The Legend of Dugu Episode 53 Recap, Plot

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Upon Yang Jian's return from the palace, his wife Jialuo met him, anxiously inquiring about his well-being after the Yuwen Xian incident. Yang Jian assured her he was fine, but expressed concern for Lihua, confirming that Yuchi Jiong had indeed sided with Yuwen Yun. Jialuo immediately sent a message to Lihua, advising her to remain steadfast no matter what transpired.

Yang Jian observed that Yuwen Yun's recent erratic behavior indicated he was being provoked, and he instructed Zheng Rong to uncover the truth. Meanwhile, Yuwen Yun, accompanied by Yuchi Zhifan and Zhu Manyue, went to Fengyi Hall, intending to flaunt his new favored consorts before Lihua and provoke her jealousy. However, Lihua greeted them with calm congratulations, much to Yuwen Yun's fury.

He told her he had almost killed Yang Jian that day, but Lihua remained indifferent, simply stating she was tired and needed rest, telling him to enjoy himself and that she didn't mind him messing around in her hall. Yuwen Yun stormed off, vowing to see how long Lihua could maintain her composure. From that day forward, Yuwen Yun's behavior grew increasingly erratic. He forcibly conscripted civilian women, ruthlessly eliminated his opponents, and indulged in constant revelry.

Though the court officials were deeply dissatisfied, Yuwen Yun's power remained unchallenged with Yuchi Jiong's support. Jialuo often sensed Yang Jian's rising anger and recognized his ambition, but the dying wishes of Yuwen Yong still bound her. Yang Jian tried to reassure Jialuo, saying Lihua would be safe as long as their army was engaged with the Empire of Chen.

He also informed Jialuo that he had identified the person inciting the Emperor and would deal with them, though he concealed the identity of the culprit from her. Yang Jian soon confronted Mantuo at her residence, forcibly taking Li Yuan into his care. Mantuo frantically questioned his actions.

Yang Jian revealed that he knew of her past and recent schemes, thanks to her maid, Qiuci, who had disclosed Mantuo's treacherous acts, including how she had framed Jialuo and manipulated Li Bing and Li Cheng. Mantuo defiantly claimed she had done nothing wrong and that Yang Jian owed her. Yang Jian acknowledged his past regret for choosing Jialuo over her but firmly stated that her repeated betrayals and, most recently, her actions that harmed Lihua, were inexcusable.

He declared he would not kill her, but would send her to Longxing Temple to pray for her late husband. Mantuo pleaded for mercy, invoking their past, but Yang Jian asserted that the "Mantuo of the past" was dead, and so was her "Brother Jian." She was then dragged away, crying and protesting, confined to the temple and given the new name Shanyuan.

Back at the Yang manor, Jialuo was surprised to see Li Yuan and asked Yang Jian about it. He claimed Mantuo had voluntarily decided to become a nun and asked him to care for her son. Jialuo, sensing the truth, looked at Yang Jian, who admitted Mantuo was indeed the provocateur. He confessed feeling a pang of sorrow but explained that in their high position, one sometimes had to be ruthless.

He then revealed his wider strategy: he had also sent beautiful women into the palace to compete for Yuwen Yun's favor against Yuchi Zhifan, and had incited the Turks to attack the border. His ultimate goal was to make Yuwen Yun realize the Great Zhou could not survive without him. Jialuo observed the changes in her husband but conceded that in such a chaotic world, change was necessary for survival.

She reaffirmed her unwavering support, believing that with their unity, they could overcome any challenge. Later, Yuwen Yun was indulging in wine and entertainment with his consorts when he summoned Lihua. Lihua, however, sent word that she was bathing and would not disturb them. Enraged by her continuous defiance, Yuwen Yun burst into Fengyi Hall, where he found her serenely playing the qin. He accused her of feigning indifference and, ignoring her protests, forced himself upon her.

Afterward, Yuwen Yun momentarily wished for harmony between them, asking Lihua why she was cold to him. Lihua, however, remained resolute, ordering him to leave and never return to Fengyi Hall. He angrily retorted that she couldn't divorce him and challenged her to see what he would do next.

To assert his dominance, Yuwen Yun declared multiple Empresses: Zhu Manyue as Empress of Tian, Yuan Leshang as Empress of Tianyou, Chen Yueyi as Empress of Tianzuo, and Yuchi Zhifan as Empress of Tianzhong. Lihua was demoted and renamed Empress of Tianyuan. He gloated that since his father had forbidden him from deposing Lihua, he would have five empresses to humble her. When Lihua received this news, she merely sent her congratulations, which infuriated Yuwen Yun even further.

The court ministers were aghast at the unprecedented decision of having five empresses, but fear kept them silent. In a subsequent court session, Yuwen Yun announced that his eldest son, Yuwen Chan (born to Zhu Manyue), would be established as the Crown Prince. Yang Jian objected, citing the former Emperor's decree that only the Empress's son could be Crown Prince. Yuwen Yun retorted that Lihua had no children and accused Yang Jian of wanting his grandson on the throne.

He then threatened to kill anyone who defied his order. Faced with Yuwen Yun's murderous intent, Yang Jian and the other ministers reluctantly knelt in acceptance. Yuwen Yun then summoned Lihua, gloatingly asking how she felt seeing her father kneel before him. He further taunted her, stating that the Crown Prince had nothing to do with her family and threatened to kill the entire Yang family. Unable to endure the humiliation, Lihua slapped Yuwen Yun across the face.

Enraged, he retaliated with a violent slap, causing Lihua to fall and hit her head on a tea table, losing consciousness. Yuwen Yun panicked, urgently calling for a physician. Upon learning that Yuwen Yun had harmed Lihua, Yang Jian was incensed and prepared to confront the Emperor. However, Jialuo intervened, stopping him and stating that she would handle the situation.

She went to the palace and knelt outside the hall, publicly repenting for her daughter's supposed insolence and begging for imperial forgiveness. Onlookers sympathized with the Yang family, openly criticizing Yuwen Yun's tyrannical behavior. Yuwen Yun eventually granted Jialuo an audience. Seeing Lihua injured, Jialuo, overwhelmed with anger, slapped Yuwen Yun. As Yuwen Yun reeled in fury, Jialuo drew a dagger and held it to his throat.

She recounted the dagger's infamous history, stating it had been used to kill three emperors—Emperor of Wei, Emperor Yuwen Jue, and Emperor Xiaowu from Wei—and she would not hesitate to use it on him. Yuwen Yun, utterly terrified, begged for mercy. Even Lihua, despite her injuries, pleaded with her mother not to kill him. Jialuo compelled Yuwen Yun to swear he would cease his tyrannical ways, never harm Lihua again, and hand over the imperial military seals. He reluctantly complied.

Jialuo then intended to take Lihua home, but Lihua, surprisingly, refused, insisting that as Empress, she must remain in the palace, a choice her mother had no power to override. After this dramatic confrontation, Jialuo returned the military seals to Yang Jian. She declared that she had fully grasped Yuwen Yun's true nature. For the sake of Yuwen Yong's memory, she would give Yuwen Yun one more year.

If he continued his misrule, she vowed she would no longer impede Yang Jian from pursuing the throne. Terrified by Jialuo's actions, Yuwen Yun quickly convened his ministers and announced his abdication to the young Crown Prince, declaring he would retreat to Zhengyang Palace. He appointed Yang Jian as Prime Minister to govern the country.

Yang Jian found himself in a difficult position, but a message from Jialuo, conveyed by Zheng Rong, advised him that the situation was irreversible and he must press forward. With Jialuo's unwavering support, Yang Jian accepted the appointment, thus effectively transferring all imperial power into his hands, while Yuwen Yun became the Supreme Emperor at a young age. However, Yuwen Yun soon died of a sudden illness.

Rumors quickly spread that Yang Jian was responsible, creating a deep rift between Lihua and her father that even Jialuo found herself unable to mend. Later, the young Emperor Yuwen Chan intended to abdicate the throne to Yang Jian. Yang Jian initially declined the offer multiple times, fearing that accepting would permanently alienate Lihua and brand him a usurper in history. Yet, his long-held ambition remained. He sought Jialuo's counsel one last time.

After a moment of contemplation, Jialuo knelt before him, loudly proclaiming, "Long live the Emperor!" She advised him to embrace the inevitable tides of the world and his ambition, telling him not to be concerned with fame.

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Episode 54 Recap