American Perspectives: The Bitch is Back Pt. 3 ("Ashes of Love" Ep.33)

 

 

**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.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jin Mi is sitting alone on her settee at Luo River Palace.  Everyone has been acting so weird lately.  Her thoughts shift, and she remembers her final moment with Rou Rou.  The tears fall from her eyes and soak her face.  She doesn't recall having emotions this intense the first time Rou Rou had died.

 

I must find out who the perpetrator is, and seek vengeance for you, Jin Mi thinks.

 

She looks outside and sees the rainbow bridge across the night sky.  She approaches the open doorway.

 

"After three months, we'll choose an auspicious date to complete the marriage between Jin Mi and Run Yu," she remembers Tai Wei declaring.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tai Wei generates a beam of golden energy from the palm of his hand.  It smoothly flows into Run Yu's injured body.

 

Run Yu is sitting on the edge of his bed in the lotus position.

 

Tai Wei changes the intensity of the golden energy.  He withdraws his hand, and the energy disappears.

 

Run Yu opens his eyes.

 

"Stimulate yourself, but control your presence of mind," Tai Wei says.  "How many times have I taught you that?  You are just unable to learn it.  Now, you and Heavenly Empress are in an irreconcilable state.  You're making things difficult for me.  Heavenly Empress indeed went a bit overboard, but she was just following my order.  Your disobeying Heavenly Empress is disobeying me.  Just treat everything that happened in Cloud Nine Palace as a lesson."

 

All of this happened because you took advantage of my mother, who was a teenage girl at the time, and not even an adult.  Stop acting like we have done something so horrible to you, Run Yu thinks.  He rises, feeling the pain in every muscle within his body.  "I admit my mistake."  With Father, it's often better to just nod your head and smile.  

 

"I...have already pardoned the Dongting Water Tribes.  The matter today concerned the reputation of the Heavenly Realm.  About the matter of you bearing the punishment of Heavenly Thunder, Lightning, and Fire for the Dongting Remnants, you mustn't mention it to anyone in the future, understand?"

 

Wow, Run Yu thinks.  Your reputation, not the Heavenly Realm's, matters more to you than my health.  Yet you think you're Father of the Year.  "Yes," Run Yu says reluctantly.

 

"Okay," says Tai Wei.  "Make a shangshen oath, then."

 

Run Yu looks straight ahead and holds up his hand.  "I swear that as long as from now on, Royal Father and Heavenly Mother won't mention this matter again, or go after it, this matter will end here.  I will never mention it again."

 

Tai Wei nods.

 

"Royal Father, my mother...was she really that evil and unforgiveable?"

 

Tai Wei looks away.  After all, he had exploited Su Li sexually for his own personal gain.  "This matter has already been given proper judgment.  No need to discuss it anymore.  As a shangshen, don't be obsessed with material things.  Don't get disturbed by affection.  You still have to improve your cultivation.  Don't worry.  Your birth mother's matter has nothing to do with you.  I never expected that one day, you'd dare disobey Heavenly Empress."

 

Run Yu bows.  "I admit my mistake.  I wasn't able to consider things properly at that time."

 

"I didn't immediately rush there earlier because I was testing you, too."

 

No, you weren't, Run Yu thinks.

 

"Never thought that even if I've lost the horse, I was able to obtain a blessing."

 

There it is, Run Yu thinks.  You were more than willing to let her kill me, but when you saw an opportunity, you went for it.  

 

"From now on, in restricting and balancing the power of Heavenly Empress and the Bird Tribe, I'm depending on you."

 

Run Yu's eyes widen.  "Royal Father, if I didn't stand up at the time, were you not going to care about the lives of the Dongting Creatures at all?"

 

Tai Wei sighs.  Frankly, I don't care about anyone who isn't me.  "You are still young.  Once you've lived for a few tens of thousands of years more, you will then know mortal life lasts only for a hundred years, but cultivation takes thousands of years.  In the eyes of us Shangshen, they are all no different from a mayfly.  Just a short moment, no meaning at all."

 

Wow!  Run Yu thinks.

 

"Without them being involved in the blue sea turning into mulberry fields, it wouldn't make any difference," says Tai Wei.  "This is what they call 'Heavenly Law being heartless.'"

 

Run Yu grimaces.  "In these past thousands of years, on such a long immortality path, has Royal Father ever been compassionate?"

 

Tai Wei looks down.  "I am not afraid to tell you one truth.  A Heavenly Emperor is the greatest prisoner in this whole Heaven and Earth."

 

Run Yu's eyes redden.  Before he has a chance to call Tai Wei on his bullshit, Tai Wei walks out.

 

Run Yu closes his eyes, and the tears freely flow.  My early childhood, and my birth mother's life, was a living hell because of you!  Because the only way you know how to interact with women is to fuck them.  He sits down on the edge of his bed.

 

"So...my birth..." Run Yu sobs bitterly.  "...was just a scheme from the start.  Mother...Mother, it was I who brought you harm.  I am a sinner!  I am a sinner!"  He gasps for breath.  "No.  It's him.  He's the mastermind of everything that happened in this world.  In his heart, there's totally no father-son, husband-wife, or familial affection.  In his heart, everyone is just a pawn.  'Heavenly Law being heartless?'  Royal Father, I got schooled."  He closes his eyes and the bitter tears flow.

 

His eyes open.  Live on, he thinks.  Those who are unable to kill you will only make you stronger.  

 

He grips the edge of his blanket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Luo Lin walks outside in the cool night air.  He sees Lin Xiu out on the patio and approaches her.  "Where is Mi'er?"

 

Lin Xiu pauses.  "She was just mumbling about Rou Rou.  I think she's asleep now."

 

Luo Lin nods.

 

"How is Night Deity?"  Lin Xiu asks.

 

Luo Lin sighs.  Don't ask.  "New grudges keep adding to the old.  Continuous disaster.  His heart is filled with grievances, but nowhere to express them.  Looks like his grudge with Heavenly Empress will be difficult to resolve."

 

I was afraid of that, Lin Xiu thinks.  "Although Heavenly Emperor suppressed today's incident, it has secretly spread in the Heavenly Realm.  Heavenly Empress' actions have incited public indignation.  However, Night Deity was able to redeem himself."

 

"In the past," says Luo Lin, "I thought that Night Deity was gentle and mild.  Turns out, he only brings out his courage for important situations.  He is willing to die a martyr for a noble cause, and able to endure things that others can't endure.  His tolerance and uprightness are extraordinary."

 

Lin Xiu nods.

 

"Heavenly Empress revealed her true side and has reached the extreme," Luo Lin continues.  "The tides are going to turn.  Just watch and see."

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chief Magnolia drops to her knees with a thud.

 

Chief Peony's heart pounds, and she looks at her in horror.  I don't like surprises.  "Magnolia, what are you doing?  What happened?"

 

"Sister," says Chief Magnolia, "I am at fault.  I committed a great crime.  That day, when people from Dongting Water Tribe came to find you, and asked to join forces with our Flower Realm to fight against the Heavenly Realm, I lost my mind, and believed that person's words in a moment of confusion.  Then...Then, I told him Jin Mi's true identity."

 

"What?"  Chief Peony gasps.  "Magnolia, how could you be this muddle headed?"

 

"Thus, during Jin Mi's mortal trial, people were trying to shoot her with the Soul Destroying Arrow.  It's all my fault.  It's my fault for revealing her identity.  All of this is because of me.  I know that my crimes are grave, so I don't ask for your forgiveness.  I just ask for death in punishment as a way to give thanks to our Past Mistress' spirit in heaven."  Chief Magnolia moves her hands, generating pink energy.

 

Chief Peony shatters it with a beam of light from her hand.  "If you die now, how could you face the Past Mistress?"

 

"But if I continue living, how could I face our fellow sisters?"

 

Chief Peony sighs.  "Forget it."  She helps Chief Magnolia stand.  "I know your intention.  You just wanted to get revenge for our Past Mistress.  That's why you made such a mistake.  However, Magnolia, Past Mistress didn't want us to get revenge because she was afraid of an undending chain of vengeance.  Her body already lies with the earth and sky.  The one she cares about the most is Jin Mi.  Seeing how you've sincerely repented, do not bring this up again.  Pretend like it never happened."

 

"Yes," Chief Magnolia says tearfully.

 

"Promise me that in the future we sisters will work together to follow our Past Mistress' order to protect Jin Mi."

 

"Yes, Eldest Sister," Chief Magnolia lowers her eyes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Run Yu stares at the sparkling tree near his pond.

 

Kuang Lu keeps a close eye on him, making sure he doesn't hang himself from the tree, or drown himself in the pond.

 

Jin Mi stands a few yards behind Kuang Lu.  Why is everyone being so reserved today?  She cautiously crosses the bridge, and stands next to Kuang Lu.

 

Kuang Lu looks at Jin Mi and bows.  "Immortal Jin Mi."

 

Jin Mi returns the bow.

 

"Oh, I should call you High Immortal Jin Mi now," says Kuang Lu.

 

"It's not a big deal," Jin Mi smiles.

 

"Are you here to visit His First Highness?"

 

Jin Mi nods.

 

"You must not know yet, High Immortal," says Kuang Lu.  "Heavenly Empress used 'rebellion' as the reason to execute the birth mother whom His First Highness recently reunited with."

 

Jin Mi gasps.  "E-execute?"

 

"After His First Highness' birth mother died, he hasn't been sleeping or eating.  You should try to urge him.  His listens to you the most."

 

"Okay," Jin Mi nods awkwardly.

 

The two women bow to each other, and Jin Mi feels confused.  If it were Xu Feng, I'd undoubtedly be crying with him.  But Little Fish Immortal?  I feel obligated, and I feel uncomfortable.

 

Jin Mi reluctantly makes her way toward Run Yu.

 

"Night Deity," Jin Mi says sweetly.

 

Run Yu's heart flutters.  "Mi'er."

 

"I just heard that your birth mother passed away.  Although I don't know what happened, Little Fish Immortal, you are a very kind person.  Your birth mother must have been a gentle and virtuous lady."

 

"I just recently remembered my childhood," says Run Yu.  "I just learned who my birth mother is, I just recently acknowledged my mother, but I had to watch her die in front of me, while I was unable to do anything."

 

"Earlier, I also watched Rou Rou's soul getting destroyed just to save me," says Jin Mi.  "I was also unable to do anything.  I can understand your feelings.  When Rou Rou left, she told me these words.  She told me to let go.  There is this saying in the Mortal Realm, 'The dead are already gone, while the living must continue to live on.'  Your mother surely wouldn't want to see how you are now, not eating and not sleeping.  She wouldn't want you to continue being dispirited."

 

Run Yu sighs.  "'The dead are already gone, while the living must continue to live on.'"

 

"That's right," Jin Mi agrees.  "I think that it must be because they love us so much, so they surely wouldn't want to see us sad."

 

"Love?"  Run Yu asks.  He reaches out to touch Jin Mi's face.

 

Jin Mi moves away.  

 

Run Yu awkwardly pulls back his hand.  "Mi'er, you seem to be a bit different from before."

 

"How am I different?"

 

"I heard from Kuang Lu that Royal Father set our wedding date."

 

"You..." Jin Mi says.  "What are your plans?"

 

"What are your plans?"  Run Yu asks.

 

If I tell him that I don't want to marry him, Jin Mi thinks, I'm sure that it will just make him sadder.

 

Great, Run Yu thinks.  No response is also a response.  "While Mother was alive, I wasn't able to stay by her side and make her happy.  Now, Mother is dead.  I want to request from Royal Father to mourn for three years.  Mi'er, presently, for me, you are the most important person.  Are you willing to wait for me?"

 

"I..." Jin Mi says uncomfortably.

 

"Accompany me for awhile, okay?"  Only when you're by my side, do I not feel that angry, nor feel as much pain, Run Yu thinks.