The Promise of Chang'an Episode 54 Recap
> The Promise of Chang'an Recap
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News reached the palace that the Seventh Prince, Xiao Qirong, had taken his own life. Both Emperor Xiao Qiyuan and Empress Dowager Helan Mingyu were devastated, never imagining he would be so unyielding. Soon after, Consort Dowager Qiao disappeared, prompting Helan Mingyu to send out search parties and join the search herself. She found Consort Dowager Qiao frantically clutching a pillow, calling out Xiao Qirong's name, declaring him to be all her joy and hope.
As Helan Mingyu approached, she heard Consort Dowager Qiao lamenting that Xiao Qirong didn't understand her heart, before suddenly turning distraught and pleading with the former emperor to return Xiao Qirong to her, admitting she was wrong. Dong Ruoxuan was officially named Imperial Noble Consort, though rumors about her spread widely, causing her some distress.
Her father, New An Wang, wished for her happiness and advised her to be cautious in the palace, acknowledging that their family lacked powerful backing and that Empress Situ Zhen might cause trouble. Xiao Qiyuan and Dong Ruoxuan were finally together after enduring many hardships. Dong Ruoxuan, however, feared that the pain they had caused might be an unhealed wound, given the many troubles they had created.
Yet, with Dong Ruoxuan by his side, Xiao Qiyuan vowed to bravely face all future challenges. The next day, Dong Ruoxuan went to greet Empress Situ Zhen, who deliberately wore a hairpin gifted by Helan Mingyu and made Dong Ruoxuan kneel to serve her tea. Dong Ruoxuan endured the treatment, then changed clothes and went to greet Helan Mingyu, only to be turned away.
Helan Mingyu instructed her attendants to tell Dong Ruoxuan she was unwell and didn't require greetings for the next few days. That evening, Dong Ruoxuan prepared some home-cooked dishes for Xiao Qiyuan, and they enjoyed a simple meal like an ordinary couple. The following day, Dong Ruoxuan persisted, kneeling outside Helan Mingyu's hall to offer greetings. Witnessing this, Xiao Qiyuan angrily confronted Helan Mingyu, questioning her actions.
He felt deeply for Dong Ruoxuan's unfair treatment and knew he shouldn't argue with his mother, but he was overwhelmed by frustration. Dong Ruoxuan comforted Xiao Qiyuan, urging him to be more understanding of Helan Mingyu, and vowed to find a way to mend the relationship between mother and son. Ling Zhen'er remarked that Dong Ruoxuan seemed to understand Helan Mingyu's difficulties. Helan Mingyu, however, was still heartbroken by Xiao Qiyuan's harsh words.
She acknowledged that Dong Ruoxuan had not had an easy time either, enduring grievances while still dutifully conducting herself, which Helan Mingyu found commendable. Meanwhile, Empress Situ Zhen, upon hearing a servant say she was not as easy to serve as Dong Ruoxuan, furiously had him beaten. When Consort De announced her pregnancy, Helan Mingyu exempted her from the kneeling ritual, which further enraged Situ Zhen.
After eighteen hours of difficult labor, Consort De finally gave birth to a prince, relieving Helan Mingyu, as it was Xiao Qiyuan's first child. Dong Ruoxuan congratulated Xiao Qiyuan on his son, appearing even happier than he was. However, Xiao Qiyuan expressed his desire for a child with Dong Ruoxuan.
He was disheartened, though, explaining that when he had gone to see the Eldest Prince, Helan Mingyu deliberately left to avoid him, making him fear she would not easily forgive him. Dong Ruoxuan suggested using Helan Mingyu's upcoming birthday as an opportunity to bridge the gap between mother and son, but stressed that Helan Mingyu should not know it was her idea, as she was willing to endure any grievance as long as their relationship improved.
Xiao Qiyuan asked Ling Zhen'er to prepare a table of vegetarian dishes for Helan Mingyu's birthday, expressing his wish for a private dinner with his mother. Ling Zhen'er encouraged Helan Mingyu to attend, emphasizing that this was Xiao Qiyuan's first active attempt at reconciliation. During the dinner, Xiao Qiyuan presented Helan Mingyu with Peach Blossom wine, asking her to drink it as a sign of forgiveness, vowing to remain kneeling if she refused.
After some gentle chiding, Helan Mingyu forgave him and drank the wine. Ling Zhen'er then served another dish, but Helan Mingyu, recognizing the unique cooking style, decided to go to the kitchen. There, she discovered Dong Ruoxuan diligently preparing food. Dong Ruoxuan immediately knelt to apologize, and both Ling Zhen'er and Xiao Qiyuan spoke on her behalf. Helan Mingyu, without expressing blame, simply left the kitchen.
Later, at the celebration for the Eldest Prince's one-month birthday, Helan Mingyu happily held the baby and presented him with a gift, much to Empress Situ Zhen's visible displeasure. Situ Zhen then announced that she had dismissed all female musicians from the palace, stating her fear that Xiao Qiyuan would become entangled in their charms and neglect his duties.
Xiao Qiyuan grew angry, but Situ Zhen, in front of Helan Mingyu, continued her attack, insinuating that Xiao Qiyuan's health was declining because of the Imperial Noble Consort. Unable to tolerate it further, Xiao Qiyuan stormed out. Dong Ruoxuan quickly followed, urging him to return for the Eldest Prince's celebration, explaining that his angry departure would cause the most humiliation for Helan Mingyu.
