Empress Dowager Xiaoxuan

Chapter 35

He didn't know how long he had been running, but suddenly, a stream of light began to shimmer on the grassland before him. Puzzled, Hugh spurred his horse and galloped towards the source of the light. Closer and closer, he finally saw it clearly: standing where the light emanated was a person, the light shimmering on her chest—the light of a precious pearl! That figure was the one he had been searching for in his eyes and dreams.

He ran quickly to her, pulled on the reins, and jumped off his horse, looking at Xiao Xuan with a surprised expression.

"Brother Xiu!" Xiao Xuan ran up to him, calling his name, tears streaming down her face. Brother Xiu wanted to raise his hand to wipe away her tears, but he saw Xiao Hulian and Han Derang running towards them not far behind Xiao Xuan.

Han Derang, holding Guanyin's hand, and Xiao Hulian, carrying Longxu, were both overjoyed to see Xiuge arrive.

Gritting his teeth and suppressing the heavy concern in his heart, Xiu asked in a deep voice, "Are the Empress and the princes alright?"

Xiaoxuan just nodded frantically, not knowing what to say.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter Sixty-Four One Night

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:08 Word Count: 3247

"General Yelü, where is His Majesty?" Xiao Hulian, seeing Yelü Xiuge suddenly appear, couldn't wait to run to Xiuge with Longxu in his arms and ask.

"His Majesty should be in Xijing City right now," Hugh replied.

"Is he alright?" Xiaoxuan asked upon hearing this.

Just as Xiu was about to answer, he saw Han Derang walking over, holding Guanyin's hand. Upon hearing Xiao Xuan's words, he stopped in his tracks, his expression turning somber. He simply nodded as an answer.

Upon hearing Xiu Ge's words, Xiao Hulian exclaimed excitedly, "That's wonderful! His Majesty has returned to Xijing! Yan Yan, let's go back right away! Xiao Guan, you'll be able to see your father when we get back, okay?"

"good!"

The innocent voice of Guanyin could be heard by everyone. As they happily agreed, their feelings and reactions varied.

"I'm going back to the yurt to pack my things," Han Derang said, then gave everyone an awkward smile and walked away on his own.

Having just a chance to be with her, Han Derang thought of speaking to her every moment, but she always seemed to avoid him, intentionally or unintentionally. Even when they were alone together, she would always bring up Yelü Xian, intentionally or unintentionally. He wondered what she was thinking. Did she really no longer have feelings for him? He remembered that cave, her clinging tightly to him, her being forced to hunt alive by Yelü Jing, her helpless run, her constantly weeping eyes. Xiao Chuo, Yan Yan, have you really forgotten me? Is there nothing left between us? Perhaps Father was right. You are now the Empress, and what am I? What can I give you? What Yelü Xian could give you, I cannot give you. Besides my heart, I have nothing. Yan Yan, how I wish you knew that I have always kept a heart for you here.

Everyone returned with Xiu Ge to the yurt where Xiao Xuan was temporarily resting. Xiao Xuan seemed very happy to see Xiu Ge, glancing at him and grinning foolishly from time to time. No one understood her heart, not even Xiu Ge. In her eyes, Xiu Ge was a pillar of strength, and most importantly, he had been saving her ever since they first met. Whenever she was in danger, he would miraculously appear by her side, keeping her safe. In her heart, he was like the most reliable and dependable guardian angel.

Although Hugh didn't understand her thoughts, he was certain of one thing: she didn't dislike him. Her expression when she saw him clearly told him that she was delighted by his sudden appearance. But he also understood that the way she looked at him was not the same as the way she looked at Yelü Xian—tender and affectionate.

Han Derang had no idea what Yelü Xiuge was thinking. Seeing Xiaoxuan's joy at seeing Xiuge, he naturally guessed that she was happy because Xiuge had come to find her with the Emperor's orders to take her back. He also knew that her heart now belonged only to that person, but why couldn't he let go? Watching her busily preparing Longxu's swaddling clothes, watching her beaming as she played with Guanyin, he couldn't help but be captivated by her tenderness. His eyes wouldn't leave her, and his heart was always drawn to her, especially tonight. Seeing Xiuge and the many soldiers following behind him, he knew that this brief and close meeting with her was coming to an end.

He wanted to say something to her, but remained silent, realizing he was falling deeper and deeper into her love. He had thought that seeing her with her child, now a mother, would make him weary of her and allow him to slowly forget her. But this thought, this plan, was thwarted. He longed for another chance to return to the past, to that cave, to the moment he held her tightly in his arms. If given that chance again, he would never let go, and he would never allow her to be hunted alive, to be herded into the hunting grounds. Even in death, he would choose to stay close to her, never giving anyone the chance to humiliate or possess her again.

At night, Xiao Xuan coaxed the two children to sleep, then called for someone to put several more layers of thick animal hides on the tent and summoned Xiu Ge into the tent.

"What are your orders, Your Majesty?" Xiu asked Xiaoxuan.

Xiao Xuan looked at Xiu Ge and said, "Don't rest outside, just sleep on the leather rug in this yurt."

Upon hearing this, Hugh was taken aback at first, then lowered his head, blushing, and said, "This, Hugh is..."

Looking at Brother Xiu, Xiao Xuan smiled awkwardly and said softly, "I only trust you. As long as you are by my side, I will not be afraid and I don't have to worry about anything terrible happening. I haven't had a good night's sleep in a long time. I'm very tired and I want to get a good night's sleep."

Looking at her tired face, Xiu Ge gave her a hearty smile and nodded, saying, "I understand Your Majesty's meaning. Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will protect Your Majesty and the princes. Please rest assured and sleep peacefully."

Xiao Xuan nodded gratefully to Brother Xiu, then went to the children's side and lay down to sleep with them. She had been living in constant fear for days, and she longed for a peaceful night's sleep.

Seeing her completely unsuspecting of him, and entrusting her and the prince's safety entirely to him, Xiu Ge felt a surge of emotion. He recalled the moment he found her, the bright light in her eyes, the joy on her face—she trusted him, she trusted him, Xiu Ge.

As long as you're by my side, I won't be afraid. Her words from moments before echoed in his ears again. Hugh quietly dragged the fur rug to the tent entrance, glanced at her and the children with lingering affection, casually lowered the tent flap, and slowly lay down on the fur rug laid out outside the tent. "You can sleep peacefully. I'm here watching over you; there won't be any more danger."

That night, Xiao Xuan and Xiao Hu Nian slept soundly, Xiu Ge slept poorly, and Han De Rang didn't sleep a wink.

At dawn, when everyone was awake, only Xiao Xuan was still asleep. In order not to disturb her, everyone else stayed far away from the tent where she was sleeping. Xiu Ge sat at the entrance of the tent, strictly forbidding anyone from entering the tent to disturb her.

The sun was high in the sky when Xiaoxuan finally woke up. She stretched and yawned, then slowly sat up.

Comfortable, very comfortable, I slept soundly. Faintly, I could hear Guanyin's laughter and shouts coming from outside the tent; it seemed she and Longxu had been taken out by their sister to be fed and played with early that morning. Yawning again, Xiaoxuan got up, tidied her clothes, quickly washed herself, and walked towards the tent entrance. Lifting the tent flap, she saw Yelü Xiuge sitting like an iron tower at the edge of the yurt.

Seeing her emerge from the tent after washing and dressing, Hugh asked softly, "Did you sleep well?"

Xiao Xuan smiled and nodded.

"Then let's get going and go back soon so you can get a good night's sleep every day."

"Okay!" Xiaoxuan said with a sweet smile, "But you must walk slowly on the way, I'm afraid of hurting the baby in my belly."

Hugh was taken aback by what he heard, and quickly looked at Xiaoxuan, asking, "What did you say?"

Pouting, Xiaoxuan looked at Xiu Ge and said, "I told you to walk slowly on the road so as not to hurt the baby in my belly."

"You're pregnant again?" Hugh asked, raising his eyebrows at Xiaoxuan.

Chong Xiu raised his chin a few times, and Xiao Xuan replied, "That's right."

Hugh withdrew his gaze and looked at the yurts of various sizes in the distance, saying, "That was fast." After saying that, his usually serious face suddenly broke into a chuckle.

Clenching her fist, Xiao Xuan punched Xiu Ge's strong arm, her face flushed as she said, "Let's go, let's hit the road!"

After this harrowing escape, the group finally embarked on their journey back to Xijing.

Soldiers, acting on Xiuge's orders, had already delivered the news that the Empress and the others had been found and that everyone was safe to Yelü Xian, who was waiting day and night for news in Xijing City.

Upon hearing this news, that handsome, troubled face finally broke into a knowing smile.

My Yan Yan, my children, you are finally coming back. His nose tingled with emotion, and he coughed lightly while gently wiping away a few tears of excitement from the corners of his eyes.

He paced anxiously all day, waiting for them to return.

Yelü Xiezhen, fulfilling the emperor's command, captured Xi Yin, who was still dreaming of rebellion outside Xijing City. Xi Yin's troops, seeing their commander captured and their small force surrounded, all surrendered. Xiezhen escorted Xi Yin back to Xijing City and immediately reported back to the emperor. It was expected that His Majesty would immediately interrogate Xi Yin for such a serious matter of treason, but Yelü Xian instead ordered that happy Yin be temporarily imprisoned to await further processing.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter Sixty-Five: Excitement

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:08 Word Count: 3373

Yelü Xian was not oblivious to the matter. He knew Xi Yin deserved to die. He had repeatedly plotted rebellion, and if it weren't for Yan Yan's sake, he would have executed him long ago. Moreover, this time it also involved Princess Zhao, Xiao Yangan! Right now, he had no mood to think about Xi Yin. All his attention was focused on his wife and children, who were on their way back to Xijing under Xiu Ge's protection.

Why are you so slow! Hugh, what are you doing? Taking your time, for a general like you! Hmph, hmph, why hasn't he come back yet?

The attendants watched Yelü Xian pace back and forth in the hall, his expression shifting between good and bad, unsure of what the Liao emperor was up to. That day, no news came back regarding the Empress and the others' return. Yelü Xian tossed and turned all night, rising at the slightest sound to inquire if there was any news, but ultimately, nothing came. Yelü Xian's heart grew heavier and heavier. He even had a terrifying thought: what if they had encountered something again on the road? The Tanguts? Or had Han Derang run away with Yan Yan and the child? Impossible, absolutely impossible. With Xiu Ge around, would he dare? Besides, there was the Empress Dowager. But what had happened to him? Why was there no news at all? After a restless night, near dawn, Yelü Xian finally succumbed to exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep.

Fearing further trouble, Brother Xiu made thorough preparations, continuing to travel even late at night. While Xiao Xuan and the others slept soundly in the carriage, he energetically escorted the convoy under the cover of darkness.

Now is not the time to sleep. If I want to sleep, I should wait until she is completely safe and I have finished my task. Hugh kept telling himself this.

As dawn broke, they were not far from Xijing City. When the midday sun shone on the city gates, a caravan had already entered the city.

When Xiao Yuanhai, the garrison commander of Xijing, saw that the Empress had finally returned to the city safely, he was overjoyed. He ran to Xiao Xuan's carriage and said, "Your Majesty, I will go and inform His Majesty that you and the princes have returned safely."

"Wait a minute!" Xiao Xuan called out to Xiao Yuanhai, who was about to leave, and asked, "Is His Majesty alright? What is he doing now? Is he busy with matters related to the rebellion?"

"Your Majesty, His Majesty is well. He waited for you all day and night yesterday and only went to sleep at dawn. He probably hasn't gotten up yet."

"Then don't wake His Majesty, let him sleep peacefully!" Xiao Xuan hurriedly instructed.

"yes!"

A warm feeling welled up inside him; after so many days, they had finally met. He had been waiting for them, waiting for so long, and hadn't fallen asleep until dawn.

Wise...

Back at the mansion, Xiao Xuan ordered that no one should wake Yelü Xian, then gave some instructions to the servants before going to bathe and clean herself up.

Yelü Xian finally woke up, not knowing how long he had slept. Looking at the bright, clear light outside, he sat up abruptly. "How long have I been asleep?" he asked himself. After a moment's thought, he stood up and called out to the door, "Someone come here."

The door was pushed open, and a servant entered the room, kneeling and calling out, "Your Majesty."

"Is there any news about the Empress and the others?" Yelü Xian asked.

The attendant looked up at Yelü Xian and smiled, "Your Majesty, please rest assured, the Empress has returned to the palace and is currently in the front hall conversing with General Yelü, Lord Han, the Imperial Concubine, and others."

"She's back? How are the princes?"

"Your Majesty, the princes are all well. They have finished their meals and washed up. The princes are currently sleeping soundly, while the princess and Imperial Uncle Xiao are playing in the backyard."

"Now that Her Majesty has returned, why didn't you report it?" Upon hearing that Xiao Xuan and the others were safe, Yelü Xian was immediately relieved and then scolded the attendants for not waking him up in time.

The attendant's previously smiling face immediately turned sour as he said, "Your Majesty, it's not that the young man didn't call you, but the Empress gave instructions that Your Majesty is working hard day and night and no one is allowed to disturb Your Majesty's rest."

Swallow!

Yelü Xian said nothing more, took a step and was about to walk towards the door when he heard the kneeling attendant say, "Is Your Majesty going to see the Empress? Would you like to change your clothes? I will go and get you a clean set of clothes right away."

Hearing his attendant's words, Yelü Xian glanced down at his clothes. He had gone to bed fully clothed, and the commotion on the bed had left his clothes quite wrinkled. But if he wanted to change, he would have to wait...

"I'm not changing it!" Yelü Xian said with a frown, then strode out of the room.

Passing through the backyard, Yelü Xian heard Guanyin's laughter and hurried over. Guanyin waved her little hand when she saw her father, and Yelü Xian ran to her, picked her up, and said, "Good girl Guanyin, quickly call him Father Emperor."

"Father Emperor," Guanyin said obediently to Yelü Xian.

Hearing that innocent voice, Yelü Xian could no longer suppress his excitement and kissed Guanyin's little face hard. Then he said, "Let's go find your mother."

"Mother, Mother!" Guanyin called out again.

Hearing her call out like that, Yelü Xian frowned slightly, thinking of Xiao Xuan. She was incredibly stubborn, insisting that the child call her "Mother" and forbidding her to call her "Empress Dowager." Sigh, there was really no way to deal with her.

Carrying Guanyin to the front hall, they saw Xiao Xuan, whose long hair was casually tied up after washing and combing, and who exuded a refreshing aura.

"Your Majesty!" Xiao Hulian, Han Derang, and Yelü Xiuge knelt down and exclaimed upon seeing Yelü Xian.

"Get up," she commanded in a soft voice.