The oil seller who won the heart of the courtesan is not a male Daji!

The Yue opera "Zhi Yuan Qin Zhong" is adapted from the Kunqu opera "Zhan Hua Kui", which is based on the story "The Oil Seller and the Courtesan" from Feng Menglong's "Stories to Awaken the World". I was lucky enough to hear the live version by Zhang Lin, a Plum Blossom Award winner, and it was a feast of Yue opera! This classic love story set in Hangzhou during the Southern Song Dynasty is well-known. After all, when "A Dream of Splendor" was a hit, "Love Story" became popular again, and the story of Ren Quan and "Meng Ping" Le Jiatong is based on this story. In short, it is the story of the "honest man" Qin Zhong who, because of his sincerity and thoughtfulness, won the heart of the courtesan and finally married her. This is a fairy-tale ending, the ultimate ideal of a scholar's dream come true. It is a heartwarming love story and a mutual redemption of two lonely souls. The courtesan, who was of low status, found a trustworthy person to spend her life with. The penniless oil seller finally married a beautiful and understanding woman. They were like-minded and in love, which is truly enviable. After all, there was Guan Hanqing's "Zhao Pan'er Rescues the Courtesan" and Feng Menglong's "Du Shiniang Sinks the Jewel Box in Anger". A moment of flattery, sweet talk before success, and promises made in the pleasure house are not necessarily the criteria for a good match. So why did Wang Meiniang fall in love with the ordinary Qin Zhong and bet on this "past life encounter"? And why did Qin Zhong remain devoted to the courtesan, treating her like a fairy? At first sight, Qin Zhong dirtied the courtesan's skirt, but she laughed it off. He was captivated by her beauty and character, and she left a deep impression on him. He saved up to see her, living frugally just to be close to her. From the Spring Pavilion by West Lake to the beauty's boudoir, he waited through the seasons, saving up for a year. He only wanted to see her, practicing even his breathing for their meeting. He eagerly awaited the beauty, but was left waiting. He could only guess her preferences and personality from the room's decor, imagining her daily life, and refused the offer of another companion. The night was short, even after spending twelve taels of silver and waiting until the third watch, Qin Zhong was not angry or resentful, only worried about her safety and the possibility of parting without expressing his feelings. Even when the courtesan returned drunk and restless, he sympathized with her social obligations and took care of her. He did not act arrogantly or disturb her rest, feeling sorry for her situation, as meeting someone takes all one's energy and luck. Qin Zhong was respectful and considerate. He sat all night, warming the tea with his body, and caught her vomit with his scholar's robe. He did not seek pleasure or have any expectations, knowing this was his only chance to express his feelings. The next morning, he did not want the courtesan to feel embarrassed or indebted, so he tried to hide it. When he couldn't, he joked that he was lucky to have benefited from her. This warmth touched her heart, and after they opened up to each other, they sympathized with each other's plight, being fellow townspeople of similar character. She was gentle and charming, and he was elegant and respectful. He heard the sadness in her music, and she encouraged him to maintain his integrity. "Every night I dream and cry, only you understand me." She played a song for him, advising him to stay away from the pleasure house, hesitating to leave, but couldn't help but make a promise, even though the cost of meeting was high. He only wanted to live without regrets, and was content. After parting, she thought of his kindness, and he remembered her understanding. Their longing was not just love at first sight. She wanted a reliable and understanding man, not a wealthy patron. "Rich families have many sons, but none as charming as the oil seller." Qin Zhong appeared when she needed a sense of belonging and equal love, witnessing her most vulnerable moment. He loved her beauty and character, respected her independence, understood her integrity, pitied her situation, and worried about her self-harm. Saying it was unrelated to romance was just an excuse for deep feelings. When he heard she was being bullied, he rushed to her aid, wrapping her feet with a handkerchief, comforting her broken heart. The most beautiful words of love come from sincerity and the emotional value they bring. He saw her playing the pipa but living in poverty, only blaming himself for being a poor scholar, unable to help her. He wanted to learn skills to protect her, to save her from her plight, to risk his life for her freedom. Without the twists and turns of redemption, or the anxiety of risking everything, she entrusted her heart to him, to be together forever. In the pleasure house, it was rare to find true love. She was willing to bet her life, and he was willing to fulfill the love story. They held hands through hardships, naturally coming together. With love, the world was their home, which was her dream ending.