The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 10 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Xiao Yanyan, vexed by recent rumors suggesting her father, Xiao Siwen, had strategically married her sisters into powerful families, found some solace on the steppe with Yelv Xian. She vehemently defended her father, explaining that he had been forced into compromises by King Yansage and Xiyin's schemes. Yelv Xian, in turn, offered comfort, stating that rumors would cease among the wise.
Yanyan expressed her belief that Yelv Xian would be a more suitable emperor than others, explaining that a ruler should be virtuous, kind, and aim for the highest good to earn the people's respect and love. Yelv Xian, who often felt underestimated despite being a former emperor's son, was surprised to hear someone suggest he could attain the throne based on his character alone.
He praised Yanyan's intelligence, which she admitted was a rare compliment, as she was usually seen as a troublemaker. Yelv Xian confided that he was treated like a fragile glass person, constantly monitored and taking medicine, leading Yanyan to realize they both grew up under strictures. As the wind picked up, Po'er, Yelv Xian's attendant, urged him to return, reminding him of his health. Before leaving, Yelv Xian confirmed their secret friendship, and he kept the Pisces jade pendant.
On their return journey, Po'er gently chided Yelv Xian for overextending himself, noting he would likely be bedridden for days after originally intending just to "look at her" and leave. Yelv Xian admitted he had stayed longer because he thought it might be their last encounter. Po'er then inquired if Yelv Xian intended to propose to Xiao Yanyan, a notion Yelv Xian did not deny, though he acknowledged it was not the right time.
Meanwhile, on the day after their wedding, Xiao Hunian and King Yansage arrived at the palace to pay respects to His Majesty, Yelv Jing. Yelv Jing enthusiastically welcomed them to a family banquet, jokingly flirting with Hunian before ordering the feast. King Yansage introduced his brother Dilie, his wife Yilan, and their son Wage to Hunian. Yelv Jing then pressed Hunian and Yansage to produce a son quickly, emphasizing the need for an heir in their branch of the family.
Dilie interjected, suggesting his son Wage, who was already twelve and skilled in archery, could soon contribute. However, Yelv Jing, in a fit of pique, responded by stating that Nanjing needed a royal guard and ordered Dilie to take Wage there to gain battlefield experience, ignoring Dilie's pleas that Wage was too young. Shortly after, Xiyin and Wuguli arrived to pay their respects but were deliberately made to wait outside the hall by Yelv Jing.
Inside, Xiao Hunian felt sympathy for her sister Wuguli and asked King Yansage to intercede. Yelv Jing vehemently refused, denouncing Xiyin as a traitor's son whose life was spared only because he married King Yansage's wife's sister; otherwise, he would still be confined. Outside, Xiyin apologized to Wuguli for her humiliation. Wuguli comforted him, vowing that they would one day reclaim everything and make those who scorned them pay.
An attendant soon delivered His Majesty's order for Xiyin and Wuguli to leave. Separately, Han Derang had taken Xiao Yanyan to the steppe to lift her spirits. Her mood lightened considerably, and they playfully interacted. Their pleasant outing was interrupted by Molugu, who tried to pull Yanyan away, suggesting they ride together. When Han Derang intervened, Molugu aggressively insulted him as a "tent slave" undeserving of an imperial clan girl, accusing Han's family of opportunism.
Han Derang warned Molugu not to push him too far, but Molugu ordered his followers to attack. In the ensuing brawl, Yanyan tried to intervene and was accidentally struck in the face. Yelv Xiezhen, Molugu's uncle, stepped in to stop the unfair fight, admonishing Molugu for his cowardly actions. Just then, Xiuge also arrived, forcing Molugu and his men to retreat. Later, Yanyan tended to Han Derang's wounds.
He expressed guilt for not protecting her and urged her to return home to avoid gossip about him trying to gain status by associating with her family. Yanyan refused, demanding he never leave her due to their differing social statuses. She asked him when he would propose, to which he hesitated, fearing to implicate her and her father, Xiao Siwen.
Yanyan, however, reminded him of their shared adventures and challenges, insisting that they face the world together and demonstrate their compatibility to silence any detractors. She promised to take responsibility for his injury and care for him, leading to a sweet moment between them. After the incident, Xiuge brought Molugu before his father, Lord Hugu.
Lord Hugu sternly reprimanded Molugu for fighting a "tent slave" and for outnumbering his opponent, calling it a disgrace to their family line, descendants of Emperor Suzu. He also criticized Xiuge for favoring a "Southerner" over his own kin. Xiuge respectfully defended his stance, arguing that the Han family's contributions were acknowledged by His Majesty and that one should not be prejudiced by ancestry. He maintained that Molugu was indeed the instigator.
Lord Hugu, though understanding of the truth, dismissed Xiuge. Molugu then grumbled about Xiuge and others associating with "Southerners," but Lord Hugu advised him to cease such talk. He praised Xiuge's talent and potential, reminding Molugu to forge alliances, especially with Yelv Xiezhen, the grandson of Premier Helu, whose family was more prominent than their own, emphasizing the importance of unity within the Yelü clan. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian left his residence and immediately noticed King Yansage's men following him.
To deflect suspicion, he decided to visit Xiao Yanyan. Coincidentally, he found her just returning from Han Derang's residence. He invited her to a nearby tavern, and she readily accepted. Inside, Yelv Xian noticed Yanyan's facial injury and, expressing concern about scars on a lady's face, sent Po'er to fetch some good medicine. Yanyan explained that Molugu had caused the injury while attacking Han Derang, who was protecting her.
She lamented that Molugu, a spoiled son of Lord Hugu, consistently bullied Han Derang, and she vowed not to let it happen again. Observing Molugu's presence in a tavern across the street, Yelv Xian suggested they teach him a lesson without resorting to physical violence. Unknown to Yanyan, Yelv Xian's true intention in leaving his residence was to meet Emissary Gao Xun, and he was using Yanyan's presence as a diversion for King Yansage's spies.
Following their plan, Xiao Yanyan subtly lured Molugu into Emissary Gao Xun's private room, making him believe Han Derang was inside. Molugu, fueled by rage, burst in, shouting insults at the "low-rank slave" he expected to find. Instead, he was confronted by a furious Emissary Gao Xun, whose men he had inadvertently assaulted. Gao Xun, demanding retribution, ordered his subordinates to beat Molugu severely.
At this chaotic moment, King Yansage arrived, having been alerted by his subordinate that Yelv Xian and Gao Xun were in the same tavern. Gao Xun immediately accused King Yansage of orchestrating Molugu's attack, given that Molugu's father, Lord Hugu, was a favored official. Yanyan and Yelv Xian feigned innocence, claiming they were merely enjoying drinks and only investigated upon hearing the commotion. King Yansage, after considering the situation, sternly ordered Molugu to "get out."
Satisfied, Gao Xun thanked King Yansage, then excused himself, claiming he had come to the tavern to see newly arrived dancers. As Yelv Xian and Yanyan departed, King Yansage's subordinate reported that Yelv Xian had waited for Yanyan outside her mansion before bringing her to the tavern. King Yansage, observing Yelv Xian's actions, dismissed them as a naive attempt to curry favor with Xiao Siwen by marrying his daughter, much like Xiyin.
