The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 40 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Lan Ge, Qingge's twin sister, finally agreed to speak with Hunian. She confessed that a steward from King Zhao's manor offered her one hundred taels to deliver a batch of wine and food, promising a better life and money for her husband's treatment. Blinded by greed, Lan Ge took the job, tragically unaware that the wine was poisoned and that her actions would lead to Qingge's death. At the imperial court, Hugu, a royal member, confronted Xiao Yanyan.
He argued that Han Derang, as merely the Privy of South, was not important enough for his wife's murder to cause such a severe uproar. Hugu urged the Queen Regent to drop the investigation, even suggesting that the poison originated from the palace and the maid who served it was Yanyan's close associate. He warned that if Yanyan did not stop, the Clan Six, which he represented, would not stand idly by.
He clarified that Yanyan was merely the Queen Regent, and His Majesty was still the true emperor, requesting Yelv Xian's direct intervention. Just then, Yelv Xian arrived, affirming that a major officer's family being murdered was a serious case that must be investigated. He dismissed the rumors, stating he would not forgive those who fabricated them, and urged the royal family to cooperate to clear the Queen's name. Hugu, however, persisted, demanding a deadline for the investigation.
At this critical moment, Hunian entered the court with Lan Ge, announcing that the culprit had been found. She revealed that Lan Ge was Qingge's identical twin, and it was Lan Ge who had delivered the poisoned wine to Han Derang's mansion. Lan Ge reiterated her story, confirming she was a maid from King Zhao Xiyin's farm.
Hunian then publicly accused Xiyin of orchestrating the murder, spreading rumors to frame Yanyan, and killing Qingge to silence her, with intentions of killing Lan Ge as well. Xiyin vehemently denied the accusations, calling them baseless and questioning why he would harm Mrs. Han or frame the Queen based on a maid's testimony.
Han Derang, hearing Lan Ge's confession, suddenly understood Xiyin's motive: after failing to win Han Derang to his side, Xiyin had attempted murder, fearing Han Derang would expose his treachery. Despite Xiyin's protests of innocence, Yanyan, with a stern command, ordered his immediate arrest. Following Xiyin's arrest, Wuguli and her son, Liulishou, knelt outside Yanyan's palace, desperately pleading for Xiyin's life, reminding Yanyan of the time Wuguli had saved her.
Yanyan refused to see them, so Wuguli turned to Hunian for help, convinced that her elder sister would not stand by as she lost her husband and Liulishou lost his father. Liulishou, however, was defiant, pulling at his mother and arguing that Hunian would not help them and that as descendants of Emperor Abaoji, they should die with dignity rather than beg. Enraged, Wuguli slapped Liulishou and continued to implore Hunian.
Hunian, initially hesitant, confronted Wuguli, pointing out that Xiyin, not Yanyan, was the cause of all their troubles. Hunian made Wuguli promise that Xiyin would never commit such a heinous crime again. Wuguli, still deluded, readily agreed, clinging to the belief that if Xiyin was alive, there was still hope. Hunian then agreed to intercede for Xiyin.
Hunian went to Yanyan, stating that her reason for intervening was the same as her reason for finding Lan Ge and uncovering the truth: both Yanyan and Wuguli were her sisters. Yanyan, however, was bitter, recalling how Hunian sacrificed her marriage for Wuguli and how Yanyan herself had repeatedly spared Xiyin, only for him to continue plotting without scruple.
She expressed her frustration that Wuguli remained oblivious, living only for her love and trampling on the tolerance and sacrifices of her sisters. Despite her anger, Yanyan agreed to the "bargain" to spare Xiyin's life for Hunian's sake, but warned there would be no next time. She stated clearly that she no longer wished to see Xiyin.
An imperial edict was then issued, condemning King Zhao for attempting to murder a major court official and slandering the imperial household, declaring his crimes unforgivable, and sentencing him to permanent imprisonment in Zuzhou, never to be released. Wuguli was distraught, demanding clarification, but was dismissed by a maid, who reminded her that the Queen had spared Xiyin's life.
As Wuguli and Liulishou bid farewell to Xiyin, Xiyin advised Wuguli to frequently visit the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress, believing that once Yanyan's anger subsided, she would release him. Liulishou, however, was enraged, vowing to defeat Yanyan with his own strength and bring his father back, without ever begging. Wuguli was furious at his rebellious words, but Xiyin secretly pulled Liulishou closer.
He instructed his son to conceal his true ambitions, learn to forbear, and gain the trust of their enemies. Only then could he exploit their weaknesses and seize the opportunity, just as Yelv Xian had done during the Black Mountain Incident, to strike decisively and regain the throne. Xiyin also told Liulishou to protect his mother, as she was just a woman, and keep certain matters from her, emphasizing that only by reclaiming the throne could their family truly reunite.
Liulishou promised to fulfill his father's wishes. Meanwhile, Xiao Hailan visited a vendor, hoping to purchase an agate bracelet she had admired, only to find that Xiezhen had already bought it for her. He presented it, attempting to win her favor, but Hailan firmly refused, stating she was not easily swayed and did not accept gifts casually. In the palace, Yuxiao was discovered to be pregnant.
Yelv Xian was overjoyed, but a wave of sadness washed over him as he acknowledged his frail health, knowing he might not live to see their child grow. Yuxiao tried to reassure him that he would see their child born, grow up, marry, and have children of their own. Yelv Xian, sensing Yuxiao's apprehension, reassured her that Yanyan understood such matters and would not trouble her.
He decided to speak with Yanyan himself, admitting his mistake for having kept the pregnancy a secret for so long, recognizing Yanyan as his official queen. He suggested Yuxiao take a walk in the Imperial Garden for fresh air. While strolling, Yuxiao inquired about the former concubine Xige, who had been executed for disrespecting the Empress and participating in a rebellion. She then encountered Princess Guanyin, who had fallen.
Yuxiao gently helped the princess, conversing with her about Yelv Xian's illness and encouraging her to visit her father despite her mother's instructions. Just then, Yanyan appeared. Yanyan sent her daughter away with a maid and, after excusing Yuxiao from bowing due to her pregnancy, left with a subtle observation that Yuxiao indeed possessed a beauty that evoked pity. That night, Yelv Xian visited Yanyan. Yanyan proposed to officially enthrone Yuxiao as the Bohai Concubine, granting her Changning Palace.
However, for Yelv Xian's comfort and convenience, she suggested Yuxiao reside in a side chamber of Yelv Xian's own palace, ensuring they could see each other daily. Yelv Xian apologized for concealing the pregnancy, admitting his regret for burdening Yanyan with the vast responsibilities of Liao while he indulged in a simple life with Yuxiao, free from the burdens of an emperor.
Yanyan did not fault Yelv Xian for loving Yuxiao, but she was hurt by his lack of honesty after so many years of marriage, accusing him of treating human emotions as mere bargaining chips. Though tears streamed down her face, Yanyan insisted that she and their children were not fragile.
She calmly stated that if the presence of another concubine made him happy, she was willing to accept it, acknowledging Yuxiao as a good girl who could offer him the companionship Yanyan, preoccupied with state affairs, could not provide. Yelv Xian embraced Yanyan, thanking her for her immense tolerance and understanding. Unbeknownst to Wuguli, Liulishou continued to harbor grand ambitions.
With the help of Salan, he gathered information confirming Yelv Xian's deteriorating health, noting his reliance on analgesics and limited time remaining. Seizing the opportunity of the upcoming Autumn Outing, Liulishou decided to prepare a plan to simultaneously rescue his father, Xiyin, and seize military power, bringing their family's three-generation ambition to fruition. In due time, Yuxiao gave birth to a prince. Yanyan brought the newborn to Yelv Xian, whose health had significantly worsened.
Observing the baby's delicate frame compared to Wenshunu, Yelv Xian expressed concern that his own failing health might affect the child. Yanyan reassured him, promising to raise the child to be strong and healthy. Yelv Xian named his son Yaoshinu, wishing for him to be protected by Liuliguang Buddha, ensuring a life of health and peace. He then solemnly entrusted Yuxiao and the infant to Yanyan's care. Soon after, Xiuge arrived to see Yelv Xian.
Yelv Xian, acknowledging his inability to foresee the future of his newborn son or the vast empire, asked Xiuge what he saw for Liao's future. Xiuge painted a bright picture, praising Yelv Xian and Yanyan's fourteen years of diligent rule that had established a strong foundation, ensuring peace and prosperity. He extolled the virtues of Wenshunu, describing him as talented, generous, and destined to be an enlightened monarch.
Though Yelv Xian pondered the unprecedented scenario of a young monarch ascending the throne, Xiuge reassured him that with Yanyan as Wenshunu's mother, the entire Liao court would unite to support his reign. Recognizing Xiuge as the most esteemed patriarch of the Yelü clan, Yelv Xian designated him as the Grand Yuet, the highest official, entrusting the entire Yelü family to his care.
He expressed his hope that Xiuge would emulate King Wuzhi, becoming a steadfast pillar for Liao and a stabilizing force for the Yelü family, diligently assisting Yanyan and the First Prince. After Xiuge departed, Yelv Xian turned to Yanyan, urging her to take care of her own health, acknowledging her unwavering presence and hard work by his side for fourteen long years.
