Love of Thousand Years Episode 18 Recap
> Love of Thousand Years Recap
During the Huachuang imperial pageant in Gaodu, Xuanzhu recognized Ting Yuan, who had also arrived in the city. Meishan, disguised as an attendant, subtly tried to rein in Fu Jiuyun's carefree demeanor. However, Fu Jiuyun, going by the name Mr. Gongziqi, ignored Meishan's warnings. He openly approached Zuo Zichen, complimenting his talents while playfully chiding him for altering the "East Wind Blows the Peach Blossom" tune years ago.
Zuo Zichen, as the pageant's lead, replied that he was simply being meticulous in his duties. Meishan then privately questioned Fu Jiuyun about provoking Zuo Zichen, whom he called Fu Jiuyun's rival in love, but Fu Jiuyun simply dismissed the idea. As Fu Jiuyun scanned the participants, finding them mediocre, the music abruptly changed. Tan Chuan, disguised as the exotic woman Hu Ji, emerged from behind a screen and stepped onto the stage, her captivating dance drawing all eyes.
Fu Jiuyun recognized her immediately, exclaiming, "This is her!" Li Yuan, the Crown Prince, was so enthralled that he declared her the winner and took her to his residence without her even removing her veil. Fu Jiuyun expressed disappointment that the veil was not lifted, while Zuo Zichen, also mesmerized by Hu Ji's dance, lingered. As Ting Yuan prepared to leave, he quietly reminded Xuanzhu that for her safety in the palace, they must keep his identity a secret.
Back at the palace, Li Yuan, who is Ting Yuan's brother, boasted about Hu Ji's beauty. Ting Yuan cleverly deflected Li Yuan’s probing about Xuanzhu by claiming his brother preferred plumper women. Later, in Li Yuan's chambers, Tan Chuan offered him an "intoxication for the immortals" wine. Once Li Yuan drank it, Tan Chuan removed her veil and revealed her true purpose, asking if he was the one who killed Zuo Xiang.
Despite the potent wine, Li Yuan proved formidable, easily deflecting her attacks. Her spiritual weapon was useless, and she was quickly knocked to the ground. Just as she faced imminent death, a flock of birds suddenly appeared, creating a diversion that allowed her to escape. Zuo Zichen, who had been alerted by Meishan, pursued her under the pretext of capturing the "demoness." When he confronted her on a hillside, Tan Chuan admitted that she had killed his father, Zuo Xiang.
Though deeply saddened by her confession, Zuo Zichen allowed her to leave, severing all ties between them. The next day, wanted posters of Hu Ji were plastered all over Gaodu, but they failed to capture Tan Chuan’s true appearance.
Meishan wryly commented on Fu Jiuyun’s contradictory actions, noting that despite claiming he wouldn't care for Tan Chuan, he had secretly rallied spiritual birds to her aid, instructed Meishan to get Zuo Zichen’s help, and even arranged for the real Hu Ji to be safely escorted out of the city. Unfazed by Meishan’s remarks, Fu Jiuyun made his way to Tan Chuan’s inn.
The innkeeper and other staff were frantic over Tan Chuan’s disappearance, but she soon returned, claiming she had run an errand outside the city. Fu Jiuyun, still posing as Mr. Gongziqi, ordered a meal from her. He feigned surprise at her unkempt appearance, much to the innkeeper's annoyance. After tasting her food, which he found to his liking, Fu Jiuyun offered a golden flower to the innkeeper in exchange for taking Tan Chuan with him.
The innkeeper tried to refuse, citing Tan Chuan’s supposed affections for a painter named Brother Doudou. But Fu Jiuyun, undeterred, announced he would take Tan Chuan with him, despite her fierce protests and her revealing his true name, Fu Jiuyun. He silenced her by pointing out the guards searching the city for Hu Ji, implying her safety lay with him. Seeing the danger outside, Tan Chuan reluctantly accompanied him.
At Fu Jiuyun’s residence, Tan Chuan defiantly lay on the bed, pretending to sleep. Fu Jiuyun playfully told her he brought her there to cook, not to sleep. He then revealed a painting of the Li Kingdom palace, explaining it was an old item his "stupid servant boy" had accidentally brought. Tan Chuan was deeply moved by the sight of her former home and family depicted in the painting, despite trying to maintain her cool.
She acknowledged the painting but then reverted to her demand for him to prepare dinner. Fu Jiuyun responded by boasting that her successful infiltration of the Crown Prince's chambers was due to his painting of Hu Ji. He also revealed that he had helped send the original Hu Ji out of the city, back to the Western Regions. Fu Jiuyun observed that Tan Chuan remained stubbornly focused on her revenge.
He acknowledged her intelligence in changing her appearance for the assassination attempt. Tan Chuan asserted that her choices were her own and not his concern, stating she would persist in her attempts to kill Li Yuan, as long as he did not interfere with the Spiritual Lamp or try to soften her resolve with art. Fu Jiuyun, however, stated his disinterest in her "troubles" since he was now living a carefree life as a distinguished guest in Tianyuan.
But, out of "repayment" for her past service, he offered a piece of advice: many people desired to kill Li Yuan, so she might as well stay by his side as his cook, and perhaps someone else would eventually eliminate Li Yuan for her. Spurred by Fu Jiuyun’s words, Tan Chuan secretly met Ting Yuan in a secluded palace that night. Her purpose was clear: to forge an alliance with him to collectively assassinate Li Yuan.
She showed him Zuo Xiang's spiritual power to prove the authenticity of the Spiritual Lamp. Ting Yuan, cautious due to a past deception involving a "fake lamp," questioned her intentions, asking if she truly believed the Spiritual Lamp could absorb all powerful spiritual energy, especially from demons. Tan Chuan affirmed its power, claiming her past interest in the lamp was mere curiosity.
Ting Yuan scoffed at this, reminding her of his time as a servant on Xiangqu Mountain to find it. Tan Chuan then directly stated her intention to kill Li Yuan and take his spiritual power. When Ting Yuan expressed skepticism about trusting her without access to the lamp, Tan Chuan revealed that she had formed a blood bond with it, reassuring him that she could fulfill their shared goal.
Unfazed by the assassination attempt, Li Yuan later holds a banquet at the East Palace. He summons Xuanzhu and, in front of his officials, declares his affection for her, saying he has been unable to eat or sleep since meeting her. He then acts intimately and attempts to force her to drink wine. Zuo Zichen, who is also present, watches the exchange with a grave expression.
