The Eternal Love Episode 14 Recap
> The Eternal Love Recap
On the night of Zhao Qingyun's wedding, Mo Liancheng chose to spend it with Qu Xiaotan in her room. He reaffirmed his love and commitment to her, explaining that men in his world only marry one woman for life, unlike the chaotic polygamous marriages of her time. He promised to marry her every year and have only her in his heart.
Meanwhile, in a pavilion, Xiaotan was looking at a blank music sheet when Jing Xin approached with a swollen, slapped face. Jing Xin explained that Xuejuan, Zhao Qingyun's servant, had forcibly taken her peach blossom soup, broken a valuable purple-green cloud vase—a relic from the Former Emperor gifted by the Empress Dowager—and then framed and slapped her. Enraged, Qu Xiaotan vowed revenge.
Just then, Zhao Qingyun arrived, accusing Jing Xin of disrespecting the Empress Dowager and the Former Emperor by breaking the vase and demanding severe punishment. Xiaotan defiantly shielded Jing Xin, but the confrontation was cut short by Mo Liancheng's arrival. He immediately scolded Zhao Qingyun for causing trouble, ordering her to apologize and serve tea to Jing Xin. After an insincere apology, Mo Liancheng warned Zhao Qingyun this was a minor punishment and banished her from the Snow Courtyard.
Furious, Zhao Qingyun went to the Empress Dowager's palace, crying and falsely accusing Qu Xiaotan of reckless and evil behavior that had deluded Mo Liancheng, leading to her servant breaking the precious vase. The Empress Dowager, already displeased with Qu Tan'er's frivolous manner, was outraged and vowed to discipline her. Later, Qu Pan'er met with Zhao Qingyun, appearing sympathetic and fueling her resentment. Zhao Qingyun vented her hatred, recounting how Tan'er had frequently tried to seduce Crown Prince Mo Yihuai.
Pan'er portrayed Tan'er as a manipulative concubine's daughter and slyly mentioned that Mo Liancheng had missed being named Crown Prince because he secretly went to see Tan'er on that important day. Convinced Tan'er could destroy the nation, Zhao Qingyun resolved to eliminate her. Pan'er reassured her that Mo Liancheng was only temporarily confused and would ultimately rely on the Zhao family's power.
Later, Pan'er revealed her true intentions to her mother: to use Qu Tan'er as bait to trap Mo Liancheng, who was the greatest obstacle to Mo Yihuai's ascension to the throne. To execute the scheme, Zhao Qingyun first sent land leases and a valuable night pearl to Qu Xiaotan, feigning a desire to reconcile. Delighted by the gifts, Xiaotan let her guard down.
After declining several invitations, Xiaotan finally accepted one to the Changyin Pavilion to enjoy a live music performance. She returned the expensive gifts, not wanting to be indebted to Zhao Qingyun. Unbeknownst to Xiaotan, this set a deadly trap in motion. Zhao Qingyun planned an assassination at the pavilion, telling Pan'er she had chosen a day when Mo Liancheng would be busy meeting Minister Wuliang Marquis. However, Pan'er was secretly plotting a double-cross.
Her plan was to ensure Mo Liancheng learned of the danger, rushed to the pavilion, and was then killed by her own assassins, who would be disguised as Zhao Qingyun's men, thereby framing Zhao Qingyun for the entire tragedy. At the Changyin Pavilion, as Qu Xiaotan enjoyed the music, assassins suddenly attacked. Mo Liancheng, having received a warning note, appeared unexpectedly and swiftly dispatched several attackers. However, a remaining assassin on a balcony aimed an arrow at Tan'er.
Mo Liancheng threw his sword to deflect the first shot, but the assassin quickly fired another. With no other option, Mo Liancheng shielded Qu Tan'er with his own body, taking the arrow directly to his chest. As he collapsed, Yu Hao arrived with royal guards, driving off the remaining attackers. Overwhelmed with grief, Xiaotan begged Mo Liancheng to live, reminding him of his promise to protect her.
Gravely wounded, he affirmed his commitment before losing consciousness, while a shocked Zhao Qingyun fled the scene. Back at the palace, a distraught Qu Xiaotan watched over the gravely injured Mo Liancheng. Imperial physicians declared the wound too severe, stating his survival was up to fate. Mo Jingxuan, Liancheng's brother, promised to find a skilled healer, which made Xiaotan remember the "old monster" who had once saved her life. Jing Xin was immediately dispatched to find him.
Meanwhile, an investigation by Mo Jingxuan and Yu Hao found no useful witnesses or unique weapons, indicating a well-planned cover-up. When the old monster finally arrived, he initially refused to help, stating he first needed to sever the "Life Bond" between Xiaotan and Liancheng to prevent her from dying if he succumbed. Xiaotan vehemently refused, threatening suicide if Mo Liancheng died, which forced the old monster to relent.
He noted Liancheng's unusual constitution required more "anima" than normal to sustain life, a resource scarce in Dongyue. As he prepared to leave, Crown Prince Mo Yihuai arrived, prompting Xiaotan to consider letting her other personality, Tan'er, handle the tense encounter.
