章 206: The Heir and the Painter

クリエイターの想い

Queeniecat

(1) Losing one’s body: euphemistic for losing one’s virginity.

(2) Matching doors and families: This means families of the same social status (in modern times, financial circumstances too). Originated from an opera from the Yuan Dynasty (1295-1307 AD) called ‘West Chamber’. In ancient times, this was used to mean that the families of the bride and groom were of equal standing, making it an ideal marriage.

(3) Peach Blossom Temple: Poem written by famous (or rather infamous) Ming Dynasty (1368 to 1644 AD) poet Tang Yin, courtesy name Bohu. He was most notable in history for his paintings, and known as one of the four great masters of art of his era. His poems were very often emotionally complicated, starting out light-hearted and ending in melancholy. For example, Peach Blossom Temple begins with a fantastical element. However, in the next stanza, he writes about his disdain for politics and material wealth, wishing only to while away his time appreciating wine and nature. It ends with him saying that others laugh at him for his crazy choices, but he laughs at their ignorance.

(4) Mid-Autumn: A lyrical verse with fantastical elements, this one written by Su Shi during the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279 AD). The verse is about the mid-autumn night, where the writer is alone and inviting the moon and his shadow to be his drinking companions. He dreams of a palace of immortals on the moon where its spectacular sights and otherworldly music and wishes for himself a beautiful mid-autumn.

(5) Your Excellency: Not an official title, just a courteous way of addressing a stranger.

(6) A prodigal returned: a common saying that goes ‘a prodigal returned is more precious than gold’. Basically a wastrel who mends his ways is worth commending.

A/N: Thank you very much for reading and for all the lovely gifts, reviews, comments, golden tickets, and power stones! <3 This sort-of-new character and his little painter lover have actually made a cameo before in vol 3 ((((: I wonder if anyone has guessed what his role in the novel is? Hint: He's in the summary XD

Mini-Theatre: Interview Panel

LY: Name?

Xie Qinzheng: My Excellency

LY: Your previous job title?

XQZ: Casanova

LY: What are your strengths?

XQZ: I’m well-endowed.

LY: What are your weaknesses?

XQZ: I’m too well-endowed.

LY: What makes you a good fit for the role?

XQZ: I’m not sure, I’ve only ever been told that I’m a tight fit in the hole.

LY: I see. What can you bring to this establishment?

XQZ: Sexy back, of course.

LY: You’re hired.

YZY: ………I knew we were desperate to hire but I didn’t realise we were THIS desperate.