The last sentence is better. Lotus is hidden between lotus leaves. When the blooming lotus dances with the wind, it seems to be secretly smiling. This is the first meaning of "laughing lotus in secret". Although "lotus" and "pity" are homophonic, this poem has the argot of loving each other.
Li Shangyin often uses "jade" to deal with "hibiscus". Here he sees another way: use "cardamom" to deal with "hibiscus".