The Legend of Dugu Episode 50 Recap, Plot

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Jialuo's face was filled with worry, reflecting on Yuwen Yong's words. She then asked Yang Jian if his past comment about wanting to be emperor was true. Startled, Yang Jian dismissed it as a private joke and inappropriate to discuss in the palace. However, Jialuo pressed him, wanting to understand the real reason behind such a thought, beyond the physiognomist's predictions. Yang Jian confessed to a man's inherent ambition to conquer the world.

Jialuo sighed, lamenting that women, too, have dreams—of happy children and a lifelong partnership with their beloved. She urged Yang Jian that instead of pursuing a heroic dream, he should quickly conquer Qi, but with minimal bloodshed, encouraging negotiation to spare lives and ensure a swift resolution. Meanwhile, Li Bing passed away, and Mantuo became the Lady Dowager (Tai Furen). Her infant son, Li Yuan, inherited the title of Duke of Tang.

Mantuo was not saddened by her husband's death, focusing instead on wealth and status. When a servant informed her that Yang Lihua had been chosen as the Crown Princess, making Jialuo the Crown Prince’s mother-in-law, Mantuo’s jealousy erupted. She raged, feeling Jialuo always stole her thunder. Mantuo then instructed her servant, Wang Shi, to find a palace maid who could subtly instigate Empress Ashina, aiming to disrupt Jialuo and Lihua’s lives.

Wang Shi expressed hesitation, reminding Mantuo of Emperor Yuwen Yong's past warnings, but Mantuo dismissed her concerns, believing the risk was worth it if Jialuo suffered, as no direct evidence would be found. In the fourth year of Jiande, Yuwen Yong commanded Yang Jian to lead a formidable army of 180,000 troops to conquer Qi. Jialuo worried about Yang Jian's safety, knowing the prowess of Qi's general, the King of Lanling.

Yuwen Yong assuaged her fears, explaining that the King of Lanling, Gao Changgong, was actually under house arrest by Qi’s fatuous Emperor Gao Wei, who feared his cousin. The true leaders of the Qi forces were merely a few newly promoted confidantes of Lu Lingxuan, lacking real military skill. Concurrently, Lihua, now a graceful young woman reminiscent of Banruo, found herself frequently bickering with Yuwen Yun. He teased her and warned her not to complain to his father.

Back home, Lihua concealed Yuwen Yun's behavior from Jialuo, feigning contentment, though she admitted to feeling uneasy about the impending marriage and found the Prince less handsome than her father, or her brothers Yong and Guang. Jialuo, concerned about Lihua's entry into the complexities of palace life, was diligently compiling and summarizing historical biographies of queens from previous dynasties for her daughter to study.

Winter Qu, Lihua’s trusted maid, volunteered to accompany her into the palace as a managing officer, a proposition Jialuo warmly accepted, finding comfort in the thought of Winter Qu looking after Lihua. Winter Qu playfully demanded a high salary, declaring her ambition to be the Royal Princess's trusted aide.

Jialuo confessed to Winter Qu that despite Lihua’s outward acceptance, she sensed her daughter wasn’t truly satisfied with the marriage, reflecting that men, including Yuwen Yong, often failed to understand women’s true desires. Jialuo also discussed the war with Winter Qu, expressing her anxiety for Yang Jian and Zheng Rong.

Winter Qu speculated that Yuwen Yong was strategically deploying those formerly aligned with Yuwen Hu away from the capital, implying that Yang Jian and Zheng Rong might not face the most perilous battles. Jialuo admired Yuwen Yong’s shrewdness in consolidating power, but also worried about the constant warfare's toll on the common people. On the battlefield, Yang Jian and Zheng Rong spearheaded fierce attacks against Qi.

Yang Jian rallied his troops, promising them a return home for the New Year if they swiftly captured Fenzhou. In the palace, the maid sent by Mantuo successfully swayed Empress Ashina. The maid highlighted Lihua's high favor with the Emperor and Empress Ashina's lack of heirs, suggesting that sowing discord between Yuwen Yun and Lihua could lead to the Crown Prince's removal. If Empress Ashina then bore a son, he could ascend to the position of Crown Prince.

Empress Ashina found this advice compelling. Meanwhile, Yuwen Yong severely reprimanded Yuwen Yun for his ineptitude in managing local officials, expressing deep concern over his son's unreadiness for the throne, especially given Yuwen Yong's own declining health. He sternly ordered Yuwen Yun to treat Lihua well, reminding him that Lihua was his chosen Crown Princess, a woman of dignity and intelligence whose appearance could not be judged.

Yuwen Yong also explicitly forbade Yuwen Yun from seeking an imperial title for his birth mother, Li Ezi, citing her past misbehavior of making troubles in the palace and his fear that she would mistreat Lihua if given power. Enraged by his father's words, Yuwen Yun returned to his chambers and vented his frustration by smashing objects. A palace maid named Zhu Manyue stayed amidst the chaos, diligently cleaning up and offering soothing words, skillfully gaining his favor.

She assured him that his mother would eventually become Empress Dowager once he ascended the throne. Time quickly passed, and Yang Jian returned victorious, having eliminated 40,000 Qi soldiers and captured 30 cities with remarkably few casualties (less than 5,000). Yuwen Yong, elated, bestowed upon Yang Jian the title of Pillar State (Zhuguo) and announced that Yuwen Yun and Lihua’s wedding would take place in three days, combined with a grand victory celebration.

Yang Jian jokingly remarked on the Emperor's cunning, sending him to war and then taking his daughter as Crown Princess. Yuwen Yong then declared a one-year tax reduction for the people. Back home, Yang Jian distributed Dawan horses to his children. He expressed sorrow at Lihua, still a young girl, marrying so soon, wishing he could trade his position for her freedom.

Jialuo reassured him, recounting how Lihua had repeatedly expressed affection for Yuwen Yun, even defending his teasing, making Jialuo conclude that Lihua was genuinely fond of him. Yang Jian also shared the news that Qi's Emperor Gao Wei had poisoned the King of Lanling for his defeat, calling it self-destruction. Jialuo observed that this confirmed Lu Zhen’s old prophecy of Qi’s downfall. She hoped Yang Jian would be the one to complete Qi's conquest, ensuring minimal loss of life.

Three days later, Lihua married Yuwen Yun, becoming the Crown Princess. On their wedding night, as Yuwen Yun rested his head on her shoulder, Lihua gently mentioned her intention to pay respects to his birth mother, Li Ezi, the next morning. Yuwen Yun was surprised, asking if she wasn't bothered by Li Ezi's humble status. Lihua explained that court protocol and familial bonds were separate matters; as Li Ezi was his mother, she deserved respect.

Touched by her thoughtfulness, Yuwen Yun genuinely confessed his long-standing affection for Lihua and expressed his desire to spend his life with her. Lihua reciprocated, and they shared a loving night. The following morning, as Yuwen Yun and Lihua paid respects to Yuwen Yong, Empress Ashina, and Jialuo and Yang Jian, the harmonious atmosphere was shattered. Zhu Manyue suddenly collapsed, claiming to be three months pregnant with Yuwen Yun's child.

Yuwen Yong, furious at his son's scandalous behavior, slapped Yuwen Yun, while Yang Jian watched, enraged. Yuwen Yong ordered Zhu Manyue to be beaten to death and began to issue a decree to punish Yuwen Yun. However, Lihua interrupted, questioning the maid's sudden revelation. She pointed out the suspicious timing of a three-month pregnancy being announced on the very day after the Crown Prince's wedding, especially when such an announcement risked the maid's own life.

Lihua proposed that this was a deliberate plot to create a rift between the imperial and Yang families and to discredit the Crown Prince, urging them not to fall prey to such schemes. She emphasized that as the future Empress, she must display magnanimity and avoid jealousy. Impressed by Lihua’s wisdom and foresight, Yuwen Yong rescinded his order against Zhu Manyue and praised Lihua's broad-mindedness. He then commanded Yuwen Yun to apologize to Lihua. Yuwen Yun, rising from the floor, meekly apologized to Lihua and his in-laws, admitting he had been seduced.

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