As soon as the poetry gathering concluded, the bizarre news of my inclusion of the word "toilet" in my poem spread like a swift, unpredictable wind, sweeping across every inch of Beijing and spreading rapidly through the streets and alleys. For a moment, this bustling capital felt as if a huge rock had been dropped, roiling the streets and alleys, and the matter was a hot topic of discussion. Opinions on the matter were divided, like two distinct streams, each flowing its own course.
Some people praised my move, their eyes sparkling with curiosity and admiration. They praised my courage to break with convention, skillfully incorporating ordinary things into poetry with a unique perspective, and demonstrating a unique sense of down-to-earthness. In their view, this unconventional style is like a fresh spring breeze, blowing away the long-standing rigidity and dullness in the field of poetry.
However, there were also some who scoffed at this. Their brows furrowed, their eyes filled with disdain, believing that my behavior was too vulgar and seriously lacked the dignity and elegance expected of a daughter of a prime minister. In their minds, a daughter of a prime minister should follow tradition and behave in a manner consistent with the demeanor of a lady from a noble family. Writing a poem about "toilet" was simply unnatural.
But no matter how polarized the outside world's opinions were, the majority of people had developed a deep, almost tangible interest in me, the daughter of the prime minister, whose style of conduct was so different from that of ordinary people. To them, I was like a beautifully bound ancient book filled with mystery, each page concealing an untold story, waiting for everyone to slowly turn the pages with curiosity and exploration, to uncover the layers of mystery.
That day, the warm, gentle sunlight, like a flock of lively spirits, danced lightly through the carved window lattices, spilling into the room, illuminating the entire place with a bright and warm glow. Like a cheerful little bird, Mo Zhu trotted back to her room, her steps hurried and filled with uncontrollable excitement. She clutched several storybooks tightly in her hands, as if guarding rare treasures. Her face was filled with uncontrollable joy, and her cheeks were lightly flushed, like peach blossoms in full bloom on a spring day.
"Miss, please look here!" Mo Zhu said eagerly as she handed the storybook to me. Her voice was filled with excitement and pride, as if this was a great achievement of her own. "The bookseller has printed your book, 'Splendid Fate,' and as soon as it hit the market, it was snapped up like a magnet attracting iron filings. The scene was as lively as a grand market, with people coming and going in an endless stream!"
I gently reached out and took the volumes, my movements so gentle as if I feared disturbing anything. My gaze slowly settled on the words "Su Jinli's" on the cover. These four words, seemingly simple, seemed to carry a tremendous weight. My fingertips gently traced the words, the touch delicate and real, and a flood of emotion washed over me.
My thoughts, like a wild horse, drifted back to a past life I couldn't bear to recall. Back then, writing, though a passion of mine, felt like a secret, a secret I couldn't let on. I could only write in the dead of night, in the stillness of the world, in secluded corners. Each word I wrote felt like carefully guarding a dream that could be shattered at any moment, a feeling of unease and anxiety. And when I finished, I felt like a frightened bird, hastily hiding these works, the fruit of my labor, fearing that they would be discovered and bring upon me unnecessary controversy and disaster.
And now, in this life, I can finally pursue the career I love with dignity and openness. This tremendous transformation from the dark shadows to the bright and smooth road is like finally welcoming the dawn after struggling through a long night. It is truly a mixture of emotions.
Seeing me lost in thought, Mo Zhu's eyes flashed with eagerness, and she couldn't wait to continue, "There's more, Miss!" Her eyes sparkled with excitement, like the brightest stars in the night sky, as if hiding some shocking secret. "I heard that Jiang Zhuangyuan also bought a copy of your storybook, and he even annotated it with a lot of words!"
My heart suddenly stirred, and an indescribable anticipation spread rapidly within me like a vine. I hurriedly asked, my tone unconsciously tinged with a hint of urgency, "What did he annotate?"
Mo Zhu shook her head helplessly, a flicker of regret in her eyes, like a dark cloud temporarily obscuring the sunlight. "I didn't see it, but I heard from the bookseller that Jiang Zhuangyuan was full of praise for your storybook. He praised the women you described, saying that each one seemed to be endowed with vivid life, with unique and distinctive character. They didn't seem like fictional characters, but rather as if they had walked gracefully from real life. Every move, every frown and smile was vivid and lively, making people feel as if they could touch their souls."
The corners of my mouth lifted involuntarily, revealing a faint smile, like a flower quietly blooming in spring. A warm feeling welled up in my heart, like the warm sunshine in winter. Without saying anything more, I simply set the storybook aside, but my thoughts drifted involuntarily to Jiang Yan. The image of him intently reading the storybook, carefully annotating it, emerged in my mind, and a strange feeling welled up in my heart.
However, good times are always like the fleeting beauty of a flower, too fleeting to savor. A few days later, their peaceful life was once again ruthlessly shattered. Like an ominous dark cloud, Liu once again arrived with a menacing presence. This time, she was accompanied by a seemingly kind-looking old woman.
"Li'er," Liu said, a seemingly gentle smile on her face, but it was like thin winter ice, a cold sheen on the surface, devoid of any genuine warmth. As she spoke, she introduced the old nanny beside her, "This is Master Yuanhui of Jingci Temple. Master Yuanhui possesses profound Buddhist knowledge and deep spiritual practice. Her reputation is renowned throughout the capital, and everyone praises her virtue and wisdom. Today, Master Yuanhui has come specially to answer your questions. You must cherish this rare opportunity."
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