The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 26 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Yelv Xian recalled memories of the assassination attempt. Han Derang, investigating the scene and examining the bodies, confirmed there were two groups of assassins. He noted that while the initial ambush was with crossbows, a second group charged forward, contradicting the usual escape tactic. He discovered that Prime Minister Xiao Siwen, despite having arrow wounds, succumbed to a fatal knife wound in his back, precisely at his gate of vitality. This suggested an insider.
Han Derang promised Yelv Xian he would uncover the true culprit, a task Yelv Xian entrusted solely to him. Meanwhile, Xiao Haili and Xiao Haizhi, having learned of Xiao Siwen's death, dismissed the Gyrfalcon assassins they had employed. Xiao Haili declared that all their uncle's assets were now theirs, and then offered to split the military prefecture with Xiao Haizhi. The two appeared at the Xiao residence in mourning clothes, openly interfering with family affairs.
Wuguli, having witnessed their opportunistic behavior, returned to her palace in a fury. She confronted Xiyin, demanding he find her father's killer. Xiyin, attempting to appease her, claimed Nüli was investigating, making it difficult for him to intervene. However, his informant soon reported that Yelv Xian had secretly tasked Han Derang with the investigation, and Han Derang was already making progress.
Knowing Gao Xun and Nüli would be anxious, Xiyin decided to invite Gao Xun to a banquet, hoping to extract information. He instructed his subordinate not to tell Wuguli until he had concrete evidence. Han Derang continued his meticulous investigation at the assassination site. He simulated the events, concluding that Xiao Siwen could not have been attacked from both front and back, meaning the fatal blow came from someone close.
Further inquiries revealed the weapon was a Liao meat cutter, not typically carried by assassins, reinforcing his suspicion of a mole within the imperial guards. He believed that beyond the initial two groups of assassins, more hidden forces were involved. Han Derang reported his findings to Yelv Xian, indicating that the assassins had detailed knowledge of Yelv Xian's defenses and that the plot seemed aimed at disrupting Yelv Xian's new deal.
He requested permission to fully investigate Xiao Siwen's murder, emphasizing the personal danger to himself if he were to take up an official position before the true mastermind was caught. Yelv Xian, though concerned, agreed. Han Derang then recommended Yelü Xianshi for the vacant Privy of North position. As Han Derang prepared to leave, Yelv Xian stopped him, making an emotional plea.
He confessed that Xiao Siwen's death felt like losing an arm, and he trusted no one but Han Derang in the entire court. However, Han Derang, still burdened by his past grievances, bowed and departed. Later, in court, the ministers debated filling the vacant positions of Prime Minister and Privy of North. Gao Xun suggested Nüli for Privy of North, which Han Kuangsi immediately opposed, citing Nüli's culpability in the Lüshan incident that led to Xiao Siwen's death.
Gao Xun argued that it was an accident and blamed Han Derang for interfering with Nüli's investigation. Nüli boasted of his military achievements, further escalating the argument. The heated dispute caused Yelv Xian to faint from overwork, temporarily suspending the discussion. Xiao Yanyan recalled Han Derang's words that her father's death was a deliberate act. Determined to seek justice for her father, she hurried to Yelv Xian's side upon hearing of his collapse.
She gently helped him take his medicine, reminding him that his health was not just his own, especially with their child on the way. Yelv Xian, touched by her concern, promised to cooperate if she would set aside her anger towards him. They then discussed the court's instability. Xiao Yanyan, with her keen political insight, understood that Gao Xun's true ambition was the Prime Minister's seat, using Nüli as a proxy.
She advised Yelv Xian to grant Gao Xun the Prime Ministership. This would leave Nüli empty-handed, fostering resentment and creating a rift between the two, which Yelv Xian could then exploit. For the crucial Privy of North position, which would serve as a check on the Prime Minister, she proposed Han Derang. Yelv Xian sighed, lamenting Han Derang's lingering resentment towards him.
He also revealed his deteriorating health and the urgent need for a regent to stabilize the court, but wished to deliberate further on the candidate. News of Yelv Xian's search for a regent reached Xiyin through his informant. Believing he, as a descendant of Taizu, was the obvious choice, Xiyin relished the prospect.
He also learned that prior to the Lüshan incident, Xiao Siwen had received a "suing paper" accusing Nüli and Gao Xun of treason, which Xiyin believed was vital leverage. He ordered his men to retrieve this document, and it was indeed stolen that very night by an unknown party. Meanwhile, Anzhi, alarmed by the rumor that Yelv Xian might appoint Xiyin as regent, confronted Zhimo.
She urged him to go to the palace to demand answers from Yelv Xian, questioning why his own brother would be overlooked in favor of Xiyin. Zhimo, seeking only a peaceful life with Anzhi in their palace, refused to engage in power struggles. Anzhi, calling him "useless" and "a living dead man," stormed off in frustration, while Zhimo tried to calm her down.
Han Derang's investigation took another turn with the discovery of the Gyrfalcon leader, Hul Erbo, found dead with a distinctive gold-decorated tattoo. Han Derang realized Gyrfalcon was merely a pawn, and Hul Erbo's death, despite being a formidable figure, was easily orchestrated by the true mastermind. He believed the Xiao Haili token found earlier was a mere diversion. Xinning then informed Han Derang that Gao Xun had previously accused Xiao Haizhi and Xiao Haili of raping his maidservants.
This accusation had led Xiao Siwen to threaten to strip them of their succession rights just before his assassination, providing a clear motive for the two brothers. To draw out the mastermind, Han Derang instructed Xinning to spread a rumor that Hul Erbo had been captured, not killed, while secretly intensifying surveillance on Gao Xun for any clues. Xiyin, armed with the "suing paper," hosted Gao Xun and Nüli at a lavish banquet.
He spoke of the unstable court, Yelv Xian's weakness, and the inevitable shift of regency to him as a Taizu descendant. He then dramatically produced the "suing paper," explicitly accusing them of Xiao Siwen's murder and treason. He offered them an alliance, promising to protect them from these accusations (by using the paper as their "confession of loyalty") in exchange for their full support in helping him seize the Liao throne.
After the banquet, Xiyin gloated over how easily he had manipulated the two, but his subordinate cautioned him to be wary, noting their cunning nature and powerful positions. Xiyin dismissed the warning, asserting his superior authority. Back at the palace, Han Derang met with Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan to discuss the dire situation. Yelv Xian reiterated his concern about Xiyin, Nüli, and Gao Xun's growing faction, which now directly challenged his authority.
He admitted that with Xiao Yanyan pregnant, they were at their weakest and might have to concede to maintain stability. Xiao Yanyan fiercely disagreed, arguing that concession was a mere compromise, not a strategy, and once made, would be irreversible. She declared that as a daughter of the Xiao family and the Empress, she was strong enough to protect her child and face the challenges.
Yelv Xian, however, questioned who could truly control the various powerful figures like Xiyin, Nüli, Gao Xun, and even Yansage. Han Derang then suggested Xiao Yanyan herself. Xiao Yanyan bravely accepted the responsibility, affirming that her pregnancy was stable and it was her duty as Empress to step forward. Though Yelv Xian had doubts about Han Derang's willingness, Han Derang, for the sake of Xiao Yanyan, pledged his unwavering loyalty and agreed to return to court and assist them.
He expressed confidence that together they could overcome the crisis. The next day, Han Derang, clad in official robes, entered the court. Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan made a joint appearance, ascending the dragon throne together. Yelv Xian solemnly declared his decision to transfer the full authority of regency to Empress Xiao Yanyan, stating that her words would henceforth hold the same power as his own decrees, establishing it as a new law.
Xiyin immediately protested, questioning the propriety of a woman from the harem ruling the state. Other ministers echoed his dissent. Han Derang swiftly countered, reminding them of the precedent set by Empress Dowager Shulü and highlighting Xiao Yanyan's lineage as her blood relative. Yelv Xian then continued, announcing the new appointments: Gao Xun was named Prime Minister, Yelü Xianshi was appointed Privy of North, and Xiyin was made Riot Suppressor of Southwest.
Finally, Han Derang was appointed Agent of Privy Council. Xiyin and several other ministers vehemently objected to Han Derang's appointment, citing his youth and lack of political experience. Yelv Xian, however, stood firm. He silenced the dissenters by declaring that anyone who wished to voice an objection must first resign their current official position, promising to listen attentively afterward. Faced with this ultimatum, the protesting ministers fell silent, unwilling to risk their posts.
