The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 23 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Duan Yunzhang woke in the middle of the night, asking who was there. Su Jingtang, his attendant, reported that he had only found Sage Guan unconscious in the courtyard, with no other abnormalities. Su Jingtang asked if Duan Yunzhang was alright, to which he replied he was fine. Su Jingtang then offered to wait outside, and Duan Yunzhang lay back down to continue sleeping. Elsewhere, Liu Xie's subordinate reported that sleeping incense had been burned in Xuanchen Hall.
Liu Xie dismissed it as a "petty trick" by someone after the formula. Reflecting, Liu Xie recalled that twenty years ago, on the 10th of that month, he had found Xianpa Village while pursuing Prince Wu's rebels with three thousand cavalry. He mused that what is important to some is often worthless to others, and something truly unique can only be found by someone special.
The next morning, Sage Guan urgently questioned Eunuch Shuan about the Emperor and Empress's intimate activities the previous night. Shuan was initially reluctant to share details, but Sage Guan pleaded, invoking the name of Eunuch Bai Fu, Shuan's godfather. When Shuan expressed surprise, Sage Guan revealed their close bond, having "risked their lives together." Touched, Shuan confirmed that His Majesty treated him very well, just as his godfather and Old Maid Fang Yu had hoped.
Tearfully, Shuan then revealed that the Emperor had been hugging the Empress. Satisfied, Sage Guan recorded the date, May 10th, noting that His Majesty and Her Majesty had consummated their marriage. Jinfeng woke up startled, realizing she had been sleeping on Duan Yunzhang. He reassured her that nothing had happened, playfully accusing her of snoring. Later, Duan Yunzhang attributed his teary eyes to a "sandy wind," but Jinfeng pointed out it was summer.
Duan Yunzhang jokingly called her smart about unimportant matters. Feeling her neck stiff, Jinfeng later went to Ling Shu Yuan to ask Yu Changya for some Yunnan Baiyao medicine for her neck. Yu Changya, after a playful banter about him eating all the medicine, gave her some ointment. Jinfeng then noticed five characters on his desk, "Fang, Yu, Fu, Hua, Qian" (方御弗铅华).
Yu Changya corrected her, indicating it actually read "Qian Hua Fu Yu Fang" (铅华弗御方), which was the Qianhuafu Formula. Consort Dowager Xu was informed that Imperial Physician Yu had "made a move," confirming her suspicion that he was from Xiyue and was also searching for the formula. She ordered her subordinate to investigate further, believing he was more than just a citizen of Xiyue.
Consort Dowager Xu decided to let him help them, planning to subtly give him hints, but silently hoped he was not the specific person she feared. Yu Changya was startled awake from a nightmare, reliving a childhood memory of being chased by men who were desperately seeking the Crown Prince, fearing Grand Chancellor Liu Xie's wrath. He hid in a bamboo forest and, after escaping, saw the night sky filled with countless Kongming lanterns.
He fled, clutching a jade pendant inscribed with the character "Ya." In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the Empress Dowager attentively watched Jinfeng. After seeing Jinfeng touch her stomach and eagerly eat a plum, the Empress Dowager exclaimed with joy that all signs pointed to Jinfeng being pregnant. She ordered a lumbar support pillow for Jinfeng and happily announced that her long wait was finally over.
When Duan Yunzhang jokingly asked if she thought he was a pig, Jinfeng retorted that since he wanted to name their child "Piggy," he must be one. Yunzhong found his mother, Consort Dowager Xu, enthusiastically praising Yu Changya's soothing masks and rose hand cream, which had made her skin smooth as an egg. Yunzhong, embarrassed, warned his mother that such overt displays of affection could be misconstrued if His Majesty or the Empress Dowager saw them.
Consort Dowager Xu dismissed his concerns, explaining that neither was in the palace and she was merely getting a beauty treatment, not going on a date. After she left to prepare, Yunzhong angrily confronted Yu Changya, accusing him of seducing his mother after failing to charm his sister-in-law.
Yu Changya, unfazed, retorted that they were similar; Yunzhong wanted to "tame" Baiyu to keep her in line, and he wanted to "tame" Consort Dowager Xu to prevent her from causing trouble in the Imperial Harem while doing nothing with her despicable face. Furious, Yunzhong called Yu Changya a "weirdo" and declared he deserved no one. That night, assassins attacked Xuanchen Hall. Duan Yunzhang was wounded protecting Jinfeng.
While unconscious, he experienced a vivid flashback to a night in his childhood: hiding in the grass, he overheard guards desperately searching for the Crown Prince, fearing Grand Chancellor Liu Xie's wrath if they failed. He looked at the scars on his arm, sighed, and then looked up at the night sky, seeing numerous Kongming lanterns drifting.
After the attack, the Empress Dowager expressed concern that Duan Yunzhang, who was smiling in his unconscious state, might have "turned foolish," but an imperial physician reassured her that he was fine. Duan Yunzhang soon awoke. Su Jingtang reported that he had already sent people to investigate the assassination. Jinfeng then burst in, insisting that everyone leave so she could personally tend to the Emperor. As she applied medicine, Jinfeng discovered numerous scars on Duan Yunzhang’s back.
He explained that these scars were from his childhood when his ailing father had entrusted him to Grand Chancellor Liu Xie. Liu Xie had been extremely strict, often beating and scolding him. One day, unable to bear it any longer, he tried to run away from the palace along a mountain road. Jinfeng was heartbroken and cried, questioning why he, being so intelligent, hadn't fought back.
Meanwhile, Yu Changya confronted Liu Xie, accusing him of orchestrating the assassination and questioning his morality. Liu Xie denied involvement, stating he had promised not to act recklessly or harm Jinfeng. He suggested that a "third person," more impatient and deeply hidden within the palace, was also seeking the formula. Liu Xie emphasized the urgency of acquiring the formula, warning of disastrous consequences if this rival obtained it first.
When Yu Changya voiced concern for Jinfeng, Liu Xie cryptically replied that "the most dangerous place is the safest" and reminded Yu Changya of his father's favorite phrase about taking risks. Yu Changya angrily told Liu Xie not to speak of his father, to which Liu Xie chillingly responded by reminding him how his father died.
Consort Dowager Xu's maid reported that both His Majesty and the Empress were unharmed, and the assassination appeared to be the work of rogue bandits, not their own people. Relieved, Consort Dowager Xu acknowledged the complexity of the situation and the necessity of finding the formula quickly. She mentioned having given "him" a hint earlier, hoping he could locate the item left by Consort Li. Jinfeng later visited Yu Changya to get more medicine for Duan Yunzhang's scars.
During their conversation, Yu Changya told Jinfeng that the Qianhuafu Formula was a beauty formula, speculating that Liu Xie, Jinfeng's father, might want it to preserve his youthful looks to continue seducing Jinfeng's mother. Yu Changya proposed they work together to find it, asking only for a copy for his profession.
He suggested that when Jinfeng attended the upcoming wedding between Senior General Ling's family and Grand Tutor Wei's family with Duan Yunzhang, she should persuade His Majesty to bring more guards. This would reduce palace security, allowing Yu Changya to search for the formula. Jinfeng readily agreed. Duan Yunzhang told Jinfeng that, from then on, Eunuch Shuan would apply his medicine.
He explained that the recent assassination was fueled by jealousy over their love, and continued public displays of affection would only invite more hostility. Jinfeng immediately pledged to protect him, even offering to block future attacks. Duan Yunzhang insisted they didn't need to flaunt their affection. Jinfeng, however, reassured him that they could express their love privately, promising everything would be fine with her by his side. She then playfully insisted on changing his dressing herself.
At the wedding of General Ling's son and Grand Tutor Wei's daughter, the families expressed deep gratitude to Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng for their presence. Jinfeng was surprised to learn that the bride and groom were meeting for the first time, to which General Ling explained the tradition of arranged marriages. Jinfeng, recalling her own initial meeting with Duan Yunzhang, offered words of encouragement to the newlyweds.
Meanwhile, with palace security diverted, Yu Changya meticulously searched Xuanchen Hall for the formula but found nothing, muttering to himself about checking the place before and questioning the note's accuracy. Before leaving the wedding, Jinfeng presented the bride with a unique gift: a personal wish. She promised the bride that if she ever needed help, especially if her husband bullied her, she could come to Jinfeng, who was skilled at dealing with "evil people."
On their way home, Duan Yunzhang complained that Jinfeng was generous to others but petty toward him, asking for a wish of his own. Jinfeng agreed, prompting Duan Yunzhang to cunningly wish for all his wishes to be fulfilled. Jinfeng, finding him clever, then announced she had a genuine way to make all his wishes come true, exciting Duan Yunzhang enough for him to order the carriage to stop.
