American Perspectives: It's Getting Complicated ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 38)

 

Feng Xi is embracing Dong Yue tightly.  His heart is bursting with profound love as she changed time to save him.  She absolutely could not watch him die.

"Don't you want to know how you died?" asks Dong Yue.

"No need," says Feng Xi.  "I must have died for you.  Promise me that if you have to die, don't do it to save me."

"There won't be a next time," says Dong Yue.  "The jade flute's spiritual power is already exhausted.  It won't ever happen again."

"Then in the future, we must rely on ourselves," says Feng Xi.

"I'm not afraid," says Dong Yue.  "Having you stay with me is enough."

Feng Xi sees a dark brown wooden box on his desk.  "This is..."

"I asked subordinates to clean out Yu Rou's things.  She was so pitiful in her life.  Now, we should send her off decently."

Feng Xi and Dong Yue sit down to look through Yu Rou's belongings.  Feng Xi unfurls the portrait of him and Yu Rou. "Before she died, she told me to store this painting well," says Feng Xi.

"I was wrong to neglect it," says Dong Yue.

Feng Xi shakes his head.  He removes the rod from the painting, as something about Yu Rou's last words aroused suspicion.  He shakes the painting, and out falls the Imperial Jade seal.  He studies the seal closely, incredulous that it hasn't been lost, discarded, or in the wrong hands.

"Even when she was about to die, she was still so considerate of you," says Dong Yue.

Feng Xi's eyes get teary.

"Your Highness, Crown Prince, please!" their moment is interrupted.  Feng Xi hides the seal in his hanfu sleeve.

Dong Yue and Feng Xi rise from their seats, and acknowledge the 3rd Prince.

"Dong Yue, how is your injury?" asks 3rd Prince.

"It's much better."

He hands her a small green jade jar of medicine.  "Take this medicine.  Your injury will heal faster."

Dong Yue politely accepts. "Thank you, Your Highness." She pauses. "Your Highness, Feng Xi was forced by Lu Yuantong to do what happened today.  I would ask you to..." she trails off.

3rd Prince pauses, he looks at Feng Xi. "Feng Xi, we must discuss."

Feng Xi's eyes are red from all the moments he cried that day.  Feng Xi and 3rd Prince go out to the patio over the pond.  They are playing a round of Go/Chess.

"Do you still remember when we studied in the palace?" asks 3rd Prince. "We would often play chess in our free time."

"Your Highness' chess skills have improved a lot since childhood," says Feng Xi.

3rd Prince smiles. "My chess skills were always better than yours. It's just that you were always stealing moves and scheming.  You would take advantage of my diverted attention and switch the placement of the pieces."

"Then, Your Highness," says Feng Xi, "please take a look! Did I switch any this time?"

3rd Prince takes a look at the black and white pieces on the red board and laughs.  "I didn't expect you to be so good, purposefully creating a draw."

Feng Xi looks down and smiles. "Isn't that the reason you came?"

"It looks like I truly misunderstood you," says 3rd Prince.

"Not necessarily!" Says Feng Xi.  "Ever since childhood, I had a bad habit of switching chess pieces."

"I was talking about the issue with Wen Ye. I also found out Wen Ye was killed by Fang Yuan.  How the surrender document was ruined by him.  Fang Yuan disappeared out of fear of punishment and we have no clue where he went.  All this time, I truly misunderstood you.  Had I believed your words back then, today's situation would never have happened."

"We still don't know for sure who the winner or loser is," says Feng Xi.  "There's still time for changes to happen."

"Back then, you suggested we reconcile and stop interfering with each other," says 3rd Prince.  "I don't know whether or not these words are still valid."

 

 

Feng Xi is standing at the altar he has made for Li Yu Rou.  He has buns, incense, apples, oranges, and a candle set out on a table.  He slowly unfurls the portrait of him and her.

"Yu Rou, you advised me to keep our painting safe.  However, I've been thinking, I believe the most proper thing to do is let it be carried by the wind, just like our resentment toward each other, love and hate." He lays the portrait on top of the lit firepit.  He watches the flames engulf it, turning it into ashes.

"Yu Rou, my promise to you was not kept.  I hope you meet a wonderful husband in your afterlife.  Don't meet another one like me, who cannot give you happiness."

He stands up and walks away while the portrait continues to burn.

 

Dong Yue meets up with Feng Xi in his study.

"Were you waiting for me to tell you where this came from?" he holds up the Imperial jade seal.

"That day when Lu Yuantong was setting up the wedding," responds Dong Yue, "was this the Imperial Jade seal he threatened you with?"

"Would you like to know how it fell into my hands?" asks Feng Xi.

"I just want to know whether or not people will assassinate you for it," says Dong Yue.

"Definitely!" replies Feng Xi.

"Then do you have any reason to keep it?" asks Dong Yue.

"Let me take you somewhere." He takes her to the Ming Family shrine.  "This shrine is to honor the Ming Family's ancestors; and not only is there this purpose, but also a secret that determines the difference between life and death of the Ming's." He goes down the stairs, and Dong Yue trails behind him.

They stand in front of the shrine.  "Are you really a member of the Ming family?" asks Dong Yue. 

"Not only that," says Feng Xi, "but my mother was the Ming Family's eldest daughter.  She was the Imperial Noble consort who won over the most favor back then.  My father is the reigning Emperor."

Dong Yue is astounded. "Are you...indeed the 2nd Prince?"

Feng Xi stares at the tablet for General Ming before answering. 

"The traps you worked so hard to set up," says Dong Yue, "is all to reverse the case of the Ming Family?  No wonder you worked so hard to climb to the top at any cost."

"Ever since I witnessed my mother's tragic death, I swore to myself I would reverse the case of the Ming Family and make all those people who harmed the Ming Family and caused their deaths pay the price."

"Then those two tablets are..." says Dong Yue.

"Originally, there were only four of them.  The rest were prepared for the people who harmed the Ming Family."

"Duke An, Yin Shi," reads Dong Yue.  "Left Prime Minister and Lu Yuantong."

Feng Xi turns to look at her.  "Are you scared now?"

"You are not afraid to show me your deepest secret.  What do I have to be afraid of?  It's just that..."

"But what?" asks Feng Xi.

"It's just that I still don't know your real name yet."

He lifts up his seal, and turns the stamped side to her, "This is my real name, Pang Xi."

"Pang Xi?  It's the same as Er Yu's Xi."

"What's wrong?  Did I forget something again?"

Dong Yue smiles.  "Even if you forgot something, it's still all right.  No matter what, we will always find each other, as long as your heart doesn't change."

"Who says I didn't change?" asks Feng Xi.

"Dare you to change?"

Feng Xi smiles.  "Didn't you realize I'm getting better?  The current me is someone who can tell you all his secrets."  They hug each other tightly.
They walk through the garden, hand in hand.

"Now that you know the secret," says Feng Xi, "you have to spend the rest of your life with me.  There is no turning back.  Do you regret it?"

"I just told you, did you already forget it?" asks Dong Yue.

"Maybe I forgot it.  Why don't you remind me again?"

"I won't regret a thing, and shall spend the rest of my life with you.  No one can change that."

"Are you proposing right now?" asks Feng Xi.

"Then do you agree?  Anyway, think about it carefully.  If you agree, it means you can't have any regrets."  She drops his hand and walks away with a smile.

"Since Miss Yue has taken the initiative, the Young Master Xi reluctantly accepts," he calls after her.

Dong Yue turns around.  "Reluctantly? You..."

Feng Xi grins wickedly.  "Go back to your room.  Rest early!"

Dong Yue slides open the doors to her room.  "No matter what, it's an important event in life," she says to herself. "Yet he says he just reluctantly accepts.  Isn't he being too casual?  Had I known, I wouldn't have taken the initiative."

She stops and sees a red wooden box on her bed.  She opens it up and finds a beautiful red wedding hanfu with a note on top.  The note reads: "The wedding dress has been prepared.  Madam, please try it on.  There is a horse carriage waiting outside the gate."

Dong Yue is beaming.  She can't contain herself, she's so happy.

She is in the carriage by herself, going down the dirt road.  The road is lit with many beautiful lanterns.  She pushes open the gates to the private manor and walks through.

She sees a table that has a white robe with a hole in the chest and a blood stain. There's a note next to it. It reads: "Dong Yue, when we met for the first time, you just wanted to steal this robe.  It's also thanks to this robe we had our first fated encounter."

She puts the note down, and pulls out her white jade flute.  She walks to another table.  This time, it has Holly Flowers.  The note next to it reads: "As the wind blows in the Moon's shadow, the holly flowers bloom.  SInce then, a woman called Dong Yue appeared in the world.  My chess board gained one more unplanned chess piece."

She sees another note next to a rose. "When we first met, we almost fought to death.  I was lucky to experience life and death with you, again and again."  She picks up the ointment jar with butterflies. "The medicine you gave me, healed my injury, but left me lovesick."

She walks to another table and sees a book with a note next to it.  "The story of Miss Yue and Young Master Xi, although it is just imaginary, it is something we wrote with our own effort."  She holds the book to her chest.

She walks along the pond before reaching a decorated, thatched roof shelter.  She holds out her flute.

Feng Xi approaches her.  She smiles and waits for him to get closer.  She interlaces her hand in his, and they look out over the pond, under a full moon.

The flute begins to play, and Dong Yue hands it to Feng Xi.

"The flute is making sounds again," says Feng Xi.  "Just like when we first met.  I still remember." He plucks a holly flower from the tree, and places it in her hand. "A piece of Holly Flower fell into your palm.  Then your name was derived from this.  The tattoo on my chest was also done by you.  I still remember you like butterfly kites and lotus soup with osmanthus sauce.  I also remember the Moon Garden's name means I'm willing to be imprisoned by you.  I've remembered everything about us and our every moment." He touches her arm.  "I said that the current me is the best variation of me.  I lied to you, making you love and hate me.  I also forgot you, making you suffer and be wronged.  Now, I just want to grow old, hand in hand with you."

"There is always a price to pay when time travelling," says Dong Yue.  "Earlier, you lost your memory--"

"I don't care what the cost is, and also don't care how difficult the road ahead is.  I just want you to be the one with whom I spend my future.  Dong Yue, let me take care of you, won't you?"

"This time," says Dong Yue, "you're not doing this reluctantly?"

He smiles.  "Previously, when you took the lead, I was embarassed.  For the matter of proposing marriage, I should be the one who does it."

Dong Yue smiles.  "If that's so, then I'll also be reluctant for a moment."

Feng Xi kisses her, and they enjoy their moment under the Holly Tree.

 

The Feng Manor is decorated in red, ready for the wedding.

Dao Le shows Feng Xi some beautiful red paper for the wedding invitations.

Feng Xi feels the paper, and is dissatisfied.  "The quality of the paper won't do.  Use suede.  The holly flowers must have dark fringes."

"Are you still changing things again?" asks Dao Le. "Uncle, did you forget we still owe debts?  Isn't it better to clear the debt instead of spending money on a luxurious wedding?  If this still won't do, let Zi Yuan and me have the money."

"This is my wedding," Feng Xi retorts, "and the money's mine, too.  It's up to me to spend the way I want.  Mind your own business!  Just be direct if you lack money."

"I'm broke," says Dao Le.

"Me, too."

"No, Uncle, look, whenever you are holding a wedding for Older Sister Dong Yue, misfortunes always occur. Everything is always in absolute chaos.  Perhaps you could request a peace talisman, or spend some money on rituals to drive away bad luck?"

"Shut up!  Don't say unlucky things!" says Feng Xi. "I'm fully prepared this time.  It will definitely be without any hitches.  Relay my instructions.  On the wedding day, the inside and outside of Feng Manor must be heavily guarded."

"Didn't you just say 'everything will go smoothly?'"

"If it doesn't go smoothly, it will be your fault."

"I'll go do it now," says Dao Le.

 

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

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