在中国古代，才女如星辰璀璨，不仅有诗仙李清照这样流传千古的佳人，还有明末才女叶小鸾，她的才华虽不为世所知，但她的故事亦值得一探。叶小鸾是文学家叶绍袁和沈宜修之女，以1616年生于吴江，出身门第衰败。早年由张倩倩与沈自征抚养，聪慧过人，从三四岁便能背诵《万首唐人绝句》等诗词。
随后，她又回归父母身边，与高洁之士共赏雅集。十几岁时即展现天赋，在棋、琴、绘三艺皆精通，更以美貌闻名遐迩。陈维崧赞其：“琼章尤英彻，如玉山之映人。”然而，这位才华横溢的闺秀仅在17岁便离世，其死因至今仍存争议。
遗憾的是，即使她去世前夕喜事临头，也未能享受婚姻带来的幸福。她去世后尸体竟轻盈无比，使家人惊叹 hers death was a mysterious event that left people wondering whether she had truly passed away or ascended to the heavens. Her father, Shen Yixiu, mourned her loss with heartfelt words: "My daughter's innate talent was exceptional; it seems she has been invited to the realm of immortals."
Though we may never know for certain if Leaf Xiao Lian did indeed become an immortal, her story serves as a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of life and the enduring power of talent and beauty.