The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 46 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Empress Dowager Xiao Yanyan made the decision to betroth Pusage, a child she found pleasing and who hailed from the queen family, to Emperor Longxu. As Longxu was old enough to take a queen, Xiao Yanyan took it upon herself to arrange the marriage.
Reflecting on how quickly time had passed and seeing their younger generation in their prime, both Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang realized how many years they had wasted, and Xiao Yanyan declared there were some things she no longer wished to delay. Han Derang suggested that she should seek Longxu's opinion first, but Xiao Yanyan confidently asserted that she knew Longxu's heart better than anyone and that her decision would be without error.
Han Derang conceded, agreeing it was a blessed union. The imperial decree proclaimed "the daughter of Shaofu Family’s Weiyin from the queen family, Miss Xiao," as the new Empress. This news caused considerable discontent among the imperial clans. The elders were puzzled as to why Xiao Yanyan had chosen the daughter of Shaofu Family's Weiyin over Xiao Jixian's daughter, the true heir of Xiao Siwen.
Hugu, a respected elder from the imperial clan and holding the position of Hé Lǔ Dà Yú Yuè, revealed the reason: Shaofu Family’s Weiyin had married Han Derang’s sister, making the new Empress Han Derang's niece. Hugu was outraged, questioning if the Liao Dynasty still belonged to the Yelü imperial family, given that Han Kuangsi was a king and Han Derang was the Prime Minister.
Another official feared that with the Empress now having Han family blood, even Xiuge and Xiezhen would eventually have to yield. The imperial clans urged Hugu to find a solution, and he intimated that he had an idea. The next day in court, Hugu and his faction, instead of rising, knelt and presented a memorial demanding that Xiao Yanyan retire to the harem and return governing power to Emperor Longxu. Xiao Yanyan, infuriated, accused them of having ulterior motives.
She pointed out that Longxu had only just come of age, and their actions were merely an attempt to manipulate him after she relinquished power. She criticized their opposition to her new policies, including opening the imperial examinations, and their short-sighted focus on personal gain. She warned that if she yielded, the Liao Dynasty would regress to its state before Emperor Taizu.
Hugu countered that Xiao Yanyan regarded Khitan elders as obstacles, favored Southerners, and had even established an Ordo—a Royal military camp—for Han Derang, thereby breaking ancestral rules. He provocatively questioned if Han Derang's undue influence stemmed from having an Empress Dowager who disrespected her ancestors. Han Derang sternly reprimanded Hugu, but Hugu retorted that a Southerner had no business interfering in Khitan affairs. Xiuge then defended Han Derang, emphasizing his honorable status and the Emperor’s respect for him.
Molugu, however, brazenly accused Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang of having a scandalous affair and declared Xiao Yanyan unworthy, suggesting she be deposed if she refused to abdicate. In a fit of anger, Han Derang and Xiuge ordered Molugu’s arrest for slandering the Empress Dowager. As Molugu was dragged away, he continued to shout accusations of treachery and corruption. Xiao Yanyan asserted that both Khitans and Southerners were citizens of Liao, and she appointed individuals based on merit, not origin.
She condemned Hugu’s conspiracy with other ministers as a capital crime. She then turned to Longxu, asking him how to handle the situation. Longxu, considering Hugu's advanced age and long service to three emperors, suggested leniency. He affirmed that Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang were appointed by the late Emperor to assist him, and that he, and the Liao Dynasty, still required Xiao Yanyan’s protection. He instructed all ministers to cease discussing the matter of her abdication.
Xiao Yanyan then declared that while she would eventually return power, she would not step down until her mission was complete. She agreed to Longxu's suggestion of a lenient punishment for today's incident, but warned against any further dissent. Later, in Kedun City, Xiao Hunian introduced Talan Abo to her troops, announcing him as their new General and Head of the Kedun City Palace Guards.
Talan Abo then vowed to Hunian that as long as he lived, no one would ever harm her. The following morning, Hugu and his confederates arrived at court armed, proclaiming their intention to "clear the Emperor's side." Xiao Yanyan condemned Hugu, reminding him of his past failures as the prefectural governor of Zhuozhou and her past forbearance due to his long service.
She accused him of attempting to alienate the Emperor and his ministers and corrupt the court, ordering his arrest. Hugu, rallying other imperial clansmen, declared their rebellion, attempting to abolish the old system and change Liao’s laws. He then personally lunged at Xiao Yanyan with a knife. Han Derang bravely intercepted the attack, taking a sword blow to his back, and then swiftly killed Hugu. Han Derang assured a worried Xiao Yanyan that he was unharmed.
Xiao Yanyan then declared that the court needed to be "cleared." While the captured clansmen protested that Khitan law spared family members from a man's crime, Xiao Yanyan assured them she would not violate ancestral rules. She decreed that since Hugu was slain, the remaining rebellious elders, though deserving of death, would be spared due to their past loyalty. Each would be granted a fiefdom on the steppe, forbidden from returning to Shangjing without an imperial edict until their death.
Furthermore, their families would be separated from them, and their descendants for three generations would be barred from holding important government positions. As Xiao Yanyan bandaged Han Derang's wound, she reflected that he always protected her, always stepping in front of her during times of danger. Han Derang, in turn, confessed that he had dreamed countless times of being by her side, keeping her safe, and now, finally, he was content. Xiao Yanyan then admitted her fear of losing him.
Han Derang reassured her that though their relationship was severed at Yanyun Terrace many years ago, his feelings for her had never changed. He promised to never leave her again and to spend the rest of his life with her. Xiao Yanyan declared that she would not only refuse to lose him but would openly be with him.
She stated that her conscience was clear regarding the late Emperor and the people of Liao, and for once, she wanted to live for herself, no longer wanting to fail Han Derang. Han Derang expressed concern, reminding her that rumors were dreadful and that people would always find excuses to frame them, regardless of their integrity. Xiao Yanyan retorted that if they were to be judged anyway, it mattered little if they were together. "
You're a widower, and I'm a widow," she said, "why can't we be together?" She wished for them to stand openly before everyone. Years later, Xiao Yanyan, adorned in a red wedding dress, led her civil and military officials to the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Although some imperial clansmen whispered in disapproval, Xiuge and Dalin recognized the profound significance of this day and resolved to support the Empress Dowager. Han Derang, also in a red wedding outfit, emerged to greet her.
Xiao Yanyan humorously stated she had come with her officials, expecting a warm reception. When Han Derang asked why she hadn't consulted him, she reminded him that she had, but since he had passed the time limit for his decision, he now had to listen to her. Han Derang assented. At the grand banquet, an elder from the imperial clan questioned why Han Derang was seated beside Xiao Yanyan if it was merely a family dinner.
Xiao Yanyan confirmed her intentions, dismissing his objection by stating that Khitan women were historically autonomous in state affairs and remarriage. She then ordered Shuanggu to announce an imperial edict: The Yutian Han family, for their loyal service, was to be entirely disowned of their servitude status. South Prime Minister Han Derang, recognized for his martial and scholarly prowess, loyalty, and filial piety, was granted the imperial surname and ranked above all princes as a member of the Jifu Family.
He was also granted the extraordinary privilege of not needing to bow to the Emperor in court and being allowed to walk at ease to the court. As the officials murmured in surprise, Longxu arrived with his siblings. Longxu congratulated Han Derang, and Xiao Yanyan instructed him to henceforth address Han Derang as "Imperial Uncle," which Longxu and his siblings promptly did.
Longxu further proclaimed a nationwide amnesty, rewarded all attending ministers with a promotion and a thousand taels of silver, and granted the people a year of tax exemption. He then raised a toast to Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang. On their wedding night, Han Derang remarked that their betrothal in Youzhou felt like a lifetime ago, and now they were truly married. Xiao Yanyan, too, could hardly believe that this day had finally arrived.
Han Derang expressed shame that Xiao Yanyan had to take the first brave step, and he promised that no matter what difficulties lay ahead, they would face them together, always standing side by side. A few years later, in court, the ministers discussed the new king of the Southern Dynasty and the possibility of a Southern campaign. King Ping suggested seizing the opportunity to retake Ying and Mo prefectures. Longxu proposed deploying the Crown Princess's Ordo from the North.
Xiao Yanyan, however, insisted that the Ordo must remain in the North. Longxu argued that with the North now pacified by the Crown Princess's victories against Zubu and Nüzhen, and Gaoli's surrender, the Ordo should march south. A minister then brought up a rumor that the Crown Princess was favoring a horse slave, Talan Abo, whom she had appointed as general, causing discontent among her existing generals.
Xiao Yanyan dismissed the rumor and defended the Crown Princess’s right to appoint whomever she chose. After the session, Xiao Yanyan confronted Longxu, accusing him of spreading the rumor and spying on the North with the intent of seizing the Crown Princess’s military power during the Southern campaign.
Longxu admitted to his vigilance over the crucial northern gateway and his desire to bring the powerful Ordo under central control to secure victory in the South, noting the generals' existing resentment towards Talan Abo. Han Derang supported Longxu, suggesting that regardless of the Crown Princess’s personal affairs, consolidating military power was a sensible move for the court. He observed that despite being sisters, the Crown Princess had only sent official reports to Xiao Yanyan for years, never private letters.
The imperial clan had long used the Crown Princess's heavy military power as a pretext to refuse relinquishing their own, and many ministers also viewed this concentration of power as a significant threat to the court. For the long-term stability of the Liao Dynasty, centralizing military command was deemed essential.
Xiao Yanyan, torn between her duties as Empress Dowager to safeguard military power and her sisterly affection—and realizing that this difficult step, which she had always tried to avoid, had finally become unavoidable—decided to travel north with Han Derang to personally persuade the Crown Princess to relinquish her command. In the North, Xiao Yanyan finally met with Xiao Hunian.
Xiao Yanyan praised Hunian’s governance, noting the stability and prosperity of the region and thanking her on behalf of Longxu and Liao. Hunian deflected the praise, attributing it to Xiao Yanyan and Longxu's leadership. Xiao Yanyan then inquired about the accomplished young man Hunian had appointed as general. Hunian introduced him as Talan Abo, a former horse slave renowned for his horse training skills, admitting he was not necessarily "accomplished" in all aspects.
Just then, Talan Abo rode his horse into the courtyard, then entered the tent. He greeted Xiao Yanyan without proper court etiquette, referring to her casually as "Yanyan" and saying he'd heard much about her from "Little Hunian." A minister quickly admonished him, but Talan Abo defiantly retorted that if the Empress Dowager herself had no objection, then the minister had no place to speak. Xiao Yanyan acknowledged his unique character, admitting he was indeed "outstanding" as she had heard.
When Talan Abo offered her a drink, Hunian intervened, explaining that Xiao Yanyan was fatigued from her journey and offering to drink on her behalf. Talan Abo praised Hunian for this gesture. Hunian then explained to Xiao Yanyan that Talan Abo simply had a free-spirited nature and should not be blamed, highlighting his significant contributions in pacifying various tribes. Xiao Yanyan then asked Hunian if she would return to Shangjing with her.
