The Legend of Dugu Episode 45 Recap
> The Legend of Dugu Recap
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Mantuo and Jialuo were in a carriage, protected by Yang Jian and his men, attempting to escape when they were ambushed by Qi soldiers. Amidst a fierce battle, Mantuo and Jialuo were captured. A Qi soldier threatened Yang Jian to surrender, or they would kill the two women. Yang Jian reluctantly threw down his sword but quickly seized one of the enemy guards as a hostage.
The Qi soldiers, however, were unyielding, demanding a one-for-one exchange and forcing Yang Jian to choose between Mantuo and Jialuo. In that critical moment, Yang Jian declared he would exchange for the unconscious Jialuo. Mantuo cried out for him to save her. Using the distraction, Yang Jian swiftly rescued Mantuo as well, fighting off the remaining soldiers.
However, Mantuo was deeply wounded by his choice, slapping Yang Jian and confronting him, saying, "When I knew that you are in danger, I was so worried. I gave up my pride to come and rescue you. I traveled thousands of miles. What is the result of saving you? You want me to die. Jialuo is a life. Am I not a life? You're heartless."
Yang Jian, unable to offer an explanation that would soothe her, simply carried Jialuo, instructing his men to change into Qi clothing and head to Guangtong, and ensuring Mantuo also had a horse for the journey to Guangtongpu. Three days later, Jialuo regained consciousness at Guangtongpu, a safe haven within Turkic territory that still held some influence from their country. Her first concern was the baby, and she was relieved to learn it was safe.
Jialuo then playfully teased Yang Jian about his disguise as a beautiful woman from earlier. Yang Jian, to lighten her mood, took out a lute and played two songs he had composed in Turkic while missing her: "Sky High" and "Earth Deep," explaining they represented a love deeper than the sky and earth. Jialuo then asked about her elder sister, Mantuo.
Yang Jian simply said Mantuo was only slightly injured but had a temper, had argued with him, and was now holed up in her room, refusing to come out. Jialuo, unaware of the actual incident, expressed her gratitude to Mantuo for the rescue and believed they had reconciled. Meanwhile, in an adjacent room, Mantuo heard the sounds of Yang Jian’s lute.
Her arm was still throbbing from her injury, and hearing him make music for Jialuo while ignoring her further fueled her anger and feelings of foolishness for ever loving him. Her servant tried to reason with Mantuo, noting that she hadn't been so deeply in love with Yang Jian before her marriage and, as a Duchess, should not cling to a mere county duke.
Mantuo confessed that after arriving in Longxi, she had lived in complete darkness, sustained only by Yang Jian's promise to wait for her. She stated, "He is my only hope." This dream had lasted nearly two decades, and it was now time to awaken from it. Mantuo decided to return to Longxi Anzhou immediately and departed the following day. Informed of her decision, Yang Jian quietly ordered his subordinates to ensure Mantuo's safety on her way back.
With Mantuo gone, Jialuo reminded Yang Jian of their crucial mission to bring back the Turkic Princess, Ashina Yun, to prevent Yuwen Hu from using their failure against them. Yang Jian agreed, and they devised a plan. Yang Jian found an opportunity to meet Princess Ashina Yun, whose puppy he had helped retrieve. He presented her with a flattering portrait of Emperor Yuwen Yong, emphasizing his handsome features and the unique offer of becoming the sole Empress of Zhou.
He also verbally contrasted this sharply with the Qi Emperor's numerous concubines and less appealing appearance, as well as the political turmoil in Qi involving the powerful Prime Minister's daughter (Queen Hulv's father). Jialuo, disguised as a porcelain merchant, separately approached the Turkic Khan. She revealed that the current Minister Lu in Qi was actually Lu Lingxuan, an impostor, not the revered Lu Zhen.
She highlighted Lu Lingxuan's treachery and her animosity towards Hulv Guang, the Queen Hulv's father, suggesting that Princess Ashina Yun would face a perilous future in Qi. Convinced by their arguments and Ashina Yun's insistence on being the sole empress, the Khan agreed to marry his daughter to the Emperor of Zhou. Yang Jian successfully escorted Princess Ashina Yun to Anzhou, where Emperor Yuwen Yong, along with various high-ranking officials including Li Bing, greeted them.
Ashina Yun was pleased to find Yuwen Yong as handsome as Yang Jian had described. Jialuo, concerned about Mantuo, visited Li Bing's mansion, hoping to see her sister and thank her for the rescue. However, Li Bing claimed that Mantuo had gone to Qingjing Mountain for prayer, stating she was in a bad mood and unwilling to see anyone, particularly since she felt he and his son, Li Cheng, were taking credit for her actions.
He also falsely attributed Mantuo's heroic efforts in saving Yang Jian to himself. Jialuo, despite her reservations, had no choice but to accept his explanation and leave. That evening, Li Bing hosted a grand banquet for Yuwen Yong and the dignitaries. During the feast, Li Bing humbly requested that Emperor Yuwen Yong reinstate his son, Li Cheng, as Lord.
He argued that he was aging and childless through Mantuo, leaving no suitable heir, and that Li Cheng had matured greatly after his demotion. To further his plea, Li Bing produced a letter, supposedly written by Mantuo, stating her shame at her childlessness and her support for Li Cheng’s restoration, even vowing to remain in the temple if it wasn't granted. Yuwen Yong, appearing doubtful, turned to Jialuo for her opinion.
Jialuo, recognizing it as a delicate family matter, deferred to the Emperor's judgment. Ultimately, Yuwen Yong, considering Li Cheng's meritorious service as vice escorting envoy and the Li family's wealth, which could be beneficial against Yuwen Hu, approved Li Bing's request. The truth was far from Li Bing's fabrication. Mantuo had never gone to Qingjing Mountain; upon her return, Li Bing had confined her to her room to prevent her from causing trouble.
He confronted Mantuo, expressing his regret for marrying such a "merciless" woman and declaring he was no longer the fool she perceived him to be. He cruelly informed her that Li Cheng's title had been restored, and that Yang Jian and Jialuo had even sent generous gifts and congratulations, making Mantuo's efforts seem futile and unappreciated.
Li Bing instructed her to stay in her room, copying Buddhist scriptures to pray for the family's prosperity, threatening she would remain there until she died if she didn't complete 10,000 copies. Mantuo was distraught and furious, screaming that she would make him pay and that her Dugu family and sister still existed. After Li Bing left, Mantuo vowed vengeance.
Jialuo, still uneasy about the letter and Mantuo's absence, voiced her concerns to Yang Jian, wondering if her sister was in trouble. Yang Jian, however, dismissed her worries, pointing out that Lady Wang, one of Li Bing's servants, had seemed normal, suggesting Mantuo was merely being difficult. He reiterated that it was the Li family's private affair and should not be interfered with, especially since their help was needed against Yuwen Hu. Yang Jian and Jialuo then departed with Yuwen Yong. Later, while Li Bing was busy seeing off Emperor Yuwen Yong, Wang successfully rescued Mantuo from her confinement.
