With Li Sao recited and wine still fragrant, the mortal world seemed small.
Beneath the stars and moon, Wang Yang leaned against the railing of the pond pavilion, enjoying the evening breeze, a celadon wine flask in hand, already a little tipsy.
By then, Xie Xinghan had returned home, and Yu Yi had sent both Yu Qianlou and Yu Yuling away. Only Wang Yang and Yu Yi remained in the pavilion.
Wang Yang increasingly suspected that Yu Yi had instructed Yu Qianlou to help him complete the Provincial Government's household registers. He therefore assumed that, after dismissing his two sons, Yu Yi would discuss the registers with him, or at least drop a hint.
Yet Yu Yi said nothing.
Not only did he leave the registers unmentioned, but after noticing at the banquet that Wang Yang was reluctant to discuss the flaws of tax policy in depth, he had not pressed him on that either. Instead, they drank and engaged in pure conversation, ranging freely over Songs of Chu.
Wang Yang had always known how to hold his ground. Since Yu Yi said nothing, he did not mention it either. They talked, declaimed verses, and sang leisurely songs, continuing from after dinner until the moon hung high overhead.
Yu Yi patted the wine jar and sighed deeply.
"Birds of prey flock with none of their kind; so it has been since ancient times. Qu Yuan was straight as a whetted arrow, his heart as steadfast as cinnabar and indigo. Slandered and exiled, he never forgot his country even after leaving it. Though the whole world was muddy, he would not share its filth; though he died nine deaths, he would have no regrets. The Grand Historian put it well: 'Judging by this resolve, he could vie with the sun and