Chapter 69: Admiring Snow and Composing Poetry

Xiangling heard after laughing and said: "Strange, these few days I've looked at several poems; some have excellent antithetical couplets, some are incorrect, and I also heard the saying 'one three five doesn't matter, two four six are clear'."

"Looking at ancient people's poems, there are also cases where the order is correct, and also cases where the two-four-six are wrong, so I've been doubtful every day. Now hearing Miss's words, I originally thought these tonal patterns and rules were trivial; as long as the verses are novel and strange, that's supreme."

Daiyu clapped her hands and said: "Exactly this principle; ultimately, the verses are still trivial; the first priority is the conception."

"If the conception is genuine, then even without embellishing the verses, it's naturally good; this is called 'not letting the words harm the meaning'."

After Daiyu finished speaking, Xiangling blinked her bright big eyes repeatedly, looking at Daiyu's face, probing and asking:

"Miss, are you willing to take me as your disciple?"

Daiyu's clear eyes beneath her furrowed brows curved, and she said:

"Since Third Brother has spoken, even sages say: teaching without weariness. Although I lack Third Brother's literary talent, I can roughly teach you."

Seeing Daiyu agree, Xiangling's face instantly broke into a joyful smile; she immediately knelt before Daiyu and loudly called out:

"Master! Disciple pays respects!"

She also cautiously added a sentence:

"After becoming my teacher, you must not find me foolish and annoying!"

Daiyu, however, felt that Xiangling was quite compatible, possessing some spirituality, helped her up, and tested her:

"What poems have you read these past few days? Any feelings?"

Xiangling said:

"These past few days I read Lu You's poem: 'Heavy curtains not rolled, fragrance lingers long; ancient inkstone slightly concave, gathers much ink.' It's truly interesting!"

Daiyu said: "You must not learn such poetry. You, being ignorant of poetry, see this superficial stuff and like it; once you enter this pattern, you cannot learn anything else."

"Just listen to me: if you sincerely want to learn, I have here the Complete Works of Wang Wei; you should first read one hundred of his five-character regulated verses, carefully ponder until thoroughly familiar, then read one or two hundred of Du Fu's seven-character regulated verses, then read one or two hundred of Li Bai's seven-character quatrains."

"First have these three people as a foundation in your belly, then also take a look at Tao Yuanming, Ying Yang, Xie, Ruan, Yu, Bao, etc."

"You are also extremely clever and quick-witted; without a year's effort, you need not worry about not becoming a poetry master!"

Xiangling laughed and said:

"After hearing Miss's words, I can truly say I have found a starting point for study."

Jia Jing heard their exchange and laughed:

"The books are all here; I just need to trouble Miss Lin for a moment to circle the poems Xiangling needs to read and memorize."

Saying that, he also said to Xiangling:

"When I have nothing to do here, you should each day set aside an hour to go to Miss Lin's courtyard and first learn all the characters!"

"Then each day read some of the poems Miss Lin has circled; if you don't understand, you can ask me or ask Miss Lin, of course Miss Xue also works."

Xiangling happily nodded and said:

"Many thanks, Third Uncle, for fulfilling this!"

Jia Jing laughed and said:

"I heard that in ancient times the great scholar Zheng Xuan's household even had maidservants versed in the Classic of Poetry; if you can learn and achieve something, that too would be a fine tale!"

By the brazier, the maidservants watching this scene all felt some envy of Xiangling's fortune, actually being personally invited by Third Uncle to have Miss Lin teach her poetry.

What they don't know is that Jia Jing merely wants to reenact the scene from years ago when he read Red Chamber, admired the elegant ladies' gathering, and painstakingly composed poetry.

This is also his way of mourning his past life, a sort of memorial for himself!

Meanwhile, Xue Baichai at this moment feels some indescribable emotion.

Xiangling being able to pass her days so contentedly at Jia Jing's, she naturally is pleased.

But why does Jia Jing ask Miss Lin to be her teacher rather than teach her himself? Is Xiangling still from his own household?!

Could it be that he thinks he himself is not as skilled in poetry as Miss Lin?

Or does he appreciate Miss Lin more?

Xue Baichai's heart begins to feel anxious about gains and losses!

Xue Baichai thought it over, decided to make a show, taking advantage of everyone sitting down to drink,

she walked to the pavilion's edge, extended her hand outside the pavilion, snowflakes drifted onto her palm, then slowly melted,

Baichai smiled faintly and said:

"Such fine snow today! And also Miss Lin accepting a disciple, such an elegant affair."

"Why don't we follow the ancients in drinking wine and admiring snow, each composing a poem, to embellish elegance, and also set an example for Xiangling."

Lin Daiyu's bright eyes flickered, her heart feeling somewhat strange,

If the suggestion to admire snow and compose poetry came from Shi Xiangyun, that would not be strange at all; Shi Xiangyun is just that lively, outgoing personality.

But Baichai has always concealed her simplicity and clung to clumsiness, never initiating such things; today she actually wants to admire snow and compose poetry—this is quite suspicious!

She glanced at Baichai pretending nothing was wrong, then glanced at Jia Jing sitting there drinking wine, and her heart seemed to understand something!

Could it be that...

Lin Daiyu slightly raised her furrowed brows, pursed her lips, and said with deep meaning:

"It's rare that Elder Sister Baichai today is different from usual, having this refined interest; if the younger sister does not comply, it would instead show the younger sister lacks sense!"

Although Daiyu had guessed some of Baichai's thoughts, she still agreed!

After all, she had just taken on a disciple; if she didn't demonstrate something, people might think she only talks empty talk!

Moreover, she actually also wants to see what poem Third Brother will write today; Third Brother's literary talent is not ordinary, usually seeking a poem from him is not easy, today is also a rare opportunity.

As for Baichai's little thoughts, hehe!

Although I have agreed, that doesn't mean I will go easy on you!

Everyone relies on their own abilities; this young lady has never feared writing poetry!

Baichai, meanwhile, had her ears reddened from Daiyu's teasing, and she coquettishly covered up, saying:

"What nonsense are you spouting again! It's just a sudden whim!"

Daiyu laughed and teased, saying:

"Whether it's a spontaneous idea or carries deep meaning, I just don't know if Third Brother is willing to keep me company!"

"Speaking of which, last time Third Brother wrote a poem 'Feelings on the Ancient Style after Breaking Expenses in Jinzhou,' and after several victories, he hasn't written any other poetic feelings since?"

Saying that, she glanced at Jia Jing with a hint of teasing.

Jia Jing's expression remained unchanged, and he merely chuckled, saying:

"The enemy commanders behind aren't worth my composing poetic feelings about! Let's wait until later to talk about it!"

"As for today, Lin sister just helped me with a favor, and Xue sister spoke up too, so I can only obey rather than be respectful."

"Just that Third Brother's literary talent is limited; if I do poorly, the two sisters mustn't laugh at me."

The three having settled their plan, they had the maids move the brazier and food to one side, and brought out brush, ink, paper, and inkstone to place on the table inside the pavilion,

Leaving only Xiangling to grind ink on the side, while the other maids went elsewhere to eat, so as not to disturb.

"Since the idea came from Bao sister, let Bao sister propose the topic!" Daiyu suggested.

Baichai didn't demur, raising her snow-white neck, gazing at the snowflakes outside the pavilion, she laughed and said:

"Since it's a snowy day, how about taking snow as the theme? The form need not be too strict; just a seven-character line poem, limited to the time it takes to burn an incense stick, each composing one."

The three had no objections, each picking up their brush, either thinking or writing.

After the time it takes to finish half a cup of tea, each had already put brush to paper and completed a draft.