The Promise of Chang'an Episode 41 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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Helan Yunqi spoke with Xiao Chengxu, expressing concern about His Majesty. Xiao Chengxu countered that the Emperor, not a normal boy, needed to be trained and not overly spoiled like a delicate flower in a greenhouse, otherwise he would be unable to properly rule a nation. He stated that his entire heart was devoted to Great Sheng and His Majesty, and he had a clear conscience, dismissing the opinions of others.
Later, as the rain stopped, Xiao Qiyuan eagerly prepared to go fishing. Xiao Chengxu intervened, reminding him of a ruler's responsibilities. He questioned how Xiao Qiyuan could be a respectable ruler if he only played and never studied. Xiao Qiyuan admitted he couldn't grasp the concept of commoners' struggles, having grown up solely within the palace. Xiao Chengxu acknowledged his harshness and sent Xiao Qiyuan to study.
Seeing Helan Mingyu, Xiao Chengxu followed her to apologize for his earlier rude words. Helan Mingyu assured him she understood his character and wouldn't take his words to heart. Xiao Chengxu confided that others accused him of ulterior motives for taking control, but he truly feared entrusting the nation to an incompetent ruler. He emphasized that her feelings and trust were all that mattered to him.
Helan Mingyu expressed her trust but urged him to be patient with Xiao Qiyuan, who was still young, suggesting a step-by-step approach. Xiao Chengxu promised to patiently teach Xiao Qiyuan to become a good emperor. To motivate Xiao Qiyuan, Xiao Chengxu later presented him with a bow made of red sandalwood and bull horns, promising to take him hunting the next day to make him a "god-like archer" respected by all. Under Xiao Chengxu's diligent guidance, Xiao Qiyuan gradually matured.
Years later, during a cavalry archery examination for the princes, Helan Mingyu came to observe. Prince of Su, Xiao Qihan, who had been teaching them for years, indirectly questioned Xiao Chengxu's teaching methods by mentioning that His Majesty often came to him for practice instead of the Prince Regent. Xiao Qiyuan then proudly presented a new practice method for the archers. Xiao Chengxu, however, deemed it useless and merely a flashy display.
He criticized Xiao Qiyuan for neglecting his assigned military homework and ordered him to return to He Yuan Hall to complete it, threatening no rest until it was done. Xiao Qiyuan, who had hoped for praise after following Xiao Qihan's advice, was disheartened by the reprimand. Seizing the opportunity, Xiao Qihan exacerbated Xiao Qiyuan's resentment, suggesting that Xiao Chengxu deliberately suppressed him and stripped him of his dignity in front of others.
Although Xiao Qiyuan did not fully believe in the malicious intent, doubts began to fester. Helan Mingyu later discussed the matter with Xiao Chengxu, likening a good tea's flavor to being heated gently. She pointed out that Xiao Qiyuan was growing up and would soon be crowned, no longer a child. She advised him to speak to Xiao Qiyuan privately, believing he would be more receptive.
Xiao Chengxu admitted he still thought of Xiao Qiyuan as a child and agreed to be more mindful of his words. That night, Xiao Chengxu found Xiao Qiyuan asleep with books. He gently woke him and tested him on military strategies. Xiao Qiyuan, though struggling slightly, managed to answer.
Xiao Chengxu commended his effort and told him to rest, informing him that he would be leaving the capital for patrol and had left many books for Xiao Qiyuan to diligently study, promising an inspection upon his return. Xiao Qiyuan complained to Xiao Qirong about the endless studies and his fear of Xiao Chengxu's reprimands. Xiao Qirong mocked him, inciting Xiao Qiyuan's anger.
Defiantly, Xiao Qiyuan declared he would skip lessons, rejecting the instructor's pleas and threats to report him to the Prince Regent. Xiao Qirong then emboldened Xiao Qiyuan to teach the instructor a lesson while Xiao Chengxu was away. Xiao Qiyuan grabbed the instructor, pulling his beard. Suddenly, Xiao Chengxu returned, witnessing the scene. Enraged, he commanded his men to stop. The instructor, humiliated and injured, immediately tendered his resignation, which Xiao Chengxu accepted, sending him home with imperial physicians.
Xiao Chengxu then had the eunuchs around Xiao Qiyuan beaten, including Xiao Linzi with a hundred strokes. Xiao Chengxu confronted Xiao Qiyuan, who showed no remorse and expressed his frustration that all documents still went to Xiao Chengxu, making his studies feel pointless. Xiao Chengxu retorted that if he became capable, he could take back power. When Xiao Qirong tried to escape, Xiao Chengxu had him apprehended and ordered thirty beatings.
Angered, Xiao Qiyuan offered to take the remaining twenty strokes in place of Xiao Qirong. Xiao Chengxu then ordered his men to hold Xiao Qiyuan and deliver the remaining twenty strokes. Xiao Qiyuan defiantly refused to admit his mistakes, even threatening to behead Xiao Chengxu one day. Xiao Chengxu challenged him, stating his head was waiting, and that if Xiao Qiyuan couldn't even manage his status, he might not be fit to be a magistrate.
Helan Mingyu, hearing of Xiao Qiyuan's beating, rushed to him, only to learn he had been taken south by Xiao Chengxu. Meanwhile, Consort Dowager Qiao approached Helan Mingyu and Helan Yunqi, accusing Xiao Chengxu of rebellion for publicly disciplining the princes. Helan Mingyu dismissed the accusation, defending Xiao Chengxu's actions as necessary to discipline their disrespect.
However, Helan Yunqi voiced her own concerns, noting Xiao Chengxu's increasingly autocratic nature and his decision to take the Emperor out of the palace without consulting them. Helan Mingyu assured her sister that Xiao Chengxu had his reasons and would bring Xiao Qiyuan back safely. Xiao Qiyuan awoke to find himself in a carriage, journeying south. Xiao Chengxu informed him that he would personally take over his education, bringing him along to deal with flood relief in the south.
Xiao Qiyuan remained defiant, vowing revenge for the beating. However, upon realizing that the south was governed by Dong Yizhi, which meant seeing Dong Ruoxuan, he readily agreed to go. Upon arriving in Jiangnan, Xiao Chengxu introduced Xiao Qiyuan to the local magistrate, Official Li, as his "follower," instructing the official to guide him in learning how to govern. Xiao Chengxu then departed to handle other urgent flood-related matters.
Left to deal with trivial cases and copious official documents, Xiao Qiyuan quickly grew frustrated and developed a headache, feeling that Xiao Chengxu was deliberately burdening him with unimportant tasks. He resolved to escape. When Xiao Chengxu discovered Xiao Qiyuan missing, he ordered a discreet search throughout the city, strictly forbidding the revelation of the Emperor's identity to ensure his safety.
Xiao Qiyuan, after his escape, was intercepted by Xiao Chengxu's disguised men and "sold" as a laborer to a quarry, where he was subjected to harsh work and beatings. Xiao Chengxu, observing from a distance, chose not to intervene immediately, believing that Xiao Qiyuan, having been spoiled since childhood, needed to experience the consequences of his willful actions.
