This was the famed "Rhapsody of the Goddess of Luo," a masterpiece of romantic literature written by Cao Zhi, also known as Cao Zijian.
Its theme had inspired many interpretations. Some believed it expressed his love for Zhen Mi, with the goddess of Luo representing her; others believed it expressed his frustration with politics.
Regardless, this romantic style, derived from the Songs of Chu, was a triumph of poetry and rhapsody. The entire piece was brilliantly written, poignantly beautiful and sorrowful, perfectly capturing the melancholy of encountering a beauty only to be parted forever by the divide between mortal and divine.
The rhapsody gave rise to such beautiful descriptions of women as "graceful as a startled swan," "supple as a roaming dragon," "radiant as autumn chrysanthemums," and "flourishing as spring pines."
At first glance, everyone thought the title seemed fine.
Roland had adapted it into a rhapsody praising the Goddess of Light. A little flattery was perfectly normal.
But at the line "the Goddess of Light, named Xi Fei," everyone realized something was wrong.
Since when had anyone called her that?
Roland, you rascal...
Had you made that up?
Writers had always loved flights of fancy. Some forced connections, some repeated hearsay, and others simply invented things outright.
Roland had invented the name "Xi Fei" by combining "Xihe," the mother of the suns and wife of Di Jun in Huaxia mythology, with "Consort Mi," the goddess of the Luo River.
Zhen Mi, meanwhile, was a historical figure from the Three Kingdoms period. People of the time believed her to be the reincarnation of Consort Mi, the goddess of Luo. The "Rhapsody of the Goddess of Luo," originally titled "Ode on Feeling for Zhen," was Cao Zhi's tribute to her.
"I beheld a lovely woman, spreading twelve golden wings in the