by Tang Xianzu
“As I am not aware that I am a guest in my dream,
I cannot distinguish the rain from the cloud when I wake up.”
It turns out to be neither the rain nor the wind, but someone knocking at the door. It must be some diligent scholar to discuss learning with me or some old friend to ask me for an inscription. Oh! In a lady’s voice, it must be Bao Siniang.
(Opens the door and greets Yingtao)
May I ask where you are from and why you are here?
YINGTAO:
I am Bao Siniang’s daughter on an errand to report good news.
LI YI:
Hasn’t Huo Xiaoyu agreed to the marriage?
YINGTAO:
His fond dream will soon come true, but I’ll keep him in the dark for a while.
LI YI:
Isn’t she fond of me?
YINGTAO:
She is fond of you for several things, as my mother has words of praise for you.
(To the tune of Lanhuamei)
She says that
You have a round face like the lotus on the waters,
LI YI:
I have inherited this appearance from my parents.
YINGTAO:
She says that
You wear a black hat on your raven hair and a satin robe,
LI YI:
Love of beauty is my nature.
YINGTAO:
She also says that
You are from a noble family of high officials.
LI YI:
It’s not necessary to talk about my family. She only needs to say that I am fit for the marriage.
YINGTAO:
She also mentioned this.
She says that you have talent and prestige,
And therefore,
You’re entitled to invite a go-between to make the proposal.
LI YI:
Now that everything goes well, I only need to rent a big house for the wedding.
YINGTAO:
Wait! I shall hoax him a bit. She still has doubts about two things.
(To the previous tune)
She says that
A noble family like yours has many relations.
It is impossible that
There are no suitable girls to marry.
LI YI:
Are you asking me why I have not got a wife and am making a proposal in the capital? Does she suspect that she will be a concubine?
YINGTAO:
That’s true. She doubts
Why you arrange a marriage far away from home.
There is another thing. As Prince Huo went in pursuit of an immortal’s life, the mother and daughter are staying by themselves. She is afraid that you will only make a short stay here and discard her some day. She is afraid that
You are but a passing traveler.
Mr. Li, my mother suggests that you make the proposal and promise to settle down in the capital. When the wedlock is tied, you can take her back home sometime in the future. It’s up to you whether Huo Xiaoyu is the legitimate wife or the concubine, as long as
You obtain a high official rank and scholarly honor.
LI YI (Laughs):
It turns out that she makes such remarks!
(Aside)
I’ll take this chance to put on a show and scout out some details about Huo Xiaoyu’s appearance and family background.
(Turns round and asks)
Alas! According to what you said, the young princess is picky and choosey. What gifts and looks does she boast to match such a talent as me and to be my legitimate wife?
YINGTAO:
Mr. Li, it is no exaggeration that there are many excellent men in Longxi, but few girls of Huo Xiaoyu’s gifts and looks in the capital. Now listen to me,
(To the tune of Zuiluoge)
She is as delicate as the weeping willows
And as beautiful as the spring flowers.
This morning I saw her when she had just finished her make-up.
She removed the extra rouge with her tender fingers,
And fondled her drooping spring gown.
She wetted her lips with saliva
And spat on the velvet.
Even the lotus smiled at her stealthily,
And the azure clouds stole a look
At her petite and dainty feet.
As she is so charming
And so fragile,
Do you have the luck to marry her?
LI YI (Laughs):
I would approach her even if she is Chang’e in the moon, let alone a young princess in the human world. But I have another misgiving. I am used to a luxurious way of life. How can I quit homesickness if I am not satisfied with their plain life as Prince Huo is gone?
YINGTAO:
Speaking of Huo’s residence,
The tranquil courtyard is good for leisure,
With the bamboo curtains dyed dark green.
The musk incense coils in the warm bower,
With the smoking-oven sitting in the center.
Delicate food is bestowed by the heaven,
While dews drop from lichen onto the earth.
The lovely pet dog plays with the fireflies
While the idle cat sleep in the flower shrubs,
Enjoying her tasty food, bean-powder bath and golden ring,
Along the soft flower path
Permeated with the sweet scent
Of willows relaxing at dusk and lotuses blossoming at night.
LI YI:
If there is such a good residence, young miss, I must thank you for this match-making. I wish that someday you will be married to a man as excellent as I am. Now I have made up my mind to settle down all my life in the residence of Prince Huo.
YINGTAO:
How heartless you are to leave your wife behind at home!
LI YI:
I have talents and handsome looks, but I do not have a wife or a home. My parents deceased long ago, and my hometown suffered from wars. The flowers here are so beautiful that travelers forget to return home. As the Lantian jade is precious, the true beauty is hard to seek. She is my legitimate wife and we will respect each other all our lives. Now that I am determined about the marriage, what does she have to hesitate and doubt about? Listen to me!
(To the previous tune)
I am solitary and miserable,
Escaping from the flames of war.
Dozens of cities in the Longxi area have been seized by the Tubos, not to mention the terraces and ponds at my home.
After areas west of the Yellow River were cut off,
People fled helter-skelter in fright.
Where is my hometown at present?
Floods of tears are shed in the west wind.
The capital city is in peace and serenity,
A harmonious picture in early spring.
I try hard to cheer up by the flowers.
As a homeward journey is impossible,
I can only long for it in the music.
YINGTAO:
Mr. Li, it will be a happy marriage since you’ve never married and will settle down in the capital city.
(To the previous tune)
Surely, surely, all the matters are settled;
Happily, happily, you’ll become a couple.
Mr. Li, the young princess is famous for her gifts and looks in the capital city. Numerous young men from noble families seek her hand. Whatever treasure you have, just give me and my mother will bring it to Huo’s residence. By so doing, the marriage is settled.
Trade a fortune as you may for the spring night,
Which you will enjoy to your heart’s content.
The zither stand and the writing-brush rack
Will be left unattended.
Sharing the same pillow with your love,
You will enjoy the warm spring night,
Holding her legs up close and tight.
Three days after the wedding,
In the early morning,
You’ll thank your matchmaker with ten rolls of r
ed silk gauze.
LI YI:
As a traveler, I cannot get the betrothal gifts fully prepared. But I do have two treasures which are passed down from my parents. They have always been with me through weal and woe in my life. The princess is undoubtedly worthy of the priceless beauty of the treasures. Qing’er, fetch from my gold carved trunk the copper mirror with nine golden dragons and the jade swallow-shaped hairpins inlaid with three pearls.
(Enter Qing’er with the two treasures)
LI YI:
Thank you for bringing them to Huo’s residence for the young princess’s adornment! I cannot present them in person without taking a scented bath. And I will call on you someday to requite your kindness. The mirror was forged in the middle of the Yangtze River, while the pair of jade swallow-shaped hairpins were patterned after the Terrace of Song’e. Madam and the young princess will surely set high value on them when they see them.
(To the tune of Dong’ouling)
The jade swallows
Inlaid with pearls
Will reflect in the mirror with the flowers and the curled dragons.
It is difficult for me to offer more than these as I am traveling away from my home. Otherwise, for the worth of the princess,
A million ounces of gold is needed to buy her eyebrows,
But can her love be bought at this price?
I wonder whether the young princess has me in her heart. As long as we are of one heart, what is the use of money?
If she has me in her heart,
She will have a safe lock to secure her love.
YINGTAO:
The marriage is settled. Speaking of her heart,
(To the previous tune)
It is dear
And kind,
Not cold, or deep, or broad.
LI YI:
Hurry, hurry! I will soon go to her residence!
YINGTAO:
The scholars are too much in a haste, but people in Huo’s residence are like tempering pills of immortality: it must be slow and steady.
It is like dragon and tiger gnawing at each other,
By bits and bites.
LI YI:
I do not mean in that haste. I say that I will visit her in her residence tomorrow or the day after tomorrow.
YINGTAO:
I see. I will wait on you when you visit her because Bao Siniang does not always stay there.
LI YI:
Please allow me to express my thanks to you in advance!
YINGTAO:
Mr. Li, I dare not ask for your thanks. I only hope that you will not scold me for my blunders in serving you. At that time, please do not
Keep all the pleasures to yourself
Without anyone else in your mind.
(To the tune of Coda)
As the couple is a perfect match,
Why should you turn to the spring wind for help?
Mr. Li,
You’ll need some silk fabric when you make love.
LI YI:
Please send my regards to her!
The maid goes on an errand with a scheme,
At the behest of the mistress to test the man.
Where is he to roam in tonight’s dream?
He’ll fly and flirt as freely as he can.
Scene Twelve
Carrying the Locket
(Enter Yingtao, carrying a locket)
YINGTAO (To the tune of Liuyaoling):
Amidst the fragrant flowers,
The beauty is ill at ease
With her knitted eyebrows ridden with sorrow.
In the tree of red plums,
Purple orioles are singing
In a voice so heart-breaking,
In a voice so heart-breaking.
There are always admiring glances at me wherever I go. As I wait upon the young princess all day, I have no chance for frolics. Now I am walking on the imperial road lined with delicate plum flowers and orioles. I’d like to grasp this moment of leisure to play for a while. What about putting the locket in the grass and climbing onto the tree to pick some flowers and tease the birds?
(Climbs the tree and teases the birds)
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the previous tune):
In this prosperous city,
Many talents are fit for the Red Mansion,
Where the beauty has come of age in the flowery garden.
Walking on the verdant road
In the fragrant breeze,
I see something glittering in the grass,
I see something glittering in the grass.
Oh! What is it that glows in the grass? Who has left the dressing-case here?
(Opens the locket and looks)
There is a copper mirror and a pair of jade hairpins in it. Where are they from? There are characters inscribed on the back of the mirror saying, “Prime Minister Li of Longxi, the fifth day of the fifth month in the fifth year of the Tianbao reign. Forged in the middle of the Yangtze River.” There are four characters on the hairpins, “Lady of the Didao County.” Well! Who is that Prime Minister Li? I will ask Li Yi as I am about to pass on a word to him about his marriage. I think he must know about them.
(Walks)
“With the Lantian spirit embodied in the jade,
Golden lights are emitted from grass.
Without asking anyone else,
I know that they must be betrothal gifts.”
YINGTAO (Sees Bao Siniang and shouts from the tree):
Why are you stealing my locket, Bao Siniang?
BAO SINIANG:
Oh, you are Zheng Yingtao from Huo’s residence. Why are you sitting on the plum tree?
YINGTAO:
I’m waiting to make a match.
BAO SINIANG:
Quit your nonsense! Come down and I have something to ask you!
(Yingtao walks around the plum tree)
BAO SINIANG:
What are you doing here?
YINGTAO:
This is called match-making around the plum tree.
BAO SINIANG:
Nonsense! Tell me why Zheng Liuniang lets you out?
YINGTAO (To the tune of Bubujiao):
The old mistress
Hears that Mr. Li is of remarkable looks and talents,
And tells me to pay him a visit.
She has two misgivings. One is that
He has a wife in Longxi;
The other is that
He will return home with Xiaoyu after marriage.
Therefore,
I am disguised as your daughter
To inquire about the details.
BAO SINIANG:
Zheng Liuniang is really sophisticated. I have not visited him for that. Then what is his reply?
YINGTAO (To the previous tune):
He said that
He has never been engaged with anyone,
Though he is eager for a spouse.
BAO SINIANG:
So he is not married yet.
YINGTAO:
Like lovebirds sleeping on entwined branches,
He will live with the mother and the daughter.
BAO SINIANG:
So he will settle down in the capital city. What did he ask you?
YINGTAO:
He asked me how the young princess thinks.
BAO SINIANG:
What did you say?
YINGTAO:
I said I was not the one to ask about her thoughts.
My thin underwear
Gets a little wet when I come.
BAO SINIANG:
Nonsense! Are the jade hairpins and the copper mirror in the locket from Li Yi?
YINGTAO:
Yes.
(To the previous tune)
Inherited from his parents,
These are genuine treasures.
BAO SINIANG:
Why did he give them to you?
YINGTAO:
He said that since I was your daughter, I could bring them to you so that you
can forward them to the Huos as the betrothal gifts.
Open the golden locket to take out the betrothal gifts.
With such a young man, Madam and the young princess
Must be satisfied from the bottom of their hearts.
But the young princess tends to put on airs, so it’s not suitable for me to tease her as a maidservant. You’d better go back with me, open the locket and then persuade her to put on the hairpins and look into the mirror. You can make fun of her for a while.
After she puts on the hairpins and looks into the mirror,
You can ask her whether she likes them or not.
BAO SINIANG:
Then why were you sitting on the tree?
YINGTAO (To the previous tune):
I was driving away the oriole
Because it was eating the plums.
Siniang, you’ve made the match for the princess. As I have grown up too, you’ll also find a man like Shilang to match me.
BAO SINIANG:
Pooh! Where can I find such a man?
YINGTAO:
Well, forget about it! Today when I was in Shilang’s studio, I saw his boy-servant Qing’er, who is lovable with comely looks. When Shilang comes tomorrow, please do me a favor by having him grant Qing’er to me!
The young Qing’er is a lovable lad.
BAO SINIANG:
Qing’er is only about fourteen. What can he do for you? Do you really take a fancy on him?
YINGTAO:
If he cannot do much for me now, he will grow up sooner or later.
He is a man in spite of his young age.
Siniang, please make the match for me as soon as possible! If I do not find a man, my good looks will make the young princess jealous when Shilang comes to live with us. If I am married to Qing’er,
I do not have to sneak around at midnight
Like an egret looking for fish.
BAO SINIANG:
If you ask for your man, Huansha will also ask for one.
YINGTAO:
She can be matched to Wu’er, Shilang’s kitchen boy.
BAO SINIANG:
You just leave the ugly one to others! Now stop wagging your tongue and go home with me!
BAO SINIANG, YINGTAO (To the tune of Lülüjin):
When flowers are in full bloom
And little orioles sing,
Red flower-petals scatter
Into the spring pond.
When a woman worries about the loss of beauty,
She will have to look back into the past at leisure.
When she is in lovesickness,
She will look at her boudoir with knitted eyebrows.
YINGTAO:
Siniang, our residence is in sight. The young princess is sitting alone in the Red Mansion, waiting for my reply. When you arrive at the residence, sit in the pavilion holding the locket! I will go and report to the princess, and then she will let you in.
