The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 38 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Yelv Xian was in unbearable pain, with Yuxiao faithfully by his side. She comforted him and administered the pain-relieving pills provided by Diligu. When Xiao Yanyan learned of Yelv Xian's relapse, she was shocked to discover he no longer took traditional herbal remedies, relying solely on the pills. She realized the severity of his illness, which had progressed beyond the help of Diligu and Han Kuangsi.
Xiao Yanyan visited Yelv Xian, who, wishing to keep Yuxiao's presence a secret, instructed her to stand with the other palace maids. Xiao Yanyan briefly glanced at Yuxiao but didn't dwell on it, instead chiding Yelv Xian for concealing the seriousness of his condition. Yelv Xian explained that he didn't want to add to her burdens and simply wished to spend his remaining years in peace.
Xiao Yanyan, however, told him she had already sent people to the Southern Dynasties to find the best doctors, hoping to cure his illness, but Yelv Xian declined her efforts, stating he knew his own body best. Upon hearing that Yelv Xian and Xiao Yanyan had reconciled, Li Si, feigning heart pain, sent for Han Derang to return home. Han Derang, who was discussing Yelv Xian's grave illness with Xiao Yanyan at the palace, immediately rushed back.
Seeing Li Si well, Han Derang expressed his frustration. Li Si declared that she would rather be seen as a jealous, irrational, and foolish woman by the world than have him return to the palace. She warned that his involvement in the political reforms had already put him in danger, and entanglement in the Emperor and Empress's affairs would be fatal.
Li Si urged Han Derang to consider his parents and the Han family, reminding him that Yelv Xian, in his critical state, was prone to unpredictable moods. She advised him to avoid the palace except for court sessions. Han Derang admitted he felt he had no choice in the matter but promised to consider her words. While pondering his predicament, Han Derang received an invitation from King Zhao Xiyin, which he accepted.
At the banquet, Xiyin praised Han Derang's years of dedication to Liao and his contributions to its prosperity. He then subtly began to undermine Yelv Xian, claiming that despite appearing to be a "sickly person," the emperor had secretly taken a Bohai maiden as a concubine without Xiao Yanyan's knowledge, indulging in the harem and neglecting state affairs, thus proving himself unworthy to rule Liao.
Han Derang sternly rebuked Xiyin for slandering the Emperor, reminding him of the hard-won peace and stability of Liao. He urged Xiyin to be cautious with his words and understand the current situation, warning that continued reckless behavior would lead to his self-destruction. Xiyin, undeterred, reminded Han Derang that Yelv Xian had forcefully separated him from Xiao Yanyan years ago and offered to help them rekindle their old romance if Han Derang supported him.
Han Derang dismissed Xiyin's proposition, stating that he would pretend not to have heard any of his treasonous words and reiterated his warning. After leaving King Zhao's mansion, Han Derang decided to go straight to the palace to discuss matters with Yelv Xian. Xiao Yanyan and Yelv Xian strolled through the palace, enjoying a rare moment of peace.
Yelv Xian proposed to crown their eldest son, Wenshunu, as the King of Liang, explaining that this would allow him to establish his own ordos. He believed that an early enthronement would be beneficial for both Wenshunu and Liao. Although Xiao Yanyan initially wondered if it was too early for Wenshunu, who was still young, she ultimately agreed to Yelv Xian's decision. They then visited Wenshunu and Princess Guanyinnü. Wenshunu impressed them with his astute understanding of Taizong's governance.
However, Guanyinnü unexpectedly revealed that her wet nurse had instructed her to flatter Yelv Xian to ensure her place in the palace and, more importantly, to avoid speaking with Privy Senator Han. Both Xiao Yanyan and Yelv Xian were visibly taken aback by her words. Xiao Yanyan and Yelv Xian immediately summoned Guanyinnü's wet nurse.
Xiao Yanyan sternly questioned her audacity in discussing important court officials and demanded to know why she forbade the princess from speaking with Privy Senator Han. The wet nurse, trembling, explained that she had heard rumors outside the palace that the second prince, Hudujin, was conceived when Xiao Yanyan was on a relief mission in Youzhou, and that Princess Guanyinnü's preferences were not like Yelv Xian's.
Fearing further gossip that could harm the princess, she had instructed Guanyinnü to keep her distance from Han Derang. Yelv Xian, visibly angered by these "ridiculous" rumors, ordered Po'er to launch a thorough investigation. At that moment, Han Derang arrived, initially intending to inquire about the Bohai maiden Yuxiao, but he paused upon seeing Xiao Yanyan and quickly realized he had stumbled upon the rumors.
Before he could speak further, Wuguli also arrived to see Xiao Yanyan, prompting Han Derang to respectfully excuse himself. Wuguli then retired to Xiao Yanyan's chambers for a private conversation. In the privacy of Xiao Yanyan's chambers, Wuguli claimed that the palace rumors originated from Li Si. She asserted that Li Si, consumed by jealousy over Han Derang's frequent palace visits, had spread these rumors to sabotage his career and compel him to return with her to Youzhou.
Xiao Yanyan found this hard to believe, noting that Han Derang hadn't mentioned any such domestic issues earlier. Wuguli countered that men often remained oblivious to the subtle machinations of women in their households. Despite feeling a flicker of doubt, Xiao Yanyan cautioned Wuguli against baseless speculation, emphasizing the lack of concrete evidence. After Wuguli departed, Xiao Yanyan immediately sent for Han Derang.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yanyan's personal maid, Qingge, arrived at Han Derang's mansion bearing a gift of fine royal wine from the Empress. Since Han Derang was not home, Li Si stepped out to receive Qingge, who reiterated the Empress's wishes for Han Derang to savor the precious palace vintage as a reward for his hard work. Later, when Han Derang returned, Li Si showed him the wine.
As he prepared to taste it, a messenger from the palace arrived with an urgent summons from the Empress, instructing him to go to the Imperial Study. Li Si desperately tried to stop him, reminding him of his promise not to re-enter the palace. Han Derang, however, insisted this would be the last time, vowing to investigate the rumors and then remain at home, promising to explain everything upon his return.
Li Si watched him leave, heartbroken and weeping, consumed by fear for his safety in the palace, unable to sleep. Distraught and alone, Li Si, who normally abstained from alcohol due to her fragile health, began to drink the royal wine, cup after cup, her tears mingling with the vintage. In the palace, Xiao Yanyan informed Han Derang that the rumors might have been spread by Li Si.
Han Derang staunchly defended his wife, asserting that Li Si, who had been sick for years, was incapable of such an act and that there must be a misunderstanding. Even when Xiao Yanyan suggested Li Si might have fabricated the rumor to embarrass the Empress and force Han Derang to withdraw from court life in Shangjing, he maintained Li Si's innocence. Xiao Yanyan conceded that she wasn't certain but advised Han Derang to return home and speak with Li Si.
She added that if Li Si was indeed the culprit, she would drop the matter. At that very moment, a messenger from Han's mansion burst in with the shocking news: Li Si had drunk poisoned wine and was dying. Han Derang was horrified. Xiao Yanyan, equally stunned, immediately dispatched imperial physicians, including Shuanggu, to Han's mansion. Han Derang rushed home, but he was too late to see Li Si alive one last time.
Overcome with grief, tears welled in his eyes as he beheld her lifeless body. His maid, Yun, tearfully informed him that the poisoned wine had been delivered by Qingge from the palace, implying it was the Empress's doing and that Xiao Yanyan had intentionally harmed Li Si. Han Derang was consumed by guilt, lamenting his failure as a husband and believing Li Si's death was a direct consequence of his actions.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yanyan, having learned of Qingge's involvement in delivering the wine, immediately ordered a city-wide search for her, offering a substantial reward for her capture, dead or alive. A somber funeral was held at Han's mansion for Li Si. Han Derang was inconsolable in his grief. Xiao Yanyan arrived to offer her condolences, affirming that she had never harbored any ill will towards Li Si and had a clear conscience.
Amidst the white mourning decorations, Xiao Yanyan urged Han Derang to find strength in his sorrow and requested a private conversation about Li Si. She firmly reiterated that she had not sent the poisoned wine. Han Derang, however, cut her off, stating there was no need for further explanation. He declared that if she hadn't insisted on his return to Shangjing that day, Li Si would not have died. He simply asked her to let Li Si rest in peace.
