The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 11 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Duan Yunzhang decided that Liu Jinfeng would not attend his birthday banquet this year, explaining that it was not a simple feast and her presence might not be appropriate. Meanwhile, in the Western Cold Palace, Liu Jinfeng was molding clay dolls and scolding a clay figure of Duan Yunzhang, saying that since she could not scold him in person, she would scold his substitute.
She revealed her plan to ask Princess Yunyan for help to renovate the Western Cold Palace, turning it into a place so enchanting that "even deities would refuse to leave," especially since Duan Yunzhang was not letting them leave. During Duan Yunzhang's coming-of-age ceremony, Grand Tutor Wei announced that the auspicious hour had arrived and suggested proceeding without Liu Xie, who was late, offering to put the crown on the Emperor himself.
However, Duan Yunzhang insisted on waiting for Liu Xie. The Empress Dowager also urged him to let Grand Tutor Wei perform the ceremony, but Duan Yunzhang remained firm in his decision, declaring he would postpone the ceremony and pick another auspicious day. Just as the court was preparing to disperse, Liu Xie arrived, apologizing for his tardiness, and the coming-of-age ceremony was successfully completed.
That evening, Liu Jinfeng celebrated the successful renovation of the Western Cold Palace, inviting Yunyan and others for a lively party with unlimited liquor and meat skewers. Yunyan explained that while the Emperor was busy, his sister-in-law would treat everyone well. At Duan Yunzhang's formal birthday banquet, officials presented their gifts. Duan Yunchong presented a handmade "Iron Peach Leaf Fan" for protection.
Notably, Yunyan was absent, having gone to the Western Cold Palace, which Duan Yunzhang seemed to approve of, saying it was good for her to "bother the Queen." Liu Xie, as his gift, presented a list, inviting Duan Yunzhang to choose any items he desired. Duan Yunzhang noted Liu Xie's list contained more gifts than all other officials' presents combined, but stated he did not want any of them, only "one thing, something that was originally mine."
When Liu Xie challenged him, asking what he would do if he refused, Duan Yunzhang leaned in and whispered his resolve to "fight you for it until the end." He vowed never to obey Liu Xie again and prevent him from abusing his power, promising that as long as he lived, he would "never give up." Liu Xie coldly questioned if he intended to let Duan Yunzhang live long enough.
Duan Yunzhang, in return, stated he would rather die than have his words carry no weight. Acknowledging Duan Yunzhang's ambition to take over the reins, Liu Xie then proposed a challenge: if Duan Yunzhang could rank in the top three in the upcoming imperial examination, as stipulated in the Late Emperor's will, he would hand over power. Liu Xie, however, ambiguously stated he "might deny what I've said after a while."
Before Duan Yunzhang could press further, a palace attendant rushed in, reporting thick smoke from the Western Cold Palace, fearing a fire had broken out. Duan Yunzhang, the Empress Dowager, Liu Xie, and others rushed to the Western Cold Palace, where they found Liu Jinfeng and her group happily enjoying their celebration, setting off firecrackers and roasting skewers. Duan Yunzhang chastised Liu Jinfeng for the "loud and unruly" commotion.
Liu Jinfeng, unfazed, asked if he had come for skewers after her renovation instead of celebrating his own birthday. The Consort Dowager expressed dismay at their "presumptuous" behavior, but Yunyan defended them, saying they were merely having a good time. Liu Xie suggested that now that the Emperor and Empress were in harmony, Liu Jinfeng should leave the Cold Palace. Duan Yunzhang agreed, but Liu Jinfeng refused, protesting that she had just finished renovating the place.
Liu Xie then commanded her to become Duan Yunzhang's study companion at the Imperial Academy starting the next day. Duan Yunzhang agreed, also confirming his acceptance of Liu Xie's terms for taking the reins. Liu Jinfeng continued to protest, but Duan Yunzhang sternly told her to "Shut up." Later, Fengyue found Liu Baiyu despondent. Fengyue suggested Baiyu give up her aspirations and live happily like the Queen, remarking on the Queen's lively existence in the Western Cold Palace.
Baiyu expressed anger that Liu Jinfeng took their father's favor for granted, but vowed to obey her father. Liu Jinfeng then arrived and directly confronted Baiyu, asking if she had feelings for Duan Yunzhang and intended to be Queen. Baiyu initially denied it, but when Sufang confirmed that she and Liu Jinfeng had witnessed Baiyu trying to seduce Duan Yunzhang, Baiyu boldly admitted her affection for the Emperor and declared herself more suitable to be Queen than Liu Jinfeng.
Liu Jinfeng then banished Baiyu to the Western Cold Palace, explaining that women who go there are "born again" and "return for a payback," and noted that she had already renovated the palace for her. Fengyue knelt to plead for Baiyu, but Baiyu pulled her up, accepting her fate with an air of defiance. Duan Yunzhang dedicated himself to studying for the imperial examination, aiming to take over the reins as promised by Liu Xie.
He instructed his attendants to manage Liu Jinfeng and prevent her from causing trouble, confident that her presence as a study companion would not distract him. Shuanzi then reported that Liu Jinfeng had moved back into Xiangluo Hall and banished Liu Baiyu to the Cold Palace.
Duan Yunzhang was initially surprised, remarking that it wasn't something Jinfeng would typically do, but quickly dismissed it as a "small trick" that would not bother him, ordering Shuanzi not to report such trivial matters in the future. That night, Liu Jinfeng, disguised, arrived at the Western Cold Palace, startling Liu Baiyu and dismissing Fengyue. She presented what she claimed was "rat poison," intimidating Baiyu, and declared she would help Baiyu become Queen, fulfilling her wish.
Then, Liu Jinfeng burst out laughing, revealing it was all an act. The "rat poison" was for actual rats, and her public "oppression" of Baiyu was a theatrical performance to garner sympathy and love for Baiyu from others. Liu Jinfeng confessed her true motive: she wanted to escape the palace and be free from the manipulations of Liu Xie and Duan Yunzhang. She desired for Baiyu to become Queen so she herself could leave.
Baiyu, surprised, asked if Jinfeng truly did not like Duan Yunzhang. Liu Jinfeng acknowledged Duan Yunzhang's good qualities—his seriousness as an emperor, studiousness, politeness, and good looks—but stated they were fundamentally incompatible. She explained that "He prefers fine liquor and women, while I prefer a simple life. We're not fated to be together." She also pointed out that Liu Xie only needed "a daughter to become the Queen," and Baiyu was "more obedient."
Convinced, Baiyu agreed to join forces with Liu Jinfeng, who outlined their plan, starting with a staged altercation where Liu Jinfeng would "slap" Baiyu, who would then "go into his arms and cry." The next day at the Imperial Academy, Liu Jinfeng and Liu Baiyu greeted Duan Yunzhang. Liu Jinfeng, acting unusually, announced she also had a study companion to catch up with him. She then loudly berated Baiyu for her tardiness, accusing her of trying to seduce the Emperor.
Duan Yunzhang, observing their behavior, wondered if they were attempting to disrupt his studies. After he had moved away, Liu Jinfeng subtly reminded Baiyu of their plan, emphasizing that Jinfeng was the "jealous queen bullying" Baiyu, who was to be the "damsel waiting for His Majesty to save you," predicting Duan Yunzhang would eventually take pity on Baiyu and fall in love with her. Liu Jinfeng then directed Liu Baiyu to sit next to Duan Yunzhang.
Duan Yunchong protested, claiming the seat was his and that Baiyu was a "fox" trying to disrupt his brother's studies. Liu Jinfeng shoved Duan Yunchong, causing him pain, and insisted Baiyu sit there. Grand Tutor Wei entered, scolding Liu Jinfeng for "openly bully the prince in the academy," calling her "ungrateful, eccentric, and deviant," and preparing to punish her. Liu Jinfeng hid behind Duan Yunzhang, claiming her actions were due to excessive love for him.
Grand Tutor Wei then declared that since "a pampered wife is a virtuous wife," Duan Yunzhang would "bear the punishment. . . on Her Majesty's behalf." As Grand Tutor Wei struck Duan Yunzhang's palm, Baiyu intervened, demanding he stop. She introduced herself as Liu Jinfeng's study companion and elder sister and boldly criticized Grand Tutor Wei. She accused him of an "abusive way" of teaching, misinterpreting classical texts, and judging Liu Jinfeng without understanding the full situation.
Duan Yunzhang interjected, telling Grand Tutor Wei to either administer the punishment or begin the class without further delay. Later, outside Chonghua Hall, Liu Jinfeng met Yunyan, claiming to be there to check on Duan Yunchong's injury. Seeing Duan Yunzhang approach, Liu Jinfeng whispered to Yunyan to stop her from entering, then launched into a dramatic performance, crying and pleading to see Yunchong. Yunyan played along, scolding Liu Jinfeng for her supposed ruthlessness in banishing Baiyu and bullying Yunchong.
Liu Jinfeng tearfully claimed it was "all your brother, the Emperor's fault," because she "hated Duan Yunzhang" but "got so upset" and "jealous" seeing him and Baiyu together that she "couldn't even control myself." Duan Yunzhang, overhearing, wondered if she had truly fallen in love with him. He asked her motives for banishing Baiyu yesterday. Liu Jinfeng retorted that he was harsh with her but kind to Baiyu, hinting he felt sorry for Baiyu.
She threatened to jump into Taiyuan Pond if he visited Baiyu, dramatically declaring she had sworn an oath that he would only love her, and could never depose her or take in consorts. Duan Yunzhang mused that the Queen had "lost her senses" and was "irrational because of love," attributing it to his own undeniable charm. He then instructed Yunyan to "watch her" before entering to see Yunchong.
Liu Jinfeng, secretly pleased, hoped her "hysterically" "shrew" behavior would make Duan Yunzhang hate her and push him into Baiyu's arms. Inside Chonghua Hall, Duan Yunchong, being treated for his injury, remarked that Liu Baiyu had tried to curry favor with Duan Yunzhang at the Imperial Academy, and that Liu Jinfeng was "behaving strangely lately," becoming "scarier."
Duan Yunzhang agreed, but attributed the "crazy love" of both women to his own overwhelming charm, lamenting that he was to blame for them losing their rationality. He expressed concern that their conflict would disrupt his studies. To resolve this, he assigned Duan Yunchong the task of "keeping an eye on Liu Baiyu to reduce her contact with the Queen," while he himself would "be responsible for reducing Jinfeng's anger with my charm," aiming to "prevent the conflict. . .
at the root" and "create a good learning environment." Duan Yunchong reluctantly accepted the task. Back in his chambers, Duan Yunzhang instructed Shuan to deliver an edict: the Western Cold Palace, which Liu Jinfeng had renovated, would be renamed the "Western Warm Palace" and serve as Liu Baiyu's temporary residence. Shuan worried that this might be misinterpreted by Liu Jinfeng as a gesture of affection toward Baiyu.
Duan Yunzhang clarified his rationale, stating that Baiyu was not a concubine and thus it was inappropriate for her to reside in the Cold Palace; he wished to avoid misunderstandings about their relationship. He dismissed Shuan's concern about Liu Jinfeng's reaction, predicting she would actually be "extremely happy and wild with joy" upon hearing the news.
The following day at the Imperial Academy, Liu Jinfeng told Liu Baiyu that men were often contradictory, pointing out Duan Yunzhang's indifferent treatment the previous day contrasted with his overnight decision to rename the Cold Palace. She encouraged Baiyu to "work harder" to conquer him. Liu Baiyu eagerly approached Duan Yunzhang to thank him, but he ignored her, and Duan Yunchong quickly pulled her away, telling her not to disturb the Emperor's studies. Duan Yunzhang then deliberately moved to sit next to Liu Jinfeng and winked at her, startling Liu Jinfeng.
