The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 45 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Xiao Yanyan ordered Ji Princess to be brought into the hall. Despite her impending doom, Ji Princess remained defiant, lamenting that her greatest regret was failing to kill Han Derang to avenge her husband and son. She vowed to haunt him even as a ghost. Finding her incorrigible, Xiao Yanyan instructed Liangge to offer Ji Princess a cup of poisoned wine. Ji Princess drank it, declaring she would await them in the afterlife.
With this, Xiao Yanyan considered the case involving Wuguli finally closed. Three years later, Xiao Yanyan continued to mourn Wuguli on her death anniversary. Han Derang visited her, still carrying the wind chime they once exchanged, a gesture mirrored by Xiao Yanyan, who also kept hers. Xiao Yanyan expressed her sorrow over Wuguli's death and her elder sister Hunian’s continued distance, noting that their correspondence consisted solely of state affairs, suggesting Hunian still harbored resentment.
Han Derang comforted her, assuring her that Hunian, despite her outward demeanor, understood Xiao Yanyan's pain and still cared for her. Xiao Yanyan acknowledged that Han Derang was the only one who truly understood her misery, having been by her side through the most difficult times since the late Emperor Yelv Xian's passing, making her feel less alone. Han Derang humbly replied that merely being by her side was enough for him.
Meanwhile, though Emperor Longxu had come of age, the imperial court remained fraught with lurking dangers. Following Xiao Yanyan's decree to consolidate military power from the various clans, the imperial clans were vocal in their discontent. Hugu and other powerful old ministers explicitly refused to surrender their forces. Han Derang, now Prime Minister and Longxu’s Prime Minister Father, continued to face their obstruction.
Recognizing this affront to Han Derang and a challenge to her authority, Xiao Yanyan planned a grand banquet in the palace to celebrate Han Derang's upcoming birthday. Han Derang protested, deeming such an elaborate celebration inappropriate given the current tensions over military power. However, Xiao Yanyan insisted, stating that as Prime Minister Father, he deserved the highest respect.
This banquet was not only to honor Han Derang but also to make clear to the defiant old ministers that the Liao Empire was hers and the Emperor's, not theirs, and they would learn the proper etiquette between ruler and subject. In the northern plains, Xiao Hunian, seeking respite, rode alone to a lake where she discovered a young man named Talan Abo brushing his horse in the water. Her horse was startled, causing her to fall.
Talan Abo quickly came to her aid. After learning her name, he affectionately called her "Little Hunian," a nickname that stirred a memory of Prince Yansage who once addressed her similarly. Initially unaware of her identity, Talan Abo, upon learning she was the Imperial Consort, simply invited her to his tribe across the lake the following day as his way of thanking her for saving her.
Though her maid questioned the suitability of visiting such a remote, poor tribe and suggested Talan Abo sought to gain favor, Hunian dismissed the notion, believing him to be sincere. Back in Shangjing, Hugu confronted Emperor Longxu, accusing Han Derang of arbitrarily seizing military power, causing unrest among the Clan Five, and populating the court with Southerners. He insinuated that Han Derang was an outsider trying to usurp power, and that the late Emperor intended them to assist, not govern.
Longxu, however, firmly defended Han Derang, reminding Hugu that the consolidation of power had his and the Empress Dowager's consent. He emphasized Han Derang's unwavering loyalty throughout three reigns and his own father's dying instruction to regard Han Derang as a father. Longxu warned Hugu that such remarks, if overheard, would constitute disrespect to the Empress Dowager and slander against a loyal minister.
Hugu then tried to pressure Longxu into choosing an empress from a list of royal women, but Longxu stated he would consult with the Empress Dowager and Prime Minister Han on such an important matter concerning the empire's foundation. Frustrated, Hugu resolved that Han Derang must be driven from Shangjing, believing that the Empress Dowager's affection for Han Derang went beyond a mere ruler-minister relationship, and that such closeness could breed conflict.
Upon returning to his mansion, Han Derang was confronted by his mother (Han's mother), who questioned his frequent visits to Xiao Yanyan and his intentions, especially as he had rejected numerous offers of marriage. Han Derang insisted his palace visits were purely for state affairs, citing his and Xiao Yanyan's differing statuses as ruler and subject.
His mother, however, saw through his prevarication, urging him to pursue Xiao Yanyan if he loved her, reminding him of their past engagement and stressing the importance of seizing happiness while they were still young. Just then, Pusage, the daughter of maternal uncle Xiao Weiyin, arrived, bringing cheer to Han's mother, who subtly used Pusage's directness as an example to critique her son's indecisiveness.
Xiao Yanyan personally oversaw the preparations for Han Derang's birthday banquet, ensuring that rare suslik meat, a favorite of his, was prepared. Liangge playfully remarked on Xiao Yanyan's deep care for Han Derang, noting that he deserved it, having lived a solitary life for years and consistently refused marriage proposals, with the reasons for his steadfastness evident to all. Xiao Yanyan, surprised by this revelation, dismissed Liangge and was left to ponder Han Derang's unspoken devotion.
This brought to mind her own memory of their youthful vow at Yanyun Terrace, a solemn pledge to share life and death and never be separated. The next day, Xiao Hunian arrived at Talan Abo's tribe. She observed him dancing with another woman, Aman. Upon seeing Hunian, Talan Abo immediately left the dance to greet her, emphasizing that since she arrived alone, she was simply "Little Hunian," his honored guest, not the Imperial Consort.
He led her to a horse-riding competition, explaining that the winner, the warrior who collected the most red ribbons, would claim the girl he desired. Talan Abo declared his participation was for the girl "he" liked. Displaying impressive horsemanship, Talan Abo emerged victorious, collecting a red ribbon.
He presented the ribbon to Aman, but then took a wreath Aman had made and placed it on Hunian's head, boldly declaring that she had captured his heart the moment she passed him by, and she was indeed the girl he desired. After the lively event, Talan Abo and Hunian rode together, galloping freely across the vast steppe. The birthday banquet for Han Derang proceeded in the palace. Hugu reluctantly offered a toast to the Prime Minister.
Xiao Yanyan then instructed Emperor Longxu, as a junior, to lead his younger siblings in personally wishing their Prime Minister Father a happy birthday. Hugu, visibly angered, dropped his chopsticks. Han Derang, uncomfortable with this break from protocol, attempted to decline the gesture, but Xiao Yanyan insisted, reiterating that it was a family feast and he was their elder. Longxu and his siblings approached Han Derang to offer their felicitations and gifts, with Longxu presenting a square-end inkstone.
Xiao Yanyan then presented her own gift: the commander's tally of the Ordos. Hugu vehemently objected, arguing that control of the Ordos' military power had always resided with the imperial clans and such a transfer to an "outsider" was against ancestral rules. Xiao Yanyan challenged him, asking whether the Ordos belonged to the imperial clans or the Emperor, pointing out Longxu's silence. Han Derang, attempting to de-escalate, tried to return the tally, claiming he was unskilled in commanding troops.
However, Xiao Yanyan reminded him that the late Emperor had once entrusted him with military authority, insisting he accept it. Han Derang relented, accepting the tally. During the banquet, Emperor Longxu's attention was visibly drawn to Pusage, the daughter of maternal uncle Xiao Weiyin, indicating a clear fondness for her. Later that night, Xiao Yanyan spoke with Emperor Longxu about the selection of an empress, urging him to choose someone he truly liked.
Longxu tentatively suggested Pusage, and Xiao Yanyan, recognizing his interest from the banquet, praised Pusage's gentle yet intelligent character, noting her demeanor. Longxu then offered her some unique pastries from the Bohai Department, which Xiao Yanyan found delightful and ordered to be sent to Prime Minister Han's mansion. Longxu then expressed his concern for Xiao Yanyan, acknowledging her immense sacrifices for the empire since his father's death.
He recalled Yelv Xian’s dying wish for Xiao Yanyan to "follow her heart," and, having recently found love himself, he finally understood his father’s profound good intentions. He wished for Xiao Yanyan to release her past burdens and live for herself. Longxu affirmed that he saw the deep affection between Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang and would have no objection if she chose to be with Han Derang.
He implored her not to miss this chance and live with regret, assuring her that as ordinary Khitan women could remarry, she, as Empress Dowager, had nothing to fear. He vowed to stand by her, no matter who opposed her, declaring he would always be her Wenshunu. Out on the steppe, Xiao Hunian and Talan Abo continued their conversation. Talan Abo gently encouraged Hunian to embrace her true self, noting her tendency to hide her emotions.
Hunian shared her life story: as the eldest of three sisters, she became the matriarch after her mother's death, perpetually living for her father and younger sisters, thus envying Talan Abo's carefree existence. She admitted she was exceptionally happy that day and yearned to live for herself, even just once. Talan Abo pressed her, asking when she would finally prioritize her own desires.
Hunian then made a bold proposal, asking him to return with her as her personal guard and general, so they could be together every day. Talan Abo, initially hesitant to give up his free life as a horse breeder for a general's title, ultimately agreed. He confessed that his willingness was not for the rank, but simply because he loved her. Xiao Hunian, in turn, promised he would remain unconstrained, forever her Talan Abo.
