by Tang Xianzu
A cluster of flowers sway
In the sweet-smelling rain.
The zigzag railings stretch like a ribbon,
Encircling the the joyous flowers.
Gathering into crowds and floating slowly,
What do the morning clouds have in mind?”
Bao Siniang’s daughter took my betrothal gifts to Huo’s residence yesterday. Now that the sun is shining over the flower-beds, I suppose the reply must be coming. For the moment, I’d like to imagine what to do as a bridegroom. It is true indeed,
“As I am longing to cherish the love of a beauty,
There is no need for her to long for me.”
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Jinlongcong):
The young phoenix twitters on the tree branch,
Dripping tears of woe on the smooth grass.
Dressed in silk coats of bright designs,
The beauty leans against the curtains to steal a peep.
I am Bao Siniang. I have rejected playing the lute or flute with my companions, but am still good at going around the houses. Last night Lady Zheng gave me the wedding card to invite her future son-in-law. I got drunk last night and woke up late this morning. So I did not come out until noontime.
(Calls)
LI YI:
Oh, it’s Bao Siniang! What brings you here in person? I gave your daughter the precious mirror and the pearl-decorated hairpins for her to bring to Huo’s residence. How is the matter going on?
BAO SINIANG:
It’s settled. Here is the wedding card from the old mistress.
LI YI (Reads the card):
(To the tune of Yifengshu)
This is from Zheng, yours respectfully,
To Mr. Li Junyu.
Huo Xiaoyu, daughter of Prince Huo,
Is not outstanding in wit or beauty.
You are misled into believing that she makes a good wife
And offer the betrothal gifts of the mirror and the hairpins.
As the auspicious date has been fixed,
We shall wait for your arrival
To attend the wedding ceremony.
LI YI (Laughs):
The blissful event is just around the corner! Tomorrow is an auspicious day. Siniang, I’m too happy now, but I don’t know how the princess thinks about it. And I’d like you to tell me more about her.
BAO SINIANG (Laughs):
She is no less preoccupied with the blissful event.
(To the tune of Xiaoshunge)
She got up languidly
With a drowsy countenance,
Negligent of the birdsongs and floral fragrance after rain.
She is not concerned about anything else.
She has neither interest in playing the dice game
Nor in the mood of cleaning with the bristle duster.
LI YI:
Is she shamming?
BAO SINIANG:
No, it is her natural disposition.
During her daily smile and chat
In the casual manner,
She often appears like this.
Shilang, with such a nice girl as your partner,
She will be a good companion
With special attraction.
Shilang, please arrive early tomorrow, as she is expecting you eagerly!
With her smooth skin in the new bedding,
She is ready for you to enter.
LI YI:
What should I wear tomorrow?
BAO SINIANG:
Your scholar’s robe will do.
LI YI:
How many servants should I bring along with me?
BAO SINIANG:
Of course you will not walk there. You must borrow from Hua Qing a horse as well as some young attendants.
LI YI:
I see.
(To the previous tune)
With the wedding date fixed
And the wedding card granted,
I’ll borrow a noble steed with an embroidered saddle.
From numerous men I am chosen
To match this delicate beauty.
Siniang, please tell them to start meals after one or two cups of wine tomorrow evening as I’m not good at drinking!
After drinking the mellow wine
And eating the savory rice,
I’ll enter the bridal chamber.
Against the comfortable bed,
I shall enjoy the jade of a beauty to the full.
Tonight I’ll stay in the hostel, but tomorrow night,
Like a butterfly enticed by the flowers and a bird hidden in the willows,
I shall experience all the warmth and fragrance.
BAO SINIANG:
After I leave, you shall visit Hua Qing and ask him whether he still remembers me.
(Sighs)
LI YI:
I’m sorry that I won’t dine and wine with you today. But I won’t forget to express my thanks tomorrow in Huo’s residence.
(To the tune of Coda)
Tomorrow I’ll ride a magnificent wagon like Sima Xiangru,
But my wife will not serve the wine like Zhuo Wenjun.
BAO SINIANG:
When you see Hua Qing, don’t tell him that I’ve come to visit you in the hostel! Just tell him that
I am chanting “Picking the Sweet Herbs” alone up the hill.
(Exit Bao Siniang)
LI YI:
Qing’er, follow me to borrow a horse from Master Hua Qing for my wedding!
QING’ER:
As you’ll be a donkey after marriage, you might as well borrow a donkey.
LI YI:
Shut up and make haste!
(Walks)
(To the tune of Yueyungao)
The poets chant of the spring,
About the “eastern neighbor” and the “southern road”.
The green poplar trees bend with luxuriant leaves
While the plum flowers turn from pink to white.
When the willows become glossy in the warm spring,
The rippled pond water displays double colors.
This explains why the amorous beauty
Tosses and turns in the arms of her man.
When the embroidered curtain is pushed aside
She points to the floating silver clouds in smiles.
Qing’er, Master Hua Qing’s residence is around the corner. You go and tell the gatekeeper that Mr. Li Yi has come for a visit!
(Qing’er calls)
(Enter the gatekeeper)
GATEKEEPER:
At present I am a new soldier in the Xiliu Camp;
In the past I was a drunkard in the city of Xianyang.
Who is making such a noise at the gate?
QING’ER:
Mr. Li from Longxi area is waiting at the gate.
GATEKEEPER:
Wait for me to report!
(Enter Hua Qing)
HUA QING (To the tune of Jinlongcong):
Wearing satin robes at home,
I am in command of the army at the frontier.
When the yellow-robe dandy rides a spotted horse,
Where does the flute music come from?
Oh, it’s Li Yi.
(Bows)
LI YI:
“Leaves has just begun to sprout in the Xiliu Camp,
HUA QING:
When the horse is trained by the flowers in the sun.
LI YI:
I’ll spare no money to borrow a good steed.
HUA QING:
And I know what you have on your mind.”
(Li Yi and Hua Qing sit down)
LI YI:
Why did you say that you know what is on my mind?
HUA QING (Laughs):
I told my maidservant to visit Bao Siniang, who said that she had been away for a visit to Shilang in the hostel. So there is no distance between our hearts.
LI YI:
You know, she has done a lot for me recently.
HUA QING:
&nb
sp; What is it?
LI YI:
I’ve asked Siniang to make a match between Prince Huo’s daughter and me.
HUA QING:
When I was attending the court the other day, I read Prince Huo’s memorial to the emperor about his pursuit for an immortal’s life and the abandonment of his fief. It says that a poem by a talent inspires him for immortal cultivation, and that he leaves home for a life in the mountains before his daughter is married. I suppose that the talent refers to you, but I did not expect that his daughter would become your wife. Since the father is on immortal cultivation, both the daughter and you are fairies too. That is really a big event. I’ve been on the night patrol with the court guards until General Shesheng takes my turn today. I am about to visit you with some wine when you come for a vist. I am sorry for being late to greet you. Attendants, serve the wine!
(Enter the attendants with wine)
ATTENDANTS:
“Good steeds enjoy a good fame far and wide
While metal kettles are filled with mellow wine.”
Master, here is the wine!
HUA QING (Makes a toast):
(To the tune of Yifengshu)
When spring permeates the camp,
I take kinostemon ornatum flowers to ease drunkenness.
The birdsongs are sweet and weak,
Just as the courtesan Niannu sings to the lute accompaniment.
Sweet wine in the jade cup stains the satin garment.
Oh, as to Bao Siniang,
Is her hair as thick and beautiful as before?
LI YI:
She is also lovesick for you.
HUA QING:
If she were here today, I would be coaxed into drinking more.
An expert of the jade flute
And the bamboo pipe,
She can drink a hundred kettles if necessary.
LI YI:
Please quit drinking for the moment! I want to ask you for a favor. Please listen to me!
(To the tune of Xiaoshunge)
I would marry the Frost Star of a beauty
Like the legendary Cowboy Star,
Coming into her embrace in the morning glow.
They’ve asked me to be the bridegroom tomorrow.
With her red shoes lit up by the candles,
I will stay in the bridal room.
HUA QING:
Is everything ready for the wedding?
LI YI:
They are a rich and powerful prince family, while I have few horses and attendants in the hostel.
I’d like to borrow a noble steed from you.
HUA QING:
So you need a horse?
LI YI:
Yes.
I also need some attendants
To follow me to the wedding house.
HUA QING:
I have a lot of handsome servants. I’m afraid you also need some money. I’ll offer as much as you need.
LI YI:
There’s no need for that.
To be carefree,
I try to take it easy.
I’m leaving now.
I am taking leave rather than staying for dinner,
But I respect the general for his generosity and thoughtfulness.
HUA QING:
Attendants, choose a good steed and some capable servants to escort Mr. Li to Huo’s residence tomorrow!
(Two attendants respond)
HUA QING:
I’ve long been thinking of finding a nice girl to be your spouse, but now,
(To the previous tune)
You excel in the imperial exam
And chance on a remarkable wife.
For such a blessing we should drink some wine
By the oilcloth wine sack and the flower-covered oven.
Shilang, what a coincidence it is that your matchmaker is my concubine and your wedding escort is my noble steed! This horse,
With its bristles resembling the purple velvet
And its saddle lined with gold,
The horse gallops like a piece of flying red jade!
When such a horse bears a young talent to the noble house,
Your extraordinary elegance
Perfectly fits the remarkable family.
Shilang, you can keep the clever servants from my house at your disposal.
LI YI:
They have enough servants.
HUA QING:
Why not have some more?
Even my vegetable gardener
Needs some heralds when he goes out.
Shilang, I won’t urge you to stay.
The colt equipped with the gilded saddle and the satin canopy
Will carry you to your fairy beauty in the blooming spring.
(To the tune of Coda)
Tonight the fireflies will shed silver sparkles
Illuminating the fructus corni seed pillows.
The day after tomorrow, I will come to Huo’s residence to offer congratulations together with Shi Xiong and Shang Zipi. At that time,
Your face will blush like the spring flower or the brimming wine.
Her willow-leaf brows and her peach-blossom face
Will belong to the man after the wedding feast.
Tonight the beauty shines alone as the moon,
But tomorrow guests will swarm in from the east.
Scene Fifteen
The Wedding
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu, followed by Yingtao)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Queqiaoxian):
The quilts are embroidered with lovebirds,
The screens are painted with phoenixes,
And the dressing locket is opened at dawn.
Smoke coils from the candle on silver stands,
Illuminating my shy face.
(In the pattern of Haoshijin)
“When the gauze curtain is rolled up at dawn,
I get up with my skirt drooping.
YINGTAO:
You are quite different in the usual days
When you sleep until the sun shines high above.
HUO XIAOYU:
Flowers are hastened by the spring breeze,
Which prevents me from sleeping deep.
YINGTAO:
You have a man in your mind
As well as in your heart.”
HUO XIAOYU:
How can I sleep well with such an important event for me in my mind?
YINGTAO:
I wonder when Mr. Li will come.
HUO XIAOYU:
He has no one to wait on him in the hostel.
YINGTAO:
I’m afraid he will take it ill as I sat poking fun with him face to face.
HUO XIAOYU:
He won’t be particular about that as he is a man of honor. Bao Siniang said she would come early, but she has not arrived yet. You go to the hall and wait for her over there!
YINGTAO:
You have too many things to consider!
(Enter Bao Siniang)
BAO SINIANG (To the tune of Lameihua):
In the flourishing spring with flowers and trees,
The curtain is rolled up in fragrance and verdancy.
With a wed-lock across a thousand miles,
The beauty in her natural raven hair
Will be married in the magnificent mansion today.
YINGTAO:
So you’ve arrived, Siniang. My young princess got up very early this morning to dress up and have breakfast so that no congratulatory poem is needed to hasten the bride. Make haste and go upstairs! Has the bridegroom come with you?
BAO SINIANG:
It’s still early.
(Goes upstairs and greets Huo Xiaoyu)
You should have a good sleep, my young princess, as you will have no sleep tonight. I’ve never come upstairs, so let’s have a look into the distance from here as Li Yi has not arrived yet!
(Looks)
My young princess, look to the east at the row of government offices around the palace. There are military camps along th
e city wall, among which the residence of the Cavalry General Hua is located. There is a tall building called the residence of the military governor near the Shangguan Lane in the west, where my Guo Xiaohou lives.
HUO XIAOYU:
Siniang, you know quite a lot.
BAO SINIANG:
I can’t conceal that from you. I also know another place in the north, which is neither big nor small. The wall is white and the gate opens wide, facing the Zhangtai Street. Behind the red curtain there is a remarkable man whom I know.
HUO XIAOYU:
Your eyes can wander.
BAO SINIANG:
But your eyes should not wander astray. Wait to see the man come out from there!
HUO XIAOYU (Looks):
Alas! Siniang, there is really an official on horseback coming out from there.
BAO SINIANG:
Where is he going?
HUO XIAOYU:
Oh! He is coming southward.
(Li Yi rides on a horse, followed by three attendants)
LI YI (To the tune of Sudijindang):
Intoxicated by the spring flowers, I hold a whip in my sleeve,
Riding along the lush foliage by the river.
Wearing a jade pendant from Lantian,
I look from afar at my bride’s house in the mist.
(Exit)
HUO XIAOYU (Pleasantly surprised):
Siniang, look at the man riding along the river! He is as alluring as the willows, like the scholar Zhang Xu in his youth! How freely he is whirling his whip backwards, with the horsemanship of Wang Zhan in the past! How lovely he is!
(To the tune of Zhaojiao’er)
Who is that handsome man by the river?
He is riding a horse like dancing peach blossoms.
He seems to sit on the clouds, soaring to the sky,
With glamour and grandeur along the way.
BAO SINIANG:
My young princess, when you look at the man on horseback, you are brimming with joy, but when I look at him, I am sighing with remorse.
HUO XIAOYU:
Why?
BAO SINIANG:
That is the very horse which General Hua took a fancy to when Guo Xiaohou rode on it to visit him.
HUO XIAOYU:
Siniang, a good horse can be compared to a noble man. Is it the horse that was exchanged for you?
BAO SINIANG:
I won’t conceal it from you.
Against the dancing shadows and the ringing music,
I long for my former master at the sight of the bridegroom
In deep melancholy,
While still missing the former lover
And feeling sad before the flower.
My young princess, I’m predestined to contribute to a happy marriage. Do you know who the handsome young man is on horseback? It is Li Yi!
HUO XIAOYU (Delighted):
Thank you for what you’ve done for us!
