In the reign of Emperor Hsuan Tsung of T'ang (847-859), a great poetess was born to a humble family in a narrow street of the city of Ch'ang An.
When Yu Hsuan-chi was only 5 years old, she could recite from memory poems composed by Po Chu-I and Yuan Wei-chih. At the age of 13, she started to write septasyllabic quatrains. At 15, she was widely known.
Her parents engaged a tutor to teach their talented daughter rhymes and versification so she might capitalize on her literary aptitudes as a courtesan.
The famous poet Wen T'ing-yun paid Yu Hsuan-chi a visit in 857. "I have heard you can write verses," he said. "Will you show me some of your recent compositions?"
She replied earnestly: "I am only learning and without a competent tutor. How dare I speak of compositions? Today, graced by your illustrious presence, I am comparable to a steed in front of Po Lo (a connoisseur of horses). Will you try" me out by giving me a subject so I can write a poem for your appreciation?"
She placed ink and brush in front of him. He assigned the subject of "Riverside Willow".
After a moment's reflection, Yu Hsuan-chi wrote:
Its greenness is liked to the desolate riverbank,
Its misty silhouette appears in front of the distant pavilion
Its shadow spreads over the autumn waters,
Its flowers fall on the head of the pedestrians.
Its old, hollow roots serve as caves to hide the fish,
Its low branches entangle the traveler's boat.
On windy and rainy nights,
Its rustling leaves startle one's dream and increase one's sorrows.
Wen T'ing-yun was lavish in his praise. After that, Wen often visited the Yu family. Epistolary communication between master and pupil was carried out in poetic form.
Wen T'ing-yun had a wealthy friend named Li Yi. Li was young, handsome and acquainted with poetry and prose. In 860, Wen T'ing-yun tired of his humble post in the city of Hsiang Yang in Hupeh province. He resigned and returned to Ch'ang An, where Li Yi was living. By chance, the young man saw some of Yu Hsuan-chi's poems on his friend's desk and was impressed with the young lady's literary talent. Wen T'ing-yun told him of Yu Hsuan-chi's comely looks and poetic accomplishments.
Enamored of the poetry, Li Yi offered the Yu family a large sum of money for Hsuan-chi as a concubine. The ceremony took place at the Forest Pavilion in the suburbs of Ch'ang An. When Li Yi tried to approach the bride that night, she screamed and would have none of him.
Li Yi became despondent as his poetess continued to reject him during the days that followed. His wife sought the reason for his unhappiness and learned from the servants that her husband had taken a concubine. She had a violent quarrel with him and returned to her parents' house. Li Yi was upbraided by his father-in-law and proposed to send Yu Hsuan-chi home. She refused, fearing the humiliation. Li Yi finally sent her to the Hsien Yi Monastery, where she became a Taoist nun. She was 18 and led a free and carefree life. Among her admirers were celebrated men of letters and aristocratic young men.
One day two young noblemen accompanied by a famous musician named Ch'en went to visit Yu Hsuan-chi. The musician had fine features and was of stately stature. He kept silent but sent messages of love with his eyes. His image lingered in Yu Hsuan-chi's heart after the meeting.
Two weeks later the poetess sent the musician this poem:
Unable to repress my amorous feelings,
I tell you of my longing through the red strings of my lute.
Had I known that we would meet as lovers, I would not have chosen to be a nun. Beautiful as a peach or plum flower
I fear not to be sought out by an artist,
Green as a pine or cassia tree,
You are admired by men of letters.
My moonlit court steps are clean,
My songs are heard in the deepness of my bamboo-covered yard.
In order to await the arrival of my bosom friend,
I sweep not the fallen red leaves in front of my gate.
Musician Ch'en visited Yu Hsuan-chi again. Tender affection developed at the first tȇte-à-tȇte. Yu Hsuan-ohi sent away the servants. After that memorable night, Yu Hsuan-chi refused to receive visitors other than her beloved. She dismissed all her servants except one old woman and spent seven quiet years with Ch'en.
The musician traveled far and wide giving performances. In his absence, she employed poetry as an outlet for her sentiment and sent her work to Wen T'ing-yun for correction.
In the spring of 868, the old maidservant passed away. To replace her, Yu Hsuan-chi hired a girl of 18 named Lu Ch'iao. The new maid was clever but far from pretty. Her forehead was low, her chin too short and she had a feline look. Nor were her legs good, and she was slovenly in her person. Lu Ch'iao had wit but was not to be compared with her lovely, intelligent mistress.
Nevertheless, Ch'en was attracted to the girl and flirted with her. Jealousy grew in Yu Hsuan-chi's breast. If Ch'en called on Yu Hsuan-chi and she was out, it was his custom to wait for her. There came a day when Yu Hsuan-chi returned home to be told the musician had come and gone without leaving a message. This aroused Yu Hsuan-chi's suspicions. She imagined an affair between Ch'en and the maid.
That evening Lu Ch'iao came to the study to light the candles. Yu Hsuan-chi beat the girl and demanded she confess. When she would not, Yu Hsuan-chi killed her and buried the body back of the monastery. Ch'en denied any liaison with the maid.
The new mound was noticed and the maid's body dug up. Magistrate Wen Chang had Yu Hsuan-chi brought before the court, where she confessed. Ch'en, who knew nothing of the murder, was exonerated.
Many men of letters sought to intervene on Yu Hsuan-chi's behalf. But due to the cold-bloodedness of the murder, the magistrate was powerless to help her. The case reached Emperor Yi Tsung. In the autumn of 868, Yu Hsuan-chi was decapitated. She was 26 years old. Of those who deplored the execution, none was more sorrowful than Wen T'ing-yun. The master mourned his pupil- the poetess who gave her life because she loved in reality as she did in some of her verses.