by Tang Xianzu
Dressed in blue and vitalized on the face,
The young man
Is adorable indeed.
At the jade dressing-table, two knots are interlinked
By a red thread.
BAO SINIANG:
Let’s make haste to go downstairs and ask the madam to sit in the hall to greet the bridegroom!
(Goes downstairs)
“I’d rather listen to the Queen Mother in the emerald palace
Than hear the lovebirds chirping on the magpie bridge.”
(Enter Zheng Liuniang)
ZHENG LIUNIANG (To the tune of Xiaopenglai):
From the exquisite mansion comes the floral fragrance,
Mixed with sweet scents from the smoking-ovens and red candles.
Having reached the marriage age,
The flower of a girl is in full bloom
In prospect of leaves thick and dense.
Bao Siniang, thank you for what you’ve done for us! As Li Yi is arriving soon, the young princess will change clothes to greet him.
(Enter Li Yi)
LI YI (To the tune of Shanglinchun):
Drizzling rain and dense mist
Disappear when the sky clears up,
With phoenixes barely visible in the floating clouds.
In the fragrant candleslight
I come with the tinkling of jade rings and pendants.
(Bao Siniang goes out to greet)
MASTER OF CEREMONY (Chants a poem when Li Yi and Huo Xiaoyu bow to Heaven and Earth):
“The Heavenly Emperor comes down to the earth
While the Weaving Girl goes up to the sky.
With the sun and the moon chasing after each other,
The stars of fortune, prosperity and longevity shine o’er high.”
(Chants a poem when Li Yi and Huo Xiaoyu bow to Zheng Liuniang)
“The Queen Mother of the West
Is wished a long life by her daughter Taizhen.
The snowball viburnum flowers will bear seeds
While the peach leaves look their best.”
(Chants a poem when Li Yi and Huo Xiaoyu bow to each other)
“You’ll be a couple for a hundred years,
Like phoenixes flying wing to wing.
Your son will be a general or a prime minister
While your daughter will be married to the blue blood.”
(Proposes a toast)
(To the tune of Jintangyue)
In the serene sky,
The sun brings warmth
And bathes the courtyard in springtime.
Behind the painted curtains
Hides a hibiscus of a pretty face.
A butterfly lifts its wings on the flower stem
While silkworms swarm on the tree to spit threads.
ALL:
We make toasts
To wish the happy marriage to last for a hundred years.
MASTER OF CEREMONY (To the previous tune):
A banquet is held
For the fairy-like beauty
And the handsome talent
In the flowery courtyard.
Mellow and pure wine
Is tasted in silver cups.
With gilded chopsticks we eat minced leeks;
In painted caskets we fetch delicious food.
ALL:
We make toasts
To wish the happy marriage to last for a hundred years.
MASTER OF CEREMONY (To the previous tune):
With ups and downs,
With embroidered shoes placed in the corner
And satin quilts piled on the bed,
The music of the jade lute echoes in the room.
Hairpins of a new design
Adorn the hair to add charm to the beauty.
Noises can be heard outside the bamboo curtain
To hasten the beauty to make up.
ALL:
We make toasts
To wish the happy marriage to last for a hundred years.
MASTER OF CEREMONY (To the previous tune):
With expecting emotion,
The Weaving Girl Star passes message
When the beauty casts a glance
At her coat embroidered with a golden-thread phoenix.
She is dressed in red silk to fit her slim figure,
In the bridal chamber lit by the candles.
The talent and the beauty wish for the birth of many children,
While the double pillow blesses its realization.
ALL:
We make toasts
To wish the happy marriage to last for a hundred years.
ZHENG LIUNIANG (To the tune of Zuiwengzi):
Enviably,
The talent will surely rank among eminent people.
Your excellent essays increase the paper demand for copy use;
The resulting rising price devalues Luoyang’s peonies.
LI YI (On his knees):
I’m fortunate enough
To be granted your kindness and grace.
Where can I find the pearls and jewelry to requite?
ALL:
The couple
Would be like the full moon
And be united all the seasons.
HUO XIAOYU (To the previous tune):
Stop the chat,
You’ll surely come atop in the imperial test.
At home you will read my essays and poems
And watch me cutting white silk into dancing fans.
LI YI, HUO XIAOYU (On their knees):
Willingly,
We will face the fiery plum-blossoms
And hold the joss-sticks to make the pledge of eternal love.
ALL: (To the tune of Jiaojiaoling):
The red candlelight flickers
On the lotus-shaped stand.
In the stillness of the night,
She holds fragrant breath,
And wears sparkling jewelry,
Expecting her young man.
(To the previous tune)
With their faces flushing as if in intoxication,
They can hardly fall asleep on the enchanting night.
Yet the stars move and time flies fast;
With her beautiful hair messed up, they wait for the daybreak.
(To the tune of Coda)
While the tassels on the bed curtain will witness
The constant love between man and wife,
We wish you a family of dozens of children and grandchildren.
(Exeunt Li Yi, Huo Xiaoyu and Huansha)
(Bao Siniang takes leave)
ZHENG LIUNIANG:
Siniang, you may as well take some marriage-blessing money home.
BAO SINIANG:
There is no need for that. I’ll come tomorrow to greet the blissful bridegroom.
(Exit)
The trees bear flowers in the palace woods,
With usnea vines entangled like love-knots.
As flute tunes are played in the bridal room,
There’s no need for the mother’s lute.
Scene Sixteen
Congratulations
(Enter Yingtao)
YINGTAO:
“The purple ribbon with silver flowers
Is tied to the affectionate bride.
With the window gauze brushing my eyebrows,
I bow in a tilting manner to my elegant master.”
My name is Yingtao. I’ve been with the young princess ever since my childhood when I accompanied her doing embroidery. Last night my young princess was married to Mr. Li. As her maid, I slept at the back of the bed, so how could I fall asleep? How would Mr. Li feel about it? What would be my mistress’s grace and dignity? Anyway, I don’t have to care about all these. Now that the sun has risen high and it is almost noon, the madam still bids me not to disturb her sleep. However, the young princess woke up early and has already got up to do her make-up.
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu)
HUO XIAOYU (To the tune of Tanchunling):
The bridal ro
om was warm all through the night,
With the spring breeze behind the the bed-curtain.
(Yingtao goes up to support Huo Xiaoyu)
HUO XIAOYU:
With Yingtao supporting my frail figure,
I smile and feign to be angry when she asks me.
What can I do with such an affectionate man?
(In the pattern of Heyebei)
“I remember the night encounter with him,
With a trembling heart.
In messed hair and weakened limbs,
I kept silent and did not raise my head.
How embarrassing! How embarrassing!”
Yingtao, how distressed I am for my neck gets stiff from last night’s sleep!
YINGTAO (Laughs):
That is what you enjoyed and what you suffered!
(Pretends to rub where it hurts)
HUO XIAOYU:
As soon as you got into bed, you fell asleep and slept till dawn. What can be hurting you?
YINGTAO (Laughs):
My young princess, you are hoaxing me. But I really heard something.
HUO XIAOYU:
What did you hear?
YINGTAO:
I heard you moan as soon as you got into the bed.
(To the tune of Yingtixu)
When the two of you became one behind the bed curtain,
The man wanted to get into the flower cave.
In the moonlight you moaned like an oriole
And promised him to continue the next night.
But how could he easily give up?
He thrust and throbbed to his heart’s content.
When the bed shook hard,
How could you stop him with your fragile waist?
HUO XIAOYU:
Nonsense! Go and help him wash and dress as I don’t need you here!
YINGTAO:
I’m afraid Mr. Li is still asleep.
(Aside)
As my young princess tells me to go, I’ll hide behind the curtain and see what she is doing here.
(Pretends to go away)
(Enter again, peeking stealthily)
HUO XIAOYU (Murmurs to herself):
How embarrassing! How embarrassing! A girl should always avoid being seen by strangers. But now all of a sudden a strange man came to sleep with me side by side and did many movements. It hurts badly as if I were to die. When I got up and approached my dressing-table at dawn, he looked out of the bed-curtain again. So I had to sit here alone. I touched where it hurt most but was afraid of being sneered at by the maidservants. Now that Yingtao is away, I’ll have a look at the silk handkerchief.
(Looks)
Alas! Where did these red stains come from? No wonder it hurt so much! But he seemed to have red stains too. How come I didn’t hear him say “It hurts”?
(When Yingtao tries to snatch the handkerchief, Huo Xiaoyu puts it into her sleeve)
YINGTAO:
The stains are left by you rather than by Mr. Li. My young princess, let me have a look as it is something precious from you!
HUO XIAOYU:
It is nothing precious but a handkerchief. What is worth seeing?
YINGTAO:
It was a white brocade kerchief with bird patterns on it last night, but now it has turned red. Isn’t it precious?
HUO XIAOYU:
It was originally reddish.
(To the previous tune)
On the pink brocade kerchief is woven
The evening glow and the wailing phoenix.
YINGTAO (Laughs):
This is in fact the peach-blossom spring
To be imprinted with the virgin stains.
HUO XIAOYU (Sings to scold Yingtao):
When you look askew and peep for no good reason,
What’s the use of babbling about this?
When you joke with me,
Where is your respect for your mistress?
(Pushes and Yingtao falls on her knees)
YINGTAO:
I am intent on having a look at it for me to model after you.
HUO XIAOYU:
In that case, I’ll tell the madam about it.
YINGTAO:
Then I would rather kneel here to be punished by you in whatever way.
(Huo Xiaoyu walks)
(Enter Li Yi, running into Huo Xiaoyu and holding her in his arms)
LI YI (To the tune of Ruanlanggui):
When spring warms the water and greens the lotus,
I enjoy myself under the embroidered quilt
Oh, my dear wife,
Where are the morning clouds drifting?
It’s disgusting that the sun casts shadows on the curtains.
(Li Yi and Huo Xiaoyu greet each other)
LI YI:
“When flowers bloom in the sunny spring,
HUO XIAOYU:
I meet you by chance and offer my virginity.
LI YI, HUO XIAOYU:
We hope that we shall never part
But melt into one person.”
(Sit down)
LI YI:
Oh! As Bao Siniang’s daughter, you need not make obeisance to me.
HUO XIAOYU (Smiles):
She’s my maidservant. I ordered her to kneel for some reason.
LI YI:
Why did she act as the go-between who passed on the betrothal gifts?
HUO XIAOYU:
I told her to go and inquire about you.
LI YI:
You are scheming! No wonder this young lady said that you were prudent!
HUO XIAOYU:
Young lady! Just call her Yingtao!
LI YI:
Please allow her to rise to her feet for my sake!
YINGTAO:
I dare not get up before I receive the reward.
LI YI:
What reward do you want?
YINGTAO:
My young princess has made a promise.
LI YI (Asks Huo Xiaoyu):
What did you say?
HUO XIAOYU (Smiles):
I promised to grant her a young attendant.
LI YI:
Then I’ll match Wu’er with her.
YINGTAO:
He is more than I can enjoy.
LI YI:
You can choose whomever you like from my attendants.
HUO XIAOYU:
You may as well match her with Qing’er.
LI YI:
I’m afraid Qing’er is too clever for her.
YINGTAO:
Yingtao is also very clever.
LI YI:
It would be a good match between the clever and unclever.
YINGTAO:
My mistress is clever, and she is matched with a clever husband. What do you say about that?
LI YI (Laughs):
Then Qing’er is settled on. Go and tell him to come!
(Report within, “Report to the master that the guests have arrived.”)
(Enter Huansha)
HUANSHA:
“The horses are heralded by guards of honor
While the men are smoked with exotic scent.”
Master, Master Hua, Master Shi and Master Shang have come to extend their congratulations.
LI YI:
Since we have guests, Yingtao can get up and serve the wine. My wife, they are my sworn brothers, so you may as well go to the hall and serve wine in your formal dress.
HUO XIAOYU:
I see.
(Exit Huo Xiaoyu)
LI YI:
Invite the three masters into the hall!
(Enter the three guests Hua Qing, Shi Xiong and Shang Zipi)
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI (To the tune of Queqiaoxian):
When the spring breeze swirls the flowers
And sways the willow twigs,
We see an expanse of brilliant flowers and verdant trees.
With towers and mansions against the green mountains,
The palms of the immortals have painted the spring beauty.
&
nbsp; (Li Yi and the guests greet one another)
It’s a shame that we did not contribute to your wedding expenses.
LI YI:
As I stayed in the hostel, I did not ask you for your suggestions. You give me the honor to visit me instead, but I am not considerate enough to wait at the gate.
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI:
Please allow us to offer our congratulations to your wife!
LI YI:
She is obliged to come here and greet you.
(Enter Huo Xiaoyu, greeting the guests)
LI YI:
The new bride will serve the wine.
(Enter Yingtao with wine)
YINGTAO:
“Wine is offered to friends as worthy as gold
By the lady who is as pure and pretty as jade.”
Here is the wine!
HUO XIAOYU (Makes a toast):
(To the tune of Yushantui)
When guests arrive at the splendid hall,
I go downstairs putting on pretty headwear.
With stirring dust under my tiny feet,
I push aside the bead-decorated curtain.
Like the rippled water in the breeze,
My eyebrows are half knit in shyness.
I wrap up my hands to pick up the kettle,
With my hairpins at my temples slanting down
And my cheeks flushing for the wine.
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI (To the previous tune):
The beauty sends her fragrance all over,
Standing by the noble guests.
Her eyebrows are like the verdant mountains,
Or like a stretch of green amid the morning flowers.
The painted beams in the morning sun
Are not as gaudy as the silk garments.
The light willow catkins
Take wings in the spring
And lean against the painted screen with the lady’s ringing words.
LI YI (To the previous tune):
After years of picking and choosing,
I settled my marriage through a couplet of a poem.
As Cao Zhi followed the goddess on the Luo River,
I pursue the song and music as if I were in Yangzhou.
Settling down in the capital city,
I am destined to marry the charming beauty.
When I halt my horse
But float with the cloud,
I will drink the beauty’s toasts till I am intoxicated.
HUA QING, SHI XIONG, SHANG ZIPI (To the previous tune):
What adorable grace!
Time slows down in the coiling smoke.
On the bed draped with fragrant curtains,
The beauty enjoys her first wedding night.
As your wild and undisciplined friends,
We’ve come to ask about your love affairs last night.
We’re happy to see that the bride is half drunk
With enchanting smiles on her face
And keeps filling the wine cups.
HUA QING:
