Chapter 10, When will the bright moon appear
"Can you sing 'Shui Diao Ge Tou'?" Ning Yi pondered for a moment and replied, "Oh, Xiao Chan knows quite a few songs."
At this moment, it is not yet the most fervent time; the poetry gathering will continue until dawn. Truly exceptional poetry cannot simply be the result of chance. Most students will prepare one or two of their proudest works, feeling that their talents are still insufficient and thus preferring not to embarrass themselves in front of those top figures. The real climax, where the most outstanding talents reveal their trump cards, often does not begin until midnight. If one can gain a good reputation at this time tonight and accumulate fame, their future career path will likely become much smoother.
The poetry gathering during the Mid-Autumn Festival often revolves around the theme of the moon, yet it is natural that the entire evening is not solely dedicated to writing about the moon. Some poetry gatherings may have certain restrictions, especially those hosted by more assertive individuals. When the atmosphere is lively, and inspiration strikes, a topic may emerge spontaneously. These gatherings are typically composed of literary circles, where there can also be subtle rivalries or competitions, such as between Zhishui and Lichuan. Upon hearing a topic from that side, someone might say, "Speaking of this, I happen to have a poem..." and then calmly share it for everyone to appreciate. There is indeed a competitive edge, yet it is essential to maintain a facade of camaraderie. When poetry reaches a very high standard, it becomes difficult to distinguish between the excellent and the mediocre; however, if the disparity is significant, the distinction between fine and poor works is quite apparent.
The six connected boats of Puyuan have long departed from the shore, slowly navigating along the most beautiful and lively stretch of the river. Even so, it is not isolated; more than ten small boats follow closely along both banks of the Qinhuai River, occasionally ferrying people to the large boat, and sometimes carrying individuals or delivering poetry, akin to small fish accompanying a waterborne palace. Those who board the boat will send up the fine works created that night, as well as stories and news, such as announcements made by prominent figures at banquets regarding the betrothal of their daughters, or praises given to outstanding young scholars for their exceptional poetry.
Hello, please take the invitation on the table, otherwise be careful not to be allowed on the ship
Is it just to sing this https://m.hetushu.com?
The path of poetry and verse has been flourishing since the Tang Dynasty, and after several hundred years of development, although Ning Yi and Qin Lao may casually remark on the difficulty of distinguishing between great and minor talents, it is because their perspectives have transcended ordinary frameworks. In reality, the higher echelons of the state have already begun to consider the fact that poetry and verse may be of little practical use. The question of what standards should be used for selecting officials has been a matter of repeated evaluation over the past century. At times, the imperial examination system excludes poetry and verse from the criteria for selection, while at other times, it reintroduces them, constantly weighing and fluctuating.
"Ah?" Xiao Chan blinked her eyes, "Another... singing method?"
Forget it, I don't like this song
The night deepens in this atmosphere, with the moon hanging high in the sky, and the city's ambiance continues to grow more vibrant. In the small courtyard of the Su family, Ning Yi and Xiao Chan have already returned to their room, having witnessed some of the festivities from here, while the wind begins to pick up outside
Well, I'll sing a line and you sing a line; it should be easy to learn... Heh, mainly I just want to listen
I will go after the son-in-law falls asleep," Xiao Chan said with a smile
The little girl ultimately still enjoys this kind of liveliness
When will the bright moon appear? I raise my cup to ask the clear sky
Well, how about singing me another song?
Well, not bad... What year is it tonight
Ning Yi smiled and said: "It's fine to hum this song by yourself, but don't sing it everywhere. You, a little girl, if you dare to randomly change the lyrics and the melody, you might be criticized for being inconsiderate, do you understand?"
The poetry works from the Puyuan Poetry Society are actually quite presentable. A few years ago, there were instances of purchasing poems to cope with this day, but now there is no need to buy poems. Since there is money, it is always possible to invite a few genuinely talented individuals. Although it still cannot compare to the most famous Zhishui Poetry Society or Lichuan Poetry Society, after some lively promotion, the reputation will gradually rise.
Then, she walked out of the courtyard and saw that there was no one on the road. Only then did she jog towards the gate at mhetushu.com. She requested a carriage and an available driver from the steward and happily headed towards the Puyuan Poetry Gathering to join in the excitement
Oh. Ning Yi thought for a moment, seeing Xiao Chan's eager expression, shrugged his shoulders, "I wrote it, it's for you. Sing it quickly."
After a bout of shouting, when Xiao Chan blew out the lights, took the invitation, and closed the door, Ning Yi let out a big yawn. The sounds of the city's hustle and bustle still faintly reached him, and the dim light reflected on the window was enough to prove the liveliness outside at that moment. He smiled and said, "A night of fish and dragon dances..." before succumbing to sleepiness.
Well, not bad... What year is it tonight
Ode to the Fisherman
When will the bright moon appear? I raise my cup to ask the azure sky
Sure, which song would you like to hear, son-in-law
At this time, the songs were mostly poetry, with fixed singing methods associated with specific poetic forms, but these methods have largely been lost in modern times. The number of lyrics and tunes that Xiao Chan could sing was actually quite limited, and the two of them selected songs from a poetry anthology by the bedside.
The distant sounds of commotion faintly reached this place, where the master and his servant held a small Mid-Autumn Festival gathering. Due to a lack of clarity regarding the details of "The West Chamber" and considering that it is a story about a young lady's secret affair, Ning Yi ultimately chose to narrate a segment from "Journey to the West" to Xiao Chan. Subsequently, Xiao Chan sang a couple of songs for him, accompanied by a dance that the young girl performed somewhat clumsily—reportedly learned from a performance she had seen. Su Tan'er had never contemplated the future of sending the three maids away or pleasing others, so she instructed them to learn to read, write, and do embroidery, as well as to assist in managing the household and helping her with tasks. However, she did not teach them musical instruments or dance, which meant that while they could manage to sing, they were not skilled in dancing. Nevertheless, their movements appeared light and charming.
"Alright... good night." Ning Yi crawled into bed, and after a moment, turned his head to find Xiao Chan still sitting on the stool by the bed, looking at him, just as she had done a few days ago when he was sick, keeping watch. He then waved his hand dismissively and said, "I'm fine now, you can go out." Only then did Xiao Chan react, quickly standing up and walking towards the door.
Xiao Chan looked at the lyrics for a while and began to sing them seriously according to the rhythm of the song. The young girl’s singing was light and melodious; although it was not very professional, her earnestness caused her to miss a note midway. Nevertheless, the artistic conception was still excellent. Ning Yi smiled after listening and said, "Let me teach you another way to sing."
Uncertain of the celestial palaces in the heavens
Ha, young master, please sing the next line...
However, even if the upper echelons may have such considerations, the status of poetry and verse has, in fact, reached a brilliant position within the grand scheme of things. If you can truly compose a good poem, you will undoubtedly receive respect and courtesy wherever you go. The elegance of poetry is the imprint of an era. Since the Tang Dynasty, the vast and rich culture of poetry has settled here, becoming the foundation of the entire society, a shining part of the history of civilization's development. Countless renowned works and masterpieces are like stars in the sky, forming the most important part of Han civilization.
At this time in Jiangning City, places like Wuyi Alley and Confucius Temple are the most bustling and prosperous commercial streets. In these areas, various merchants display their signboards, showcasing a collection of notable poems from the poetry gatherings. Occasionally, someone recites aloud, and some merchants have arranged for young women who can sing to perform a piece. In the streets and nearby teahouses and restaurants, at gatherings of all sizes, literati and scholars nod their heads and discuss the excellent poems, evaluating which works will be sung for the longest time. Even the uneducated common folk can feel the ambiance in such an atmosphere, engaging in discussions and appreciating the elegance with those around them.
This little girl cannot.
This meeting will take place.
Hmm. Little Chan held the piece of rice paper and nodded vigorously
Uh... let's sing another song, also "Shui Diao Ge Tou"
... ... ''
Although somewhat confused, Xiaochan soon became happy since she could learn something. She had spent the longest time by Ning Yi's side, and thus had gradually come to understand that this son-in-law often possessed some mysterious and interesting qualities. Following Ning Yi's guidance, in the room, Xiaochan began to learn the lyrics of the song "Shui Diao Ge Tou" line by line, according to the novel melody.
What about the poem "Recalling Jiangnan"?
The well-known courtesans have all found their places for the night, and there are still occasional seats available in the hall. From time to time, news of a certain poetry gathering featuring a certain young master with a new work emerges, which is one of the highlights of the evening. Soon, one can hear a renowned courtesan reciting this poetry in a certain brothel, followed by news of another excellent piece being unveiled at another poetry gathering. The talented scholars compete with one another, while the beautiful women adorn these talents with a layer of charming crimson allure. Most people enjoy the lanterns and the lively atmosphere, and in such an ambiance, one can feel the lingering elegance of the Wei and Jin dynasties and the refined grace of the Tang dynasty, and it is nothing more than that.
It sounds very pleasant... Although the lyrics have a fixed singing style, these ancient songs share a common origin with many traditional operas, mostly consisting of monophonic music. In terms of melodic variation, they are ultimately inferior to modern songs. Moreover, the rhythm of this song follows a gentle route, which is not overly out of place for this era. If at this moment the song "The Mouse Loves Rice" were sung, Xiao Chan would likely either be disgusted to death or scared to death. However, at this moment, the little girl gazing at him has clearly transformed her look into one of admiration and reverence, "The young master can also compose music..."
Xiao Chan leaned against the wooden pillar in the room, standing dazed for quite a while. After confirming that Ning Yi was truly asleep, she finally went downstairs. Returning to her own room, she turned on the light, took out her brush, ink, paper, and inkstone, and leaned over her desk to copy the phrases that appeared less beautiful due to being written by the bedside. The young girl's calligraphy was small, imbued with a delicate charm. After reading Ning Yi's writing several times, she blushed and hid it at the very bottom of the drawer, as if she were a thief.
Uncertain of the celestial palaces in the heavens... ...
This "Shui Diao Ge Tou" is quite good, um... "Shui Diao Ge Tou"...
Ning Yi, feeling idle, chatted on www.hetushu.com, but in reality, he was reminded of Wang Fei's "When Will the Bright Moon Appear?" However, it seems that Su Shi of this era did not write this piece. He asked Xiao Chan to bring him paper and a brush, leaning over the bedside to awkwardly write poetry on the rice paper, and asked Xiao Chan to sing it for him. Xiao Chan's eyes sparkled with excitement: "Did the young master write this?"
On the Qinhuai River, pleasure boats glide along, with the banks illuminated by bright lights. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, the city gates of Jiangning remain open, allowing the festivities and revelry to continue throughout the night, only to disperse by the following morning. At this time, the streets within the city are bustling with crowds. Shortly after dinner, people emerge from their homes, converging towards the most vibrant streets centered around the Confucius Temple and Mingyuan Tower. The roads are adorned with lanterns, resembling an unquenchable flow of fire. Vendors shout loudly, dragon and lion dance troupes pass by, accompanied by the sounds of gongs and drums. Street performers showcasing acrobatics and other talents gather at the corners. The air is filled with the faint melodies of courtesans enticing customers from the brothels, and occasionally, one can catch glimpses of dances within. People come and go, creating a lively atmosphere.
Do you want to hear the poem "Nian Nu Jiao"?
"This one can sing." Little Chan eagerly prepared to sing
What do you think? Does it sound good?
Regardless, not long after, Ning Yi still heard some modern songs that evoked a sense of nostalgia in this era. If possible in the future, he could transcribe modern songs and teach Xiao Chan to sing them alone, or later find someone skilled in composing and playing instruments to create similar pieces. After all, it would be sufficient for his personal enjoyment, and it wouldn't matter if they couldn't be presented publicly or deemed sophisticated.
Xiao Chan enjoys playing Go, but Ning Yi, having fallen ill, should avoid such mental exertion. After Xiao Chan finished singing and dancing, Ning Yi performed a simple magic trick for her, making a piece disappear in his hand and then reappearing it from the other person's hair or pocket. The little girl was astonished, and Ning Yi smiled as he explained the principle to her. As Xiao Chan clumsily repeated the trick, Ning Yi finally said: "I am going to sleep now. It's still early. Xiao Chan, you can go play at the Puyuan Poetry Gathering... By the way, the invitation is on the table..."