The Eternal Love 3 Episode 15 Recap
> The Eternal Love 3 Recap
Qu Xiaotan approached Mo Lian Cheng, inquiring about the situation with Mo Yanchen. She then questioned him, asking if he would be upset if she didn't want Mo Yanchen to leave and even wished to maintain the deception indefinitely, allowing Mo Yanchen to live in a dream. She confessed that she understood Mo Yanchen's profound love for Qu Tan Er and how unbearable it would be for him to believe Qu Tan Er had abandoned him.
Qu Xiaotan couldn't bring herself to cause him such anguish. Mo Lian Cheng acknowledged her sentiments, stating that Mo Yanchen’s previous kindness towards both of them had been genuine. He admitted that he also wished they could deceive him forever to spare him pain, but he knew that any decision they made would inevitably deeply hurt Mo Yanchen. Mo Lian Cheng speculated that Mo Yanchen was fated for pain from the moment the real Qu Tan Er drowned.
Qu Xiaotan, however, felt a deep sense of guilt, believing her arrival had thrown everything into disarray. Mo Lian Cheng advised her to give Mo Yanchen some time to think calmly, and for them to do the same. In the following days, Mo Yanchen continued to act as if nothing had happened, leaving Qu Xiaotan and Mo Lian Cheng at a loss.
Mo Yanchen even brought Qu Xiaotan lighter clothes, concerned she might be too warm, and discussed managing household accounts due to Mo Lian Cheng’s frequent salary deductions, maintaining an illusion of normalcy. Overwhelmed by his self-deception, Qu Xiaotan found it difficult to proceed. Later, when Mo Yanchen brought her homemade walnut and date delights, Qu Xiaotan gathered her courage and presented him with the divorce paper.
Mo Yanchen was enraged, tearing the document and accusing her of feigning concern while trying to dismiss him with "compensation" which he found laughable. He insisted that a divorce was inappropriate and demanded a repudiation paper instead, declaring he would leave if she repudiated him. He stressed that a repudiation would cause him less pain than her insincere offers, as he truly did not wish to leave.
Qu Xiaotan pleaded with him to calm down, stating she was compelled to do this and was truly sorry, but Mo Yanchen reiterated his demand to be repudiated. Mo Lian Cheng intervened, attempting to explain that the "real" Qu Tan Er had genuinely loved Mo Yanchen, but the present Second Princess was not her.
Mo Yanchen, however, angrily accused Mo Lian Cheng of meddling in his emotions and bitterly stated that if not for Mo Lian Cheng, the former Tan Er's love would have remained constant. He cited various instances of Qu Xiaotan's recent actions, attributing them to Mo Lian Cheng's influence and questioning his true intentions in pursuing Mo Yanchen's beloved.
Mo Lian Cheng conceded, admitting that while he initially had no ulterior motives towards Qu Xiaotan, he later developed genuine feelings, and confessed that his gaze had been fixed on her for a long time, offering a heartfelt apology. Tears welled in Mo Yanchen's eyes as he finally declared he would leave, fulfilling their wishes.
Mo Yanchen left the Princess’s Residence, explicitly refusing Qu Xiaotan’s offer to escort him home, and even threatening to cut his hair on the spot if she insisted. He then departed alone. Back at the Mo Residence, Mo Yanchen knelt in the courtyard. His father, Mo Yuan Long, conveyed through a servant that the Mo Family’s motto, emphasizing faithfulness and courage, could not accommodate a man who had been repudiated.
Mo Yanchen was given an ultimatum: either shave his head and become a monk or have his name placed on a memorial arch to preserve his chastity, thus upholding cardinal virtues. Mo Yanchen produced a knife, intent on cutting his hair. Mo Feng Yang rushed to stop him, but Mo Yanchen, saying he could "finally cut off his feelings," was resolute and could not be persuaded to stay.
Mo Feng Yang instructed Yun Ying to care for Mo Yanchen, assuring him it wasn't his fault. Qu Xiaotan learned that Mo Yanchen had been expelled from the Mo Residence. She wondered why Mo Feng Yang, as the family head and a person who always respected Mo Yanchen, couldn't offer him refuge. She was told that Mo Feng Yang had indeed tried to stop him from taking vows, but Mo Yanchen feared his presence would tarnish the Mo Family's reputation.
Qu Xiaotan expressed her profound wish for Mo Yanchen to live a peaceful life. Seeing her distress, Mo Lian Cheng went to confront his father, Mo Yuan Long, urging him to allow Mo Yanchen back into the residence. Mo Yuan Long adamantly refused, accusing Mo Lian Cheng of being the true cause of Mo Yanchen's misfortune and reminding him of his initial plan to use Qu Xiaotan to seize power, having robbed Mo Yanchen of his beloved.
He pressed Mo Lian Cheng to focus on his own ambitions. However, Mo Lian Cheng declared that he now had someone he wished to protect and a reason to avoid harming the innocent, and therefore, he could no longer conspire with his father. Mo Yuan Long, holding his late wife’s cherished sword, warned him that those with many weaknesses achieve nothing. Mo Lian Cheng then bid his father farewell, regretting his inability to be a filial son.
An official questioned Her Majesty about her perspective on Mo Yanchen's repudiation. Her Majesty revealed that she had initially suspected Mo Lian Cheng and Qu Tan Er were merely using each other for their own gains, but now understood their relationship to be one of genuine affection, for otherwise, there would have been no need to repudiate Mo Yanchen.
Relieved of her previous doubts, she anticipated that Qu Meier would not let the matter rest, expecting her to make a significant fuss rather than treat it as a private family affair. Meanwhile, Qu Meier met with Official Chen and Official Su, thanking them for their unwavering support and promising to reward their loyalty in the future.
The officials advised Qu Meier to distance herself from Mo Yanchen, cautioning against letting personal feelings jeopardize their plans, as entanglement with a repudiated man would appear immoral in Her Majesty’s eyes. Qu Meier, however, firmly declared that Mo Yanchen was, and always would be, her only Prince Consort, insisting they remember this. The next day in court, Qu Meier, supported by Official Su and Official Chen, led the impeachment of Second Princess Qu Tan Er.
They accused Mo Lian Cheng of disrespecting his elders and violating cardinal virtues, and Qu Tan Er of neglecting her duties, being consumed by romance, and unjustly repudiating Mo Yanchen. They called for her abolition. Qu Xiaotan, who had been kneeling outside, entered the hall and humbly pleaded with Her Majesty. She took full responsibility for Mo Yanchen's plight, arguing it was unjust for him, the innocent victim, to suffer alongside her.
She earnestly requested that Her Majesty clear Mo Yanchen's name, promising to accept any punishment in return. Qu Meier confirmed Mo Yanchen's innocence. Qu Xiaotan further implored the Empress to issue a decree allowing all innocent men, like Mo Yanchen, who had been unjustly repudiated, to live peaceful lives. Her Majesty agreed to clear Mo Yanchen’s name and issue the decree, but also handed down a punishment to Qu Xiaotan.
As their relationship deepened, Jing Xin continued to teach Mo Jingxuan swordsmanship. Mo Jingxuan visited the Princess's Residence to collect some items for Mo Yanchen, and Jing Xin walked him out. During their conversation, Jing Xin asked Mo Jingxuan why he had previously called her "cute," stating she would stop if he disliked it. Mo Jingxuan assured her that "cute" was a positive trait and shared Qu Xiaotan's playful advice about using reduplication to enhance cuteness.
Embracing this, Jing Xin playfully bid Mo Jingxuan to "hurry hurry" back to his "residence-dence" and be "careful careful" with the "present-sents," promising to teach him "swordsmanship-ship" again. Mo Jingxuan, in turn, asked her not to get "mad mad" if he proved "clumsy clumsy," lest he become "depressed-pressed," affectionately calling her "Jing Xin Xin." After he departed, Jing Xin mused that Mo Jingxuan was even cuter than herself, struggling with the complexities of reduplicating "Fourteenth Young Master."
Meanwhile, Her Majesty discussed her suspicions with an official, believing that the Second Princess’s proposals in court were connected to Mo Yuan Long. She pondered whether Qu Tan Er and Mo Lian Cheng were mere pawns or active collaborators in Mo Yuan Long's schemes, and consequently, ordered an investigation. As part of this, Her Majesty mandated that Su Yue La be sent to the Princess's Residence to "rectify" its conduct, hoping she would uncover evidence of Mo Yuan Long's manipulation.
Su Yue La arrived at Qu Xiaotan's residence with a grand retinue, presenting the imperial decree to "supervise rectification and rebuild cardinal guides and constant virtues." Qu Xiaotan was openly displeased by the extravagant display, likening it to a house confiscation rather than a decree. Her frustration escalated when Su Yue La announced her intention to reside in the Princess’s Residence indefinitely until the "rectification" was complete.
Su Yue La merely stated she was following imperial orders and cautioned Qu Xiaotan against attempting to divine Her Majesty's true intentions. Qu Xiaotan vented her frustration, believing Su Yue La was merely using the imperial decree to assert authority and exact revenge for her younger brother's failed attempt in the harem selection. Mo Lian Cheng, however, suspected that Her Majesty had a more profound agenda.
While Su Yue La herself might be easy to manage, the act of sending an official to reside in their household strongly suggested that the Empress wished to investigate something specific. Qu Xiaotan, playfully feigning jealousy, speculated that Her Majesty might still harbor feelings for Mo Lian Cheng and sent Su Yue La to ascertain the true depth of their relationship.
She also acknowledged their recent high-profile activities promoting men's financial autonomy and divorce rights, suggesting the Empress was cautioning them against encroaching on imperial power. Mo Lian Cheng resolved to respond cooperatively, believing Su Yue La would eventually expose her true motives when the time was right.
As Qu Xiaotan and Mo Lian Cheng were sharing a public display of affection, Su Yue La abruptly intervened, scolding them for their "shameful act" in broad daylight and questioning their disregard for royal decorum. Qu Xiaotan playfully blamed Mo Lian Cheng's irresistible charm for her inability to resist. Annoyed, Su Yue La decided to instruct Mo Lian Cheng on the "Three Obediences and Four Virtues" for men, convinced he lacked moral understanding.
During her lengthy lecture, Qu Xiaotan paid little attention. She even discreetly affixed a note with the character for "Sand Vulture" (a derogatory term for "idiot") onto Su Yue La’s back. When Mo Lian Cheng attempted to remove it, Su Yue La discovered the note. Qu Xiaotan quickly concocted a whimsical explanation, claiming "Sand Vulture" referred to a mythical, majestic beast with golden wings, suggesting it was a high compliment for Su Yue La.
Su Yue La then proceeded to teach them lessons in tea ceremony and ink grinding. Throughout these activities, Qu Xiaotan continued to treat Su Yue La as if she were invisible, frequently flirting with Mo Lian Cheng, playfully inspecting his hands and face for ink, ignoring Su Yue La's lectures on proper etiquette.
