Queen Dugu Episode 9 Recap
> Queen Dugu Recap
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Late into the night, Yuwen Hu unexpectedly appeared before Banruo, who held the hairpin he had given her, a reminder of their past. With her wedding scheduled for the next day, Yuwen Hu gently took her shoulders, revealing that the Countess of Qinghe had passed away, removing all obstacles between them.
He insisted it wasn't too late for them to be together, promising to marry her after his wife's funeral, and even threatening to kill Yuwen Yu and Yuwen Jue if they interfered. However, Banruo's eyes did not light up with joy. She explained that her wedding day was already set, and if she were to call it off now, the resulting scandal would make it impossible for her to become Empress, even if Yuwen Hu ascended to the throne.
She might even face death, and he would incur the hatred of many noble families. She implored him to abandon these impossible thoughts. When he pressed if she truly wished to marry Yuwen Yu, she stated her sole desire was to become Empress. Heartbroken and enraged, Yuwen Hu bitterly wished her a good marriage and many children before leaving.
After his departure, Banruo instructed Jialuo to significantly increase the guards around their residence and the wedding procession the following day, anticipating that Yuwen Hu might cause trouble. She also passed on the responsibility of managing the household to Jialuo, urging her not to panic. The next day dawned clear and bright as Banruo, radiant in her wedding attire, prepared to depart.
Dugu Xin watched his eldest daughter with deep emotion, advising her to take care of herself from now on, then ordered Dugu Shun to escort her. Still cautious, Banruo had a guard discreetly monitor Yuwen Hu. The guard reported that Yuwen Hu was indeed attending his wife's funeral and appeared to be causing no immediate trouble, leaving Banruo to briefly wonder if her fears were unfounded.
At Yuwen Yu's residence, wedding guests admired the gifts, noting that a large box of pearls sent by Yuwen Hu, the Grand Preceptor, was even more valuable than the Emperor’s offering. Meanwhile, Mantuo, observing the grand spectacle, openly wished she were the bride. Yang Jian approached Mantuo, inquiring if she was still upset about the previous incident involving Yuwen Yong.
He explained it was all Yuwen Hu's plot to sow discord between their families and offered to get Yuwen Yong drunk for her revenge. Mantuo declined his offer. As evening fell, Yuwen Yu expressed his joy to Banruo in their bridal chamber, envisioning a happy future together and children.
However, their intimate moment was violently interrupted by Yuwen Hu, who burst in, pushed Yuwen Yu aside, and snatched the wine cup from his hand to drink with Banruo, boldly proclaiming her as his woman. Banruo, furious, smashed her wine cup to the floor. Yuwen Hu challenged her about the hairpin he had given her and declared that their marriage was merely a public display, urging Yuwen Yu to leave and weep in secret.
Yuwen Hu further insulted Yuwen Yu, calling him weak, timid, and a "useless pig" unworthy of Banruo, whose lifelong dream was to marry a "real emperor." Banruo sternly intervened, ordering Yuwen Hu to leave. She then turned to Yuwen Yu and clearly stated that while she had a past relationship with Yuwen Hu, it was over. She affirmed that having married Yuwen Yu today, she was his sole wife and, moreover, a virgin who had never belonged to anyone.
She reassured him that she had chosen him because he was special and promised to help him become emperor, thus erasing the humiliations he suffered that day. She then embraced him, removed her outer wedding garment, helped him into bed, untied his clothes, and kissed his lips. As Yuwen Hu watched, filled with despair and uncontrollable rage, Banruo looked at him and declared that anyone who dared to ruin her wedding day would become her enemy.
She pointedly reminded him that it was also the day of his wife's funeral and suggested they settle any past issues later. She then mockingly asked if he intended to stand there watching them consummate their marriage. Defeated, Yuwen Hu turned and left the room. Later, Jialuo, having drunk too much at the banquet, was walking outside. She expressed her sadness over Banruo's marriage and her complex feelings about Banruo and Yuwen Hu to Yuwen Yong, who was accompanying her.
He comforted her, promising to always remain her good friend. As Jialuo drifted to sleep on a stone table, Yuwen Yong gently caressed her hair. This tender moment was witnessed by Mantuo and Yang Jian. Mantuo shrieked, accusing Jialuo and Yuwen Yong of being "adulterers." Yuwen Yong, fearing for Jialuo's reputation, grabbed Mantuo by the throat, threatening to kill her if she revealed what she saw. He insisted that Jialuo was not at fault.
Yang Jian, desperate to protect Jialuo, swore an oath on his life for both himself and Mantuo never to speak of the incident. Despite the oath, Mantuo, still seething, declared her intention to expose Jialuo to the Li family, to whom Jialuo was betrothed. Yang Jian tried to reason with her, asking why she would ruin her sister's marriage and reputation. Mantuo defiantly responded that she would only be happy if Jialuo was unhappy.
Disgusted by her maliciousness, Yang Jian expressed his profound disappointment in her character and left. Crying from her argument with Yang Jian, Mantuo encountered Li Cheng, who offered comfort and his cloak. His kindness ignited a new scheme in Mantuo's mind: to marry him for his wealth and status. Later, Nanny Ma encouraged Mantuo's new ambition, suggesting a plan to frame Jialuo during Banruo's return visit.
By spreading rumors of Jialuo's alleged affair with Yuwen Yong, they could make Mantuo appear as a victim, thus winning Li Cheng's sympathy and hand in marriage. Mantuo, though apprehensive of her father's reaction, ultimately agreed, entrusting Nanny Ma with the arrangements while still intending to maintain a facade of a relationship with Yang Jian as a backup plan. The following morning, Banruo and Yuwen Yu paid their respects to Yuwen Jue.
The Emperor welcomed Banruo into the royal family, acknowledging the newfound alliance between the Yuwen and Dugu families. He then directly asked Banruo to persuade her father, Dugu Xin, to help him "slay the demon" (referring to Yuwen Hu).
Yuwen Yu, however, suggested a cautious approach, proposing they take advantage of the wedding to begin undermining Yuwen Hu's influence with smaller, discreet actions rather than directly confronting him, stating that his father (Dugu Xin) was always thoughtful and would not alert the enemy.
