Love Through a Millennium Episode 22 (Ending) Recap
> Love Through a Millennium Recap
Gong Ming visited his mentor, expressing regret for his recent absence. His mentor, in turn, told him about Empress Xu's dire situation. Gong Ming sighed, lamenting that Ying Yue had died unjustly and Empress Xu was about to be executed, consequences he attributed to his forced alteration of history.
He regretted returning to save Wang Mang that day, believing that if he hadn't, Ying Yue would still be alive, he could have remained by Lin Xiangxiang's side, and Wang Mang would not have jeopardized the Han Imperial Family for ""his"" ambition, instead meeting an ignoble death.
Confused about the true "right path," Gong Ming asked his mentor when Empress Xu would be given the poisonous wine, fearing an imperial edict was imminent, and worried about the Imperial Prince she carried. His mentor then recalled a visit to Empress Xu three years prior. At that time, Empress Xu had accepted Zhao Feiyan's coronation, stating she had no regrets even if she couldn't be restored.
She expressed profound gratitude to Gong Ming for repeatedly saving her life, acknowledging she should have sacrificed herself in thanks. However, she admitted her concern for the Imperial Prince in her womb, feeling it was her duty to leave a bloodline for the Han Imperial Family, even if the Emperor showed no mercy. She promised her mentor that everything would prioritize the child.
His mentor reassured Gong Ming that Empress Xu had secretly given birth to an Imperial Prince three years ago, undetected by palace attendants. The child had been sent to be raised by a distant relative of the Liu family, whose fortunes had declined, and his true identity was never revealed. Gong Ming then secretly went to see the child. Upon meeting the boy, who resembled his mother, Gong Ming introduced himself and asked for the child's name.
The boy identified himself as Liu Xiu, son of Liu Ji, the Magistrate of Jiyang. Hearing the name Liu Xiu, the future restorer of the Han Dynasty, Gong Ming was visibly relieved and smiled. With his mission in Dahan fulfilled, Gong Ming resolved to end his life to escape his suffering. He handed over a set of letter slips to his mentor, explaining he had written them for Xiangxiang, even uncertain if future generations would ever read them.
His mentor was heartbroken by Gong Ming's resolve, lamenting his unwavering stubbornness, and asked him to send greetings to Ying Yue if he met her. Gong Ming comforted his mentor, revealing that he had met his mentor's descendant in the future, who had also helped him, just as his mentor had. He then vowed never to forget the teachings he received, both in Dahan and in the future, and bid his mentor farewell.
Meanwhile, Emperor Cheng issued an imperial edict, condemning Xu for her lack of virtue, unrepentance, and betrayal, and sentenced her to death by poisonous wine, citing her past service as the reason for this "merciful" method. Empress Xu, envisioning Liu Xiu's future, drank the poison willingly. Gong Ming bowed profoundly towards the East Palace. The Wang family celebrated Empress Xu's demise, seeing it as the elimination of a serious threat.
However, Wang Mang, though present, showed no joy and asked to be left alone to ponder. In the modern era, Lin Xiangxiang attended an award ceremony, with critics widely predicting her win for Best Actress. However, she felt strangely unfocused and low-spirited, attributing it to the documentary she had recently narrated. Her manager worried about her dazed state since taking on the project. Xiangxiang admitted she couldn't explain it, but constantly felt sad and heartbroken.
Someone noticed that the documentary about Empress Xu was premiering that day. As Xiangxiang watched, she recognized a phrase she had once seen: "heart of love, heart of the heart." She then heard Gong Ming's voice from the documentary, reciting a love letter he had written. In the letter, he expressed his desire to grow old with her, to be always by her side, never separated.
He wrote of the unlikelihood of their reunion after being separated by two millennia, and how meeting her again meant he never wanted to lose her. He confessed that his heart had never been so urgent for her, and he was completely obsessed. Xiangxiang quietly thanked Gong Ming, her emotions stirred. At the same time, Gong Ming stood on a bridge, murmuring, "I'm sorry. . . I broke my promise."
He untied the red rope from his wrist and dropped it into the water, watching it float away. The documentary continued to play Gong Ming's final letter. His voice spoke of writing a last testament for his dear one, hoping it would comfort her. He reflected on their separation across worlds, unable to send messages like wild geese, and wondered how much memory would remain when they grew old, or where his letters would be.
He spoke of the unbearable pain of lovesickness, questioned if their meeting was not divine will, then what was. He solemnly stated that their promise in life or death, even if made in vain, could not be forgotten. He recalled their ephemeral past, like a dream, like dew, and his sacrifice for righteousness, remaining firm despite countless setbacks.
Yet, he lamented, he was alive but could not see his dear one, a longing difficult to find in waking or in dreams, concluding that his life was over. Xiangxiang's manager urged her to the stage, noticing she was crying. Xiangxiang simply said she felt sad. On the red carpet, as the interview began, Xiangxiang looked up and saw Gong Ming in the crowd. Overcome with memories, she bolted from the interviewers, leaving the ceremony behind.
She raced to the bridge where they had made their promise. On the bridge, Gong Ming continued his inner monologue, expressing how lucky he was to know her, wishing to grow old together, but lamenting the long, arduous path and their separation by thousands of years and miles. He yearned to see her, stating that without her, life was meaningless.
He apologized for being late, while Xiangxiang's voice echoed with her own longing, questioning when he would truly stay or walk to her. Gong Ming then jumped into the water. Xiangxiang cried out his name and, without hesitation, plunged in after him. They reunited in the water, embracing and kissing as memories flooded back. Xiangxiang asked him how he returned without the jade pendant.
Gong Ming confessed he didn't know, but noted she had seen the red rope floating on the water. He believed her profound affection for him had once again altered time and space, causing Heaven to respond with a miracle. Xiangxiang playfully challenged him to obey Heaven's will and be unconditionally good to her. Gong Ming readily accepted, promising never to fail her in this life.
He then mused about Xiangxiang's dream of becoming Best Actress finally coming true, but worried she might blame him for missing the award because of their reunion. Xiangxiang, however, assured him that she could win it again and, as compensation, demanded his everlasting love. Gong Ming smiled, asking, "Haven't I loved you for two thousand years?"
