Chapter 154 - 88: What is a Divine General? Chen Country’s Secret Treasure
Chen Country was situated in Jiangnan, a place of flourishing literary culture. Even woodcutters along the roadside and passersby could recite a couple of lines of poetry. The Emperor himself excelled in both painting and calligraphy, especially landscape paintings, and had considerable achievements in poetry and writing.
From the top officials to the common folk, people in the palace mostly understood poetry and could appreciate the divine charm in those two lines.
Not laying down brushstrokes upon one’s appearance, the focus was instead placed on deep meaning, with an especially profound subtlety.
Particularly so for this young girl, blessed with stunning beauty and a voice clear and pure, speaking in the soft dialect of Wu with melodic intonations, leaving one unsure whether the ’clothes intended for the clouds and the beauty meant for the flowers’ were for the noble concubine or the girl reciting the poetry. Xue Shuangtao softly sang the next two lines.
"If not encountered at the summit of the Jade Mountain,"
"We would surely meet below the moon at the Jade Platform."
After reciting, silence fell for a long time. The Emperor quietly repeated the poem to himself, shaking his head with a sigh, "I previously heard the poem ’Sword Guest’ that he wrote. At that time, I felt his ideas were keen, but there was always an air of defiance. Today, displaying to the lord, who has any grievance."
"Is my realm not peaceful enough?"
"Is Jiangnan not tranquil enough?"
"To whom do you intend to show your honed blade? Whose grievances are you intending to voice?"
"But this poem today, it’s splendidly written, deep in its elegant charm—it truly captivates my heart."