The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 13 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Upon learning of the grave events in the palace regarding Zhimo, Xiao Yanyan grew concerned for Yelv Xian’s only brother. Unbeknownst to her, Yelv Xian had already ordered Anzhi, the maid involved, to be brought to him. He confronted Anzhi, accusing her of seducing and framing Zhimo. Anzhi vehemently denied the accusation, claiming her love for Zhimo was genuine and that they had pledged their lives to each other.
Yelv Xian, however, questioned her sincerity, pointing out her absence and silence during Zhimo’s torment. Anzhi, a weak woman, pleaded that she was terrified but reiterated her true feelings for Zhimo. Yelv Xian then gave her a stark ultimatum: she must make Zhimo eat, take his medicine, and regain his will to live, or she would be buried alongside him. Anzhi promised to comply, expressing her gratitude. Anzhi then went to Zhimo, who lay devastated, refusing food and medicine.
She lamented that she wished she had died in the lake if it meant sparing him such disaster, and threatened to end her own life to "scout the way" for him if he was determined to die. Alarmed, Zhimo stopped her, reminding her that he had risked his life to save her, not to watch her die. Anzhi confessed her fear that he no longer wanted her.
Zhimo, feeling like a "useless" man, was comforted by Anzhi, who reassured him that in her eyes, he would always be her King Zhimo. He then begged her never to leave him, and Anzhi promised to stay by his side forever, urging him to recover. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian, having previously arranged to meet Xiao Yanyan, insisted on going to the wine shop despite the late hour and palace restrictions. He yearned to indulge himself for once.
To his surprise, he found Xiao Yanyan still waiting for him. She explained that she had initially been waiting for Han Derang, who was delayed by court affairs. After hearing from Uncle Husi about the palace's troubles, she remembered her appointment with Yelv Xian and didn't want to add to his sorrows. Yelv Xian, overwhelmed with pain, confided in her about years of suppressed suffering and his failure to protect Zhimo.
Yanyan comforted him, encouraging him to cry, though he initially resisted, believing tears were useless. However, his emotions soon broke through, and he wept, admitting his fear of not being able to cope. Yanyan gently reminded him that he was Zhimo’s only hope for care, assuring him that everything would eventually be alright. As Yelv Xian slept deeply, haunted by a dream of his parents' tragic death, Yanyan stayed by his side through the night.
Waking up, Yelv Xian realized he had experienced his first peaceful sleep in over a decade, attributing it to Yanyan's presence. Yanyan suggested he share his burdens with Han Derang. As she departed, Yelv Xian reflected that only Yanyan could bring him such peace, deeming her a precious gift from God Tengri. Han Kuangsi later examined Zhimo, noting his remarkable recovery, which Zhimo credited entirely to Anzhi’s care.
Yelv Xian thanked Anzhi and instructed her to seek assistance from Po for anything she needed in the palace, her sole focus being Zhimo's well-being. Zhimo’s clear dependence on Anzhi led Han Derang to question Yelv Xian about her indefinite status. Yelv Xian firmly stated that as long as Zhimo required Anzhi’s care, she must remain by his side. While practicing archery with Xiao Yanyan, Han Derang seemed preoccupied.
He voiced concerns about His Majesty's escalating cruelty, now targeting royals, and suggested postponing their wedding to protect her from the turbulent court politics. Yanyan strongly disagreed, asserting that court matters and their marriage were separate. She expressed her belief that Yelv Xian, though frail, possessed the wisdom and resolve to be a great ruler and should replace the tyrannical current Emperor.
Han Derang explained his family's deep ties to the Imperial King of Men’s faction and his unwavering loyalty to Yelv Xian, fearing that her involvement could put her in danger. Yanyan, however, refused to be a sheltered woman, declared her support for Yelv Xian, and insisted that as Han Derang's future wife, she would face all challenges and assist Yelv Xian alongside him.
Inspired by Anzhi's devotion, Zhimo then expressed his desire to formally marry Anzhi, citing their enduring love and mutual vows. Seeing Zhimo's unwavering resolve, Yelv Xian agreed to seek an imperial decree to sanction their marriage. As Anzhi prepared to move to Zhimo's quarters, palace maids gossiped about her marrying a "castrated one." Anzhi inwardly vowed that once free from the palace, nothing else mattered. King Taiping, however, had his own schemes.
He met with Anzhi, commending her beauty and Zhimo's audacity for her sake. He appointed Tabu as Anzhi's personal maid and promised his support if Anzhi remained obedient, reassuring her that no one would harm her. He also orchestrated the marriage of Princess Hugudian to Chuli, a man of humble background whom King Taiping believed would be a loyal agent.
Yelv Xian, aware of impending arranged marriages for himself, sought Han Kuangsi’s help to feign a severe illness, hoping to avoid a forced union and gain permission to recuperate outside the palace for greater operational freedom. He also inquired about Han Derang, learning from Han Kuangsi that Han Derang was busy with his engagement to Xiao Siwen’s youngest daughter—Xiao Yanyan, the woman Yelv Xian secretly admired.
At the elaborate joint wedding banquet for Zhimo and Anzhi, and Hugudian and Chuli, Yelv Xian raised a toast, wishing the couples lasting happiness. Suddenly, Yelv Xian "collapsed" as part of his pre-arranged plan, creating a stir. His Majesty and King Taiping grew concerned. Han Kuangsi explained that Yelv Xian's chronic illness had relapsed due to the stress of arranging the two weddings, necessitating his relocation to a temporary palace outside the city for proper recuperation.
Though wary, His Majesty granted permission for Yelv Xian to move. King Taiping, aiming to maintain surveillance, suggested a "warding-off wedding" for Yelv Xian, but Yelv Xian quickly refused, citing his fragile health and his unwillingness to endanger an innocent girl’s life. His Majesty accepted Yelv Xian’s refusal. Later, King Taiping, while speaking with his wife, cunningly hinted at his intentions.
He then, in an internal monologue, mused about the precariousness of the Imperial King of Men's line, deciding that it would be better for Yelv Xian and Zhimo to have no direct heirs, then adopt from other branches. This, he mused, would render the Imperial King of Men’s faction irrelevant, bringing all three Taizu branches firmly under his control. Xiao Yanyan visited Han Derang's mansion, looking for him to help with a book list.
She learned he had just left to visit Yelv Xian at the temporary palace and decided not to disturb him. At the temporary palace, Han Derang found Yelv Xian, who, while expressing some relief about Zhimo’s condition with Anzhi by his side, immediately asked Han Derang to arrange a meeting with Prime Minister Xiao Siwen, emphasizing the crucial need for Siwen’s support for their upcoming political maneuvers.
Yelv Xian then probed Han Derang, asking if he feared their perilous venture might cost them their lives. Han Derang, undeterred, declared he was not afraid, as their destinies had been intertwined for eighteen years. He explained that his family had been tied to the reform of the Han system for three generations, making his support for Yelv Xian his inescapable fate and a testament to their deep friendship.
He acknowledged the many obstacles ahead, including formidable opponents like Yelü Chage, but vowed to stand by Yelv Xian, believing they would not repeat the tragedies of past emperors. Yelv Xian then asked which was more important: the well-being of the country or personal affections. Han Derang, without hesitation, chose the country. Yelv Xian pressed further, asking if he should be forgiven if he had to disappoint people for the nation's sake.
Han Derang stated that an emperor acting for the good of the realm needed no one's forgiveness. When Yelv Xian asked, "What if the person I betray is you?" , Han Derang resolutely pledged that on the path of reform, if it benefited the Liao, he would "not regret his life a hundred times over." Yelv Xian then asked Han Derang to stand by him on the long road of Liao's reform, a promise Han Derang readily made.
Unbeknownst to Han Derang, Yelv Xian’s probing questions were fueled by his discovery of Han Derang’s engagement to Xiao Yanyan, for Yelv Xian had already determined that Xiao Yanyan was destined to be the future Empress and his partner in governing Liao. In other news, Wuguli was over two months pregnant.
Xiyin was ecstatic about the news, but when Wuguli wanted to share it with her father and elder sister, Xiyin strictly forbade anyone from revealing the pregnancy, threatening severe punishment if the secret was breached.
