American Perspectives: Dong Yue resists Feng Xi's Connection ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 30)

 

Dong Yue is skulking around the Lu Manor, knowing that Lu Yuantong has something important.  She regrets not assassinating him when she had the chance.  She unexpectedly sees the Left Prime Minister at the Lu Manor, and wonders why he's there.

She notices that Left Prime Minister is leaving in 3rd Prince's carriage.  She wonders what the hell is going on, as it is completely out of character for 3rd Prince to associate with people like the Left Prime Minister.  Or so she thought.  She can't believe that 3rd Prince could possibly be involved in something like this.

 

Feng Xi is at his manor, getting ready to meet up with Lu Yuantong's son, Lu Zhengming.  Dao Le is not comfortable with the arrangement, and insists on going with Feng Xi.

Feng Xi refuses, telling him that he must go alone if he doesn't want to raise Lu Zhengming and Lu Yuantong's suspicions.  He instructs Dao Le to stay at home and wait.

Lu Zhengming and Feng Xi meet up at Thousand Autumn Gate outside the city.  Lu Zhengming is on horseback, surrounded by servants and guards on foot.

They bow to each other.

The important item that Dong Yue speculates Lu Yuantong must have is the Ming surrender document.  Lu Zhengming informs Feng Xi that he has it.  He carefully pulls it out of a bag that is attached to his saddle.  It's in a small, red, wooden box.

Feng Xi opens the box to verify, and sure enough, there it is.  His emotions upon seeing the Ming Surrender Document are mixed.  He slowly closes the box.

"I didn't expect Duke Lu to be so capable," says Feng Xi.  "He indeed has great foresight.  I'm already assured, and will give him my full support."

"Good!" exclaims Lu Zhengming.  "However, this item, My Lord, you should return it to me."

Feng Xi forces a smile. "Sure." Before he can hand it back, the Eagle Assassins (a group that works for Left Prime Minister), descend upon them.  He hides the box containing the Ming Surrender Document in his Hanfu.

The Assassins begin to attack mercilessly.

"Who are you?" shouts Lu Zhengming. "I'm Dingyuan's--"

Feng Xi immediately covers his mouth.  "You are secretly here at the capitol," he whispers sharply.

"About that...what should we do?" asks Lu Zhengming.

Feng Xi draws his sword and steps forward. "Commander Chi, what a great battle formation today!" He says to Zang Fei.

"Prime Minister Feng wasn't at the scene when the ordnance was hijacked," responds Zang Fei. "Attack!"

Feng Xi runs to the assassins.

Out of fear and desperation, Lu Zhengming shouts: "Feng Xi is holding the surrender document.  Kill him instead!"

Feng Xi is kicking away the attackers who are quickly descending upon him.  He successfully blocks Zang Fei, who has been itching to kill Feng Xi since Day 1.  Feng Xi is surrounded, but still, he successfully fights.

Lu Zhengming gets sliced across the chest.

Feng Xi kicks Zang Fei away, knocking him on his back.

Lu Zhengming keeps getting attacked.  Feng Xi notices.  "This is bad!" he thinks. "They want Lu Zhengming to die." As he notices the attackers keep making cuts all over Lu Zhengming's body.  Feng Xi kicks a large rock at the next person trying to attack Lu Zhengming, which successfully blocks the attacker. He holds Zhengming in his arms while Zang Fei and the other attackers move in on him.

 

Dong Yue has stolen 3rd Prince's carriage from the attackers.  She is trying to get to Feng Xi as quickly as she can.  Even though he still doesn't remember her, she isn't going to abandon him.  She throws an explosive at Zang Fei and the Eagle Assassins.  They try to avoid it, but it explodes closely to them. She stops in front of Feng Xi. "Get in now!" she demands.

"It's you?" he asks.

The Eagle Assassins struggle to get up.  They're coughing, trying to clear away the smoke.  It's too late.

Feng Xi and Lu Zhengming,  have already been loaded up in 3rd Prince's carriage, and Dong Yue is taking them home.

Left Prime Minister and Lu Kang (the escort guard of Lu Zhengming) are at the Royal Wind Pavilion, meeting with 3rd Prince.  He is expecting good news.

Left Prime Minister smiles. "I brought you concrete evidence, which can topple Feng Xi."

"What evidence?" asks 3rd Prince.

Left Prime Minister gestures to Lu Kang.

"Greetings, Your Highness," says Lu Kang.

"This is the escort guard of Lu Yuantong's son, Lu Zhengming," explains Left Prime Minister.  "He can prove that Feng Xi committed a case of murder today."

3rd Prince looks at them, he then looks at the Emperor.  "Royal Father, Right Prime Minister and the Duke of Dingyuan, under the pretense of illness, tricked the son of Lu Yuantong to come to the capitol with the intent to rebel."

"However, his son is not allowed to enter the capitol," counters the Emperor. "Where did you hear this?"

3rd Prince looks at Lu Kang, who is kneeling. "Lu Kang, the escort guard of Duke Lu, personally witnessed this.  Lu Kang, speak now."

"Your majesty, although my heir apparent loves to visit prostitutes, when it comes to righteousness, it is absolutely unambiguous.  From the start, he strongly declined.  However, I didn't expect Feng Xi wanted to silence him.  Hence, they fought with each other at the Thousand Autumn Gate," Lu Kang lied.

"The capitol's officials investigated and confirmed there was a fight at the Thousand Autumn Gate," adds 3rd Prince. "Hence, I dared to report this to you."

"Where are Feng Xi and the son of Lu Yuantong, then?" asks the Emperor.

"My heir apparent was gravely injured by Feng Xi," lies Lu Kang. "His whereabouts are unknown now. As for this villian, Feng Xi, knowing that he was exposed, he fled to escape punishment."

"Is every single word you said true?" asks Emperor.

"I'm willing to stake my life on this," Lu Kang insists. "Your Majesty, please decide for my heir apparent."

Emperor suspects he is being lied to. "Xin Yao," he says to 3rd Prince, "what do you think of this?"

"The son of Duke Lu is so precious to him," replies 3rd Prince.  "Feng Xi is also the biological sibling of Noble Consort Feng.  Many matters are involved, so I dare not act arbitrarily." He bows to Emperor.

"Relay my decree to arrest Feng Xi," says Emperor.  "And find the son of Duke Lu."

"Yes." 3rd Prince bows.

 

Both Feng Xi and Lu Zhengming are with Dong Yue. They are camped out in the middle of the night.

"I applied medicine to him, so it will protect his heart for the time being," says Dong Yue.

Feng Xi is tending the fire.

"It's difficult to travel at night, let's stay here until daybreak," says Dong Yue.  She sits next to him.

"You saved me in time," says Feng Xi. "I will always remember this." He smiles at her.

"You appreciated my flowers, and voted for me at the Flower Convention; thus, saved me from embarassment. Just consider this as repayment."

Feng Xi laughs.  "Miss, can you tell me your name?"

Dong Yue pauses. "We met only by chance.  Prime Minister, is there a need to be obsessed with names?"

"I know you have your difficulties," says Feng Xi. "Also, there's a misunderstanding between me and 3rd Prince.  If you don't want to tell me, I won't ask again."

"The 3rd Prince?  I think you misunderstood.  We are only good buddies," Dong Yue clarifies.

"It seems that I'm a villain. Then why won't you tell me your real name?"

Dong Yue pauses.  "Just call me Zhao Lu, then."

"Zhao Lu?" He suspects she's lying. "The Thousand Autumn Gate is off the paved track, why did you appear there?"

"Prime Minister, you are injured, too.  Talk less and rest more.  I promise you, if we can make it back alive to the capitol, I will tell you everything"

"She's evading it," he's thinking to himself. "She must be hiding something."

"All right," he says out loud.

He falls asleep while she begins to watch over the camp.  She has a lot on her mind.  She must still protect Feng Xi, but she doesn't know if she wants to begin a relationship with him again.  She watches him roll over to his side, uncovering the red box with the Ming Surrender document.  She picks it up to take a look.  He hears her and opens his eyes. "You keep thinking about this," Dong Yue thinks. "Is this it?" She decides against opening the box, and puts it down.  Feng Xi closes his eyes, and goes back to sleep.

The Eagle Assassins can be heard running in the forest.  Feng Xi immediately springs awake.  He holds the red box to his chest.

"They've caught up with us," so we should leave now," says Dong Yue.

"It's really uncomfortable to be tracked by them, I must put a stop to this," says Feng Xi.

As the Eagle Assassins, led by Zang Fei, get closer to the camp, they slow down and move stealthily.

"Check out the carriage," says Zang Fei.  They quickly move closer.  They pull back the curtains, no one is there.  They look under the carriage, they study their surroundings.

"No one's there," one of the assassins reports.

"I understand," says Zang Fei.

3 explosives are sent rolling into the group of Eagle Assassins. Zang Fei looks down at the explosives, and quickly realizes what they are. "Quickly escape!" he yells.

It's too late. The Eagle Assassins and Zang Fei die on impact.

Left Prime Minister and his men find the corpses.  He is horrified, as he thought Zang Fei and his assassins were ultimately unbeatable. Looking at Zang Fei's body, he begins to cry. "Feng Xi!" He growls.  "I must smash your body into thousands of pieces!"

The following day, Feng Xi and Dong Yue recover the cart ad arrive at the home of Master Qin.  He is surprised to see Feng Xi.

"So strange," thinks Dong Yue.  "Why is Yang Qin so respectful towards Feng Xi?"

"Isn't this young lady," asks Yang Qin.

Dong Yue bows quickly before he can finish the sentence. "Hello sir, I'm Zhao Lu."

Yang Qin looks confused. "Ah, Hello Miss Zhao Lu."

"I came from afar," says Feng Xi. "Sorry to disturb you and disrupt your peace."

"My Lord, what are you saying?" asks Yang Qin. "You saved my life."

"I'm here, other than to stay temporarily for a few days, I still have another request," says Feng Xi.

"My Lord, please ask."

"I remember you said that you had a distant relative who could use herbs to treat all kinds of sickness.  After the Yang family had an accident, he moved in to stay with you."

"Are you referring to my younger brother, Yang Kui? What a coincidence!  He's researching herbs in the house now."

"That's great!" says Feng Xi.

Yang Kui is examining Lu Zhengming on the bed.  He's looking very battered, bruised and unconscious.

"My Lord, don't you worry, my younger brother, Yang Kui, has excellent medical skills," says Yang Qin. "If he can't save Duke Lu's son, I fear no one else can."

Feng Xi walks up to the bed, and inquires about Lu Zhengming's condition.

Yang Kui tells him he can stay alive, but recovery will take a long time.

Feng Xi acknowledges the difficulty and thanks Yang Kui for his help.

Feng Xi is having tea with Yang Kui, and he decides to ask, "Master Kui, have you heard of this strange illness that you forget a specific person?"

Yang Kui puts down the tea kettle. "Why would you forget that person?"

"It's just that he didn't lose the rest of his memories," responds Feng Xi. "He only lost his memories of that certain person."

"Certain people, when they have severe head injuries, or after a grave illness, they will forget certain things, but never a specific person.  It seems that I never heard of this."

Feng Xi sighs.  "It's definitely unheard of and difficult to believe."

Yang Kui offers to let Feng Xi leave Lu Zhengming with him, as it will be hard to travel quickly and escape any more Eagle Assassins with someone who is seriously injured.  Feng Xi agrees.

Dong Yue is washing her hands in the gold wash basin.  Feng Xi brings her some bedding.

"Master Kui wants me to deliver this to you," says Feng Xi.

"Thank you," she says, taking the bedding from him.

He notices her broken pendant on the table.  He picks it up.  "Why is there a Xi character on this jade token?" he thinks.

She immediately snatches it from him before he can examine it further.

"Are you thinking of someone who left you again?" asks Feng Xi.

"Humans are not grasses and trees.  They have thoughts and feelings.  I still remember this occasionally," snaps Dong Yue.

"That's right.  Hence, you glued back this broken jade. Will I ever get the opportunity to meet the owner of this jade token?"

"Why do you want to meet him?" asks Dong Yue.

"I would like to see what kind of person he is, who could even abandon you...and also what kind of person he is, whom you can't forget, as well."

"You will never meet him," says Dong Yue.

"That's right, I shouldn't care about him.  It's because one day, I'll make you forget him."

"Prime Minister, were you always that confident?"

"Isn't it good to have self confidence?" asks Feng Xi.

"I'm going to sleep," Dong Yue changes the subject.  "You should leave."

He laughs and leaves her room.

Dong Yue has a morning chat with Yang Qin.  She reminds him to call her Zhao Lu, instead of Dong Yue.

He doesn't understand why, but she tells him not to pursue the matter further. He promises not to expose her.

Feng Xi joins them and lets them know that Yang Kui will be taking care of Lu Zhengming.

Guards are already at the gate, ready to bust in and arrest Feng Xi and Dong Yue.

Yang Qin directs Feng Xi and Dong Yue to a hiding spot in the vegetable cellar.

Yang Qin goes outside to greet the officials.

They inquire about Feng Xi, Dong Yue, and Lu Zhengming.

Yang Qin feigns ignorance.  The officials push past him, and search his home.

Feng Xi and Dong Yue are in the cellar, holding each other closely.  The search going on above them is unsuccessful.  Dong Yue and Feng Xi are looking into each other's eyes.

"There's a crisis out there, but I don't want them to leave," Dong Yue thinks. "Feng Xi and I can stay here, and time could stop here."

Feng Xi thinks to himself, "Why is it that even though Zhao Lu and I are strangers, I feel so close to her?" He moves in to kiss her, but quickly decides against it.

The officials move outside to search.

Feng Xi and Dong Yue are completely alone in the cellar.  They exit the cellar, and Feng Xi holds her while she catches her breath. Dong Yue turns away from him.

Feng Xi smiles. "This group of men just searched this place, they probably won't be back.  We can recuperate here."

 

That night, while trying to sleep, Feng Xi hears Dong Yue's jade flute. She is playing it on the deck over the pond.  He watches her, feeling something eerily familiar. He leaves his room to join her.  He stands beside her, and she stops playing. She self consciously puts her flute down.

"Have you not slept yet?" She asks Feng Xi.

"I can't sleep. This tune sounds very nice.  What's the title?"

"What Night is Tonight," answers Dong Yue with a smile.

"What Night Is Tonight," Feng Xi says thoughtfully. "To see a lover?"

She smiles at him. "Yes.  However, there's always a full moon, so it's hard to meet this beloved person."

"Are you thinking about the owner of the jade token again?" Asks Feng Xi.

Feng Xi thinks to himself, "It's because when you think of him, you have a melancholy expression."

"I wonder in your lifetime, if you have ever met a beloved whom you can't forget?" asks Dong Yue.

"I feel that, in this lifetime, I already met that person.  However, I can't remember. It's just like this tune, it sounds very familiar.  I seem to have heard it before."

"Do you remember where and when it was?"

"I don't remember," says Feng Xi.  "It was probably just in a dream."

"Yes, I'm afraid of meeting in a dream. Just regard it as though we were in a dream.  Let me play it for you again, then."

"Sure!"

She smiles, picks up her flute, and begins to play.

 

Feng Xi is out on the porch sweeping.  Dong Yue asks if his injured hand is better, and he confirms that it is.

"Let's sweep together." She puts her hands over his, and helps him sweep the plum blossoms off the deck.

"I don't know why I keep feeling that I knew her in the past. Perhaps it was fate in our previous lives," Feng Xi thinks.

Feng Xi asks Dong Yue how she knows Yang Qin, and how she knew to find him at the Thousand Autumn Gate.  She continues to feign ignorance.

He doesn't believe any of it was a coincidence.

Dong Yue walks away from him.  She isn't ready to let go.  She isn't ready to try another relationship with him.

 

Yang Qin is sitting at the memorial shrine for his wife, Yang Liu. He is burning incense and making offerings.

Dong Yue approaches him.  She thinks he killed his wife for Feng Xi's benefit. She doesn't understand why he is paying his respects.

He explains to her that dying was his wife's final wish, as she was very ill.  She had a bad hemorrhage while pregnant, that couldn't be treated. She requested that Feng Xi help her die.  Feng Xi didn't agree to it at first, but eventually conceded.

Dong Yue feels regret for the things she said to Feng Xi after the investigation. "It turns out that I have misunderstood you," she thinks.

Dong Yue sees an Eagle circling the sky.  It could only mean one thing: they are being spied on by the Eagle Assassins.  She and Feng Xi choose to leave so they don't bring any more danger on the Yang household.

"Don't worry, as long as you follow me, there will always be a place to stay," says Feng Xi.

 

"Twisted Fate of Love" can be watched on Viki or Youtube. Dialogue adapted from English subtitle translation by "A Twisted Love Team at Viki.com"