The Second Master of the Red Chamber

Chapter 853 Ode to Lychee

Daiyu was leaning against the railing when she heard footsteps beside her. She turned around and saw Baochai.

She thought for a moment, then went over and asked Baochai, "Is Sister Bao pregnant?"

Baochai said, "She only managed a few lines."

Daiyu laughed and said, "It's hateful that he doesn't limit the rhyme scheme, but he also wants a seven-character quatrain. What can be said in four lines? It's just that Baochai can't show her talent."

“There are many of us, and Brother Lian is doing this to take care of the majority. If we were to do everything according to the difficult and complicated methods, I’m afraid it would be difficult for Sister-in-law and the others.”

Upon hearing this, Daiyu revealed a triumphant smile.

"Oh, you're just worried about making things difficult for your sisters-in-law? So, no matter how difficult, dangerous, or demanding it is, it won't be a problem for Sister Bao?"

Baochai remained silent. She thought to herself that Daiyu's initiative in speaking to her was clearly not well-intentioned.

Daiyu disregarded Baochai's thoughts and stated her purpose: "Since Sister Bao is so confident, and since we still have time, why don't you compose another poem?"
Of course, if Sister Bao feels this is unfair, I can compose another poem for her as well.

Baochai looked down at the "provocative" young girl, but didn't hesitate much.

"Since my sister has this intention, it is not unreasonable."

……

Daiyu was a woman of delicate wit and her poems were often original and ingenious.

Therefore, she prefers writing long poems to short poems, which must be concise.

She even finds regulated verse too short, let alone quatrains.

Furthermore, seeing that Jia Lian wholeheartedly wanted her and Baochai to be "loving each other," she deliberately provoked Baochai, wanting to compete with her.

Last time, when Jia Lian took Baochai to Xiaoxiang Pavilion to find her, she originally had the opportunity to make Baochai submit to her and call her "elder sister".

She gave up a great opportunity because of a moment of weakness, and now she feels a little regretful.

Now that she has started calling her "Sister Bao" again, she can't go back on her word, so she's determined to outshine Baochai in terms of talent and wit.

After making a private appointment with Baochai, she also went back to the cabin to see how the others were doing.

Apart from two maids serving on the side, everyone else in the hall was a member of their Begonia Society.

The members had different expressions at this moment.

Some looked relaxed, some scratched their heads, and some were deep in thought.

Judging from their reactions alone, one can tell whether they have any good ideas in mind.

Finally, seeing that everyone looked relieved and the incense in the corner was almost gone, Xiangyun, who had already finished writing, could no longer resist. She walked to the table in the center and picked up her pen to start writing.

Seeing this, many others gathered around.

Li Wan stepped forward and shooed them away, laughing, "Wait until she finishes writing everything before you read it. If you read hers now, be careful you won't be able to write anything yourself later."

Upon hearing this, everyone knew that Li Wan was right.

Most of them racked their brains and struggled to come up with a few lines, and they would naturally feel that this part was not quite right, that part was not quite exquisite, and that word could be changed...

If you see someone else's work beforehand, it's fine if it's bad, but if it's better than your own, wouldn't that disrupt morale?

A typical example is Jia Baoyu.

He loved to peek at other people's manuscripts in advance. Many times, after reading about Baochai, Daiyu, and others ahead of time, he couldn't help but tear up his own manuscript.

So he smiled and walked away.

By the time everyone had finished writing their drafts, the incense had burned out.

Seeing that Li Wan, the editor-in-chief, had collected all the manuscripts, everyone gathered around again.

Li Wan, no longer keeping them in suspense, immediately drew Xiangyun's letter and read it aloud in front of everyone:
"The precious tree of Minzhou bestows upon me a brocade pill, its jade-like texture and icy skin refreshing in the morning chill. It possesses its own spiritual root, nourished by sweet rain and dew; why seek elixirs beyond this world?"

Upon hearing this, everyone laughed and said, "No wonder she loves eating them so much; she thinks lychees are an elixir of immortality. I wonder if you, having eaten so many today, might ascend to immortality tomorrow?"

"Ascending to immortality is probably impossible, but having excessive internal heat is definitely a possibility."

Faced with everyone's teasing, Xiangyun blushed for once and said, "When writing poetry, one should not be bound by real objects. Only by giving full play to one's imagination can one write good poems!"

Everyone nodded: "It's indeed a good thing."

Xiangyun took the lead, and as expected of someone who often ranks among the top in the poetry club, everyone except for a few like Daiyu and Baochai felt the pressure.

Unfortunately, the manuscript has already been submitted, and it's impossible to revise it now.

Xiangyun's poems were handed to Yingchun and Xichun so that they could copy them down. Then, they would look at the next poem in order.

At this moment, Xiangyun pestered Li Wan: "Let's look at Lian'ai first... let's look at Mr. Qingsong's first."

Although she changed her mind quickly, everyone still heard it and immediately laughed, saying, "Punish her!"

Xiangyun didn't deny it. After Tanchun brought up the wine pot and cups, she poured three cups in one go and drank them down.

Jia Lian laughed and said, "Mine isn't anything special, let's look at theirs first."

Unfortunately, Li Wan had already pulled out Jia Lian's.

"Ten thousand green snails remain untouched by dust, half-viewed still bearing the rouge of her lips. Her skin, revealed when her silk robe is parted, is as white as snow, but lacks the intoxicating fragrance that wafts through the air."

Although Jia Lian was easygoing, their social status was different. In fact, everyone tacitly agreed not to casually comment on Jia Lian's poems, generally offering a few words of praise without going into further detail.

Unless Jia Lian writes another excellent sentence, they will naturally not hesitate to flatter him.

despite this.

Upon hearing Jia Lian's poem, everyone couldn't help but sigh, "This doesn't seem like a description of lychees; it's more like a description of a beautiful woman!"

Xiangyun drank three cups of wine, her little face flushed and she looked very cute.

She, however, strongly supported Jia Lian: "I think it's quite appropriate. When you peel the lychee and reveal its translucent flesh, isn't it just like a beautiful woman gently removing her silk robe to reveal her snow-white skin?"
I actually think the phrase "green pine" is very vivid and fitting.

It's only because Xiangyun has a carefree personality and is young that it doesn't seem abrupt or awkward for her to say words like "beauty" and "unbuttoning her clothes".

However, apart from Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu, the room was filled with girls, so it wasn't easy to join the conversation.

Therefore, Xiangyun added, "Moreover, haven't you all noticed that there's a hidden gem in Qingsong's poem?"

Everyone asked, "What are the benefits?"

Those with sharp ears and eyes didn't need any prompting; they all looked towards the first-class maid in the corner who didn't go out to play like the others and had been quietly guarding the place.

Jia Baoyu's heart tightened, and he quickly shifted his position to block Jia Lian's view of Xiren.

She was the most outstanding person in his household, and he didn't want her to have any connection with Jia Lian.

Even now, Jia Baoyu has realized that Jia Lian's aggressiveness is really too strong!

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Jia Lian looked apologetic: "I forgot for a moment and didn't pay attention to avoiding any taboos. Please don't take offense, Young Master Yi Hong."

Aside from the difference in their affiliation, it was an honor for Xiren, a mere maid, to be included in Jia Lian's poem.

Now that Jia Lian has apologized to Jia Baoyu, no one else is paying attention anymore.

Since the topic of Jia Baoyu had come up, everyone asked to see more of his poems.

This is also a consensus among everyone.

As the only two males present, Jia Lian and Jia Baoyu should naturally be compared together.

So, amidst Jia Baoyu's hesitant expression, his poem was brought out:
"In the red silk tent, the jade-like pills, chewed until the heavenly fragrance chills the teeth and cheeks. Laughing, she throws the golden plate and scolds the maid: 'Don't be like the concubine who wears a saddle full of embellishments.'"

The crowd discussed it and all felt that Jia Baoyu's poem was not in his usual style.

Last night, Jia Baoyu received lychees from his elder brother and sister-in-law. He took them back and shared them with the maids in the red-curtained room, playing and laughing together. Everyone can imagine these scenes from Jia Baoyu's poems.

The only thing that seems illogical is that Jia Baoyu would never instruct his maids not to be like Yang Guifei, wasting resources and causing hardship to satisfy their appetites.
Everyone knows that Jia Baoyu would do anything to win the hearts of girls, even pluck a jade plate from the sky.

Although Jia Baoyu's poem is inferior to Jia Lian's and even less comparable to Xiangyun's, everyone has become accustomed to it.

Jia Baoyu was one of the most inconsistent members of the poetry club; when inspiration struck, he could contend for a place among the top three.

When you're unlucky, the rear of the car will fall off.

Today was actually a good day.

Next are Yingchun, Xiuyan, Tanchun, Baoqin, Xichun, Xiangling, and Li Wan. "Who untied the jade ball wrapped in red? The wind and dew condensed into cold crystal. The rouge fades easily after leaving the branch, its taste sweet, yet lingers with a sour aftertaste."

"Snowflakes fall from the three mountains, turning into crystal balls; mermaid tears condense into fragrance, carrying the chill of the night. Do not laugh like a concubine in the mortal world; keep your pure heart as a crystal plate."

"The green cage brings lychee seeds, and the little maid peels them to reveal their crystal-clear coolness. One meal is enough to quench the thirst of the scholar's garden, and I envy not the immortals' dew-collecting plates."

"In May, the south wind blows and the lychees ripen, their wrinkled red and small green leaves filling a silver plate. Chewing them delicately, they are sweeter than honey, their fragrance filling the mouth like jade dew."

"A thousand peaks flow forth with cold jade nectar, where the immortal Gou Lou refines elixirs. Fire dates and pears are commonplace, but a plate of lychee pills is presented."

"Tears glisten in the silk, jade-like light is cold; having left the southern branch, how can I bear to look alone? My loyal heart still bears dew; in the cold moonlight at midnight, I taste its bitterness."

"Sparkling crimson shells adorn the forest's edge, jade-wrapped red silk struggles against the summer heat. Deeply hidden sweetness, do not take it all; the solidified jade-like essence naturally generates coolness."

Of these seven poems, everyone agrees that Baoqin's is the best, comparable to Xiangyun's, while the others are considerably weaker.

As for Baoqin and Tanchun repeating the allusion of "Lizi Dan," there's not much to say. It just proves that they didn't approve the draft beforehand, so when Tanchun suggested revising it before copying, Li Wan and others refused.

Now, the most crucial moment has finally arrived.

I've enjoyed appreciating the works of Hengwu Jun and Xiaoxiang Feizi!

The poetry society has been established for a year, and everyone has a general idea of ​​each member's abilities.

Baochai and Daiyu were undoubtedly the leading figures in the poetry club.

When Zhen Yuhuan was alive, together with Xiangyun, Baoqin, and Tanchun, they could barely compete with them.

Now that Zhen Yuhuan has returned to the south, and Tan Chun's strength is slightly weaker, with only Xiangyun and Baoqin left, it is really difficult to contend with them.

Unless Xiangyun unleashes her full potential, she might be able to crush one of the two.

As for Jia Baoyu and Jia Lian, let's not even talk about them; their performances are even more inconsistent than the last.

This is actually why people usually tacitly agree to appreciate the works of Daiyu and Baochai in the end.

Unfortunately, if we look at these two first, we'll probably be too embarrassed to show off the others.

So, amidst everyone's expectant gazes, Li Wan took out the poems written by Daiyu and Baochai.

He glanced at it, seemed somewhat surprised, then flipped to another one to look at, and then laughed:

"As expected of Lin Xiaoxiang, she actually wrote two poems."

Daiyu was also a little nervous at this moment, after all, she was about to compete with Baochai.

But she quickly frowned.

She clearly saw that Li Wan also looked at Baochai's poem, but she only mentioned her. What does that mean?
Realizing something was amiss, she abandoned her reserve and walked directly to Li Wan's side, flipping open her manuscript paper to take a look.

One glance was enough to fill me with rage.

What a liar! She actually lied to people.

She only wrote one song!
No one else knew that Daiyu and Baochai had an additional agreement.

Upon hearing Li Wan's words, they all stepped forward to look.

Then someone objected, saying, "What a fine Xiaoxiang Concubine! Everyone else writes a poem, but she insists on adding one more, a regulated verse at that. She's determined to show off that her talent is superior to ours."

"Yes, she should be punished!"

Seeing that Daiyu had incurred the wrath of the crowd, the host, who was being watched by everyone, quickly expressed her opinion:
"Although she broke the rules, let's take a look at how well she wrote it. If it's not good, then we can punish her, shall we?"

Knowing full well that Jia Lian was being biased and protecting Daiyu.

In the end, everyone was just joking and didn't hold a grudge. They all declared that if Daiyu's writing was bad, she would be severely punished.

So everyone turned to look at Daiyu's poem manuscript:

The first poem is a seven-character quatrain:

The music bureau once held the top rank, and the bestowed clothes earned him a radiant complexion.

Who will lean against the Agarwood Pavilion, where the naked jade and the soft cream are adorned with peonies?

The following is a seven-character quatrain:
The rosy silk has just been removed, revealing an icy ball; the jade-like liquid, like solidified fat, seeps into my teeth, cold and refreshing.

The fragrant soul vanished beneath Mawei Slope; the concubine's smile was tinged with tears.

A loyal heart fears not the scorching heat of the sun, and tender feelings are best concealed by ice and snow.

A natural beauty attracts envy; she is ashamed to share a jade plate with ordinary people.

After reading the two poems, everyone reacted in different ways.

Although everyone was somewhat critical of Daiyu's violation of the rules, they still watched the scene with a critical eye.

But in the end, we have to admit that Daiyu truly deserves the name Lin Xiaoxiang.

His poetic theories are exquisitely crafted, and his perspectives are uniquely original, truly surpassing those of others.

Especially this seven-character quatrain, if you don't know the title, at first glance, who would know that it is about lychees?
"A natural beauty attracts envy; she is ashamed to lean on the railing with an ordinary flower."

Sure enough, when others write about lychees, they write about lychees, but when Sister Lin writes about lychees, she is not writing about lychees at all; she is clearly writing about a person.

Everyone thought it was a good thing, so naturally no one mentioned punishment anymore.

Everyone was eager to see Baochai's manuscript again, wanting to see if Hengwu-jun could outshine Lin Xiaoxiang.

“The tassels lightly wrap the crimson jade plate, and the icy soul melts as the moon cave grows cold.”

Who reigns supreme at this grand banquet of delicacies? It is the embodiment of blood and tears, like pearls, offered on the jade altar!

After the poem was recited, everyone praised it, but in truth, they felt a little regretful.

Although Baochai's poem was more deliberate in its wording than theirs, it did not seem to reach the same level as Daiyu's.

Strictly speaking, it's only of medium to high quality.

If that's the case, then Daiyu is undoubtedly the first place winner in this competition.

So several people who felt they hadn't written well congratulated Daiyu, saying she had won first place again.

Although Daiyu won, she was very upset.

It's the feeling of meticulously planning to "outsmart" someone, only to be "tricked" in the end.

It's very itchy, and I feel uncomfortable all over.

So, in full view of everyone, she walked up to Baochai and questioned her: "Why did Hengwu Jun break her promise?"

Well, everyone was surprised when Daiyu said this.

Seeing that there was something to eat, Xiangyun, Tanchun, and the others, who had been gathered around Yingchun watching them transcribe the poems, immediately returned upon hearing this.

Faced with Daiyu's challenge, Baochai remained calm and slowly said, "I thought that Xiaoxiang Concubine meant that she wanted to have a one-on-one competition with me, so I didn't write it down."

Daiyu was initially a little angry, feeling that Baochai was deliberately trying to embarrass her.

Hearing Baochai's explanation, while still somewhat skeptical, she immediately said, "Oh, so from what Hengwu-jun means, it has already been written, but it's not written on it?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately understood that Baochai and Daiyu probably had a private agreement, which was why Daiyu wrote two poems.

Baochai also wrote two poems, but she misunderstood Daiyu's meaning, so she hasn't written them out yet.

Faced with Daiyu's scrutiny, Baochai, who had "misunderstood," knew that if she didn't give an explanation soon, the girl would definitely throw a tantrum.

So I nodded.

“Great! Since Sister Bao has more good ones, why keep them to yourself? Write them down quickly.”

Seeing Baochai being pulled towards the desk by Xiangyun and the others, Daiyu felt a pang of anger.

Indeed, people are different from one another.

She wrote another poem, which drew widespread criticism.

Knowing that Baochai had also composed an additional poem, this was everyone's attitude?

Sometimes, I really want to call the police.

(End of this chapter)