Queen Dugu Episode 4 Recap, Plot

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> Queen Dugu Recap

Yuwen Hu was consumed by melancholy after his separation from Dugu Banruo. He confided in his subordinate, Geshu, that gaining power and the throne felt meaningless without Banruo by his side. Geshu, unable to understand his master's unwavering focus on one woman amidst countless beauties, urged him to concentrate on state affairs, despite his recent reckless actions and outbursts against the Prime Minister, Dugu Xin.

Yuwen Hu, however, countered that only Banruo truly recognized his strength and ambition, and only she possessed the capacity to help him ascend to the throne. He distinguished her loyalty from others, who served him for personal gain or obligation, and also mentioned Geshu's loyalty was due to his mother having saved Geshu's life. Yuwen Hu then recalled the pivotal moment he first fell for Banruo.

Years ago, at a feast hosted by Yuwen Jue, who was then a prince, Yuwen Hu was deliberately humiliated. Yuwen Jue, at his uncle's behest, compelled him to perform a sword dance for entertainment and then openly disparaged his humble origins, calling him a "bastard of a slave" and expressing his disgust at having to acknowledge him as kin. While others remained silent, Dugu Banruo courageously spoke up.

She defended Yuwen Hu, asserting that a person's worth should not be judged by their birth, citing historical figures who rose from humble beginnings to achieve greatness, and praised his powerful sword dance. This profound act of support left Yuwen Hu deeply enamored. He vowed that he would never permit her to marry another man, believing their connection to be destined. Later, a maid expressed her concern to Banruo about her sadness.

Banruo, with a stoic demeanor, explained that some matters, once they occur, cannot be reversed. She mused that not all separations indicate a lack of love; sometimes, circumstances simply prevent people from being together. She then politely dismissed her maid. That night, Yuwen Hu, unable to suppress his longing, secretly visited Dugu Banruo's courtyard. Banruo, aware of his presence, asked her maid to leave and confronted him about his arrogant habit of coming and going as he pleased.

Yuwen Hu responded that nothing could prevent him from seeing her, and his thoughts drifted back to their shared past. He recalled an instance where he overheard Banruo praying at a temple, explicitly wishing to marry an Emperor and promising to rebuild the temple if her wish was granted. He also remembered a hunting trip with Yuwen Yu where they encountered a wild boar. Yuwen Yu panicked, but Banruo and Yuwen Hu bravely worked together to subdue the animal.

Afterward, Yuwen Hu, deeply impressed by Banruo's spirit, spontaneously kissed her. Banruo, disgusted, dismissed the kiss as merely being "bitten by a dog" and declared he was unworthy of her. Yuwen Hu then confronted her about her empress aspirations, questioning how Yuwen Yu, who was easily frightened, could ever achieve such a position, while simultaneously proclaiming his own ambition and asking her to marry him. Banruo acknowledged his charm but steadfastly stated he could not captivate her.

Returning to the present, Yuwen Hu complained that Banruo always made him pursue her after their disagreements. He apologized for Galora's kidnapping, acknowledging his fault, and pointed out his restraint in allowing her father to become Prime Minister without interference. He showed her a minor hand injury, claiming the pain in his heart was far greater. However, Banruo remained unyielding.

She asserted that their past could not be undone, and her father would never approve of their union, insisting they should simply move on from their past affections. Yuwen Hu, enraged, demanded how she could abandon their deep love and shared ambition for the throne, questioning how she could achieve her "Dugu's country" dream without him. Banruo retorted that her ambitions were "none of his business."

Yuwen Hu then accused her of plotting to marry Yuwen Yu, citing his frequent visits, gifts, and her secret inquiry into Emperor Yuwen Jue's infertility as proof of her scheme to aid Yuwen Yu's ascension. Banruo, no longer attempting to conceal her intentions, reminded Yuwen Hu that he had broken her trust by allowing his subordinates to harm her sister and tacitly condoning actions against her father.

She criticized his vicious and intolerant nature, which prevented him from forming genuine alliances, and pointed out that his own actions had sabotaged any potential alliance with her father. Yuwen Hu arrogantly declared he needed no allies to conquer the world alone. Banruo then challenged his concern over her marital choices. In a fit of uncontrollable rage, Yuwen Hu declared he would not passively watch his beloved marry another.

He threatened to kill Dugu Xin if he permitted her to marry someone else, and to kill Yuwen Yu if he dared to marry her. Banruo scornfully remarked that killing was his only resort. Enraged, Yuwen Hu grabbed her by the neck, threatening her life as well. Just then, Galora and Xiage, who had secretly followed Banruo, created a diversion by shouting about a "thief," forcing Yuwen Hu to release Banruo and flee.

Back in her room, Galora scolded Yuwen Hu for his brutality. Banruo, however, downplayed the incident, saying it was not that hard and she would have done worse in his place. Galora then questioned why Banruo would marry someone else if she truly loved Yuwen Hu, asking if the "Dugu's country" prophecy truly superseded genuine affection, citing the rarity of true love.

Banruo, recognizing that Galora, at fifteen, was old enough to understand, explained the perilous political situation facing their family. Their father, though Prime Minister, was in a precarious position, used by the Emperor to counterbalance Yuwen Hu and revoke military powers, while their brothers held low-ranking military positions far from the capital to avoid suspicion. She warned that if anything were to happen to their father, the Dugu family would face severe peril.

Since the male members of the family could not adequately protect them, the daughters had to step up. Banruo invoked the "Dugu's country" prophecy, declaring her determination to fight for their family's survival and prevent their downfall, citing the fates of the Erzhu and Yuan families. She admitted her love for Yuwen Hu but unequivocally stated that he was less important than her family's future and the "Dugu's country."

She urged Galora to mature and understand the intricate political landscape, prompting her to consider the true motives behind recent events, such as Galora's own kidnapping, their father's disapproval of her closeness to Yuwen Yong, Mantuo's arranged marriage to Yang Jian, and Yang Jian's feigned indolence. The next day, Galora, having absorbed Banruo's explanations, felt a profound sense of foolishness, realizing she had lived fifteen years largely ignorant of her family's struggles and her sister's sacrifices.

Yuwen Yong, visiting her, reassured her and expressed his commitment to protect her due to their friendship. Galora mentioned her father's disapproval of her closeness to Yuwen Yong. Yuwen Yong explained it was due to his own humble birth and lack of power, and the Emperor's long-standing dislike for him, which naturally made Dugu Xin hesitant. Galora dismissed political considerations, promising to secretly meet him at the Charity House, solidifying their bond as "good buddies."

She also confided her desire to help her family and her reluctance for Banruo to marry so soon, explaining Banruo's maternal role in her life and her impending loneliness once Mantuo also married. Yuwen Yong affectionately told her to grow up quickly, hinting at his deeper feelings and desire for her to marry him. Meanwhile, in the palace, Emperor Yuwen Jue, infuriated by Yuwen Hu's constant dominance and his ministers' silence, lashed out at Yuwen Yong for his passivity.

Despite the Empress's intervention, warning against further antagonizing Yuwen Hu, Yuwen Jue "rewarded" Yuwen Yong with the governorship of Tongzhou, a remote and dangerous border region prone to raids, implicitly hoping he would not survive. He simultaneously endowed Yuwen Yong with the title of Great General, ordering his immediate departure. Upon hearing the shocking news from Xiage, Galora immediately raced to intercept Yuwen Yong. She found him bruised and walking alone.

Heartbroken, she offered to beg her father to intercede, but Yuwen Yong gently refused, insisting Dugu Xin should not risk further conflict with Yuwen Hu and the Emperor. He downplayed his injuries and the dangers of Tongzhou, feigning enthusiasm for building a career and fighting valiantly, declaring he now had real power. He asked her to smile for him, finding solace in seeing her before he left.

As she promised to send him medicine and not forget him, Yuwen Yong, unable to contain his feelings any longer, confessed his long-held love for her. Acknowledging the suddenness of his declaration, he urged her to stay safe and await his triumphant return to the capital, promising to marry her with a splendid ceremony. Overwhelmed and blushing, Galora shyly agreed, sealing their promise with a pinky lock. Back at home, Galora was restless, her mind racing with Yuwen Yong's confession.

Yang Jian visited, expressing his concern for her sadness. Galora, after making him promise secrecy, recounted Yuwen Yong's declaration of love and promise of marriage. She admitted that while she had always viewed him as an elder brother, she couldn't bring herself to refuse him given the emotional circumstances of his departure and the uncertainty of when she would see him again.

When Yang Jian asked if she truly liked him, Galora vaguely replied "kind of," describing an unsettling emptiness at the thought of his sudden departure to the chaotic Tongzhou. She even compared this feeling to missing Mantuo, saying it was "more or less" the same. She then lightheartedly remarked that as a princess, she would not have to salute other women, prompting Yang Jian to call her "still young and knowing nothing."

Annoyed, Galora challenged him to offer a more concrete explanation if he disagreed. She then posed a complex dilemma: was the Emperor good or bad? She struggled to reconcile his cruel treatment of the physically frail Yuwen Yong with her father's staunch support for him against Yuwen Hu. Yang Jian admitted it was "hard to explain," and Galora accepted, stating she simply needed to voice her thoughts.

In a conversation with Dugu Xin, Banruo expressed regret for not having informed him earlier about her breakup with Yuwen Hu, acknowledging that it would have better prepared him for the recent court confrontations. Dugu Xin reassured her, emphasizing his desire to avoid war with Yuwen Hu and the suffering it would bring to the common people. He affirmed his commitment not to challenge Yuwen Hu's position as Taishi, provided Yuwen Hu showed proper deference to the Emperor.

Dugu Xin then warned Banruo to be cautious of Yuwen Hu, calling him a "madman," which Banruo acknowledged. He also informed her that Prince of Ningdu, Yuwen Yu, had formally sought her hand in marriage that morning, and asked if she was genuinely willing to accept. Banruo, having already resolved her path, agreed. Meanwhile, Yang Jian attempted to visit Mantuo, but her maid turned him away, claiming Mantuo was asleep.

After Yang Jian's departure, Mantuo emerged and immediately inquired whether he had arrived by carriage or on foot, revealing her acute concern for his status and wealth. She mused on the necessity of being "heartless" to secure her future, contemplating how she couldn't stay close to Yang Jian if she later had to reject him, given his status as merely "the heir of a Major General" and Yuwen Yong's precarious position in Tongzhou.

She considered other suitors but concluded that Yang Jian, despite his perceived flaws, was her most viable option. At the Taishi's mansion, Yuwen Hu's wife, the Countess of Qinghe, offered to assist him, but he declined her. Shortly thereafter, Geshu delivered a letter to Yuwen Hu, which was an invitation from Banruo to meet. Yuwen Hu was visibly pleased. Unbeknownst to him, the Countess of Qinghe, harboring suspicions, secretly instructed a servant to follow her husband.

Galora, still worried about Banruo's safety, insisted on accompanying her to the clandestine meeting with Yuwen Hu, promising to wait at the entrance with Xiage in case of any emergency. Banruo offered Yuwen Hu plums, his favorite, while asking why he persisted in pursuing her. Yuwen Hu replied that he had no choice, revealing that Yuwen Yu had formally proposed marriage to her father that very morning, and reiterated his threat to kill Yuwen Yu.

Banruo dismissed his threats, stating she intended to discuss something mutually beneficial. As they conversed, Galora and Xiage, waiting nearby, noticed a suspicious figure lurking around their carriage. Galora identified the individual as "Officer Du," and to her shock, witnessed the Countess of Qinghe approaching him, confirming that Yuwen Hu's wife was also tracking their secret meeting.

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