The Flame's Daughter Episode 4

More secrets revealed, more secrets kept

The episode begins with Yan Xue clearly establishing via internal monologue that he is in love with Ge'er.

 This occurs because she dismisses Yan Xue's words and explains that he cannot understand or empathize with her situation or understand the pain of watching the one you love with another--which is exactly how he feels.  Yan Xue, always wearing the same serene and slightly amused smile, explains to Ge'er that it would be so much easier for her to abandon this relationship instead of attempting to save it, however, she insists she must do her best.  There is always a possibility that Feng'er loves her and has a reason for all of this.  Furthermore, she cannot really hate Ying Mi since she knows now the plight of courtesans.  

Yan Xue tells her that she is silly for baring her heart like this and asks her what she will do if she discovers that Feng'er truly loves Ying Mi.  Ge'er states she will cut him out of her heart (while looking very miserable).

Master Lei interrupts them by reporting to Ge'er that her maids are bullying Ying Mi, causing her to leave.  He then is very direct with Yan Xue (or is he....?) and explains that he is here to cheer and support Yan Xue because he is interested in making the life of his father's second wife as uncomfortable as possible since he does not like her.  He only asks that Yan Xue help him stay at the villa as long as possible.  Yan Xue seems to find this VERY amusing but offers him a pill that will fake symptoms of poisoning for 15 days.  

MEANWHILE<

Ge'er lectures her maids for bullying Ying Mi.  They are defensive, however Ge'er insists that this will make Feng'er hate her more.  She goes to Yang Mi and tries to extend the olive branch and help her.  However, Ying Mi acts oddly, and seems frightened and begs Ge'er not to take away her clothes or punish her.  This confuses Ge'er (and I won't lie me as well) until Ge'er (and myself) realize that Ying Mi is putting on a big act.  Her maids call her out for faking and Ge'er tries to take the clothes from her.  Ying Mi hits a pressure point on Ge'er, surprising her that this 'weak woman' knows martial arts.

Stunned, Ge'er stands there, snapping out of it only when Feng'er steps in and uses martial arts on her maid who tried to intervene (Die Yi), rendering her unconscious.  She glances up to see Senior Yu a.k.a. prince on the bridge.  He shakes his head at her, and she interprets that, I suppose, as keep what you've just learned to yourself.

When Feng'er questions her about this, she only states that she did not push Ying Mi.  He does not believe her since she is trained in martial arts.  He takes her away.  Die Yi is taken into the Bamboo Hall--the only restricted entry residence in the entire villa--and it just so happens that the prince lives there (i think he can walk).  His medicine man takes care fo Die Yi.  

Alone, Feng'er tucks in his mistress and encourages her to rest.  He stares at his hand as if in surprise...

Back at the Bamboo Residence, Ge'er apologizes to her servants for not protecting them and for not believing them in regards to Ying Mi.  Xun Yi states that even if it turns out that after all of this Feng'er had a reason, it wouldn't matter because he doesn't deserve her if he puts his own special interests before her (while this is true, I can only say that when you are in love, it is very easy to allow your personal beliefs and values to be compromised....so I empathize with her).

Afterwards, Feng'er meets with Shifu a.k.a. the head of the flame sect.  He wants to patch things up between him and his daughter because he hopes that Feng'er will inherit his seal.  Feng'er is very cold and only says that he loves Ying Mi and sees Ge'er as a junior (Ge'er observes and hears this) and hopes she too can find love.  Also, if shifu can't accept this then he will just leave, which angers him.

Meanwhile, poor Miss D becomes gravely ill because she was tricked into taking the sick pill by Master Lei who seems to feel bad because he did not realize it would be so effective.  In spite of being aware that they are probably faking, they are allowed to stay.  Miss D forces Master Lei to tell the real reason why he is here.  He finally reveals that 19 years ago his father's second wife 'Second Madame' had a daughter who died.  But she didn't.  She was sent to the flame sect, this would be his half sister, and he wants to find her.

WE ARE GIVEN NO OTHER REASON AS TO WHY HE WISHES TO FIND HER.

Meanwhile, the various Uncles/house leaders in the flame sect arrive with gifts and tribute.  They all gather together to discuss business.  And to congratulate Feng'er.  Senior Yu arrives--despite never involving himself in these affairs in the past--and this causes Ge'er to show up and act as a hostess to diffuse the situation but it only makes it worse.

Feng'er is about to humiliate her and say they are annulled but Yu beats him to the punch, shocking everyone by revealing that he can talk, and furthermore, that HE is actually the one who wishes to marry Ge'er.  

Afterwards, Feng sits in angry moody silence, Yu watches him like he is prepared to take him on, and Brother Jie is rather comical as he sort of says out loud the obvious things that everyone is thinking--that this was an awkward event basically--but completely misunderstands and says Yu must have jumped in for Feng'er's sake (to help him avoid having to basically say he fell in love with another).  Yu agrees that was the reason he made it up, but he and Feng both know he did it for Ge'er.  Feng coldly states that Ge'er can marry whomever she wants wants he annuls the engagement--almost like saying I still have control of this situation.

Meanwhile, Ge'er talks with her maids.  She views the incident as Senior Yu having embarrassed Feng'er in public so naturally tensioins will be high between the two of them.  It seems that no matter what anyone says or does, she shows that Feng is number one in her heart by always defending him.  Which is what love should be like.  Only he really doesn't seem to be doing the same for her.

The episode ends with her being knocked down yet again by Feng'er: she goes to give him an umbrella in the rain, however, he walks back with Ying Mi and then twists the dagger by picking her up and carrying her princess style back without a single word.  

MY question is:
1) What happened two years ago to Feng'er to make him suddenly wish to hurt Ge'er so much and
2)When where and how did Yan Xue ever meet Feng'er or find the time to tall in love with her??

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