The Eternal Love 2 Episode 12 Recap
> The Eternal Love 2 Recap
Upon seeing Liu Shang's true face, Qu Xiaotan recognized him as Mo Liancheng. Initially shocked, she quickly became enraged, calling him a liar and a psychopath. Mo Liancheng tried to calm her, promising to explain everything once they were out of the water. On the riverbank, as they dried their clothes, Qu Xiaotan demanded answers.
Mo Liancheng explained that after she jumped from the cliff, he followed her into the sea, where they were pulled through a space-time rift that brought them to this parallel Dongyue. Mo Liancheng further explained that he had concealed his identity as Liu Shang to protect her, fearing that the modern Eighth Prince would try to extract information about him from her. He claimed that no one understood the Eighth Prince better than himself. Still skeptical, Qu Xiaotan pressed him.
Mo Liancheng then reiterated the story he had once told her in the modern world, revealing that he was the Eighth Prince from that tale and she was his wife. He explained how he had lost her, traveled to her time to protect her, and then inexplicably returned to Dongyue with her, insisting their love was destined.
Unconvinced, Qu Xiaotan mentioned her suspicion that Mo Yihuai might also be from another time, as she had seen a modern-looking pocket watch on him. Mo Liancheng realized she was referring to his own watch, which he had accidentally dropped, and sternly warned her to stay away from Mo Yihuai. Despite her playful teasing about his jealousy, the conversation led to their reconciliation.
However, Mo Liancheng instructed her to keep his identity a secret from everyone, including Jingxin, promising a full explanation later. Back at the Snow Courtyard, as Mo Liancheng removed his human-skin mask, Qu Xiaotan remarked on how handsome Liu Shang was, playfully suggesting the Eighth Prince might have been attracted to him. A jealous Mo Liancheng pushed her onto the bed, accusing her of being infatuated with the mask and using the Eighth Prince as an excuse.
Their banter was interrupted by Butler Zhou, who announced that the Eighth Prince had returned and requested Liu Shang's presence in the study. Mo Liancheng cheekily told the butler to have the Prince wait, as he was busy dealing with a "naughty little mouse" on his bed. Mortified, Qu Xiaotan urged him to go. Before leaving, Mo Liancheng promised he would never leave her again and reminded her to keep his identity secret.
In the study, the Eighth Prince told Liu Shang he had failed to catch the imposter. He now believed there were two different impersonators, as the one he chased today was a much less convincing look-alike than the one who had previously caused trouble. Probing subtly, Liu Shang suggested the imposter might not be an enemy, or even floated the "fantastical" idea that the man could be the Eighth Prince himself.
The Prince scoffed at this but vowed to capture the culprit. Liu Shang then returned the thumb ring the Prince had dropped in the river, a gift from the Emperor. He used this as an opportunity to advise the Prince to mend his strained relationship with his father by seeking a meeting through the Empress Dowager, knowing the filial Emperor would likely visit her for the upcoming solar term.
The Eighth Prince agreed and immediately had Yu Hao deliver a letter to her. Later, under the moonlight, Qu Xiaotan and Mo Liancheng shared wine. Sensing she still didn't believe his story, he challenged her to explain all the strange coincidences.
He confessed that he had wanted to prevent her from ever coming to Dongyue so they could stay together in the modern world, but now accepted their return as fate, convinced they were destined to love each other in any time or place. Qu Xiaotan, however, was not happy, stating she just wanted a simple life selling houses, not a complicated connection to him or Dongyue.
Mo Liancheng admitted his own pain, facing the woman he loved who no longer trusted him. Tearfully, Qu Xiaotan asked if he, like Mo Yihuai, only saw her as a substitute for Qu Tan'er. Mo Liancheng replied that she underestimated both his love for her and the Grand Prince's love for Qu Tan'er, asserting that he could always distinguish her, even when she and Qu Tan'er shared a body.
Realizing she was jealous of her past self, he proposed they drink the night away. The next morning, Qu Xiaotan woke up enraged to find herself in Mo Liancheng's bed. Cursing him, she stormed out, only to run directly into the Eighth Prince. Moments later, a similarly disheveled Liu Shang emerged from the room. The suspicious Eighth Prince questioned why Qu Tan'er was in the Snow Courtyard so early, wearing yesterday's clothes.
She hastily claimed all her other clothes were being washed and fled. The Eighth Prince then discussed a serious matter with Liu Shang. Following his advice, he had gone to the Empress Dowager's villa to see the Emperor, but the Emperor had just left after being told Noble Consort DuGu was unwell. The Eighth Prince lamented how the consort's vigilance made it impossible to see his father.
Liu Shang reassured him that as long as the consort's child was unborn, the Emperor would have to see his sons eventually. He then suggested that instead of seeking a meeting, they should make the Emperor "want" to see him. Their talk was interrupted by Qu Xiaotan, who brought a basin of water for them to wash up. Both men declined, but she playfully insisted on washing Liu Shang's face, chasing him with a wet towel.
Seeing their easy familiarity, the Eighth Prince's jealousy flared. He sharply rebuked Qu Xiaotan for her "imprudence" and, when she protested, angrily confined her to her room to reflect on her actions, forbidding her from coming to the Snow Courtyard again. He then commanded her to accompany him to the palace the following day.
After she left, Liu Shang deftly smoothed things over, explaining to the still-suspicious Eighth Prince that his earlier comment was merely a reference to Qu Xiaotan's unrestrained behavior. Their discussion then returned to the matter of the Emperor, with Liu Shang advising against a direct visit, arguing they needed a plan to make the Emperor summon the Eighth Prince himself. Meanwhile, Noble Consort DuGu secured Qu Pan'er's release from prison.
Once Pan'er had recovered, DuGu demanded to know the location of the Soul Bead. Pan'er revealed it was in the Emperor's possession. Seeing the consort's frustration, Pan'er explained this was an advantage, as the Emperor was easily influenced by her. She added a crucial detail: the bead's power could only be unsealed by the blood of a Qu family member. Following Liu Shang's new plan, the Eighth Prince had a gift delivered to the Emperor—a painting of a young child.
The painting reminded the Emperor of his own neglected childhood, making him realize he had been cold to his own sons. Moved by this act of filial piety, he ordered Eunuch Xue to summon the Eighth Prince. However, upon hearing the news, a furious Noble Consort DuGu sent a maid to the Imperial Study with a false report that she had caught a severe cold and feared for her unborn child.
Just as the Eighth Prince and Qu Xiaotan were bowing to the Emperor, the maid burst in. Alarmed, the Emperor once again abandoned his son and rushed to the consort's side.
