The Eternal Love Episode 9 Recap
> The Eternal Love Recap
Following his plan, Mo Liancheng reveals to Qu Xiaotan that he knew about the warm pool beneath the cliff, framing the dangerous fall as a mere "hot spring" experience. Furious, Qu Xiaotan calls him a jerk for the terrifying ordeal. Seeing her injured ankle, Mo Liancheng tends to it. When she presses him on why he saved her, he deflects, claiming she just happened to fall on him.
Discussing the assassination, Xiaotan doubts Mo Yihuai’s direct involvement, reasoning that a true attempt on their lives would have been more effective. She mentions having seen two other figures who seemed separate from the main group of assassins. Mo Liancheng teases her for defending Mo Yihuai, whose name she claims gives her a headache.
Due to her injury, Mo Liancheng carries a protesting Qu Xiaotan back to the manor, telling her to stop trying to run from him, and instructs Jing Xin to prepare her bath. Jing Xin questions the apparent change in Xiaotan's relationship with the prince. Xiaotan dismisses it, blaming the sleepless night on the assassins and Mo Liancheng's frightening "hot spring" prank. When Jing Xin probes about any intimacy, Xiaotan denies it.
Feeling remorseful, Xiaotan worries that Qu Tan'er will be heartbroken to learn Mo Yihuai sent assassins. She asks Jing Xin to apologize to Tan'er on her behalf and express a desire to end their feuding, delighting the maid. To advance his scheme, Mo Liancheng instructs Yu Hao to spread rumors at the imperial hospital that the Eighth Princess is gravely injured and near death, ensuring the news implicates Mo Yihuai.
Later, he enters Xiaotan’s chambers as she is changing, teasing that he is familiar with her body, and asks her to feign a severe illness. When Doctor Gao arrives, he correctly diagnoses only superficial wounds. However, Mo Liancheng threatens the doctor into compliance, forcing him to report to the Emperor and Empress Dowager that the princess is dying.
Amused by his antics, Xiaotan is eager to see the visiting Fourteenth Prince, Mo Xiaoxuan, but a jealous Mo Liancheng forbids it, scolding his younger brother for neglecting his duties. Xiaoxuan reports to Mo Liancheng that he successfully tracked the assassins with the brocade box all the way to the Grand Prince's Palace.
Mo Liancheng reveals he had already anticipated this, stating that Mo Yihuai would inevitably act on the news of the Soul Bead, and now they have the evidence needed. He again instructs Xiaoxuan to publicize the assassination attempt, emphasizing the princess’s critical condition to cast suspicion on Mo Yihuai. Meanwhile, a confused Qu Tan'er awakens, feeling the pain from Xiaotan’s injuries. Jing Xin explains that Xiaotan is safe and conveys her apology, which touches Tan'er.
Jing Xin then recounts the assassination attempt and Mo Liancheng's plan to feign illness to catch the culprit. When pressed, Jing Xin reluctantly reveals that Mo Yihuai is the main suspect. Devastated, Tan'er refuses to believe he could be so cruel, suspecting Mo Liancheng framed him or that he was forced into it by the pressures of the succession battle. She instructs Jing Xin to refuse all visitors.
In the Grand Prince's manor, Mo Yihuai confronts the cloaked figures, angry that the "Soul Bead" was a fake and that Qu Tan'er was endangered against his orders. The cloaked woman dismisses his concerns. To reassert their dominance after the argument, the cloaked man, Liepin, uses a spiritual technique, emitting black smoke from a mark on his forehead to control Mo Yihuai. In the imperial study, the Emperor is enraged by the rumors implicating Mo Yihuai.
Lord Qu Jianglin’s attempt to defend the Grand Prince is interrupted by the arrival of the Empress Dowager. She scolds Lord Qu for defending the prime suspect while his own daughter lies dying. Dismissing him, she confronts the Emperor about his known favoritism toward Mo Yihuai, which she attributes to his resemblance to the late Emperor. The Emperor suggests punishing Qu Tan'er, but the Empress Dowager counters that Xiaoxuan saw the princess take an arrow for Mo Liancheng.
She demands a full investigation into Mo Yihuai, warning that she will not let the matter rest. In the Eighth Prince’s manor, Yu Hao plays his part, telling guards the princess is beyond medical help. Inside, Mo Liancheng puts on a dramatic performance, crying out Tan'er's name in despair. Xiaotan watches, amused by his acting. Their playful teasing turns intimate, and she jokes that her foot injury prevents them from having sex.
He retorts by teasing her about being his first and only woman. Later, Xiaotan tries to playfully scare Mo Liancheng as he enters her courtyard, but he catches her in a hug. He apologizes for putting her in danger, admitting his plan to provoke Mo Yihuai was conceited. Xiaotan reassures him that she understands and does not blame him. Mo Yihuai meets with the cloaked figures again, frustrated that their plan has ruined his reputation.
Liepin becomes aggressive, but the woman intervenes, suggesting a new plan: Mo Yihuai should seek help from his father-in-law, Qu Jianglin, who would surely support him to see his daughter become Empress. Though Mo Yihuai is doubtful, the woman assures him they have already devised a strategy for Lord Qu to execute.
