The Promise of Chang'an Episode 37 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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Xiao Qihan was extremely lucky that the breastplate armor he wore saved his life from an arrow. Inside the armor, he found a "Be Safe" charm, which Ling Zhen'er had secretly placed there. He recalled Ling Zhen'er giving him the armor before he left, wishing him victory and a swift return.
Back in the capital, Helan Yunqi joyfully informed Helan Mingyu that Great Sheng's soldiers had won the battle, capturing two important passes from Great Liang and two of their generals. Helan Yunqi suggested they go to the Temple of Blessings to thank the Moon Goddess for her protection and blessings. Upon their return, Emperor Xiao Chengrui praised Xiao Chengxu for his loyalty and amazing success in capturing Jin City.
Xiao Chengxu humbly attributed the victory to the Emperor's foresight and battle plans. Xiao Chengrui then awarded Xiao Chengxu an extra reward and ordered that all three battalions be given rewards, expressing confidence in Great Sheng's ability to unify the land. While waiting outside the Temple of Blessings as Helan Yunqi spoke with the priest, Helan Mingyu encountered Xiao Chengxu. Seeing them together, Ling Zhen'er quickly excused herself, citing a need to arrange lights for the Noble Consort.
Xiao Chengxu expressed concern for Helan Mingyu, noticing she had suffered. She downplayed her struggles compared to his risks on the battlefield. Xiao Chengxu admitted that he only learned about her near-death experience after returning to the capital and blamed himself for being ignorant of her danger. He also noted that Xiao Chengrui had personally led soldiers to save her, and his health had significantly deteriorated since.
Helan Mingyu acknowledged that Xiao Chengrui truly was a good Emperor for Great Sheng and its people. Xiao Chengxu confessed that over the years, he had come to understand Xiao Chengrui better, despite his prior reservations. Since Xiao Chengrui had entrusted him with the lands and safety of Great Sheng, he would strive to make the empire more stable. He lamented that despite their efforts, he and Helan Mingyu remained distant.
Helan Mingyu replied that simply being well was a blessing in itself. Several years later, both Xiao Qiyuan and Consort Hui's son, Xiao Qirong, had grown older and were nearing the age to enter the imperial study. While playing, Xiao Qiyuan complained that Xiao Qirong had stolen his shuttlecock. Helan Mingyu reminded Xiao Qiyuan to be gentle with his younger brother, while Xiao Qirong demanded Xiao Qiyuan's feathered shuttlecock.
Helan Mingyu eventually stopped their squabbling, reminding them about their upcoming studies. Xiao Qiyuan, however, casually remarked that the autumn would be a better time to start. He proudly stated that Helan Mingyu had been teaching him, reciting the Four Books and Five Classics and poetry. Xiao Chengrui tested him by asking for a spring poem, which Xiao Qiyuan recited perfectly. As a reward, Xiao Chengrui gave Xiao Qiyuan his short angle bow, used in his first hunt.
Consort Hui was hesitant due to the bow's origin, but Helan Mingyu encouraged Xiao Qiyuan to accept it. Consort Hui then boasted about Xiao Qirong's strength and his training in archery and riding with Xiao Qihan, who praised Xiao Qirong's progress. Xiao Qirong also mentioned Xiao Qiyuan's skill, noting he hit the target ten times. Helan Mingyu comforted Xiao Qirong, promising he would grow to be a great hero like his uncles.
Consort Hui, however, proudly claimed that Xiao Qirong's temperament was just like Xiao Chengrui's as a child. When Xiao Qihan arrived, both princes eagerly ran to him. Xiao Qiyuan stumbled, but Xiao Qihan, telling him to pick himself up and not cry easily, took Xiao Qirong by the hand and walked away. Xiao Chengrui's cough worsened, and his health continued to decline, causing Helan Yunqi great worry.
She suggested preparing more medicinal meals, but Xiao Chengrui acknowledged his lung condition would not improve quickly. He wished to recover to personally lead the conquest of Great Liang. Sensing his contemplation, Helan Yunqi pressed him about naming a successor, noting the subtle competition among the consorts. Xiao Chengrui admitted his dilemma: by age, Xiao Qihan was suitable, but by consort status, Xiao Qirong might be considered.
He found both Xiao Qiyuan and Xiao Qirong too young to bear the burden of Great Sheng. Regarding Xiao Qihan, though he had military contributions, his low birth status was a concern. More importantly, Xiao Chengrui feared that Xiao Qihan, who had always contended with Xiao Chengxu, would be no match for him in talent and strategy if given the throne.
He revealed that he had intentionally supported Xiao Chengxu and suppressed Xiao Qihan in the past, precisely to protect Xiao Qihan. Helan Yunqi praised his farsightedness. Xiao Chengrui concluded that he needed to carefully consider the succession to ensure Great Sheng's long-term prosperity. That night, Xiao Chengrui suffered another coughing fit, spitting blood. Helan Yunqi frantically summoned the imperial physician, who declared that the Emperor's life was ending and all important decisions should be made quickly.
Xiao Chengrui called for Xiao Chengxu, and Helan Yunqi urged Xiao Chengxu to go quickly, as the Emperor had been anxious to see him. Xiao Chengrui reminisced about saving a young Xiao Chengxu, who then wished him to live for hundreds of years. Xiao Chengxu, however, accused Xiao Chengrui of using such memories to manipulate people, viewing family ties and generosity as mere tools of control.
Xiao Chengrui asserted his sincerity in valuing Xiao Chengxu, but Xiao Chengxu countered by recalling how he had been framed, deceived, and had precautions taken against him, even being threatened with death. Xiao Chengxu listed his numerous contributions over the years, including fighting on battlefields, conquering Xi Qi, repelling Liang soldiers, and establishing new policies to stabilize the court. He felt he had repaid all debts and now demanded to know how much Xiao Chengrui owed him.
He then questioned Xiao Chengrui about his mother, Consort Mu's death. Xiao Chengrui confessed that his own father, in his muddled state, had intended for Xiao Chengxu to claim the throne in his will, but without proper evidence or edicts, Consort Mu secretly told him to take the throne. Xiao Chengxu accused him of then rallying the three princes to seize power.
Xiao Chengrui admitted to treating Xiao Chengxu differently from his other brothers and stated he did not regret his past actions, believing he had merely corrected his muddled father's wrong decision. He argued that Great Sheng was thriving under his rule, and Xiao Chengxu was fundamentally unsuitable to be a sovereign. Xiao Chengxu defiantly declared that his suitability was not for Xiao Chengrui to decide and vowed to reclaim Great Sheng's lands, proving his worth in the future.
Xiao Chengrui challenged him to kill him then and there to take the throne. Xiao Chengxu hesitated, and Xiao Chengrui remarked that Xiao Chengxu's soft-heartedness and inability to act ruthlessly, especially against a man whose illness stemmed from protecting him, made him unfit to be Emperor. Xiao Chengxu retorted that Xiao Chengrui was still conceited, and they would see what the future held. Xiao Chengrui played a game of chess with Helan Mingyu.
He remarked that they had been husband and wife and argued for half their lives, yet he had never once beaten her, and this time, he intended to win. Later, knowing his end was near, Xiao Chengrui ensured all edicts and the imperial seal were prepared. He then summoned Helan Yunqi and De An. To De An, he imparted a secret order, instructing him to lead the Dragon, Phoenix, and Tiger Battalions, who were forbidden to disobey his command.
While Xiao Qiyuan slept, calling out for his father, Helan Mingyu watched him. She mused that whether Xiao Chengrui had been good or bad to him, it would all soon be in the past. She foresaw changes coming but promised to protect Xiao Qiyuan well. Xiao Chengrui then formally wrote his will, stating his regret at not fully unifying the territory. He entrusted the throne to the Prince of Guangling, Xiao Qiyuan. As his pen dropped, Xiao Chengrui passed away.
In the eighth year of the Xian De era, Great Sheng's ruler, Xiao Chengrui, was no more. Helan Yunqi kept the Emperor's death a secret, not announcing it while privately meeting with Official Li and Xiao Chengli. Helan Mingyu suspected turmoil in the court but remained unaware of the will's contents. She mused on the futility of imperial power, believing she would likely be relegated to a Consort Dowager, spending her remaining days in loneliness.
Her deepest wish was to take Xiao Qiyuan and return to Yonglin, a place of peace and freedom. Helan Yunqi summoned Helan Mingyu to Feng Yi Hall to discuss urgent matters. Upon learning the contents of the will, Helan Mingyu was furious. She exclaimed that Xiao Chengrui, who had never properly cherished Xiao Qiyuan, had pushed him onto the throne at his deathbed specifically to use them as a means to control Xiao Chengxu.
Helan Yunqi insisted that Xiao Chengrui had acted for the good of Great Sheng, anticipating that Xiao Chengxu would not accept any other Emperor. She argued that only by placing Xiao Qiyuan on the throne and having Helan Mingyu persuade Xiao Chengxu could he be convinced to abandon his aspirations for the emperorship and potentially support Xiao Qiyuan. Helan Mingyu resisted, highlighting Xiao Chengrui's past anger over her relationship with Xiao Chengxu and his neglect of her and their son.
She felt the throne rightfully belonged to Xiao Chengxu, given his contributions and abilities. Helan Yunqi warned her against being foolish, explaining that Xiao Chengxu's claim would be unjustified, and Xiao Qihan would also resist, leading to a chaotic conflict that would endanger Great Sheng. Helan Yunqi then revealed a chilling truth: Xiao Qiyuan "must" ascend the throne, or he would die.
Before issuing his will, Xiao Chengrui had given a secret decree to De An, ordering the Dragon, Phoenix, and Tiger Battalions to kill Xiao Qiyuan if he failed to take the throne, no matter where he might hide. Helan Mingyu, horrified, realized Xiao Chengrui was forcing her to fight Xiao Chengxu for her son's life, and with the secret order already issued, there was no turning back. Returning to her palace, Helan Mingyu was distraught to find Xiao Qiyuan missing.
Ling Zhen'er showed her a note from Nanny Li, apologizing for taking Xiao Qiyuan and stating they couldn't be found. Helan Mingyu immediately deduced that Nanny Li had taken Xiao Qiyuan to the Prince of Yan's manor, suspecting Xiao Chengxu knew the contents of the will and had taken the child to claim the throne himself. She declared that she would not allow him to do so and resolved to confront him.
Meanwhile, at Xiao Chengxu's manor, Xiao Qiyuan excitedly asked why he was there. Xiao Chengxu explained that he had Nanny Li bring Xiao Qiyuan out of the palace so he could learn martial arts and hunting with his Ninth and Tenth Royal Uncles, promising a surprise for his mother later. He then instructed Xiao Chengxuan to entertain Xiao Qiyuan. When Helan Mingyu arrived, Xiao Chengxu reassured her that Xiao Qiyuan was safe and that he would never hurt him. He stated that Xiao Chengrui had only put Xiao Qiyuan on the throne to keep Helan Mingyu by his side and force Xiao Chengxu to give up his claim.
