All about Xiao Hunian (The Legend of Xiao Chuo 燕云台)

A little over a week ago, I was wondering if I should write about Charmaine's character; Xiao Hu Nian (萧胡辇) in the upcoming Mainland China drama The Legend of Xiao Chuo (燕云台). The pinyin for the Chinese title is Yan Yun Tai, so for the sake of brevity, I shall use YYT to represent the drama/novel. I've finally finished the novel (I skimmed parts not related to Xiao Hunian) so I'm going to post a summary of her character. Now, this is based on the novel so we're unsure if they will alter her storyline, but there's plenty of SPOILERS below this post. 

Xiao Hunian is the daughter of Xiao Siwen, a powerful chancellor since Emperor Taizong of Liao reign (Khitan). The Xiao family is the queen faction of Liao Dynasty, all future empress and brides for royalty originate from this faction. Therefore, since young Xiao Hunian is designated as the future crown princess of Emperor Shizong's son. All three daughters of Xiao Siwen was provided with the best education since birth, including archery and sports.

Xiao Siwen

However, Emperor Shizong, his queens, crown prince and mother was assassinated during a hunting trip. Yelu Xian, the 2nd prince (Jing Chao) witnesses the brutal slaughter. As he was just 4 years old, the throne was passed over to Yelu Jing (Li Ning) with the support of Xiao Siwen. Yelu Jing ascended the throne as Emperor Muzong and he was infamously known as the Sleeping Emperor. He likes to sleep in the morning, and when he's awake, he's brutally murderous. He placed Yelu Xian and his younger brother Yelu Zhimo under his watch but didn't kill them as he has sworn to Xiao Siwen and other courtiers that he would not harm them, in order to get support to be the Emperor. Now, this Emperor Muzong has no children, hence a lot of descendent from the royal family (his uncles, cousins) are eyeing the throne. As Xiao Siwen is very powerful and his daughters are considered the future empress(es), many young royals are eyeing at them, especially Xiao Hunian who is of marriageable age. 

Xiao Yanyan

Xiao Wuguli

Back to Xiao Hunian, she is someone who is mature beyond her age, considerate and wise. Her mother died giving birth to Xiao Yan Yan (Tiffany Tang), so she took the role of both mother and sister to her two younger sisters. The middle sister, Xiao Wuguli (Amber Lu) is spoiled, ambitious and selfish. Xiao Yan Yan is also spoiled, brash but soft-hearted. The Xiao family is close to Han family (The Hans are Chinese Han and considered as slave level in Khitan rule). By the way, Khitan men and women have equal rights, women can go to school, be government official, own inheritance etc. Both Xiao Hunian and Xiao Yanyan have a crush on Han Derang (Shawn Dou), but Xiao Hunian did not pursue him as she knew her responsibility is to marry royalty, as a Xiao eldest daughter.

Han Derang

Yelu Xiyin

Yelu Xiyin (Jeffery Ji) and his father have always eyed the throne, and he tried to pursue Xiao Hunian in order to get Xiao Siwen to support him in being the next Emperor. Xiao Hunian saw through his intention right away and coldly rejected him. He turned his attention on Xiao Wuguli and she fell in love with him right away. He tried to raise a rebellion and tricked the gullible Xiao Wuguli to steal her father's seal so that Xiao Siwen will be forced to support him as Emperor Muzong will consider him as a conspirator. Yelu Xiyin and his father failed in the rebellion and Xiao Wuguli is captured together. She begged/threatened Xiao Hunian and father to save Yelu Xiyin. Yelu Yanchege (Tan Kai), the younger brother of Emperor Muzong, took the opportunity to pressure Xiao Hunian to marry him. He is much older and widowed, and Xiao Hunian agreed in order to save Xiao Wuguli. Xiao Wuguli got what she wanted, Emperor Muzong spared Yelu Xiyin and they got married. Xiao Hunian married Yelu Yanchege. He loved her, but he is also a ruthless prince. 

Yelu Yanchege

Yelu Xian

Xiao Hunian willingly sacrificed herself so her two younger sisters can marry the men of their choice. Xiao Yanyan was betrothed to Han Derang, and at this time Emperor Muzong was murdered by his slaves. Through Han Derang manipulation (Xiao Yanyan tricking Xiao Hunian and stole Yelu Yanchege's seal), they manage to delay his movement and allowed Yelu Xian to succeed the throne. Yelu Yanchege escaped from being capture by Yelu Xian (now Emperor Jingzong) after Xiao Hunian threatened to take her own life. Xiao Hunian returned to Xiao mansion.

Emperor Jingzong asked for Xiao Yanyan hand and Xiao Siwen secretly agreed. Xiao Hunian discovered something amiss while checking Xiao Yanyan wedding dowry and told Xiao Yanyan. Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang decided to elope. Xiao Siwen forced Xiao Hunian to chase after them and bring them back, pressuring her with Xiao family responsibility. Xiao Hunian even offered herself as replacement bride, it shouldn't matter since Jingzong main purpose is to get Xiao family support. Xiao Siwen thinks that Jingzong is too cunning, Xiao Hunian may not be able to control him. Since he has a soft spot for Xiao Yanyan, it might be to Xiao Yanyan advantage. Cut the story short, Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang were captured back and she ends up marrying Jingzong.

Some time has passed and Yelu Xiyin still did not give up on the throne. As Jingzong was sickly, and Xiao Yanyan just got pregnant (Yelu Xiyin and Xiao Wuguli already have a son), he decided to invite Yelu Yanchege back to the capital, to balance the power between royal factions. Again, Xiao Hunian was made to ask Yelu Yanchege to come back. Yelu Yanchege was bestowed Royal Uncle title and very soon, Xiao Hunian is pregnant. Yelu Yanchege is obsessed with revenge and the throne, he masterminded the murder of Xiao Siwen, his father-in-law. He also placed a curse on Xiao Yanyan's son. Xiao Hunian found out and in their struggle, she miscarried. At the same time, Yelu Yanchege rebellion plot was discovered and he died from battle injuries (or poison to the wound). 

Li Si

Since Xiao Hunian was widowed, people around her encouraged her to remarry (candidate being Han Derang) but she knew he still loved Xiao Yanyan. In fact, she advised him to get married to Li Si (Meng Zhi Yi) in order to save his life (courtiers want him executed for being rumoured to father Xiao Yanyan's 3rd son) and Xiao Yanyan reputation. 

Meantime, Yelu Xiyin has twice tried to raise rebellion/harm Xiao Yanyan. Both time, he was spared because Xiao Hunian pleaded with Xiao Yanyan on behalf of Xiao Wuguli. The final time, Emperor Jingzong executed both Yelu Xiyin and his 14-year-old son with Xiao Wuguli, despite Xiao Yanyan pleas. This drives Xiao Wuguli to madness and she plotted to poison Xiao Yanyan. Han Derang stopped her in time, and in the sisters heated argument, Xiao Yanyan said she wants Xiao Wuguli to die and Xiao Wuguli really drank the poison. Xiao Hunian was devastated that Xiao Yanyan really pushed Xiao Wuguli to death. She asked to be dispatched to guard the west borders with her army (inherited from Yelu Yanchege). 

Talan Abu

Han Derang convinced Xiao Yanyan to let Xiao Hunian go. Xiao Hunian went to the west borders and manage to quell the rebellion there and established her own influence with the Khitan factions there. One day, while strolling in the plains, she came across a herd of horses and their tamer who is bathing in the river. The horse tamer is a young, handsome lad in his 20's which we later learn is Talan Abu (Peter Sheng). His bold and flirtatious manner amused Xiao Hunian, and she found out that he is one of her slaves, and he has a reputation of being amorous (he doesn't reject any sexual invitation). Xiao Hunian being lonely, decided to bring him to her tent as her lover - it was purely sexual in the beginning but after he ran away (he thought she is just like other women who sleeps and get rid of him after being bored), she realized he's quite childlike (or simple-minded) and grew fond of him. She showered him with riches and power, and many courtiers in the west border disliked him because he is pompous and often made a mess. Xiao Hunian knows he always messes up but let him be because those were trivial matters for her, she can take care afterwards. At this juncture, Xiao Yanyan has remarried Han Derang, removed his slave status and elevated his family ranking. Therefore, Xiao Hunian did the same for Talan Abu. 

Xiao Yanyan received complaint letters from courtiers about Xiao Hunian and her new lover Talan Abu. She was upset because Talan Abu has a bad reputation (amorous past, pompous attitude) and came from a lowly slave ranking. She thinks Xiao Hunian is being deceived by Talan Abu. Since they're having military expedition to West, Xiao Yanyan and Han Derang visited Xiao Hunian. It was hate at first sight for Xiao Yanyan, as she was disgusted by Talan Abu flirtatious manner. Xiao Hunian introduced Talan Abu as her man and asked for Xiao Yanyan blessing, just like how she supports Xiao Yanyan remarrying Han Derang. When Xiao Yanyan insults Talan Abu lowly status:

"Are you saying, with my calibre, I still need a man's status to elevate myself? The person you liked (Han Derang), you made the Emperor rever him as Royal Uncle. So what's wrong with asking my sister and brother-in-law to show some respect to someone I liked?"

But Xiao Yanyan sends a dancer to seduce the drunk Talan Abu to leave Xiao Hunian, but he realized this was a trap by Xiao Yanyan. In his drunken stupor, he vomited on Xiao Yanyan's dress, which she flew into a rage and ordered the guards to club him (40 strikes, which can kill). Halfway through the beating, Xiao Hunian arrived and got into argument with Xiao Yanyan. Xiao Yanyan accused Xiao Hunian by choosing Talan Abu over her, and Xiao Hunian refused to see Xiao Yan Yan for days afterwards. This further upsets Xiao Yanyan, who thinks her sister is betraying her by prioritizing a mere slave over her. She ordered her servants to abduct Talan Abu and imprison him to somewhere Xiao Hunian can never find.

In retaliation, Xiao Hunian pulled out her army from Xiao Yanyan military expedition, and instead put on a bridal dress. Their cousin, Xiao Dalin went to persuade Xiao Hunian, telling her to let go for the sake of the big picture.

 

"All my life I have been sacrificing for the big picture, and what did I get in return? I'm still alone at 40 years old, my husband is dead and I'm childless. I finally found someone I liked, but the Empress Dowager (Xiao Yanyan) expelled him. Can't I live for myself, for once?"

Xiao Hunian insisted that today was her wedding with Talan Abu, so either Xiao Yanyan returned him to her, or let her be a widow for 2nd time. Xiao Yanyan admitted defeat and told Han Derang that she has sent Talan Abu to a slave labour camp in the north. During this time, Talan Abu suffered abuse under the hands of the guards and almost got killed, when Xiao Hunian arrived in time to rescue him. Xiao Yanyan regretted her actions but it was too late, Xiao Hunian was cold to her afterwards.

After this incident, Talan Abu changed his personality, slightly reserved and building a good relationship with courtiers in the west border. Of course, he hated Xiao Yanyan for the humiliation and sufferings. Years gone by, Xiao Yanyan and Xiao Hunian live separate lives with little communication. Xiao Hunian found out that Talan Abu has been secretly meeting up courtiers and leaders - who are plotting rebellion. Xiao Hunian knew those courtiers are just using Talan Abu, and instead told Talan Abu that she will make him King if that is what he desired. 

"You can only live once. All my life, it's forbearance. I sacrificed too much. I just want to live according to my heart desire."

Therefore, she started to communicate with other factions that is against Xiao Yanyan. Talan Abu is delighted he even supervised the royal robes for their 'coronation'. When her advisors asked why is she taking the risk of rebellion:

"Yanyan lived her life wilfully. She always gets what she wants. She became Empress from marriage, took control of the court, no one defied her. The Emperor passed away, she became Dowager Empress and manage to have a happy ending with her true love Han Derang. She lived her life for herself, with no regrets. As for me, I've lived my life for Liao kingdom, for someone else. I never lived according to what I desire. Can't I be wilful for once? Fu Hui, I also want to be wilful for once."

There's this one sweet part where Talan Abu presented Xiao Hunian with the royal robes he personally supervised in tailoring for her. He also prepared 2 other sets in case she doesn't like it. And she helped put the crown on him. Ah, Talan Abu childlike mentality is still there. 

Of course, the rebellion failed and Xiao Yanyan send her troops to Dun City (where Xiao Hunian and Talan Abu palace is). Xiao Hunian entrusted her advisor to escape with Talan Abu, while she stalls Xiao Yanyan troops by staying behind. Talan Abu realized Xiao Hunian lied, and that she intended to commit suicide by burning the palace down. He rode back to the palace to die with her. They fainted from the smokes and when Xiao Hunian woke up, she asked to see Talan Abu. 

Xiao Yanyan was upset and insisted that her sister rebelled because she was influenced by Talan Abu. She would prove to Xiao Hunian that she was wrong, that Talan Abu is a useless man who only loved her for her wealth and power. She had the guards beat and torture Talan Abu, forcing him to admit that he doesn't love Xiao Hunian. Talan Abu agreed.

Xiao Yanyan laughed: "You're indeed despicable, insincere. You will betray my sister at any time."

Talan Abu: "You didn't look down on me because I was a horse slave. You hated me because I took Xiao Hunian's heart away from you."

Xiao Yan Yan: "You lowly slave! Till when do you still want to harm my sister? Do you want to drag her into hell with you?"

Talan Abu: "Of course I won't let Hunian follow me to hell. Bring her to see me, I will make her give up. I'm not afraid of you, but I owed Hunian too much. I want her to live on."

 

Xiao Yanyan brought Xiao Hunian to see Talan Abu and he forcefully pushed her and insulted her, telling her to scram since she no longer can help him. Xiao Hunian saw through him and didn't let go.

"Yanyan, he truly loved me. You have lost."

Talan Abu died in Xiao Hunian arm, due to the injuries (palace fire and torture by guards). They promised to be together in next life TT^TT. Xiao Yanyan is dejected because she truly lost her remaining sister. She cannot bring herself to kill Xiao Hunian, so she sentenced Xiao Hunian under permanent house arrest. 

Years passed, and Xiao Yanyan is getting old (near death). Han Derang visited Xiao Hunian, and find that she is still fit and healthy (because it was Talan Abu last wish that she lived on well). Han Derang passed Xiao Hunian poison, because he fears that Xiao Yanyan's children will not be handle someone as formidable as her after Xiao Yanyan pass away. Xiao Hunian last wish is to be buried together with Talan Abu, which Han Derang agrees. 

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So, that's my lengthy summary and spoiler for Xiao Hunian. She is really a tragic character, she sacrificed a lot for her family, for her sisters but no one understands her like Talan Abu does. But because her character is kind, smart, courageous, a lot of the book fans placed this character as one of the most likeable characters. Let's just keep our fingers crossed and hope the drama adaptation won't dumb her down or give her an evil personality.