Only when his mother brought up the matter of marriage did Soyu tell her about the engagement he had made with Miss Qin in Huayin County.
“Since then, I have been unable to learn whether Miss Qin lives or dies, and your son has been grieving over it alone.”
“Though Miss Qin may be a maiden like a celestial fairy, it came to pass because you had no destined bond with her, so you must forget her as soon as you can. Even if Miss Qin has preserved her life, she has been branded the child of a traitor, so it will not be easy to meet her. Forget Miss Qin quickly, take a gentle maiden as your wife, and gladden this mother’s heart.”
Lady Yu sighed as she gave him this counsel.
Soyu took leave of his mother and set out on the road.
When he reached Luoyang, a sudden, driving shower began to pour down. Soyu entered a tavern outside the southern gate and ordered wine while taking shelter from the rain.
When the tavern mistress brought out the drinking table, Soyu emptied his cup in a single draught.
“Innkeeper, this wine is not of the finest quality, is it?”
Soyu said to the proprietor.
“If my lord truly wishes to drink the finest, then please try the wine sold at the foot of Tianjin Bridge. That wine is called Luoyang Spring, and it costs a thousand nyang.”
When the proprietor explained in detail, Soyu thought to himself.
“Is Luoyang not an ancient capital where emperors ruled from of old, said to be first beneath heaven in prosperity and splendor? Last time I went up to the capital, I took another road and could not stop here, so I shall linger a while, see the sights, and then be on my way.”
Meeting the Luoyang Courtesan Gui Chanyue
Soyu had his boy drive the donkey and headed for Tianjin Bridge.
When he entered the city, the scenery and customs were strikingly different from any place Soyu had seen before. Every object was refined and costly, the magnificence of the towers and pavilions reached its height, and the waters of the Luo River seemed like a painting spread out at an angle.
At Tianjin Bridge, colored rainbows seemed to be planted in the air, and crimson towers and painted pavilions rose into the sky, shimmering upside down upon the water; the shadows of beaded curtains fell across the road, making a truly splendid sight.
When he came before one magnificent tower, white horses with silver saddles were tethered by the roadside, and grooms and servants were busily going in and out. Soyu happened to look up at the tower and heard music rising in a rapturous clamor, while the fragrance of silk garments drifted faintly down.
Soyu ordered his boy to find out the reason, and the boy reported that all the noble young gentlemen of the city had summoned famous courtesans and were enjoying themselves. At these words, curiosity arose in him and poetic inspiration swelled, so Soyu went straight up into the tower.
Above the tower, more than ten noble young gentlemen sat upon silk cushions with beautiful courtesans beside them, and the drinking table was lavishly spread. Each was holding forth with lofty discourse, and as all of them looked unmistakably aristocratic, Soyu bent at the waist and asked to greet those assembled.
“I am a scholar from a remote countryside, on my way to take the civil examination. Upon arriving here, I heard the sound of music everywhere, and in the hot blood of youth I could not simply pass by. Thus, shamelessly, I have intruded as an uninvited guest. I hope you gentlemen will forgive me.”
The noble young gentlemen in the tower all looked at Soyu at once. Seeing his handsome brows and eyes and his refined appearance, they all rose together, returned his greeting with courtesy, and welcomed him in.
After each had exchanged names and greetings and they had divided the seats, a young gentleman named Du spoke.
“If Master Yang is truly a scholar on his way to take the examination, then though you may be an uninvited guest, there is no harm in your joining today’s amusement. And since an honored guest has come to visit, our delight is all the greater; what is there to hesitate over?”
So saying, he looked around at those present.
“Judging by this gathering, it seems you are not merely sharing pleasure through wine, but have set up a poetry society to compare writings. For one so unworthy as I to join your banquet without discretion seems far beyond my station.”
Soyu answered modestly. Then the others, taking his words to be extremely humble and making light of his youth, replied.
“Young Master Yang came last of all, so you may compose something or not, as you please.
It would not be bad simply to drink and amuse yourself with us.”
Then they urged the courtesans to fill the cups to the brim and began to enjoy the music and elegance.
With eyes warmed by wine, Soyu looked around at the courtesans. All twenty were outstanding beauties, each vying in her talents, but only one courtesan neither attended on anyone nor served wine, and merely sat there in dignified stillness. Her face and graceful bearing were truly the kind of beauty that could topple a kingdom. Enraptured by her, Soyu had before he knew it forgotten even to pass the wine cup, and that beautiful courtesan, too, quietly raised her face and sent him an affectionate glance.
Seeing several sheets of poem paper piled beside the courtesan, Soyu asked the noble young gentlemen.
“Those verses appear to be fine compositions written by you gentlemen. Might I be permitted to read them once?”
Before the young gentlemen could answer, the beauty swiftly rose and brought the poem papers before Soyu.
Soyu read each of the dozen or so sheets. Though there were differences of better and worse among them, they were all much of a kind, and he could not choose a masterpiece.
“I once heard that in Luoyang, talented men were as numerous as clouds, but that was truly an empty saying.”
So Soyu murmured inwardly.
Yet after sending the poem papers back before the beauty, Soyu praised the young gentlemen’s poems.
“This man of Chu had not until now encountered the writings of the men of Tang, but now that I have read your jewel-like compositions, my heart has opened and my discernment has risen greatly.”
By this time, the noble young gentlemen were pleasantly drunk, and each was eager to put in a word.
“Master Yang has perceived only the subtlety of the lines, but not the other subtlety within them.”
“Since you gentlemen have shown me such generous consideration, we have now become friends without reserve. Would you not also teach me what that other subtlety is?”
When Soyu entreated them, a young gentleman among those seated named Wang burst into loud laughter and told him.
“What difficulty is there that I should not speak of it? From ancient times, our Luoyang has been known for its abundance of talented men, and if a man of Luoyang did not place first in the examination as zhuangyuan, he would become tanhualang, the third-place laureate. All the men here have won empty fame through writing, but until now we have had no chance to compare whose work is superior or inferior, higher or lower. And now that young lady there has agreed to choose the zhuangyuan among us, is that not a marvelous thing? Her surname is Gui, and her name is Chanyue; her beauty, song, and dance are so outstanding that no one in Luoyang can match her. Moreover, she is thoroughly versed in the writings of past and present and ignorant of nothing, and her eye for judging writing is wondrous and almost divine. When any scholar in Luoyang writes a piece and asks her opinion, she critiques it without hesitation, and her polishing is so skillful that not the slightest flaw escapes her—a true genius. Therefore, we decided to hand our writings to Gui-lang, and the piece she selects will be set to song and music, and thus its rank will be determined. Besides, the character of Gui-lang’s surname is the same as the cassia tree in the moon, so the omen of success in this examination lies here; that is why I said it was marvelous.”
When Wang finished speaking, Du added a word.
“There is another delight besides this. That is, if Gui-lang sings the piece that takes first place among these writings, then the man who wrote it is to form a fragrant bond with Gui-lang tonight.
If that happens, the rest of us will become guests who congratulate him; how could this not be a splendid thing? Master Yang, too, is a man, so you surely cannot be ignorant of such pleasure. How would it be if you composed a piece and competed with us for rank?”
Soyu asked Wang in return.
“But since you gentlemen have already composed your writings some time ago, has Gui-lang not already sung?”
Wang answered with a laugh.
“Gui-lang has cherished her beautiful voice until now and kept her lovely lips firmly closed. Since she has not yet opened those cherry lips and let us hear her clear song, it is not too late even now.”
So he said.
“While I was in the land of Chu, I did compose from time to time, but this is my first time writing in so great a city as this. To compete in talent with you gentlemen would truly be presumptuous.”
When Soyu modestly bowed and declined, Wang cried out.
“Master Yang’s appearance is indeed more delicate than a woman’s, so it seems you have no manly spirit, and no literary talent either.”
More than Wang’s mockery, Soyu’s heart was fixed upon Gui-lang; though he declined outwardly, he could not overcome his wanton feelings, and drew out one sheet of poem paper beside Gui-lang. Soyu wrote three poems in a single breath; it was like a boat meeting a favorable wind and racing ahead, like sweet rain falling after three years of drought, so that everyone was startled and looked at one another.
Soyu flung down the brush and looked around at the noble young gentlemen.
“It would be proper for me to receive instruction from you gentlemen, but since today’s examiner is said to be Gui-lang, I shall present the poems to Gui-lang.”
So saying, Soyu handed the poem paper to Gui Chanyue.
A guest of Chu roamed westward and entered Qin;
Coming to the wine tower, he was drunk on Luoyang Spring.
Who shall first pluck the crimson cassia from the moon?
Within today’s written lines, the man is here himself.
Willow catkins fly above Tianjin Bridge;
Jeweled blinds, layer on layer, shine in the dusk.
I incline my ear and hear a single song;
Upon the brocade seat, brocade robes dance again.
Flowering branches are ashamed before the lady’s adornment;
Though she has not sung a lovely song, her mouth is already fragrant.
Now, when the dust has flown from the rafters,
Let bridal candles be lit in the chamber, and congratulations offered to the groom.
Gui Chanyue lifted her eyes, bright as the morning star, and read the poems Soyu had composed.
After a short while, the geomungo raised a clear melody, and from Gui Chanyue’s mouth flowed a song like an oriole’s cry.
It was as if a crane were crying in the high heavens and a phoenix singing in a bamboo grove; the flute lost its sound and the geomungo lost its tune, and the people were left entranced, their spirits stolen away.
At first, the noble young gentlemen had looked down on Soyu as a country bumpkin, but in the end, when he composed three poems as fluently as flowing water and made Gui Chanyue sing them, they could only stare at one another without a word. This was because it pained them to give Chanyue to Soyu, yet if they broke their promise, their dignity as men would be ruined.
Soyu sensed their mood, sprang up from his seat, and took leave of the noble young gentlemen.
"By chance, I was permitted to attend your feast, received generous hospitality, and became intoxicated with the merriment; for this I am truly boundlessly grateful. Yet the road to the capital is still long, and I am pressed for time, so I shall promise another day and take my leave. On some later day, let us meet again at the joyous grand banquet of Qujiang (a river near Chang'an, where each year talented men who have passed the civil examinations take their pleasure) and there unburden the fellowship of men of spirit."
With that, he quietly descended from the pavilion.
The noble young gentlemen left behind could only smack their lips in bitterness; they did not try to detain him.
Sharing the Pleasure of Clouds and Rain with Gye Seomwol
Soyu descended from the pavilion, mounted his donkey, and slowly set out along the road, when Gye Seomwol hurried after him.
"My lord, pray hear this humble woman's words before you go. If you follow this road straight down, you will find a whitewashed house by the roadside. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom along the wall, so it will be easy to find. My lord, please go first to my house and wait for me there. This humble woman will follow at once."
As Gye Seomwol earnestly entreated him again and again, Soyu readily agreed, and Gyerang turned back toward the pavilion.
"My lords, since you did not cast this humble woman aside as unclean, and since with a single song we fixed tonight's fragrant bond, what would you have me do?"
"That Yang fellow who just went down is a guest, is he not? He is not the man with whom we first made our promise, so there is no need to mind him."
The noble young gentlemen argued back and forth and could not easily come to a decision.
"I beg to inform my lords: if a person has no trustworthiness, how can that be called right? This humble woman is feeling unwell and shall return home first, so may my lords enjoy to the full the pleasures you have not yet exhausted all day."
Gye Seomwol spoke coldly and descended from the pavilion, while the noble young gentlemen merely looked on with displeased faces. Since there had been the first promise, they could not cling to Gye Seomwol and keep her there.
Thus Soyu drove his donkey to the inn, rested for a while, and when darkness fell, went to Gye Seomwol's house. At Gye Seomwol's house, the lamps shone resplendently, and both inside and outside had been swept clean, plainly showing that they were awaiting a guest.
Soyu tied his donkey to a cherry tree and called for the mistress of the house, whereupon Gye Seomwol ran out in her stocking feet.
"My lord, you departed before this humble woman, so why have you only now arrived?"
"It was not that I wished to come late on purpose, but is there not an old saying that the horse would not go forward?"
When Soyu answered, Gye Seomwol took him by the hand and led him into the room.
Presently a tastefully prepared wine table was brought in, and with the table before them, Seomwol poured especially for Soyu, urged him to drink, and sang the Golden-threaded Robe.
Seomwol's lovely song, her flowerlike face and moonlike form, were enough to bewitch a man's very spirit; Soyu could not suppress his spring passion, set down his cup, drew her slender jade hand to him, and led her to the brocade bedding.
Before long they shared the affection of clouds and rain, and its delight was beyond comparison with the dream of Wushan (where King Huai and King Xiang of Chu met a divine maiden while napping on the mountain terrace) or the bond at the Luo River (where Cao Zhi met the goddess of the Luo River, Fuxi's daughter).
"My lord, from this day forth this humble woman wishes to entrust this one body to you. I beg you, my lord, hear my heart and take pity on me. This humble woman was born in Suzhou, but because my father served as a petty official in this town, I came to live here. Unhappily, my father passed away early. My home village was far away, and our household was so poor that there was no way to carry his coffin back there. And so my stepmother sold this humble woman as a courtesan for one hundred taels and used the money to finish his funeral."
From within the bedding, Seomwol told Soyu of her past and shed tears.
"From that day on, this humble woman has endured every humiliation and sorrow, bending her heart to serve guests. With single-hearted longing, this humble woman has served guests while yearning to meet an excellent gentleman. With single-hearted longing, this humble woman has lived praying to meet an excellent gentleman and once more be embraced within the bosom of a harmonious household. Fortunately, the pavilion of this humble woman's house stands on the road to Chang'an, so whenever travelers rested before it, I searched for one whom I might serve as my lord, but I could not fulfill my wish. By Heaven's aid, tonight I have been able to meet you, my lord. This is my lifelong desire; if my lord does not cast me aside as unclean, this humble woman will become even a maid who cooks your rice. But what is my lord's intention?"
Seomwol spoke as tears rolled drop by drop down her beautiful cheeks.
"The affection Gyerang pours upon me and the affection with which I cherish Gyerang are not the least bit different. However, I am a poor scholar, and my aged mother is still alive in my hometown, so only after obtaining my mother's consent can I promise to grow old together with Gyerang for a hundred years. Also, if I were to take a young lady of good family besides Gyerang, would Gyerang not be displeased? Yet in all the world, a virtuous woman who can compare with you is not easily found, so you need not worry too much."
Soyu tenderly, ever so tenderly, drew Seomwol by the shoulders and comforted her.
"As this humble woman sees it, my lord's talents are so extraordinary that no one will be able to match you.
In this civil examination, my lord will surely take first place. And in the not-distant future, the seal cords of a chief minister and the command tokens and axe of a great general (the banner and battle-axe, symbols of the power over life and death) will come to my lord. If that happens, all the talented men and beautiful women under heaven will wish to follow my lord, so how could lowly I try to monopolize my lord's love? I only wish that my lord would take a young lady of distinguished family to serve your mother, and also take in this humble body. From now on, this humble woman will firmly guard herself and preserve her chastity, so later, please be certain to summon me."
Seomwol spoke as she meekly nestled into Soyu's embrace.
"Around this time last year, while on my way to the capital to sit for the examination, I stopped in Huazhou. By chance I met Miss Jin, and we exchanged Yangliu verses; her bearing and brilliant talent were such that she could stand as a matched pair with Gyerang, but now all news of her has ceased, and I cannot find her. Yet she could stand as a matched pair with Gyerang, but now all news of her has ceased, and I cannot find her. So where does Gyerang tell me to seek such an excellent young lady?"
Soyu spoke with a sorrowful expression, gazing out the window.
"The person my lord speaks of must surely be Miss Chaebong of Censor Jin's household, is it not? Censor Jin once served as magistrate of this town, and at that time this humble woman was on intimate terms with Lady Jin. Miss Jin possesses the spirit of Zhuo Wenjun, so how could my lord not have stirred with the feeling of Sima Changqing? Even so, she cannot be found now, so is it not useless to think of her? I beg you, my lord, seek another young lady from another household."
Seomwol smiled brightly, her lips red and teeth white.
"Gyerang, since ancient times it has been said that it is difficult for two peerless beauties to exist in the same age. Now that there are Gyerang and Lady Jin, where could there be yet another talented beauty?"
When Soyu spoke in a worried voice, Seomwol burst into loud laughter.
"Hearing my lord speak, you are truly a frog in a well. This humble woman will briefly tell my lord of the common talk that circulates among us courtesans. In the brothels of the world, there are three peerless beauties: the first is Man Ogyeon of Jiangnan, the second is the courtesan Jeok Gyeonghong of Hebei, and the third is the lowly courtesan Gye Seomwol of Luoyang.
This humble woman has merely gained an empty name, but Ogyeon and Gyeonghong can truly be called beauties capable of overthrowing a kingdom. Why, then, do you lament that there is no peerless beauty under heaven?"
At Seomwol's discourse on the three peerless beauties, Soyu merely listened in silence.
"Because Man Ogyeon is too far away, I have never once met her, but from what gentlemen arriving from the south say, it is certain that she is a beauty of the highest order.
As for Jeok Gyeonghong, however, she and this humble woman are as close as real sisters, so I shall tell you roughly about Lady Jeok."
Seomwol straightened her collar and then introduced Lady Jeok.
"Lady Jeok was born as a young lady of good family in Bazhou, but she lost her parents early and grew up relying on her aunt. Once she passed the age of ten, rumors spread throughout all Hebei that Lady Jeok's beauty and talent were astonishing. People from nearby wished to spend a thousand pieces of gold to make her a concubine, so go-betweens came and went constantly, but Lady Jeok, through her aunt, is said to have rejected every proposal.
When that happened, all the go-betweens pestered Lady Jeok's aunt, saying, 'Since Miss Jeok refuses every proposal, what sort of noble house does she wish to enter? Does she mean to become the concubine of a grand minister, or does she mean to become the wife of a talented scholar?' So they reproached her.
Then Lady Jeok answered the go-betweens in place of her aunt as follows.
'If any lord were like Xie Anshi, who led courtesans at Dongshan in the Jin dynasty, I would gladly become the concubine of a grand minister; if he were like Zhou Gongjin of the Three Kingdoms era, who taught people music, I would willingly become the secondary wife of a military governor; if he were like Hanlin Scholar Li Taibai, who presented the Qingping lyrics in the time of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, I would gladly marry a renowned gentleman; and if there were a man like Sima Xiangru, who played the phoenix melody in the time of Emperor Wu of Han, I would willingly become the wife of a talented scholar. Such matters will follow where this body turns, so how could I calculate them in advance?' When Lady Jeok answered thus, all the go-betweens are said to have withdrawn, mocking her with one accord."
"Hearing this, Lady Jeok's spirit differs greatly from that of ordinary young ladies."
"It does. After that, Lady Jeok pondered alone: 'As a maiden living alone in a remote countryside, with neither eyes nor ears open to the world, how could I choose an outstanding gentleman under heaven and become the daughter-in-law of a dignified family? From ancient times, have they not said that courtesans share seats with heroes and gallants, discuss lofty tales and refined arguments, and can also receive noble young gentlemen and royal descendants through learning, so that it is easy to distinguish wisdom from foolishness and easy to judge superiority from inferiority? It is, so to speak, like seeking bamboo in a thicket and digging jade from Lantian Mountain; why should one worry about finding rare talent and wondrous treasure?' Thinking thus, she threw herself into the brothel of her own accord. She became a courtesan intending to entrust herself to an excellent gentleman, but she has yet to meet a man to her liking, and within a few years her name came to resound across the four seas. Last autumn, writers and men of talent from the twelve districts of Shandong and Hebei gathered in Yedu and held a grand feast with festivities. At that banquet, Lady Jeok sang the Rainbow Skirt melody and danced like a butterfly, and the astonishment of those present was no small thing. She was fluttering as a startled wild goose and graceful as a flying phoenix, so that all the famed beauties present are said to have lost their luster. My lord can well imagine Lady Jeok's artistry and outstanding beauty."
"Listening to Gyerang's words, it seems Lady Jeok's beauty forms a matched pair with Gyerang's."
"My lord, pray listen a little longer to what this humble concubine has to say. After the banquet broke up, Lady Di went alone up to the Bronze Sparrow Terrace, received the moonlight upon her whole body, and, while recalling writings of old, recited verses that pierced her heart. Then she mourned the bygone day when incense had been divided, and lamented that Cao Cao had been unable to hide away in his tower the two Qiao sisters, famed as beauties capable of toppling kingdoms (the two daughters of Qiao Xuan of the Han, called the two peerless girls of the realm). All who saw her, they say, loved Lady Di's talent and admired the nobility of her intent. Among maidens of good families, where could there be another young lady to equal Lady Di? In days past, this humble concubine once attended the outing at Xiangguo Temple together with Lady Di. At that time, Lady Di said the following: 'If either of us should meet a gentleman suited to her heart, how would it be if we recommended each other and served one husband together? If so, we would scarcely go wrong with the fate of a hundred years.' This humble concubine agreed with Lady Di's words. Yet now that I have come to serve you, my lord, thoughts of Lady Di suddenly grow earnest in my heart; but since Lady Di has already entered the palace of the feudal lord of Shandong, it is a matter too bitter to bear. However glorious life in the inner palace may be, it was not what Lady Di desired, so she must be deeply ill at ease. I am distressed beyond measure, wondering how I might meet Lady Di and tell her of these circumstances."
Gui Chanyue spoke with her jade-like face filled with sorrow.
"Though there are many talented beauties within the pleasure quarters, how could they compare to young ladies of good families?"
When Shaoyou asked, half believing and half doubting, Lady Gui blushed and spoke again.
"Among all the young ladies this humble concubine has seen until now, there has been none like Miss Chen.
If she were not a young lady fit to stand beside Miss Chen, how could this humble concubine recommend her to you, my lord? I once heard the rumor that there is no one in Chang'an who does not praise the daughter of Minister Zheng. Her outstanding beauty and lovely virtue are widely said to be foremost among the daughters of ministerial houses. This humble concubine has had no chance to meet Miss Zheng and has not seen her with my own eyes; yet since ancient times it has been said that an empty name is hard to gain. I hope, my lord, that you will keep this humble concubine's recommendation in mind and seek her out when you arrive in the capital."
When Chanyue finished speaking, she gazed at Shaoyou deeply. Shaoyou replied that he would keep it firmly in mind, then rose and sat up.
Before they knew it, daybreak was dawning, and outside the window had grown dimly bright.
The two lovers washed their faces, groomed themselves, and sat facing each other.
"This is not a place where you, my lord, can stay long, so please set out early on your journey. The hearts of the young gentlemen who gathered yesterday are surely not at ease, so it would be best for you, my lord, to avoid trouble in advance. In this humble concubine's narrow view, I wish to hold you here, yet there will be many days to serve you in the future, and so I shall not offer words of regret."
Chanyue spoke, looking at Shaoyou with a sorrowful face.
"Lady Gui's words are as firm as gold and stone; I shall certainly engrave them deep in my heart."
Shaoyou spoke in thanks.
The two lovers, who had been wholly immersed in a night of cloud-and-rain affection, shed tears as they exchanged farewells.
Du Lianshi Recommends Miss Zheng
After parting from Lady Gui in tears, Shaoyou arrived several days later in the capital, Chang'an. He chose a modest inn and waited for the day of the civil service examination, but as it was still far off, he asked the innkeeper about Ziqing Abbey.
"Ziqing Abbey is a women's abbey (a place where there are only female Daoist priests). If you go out beyond Chunming Garrison, you should be able to find it easily."
Thereupon Shaoyou prepared gifts and went to seek out Du Lianshi.
Du Lianshi was over sixty years of age and so eminent in her observance of the precepts and practice that she was the head of Ziqing Abbey. Shaoyou went before Du Lianshi, bowed, and took his mother's letter from his bosom and presented it.
After asking after her health, Du Lianshi read the letter, shedding tears.
"It has already been more than twenty years since I last met your honored mother. In that time she has borne a son, and he has grown up so splendidly—truly, the years flow like water. Now my body has grown far too old, and I dislike staying in this bustling, noisy capital. I had meant to go far away to Kongtong Mountain, cultivate the Way of Immortals, and live at ease; but your honored mother's request is so very earnest that I shall remain here longer for your sake. Your honored mother's request is so very earnest that I shall remain here longer for your sake. Looking at you, I see that your bearing is so outstanding it is as though I were facing a celestial immortal. Thus it will not be easy to find a young lady worthy to be your match, but I shall make every effort to search. You should find time to visit me again."
Du Lianshi spoke, shedding tears all the while and gently stroking Shaoyou with affection.