American Perspectives: Dong Yue becomes New Madam of the Manor ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 19)

 

Feng Xi is stripped of his position as Minister of Rites, and is released from Prison with some conditions.  He can't have another political office, he must leave the capitol, and if he returns, he will be killed.  He is not feeling great in light of Consort Feng's death, and he is sitting under the tree at his manor, drinking.  Dao Le takes a seat beside him to offer empathy and a listening ear.

Feng Xi asks Dao Le if he has dismissed everyone in the manor.  

Dao Le confirms.  Feng Xi takes another drink.  His face looking haggard, rugged, and unshaven.  He tells Dao Le that anyone who stays in the manor may be in a dangerous situation for being associated with him.  He says that only Dao Le and Zi Yuan are allowed to stay.

"What about older sister Dong Yue?" Dao Le asks.

Feng Xi takes a drink, pausing before he answers.  Dong Yue is behind them, several feet away.  Dao Le notices her first.  She admonishes Feng Xi about not eating, being filled with self pity, and drowning himself in wine.  She tells him this isn't the Feng Xi she knows.

He confirms he's no longer the Feng Xi from before.  He's just a commoner now, with nothing to rely on.  He is expecting his home to be confiscated in a few days.  Dong Yue sits down beside him.  She reminds him that Consort Feng died to protect him.  That she wouldn't be happy with seeing him depressed and falling apart.

Dong Yue takes away his bottle of wine before he can take another drink.  She says she'll drink with him.

Zi Yuan is packing up when Dao Le enters her room.  He wants to know if she's leaving, as well.  She explains that Feng Xi wants her to stay in the city and listen to his instructions.  She tells him Feng Xi arranged for her to get in touch with Lu Chuan.  Dao Le doesn't like that at all.  She tells him to take it up with Feng Xi if he doesn't like it.  She asks where Dao Le is going next.  He says he's going to stay in the army for awhile.

Zi Yuan doesn't anticipate anything bad happening to Feng Xi, and that she'll be waiting for Dao Le.  That, he is happy to hear.  She asks if he's wearing the safety charm she gave him.  He shows it to her.  Because it used to be her younger brother's, she replaces it with a new one, specifically designed for him.  He mildly protests as she walks away, wondering why she replaced it.  She whispers, out of range so he can't hear, "It's because I no longer see you as a younger brother."

 

In Feng Xi's main hall, he is formally dismissing staff, one by one.  They bow to show respect before leaving.

Yu Rou is standing nearby, but not too close.  She looks at Feng Xi, who doesn't even notice her.  She walks in front of his table, and kneels.  He looks at her, asking why she isn't leaving.

Even though she was never formally given the title of "Madam," because everyone acknowledged her as such, she insists on staying. Feng Xi makes it clear that he doesn't want her to stay, and if she does, it will be a position of significantly lower status.  She says she'll do anything.

"Fine," says Feng Xi.  "Dong Yue is the Madam of the Feng Manor now."

Dreams crushed for Yu Rou.

"Just as you wish, you can be her maid who does menial work," Feng Xi continues. "Serve her well."  Not the response Yu Rou wanted, but the response she has to work with.  After being known as Feng Xi's concubine for a number of years, her options are extremely limited.  The probability of marrying someone of a higher rank is next to nill.  The probability of being taken as a concubine by someone else is also next to nill.  The likelihood of going into prostitution is extremely high.  So, of course she's willing to be Dong Yue's maid, but since the women's hierarchy has been disrupted, Dong Yue will need to prepare to watch her back.  Yu Rou isn't going to let go that easily.