The Promise of Chang'an Episode 50 Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

Xiao Chengxu, having used all his strength to kill Li Sitong, was himself struck by a poisoned arrow and fell unconscious, spitting blood. A military physician confirmed to a frightened Xiao Qiyuan that although the arrow had been pulled out, the poison was deep, and Xiao Chengxu was unlikely to survive. When Xiao Chengxu regained some consciousness, he told Xiao Qiyuan not to open his wound further, stating he knew his own injuries and feared he wouldn't recover.

Xiao Qiyuan denied this, insisting he would be fine. Xiao Chengxu observed that Xiao Qiyuan had grown up, noting he used to think Xiao Qiyuan would never mature, but now he was a man capable of shouldering great responsibilities, which made Xiao Chengxu truly glad. Xiao Qiyuan then admitted his fault, confessing he had misunderstood Xiao Chengxu, which led to their estrangement.

Xiao Chengxu, too weak to scold him as in the past, simply asked Xiao Qiyuan to take him back to the capital to fulfill a final wish, a request Xiao Qiyuan agreed to despite concerns for his health. Meanwhile, Helan Mingyu's zither string snapped unexpectedly, a moment that filled her with a sense of foreboding.

Soon after, she received news that the Prince Regent had been severely injured while saving His Majesty, struck by a poisoned arrow and on the verge of death. Helan Mingyu, in disbelief, refused to accept the news. Xiao Qiyuan, having hidden their movements to avoid affecting troop morale, traveled with Xiao Chengxu towards the capital. Xiao Chengxu, certain he wouldn't make it, reflected on his mediocre life, achieving nothing but regret.

He confessed that his mind still held two regrets: not leaving with Helan Mingyu and not coming with her, concluding that only the word "regret" remained. He then earnestly advised Xiao Qiyuan not to be like him, stressing that if his heart belonged to someone, he must never let go. He mentioned Dong Ruoxuan was a good girl, surprising Xiao Qiyuan with his knowledge of their relationship.

Xiao Chengxu explained that even a high position was meaningless if one missed the opportunity to be with their loved one, leading only to a lifetime of regret. As he spoke, he clutched a sachet Helan Mingyu had made for him, his mind drifting through memories of their past, from Helan Mingyu making the sachet to their shared promises and hopes for a peaceful life together.

In his final moments, he imagined meeting Helan Mingyu on the grassland before taking his last breath in Xiao Qiyuan's arms, his thoughts still on Helan Mingyu. Back at the palace, Helan Mingyu saw Xiao Chengxu's body, her eyes filled with tears, and she collapsed before him, unable to fully grasp his death. On the imperial court, officials hotly debated Xiao Chengxu's posthumous honors.

Some argued that Xiao Qiyuan should receive the highest merits, while others insisted on honoring Xiao Chengxu for his service and for saving the emperor. One minister suggested a lavish burial was sufficient. During this time, Helan Mingyu had not eaten for two days. Xiao Qiyuan visited her, urging her to eat for her own health. Helan Mingyu then asked if it was the day of Xiao Chengxu's burial.

Xiao Qiyuan came to discuss the ceremony, acknowledging that according to rites, she should not attend, but he believed she ought to. He offered to clear the memorial hall so she could say farewell to Xiao Chengxu privately, hoping it would bring her some comfort. He also presented her with the sachet, believing it would be better safeguarded by her. Helan Mingyu went to the memorial hall alone.

She burned a pair of shoes, recalling how she had made a pair for Xiao Chengxu every year since his first expedition, hoping each step he took would be safe and that someday she could give them to him personally. Now, these shoes were useless, but she hoped they would protect him and ensure his safety in the next life. Crying before the coffin, she lamented that despite twenty years, they had still missed each other.

She felt she owed him too much and could only repay him in the next life, pleading with him to wait for her. Before his death, Xiao Chengxu had given an order concerning his wife, Su Yuying. An attendant conveyed this to her: Xiao Chengxu felt he had made her suffer too much over the years and had let her down.

Therefore, he decreed that after his death, Su Yuying need not adhere to royal protocols of loyalty and chastity, nor should she be buried with him. He wished for her to be free to live her life as she pleased, without being dragged down by him further. Su Yuying was initially hopeful, thinking he had finally thought of her, but the full message and a handwritten letter from him revealed his desire for her to be unburdened by their connection.

Overcome with grief and rage, Su Yuying realized he wanted nothing to do with her even in death, calling him cruel. She vowed to make him unable to be a prince, believing that if he were reduced to a commoner, he would be unable to leave her. In her bitterness, Su Yuying entered the palace and presented a ledger of Xiao Chengxu's private army to the Prince of Chen, accusing Xiao Chengxu of rebellion.

Many court officials immediately echoed her accusations, condemning Xiao Chengxu as dictatorial, nepotistic, and a treacherous rebel. They demanded that his "huge crime of coveting the throne" be announced to the entire country and that he be stripped of all honors. However, Xiao Qiyuan, now clear-headed, rebuked them. He asked how much territory Xiao Chengxu had won for Great Sheng and how many elite generals he had fostered.

He reminded them that Xiao Chengxu had personally saved his life, rendering the accusation of rebellion unsubstantiated. Xiao Qiyuan declared that he could not forget Xiao Chengxu's contributions to Great Sheng and his personal kindness. He issued a decree to posthumously honor Xiao Chengxu as "Emperor Kai Yi Ren" (meaning "Expand, Righteous, Humanity"), citing his achievements in expanding Great Sheng's land, his righteousness in not seeking more power despite his high position, and his humanity in safeguarding the emperor.

Xiao Qiyuan declared that such accomplishments warranted an imperial title, not just that of a minister, and proclaimed that there would be no more Prince Regent, only Emperor Kai Yi Ren. Despite strong protests from his ministers, Xiao Qiyuan remained firm, implying he was giving back the throne Xiao Chengxu had given him. Helan Mingyu, furious, confronted Su Yuying, demanding to know why she had to harm Xiao Chengxu, her own husband.

Su Yuying retorted that Xiao Chengxu was her husband, but his heart had never belonged to her. She accused Helan Mingyu of holding onto him even after his death, ensuring his will excluded Su Yuying from his official status and burial. Su Yuying defiantly stated she wanted Xiao Chengxu's reputation ruined and his name infamous, so he could never command her to leave him.

She declared that if Helan Mingyu had taken his heart, she would take him, wanting to be with him even if buried under a straw mat, with only the two of them together. Su Yuying then called Helan Mingyu the most pitiful and a self-deceiving coward, asserting that if Helan Mingyu had possessed even a fraction of courage, Xiao Chengxu would not have met such a tragic end. She concluded that Xiao Chengxu's greatest tragedy was having loved Helan Mingyu.

Having finally voiced her long-held grievances, Su Yuying challenged Helan Mingyu to kill her, stating she had nothing left and life or death was the same. Helan Mingyu, heartbroken, told her she had no right to kill her and urged her to leave. Su Yuying, defeated, walked away in the rain, declaring she was coming to keep Xiao Chengxu company, and then returned to her residence and hanged herself.

One year later, Helan Mingyu visited Xiao Chengxu's memorial tablet, holding the sachet. A year had passed since his death, and a year since Xiao Qiyuan began his reign as sole ruler. Xiao Qirong returned from the battlefield, visibly changed and no longer the unruly youth he once was, now addressing Xiao Qiyuan with formal respect.

Xiao Qiyuan noted his brother's growth and suggested they protect Great Sheng together, with Xiao Qiyuan as a wise ruler and Xiao Qirong as a famous general. Xiao Qirong enthusiastically promised to be the first to volunteer for any battle. They decided to share a drink like adults, during which Xiao Qiyuan confessed that being the sole ruler was much harder than he imagined, and the more he understood state affairs, the greater he realized his responsibilities were.

Meanwhile, Qiao Taifei, having returned to the palace, visited Helan Mingyu to apologize for her past schemes, promising to live peacefully and abandon all distracting thoughts. Helan Mingyu forgave her and advised her to cherish her reunion with Xiao Qirong. However, when Qiao Taifei later met Xiao Qirong, she subtly steered the conversation to military matters, emphasizing the importance of holding military power now that the Prince Regent was gone, showing she had not entirely given up her ambitions.

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