The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 41 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Empress Xiao Yanyan stood by Emperor Yelü Xian's side, who thanked her for fourteen years of companionship. As the Autumn Outing approached, Yelü Xian, despite his poor health, insisted on participating, proclaiming it his duty as the Emperor of Liao and his wish to die on horseback in nature rather than confined to the palace. Though concerned for his well-being, Xiao Yanyan respected his determination and agreed to arrange the royal progress immediately.
Later, addressing his assembled ministers, Yelü Xian revealed that this might be his last outing. Han Derang discerned the Emperor's true intention: to draw out and eliminate potential rebels, preventing any attempts to emulate past uprisings like the Black Mountain Rebellion and Mount Xianggu. Yelü Xian affirmed this, stating that only he could eradicate the deep-rooted conventions and customs causing internal strife and sibling rivalry.
He entrusted the future of Liao to his loyal ministers, believing they would ensure its prosperity. He then turned to Xiezhen, instructing him to prepare for a "tough battle" in the capital. Xiezhen assured him that he would deploy hidden forces to "draw the snake out of its hole" and eliminate any rebels without hesitation. Yelü Xian expressed concern that despite Xiao Yanyan's compassionate nature, Xiyin's rebellious ambitions remained unchecked, and his death would undoubtedly plunge the court into chaos.
Xiao Yanyan confided in Hunian her plan to bring Wuguli along for the Autumn Outing. Her primary concern was not Wuguli herself, but Xiyin, fearing Wuguli might be manipulated in their absence and suffer grave consequences. Hunian acknowledged Wuguli's capricious nature and offered to persuade her, which Xiao Yanyan gratefully accepted, hoping for their sisterly bond to last forever. Hunian then met Wuguli, who was initially reluctant and suspicious of Xiao Yanyan's motives.
Hunian dispelled her doubts, suggesting that getting along with Xiao Yanyan might soften her heart and lead to Xiyin's release. Hunian highlighted the struggles in her own and Xiao Yanyan's marriages, contrasting them with Wuguli's seemingly "happy marriage" with Xiyin, despite his transgressions. She advised Wuguli to be patient, as the situation was under the watchful eyes of all royal members and ministers. With a newfound sense of hope, Wuguli agreed to accompany them.
Wuguli asked Liulishou to join her on the journey to Jiao Mountain, but he refused, declaring he was no longer a child and intended to make his parents proud in Shangjing. After Wuguli departed, Liulishou immediately gathered his house servants. He believed Xiezhen, who was guarding the capital, was careless and could be easily overcome. His plan was to swiftly seize Shangjing, then proceed to Zuzhou to bring his father, Xiyin, back to ascend the throne.
He rallied his loyal servants, reminding them of the mansion's generosity and demanding their unwavering loyalty. Meanwhile, in Jiao Mountain, Yelü Xian received word from Xiezhen that Liulishou was indeed preparing to act in Shangjing. Enraged, the Emperor declared that Xiyin and Liulishou's swift action after his departure confirmed their rebellious intent, and he would no longer tolerate Xiyin. Xiao Yanyan pleaded for Xiyin's life, reminding Yelü Xian of Wuguli's plight.
Yelü Xian, however, stated that he was acting for the sake of Xiao Yanyan and Longxu, granting Xiyin only one final chance. If Xiyin erred again, he would show no mercy. Deeply worried, Xiao Yanyan visited an altar, praying for Liulishou's safety. She then urgently sought out Hunian, informing her of Liulishou's rebellion and Xiyin's capture. She instructed Hunian to escort Wuguli back to Shangjing to persuade Liulishou to surrender, hoping to save his life.
Hunian reacted with shock at the news. Liulishou, full of confidence, led his forces towards the Imperial Palace, intending to secure it, compel the ministers to pledge allegiance, and then bring Xiyin to Shangjing to ascend the throne. However, Xiezhen's forces had already laid an ambush. Xiezhen confronted Liulishou, revealing that Xiyin had already been brought back from Zuzhou and offering them their lives if they surrendered. Xiyin, trying to shield his son, claimed sole responsibility for the rebellion.
Xiezhen warned that if Liulishou did not surrender immediately, the entire Lihu bloodline would be extinguished that day. Undeterred, Liulishou proudly ordered his men to fight. Xiezhen commanded his archers to fire, aiming to force Liulishou off his horse but specifically ordering them not to kill him, as per Xiao Yanyan's decree. Despite this, in the chaotic flurry of arrows, Liulishou was struck. Seeing his son wounded, Xiyin broke free and fought ferociously to protect him, sustaining multiple arrows himself.
Both father and son ultimately perished in the relentless barrage. As a torrential rain washed away the bloodstains, Wuguli and Hunian arrived on horseback, only to find Xiyin and Liulishou already dead, Xiyin having protected his son in their final moments. Wuguli collapsed beside them, overcome with grief. With his last breaths, Xiyin expressed profound remorse, admitting his ambition had ruined Wuguli's life and caused Liulishou's death, along with the destruction of their family.
He begged Wuguli to cherish herself, live a good life, forget him and Liulishou, remarry, have more children, and find happiness. He fondly recalled their first meeting, describing her beauty while dancing with earrings, before finally passing away. Wuguli's cries of anguish filled the somber air. Following these events, Yelü Xian issued an imperial decree, naming Longxu, the King of Liang, as his successor, with Xiao Yanyan appointed to assist him in governing the country.
Yelü Xian then privately summoned Xiao Yanyan, Longxu, and Han Derang. He instructed Longxu, who was only twelve years old, on the path to becoming a wise Emperor, emphasizing the principles of "The Great Learning": to carry forward moral integrity, learn and apply it to life, and achieve the perfection of man. He also stressed the importance of respecting Han Derang as he would Yelü Xian himself, and treating him with honesty, never betraying his trust.
After Longxu departed, Yelü Xian comforted a weeping Xiao Yanyan, remarking on her seldom-seen vulnerability. He then addressed both Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang, confessing his past selfishness in keeping Xiao Yanyan by his side and admitting he had failed them both, even though they had never let him down. He expressed his deep gratitude, crediting them for Liao's current stability.
Han Derang reassured him that past grievances were forgotten and pledged to diligently assist the young Emperor and Xiao Yanyan. Yelü Xian then entrusted his "newly widowed" Queen and the young Longxu to Han Derang's care, acknowledging the challenges that lay ahead for Liao. He expressed the immense debt he owed Xiao Yanyan and wished her to "follow your heart" after he was gone. With that, he placed Xiao Yanyan's hand into Han Derang's and passed away.
In the fourth year of Qianheng, Emperor Liaojing, Yelü Xian, died of illness at Jiao Mountain in Yun Prefecture, at the age of thirty-five. That same year, Longxu, the King of Liang, ascended the throne, changing the era name to Tonghe and receiving the posthumous title of Emperor Shengzong of Liao. In the King of Yan's Palace, Han Kuangsi, on his deathbed, received news of Yelü Xian's passing.
He instructed his wife to delay informing Han Derang until he returned home, knowing his son had many crucial tasks to attend to. Han Kuangsi reflected on his lifetime of loyal service to a wise sovereign, stating he had no regrets and wished to accompany Yelü Xian on his final journey. At the imperial court, Longxu, with Xiao Yanyan serving as regent, formally began his reign.
However, Yelü Daoyin, the King of Shu, challenged the succession, arguing that Liao had no precedent for a child Emperor and that the throne traditionally passed to elder Kings, asserting that the young Longxu was too inexperienced to rule. Xiao Yanyan rebuked Yelü Daoyin for disrespecting the late Emperor's will. Yelü Daoyin maintained he was upholding ancestral rules. Xiao Yanyan then looked at the other royal princes, asking if any of them also objected.
When met with silence, Han Derang arrived with his soldiers, and all the ministers, including those who had been defiant, knelt in unison to welcome the new Emperor. Later, while reviewing a map of Khitan with Han Derang, Xiao Yanyan voiced concerns about potential moves from the Southern Dynasties' Emperor, especially after their defeat at Gaoliang River.
Han Derang agreed but believed any such actions were at least a year away, emphasizing that Liao's immediate and most critical threat was "domestic strife," not "foreign aggression." During their discussion, a messenger arrived with the sudden and tragic news of Han Kuangsi's passing. Xiao Yanyan was shocked, remarking on Han Kuangsi's unparalleled loyalty, noting that he had "died at the same time" as his beloved Emperor.
