The Eternal Love 3 Episode 21 Recap
> The Eternal Love 3 Recap
Yun Xiu, having shaved his beard and styled his hair to appear as a Dongyue gentleman, presented himself to Mo Feng Yang, who simply observed that he looked "brand-new." Yun Xiu explained his desire to embody a Dongyue gentleman, and Mo Feng Yang remarked that it was "good for him." As the sunlight was glaring, Yun Xiu suggested they move under a tree.
Qu Xiaotan, Jing Xin, and Yu Hao, watching from nearby, covertly pulled down cherry branches to create a beautiful shower of petals around them. Mo Lian Cheng, observing their efforts, playfully commented that Qu Xiaotan cared "more about other people's relationships than your own." Mo Feng Yang then returned a sword buckle to Yun Xiu, explaining that she had "misunderstood" him earlier, so the "peace present" should not remain with her.
Yun Xiu refused to accept it, stating that if she truly wished to apologize, she should do so "in the Xiyue way." Later, they shared drinks under the moon. Yun Xiu reflected on how a year ago, they couldn't have imagined such a moment. Mo Feng Yang mused on how the "unconventional and uninhibited General Pu Gu" had become "gentle and virtuous" like he was now.
When Yun Xiu asked if she liked this version of him, she turned the question back to him. He dismissed his own feelings as "not important," but Mo Feng Yang insisted, "What if it's important to me?" Yun Xiu then pulled her into his embrace, a moment that made Mo Feng Yang realize his "unconventional and uninhibited" nature was his true essence, "more attractive than the graceful Dongyue gentlemen."
She quickly regained her composure, reminding herself that he was the Second Princess's Prince Consort. As she grew increasingly inebriated, she declared that "unconventional and uninhibited" suited him better before passing out on his shoulder. The next morning, Mo Feng Yang woke to find Yun Xiu still by her side, which made her uneasy. She urged him to return to his room, claiming she had urgent matters to attend to.
Yun Xiu, however, followed her, revealing that the sword buckle's true meaning was "my heart," not peace. He confessed that he had fallen in love with her on the battlefield long ago, and his forced peace-making marriage was solely driven by the hope of seeing her again. He assured her that he could overcome "all misunderstandings and barriers."
Mo Feng Yang was furious, calling his words "inappropriate" as he was already the Main Prince Consort and had supposedly "consummated your marriage on the wedding night." Qu Xiaotan quickly intervened, clarifying that Yun Xiu had not consummated the marriage; it was an act for Officer Xiao. She further explained that she and Yun Xiu had made a deal: she would help him pursue Mo Feng Yang, and in return, he would help her annoy Mo Lian Cheng.
This revelation only angered Mo Feng Yang more, making her feel manipulated and treated "like your puppets." She declared she would "move out of the Princess's Residence immediately." Qu Xiaotan suggested to Yun Xiu that Mo Feng Yang was likely "being stubborn" but had already been "attracted," advising him to "leave her alone for a few more days" to let her realize her true feelings.
Mo Lian Cheng disagreed, arguing that they had used "enough tactics" and it was time to "put yourself in her shoes" and "open your heart to her." Qu Xiaotan retorted that it was Mo Feng Yang who was being unforthcoming, and that "romantic measures" were essential to keep love "fresh."
This led to a heated argument between Qu Xiaotan and Mo Lian Cheng about the nature of love and romantic gestures, culminating in both of them walking away in a huff. Yun Xiu, caught between them, tried to stop their quarrel, but they ended up in a cold war. Mo Feng Yang spent her days at the Mo residence practicing calligraphy to calm her mind, but notably omitted the character "yun" from the poems.
Mo Jingxuan, seeing her distress, tried to speak with her but was sent away. Qu Xiaotan, upon learning from Mo Jingxuan that Mo Feng Yang hadn't eaten or slept, and specifically avoided the character "yun" in her calligraphy, realized that Mo Feng Yang had indeed fallen for Yun Xiu.
Qu Xiaotan instructed Mo Jingxuan to invite Mo Feng Yang to Wangyou Lake at five o'clock and then told Yun Xiu to meet her there, asserting that five o'clock would be the "moment that determines your fate." As Mo Lian Cheng walked past Qu Xiaotan without a word, Yun Xiu remarked that Mo Lian Cheng was using Qu Xiaotan's own tactic of "playing hard to get" against her, much to Qu Xiaotan's annoyance.
At Wangyou Lake, Mo Feng Yang was helping a child with a kite when Yun Xiu arrived. He helped her reel in the kite, and she was touched to discover that the kite bore her likeness. Yun Xiu confessed his profound love, declaring that after meeting her, "all I have in my mind is you, all I can draw is you, all I can think about is you."
He reassured her that Her Majesty's recent decree encouraging men to remarry meant that if they were "on the same side," they could "overcome natural moats." Moved by his sincerity, Mo Feng Yang asked for "three more days to think about it." Qu Xiaotan, still upset with Mo Lian Cheng, muttered to herself about always directing romantic plays for others while her own heart was "like broken glass."
However, she soon discovered numerous bell tags hanging from a peach tree, each bearing a reason why Mo Lian Cheng was attracted to her, such as her "sad tears," "twinkling eyes," and "passion for my chest muscles." Mo Lian Cheng appeared, admitting he "was not romantic enough" previously and promising "from now on, I won't let you be jealous of other people's relationships." Qu Xiaotan, pleased, forgave him and they shared a kiss.
She affirmed that he was "always my Cheng Cheng," and she would "always accept him." Meanwhile, the Empress learned from Officer Xiao that the Second Princess (Qu Xiaotan) intended to repudiate her Prince Consort, Yun Xiu, and was actively trying to arrange his marriage to General Mo Feng Yang. The Empress deduced that Qu Xiaotan sought to "overcome the scheme of disunity and make generals from two countries work for her."
Enraged by Qu Xiaotan's audacity, the Empress began to cough up blood, declaring that she would not let Qu Xiaotan "do whatever she wants." Officer Xiao, concerned for her health, advised against anger. Despite his warnings about her "unstable condition" and the Altar of Souls being "still under construction," the Empress ordered him to take her there.
Inside the Altar, as the Empress attempted to stabilize her mind using the Soul-guarding Pearl's spiritual power, the Pearl suddenly emitted dark spiritual energy, which backfired and trapped her. Officer Xiao, realizing her "spiritual power has backfired," concluded that "someone must control the Soul-guarding Bead with me to wake Her Majesty up," and that Qu Xiaotan "may be the only hope."
As Yun Xiu grew increasingly anxious for Mo Feng Yang's three-day reply, Qu Xiaotan and Mo Lian Cheng calmly played chess. Officer Xiao then arrived, delivering an "emergency order" for Qu Xiaotan to enter the palace. Officer Xiao claimed ignorance of the reason for the summons. Mo Lian Cheng, sensing a trap, suspected the Empress knew about Qu Xiaotan's "special connection with the Soul-guarding Bead" and was attempting to lure them "to walk right into a trap ourselves."
While sending Yun Xiu to escort Officer Xiao to the front hall, Mo Lian Cheng quickly whispered instructions to Qu Xiaotan: the secret passage to the Altar of Souls could be opened by pushing the second drawer inward in the imperial chamber's Bogu Shelves. He sternly warned her "not to get close to it and don't touch it," as any proximity would make the Soul-guarding Pearl "react," alerting the Empress and putting Qu Xiaotan "in danger."
He urged her to "insist until I come." Qu Xiaotan departed with Officer Xiao, while Yun Xiu worried whether the Empress knew of their plans. Mo Lian Cheng calmed Yun Xiu and then went to Mo Feng Yang, informing her of Qu Xiaotan's urgent summons to the palace.
Mo Feng Yang immediately decided to go to the palace to investigate, vowing that if she and Yun Xiu were indeed the cause of Qu Xiaotan's trouble, she would "apologize to Her Majesty." Upon arriving at the palace, Mo Feng Yang noticed the absence of guards and inquired with General Lu. General Lu confirmed that the Empress had not left her imperial chamber and had refused to meet any officials that day.
Mo Feng Yang mentioned Qu Xiaotan's summons, and General Lu confirmed seeing Officer Xiao escort Qu Xiaotan towards the imperial chamber. However, he also noted that the "guards were suddenly changed" at the imperial chamber, "unnecessary people cleared," and "more armed forces were also added," leading him to believe "something may be going on." Mo Feng Yang concluded that there were "a few questionable points; among them, there must be something fishy."
Officer Xiao led Qu Xiaotan through the palace, which she recognized as the "secret passage to the Altar of Souls," recalling Mo Lian Cheng's warning. She feigned ignorance, asking "What is this place?" Officer Xiao, aware of her pretense, stated, "It's not good for you to pretend like you don't know." He pressed her, noting that she could "feel the strange movements within the Soul-guarding Bead," just as he could. Qu Xiaotan continued to play dumb, asking, "What pig?
Why can you feel the pig moving?" Officer Xiao, exasperated, drew his sword and told her that "Her Majesty knows everything," urging her to "Go in." Qu Xiaotan expressed her fear of the dark and claustrophobia, but Officer Xiao reminded her that "Disobeying Her Majesty's order is also punishable by death." Resigned, Qu Xiaotan chose to face her fear and entered the dark passage. Deep within the Altar of Souls, she discovered the Empress trapped within a swirling mass of dark spiritual energy.
