Empress Dowager Xiaoxuan

Chapter 59

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 113 Strange Movement

Updated: 2008-09-23 16:45:33 Word Count: 2940

Xiao Xuan and her entourage, leading the Liao troops back to Shangjing, were surprised to find the people gathered in the streets, excitedly awaiting their return. A miracle, truly a miracle! This must be a blessing from heaven. Whenever our Empress Dowager personally led an expedition, she would return with news of victory. This had been true before, and now, without the reliance on Yelü Xiuge and Yelü Xiezhen, she had still achieved victory.

The Treaty of Chanzhou spread throughout the streets and alleys of the Liao Dynasty. For the people of Khitan, the idea that the two countries would never go to war again was simply a dream come true.

From the time of Yelü, the Liao Dynasty was constantly on the defensive. At that time, the Song Dynasty was strong and the Liao Dynasty weak. Yelü indulged in hunting and drinking, neglecting state affairs, leading to widespread decline. When Yelü Xian ascended the throne, he was at least a wise ruler. Although his reign was short, he appointed a group of capable and virtuous ministers and vigorously implemented reforms. Although there were battles during his reign, he did not choose to flee like Yelü, but instead chose to fight, which elevated his standing in the hearts of the people. Then came her. Her actions changed everything, bringing true happiness to the people. Through the changing seasons and the passage of time, the Empress Dowager, with her white hair and ever-present smile, was like a lamp, illuminating everyone's heart.

Regardless of how later generations evaluate the Treaty of Chanyuan, for these two transitional nations, in this era, the people finally had days of peaceful coexistence. This alone brought immense joy to the people of the Liao Dynasty, who had been constantly worried about war. They crowded both sides of the streets, watching the carriage carrying the Empress Dowager return to the capital under the sunlight, excitedly shouting, "May the Empress Dowager live a long and healthy life! May the Empress Dowager live as long as the heavens!"

That same day, another piece of news spread like wildfire throughout the capital and to other parts of the Liao Dynasty. Han Derang was bestowed the Liao imperial surname Yelü and renamed Yelü Longyun. His slave status was revoked, and he officially became a Khitan nobleman. He was also granted the title of Prince of Jin, ranking above princes.

The whole country was in an uproar. The man named Han Derang, under her fingertips, became the most powerful and favored person in the Liao Kingdom.

A crisp "crack" rang out. It was the sound of a wine glass shattering on the ground.

"Abo, what's wrong?" Xiao Hulian asked, looking at the broken wine cups on the ground.

Dalan Abo walked to Xiao Hulian's side, hugged her tightly, and said, "I'm so angry! If Han Derang can do this, why can't I? Just because I love you, the Imperial Concubine, while he loves the Empress Dowager? Humph, why should we always have to listen to them? We're together now, but it's only in name. Look at them, how carefree they are, doing whatever they want. I'm so angry!"

"You know, I've told you this before. Third Sister's mind is deeper than the sea. And she's also an extremely sentimental person. Back when Yelü Xian was alive, she only had Yelü Xian in her heart. No matter what she did, she would do it for his sake, even if it meant risking her life. Now that it's Han Derang, there's nothing surprising about it. It's just her nature."

“She can like whoever she wants, I don’t care. What I care about is why they can be high and mighty, enjoying wealth and luxury, while we have to listen to their orders and do things their way! Humph, you are the Imperial Concubine, and I should be considered the Imperial Uncle, but look at our current situation and our current residence, where is the air of an Imperial Uncle or Imperial Concubine?” Dalan Abo said.

"well."

Dalan Abo heard the heavy sigh from Xiao Hu Nian in his arms.

“A-Nian,” Da-Lan A-Bo looked at the expression on Xiao Hu-Nian’s face and asked cautiously, “I’m indignant for you, A-Nian. Why can she have land, but you can’t? You are more qualified to stand at the top than her. You are more qualified to possess the Great Liao, aren’t you?”

A cold glint flashed across Xiao Hulian's face as he replied, "Do you think I don't have my own troubles? Do you know how low I had to beg her just to see you? Hmph! She's sitting on the Empress Dowager's throne now because I don't compete with her. If I really did, what would she have to fight me with?"

"A-Nian, I want you to fight her, I want you to reclaim your empire." Seeing that Xiao Hu-Nian showed no remorse for his words, Da-Lan A-Bo grew bolder and said, "A-Nian, look at these scars on my body, they were all given to me by her. Do you know how much I suffered back then? I cried out to heaven and earth in vain. How I wished you could appear before me. Do you know how much pain I was in!"

“I know.” Hu Nian hugged Dalan Abo tightly around the waist, looked at the numerous scars on his shirtless chest, gently touched them with his hand, and then said with eyes blazing with anger, “Let’s make a plan.”

"Um."

That night, Xiao Hulian and Dalan Abo took out a map and secretly plotted in their tent. Several days later, they secretly conspired with the Kingdom of Gulizha to launch a joint rebellion. After months of scheming and planning, their plan became increasingly sophisticated, and more and more people joined the rebellion. Just when Dalan Abo was overjoyed, thinking the throne was within their grasp, their plan was secretly betrayed.

Because not everyone wants to die, many people know perfectly well who is better able to build up an army and who is better able to secure the throne between Xiao Hulian and Xiao Chuo in the Liao Dynasty. It's just that some people are too caught up in the mystery to figure it out.

Xiao Xuan, who was sitting in the imperial palace in the capital, heard the secret report and overturned the tea and other utensils on the table to the ground.

Years ago, Xi Yin wanted to seize the world, and her second sister wanted to kill her. Now, even her eldest sister, with whom she has always been on good terms, is trying to take away the empire she has worked so hard to build, all for a slave. Eldest sister, do you really want this world that much? Is that man so important to you that you can throw away the blood ties and family bonds we share for decades?

Back then, when she first saw the letter her second sister had used to deceive her, she preferred to believe it was fake rather than doubt her sister. Xiao Hulian's words echoed in her ears again: "No wonder my second sister died. I truly hate her. Why didn't she poison you back then!"

Standing in the room, looking at the wreckage on the floor, Xiaoxuan clenched her fists.

Han Derang walked into the room from outside, glanced at the mess inside, and squatted down to pick up the broken pieces on the ground without saying a word.

"I am a bad person."

"Who said that? Did the people of Liao say so? Or did the ministers and children say so?" Han Derang asked Xiao Xuan while cleaning up the broken pieces on the ground.

"Then why do they all want me dead?"

“Because you have something they don’t.” The shards cut Han Derang’s fingers, but he continued to clean up the broken pieces of the teacup and teapot without making a sound. Glancing sideways at the shards, Xiao Xuan saw some bright red on them and quickly went over and said, “Stop cleaning, show me your hands.”

"You care a lot?" Han Derang asked, looking at Xiao Xuan. He sighed and said, "This isn't Hu Nian's fault. Maybe she thinks the same way you do. She was just being used. Some people love each other so that the other person can live a better life, while others love each other but want to use the other person to achieve something."

"I know, I understand." Xiaoxuan nodded, tore off a corner of her clothes, and bandaged the bloody wound on Han Derang's finger. She said, "I was worried about them back then. I was afraid that my sister would be deceived because of her one-sided love. My hands already have my second sister's blood on them. I don't want to get my eldest sister's blood on them too. Why do they always force me?"

"Leave it to me, let me handle this," Han Derang said.

Looking into his steady gaze, Xiao Xuan nodded. So many years had passed, and he had not only stayed by her side without complaint, but had also consistently helped her, just like Xiu Ge, Xie Zhen, and Shi—helping her from the bottom of his heart. Why couldn't her sister be like them, able to stay with her from beginning to end, to part amicably? Holding Han Derang's hand, she entrusted the matter to him, because she couldn't face her eldest sister's plot to rebel.

Lost in their treacherous dreams, Xiao Hulian and Dalan Abo were captured before they could react, as Han Derang and his troops had suddenly arrived. Letters in collusion with various tribes in plotting rebellion were found in their tent. Han Derang immediately ordered these evidence to be delivered to Xiao Xuan in the capital. After reviewing the evidence, Xiao Xuan ordered the arrest of all those involved to await their fate. The ringleader, Xiao Hulian, was temporarily detained in Nanjing, while Dalan Abo was detained in Huaizhou, under separate custody.

The following year, Xiao Xuan ordered that Xiao Hu Nian, who was being held in Nanjing, be brought back to the capital.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 114 Why Bother

Updated: 2008-09-23 16:45:51 Word Count: 2968

Having lost count of how many times she had returned to the Xiao residence, Xiao Xuan carefully examined everything in the mansion. She saw Xiao Hu Nian's room, Xiao Yangan's room, and even her own room, "Xiao Chuo's." All the original items in those rooms remained exactly as they had been after their marriages.

Gently touching the brush, ink, paper, and inkstone in the room, Xiao Xuan recalled the scene when she first met Xiao Hu Nian and Xiao Yangan.

"Are you out of your mind? Can't you even tell your eldest sister and second sister apart? Eldest sister, eldest sister, you only have eyes for your eldest sister! Look at you, all rustic and dirty, how can you be a proper young lady? It's all because your eldest sister spoiled you, you're just as crazy and unruly as her!"

Xiao Yangan's voice seemed to echo in her ears again, and a sad smile appeared on Xiao Xuan's lips.

"Oh dear! Princess Zhao, you should rest. You just had a chance to leave the Zhao Prince's residence, and now you're coming home to scold people. If you have the chance, you should go home and spend more time with your family."

The sounds of her eldest and second eldest sisters scolding each other seemed to echo in her ears. Looking up at her room, Xiao Xuan narrowed her eyes.

Decades ago, three women stood in this room, talking and laughing.

The image of Xiao Yangan's coquettish voice echoed in my mind, as I recalled her constantly poking her head with her finger and scolding me. I also remembered Xiao Hu Nian's dashing figure on horseback, and her excitement when she shot down a wild goose while we were hunting together.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager, the Imperial Concubine has arrived." The guard's voice from outside the door interrupted Xiao Xuan's reverie. She glanced sideways at the doorway and said, "Let her in. Let her in alone."

The guards exchanged glances. In the end, they followed Xiao Xuan's advice and let Xiao Hu Nian into the house to meet with Xiao Xuan alone.

"Why don't you kill me?" Xiao Hulian asked Xiao Xuan after entering the house.

"I was thinking back to the day when you took my hand and led me around my second sister to go hunting. That's when we met Xian."

"Yan Yan, don't mention these things to me," Xiao Hulian said. "Don't make me regret it. I know what I've done. From the moment I started planning to do it until now, I've never regretted it. So, please don't bring up the past with me, lest I feel any remorse."

Looking at Xiao Hu Nian, two tears streamed down Xiao Xuan's face. Hu Nian looked at the tearful Xiao Xuan and said, "Yan Yan, don't blame me. From a young age, your father and mother have always spoiled you the most. You ate the best food first, wore the prettiest clothes first, and played with the most fun things first. Back then, I didn't understand why, even though we were both children of the same parents, I always received less than you. Later, your father promised Yelü Xian to bring you into the palace, and he also married me off to Yansage according to his wishes. But, according to the initial agreement, the one who should have entered the palace was me, wasn't he? Xian is five years older than you, while Yansage is much older than me, and I could tolerate that. But when Yelü died, I didn't understand why your father preferred to tell Yelü Xian the news rather than Yansage, who was more qualified to ascend the throne than Yelü Xian. I don't care about the throne or the queen; what I care about is why he was so biased. If your father hadn't done that back then, I wouldn't be standing here now."

Before, my heart was filled with resentment because I didn't know what I wanted! I led troops westward to quell the rebellion for you, thinking that riding on horseback and conquering tribe after tribe would be the happiest thing. It wasn't until I met A-Bo that I realized what I truly wanted.

"Didn't I already let you two be together? Why are you still doing this?" Xiaoxuan asked, crying.

"Can you tolerate your beloved being beaten by others? Do you think I willingly knelt before you, pleading for Abo?" Tears streamed down Xiao Hulian's face. "All that I've done for you, and this is how you repay me? Back then, when Yan Gan and his wife rebelled, I risked my life to protect you and your child. Your husband died, and to help you quell the unrest on the borders, I didn't even go home, staying on the grasslands day and night. What did I get in return?"

"Wasn't I doing this for your own good?" Xiaoxuan slammed her hand on the table and roared, "Have I ever objected to you remarrying? I just wanted to find you a better husband, didn't I? There are some things you haven't thought about, but I have. Do you want your future children to be secretly ridiculed as the children of slaves?"

"That sounds nice!" Xiao Hulian said, "Since you can remove Han Derang's slave status and make him a nobleman, why can't you do the same for Abo?"

"What does Dalan Abo have to compare with Han Derang?" Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Hunian and said, "Han Derang, he climbed to this position step by step through his own abilities and true skills. The entire Khitan people are witnessing his achievements. Putting that aside for now, what has Dalan Abo done for you? He instigated you to compete with me for the Liao Dynasty's throne and the throne. Is this his love for you? Then do you know what Han Derang's love is? For me, he drank the medicine that would render him infertile, just so that I wouldn't be criticized by the people." "I can stand upright before Xian's tomb, and find peace in front of the children. All these years, he has never asked me for anything. All he has done is stay by my side without a name or title, doing everything in his power to protect every vestige of Xian's empire." Xiao Xuan turned her head, letting her tears flow even more fiercely, and continued, "Even if I was wrong, didn't I promise you? I transformed Nadalan Abo from a slave into a general in the blink of an eye, sending you on the western expedition—wasn't it all so that he could achieve something, to fulfill your wishes, and to silence the people's criticism?"

“I don’t care what others say at all.” Xiao Hulian walked to a chair, sat down, wiped away her tears, and said, “I just want to live happily with someone and give him everything he wants, that’s enough.”

"I promise you, I'll let you go," Xiaoxuan said, her head bowed and her voice choked with sobs.

"It's too late, it's all too late. What Abo wants is the world! Even if we survive, what's the point? I can't give him what he wants. How would I feel if I saw him looking so miserable all day? It's all too late, it's useless. Even if you let us go, I will still gather more people and fight for this world for him."

"The person sitting on that throne now calls you Auntie."

“I don’t care,” Xiao Hulian said blankly, “I just want Abo to be happy.”

"Go back to your room, go back and see it, go back to the place where you used to live." Xiao Xuan turned her back to Xiao Hu Nian and cried, "Before I die, go see this home where you used to live one last time."

Standing up, watching Xiao Xuan's retreating figure, Xiao Hulian smiled faintly: "Can't I see him one more time?"

Shaking her head, Xiaoxuan cried, "Absolutely not! It's all his fault. Without him, neither of us would be where we are today. I will never forgive him. He ruined you. Those who instigated your rebellion are also despicable. I will destroy everyone involved in this and make them all pay with their lives."

"Yan Yan, don't let him die in too much pain, it will break my heart." After saying this, Xiao Hulian was about to turn around and leave, but then he seemed to remember something and added, "After I die, if I can't be buried with Abo, bury me next to Yansa Ge's tomb. Don't bury me next to my parents, I'm afraid I'll have to fight you for something again in the next life."

Xiao Hulian glanced around Xiao Xuan's room, then walked out and headed towards his own room.

Xiaoxuan collapsed to the ground, utterly exhausted, leaning against the desk leg. She lowered her head, tears streaming down her face.

She didn't know how much time had passed when a figure in green appeared before her. Looking up with her red, swollen eyes, she saw it was Han Derang. He reached out and embraced her, helping her up from the ground. Han Derang said, "She's dead. She hanged herself a few moments ago."

Xiao Xuan nodded helplessly, unable to utter a word. Coming here from the future felt like she had come specifically to force them to their deaths. Why was it like this? After a bout of weeping, supported by Han Derang, Xiao Xuan walked out of her former residence and stood at the main gate of the Xiao family mansion, gazing at the orange glow of the gate plaque under the setting sun.

Bye now.

In this life, I owe you all so much. If there truly is an afterlife, let us never meet again in our next life, so that we will no longer owe each other anything.

Not long after, Dalan Abo, who was imprisoned in Huaizhou, was given a cup of poisoned wine and died. All those involved in the incident were buried alive. The event ended in tragedy, adding another cruel chapter to the history of this empress dowager.

In order to help Xiao Xuan get out of the shadow of the Xiao Hu Nian incident, several months later, Emperor Longxu led his ministers to bestow upon Xiao Xuan the honorific title: Empress Dowager Ruizhi Shenlue Yingyun Qihua Fadao Hongren Shengwu Kaitong Chengtian.

Looking at the filial child and this long list of titles, Xiao Xuan smiled, and at the same time, an idea slowly brewed in her heart.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 115: The Soul Returns

Updated: 2008-09-23 16:46:07 Word Count: 3238

In the twenty-seventh year of the Tonghe reign, Xiao Xuan held the traditional Khitan royal handover ceremony, the "Chai Ce Li," for Longxu, returning imperial power to him and indicating that she would no longer act as regent.

Looking at Longxu standing on the high platform, swearing his oath to the sun, Xiaoxuan felt a warm glow in her heart. "Longxu, I entrust your father's empire to you. I remember your father always saying that I spoiled you all too much, and I always complained about his nagging. Now you are in your prime, and I am old. The empire is at peace, and I return this throne to you. I hope you will follow in my footsteps and do more for the people of this land. Whether they are Khitans or Han Chinese, as long as they are your subjects, you must treat them well."

With no more national affairs to worry about, Xiao Xuan felt much more relaxed, and the number of white hairs in her hair also increased.

Han Derang spent more time with her, accompanying her to see the grasslands, herds of horses and cattle, and the sunset and the scenery of the Khitan plains.

There was always a warm hand holding hers, which always warmed Xiao Xuan's heart. Back at the palace, the children would rush to see her, making her incredibly happy. Looking at her grandchildren, she would always share the fun toys and delicious treats from her room with them.

She would often return to the Xiao residence to visit the former homes of her father, the Princess of Yan, and the three sisters. When she got tired, she would sit in the courtyard of the Xiao residence, reminiscing about everything that had happened with those two women with whom she had spent so little time. It all felt like it had happened just yesterday.

"Big sister, second sister." Xiao Jixian's voice echoed in his ears. Back then, after he learned that he had returned to the Xiao family mansion, he ran to his room, only to be scolded by Xiao Hulian and Xiao Yangan.