The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 10 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
That evening, Jinfeng and Sufang, after an exhausting half-night spent chasing rats, found themselves hungry. To remedy their hunger, Jinfeng showcased her exceptional skill by expertly shooting down a quail with a slingshot, promising to grill it. As they prepared the meal, Jinfeng confidently declared her expertise in grilling, claiming that in Xianpa Village, even wild cats would flock to her quail. Meanwhile, Duan Yunzhang, passing by the Western Cold Palace, caught the enticing aroma and paused to eavesdrop.
Sufang, feeling remorseful, expressed her inability to care for Jinfeng adequately. Jinfeng, however, reassured her, stating that she herself was responsible for their predicament. She then philosophized that the "cutest thing" about the dead bird was that it was now cooked and edible, using this to encourage Sufang to view past troubles as something to move beyond.
Yet, when Sufang cautiously asked if Jinfeng could forgive His Majesty for banishing her to the Cold Palace, Jinfeng swiftly retorted that forgiveness for Yunzhang was a different matter. She condemned Duan Yunzhang as an "evil person" who "fabricated the truth and couldn't tell right from wrong." Jinfeng vowed that if she were ever released, she would seek revenge, threatening to put leeches in his hot spring, glue on his weiqi pieces, and black ink on all his books.
She dared him to "keep me here forever, or else, I'll seek my revenge once I'm out." Across the palace, Liu Xie received news that Shen Ao was dead and he was safe. His subordinate questioned why Shen Ao had made another attempt to poison the Emperor so soon after a previous failure.
Liu Xie explained that Shen Ao, having learned that Liu Xie did not yet intend to kill the young emperor (as it would render Jinfeng's marriage and their overall plan meaningless and prevent him from acquiring a crucial item), feared Liu Xie would eliminate him first and thus acted preemptively. When asked if the Emperor would release Jinfeng, Liu Xie mused that it was "not necessarily" so, as the young Emperor, though youthful, was "quite smart."
Upon hearing that Yunzhang had arrived at his residence, Liu Xie feigned a worsening illness, instructing his servants to tell the Emperor he was too unwell to leave his bed. He then told his wife, Yongfu, that since Yunzhang detested his control, he would simply let go and enjoy a walk with her instead of confronting the Emperor.
Outside Liu Xie’s residence, Yunzhang's eunuch, Shuan, announced an imperial decree: despite Liu Xie's purported illness, as the Grand Chancellor and pillar of the nation, he was commanded to attend Yunzhang's coronation in seven days. When no one accepted the decree, Shuan tossed it into the courtyard. Liu Xie and Yongfu, observing from a hidden spot, understood this as Yunzhang's forceful demand for Liu Xie's presence. Back in the palace, Yunzhang discussed his strategy with Su Jingtang.
He explained that Liu Xie's continued absence from court would create unease and hinder Yunzhang's legitimate ascension to power. Furthermore, officials feared Liu Xie's retaliation, potentially obstructing Yunzhang's rule. Yunzhang intended for Liu Xie to crown him publicly, signifying his coming of age. If Liu Xie refused, it would expose his rebellious intentions and incur public condemnation. Su Jingtang then suggested releasing Jinfeng since her innocence in the poisoning plot was confirmed.
Yunzhang dismissed the idea, stating Jinfeng would immediately demand to leave the palace, becoming an unpredictable factor in his dealings with Liu Xie. Su Jingtang playfully hinted that Yunzhang might secretly want Jinfeng to stay, a suggestion Yunzhang promptly denied. The next morning, Jinfeng and Sufang were served a meager breakfast of thin porridge and a small plate of greens. Jinfeng angrily declared that Yunzhang's benevolence was as limited as the food provided.
Their attempts to draw water from the well yielded only muddy water, prompting Jinfeng to label Yunzhang "inhumane." That night, their hunger persisted, compounded by a leaking roof. Jinfeng's frustration grew, accusing Yunzhang of bullying her. Sufang, however, promised to find a way to fix the roof the following day. True to her word, Sufang reported Jinfeng's deplorable conditions—the rat infestation, insufficient food, undrinkable water, and a damaged roof—to Yunzhang, depicting Jinfeng as utterly miserable.
Yunzhang, while acknowledging Jinfeng's plight, suspected these problems were a result of "petty tricks" by an unknown culprit. He reminded Sufang that her role was to spy, not to defend Jinfeng. Nevertheless, Yunzhang agreed to have Su Jingtang reduce the number of guards around the Cold Palace. Later, Sufang led Jinfeng to the unguarded Imperial Kitchen, where they collected two large baskets of vegetables. On their way back, they conveniently "found" a cart of unattended wooden tiles near a warehouse.
Back at the Cold Palace, Jinfeng invented a simple water filter, finally allowing them to drink clean water. Delighted with their acquisitions, Jinfeng and Sufang then lit a fire, cooked a meal, repaired their roof, and enjoyed the moonlight. However, Yunyan's spy reported Jinfeng's newfound comfort—with "liquor, meat, and water" obtained with her water filter, she was neither crying nor throwing tantrums. Incensed, Yunyan decided to "step up my game."
She had a hornet's nest thrown into the Cold Palace courtyard. Jinfeng and Sufang, hiding in the kitchen, feigned screams and Jinfeng pretended to faint. Yunyan, rushing in to observe, was immediately swarmed by hornets. Jinfeng, despite her feigned unconsciousness, bravely darted out to shield Yunyan, getting stung on the face. Yunyan, though saved, left without expressing thanks, prompting Sufang to criticize her ingratitude. Meanwhile, the Consort Dowager summoned Baiyu.
She praised Baiyu’s amazing qualities and suitability as Empress, asserting that Baiyu, not Jinfeng, should have been Queen. While Baiyu initially dismissed this as past events, the Consort Dowager pressed on, encouraging Baiyu to seize her future in the palace and offering her support. Later, Sufang revealed to Jinfeng that Yunyan was at the bottom of the palace's social hierarchy, despite being the Consort Dowager's child like Yunchong.
During Yunyan's birth, the Consort Dowager suffered a hysteria and almost suffocated her, leading to Yunyan being disfavored. This, Sufang explained, was why Yunyan acted arrogantly—she merely yearned for affection. Jinfeng realized she was not alone in her loneliness within the cold and snobbish palace. Soon after, Yunyan visited, bringing food and medicine for Jinfeng's swollen face as a thank you for saving her from the hornets.
Jinfeng jokingly accused her of poisoning the food, then invited her and Sufang to eat together. Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager discussed with Yunzhang the Queen's long confinement, suggesting he consider bringing new consorts into the imperial harem. She particularly praised Liu Baiyu, deeming her a suitable match for him. Yunzhang, however, frowned, stating that with Grand Chancellor Liu Xie absent from court, he was too preoccupied with national affairs to consider such matters.
Afterward, Jinfeng made a clay doll for Yunyan, who then suggested Jinfeng make one for Yunzhang for his upcoming birthday. Yunyan mentioned Imperial Physician Shen (Shen Ao) had "suddenly passed away" and Yunzhang was "quite upset lately," hinting that a gift might secure Jinfeng's release. Jinfeng, still seething over Yunzhang's treatment—the meager food, dirty water, and leaking roof—refused. At this point, a mortified Yunyan admitted that she had orchestrated those difficulties.
Sufang then confessed that the "stealing" of food and acquisition of roof materials were all "arranged by His Majesty." Jinfeng finally understood that Yunzhang had not wanted her to leave the palace, which was why the search of Xiangluo Hall had been a futile charade. Realizing Yunzhang's hidden sadness and loneliness, Jinfeng, late that night, created a clay doll for him. The next morning, Baiyu positioned herself in a long corridor, adorned beautifully, awaiting Yunzhang after his morning assembly.
Yunzhang, however, walked past without noticing her. Baiyu called out, feigning a dance practice and requesting pointers, then began to dance. Jinfeng, on her way to deliver the clay doll to Yunzhang, witnessed this scene and stopped. Sufang, incensed, accused Baiyu of openly "seducing His Majesty," suggesting they intervene. An infuriated Jinfeng, however, simply turned and walked away. Yunzhang found Baiyu's dance "pointless," questioning her motives for performing it before his actual birthday.
His thoughts unexpectedly drifted to Jinfeng, but he quickly dismissed her as a "bumpkin" unworthy of his taste. He sternly warned Baiyu not to "try to seduce me," declaring he would not "fall for you" and expressing his exasperation with the "daughters of the Liu family" (referring to both Baiyu and Jinfeng). Jinfeng, in a bitter tone, told Sufang how "happy" she was that Baiyu was aggressively pursuing the Empress title, believing her own freedom was imminent.
Yet, as she spoke of her happiness, she angrily crushed the clay doll she had made for Yunzhang, leaving Sufang to ponder if Jinfeng was truly happy. Driven by a desire to ascertain Jinfeng's true nature, Yunzhang, accompanied by Shuan, visited the Western Cold Palace. He wanted to see if she was "really that scary in private" and avoid being "deceived by her looks."
They found Jinfeng perched on a ladder, using a telescope to observe guards training on a nearby field. She admired the "virile men" and their "muscular" physiques. Sufang reminded her that she was still "grounded" and should not be so conspicuous. When Yunzhang arrived, Jinfeng, unfazed, declared that since their marriage was one "in name" and they "hate each other," they should both do as they pleased: he could enjoy his dance, and she would watch the training men.
Yunzhang inquired about the dance. Sufang began to mention Jinfeng's clay doll gift, but Jinfeng quickly interjected, denying it and claiming the doll was "messed up" and she "already crushed it." Yunzhang then ordered the palace walls to be heightened. Jinfeng retorted that she would simply get a taller ladder. In response, Yunzhang commanded Su Jingtang (Tang) to move the training grounds elsewhere, deeming the guards "too noisy" and a disturbance to the Queen. He also ordered the ladder to be dismantled and used as firewood, much to Jinfeng's fury.
