Eternal Love Episode 40 Recap, Plot

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Having disciplined Su Jin and Miao Qing in his study, Ye Hua went to find Bai Qian, who was lost in the vast Pure Wutong Palace. He gently approached her from behind, offering to guide her back to the Courtyard of Moonlight. Meanwhile, Su Jin and Miao Qing remained kneeling in the study. Miao Qing desperately begged Su Jin to admit that she had instigated the plan to drug Ye Hua.

Su Jin, however, denied it, claiming she had merely pitied Miao Qing's infatuation with Ye Hua and was now being framed. Su Jin then coldly dismissed Miao Qing, ordering her to leave the palace immediately. Distraught by the sight of Bai Qian, who bore an uncanny resemblance to Su Su, Su Jin stumbled back to her own chambers.

She confided in her maid, Xin Nu, that she finally understood Ye Hua's obsession with Bai Qian: she looked exactly like the mortal woman Su Su, a realization that left Su Jin profoundly shaken. As Ye Hua and Bai Qian walked, she suggested she could find her way from there. Ye Hua stopped her, revealing his intention to ask why she had sent Miao Qing back to the Eastern Sea.

Bai Qian, thinking he was upset about the dismissal of a potential concubine, struggled to explain, eventually stating that she had not forgotten her promise to find him other consorts. She emphasized that since he disliked Miao Qing, sending her away was for the best, and highlighted Miao Qing's manipulative nature, suggesting that someone who would drug his soup today might commit worse acts in the future, thus advocating for a peaceful harem.

Ye Hua expressed regret for even asking, admitting he had hoped to provoke jealousy in her by letting her witness the scene in the study. He was deeply disappointed that she had viewed it as mere entertainment, feeling completely excluded from her affections. He confronted her, asking if her heart was solely dedicated to another and how much longer she intended to wait for him, before leaving in anger. Bai Qian returned to the Courtyard of Moonlight alone.

Despite feeling drowsy earlier, Ye Hua’s words, particularly his lament about having no place in her heart and her constant waiting for another, echoed in her mind. She found herself unexpectedly troubled by his emotions, unable to sleep. Distraught, Li Jing returned to the Winged Realm and unknowingly found himself at the lotus pond where he first met Si Yin. He hallucinated a smiling Si Yin and impulsively jumped into the cold water.

The shock brought him back to reality, reminding him that Si Yin, his beloved, would never return. He contemplated letting himself die, but then remembered his duties as the Winged Monarch to his thousands of subjects. With a renewed sense of responsibility, he pulled himself from the water, exhausted, and made his way back to Grand Purple Palace. Upon his return, Li Jing was immediately informed that Xuan Nü had escaped prison and murdered his eldest brother, Li Yuan.

Rushing to the dungeon, he confirmed Li Yuan's death, realizing his brother's sacrifice was a calculated move to aid Qing Cang in breaking free from the Donghuang Bell's seal. Li Jing promptly ordered his subordinates to find Princess Yan Zhi in the mortal realm and bring her back to the Winged Realm at all costs.

He also declared that if they encountered Xuan Nü, they were to kill her on sight without reporting back, but her corpse should be brought back, as she was his legally wedded wife, and he intended to be buried with her. He then commanded that Li Yuan's head be publicly displayed outside Grand Purple Palace for seven days and his body burned.

When a subordinate expressed concern about potential unrest, Li Jing sternly responded that Li Yuan's actions would have led to widespread catastrophe, and this measure was already an act of mercy. In the mortal realm, Xuan Nü, still evading Winged Realm pursuit, felt the jade given to her by Li Yuan heating up, indicating Yan Zhi's proximity. Guided by the jade, she arrived at Yan Zhi's shop, where she encountered Zi Lan.

Due to her disfigured face, Zi Lan did not recognize her. Xuan Nü described Yan Zhi and begged Zi Lan for information. Taking pity on her, Zi Lan led Xuan Nü to Yan Zhi. The jade in Xuan Nü's hand glowed hot, confirming Yan Zhi's presence. Xuan Nü introduced herself, shocking Yan Zhi, who struggled to believe this disfigured, blind woman was her second sister-in-law. Xuan Nü blamed Bai Qian for her ruined beauty.

Zi Lan was also stunned to learn the woman was Xuan Nü and, upon realizing Yan Zhi could speak, quickly retreated, fearing Xuan Nü might recognize him if her eyes were healed. Yan Zhi held Xuan Nü's child, noting with alarm that he was unresponsive and not breathing. Xuan Nü, however, insisted her son was merely asleep and would surely wake if she found the right method, having raised him herself for 300 years without him crying or fussing.

Yan Zhi, realizing Xuan Nü was in denial about her child being stillborn, felt pity. Yan Zhi then attempted to heal Xuan Nü's eyes, but despite the seemingly ordinary injuries, they failed to improve. Unbeknownst to them, Zi Lan, listening from outside, was secretly using his immortal powers to prevent Xuan Nü's eyes from healing, fearing she would recognize him if her sight was restored.

Yan Zhi assured Xuan Nü that her eyes would eventually be cured and asked about the events in the Winged Realm. Xuan Nü then deceitfully recounted a fabricated story: Li Jing murdered their eldest brother, Li Yuan, publicly displayed his head, and burned his body.

She claimed that after she merely offered advice, Li Jing angrily blamed her for his child being stillborn, severing his lineage, and then blinded her and attempted to banish her and her child from the Winged Realm. Yan Zhi, heartbroken, began to cry upon hearing of her eldest brother's death. Feng Jiu brought soup to the Emperor in his study. She observed him, reflecting on how quickly over ten years had passed in the mortal realm.

She worried if the Emperor would blame her for interfering with his love tribulation once she returned to the Nine Heavens, admitting she could not bring herself to hurt him, even though it was part of his destined trial. Si Ming's voice suddenly echoed in her mind, urging her to let go, startling her into dropping the soup. The Emperor, noticing her unease, asked why she always seemed anxious around him.

Feng Jiu quickly apologized, attributing it to absentmindedness, and offered to clean up. Feng Jiu quickly left the study and encountered Si Ming, who instructed her to make the Emperor hate women and become completely disappointed to fulfill his tribulation. He handed her a drama script detailing harem schemes. Feng Jiu was hesitant about targeting the Noble Consort, who lived in a Daoist temple.

Si Ming explained that the Noble Consort's son being the Crown Prince was reason enough for jealousy. Feng Jiu denied any jealousy, stating her sole desire was a brief connection with the Emperor. Si Ming acknowledged her suitability for the Emperor but emphasized their lack of a destined romantic fate. Feng Jiu admitted her awareness that the Celestial Emperor did not hold her in his heart, yet struggled to harm the mortal Emperor who cherished her.

Si Ming insisted she must follow the script, which involved framing the Noble Consort. Following Si Ming's instructions, Feng Jiu visited the Noble Consort in the Daoist temple, feigning interest in her renowned tea. Despite the Noble Consort's kind and hospitable nature, Feng Jiu proceeded with the initial part of the plan.

Shortly after, a eunuch reported to the Emperor that Virtuous Consort Chen (Feng Jiu) was suffering severe abdominal pain since her visit, implying the Noble Consort might have poisoned her. The Emperor, although troubled, initially dismissed it as slander against the Crown Prince's mother, whose character he trusted, and rushed to Feng Jiu's side. Seeing the Emperor's distress, Feng Jiu felt immense guilt.

Remembering her aunt Bai Qian's teachings, she realized she could not maliciously frame a kind and pious woman. She told the Emperor that her illness was merely a cold and had nothing to do with the Noble Consort. The Emperor, relieved, chastised her for causing him worry. Feng Jiu realized that had she followed Si Ming's plan, the Emperor, who trusted the Noble Consort, would have seen through her deception and been disappointed.

The Emperor tenderly told Feng Jiu that she was the one he loved the most, and he would always protect, trust, and forgive her, regardless of any mistakes. Feng Jiu was deeply moved by his unwavering affection. Later, Si Ming confronted her about her failure. Feng Jiu pleaded for an additional two years to spend with the Emperor, promising to complete his tribulation afterwards. She confessed her inability to intentionally hurt the mortal Emperor.

Witnessing her profound devotion, Si Ming reluctantly granted her request. That night, the Emperor visited Feng Jiu, who was supposedly still unwell. She revealed she had sneaked out to prepare cakes to share with him under the moon, explaining that, having secured more time, she had come to terms with her feelings, realizing life was short and she must cherish him. The Emperor noted her change in demeanor, feeling she had finally opened her heart to him.

Feng Jiu asked him to promise not to forget the next two years they would have together, and he readily agreed. Under the cover of night, Xuan Nü sneaked into the sleeping Yan Zhi's room. She internally grappled with the decision to kill Yan Zhi, acknowledging that Yan Zhi was the only one in the Winged Realm who showed her genuine kindness. However, her deep-seated hatred for Bai Qian hardened her resolve.

She believed that Yan Zhi's death was necessary to empower Qing Cang, who could then break the Donghuang Bell's seal and avenge her by slaughtering the people of Green Hill. As Xuan Nü raised her dagger, Zi Lan suddenly appeared, stopping her. Xuan Nü recognized his voice.

Zi Lan reprimanded her for her ingratitude towards Yan Zhi and warned her that if she attempted to harm Yan Zhi again, he would make her pay the ultimate price for her past betrayals, specifically for causing Mo Yuan's demise and betraying Kunlun Mountain. Despite his threat, Zi Lan expressed a degree of compassion for Xuan Nü's current plight, offering to spare her if she stayed with Yan Zhi and treated her well. Xuan Nü indicated her understanding.

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