第三十六回 金屋深藏银灯摇艳影 魔城自陷锦字惜华年 (Chapter Thirty-Six: Golden Chamber Conceals, Silver Lamp Casts Flickering Shadows; Devil's City Self-Entraps, Brocade Words Lament Fleeting Years)

Now, since parting with Li Yun that day, Yang Xingyuan had been downhearted. Day after day, he buried himself in his books, finding solace only in poetry and wine.

One evening, as he sat gloomily in his study, he suddenly saw He Jianchen enter with a cheerful smile. "Xingyuan," he said, "guess what good news I've brought you?"

Yang Xingyuan replied, "What good news could you possibly have? Nothing but trivial matters of flowers and moonlight, I'd rather not hear them."

He Jianchen said, "This time it's no joke. I heard that Li Yun has left the Pine and Bamboo House and been hidden away in a golden chamber by a wealthy man."

Upon hearing this, Yang Xingyuan felt a pang in his heart, but he forced himself to appear calm. "What does that have to do with me?" he said.

He Jianchen said, "There's no need to hide it from me. I know of your friendship with Li Yun. Now that she's gone, how could you not be sad?"

Yang Xingyuan sighed. "The comings and goings of life are common occurrences. What is there to be sad or not sad about?"

He Jianchen said, "Although that may be so, I can see from your recent demeanor that you're troubled. I came today precisely to urge you to ease your heart."

After talking for a while, He Jianchen took his leave. Yang Xingyuan was left alone, facing the solitary lamp. Recalling the past, he couldn't help but shed tears.

It turned out that since meeting Yang Xingyuan, Li Yun had fallen for him. However, trapped in a brothel, she had no freedom. Recently, the Madam had forced her to marry, but she refused steadfastly. In the end, a wealthy merchant took a fancy to her and forcibly took her as his wife.

Before departing, Li Yun had someone deliver a letter to Yang Xingyuan. It contained only a few words: "I now belong to another. In this life, we may never meet again. Please take care of yourself."

After receiving the letter, Yang Xingyuan was overwhelmed with sorrow. He knew that his fate with Li Yun had come to an end, and he could only bury this affection deep in his heart.

From then on, Yang Xingyuan secluded himself even more, spending his days in the company of books and writing. Only occasionally would he gather with friends like He Jianchen to alleviate his melancholy.

As for the wealthy merchant who had taken Li Yun, at first he doted on her greatly. But within a few months, he grew tired of her and cast her aside. Li Yun washed her face with tears daily, regretting her past decisions.

One day, Li Yun sat alone in her room. Remembering Yang Xingyuan's past affection, her heart grew even more desolate. She picked up a brush and wrote a poem to express her longing.

The poem read: "The silver lamp flickers shadows fair, the golden chamber locks deep despair. To whom shall I send these brocade words? Youthful years flow like water, unheard."

After writing it, tears fell like rain. She knew her life was ruined, leaving only eternal regret.

Thus: Hidden in a golden chamber, the beauty's deep love is in vain; trapped in a devil's city, only brocade letters lament the fleeting years.