Make me long for you day and night
In the sentimental and rainy month of March, the peach blossoms were in full bloom, and fireworks lit up the streets with unprecedented splendor. He still remembered the scene when they first met: willow catkins danced in the breeze, butterflies flitted among the flowers, orioles sang from the branches, and swallows flew high in the sky.
She played the zither in the woods. Dressed in simple white, with a light smile and a subtle touch of makeup on her gentle face, she may not have been stunningly beautiful, but she possessed an indescribable elegance. Each smile and frown was full of charm. At that moment, he, clad in blue, rode by on horseback with a sword at his side.
Just one glance, and he couldn’t look away, stopping in his tracks. He leapt off his horse and began to dance with his sword. In an instant, the peach blossoms swayed, flying through the air and then spiraling down to form the characters, “This melody should only exist in the heavens; how often can it be heard on earth?”
She smiled shyly, making the flowers lose their color. Her smile was the purest and most beautiful he had ever seen, enough to capture his heart.
He sheathed his sword and approached her. “Passing by, I heard your zither and couldn’t resist dancing with my sword. If I disturbed you, please forgive me.” She looked up to see a lean face, with sharp eyebrows, a high nose, fair skin, and an air of scholarly yet heroic demeanor. She stared at him for a long time before realizing her rudeness and tried to avert her gaze, only to meet his deep, affectionate eyes.
Embarrassed, she looked down, her face flushing like a budding peach blossom. To cover her unease, she spoke softly, “Sir, your swordsmanship is excellent. You must be quite knowledgeable about music?” “Haha, not really knowledgeable, just an amateur who likes to dabble. May I have the honor to play a tune for you?” She stood up, smiling lightly, “Please, go ahead.” He was clearly mesmerized, taking a while to regain his composure. Sitting on the ground, his fingers lightly touched the zither strings, transforming each touch into beautiful notes.
The melody was as if from heaven itself, sometimes passionate and high, sometimes low and soft. She admired his skill deeply. Suddenly, the tune changed, and he began to sing, “There is a beauty; once seen, unforgettable. A day without her, thoughts run wild. Like the phoenix seeking its mate, flying across the seas.
But the beauty is not in the east wall. Using the zither to express my heart, when will you accept me, easing my wandering? May our virtues match, hand in hand. If not, I am lost.”
She was startled. It was a song of courtship. When the tune ended, he approached her, “I am Feng Yi. I’ve heard that in Jiangnan, there is a woman named Su Yue, whose music is heavenly, whose voice is like a nightingale, and whose dance surpasses butterflies. You must be the famed Su Yue, the master of music, song, and dance?” “You flatter me! My skills are ordinary, it’s just people’s high praise. I don’t deserve the title of ‘three talents’.” “You are too modest! Hearing your music just now, I know you are not falsely famed.
Pardon my boldness, but did you recognize the tune I played?” He looked at her with interest. Su Yue’s cheeks blushed again, her head lowered even more, “You played ‘Phoenix Seeking Its Mate’ beautifully. I am humbled.” “You understand my intentions. They say the north has beauties who can conquer kingdoms. I say the south has Su Yue, whose smile can conquer cities and hearts.” Without hesitation, he took her hand. She didn’t pull away.
A soulmate is hard to find, and she had found someone who understood her music. In truth, from the moment she met his deep, affectionate gaze, her heart had already been captured. He, a man who fascinated her, gently pulled her into his embrace. The spring breeze blew, peach blossoms danced, their clothes fluttered, creating a beautiful scene of a scholar and a beauty.
From then on, the woods had two silhouettes always together. He taught her to ride; she sang for him. She played the zither; he danced with his sword. He played the flute; she danced along. He accompanied her watching flowers bloom and wither, clouds roll and unroll; she accompanied him writing poetry and drinking.
Such pleasant days were enough to make even gods jealous. One day, under a full moon, she leaned on the railing, softly reciting, “Who will spend these splendid years with me?” He gently turned her face towards him, looking deeply into her eyes, “I will spend these splendid years with you!” Her eyes showed a hint of relief, “Even when we grow old, you will still treat me as you do now?” “Yes, even when we grow old, I will still treat you as I do now. You are the woman I want to hold hands with for a lifetime!” “May our hearts be united,” “And never be apart.” He held her hand tightly, pulling her into his embrace.
“Yue, why are you daydreaming by the window again? What are you thinking about?” he asked as he saw her gazing outside. She didn’t turn, just sighed, “Last night’s rain knocked off a tree full of peach blossoms. Look, they float alone on the water, drifting to unknown places.
Where will they end up? The saying ‘falling flowers have feelings, but the flowing water is heartless’ must be about this.” “My silly Yue, you are too sentimental. Falling flowers have feelings, and the flowing water isn’t heartless. The last moments of the flowers are spent with the water, and they have no regrets.
Flowers float with the water, and the water flows with the current. This is their destiny.” He hugged her tightly from behind, as if afraid of losing her.
“Yi, you won’t leave me, will always be with me, right?” She turned to him, serious. “Yes! Holding your hand, growing old together. I, Feng Yi, swear, not just this life, but life after life, I will be with Su Yue!” he answered solemnly. Tears burst from her eyes, tears of emotion and happiness.
He wiped her tears away. Just then, a white pigeon with black markings on its neck and a barely visible “Feng” character on its wing flew in. A letter was tied to its leg. Feng Yi grabbed the pigeon, took the letter, and read it. His expression turned serious. “Yi, what’s wrong?” noticing his change, she asked urgently.
He hesitated, then handed her the letter. “Are you leaving me? You just said you would never leave me!” she said tearfully after reading the letter. “Yue, you are a sensible woman. The northern Xiongnu are restless, invading our lands. My father is an hereditary general, but he is old now. As the only son of the Feng family, I must go to war in his place.” “But, will you come back?” “Silly Yue, I will return! Remember, the day I return will be the day I marry you. Wait for me.” “Your words are enough! No matter what, I will wait for you!” she said, tears streaming down her face.
Outside the pavilion, by the ancient road. He kissed her forehead deeply, then mounted his horse and rode away swiftly. He feared that staying another second would change his mind, that he wouldn’t be able to leave. “Yi, I will wait for you here!” she shouted with all her strength.
Tears flowing, she watched him leave, letting the tears fall freely. Every day thereafter, no matter the weather, she would hold an oil-paper umbrella, gazing longingly in the direction he had disappeared.
Waiting ages one. Looking at her slightly haggard reflection, Su Yue sighed. Beauty fades, but where is he? A year had passed, a whole year! Yi, where are you? Have you forgotten Yue? No, I can’t just sit and wait. I will go find him. With this resolution, Su Yue packed her things and hurried in the direction Feng Yi had gone.
After more than half a month of arduous travel, she reached the city he had mentioned. “Excuse me, how do I get to the Feng residence?” she asked a vegetable vendor. “Just follow this road straight, it’s at the end.” “Thank you.” After thanking him, Su Yue hurried to the Feng residence. “Yue, is that you?” that familiar, warm voice called from behind. She turned sharply; it was him, Feng Yi, the man she had longed for.
Overjoyed, she ran and hugged him, “Yi, I thought you had forgotten me. I missed you so much…” Before she could finish, Feng Yi pushed her hand away, “Why did you come? It’s not safe to talk here. Let’s find an inn for you.” Without waiting for an answer, he pulled her along.
In the inn, by candlelight, she frowned. “Yue, I told you I would come back for you. Why did you come on your own?” “I was afraid you’d forget me, I couldn’t help but come.” “So, you don’t trust me.” His face darkened. “I… I…” A knock on the door interrupted them, “General, Master Xi needs to discuss something with you.
He is waiting at the residence.” “Got it, I’m coming.” Feng Yi opened the door, not looking back, “Stay here and don’t wander off.” She watched him leave, sitting in a daze for a long time
. He had changed, becoming a stranger.
The next day, he entered with a broad smile, holding her shoulders, “Yue, let’s get married.” She looked up in surprise and confusion, seeing Feng Yi nod firmly. The sudden joy left her flustered, “Yi, is my hair done well? How should I draw my brows? I haven’t prepared my wedding dress. What should I do?” She anxiously paced the room. “Silly Yue, no need to worry. I’ve had the wedding dress prepared long ago.
There’s no better time than tonight.” She shyly nodded. “Xiao Yu, Xiao Xi, come help Su Yue dress.” Feng Yi called out. Two maidservants entered. “Yue, I will go prepare as well.” “Be careful on your way.” “I will.” Watching Su Yue’s happy face, Feng Yi’s mouth curled into a barely noticeable smile.
Firecrackers and drums echoed outside. “Su Yue, the General has arrived. Put on your veil.” She obediently let the maid put on her veil and was helped into the bridal sedan. Under the veil, her face was full of happiness. He was marrying her; she had waited for this day. After a short journey, they arrived. “Su Yue, we’ve arrived. Please get out of the sedan.” The door opened, and she stepped out with the maid’s help.
After the ceremony, she was taken to the bridal chamber. Soon, someone entered. Nervously, she clutched her wedding dress. The veil was lifted, revealing a bashful beauty. “Su Yue, you are beautiful!” Startled, she looked up to see an unfamiliar middle-aged man.
“Who are you? Where is Feng Yi?” she asked frantically. “I am your husband, Xi Xia. Feng Yi gave you to me. I was the one who married you, and this is my residence.” Xi Xia said, staring at her. “I don’t believe you! I want to see Feng Yi.” She stood up to leave. “You are my wife now.
On our wedding night, you talk of seeing another man?” Xi Xia pushed her hard onto the bed and pressed himself on her. “Let go of me, Feng Yi, save me!” She struggled desperately, scratching Xi Xia’s face. He slapped her hard, standing up to pull a paper from his sleeve, “Understand this clearly. This is the agreement Feng Yi made, giving you to me.”
Su Yue trembled as she read the paper, tears blurring her vision. Feng Yi, how could you use me as a pawn to solidify your position and make connections? Why? You promised to be with me forever. Did you forget?
“Now you understand. I suggest you comply to avoid further trouble.” Xi Xia said to the tearful Su Yue. She laughed coldly, “Yi, if I can’t be with you in this life, I’ll cross time to love you in the next. I said if you don’t leave, I won’t either. If you leave, I won’t abandon you either. I’ll wait for you in the next life.” With that, she bit her tongue, blood spilling from her mouth.
She smiled as she slowly fell. “Damn! On our wedding night, the bride bites her tongue and dies. Someone, drag her body to the back mountain and bury it. Also, get some priests to dispel the bad luck.” In the General’s residence, his heart suddenly ached.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
