The season responds to cold ashes below,
Spring is born in the returning light's glow.
Unable to melt the accumulated snow,
Already the swirling winds begin to slow.
Welcoming the vital breath, state rituals weigh,
With pure fast, the emperor's thoughts hold sway.
Dragon steeds north of the Purple Palace stand,
Heaven presses east on the green altar's land.
Immortal banners wave with splendid hue,
Glorious light answers the sage thought true.
Then from the seat of awe, we rise in state,
And follow into the great Luo Palace gate.
First reaching the abyss with jade floors deep,
Stealthily through tortoiseshell lattices creep.
Palace ladies face their mirrors, morning late;
Taiye Pond's morning ice begins to abate.
Stirring, plucking fragrant feelings far and near,
Searching for beauty's end, persistent and clear.
The Nine Heavens all seem within our hold,
Yet myriad folk remain anxious and cold.
Day water-clock's arrow frequently cast,
Night's halo like a half-drawn bow at last.
Driven to make the three halls' presence known,
Begging to share with all tribes as our own.
Straight from the Fanghu Isle our gaze extends,
Obliquely overlooking the desert where the wild frontier ends.
Southward tour warms the pearl-tree's sight,
Westward turn adorns Kongtong's height.
Crossing ridges, plum blossoms sweetly fall,
Hidden springs' veins swell in a silent call.
Endlessly, frontier grasses spread their gown,
Gradually, river maples don their crown.
Silkworm tasks urge maids with baskets to go,
Weeding hastens old men with hoes in row.
Steam rises, yet earth struggles to awake,
Still sending lazy wild geese homeward, break.
Roughly encircling the realm's domain,
Earnestly adorning Hao and Feng with gain.
Mount Hua's dark green peaks surge in view,
Wei River's blue sands lie veiled in hue.
Night dew clears lingering mist away,
Sunlit smoke fills distant skies with gray.
Swallow nests just begin to dot the scene,
Oriole songs, most keen and crisp, convene.
Powder-white pears in the garden fair,
Rouge-red peach paths bloom without a care.
Tulips hang on tender willow's thread,
Painted screens in high cages are spread.
Earth's armor, gates and thresholds grand,
Heaven opens, forbidden courts expand.
Tiered stages dance with phoenix flight,
Gallery paths frame rainbows bright.
Ferment guides transformation's art,
Phoenix officials serve with loyal heart.
Feast bells chime, gifts are shared all round,
Chariots, robes reward merit found.
Talented men rejoice in timely use,
Common folk celebrate abundant truce.
Singing towers gleam with dazzling dress,
Farm fields wear lush green in excess.
Noble princesses proud in their display,
Wealthy houses rely on power's sway.
Favored with polo's winning prize,
Frequent gains from minted coins arise.
Arbitrary kills capture Yang Ruo's fate,
Special pardon for Deng Tong, a debate.
Granddaughters newly within the palace stay,
Infants recently granted lordship's way.
Roaming, reveling, care for pleasure's call,
Facing books and poems, deaf to all.
Banquets spread with rare flavors wide,
Music rejects the mediocre tide.
Wine loves the shallow oiled coat's sheen,
Cups boast of agate's warming glean.
Hair adorned with jade hairpins' lift,
Embroidery in treasure settings drift.
Opening lips reveals pearly rows,
Plucking strings moves slender fingers like blows.
Drunken rounds, twin dimples charm,
Wave-like eyes with bright overflow disarm.
But enjoying joy without an end,
Who knows that hatred too will extend?
Bridal chamber lies quiet, deep and fair,
Courtyard alone in verdant, lush air.
Xie's steps entwined with remnant willow down,
Ban's window nets the dawn insect's crown.
Gazing wife turns body into stone,
For her lord, hair like thistle blown.
Considering me, a scholar sunk in gloom,
Riding his old, ailing horse to doom.
Quiet streets ride on emptiness vast,
First sunlight meets the hazy overcast.
Drinking ruined, lungs ever dry,
Soul startled, ears grow more sharp and spry.
Vainly meeting fine, sunny blaze,
Yet how to bear the bitter, dazed maze?
Striving still, I shift my pace,
Hesitating, then self-reflect with grace.
Lazily with weary, haggard frame,
Aimlessly walk, tired servant with no aim.
Season's end approaches twilight's sigh,
Fine moments sit, lamenting poverty nigh.
Jin mourns Jie Zitui burned in fire,
Lu wishes for Yi's bathing child's desire.
Drill changes to bright, blazing spark,
Shade thickens, paulownia's gloom leaves its mark.
Auspicious clouds hang heavy, low and deep,
Fragrant rain moistens, gentle and steep.
Herbs watered, divided by plot's count,
Hedges planted for the young to surmount.
Planting sedge,怜 tender leaves appear,
Protecting shoots, hope they form tubes sincere.
Dreams often turn to butterflies in flight,
For hunting, surely by the bear I sit tight.
Floating, sinking follow ruined chaff,
Flourishing, fading entrust to heaven's staff.
Shaken by wind, a thousand changes brew,
Clear and mild, a crane soars through.
Urging companions to pluck fragrant spray,
You must know the buds not yet in array.