The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 22 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Duan Yunzhang, upon hearing of a happy occasion at Grand Chancellor Liu's residence, decided to attend and offer his congratulations without informing the Empress Dowager. Meanwhile, Jinfeng, disguised as the Queen's personal maid, planned to sneak out of the palace with Yu Changya, under the pretense of taking her out for medical treatment. However, they were intercepted by Duan Yunchong.
Jinfeng quickly hid behind Yu Changya, and as Duan Yunchong approached, Yu Changya swiftly knocked him unconscious before escaping with Jinfeng. Upon reaching Liu's Mansion, they found it adorned with festive decorations. They overheard people discussing Grand Chancellor Liu taking a concubine, who was reportedly twenty years younger than him. Enraged that her father was seemingly taking a concubine, Jinfeng rushed inside.
There, she found Yongfu tied to a tree, appearing to have blood on her lips, and assumed she had been bullied by this new concubine, whom she thought of as a "Second Madam." Once Yongfu awakened, Jinfeng, still furious, dragged her mother to confront Liu Xie. Liu Xie, completely baffled, questioned why Jinfeng believed he was taking a concubine. A subordinate speculated that a book, "Grand Chancellor Liu's Love Quotes," might be the cause of the misunderstanding.
Just then, an old woman entered and affectionately called Liu Xie "Xiexie." Yongfu was about to erupt in anger when Liu Xie introduced the woman as his mother, explaining that it was her 60th birthday. Jinfeng asked for an explanation about Yongfu's state. Yongfu, embarrassed, clarified that her fortune-teller had advised against going out that day, so she tied herself up to avoid leaving.
The "blood" on her mouth was merely a result of eating too many chilies, which made her internal heat rise. Liu Xie chided them for spreading rumors without verifying the facts. At that moment, a messenger announced the Emperor's arrival. Duan Yunzhang reminded Liu Xie of his promise: if public discontent were quelled within three days, Grand Tutor Wei and the students would be released.
Liu Xie then asked when the tax increase would be implemented, and warned Duan Yunzhang not to think his "trickery" would resolve the situation. The assembled commoners loudly protested against any tax increase, declaring they would rather die than pay more. Duan Yunzhang then calmly presented a booklet titled "Habits of the officials of the Imperial Court." He pointed out that Liu Xie couldn't possibly be unaware of the corrupt dealings of these officials.
Duan Yunzhang asserted that if their undisclosed assets were investigated, the military funds for the coming year, and even the next, would be secured. Liu Xie, acknowledging Duan Yunzhang's wisdom, declared that the people's taxes would not be increased this year and immediately ordered the release of Grand Tutor Wei and his students. Meanwhile, Old Maid Fang Yu gave Jinfeng a crucial hint: the treasure was a secret possession of an old eunuch and an old maid.
The eunuch had left it to the Emperor before his death, and the Emperor still carried it with him. Jinfeng was still contemplating how to get her hands on it when a decree from the Empress Dowager arrived, ordering the Emperor and Queen to share the same bedchamber in ten days. Jinfeng was overjoyed, feeling that fate was on her side, and decided she couldn't wait a single day, intending to go to Xuanchen Hall that very night.
In Xuanchen Hall, Duan Yunzhang's attendants were offering various unhelpful suggestions to avoid the Empress Dowager's decree, including Xiao Tang suggesting sawing off the legs of the Emperor's bed to prevent them from having children, and another attendant suggesting to spread rumors that Yunzhang was impotent. Duan Yunzhang, who had already begun fantasizing about his union with Jinfeng, dismissed their foolish ideas and sent them away. Shuan then reported that the Queen had already arrived.
Duan Yunzhang was excited by her swift arrival. Feeling betrayed, Yu Changya confronted Liu Xie, questioning how he could bear to let his daughter truly become the Empress. Liu Xie explained that until their grand plan was completed, Jinfeng had no better place than to be the Empress, and everything currently unfolding was part of their scheme. Yu Changya vowed to reclaim everything that belonged to him, including Jinfeng.
That evening, in the bedchamber of Xuanchen Hall, Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng shared some wine. Jinfeng boldly requested to "start first." Duan Yunzhang, surprised by her initiative, readily agreed. However, Jinfeng then began searching him, explaining that Old Maid Fang Yu had told her that "Fu" had left a treasure for the Emperor before his death. Duan Yunzhang corrected her, clarifying the name was Bai Fu, or Eunuch Bai, and that he had left no such item.
Disappointed, Jinfeng concluded her efforts were in vain. She then sat on the bed and began to massage Duan Yunzhang, explaining that this was part of the Empress Dowager's decree to "set his bones." Duan Yunzhang laughed, clarifying that "setting bones" was a euphemism for conceiving his child, which utterly shocked Jinfeng. Separately in the palace, Baiyu was drinking to drown her sorrows. Duan Yunchong came to visit her.
Baiyu mocked him, calling him a "supporting actor" in a story, always inferior to the hero and foolishly pursuing the heroine. Duan Yunchong, confused, asked why she was so set on becoming the Empress. Baiyu replied that only by becoming the Empress could she prove her worth to her father and mother. Duan Yunchong apologized for his previous forceful marriage proposal, admitting he hadn't thought it through. However, he declared that he was now determined to marry her.
Before leaving, Duan Yunchong gave Baiyu a handmade toy, which she began to play with alone after he departed. Duan Yunzhang then told Jinfeng that he disliked forcing people and wanted her to truly decide. Jinfeng felt that their situation did not align with the customs of Xianpa Village. She described how, in her village, newly married couples would live on Xianpa Mountain for six months, where an elderly couple would present a lucky bag to their favorite junior.
On their first night on Xianpa Mountain, the junior would share this lucky bag with their spouse to collectively enjoy its blessings. This, she explained, was their simple romance. Duan Yunzhang understood that Jinfeng felt their relationship lacked a proper romantic courtship. He agreed to give her a satisfying romantic experience, stating that Jinfeng would sleep in the bedchamber that night while he slept elsewhere.
After Duan Yunzhang left, Jinfeng lay happily on the bed, splashing herself with flower petals and wine, feeling utterly blissful. The next morning, Duan Yunzhang waited outside Jinfeng's door, announcing that he had spent the night studying the art of romance and had mastered its essence. He declared that the first step was to hold a lover's hand. He then took Jinfeng's hand and led her to a courtyard wall, gently caressing her face before leaning in for a kiss.
Unbeknownst to them, Sage Guan of the Censorate was secretly recording their every move. Upon discovering him, Duan Yunzhang took Jinfeng to a different location. He asked Jinfeng if she was enjoying their date. As Jinfeng turned, Duan Yunzhang noticed her lips were swollen and immediately summoned an imperial physician. The Empress Dowager, delighted by Sage Guan's report of the Emperor and Queen's growing intimacy, was confident that a grandchild would soon arrive.
She instructed Sage Guan to use specific incense to further encourage their closeness, noting that the Censorate excelled at such "indecent" affairs. Meanwhile, Yu Changya received an anonymous letter stating: "The clue 'Qianhuafu Yufang' is in Xuanchen Hall." That night, as Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng were preparing for bed, Sage Guan climbed onto the roof, intending to blow a prepared incense into their room. Yu Changya suddenly appeared and pushed him off.
Yu Changya then blew a sleeping incense into the bedchamber, quickly causing Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng to fall into a deep sleep. Yu Changya then infiltrated the room to search for the treasure. Seeing the couple sleeping soundly, he was overcome with anger and wanted to punch Duan Yunzhang.
