Queen Dugu Episode 28 Recap, Plot

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On the day of Dugu Xin's funeral, Queen Dugu Banruo was unable to attend due to her pregnancy, so Emperor Yuwen Yu represented her. Dressed in mourning clothes, Yuwen Yu knelt before Dugu Xin's tomb, stating he was there not as Emperor but as a son-in-law and brother-in-law. Jialuo knelt beside him.

Yuwen Yu expressed deep regret, lamenting that Dugu Xin's death was a sacrifice resulting from his own failure to heed loyal counsel, which led to the bloody conflict with Yuwen Hu. He swore at the tomb that he would avenge Dugu Xin by killing Yuwen Hu. Meanwhile, Yang Jian and Zheng Rong returned to the Yang Manor, where Yang Jian was incensed to learn his marriage had been arranged in his absence.

He confronted his father, Yang Zhong, demanding to know why his beloved Mantuo had been replaced by Jialuo. Yang Jian declared his intention to go to the capital to revoke the marriage, but Yang Zhong angrily threatened to disown him. Just then, Madam Yang arrived with an urgent letter from the capital. Reading it, Yang Zhong's demeanor changed, and he solemnly announced that Dugu Xin had committed suicide ten days prior.

Madam Yang realized that Dugu Xin had hastily arranged Jialuo's marriage as a dying wish, entrusting her care to the Yang family. Yang Zhong then reminded Yang Jian that his own life had been saved by Dugu Xin years ago, and warned him that if he dared to mistreat Jialuo, he would personally seek Dugu Xin's forgiveness in the afterlife.

Yang Jian conceded, agreeing not to revoke the marriage, but insisted his father accompany him to the capital to pay respects to Dugu Xin. He also suggested they use the public sentiment surrounding Dugu Xin's death to pressure Yuwen Hu into relinquishing his military power, thereby ensuring the safety of the Emperor and Queen and the stability of the Dugu family.

Privately, Yang Jian told Zheng Rong that he still intended to wait for Mantuo his whole life and would eventually seek a peaceful divorce from Jialuo once the current crisis passed. At the Dugu Manor, Jialuo, remembering her promise to her father, began tidying his belongings and affirmed her commitment to uphold the Dugu family. She planned to divide her time between the Yang and Dugu Manors to manage affairs for both.

Soon after, Yuwen Yong visited, expressing his condolences and assuring Jialuo that he would now care for her as an older brother, relieving her of any further worries. The capital had been experiencing incessant rain since Dugu Xin's death, fueling public rumors that Heaven was expressing its anger over the injustice of his demise. The rumors intensified when lightning struck Yuwen Hu's deceased mother's memorial hall.

Commoners openly discussed how Yuwen Hu, the treacherous minister, had forced both the former Emperor and the Prime Minister to their deaths, thus deserving divine retribution. Yuwen Hu was enraged, loudly denying that he had ever forced Dugu Xin to commit suicide. His servant suggested the lightning strike might be an orchestration. To manage the widespread public outrage, Yuwen Hu decided to memorialize the Emperor, proposing that Dugu Xin, a loyal and brave man, be buried in the imperial mausoleum.

This move delighted Banruo and Jialuo, revealing it to be their calculated plan to restore Dugu Xin's reputation. Banruo explained that the "lightning" was created by igniting saltpeter and sulfur, a technique she learned from the Jici Army. Despite Yuwen Yu's concern about her previous agreement to abdicate and Jialuo's plea to avoid revenge, Banruo remained unyielding.

She declared her determination to reclaim everything Yuwen Hu had taken, asserting that with her father gone, she was now the head of the Dugu family. Yang Zhong and Yang Jian arrived in the capital and visited Dugu Xin's tomb. Later, in court, Yang Zhong directly challenged Yuwen Hu, accusing him of forcing Dugu Xin's suicide.

Yang Zhong pointed out the absurdity of blaming Dugu Xin for Yuchi Kang's rebellion, rhetorically asking if he, Yang Zhong, could stage a revolt and simply use Yuwen Hu's name, thus making Yuwen Hu punishable by the world. Other ministers defended Yuwen Hu, citing Dugu Xin's suicide letter. Yang Zhong retorted, citing public opinion and the multitudes demanding justice for Dugu Xin. Yuwen Hu, visibly annoyed, questioned Yang Zhong's motives.

Yang Zhong then demanded Yuwen Hu return the Tiger Token, the symbol of military power, to the Emperor. A heated argument ensued, with ministers divided. Suddenly, Queen Banruo entered the court. She acknowledged her role as a woman of the harem but stated her father's case compelled her to intervene. She initially seemed to support Yuwen Hu, stating her father's final letter indicated guilt towards the former Emperor, and thus no one should blame Taishi Yuwen Hu.

She urged everyone to set aside past disputes and work together for the nation. While ministers praised her mercy, Banruo subtly shifted her argument. She gently suggested that for Yuwen Hu to hold both civil and military power would lead to rumors of usurpation, which she, knowing his integrity, could not bear. To prove his innocence, she suggested he hand over military power to the Emperor.

When Yuwen Hu hesitated, she presented Yuchi Kang's confidant, who claimed to have made a deal with General Geshu, Yuwen Hu's close aide, and produced a letter as proof. Faced with this direct accusation and mounting pressure, Yuwen Hu had no choice but to surrender the Tiger Token. He mockingly passed the heavy token to Banruo, suggesting she hold it carefully lest it crush her unborn child and force her to follow her father in death.

Unfazed, Banruo gracefully received it and presented it to Emperor Yuwen Yu. The court erupted in cheers for the Emperor, while Yuwen Hu sullenly acknowledged the Queen. After the session, Yuwen Hu confessed to Geshu that Banruo was far more dangerous than he had realized, ordering Geshu to devise a way to deal with her. Later, during a private discussion, Yuwen Yu expressed gratitude to Yang Zhong and Yang Jian.

Despite Yang Jian's desire to return to the border due to potential unrest from the Qi Kingdom following Dugu Xin's death, Yuwen Yu promoted him to General of Cavalry and asked him to remain in the capital to command the imperial guard. Yang Zhong heartily approved, even humorously suggesting that Yang Jian and Jialuo, as newlyweds, should spend some time alone. However, the interaction between Jialuo and Yang Jian remained tense.

When Yang Zhong urged Jialuo to go home with Yang Jian, she retorted, "Who wants to serve him?" Yang Jian, in turn, declared he didn't care about her. Yang Zhong sternly rebuked his son for his childish behavior in front of the Emperor and Queen, praising Jialuo's maturity, capable management of the household, and her crucial role in helping them reclaim military power. He argued Jialuo was a far better match than Mantuo, who he deemed less magnanimous.

Yang Jian, however, adamantly reaffirmed his vow to wait for Mantuo his entire life, swearing that if he ever broke this promise and married another, his family would be broken, and he would die at the hands of his relatives. In the Longxi County Duke's manor, after Mantuo's pregnancy was confirmed stable, her servant Wang finally informed her of Dugu Xin's suicide a month prior, explaining it was due to his implication in Yuchi Kang's rebellion.

While Mantuo was initially shocked and saddened, her immediate concern was whether Emperor Yuwen Yu and Queen Banruo still held their positions, as their power was her primary source of support. Upon confirmation of their safety, Mantuo declared that she was not without allies, having both her eldest sister and the child she carried. She resolved that this child would be her means to secure her standing.

She deduced that the other concubines in the manor, who had recently seemed pleased, must have already known the news. The next day, anticipating Li Bing's return from Hongzhou, Mantuo elaborately dressed in a pink gown and arranged for jade incense to be burned, as it was his favorite scent. She greeted him cheerfully upon his arrival, pretending ignorance of her father's death and presenting a table of dishes she had personally prepared. After some hesitation, Li Bing broke the news of Dugu Xin's death. Mantuo feigned utter shock and heartbreak, then dramatically fainted into his arms.

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