Peach and plum in spring wind—her son's career complete;
In the end, who compares to a pot of orchids?
Pure as ice and water, envied all in vain;
All for naught—she became others' idle gossip.
English titles, text, and notes are AI-assisted for reading only; for scholarship cite the Chinese and authoritative editions.
Annotation
This verdict concerns Li Wan. 'Peach and plum bear fruit' contains a pun: '完' sounds like '纨' (Wan). It indicates Li Wan's widowed devotion to raising her son Jia Lan to success. 'A pot of orchids' refers to Jia Lan. Yet despite her sacrifices, she never truly enjoyed the rewards, becoming merely a subject of gossip.
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