The Promise of Chang'an Episode 25 Recap, Plot

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Helan Wanyin was distressed about her son, the Fifth Prince, who had a persistent low fever and kept vomiting. Su Yuying and Consort Hui, present with her, suggested that jealous individuals might be behind the child's lingering illness. Hui'er then recounted encountering Ling Zhen'er in the Imperial Kitchen. She claimed that Ling Zhen'er had touched Helan Wanyin's medicinal diet and cursed her.

Enraged by the news, Helan Wanyin stormed to Yong Ning Hall, confronted Ling Zhen'er, slapped her, and threatened to search her room for hidden malicious objects. Helan Mingyu and Helan Yunqi arrived to find the commotion. Helan Yunqi questioned Helan Wanyin's actions, reminding her of her status as Noble Consort. Helan Wanyin retorted that Ling Zhen'er had cursed her and the Fifth Prince, a rumor she claimed had spread throughout the palace, and accused Helan Yunqi of being biased.

Ling Zhen'er denied cursing anyone, explaining that she had merely made a careless remark about Helan Wanyin’s medicinal pigeon stew, suggesting it was "not an elixir of life," after being denied a charcoal stove and then being accused of mishandling the pot. She clarified she had no ill intentions. Helan Yunqi challenged Helan Wanyin to provide evidence for the curse and threatened to punish Hui'er for inciting discord.

Helan Wanyin continued to lament that her child was "hated this much," accusing Helan Yunqi of bias. Helan Mingyu attempted to mediate, reminding Helan Wanyin that the Fifth Prince was also her nephew and expressing a desire to resolve their misunderstandings. However, Helan Wanyin pushed Helan Mingyu away, calling her deceitful and accusing her of seducing His Majesty, taking away her adoration, and now trying to harm her child.

Helan Yunqi ordered Helan Wanyin to return to her palace, emphasizing the lack of evidence. Helan Wanyin refused, insisting Helan Yunqi was biased. Helan Mingyu urged Helan Wanyin to apologize to Helan Yunqi, reminding her of Helan Yunqi's sleepless nights caring for her during childbirth. Helan Wanyin dismissed their concern as feigned for His Majesty's attention and departed, leaving Helan Yunqi heartbroken and barely able to stand.

Helan Mingyu confessed to Ling Zhen'er that she was not merely upset but deeply saddened by the growing estrangement and misunderstanding with her sister. She resolved to find an opportunity to speak with Helan Wanyin properly once the Fifth Prince recovered, also instructing Ling Zhen'er to protect themselves. Meanwhile, Helan Yunqi reported Helan Wanyin’s behavior and disrespect to Xiao Chengrui, asking him to judge the matter.

Xiao Chengrui, while acknowledging Helan Wanyin's wrongdoing, remained cold towards Helan Mingyu, questioning why she didn't complain if she felt wronged. He then decided to personally question Helan Wanyin. At Guan Ju Hall, Helan Wanyin was discovered attempting to hang herself. Xiao Chengrui rushed to her aid. Helan Wanyin tearfully explained that her child's persistent illness was due to "poor luck" and "calamity" caused by jealous palace residents, insinuating that Helan Mingyu was responsible.

She claimed she sought death to eliminate the "dark resentment and hatred" so her child could find peace. Moved by her pleas, Xiao Chengrui promised to conduct a thorough search of the harem. Helan Yunqi tried to dissuade him, arguing that a baseless search would create widespread anxiety. Xiao Chengrui dismissed her concerns, stating that Helan Wanyin’s insistence on an answer, even if it meant death, necessitated the search.

He also saw it as a way to remove doubt and warn others who might harbor resentment towards the prince. He entrusted the task to the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The ensuing search plunged the entire harem into chaos. Helan Mingyu observed the unrest with sadness. In Ji Guang Pavilion, Xiao Qihan's mother, Zhaoyi, panicked about the impending search.

She confessed to her maid, Zhui'er, that she had made a cursed doll out of anger and ordered her to dispose of it quickly, stressing that its discovery would doom them. The maid hastily discarded the doll near Yong Ning Hall. The cursed doll, bearing the Fifth Prince's birth date, was discovered. Helan Wanyin cried upon seeing it.

Xiao Chengrui, upon learning that the doll was found outside Yong Ning Hall and made of fabric he had exclusively gifted to Helan Mingyu, was furious. He confronted Helan Mingyu, throwing her to the ground and demanding she admit her wrongs. Helan Mingyu calmly stated that she always shared his gifts with other palaces, meaning the fabric was not exclusively hers. Xiao Chengrui dismissed her explanation as a facile attempt to shift blame.

Accepting that further explanation was futile, Helan Mingyu produced her consort's official gown and conferral document, requesting to be stripped of her title. Xiao Chengrui misinterpreted her actions, believing she found the position worthless and was acting out of jealousy towards Princess Consort Yan. Helan Mingyu calmly acknowledged his "wisdom" that she could "die with clarity." Xiao Chengrui accused her of deceiving him. Helan Mingyu explained her forced entry into the harem, emphasizing her dutiful conduct since then.

She challenged him, asking what he could have done if she had resisted and reminding him of the prophecy predicting her as the "mother of the world." Xiao Chengrui dismissed the prophecy as "nonsense" but admitted he "wouldn't want to take any chances." Helan Mingyu concluded that he would rather she die than marry someone else, finding her fate, dictated by a mere prophecy, absurd.

She declared that now she understood this, she no longer cared about how he would deal with her. Xiao Chengrui, frustrated, admitted the prophecy was merely "an excuse to have" her and declared his love. Helan Mingyu responded that she once believed him but found his "adoration" unbearable. Enraged, Xiao Chengrui proclaimed that his possessions, whether abandoned, killed, or abolished, were not for anyone else to touch.

Ling Zhen'er interjected, defending Helan Mingyu and reminding Xiao Chengrui that he had "let her go easily" when she was previously captured. Helan Mingyu tried to silence Ling Zhen'er. Xiao Chengrui twisted Ling Zhen'er's words, accusing Helan Mingyu of secretly hating him, holding a grudge, and coldly laughing at him, awaiting this moment to expose him and manipulate him into banishing her.

Helan Mingyu, maintaining her composure, stated that her words no longer mattered and accepted any punishment, thanking him for his "grace." Xiao Chengrui angrily asserted his clear conscience, claiming he had never wronged anyone. A servant interrupted to report that the Fifth Prince's condition had worsened, his face having turned blue. Xiao Chengrui rushed to his son, where the imperial physician expressed uncertainty about the young prince's recovery.

In a fit of rage, Xiao Chengrui held his sword to Helan Mingyu's neck, demanding she kneel and admit her wrongs. Helan Wanyin, pretending compassion, emerged and offered to drop the matter if Helan Mingyu confessed. Ling Zhen'er passionately defended Helan Mingyu's innocence. Helan Mingyu, steadfast, refused to admit to a wrong she had not committed, asserting her clear conscience, especially towards Xiao Chengrui. At that moment, the Fifth Prince awakened.

Xiao Chengrui, instead of relenting, interpreted the child's awakening as proof that Helan Mingyu’s guilt had been "found out" and again demanded her confession. Helan Mingyu found his words ridiculous and still refused to concede. Furious, Xiao Chengrui banished Helan Mingyu from Yong Ning Hall to the temporary imperial palace on the outskirts, decreeing she was never to leave for the rest of her life, and declared he never wanted to see her again.

Helan Mingyu and Ling Zhen'er arrived at Lin Hua Palace, the deserted temporary imperial residence. Despite its desolate state, Helan Mingyu felt a sense of relief, noting that the sky seemed "higher" and she felt "much more relaxed and free" without the constant considerations of palace life. They began to clean their new, humble dwelling. Xiao Chengxu, who had secretly entered, observed Helan Mingyu, relieved to see her appear calm and not distraught.

Soon after, Xiao Qihan scaled the palace walls, seeking out Ling Zhen'er. He expressed his concern, offering to take her away and care for her, reassuring her that his father had not punished her. Ling Zhen'er thanked him, acknowledging that few people genuinely cared for them during such times. Xiao Qihan embraced her, affirming that she was the only one he cared about.

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