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Kapitel 32

After the head guard finished speaking, he sneered and approached Xiaoxuan again: "Your Majesty, why are you avoiding me? I am far better than your sickly husband. Before you pass away, I will make sure you enjoy endless pleasures."

As he approached her step by step, Xiao Xuan trembled all over. She turned around and tried to run away, but the head guard tackled her from behind. The head guard flipped Xiao Xuan over and, ignoring her cries, tried to tear her clothes. At the critical moment, a whistling arrow shot out, entering his temple from one side and exiting from the other.

His hand stopped, and Xiaoxuan stared blankly at the terrifying scene before her.

A fast horse carrying its rider charged swiftly into the guards surrounding the carriage and engaged them in battle.

"Mother, Mother..." came the childish cries of Guanyin from inside the carriage. Guanyin couldn't see her mother, and the occasional screams and terrifying laughter of Xiaoxuan filled her ears, frightening the little Guanyin into bursting into tears.

"Waaah... Waaah..." Longxu, still in his swaddling clothes, was awakened by the cries of Guanyin and began to cry as well.

The children's cries startled Xiao Xuan, who was stunned. She used all her strength to push away the dead guard captain who was pressing down on her and ran towards the carriage.

It's him!

The man who had already engaged in a fierce battle with the guards was Han Derang.

How could he be here? Xiao Xuan wondered, but she didn't have time to think about it. She climbed into the carriage, went to the two children, hugged the wailing Long Xu in her arms, and with her other hand, tightly hugged the tearful Guanyin Nu.

Outside the carriage, the sounds of clashing swords filled the air. Xiao Xuan listened to the noise, clutching her child tightly, silently praying that he would win. If he won, she and her children could survive. A moment later, the clanging sounds ceased. She looked towards the carriage curtain, waiting to see who would lift it.

The curtain wasn't lifted, but the carriage slowly began to move.

Xiao Xuan closed her eyes, filled with despair. Tears streamed down her face. Had he collapsed too? Where were those people taking her now? And who was that despicable master?

I don't know how far we drove, but the car finally stopped.

"Just stay in the car. It's cold outside at night. I'll make a fire next to the carriage. Come out if you want to warm yourself."

It's him! He's still alive!

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a package was placed inside. Before I could even see his face clearly, the curtain fell again.

"There's my coat in the bundle. It'll be cold at night, so wear it. There's also some food and drink, so you and the child can have something to eat first. Once the fire is lit, I'll go hunt some game, and then we'll have meat to eat."

A warm feeling filled her heart, and the weight that had been hanging over her finally lifted. Xiao Xuan glanced at Long Xu, then at Guanyin, wiped away her tears, and smiled gently.

He lit a fire outside the carriage.

Fortunately, he ran into Ji Xian on the road and learned that she had been in trouble. From the beginning until now, she had been the only one in his heart; he had never wanted to forget her. The more he couldn't have her, the more he missed her, tormenting him every moment. He didn't know when it started, but a huge hole had been dug in his heart, growing deeper and more painful each day. To heal this wound, he secretly went to the capital and hid outside the palace, just to see her one last time.

Hearing her say that she was pregnant with another man's child, the wound in his heart ached terribly, yet he didn't hate her at all; instead, he missed her even more. Watching her hurried departure and listening to her voice, as melodious as a nightingale's song, his heart ached, yet also felt a sweet warmth. It was her—the woman who had once refused His Majesty for his sake; it was her—the woman who had once trembled and clung to him in his arms—who was now pregnant with another man's child.

Upon hearing that the Prince of Liao had taken the Empress on an inspection tour to Xijing, he was once again tempted. He secretly slipped away from Nanjing and rushed to Xijing, just to catch a glimpse of her from afar. Seeing her warmed his heart; although she was now with another man, she had once nestled in his arms.

Having received the news, he rushed here, but before even entering Xijing City, he encountered Xiao Jixian outside the city. Jixian knew this was the man his third sister had once loved, so he briefly recounted the events to him. Hearing Jixian's words, his heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He turned his horse around and began searching for her and the child in the direction Jixian had indicated. He couldn't let anything happen to her; if she wasn't there, there would be nothing left in the world that he could worry about.

After making the fire in front of him burn brighter, Han Derang looked at the carriage and said, "The fire is burning. I'm going to hunt some game and I'll be back soon. Keep an eye on the fire. I've gathered some dry branches by the fire; remember to add them to the fire regularly so it doesn't go out. It's a big place outside, and it's dark. Without a fire, it will be hard for me to find my way back."

"Mmm!" came her soft reply from inside the carriage.

The voice was so gentle, it felt like the wounds in his heart were being reopened. Han Derang quickly mounted his horse and fled.

She had changed. She used to speak so harshly, but now she was so gentle. She had changed; she had finally grown up and become a woman. That gentle response broke his heart. She could have treated him this gently too, but now it was not him who enjoyed that gentleness.

After a gallop, he reined in his horse, trying to calm his turbulent thoughts. He couldn't act impulsively anymore; now was not the time for his wild thoughts. His mother and her two children were waiting for him to bring them food. Danger could strike at any moment, and this matter wasn't over yet; it wasn't the time for Han Derang to be sentimental.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 59 Tangut

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:07 Word Count: 3810

Remembering his instructions, Xiao Xuan would occasionally peek out of the carriage to look at the bonfire outside. She was afraid; she was afraid the fire would go out and he wouldn't be able to find them. After thinking for a moment, she finished feeding Longxu in her arms and gently coaxed the wrapped-up Longxu to sleep. Glancing at Guanyin Nu sleeping soundly in her small blanket beside her, Xiao Xuan took a coat from Han Derang's bundle, put it on, and climbed out of the carriage.

Walking to the campfire, she gently placed some dry branches on the blazing embers, repeatedly thinking to herself: "Come back soon, I'm scared to be alone."

Xian, where are you? Do you know that someone in Xijing City is plotting a rebellion? You've only been gone two or three days, how long will it take before you return? How long will it take you to find out that I and the children are no longer in the city? With Xiu-ge, Ta-lie, and the others by your side, you should be safer. I hope those rebels won't harm you. Xiao Xuan exhaled, looked at the starry night sky, closed her eyes, crossed her arms over her chest, and silently prayed: If there truly are gods, please tell my husband, Yelü Xian, to come quickly and save me and the children, so that my children won't never see their father's face again.

As she warmed herself by the campfire, the sound of horses' hooves finally reached her ears. Was it him returning? Xiaoxuan listened to the sound of hooves, looked in the direction from which it came, and slowly stood up. It was already night, and the distance was pitch black; she couldn't see anything clearly.

"Clatter-clatter," "clatter-clatter," the sound of horses' hooves was exceptionally clear in the quiet night.

Still shaken, Xiaoxuan picked up a burning twig from the campfire, her eyes gleaming with fear as she looked around into the pitch-black darkness. Who would come this time? Was it him?

The bright red bonfire illuminated the way for the arriving guests; it was Xiao Hu Nian.

"Big sister!" Xiao Xuan exclaimed excitedly. Dropping the branch in her hand, she ran towards Xiao Hu Nian.

Xiao Hunian jumped off his horse and hugged Xiao Xuan, who was rushing towards her, saying, "Yan Yan, are you alright? Tell your elder sister quickly, are you alright? Where are the children? Where are the kids?"

"I'm fine, the children are in the car."

Nestled in Xiao Hulian's arms, Xiao Xuan's tense emotions were completely relaxed.

"Yan Yan, have you met Han Derang? Ji Xian told me that he met Han Derang and told him everything, asking him to come find you. Have you met him?"

Looking at Xiao Hu Nian, Xiao Xuan smiled bitterly and said, "If I hadn't met him, I would be dead by now. He's off hunting wild game."

Holding Xiao Xuan's face in his hands, looking at the bitter smile on her face, Xiao Hulian gently comforted her, "Yan Yan, this will all pass sooner or later, it will be alright, everything will be alright."

Xiao Xuan nodded upon hearing this, and then she and Xiao Hu Nian sat down by the campfire to wait for Han De Rang to return from hunting.

"Big sister, what should we do next?" Xiaoxuan asked.

Xiao Hulian glanced at Xiao Xuan and slowly said, "We absolutely cannot return to the city. We don't know who that traitor is, so we can't act rashly. He wants hostages and the imperial seal. As long as we don't go back, he won't get those two things, so naturally he won't dare to act rashly. No matter how things develop, one thing is certain: His Majesty will not let him off when he returns. Even a rabbit will bite when cornered, let alone someone plotting to usurp the throne. I'm afraid that if we go back, he will risk his life to harm us before His Majesty returns. At that time, we will be in the open, and he will be in the dark. We don't know how many troops he has, so it will be dangerous." Sighing, Xiao Hulian said, "Yan Yan, just bear with it for a few more days. Everything will be fine after His Majesty returns. When it gets light, we'll go further and find a large yurt to rest. I know you're tired from taking care of two children, but this is a matter of life and death, and we absolutely cannot be careless."

Looking at the bright red campfire, Xiaoxuan nodded slightly. Suddenly, she asked, "Big sister, where's Jixian? I sent Jixian to rescue you, but where is he? Why didn't he come back with you?"

"After he returned to the city, he found the men who had come with me and rescued me. Then he rode your red horse to report the news to His Majesty and the others," Xiao Hulian said. "Sister originally planned to have my attendants deliver the message to His Majesty, but the little fellow resolutely refused. He said that he couldn't trust anyone else at this time, and he wanted to go himself. He knew everything best and wanted to tell His Majesty personally so that His Majesty could return quickly to deal with this rebellion."

Xiao Xuan was relieved after hearing Xiao Hu Nian's words. The two women waited for Han De Rang to return in the pitch-black night, reminiscing about the past. The campfire had never gone out, and when Han De Rang returned carrying a small deer, the fire was burning very brightly.

She forgot what she had done, only remembering sitting there dumbly, watching her older sister and Han Derang busy at work. When the fresh, tender roasted deer leg was handed to her, she quietly turned her back, eating the deer leg while tears streamed down her face.

Why did this happen? She used to not care about anything, but now she cares too much, she cares too much about this family. She has a husband and a child.

Every time Guanyin smiled at her and called her "Mother," she felt a strange excitement. Every time Guanyin and Longxu cried, her heart ached. Was this what it felt like to be a mother? But couldn't my children be a little happier? Why must they, so young, sleep in the desolate wilderness? Just because I am the Empress, just because they are my children, must they be treated this way? Longxu was not yet one year old, Guanyin not yet three. Who could be so cruel as to use their lives to secure the throne?

"Guan-ge, I'm sorry, Xu-ge, I'm sorry, it's all Mother's fault, Mother is bad, I've made you suffer." With tears in her eyes and meat in her mouth, Xiao Xuan ate and sobbed. In the dark night, her weak sobs were heartbreaking to hear.

She didn't remember when she fell asleep, but she remembered that she was sitting and dozing off by the campfire last night. When she opened her eyes again, she was already in the train carriage.

Xiao Xuan slowly sat up, glanced at Long Xu beside her, smiled gently, and then looked at the place where Guanyin was sleeping, only to find an empty leather rug left there.

"Guan-ge'er?" "Guan-ge'er!" Xiao-xuan exclaimed.

A deep male voice came from outside the carriage: "Guan-ge'er, your mother has woken up."

"Giggle, giggle." A burst of laughter rang out. Xiao Xuan's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settled down.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Xiao Hulian looked at Xiao Xuan and said, "Yan Yan, are you awake? If you're tired, sleep a little longer. There's a problem with the wheels; Lord Han is fixing them."

"Hmm." Xiaoxuan picked up Longxu, who had just opened his eyes, and climbed out of the carriage.

"Heh." Standing outside the carriage, taking a breath of fresh air, Xiao Xuan looked at the stopped carriage. She saw Han Derang, who was sitting on the ground repairing the wheels, stop what he was doing and look at her. Meeting his gaze, Xiao Xuan quickly looked away.

Her actions greatly disappointed Han Derang. He looked away from the wheel and said dejectedly, "There's a small problem. It makes a creaking noise when it moves. I was afraid it would disturb the child's sleep, so I stopped to fix it. It should be fixed soon."

"Um."

It was still a low, faint reply.

The three were busy outside the carriage. Xiao Hu Nian chased after Guanyin, teasing and playing with her, while Xiao Xuan held Long Xu and sat aside watching Hu Nian and Guanyin play. After a day and night of fright and exhaustion, the three were finally able to rest.

"Run! Run! The Tanguts are coming! Run!"

A shout came from not far away.

Xiao Xuan, Xiao Hulian, and Han Derang all stopped what they were doing and stared in the direction from which the shouts came. The shouts were still going on, and one by one, several staggering people appeared in their line of sight, running towards them.

Han Derang took his weapon from his horse and shouted to Xiao Xuan and Guanyin Nu, "Stand behind me!"

Seeing the situation, Xiao Hulian drew his sword and stared at the group of Khitans running towards them. Their hearts pounded as the group drew closer, but to their surprise, the group didn't stop when they reached them, continuing to run. Han Derang was alarmed and immediately grabbed one of the men who had run past him in a disheveled state, asking, "Why are you running?"

"If you don't run now, you'll be dead! A group of Tanguts are coming; they'll kill anyone they see and rob anything they see." After saying this, the man glanced at Xiao Xuan behind Han Derang and continued, "With such a beautiful wife, why aren't you running? Are you waiting to be taken away by the Tanguts?" With that, the man broke free from Han Derang's hand and ran forward.

"The Tanguts?" Xiao Xuan asked softly from behind Han Derang.

Han Derang frowned slightly and said, "This place is not far from the nearest Dangxiang tribe. It is very likely that those Dangxiang people came out in groups to rob us."

"Yan Yan, take the child and get in the car quickly!" Xiao Hulian said to Xiao Xuan.

“No, ride horses! I’ll unload the horses, one for each of us, and we’ll ride them with the children.” Han Derang said as he walked towards the front of the carriage.

"Stop unloading!" Xiao Xuan shouted, "Don't waste any more time." Seeing the questioning looks from Xiao Hulian and Han Derang, Xiao Xuan said, "You take the children and leave quickly! Eldest sister, you take Guan Ge'er and leave, Lord Han, you take Xu Ge away!"

"And what about you?" Han Derang asked, looking at Xiao Xuan.

"Yan Yan, what's wrong with you? What time is it? Have you fallen ill from being the Empress? Why do you insist on traveling by carriage? Those Tanguts all ride horses. How can our carriage be faster than their horses? Stop arguing with me and get on the horse right now!" After saying this, Xiao Hu Nian walked towards the horse pulling the carriage and raised the waist knife in his hand to chop at the rope.

"Big sister! I can't ride a horse!" Xiao Xuan called out to Xiao Hu Nian.

Holding their weapons, Xiao Hulian and Han Derang both looked at Xiao Xuan.

Empress of Khitan - Chapter Sixty: Lament

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:07 Word Count: 3796

"Are you feeling unwell? Hang in there, just keep running a little further ahead and these Tanguts won't dare to venture too deep into our Liao territory," Han Derang said.

Xiao Xuan remained silent, gently stroking Guanyin Nu's head, and softly said, "Guan Ge'er, you must listen to your father from now on!" Then she took out a small, square object from her bosom, placed it in Longxu's swaddling clothes, and said to Han Derang, "Please take good care of Longxu and help me deliver the child and the imperial seal to... my husband."