The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 24 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Yelv Xian's cousin, Xiyin, was angered by the short-sightedness of the other imperial princes who gratefully accepted their new fiefdoms and rushed to their territories after Yelv Xian's recent conferment. Speaking with Wuguli, Xiyin declared his refusal to leave Shangjing. He stated that Yelv Xian’s frail health meant his reign could end at any moment, and having already missed two opportunities when previous rulers died while he was away, he would not allow himself to be absent a third time.
Yelv Xian, embracing Xiao Yanyan, expressed his happiness about crowning her as empress upon their return to Shangjing, believing it would set everything on the right track. He confessed that he had always intended for her to be his empress, but the royal astrologers had advised against it at the time, leading to her temporary title as imperial concubine.
He reiterated his promise to share the vast Liao empire with her, wanting the entire world to know she was his queen. Yelv Xian confided that only since she entered his life had he found someone to talk to and, more importantly, a newfound peace within himself. Following the summer hunt, Yelv Xian and his retinue returned to Shangjing. A grand crowning ceremony was held, formally elevating Xiao Yanyan to Empress.
Her imperial decree lauded her virtues, emphasizing her kindness, gentleness, integrity, and thrift, and called upon her to serve as an example and bear royal heirs. News of the lavish event spread quickly among the populace. Han Derang, dining at an inn, overheard patrons discussing the new Empress, casting a shadow of sadness over him. Meanwhile, Li Si received a letter from home confirming Xiao Yanyan’s new status.
While outwardly scolding her attendant for discussing palace affairs, Li Si inwardly rejoiced, convinced that this news would finally extinguish any lingering hope Han Derang held for Xiao Yanyan. A few days later, Empress Xiao Yanyan suddenly felt unwell. Her maids suspected pregnancy when her monthly period was delayed and immediately summoned Diligu, the imperial physician. Around the same time, Concubine Xige, feeling neglected by Yelv Xian’s exclusive attention to the Empress, sought an audience to express her grievances.
Empress Xiao Yanyan calmly suggested Xige appeal directly to Yelv Xian or offered to arrange her departure from the palace so she could find love and marry freely, rather than sacrifice her youth for family ambitions. Xige adamantly refused to leave. Moments later, Diligu arrived and confirmed Empress Xiao Yanyan was two months pregnant, a revelation that visibly dismayed Xige. Yelv Xian was ecstatic upon hearing the news, exclaiming his joy at becoming a father.
He immediately ordered his chief eunuch, Po, to announce the momentous news throughout the empire for universal celebration. He also gave strict instructions to Diligu to ensure Empress Xiao Yanyan's healthy delivery of a prince and tasked Po with meticulously screening all servants around the Empress to prevent any ill-intentioned individuals from harming her or the unborn child. Yelv Xian also ensured that Xiao Siwen was promptly informed of the joyous news.
Wuguli was thrilled for her sister, but Xiyin appeared displeased. He complained to Wuguli that while she had quietly borne him a son without public fanfare, Empress Xiao Yanyan's pregnancy was being met with such a grand banquet and celebration at Kaihuang Hall for all kings and ministers. Wuguli, understanding his frustration, gently consoled him, reminding him that Yelv Xian’s fragile health meant his own opportunity to ascend the throne would come eventually.
Soon after, Yelv Xian and Empress Xiao Yanyan were summoned to the bedside of the ailing King Wuzhi, who was nearing death. King Wuzhi expressed profound relief upon learning of Empress Xiao Yanyan's pregnancy, assuring Yelv Xian that he could now depart in peace, knowing there was an heir to the throne. Yelv Xian, in turn, acknowledged King Wuzhi's indispensable role in quelling three major crises—Hengdu, Mount Xianggu, and Black Mountain—which had saved Liao from crumbling.
He voiced his concern about who would provide such vital guidance after King Wuzhi was gone. King Wuzhi humbly dismissed his own contributions, stating he merely sought stability, and lauded Yelv Xian’s wise reforms. He affirmed that with Xiao Siwen to assist and the talented Empress Xiao Yanyan as a powerful ally, Yelv Xian would be well supported. Empress Xiao Yanyan pledged that she and her father would steadfastly assist Yelv Xian and protect the Liao empire.
As other imperial clansmen gathered, King Wuzhi delivered his final words, urging them all to unite and wholeheartedly assist Yelv Xian in revitalizing Liao. Meanwhile, a citizen accosted Xiao Siwen's carriage, presenting a formal accusation of rebellion against Gao Xun and Nüli, complete with supporting evidence. Gao Xun, alerted by his informant within Xiao Siwen's mansion, immediately confronted Nüli.
Nüli initially dismissed it as a minor matter of corruption, but Gao Xun clarified the dire accusation was for rebellion, berating Nüli for his recklessness. Recognizing the serious threat, especially with Xiao Siwen actively undermining their power, Gao Xun concluded they had to act first. He proposed assassinating Xiao Siwen during the upcoming imperial hunt in Lüshan, noting that Xiao Siwen would accompany Yelv Xian, and Nüli controlled the imperial guards, making it an ideal opportunity.
Gao Xun suggested recruiting people close to Xiao Siwen to carry out the deed, outlining a plan to create a breach in the Emperor's security to let assassins in. That evening, Yelv Xian visited Empress Xiao Yanyan. He expressed concern for her well-being during her pregnancy, while she, feeling confined, joked about becoming as fragile as porcelain.
She, in turn, worried about his own health, urging him to rest and take his medicine, which he promised to do after admitting his recent busy schedule with state affairs. Yelv Xian then shared his vision to establish a peaceful Liao for their unborn child, wanting to spare him from a life burdened by his own past struggles.
Empress Xiao Yanyan then voiced her concerns about his political strategy, warning that by empowering and then curtailing the influence of figures like Gao Xun and Nüli, he risked their violent retaliation, potentially leading to uncontrollable consequences. Her deepest fear, however, was for her father, Xiao Siwen, whose increasing power, she believed, would attract jealousy and put his life in peril.
Yelv Xian acknowledged her concerns but argued that power must be entrusted to capable hands to prevent disaster, promising to consider her advice for a gradual redistribution of power and to discuss the matter with Xiao Siwen during the upcoming Lüshan hunt. He also offered to keep the two imperial consorts away if they caused her distress. Shortly after this discussion, Gao Xun accused Xiao Siwen's nephews, Xiao Haizhi and Xiao Haili, of abusing his female servants.
Xiao Siwen, promising a thorough investigation and impartial judgment, confronted his nephews. Angered by their misdeeds and their brazen ambition to usurp family inheritance, he ordered them confined to their residences for reflection and publicly revoked their eligibility as his heirs, sternly warning them that they would never inherit the family's legacy. Xiao Siwen visited Empress Xiao Yanyan, informing her that he and Wuguli would be accompanying Yelv Xian on the Lüshan hunt, which Xiao Yanyan regretted missing.
Xiao Siwen explained that Yelv Xian simply wished for her to rest and safely deliver the prince, thereby further stabilizing the realm. He also suggested her eldest sister, Xiao Hunian, visit the palace for company, a proposition Xiao Yanyan eagerly welcomed, lamenting her boredom. Concerned for her father’s sleep, especially during the humid summer, Empress Xiao Yanyan presented him with a handmade sachet filled with citronella, calamus, and wrinkled hyssop to repel mosquitoes.
She assured him that she no longer harbored any blame for their past, urging him to release his guilt. Deeply moved, Xiao Siwen reflected on how she, once his most troublesome and most cherished child, had grown into a caring woman who still caused him the most regret. Empress Xiao Yanyan then playfully insisted that he name her unborn child, just as he had named Wuguli's son, Liulishou.
Xiao Siwen laughed at her endearing persistence and happily agreed, promising to conceive a beautiful name during his upcoming trip to Lüshan. Seething from their disinheritance, Xiao Haizhi and Xiao Haili complained about Xiao Siwen's heartlessness, fearing that upon his return from Lüshan, he would officially expel them from the family and permanently deny them any inheritance.
They resolved to forge their own path, convinced that if anything were to happen to Xiao Siwen, they, being his closest blood relatives, would automatically become his heirs. They agreed to collaborate and split the future benefits. Xiao Haizhi boasted that he had obtained a defense map of the Lüshan hunting grounds from one of Nüli’s financially desperate servants, implying Nüli was unaware of their intentions.
Despite Xiao Haili's apprehension about the deadly nature of their plot, they proceeded to meet with hired assassins in a clandestine location to finalize their plans. At the Lüshan hunting grounds, Yelv Xian and Xiao Siwen rode together, discussing state affairs amidst the refreshing post-rain air.
Yelv Xian expressed his gratitude to Empress Xiao Yanyan for bringing him peace and resolving his deepest internal conflicts, emphasizing the profound significance of their unborn child for both his personal happiness and the stability of Liao, a nation he had ruled “on thin ice.” He expressed his hope that Xiao Yanyan would help him achieve their shared vision for Liao, acknowledging his own limited time.
Xiao Siwen then offered his heartfelt advice, noting that King Wuzhi’s recent death would inevitably destabilize the court. While the Empress should shoulder Yelv Xian’s burdens, as an expectant mother, her well-being was paramount. As a father, his primary wish was for her to safely deliver the prince, a sentiment Yelv Xian promised to remember. Back in the palace, a maid proudly showed Empress Xiao Yanyan a new outfit she was sewing for the unborn prince.
However, as Empress Xiao Yanyan inadvertently pricked her finger with a needle, a sudden and profound sense of dread washed over her. At that very moment, the hunting party in Lüshan was ambushed by assassins. Imperial guards frantically moved to protect Yelv Xian, but Xiao Siwen was left exposed. Despite Yelv Xian’s desperate shouts, he was forcibly pulled away by his guards while Xiao Siwen was tragically struck by an arrow.
