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¡¡¡¡ Qintai Street is a sightseeing
street in Chengdu. The street was built recently imitated the traditional
Chinese construction style, especially the styles of Ming and Qing
dynasty. Walking along the street, you can appreciate the old-styled buildings
lined alongside the street. This street became well-known for an ancient love
story between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun. The story happened in a small town
near Chengdu during the Western Han Dynasty about 2,200 years ago. Zhuo Wenjun
was a clever nice-looking girl from a rich family. Unfortunately she became a
widow when she was quite young. Oneday, Sima Xiangru came by and got acquainted
with Zhuo wenjun. Sima Xiangru was a well-learned scholar and good writing
essays which was popular in Western Han dynasty. He fell in love with this lady.
At a dinner party at Zhuo`s home, Sima Xiangru played a stringed music
instrument. Intentionally, he used a piece of music to express to Zhuo his
sincere love. Zhuo understood the music, and fell in love with him too. However,
Zhou¡¯s parents didn't approve because Sima Xiangru was still a poor schloar in
those days. So the lovers ran away secretly. They arrived at the western suburb
of Chengdu where they managed a pub to make a living. It is said that Sima
Xiangru sold liquor while Zhuo Wenjun cleaned utensils and cups. Before long,
Sima Xiangru went to Chang'an, the capital of the Han Empire for an imperial job
examination. Sima
Xiangru departed and Zhuo remained in Chengdu. Sima Xiangru successfully got a
good job in Chang'an after he passed the examination. However, his wife kept
waiting for him in Chengdu. Her waiting lasted five years but unfortunately Sima
Xiangru didnt come back for their family reunion. One day, a letter came to Zhuo
from her husband. She read the letter and realized that Sima Xiangru wanted to
have a concubine from the capital. Zhuo was completely depressed. She wrote back
to Sima Xiangru. In her letter she composed four pieces of poetry describing
their past love and her longing for reunion. After reading her letter, Sima
Xiangru felt ashamed. He soon gave up the idea of having a concubine. Moreover,
he himself drove a four-horse carriage back to Chengdu where he picked up his
wife and took her away to Chang'an for their final reunion.
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