The Promise of Chang'an Episode 53 Recap, Plot

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Consort Dowager Qiao visited Helan Mingyu, noting that Emperor Qiyuan's marriage had concluded and inquired about Qirong's upcoming union, mentioning Qirong's anxiety about it. Consort Dowager Qiao then brought up Princess Dong Ruoxuan's continued illness, expressing concern for Ruoxuan's health, as she had always seemed fragile. She worried that Ruoxuan's poor health before marriage would make it difficult for her to uphold the main position in a household. Helan Mingyu agreed, acknowledging they hadn't known Ruoxuan was bedridden.

She then suggested finding a stronger wife for Qirong if the current match couldn't proceed, which would also secure Qirong's family line. Consort Dowager Qiao appeared hesitant. Helan Mingyu further mentioned Qirong's recent military drills and praises, proposing to speak with Qiyuan about bestowing upon Qirong the title of a major prince. Consort Dowager Qiao, pleased, thanked Helan Mingyu on Qirong's behalf.

Meanwhile, Qiyuan stood outside Dong Ruoxuan's residence, refusing to leave despite the impending rain, while his eunuch urged him to return. Inside, Dong Ruoxuan was still unwell. Her maid delivered a message from Qiyuan, asking if she wished to hear it. Dong Ruoxuan, afraid to see him, confessed that she might lose control of her emotions. Her maid, however, encouraged her, stating that her excessive thinking was causing both of them to suffer.

The maid argued that since Ruoxuan already loved Qiyuan, the arrangements of destiny shouldn't matter. Taking an umbrella, Dong Ruoxuan finally emerged to meet Qiyuan. He embraced her, suggesting they run away together, and vowed that if they couldn't escape, they would die together. Ling Zhen'er spoke with Helan Mingyu, who confirmed her intention to elevate Qirong to a major prince, believing it would appease Consort Dowager Qiao. Suddenly, a eunuch reported that Qiyuan had left the palace.

Helan Mingyu, alarmed, immediately ordered a discreet search to bring him back, suspecting he had gone to find Dong Ruoxuan. Elsewhere, Qirong encountered his mother's eunuch, who, under pressure, revealed that Qiyuan had disappeared after a major argument with Helan Mingyu. Believing Qiyuan was angry, Qirong set out to find him. On the road, Qirong's carriage crossed paths with a rickety cart. He recognized Lu Lingyi and Xiao Linzi.

Qiyuan, who was with Dong Ruoxuan in the cart, told her to wait inside before confronting Qirong. Qirong tried to persuade Qiyuan to return, but then noticed Dong Ruoxuan inside the cart. Dong Ruoxuan emerged, apologizing to Qirong and stating that she and Qiyuan truly loved each other and wished to be allowed to leave. Qiyuan echoed her sentiments, asking Qirong to pretend he hadn't seen them.

Unable to accept this, Qirong immediately ordered his guards to bring Qiyuan back to the palace. Back at the palace, Qiyuan pleaded with Helan Mingyu, claiming that he had not lived a single comfortable day since his wedding and that Dong Ruoxuan was his only hope for survival. He begged her to allow them to be together, acknowledging he shouldn't renounce the Empress but hoping she would understand his perspective. Helan Mingyu accused him of being spoiled.

Dong Ruoxuan then confirmed their deep love, asserting that they could not live without each other, regardless of Qiyuan's imperial status. Helan Mingyu expressed her great disappointment in Dong Ruoxuan, pointing out the damage this scandal would do to Qiyuan's honor and Great Sheng's reputation. Ling Zhen'er intervened, explaining Ruoxuan's initial reluctance to enter the palace due to its grievances, and asked Helan Mingyu to fulfill their wish. Just then, Qirong entered, demanding to know if Ruoxuan's feelings were true.

Ruoxuan affirmed that her heart belonged solely to Qiyuan, apologizing to Qirong. Feeling humiliated, Qirong asked Helan Mingyu to give him justice. Helan Mingyu assured him she would provide a resolution and sent him away for the moment. Helan Mingyu ordered Lu Lingyi and Dong Ruoxuan returned to their respective families, cautioning them not to spread rumors. She then commanded Xiao Linzi be given fifty strokes and sent to guard the mausoleum for concealing Qiyuan's actions.

Qiyuan tried to take responsibility, but Helan Mingyu asserted that as Emperor, he couldn't act selfishly. Feeling exhausted and at a loss, Helan Mingyu confided in Ling Zhen'er. Ling Zhen'er suggested granting Qiyuan's wish, noting that Qiyuan's passion for Ruoxuan might lead him to reckless behavior. Helan Mingyu reflected on her own past with Xiao Chengxu, realizing Qiyuan was doing what they had never dared or been able to do for love.

She acknowledged that perhaps she could understand his predicament. Meanwhile, Qiyuan visited the severely beaten Xiao Linzi, vowing to heal him. Soon after, Qirong arrived, questioning why Qiyuan hadn't returned as instructed by their Royal Mother. Qiyuan apologized for his previous actions and offered his forgiveness, but Qirong, still bitter, accused Qiyuan of stealing his love and tarnishing his dignity.

Qiyuan explained that he and Ruoxuan had fallen in love outside the palace, unaware of Qirong's feelings or his petition for marriage. He pleaded with Qirong to accept their union. Qirong refused, unwilling to become a laughingstock and lose his reputation. He further insulted Qiyuan, likening his actions to those of the Prince Regent. Enraged by the slander against his Royal Mother, Qiyuan slapped Qirong.

Qirong, unable to retaliate against the Emperor, defiantly stated that even death wouldn't prevent the truth about Helan Mingyu from being revealed, which prompted Xiao Linzi to try to intervene and calm Qiyuan. The next day, Helan Mingyu formally apologized to Consort Dowager Qiao for Qiyuan's actions and announced that Qiyuan would bestow upon Qirong the title of Prince of Yongqin, a major prince with a crown of seven beaded tassels.

Consort Dowager Qiao expressed slight surprise at the high honor for Qirong's age but accepted. Qirong, however, remained sullen, asking about Ruoxuan. Helan Mingyu explained that while she could offer Ruoxuan herself, she had no control over Ruoxuan's heart, and advised Qirong to carefully consider if he still wished for Ruoxuan to be his Princess Consort. Consort Dowager Qiao, now cheerful, dismissed the incident as mere brotherly squabbles.

After they left, Qirong complained to his mother that the new title felt like a humiliation, a public acknowledgment of his failure to win Ruoxuan against the Emperor. Consort Dowager Qiao tried to reframe it as a mark of his importance, prompting the Emperor's compensation, but Qirong declared he wanted no titles, only Ruoxuan. Later, the Prince of New An visited his daughter, Dong Ruoxuan.

He imparted a solemn warning, reminding her that the Dong family had no powerful allies in court and had always strived for peace by avoiding factions and disputes. He urged her to remember to avoid making enemies and to quickly distance herself from court intrigues for her own safety. Ruoxuan acknowledged his words, admitting that some matters were beyond her control. Shortly after, Qirong arrived to speak with Ruoxuan.

She reiterated that her feelings had not changed and that she loved only Qiyuan. Qirong confessed his deep love for her, promising that unlike Qiyuan, he would never take another consort if he married her, making her his most treasured Princess Consort. Ruoxuan, while grateful for his devotion, explained that her heart had already chosen Qiyuan, and marrying Qirong would be unfair to him. She confessed she had no say in her heart's decision. Heartbroken, Qirong then sought out Qiyuan.

The two brothers spoke privately. Qiyuan apologized for striking Qirong earlier and even hit himself twice, urging Qirong to reciprocate as they used to as children. Qirong refused, reminding Qiyuan of their differing statuses as Emperor and minister. Qiyuan then offered Qirong their royal grandfather's dragon pendant, a cherished item from their childhood. Qirong, however, rejected it, stating he wanted nothing of Qiyuan's. Qiyuan then offered to give Qirong anything else he desired.

Qirong, seizing the opportunity, knelt and begged Qiyuan to return Dong Ruoxuan to him, confessing his deep love for her. Qiyuan responded that Ruoxuan was a person, not an object to be given away, and that Qirong should respect her choice if he truly loved her. This further enraged Qirong, who accused Qiyuan of making empty promises and wielding his imperial power arbitrarily.

Qirong lamented that he had always seen Qiyuan as his brother, trusting and supporting him despite others' suspicions, but now believed Qiyuan had changed, his heart transformed by the Emperor's throne. Consort Dowager Qiao grew worried when Qirong returned to her, looking distraught. He broke down in tears on her lap, apologizing for his immaturity and promising not to worry her again.

Consort Dowager Qiao comforted him, reminding him that a man's true fight was for honor and military merit, not women, and that all her efforts were for his advancement. Later, Qirong was left alone, consumed by painful childhood memories of playing with Qiyuan. He was overcome with a powerful hatred for both Dong Ruoxuan and Qiyuan, wishing them a life of even greater suffering than death. A servant who came to bring sweets found him in this state of profound despair.

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