American Perspectives: Dong Yue's Price ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 39)

 

Feng Xi is having a drink and a meal with Miss Murong at a brothel. 

"A dignified Right Prime Minister is hanging around in a brothel before the eve of his wedding," says Miss Murong, as she poors him a drink, "and is even staying in the same room as a single woman.  Aren't you afraid that your bride would mind?"

Feng Xi laughs. "You want me to treat you to wine, but there's only wedding wine in my manor.  Naturally, the wedding wine should wait to be drunk tomorrow. What's more, Dong Yue isn't some ignorant adult."

"However, being able to understand the overall situation isn't the reason why you like her," says Miss Murong.

"When you like someone," says Feng Xi, "none of that matters." He smiles.  "If it weren't for God's earth and valley, we may not have even gotten the opportunity to meet."

"Just like us," says Miss Murong.

"That's right," agrees Feng Xi.  "If the Ming Family hadn't fallen into a trap and Mount Hao suffered such misfortunes, leading to the suffering of the royal family, would this down and out noble descendant have met a down and out noble princess like you?  Here, this is a toast for us being able to meet."

They clink bowls and smile.

"Frankly, it's also fine to be a down and out noble person," says Miss Murong. "It's said that a Duke's manor is as deep as the sea.  I feel that, as a Princess at present, I might as well do business in the martial arts community instead."

Feng Xi laughs. "I fear you've forgotten when you first entered the martial arts community, how confused and helpless you were back then."

"This cup is for when we were roaming the martial arts community together," says Miss Murong.  She pours another drink, and they clink bowls again.

"I fear these kind of days are coming to an end soon," says Feng Xi.  "Others say you love money like life, and that you're a miser. But no one knows that every penny you scrimp, is all for the future, so that one day you can revive Mount Hao.  Here.  This cup is to wish that you'll fulfill your long cherished wish soon. It's also for the countless times you have unselfishly helped me."

"How do you know that I unselfishly helped you?" asks Miss Murong.

Feng Xi laughs.  "Don't tell me, Miss Murong, it's because you admire me, so that's why you helped me?"

Miss Murong looks down at her drink and smiles. She takes a big gulp before she says anything. "Forget it.  I originally thought you were someone capable of doing great things. However, looking at you now, you still haven't taken revenge on the Left Prime Minister.  Instead, you are here talking about love for children and family? I really look down on you." She gets up to leave.

"The revenge can always wait," says Feng Xi, "but I can't lose the beautiful woman."

"How can your beautiful woman even compare to me?" asks Miss Murong.  She sits down in a different seat, across the room.  "If you leave with me, I can help you with getting revenge.  I can even void out your debts."

"Then I might as well continue owing you," says Feng Xi.

"It's beyond your control when you really like someone," Miss Murong acknowledges. "We also can't help when we don't like someone.  I really do look down on you! I'll still drink your wedding wine tomorrow, though!"

Feng Xi stands up and bows. "Thank you for your attendance."

"No need for thanks." She walks up to him. "I'm the one who paid for your wedding wine after all.  Drinking the wine is still better than suffering a loss."

Feng Xi takes the wine jar from her.  "I advise you to drink and eat less.  At the wedding banquet tomorrow, who knows what will happen?"

"Am I someone who would make mistakes when I drink?" asks Miss Murong.

Feng Xi laughs. "Continue to drink then. I'm going to keep my future wife company."

"Scram," says Miss Murong. She then laughs, and continues drinking after Feng Xi leaves.

 

3rd Prince arrives at the Feng Manor for the wedding.

Dong Yue and Feng Xi are happily standing in front of the alter, wearing their red wedding hanfus.

"Thank you for attending our wedding," says Feng Xi. "Dong Yue and I were alone and helpless.  Fortunately, this marriage is a godsend. We're finally getting married after encountering so many difficulties to get here.

3rd Prince is sadly watching from the back.  Like Miss Murong, he really wanted the couple to change their minds.

Feng Xi continues, "Today, with heaven and earth as intermediaries, and also, everyone as witnesses, on this beautiful day, we are getting married, and will grow old together."

"My Lord, it's time," says Zi Yuan.  "Take your bows now."

Everyone claps.  "That's right!  Take your bows!"

"First bow to heaven and earth!" Announces Lu Chuan.  "Second bow to--"

"Wait!" an angry male voice shouts. The Left Prime Minister forces his way through the crowd and to the front.  He is accompanied by the Eagle Assassins.

Feng Xi laughs. "Left Prime Minister vanished without a trace.  I was worried I wouldn't be able to deliver this wedding invitation to you.  Since you came uninvited, how about having some cups of wedding wine?"

"Criminal Feng Xi, listen carefully." Left Prime Minister demands. "I'm not here to attend your wedding.  I'm here to arrest the criminal."

Dong Yue lifts her red veil.

"Criminal?" asks Feng Xi. "Oh, What crime did I commit?"

"As a surviving evildoer of the Ming Family," says Left Prime Minister, " in order to take revenge, you caused the death of Duke An and Yin Shi.  You also colluded with Lu Yuantong to rebel and commit treason.  It's beheading for deceiving the King."

Dong Yue interjects.  "Fang Yuan's case back then--"

Feng Xi motions her to stop.  "To catch a thief, you must find the stolen goods. Your accusation isn't a trivial matter.  May I ask, where the evidence is?"

Left Prime Minister is floored, he is not fully prepared.

"In my opinion," says 3rd Prince, "the person who can prove that Feng Xi is the remaining evildoer of the Ming Family, is indeed here in our midst."

"Your Highness!" Dong Yue snaps. "Fang Yuan is merely blurting out words.  You must not listen to him!"

"Dong Yue," says 3rd Prince, "I know today is your wedding day, but Feng Xi has committed heinous crimes which will implicate nine generations of his family.  I can't quietly watch you be implicated after finishing your wedding vows."

"No! You don't understand," Dong Yue disagrees.

"Left Prime Minister," says 3rd Prince.  "When Feng Xi and Lu Yuantong were at Zhuming Post, they conspired to stage a rebellion. They later had an argument because of an Imperial Jade seal.  This seal can prove that Feng Xi is a criminal.  Since it didn't fall into Lu Yuantong's hands, I believe it's still here."

Left Prime Minister looks at Feng Xi and gloats.  Feng Xi smirks.

"Looks like Crown Prince and the Left Prime Minister came prepared," says Feng Xi.

"If you're smart," says Left Prime Minister, "hand over the evidence immediately. When His Majesty wants to punish you later, I may plead mercy for you.  Otherwise, I'll turn your residence upside down.  I will definitely find your evidence."

Feng Xi smiles. "These important guests are here to attend my wedding.  As the host here, it's not good to ruin their mood.  Why don't we step aside and talk?"

Left Prime Minister and 3rd Prince are silent.

Feng Xi laughs .  "Even if there's evidence, I wouldn't be so stupid to hide it here."

Left Prime Minister looks at 3rd Prince.  3rd Prince nods.

"Feng Xi," says Dong Yue.

He puts his hands on her arms.  "Don't worry.  Just wait here to become my bride.  Let's go," Feng Xi says to Left Prime Minister and 3rd Prince.

Feng Xi walks through the crowd.  3rd Prince and Left Prime Minister follow.

Feng Xi's servant opens up the door to a secret passageway.

"Right Prime Minister's residence is indeed a mystery," remarks Left Prime Minister.

"This way, please," Feng Xi gestures to the passageway.

As Left Prime Minister is about to move forward, 3rd Prince stops him.  "Tell Hongzhe to guard the door," says 3rd Prince, "in case there are any changes outside.

Left Prime Minister grunts. "You both, guard outside." Hongzhe and another assassin bow in compliance.

Feng Xi leads 3rd Prince and Left Prime Minister down the passageway.  He shows them the Ming Family shrine.

"These," says Left Prime Minister.  "These are the memorial tablets of the Ming Family." He points at them.  "Your Highness, you can see it clearly now, can't you?"

3rd Prince steps forward.  He stands directly in front of the shrine.  As he is lighting some incense, Left Prime Minister is astounded.

"Your Highness!" he says with shock.

3rd Prince continues to light the incense.

"You're--" shouts Left Prime Minister.

"Left Prime Minister, you're right," says Feng Xi.  "The evidence is definitely hidden in this room, but it's not my evidence." He turns sharply and looks at Left Prime Minister.  "It is, in fact, the evidence of your crimes!"

Left Prime Minister looks at Feng Xi.  "What are you saying?"

"Fang Yuan!" says Feng Xi. "I thought that you would walk into the trap after my wedding, but you insisted on choosing today to mess up my carefully planned wedding.  Today, I will settle both old and new grudges with you."

"You're..." Left Prime Minister points at Feng Xi.

"That's right!  I'm the remaining descendant of the Ming Family!"  Feng Xi walks to the front of the alter. "This is the place of worship for the ancestors of the Ming Family, but they're not criminals.  They're souls who died with hatred in their hearts.  Today, I want you to admit your crimes here."

"There's concrete evidence that Ming Qian colluded with the enemy and betrayed the country," snaps Left Prime Minister. "It's useless for you to object!"

"Mu Rongyi of Mount Hao can testify for me that you colluded with Lu Yuantong to exchange the Surrender Document, and caused the death of the Ming Family." Feng Xi shouts.

3rd Prince stands up.

"What Surrender Document?" asks Left Prime Minister. "Where's the Surrender Document? Who's seen it?"

"Do you really think," says Feng Xi, "the Surrender Document is gone?"

Left Prime Minister's face drops, as he is sure he witnessed the Emperor destroying the original.

Feng Xi picks up a red wooden box from the alter.  He opens it up, and there's a yellow scroll tied shut with a ribbon.

Left Prime Minister laughs. "Impossible! You fabricated this Surrender Document."

Feng Xi smiles. "How do you know whether the Surrender Document you destroyed was the genuine document?"

Left Prime Minister's face drops. "Then how can you prove that the one you have is the genuine Surrender Document?"

"I can prove that this Surrender Document is genuine," says 3rd Prince.

Left Prime Minister is horrified.  "Your Highness, you..."

3rd Prince slowly turns around from the shrine to look at Left Prime Minister. "There's the Surrender Document to prove that the Left Prime Minister framed the Ming Family, and persecuted the honest and loyal people.  You still won't admit to your crimes?"

Left Prime Minister can't believe the two men are working together. "Feng Xi, how dare you! You even dare to deceive His Highness.  Wait for me to report this to His Majesty, and see how he'll punish you."

"I'm the Crown Prince who supervises State Affairs!" Shouts 3rd Prince. "If I say you're guilty, you're guilty."

Feng Xi walks up to Left Prime Minister. "You're right.  I fabricated this Surrender Document.  That year, you forged the secret letter from the Ming Family.  Today, as the descendant of the Ming Family, I will make you repay it twice over!"

"Feng Xi, how could you be so stupid?" asks Left Prime Minister. "Why don't you use your brain?  Switching the Surrender Document is such a significant matter. Do you think I was capable of doing it alone?  Would I be that bold?"

"Still dare to blame others when your death is imminent?" asks 3rd Prince.

"Good," says Left Prime Minister.  "That's good."

He turns to walk away, but Feng Xi grabs him, and throws him on the floor.

"What do you want to do?" asks Left Prime Minister.

Hongzhe and his accomplice appear in the doorway. "Prime Minister!" Hongzhe shouts.  Hongzhe is able to help Left Prime Minister up.  Hongzhe tries (and fails) to attack Feng Xi and 3rd Prince.

Hongzhe's accomplice escorts Left Prime Minister up to the wedding hall.

"Why isn't Feng Xi out yet?" asks Dong Yue.

"Kill them all!" shouts Left Prime Minister.

Dong Yue, Dao Le, and Zi Yuan rush forward to protect their guests.  Dong Yue's knees begin to buckle, and her right hand fades away as she grabs the table.  It comes back, but it is bad enough to frighten her.  The Eagle Assassins try (and fail) to attack her.

Dong Yue is able to restore her strength and get back into the fight.  Left Prime Minister and Hongzhe's accomplice are escaping.

Feng Xi and 3rd Prince attack Hongzhe.  Feng Xi successfully stabs him in the abdomen.  Feng Xi and 3rd Prince run back upstairs.

Dong Yue finds Left Prime Minister in one of the rooms, on the verge of death. "Fang Yuan, you cannot die.  You're the only one who can prove the Ming Family's innocence.  You can't die!"

"General Ming's power overwhelmed the entire kingdom.  How could I possibly frame him and cause his death?" asks Left Prime Minister. "He showed too much of his ability, and had too much credit, which threatened the status the Emperor, who doubted him.  His Majesty...His Majesty." He pulls out a key.  "The matter regarding the Ming Family...won't end here."

"Make yourself clear," says Dong Yue. "What is this key for?"

"Your Majesty, I have been loyal, and kept my mouth shut for you for so many years.  You...go.  Go to my...to my..." He drops the key, hits his head on the table, and dies.

"Fang Yuan! Fang Yuan! Fang Yuan!" screams Dong Yue.

"Dong Yue, where are you?" asks 3rd Prince.

She grabs the key and hides it.

"Dong Yue!" calls Feng Xi. 

"Dong Yue!" calls 3rd Prince.

"Are you okay?" asks Feng Xi.

"I'm fine," replies Dong Yue.

They look over at Left Prime Minister's dead body.

 

Dong Yue is standing in the full moon shaped window in her room.

Feng Xi approaches her.  "You weren't hurt, were you?" he asks.

"I'm fine, just a bit tired." Dong Yue crosses her arms.  She's very quiet, and Feng Xi is worried.

"Is something troubling you?" he asks.

She hesitates. "Really, I'm fine.  I want to rest, so why don't you go back now?"

"All right," agrees Feng Xi. He slowly walks away and pauses.  Dong Yue is behaving strangely today, he thinks. He wants to know what she's holding back, but he doesn't want to push her.  He continues to walk away.

Dong Yue continues to stay at the window, and she looks down at her left hand.  It begins to partially disappear again.  It reappears as her white jade flute begins to play.  She pulls it out of her right sleeve.

The blood lines are getting more intense, she thinks.  It's going to break soon.

She remembers what Er Yu told her, "Every time you use this to traverse time and space, the blood lines in this flute will spread.  It's spiritual power will weaken, too.  When they fully spread to the entire flute, the spiritual power of this flute will be exhausted.  At that point in time, your lotus body will be completely destroyed."

Dong Yue looks at her flute and begins to feel anxious. 

 

After meeting up with Feng Xi, 3rd Prince runs into Dong Yue in the courtyard.

"Dong Yue, instead of resting, why are you here?" asks 3rd Prince.

"I came specifically to look for you," says Dong Yue.

3rd Prince smiles. "What is it that's so secretive?" he asks.

"It's regarding Fang Yuan when he was escaping and what he told you.  You didn't tell Feng Xi the truth.  What's the truth?"

3rd Prince doesn't answer.

Dong Yue continues. "Fang Yuan told me that General Ming didn't die from being framed.  He died from having too much credit, which threatened the Emperor's status.  Because he knew about this, he was killed to keep the silence, wasn't he?"

3rd Prince still doesn't answer.  

"Actually, you already know who killed Fang Yuan," says Dong Yue.  "You also know who's behind the false accusation of the Ming Family.  It's not someone else, but the reigning Emperor.  You just don't want Feng Xi to know this, right?"

3rd Prince looks at her tenderly.  "You're right.  Royal Father is the mastermind behind what happened to the Ming Family.  Fang Yuan and Lu Yuantong figured out Royal Father's intention.  That's why they were bold enough to frame General Ming."

Dong Yue is ready to cry. "I really pity Feng Xi."

"Now, whoever wants to overturn the Ming Family's case, will incur the wrath of Royal Father. Royal Father ordered Fang Yuan and I to eliminate 2nd Older Brother.  Although I changed sides before the battle, I still don't know how to explain this to Royal Father."  3rd Prince sighs. "So, I can only tell you and Feng Xi to find a place and hide for the time being."

"His Majesty wants to kill Feng Xi.  Can Feng Xi still survive in this Kingdom?" asks Dong Yue.

"Perhaps, there's still another path," suggests 3rd prince.  "If I tell Royal Father his real identity, perhaps he won't kill his own flesh and blood, and spare older brother's life."

"Look at his Majesty!" says Dong Yue.  "Is he the kind who cares about his family?"

3rd Prince looks at her and looks away.  "If Second Older Brother can stand in front of Royal Father to honestly confess, perhaps he can have a slight chance of moving Royal Father's heart.  It's just that..."

"Feng Xi harbors deep hatred for what happened to the Ming Family," Dong Yue interjects.  "How could he possibly go and be acknowledged by His Majesty?"

3rd Prince sighs.  He's contemplating what to say next.

Dong Yue looks down at her right arm.  It's beginning to disappear. It looks like my time here is already running out, she thinks.

"Your Highness, I need a favor from you," says Dong Yue.

"Tell me."

"I would like to enter the palace to meet His Majesty."

"You want to personally convince him to accept Feng Xi?"

"Your Highness, you're under His Majesty's order, so you can't defy him. Feng Xi can't meet with His Majesty, either.  Then let me convince His Majesty."

"No way," says 3rd Prince. "As His Majesty's son, when I mentioned the Ming Family in front of him, he already became so enraged.  What you want to do, will only send you to your death."

"If you let me meet His Majesty, I'll naturally have a solution."

"Don't say anymore!  What you should do is hurry up and find a safe place for you and 2nd Brother to hide for the time being.  I'll handle everything else." He turns to walk away.

"Your--," but 3rd Prince refuses to stop and listen to Dong Yue.

Feng Xi is in his secret room with the Ming Shrine.  He paints Fang Yuan's name onto a memorial tablet, and throws it into the fire.  Watching it burn is a bittersweet and emotionally exhausting experience.  He looks at the Ming Family memorial tablets.

"Mother," he says aloud. "Duke An, Yin Shi, and Fang Yuan.  These people who framed Uncle, have one by one been removed from this world.  There's only one person left, Lu Yuantong.  After the loss of the Surrender Document, there's no other evidence to be able to show Uncle's innocence.  I'm incapable and unable to seek justice for the Ming Family.  Third Younger Brother wants to act as a go between for him to acknowledge me, but how can I let him do that?" He holds up the box containing the "Pang Xi" seal.  This is the symbol of my identity and also the shackles I've worn my entire life." He squeezes the box tightly with his right hand and sighs.  "I'm placing this in front of your spirit.  Starting from today, there won't be any Pang Xi.  There will only be Feng Xi." He places the box behind his mother's memorial tablet.  Dong Yue is silently watching from the doorway.

Although my time is running out, thinks Dong Yue, regarding your wish, let me fulfill it for you.

 

Dong Yue and Feng Xi are in the market, eating Lotus Seed soup.

"I thought you didn't like it," says Dong Yue.

He smiles at her.  "I didn't like it because of my bitter memories of a homeless and impoverished life.  Now that I have you, I don't have any bitter memories anymore.  I want to try the taste of Lotus seeds with you and see whether it's still bitter or not."

Dong Yue laughs.  "The more you say it, the more it all sounds the same.  Try it."

He smiles, and takes a spoonful.  He scrunches up his face, and looks very pained.

Dong Yue laughs.

"It's not bitter," he says unconvincingly. 

"Boss, bring a bowl of osmanthus soup," says Dong Yue.

Dong Yue lovingly spoons some osmanthus soup into Feng Xi's bowl.  She stirs it up for him. "Try it again," she says.

He smiles at her.  "Really?" He tries the mixed osmanthus and lotus seed soup. He is pleasantly surprised.  "It really isn't bitter anymore."

"So, when you just said it wasn't bitter, you were lying to me?"

"I didn't lie.  I was humoring you."

Dong Yue rolls her eyes.  "Not telling the truth means you're lying.  You said you wouldn't lie to me again." She gives him side eye.

She smiles.  "Let's do this.  I'm punishing you with this bowl.  The one without the osmanthus soup.  Finish everything."

He slowly takes a spoonful.  He has an overly dramatic reaction.

Dong Yue rolls her eyes.  She notices a once popular tea house nearby is closed down. She asks Feng Xi about it.

Feng Xi tells her about how Left Prime Minister used to own several businesses.  Feng Xi explains that the tea house belonged to Left Prime Minister.  She wonders if important evidence relevant to the Ming Family case is hidden in one of the buildings.

 

"Twisted Fate of Love" can be viewed on Viki or Youtube.  Dialogue adapted from the English subtitle translation provided by "Twisted Love team at Viki.com"

C-Drama and K-Drama fan art and merch available at www.sageukparadise.com

사극 Paradise-Sageuk Paradise