The Legend of Dugu Episode 5 Recap
> The Legend of Dugu Recap
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Yuwen Hu presented Banruo with her favorite plums. Banruo told him there was no need for such gestures, stating she had decided to marry Yuwen Yu for the queen's position, but would not fall in love with him. She promised that if Yuwen Hu supported her, the Dugu family would not oppose him, and he would remain the powerful Taishi even after Yuwen Yu ascended the throne.
Yuwen Hu, however, countered that he desired to be emperor himself, with Banruo as his queen. He then accused her of using empty promises to stall him while she prepared to marry someone else. Banruo stood up and challenged Yuwen Hu, saying if he divorced his wife, the Qinghe Countess, she would marry him immediately.
When Yuwen Hu remained silent, Banruo shed tears, acknowledging that his reluctance to lose the former royal family's strong support meant their true love was not for each other, but for power. Overcome with emotion, Yuwen Hu embraced Banruo, feeling her words pierce his heart like daggers. Unbeknownst to them, the Qinghe Countess, accompanied by Jing Zhaoyin Du, was outside, alerted by her servant, who had noticed a suspicious man.
The Countess intended to catch them in the act, claiming thieves were hiding in the establishment. Jialuo, having been informed by her servant Summer Song, rushed in to warn her sister and Yuwen Hu. She quickly devised a plan, hiding them in an armoire and then pretending to be heavily drunk when the Countess and Officer Du burst into the room. Officer Du, finding only Jialuo drinking, declared it a misunderstanding, despite the Countess's insistence.
The Countess, furious and humiliated by Jialuo's apparent public drinking, left without finding Yuwen Hu or Banruo. After they emerged, Banruo fiercely blamed Yuwen Hu, accusing him of orchestrating the ambush to trap her and potentially ruin her family's reputation. Yuwen Hu denied it, trying to explain it was an accident, but Banruo pointed out that only he or his wife could have known their whereabouts. She feared the Countess would spread rumors about Jialuo drinking during the daytime.
Yuwen Hu conceded that too many entanglements prevented them from being together, expressing sorrow over their deep love but lack of fortune. He released her, but warned Banruo not to fall in love with Yuwen Yu, or he would kill her. Banruo, in turn, swore to God that she would only love Yuwen Hu in her life, wishing premature death upon herself if she broke the vow. Yuwen Hu made the same solemn oath.
Later, Yuwen Hu instructed his subordinate, Geshu, to ensure the Qinghe Countess's illness worsened, rendering her bedridden by forcibly administering a decoction. He also revealed his long-term plan: to allow Banruo to become queen, then marry her as regent after Yuwen Yu's eventual demise, which he deemed a more logical path to power than direct usurpation.
Meanwhile, the Qinghe Countess, fueled by hatred, ordered her maid, Lian, to spread malicious rumors throughout the capital, slandering all Dugu daughters as shameless women. News of Jialuo's alleged public drinking reached Dugu Xin, who, misinformed by the rumors that Jialuo went out drinking due to sadness over Yuwen Yong's departure, became enraged. He scolded Jialuo, who, to protect Banruo, took full responsibility and denied bribing officials. Dugu Xin, ashamed for his family, almost fainted.
Both Jialuo and Banruo begged for his forgiveness. Mantuo, upon learning of the scandal, was furious, fearing it would damage her reputation and prospects. She exaggerated Jialuo's misdeeds to Dugu Xin, suggesting Jialuo be harshly punished to learn a lesson. As a result, Jialuo was ordered to kneel in the courtyard for four hours. During her punishment, she fainted from weakness but was quickly rescued by Yang Jian and Zheng Rong.
Dugu Xin, still believing Jialuo's drinking was due to sadness over Yuwen Yong's departure, regretted his harshness. To make his youngest daughter more virtuous, Dugu Xin decided to arrange an early marriage for Jialuo soon. He tasked Banruo with overseeing Jialuo's marriage once Banruo became a princess. Later, Yang Jian found Mantuo in the courtyard. She chided him for his apparent lack of ambition, contrasting it with her own disciplined efforts to overcome her concubine status.
Yang Jian then confessed that his seemingly carefree demeanor and fainting spell in court were an elaborate ruse to deceive Yuwen Hu and hide his true intentions of weakening the power of the eight Major Generals. Relieved and delighted, Mantuo's mood brightened, and she agreed to join him for dinner, asserting her determination to achieve great things with him, despite her wet nurse's reservations about Yang Jian's status and his inability to match the royal family of Yuwen.
Soon after, an imperial edict arrived, officially bestowing Banruo with the title of Princess of Ningdu and announcing her marriage to Yuwen Yu. Yuwen Hu, though publicly accepting, sent Geshu with a hairpin, a stark reminder of their secret vow and a warning not to wear any other man's hair clasp. Yuwen Yu then arrived himself, eager to present Banruo with his own hairpin and profess his love and devotion, promising to put her in charge of his household.
Banruo, citing Mantuo's imminent arrival, deferred wearing his gift and subtly signaled to Geshu that she had not forgotten her oath to Yuwen Hu. An engagement feast was held, but Jialuo, still recovering, was confined to her room because she was unmarried and it was not suitable for her to appear. Yang Jian, knowing her love for camel humps, brought some to her.
Jialuo confided in him, making him promise not to reveal anything about Banruo and Yuwen Hu to anyone, especially Mantuo. Yang Jian, observing Jialuo, wondered who the lively girl would marry someday. During the feast, General Li, Duke of Longxi County, and his son, Li Cheng, arrived to congratulate Dugu Xin.
Impressed by Li Cheng's character and education, and encouraged by other officials who suggested an engagement between the two Major Generals' families, Dugu Xin decided to arrange a marriage between Jialuo and Li Cheng. Jialuo was called out to greet them, and Dugu Xin encouraged her to host Li Cheng, with others remarking on their natural compatibility.
