The Legend of Xiao Chuo Episode 6 Recap
> The Legend of Xiao Chuo Recap
Li Si’s mother told her that after the current siege on Youzhou is lifted, she intends to speak with Han Derang’s father about arranging their marriage. Li Si later approached Han Derang to discuss this. Han Derang was preparing to go to the temporary palace with his father and asked Li Si to look after Xiao Yanyan, especially to prevent her from wandering off, which Li Si readily agreed to do.
After Han Derang’s attendant left, Li Si shyly brought up her mother’s plans for their engagement and asked for his opinion. As Han Derang began to express his hesitation, “Miss Li, I’m afraid…”, Xiao Yanyan, who had been standing nearby, overheard their conversation. Mistakenly believing that Han Derang had already committed to Li Si, she turned and ran away. Han Derang immediately called out her name and gave chase.
Han Derang frantically searched for Xiao Yanyan, but she was nowhere to be found. Meanwhile, Xiao Yanyan had run into Madam Xiao Gu, a state physician infamous for her disregard for human life. Madam Xiao Gu, angered by the collision, ordered her attendants to seize Xiao Yanyan. Xiao Yanyan, recognizing Madam Xiao Gu as the quack responsible for many deaths, managed to evade capture. Pursuing Madam Xiao Gu to her residence, Xiao Yanyan tied her up.
Just then, Madam Xiao Gu’s attendant arrived, reminding her that she needed to be in the temporary palace before the Emperor awoke. This sparked a bold idea in Xiao Yanyan’s mind: she would impersonate Madam Xiao Gu. Disguised as Madam Xiao Gu, Xiao Yanyan proceeded with the palace visit and, once there, warned the palace guards not to disturb her, claiming the Emperor’s precious nostrum was in her room and threatening death to anyone who disobeyed.
On her way, she spotted Han Derang still searching for her in the streets. She discreetly instructed her subordinate to give her earrings to him, knowing he would understand her message. When the subordinate delivered the earrings, suggesting Madam Xiao Gu had taken a fancy to him and that her residence was nearby, Han Derang immediately recognized Xiao Yanyan’s earrings and realized she was impersonating Madam Xiao Gu and heading to the temporary palace.
He quickly dispatched Xining to inform Prime Minister Xiao Siwen. Disguised as Madam Xiao Gu, Xiao Yanyan successfully entered the Emperor's chambers and located the confidential letter. However, before she could secure it, the Emperor suddenly awoke, disoriented and demanding liquor. His volatile temper and threats forced Xiao Yanyan to flee the room hastily. She attempted to leave the temporary palace, but was intercepted and told that the Emperor had already woken up and urgently summoned Madam Xiao Gu.
Despite her protests about retrieving special medicine, she was compelled to return. Meanwhile, the real Madam Xiao Gu had awakened and, upon realizing Xiao Yanyan’s impersonation, rushed to the palace herself, vowing to expose and destroy her impostor. Simultaneously, Prime Minister Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi were discussing the implications of the South Army's retreat, emphasizing the urgent need to strengthen their nation.
When Xining informed Xiao Siwen of Xiao Yanyan's daring attempt to steal the confidential letter from the temporary palace, both men expressed dismay at her recklessness and immediately headed to the palace. Upon arriving, they found the Emperor about to open a secret letter from Taiping King. Suspecting its contents, Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi tried to persuade him to rest, assuring him that Shangjing City was secure under Taiping King's guard and there was no need for concern.
The Emperor, however, found their sudden solicitude unusual, noting they typically urged him to focus on national affairs. He proceeded to open the letter and, after reading it, ominously asked what punishment was due for plotting a coup. Both officials were terrified, unaware of the letter's specific accusations. The Emperor then commanded Han Kuangsi to read the letter aloud. To their immense relief, it detailed only Yelü Lihu's conspiracy to rebel, with no mention of the Xiao family.
The Emperor, enraged by Lihu's treachery, declared his intent to make Lihu pay. Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi exchanged glances, relieved that their family was not implicated. The Emperor, suffering from a severe headache, summoned Madam Xiao Gu. Xiao Yanyan, still in disguise, entered. Prime Minister Xiao Siwen, fearing her rashness, tried to dismiss her by claiming there were pressing matters concerning Youzhou.
However, the Emperor grew suspicious of "Madam Xiao Gu's" unusual demeanor, demanding to know if the lives of Youzhou’s citizens were more important than his own. The Emperor then confronted "Madam Xiao Gu" about the ineffectiveness of her nostrum. Although "Madam Xiao Gu" initially reassured him, her hesitation prompted Han Kuangsi to scold her for her deceptive practices, reminding her of the deaths caused by her herb-gathering and urging her to repent. "
Madam Xiao Gu" agreed to leave, but the Emperor, noting her odd behavior, stopped her and demanded she come closer. Thinking quickly, Xiao Yanyan decided to provoke him. She dramatically announced a new oracle from God Tengri, proclaiming that the Emperor’s excessive killings had caused the spirits of the innocent to cling to him, and divine retribution had arrived, rendering his illness incurable. The Emperor flew into a violent rage, screaming that he would kill her.
Xiao Siwen and Han Kuangsi desperately tried to calm him down, but the chaotic scene culminated in the Emperor fainting. Amidst the pandemonium, Han Derang burst in and quickly took Xiao Yanyan out of the main hall. The Emperor, still in his fit of rage, continued to demand "Madam Xiao Gu's" death. Seizing the opportunity, Han Kuangsi swiftly declared the Emperor's order for Madam Xiao Gu's execution.
As Han Derang rushed Xiao Yanyan away, she confessed her exhaustion and willingness to fight if caught, but Han Derang vowed never to leave her. Just then, the real Madam Xiao Gu, who had finally broken free and arrived at the palace, was heard vowing revenge on her impostor.
Han Derang quickly hid Xiao Yanyan in a side room and then apprehended the real Madam Xiao Gu, who was immediately subjected to Xiao Siwen's order of execution by being trampled by horses. Xiao Siwen then informed Han Derang that the confidential letter did not implicate the Xiao family, but urged him to take Xiao Yanyan and leave Youzhou without delay, assuring him that he would handle the aftermath of Madam Xiao Gu's death.
Han Derang found Xiao Yanyan in the side room. He expressed his immense relief and admitted how worried he had been, realizing how profoundly important she was to him. Xiao Yanyan, still feeling jealous, pressed him about Li Si. Han Derang clarified that he and Li Si were merely old family friends with no romantic involvement, and despite Li Si's potential feelings, he did not reciprocate them.
Xiao Yanyan then excitedly recounted her daring escape from the palace, to which Han Derang initially advised self-reflection over boastfulness. However, he quickly changed his tone, praising her actions, stating she had done a great job by removing Madam Xiao Gu, who had bewitched the Emperor and caused much suffering in Youzhou. He confessed his deep appreciation for her courageous act. Noticing the intensity of his gaze, Xiao Yanyan playfully asked if he had fallen in love with her.
Han Derang, captivated by her beauty, admitted she was indeed beautiful but also expressed a quiet concern about what deeper affection for her might entail, suggesting he would have "more to care for." To lighten the mood, he suggested they race to the top of Yanyun Terrace before sunset. As they ran, Xiao Yanyan called out, asking him not to leave her behind, and Han Derang promised, "I'll never leave you behind in my life!"
At Yanyun Terrace, they admired the inscription. Han Derang explained that the terrace was built after Shi Jingtang ceded the Sixteen Prefectures, possibly by Emperor Taizong for southern expeditions or by the local people in hope of a sagacious ruler to bring an end to their suffering. He shared his belief that instead of passively waiting, they should actively strive to change the current situation and bring peace.
He urged Xiao Yanyan not to risk her life alone again, reassuring her that he would always stand by her. Xiao Yanyan, now understanding his commitment, reiterated her desire to join him in his family's duty to guard the Sixteen Prefectures. Although Han Derang initially wished for her to live a carefree life, he recognized her unique spirit and agreed. They then pledged to always be together, sharing both joy and sorrow, for better or for worse.
Han Derang then returned her earrings, tenderly placing them on her, expressing his wish to do so for the rest of their lives. Han Kuangsi attended to the awakened Emperor, explaining that his rage had led to his collapse. He prescribed calming medicine and acupuncture. The Emperor, having experienced the incident with Madam Xiao Gu, recognized Han Kuangsi's true loyalty and regretted having previously distrusted him.
He apologized for his own bad temper and for the grievances he had caused Han Kuangsi, vowing to always remember his loyal service. As a mark of his renewed trust and appreciation, the Emperor immediately appointed Han Kuangsi as the King of Yan, declaring he would trust him alone from that day forward. Later, Han Derang inquired about the situation in the palace, and Han Kuangsi reassured him everything was under control.
Han Derang also mentioned that he had taken Xiao Yanyan for a walk in Youzhou City to help her recover from the traumatic events before escorting her back to her father's mansion. They then discussed the confidential letter, noting its peculiar omission of any mention of the Xiao family and the concealment of the matters involving Wuguli and Xiyin. Both Han Derang and Han Kuangsi suspected that Taiping King was harboring ulterior motives.
Han Derang then cautiously revealed his desire to marry Xiao Yanyan once their significant national undertaking was accomplished. Han Kuangsi reminded him of Xiao Yanyan's status as an offspring of the Empress' family, implying a mismatch in their social standing. However, Han Derang, undeterred, argued that if they succeeded in their grand endeavor, their statuses would no longer be considered mismatched, hinting at his ambition to elevate his family's position.
Han Derang went to Li Si's mansion to collect Xiao Yanyan. Li Si offered Han Derang homemade pastries and wished them a safe journey. Before Han Derang could properly respond, Xiao Yanyan interjected, telling Li Si to return inside as she and Han Derang were departing. She then confidently took Han Derang’s hand and walked away, a sight that visibly saddened Li Si.
As they rode away, Han Derang gently chided Xiao Yanyan for her behavior towards Li Si, suggesting she shouldn't be so willful. Xiao Yanyan, however, defiantly declared that she was indeed headstrong and if he disliked it, he could "go back to Miss Li right now." Annoyed, she sped up, prompting Han Derang to chase after her.
When she questioned why he was chasing her instead of Li Si, Han Derang affectionately told her to stop being silly, assuring her she already knew how he felt. Pretending not to hear him over the wind, she made him repeat his confession multiple times. Finally, he shouted, "Xiao Yanyan, I love you!" to which she, still playfully, claimed she couldn't hear him.
