The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 12 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
During a rhythm class, Wei Taifu instructed Duan Yunzhang to play an instrument for the students. Baiyu listened enthralled, while Duan Yunzhang inwardly hoped that his music could quell Jinfeng's rage and grudge. Meanwhile, Jinfeng harbored a secret plan to severely beat Liu Baiyu and call her a wretch, believing this would make His Majesty hate her and deem her cruel, thus allowing her to return to Xianpa Village. After class, Liu Baiyu stopped Duan Yunzhang, appealing for justice.
She claimed that after losing a special hare fur brush intended for His Majesty, Jinfeng threatened her with cruel punishment. Duan Yunchong, overhearing, scoffed, reminding Baiyu that Jinfeng had never harmed maidservants and accusing Baiyu of a clumsy lie. Duan Yunzhang initially tried to dismiss it as Jinfeng joking, but Jinfeng, true to her plan, intervened. She slapped Liu Baiyu, calling her a "wretch" and accusing her of deliberately losing the brush she had chosen for the Emperor.
Duan Yunzhang, observing Jinfeng's feigned jealousy and changed demeanor, privately rejoiced, believing she was deeply in love with him. As Jinfeng made to hit Baiyu again, Duan Yunzhang intervened, not to protect Baiyu, but to declare that Baiyu deserved punishment for losing a gift meant for him and upsetting Jinfeng. Jinfeng, still playing her part, questioned if a monarch with Duan Yunzhang's principles would allow such cruelty, but he countered that her actions stemmed from her deep love for him.
Jinfeng suggested that Liu Baiyu copy The Analects of Confucius. Duan Yunzhang agreed, ordering Liu Baiyu to copy it one hundred times at the Imperial Academy without a single mistake or omission, warning that if she failed, Jinfeng would handle her punishment. Once Duan Yunzhang departed, Liu Baiyu was upset that their plan failed, but Jinfeng quickly appeased her by promising to help with the copying.
Back in the palace, Su Jingtang was bewildered by Duan Yunzhang's indulgence of the Empress. Duan Yunchong clarified that it was a calculated facade to quell their ongoing conflict, a "false front" designed to prevent a brewing storm, and he lauded Yunzhang's wisdom. However, Duan Yunchong expressed worry about tomorrow's secret outing, fearing that without court restraints, Jinfeng and Baiyu might turn into laughing stocks.
Duan Yunzhang, expecting both women to try and attract his attention, instructed Duan Yunchong to monitor Baiyu closely from then on, while he himself would monitor Jinfeng. Meanwhile, Jinfeng was distraught that her "jealous and evil queen" act had failed because Duan Yunzhang refused to "play by the rules." Sufang suggested that Liu Baiyu study "The Search For Love," a new "bible of love" by the acclaimed author Lovely Breeze and Bright Moonlight, which was popular among maidservants.
Jinfeng found the book to be a treasure, seeing it as a new strategy for their plan. That night, Liu Baiyu received the book along with a note from Jinfeng, arranging a meeting at 9 PM in Yufang Garden to "discuss the details." Baiyu found it ironic that Jinfeng was now using "her" book to help her pursue the Emperor.
Shortly after, Duan Yunchong arrived at Baiyu's quarters and sternly warned her to cease her attempts to seduce Yunzhang or manipulate the Empress to gain his attention. He then noticed Jinfeng's note on the floor, confirming his suspicions, and reiterated his warning, threatening severe consequences if she persisted. That evening, Duan Yunzhang instructed Shuanzi to prepare an umbrella, snacks, and extra handkerchiefs for Jinfeng, claiming it was his sacrifice for peace.
Shortly after, Duan Yunchong burst in, reporting his suspicion of a conspiracy between Jinfeng and Liu Baiyu, as he had seen a note in Jinfeng's handwriting arranging a 9 PM meeting with Baiyu in Yufang Garden to "discuss details." Duan Yunzhang remained calm and sent Yunchong away. Later, in Yufang Garden, Jinfeng called Baiyu to discuss their next plan. Baiyu, skeptical due to past failures, doubted the new strategy.
Jinfeng, however, was confident, reiterating that Duan Yunzhang "definitely doesn't like me." Baiyu countered, pointing out how well the Emperor treated Jinfeng, allowing her to punish Baiyu. Jinfeng dismissed this as merely part of his manipulative plan, reminding Baiyu that just days ago he wanted her out of the palace.
She then vehemently critiqued Duan Yunzhang, calling him "not my cup of tea at all," disparaging his "unmasculine face," "bamboo pole" physique, and "two patches of hair" that made him "not look bright at all." She scorned his temper and questioned his confidence in thinking himself "the most handsome man in the world." She briefly tried to soften her harsh words, but Baiyu gleefully declared His Majesty "utterly my cup of tea."
As they whispered about their new plan, Duan Yunzhang, who had been secretly listening from behind a pillar, overheard everything and dejectedly wondered, "Am I that inferior?" Returning to his quarters, he found Shuanzi preparing the items he had earlier requested for Jinfeng. In a fit of anger, he kicked the basket over and ordered Shuanzi to throw everything away. Wei Taifu announced a secret outing for the Taihe students to the capital, without bodyguards or servants.
Students were to split into pairs, experience the local culture, and perform at least one good deed for the people, reconvening by 5 PM. Jinfeng immediately dragged Duan Yunchong away, declaring they would be a pair, thus leaving Duan Yunzhang to be paired with Liu Baiyu. Duan Yunchong protested vehemently, insisting on his duty to protect His Majesty, but Jinfeng forcefully pulled him along, reminding him that Yunzhang himself had ordered them to stay out of his marital affairs.
Jinfeng later clarified to a still-grumbling Duan Yunchong that she intentionally paired Yunzhang and Baiyu to "create opportunities" for Baiyu, allowing Jinfeng to observe Baiyu's tricks and devise countermeasures. As Duan Yunzhang and Liu Baiyu walked, Jinfeng, spotting a flower girl, instructed her to sell flowers to Baiyu, asking her to then present them to Yunzhang, explaining that women also had feelings to express.
Jinfeng internally noted this as the "first step in courting your love," eager to see if Baiyu would "cherish" the opportunity. The flower girl approached Baiyu, but Baiyu was hesitant, admitting she didn't have money. Duan Yunzhang, seeing Baiyu's predicament, stepped in and bought all the flowers, instructing the girl to give them to Baiyu, saying they were "flowers fit for the beauty." Liu Baiyu gratefully thanked him.
Duan Yunchong, observing this, was disheartened, but Jinfeng, however, deemed it "half a success" for her plan. Meanwhile, on the street, Su Jingtang and Chai Tiezhou discussed the confusing nature of the Emperor and Empress's relationship, agreeing it was "not as simple as it seems" and deciding to "stay out of their affair." Opting to do something useful, they found a porridge stall set up by local authorities for a temple fair and helped serve the grateful crowd.
Back in the Qingyun Restaurant, Liu Baiyu approached Duan Yunzhang by the window, lavishing him with praise for his intellect, elegance, ambition, and virtuous rule. She lamented that he must have been "lonely" without someone to share his burdens. Duan Yunzhang, however, sarcastically questioned if even his mother and trusted aides couldn't understand him, dismissing her words and urging everyone to eat.
At the dining table, Jinfeng, in a crude display, grabbed Duan Yunzhang's chopsticks, telling him to abandon formalities and "use your hands." Duan Yunzhang refused, but Jinfeng persisted, claiming she was unshackling his "inner beast." Duan Yunzhang, suspecting another trick, then grabbed Liu Baiyu's chopsticks as well, insisting she join them in eating without utensils.
Baiyu protested, deeming it inappropriate, but Jinfeng urged her to comply, leading to a three-way tug-of-war over the chopsticks until Duan Yunchong arrived, chastising them for their antics and providing them with a chopstick holder. Soon after, a group of Liu Baiyu's ardent admirers arrived at a nearby table, eager to recite verses praising their "goddess." Duan Yunzhang was disgusted by their fawning. Jinfeng, seeing an opportunity, encouraged Baiyu to acknowledge her admirers and "show them your charm."
The admirers quickly spotted Baiyu and swarmed her, praising her poems and eager for autographs. Overwhelmed, Baiyu was in distress until Duan Yunchong intervened, protecting her from the throng and escorting her out of the restaurant. At checkout, the shopkeeper informed Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng that since Baiyu's admirers had fled after her (and Duan Yunchong, who escorted Baiyu), they were responsible for the bills of all three tables. Their combined money was insufficient.
Duan Yunzhang, recalling the promotion, declared they were a couple to qualify for a discount. Jinfeng, however, contradicted him, denying they were a couple. She then offered to stay and wash dishes to pay off the debt, secretly hoping to use this as an opportunity to escape the palace and find her mother. Duan Yunzhang questioned her true intentions, suspecting she simply didn't want to return.
They argued over who would wash the dishes, until the shopkeeper intervened, stating his restaurant didn't accept labor for meals. Instead, he proposed another way to earn money: a seasonal "flower-identifying contest" with prize money significant enough to cover their current bill ten times over. The shopkeeper, assuming their public argument was merely a modern way of "showing off one's relationship," enthusiastically signed them up for the contest despite their protests.
Meanwhile, in the bustling street, Su Jingtang spotted Duan Yunchong pulling a frantic Liu Baiyu through the crowd, again remarking on the confusing nature of imperial family affairs. Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng took the stage for the flower-identifying contest. The host explained the rules: contestants would smell flowers in a box and identify them, with incorrect answers leading to elimination and the last person standing winning a prize.
Jinfeng then spotted Duan Yunchong and Liu Baiyu hiding in the crowd, with Baiyu's persistent admirers still hot on their heels. Seizing the opportunity, Jinfeng shouted that those people were the ones who hadn't paid for their food. This startled Baiyu's admirers, who quickly fled. With the immediate debt apparently resolved, Jinfeng announced her withdrawal from the contest.
Duan Yunzhang questioned her decision, reminding her of the prize money, but Jinfeng argued that since they no longer had to pay the bill, there was no need for the "boring contest," and she didn't believe she could win anyway.
