The Eternal Love 3 Episode 30 (Ending) Recap
> The Eternal Love 3 Recap
Mo Lian Cheng instructed Yu Hao to sneak into the royal study the following night at 11 o'clock to find the Glacial Soulweed, describing it as approximately 30 centimeters long and grayish-purple when dried. He urged Yu Hao to be careful. Meanwhile, Jing Xin sought out Senior Liu Bai Shui, explaining that Mo Lian Cheng required his help. Jing Xin presented him with a box of gold and other valuables.
Liu Bai Shui claimed his friendship with the Princess was invaluable, but agreed to hold the valuables for safekeeping. He then provided Jing Xin with a pill to replenish one's spirit for Mo Lian Cheng and a powerful sleeping incense for Yu Hao, which can instantly knock someone out. During the Upper Lantern Festival, at 11 PM, a firework show commenced.
While the Empress enjoyed the "night sky of firework, fine wine under the moonlight," and Mo Lian Cheng by her side, Mo Lian Cheng secretly yearned for Qu Xiaotan to be with him. As a diversion, Mo Lian Cheng offered a dance to express his gratitude for the Empress's "marvelous firework." Meanwhile, Yu Hao used the potent sleeping incense to incapacitate the imperial guards in the royal study, and Mo Jingxuan, accompanied by Liu Bai Shui, covertly entered the palace.
Donning a mask, Mo Lian Cheng performed a captivating dance for the Empress. She was completely enthralled, praising the performance and calling for him to be rewarded. During this time, Yu Hao successfully infiltrated the royal study in search of the Glacial Soulweed. However, upon the dance's conclusion, the Empress discovered the dancer was not Mo Lian Cheng, who had already changed into night attire.
Realizing Mo Lian Cheng had escaped, she furiously ordered an immediate search for him and the arrest of all performers. The Empress, realizing Mo Lian Cheng's plan, immediately suspected he had gone to the Altar of Souls. There, Mo Lian Cheng discovered the Soul-guarding Pearl was under a seal, but he managed to break through it. Simultaneously, Yu Hao successfully obtained the Glacial Soulweed from the royal study.
Finding the Altar of Souls empty, the Empress furiously ordered a city-wide search for Mo Lian Cheng. Meanwhile, Mo Jingxuan and Liu Bai Shui arrived to meet Jing Xin, Mo Lian Cheng, and Yu Hao. At Liu Bai Shui's secret hideout, Liu Bai Shui noticed Mo Lian Cheng still appeared weak, to which Mo Lian Cheng explained he used his inner strength.
Liu Bai Shui offered him another pill, momentarily mistaking it for a hair-removal pill before giving him the correct one for energy. Mo Lian Cheng attempted to say his goodbyes to his companions, but Liu Bai Shui urged them to hurry, emphasizing the pill's effects would wear off, and they quickly departed in a carriage. At the secret hideout, Liu Bai Shui reminisced about visiting the spot as "a young man in love."
Mo Lian Cheng shared his belief that he and Tan Er are "destined to be in love in every lifetime." Liu Bai Shui responded philosophically that while the human heart is unreliable, it is also unyielding, and those truly connected will always meet, as a lifetime is but "a blink of an eye."
Mo Lian Cheng confirmed the Red Star of Demise will appear in three days, and all necessary items—the Soul-guarding Pearl, the Soul-parting Flute, and the Glacial Soulweed—were now in place. He planned to continuously play the Soul-parting Song to allow Qu Xiaotan to regain control of her body.
Liu Bai Shui warned him of the grave danger, reminding him he could disintegrate like Xiao Zhen, but Mo Lian Cheng was resolute, stating he would wait for Qu Xiaotan in his next lifetime should he fail. Liu Bai Shui pledged his full support. The Empress experienced a recurrence of her illness, frantically searching her imperial chamber for the Soul-parting Flute, only to discover a fake.
She then heard the distinct tune of the true Soul-parting Flute and followed the sound to Mo Lian Cheng. Upon confronting him, she accused him of swapping the flutes to lure her there and desperately pleaded with him not to leave, offering him freedom. Mo Lian Cheng firmly told her to "stop lying to yourself," asserting he was not the Young Master Lian Cheng she was "obsessed with," and that her beloved "had died by your sword long ago."
He declared, "My love is Tan Er." The Empress vehemently denied this, vowing to recognize him "no matter what you've become" and find him "wherever you are." She threatened him, demanding he return to be her man forever. As the Red Star of Demise appeared, Mo Lian Cheng began to play the Soul-parting Flute. Qu Xiangtan warned him he would die, and an internal struggle between her and Qu Xiaotan's consciousness ensued, with Qu Xiangtan exclaiming, "Qu Xiao Tan! Die!"
and Qu Xiaotan's internal voice urging herself to fight. Mo Lian Cheng attempted to reason with Qu Xiangtan, asking if they "can not do this" and questioning the value of "larger land and greater power" when only the "heart" truly matters. He suggested they "travel to the mountains and fields of crops" to "watch the sunrise and sunset together." However, she refused, stating her people "can't die in vain" and she "can't stop now."
She threatened to kill him if he obstructed her "cause." Mo Lian Cheng calmly accepted, saying he was "willing to die" if it made things easier for her. With her sword at his chest, a memory of her killing Young Master Lian Cheng resurfaced. She relived the moment his love for her "died for good." Dropping her sword, she finally accepted that "he's truly gone" and has "left me forever."
Expressing deep regret for living in an "illusion" fueled by "obsession" and "regret," she told Mo Lian Cheng to "protect the woman you love." She then hoped to find her own true love "on the other side" and, declaring "What's done is done. Let this be the end for me," plunged herself off the cliff. Mo Lian Cheng and Qu Xiaotan awakened in their original world and were overjoyed to reunite with their son, Yu Er, who excitedly greeted them.
Mo Lian Cheng tearfully apologized to Qu Xiaotan and Yu Er for his past failings, promising to be a "wise ruler," a "great father," and a "loving husband" from now on, sharing the responsibility of raising their child.
He then instructed Yu Hao to "find and arrest Wei Zong Heng," explaining that according to Senior Liu, "the remnants of the Demon Lord's soul remain," and "the anomaly of the Soul-guarding Bead must be linked to Wei Zong Heng" and his "ilks" within the court.
Mo Lian Cheng noted it had been a long time since Yu Hao wore his uniform and playfully asked if a woman named Su Yue La had a crush on him, which Yu Hao denied. In court, Mo Lian Cheng issued a groundbreaking new law: "the restrictions of the Three Obediences and Four Virtues will be abolished," allowing women to attend schools and "become officers."
He further mandated that "men should take up the responsibility to look after their families and children," establishing "equal status" and "same rights" for both genders. Later, Mo Lian Cheng was seen trying to feed a playful Yu Er, who preferred to play with a ball. Mo Lian Cheng jokingly complained about eating Yu Er's leftovers. Liu Qian Shui then appeared, and Mo Lian Cheng asked if he had a brother named Liu Bai Shui who looked like him.
Liu Qian Shui cryptically replied, "Have a guess." At that moment, Yu Er made his ball float in the air, confirming Mo Lian Cheng's suspicion: "No wonder he is the new host of the Soul-guarding Bead. He has extraordinary power." Qu Xiaotan and Jing Xin enjoyed a serene river scene, where Qu Xiaotan envisioned transforming the area into a bustling "hot-spring spa resort" with organic farms, offering "dining, recreations, and SPA."
She playfully stated she would be the "chairperson" and Mo Lian Cheng the "general manager," with men managing childcare at home. Recognizing the remote location, she enthusiastically proposed they "start by building the road." Later, Mo Lian Cheng expressed satisfaction that the first imperial examination open to women saw "three women pass it as advanced graduates," acknowledging his past oversight of talent.
Qu Xiaotan, eager for true gender equality, offered to "supervise the palace examination tomorrow," to which Mo Lian Cheng assured her she would have "many chances for political participation." Mo Lian Cheng then suggested the exciting prospect of having a "lively and playful little princess" next year. Qu Xiaotan teased him about wanting another "valentine," but Mo Lian Cheng quickly promised to handle the "feeding, putting to sleep, and changing diapers" to "share her burden."
When Qu Xiaotan corrected him, asserting that "women aren't born to look after kids," he swiftly agreed that she would feed the baby, but he would take on the responsibilities of "putting her to bed and the diapers." Under a cherry blossom tree, Mo Lian Cheng and Qu Xiaotan embraced, signifying their enduring three lifetimes of love.
