Love You for the Rest of My Life

Chapter 1277: Letting Myself Go

"You see those literary giants of ancient times, their poetry exudes such beautiful artistic conception—either filled with lofty aspirations or simple and truthful depictions. Reading such verses, you feel as if something constrained deep inside is being released, like Li Bai’s unruly freedom or Tang Yin’s carefree abandon.

Husband suggests that if you really want to excel in dance, you must let yourself go. First, you should study the ancient poetry of scholars, seeking in their words that unrestrained sentiment. The second is music; when listening to a piece of music that can make you lose yourself and dance without reason, you will understand.

When you stop fussing over deliberate choreography, that’s essentially when you’ll grasp it."

What Nangong Jin said surprised Di Jinxuan, yet it seemed to make a lot of sense—she couldn’t help but ask curiously, "Dancing requires the study of ancient poetry and music?"

"Of course." Nangong Jin nodded earnestly, patiently explaining, "Whether it’s music or songs—and songs include lyrics—ancient poetry can be set to music; within it all lies the essence. The most important essence is to pour out feelings; to put it plainly, it’s about emotion. Many musical pieces and lyrics come from a moment of spontaneous inspiration.

Such bursts of inspiration often coincide with the most uninhibited release of one’s inner being. You must feel it, experience it, capture it. Once you grasp and comprehend it, only then you can perform it beautifully."

Nangong Jin paused, then smilingly pulled her into his embrace and said, "You see, the so-called masters are not as narrow-minded as people think. They not only shine in their own fields but also delve into many others. Take these ancient poets for instance, they were not only great at writing poetry.

They were also versed in music and painting, and frighteningly, they had insights into politics; they drank and visited courtesans. Courtesans of the past were different from today—they were selling art, not their bodies, taking money to accompany guests with music and poetry. Of course, the purpose of seeking pleasure was ultimately one thing: to release one’s true emotions."

After finishing, Nangong Jin looked at Di Jinxuan, feeling that he might have been a bit too abstract, so he asked her, "Do you understand? Did husband speak too obscurely?"

"I do find it a bit hard to comprehend." Di Jinxuan nodded, but after thinking, she added, "Is this something that can only be understood through feeling rather than words? Does letting oneself go imply smoking and drinking, wild behavior, even drug use? I remember quite a few so-called artists do those things, claiming to seek inspiration—is that so?"

"Yes." Nangong Jin unhesitatingly nodded in agreement, "It’s undeniable that experiences born from unbridled behavior can lead to a deeper insight into the human condition, which may provoke an inspired creation, possibly one that astounds the world.

But that’s the lower kind of indulgence. High-end indulgence is not about indulging your flesh but your heart. There are many ways to let yourself go, like playing music, traveling, appreciating literature, opening your heart to love, making friends from different cultural and age backgrounds, experiencing the diverse tapestry of life. This too is a form of self-indulgence, an indulgence of the spirit.

After all that’s been said, in the plainest language, it’s about freeing oneself."