Chao Cai [ 晁采 ] , maiden name Shi Ying [ 试莺 ] , was born during 766-779 of Tang Dynasty, when Chinese poetry was experiencing a short period of flourishing glory with a prosperous economy and a peaceful political state. In her teens, she was engaged [by her parents] to a neighboring young man named Wen Mao.
Only when she was old enough, did Wen Mao begin from time to time sending her poems to communicate his feelings towards her. In return, Chao Cai sent him planted lotus seeds, which in ten days time flowered into paired blossoms, roots connected. Filled with excitement, the young man hurried to tell her, and when they met they become “happily united” then and there. When her mother later learned about their romantic meeting, she sighed with relief, “A talented young man and a beautiful girl, they deserve such love!” Afterwards she married her daughter to Wen Mao. Twenty two poems by Chao Cai have survived.
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From “Midnight Songs”
__________________________
When will we become
Real mates to each other
No longer be tortured
By the sadness of departure?
Golden needles penetrating
The lotus buds---Every night
Unable to sleep
I watch them grow
Thinking of you.
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【 题 】：子夜歌
何 时得成匹，离恨不复牵。金针刺菡萏，夜夜得见莲。
---晁采