The Promise of Chang'an Episode 3 Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

Xiao Chengxu encountered Helan Mingyu, who explained she was following a suspicious palace person. They soon discovered a spy, and Xiao Chengxu deduced he was from Xi Qi because he used a hawk to send messages, a method exclusive to Xi Qi and Yonglin, unlike Great Sheng and Great Liang who relied on pigeons. As they planned to corner the spy, a brief moment of closeness occurred when they turned to face each other.

The spy then summoned his hawk, and Xiao Chengxu had to quickly save Helan Mingyu from the attacking bird. The spy used the distraction to prick Xiao Chengxu with a needle before escaping. Despite Xiao Chengxu's initial protests about propriety, Helan Mingyu inspected the wound, confirming the blood was bright red, indicating no poison, and that only some medicine was needed. Xiao Chengxu thanked her, but Helan Mingyu insisted she should be thanking him for saving her.

She then went to retrieve their horses, leaving Xiao Chengxu smitten as he watched her. Meanwhile, in the great hall, Xiao Shangyuan, gravely ill, spat blood, recognizing his impending death despite Consort Mu's denial. He revealed his decision to pass the throne to their son, Xiao Chengxu, with Xiao Chengli's assistance. Consort Mu expressed surprise, as she had believed Xiao Shangyuan favored Xiao Chengrui.

Xiao Shangyuan clarified that while Xiao Chengrui possessed exceptional talent and military achievements, his radical legal reforms posed too great a risk to Great Sheng. He explained that Xiao Chengxu's innate kindness and adherence to rules reminded him of his younger self, and he hoped Xiao Chengxu would become Great Sheng's hero.

He worried that the four major princes would not agree and mentioned sending for them and other high officials to witness his decree, fearing that if he died before their arrival, Consort Mu would be the sole bearer of his final wishes, endangering her and Xiao Chengxu. Having fought his whole life, he desperately wished for enough time to personally write the succession decree in their presence.

He then confessed his deep love and regret for Consort Mu, who tearfully offered to die with him. With his last bit of strength, Xiao Shangyuan asked her to wipe her tears, put on his royal robes and crown, proclaiming that he was still the King of Great Sheng. As she placed the crown, he passed away, and Consort Mu collapsed in grief. Xiao Chengrui, arriving with Xiao Chengyao, knelt outside the palace, hearing the mournful cries.

Xiao Chengyao informed Xiao Chengrui that Xiao Shangyuan had left no written last will, and only Consort Mu knew his dying words, but he and Fifth Brother would unconditionally support Xiao Chengrui. In Yonglin, Xi Qi's Envoy arrived again, demanding the princess fulfill the marriage accord. King Helan Mingzhe protested, presenting the marriage withdrawal letter, but the envoy declared it invalid as it only bore Situ Kun's personal seal.

During this, Xiao Chengxu asked Helan Yunqi about Xiao Chengrui's sudden departure, to which she replied it was due to urgent military matters. Xiao Chengxu then described a peculiar "heart sickness" he felt: anxiety when thinking of a certain person, followed by relief upon seeing them, which Helan Yunqi identified as the heart growing fonder. Xi Qi's Envoy then threatened war if Yonglin violated the accord.

Helan Mingzhe was enraged, but Helan Keyong suggested the envoy was bluffing due to the Yonglin-Great Sheng alliance and offered to discuss troop deployment with Xiao Chengxu. Just then, news arrived that Xiao Shangyuan had passed away. Upon hearing this, Helan Yunqi realized Great Sheng's national mourning meant they could not assist Yonglin. She concluded that Helan Wanyin must proceed with the marriage to secure Yonglin's safety.

Helan Wanyin tearfully begged against it, and Helan Mingyu offered to go in her sister's stead, arguing her stronger personality would be more effective against Situ Kun. However, Helan Mingzhe firmly told Helan Wanyin that it was her inescapable duty as a Yonglin princess. Helan Wanyin collapsed, accepting her grim fate. Helan Yunqi and Helan Mingyu watched as Helan Wanyin departed with Xi Qi's Envoy, still clutching Xiao Chengrui's cloak.

Helan Yunqi then reminded Helan Mingyu that all Yonglin people have unshirkable responsibilities. She then took Helan Mingyu to find Xiao Chengxu so they could travel to Great Sheng and reunite with Xiao Chengrui. Xiao Chengxu rushed back to Great Sheng, filled with regret upon seeing Xiao Shangyuan's coffin. He lamented arriving too late to see his Royal Father one last time and requested to guard the coffin alone for the night, asking his brothers to leave.

He then tearfully promised Xiao Shangyuan that he would remember his words, become a great hero, and not disappoint him. Later, Consort Mu confided in Xiao Chengxu, revealing a significant problem and asking for his trust, assuring him that her actions were for his well-being. Xiao Chengxu affirmed his trust, considering her the closest person in his life. Elsewhere, Xiao Chengyao pressured Xiao Chengrui about the succession, questioning if Consort Mu revealed the last will.

Xiao Chengrui replied that Consort Mu intended to announce it publicly upon their return to the capital, which made Xiao Chengyao suspicious. Consort Mu then sought a private audience with Xiao Chengrui. She informed him that Xiao Shangyuan's last will designated Xiao Chengxu as the successor, with Xiao Chengli as his assistant.

However, she proposed that this arrangement was not set in stone, and if Xiao Chengrui desired the throne, she would help him achieve it, as only they knew the true will. Consort Mu explained that Xiao Chengxu, being young and lacking the support of the four major princes (whom Xiao Chengrui led), would be vulnerable, even risking his life, especially given Xiao Chengyao's impulsive nature.

She asserted her sincerity, claiming she would willingly face death to protect Xiao Chengxu, and had kept the will secret from him, believing he would naturally cede the throne to Xiao Chengrui, who raised and doted on him. Xiao Chengrui reacted with anger, condemning her for attempting to alter his Royal Father's last will while his body was barely cold. Consort Mu immediately realized her misstep, recognizing Xiao Chengrui's pride.

Xiao Chengrui, deeply conflicted, retreated to his room without disclosing the last will to the other princes. He recalled Xiao Shangyuan's past promise to entrust him with Great Sheng's future and wondered why his father's last will made no mention of him, fearing his father thought he coveted the throne. He reflected on his many years of dedication, fighting alongside his father, forging alliances like with Yonglin, and striving for unification.

The thought of the throne now going to the 17-year-old Xiao Chengxu, who lacked military experience, left him questioning how such a young prince could manage complex state affairs and what his own lifelong efforts were for. Meanwhile, Helan Yunqi arrived in Sheng Zhou with Helan Mingyu. They learned of a commotion caused by Xiao Chengrui's subordinates. Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan also appeared, stating they were sent by Xiao Chengrui.

They explained they were attempting to enter the palace to help Consort Mu with Xiao Shangyuan's coffin but were blocked by imperial guards. Xiao Chengxu urgently asked Helan Yunqi for help to see his mother. Helan Yunqi questioned De An, Xiao Chengrui's guard, who stated that Xiao Chengrui, finding the palace too chaotic, ordered the younger princes to stay with Helan Yunqi and forbade them from entering.

Xiao Chengxuan, indignant, challenged De An's authority, contrasting their positions as commanders of the Wolf Xiao Battalion and Eagle Xiao Battalion with De An, who he claimed had no military merits. De An firmly stated his loyalty was to Xiao Chengrui alone. Helan Mingyu also questioned why they were being kept from Consort Mu. To prevent further confrontation, Helan Yunqi decided to seek an explanation herself, instructing the princes to wait.

Concurrently, Xiao Chengyao and other princes discussed rumors that Xiao Shangyuan's last will designated Xiao Chengxu as the next king. Xiao Chengrui confirmed that Consort Mu personally informed him this was not a rumor, and that they should prepare to fully support Xiao Chengxu. Unexpectedly, De An reported to Xiao Chengrui that he had already escorted Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan from the palace to Helan Yunqi's residence.

An enraged Xiao Chengrui demanded to know who gave that order, only for Xiao Chengyao to admit he instructed De An to separate the mother and sons for strategic reasons. De An reaffirmed his unwavering loyalty to Xiao Chengrui, stating that he and the entire Tiger Xiao Battalion would die before letting anyone else take the throne.

Xiao Chengyao urged Xiao Chengrui to forgive De An's insubordination due to his loyalty and ordered De An to keep Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan under close watch, ensuring they did not see Consort Mu and disrupt their plans. The other princes pressed Xiao Chengrui, advising him against being soft-hearted, reminding him that the throne and Great Sheng's future awaited him, and questioning if he could truly entrust it to a young child. Xiao Chengrui, deeply conflicted, stated he needed time to think.

Episode 2 Recap

Episode 4 Recap