American Perspectives: Feng Xi losing his Memory Pt. 1 ("Twisted Fate of Love" Ep. 26)

 

As part of her promise to Er Yu when he gave Dong Yue a 2nd chance to live and prevent the war, she knew it would come with a price.  Unfortunately, that price is Feng Xi gradually forgetting Dong Yue.

Dong Yue, Feng Xi, and Wen Xin are in the marketplace.  Feng Xi has business to take care of, but he suggests Dong Yue get something to eat while they are waiting.  He says when he gets back, they'll go fly kites.

"Be quick, as it will be dark soon," Wen Xin pipes up.  Feng Xi rumples her hair.

"All right," he replies.

"Go now, don't worry about us," says Dong Yue.  "We will wait here for you."

Dong Yue and Wen Xin order some lunch, and they order the exact same thing.  Wen Xin is incredulous.

Dong Yue laughs.

"Older sister," says Wen Xin, "we have the same taste in food."

"Yes, we are really fated," Dong Yue confirms.  They smile at each other and laugh.

They've finished their meal, and an hour has passed.  Both are anxiously studying their surroundings.

"Older sister," asks Wen Xin, "Why is that bad person Feng Xi still not here yet?"

"He's not a bad person," Dong Yue counters.  "He won't miss his appointment."

"My father doesn't want me to play with him, but it makes sense, too. Older sister, it's better to accompany him less in the future."

"How can you say that?  When we were together before, didn't we always play just fine?"

"He did that for you, but not for me," pouts Wen Xin.

Dong Yue laughs. "Despite being small, you're quite mischevious!" They continue to look around anxiously.  It isn't like Feng Xi to not follow through on a commitment.

"Older sister, since we can't fly kites, can I...have another bowl?"

Dong Yue gives her a look, and then laughs.  Dong Yue nods.

Wen Xin makes a request for seconds.

Dong Yue is still feeling nervous.

Dong Yue and Wen Xin return to the Wen Manor late at night while everyone is frantically searching for Wen Xin.

"Lord Wen, if you don't want to lose your child," says Dong Yue, with Wen Xin in hand, "you should look after her yourself, instead of leaving this task to others. You shouldn't punish her because of a trivial matter, either."

"Wen Xin, where did you go?" asks Lord Wen.  "Are you okay?"

"Father, I'm so sorry," says Wen Xin.  "I was wrong."

Lord Wen looks at Dong Yue.  "Did you take her away?"

"I accidentally bumped into her," Dong Yue responds.  "We had nothing to do, so I played with her."

"How was she released?" asked Lord Wen, as Dong Yue had been locked in the storage room as punishment earlier that day. (And because Dong Yue is the future Wen Xin, she psychically knew it, and was able to bust her out).

"It's not like your daughter is a criminal, and the Wen Manor a prison!" exclaims Dong Yue.  "What do you mean by that?"

"Thank you for today," Lord Wen says curtly.  He bows to her, and turns to Wen Xin, "Wen Xin, go back to your room and rest."

"Wen Xin, take this," Dong Yue hands her a kite.

"Wen Xin," Lord Wen says sharply.  "Don't accept rewards that you didn't earn."

Wen Xin sadly removes her hands from the kite.

"There's no such thing between friends," Dong Yue counters. "Take it."

With his hand, Lord Wen blocks Wen Xin from taking the kite. "The Wen family is poor.  We don't have such powerful and influential friends. Young Miss, please do not get involved in the Wen Family's affairs in the future."

Dong Yue does not like seeing her 10 year old self being deprived of gifts just because her father wants to maintain his public image of virtue and self righteousness. "Lord Wen is devoted to public interest.  Do you really care about your family and daughter?"

Wen Xin looks at Dong Yue incredulously.

"Even if Feng Xi is a high ranking official, and hides the truth from the public, it doesn't mean you can be involved in his personal matters," says Lord Wen.  "This is Wen Manor.  If you want to be involved in how I discipline my daughter, please first ask yourself what your position is.  I won't see you out."

He escorts Wen Xin back inside, while Dong Yue is outside, holding the rejected kite.

 

The following day, Dong Yue approaches Feng Xi in his study.  She is quite angry.

Feng Xi stands up. "Where did you go last night? You weren't at the manor at all yesterday."

Dong Yue can't believe what she's hearing.

"You didn't even say anything before leaving," Feng Xi continues.

Dong Yue still can't believe it.  "Aren't you asking, even though you clearly know the answer?" 

Feng Xi doesn't have a clue.  "If I knew, why would I be looking for you so anxiously?"

"It looks like Lord Feng is a person of high rank and busy with affairs.  Did you forget your promise?"

Feng Xi looks confused.

"Little Wen Xin and I waited for you at the sweet soup store all day."

Feng Xi looks even more confused. "When did I want you two to wait for me at the sweet soup store?"

"Are you joking? At the sweet soup store, you clearly promised Little Wen Xin to go kite flying."

"When did I promise to go kite flying yesterday?"

Dong Yue is very upset, and has nothing more to say.  She walks out of Feng Xi's study.

He still has no clue.

She comes back carrying the kite she had tried to give to Wen Xin the night before. "Look!  You even prepared the kite.  How could you forget?"

Feng Xi picks it up, but there is no recognition or recollection.  He continues to look confused.

Dong Yue walks away in frustration.

Feng Xi continues to examine the kite.  "Why is it that I can't remember?" he asks himself.

 

Wen Xin is out on the kite field, and other children call her "Wild Child" because her mother is dead, and her father is minimally involved.

Lu Chuan and Zi Yuan hear the children taunting and mocking her.  The children are sure Wen Xin wants to steal their kite.

Zi Yuan intervenes.  "Who says she's a wild girl?" She smiles at Wen Xin, and she's carrying a beautiful butterfly kite. "This kite is exclusive to Wen Xin as you can't find this anywhere else in this world.  Tell me, would she still want to take your kite?"

Wen Xin smiles. "Is this for me?"

"Wen Xin," Lu Chuan kneels down with a wooden box.  "Prime Minister Feng made this kite for you.  And he bought you these red bean rice dumplings.  Prime Minister said he forgot the appointment yesterday, and that it was his fault, as he shouldn't lie to children.  Regard these as compensation, all right?"

Wen Xin smiles and looks at Zi Yuan.  Zi Yuan smiles back.  "Let's go and fly the kite," says Zi Yuan.

"All right!" says Wen Xin.

The three have a blast, flying the kite together.

 

Later that evening, Zi Yuan visits Feng Xi in his study.  She is grinning from ear to ear. "Prime Minister, I acted according to your instructions."

"Is she still angry?" Feng Xi asks.

"Prime Minister, who are you referring to? The older person...or the younger one?"

"I think you are asking to be beat up," says Feng Xi.

Zi Yuan laughs.  "I dare not.  They are fine now."

 

Feng Xi and Dong Yue are walking hand in hand in the courtyard.  Feng Xi recently had some drama at Zhuming Post, and Dong Yue insists that he stop using that as his default location for meetings and exchanges.  She asks him if he's getting in too deep.

"The troop from Mount Qi can no longer control Lu Yuantong.  I might as well burn the ordnance.  There's no need to take advantage of them.  I think the Zhuming Post is an auspicious place."

"In what way?" asks Dong Yue.

"In a single battle, an arrow killed three eagles.  Isn't this lucky?"

"But, don't you forget, in that place, you met that person who overturned the game."

"Who?" Feng Xi asks, forgetting it was Dong Yue, and that it was a major turning point in their future interactions.

She looks at him, surprised.  She sighs.  "It's nothing.  They said the Left Prime Minister and Lu Yuantong are cunning foxes.  I think you are the most cunning among them all."

Feng Xi laughs.  "Are you willing to give birth to a bunch of cubs with this cunning old fox?" He grins wickedly.

"You're totally shameless," replies Dong Yue.  She laughs and walks away.

He follows her to the Moon Garden entrance.  "Did you intentionally lure me here?" he asks.

"Stop being full of yourself.  I merely want to see the progress."

Feng Xi looks at the sign he designed.  And he notices the character for garden, which he had intentionally used, but now doesn't remember. "The word 'garden,'" says Feng Xi.  "Stop!" A worker runs to him.

"Greetings Prime Minister," the worker bows.  "Do you have any instructions?"

"How is the word 'yuan' (garden) written?" Feng Xi asks.  "What's the word inside this character 'garden?'"

"It should be the word yuan, as in the name yuan," replies the worker, somewhat confused.

"Why is there a Xi character in the center, then?" Feng Xi asks angrily.

Dong Yue looks at him in shock, since he was the one who insisted on using the Xi character, and now he's acting like an ass to the worker.

"About this," says the worker.

Dong Yue can't take Feng Xi's condescension anymore. "It was your intention," she tells him.

Feng Xi looks at her in disbelief.  "My intention?"

"Did you forget?" asks Dong Yue.  

Feng Xi is feeling embarassed and confused. "If I wanted to use my name, why would I use the character Xi in there?  Writing it as a prison, and becoming a prisoner?"  (It was supposed to symbolize their relationship).

"Must you insist that I tell you?" Dong Yue asks.

"Speak," says Feng Xi.

"It was your intention to write it as a prison.  The word 'garden' is a place which belongs to us.  You wanted to be with me forever.  Hence, you wanted your heart to be forever inside this word."

"Moon Garden? Where does the word 'Yue' (moon) come from, then?"  Feng Xi's memory of anything to do with Dong Yue is fading quickly.

Dong Yue can't believe what she's hearing.

"Why are you looking at me this way?" He turns to the worker.  "Do you have anything to ask?"

"No," replies the worker.

"Get back to work, then," snaps Feng Xi.

Dong Yue stares at Feng Xi in shock.  Was this the unpleasant price Er Yu was talking about?

 

Dao Le is concerned about Feng Xi's memory loss, so he decides to talk about it with Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan suggests finding a better physician instead of just speculating and gossipping.

Dao Le says it will anger Feng Xi.  He suggests thinking of a more effective solution.

Dao Le and Zi Yuan approach Feng Xi in his study.

"Why are you here together?" asks Feng Xi.

Dao Le and Zi Yuan exchange glances.

"Uncle," Dao Le begins, "it's so late, why are you still busy with work?  Don't overwork."

Feng Xi smirks.  "It's fine.  I'm not tired."

"Dao Le is right," adds Zi Yuan.  "Ever since you became Prime Minister, you have been looking haggardly."

Feng Xi touches his face self consciously.  Zi Yuan holds a mirror in front of him.  He slowly takes it from her, and gets a good look at himself.  He's checking from all angles.

"Prime Minister," says Zi Yuan, "I previously pulled out some of your grey hair, it seems like there are more now."

Feng Xi looks horrified.  He is meticulously looking over his hair.

Dao Le adds, "You drink birds nest soup every day, so why do you still have grey hairs?  Do you think he's sick?"

"It can't be," says Zi Yuan.  "Then we should find a physician to take a look at him."

"Is it as serious as you say?" Feng Xi asks nervously.  "How could I not realize this?"

"Illness should be treated early," says Zi Yuan.  "Once it's discovered, it'll already be too late."

Feng Xi looks at her with horror.  He slowly puts down the mirror. "Fine.  I will see the physician tomorrow."

"It doesn't need to wait until tomorrow," says Zi Yuan.

"That's right," adds Dao Le.

"I just summoned one here today," says Zi Yuan.

"Uncle, I know you are very busy with work and didn't notice your illness.  We specially invited a few physicians in the capitol to look at you, to help you maintain your health."

"A few physicians?" asks Feng Xi.

Dao Le and Zi Yuan nod.

"If you gathered such a big number of people, then tomorrow, there'll be gossip in the streets that I'm afraid of growing old!"

"Uncle," says Dao Le.  "Don't worry.  We already took care of this."

Feng Xi looks super uncomfortable.  He looks at himself in the mirror again, closely examining every angle.  Dao Le and Zi Yuan exchange glances.

Dao Le brings in a physician, dressed in brown with a black bag over his head so he can't see Feng Xi.  He sits next to Feng Xi, and asks for his hand.  He takes his pulse, but doesn't find anything unusual. "May I ask when you started to notice these symptoms?" asks the Physician.

"It's probably four or five days ago," says Feng Xi.  "I didn't notice this in the past. I only noticed it recently."

"Was it suddenly, or gradually?"

"How could I know?  Of course, I pulled it out." Feng Xi thinks the doctor is asking about his grey hair, and not his memory.

"And it was gone in an instant?  Did you bump your head recently?"

"No, what do you mean by this?" asks Feng Xi, still thinking it's about the grey hairs.  "Would this be because I bumped my head?"

"Of course!"

"This is the first time I've heard of this.  In your opinion, this is---"

Dao Le interrupts.  "The time has ended for this physician.  We should invite the next."

Dao Le leads the first physician out.

The physician informs Dao Le and Zi Yuan that his pulse seems normal, and there were no bumps on the head.  "However, he momentarily lost his memory.  Based on my diagnosis, he's not physically sick.  It's psychological instead.  Did he talk any nonsense, or perhaps did he do anything abnormal?"

Dao Le shakes his head.  "I will see you out."

They see a number of different physicians who all say the same thing.

Dong Yue approaches the two, and asks what they are up to.  They explain they're looking for a solution to Feng Xi's memory loss.

"Who told you I was ill?" Feng Xi yells from his room.  The three head over to investigate.

Feng Xi throws the physician's medicine box at him.  The physician kneels.  The three approach Feng Xi.  "Who told you I was ill?"

"Uncle, we were doing what's best for you," replies Dao Le.

Feng Xi thought he was being seen because of his grey hairs.  He looks at Dong Yue and does not recognize her.  "You girls need to stop spreading rumors!" he shouts.

He looks at Dao Le and Zi Yuan. "Stop hanging around with the subordinates all the time." referring to Dong Yue, whom he still doesn't recognize.

The three look at him incredulously.  They escort the physician out. Dong Yue stays behind. He looks at her.  "Aren't you leaving?" he barks.  She slowly walks out of the room, not sure how to process this.

Zi Yuan and Dong Yue are totally baffled.

"Zi Yuan, have you discovered that everything Feng Xi forgets has to do with me?" asks Dong Yue.
"Forgetting the Moon Garden, forgetting he's afraid of becoming old,  and even calling you a maid," responds Zi Yuan. "It really is like that.  He remembers everything else so clearly.  He only forgets things that relate to you.  However, if he remembers everything else, that means he isn't ill.  Maybe it's because he had too many memories of you in his heart that he couldn't remember."

Dong Yue is skeptical. "Would you forget a person just because you missed them too much?"

Zi Yuan hesitates.  "The point is, don't overthink too much.  There will surely be a way to solve this thing." She promises to look for more doctors.

Dong Yue opposes the idea, for now.  "Let me think of other ways.  Since everything he forgot was about me, perhaps only I can cure him."  And now her challenge is continuing on the path Er Yu laid out for her in spite of Feng Xi's memory loss.