The Eternal Love 3 Episode 9 Recap
> The Eternal Love 3 Recap
Qu Xiaotan began her rigorous training in the palace, often accompanied by Mo Lian Cheng, who would offer her water and wipe her brow. Finding this disruptive, Xiao Zhen ordered Mo Lian Cheng to return to his residence, instead tasking General Lu with providing Qu Xiaotan’s individual training. Qu Xiaotan was visibly dejected by Mo Lian Cheng’s departure. Later, the Emperor sent Qu Xiaotan a special tonic, meant to fortify her after her strenuous efforts.
Qu Xiaotan eyed the dark liquid with suspicion, wondering if it was some exotic game, but Xiao Zhen urged her not to displease the Emperor. He relayed the Emperor's strict warning: if Qu Xiaotan failed to pass this military training, severe punishment awaited her. Subsequently, Qu Jiang Lin visited Qu Xiaotan, bringing her a special tea containing herbs to promote pregnancy.
Qu Xiaotan, whose son Yu Er was already old enough to walk, expressed her frustration at the incessant pressure to conceive, stating she simply did not wish to be pregnant at this time. Qu Jiang Lin, however, emphasized the importance of providing heirs for both the Qu Family and the future of Dongyue. He also advised her not to neglect Mo Lian Cheng, the secondary prince consort, despite her strong connection with Mo Yanchen, the main prince consort.
He reminded her to share the special herbs, which he claimed were good for their sex life, with both consorts and to treat them equally in her choice of bedtime companion to maintain family harmony. Qu Xiaotan, feeling cornered, agreed to heed his advice, though she privately grumbled that if Mo Lian Cheng had been more cooperative, she wouldn't be in this predicament.
At lunch, Qu Xiaotan proposed a system of taking turns for bedtime, an idea she had considered for a long time. Mo Yanchen readily agreed, seeing it as a way to strengthen their marital bond and set a good example for the nobility and the Emperor. Mo Lian Cheng, however, viewed this as a potential breach of their initial agreement.
He asserted that while he would support actions that fostered harmony, he would not tolerate anything that violated their prior promises. Qu Xiaotan silently fumed, perceiving this as a threat from a concubine. The meal quickly devolved into an awkward exchange as Mo Yanchen offered shrimp to Qu Xiaotan, who passed it to Mo Lian Cheng, only for him to return it to Mo Yanchen, leaving Mo Yanchen's bowl overflowing.
Qu Xiaotan declared it was Mo Lian Cheng’s turn for bedtime that night, but both brothers attempted to defer. Mo Lian Cheng ultimately decided to go along with it and observe the situation. That evening, Mo Lian Cheng did not receive a visit from Qu Xiaotan. Instead, Mo Yanchen arrived with wine, sensing Mo Lian Cheng’s apprehension. Mo Lian Cheng questioned why Mo Yanchen, given his long-standing relationship with Qu Xiaotan, didn't directly address her reluctance to consummate their marriage.
Mo Yanchen responded that he believed Qu Xiaotan had her own reasons and he did not wish to add to her worries. Mo Lian Cheng then pondered whether a man's constant concession and tolerance in marriage could transform it into a prison, devoid of happiness. Mo Yanchen countered that true happiness and harmonious relationships required prioritizing others' feelings over personal gains. Mo Lian Cheng found himself reflecting on Mo Yanchen's words, wondering if his own resistance had made him selfish.
Meanwhile, Qu Xiaotan meticulously prepared herself for the night, showering and dressing up, much to Jing Xin's amusement, who thought such elaborate preparations for consummation were unnecessary. Qu Xiaotan, however, felt that pleasing her beloved was a source of happiness, not a burden. She then eagerly went to Mo Lian Cheng's room, only to find both him and Mo Yanchen heavily intoxicated, their speech slurred. Overwhelmed, Qu Xiaotan gently embraced Mo Lian Cheng, pouring out her heart.
She expressed how deeply she missed him, longed to hear him call her "Tan'er" again, thought of their son Yu Er, and simply wished for him to remember who she was. Seeing him in a deep sleep, she decided not to disturb him and quietly left. Unbeknownst to her, Mo Lian Cheng had awakened shortly after her departure.
He pondered her usual boldness contrasted with her respectful restraint in that critical moment, questioning if he was truly the "Cheng Cheng" she yearned for. Driven by her goal to restore Mo Lian Cheng’s memories, Qu Xiaotan, accompanied by Jing Xin, visited Liu Bai Shui. She brought him gifts and eagerly inquired about the amnesia medicine. Liu Bai Shui, a trickster, claimed the pills were complete and presented a box of what he described as potent medicine.
He advised her to increase the dosage if it proved ineffective, assuring her that taking up to three pills a day was safe. He then attempted to demand more payment, but Qu Xiaotan swiftly departed, leaving him to grumble about the insufficient silver. Knowing Mo Lian Cheng's suspicious nature would prevent him from taking the medicine directly, Qu Xiaotan decided to hide the pills in Jiangnan glutinous rice balls, specially prepared for him.
At the dinner table, Mo Lian Cheng hesitated to eat his portion, claiming the rice balls were too hot. Mo Yanchen, unaware of Qu Xiaotan's plan, kindly swapped his own bowl for Mo Lian Cheng’s. Upon tasting, Mo Yanchen identified the filling as hair-removal medicine. Qu Xiaotan, caught off guard, quickly feigned ignorance and stormed off to confront the kitchen staff.
Mo Yanchen, misinterpreting the situation, believed Qu Xiaotan was subtly attempting to address Mo Lian Cheng’s supposedly excessive body hair. He urged Mo Lian Cheng to consume the medicine, emphasizing it was a gesture of Qu Xiaotan's good will. Later, after overhearing servants gossip about his hairy legs and Qu Xiaotan's supposed dissatisfaction, Mo Lian Cheng desperately began to pluck the hairs from his legs.
Qu Xiaotan, entering his room stealthily, was horrified to witness this, realizing the extent to which she had inadvertently pressured him. She quickly explained that she had been deceived by Liu Bai Shui, believing the pills were for amnesia, and assured Mo Lian Cheng that she actually preferred hairy, "testosterone-filled" men. To quell the escalating rumors, Qu Xiaotan declared her intention to stay the night in Snow Court, to which Mo Lian Cheng reluctantly agreed to salvage his reputation.
Qu Xiaotan briefly wondered if his agreement implied a willingness to consummate their marriage, but quickly dismissed the idea, concluding it was not the right time. Mo Lian Cheng, meanwhile, felt a pang of disappointment, wondering if his hairy body was the reason for her reluctance. As Qu Xiaotan slept soundly beside him, Mo Lian Cheng gazed at her, captivated by her unexpected peacefulness. The news of Qu Xiaotan staying overnight at Snow Court quickly spread throughout the residence.
Overhearing the servants gossiping, Mo Yanchen sternly reprimanded them for discussing the princess behind her back. The next morning, Qu Xiaotan, remembering Mo Lian Cheng kissing her the previous night, eagerly sought him out for another kiss, but he swiftly evaded her, denying anything had happened and claiming she must have been dreaming.
Mo Yanchen, still trying to facilitate intimacy between the two, brought a tonic to Mo Lian Cheng, implying it was to help him recover from the previous night's "exertions." When Mo Lian Cheng insisted that nothing had occurred, Mo Yanchen’s hopes were visibly dashed, and he accidentally dropped the bowl of tonic. Later that day, it was Mo Yanchen’s turn for bedtime.
Although physically and mentally exhausted from her training, Qu Xiaotan, feeling pity for him, went to his room without any special preparations. Mo Yanchen, seeing her arrive, was genuinely pleased, believing that, despite all the complications, her first intimate experience was ultimately for him.
