American Perspectives: Dong Yue Meets the Third Prince ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 3)

Dong Yue notices a merchant throwing out all of his umbrellas due to a 3 month drought.  She inquires if she can take one, and the owner agrees, though he's pretty sure she doesn't need it.  The date is July 11 in Qiyuan's 14th year, and it's a very significant day in regards to the drought.  Because she is 8 years in the past from that fateful day on the battlefield, she remembers that there was a snowstorm on that date.  She opens up her umbrella, and notices an incomplete poem written on the inside.  "Qu won't do for the Love Sickness," which is rather cryptic, and she decides to think of a line to finish it later.

Meanwhile, the Third Prince is sitting in his office at Taishi Bureau, where the Historians work to record all events occuring within the palace and beyond.  He is meticulously practicing his caligraphy.  He is considered useless, as he has no say in the Royal Court, and it's the caligraphy that's his primary skill.  Dong Yue, disguised as a man, is waiting outside, stating she can predict the weather.  She is reluctantly allowed in by Third Prince's servant. Nobody believes her when she says it's going to snow today.  The Historians think she is out of her mind, and the head historian wants her escorted out. 

The Third Prince can hear her shouting about the snow, and he's intrigued.  He asks his personal guard, Qingzxiao to check it out.  She complies.  Dong Yue asks Qingxiao to trust her.  Qingxiao agrees, and says Dong Yue should stay half a day to see if the prediction comes true.  The lead historian insists this sudden change of weather is impossible.

Dong Yue makes a mistake and shows Qingxiao Feng Xi's jade ID badge, and insists she was recommended by him. (He didn't).  Little does she know, 3rd Prince does not have a good relationship with Feng Xi.  Dong Yue is immediately escorted out. All while shouting like a mad woman, "It will snow tonight!"

Night falls, and the 3rd Prince is waiting at the top of an arched bridge.  He sees Dong Yue sitting on the bridge, just below the highest point of the arch, looking exceedingly frustrated.  He approaches her, and points out that she isn't a local.

With a facial expression that screams "No shit, Sherlock," she says, "You have a sharp eye."

3rd Prince purchases two steamed cakes for her, as he notices Dong Yue appears to be hungry.  She says she has something important to do, and can't repay the Prince for his kindness, so she hands him her umbrella to reciprocate.  He tells her it isn't necessary, but she insists it's going to snow soon.  3rd Prince thinks she's crazy, as it's the middle of July.  He insists on knowing her name so he can return the umbrella later on.  (Keep in mind, she's still disguised as a man, and he's assuming she's male).  She tells him her name is Dong Yue (remember, her actual name is Wen Xin), but feels weird about it, as that's the name Feng Xi gave her, and her situation with him is not going well at all.  She is sure she won't see the Third Prince again, and insists he keep the umbrella.  She smiles and walks away, while he's left rather curious about the mystery "man."  He examines the umbrella, opens it up, and notices the partially written poem.  He contemplates what to add to complete it, and it begins to snow.  He holds his hand out, catching the flakes because he cannot believe what he is seeing.

Dong Yue is found the following morning (still disguised as a man) sleeping outside the gates of Taishi Bureau by Lu Chuan.  Lu Chuan is the author of the books containing the latest gossip within the capitol, but he works his day job as an Historian.  He is happy to see her, and he presents her a job offer.  She is surprised to learn the Third Prince recommended her due to the weather prediction being correct.  Lu Chuan returns her umbrella.  She opens it up and sees the prince has written: "A boat gives the moon a ride."  She smiles.

She is issued her historian's attire, and she immediately goes to the Prince, apologizing for her rudeness on the bridge.  He basically lets her know that her hunger wasn't rudeness.  He explains the offer was extended to her due to her talent. He is curious about how she knows Feng Xi, but she lies and says she just found his jade ID badge lying around, and she uses it to her advantage.  It rains, and the 3rd Prince asks if he can borrow her umbrella again...