"...Ah, Heaven and Earth abide by their constants; the elder and younger each have their place-"
Wang Yi lounged in his seat, smiling drunkenly as he tapped his chopsticks against his wine cup, then stretched out his arm and pointed them at Wang Yang.
Wang Tai looked anxiously at Wang Yi. "Fifth Uncle-"
Wang Yang leaned sideways, his tall frame draped in flowing sapphire-blue robes. Tipsiness lingered at the corners of his eyes, and rosy clouds colored his fair face. His fingers traced strokes in the air like a brush as he recited with a warm smile:
"Think on the clan's long, unbroken line; how deep the bond of uncle and nephew!"
Wang Tai could only turn to Wang Yang. "Zhi Yan-"
Wang Yi laughed heartily and raised his hand in an inviting gesture:
"Behold the Chinese Pear Blossoms shining together; branches of the thorn tree flourish as one!"
Wang Tai held on to his patience and turned back. "Fifth Uncle, why don't we first-"
Wang Yang shook out his robes, sat upright, and swept his sleeve across:
"Bathed in the shared fragrance of Orchid and Cassia; Jade Trees in Spring!"
Wang Tai had caught their rhythm now. Rather than call to Wang Yang, he immediately turned to Wang Yi. "Fifth Uncle, let's-"
Clap, clap, clap!
Wang Yi applauded. "What a fine 'Jade Trees in Spring'! That rhyme fits beautifully! Worthy nephew, pay attention. I'm about to bring in a classical allusion." He meant using an allusion in their jointly composed rhapsody.
Wang Yi paused to think, and Wang Tai hurried to interrupt. "Fifth Uncle, what we were saying earlier-"
"Got it!" Wang Yi tilted his chopsticks upward, drawing out his words. "Recall the Duke of Zhou clutching his unbound hair; King Cheng bathed in his profound grace."
Wang Yang