persicary

Updated: June 26, 2025

But, reader, you have heard how that these four characters "the persicary beach and the flower-laden bank," the motto "a phoenix comes with dignified air," and the rest owe one and all their origin to the unexpected test to which Chia Cheng submitted, on a previous occasion, Pao-yue's literary abilities; but how did it come about that they were actually adopted?

Xueqin Cao - Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I

They entered a landing with a stone curb; and on this landing was erected a flat lantern upon which were plainly visible the four characters the "Persicary beach and flower-laden bank."

Xueqin Cao - Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I

"The two words 'flower-laden bank," she said, "are really felicitous, so what use was there for 'persicary beach?" When the eunuch in waiting heard this observation, he promptly jumped off the craft on to the bank, and at a flying pace hurried to communicate it to Chia Cheng, and Chia Cheng instantly effected the necessary alteration.

Xueqin Cao - Hung Lou Meng, or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel, Book I