In March, the banks of Qujiang Lake resembled a vibrant, vibrant painting, the spring scenery so enchanting it seemed to drip with water. Willow trees swayed, their tender green leaves caressed by the gentle breeze, like shredded, dreamy light and shadow, scattering like stars across the bluestone pavement. Su Jinli, with delicate steps, slowly entered the gathering place of the poetry society. She wore a pink skirt embroidered with lotus flowers, which swayed gracefully with each step, as if the lotus itself were dancing in the breeze. The pearl flower ornaments carefully selected for her by her elder sister, Su Qingyao, shimmered softly on her temples, like tiny stars, drawing the attention of the noble ladies standing by the waterside pavilion. Their gazes, some tinged with envy, others with hidden jealousy, felt like a thorn in her side.
"Isn't that Su Jinli, the daughter of the Prime Minister?"
"I heard that at her coming-of-age banquet, she overturned Liu's teacup and tore up the Wang family's marriage certificate in public..."
"Look at how brightly and charmingly she's dressed today. Could it be that she's trying to find a rich husband in this poetry club?"
The whispers of gossip, like dancing willow catkins, drifted quietly through the air, reaching Su Jinli's ears. Yet, her expression remained impassive, as if these words were but a gentle breeze, unable to shake her heart. But her fingertips unconsciously pinched tightly against her sleeve, and the unbearable memories of her past life flooded back like a tide. It was amidst these whispers, sometimes malicious and sometimes curious, that she had been helplessly pushed into the bridal sedan, towards an unknown and tragic fate. Hearing these gossips again now, Su Jinli felt nothing but absurdity. Those people only saw the surface, never truly understanding her inner self.
She walked calmly toward the center of the pavilion. Li Xiuyuan, chatting and laughing with several talented scholars, saw Su Jinli approaching and quickly stood up, a smile on his face, a flicker of wonder in his eyes. The orchid embroidered on the cuffs of his moon-white scholar's robe swayed gently in the breeze, as if in greeting. "Miss Su is truly radiant today," Li Xiuyuan said, his words filled with admiration. "Today's poem is titled 'Spring Willow.' I wonder if Miss Su has any good works?" He looked at Su Jinli expectantly, as if anticipating a literary feast.
Su Jinli raised her head slightly and looked at the weeping willows by the pond. Her thoughts drifted back to her past life, the lonely years in the palace, when she had sat by the window countless times, watching the willow branches and spider webs under the old locust tree entangled with each other. The dilapidated scene was just like her fragmented life. But now, the vibrant new willows before her, under the sunlight, the tender green leaves shimmered with the luster of life, as if telling her of the hope of new life. Thinking of this, Su Jinli's mouth curled up slightly, revealing a confident smile: "Since Master Li has invited you, then I will perform my ugly work."
She gently opened her red lips and cleared her throat. The clear sound was like pearls falling on a plate, cutting through the noisy voices and ringing out inside and outside the pavilion:
“In spring, willow branches grow tall, and the wind stirs the pond.
If you ask me what I am like, I might as well sell candy."
As soon as the words fell, the previously bustling waterside pavilion suddenly became so quiet that it seemed as if time had frozen. One could even clearly hear the subtle sound of fish leaping out of the water, stirring up circles of ripples. Li Xiuyuan was slightly startled, and opened his mouth. The folding fan in his hand unconsciously stopped in mid-air, as if it had been cast under a spell. "Miss Su, is this... a doggerel?" His voice was filled with a hint of confusion and surprise, breaking the brief silence.
Su Qingyao, standing nearby, couldn't help but laugh at the poem, her shoulders shaking violently. She quickly covered her mouth and nose with a silk handkerchief, trying to stifle the laughter that threatened to overflow. However, the pearl and jade headdress she wore swayed with her movements, making a crisp sound that seemed to add a different touch to the awkward yet amusing atmosphere.
Next to her, Lin Wanyue, dressed in an apricot-yellow jacket embroidered with gold, looked like a proud peacock. At that moment, the corners of her mouth curled up slightly, and she sneered. The jade bracelet in her hand accidentally and intentionally hit the stone table, making a crisp "clang" sound, as if announcing her dissatisfaction: "Miss Su is indeed 'quick-witted,' but this poem I'm afraid even a primary school student could write? Haven't you read a few poetry books?" Her eyes were full of disdain, and her words were like a sharp blade, piercing Su Jinli directly.
"Miss Lin is right," Su Jinli turned to look at her calmly, her face still adorned with that easy smile, her eyes curved like a crescent moon twinkling in the night sky. "I've only read a few miscellaneous books, unlike Miss Lin who can recite 'The Jade Makes a Tree Tall' by heart." She emphasized the words "by heart," her tone tinged with a hint of teasing. These words elicited a few chuckles from the people around them, which spread like ripples through the crowd.
Lin Wanyue's face flushed crimson, like a ripe tomato. She was about to open her mouth to retort, but Li Xiuyuan quickly smoothed things over, saying, "Miss Su's poems are easy to understand and quite interesting..." However, before he could finish his words, the chaotic, rapid sound of horse hooves approached from afar, like rolling thunder, shattering the delicate atmosphere.
Wang Erlang, riding a large, red horse, rushed across the Nine-Curve Bridge like a gust of wind. The hem of his brocade robe carelessly swept the wisteria blossoms blooming on the railings. The once-delicate blossoms fluttered down like snowflakes, as if mourning this sudden farce. "Su Jinli!" Wang Erlang shouted at the top of his lungs. The stench of alcohol could be clearly smelled from three feet away, permeating the air like a thick fog. "Sure enough, you're here flirting with these sour literati!" His eyes were filled with anger and jealousy, as if to devour Su Jinli.
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