The Eternal Love Episode 10 Recap
> The Eternal Love Recap
Following her injury, Mo Liancheng provided Qu Xiaotan with daily medicinal supplements. Finding it too bitter, Qu Xiaotan playfully suggested Mo Liancheng drink it instead. He retorted that if he did, she would have to be responsible for the "side effects," a clear innuendo about wanting her to sleep with him. Unwilling to fall for his trick, Qu Xiaotan drank the medicine, complaining about its bitterness. Meanwhile, at the Qu residence, Qu Jianglin and Mo Yihuai discussed their plans.
Qu Jianglin noted Mo Liancheng's discreet nature made him difficult to attack directly and proposed targeting his weakness: Qu Tan'er. Despite Mo Yihuai's reluctance to use his own kin, Qu Jianglin persuaded him that with the crown as their priority, they must take advantage of her position. Mo Yihuai conceded, agreeing to use Qu Tan'er to prevent Mo Liancheng from becoming Crown Prince.
Later, Qu Tan'er, who was now conscious, questioned Jingxin about the hot springs assassination attempt after overhearing guards discussing it. Jingxin confirmed the official story that it was carried out by former dynasty rebels, not Mo Yihuai, which reassured Qu Tan'er. Soon after, Yun Youlian and another mistress arrived with an "ancient painting." Qu Tan'er quickly recognized it as a coded message from Mo Yihuai.
The painting, signed "Mu Xin"—a secret name derived from both their names—depicted two birds, representing them. A date on the painting indicated a meeting in three days, with a carriage waiting outside the Eighth Prince's palace. Determined to meet him, Qu Tan'er had Jingxin ask Qu Xiaotan to help her get out of the palace. Jingxin relayed the message to Qu Xiaotan.
Though wary of a trap, Qu Xiaotan was convinced by Jingxin’s assurance that "Mu Xin" was a secret code known only to Qu Tan'er and Mo Yihuai. To create an excuse to leave, Qu Xiaotan retrieved a thousand-year ginseng given to her by Mo Xuan'er, which Mo Liancheng had promised would earn her a trip outside once she finished it. For the next three days, Qu Xiaotan diligently consumed the ginseng in every meal.
Upon finishing it, she reminded Mo Liancheng of his promise, and he granted her permission to leave. The Emperor summoned Mo Liancheng, Mo Yihuai, and Mo Xuan'er for a tea ceremony. He presented a two-part tea set: the first cup, "heartbroken" tea, was a poison, while the second, "lovesick" tea, was the antidote. Drinking only one would be fatal. After they all drank the first cup, Mo Yihuai urged Mo Liancheng to drink the second.
Mo Liancheng, however, refused the "lovesick" tea, feigning weakness and declaring he would rather die with a broken heart for his people than suffer from lovesickness for a woman again. The Emperor then revealed the tea was harmless, a test of character, and praised Mo Liancheng for his courage and love for his wife. He then chided Mo Xuan'er for his lack of growth.
In his haste to defend himself, Mo Xuan'er praised Mo Liancheng and pledged to assist him in the future, inadvertently implying Mo Liancheng was the heir. The Emperor was displeased by this premature declaration. Mo Yihuai stoked the fire by suggesting Mo Liancheng had already garnered widespread support, but Mo Liancheng countered with a sharp remark about Mo Yihuai's own vulnerability, alluding to the recent assassination attempt.
The Emperor ended the confrontation, warning Mo Xuan'er to be more mindful of his words. Afterward, while waiting for the Emperor, Mo Yihuai approached Mo Liancheng and subtly implied that Qu Tan'er was in danger. Alarmed by the veiled threat, Mo Liancheng abandoned the imperial summons and immediately dispatched Yu Hao to ride back to the palace and ensure Qu Tan'er's safety, signaling that her well-being was more important to him than the position of Crown Prince.
Instead of meeting Mo Yihuai, Qu Tan'er was taken to the Qu residence. There, Qu Jianglin and Qu Pan'er forced her to kneel in the pouring rain, accusing her of conspiring against their family. Qu Pan'er cruelly revealed that she was merely a pawn in Mo Yihuai's plan to secure the throne and that he would never be with her. Traumatized and heartbroken by this betrayal, Qu Tan'er's consciousness faded as she cried out for Qu Xiaotan.
In that instant, it is Qu Xiaotan who awoke in her place, overwhelmed by an inexplicable pain and the cold rain. As she wondered what to do, Mo Liancheng burst into the courtyard. He rushed to her side, covered her with his robe, and furiously warned Qu Jianglin and Qu Pan'er that he would repay the humiliation inflicted upon his wife tenfold. As Mo Liancheng carried her away, Qu Pan'er smugly remarked to her father that their plan had worked, as Mo Liancheng's actions had secured Mo Yihuai's path to the crown.
