The Palace of Eternal Life (Illustrated Edition)

Author: Hong Sheng (Authored by Hong Sheng, Annotated by Xu Shuoquan)
Publisher:
Publish Date: 1958-05-01
Features: The Palace of Eternal Life is a representative work of Hong Sheng's dramatic creation, taking the line "On the seventh day of the seventh month, in the Palace of Eternal Life" from Bai Juyi's Song of Everlasting Sorrow as the title of the play. The play depicts Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty's deep affection for the imperial concubine Yang Guifei, who indulged in feasts and entertainment with her every day, neglecting state affairs. The power in the court was held by Yang Guifei's brother, Yang Guozhong. On the seventh day of the seventh month, Yang Guifei and Emperor Xuanzong swore eternal love in the Palace of Eternal Life, vowing to be husband and wife for all generations. Soon after, An Lushan rebelled due to a power struggle with Yang Guozhong, launching a mutiny. Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei fled Chang'an, while the imperial forces killed Yang Guozhong and forced Emperor Xuanzong to order Yang Guifei's strangulation. After An Lushan's rebellion was suppressed, Emperor Xuanzong yearned for Yang Guifei day and night. Later, the Taoist Yang Tongyou used magic to build a bridge to the moon, allowing Emperor Xuanzong to ascend to the celestial palace and reunite with Yang Guifei, fulfilling their vow of "being husband and wife through life and death." The Palace of Eternal Life has a complex ideological content. On one hand, it praises the unbreakable love between Emperor Xuanzong and Yang Guifei; on the other hand, it connects to the broad social background of the An-Shi Rebellion and criticizes the ruling class's debauchery and harm to the people, expressing sorrow over the fall of the nation and the destruction of homes. The play features delicate artistic expression with a strong lyrical quality. The author skillfully uses beautiful, flowing, and poetic lyrics to depict the emotional and psychological changes of characters in different situations. For example, in the scene The Story of the Jade Hairpin and the Box, from the of the jade hairpin and the hairpin box to the westward journey of the imperial carriage, the lyrics are melancholic and moving. "The inn at Mawei is desolate, the Buddhist hall slanted and cold. A beauty of the age dies for her lord, leaving behind eternal sorrow, her blood dripping on her silk handkerchief." These lyrics perfectly blend the atmosphere of the environment with the character's traits, filled with poetry.