The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 39 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Xiao Yanyan confronted Han Derang, telling him she did not send the poisoned wine. Han Derang, however, replied that she did not need to say much, stating that Li Si would not have died if he had not insisted on returning to Shangjing. He urged her to let Li Si rest in peace. Xiao Yanyan insisted that she sought peace for Li Si and came to him because Qingge's whereabouts and the truth were still unknown.
She knew Han Derang was upset but stressed that avoiding the issue would not help, asking who would uncover the truth if he remained disheartened. She questioned if he truly did not want to capture Li Si's real poisoner. Han Derang conceded that a real murderer was behind Li Si's poisoning. He then bitterly spoke of making many enemies since his return and how Li Si had been implicated.
He felt that if someone harbored deep hatred towards him, they should target him alone, not take Li Si's life. Xiao Yanyan blamed herself, confessing she should not have asked him to come back to Shangjing. Han Derang lamented that Li Si, who had suffered for years and frequently advised him to stay out of trouble, would not have died if it weren't for him.
Xiao Yanyan firmly stated that regardless of his feelings, the matter concerned her innocence and the stability of the country, and she would investigate it thoroughly. After their strained conversation, Xiao Yanyan confided to her maid, Liangge, that Han Derang did not believe her. Liangge tried to reassure her, saying Han Derang knew her best and was likely just grief-stricken. Xiao Yanyan expressed a wish that Qingge could still be found, as her testimony would prove her innocence.
To find the truth, she decided to seek His Majesty Yelv Xian's permission to search the mansions of royal members and courtiers in Shangjing for Qingge. Upon arriving at Yelv Xian's residence, she learned he had just taken medicine and was out for a walk in the imperial garden. Choosing to wait for him, Xiao Yanyan unexpectedly discovered a woman's handkerchief on his bed. Disturbed, she immediately left, claiming urgent state affairs.
Her maid later confirmed that Yelv Xian had brought back a palace maid from his hunting trip, and this maid was being treated with the same expenses as a concubine. The news infuriated Xiao Yanyan, causing her to feel faint. Just then, her elder sister, Hu Nian, arrived to visit. Noticing Xiao Yanyan's distress, Hu Nian quickly summoned Diligu.
Diligu diagnosed Xiao Yanyan, explaining that she had just finished her confinement period and should have been resting, but her dedication to court affairs and suppressed emotions had led to her current severe illness. He warned that without timely care, her health would be permanently damaged and prescribed medicine, urging her to rest. After Diligu left, Hu Nian dismissed the other servants and lovingly pressed Xiao Yanyan to open up, assuring her of unwavering support.
Xiao Yanyan, however, insisted she was fine and could handle her own affairs. Hu Nian, seeing her sister's stubbornness, did not push further but reiterated her availability if Xiao Yanyan ever needed to talk. Exhausted, Xiao Yanyan leaned into Liangge's arms, admitting how weary she felt. Later, Hu Nian reflected on Xiao Yanyan's illness. She observed that Liangge had come to her instead of Yelv Xian, suggesting a rift between the imperial couple.
Hu Nian believed Xiao Yanyan was overburdened, trying to manage both state and palace affairs alone, with her two most trusted men, Yelv Xian and Han Derang, now alienated from her. The rampant rumors spreading through Shangjing just days after Li Si's death, accusing Xiao Yanyan of poisoning her out of jealousy, were too suspicious.
Hu Nian dismissed these as absurd, pointing out that Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang had been married to others for years, and such jealousy would have surfaced much earlier. She concluded that someone was orchestrating these events: first the rumor about Hudujin, then the poisoned wine meant for Han Derang, and finally the accusations against Xiao Yanyan. These three incidents were designed to tarnish Xiao Yanyan's reputation, forcing Han Derang out of the capital and preventing him from assisting her.
With Yelv Xian seriously ill, and Xiao Yanyan losing her key allies and public support, she would be stripped of her regency, allowing the mastermind to reap the benefits. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian was informed that Xiao Yanyan had been working tirelessly since returning to the palace, having ordered an extensive search for Qingge. He found Li Si's death perplexing and the rumors outlandish, questioning how others couldn't see the underlying issues.
Yelv Xian instructed Xiuge and Xiezhen to fully cooperate with Xiao Yanyan’s investigation. He decided to wait for Xiao Yanyan to calm down before speaking with her. As Xiezhen was carrying out the search, he encountered Xiao Hailan on the street. Xiao Hailan initially smiled at the sight of him but then playfully ignored him when he tried to engage her in conversation, offering to buy her anything she desired.
Days later, Xiao Yanyan's search only yielded Qingge's body, discovered in a haystack outside the city. The coroner confirmed Qingge had died two days prior, the same day Li Si was murdered. Xiao Yanyan realized someone had exploited Li Si’s death to frame her, and vowed to personally investigate to avenge Qingge and clear her own name.
Han Derang also learned of Qingge's death, along with details that suggested it wasn't robbery or sexual assault, and that her jewelry was untouched. He deduced that Qingge, a loyal maid to the Queen, had no known enemies and must have been coerced into delivering the poisoned wine, only to be silenced afterwards.
Han Derang concluded the poison was intended for him, and Li Si's accidental death prompted the killer to spread the second rumor—that Xiao Yanyan poisoned Li Si—to drive a wedge between him and Xiao Yanyan and halt their investigation. He reflected that his display of anger at Li Si’s funeral was deliberate, knowing in his heart that Xiao Yanyan was innocent.
However, given the present circumstances, he decided against visiting Xiao Yanyan in the palace, as it would play into the culprit's hands. Instead, he instructed Xinning to keep a close watch on Xiyin, certain of his involvement. Xiao Yanyan, still waiting for Han Derang, felt a growing despair, believing he suspected her of Li Si's murder and Qingge's silencing, marking the definitive end of their bond.
Around the same time, Hugu met with Yelv Xian, criticizing Xiao Yanyan’s widespread searches and suggesting that since King Liang (Wenshunu) was now old enough, the regency should be transferred to him, with Xiao Yanyan merely offering guidance, as she was, after all, a woman. Yelv Xian was enraged, reminding Hugu that Empress Dowager Shulü was also a woman and that Xiao Yanyan had governed without error.
He declared that he and Xiao Yanyan were one, and he had granted her regency. He warned Hugu that any doubts should be directed at him, and strictly forbade further private discussions on the matter. Following this, Yelv Xian visited Xiao Yanyan at Chongde Palace. Xiao Yanyan greeted him with a profound bow, maintaining a respectful distance. Yelv Xian mentioned that the royal family had voiced concerns about the extensive searches and suggested she cease the investigation.
Xiao Yanyan refused, asserting that her innocence was at stake. While Yelv Xian believed her, she stressed that the public needed clear proof. She then asked him to return and rest, assuring him she would manage the investigation herself, a chilling display of their increasing estrangement. Later, Hu Nian’s servant reported that both rumors had originated from King Zhao's mansion.
The first was subtly spread, but the second involved Wuguli deliberately mentioning the conflict between Xiao Yanyan and Li Si at various gatherings, fueling speculation that Xiao Yanyan ordered Li Si's death. Enraged, Hu Nian rushed to King Zhao’s mansion to confront Wuguli. Wuguli, claiming ignorance of any rumors from her palace, retorted that Xiao Yanyan was indeed jealous of Han Derang having another woman in his life.
She argued that since Xiao Yanyan loved Han Derang, it was plausible she impulsively killed Li Si, and saw no reason for such a fuss. Wuguli’s irrational insistence that Xiao Yanyan would not tolerate any other woman in Han Derang’s heart and therefore had Li Si killed, deeply frustrated Hu Nian, who angrily left the mansion. After Hu Nian's departure, Wuguli instructed Salan to thoroughly search the palace to prove the rumors did not originate there.
That evening, Xiyin returned home and discussed the matter with Wuguli, who reiterated her innocence. However, their maid, Chongjiu, stumbled in their presence, betraying her nervousness. Xiyin, noticing Chongjiu's reaction, quickly covered up the situation, suggesting Wuguli was unaware of his actions. The next morning, Chongjiu attempted to flee the palace with a bundle but was intercepted by Salan, who claimed she was stealing valuables. Guiyin, Chongjiu's friend, rushed to Wuguli, desperately pleading for her to intervene.
They arrived too late; Chongjiu was already dead. Wuguli confronted Xiyin in the Royal Study, furious about Chongjiu's brutal death. Xiyin fabricated a story about Chongjiu colluding with outsiders to steal. Wuguli refused to believe him and pressed for the truth, eventually discovering that the rumors were indeed orchestrated by Xiyin, and Li Si's death was also linked to him. Wuguli was heartbroken, reminding Xiyin of his promise never to harm her family.
Xiyin explained that his target was always Han Derang, and Li Si's death was an unfortunate accident. He admitted killing Chongjiu because she knew too much and attempted to escape, fearing exposure to Xiao Yanyan and Hu Nian. He justified his ruthless actions by claiming everything he did was for Wuguli and their son, Liulishou. Wuguli, tearfully, eventually capitulated and sided with Xiyin, extracting a promise from him that he would never harm Xiao Yanyan or Hu Nian.
She then instructed Guiyin to arrange Chongjiu's funeral and offer compensation to her family. Later, Fuhui informed Hu Nian about Qingge having a twin sister named Lange, who worked as a farmhand. Fuhui noted their uncanny resemblance, adding that while Qingge was honest, Lange was cunning. Hu Nian immediately realized that it was likely Lange, not Qingge, who delivered the poisoned wine to Li Si. She swiftly ordered the capture of Lange.
Simultaneously, as King Zhao’s mansion was being searched, Wuguli inquired about Lange, insisting she could not be allowed to live. With Xiyin under scrutiny from Xiao Yanyan, Wuguli decided to take matters into her own hands to silence Lange before Xiao Yanyan could find her. Hu Nian and Fuhui arrived at Lange’s last known hiding place. Discovering a half-eaten cake, Hu Nian deduced Lange was nearby but hiding.
She called out to Lange, promising her protection and an opportunity to avenge Qingge, who was killed by the very person who had coerced Lange into delivering the poisoned wine. Just then, Wuguli arrived, attempting to force her way in. Hu Nian, deeply disappointed, confronted Wuguli, accusing her of aiding Xiyin in his schemes against their sister, Xiao Yanyan. Wuguli tearfully begged Hu Nian to spare Xiyin, promising it would not happen again.
Hu Nian retorted that Wuguli could not control Xiyin and reminded her of Xiyin's past plots against Xiao Yanyan and Wenshunu. She criticized Wuguli for cleaning up Xiyin’s messes, calling her "crazy." Wuguli, still clinging to her husband, insisted Lange must die to protect Xiyin. Hu Nian sternly told Wuguli that by protecting him blindly, she was endangering Xiyin further. She declared she had already let Lange go and invited Wuguli to check for herself.
Wuguli continued to plead for help, but Hu Nian stated she could only guarantee Xiyin's life, as he deserved a lesson. She then instructed Guiyin to escort Wuguli home. As Wuguli left, Hu Nian looked on, her heart heavy with fatigue. She recalled her mother’s dying wish for her to care for her two younger sisters, lamenting that she could no longer control either of them.
