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After finishing, Yang Sheng adjusted the strings of the guqin and began to play. The music was melodious and cheerful, captivating the listeners and bringing them peace of mind. The flowers in the courtyard seemed to bloom simultaneously, while swallows flew in pairs, and the orioles sang to each other.
The young lady listened intently, her brows slightly furrowed, her gaze wandering as she sat silently. It was not until she heard the lyrics "Phoenix, Oh Phoenix, Return to Your Hometown, Roaming the Seas in Search of Your Phoenix" that she suddenly opened her eyes wide, looked down at her sash, and felt her cheeks flush with embarrassment, as if she had been drinking. Then, she gracefully stood up and turned to walk into the inner chamber.
Yang Sheng was taken aback, setting down the guqin and staring blankly at the young lady's retreating figure, lost in thought as if he were a statue.
Seeing this, the lady commanded him to sit down and asked, "What piece were you playing just now?"
Yang Sheng pretended not to know and replied, "This piece was taught to me by my master, but I do not know its name. I was hoping the young lady would give it a name."
However, the young lady did not come out for a long time. The lady then sent a maid to inquire about the reason. The maid returned with the report: "The young lady has been feeling unwell after being exposed to the wind for a long time and cannot come out."
Yang Sheng suspected that the young lady had sensed his feelings and felt anxious. Not daring to stay longer, he stood up to bid farewell to the lady, saying, "I heard that the young lady is unwell; I truly cannot rest easy. I believe you will take care of her personally, so I shall take my leave."
The lady offered him gold and silver treasures as thanks, but Yang Sheng politely declined: "As a monk who understands music only superficially, I am merely entertaining myself; how could I accept payment?"
After saying this, Yang Sheng once again bowed to the lady in farewell and turned to leave.
The lady worried about the young lady's condition and hurried to check on her in her chamber. She found that she was feeling much better. The young lady asked the maid: "How is Chun Niang's illness?"
The maid replied: "She is much better today. I heard that you were listening to music and have already gotten up to wash and dress."
Chun Niang's surname is Jia; she is from Western Shu. Her father originally worked in the Prime Minister's Residence in the capital and helped the Zheng Family of Situ greatly but unfortunately passed away shortly after. At that time, Chun Niang was only about ten years old. Seeing her alone and helpless, the Zheng Family took her into their household to accompany their own daughter. She is one month younger than the young lady and possesses a beautiful appearance with dignified grace. Although she does not surpass the young lady, she is still an extraordinary beauty. In terms of poetry talent, she is quick-witted; in calligraphy, her strokes are fluid; in needlework, she is exceptionally skilled—she matches the young lady in every aspect. The young lady treats her like a sister; they cannot bear to be apart even for a moment. Although they are called master and servant, their bond is more like that of siblings. Chun Niang's original name was Chuyun; seeing her pure and lovely nature, the young lady quoted Han Yu's line "Your poetry has many attitudes like clouds in spring" to rename her Chun Yun. Everyone in the household calls her Chun Niang.
One day, when Chun Niang came to see the young lady, she immediately asked: "This morning those maids were discussing how a female Daoist came to play music in the hall—said to be as beautiful as a celestial being with exceptional skills—and you praised her endlessly. I happened to be ill at that time and missed it; now I'm curious why that female Daoist left so hurriedly?" Upon hearing this, the young lady's face flushed with embarrassment as she took a long time before softly replying: "I have always cherished my reputation like jade and have firm intentions not to easily interact with outsiders; you know this well, Chun Niang. Today I was deceived by that female Daoist and suffered great humiliation—how can I face anyone after this?"
Chun Niang sensed something was off in her tone and asked anxiously: "What exactly happened?"
The young lady replied: "That female Daoist was indeed beautiful and skilled at playing." She paused here suddenly, hesitating with an expression of distress.
Chun Niang pressed on: "What kind of person was this female Daoist? What did she say?"
The young lady answered: "She first played 'Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Garment,' then several other pieces before concluding with Emperor Shun's 'Southern Melody.' I followed the precedent set by Ji Zha from Wu State in evaluating each piece but then asked her not to play anymore. However, that female Daoist insisted on playing one last new piece—'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix'! At first, I didn't pay much attention but later realized that her appearance and demeanor were unlike ordinary women; it must be cross-dressing! How fortunate it would have been if you had been there—you would have seen through her tricks immediately! As an unmarried woman sitting face-to-face with a stranger for half a day—how can such a thing happen? It’s too embarrassing even to mention it; it’s hard for me even to tell my mother! If it weren’t for you, who else could I confide in?"
Chun Niang laughed: "'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' isn’t such a rare piece; are you perhaps overthinking it?"
The young lady replied seriously: "How could that be? Every piece she played had its significance; if it weren't meant to provoke me intentionally, why would she save 'Phoenix Seeking Phoenix' for last? Moreover, there are women who are delicate or robust in appearance—but I've never seen anyone so spirited and extraordinary! In my opinion, it must be one of those newly appointed scholars gathering in the capital who has heard my name and devised such a scheme to come investigate!"
Chun Niang interjected: "If this female Daoist is indeed a man with handsome looks and extraordinary demeanor who excels at music—he must be exceptionally talented! Perhaps he is Sima Xiangru reborn!"
The young lady laughed at this: "Even if he were Sima Xiangru, I would never become Zhuo Wenjun!"
Chun Niang couldn't help but tease: "Your words are rather amusing; Zhuo Wenjun was a widow while you are an unmarried young lady! Besides, Zhuo Wenjun intended to follow Sima Xiangru while you merely listened to some pieces by chance—how can these two situations be compared?" The two exchanged playful banter happily.
One day while accompanying the lady sitting together, Lord Situ entered from outside holding a newly released list of successful candidates for official positions. He handed it to the lady saying: "We still haven't settled your daughter's marriage; I thought we might choose a suitable husband from among this year's successful candidates. I've learned that this year's top scholar is named Yang Shaoyou from Huainan; he is only sixteen years old but received unanimous praise from His Majesty and all examiners during this palace examination as an extraordinary talent rarely seen in a hundred years. Moreover, he is handsome and poised—surely destined for greatness—and most importantly he is unmarried! If we could have him as our son-in-law, I would consider it fulfilling my wishes."
The lady responded noncommittally: "We can't just rely on hearsay; seeing is believing—we need to meet him in person before making any decisions."
Lord Situ chuckled: "That's no problem! I'll make arrangements!"
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