The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 4 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Han Derang and Xiao Yanyan sat together on the steppe. Xiao Yanyan spoke of the three branches of Emperor Taizu constantly vying for power, causing unrest among the people and officials. She emphasized the urgent need for reform in Liao. Han Derang, initially surprised by her insights, asked how she would reform the country.
Xiao Yanyan admitted she didn't have the answer yet but expressed her wish to be as bright as Empress Dowager Shulü, who, despite being resented by many, always made the right decisions at critical moments. Han Derang acknowledged Empress Dowager Shulü's crucial role, noting that she was the one who stopped Emperor Taizu from killing the Southern ministers and saved many of them.
He also noted that it was her push that gave Emperor Taizu the resolve to unify the seven tribes, and her recommendation allowed many Southern ministers to be given important roles. He thanked Xiao Yanyan for providing him with a new perspective on her. Meanwhile, Yelv Xian, holding the twin fish jade pendant Xiao Yanyan had left behind, expressed gratitude for her help, which allowed him to escape danger.
His subordinate reported that the jade pendant was originally a tribal tribute, later bestowed upon the First Princess of Yan by Emperor Shizong. This information led Yelv Xian to deduce that Xiao Yanyan was Xiao Siwen's daughter. He believed they would certainly meet again.
As the Nabo imperial hunt concluded and the entourage embarked on their return to the capital, Taiping King Yansage attempted to probe Yelv Xian in the carriage about his activities during the Nabo, even advising him to be careful with who he associated with. Yelv Xian deftly avoided his questions. Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside; assassins fiercely attacked. His Majesty, in a moment of desperation, used a maid as a human shield.
To gain His Majesty's trust, Yelv Xian bravely intercepted a blade aimed at him, sustaining an injury. Later, as Han Kuangsi treated Yelv Xian's wound, he questioned Yelv Xian's decision to risk his life, pointing out His Majesty's martial prowess. Yelv Xian explained his actions were a necessity, as the assassins sought to eliminate both him and His Majesty. He saw it as an opportunity to turn the situation to his advantage and alleviate any suspicion His Majesty might harbor.
Yelv Xian deduced that only Li Hu, from one of the three branches of Emperor Taizu, would aim to eliminate both of them simultaneously. Following the failed assassination, a furious Li Hu lashed out at his subordinates. Yelv Xiyin suggested focusing on damage control. Li Hu then instructed Yelv Xiyin to seek assistance from King Wuzhi at King Wuzhi's mansion, under the pretext of fearing a tyrant's indiscriminate killings.
Yelv Xiyin doubted King Wuzhi would intervene, but Li Hu reminded him that King Wuzhi had previously mediated a critical succession dispute, suggesting King Wuzhi owed their branch a throne. Li Hu then feigned illness, calling for a shaman to pray for him. Later, Xiao Puge and Xiao Chuoli, imperial concubine dowagers, visited Yelv Xian. After they departed, Yelv Xian summoned Po'er and inquired about his "twin fish jade pendant."
Po'er retrieved it, revealing that it had shattered into two halves, but had indeed blocked the blade, saving Yelv Xian from a more severe injury. Yelv Xian instructed Po'er to find a craftsman to repair it. Soon after, Han Derang arrived. He informed Yelv Xian of Li Hu's scheme to use Yelv Xiyin to entice Xiao Siwen's daughters, warning that if Xiao Siwen fell under His Majesty's suspicion, it would be detrimental to their cause.
Han Derang suggested that they needed someone to lobby the Taiping Palace, noting that only Lord Hugu's words held sway with Taiping King Yansage. Yelv Xian then dispatched Po'er to summon Lord Hugu. Yelv Xian, noting Han Derang's detailed knowledge of Xiao Siwen's daughters, inquired if Han Derang, at his age, harbored any romantic interests. Han Derang dismissed the idea, stating that with their great ambitions unfulfilled, he wouldn't want to bring misfortune upon a good girl.
He then, finding Yelv Xian's persistent questioning unusual, speculated if Yelv Xian himself had someone in his heart. Yelv Xian, however, denied any such feelings, echoing Han Derang's own words that with the world unsettled, one cannot establish a family. Han Derang then advised Yelv Xian to consider marriage to secure a bloodline for the late emperor, as he was the elder of the only two remaining imperial sons.
He suggested a match from the Empress' family, particularly one of Xiao Siwen's three daughters—Hunian, who was mature and steady; Wuguli, gentle and generous; or Yanyan, lively and clever. However, Han Derang cautioned against such entanglements at this time due to Yelv Xiyin's involvement and the turbulent court, as it would attract too much unwanted attention. Yelv Xiyin led Wuguli to King Wuzhi's mansion, hoping for assistance. A subordinate informed Yelv Xiyin that King Wuzhi would only see him alone.
Yelv Xiyin tried to explain Wuguli's status as Xiao Siwen's daughter, but was told King Wuzhi was indisposed and would not meet outsiders. Yelv Xiyin met with King Wuzhi, pleading for justice for his branch of the royal family, who had been suppressed while the other two branches took turns on the throne. King Wuzhi, however, stated he was old, uninformed about court matters, and wished to remain so.
He flatly refused to help, instructing Yelv Xiyin to convey to Li Hu that the Yelü clan could not endure further turmoil. Unable to secure King Wuzhi's help, Yelv Xiyin cunningly manipulated Wuguli, suggesting her father, Xiao Siwen, was their only hope. Naive and deeply in love, Wuguli promised to speak to her father.
Back at the Xiao residence, Wuguli's attempts to see her father were thwarted, as Xiao Siwen had instructed his household not to let anyone in or mention anything related to Yelv Xiyin's household. Meanwhile, Yelv Xiyin returned to his mansion to find his father, Li Hu, feigning illness to evade suspicion for the assassination.
However, Taiping King Yansage arrived directly, accusing Li Hu of involvement in the assassination and sealing his mansion, preventing anyone from entering or leaving without his permission. He then confronted Li Hu, exposing his ambition to usurp the throne, warning him that if he had actual proof, they would not merely be under house arrest but jailed. In the palace, His Majesty was found heavily intoxicated, with Taiping King Yansage by his side.
His Majesty confided in Yansage, expressing his weariness and constant fear, even hinting at abdicating the throne to him and suggesting Yansage should marry a princess from the Empress' family to live a normal life before becoming the ruler. Taiping King reaffirmed his loyalty, stating he would always be His Majesty's subject. Suddenly, an urgent report arrived: the South Army had launched a northern campaign, attacking Hedong, besieging Taiyuan, and were rapidly approaching Youzhou.
Both Prime Minister Siwen and Hugu were appalled by His Majesty's drunken state in such a critical moment. Taiping King Yansage, recognizing the gravity of the situation, swiftly ordered His Majesty to be escorted onto a carriage to personally lead the expedition to the border. Taiping King, however, declared he would remain in Shangjing to investigate the assassination plot, preventing Yelv Xiyin and his faction from exploiting the crisis.
Unaware of Yelv Xiyin's manipulative nature, Wuguli, driven by her love, secretly entered her father Xiao Siwen's study while he was away. Xiao Yanyan saw Wuguli leaving the house, and Wuguli confirmed she was going to see Xiyin because he was imprisoned, promising to return quickly. Xiao Yanyan warned her against associating with Xiyin, who was the primary suspect in His Majesty's assassination, but Wuguli insisted he was innocent.
At his mansion, Li Hu, foreseeing trouble, assured Yelv Xiyin he would bear all the blame if things went wrong, but demanded that Yelv Xiyin must reclaim his rightful position. He also pondered if Xiao Siwen's daughter still held any value for them. Wuguli then gave the stolen pass token to Yelv Xiyin, urging him to use it to flee to their city Touxiajun and escape Taiping King's reach.
This exchange was witnessed by Taiping King Yansage, who had arrived at Li Hu's mansion. Discovering the North Army's pass token in Yelv Xiyin's possession, Taiping King Yansage was visibly surprised. Wuguli, in her innocence, readily admitted she had brought the token.
Taiping King Yansage, with a sigh, explained the severe consequences of her actions: she had not only endangered herself but also implicated the entire Xiao family in a conspiracy with Li Hu to murder His Majesty—a crime punishable by the extermination of nine generations. News of Wuguli's actions reached Xiao Hunian through a letter from Taiping King's mansion. Xiao Hunian was shocked to learn of the immense trouble her sister had caused.
Xiao Yanyan, who had seen Wuguli leave but had not stopped her, was filled with self-reproach. Xiao Hunian, distraught, scolded Xiao Yanyan for her oversight, emphasizing the dire implications for their father and the entire family. She immediately sent for brother Dalin and Han Derang to discuss the crisis.
