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Descending from Yunyu Mountain, the four of them walked west along a river. After traveling about five or six miles, a thin mist gradually appeared, growing denser with each step. The river was shrouded in this mist, and as they looked through it, the water revealed a dazzling array of colors. Hu Xueyan introduced the river as the Colorful River, which also had a bridge called Fengyue Bridge.
After crossing Fengyue Bridge, they began to climb Yunwu Mountain, and the Lin siblings were filled with emotion. They had just experienced the clear skies and lush scenery of Yunyu Mountain, and now they were encountering the damp, misty atmosphere of Yunwu Mountain. It was truly a contrast: one moment basking in sunlight with blooming flowers, the next enveloped in swirling fog and rolling clouds.
To their surprise, they found many Madonna lilies growing within Yunwu Mountain. Lin Xiu asked, "How can there be so many strange occurrences on Yunshan Island? We all know that Madonna lilies thrive in sunny and rainy places. Why are there so many here in such heavy mist?"
Hu Xueyan replied, "Yunshan Island is full of oddities. Not only are there Madonna lilies on Yunwu Mountain, but their toxicity is over ten times stronger than that of ordinary Madonna lilies. If someone mistakenly consumes them, they could die from poisoning in an instant."
She continued, "There are two major poisons on Yunwu Mountain: one is the cobra, and the other is the Madonna lily. I can neutralize cobra venom, but if you are poisoned by a Madonna lily, there is no cure." The siblings were startled by the potency of the Madonna lilies.
As they climbed higher, the mist thickened. Lin Ning caught glimpses of Hu Xueyan's delicate figure ahead. He recalled a line from the Book of Songs: "The reeds are lush and green; white dew is like frost. The one I long for is just across the water." He modified it slightly and recited aloud, "The sea of clouds is vast; countless shadows abound. There’s a beauty hidden within the mist."
Hu Xueyan was too far ahead to hear him clearly and called out, "What is Brother Ning saying?" Lin Xiu replied, "Oh, it's nothing. My second brother is feeling poetic and composed a verse praising how beautiful you are." Lin Cheng added, "What a terrible poem! It’s not even pleasant to hear. At least Xue Yin's sister is spared from his nonsense."
They all burst into laughter when suddenly they heard the tinkling sound of spring water from above. As they continued climbing, the sound grew louder like thunderous waterfalls. Lin Xiu asked Hu Xueyan, "Is this waterfall on Yunwu Mountain called Feiwu Waterfall?"
Hu Xueyan responded with a smile, "Sister Xiu has become quite clever! How did you know this waterfall is called Feiwu Waterfall?" Lin Xiu replied proudly, "It’s simple; being around such a clever sister naturally makes me smarter."
Lin Cheng remarked, "You two have been overjoyed since seeing Xue Yin's sister; everyone is trying their best to win her favor while I remain calm and composed in front of such beauty." Lin Xiu laughed and said, "Pah! Big brother speaks insincerely; I fear you are the least composed among us in front of Xue Yin's sister."
Lin Cheng sighed at her words as if she had struck a nerve. Neither Lin Xiu nor Hu Xueyan heard his sigh; among them, Lin Ning had the strongest internal power and caught it, feeling a tremor in his heart.
When they reached the mountain top, the mist was so thick that they could barely see five or six meters ahead. Lin Xiu exclaimed, "It’s quite cold here!" Hu Xueyan replied, "Yes, but once we reach Yun Xue Mountain, you’ll find it’s even colder there." The Lin siblings had grown up in Jinling and had never seen snow-capped mountains; they were eager to see Yun Xue Mountain.
Hu Xueyan led them swiftly down the mountain toward Yun Xue Mountain. The siblings noticed how light she was on her feet; her agility was impressive. They focused on keeping up with her rather than chatting as they raced after her.
After running for about as long as it takes to burn an incense stick, a vast expanse of white appeared before them—Yun Xue Mountain gradually came into view. The three siblings cheered excitedly. Lin Xiu asked Hu Xueyan, " Xue Yin's sister, is there also a bridge at the foot of the mountain leading to Yun Xue Mountain?"
Hu Xueyan confirmed, "Indeed there is a bridge leading to Yun Xue Mountain." Lin Xiu suggested playfully, "Let’s see if big brother can guess what this bridge is called."
Lin Cheng thought for a moment and said, "We already have Fengyue Bridge and Huayue Bridge; this one should be called Snow Moon Bridge."
Hu Xueyan praised him saying, "Congratulations to Brother Cheng for getting it right!" Lin Xiu grinned and added, "The names of these three bridges together form 'Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon.' Isn’t that just like dreaming of such a life?"
Hu Xueyan felt shy at Lin Xiu's words while Lin Ning stated seriously, "In truth, enjoying nature's beauty through poetry is one of life’s greatest pleasures; it’s not just for you sister; anyone would inevitably be enchanted by it."
The four of them chatted and laughed as they crossed the Snow Moon Bridge. The snow-covered Yun Xue Mountain loomed before them. As they stepped onto the soft, pristine snow, it crunched underfoot, tickling their ears. The mountain was adorned with blooming flowers that released a faint, sweet fragrance, resembling clusters of lanterns dotting the branches. Vivid reds like the dawn, passionate pinks, elegant yellows, and pure whites were engaged in a vibrant display of colors. The subtle green and light red in the plum blossoms seemed to echo Wang Anshi's famous line, "Amidst the lush green branches, a single red dot captivates the spring." Occasionally, playful squirrels darted between the pines, shaking off some snowflakes, while a group of leisurely sika deer ambled through the snow.
As they traversed a valley, a cave appeared around a bend, with the words "Fallen Icicle Cave" carved into the ice above its entrance. Upon entering Fallen Icicle Cave, the Lin siblings were astonished to find it towering over ten feet high, its ceiling and walls thick with ice formations. The icicles hung down like variously shaped stalactites, creating a stunning sight. They could clearly feel that the temperature inside Fallen Icicle Cave was much colder than outside. Hu Xueyan turned to Lin Ning and said, "Brother Ning, may I borrow your black gold short sword?" Lin Ning was unsure of what Hu Xueyan needed it for but complied nonetheless.
Hu Xueyan dug into the snow at the cave's entrance and unearthed a jar. When she opened it, a warm aroma of wine wafted out. After hiking for half a day, all four felt a bit thirsty; upon smelling the wine, they were suddenly tempted to take a few sips. Hu Xueyan explained, "This is my homemade Flower Wine. It has a warming quality, so I stored it on the cold Yun Xue Mountain. Tonight, I’ll treat you all to some Flower Wine. We won't leave until we're drunk." The three cheered in agreement.
Inside Fallen Icicle Cave, it was extremely cold; Lin Xiu couldn't help but shiver. Concerned that Lin Xiu might catch a cold, Hu Xueyan quickly led them out of the cave. When they reached the summit of Yun Xue Mountain, the sun was nearly setting. In the distance between Yunwu Mountain and Yunyu Mountain hung a beautiful rainbow. After a day of exploration, their stomachs growled with hunger. Hu Xueyan said, "Let’s head down the mountain; to the west of Yun Xue Mountain lies the sea. I’ll catch some snowfish for you all, and then we can roast them at Yihua Garden."
At the seaside, Hu Xueyan picked up a branch and bent one of her golden hairpins to attach it to the stick. She also dug up some worms from the sand to use as bait on her hairpin hook. In no time at all, she caught several plump snowfish.
By the time they returned to Yihua Garden, night had fallen and a crescent moon hung above them. They lit a charcoal fire in the pavilion on Forget Worry Lake using firewood. Hu Xueyan brushed some soybean oil on the snowfish and grilled them until half-cooked before wrapping them in thick layers of white beans and pouring over some pre-prepared vegetable broth to continue grilling. The fish became tender and flavorful while the bland white beans complemented rather than overshadowed their taste. The fish skin was crispy while remaining soft and delicious inside; her culinary skills earned praise from her siblings.
Qin Shanlan filled their cups with Flower Wine as Hu Xueyan proudly announced, "Please try my homemade Flower Wine." As they tasted it, they were instantly enveloped by an array of flavors that brought comfort and satisfaction to their hearts. They praised Hu Xueyan’s exceptional winemaking skills.
Hu Xueyan instructed Qin Lan to bring out her guzheng and played a piece titled "Flower Moon Night." She smiled and asked, "Did you enjoy your visit to Yunshan Island today?" Lin Cheng replied, "Yunshan Island has its own unique charm compared to Jinling." Lin Ning added, "Today we got a good overview of Yunshan Island; I’ve summarized it in a seven-character poem as thanks for Xue Yin's sister ’s warm hospitality. What do you think?" Hu Xueyan asked Qin Lan for paper and ink as Lin Ning's bold brush strokes danced across the page with vigor and grace.
"Panoramic View of Yunshan Island"
Drunken under the moon, the wind and flowers keep me awake,
In the red chamber, jade trees shed with a flock of orioles.
Flowing Clouds Splashed with Colors The flowing water is clear,
By the carefree lake, joy knows no worries.
Fish Village Market Watching the dust and the common people,
pavilion by the water Encaging the misty fireworks.
Waterfall in the rain and fog Hanging rainbow,
flying snow Falling ice creates a spectacular sight!
Lin Xiu exclaimed, "My second brother's talent is on par with Xue Yin's sister's, and far surpasses mine and elder brother's." After Lin Xiu spoke, Lin Cheng angrily retorted, "Who said that? I refuse to acknowledge what you just said. How about we let Xue Yin's sister set a topic, and the four of us can compete tonight?" Hu Xueyan chimed in, "That's a great idea, Brother Cheng! Each of us should compose a poem praising the beautiful scenery of Yunshan Island." Lin Ning added, "Alright, Xue Yin's sister, you can come up with the topic."
Hu Xueyan furrowed her brows in thought for a moment before coming up with an idea. She said, "How about this? Each of us should write a 'Man Jiang Hong.' Let's have Qin Yan draw four lots for us, each labeled with one of the four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. We’ll draw lots, and whichever season we get, we must write a 'Man Jiang Hong' for that season."
Lin Ning responded, "That’s a good idea! Today we visited Yunshan Island; Yihua Garden and Yunyu Mountain represent the spring and summer of Yunshan Island; Yunwu Mountain represents its autumn; and Yun Xue Mountain represents its winter. The scenery of spring, summer, autumn, and winter is all present on Yunshan Island. Each of us should create an emotionally rich 'Man Jiang Hong' to celebrate it."
Soon after, Qin Lan brought over four crumpled pieces of paper for the lots. Each of the four took one and opened it to see the contents. The order they drew for spring, summer, autumn, and winter was Hu Xueyan, Lin Ning, Lin Cheng, and Lin Xiu. Qin Lan prepared pens, ink, paper, and inkstones for them. The four began to ponder deeply. Ultimately, Lin Ning and Hu Xueyan wrote the fastest; by the time they were almost finished, Lin Xiu and Lin Cheng had just started writing. After half an hour had passed, Lin Xiu and Lin Cheng also completed their poems.
Hu Xueyan asked Qin Lan to read each person's poem aloud. Qin Lan first read Hu Xueyan's "Man Jiang Hong: Spring of Yunshan Island."
"Spring of Yunshan Island,
Warm winds blow as peach and apricot blossoms bloom.
Colors splatter bright—pink and white mingling with dark green,
Lavender and crimson in riotous display.
A paradise beyond the world’s reach,
A celestial realm where mountains meet waters.
Do not make noise; lest you startle the birds on branches,
Fluttering chaotically.
Butterflies dance among honeyed flowers,
Swallows chirp while insects hum softly.
Along winding paths,
Seek the vibrant colors of spring in full bloom.
Mountains lush adorn towers,
Clouds drift over streams in forested glades.
Let poetic sentiments paint the colors of spring,
And share them with you!"
The three siblings of the Lin family applauded in unison, praising Hu Xueyan's poem for its vibrant colors and captivating beauty. Qin Lan then picked up Lin Ning's "Summer on Yunshan Island" and began to read aloud.
"Summer on Yunshan Island, beside the Red Mansion, a gentle breeze blows. On a midsummer night, tranquil and sweet, the flowers and moon stretch endlessly. The beauty of people and flowers is dazzling, with verdant grass and trees. Do not overlook or miss the beautiful scenery, leaving only regrets behind. The night-blooming jasmine scents the air, intoxicating people, enchanting their minds. Transforming into a flower enthusiast, drifting in the sea of flowers without return. A fresh, elegant, and cool night, where flowers abound without exception. Awaiting the croaking of frogs at the summer solstice, the lotus fills the pond!"
Hu Xueyan said, "I really like Brother Ning's poem. This poem is filled with color, fragrance, taste, and sound, especially the line 'In a sea of flowers, the country of flowers is flawless,' which captures the magnificent beauty of my Yunshan Island, abundant with various flowers. I particularly enjoy it." Following that, Qin Lan recited Lin Cheng's "Man Jiang Hong: Autumn on Yunshan Island."
Autumn on Yunshan Island, Yunshan Island, nestled between mountains and water. During the harvest season, the fields are golden and abundant with fruits. Fresh and plump shrimp and crabs, fragrant rice and grains fill the air. Do not indulge too much; do not drunkenly lie beside the red building as the night wind chills. The scent of osmanthus drifts across both banks, with the crescent moon in the dawn resembling shattered silver pearls. Plucking the strings of the zither, immersed in moonlight, I sing joyfully. The sound of the zither is melodious like celestial music, intoxicating my heart and nourishing my spirit. When the Mid-Autumn Festival arrives to admire the moon, I will be drunk among the four immortals!
Hu Xueyan listened intently, "Who says Brother Cheng's poetry is not good? It's so imaginative. We didn't go to see the farmers' bountiful fields today, but Brother Cheng actually imagined the rich scenes of harvest. This poem of his is amazing; I really like it." Lin Ning and Lin Xiu also felt that their elder brother's poem was impressive. Hearing the praise from the three, Lin Cheng felt a bit elated. Qin Lan finally recited Lin Xiu's "Man Jiang Hong: Winter on Yunshan Island."
"Winter on Yunshan Island, red in the snow, plum blossoms reflecting the snow. Ice and frost cover the mountains and fields, overwhelming everything. The plum and snow embellish each other, while the pine and cypress lean on one another. Do not complain that winter scenery is scarce and too desolate. In the cold winter snow, covering the pines and cypresses, the plum in late December shows a hint of red. Looking across the vastness, all is ice sculpted and jade carved. The continuous white snow blankets everything like beautiful jade. Watching a branch of cold plum battling the wind and snow, smiling at the mundane world."
Qin Lan had just finished reading Lin Xiu's "Man Jiang Hong," and Hu Xueyan, Lin Cheng, and Lin Ning applauded enthusiastically. Lin Xiu blushed and said, "I feel that this 'Man Jiang Hong: Winter' is the best poem I've written so far." Lin Cheng turned to Qin Lan and asked, "Xiao Lan, who do you think wrote the best poem among us four?" Qin Lan replied, "Young Master Lin, I don't really understand poetry! How could I possibly evaluate whose poetry is better?" Hu Xueyan added, "Today we are here to enjoy the scenery and have fun; let's not worry about winning or losing. We will have plenty of time to compete in the future." Lin Ning chimed in, "That's right. As Xueyan said, although we won't determine a winner today, we must drink until we can't anymore." The three siblings, free from Lin Enzhe's supervision, indulged in their drinking until midnight before returning to their rooms to rest.
The next morning, Lin Ning woke up with a splitting headache. He picked up a glass of water from the table and drank it. Passing by Lin Cheng's room, he saw that Lin Cheng was still asleep and decided not to disturb him. Lin Ning sat by Forget Worry Lake for a while and noticed that the lake's waters extended westward into a river. He followed the river westward and found himself surrounded by an endless peach orchard, where fragrant peach blossoms were in full bloom. A few vines intertwined to form an archway resembling a moon gate, with a wooden plank above it inscribed with the words "Consort Tau." Lin Ning was slightly surprised; logically, this orchard should be named "Tao Fei," not using the character for 'consort' but rather for 'fragrance.' As he ventured deeper into the orchard, he spotted a pavilion by a small stream where a young girl was crouched down picking up fallen peach petals. Recognizing her figure, he knew it was Hu Xueyan.
Lin Ning hurried over to her. Hu Xueyan looked up and exclaimed, "Brother Ning! Be careful not to step on my petals!" Hearing her call out, Lin Ning thought about how to respond. After a moment's consideration, he lifted his robe with his right hand and shook it as he walked forward, causing the petals beneath him to scatter away from his path. When he reached Hu Xueyan's side, he asked, "Sister, why are you collecting so many petals so early in the morning?" She replied, "Of course I'm making flower wine! Last night we drank an entire jar of flower wine; if I don't brew more now, what will we drink later?"
Lin Ning looked up at the pavilion and saw the words "Hua Yue Pavilion" inscribed on it. He asked Hu Xueyan, "Is Hua Yue Pavilion related to Hua Yue Bridge beneath Yunyu Mountain?" She confirmed, "Yes." He continued, "Then there must also be Fengyue Pavilion and Xueyue Pavilion in Yihua Garden." Hu Xueyan nodded and said, "Indeed. Fengyue Pavilion is located near the eastern seaside, while Xueyue Pavilion is south of the magnolia trees in front of Qingdai Building."
Lin Ning recalled seeing a small pavilion deep within the sea of Yulan flowers when they passed by Qingdai Building yesterday. He hadn't expected it to be Xueyue Pavilion. Suddenly remembering the name he had seen upon entering Peach Orchard—"Consort Tau"—he asked Hu Xueyan, "When I entered Peach Orchard earlier, I noticed that its name was 'Consort Tau.' Why is 'consort' used instead of 'fragrance'?" Hu Xueyan sighed and replied, "I lost my mother at a young age and have always felt insecure. I often think about meeting someone special who would care for me as much as an emperor cares for his consort; that would make me content."
Lin Ning felt a pang of sadness upon hearing her words. "Sister, why do you think like that? You are such a wonderful person; you deserve someone who will love and cherish you wholeheartedly. An emperor has many consorts; how much love can he give to just one? When you find that special person in your life, I hope he will love you completely. At that time, I wish I could help you change 'Consort Tau' back to 'Tao Fei.'"
Hu Xueyan's eyes glistened with tears as she choked out, "Thank you for your concern, Brother Ning; I am truly grateful." Lin Ning quickly took out his handkerchief to wipe her tears and then helped her gather the scattered petals into a large basket. Hu Xueyan sadly remarked, "These flowers are so fragile; once they face wind and frost, they wither away."
Lin Ning encouraged her gently: "Sister should focus on the positive side of things. If these flowers didn't wither away, how could we bear to use fresh flowers for our flower wine? Come now, don't be sad; let me share a seven-character poem titled 'Spring Flowers' with you—I’m sure you'll like it."
The garden is full of blooming flowers, tasting the spring flavor,
Smiling faces embrace in the gentle breeze.
In the scenery of falling flowers,
Reopen tomorrow. Countless flowers!
Hu Xueyan listened to the poem and a smile returned to her face. "Brother Ning, was this poem composed earlier or did you create it on the spot for me?" Lin Ning replied, "Of course, it was created on the spot for you. Moreover, each line of this poem contains one character, and when combined, the four characters form an idiom." Hu Xueyan said, "Brother Ning, don't tell me what the idiom is yet; let me guess." Hu Xueyan extended her left hand and used her right index finger to write Lin Ning's four lines of poetry on her left palm. Excitedly, she exclaimed, "I got it! The idiom you mentioned is 'Spring Harmony and Clear Scenery,' right?" Lin Ning responded, "That's right! Sister, you live in an environment of 'Spring Harmony and Clear Scenery' every day. You have no idea how envious I am of you!" Hu Xueyan felt a surge of spirit. "Thank you, Brother Ning. Your arrival has brought me much joy and helped me understand many things." Just as Hu Xueyan finished speaking, they heard Lin Xiu's voice coming from afar: "I've been looking for you two for a long time; so you were here!" Lin Cheng and Lin Xiu walked over from a distance. Hu Xueyan smiled and asked, "After drinking so much last night, how do Brother Cheng and Sister Xiu feel?" Lin Xiu replied, "The wine from the Hundred Flowers is mild; this little bit won't get me drunk!" Hu Xueyan said, "Does Sister Xiu mean to say that my Hundred Flowers wine isn't strong enough? Besides Hundred Flowers wine, we also have Daughter's Red at home. Would you like to try some tonight?" Lin Xiu loved extravagance and enjoyed evening gatherings. Upon hearing that there would be another gathering tonight, her joy was evident: "That sounds wonderful! Of course, I would love to join."
After breakfast, the three siblings of the Lin family asked Hu Xueyan what she planned to do next. Hu Xueyan said, "At this time every day, I go to the Book Immortal Pavilion to read. Why don't you all join me there?" The vast collection of books in the Book Immortal Pavilion was also Lin Ning's favorite, so he readily agreed. However, it was tough for Lin Cheng and Lin Xiu since neither of them liked reading. Lin Ning was very interested in various martial arts from different sects as well as astronomy and geography. Whenever he encountered something he didn't understand, he would ask Hu Xueyan for guidance, and she would generously share her knowledge. Lin Ning secretly admired Hu Xueyan's intelligence and erudition. He noticed an introduction to disguise techniques in the section on strange arts and became intrigued. He asked Hu Xueyan about it. Hu Xueyan said to Lin Ning, "Let me demonstrate practically; I can transform Brother Ning's appearance into Sister Xiu's." The three siblings shook their heads repeatedly in disbelief at Hu Xueyan's words. She asked Qin Lan to take out her makeup powder and added a type of gum resin mixed with water into the powder; this gum resin had a quick-setting property. Then Hu Xueyan took a brush and began applying makeup on Lin Ning's face while explaining to the siblings that since Sister Xiu had fair skin, she added some fat; if one wanted to disguise themselves as someone with darker skin, they could add some black peony petals. Lin Xiu remarked, "If we want to make it look even darker, can we add some soot from the bottom of a pot?" Lin Xiu's comment made Hu Xueyan laugh so hard she could hardly stand up straight. After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Lin Ning before them had completely transformed into Lin Xiu's likeness. The three siblings were amazed; in their hearts, they regarded Hu Xueyan as a figure who could do anything and everything like a celestial being.
As night fell, a bright moon rose over Yihua Garden, illuminating it as if it were daytime. The fragrance of peach blossoms in Consort Tau was even more intense than during the day. Hu Xueyan prepared several of his signature dishes and hosted a banquet for the three Lin siblings in the Flower Moon Pavilion of Consort Tau.
Lin Xiu remarked, "Didn’t Xue Yin's sister say she would use Daughter's Red to get me drunk? Where's the wine?"
Hu Xueyan replied, "I buried the Daughter's Red beneath the Flower Moon Pavilion; brothers and sisters, please help me dig it out."
Lin Cheng asked, "Why is Daughter's Red buried in the Peach Orchard?"
Hu Xueyan explained, "Daughter's Red is different from floral wine; it is a strong liquor that should not be buried in particularly cold places. Burying it in the warm soil of the Peach Orchard makes it taste better."
The group dug out the Daughter's Red. As Qin Lan opened the jar, the aroma of the wine intoxicated everyone. She filled each person's cup with wine.
Hu Xueyan said mysteriously, "Actually, what we are drinking now is Daughter's Red that my father buried for ten years. This wine is even better than what I brew! But be careful; it's quite potent, so you three siblings should watch out for getting drunk!"
Lin Ning said, "Isn't this stealing your father's wine? If Uncle Hu finds out, will he blame us?"
Hu Xueyan replied, "If it comes to that, I can just brew some more Daughter's Red and bury it here to return to him."
As they enjoyed their food and drink, Qin Lan brought out a pipa. Hu Xueyan asked Lin Xiu, "Sister Xiu, can you play the pipa?"
Lin Xiu responded, "I learned a little at home in Jinling."
Hu Xueyan said, "That's great! Sister Xiu can play while I dance for everyone!" Lin Xiu did not refuse; she picked up the pipa and gently plucked its strings. Hu Xueyan recognized that she was playing Huang Tingjian's "Qingping Yue," a lively tune that made her dance gracefully to its rhythm. Her light and flowing movements captivated Lin Cheng and Lin Ning.
When the music ended and the dance concluded, Hu Xueyan returned to sit at the stone table. Lin Xiu said, "Now is a wonderful time to enjoy our drinks; such a scene naturally calls for poetry and revelry. I wonder if Xue Yin's sister has any new arrangements for tonight’s drinking game?"
Hu Xueyan replied, "Tonight’s moonlight is bright and the flowers are in full bloom. In this beautiful setting of flowers and moonlight, our poetry can take any form but must include both 'flower' and 'moon.' If anyone fails to include both words or is the last to finish their poem, they will have to drink three cups as punishment."
Qin Lan had already prepared brushes and paper for everyone. Lin Ning was the first to write; he composed an eight-line five-character poem and completed his turn first. Hu Xueyan was not slow either; she wrote a "Bu Suan Zi." Just as Lin Ning finished his five-character poem, Hu Xueyan completed her "Bu Suan Zi" as well.
Lin Xiu took a bit longer; she wrote an eight-line seven-character poem and smiled proudly at Lin Ning and Hu Xueyan once she finished. Meanwhile, Lin Cheng struggled; he wanted to write a "One Cut of Plum" and had already crafted lines containing 'flower,' but he couldn't come up with lines that included 'moon.'
Lin Ning anxiously encouraged him from the side: "Eldest brother, Flower Moon Pavilion!"
Lin Cheng slapped his thigh—of course! The three characters of Flower Moon Pavilion contained both 'flower' and 'moon.' With this reminder from Lin Ning, he quickly finished his "One Cut of Plum." Although he appeared to be the last one to complete his turn in the drinking game and thus lost, he hoped someone else’s poem would lack either 'flower' or 'moon,' giving him a chance to avoid drinking three cups.
Qin Lan was the first to read Lin Ning's five-character poem titled "Qingyue":
The moon reflects on tranquil lake waters,
The wind stirs the willow branches.
In joyful drinking moments,
All worries are cast aside.
Gracefully dancing in colorful attire,
Fingers pluck melodies sweet.
Smiles radiant as flowers,
Beauty reveals exquisite charm!
Hu Xueyan, Lin Cheng, and Lin Xiu all felt that Lin Ning's poem was simple and easy to understand. The poem featured flowers and the moon, and it had a perfect rhyme scheme, leaving no room for criticism.
Next, Qin Lan recited Hu Xueyan's "Bu Suan Zi."
The shadows of flowers illuminate the building, while floating clouds drift in the sky. Two mockingbirds gaze at the vast expanse, wishing to chase the moon. Playing the zither enhances the joy of wine, and dancing adds to the charm. In this moment, as eternal as heaven and earth, may we celebrate this night year after year.
Hu Xueyan's "Bu Suan Zi" is truly remarkable; it not only features flowers and the moon but also vividly expresses the scene of revelry with music and dance tonight.
Qin Lan picked up the poem "reunion" written by Lin Xiu and read it to everyone.
On this auspicious occasion of the moon, a reunion is celebrated, and silver radiance is sprinkled in the Yihua garden. The shadows of the flowers reveal a moist tenderness, and the lake ripples slightly, painting a silver circle. A decade of aging, the daughter has come of age, and the crystal-clear wine is fragrant in the cup. Enjoying the flowers and the moon, entering a fairyland, not getting drunk, not returning, spending a wonderful night!
Lin Xiu's seven-character poem and Lin Ning's five-character poem share a similar charm, particularly simple and easy to understand, yet they skillfully and accurately incorporate the words for flower and moon. Lin Cheng knew he was bound to lose and remained silent on the side. Lin Ning, Lin Xiu, and Hu Xueyan were curious about his work "One Cut of Plum," and they listened as Qin Lan read:
"The scenery conceals a delicate figure, by Qingdai Building, beside the Flower and Moon Pavilion, which is more beautiful, the figure or the scenery? The person is in the scenery, but the person is more beautiful than the scenery."
The breeze was gentle, the water clear, caressing beautiful faces, with true feelings and vivid scenes, flowers blooming and people charming. How many times has youth stirred affection! First admiring the scenery, then delighting in beauty!
Everyone fell silent for a moment, and Lin Ning took the lead in applauding. "Eldest Brother's 'One Cut of Plum' may have been written slowly, but among our four poems, his is undoubtedly the most talented," he praised. Lin Xiu smiled and asked, "Who does Eldest Brother's poem refer to with its lovely imagery and beauty? Is it Xue Yin's sister?" Lin Cheng's cheeks flushed with embarrassment, and Hu Xueyan chimed in, "How does Sister Xiu know that Brother Cheng is complimenting me? Does Sister Xiu not consider herself beautiful?"
Lin Xiu replied, "I know Eldest Brother too well; he has never praised me. Why don't you just ask him directly if he's praising you?" Naturally, Hu Xueyan felt shy about asking Lin Cheng such a question. She thought about how Lin Cheng had praised her with beautiful verses but now had to face the penalty of three cups of wine due to her own rules for drinking games. She felt a bit guilty about it. Just as she was contemplating whether to cancel the penalty for Lin Cheng, Lin Ning spoke up first: "If we follow the previous drinking game rules and penalize Eldest Brother, it seems unfair to make him drink for such a wonderful poem. How about this: I'll drink those three cups of wine for him."
As soon as Lin Ning finished speaking, unexpectedly, Lin Cheng said, "Isn't my 'One Cut of Plum' the best? Second Brother and Third Sister's poems are quite crude; among your three poems, only Xue Yin's sister's is decent." Lin Ning was taken aback; he hadn't expected Lin Cheng to belittle himself and Lin Xiu like that. Nevertheless, he raised his cup to drink. Hu Xueyan and Lin Xiu each took hold of one of his arms as he lifted the cup. Hu Xueyan said, "Tonight, we three will give Brother Cheng enough face; each of us will drink a cup for him. And tomorrow night, we will play the drinking game again, with the rules set by Brother Cheng. What do you all think?"
Lin Ning and Lin Xiu clapped in agreement with Hu Xueyan's idea, and the three of them happily downed their drinks. Lin Cheng said, "Alright, a gentleman's word is his bond; I will set the questions tomorrow night." It turned out that Lin Cheng was quite dissatisfied with losing the previous competition. That morning at Peach Orchard, he had seen Lin Ning and Hu Xueyan whispering together; he couldn't help but worry that Hu Xueyan might have revealed the rules of the drinking game to Lin Ning beforehand. Later, when they were at Book Immortal Pavilion reading, he had gone to the restroom for a moment—who knew if during that time Hu Xueyan and Lin Ning had shared any details about the drinking game with Lin Xiu? Lin Cheng thought that if that were true, he would be at a significant disadvantage.
Before long, a full moon rose over the sea, and in that ethereal moment, the four of them felt the beauty of "the bright moon rises over the sea, we share this moment across the horizon." Hu Xueyan noticed that the food and drink were halfway consumed, and the mood was lively. She turned to Lin Cheng and asked, "Brother Cheng, you are the host of tonight's drinking game. What are the rules?"
Lin Cheng replied, "Tonight, I will give you the first line of a couplet. Then we will draw lots, and whoever draws a lot must come up with the second line within one minute. If you can't come up with an answer in that time, you lose and must drink three cups. Do you all agree?" The three readily accepted Lin Cheng's proposal. According to the order drawn, they were Hu Xueyan, Lin Ning, Lin Xiu, and Lin Cheng.
Lin Cheng shook his head proudly and said, "My first line is 'The new moon bends, the half moon shines, full moon brightens; every month is a bright moon.'"
Lin Ning exclaimed, "Brother, this first line is quite challenging! In just twelve characters, seven of them are 'moon.' Coming up with a second line won't be easy." Following the order of drawing lots, it was Hu Xueyan's turn to respond first. Supporting her chin with her hand and furrowing her brows in thought for a few seconds, she answered, "The night before, last night, tonight, tomorrow night; every night is a banquet!"
Lin Cheng did not expect Hu Xueyan to provide an answer so quickly. He cleared his throat and said, " Xue Yin's sister's second line is excellent. Now it's your turn, Second Brother." Lin Ning thought for a moment and said, "My second line is 'Morning dawns with brilliance and rosy clouds; every morning brings sunshine.'"
Lin Cheng was dumbfounded by Lin Ning's answer. This was originally something he had learned from a book to use for tonight's drinking game. He never expected Lin Ning to say it out loud. What would he do next? The third person was Lin Xiu. Looking at the distant mountains, inspiration struck him immediately. Lin Xiu spoke up: "My second line is 'Rainy mountains, misty mountains, snowy mountains; every mountain is beautiful.'"
Lin Xiu's second line was inspired by the scenery and was flawless. Finally, it was Lin Cheng's turn alone. He suddenly broke into a sweat on his forehead. As he saw flowers blooming not far away, an idea struck him like a flash of light. Excitedly he declared, "I've got it! My second line is 'Apricot blossoms, peach blossoms, pear blossoms, cherry blossoms; every flower is fragrant.'"
The others burst into laughter upon hearing his response. Qin Lan shook her head repeatedly and said, "Young Master Cheng's second line really isn't very good." Pointing at a tree in the distance she added, "If that's the case, even I could come up with a couplet: 'Poplar trees, willow trees, apricot trees, pear trees; every tree is tall.'" Everyone laughed again.
Lin Xiu said firmly, "A bet is a bet! Brother Cheng must drink three cups tonight without any excuses."
Lin Cheng grumbled in frustration but replied defiantly, "Fine! I'll drink if I have to!" He picked up his cup and downed three cups of wine in quick succession.
Hu Xueyan smiled and said, "Now that's our good big brother."
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