The Eternal Love 2 Episode 20 Recap
> The Eternal Love 2 Recap
Following Liu Shang's advice to avoid appearing guilty, the Eighth Prince allows Qu Jianglin to search his residence for the Soul Bead after he arrives with an imperial decree. The search proves disruptive but fruitless. Suspecting the Eighth Prince has hidden the bead, Qu Jianglin secretly uses his spiritual power to confirm its absence before departing. Immediately after, the Eighth Prince instructs Yu Hao to prepare horses, intending to report to the Emperor and preempt any slander from Qu Jianglin.
Meanwhile, Lan Yexi forces her way into the Qu mansion to see Qu Xiaotan. She initially antagonizes Xiaotan by claiming Liu Shang sent her to say he is marrying Lan Yexi and that Xiaotan should forget him. Seeing Xiaotan's furious reaction, Lan Yexi drops the act and confesses the truth: Liu Shang never agreed to marry her, as he loves only Xiaotan.
He concocted the story because his health is rapidly deteriorating—a condition Lan Yexi equates to death—and he wanted to entrust Xiaotan's care to the Eighth Prince. Moved by her own belief that one should spend any remaining time with their beloved, Lan Yexi reveals Liu Shang is at the Eighth Prince's palace. At Xiaotan's request, Lan Yexi helps her escape the heavily guarded mansion by having Xiaotan disguise herself as her maid.
Qu Xiaotan rushes to the Snow Courtyard, only to find it in disarray from Qu Jianglin's earlier search. A servant confirms Liu Shang has not been seen. In the tearoom, a place filled with their memories, Xiaotan is pained by his absence. As she attempts to write a letter to Mo Liancheng, she realizes that he had always been the one to pursue and forgive her.
This time, she vows, she will be the one to find him and bring him back. Unbeknownst to Xiaotan, who frantically searches for him, Mo Liancheng is hiding in Liu Qianshui's hut. His condition has worsened, and he has gone blind, struggling even to pour his own medicine. Back at the palace, the Eighth Prince finds Xiaotan’s heartfelt letter and finally understands she is a different person from Qu Tan'er.
He somberly reflects that it hardly matters who she loves, so long as it is not him. During her search, Xiaotan spots and follows Liu Qianshui to his hut, where she finds Mo Liancheng seated in the courtyard. When he remains oblivious to her presence just feet away, she realizes with horror that he is blind. Overwhelmed, Xiaotan tearfully confronts him, berating him for resorting to a "cliché drama" and pushing her away. Mo Liancheng stoically insists she leave.
Pretending to comply, Xiaotan waits until he believes he is alone. He then turns away, tears streaming down his face as he murmurs an apology to "Tan'er," despairing that he can no longer protect her. Witnessing his vulnerability, Xiaotan slaps him, crying out, "Your side is the only place I should be, isn't it?" Realizing she never left, Mo Liancheng abandons all restraint, pulling her into a fierce, passionate kiss.
He confesses that he followed her from the Xuanling Continent to her world and back to Dongyue, all to avoid losing her again. He admits his arrogance in assuming she belonged to him and his fear that she saw him only as a substitute, which caused him to waste precious time. Now, he declares his unconditional love, wanting only to be with her for whatever time they have left.
Xiaotan playfully teases him, but he clarifies that he loves the person who has always protected her—the one who took her out to eat and made her breakfast before she came to Dongyue, and the one who secretly sent her gifts and became a counselor just to watch over her after she arrived. Elsewhere, Qu Jianglin is enraged to learn that his search of the Eighth Prince's palace was fruitless and that Qu Xiaotan has escaped his mansion.
At the same time, Mo Yihuai suggests accompanying Qu Pan'er on a visit to her family home, and though she understands his true motive is his lingering affection for Tan'er, she sadly agrees. As Mo Liancheng and Xiaotan confess their feelings, Liu Qianshui goes to the Eighth Prince's palace to ask for help. Though suspicious of a trap, the Eighth Prince agrees to go with him to get answers.
Meanwhile, Qu Jianglin and his soldiers storm the hut, interrupting the couple. Believing Mo Liancheng to be the Eighth Prince, Qu Jianglin declares he has found the Soul Bead's hiding place and attacks. Just then, the real Eighth Prince arrives with Liu Qianshui. Stunned to see two identical men, Qu Jianglin realizes he has stumbled upon a major secret. He seizes Qu Xiaotan, demanding the Soul Bead in exchange for her life.
On Mo Liancheng's subtle signal, Liu Qianshui agrees to the trade. However, after confirming the bead's authenticity, Qu Jianglin betrays the deal, taking both the Soul Bead and Qu Xiaotan with him. The shock and exertion cause Mo Liancheng to cough up blood and collapse, unconscious. Liu Qianshui grimly notes the severity of his internal injuries and turns to the Eighth Prince, declaring, "Only you can save his life."
