The Legend of Dugu Episode 10 Recap
> The Legend of Dugu Recap
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The day after their wedding, Banruo and Yuwen Yu visited Emperor Yuwen Jue. The Emperor, pleased that a Dugu daughter had married into the Yuwen family, expressed his hope that Dugu Xin could diminish Yuwen Hu’s power. Banruo, ever astute, suggested a subtle approach rather than direct confrontation. She proposed that she and Yuwen Yu donate all their wedding gifts to aid the poor and fund the army.
This act, she explained, would showcase the Emperor’s benevolence and gradually win over some of Yuwen Hu’s supporters. Emperor Yuwen Jue lauded her ingenious idea and granted Banruo the right to wear phoenix clothes, along with 300 acres of land. Fearing Yuwen Hu might obstruct the plan, Banruo suggested that Yuwen Yu oversee the distribution of these resources, to which the Emperor agreed. Later, as they left the palace, Yuwen Yu seemed troubled.
Banruo confronted his unspoken concerns, revealing that her past with Yuwen Hu was trivial compared to the grand ambition of ascending the throne. Yuwen Yu was taken aback by her frankness and fierce drive. Banruo calmly disclosed the court physicians' diagnosis that Emperor Yuwen Jue was infertile and unlikely to ever have children. She asserted that with Yuwen Yu's efforts and her strategic guidance, he could become the next Emperor.
Though hesitant and not naturally inclined towards ambition, Yuwen Yu, swayed by Banruo's words and a rekindled desire for power, agreed to let her lead. Banruo then took charge, declaring she would manage the household and, step by step, elevate him to the throne. In court, Emperor Yuwen Jue praised Yuwen Yu for his philanthropic donation and appointed him Sikong, a high-ranking official position, which greatly pleased Yuwen Yu.
After the session, Yuwen Hu intercepted Yuwen Yu, offering a thinly veiled sarcastic congratulations on his marriage and promotion, much to Yuwen Yu’s discomfort. Meanwhile, Mantuo, maintaining her manipulative facade, went to Yang Jian’s home to apologize for their previous quarrel. She feigned tears, recounting a tale of her late birth mother's suffering and her own struggles as a concubine's daughter, aiming to win Yang Jian's full sympathy. Yang Jian, deeply moved, promised he would always stand by her.
Mantuo, however, had already shifted her focus. She orchestrated a meeting with Li Cheng under the pretext of returning his cloak. Engaging him with talks of scents, she subtly hinted at a hunting trip with Jialuo in the western suburbs. Mistakenly believing Jialuo would be present, Li Cheng eagerly agreed to join.
This calculated move contrasted sharply with Jialuo's genuine efforts, as she was seen organizing relief for disaster victims, distributing food and medicine from a charity house established by her and Banruo, earning the gratitude of the common people. The next day, Li Cheng arrived at the western suburbs expecting Jialuo, only to find Mantuo alone. She explained Jialuo was busy preparing for Banruo’s return banquet. Reluctantly, Li Cheng joined Mantuo for a horse race.
During their time together, Mantuo subtly disparaged Jialuo's "bravery" and then "accidentally" let slip that Jialuo had a past romantic involvement with Prince Yuwen Yong, describing it as "puppy love." Li Cheng, perturbed by this revelation, later dispatched a servant to investigate.
The servant, having been bribed by Mantuo's associate, reported a fabricated story: Jialuo had a private meeting with Yuwen Yong at a restaurant, pushed Mantuo into a pond for discovering them, and had even kissed Yuwen Yong while seeing him off when he was exiled. Believing these lies, Li Cheng grew deeply suspicious of Jialuo.
Unaware of Mantuo's schemes, Jialuo, now managing Dugu family affairs, was diligently overseeing the preparations for Banruo’s grand return banquet, which delighted her father, Dugu Xin. The day of Banruo's return banquet arrived, and the Dugu mansion was bustling with guests, including Li Bing and Li Cheng. Jialuo noticed Li Cheng's cold demeanor but brushed it aside, eagerly greeting her elder sister. During the feast, Yuwen Yong arrived to offer his congratulations.
As Jialuo happily went to chat with her friend, Li Cheng, who had been drinking heavily, erupted in a fit of jealousy. He rudely interrupted their conversation, accusing Jialuo of being shameless and immoral, and hurled insults at Yuwen Yong. Mantuo, seizing the opportunity, feigned concern and tried to mediate, but her words only served to exacerbate the conflict.
Jialuo, realizing Mantuo's manipulative hand in the situation, angrily confronted her, but Li Cheng, misinterpreting Jialuo's outburst and Mantuo's feigned distress, believed Jialuo was confessing to having pushed Mantuo into a pond on a previous occasion, further solidifying his belief in the rumors. Jialuo was left tearful and feeling wronged. Just as the argument escalated, Dugu Xin, Banruo, and Yuwen Yu arrived.
Jialuo tearfully explained Li Cheng's unfounded accusations regarding her relationship with Yuwen Yong and the false story of her pushing Mantuo into a pond. Dugu Xin, furious at the slander against his daughter, sternly vouched for Jialuo's character, even offering to cancel the engagement if Li Cheng did not trust her. Banruo also defended Jialuo, emphasizing her innocent friendship with Yuwen Yong.
Li Bing, eager to salvage the marriage alliance, chastised his son for his drunken behavior and insisted he apologize. Though Li Cheng did apologize, Jialuo, already disinclined to marry him, continued to weep. Dugu Xin then sternly warned Mantuo to cease her interference in Li Cheng and Jialuo's relationship. Mantuo, though her immediate plan failed, noted with satisfaction that everyone had heard Jialuo's declaration of not wanting to marry Li Cheng.
