The River's Branch

The preface to the poem "Jiang You Si" says: "Jiang You Si" is a poem praising the dowry maid. This dowry maid is hardworking without resentment, and the principal wife is able to repent of her faults. In the time of King Wen of Zhou, between the Yangtze River and the Tuo River, there was a principal wife who did not count her dowry maid among the ranks of wives and concubines. The dowry maid suffered toil but harbored no resentment. Later, the principal wife herself repented.

The Yangtze has its branching streams; this lady is married off, not using me as her dowry. Not using me as her dowry, she will regret it hereafter.

The Yangtze has its sandbars; this lady is married off, not allowing me to follow. Not allowing me to follow, she will dwell in peace (live alone) hereafter.

The Yangtze has its Tuo waters; this lady is married off, not allowing me to enter her gate. Not allowing me to enter her gate, she will long sigh and sing (express remorse) hereafter.

"Jiang You Si" consists of three stanzas, each with five lines.