"What a line—'Though old, still a reef amid the sea.' The Emperor Consort used the steadfastness of a reef in the sea to describe a lifespan so long it could hardly be shaken. It was likewise a metaphor, and likewise rich in philosophy and depth!"
"Indeed. Her Majesty the Empress's line was grand and majestic, carrying the air of one surveying all from a lofty height. Yet the Emperor Consort's line revealed the true in the great Dao, using a reef battered by wind and waves to describe a long life tempered by the vicissitudes of time. It truly contained profound insight and extraordinary artistic conception!"
"Her Majesty the Empress and the Emperor Consort—one viewed matters from the grand scale, while the other saw truth in the ordinary. They are truly a match made in heaven, fitting together without the slightest seam. Hearing them moves one's heart and stirs one's feelings, as though listening to a heavenly book!"
Inside the great hall, everyone familiar with the literary Dao could not help giving Lin Xuan a thumbs-up.
They thought that Lin Xuan was indeed a Literary Saint of his generation. Even something written offhand bore the bearing of a great master.
Then, everyone combined Lin Xuan's and Donghuang Ziyou's birthday felicitations and contemplated them together.
They found the two felicitations so harmonious and unified that they could not help praising the couple for being in perfect accord, like dragons and phoenixes singing in harmony.
Seeing everyone praise Lin Xuan so highly, Donghuang Ziyou silently nodded as well.
Her phoenix eyes shone brightly, beautiful as the warm sun of March.
She lightly glanced at Lin Xuan and thought that although his wording was simple, it contained profound truth.
To produce such a fine work amid such a lively yet constrained occasion