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After traveling for several days, Hanlin arrived at the vicinity of Handan. He saw a beautiful young man riding a horse along the road. As Hanlin's entourage cleared the way ahead, the young man dismounted and stood by the roadside. Hanlin noticed him and thought to himself, "The horse this scholar rides must surely be a fine steed." As he approached, he saw that the young man had a face like jade, even more handsome than Wei Jie and more delicate than Pan Yue. Hanlin couldn't help but sigh, "I have traveled through the two capitals and seen countless beautiful men and women, yet I have never encountered someone as striking as this young man. He must be both talented and good-looking!" Thus, Hanlin instructed his attendants, "Go invite that young man to come over."
When Hanlin rested at the inn during noon, the young man had already arrived outside. Hanlin hurriedly sent someone to invite him in. The young man bowed to Hanlin. Hanlin was very fond of him and said, "I encountered you on the road and was astonished by your beauty. I took the liberty of sending someone to invite you; I hope you won't take offense. It is truly fortunate to meet you today and sit together; it feels like we are old friends. May I ask your name?" The young man replied, "I am from the north, surnamed Di and named Boluan. I grew up in a remote village without encountering any great teachers or friends, so my knowledge is shallow, and I have achieved nothing so far. I only have a sincere heart and wish to serve a kindred spirit like you. Recently, I heard that you were sent on a mission to Hebei, where your reputation for virtue is well-known among the people. I am unworthy but wish to become your disciple and contribute my humble efforts. It is truly an honor that you personally invited me; it shows your great character." Upon hearing this, Hanlin was even more delighted and said, "As the ancients said, 'Like voices respond to each other; like energies seek each other.' It is indeed fortunate that we feel so familiar upon first meeting!" So Hanlin traveled alongside Di Boluan, sharing meals and lodging together. They discussed the beauty of mountains and rivers when passing through picturesque places; at night under the starry moonlight, they enjoyed poetry together, forgetting about the fatigue of their journey.
When they returned to Luoyang and passed Tianjin Bridge, Hanlin suddenly felt sentimental and said, "Gui Niang once claimed she would become a Taoist nun and wander the world; she must be waiting for me somewhere to keep our promise. Now that I have completed my mission and returned to the capital, yet I do not see Gui Niang's shadow. Life is unpredictable; when will we meet again? Alas! If Gui Niang knew about my experiences these days, she would surely wait for me here. I suspect she is either practicing in a temple or living quietly in a nunnery. But this journey is long; how can I find out her news? Alas! Today I pass by here but cannot see her; who knows when we will reunite!"
As Hanlin was lost in his thoughts, he suddenly caught sight of a beauty standing alone on a building above, rolling up light yellow curtains while leaning against a painted railing, gazing intently at the bustling street below—it was none other than Gui Chan Yue. Just as Hanlin was pondering this, he unexpectedly spotted his former lover, and his joy was beyond words. The coachman urged the horse forward with a whip as they rushed past the building; they exchanged only a deep gaze filled with affection. Soon after, their carriage arrived at the inn where Moonlight had already taken a shortcut to wait inside. Upon seeing Hanlin disembark, she fell to her knees in greeting. Hanlin hurriedly helped her up as they entered the room together and sat facing each other. Emotions surged within them; Moonlight was already in tears as she choked out, "My lord has traveled such a long way; it must have been exhausting! I have been so worried."
As she spoke, Moonlight recounted her experiences since their separation: "After parting from you, many young masters and local officials invited me to banquets repeatedly and pursued me relentlessly with all sorts of tactics—threats and temptations alike. I had no choice but to cut my hair and feign illness just to escape their clutches. After that, I washed away my adornments and changed into monk's robes, distancing myself from the noisy city to find peace in a quiet valley. Whenever guests came to visit the mountains or seek enlightenment—whether from the provincial capital or from the capital itself—I would inquire about your news. This spring season, I heard that you were sent on an official mission passing through here; unfortunately, your carriage had already gone far ahead while I could only gaze longingly into the distance with tears streaming down my face. Later on, an official brought me a poem you had inscribed on an inn wall: 'In days past Yang Hanlin passed through here with golden oranges but regretted not seeing Chan Niang; he spent his days admiring flowers without daring to pluck even one branch before leaving behind this poem.' Why did Chan Niang choose to hide alone in the mountains without remembering our past? It made my hospitality feel wasted! The official also expressed his apologies for previous offenses and earnestly requested me to return to my old residence while waiting for your return. Only then did I realize that even as a woman, one can live with dignity. That is why today I stand atop Tianjin Bridge waiting for your arrival. All the courtesans in town and passersby envy my fortune; who does not admire my glory? My lord has achieved top honors in examinations and now holds the title of Hanlin; I have heard all about it! Yet I wonder if you have taken another beautiful lady as your wife?"
Hanlin replied, "I have already arranged a marriage with Zheng Situ's daughter; although we are not yet wed, her virtuous reputation is already well-known far and wide. What Chan Niang said is true—marriage is a significant matter dictated by parents' orders and matchmakers' words; how can it be disregarded?" Their old feelings rekindled as they found it hard to part again. Hanlin stayed at the inn for another day or two due to being beside Moonlight during which he did not meet Di Boluan.
Suddenly, Hanlin's attendant rushed over quietly reporting: "I saw that Di scholar behaving improperly in public! He dared to flirt with Chan Niang right before everyone’s eyes! Since Chan Niang has followed you now, she should be very different from before—how could he still act so disrespectfully?" Hanlin replied: "Di Boluan would never do such a thing; Chan Niang would not either—you must have seen wrong." The attendant left looking displeased but returned shortly after saying: "My lord! You must believe me—those two are currently flirting right now! If you see it with your own eyes you'll know whether I'm lying!"
Upon hearing this, Hanlin quickly walked out of the west corridor for a closer look: there stood Chan Niang and Di Boluan on opposite sides of a low wall laughing together while playfully pulling at each other’s hands. Curious about their whispered conversation, Hanlin stealthily approached them but Di Boluan noticed movement behind him and fled immediately. Chan Niang turned around upon seeing Hanlin's face flushed with embarrassment.
Hanlin asked: "Were you quite familiar with Di Boluan before?" Chan Niang replied: "Though I did not have deep ties with Di scholar himself, I am acquainted with his sister so I merely asked about her recent situation. Coming from such background as mine inevitably leads one to pick up some frivolous habits—I did not know how to maintain distance from men properly. Just now when I was playfully holding hands with Di scholar it might have raised your suspicions—that was my fault indeed!"
Hanlin reassured her: "I do not doubt your intentions; there’s no need for you to worry." He then instructed: "Di Boluan is young and impetuous; he might feel awkward upon seeing me—I should go comfort him." Thus he sent his attendant to fetch Di Boluan but found he had already vanished without a trace.
Hanlin regretted deeply: "Think of King Zhuang of Chu who concealed his subordinates' misdeeds for stability among his troops! Yet here I am pursuing trivial matters leading me to lose such talent—what regret!" So he dispatched people everywhere searching for Di Boluan.
That night Hanlin reminisced about old times with Moonlight over drinks until late into the night before extinguishing candles and going to bed together. When dawn broke lightly he woke up groggily only to find Moonlight applying makeup before a mirror. His heart stirred as he gazed at her dreamily until suddenly alarmed awake again—upon closer inspection this woman had delicate features resembling Moonlight yet distinctly different! Confused yet hesitant to inquire further about it left him puzzled.
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