Disco de doble caja

Capítulo 18

"I will go with you," Yelü Xian said. Hearing the servant's words, his brows twitched slightly. Perhaps she was still angry with Nüli. It was all his fault for indulging Nüli too much just now. If he didn't explain things to her clearly, he was afraid she would have a bad impression of him.

Led by Xiao Siwen, the group arrived at the backyard of the Xiao residence and saw Xiao Xuan carrying a bundle and leading a small horse, about to leave through the back gate. If she hadn't been held tightly by a group of servants, she probably would have run away long ago.

"Chuo'er!" Xiao Siwen shouted loudly.

When the servants saw the master arrive, they quickly let go of his hands.

"Chuo'er, what are you doing?" Xiao Siwen asked anxiously.

"Father, do you know what trust is? You promised me to Han Derang, how could you marry me off to that Yelü Jing?" Xiaoxuan shouted, her face flushed.

Upon returning, she was seething with anger, and the maids' words nearly drove her mad. She knew that the original owner of this body truly loved a man named Han Derang. She had taken over her body, causing her injury, yet had done nothing to help her. Now, if she couldn't let her love and marry the person she loved, then what was she?! And what was she to do with being married to the Emperor of Liao as a concubine? Marry that Yelü Jing? Dream on!

Xiao Xuan was unaware that Yelü Jing was already dead and that Yelü Xian had ascended the throne. Since the maids dared not address the emperor by his name, Xiao Xuan assumed she was about to marry that murderous tyrant. In short, no way would she agree to that! She refused no matter what.

Hearing her say this, Yelü Xian couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. She wanted to run away? It turned out she'd misunderstood; she thought she was going to marry that guy. Heh, that's true. She'd only just returned; naturally, she didn't know that I was now the Emperor of the Liao Dynasty, and she was the concubine I was about to marry.

Yelü Xian was pondering how to explain things clearly to Xiao Xuan when the woman beside him was greatly surprised. She hadn't expected this girl to be Xiao Siwen's daughter, and soon to be the Emperor's concubine. That pearl must have been a betrothal gift from the Emperor; no wonder. Wait, she remembered the Emperor had asked about the pearl's origin earlier. It didn't make sense that the Emperor himself wouldn't know or recognize something he had given her. Hmph, there's probably a big problem here.

Hearing Xiao Xuan's shout, Xiao Siwen was both angry and furious, and couldn't help but yell, "Chuo'er, you're becoming more and more ill-mannered! His Majesty is right here, and you still haven't greeted His Majesty!"

Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Siwen's eyes and gestures and saw Yelü Xian, a handsome and elegant young nobleman who had been accompanying Yelü Jing during his hunt.

Him! Who is he?

"His Majesty is not here!" Xiao Xuan said to Old Man Xiao.

"You! You haven't even met His Majesty yet." Seeing that Xiao Xuan didn't react and was still fixated on Yelü Jing, Xiao Siwen was almost in tears.

Yelü Xian smiled upon hearing Xiao Xuan's words. Instead of being offended, he took a few steps forward and stood in front of Xiao Xuan, saying, "My name is Yelü Xian. I am the current emperor of the Liao Dynasty, the person you are going to marry."

"Yelü Xian?" Hearing this man claim to be the emperor, and with only one or two ministers beside him, could he really be the emperor? Had the previous Yelü Jing been deposed? Or abdicated? Xiao Xuan wondered to herself. Looking at Yelü Xian, who had just wanted to see her pearl, Xiao Xuan seemed to recall something. The name sounded familiar; she seemed to have heard it somewhere before. Yes, that's right, she had heard Xiu Ge mention it; the man her eldest sister was going to marry was named Yelü Xian. Also, on the way back, Xiu Ge had mentioned him; he was a married man.

"You? You have a wife, why would you marry me? I don't want to be a concubine! Go find someone else!" Xiao Xuan said angrily. "By the way, isn't the person you married my eldest sister? What does that have to do with me?" After saying that, Xiao Xuan looked at Xiao Siwen and said, "Father, my husband is Han Derang. You promised me to him long ago, how can you go back on your word? Doing so is untrustworthy! Also, the person in front of you wants to marry me only for this pearl on my body. He covets this pearl!" After saying that, Xiao Xuan took out the pearl from her body and threw it at Yelü Xian, saying, "If you want it, take it. Now that you have the pearl, you don't need to bother me anymore!"

Upon catching the bead, Yelü Xian's handsome face turned icy cold.

"Chuo'er! Don't be rude!" Xiao Siwen said, trembling all over as she looked at Xiao Xuan.

How dare this child speak to His Majesty like that? My dear, look at Yelü Jing before; you offended him and ended up having to flee far away. Why are you so slow to react now that you're only just returning home? When did you stop learning your lesson? The person standing right in front of you just told you he was the Emperor, and in a few words you've already offended the newly enthroned ruler!

"In short, I will never marry him! The man I want to marry is Han Derang! I'm going to Nanjing to find him; he's my husband!" Xiao Xuan said, and was about to mount her horse when Yelü Xian, who was furious, grabbed her. He glared at her fiercely and said coldly, "You're not going anywhere!"

"Why should I?" Xiao Xuan was also angry. She stared at Yelü Xian and said, "What else do you want? You like the beads, I'll give them to you. Oh, and this horse, right? You want it too? Fine, take it. Take whatever you like. I don't care."

"Shut up!" A furious shout rang out in the courtyard. Xiao Xuan looked over and saw Xiao Hu Nian and Xiao Yangan, who had just heard the news and rushed over.

Xiao Hulian looked at Xiao Xuan and said, "Yan Yan, it's all my fault for spoiling you like this! Your mother passed away early, and you were the youngest. I couldn't bear to scold or reprimand you, so I spoiled you like this."

Seeing the older sister who had just been chatting and laughing with her suddenly turn around and scold her, Xiao Xuan felt wronged. "What did I do wrong? I've been betrothed to Han Derang since childhood, everyone knows that. What did I do wrong? Is it wrong to keep a promise?"

Looking at Xiao Xuan, Xiao Hulian felt a pang of sadness. She loved her younger sister dearly, and she knew that even if her sister married the man she loved, it wasn't her sister's fault. She always adhered to the agreement her parents had made years ago; she was the kind of person who was stubborn and principled.

"Han Derang is already married. He got married when you offended the late king and left Nanjing. You're not allowed to think about this kind of man, much less marry him! Our Xiao family has no custom of someone becoming a concubine!" Xiao Yangan said. Although she had been under house arrest and cut off from news, now that Yelü Jing was dead and she was free, the first thing she did was to thoroughly understand the situation of everyone around her. Seeing her younger sister repeatedly saying she wanted to go find Han Derang, she couldn't help but scold her.

What? He got married? Wasn't he supposed to marry Xiao Chuo? How could he get married? Xiao Xuan looked at her "eldest sister" and "second sister" with a cold face. She didn't believe their words.

"I don't believe it!" Xiao Xuan shouted. No matter what, she was determined to fulfill Xiao Chuo's wish and marry Han Derang. Only then would she be worthy of this body. "He said he wanted to marry me! I don't believe he's married. Even if he really is, I'll make him divorce his current wife and marry me. That way, I won't be a concubine."

"Shut up!" Yelü Xian shouted angrily. Looking at Xiao Xuan, he said fiercely, "What's so good about him? Tell me! What's so good about him that makes you want to do this!"

“Nothing! I don’t know what’s so good about him. I only know that we made a promise, and I have to keep that promise!” Xiao Xuan puffed out her chest and looked at Yelü Xian as she answered.

“He broke the agreement first, what are you still hoping for?” Xiao Hulian said.

Looking into Xiao Xuan's bright and determined eyes, Yelü Xian said, "You stay here obediently!" After saying that, Yelü Xian turned and left, deliberately stopping in front of Xiao Siwen and saying, "Guards, surround the Xiao residence for me. Xiao Siwen, if the person I want doesn't enter the palace on time, don't blame me for being ruthless!" After giving the warning, Yelü Xian coldly led his men out of the Xiao residence.

Empress Dowager of Khitan - Chapter Thirty-Four: Persuasion

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:05 Word Count: 3648

After kneeling to see the Emperor off, Xiao Siwen rose and walked to Xiao Xuan's side, tears streaming down his face, saying, "Chuo'er, do you really want to kill your father?"

"Dad, you know that's not what I meant," Xiaoxuan quickly explained.

"Chuo'er, your mother and father's wish is for you to find good families to marry into, so you won't suffer. Isn't this marriage good enough? You still complain about marrying His Majesty? What do you want your father to do?" Xiao Siwen cried.

"Yan Yan, have you made enough of a scene?!" Xiao Yan glared at Xiao Xuan and said angrily, "What kind of situation do you want to drive your father to? Tell me!"

"Me!" Xiaoxuan didn't know what to say.

Xiao Hulian walked to Xiao Xuan's side, pulled her aside, and said to Xiao Siwen and Xiao Yangan, "Father, Ayan, leave Yan Yan to me. I'll persuade her to go back to your rooms and rest." After saying that, he pulled Xiao Xuan back to their room.

Entering the room and closing the door tightly, Xiao Hulian said, "Yanyan, listen to your elder sister and forget about Han Derang. From today onwards, there will be no more Han Derang in your life; there can only be His Majesty."

"Big sister..."

"I understand your feelings. But you heard what His Majesty said just now. You can't be willful anymore. Father is old, and he's doing all this for us. Think of Father, think of this family. I'm not lying to you. This time you went to Nanjing and offended the late Emperor. You've been down and out ever since you left Nanjing, but Han Derang is getting married in Nanjing. He doesn't care about you at all. You don't need to worry about him or any engagement anymore. Now you are innocent and pure, without any constraints. Yan Yan, listen to me, get ready, and go to the palace to become a concubine." Xiao Hulian held back her tears, not letting them fall, and continued, "If Mother knew that Yan Yan could become a concubine, she would be very happy. Right? Be good."

Xiaoxuan felt a tightness in her throat and choked up, unable to speak. She could only nod silently.

Han Derang, I trusted you so much, why did you do this? Don't you love Xiao Chuo? When we met, you told me yourself that I was your fiancée, why did you marry someone else! What am I supposed to do? Xiao Chuo loves you, she wants to marry you, that's why she traveled all the way to Nanjing, that's why I inexplicably entered her body, and now, is her only wish about to be shattered...? Han Derang! What am I supposed to give Xiao Chuo in return!

My mother's words echoed in my ears again: "Other people's things belong to them, Xuanxuan. No matter how much you like them, they're not yours. You'll understand when you grow up. You'll never feel at peace taking other people's things or playing with their things."

When she was little, her mother said this to her because she took other children's dolls home from kindergarten. Now, it's not just about taking or playing with other people's dolls; she's using someone else's entire body.

Mom, I don't want to use this body anymore, but how can I return it to you?

Watching Xiao Hulian finish persuading her and turn to leave the room, Xiao Xuan felt a deep sense of helplessness.

As night fell, Xiao Siwen knocked on Xiao Xuan's door. Looking at her father's aged and haggard face, Xiao Xuan said, "Father, don't worry, I won't run away. I will obediently marry as you wish."

Xiao Siwen glanced at Xiao Xuan, took out a comb from his bosom, stroked it for a while, and then gently wiped it with his sleeve, afraid that the comb would get dirty.

“You used to laugh at your father, saying that I, a grown man, was shameless for pestering your mother every day to comb her hair.” Xiao Siwen sighed deeply as he said this. “You were still young then, but now that you’re all grown up, I think you should understand something.” Xiao Siwen looked at Xiao Xuan and handed her the comb, saying, “I’m entrusting this comb to you for safekeeping.”

"Father!" Xiao Xuan's nose tingled with emotion. This comb must be the one Old Man Xiao gave to his wife, the Princess of Yan, to comb her hair. It must be. Judging from his meticulous care, you could tell how important this comb was to him. But why did you give it to me?

"Dad, this is your treasure. It contains memories of you and Mom. How could you be so foolish as to give something so precious to Zhuo'er?" Xiao Xuan complained in a low voice.

“It’s precisely because it’s a treasure that I’m giving it to you! Your mother and father love you the most. Your mother once asked me what dowry I should prepare for our little Yan Yan if she were to get married someday. I told her I would give her this comb, because it’s her father’s precious treasure. Your mother was very happy then, saying I was stingy.” At this point, Xiao Siwen sighed deeply. “The Emperor’s betrothal gifts have already been sent over, and your eldest and second eldest sisters are preparing your dowry and wedding dress. Your father has nothing to give you, so I’ll give you this comb as agreed with your mother.” After Xiao Siwen finished speaking, he took Xiao Xuan’s hand and placed the comb in her hand.

"Chuo'er, remember, when your father dies one day, you must bury him next to your mother, so that she won't be lonely. Remember, let's stay close together, that's how we'll feel warm and connect with each other." After saying this, Xiao Siwen turned and slowly walked away.

Watching Old Man Xiao's lonely figure slowly disappear from her sight, Xiao Xuan felt as if her heart had been shattered.

Upon hearing the news of Han Derang's marriage, she naively thought of going to him, telling him it was a broken engagement, and forcing him to divorce his current wife and marry her—"Xiao Chuo," as they had previously agreed. But when Xiao Hulian told her that Han Derang had no feelings for her, she felt hatred. If he didn't love her, why should she care so much about him?

Xiao Chuo, he doesn't have you in his heart. Xiao Chuo, please give me some time so I can help you find true love, find a man who truly loves you. Only then will I be able to do right by you.

Yelü Xian returned to the palace in a great anger.

After dismissing everyone, he sat alone in his room, lost in thought. He couldn't understand, he truly couldn't understand why she was so stubborn! If he hadn't arranged for Han Derang to marry her, she might have actually gone to him and done something foolish. Looking at the enormous pearl in his hand, Yelü Xian was even more furious. I... I want her, not these things. No matter how good these things are, they're just for playing with; what use are they to me! Just as he was feeling indignant, a guard knelt outside the door and called out, "Your Majesty, Xi Yin requests an audience."

Xi Yin! It's him! Wasn't he imprisoned? How did he get out? Yelü Xian frowned, pondering. Who had the audacity to release him? He immediately shouted, "Guards!"

Several guards immediately knelt down outside the door.

"Bring happy Yin in here," Yelü Xian shouted.

Upon hearing this, the guards standing outside the door quickly bound Xi Yin, who was stunned by what they heard, and brought him before Yelü Xian.

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! What is the meaning of Your Majesty's words?" happy Yin had originally come to pay her respects to the new King Yelü Xian, but she did not expect him to treat her like this.

"happy Yin, you were imprisoned without my decree. How did you get out?" Yelü Xian asked angrily.

"This... Your Majesty," happy Yin hurriedly prostrated himself and said, "Your Majesty, it was only after you ascended the throne and granted a general amnesty that I dared to have my shackles removed and come to pay my respects to Your Majesty. Xi Yin is utterly loyal and has no ulterior motives!"

Upon hearing this, Yelü Xian flew into a rage. "You have plotted rebellion several times and were imprisoned. Although I ascended the throne, I did not order anyone to release you. Now that you have been stripped of your title and are treated like an ordinary person, how dare you trespass into the palace as a commoner! Who took it upon themselves to release you from prison? Guards, take Xi Yin back to the prison and keep him under strict guard. The jailer who released him has failed in his duty; behead him as punishment! The person who put him in the palace should also be severely beaten so he will learn his lesson."

"Your Majesty! Your Majesty! We're in-laws now!" Xi Yin was dragged away by the guards, his cries echoing in Yelü Xian's ears. Yelü Xian frowned in disgust, watching Xi Yin being dragged away, and sighed deeply.

He had met all three young ladies of the Xiao family today. Only she stirred his heart, causing him great turmoil. Thinking of Xiao Xuan, Yelü Xian's expression softened slightly. It was all Nüli's fault; it was all that guy's fault. If he hadn't insisted on taking Yan Yan's horse and questioned the large pearl, Yan Yan probably wouldn't have held a grudge against him.

Thinking of Nüli, Yelü Xian also thought of Yelü Xianshi. Xianshi had mentioned Nüli and Gao Xun to him more than once, saying that the two of them, relying on his favored status, were acting recklessly and arrogantly. Sigh, was Xianshi just being overly suspicious, or had Nüli and Gao Xun really become so unreasonable behind his back? It seemed he should remind them to watch their words and actions. Nüli, oh Nüli, if you weren't my childhood playmate, I'd spank you this time!

For several days in a row, lanterns and decorations were hung everywhere in the capital city, as preparations were made for the upcoming wedding of the Liao King and his imperial concubine.

Looking at the commotion and decorations throughout the palace, Consort Shu was filled with mixed emotions. Just a few days ago, she was a princess; now she was an imperial consort, and even had a title. Just a few days ago, he only had her as his woman; now, another woman would be entering the palace to accompany him.

I've heard that His Majesty is marrying the third daughter of Xiao Siwen, the Prime Minister of the Northern Court. Rumor has it that the girl seems unwilling to marry His Majesty, and he's been quite depressed these past few days. Could it be because of this?

There are so many people in this world, and their personalities are so different. Is being an imperial concubine something everyone can do? How many people in the whole world can be an imperial concubine? Yet she doesn't want to be one; I wonder what kind of woman she is.

Consort Shu stood before the main hall of the palace, lost in thought. Around her were servants running around, busy making arrangements for the palace.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter Thirty-Five: Full Moon

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:05 Word Count: 3662

On her wedding day, Xiao Xuan was dressed up in bright and beautiful clothes and sent to the palace, where she was helped into her bedchamber.

Xiao Xuan sat dejectedly on the wedding bed, lost in thought. That Liao King Yelü Xian had already married women; he wasn't lacking in female companionship. Why did he insist on marrying Xiao Chuo? This must be a political marriage, a way to solidify his position and prestige as emperor. Now that Xiao Xuan knew about Yelü Jing's assassination and Yelü Xian's ascension to the throne before his spirit, she was filled with mixed emotions. Alas, everyone says the imperial family is privileged, but how many know the chaos and sorrow within it? Lost in thought, she noticed the wedding wine on the table. She walked over, hesitated for a moment, then poured herself a cup and drank it down. So spicy! Xiao Xuan's face flushed red, and she clicked her tongue. She initially wanted to put down the cup and return to the bed, but then she thought, "I'll see that annoying Yelü Xian soon. This is my wedding day; what he's going to do, I know perfectly well. Maybe it's better to get drunk. Then I won't know what he's doing."

Dressed in his wedding attire, Yelü Xian received congratulations from his court officials. Yet, he felt uneasy, a persistent unease that he couldn't explain. He had repeatedly ordered his guards to surround the newly chosen imperial concubine's chambers, and he had repeatedly asked his maids what the concubine was doing and how she was doing.

He was worried that she would be angry, throw a tantrum, run away, or cry in the bridal chamber, so he was constantly uneasy. When he heard the maid report that the imperial concubine had already gone to sleep, he felt a sense of relief and happily joined the courtiers for a banquet.

As night fell, the moon rose and hung high in the sky.