The Eternal Love Episode 17 Recap
> The Eternal Love Recap
The wooden chest, containing the Soul Bead, opens with Qu Jianglin's blood, emitting a strong purple light. Inside, the Soul Bead is encased in a jade box. Qu Jianglin explains that the Soul Bead is an heirloom of the Qu family, and the jade box has a seal that only he can touch, having sealed it after Qu Tan'er was badly hurt trying to touch it as a child.
Disheartened by Qu Pan'er's actions, he states he now only wishes to protect his family and distance himself from the struggle for the throne. He reveals that the Crown Prince, Mo Yihuai, was previously obsessed with obtaining the Soul Bead. Mo Liancheng observes that his late grandfather, the Emperor's Father, had returned the Soul Bead to the Qu family and arranged for Qu Tan'er's marriage to him, suggesting a hidden purpose.
Soon after, a released Qu Pan'er storms into Mo Liancheng's residence, demanding the Soul Bead from her father and asserting it belongs to her as the Qu family's firstborn. Both Qu Pan'er and Qu Xiaotan rush to touch the jade box. Upon contact, Qu Pan'er is violently repelled and falls unconscious, while Qu Xiaotan remains unharmed, though she comments on the jade's coldness. A distressed Qu Jianglin departs with his unconscious daughter.
Afterward, Mo Liancheng questions why Qu Xiaotan could touch the jade box when Qu Tan'er couldn't. Acknowledging her unique nature, Qu Xiaotan reminds him she is not from this world. Mo Liancheng speculates that his grandfather might have entrusted the Soul Bead to the Qu family to await someone like Qu Xiaotan, who is connected to it. In a dark forest, Life Hunter and Soul Breaker are punished by their Master for failing to acquire the Soul Bead.
Soul Breaker then reveals that Qu Xiaotan can touch the bead. Their Master, overjoyed, declares he has finally found the Soul Bead's true master and orders them to kill her. Acknowledging that Mo Liancheng and Liu Qianshui protect her, the Master commands them to involve Mo Yihuai. However, when the assassins approach Mo Yihuai, he furiously rejects the idea of harming Qu Tan'er.
Expressing deep regret for his past actions, he blames them for their instigation and terminates their alliance, threatening severe consequences if they ever harm her. In the study, Qu Xiaotan attempts to open the jade box, but Mo Liancheng warns her of potential danger. She impulsively reveals that Liu Qianshui told her the Soul Bead could help her return to her world. Hearing this, Mo Liancheng embraces her tightly, terrified she might vanish.
He decides to keep the Soul Bead for her safety, and she agrees. Later, they seek out Liu Qianshui and ask why Qu Xiaotan has been unable to summon Qu Tan'er. Liu Qianshui explains that the Soul Bead is enhancing Qu Xiaotan's power while weakening Qu Tan'er, making it increasingly difficult for the latter to appear. He agrees to disclose the Soul Bead's secrets only after Qu Xiaotan masters the "soul wandering flute."
As they depart, Liu Qianshui muses to himself that he has been waiting for them and the Soul Bead for a hundred years. While traveling by sedan, Mo Liancheng and Qu Xiaotan are ambushed by Life Hunter and Soul Breaker. Mo Liancheng fights fiercely but is overwhelmed. Just as a fatal blow is about to strike Qu Xiaotan, Mo Yihuai intervenes, saving her and forcing the assassins to retreat.
He coldly tells Mo Liancheng his actions were not for his sake. Later, Life Hunter and Soul Breaker corner Mo Yihuai in his palace. On their Master's command, they forcibly transfer their Master's martial arts into him, allowing the Master to control him. The Master then convinces the now-powerful Mo Yihuai to resume their alliance, proposing a new, covert plan to seize the Soul Bead. Qu Xiaotan visits Qu Pan'er, hoping to help Qu Tan'er reconcile with her sister.
Qu Pan'er expresses deep resentment, accusing Qu Tan'er of stealing their father's favor and Mo Yihuai's love. She confesses she hates her sister enough to kill her. Just as Qu Pan'er begins to reveal the true culprit behind a past plot against Qu Tan'er, she is killed by an assassin's poison dart. A distraught Qu Xiaotan orders Yu Hao to find the murderer.
Meanwhile, the Empress Dowager receives a report from her servant, confirming that she orchestrated the assassination to silence the insubordinate and loose-tongued Qu Pan'er. Now under his Master's influence, Mo Yihuai issues a false decree to summon the Empress Dowager to the Emperor's study. There, he theatrically threatens suicide unless the Emperor strips him of his title and makes Mo Liancheng the Crown Prince.
The Emperor tearfully refuses, revealing a grave secret from the late Emperor's Father: Mo Liancheng is fated to die before the age of twenty-five and thus cannot inherit the throne. The Empress Dowager is devastated. Seizing the moment, a seemingly repentant Mo Yihuai approaches her, feigning distress over Mo Liancheng's fate and claiming the Soul Bead can extend his life. He implies that this requires Qu Xiaotan's death, which would allow the bead to choose a new master.
