The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 20 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
The wedding ceremony of Xiao Yanyan and Yelv Xian concluded. On their wedding night, Yelv Xian tried to comfort Xiao Yanyan, acknowledging her resentment and offering to sit with her since it was her first night there. However, Xiao Yanyan rebuffed him, stating he was the Emperor and she was merely his subject, daring not to express anger. She sarcastically remarked that she would obey any imperial decree, even if he ordered her to consummate their marriage.
Yelv Xian expressed his belief that she would become the best Empress of Liao and revealed that he decided this the first day he saw her. He showed her a Pisces jade pendant, explaining it had saved his life, and viewed it as providence. He promised to wait until she accepted him. Xiao Yanyan, however, maintained her cold demeanor, asserting that as his concubine, she would simply obey his commands.
Yelv Xian, hiding the sadness in his eyes, sternly reminded her that the entire empire was his, and so was she. He then left her to rest alone, leaving the room to her. Xiao Yanyan spent her wedding night sleepless, her mind filled with memories of Han Derang and their vows to be together till death, even recalling her wind chime, a symbol of her longing for him.
Meanwhile, Han Derang, now free from his leg injury, departed Shangjing alone to travel, just as he had told his father, Han Kuangsi. Yelv Xian, upon learning of Han Derang's departure, harboring some suspicion, ordered his secret guards to discreetly follow Han Derang and report all his actions and interactions. Han Derang, similarly, was consumed by thoughts of Xiao Yanyan, wondering where she might be now.
Yelv Xian summoned Prime Minister Xiao Siwen to discuss state affairs, specifically the upcoming Summer Hunting. He announced his intention to declare the destination, Mount Tu'er, at the wedding banquet, and that kings, princes, and ministers from both Liao and the South would accompany him.
Xiao Siwen agreed that the Summer Hunting was overdue, noting that it would be an opportune time to hold a meeting of Northern and Southern ministers to address issues such as redistributing ordos and resettling released kings. Yelv Xian revealed his strategic plan to reform the power structure of the ordos, using Han Derang's impressive memorial as reference.
He explained that his own ordos were currently limited to four states, but these were originally established by Emperor Taizu, making them rightfully his. He warned against rushing the reform to avoid clan backlash. Xiao Siwen expressed his admiration for Yelv Xian's foresight and then raised the need for corresponding reforms in the Imperial Guards and Langjun Army. Yelv Xian agreed, noting General Nüli's preoccupation and decided to appoint a deputy.
Following Xiao Siwen's recommendation, citing Xiuge's significant contribution to stabilizing the Shangjing armies, Yelv Xian transferred half of the Imperial Guards' command from Nüli to Xiuge. To the seemingly displeased Zhimo, Yelv Xian assigned all responsibilities for the Summer Hunting arrangements and instructed him to move into Jiqing Palace, his father's former residence, to bring life back to the long-idle palace.
Zhimo initially hesitated, deeming it inappropriate, but Yelv Xian assured him it was merely a residence, not a leadership role, and Zhimo complied. Han Derang visited Yanyun Terrace, haunted by memories of his solemn vows with Xiao Yanyan and the sound of her wind chime, a symbol of her longing for him. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian's secret guards reported that Han Derang was traveling south towards Youzhou, appearing tired and unkempt.
Yelv Xian, instructing his guards to remain undetected and keep this information from the Imperial Concubine Xiao Yanyan, then ordered them to subtly inform Li Si of Han Derang's whereabouts, clearly intending to facilitate a meeting between them. On his journey, Han Derang encountered Abohe, the young patriarch of the Rilian Clan, who was injured while hunting a moose for medicine for his ailing father.
Han Derang helped him, and Abohe, grateful for the assistance, invited Han Derang to stay with his clan for a few days, mentioning an upcoming festive sacrifice. During his stay, Han Derang observed the clan's prosperity but noted the striking poverty of numerous herdsmen. Abohe explained these were not clan members but servants and slaves—vagabonds, captives, and refugees taken in by his father.
When Han Derang expressed concern about a potential rebellion, given that the slaves outnumbered clan members significantly, Abohe dismissed the idea, comparing slaves to "talking cattle and horses" who would never rebel against their masters, suggesting that a few whips would suffice to keep them obedient. Abohe then invited Han Derang to drink with him. Anzhi and Zhimo moved into their new palace, Jiqing Palace. Zhimo, doting on Anzhi, entrusted all palace affairs to her.
Anzhi, empowered by her new status as princess consort, shed her meek demeanor. She ruthlessly poisoned Tabu, King Taiping's informant, bragging to Tabu that she, as Zhimo's wife—and Zhimo being the Emperor's only biological brother—feared no one, least of all the now powerless King Taiping. Meanwhile, rumors circulated among the palace servants that Yelv Xian had not spent a night with Xiao Yanyan since their wedding. Princess Hugudian, concerned by these rumors, visited Xiao Yanyan.
Xiao Yanyan was surprised by how quickly the gossip spread. Yelv Xian then arrived and dismissed Hugudian, stating he wished to spend time alone with Xiao Yanyan. He offered to ban Hugudian from the palace if her visit had caused discomfort, but Xiao Yanyan retorted that she could handle such matters herself. She coldly asserted that Hugudian was "his" sister, not hers.
Yelv Xian, reflecting on Hugudian's difficult upbringing due to his mother's struggles after the Mount Xianggu rebellion, asked Xiao Yanyan to be kind to his sister. Xiao Yanyan, however, deflected, insinuating that Yelv Xian was the only source of inappropriate words in the palace. Yelv Xian tried to speak with Xiao Yanyan, asking about her well-being, but she remained cold and indifferent, stating that as the Emperor, his actions were divine grace, and her feelings didn't matter.
When he pressed for a sincere conversation, she mockingly suggested he seek flattery from other women if he desired pleasant words, or take more concubines. Yelv Xian asserted that his only concern was the prosperity of Liao and the peace of its people, not personal enjoyment. Xiao Yanyan sharply countered that his rule had brought unhappiness, not peace, to everyone.
Yelv Xian calmly replied that such unhappiness was temporary and would fade, as an emperor's actions should solely benefit the empire. He then revealed his resolve to implement the Han system, which put him at odds with the powerful royals who saw him as a short-lived ruler and planned to revert to old customs upon his death.
He confessed his admiration for Emperor Taizu, who had the strong support of Empress Dowager Shulü, and expressed his need for a powerful Empress like her, as his own frail body could not achieve such monumental reforms alone. Yelv Xian's mention of Empress Dowager Shulü resonated with Xiao Yanyan, reminding her of a past conversation with Han Derang. She reflected that Empress Dowager Shulü's influence was crucial for Emperor Taizu's unification of the clans and the appointment of Southern ministers.
Expressing her own thoughts to Yelv Xian, she acknowledged the long road ahead and wondered if they might be moving too quickly. Yelv Xian thanked her for her insight. As Yelv Xian rose to leave, he stumbled, and Xiao Yanyan, showing a flicker of concern, instinctively reached out to steady him. This rare moment of genuine care from her touched Yelv Xian deeply.
During his stay with the Rilian clan, Han Derang witnessed the grim reality of life for the clan's slaves, a stark contrast to the clan's outward prosperity. He saw people living in destitution, some even sharing enclosures with livestock, and treated as less than human. He encountered Lu Duan, one of Abohe's servants, gravely ill with a fever and stomachache.
When Han Derang urged him to see a doctor, Lu Duan refused, expressing a fatalistic view that dying was a "good thing" as it meant going to God Tengri and escaping the hardships of slavery. He recounted how dying old servants spoke of death as a release from servitude, hunger, and cold.
Han Derang, deeply disturbed by the slaves' despair and the indifference of the clan members, vehemently insisted that Lu Duan would recover, refusing to accept their suffering as inevitable. This harsh reality deeply affected Han Derang, strengthening his conviction that adopting the Han system was the only way to bring salvation to these downtrodden people. He expressed these thoughts, as if speaking to Xiao Yanyan, reflecting on the challenging and unexpected nature of his journey.
Yelv Xian suddenly collapsed, falling into a delirious, restless sleep, muttering pleas like "Don't chase me" and "Don't leave me." Upon hearing the news, Xiao Yanyan hurried to his side. Seeing his tormented state, her heart softened. She gently took his hand, and miraculously, Yelv Xian immediately calmed down, his sleep becoming peaceful.
His servant, Po'er, implored Xiao Yanyan to stay with him, explaining that Yelv Xian was usually extremely vigilant and prone to struggling if anyone approached him while he slept, even Po'er himself. Po'er believed Xiao Yanyan had a unique ability to soothe him, calling her His Majesty's "lucky star." Li Si, engrossed in making a fan pendant, was confronted by her mother about her persistent affection for Han Derang.
Madam Li reminded her that Han Derang's heart belonged to another, and with Xiao Yanyan now an imperial concubine, a future together was impossible. However, Li Si firmly declared her unwavering love for Han Derang, believing that her genuine sincerity could eventually win him over, asserting that she would regret it for life if she didn't try.
Despite her initial concerns about the difficult path ahead, Madam Li, seeing her daughter's resolute determination, reluctantly gave her blessing for Li Si to pursue Han Derang, wishing her to live without regrets. Yelv Xian visited Xiao Yanyan's palace during her mealtime, remarking that his timing was perfect as he was hungry and inviting himself to join her. Xiao Yanyan coldly replied that she hadn't prepared a meal for him.
Yelv Xian, unperturbed, pointed out the ample food on the table, enough for both, and sat down. When Xiao Yanyan attempted to leave, claiming she was finished, Yelv Xian stopped her. He shared that he had eaten alone for over a decade and longed for companionship during meals. He asked if she would refuse even this simple request, and when she remained resistant, he threatened to issue an imperial decree to compel her. Xiao Yanyan, with resignation, agreed to obey his "order."
