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The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "Since Yingyang has become my daughter, you cannot take her away. You need not be too sorrowful." Madam Cui bowed and replied, "How could I dare to take her home? It is just that the separation of mother and daughter makes it difficult to repay your immense kindness, Your Majesty!" The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "There is no need to worry about this matter. After the wedding, I will also entrust Lanyang to you. You must treat Lanyang with the same affection as I do Yingyang." She then commanded someone to summon Princess Lanyang to meet Madam Cui. Madam Cui once again apologized for her previous negligence. The Empress Dowager said, "I have heard that you have a talented young lady named Jia Chunyun by your side. Could you introduce her to me?" Madam Cui immediately ordered someone to call Chun Yun to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager. Upon seeing Chun Yun, the Empress Dowager exclaimed, "What a beauty!" She then asked, "I have heard Lanyang mention that you once obtained a five-colored brocade woven from the talent of Jiang Yan in Dream. Could you compose a poem for me?" Chun Yun bowed and said, "I am lacking in talent and knowledge; how could I dare to show off before Your Majesty? I just wish to know what topic you would like me to write about?" The Empress Dowager commanded her to compose a three-person Magpie poem and asked, "Are you confident in writing such verses?" Chun Yun requested writing materials, pondered for a moment, and then wrote it down.
The poem reads:
"Only I know the subtle joy of good news,
In the Yu courtyard, fortunate to pursue the phoenix's grace.
In the spring colors of Qin Tower, flowers bloom on a thousand trees,
Is there truly no branch available for borrowing?"
The Empress Dowager looked at Chun Yun's poem and turned to the princess, saying, "I have long heard that the daughters of the Jia family are talented, but I did not expect them to be so extraordinary!" Princess Lanyang replied, "This poem compares itself to a Magpie, likening my sister to a phoenix, which is very fitting. The next line seems to express concern that the young lady may not welcome her and wishes to borrow a branch for lodging. The entire poem gathers the essence of ancient poets' verses into an exquisite piece with intricate ideas and profound meaning; she truly is a master! As the old saying goes: 'Flying birds depend on people; people cherish them.' This describes someone like Miss Jia perfectly." After speaking, Princess Lanyang left with Chun Yun to see the Qin. Pointing at the Qin, Princess Lanyang said to Chun Yun, "This is the girl from the Qin family in Huayin County, who lives with you in the Prime Minister's residence." Chun Yun responded, "Surely this is the Qin girl who wrote 'Willow Poem'?" the Qin asked in surprise, "How did you know about 'Willow Poem'?" Chun Niang replied, "Yang Shangshu recites this poem every time he misses you; that is how I came to hear it." Upon hearing this, the Qin felt overwhelmed: "Yang Shangshu has not forgotten me after all." Chun Niang said, "Why do you say such things? The Minister of Rites always keeps 'Willow Poem' close; whenever he sees it, he weeps; whenever he recites it, he sighs. Do you not know his feelings?" the Qin replied, "If the Minister of Rites still has feelings for me, even if I cannot meet him in this life, I would have no regrets." She then spoke about the origins of 'Fan Fan Poem'. Chun Niang said, "The jewelry I wear was all gifted by the Minister of Rites that day."
Just then, a palace maid suddenly came in to report: "Madam Situ from Zheng is about to return home." The two princesses then re-entered to serve the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager said to Madam Cui, "Yang Shaoyou will soon return to the capital. The betrothal gifts must naturally be sent back home again; however, this back-and-forth seems too cumbersome. Moreover, since Yingyang is also my daughter, I would like both young ladies to marry on the same day. What do you think about this matter?" Madam Cui quickly knelt and replied, "How could I dare make such decisions? I will follow Your Majesty's orders." The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "Yang Shangshu has defied orders three times for Yingyang. I also want to deceive him once. As the saying goes: 'Evil words turn into good fortune.' When the Minister of Rites returns, we will tell him that Miss Zheng has unfortunately passed away due to illness. I have read the Minister of Rites' memorials where he mentioned having met Miss Zheng; I am curious whether he can still recognize her true face on their wedding day." After receiving her orders and taking her leave, Princess Yingyang escorted her out of the hall and quietly called over Chun Yun, revealing the plan devised by the Empress Dowager to deceive Yang Shangshu. Chun Yun said, "I have already disguised myself as a fairy and ghost multiple times to deceive the Minister of Rites; is it not excessive to do so again?" Princess Yingyang replied, "This is not my idea but rather an imperial command." After hearing this, Chun Yun smiled and left.
Meanwhile, Yang Shaoyou, at White Dragon Pool, ordered water from the pond for his troops to drink. After drinking it, they felt an overwhelming surge of courage and were eager to kill enemies and achieve merit immediately. Seeing their morale was high enough for action, he issued an order for his troops to advance with one strong push straight into Tubo's royal court. At this moment, Tubo's Zanpu had just received Shen Niao Yan's Maio Wanzhu and learned that Tang's army had already broken through Snake Valley's natural defenses; he was taken aback. He hurriedly summoned his ministers for discussions on countermeasures and wanted to raise a white flag in surrender to Tang's army. Seeing that defeat was inevitable and unwilling to resist futilely any longer, Tubo's generals bound Zanpu and escorted him before Tang's camp for surrender.
Yang Shaoyou accepted Tubo's surrender and immediately organized his troops while leading them into Tubo's royal city. He strictly ordered his soldiers not to disturb civilians or commit any minor offenses while posting notices everywhere reassuring them. Once everything was arranged properly, he ascended Kunlun Mountain where he inscribed his achievements in stone as a record of Tang's great military exploits before returning home.
As it happened that Yang Shaoyou, leading his victorious army back through Zhenzhou during mid-autumn season saw desolate mountains and rivers with falling leaves and frost flowers forming as wild geese mournfully cried out—this scene evoked deep feelings of travel-related melancholy within him. That night while staying at an inn along his journey he felt restless in his heart—tossing and turning unable to sleep. He could not help but think: Having been away from home for several years now; my elderly mother must be gray-haired with changed appearance while I cannot serve by her side morning or evening—what kind of filial duty is this? The guilt weighs heavily upon me! A man should aspire on battlefields achieving great deeds; yet now having fulfilled my long-held wishes I've neglected my family—how can one balance these two? Why did ancient people ascend mountains or approach waters reciting poetry? Wasn't it due to reflecting on life's brevity where fame cannot coexist with familial love? Moreover I've been fighting outside for years without anyone managing affairs at home—my marriage with Miss Zheng seems further away than ever; who knows what complications may arise? As they say: 'Life rarely goes as one wishes,' truly rings true! Now our Tang has reclaimed five Qianli territories lost while pacifying millions of rebels—such accomplishments cannot be deemed insignificant! Surely His Majesty will reward me greatly! Why not take this opportunity during audience with His Majesty expressing my heartfelt intentions requesting permission for marriage with Miss Zheng? Perhaps there might still be hope! With these thoughts in mind,Yang Shaoyou felt slightly relieved allowing himself finally drift into sleep.
In a daze,Yang Shaoyou dreamt that he floated up into heaven’s palace where golden palaces shone brightly amidst colorful clouds swirling around him. Suddenly two celestial maidens approached him saying: “Miss Zheng requests your presence,Minister of Rites! ” Following them inside revealed spacious courtyards adorned with blooming celestial flowers where three celestial maidens sat together atop white jade towers dressed splendidly like palace concubines—each one beautiful beyond compare radiating brilliance like pearls intertwined—truly mesmerizing! At this moment they were admiring flowers leaning against railings when they noticed him arriving rising up simultaneously welcoming him before taking their seats accordingly. The maiden seated at highest position spoke first: “How have you been,Minister of Rites! ” Upon closer inspection,Yang Shaoyou recognized her as Miss Zheng from past conversations regarding music—he was astonished speechless momentarily! Seeing his reaction she smiled gently saying: “Now having departed from mortal realm arriving here in celestial world—I reminisce fondly about past days feeling as if separated by lifetimes! Though you can see my parents here—you shall find it hard hearing news about me.” Then pointing towards two maidens beside her she introduced: “This is Weaving Maiden Star Lord; this one here is Dai Xiangyu Girl—they share karmic ties with you from previous lives so please do not forget us.” Only then did he carefully observe these two other celestial maidens realizing one seated last seemed familiar yet couldn’t recall who she was at all! Just then sounds of drums filled air signaling end of dream—it turned out merely an illusion! Upon waking up,Yang Shaoyou, reflecting upon dream’s content felt increasingly uneasy thinking perhaps Miss Zheng had already left this world! Otherwise why would such ominous dreams occur? But then again comforting himself thought: “Daytime thoughts lead nighttime dreams—it might simply mean I miss Miss Zheng too much causing these visions?” Initially recommended by Gui Chan Yue along with Du Xiangu’s matchmaking perhaps indeed fated by Yue Lao himself! Yet now though swords remain unsheathed—the beloved seems lost—isn’t fate playing tricks on us beyond human control? Or perhaps this dream serves as reverse omen indicating fortunes turning around instead?
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