American Perspectives: Feng Xi's Proposal ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 24)

 

At the end of Episode 23, Yu Rou is back, once again, Madam of the Feng Manor, but the vibe is completely different.  She knows she's managing the household, and the signals Feng Xi is emitting makes it clear that romance is off limits.

Dong Yue is not managing the manor because she works outside the manor, and she has the ability to go to battle.  Managing a household in addition to her responsibilities would be a bit too much.  Therefore, Dong Yue has no concerns about Yu Rou's position.  Lines are clearly drawn and in place.  Hierarchy is clearly stated and not disrupted.

 

Dong Yue and Feng Xi are walking through the Feng Manor garden, which is undergoing some extensive rennovations.  Dong Yue asks what is going on.

"To make you feel more comfortable, I've made some modifications to this place," Feng Xi explains.  Even though Yu Rou is the Madam of the Manor, he wants to make sure it is clearly indicated that the Manor is his and Dong Yue's.  "This place is named Moon Garden," he adds.

Dong Yue looks around, enjoying the changes. She smiles. "There's really a Moon Garden?"

"If I say there is, there definitely is."

Dong Yue is extremely happy.

"All these years," Feng Xi continues, "Yu Rou was always the mistress of this houses.  You both have unique temperaments.  Her arrangement is naturally not what you want."

"I'm not that petty," insists Dong Yue.

Feng Xi laughs.  "Making it to this day really wasn't easy." He holds her hand, and they walk through the Moon Garden.  "I don't want any people or any matters to cause you to have thorns in your heart."

They stand next to a cherry blossom tree and a beautiful pond filled with lotuses. "So the first thing you did after coming back was planning this, wasn't it?" Dong Yue asks.

Feng Xi smiles proudly.  "The original plans of the Moon Garden's rennovation and construction, were all done by myself.  Everything is decorated according to your taste.  I'm doing this for my beautiful woman in my family, so I won't hesitate to pay for this."

"Then why didn't you tell me earlier?" asks Dong Yue.

Feng Xi smiles sweetly.  "I intially wanted to finish building it before telling you. I can't detach myself from the outside world to promise you the moon.  I can only enjoy moments of peace here.  It will let me forget about Lu Yuantong." He holds up her white jade flute, "And this jade flute...to think only that you are Young Lady Yue  and I am Young Master Xi." The two are happy to finally have a better future.

 

Later that evening, Dao Le is on his way out of the manor to do some work for Feng Xi.  He sees Zi Yuan.

She asks if he's packed everything, and not to forget anything.

He tells her not to worry.

Zi Yuan smiles.

Dao Le reaches into his bag and pulls out two red cords loosely braided together, and held in place by a silver bead.  "Do you like it?" he asks. "I braided two strings together.  One thread is your good luck, and the other is mine. Whenever I'm not here, it will protect you for me.  I'm not good at braiding these, so maybe it was done a little ugly."  He looks at the cords self consciously.

She takes it from his palm and smiles brightly. "I like it a lot."

"Really? I was still worried that you wouldn't like it.  Then that's great!"

Zi Yuan is looking over Dao Le's creation, and admiring it.

"Then...I'll get going," Dao Le says nervously.

Zi Yuan looks at him and sighs.  She doesn't want him to leave.  "You should take care," she says sadly.  As he leaves, she runs after him, and puts her arms around him from the back.  He stops, and enjoys her embrace.

"Remember to send me a letter from every place you go," says Zi Yuan.  "I will miss you. You have to miss me."

He puts his hand over hers.  "I promise you." He turns around and kisses her on the forehead.

"All right, you should go," says Zi Yuan.

"I will surely bome back early." He leaves, for real this time, happy that his feelings for Zi Yuan are mutual.

 

3rd Prince learns from Lu Chuan's weekly gossip book that Feng Xi and Dong Yue are getting increasingly close.  Disappointed would be an understatement.  He had hoped with the over the top scheme surrounding Feng Xi's promotion, Dong Yue would finally call it quits.

 

Feng Xi and Dong Yue arrive in the market by horse drawn carriage.  He helps her step down, and they are both looking radiant.  They look over the large lake in the market, and he tells her the new Minister of Rites is a bit uptight.  "He demands to discuss the Rites of Sacrifices with me.  Wait for me.  I'll meet with him."

"You know I want to eat steamed cakes, right?" asks Dong Yue.

Feng Xi smiles, his adoration of her is obvious, and enviable.

"Are you a devil?" she asks.

"If you think about someone everyday, analyzing her scowls and smiles, then naturally, you'd understand her better than others." Feng Xi replies.

Dong Yue smiles self consciously.

"I knew you'd like to hear this kind of talk," Feng Xi adds.  "I still have a basket of words I'm waiting to say to you."

She hits him playfully on the chest.  "Hey, Feng Xi."

"All right, I'll go and come back soon."

As Dong Yue is about to go looking around the market, Feng Xi stops her.  He takes off his black cloak and puts it on her.  She smiles, and then goes into the market.

While she's ordering some steamed cake, 3rd Prince is right behind her.  She is surprised to see him.  She bows, but feels a bit awkward, as he seems to be scrutinizing her.

"Why are you by yourself?" 3rd Prince asks, somewhat judgementally.

"I--" Dong Yue stutters.

"Young Lady, your steamed cake is ready," Dong Yue welcomes the interruption, and takes her food.

3rd Prince is staring at Feng Xi's cloak on Dong Yue.  The cook breaks his train of thought. "Young Master?"

3rd Prince is startled, but he graciously takes his steamed cake.

"He has some things he's busy with, so he'll find me later," Dong Yue quickly explains, though it's really none of 3rd Prince's business.

"Really? Then I'll get going."  3rd Prince says awkwardly. "It won't look good if he sees me avoiding him."

"He's not that kind of person," Dong Yue insists. "It does look like it's about to rain.  It will still be good if you head back soon."

"No problem, I have an umbrella," says 3rd Prince.  It also happens to be the umbrella Dong Yue had given him.

"This umbrella, are you still carrying it?" she asks.

"I'm used to it."

It begins to thunder, and a rainbow shine through the rain.  They stand under the canopy, and he tells her than Wen Xin misses her.  Dong Yue promises to see her in a few days.  The situation between 3rd Prince and Dong Yue is painfully awkward, but they are waiting for the rain to stop.

She bows to him.  "Your Highness, I'm done eating, so I'll go back first."

3rd Prince runs after her with the umbrella. "You should take this umbrella."

She reminds him that because of her Lotus body, water heals her, and she insists he keep it.  It's also not the best idea, as an unavailable woman, to accept a gift from a man who has a crush on her.

Feng Xi sees them, but they don't see him.  3rd Prince continues to insist.  Dong Yue continues to move away.  He insists again, so she puts her hand on the umbrella handle, and he puts his hand over hers.  She is furious, and she tears her hand away, causing the umbrella to fall.

"I said that I don't need it!" she says sternly, quite livid.  The umbrella falls to the ground, and gets torn in the process.

"So it seems you really dislike this umbrella so much?" says the 3rd Prince, trying to make her reaction seem irrational, even though he knows damn well it isn't about the umbrella.

"Since I already chose to follow Feng Xi," thinks Dong Yue, "I shouldn't give him any hope." She coldly walks away from him.

3rd Prince is looking dejected, but there are some lines that aren't meant to be crossed, and when a woman says "no" nicely the first time, listen.  She really doesn't want to be mean.  But when she's nice, men don't hear "no." They hear "Convince me."

Dong Yue finds Feng Xi. "You are so wet," he observes with care and concern. Her dries her face with a handkerchief.  "Looking carefully, a hibiscus emerging from clear waters is still extremely beautiful."

"You are the only person--" Dong Yue begins.

"What kind of person am I?" Feng Xi interrupts.

"Why aren't you asking about what just happened?"

He smiles at her. "If you don't want to tell, there's also no need for me to ask.  Let's go." She smiles at him, and they get ready to head back to Feng Manor.

 

It's late at night, and Dong Yue sees Feng Xi galloping away on his horse. So, she decides to mount up, and stealthily follow after.  He is waiting on a narrow walk way above the city.  Dong Yue carefully approaches him.  "Feng Xi?" He smiles, and she walks closer. "You have been so secretive for the past few days.  What are you planning?" 

"Naturally, it's something big," he replies cryptically.

"Whom are you plotting against now?"

Feng Xi laughs.

"Is it the 3rd Prince or Left Prime Minister?" Dong Yue inquires anxiously.

"Of course, it's more important than these people," Feng Xi replies.

"There's an even more important one?" Dong Yue asks incredulously.

Feng Xi nods. "Yes.  What I want the most tonight is my promise to that most important person of mine."

She looks at him quizzically, and then turns around to see many lanterns floating upward. "What are these? I clearly saw Lu Chuan and Zi Yuan cutting bamboo and making kerosene.  There was also a scent of sulfate nitrate.  Weren't they making weapons?"

Feng Xi looks surprised.  "Weapons?" He laughs.  "You're not wrong, either.  Someone who's easy to defend and difficult to attack makes me think hard." He looks at her.

"You..."

Feng Xi tilts his head toward the lanterns.  Fireworks begin to burst in the sky.  Dong Yue smiles brightly.

Feng Xi is pleased that he made her so happy with his surprise.

"Is this the important task you mentioned?" Dong Yue asks.

Feng Xi holds her hands.  "Yes.  With Heaven and Earth as witness, they Sun and Moon as intermediaries, I, Feng Xi, ask Dong Yue to be my wife.  I will protect you forever."

"I planned to consider this," says Dong Yue.

"I know there are doubts in your heart.  I, Feng Xi, swear to heaven.  My love for you is totally sincere."

"Uncle!" shouts Dao Le from below.  "We are tired.  Did you succeed?"

Dong Yue is a bit surprised.

"All right, all right, I'll be done soon," Feng Xi calls back.

"Older sister Dong Yue," yells Zi Yuan from below, "say yes to the Prime Minister now!"

"Dong Yue," says Feng Xi.  "If you don't say yes to me, my reputation in this lifetime will be ruined."

Dong Yue laughs.  "Yes," she agrees.  "I promise you."

"Really?" He moves closer to her.

"You set an inescapable net," says Dong Yue.  "Will I still be able to escape?"

"Yes," says Feng Xi.  "In heaven, and on earth, you are my Dong Yue."

"You are my Feng Xi, too."

"That's right!" From now on, we, husband and wife as one, through mountains of daggers and seas of fire, no matter where we are, we will never separate."

"Yes," says Dong Yue.  "We'll never separate from each other."

They embrace.  They watch the lanterns and fireworks, and she rests her head on his shoulder.