The Promise of Chang'an Episode 56 (Ending) Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

Xiao Qiyuan was praying for Dong Ruoxuan's recovery at the Temple of Blessings when Xiao Linzi suddenly informed him that the Imperial Noble Consort's condition had worsened to the point where even the imperial physicians had stopped prescribing medicine. Rushing back to the palace, Xiao Qiyuan found Dong Ruoxuan on her deathbed. She told him not to be sad, expressing her contentment at having met and known him.

She urged him to take good care of himself and not to let the Empress Dowager, Helan Mingyu, overwork or worry in her old age. Dong Ruoxuan's final wish was that if they were fated to meet in another life, it would not be within the confines of the palace. She assured him her heart was clear and at peace before she passed away.

Xiao Qiyuan was overcome with grief, crying out her name, while Xiao Linzi gently reminded him to let her rest peacefully. Upon hearing of Dong Ruoxuan's passing, Helan Mingyu was deeply saddened and personally went to the Temple of Blessings with Ling Zhen'er to light a long-lasting candle for her, acknowledging that this sorrowful day had finally arrived.

Helan Mingyu understood Xiao Qiyuan's profound pain, recognizing that such suffering could only be healed slowly over time, and no one could truly help him. She believed that whether one was an emperor, a general, a minister, or an ordinary person, the hardships they experienced were fundamentally the same. Meanwhile, Xiao Qiyuan was consumed by sorrow, neither eating, drinking, nor sleeping for days.

Xiao Linzi, who had served Xiao Qiyuan for over a decade, tried to comfort him, noting he had witnessed the Emperor's relationship with Dong Ruoxuan from its beginning. Xiao Qiyuan reminisced about their fateful first encounter when their kites tangled, and how they remained inseparable afterward.

He recalled Dong Ruoxuan's cleverness, like her "Spring Silkworm Pancake" which subtly conveyed the poem about silk threads ending and tears drying, and her "Smiling Spring Breeze" jelly, echoing the verse about peach blossoms smiling as a beloved person is gone. He also remembered a message she once wrote on a dessert: "It's over in this lifetime, hope to be together in the next life," now lamenting that it had become a reality.

Xiao Linzi reminded him of the red leaves from Xi Shan, prompting Xiao Qiyuan to retrieve the last memento she had left him. Reflecting on the futility of worldly power, he realized that despite owning everything, he could not keep the people he cherished, leaving him utterly alone. Overwhelmed by a sense of meaninglessness, he burned the red leaf. Helan Mingyu came to see Xiao Qiyuan, but Xiao Linzi tried to stop her, revealing that His Majesty had contracted smallpox.

Despite Ling Zhen'er's warnings, Helan Mingyu was determined to enter. The Imperial Physician later reported no improvement, even after Helan Mingyu stood vigil outside his chambers throughout the night. When Xiao Qiyuan finally awoke, he asked Xiao Linzi to help him up, recounting a dream where he returned to his childhood and saw his Ninth Royal Uncle, Xiao Chengxu, teaching him archery. Guided by Xiao Linzi, Xiao Qiyuan made his way to his childhood palace.

He found the bow Xiao Chengxu had once given him, recalling his uncle's words about soldiers needing suitable weapons and the importance of being a good emperor. He confessed that he had once resented Xiao Chengxu for his strictness and control, feeling he had been robbed of a carefree childhood. Now, however, he understood his uncle's profound intentions.

He wished he had known how difficult being an emperor would be, musing that he would have preferred Xiao Chengxu to stay by his side forever, allowing him to remain that young, untroubled boy. He concluded with deep sadness that it was too late; everything was irreversible. Xiao Qiyuan then collapsed once more.

Upon regaining consciousness, Xiao Qiyuan held Helan Mingyu's hand, remorsefully apologizing for his inability to honor her further, acknowledging how he had often angered her despite her lifelong sacrifices. Helan Mingyu reassured him, stating he had always been an obedient and sensible child, and that she understood his desire to excel, but that the will of Heaven was insurmountable. Xiao Qiyuan urged her to take care of her own health and not to tire herself out.

He then shared his final wish: Dong Ruoxuan had always encouraged him to govern diligently and compassionately for the people. Therefore, he hoped all future emperors of Great Sheng would likewise be diligent and benevolent, and that Great Sheng would never again levy additional taxes. Helan Mingyu promised to fulfill his wishes. Xiao Qiyuan then bid her not to be too sad, believing this was the best end, and declared he was going to see Ruoxuan.

With these words, Xiao Qiyuan passed away, leaving Helan Mingyu in utter devastation, crying out his name. Ling Zhen'er, heartbroken by Helan Mingyu's suffering, urged her to remain strong and not lose hope, as the succession to the throne awaited her decision. Helan Mingyu questioned how she could "conquer herself." Ling Zhen'er recounted how Xiao Chengxu, inspired by a former emperor's words, believed that one must conquer oneself before conquering enemies, a feat Xiao Chengxu himself never fully achieved.

Ling Zhen'er encouraged Helan Mingyu to conquer herself so that Great Sheng could weather the current crisis and prosper. Accepting this, Helan Mingyu resolved to be strong for Great Sheng's future. She determined that the Eldest Prince, as Xiao Qiyuan's only biological child, must be carefully nurtured to become a wise emperor.

She decided to arrange for the Eldest Prince to ascend the throne, with the new era named "Li Xin," meaning "new beginning," and committed herself to guiding him towards a brilliant future for Great Sheng. Thus, Helan Mingyu became the Grand Empress Dowager, leading the young emperor to his enthronement, much as she had once guided Xiao Qiyuan. The young emperor, not yet understanding his role, asked what "Your Majesty" meant.

Helan Mingyu explained that it referred to him, the emperor, the person in charge of the world, and promised to teach him, bit by bit, how to be a good ruler, instructing him to use "Zhen" when referring to himself. Observing Ling Zhen'er's graying hair, Helan Mingyu remarked on the unforgiving passage of time and the suffering Ling Zhen'er had endured by her side. Ling Zhen'er humbly dismissed her own hardships as minor compared to Helan Mingyu's.

Helan Mingyu, while stating she had no regrets about her own choices, felt Ling Zhen'er deserved to make her own. She informed Ling Zhen'er that Xiao Qihan had been pardoned under the new emperor's general amnesty and urged her to seek him out, emphasizing that he still loved her, was a suitable partner, and that all past grievances were behind them.

Ling Zhen'er, however, refused to leave, expressing her desire to stay with Helan Mingyu for the rest of her life and care for her. Helan Mingyu conveyed her deep concern about Ling Zhen'er's happiness, which she could never fully put at ease. Ling Zhen'er reiterated that she could not bear to leave Helan Mingyu alone to manage the many burdens of assisting the young emperor.

She confessed that the place she most wanted to be in this life was by Helan Mingyu's side. She felt that only she could truly comprehend Helan Mingyu's profound hardships and could not leave her to bear such pain alone. Having grown up together and shared countless trials from the Yonglin grasslands to the Great Sheng palace, Ling Zhen'er declared that wherever Helan Mingyu was, that was her home, and she would remain with her for life.

As snow fell gently in the courtyard, Helan Mingyu and Ling Zhen'er stood together. Helan Mingyu observed that half of winter had passed and spring would soon arrive, smiling faintly as she reflected on the journey of her life. Later, Helan Mingyu led the young emperor up a cloud ladder, showing him the vast territory of Great Sheng. She told him that in the future, he would look down upon these lands and lead millions of people, before taking him to the imperial court.

Episode 55 Recap