Queen Dugu Episode 21 Recap, Plot

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Banruo, heavily pregnant, confides her deep worries and guilt to Dongqu. She fears that while she can deceive Yuwen Yu for now, she cannot fool him for a lifetime about the child's true parentage. The more kind and attentive Yuwen Yu is, the more unsettled Banruo feels. She even contemplates causing a miscarriage by falling down stairs, hoping to bury the truth and alleviate her overwhelming guilt.

Dongqu reassures her, reminding her that these sacrifices are for Jialuo's sake, and that the child is crucial for Banruo to become empress and seize power. Banruo acknowledges this but remains troubled. Meanwhile, Jialuo reflects on whether her advice to Banruo to keep the child was right or wrong. She questions the lives lost to secure Banruo's position but also couldn't bear to see her sister kill her own child.

Dongqu wisely tells Jialuo there is no right or wrong, only cause and effect. In these troubled times, one cannot control the past, only the future, much like a copper coin that may have a violent or peaceful past but is simply a coin in one's hand. Jialuo accepts this perspective, resolving to focus on planning for the future.

On the day of the imperial court, Yuwen Jue, instigated by Zhao Gui, prepares to launch an attack against Yuwen Hu and Yuwen Yu. Unexpectedly, Dugu Xin is absent, having taken temporary leave due to illness, thus escaping disaster. As Yuwen Hu and Yuwen Yu arrive, assassins swarm them. Yuwen Jue vehemently accuses Yuwen Hu and Yuwen Yu of rebellion, declaring they deserve death. Yuwen Yu attempts to reason with his older brother, but Yuwen Jue is unyielding.

However, Yuwen Hu and Yuwen Yu were prepared. At Yuwen Hu's command, loyal guards and soldiers quickly surround Yuwen Jue and Zhao Gui, forcing the assassins to surrender. Realizing his plan has failed, Yuwen Jue begs for his life. Yuwen Yu, too, pleads with Yuwen Hu to spare his brother, citing their shared family name. Yuwen Hu reveals he never intended to kill Yuwen Jue, as only the emperor himself could announce his abdication to the ministers.

Yuwen Jue, under duress, publicly announces that Zhao Gui harbored ill intentions and framed Yuwen Hu. He then confesses his own lack of virtue and ability and formally abdicates the throne to the Prince of Ningdu, Yuwen Yu. When some ministers hesitate, a guard sternly reminds them of the emperor's decree, prompting them all to kneel and hail the new emperor. Yuwen Yu becomes the supreme emperor and Banruo naturally becomes the noble empress.

All civil and military officials kneel and bow, submitting to him, but only Yuwen Hu bows respectfully, refusing to kneel, leaving Yuwen Yu angry but helpless. As the court is dismissed, Zhao Gui, still defiant, curses Yuwen Hu for making Yuwen Yu a "cuckold" emperor. Enraged by the insult, Yuwen Jue personally stabs and kills Zhao Gui. Yuwen Hu then decrees that Zhao Gui's general position will go to Geshu.

Yuwen Jue is demoted to Duke of Luoyang, his servants reduced, and he is sent to be a grave keeper for the former emperor. Yuwen Yu attempts to intercede for Yuwen Jue, suggesting leniency due to his abdication, but Yuwen Hu ignores him and proceeds with drafting the decree, firmly asserting his authority over the cowering ministers. Back in the palace, a furious Yuwen Yu laments being a mere puppet, feeling invisible compared to Yuwen Hu.

In his rage, he accidentally pushes Banruo to the ground. Immediately regretting his actions, he calls for doctors, apologizing profusely and offering Banruo to scold or hit him. The imperial doctor reports that Banruo is overly anxious and has hurt the fetus, needing quiet rest. Banruo calms Yuwen Yu, urging him to remain composed for her and their child, and not to follow Yuwen Jue's impulsive path. He promises to do anything for their safety.

Later, Yuwen Hu brazenly enters Banruo's chambers, tenderly feeding her tonic and expressing his joy for their unborn child. He mocks Yuwen Yu for daring to lose his temper on Banruo, questioning if he truly believes himself emperor. Banruo explains that Yuwen Yu was upset because Yuwen Hu publicly shamed him on his first day. Yuwen Hu justifies his actions, stating he needed to establish his power, promising to be more restrained once Dugu Xin attends the imperial meeting.

Banruo reveals Dugu Xin's intention to retire due to his age and guilt over the former emperor, and that he is unwilling to continue serving as an official. Banruo confesses her anxiety about being empress, feeling like she's "walking on thin ice." As Dongqu reminds Yuwen Hu the palace gates are closing, Banruo urges him to avoid frequent visits to her chambers to prevent rumors that could jeopardize their son's claim to the throne.

Yuwen Hu agrees, suggesting they meet at Longxing Buddhist Temple during her visits there. Yuwen Hu also mentions Yuwen Yong's release, restored title, and additional land, wondering if Jialuo would be happy and if Banruo would arrange an imperial marriage. Banruo dismisses the idea, knowing Dugu Xin would never agree. Indeed, Dugu Xin tells Jialuo he objects to her marrying Yuwen Yong, who has been weak since childhood and, according to doctors, is unlikely to live past thirty-five.

Dugu Xin emphasizes that with Banruo as empress and Mantuo far away, Jialuo is his only remaining child, and he doesn't want her to become a widow soon after marriage. He tearfully begs Jialuo to listen to him this time. Jialuo reluctantly agrees. Yuwen Yong, however, comforts Jialuo, expressing contentment just being able to spend time with her, his hair having grown back after his time as a monk.

He jokes about her possibly falling for another man but promises to wait for her until her wedding day. Meanwhile, in Longxi, news of Banruo becoming empress reaches Li Bing, who, after a month of neglecting Mantuo, rushes to congratulate her with his concubines, including Feng Shi, and a celebratory banquet. Mantuo, still resentful of their previous bullying, harshly rejects their congratulations and gifts, calling them "bitches" and demanding Li Bing send them away.

Feng Shi, understanding the shift in power, leads the concubines to accept punishment in the outer court. Li Bing, after apologizing for his neglect, reconciles with Mantuo. Mantuo's maid advises her to be less confrontational, warning that a continued poor relationship with the concubines could embarrass Li Bing and potentially affect her standing if he believes she has a bad relationship with the Queen. Mantuo agrees, realizing that "only the Dugu family is my most powerful reliance."

She decides to write apology letters to her father and sister, hoping to mend ties and gain support against the concubines. She believes her father is soft-hearted and will forgive her past mistakes. Later, Banruo discusses Jialuo's subdued state, lamenting that her and Mantuo's actions have hurt their father, making him more protective of Jialuo's future. She receives Mantuo's letter, which expresses regret for her past immaturity.

While Banruo acknowledges Mantuo brought some of her troubles upon herself, she asserts she "will definitely not ignore her" because she is still her sister. Banruo declares that only "she" can bully Mantuo, not "a group of peasants." She decides to send Lady Wang, a shrewd former attendant of Yuwen Jue from the Taiyuan Wang family, to Longxi to assist Mantuo and gather intelligence from Li Bing. Yuwen Yu, despite feeling like a "useless emperor," agrees to this "little thing."

He then expresses concern over Banruo's frequent visits to Longxing Temple while pregnant, and laments his own declining health since becoming emperor, noting his hands shake so much he can't pour tea. Banruo dismisses her attendants. The imperial doctor then secretly informs her that Yuwen Yu "has been poisoned by mercury," a colorless and tasteless poison, likely for several months. Without intervention, he could die within six months to a year.

The doctor can use medicine to slowly ease the poison but warns of the long-term uncertainty. Banruo orders the doctor to proceed with discreet treatment and to keep the poisoning absolutely secret, fearing the poisoner might change ingredients if they discover their plot is known.

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