The Promise of Chang'an Episode 31 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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Ling Zhen'er expressed deep concern for Lan Zhaoyi, regretting that her attempt to protect Helan Mingyu from injustice had escalated into such a major incident, fearing that Xiao Qihan might also be implicated. She noted that while other palace factions had often sought to harm them, Lan Zhaoyi had never posed a threat, even without direct interaction. Helan Mingyu, understanding Ling Zhen'er's feelings, acknowledged that the situation was beyond their control and hoped that no more innocent individuals would suffer.
She then instructed Nanny Li to be particularly mindful of Xiao Chengrui and Helan Wanyin, who were grieving the recent loss of their son, Xiao Qiheng, and to ensure nothing would remind them of their sorrow. Helan Mingyu's ultimate wish was for Xiao Qiyuan to grow up healthy and safe. Xiao Qihan was found kneeling outside Helan Wanyin's palace when Ling Zhen'er approached him.
Upon learning that Ling Zhen'er had reported his mother, Lan Zhaoyi, he became furious and ordered her to leave. Ling Zhen'er attempted to explain that she had simply reported what she witnessed to protect Helan Mingyu. Xiao Qihan angrily asked if that meant she had willingly caused his mother's suffering. As Ling Zhen'er began to depart, two officials rushed past, announcing that Lan Zhaoyi had bitten her tongue and committed suicide at the Ministry of Justice.
Xiao Qihan was devastated by the news and, in a daze, stumbled towards the Ministry of Justice through the rain. Ling Zhen'er followed, pleading with him not to break in, warning of severe consequences. However, Xiao Qihan violently pushed her away, blaming her for his mother's death and vowing never to forgive her. He then forced his way into the Ministry of Justice, where he was seen mourning over Lan Zhaoyi's body.
Helan Mingyu found Ling Zhen'er weeping and learned of Lan Zhaoyi's suicide. Ling Zhen'er was overcome with guilt, feeling responsible for the death and worried that Xiao Qihan's rash actions might incur Xiao Chengrui's wrath. Helan Mingyu comforted her, promising to speak with Helan Yunqi to help persuade Xiao Qihan and to light an eternal flame for Lan Zhaoyi at the Temple of Blessings. Lan Zhaoyi's suicide note, which confessed to her crimes, was presented to Xiao Chengrui.
He declared her death deserved and forbade her burial in the imperial mausoleum. For barging into the Ministry of Justice, Xiao Qihan's pay was suspended for three months, and he was reassigned to Xiao Chengxu's battalion, ostensibly to channel his energy towards the frontline. Xiao Chengrui sternly warned that any future unrest in the palace would be met with severe punishment. He then told Helan Wanyin to focus on her health and stop dwelling on past grievances.
However, Helan Wanyin overheard Xiao Chengrui lamenting his past decision to hastily name Xiao Qiheng as crown prince purely out of anger towards Helan Mingyu. This revelation crushed Helan Wanyin, as she realized she had never truly held Xiao Chengrui's heart, and her child's fate was a bitter consequence of this deeper conflict. This understanding intensified her hatred.
Upon receiving the imperial decree, Xiao Chengxu immediately recognized that Xiao Chengrui's decision to reassign Xiao Qihan was merely a means to remove him from the capital and disassociate him from the Lan Zhaoyi scandal, rather than a genuine punishment. He cynically reflected on Xiao Chengrui's unsuitability as a husband, noting that he seemed poised to further implicate Helan Mingyu in the matter. Helan Mingyu was singing to Xiao Qiyuan when Xiao Chengrui entered.
She quickly had Nanny Li take Xiao Qiyuan away, which prompted Xiao Chengrui to complain about being prevented from seeing his own child. Helan Mingyu retorted by asking if he had considered Xiao Qiyuan his child when he had threatened him with punitive measures. She then sarcastically offered to simply kneel and thank him for his grace, to which Xiao Chengrui stated that all he truly desired was her sincere heart.
Helan Mingyu accused him of merely wanting her sincerity to satisfy his own desire for victory. She reminded him that she had offered her sincere heart in the past, but he had betrayed her trust. She then declared that from the moment he forced her to accept his affection, she could only ever see him as her ruler, never as a lover. She pleaded with him to release her and Xiao Qiyuan, allowing them to live undisturbed within the palace.
Stunned, Xiao Chengrui suggested that she yearned for the outside world, for the people there, and for "that hero." Xiao Chengrui was enraged, learning that Xiao Chengxu had once again defied his orders during battle, allowing soldiers to return home and retreating thirty li while besieging Jinzhou. He viewed these actions as giving Great Liang an advantage.
Official Li attempted to calm him, suggesting further inquiry, but Xiao Chengrui dismissed the idea, citing Xiao Chengxu's repeated insubordination, including a previous incident where he commandeered rations in Li City. Xiao Chengrui then issued a verbal decree: Prince of Cheng, Xiao Chengli, was to relieve the garrison at Jinzhou, while Xiao Chengxu and his generals were to return immediately and camp outside the city, strictly forbidden from entering.
Official Li was tasked with meeting Xiao Chengxu outside the city to determine his reasons. Helan Yunqi questioned Official Li about Xiao Chengrui's fury. Official Li explained that Xiao Chengxu's actions, though potentially justifiable, were serious because he had repeatedly crossed Xiao Chengrui. He also noted that several important princes, including Prince of Yu and Xiao Qihan, were with Xiao Chengxu, suggesting the situation could escalate.
Helan Mingyu discussed the strategic importance of Jinzhou with Ling Zhen'er, a city Xiao Chengrui had long sought to conquer. Ling Zhen'er expressed bewilderment at Xiao Chengxu's decisions to send soldiers home and retreat. Helan Mingyu, while admitting she didn't know his exact intentions, believed his actions had a logical basis. Her concern was that Xiao Chengrui would refuse to listen to any explanation. Official Li met with Xiao Chengxu outside the city, informing him of Xiao Chengrui's rage.
Xiao Chengxu correctly inferred that Xiao Chengrui was merely seeking a confession and would prevent him from entering the capital.
He then explained his actions: forcibly seizing rations was a desperate measure, with all supplies returned to the commoners after the city's conquest; allowing soldiers to return home was done in shifts for armor repair and family visits, a natural human need; and the thirty-li retreat was strategically necessary for horse fodder, as Jinzhou had ample provisions while their army's horse feed was depleted. He argued that separating soldiers from their horses was impractical and dangerous.
He also reminded Official Li of a previous battle in February where a similar thirty-li retreat had successfully baited the enemy. Xiao Chengrui, after hearing Xiao Chengxu's explanations from Official Li, angrily dismissed them as mere excuses. Although he conceded that Xiao Chengxu's previous thirty-li retreat in February had surprisingly led to a victory by baiting the enemy, he now viewed it as a dangerous fluke.
He expressed deep disappointment in Xiao Chengxu's arrogance and repeated defiance, considering it a betrayal of his trust. Concluding that punishment was necessary to uphold his authority, he sent Xiao Chengli to confront Xiao Chengxu. Helan Mingyu was informed that Xiao Chengrui had dispatched Xiao Chengli to question Xiao Chengxu, expecting a confession. She immediately recognized the gravity of the situation, believing Xiao Chengrui was intent on treating Xiao Chengxu as an enemy.
She explained that the alleged "crime" itself was not the main issue; rather, it was the "shadow of guilt" in Xiao Chengrui's heart, stemming from the burial of Princess Consort Mu. Any perceived disobedience from Xiao Chengxu triggered this deep-seated insecurity, which was further exacerbated by Xiao Chengrui's knowledge of Helan Mingyu's past relationship with Xiao Chengxu. Helan Mingyu believed Xiao Chengxu would have a plan and advised waiting to observe how events unfolded.
Xiao Chengxu reviewed a secret report from Jinzhou, confirming Xiao Chengrui's determination to interrogate and potentially execute him without regard for justification. He found Xiao Chengrui's pretexts for punishment "far-fetched" and detrimental to the Emperor's reputation. Xiao Chengxuan urged immediate rebellion and a retreat to Ying City, but Xiao Chengxu deemed it premature, citing the distance and lack of preparations. Instead, he revealed he had secretly instructed Official Wang to sway public opinion in the imperial court.
He intended to extend "courtesy first before fighting" if Xiao Chengrui truly meant to kill him, ensuring all peaceful options were exhausted. When Xiao Chengli arrived to question him, Xiao Chengxu pointed out that Xiao Chengrui had once acknowledged the unpredictability of battle and allowed for some deviation from orders. He stated that he did not know what crimes to confess to, as he could no longer fathom Xiao Chengrui's intentions, and declared "death" as his answer if forced.
Xiao Chengxuan immediately vowed to die alongside Xiao Chengxu, lamenting the sacrifices made in war and the profound disappointment in Xiao Chengrui's actions. Xiao Qihan, too, knelt and stated his willingness to accept death if his uncles and brothers deemed it necessary. Other princes and generals followed their example. Xiao Chengxu then asked Xiao Chengli to relay to Xiao Chengrui that they were not arrogant but merely stating the truth, requesting a deeper investigation.
Xiao Chengli reported to Xiao Chengrui that Xiao Chengxu's sole response was "death," signaling his acceptance of punishment for being in disfavor. He also conveyed that Xiao Qihan felt the same, taking responsibility for not opposing Xiao Chengxu's decisions during the war. Additionally, several other princes and generals had volunteered to die alongside them. The Grand Mentor expressed his distress and advised Xiao Chengrui to make a careful decision, while other courtiers collectively pleaded for grace and leniency.
Xiao Chengrui, furious but constrained by the unified defiance, could only issue a light punishment, such as suspending their pay. Later, Helan Wanyin consoled Xiao Chengrui, advising him to guard his health. She remarked that despite Xiao Chengxu's "acceptance of death," Xiao Chengrui's light punishment would only embolden him. She subtly blamed Xiao Chengli for assembling all the princes willing to die, suggesting it was a calculated threat to coerce Xiao Chengrui.
Xiao Chengrui admitted he felt forced to show leniency, feeling coerced and unable to let Xiao Chengxu's challenge slide, believing Xiao Chengxu had dared to "turn the tables" on him. Later, outside the city gates, Xiao Chengxuan questioned Official Li, wondering why they were still denied entry to the palace despite having paid their penalty and accepted their guilt. Official Li conveyed Xiao Chengrui's message that he was too busy and instructed everyone to return home, indicating that the matter remained unresolved.
