The Promise of Chang'an Episode 8 Recap, Plot

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> The Promise of Chang'an Recap

Late at night, Xiao Chengrui visited Xiao Chengxu's room, gazing at a bow that reminded him of a young Xiao Chengxu, who had once sworn not to eat until he could draw a bow. Xiao Chengrui had made a smaller bow for him and taught him how to use it.

Now, with tears in his eyes, Xiao Chengrui sorrowfully pointed at the bow, lamenting that he had made it for Xiao Chengxu, wishing for him to achieve great military service, not to die on the battlefield. Helan Yunqi comforted him, asking if Xiao Chengyao's actions were truly intentional. Xiao Chengrui revealed that Xiao Chengyao had sent news of a victory against Xi Qi's main forces and vowed to question him thoroughly upon his return.

Helan Yunqi attempted to plead for Xiao Chengxuan, but Xiao Chengrui remained firm, stating that as a battalion commander, one should never abandon their post, regardless of hardship, as it was a grave military offense. He added that while Chengxu was Helan Yunqi's little brother, he was also his, and he would make a prudent decision. Helan Mingyu spent her days in tears, clutching a sachet.

Ling Zhen'er informed her that the Prince of Han, Xiao Chengyao, had returned victorious, and Xiao Chengrui was preparing to personally welcome him. Helan Mingyu and Ling Zhen'er bribed a palace maid, Ge'er, to sneak into Xiao Chengrui's hall and hide, intending to eavesdrop on his conversation with Xiao Chengyao. During their discussion, Xiao Chengyao appeared indifferent to Xiao Chengxu's death, attributing it to misfortune on the battlefield.

Xiao Chengrui, enraged, pressed him for the truth, especially regarding Xiao Chengxuan's accusation that Xiao Chengyao knew Xi Qi was planning a diversion but withheld the information, leading to the Wolf Battalion's demise. Xiao Chengyao then shed his pretense, revealing his long-held suspicion that Xiao Chengxu, despite his apparent loyalty, secretly harbored resentment. He warned Xiao Chengrui about raising an "eagle" that would eventually turn on its master.

Xiao Chengrui defended Xiao Chengxu, citing his obedience and martial training, but Xiao Chengyao dismissed it as a facade, even hinting that Xiao Chengrui himself had been wary of Xiao Chengxu. Xiao Chengrui condemned Xiao Chengyao for taking matters into his own hands, to which Xiao Chengyao retorted with the saying, "When a general is fighting outside, he can't always follow the monarch's order."

He then baldly stated that with Xiao Chengxu and Xiao Chengxuan out of the picture, the Wolf and Eagle battalions were now open, implying that he had already planned their successors. Xiao Chengrui, furious, accused him of self-interest. After Xiao Chengyao departed, Helan Mingyu and Ling Zhen'er accidentally made a sound. As Xiao Chengrui approached with his sword drawn, they quickly feigned sleep.

Xiao Chengrui woke them, and Helan Mingyu explained she was looking for Qi Liang's Book of War, interested in military strategies, and had fallen asleep while searching. She pleaded with Xiao Chengrui not to punish Ge'er, fearing public humiliation. Softened, Xiao Chengrui agreed not to punish Ge'er and asked them to pretend they had heard nothing of his conversation with Xiao Chengyao. Helan Mingyu and Ling Zhen'er maintained their innocent act, and Xiao Chengrui did not press further.

Back in her room, Helan Mingyu was heartbroken, convinced that Xiao Chengxu had been deliberately killed. She vowed to avenge him and protect Xiao Chengxuan. Ling Zhen'er urged her not to act impulsively, reminding her that Xiao Chengyao even dared to defy the King. Meanwhile, Xiao Chengrui visited Helan Yunqi, admitting his frustration with Xiao Chengyao's disrespect.

Helan Yunqi observed a change in him, and Xiao Chengrui confessed that the throne was not merely a position of power but an opportunity to fulfill his ambitions and seek revenge, even if it meant changing his own nature. He assured her that she was the person he trusted most, and his feelings for her would never change, no matter how he transformed. Helan Yunqi affirmed her unwavering trust and love for him.

Helan Mingyu sent medicine to Xiao Chengxuan, who was imprisoned. However, Xiao Chengxuan refused to eat, vowing to seek justice for Xiao Chengxu. Ling Zhen'er reported that Xiao Chengxuan was weakening, and Xiao Chengyao had rallied many nobles to demand his death for abandoning his post. Desperate, Helan Mingyu rushed to Helan Yunqi, begging her to save Xiao Chengxuan.

Helan Yunqi explained that she had tried, but Xiao Chengxuan, as a prince, had set a bad example by violating military law, and the King could not show favoritism without angering the generals. She then revealed the only way to save Xiao Chengxuan: if Xiao Chengrui were to marry and declare a general amnesty for the entire kingdom.

With a heavy heart, Helan Mingyu agreed to marry Xiao Chengrui, seeing it as the only way to save Xiao Chengxuan, Xiao Chengxu's sole surviving brother. Helan Yunqi advised her that Xiao Chengrui was a kind and noble man, and if she was considerate, she would find happiness. Helan Mingyu, however, felt indifferent, believing that after Xiao Chengxu's death, marrying anyone was the same, as long as it saved Xiao Chengxuan.

Helan Yunqi then informed Xiao Chengrui that Helan Mingyu had long admired him and gladly accepted the marriage proposal. Delighted by the news, Xiao Chengrui received Helan Yunqi's suggestion to grant a general amnesty on the occasion of his joyful wedding, a proposal designed to create an excuse to pardon Xiao Chengxuan. Later, as Helan Mingyu sat alone in the courtyard, clutching her sachet and gazing at the moon, Xiao Chengrui approached and draped a cloak over her shoulders.

Mistaking her quiet demeanor for shyness, he confessed his desire for her since their first meeting, believing their feelings were mutual. He promised her a life of honor and adoration. Helan Mingyu remained silent, simply thanking him and politely asking him to return to rest. Once he left, she removed the cloak, her eyes welling with tears. Xiao Chengrui later met with Xiao Chengxuan and Xiao Chengli.

He stated that his investigation concluded Xiao Chengyao's actions were merely a "mistake" due to carelessness, not intentional harm, and thus he would neither be rewarded nor punished. However, Xiao Chengxuan, for abandoning his post, was to be punished with forty strokes of the cane, a lighter sentence due to the general amnesty. Xiao Chengxuan vehemently protested, crying out that Xiao Chengxu had died in vain.

Xiao Chengrui sternly reminded him that dying for the country on the battlefield was an honor, not a meaningless death. Xiao Chengxuan countered that his brother died without peace, accusing the King of being unable to discern right from wrong. When Xiao Chengli intervened, urging Xiao Chengxuan to apologize, Xiao Chengxuan declared he would rather die and become a vengeful spirit alongside his brother.

Angered by his continued defiance and his previous abandonment of troops, Xiao Chengrui doubled his punishment to eighty strokes, warning of harsher penalties if he reoffended. After Xiao Chengxuan was taken away, Xiao Chengyao complained to Xiao Chengli about his lack of support, while Xiao Chengli chastised them both for their fratricidal tendencies. Xiao Chengyao then directly challenged Xiao Chengrui, questioning whether the country relied on brotherly relationships or law, accusing him of being unfair.

Xiao Chengrui conceded that he was indeed unfair, admitting that he had to side with Xiao Chengyao and the other princes, as their support had been crucial for him to become King. As Helan Mingyu continued to grieve for Xiao Chengxu, Su Yuying confronted her. Su Yuying, sarcastically congratulating Helan Mingyu on her upcoming marriage, cruelly accused her of forgetting Xiao Chengxu and everything they shared, calling her his "disaster" and "calamity."

She declared that Xiao Chengxu was the only one in her heart, and with his death, she had lost all hope, contrasting her own despair with Helan Mingyu's apparent happiness in preparing her bridal room. Ling Zhen'er attempted to defend Helan Mingyu, but Helan Mingyu stopped her, concealing her deep sorrow. Later, Xiao Chengrui, still troubled by Xiao Chengyao's insolence, encountered Ling Zhen'er crying in the garden.

Ling Zhen'er admitted to feeling wronged but quickly downplayed her own suffering compared to Helan Mingyu's. When Xiao Chengrui asked about Helan Mingyu, Ling Zhen'er vaguely suggested that Helan Mingyu needed her service, effectively deflecting his inquiry. Xiao Chengrui then sent her back to Helan Mingyu.

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