The Legend of Dugu Episode 23 Recap, Plot

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Li Bing returned home, upset about the mistreatment of Pei Jinniang and Feng, his other consorts. Mantuo, however, was prepared. She greeted him warmly, explaining that the punishment given to Jinniang and Feng was minor and that they had already been returned to their rooms. She claimed to have sent them ginseng and bird's nest to help them recover and gifts to soothe their shame. Li Bing, having heard that Jinniang nearly died from a "water punishment," questioned Mantuo’s account.

Mantuo dismissed these rumors as exaggerations designed to elicit pity, pointing out the shallow pool where the alleged punishment occurred and inviting him to see Jinniang for himself. Satisfied, Li Bing relented and enjoyed the special crystal meat Mantuo had prepared for him, which her sister had asked her aunt, Wang, to bring. Mantuo expressed her love, stating that her suffering in Longxi didn't matter as long as he was by her side.

She then apologized for her aunt's firm actions, attributing any offense to her own spoiled nature, and even offered to take the punishment herself. Li Bing reassured her, and Mantuo explained that her aunt's guidance had helped her mature, vowing to manage the household with both strictness and leniency. She further announced her intention to take the second son, third son, and fifth daughter under her care, citing her aunt's prestigious background and experience as a palace official.

Li Bing was pleased, but wondered how long her aunt would stay. Mantuo explained she had persuaded her aunt, using her sister's name, to extend her visit. Delighted, Li Bing promised Mantuo a reward. Observing Mantuo's transformation, Wang acknowledged her quick learning and charm, but anticipated many more dramatic events within the household. Meanwhile, Banruo, accompanied by Jialuo, visited her daughter at the Jiciyuan.

As the baby cried, Banruo was horrified to see its right eye turn blue, a distinct genetic trait of Yuwen Hu, which appeared when he was excited. Overwhelmed by panic, Banruo grabbed a knife, intending to blind the child's eye to erase any evidence of its paternity. Jialuo and Chunshi quickly intervened, restraining her. Banruo cried, apologizing to her daughter and explaining that she was forced to take such extreme measures. Chunshi eventually knocked Banruo unconscious.

Chunshi revealed that Banruo had intended to bring the child into the palace and raise her as a relative's daughter, but the blue eye made it impossible. Later, Banruo, having come to a difficult decision, told Dugu Xin that she would pretend she never gave birth to the child. Dugu Xin was shocked, but Banruo explained that the blue eye served as a constant, painful reminder of her mistake.

She argued that she had already done her duty to the child by risking her life during the premature birth. She questioned Jialuo if she thought Banruo didn't want to keep her, reiterating the danger if Yuwen Hu were to discover the child's true parentage. Banruo declared she was giving up the child, stating it could be adopted or abandoned, as it would no longer have anything to do with her.

Dugu Xin reminded her that his initial plan involved using the child's "loss" to weaken Yuwen Hu and strengthen her position, not to cause her such personal pain. He also informed her that Yuwen Hu had severely beaten his own son and exiled him to Dengzhou for greasing the stairs that caused Banruo's fall. Banruo, however, remained resolute, believing her actions were justified for her grand scheme.

Dugu Xin noted Banruo's increasingly extreme behavior, to which she retorted that her position as empress was not achieved through virtue. Jialuo stepped in, offering to raise the child herself. A month later, Jialuo named the baby Lihua, meaning "flower," and informed Yuwen Yong of the child's true identity and how she planned to keep her origins a secret by claiming she was an orphan from the charity house and keeping her mostly indoors.

Yuwen Yong admired Jialuo's compassion and Banruo's complex situation, then playfully expressed a wish that Lihua were their own child. On the day of Li Bing's birthday, a crisis arose when the palace cooks suddenly fell ill with food poisoning just half an hour before the banquet. Mantuo, under Wang's guidance, swiftly handled the situation. She ordered the sick cooks removed and, using her own funds, arranged for thirty tables of banquet dishes from the renowned Shengxing restaurant.

Feng, hoping to see Mantuo embarrassed by the situation and her lack of social connections, was disappointed. Wang skillfully introduced Mantuo to the noblewomen, using their family ties to Mantuo's advantage. When Feng attempted to cause trouble by spreading rumors and insulting Mantuo's background, Wang quickly silenced her, sending her away and highlighting her lowly status.

Wang then advised Mantuo not to be complacent, reminding her that "the winner is the king; the loser is shamed" and that women must rely on themselves to achieve their goals. Later, Wang instructed a servant on methods to increase Mantuo's chances of pregnancy, even discussing the possibility of replacing the current heir once Mantuo had her own child, drawing parallels to Banruo's ambition to help her husband become emperor.

At court, Yuwen Yu sought to fill the position of one of the Eight Pillar Generals left vacant by Zhaogui's arrest. He proposed Yuwen Yong for the role, citing his virtue. Yuwen Yong modestly declined, but Dugu Xin openly opposed the appointment, suggesting General Geshu instead and arguing against royal family members holding such positions. Yuwen Yu asserted his imperial authority and insisted on Yuwen Yong's appointment. Surprisingly, Yuwen Hu, after a moment of contemplation, offered no objection.

After the session, Yuwen Hu confided in Geshu, revealing his profound grief over the supposed loss of his child with Banruo, which overshadowed any concern about a mere general's position. He expressed a longing for Banruo's forgiveness, lamenting that his child could have inherited the throne, and questioned if fate was punishing him. Yuwen Yu later spoke with Yuwen Yong, emphasizing the need for unity against Yuwen Hu, especially now that Dugu Xin had returned to court.

Yuwen Yu encouraged his brother to regain his health and work hard to earn Dugu Xin's trust, thereby securing his marriage to Jialuo. Yuwen Yong, invigorated by his new official position, met with Jialuo, promising to protect her. Jialuo, pleased with his newfound purpose, asked him to speak to the emperor about expanding the Jiciyuan to better accommodate people during winter. She also requested his company to Guanyin Temple to pray for Lihua's peace and safety.

At the temple, Jialuo earnestly prayed for her family's stability and Lihua's well-being, urging Yuwen Yong to join her. Yuwen Yong, looking at Jialuo with deep affection, declared his wish to marry her in this lifetime and swore an oath never to disappoint her.

Jialuo, moved, later discussed her conflicted feelings with her maid Dongqu, admitting that while Yuwen Yong was good to her and marrying him would bring a comfortable life, a lingering uncertainty always held her back from fully embracing the idea of marriage. Dongqu suggested Jialuo might see Yuwen Yong more as a brother or family member than a romantic partner. Shortly after, Jialuo received news that the emperor would visit the Jiciyuan, realizing Yuwen Yong had swiftly relayed her request.

Yuwen Yu praised the Jiciyuan as a virtuous endeavor initiated by the Queen and her sisters, and announced that the government would fund its expansion. Jialuo acknowledged his act as a strategic move to win public support against Yuwen Hu. Yuwen Yu then enlisted Jialuo's help in organizing the expansion.

Jialuo seized the opportunity to make two further requests: a piece of mineral-rich land in Luonan to secure her own financial future, and official recognition for her guard team, which she had named the "Jici Army." Yuwen Yu, eager to please his sister-in-law, readily granted both, bestowing upon her a duke title for the land and making the Jici Army a government-assigned force, though Jialuo would be responsible for its expenses.

Yuwen Yu then visited a monk, seeking prayers for his deceased child. During his visit, a terrified servant, under questioning, confessed that Banruo's miscarriage was not an accident but the result of Yuwen Hu pushing her down the stairs, which had been greased by Yuwen Hu's son. Enraged by this revelation, Yuwen Yu vowed revenge. His guard confirmed the monk's account and clarified that Yuwen Hu's severe punishment of his own son was a calculated act to appear blameless.

Still consumed by fury, Yuwen Yu then arbitrarily banished a concubine, Lady Lin, to the cold palace for supposedly speaking ill of the Empress, showcasing the depth of his anger and desire for retribution.

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