♥️The Hidden Story of Yaoliu ♥️

In Lost You Forever, Yaoliu turn out to be the hidden Cowherd and Weaver Girl.

To analyze Lost You Forever, we must break free from the original way of thinking, even the framework itself. We can’t always be confined to interpreting flower language or small plot details, like blind men feeling an elephant or being blinded by a single leaf—only able to see a part without grasping the whole. We need to step out and look from a higher vantage point in order to see the threads clearly and understand which mythological plots the author drew upon. Then many details and props will naturally make sense. I suggest first checking the link below—it’s absolutely mind-blowing, and you definitely won’t regret watching it.

Xiangliu’s exclusive prop; in the drama, you can find Xiangliu.

• To be honest, this still from season two already sparks my imagination. A fairy in the heavens—doesn’t she look like a fairy scattering flowers?

Very similar to the “Fairy Scattering Flowers” painting.

• Abandoned spinning wheel: The Weaver Girl refers to Xiaoyao. Since becoming the Cowherd’s wife, she no longer weaves. The abandoned spinning wheel appears multiple times in the Huichuntang.

• The way they meet: The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl meet at first sight by the river, and the Weaver Girl had removed her light silk garments to bathe. This is similar to how Xiangliu and Xiaoyao meet—Xiaoyao sings by the river and encounters Xiangliu. Fangfeng Bei says he fell in love with xiaoyao at first sight. Example images under the light silk garments are provided.

• Female weaver: Similarly, in episode 18, Xiaoyao has just regained her identity. After encountering Xiangliu and Cangxuan in episode 17, she wants to wear a dress, and Cangxuan says the following words. Xiling Xiezu Niangniang is Xiaoyao’s maternal grandmother and oversees silkworms across the land. This whole scene is shown in wide shots, suggesting deeper meaning and metaphor, indicating that Xiaoyao represents the Weaver Girl. Especially later, when Xiaoyao becomes Xiling Jiuyou, this layer of meaning persists—she has completely become the Weaver Girl, and her meetings with the Cowherd become increasingly rare.

• Silk garments and the brocade shop: They appear multiple times in Qingshui Town, the most striking instance being in episode 18, when Xiaoyao is captured by Cangxuan. The Qingshui Spirit Stone mentions it during the celebration of King Haoling’s return. The Weaver Girl wears the light silk garments.

It represents the Weaver Girl being taken away; the silk garments serve as a symbol.

Every shot of Xiaoyao and Fangfeng Bei walking in the street or at the entrance to the deathmatch arena features the “Brocade Shop.” At first, I didn’t understand, but now I realize it subtly indicates that the two are the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. The first time they “accidentally meet” on the street, along the way, apart from the “either animal skins ” it’s always the “Brocade Shop.”

The first time meeting Fangfeng Bei on the street.

Along the road, they were selling either animal skins or fabrics

In front of the brocade shop, the two touch their hearts.

Thirty-seven years later, this scene resembles a lantern in the Heavenly Palace, with brocade nearby, subtly indicating that the two meet less and less.

• Multiple versions of the Cowherd and Weaver Girl paintings

Wearing blue, carrying a basket, with children inside the basket.

One second before Xiangliu’s masked child appears, it contains all of Xiangliu’s props: the wooden wind chime, the blue lantern, and this frame.

The basket at the entrance of Xiangliu’s cabin.

Here are close-up views of the two images above for you to see.

Qixi/Chinese Valentine day 

The phase of the moon on the night of the Qixi Festival is the first quarter. As the moon continues its forward rotation, by the seventh or eighth day of the lunar month, its ecliptic longitude differs by 90°. When the sun sets, the moon is already overhead, and by midnight, the moon sets. At this time, the half of the moon illuminated by the sun is just visible, which is called the “first quarter moon.”

Because it’s Qixi.

Xiangliu has a crescent moon-shaped sword and gives Xiaoyao a bow and arrow, both subtly referencing the first quarter moon and Qixi.

The Cowherd chases the Weaver Girl but is separated by the Milky Way.

 In episode 37 of season one, the last time the two meet, the Milky Way appears in front of them.

This is the description in the script, explicitly stating it is the “Milky Way.”

The script notes that the “Milky Way” appears in front of the two.

Male farming, female weaving

 Since so much has been described about the Weaver Girl, what about the Cowherd’s farming? In the mini side scene attached to Xiaoyao’s birthday letter in Qingshui Town, Chuanzi carries a farming “plow.” I’ve explained multiple times that Chuanzi’s two mouths represent Tushanjing and Xiangliu respectively; the lower mouth represents Xiangliu. I won’t go into further detail here.[Chuanzi (串子) refers to a Chinese character formed by repeating the same component, like “skewering” elements together.Two mouths (口 + 口) → forms the character 吕 (lǚ).It’s called a chuanzi of two mouths because the character visually stacks two “mouth” radicals.]

Chuanzi has never farmed in the Qingshui Town storyline. Here, suddenly carrying a plow and then putting it down to perform a plowing action must have a deeper meaning.

Silkworm

The last letter Tushanjing sends to Xiaoyao.

Two instances of silkworms.

Meeting on the Magpie Bridge.

I previously argued who Ye Shiqi in episode 17 really is—he is an incarnation of Xiangliu. I’ve now noticed that the Cowherd’s clothes are all blue.

Finally, I will end with a poem I liked very much when I was in school, which describes the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

Magpie Bridge Immortal
(by Qin Guan, Song Dynasty)

Delicate clouds play with skill, flying stars convey resentment,
The Silver River (Milky Way) stretches far, secretly crossing.
When golden wind and jade dew meet once,
It surpasses countless encounters in the mortal world.

Tender feelings are like water, the appointed time like a dream,
One can hardly bear to look back at the magpie bridge on the return journey.
If the love between two hearts is enduring,
Why should it matter day by day, morning to evening?

“Yaoliu Jing in Chang Xiang Si corresponds to Bao, Dai, and Chai in Dream of the Red Chamber.”

It is said that Tonghua’s Chang Xiang Si borrows many writing techniques from 红楼梦 (Dream of the Red Chamber). What I found is that 宝钗 (Baochai) and 黛 (Dai) correspond exactly to 夭玹（璟）(Yao Xuan (Jing)) and 柳 (Xiangliu). Below, I will list some interesting props and plot points.

Name decomposition hints

贾宝玉 (Jia Baoyu) → 玖瑶 (Jiuyao), both names contain two “王” (king) characters.

Decomposition of 贾宝玉:

• 贾 (Jia): After returning west, revived in a sea shell.

• 宝玉 (Baoyu): Disciple of the Jade Mountain Queen Mother, loves eating jade melon; mother gives jade melon, Fenglong gives jade melon — two “玉” (jade) characters.

林黛玉 (Lin Daiyu) → 相柳 (Xiangliu), both contain double “木” (wood) characters, and wear jade pendants.

涂山璟 (Tushan Jing), name contains one “王” (king).

• Chuanzi gave Sangtian a green hairpin.

• He himself has a jade fox and wears a jade hairpin.

• But there is no “林” (Lin), so he imitates Daiyu.

玱玹 (Cangxuan) also has double “木” (wood). I analyzed that Laomu is a reflection of 玱玹 (Cangxuan). But because Xiaoyao gave him a fox tail, he does not have a jade pendant.

Judgment verse: “玉带林中挂” (The jade belt hangs in the forest).

• Xiangliu is the jade belt, so he likes to hang on trees; he even sleeps in trees and can stay there for several days.

薛宝钗 (Xue Baochai) — on the surface appears to be Tushan Jing, but in reality, is 玱玹 (Cangxuan).

Judgment verse: “金簪雪里埋” (The golden hairpin is buried in the snow).

• The golden hairpin refers to 玱玹 (Cangxuan), buried in the cold snow.

• Its meaning is overshadowed by Xiangliu.

• This is reflected in the second segment of the opening theme song.

Xiangliu rode a giant bird and flew past, whil Cangxuan was covered by snow.

贾雨村 (Jia Yucun): “玉在椟中求善价，钗于奁内待时飞” (The jade seeks a good price in its box; the hairpin waits in its case for the right time to fly).

Fangfeng Bei, in order to eat roasted meat with Xiaoyao, treated the jade pendant as irrelevant. By doing this, he stopped being Daiyu, became Lin Wuyu, and thus removed Lin Daiyu’s fated destiny. He gave up being an immortal to experience the human world, becoming Fangfeng Bei.

Romantic line: Baoyu and Daiyu share true love, represented by a double-headed arrow.

Episode 37: Xiaoyao used 玉红草 (Jade Red Herb) to grill fish for Xiangliu. In other words, she gave herself to Xiangliu to eat. 玉红草 (Jade Red Herb) also causes one to sleep for three hundred years, dreaming continuously.

The entire 长相思 (Chang Xiang Si) should be like 红楼梦 (Dream of the Red Chamber): a dream, a dream one does not want to wake from.

Classic scenes and props from Dream of the Red Chamber in Chang Xiang Si

Chang Xiang Si borrows classic scenes and props from Dream of the Red Chamber. Generally, when a prop appears, it represents the character’s attributes.

• Baoyu loves red.
  I have analyzed Xiaoyao’s classic props: red lanterns, red flowers, red cloth, and in posters, wearing red clothes. Ailing: these are Xiaoyao’s exclusive props in Chang Xiang Si.
• Baoyu loves eating rouge.

Baoyu, who mingles in circles of the opposite sex, is partially hidden by a blue umbrella, representing that in his heart he still cares for Xiangliu (Daiyu).

Baoyu loves eating rouge

• Baoyu wearing a straw raincoat and teasing the old man are classic scenes from Dream of the Red Chamber

Whenever a straw raincoat and straw hat appear, it signifies Baoyu’s character traits are highlighted.(Note:he is Liu-Shiqi)

Baoyu carried a lantern to see Cangxuan, formerly Daiyu, later Baochai, for a farewell.

Baoyu appears, teasing Ye Shiqi

On their second meeting, planning to watch Fangfeng Bei practice archery, Baoyu’s character traits are highlighted

The straw raincoat and straw hat at the entrance of Xiangliu’s private residence in Chenrong Mountain also indicate that this is Baoyu’s home. The shared items in the Xiaoliu household serve as proof that the two are married

The spirit stone in Qing Shui Town is narrating the celebration of Da Wang ji, with Xiangliu eavesdropping. A set of Xiaoyao’s exclusive straw raincoat and straw hat is hanging here, which also signifies that Xiaoliu has become Baoyu and is going to mingle in the women’s circles.

Here is the scene in episode 17 of Baoyu leaving Daiyu, shown from behind. Xiaoyao has turned back into Baoyu, which is actually also the signature of Wan Baode in episode 27, only showing the character ‘Bao’

• After returning to Haoling, he wore jade on his head while in male attire.

Wearing jade and a jade hairpin.

• Lin Daiyu’s jade pendant. I specifically discuss this here; just see the link

One enters the dream, the other does not

Lin Daiyu in Cao Xueqin’s writing, appearing like a celestial fairy, exists on a spiritual level and is Baoyu’s dream lover. Baochai exists on a real-world level, is calculating, and is Baoyu’s life partner. Because reality is far less beautiful than dreams, one feels “ultimately dissatisfied.”

Similarly, Xiangliu, Tushan Jing, and Cangxuan relate to Xiaoyao in the same way. However, Xiangliu additionally has the Fangfeng Bei disguise, sold the jade, and the two even sing “Prefer the mortal world’s fireworks,” so Xiangliu breaking through Lin Daiyu’s ending leads to a happy ending (HE).

He had already entered the dream before the poison ritual.

In the end, Daiyu died on the day of Baoyu and Baochai’s grand wedding.

Xiangliu also died on the day of Xiaoyao and Tushan Jing’s grand wedding. However, Fangfeng Bei survived.

Daiyu and Baochai correspond to Xiangliu and Jing.

Nowadays, more and more analyses of Dream of the Red Chamber suggest that Lin Daiyu and Xue Baochai are “two beauties at the same time,” two sides of the same coin, equally matched in character, appearance, and talent. When Cao Xueqin created these characters, he designed them to complement each other. Whether in the judgment verses or the songs, the two are always placed together. As a result, the two have long been elegantly referred to as “Chai–Dai as One” (钗黛合一).

So why are the two called Chai–Dai as One? I believe it is primarily due to the complementarity in their lives. Both Chai and Dai have their own flaws; together, they form perfection.

Commentary by Zhiyan Zhai in Chapter 42:
“Gengchen: Although Chai and Yu each have a name, they are in fact one person—this is the work of a fantasy pen. By the time the book reaches Chapter 38, more than one-third has passed, so this chapter depicts the two as united into one. Just observe the words of Baochai after Daiyu’s passing, and you will know that my statement is not mistaken.”

The lives of Chai and Dai are, in fact, complementary. Lin Daiyu lived through the first half of a person’s life, experiencing love; her youth was vibrant, meaningful, and full of energy. Xue Baochai, on the other hand, appears already in middle age—steady, graceful, mature, like an adult woman. Her life represents the continuation of Lin Daiyu’s. Having lost the sharpness of youth and the age of love, marriage becomes a calm, everyday life. Lacking the passion of love, she embodies the delicacy of married life.

In her previous life, Lin Daiyu owed the Divine Attendant Shenying the nurturing of affection. In this life, she only comes to repay that fleeting love; after repaying the favor, she passes away. Meanwhile, the Divine Attendant Shenying’s experiences are not yet complete. Xue Baochai, as Lin Daiyu’s successor, renews the bond with Jia Baoyu, enacting the life of someone entering marriage. According to the notion of Chai–Dai as One, Lin Daiyu is Xue Baochai, and Xue Baochai is Lin Daiyu. They represent two stages of Jia Baoyu’s experience of a single love. Once the love is fulfilled, the Divine Attendant Shenying’s merit is complete, and Jia Baoyu departs from the world.

It can also be understood this way: meanness and nobility, evil and goodness, hatred and love can coexist within the same heart. If you can understand this, then you realize that Chai and Dai are actually the same person. This reality is rather harsh—there is no perfect human. Therefore, in the mythological story, Tonghua, unwilling to accept this, created a middle character who gathers the strengths of both—Ye Shiqi. Ye Shiqi was initially fake (placed in this false world by Tushan Jing). That is why Xiaoliu said, “There is no Ye Shiqi in this world at all.” But when Tushan Zhen was born, a true king appeared in the false world. Then, in the false world, the real Ye Shiqi was also placed; Liu-Shiqi is this real Ye Shiqi, and only on the willow tree are there leaves.

A few days ago, I wrote a piece of tea: Tushan Jing is like a teapot on the surface, inside hiding Xiangliu and Xiaoyao. Xiangliu is the tea, Xiaoyao is the water, and Tushan Jing is the tea fox (the pot).

Here are a few examples of how the two are similar, merged, and connected:

• For instance, in the final letter between Xiangliu and Tushan Jing, Xiangliu is wearing blue. Blue is usually the color Tushan Jing wears. However, blue also represents the sea and the sky, which should be Xiangliu’s exclusive color, yet Tushan Jing happens to like wearing blue. Meanwhile, under Tushan Jing’s outfit, he is wearing Xiangliu’s hidden colors of black and white. For those unclear about this, you can refer to my letter interpretation.

• The wooden wind chime is Xiangliu’s exclusive item, yet the crystal wind chime has become Tushan Jing’s exclusive item. Both characters have wind chimes. The main point is that the crystal comes from the extreme north; Xiangliu spent over a hundred years there and mastered ice magic. Fangfeng Bei also went to the extreme north, carrying thousands of crystals back home. The crystals should all be related to Xiangliu. Yet every time, it is Tushan Jing who appears holding the crystals. In Tushan Jing’s residence, the Yu Mansion, crystal wind chimes are hung. He also gave Xiaoyao a string of crystal wind chimes to hang in the Huichun Hall. To save Xuan, Xiaoyao even went to Tushan Jing to request two more strings of crystal wind chimes.

• When Xiaoyao was seriously injured, Xiangliu first treated her. Later, when Xiangliu ran out of medicine, Tushan Jing took over and carefully treated her. This highlights the continuity between the two.

• Xiaoyao often speaks to Jing the words she wants to say to Xiangliu, even treating Jing as a substitute for Liu. (It should be noted that Xiaoyao and Xiangliu are connected through the Gu lover)
  
  

• Also, regarding the final ending, it is said that Liu saved Jing so he could accompany Xiaoyao, which is another form of continuity.

• At the very end, in the letter, Ye Shiqi goes to the pharmacy where Xiaoyao is, and Xiangliu’s wooden wind chime appears. This should also indicate that at this point, Ye Shiqi is Xiangliu as well.

• Xiangliu has nine heads, and Tushan Jing has nine tails—one at the beginning, one at the end. In the end, a few of Xiangliu’s heads are gone, and several of Tushan Jing’s tails are broken. However, Tushan Jing does not live long; Xiangliu is resurrected under the Ye Shiqi disguise. This is where Chang Xiang Si differs from Dream of the Red Chamber in the ending

 Kokuto:

I just saw a video dream casting Tan Jian Ci and Yang Zi for Dream of the Red Chamber.  I've thought about reading it, but I'm not sure how much would go over my head. 

Could you share the link? I also came across it on Facebook—someone posted a link discussing the cast revealed for Zheng Xiaolong's new Dream of the Red Chamber, featuring Tan Jianci, Song Zu'er, Bai Lu, and Li Yitong as Jia Yuanchun

“Jing’s letter to Xiao Yao, interpretation of the evidence of Xiang Liu’s return.”

Today, I accidentally saw the official release — in Jing’s letter to Xiao Yao, I discovered the hidden ending of Season 2, the secret of Xiang Liu’s return under the identity of Ye Shiqi.

“Xiao Yao, once you learn longing, you will suffer from longing.”

Weren’t the two of them supposed to be together forever? Why would there be longing?

Notice Jing’s clothing — both white and black are the colors Xiang Liu used when hiding his identity. Look at Xiang Liu’s two sets of outfits. Pay attention to the background: it is the study room of the Tu Shan residence, with half of a blue curtain drawn. The color and material of the curtain are the same as the clothing Xiang Liu wore when writing a letter. This indicates that Ye Shiqi, the identity used to conceal Xiang Liu, in ancient attire, symbolizes that in the final ending he always existed in Xiao Yao’s world.

White and black clothes

When practicing archery for the first time, Xiao Yao wore this green outfit. And in Fangfeng Bei’s scene, there were the black and white clothes. Could it be the same clothes that Jing is now wearing while writing the letter?

“You are the one who taught me longing.”

While the snow is falling, Xiao Yao gazes at it — whom is she missing? Xiang Liu, who is symbolized by snow. Xiang Liu once made it snow for Xiao Yao.

“From the day you saved me, I knew I could never leave you.”

Cutting the wrist to feed blood — this also represents the connection with Xiang Liu, since later there is also blood feeding from the wrist. Those who have seen my Episode 2 analysis should know that this beggar might also be Xiang Liu.

Then came the final scene of Episode 2, which is different from the beginning of Episode 3. Some bloggers have analyzed that these are two different people, as Xiao Liu’s reactions are not the same.

the first time seeing Fangfeng Bei from inside the veiled hat

“But you saw me.”

Here they actually used the scene in the song-and-dance hall, when Xiao Yao, inside the veiled hat, saw Fangfeng Bei for the first time. With so many scenes of Jing and her together, was there really a need to pick this one?

Look closely, the wooden wind chimes behind Jing — wooden wind chimes represent Xiang Liu. When Xiang Liu seized the provisions, a row of wind chimes was cut through by his blade. When A Nian appeared, there were also many wooden wind chimes

Xiang Liu was also searching in the pharmacy. 

Do these two scenes look alike? Always searching.

What did the two of them see in the pharmacy?

"Xiao Yao, under the clear breeze and bright moon, I will surely stay by your side.”

They actually used the scene of Xiao Yao smiling at Fangfeng Liu in her boudoir: Fangfeng Bei, Xiang Liu, recalling the face painting in the Xingxing Mirror. With so many scenes of Jing and her together, was there really a need to choose this one?”

‘Clear breeze and bright moon’ refers to Xiang Liu, who will surely return to be with Xiao Yao in the fourth lifetime. I already explained the four-lifetime companionship in my previous post, ‘Whipping.’

The final call, ‘Shiqi!’ — he finally waited for it.

Xiang Liu also waited for it. Analysis: In the earlier episodes with the Qingshui Town storyline, many scenes serve as evidence that at the ending, Ye Shiqi is actually Xiang Liu’s return. In between, there are two versions of Ye Shiqi.

https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/681233866

https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/694908257