The Eternal Love 2 Episode 13 Recap
> The Eternal Love 2 Recap
The Eighth Prince and Qu Xiaotan entered the palace, observing maids carrying lavish dishes, including ginseng, turtle, and crab. They learned these were for Noble Consort Dugu, who was pregnant and required daily tonics. A maid mentioned that the consort frequently experienced severe morning sickness, yet surprisingly continued to spend every night with the Emperor. Qu Xiaotan found this peculiar, noting that pregnant women typically avoid "cold" foods like crab and hide their morning sickness.
She wondered why Noble Consort Dugu seemed to disregard these common practices, and the Eighth Prince, finding her observations insightful, grew suspicious. Unbeknownst to them, Mixue, a maid from Noble Consort Dugu's palace, had overheard their conversation. Meanwhile, Noble Consort Dugu, desperate to conceive and thus validate her fake pregnancy, secretly summoned a male paramour. As the night bell signaled the Emperor’s imminent arrival, her lover quickly departed. Mixue then informed her of the Eighth Prince's suspicions.
Already harboring resentment towards the Eighth Prince, her primary rival for power, Noble Consort Dugu resolved to eliminate him. Later, in his study, the Eighth Prince recounted to Liu Shang how Noble Consort Dugu had thwarted his attempt to meet the Emperor, even after his "family happiness" painting had moved His Majesty. Qu Xiaotan, serving them, observed their growing closeness. Liu Shang remained undeterred, asserting that the consort's elaborate efforts betrayed her fear.
The Eighth Prince had Qu Xiaotan share her observations about the consort's strange pregnancy habits. The mention of pregnancy stirred a memory in Liu Shang of his late wife, who had been meticulously careful while expecting their child. Based on this and his knowledge that Noble Consort Dugu had never borne a child in his timeline, he confidently declared her pregnancy a fraud.
Before leaving, Liu Shang cryptically told the Prince to ask Qu Xiaotan about his lost ring, implying she knew more than she let on. The next morning, Qu Xiaotan found the Eighth Prince admiring a painting. After she playfully called him a "XueBa" (a top student), he explained that the painting, "Flying Dragon Emerging from Clouds," was from his ambitious youth. He intended to hide it, remarking that to achieve greatness, one must conceal their capabilities.
His words struck Qu Xiaotan as identical to what Mo Liancheng had once said, reinforcing her belief they were the same person from different times. When he noticed her smile, she mentioned Liu Shang's name, triggering the Prince's jealousy. He pulled her close, confessing his feelings and questioning if she still didn't understand his heart. He declared he would never force her, as he wanted her heart completely and was willing to wait.
He then left, leaving a bewildered Qu Xiaotan to process his sudden confession. At a royal banquet for the Yongye Prince, the Grand Prince stared intently at Qu Taner, prompting a jealous rebuke from the Eighth Prince. As they traded barbs, Noble Consort Dugu intervened, proposing a horseback archery competition between the two princes. She suggested the winner take Qu Taner as a concubine, framing it as an honor for the Qu family. His Majesty agreed.
That night, an assailant used a blowpipe to shoot a fine needle into the Eighth Prince's neck as he read, causing him to fall unconscious. The next morning, Yu Hao grew concerned when the Prince didn't emerge from his chambers. Liu Shang, sensing trouble, rushed in to find him collapsed. Panicked that the Prince would miss the competition, Qu Xiaotan feared the Emperor's wrath.
Liu Shang instructed Yu Hao to take her to the archery range to avoid suspicion while he stayed behind. He identified the poison as West Bee Needle, which induces sleep for at least a day. With no other choice, Liu Shang resolved to impersonate the Eighth Prince in the competition. As the pre-competition incense nearly burned out, the Eighth Prince's absence agitated His Majesty. Noble Consort Dugu seized the opportunity to sow discord, implying the Prince’s disdain for the event.
Just then, the Eighth Prince—actually Liu Shang in disguise—arrived on horseback. To Noble Consort Dugu's shock, he respectfully apologized to the Emperor, explaining his tardiness by claiming he had been securing the grounds from wild beasts for His Majesty's safety. Pleased by this display of filial piety, the Emperor praised him. The competition began, and the Grand Prince shot a perfect bullseye. As Liu Shang prepared to take his turn, the bewildered Noble Consort Dugu could only stare, wondering how he had overcome her poison.
