The Legend of Dugu Episode 35 Recap, Plot

> The Legend of Dugu
> The Legend of Dugu Recap

Dongqu advised Jialuo, while folding clothes, to treat Yang Jian better, stating that she initially found him unreliable but now sees him as dependable, flying kites with Jialuo, bringing her medicine, protecting her reputation, and even enduring rumors of fearing his wife. Dongqu urged Jialuo not to be bothered by minor issues, such as occasionally calling Yang Jian by the wrong name. She then pointedly asked Jialuo if she still thought of Yuwen Yong.

Jialuo was surprised, realizing she hadn't thought of him in a long time and expressed her relief, acknowledging that since they were both married, it was best to live their own lives. Jialuo recalled her sister's wisdom that there are no perfect solutions in life and that letting go is essential for a better future. She then asked for the cloak Yuwen Yong had given her so she could put it away permanently.

Yang Jian made an unannounced visit to Yuwen Yong, explaining he needed his help concerning the Emperor and Empress. He revealed the Emperor now knew the truth about Longxing Temple and the Empress's impending birth made their conflict a critical "national affair." Yang Jian urged Yuwen Yong, as the Emperor’s brother, to intervene. Yuwen Yong initially hesitated, viewing it as a familial matter, but Yang Jian stressed the political instability it caused.

Yang Jian then expressed his sincerity, acknowledging their shared pain of loved ones being forced into other marriages. He revealed that he and Jialuo had openly discussed their past, choosing to cherish their current marriage over fleeting young love. He also stated that since he could let go of Mantuo, Yuwen Yong should be able to let go of Jialuo.

Yuwen Yong then asked for Yang Jian's solemn promise to be good to Jialuo and ensure her lifelong happiness, which Yang Jian readily gave. Convinced, Yuwen Yong agreed to go to the palace immediately. Yuwen Yong found Yuwen Yu drinking heavily, who tried to dismiss him. Yuwen Yong asserted he was there to drink with him, not to persuade him.

Yuwen Yu then poured out his heart, expressing the "fire" in his soul and his pain over Banruo's treatment despite his devotion. Yuwen Yong countered that Yuwen Yu had not done "everything" for Banruo, unlike himself, who married another woman for Jialuo's sake. Yuwen Yong then shared a family sentiment, recalling his father's words that the Yuwen family is romantic, willing to undertake "silly or regretful things" for love.

He emotionally declared that if he could marry Jialuo in his lifetime, he wouldn't care how many times she had been married, how many children she had, or any other imperfections. He lamented that such an opportunity might be denied to him. Yuwen Yong then gently asked Yuwen Yu if he still loved Banruo, emphasizing that Banruo was his Queen, carrying his prince, and thus he was "much luckier" than Yuwen Yong.

He urged Yuwen Yu not to dwell on the past. Dugu Banruo, having been persuaded by Chunshi, removed her hairpin and, dressed in plain clothes, knelt outside Yuwen Yu’s palace, stating she was there to repent as an ordinary woman, not as queen. She tearfully confessed her lack of virtue and presented a divorce letter, asking him to divorce her so they could find separate happiness.

Yuwen Yu, deeply moved, pulled her up, tore the divorce letter, and declared that she would be his wife for life, unable to leave without his permission. He admitted his own fault for being useless and always blaming others. Banruo, still feeling undeserving, struggled with thoughts of her past with Yuwen Hu.

To reassure him, she swore by her life to have only Yuwen Yu in her heart from that moment forward, wishing to die in pain if she violated the oath. Yuwen Yu reciprocated, vowing to suffer the same fate if he ever again blamed her for the past.

He then confided in Banruo, expressing his weariness of being emperor and the desire to abdicate the throne to their newborn prince to fulfill the Dugu prophecy, before ultimately giving it to Yuwen Hu. He proposed that they, as a family of three, could then find a secluded place to live the rest of their lives in peace. Banruo, after a moment's consideration, agreed.

An informant reported to Yuwen Hu that Dugu Banruo had sworn to the heavens that Yuwen Yu was the only man in her heart, claiming any past actions were forced. Furthermore, the Empress had threatened to blame Yuwen Hu for any miscarriage, aiming to garner ministerial sympathy for the Emperor and guilt from Yuwen Hu. Yuwen Hu confirmed the report.

Ge Shu, feeling that Banruo had been manipulating Yuwen Hu, expressed her indignation, especially considering Yuwen Hu had provided doctors and medicine during her crisis. She even questioned if the child Banruo lost at Longxing Temple was truly Yuwen Hu's. Ge Shu argued that Banruo was a cunning woman who would use anyone to achieve her goals, suggesting she had exploited Yuwen Hu's guilt and care to solidify her position as Queen and restore her husband's military power.

Ge Shu warned that the Empress's machinations could soon turn the ministers against Yuwen Hu. To neutralize her influence without harming her life, Ge Shu proposed a plan to make Banruo fall ill for a period, rendering her unable to interfere with court affairs. Yuwen Hu approved the plan. Jialuo, initially worried about the sincerity of Banruo's agreement to abdicate, felt reassured by Yang Jian's conviction that their father desired their safety over revenge.

She then thanked Yang Jian for his intervention with Yuwen Yong, admitting that things would not have gone smoothly without his help. Yang Jian playfully suggested she could call Yuwen Yong by his given name without him feeling jealous, to which Jialuo questioned his sincerity, and he confirmed his jealousy. Jialuo then asked if his kindness towards her stemmed from sympathy or genuine affection. Yang Jian unequivocally declared, "Because I like you."

When Jialuo pressed whether it was sisterly affection or love, Yang Jian replied that as her husband, she should know. He admitted to lingering "shadows of the past" but emphasized they were merely memories. He reflected on their "strange start" but confessed he had grown accustomed to her presence, realizing that in a troubled world, complementing each other was truly good. Jialuo reciprocated, promising to treat him well if he treated her well.

She then shared her vision for their future: after the Emperor's abdication, they would live a peaceful life on their fief, similar to her sister's family, with him leading troops and her managing the household. Yang Jian then asked her to promise to no longer call him "Yang Jian," but "Jian" or "husband." Jialuo, smiling, affectionately called him "Jian," then "Husband."

He embraced her, pledging to be good to her, repaying past debts, and ensuring they live a life filled with love. They also spoke of their sister's impending child, hoping for a prince to look after their future children, or a princess to bring blessings to their family, and Yang Jian tenderly reminded Jialuo to take care of herself. In the Duke of Longxi's mansion, a servant subtly delivered a large box, claiming it was from Li Cheng.

Mantuo, suspicious of the covert delivery, insisted on opening it. Inside were sacrificial items for the upcoming 40th death anniversary of the former madam, Li Cheng’s mother. The servant explained that Li Cheng had prepared these in Houfang City and arranged for the secret delivery to avoid "ill-intended people," referencing the past incident where Mantuo had implicated him. The servant also described Li Cheng's harsh conditions in Houfang City, mentioning deep snow, poor charcoal, and frostbitten hands.

Initially dismissing Li Cheng as weak, Li Bing softened upon hearing of his son's suffering and his thoughtful preparations for his mother's memorial. He ordered Li Cheng to return to the mansion. In her private chambers, Mantuo seethed with anger, recognizing Li Cheng's cunning in softening Li Bing's heart with such a simple gesture. She felt her position was being undermined and that the Duke still favored Li Cheng as the heir.

Unable to consult Wang Shi, who was away for a funeral, Mantuo decided to devise her own scheme. She summoned Mama Gu, a former midwife who had once served Feng, and exploited Mama Gu’s desperate desire for redemption by asking her to manipulate her unborn child's position. Mantuo wanted her child, due on December 12th, to be born on New Year's Day, a date considered auspicious for future leaders.

Mama Gu confirmed she knew a massage technique to achieve this, without requiring medicine or acupuncture. Delighted, Mantuo promoted Mama Gu and instructed her to begin immediately, believing that a son born on such a propitious day, especially with the potential for an imperial title through her sister Banruo, would irrevocably elevate her child above Li Cheng in the Duke's eyes. Li Cheng returned to the Duke's mansion.

When Li Bing noticed a scratch on his son, Li Cheng explained he sustained it while hunting a wolf to make a collar for his father, presenting it as a personal gift. Li Bing, pleased to see his son more mature, gently chided him for being careless but acknowledged his growth.

Li Cheng then subtly manipulated his father, mentioning his uncle's gratitude that Mantuo was organizing a grand seven-day Water and Land ceremony for his late mother's anniversary, even using her private savings. Li Cheng then feigned guilt, "apologizing" to Mantuo for past conflicts, claiming his wariness of her had allowed "ill-intended people" to cause trouble. Li Bing, happy to see a supposed reconciliation, dismissed the need for apologies, stating Mantuo had never blamed him and always defended him.

Li Cheng, playing along, lauded Mantuo's "benign and openhearted" nature, admitting he was "not as good as her." Despite her simmering fury at being forced into this elaborate and expensive ceremony, Mantuo maintained a facade of graciousness for Li Bing’s sake. Li Bing, noticing Mantuo's advanced pregnancy, suggested Li Cheng help with some trivial tasks to ensure the ceremony maintained the "reputation of our Li house." Mantuo, realizing she was trapped, fumed privately, vowing to retaliate.

On the day of the former madam’s anniversary ceremony, Mantuo, heavily pregnant, painstakingly oversaw the arrangements. However, Li Cheng was conspicuously absent, reported to be resting after chanting, having claimed fatigue. Onlookers whispered their pity for Mantuo as a stepmother forced to labor for her predecessor’s memorial, while criticizing Li Cheng’s perceived disrespect and cruelty in vying for his title. Amidst the ceremony, a disheveled woman, Lady Yang, suddenly appeared, pulling out a hairpin to attempt suicide.

Her maid cried out that Lady Yang had been "by the heir," implying assault, and thus wanted to die. Mantuo, feigning shock, immediately collapsed, but not before weakly defending Li Cheng, insisting he must have been framed, as he would not commit such an act on his mother's anniversary. Enraged by the public scandal, Li Bing ordered Li Cheng to be roused. An investigation quickly revealed that Jinniang had recently died, and her brother, Vice-General Pei, sought revenge.

Pei had bribed a former maid of Jinniang’s with thirty gold coins to drug Li Cheng's tea while he rested, aiming to ruin his reputation and clear the path for Jinniang's son to become the heir. Li Bing, furious, ordered everyone involved to be beaten to death. Despite a subordinate's warning about the political ramifications of executing Vice-General Pei, Li Bing insisted. Li Cheng, slowly waking, desperately pleaded his innocence, blaming others for framing him.

Li Bing angrily countered that Li Cheng's past actions against Jinniang and his pampered habits were the true cause. Li Cheng then explicitly accused Mantuo of framing him, claiming her feigned defense was merely a manipulative tactic to secure the heirship for her own child. Li Bing, completely disgusted, silenced his son.

He lashed out at Li Cheng, revealing he knew Li Cheng had organized the elaborate ceremony solely to "oppress Mantuo," and pointed out that Mantuo had even tried to defend him as she fainted. Overwhelmed with disappointment in his eldest son, Li Bing stormed off.

Episode 34 Recap

Episode 36 Recap