Feng Qiu Huang 凤求凰

Description:

In Linqiong, the Dong family hung lanterns and decorations, welcoming Zhuo Wen-Jun, the daughter of Zhuo Wang-Sun, into their home to bring good fortune to the gravely ill second young master Dong. Unexpectedly, the second young master Dong breathed his last before the wedding ceremony could take place. Sima Xiang-Ru, on his way home, rescued the drowning Father Dong and had just brought him inside when Dong Xiao-Xian, through a strange twist of fate, dressed Sima Xiang-Ru as the groom and had him perform the wedding ceremony with Wen-Jun. Upon learning the truth afterward, Sima Xiang-Ru was filled with regret and swore to rescue Wen-Jun from the Dong family. Sima Xiang-Ru, speaking out for justice, forced the Dong family to agree that he would escort Wen-Jun back to her family home in Linqiong. But Sima Xiang-Ru, having drunk too much, failed to set out. Wen-Jun, left with no choice, disguised herself as a man along with her maid Yu Tong and set off alone. Sima Xiang-Ru caught up with them in Linqiong and stayed in the same inn as "Young Master Du," whom Wen-Jun was disguised as. In addition, Cheng Yi-Fei, the eldest son of another wealthy iron merchant, Cheng Zheng, became involved, and many stories unfolded among Wen-Jun and her maid, Sima Xiang-Ru and his servant Sang Pu.
During this time, Sima Xiang-Ru and "Young Master Du" read poetry and discussed prose together with great delight, developing a mutual admiration. By a fortunate coincidence, the two together completed the ancient melody "Feng Qiu Huang." The five of them set out on a journey and arrived at Meng Village, where they learned that Wang Ji had been captured by Tang Meng. They all entered the camp to rescue him. Wen-Jun, in order to raise provisions and funds for Wang Ji to give to Tang Meng, had no choice but to return to her family home, the Zhuo residence.
Dong Xiao-Xian, in order to please the emperor, tricked Zhuo Wang-Sun into inviting a painter to paint a portrait of his daughter Wen-Jun. During the portrait session, Wen-Jun changed back into women's clothing. Sima Xiang-Ru and Wen-Jun confessed their love for each other, and Wen-Jun resolutely eloped with Sima Xiang-Ru back to the Sima residence in Chengdu. Dong Xiao-Xian caused them to lose even their house, and they had no choice but to return to Linqiong and open the Wen-Jun wine shop, selling wine to make a living. When Zhuo Wang-Sun and Dong Xiao-Xian pressured them to the point where they could no longer even run the wine shop, the palace eunuch Yang arrived with an imperial decree from Han Wu-Di — Sima Xiang-Ru was to go to Chang'an for an audience.
Han Wu-Di admired Sima Xiang-Ru's literary talent and had him compose prose in the palace. But Sima Xiang-Ru, for pleading on behalf of the people, was demoted and, forbidden to leave Chang'an, was placed under house arrest. Empress Chen wished to use Sima Xiang-Ru's literary talent to regain the emperor's favor, but only made things worse and incurred the emperor's wrath. Wen-Jun was abducted by members of the Dong clan. When Sima Xiang-Ru received the news, in order to save Wen-Jun, he wrote the "Rhapsody on Shanglin" that Wu-Di had demanded, and hurried back to Linqiong, only to receive the news that Wen-Jun was dead. To save the people of Meng Village, Sima Xiang-Ru also wrote the "Rhapsody on Changmen" that Empress Chen had demanded. Sima Xiang-Ru was summoned back to Chang'an, and because he once again offended Wu-Di, he nearly was executed at the execution ground. Fortunately, Dongfang Shuo and Princess Ping Yang joined forces to save him, and he took up residence in Princess Ping Yang's mansion. Princess Ping Yang was also moved by Sima Xiang-Ru's true love for Wen-Jun. Sima Xiang-Ru was appointed by imperial decree as the Keeper of the Wen Garden. From then on, he spent each day in the company of poetry and wine, and even the stunning Wei Zi-Fu could not move Sima Xiang-Ru's heart. Although Wu-Di was fond of Wen-Jun, he was moved by her true love for Sima Xiang-Ru. He decided to send Sima Xiang-Ru on a campaign together with Wei Qing, and after their victorious return to the capital, he would personally grant Sima Xiang-Ru a marriage. Sima Xiang-Ru, married by imperial decree, heard in the bridal chamber the ancient guqin melody "Feng Qiu Huang" played by the bride.