The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 32 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
The prayer ceremony for the little prince concluded. Yelv Xian noted that the prince seemed to be recovering, suggesting they continue prayers in their tent as it was getting late. Xiao Yanyan agreed. Yansage then told Hunian she must be tired and should rest in her tent. Hunian, reflecting on Xiao Yanyan's distress over her child's illness, expressed her hope that her own unborn baby would bring her less worry.
Yansage assured her she was being paranoid and their child would be fine. Later that night, after Hunian had fallen asleep, Yansage secretly left their tent, taking his knife. He went to an Imperial Consort’s tent, where a Shaman was performing rituals. Yansage questioned the Shaman about the medicine given to the little prince, asking if it was effective. The Shaman assured him it was effective.
Princess Puge then interjected, stating she had given the little prince an entire bottle of medicine, and if it wasn't working, the medicine itself must be at fault. Yansage pressed her, demanding to know if the medicine was effective or not. Princess Puge insisted that the prince's improved condition proved its efficacy, though she noted he was blessed by the Emperor and Queen. She reaffirmed her medicine’s usefulness.
Yansage, however, was impatient, threatening her life if the medicine didn't show full effect in three days. Suddenly, a sound from outside startled Yansage. He went to investigate and discovered Hunian standing there. Hunian, having woken to find Yansage gone, had followed him and overheard their conversation. She confronted Yansage, accusing him of using underhanded tactics.
She argued that if he truly wanted power, he should openly challenge the Emperor and seek the support of his ministers, rather than resorting to such dishonorable schemes. She also questioned Princess Puge and the other imperial concubine dowagers, asking why they would betray Yelv Xian, who had treated them with such respect and generosity. Princess Puge, however, asserted that they were all in this together now and asked if Hunian intended to expose her own husband.
Yansage tried to lead Hunian away, urging her to let them continue the ritual, but Hunian, enraged, angrily overturned the altar, causing the candles to ignite the tent. As the tent caught fire, Yansage quickly took Hunian away, instructing his guards to manage the aftermath. The fire at the imperial concubine dowagers' tent alerted Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan. They dispatched guards to investigate.
Upon their arrival, Yansage's guards hastily tried to silence the imperial concubines; one was already dead, but Princess Puge, though injured, was rescued by Yelv Xian’s men before she could be killed. The next day, Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan visited the burnt tent. Han Kuangsi discovered a small medicine bottle on the ground, and sensing a medicinal smell, took it to analyze further.
Chu Bu reported that he arrived after seeing the fire, which was caused by an overturned candlestick. He found it strange that the agile men in black, who were attempting to kill, would have caused such a commotion. He deduced that the fire wasn't set by the killers but by someone attempting to warn, and since no additional bodies were found, that person must still be alive and was protected by the perpetrators.
Considering Yansage and Hunian had left the palace before midnight, Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan immediately suspected them. Back at Taiping Palace, Hunian refused to speak with Yansage. She reminded him of his promise never to harm her family and accused him of betraying her and the Khitan tradition of never harming descendants.
Yansage acknowledged her disappointment but explained that his actions were for their child, to prevent them from living as the children of sinners, constantly suspected by those in power. He passionately argued that he, Hunian, and their child constituted their true family and urged her to be reasonable for the sake of their unborn baby. Seeing her continued silence, Yansage left the room, locking her inside. Meanwhile, Xiao Yanyan and Yelv Xian discussed Yansage’s suspicious behavior.
Xiao Yanyan wanted to send troops to rescue Hunian, but Yelv Xian cautioned against rash action, pointing out Yansage’s considerable military power. If Yansage, Gao Xun, and Nüli were to unite, their combined forces would be formidable. To avoid an all-out confrontation, Yelv Xian proposed hosting a family dinner under the guise of celebrating the little prince’s recovery, hoping to make Yansage drop his guard. Xiao Yanyan also suggested borrowing troops from Wuguli.
Following this, Xiao Yanyan summoned Anxi and Fuhui, Hunian’s personal maids. She instructed them to secretly return to Taiping Palace to protect Hunian, keeping the truth about Yansage’s treachery hidden from her due to her pregnancy. They were to find an opportune moment to lead Hunian out, where Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan would have people waiting.
Unbeknownst to them, Yansage had already conspired with Gao Xun and Nüli to stage a rebellion during the family dinner, planning to install Yansage as the new Emperor. They had also made arrangements involving Anzhi. Around this time, Princess Puge regained consciousness, severely wounded. Before her death, she confessed to Yelv Xian, expressing deep remorse for her past misdeeds, admitting she had done many evil things without conscience to survive.
She revealed that Yansage had coerced her, not only in the current situation but also a decade ago, to secretly replace Yelv Xian’s medicine. Yelv Xian was stunned to learn that his prolonged illness and lack of improvement were due to his medication being switched. Tearfully, Princess Puge, admitting she did not deserve forgiveness, revealed she had secretly kept some of the original medicine in a bottle behind her shrine, hoping it might still help him.
With her confession complete, she passed away, ending her life under the shadow of coercion. Confined in Taiping Palace, Hunian refused to eat or drink. Yansage visited her, expressing concern for her health and the baby, but Hunian accused him of caring only for the child and his schemes against Xiao Yanyan’s family. Yansage then allowed Anxi and Fuhui to attend to her.
After he left, Anxi and Fuhui urged Hunian to eat to regain her strength, informing her that Yansage was preparing to make his move and she needed to escape before his plan failed, fearing what he might do if things went awry. Hunian, though confident Yansage wouldn’t harm her or the child, desired to leave. The three then attempted to escape Taiping Palace in a carriage.
However, Yansage discovered their plot, intercepted them, and in a brutal display, ordered his guard to kill Anxi right in front of Hunian. Distraught by Anxi's death, Hunian fell from the carriage, causing her to lose her unborn child. Enraged and heartbroken, Yansage lashed out at the female doctor, threatening her life, but she pleaded for mercy, assuring him she could save Hunian’s life, even if the baby was lost.
Hunian's life was saved, but Yansage, despairing over the loss of his child, confronted her, asking why she would risk everything to leave him. Hunian, disgusted by his ruthless methods, declared that she did not care for a phoenix crown obtained through such means, even if it meant sharing the entire Liao empire with him. Yansage was deeply disappointed, feeling that her heart was not truly with him.
He bitterly stated that he only tolerated her because she was his beloved wife. Meanwhile, Zhimo was meditating and chanting in his room when Anzhi arrived, urging him to accompany her to the family dinner at the palace. Zhimo expressed his reluctance, questioning her persistence. Anzhi, desiring public prestige and respect, wished Zhimo would achieve something to elevate their status, lamenting the gossip behind their backs.
Zhimo, however, had long since abandoned such ambitions, proposing they live a simple, peaceful life together. He suspected Anzhi had other connections for public recognition, a suspicion reinforced when her maid announced a gift prepared for the Emperor at the family dinner. Zhimo subtly advised against bringing a gift, reminding her it was merely a family dinner. Anzhi, however, disregarded his counsel, determined to involve herself in Yansage’s plans.
At Taiping Palace, the grounds were bustling with preparations, reflecting the impending turmoil. Yansage, clad in battle attire, came to bid farewell to Hunian. He told her he would not return to Shangjing merely to remain an imperial uncle, and he would not act without full certainty of success. Hunian asked if he intended to kill her.
Yansage vehemently denied this, proclaiming that she was his wife, his princess, and his future empress, destined to stand by his side and share the Liao empire. Hunian, however, simply replied that he might as well kill her. Yansage then ordered his guards to forcibly take Hunian away, prompting her maid to try and protect her.
