The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 25 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Duan Yunzhang returned to Xuanchen Hall, convinced that the recent fire was not an accident. He instinctively walked toward a secret chamber, a movement observed from the rooftop by Yu Changya. Yu Changya then orchestrated storytellers in various tea houses and restaurants to spread tales about Consort Li. One storyteller recounted how in the eighth year of Shunchang, the Late Emperor personally led a campaign that quelled border disputes.
Following its defeat, the Xiyue Empire sent its eldest princess, Li Yue, to the capital to forge a peace alliance with the Donghao Empire. The Late Emperor and Princess Li Yue fell in love at first sight, and he immediately bestowed upon her the title of Consort Li, granting her residence in Qiluo Hall. The Empress, consumed by jealousy, sought to eliminate Consort Li, especially since they both became pregnant with the Late Emperor's children around the same time.
One night, a strange phenomenon occurred with thunder and lightning striking a pillar of Qiluo Hall. The Empress seized this opportunity to accuse Consort Li of being a witch. Believing the accusation, the Late Emperor imprisoned Consort Li. The Empress's excessive joy over Consort Li's misfortune led to her own miscarriage. In turn, Consort Li, overjoyed by the Empress's misfortune, suffered a premature birth.
Yu Changya, listening from behind a screen, commented that the ending of the story was "a bit too much." The waiter explained that nowadays, people tend to believe exaggerated nonsense presented seriously more than the actual truth.
Understanding this, Yu Changya rewarded the waiter and instructed him to continue having the storyteller repeat the narrative until it became widely accepted, believing that the longer a rumor spreads, the more people will remember Consort Li, which would help him find what he was seeking. Later, Xiao Tang and his team reported that their thorough investigation of Lingshu Academy yielded nothing suspicious.
They also learned from palace maids that Yu Changya hosts "facial talks" at Lingshu Academy on the first day of every month, which are essentially deceptive sales pitches for his beauty products. Xiao Tang questioned why Duan Yunzhang had suddenly suspected Yu Changya. Duan Yunzhang admitted he might be "overthinking this" and even considered that the fire could have been an accident caused by maidservants forgetting to change a candle. An artist presented portraits of the Emperor and Empress.
Jinfeng was unhappy with her likeness, declaring it didn't look like her. The artist defended his work, claiming he had only applied "appropriate art processing," such as slightly widening her eyes, subtly tucking in her face, and gently raising her mouth. Chai Tiezhou, however, sarcastically compared it to "adding sugar to a bitter gourd to turn it into a honeydew melon," calling it "cosmetic surgery." Jinfeng agreed that she didn't need such an alteration.
Duan Yunzhang, displeased, ordered the artist to redraw it, threatening to have Yu Changya "make your face into His Highness' face" if the next attempt wasn't an accurate depiction. As they exited Xuanchen Hall, Su Jingtang and Chai Tiezhou discussed how Duan Yunzhang seemed different lately, though they couldn't articulate the change. Duan Yunchong then declared the Emperor had become "stupid" for suggesting the artist's face could be altered to resemble his.
Suddenly, spotting Baiyu ahead, he quickly feigned having "important things to do" and hurried after her. Chai Tiezhou then mused that Duan Yunchong also seemed to have changed. Duan Yunchong approached Baiyu, playfully pointing a gun at her and then offering her one. Baiyu, annoyed, refused the gun. He pressed her to explain if her desire to be Queen stemmed from pride or genuine affection for Yunzhang. Baiyu, angered, told him to leave.
During their pushing and shoving, he dramatically pretended to be shot and collapsed. Baiyu, alarmed and distressed, quickly rushed to him, expressing her concern. Duan Yunchong then laughed, revealing the gun was unloaded, and teased her about being "softhearted." He forcefully insisted she take the gun, claiming they were "matching guns for a couple." Baiyu, angered by his childish antics and the "couple" remark, walked away. Prince Longyue visited the Empress Dowager in Taihe Hall.
The Empress Dowager inquired why his "romance broadcasts" had suddenly ceased. Longyue presented a stack of listener letters, explaining that recent broadcasts had been dominated by inquiries about Consort Li. Rumors about her were spreading both "inside and outside the palace," with some calling her a witch and others a resentful woman, and many other stories circulating. He voiced concern about whether the Emperor was aware of these rumors. The Empress Dowager then requested Longyue's help in managing the situation.
Duan Yunzhang asked Jinfeng about her mother. Jinfeng described her mother as highly opinionated, recalling an instance where her mother insisted she wear cotton pants in hot weather based on her own perception of the temperature. She also portrayed her mother as cunning, sharing a memory of accidentally disturbing a hornets' nest, whereupon her mother quickly smeared mud on Jinfeng's face and then ran off as a decoy, drawing the hornets away.
Furthermore, Jinfeng highlighted her mother's pickiness, stating she had rejected many otherwise excellent suitors. Duan Yunzhang observed that Jinfeng's recounting sounded more like an expression of love than a complaint. Jinfeng agreed, remarking that it was "scary how much she loves me." Duan Yunzhang then expressed his sadness about never having met his own mother and not knowing her character. Jinfeng offered to take him to a place his mother might have liked.
Yunzhang led Jinfeng to a secret passage within Xuanchen Hall, explaining that while rumors of many secret rooms were false, this particular passage was real and led to Manyu Tower, a place his father said his mother often visited to gaze at the stars. Jinfeng urged Yunzhang to touch the railings there, believing they retained his mother's warmth from her frequent visits.
She shared the belief of her village elders that deceased parents transform into stars, like Venus for those born during the day, to watch over their children. Jinfeng concluded by asserting that Yunzhang's mother must have been a good person, as her own mother had taught her that "there are only bad people and not bad mothers." Jinfeng then remembered her impending birthday and her desire to give her mother a special gift, specifically a drawing.
Meanwhile, Yu Changya informed Liu Xie that the secret passage led to Manyu Tower, which the Late Emperor had built specifically for Consort Li to gaze at the moon, even constructing a private passage from his own chambers for secret visits. Yu Changya confirmed he had not found the formula there. Liu Xie expressed his distrust, stating he had never fully believed Yu Changya.
He pondered the formula's whereabouts, noting it was believed to have been with Consort Li but disappeared after her death, and was not found in Xuanchen Hall, Manyu Tower, or with the young Emperor. Yu Changya suggested that since the formula wasn't with the Emperor, Jinfeng should be withdrawn from their plan. Liu Xie dismissed this, reminding Yu Changya that he established the "rules of the game."
Yu Changya argued that the palace was too dangerous for Jinfeng, especially with an unknown third party operating in the shadows. He asserted his responsibility to guarantee Jinfeng's safety, as she had entered the palace for him to secure the formula. Liu Xie disregarded his concerns. Growing increasingly agitated, Yu Changya offered to make Jinfeng his Empress if Liu Xie would allow her to leave the palace.
Liu Xie retorted that she was "already the Queen," questioning why he should wait for Yu Changya's promise. Yu Changya clarified that his Empress and Duan Yunzhang's Queen were not the same. In a fit of anger, Yu Changya accused Liu Xie of being "evil" and questioned if he truly wished to harm his own daughter. At that moment, Yongfu burst in, overturning the chessboard.
She vehemently chastised Yu Changya for falsely accusing Liu Xie and for wasting his time playing chess instead of fulfilling his duties as an imperial physician, calling it "goofing around." She declared she was relieved Jinfeng had not married him, asserting that even if Liu Xie was a "scorpion," he was still a good father, as "there are only bad people in this world and not bad fathers."
She furiously ordered Yu Changya to leave, grabbing his ear and declaring that "Scorpion Liu" was a nickname only she was permitted to use. After Yu Changya's exit, Yongfu turned her wrath on Liu Xie for deceiving her about working when he was merely playing chess. Liu Xie hastily apologized, promising to dispose of the chessboard immediately.
As Jinfeng prepared to deliver a birthday drawing to her mother, Duan Yunzhang arrived with four valuable gifts: coral, two pearl necklaces, three brocade handkerchiefs, and four snow lotuses. He insisted on accompanying her to her mother's residence, much to Jinfeng's delight. Upon their arrival at Liu Xie's home, Liu Xie greeted them, but deflected Duan Yunzhang's invitation to play a game of jade chess, feigning a lack of interest.
Yongfu was overjoyed with Duan Yunzhang's gifts, but then insisted that Jinfeng also give her father a gift, citing a principle of "treating everyone equally." It was then that Duan Yunzhang realized it was Jinfeng's birthday, not Yongfu's, much to his surprise. Later that night, Duan Yunzhang expressed confusion over Jinfeng giving her mother a gift on her own birthday.
Jinfeng explained that her mother had taught her that a child's birthday marked the mother's "day of suffering," serving as a reminder to be grateful. Duan Yunzhang then shared a palace custom where the birthday celebrant receives a gift. He presented Jinfeng with a star-shaped necklace, explaining it was his mother's, and declared that this "Augusta" star represented him, the Emperor star. Jinfeng was deeply touched and happy.
The Empress Dowager sent a broadcast script to Prince Longyue, instructing him to read it precisely, word for word, that evening. Longyue, amused by the strict directive, promised to fulfill the request perfectly. That night, Prince Longyue broadcast Consort Li's last will, a letter she had written to Duan Yunzhang when he was ten years old.
In the letter, Consort Li inquired about his studies, encouraged him to persevere through difficulties, and advised him to confide in his father or the Empress, both of whom loved him. She acknowledged that even they would eventually depart from him, urging him to find a beloved partner to share life's joys and sorrows.
Consort Li concluded by stating that despite the unpredictability of human hearts, every mother's heart is the same, expressing their love for their child in their unique ways. Listening to the broadcast, the Empress Dowager gently caressed a handkerchief gifted by Consort Li. She softly mused that while she and Li Yue never liked each other, she would forever remember Li Yue's parting words, affirming that Yunzhang would "forever be my son."
During preparations for the national ceremony, the Ministry of Rites presented the schedule. Jinfeng jokingly asked if she could be excused, but Duan Yunzhang quickly halted her, and she amended her remark. After the officials left, the Empress Dowager persuaded Jinfeng to attend, highlighting the beautiful flowers. Xu Taifei added that all officials would pay their respects, and Duan Yunzhang mentioned the "Braised Meatballs," which finally sparked Jinfeng's interest in attending.
Duan Longyue then arrived with his "Longyue Tower Cards" for divination. The Empress Dowager drew a card representing "Palace Gates and Jade Crumbling." Longyue interpreted this as a warning for her to remain within the palace, or her "body might crumble." The Empress Dowager, annoyed, blamed Longyue's "bad mouth" for such a prediction and left with Xu Taifei. Duan Yunzhang then drew a card called "Having Fish Every Year." Longyue clarified that despite its auspicious name, it signified "demonic possession" and indicated that "villains" surrounded the Emperor.
