The Promise of Chang'an Episode 45 Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

Xiao Chengxu faced a difficult situation, constantly walking a tightrope where one wrong step could lead to enemies on all sides. His brother, Xiao Chengxuan, urged him to seize the throne, reminding him of two previous instances when he came close but relinquished the opportunity. However, Xiao Chengxu refused, explaining that he cared deeply for two people: Xiao Chengli, who had shown him grace, and Helan Mingyu.

He believed that if he were to take the throne from Xiao Qiyuan, Helan Mingyu, who shared a filial bond with her son, would never forgive him. Xiao Chengxuan dismissed his concerns, suggesting that such a wait would be endless. Despite Xiao Qiyuan’s constant opposition in court, Xiao Chengxu declared he did not wish to be the one to break his promise first.

Frustrated by Xiao Qiyuan’s actions, which included rejecting his policies and approving others’ proposals overnight, Xiao Chengxu confided in Helan Mingyu. He felt Xiao Qiyuan was using state affairs to vent personal anger. Helan Mingyu advised him against such thoughts, reminding him that even real fathers and sons quarrel. She acknowledged Xiao Qiyuan’s past immaturity and accepted blame for not teaching him better.

She implored Xiao Chengxu to treat Qiyuan as his own son, showing patience and tolerance, and expressed her distress at being caught between their escalating conflict. Xiao Chengxu agreed to take Xiao Qiyuan on a hunting trip to have an honest, man-to-man talk, hoping to resolve their misunderstandings. Helan Mingyu worried about them being alone without a mediator, but Xiao Chengxu reassured her of his promise to be tolerant.

Meanwhile, Xiao Qiyuan, still enraged, refused to go hunting with Xiao Chengxu and avoided Helan Mingyu. Ling Zhen'er tried to reason with him, urging him not to believe everything he heard, especially from his elder brother, Xiao Qihan. She explained that he became emperor only because Xiao Chengxu magnanimously respected the former emperor's will, which forced Xiao Qihan to give up his claim.

She pointed out that Xiao Qihan was the source of the rumors about Xiao Chengxu, rendering them unreliable. When Xiao Qiyuan asked why Helan Mingyu tolerated these rumors, Ling Zhen'er explained that rumors are often best ignored, as both Helan Mingyu and Xiao Chengxu were too preoccupied with governing Great Sheng and caring for him to address baseless gossip. Despite her efforts, Xiao Qiyuan remained convinced that Xiao Chengxu was bullying him.

As the hunting trip commenced, Ling Zhen'er asked Helan Mingyu if she would see Xiao Qiyuan off. Helan Mingyu believed it would only exacerbate his anger. She reiterated her trust in Xiao Chengxu’s promise of tolerance and concluded that they could only calmly observe the outcome.

At the hunting grounds, Xiao Chengxu urged Xiao Qiyuan to dismount for safety, but Qiyuan, seeing it as an insult to his riding skills, defiantly refused and announced a reward for the first to capture prey. On the first day, Xiao Qiyuan failed to catch anything, leading him to order his men punished. Xiao Chengxu intervened, taking responsibility and then lecturing Qiyuan on military strategy applicable to hunting.

He then declared that the next day, all troops, including himself, would follow Xiao Qiyuan's commands. The next day, Xiao Chengxu gifted Xiao Qiyuan a crossbow he had personally made, wishing him success and entrusting him with full command of the hunt. However, the bow was too powerful for Xiao Qiyuan to draw, causing him to fall from his horse. Xiao Chengxu quickly shot the animal himself.

Humiliated, Xiao Qiyuan accused Xiao Chengxu of deliberately embarrassing him and broke the bow. Furious, Xiao Chengxu pulled Xiao Qiyuan away to a secluded spot, forbidding anyone to follow. Xiao Chengxu demanded to know why Xiao Qiyuan constantly opposed him. Xiao Qiyuan countered, accusing Xiao Chengxu of rudeness, excluding him from state affairs, and constantly insulting him, citing the current situation as an example.

Xiao Chengxu admitted to some inconsideration, like the difficult-to-draw bow, but insisted he had made it himself and would never intentionally humiliate him. He explained that all his actions were aimed at fostering a closer relationship, even a father-son bond. This enraged Xiao Qiyuan, who asserted the late emperor was his only father and accused Xiao Chengxu of harboring inappropriate desires for Helan Mingyu. Xiao Chengxu stated he had promised Helan Mingyu to care for Qiyuan.

Enraged, Xiao Qiyuan drew his sword, threatening to kill Xiao Chengxu if he ever again mentioned Helan Mingyu or desired her. Xiao Chengxu grabbed Xiao Qiyuan, vehemently stating that he could not possibly comprehend the years of hardship and sacrifice he and Helan Mingyu had endured, particularly for Qiyuan. He warned Qiyuan against spreading baseless rumors about Helan Mingyu. At that moment, Xiao Qihan suddenly appeared with his guards, accusing Xiao Chengxu of disgracing the emperor and treason.

However, Xiao Chengxu's forces far outnumbered Qihan's. Xiao Qiyuan ordered his men to kill Xiao Chengxu, but no one obeyed. Deeply hurt by Xiao Qiyuan's repeated attempts to kill him, Xiao Chengxu challenged him to try and take his life. Back at the palace, Helan Mingyu became concerned when Xiao Qiyuan returned directly to his hall without greeting her. Xiao Qiyuan then informed her that he had killed Yan Hai.

Helan Mingyu was furious, knowing Yan Hai was Xiao Chengxu's trusted aide. Xiao Qihan appeared, corroborating Xiao Qiyuan's story and accusing Xiao Chengxu of rebellion and attempting to harm the emperor, claiming he was an eyewitness. Helan Mingyu dismissed Xiao Qihan and tried to reason with Xiao Qiyuan, asserting that Xiao Chengxu had genuinely wanted to reconcile.

Xiao Qiyuan, however, clung to his belief that Xiao Chengxu had inappropriate desires for Helan Mingyu, citing the "father and son" comment as proof. He demanded an imperial decree to bring Xiao Chengxu to justice. Helan Mingyu warned him that such an action would plunge Great Sheng into chaos and pointed out Xiao Qihan's manipulative role. She urged Qiyuan to placate Xiao Chengxu instead. Unwilling to listen, Xiao Qiyuan felt Helan Mingyu never sided with him.

News of Yan Hai's death enraged Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan. Xiao Chengxuan suggested an immediate confrontation at the palace. Xiao Chengxu, however, concluded that Xiao Qihan had instigated the order to kill Yan Hai. He instructed Xiao Chengxuan to surround the Prince of Su's manor with troops to show Xiao Qiyuan the consequences of opposing him. Fearing that Xiao Chengxu's direct retaliation against Xiao Qihan would only worsen Xiao Qiyuan's anger, Helan Mingyu decided to act first.

She saw through Xiao Qihan’s manipulation and, despite her past tolerance for him out of respect for the former emperor, realized he could no longer be left unchecked. Her preemptive strike, she reasoned, would also serve to cool Xiao Chengxu's rage. Unaware of the impending danger, Xiao Qihan's manor was searched by De An, who uncovered a secret letter from the King of Dongling, implicating Xiao Qihan in colluding with the enemy.

Citing an imperial decree from Empress Dowager Xianzhen, De An declared Xiao Qihan a commoner and banished him to the emperor's mausoleum to guard the former emperor's tomb for life. Xiao Qihan protested vehemently, claiming he was being framed by Helan Mingyu and Xiao Chengxu and demanded to see Xiao Qiyuan, but was dragged away. As Xiao Chengxu prepared to surround Xiao Qihan's manor, De An arrived with an imperial decree.

Xiao Chengxu learned that Helan Mingyu had already dealt with Xiao Qihan, exiling him but sparing his life. While Xiao Chengxuan found the punishment insufficient, Xiao Chengxu recognized this as the extent of Helan Mingyu's intervention. De An then delivered a personal message from Helan Mingyu: "One heart, one life." In response, Xiao Chengxu sent back a poignant six-word reply: "People change. Today is not yesterday."

Xiao Chengxuan criticized his brother for being soft-hearted, reminding him of their suffering and Yan Hai's death. Xiao Chengxu simply stated that the matter was no longer just between him and Helan Mingyu. Xiao Qiyuan continued to refuse to see Helan Mingyu. Despite her illness, Helan Yunqi visited him, pleading with him to promise not to blame or hurt Helan Mingyu.

She used an analogy of multi-hued silk, explaining that circumstances have many facets, and advised him to ask Helan Mingyu directly if he harbored any doubts. When Helan Yunqi coughed up blood, Xiao Qiyuan, in distress, promised not to anger Helan Mingyu again. Helan Mingyu then brought porridge to Xiao Qiyuan. He was no longer angry with her but sought the truth about her relationship with Xiao Chengxu, mentioning Xiao Chengxu’s words about their shared past and pain.

Helan Mingyu revealed their history: they had fallen in love before she met Xiao Qiyuan’s father, Xiao Chengrui, and had hoped to be together forever. However, a series of mistakes led to her marriage to Xiao Chengrui, forcing them to endure their pain and let go of their shared destiny. She admitted to still harboring feelings but firmly denied the illicit rumors.

She explained that she remained Xiao Chengrui's consort and Xiao Qiyuan’s mother, upholding propriety despite her personal feelings, as "our relationship started with love, so it must be ended by fate." She even offered to swear before the heavens. Xiao Qiyuan stated he believed her and would no longer trust baseless rumors. However, he declared he no longer wanted Xiao Chengxu's help, believing Xiao Chengxu disrespected him and hated him after recent events.

Xiao Qiyuan asserted his desire to rule independently. Helan Mingyu later discussed Xiao Chengxu's continued absence from court with Ling Zhen'er, noting his refusal to accept the "way out" she had provided. She concluded that coaxing him would not work this time. Reflecting on Xiao Chengxu's message, she sadly realized that she herself was the one who had first broken their promise, and she could not demand that he remain unchanged.

She resolved to face the future one step at a time. Helan Mingyu then visited Helan Yunqi, who acknowledged Mingyu's decisive action regarding Xiao Qihan, noting that at least his life was spared. Helan Yunqi recalled Xiao Chengrui's prophecy that Xiao Qihan, due to his paranoia and arrogance, would one day perish at Xiao Chengxu's hand. Helan Mingyu stated that her actions against Qihan served as a warning to anyone in court who might consider using the emperor to settle their grievances with the Prince Regent.

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Episode 46 Recap