyone of conspiring and even bringing up the former emperor. He called Yuwen Yong a "son of a slut" and dismissed his legitimacy, asserting that even a small private troop warranted the death penalty.

Yuwen Yong countered that as a high-ranking official appointed by the former emperor, he was legally allowed to have an army, and therefore, privately recruiting soldiers wasn't a crime. Furious, Yuwen Jue ordered Yuwen Yong's immediate execution. Dugu Xin and the other officials immediately knelt, pleading with the Emperor to reconsider, arguing that while Yuwen Yong was guilty, the death penalty was too harsh.

Yuwen Jue viewed their actions as a threat and vowed to kill them too if they defied him. Dugu Xin clarified they only wished for Yuwen Jue not to bear the bad name of killing his brother in anger, asking for a lighter punishment out of respect for the former emperor. Zhao Gui, however, insisted on severe punishment.

Yuwen Hu then escalated the argument, accusing Zhao Gui of trying to frame the prime minister and Yuwen Yong, questioning Zhao Gui's intentions given his ties to the Qi generals during the ongoing war. Yuwen Yu further questioned why Zhao Gui was at Dongshan during the incident and why he continued to press the matter when even Yuwen Hu considered Jialuo's involvement a misunderstanding.

Zhao Gui, in turn, accused Yuwen Yu of collusion due to his marriage to Dugu Xin's daughter. Yuwen Hu skillfully played on Yuwen Jue's paranoia, suggesting that if Zhao Gui was targeting Yuwen Yong and Yuwen Yu, he might target Yuwen Jue next. Finally, Yuwen Jue delivered his verdict: Dugu Xin was to forfeit three months' salary and undergo house arrest for failing to teach his daughter properly. Dugu Jialuo was temporarily acquitted and allowed to return home.

Yuwen Yong, for keeping private troops, was stripped of his position and sent to Xinglong Temple to become a monk. After the court session, Dugu Xin thanked Yuwen Yong for saving Jialuo's life, but Yuwen Yong urged him to take Jialuo home immediately due to her severe injuries. Dugu Xin then left with Jialuo, who was still recovering. Meanwhile, Banruo was visibly distressed, having barely slept for days.

Yuwen Yu, comforting her, worried about her health and noted that Banruo blamed herself for Jialuo's predicament, feeling inadequate compared to Yuwen Yong. He reminded her to take care of herself. Yuwen Yong proceeded alone to Xinglong Temple, where he shaved his head and became a monk. Later, Yuwen Yu visited him, encouraging him to bear the situation patiently and assuring him that Yuwen Jue would eventually allow his return.

Yuwen Yong thanked Yuwen Yu for his support in court, to which Yuwen Yu responded that as brothers, no thanks were needed. Yuwen Yu expressed surprise at Yuwen Yong's sacrifice for Jialuo and even commented that they should have forced Dugu Xin to let Jialuo marry Yuwen Yong. Yuwen Hu also visited, and Yuwen Yong thanked him for saving him twice. Yuwen Hu clarified that he acted because someone requested it, subtly referring to Banruo.

He then advised Yuwen Yong to embrace weakness when necessary, reminding him that as long as he lived, there would be opportunities to rise again. Yuwen Yong's eyes burned with determination, vowing to eventually erase this disgrace. Meanwhile, Dugu Xin remained by Jialuo's side, full of self-reproach for not protecting her and allowing Zhao Gui to take advantage.

He vowed to care for her more than ever, dismissing her apologies as mere thoughtlessness for the family's sake, and reassured her that the nightmare was over. Once Jialuo was stable, she cornered Dongqu, demanding to know what had truly transpired during her imprisonment. Despite being ordered to stay silent, Dongqu eventually revealed that Dugu Xin and Banruo had knelt in the snow all night, and most shockingly, Yuwen Yong had become a monk for her.

Overwhelmed with guilt, Jialuo burst into tears, believing she had brought trouble upon everyone. Dongqu tried to console her, suggesting that at least Dugu Xin could now see the Emperor's true nature. Refusing to be held back, Jialuo insisted on seeing Yuwen Yong, and Dongqu secretly took her to Xinglong Temple. At the temple, Jialuo found Yuwen Yong, now shaven-headed and a monk.

Their eyes met, and Jialuo wept, blaming herself for his fate and declaring she would become a nun if he was a monk. Yuwen Yong, however, gently told her not to be silly, expressing happiness that she was healthy. The abbot intervened, scolding Jialuo for disrespecting temple rules, as Xinglong Temple was a royal temple closed to outsiders. Jialuo pleaded with the abbot to care for Yuwen Yong, offering a donation and promising to visit often.

The abbot, recognizing her as Dugu Jialuo, revealed Yuwen Jue's cruel order: if Tianhe (Yuwen Yong's monastic name) met an outsider, he would be denied meals. Heartbroken and helpless, Jialuo watched as Yuwen Yong was pulled further into the temple. Overcome with pain, Jialuo vowed that she would never again suffer such humiliation and declared Yuwen Jue unfit to be emperor, echoing Banruo's earlier sentiments.

Back home, Banruo was distraught over Jialuo's disappearance, but seeing her safe, her relief turned to concern for Jialuo's recovery. Jialuo, however, lied about her whereabouts, claiming she had only taken a walk at the Ruyu shop, and assured Banruo she was fine and had resolved to be strong. She vowed to make those who had wronged the Dugu family pay, a sentiment Banruo was glad to hear. Meanwhile, Dugu Mantuo journeyed to Longxi with Li Bing.

Mantuo complained about the long and arduous two-month journey, but Li Bing doted on her, attributing the delay to her recent illness and assuring her of his care. Her maid, Qiuci, flattered Mantuo, emphasizing how much Li Bing cherished her and how powerful the Duke of Longxi was, with his own territory and army, making him almost like an emperor.

Mantuo, though feigning modesty, clearly reveled in the thought of being the "empress of Longxi" and taking charge of the household. Later, Li Bing discreetly discussed the political situation with a confidant, acknowledging that while Zhao Gui hadn't fully brought Dugu Xin down, Dugu Xin had certainly lost the Emperor's favor. He expressed regret that their marriage alliance with the Dugu family seemed "too rushed" now, given Dugu Xin's declining influence.

He also noted Yuwen Hu's clear support for Dugu Xin, pondering the implications if they became allies. He chose to keep these political insights from Mantuo, maintaining an image of loving devotion. Jialuo, determined to contribute to her family's future, discussed business opportunities with Dongqu. After considering various options, Jialuo noticed a court gazette report about an earthquake in Luonan.

Recalling an ancient text that associated earthquakes and peculiar brown or black rocks with gold, she theorized the existence of a gold mine in Luonan. To avoid suspicion and her "shamed" status in the capital, she suggested visiting Luonan under the guise of offering aid to disaster victims. Dongqu, impressed, offered to send a former gold miner to investigate, promising news within half a month, and Jialuo agreed to share half the profits if a mine was found.

Meanwhile, Banruo continued to avoid Yuwen Hu. Her maid, Chunshi, urged her to face him, fearing Yuwen Hu's persistence could cause trouble. Banruo confided that she felt immense guilt whenever her husband, Yuwen Yu, touched her, tormented by the memory of her night with Yuwen Hu.

She felt "weird," constantly replaying the intimate details of that night in her mind, and questioned why she had to beg men for help to save Jialuo, especially given her ambition to conquer the world. Chunshi reminded her that her actions were necessary to save Jialuo, who was close to permanent injury.

Despite constantly reminding herself it was a calculated sacrifice for Jialuo, the Dugu family, and her ultimate goal of becoming Empress, Banruo couldn't shake off the lingering thoughts of Yuwen Hu. Chunshi, realizing Banruo was suffering from lovesickness, warned her to hide her feelings from Yuwen Yu. Yuwen Hu, frustrated by Banruo's coldness and avoidance, was still deeply consumed by thoughts of her.

He dismissed his subordinate's critical remarks about Banruo, remembering her tearful plea for Jialuo and wishing she would show such raw emotion for him. He admired her cruelty, seeing it as a reflection of his own. Desperate to see Banruo, Yuwen Hu approached Jialuo, feigning concern for her recovery. Jialuo thanked him for his help to Yuwen Yong in court and asked his purpose.

Yuwen Hu admitted he wished to see Banruo, who was avoiding him, and asked Jialuo to help. Jialuo declined, stating it was inappropriate for a Princess to meet with the Grand Tutor. Yuwen Hu then produced a belt, claiming Banruo had left it at his mansion. He instructed Jialuo to tell Banruo that if she refused to come, he still had her belt. Jialuo remembered Banruo's belt missing the day she returned home.

Upon hearing Yuwen Hu's message, Banruo was overcome with a mixture of shame and anger and suddenly felt faint. Jialuo and Chunshi quickly summoned a doctor, who delivered shocking news: Princess Banruo was pregnant. Jialuo was overjoyed, excitedly planning to tell their father and Yuwen Yu about the impending arrival of her nephew. However, Banruo's face was pale, as the doctor estimated the fetus to be two months old, raising the question of its paternity.

Chunshi quickly intervened, stopping Jialuo from immediately telling Dugu Xin, explaining that it was considered bad luck to announce a pregnancy before three months, lest the baby be "shocked" and not be born. Jialuo, though naive, promised to keep the secret, vowing to follow Banruo's lead.

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