The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 1 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
A royal decree was posted on the city walls of Donghao, announcing a queen selection for the Emperor, Duan Yunzhang, who was nearing his coming-of-age ceremony. The populace buzzed with excitement, though some murmured that Grand Chancellor Liu Xie, who wielded military power and acted as regent, would ultimately make the decision, as the young Emperor had not yet fully taken control.
Meanwhile, in Xianpa Village, a mischievous Yu Changya found Liu Heipang, affectionately known as Heipang, asleep at her desk. He drew on her face with a brush and then snatched a love letter she had written to "Xuan," reading it aloud with dramatic flair. Startled awake, Liu Heipang chased Yu Changya, who skillfully dodged her, leading her on a lively pursuit through the market and to the wishing tree.
Yu Changya offered to make her face "more perfect" if she feared Xuan might abandon her, but Liu Heipang defiantly asserted that she was the prettiest girl in the village and was engaged to Xuan, whom she would love for life. Yu Changya mocked her for loving someone she had never met, questioning if Xuan would like her "feisty" personality. Enraged, Liu Heipang chased him until they were interrupted by villagers.
A village elder advised Liu Heipang's mother, Yongfu, to heed her words, claiming responsibility for resolving past droughts and locust plagues. Liu Heipang scoffed, attributing those solutions to government edicts. Yongfu urged her daughter inside as the elder continued, emphasizing Liu Heipang as the village's last hope due to recent "cursed wives" incidents. Sorceress Zhao, the elder, believed that if Liu Heipang, the village belle with a strong spirit, married a suitable man soon, the curse would be averted.
The villagers suggested Yu Changya, much to Liu Heipang's horror. She quickly explained her long-standing engagement to Xuan, a claim Yongfu corroborated by presenting letters and a painting of Xuan as proof. Convinced, the villagers then pressed for the wedding to happen without delay. In the Imperial Palace, the Empress Dowager eagerly awaited the queen selection, hoping that once the Emperor chose a queen, he could proceed with his coronation and officially rule, finally easing her worries.
Her joy was interrupted by the announcement of Grand Chancellor Liu Xie's arrival, causing her to nearly drop her teacup. A Consort Dowager grumbled about Liu Xie’s unchecked power and disrespect for the imperial family, but the Empress Dowager silenced her. After Liu Xie performed his greetings, he inquired if Duan Yunzhang was pleased with the beauties he had chosen.
The Empress Dowager gave a vague affirmation, but Liu Xie expressed dissatisfaction that the Emperor was not present to give his own opinion. The Empress Dowager immediately sent for Duan Yunzhang. Upon Duan Yunzhang's arrival, a frail maiden fainted from standing too long. Liu Xie ordered her to be flogged fifty times. Duan Yunzhang intervened, arguing that such a harsh punishment would kill the delicate girl.
Liu Xie remained unyielding, prompting Duan Yunzhang to admit his lateness was due to being absorbed in devising exam questions, not disrespect. He offered to take the punishment himself, referencing past beatings from Liu Xie. Liu Xie countered, suggesting Duan Yunzhang no longer respected him and implying he might reconsider the Emperor's ability to rule. The Empress Dowager quickly chastised Duan Yunzhang and urged him to select a queen.
Duan Yunzhang, feeling helpless, delegated the task to Imperial Commander Su Jingtang, Imperial Physician Shen Ao, and Imperial Chef Chai Tiezhou. As the three advisors debated the candidates, Duan Yunchong, the Emperor's younger brother, declared that none of the "mediocre girls" were worthy of his brother. Duan Yunzhang seized the opportunity, stating that since his trusted aides found no suitable candidate, selecting a queen now would not convince the people.
He proposed postponing the selection and announced his intention to discuss matters with Official Zhang. Liu Xie, however, firmly grasped Duan Yunzhang's wrist and pulled him to the study, where he presented the character "Kill" (殺) as the central theme for the upcoming imperial examinations, from which all questions would be derived. Duan Yunzhang reminded him that Official Zhang was the chief examiner. Liu Xie smirked, stating that while the Emperor might have agreed, he had not.
Duan Yunzhang questioned if his imperial edicts were now meaningless. Just then, a report arrived: Official Zhang's carriage had crashed due to a startled horse, and he had fallen. Duan Yunzhang, enraged, called out Liu Xie's name, to which Liu Xie chillingly asked if paralysis was necessary.
Furious but powerless, Duan Yunzhang could only watch as Liu Xie produced a pre-written imperial edict, demanding that Duan Yunzhang enthrone Liu Xie's eldest daughter as Empress, threatening his imperial seat if he refused. Duan Yunzhang reluctantly complied. Later, in Langyin Pavilion, the Empress Dowager found Duan Yunzhang watching a juggling performance and urged him to set a wedding date. After she left, Duan Yunzhang fumed, wondering how Liu Xie's daughter could be worthy of him.
Shen Ao, however, suggested they were a good match, describing Liu Xie’s only daughter, Liu Baiyu, as exquisitely beautiful, refined, and highly accomplished in arts and calligraphy, renowned throughout the capital. According to Donghao's "Fair Lady List," Liu Baiyu was the most sought-after woman. Duan Yunzhang was stunned, questioning his own "narrow-mindedness." He then secretly visited Liu Baiyu's residence in disguise, observing her as a cultured and well-mannered lady, seemingly fit to be Empress.
Back in Xianpa Village, Yongfu packed Liu Jinfeng's belongings, instructing her to go to the capital to find her father and marry Xuan. Liu Jinfeng was shocked to learn her biological father was the "treacherous official," Liu Xie, suspecting her mother of deceiving her again, recalling past tales of being a prince's wet nurse or donating wealth to famine victims while hiding from assassins.
Yongfu placed a letter for Liu Xie into the bundle and hastily sent her daughter off in the middle of the night, tearfully whispering that she and Liu Jinfeng's father had arranged the best marriage for her, but her happiness now depended on her own efforts. The next day, the Empress Dowager, with tearful eyes, confronted Duan Yunzhang. She acknowledged his reluctance to marry into the Liu family and be manipulated by Liu Xie.
She presented him with a posthumous edict, claiming it might save his life if Liu Xie, in his rage, decided to depose him. Duan Yunzhang, however, stated that he had not refused the marriage. The Empress Dowager immediately brightened, calling for his wedding attire to be brought in, revealing that Liu Xie had already set the wedding for the very next day.
Liu Heipang arrived at Liu Xie's residence, where Liu Xie found her ravenous eating habits reminded him of Yongfu. Upon reading Yongfu's letter, Liu Xie was touched, believing she had forgiven him. Liu Heipang then learned that Xuan was none other than the Emperor himself. Confidently, she declared she would marry Xuan regardless of his identity, earning Liu Xie's praise for her courage.
He then informed her that her wedding to Xuan was tomorrow, and from that day forward, she would no longer be "Heipang" but "Liu Jinfeng." On the wedding day, Liu Jinfeng sat in the bridal sedan, joyfully listening to the imperial edict being read. In the grand hall, Prince Longyue officiated the ceremony. After the rituals, the Empress Dowager, overjoyed, instructed all palace staff outside the bridal chamber to ignore anything that transpired inside.
In the bridal chamber, Liu Jinfeng giggled, recalling romantic tales. Duan Yunzhang was surprised, noting how much "Liu Baiyu" seemed to have gained weight. When he lifted her veil with the wedding scale, he was stunned to find a different woman entirely. As he reeled in confusion, Liu Jinfeng pounced on him, pinning him down. Duan Yunzhang cried for help, but no one dared enter due to the Empress Dowager's strict orders.
After he broke free, Duan Yunzhang angrily accused Liu Jinfeng of impersonating the Queen. Liu Jinfeng affectionately called him "Xuan," explaining she was "Heipang," his fiancée, and they had exchanged letters for years, assuming his nervousness was due to their first meeting. Duan Yunzhang, convinced she was an assassin, threatened her with imprisonment if she continued her "mad act." Liu Jinfeng, suspecting Liu Xie had lied, searched her bundle for Xuan's portrait to compare.
As Duan Yunzhang cautiously approached from behind to subdue her, Liu Jinfeng suddenly turned, beaming, confirming he was indeed the Xuan from the painting. She also produced several of his childhood items, including a brush and a fan, which Duan Yunzhang recognized as his own long-lost possessions. Feeling disoriented and hot, Duan Yunzhang quickly knocked her unconscious and rushed out, demanding cold water be poured over his head to clear his mind. However, his eunuchs were too fearful to obey.
In the pavilion, Su Jingtang, Shen Ao, and Chai Tiezhou worried about becoming irrelevant now that the Emperor had a Queen. They then saw a dazed Duan Yunzhang stumbling towards them. Shen Ao quickly diagnosed him as having consumed "medicinal liquor" and, without hesitation, pushed him into the lotus pond to revive him. Still dripping wet, Duan Yunzhang summoned Liu Xie in the middle of the night, accusing him of faking the engagement and replacing the Queen.
Liu Xie, composed, asserted that the engagement and his daughter were genuine, claiming he was merely following a posthumous edict from the Late Emperor. Duan Yunzhang, after examining the evidence, argued that Liu Xie only had one daughter, Liu Baiyu, and the woman he married was not her. Liu Xie chuckled, revealing he had another biological daughter, Heipang, now named Liu Jinfeng.
Duan Yunzhang fumed at being forced to marry a "country bumpkin," but Liu Xie coolly maintained they were a perfect match before taking his leave. Returning to the bridal chamber, Duan Yunzhang found Liu Jinfeng sprawled out asleep and ordered her to be doused with cold water. Chai Tiezhou, unimpressed, remarked that even his kitchen maids were more graceful than Liu Jinfeng.
Shen Ao prepared the water, but just as he was about to pour it, a servant announced that Grand Chancellor Liu Xie had instructed them to treat the Empress well. Knowing Liu Xie was still lurking, the three advisors relented. Frustrated, Duan Yunzhang went to the pavilion to drink. Shen Ao advised him to remain calm. Duan Yunzhang decided to change his approach: he would now investigate Liu Jinfeng's true intentions for being by his side.
