“I am Han Yu!” he replied, his gaze flustered yet calming. His voice remained emotionless, unfazed by the chaos.
“Yes! My hometown is far away! Han Yu, why are you here in such chaos?” she thought, noting she wasn’t a local — her home was in the distant 21st century.
“I like the lake water. It’s a pity these romantic figures have occupied it!” Han Yu sighed, sadness evident on his face.
He must have a heartbreakingly beautiful story, she mused.
Lan Ling’er tugged at his sleeve, breaking the silence: “Let’s go see the famous courtesan’s elegance! I’ve never seen one before! We’re fortunate today; let’s not let trivial matters hold us back!”
“Perhaps you’re right!”
Ah, I don’t want to go!” He disliked being pulled along to see courtesans—it wasn’t something a scholarly man should do. He stubbornly held onto a pillar, refusing to let go.
“You’re such a blockhead, don’t worry! We’ll just take a quick look!” she pleaded. She wanted him to know that courtesans weren’t as bad as he imagined; they were just trying to make a living.
“Okay,” he said, feeling helpless as he followed her forward.
“Wow! The courtesan is coming out! I hear she’ll throw an embroidered ball from the boat today. Whoever catches it can enter the flower boat with her, sharing fine wine and dancing with her—how enviable!” Even before the courtesan appeared, people were already discussing, occasionally shouting.
Heaven suddenly threw a tantrum, and a torrential rain poured down. Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing were caught without shelter when a gentle young scholar appeared, holding an umbrella to shield them from the rain. Bai Suzhen and the young scholar locked eyes and felt a mutual attraction. Xiaoqing quickly said, “Thank you!”
May I ask your name?” The young scholar replied, “I’m Xu Xian, and I live by the Broken Bridge.” Bai Suzhen and Xiaoqing also introduced themselves. From then on, they often met, and Bai Suzhen and Xu Xian’s feelings grew stronger. They soon married and opened the “Baohe Tang” pharmacy, leading a beautiful life.
