The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 33 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
After Jinfeng discarded the relic of Concubine Li, Liu Xie brought it home and carefully examined it, discovering important information hidden within. However, the densely written characters were incomprehensible to him. He instructed his subordinate to bring a basin of water and a dagger, attempting to decrypt the message. Yongfu entered the room and was startled to see Liu Xie's bleeding hand and the paper soaked wet. Yongfu pointed out that the paper was covered in numbers.
Liu Xie, realizing this, embraced her, calling her his lucky star. Yongfu then inquired about the arrangements for Yu Changya, to which Liu Xie assured her he had everything handled. Meanwhile, Tang reported to Duan Yunzhang that he had ordered all imperial bodyguards to search for Yu Changya. Duan Yunzhang, however, acknowledged that none of them could defeat Yu Changya in a fight.
Duan Yunzhang also clarified that the perfumed sachet (relic) did not prove Jinfeng's guilt, as it was clearly not something someone would make for themselves, and its needlework, though resembling Jinfeng's, was not something anyone would willingly carry. He then commanded Tang to personally monitor the Grand Chancellor's Residence. Liu Xie successfully deciphered the coded message, revealing the name "Yongfu." He looked at the sleeping Yongfu in disbelief, thinking it impossible, but Yongfu confirmed it was indeed her.
She recounted her past, explaining that years ago, Xiyue had selected many women to be spies in the Donghao Imperial Palace. During a test, they were asked to state their intentions to the Donghao Emperor. Yongfu deliberately stated that her purpose was to be a strong insider when Xiyue attacked Donghao. The person in charge, deeming her foolish, sent her home, which was precisely Yongfu's intention as she did not wish to enter the palace.
Her mother and grandmother, upon hearing of her involvement, found her outside Xianpa Village. Fearing she might be recruited again, the three of them lived there for many years. Later, she met Liu Xie, who was injured in battle, and she nursed him back to health, leading to their eventual union. Liu Xie urged Yongfu to understand his actions, stating that for the prosperity of the Donghao Empire, everyone on the list had to be brought under control.
Yongfu then revealed even more critical information: the fireworks displayed in the capital last night were a signal for all Xiyue spies hidden within the palace. According to their prior agreement, upon receiving this signal, Xiyue would launch an attack on the Imperial Palace at midnight on the 15th of the month, coordinating with their inside contacts. Liu Xie realized that today was indeed the 15th, breaking into a cold sweat.
He declared that all spies must be captured that very night. Liu Xie then spoke with Yu Changya, informing him that Duan Yunzhang would soon discover his whereabouts. As a gift, he presented Yu Changya with an imperial edict from the previous dynasty, stating that Crown Prince Ya would inherit the throne. Liu Xie explained that with Li Yuan currently at the valley checkpoint plotting his schemes, this was Yu Changya's opportune moment to strike.
He allocated 20,000 troops from the Jingji Battalion to Yu Changya, leaving the rest to his own discretion. Yu Changya understood that Liu Xie's actions were not for his personal benefit, but for the sake of the Donghao Empire and the young Emperor. Still, he expressed concern for Jinfeng. Liu Xie reassured him that Jinfeng remained the Queen of the Donghao Empire. Before leaving, Yu Changya requested to see Jinfeng one last time.
Upon his return, Liu Xie immediately gave orders: Commander Sun would be solely responsible for the operation within the Imperial Palace that night, ensuring no one escaped. Vice Commander Yang was tasked with escorting Yu Changya back to the Xiyue Empire, strictly following Yu Changya's commands without disobedience and maintaining absolute secrecy about the night's operation. Yu Changya went to bid farewell to Jinfeng. Jinfeng urged him to escape quickly.
Yu Changya, in turn, advised her to take good care of herself. He revealed his true identity as the Crown Prince of the Xiyue Empire, expressing his belief that their next meeting would be at a national banquet between their two empires. He further promised that if Duan Yunzhang ever mistreated her, she could seek him out in the Xiyue Empire, and he would make her the Queen of Xiyue if she was willing.
Jinfeng confidently asserted that such a day would never come. Later, Tang reported back to Duan Yunzhang that Commander Sun and Vice Commander Yang had left through Liu Xie's back door. Duan Yunzhang, noting that both were former pupils of Liu Xie and only listened to his orders, grew suspicious. He instructed Tang to recall all imperial bodyguards searching for Yu Changya and instead assign men to monitor Sun and Yang.
Liu Xie's subordinate questioned why he was handling everything alone instead of collaborating with the Emperor to combat their enemies. Liu Xie explained that Duan Yunzhang was young and impulsive, and he feared the Emperor's temperament might inadvertently jeopardize their plan. Furthermore, Li Yuan had numerous spies within the palace, and Liu Xie worried that involving the Emperor could alert Li Yuan to their intentions. He stated that he would bear the full responsibility if anything went wrong.
The subordinate acknowledged his reasoning and expressed hope that Duan Yunzhang would one day understand Liu Xie's efforts. Tang returned with urgent news: Liu Xie had dispatched troops from the Jingji Battalion, and they were expected to act that very night. Duan Yunzhang, suspecting a rebellion, immediately ordered Tang to assemble all available imperial bodyguards and instructed Chai Tiezhou to gather his Imperial Kitchen staff, telling them to be on standby.
Duan Yunzhang then spoke with Yunchong, asking him to take the Consort Dowager and Baiyu to his mansion outside the palace. He explained that if he won the conflict, he would bring them back to the palace, and if he lost, Liu Xie would likely not harm them. He stressed that one of the brothers must survive.
Yunchong, however, refused to act as a coward, stating that he would send his mother and Baiyu away, but would remain to fight alongside Duan Yunzhang, as living as a laughingstock was unacceptable. Back at his residence, Yunchong attempted to persuade Baiyu to leave, but she resisted. Seeing no other option, he knocked her unconscious and placed her in a carriage. As she was driven away, he lightly kissed her, promising to marry her as he had vowed.
Duan Yunzhang instructed Sufang to guard the palace gates and prevent Jinfeng from returning. However, before he could finish, Jinfeng arrived, apologizing for her actions the previous night. Duan Yunzhang seized the opportunity, loudly declaring that Queen Liu had committed an unpardonable sin by releasing Yu Changya. He immediately demoted her to a commoner and ordered her expulsion from the palace. Jinfeng, angered, questioned how he could treat her so dismissively.
Duan Yunzhang cruelly retorted that she had been forced upon him by Liu Xie from the start, and now that he held power, he could dismiss anyone he wished. Heartbroken by his harshness, Jinfeng defiantly walked out of the palace. That night, in Xianpa Village, Jinfeng reflected on Duan Yunzhang's actions, surmising that he had intentionally expelled her to protect her. She resolved to protect him in her own way, by not becoming a burden.
In the middle of the night, Jinfeng tried to slip away but was intercepted by Yongfu. Shuanzi reported to Duan Yunzhang that they had mobilized over 2,000 imperial bodyguards. However, he nervously added that Liu Xie commanded 50,000 troops.
