The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 14 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
In the Imperial Garden, Liu Jinfeng tried to avoid Duan Yunzhang. Yu Changya suggested that the Emperor and Empress take a walk together. Jinfeng, with a flash of inspiration, deliberately linked arms with Duan Yunzhang, feigning exhaustion and claiming he had been "too naughty" the previous night, making her too tired to walk. Yu Changya quickly intervened, reporting that the Empress was recovering from a major illness and should not be overtired.
During this interaction, Jinfeng provocatively asked Yu Changya if he still wished to lay his hand on her pretty face, to which he replied cryptically that they would have many opportunities to "work together" in the future, and that one day she would willingly let him do things to her face. Duan Yunzhang, accepting the excuse, ordered her back to her palace. Yu Changya then reported to Duan Yunzhang that Jinfeng was recovering well but still needed rest.
Meanwhile, Baiyu could not comprehend how Duan Yunzhang consistently ranked last in the Imperial Academy examinations. Her maid, Fengyue, relayed a rumor that he had offended the God of Culture and Literature. Baiyu dismissed this as "nonsense," convinced that Duan Yunzhang was merely feigning weakness, "keeping a low profile" while waiting for the opportune moment to "surprise everyone."
She believed that if she helped him succeed in the imperial examination and ascend to full power, she would become the most important woman in his life. Baiyu was determined to prove to her father that he had chosen the wrong person and that she was the daughter who would truly bring him honor. Jinfeng, devising her own study method, combined playing Cuju with reciting classical texts, believing it made learning "fun" and effective.
She successfully demonstrated it by hitting a target while reciting a poem. Later, she pulled Baiyu over, asking for help explaining passages from the Analects of Confucius, emphasizing understanding over rote memorization. However, Baiyu, preoccupied with her own ambitions, gave a dismissive explanation, stating that interpretations varied and Jinfeng should figure it out herself. Realizing Baiyu was not genuinely interested in helping, Jinfeng sent her away.
Duan Yunzhang and his companions were struggling with their studies, unable to identify the author of a classical quote. Baiyu arrived and correctly attributed the passage to Mencius' Theory of Benevolent Government, further explaining its meaning about a benevolent ruler bringing peace and prosperity. Impressed, Duan Yunzhang dismissed his companions, choosing Baiyu to assist him with his studies, despite their warnings against trusting her.
His companions, resentful, lamented that Duan Yunzhang had abandoned them, and predicted that Baiyu would turn the palace upside down. Later, Jinfeng, still struggling with her studies and worried about not having a teacher, saw Yu Changya and approached him for help, seeing him as a knowledgeable man she could use. She flattered him, emphasizing their shared origins and common "enemy"—Duan Yunzhang.
When Yu Changya asked her to "cut to the chase," Jinfeng requested his assistance with her studies to defeat the Emperor. Yu Changya agreed but demanded payment. Jinfeng, reasoning that facing Grand Mentor Wei's Golden Ruler would be worse, dramatically offered to let Yu Changya do what he wished with her face if he helped her win, a promise she adamantly declared she would never retract.
Yu Changya then used the Astronomical Observatory's broadcasting station to extol Jinfeng's virtues, describing her as kind, down-to-earth, and bringing joy and prosperity to the palace. Hearing this, Duan Yunzhang quickly drafted his own propaganda, instructing Su Jingtang to make it "touching and impactful." A heated argument and physical struggle ensued at the observatory between Yu Changya and Su Jingtang, as they fought over whose script, the Emperor's or the Queen's, should be broadcast first.
Grand Mentor Wei suggested to the Empress Dowager that Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng should study together day and night in a prepared room at the Yi Academy to foster intimacy and focus. Both Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng strongly objected to this arrangement. The Empress Dowager, seeing their opposition, did not press the issue.
Duan Yunzhang then proposed an alternative: he would build a small hut in the peach forest for him and Jinfeng to study in, with Chai Tiezhou responsible for their daily meals. Secretly, both Jinfeng and Duan Yunzhang harbored competitive thoughts, vowing to outwit each other even in this new study environment. At the Peach Forest Hut, Jinfeng proposed a competition called "Duiyi" as a warm-up for the exam. Duan Yunzhang and his companions found this amusing.
During a barbecue, Jinfeng's group quickly prepared delicious food, while Chai Tiezhou struggled to light a fire for Duan Yunzhang. Jinfeng then triumphantly presented roasted chicken wings, revealing her interpretation of "Duiyi" as "chicken wings" rather than a Go game, which she knew would embarrass Duan Yunzhang. To avoid further loss of face, Duan Yunzhang conceded the round and proposed mounted archery as the next challenge. However, Jinfeng arrived on a horse while Duan Yunzhang was given a donkey.
When he protested, Jinfeng brazenly stated that she "always cheats" and, as a woman, was not bound by the rules of "men of honor," leaving Duan Yunzhang with no choice but to accept defeat in that round. He vowed they would beat her in the examination. That night, while Duan Yunzhang diligently studied and recited Confucius, Jinfeng snored loudly, disrupting his concentration. He threw his book, waking her, and accused her of disturbing him.
Jinfeng retorted that she fell asleep listening to his constant recitations and suggested he was trying to make her sleep so he could study alone. To further annoy him, Jinfeng then began to loudly recite Confucius herself, making it impossible for Duan Yunzhang to concentrate. Meanwhile, Duan Yunchong spotted Baiyu collecting fallen flower petals and attempted to recite a classical poem to impress her, but stumbled. Baiyu suggested he should study more.
Duan Yunchong dismissed her, claiming flowers cannot cleanse his "ugly heart." Baiyu countered that she collected flowers for tea, not for bathing, and proceeded to scatter the petals over him, asserting that their differing beliefs meant they could not be friends. This interaction was witnessed by Duan Yunchong's mother, the Dowager Consort. That evening, the Dowager Consort summoned Baiyu, confirmed she saw the incident, and showered her with gifts.
She then requested that Baiyu help tutor Duan Yunchong for his upcoming examination, hoping he would improve his ranking and eventually work alongside the Grand Chancellor. The Dowager Consort insisted that Baiyu move into Duan Yunchong's Chonghua Hall the following day, and Baiyu reluctantly agreed. The next day, Duan Yunchong was forcibly confined to Chonghua Hall by his mother for mandatory studying. His protests were futile as eunuchs ensured he complied.
To his utter shock and dismay, Baiyu entered and announced that the Dowager Consort had appointed her as his tutor, leading Duan Yunchong to exclaim in despair, "Heaven, why do you have to do this to me?" The Empress Dowager visited Duan Yunzhang at the Peach Forest Hut, bringing numerous gifts from various officials, including rare ginseng, fine wine, and a crystal coral, all symbolizing good health, success, and good fortune for his upcoming examination.
Jinfeng was impressed by the Emperor's perks, but her surprise turned to shock when the Empress Dowager ordered the gifts to be sent to Grand Chancellor Liu Xie's residence. Duan Yunzhang dismissed her curiosity, telling her to forget about it, but Jinfeng was clearly fixated on Liu Xie's name. Jinfeng later searched for Duan Yunchong in Chonghua Hall and found him hiding in the toilet.
She blackmailed him into revealing the deep-seated animosity between Duan Yunzhang and Grand Chancellor Liu Xie. Duan Yunchong, after much reluctance, disclosed that Liu Xie, Jinfeng's father, was Duan Yunzhang's tutor at the Imperial Academy during his childhood. Liu Xie was excessively harsh, constantly beating and verbally humiliating the young prince for minor infractions.
When Duan Yunzhang was ten, Liu Xie publicly challenged him to compose a poem within five steps during an examination, claiming it was to honor the Late Emperor. Overwhelmed by fear and pressure, Duan Yunzhang collapsed before completing the task. Imperial physicians later diagnosed him with "Examinophobia," a rare and incurable condition that causes him to submit blank papers whenever he takes an exam, especially when reminded of Liu Xie. This revelation finally explained why Duan Yunzhang consistently ranked last in all examinations.
