April Sojourn: Dreaming in the Minnan Gardens of Three Lanes and Seven Alleys

April in Fuzhou hides among the flying eaves and blue tiles of Three Lanes and Seven Alleys. As footsteps echo on stone paths, The vermilion gates of Sanbao Residence open to welcome you, "A guest of Seven Alleys and Three Lanes, with a thousand years of misty sentiment" The passage of time from ancient verses Transforms into copper bells hanging from the eaves of the residence, Chiming melodiously with the spring breeze. · Sunlight filters through intricately carved windows, Winding corridors conceal the ingenuity of "winding paths leading to secluded places," Rooms overlook courtyards where koi fish swim alongside brick carvings, Even the air you breathe carries hints of antiquity. Tea sets adorn the desks in guest rooms, Beside them, customized origins of your last name and handwritten letters, The fragrance of agarwood flows through your pillows and mats, As if the elegant chambers described in "Treatise on Superfluous Things" have come to life! · Awakened by birdsong in the morning, Push open the courtyard door to welcome the fresh air. At dusk, lean against the railings and watch as lanterns light up one by one, Casting silhouettes of horse-head walls onto pink walls, Like the negative space in Song dynasty paintings. Stay here for a few days, And you'll understand the ancient saying: "Days are short and nights too long, why not hold a candle and wander?" It turns out that a thousand years of time Is preserved in every brick and wood, every cup of tea and dream of this residence.