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Kapitel 27

A flock of wild geese flew overhead.

"Yelü Xiezhen, I want the last one of those geese," Xiao Xuan suddenly said.

When Yelü Xian saw Xiao Xuan asking Yelü Xiezhen for wild geese, he was about to order someone to bring his own bow and arrows to shoot for Xiao Xuan when Yelü Xiezhen had already taken out his own bow and arrows and shot them into the sky.

A goose landed in response to the call; it was the last of the flock.

"Bring me the wild goose you picked up," Xiaoxuan said.

Yelü Xiezhen didn't know what Xiaoxuan was going to do, but His Majesty had ordered him to protect her, and he should obey her orders. So he ran to where the goose had fallen, picked it up, and ran to Xiaoxuan to show it to her. Xiaoxuan looked at the goose; Yelü Xiezhen's arrow was piercing through the goose's slender neck.

Staring at Yelü Xiezhen, Xiao Xuan said, "With such good martial arts skills, why aren't you serving in the army? What are you doing hanging around a woman like me? Isn't that a waste of your skills?"

Yelü Xiezhen never dreamed that Xiaoxuan would say such a thing, and Yelü Xian's face turned red and white in turns. The surrounding ministers looked at Xiaoxuan after hearing this, as if they had never seen her before.

Xiao Xuan glanced at Yelü Xian, then lowered her head and pondered for a moment before saying, "I don't need any guards." She then climbed into the carriage and lay down to rest. Yelü Xian, outside the carriage, chuckled self-deprecatingly and said to Xie Zhen, "Since the Empress has spoken, you can stay by my side for now. Let me at least see your abilities before making further arrangements."

"Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Consort Yang!" Yelü Xiezhen said, kneeling. Stealing a glance at the carriage where Xiaoxuan was resting, a smile appeared on Xiezhen's lips. This future Empress of Liao praised me just moments ago.

Upon hearing that she had been made Empress, Xiao Xuan felt a mix of emotions. She was both happy and sad. Happy that she could become Empress, but sad because even as Empress, what good would it do? She would still have to face him, still be subject to his constraints and control. Since returning to the capital, she felt more and more like a bird unable to fly, having lost her freedom.

The day of the coronation ceremony arrived. After a series of sacrifices to Heaven and Earth, Xiao Xuan received congratulations from the court officials.

Smile, Zhong Xuan. You've been an empress for a while now, haven't you? Wearing a empress's robe adorned with gold and jade, Xiao Xuan gave a warm smile to the Liao ministers who were kneeling at her feet.

Gently stroking her lower abdomen, Xiao Xuan thought to herself: Child, do you know, Mommy is now the Empress.

Consort Shu stepped forward, knelt at Xiao Xuan's feet, and performed a deep bow. Looking at the young girl sitting on the Empress's throne, Consort Shu felt a sharp pain in her heart. They were both his wives, both carrying his children, yet she was different. She, who married His Majesty later than herself, was now the Empress. "Xiao Chuo, what kind of magic have you used to make His Majesty so infatuated with you? His Majesty has changed. He, who never cared about women before, dares not hit or scold you, showering you with affection, yet you always give him a cold shoulder. Do you know that sometimes I even forget that I am also his woman..."

Among the officials, apart from Consort Shu who harbored resentment but was powerless to do anything about it, Gao Xun and Nüli, who had lost face in front of the officials because of Xiao Xuan, were even more indignant. This girl's luck is too good. She has only been in the palace for a little over three months and has already become the empress. It seems that His Majesty's favor towards her Xiao family is extraordinary.

On the throne, Xiao Xuan, who was receiving congratulations with her hand on her lower abdomen, was unusually happy. However, beneath the throne, a conspiracy surrounding the Xiao family was quietly brewing.

After the investiture ceremony, Yelü Xian arranged a more comfortable residence for Xiao Xuan, much closer to his own bedroom. He wanted to see her, to see her every day, every moment, to know that she was by his side.

That day, Yelü Xian, who had nothing to do, summoned Xiao Siwen, Yelü Xiezhen, Gao Xun, Nüli, and others, intending to go hunting at Lushan. He originally wanted to bring the Empress along, but remembering her pregnancy, he abandoned the idea of taking Xiao Xuan with him. He instructed someone to inform the Empress, and then led everyone towards Lushan.

Hearing that he had gone hunting, Xiao Xuan's brows finally relaxed. He had left the palace, and she could finally breathe a sigh of relief. She got up, straightened her clothes, and prepared to wander around the palace.

Outside the palace walls, Xiao Xuan, who was about to board the carriage, saw an elderly man, nearly fifty years old, standing outside the palace gate. A gentle breeze ruffled his long beard, giving him an air of solitude.

Xiaoxuan put down her foot as she got on the bus and walked towards the old man.

"Who are you? What brings you here?" Xiao Xuan asked from behind the old man. The old man seemed to be deep in thought, but was startled by Xiao Xuan's words. He looked at Xiao Xuan, quickly knelt down, and said, "Your humble servant Guo Xi greets Your Majesty the Empress. I await Your Majesty's summons here."

"No need for formalities, please rise. His Majesty has gone hunting," Xiao Xuan said.

As the old man stood up from the ground, Xiao Xuan clearly saw his slight sigh and the trace of worry on his face.

"Is there something wrong?" Xiaoxuan asked.

"It's nothing."

Hearing Guo Xi's words and seeing that he was still holding a memorial in his hand, Xiao Xuan couldn't help but smile and say, "I suppose you have something to report to His Majesty, but His Majesty has gone hunting and we don't know when he will return. You should wait a few days until he comes back before coming."

Looking at the young empress before him, the most beloved woman of Liao King Yelü Xian, Guo Xi hesitated for a moment. Since he had nothing else to do anyway, he decided to chat with this young empress.

"Your Majesty, I have come to see you not for any other reason than to inquire about Your Majesty's hunting trip."

"Hmm? What's wrong with His Majesty going hunting?" Xiao Xuan asked.

Guo Xi sighed and said, “In the past, Emperor Jing was obsessed with hunting, neglecting state affairs and only seeking his own pleasure. This led to repeated internal strife and invasions by foreign enemies. Now Your Majesty has only recently ascended the throne, and the people's hearts are with you, hoping that Your Majesty will have the ambition to revitalize our Great Liao. However, Your Majesty's hunting desire has not only not diminished, but has increased. If this continues, won't the affairs of state be neglected? This old minister had nothing to do, so I wrote a piece of advice, hoping that Your Majesty can heed my words, curb your hunting desire, concentrate on state affairs, and bring benefits to the people of our Great Liao.”

Khitan Empress - Khitan Dowager Chapter 50 Assassination

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:06 Word Count: 3912

After listening to Guo Xi's words, Xiao Xuan was deeply moved. This old man stood outside the palace gate, knowing that Yelü Xian had already gone out hunting, yet he still waited alone, all for the sake of offering this advice. His painstaking efforts were truly commendable.

"You must have been waiting here for a long time, sir?" Xiao Xuan exclaimed.

Guo Xi smiled slightly and said, "I am not afraid of how long I have to wait. As long as I can deliver this letter of advice to His Majesty, I will feel at ease."

Xiao Xuan said, "Then how about this? If Lord Guo trusts me, Xiao Chuo, then you can entrust the advice to me. When His Majesty returns, I will definitely help you pass on the advice to His Majesty. That way, you won't have to keep waiting here."

Guo Xi glanced at Xiao Xuan, hesitating. This Empress was too young; he only knew her but had never met her, and wondered if he could trust her. Then he thought, although she was young, she was deeply favored by the Emperor. If she could truly help him deliver his remonstrance to the Emperor, perhaps the Emperor would read it carefully, and he would have done his duty. So he handed the memorial to Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan took the memorial, but without opening it, she handed it directly to the attendant behind her and said, "Quickly take this memorial to His Majesty's study and place it on his desk. Instruct the attendants in the study to take good care of it. I will personally check the study when I return from my walk. If this memorial is soiled or lost, I will severely punish them."

"Yes!" The attendant took the letter and ran back to the palace.

Guo Xi was secretly delighted upon hearing Xiao Xuan's instructions. He had handed the memorial to the young empress, fearing she might open it, and chuckled to himself at his own meddling. He hadn't expected the young empress to value his advice so highly. Little did he know, Xiao Xuan couldn't recognize the crooked, twisted ancient characters; even if she were shown them, she wouldn't understand. Therefore, Xiao Xuan always had her attendants read any letters or similar documents.

Seeing that his memorial had been settled by the young empress, Guo Xi glanced behind Xiao Xuan, bowed his head and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Your Majesty. I have some other matters to attend to, so I will take my leave now."

"Take care, my lord." Xiao Xuan nodded slightly to Guo Xi, and only turned to leave after watching Guo Xi's figure walk further and further away.

Not far behind, a man was standing there; it was Han Derang.

Looking at Han Derang, Xiao Xuan felt a pang of emptiness. He was supposed to be the man Xiao Chuo was meant to marry, but Xiao Chuo, possessed by her own soul, had become the empress by a twist of fate. Deep down, Xiao Xuan felt she had let down her current body and Han Derang.

Looking at Han Derang, Xiao Xuan's eyes were filled with melancholy.

Han Derang slowly walked forward, stood in front of Xiao Xuan, and asked, "Yan Yan, are you alright?"

Hearing that he didn't call her by her title, but instead addressed her by her given name as before, Xiao Xuan felt a sense of relief. She smiled and nodded at Han Derang.

"The marriage was arranged by my father. Although I was husband and wife in name, we never consummated our marriage," Han Derang said softly.

Xiao Xuan couldn't believe Han Derang's words; she looked at him in surprise.

“I once wanted to come to the capital to take you away. Father stopped me.”

A wave of sadness washed over her, and she felt as if she owed Xiao Chuo and Han Derang something. Before her tears could fall, Xiao Xuan ran quickly toward the carriage, saying, "I'm already carrying his child."

Han Derang watched her suddenly depart, listening to her mournful voice, and felt a pang of heartache. He had heard everything: that she had always disobeyed the Emperor, secretly run away from the palace and incurred his wrath, and was later captured by the Song army, only to escape unharmed. Hearing this news, his heart was churning with unbearable sorrow. If it weren't for the Emperor, he and she would be living happily and harmoniously together now, and the child in her body would be his, not someone else's.

Yan Yan, what can I do to salvage this situation? Yan Yan, no matter whose woman you are, I just want you to know that you are the only one in my heart.

Watching the departing carriage, Han Derang stood alone outside the palace walls.

A real man should protect what belongs to him, but he failed to do so; he was constantly manipulated by others. I don't care who my woman is or what her status is; what I care about is that she is the one I want in my heart.

After leaving Han Derang, Xiao Xuan ordered the carriage to be driven out of the capital and headed towards the grasslands. After a bumpy ride, she got out of the carriage, breathing in the fresh air deeply, and forced back the tears that were already welling up in her eyes. "Han Derang, I'm sorry, I owe you and Xiao Chuo, but I had no choice. I didn't want it to be this way either. I also wanted Xiao Chuo to marry you and be your woman."

Fearing she would see him again in the capital, Xiao Xuan decided to stay in a herdsman's yurt on the grassland for a few days before returning to the capital. This short stay lasted three or four days. The herdsmen were happy; this little empress was kind and approachable, without many rules, and often played with the children, showing that she still had a childlike heart.

The pent-up frustration in her heart seemed to gradually fade away over the next three or four days before Xiao Xuan led everyone back to the capital.

As soon as she entered the palace, a servant ran up to her, knelt down and reported, "Your Majesty, Princess Qi and your second sister came to the palace to see you yesterday. Since you were out and had not returned, the two of them have been waiting here."

Xiao Xuan was taken aback upon hearing this: "Oh, do you know what they've got?" Xiao Xuan wondered if her eldest sister had come to invite her out again. She noticed the servant's expression was off, as if he was deliberately hiding something. Xiao Xuan hurried towards her palace. Passing through the spacious back courtyard, she spotted her eldest sister's figure in the distance.

Gone was her usual liveliness; the eldest sister, Xiao Hulian, stood alone and listless outside her palace. The second sister leaned lazily against a pillar at the door of her own palace; though they were some distance apart, her helplessness was palpable.

What happened?! A sense of foreboding flashed through Xiaoxuan's mind.

She lifted her robe and ran toward them.

"Big sister! Second sister!" Xiao Xuan ran towards them and called out.

Upon hearing the call, Xiao Hulian and Xiao Yangan both turned angrily toward Xiao Xuan.

"Where have you been gallivanting off to? Don't you have any time to spare? What time is it that you're only just getting back?" Before she could even steady herself on her feet, she was met with a barrage of angry shouts from Xiao Hu Nian.

Xiao Xuan stood blankly in front of them, not knowing what had happened. She felt that Xiao Hulian and Xiao Yangan's eyes were as cold as ice blades.

"How dare you, Princess Consort Qi, speak to Her Majesty the Empress like that!" A servant behind her shouted angrily.

Xiao Hulian seemed to remember something at this moment, and he and Xiao Yangan knelt down on the ground, shouting in unison, "Xiao Hulian and Xiao Yangan pay their respects to Her Majesty the Empress."

"No need for formalities. Get up!" Xiao Xuan said, then said to the servants behind her, "You may all leave now. Without my orders, do not disturb my sister's conversation."

"yes!"

Watching the servants walk away, Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Hu Nian and Xiao Yangan and asked, "Eldest sister, second sister, what's wrong? Did something happen?"

"Father was assassinated," Xiao Yangan said coldly to Xiao Xuan.

Like a thunderclap in a clear sky, Xiao Xuan stared at Xiao Yan and asked, "What did you say?"

"Your father has been assassinated, Your Majesty! Your own father was killed by an arrow shot from behind while hunting with your husband!"

The voice of Xiao Yangan that reached his ears, a truly certain answer, told him that his kind old man, Xiao Yangan, had been assassinated.

How could this be? Xiaoxuan stood there, stunned.

Seeing Xiao Xuan standing there blankly, Xiao Hulian grabbed her hand and said, "Xiao Chuo, you are where you are today because your father stands up for you and supports you. Do you understand? Do you realize that your father has been assassinated? You must stand up for your father, do you hear me?"

Xiao Yangan slapped away Xiao Hunian's hand that was holding Xiao Xuan and shouted sternly, "Yan Yan, you are now the Empress. Someone actually dares to make a move on the Emperor's father-in-law. They clearly don't respect the Xiao family. You should think about how to stand up for your father!" After saying that, he turned to Xiao Hunian and said, "We've said everything we needed to say to her. There's no use for us staying here. Let's go back and make arrangements for Father's funeral."

Xiao Hulian nodded, glanced at Xiao Xuan again, and then turned to leave. "Little sister, your father loves you the most. You must make sure His Majesty investigates this matter thoroughly and gives your father an explanation."

Watching Xiao Hu Nian and Xiao Yangan turn and leave, large tears welled up in Xiao Xuan's eyes.

This person was perfectly fine just a few days ago, how could they just die like that? What should she do? What can she do?

She sat on the bed all night until dawn without closing her eyes. At daybreak, the servants reported Xiao Xuan's condition in detail to Yelü Xian, who had quietly returned in the middle of the night.

He didn't know how to face her, and he dared not tell her the news of her father's murder. He sat in his study all night. There was a memorial on his desk. His servant told him that the Empress had ordered it to be placed there, specifically to be presented to him when he returned.

Yelü Xian opened the letter and saw it contained Guo Xi's memorial advising him to reduce his hunting. Cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and he didn't know how to face her. That night, Yelü Xian felt utterly empty.

Seeing that it was getting light outside the window, Xiaoxuan knew that sitting there like this wasn't a good idea; she should go out and find out the truth—that was the most important thing right now. She got out of bed, washed up, and stepped out of her room, only to find that several of the servants guarding the door were missing. She frowned and asked one of the servants at the door, "Where did everyone else go?"

The attendant replied in a panic, "Your Majesty, His Majesty returned last night, but he must have been exhausted. He suddenly fell ill a few moments ago, and they have all rushed to take care of him."

Xiao Xuan frowned. She had heard that Yelü Xian was in poor health, having survived a rebellion since childhood, which had caused him some health problems. She just didn't know what illness he had. Seeing the servants' unpleasant expressions, Xiao Xuan didn't say anything more and went straight to Yelü Xian's bedroom.