Empress Dowager Xiaoxuan

Chapter 26

Silence reigned all around.

Everyone was looking at Xiao Xuan, whose face was as cold as ice. They had all heard clearly what she had just said.

"You...have a child?" Yelü Xian stared wide-eyed, frowned, and asked Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Xuan slightly raised her chin and said, "Just keep hitting me, I'll do it for you! Go ahead and do it!"

Seeing that Xiao Xuan and Yelü Xian were arguing, Han Zhifan gently comforted Xiao Xuan, saying, "Your Highness is already carrying the imperial child. Please take care of your health and do not get angry."

"Your Majesty, I think we should summon a physician to take a look," the woman said with a cold laugh. "This is too much of a coincidence. Why did she have to get pregnant at this time?"

"Shut up!" Yelü Xian roared out of nowhere.

Xiao Xuan stared coldly at Yelü Xian, who gritted his teeth and said, "Come back with me."

"What right do you have to take me away? What qualifications do you have to be my husband?" Xiaoxuan's voice was unusually cold.

"Because of the child in your belly."

“It can be removed.” Xiao Xuan looked at Yelü Xian and said casually, “If I remove the child, I will be clean. There will be nothing of yours on me anymore, so you don’t need to worry about it. I will live with your child.”

You dare!

"Why wouldn't I dare? Do you want this child? Fine, if you want this child, I'll give birth to it for you. After it's born, someone will send it to you. I don't care for your things."

"You dare!" Yelü Xian's eyes turned red, his hands trembled, and his lips turned purple.

Seeing that Yelü Xian was truly angry, Xiu Ge quickly spoke up and said, "Your Majesty, please stop acting like a child."

Unexpectedly, Xiao Xuan completely disregarded Xiu Ge's advice. She looked directly at Yelü Xian and said, "Why wouldn't I dare? I was kidnapped under your watch, and you, my husband, were completely unaware. I struggled to escape back, only to be greeted with a whip. You never treated me like your wife from beginning to end. Do you think I'm an animal? Constantly treating me with a whip? Yelü Xian, listen to me clearly, my innocence, Xiao Chuo's, cannot be ruined in your hands. The person who gave me that large pearl was the Emperor of the Song Dynasty. If I had anything to do with him, it would have happened long ago; there would be no need for you to marry me. If I hadn't known that Emperor Song, do you think a young Han general could have broken through a ten-thousand-strong encirclement and safely run to you to report the news? If I hadn't known that Emperor Song, do you think Lord Han and I could be standing safely before you right now? That Emperor Song and I are old acquaintances; he would naturally let me go. How could it be as dirty as you people say!"

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 48 Heartbreaking

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:05 Word Count: 3872

Hearing her angry shout and seeing the tears welling up in her eyes, Yelü Xian said with trembling lips, "Come back with me. We'll talk about it when we get back."

“I won’t go back with you,” Xiao Xuan replied. After saying that, she walked to Yan Yu’s side, snatched the riding whip from Yan Yu’s hand, and walked towards Gao Xun. When she reached Gao Xun’s horse, she smiled at him and said, “I have the Emperor’s flesh and blood on my body, so when I hit you, you’d better not dodge. If you dodge or fight back and hurt him, I’m afraid the Emperor will blame you.”

Gao Xun was shocked to hear this. He looked at Yelü Xian, thinking that Yelü Xian would stop Xiao Xuan after hearing this, but what he saw was Yelü Xian looking at Xiao Xuan with tears in his eyes.

With a cold smile, Xiao Xuan raised her whip and lashed at Gao Xun. "Today I'll show you how to get along with neighboring countries." She then lashed him again. "Do you remember the annual tribute the Han Dynasty sent to the Khitans? Do you know why they gave it to the Khitans and not others?" Another lash followed. "Do you know what it means to accept a reward without merit? Did you help them through their crisis? Without resolving the crisis in Jinyang, what right do you have to accept their tribute?" Another lash followed. Gao Xun, on horseback, was caught off guard by Xiao Xuan's whipping. The stinging lashes made it impossible for him to endure them. He wanted to dodge, but feared Yelü Xian's wrath. A thought struck him; he twisted his body and fell off his horse, hoping Yelü Xian would intervene. But even after he fell, Yelü Xian remained silent. A wave of panic washed over him; he thought he might die at this girl's hands. Then he saw Xiao Xuan turn and head towards Nuli.

"Crack!" With a sound, the whip struck the woman's body. Xiao Xuan said coldly, "When your woman was taken away, did you also hope that she would be defiled?" After saying that, she lashed the woman several more times.

Seeing Xiao Xuan lose her temper, none of the many generals around her were willing to step forward to stop her; in fact, many of them were secretly pleased.

Nuli was always greedy and insatiable. Because she and Gao Xun had known Yelü Xian since their early years and had wholeheartedly supported him when he ascended the throne, their relationship was different from that of others. Therefore, whenever people criticized Nuli and Gao Xun for their misbehavior, Yelü Xian always turned a blind eye. Now, seeing the two of them being whipped by the angry Consort, many people secretly cheered.

Xiao Xuan was still waving the whip, but this time the whip didn't fall. Her hand, raised in the air, was tightly grasped. Turning around, she saw that the person who had grabbed her hand was Yelü Xian.

"Stop hitting me. Come back with me. I know you're angry. Don't keep doing this; it will hurt your health," Yelü Xian gently advised. He admitted defeat. He finally understood that he was destined to lose to this woman.

Xiao Xuan forcefully broke free of his grasp, glanced around, and then walked towards Liu Yanyu.

Looking helplessly at Liu Yanyu, Xiao Xuan said, "Everyone here is a Khitan, except you. Can you see me off and let me leave this place?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Yu smiled slightly, mounted his horse, and said, "I'll take you away." Then, he reached out and pulled Xiao Xuan's wrist.

"If you dare touch her, I'll kill you!" A furious roar rang out from behind.

For several days in a row, Xiao Xuan and Han Zhifan stayed by Zhao Kuangyin's side, not daring to close their eyes. Their bodies were already exhausted, and the inexplicable accusations upon their first meeting only fueled their anger. Xiao Xuan, who was already forcing herself to stay awake, was completely drained after this outburst. At Yelü Xian's angry shouts, she felt dizzy and collapsed to the ground.

"Yan Yan!" Yelü Xian called out urgently, running towards Xiao Xuan as he called out.

"Xiao Chuo!" Liu Yanyu saw her fall and quickly dismounted to pick her up.

Looking at Liu Yanyu, Yelü Xian said fiercely, "Give her to me!"

Looking back at Yelü Xian, Liu Yanyu frowned and handed Xiao Xuan back into Yelü Xian's arms. "I'm sorry, Xiao Chuo, I... I can't. I came to ask for reinforcements. Countless people in Jinyang are waiting for me to save them. I'm sorry."

Looking at Xiao Xuan in his arms, Yelü Xian said coldly, "Gao Xun and Nü Li, I order you two to lead troops to Jinyang to relieve the siege. If you are defeated, you will be brought back to me with your heads."

"Yes!" Gao Xun and Nv Li answered loudly.

"Yelü Talie and Yelü Xiuge, you two will also lead troops there. Anyone who retreats in this battle to relieve the siege will be executed without mercy."

"yes!"

After giving a series of orders, Yelü Xian carried Xiao Xuan to the carriage, gently placed her inside, and then ordered some soldiers and troops to return to Xijing with him.

Inside the carriage, Xiao Xuan was drowsy, sometimes crying, sometimes talking in her sleep, which frightened Yelü Xian, whose health was already poor, causing him to break out in a cold sweat. He covered Xiao Xuan with a warm blanket, gently stroking her abdomen, his mind a jumble of thoughts. He vaguely remembered hearing the news of her abduction, which struck him like a thunderbolt, his only thought being to get her back. Just as he was losing his composure, Gao Xun and Nü Li whispered things in his ear that hurt him deeply. It wasn't that he wanted to believe them, but everyone knew what kind of treatment women would suffer in the battlefield, in the men-filled military camp. She was an exception; she was an old acquaintance of the King of Song. Recalling her words, Yelü Xian took out the pearl necklace that Liu Yanyu had given him when he came to seek help, gazing at it intently. Why did I believe the slander? Why did I raise my whip when I saw you? Did I really care so much about you being defiled? If you are truly defiled, can I truly remain indifferent to you? When we consummated our marriage, I didn't care about these things, so why am I so concerned now? What should I do?

All the way back to Xijing, his hand never left her body. Afraid she wouldn't sleep well in the carriage, he held her in his arms, gently caressing her. Even back at his residence in Xijing, he ordered no one to disturb the Imperial Concubine. He summoned a physician to take her pulse and, upon learning she was indeed pregnant, felt an indescribable joy. Yelü Xian was immersed in the happiness of fatherhood, while Xiao Siwen was consumed by the pain of missing her daughter, yet being unable to see her.

Xiao Siwen, who was left in Xijing City, and Yelü Xiezhen, the young general he recommended, both longed to see the Imperial Concubine who had returned to a deep sleep.

Because he was recommended by Xiao Siwen, the young general Yelü Xiezhen, despite his literary and military talents, was always ridiculed by some senior officials in the court, such as Gao Xun and Nüli, and was always depressed. When he heard the Imperial Concubine whipping Gao Xun and Nüli in front of all the officials, Xiezhen felt much better and his mood improved.

On this day, Xiao Siwen and Yelü Xiezhen waited outside the mansion again, and finally received Yelü Xian's summons.

The two entered the main hall of the mansion, knelt before Yelü Xian, and addressed him as "Your Majesty."

"Rise," Yelü Xian said softly.

Seeing the two stand up, Yelü Xian said to Xiao Siwen, "Xiao Siwen, I order you to return to the capital immediately to prepare for the coronation ceremony."

Xiao Siwen raised her head, looked at Yelü Xian, and asked in confusion, "I wonder which imperial concubine Your Majesty wishes to appoint as Empress?"

With a soft sigh, Yelü Xian said, "Tomorrow I will take Yan Yan back to the capital. You go ahead and choose an auspicious day for me to officially make Yan Yan my empress."

"Yes! Your subject will go immediately." Xiao Siwen's beard trembled slightly with excitement.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty and the Empress be forever united in heart and grow old together," Yelü Xiezhen said loudly upon hearing this, immediately kneeling down on the ground.

Yelü Xian smiled faintly and said, "Xiezhen, starting tomorrow, you will stay by the Empress's side. I entrust her safety to you. Do not disappoint me."

"Yes!" Xie Zhen replied.

After giving his instructions, Yelü Xian stood up and said, "I'm tired. You all go and make your preparations." With that, he left the hall and returned to Xiao Xuan's sleeping room.

He was very worried about her health; she would wake up one moment and fall asleep the next, completely ignoring him. Understanding her current mood, he knew she must be very resentful towards him, and Yelü Xian felt a pang of heartache. Pushing open the door, the first thing he saw was Xiao Xuan, who had woken up in bed and was struggling to sit up, supporting herself with her arms.

Yelü Xian quickly walked to the bedside, helped Xiao Xuan sit up, and said softly, "If you want to get up, just ask someone to help you. Don't exert yourself, or you'll hurt yourself."

She wanted to pry his hands off, but she was too weak. Before she could pry his arms off, he pulled her into a tight embrace.

"Yan Yan, don't hate me, I know I'm not good."

"Let me go," Xiaoxuan said weakly, feeling utterly exhausted. She didn't want to argue with him anymore.

Instead of letting go, those arms held her even tighter.

"I didn't want to do that, believe me. I was so angry that I lost my mind. When I heard that you had been kidnapped, I didn't know what to do. I was scared, I was terrified."

"So you prepared a whip for me? I trusted you so much!" Xiaoxuan suddenly burst into tears.

"I... Yan Yan, I will not do this again. Give me another chance, for the sake of our child."

"All you do is tell me to give you a chance. Do you even understand what you've left me with? No matter how good or considerate you are, you'll still raise the whip against me. Is this how you treat me? Tell me, how am I any different from those horses locked in the stable?"

"Yan Yan! I..." Holding Xiao Xuan tightly, Yelü Xian bit his lip hard, letting tears stream down his face. Tears fell drop by drop as he held her close, not letting her see his tears. No matter what she said, he wouldn't let go until the night was deep and quiet, until she fell into a deep sleep.

Gently laying her down on the bed, wiping away the remaining tears on her face, Yelü Xian kissed her softly. He didn't originally need to kiss her so secretly; she was his wife, and kissing her was his right. But ever since the whipping incident, whenever she woke up and saw him, it was as if she saw an enemy. She wouldn't allow him to get close to her, and the right to kiss her had quietly disappeared.

Empress of Khitan - Chapter 49: The Conferment of the Title of Empress

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:05 Word Count: 3872

"It hurts, it hurts so much, my head hurts so much!" Yelü Xian staggered to his feet and ran to the door. Enduring the excruciating pain in his head, he opened the door as gently as possible with trembling hands, ran out of the room, and whispered to the attendant outside the door, "Close the door quickly." Then he collapsed to the ground, clutching his head and rolling around.

The attendants closed the door and immediately helped Yelü Xian up, leading him to his bedroom.

Yelü Xian's old illness relapsed.

Those who had served Yelü Xian for a long time knew from his condition that he had fallen ill again. They helped him to bed; he was already convulsing and foaming at the mouth. The attendants held him down while immediately running out to fetch the imperial physician. Under the starlight, Xiao Xuan slept soundly inside, while Yelü Xian's room was bustling with activity. The physicians worked for over an hour before Yelü Xian gradually recovered and drifted off into a deep sleep. Everyone left the room except for the attendants. Under the moonlight, everything seemed to return to normal.

The next morning, Yelü Xian ignored the imperial physician's advice and boarded the carriage that had been prepared for him and Xiao Xuan, heading towards the capital.

Throughout the journey, Yelü Xian showed Xiao Xuan great care and concern, behaving more like a loving husband than an emperor. Even though Xiao Xuan remained silent, he continued to show her meticulous and considerate care.

Soon after, a scout from Jinyang arrived with news that the crisis in Jinyang had been resolved. The Song army had already retreated before the Liao reinforcements arrived, but they seemed to have left in a hurry, leaving many items scattered around the camp. Upon hearing that the crisis in Jinyang had been resolved, Xiaoxuan's expression improved somewhat. Han Zhifan, who was traveling with her, exclaimed, "It's fate! It's fate!"

Xiao Xuan didn't understand and asked Han Zhifan. Han Zhifan smiled and said, "If the Song army hadn't been in such a hurry to retreat, Jinyang City would probably already be in their hands. It seems that the Song emperor was destined not to get Jinyang. He flooded Jinyang City, and the city walls were already soaked and the soil was soft. As long as the water inside the city dried up, the soft soil at the base of the city walls, which had been soaked, would not be able to withstand the weight of the unsoaked walls and would collapse. At that time, there would be no need for any siege; the city walls would be collapsed, and the city would naturally be his. It's a pity that he withdrew his troops in such a hurry, which spared Jinyang City from disaster."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan felt a sense of relief and couldn't help but smile, "So that's how it is." Han Zhifan looked at Xiao Xuan's smiling face and smiled again, "Perhaps it's because of that bet. In any case, Her Majesty the Empress's friend will be safe and sound in a moment." Xiao Xuan nodded, feeling relieved, and her complexion improved considerably.

Yelü Xian, who hadn't seen her smile in a long time, caught a glimpse of her smile and was instantly captivated, his eyes filled with love.

Feeling a bit better, Xiao Xuan looked at the green grass lining both sides of the convoy and took a deep breath. She secretly touched her lower abdomen, a blush spreading across her face. Ever since she heard about the siege of Jinyang and escaped, she had frequently felt nauseous. After being captured by the Song army and then released into Jinyang by Zhao Kuangyin, the nausea lessened somewhat, but it still occurred from time to time. Seeing the starving babies in Jinyang filled her with sorrow, and she had a premonition that she might be pregnant with Yelü Xian's child. Secretly, she sought out a Han Dynasty imperial physician to take her pulse, and the news confirmed her suspicions.

In a daze, she found herself with a small thing inside her body, which made Xiaoxuan feel both unfamiliar and a little scared. She thought that being back in his arms and under his gentle care would lessen her worries, but she didn't expect his attitude towards her to remain the same as before. What she found even more unacceptable was that she hadn't done anything wrong this time.

Touching her lower abdomen and gazing at the vast green grassland, Xiao Xuan felt a pang of sadness. Little one, I never knew you and I were so lonely.

After a moment of reflection, Xiao Xuan turned around and saw a young soldier standing beside her. She frowned and asked, "Who are you? What do you want?"

"Your Majesty, this humble general, Yelü Xiezhen, is here on His Majesty's orders to ensure your safety."

Xiao Xuan remained silent upon hearing this, when then came the cry of a wild goose.