The Legend of Dugu Episode 25 Recap, Plot

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Dugu Xin knelt before Yuwen Yu, his voice heavy with emotion, to offer counsel. He urged Yuwen Yu to heed his advice, reminding him that his words were not "alarmist talks" and citing the fate of the ex-Emperor, Yuwen Jue, who "ended up like that" because he failed to listen. Dugu Xin stressed his duty and personal wish that Yuwen Yu "don't want you to follow the steps of the ex-Emperor."

Yuwen Yu, however, expressed deep frustration, asking, "how long do I have to endure? One year? Two years? Five years, ten years, or a lifetime?" He questioned whether Yuwen Hu would truly spare him if he continued to tolerate the situation, subtly referencing Banruo's miscarriage as evidence of Yuwen Hu's malevolence. Dugu Xin responded by advising patience, comparing Yuwen Yu's situation to Goujian, who "endured for a decade before becoming a wise monarch."

He reiterated that if Queen Banruo successfully gave birth to a prince, "the royal bloodline may pass on, and the Ministers will naturally return to your side." Yuwen Yu asked if this was the truth, and Dugu Xin affirmed it, then pleaded, "Please, Your Majesty, for the sake of my old and dying age, accept my advice." Yuwen Yu, while helping his father-in-law up, reluctantly promised, "I promise you."

After Dugu Xin left, Yuwen Yu asked Weichi Kang for his opinion on the Prime Minister's advice. Weichi Kang frankly stated that Dugu Xin's counsel, though prudent, was "too conservative" and that Dugu Xin had "lost his past fierce spirit." He contended that "total tolerance is the worst method," drawing parallels to historical emperors who were overthrown despite their patience.

Weichi Kang emphasized Yuwen Hu's ruthless nature, citing that he "could even kill his wife and exile his son," and dismissed Banruo's belief that Yuwen Hu felt guilty. Weichi Kang proposed striking at Yuwen Hu's "biggest weakness: his family." He pointed out that "just after seven days it will be the death anniversary of Yuwen Hu's mother," a day when Yuwen Hu "will go to pay respect alone."

Yuwen Yu was hesitant about such a "straightforward method," but Weichi Kang assured him of a plan. He would lead an army to ambush Yuwen Hu's house and simultaneously "surround the Manor of Taishi as well" to capture his children.

When Yuwen Yu questioned if Yuwen Hu, who seemed not to care about his family, would be affected, Weichi Kang argued that Yuwen Hu exiled one son because he still had five others; if "we kill all of them," Yuwen Hu would be left without an heir.

Despite Yuwen Yu's lingering reservations about the haste of the plan, Weichi Kang appealed to his sense of responsibility for "the Queen and the baby prince in her belly," asking if he wanted to be "a puppet father Emperor" when his son was born. This argument solidified Yuwen Yu's resolve. He declared, "Fine. For Banruo and the little prince, I'll take my chances with him. Success and fame all depend on this battle," and instructed Weichi Kang to "be careful."

Jialuo noticed that Dugu Xin's health showed no improvement despite the doctor's prescriptions, and he seemed "too tired." Dugu Xin, however, dismissed her concerns, attributing his sleeplessness to his illness and leisure time. His six sons unexpectedly returned from the frontier, much to Jialuo's delight. She eagerly prepared to host them, but Dugu Xin quickly dispatched her to the kitchen to prepare food and wine, then called his sons to the study.

He revealed to them that his own time was short and, fearing "sudden changes in the palace," he had arranged for "office positions that keep you far away yet there is real power in them so you will be safe for long enough." He explained that in the current "chaotic world," where "three Emperors come and gone" in the last ten years, being the Queen's family required extreme caution.

He instructed them to enter the palace the next day, meet with Banruo, and then, when summoned by the Emperor, request transfers to these borderland posts, citing the illness of Lord Gao of Qi and the potential for border disturbances. He emphasized that they should "leave the capital immediately" once the decree was granted.

His sons expressed concern about leaving him while he was ill, but Dugu Xin stated that "ambitious men travel far" and that it was enough if they remembered to visit at New Year. He explained that Banruo, being pregnant, should not be alarmed, Mantuo was too far away, and he would inform Jialuo gradually. The following day, Dugu Xin's sons presented their requests to Yuwen Yu, with Banruo's backing, and Yuwen Yu agreed to their transfers.

As his sons departed, Dugu Xin bid them farewell, instructing them to take care of themselves. Jialuo, unaware of the full gravity, urged them to take care of their father and bring her nephews. Dugu Xin watched his sons leave, then visibly struggled with his health.

Geshu reported to Yuwen Hu that Dugu Xin had sent all six of his sons away, interpreting this as Dugu Xin being "timid" and preparing for his own demise, despite his loyalty to the Queen. Yuwen Hu soon received a secret report from an agent around Weichi Kang, detailing Yuwen Yu's plot.

The report stated that Yuwen Yu had given a secret order, and "thousands of soldiers have been lying in ambush around your house," awaiting Yuwen Hu's arrival for his mother's death anniversary. Yuwen Hu scoffed at the "immature children" and their "trick," then confronted Geshu, who implied that Yuwen Yu's treacherous intent was already present, needing no extra "fuel."

Yuwen Hu inquired if Banruo knew of the plot, and Geshu confirmed "The Queen should be unaware of it," noting that both Banruo and Dugu Xin had tried to dissuade Yuwen Yu. Yuwen Hu declared that he cared only "as long as Banruo doesn't betray me." That night, Yuwen Yu woke from a nightmare, hearing the voice of Yuwen Jue asking, "Brother, why do you wish to kill me?"

When Banruo questioned his distress, Yuwen Yu attributed it to worries about her and their child. He suggested she visit Qingmu Taoist Temple "the day after tomorrow" to "conduct a ritual" for their safety, explaining that her previous accident had occurred in a Buddhist temple. Banruo agreed.

The following morning, Yuwen Yu personally saw Banruo off in a sedan chair, urging her to "take a wander around and take your time," assuring her that she would be safer outside the palace as his plan was "perfect." He then confirmed with Weichi Kang that Yuwen Hu was expected to leave his manor around noon. Yuwen Yu then gave the order: "Do it." Yuwen Hu arrived at his old mansion, displaying no panic, having anticipated the ambush.

His forces quickly overwhelmed Yuwen Yu's soldiers. As his men routed the enemy, Yuwen Hu, observing the scene, suddenly realized "Something is wrong." He quickly ordered his men to "Hurry back to the house of Taishi!" and instructed Geshu to "go to the palace and keep an eye on Yuwen Yu!" At Dugu Manor, a servant informed Dugu Xin that outsiders were falsely claiming Yuwen Hu had rebelled and that forces under the Dugu family's name were suppressing it.

Another messenger arrived with more dire news: Weichi Kang had taken Yuwen Hu's children out of the city, falsely stating that Yuwen Hu had rebelled and imprisoned the Emperor, and that he was acting on Dugu Xin's orders to go to Wuliu Camp. The messenger then revealed that "The son of Taishi was killed by Yuchi Kang" in a "bloodshed battle." Jialuo, hearing this, questioned if Yuwen Hu would believe Weichi Kang was "our man."

Dugu Xin, realizing the grave danger, immediately ordered all Dugu Manor soldiers to follow him to the palace to protect Yuwen Yu. He instructed Jialuo to stay and protect the manor with the Jici Army, explaining that if they all left, "it will be harder to explain." Meanwhile, Yuwen Hu, having learned of his son's murder, led his enraged troops into the palace, cornering a terrified Yuwen Yu. Dugu Xin and Jialuo arrived just in time.

Yuwen Yu greeted Dugu Xin with immense relief, "Father-in-law, you finally came." He quickly assured Dugu Xin that Banruo was safe, having been sent "out of the palace by me early in the morning." Dugu Xin then confronted Yuwen Yu, expressing his intense disappointment that Yuwen Yu had ignored his advice and caused such chaos. He asked, "Your Majesty, were these all arranged by you?"

Yuwen Yu admitted his culpability, stating he "was afraid that Yuwen Hu would kill me" and that he no longer wished to be "a puppet of an Emperor anymore." Jialuo, sensing the impending conflict, affirmed to her father that she was "not afraid of anything" as long as she was with him. Dugu Xin then commanded his forces to "Protect the Emperor, retreat to the Ziji Temple."

Just as Dugu Xin and Jialuo prepared for battle, Yuwen Hu arrived, his eyes full of grief for his deceased son. He demanded Dugu Xin "put down your weapons and hand over Yuwen Yu," promising to "spare your life" for Banruo's sake. Dugu Xin, however, stood firm, the loyal minister unwilling to let the Emperor be harmed, claiming the "disaster was all made by Yuchi Kang alone" and had "nothing to do with the Emperor and me."

Yuwen Hu, unmoved, produced a "gold medal that represents the Emperor," directly implicating Yuwen Yu. Dugu Xin quickly claimed the medal "was stolen by Yuchi Kang" and admonished Yuwen Hu for bringing unauthorized troops, calling it "a big crime." Yuwen Hu, enraged, declared, "I only know that my son is dead. I want Yuwen Yu to accompany him in grave."

Dugu Xin firmly stated, "As long as I, Dugu Xin, am here you can not hurt the Emperor," and both sides prepared for a bloody fight. Just as the battle was about to erupt, Yuwen Yong appeared and commanded everyone to "Stop." He reminded Yuwen Hu that he had once saved his life and had now come to "repay your life-saving grace."

Yuwen Yong advised Yuwen Hu that while he could easily kill the Emperor and usurp the throne, he would bear the "name of rebellion," making him vulnerable to political opponents and external kingdoms. He further warned that Banruo, "who is pregnant is now outside the city," could rally forces to "avenge the Emperor." Yuwen Yong stressed that "now is definitely not the time to usurp the throne."

He also claimed that his son's death "it's really done by Yuchi Kang alone," absolving Yuwen Yu and Dugu Xin. Yuwen Yong offered a compromise: if Yuwen Hu would "step back," he would mediate, ensuring the Emperor would "announce to the world and clean up your reputation," and Dugu Xin would "give up all his military power." When Yuwen Hu questioned if his son "should he die in vain," Yuwen Yong promised a "satisfactory result."

He then proposed that if Yuwen Hu stopped, he would persuade the Emperor "to abdicate the throne to you within a year," arguing this was "better than ascending the position by force." Geshu, loyal to Yuwen Hu, tried to dissuade him, but Yuwen Yong intensified his appeal, reminding Yuwen Hu that if he killed the Emperor and Dugu Xin, Banruo would never forgive him for killing her father, sister and husband.

Yuwen Hu, considering the implications, agreed to "give you some time." Yuwen Yu, in turn, gave Dugu Xin full authority to negotiate. Dugu Xin acknowledged to Yuwen Yong that the plan was "very bad" but "the only way," and agreed to Yuwen Hu's conditions.

Dugu Xin then confirmed the deal with Yuwen Hu: Yuwen Yu would abdicate on New Year's Day the following year, and in return, Yuwen Hu would withdraw his forces, forgive the incident, and swear to keep "the Emperor's whole family safe and wealthy in a lifetime." Yuwen Hu solemnized the pact by swearing on his dead mother's name, promising eternal damnation if he broke his word, and then ordered his troops to "Withdraw."

After Yuwen Hu's forces withdrew, Dugu Xin, having concealed his worsening condition and overexerted himself, collapsed. Jialuo and Yuwen Yu rushed to his side. An imperial doctor examined Dugu Xin and revealed that his lung illness, which he had diagnosed months ago and warned against overwork, was now terminal; he "couldn't live until spring." The doctor explained that Dugu Xin "strictly forbade me" to reveal his condition. Jialuo was heartbroken, crying by her father's bedside.

Dugu Xin eventually regained consciousness and, despite Jialuo's plea for him to rest, asked her to "prepare pen and ink for me. I want to write a letter." Meanwhile, Banruo returned to the palace and confronted Yuwen Yu, furious about the events that had transpired. Yuwen Yu, accepting full blame, told her to "Hit me" or "scold me," and he would "take them all," but Banruo refrained. She then went to Dugu Xin's bedside, weeping.

Dugu Xin comforted her, reminding her she was "already a mother." Banruo, in her grief and remorse, expressed deep regret, lamenting, "If I hadn't dated Yuwen Hu, or if I hadn't been married with Yuwen Yu, then I would not have had implicated you."

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