Chapter 23 Twenty-three early warblers

On the morning of New Year's Day, the sky was clear, the sky was blue, and there were no clouds.In the homes of ordinary people, there are tender grass sprouting through the snow at the base of the wall.In the midst of the spring clouds, the leaves are gradually sprouting.People are naturally relaxed and carefree.What's more, there are many beautiful scenery in Liutiao courtyard of Qionglou Yuyu and various gardens.The houses where the hostesses live are particularly richly decorated, and the author wishes to describe them, but regrets that words are not enough.The Spring Palace where Ziji lives is the first to be recommended: the fragrance of plum blossoms in front of the court blends with the incense in the curtain, making one almost suspicious of being in the pure land of bliss in this world.But it is not like the majesty of the pure land, where you can enjoy yourself and live leisurely.Excellent young maids are all chosen to serve Akashi's young lady.Those who stay here are only older people.However, they are also smart and handsome, and their appearance and attire are all lovely.They wished "tooth solid" together in groups of three or four, took out mirror cakes to eat, and sang ancient songs such as "Tuoshe Qianchun" and "Fushou Qianchun", wishing the host family happiness in this year.While laughing, Genji came out.The maid who put both hands in her bosom quickly stretched out her hands, and stood upright, feeling embarrassed.Genji smiled and said, "Everyone wishes me a thousand springs. The meaning is too grand. Each of you has your own wish. Tell me something, and I will bless you too." Everyone is very proud of this.Lieutenant General Jun, the pretentious maid in the middle, replied: "We are in front of the mirror cake to 'wish the king, good luck and longevity'. As for ourselves, we have no other wishes."

This chapter writes about Genji's thirty-six-year-old story. "Tooth solid" means long life.From the first day to the third day of the first lunar month, eat mirror cakes, pork, venison, salted catfish, radishes and other things together, which is called wishing teeth solid.Mirror cakes are oblate cakes with overlapping sizes. An ancient song: "Should live longer than the pine, the everlasting greenness, the crane under the pine, shelter the thousand springs." During the day, congratulatory guests fill the door, and they harass all day long.Genji was able to visit the ladies only at dusk.But to see them all dressed up beautifully and gracefully, one will never get tired of seeing them.He said to Mrs. Zi: "This morning all the maids laughed and congratulated. It was very enjoyable. I am so envious. Now I will come to congratulate you too." He sang the congratulations with a bit of a joking attitude.Also presented a poem cloud:

"The ice on the surface of the pool is as bright as a mirror, Both beautiful shadows are reflected in the spring pond. " This couple is really a beautiful couple.Madam Zi replied: "The spring pond is full of water like a mirror, It reflects thousands of springs and thousands of blessings. " Every festive season, they all sincerely wish eternal reunion together.Today is the birthday, and it is most appropriate to wish Qianchun. Genji came to Akashi's young lady, but saw maids and girls transplanting small pine trees on the mountain in the courtyard to wish them a long life.These young people were very happy, running around eagerly, and they looked really good-looking.Akashi Ji, who lived in the Winter Palace, specially prepared some food boxes made of cypress and cypress, which contained various items, and sent them to Minister Genji Taizheng.An artificial yellow warbler was attached to a beautifully shaped five-leaf pine, and a letter was tied and sent together.There is a poem in the letter:

"Waiting for the spring to pass through the years, Looking forward to hearing the sound of the early warbler today. Here I am 'no warblers in the backcountry'! After reading the poem, Genji sympathized with her loneliness, so he shed a few lines of tears regardless of the taboo of New Year's Day. Genji said to the little girl: "This letter should be answered by yourself.You can't begrudge the 'early warbler sound' ah! "He took a pen and inkstone and asked her to write a reply. This little girl is very beautiful, and people who are used to it day and night will never tire of seeing it. Genji separated their mother and daughter, and they could not see each other for many years. It is a sinful thing. Thinking of it The pain in my heart is unbearable. The reply poem of the little girl is:

"Farewell to the face of kindness through the years, How dare the nesting warbler forget the pines? " In addition, another childlike innocence felt, and wrote a lot. The beard cage is a bamboo cage, and the remaining bamboo end of the cage is left alone. It is shaped like a beard, hence the name. An ancient song: "There are no warblers in the poor villages, and I look forward to hearing the first sound today." See "The Tale of Genji Notes" quoted.Akashi Ji said in his poems, "Looking forward to hearing the sound of the early warbler", which means that she wants her little daughter Akashi to write back to her.The title of this chapter is based on this poem.

Genji came to the Xia Palace where Huasanli lived, probably because the season has not yet arrived, the place is very quiet.Looking at the interior, there is no elegant decoration, but it feels graceful everywhere.He and this lady have a long relationship, they know each other deeply, and they don't stick to each other.Now there is no need to insist on having fun in bed, but there is a harmonious singing and joy.There is a curtain in the room of Huasanli, Genji pushed it away, Huasanli didn't mind.She was wearing the sapphire blue shirt that Genji had given her, and the color was not very bright.Her hair is also past its prime and a little thinner.Although you don't want to be gorgeous, you should actually wear some wigs.Every time Genji met her, he always thought: "If it were someone else, she would definitely think she was ugly. It is my intention to treat her preferentially like this forever. I am very gratified. If she is with other frivolous women Same, if you are slightly dissatisfied, just abandon me, that is insignificant." At this time, he felt that his love was long, and Huasanli's stability was as good as he wanted, and he was very happy.After the two talked amicably for a while, Genji went to the west hall to visit the jade garland.

Yulan is not yet used to court life.But according to this short period of time, she has made rapid progress: all the decorations in the courtyard are full of fun, and the virgin clothes are also very elegant.There are many maids, and the interior decoration is roughly neat.But all kinds of detailed equipment are not yet complete.In short, her house is small and cute.As for Yulan herself, at first glance she would be amazed as a beauty, but today wearing the ditang-colored spring clothes gifted by Genji, she looks even more like a flower and jade.The whole body is moderately slender, and there is absolutely no blemish to point to. It really teaches people to never tire of seeing it.Only because of sinking into the countryside for many years and being depressed, the ends of the hair are a little thinner.However, it is also very beautiful to drape loosely on the clothes.Seeing her perfect appearance, Genji thought it would be a pity if this person didn't live in Liujoin.He felt a little dissatisfied with just treating her as a daughter, although Yulan was already familiar with Genji, but he couldn't help but have some scruples about whether this person was his biological father.She often felt that this relationship was very strange, like a dream, so she didn't dare to get close to him with confidence.Genji thought this attitude was cute too.She said to her: "Although you have not been here for a long time, I feel that it has been many years. When we met, I didn't feel unfamiliar, but I felt very satisfied. So you don't have to worry about it, and often come to play with us. Then The little sister over there is just learning to play the piano, you can learn with her. You don’t have to be polite to the people over there.” Yulan replied: “My daughter should obey her orders.” This response is also very appropriate.

In the evening, Genji came to the Winter Palace where Akashi Ji lived.As soon as the door on the corridor next to the inner living room was pushed open, there was a delicate fragrance floating in the wind from the curtain, which made people feel very elegant.Walking into the room, Akashi Ji herself was not seen.Looking around, he saw many notes scattered beside the inkstone box, so he picked it up to have a look.Next to it is a Chinese brocade mattress with ornate borders, on which lies a beautiful qin.In an unusually delicate round fire bowl, the attendant incense is heavily smoked, and the incense of clothes and quilts is mixed with it, the smell is extremely strong.There are still some calligraphy drafts lying around on the table, the fonts are unique, and the skills are very deep.It is not mixed with many difficult cursive Chinese characters like what scholars wrote, but it is a chic and unrestrained drama.Among them are a few ancient songs with lingering affection, which were written by Akashi Ji after receiving the reply poem from the little girl.There is a song:

"The oriole is sleeping in the flower garden, and now it is flying down the valley. Revisit the old nest and cherish the good time. " In addition, there are many works of ancient people, some of which chanted the mixed feelings of sorrow and joy after waiting for the sound of the early warbler's first song, and some of them were ancient songs: "I live in the hillside where plums are in full bloom, and there is no shortage of early warbler sounds when spring comes." Xi Shi rate book masturbation.Genji read them one by one, with a smile on his face, and his expression was beautiful and moving.He picked up his pen and wanted to write something, when Akashi Ji walked out on his knees.Of course, her attitude towards Genji is very respectful, and she is polite when they meet each other.Genji felt that this person was different after all.She was wearing a white Chinese dress given by Genji.The bright black hair is draped over this dress, although it feels a little thin, it adds beauty and makes people love it.Genji also thought: Today is New Year's Day, if you don't go home, I'm afraid Zi Ji will be resentful.However, he finally stayed at Akashi Hime's house.When the women's family heard the news, they knew that Akashi Ji was especially favored, and everyone was jealous of her.Not to mention the people in the Palace of Spring.When the sky is about to dawn.Genji said goodbye and went home.After the farewell, Akashi Ji recalled that he failed Xiangqian late at night, and often felt sad and regretful.Ziji waited anxiously, full of jealousy and hatred.Sensing her mood, Genji said to her: "It's strange, I dozed off with her, and fell asleep like a young man, and you didn't send someone to wake me up..." It's ridiculous to comfort her like this.Zi Ji didn't answer.Genji felt bored, pretended to be sleepy, and fell asleep until Hidaka got up.

Attendant incense is the name of a spice. The Ying is better than the little girl, the flower is better than the Ziji's family, and the old nest in the valley is better than Ming Shiji's own family. For this ancient song, see "Ancient and Modern Waka Six Posts". On the second day of the first lunar month, I was busy entertaining congratulatory guests and holding impromptu banquets, so I never met Ziji.As usual, all the ministers and princes came.The sound of the orchestra in front of the hall filled the ears.After the banquet, distribute precious blessings and rewards.The congratulatory guests gathered in Liutiaoyuan were all well-dressed and tried not to be inferior to others.However, there is none that can be compared to Genji.At that time, there were a lot of talented people in the court, and from an individual point of view, there were many outstanding people.However, once in front of Genji, they were all overwhelmed, I am really sorry.Even the humble servants are very cautious when they come to the Liutiaoyuan; what's more, those young princes and grandsons, knowing that there is a new beauty here, everyone is delusional and has ulterior motives.Therefore, this year's Chinese New Year is different from usual, especially lively.The evening breeze is gentle, blowing the fragrance of flowers; there are several plum blossoms in front of the court, and the buds are gradually opening.When the twilight is deep and the figures are blurred and difficult to distinguish, the sound of the orchestra is melodious and pleasant.The singer sang the music to urge the horse, "This hall is honorable, full of wealth and honor..." The tone is very gorgeous.Genji sang in harmony all the time, from "Children Prosperity" to the end of the song, his singing voice was soft and lovely.No matter what, if Genji participates, he will be illuminated by his brilliance, and the colors and sounds will be enlivened, and the difference is clearly discernible.

All the female relatives in the deep boudoir, hearing the hustle and bustle of carriages, horses, drums and music, seem to feel born in the unopened lotus in the Western Paradise, and their hearts are very anxious!Not to mention those who live far away in the east courtyard of Ertiaoyuan.Although their loneliness has increased with time, they all have the so-called "want to flee into the mountains to escape the suffering of the world" in the old song, and they no longer hate Genji, Bao Yukiro.Other than that, they were happy with everything and had no regrets.Those who love to practice, such as the nun Kongchan, can concentrate on reciting the Buddha without worrying about it; those who love poetry and learning, such as the end picking flowers, can concentrate on studying and do whatever they want.All kinds of needs in daily life are properly arranged, and everything is available, and everything is satisfactory.After the hectic days of the New Year passed, Genji came to visit the people in the east courtyard of the two courtyards. The lyrics of "This Hall" by Cui Male: "This hall is honorable, full of wealth and honor. The children and grandchildren are prosperous, and the melons are endless. Add luxurious houses, three pavilions and four pavilions. This hall is honorable, rich and honorful." According to "Guan Wuliangshou Jing "Say: People of inferior rank, when they are reborn in the Western Paradise, they are born in unopened lotus flowers.After several kalpas, the lotus will bloom. During this period, one cannot see the Buddha, hear the Dharma, and make offerings. See the note on page 351 of the first volume for this ancient song. Mo Jiehua is the son-in-law of Prince Hitachi, with a very high status, Genji often feels wronged by her.Therefore, everything that outsiders can see is done very decently for her, so as not to be despised.The blue silk hair at the end of plucking flowers used to be long and dense, but it has gradually faded in recent years. From the silhouette, you can see the mixed white hair, which reminds you of the ancient song "Running Waterfall", which is a pity.Genji didn't even dare to take a closer look at the front.She was wearing an arabesque coat with a white face and green lining that Genji had given her.However, it seems very disproportionate, I think it is the result of human temperament.Underneath this coat was a dark red shirt as stiff as cardboard, which was shabby and unpleasant to look at.Genji had given her many shirts, but I don't know why she didn't wear them.Only the red on the tip of the nose, which Chunxia couldn't cover, was still bright and dazzling.Genji sighed unknowingly, and purposely pulled the curtain closer to distance him.But the last defloration does not mind.She has been deeply cared by Genji for many years, and her life is very stable, so she trusts him wholeheartedly, which is really pitiful.Genji felt that this person was not only special in appearance, but also in attitude, which was really sad.I also thought about such a poor person, if I don't even take care of her, I don't know how much she will suffer, so I am determined to protect her forever.This is also a heart of kindness and compassion.Her voice, too, was forlorn, trembling as she spoke.Genji looked impatiently, and said to her: "Don't you even have someone to take care of your clothes? No outsiders come in here, life is very comfortable, you can do whatever you want, wear a few more soft and thick clothes, why bother?" Do you only pay attention to the appearance of clothing?" Mo Jiehua could only smile awkwardly and replied: "The Acharya of Daigo asked me to take care of clothes and other things, so I didn't have time to sew clothes. My fur sweater was also taken by him. , it’s very cold in winter.” This Acharya was her elder brother, and his nose was also very red.She said these words to Genji, showing her sincere trust and undisguised, but it was too straightforward.Genji stopped talking and joking in front of her, just put on a serious look, and said, "It's good to give him the fur sweater. It can be worn as a monk's robe for this mountain monk. You might as well wear those cheap white shirts on it." The seventh and eighth floors are very warm. When you need it, if I forget to deliver it, you can just tell me. I am confused and lazy, and I am busy with things, so I am easy to neglect." He ordered to open two She took out a lot of silk from the storeroom of the courtyard and gave it to her.This east courtyard is not a remote place, but because the owner doesn't live here, the environment is naturally quiet.Only the trees in front of the court are thriving, and the red plums are just blooming, which is fragrant, but no one appreciates it.Genji looked at the red plums and murmured to himself: "It's a good spring when I come back to my hometown, See also the rare flowers on the branches. " I'm afraid I don't know the meaning of this poem at the end of picking flowers. An ancient song: "The galloping waterfall looks like an old man. The white hair hangs down a thousand feet, and there is no black thread." See "Ancient and Modern Waka Collection". Daigo is the name of a place with an ancient temple, and Acharya is the title of a monk.See note on page 62 of the previous volume.This person is the Zen master in the fifteenth chapter "Pengsheng", and he is the brother of the last plucking flower. In Japanese, "flower" and "nose" have the same pronunciation, and both are pronounced as hana. On the surface, this poem sings about red plums, but in fact it satirizes the nose that has not picked flowers. Genji bid farewell to the end of picking flowers, and then went to visit nun Kongchan.Unlike the owner of this mansion, Kongchan lives in a secluded small room by himself, and devotes most of the house to the Buddha.The diligence of his practice is really touching.The scripture scrolls, decorations of Buddha statues, and even small utensils such as water purification cups are all exquisite and elegant, which makes people feel that this person's quality is different after all.Kong Chan sits behind a blue-gray curtain that is ingeniously crafted, only revealing a sleeve that contrasts with the blue-gray.This scene is very beautiful, Genji saw it, shed tears unknowingly, and said to her: "You, the fisher girl on Matsuura Island, I can only miss you from afar. I must have formed a bad relationship with you from the past, and now Now finally, only the fate of meeting has not been broken." Kong Chan was also deeply moved, and replied: "It is a deep fate that I can receive such care from you." Genji said: "I often think about the things in the past, always I feel that I have made you sad many times in the past, and I deserve evil rewards. Now I confess to the Buddha, and I feel deep pain in my heart. Do you understand my feelings now? There is no loyal person like me in the world. I don’t think you will now I don't realize it." Hearing this, Kongchan presumed that Genji already knew that she had become a nun in order to avoid the pursuit of her ex-husband's son Ji Yishou, so she felt embarrassed, and replied: "If you want you to see my ugly appearance, Until my death, I have already paid for your past sins, so what else is there to recompense?" After speaking, she began to cry sincerely.In fact, Kong Chan's demeanor is more delicate than before.Genji remembered that this person had cut off his love and escaped into Buddhism, and felt that it was really difficult to let go.But at this time, how can we talk about romantic things?Just talked to her about some general old news.He looked towards the last plucked flowers and thought: "That person must have the same advantages as this person." An ancient song: "Looking up at Songpu Island for a long time, I can only see it today. There is a fisher girl's residence in it, and her heart is very fond of it." See "Hou Zhuan Ji".In Japanese, "fisher girl" and "nun" have the same pronunciation, and they are both pronounced ama. There are many women who are under Genji's shadow like Minakai and Sora.Genji went to visit them one by one, and said kindly to them: "I haven't seen each other for a long time, and there is no moment in my heart. The only thing to worry about is that life is limited and gathering and parting are impermanent. Destiny is really unpredictable!" He felt that everyone Women have their own charms.Genji's Taizheng Minister is under one person and above ten thousand, but he is never domineering.He treats people and things according to their location and status, and gives them favors.Many women rely on his kindness to spend their days leisurely. On the 14th day of the first lunar month of this year, a men's singing party will be held.The singing and dancing procession first went to Zhuqueyuan, and then to Liujoyuan.Due to the long distance, it was almost dawn when we arrived.The bright moon is in the sky, the water is as clear as water, and the courtyard is filled with mist, the scenery is beyond words.At this time, there are many people in the hall who are good at music, and the sound of the flute is very beautiful.When we arrived at the Liutiaoyuan, the music played even more vigorously.Genji wants to teach all the female relatives to come out to watch singing and dancing, and inform them in advance.Therefore, seats are set up in the side rooms and gallery rooms on both sides of the main hall for them to sit and watch.Yulan, who lived in the west hall, came to the main hall where Ziji lived in the south, and met the young lady Akashi for the first time.Ziji also came out, talking with Yuhuan only separated by a curtain.The singing and dancing procession detoured from the Queen's side of Zhuqueyuan, and it was almost dawn here.Originally, only tea, wine and soup were required to be entertained, but this time the rewards were extraordinarily rich, with a grand banquet and hospitality. In the desolate dawn moonlight, the auspicious snow is flying, gradually accumulating and thickening.The pine wind blows down from the top of the tall trees, and the surrounding scenery is beautiful and moving.Many singers and dancers wear green robes lined with white clothes, and the colors are very simple.The silk flowers on the head are not gorgeous either.However, perhaps because of the different places, it makes people feel refreshed and happy, and it seems that their life span has also been extended.Among the singers and dancers, Lieutenant General Yugiri of the Genji family and the princes of the Minister's family had particularly elegant and gorgeous postures.In the twilight of the night, the snowflakes were scattered and scattered, and the cold air invaded the skin gradually.At this time, the song and dance troupe sang the song "Bamboo River" to urge the horse, and the graceful dance was accompanied by the lovely music. It is a pity that I can't draw even if I teach others!Under the curtain of the auditorium, the sleeves of the women's relatives are exposed, colorful and dazzling, just like the splendid morning glow in the dawn sky, it is really an extraordinary beauty.The dancers wear high hats and have strange postures; the singers recite longevity poems with a loud voice.The trivial things are also performed in a grandiose way, which is extremely funny, which makes the music of Tage less appreciated.As usual, everyone received a bag of rewards and resigned.It was already dawn, and all the female relatives went home. Genji fell asleep for a while, and only got up when the sun was three feet high.He recalled the joy of last night, and said to Mrs. Zi: "Generally speaking, the singing voice of the lieutenant general is no less than that of the major general. It's strange, but now is the era when talented people come forth in large numbers. The ancients are certainly superior in learning. Much more, but in terms of taste, I can't catch up with modern people. I once planned to raise the lieutenant general as a square official, hoping that he would not be as romantic as I am. In fact, the heart must be full of fun. Hard heart, iron face Ruthless, after all, is annoying." He thought Xi Wu's son was very cute.Then he sang a few lines of "Wan Chun Le" casually, and said: "I want to hold a music concert as our family's 'post-banquet' while all the female relatives gather here." All the zither and flute pipes in the bag were taken out, wiped clean, and the slack strings were adjusted.When the female relatives heard the news, they were very concerned, and everyone was excited. The lyrics of "Bamboo River" by Cui Ma Le: "There is a bridge on the bamboo river soup. The Zhai Palace Garden is beside this bridge. The beauty in the garden is unparalleled. Let me enter the garden and accompany Jiao Niang!" Major General Bian is the son of the Minister of Internal Affairs, also known as Hongmei. "Wan Chun Le" is a Chinese poem sung by the dancers. It has eight sentences in total, and at the end of each sentence, the three characters "Wan Chun Le" are sung. After the Tage meeting, a "post-banquet" is held in the palace as a sideshow.This concert serves as Genji's private "post-banquet".