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It turns out that Lord Situ has a nephew named Thirteen Lang. Thirteen Lang is clever and exceptionally sharp-witted, and he loves to play pranks on others. Interestingly, Thirteen Lang shares a close bond with Yang Hanlin, and the two are inseparable friends. Upon returning to her room, the young lady called Chun Yun to her side and said, "Chun Yun, you and I are like sisters. Now that I am promised to someone, it is time for you to consider your future as well. Do you have any plans?" Chun Yun replied, "I am grateful for your care over the years, and I have no way to repay you except to serve you for life." The young lady said, "I understand your feelings, but I will soon be far away, and I truly cannot do without you by my side. I want to discuss something with you; would you be willing to help me?" Chun Yun answered, "Whatever you command, I will not hesitate to give my life!" The young lady then revealed her plan: she wanted Chun Yun to marry Yang Hanlin in her place as revenge for the humiliation she had suffered from him before. After hearing this, Chun Yun could not help but ask, "Miss, while this may relieve your anger for the moment, how will we face Yang Hanlin in the future?" The young lady sneered and said, "Isn't the shame of being bullied worse than deceiving someone?" Seeing that the young lady had made up her mind, Chun Yun said nothing more but smiled slightly and replied, "My life belongs to you; what is there that I would not dare to do?"
At Hanlin Academy, aside from his duties, Yang Hanlin did not have much trouble or toil. He had plenty of leisure time between official matters. Sometimes he would invite friends over or linger in taverns; other times he would ride a donkey into the countryside to enjoy the spring scenery. One day, his friend Zheng Shisan invited Yang Hanlin and said, "Not far south of the city lies a secluded spot with beautiful mountains and rivers. I would like to explore it with you to relieve our spirits." Yang Hanlin gladly agreed and said, "That sounds perfect!" So the two prepared food and drink, brought along servants, and traveled for more than ten miles. They found lush grass along the banks and shady trees by the stream, creating a charming rural atmosphere. Yang Hanlin and Zheng Shisan sat by the stream and drank heartily.
As spring transitioned into summer with flowers blooming and vegetation flourishing all around them, they suddenly saw fallen petals drifting down the water. Yang Hanlin recited a line of poetry: "In springtime, everywhere is peach blossom water," and remarked, "Could this be the legendary Peach Blossom Spring?" Zheng Shisan replied, "This water originates from Purple Pavilion Peak. I have heard that during times of blooming flowers and full moons, celestial music can be heard floating down from the clouds; many have claimed to hear it. However, my connection to immortals is shallow; I have never been fortunate enough to enter their realm. Today let us explore together and see if we can find traces of immortals and converse with them." Naturally curious by nature, Yang Hanlin was thrilled by this idea and said, "If there are indeed immortals in this world, they must be in these mountains!" With that, he stood up ready to go. Just then, a servant from the Zheng family rushed over in a sweat and breathlessly said, "Madam has suddenly fallen ill; please return home quickly!" Hearing this news, Zheng Shisan hurriedly stood up to take his leave: "I had hoped to explore with you today; however, there are matters at home that prevent me from doing so. It is truly regrettable!" With that said, he hurried back.
Although Yang Hanlin felt disappointed by this turn of events, his desire for exploration remained unquenched. He continued alone along the stream until he came upon a cave entrance. There he found a deep valley with babbling waters on either side surrounded by towering peaks—there was not a speck of dust in sight; it felt refreshing and invigorating. Standing alone by the stream while reciting poetry lost in thought, he suddenly noticed a leaf from a red osmanthus tree floating down from upstream with some small characters written on it. Yang Hanlin instructed his attendant to pick up the leaf; it bore a line of poetry:
"The celestial dog barks beyond the clouds; it knows that Yang Lang has come."
Seeing this line of poetry puzzled him: "In such a remote wilderness, could there still be someone living here? But this verse is so exquisite that it cannot possibly be composed by an ordinary person." His curiosity piqued; disregarding the rugged mountain path ahead of him, he climbed vines along the cliff directly into the depths of the valley. The attendant followed behind him anxiously advising him: "Sir, it's getting late; this mountain path is treacherous; what if something were to happen? We should return to town now and come back tomorrow." But Yang Hanlin paid no heed; he continued on his way without realizing he had walked another six or seven miles. Looking up at last toward the eastern peak where a crescent moon had risen halfway up the mountain side. Using moonlight as his guide through the forest across the ravine while hearing night birds calling mournfully in the woods below—the stars twinkled above while pine trees rustled on high as night mist began rising—it was evident that it was already late at night.
In this desolate wilderness where not even an inn could be found—let alone any households—he searched in vain for a temple or monastery where he might find shelter for the night when suddenly he spotted ahead by the stream a young girl of about ten years old washing clothes. Upon seeing him approach she seemed startled; she quickly dropped her clothes and ran while shouting: “Mother! Mother! The gentleman has come!” Hearing this only added to Yang Hanlin's confusion.
He walked forward several more steps when suddenly around a bend appeared a small pavilion—half built on a cliffside while half extended over the stream—serene yet profound as if it were an otherworldly paradise. Inside stood a woman bathed in moonlight as if cloaked in rosy glow standing alone beneath a peach tree. Upon seeing Yang Hanlin she gracefully curtsied saying: “Yang Lang! Why have you arrived so late? You have kept me waiting.”
Yang Hanlin focused his gaze upon her; she wore an emerald hairpin atop her head dressed in a red brocade robe with a white jade pendant at her waist holding a phoenix tail fan—her beauty was striking with an elegant demeanor unlike any ordinary woman. He was astonished and hurriedly returned her greeting saying: “I am merely an ordinary man who does not know you at all nor have we arranged any meeting under this moonlight; why do you say such things?” The woman smiled slightly inviting him into the pavilion for conversation.
Yang Hanlin followed her inside where they took their seats as host and guest respectively. The woman called for the earlier young girl instructing: “The gentleman has traveled far late at night; he must be hungry—quickly prepare some food and wine.” The girl complied promptly returning shortly with an array of delicacies laid out on a table along with a jug of fine wine served in jade cups—the wine shimmered like purple clouds exuding an enticing fragrance—after tasting just one sip Yang Hanlin found it rich and intoxicating.
After taking another sip of wine he asked: “This place is remote yet exists within heaven and earth itself—may I ask why you choose not to remain in heaven enjoying pleasures but instead reside here?” The beauty sighed deeply replying: “The past is too painful to recall; speaking of it only brings more sorrow. To be honest with you—I was once a maidservant beside Queen Mother while you were among celestial officials. Once during a banquet hosted by Queen Mother at Yaochi inviting various deities—you and I were both present there too. During that feast when you saw my beauty—you secretly tossed celestial fruits at me playing around which caught Jade Emperor’s attention leading him to cast you down to mortal realm while I narrowly escaped punishment being exiled here for reflection instead. Now that you have reincarnated into human form—you naturally cannot remember our past together anymore. My term of exile is nearly over—I shall soon return to heaven but before leaving I felt deeply concerned about you so I requested that my return date be postponed by one day just so I could fulfill this wish before departing.”
As moonlight slanted westward across vast skies filled with stars—Yang Hanlin spent intimate moments with that beauty resembling Liu Chen’s encounter with Ruan Zhao upon Tiantai Mountain forming bonds with two celestial maidens—a dreamlike experience blurring lines between reality and illusion as their feelings deepened amidst dawn chorus outside signaling morning light filtering through gauzy curtains.
The beauty rose first addressing Yang Hanlin saying: “Today marks my return date back to heaven—the Heavenly Emperor has sent officials here for my reception; should they discover your presence here—we both would face dire consequences—please leave quickly! If you do not resent our fleeting romance—I believe we shall meet again someday.” Saying this she took up her brush inscribing verses onto silk handkerchief gifting it to Yang Hanlin containing lines:
“Meeting amidst flowers fills sky above,
Parting leaves blooms scattered below.
Spring colors like dreams,
Weak waters vanish far away.”
Upon reading these lines Yang Hanlin felt overwhelming sorrow arise within him as parting grief surged forth making him feel despondent—he tore off part of his clothing writing verses in response:
“Wind blows jade pendants,
White clouds drift apart.
Wushan’s night rain,
May wet Xiang Wang’s garments.”
After reading his poem she remarked: “In jade towers hidden beneath moonlight,
Frost flies within fragrant halls,
Only this poem can make me think of you from thousands of miles away.” With those words she tucked away his poem into her fragrance pouch urging once more: “Time has come! Please leave quickly!” Reluctantly holding hands exchanging glances filled with tears—they bid farewell as he stepped out from woods turning back one last time seeing towering peaks shrouded amidst verdant trees veiled within mist—a fleeting vision reminiscent of having experienced an ethereal dream upon Yao Tai Mountain.
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