ENG
Tearful eyes reflect tearful eyes,
Broken hearts echo broken cries.
The world harbors the cold and sly,
Yet spares this soul in serpent's guise.
The Jade Emperor sat on his throne in the Celestial Palace, gathering the officials.
Hong Yi stood among the immortals and saw Taibai Jinxing leading an officer in. A crown of Five Peaks on his head, a Landscape Engraved Tablet in his hand, he wore the light of the seven stars on his robe, and walked to the pleasant music of eight jade rings dangling from his waist.
Taibai Jinxing then announced, "Your Majesty, I have brought the son of Bodhisattva Pilanpo from the Purple Cloud Mountain as commanded."
The Jade Emperor responded, "Let the celestial official come forward. I appoint you as the 'Dawnstar', ranking among the Twenty-Eight Constellations, and grant you residence in the Palace of Illumination. Remember to be diligent in your duties and conduct your patrols on time." The newly appointed Dawnstar thanked the Emperor for his grace. The Jade Emperor then ordered the Crane Immortal and the Supreme Celestial Inspector to escort him to his post, also bestowing upon him two bottles of imperial wine and ten golden flowers.
The immortals congratulated the Dawnstar, while Hong Yi stood quietly on the periphery, observing for a moment.
She was slightly older than him, and having grown up together due to the deep connections and frequent interactions between their families, she had always seen him as a younger brother. Now, witnessing his moment of glory, she believed his future held limitless potential.
After waiting a while longer, she watched him greet and bid farewell to others in front of the hall, his spirits high, yet he never glanced her way. With a quiet sigh, she turned and slowly walked out of the hall.
The passage begins with a short, mournful poem that sets the tone: eyes and hearts reflecting pain, a cold world, but one particular soul — described as wearing a serpent’s guise — is somehow spared. It reads like a mood-setting preface that hints at sorrow and a favored individual, but it does not name anyone directly.
The scene then moves to the Celestial Palace where the Jade Emperor has assembled his officials. Hong Yi is among the immortals watching the court. Taibai Jinxing appears leading an officer into the hall. The newcomer is described in detail: a crown called Five Peaks, a Landscape Engraved Tablet, a robe showing the light of seven stars, and the sound of eight jade rings when he walks. Taibai announces that this newcomer is the son of the Bodhisattva Pilanpo, brought from Purple Cloud Mountain as ordered.
The Jade Emperor formally appoints that son to the position of "Dawnstar," placing him among the Twenty-Eight Constellations and giving him residence in the Palace of Illumination. The Emperor reminds him to be diligent and to carry out his patrols on schedule. After the appointment the Emperor has the Crane Immortal and the Supreme Celestial Inspector escort the new Dawnstar to his post and rewards him with two bottles of imperial wine and ten golden flowers. The immortals in the hall offer their congratulations.
Hong Yi watches this whole exchange from the edge of the gathering. She is slightly older than the new Dawnstar; the text says they grew up together because their families were closely connected, and she always thought of him as a younger brother. Seeing him receive honor and praise, she believes his future looks very promising.
But despite her attendance and her feelings, he never looks at her. After waiting while he greets and parts from others in high spirits, she quietly sighs and leaves the hall. The scene ends with that emotional quietness: he has just been elevated and celebrated, but their personal closeness is left unacknowledged in public, which leaves Hong Yi withdrawn and alone.