Love Through a Millennium Episode 14 Recap
> Love Through a Millennium Recap
Gong Ming made the difficult decision to return to Dahan to resolve his affairs, vowing to Lin Xiangxiang that he would come back to her once everything was settled. Though heartbroken, Lin Xiangxiang reluctantly agreed to let him go, promising that she would wait for his safe return. Gong Ming explained that if he did not return, Empress Xu would face an unjust and tragic death.
He emphasized that his mission to restore Empress Xu had been the focus of his life, and while meeting Lin Xiangxiang had made his days more precious, he could not forgive himself if Empress Xu died due to his oversight. Lin Xiangxiang insisted that he must honor his promise to return unharmed, stating she wouldn't watch him go, trusting he would be back soon and never break his word.
Upon his return to Dahan, Gong Ming walked the streets, overhearing whispers about his alleged use of witchcraft and accusations that he colluded with the deposed empress to frame the Wang family, leading to Jinwu Wang Shu's death. He quickly sought out Ying Yue, who was concerned about his recent sword injury. Gong Ming assured her he was fine, stating that modern doctors were as skilled as Bian Que, so she needn't worry.
He expressed regret for being so negligent, admitting he had still considered Wang Mang a friend and thus relaxed his guard, failing to anticipate Wang Mang's schemes, including the Empress Dowager's suspicious invitation. Ying Yue urged Gong Ming to leave, explaining that the jade pendant's power was now widely known, putting him in grave danger. However, Gong Ming refused to abandon his mission.
He declared that his own impeachment was insignificant, but he could not allow Empress Xu to remain in a desperate situation because of him. He insisted he would not leave until he had rectified this. When the Northern Army arrived at the door, Ying Yue begged him to escape, but Gong Ming resolutely refused, prepared to face them.
He confessed to Ying Yue his regret for not listening to her advice earlier and for stubbornly using the jade pendant, which had led to the current disaster. He then entrusted her with the real jade pendant, requesting one last favor. Meanwhile, Empress Xu's attendant suggested that she should shift all blame onto Gong Ming. Empress Xu firmly rejected this, stating she would never frame a loyal person and would rather suffer punishment alongside him if he were falsely accused.
She acknowledged that the Wang family had repeatedly acted against her, but if Emperor Cheng doubted her and Gong Ming, she would accept the consequences with him. A palace attendant soon informed her that Gong Ming had been brought into the palace and was in the side hall. Gong Ming was brought before Emperor Cheng and presented a jade pendant, claiming he was wounded and had been recovering, which was why he had not appeared earlier.
However, a member of the Wang family accused him of disappearing before his injury, citing multiple witnesses, and demanded he confess to using witchcraft with his jade pendant. Gong Ming asserted that the deposed empress was innocent and that the Wang family had framed both of them to cover up their attempt to assassinate the deposed empress.
Emperor Cheng, who had always trusted Gong Ming's honesty, asked him directly if he had used witchcraft or placed the letter in Xuanshi Palace. Before Gong Ming could fully answer, Queen Mother Wang stormed in, demanding that Emperor Cheng punish Gong Ming without delay. She refused to accept his lack of concrete evidence, citing numerous witnesses, and accused him of only trusting Gong Ming. She pressured him to immediately order an arrow punishment.
Later, Ying Yue visited Gong Ming in prison, questioning why he had entrusted her with the jade pendant, realizing he intended to face the arrow punishment with a fake one and sacrifice his life. Gong Ming explained his agonizing choice: if he used the jade pendant to save himself, his witchcraft would be exposed, endangering Empress Xu. But if he died without using it, he could clear her name.
He asked Ying Yue if Empress Xu's life was not worth saving. Ying Yue tearfully pleaded with him not to die, but Gong Ming, looking at the red rope on his hand, reaffirmed his resolve, stating he was not afraid of death. He then confided his regret that he hadn't had time to properly bid farewell to Lin Xiangxiang. During the public arrow punishment, Emperor Cheng declared that Gong Ming's death would prove his innocence from witchcraft.
Gong Ming accepted his fate, but made one final request: that if he died, Emperor Cheng would restore Empress Xu's innocence. Emperor Cheng agreed, but warned that if Gong Ming were to disappear, he must never return, and Empress Xu would still face consequences. As the arrows were prepared, Lin Xiangxiang, back in the modern era, suddenly felt a sharp pain and became unwell during filming, causing a prop to break and halting production.
She apologized to the director, explaining she felt too unwell to continue. Gong Ming then made a final, unexpected request: he asked that Wang Mang, his only confidant, be the one to shoot the arrow that would end his life. A court official wondered if Gong Ming was trying to sway the Emperor, believing he would simply disappear. Emperor Cheng asked Wang Mang if he could carry out the order, and Wang Mang reluctantly agreed.
As Wang Mang drew his bow, Gong Ming recalled Lin Xiangxiang's heartfelt plea that he must not die or be harmed, and a faint smile touched his lips as he calmly prepared for death. Wang Mang, with tears in his eyes, released the arrow. Gong Ming was struck and fell, his gaze fixed on Wang Mang. Emperor Cheng, shocked, immediately ordered the imperial physicians to treat Gong Ming and transport him to the Imperial Physician's Office.
In the modern era, Lin Xiangxiang, overwhelmed by a sudden surge of pain, later learned through an online search that Gong Ming had died in 16 BC, entrapped by the Wang family group and killed by arrows. Unable to bear the devastating news, she collapsed on the film set, with her crew rushing to her aid.
