The Legend of Dugu Episode 46 Recap, Plot

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Wang Shi rescued Mantuo, who, filled with raging hatred, scrawled the names of Yang Jian, Jialuo, Li Cheng, and Li Bing on a wall. Mantuo bitterly swore that she would no longer be swayed by past affections and was determined to exact her revenge. She then asked Wang Shi for the swiftest horse to reach the capital before Emperor Yuwen Yong’s return.

Wang Shi, who had helped Mantuo escape by making use of Duke Li Bing's absence, understood Mantuo's desire for retribution, realizing that her own position would be implicated if Mantuo didn't regain power. Fifteen days later, Mantuo arrived in the capital and went directly to see Yuwen Hu.

She informed him of Emperor Yuwen Yong's imminent return with the Turk Princess, and revealed that her husband, Li Bing, had offered a significant sum of gold to Yuwen Yong in exchange for restoring Li Cheng's title. Mantuo proposed a deal: if Yuwen Hu helped her eliminate Li Cheng and Li Bing, she would provide 80% of her family's wealth and assist him in getting rid of Yang Jian and Jialuo, thus solving his major concerns.

Yuwen Hu acknowledged her ruthlessness but flatly refused to harm Jialuo, reminding Mantuo of his solemn promise to her late sister, Dugu Banruo, to protect Jialuo for life. Unfazed, Mantuo pressed on, questioning if Jialuo and Yang Jian might pose a threat to his ambition, citing how Yang Zhong had mobilized troops to save Yang Jian without Yuwen Hu's prior knowledge.

She then suggested that since she too was a Dugu and now a widow, a marriage between them would be logical. She believed that if they were to have a legitimate son, the prophecy of "Dugu's country" would ultimately be fulfilled through them. Though not interested in Mantuo herself, Yuwen Hu found her ambition compelling and agreed to assist her, curious to see what she was capable of.

Meanwhile, Emperor Yuwen Yong and Princess Ashina were making their grand entrance into the capital, where they were greeted by Yuwen Hu and Geshu. Yuwen Yong formally introduced Yuwen Hu to the Princess, who, though from a distant land, had heard of Yuwen Hu's fame and graciously complimented him. During the procession, Yuwen Hu's hired men, disguised as Qi assassins amidst a crowd of disaster victims, ambushed the entourage, resulting in Li Cheng being fatally struck by an arrow.

Back in Anzhou, Li Bing was furious upon discovering Mantuo's escape and had frantically ordered searches for her. The subsequent news of Li Cheng's assassination in the capital, confirmed by an envoy from the court informing him of His Majesty's posthumous decree, proved too much for Li Bing. He collapsed, suffering a stroke that left him paralyzed and unable to speak. Mantuo, now back in Anzhou, visited her incapacitated husband.

She mockingly declared that with him ailing, she would seize control of the family. She berated him for secretly imprisoning her instead of publicly divorcing her, which would have maintained the pretense of a loving couple and averted suspicion. Mantuo then forced medicine down Li Bing's throat, slapped him when he resisted, and commanded the maids to continue force-feeding him. She asserted her dominance, stating he would obey her every command, even if it were poison.

She then kicked him, recalling the suffering he inflicted upon her during her imprisonment. Mantuo instructed her attendant to prepare for their immediate departure to the capital, making sure the doctor could keep Li Bing alive but unable to speak until they arrived. She explained that if Li Bing were to die in Anzhou, as a childless widow, she would be vulnerable to the manipulations of the Li clan elders.

However, in the capital, with Yuwen Hu's decree, she could easily adopt an obedient son and secure her position. Her final chilling intention was for Li Bing to witness his son's burial, just as she had witnessed her own daughter's death. At a celebratory banquet in the palace for the Princess's arrival, Jialuo, feeling ill and deeply saddened by the recent death of Li Cheng, retired from the festivities. Yang Jian followed her, suggesting they return home for comfort.

Jialuo hesitated, fearing it was improper, but Yang Jian assured her that Emperor Yuwen Yong would not blame them for their long-standing "offense" to Yuwen Hu, and his father could represent their family. They left, with Yang Jian promising to play the lute for her. Yuwen Hu immediately seized on their absence, accusing Yang Jian of arrogance for leaving His Majesty's wedding banquet after merely a "small deed of merit."

He demanded of Yuwen Yong that Yang Jian's newly gained general position be terminated. Yuwen Yong, though reluctant, eventually conceded, stating that the dignity of the law must be upheld, and agreed to Taishi's order. Yang Zhong, Yang Jian's father, knelt and accepted the decree. Later, Lu Zhen arrived at the Yang residence to bid farewell.

She informed Jialuo and Yang Jian that her investigation in Luoyang revealed no imperial orders from Qi for Li Cheng's assassination, indicating a deliberate frame-up. She urged them to convey this to Emperor Yuwen Yong. Jialuo questioned why Lu Zhen was interfering in Qi's affairs after her vow of non-involvement. Lu Zhen explained she had returned to rescue her friend, Duke Shen, from jail.

She then revealed the incompetence of the current Qi Emperor, who ruled despotically and neglected his people, leading the Khan to reconsider the arranged marriage. Lu Zhen credited Jialuo's jade pendant for ultimately convincing the Khan to marry his daughter to Emperor Yuwen Yong. Lu Zhen announced her departure for Turpan with Duke Shen, acknowledging it would be a long time before they met again.

As a parting gift, Lu Zhen presented Yang Jian with a secret map of Qi, detailing the various forces' defenses. She explained that Qi's downfall was imminent, likely within ten years, and by giving him this map, she hoped he would conquer Qi swiftly, minimizing bloodshed and destruction, out of consideration for her friendship with Jialuo. Yang Jian, moved by her concern for the common people, promised to honor her request.

Meanwhile, the Turk Princess and her maid gossiped about Jialuo, with the maid spreading rumors of Jialuo's arrogance, her past attempt to kill Yang Jian's concubine, and even implying Jialuo was a jinx who brought misfortune to her family. Emperor Yuwen Yong overheard this conversation but maintained a pleasant demeanor towards the Princess before dismissing her maid.

The next morning, Yuwen Yong left the Phoenix Hall early, despite it being only 7 AM and the tradition of three days off after marriage. He sent gifts to the Empress, commending her cleverness and virtue. The Princess, encouraged by her maid, decided to reciprocate by delivering ginseng soup to Yuwen Yong at the Imperial Study.

However, she was stopped by an eunuch and then by Concubine Li Ezi, who advised her not to disturb His Majesty when he was reviewing memorials, stating he preferred solitude. The Princess, asserting her authority as Queen, scoffed at Li Ezi's advice. Upon hearing of the incident, Yuwen Yong, already aware, became furious with Li Ezi's growing arrogance. He stripped her of her concubine title and ordered her eldest son, Ayun, to be raised by the Queen.

Yuwen Yong confided in He Quan that his actions were meant to establish strict rules within the harem from the outset, to curb greed and ensure proper conduct. He clarified that while he would grant the Queen all due honors—since Yuwen Hu had forced the marriage—he had no intention of reciprocating affection.

He also pointed out that the Queen now had the eldest royal prince under her care and mentioned the Queen's disrespect towards Jialuo the previous night as another factor in his decision. He Quan observed Yuwen Yong's growing shrewdness. Later, Jialuo, accompanied by Lihua, went to see Lu Zhen off for good. They encountered Yuwen Yong, who was out hunting incognito.

Yuwen Yong, now alone with Jialuo, expressed his desire for a betrothal between Lihua and Ayun, confessing his selfish motive to secure a reliable in-law for Ayun, fearing his own eventual death by illness or by Yuwen Hu's hand. Jialuo, touched, called him by his personal name, "Yong," a rare occurrence. Yuwen Yong playfully remarked on her calling him by his name and asked why she wouldn't agree to the marriage.

He revealed he was aware of her and Yang Jian's peaceful life in Suizhou over the years was due to him bribing Yuwen Hu's agents there. Yuwen Yong then took Lihua into his arms, affectionately telling her that one day the country would be hers and she would become the Queen of Zhou. Meanwhile, Mantuo presented Yuwen Hu with documents representing the vast majority of her family's wealth.

Yuwen Hu, in a sarcastic tone, praised her ruthlessness for orchestrating Li Cheng's assassination and then inquired about her plans for the ailing Li Bing. Mantuo stated she would deal with Li Bing after adopting a son. She then explicitly asked Yuwen Hu to arrange for an "obedient nephew" to be adopted as her heir, confident that with his decree, no family elders would object.

Mantuo once again brought up the "Dugu's country" prophecy, reminding Yuwen Hu of his imperial ambitions and her Dugu surname. Yuwen Hu laughed scornfully at her "wild fantasy," pointing out that such a public alliance would expose his involvement in Li Cheng's death. He ruthlessly denounced her as a cruel woman, capable of sacrificing her husband and son for power, and even offering herself. He concluded by saying it was no wonder that Banruo never wanted to see her, and why Yang Jian chose Jialuo over her. Mantuo, shamed and shocked, turned pale.

Episode 45 Recap

Episode 47 Recap