The Promise of Chang'an Episode 24 Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

"""[Recap]""" After Helan Mingyu refused to offer any soft words to Emperor Xiao Chengrui, he was enraged. He accused her of causing Helan Wanyin's unstable prenatal condition and punished her, ordering her to go to the Temple of Blessing daily to kneel and copy scriptures, sincerely praying for Wanyin and her unborn child. He warned Mingyu that if anything happened to Wanyin or the baby, she would be held responsible.

Ling Zhen'er, heartbroken for Mingyu, suggested that Mingyu should have a prince, not to fight for the Emperor's affection, but to have a source of hope and purpose. However, Mingyu believed that Wanyin and Chengrui were genuinely in love and she had no desire to interfere. She expressed guilt for not being able to return Chengrui's past affection and felt happy for the couple now.

Ling Zhen'er angrily countered that Chengrui and Wanyin were constantly finding ways to torment Mingyu, which she found unreasonable. Mingyu, however, cautioned Ling Zhen'er against speaking such disrespectful words, fearing the consequences if others overheard. Ling Zhen'er promised to only voice these thoughts to Mingyu. In the Temple of Blessing, as Mingyu knelt and copied scriptures, Ling Zhen'er offered to massage her aching knees.

Mingyu refused, quietly acknowledging how grateful she was to have Ling Zhen'er by her side, recalling Ling Zhen'er's promise to stay with her for life. Upon his return to the capital, Xiao Chengxu brought Su Yuying to pay respects to Empress Helan Yunqi. He updated them on the military situation, stating that the front line was tightly defended and they would be able to launch a war against Great Liang next year once provisions were secured.

Helan Mingyu soon arrived, presenting the scriptures she had copied. Su Yuying immediately made sarcastic remarks about Mingyu's sincerity in copying so many pages and suggested the Emperor would reward her. Mingyu calmly responded that her only hope was for her older sister to safely deliver the baby, and she had no other thoughts.

Yunqi expressed regret that Chengrui had not retracted his edict despite her pleas, but Mingyu insisted she felt no wrong and was willing to pray for Wanyin. Su Yuying then began lamenting her own marital fate, wishing for a gentle and considerate husband, which prompted Yunqi to scold her for speaking so frankly. Mingyu, citing her duties at the Temple of Blessing, then excused herself. Xiao Chengxu, noticing Mingyu's pale complexion, secretly followed her.

He worried that she looked unwell due to exhaustion from copying scriptures. Mingyu dismissed his concerns, attributing her pallor to lack of sleep. Chengxu expressed outrage at Chengrui's heartless act of making Mingyu copy scriptures for his favored consort, lamenting his inability to help her. Mingyu, however, viewed it as a form of relief and claimed she was not suffering, adding that she did not care how others perceived her. She urged him to return to Su Yuying.

Later that night, Mingyu continued copying, insisting to Ling Zhen'er that she must finish the book of scriptures to submit it the next day. Xiao Chengxu then appeared. Ling Zhen'er discreetly left. Chengxu wrapped a cloak around Mingyu and gently took the brush from her hand. Startled, Mingyu nearly fell as she rose, but Chengxu caught her. She asked him to leave, deeming their late-night meeting inappropriate.

Xiao Chengxu sighed, regretting that fate had prevented her from becoming his wife and that even seeing her now was difficult. Mingyu acknowledged that further discussion was futile. Xiao Chengxu said he would let go, but he wanted her to know that she was not alone and he would always be there for her. Meanwhile, Helan Wanyin was feeling unwell.

Despite the imperial physician assuring her she was fine and prescribing a natal stabilizing medicine, Wanyin remained anxious about her baby, seeking constant reassurance from Chengrui, who promised he would not leave her. Back at the Temple of Blessing, Helan Mingyu suddenly fainted, her face alarmingly pale. Xiao Chengxu quickly instructed Ling Zhen'er to fetch an imperial physician.

In her feverish sleep, Mingyu repeatedly called out Chengxu's name, speaking of a pouch she had embroidered and waiting for him to return. Chengxu held her hand and whispered that he was back. Upon waking, Mingyu seemed disoriented, asking if she had said anything inappropriate while muddled by fever. Chengxu replied that she had only said things that made his heart ache. Mingyu, noticing his weariness, urged him to return and rest.

Chengxu, however, wished she had stayed asleep rather than waking to send him away. Ling Zhen'er informed Mingyu that Chengxu had already asked her to report Mingyu's illness to the Empress, who was likely on her way to visit. Mingyu thanked Chengxu, who then left, silently vowing to always watch over her and never abandon her. Soon after, Helan Yunqi arrived to check on Mingyu.

Xiao Chengrui expressed concern to Helan Yunqi about Helan Wanyin's difficult pregnancy, noting that Wanyin woke up several times each night, affecting his own sleep. Yunqi suggested that he temporarily refrain from sleeping at Guan Ju Hall and offered to stay there herself to care for Wanyin. She then subtly reminded him that it was Helan Mingyu's birthday and suggested he visit her at Yong Ning Hall to make her happy.

Ling Zhen'er, having not seen Mingyu dance in a long time, playfully begged her to put on a performance. After feigning reluctance, Mingyu agreed to her maid's sincere request and asked them to help her change into a red dress. Initially, Chengrui intended to go to Guan Ju Hall but then changed his mind, deciding to visit Yong Ning Hall instead. He arrived to see Mingyu dancing gracefully, captivating him.

Mingyu, surprised by his presence, tried to steer him towards Wanyin, citing her sister's ill health and need for his companionship. However, Chengrui misinterpreted her actions, believing that Yunqi and Mingyu had orchestrated his visit and Mingyu was now merely playing hard to get. Later, Yunqi reflected on her hope that the Moon Goddess would bless Mingyu with a child, providing her with comfort and purpose in her solitary palace life. Eventually, Helan Wanyin gave birth to a prince.

Helan Yunqi was overjoyed, and Helan Mingyu also expressed happiness for her sister, believing her struggles had finally ended. Other consorts came to congratulate Wanyin, while Emperor Chengrui doted on the newborn. Wanyin made subtle, sarcastic remarks to Mingyu, who remained composed. Chengrui then issued a general amnesty for the nation to celebrate the birth of the fifth prince, an honor he had not bestowed upon the births of his first four sons.

This led to Helan Yunqi expressing concern to Chengrui, mentioning rumors that people were questioning his decision and speculating that he might appoint the infant as Crown Prince, which she feared would cause criticism. Chengrui, however, dismissed her worries, insisting that Wanyin's son was special and that he would spoil and elevate him. He also defensively asked if there were gossips about Wanyin in the harem.

Yunqi reassured him that everyone was congratulating Wanyin and even Mingyu had obtained a special protection talisman from the Grand Priest for Wanyin and her son. Chengrui then recalled Wanyin's earlier remarks about Mingyu's competitive nature in their youth, suggesting Mingyu might feel displeased by Wanyin's special adoration. Mingyu, maintaining her calm, reiterated her happiness for Wanyin and offered to deliver the talisman herself. Yunqi intervened, suggesting Mingyu stay and play chess with the Emperor while Wanyin rested.

During the game, Mingyu seemed apathetic, which disappointed Chengrui. When Mingyu lost, Chengrui accused her of being indifferent, noting her increased skill at disappointing him. He then curtly dismissed her. At a banquet hosted by Xiao Chengli for the royal princes, Chengli introduced his sons, Qishuo and Qida, who admired Xiao Chengxu and had joined his battalion.

The princes openly expressed their dissatisfaction with Emperor Chengrui's blatant favoritism towards Helan Wanyin and the rumors that he was planning to name the infant fifth prince as Crown Prince. They criticized Chengrui's actions, calling him a womanizer who disregarded proper etiquette and his own siblings. Chengli's son, Qishuo, amplified these sentiments, drawing parallels to how Chengrui once criticized him for "womanizing and forgetting siblings" when he was ill.

While Xiao Chengli attempted to mediate, the discussion continued, with princes questioning the legitimacy of appointing a newborn as Crown Prince over older or wiser princes. Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan observed these growing resentments, seeing an opportunity to consolidate power.

They discussed strategies to win over key officials, such as Minister Wang Weiyi, by revealing past injustices concerning their royal father's will and their mother's sacrificial burial, and also befriending officials like Chief of the Archives Lin Fang, who was known to openly criticize the Emperor. Chengxu emphasized that while these maneuvers were important, their own military achievements and strength were the true "sword in hand," and they only needed to wait for the right opportunity to strike.

News of the Emperor's possible intention to name the fifth prince as Crown Prince reached Xiao Qihan and his mother, causing them great distress. Qihan's mother complained that Chengrui was so mesmerized by Helan Wanyin that he had lost his judgment, cursing Wanyin. Qihan, however, cautioned her against such dangerous talk, acknowledging that he had not been able to earn his father's favor despite his efforts.

He tried to reassure his mother that there was still time for their fortunes to change. Meanwhile, Helan Wanyin doted on her son, calling him her "flesh and blood, my heart, my life," and hoping for his healthy and peaceful growth. Su Yuying fueled Wanyin's anxieties by warning her to guard against others, specifically mentioning that Consort Xian (Helan Mingyu) often used various methods to attract the Emperor to Yong Ning Hall.

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