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The young lady listened to her father's words, returned to her chamber, and said to Chun Yun, "A few days ago, that female Taoist who played the guqin claimed to be from the Chu Region and appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen years old. Huainan was the ancient Chu Region, and given her age, I can't help but suspect. If she is indeed that female Taoist, she will surely come to visit my father. When she arrives, you must observe her closely." Chun Yun replied, "I have never seen her; how could I recognize her even if we were face to face? In my opinion, it would be better for you to take a look at her yourself from behind the screen." The two exchanged smiles.
At this time, Yang Shaoyou had just been named the top scholar in the imperial examination and was selected to join the Hanlin Academy, gaining immense fame. Families of nobility with daughters were eager to send matchmakers his way, but he turned them all down. He went to pay his respects to Deputy Liu of the Ministry of Rites and expressed his desire to marry Miss Zheng, saying many flattering words and asking for his help in making an introduction. Deputy Liu wrote him a letter of recommendation.
Yang Shaoyou immediately took the letter and went to Zheng Situ's residence, presenting his name card. Upon hearing that the new top scholar had arrived, Zheng Situ told his wife, "The new top scholar is here," and promptly went out to welcome him.
Yang Shaoyou, wearing a crown of laurels and surrounded by admirers, came to pay his respects to Zheng Situ. His demeanor was graceful and his manners impeccable, leaving Zheng Situ speechless with delight. Everyone in the Zheng residence gathered around except for the young lady. Chun Yun asked the maids, "I heard the master and mistress say that the female Taoist who played the guqin a few days ago is actually Yang Shaoyou's cousin. I wonder how similar Yang Shaoyou's appearance is to that Taoist?" The maids all chimed in, "Indeed! Just look at those brows and eyes; they are practically identical. They must be closely related!"
Chun Yun hurried inside and said to the young lady, "Miss, you truly have a remarkable intuition; you were absolutely right!" The young lady replied, "Go find out why he has come." Chun Yun left and returned after a while with news: "Father wants to betroth you to Yang Shaoyou. Yang Shaoyou expressed his gratitude and said: 'Since I arrived in the capital, I have heard that Miss is virtuous and serene, which has led me to harbor inappropriate thoughts. Today I specifically came to pay my respects to my mentor Deputy Liu, who agreed to write a letter of recommendation for me. However, I worry about our families' differing statuses; it feels like a phoenix among sparrows. The letter from my mentor is in my sleeve; I am just too ashamed to present it.' He then handed over the letter." Naturally, Zheng Situ was very pleased upon reading it and had already instructed for a banquet.
The young lady was taken aback: "Marriage is a significant matter; how can it be decided so hastily? How could Father agree so easily?" Before she could finish speaking, a maid announced that her mother wanted her inside. Upon entering the inner chamber, her mother said: "Yang Shaoyou has achieved first place in this year's palace examination and is praised by everyone. Your father has agreed to this marriage proposal; your father and I are quite satisfied with this arrangement."
The young lady asked, "I heard from the maids that Yang Shaoyou's appearance closely resembles that of the female Taoist who played the guqin a few days ago. Is that true?" Her mother replied: "The maids are correct. When I first saw that female Taoist with her ethereal presence and extraordinary demeanor, I couldn't forget her; I even wanted to invite her again but was unable due to household matters. Now seeing Yang Shaoyou feels like encountering that female Taoist again; it shows just how handsome he is." The young lady said: "Although Yang Shaoyou is handsome, there are some misunderstandings between us; this marriage may not be appropriate." Her mother remarked: "What a strange thing! My daughter lives in seclusion while Yang Shaoyou is far away in Huainan with no prior connection; how could there be any misunderstanding?"
The young lady felt embarrassed as she explained: "The female Taoist from before is actually Yang Shaoyou today. He disguised himself as a woman playing the guqin to inquire about my beauty. I was deceived by him into conversing multiple times; how can there not be misunderstandings?" Her mother was left speechless in shock.
After sending off Yang Shaoyou, Situ hurried back into the inner chamber with joy on his face and said to his daughter: "My precious daughter, starting today you will have an excellent son-in-law; how delightful!" Her mother replied: "My daughter's thoughts differ greatly from ours." She then relayed what her daughter had said about Yang Shaoyou. Situ asked detailed questions about what had transpired regarding Yang Shaoyou playing "Phoenix Seeking Phoenix," laughing heartily: "This Yang Shaoyou truly is a romantic talent! In ancient times, Scholar Wang Wei donned musician's attire and played pipa at Princess Taiping's residence before ultimately becoming a top scholar—a tale still told today. For the sake of pursuing a virtuous lady, Yang Shaoyou dressed as a woman; he truly is an elegant gentleman—just playful banter! What misunderstandings could there possibly be? Besides, you initially met him as a female Taoist rather than as Yang Shaoyou himself. His cross-dressing has nothing to do with you! This is entirely different from Zhuo Wenjun secretly watching Sima Xiangru through curtains; why trouble yourself?"
The young lady replied: "I am innocent in my heart but feel deeply wronged by being deceived!" Situ laughed again: "This matter is not something I should interfere with; you should speak directly with Yang Shaoyou about it later." Her mother asked Situ: "When does Yang Shaoyou plan on holding the wedding ceremony?" Situ responded: "As for customary gifts like betrothal presents, we will follow local customs. As for formally welcoming her home as a bride, we will wait until autumn when his mother arrives before setting a date." Her mother agreed: "That sounds reasonable; there's no rush."
They chose an auspicious day for accepting Yang Hanlin's betrothal gifts and arranged for Hanlin to stay in a separate courtyard within their garden. Hanlin served the Zheng family respectfully as their son-in-law while they treated him as if he were their own child.
One day, Miss Zheng happened upon Chun Yun's room and saw Chun Yun embroidering a pair of embroidered shoes. Perhaps due to spring fatigue setting in, she had fallen asleep resting against her embroidery frame. The young lady entered quietly and admired Chun Yun's skillful work on the embroidery thread. Underneath the embroidery frame lay a small piece of paper with several lines written on it; upon unfolding it, she discovered it was a poem about shoes:
"Compassionate towards those closest,
Following step by step without parting.
When candles extinguish and curtains part,
You shall cast aside your dreams beneath."
After reading it, she thought silently: "Chun Niang's poetry has become even more refined. She compares herself with embroidered shoes while likening me to a jade personage—saying we have never been apart during ordinary times; if I marry in the future, I will surely neglect her. This shows how deep Chun Niang's feelings for me are." With this thought in mind, she couldn't help but softly recite it aloud before smiling: "Chun Niang wishes she could sleep beside me and do similar things! I've completely understood this girl's intentions."
To avoid waking Chun Yun, she quietly turned around and left for the inner hall where she found her mother preparing dinner for Yang Hanlin along with her maids. The young lady said: "Since Yang Hanlin moved into our home, Mother has been working hard managing everything—it's truly exhausting! These tasks should fall upon me according to propriety anyway. Chun Yun has grown up now and can handle many things herself. My idea is for Chun Yun to go into the garden and serve Yang Hanlin’s daily needs; this would also relieve some burden from you."
Her mother replied: "Chun Yun is clever and capable—what can't she do? However, since her father once did us a favor and given her noble background, your father has always wanted to find her a good match. If we let her serve you instead of marrying well herself—it might not align with her wishes." The young lady observed Chun Yun closely and remarked: "She doesn't seem inclined to leave me."
Her mother added: "It has been customary since ancient times for maidservants accompanying brides—but Chun Yun stands out both in talent and beauty; she's not an ordinary maidservant! Having her serve you isn't sustainable." The young lady countered: "Yang Hanlin is just a sixteen-year-old scholar from a remote area who dares tease the daughter of a chancellor simply because he plays an instrument—does he think he can spend his life solely with me? Who knows how many 'Chun Yuns' he might have in his household later!"
At that moment, Lord Situ returned home. Her mother conveyed their daughter's thoughts regarding sending Chun Yun over to serve Yang Hanlin but expressed concerns about propriety given that they hadn't yet married—sending over a concubine seemed inappropriate both emotionally and logically! Lord Situ disagreed: "Chun Yun resembles our daughter both in talent and appearance—they are like sisters inseparable! Since they will both marry Yang Hanlin eventually—why rush? Moreover, being so young alone in this capital city without anyone familiar must be tough for him—sending Chun Yun over would provide him some company."
Her mother acknowledged this but still hesitated regarding etiquette matters... Lord Situ dismissed these concerns saying: “Sending over just one girl doesn’t require such elaborate considerations—let’s keep things simple.” At this point Miss Zheng interjected: “Father! I have an idea that might serve two purposes—it could benefit Chun Yun while also clearing away my humiliation.” Lord Situ became intrigued asking: “Oh? Tell me more.”
The young lady explained how arranging things just so would allow her humiliation from earlier encounters with Yang Hanlin to be resolved effectively. After hearing this plan Lord Situ couldn’t help but clap his hands laughing heartily: “What an excellent strategy!”
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