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Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 53 Change

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:06 Word Count: 3908

Knowing there was no hope, standing in the corner of the palace that still belonged to her, Consort Shu's tears fell incessantly in the cold season. At that moment, she finally understood a truth: not only were all women's fates different, but even children from the same father could have vastly different destinies. Both were his flesh and blood, both were girls, yet one cried all day in her room, ignored by everyone, while the other was showered with love and affection.

When asked to name her child, he dismissively told her to decide for herself. Meanwhile, another child was born with a name personally chosen by him, and countless people surrounded her from birth; she cried.

That's fate.

On the land of the Khitans, it wasn't just Yelü Xian who changed; even the ministers were slowly changing their attitudes towards Xiao Xuan.

To their surprise, they discovered that the newborn girl was greatly loved by His Majesty. Furthermore, the child's mother was becoming increasingly important to His Majesty.

Those who were related to her, or those who were recommended by her, all received Yelü Xian's attention and were promoted to higher ranks.

First, there was Yelü Xiezhen, whom she praised for his exceptional skills. He gained Yelü Xian's favor and was entrusted with important responsibilities, becoming the Grand Prince of the Southern Court. Then there was Guo Xi, who advised the emperor to reduce hunting. Her advice, delivered to Yelü Xian through her, received high praise. The Khitans were a nomadic hunting people; hunting was a tradition passed down through generations. Although Yelü Xian had no intention of stopping or reducing hunting, he praised Guo Xi in front of his ministers and appointed him Grand Councilor of the Southern Court. Yelü Xian's actions made more and more Liao ministers realize the difference between him and Yelü Jing. More and more ministers became willing to offer advice and contribute their efforts to the court.

Looking in amazement at the little one in the swaddling clothes in front of her, Xiao Xuan felt an indescribable excitement.

"Hey, so you're the one doing Tai Chi in my belly? You little thing, do you know how strange your name is? Yelü Guanyin Nu! From now on, Mom—no, Mother—what should Mother call you? Guanyin? Guanyin Nu? Guan Guan, Yin Yin, Nu Nu... " Xiao Xuan was lost in thought when she felt someone gently hug her from behind. A slight smile appeared on her lips. She didn't turn around, but she could guess who was behind her. From the moment she became pregnant, he had been completely devoted to her, gentle and loving, practically flawless. Sometimes, he was so perfect that Xiao Xuan was completely captivated.

"Why did you make me empress?" Xiao Xuan asked softly, leaning against his chest.

"Do you remember when I gave you the betrothal gifts? You wanted to leave then, saying, 'I don't want to be a concubine.' Since you don't want to be a concubine, then you can be the Empress." Yelü Xian finished speaking, a faint smile appearing on his lips. Hearing him mention the past, Xiao Xuan felt a stirring in her heart.

"Could you please not hurt him?" Xiaoxuan asked softly.

"Hmm?" Yelü Xian turned Xiao Xuan around so she was facing him, and asked in surprise, "Him?"

“I don’t need to say his name, you can guess who he is.” Xiao Xuan stared into Yelü Xian’s eyes and said, “He is innocent. We are both bound by the rules of engagement, and he already has a family now. Whatever misunderstandings you have about us, I want you to forget them. I want you to be able to see him and treat him without holding a grudge.”

"You! What kind of person do you think I am?" Yelü Xian gently pinched Xiao Xuan's cheek and said, "Han Derang is both a scholar and a warrior, a rare talent indeed. Besides, you two were engaged beforehand, yet I fell in love with you and insisted on bringing you into the palace." Yelü Xian smiled and said to Xiao Xuan, "It's my fault, really. But who can blame me for liking you? Don't worry, I won't hold a grudge against someone with talent and no ulterior motives. You said I am the emperor, and I must think about the well-being of the people of Liao, reduce war, cultivate the land diligently, listen to loyal advice, and appoint virtuous ministers. I have heard every word you said, and I know what to do. Yan Yan, Guan Ge'er is our flesh and blood. I want you to consider the child's sake and not to be moody with me or ignore me again, and you must not mention such nonsense as leaving the palace or abandoning me."

Xiao Xuan didn't answer, but nodded slightly, then gently pressed her hand against Yelü Xian's chest and said, "As long as you are a good emperor, I will never abandon you."

After having a child, he didn't give her much free time. It seemed he felt she spent too much time with her daughter and too little with him, her husband. Even when attending court, he would order an extra phoenix throne to be placed beside his own so she could be by his side and he could see her more often. During court meetings, she always gave him insightful answers to his questions and opinions, from which he learned a great deal. He even became fascinated by watching her converse with the court officials, captivated by the way she frowned and questioned them.

He changed, and so did she. Ever since the child was born, she felt an added attachment to him.

Watching him sit beside his child, playing with him, and laughing so happily, I saw only the gentle tenderness of an ordinary father, without any haughty superiority. He was a responsible father; he cared even more about his child's clothes, food, and shelter than he cared about himself. Every day he would recite the Guanyin Bodhisattva's name, carrying her around the house, rambling on and on to the little one who didn't understand anything yet. With this man's love and care for the child, Xiaoxuan's mother's life was considerably easier.

He is a good man.

Inside the palace, the three were enjoying a loving and harmonious relationship, while on the other side, Consort Shu was holding her crying child and trying to soothe him.

My child, my child, since no one else loves you, then your mother will love you. Xiao Chuo, I only ask that you remember your words: let's keep to ourselves. Now that you have him, now that you have a complete man, then fulfill your promise and never cause trouble for us, mother and daughter, who live here. She was afraid, she was afraid that the increasingly favored Xiao Xuan would do something to her and her daughter.

The news of the Empress giving birth to a little princess spread like wildfire, with some people happy and others hating.

In the Han residence in Nanjing, Han Derang's wife, Li Ruoyun, was playing with a white jade carving in her hands.

Princess, she gave birth to a princess! She has her own child, while I am left here as a widow because of her. Xiao Chuo, I hate you.

No matter how deep Consort Shu's resentment or how intense Li Ruoyun's hatred were, they could not stop Xiao Chuo's name from spreading far and wide. All the people knew that she was not only the Empress, but also a woman who accompanied His Majesty, listened to the ministers report on state affairs, and helped Prince Yelü Xian of Liao make decisions.

In the third year of the Baoning era, Xiao Xuan, guided by Yelü Xian, once again stepped into the imperial court.

The officials kowtowed and shouted, "Greetings to Your Majesty, and greetings to the Empress!"

Yelü Xian glanced at the kneeling ministers, then turned to Xiao Xuan and said, "I am a little tired. You can handle today's affairs of state on my behalf."

"Your Majesty, how can this be!" Xiao Xuan whispered to Yelü Xian, but Yelü Xian closed his eyes and dozed off.

"Your Majesty!" Xiao Xuan cried out again, but Yelü Xian ignored her.

Seeing the ministers kneeling below the court with furrowed brows, Xiao Xuan had no choice but to bite the bullet and say, "Please rise, Your Excellencies."

This call to action astonished the court officials. Although it wasn't the first time they had seen His Majesty bring the young empress to court, nor had they never seen him discuss state affairs with her, this was the first time he had allowed her to rule on his behalf. Many looked on with suspicion, waiting to see how the young empress would handle state affairs today.

Standing among the assembled officials, happy Yin glanced sideways at them, a smug look on his face. This young empress was his wife's sister, and now the emperor doted on her so much, even entrusting her with the affairs of state—a testament to his trust in her. "Hmph," he thought, "I, Xi Yin, have always been unsuccessful. Now that my little sister has stepped up, let's see who among you dares to disregard me again!"

"Do any of you gentlemen have any matters to report?" Xiao Xuan forced herself to ask this question.

Yelü Xianshi, the commander of the Northwest Route Army, stepped forward and looked at Xiaoxuan, saying, "Your Majesty, the country is currently stable and the nation is gradually becoming stronger, but prisons are rampant."

"Impoverished?" Xiao Xuan frowned and asked carefully, "Please explain more clearly, Lord Xianshi."

Yelü Xianshi sighed and said, "The late emperor was obsessed with hunting and rarely dealt with state affairs. If anyone committed a crime, the officials would arrest them and, regardless of the severity of the crime, they would be imprisoned to await further action. This waiting has continued until now, and the prisons, which have been neglected and ignored by the authorities, are now overflowing with prisoners."

"Ha, you have to report such a trivial matter? The prison is full of people, so just kill them all. That's enough. First, it frees up space in the prisons of our Great Liao. Second, the death of these people saves our Great Liao food. It's a win-win situation. What's so difficult about it?" happy Yin laughed and replied.

Yelü Xianshi didn't reply to happy Yin's words, but then heard a loud slap on the table. Looking up, he saw it was the young empress who had slammed her hand on the table.

The sound startled all the officials, who all looked at the young empress. However, Emperor Yelü Xian, who was closest to her, kept his eyes closed, seemingly not having heard it.

"King Zhao, kneel down and listen to my report!" Xiao Xuan shouted.

Xi Yin's face showed anger. All the ministers were standing to listen to the report, but he alone was ordered to kneel down to listen to the report. Wasn't this an insult to the dignity of King Zhao? So he said, "What I have said is all true. I don't know what wrong I have done to deserve kneeling down to listen to the report."

"I told you to kneel down, didn't you hear me!" Xiaoxuan shouted again.

happy Yin glanced around, pondered for a moment, then knelt down, a surge of resentment rising in her heart.

"Who among us is without fault? Which of you standing in this court dares to say you've never made a mistake? You have made mistakes, yet you stand here. Why then are all those in prison, who have also made mistakes, killed? Just because they have no status, because they've committed wrongdoings, do they not even have a chance to correct their errors? Xi Yin, let me ask you, do you know how to farm or how to weave and trade? Do you know that you have food because poor people farm, and you have clothes because poor people weave? Why do they work so hard to farm and weave to support you? Isn't it because they hope you can give them a better life? You, as the King of Zhao, constantly talk about killing, your mind is devoid of any benevolence or righteousness. How can you achieve great things!"

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 54: Secret Thoughts

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:06 Word Count: 3774

Xiao Xuan glared at Xi Yin, then looked at the assembled officials and slowly said, "Since ancient times, wherever there are prisons, there are injustices. If prisons are rampant, who knows how many unjustly imprisoned people are inside? Those imprisoned, if they have parents, siblings, wives, and children, must be hoping for their early return home. You must not underestimate the power of the word 'prison.' When officials force the people to rebel, all they want is a way to survive. They are capable and have their own ideas. If ministers fulfill their duties, then the people will trust you. If you cannot stand up for them, then who will?" "We are willing to farm, weave, and raise children to supplement your army. A nation must first have its people, not the other way around. You must understand this order! A strong people makes a prosperous nation; a weak people makes a weak nation." Xiao Xuan paused to catch her breath and said to Yelü Xianshi, "Thanks to Lord Xianshi for your concern and for informing me about the prison situation. The fairness of the prison judgments directly affects the people's hearts. I dare not entrust this matter to anyone else, so I implore Lord Xianshi to handle all these long-standing cases. Those with minor offenses should be punished and released; those with serious offenses should be severely punished according to the law."

"Yes! Yelü Xianshi obeys the order."

Xiao Xuan glanced at everyone again and slowly said, "Yelü Talie, Yelü Xiuge, listen to my command."

When Ta Lie and Xiu Ge heard Xiao Xuan call their names, they were both taken aback, then stepped forward and knelt down.

Looking at the two kneeling before her, Xiao Xuan said, word by word, "As I just said, a strong people make a prosperous nation. The people's demands are low; they only need enough to eat and wear. Now that there is no war on the border, I will entrust you with the responsibility for civil affairs such as farming and taxes in the capital. You two will have full authority to handle them. If the people are strong, you will be rewarded for your contributions. If the people are weak, I will punish you."

“Yes!” Ta Lie and Hugh answered slowly.

"Is there anything else?" Xiao Xuan looked at the assembled officials. She saw Gao Xun and Nv Li, who were much more obedient than before, but Xiao Xuan always felt that they were hiding something from her. Whenever she looked at them, their eyes would dart away.

The court was quiet. Yelü Xian stretched.

He opened his eyes, looked down at the court, and said, "Since there is nothing more to say, the court is adjourned."

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

Amidst the shouts of the courtiers, Yelü Xian, holding Xiao Xuan's hand, left the main hall. A warm smile faintly appeared on his face.

Watching His Majesty and the Empress leave together, Ta Lie and Hugh exchanged glances.

Ta Lie was thinking about how he had driven her out of the camp, and he feared that the little empress was using this as an opportunity to punish him. Xiu Ge also remembered what Xiao Xuan had once told him: "I won't let you off the hook." It seemed that this girl really wasn't going to let him and Ta Lie go. Just then, he heard a low curse from behind: "A little brat trying to reason with me, hmph!"

Xiu Ge, Ta Lie, and the others turned around and saw King Zhao Xi Yin angrily leaving the main hall.

In a fit of anger, Xi Yin returned home, growing increasingly upset, and finally smashed everything in the house. Seeing the situation was turning sour, the servants hurriedly ran to report to Princess Zhao, Xiao Yangan.

Upon hearing this, Yan Gan calmly walked into happy Yin's house and looked at the mess on the floor, saying, "What happened? You came back and smashed everything in the house. Do you think these things don't cost money?"

"And you're blaming me?" happy Yin said indignantly, "Isn't it all because of your sister? She actually dared to make me look bad in front of all the civil and military officials. Does she even respect me as her brother-in-law?"

"What did Yan Yan do to you?" Xiao Yan asked unhappily.

"She made me kneel down and listen to her sermon in front of all the officials!"

Xiao Yan frowned and said, "What wrong have you done that Yan Yan would make you do this?"

“Ayan, what can I do? That old bastard Yelü Xianshi said the prisons are overflowing with prisoners and there's no way to manage them. I just chimed in, saying what's so difficult about managing them? Those lowly people, kill those who deserve it, and it'll even save some grain for our Great Liao. But your sister wasn't happy. She forced me to kneel before the court officials and berated me for a while. Does she even care about me, her brother-in-law? Now that she's in favor and has become Empress, she doesn't respect us anymore. Humph!”

Xiao Yangan stepped over the broken objects that happy Yin had smashed, walked to a chair, sat down, and sullenly pondered his thoughts.

Empress? Who wouldn't want to be Empress? What woman wouldn't want to be Empress? What's so special about being a mere Princess Consort? Just like this time, Yan Yan, you insulted Xi Yin in court. Didn't that make me lose face too? Everyone in the Liao Dynasty knows that Xi Yin is my husband, Xiao Yangan's husband. I am the dignified Princess Consort of Zhao. You, as Empress, are so arrogant, even mocking your own family members without considering the occasion. Hmph, if you can be Empress, so can I.

"Feeling uncomfortable?" Xiao Yangan said slowly, "If you're uncomfortable, then you need to find a way. To be a good person, you have to be superior to others."

Upon hearing his wife's words, Xi Yin hurriedly went to the door and closed it tightly. Then he returned to Xiao Yangan's side and said, "Yangan, do you think I don't want to be a person above others? It's just that the road is too difficult! Yelü Jing imprisoned me and stripped me of my title. Now, although Yelü Xian has restored my title, he hasn't given me the opportunity to wield real power. Without power, this... the matter of being a person above others becomes difficult!"

"What's the rush? We have plenty of time." Xiao Yangan said calmly, "Yelü Xian also seized the opportunity and took the lead before becoming emperor. Back then, if my father hadn't sent him the letter, who knows who would have been on the throne! Everyone in our Liao Dynasty knows that Yelü Xian is a sickly man. It's uncertain how long his body can last. This opportunity will come sooner or later. When it does, it will depend on whether you, my husband, can seize it."

Xi Yin understood Xiao Yangan's meaning. He thought for a moment and said, "Yan, I understand that principle, but we need to have some people under our control so that we can make arrangements no matter what happens. Right now, it's just the two of us all alone. Even if we have the opportunity, I'm afraid it won't be easy to seize it."

"Don't worry, I'll go to the palace to see Yan Yan in a couple of days. After all, I'm her second sister. I don't believe that she wouldn't give me that much face if I went to her in person to ask for a position for you!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yangan's words, Xi Yin smiled and said, "What you say is true, Madam! Yes, you must make that girl understand that she is the Empress, and you are her sister! Give her a lesson, teach her a lesson so she won't boss me around again."

Xiao Yangan remained silent, only nodding slightly.

A few days later, Xiao Yangan indeed went to the palace to visit his sister, Empress Xiao Chuo of the Liao Dynasty.

The maids followed the Queen's instructions, led her to the Queen's bedroom, and then stood respectfully outside the door.

Stepping into Xiao Xuan's room, Xiao Yangan did not see Yelü Xian; Xiao Xuan was the only one in the room.

After a moment's thought, Xiao Yangan bowed slightly and said, "Princess Zhao greets Your Majesty the Empress."

"Sister? Second Sister, please rise." Xiao Xuan walked up to Xiao Yangan and said, "Second Sister, you've come all this way, why are you being so polite with me?"

"That's only right. My sister is now the Empress, things are different now, so of course I should behave properly."

"Second sister, what are you saying? What rules do we have between us? Please sit down!" After saying that, Xiao Xuan pulled Xiao Yan to sit down to the side and ordered someone to serve tea.

Xiao Yan took a sip of tea and said, "Second sister knows that I'm very busy helping His Majesty with state affairs. I didn't want to bother you, but after thinking it over, how can our Xiao family entrust all the burdens to you alone? That would ruin your health over time. I can't rest easy, so I came to see you today hoping you could get your husband a real job so he can contribute to our Great Liao." Seeing him idle all day makes me angry.

Having understood Xiao Yangan's purpose, Xiao Xuan felt nervous. Her second sister had come to ask Xi Yin for an official position. Xi Yin was the Prince of Zhao, and if a position were to be given to him, it certainly couldn't be low. However, from what she knew, Xi Yin was incompetent and lacked ability. Recalling the unpleasant incident in the main hall a few days ago, Xiao Xuan felt annoyed. This wasn't the first or second time Xi Yin had argued with other ministers during court. He was arrogant because of his status as a member of the imperial family, and she didn't dare to delegate power to him casually.

"Sister, Yan Yan can't make the decision on this matter. We have to wait for His Majesty to come and ask him to find out if there are any vacancies."

"Oh, when did you start speaking so formally to me, little sister? Everyone in our Great Liao knows that these days, there are two people sitting in the main hall during court sessions, two people listening to the ministers' memorials, and two people making decisions together. Lately, it seems like you're the one making all the decisions, so why can't you make the decisions when I'm asking you for help?"