The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 15 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Jin Feng visited Yu Changya at the Lingshu Academy to discuss Duan Yunzhang's examinophobia. She explained that Duan Yunzhang couldn't write anything on his test papers whenever he was reminded of Liu Xie. Yu Changya spun an elaborate, fictional tale about the origin of examinophobia, featuring a young man named Feng and his village belle, only to then reveal that he had made it all up and the illness itself did not exist.
He asserted that a man suffering from such a condition simply lacked stress-coping abilities. He pointed out that Duan Yunzhang was Jin Feng's opponent in the academic competition, questioning why she was worried about him. Jin Feng insisted on fair competition, stating she couldn't compete with someone who was "ill." Yu Changya, resigned, handed her a bottle of lavender essence, suggesting its aroma could help Duan Yunzhang sleep better.
Meanwhile, Bai Yu observed Duan Yunchong's complete disinterest in academics, his room filled with intricate mechanical models. She initially engaged him by feigning interest in his creations, allowing him to enthusiastically explain them. Once she confirmed his passion for these models, she threatened to destroy them if he didn't focus on his studies. This quickly brought Duan Yunchong into line, and he began reciting "Chushibiao" (The Northern Expedition Memorial).
The Consort Dowager Xu, watching from a distance, was thrilled by Bai Yu's cleverness and Yunchong's sudden progress, expressing her hope that he might even become the Zhuangyuan (top scholar) with Bai Yu's help, noting Bai Yu's importance as the daughter of Grand Chancellor Liu. That night, Jin Feng approached Duan Yunzhang, declaring her intention to abandon her studies as they were pointless.
She proposed a different kind of competition and led him out, bringing a eunuch's uniform for him to wear, which he reluctantly put on. Their first adventure took them to the palace's vegetable garden for a "life experience." They chatted about cabbages and chickens, but their antics almost got them caught by a patrolling eunuch, whom they narrowly evaded.
Next, Jin Feng took Duan Yunzhang to the Astronomical Observatory, where they rang the great bell loudly, creating a huge commotion before fleeing from the approaching guards. Their escapade continued to the Imperial Library, where they haphazardly threw books onto the floor. Grand Tutor Wei was enraged upon discovering the mess and ordered a pursuit. To throw off their pursuers, Duan Yunzhang cleverly launched a signal flare, misdirecting the guards.
Later, as they sat on the palace wall admiring the moon, Duan Yunzhang confided in Jin Feng about his past. He recounted how, as a child, he once sat on the roof of Taihe Hall, tearing up imperial memorials and boldly telling Liu Xie that he didn't want to be emperor and Liu Xie could take the throne. Feeling rebellious, he ran away from the palace.
He confessed that he was young then and didn't understand the gravity of his responsibilities. By chance, he hid in a carriage that took him outside the imperial capital. There, for the first time, he witnessed widespread poverty, starving and freezing people lying on the roadsides, constantly facing death. He later heard that a disastrous flood had ravaged the south, and he remembered dismissing and tearing up the official reports about it during court sessions, finding them "boring."
A few days later, filled with regret, he wished to return and planned to apologize to Grand Chancellor Liu, promising to study diligently and heed his teachings. However, he secretly overheard Liu Xie conspiring with a Xiyue general to assassinate him and seize the throne, in exchange for ten cities from the Donghao Empire. Furious, Duan Yunzhang confronted Liu Xie, accusing him of treason and betraying his late father's trust.
Liu Xie brazenly admitted his ambition, boasting that he controlled the Donghao Empire's military and political power. He told Duan Yunzhang that he should be grateful for being spared and warned him to be a compliant puppet emperor, or he would be killed and replaced. Duan Yunzhang vowed not to let Liu Xie succeed.
Jin Feng was shocked by Liu Xie's wickedness and, holding Duan Yunzhang's hand, expressed her belief that he could overcome Liu Xie and lead effectively, forgiving him for his earlier deceptions. As they looked at the night sky, Jin Feng remarked that there were fewer stars than in Xianpa Village, prompting Duan Yunzhang to ask her to take him there someday.
Feeling her heart race, Jin Feng attributed it to staying up too late and bid him goodnight, returning to her room. The following morning, Bai Yu arrived late at Chonghua Hall, where Duan Yunchong was meant to study. She explained her delay, stating that two assassins had caused a disturbance the previous night, leading to questioning by Commander Su Jingtang. Duan Yunchong, having cleared his desk, claimed he hadn't started copying "On the Six Fallen States".
Bai Yu, adopting a softer approach, returned his previously damaged mechanical models, now repaired. She confessed that she had been overly harsh before and was only following the Consort Dowager Xu's orders to make him study. Moved by her seemingly pitiful demeanor, Duan Yunchong agreed to copy the text but demanded that Bai Yu grind his ink and remain standing while assisting him. Bai Yu readily agreed, kneeling to grind the ink.
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Duan Yunchong then asked her to retrieve a book from a high shelf. When Bai Yu attempted to stand, she discovered her skirt was firmly glued to the chair. Duan Yunchong, revealing his prank, laughed at her predicament and gleefully skipped away to play, leaving a furious Bai Yu stuck. Later, Jin Feng persuaded Duan Yunzhang, whom she now called "Xuan," to go to the Treasure Pavilion for an adventure.
Inside, Jin Feng commented on the pavilion's surprisingly sparse collection of treasures. Suddenly, three masked men wielding knives burst in. Duan Yunzhang engaged them in a fight. One of the men grabbed Jin Feng, holding a knife to her throat. Jin Feng, believing them to be her hired "fake assassins," whispered to the man to stop fighting and demanded more money. The masked man, however, warned his companions to cease fighting and focus on their true objective.
This interaction sent a shiver down Jin Feng's spine as she realized these were real assassins. Just then, Su Jingtang arrived with guards, and the masked attackers fled. Jin Feng suggested they leave the palace for a stroll. When Duan Yunzhang expressed concern about safety due to the recent assassins, Jin Feng threatened to broadcast the details of their night of mischief at the Astronomical Observatory Broadcast Station if he refused.
She then argued that their outing could serve as bait to lure the assassins out into the open. Meanwhile, Jin Feng's "actual" hired fake assassins were waiting at the Treasure Pavilion entrance, confused by the Empress's absence. As Duan Yunzhang and Jin Feng walked through the streets outside the palace, they were quickly recognized by the commoners.
The people knelt, praising the "Emperor" and "Empress" for their wise rule and for sharing in their lives, thanking Duan Yunzhang for the good life they enjoyed. Duan Yunzhang, puzzled by how he was recognized, was told by Jin Feng that his attire was too conspicuous for a discreet outing. He then addressed the crowd, promising to rule diligently and not disappoint them.
However, a director suddenly appeared, interrupting the scene and exclaiming that the actor had misunderstood the script, as this was merely a film shoot and the commoners were actors. Duan Yunzhang was initially angered by being called a "bit role" actor, but Jin Feng intervened, calming him down. They then continued their walk through the bustling streets, with Jin Feng offering him some food.
