The Test of Love
Once upon a time, there was a scholar who deeply loved a girl named Xiu He from the neighboring household, and Xiu He loved him just as deeply.
This year, the scholar was heading to the capital to take the imperial exams. Before leaving, he said to Xiu He reluctantly, “I’m going to the capital to take the exams. I’ll miss you terribly. You know I don’t have
much money, so I’ve woven a ring out of grass as a token of our love. When I become the top scholar, I will return and marry you.” With that, he mounted his horse and left.
Xiu He held the grass ring and watched the scholar leave until he was far out of sight.
After a long and arduous journey, the scholar finally arrived in the capital. His hard work paid off, and he achieved the highest rank, becoming the top scholar, personally appointed by the Emperor. His status changed completely. The Emperor, impressed by his character, offered him his daughter’s hand in marriage.
The scholar shook his head repeatedly, saying, “No! I have someone I love, her name is Xiu He, and I cannot marry the princess.”
The Emperor, furious, said, “How dare you defy my decree! Are you not afraid of losing your head?”
The scholar quickly knelt and said, “Your Majesty, even if you kill me, I cannot break my promise.”
The Emperor, seeing his determination, appreciated his courage even more but said sternly, “I will spare your life, but I must test your love to see if it is genuine.”
The scholar gratefully replied, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life. I am willing to accept any test.”
The Emperor had Xiu He brought to the palace and hidden away, telling the scholar that if he could find her, he would approve their marriage. If not, the scholar would have to marry the princess.
The palace was vast, and the scholar searched everywhere but could not find Xiu He. Disheartened, he sat on the ground, watching an ant scurrying around as if looking for food. He took out a bun, crumbled it, and threw the pieces on the ground. The ant picked up a crumb and ran back to its nest, soon attracting many more ants.
The scholar, lost in thought, noticed an ant crawling onto his hand. As he was about to flick it off, he heard a tiny voice say, “Scholar, scholar…”
Surprised, the scholar asked, “Ant, is that you speaking?”
The ant nodded and said, “To thank you for feeding us, I will help you find your beloved. Follow me.” The ant then jumped to the ground and crawled onto the foot of a palace maid behind the scholar.
Realizing the truth, the scholar quickly grabbed the maid’s hand and said, “This is my Xiu He.”
It turned out the Emperor had disguised Xiu He as a palace maid. Overjoyed, the couple embraced and went to the Emperor to request his blessing.
The Emperor was about to agree when the princess, pouting, said, “Father, this is unfair to me. I want to compete with Xiu He. If I lose, they can be together, but if she loses, I will marry the scholar.”
The Emperor laughed and asked, “How do you want to compete?”
The princess replied, “We will both enter the dark forest outside the palace. Whoever comes out unscathed will be the victor.”
Though the Emperor found this dangerous, he agreed.
The princess and Xiu He entered the dark forest. The princess, protected by hidden guards, felt no fear.
Xiu He soon encountered a lion, which roared and leapt at her. She dodged its attack and noticed a short arrow stuck in its hindquarters. Without hesitation, she pulled out the arrow.
The lion roared in pain but then spoke, “Thank you! This arrow has been in me for days. Because of you, I will not eat you and will help you out of the forest.”
Grateful, Xiu He found some herbs to treat the lion’s wound. The lion, in return, carried her deeper into the forest. Soon, they saw the princess trapped by a large snake in front of a tree. Xiu He begged the lion to help the princess, and it reluctantly agreed.
The lion charged at the snake, which hissed and attacked. After a fierce struggle, the snake coiled around the lion, which roared in despair.
Xiu He couldn’t leave the lion behind. She sneaked up and stabbed the snake with the broken arrow, causing it to flee. The lion shook its mane and said, “Thankfully, you didn’t abandon me, or I would have died.”
Feeling guilty, Xiu He said, “You were helping me; I couldn’t leave you behind.” She then noticed the princess had disappeared.
When Xiu He returned to the palace, it was brightly decorated, and everyone was talking about the scholar and the princess’s wedding. The princess had escaped the forest, claiming Xiu He was eaten by the lion and would never return.
Heartbroken, Xiu He wept, lacking the courage to reveal herself. Suddenly, a loud roar echoed as the lion burst into the palace, dragging the scholar to Xiu He.
Seeing Xiu He alive, the scholar embraced her joyfully, saying, “Xiu He, you’re alive! My Xiu He is alive!”
Xiu He, smiling through her tears, held out the grass ring and said, “You don’t have to keep your promise to marry me. If you marry the princess, she will bring you endless wealth and power.”
The scholar gently held her face and said, “No! I only want to be with you. Look at this dagger in my robe; I intended to use it to join you if you were gone.”
The couple hugged tightly.
The princess, ashamed, hid in her room and refused to come out.
The Emperor, seeing their true love, held a grand wedding for them in the palace. Two special guests attended: the ant, perched on the scholar’s clothing, and the lion, as gentle as a puppy, by Xiu He’s side.
Hand in hand, amidst everyone’s blessings, they bowed to the heavens and earth, living happily ever after.
Thank you for reading! ” Sitestorys “
