Explore Chapter 15 of 'Spring Ming Outer History' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Now, Yang Xingyuan, since parting with Li Yun that day, could not put her out of his mind. So after a day or two, he went to Pine and Bamboo House again. Li Yun was naturally delighted to see him, and the two exchanged many heartfelt words. Yang Xingyuan noticed her haggard appearance and asked the reason for fate. Li Yun sighed and said, "People like us, where do we have any say? Mother has been pressing me hard these days, saying business is poor and I must find ways to entertain more guests. But my health is weak, how can I withstand such torment?" Yang Xingyuan heard this and felt great pity for her, yet there was nothing he could do.
After sitting for a while, Li Yun's maid Amao came in. She smiled and said to Yang Xingyuan, "Master Yang, you have come at just the right time. Our Seventh Miss has been thinking of you. But lately, she has been feeling listless and has no appetite. Perhaps she has caught a chill. Master Yang, as a learned man with broad experience, could you offer her some guidance?" Yang Xingyuan knew there was more to her words and could only respond vaguely. Li Yun blushed and lowered her head in silence.
A few days later, Yang Xingyuan was editing manuscripts at the newspaper office when He Jianchen approached. He laughed and said, "Xingyuan, you have been looking distracted these days. Have you been to Pine and Bamboo House again?" Yang Xingyuan replied, "I just go for a stroll in my spare time. No need to make a fuss." He Jianchen said, "I am not saying you should not go, but that place is no long-term solution. Li Yun is good, but she is a courtesan. Do not get too deeply involved." Yang Xingyuan nodded in agreement, but in his heart, he still thought of Li Yun.
That evening, Yang Xingyuan, restless and troubled, wandered to Hanjia Tan. As soon as he reached the gate of Pine and Bamboo House, he saw several men in black robes standing in the courtyard, looking anxious. Yang Xingyuan went in and asked. He then learned that Li Yun was ill, burning with fever. Madam refused to call a doctor, only ordering someone to brew ginger soup for her. Yang Xingyuan hurried into the room and saw Li Yun lying in bed, her face flushed and breathing rapidly. He was greatly alarmed and, without further thought, took out a few dollars and ordered Amao to quickly fetch a doctor.
After the doctor arrived, he felt her pulse and said it was an external chill compounded by pent-up worries. He wrote a prescription. Yang Xingyuan paid for the medicine, personally watched it being decocted, and fed it to Li Yun. Li Yun said with tears in her eyes, "Master Yang, you treat me so well. I... I really do not know how to repay you." Yang Xingyuan held her hand and said, "Do not say such things. Just focus on recovering."
From then on, Yang Xingyuan visited daily, and Li Yun's illness gradually improved. Through this ordeal, their feelings deepened. Li Yun often shared her sorrows with Yang Xingyuan, and Yang Xingyuan comforted her with gentle words. Sometimes, he even taught her to recognize a few characters or read a few lines of poetry. Li Yun was clever and learned quickly, which delighted Yang Xingyuan even more.
One day, after Li Yun had fully recovered, Yang Xingyuan took her to Central Park for a stroll. They sat under a tree, and Li Yun said, "I have had a bitter fate since childhood, sold into this Living hell. I never thought I would meet someone as good as you. But my body is no longer pure. In the future..." She choked up. Yang Xingyuan quickly said, "Why dwell on the past? I only wish for you to escape this sea of suffering one day. That would satisfy me."
Upon hearing this, Li Yun burst into tears. She leaned on Yang Xingyuan's shoulder and, after a long while, said, "If you truly do not despise me, I will follow you forever. Even if I have to work like an ox or a horse, I am willing." Yang Xingyuan was deeply moved but knew the difficulties ahead. He could only say, "Let us discuss it carefully later."
The two did not return until dusk. Yang Xingyuan escorted Li Yun to the gate of Pine and Bamboo House. Li Yun was reluctant to part, and Yang Xingyuan also felt melancholy. Back at the Guild Hall, the attendant handed him a letter from home, urging him about marriage. Yang Xingyuan read it and felt even more troubled, unable to sleep all night.
The next day, at the newspaper office, He Jianchen saw Yang Xingyuan frowning and asked the reason. Yang Xingyuan briefly explained. He Jianchen sighed and said, "Love is the most harmful thing. I advise you to make a decision soon, or you will sink deeper and find it hard to extricate yourself." Yang Xingyuan remained silent.
Now, Li Yun, after that day in the park with Yang Xingyuan, had resolved in her heart to To leave the brothel for marriage with him. She secretly saved some private money and asked Amao to inquire about renting a place outside. Madam, noticing her distracted state these days and her reluctance to properly entertain guests, made sarcastic remarks to warn her. Li Yun pretended not to notice, eagerly awaiting Yang Xingyuan to come and discuss.
But Yang Xingyuan, due to the urging from home and busy affairs at the newspaper office, did not visit for several days. Li Yun waited anxiously and sent Amao to the newspaper office to find him. Amao returned and said, "Master Yang has been very busy these days. He said he will come when he has time." Li Yun heard this and felt uneasy, fearing that Yang Xingyuan might change his mind.
Two more days passed before Yang Xingyuan found time to go to Pine and Bamboo House. As soon as Li Yun saw him, she threw herself into his arms and cried, "I thought you did not want me anymore." Yang Xingyuan quickly comforted her. Li Yun then explained her plan to To leave the brothel for marriage. Yang Xingyuan pondered and said, "This matter requires careful consideration. My salary is meager now, and my family is pressing me. I am afraid..." Li Yun said, "I am not afraid of poverty. As long as I am with you, I am willing to endure hardship."
Seeing her sincerity, Yang Xingyuan was moved and said, "If that is the case, I will try to raise some money to To buy one's freedom for you. But your Mother there, I am afraid she will not agree easily." Li Yun said, "I have earned a lot of money for her over the years. If she refuses, I will fight her to the end." Yang Xingyuan quickly stopped her, "Do not talk nonsense. I have my own ideas."
They discussed some details until late at night, when Yang Xingyuan finally left. From then on, Yang Xingyuan busied himself raising funds to prepare for To buy one's freedom for Li Yun. Li Yun also made secret preparations in the Brothel, waiting for Yang Xingyuan's news. As for how this marital fate would unfold, that will be revealed in the next chapter.