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Capítulo 21

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter Thirty-Nine: Tenderness

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:05 Word Count: 3842

Everyone was stunned by what they heard, and Gao Xun's face turned red and white in turns.

Xiao Siwen's facial muscles trembled slightly. He knew his son had caused a huge mess this time, but he didn't know that Xiao Xuan's words were all for his sake. Xiao Xuan's simple statement, "This is between the two of us," was already a subtle hint to Yelü Xian that this was a matter between the two of them and he shouldn't involve others. However, Xiao Xuan hadn't realized the profound impact her words would have on Yelü Xian's mind.

"This is a matter between the two of us," she said, a hint of sorrow creeping into Yelü Xian's brow. Wasn't she reminding me that we are husband and wife, a couple...? The fact that she said that showed she still cared for me; she wasn't completely devoid of me. Looking at Xiao Xuan, Yelü Xian pondered how to end this awkward standoff between them.

"Report!" A loud shout came from afar.

Everyone immediately looked toward the source of the sound, watching the horses galloping toward them from afar.

The soldiers on horseback galloped onward without rest, heading towards the capital, when they spotted the Liao King's banner halfway there and hurriedly shouted, "Report!"

He rode a fast horse to Yelü Xian's army, dismounted, knelt down and cried out, "Your Majesty! Urgent report!"

"Speak!" Yelü Xian shouted coldly.

"His Majesty's western expeditionary force, dispatched to Jinyang, was intercepted by the Song army south of Xinxian and suffered a complete defeat."

"What?" Yelü Xian frowned and shouted, "Head to Xijing tonight, quick!" After saying that, he dismounted and yelled at Xiao Xuan, who was standing in the wind in front of the carriage, "Get in the carriage, what are you standing here for?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan knew that he wouldn't use the whip on her for the time being. The military situation was urgent; Jinyang City was under siege, and her good friends were there. She knew this wasn't the time to argue or talk back. She glared at Yelü Xian, then turned and got into the small carriage, which Yelü Xian followed.

The large contingent sped towards Xijing.

After getting into the carriage, Xiao Xuan gently straightened her collar, but still held onto the gold hairpin tightly in her hand. The carriage jolted a bit, and Xiao Xuan stopped arguing with Yelü Xian. Instead, she curled up in a corner and closed her eyes to rest.

A large hand suddenly grabbed her hand holding the gold hairpin and snatched it from her grasp.

"Whatever, take it if you like," Xiao Xuan thought to herself, but then she felt something fall into her hair. She lazily opened her eyes and saw Yelü Xian close at hand, his hand caressing her face. Was he putting her hairpin back into her hair? Looking at his still angry face, Xiao Xuan waited for him to scold and reprimand her, but he remained silent, only moving closer and closer, embracing her tighter and tighter, before kissing her without another word.

Not wanting to hurt her, and knowing she must be furious, Yelü Xian was even more careful about his words and actions to prevent her from doing anything rash. He made no mention of her leaving the palace without permission, fearing that seeing the whip would remind her of him wielding it. He even ordered that no one was allowed to approach their carriage with a whip.

He noticed that unless he spoke to her, she would lie quietly in the corner. Even when he did speak to her, her replies were incredibly simple. "No matter how I treat you, you only have eyes for him—Han Derang, is that it? You did something wrong, and I wanted to tell you, but I chose the wrong way, so that's why you treat me this way, isn't it?"

Xiao Chuo, do you know how much I love you? From the first time I met you while hunting in the wild, I have thought of you every single moment. Now that I am the Empress of Liao, don't you care at all? He wanted to shake her awake and ask her what he had done wrong, but he was afraid she would say something even more heartless and hurtful, so he simply didn't ask. This is good enough. As long as you are by my side, that is enough.

Yelü Xian looked at Xiao Xuan in the swaying carriage, sighed deeply, picked up a thin blanket from the side, and gently covered Xiao Xuan with it. He looked at her with pity, and Yelü Xian was about to lie down and rest when he saw Xiao Xuan open her eyes and stare at him.

Looking at Xiaoxuan, Yelü Xian said, "What's wrong? Are you feeling uncomfortable in the car? Hang in there, we'll be in Xijing soon, and you'll feel better then."

"Is the situation urgent? Did the defeated route suffer heavy losses?"

Yelü Xian was taken aback; he hadn't expected her to ask him that question.

"Yes, it's urgent. We sent out two groups of men. If one group fails, the other will have a very difficult time," Yelü Xian explained to Xiao Xuan.

"You...really want to hit me?" Xiaoxuan asked softly.

"No, not at all," Yelü Xian replied.

Xiaoxuan sighed and closed her eyes. She knew that she had indeed gone too far this time. She originally wanted to communicate with him, but his answer disappointed her. Was it so hard to tell the truth?

"How could I bear to hit you? But this time you've made me lose face." Seeing her suddenly close her eyes, Yelü Xian guessed that she must be dissatisfied with his answer, so he told her what was on his mind: "Have I been bad to you? How do you want me to treat you? It was indeed my fault for pointing the whip at you. I shouldn't have done that. I was too angry at the time."

"What you did was no different from that of a wild beast." Xiao Xuan opened her eyes, looked at the roof of the carriage, and said softly, "There's nothing wrong with you. I've caused you trouble. I have friends in Jinyang City who are currently besieged. I really want to go there and see if I can help them in any way. I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"Why don't you explain it to me clearly? Your friend is my friend. Do you think I would ignore it?" Yelü Xian moved closer to Xiao Xuan, placed his hand on her body, and looked at her tenderly.

Looking at Yelü Xian, Xiao Xuan frowned slightly and said, "You are the emperor, and your responsibility is to the people of Liao. My friend is not a Khitan, so..."

"So you thought I wouldn't help you, so you ran away by yourself?" Yelü Xian interrupted Xiao Xuan, saying, "Remember, you are now my woman, no longer the third young lady of the Xiao family. You have things to say to me, and you have matters to discuss with me, understand? Putting aside whether you should go to rescue your friends in Jinyang City, even if you didn't have any friends, my Great Liao has a prior agreement with Jinyang, and I will still send people to rescue them."

Looking at the clean and handsome face in front of her and listening to his answer, Xiao Xuan smiled slightly at him.

This must be the first time she's smiled at him. Yelü Xian slowly leaned down and kissed Xiao Xuan's face. The smile was so beautiful and so warm.

Throughout the rest of the journey, the two no longer felt distant, and they would occasionally get out of the car to embrace and breathe fresh air. Seeing them reconcile, Xiao Siwen felt secretly gratified, while Gao Xun, Nu Li, and the others were quite annoyed.

Upon arriving in Xijing, before the group could even settle in, they received new military intelligence.

The second force sent to relieve Jinyang, which then marched to Dingzhou, was also defeated by the Song army and returned home.

Yelü Xian's brow furrowed again. It seemed that the Song army was prepared for a protracted war. Yelü Xian sent people to continue scouting while discussing the current situation in Jinyang with his generals.

Xiao Xuan paced back and forth in the room, her heart empty. In her hand she held the belt with Liu Yanyu's name on it. She was waiting for Yelü Xian, waiting for him to return. She kept pacing, her mind filled with the gleaming silver gun and the words: "If you come back alive, I'll become your sworn brother."

Liu Yanyu, I'm not here to formally become sworn brothers with you; we're just friends. Jinyang City is under siege; you must be very worried, right? If a war really breaks out, what will you do?

Please, no war! Please, no war! If it really opens, God, you must protect that Liu family.

The sun sank below the horizon without anyone noticing, and Yelü Xian returned to the house, where he saw a listless Xiao Xuan.

"Yan Yan," Yelü Xian walked to Xiao Xuan's side and said softly, "Marching and fighting are very boring. After the war, I will accompany you to your favorite place and play with you, okay?"

Xiao Xuan smiled softly. This man could still be so gentle to her at a time like this. What more could she ask for? His gentleness left her at a loss and completely defenseless.

"How's it going? The war? Have you thought of a solution?"

Yelü Xian took Xiao Xuan's hand, sat back on the bed, shook his head and sighed.

Seeing him like this, Xiaoxuan couldn't help but feel disheartened. She thought that after a busy day, he had come up with a way to save Jinyang, but she didn't expect... Sigh!

"Yan Yan, I have already ordered someone to send you back to Shangjing," Yelü Xian said in a low voice. "It's too dangerous here. Both of our armies have been defeated, which shows how strong the Song army is this time. Scouts have also reported that the Song army, under the personal command of their ruler, has surrounded Jinyang City in four directions and has even built a new small city near Jinyang City. This time, they are determined to take Han. Xijing is too close to Han territory, and it's dangerous for you to stay here. I can't rest easy about it. You should go back to Shangjing first and wait for me there. Only then will I feel at ease."

Xiao Xuan nodded. She didn't understand military affairs, but she knew the importance of focusing on the battle when facing a formidable enemy.

"Can we not fight?" Xiaoxuan felt that she had asked a rather childish question.

“It’s not that we want to fight, it’s that the Song people want to fight. We are so close to the Han lands, and we have looked after each other for many years. If the Han lands are taken over by the Song people, I’m afraid they will invade our Great Liao next.”

Xiao Xuan paused for a moment and then said, "I promised to go back to the capital. Before I leave, can I ask you if you're still angry with me?"

Yelü Xian was taken aback. He sighed first, then said gently, "Why are you still angry? I... care about you a lot. You should know that I like you, and it's not just empty words."

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 40: Encounter

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:54:05 Word Count: 3702

"Then, may I ask you a favor? There is a man in Jinyang named Liu Yanyu, whose father is Liu Jiye, a general of the Han Dynasty. If Your Majesty can relieve the siege of Jinyang, then please be sure to find this man and see if he is safe and sound."

Yelü Xian smiled slightly: "Yan Yan, this must be the first time you've entrusted something to me. I will definitely remember it."

Xiao Xuan felt relieved after hearing what he said.

The next morning, as the sun rose, Xiao Xuan was escorted out of Xijing City by a group of guards.

Yelü Xian, residing in the Xijing capital, watched Xiao Xuan gradually walk away before feeling relieved. He only felt at ease when she was in the safest place. He thought this would ensure Xiao Xuan's safety and keep her away from danger, but little did he know that his good intentions had inadvertently led her into a dangerous trap.

Gao Xun and Nüli had initially thought that Xiao Xuan, who had angered Yelü Xian, would surely be severely punished. However, to their surprise, the girl used some kind of magic, and not only did Yelü Xian not blame her, but he also seemed to love and pamper her even more than before. The two secretly plotted to harm Xiao Xuan. They lied to Yelü Xian, claiming that for the safety of the Imperial Noble Consort, it would be safer to send her back to Shangjing. Behind their backs, however, they had already spread the word that the Liao Imperial Noble Consort was about to depart from Xijing and return to Shangjing. They even specifically instructed the guards to slow down the journey, claiming that the Noble Consort was of delicate constitution and could not withstand a bumpy ride. In reality, they were letting Song spies know this information so they could make their plans.

If the Song people were clever, they could easily hijack the carriage and abduct her, using the concubine's body to blackmail the Liao into not interfering in the Song-Han war. Besides, with such a beauty before them, they could enjoy her to their heart's content—why not? Hahaha! Those Song people aren't exactly saints. Such a beautiful woman, in their hands, especially on a battlefield full of men, what good could her fate be? Even if Yelü Xian liked her and loved her, she would still be a broken body. Like a withered willow, anyone who wanted to get close to her would have to avoid gossip. Xiao Chuo, hahahaha! I'm afraid you won't be able to return then, and might even be taken back to their capital, Tokyo, by that Song girl, to be pampered day and night. Then you'll have to thank us for our kindness.

Watching Xiao Xuan's carriage disappear into the distance, Gao Xun raised an eyebrow, secretly chuckling to himself. The woman was also thrilled; if the plan succeeded, the little red horse would be his. Alas, what a pity! The pearl around the girl's neck remained unattainable; who knows who it will end up with? What a shame!

As the carriage gradually disappeared from sight, a subtle smile appeared on Yelü Xianshi's lips. Nüli and Gao Xun had been acting strangely these past few days; this was the first time he'd seen them so busy attending to Consort Xiao. Especially Nüli, insisting on keeping the little red horse, saying that seeing it would remind His Majesty of the Consort—he certainly seemed to be thinking of His Majesty's best interests. Hmph, Nüli, if it were anyone else doing this, it wouldn't matter, but it's you who's being so obsequious; there's something fishy going on here. Xianshi sighed. Nüli and Gao Xun had always been valued and protected by His Majesty, and he'd long ago seen through them—they weren't exactly trustworthy. Although he'd repeatedly advised His Majesty, he'd only laughed it off. If he were to express his suspicions now, he didn't know whether His Majesty would believe him or not. Well, if he spoke of these baseless accusations, His Majesty would likely dislike him, thinking he was stirring up trouble.

Everyone had their own thoughts, but only Hugh watched the carriage leave, reluctant to part, with a hint of loneliness in his eyes.

Little did Xiao Xuan know that she was being plotted against. She sat comfortably in the carriage, waiting for the long journey back to the capital.

The Song army's scouts had already discovered everything and rushed to report to Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty, who was besieging Jinyang.

"A golden opportunity!" Zhao Kuangyin laughed. He was also worried that the Khitan barbarians would come to the aid of the Han emperor again, so it was better to avoid trouble at this time. Although he didn't know if the person in the carriage was really the Liao king's concubine, he had to find out. He immediately dispatched elite troops to intercept the carriage day and night.

The prepared will always prevail over the unprepared, especially since this time, someone within the Liao Kingdom deliberately let them off the hook. Although the number of people protecting the imperial concubine was large, they were all old and frail. In the midst of the fierce fighting, the Liao soldiers and guards didn't even have a chance to escape before they all fell in pools of blood.

Xiao Xuan got off the carriage and saw the corpses lying all over the ground. Far from being afraid, she was filled with rage. These people were just ordered to take her back, and they were killed for this? What justice or conscience was left in this world? Before she could even express her feelings, a group of men holding spears held her neck.

"Get back in the car obediently." The leader, seeing the conspicuously bright pearl on Xiao Xuan's chest, knew she was the target of this operation and quickly ordered her back to the car. Looking at the spears and broadswords held to her neck, Xiao Xuan smiled coldly. In chaotic times, life is as fragile as paper—that saying was truly true. She immediately said, "How can I get in the car if this isn't removed?"

"Sheathe your weapons!" At the leader's command, everyone immediately sheathed their spears and machetes, their movements swift and without a trace of disorder.

It seemed everything was prepared, Xiao Xuan thought to herself. She got back into the carriage, which changed direction and sped off towards another destination.

Several days later, the carriage she was riding in finally stopped, and she heard an angry shout: "Get out! We've arrived."

For the past few days, Xiao Xuan, sitting in the car, had been wondering who had kidnapped her. After getting out of the car, she looked around.

Not far away stood a city, a city she recognized because she had been there before—it was Jinyang City! She had now been brought to a newly built small city outside Jinyang City.

Wasn't Jinyang City besieged by the Song army? How did I end up here? Could it be that the person who brought me here is from the Song Dynasty? Xiao Xuan's mind raced, trying to find the answer. Who was it? Who would treat her like this? Could it be him? Zhao Guangyi! Xiao Xuan gently touched the old wound on her shoulder, pondering. Zhao Guangyi was dressed as a military officer; he might be some kind of general. It must be that he failed to kill me last time, so he used this opportunity to kidnap me and harm me.

Just then, a furious shout rang in my ears, "Go!"

Dressed in Liao-style clothing, Xiao Xuan clutched the pearl on her chest tightly with both hands to conceal her inner panic. She was led into a huge military tent.

Upon entering the tent, before she could even get a clear look at the situation inside, she was pushed to the ground by the soldiers behind her.

"Your Majesty, the man has been captured."

A thunderbolt struck Xiaoxuan's mind: His Majesty? Could this His Majesty be Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty? The Zhao Kuangyin she had grown up listening to stories about since childhood?

"I ask you? Are you the Imperial Noble Consort of the Liao Kingdom?"

A chill ran down Xiao Xuan's spine. After a moment of silence, she whispered, "Will the peach blossoms on the cliff bloom again next year?" The man's voice was familiar, but Xiao Xuan couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe things could be so coincidental. She had once traveled thousands of miles to the capital of the Song Dynasty, Bianjing, just to live in the same city as this legendary figure, because of his name, because of the various legends and biographies passed down through the ages. She couldn't believe it; she had already seen that legend, seen that hero. They had laughed and talked together; they had seen the same peach blossom.

"Who are you? Raise your head!" came a man's astonished voice from beside him.

Xiao Xuan didn't look up, but she let go of Mingzhu's hand that was tightly gripping it.