During the Qing Dynasty, in Chongqing, Sichuan, a young prodigy named Zhu Haichun captured the town’s admiration. By age 8, he had mastered 13 Confucian classics, and by fourteen, he was celebrated for passing the provincial imperial examinations. Despite being a promising young man, Zhu Haichun remained indifferent to the many marriage proposals facilitated by local matchmakers. His parents, wise with experience, sensed an unspoken love in his heart. Under their persistent questioning, he shared a story that seemed beyond belief.
Zhu Haichun claimed that he had vivid memories of a previous life for over a decade. In that life, he was Ding Shixiang from Heze, Shandong, a nobleman by birth. His wife, Mrs. Zhen, was renowned for her beauty and virtue, and they shared a deep bond. Tragically, at 18, Ding succumbed to death from excessive studying, his life claimed as he coughed up blood. In their final moments, the couple pledged to reunite in marriage in their next lives. Zhu Haichun showed a distinctive mole on his arm, claiming it was a birthmark symbolizing where Mrs. Zhen had marked him in their past life when she was just 17.
This revelation left his parents dumbfounded. Even if Zhu Haichun’s story was true, Mrs. Zhen would now be in her early thirties, old enough to be his mother. Furthermore, the norms of nobility would make it challenging for a woman of her status to remarry, especially considering how it might affect her reputation. His parents urged him to reconsider, but he requested they investigate further. However, they did not heed his request.
Zhu Haichun visits his past life parents
The following spring, Zhu Haichun set off for the capital to partake in the imperial examinations. On his journey, he made a deliberate detour through Shandong to meet the parents from his past life. He recounted his previous existence; every detail aligned perfectly, leading to a heartfelt recognition. The joy of reunion was palpable among his past life’s parents, but Mrs. Zhen remained out of sight, choosing instead to communicate through a letter delivered by a maid. Zhu Haichun responded with a written vow: “May we be husband and wife in the next life,” echoing the promise made at the brink of his previous death.
Upon reading his words, Mrs. Zhen was moved to tears, realizing these were the exact words Ding Shixiang had penned in his dying moments. She had left a mark on his arm with cinnabar, and in return, he had left her those words as a pledge of their recognition in their next lives. With Zhu Haichun fulfilling their pledge, Mrs. Zhen found no reason to refuse his proposal.
Upon his return, Zhu Haichun arranged for a matchmaker, and without any opposition from Mrs. Zhen’s parents, she was warmly welcomed into the Zhu family. Their marriage flourished, filled with love and mutual respect. Zhu Haichun later penned The Legend of Two Lifetimes to commemorate their remarkable journey.
This tale underlines the belief that life transcends our physical form, asserting that the soul is the true essence of existence. It challenges the notion of atheism with the idea that the soul’s journey through reincarnation embodies life’s true meaning. Moreover, the story highlights the profound impact of vows. Despite the challenges posed by their age difference, Zhu Haichun and Mrs. Zhen’s commitment to their past life’s promise enabled them to bridge this gap and unite in marriage once more. While his pursuit may seem the catalyst for their reunion, the enduring power of their vow ultimately brought their souls together again.
Translated by Joseph Wu
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