Poems that was used for chapter titles in the novel

Chapter 48 心有千千结  (the heart has a thousand knots)

 In this chapter, CX and XY was brought to Wushen Mountain after XY killed themselves by the poison. CX was detoxicated. XY was placed in a blood spelled Shell. Later CX brought her with the shell to Jade Mountain. XL came there to save XY and broke the last connection between them (i.e, he lured and killed the Lovers' bug)

The content of the poem implied (Xiang) Liu [Willow] saved XY (the flower of spring - XY = peach blossom, a symbol of spring). Their love is difficult to break, (but he broke the last connection by killing the bug). The event happened at night and finished by the early morning (night has passed, moon has gone which corresponding to the moment everything was done and he left Jade Mountain in the dawn)

千秋歲  "Thousands of year" by Zhang Xian

數聲鶗鴃                  A few cuckoo chirping
又報芳菲歇。        It's also announced that good season for botany is about to end
惜春更把殘紅折  Chop all fading flower branches to save the spring. 
雨輕風色暴，        Drizzle but strong wind,
梅子青時節。       The plum fruit is still green  
永豐柳，                  Yong Fang Willow
無人盡日飛花雪.  Bloom with flowers like flying snow all day long despite no human support

莫把幺絃撥。         Do not bring out the pipa to play  
怨極絃能說。         The sound of the strings can express the extreme sadness
天不老，                   The sky never gets old  
情難絕。                   Love is also difficult to break    
心似雙絲網，         The heart is like double silk net
中有千千結。          It has a thousand knots 
夜過也，                    The night has passed
東窗未白孤燈滅     The eastern window is not yet bright, the waning moon has gone

Note: Yong Fang Willow implies a stand-alone willow , a lonely person

During the Tang Dynasty, in Yong Fang ward in Luoyang, there was a savage garden. In the southwest corner of the garden there is a lonely willow tree. Bai Yuyi's poem: "永豐西角荒園裏，盡日無人屬阿誰 (In a west corner of the wild garden in Yongfang ward, All day long none came to see). Later, the poet used the word Yongfang willow to refer to the willow in the garden, implying a lonely woman with no support

Reference: Bài thơ: Thiên thu tuế - 千秋歲 (Trương Tiên - 張先) (thivien.net) 

Chapter 47 (Vol 3 - Chapter 14): 道凄凉，与谁说 (The way is desolate, talk to whom)

XY returned to Shennong mountain and try to find out who assisted TJH to kill Jing. Finally, she figured out that was CX who was behind the plot. She wanted to take revenge of his betray to her trust. However, she also thought that she was partly the reason's for CX's mistake. She poisoned CX and herself to kill herself. In the end, she spared CX's life

The title is referred to the below poem:

夜行船 [Night Boat] by 侯善渊 Hou Shan Yuan from Yuan dynasty

可惜芳年穷妙理。           It's a pity that I have poor ideas in my youth
中途滞、教门无主。      Got stuck halfway, the sect has no owner
道院凄凉, 故人*疏淡，The temple way is desolate, the old friend (*) became distant
那更暮天愁雨。                It even gets more darker, and sadly rains

块坐宾横空无语。          Spanned in the sky, a group of guests are sitting, speechless
赤心诉、有谁知委。      Empty heart complains, who knows the origin (i.e., the cause)
拂袖归山，碧溪深处， Shake the sleeves out of anger, back to the mountain, deep in jade-green stream,
说不尽、离愁若许。     Too much to say, maybe it's as if the pain of separation

Note (*) 故人: means people that you have known before 欤 

---------------

Translation [2]

It's a pity that in the prime of life, he comprehended the profound truth, but he stopped halfway, and there was no leader in the sect. The Taoist courtyard is desolate, old friends are estranged, not to mention the rain in this twilight. Sitting alone, surrounded by no one around, I was speechless. Who can understand my sincere heart? I resolutely left the mountains and forests, returned to the depths of Bixi, and told my feelings to the falling flowers and flowing water.

Appreciation [2]

This work expresses that the author comprehended the profound truth in his prime years, but felt lonely and helpless because of the lack of a master and the alienation of the deceased. In the poem, images such as "the desolation of the Taoist courtyard" and "the sorrow of the rain in the twilight" are used to create a bleak and lonely atmosphere. The last sentence "bare heart, who knows the grievance" expresses the author's inner anguish and sadness that no one understands. In the end, the author resolutely leaves, telling his feelings to the falling flowers and flowing water in the depths of Bixi, revealing an emotion of detachment from the world and return to nature. The language of the whole poem is concise and the artistic conception is far-reaching, expressing the author's deep thinking about life and society.

---------------------------

Literal meaning: CX killed Jing, betraying XY's trust on him. Her trustful gege had changed. Grandfather also hid the truth from her. She is alone on her life (way) which she now could not share to anyone.

Beneath meaning: She got stuck. She trusted CX so much, treasured him. After knowing what he did, she didn't know how to punish him and take proper revenge. She carried so much pain of separation to all 故人 (to "old" CX, Jing and maybe XL as well (she vowed not to see him forever in the previous chapter)). At the end, she "shake the sleeve out of anger" - committed suicide as the way to escape.

Reference: [1] 夜行船原文_侯善渊_古诗词网 (gushici.net) 

[2] "Night Boat" Original Text|Annotation|Translation|Appreciation|Preface - [Yuan] Hou Shanyuan - Daily Poems (meirishici.com) 

Note: So this translation is my attempt with help from some translation tool and Chinese dictionary. You may take a look to correct some possible mistranslation

Vol 3 Chapter 18 (Chapter 51):  归去来兮辞 Going home

Found the following English translation provided along with the recitation of the poem on Youtube. Personally I prefer how you translated it but this complete translation does give a pretty good idea of what the entire poem is about as well.

The highlighted text is the title Tong Hua used for Vol 3 Ch18  (Chapter 51) which reinforces Xiao Yao's decision to finally go home, to the ocean, finally finding the courage to take control over her own life, break free from the mistakes and fetters of the past, and return to the home that Xiang Liu provided for her:

归去来兮辞 Going Home by 陶渊明  Tao Yuanming.

归去来兮           Let me go back home!
田园将芜          My fields will get desolate,
胡不归               Why not go back home?
既自以心为形役 Since I myself let my heart be a slave to my body,
奚惘怅而独悲 Why should I be so full of melancholy?
悟已往之不谏 I am aware the past cannot be retrieved,
知来者之可追 but the future can be repaired.
实迷途其未远 In fact I have not gone too far astray.
觉今是而昨非 I realize, wrong was yesterday, but right is today.
舟摇摇以轻扬 Lightly my boat was rowed and rowed,
风飘飘而吹衣 and gently my gown by the wind was up rolled.
问征夫以前路 I asked the passengers about the way ahead,
恨晨光之熹微 complaining the dawn was still faint over my head.
乃瞻衡宇           Discerning my humble hut,
载欣载奔           I quickened my steps with delight.
僮仆欢迎           Servants to welcome me all came out,
稚子候门           and children were waiting at the gate.
三径就荒           I found the garden paths were covered with weeds
松菊犹存           while pines and chrysanthemums still survived.
携幼入室           I carried my children into the house by the hand,
有酒盈樽           Glad to see on the table wine cups were laid .
引壶觞以自酌 I raised the cup and drank the wine with my hand.
眄庭柯以怡颜 I leaned against the southern window,
倚南窗以寄傲 watching my garden trees with pleasure.
审容膝之易安 I was content with my small hut, to be sure.
园日涉以成趣 In walking everyday in the garden I took pleasure.
门虽设而常关 A gate was provided, but it was always closed.
策扶老以流憩 I walked with a stick, and took a rest whenever I felt tired.
时矫首而遐观 Occasionally I raised my head to look at the distant cloud,
云无心以出岫 which had no intention to float out of the mountain side.
鸟倦飞而知还 Even birds knew to return to the woods when they were tired.
景翳翳以将入 The day was getting dark and the sun began to set in the west side.
抚孤松而盘桓 I caressed a lone pine tree and lingered around.
归去来兮            Let me go back home
请息交以绝游 and cease to make social contact with the world outside.
世与我而相违 Since world customs are at variance with my temper,
复驾言兮焉求 why should I go out to seek fame and fortune?
悦亲戚之情话 I should be pleased with my relatives' familiar looks,
乐琴书以消忧 and I can amuse myself with music and books.
农人告余以春及，Peasants will tell me spring is coming,
将有事于西畴      and they will be busy at farming.
或命巾车                I may ride in a curtained cart
或棹孤舟                or row a lonely boat.
既窈窕以寻壑      I may follow a winding stream quiet and serene to arrive at an open valley clean.
亦崎岖而经丘      I may also follow a rugged path to reach a hill-top at length.
木欣欣以向荣     Trees are thriving and vigorous,
泉涓涓而始流     While springs flow murmuring and look marvelous.
羡万物之得时      I marvel; everything comes out at the right time,
感吾生之行休      and I lament: my life will draw to a close at any time.
已矣乎 Let it be! Let it be!
寓形宇内复几时 How long can I live in the universe?
曷不委心任去留 Why not decide my fate according to my own wish?
胡为遑遑欲何之 Where do you head for in such a hurry against your wish?
富贵非吾愿           Since wealth and honors are not my wish,
帝乡不可期           and the fairyland is out of reach,
怀良辰以孤往      I only wish to travel alone on a fine day;
或植杖而耘耔      or my stick on the roadside lay, and go to the field to cut hay.
登东皋以舒啸      Or climb up the eastern hill high To relieve a long sigh.
临清流而赋诗      Or sit by a clear river side, composing poems worthy of my pride.
聊乘化以归尽       Let me abide by the law of nature to lead a life of nature.
乐夫天命复奚疑   Let me submit to the will of Heaven and be content with my fate forever!

Reference: This post was written by liddi's Profile - MyDramaList 

Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance - Page 315 - Lost You Forever - MyDramaList 

Vol 2 - Ch 16 (Chapter 33): 风不定，人初静 The Wind is Moving, The Person is Still

XY left QS town after staying there for 1 month with XL. She came back to Zhiyi to save Jing and returned to Shen nong Mountain

It can be interpreted that XY was sad, longed for the past. She could not share her thought with the others  (i.e., Jing, CX ). She said  goodbye to XL (in previous chapter), wonder if he (XL) would go back to her.  I wonder if she looked up her gorilla mirror whenever longing for him?

P/S: in Chinese literature, green willow (Liu) is symbol of spring. 

天仙子－送春  [Farewell to the spring]  by 張先  [Zhang Xian (990-1078)]

水調數聲持酒聽，Raise a glass of wine and listen to "water melody"    

午醉醒來愁未醒。Awaked from the lunch inebriety but not yet from the sadness

送春春去幾時回，Saying goodbye to spring, when will spring return?
臨晚鏡，                    Facing the mirror in the afternoon
傷流景，                     Longing for the time that passed by like flowing water
往事后期空記省。Feeling empty while recalling the past

沙上並禽池上暝，Over the field, pairs of birds return to the pond for sleeping
雲破月來花弄影。The clouds dissipate, the moon rises, the flowers play with shadows
重重帘幕密遮燈。 Layers of curtains cover the lamp
風不定，                     The wind is moving
人初靜，                     The person is still
明日落紅應滿徑      Tomorrow, red flower petals will fall and cover all the paths

P/s: Translated from the Vietnamese text on Bài thơ: Thiên tiên tử - Tống xuân - 天仙子－送春 (Trương Tiên - 張先) (thivien.net) 

Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance - Page 315 - Lost You Forever - MyDramaList 

Vol 3 Ch17 (Chapter 50) 结发两不疑 Hair Bound Together Without Any Doubts

 basically means a husband and wife whose love and devotion for each other cannot be doubted.

The title is derived from the poem 留别妻 Parting from My Wife about 苏武 Su Wu, a Chinese diplomat and politician of the Western Han dynasty who was captured during his mission to the Xiongnu, who in turn tried to make him surrender. When he refused, he was exiled for nineteen years, enduring major hardship while remaining faithful to his mission and his homeland. During that time, the Xiongnu government lied to the Han ambassadors that Su had long died but in the end, he managed to send out word that he was alive, and was allowed to return home. Unfortunately, he returned too late and his wife who thought he had died long ago, had remarried.

The following is my attempt to translate the poem itself  (feel free to point out any misinterpretations I might have with the text):

留别妻             Parting from My Wife           (poet unknown)

** 结发夫妻 refers to legally married couple, basically the very first official marriage, in an age where men were allowed to take multiple wives/concubines.

The poem depicts Su Wu comforting his wife whom he deeply loved, before he left for the fateful mission, and his promise to her. While it is a sad ending, it reflects on Su Wu, a man of flesh and blood who valued relationships, and loved his wife so deeply. It also allows us to understand how noble the soldiers were, how much they loved their country that they would leave the ones they love for their country and its people.

As pointed out, this chapter covers Xiao Yao, having been reunited with Jing, finds out that the lovers bug has been removed from her body, and finally gets married to him on Xuan Yuan mountain. The title itself should refer to Xiao Yao and Jing being married at last with no more doubts between them. However, the origin of the actual poem from which the title was derived, is about a man who leaves his wife to go to war, and pledges to return if he lives, and for her to miss him if he dies. Despite the parting, he wants his wife to continue to enjoy life, even if he hopes she does not forget their happy times together. In this context, this certainly applies more to Xiang Liu, who sacrifices his personal happiness with the woman he loves, in order to fight with his comrades-in-arms for their lost kingdom. Even without him beside her, he wants her to live her life to the fullest and be happy. 

Without knowing the context of the poem, it is not as clear cut for normal readers whether there is a hidden meaning to it or not. However, for those who are versed in the origins of the poem from which the title is derived, then it provides a haunting subtext for Xiang Liu, which Tong Hua does not put down clearly on paper. This, as the articles you shared mentioned, would serve as one of the novel's multiple hidden narratives.

I guess at the end of it, if we do miss all the potential subtexts in the titles, the epilogue is Tong Hua's final effort to give voice to the one character who has remained deliberately obscure for the greater part of the novel. 

Note: This post is written by  liddi's Profile - MyDramaList  

Xiang Liu and Xiao Yao’s Story and Romance - Page 314 - Lost You Forever - MyDramaList 

Vol 1 Ch 1 (Chapter 1) 人生忽如寄 Life is Short Like a Temporary Stay  

驅車上東門  Ride hourse toward eatern gate (unknown author)

驅車上東門，I drive my chariot to the upper east gate,
遙望郭北墓。and gaze at the tombs beyond the northern city wall.
白楊何蕭蕭，How desolate the white poplars are.
松柏夾廣路。The pines and cypress lined out down the road,
下有陳死人，and below are the ancient dead.
杳杳即長暮。It’s deepest black in their endless night,
潛寐黃泉下， as they sleep submerged in the yellow fountains.
千載永不寤。They will never wake in a thousand years,
浩浩陰陽移，through vast changes in forces positive and negative forces.
年命如朝露。The years fate grants us are but morning dew.
人生忽如寄，The life of men is but a brief residence,
壽無金石固。Long life has not the certainty of metal and stone.
萬歲更相送，as another ten thousand years are sent on their way,
賢聖莫能度。Of the wise and the sage, there are none who can hold it back.
服食求神仙， In medicine and food, some seek immortality,
多為藥所誤。 but in this way many end up poisoned.
不如飲美酒。 Far better to drink exquisite wines.
被服紈與素。and be clothed in plain white silk.

Translation was taken from 驅車上東門 Translation - I Ride My Chariot From the Upper East Gate | East Asia Student 

Horse cart skirrs through  the Upper East Gate

to the north          beyond the city walls    gaze

at the graves           White poplars rustle    xiao

xiao       pine      cypress       line the wide road

Dead arranged      under the trees     ceremony

darkening     darkening          the long twilight

Hidden sleep          beneath the Yellow Springs

on and on    for ten centuries      to never wake

Wave after wave     endless      yin-yang changes

allotted     years                     like morning dew

Our life is like         a brief visitation         can’t

approach         the longevity of metal       stone

Ten thousand ages      of partings and farewells

the virtuous       the sages               no one lasts

Take elixirs to seek     divine immortality      so

many harmed           by messed up concoctions

Nothing like drinking         good spirits   while

dressed up in                 diaphanous silk clothes

From “Nineteen Ancient Poems” by Unknown | Poetry Magazine (poetryfoundation.org) 

Appreciation:

This poem is written in the form of a lyrical protagonist who expresses his heart directly, expressing the sad state of mind of some intellectuals who lived well but could not find a way out politically during the great turmoil of the late Eastern Han Dynasty.

Vol 1- Ch9 (Chapter 9) 眉間心上，無計相迴避 Brow Furrowed, No Choice But Mutual Avoidance

Summary of Chapter 9: Between the eyebrows, there is no way to avoid it

• Emperor Jun saw Xiao Liu, and after meeting him, he dined together, the three men had good manners, but Xiao Liu behaved vulgarly, and even drank the water in the jade cup to wash his hands, and the sound of sucking bone marrow was like thunder
• Emperor Jun asked Xiaoliu about his favorite snacks and mentioned the bedtime story, and Xiaoliu was silent
• ZX  was shocked and wanted to ask Xiao Liu if he was Xiao Yao, why he didn't recognize him, and Emperor Jun asked Zhen Xuan and other Xiao Yao to decide for himself
• ZX has mixed feelings when he visits the injured Xiao Yao, and Xiao Yao is the same
• Xiaoliu's injuries were good, and Emperor Jun loved him in every way, and even got the money that Xiao Yao wanted from him
• While YSQ gets some cold melon for WXL, WXL was caught by Ah Nian, Xiao Liu humiliated Ah Nian, and Ah Nian beat Xiao Liu violently that attracts Ah Nian's mother
• Ah Nian's mother resembles Xiao Liu's mom, Ah Heng, Xiao Liu saw her burst into tears. Emperor Jun rushed to see this scene, and their hearts were broken
• Emperor Jun and Xiao Yao recognized each other and told Xiao Yao the reason why he didn't go to Jade Mountain to pick her up
• ZX took care of Xiao Yao to eat with his own hands, and Seventeen began to be silent
• Seventeen and Xiao Yao have a heart-to-heart conversation at night, and Xiao Yao tells Seventeen and ZX that he was wandering all over the world back then, was imprisoned by the nine-tailed fox and fled, and lost his face, so he has no true face
• ZX found the fox's tail in annoyance, Seventeen put it away, and Seventeen felt that Xiao Yao's appearance since childhood was fake

御街行－秋日懷舊  Autumn nostalgia by Fan Zhongyan (989-1052)

Fan Zhongyan was a prominent politician and literary figure in Song Dynasty of China. He was also a famous strategist and educator

This poem conveys WXL's feeling when he returned to the imperial palace. The scenery reminded WXL his childhood memory, his mother. Despite his nostalgia for her mother and loneliness, there is no way for her to escape it, She will do whatever to live on 

Detail explanation of the poem can be found in [1]

Reference

[1] 范仲淹 Fan Zhongyan 御街行 Yu jie xing 秋日怀旧 Qiu ri huaijiu Autumn nostalgia Ci 词 poem: lyrics, pinyin, English translation, analysis | Chinesetolearn ♫ learn Mandarin in a fun way ♫ 

[2]: Bài thơ: Ngự nhai hành - Thu nhật hoài cựu - 御街行－秋日懷舊 (Phạm Trọng Yêm - 范仲淹) (thivien.net)