The Three Smiles

Tang Bo Hu disguises himself as a poor youth who has been robbed of his money because he cannot find another way to enter the Hua mansion to be near Autumn Fragrance. After following her from the temple and the river journey, he has fallen in love with her but has no legitimate means of access to the household. The disguise is a calculated plan to gain entry by exploiting the kindness of the chief butler.

The three smiles refer to the three distinct moments Autumn Fragrance smiles at Tang Bo Hu throughout their initial encounters. The first is a shy, lingering smile at the temple when he flirts with her. The second is a playful smile when she splashes water on him from the boat. The third smile, given at the Hua mansion after her mood shifts from annoyance to amusement, finally captures his heart completely and motivates his decision to infiltrate the household.

The Grand Tutor hires Tang Bo Hu after the chief butler brings the disguised young man to him, moved by the story of a poor youth who claims to have been robbed. The Grand Tutor sees potential in the newcomer and decides to give him a position in his household, unknowingly accepting Tang under the name Hua An. This hiring provides Tang with the access he needs to pursue Autumn Fragrance.

Tang Bo Hu abandons his comfortable life as a renowned scholar to become a servant specifically because of his growing obsession with Autumn Fragrance. His love for her is so strong that he is willing to sacrifice his status, wealth, and freedom to be near her. Taking the position as pageboy Hua An represents a complete transformation from his previous carefree existence in exchange for proximity to the woman he loves.

The third smile occurs when Tang follows the Hua household and attempts to make small talk with Autumn Fragrance. Her mood shifts from initial annoyance at his persistent pursuit to amusement, leading her to give him the third smile. This smile is different from the previous two, it is warmer and more inviting, signaling her growing interest in him, which is why it finally captures his heart completely.

Tang Bo Hu follows Lady Hua's party after the river journey because he has become increasingly fascinated by Autumn Fragrance. After seeing her at the temple and then interacting with her during the boat ride where she splashes him with water, he cannot shake his attraction to her. He pursues them to the Hua mansion hoping to find a way to see her again and pursue a romantic connection.

Tang Bo Hu is renamed Hua An when he is hired as a pageboy in the Grand Tutor's household, marking his formal entry into a new identity and social circle. This name change signifies his transformation from a famous, independent scholar to a servant within the household. It also represents his deliberate adoption of a secret identity to pursue his romantic ambitions, hiding his true name and background from everyone in the household.

Autumn Fragrance splashes a basin of river water toward Tang Bo Hu during the boat journey as a playful response to the rower teasing her with songs. This action is both playful and flirtatious, she soaks his clothes but does so with a soft smile, showing her willingness to engage with his pursuit rather than rejecting him outright. This moment deepens Tang's attraction to her.

Tang Bo Hu gains entry to the Hua mansion by disguising himself as a poor youth who claims to have been robbed of all his money. He presents this story to the chief butler, who takes pity on him. The butler then introduces him to the Grand Tutor, who, moved by the supposed hardship, hires him as a pageboy. This elaborate ruse is the only way Tang can think of to enter the household and be near Autumn Fragrance.

Tang Bo Hu is famous in the Jiangnan region because he is a talented and well-educated scholar celebrated for his wit and his love of poetry and song. Despite his fame and wealth, he shuns both and chooses to roam the countryside in search of leisure and beauty rather than pursue a career or official position. His reputation precedes him, making his decision to become a servant even more remarkable.