Queen Dugu Episode 39 Recap, Plot

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Mantuo, chastised by Queen Banruo, tearfully returned to the Dugu household. She lashed out at Madam Wang, who then threatened to leave. Mantuo quickly knelt, expressing remorse, which prompted Madam Wang to advise her against any further contact with Yang Jian. Madam Wang urged Mantuo to write a deeply affectionate letter to Li Bing, mentioning how much she missed him and their unfortunate child, in order to maintain her position as the duke’s wife.

Mantuo, though admitting to hating Li Bing, agreed to write the letter with feigned love. Madam Wang further offered to take a lock of Mantuo’s hair to the palace the next day, presenting it as a token of Mantuo's shame and plea for forgiveness from the Queen. Mantuo questioned if her palace entry token had been suspended. Meanwhile, Yang Jian had investigated and learned from Xiage that Mantuo was behind the switched marriage.

Despite the evidence, he still harbored a sliver of hope that Mantuo might have been forced or framed by her nanny. Zheng Rong then presented a letter intercepted from Hongbin Hotel, written by Mantuo to Li Bing. The letter contained sweet, longing words for her husband, which infuriated Yang Jian. He immediately ordered Zheng Rong to arrange a meeting with Mantuo at the Dugu house. Mantuo, dressed elegantly, arrived to meet Yang Jian.

She inquired about Banruo's reaction, attributing any harsh words to the Queen's bias toward Jialuo and her pregnancy. Mantuo then questioned if Yang Jian believed she had deliberately caused trouble between him and Jialuo. Yang Jian, feigning affection, implied he hadn't forgotten their past and asked her about her previous feelings for him. Overjoyed, Mantuo embraced him, claiming she had missed him day and night since marrying Li Bing, whom she referred to as an "old man."

When Yang Jian pressed her about bearing Li Bing's child, Mantuo insisted it was accidental and the child was now gone. She even declared that if she were to have another child with Li Bing, she would "send him to die." Yang Jian then produced her letter to Li Bing, demanding an explanation for her duplicity. Mantuo snatched the letter, frantically claiming that Officer Wang had written it and she had no knowledge of its contents.

Yang Jian, seeing through her lies, dragged her to Dugu Xin's memorial tablet. He ordered her to swear an oath before her father's spirit that she knew nothing about the marriage switch or the framing of Jialuo, warning that any falsehood would lead to a terrible death.

Mantuo hesitated, stammering, and struggled to utter the oath, confirming Yang Jian's suspicions that he had been completely deceived by her tears and supposed vulnerability, and that he had wrongly thought Jialuo was over-sensitive. He pushed her away, declaring their past vows broken due to her deceit. Mantuo desperately clung to him, pleading for him to listen, but Yang Jian remained unmoved. Just then, Jialuo, who had returned home, witnessed Mantuo embracing Yang Jian.

Misunderstanding the situation, she stormed off again. Yang Jian’s attendant informed him of Jialuo’s return and swift departure. Realizing Jialuo had misunderstood, Yang Jian quickly pursued her. He caught up to Jialuo, explaining that Mantuo had clung to him. He then unequivocally stated that he now understood Mantuo's true nature and would sever all ties with her. Yang Jian swore an oath to Jialuo that he would love and cherish only her until his dying day.

Jialuo, touched by his sincerity, playfully called him stupid but forgave him. She also apologized for her own previous narrow-mindedness, affirming her trust in him and her willingness to "bet on him this time." She warned him that if he ever betrayed her again, he would "be unable to gamble for the rest of his life." Yang Jian vowed never to betray her, asserting that having her was enough, as he was not an emperor who needed a harem.

Back at the Dugu house, Mantuo attempted to force her way into the side yard, but the steward blocked her, stating Jialuo's orders that no idlers were allowed. Mantuo argued her Dugu lineage and threatened punishment, but the steward maintained Jialuo was now in charge, a decision made by the old master before his death.

When Mantuo demanded the door be opened, Lihua’s nursemaid appeared, explaining that the child inside had an infectious disease and could not be exposed to the wind. Mantuo inquired about the child, and the steward claimed Lihua was an orphan from a charity house, taken in by Jialuo and isolated due to a strange illness. Mantuo, though suspicious, eventually left. Autumnci later informed Mantuo that Jialuo and Yang Jian had reconciled.

Jialuo and Yang Jian went to the palace to see Banruo, who expressed her relief at their reconciliation. Yang Jian assured Banruo that he had no feelings for Mantuo beyond their past engagement. Banruo, due to give birth soon, urged them to consummate their marriage and have children, also mentioning that the death anniversary of their father was approaching and the house should be cleaned.

She also mentioned her impending inability to manage court affairs and asked them to assist the Emperor. Yang Jian then questioned why Jialuo hadn't informed the Queen about Madam Lu. Jialuo explained that with the Queen giving birth soon, she didn't want to cause worry about the potential chaos if the Qi Emperor's father died.

She added that her friendship with Madam Lu was private, not a national affair, and she intended to keep that trust, but would instruct her brothers to monitor the borders and prepare for any incidents. Back at their home, Yang Jian busily redecorated their room for a fresh start, wanting everything to be new. Jialuo and Yang Jian exchanged playful banter and shared a kiss.

However, Jialuo insisted they wait to consummate their marriage until her father's mourning period was over. Yang Jian, though frustrated, jokingly declared he would vent his energy on his subordinates. Xiaodong informed Jialuo that Yuwen Yong was waiting at the back gate. Yuwen Yong told Jialuo he was leaving the capital to take up a post in Puzhou.

He explained that the Emperor, concerned about managing court affairs during the Queen's upcoming childbirth, had recalled General Yang, and Yuwen Yong had volunteered to take up the post in Puzhou in his stead. He added that he needed to distance himself to allow Jialuo a peaceful life with Yang Jian, free from the gossip surrounding their past.

Jialuo tried to assure him that they were not afraid of gossip, but Yuwen Yong insisted it was for his own peace of mind, as seeing her sadness pained him. He declared he would only be "Brother Yuwen" to her from now on and hoped that, with time, he would forget her and fall in love with another woman. Before departing, Yuwen Yong requested to see Lihua one last time.

Autumnci secretly observed Yuwen Yong playing with Lihua, who called him "dad." Autumnci reported her observations to Mantuo, who immediately concluded that Lihua was Jialuo and Yuwen Yong's illegitimate child. Mantuo then approached Yang Jian, urging him to accompany her, claiming others were plotting behind his back.

She led him to a vantage point overlooking the Dugu house's side yard and pointed out Lihua, suggesting she was less than two years old and born of Yuwen Yong, implying Jialuo was the mother. Enraged by her claims and seeing the hidden child, Yang Jian immediately rushed to Yuwen Yong's residence to confront him about Lihua's identity. Yang Jian confronted Yuwen Yong, demanding to know about Lihua.

Yuwen Yong, surprised by Yang Jian's knowledge, initially refused to confirm anything, telling him to ask Jialuo. He taunted Yang Jian, suggesting he was afraid of Jialuo's reaction. Eventually, Yuwen Yong deliberately admitted that Lihua was indeed related to the Yuwen family and called him "dad," further fueling Yang Jian's suspicions. Yuwen Yong mocked Yang Jian for his reluctance to confront Jialuo, concluding that Yang Jian and Mantuo were a "perfect match" due to their shared "stupidity."

That evening, Yang Jian returned home and sat alone in his study, drinking to drown his sorrows. Jialuo brought him food, and he abruptly asked her if she still liked Yuwen Yong. Jialuo was stunned by his question.

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