The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 23 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
In the quiet of the night, Xiyin confided in Wuguli about Nüli's suggestion that their son, Liulishou, be adopted by Yelv Xian. He had considered Nüli's words, but Wuguli was vehemently against the idea. She declared Liulishou was her own flesh and blood, born after ten months of hardship, and she would never let him call anyone else his parents. She urged Xiyin to abandon such thoughts.
Xiyin, however, felt that if Liulishou were to become the future emperor of Liao, Wuguli should be happy, but she angrily told him to fight for power himself and not use their son as a pawn, even threatening to take her own life if he dared. Xiyin conceded but later discussed with his attendant that Nüli’s idea still held merit, and since Wuguli refused, they would need another approach.
The attendant suggested bringing it up at the upcoming North-South Meeting, which Xiyin thought was a good idea and immediately went to contact other kings. Han Derang, far away, reflected on Xiao Yanyan. Since it was her destiny to protect Liao's people, he resolved to do so in his own way, by measuring the vast lands of Liao and safeguarding its citizens, a lifelong commitment to her.
He had been writing letters daily to Xiao Yanyan, detailing his political insights, but never sent them and never signed them. While reviewing the letters, he noticed several were missing, assuming they had been lost during past unrest. Unbeknownst to him, Yelv Xian's hidden guards had secretly taken some of these letters. Although Yelv Xian knew it was inappropriate, he believed the letters were intended for him.
Yelv Xian summoned Xiao Yanyan and showed her the letters, claiming they were from Han Derang to him, praising the political views within them. Xiao Yanyan immediately noticed the absence of a signature and questioned how Han Derang could possibly write to Yelv Xian. Pressed by her, Yelv Xian admitted he had sent people to secretly protect Han Derang out of concern for his safety.
Xiao Yanyan became furious, accusing Yelv Xian of tracking Han Derang and interfering with his right to choose his own life. Yelv Xian tried to explain his actions, stating he understood her resentment and didn't expect immediate forgiveness. He even suggested she could wield great power, like Empress Dowager Shulü, if she wished.
However, Xiao Yanyan refuted this, asserting she did not wish to become like Empress Dowager Shulü and that Yelv Xian had no right to meddle in her life simply because he held power. She angrily declared that everything he did was wrong. In a fit of temper, Yelv Xian retorted that if she insisted on leaving, he would issue a decree the next day to grant her freedom.
Xiao Yanyan simply glanced at him, turned, and walked away, leaving Yelv Xian feeling dejected. Later, Yelv Xian convened the North-South Meeting with his ministers. Xiyin, having garnered support from several officials, proposed leading troops to suppress Taiping King Yansage, whom he claimed was gathering forces and plotting rebellion. Yelv Xian expressed his desire to avoid conflict so soon after his ascension.
Xiyin, however, pressed the issue, questioning how Yelv Xian intended to recall Yansage and eagerly volunteering to lead the campaign himself. Many other kings seconded Xiyin’s proposal, urging Yelv Xian to dispatch troops. Xiao Siwen, however, advised caution, stating that Yelv Xian would make his own decision and should not be rushed. Xiyin dismissed Xiao Siwen's input as family interference, but Xiao Siwen countered that it was a matter of state, not family, and criticized Xiyin for being overly aggressive.
As the debate grew heated, Yelv Xian consulted his uncles, Dilie and King Ping Longxian. Dilie was non-committal, while King Ping acknowledged both the cost of war and the danger of inaction, suggesting the need for the right commander. Ultimately, Yelv Xian sided with Xiao Siwen, deciding to postpone the decision for further deliberation. Meanwhile, Xiao Yanyan began packing her belongings in her imperial tent, preparing to leave.
Xiao Hunian arrived, expressing regret that she hadn't allowed Xiao Yanyan to leave with Han Derang in the past, sensing her sister’s unhappiness. Xiao Yanyan assured her elder sister that she held no blame. Xiao Hunian supported Xiao Yanyan's decision to leave but advised her to cast aside all responsibilities once she departed.
She reminded Xiao Yanyan that every choice comes with a price, just as Hunian herself had made sacrifices for the Xiao family and her younger sisters, wishing only for their peace and happiness. In the bustling market, Han Derang discussed the economic state of Liao with Li Si. He observed the inconvenience caused by diverse currency systems and prevalent bartering in various regions, despite Liao having its own currency, which was rarely circulated.
While conversing, Li Si accidentally bumped into a man, who became belligerent. Han Derang intervened, defusing the situation, and then gently suggested Li Si return to their inn to rest, stating he did not wish for her to endure further hardship for him. Li Si, however, stubbornly refused, reiterating her decision to follow him, a resolve she had made when leaving Shangjing. Xiyin once again confronted Yelv Xian, demanding military authority.
He spoke brazenly, implying Yelv Xian's rule was unstable due to his frail health and lack of an heir, and that he only held the throne because of clan support. Yelv Xian was enraged, reminding Xiyin that he was merely a prince and a former prisoner without his amnesty, threatening his life for his audacity. Just then, Xiao Yanyan arrived and, in her capacity as the highest-ranking imperial concubine, commanded Xiyin to kneel.
When Xiyin refused, Yelv Xian, affirming Xiao Yanyan's authority as his future Empress, ordered him to kneel by force and then flogged for his disrespect and intrusion. Xiyin was dragged away, stunned. Xiao Yanyan turned to leave, and Yelv Xian, inquiring with his attendant, learned she had come to bid farewell, causing his heart to sink. Back in her tent, Xiao Yanyan was torn.
She thought of Han Derang and their shared promise to protect the people, lamenting that he was now alone in his endeavors. She considered leaving, yet worried that her departure would create an opportunity for ambitious individuals to challenge Yelv Xian in court. If Yelv Xian couldn't handle it, Liao's reforms would be stillborn, and all their efforts would be wasted. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian drank himself into a stupor, even vomiting blood, but refused to see the imperial physician Diligu.
His frantic servants rushed to inform Xiao Yanyan. She found Yelv Xian drunk and calling her name. Dismissing the servants, she listened as Yelv Xian, in his drunken state, poured out his insecurities. He confessed that everyone looked down on him, calling him weak and mocking his attempts to implement Han policies, anticipating his downfall. He declared that in this world, he only trusted two people: Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang.
Now, with both of them seemingly leaving, he felt utterly abandoned and unable to accomplish anything for Liao, pleading with Xiao Yanyan not to abandon him. Seeing Yelv Xian's raw vulnerability, Xiao Yanyan's heart softened. She realized that her departure would indeed halt Liao's reform efforts and invalidate all the sacrifices made. She resolved that her personal bond with Han Derang must yield to the greater good of Liao.
When Yelv Xian awoke, Xiao Yanyan spoke to him calmly, affirming her decision to stay and dedicate herself to becoming a worthy Empress of Liao. Overjoyed, Yelv Xian promised to cherish her for a lifetime, vowing that they would together safeguard the Liao empire and its myriad people. While their relationship found a new footing, Han Derang remained heartbroken.
He climbed the Yanyun Terrace once more, gazing out over Youzhou and its sixteen prefectures, his heart heavy with thoughts of Xiao Yanyan. At a private imperial banquet, two imperial concubine dowagers, Puge and Chuoli, subtly expressed their opinions. They first lauded Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan's affection, then hinted that Xiao Yanyan should prioritize bearing a royal heir.
Chuoli further suggested Yelv Xian had too few concubines, while Puge mentioned Xige, Yelv Xian’s official concubine, implying she should be present. Chuoli then praised Empress Huaijie's past virtues of selflessness for Liao and harmonious relations with Empress Zhen, wishing for a similar virtuous empress in Yelv Xian's court.
Xiao Yanyan, facing their veiled criticisms, elegantly parried by stating that the wise and discerning Yelv Xian did not require guidance on how to conduct his affairs, including those concerning his imperial concubines. Yelv Xian initiated a talents selection process to recruit capable individuals for various states. Nüli attempted to bribe Xiao Siwen, presenting a list of favored candidates, but Xiao Siwen sternly rejected his overtures.
Xiao Siwen, entrusted with the full authority for the selection by Yelv Xian, presented a memorial detailing the lawless behavior of Gao Xun and Nüli’s family slaves, who had been openly robbing merchants in the streets. He stressed the urgent need to re-establish a clear legal framework, noting the previous reign’s arbitrary punishments and rewards.
Han Kuangsi offered a different approach, suggesting that rather than direct confrontation, Gao Xun and Nüli should be lavishly rewarded to appease them, and then gradually replaced with trustworthy individuals. Yelv Xian adopted this strategy, enfeoffing Gao Xun as King Qin and transferring military command from their hands to Xiuge and Dalin, effectively diminishing their power under the guise of honor. Feeling their authority undermined, Nüli and Gao Xun harbored deep resentment towards Xiao Siwen.
Gao Xun, in particular, proposed a drastic solution: assassinating Xiao Siwen to remove his leadership and seize control of the court’s authority for themselves. Yelv Xian then proceeded to formally enfeoff several princes: Daoyin as King Shu, Longxian as King Ping, Shao as King Wu, Xiyin as King Zhao, and Dilie as King Ji. He announced that the summer outing was concluding, and they would soon return to Shangjing, with the newly appointed kings dispatched to their respective states to defend the capital.
