The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 28 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Hu Nian informed Yansage of Yelv Xian's conditions: Yansage must cede half of his military power, and in return, Yelv Xian would grant him the Guo'anlian Aoluduo. Yansage, already aware of the situation in Shangjing, acknowledged that ceding half his military power was as expected.
Hu Nian presented Yelv Xian's personal letter confirming the inheritance of Emperor Taizong of Liao's Guo'anlian Aoluduo, a place Yansage considered his own by right, though previously he held the de facto power without formal recognition. Yansage, valuing Hu Nian above all else, preferred not to discuss politics after their long separation. He asked if she had been wronged in Shangjing, to which Hu Nian replied that as the Queen's sister, nothing could wrong her.
Reassured, Yansage decided to return with Hu Nian, promising they would never be apart again. Meanwhile, Xiyin was enraged by Yansage's return, condemning Yelv Xian as useless for recalling a hungry wolf like Yansage. He regretted not eliminating Yansage when he was on the run, feeling he had missed a crucial opportunity to seize power.
Wuguli tried to console him, asserting that the reconciliation between Yelv Xian and Yansage was merely an ostensible compromise, not a genuine peace, as both harbored selfish ambitions for the throne. She reminded Xiyin of his father's similar path, holding power but never truly being granted the throne, merely placated. Wuguli urged Xiyin to remain patient, confident that Yelv Xian and Yansage would eventually clash, creating another opportunity for him to seize military power and the throne.
Xiyin, acknowledging Wuguli's unwavering support, promised they would never argue again. Yansage paid a visit to Yelv Xian, who lay in bed appearing gravely ill. Yelv Xian claimed his health was rapidly deteriorating and he had only a few years left to live. He dramatically offered to return the throne to Yansage, stating he would rather give it to him than to others.
Yansage questioned why Yelv Xian had struggled so hard for the throne at Black Mountain if he intended to give it away. Yelv Xian admitted that as a descendant of Emperor Taizu of Liao, he couldn't resist the chance to fight for the throne, comparing it to Yansage's own ambitions. He conceded that as a six-year-old, he couldn't have held the throne.
Yelv Xian then proposed to name Yansage his imperial uncle and formally grant him Guo'anlian Aoluduo, with the sole condition that Yansage would treat Xiao Yanyan and their child kindly. He stressed that with Xiao Yanyan pregnant, he couldn't afford to lose and needed Yansage's assurance. Yansage, observing Yelv Xian's frail appearance, agreed. Later, in court, Yansage faced accusations of being a rebel.
He publicly expressed regret for his past offenses and gratitude to Yelv Xian for allowing his return, pledging his loyalty. To demonstrate his sincerity and appease the court, Yansage declared his willingness to return half of his military forces to the imperial court. Yelv Xian, feigning magnanimity, praised Yansage and formally proclaimed him imperial uncle, entrusting him with Guo'anlian Aoluduo, a move that effectively acknowledged Yansage's authority while simultaneously limiting his military power and silencing critics.
Following the court session, Nüli, confident in his foresight for writing to Yansage, eagerly anticipated a meeting with him and tried to persuade Gao Xun to join. Gao Xun, however, was wary of Xiyin's watchful eye and shrewdly suggested that Yansage would be more anxious to meet them than they were him. Back at his mansion, Yansage received Nianmugun, who paid his respects and complimented Yansage's enduring strength.
Yansage, having already eliminated those who could let out their secrets, expressed confidence in their current favorable situation and his long-laid plots which were now ready to go. He saw Yelv Xian's offer as an attempt to satisfy him with the title of imperial uncle. Yansage vowed to play the game with Yelv Xian.
Acknowledging that Yelv Xian intended for him to act as a dog that bites Xiyin, Yansage decided to bark a little, believing that the louder he barked, the more assured Yelv Xian would become, thus creating opportunities for himself. Nianmugun reported that Xiyin was actively seeking the regency and frequently contacting Gao Xun and Nüli, likely forming an alliance.
Yansage, understanding that rulers fear ministers conspiring, decided to do Mingyi a favor by dismantling this alliance, using Nüli's letter to him as a knife to achieve this. Anzhi, upon learning of Yansage's return, visited his mansion with homemade ginseng chicken soup and dishes, ostensibly on Zhimo's behalf to express gratitude for saving his life. Yansage, however, saw through her pretense, directly asking if she was there for herself.
He observed that Anzhi was at the height of her youth and vigour while Zhimo had already been rendered powerless and incapable of having an heir, leaving her with nowhere to run and an unknown future. Anzhi admitted she was seeking a way out. Yansage asked if she would do whatever he commanded, and she pledged her obedience.
Seeing her pretty face and finding her pitiful, Yansage promised to ensure her safety, glory, splendor, wealth, and rank, as long as she followed his instructions. Anzhi gratefully accepted his offer of helping her. The three Xiao sisters visited their father Xiao Siwen's grave. Hu Nian, having chosen Xiao Jixian as the adopted heir, vowed to her deceased father that she would raise Jixian to be capable and knowledgeable, ensuring he could inherit their branch of the family's lineage.
She reaffirmed the sisters' bond, promising that they would remain united through concerted efforts, and no one would ever separate them. Amidst a heavy snowfall, Xiao Yanyan endured a difficult labor, her cries echoing with the growing anxiety of those waiting outside, including her sisters. Finally, a baby's cry brought relief to all. Xiao Yanyan had given birth to a healthy baby boy.
Yelv Xian was overjoyed, holding her hand and confessing his deep love, telling her that meeting her made him feel truly alive after a period of profound loneliness. However, Xiao Yanyan expressed her fears about the dangers surrounding them, noting they were surrounded by wolves and isolated, and worried that their son, being a prince, would become a target. She questioned who they could turn to if their enemies gang up on them.
Yelv Xian comforted her, urging her to rest and promising that he would never allow anyone to make trouble by his bedside and would protect their child. Zhimo, upon seeing Yelv Xian's newborn son, felt a mix of joy for his cousin and profound sorrow for himself. He knelt before his mother's sacrificial tablet, lamenting his past impulsiveness and stupidity that led him to an impasse with no chance to get up again.
He regretted failing to secure an heir for his branch of the imperial family, unlike Yelv Xian, and apologized to his parents for his lifelong regret. Overhearing his confession from outside, Anzhi's eyes filled with resentment. She bitterly thought that Zhimo only regretted disappointing his parents, completely ignoring her plight. She no longer sought to bear children but couldn't even be granted the simplest eminence in society by him.
On the day of the little prince's full moon 'adding to the basin' ceremony, a festive occasion with many attendees, a palace maid, Yuwan, deliberately tripped while holding the infant. She threw the prince into the air, aiming for a basin of hot water. Fortunately, Yueliduo, acting swiftly, kicked the hot water basin away and caught the prince, who was unharmed. When questioned by Xiao Yanyan, the maid remained silent, then took pre-administered poison, dying to protect her accomplice.
News of the failed assassination attempt reached Xiyin, who, furious at his man's failure to steal the little prince, angrily dismissed him. Yansage, upon learning of the incident, realized Xiyin was even more impatient than he had imagined. Seeing an opportunity, Yansage decided to kill two birds with one stone: the incident could both create a diversion and harden Yelv Xian's resolve to eliminate Xiyin. He then secretly instructed Nianmugun to meet with Nüli, whispering specific instructions.
Yelv Xian hurried to Xiao Yanyan's side, relieved to find their child safe, though Yueliduo had been burned protecting him. Xiao Yanyan, deeply shaken, realized the 'Ghosts Shooting Arrows' incident was merely the beginning, and their enemies were now targeting their child. She regretted her carelessness but declared her resolve to transform from a carefree and emotional woman into a powerful queen to protect her child, Yelv Xian, and the Liao dynasty.
Yelv Xian pledged his unwavering support, promising to be her strongest backing. Meanwhile, Han Derang investigated the maid, Yuwan, discovering that she was a low-ranking palace servant who mysteriously gained access to the ceremony. This suggested an insider mastermind who could easily bypass palace security, rendering the defenses nothing. Han Derang was ordered to find the culprit. Yelv Xian, though observing Yansage's apparent calm and Xiyin's overt movements, remained suspicious of Yansage.
He ordered Chubu to maintain close surveillance on both Yansage and Xiyin, reporting any unusual activity immediately. Yelv Xian, burdened by national affairs, eventually collapsed from illness, his condition worsened by continuously using medication to stay active. Discovering his high fever, Xiao Yanyan immediately summoned Han Kuangsi. Both Yansage and Dilie visited the ailing emperor.
Outside, Yansage subtly urged Dilie to prioritize the care of Wage, emphasizing that he was the only descendant left of their Taizong Family's branch, and that their future hopes would rest heavily on him. Hu Nian, overhearing this, immediately recognized Yansage's manipulative intentions. Later, she confronted Yansage, accusing him of losing patience and trying to ensnare Dilie. Yansage dismissed her concerns as mere teasing of Dilie, whom he characterized as greedy but cautious.
Hu Nian reminded him that as the imperial uncle, the throne would eventually be his if he waited patiently, given the Liao Dynasty's tradition of establishing an adult and capable ruler. She implored him not to involve her, Xiao Yanyan, Wuguli, or their children in his ambitions. Yansage assured her that the sisters were his family and he would never harm them.
However, he then revealed his deepest resentment: the lack of a son, while Dilie, Xiyin, and even the invalid Yelv Xian had heirs. Despite Hu Nian's exasperated dismissal of his irresponsible and carping comments, Yansage secretly instructed his subordinate to find a way to win over that idiot Dilie, indicating his continued intent to rally support for his power grab. Han Kuangsi diagnosed Yelv Xian with spleen deficiency, damp-heat, and vigorous fire of liver-gallbladder, attributing it to overwork, and began preparing medicine.
