In the summer of the 15th year of the reign of Duke Ding of Lu state (495 BC), Duke Ding died of illness. Confucius returned to Lu state from Wei state, wanting to attend his funeral. Lord Ji Huanzi refused to allow Confucius to attend the funeral and prevented him from entering Qufu. Confucius had to return to his hometown Zou county. Passing through a valley, he saw an orchid and sighed, "The orchid should have grown in the palace and sent out fragrance for the monarch. Now it grows alone in the valley and accompanied by wild grass." So Confucius stopped the carriage, composed the Yi Lan Cao melody and played it on the qin. The theme was about: Standing in the valley, I'm exposed to the wind and rain. When someone important to me dies, I could only bid farewell to him in this wilderness. I want to ask the heaven why I don't have a place to set my feet and have to wander all the time. People are fatuous and couldn't recognize a wise man. Time flies, and I'm afraid I don't have much time left!