Trois canards mandarins et une paire et demie

Chapitre 6

"You! What are you doing?" Xiao Xuan, who was sitting in front of Xiu Ge, turned her head to look at Xiu Ge and asked him fiercely.

Looking at the tiny figure sitting in front of him, Hugh calmly said, "The person you were supposed to spy on has already died of illness." What? Died of illness?

"Chai Rong is dead?" Xiao Xuan frowned, cautiously probing in a soft voice. "Is this for real? Emperor Shizong of Zhou, Chai Rong, is dead?"

"He died long ago. The current emperor is the emperor of the Song Dynasty, surnamed Zhao."

"The surname is Zhao." Xiaoxuan murmured, "The Song Dynasty, the surname is Zhao. Emperor Shizong of Zhou is dead, now it's the Song Dynasty, the Great Song! Could it be Zhao Kuangyin, the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty?"

Upon hearing Xiao Xuan call out the name of the Song Dynasty emperor, Xiu Ge's eyes showed a hint of surprise, but he calmly replied, "It is him."

"Zhao Kuangyin! It's Zhao Kuangyin! Zhao Kuangyin who escorted Jingniang a thousand miles!" Xiaoxuan kept repeating. Even if she wasn't good at history, she knew he was the founding emperor of the Song Dynasty who once wanted to unify the country. His story of "releasing military power over a cup of wine" has been passed down through the ages, but it's nothing compared to the beautiful and romantic story in Xiaoxuan's mind: conquering the world with a single stick and escorting Jingniang a thousand miles away.

I remember when I was a child, after reading the story of Zhao Kuangyin escorting Jingniang a thousand miles, I felt both moved and envious. I really wished I could fly into that storybook and become Zhao Jingniang, so that I could have a hero by my side along the way.

We must go back, we must return to the Song Dynasty, and see that hero Zhao Kuangyin.

"Go back and tell His Majesty and my parents that I went to Zhao Kuangyin to investigate military affairs." After Xiaoxuan finished speaking, she was about to jump off the horse, but Xiuge held her waist tightly.

Xiao Xuan was furious and looked up to lash out at Xiu Ge, when she suddenly heard Xiu Ge say, "I can't pass on your message."

"Why?"

"Although Yelü Xiuge has little dealings with Lord Xiao, they are both subjects of the Great Liao. Now that Miss Xiao is in Xiuge's hands, Xiuge should naturally return you safely to Lord Xiao. How can I let you go to the Song Dynasty alone? If anything were to happen to the young lady, how could I, Yelü Xiuge, have the face to see Lord Xiao? Besides..."

"Besides what?" Xiao Xuan asked, seeing that Yelü Xiuge seemed hesitant to speak.

"Your mother has long since passed away, how can you convey this message?"

"What?" Xiao Xuan's eyes became glazed over, and she looked at Xiu Ge and said hesitantly, "My mother..." Looking at the glazed eyes of the little girl in front of him, and how confused she was about her own family affairs, Xiu Ge thought to himself that she was probably frightened by the hunting just now, which was why she was talking nonsense and her mind was unclear.

Yelü Xiuge's questioning gaze made Xiao Xuan's heart sink. Was Xiao San's mother already dead? That kind old man had lost his wife. Recalling what the maids had said—that Old Man Xiao and his wife, Princess Yelü Lübugu of Yan, doted on this Xiao San—a strange sense of loss welled up within her.

Turning her head away, Xiao Xuan whispered, "My... Mother, she's not dead. She's always been in my heart." She tried to cover up her slip of the tongue with these words, but her slightly trembling lips and her low, gentle voice conveyed a different feeling to Yelü Xiuge.

Even though her mother has been gone for so long, she can't forget her and talks about her all the time; her feelings for her parents must be incredibly deep. Furthermore, her desire to go to the Song Dynasty to gather military intelligence for our Great Liao is something no one else can match.

With a soft sigh, Hugh looked ahead and gently kicked the horse's flanks with both feet, urging the horse to carry the two of them slowly forward.

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter 10 Residence

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:53:54 Word Count: 3934

Achi stayed close behind the horse the two rode together, and the two remained silent as they traveled, with only the clatter of hooves echoing in their ears.

“Tell me about my parents,” Xiaoxuan suddenly said. “It’s been so long since anyone has talked about them.”

He inhaled her sweet fragrance and felt a surge of affection for her. Hearing her words, Xiu Ge, who was usually quiet, felt a flutter in his heart and said, "Lord Xiao and the princess had a very good relationship, known throughout the court and the country; few couples are as loving as them. Lord Xiao would often personally comb the princess's hair, a beautiful story known throughout the nation. After the princess passed away, Lord Xiao had no intention of remarrying, but instead adopted a son to raise. Lord Xiao mentioned that you were very fond of that boy and even named him Liu Zhi Ge?"

Xiaoxuan was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.

"Can you tell me what 'sending Jingniang a thousand miles' means?" Xiu asked.

Xiao Xuan smiled slightly; this was the most romantic story in her heart since childhood. The hero Zhao Kuangyin, who traveled a thousand miles to escort his beauty home. Xiao Xuan still remembered the picture in the picture book she saw as a child: on a long, ancient road, a man in ancient clothing, holding a stick, led a horse, on which sat a beautiful woman; behind them were towering mountains and a rising sun. Although she didn't know what love was then, to her, that picture was the most beautiful story; the people in the picture were destined for happiness.

"Once upon a time, there was a man who, from a young age, loved to fight injustice. Whenever he encountered wrongdoing, he would draw his sword... or his club, to help. One day, he met a beautiful young woman named Zhao Jingniang who had been kidnapped by bandits, and he rescued her. After rescuing her, he found out where she lived, gave her his horse, and rode a long distance to take her home. Along the way, he treated Jingniang with utmost care, addressing her as his brother. Any bandits who coveted Jingniang's beauty were all beaten away by his iron club. Later, he returned Jingniang safely to her family." Jingniang's parents, grateful for his kindness, wanted to marry her to him. They said that a lone man and woman traveling alone would invite gossip, so they simply wanted the man to marry their Jingniang. The man was furious, saying he was a gentleman; if he were after Jingniang's beauty, why would he have escorted her all the way? If he married her now, how would he be any different from those bandits who kidnapped Jingniang? With that, the man bid farewell to the Zhao family and traveled north, achieving great things and leaving behind the reputation of a protector of beauties, a legendary figure who traveled a thousand miles alone.

"Is that man Zhao Kuangyin, the emperor of the Song Dynasty?" Xiu asked.

Xiao Xuan didn't answer his question, seemingly talking to herself, "What a pity. Why care so much about what others say when you're alive? If you like someone, just love them. Don't ignore that relationship because of other people's opinions and prejudices. I wonder what that man was really thinking. Poor Zhao Jingniang, she had developed feelings for that man long ago, but he just abandoned her. The story is beautiful, but in the end, she was left heartbroken and longing for him in a foreign land. How tragic."

Hugh listened quietly, knowing that the person she was referring to must be Zhao Kuangyin.

"Could I make you give up the idea of going to the Song Dynasty?"

Hearing Yelü Xiuge's words, Xiao Xuan turned her head to look at him, then turned back and ignored him.

"The princess passed away early, and now Lord Xiao is counting on you to support the Xiao family. What will happen to the Xiao family if you leave?" Xiu Ge was afraid that Xiao Xuan was really determined to go to the Song Dynasty to spy on military intelligence, so he gently advised her.

“I still have my eldest and second eldest sisters at home, and they will take good care of Dad just the same,” Xiaoxuan replied.

“Your second sister was betrothed to Prince Zhao long ago. Now that Prince Zhao is imprisoned, your second sister is also under house arrest in Prince Zhao’s mansion. How could she possibly have the chance to return home to take care of our elderly father? Your eldest sister has been betrothed by Lord Xiao to Prince Yelü Xian. Her wedding day is not far off. Once she marries, she will be a true princess. The only place for her to live is the Prince’s mansion. How could she possibly run back to the Xiao mansion to take care of Lord Xiao? Your sworn brother, Xiao Jixian, is still a young boy and cannot yet manage affairs. Right now, isn’t the Xiao family only able to rely on you?” Xiu Ge said softly, “Although I have never met you, I have often heard Lord Xiao mention you and know that you are greatly favored by him. How can you bear to leave your elderly father and go to the Song Dynasty alone?”

Xiao Xuan frowned and asked, "What did my father say about me?"

"I once overheard the Prince and Lord Xiao talking about family matters, and they mentioned you. Lord Xiao said he asked the three of you sisters to clean your own rooms, and that he and the Princess would visit your rooms for a short while. Although the eldest daughter cleaned her room herself, there were still some small oversights. Although the room was clean and tidy, the furnishings were very haphazard and didn't match the room's overall style. The second daughter's room was neat and tidy, without any flaws, but unfortunately, she didn't clean and arrange it herself. She had the maids do it, and the maids dared not do their best, so they made the room neat and pleasing to the eye."

Xiao Xuan sat on her horse, listening intently as Xiu Ge told the story of the three daughters of the Xiao family. She was engrossed in the story, but when he didn't continue, she couldn't help but ask anxiously, "What about me?"

“Your father said that only you could keep the house spacious and bright, and the furnishings inside were just right, not a bit more or less. I remember he said with great satisfaction at the time, ‘Of your three daughters, only you are meticulous and conscientious. I’m afraid that only you will be able to achieve great things in the future.’”

"Did Dad praise me like that?" Xiao Xuan turned to look at Brother Xiu, eagerly awaiting his answer. Seeing Brother Xiu nod affirmatively, she smiled with relief. Xiao Chuo, so you're a meticulous and attentive person after all. Thinking of this, she looked up at the azure sky and muttered to herself, "Sigh, I wonder how that devil will torture me when I get back."

Seeing her muttering to herself as if nothing had happened, Hugh was taken aback. Wasn't she afraid or panicked? He then smiled to himself, thinking: Hugh, you're so silly. If she were panicked, how could she have escaped during the hunt? If she were panicked, how could she be the one shouting and cursing at His Majesty? Looking at the little figure in his chest, muttering to herself with emotion, he couldn't help but whisper to comfort her, "The King won't do anything to you anymore. You're mine now."

"What?" Xiao Xuan straightened up, turned her head to look at Yelü Xiuge and said, "What did you say?"

"Doesn't your neck get sore from twisting and turning like that all the time?" Hugh smiled slightly and said, "The King said that whoever catches you is their prey. According to the rules of the Khitans, whoever's prey is responsible for its disposal, and he won't interfere."

With her eyes wide open, Xiao Xuan stared at Yelü Xiuge and asked, "So, what do you plan to do with me?"

Seeing her face right in front of him, so close, Xiu Ge blushed and said, "I...I'll take you back to Lord Xiao."

"At least you have a conscience." Xiao Xuan sighed after saying that. "I'll ride my little red horse. Don't worry, I'll go back and meet my old man first, and then make some plans. I won't run away again." Upon hearing this, Xiu Ge jumped off his horse, gently lifted her down, and watched her walk to her little red horse, get on it, and then he mounted his own horse. The two of them galloped away, searching for a way back to their encampment.

Inside the camp, Xiao Siwen slowly woke up. Seeing that her daughter was not there, she couldn't help but burst into tears.

Han Derang rushed forward to comfort Xiao Siwen and told him that his daughter, Xiao Chuo, was unharmed. He recounted in detail everything that had happened after he fainted. Hearing that his "Chuo'er" was alright, Xiao Siwen was relieved, but he still eagerly hoped that she would return to his side to confirm that she was truly alright.

Upon returning to his residence, Yelü Jing acted completely out of character. He sat on the ground, neither drinking nor speaking, neither killing nor sleeping, but simply sitting there, lost in thought. This unusual behavior of the drunken, sleeping king made the ministers extremely uneasy, wondering what tricks he was up to.

Yelü Xian and Yelü Xianshi sat chatting to one side. Although his face remained expressionless, his heart was in turmoil. Yelü Jing was a tyrannical man, and today, in the blink of an eye, he had suffered two injustices because of Xiao Chuo—first killing Xiao Gu, then being verbally abused by Xiao Chuo. How could he swallow this insult? He was usually inseparable from his drink, but this time, upon his return, he hadn't touched a drop, sitting there in a daze; it was likely nothing good. Yelü Xian untied his wine pouch, took a sip of strong liquor, and gazed at the distant mountains and green fields, also pondering something.

The sound of horses' hooves clattered, and everyone stared wide-eyed in the direction from which the sound came. Xiao Siwen even stood up, staggered forward a few steps, and stared intently in the direction from which the sound of hooves was coming.

Two figures gradually came into view.

Unlike the others, Yelü Jing didn't look in the direction of the hoofbeats. A sinister smile played on his lips. No need to guess, it was definitely those two. I might not trust others, but surely I could trust Brother Xiu? When have I ever given him a task that he failed to complete? Hmph, Brother Xiu, you finally brought that woman back to me.

Yelü Xiuge and Xiao Xuan arrived near the encampment. Xiuge reined in his horse and said to Xiao Xuan, "Dismount." Xiao Xuan quickly reined in the little red horse, dismounted with Xiuge, and led the horse toward the encampment.

Before Yelü Jing could even see him, Xiao Siwen had already run over. He grabbed Xiao Xuan's arms and said in a trembling voice, "Chuo'er, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere? Tell your father quickly."

Seeing his trembling lips and tearful eyes, Xiaoxuan felt a pang of pity and gently comforted him, "Dad, I'm fine, don't worry. Yanyan is perfectly fine."

"Mmm!" Xiao Siwen answered with this one word, and as soon as she finished speaking, tears streamed down her face. "Chuo'er, if anything happens to you, how can I face your mother?"

"Dad, I'm sorry to have worried you. Don't worry, Mom is here to protect me, I'll be alright." Xiao Xuan comforted the weeping old man in front of her.

As the father and son were talking, a guard came over and said to Xiao Xuan, "His Majesty summons Xiao Chuo."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xuan felt a sudden emptiness in her heart. That devil still wouldn't let her go. Thinking this, she felt her arms being tightly gripped. She quickly looked at Xiao Siwen and saw him holding her arms firmly, refusing to let go. This father must be worried about Miss Xiao. Zhong Xuan, you're occupying someone else's body, enjoying love that isn't yours. How can you let such genuine fatherly love slip away? Your father loves his daughter; you are his "daughter" now. You mustn't act recklessly. Later, no matter what happens, you must endure it and never cause your father trouble.

"Dad," Xiaoxuan said softly, "Let me go, I'll be fine. Don't worry."

Empress of Khitan - Empress Dowager of Khitan Chapter Eleven: Xijing

Updated: 2008-09-20 16:53:55 Word Count: 3894

Xiao Siwen slowly released her hands, watching Xiao Xuan slowly walk towards Yelü Jing, her body trembling slightly.

"It's all my fault, Zhuo'er. I'm useless; that's why you've suffered so much." Xiao Siwen cursed himself inwardly. He was helpless; he knew Yelü Jing wouldn't let his Zhuo'er go. At this moment, he could only watch helplessly as Zhuo'er suffered. "Agu, if you were still alive, you would hate me, hate me for not being able to protect our child. Agu, how I wish he were a wise ruler; then, my life wouldn't be so tiring. He is the king, I am the subject; everything is controlled by him. I am merely a pawn in his hands."

Xiao Xuan slowly walked up to Yelü Jing. Looking at the cold look in Yelü Jing's eyes, she asked herself, should she kneel or not?

Without even looking, Xiaoxuan could feel countless eyes staring at her. After a moment's thought, she bent her knees.

She knelt down.

Because she has no right to say no.

She exists here only as a fleeting, ethereal soul; this body is not hers. She has no right to cause harm or misfortune to this body because of her own thoughts. She has no right to use her consciousness to harm someone else's body; all she can do is try her best to protect this body that does not belong to her.

"Xiao Chuo, if it were you, you would kneel, wouldn't you?" "Alright, we kneel." Xiao Xuan said to herself. "Xiao Chuo" knelt before Yelü Jing and said, "Xiao Chuo greets Your Majesty."

The cold smile that had been on Yelü Jing's face immediately froze on his face. He couldn't believe it, he couldn't understand why she would kneel down on her own initiative!

Just moments before, this girl had been cursing and yelling at him, but now she was kneeling down.

Yelü Jing roughly lifted Xiao Xuan's chin with his hand, and saw the hatred filling her eyes. Sure enough, hahaha, she was still herself, even if she knelt, she was still herself! Yelü Jing looked at Xiao Xuan kneeling before him and laughed twice, saying, "You don't want to kneel, do you? But why are you kneeling? Why are you kneeling?!"

"Because you are the king, because my father was your subject, because I am your people."

Upon hearing this, Yelü Jing could no longer laugh. These three simple "becauses" sent a chill down his spine. Xiao Siwen, Han Derang, Yelü Xiuge, Yelü Xian, Yelü Xianshi, and the others standing around him were also slightly taken aback upon hearing this.

Yelü Jing's facial muscles twitched slightly as he said, "I've been waiting for you, waiting for you to come back..."

"His Majesty!"

Yelü Jing heard a loud shout and looked in the direction of the sound. He saw Yelü Xiuge kneeling on the ground with his head bowed.

"Brother Xiu, I didn't do anything to your prey, what are you afraid of?" Yelü Jing said with a sinister smile.

Yelü Xiuge was taken aback. He thought Yelü Jing had forgotten what he had said, but after Yelü Jing said this, he was immediately embarrassed and didn't know what to do.

“Your Majesty,” Prince Yelü Xian said, patting his forehead, “I have suddenly remembered something. I recall that before I left this morning, a Han envoy requested an audience. The envoy said that the Song army, under the command of General Li Jixun, has already invaded Han territory and will arrive in Taiyuan soon. He came to request Your Majesty’s assistance. This matter has come rather hastily, and I fear it cannot be delayed. This time, the Song army is formidable and its intentions are not good. I am very uneasy. If Han is defeated this time and the Song people take it, it will certainly be detrimental to our Great Liao.”

"What's the rush? Hmph, I don't believe those Song people have three heads and six arms and can take Taiyuan in one fell swoop."

"Your Majesty's words are reasonable. However, I think that if we can send reinforcements to the rescue as soon as possible, it would be beneficial and without any drawbacks. Wouldn't that be more secure and safe?" Yelü Xian said, glancing at Yelü Xiuge kneeling on the ground.