The Promise of Chang'an 长安诺

Description:

The granddaughter of the Lord of Yonglin, Helan Ming-Yu, was clever from childhood. As a girl she met the ninth prince of Shengzhou, Xiao Cheng-Xu, by chance, and the two, kindred in spirit, gradually fell in love. When word falsely spread that Xiao Cheng-Xu had died in battle, Ming-Yu, to save his younger brother Xiao Cheng-Xuan, was forced to marry Cheng-Xu's third brother, the Prince of Shengzhou Xiao Cheng-Rui, and found herself trapped in the imperial harem. Xiao Cheng-Xu repeatedly distinguished himself in battle and helped Xiao Cheng-Rui ascend the throne and found the state of Dacheng, yet his achievements overshadowed his sovereign and aroused his suspicion. Having also learned the truth about his mother's death and his father's succession, Cheng-Xu resolved to seize power and take revenge. Before he could succeed, however, Xiao Cheng-Rui died suddenly when an old illness relapsed, leaving an edict that Ming-Yu's son Xiao Qi-Yuan should succeed to the throne, so as to check Xiao Cheng-Xu and stabilize the court. Cheng-Xu was forced to support Xiao Qi-Yuan, yet still longed with all his heart to marry Helan Ming-Yu. Meanwhile, Qi-Yuan grew up and chafed under Xiao Cheng-Xu's control; goaded by others, he learned of his mother's secret affair with Cheng-Xu and came to resent them both. Helan Ming-Yu, putting the peace of all Dacheng above all, strove to keep the balance between Qi-Yuan and Cheng-Xu. Yet Cheng-Xu ultimately fell in battle, and Qi-Yuan, a man hopelessly devoted to love, passed away following his beloved consort Dong Ruo-Xuan. For the sake of Dacheng's future, Ming-Yu once more steeled herself and stayed by the side of the young emperor who had ascended the throne.