The Promise of Chang'an Episode 48 Recap, Plot

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Xiao Chengxuan became critically ill with smallpox, and Helan Mingyu was deeply concerned. Imperial physicians stated the illness was dangerous and that Xiao Chengxuan, who had hidden his condition until it was too late, had only one or two days left. Despite warnings from Ling Zhen'er about the highly contagious nature of the disease and the potential chaos should anything happen to her, Helan Mingyu insisted on visiting him.

She reasoned that with Xiao Chengxu away, Xiao Chengxuan was alone, and she would not let him leave the world by himself. She also acknowledged her strained relationship with Xiao Chengxu, knowing he wouldn't make it back in time and would soon feel immense pain at the loss of his brother, and instructed Ling Zhen'er to deliver the news carefully, hoping her presence in Chengxuan's final moments would offer some solace to Chengxu.

Upon entering Xiao Chengxuan's room, Helan Mingyu found the servants kneeling fearfully outside. She gently corrected Xiao Chengxuan, who was calling for his mother, reminding him she was "Sister Mingyu," a name he used to call her when he was younger. Xiao Chengxuan remembered her kindness alongside his older brother. Helan Mingyu understood his guarded nature stemmed from a fear of being harmed again, and she assured him she would never feel estranged from him.

She comforted him, promising protection, as he stated he could not hold on much longer. Xiao Chengxuan told Helan Mingyu that out of all his relatives, Xiao Chengxu would only have her left, and that all of Xiao Chengxu’s ambitions could not compare to her. He described his brother as very lonely before calling out for his mother and Royal Father, feeling cold, and then passed away in Helan Mingyu's arms. Meanwhile, the plague continued to spread rapidly.

Xiao Chengxu, who was actively involved in combating the plague, received the devastating news of Xiao Chengxuan's death from smallpox and immediately collapsed. He rushed back to the capital and, standing before Xiao Chengxuan's coffin, lamented his late arrival. He questioned what he had done wrong in life to deserve such suffering, expressing regret that Xiao Chengxuan had fought alongside him for years without ever experiencing a day of peace. Xiao Chengxu felt he had failed as an older brother.

Recalling a memory of someone praising his accomplishments and asserting his rightful claim to the throne, he then remembered his promises to Helan Mingyu and apologized for letting her down before fainting again from grief. An attendant later informed him that Helan Mingyu had stayed with Xiao Chengxuan in his final moments, allowing him to die peacefully in her embrace.

Back in the palace, Helan Mingyu was embroidering a pair of shoes with Xiao Chengxu’s name, reflecting on Xiao Chengxuan’s last words that only she remained for his brother. Ling Zhen'er informed her that Xiao Qiyuan had paid his respects at Prince Yu's manor, though without informing her. Helan Mingyu noted the painful coincidence of Xiao Chengxu losing his brother on his birthday, a day she had consistently sought peace blessings for him over twenty years.

Ling Zhen'er, seeing the many pairs of embroidered shoes Helan Mingyu had put away, urged her to stop making them and instead be with Xiao Chengxu. She argued that Xiao Chengxu, who had gained nothing but power bought with his life, would not willingly give it up. Ling Zhen'er suggested that Helan Mingyu, being what he cared about most, should leave with him.

She emphasized that life was unpredictable and that Helan Mingyu should live for herself, thus fulfilling both their wishes and allowing Xiao Qiyuan to become the sole ruler. Suddenly, He Shaoyong arrived to inform Helan Mingyu that Xiao Chengxu had contracted the plague and was delirious, calling her name. He explained that Xiao Chengxu had neglected his own health while fighting the pandemic and had collapsed from grief in front of Xiao Chengxuan's coffin.

The imperial physician believed Xiao Chengxu had lost the will to live and might not survive. He Shaoyong conveyed Xiao Chengxu's message that if he didn't make it, Helan Mingyu would no longer be troubled. Helan Mingyu rushed to Xiao Chengxu’s side, ignoring warnings about the contagion. The imperial physician stated that while other treatments had failed, a stronger dose of a new medicine, despite the risk of it being fatal, was their only hope.

Helan Mingyu insisted they take the gamble. She bravely told Xiao Chengxu that if he wanted her not to risk her life, he must survive. She promised that if he pulled through, she would leave with him and stay by his side for the rest of her life; otherwise, she would follow him in death. Xiao Chengxu, moved by her words, declared this was all they had ever wanted and that they must take this chance.

Helan Mingyu reaffirmed her twenty-year-long desire to spend her life with him. Xiao Chengxu endured a tumultuous night but eventually awoke, having survived. Helan Mingyu joyfully told him the medicine had worked, saving not only him but also the commoners. He thanked her. She assured him that all of Xiao Chengxuan’s funeral arrangements were handled, suggesting he was now reunited with their Royal Father and mother, and that they too would be reunited in the future.

Xiao Chengxu asked if her promise to leave still stood, and she playfully confirmed it, proposing they go north to a place like Yonglin, with mountains, water, and grasslands. He agreed, adding he would arrange for the jade seal and imperial stamp as soon as possible. Helan Mingyu, however, insisted he needed to fully recover before they left to avoid future suffering.

He teased her about relying on her, but she remained firm, also noting she needed to consider how to explain their departure to Xiao Qiyuan. He agreed, asking her to stay by his side until then. While Helan Mingyu stayed with Xiao Chengxu, he cooked her favorite dishes, and they shared a moment of peaceful happiness, regretting what they had missed.

He decided to return to the palace the next day to see Xiao Qiyuan, expressing his hope that with Helan Yunqi's guidance, Xiao Qiyuan would mature into a good emperor after his marriage and receiving the jade seal. Helan Mingyu explained she could not reveal their plans to Xiao Qiyuan due to his deep misunderstandings with Xiao Chengxu, hoping he would eventually understand her choices as his mother.

Their plans were interrupted by Auntie Zhang, who reported that Li Sitong, Xi Yue’s righteous king, had rebelled, wishing to rule independently from Great Sheng, and his spies were causing chaos in the capital. Helan Mingyu questioned Li Sitong’s capabilities, and Xiao Chengxu acknowledged his military skill but maintained that Great Sheng's defenses were strong and capable generals would handle it. He suggested they could calmly observe from the sidelines, as they had decided to let go.

However, Helan Mingyu stated that they could not simply leave while Great Sheng was in turmoil. Xiao Chengxu admitted he felt the same, acknowledging his responsibility for Li Sitong's rebellion since he had trusted him. Helan Mingyu also felt she could not abandon Xiao Qiyuan to face such chaos alone. They agreed they still had responsibilities and would resolve current issues before leaving.

As they finalized their decision, Ling Zhen'er arrived with urgent news that Helan Yunqi’s illness had worsened, and she was not expected to survive the night, wishing to speak with Helan Mingyu for her last words. They immediately left for the palace. At the palace, Helan Mingyu found Helan Yunqi frail but happy at the prospect of reuniting with the former Emperor. Helan Mingyu tried to reassure her that she would recover, emphasizing that Xiao Qiyuan and everyone needed her.

Helan Yunqi, however, asked Helan Mingyu to promise to fulfill her last wishes. She entrusted Great Sheng and Xiao Qiyuan to Helan Mingyu, believing she was the only one capable of such a heavy responsibility, despite the potential burden. Helan Mingyu promised not to let her down. Helan Yunqi then expressed that having Helan Mingyu as a sister was her life’s greatest fortune, a sentiment Helan Mingyu reciprocated.

Helan Yunqi also spoke to Xiao Chengxu, admitting that Xiao Chengrui, his Third Brother, had wronged him and that she would apologize on his behalf. She acknowledged that many past events were beyond control and that Xiao Chengrui himself had limited choices. She urged Xiao Chengxu to let go of the twenty years of hatred that had prevented him from finding peace. Xiao Chengxu assured her he had already done so.

Helan Yunqi then spoke of Helan Mingyu's intelligence and ability to see the bigger picture, contrasting it with Xiao Chengxu's untamed spirit, which only Helan Mingyu could restrain. She acknowledged their difficult journey and expressed her deepest wish for their happiness. Recognizing that fate had been cruel, she made Xiao Chengxu promise that if he still cared for Helan Mingyu, he would never make things difficult for her again, to which he agreed.

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