The Promise of Chang'an Episode 38 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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Helan Mingyu rushed to confront Xiao Chengxu, who had taken her son, Xiao Qiyuan. Xiao Chengxu revealed his determination to reclaim everything Xiao Chengrui had taken from him, including the throne and Helan Mingyu herself. Mingyu, however, stated that some things could never return to how they once were. Chengxu knew she preferred Xiao Qiyuan not to be involved in politics or become emperor.
However, the situation had drastically changed because Xiao Chengrui had issued a secret decree before his death, ordering the Dragon, Phoenix, and Tiger battalions to kill Xiao Qiyuan if he did not ascend the throne. Horrified by this ruthless scheme, Mingyu expressed that she could not watch her child die, her own flesh and blood. She admitted that had this decree not existed, she would not have opposed Chengxu's claim to the throne.
Xiao Chengxu tried to persuade her that Chengrui was merely using her maternal instincts to manipulate him. He promised to ensure Qiyuan's safety and urged her not to be led by Chengrui's schemes, suggesting that a life in fear and captivity would be meaningless for Qiyuan. He then sent Mingyu home, assuring her he had much to do and would guarantee Qiyuan's safety, asking her to wait for his good news. Once back, Mingyu discussed the situation with Ling Zhen'er.
She realized that the power of the three battalions was immense, and even Xiao Chengxu might not be able to protect Qiyuan from the secret decree. Therefore, for her son's safety, she knew she had to actively oppose Xiao Chengxu. She told Helan Yunqi that while she would protect Qiyuan even at the cost of her own life, Chengxu was still unwilling to yield, and other factions also coveted the throne.
Since news of the emperor's death was already spreading, Mingyu instructed Helan Yunqi to officially announce Xiao Chengrui's passing but to delay revealing the contents of his last will. This would buy them precious time to observe the unfolding power struggle and devise a counter-plan. Following Xiao Chengrui's death, a formal mourning period commenced. Consort Qiaoshu feigned deep grief while holding her son, Xiao Qirong. Helan Mingyu explained that Xiao Qiyuan was absent from the rites due to a fever.
When Xiao Chengli inquired about the last will, Helan Yunqi silently shook her head, causing a ripple of anxiety among the assembled officials. Xiao Qihan then delivered a tearful address, claiming himself unworthy of the throne. However, Xiao Chengxuan immediately countered, asserting that the rightful heir should be the most meritorious and talented individual. This sparked an immediate division, with factions quickly forming to support either the eldest son, Xiao Qihan, or the highly esteemed general, Xiao Chengxu.
Helan Mingyu, Helan Yunqi, and Xiao Chengli convened to strategize. Official Li reported that while loyalties among the royal relatives were clear, the court ministers were divided between supporters of Prince Yan (Xiao Chengxu) and Prince Su (Xiao Qihan), with some remaining neutral. He further detailed that Prince Su commanded the Bear, Lion, and Prince of Chen's battalions, totaling three forces, while Prince Yan and Prince Yu also controlled three battalions, making them evenly matched.
This precarious balance, Official Li warned, could easily escalate into widespread conflict and undermine all of the late emperor's achievements. To avert this disaster, Helan Mingyu reminded them that they controlled the Dragon, Phoenix, and Tiger battalions, along with Xiao Chengli's Whale Battalion. Knowing that both Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Qihan desperately sought Xiao Chengli's support, Mingyu instructed him to feign indecision and impartiality.
This would draw lobbyists from both sides, allowing them to gather information and potentially sway neutral parties. She also directed Official Li to discreetly leak the late emperor's will to trustworthy individuals to bolster their position. Mingyu emphasized the need to maintain the balance of power between Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Qihan, ensuring neither could overpower the other before their own new forces could effectively intervene.
Despite her trust that Xiao Chengxu would not harm Xiao Qiyuan, Mingyu worried that their intricate plans might have overlooked a critical detail. Consort Qiaoshu secretly invited Xiao Qihan, cautioning him against being manipulated by others. She suggested that Xiao Chengli, the Prince of Zheng, was not truly impartial but instead planned to install a younger, more pliable prince on the throne to rule from behind the scenes.
Consort Qiaoshu warned Xiao Qihan that if he failed to secure the throne and others seized control, he would face a dire downfall. She proposed that he should instead support her son, Xiao Qirong, as the new emperor. In return, she, as Empress Dowager, would strongly advocate for Xiao Qihan to become the sole head of government, granting him immense power and enabling him to eliminate Xiao Chengxu.
She emphasized that this path offered him greater and more secure power than directly vying for the perilous emperor's throne, which Xiao Chengxu would never easily concede. Xiao Qihan agreed to seriously consider her offer. Consort Qiaoshu secretly intended for both Xiao Qihan and Xiao Chengxu to support Xiao Qirong. Subsequently, Consort Qiaoshu approached Su Yuying, Xiao Chengxu's wife, to propose a deal with Xiao Chengxu.
Despite Su Yuying's reluctance to get involved in such matters, Consort Qiaoshu argued that even if Xiao Chengxu became emperor, Su Yuying, having failed to bear him an heir, would likely struggle to maintain her position as empress, especially given Xiao Chengxu's enduring affection for Helan Mingyu.
However, if Xiao Qirong ascended the throne and Consort Qiaoshu became Empress Dowager, she promised to bestow Xiao Chengxu a position of unparalleled authority, second only to the emperor, ensuring both he and Su Yuying would enjoy great wealth and high status. Unable to wait any longer, Xiao Chengxu ordered Xiao Chengxuan to gather all available soldiers from Ying City and prepare to force open the city gates, despite concerns about Xiao Qihan's forces within the city.
Meanwhile, Su Yuying visited Xiao Chengxu, inquiring if Consort Qiaoshu had sought him out to persuade him. Xiao Chengxu, already aware of Consort Qiaoshu's manipulative nature, dismissed her arguments. He asserted that regardless of which prince (other than Xiao Qihan) ascended the throne, Helan Yunqi and the royal relatives would likely appoint him regent.
He also suspected Consort Qiaoshu's true intentions, pointing out that she had married Su Yuying and her sister to him and Xiao Qihan, suggesting a long-term scheme. Su Yuying, however, pleaded with him not to clash with Xiao Qihan, reaffirming her loyalty and desire for his safety. Xiao Chengxu then mused that he might pursue a deal with Consort Qiaoshu, hinting at his own strategic deception.
Helan Yunqi soon became aware of Consort Qiaoshu's secret maneuvers and realized her oversight regarding the Consort's family control over the Shenwu army. Helan Mingyu deduced that Xiao Qihan would undoubtedly try to leverage the Shenwu army to eliminate Xiao Chengxu. She also correctly surmised that Consort Qiaoshu had promised both Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Qihan regency in exchange for supporting Xiao Qirong, intending to pit them against each other once her son was enthroned.
While Mingyu suspected Xiao Chengxu would not genuinely collaborate with Consort Qiaoshu, she believed he might be feigning cooperation to buy time. Recognizing the urgency, Mingyu instructed Xiao Chengli to strategically release information and ordered Helan Yunqi to deploy the Tiger Battalion and Yulin army to attack the Shenwu army, aiming to seize the initiative. Mingyu expressed deep concern about Xiao Chengxu, acknowledging his long-held obsession with the throne and the unpredictable extent of his actions.
Xiao Qihan, upon learning that Consort Qiaoshu had made similar offers to Xiao Chengxu, was enraged but quickly calmed himself, suspecting it might be a tactic to sow discord. He dispatched spies to confirm the truth. Xiao Chengxu, however, had already anticipated this. He publicly confronted Consort Qiaoshu at the Temple of Blessings, exposing her deceitful plan to play him and Xiao Qihan against each other.
He then deliberately ensured that Xiao Qihan's spies overheard their entire conversation, effectively shattering Consort Qiaoshu's alliance with Xiao Qihan. Xiao Chengxu launched his assault on the city. Helan Mingyu, with foresight, had already instructed Xiao Chengli to discreetly withdraw most of the Whale Battalion, leaving only a small vanguard to deceive Chengxu's forces. Now, she ordered Xiao Chengli to position the Whale Battalion to surround Xiao Chengxu's camp and block his retreat.
Meanwhile, Official Li confirmed that all nobles and ministers had been gathered in Chongzheng Hall, awaiting Xiao Qiyuan's safe return to formally announce the late emperor's will. Mingyu knew that if Qiyuan did not return soon, chaos would ensue. She realized this was the opportune moment to persuade Xiao Qihan, who was now confused and desperate due to Xiao Chengxu's sudden attack. Mingyu, therefore, decided to ally with Xiao Qihan.
She instructed Helan Yunqi to issue a decree assigning the Dragon and Phoenix battalions to defend the city gates and support Xiao Qihan, effectively forcing his cooperation and listening to their plans. This strategic move was also aimed at persuading Xiao Chengxu to halt his advance. Xiao Qihan was informed by his Eighth Royal Uncle that the late emperor's will designated Xiao Qiyuan as the successor.
Further, reports from his officers revealed that Xiao Chengxu's surprise attack had severely damaged their Lion and Rhinoceros Battalions, and that the Dragon and Phoenix Battalions had arrived to defend the city gates under the Empress's orders, signaling support for Xiao Qiyuan. Enraged and in disbelief, Xiao Qihan contemplated storming the palace to kill Xiao Qiyuan and seize the throne.
However, Ling Zhen'er arrived with Helan Yunqi's imperial decree, warning him that such an act would pit him against the combined forces of the Tiger, Yulin, Shenwu, Dragon, and Phoenix armies within the palace, ensuring his utter defeat and a charge of rebellion. Faced with overwhelming odds and the inevitable downfall of his followers, Xiao Qihan, in a fit of despair, acknowledged his defeat. With Xiao Chengxu now trapped, Xiao Chengxuan angrily confronted him, blaming Helan Mingyu.
He argued that her actions, despite Chengxu's deep affection for her and his reluctance to use Qiyuan as a shield, had placed them in this perilous situation. He contended that as Xiao Chengrui's Consort Xian and Xiao Qiyuan's mother, she was inherently an adversary, taking advantage of Chengxu's feelings to demand the withdrawal of his troops and the release of Xiao Qiyuan.
