The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 37 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Yelv Xian returned to his chambers and found Xiao Yanyan there. He apologized for his angry outburst regarding Han Kuangsi and expressed regret for his harsh words, asking her to let the matter go. Yanyan, with a reassuring smile, agreed to put the incident behind them. The reforms continued, with an edict from Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan announcing changes to the tax system and the reestablishment of the Imperial Examination to select talents.
Yelv Xian, now blessed with children, expressed concern for Yanyan, who was overseeing state affairs so soon after giving birth to their son, Hu Dujin. He then asked Yanyan about the results of Han Derang and Xiuge’s efforts to optimize soldiers in the army camps. Yanyan reported that Han Derang had dismissed incapable personnel from the Pishi Army, incorporated various tribal troops into states and counties, and selected strong, brave individuals to join the royal guards.
She emphasized that with military power being centralized, future unrest would be prevented. Yelv Xian was overjoyed, praising Han Derang for understanding his greatest concerns and never disappointing him. He saw the restoration of the Imperial Examination as an opportunity for talents from humble backgrounds to rise in the court, envisioning a prosperous future for Liao.
He reflected on how he had accomplished the Han system reforms that three previous emperors could not, feeling his life was not in vain, and expressed profound gratitude to both Yanyan and Han Derang for their indispensable help. One evening, Yelv Xian waited for Yanyan to dine with him, but she was still busy with state affairs in Kaihuang Hall. Feeling a bit stuffy, he decided to go for a walk.
Later, his close servant Xin found him collapsed at the dining table and immediately summoned Diligu. Upon regaining consciousness, Yelv Xian inquired about his condition, sensing it had worsened despite Diligu changing his medicine. He concluded that Diligu was out of options and, with a fatalistic tone, stated that doctors could not cure the incurable, believing his life was nearing its end. Diligu suggested inviting Han Kuangsi, but Yelv Xian rejected the idea, knowing it would be futile.
Yelv Xian later visited Kaihuang Hall, observing Yanyan engrossed in memorials about severe floods and border disputes. She briefly greeted him before returning to her work, leaving him to quietly watch. Diligu, out of desperation, then sought out Han Kuangsi, who, despite being a pardoned minister, confirmed that Yelv Xian’s condition was terminal, with only a year or two left. Han Kuangsi explained that even he, with all his medical knowledge, could do nothing to defy fate.
Diligu, distressed by Yelv Xian’s suffering, admitted to giving him anesthetic and worried that Yelv Xian himself was giving up. Han Kuangsi sympathized, acknowledging Yelv Xian's lifelong struggles and current torment. Yanyan later informed Yelv Xian that due to unrest at the border, she would be unable to accompany him to the spring Hunting. Yelv Xian understood, acknowledging the heavy burden she carried for the entire Great Liao.
As they spoke, Yelv Xian observed two flowers, one vibrant and the other fading, comparing them to Yanyan and himself, though his servant Po'er quickly reassured him of his youth. Meanwhile, Xiezhen, still smitten with Hailan, approached Dalin, affectionately calling him "Brother Dalin" and then "Uncle Dalin" to win his favor. Xiezhen confessed that Hailan had a poor first impression of him and wouldn't let him explain, asking Dalin to put in a good word for him.
Dalin, after some playful teasing about Xiezhen's past as Shangjing's notorious "No.1 playboy," reluctantly agreed. Xiezhen then revealed his plan to win Hailan's affection through his own efforts, intending to request Empress Xiao Yanyan to transfer his position from Southern King to Nanjing Governor so he could reside in Youzhou and be near Hailan. Dalin then delivered surprising news: Yanyan had already summoned Hailan to Shangjing to serve as the Imperial Princess's companion.
Xiezhen was overjoyed, proclaiming that fate was on his side, then playfully chided Dalin for not sharing the good news sooner. During the spring Hunting, Yelv Xian felt fatigued after attending to various tribal leaders and tributes, which included thirty-six beautiful women from the Bohai tribe. He heard a melancholic zither tune, "Autumn Moon of the Han Palace," and, accompanied by Po'er, followed the sound to a young woman, Yuxiao, one of the Bohai maidens.
He observed the sadness in her playing, deducing it was from homesickness. When Yelv Xian suffered a headache, Yuxiao, who possessed some medical knowledge inherited from her father, stepped forward to massage his temples, providing him relief. Seeing her effectiveness, Po'er suggested bringing Yuxiao back to the palace to care for Yelv Xian whenever he felt unwell, a proposal Yelv Xian accepted.
Concurrently, back in Shangjing, while Han Derang was discussing state matters with Xiao Yanyan, a messenger arrived from his mansion, stating that his wife, Li Sier, was suffering from a "heartache" and needed him to return. Yanyan offered to send an imperial physician, but Han Derang declined, stating he was aware of his wife’s condition. A palace maid commented on Li Sier's frequent "illnesses" whenever Han Derang was retained for court discussions, but Yanyan remained unconcerned, asserting her clear conscience.
Han Derang returned home to find Li Sier consulting a "traveling doctor" in her continued quest for a child, revealing her "heartache" was a pretext. He gently chided her for seeking help from charlatans and worsening her health, advising her not to force fate and to prioritize her well-being.
Li Sier then tearfully urged him to take a concubine to ensure the Han family lineage, but Han Derang firmly refused, pointing out his numerous brothers already had children, and asked her not to mention it again. Li Sier then questioned whether his refusal was for her or still out of lingering feelings for Yanyan, expressing her deep fear that Yelv Xian, despite his apparent magnanimity, had never truly forgiven Han Derang's past betrothal to Yanyan.
She worried that Yelv Xian was merely using Han Derang to implement unpopular reforms and would discard him once his usefulness waned, ultimately putting his life at risk. Han Derang embraced her, comforting her and dismissing her worries as unfounded. Yelv Xian conversed with Yuxiao, reflecting on his own "family stuff." He offered to send her back to Bohai if she had a sweetheart there, assuring her that he would protect her from any repercussions from her tribe's chief.
However, Yuxiao tearfully pleaded to stay, expressing her sole desire to serve him daily, keep him happy, and alleviate his pain. Moved by her devotion, Yelv Xian decided to keep Yuxiao, acknowledging that while Yanyan was competent, she could not be by his side constantly. He promised to give Yuxiao a proper title upon their return to Shangjing. Yuxiao, expressing admiration for Yanyan's wise governance and fair administration, worried about her own lack of skills.
Yelv Xian reassured her that her presence and care were valuable, while solemnly reminding her that Yanyan was a "gift from Tengri" to Liao, and her position as Empress was, and always would be, unshakeable. Yuxiao affirmed her understanding. Upon Yelv Xian’s return to Shangjing, Yanyan formally welcomed him, and he thanked her for managing state affairs in his absence. She humbly replied it was her duty.
Meanwhile, Xiyin learned from his close servant Salan that Yelv Xian had indeed taken a Bohai maiden during the spring Hunting, and this liaison was recorded in the imperial diary, but Yanyan remained oblivious. Recognizing this as a golden opportunity, Xiyin decided to invite Han Derang for a drink to rekindle their friendship, hoping to secure Han Derang’s control of the Southern Army for his own ambitions. Later, Yelv Xian suffered another severe collapse. Yuxiao was by his side, comforting him and urgently calling for Po'er to retrieve Diligu's pills.
