Thus the style of Xin Qiji’s ci poems is like playing music in the wilderness by Dongting Lake, having neither prelude nor finale, and being not confined by conventions. Such ci poems are just like spring clouds which boil up, elongate, build up, or dissipate. Xin Qiji’s style changes freely into all kinds of forms in a magnificent way. There can be no other reason for this than that Xin Qiji had no intention to write ci poems according to their style. He gave vent to anger building inside him, which found full expression in his ci poems. (Fan Kai: Foreword to Collection of Xin Qiji’s Ci Poems)

Overturning all the poetic rules, Su Shi’s ci poems are magnificent, free, like poetry and essays, and they are like wonders of heaven and earth. How could he allow himself to mechanically follow requirements of rhyme and rhythm in his works just like anybody else? But he did not go so far as to invoke Confucian classics and historical events in his ci poems, nor did he reject the hymns and eulogies of the court in favor of vulgarity. Before Xin Qiji, if these words were used in ci poems, readers would cover their mouths with laughter. Xin Qiji’s ci poems are brilliant and inspirational, no matter what their styles are. They are just like a sharp Chan Buddhist admonition as they contain many powerful messages. (Liu Chenweng: Foreword to Collection of Xin Qiji’s Ci Poems)