The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 17 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
During a banquet at the Xiao residence, Dalin was helping out but faced provocations and ridicule from members of a rival branch of the family. Xiao Yanyan immediately stepped forward to defend him, telling the others, "It is you who have that [wicked intention]. So what? My father hasn't said a word. Are you going to disregard my family? It's my father's party today. But you are making troubles here. Get out, now."
As they left, Dalin apologized, but Xiao Yanyan retorted, "That's for sure. You should have sent them away early." Just then, Han Derang arrived, and Xiao Yanyan, her face lighting up, rushed to take his arm. Yelv Xian instructed Po'er to find an auspicious day for the empress's enthronement. When informed it would be half a year away, Yelv Xian declared he couldn't wait.
He decided to bring Xiao Yanyan into the palace as the highest-ranking imperial concubine, but with the ceremony befitting a queen, and that he would declare her queen soon after. Following this, Yelv Xian received Zhimo, who respectfully performed the rituals of a subject to his sovereign. Yelv Xian expressed that he always thought being emperor would free them from fear, but it ironically created a barrier of "sovereign and subject" between them.
Zhimo acknowledged this, explaining that after Yelv Xian's recent gracious decrees, the rebellious royal family members would be harder to control if they didn't show proper respect. He stated that he would set an example with his own merits, ensuring they understood their place and didn't cause further trouble. Yelv Xian then lamented that power had returned to their family too late to protect Zhimo, but believed their father and elder brother would be pleased.
Zhimo wished Yelv Xian many offspring to carry on their family line. Yelv Xian then conferred the title of King Ning upon Zhimo and tasked him with handling the arrangements for taking an imperial concubine. Upon seeing Xiao Yanyan's name on the list, Zhimo appeared surprised and somewhat displeased, questioning why the ceremony was for a concubine but with the rites of a queen.
Yelv Xian explained that the Board of Astronomy indicated the earliest suitable date for an empress's enthronement was six months away, and he couldn't wait that long, fearing complications. He then urged Zhimo to complete the arrangements swiftly. Hunian went to inventory Xiao Yanyan's dowry, and a servant exclaimed how lavishly their master had spent, almost emptying the storehouse. Hunian, selecting items, discovered a golden crown fit for an imperial concubine among the items. She was deeply shocked.
Later, seeing Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang affectionately together in the courtyard, Hunian asked Han Derang, "when will you marry Yanyan?" Xiao Yanyan, sensing her sister's changed demeanor, asked if she was angry. Hunian, without explaining, simply urged Xiao Yanyan, "You should go to check your own dowry." Xiao Yanyan confronted her father, Xiao Siwen, about the imperial concubine's golden crown.
He presented her with an imperial decree, stating, "The third daughter of Prime Minister Xiao Siwen has a good family background and has reached marriageable age. She is the person who can assist His Majesty, and will be taken as the highest-ranking imperial concubine." Xiao Yanyan exclaimed, "It's impossible!" and declared she wouldn't marry Yelv Xian, reminding her father of her engagement to Han Derang.
She insisted that as the clan leader of the empress's family, he should refuse the marriage, saying, "As long as you decline it, he can never make me." Xiao Siwen explained that Yelv Xian truly liked her and wanted her by his side to help with governance, a role no other woman could fulfill. He added that he had already accepted the imperial decree, leaving no room for negotiation.
He sadly told her, "As for you and Han Derang, you two lovers will never get married. Forget him." Xiao Yanyan vehemently refused, repeatedly stating, "I won't marry him. I really can't. I won't. Never." Han Derang returned home and asked his father, Han Kuangsi, about his marriage proposal.
Han Kuangsi, with a sigh, revealed that "Your marriage to Yanyan may be canceled," explaining that Yelv Xian had issued an imperial decree for Xiao Yanyan to be his concubine on the very first day of their return from Black Mountain. Han Derang was furious, recalling Yelv Xian's earlier words about choosing between empire and personal affection, and asking if he would stand by him regardless of who Yelv Xian might "let down."
Now understanding the true meaning, Han Derang cursed, "His Majesty took my wife away. He must be a fatuous ruler." He stormed into the palace, demanding to see Yelv Xian. Though Yelv Xian initially hesitated, he decided to face Han Derang. Upon seeing him, Han Derang punched Yelv Xian, angrily asking why, now that he had gained power, he would disregard the empire for personal desire and take his betrothed, knowing their engagement. Yelv Xian stated, "I need Yanyan.
So does the Liao Dynasty," explaining that her intelligence and unique political insights were crucial. He reminded Han Derang that he himself had once claimed he would choose the empire over love. Han Derang retorted with bitter sarcasm, "This is what you mean by the empire?" and questioned if Yelv Xian considered "the empire" when he issued the decree. He declared, "Mingyi, I've always let you have the best since the childhood. . .
but because I treat you like one of the family, even my younger brother. But Yanyan. . . She is the love of my life. I'll never let go." When Han Derang asked if Yelv Xian would indeed not retract his command, Yelv Xian firmly stated that he never changed his choices, and "nothing can be more important than the empire." Han Derang concluded with anguish, "I finally know your true color.
I shouldn't have thought that I could understand an emperor." Back at his residence, Han Derang found Xiao Yanyan waiting. She immediately asked, "Derang, did you talk to him? I don't want to marry him." Han Derang confirmed Yelv Xian's intentions, expressing his frustration, "He knew we loved each other and were engaged. We shouldn't have been so nice to him." Xiao Yanyan declared her unwavering love, "I don't care about the imperial decree.
You are the only one that I want to marry in my life." Han Derang affirmed, "You are the only wife in my heart. Let's go. Leave Shangjing city with me. Never come back." Xiao Yanyan readily agreed, "Okay. Let's leave Shangjing city and the empire. Now!" They quickly prepared and rode off. Han Kuangsi watched them depart, his eyes filled with sorrow, but for the sake of his son and future, he chose to let them go without intervention.
A servant informed Hunian that Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang had disappeared. Hunian realized they had chosen to elope. Hunian, having found gold to give her sister for a better life, encountered Xiao Siwen at the gate. He was enraged to learn of her intent. Kneeling, Hunian pleaded with him to withdraw the marriage decree for Xiao Yanyan. She expressed her despair, stating, "My life is hopeless," and worried for Wuguli, whose husband Xi Yin's ambition would someday doom her.
Hunian lamented, "I thought among us, Yanyan can be happy at least. But, father, is your heart made of iron? Why do you want to ruin the happiness of Yanyan? Should my mother see that her daughters all have unhappy marriage, how sad would she be."
Hunian offered to take Xiao Yanyan's place in the palace, arguing that Yelv Xian merely sought an alliance with the empress's family, and as the eldest sister, trained in both literature and martial arts like Empress Dowager Shulü, she was a suitable candidate. Xiao Siwen sharply rebuked her, calling her "ridiculous." He explained that Hunian did not understand Yelv Xian, whose deceptive weakness hid a strong will that no one could control.
He pointed out that if Hunian entered the palace, Yansage would undoubtedly lead his troops to attack Shangjing, causing chaos and making the Xiao family "the eternal sinner of the Liao Dynasty." Xiao Siwen emphasized that among his three daughters, "Only Yanyan is the strongest. She is fit to be on her own. When she faces difficulties after entering the palace, She can get them over. I have confidence in her."
He then told Hunian, whom he considered his most dependable daughter, that leadership of the family would fall to her if anything happened to him, a role more important than being empress. Handing her a token, he commanded her, "Get your sister and Han Derang back. You know they can't escape this. You have to bring Yanyan back alive, so that things will be in the best interests of us.
If you really care about your sister, then bring her back safe and sound." He urged her to "take the responsibility of the head of the family and behave like the leader of a family." A courtier reported to Yelv Xian that Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang had disappeared.
Yelv Xian simply stated, "I got that," and when Po'er asked if they should send people to pursue, Yelv Xian responded, "They know what to do," indicating he trusted the Xiao and Han families to handle the situation. Meanwhile, Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang rode quickly towards Youzhou, believing that once they passed it, they would be out of Liao. As rain clouds gathered, Han Derang, concerned about Xiao Yanyan falling ill, suggested they find shelter for the night.
Xiao Yanyan, though afraid, agreed. Inside a small roadside hut, Han Derang urged her to dry off, while Xiao Yanyan worried about his soaked clothes. She expressed her anxiety, "Look, it's raining hard outside. Sophora flowers have fallen to the ground," and asked, "Can we really make it?" Han Derang reassured her, "Trust me. When we go far away from Youzhou sity, we'll be safe."
They fantasized about a future in the State of Han, a Liao tributary, finding a serene place to live in seclusion. Xiao Yanyan envisioned herself weaving and cooking while Han Derang worked the fields, living a simple life, "we work at sunrise and rest at sunset, staying together till we're old." She playfully noted his hands were more suited for archery than farming, but promised to learn. Han Derang, touched, admitted he just didn't want her to suffer with him.
Xiao Yanyan declared, "As long as you're with me, I'd feel happy every day. As long as we can escape from all those distractions, I would do anything with you." Han Derang promised they would live freely, and they dreamt of having many children, a boy first to protect his younger sister, or a daughter just like Xiao Yanyan.
Han Derang concluded, "When we are too old to walk, I will tell them everything about Liao, and ask them to take us back, and bury us with our loved ones." As they cuddled together, Xiao Yanyan, unable to sleep, asked Han Derang to tell her a story about a happy couple on a hill. Unbeknownst to them, the soldiers sent to pursue them were already on their way.
The next morning, before leaving Liao, Han Derang and Xiao Yanyan rode to Yanyun Terrace one last time, gazing over Youzhou. Xiao Yanyan reflected on their past, "We once stood here overlooking the whole Youzhou city. And I said unrealistically to protect the people here. But now, everything has changed." She then cut a lock of her hair and Han Derang's, tying them together as a symbol of their bond, declaring, "Today, we tie the knot with our hair.
From now on, we will stay together with forever, and never forget each other. That day we fell in love here. Now let's leave the past in this place, and give us a fresh start." Han Derang echoed her sentiment, vowing, "I, Han Derang, from today on, will go through thick and thin together with Xiao Yanyan, until our death." As they prepared to depart, Hunian appeared with soldiers, blocking their path. Xiao Yanyan exclaimed, "Hunian, you've let us go.
Why did you come after us? This time we'll never come back after we've gone. Could you just pretend not to have seen us?" Hunian, unwavering in her mission, stated, "Yanyan, I'd rather you hate me than let you go," and demanded Xiao Yanyan return with her. Han Derang tried to intervene, accusing Hunian, "are you trying to drive us to the wall?" Hunian warned him, "Derang, don't push me. This is your last chance.
Let Yanyan go back to Shangjing with me." Despite their desperate resistance and Han Derang's fierce struggle, they were no match for the Xiao family's guards. Xiao Yanyan was forcibly seized, while Han Derang was severely wounded. Watching him fall, Xiao Yanyan cried out in agony, "Derang! Stop beating him. No!" Hunian, though pained by their suffering, remembered her father's command and did not relent, preventing their escape and reunion.
