The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 42 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
In Changning Palace, Yuxiao longed to see Yaoshinu grow up, to ten or twenty years old. However, when Xiao Yanyan arrived, she found that Yuxiao had already passed away, leaving a letter behind. In the letter, Yuxiao expressed her weakness and inability to continue living after Yelv Xian's death. Unable to bear the thought of him walking alone, she chose to join him by taking poison.
Yuxiao confessed that she loved Yelv Xian more than Yaoshinu, entrusting her son to Xiao Yanyan, confident that Xiao Yanyan would raise and care for him better than she could. Yuxiao also hoped to repay Xiao Yanyan's kindness in her next life. Meanwhile, Wuguli was consumed by grief, spending her days by the coffins of Xiyin and Liulishou. Hunian visited, lighting incense for the deceased.
Wuguli lamented that in the entire Shangjing, busy with Yelv Xian's funeral, only Hunian remembered them. Hunian tried to comfort her, explaining that Xiao Yanyan was preoccupied with governing due to Longxu's young age and would visit once matters settled. Hunian also clarified that Xiao Yanyan had not anticipated the outcome with Liulishou. Wuguli, however, refused to believe this, arguing that as regent, Xiao Yanyan’s silent consent was necessary for anyone to harm Xiyin and Liulishou.
Hunian insisted that Xiao Yanyan had sent her to persuade Liulishou to surrender, explicitly instructing them to spare both father and son. Hunian appealed to Wuguli, emphasizing that Xiao Yanyan, as a mother herself, would never intentionally harm another's child. Wuguli remained unconvinced, bitter that Xiao Yanyan had many children, all safe and heirs to the throne, while she had lost her only son, Liulishou, and now had nothing.
Hunian embraced her, reminding her that they were the only three sisters left, but Wuguli inwardly vowed to sever her sisterly ties with Xiao Yanyan. Late at night, Yelü Xiezhen, while on patrol, noticed Wuguli departing in an inconspicuous carriage and suspected foul play. As he and Agu were about to follow, Xiao Hailan, Wuguli’s niece, intercepted him. After a brief conversation, during which Hailan accused Xiezhen of deliberately waiting for her, Wuguli's carriage disappeared.
Unable to explain the situation to Hailan, Xiezhen convinced her to accompany him in pursuit. Wuguli arrived at King Shu's residence and reminded him of his previous dissenting remarks on Jiao Mountain. She sought his support, offering the military forces of King Zhao’s Palace. King Shu, feeling isolated, was swayed by Wuguli's proposition to stage a military remonstrance to force Longxu to abdicate the throne.
He expressed concern over the Pishi Army's elite status, but Wuguli offered to hand over the Palace Guards of the Lihu lineage if he promised to back her. King Shu, recognizing the gravity of the matter, decided to consider it before giving his promise. Xiezhen and Hailan caught sight of Wuguli leaving King Shu's residence, escorted by the King himself.
Although they couldn't discern the conversation, Xiezhen was certain it was not benevolent and instructed Hailan to report the matter to Xiao Yanyan upon returning to the Palace. Hailan, surprised by Xiezhen’s seriousness, agreed. Later, after Wuguli returned home, Ji Princess visited. She spoke of Wuguli's military power and urged her to use it to "turn Shangjing City upside down."
Ji Princess, aware of Wuguli's unsuccessful meeting with King Shu, offered to help persuade the other princes, proposing an alliance to increase their chances of success. The next day, Xiao Yanyan summoned Han Derang, informing him of Wuguli's clandestine visit to King Shu. Han Derang acknowledged that while Wuguli alone posed little threat, her potential alliance with other princes to usurp the throne was a serious concern, risking a repeat of the Mount Xianggu Rebellion.
He suggested a strategy of gradual suppression, starting with a decree forbidding private gatherings and night travel in Shangjing to disrupt communication among the princes. He identified King Shu, King Wu, and King Ping as the main instigators. Despite their ambition, their long imprisonment had weakened their resolve. Han Derang advised Xiao Yanyan to personally visit each of them with Longxu, employing a "carrot-and-stick" approach to undermine their courage. Just then, Longxu entered the Royal Study.
Xiao Yanyan, recalling Yelv Xian's dying wish, instructed Longxu to honor Han Derang as his Prime Minister Father, respecting him as he would his own father. Xiao Yanyan and Longxu embarked on their visits, starting with King Shu's residence. Xiao Yanyan subtly warned King Shu against coveting the throne, reminding him that the late Emperor's benevolent reign had granted the princes their current prosperity.
She also invited his younger sons to the palace to study with Longxu, which pleased the children, who knelt in gratitude. After their departure, King Shu's wife advised him against the rebellion, agreeing with Xiao Yanyan's words. King Shu, also realizing it was not the right time, decided to reconsider his plans. Following this, Xiao Yanyan and Longxu visited King Ping's military drill ground, where King Ping's soldiers engaged in a demonstration with the Pishi Army.
The obvious superiority of the Pishi Army dissuaded King Ping, who abandoned his rebellious thoughts. With three princes successfully persuaded, only Wuguli remained. Xiao Yanyan expressed her apprehension about confronting Wuguli, knowing her stubborn nature, but resolved to carefully consider her approach. She contemplated offering Wuguli what the Lihu lineage had always desired, including the Palace Guards left by Xiyin. Meanwhile, Ji Princess learned of the three princes' retreat. She and Wuguli decided to approach Yelü Hugu for support.
At this juncture, Hunian arrived at King Zhao’s Palace. Ji Princess discreetly left. Hunian implored Wuguli to let go of her grievances, but Wuguli remained defiant. She told Hunian to return to Kedun City, stating that she and Xiao Yanyan were no longer children needing her protection. Wuguli then pointedly asked Hunian if she had truly moved past Yansage's death. Ji Princess visited Yelü Hugu, attempting to provoke him.
She highlighted Han Derang's rising influence—holding numerous high positions and being designated as Prime Minister Father to the Khitan Emperor, a move she emphasized was unprecedented for a Han official. Yelü Hugu, already incensed, was further inflamed by Ji Princess's insinuation that Han Derang and Xiao Yanyan had a long-standing affair, and that the Han family had orchestrated a years-long conspiracy to eliminate Yelü talents and pave the way for their own family's power.
Convinced by Ji Princess's accusations, Yelü Hugu resolved that Han Derang could not be allowed to live. Soon after, Molugu, Yelü Hugu's son, openly defied a decree issued by Xiao Yanyan that allowed Southerners to naturalize into state counties, freeing them from servitude. Molugu seized a group of these Southerners, forcing them back into servitude as tent slaves. Han Derang confronted Yelü Hugu, accusing him of flouting Liao law.
Yelü Hugu, however, remained unperturbed, dismissing Han Derang and claiming the Southerners had voluntarily returned to his service due to hardship. He further asserted that he was merely upholding ancient Khitan laws, rather than the new ones that allowed someone like Han Derang to hold such power. Xiao Yanyan eventually arrived at King Zhao’s Palace to speak with Wuguli. Wuguli received her with a superficial humility, but her words carried a veiled resentment.
Xiao Yanyan, in turn, apologized to Wuguli for not being able to save Xiyin. She also conveyed Xiyin's dying words, regretting that his ambition had brought ruin to Wuguli and Liulishou. Wuguli bitterly responded that such regrets were useless in death.
