Resumen y trama del episodio 18 de The Promise of Chang'an

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As Situ Kun’s forces closed in, Helan Wanyin was thrown to the ground. She contemplated ending her own life rather than enduring torture at the hands of such a brutal man. Just then, Helan Mingyu arrived with Helan Keyong, rescuing Helan Wanyin. Helan Keyong found himself trapped, so Helan Mingyu urged her older sister to run, quickly, pushing Helan Wanyin onto a horse.

Helan Mingyu, however, was captured by Situ Kun, who seized the opportunity to taunt her, saying, "Helan Mingyu, we meet again. What a coincidence! Back then, you used your older sister's name and really fooled me. Today, I will rip you apart and cut you up in your sister's place. Enjoy it! I will skin you and make a war drum to beat for the Helan and Xiao families to listen to."

Helan Mingyu was dragged behind Situ Kun’s horse, covered in mud like a common war criminal, and then tied to a pillar upon their return to Xi Qi. Situ Kun approached with a knife, threatening to carve her flesh with every stroke and disfigure her beautiful face. He demanded she beg him for a swift death. Defiant, Helan Mingyu declared that she was unlucky to have fallen into his hands but welcomed death or disfigurement, refusing to yield.

Situ Kun became furious and attempted to publicly humiliate her. Situ Cheng intervened, while Helan Mingyu warned Situ Kun that he could kill her but not dishonor her, as she was the Side Consort of Great Sheng’s King, Xiao Chengrui. Insulting her would insult Xiao Chengrui, whose reputation was at stake, especially since the King of Xi Qi remained his prisoner.

Situ Cheng further advised his brother that Helan Mingyu was highly favored by Xiao Chengrui and suggested using her as a hostage to negotiate the release of their father. Situ Kun conceded, agreeing to bargain with Xiao Chengrui. Days passed without Situ Kun appearing for negotiations, prompting Xiao Chengrui and Xiao Chengxu to ride to the city gates. Xiao Chengrui called out, demanding Situ Kun show himself if he intended to negotiate.

Situ Kun appeared on the city wall with a bound Helan Mingyu, stating he had other things to discuss. He threatened that if Xiao Chengrui wanted Helan Mingyu to live, he must release the King of Xi Qi, withdraw Sheng’s troops from all captured Xi Qi cities, and retreat to the He River. Otherwise, he would slit her throat and send her corpse to Xiao Chengrui, demanding a reply by the next day.

Helan Mingyu remained tied to the city wall all night. Xiao Chengxu, who had stood vigil outside Xiao Chengrui’s tent, eventually burst in despite orders forbidding entry. He urged Xiao Chengrui to agree to Xi Qi’s terms, even if only as a pretense to buy time.

Xiao Chengrui adamantly refused, explaining that Great Sheng’s victories came at the cost of countless soldiers’ lives, and giving in would make him appear to prioritize a consort over his army's sacrifices and the nation's future. He ordered his troops to prepare for battle. Xiao Chengxu pleaded with him, emphasizing Consort Li's innocence and potential sacrifice.

Xiao Chengrui, heartbroken but resolute, stated that as a king, he must always put the country first, even if it meant she could only be an innocent victim. He then ordered Xiao Chengxu to lead the Wolf and Eagle Battalions to attack the north gate. Heart heavy, Xiao Chengxu complied. Before the battle, Xiao Chengrui silently apologized to Helan Mingyu from below the city wall.

Situ Cheng, meanwhile, was shocked to learn that Xiao Chengrui had rejected all their terms and ordered an attack. Situ Kun, enraged, yelled at Xiao Chengrui, questioning if he truly cared so little for his own woman. Xiao Chengrui, addressing Helan Mingyu, declared that while it grieved him to see her trapped, their duties as king and consort necessitated prioritizing the nation.

He promised to level Xi Qi and bury its people as revenge for her if he was forced to abandon her. As Sheng soldiers roared for revenge, Situ Kun, counting down from three, raised his knife to Helan Mingyu’s throat. Just as he was about to strike, Xiao Chengrui gave the order, "Prepare for battle!"

Helan Mingyu defiantly told Situ Kun that as a king, Xiao Chengrui was acting as he should, and that Situ Kun, with his country ruined, would soon be a homeless stray dog. Suddenly, Xiao Chengxu arrived, presenting the captured King of Xi Qi. He demanded Situ Kun release Consort Li in exchange for his father. Situ Kun, seeing his father, agreed to the exchange, insisting Xiao Chengxu bring the carriage alone to the city gate.

Xiao Chengrui observed the exchange without intervening. Once Helan Mingyu was safely with Xiao Chengxu, and Situ Kun had his father, Xiao Chengrui immediately ordered a full assault. Xiao Chengxu instructed his men to protect Helan Mingyu, then set the King of Xi Qi’s carriage ablaze and personally killed Situ Kun. The battle concluded with the deaths of both Situ Yin, the King of Xi Qi, and Situ Kun. Only Prince Situ Cheng managed to escape with some troops.

Xiao Chengrui expressed great satisfaction with the victory. When Xiao Chengxu returned with Situ Kun’s body, Xiao Chengrui was initially displeased with his unauthorized actions. However, Xiao Chengxu quickly publicly attributed the entire plan, including the exchange and the killing of Situ Kun, to Xiao Chengrui’s secret orders, portraying it as a brilliant tactic of "loosening the grip to capture" to rescue Consort Li. Xiao Chengrui did not contradict him.

Later, in private, Xiao Chengrui questioned Xiao Chengxu about his defiance of orders to save Helan Mingyu. Xiao Chengxu admitted their shared history but stated that he wouldn't have risked defying an edict for that alone. He explained that he couldn't bear to see Xiao Chengrui trapped in a dilemma, unable to secure the nation's victory without sacrificing Helan Mingyu.

Therefore, he chose to take the desperate risk, willing to die under Xi Qi's arrows if he failed, to resolve his Third Brother's predicament. Xiao Chengrui, acknowledging his courage, spared him from death but ordered fifty canes of punishment as a warning. Helan Mingyu came to thank Xiao Chengxu for saving her life. He downplayed his actions, stating he was merely following orders and suggested she thank His Majesty.

They exchanged polite, brief words, maintaining a careful distance in front of Xiao Chengrui. As Xiao Chengxu took his leave, Xiao Chengrui embraced Helan Mingyu, but her eyes remained fixed on Xiao Chengxu’s retreating figure. Xiao Chengrui expressed his hope that she wouldn't harbor resentment over the incident. Helan Mingyu magnanimously replied that she understood his duty as monarch and held no resentment or regrets, even if he had been forced to abandon her for the kingdom and its people.

She acknowledged his sincere efforts on her behalf and expressed her gratitude. Meanwhile, Xiao Chengxu endured his fifty canes. Xiao Chengxuan confronted Helan Mingyu, blaming her for his brother’s suffering and questioning why she continued to entangle herself with him when she was already the King’s consort. He lamented that Xiao Chengxu, despite risking his life, received punishment while his beloved was embraced by another. Helan Mingyu rushed to see Xiao Chengxu, who, despite his injuries, comforted her.

She knew in her heart that this was not Xiao Chengrui's plan; he had already given up on her. Only Xiao Chengxu would sacrifice everything for her, yet she felt helpless to do anything for him in return, only causing him pain. Xiao Chengxu produced a purse she had embroidered.

He recounted his wedding day, how it brought him no joy, consumed by thoughts of why the woman he loved had forced him to marry another and had seemingly moved on so easily. But seeing her purse, recognizing her handwriting, all his pain vanished, knowing her heart still held him. He said his wishes were simple: he asked for nothing but her happiness and peace, considering it Heaven’s greatest blessing.

Tearfully, Helan Mingyu echoed his sentiment, only wishing him a peaceful and smooth life and imploring him not to risk himself or be hurt for her again. Xiao Chengxu replied that he couldn’t guarantee or promise anything, as loving and protecting her had become a habit over the years. He then asked her to finish the stitching on the purse. Later, Helan Wanyin awoke from another nightmare, reliving her capture.

Helan Keyong came to tell her the good news that Helan Mingyu had been saved and was unharmed. He explained he was going to the Temple of Blessing to pray and give thanks for Mingyu's safety. Helan Wanyin, however, felt a pang of sadness, lamenting that neither her grandfather nor her brother seemed to care for her as much as they did for Helan Mingyu.

Elsewhere, Xiao Chengrui advised Xiao Qihan to learn from Xiao Chengxu, emphasizing that despite Qihan's role in supervising the army, Xiao Chengxu’s extensive battle experience and wisdom were invaluable. Xiao Qihan respectfully agreed to seek more guidance from his Ninth Uncle.

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