Adjusting her disguise, Zhu Yingtai prepared to say goodbye to her parents. She had always been a dutiful daughter - staying at home and creating embroidery works that made her parents proud.
And yet, even though only boys were allowed to attend the Confucius Academy in Hangzhou, Yingtai really wanted to go to school. She begged her parents to let her dress up as a boy, and seeing her determination and clever disguise, they finally agreed.
However, they allowed him only after he promised to keep his true identity a secret and eventually return to the traditional path they had set for him. Happy, Yingtai began his journey to Hangzhou.
Along the way, she finds herself at a crossroads, unsure of which path to take when a young man approaches. As soon as their eyes met, they shared an instant connection.
Yangtai Learns That His Name Is Liang Shanbo
and that he will be her classmate at the academy, so they walk the rest of the way together, happily chatting.
Yingtai realized that, despite her complicated disguise, she felt that she could be herself after all. The two decide to celebrate what they believe will be a long, close friendship, and become sworn brothers.
At the academy, Yingtai buried himself in books and studied with Shanbo late into the night. Both felt at home as long as they were by each other's side.
They shared a room, but even though Shanbo questioned her about it, Yingtai always used the bathroom alone and pulled her thick clothes up to her chin, no matter the weather.
Now and again, Yingtai heard students grumbling about his secret behavior. As the months slip into years, Yingtai continues to excel in his studies and realizes that he has a past and a future—a lifetime away. Still the whispers grew louder.
And After Three Years, He Had No Choice But To Leave
Tearfully parting ways, Yingtai asks Shanbo to meet him. When Yingtai returns home, her parents announce that the Ma family from the neighboring village has sent a matchmaker to ask Yingtai for their son's permission to marry.
They found her a suitable match and accepted. Trying to hide his disappointment, Yingtai honored his agreement. But while she was preparing for another new life, she thought of Shanbo.
Meanwhile, he also became distracted—his studies slowed down without Yingtai. When Shanbo finally went to Yangtai's house, he came across a young woman.
He Was About To Ask For His Brother
but as soon as their eyes met, he recognized the young scholar he had always loved. Shanbo knew he couldn't bear to be separated from Yingtai again and asked her to marry him.
But, heartbroken, Yingtai tells her that she was already promised to someone else. Shanbo was devastated, but he understood that Yingtai had to obey her parents' wishes, and they parted again. Shanbo fell ill and became weaker day by day.
Worried, his family sent a matchmaker for the Zhou family. But, due to Yingtai's current engagement, his father refused the proposal. To do otherwise would be to publicly embarrass his family.
Shanbo's illness worsened and realizing that he would not live to see her married, Shanbo wrote a final letter to Yingtai. If Yingtai loved her, she asked that she burn incense in front of his grave when she was visiting the Ma family.
Yangti's wedding ceremony was held there, and the funeral was also held. As the procession made its way through the city under stormy skies,
Yingtai Broke Down And Knelt Before Shanbo's Tomb
burning incense and offering sacrifices through her tears. Suddenly, a clap of thunder rang out from above and a bolt of lightning shot through the tomb, shattering the stone.
Without hesitation, Yangtai threw himself in. As her parents ran to save their daughter, two butterflies flew out of the crack. This time, Yingtai was changed for good. Free at last, she could swim forever with Shanbo by her side.
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