The Promise of Chang'an Episode 14 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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Consort Hui visited Helan Yunqi, seeking her help to arrange a marriage between her younger step-daughter, whom she described as a pretty girl with a gentle temperament, and Xiao Qihan. Helan Yunqi readily agreed, noting that Xiao Qihan should marry an official wife to manage his household, and offered to be the matchmaker. Consort Hui then expressed concern about Su Yuying's marriage, describing her as absent-minded and prone to sudden changes in mood.
She hinted that Su Yuying's affections were directed toward Xiao Chengxu, recalling an incident where Su Yuying became irritated with him and shattered many items upon returning. Consort Hui then suggested that Helan Yunqi facilitate a marriage between Su Yuying and Xiao Chengxu. However, Helan Yunqi immediately refused, explaining that she had already approached Xiao Chengxu about marriage a few days prior, and he had flatly rejected the idea.
She also believed Su Yuying's temperament would not be a good match for Xiao Chengxu. Later, Su Yuying confronted Consort Hui, asking about the discussion with Helan Yunqi. Consort Hui informed her that while the marriage for her younger sister was approved, Helan Yunqi made excuses for Su Yuying, citing Xiao Chengxu's disinterest in marriage and their incompatible personalities. Su Yuying scoffed at this, asserting that Xiao Chengxu had affection for her because they had grown up together.
She proposed asking Xiao Chengrui directly, but Consort Hui vehemently opposed it, fearing it would offend Helan Yunqi and jeopardize her younger sister's marriage. Frustrated, Su Yuying threatened to approach Xiao Chengrui herself if Consort Hui wouldn't help. Consort Hui, wanting to avoid an open confrontation, quickly devised a plan to inform Xiao Chengrui of Su Yuying's wishes without incurring Helan Yunqi's blame.
While Helan Yunqi was speaking with Xiao Chengrui, Consort Hui burst in, feigning distress over Su Yuying and asking Helan Yunqi to help marry her off. Helan Yunqi tried to dismiss her, saying these were "womanly matters" that Xiao Chengrui need not bother with. However, Consort Hui subtly mentioned Xiao Chengxu, immediately capturing Xiao Chengrui's interest. Despite Helan Yunqi's attempts to intervene, Xiao Chengrui insisted on hearing more.
Consort Hui then dramatically revealed Su Yuying's unwavering vow: that she would marry no one but the Prince of Yan in this lifetime. Xiao Chengrui pondered if Xiao Chengxu and Su Yuying had a secret pact. At that moment, Su Yuying arrived and boldly declared that her greatest wish was to marry Xiao Chengxu, imploring Xiao Chengrui to grant her wish and promising lifelong gratitude. Xiao Chengrui agreed to the marriage and tasked Helan Yunqi with arranging it.
Helan Yunqi expressed her reservations, citing Xiao Chengxu's reluctance and Su Yuying's stubborn personality, deeming them incompatible. She advised against forcing such an important match. However, Xiao Chengrui was adamant, revealing his ulterior motives. He explained that he intended to heavily rely on Xiao Chengxu in the future but remained uneasy about the circumstances surrounding Xiao Chengxu's mother, Consort Mu.
He desired to place someone by Xiao Chengxu's side to gather information, and Su Yuying's straightforward and talkative nature made her the ideal candidate for this purpose. Helan Yunqi questioned what would happen if Xiao Chengxu refused. Xiao Chengrui confidently declared that he would simply bestow the marriage, certain that Xiao Chengxu would not dare disobey his orders. Tasked with an order she could not refuse, Helan Yunqi visited Xiao Chengxu to propose the marriage.
She tried to frame it as a favorable match, noting that his nephew, Xiao Qihan, was to marry Su Yuying’s younger sister. However, Xiao Chengxu immediately refused, explaining that he only saw Su Yuying as a younger sister and that their incompatible temperaments meant marrying her would be unfair. Having failed, Helan Yunqi turned to Helan Mingyu for help.
Ling Zhen'er expressed surprise at the proposed marriage, but Helan Mingyu remained calm, acknowledging her own unhappiness but stating that the matter was not her concern. Helan Yunqi revealed that it was Xiao Chengrui's decree, and he threatened to forcibly bestow the marriage if Xiao Chengxu refused. She pleaded with Helan Mingyu, asserting that only she could persuade him, as Xiao Chengxu always listened to her.
Helan Mingyu, while acknowledging her desire for Xiao Chengxu's happiness, explained that she could not pretend not to care. She feared that her intervention might even backfire and asked Helan Yunqi not to put her in such a difficult position. Meanwhile, Su Yuying, busy preparing items for Xiao Chengxu, argued with Ling Zhen'er over provisions, asserting her future authority as the Prince of Yan's consort. Helan Mingyu intervened to calm Ling Zhen'er.
Su Yuying then directly confronted Helan Mingyu, accusing her of mocking her and criticizing her for marrying Xiao Chengrui so quickly after Xiao Chengxu's presumed death. Helan Mingyu clarified that she was merely a bystander in their affairs, being already married herself. Su Yuying, undeterred, boasted that Xiao Chengrui had already sent betrothal gifts, making the marriage certain.
She warned Helan Mingyu that if Xiao Chengxu disobeyed the royal decree again because of her, it would have severe consequences for him. Ling Zhen'er expressed her hope that Xiao Chengxu would refuse the marriage, but Helan Mingyu sadly concluded that it was no longer Xiao Chengxu's choice. Later, Xiao Qihan found Ling Zhen'er looking troubled and mistakenly assumed her sadness was due to Xiao Chengxu's impending marriage.
He offered her the position of his concubine, but Ling Zhen'er scornfully rejected him, stating she would rather serve her Princess for life than be his concubine. Xiao Qihan, believing she was refusing because of Xiao Chengxu, ridiculed her for "dreaming." Ling Zhen'er retorted that he should pity himself more.
Infuriated by what he perceived as humiliation after lowering himself to speak with her, Xiao Qihan was reminded by Ling Zhen'er that she was a female officer with her own freedom, not a slave. Xiao Chengxu steadfastly refused to marry Su Yuying, declaring that his consort position was reserved for someone he truly loved. This angered Xiao Chengrui, who expressed his frustration to Helan Mingyu, recounting how Xiao Chengxu's refusal had caused him great embarrassment.
Xiao Chengrui reiterated Xiao Chengxu's claim of a prior emotional commitment and questioned his wishful thinking regarding marriage, given that royal unions were traditionally decided by the family. He perceived Xiao Chengxu's defiance as stubbornness and a lack of submission. Xiao Chengrui then implored Helan Mingyu to persuade Xiao Chengxu, emphasizing that he had already granted him enough leeway and could not break his solemn promise to the Su family.
He urged Xiao Chengxu to prioritize the royal family's reputation over his personal desires, warning that continued disobedience on such a matter would lead to a loss of trust and render him "unusable." Helan Mingyu went to speak with Xiao Chengxu, explaining the gravity of the situation and the potential loss of Xiao Chengrui's trust if he continued to defy the decree. She stressed that they had no choice, and he could not remain unmarried forever.
Xiao Chengxu, however, was deeply hurt, realizing Helan Mingyu was acting as a lobbyist for his Third Brother rather than coming out of concern for him. He questioned if she had truly moved on and could let go of him so quickly. Despite Ling Zhen'er's attempts to vouch for Helan Mingyu's genuine worry, Xiao Chengxu's decision was made. He bitterly accepted the marriage, stating that he must show respect to the Consort of Li for her efforts.
He then pointedly invited Helan Mingyu to his wedding banquet. Helan Mingyu looked at him, her eyes welling with tears. Meanwhile, Helan Yunqi showed Consort De a portrait of Su Yuying's cousin, who was to marry Xiao Qihan. Consort De expressed concern about her son's loyalty, fearing he might side with Consort Hui due to the marriage. She admitted to not knowing the niece but had strong reservations about Su Yuying's temperament, fearing her daughter-in-law might be equally "shameless."
Helan Yunqi rebuked her, reminding her to remember her identity. Helan Mingyu decided to visit Su Yuying, hoping to prevent any lingering resentment between Su Yuying and Xiao Chengxu from affecting their marriage. Ling Zhen'er questioned the visit, given Su Yuying's past behavior, but Helan Mingyu insisted, saying she was willing to endure any treatment as long as Xiao Chengxu's home life was peaceful. She asked Ling Zhen'er not to accompany her to avoid further arguments.
Upon Helan Mingyu's arrival, Consort Hui, who had been speaking with Su Yuying, quickly departed. Su Yuying greeted Helan Mingyu with an arrogant demeanor. Helan Mingyu calmly stated that the past was behind them and the circumstances had changed. She clarified that her relationship with Xiao Chengxu was merely a childhood friendship and wished Su Yuying and Xiao Chengxu happiness. She advised Su Yuying to be tolerant and understanding of Xiao Chengxu's ambitious nature.
Su Yuying, however, retorted that her marriage to Xiao Chengxu was a private matter that did not require Helan Mingyu's input. Helan Mingyu presented Su Yuying with a jade bracelet carved with white lilies, a symbol of a long and pleasant union, as a token of her sincere wishes. After Helan Mingyu left, Su Yuying, still seething, smashed the bracelet, calling Helan Mingyu a hypocrite and claiming she understood Xiao Chengxu better.
On the day of Xiao Chengxu and Su Yuying's wedding, Helan Mingyu was reluctant to attend, but Ling Zhen'er reminded her that Xiao Chengrui had sent multiple messages and her absence would be difficult to explain. At the wedding banquet, amid smiles from others, Xiao Chengxu wore a somber expression, while Helan Mingyu was filled with mixed emotions. Following tradition, a "female relative with good fortune" was to escort the bride to the wedding suite.
Xiao Chengrui declared Helan Mingyu the most fortunate person and instructed her to perform the duty, noting her close relationship as a sister who grew up with Su Yuying. Xiao Chengxu toasted Xiao Chengrui, expressing his gratitude for the bestowed marriage. Xiao Chengrui, acting as a supportive brother, conveyed his happiness for Xiao Chengxu and wished him a long, joyful life with children. Xiao Chengrui then instructed Xiao Chengxu to toast Helan Mingyu.
With a hint of bitterness, Xiao Chengxu acknowledged Helan Mingyu's role in "making this harmonious union happen" and hoped his "performance today did not disappoint" her. Enduring the pain, Helan Mingyu drank the wine, offering her wishes for his marital bliss. After the ceremony concluded, guests were invited to continue the celebration at the banquet.
