The Eternal Love Episode 18 Recap
> The Eternal Love Recap
Empress Dowager was manipulated by Mo Yihuai, who sought to use her for his own schemes. Mo Yihuai informed her about the Soul Bead, claiming this powerful artifact, once possessed by the Grand Emperor, could extend a person's lifespan. He falsely stated that while the Soul Bead was currently with Mo Liancheng, it recognized Qu Xiaotan as its true master.
He then spun a tale that only upon Qu Xiaotan's death would the Soul Bead transfer its allegiance, offering Mo Liancheng a chance at a longer life. Mo Yihuai feigned deep concern for Mo Liancheng, despite their political differences, asserting it was unbearable to watch his brother die. Believing Mo Yihuai, Empress Dowager summoned Qu Xiaotan. After some initial pleasantries, she tearfully revealed that Mo Liancheng was destined to die at the age of twenty-five.
Qu Xiaotan was stunned, refusing to believe it, thinking Empress Dowager was setting a trap or cruelly cursing Mo Liancheng. Empress Dowager insisted it was true, claiming the Grand Emperor had secretly confided this prophecy to the current Emperor. She then explained that the Soul Bead was the only way to save Mo Liancheng, but it would only choose a new master if its current one died.
She gave Qu Xiaotan three days to decide, ominously mentioning she would prepare "farewell wine" if Qu Xiaotan chose to sacrifice herself. Heartbroken and distraught, Qu Xiaotan left the palace, consumed by grief. Desperate for answers, she immediately went to kneel outside the Emperor's palace. Later that evening, Qu Xiaotan had no appetite during dinner with Mo Liancheng. She seemed preoccupied, asking about his recent health and whether his old wounds had fully healed.
Mo Liancheng, noticing her unusual behavior, playfully suggested that he might need to "perform well" that night, implying intimacy. Qu Xiaotan quickly rejected the notion, telling him he should "sleep alone" from then on for his health. She then embraced him tightly, confessing her sudden fear of losing him, while Mo Liancheng tried to comfort her. Driven by desperation, Qu Xiaotan sought out Liu Qianshui in a secluded mountain area.
She first inquired if the Soul Bead could truly extend lifespan and if it only had one master, to which Liu Qianshui confirmed the latter and vaguely hinted that she might be its master. She then urgently asked him to terminate the Life Bond between her and Mo Liancheng. Liu Qianshui was surprised, recalling her previous steadfast refusal to break the bond. He became suspicious of her sudden change of heart. Despite his suspicions, Qu Xiaotan pressed him to proceed.
Liu Qianshui, sensing her distress, cleverly feigned the ritual and told her it was done. Qu Xiaotan, astonished by the apparent ease, was relieved. She implored him not to tell Mo Liancheng about their meeting. Realizing her unusual secrecy, Liu Qianshui had intentionally not truly broken the Life Bond, correctly guessing that she was hiding something related to Mo Liancheng. Meanwhile, Yu Hao reported to Mo Liancheng that Qu Xiaotan had been seen begging Liu Qianshui for something.
Mo Liancheng, already noticing Qu Xiaotan's strange behavior since her visit to Empress Dowager and her hurried trip to the Emperor's palace, decided to confront Liu Qianshui. Just as he prepared to leave with Yu Hao, Liu Qianshui unexpectedly appeared before them. Liu Qianshui explained that Qu Xiaotan had asked him to terminate the Life Bond, something she had always refused before.
He also revealed his suspicion that she was keeping something from him, which was why he had merely performed a trick instead of truly severing the bond. He then left, entrusting Mo Liancheng to uncover the truth. Mo Liancheng immediately went to see the Emperor, connecting Qu Xiaotan's odd actions to the possibility of the Emperor's involvement. Mo Liancheng directly asked the Emperor why Qu Xiaotan had visited him.
The Emperor initially evaded, but Mo Liancheng pressed on, asking if her visit related to his own destiny. The Emperor admitted that Mo Liancheng's suspicions were correct. He then revealed a hidden prophecy left by the Grand Emperor, part of which was carved on Mo Liancheng's childhood bed. The prophecy stated that Mo Liancheng would live only to the age of twenty-five. The Emperor confirmed that Qu Xiaotan had indeed learned of this prophecy.
Mo Liancheng, holding back tears, asserted that having Qu Xiaotan was enough for him, but ominously warned that he would "become a devil" if anything were to happen to her. At the same time, Qu Tan'er had tracked Mo Yihuai to the west of the city. She secretly listened as Mo Yihuai spoke with an unknown accomplice, revealing his true ruthless nature.
Mo Yihuai declared that Qu Tan'er was merely a "pawn" in his ambitions and that he had never truly loved her, stating her life or death was inconsequential to him. Heartbroken by this betrayal, Qu Tan'er fled back to the Eighth Prince's mansion. She reflected on how Mo Yihuai had become a demon and how her love for him had been a lie. With nothing left to care about, she resolved to sacrifice herself if it meant saving Mo Liancheng.
She spoke to her other self, Qu Xiaotan, urging her not to hesitate and assuring her that she owed Qu Tan'er nothing, expressing her happiness during their shared time. Mo Liancheng, standing outside the room, overheard Qu Tan'er's poignant words, his face etched with sorrow and helplessness. Later, in Empress Dowager's private chambers, a maid presented Qu Xiaotan with a cup of poisoned wine. Empress Dowager assured Qu Xiaotan the concoction was fast-acting and painless.
Qu Xiaotan, with a final, bittersweet thought directed at Mo Liancheng, raised the cup. Just as she was about to drink, Mo Liancheng burst in, knocking the wine from her hand and pulling her into a protective embrace. The Emperor then arrived, accompanied by guards who had apprehended one of Empress Dowager's long-serving servants. The Emperor confronted his mother, accusing her of attempting to poison Qu Xiaotan and violating national law.
Empress Dowager claimed she acted out of desperation to save Mo Liancheng. The Emperor countered by revealing the true prophecy from the Grand Emperor: the Soul Bead only admits one master and cannot be transferred. Empress Dowager was shocked, admitting that Mo Yihuai had misled her. The Emperor condemned Mo Yihuai for attempting to commit murder through her hands.
He then revealed that the captured servant had already confessed everything, including her involvement in the past assassination attempt on Mo Liancheng and Qu Xiaotan. Enraged by his mother's cruelty, the Emperor immediately decreed that Empress Dowager be confined to her palace indefinitely. He then instructed Mo Liancheng to take the visibly shaken Qu Xiaotan back to their mansion and summoned Mo Yihuai to appear before him.
