Journey to the East: Legend of Peony

When the Queen Mother birthday peaches first ripened,

Peony has met a bosom friend.

In heaven, March [-]rd is not only the Shangsi Festival, but also the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West. The Queen Mother will invite all the immortals to participate in the Peach Blossom Conference on this day.All the immortals will also send gifts to the Queen Mother one after another, which is also one of the most important events in the heavenly court.

As the Immortals, the Eight Immortals were naturally also on the list of invitations to the Pantao Conference. It was said that the Eight Immortals had made an appointment to meet outside the Nantianmen, and the agreed time had come, but Lu Dongbin was nowhere to be seen.Han Zhongli waved his big cattail fan, his face full of doubts, "Dong Bin doesn't know what's going on, he hasn't contacted us for a long time, will he be late this time? Xiangu, Xiangzi, you have a good relationship with Dong Bin, you know Where has he been lately?"

Holding the jade flute in his hand, Han Xiangzi looked worried, "It's very strange this time, Xiangu and I found a snake demon that has been practiced for hundreds of years in the west to cause harm to one side, so I am trying to get rid of the demon, and I haven't contacted Dongbin recently. .Speaking of which, Xiangu, the last time I contacted Dong Bin seemed to be ten years ago."

Xiangu nodded, "It's true that as Xiangzi said, we are busy eliminating demons and rarely contact Dong Bin. Could it be that Dong Bin hasn't contacted you in the past five years?" All the fairies shook their heads.

Han Xiangzi sighed, "That's weird. Dong Bin is not someone who just leaves without saying goodbye. When I was in contact with him for the last time, I really felt that Dong Bin's mood was not right, but I also felt something was wrong. There is something abnormal about him. Could it be?"

Lan Caihe rushed to speak, "Don't be a fool, Xiangzi, let's talk about what you think of." Xiangu glanced at Xiangzi, "Xiangzi means, will Dongbin meet Sister Mudan?"

Han Zhongli was the first to jump up, "I bet, it can't be Bai Mudan, Bai Mudan has long been out of her wits, the Queen Mother loves Peony so much, would she lie on purpose?"

Tieguai Li and Zhang Guolao also echoed, "Before we knelt for so long, the Jade Emperor and Queen Mother refused to let go. Even after the Eastern Sea, the bodhisattva was resurrected by the Chunying pangolin, and it should not be the white peony."

Han Xiangzi looked into the distance, looking forward to the appearance of a figure in white, "Let's wait and see. If Dongbin can make it in time today, it will be fine. If not..." Xiangu stood beside Xiangzi and patted His arm, "Don't worry, if something happens to Dong Bin, everyone will not just sit idly by. The Eight Immortals are one."

world.

White House.

For today's trip, Mudan specially ordered the servants to look at the place early one day in advance, set up the tent, arranged the kitchen to make some snacks in food boxes, and coquettishly asked Rao Yangbai, Jian Lin's Bai Rui to go with her.

Bai Jian and Lin's family were busy with Bai Rui's going to Beijing and didn't plan to attend Shangsi, but Mudan begged her again and again, but Lin's had no choice but to let go of her affairs.

Bai Rui teased Mudan, "March [-]rd is the orchid giving event, my sister wants to go so much, does she want to find a good husband?" Mudan twisted Lin's objection. "Mother, look, my brother bullied me." Lin's patted her kindly, "Ruier, don't talk nonsense, your sister is still young, but you, there is a girl you like and you want to tell mother."

Bai Rui was not on guard against getting burned, and begged for forgiveness repeatedly, "Mother, I haven't passed the Jinshi exam yet, let's talk about marriage matters after I pass the exam." Afraid of Mrs. Lin's nagging, he hurriedly resigned and ran away.Mrs. Lin couldn't stop her, so she said to Mudan emotionally, "Peony, your brother is spoiled by me. You are also 15 years old. If there is a good-looking girl, remember to help your brother pay attention." .

On this day, Mudan got up at Chenshi, and after freshening up, the servant girl delivered the coat that the embroiderer of Fuzhong had prepared long ago. The gold and silver threads were intertwined, and the layers were distinct and lifelike, embroidered with a magnificent scene of hundreds of flowers blooming in full bloom.As soon as Peony put on her clothes, the room was silent for a moment, and in a blink of an eye there was admiration, and the maid said sincerely, "Miss is so beautiful, if there is a Baihua fairy, it must be like you. If you go today, the flowers will be ashamed by you." I dare not open it."

Mudan said happily, "Really? I'll go and show my parents." When they came to Bai Jian and his wife's room to say hello, Bai Rui was already waiting anxiously. When the three of them saw Mudan, their eyes lit up. Hanging laurel temples, embellished with peony flowers slantedly inserted on the temples, a drop of golden flower tinkle shines between the eyebrows, some pink is lightly pressed on the lips, light makeup and powder are applied, and the Emei is slowly swept, matched with the newly made floral dress on the body, end-to-end It's gorgeous, Bai Rui muttered to himself, "I know my sister is beautiful, but I didn't expect her to be so beautiful. Today, it seems that I can only protect my sister every step of the way."

Peony lowered her head and tugged at the corner of her clothes, Lin came back to her senses and hammered Bai Rui, "Is there anyone who praises your sister so much, go play with you, didn't you invite Peng'er to play together?" Bai Rui said with a smile, " That's right, Brother Qin has asked me about my sister many times recently, and I don't know if it's because the ulterior motives are not drinking."Lin laughed and scolded, "Let's go, if you don't walk, you will be blocked."

Along the Jinfan River in Suzhou.

March [-]rd, blessing meeting, the sky follows people's wishes, the wind is sunny, the spring breeze blows green the riverside, the apricot blossoms are in full bloom, and the flying flowers are like snow. By the Jinfan River, countless kites and paper kites are flying in the sky, and the blue sky reflects The color of vermilion and willow green is truly beautiful.In the river, there are common people praying for blessings. There are dense crowds of people. The Jinfan River meanders down. Almost all the residents of Suzhou gather here. The crowd in colorful clothes almost covers the green grass by the river. But Shangda Tianting is a scene of prosperity.

A little far away from the high place on the bank of the river, countless green curtains were set up for the nobles to rest, and the Qin family and the Bai family were naturally among them.After getting off the carriage, Bai Jian took Bai Rui to visit old friends, and Lin took Mudan straight into the tent of the Bai family.

Lin was worried that Peony's appearance would cause unnecessary trouble, so she wore a hat all the way.As soon as she entered the tent, Peony immediately took off her veiled hat and complained, "I'm smothered to death, mother, this thing is really troublesome."

Lin said with a smile, "No matter how much trouble you have, it's not as much trouble as your beautiful appearance. Tell me, since you were a child, as long as you go out without a curtain, you will almost be stolen several times." Come on, in the past two years, has there ever been a matchmaker who didn't come to the door the next day without taking it with you? I can hardly find a reason to refuse other people's marriage proposal. "

Mudan knew she was in the wrong, with a helpless expression on her face, "I just said it's useless to look good, it's so troublesome to go out, Lin'er and the others can go out freely without wearing a veil and a maid, and I can only Stay home."

While the mother and daughter were talking, the servant at the door reported, "The young lady of the Qin family and the young lady of the Wei family are here to visit." Mrs. Lin smiled and said, "Cao Cao Cao Cao will be here, please come in quickly, Mudan, Lin'er and the others are here. Bring more maids, I allow you to go out for a walk freely." Peony was overjoyed, "Mother, is it really possible?" "The left and right here are good for the whole family, and you are bored, go out and play with them."

Qin Lin and Wei Yuning went hand in hand, and after saying hello to Lin, they happily hugged Peony and went out of the tent together. I really can't bear to wrong her and stay at home all the time. Fortunately, Mudan is also sensible, so let her relax during the festive season.

As soon as she got out of the tent of the Bai family, Qin Lin smiled and said, "Peony, it can be seen that you are determined to choose a husband and son-in-law today?" Peony was embarrassed, "Lin'er, why did you say that?" Who would believe it if they didn’t come to collect bluegrass?” Yu Ning laughed beside her and said, “Peony, it looks like we can’t go with you, otherwise we won’t even get a single bluegrass!” Peony blushed, "I didn't do it on purpose, you all made fun of me, I'll tell my aunt."

Seeing that Peony was in a hurry, Qin Linyu hurriedly comforted her, "I'm just kidding, don't take it seriously." Just as she was speaking, there was a commotion not far away.

"Hey, my brother and the others are playing the water cup, let's go over and have a look." Qin Lin was the first to recognize the source of the voice,

"It seems like my brother is here too." Mudan agreed, "It's so lively, can we go and have a look?"

Yu Ning shook her head, "There are scholars over there, it's inconvenient, my mother will definitely be scolded if she finds out,"

"Peony, Yuning, it's all right. I often play Cuju with my elder brother. I know them all. My parents agree."

The three little girls actually wanted to see the excitement from the bottom of their hearts, encouraged each other, and slowly approached the crowd with a ladylike air.

The so-called "flying cup of water" means that everyone sits on both sides of the waterway, places wine glasses on the upper stream, and lets them flow downstream. Whoever the cup stops in front of will get a drink, and recite poems, compose or play the piano. The custom of taking pleasure in this.

When Mudan and the others approached, it seemed that the flow of cups had been going on for quite a while, and a dozen young men were sitting or standing, coaxing a young man in white to compose a poem. "If you can't do it, you will be punished with alcohol, Brother Qin." Mudan took a closer look, and sure enough, Bai Rui danced the most.Qin Lin clapped her hands and laughed, "It seems that my brother is the one who can't make poems. Haha, my brother sometimes can't make poems."

Peony was curious, "Is this poem made casually, or should it be rhymed?"

Yu Ning rushed to say, "I know this. It's Liushang's master who made the proposition for the next family, but I don't know what the master proposed to make it difficult for Brother Qin, who has always been talented?"

Qin Lin grabbed the nearest scholar and asked, "Master, do you know what the question is about this time?" Returning to his senses, "It's the question ordered by Mr. Bai, chanting Bai Mudan." Peony blushed all of a sudden, "Brother is so outrageous that he asked such a question." Qin Lin couldn't help laughing, "I don't know your question." The boudoir name, brother Bai Rui said it was Yonghua, that's right."

Yu Ning snickered, "I'm afraid that people have ghosts in their hearts, so I dare not do it." Peony stomped her feet, "You two, if you still want to talk nonsense, I will go." The two laughed, and Peony ran out in a hurry. The mother-in-law hurriedly followed, and Yu Ning was about to catch up, but Qin Lin held her back and said, "Peony has always been arrogant and will not be angry with you or me. Now she is just ashamed. It's okay to have a mother-in-law with her. She will come back naturally in a while. It's fun to watch, why don't you watch it with me?" Yu Ning turned her head and thought about it, and the two continued to wait and see without mentioning it.

Let's say that Mudan ran out without knowing the direction in a fit of anger, but the servant girl was repelled by her, so she dared to follow from a distance, after all, she was a boudoir lady, and her pace was not fast, so Mudan stopped when she ran to a secluded river bank.After calming down and thinking about it carefully, Liner Yuning is also used to joking, and there is no malice, but now I am embarrassed to go back after leaving, so I might as well wait.

Peony was bored playing with the stones by the river, and she had an idea, let me play a game of Qushui Liushang. She took out her purse, took out a plain handkerchief without embroidery, and quickly pricked it with a needle. The poem was slowly put into the river, with a hint of anticipation in my heart. "I don't know what kind of person will receive my handkerchief?"

Not far away, a figure in white clothes stared at her quietly, "Peony, I promised you that you would stay away from your life, but I really can't hold back my heart, let me see you for the last time," Lu Dongbin said Holding the sword, he used a fairy trick to blind his eyes. While Peony was not paying attention, he waved the handkerchief into his hand, and his arms trembled when he saw it. On the handkerchief was their red leaf poem, "once you enter the deep palace. Here, I can’t help but see spring, write poems on the flowers and leaves, and send a message to welcome people.”

"Peony, Peony, I sealed your memory, why do you still remember this poem?" He sighed deeply, "It's the right time to turn around, Lu Dongbin, Peony has already decided to let go of everything, this is just a coincidence," then carefully At first glance, this is a poem of summation, "Lu Dongbin, Lu Dongbin, you should really put it down." He took the handkerchief and was about to put it back into the river. Zishang immediately reconciled a song, and he smiled wryly, "I'm still not reconciled, Mudan, goodbye."

Heavenly Court, Nantianmen.

The Seven Immortals waited anxiously. Seeing that the Queen Mother's birthday banquet was about to start, Lan Caihe couldn't hold back, "Why don't we go first? The Queen Mother's peach feast, I will be angry if I go late. Dong Bin I offended the empress because of Peony before, the empress may still be angry, if we are late again, the empress might punish me."

Zhang Guolao swallowed his saliva, "Pantao, maybe we won't have anything to eat if we go late, let's go first."

He Xiangu and Han Xiangzi felt uneasy seeing all the immortals, and greeted them, "Everyone go to the Peach Banquet first, and confess to the empress, and we will wait for Dongbin, who will come in a while."

As soon as the words fell, a white-clothed figure appeared at the Nantian Gate. It was Lu Dongbin. He smiled and said, "Thank you for waiting for a long time, Dongbin Yunyou forgot the time. Please forgive me." Xiangzi patted him on the shoulder excitedly." It’s okay, it’s fine if you’re here, hurry up and go in.” All the immortals went to the peach feast on their own.

world.

Mudan hesitated whether to go back, Qin Lin and Yuning waited for her for a long time, worried that something might happen to her, they came all the way to find her, Mudan was very sorry, and apologized, "It's my petty sex today, please worry about it."

Qin Lin said indifferently, "Good sister, why are you talking about this? You don't know, right? The most famous thing today is not Qushui Liushang. When we were looking for you just now, Shangliu somehow floated a veil down and wrote I wrote a poem asking for peace, my brother picked it up, and I heard that my brother wrote a wonderful poem on the handkerchief, but he didn’t let others see it, and even modestly said that he didn’t write it himself. Are you surprised?”

Mudan's heart skipped a beat, "What kind of handkerchief is it?" Yu Ning said with a smile, "I also asked curiously, and said it was a plain handkerchief with no embroidery, and I don't know which lady left it behind." " "What kind of poem is that left?" "I don't know, my brother keeps it secretively and doesn't let people read it. I heard that there are messages to meet people."

Mudan blushed unconsciously, "Lin'er, can you help me see what poem your brother wrote?" Qin Lin snickered, "You're curious too, okay, I'll steal it now and have a look." Peony stopped and ran away quickly.

Peony was shy and surprised, would someone really receive my handkerchief?Then, is this person the predestined person in the legend?And poetry, what will it be like?

Qin Lin ran back quickly after a quarter of an hour, "Look quickly, I will send it back to my brother after seeing it, I stole it while he was not paying attention, so hurry up", the three little girls got together, "Hey, this handkerchief The handwriting on it looks familiar, Peony looks like your handwriting?" "Look, look, what is He's poem?"

"The flower falls deep and the palace warbler is also sad. Whom do you want to send the poem on the leaf, because you are not as good as the leaf in the wave, and the rippling takes the spring to take the next line.",

"It's great," Qin Lin praised, "My brother's poetry is getting higher and higher." Mudan couldn't help but feel shy and silent, Yu Ning glanced at Mudan, "Peony, what's the matter with you, why is your face so red? "Peony quickly covered up.

Next, Pei Lan, Mudan had something on her mind, she collected a lot of bluegrass in a trance, and returned to the Bai family tent, Lin was amused, "What's the matter today, are you having a bluegrass meeting?" Lancao was also taken aback, "What's going on?"

"You ask yourself, I have taken so many orchids, tomorrow I will find a reason to send the matchmaker." Mudan sat beside Lin with her head bowed, and Lin patted her hand, "What happened?" Mudan shook her head, "There's nothing", Lin shook her head, she knew her daughter, Mo Ruomu, Mudan didn't seem to be okay, forget it, the little girl is shy, so she will ask Lin'er later.The four members of the Bai family didn't mention it when they returned home after playing.

The author has something to say:

The poem "He" was written by Gu Kuang in the Tang Dynasty.If you are interested, you can look for it. I synthesized the two poems and counted them as quotations.

Regarding place names,

I checked several books. Although the Grand Canal had been dug in the Tang Dynasty, from the history of Suzhou, it seems that the Shangsi Festival

If there is no example of holding it by the canal, let’s find a well-recorded Jinfan River

Don't ask me, I don't know what the name of Jinfan River is now, I think it should be the collective name of Suzhou Moat. . .

There is no river with this name in modern times, cover your face

March [-]rd is the birthday of the Queen Mother of the West. It is an allusion that often appears in ancient books after the rise of Taoism.

The legends of the Tang Dynasty mentioned that the Peach Fair was set on this day.

PS: I really want to celebrate the Three Daughters’ Day in March,

Alas, I have no daughter.