The Promise of Chang'an Episode 21 Recap, Plot

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Emperor Xiao Chengrui questioned Xiao Qihan regarding a maidservant seen in the Prince of Yan's camp. Xiao Qihan claimed he hadn't seen clearly, only that he had "bumped into her by chance at Dongming Courtyard" and "wanted to play around with Zhen'er," making it an offhand joke. Xiao Chengrui remained suspicious, pointing out that a maidservant appearing in a military camp, followed by the Prince of Yan offering the jade seal, seemed connected.

Xiao Qihan tried to dismiss it as a mere coincidence, but Xiao Chengrui, unsatisfied, ordered him to kneel there all night until he could remember clearly. Xiao Chengrui then visited Helan Mingyu, who was observed to be demure and following the Palace's rules. He brought up Ling Zhen'er's recent actions, mentioning that she was seen. Ling Zhen'er immediately knelt. Xiao Chengrui asked her who sent her to the Prince of Yan's camp.

Before Ling Zhen'er could answer, Helan Mingyu stepped forward, stating she had asked Ling Zhen'er to go but had an "unavoidable difficulty" she could not disclose. Xiao Chengrui grew angry, suggesting she was hiding something for the Prince of Yan's Consort, Su Yuying. Seeing Helan Mingyu in trouble, Ling Zhen'er quickly fabricated a story. She explained that Prince Xiao Chengxu and Su Yuying had been married for a long time but their relationship was strained.

Ling Zhen'er claimed that a maidservant favored by Xiao Chengxu, known for music and dance, had her hand mutilated, and rumors blamed Su Yuying. Helan Mingyu, having grown up with Xiao Chengxu, felt it was her duty to try and mend their relationship and ensure Xiao Chengxu remained focused on state affairs rather than family disputes, so she sent Ling Zhen'er to smooth things over.

Ling Zhen'er added that Helan Mingyu hadn't told Xiao Chengrui because she didn't want him to have a bad impression of Su Yuying. Xiao Chengrui reluctantly accepted this explanation and dismissed Ling Zhen'er, then gently helped Helan Mingyu to her feet, appreciating her kindheartedness despite the trouble it caused. Later, Xiao Chengrui sought out Helan Yunqi to confirm the story about Xiao Chengxu's maidservant.

Helan Yunqi confirmed the incident, describing it as "gossip passed around among the womenfolk," and that the maidservant was indeed injured, unable to play music again. However, she was uncertain if Su Yuying was directly responsible. Xiao Chengrui expressed disappointment in Su Yuying's rashness. Helan Yunqi advised him not to bring up the matter with Xiao Chengxu, fearing it would upset him. Meanwhile, Xiao Qihan approached Ling Zhen'er, asking if she had suffered any punishment from his father.

Ling Zhen'er initially accused him of gossiping, but Xiao Qihan denied leaking information. He explained that he had been interrogated by his father but "said nothing to protect you," and was consequently made to kneel all night. He showed her his bruised knees as proof. Convinced, Ling Zhen'er softened and gave him some medicine for bruises, claiming she had no use for it.

Xiao Qihan, pleased by her gesture, interpreted it as a sign of her care, declaring he would bravely face any punishment to protect her. Ling Zhen'er merely told him to avoid causing more trouble. Back at his manor, Xiao Chengxu's relationship with Su Yuying reached a breaking point. Su Yuying asked if he intended to make Kelan, a favored maidservant, his wife.

Xiao Chengxu, calling her "Ms. Su," had a servant present her with a "letter to release a wife," declaring his intention to personally submit it to his Royal Brother, Xiao Chengrui. Su Yuying was distraught, begging him not to divorce her for a "lowly maidservant." She denied responsibility for Kelan's injuries, claiming Kelan's health was poor, but Xiao Chengxu accused her of "cruelly abusing" the weak girl, leaving her disabled.

Su Yuying then retaliated by suggesting Xiao Chengxu favored Kelan only because her "fox-like eyes are like Mingyu's." Enraged, Xiao Chengxu silenced her, stating she didn't "compare to one tiny bit of Mingyu" and that his manor did not need a "heartless and vicious" consort like her. Su Yuying pleaded for another chance, offering to accept Kelan as a concubine and expressing her deep love, saying that divorce would be worse than death.

Xiao Chengxu, though somewhat swayed, kept the divorce letter, warning her there would be no next time. He then announced that due to her "inappropriate conduct," she would be demoted to a side courtyard to reflect on her mistakes. Still furious, Su Yuying went to Shu Consort, complaining about Xiao Chengxu's bullying and threatening to torment Kelan, even though Kelan was now formally Xiao Chengxu's Side Consort. Shu Consort warned her that any further trouble would put her beyond help.

Unbeknownst to them, Xiao Chengrui awoke from his afternoon nap and overheard Su Yuying's rant. After dismissing Shu Consort, he reprimanded Su Yuying for her "fearless personality" and unsuitability as head of a household, recalling her previous lies about Xiao Chengxu's good treatment. Su Yuying blamed Kelan for ruining her marriage and begged Xiao Chengrui to order Xiao Chengxu to treat her better.

Xiao Chengrui advised her to learn her lesson regarding marital relations, revealing that Helan Mingyu had previously "helped you persuade Chengxu" not to be harsh on her. Surprised and angered, Su Yuying speculated that Helan Mingyu had instigated Xiao Chengxu.

In her anger, she revealed that Kelan was only favored because her "eyes look so much like Mingyu's," and that on her wedding night, Xiao Chengxu "was still calling Mingyu's name," implying they "still cannot let go or forget about their past feelings." Xiao Chengrui demanded to know if her words were true. Realizing her grave error, Su Yuying frantically denied everything, claiming she was "spouting nonsense" and "made all of it up" out of frustration.

Furious, Xiao Chengrui dismissed her and ordered everyone out of the room. Xiao Chengrui was consumed by Su Yuying's revelations. He reflected on Helan Mingyu's presence in his life, recalling moments from their past, and how Xiao Chengxu had called out Mingyu's name. He desired "every part of her, your body, your heart," but recognized her heart "was already given away long ago."

In the Prince of Yan's manor, Su Yuying attempted to reconcile with Xiao Chengxu by bringing gifts for Kelan, claiming her previous actions were unintentional and not out of ill will. Xiao Chengxu remained cold, questioning what new "tricks" she was up to. Su Yuying vaguely hinted that she was being "pushed into a desperate situation" but denied doing anything specific, only begging him never to blame her.

Xiao Chengrui then confronted Helan Yunqi, asking directly what was going on between Helan Mingyu and Xiao Chengxu, mentioning Su Yuying's claims. Helan Yunqi, nervous, tried to reassure him that their childhood closeness was natural but "everything is in the past" and they were now married to others. Xiao Chengrui pressed on, accusing her of hiding something and asking if there "truly was something between them."

His suspicions grew into a fear that Helan Mingyu might "sell me out and secretly plots with Xiao Chengxu and betrays me." Angered by his distrust, Helan Yunqi revealed a crucial detail: Xiao Chengxu "didn't want to marry Su Yuying at all," and it was Helan Mingyu who "persuaded him" to do so. She argued that Helan Mingyu dedicated herself to Xiao Chengrui, serving him "with complete care" and without fault, doing everything for him.

She criticized Su Yuying's tendency to blame others when angry and expressed her dismay that Xiao Chengrui would trust Su Yuying over Helan Mingyu. Later, Xiao Chengrui visited Helan Mingyu in her palace and found her reading military books. He pointed to a chapter discussing a female spy using her beauty to sow discord between an emperor and a crown prince, asking who such a spy would truly love if both men loved her.

Helan Mingyu expertly evaded the question, suggesting the book would become a "romantic novel" if such emotions were considered. She then tried to change the subject, asking Xiao Chengrui to teach her to play Go. Xiao Chengrui saw through her diversion, predicting she would study diligently, maintain a slight disadvantage in their games, and then feign a mistake to surrender, making him happy. He asked, "at the end, who is the one who's really lost?"

It was Xiao Chengxu's birthday that day. Xiao Chengrui instructed Helan Yunqi to arrange a celebration in the palace, and specifically invited Helan Mingyu. At the banquet, Xiao Chengxu toasted Xiao Chengrui and Helan Yunqi. Helan Yunqi, in turn, toasted Xiao Chengxu and his wife. Xiao Chengxu, alluding to his marital problems, remarked that his household was a "ruckus." Xiao Chengrui then called Helan Mingyu to his side and instructed her to toast Xiao Chengxu.

After she did so, Helan Yunqi nervously urged Helan Mingyu to sit. Xiao Chengrui called Helan Mingyu closer and provocatively told her to teach Su Yuying "how to steal her husband's heart." When Helan Mingyu demurred, claiming she wouldn't know how, Xiao Chengrui retorted, "Then how did you steal my heart?"

He further announced that he would "ask Yonglin to find a beauty who looks exactly the same for you," implying for Xiao Chengxu, but it was clearly a test for Helan Mingyu. Helan Mingyu nervously suggested he had drunk too much, but Xiao Chengrui insisted he was "perfectly right." He then had a vivid flashback to Xiao Chengxu defying his orders to save Helan Mingyu, and his anger intensified, solidifying his deep-seated jealousy and suspicion.

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