Lilac

Author: Gao Yang
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: During the Daoguang era of the Qing Dynasty, a leisurely poem by Gong Zizhen sparked a "Syringa Flower Poem Incident" that shook the capital. As a result, the princess Gu Taiqing was expelled from the royal palace and fell into the streets. Gong Zizhen felt guilty and wandered through the mountains and waters. Although his life was full of joys and sorrows, only a few new verses and heart-wrenching lines remained. "A hundred rolls of calligraphy bring peace of mind; there is nothing in the world as kind as a fisherman's hook." He was ashamed to learn from the example of the Zhao family's ministers and returned, begging the temple officials for incense money. Li Shangyin, for a poem about peonies, suffered a life of hardship. Now Gong Ding'an, like Li Shangyin, was envied and accused, with his elegant and beautiful verses used as evidence. Talented women are fated to suffer; it has been the same throughout the ages. Wei Zhongying, sighing while reciting his "Syringa Flower" poem, "Leaning against an empty mountain, tired of wandering, I dream of the spring in the western gardens of the city," muttered to himself: "Not to be envied is to be mediocre!"