The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 31 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Duan Yunzhang was confronted by Liu Xie, who reminded him that as his son-in-law, he should not entertain thoughts of taking another wife. Duan Yunzhang, asserting his independence, stated he was no longer the naive child he was ten years ago. Liu Xie advised him to understand his adversaries and even Liu Xie himself, while Duan Yunzhang retorted that Liu Jinfeng would never agree to him taking another wife.
Liu Xie, dismissing the need for Jinfeng’s permission, reiterated that Duan Yunzhang, as his son-in-law, could not take another wife. After this conversation, Liu Xie visited Liu Jinfeng in her chambers. He asked if she knew why he had made her Queen and how to fulfill the role, to which she answered no. Liu Xie then explained that by simply being herself, Liu Jinfeng, she could be a Queen.
Finding her father’s words unclear, Jinfeng listened as Liu Xie explained the gravity of the situation: General Zhu Tan had arrived with five thousand Xiyue soldiers, stationed outside the city. If His Majesty refused the marriage alliance, Zhu Tan would invade. Jinfeng angrily deduced that her father was pressuring her to accept Duan Yunzhang taking Zhu Tan as a consort. Liu Xie stressed the Xiyue Empire’s formidable warriors, arguing that resistance without agreement would be futile.
Frustrated, Jinfeng told her father to offer solutions or return home to appease her mother. Liu Xie, commenting that Jinfeng’s mother was smarter, was then dismissed by an annoyed Jinfeng. As he departed, Liu Xie mused on the possibility of Jinfeng’s mother becoming a queen. In Xiyue, Emperor Li Yuan received an update from his subordinate: Liu Xie had ordered Donghao troops to retreat thirty li and was suppressing an imperial decree for reinforcements.
Li Yuan, confident, believed Liu Xie mistakenly thought he was only seeking cities, but in time, the entire Donghao Empire would fall to him. A secret report from the capital confirmed that the deposed crown prince, Li Ya, was within the city, but remained untraceable despite extensive searches. The subordinate speculated Li Ya might be hiding in the palace, a suggestion Li Yuan rejected, citing his palace spies’ confirmation of Li Ya’s absence.
Outside Li Yuan’s military camp, Yu Changya and a spy observed. The spy worried about Li Yuan’s intentions, fearing that a successful marriage alliance would jeopardize Yu Changya's hopes. Yu Changya stated his goal was to acquire a specific name list and eliminate Li Yuan’s spies within the Imperial Palace, thereby stripping Li Yuan of his leverage, leaving the rest to Liu Xie. The spy noted Yu Changya’s persistent distrust of Liu Xie, who Yu Changya admitted was unpredictable.
Their conversation was interrupted as Liu Jinfeng, riding alone, was captured by soldiers upon entering the camp. When questioned, she bravely declared herself Liu Jinfeng, Queen of the Donghao Empire, leading to her immediate arrest. Back in Donghao, Duan Yunzhang grew anxious. His attendants reported no news from the Xiyue barracks and confirmed Jinfeng’s absence from the palace.
Reviewing Jinfeng’s painting, Duan Yunzhang concluded she must have ridden to the Xiyue military camp, and the lack of communication indicated she was likely in danger. Meanwhile, Jinfeng, despite her capture, was enthusiastically roasting whole lambs for the Xiyue soldiers, sharing her cooking expertise. When asked, she proudly reiterated her identity as Liu Jinfeng, Queen of Donghao. Though initially skeptical, many soldiers were impressed by her skills, which reminded them of home, and agreed not to reveal her status.
Jinfeng expressed a desire to speak with General Zhu Tan, but was told to continue cooking, with a promise of a meeting later. Earlier, Liu Xie had been savoring roasted lamb prepared by his wife, Yongfu, when he was urgently summoned by Duan Yunzhang. En route to the Emperor, Liu Xie paused, captivated by a zither melody emanating from Qianluo Hall, played by Consort Dowager Xu.
Upon meeting, Duan Yunzhang informed Liu Xie that Jinfeng had gone to the Xiyue military camp due to the marriage alliance, demanding a solution for her retrieval. Liu Xie, seeming distracted, made cryptic remarks about "that taste." Duan Yunzhang, exasperated, reminded him of the urgency regarding his daughter and the marriage alliance. Liu Xie calmly insisted the situation was not as complicated as Duan Yunzhang believed, implying Jinfeng might resolve the matter on her own.
Jinfeng continued to dine with the Xiyue soldiers, praising the delicious Xiyue lamb—a fact she attributed to her mother's Xiyue origins. She dismissed national differences, emphasizing their shared humanity over a meal. Encouraged to perform, Jinfeng produced a xun, a moon-shaped flute, a gift from her mother who had taught her to play as a child.
She played a poignant "Song of Return," which deeply moved the soldiers, bringing many to tears as they openly expressed their profound homesickness and desire to abandon the war. Jinfeng encouraged them to voice these feelings to their generals. Disturbed by the emotional uproar, Emperor Li Yuan and General Zhu Tan emerged from their tent. Li Yuan sternly demanded to know who wished to go home.
Rong Dan, a Chiliarch of the Vanguard, stepped forward, pleading to return to his elderly mother after three years of service. Li Yuan, unyielding, ordered his immediate execution. Jinfeng, horrified, condemned Li Yuan's heartlessness. Li Yuan, recognizing Jinfeng as the Queen of Donghao and the source of the "bewitching song" that had disrupted his troops, accused her of inciting his soldiers. Jinfeng retorted that his endless wars, not her music, were truly disturbing their minds.
Enraged, Li Yuan ordered her arrest, as Jinfeng defiantly branded him an old, evil, and cold-blooded tyrant. The next day, Duan Yunzhang received an urgent invitation from the Xiyue Empire, demanding he come alone to retrieve Queen Liu Jinfeng. He confronted Liu Xie, asking if this was what he considered "not complicated." Liu Xie conceded the situation was slightly more complex but reiterated that it was not a major issue, as they merely wanted the Emperor to come alone.
Duan Yunzhang questioned whether this was truly Xiyue’s demand or Liu Xie's own agenda. Liu Xie, affirming a shared objective, urged Duan Yunzhang to proceed alone to rescue both his daughter and the Queen of Donghao. Meanwhile, Yu Changya infiltrated the Xiyue camp to rescue Jinfeng. He implored her to leave immediately, but Jinfeng refused, insisting the matter was unresolved.
She argued that escaping together was impossible given the numerous eyes in the camp, and expressed confidence that as Queen, she would be safe, trusting that someone would retrieve her properly. She urged Yu Changya to leave for his own safety. As Yu Changya was departing, Zhu Tan intercepted him.
She recognized him, despite his attempts to feign ignorance, and quietly addressed him as "Your Highness," mentioning he had heard the "Song of Return" and recalling her promise to wait for his return. Duan Yunzhang, determined to go alone, rejected the elaborate protective gear, including a flying needle shooter, a poisonous bun, and silver armor, offered by Duan Yunchong, Xiaozhou, and Xiaotang.
They explained these were intended to counter Zhu Tan’s suspected plot to force a marriage, humiliate Jinfeng, and potentially become the new Queen, outlining a detailed plan of defense. However, Duan Yunzhang dismissed their "nonsense" as impractical. As he exited the palace gates, Liu Xie caught up to him. Duan Yunzhang accused Liu Xie of pretense, having already decided he should go alone.
Liu Xie, however, presented an imperial decree stating that "The Emperor of Donghao has decided to take a woman of Xiyue as his consort," advising Duan Yunzhang to keep it as it "might come in handy," despite the Emperor’s steadfast refusal of the alliance. Liu Xie also offered a piece of roasted lamb, prepared by his wife with a special Xiyue recipe, for Jinfeng.
Standing at Zhuque Gate, Liu Xie reminded Duan Yunzhang that fifteen years ago, he had bid farewell to the Late Emperor from that very spot before a battle that eradicated barbarians, established the Late Emperor's reputation, and won the people's hearts. He wished Duan Yunzhang success in upholding this legacy and achieving greatness. Duan Yunzhang, with a wry smile, remarked that if he was going, he might as well go all out.
Inside her tent, Zhu Tan showed Jinfeng a drawing of Xianpa Village, her peaceful hometown, distinct from the Imperial Palace. She revealed she was there to save Jinfeng because Jinfeng was important to Duan Yunzhang. Jinfeng challenged Zhu Tan, questioning if she believed saving her would win Duan Yunzhang's hand, especially since she knew his affections lay with Jinfeng.
Zhu Tan admitted she knew Duan Yunzhang loved Jinfeng but declared her willingness to sacrifice her own happiness for peace between the empires, believing one person's sacrifice was better than countless lives lost in war. Jinfeng countered that true peace did not demand such sacrifices. She described her harmonious Xianpa Village, where peace prevailed without coercion or debt. She insisted that peace required no sacrifice of individual interests or happiness, but rather arose naturally when everyone genuinely desired it.
Just then, a guard announced the Donghao Emperor’s arrival, much to Jinfeng's relief and slight exasperation at his delayed appearance. Duan Yunzhang entered Li Yuan’s tent alone, a bold move that Li Yuan acknowledged before attempting to intimidate him. Duan Yunzhang, however, cut straight to the point, demanding to know the conditions for Jinfeng’s release. After a brief verbal sparring, Li Yuan proposed a marriage alliance and the cession of border cities.
When Duan Yunzhang hesitated, Li Yuan ordered Jinfeng brought in, threatening consequences if he refused. Li Yuan then offered to formalize the marriage between Duan Yunzhang and General Zhu Tan on the spot, with the border cities serving as betrothal gifts, thus saving Duan Yunzhang’s reputation. Recalling Liu Xie’s earlier advice and the imperial decree, Duan Yunzhang agreed to the alliance but insisted the occasion needed to be witnessed by Xiyue’s soldiers.
Stepping outside, Li Yuan grandly announced to his assembled warriors that the Donghao Emperor had agreed to marry a woman of Xiyue, thereby uniting the empires. Duan Yunzhang immediately clarified, stating that the Xiyue woman he intended to marry was his own Queen, Liu Jinfeng, not General Zhu Tan. When Li Yuan objected, Duan Yunzhang pointed to the decree, which simply stipulated marrying "a woman of Xiyue."
He then argued that since his mother-in-law, Liu Xie's wife, was from Xiyue, Jinfeng, by extension, also carried Xiyue blood, fulfilling the decree. Jinfeng affirmed her Xiyue heritage, and several Xiyue soldiers, recalling her skill at roasting lamb and playing the Song of Return on their xun, inadvertently corroborated her claim. Duan Yunzhang then challenged Li Yuan, asking if he would renege on his word before his own men.
At that moment, a report arrived: Liu Xie's Jingji Battalion of Donghao troops was lined up outside the city, conducting a "military exercise." Duan Yunzhang then addressed the Xiyue soldiers, assuring them he would not wage war. He revealed that the Late Emperor, after a fierce victory against Xiyue fifteen years prior, had not boasted but instead documented the immense suffering caused by war, noting Xiyue’s sparse population and the long separations faced by its soldiers.
He emphasized that his father had described the Xiyue people as kind, brave, and peaceful, and that true peace should come without any price, arising naturally from collective desire. He pledged that as long as he reigned, he would never initiate war against the Xiyue Empire. Moved by his heartfelt words, the Xiyue soldiers, echoing the Donghao troops' earlier sentiments, shouted their desire to return home and cease fighting.
With his mission accomplished, Duan Yunzhang embraced Jinfeng, and they rode back triumphantly. In a joyous ceremony, Duan Yunchong, impeccably dressed, arrived at Liu Baiyu’s home with betrothal gifts and an imperial decree. Baiyu, initially startled by the suddenness of the event, learned that Emperor Duan Yunzhang had personally insisted on its prompt execution. Shuan read the first decree, which formally announced their engagement and praised Baiyu's numerous virtues, though Yunchong playfully cut the lengthy list short.
Baiyu accepted, acknowledging Yunchong's belief in the "sense of ritual" for special occasions. Yunchong then playfully teased her, asking if she had expected their wedding night to be that day, which she bashfully denied. Shuan then produced a second imperial decree, a wedding gift from the Emperor, bestowing upon Duan Yunchong the title of Prince Qi, which officially made Liu Baiyu the Princess Consort of Qi.
Yunchong, brimming with excitement, declared that from that day forward, he was the only man Baiyu could ever pursue. He then enthusiastically showed her detailed blueprints for their new residence in the east of the city, highlighting a dedicated study designed for her writing, a lush central garden, and a special living area for her mother, who was currently confined at Liu Xie's residence, ensuring she would no longer be lonely.
Baiyu, touched by his thoughtfulness, found him incredibly handsome in that moment. Duan Yunzhang and Jinfeng were later playing Go, with Yunzhang patiently explaining the rules. Jinfeng, however, found the game boring compared to when Yunzhang played with Grand Tutor Wei, and instead used the pieces to form a pig's head, jokingly identifying it as Duan Yunzhang.
She then firmly stated her unwavering loyalty, declaring that if any conflict ever arose between Duan Yunzhang and Liu Xie, she would choose to protect Duan Yunzhang, as Liu Xie was too unpredictable, and she feared for Yunzhang’s safety. Duan Yunzhang, amused, confirmed it was indeed a pig by its nose. Their lighthearted moment was abruptly shattered when Shuan rushed in, delivering the alarming news that the Empress Dowager had been poisoned.
