Chapter 64 – Together We Die

“I wonder which of the poems written tonight is the best?” Ran Yan loudly asked.

The crowd at the river discussed for quite a while, even going to inquire those few great scholars that were observing this lively scene. At last, the best poem was determined, and Zhang Fei volunteered to read it out loud,

“Aligned clouds cross the Magpie Bridge today. Loving gazes no longer distant. Kindreds adorn themselves within mirrors in eager joy. The needle’s prayers face the Heavens under moonlight [1].“

He read with a face full of pride as if the author of such a poem was himself.

This was a poem that narrated the history of Qixi. Truthfully speaking, it would have been hard for Ran Yan to understand the emotions in it without the original owner’s literary knowledge. When she was studying forensic medicine, Ran Yan has earnestly studied ancient Chinese prose for some time because she had to read Song Ci’s Collection Cases of Injustice Rectified [2]. But to be able to understand what she hears and comprehend the feelings expressed inside the poem’s verses are things that stand on completely different levels.

Ran Yan was silently counting in her mind the poems she still remembered. Sighing deeply, she realized she could only remember about ten poems, such as “The hoe seeding every day at noon” [3], “Two golden orioles sing amid the willow green” [4], and so on, but nothing related to Qixi.

Regarding Ran Yan’s nature, if she can accept things such as the soul crossing over, then she can definitely do things such as recite the complete works of Li Bai’s poems from memory. If one is prepared, one is safe.

Recalling Li Bai, Ran Yan though for a moment before speaking: “I’ll recite one poem, and if everyone here is not able to get a poem even more artistically compelling, I ask that you let me leave.”

What a big talk! All the various people on the river wore faces of surprise that slowly turned into scornful ones. Even if the young ladies had some talent and knowledge, they certainly can’t surpa.s.s them, gentlemen who buried their heads in books all day long.

“Miss must not let Tenth Gentleman Ran do it for her.” Zhang Fei immediately spoke.

Although Ran Yun Sheng has never entered the prefectural school and never took the imperial examination test, everyone knows that his literary knowledge is not low. The only reason why he couldn’t enter the imperial examination and became an official is because he is someone from a merchant family, that’s all.

 “Ok.” Ran Yan answered.

The river in Pingjiang quieted down. The water stream was the sole sound that could be heard. Be it those young gentlemen or those preeminent scholars they had all stopped their actions to listen attentively. Every single n.o.ble lady on the Qi family’s boat was standing at the railing, and Sixth Miss Qi’s gaze was fixed at Ran Yan’s boat with a complicated expression.

Qi Yu Xiu curled her lips and said: “Seventeenth Miss Ran spoke such big words. Can we a.s.sume that she has a card up her sleeve? Is it possible that today’s events have been premeditated? Just to s.n.a.t.c.h sixth sister’s [5]place?”

After the time when Qi Yu Xiu saw Ran Yan’s calm att.i.tude towards that corpse at the Yin Fu, her repulse towards her had diminished, but had not yet reached the degree of liking. Sixth Miss Qi pursed her lips and didn’t speak, but her brows knitted slightly.

Ran Mei Yu curled her lips. Ran Yan is indeed very capable, she has clearly gone too far again! She can make any type of good poem if she relies on Tenth brother! Remembering Ran Yun Sheng, Ran Mei Yu’s heart felt disgusted. Tenth brother initially treated her extremely well, but now he was stolen by Ran Yan alone. She can’t wait to see Ran Yan make a fool of herself in front of all Suzhou.

While each person here entertained their own little thoughts, Ran Yan’s cold and serene voice unhurriedly came from the inside of the boat, [G]

“The Zhao person wears a plain strap’s hat, carries a wugou as bright as frost and snow.

A white horse s.h.i.+ning with its silver saddle, soaring and resounding like a meteor.

One person is killed within ten steps, no one to detain within ten thousand li.

Pat the clothes and go after the job is done, deeply hiding his body alongside his renown.”

A commotion started at the river. Seventeenth Miss Ran has not recited a “Qixi poem”, but a poem about an a.s.sa.s.sin! Moreover, her speech was bold and uninhibited, talking about an a.s.sa.s.sin who kept his ident.i.ty concealed and lived the humblest life, with its description done in a free and lofty manner.   

Ran Yan’s icy and indifferent voice was not high but was dispersed along the chilly wind on the river. That feeling of taking a person’s life in the act of raising your hand was vividly rendered.

The unknown person being stabbed by Su Fu ended up being killed during that short time of chaos. Afterwards, he remained calm and composed and went away, leaving all the other people having no idea that there was an a.s.sa.s.sin tonight exactly as depicted.

Ran Yan dared to recite this poem so confidently because she was aware of such matter.

Precisely when everyone thought that the poem had already finished, they heard Ran Yan continuing:

“Idling over drinks with Xin Ling, resting the sword on the knees before filing it.

Feasting on roasted meat with Zhu Hai, wine goblets toasting each other with Hou Ying.

Uttering pledges after three drinks, words heavier than the Five Sacred Mountains.

Eyes blurred and ears flushed, buoyant spirits gave rise to a bleached rainbow.”

“A jinchui was brandished to save Zhao, and a mighty quake befell in Handan.

A thousand years of hail to the two heroes, grandly celebrated at Daliang city.

The prestige of a brave spirit remains even in death, no shame exists in a hero’s life.

Who would follow the distinguished scholar, hair all white yet still writes Taixuanjing.”

After those two segments, it could be seen that this is a story about Lord Xin Ling, Hou Ying, and Zhu Hai. The hero was able to meet the brilliant ruler, and the brilliant ruler was then helped by the hero’s brave and powerful strategy to achieve his cause. The hero attained success and gained fame, but even if he ultimately never succeeded, his name would still be immortalized in history.

The not only heroic but also unrestrained poem shocked the many people gathered on the river. They were deeply sighing as they realized this was not a poem singing praises for an a.s.sa.s.sin, but for a hero. On top of Zhen Guan’s [6] reign holding the military forces in high esteem, which man doesn’t have a chivalrous dream in his heart? This poem is filled with heroism, magnanimity and soaring aspirations, striking deep into everyone’s heart with powerful waves.

Utter silence covered the whole river’s surface. Even those great scholars that heard the poem were dazed. The kind of boldness and pa.s.sion shown in the poem drove every gentleman in here to blush with shame.

“Is this poem, “Ode to Gallantry [7]”, enough to let me leave?” Ran Yan impatiently said.

Sometimes it is not about you not wanting to partake in rivalry, but about keeping yourself out of it; such is the way of the world. Ran Yan contemplated thigs in her mind, suppose she seeks for an opportunity for her to dissect a corpse in public. Perhaps, afterwards, the whole Suzhou would not talk about the Seventeenth Miss Ran so fervidly as they will after this silly compet.i.tion. It surely won’t be something she will enjoy.

What’s more, Ran Yan knows she posses meager knowledge. She was clear in how to settle the dispute this time, but what about the second time, or the third time, as well as countless other times that may come?

It is only obvious that the crowd did not want to let her leave, but taking all the people gathered here, including the group of great scholars, who was able to come up with a poem that could outs.h.i.+ne “Ode to Gallantry” in such a sort time?

Therefore, it didn’t matter if they were willing or not, they all had to let the boat sail away.

The boat soon leisurely departed. Inside the cabin, Ran Yun Sheng stared blankly at Ran Yan, saying: “Ah Yan, this intense and unrestrained poem, full of lofty aspirations, has triumphed over all those great scholars!”

Ran Yan gave him a weak smile, “This poem is just something I heard it somewhere. Hasn’t Tenth brother wondered how I could make this kind of poem since I studied for only a few years?”

Ran Yun Sheng shook his head as if he already knew, and replied to her worriedly: “Whose poem is this? Suppose other people learn about you using another’s work, your reputation will certainly be… If you know who the author is, it would be better to…”

“To take money and buy him over?” Ran Yan interrupted.

Ran Yun Sheng has obviously never done such things, so his face immediately flushed when he heard Ran Yan being so blunt about it.

“You have also said it, this poem is intense and unrestrained, its author must be someone broad-minded and unconstrained, someone with a n.o.ble heart. How can such person bow to money?” Ran Yan knows Ran Yun Sheng in concerned about her. Her heart got warmer and she wanted to put him at ease: “Tenth brother must not feel anxious. I remember this person has long pledged to never come public.”

Ran Yun Sheng felt rea.s.sured after seeing her being this confident. Turning to look outside the window, the bustle at Pingjiang’s river had resumed, seemingly much higher than what it was before.

“Tenth brother, let’s return.” Ran Yan lightly said.

Since things have already taken this turn, going out for a stroll would perhaps cause even more disturbances.

Since Ran Yun Sheng agreed, the boatman sailed the boat and anch.o.r.ed in a desolated sh.o.r.e. After he helped Ran Yan get off, they walked and admired the moon throughout the way, and soon the market appeared within their sights.

“Tired? Do you want Tenth brother to carry you?” Ran Yun Sheng could not help asking when he saw the glittering beads of sweat at the tip of Ran Yan’s nose.

“I am already this big. It would be terribly improper to let elder brother carry me.” Ran Yan imitated aunt Xing’s intonation and stern face while replying.

Ran Yun Sheng was amused by her mimic, and his smile s.h.i.+ned as brightly as the glistening white moon, reflecting light into the dim willows at the dike. However, as Ran Yun Sheng smiled, his heart grew dejected. She has really grown up, ah. They can never be as intimate as they were during childhood.

The two people quietly walked on the embankment, getting closer and closer to the market’s hustle and bustle. But suddenly, they heard a rustling sound nearby.

Ran Yun Sheng stopped and grabbed Ran Yan’s wrist, glancing towards the place where the sound had come. The moment he was ready to speed up their pace, a woman’s voice emerged from behind the willow trees, “Fourth Gentleman… Do you know…”

The gentle voice carried a cold hostility inside, and some glimpses of tenderness, “Did you know that there’s a woman submerged in this river?”

Ran Yan pulled Ran Yun Sheng and made a hand gesture for him to keep quiet, then silently walked towards the place where the voice was coming from.

There were two people hiding behind a large willow tree. Ran Yan stretched her head and through a gap between the forest’s trees, she saw a well-dressed man lying on the underbrush at the side of the embankment, but she couldn’t see his face clearly. There was a strong smell wafting in the air being brought by the wind blowing at the river, and it was presumably because of that person’s drunkenness. 

The woman wearing an apricot-colored ruqun [8] that fluttered with the breeze bent over and reached her delicate hands to caress the man’s face lightly. She showed a docile expression, with small and delicate features, but her smile seemed to convey only coldness, a mixture of joy and hate. The way the moonlight faced her back caused her figure to appear somewhat gloomy.

It was Yin Miao Miao. Ran Yan had already recognized her when she heard her voice.

Yin Miao Miao had just called out “Fourth Gentleman”. Could it be that the drunk man is actually Fourth Gentleman Qi?

“Fourth Gentleman.” Yin Miao Miao sighed and carefully observed Qi Mu Sheng for a while. Suddenly, she forcefully grabbed him and dragged towards the riverside with great effort.

Yin Miao Miao spent a long time just to drag the tall and heavy Qi Mu Sheng for barely four meters until the edge of the river.

Her fair forehead revealed pinp.r.i.c.ks of sweat under the moonlight. The hair on her temples was slightly messy and being scattered by the blowing wind. On her face a beautiful dimpled smile that, despite gentle, exposed a kind of sorrow. A hidden madness blended within her laugher, “Fourth Gentleman Qi, Qi Mu Sheng. Today is the anniversary of her death. We are both going to die together and go find her.”

“I can’t go on living …” Yin Miao Miao said as tears gathered in her eyes and then trickled down her cheeks.

Ran Yun Sheng slightly tugged Ran Yan and gave her an inquiring look, but she only shook her head.

The two people stood where they were and continued listening.

“Miss!” A young girl wearing a light pink ruqun and with hair pulled in two buns hurriedly run over [9]. Seeing the weeping Yin Miao Miao looking like a pear blossom bathed in the rain [10], she promptly said: “Calm down, Miss, let bygones be bygones. Miss should put the matter to rest.”

The young girl consoled her with a soft voice while nimbly helping Yin Miao Miao fix her makeup.

“Miss, we have to hurry! The people at that side have already gathered and should begin the needles’ ceremony [11] soon.” The young girl pulled Yin Miao Miao and glanced at the completely drunk Fourth Gentleman Qi.

Yin Miao Miao pursed her lips tightly and looked at Qi Mu Sheng profoundly before moving.

“Ah Yan!” The intoxicated Qi Mu Sheng suddenly grabbed her ankle and pleaded: “Ah Yan, don’t go.” Yin Miao Miao rapidly turned her head and asked in a trembling voice: “What did you say?”

“Don’t mind him, Miss. Let’s hurry up!”  The maidservant squatted and pried open Qi Mu Sheng’s hand.

Qi Mu Sheng started yelling, “Ah Yan, Ah Yan, don’t break the engagement, I won’t ever fool around with other women in the future!”

Ran Yun Sheng couldn’t help hanging his head to look at Ran Yan, but he was doomed to not find any change in her expression. Those two placid eyes, silently staring at the three people on the riverside, they looked as if the words “Ah Yan” that Qi Mu Sheng uttered was, in fact, calling another person altogether.

Glossary – (back to the top) or (back to poem)

–> The State of Zhao is a place from where many Chinese heroes came from (like the heroes this poem mentions)

–> Wugou is a chinese weapon (image below).

–> Li is a measure; it is equal to 1/2 kilometer or about 1/3 mile.

–> Xinling is Lord Xinling, a famous politician and general who served the State of Wei (during the Warring States period).

–> Zhu Hai and Hou Ying are chinese heroes from Wei that came roughly a thousand years before Li Bai (author of the poem).

–> Jinchui is another chinese wapon (image below).

–> Handan is the capital of Zhao.

–> Daling is the capital of Wei.

–> Taixuanjing is a philosophy book written by the scholar Yang Xiong.

[1] This poem was written by Quan De Yu – an official during the Tang Dynasty – and it talks about the history of Qixi and the customs/traditions that the people from that time had during Qixi. 

“今日雲駢渡鵲橋，應非脈脈與迢迢。家人竟喜開妝鏡，月下穿針拜九宵。”

[2] Also called Was.h.i.+ng Away of Wrongs, is a book that is said to be the world’s first legal forensic text. 

[3] This is a poem written by Li Shen, and its name is “Sympathy for the peasants/farmers”. It goes like this: 

“鋤禾日當午，汗滴禾下土。 誰知盤中餐， 粒粒皆辛苦。” 

“They hoe the crops at noon. Their sweat drips onto the sowed grains. Who would know that the food on the plate, down to every grain, is the fruit that their toil laid.”

[4] This is a poem written by Du Fu. It goes like this: 

” 兩個黃鸝鳴翠柳，一行白鷺上青天。窗含西嶺千秋雪， 門泊東吳萬里船。”

“Two golden orioles sing amid the willows green. A row of white egrets flies in the azure sky. My window frames the western mountain’s snow of a thousand autumns. The eastern-anch.o.r.ed boats lie a thousand li beyond my door.”

[5] Here is “elder sister”. 

[6] Zhenguan is the t.i.tle of the reign (627-6490) of Li s.h.i.+min, the second emperor of the Tang Dynasty, called posthumously Tang Taizong. 

[7] I chose “Ode to Gallantry” because it’s the same name as the book of Jin Yong, and the book has the same name in Chinese (俠客行）as the poem. 

[8] Image for only ill.u.s.tration purpose: 

[9] Images for only ill.u.s.tration purpose: 

[10] This is used to describe the tear-stained face of a beauty; it literally means “like raindrops on a pear blossom.” 

[11] This is a women’s tradition during Qixi. They throw a sewing needle into a bowl full of water as a test of their embroidery skills. If the needle floated on top of the water instead of sinking, it was proof of the girl’s good embroidery skill, and she girl would then be able to marry. ↺