In the long river of history, China has nurtured countless touching love stories, such as the harmonious melody of the qin and se between Sima Xiangru and Zhuo Wenjun, the poignant and beautiful love story between Lu You and Tang Wan, and the passionate pursuit between Xu Zhimo and Lu Xiaoman. However, there is a deep friendship that, although little known, still shines with an eternal light – that is the pure and transcendent emotion between Zhang Daqian and Li Qiujun.
Zhang Daqian, a giant in the art world, had a rich emotional life and was accompanied by many beautiful women. However, it was not until 2004 that a priceless landscape masterpiece, “The Vast and Emerald Landscape,” reappeared in the world, and a hidden “Autumn Delay” seal was exposed, allowing a long forgotten love story of Plato to be rediscovered.
The story begins at the age of twenty when Zhang Daqian was in his prime. He made his debut in the Shanghai art world and, by chance, met Li Maochang, a wealthy businessman from Ningbo. By chance, Zhang Daqian was deeply attracted by a painting called “Lotus Flower” in the Li Mansion. The author of this painting turned out to be Li Qiujun, the talented daughter of Li Maochang. Her artistic achievements left Zhang Daqian in awe. Despite his straightforward nature, he knelt down in front of everyone and begged to become Li Qiujun’s teacher. This scene became the starting point of their relationship.
Afterwards, Zhang Daqian set up an art studio in Li Qiujun’s “Ouxiang Hall”, and the two spent their days together, developing feelings for each other. Faced with Li Qiujun’s gentle probing, Zhang Daqian knew deeply that he already had a family and could not give her the rightful status. He knelt down again and candidly told her, expressing his helplessness and respect. After hearing this, Li Qiujun felt a great reluctance in her heart, but she also kept this deep affection hidden deep in her heart. From then on, she silently waited by Zhang Daqian’s side under the name of “Third Sister” and remained unmarried for life.
Time passed by, and until 1973, when Li Qiujun passed away, Zhang Daqian, who was far away in the United States, was heartbroken upon hearing the news. Even though he was feeling unwell, he insisted on getting out of bed and kneeling in the direction of Shanghai to express his endless longing for Li Qiujun. In the days that followed, he often immersed himself in the pain of losing his “third sister”, not thinking about food and drink, and feeling listless.
And the deep love that lies deep in his heart, Zhang Daqian expresses it with a “Autumn Delay” seal. This seal represents his regret for meeting Li Qiujun too late, as well as his deep nostalgia for this fruitless love. In 1945, on the occasion of the joy of the victory of the Anti Japanese War, Zhang Daqian splashed his brush and ink to create the painting “The Vast and Green Landscape”, and for the first and only time stamped this extraordinary seal to remember the deep friendship that crossed time and space.
The word “autumn is late” contains too much frustration and regret, but it also witnesses the unique romantic feelings of the Chinese people – it does not lie in the vigorous oath, but in the implicit and deep, distant and beautiful emotional expression. This romance transcends the boundaries of time and space, touching the heartstrings of every reader.
