The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Episode 4 Recap
> The Legendary Life of Queen Lau Recap
Upon hearing that Liu Jinfeng was undergoing closed teaching by three old maids from the Imperial Ceremonial Service, to the extent that even her personal attendant, Sufang, couldn't enter her hall, Duan Yunchang was pleased, believing he would finally have some peace. However, eager to show off her progress to Xuan, Liu Jinfeng seized an opportunity when the three old maids were busy playing cards and secretly slipped out of Xiangluo Hall, adorned in heavy makeup.
During the morning court session, after all other matters were concluded, Liu Xie announced the adjournment. However, Zhang An, an official from the Censorate, insisted on presenting a memorial. Duan Yunchang granted his request. Zhang An then proceeded to impeach Senior General Xie Jun of Long'an, accusing him of embezzling military funds, seizing land, and causing deaths in the region. He presented ten articles of impeachment against General Xie, requesting Duan Yunchang to review them.
Duan Yunchang acknowledged that General Xie was a former subordinate of Liu Xie, and Liu Xie admitted to being somewhat aware of the situation. Duan Yunchang expressed his intention to punish Xie Jun according to the law. Unexpectedly, Liu Xie confronted Zhang An, threatening him that since he had chosen to become an enemy, he should say everything he intended to.
Zhang An, having nothing left to lose, publicly impeached Liu Xie himself, accusing him of forming factions, orchestrating his own carriage accident, and murdering ministers, crimes for which he could never be forgiven. Liu Xie merely smiled, unmoved. At this very moment, Liu Jinfeng, heavily made up, emerged from Xiangluo Hall. Palace staff, startled by her unusual appearance, dared not look directly at her. Upon learning that His Majesty was in Taihe Hall, Jinfeng, without hesitation, rushed towards it.
Liu Xie vehemently defended himself, stating that during the former emperor's reign, he had risked his life for Donghao, achieving glorious military feats. After the former emperor's passing, he had assisted the present Emperor in state affairs with utmost devotion, proving himself fair and loyal. He further pointed out that General Xie Jun had accompanied him on several campaigns against Xiyue, earning countless honors. He challenged anyone in the hall to claim comparable achievements.
In contrast, he criticized the imperial censors as unproductive individuals who only knew how to make exaggerated comments, calling them a menace to the court. Duan Yunchang suggested investigating General Xie first to provide an explanation to the imperial officials. However, Liu Xie demanded an explanation for Zhang An's public humiliation of him, insisting that Zhang An be stripped of his property, exiled permanently, and never pardoned.
He presented a pre-written imperial decree for Zhang An's punishment and demanded Duan Yunchang affix his imperial seal. Zhang An knelt, crying out about his injustice. Duan Yunchang, unwilling to comply, sought the opinions of his ministers, but the entire court, fearing Liu Xie, knelt in agreement. Liu Xie, satisfied, smiled and informed Duan Yunchang that he had many ways to block Zhang An's memorial.
He had allowed Zhang An to present it only to gauge whether the Emperor would be swayed by treacherous officials and to discern loyalty among his ministers. He then pressed Duan Yunchang to issue the decree immediately. Duan Yunchang angrily accused Liu Xie of coercing him, but Liu Xie retorted that he was merely helping the Emperor test his officials. As they stood at an impasse, Liu Jinfeng burst into the main hall.
She intercepted Liu Xie, declaring he shouldn't bully Xuan. She broke the imperial brush, snatched the decree, and forbade Liu Xie from ganging up on Xuan. Seeing Liu Xie's stunned expression, Duan Yunchang secretly delighted. He feigned annoyance, commenting that while the Empress's behavior was inappropriate, she was, after all, Liu Xie's daughter.
Liu Xie countered that Jinfeng had been obedient before entering the palace and had only become unruly after a few days there, implying that the Emperor's inability to control his own Empress meant he was incapable of handling state affairs, and proposed he manage Zhang An's punishment himself. With that, Liu Xie arrogantly departed without observing proper etiquette. Jinfeng then returned the decree to Duan Yunchang, asking if her timely arrival had been helpful.
Duan Yunchang, exasperated, curtly told her to go wash her face. Back in Xuanchen Hall, Duan Yunchang's words made Liu Jinfeng realize she had been tricked by the three old maids from the Imperial Ceremonial Service. Enraged, she prepared to confront them, but was interrupted by the arrival of the Empress Dowager and Princess Yunyan. Princess Yunyan chastised Jinfeng for disgracing her imperial brother in front of the court. Jinfeng retorted that only Xuan had the right to punish her.
The Empress Dowager, sensing there was more to the story, asked Jinfeng for the full account. After hearing the explanation, Duan Yunchang concluded that the three old maids had malicious intent in attempting to publicly humiliate the Empress, deeming it an unforgivable crime against the Emperor. He ordered them imprisoned and sent to the Court of Judicial Review for a thorough investigation to uncover any mastermind.
Princess Yunyan panicked and quickly admitted that she had instigated it, merely intending to play a trick on the Empress. Duan Yunchang punished his sister by confining her to seclusion for half a month, allowing her only to greet the Empress Dowager daily. He also ordered the three old maids from the Imperial Ceremonial Service to receive fifty strokes each.
Jinfeng intervened, suggesting a different punishment: instead of flogging, they should be made to demonstrate the "etiquette" they taught her, by walking around the palace for three days. She believed this would shame them for the next five years. The Empress Dowager supported Jinfeng's idea, praising her kindheartedness, and promised to find new, reliable old maids for her. Jinfeng then boldly proposed that Duan Yunchang teach her himself.
The Empress Dowager found this inappropriate, but Duan Yunchang readily agreed, instructing Jinfeng to move into Xuanchen Hall that very day. Princess Yunyan complained that the Empress, who had sneaked out while grounded, was not only unpunished but had her grounding lifted and would now live with the Emperor. Duan Yunchang clarified that from that day on, the Empress's "grounding" would be beside him; she would go wherever he went.
Liu Jinfeng was overjoyed, immediately rushing back to pack her belongings. Chai Tiezhou wondered if the Emperor moving the Empress into his hall meant he had developed feelings for her. Shen Ao, however, suggested that after Jinfeng unexpectedly intervened on the Emperor's behalf and openly clashed with Liu Xie in court that morning, His Majesty was uncertain about both Liu Xie and Jinfeng's true intentions. Duan Yunchang affirmed that confining Jinfeng was a last resort.
He explained that since she clearly wasn't aligned with Liu Xie, it was worth investigating whether she could be an ally. Su Jingtang worried about "inviting a fox into the hen house," reminding him that Jinfeng was Liu Xie's daughter. Duan Yunchang countered that without luring the fox in, they couldn't uncover her true thoughts, stating that he must now determine if her presence would impact his plans.
Chai Tiezhou inspected Jinfeng's belongings, finding only inexpensive items, and reported this to Duan Yunchang. Yunchang then instructed them to bestow more gifts upon her. Duan Yunchang presented several small weapons to Liu Jinfeng, asking her to choose one for self-defense. Jinfeng selected a "Stop Unwanted Encounter Spray." Duan Yunchang also urged her to take a dagger. Jinfeng, lost in a lovestruck fantasy, believed Duan Yunchang couldn't bear to be without her.
That night, Duan Yunchang feigned sleep, discreetly observing Liu Jinfeng. She diligently studied palace rules by lamplight and then carefully examined the dagger, eventually tying a butterfly knot on it before falling asleep at her desk from exhaustion. Outside, Su Jingtang and his men stood guard. Seeing Jinfeng's innocent actions, Duan Yunchang emerged and dismissed Su Jingtang, telling him not to stand guard for the night and to return the next day.
The following morning, Sufang tried to wake Jinfeng, reminding her it was late. Duan Yunchang informed her that from this day forward, she would be inseparable from him. He took Jinfeng to Taihe Hall for the morning court. An official pointed out that bringing the Empress to court was inappropriate, but Duan Yunchang explained that Liu Xie himself had instructed him to manage the Empress well, and he brought her along to facilitate her constant education.
From then on, Duan Yunchang brought Jinfeng to court, where she accompanied him during political discussions. If she grew sleepy, he would nudge her awake. After court, when he played chess, he made Jinfeng squat beside him, holding the chess piece container. When traveling in the imperial carriage, he made Jinfeng walk alongside, using a ruler to constantly remind her to keep her chest out, buttocks tight, and head held high.
While he reviewed memorials, he had Jinfeng sit upright beside him, studying palace rules, forbidding her from being lazy or falling asleep. Liu Baiyu visited Jinfeng in the palace. After listening to Jinfeng's complaints about the grueling training, Baiyu conveyed their father Liu Xie's message: Jinfeng didn't need to overexert herself; palace rules were mere formalities, and at the upcoming relatives' banquet, the imperial relatives wouldn't trouble her out of respect for their father.
Liu Jinfeng retorted that she couldn't allow that; she refused to be like her father, who relied on his power to bully others. Baiyu was shocked by her words, explaining their father was merely concerned. Jinfeng clarified that she was learning palace rules because of Xuan, praising his excellence. She described how he could sit calmly in the hall, unfazed by a fly, and skillfully catch a chess piece container about to fall from her hand.
Seeing Xuan's remarkable composure, she felt compelled to work harder to be worthy of him. With this thought, Jinfeng excused herself to continue her studies. As she left, she met Duan Yunchong and asked him to accompany Baiyu. Duan Yunchang wondered why Jinfeng had not used the dagger he had given her for assassination. Shen Ao speculated that the dagger might be too conspicuous, making escape from punishment difficult even if the assassination succeeded.
He suggested that poison would be the most covert method. Duan Yunchang then asked Shen Ao to help him stage a performance. In the imperial garden, Duan Yunchong apologized to Baiyu for their previous encounter. He reminisced about helping her retrieve a kite stuck on the eaves when they were children. Baiyu didn't remember, and inquired about the small toy in his hand.
Duan Yunchong enthusiastically introduced it as a dragonfly he was weaving from two palm leaves, promising to give it to her when finished. Baiyu politely declined. Duan Yunchong hoped his identity wouldn't burden Baiyu, inviting her to tour Chonghua Hall with him immediately. Baiyu stated she had no interest in anything concerning him and bid him farewell. Duan Yunchong stopped her, demanding she be clearer. Baiyu candidly declared that the Second Prince was idle, boring, and childish.
Duan Yunchong, enraged, told her to repeat herself. Baiyu reiterated her statement, adding that he was also conceited. As she turned to leave, she knocked the dragonfly from his hand. Duan Yunchong recalled a childhood memory in the imperial study where Baiyu, behind his back, told her playmates that he was a good-for-nothing wastrel, and that asking him to retrieve her kite was merely a way to send him away and quiet the study.
Duan Yunchong was furious, believing Liu Baiyu was still as blind and hypocritical as she had been as a child. Liu Jinfeng, not yet having entered the hall, overheard Duan Yunchang and Shen Ao arguing. Shen Ao had apparently brought a new medicine he developed for Duan Yunchang's chronic illness, but Duan Yunchang refused to take it.
He instructed Shen Ao to inform Jinfeng that he was granting her two more hours of free time, telling her to return later so she wouldn't be frightened, and then angrily dismissed Shen Ao. Jinfeng, having heard this, quickly slipped away. Inside, Duan Yunchang and Shen Ao exchanged knowing glances and smiled triumphantly.
