Chapter 19: Stealing the Spotlight at the Poetry Gathering

　　Cao Ban saw that Zhu Shuzhen was very uncomfortable. The three of them staring at her like that was clearly inappropriate, so he broke the awkward silence.

　　“Youqi Jushi came wounded. It seems the Military Training Officer has laid hands on you again. If it comes to it, file a complaint with the Prefect. See if he dares do it again!”

　　Hearing this, Qianli Xun immediately understood. Zhu Shuzhen hadn’t hidden the domestic violence from those present. That actually made her feel more at ease. “Rest assured, everyone. There won’t be a next time. Tomorrow I’ll divorce Lin Jue.”

　　Miao Zhiyu sighed, “It’s about time. When you married the Military Training Officer, we all felt sorry for you.”

　　An Mingxuan added, “If Youqi Jushi can leave the Military Training Officer, we’ll all be happy for you.”

　　Dongfang Chenze smiled mysteriously. “There’s one person who, upon hearing this news, will be even happier than all of us here.”

　　The three gentlemen exchanged glances again, revealing meaningful smiles.

　　Qianli Xun couldn’t figure out the deeper meaning behind those expressions. After all, she didn’t have a single shred of Zhu Shuzhen’s memories, and she couldn’t be bothered to ponder it. She reminded them, “Yi’an Jushi’s poem is right here. Let’s get on with appreciating it.”

　　Yi’an Jushi’s poem was obtained through great effort by Qiao Wenxian. Miao Zhiyu’s mind was fully on the poem, as if Qiao Wenxian’s presence lingered within the words. As for the gentlemen’s smiles, she paid them no attention.

　　Hearing Zhu Shuzhen’s reminder, Miao Zhiyu was the first to offer her opinion. “From the poem’s preface, we can see Yi’an Jushi is in Laizhou, reunited with Mr. Defu. She should be happy. Yet between the lines, I sense loneliness and melancholy. Could there be trouble in their marriage? If that’s truly the case, wouldn’t it make us women even more sorrowful?”

　　An Mingxuan asked curiously, “Why would it make women sorrowful?”

　　Miao Zhiyu replied, “As women, we envy Yi’an Jushi most. She married the man she loved, and she and her husband share the same interests. If even she feels lonely and downcast, what should unmarried maidens like me know about what kind of man to marry? Compared to this poem, I still prefer ‘Don’t say I’m not overcome with feeling. / When the west wind rolls up my curtain, / I am thinner than a yellow flower.’ [TN: From Li Qingzhao’s “Drunk in Flowers”] At least those lines let me feel Yi’an Jushi’s sweet longing.” After speaking, Miao Zhiyu looked wistful.

　　Cao Ban continued, “I most enjoy historical allusions in poetry. Only thus can one’s talent be displayed. Yi’an Jushi’s poem suits my taste perfectly. Please allow me to make a fool of myself and break down these allusions.”

　　Dongfang Chenze laughed. “You’re just afraid others don’t know how much you’ve read. Fine, we’ll be magnanimous and give you the chance.”

　　Cao Ban began his eloquent lecture. “There are three distinct historical allusions in this poem. The first: ‘How pitiable that Gonglu has come to this.’ Yuan Shu’s courtesy name was Gonglu. This line originates from the Book of Wu, cited in the annotations of the Records of the Three Kingdoms: After Yuan Shu’s army was defeated, plagued by extreme hunger and thirst, he lamented, ‘Has Yuan Shu truly come to this!’ The second: ‘Qingzhou Inspector and Brother Kong Fang.’ ‘Qingzhou Inspector’ is a classical euphemism for fine wine. As recorded in A New Account of the Tales of the World: Huan Wen had a registrar skilled at distinguishing wine who was always asked to taste it first. He called the good wine the ‘Qingzhou Inspector,’ and the bad wine the ‘Pingyuan Postmaster.’ ‘Brother Kong Fang,’ on the other hand, refers to copper coins. In Lu Bao’s Discourse on the God of Money, it states: ‘We hold it as dear as a brother, hence its courtesy name Kong Fang [Square Hole].’ The third: ‘Sir No-such and Sir Fantasy,’ refers to the famously fictional characters from Sima Xiangru’s ancient Rhapsody on Sir Fantasy.”

　　After Cao Ban finished, everyone was impressed.

　　Qianli Xun was even more struck. She felt like a clueless schoolgirl at that moment. She marveled at how much this guy knew—and was even more in awe of the poet herself. Better take it slow, listen to what they say, then make a conclusion.

　　Cao Ban murmured, “Pardon my meager display.”

　　An Mingxuan remarked, “Brother Cao is truly remarkable. Your ability to cite classics and allusions is unmatched.”

　　An Mingxuan noticed that although Miao Zhiyu was moved by Cao Ban’s analysis, she was still immersed in sorrow. He comforted her, “Lady Miao, don’t be sad. Mr. Defu serves as Prefect of Laizhou. He’s busy with official duties and will inevitably neglect Yi’an Jushi to some degree. I think if we only view this poem as expressing the solitude and melancholy of a woman in the boudoir, we underestimate Yi’an Jushi’s talent. When I read this poem, I sense that on the surface it portrays loneliness and sorrow, and discontent and disappointment with Mr. Defu, but hidden within is criticism of court officials. This is concentrated in these two lines: ‘Qingzhou Inspector and Brother Kong Fang, all day long bustling and causing trouble.’ Isn’t this a portrayal of the daily life of court officials?”

　　An Mingxuan’s explanation relieved Miao Zhiyu considerably.

　　Dongfang Chenze warned, “Brother An, be careful with your words. The fathers of the five of us here, though local officials, were all appointed by the court. If you analyze it this way and our elders find out, you’ll be caned. Hehe. Besides, analyzing Yi’an Jushi’s poem this way will put her in the crosshairs. Be careful! Be careful!”

　　An Mingxuan replied modestly, “Brother Dongfang is right. My understanding represents only myself, and should be known only to the five of us. I implore everyone not to spread it.”

　　Dongfang Chenze criticized, “We five often gather to discuss poetry and write ci, yet you don’t trust everyone, especially the two talented ladies. You deserve punishment. Your punishment is to whisk a bowl of tea for Youqi Jushi.”

　　An Mingxuan stood up and cupped his hands to apologize to everyone. “I deserve punishment. I deserve punishment. I’ll make tea for Youqi Jushi right now.” With that, he walked to the tea table and began working.

　　Cao Ban quickly finished his own tea and requested, “As punishment, make one for me too.”

　　“Don’t worry, I’ll make one for each of you. My tea-making skills can’t compare to the teahouse’s tea masters. Don’t despise it.” An Mingxuan began whisking tea seriously, listening carefully to how others appreciated the poem as he worked.

　　Dongfang Chenze explained, “The brilliance of Yi’an Jushi’s poem lies in how she contrasts two vastly different lifestyles. One is ‘Qingzhou wine attendants and Lord Square Hole, enjoying causing no end of trouble all day long.’ The other is ‘Writing poems, I shut my door to decline guests; in my fragrant room, elevated thoughts arise.’ The inevitable tragic result of the former is a ‘Cold window, broken desk, no books or histories,’ whereas the latter yields ‘In quiet and solitude I obtain perfect companions—Lord No-such and Sir Vacuity.’ The two contrasted warn the world what kind of life one should choose. No matter what others do, Yi’an Jushi would only choose ‘Writing poems, I shut my door to decline guests; in my fragrant room, elevated thoughts arise.’ So in this poem we can feel Yi’an Jushi’s life aspirations.”

　　The three gentlemen and Miao Zhiyu had all finished speaking. Only Qianli Xun remained. Others had already tasted various flavors in the poem. She admired everything they said. She was composing her thoughts, constantly asking herself: How should I speak to not disappoint Zhu Shuzhen’s talent?

　　Then she heard Dongfang Chenze’s voice: “Does Youqi Jushi have any insights? You are Yi’an Jushi’s loyal follower.”

　　Zhu Shuzhen was actually Yi’an Jushi’s loyal follower? She couldn’t embarrass Zhu Shuzhen even more. The more Qianli Xun thought this way, the more nervous she became. She steadied herself to appear calm and composed. “Everyone’s insights are unique, your talents brilliant. Shuzhen is in awe. You’ve all captured the essence and charm of the poem, so much so that I don’t even know what to say…”

　　The modest opening of praise worked well. The four friends smiled, their bodies relaxing. No matter what Qianli Xun said next, even if slightly off, they probably wouldn’t hold it against her.

　　“Since I’m invited to the poetry gathering, I should at least express my opinion. I’ll offer my humble thoughts based on what everyone has said.”

　　Qianli Xun stood up and walked slowly to the scroll. She did this purely to give herself more time to think. She stood before the scroll for a moment, then turned to face everyone.

　　“When others write poetry, the poetic core is within the poem. But Yi’an Jushi’s poem has its poetic core in the preface. ‘Sitting alone in a single room, nothing of what I was used to seeing in my entire life was there before my eyes.’ The single character ‘alone’ says it all. It contains both the loneliness of a woman alone in a room without her husband’s company, and the noble solitude of Wang Wei’s ‘Sitting alone in the secluded bamboo grove.’ What exactly is ‘nothing of what I was used to seeing’? It could be Yi’an Jushi’s previous happy married life, or it could be beautiful people or things. It leaves one with endless reflection, infinitely yearning. But alas, ‘was there before my eyes,’ making one feel lost and wistful…”

　　Before Qianli Xun finished speaking, Miao Zhiyu’s soft sigh came through.

　　Qianli Xun was delighted inwardly. I’ve actually touched her heart. No worry about not being recognized.

　　Qianli Xun relaxed much more. The more relaxed she became, the more words flowed.

　　“Understanding the poetic core, then looking at the poem’s lines, one can grasp the meaning within. ‘By a cold window at a broken desk, without books or histories, how pitiable that Gonglu has come to this!’ describes the living environment. The single character ‘cold’ makes one feel the bleak autumn wind, and also shows the environment doesn’t match the poet’s aspirations. The two characters ‘pitiable’—what exactly is pitiable? Continuing to read below, ‘come to this’ leads to the next two lines. Only then do I suddenly realize. It turns out ‘pitiable’ doesn’t refer to lacking material goods, but spiritual poverty. It echoes ‘nothing of what I was used to seeing in my entire life was there before my eyes’ from afar, confirming the ‘alone’ in the poetic core is definitely the solitude of noble character. Yi’an Jushi’s poem reminds me of that famous line from the Diamond Sutra: ‘Like a dewdrop or a flash of lightning—thus should one view them.’ [TN: From the Diamond Sutra, a Buddhist scripture.] Love between men and women, as well as fame and profit, are exactly like morning dew. No matter how dazzling they appear, the moment the sun rises, they vanish into nothingness. Only one’s spiritual pursuits and noble character endure.”

　　Qianli Xun finally finished speaking. She took a deep breath. At least she hadn’t wasted Zhu Shuzhen’s name. She walked calmly back to the table and sat down.

　　Dongfang Chenze was the first to praise: “Youqi Jushi’s appreciation is admirable. I bow to your superior insight.”

　　Cao Ban also chimed in, “I concede defeat!”

　　Miao Zhiyu was immersed in her own sorrow and didn’t speak a word.

　　An Mingxuan had finished making tea. He first served the first bowl to Zhu Shuzhen. “Use this bowl of tea to express my admiration. Youqi Jushi, please enjoy.” Then he served tea bowls to everyone else one by one.

　　Everyone had just picked up their tea bowls and tasted a sip of the new tea. Before they could set them down, they heard a voice from downstairs: “I insist she entertain me today! Let’s see who dares to stop me!” Then chaos erupted downstairs.