Liang Shanbo was bedridden with illness when his mother returned from Zhu Yingtai's home, bringing back only a letter from Zhu Yingtai, a lock of her hair, and a pair of jade fan pendants. Upon learning that the two were ultimately destined to be apart, Liang Shanbo fell ill with grief and died. Before his death, he left a wish: that though he could not share a bed with Zhu Yingtai in life, he hoped to be buried with her in death.
Liang Shanbo rushed excitedly to the Zhu family home, where they met at the pavilion. Together, they reminisced about their time as classmates. Zhu Yingtai revealed that the Ninth Sister was actually herself, and told Liang Shanbo that his father had already arranged for her to marry into a wealthy family. Liang Shanbo was devastated. Their hopes for a happy life were about to be shattered, and they faced a heart-wrenching separation. Before parting, they made a vow: "If we cannot be husband and wife in life, we will be together in death."
After Zhu Yingtai returned home, her father had already betrothed her to Ma Wencai, the son of the prefect, on the grounds of social equalness. Upon hearing this, Zhu Yingtai argued with her father, but to no avail. Just then, Liang Shanbo came to visit, and her father allowed Zhu Yingtai to meet with him, demanding that they settle their differences. The pure love between Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai was brutally destroyed.
Liang Shanbo bid farewell to Zhu Yingtai for eighteen miles, during which Zhu Yingtai repeatedly used various objects to express her feelings, hinting that she was a woman. Unfortunately, Shanbo was too simple-minded to understand. Finally, Zhu Yingtai had to tell him that she had a ninth sister who resembled her in appearance and character, and she was willing to marry Liang Shanbo. Liang Shanbo accepted her offer, and before parting, Zhu Yingtai repeatedly urged Liang Shanbo to quickly find a matchmaker, propose marriage, and go to marry her as soon as possible.
Zhu Yingtai and her maid Yinxin disguised themselves as men and went to Hangzhou to study. On the way, Zhu Yingtai met Liang Shanbo, a scholar from Kuaiji, and his page Sijiu, who were also going to Hangzhou to study. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai hit it off immediately and decided to become sworn brothers at the Grass Bridge Pavilion and go to Hangzhou together to study under a master.