I recently saw a set of old photos, taken not long after Lin Huiyin gave birth to her daughter Liang Zaiyin in 1929, with Liang Sicheng holding a camera and continuously taking pictures beside her. At that time, she was still recovering postpartum, her figure not fully restored, but this couple was determined to capture that moment. Many might think this was Liang Sicheng’s insensitivity, but in fact—the opposite is true—this was Lin Huiyin’s request. She believed that childbirth was an important turning point in a woman’s life, and the moment she transformed from a girl into a mother was worth being permanently preserved, and Liang Sicheng always fully supported her insistence.

Their story actually began even earlier. Lin Huiyin was born in 1904 in Hangzhou. Her father, Lin Changmin, had a close relationship with Liang Sicheng’s father, Liang Qichao, so the two children knew each other from a young age. Later, through Liang Qichao’s introduction, they studied together at Songpo Library, and their relationship gradually deepened. In 1925, Lin Changmin unfortunately passed away, and Liang Sicheng accompanied her through that sorrowful period. Three years later, in 1928, they held their wedding in Canada, and spent half a year studying European ancient architecture.

After returning to China, they didn’t rest. Liang Sicheng founded the Department of Architecture at Northeast University, and the couple joined the China Construction Society, beginning in-depth research on ancient architecture. In 1932, they visited Dule Temple in Jizhou, Hebei; in 1933, they explored the Yungang Grottoes in Shanxi; in 1937, they discovered Tang Dynasty inscriptions at Foguang Temple on Mount Wutai, directly overturning Japanese scholars’ claim that China had no Tang wooden architecture. Even after the outbreak of the war, they moved south with their children to Kunming and Lizhuang. Despite harsh conditions and Lin Huiyin’s frequent lung relapses, their research never stopped.

After the war ended, they returned to Beijing and continued their work at Tsinghua University’s Department of Architecture. After the founding of New China, although Lin Huiyin’s health was poor, she still participated in the design of the national emblem, proposing core elements like the jade disc and five stars, all of which were adopted. She also contributed to the relief design of the Monument to the People’s Heroes and promoted the reform of Jingtailan craftsmanship. In 1955, Lin Huiyin died of tuberculosis at only 51 years old. Liang Sicheng personally designed her tombstone, carving her floral wreath pattern onto it.

In 1972, Liang Sicheng also passed away. Those postpartum photos, especially those taken when Liang Zaiyin was born, not only testify to Lin Huiyin’s insistence on beauty but also deeply conceal the love and mutual support between the two. Together, they pioneered the investigation of Chinese ancient architecture and made significant contributions to cultural heritage preservation. Those photos are like the warmest marks of time.