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Palace Poem
Author: Zhu Qingyu
Title: Palace Poem
In the quiet flower season, the courtyard gate is closed,
Beautiful women stand side by side in the elegant corridor.
With emotions they wish to speak of palace matters,
But before the parrot, they do not dare to say a word.
This poem was written by Tang Dynasty poet Zhu Qingyu, expressing the loneliness and helplessness of the palace maidens in the inner court.
"In the quiet flower season, the courtyard gate is closed" describes how, during the blooming season, the gates of the palace remain tightly shut, evoking a sense of silence and desolation within.
"Beautiful women stand side by side in the elegant corridor" depicts the beautiful maidens standing together under a lovely corridor, with "elegant corridor" being a term of endearment for the beautiful architecture of the palace.
"With emotions they wish to speak of palace matters" conveys that the maidens are filled with feelings and want to share their inner thoughts about life in the palace, yet they hold back.
"But before the parrot, they do not dare to say a word" indicates that there is a parrot in the palace that might mimic human speech, causing the maidens to hesitate to express their feelings for fear of being overheard.
The entire poem conveys the loneliness of the maidens in spring and their unspoken desires, reflecting their frustration and yearning for freedom within the confines of the palace. The language used is subtle yet rich in emotion, making it one of Zhu Qingyu's representative works depicting the lives of palace maidens.
Story Title: Xiao Yu's Court Painting
“Xiao Yu, come take a look at this painting your father just completed.”
I stood beside my father, gazing at the beautiful woman depicted in the painting.
In it, she stands among blooming flowers in spring, surrounded by vibrant blossoms and lush green leaves,
Yet she seems somewhat unhappy, her eyes revealing a hint of melancholy.
"Dad, why does she look a bit unhappy?"
In my father's studio, there were many sheets of paper and brushes, along with some completed paintings.
I walked up to one painting and looked at the woman depicted in it.
"Xiao Yu, do you notice anything special about this painting?" my father suddenly asked me.
I examined the painting closely and shook my head.
"Take a closer look," my father urged.
I observed the woman in the painting again and suddenly realized her eyes were somewhat different.
"Dad, her eyes look a bit... a bit melancholic," I hesitated to say.
My father nodded and said, "Yes, Xiao Yu, there is melancholy in her eyes."
"But why does she feel melancholic?" I asked in confusion.
Instead of answering my question, my father took a book from the nearby bookshelf.
"The Palace Poems, Xiao Yu, let me tell you the story behind this book."
He sat down in a chair, holding the book, and gestured for me to sit beside him.
"The Palace Poems is a collection of poetry written by women in the palace during their leisure time; they express their thoughts and wishes."
My father opened the book and pointed to a poem for me to see.
"Xiao Yu, look at this poem: 'The jade face is lonely, tears on the railing; a branch of pear blossoms brings spring rain.' This line describes a palace woman crying alone; her mood is very sorrowful, but she cannot share her feelings with anyone and can only weep in solitude."
After hearing the poem, I felt a bit sad as well.
"Dad, then why isn't this sister happy?"
I asked, "Why does she feel melancholic?"
"Because she lives in the inner palace and cannot freely express her feelings," my father explained. I nodded and asked, "Are the other women in the palace like that too?"
"Perhaps. Life in the inner palace comes with many rules and constraints; they cannot live as they wish, so they may feel melancholic," my father said, letting out a gentle sigh.
After hearing my father's words, I looked again at the woman in the painting. There was a faint sadness in her eyes; perhaps she too could not express herself freely.
"Father, I will definitely paint joyful women of the palace." I said firmly to him.
He looked at me and smiled, nodding his head.
I was moved by the poetry in "Palace Verses," and I decided to create a painting of my own, allowing the woman in it to express her happiness and dreams freely.
I picked up my brush and carefully began to depict on the canvas.
In my painting, there was a palace woman laughing and playing in a garden. She wore beautiful garments, weaving through the flowers, her smile radiant and her eyes filled with joy.
Using vibrant colors and lively lines, I infused the woman in my painting with energy and happiness.
My father watched me paint, a smile spreading across his face. He knew that I had understood the power of poetry and art to bring hope and joy to people.
When my painting was finished, my father looked at it with great delight.
"Xiao Yu, your painting is truly wonderful; you have captured the free-spirited joy of the palace women," he praised.
"Father, I just thought about how I would feel if I were that woman while painting," I replied. My father nodded and said, "Xiao Yu, your painting has emotion and thought; that is what matters most."
I smiled and nodded back.
I knew that in the future, I would create more paintings to express my yearning for freedom and my pursuit of beautiful emotions.
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