The Legend of Dugu Episode 52 Recap
> The Legend of Dugu Recap
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After Yuwen Yong’s passing, Yuwen Yun ascended the throne. His first decree was to promote Yang Lihua to Queen and name both Empress Ashina and his birth mother, Lady Li, as Empress Dowagers. The ministers immediately protested, arguing that Lady Li, having held no title during the former Emperor’s lifetime, could not be elevated to such a position. Yuwen Yun, enraged by their opposition, accused them of defying him on his first day as Emperor.
He then dramatically tore off his mourning clothes, declaring that he would no longer mourn his father, shocking the court with his erratic behavior. Yang Jian returned home, exasperated, and complained to Jialuo that assisting the new Emperor was the most difficult task imaginable. Jialuo tried to calm him, but Yang Jian sighed, lamenting that he now understood why Yuwen Hu had killed so many members of the Yuwen family.
Jialuo, her gaze solemn, questioned if Yang Jian was truly unwilling to remain subordinate. Yang Jian did not answer directly, but then revealed a prophecy he had received at a small temple: "The star of the Emperor is clear, Dugu's country." Jialuo scoffed at the prophecy, reminding him of the suffering caused by such predictions in the past.
She stressed that their family’s peace was paramount and urged him not to betray Yuwen Yong's trust, especially after Yuwen Yong had treated them as friends, making Yang Jian prime minister and Lihua Queen. Yang Jian grew cold, accusing her of only caring for Yuwen Yong. Jialuo insisted that as his wife, it was her duty to stop him from becoming a perfidious person for an illusory future. Annoyed, Yang Jian sarcastically agreed to "forget" his ambition and stormed off.
Later, Yang Jian, realizing his misconduct, approached Jialuo and apologized. He admitted to being jealous of Yuwen Yong's relationship with her. Jialuo reiterated her fear that he might follow her sister Banruo's tragic path, driven by the "Dugu's country" prophecy. Yang Jian assured her that he would no longer chase imperial dreams. Instead, he promised to faithfully assist the Emperor, and once Yuwen Yun matured, they would retire, travel the world together, and have more children.
Meanwhile, Yuwen Yun was indulging in revelry during the national mourning period. Queen Lihua bravely confronted him, reminding him that Yuwen Yong had only recently passed. Yuwen Yun, however, unleashed his anger on Lihua, resenting Yang Jian’s opposition to his birth mother’s promotion. He insulted Yang Jian and even slandered Jialuo, implying an illicit relationship with Yuwen Yong. Furious, Lihua slapped him.
She then declared her intention to confine herself to Fengyi Hall to pray for the former Emperor, leaving despite Yuwen Yun's commands. At the same time, Mantuo arrived in the capital with her son, Li Yuan, for a visit. She expressed her lingering resentment towards Yang Jian and Jialuo. Yang Yong, Yang Jian's son, greeted them, surprising Mantuo with his rank as Grand Siwei and Grand General.
Mantuo was displeased by Yang Yong's influence and Li Yuan's immediate fondness for his cousin. She disciplined Li Yuan for wanting to play with Yang Yong, even slapping him and ordering the pony Yang Yong gifted to be sold. Determined not to be outshone, Mantuo meticulously prepared for the next day's court audience.
The following day, Mantuo entered the palace dressed elegantly but was mocked by other noble ladies who whispered about her being a young widow and "cursing her husband to die early." As Queen Lihua was unwell, Consort Zhu, mother of the Emperor’s eldest son, was sent to receive the noble ladies. The ladies, feeling insulted by being "summoned" by a consort of humble birth, refused to acknowledge her. Consort Zhu, deeply offended, ran to complain to Yuwen Yun.
When Yuwen Yun arrived, he overheard Mantuo defending Consort Zhu and criticizing the other ladies for their disrespect. Mantuo cleverly argued that low birth did not diminish one's worth, citing historical emperors born of concubines, implying Yuwen Yun himself, a son of a concubine, was great. Impressed, Yuwen Yun sought Mantuo’s advice on how to legitimize his birth mother's title and how to assert authority over Lihua.
Mantuo suggested granting Lady Li a separate, honorable title, like "Queen of Bao," referencing an old Wei Dynasty precedent. To undermine Lihua, Mantuo advised Yuwen Yun to take on more concubines, thereby diluting the Queen’s power and that of the Yang family. Yuwen Yun praised her cunning and immediately promoted Li Yuan to Zuosiwei, increasing his fief and Mantuo's. During the gathering, a noble lady suddenly fainted.
Yuwen Yun identified her as Yuchi Zhifan, the beautiful granddaughter of General Yuchi and wife of Yuwen Wen, Duke of Xiyang County. Ignoring protests about court etiquette, he ordered her to be taken to Yunhe Hall, part of the inner palace. The next day, Yang Jian received shocking news: Yuwen Wen had been beaten to death in Yunhe Hall.
Yuwen Wen, desperate to find his wife, had entered the palace, only to be falsely accused of rebellion by Yuwen Yun and executed. Yang Jian, furious at this outrageous behavior, rushed to Yunhe Hall to confront the Emperor. Yang Jian berated Yuwen Yun for his moral transgressions. Yuwen Yun, however, retorted by bringing up Yang Jian’s past relationship with Mantuo. In a fit of rage, Yang Jian grabbed Yuwen Yun's collar, warning him.
He then publicly declared that Yuwen Wen and his father had died of "sudden illness" and ordered a respectful burial with posthumous honors, demonstrating his own authority before leaving abruptly. Soon after, General Yuchi Jiong arrived to retrieve his granddaughter. Yuwen Yun, seizing the opportunity, blamed Yuwen Xian and Yang Jian for conspiring against him. He promised Yuchi Jiong that Yuchi Zhifan would be made Empress if the General allied with him.
Tempted by such power, Yuchi Jiong appeared to accept the offer. Back home, Jialuo chastised Yang Jian for his disrespectful confrontation with the Emperor, regardless of Yuwen Yun's faults. As they spoke, alarming news arrived: Yuwen Xian, Prince of Qi, had rebelled! Before rushing to the palace, Yang Jian instructed Jialuo to assemble their troops immediately and remain calm, prepared for any outcome. Upon arriving at the palace, Yang Jian found Yuwen Xian already dead, apparently hanged.
Yuwen Yun, sitting triumphantly on the throne, declared that Yuwen Xian had attempted to seize power at Yang Jian's instigation but was apprehended and killed by himself and General Yuchi. Yuwen Yun then promoted Yuchi Jiong to Grand Qianyi, effectively placing him on equal footing with Yang Jian. Yang Jian realized he was being targeted. Seeing hidden assassins, he swiftly changed his demeanor.
He earnestly denied any involvement with Yuwen Xian, emphasizing that his daughter was the Queen, making rebellion illogical for him. Other veteran ministers also vouched for Yang Jian's loyalty, forcing Yuwen Yun to back down. Yuwen Yun then arrogantly announced the official promotion of his birth mother to Empress Dowager and Yuchi Zhifan to Consort, noting his appreciation for Yang Jian's sudden "steadiness" compared to the morning. Yang Jian, focused on survival, chose not to argue. Later, Yuwen Yun discussed his failed assassination attempt on Yang Jian with someone and expressed his delight at taking Yuchi Zhifan as a consort, anticipating the Queen's displeasure.
