The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 16 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Yelv Xian officially ascended the throne at Black Mountain, with ministers bowing and repeatedly hailing, "Long live Your Majesty!" This sight stunned Taiping King, Yansage, who had just arrived. When an official announced that Mingyi King had ascended the throne and resistance would be treason, Yansage vehemently refused to recognize it, declaring, "Mingyi usurped the throne. I don't accept that." He then commanded his men to attack the Black Mountain battalion.
An official reported to Yelv Xian that Yansage was at the front lines, and the soldiers were hesitant to fight him. Yelv Xian immediately declared Yansage a rebel for attacking the Black Mountain camp. He ordered Nüli to lead troops to support General Gao Xun, instructing him to take down Yansage without mercy, promising great rewards regardless of whether Yansage was captured dead or alive. Nüli accepted the order.
Gao Xun and Nüli, leading over a hundred thousand troops from the Black Mountain Battalion, engaged Yansage's forces. Nianmugun urged a wounded Yansage to retreat, acknowledging their disadvantage against such overwhelming numbers. Yansage, furious but recognizing the futility of a direct confrontation, declared his intent to return to Shangjing City to summon warriors from the Yongxing and Yanchang Palaces to tear apart these "usurpers of the throne."
Meanwhile, Yelv Xian reassured the kneeling generals, Gao Xun and Nüli, that they had already performed a great service by blocking Yansage, a formidable Liao general. Though Nüli worried about Yansage escaping, Yelv Xian revealed he had a plan. He informed Xiao Siwen that most of Yansage's troops from the Yongxing and Yanchang Palaces were still in Shangjing.
He tasked Xiao Siwen and Han Derang with returning to Shangjing to assist King Wuzhi in stabilizing the situation and apprehending Yansage, entrusting Xiao Siwen with managing the overall situation as he had done in Mount Xiangu years ago. Simultaneously, King Wuzhi, having learned of the Black Mountain incident, believed Prince Xian was benevolent and would bring long-term peace to Liao, thus ending unnecessary sacrifices. He instructed Xiuge to bring the commanders of the Yongxing and Yanchang Palaces to him.
If they resisted, Xiuge was to detain them and their troops to prevent Yansage from exploiting their power, even if it meant risking their own lives should Yansage somehow prevail. Yansage, upon reaching the barracks of Yongxing Palace to rally troops, was confronted by Xiuge, who informed him he was there on King Wuzhi's orders.
Yansage was infuriated to discover that everyone, including Wuzhi, knew about the events at Black Mountain, but he had been kept in the dark about Yelv Xian's ascension. Xiuge firmly stated that Yongxing Palace belonged to Emperor Taizong, not Yansage personally, and that his authority to deploy troops had expired with the late Emperor's trust. He also noted that Yanchang Palace shared the same stance.
Yansage, addressing the warriors, appealed to their loyalty to his father and brother, asking if they would betray them. But Xiuge interjected, reasoning that Khitan warriors should not be sacrificed in the Taizu clan's power struggles. A warrior then affirmed that their loyalty was to Emperor Taizong and Emperor Daxing, and disobeying Yansage was not treason. Realizing Xiuge had orchestrated this, Yansage accused him, but Xiuge clarified it was King Wuzhi's sentiment, which the warriors supported.
When Yansage threatened to rally the other half of Yongxing's forces, Xiuge warned him that splitting the palace's troops would be a betrayal to Emperor Taizong. Defeated, Yansage muttered, "Mingyi, good for you," and left. Later, as Xiao Siwen and Han Derang returned to Shangjing, Xiuge informed them that by King Wuzhi's order, the generals of Yongxing and Yanchang Palaces stationed in the city had been ordered to stand by and welcome the new King, stabilizing the populace.
Han Derang immediately vowed to search the city for the rebel Yansage. At Taiping Palace, Hunian's maid reported that Mingyi had taken the token and gone to Black Mountain, with Taiping King Yansage pursuing him. Hunian dismissed the maid's suggestion of an investigation, believing the situation was already clear. Alone, she realized Xiao Yanyan must have taken the token during her visit, connecting it with the swift news Mingyi received.
Hunian questioned who Yelv Xian's informant at Black Mountain could be, dismissing Han Kuangsi's capability. She then had a shocking realization: could it be her own father, Xiao Siwen? Horrified, she wondered what would become of Yansage and herself. When she later heard her father had returned to Shangjing and announced the new King's succession, with the city under martial law, she decided to go home.
She intended to confront Xiao Siwen, demanding to know if he had truly abandoned both his daughter and his son-in-law. At Yelu Lihu's mansion, Xiyin was being cared for by Wuguli. He initially believed Yansage would succeed, but upon hearing from a servant that the guards outside their mansion had left, that the Emperor had died in Black Mountain, and Mingyi had ascended the throne, Xiyin erupted in a crazed laugh, repeating "Mingyi succeeded!"
He lamented that Xiao Siwen had not helped Yansage, but then dismissed it, focusing on Yelv Xian being a "sick bastard." Xiyin then instructed Wuguli to appease her father, Xiao Siwen. If Xiao Siwen helped him secure the position of Imperial Uncle, Xiyin declared, then Liao would eventually belong to their unborn child. Meanwhile, Zhimo and Anzhi were in their own mansion.
Anzhi, worried about Taiping King's potential accusations against Zhimo, covertly tried to curry favor with Tabu, a maid who might be an informant for Taiping King. She claimed to have always followed Taiping King's orders with no second thoughts. A servant then happily informed Zhimo that the Emperor was dead and Yelv Xian had ascended the throne at Black Mountain, now returning to the capital, while Prime Minister Xiao Siwen was leading an army to search for Taiping King.
Zhimo, visibly delighted, exclaimed, "Second Brother ascended the throne!" Yansage, upon returning to his mansion, commanded his steward to pack everything and retrieve Hunian so they could immediately flee to Shatuo. He was informed that Hunian had gone to Prime Minister Xiao Siwen's mansion. Acknowledging this, Yansage told his steward to continue preparing for their departure, while he would go to Xiao Siwen's mansion to collect Hunian and then rejoin them.
Hunian arrived at Xiao Siwen's mansion and confronted her father. " Why did you do this to me, father?" she demanded, asserting that she and Yansage were his family and he should have helped Yansage, as the throne was rightfully his. Xiao Siwen explained that since Emperor Taizu's death, the three branches of the Taizu clan had constantly fought for power, most of them merely seeking authority without considering their responsibilities to Liao. He maintained that Yelv Xian was different.
Hunian retorted, asking if he had ever inquired about Yansage's plans for Liao. She highlighted Yansage's many contributions, questioning why Yelv Xian, who had done nothing, was deemed superior. Xiao Siwen then suggested Hunian's frustration might stem from her own expectation of becoming Empress without effort, much like Yansage expecting power without consideration for the state. Hunian denied this, stating her concern was his harshness towards Yansage.
Xiao Siwen, in turn, emphasized Yansage's lack of foresight for Liao's future, predicting he would rule no differently than Emperor Daxing. Hunian, distressed, then asked if by abandoning Yansage, Xiao Siwen was also abandoning her, his own daughter and Yansage's wife. Xiao Siwen paused, unable to reply. Yansage, having overheard the entire conversation, entered the room. He told Xiao Siwen he had intended to kill him that day, but Hunian's words had made him spare his life.
Xiao Siwen urged Yansage to surrender, reminding him of the new King's benevolence and assuring him he would not be harmed. But Yansage scornfully replied, "He doesn't deserve it!" He declared Shangjing no longer safe for him and he was leaving Liao, pulling Hunian to go with him. Hunian, alarmed, urged him to leave alone, but Yansage refused, saying he wouldn't have heard her impassioned defense had he not returned.
He then held her hand tightly, proclaiming, "Hunian, I'm not wrong about you. You are there for me no matter what happens." Before leaving with Hunian, Yansage warned Xiao Siwen that he would pay for his choices and vowed to reclaim everything that was his one day. Xiao Yanyan, delighted by Yelv Xian's ascension, nonetheless rushed to the city gate after learning that Yansage had taken Hunian.
Her father, Xiao Siwen, had already instructed Dalin to intercept Yansage at the South Gate. At the gate, Yansage's men engaged Dalin's forces. Han Derang, from a hidden position, shot Yansage with an arrow, wounding him. Han Derang then confronted the injured Yansage, offering him a chance to beg for forgiveness from the benevolent new King. However, Yansage, accusing Han Derang of being a villain for "stabbing me in my back," refused fiercely.
Hunian immediately stepped between them, threatening to kill herself if Han Derang didn't release Yansage. She offered to return with them if they let Yansage go. Han Derang hesitated, reminding Hunian that letting Yansage escape would bring future unrest to Liao. Hunian countered that the new Emperor, being broad-minded, should show mercy to his uncle.
Yanyan then interceded, stating that if Yansage truly intended to leave the country, he would pose no threat to Liao and should be allowed to go. Reluctantly, Han Derang ordered Dalin to open the city gates. Hunian then told Yansage that their marital debt was settled: he once saved Wuguli's life, and now she saved his. She declared their marriage dissolved and that she no longer owed him anything.
As Yansage rode away, he vowed to Hunian that she would be his wife for life, as they had sworn to God Tengri, and he would return for her no matter how far he traveled. After Yansage's departure, Han Derang, accepting responsibility for letting Yansage go, told Dalin to take him to His Majesty to receive punishment. Yelv Xian, welcomed back to Shangjing, was officially crowned Emperor.
He announced that by the deceased Emperor's last wish, he was reforming the imperial regime, freeing imprisoned kings, and hoped all ministers would help him build a strong dynasty. Han Derang then came forward, taking responsibility for Yansage's escape at the South Gate. Xiao Siwen also confessed his oversight regarding his son-in-law, Yansage.
Yelv Xian absolved them of blame, acknowledging Yansage's long-standing influence within Yongxing Palace and stating his belief that Yansage would pose no significant threat as long as political stability was maintained. He praised Xiuge for effectively controlling the two Palaces and for capturing some of Yansage's men.
Yelv Xian then proceeded to reward his loyal officials: Xiao Siwen was appointed Privy of North, Shangshu, and ennobled as the King of Wei; Gao Xun became Zhengshi; Nüli was made commander of the guards and Khitan Palace deploy commander; Xiuge became Tiyin; and Han Kuangsi was appointed Shangjing Liushou. Afterward, Han Derang questioned Xiao Siwen about publicly confessing his "oversight" regarding Yansage, suggesting Yelv Xian would not have pursued Hunian's supposed crimes.
Xiao Siwen explained that while the new Emperor was benevolent and lenient, he still needed to maintain his own integrity, especially in contrast to the cruel former Emperor. He then expressed his deep worry, stating that his life was dedicated to "country and family," but for the sake of the country, he now feared he could no longer look after his family. Han Derang, observing Xiao Siwen's unease despite his newfound power, probed if his concern was about an heir.
At Xiao Siwen's celebratory banquet, his nephews, seeing Dalin helping to entertain guests, made snide remarks, questioning his intentions and presence given he was a "remote branch" of the family. Dalin retorted, pointing out their own greedy motives since Xiao Siwen had no direct heir. The nephews grew agitated and aggressive, accusing Dalin of being a villain.
Xiao Yanyan intervened, scolding them for their "wicked intentions" and disrespect, especially on her father's important day, before ordering them out for causing trouble. Meanwhile, Wuguli, after preparing chicken soup for her father, Xiao Siwen, began to ingratiate herself. She expressed regret for her past defiance in marrying Xiyin, claiming to now understand her father's pains as a mother-to-be. She then brought up Xiyin, hinting at his distress over being confined to his mansion.
Xiao Siwen, cutting to the chase, asked if Xiyin wanted to leave. Wuguli denied it, insisting she was merely worried. Xiao Siwen told her that with the new Emperor's ascension and many matters to handle, it was best for Xiyin to remain in his mansion for a while, promising to intercede when the time was right. Wuguli pressed further, reiterating Xiyin's good character and urging her father to help him. She then explicitly revealed her ambition, stating that if Xiyin became the Imperial Uncle, their unborn child would become the future of the Liao Dynasty.
