The Promise of Chang'an Episode 32 Recap, Plot

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Prince Xiao Chengxu and his men arrived to express their gratitude, but Emperor Xiao Chengrui had them blocked outside the city gates. His men questioned why they were forced to return only to be denied entry, despite having accepted their punishments of demotion, fines, and loss of resources. Prime Minister Li advised Xiao Chengxu to endure the slight and apologize, noting the Emperor's current displeasure.

Xiao Chengxu, however, refused to kneel outside the gates and beg for grace, finding it unreasonable. He declared that since His Majesty did not wish to see them, they would respectfully depart, offering thanks for His Majesty's grace. He then left with his men. Only Prince Xiao Qihan remained behind, kneeling outside Tian Cheng Gate to beg for forgiveness, much to Prime Minister Li’s dismay.

When Xiao Chengrui learned Xiao Chengxu had actually left, he flew into a rage, interpreting it as defiance and an insult. Helan Mingyu soon learned that Xiao Chengrui had refused to meet the princes and that Xiao Chengxu, enraged by the refusal, had left, further fueling the Emperor's anger. She worried deeply about the growing rift between the brothers, fearing dire consequences. Believing that Xiao Chengrui’s anger had no outlet, she knew Xiao Chengxu was in danger.

Helan Mingyu quickly wrote a letter for Ling Zhen'er to deliver to Xiao Chengxu, urging him to appease the Emperor to prevent mutual harm. However, a new crisis arose when Prince Xiao Chengtai requested an audience with Xiao Chengrui, presenting alleged evidence of Xiao Chengxu's treason. Xiao Chengtai claimed that a Great Liang general, Hong Guangzhi, had tried to instigate him into helping Great Liang.

Though Hong Guangzhi escaped, he left behind a secret letter detailing the deployments of Great Sheng's battalions and mentioning a conspiracy to rebel. Xiao Chengtai revealed that the seal on the letter, though once obscured by bloodstains, was now legible and matched Xiao Chengxu's private stamp, and the handwriting was confirmed to be his. Xiao Chengrui immediately ordered Xiao Chengxu's arrest. When brought before the Emperor, Xiao Chengxu remained unyielding.

Xiao Chengrui accused him of collaborating with the enemy and betraying the country, kicking him and ordering him to kneel. He demanded to know if Xiao Chengxu was worthy of Great Sheng, its ancestors, and his imperial trust. Xiao Chengxu vehemently denied the accusations, asserting his loyalty as a son of Great Sheng and a member of the Xiao family. He insisted that the treason charge was slander and requested a thorough investigation.

Xiao Chengrui presented the letter with Xiao Chengxu's seal, stating it was confirmed to be his. Xiao Chengxu maintained that the letter was a frame-up. He explained that his original seal had broken three years prior in battle, specifically on the right corner, and had only been remade at the beginning of the current year.

He pointed out that the letter's signing date was from a time when his seal was being repaired, and the seal on the letter was perfectly intact, proving it a forgery. He requested the Emperor to check his wartime correspondence from after his seal broke to verify his claim. Xiao Chengrui promised a thorough investigation, threatening severe punishment if Xiao Chengxu was found to be deceiving him.

Helan Mingyu, upon hearing of Xiao Chengxu's imprisonment in the Ministry of Justice, questioned Helan Yunqi, believing it to be a deliberate frame-up. Helan Yunqi confirmed that the Emperor had received a letter alleging treason, and the seal on it was identified as Xiao Chengxu's. Helan Mingyu immediately suspected a Great Liang counter-intelligence plot.

She begged Helan Yunqi to let her visit Xiao Chengxu to clarify matters, but Helan Yunqi refused, fearing that Helan Mingyu's involvement would only implicate her further, given Xiao Chengrui's existing suspicions about them. Undeterred, Helan Mingyu secretly arranged to meet Prince Xiao Chengli, whom she regarded as an older brother. She desperately asked him if the evidence against Xiao Chengxu was truly conclusive.

Xiao Chengli advised her to stay out of the matter, emphasizing its gravity and the Emperor's firm decision, which no official dared to question. However, when Helan Mingyu asked if he would speak up if irrefutable evidence of forgery were found, Xiao Chengli agreed, stating he could not stand by and watch Xiao Chengxu suffer if he were proven innocent. Helan Mingyu found solace in his words.

Helan Mingyu was convinced the treason document was fake and sought a flaw in it, specifically in the seal. She knew Xiao Chengrui could compare it. Indeed, Xiao Chengrui had requested Xiao Chengxu's battle reports from the past three years. After examining them, he realized Xiao Chengxu's account of his broken seal three years ago and its recent repair was true, and that he had wronged him.

However, his resentment was reignited by the widespread support for Xiao Chengxu among court officials. Shortly after, the Imperial Study caught fire, destroying many important documents. Conveniently, the treason document remained intact. Helan Mingyu found this highly suspicious and sent Ling Zhen'er to investigate.

Meanwhile, Helan Wanyin subtly manipulated Xiao Chengrui's insecurities by recounting court consorts' discussions about Xiao Chengxu's military achievements, implying that half of Great Sheng was won by him and that people believed Xiao Chengrui feared to punish such a hero. This further inflamed Xiao Chengrui's anger. Ling Zhen'er discovered that before the fire, eunuchs had specifically retrieved Xiao Chengxu's war reports.

Helan Mingyu deduced that the fire was no accident; it was purposefully set to destroy those very reports, which contained the authentic seals needed to prove Xiao Chengxu's innocence. She realized Xiao Chengrui had no intention of clearing Xiao Chengxu’s name and intended to use the treason charge to execute him. She vowed not to let Xiao Chengxu's honor be destroyed.

True to her fears, Xiao Chengrui issued a decree: Xiao Chengxu was found guilty of treason with conclusive evidence and would be sent to death row at noon the following day. Xiao Chengxu accepted the decree with despair. Upon hearing the news, Prince Xiao Chengxuan was furious and immediately ordered Yan Hai to contact the generals of the Wolf, Eagle, and Elephant Battalions to plan an interception of the prisoner the next day.

Xiao Chengrui, aware of Xiao Chengxuan’s gathering, saw an opportunity to eliminate both brothers and ordered close surveillance on Xiao Chengxuan’s manor. Helan Mingyu, surprised by Xiao Chengrui's haste, recognized that preventing Xiao Chengxuan's impulsive actions was even more urgent. She sent Ling Zhen'er to meet Xiao Chengxuan outside his manor to avoid surveillance, urging him to trust their efforts to prove Xiao Chengxu's innocence and not to act rashly.

However, Xiao Chengxuan refused to wait, stating that if Helan Mingyu could not find a solution by noon the next day, he would lead his troops to intercept the prisoner, consequences be damned. Desperate, Helan Mingyu continued her search for proof. Su Yuying, after initially accusing Helan Mingyu of trickery, calmed down when she heard Helan Mingyu had a plan. She provided the remaining documents from Xiao Chengxu's manor, but none contained his personal seal.

Helan Mingyu then asked for their marriage contract, believing it would bear his original seal. The contract showed Xiao Chengxu's personal seal, which appeared perfect, but Helan Mingyu noted that the marriage had occurred over three years ago, while the documents destroyed in the fire were from within the past three years. She wondered what discrepancy lay in that timeframe. Just then, Kelan, a maid, inquired about Xiao Chengxu and was slapped by an agitated Su Yuying.

Helan Mingyu intervened, realizing that Kelan might hold the key to saving Xiao Chengxu. In court, several ministers pleaded with Xiao Chengrui to reconsider Xiao Chengxu's case, citing unresolved questions and the potential for military destabilization. However, another minister urged immediate punishment for the traitor. Suddenly, Su Yuying and Kelan burst into the court. Su Yuying claimed she was wronged and, as Xiao Chengxu's wife, was implicated in his treason. She pleaded with Xiao Chengrui to grant her a divorce.

Xiao Chengrui, angered by the disruption, ordered them both removed. Prince Xiao Chengli intervened, asking the Emperor to listen. Despite Xiao Chengrui's warning, Xiao Chengli declared he might have found proof of Xiao Chengxu's innocence. He then requested to see the marriage contracts of Su Yuying and Kelan, and proceeded to compare the seals, noting the dates on each contract. He then invited everyone to examine the marriage contracts.

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