Resumen y trama del episodio 17 de The Promise of Chang'an

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Xiao Qihan was heartbroken after Ling Zhen'er rejected him again, wondering why she always looked down on him. Meanwhile, Xiao Chengrui pulled Helan Mingyu into his embrace, making her extremely nervous and wishing to escape. Xiao Chengrui noted her discomfort, asking if she feared he would "eat her."

He was in a good mood, having removed the system of joint regency with the three princes and redistributed power among the princes, while also reinstating the system of meritorious exams and the six ministries. He expressed how good it felt to be able to act on his ambitions. Helan Mingyu congratulated him on restoring the ministries and correctly surmised that he was eagerly seeking talented individuals to fill the new positions.

Xiao Chengrui confirmed this, revealing his plan to entrust the crucial Ministry of Personnel to Xiao Chengxu, seeing it as both an important appointment and a test of his capabilities. Helan Mingyu expressed slight concern about Xiao Chengxu's depth of qualifications, but Xiao Chengrui explained it was precisely to test his mettle.

Helan Mingyu then offered to prepare a bath for him, but when Xiao Chengrui suggested they bathe together, she quickly made an excuse about retrieving a special fragrance and fled. Upon returning to his manor, Xiao Chengxu found Su Yuying in a fit of anger. She complained that he was constantly busy and never home, despite her efforts to prepare meals that would go cold waiting for him.

Su Yuying admitted her past mistakes and promised to change her temper, begging him not to avoid coming home. Xiao Chengxu, however, pointed out that her temper remained the same, scaring the servants. Though acknowledging his own fault in leaving her to manage the manor alone, he ordered the cook to prepare some good dishes and told Su Yuying he would first go to his study to finish reports for the emperor before joining her for dinner.

Later, Xiao Chengrui asked Helan Mingyu if she felt wronged by their marriage. She replied that it was her greatest fortune to serve a great hero like him, but Xiao Chengrui found her answer insufficient. He confessed that he had observed her respect and obedience, but also a growing distance in her heart. He noted that she cared little for status, rewards, or even his affection, always agreeable and never acting spoiled or throwing tantrums.

He concluded that her indifference stemmed from a lack of care for him. Helan Mingyu insisted she only tried her best not to bother him because she genuinely cared for his happiness. Xiao Chengrui pulled her up, expressing his love and asking her to share all her emotions and hidden hopes with him, fearing he might lose her, or worse, never truly possess her heart.

Internally, Helan Mingyu was deeply pained, knowing that the heart he desired had long ago been given to someone else. In his study, Xiao Chengxu discovered his cherished personal belongings were missing. A servant confessed that Su Yuying had ordered them all burned while Xiao Chengxu was away on his expedition. These were items gifted by Helan Mingyu, including a horsewhip, an embroidered flower, and her poems.

Enraged by this act, Xiao Chengxu lost his appetite and declared he would not dine with Su Yuying. Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan then executed a plan to expose Xiao Chengtai. Xiao Chengxuan had already arranged for a witness to accuse Xiao Chengtai of illegally occupying private lands and houses. They orchestrated a public confrontation where a woman accused the Prince of Wei, Xiao Chengtai, directly before Xiao Chengrui. Xiao Chengtai attempted to silence her, but Xiao Chengxu intervened.

Cornered, Xiao Chengtai then claimed that the properties had been transferred to him by the late Fourth Brother, Xiao Chengyao, and offered to submit all deeds and ledgers. Xiao Chengrui ordered imperial guards to accompany Xiao Chengtai to his manor to collect the evidence, which would then be handed over to the Ministry of Personnel for Xiao Chengxu to manage. During the investigation, Xiao Chengtai was confined to his manor.

Xiao Chengrui expressed his support for Xiao Chengxu, noting that while many doubted his youth and inexperience for the Ministry of Personnel, he admired Xiao Chengxu's willingness to take on work and his unconventional approach. A secret military report arrived, revealing that Xiao Chengxiao and his Rhinoceros Xiao Battalion were trapped in White Rock Valley, near Xi Qi's Feng City, with no further news. Xiao Chengxu immediately offered to lead troops to rescue them.

Xiao Chengrui, pleased, praised Xiao Chengxu as his most outstanding nephew, promising to groom him into a great hero, just as he had guided him in childhood. Xiao Chengxu seemed momentarily lost in thought, recalling earlier advice from Helan Mingyu to be careful and not make mistakes, before reaffirming his commitment to the emperor. He was instructed to settle affairs at the Ministry of Personnel and depart for the expedition at once.

Later, Xiao Chengxuan confronted Xiao Chengxu, expressing anger that his brother was about to investigate Xiao Chengtai but was now ordered to fight Xi Qi. He feared Xiao Chengxu was falling into Xiao Chengrui's trap and that Xiao Chengtai would be unchecked. Xiao Chengxu clarified that he had asked to go on the expedition.

He explained that his departure was a strategic move to prompt Xiao Chengtai to dispose of any hidden properties, believing that while he was away, Xiao Chengtai would be less guarded. Xiao Chengxu revealed that he had planted spies near Xiao Chengtai, ensuring that any actions taken to cover up his misdeeds would be tracked, allowing them to uncover the full truth.

Xiao Chengxuan then understood his brother's cunning plan, and Xiao Chengxu urged him to join in gaining merits against Xi Qi while awaiting news about Xiao Chengtai. Meanwhile, Xiao Chengrui prepared to travel to Yonglin. Helan Yunqi voiced her concerns, noting that Xi Qi's king was hiding in Feng City, near Yonglin. She worried that if Xi Qi was besieged by Sheng Zhou, they would surely seek aid from Yonglin, potentially drawing them into conflict.

Xiao Chengrui acknowledged that the King of Yonglin, Helan Mingzhe, was becoming indecisive, reminiscing about old alliances with Xi Qi and secretly supplying them. He reassured Helan Yunqi that the King of Yonglin was their grandfather and that Sheng Zhou and Yonglin had always been harmonious. He explained that he intended to take Helan Mingyu back to Yonglin for a family visit, which would also serve as a reminder to Helan Mingzhe.

During the journey, Xiao Chengrui impressed Helan Mingyu by recalling her past, casual remarks about Yonglin being the most beautiful and unforgettable place. He even mentioned her desires to eat wild rabbit she had hunted and drink peach wine she had personally brewed and buried. Helan Mingyu was deeply touched that he remembered such trivial comments. Upon their arrival in Yonglin, Helan Mingyu felt carefree as she rode horses across the grasslands, much like in her youth.

At a local gathering, Xiao Chengrui learned that whoever grabbed a red flower could ask for the hand of Yonglin's most beautiful woman. After glancing at Helan Mingyu, he went to try. Helan Mingyu had a flash of memory, recalling when Xiao Chengxu had teasingly taken her red flower in the past, and a pang of sadness went through her.

Soon after, Xiao Chengrui returned with a red flower, presenting it to her and saying it was to make up for what had happened before. However, his old coughing ailment flared up. Helan Mingyu blamed herself, believing his illness was exacerbated by the long journey and accompanying her. She diligently cared for him. Unbeknownst to Xiao Chengrui, Helan Keyong discussed the political situation with Helan Mingzhe, the King of Yonglin.

Helan Keyong confronted his grandfather about receiving a secret letter from the King of Xi Qi, who was now trapped by Xiao Chengxu's forces and seeking help. Helan Keyong urged his grandfather to side with Sheng Zhou. He argued that Xi Qi was weakened and would eventually fall to Sheng, and by joining Sheng, Yonglin could eliminate a long-time opportunist and ensure its own survival.

He revealed that Xiao Chengrui's condition for Yonglin was to become a vassal state of Sheng Zhou, with everything else remaining unchanged, thus sparing the people from the suffering of war. Meanwhile, Helan Mingyu spoke with Ling Zhen'er, reflecting on Xiao Chengrui's chronic illness. She remembered Xiao Chengxu telling her that Xiao Chengrui had contracted it while risking his life to save Xiao Chengxu years ago.

Now, she felt a profound sense of guilt that his condition had worsened due to the exertions of accompanying her. She resolved to try her best to be the kind of wife he desired. She carefully dressed up and asked Xiao Chengrui to paint her eyebrows, which greatly pleased him. A report soon arrived, announcing that Xiao Chengxu had successfully captured the King of Xi Qi alive. Xiao Chengrui was overjoyed by Xiao Chengxu's accomplishment, and Helan Mingyu congratulated him.

Xiao Chengrui declared that he must immediately depart for the frontlines to meet the King of Xi Qi, Situ Yin, and discuss the terms of Xi Qi's subjugation. He instructed Helan Mingyu to remain in Yonglin and wait for him to return. At the same time, in Xi Qi, Situ Kun, enraged by the capture of the King of Xi Qi, vented his fury on Helan Wanyin, choking her. Xiangqin bravely intervened, striking Situ Kun to save Helan Wanyin.

Infuriated, Situ Kun ordered Helan Wanyin to be tied outside the hall, threatening to torture her before dealing with Sheng Zhou. However, before he could act, he discovered that Helan Wanyin was gone. Helan Keyong, anticipating the danger, had dispatched men to rescue Helan Wanyin and bring her back to Yonglin. Helan Mingyu insisted on accompanying her brother to bring Helan Wanyin back. Situ Kun's forces gave chase to Helan Wanyin and her escorts. Her protectors were killed by Situ Kun's men, sacrificing themselves to ensure her escape, leaving Helan Wanyin to flee desperately.

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