Love of Thousand Years Episode 24 Recap
> Love of Thousand Years Recap
Seeking to surprise Tan Chuan, Fu Jiuyun blindfolded her and led her to a riverside. He soared into the sky with her, and despite her initial fear of the height, she soon embraced the sensation of "riding on a cloud," delighting in the bright lights below. Fu Jiuyun remarked that her eyes were the brightest sight in the sky. Meanwhile, Zuo Zichen found Xuanzhu with Premier Qiuhua, who was discussing the upcoming sacrifice ceremony.
The Premier explained that the ceremony was vital for the country's destiny, traditionally hosted by the emperor and empress. Xuanzhu, acknowledging she was only a nominal princess and not of the true royal bloodline, feared she might be unsuitable. Premier Qiuhua assured her that as the sole princess of Li, she was the most noble person on Xiangqu Mountain and the key to settling the people's hearts.
He then suggested Zuo Zichen serve as her aide for the ceremony, in line with old customs for an unmarried princess. Zuo Zichen readily agreed to assist. Their conversation was interrupted by villagers reporting that a demon was causing widespread destruction. Simultaneously, Bai rushed to inform Fu Jiuyun that a child's spiritual power had been drained. Fu Jiuyun, Tan Chuan, and Bai went to the scene, finding a young girl named Xiaohua unconscious.
Fu Jiuyun revived her and, suspecting the Suzerain was responsible, told Tan Chuan to care for the child while he went to confront him. Fu Jiuyun found the Suzerain, who, having lost much of his power, admitted to harming the child in a selfish attempt to advance his cultivation.
Declaring his intent to eliminate the Suzerain, Fu Jiuyun was stopped when the terrified Suzerain begged for his life, revealing the location of the Qingying stone in a volcanic crater in the extreme north. The Suzerain confessed he had kept this secret to keep Fu Jiuyun and the spiritual lamp by his side, and also out of fear that Fu Jiuyun would die there.
He further manipulated Fu Jiuyun, emphasizing that if he didn't find the stone, the Nanman Demon King would eventually find Xiangqu Mountain and Tan Chuan. Recalling his master's dying wish to defeat the demon king, Fu Jiuyun resolved to set off immediately but warned the Suzerain not to harm the people of Li. The Suzerain promised to go into seclusion and leave Xiangqu Mountain for good. Fu Jiuyun returned feeling troubled, his thoughts heavy with his destiny.
He encountered Tan Chuan, who immediately sensed his unusual demeanor. To spare her from worry, he deflected her questions and suggested she rest while he went to drink with Meishan. Later, Fu Jiuyun informed Meishan of the Qingying stone's location. Meishan, though initially suspecting a trap, acknowledged the possibility. He expressed deep concern about the perilous journey, given Fu Jiuyun's previous serious injuries.
Fu Jiuyun, however, was resolute, stating that finding the stone was his inescapable destiny and that Tan Chuan could not afford to wait for the Nanman Demon King to arrive. Overhearing their plan, Bai confronted Fu Jiuyun, asking to accompany him. Fu Jiuyun, with a sorrowful expression, told Bai he had matured and asked him to stay behind to protect Tan Chuan, which would grant him peace of mind.
Determined not to let Fu Jiuyun face the danger alone, Meishan insisted on going with him. Later, Fu Jiuyun watched Tan Chuan from a distance, his eyes filled with reluctance. When she noticed him, he put on a playful smile and approached her, teasing her as was his habit. Meanwhile, Xuanzhu accidentally injured her leg. Zuo Zichen rushed to her aid, carrying her and gently chiding her for hiding her previous injuries.
He reminded her not to pretend to be strong in front of him, as he would always be there to support her. As he carried her, he updated her on the progress of the ceremony preparations. Tan Chuan began learning carpentry from an old master. Xuanzhu arrived and, after teasing Tan Chuan about her new hobby, instructed the master to have Tan Chuan carve the inscription for Princess Yanyan's spirit tablet.
Tan Chuan humbly tried to decline, citing her lack of skill, but Xuanzhu sarcastically insisted she was capable, compelling her to take on the task. Later, Fu Jiuyun found Tan Chuan alone, carving the tablet with tears streaming down her face and an injured hand. He gently began to heal it, but Tan Chuan pulled her hand away, downplaying the injury. Fu Jiuyun then asked to borrow her bronze mirror, claiming his "demon-detector" Bai couldn't properly reflect his handsome face.
Unsuspecting, Tan Chuan handed him the mirror, asking him to keep it safe as it was a treasure of Li. Fu Jiuyun accepted, promising to keep it with him until his last moment. He then playfully followed her into her room and embraced her tightly. After she fell asleep, Fu Jiuyun rose quietly. He gazed at her with profound affection and reluctance before silently departing to meet Meishan, ready to embark on their perilous journey.
Upon waking and finding Fu Jiuyun gone, Tan Chuan searched for him before asking Bai about his whereabouts. Bai vaguely stated that Fu Jiuyun had left on important business and he did not know when he would return, leaving her with no further explanation. As the sacrifice ceremony approached, Zuo Zichen found Tan Chuan carving her own spirit tablet. He confronted her, urging her not to live such a compromising life.
He reminded her that in his heart, she was a living person, not a tablet, and that the true Princess Yanyan would never give up, as she was the only one who could restore Li. Just then, Xuanzhu arrived, misinterpreting the intense conversation as proof that Zuo Zichen still harbored feelings for the former princess.
