Ancient Love Story Short Stories
During the Zhenyuan era of the Tang Dynasty, the former prime minister, Cui, passed away. His wife, Madam Zheng, accompanied by their daughter Yingying and maid Hongniang, escorted the prime minister’s coffin back to Boli in Hebei (modern-day Anping County, Hebei) for burial. On their journey, they encountered roadblocks and temporarily stayed at Pujue Temple in Hezhong (now Yongji). One day, Zhang Gong, a scholar from Luoyang, Henan, who was on his way to the capital to take the imperial exams, was delayed by rain and took shelter in Hezhong. While visiting Pujue Temple, he encountered Yingying. To pursue Yingying, Zhang stayed at the temple. One night, Zhang saw Yingying in the garden burning incense and praying. From across the wall, he seized the opportunity to recite a poem aloud. Yingying, recognizing the poet as Zhang, responded with a poem of her own. Through this poetic exchange, their feelings for each other deepened.
A rebellious general named Sun Feihu, coveting Yingying’s beauty, surrounded the temple with his troops, intending to seize her as his wife. Desperate, Madam Cui sought help but found none. She then promised, “Whoever can devise a plan to repel the troops will have Yingying’s hand in marriage.” Zhang stepped forward and wrote a letter to his friend, General Du Que of the White Horse Army. Du Que swiftly arrived with reinforcements, defeated Sun Feihu, and captured him. Afterward, however, Madam Cui broke her promise, refusing to marry Yingying to Zhang, insisting instead that they regard each other as siblings. Heartbroken, Zhang fell ill. Hongniang, the maid, devised a plan, suggesting that Zhang play the zither under the moon. Moved by the music, Yingying visited Zhang’s study late at night, where they privately pledged themselves to each other. When Madam Cui discovered this, she was furious and interrogated Hongniang. Hongniang skillfully defended herself and eventually persuaded Madam Cui. Although Madam Cui agreed to the marriage, she imposed a condition: Zhang must go to the capital immediately to take the exams, and if he failed, Yingying would not be his.
Zhang and Yingying bid each other a tearful farewell, and Zhang traveled to the capital for the exams, where he emerged as the top scholar. However, Madam Cui’s nephew, Zheng Heng, spread false rumors, claiming that Zhang had already married the daughter of the Minister of Defense, hoping to pressure Madam Cui into marrying Yingying to him instead. Just then, Zhang returned to Pujue Temple and, with the help of General Du Que, exposed Zheng Heng’s deceit. Zhang and Yingying were joyfully united in marriage. Upon the truth being revealed, Zheng Heng, overwhelmed with shame, took his own life, and Zhang and Yingying were finally able to live happily ever after.
This love story has been passed down through generations because people have always yearned for and pursued pure, unwavering love, and in their hearts, they hold a beautiful wish: that true lovers will ultimately be united!
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
