"What evening is this, that I should pole my boat into midstream..."
"What day is this, that I may share a boat with the prince?"
"Though I am ashamed and loved, I do not resent or feel disgraced."
"My heart is troubled and will not find peace, yet I have met the prince."
"There are trees on the mountain..."
Jimò Qiu plucked at the ancient instrument, humming a tune so obscure it was hard to make out. Gongxi Chou listened for a long while, but never heard the final line. At last, a pearl struck Jimò Qiu's knuckle, throwing him off-key and bringing the music to an abrupt halt. Jimò Qiu lowered the instrument from his arms and gave Gongxi Chou a dangerous look. Gongxi Chou felt no sense of danger, merely complained, "What kind of song is this?"
Jimò Qiu asked, "Is there something wrong with it?"
Gongxi Chou said disdainfully, "All this 'xi' coming and going."
Jimò Qiu fell silent.
Gongxi Chou went on, "You sing gibberish for ages, and no one knows what you're trying to say. It's nowhere near as good as the ancient songs of my tribe. Besides, it doesn't even fit the occasion. Where's the prince on our boat?"
He disliked this sort of song, which went on and on in sighing refrains.
Songs of confession should be direct and passionate.
People often grew estranged because communication went wrong.
Shen De quietly raised a hand. "The princess counts, too."
Gongxi Chou asked, "Is he singing to Ru Gui to pledge his loyalty? Then he doesn't need to keep going 'xi' this and 'xi' that. Why not just tell Ru Gui directly?"
They were only a few steps apart.
If he had something to say, he could just say it to her face.
Jimò Qiu