The Promise of Chang'an Episódio 46 Resumo e Enredo

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Helan Yunqi noted that Xiao Qiyuan had matured and was developing his own perspectives on court affairs. She observed that Xiao Chengxu, who had always treated Xiao Qiyuan as a child, held power too firmly, making it difficult for him to relinquish it. Helan Yunqi worried that the conflict between His Majesty and the Prince Regent would be irreconcilable, even without outside instigation, and urged Helan Mingyu to make a decisive move.

Helan Mingyu acknowledged the challenge of compelling Xiao Chengxu to surrender a significant portion of his power, as many court interests aligned with his. She then outlined a plan: according to ancient traditions, after Xiao Qiyuan’s grand wedding, he would attain full adulthood. At that point, they could announce to the nation that the emperor was ready to assume sole rule, allowing Xiao Qiyuan to gradually reclaim real power.

Helan Yunqi found this to be a good plan for Xiao Qiyuan to efficiently regain his authority. Helan Mingyu mentioned an oath Xiao Chengxu made when Xiao Qiyuan ascended, expressing her belief that he would not break it. Helan Yunqi then entrusted Helan Mingyu with all the arrangements. She reminded Helan Mingyu that the late Emperor Xiao Chengrui had already arranged a marriage, meaning the candidate was already set.

Helan Mingyu informed Xiao Qiyuan about his upcoming wedding, which would enable him to rule alone, expecting him to be pleased. However, Xiao Qiyuan was hesitant, asking who he was to marry. Helan Mingyu reminded him of a girl he met when he was younger, who had even visited the palace. Xiao Qiyuan realized she was Situ Zhen, the princess of Xi Qi. Xiao Qiyuan was immediately displeased and asked if this was Xiao Chengxu's idea.

Helan Mingyu clarified that the marriage alliance with Xi Qi was arranged by his father before his death and asked if he was unwilling to have Situ Zhen as his Empress. Xiao Qiyuan confessed he remembered Situ Zhen as hot-tempered and arrogant since childhood, fearing she would bring unrest to the palace and create more problems for Helan Mingyu. He suggested he should be allowed to choose an Empress who was beautiful, intelligent, and virtuous.

Helan Mingyu firmly stated that he could not choose his own Empress, as no one could overturn the late Emperor's arranged marriage. She explained that breaking such a contract without proper reason would lead to unforeseen consequences and chaos in Xi Qi. Xiao Qiyuan felt he was merely a tool for consolidating power and resented not being able to choose his own bride.

He declared that even if he became the sole ruler after the wedding, he would still be a "prop of the court" and would not mind giving up the emperorship. Helan Mingyu was angered by his outburst, emphasizing that an emperor's marriage was never his personal choice. Xiao Qiyuan later confided in his attendant, Xiao Linzi, about his persistent affection for Dong Ruoxuan, whom he described as creative, intelligent, and cute.

Xiao Linzi suggested revealing his imperial identity to Dong Ruoxuan and bringing her into the palace at once. Xiao Qiyuan refused, explaining that he wanted to interact with her as an ordinary person to ascertain her sincerity, not to force her with his status, which he considered bullying. He believed it wouldn't be too late to tell her after he had received her sincere words.

He reiterated his strong dislike for Situ Zhen, describing her as arrogant and annoying since childhood. Xiao Linzi proposed that Xiao Qiyuan marry Situ Zhen, assume sole rule, and then bring Dong Ruoxuan into the palace as a Consort. Xiao Qiyuan rejected this idea, unwilling to make Dong Ruoxuan suffer. He recognized that Helan Mingyu would never permit him to decide his own marriage, especially given the crucial political implications of the alliance with Xi Qi.

He feared that revealing his feelings for Dong Ruoxuan now would turn her into a target, and he desperately wanted to protect her. Faced with this dilemma, he admitted he did not know what to do. Xiao Chengxu learned of Xiao Qiyuan’s sentimental nature and his readiness to leave the palace to seek out a "beauty in the clouds." He observed that Xiao Qiyuan was more dedicated to this pursuit than to being a diligent emperor.

Xiao Chengxu mused that if Xiao Qiyuan had applied such effort to reclaim his right to rule the nation, it would at least not have been a waste of the decade Xiao Chengxu had spent teaching him. He regretted overestimating Xiao Qiyuan, believing that the young emperor took his efforts for granted and allowed outsiders to easily instigate him.

Xiao Chengxu worried that Xiao Qiyuan’s impulsive and careless behavior would lead to court chaos, rendering his own ten years of hard work for Great Sheng utterly useless. Helan Mingyu visited Xiao Chengxu to offer an apology. She informed him that she had severely disciplined Xiao Qiyuan and punished the Prince of Su, ensuring that such an incident would not recur, and offered him tea as a gesture of atonement. Xiao Chengxu, however, was not mollified.

He recounted Yan Hai's unwavering loyalty and how Yan Hai had once saved his life during battle by digging him out of a pile of dead bodies, whispering Helan Mingyu's name to give him strength. Helan Mingyu acknowledged knowing this story. Xiao Chengxu questioned whether Xiao Qiyuan truly recognized his error, pointing out that the emperor had not come to apologize personally.

He asserted that Yan Hai was innocent, merely a scapegoat for Xiao Qiyuan's anger, and that Xiao Qiyuan's true target was Xiao Chengxu himself, a fact evident in the wrath and hatred in the young emperor’s eyes. Helan Mingyu suggested that Xiao Qiyuan simply misunderstood their past relationship.

Xiao Chengxu retorted, challenging Xiao Qiyuan's right to judge their relationship and reflecting on the circumstances and individuals that led to the rupture between him and Helan Mingyu, bringing them to their current situation. Xiao Chengxu expressed his long-standing ambition to train Xiao Qiyuan into a capable ruler, hoping for a day when the emperor and the realm would no longer require either his or Helan Mingyu's guidance.

He concluded with sadness that these were merely his own deluded fantasies, as Xiao Qiyuan had never viewed him as a father, only as someone who brought shame, harboring only hatred and a desire to eliminate him. He questioned what he had done wrong over the past decade to deserve such an outcome. Helan Mingyu promised to continue guiding Xiao Qiyuan and asked for more time, believing he would eventually discern who was truly loyal to him.

Xiao Chengxu dismissed her optimism as wishful thinking, lamenting that Xiao Qiyuan had never tried to comprehend his suffering and always believed he was humiliating both Helan Mingyu and himself. He also noted that Helan Mingyu herself had begun to distance herself from both him and Xiao Qiyuan.

Xiao Chengxu then somberly asked if, on Xiao Qiyuan's wedding day, after he relinquished the imperial jade seal and stamp, Xiao Qiyuan would permit him to live or retain his title as Prince Regent. He challenged Helan Mingyu to convey to Xiao Qiyuan that if he desired the land Xiao Chengxu had won, he must conquer it through his own capabilities. Helan Mingyu met with officials Li and Ling, expressing her gratitude for their loyalty to His Majesty.

Official Li reported that Xiao Chengxu was delaying the handover of the imperial jade seal and stamp, citing the unset wedding date. Official Ling voiced concerns that if His Majesty were to take control too soon, state affairs might fall into chaos. Official Li revealed rumors circulating among the Wolf and Eagle Battalions, indicating their intention to support the Prince Regent in retaining power, with many other court members also backing him.

Helan Mingyu inquired if these sentiments originated from Xiao Chengxu. Official Li could not confirm his direct intent but noted that Xiao Chengxu had done nothing to suppress these rumors, and it appeared some individuals were subtly promoting the Prince Regent. Official Li concluded that the stability of Great Sheng hinged on their ability to appease the Prince Regent and smoothly transition His Majesty to sole rule.

Helan Mingyu believed that Xiao Chengxu's character would not allow him to be manipulated by others, thus his inaction implied acceptance. She decided to call upon the Prince of Zheng, Xiao Chengli, for assistance. She was resolute in "killing this possibility" of Xiao Chengxu usurping power, regardless of his actual intentions. Xiao Chengli reassured Helan Mingyu, promising to prevent Xiao Chengxu from "messing around."

He suggested that securing a public oath of loyalty from Xiao Chengxu to His Majesty would alleviate many anxieties. Confident that Xiao Chengxu would not refuse his elder brother, Xiao Chengli accepted the task. Xiao Chengxu received an invitation from Xiao Chengli for drinks and pondered if it was related to court rumors and Xiao Chengli's recent poor health.

His attendant, He Shaoyong, advised caution, even suggesting a refusal, but Xiao Chengxu felt he had no valid reason to decline his Second Royal Brother's invitation. Upon arriving at the venue, Xiao Chengxu was surprised to find a large gathering of relatives instead of the small, private meeting he had anticipated. Xiao Chengli declared that as they were all family, they should gather more often. He then dismissed everyone, stating he had private matters to discuss with the Prince Regent.

Xiao Chengli directly confronted Xiao Chengxu, demanding to know why he refused to surrender the imperial jade seal and stamp, accusing him of clinging to governmental control and perhaps harboring ambitions for the throne. Xiao Chengxu denied this, explaining that as Prince Regent, he must hold these symbols of authority until His Majesty assumed sole rule after the wedding, at which point he would choose an appropriate time to hand them over.

Xiao Chengli countered, accusing him of holding onto power to later claim he was "forced" to rebel when Xiao Qiyuan's patience ran out. Xiao Chengxu was visibly shocked. Xiao Chengli then lamented the battlefield deaths of his two sons, Qida and Qishuo, implying their sacrifice would be wasted on a "traitorous criminal." Xiao Chengxu expressed his sorrow over Qida and Qishuo’s deaths and vowed to repay their sacrifice.

Xiao Chengli angrily retorted that they died to protect Great Sheng’s peace and stability, not for a traitor. He demanded that Xiao Chengxu swear to the Heavens that he would never harbor intentions to rebel or usurp the throne. Xiao Chengxu challenged this, asking if Great Sheng's lands weren't single-handedly won by him.

Xiao Chengli erupted in anger, calling Xiao Chengxu "rebellious and unfilial," asserting that the lands were won by their ancestors and the blood of countless princes and soldiers, not by Xiao Chengxu alone. Xiao Chengxu requested a reason for such an oath, arguing that swearing without cause would be an open confession of a treasonous heart. He reiterated his lack of such intentions and questioned Xiao Chengli's trust in him.

Xiao Chengli pressed Xiao Chengxu, asking him directly if he would definitively abandon any plans to usurp the throne in the future, demanding a simple "yes" or "no." After a long pause, Xiao Chengxu replied, "Yes." Xiao Chengli then called everyone back into the room. He announced that the rumors of the Prince Regent planning to become emperor were false, stating that if Xiao Chengxu had such ambitions, he could have taken the throne when he captured the capital.

He declared that Xiao Chengxu had personally assured him he would never harbor a treasonous heart, neither now nor in the future. Xiao Chengli urged everyone present to refute these rumors and bear witness for the Prince Regent. Xiao Chengli then handed Xiao Chengxu wine and instructed him to swear before their ancestors, for the lands of Great Sheng. Kneeling, Xiao Chengxu solemnly swore to protect the emperor and never be disloyal.

He added that if he broke this oath, he would accept divine punishment and "break and die early." Overjoyed, Xiao Chengli praised Xiao Chengxu as a good son to their ancestors, a good brother to the late emperor, and a good uncle to the current emperor. He then asked Xiao Chengxu to put his oath in writing, explaining that he wished to take the written oath to his ancestors, as he did not have much time left.

With tears in his eyes, Xiao Chengxu asked why they had to relentlessly pressure him. He questioned if he was merely an outsider, a villain constantly guarded against and suspected by them. He refused to write the oath, imploring Xiao Chengli to grant him this last vestige of dignity. As Xiao Chengxu departed, Xiao Chengli violently coughed up blood.

Helan Mingyu learned from a servant that Xiao Chengli had successfully compelled Xiao Chengxu to publicly swear that he would never rebel. She expressed relief, having trusted Xiao Chengli’s ability to persuade him. However, the servant then delivered the news that Xiao Chengli had passed away. The servant conveyed Xiao Chengli’s final message, an apology to Helan Mingyu for only securing a public oath from Xiao Chengxu and not a written one.

Helan Mingyu acknowledged that Xiao Chengli's actions were more than sufficient. Meanwhile, Xiao Chengxuan questioned Xiao Chengxu, asking why he had sworn the oath. Xiao Chengxu explained that Xiao Chengli had forced his hand before his death, trapping him in front of the assembled princes. Xiao Chengxuan dismissed the oath, reminding Xiao Chengxu that he had previously sworn an oath when Xiao Qiyuan ascended and later "broken" it by not punishing Xiao Chengxuan for suggesting rebellion.

He argued that breaking another oath made no difference and urged Xiao Chengxu not to return the imperial jade seal and stamp. Xiao Chengxu, holding the imperial jade seal and stamp, deeply contemplated Xiao Chengxuan's words.

Resumo do episódio 45

Resumo do episódio 47