Love Through a Millennium Episode 8 Recap
> Love Through a Millennium Recaps
Gong Ming confessed his feelings for Lin Xiangxiang, declaring their encounter destined and his heart filled with her. Xiangxiang, after clarifying if he truly wanted to be with her, asked directly if he liked her, to which he affirmed his love. As they shared a sweet moment, staff called Xiangxiang back to a live interview.
Jin Jing, Xiangxiang’s manager, was furious about their public display of affection and forcibly pulled Xiangxiang away, although Xiangxiang asked Xia Xiaonan to look after Gong Ming before she left. During the interview, after Zhao Nana emphasized her focus on career, Xiangxiang publicly announced her relationship with Gong Ming, stating they were already together. She candidly shared details about their dates, like dining together and going shopping by taxi, remarking that everything felt special with him.
When asked about their first kiss, Xiangxiang openly admitted it happened not long ago, much to Jin Jing’s exasperation, who could be heard off-camera threatening to kill her. Xiangxiang even revealed she was the one who confessed first. Observing from the side, Han Yufei mocked Xiangxiang, implying Gong Ming didn't care for her much if she had to make all the moves, and dismissed Gong Ming’s conservative nature. He also belittled Xiangxiang’s beauty, saying it was just makeup and lighting.
Later, on set, Han Yufei continued to antagonize Xiangxiang both in and out of character, earning a warning from her to stop, and they argued because of Gong Ming. Zhao Nana also confronted Xiangxiang, sarcastically asking how her “cousin” had become her boyfriend and accusing her of faking a scandal to gain fame. Xiangxiang later received a revised script for her show.
To her surprise, it depicted Emperor Cheng of the Han Dynasty neglecting Zhao Feiyan and Empress Xu regaining her position. Confused, Xiangxiang approached the director, pointing out that this contradicted the historical accounts she knew, which stated Empress Xu was executed and Zhao Feiyan became empress. The director insisted the script was now based on historical facts.
Disturbed, Xiangxiang consulted online historical records and was stunned to find that the events of the first year of Yongshi had indeed changed, matching the new script. She realized history itself had been altered and suspected Gong Ming was behind it. Meanwhile, back in the Han Dynasty, Wang Mang had returned to Chang'an. The Wang family was enraged, trying to find out who had attacked him.
Wang Mang avoided naming Ying Yue, protecting her, and claimed not to know who had ambushed him. However, he was troubled by Wang Shu's testimony from prison, who claimed Gong Ming had coerced him into writing a confession and then vanished. Wang Mang couldn’t fathom how Gong Ming, supposedly in exile thousands of miles away, could have orchestrated such a precise plan. Ying Yue, worried about Wang Mang’s injury, secretly left medicine for him, which he later discovered.
Despite the family’s belief that Gong Ming was dealt with, Wang Mang continued to be perplexed by the intricate trap that led to his injury and the family’s downfall. Gong Ming, having returned to the modern era, sold some valuable Han Dynasty artifacts, acquiring a significant amount of money. He took Xiangxiang to a fancy Western restaurant, where she asked if Empress Xu's reinstatement in history was his doing.
Gong Ming chuckled, admitting he hadn't anticipated his actions would impact the entire historical timeline to such an extent, bringing about the empress’s restoration. Xiangxiang then wondered why she was the only one in the modern world who seemed aware of the historical changes, to which Gong Ming mused it was a strange twist of fate, perhaps even affecting her through the jade pendant. He proposed a toast to celebrate.
Gong Ming then presented Xiangxiang with numerous expensive gifts, including luxury bags picked with Xia Xiaonan’s help. He even playfully transformed into a cartoon character and danced to make her laugh. However, Xiangxiang, feeling overwhelmed by the valuable presents, returned all of them, stating they put too much pressure on her. She playfully called him a "stubborn Taurus" for his insistence on expensive gifts. Instead, she took him to buy a pair of simple couple rings.
During their conversation, when Gong Ming mentioned his close friend Ying Yue, who had saved his life multiple times and given him the jade pendant, Xiangxiang showed a hint of jealousy, noting that Ying Yue sounded like a girl’s name. Gong Ming then asked if men and women could truly be just friends, referencing her male friends, Xia Xiaonan and Han Yufei.
Xiangxiang reluctantly admitted that Han Yufei was her ex-boyfriend, leading Gong Ming to call Han Yufei a "fool" for having lost such a good woman and a good marriage. Later, Gong Ming told Xiangxiang that he needed to return to his time to handle various political matters, including visiting his place of exile to receive an imperial edict and then returning to Chang'an, which would take about a month.
Xiangxiang expressed her fear that he might not come back, especially since his mission to reinstate Empress Xu seemed complete. Gong Ming reassured her, stating that she was now his reason to return. He reminded her of their matching rings and promised to meet her again at that very spot in a month. Xiangxiang pledged to wait but worried about him traveling far and not being able to find him if he didn't return.
Gong Ming, referencing a historical tale of unwavering loyalty, vowed he would definitely come back. As he prepared to leave, he asked Xia Xiaonan to keep his modern possessions, explaining that modern items disappear when taken back to the Han Dynasty, citing an earlier incident with a handkerchief. Xiangxiang, worried for his safety during his month-long absence, tied a red rope around his wrist, explaining it was a prayer for his safe return.
As they said their goodbyes, Gong Ming, claiming he had forgotten something, leaned in and kissed her. Gong Ming then returned to 16 BCE, where he was immediately pursued by Zi Xiu. He suddenly suffered a splitting headache and collapsed.
