Book 2 Chapter 14
Origin of the Chapter's Title[]
The title 追往事，空惨愁颜 (zhuī wǎng shì ， kōng cǎn chóu yán) is a line from the poem Lyrics to Lady Qi's Song, also known as Qi Shi (戚氏), authored by Liu Yong (柳永), a Song Dynasty poet.
追往事，空惨愁颜 can be translated as:
- Consumed by bygones leaves one to feel more pathetic and depressed.[1]
Context of the line in its passage:
What I've experienced seems a dream, how can I misty waters navigate?
Obsession with fame and gain drives one to become pallid and thin,
Consumed by bygones leaves one to feel more pathetic and depressed.
Tonight arrive in the speed of arrows,
A chill sets in, then comes whimpers of blaring horn that linger on.
By the window I sit idly, I put out the lamp awaiting dawn,
In wakefulness I my own shadow embrace.