The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 20 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Duan Yunzhang approached Jinfeng, stating he knew her recent actions were a subtle trick, an attempt to gain his attention. Jinfeng, shocked and fearing Liu Xie's betrayal, quickly protested her innocence, but Duan Yunzhang cut her off, playfully asserting he knew she was "sincere" (in her desire for his attention, despite her "poor acting"). He then issued a decree, announcing that Jinfeng, as the Empress, would accompany him to the military parade.
Overwhelmed by the prospect of standing for six hours, Jinfeng groaned about her aching legs and back and immediately called for Imperial Physician Yu Changya to bring her some muscle medicine. Yu Changya, observing Jinfeng's exhaustion, agreed to provide the medicine on one condition: she had to help him make money. Soon after, by the Taiyuan Pond, Jinfeng and Yu Changya launched a promotional event.
Interrupting the palace maids' square dancing, Jinfeng enthusiastically showcased "Berry lipstick" and "The Queen's Cream" from Yu Changya's "Beauty Workshop," claiming they would boost confidence and turn heads. She offered a buy-one-get-one-free promotion and a chance to win Yu Changya's customized skincare formula upon completing a questionnaire. The palace staff eagerly rushed to purchase the products and fill out the forms.
Jinfeng insisted they include detailed personal information like "height, weight, and your ancestor's occupations," explaining that such details, even ancestral military service or foreign bloodline, were crucial for understanding their skin conditions. Later, as Yu Changya admired their earnings, suggesting they could double their profits with an external beauty workshop, Jinfeng retorted that as the Empress, she preferred idleness over work. Yu Changya then tried to claim the collected questionnaires for his research to develop new products.
Jinfeng, however, wanted to read them. Yu Changya taunted her, suggesting she could barely read, which angered her. He quickly backtracked, humorously revealing he had impersonated Xuan when they exchanged "love letters." Jinfeng, trying to silence him, mentioned his past impersonation, but Yu Changya continued to tease that she used to have a crush on him. Just then, Duan Yunzhang appeared behind Jinfeng.
She turned, saw him, and tried to explain, but he dismissed her attempts, stating he understood, and walked away. Shuan later asked Duan Yunzhang if he was upset by Jinfeng and Yu Changya's conversation. Duan Yunzhang confidently stated it was all a deliberate trap, a "huaben" plot orchestrated by Jinfeng to get his attention, albeit with "poor acting." Deciding to play along, he decided to scrutinize the questionnaires.
Reviewing a sample filled with questions about physical attributes and ancestral history, Duan Yunzhang concluded that Jinfeng's true intention was to learn more about him. He then filled out his own questionnaire, declaring it "the most important piece," and sent it to Jinfeng, instructing her to focus solely on his responses and disregard the others. Jinfeng, upon reading Duan Yunzhang's entry – "Duan Yunzhang. 20 years old. 125 jin. Origin: Donghao Empire" – was left puzzled.
Jinfeng then handed the collected questionnaires to Liu Xie, who had promised she could finally leave the palace to see her mother in return. As Duan Yunzhang approached them, Liu Xie quickly urged Jinfeng to "split up" and hid himself. Duan Yunzhang briefly chatted with Jinfeng and Yu Changya before moving on. Shuan later reported to Duan Yunzhang about Jinfeng and Yu Changya's thriving cosmetics business and the resulting palace gossip about their alleged romantic relationship.
Duan Yunzhang, however, viewed it all as Jinfeng's latest ploy to gain his attention. Believing he needed to be more direct with his feelings, he whispered instructions to Shuan, who immediately left to carry them out. Meanwhile, Yunyan was teaching the Empress Dowager and Consort Dowager the popular square dance when a maid burst in with news that the Empress was selling cosmetics in the palace square.
Enraged, the Empress Dowager condemned Jinfeng's audacity and disregard for palace rules, threatening punishment. Yu Changya quickly stepped forward, taking full responsibility and claiming he had instigated Jinfeng. The Consort Dowager then chimed in, highlighting Jinfeng and Yu Changya's shared origin and past relationship, implying their current collaboration was suspicious. As the Empress Dowager prepared to act, Duan Yunzhang arrived, intervening. The Empress Dowager suggested he leave palace affairs to her, but he insisted on staying to "learn from Mother."
When the Empress Dowager ordered Jinfeng and Yu Changya to be taken away, Duan Yunzhang explained that he had permitted their activities as Jinfeng was preparing bespoke skincare products for the Empress Dowager's birthday, testing them on maids. He added that he had personally sent Yu Changya to assist Jinfeng and had even designed the sales booth himself. The Empress Dowager then accused Jinfeng of selling fake products that caused allergic reactions.
She presented a maid who, under pressure, dramatically feigned a fainting spell. Duan Yunzhang diffused the situation by appealing to the Empress Dowager's "maternal kindness," suggesting they let the matter go. The Empress Dowager relented, asking Jinfeng to demonstrate a product on her. Satisfied with the "citrus scent" (despite her own hand already smelling of mandarin oranges), she ordered a set, and the Consort Dowager requested two sets. After they departed, Duan Yunzhang winked at Jinfeng, implying their unspoken understanding.
Jinfeng, in turn, found him "foolish, but very handsome." Back in her chambers, Jinfeng pondered who could have reported their activities to the Empress Dowager, dismissing Baiyu and Yu Changya as unlikely culprits. Unbeknownst to her, Shuan was secretly paying Fengyue (referred to as Cui in the subtitles), rewarding her for a job well done.
Fengyue questioned why Duan Yunzhang had instructed her to report Jinfeng, to which Shuan simply replied that it was the Emperor's decree and not to be questioned. Jinfeng, contemplating this, began to suspect Duan Yunzhang himself. Yu Changya later questioned Jinfeng about her pursuit of the Emperor, asserting that it was always men who courted women. Jinfeng countered that as the Empress, it was perfectly legitimate to court her own husband.
Yu Changya then asked if she would have developed feelings for him in Xianpa Village if he hadn't mentioned plastic surgery. Jinfeng firmly replied no, explaining that she found him "too perfect," citing instances from when they were both sixteen: his act of saving an old woman, his eloquent poetry, and his charitable deeds. She concluded that love couldn't be forced or explained.
Meanwhile, Duan Yunchong proudly presented Duan Yunzhang with his latest invention: a "hidden chair" that allowed one to sit while appearing to stand, ideal for long events. Duan Yunzhang found it interesting and decided to keep it. Just then, Shuan rushed in with alarming news: Liu Xie had sent another marriage proposal. Jinfeng, also having received the news, immediately arrived, frantically demanding Duan Yunzhang refuse, arguing that Liu Xie had already ruined her life and shouldn't ruin another daughter's.
Upon opening the proposal, everyone was stunned to discover that Liu Xie intended to betroth his daughter, Baiyu, to Duan Yunchong. Duan Yunzhang expressed his strong disapproval, fearing Liu Xie's manipulative schemes. Baiyu then arrived, vehemently declaring she would rather die in the palace than marry Duan Yunchong. She publicly listed his flaws, calling him "uneducated, jobless, always idling around, honey-tongued, and born with a face I loathe."
Duan Yunchong, enraged by Baiyu's insults, threatened to bring in the Empress Dowager and Consort Dowager to force the marriage, demanding Duan Yunzhang issue an imperial decree and instruct Liu Xie to prepare the dowry, vowing to marry Baiyu. Duan Yunzhang was taken aback by his brother's sudden, fervent resolve, while Baiyu was utterly bewildered. At Liu Xie's mansion, he presented Yongfu with a selection of new clothes.
She rejected them all, instead choosing Liu Xie's black garment, praising its practicality and regal appearance. She pressed Liu Xie about his promise to let her see Jinfeng soon, and he confirmed it, but asked her for "a small favor" the following day, which Yongfu readily agreed to.
The next day at the military parade, Jinfeng watched with keen interest as the troops performed the "Xuanxiang Formation," which was evolving into the "Diqian Formation" – a historic formation developed by Duan Yunzhang's ancestors. Duan Yunzhang, observing the drill, noted the importance of guarding the formation's center. However, he soon remarked that the drum beats sounded unfamiliar and seemed to be off-rhythm.
Unseen by most, Yongfu, dressed in Liu Xie's black garment, was haphazardly beating the drum from an inner area, her attention fixed on Jinfeng, causing the entire formation to lose its synchronization.
