The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 28 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Jinfeng, stirred by Yu Changya’s insightful words about universal desire for beauty and her mother’s predicament, determinedly set out to rescue her mother. Yu Changya, sensing her resolve, offered to accompany her. Simultaneously, Duan Yunzhang, having learned of Yongfu's disappearance from Muyan Palace after Liu Xie sealed it, also decided to undertake a rescue mission himself. He instructed Xiao Shuanzi not to follow him or inform the Empress Dowager, believing the mission too dangerous for Jinfeng to be involved.
Yu Changya led Jinfeng through the clandestine passages of Muyan Palace. When Jinfeng questioned his intimate knowledge of the secret routes, he casually admitted to frequently visiting to pilfer trinkets. As they navigated the hidden pathways, Duan Yunzhang covertly followed them. Inside a secluded chamber, Jinfeng discovered a set of unique character cards, instantly recognizing them as her mother's. She realized her mother must have been held there.
As Jinfeng investigated further and activated a hidden mechanism, a volley of arrows was unleashed. Duan Yunzhang, who had been secretly trailing them, bravely shielded Jinfeng from harm, but the sudden danger overwhelmed her, causing her to faint. Jinfeng awoke in Xiangluo Hall, where Sufang informed her she had been asleep for several hours, exhausted from worrying about her mother. Sufang then delivered the joyful news that Jinfeng’s mother, Yongfu, had safely returned to the Grand Chancellor’s Residence.
Yongfu’s account, relayed by a eunuch, described her getting lost in the mountains, encountering a snake and a bear, and then being rescued by a fearless warrior. Jinfeng was astonished, recognizing the events from her own recent dream where a wolf pursued her and her mother, Yu Changya appeared to save them, but when the wolf attacked again, Duan Yunzhang intervened, slaying the beast. Interestingly, Yongfu also had a dream of being rescued, but by Liu Xie.
Later, Yongfu, now safe, was seen eating heartily, complaining she was too busy playing cards in the secret room to properly eat. When asked if she would have left with anyone else who saved her, she unequivocally stated she would never leave Liu Xie for another man, asserting he is the only one she needs.
Later, Sufang informed Jinfeng that Duan Yunzhang would not be visiting because it was a significant day in the palace, and he was preoccupied with selecting men. Jinfeng reacted with annoyance, questioning why he was busy with selections instead of apologizing to her.
At the martial arts training ground, Su Jingtang explained to Duan Yunzhang that this year's selection process for palace guards comprised two parts: a traditional martial arts contest and a new beauty contest, where palace staff would vote based on appearance. Su Jingtang explained that the Empress Dowager instituted the beauty contest because she believed the quality of guards was declining and negatively impacting the palace's image.
Duan Yunzhang, however, dismissed this, stating he judges men by their character, not their looks, and ordered the voting board to be taken down. Yu Changya arrived late to the selection grounds, immediately drawing the attention and adoration of numerous palace maids, much to Su Jingtang's disdain, who muttered about him being a "demon." From his seat, Duan Yunzhang leaped down and challenged Yu Changya to a sword fight, claiming it would set an example for the new guards.
Yu Changya readily accepted. As they dueled, Duan Yunzhang directly asked Yu Changya if he harbored feelings for Jinfeng. Yu Changya boldly confessed that he has loved her since they first met and revealed that they were previously engaged. He further disclosed that he was the one who ghostwrote all of Xuan's letters to Jinfeng, implying that the "Xuan Lang" she loves is, in fact, him. Their intense fight was interrupted by Jinfeng's arrival.
She reprimanded Duan Yunzhang for engaging in a fight instead of fulfilling his duties. When Duan Yunzhang questioned why he should apologize after saving her, Jinfeng called him "too full of himself." Yu Changya then took the opportunity to mock Duan Yunzhang, suggesting Jinfeng's preference. Jinfeng, however, quickly silenced Yu Changya, asserting that she alone decides who her hero is and that only she has the right to scold her man, not him.
She then turned her scolding back to Duan Yunzhang, criticizing him for acting alone and not considering her feelings. Outside the palace, an agitated crowd of citizens protested, accusing the Xiyue envoys of rampant misbehavior, including robbing shops, ransacking homes, and even taking pets, all while claiming immunity granted by the Emperor. The distressed citizens accosted Su Jingtang, demanding an audience with Duan Yunzhang. During a court session, Duan Yunzhang expressed his outrage over the Xiyue envoys' conduct.
He demanded an explanation from Official Fang, who was responsible for public security. Official Fang reported the Xiyue envoys' arrogance and misuse of imperial grace to cause havoc. Duan Yunzhang then turned to Liu Xie, who was tasked with managing the envoys. Liu Xie calmly stated that the envoys would cause no further trouble because they departed that morning, having been released by him.
Duan Yunzhang furiously questioned why Liu Xie allowed them to leave, to which Liu Xie replied that "taking a step back is for the sake of harmony," advising against escalating a "minor problem." Duan Yunzhang challenged this, asking if the lives of the people are a "minor matter" to Liu Xie.
Su Jingtang, his face bruised and nose bleeding from the confrontation, reported to Duan Yunzhang that the rioting citizens, whom he dismissed as "savages," repeatedly demanded a "reasonable explanation" from the Emperor. Duan Yunzhang, frustrated, turned to Liu Xie for advice. Liu Xie, however, disclaimed responsibility, stating that since the people seek an explanation from Duan Yunzhang, not him, the matter is "none of his business." He then abruptly offered his resignation and left.
Duan Yunzhang went to Xiangluo Hall, but Sufang, acting on Jinfeng's orders, blocked his entry. Sufang asked if he had come to apologize, and when he dismissed the idea, she informed him that Xiangluo Hall would not receive him otherwise. Sufang later attempted to persuade Jinfeng to reconsider, arguing that as the esteemed ruler of the land, it is difficult for Duan Yunzhang to apologize to anyone.
Jinfeng firmly countered that despite his imperial status, he is still human and, like anyone else, must apologize for his mistakes. Later, Duan Yunzhang confronted Jinfeng in a pavilion, demanding to know about the letters exchanged between her and Yu Changya, accusing her of liking him. Annoyed by his accusations, Jinfeng defiantly declared she would write so many letters that they would fill Xiangluo Hall.
In Xuanchen Hall, Duan Yunzhang vented his frustration to Yunchong, angered by Yu Changya's perceived coveting of Jinfeng and his familiar use of her name. He lamented that despite risking his life to save her, Jinfeng showed no gratitude and continued her correspondence with Yu Changya. Yunchong advised him that the "right or wrong" of the situation is less important than Jinfeng's happiness.
He then presented Duan Yunzhang with "The Search for Love Part 2," a popular novel rumored to make its reader a "master of love." Duan Yunzhang dismissed it as nonsense, but Yunchong insisted he would read it and apologize on Duan Yunzhang's behalf. The next morning, following Yunchong's advice, Duan Yunzhang began a series of grand gestures. He first sent Xiao Shuanzi with China roses, declaring Jinfeng as beautiful as the flowers.
Next, a palace maid delivered a lamb leg, with a message praising Jinfeng as "adorable and lovely." Finally, two performers arrived at Xiangluo Hall, singing praises to Jinfeng, calling her the "star in the sky" and "Moon in the night," and proclaiming that "all the wonderful views should be witnessed in the presence of you." As Jinfeng ate the lamb leg, she dismissed these efforts as insincere bribes, questioning if Duan Yunzhang had ever truly apologized in his life.
However, she noticed Sufang shedding tears, deeply moved by Duan Yunzhang's elaborate attempts. Sufang tried to convince Jinfeng that, as Emperor, such an effort is commendable. Jinfeng, acknowledging the effort, decided she should speak with him directly. Meanwhile, Liu Xie was informed that Duan Yunzhang had posted a decree at the palace entrance to appease the protesting citizens, but the unrest had only intensified. Liu Xie, unconcerned, was also told that Muyan Palace had been unsealed under his orders.
When his subordinate questioned unsealing a potentially problematic location, Liu Xie explained that it was necessary for continued investigation. He then instructed his subordinate to closely monitor the movements of the Xiyue Empire, anticipating that their leader was growing impatient. Su Jingtang reported the ongoing futility of posting decrees, as citizens immediately tore them down. Duan Yunzhang was then pleased to see Jinfeng approaching, believing Yunchong's strategy had worked. However, Jinfeng immediately reminded him he still owed her an apology.
She had Sufang bring a drawing board and, using a series of illustrations, meticulously outlined his errors. First, she criticized him for independently venturing into Muyan Palace to rescue her mother without consulting her, emphasizing that as a couple, they should act in concert, not as individual heroes. Next, she lambasted him for foolishly risking his life to shield her, arguing that he should prioritize his own safety before protecting others, as his death would leave her a widow.
She then addressed his sword fight with Yu Changya, recounting how Yu Changya relentlessly pursued her in Xianpa Village, even offering plastic surgery and insisting on marriage, but affirming that her heart has always belonged to Duan Yunzhang. She reminded Duan Yunzhang that when she tried to explain her relationship with Yu Changya previously, he dismissed her, claiming to "know everything."
She asserted that he should have questioned her directly if he had doubts, rather than interrogating Yu Changya or letting his jealousy and arrogance cloud his judgment. She concluded by demanding his apology. Before Duan Yunzhang could respond, Xiao Shuanzi rushed in with urgent news: Yu Changya had been possessed. Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng rushed to the city wall, where they found Yu Changya holding a small medicine jar and chanting.
He declared he was brewing a "Royal Beauty Pill" imbued with the "essence of heaven and earth" specifically for Jinfeng, and offered it as an apology for his "recklessness" that caused a misunderstanding between her and Duan Yunzhang. During his dramatic performance, he accidentally dropped the jar, but Xu Taifei skillfully caught it. Yu Changya, claiming the medicine wasn't brewed long enough, promised to deliver more later. He then approached Jinfeng, offering a sincere apology.
Jinfeng accepted, stating she was already beautiful and didn't need his beauty pill, but appreciated that he had learned from his mistake, then dismissed him. In the crowd, Yunchong spotted Bai Yu and eagerly followed her. He discovered her writing "The Search for Love Part 2" and, to his astonishment, realized she was the author.
Thrilled, Yunchong declared himself her biggest fan and enthusiastically engaged her in a detailed discussion about the novel's plot, character relationships, and future developments, particularly how the male lead consistently upsets the female lead and should be made to apologize, though the female lead should not forgive him too easily. Bai Yu smiled sweetly, amused by his fervent enthusiasm.
