On the gold-sprinkled Xue Tao paper was Li Xiuyuan's elegant small calligraphy: "Tomorrow, by the Qujiang Lake, all the wise men will gather. I hope Miss Su will spare the time to join us in enjoying the spring scenery." Su Jinli's fingertips traced the words "all the wise men will gather" and suddenly remembered hearing her mother mention in a past life that Li Xiuyuan, who later rose to become Chief Censor and, even after being exiled for impeaching powerful officials, remained uncorrupted. Perhaps this poetry gathering would be an opportunity to escape the gloom of the imperial harem and broaden her horizons.
"Go to the storehouse to get that lavender lotus pattern skirt and prepare the green curtain carriage." She placed the post on the dressing table. Her plain face was reflected in the mirror, but her eyes were brighter than usual.
At 9:00 PM the next day, the banks of Qujiang Lake were already bustling with activity. Su Jinli's carriage, draped in a green curtain, stopped beneath a weeping willow tree. As she lifted the curtain and alighted, the plain gauze shawl draped over her lavender skirt blew in the wind, resembling a slowly blooming ink lotus. Her dark hair was loosely tied in a bun, secured with a single jade hairpin. Her simple attire stood out among the other noble ladies adorned with pearls and jade, drawing many a glance.
"Miss Su!" Li Xiuyuan came up quickly. His moon-white scholar's robe made his face look like a jade. The black jade Pisces fish pendant tied around his waist shone warmly in the sunlight. "Xiuyuan has been waiting here for a long time."
He led Su Jinli to the lawn beside the waterside pavilion, where a dozen or so men and women in splendid attire had gathered. Li Xiuyuan introduced them one by one: "This is Miss Lin Wanyue, the daughter of the Minister of Personnel. This is Zhang Mingxuan, the son of the Vice Minister of Revenue. This is..."
Su Jinli greeted each one, her gaze settling on Lin Wanyue. This Miss Lin wore an apricot-yellow jacket embroidered with gold, a dazzling headpiece inlaid with red gold and kingfisher feathers, and a jade bracelet of exceptional quality. However, she regarded Su Jinli with a subtle hint of arrogance, as if she were admiring a novelty.
"So she's the daughter of the Prime Minister," Lin Wanyue stroked the jade bracelet, her tone as casual as brushing dust off her sleeve, "I've long heard that Miss Su's talent is well-known, and today I finally get to meet her."
Su Jinli knew this was a test of her confidence. As she smiled faintly, she caught a glimpse of Lin Wanyue's fingertips stained with impatiens juice—the color was so rich it bordered on gaudy, completely at odds with her pretentious elegance. "Miss Lin, you're too kind. I was just reading some random books on my own."
As they were discussing this, someone suggested composing a poem about Qujiang Lake. Zhang Mingxuan took the lead, launching into a seven-character regulated verse that was as elaborate as a brocade screen, its lines revolving around the words "Jade Pool" and "Jade Dew." While the verses might have been a bit tedious, the crowd still cheered politely. Then, Lin Wanyue recited a five-character quatrain: "Qujiang's spring waters are green, and painted boats carry poems." The artistic conception was quite elegant, drawing widespread praise.
When it was Su Jinli's turn, the surrounding chatter suddenly quieted, and dozens of eyes were cast upon her, curious, scrutinizing, and even a bit of a show. She walked to the lakeside, the drooping willow branches brushing against her shoulders. In the distance, a pleasure boat glided across the water, shattering the sunset glow in the west into golden ripples. Suddenly, she began to chant:
"The waters of Qujiang Lake are as blue as the sky, and painted boats float on the waves in the evening mist.
Don’t lament that spring fades so quickly; enjoy poetry and wine while you are still young.”
The clear sound, like pearls falling on a jade plate, scatters across the gradually darkening lake. The first two lines depict the beautiful scenery, sketching the emerald waves of Qujiang Lake and the pleasure boats like a long ink painting; the last two lines take an abrupt turn, revealing a sense of openness amidst the melancholy of spring, as if to say, so what if spring is fleeting? Let's live our lives to their fullest through poetry, wine, and time.
The lawn was momentarily silent, save for the rustling of the evening breeze through the willow branches. Lin Wanyue's fingers, gripping the silk handkerchief, suddenly tightened, deforming the twin lotus flowers embroidered on it. Her eyes were filled with disbelief and surprise. Zhang Mingxuan opened his mouth, but the compliment he had prepared caught in his throat, unsure how to respond. Li Xiuyuan's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but clap his hands in praise, "What a wonderful poem, 'Let's enjoy poetry and wine while we're young!' Miss Su's poem is so expansive and captivating, it's the best of the day!"
"Miss Su is truly eloquent!"
"I bow down to you. This poetic talent is beyond my reach!"
The exclamations spread like ripples across the Qujiang Lake. Many people's gazes toward Su Jinli shifted from initial curiosity to genuine admiration. Lin Wanyue hesitated for a long time before finally stepping forward. Her tone was a bit softer than before, though still retaining a hint of reserve. "Miss Su's poem is truly exceptional. Wanyue admires it."
Su Jinli bowed modestly, her hair swirling in the wind, gilding it in the sunset. "I'm sorry to have embarrassed you all."
The poetry gathering continued until dusk, yet everyone was still eager to learn more. Su Jinli looked at the faces before her, some passionately discussing historical events, others gently sharing their experiences, and a thought suddenly struck her. She walked over to Li Xiuyuan and whispered in the dim light of the lantern, "Master Li, Jinli has a humble request."
"Miss Su, please feel free to speak." Li Xiuyuan quickly listened with concentration in his eyes.
"Jinli has benefited greatly from gathering with all of you today." Su Jinli's eyes shone brightly. "I'd like to establish a poetry club, regularly inviting like-minded people to recite poems and discuss knowledge. I wonder if Mr. Li would be willing to take the lead?"
Li Xiuyuan was overjoyed upon hearing this, the cuffs of his moon-white scholarly robe trembling slightly with excitement. "Establishing a poetry club? This is a noble undertaking in the literary world, and Xiuyuan couldn't be happier!" He turned to the group and spoke aloud, "Everyone! Miss Su has proposed establishing a poetry club, a place to connect through literature. Would you be willing to join?"
"I'm in! Count me in!" Zhang Mingxuan was the first to respond, clapping his folding fan in his palms.
"How can such a noble event be without me?"
"Miss Su will take the lead, and we will follow suit!"
Everyone agreed, even the usually arrogant Lin Wanyue nodded hesitantly: "Since everyone is interested, I can't refuse."
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