Love of Thousand Years Episode 16 Recap
> Love of Thousand Years Recap
Following her acquisition of the Spirit Lamp, Tan Chuan sets her sights on her first target, Premier Zuo. The Premier hosts the Lanting Spring Banquet in a purple bamboo forest, inviting local dignitaries, including Minister Li of Rites. Zuo Zichen, initially unwilling to attend, is pressed by Madam Qiuhua, who insists that he play the zither to accompany her daughter Xuanzhu's dance.
During the banquet, as Zichen plays, Minister Li's lecherous gaze upon Xuanzhu infuriates Zichen, causing him to abruptly leave. Madam Qiuhua tries to excuse her son's behavior, but Xuanzhu gracefully defends him, stating he had urgent matters and made time specifically for her. Unbeknownst to the guests, Tan Chuan stealthily approaches through the forest. Taking aim with a divine bow, she strikes Premier Zuo down.
As Zichen rushes back on horseback, he witnesses his father’s spiritual energy being drawn into the Spirit Lamp, where it is destined for eternal suffering. He denounces his dead father as a traitor to the Li Kingdom, declaring this his atonement. Elsewhere, Fu Jiuyun is roused from his slumber by these events. He cryptically tells Meishan that success depends not on heaven or man, but on "you," before departing, leaving a concerned Meishan to worry about his sealed spiritual forces.
That night, a grieving Zichen reflects on his father's life, recalling his father's kindness in retrieving a significant hairpin for him and realizing the futility of serving a state that leads to such a fate. He orders the demolition of the demon god statues in his home. After his father's death, Zuo Zichen accepts a position as the Crown Prince's attendant in the East Palace.
He immediately impresses Crown Prince Li Yuan by completing months of accumulated paperwork on his first day. Zichen explains that serving the country was his late father's final wish. Li Yuan inquires about Fu Jiuyun, the chief disciple from Xiangqu mountain where Zichen had his eyes treated. Zichen describes Fu Jiuyun as seemingly indolent but possessing immense power, yet also elusive and untrustworthy, admitting he only truly met him once.
When asked how he survived the massacre on the mountain, Zichen reveals that Xuanzhu, a daughter of a perished Li noble, guided him to safety. Acknowledging he knows of Xuanzhu and her socialite mother, Li Yuan invites them, along with Zichen, to tour the East Garden. Zichen relays the invitation to an overjoyed Madam Qiuhua, and reaffirms his commitment to serving the nation in his father's memory, putting the past behind him.
Meanwhile, Tan Chuan has established a new identity in Gaodu, working as a chef in an eatery. To get closer to the Crown Prince, her next target, she secures a job delivering food to the main venue of the upcoming Huachuang pageant, which is still under construction. This allows her to scout the layout for her assassination attempt. While there, she observes Crown Prince Li Yuan dismissing the presented portraits of candidates as monotonous.
Back at the eatery, her colleagues suggest she try out for the pageant. Tan Chuan deflects, claiming to have a sweetheart, a painter named Brother Doudou. The conversation then turns to Gongziqi, a renowned painter immortal whose works are rumored to guarantee selection. Her interest piqued, Tan Chuan decides to seek him out. The Second Prince arrives in the capital as Madam Qiuhua and Xuanzhu are shopping. Xuanzhu feels a brief, inexplicable sense of familiarity upon seeing him.
Later, at the East Garden, Crown Prince Li Yuan meets Xuanzhu and is amused by her resolute demeanor and lack of fear towards him. After reviewing more uninspired portraits, he is shown a breathtaking piece by Gongziqi. Li Yuan recalls hearing of the artist, describing him as a reclusive, pleasure-seeking immortal who wears a wooden mask. Operating under the guise of Gongziqi, Fu Jiuyun is inundated with requests for portraits from women hoping to be selected for the pageant.
A hopeful lady of foreign descent receives a painting from him, marveling at his skill. Tan Chuan arrives at his residence just in time to see the woman leave with her exquisite portrait. As Tan Chuan prepares to approach, she is forced to hide as Crown Prince Li Yuan and Zuo Zichen arrive, also seeking the famed artist.
