Queen Dugu Episode 20 Recap, Plot

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Yuwen Hu learned of Banruo's pregnancy. The doctor had told him she was less than two months along, but he suspected otherwise, realizing this was why she had been avoiding him. He was furious, noting that after sleeping with him, she had then slept with Yuwen Yu. Geshu, seeing Yuwen Hu's distress, commented that Banruo was an immoral woman who didn't deserve him and for whom Yuwen Hu had almost died.

Yuwen Hu angrily ordered Geshu and everyone else to leave, then sank to the ground, heartbroken by the news. Meanwhile, Yuwen Yu cherished Banruo and their unborn child. To satisfy Banruo's supposed craving for sour fruits during her pregnancy, he climbed a tall orange tree, recalling that medical texts allowed pregnant women to eat oranges. He accidentally fell, sustaining a minor injury. Banruo, seeing his injury, was touched yet worried and insisted on tending to his wounds.

Yuwen Yu dismissed the pain, saying he would do anything for their baby. He was overjoyed, excitedly planning names for their child: Xian if it was a boy, and Su if a girl, though he confessed a preference for a boy, believing a child with the blood of both the Yuwen and Dugu families would become a great person. He then pressed his ear to Banruo's belly, hoping to feel movement.

Banruo, teary-eyed, simply hoped he would love their child with all his heart. Later that night, Banruo felt her personality changing, becoming more prone to tears. Chunshi observed that Banruo was genuinely touched by Yuwen Yu's sincerity. She advised Banruo to forget the pursuit of "conquering the world" and instead live a happy, ordinary life with Yuwen Yu, stating that a caring partner was more important than ambition.

Chunshi also assured Banruo that with her pregnancy, she would need to stay home for at least two years, and Dugu Xin (the master) and Yuwen Yu would manage court affairs. She believed that as long as they didn't oppose His Majesty, he wouldn't act against Banruo, and noted Jialuo's concern that Banruo might neglect the baby for imperial court matters. Far away in Longxi, Manduo's new life as the Duke's wife began with challenges.

Feng, the concubine who previously managed the household, brought her children and the other concubines to greet Manduo. Manduo graciously accepted tea from the two young masters and the fourth lady, but when it was Fifth Lady's turn—Feng's daughter—Manduo intentionally delayed taking the cup. Fifth Lady, only six years old, struggled to hold the heavy cup, causing it to spill and scald her hand.

Fifth Lady cried, accusing Manduo of being evil and deliberately hurting her, and also revealed that Manduo's servant had called her a "bastard" the day before. Manduo denied it, calling the child confused. Feng, playing the role of a peacemaker, defended Manduo, saying it was an accident. However, during the commotion, it was revealed that Manduo had made the child kneel for too long.

Li Bing, visibly displeased, ordered everyone to be silent and took Fifth Lady to get treatment, consoling her. He then declared the incident an accident and dismissed the gathering. Manduo followed Li Bing to their room, crying and accusing Feng and Fifth Lady of framing her, and cursing Feng and the others as sluts. She complained about Feng forcing her to perform the concubine's ceremony. She demanded Li Bing clear her name, not just protect her.

Li Bing, having reached his limit, retorted that a six-year-old child couldn't frame her, and the incident was Manduo's fault for making a small child kneel too long. He then lashed out, reminding Manduo that her mother was merely a singer, while Feng's mother came from a respectable background, implying Feng was superior. Manduo was stunned and heartbroken as Li Bing stormed out. Feng, ever observant, used the opportunity to comfort Li Bing.

She subtly reminded him not to neglect Cheng, his eldest son by his late first wife, now that he had a new wife. Li Bing agreed to dine with Cheng. The next day, Manduo attempted to go to the main hall to see Li Bing, but Feng blocked her, citing a rule established by the late madame that women were not permitted in that part of the estate.

Feng further provoked Manduo by announcing that Li Bing had sent her to attend a birthday banquet at Lin Cishi's mansion in Manduo's stead. Enraged, Manduo retreated to her room, vowing to give Li Bing the cold shoulder. That evening, Li Bing came to apologize, but Manduo demanded he carry a tree branch on his back in an act of extreme humility. Humiliated, Li Bing turned and left.

Manduo's servant observed that such tactics, which might have worked on her father, were useless on Li Bing, who, as a duke, had seen all kinds of women. One day, Yuwen Yu took Banruo out for a stroll. He thoughtfully had hawthorn cakes made for her, believing they would ease her pregnancy sickness. Banruo, however, confessed her lifelong dislike for hawthorn. Chunshi added that hawthorn was cooling, and Yuwen Yu, having recently suffered from diarrhea, should also avoid it.

Yuwen Yu, undeterred, decided to feed the cakes to the fish in a nearby pond. Seeing many carp, he excitedly remarked it was a good omen for a baby boy. Shortly after they left, all the fish died. Banruo and Chunshi tested a leftover cake with a silver needle, confirming it was poisoned. Banruo immediately realized the poison was meant for Yuwen Yu, as Yuwen Hu was the only one who knew her aversion to hawthorn.

Rather than strengthening their defenses, Banruo decided it was time to confront Yuwen Hu. Banruo sought out Yuwen Hu, accusing him of trying to murder Yuwen Yu. Yuwen Hu, in a fit of passionate rage, declared he would kill Yuwen Yu for marrying the woman he couldn't have. To calm him, Banruo revealed the truth: she was three months pregnant, and the child was his. She admitted to bribing the imperial doctor to shorten her reported pregnancy.

Yuwen Hu was ecstatic and swore he believed her. Banruo then explained that for their son to one day ascend to the throne, Yuwen Yu must remain alive as the child's official father. She argued that Yuwen Hu, despite his power as Taishi, could not be emperor because he was not a son of the late Emperor Yuwen Tai and his mother was of lower birth.

By having their child recognized as Yuwen Yu's, he would possess a noble identity and be the "first grandson of the late emperor," making him a legitimate heir. She urged Yuwen Hu to help Yuwen Yu become emperor now, promising that their son would be filial to him when he grew up and inherited the throne.

Yuwen Hu, moved by the prospect of his son becoming emperor, agreed to spare Yuwen Yu and support their plan, stating that this was the son he wanted most. After Banruo left, Geshu expressed doubt, questioning why Banruo would wait months to reveal the pregnancy if this was her plan all along. Yuwen Hu dismissed his concerns, explaining that Banruo might have panicked and that he had only promised to spare Yuwen Yu for now, not forever.

Banruo then shared her plan with Jialuo, explaining she had to reveal the truth to Yuwen Hu to save Yuwen Yu's life. She needed Jialuo to convince Dugu Xin to support their efforts to depose Yuwen Jue within half a year, emphasizing that their father must not know the child's true parentage. Jialuo was hesitant, worried about the immense risks and the potential consequences if Yuwen Yu ever discovered the truth.

Banruo countered that since she chose to keep the baby, she must secure the best future for him. She argued that their child, possessing the blood of both the Dugu and Yuwen noble families, deserved this chance. She stressed that she didn't want their son to be powerless like Jialuo once was (framed by others but unable to fight back), or forced to kneel and beg for help like Dugu Xin (kneeling in the snow but receiving no help).

This undertaking, she asserted, was for their child, for Yuwen Yu, and for the Dugu family's future. Jialuo reluctantly agreed to help. Jialuo then spoke with Dugu Xin, revealing that Yuwen Jue had ordered Banruo's pregnancy medicine to be secretly swapped. She explained that Yuwen Jue, having no heir, was enraged by Banruo's pregnancy and feared ministers would push for Yuwen Yu's nephew to be made crown prince, prompting Banruo to act.

Jialuo declared she would stand by Banruo, especially for Yuwen Yong's freedom. Dugu Xin, already disillusioned by Yuwen Jue's actions, agreed to remain neutral and not interfere with Banruo's plans. Holding a sword that the late Emperor Yuwen Tai had given him, Dugu Xin murmured about breaking his promise to assist the emperor and stated his belief that he would soon join "Brother Yuwen" (Yuwen Tai) to apologize for his failure.

Back at the Ningdu Mansion, Yuwen Yu's attendants reported his concern over Banruo's frequent outings while pregnant. Banruo reassured him and then revealed her intricate plan: she had made deals with generals outside the capital for a revolt to force Yuwen Jue's abdication. She detailed how she had spread rumors to make Zhao Gui believe a coup would occur when the main troops returned, thereby prompting Zhao Gui to move against them prematurely.

This would allow them to accuse Zhao Gui of treason and depose Yuwen Jue, who would then be isolated. Yuwen Yu, recalling their previous failed attempt, expressed skepticism, especially about Dugu Xin's involvement and Yuwen Hu's troops obeying them. Banruo assured him that Dugu Xin's disappointment in Yuwen Jue would keep him from intervening.

Regarding Yuwen Hu, she explained she had made a deal: he would retain his position and power, and they would strategize to take back that power once Yuwen Yu was on the throne. Yuwen Yu, still uncertain, began to question her, but Banruo quickly dismissed his implicit doubts, affirming her loyalty as his Princess and instructing him to remain calm and watch the events unfold.

Yuwen Yu, however, questioned the necessity of pursuing the throne when their lives were not bad. Banruo reminded him of Yuwen Jue's continuous threats since her pregnancy, arguing it was better to strike first than to be "meat on somebody's chopping board." She appealed to his paternal ambition, asking if he didn't want their child to be the most noble person in the world, to sit on the dragon chair and see their beautiful country upon opening his eyes.

Convinced, Yuwen Yu promised to follow her lead. As their plan progressed, Banruo confirmed that General Lin and General Wu were ready. She noted that Zhao Gui was likely in the palace, reporting to Yuwen Jue and falling deeper into their trap. Though physically resting, Banruo remained anxious, aware that while she might deceive Yuwen Yu for now, she couldn't hide the truth forever.

Episode 19 Recap

Episode 21 Recap