The Promise of Chang'an Episode 47 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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He Shaoyong deduced that Helan Mingyu was orchestrating events from behind the scenes, believing no one understood Xiao Chengxu's weaknesses as accurately or cruelly as she did. He concluded that it was Helan Mingyu who truly forced Xiao Chengxu to swear his oath, leaving Xiao Chengxu heartbroken by her perceived betrayal. Xiao Qiyuan visited Helan Mingyu, seeing Xiao Chengxu's feigned illness as an opportune moment for him to assume more control. He even wished for Xiao Chengxu's permanent incapacitation.
Helan Mingyu was deeply concerned by his words, reminding him of Xiao Chengxu's immense kindness and advising him against rushing or insisting on always winning. However, Xiao Qiyuan disregarded her counsel, asserting that Great Sheng's ruler and the wielder of all power could only be him alone. He believed that any attempts to appease Xiao Chengxu or the other princes would only lead to more demands. News of a plague in Yueshan provided Xiao Qiyuan with an opportunity.
He ordered the Dragon Battalion to Ying City, Xiao Chengxu's fiefdom, under the pretext of epidemic control, intending to reclaim the land. Xiao Chengxu's allies quickly realized this was a move to undermine him, with Xiao Chengxuan suspecting Helan Mingyu was behind it again. Feeling his paths of survival were being cut off, Xiao Chengxu decided to proceed with his own plans.
He proposed using the upcoming construction of a Summer Palace in Yongping, near the capital, as an official reason to station troops, fortify the city, and amass supplies, thereby gaining leverage over the capital. Xiao Chengxu acknowledged that taking such a step meant he might never be able to face Helan Mingyu again.
He Shaoyong argued that only by becoming emperor could Xiao Chengxu resolve his conflicts with the Empress Dowager and free Helan Mingyu from her difficult position between them. Xiao Chengxuan further suggested that Xiao Chengxu could make Helan Mingyu empress and Xiao Qiyuan crown prince, eventually passing the throne to Qiyuan, making everyone happy. Su Yuying, having overheard these discussions, burst into the room, furious.
She demanded to know her place if Helan Mingyu became empress, calling Xiao Chengxu a "b"stard" and a "fake husband" for wanting to abandon her. She threatened to expose his rebellion plans. Su Yuying accused Helan Mingyu of using Xiao Chengxu's feelings to achieve her own aims, much like Xiao Chengxu treated her. She stated that Helan Mingyu would never choose him over her son.
Xiao Chengxu, refusing to accept this "fate," ordered Su Yuying to be confined, declaring he would not be conquered by destiny. Days later, Su Yuying, still refusing to eat or drink, secretly swapped clothes with a maid to visit Helan Mingyu. She blamed Helan Mingyu for giving Xiao Chengxu false hope and revealed Xiao Chengxu's plan to make her empress. Helan Mingyu was shocked and vowed to stop him.
Meanwhile, Dong Ruoxuan had returned to her family for several months, leaving Xiao Qiyuan still pining for her and refusing the arranged marriage to Situ Zhen, lamenting his lack of choice as emperor. The Imperial Astronomers unexpectedly declared that the Summer Palace construction should be postponed until the following year due to bad omens. Xiao Chengxu suspected this was an attempt to thwart his plans but adapted quickly.
He decided to send troops to Yongping anyway, under the guise of suppressing bandits in the nearby mountains. He entrusted He Shaoyong with the task, but Xiao Chengxuan, despite feeling unwell, led the three battalions overnight to Yongping. When Helan Mingyu learned that Xiao Chengxuan had stationed his troops in Yongping, she realized the long-feared day of confrontation had finally arrived. Helan Mingyu summoned Xiao Chengxu and ordered him to recall his troops.
When he refused, she fiercely questioned if he intended to force the palace or rebel. Xiao Chengxu, enraged, asserted that the throne was rightfully his. He accused Xiao Qiyuan of constant aggression, stating he couldn't sit idly by. He recounted a lifetime of suppressed revenge and unfulfilled love, lamenting that even the slightest power he gained was met with resistance. He declared his intention to gamble his life to achieve his desires.
Helan Mingyu then reminded him of the solemn oath he swore to protect the emperor, and the consequence of breaking it: to "die an early death." Xiao Chengxu was stunned, tears streaming down his face, devastated that the woman he had protected all his life would curse him. Consumed by despair that Helan Mingyu would curse him, Xiao Chengxu retreated to his manor, drinking heavily and abandoning his plans.
Su Yuying was released and, upon learning of his state, believed he would eventually realize that she was the only one willing to stay by his side. Helan Mingyu met with Xiao Chengxu again, acknowledging her harsh words but explaining they were born of her fierce protection for her son, her own flesh and blood. Xiao Chengxu painfully recognized that he held less importance in her heart than Xiao Qiyuan, admitting his pursuit was merely self-inflicted humiliation.
He, who had fought wars for half his life, could not comprehend why he could never fully win the love of the woman he cherished most. Helan Mingyu urged Xiao Chengxu to step back, promising to protect his life, even offering her own if needed. Xiao Chengxu then proposed they abandon everything and leave together, renouncing his power and titles, on the condition that she accompany him to live out the rest of their lives in peace.
However, Helan Mingyu refused, arguing it would be a violation of propriety, bring shame to Xiao Qiyuan, and make him a laughingstock. She feared that no one would forgive them. Heartbroken by her unwavering focus on her son's reputation and her inability to consider his own pain, Xiao Chengxu realized her answer. He stated that he now had his own resolution and would no longer force her into a difficult position. Shortly after, Xiao Chengxu began to actively manage the plague in Yueshan. Upon learning that his brother had completely abandoned their ambitious plans, Xiao Chengxuan became agitated and collapsed.
