The Legend of Dugu Episode 37 Recap
> The Legend of Dugu Recap
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After the tragic death of her infant daughter (a death orchestrated by her wet nurse Gu Mama, but cunningly framed by Mantuo as an attack by Li Cheng's maternal uncle's family), Mantuo, feigning deep heartbreak, secured her position. His first wife, Wang, advised Li Bing to appease the emperor and empress by preemptively punishing Li Cheng, sending him to the frontier, and promising to elevate Mantuo's future son to heir.
Wang then discreetly suggested to an imperial envoy that Li Bing should volunteer to inspect the northern border cities. Distressed by the recent events, Li Bing agreed to these plans. Mantuo, having recently given birth, was not yet suitable to serve Li Bing. Wang saw this as an opportunity for Mantuo to return to the capital, establish a better relationship with her sisters, and thank the empress for her new title as countess.
Mantuo, though reluctant to be alone in Longxi and disgusted by Li Bing's touch, agreed to the arrangement, expressing her disdain for her husband and her intention to discard him once she gave birth to a son. She secretly harbored fantasies of Li Bing being reluctant to leave her, but quickly dismissed them upon seeing his eagerness to please the emperor.
Wang warned Mantuo to speak no ill of Li Bing in the capital, emphasizing that her new title as duchess of Longxi County was dependent on his favor. Mantuo scoffed, declaring her reliance on her future son, not Li Bing. Meanwhile, Galuo was visiting a charity hospital, where she heard the common people praising Yang Jian for his generous contributions.
She also learned that Yuwen Yong, the Prince of Fucheng, frequently visited, offering medicines, clothes, and teaching martial arts to the children, though he always avoided her. Back home, while discussing political matters, Yang Jian was captivated by Galuo, realizing how important she had become to him and looking forward to the end of her six-month mourning period so they could truly be together.
Their tender moment was interrupted when Dongqu announced that Mantuo had arrived in the capital and was staying at the Dugu Mansion. Concerned, Yang Jian and Galuo immediately rushed to see her. At the Dugu Mansion, Mantuo knelt weeping before Dugu Xin’s memorial tablet. Upon seeing Yang Jian and Galuo, she slowly rose, then, ignoring Galuo entirely, tearfully clung to Yang Jian's arm, calling him "Brother Jian." Yang Jian, clearly embarrassed, quickly withdrew his hand.
Galuo, though displeased, extended her sympathies to Mantuo. Mantuo, continuing her act of hardship, cried dramatically before her father's shrine. Feeling irrelevant, Galuo excused herself to prepare food, leaving Yang Jian and Mantuo alone. This was a test for Yang Jian; if he had wanted to avoid suspicion, he would have followed her, but he remained, wishing to speak with Mantuo.
Dongqu, loyal to Galuo, was upset and tried to call Yang Jian out, but Galuo stopped her, explaining that if Yang Jian wanted to leave, he would have done so. She believed that if his feelings for Mantuo were unresolved, their own relationship, even if it seemed affectionate, would not be genuine. Yang Jian and Mantuo walked in the garden, Yang Jian's heart aching at Mantuo's gaunt appearance.
He noticed the hairpin he had given her in her hair, which further stirred his emotions. Mantuo, seizing the moment, feigned a selfless act, tossing the hairpin into the lake as a symbolic blessing for Yang Jian and Galuo's happiness. She then gracefully departed, leaving Yang Jian distressed and torn as he stared at the sunken hairpin. That night, Galuo chose to stay at the Dugu Mansion to accompany Mantuo. However, Mantuo soon clashed with Dongqu.
Dissatisfied with the food and Dongqu's insolent remarks, Mantuo slapped Dongqu, who refused to back down, leading to a physical altercation. Galuo intervened, taking responsibility for the perceived poor hospitality. Mantuo, taking advantage, threatened to report Galuo to Banruo for mistreatment. Later, Dongqu, seeking revenge, stole the petition Mantuo had prepared to submit to the palace, seeking an audience with Banruo. Qiuci witnessed this and informed Mantuo.
Instead of writing a new one, Mantuo decided to leverage the situation, implicitly instructing Qiuci to remain silent. The next morning, Mantuo deliberately knelt outside the palace gates for hours, knowing her petition was missing and she would be denied entry. She remained there until Yang Jian emerged from his morning court session, then dramatically fainted into his arms. Yang Jian rushed Mantuo back to the Dugu Mansion, where he and Galuo cared for her.
Once Mantuo regained consciousness, she subtly prompted Qiuci to reveal the tragic story of her infant daughter's death, falsely attributing it to Li Cheng's uncle's family. Yang Jian, deeply saddened and filled with pity, vowed to find whoever stole Mantuo's petition and punish them severely, ordering Zheng Rong to search the entire Dugu household. Qiuci then pointed the finger at Dongqu, but Galuo, to protect her maid, confessed to stealing the petition herself.
Mantuo, weeping crocodile tears, accused Galuo of holding a grudge and persecuting her. Galuo vehemently denied the accusations, warning Mantuo to stop disrupting others' lives. Yang Jian, angered by Galuo's perceived coldness, pulled her outside and berated her. Furious, Galuo rashly brought up the topic of divorce again, leading to another bitter argument between the couple.
Galuo confided in Dongqu, expressing her long-standing understanding of Mantuo's character and her weariness of the constant drama, though she still felt sympathy for Mantuo's loss. Dongqu, however, encouraged Galuo to consider proposing the divorce herself, to gain the upper hand. That evening, Yang Jian drowned his sorrows in alcohol. Zheng Rong bluntly advised him to choose only Galuo, emphasizing that his feelings of guilt for Mantuo should not overshadow his love for his wife.
Yang Jian admitted his love for Galuo but confessed his inability to bear Mantuo's suffering due to his broken promise. Meanwhile, Banruo and Yuwen Yu planned a family dinner to welcome Mantuo. Banruo, wary of Mantuo's past actions, instructed Yuwen Yu to monitor her closely, vowing to punish Mantuo if she attempted to rekindle anything with Yang Jian, knowing full well Mantuo's unscrupulous and impulsive nature.
Galuo, still feeling remorse, attempted to reconcile with Mantuo by bringing her favorite cheese fish. Mantuo, however, rejected the offering, accusing Galuo of hypocrisy and questioning her sudden change of heart, suggesting it was pity for her child's death. Just then, an imperial decree arrived, summoning Yang Jian, Dugu Galuo, and Dugu Mantuo to the palace for a family feast. Mantuo, excited to finally meet Banruo, immediately prepared, while Galuo remained cautious.
