The Promise of Chang'an Episode 16 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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Xiao Chengyao, imprisoned, told Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan that Consort Mu’s death was shrouded in a great mystery. He revealed that he was not the only one whose hands were stained with Consort Mu’s blood, implying that whoever ascended the throne was highly suspicious. Chengyao offered to tell them the full truth if they promised to spare his life.
He explained that if he had exposed this secret earlier, he would have died much sooner, and was only offering the information now as a bargaining chip for his survival. Xiao Chengxuan, fueled by anger, threatened to kill Chengyao on the spot if he didn’t reveal the truth. Chengyao defiantly challenged him, stating that his death would only leave them with unanswered questions. Xiao Chengxu, however, pulled Chengxuan away, calmly questioning the reliability of Chengyao’s words.
He pointed out that Chengyao, having been sentenced to life imprisonment by Xiao Chengrui, harbored deep resentment towards the Emperor. Chengxu worried that Chengyao might be fabricating a countercharge against Chengrui out of spite, leading them into a trap. While Chengxuan insisted on getting immediate answers about their mother's death, Chengxu reasoned that Chengyao would not easily reveal his secrets, as it was his only leverage.
He decided they needed a long-term strategy to uncover Chengyao’s true cards, cautioning Chengxuan against reckless actions that might "alert the snake." He promised to send people to investigate thoroughly. Meanwhile, during the inventory of Xiao Chengyao’s confiscated belongings, Chengyao, from his prison cell, bribed a servant with a jade pendant, instructing him to deliver a message to the Wei Royal Manor.
Later, an officer reported to Xiao Chengxu that a secret courtyard belonging to Chengyao had been found, though its occupants had already been moved. Among the discarded items, they discovered an unusual blush box. Xiao Chengxu recognized it as Consort Mu’s, leading him to believe that Su Qiu, the maidservant they had been searching for, was the person Chengyao had been holding captive.
He mused that Chengyao might have kept Su Qiu alive not to protect the secret, but to expose it at an opportune moment, confirming his suspicion that Chengyao had accomplices. Xiao Chengxu decided to continue searching Chengyao’s other properties for more clues. A report then came that Xiao Chengxuan had led men into the prison to interrogate Chengyao. Chengxuan confronted Chengyao, threatening him with torture to extract information about Consort Mu’s death.
Despite being offered a formidable torture device, Chengyao remained defiant, proclaiming that having grown up on the battlefield, he wasn’t afraid of such "toys." Enraged, Chengxuan ordered a branding iron. The guards hesitated, citing Xiao Chengxu’s earlier orders against private torture, but Chengxuan took full responsibility. As the branding iron neared, Chengyao screamed in terror before collapsing, dead from fright. A panicked Chengxuan tried to revive Chengyao, then frantically ordered his men to hide the torture devices.
Just then, Xiao Chengxu arrived. Chengxuan confessed that his anxiety over the lack of progress in the investigation led him to try to scare Chengyao, but unexpectedly, Chengyao’s existing heart problem caused him to die. Xiao Chengxu was furious, scolding Chengxuan for torturing a man with a known heart condition, especially since Emperor Chengrui had only intended to imprison Chengyao, not execute him.
Rejecting Chengxuan’s desperate plan to burn the evidence, Chengxu noted Chengrui’s suspicious nature, believing such a cover-up would quickly be exposed. He decided their best course of action was to mix truth with lies, confessing parts of the incident in a way that appeared to be a plea for help, making it harder for Chengrui to discern the full truth. Xiao Chengxu then went to Xiao Chengrui, kneeling to confess Chengyao’s death in prison.
He claimed he had used torture devices out of an anxious desire to uncover hidden military goods, intending only to scare Chengyao, but Chengyao’s heart condition suddenly flared up, leading to his demise. Chengrui questioned if it was truly a heart problem, remarking on the long-standing animosity between Chengxu and Chengyao. He warned Chengxu against any tampering, though Chengxu insisted on the heart condition and even offered for an imperial physician to verify it.
Chengrui sighed, calling Chengxu reckless for presenting a dead body when he had pardoned Chengyao in court. Chengxu, expressing regret for his unforgivable mistake, offered to turn himself in to the Ministry of Justice, stating that "a killer must pay with his life" and he would not put Chengrui in a difficult position. Helan Yunqi intervened, stating that Chengxu was not typically impulsive and suggested that Chengxuan might be responsible for the disaster.
She argued that Chengyao’s death was likely an accident and that punishing Chengxu now would not bring Chengyao back, reminding Chengrui that he would lose two brothers if he punished Chengxu. She then whispered to Chengrui, reminding him of a promise he had made to Consort Mu. Reluctantly, Chengrui instructed Chengxu to arrange Chengyao’s body to appear as if he had hanged himself out of guilt, promising to handle the rest and keep the matter a secret.
Chengrui later reflected that he could not afford to lose a valuable, well-groomed "right-hand man" over someone whose guilt was inexcusable. Xiao Chengtai, upon hearing of Chengyao’s death, was distraught and refused to believe it. He demanded an autopsy. However, the autopsy officer reported that Chengyao had indeed hanged himself, finding no suspicious circumstances. Chengtai vehemently rejected this, demanding a thorough investigation, but Chengrui ordered the matter closed, urging Chengtai to allow Chengyao a peaceful burial.
Helan Mingyu also learned of Chengyao’s death and expressed her concern. She found it difficult to believe that Chengyao, a man who clung to worldly fortune, would take his own life. While acknowledging that Chengyao had often targeted Chengxu, she believed the incident was far from simple. She noted that Chengrui had protected Chengxu from punishment, and was now even entrusting him with important military matters and taking him on an expedition.
Mingyu concluded that this signified an upcoming shift in the power dynamics among the great princes. During a military meeting, Xiao Chengtai, in a drunken rage, burst in, demanding an explanation from Xiao Chengrui for redeploying his troops and causing heavy losses. He demanded his troops be returned. Xiao Chengxu interjected, reminding Chengtai to mind his words, stating that Chengrui’s military decisions were for the greater good and not subject to arbitrary demands.
When Chengrui ordered Chengtai to leave, Chengtai angrily drew his sword on Chengxu, accusing Chengrui of being unjust regarding Chengyao’s death. Xiao Chengli quickly intervened, chastising Chengtai for drawing a weapon in front of the Emperor, a treasonous act. Chengtai, realizing the gravity of his actions, immediately knelt and apologized, blaming his drunkenness. Chengli pleaded for leniency, suggesting that Chengrui postpone any punishment until after the war to maintain troop morale.
Chengrui agreed to defer the decision and dismissed Chengtai, later chastising his own guard for not acting faster, reminding him of the paramount importance of the ruler-subject relationship, even between brothers. Shortly after, Liang General Ling Feng sent a declaration of surrender. When he met Chengrui, Ling Feng explained that he chose to surrender to spare his people from suffering after months of siege. Ling Feng requested Chengrui to honor his promise and prevent further slaughter.
Chengrui, demonstrating magnanimity, vowed that Great Sheng would not seek vengeance and genuinely desired peace for the people. Reassured, Ling Feng then drew his sword and committed suicide. His son, Young General Ling, cried out in despair. Ling Feng’s dying words explained that he surrendered for his people, but chose death for himself, accepting all historical censure to demonstrate his unwavering loyalty and to fulfill his personal wish to be virtuous. Xiao Chengrui expressed admiration for Ling Feng’s integrity.
Young General Ling requested permission to return to Jin Zhou City to retrieve his family, promising to work from within to help capture the city. Chengrui trusted him and allowed him to leave. Later, Chengrui lamented Ling Feng’s death, regretting the loss of such a talented and honorable general, and admitted his uncertainty about Young General Ling’s return, as he hadn’t heard from him since.
However, Helan Mingyu reassured Chengrui that his kindness and tolerance would eventually win over Young General Ling. She reiterated Chengxu’s earlier sentiment that a wise minister would choose a worthy master. Chengrui agreed, finding solace in the idea that his younger relatives were indeed worthy of his guidance. Acting on the earlier incident, Xiao Chengxu argued that while Xiao Chengtai’s past contributions were acknowledged, his recent transgression required punishment to uphold the nation’s laws and military code.
Chengrui agreed, stripping Xiao Chengtai of his seven-tasseled crown, demoting it to a five-tasseled crown, and removing him from his command of the Shen Xiao Battalion. The Elephant Xiao Battalion was then given to Xiao Chengxu, and the Bear Xiao Battalion, which Chengyao had supervised, was assigned to Xiao Qihan.
When Chengtai protested, citing the severity of the punishment, Chengrui had an official confirm that drawing a sword against the Emperor could be punishable by execution, making Chengtai grateful for the Emperor's grace. Xiao Chengxu then proposed that Chengtai, having been demoted, should no longer sit alongside Chengrui to administer court affairs.
Though Chengtai voiced concerns about fostering resentment among the royal brothers, Xiao Chengli supported Chengxu, echoing the principle of the ruler-subject relationship and urging Chengrui to sit alone on the throne to project his dignified prestige. Chengrui accepted this advice. After the court session, Xiao Chengxuan observed that Chengtai had lost his military authority and Chengli was focused on self-preservation, concluding that Chengrui was steadily consolidating power.
Chengxu explained that a king’s rule involved controlling people, and while Chengrui showed kindness, he also used people to suppress others, hinting that they might face similar treatment in the future. Chengxuan questioned if Chengxu was being swayed by Chengrui, stating his own continued distrust. Chengxu, however, maintained that he would not "hate aimlessly" or "jump to any conclusions" before uncovering the full truth.
Their immediate priority, he stated, was to take advantage of the situation and find a way to control Xiao Chengtai. Later, Xiao Qihan attempted to give a gift to Ling Zhen’er, but she declined and quickly left. Zhen’er was then seen delivering a message from Helan Mingyu to Xiao Chengxu. Mingyu had discovered that the new horses from the northern border, allocated under Xiao Chengxuan’s supervision, were of poor quality. Fortunately, Chengrui had been too busy to inspect the stables.
Mingyu urged Chengxu to replace the substandard horses immediately to avoid Chengrui’s anger and potential problems. She also reminded Chengxu that Chengrui held high hopes for him among all his younger relatives, advising him to proceed with caution and avoid any mistakes. Chengxu acknowledged the message. Xiao Qihan later found Ling Zhen’er crying over the relationship between Helan Mingyu and Xiao Chengxu, and immediately assumed someone had bullied her.
He offered to confront the person and again suggested she become his concubine to ensure her protection. Ling Zhen’er denied being bullied and reiterated her lack of interest in becoming his concubine, attempting to leave. Qihan then stressed his new position as a battalion commander, assuring her of his future success and warning her she would regret her decision, but Zhen’er simply congratulated him and departed.
