The couplet reading “Red litchis and yellow plums are enough for consumption every year. When you think of the ancestor, you will have to look at the high mountains and long rivers.”

The couplet reading “Red litchis and yellow plums are enough for consumption every year. When you think of the ancestor, you will have to look at the high mountains and long rivers.”

The couplet is hung on the lower gate of the east of Guanyin Hall, with upper inscription reading “Early the 5th lunar month of Wu-Zi Year of Daoguang Period” and lower one reading “Kneel and written by Sun Guangdou, the 21st generation descendant”, and a seal. The black cursive script in a yellow background on the couplet shows certain calligraphic skills and a style following the school of Wang Xizhi and Wang Xianzhi. Though the handwriting is natural and smooth, it is still a peripheral work due to its deep influence by Dong Qichang and secretariat style. The couplet suggests that the author is not after a luxury life and would live with only litchis and plums. However, he has a great aspiration and wished to be someone like his ancestor (namely Yuyan), who’s like the high mountains and long rivers.