Where We Meet Again

By the riverside pavilion, where we bid farewell and meet again. The wine is finished; I call for a ferry. Clouds hang low as sandpipers disappear into the dusk. A fine, cold rain falls, and pear blossoms release their fragrance. My sorrow deepens. The mournful oars carry us away with the cold tide. The place where I bid you farewell is the very place where I meet you again. In the deepening dusk, sandpipers fly low. The rain falls softly, the wind sighs, and the scent of pear blossoms lingers beneath the rain. My heart grows heavy with sorrow, broken with grief. Beneath the pear tree, we meet, and beneath it, we part. The rain falls, the wind sighs, and sorrow rises. What is it? A lingering ache of parting. Helpless before the separation of life and death, all that remains is the pear blossom in the rain, quietly weeping as it sings. The Nine Heavens Maiden Jinxuan: “Why would you be so foolish?” The pear blossom spirit Pianran: “I have never betrayed you... Only this way can I protect you and keep them from threatening you.” The Nine Heavens Maiden Jinxuan: “If you do this, how am I supposed to save you?” Pianran said, “There's no need. The source of my divine power has scattered. Don't waste your strength. Remember, wear this pear-blossom jade pendant. It was formed from the source of my power. Jinxuan, I promise you: one day, when every pear blossom in the mortal realm blooms, we will meet again...” The Maiden took the pendant, and Lord Pianran breathed her last. Theme: Pear blossoms symbolize unwavering, faithful love that lasts from beginning to end.