Chao Cai [ 晁采 ] , maiden name Shi Ying [ 試鶯 ] , 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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【 題 】：子夜歌

何 時得成匹，離恨不複牽。金針刺菡萏，夜夜得見蓮。