2. "Ailian said"
Author Zhou Dunyi, Song Dynasty
The flowers of land and water plants are very fragrant. Tao Jinyuan clearly loves chrysanthemums. Since Li Tang came, people all over the world have loved peonies. Love lotus alone, dirt-free, clear but not demon. Straight outside, not crawling, fragrant and clear. It is slim and elegant, so you can look at it from a distance without looking ridiculous.
Want to call chrysanthemum, the hermit of flowers; Peony, blooming with wealth; Lotus, the gentleman of flowers. Hey! The love between chrysanthemums and flowers is rarely heard after Tao. Who gave the lotus love? Peony love is suitable for all ages!
3. There are many kinds of herbs and woody flowers on water and land, which are worth loving. Tao Yuanming of Jin Dynasty only loved chrysanthemums. Since Li in Tang Dynasty, most people in the world like peony. I only love that the lotus grows from the accumulated silt and is not polluted, but it doesn't look enchanting after being washed with clear water. (Its stem) goes straight through the middle, without vines and branches. The fragrance is more fragrant and stands clean in the water. People can look at (lotus) from a distance, but they can't play with it easily. I think chrysanthemum is a hermit in flowers; Peony is a rich person in flowers; Lotus is a gentleman among flowers. Alas! The love for chrysanthemums was rarely heard by Tao Yuanming after that. Who else loves lotus flowers as much as I do? Of course, there are many people who love peony!