American Perspectives: Awakened Bird Pt. 3 ("Ashes of Love" Ep. 27)

 

 

***The intent of The Flower Realm by 사극 Paradise is to support women and men in rejecting the culture of pornography, and to live a life of integrity without manipulative intent.***

 

"Ashes of Love" is a Xianxia drama based on the novel "Heavy Sweetness. Ash-Like Frost," by Dian Xian.  The writing presented here is based on observations from the television show "Ashes of Love."  Dialogue credit goes to the English subtitle translaters from the "Gone with the Shirt Team" at Viki.com.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Kuang Lu cuts across the Xuanji Palace courtyard.  "Your Highness."

 

"I'm going to the Mortal World for awhile," says Run Yu.  "There might be someone who'll be able to give me answers about the Soul Destroying Arrow and the Spiritual Fire Bead."

 

"Who?"  Kuang Lu asks.

 

"Kuang Lu, gaurd the Xuanji Palace well," says Run Yu.  "I'll be back immediately."

 

"Okay," she looks at him longingly as he walks away.  I want to come, too.  "What kind of connection does Soul Destroying Arrow have to the Spiritual Fire Bead?  Also, who is that great master who can give him the answers?"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yan You is spying on King Yi in his room.  Why hasn't that blasted arrow fallen yet?  My hair isn't that strong.  

 

King Yi is casually reading a book, completely unaware of the deadly weapon dangling above him.

 

"Looks like this is Heaven's desire," Yan You sighs.

 

Danzhu comes up behind him.  "What Heaven's desire?"

 

Crap!  Yan You awkwardly tries to laugh it off.  What is it with you catching me when I'm contemplating about the death of Xu Feng?  "Nothing..." He walks Danzhu down the walkway.  "It's nothing.  You haven't returned to Heavenly Palace?"

 

"That clever idea of yours really made me so happy," says Danzhu.  "I couldn't wait to tell you.  How did you come up with such a clever idea?"

 

"You tend to obtain true knowledge from experience," says Yan You.

 

"Although I've been connecting red strings for humans for many years, my knowledge about love is still stuck in the theoretical aspects.  I rarely have the chance to further research it.  It's indeed quite embarrassing.  But looks like I should inquire more about this matter from you."

 

"That's easy," says Yan You.  "I heard that there is a winery in the city whose osmanthus wine is famous throughout for having such a great taste.  Why don't we chat while drinking?"

 

"Sure!"  Danzhu exclaims.  "I think that we are really on the same wavelength.  Tonight, let's have an all out chat.  But...let me look at my Baby Phoenix before we leave."

 

Yan You blocks him.  "He is currently busy with state affairs.  There's nothing interesting about that.  Moreover, he's currently a mortal.  You can't really say anything to him.  Why not just chat and drink to your heart's content with me?"  He puts his arm around Danzhu's shoulders.  "In this Mortal World, a moment of spring night is worth a thousand in gold."

 

Danzhu recoils.  "No...Lord Yan You, you said the wrong words.  The so called 'Spring night is worth a thousand gold of humans,' is pertaining to the act of 'mutual cultivation.'"

 

"Oh!"  Yan You exclaims.  Yikes!  I'll save that line for Jin Mi.  

 

"It's inappropriate to use it between us.  What we're about to do should be called...a beautiful night together."

 

"Right...beautiful night..."  Yan You says.  "Let's go."  Anything to get him away from Xu Feng...

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yan You approaches the steps to the Yunming Ze underwater palace.  

 

Two court ladies bow.  "Young Master."

 

He tries to touch them, but they skillfully avoid.  Yan You laughs.  "You two are getting better.  Still so boring."  His smile fades as he hears Li'er crying inside the palace.

 

"Who told you to be so disobedient?"  Su Li yells.  "So disobedient.  You..."

 

Yan You's stomach turns.

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Who told you to be so disobedient?"  Sul Li throws shells at a bleeding and dirty Li'er.  "Why?  Why?  Who told you to be so disobedient?"

 

Yan You enters the room, and protectively puts his arms around Li'er.  "Patron, what are you doing?"

 

"Why are you so disobedient???"  Su Li screams.

 

"Get up," Yan You whispers to Li'er.  "Li'er is still very young.  Everything can be handled with proper communication."

 

"You think I don't care about him?"  Su Li rages.  "I gave him good clothes, delicious food, let him become a decent fancy carp, but he just doesn't want to.  He just has to roll around in the mud!  Why?  Why?"  She attempts to strike the little boy again.

 

Yan You blocks her.  I have profound issues with women because of you.  I won't let you destroy Li'er.  

 

"Why?"  Su Li screams.

 

"Go now," Yan You whispers to Li'er.

 

"Li'er...Li'er?"  Su Li sobs.  She grabs his arms.  "Li'er, promise me that you won't play in the mud anymore, okay?"

 

Li'er willingly nods.  Anything to please his adoptive mother.

 

"You mustn't lie to me," Su Li continues.  "If you lie to me, I surely won't forgive you that easily.  Understand?"

 

Li'er says nothing.

 

"Understand?"  Su Li screeches.

 

"Patron," Yan You intervenes, "let Li'er leave first.  I still have important matters to report, okay?"  He turns to Li'er and whispers.  "Leave."

 

Yan You helps Su Li stand. 

 

"Last time, you promised me that you'll steal the Soul Destroying Arrow," says Su Li.  "Were you able to do it?"

 

Yan You bows.  "I'm incompetent.  I'm unable to get the Soul Destroying Arrow."

 

Su Li's blood boils.  Yet another man who is incapable of stepping up.  What the hell did I do in my past life to be surrounded by men who cannot follow through? "What did you promise me?"

 

Yan You braces himself.

 

"You said that you will get it.  Why did you lie to me?  You know that I hate people lying to me the most!"  And why the hell do I keep getting surrounded by men who compulsively lie??

 

Yan You kneels.  "I dare not.  It's just that all this might be Heaven's Will.  Patron, Xu Feng is innocent."

 

"Innocent?  Innocent?"  Su Li begins to laugh.  "With a mother like that, he's destined to pay the price.  I'm going to let his mother taste how it feels to lose one's son."

 

Yan You grimaces.

 

"Since you're unable to do it, I'll personally do it, then."  Like everything else up to this point, Su Li thinks.  She kneels and puts her hand around Yan You's neck.  "Tell me!  Where is the Soul Destroying Arrow?  I'm going to personally steal it and kill Xu Feng."

 

Is Godmother insane?

 

"Speak!  Where is the Soul Destroying Arrow?"

 

"I admit my mistake," says Yan You.  "I have a way to get it."

 

Su Li takes her hand off his neck.  "You're really going to kill Xu Feng for me?"

 

Yan You reluctantly nods.  He can't handle witnessing Su Li abusing Li'er.

 

"Get up," says Su Li.  "I'll believe you one more time.  If you disappoint me again, I will not easily forgive you."

 

************

 

"You must remember from today that you are a red fancy carp," Su Li says to a young Yan You.  "Not a green snake anymore.  Got it, Li'er?"

 

Yan You nods.

 

"Call me Mother."

 

"Mother," says Yan You.

 

Su Li grins.  "So good."  She gives him a kiss on the cheek.  "My good Li'er, I surely will not let you suffer any grievances from now on, okay?"

 

"Okay," Yan You nods.

 

Su Li hugs him tightly.  "Good.  My good Li'er."

 

*********

 

Yan You sighs.  "I understand."

 

Su Li smiles.  She sees Yan You about to leave.  "Li'er!"  She touches his arm, then touches his face.  "You are indeed my good Li'er."

 

Yan You walks away, feeling super slimy and disturbed.

 

*********

 

Yan You descends the steps and looks back at the door.  I can't allow Godmother to continue on like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trays of food are being violently thrown outside.

 

"Marquis."  Two court ladies carrying more trays bow to Lord Nanping.

 

"What?"  Lord Nanping asks.  "Lady still didn't eat anything?"

 

The two ladies shake their heads.  "She didn't."

 

Lord Nanping sighs.  "Go now."

 

"Yes," the court ladies bow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lord Nanping enters Sui He's room.

 

Sui He is sitting at her table, moping.  She sees her father, rolls her eyes, and turns away.

 

Lord Nanping pushes the beaded curtain aside.  "My good daughter, at least eat something.  Your being like this is making my heart ache."

 

Sui He turns away further.

 

"Don't worry.  There's already a city wide manhunt for that Puchi," says Lord Nanping.  "Tell me, do you want me to have him hanged or dismembered?"

 

Sui He rolls her eyes.  "You won't be able to capture him."

 

"Are you holding a grudge against me for being incompetent?  But I also never expected that Puchi would be this cunning and shameless.  Maybe this was...an act that Puchi did after getting bribed by King Yi?"

 

Sui He shoots up from her seat.  "What does this have to do with Xu Feng?"

 

Lord Nanping backs away.  "Okay...It's not related to him."

 

These mortals are really stupid, Sui He thinks.

 

"Daughter, what do you want me to do so that you'll be happy?"

 

Now that I'm in the Mortal Realm, I can only rely on him.  "Father, you surely understand what my only wish is."

 

Lord Nanping wants to cry.  You'll be happy about the wedding, but the marriage will kill you!  "I understand," he says instead.  "But I don't get it anymore.  Why did you and that Puchi go ask King Yi to bestow marriage upon you two?  Now, King Yi has made a decree canceling your engagement with him.  This matter has become final.  What can I do?"

 

"I..."  Fuck!  He's right.  She picks up a cup from her table.

 

Lord Nanping grabs her hand.  "I'll think of a way.  I'll think of a way, okay.  Eat something first, okay?  Be good."

 

Sui He nods.  Being a woman in the Mortal Realm sucks.  Everything has to go through a man first.

 

"Sit," Lord Nanping helps her to her seat.  "Men, serve Lady's food!"  I mustn't let Sui He continue to be this infatuated.  

 

**********

 

Lord Nanping sits in his study late at night and begins to write.  He folds up the paper, and slides it into an envelope.

 

"Qi Chong, immediately deliver this letter to Liangguo.  The faster, the better."

 

"Yes," Qi Chong bows.  He rushes outside.

 

"Since you're heartless, don't blame me for being disloyal," says Lord Nanping.  "You have hurt Sui He's heart so much.  How can I forgive you?  When Liangguo attacks this time, the time you personally set out for the expedition, will be your day of death."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Qiang Huo exits Jin Mi's chambers just as King Yi crosses the arched bridge.  Out of obligation, Qiang Huo bows.  I'm too tense to pretend I like you.  "Your Majesty, Saintess is currently sleeping.  She's very tired lately.  May Your Majesty just go back."

 

King Yi, without a word, as the feelings Qiang Huo has toward him are mutual, turns and walks away.

 

******

 

Jin Mi is fast asleep with a book in her lap.

 

Run Yu enters the room.  Something about her doesn't seem right.

 

He materializes outside.  He has an awful feeling as he sees all the red lanterns hanging in the courtyard.  These have Xu Feng written all over them.  

 

"Eldest Highness," Yan You appears beside him.  "These Phoenix Lanterns were personally made by Xu Feng for Jin Mi."

 

"I have questions to ask you," says Run Yu.

 

"What a coincidence," says Yan You.  "I also need you for something.  For us to meet here means that we've thought of the same thing."

 

"Let me ask you.  Why must you steal the Soul Destroying Arrow?  And, although Rat Immortal has admitted that he was the one who used the spiritual fire bead to hurt Xu Feng, and he cleared his relationship with you, I fear that he was just covering up for you.  What really is your motive?"

 

Yan You raises an eyebrow.  "Eldest Highness, can you ask your questions one by one?  With so many questions, my head is already expanding.  If you want to know all the answers, please go to a place with me."

 

Run Yu scowls at him.

 

"What?  You fear I'll swindle you?"  Yan You asks.  "Since you were able to connect me with the spiritual fire bead, you then should know that I won't harm you."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yan You and Run Yu walk to the shoreline.  They stand just at the edge.

 

"All the questions that you want answered are under this Dongting Lake," says Yan You.  "Don't you remember this place?"

 

Run Yu gets a strange vibe from the water.  "Should I remember it?"

 

"Don't you find this place familiar?"  Yan You asks.

 

"There is indeed a sense of familiarity," Run Yu replies.  "It's just that..."  Why am I getting so scared?

 

"Looks like you still aren't prepared to unlock the secrets," says Yan You.

 

Why am I getting panic stricken when I get near this place?

 

"It's fine," says Yan You.  "If you don't want to go down, I won't force you to.  But, although this matter isn't that urgent, it's also not proper to continue dragging it.  If you're ready, we'll go under the lake.  All the answers will then be revealed."

 

Run Yu's heart pounds.  He inches closer to the water.