The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 18 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Severely wounded and covered in blood, Han Derang lay on the ground while Xiao Yanyan desperately held his hand. However, Hunian's men forcibly separated them. Seeing Han Derang on the verge of death, Yanyan finally relented, agreeing to return with Hunian if she would spare Han Derang's life. Tears streaming down her face, Yanyan apologized to Derang for breaking her promise, expressing her wish for him to simply live. Hunian returned Han Derang to his family's mansion.
Han's mother cried seeing her gravely injured son. Hunian apologized to Han Kuangsi, explaining that Derang's severe injuries were a necessary measure to protect him from further political trouble. Han Kuangsi understood the grim reality of the situation and did not blame Hunian. After leaving the Han residence, Hunian immediately confined Yanyan to her room, sealing the windows and doors, refusing to let her out.
Yanyan pleaded to be let out, desperate to see Derang, and repeatedly declared she would not marry Yelv Xian, but Hunian sorrowfully told her she could not open the door without their father's orders. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian learned that both Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang had returned, but that Han Derang was gravely injured and might not survive.
Disturbed by this news, Yelv Xian immediately dispatched his imperial physician, Diligu, to the Han mansion, ordering him to do everything possible to save Han Derang's life. Diligu later reported that despite significant blood loss, Han Derang was not in mortal danger. After regaining consciousness a full day and night later, Han Derang saw Diligu and angrily ordered him to leave, refusing any help from Yelv Xian. Diligu then respectfully excused himself.
Han Kuangsi sat by his son's bedside, explaining the precarious state of Liao, facing both internal and external threats. He stressed that Yelv Xian urgently needed the support of both the Xiao and Han families. If word spread that Han Derang and Xiao Yanyan had defied an imperial decree, others would suspect Yelv Xian had lost their backing, potentially plunging Liao back into chaos. In such a scenario, Han Derang and Yanyan would become public sinners.
Han Kuangsi implored his son to set aside personal feelings and accept his destiny for the greater good of the country. Han Derang, however, fiercely refused, unable to reconcile with the pain of having his beloved taken from him. At the Xiao mansion, Yanyan continued her hunger strike, declaring that she wished to die if she couldn't be with Han Derang. Distressed, Hunian tried to reason with her, pointing out that their father would not compromise.
Yanyan insisted she simply no longer wished to live. Hunian, recalling her own past mistakes concerning Wuguli, ordered servants to force-feed Yanyan mutton soup. Later, Hunian visited Wuguli at Xiyin's mansion, seeking her help to persuade Yanyan. Earlier, Wuguli had complained to Xiyin about their father's neglect and Yelv Xian's delay in summoning Xiyin, fearing they would miss out on good positions. Xiyin, confident he could outlast the "invalid" Yelv Xian and eventually lead troops against Yansage, dismissed her concerns.
Wuguli, however, was angry when Hunian arrived, lamenting that her own ambitions to become Empress were now dashed by Yanyan's elevation. She accused their father, Xiao Siwen, of always prioritizing Liao's future over his own daughters' happiness and of sacrificing her and Hunian to secure Yanyan's position as Empress. Hunian, exasperated, called Wuguli unreasonable, highlighting her self-centered focus on power. Hunian then angrily departed, telling Xiyin and Wuguli to manage their own affairs.
Yelv Xian arrived at the Han mansion to see Han Derang. Han Kuangsi initially hesitated, concerned about Derang's condition preventing him from properly greeting the Emperor. Yelv Xian then asked Han Kuangsi if he blamed him. Han Kuangsi responded that he had watched Yelv Xian grow up, spending more time and effort on him than his own children, and that no one could ever truly blame their own child.
Yelv Xian expressed his deep desire not to lose either Han Kuangsi or Han Derang, finding solace in Han Kuangsi's words. Yelv Xian requested to speak with Han Derang alone. He addressed Derang as "Bro Han" and acknowledged Derang's anger and resentment. Yelv Xian insisted his actions were for the good of the Liao Dynasty, not for personal gain.
He revealed his deteriorating health, explaining that Liao needed an Empress like Yanyan who could lead and maintain stability should something happen to him. He reminded Derang of Yanyan's ambition to be like Empress Dowager Shulü, asking if Derang would deny her the chance to use her wisdom and talent. Han Derang countered, questioning if Empress Dowager Shulü ever knew love or happiness, describing her as a "beast trapped by power."
Yelv Xian vowed to protect and love Yanyan, making her the most honored woman and Empress in Liao, asserting that achieving lasting fame was far more important than fleeting romantic love. Han Derang dismissed Yelv Xian's arguments, stating that since Yelv Xian had chosen the "greater good," he could not abandon his "small love," and therefore harbored no complaints. He declared himself tired and told Yelv Xian to walk his future path alone.
When Han Derang ordered his attendant, Xinning, to help him change, effectively dismissing Yelv Xian, Yelv Xian, though disappointed, honored the request. As he left, Yelv Xian told Han Derang that no matter when he changed his mind, his position would always be waiting for him. Han Kuangsi apologized to Yelv Xian for his son's behavior, attributing it to his head injury and confusion.
Yelv Xian, however, stated that Han Derang was a sincere and honest man, and he trusted both of them. Han Derang continued to refuse food and medicine, seemingly wishing to die. His mother attempted to persuade him, reminding him that life was long and full of unforeseen changes, much like the recurring challenges faced by people on the plains.
She acknowledged his pain but urged him to live, asserting that even if he and Yanyan eventually married other people, their shared love and efforts would forever connect them, and they would ultimately be reunited in the afterlife. Later, Hunian returned to the Han mansion, having failed to persuade Yanyan. She conceded to Han Kuangsi that she had underestimated the depth of Yanyan and Han Derang's love.
She then asked Han Derang, despite the cruelty, to be the one to persuade Yanyan to accept her fate, believing he was the only one Yanyan would listen to. Hunian emphasized that it was impossible for them to be together. Han Derang, however, rejected her plea, stating that he knew Yanyan's true needs and that their mutual love meant they could not betray each other by separating.
He passionately argued that forcing Yanyan to live with someone she didn't love would be a greater torture than their current pain, and questioned if Hunian had truly ever experienced love herself. Hunian, unable to convince him, left to let Han Kuangsi try. Han Kuangsi found Han Derang attempting to get dressed, intending to go to Yanyan and leave Liao with her.
He vehemently chastised his son, explaining that escaping was not only impossible in his injured state, as they would likely die on the road, but would also lead to their demise and destroy the Han family's three generations of aspirations to bring peace and prosperity to Youzhou. He reminded Derang that this responsibility had been entrusted to him as his most talented and steadfast son. Han Derang, overwhelmed, acknowledged his duties but confessed that Yanyan was the love of his life, and he didn't know what to do without her.
