The Promise of Chang'an Episode 23 Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

"""[Recap]""" Helan Mingyu prepared to leave, but Xiao Chengrui stopped her, declaring that she was the only one in his heart and that he would send Helan Wanyin away from the palace forever if Mingyu gave any sign of disapproval. Mingyu was taken aback by his words, realizing his manipulative nature. Chengrui, however, believed she was playing hard to get and had been testing his patience.

Mingyu calmly countered that she was not playing games, accusing him of using her older sister as a mere tool to test her, an act she found cruel and heartless. She argued that true affection between a man and a woman required sincerity, not tests or conquests. Mingyu highlighted Wanyin's genuine feelings for him and suggested that if he did not truly like her, he should send her back to Yonglin. With that, Mingyu turned to leave.

Having overheard Chengrui's conversation with Mingyu, Helan Wanyin confronted him later, expressing her disappointment at being a pawn in his efforts to win Mingyu's heart. Despite receiving numerous jewels from him, Wanyin confessed that she desired his true affection more. She then presented him with his cape, revealing that she was the woman he had rescued from Situ Cheng years ago, the one he had mistakenly believed to be Mingyu.

She recounted how her enduring love for him, sparked by that first encounter, had sustained her through her difficult years in Xi Qi. Announcing her intention to return to Yonglin with Helan Keyong that night, Wanyin stated she sought a resonance of hearts, not palace luxury. Chengrui, shocked by the revelation, forbade her from leaving, acknowledging his mistaken belief about Mingyu and vowing to treat Wanyin well from then on.

Soon after, an imperial decree conferred Helan Wanyin with the title of Noble Consort. Ling Zhen'er was indignant at Wanyin's swift ascent, but Mingyu remained unperturbed, acknowledging that imperial favor was entirely at the Emperor's discretion. Consort Shu (Hui Consort) expressed her frustration at Wanyin's elevation, having expected the title for herself. Meanwhile, Su Yuying, the Prince of Yan's consort, gleefully informed Xiao Chengxu that Emperor Chengrui no longer favored Mingyu.

She also inadvertently revealed that she had carelessly disclosed Xiao Chengxu's past relationship with Mingyu to the Emperor. Alarmed by Mingyu's precarious situation, Xiao Chengxu immediately sought out Helan Yunqi, pleading with her to clarify the truth to Chengrui. He admitted that he had sacrificed his love for Mingyu's happiness but now felt compelled to act, wishing to see her.

Yunqi firmly reminded him of his current status and warned that his involvement would only worsen Mingyu's plight, especially now that Chengrui knew of their past. She advised him that sometimes, caring for someone meant holding back and doing nothing, promising to look after Mingyu herself. Reluctantly, Xiao Chengxu entrusted Mingyu to Yunqi's care.

Xiao Chengxuan also cautioned his brother, Xiao Chengxu, against interfering, as it would only arouse Chengrui's suspicion, especially since Chengrui already had some knowledge of their past. He emphasized that Mingyu was now the Emperor's woman, and Chengxu could not help her indefinitely. Helan Yunqi complained to Mingyu about Helan Wanyin's frequent tardiness to morning greetings, suspecting Wanyin was deliberately taking advantage of Chengrui's favor. Mingyu, however, defended her sister, attributing her lateness to delicate health.

When Wanyin finally arrived, she apologized for her tardiness, using her health as an excuse. Yunqi made a subtle, sarcastic remark about Wanyin's improved appearance due to "happy events." Later, Helan Wanyin tearfully explained to Chengrui that her weak body was the cause of her morning lateness, to which Chengrui reassured her and urged her to rest. He then spoke to Yunqi, subtly chastising her for scolding Wanyin, but Yunqi, now agitated, criticized Chengrui for exclusively visiting Wanyin for months.

Chengrui retaliated by comparing Wanyin's "innocence" to Mingyu's intelligence, which he now viewed as manipulative. Yunqi sighed, observing that Chengrui praised Mingyu's intelligence when in love but condemned it as scheming when out of love. Just as Mingyu arrived to greet Yunqi, Wanyin's maid interrupted, claiming Wanyin was experiencing stomach pains. Chengrui immediately left for Wanyin's palace.

Incensed by these events, Chengrui abolished Wanyin's duty to attend morning greetings and, furthermore, decreed that all consorts of lower rank must now pay respects to Wanyin at Guan Ju Hall every day, in addition to greeting the Empress. Yunqi expressed concern, wondering if such excessive favoritism would ultimately be good or bad for Wanyin.

Consort Shu, having already subtly bribed one of Helan Wanyin's maids, engaged Wanyin in conversation at Guan Ju Hall, flattering her about Chengrui's adoration and her rising status, subtly sowing seeds of ambition. Later, during the newly established morning greetings, Su Yuying, the Prince of Yan's consort, deliberately pointed out Mingyu's tardiness, implying that Mingyu, as Wanyin's blood sister, was disrespecting Wanyin's new rank.

When Mingyu finally arrived, she informally addressed Wanyin as "Older Sister," prompting Wanyin to publicly correct her and demand a formal greeting, which Mingyu then provided. As Mingyu went to sit, her maid, Ling Zhen'er, asked Wanyin's maid, Hui'er, to bring a chair. When Hui'er refused, Ling Zhen'er went to fetch one herself. Wanyin seized this opportunity, accusing Ling Zhen'er of lawlessness and disrespect in Guan Ju Hall, ordering guards to cane her twenty times.

Mingyu intervened, reminding Wanyin that Ling Zhen'er was a third-rank female official personally appointed by Chengrui. To defuse the volatile situation, Mingyu dramatically slapped Hui'er, condemning her for misinterpreting Wanyin's command and inciting trouble, warning that Chengrui would punish her if he learned of it. Consort Shu then mediated, suggesting the entire incident was a misunderstanding and urging Wanyin to forgive both maids. Wanyin relented and released Ling Zhen'er.

Mingyu comforted Ling Zhen'er, instructing her to protect herself and avoid impulsive actions. Ling Zhen'er, however, expressed her profound disappointment in Wanyin, lamenting how her older sister had forgotten Mingyu's past sacrifices for her. Mingyu, in turn, empathetically attributed Wanyin's change of heart to her difficult experiences and suggested that the recent conflict might not be entirely negative. Soon after, the imperial physician announced that Helan Wanyin was pregnant, news that brought immense joy to Xiao Chengrui.

Mingyu received the news with calm composure, genuinely happy for her sister, although Ling Zhen'er worried about Wanyin's potential arrogance if she were to bear a prince. Later, Chengrui arrived, intending to punish Ling Zhen'er for the earlier commotion at Guan Ju Hall. Mingyu promptly intervened, sending Zhen'er away and offering to take any punishment herself, while subtly questioning Chengrui's judgment.

Chengrui, however, accused Mingyu of being cunning and deliberately orchestrating events to embarrass Wanyin, whom he now saw as innocent and fragile. Mingyu expressed her heartbreak at his perception of her, stating she no longer understood him and highlighting his manipulative treatment of her sister. Chengrui then pressed her, asking if she was angry, sad, or jealous of his exclusive favor for Wanyin.

Mingyu firmly denied any jealousy, asserting her commitment to her duties and her happiness for Wanyin's good fortune. She reiterated that the incident was a misunderstanding. When Chengrui repeated his question, Mingyu admitted to feeling sadness and upset, not because of his exclusive favor, but due to the suspicion that now plagued the bond between sisters and the painful erosion of trust in a marriage of many years.

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