American Perspectives: Dong Yue and Feng Xi ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 9)

Ming Zhu is in the prison, being tortured, as she's voluntarily taking the punishment for Dong Yue's assassination attempt.  Dong Yue enters the prison, in a new position as an investigator, wearing a red official robe.  She demands to have Ming Zhu released.  Her authority is questioned, so she whips out her badge, states her position, and demand they release Ming Zhu.  Lord Yan, who is the one torturing Ming Zhu, complies.

Dong Yue questions their methodology as Ming Zhu has already confessed.  She inquires if it's because they want Ming Zhu to retract her testimony.  Lord Yan vehemently denies it.  Dong Yue then tells the guards to put Lord Yan on a rack and torture him, as she intends to question him thoroughly.

Dong Yue picks up a whip, walks to him, but then drops it after he begs her not to use it.  Instead, she reaches for a poker that has been sitting in the fire.  She moves it close to his face, and he passes out.  Evidently, he cannot handle the punishments he inflicts on others.

Dong Yue offers Ming Zhu some water to drink.  Ming Zhu can't believe Dong Yue is helping her, especially after the betrayal.  She decided to be the scapegoat and take the punishment in Dong Yue's place because she wanted to pay her back.  Ming Zhu apologizes profusely.  

Dong Yue promises that she won't let Ming Zhu die.

In the Feng Manor, Dong Yue approaches Feng Xi, wearing a full women's Hanfu.  Feng Xi is momentarily struck by her beautiful appearance.  He already knows why she's there, and he asks if she's wanting him to save Ming Zhu.  He wants to know why she didn't ask Third Prince, since she chose to stay at the Wind Pavilion, instead of Feng Manor.  She replies that it's because the Third Prince stays out of state affairs and politics.  Feng Xi then wants to know what he would get out of it for helping.  Because he saved her, Dong Yue assumed he'd have a plan to save Ming Zhu.

Feng Xi laughs.  He isn't sure if she's complimenting him or mocking him.  She lets him know that as long as he's willing to help save Ming Zhu, she'll do anything he wants.

He says he won't ask her to do anything, but because of the incident at Lu Yuantong's home, she is publicly known as being Feng Xi's woman.  To help her take care of something, he says it shouldn't have any terms or conditions.  Dong Yue feels very uncomfortable about this, as her feelings toward Feng Xi are ones of love-hate.  He moves toward her to kiss her, but she turns away, so he makes it seem like he was reaching for a jar of ointment instead.  He asks if the wound on her chest has healed.

Dong Yue is very uncomfortable with the question.  He assures her not to misunderstand, he just wants to help her.  She says that the wound is better, and he asks her to go on a walk with him.  To keep Duke An and Left Prime Minister from suspecting them of the assassination, they have to pretend to be in a relationship.  She reluctantly follows after him.  He offers to hold her hand while they walk around in the market, but she refuses.  While she's looking at the different booths, he finds her an umbrella. He raises the umbrella over them,  takes her arm, and she recoils.  He explains that her body is made entirely of water, opposing to the sun and fire.  He worked so hard to save her, how could he let her get hurt so easily.  He pulls her closer and explains they are being watched.  Because they are standing close together, people won't question their relationship. 

Third Prince is watching them from the balcony, and he's not happy. "There are some things in life you cannot force," he tells his personal guard, Qingxiao, who wants to disrupt Feng Xi's moment and bring Dong Yue over.

Feng Xi and Dong Yue go to the shadow puppet theater.  It's sold out, so Feng Xi offers to rent the entire venue.  The other patrons aren't pleased.  Dong Yue is embarassed.  The other patrons are escorted out, and Dong Yue and Feng Xi take a seat.

While watching, Dong Yue is reminded of her relationship with her immortal lover, Er Yu.  She falls asleep on Feng Xi's shoulder, but wakes up feeling embarassed.

Because Feng Xi has conspired against so many people, she questions his sincerity towards her.  He explains that he conspires against others to protect himself, and if he can't protect himself, the sincerity is worthless.

Dong Yue doesn't believe him.  He lets it go, and they continue to watch the shadow puppets.  He wonders internally if she will every recognize his sincerity.