“Tell Master Zhai,” Ximen Qing said, “that no matter how much the Laureate needs, I will gladly lend it to him.” He told Chen Jingji to take the messenger to an anteroom and entertain him. When he was ready to leave, Ximen gave him a letter and five taels of silver for journey money. The man made a reverence and set out well pleased upon his long journey.
It may be remembered that some time before, An Shen had passed the examination in the highest place, but that the censors had objected that he was the younger brother of An Zhun, who had been the first minister in the last reign. As a younger son of an evil party, they declared, he must not be placed at the head of all the scholars. Consequently, Huizong could not do otherwise than put Cai Yun in the position. Cai Yun then went to the palace of the Imperial Tutor to be his ward. Later, he was appointed head of the office of Secret Archives, and given leave to go and visit his parents.
Wu Yueniang sent a boy for the two old women Feng and Xue, and another marriage maker. She told them to make a thorough search for a good girl, and to bring her full particulars when they thought they had found one.
One day Ximen Qing instructed Laibao to go to the river to see what he could find out about Cai’s boat. Cai was traveling on the same boat as An Zhun, who had been given the third degree at the same examination as himself. An was so poor that he had not remarried. He seemed to be unlucky in every way. He had left the Court to try to find a wife in his native place, and so the two scholars came to be traveling together on the same boat.
Laibao took Ximen Qing’s card and went on board. He had a dinner sent from the shore.
Before the Laureate had left the Capital, Zhai had told him that at Qinghe he would meet a certain Captain Ximen, one of the Imperial Tutor’s clients. “He is a rich man,” Zhai had said, “and a very pleasant fellow. It was through his Eminence’s influence that he came into his present position. I am sure that he will entertain you most hospitably if you should go there.”
The Laureate had not forgotten this and he was delighted when he found that Ximen Qing’s servant had come so far to meet him, bringing such a handsome present.
The next day, he and An came to call on Ximen Qing who had arranged a feast in their honor. Ximen had seen a number of actors and singers from Suzhou, and now he sent for four of them. Cai offered a present of a silk handkerchief, a number of books, and a pair of shoes. An brought a gift of books and a handkerchief, with four bags of young tea and four Hang-zhou fans. Both the scholars wore robes of ceremony and black hats, and sent their cards before them. Ximen Qing, wearing his ceremonial hat, welcomed them and invited them to go to the great hall. There they made reverences to one another; the two young men offered their presents to Ximen Qing, and they all sat down in the proper order of guests and host.
“My friend Zhai at the Capital,” the Laureate said to Ximen Qing, “has spoken very highly of you. He says your honorable family is the most important in Qinghe. Consequently, I have been longing to see you for some time, but this is the first opportunity I have had. Now that today I have been permitted to enter your hall, I feel that Heaven has indeed been gracious to me.”
“You are unduly kind,” Ximen said. “I had a letter from Master Zhai the other day telling me that your worthinesses were about to visit us on your emblossomed boat. I should have been there to welcome you, but, unfortunately, my official duties would not allow me. I must most humbly beg your pardon. May I be allowed the honor of knowing from what enchanted country and glorious family you worthy gentlemen come?”
“The humble student before you,” Cai said, “is a native of Kuanglu in Chuzhou, and his poor name is Yiquan. I had the good fortune to take the first place in the examination and to receive an appointment as head of the Department of Secret Archives. At the moment, I am on leave, and on my way to visit my parents.”
“The humble student before you,” An said, in his turn, “is a native of Qiantang of Zhejiang, and his undistinguished name is Fengshan. I have just received the appointment of Inspector of the Board of Works. I, too, am on leave and am returning to marry in my native place. May we know your own honorable second name?”
“I am only a poor military officer of low rank,” Ximen Qing said. “How should I dare to allow myself to be called by my second name?” When they pressed him, he said at last: “My poor name is Siquan. I have frequently been favored by the kindness of his Eminence through the good offices of Master Zhai, and, in that way, was granted my present appointment as Captain. I perform certain legal duties but am really quite unfitted for the post.”
“Honored Sir,” the Laureate said, “you are not a man of mean ambition, and your reputation for delicacy has long been known. Do not let us stand on ceremony with one another.”
Ximen Qing invited them to take off their robes of ceremony in the pavilion in the garden. But the Laureate said: “I am anxious to get home and our boat is at the wharf. Really I ought to go now. Yet, since I have basked in the sunshine of your company, I feel I cannot leave you so soon. What shall I do? What shall I do?”
“If you two noble gentlemen,” Ximen Qing said, “do not disdain this snail’s abode, pray let the banner of literature rest here a while. Take a little food with me, and let a small repast of celery prove the earnest of my goodwill.”
“Since we are offered such exalted hospitality,” the Laureate said, “we humble students can do no less than obey your commands.” They took off their ceremonial robes and sat down.
The servants brought more tea. Cai looked about him. The garden, the pool, the pavilions and the flowers stretched so far and were so luxuriant that he could not see everything at a single glance. “This is fairyland,” he said delightedly. A table was set and they played chess.
After a while, Ximen said: “I have brought a few actors here today for your amusement.”
“Where are they?” An said. “Why not send for them?”
In a moment the four actors appeared and kowtowed.
“Which of you take the part of the hero and heroine?” Cai said. “And what are your names?”
One replied: “I take the hero’s part; my name is Gou Zixiao. This is the heroine and he is called Zhou Shun. This one takes the second part: he is called Yuan Dan, and the other, the young man, is Hu Zao.”
An asked them where they came from. Gou Zixiao said they were from Suzhou. “Good!” said An. “Now go and dress and then play for us.”
The four actors went away to dress. Ximen Qing told someone to find women’s clothes and ornaments for them. He told Shutong to dress up too. So, three women and two men, they played from The Incense Sachet.
At the upper end of the great hall two tables were set. The two scholars sat in the seats of honor, and Ximen Qing in the host’s place. While they drank their wine the actors finished one act. An saw Shutong dressed as a girl and asked who he was.
“That is my boy Shutong,” Ximen Qing told him. An called the boy to him and gave him some wine. “This boy excels all the boys I have ever seen,” he said. Meanwhile Cai summoned the actors who had taken the parts of girls and gave wine to them. Then he called for the song of Chao Yuan. Gou Zixiao obeyed, and, clapping his hands, began.
By the willows and the flowers
The spider weaves a glistening web under the eaves.
Beside the mountains and the waters
The east wind is kind to the horse’s back.
But I must journey like a wandering spirit
Dreaming about my home, whether I will or not.
The geese are silent, and the fishes deep beneath the water
And my heart is broken with the pain of separation
The day is short. My mother, in the northern hall, wearies of her dreams.
When shall I come to the Ninth Palace of Gold?
Then An asked Shutong, if he knew the lines beginning: “The mercy of the gods is infinite” from The Jade Bracelet. “I do,” Shutong said, and began.
The mercy of the gods is infinite
&nbs
p; I met my father and my mother again
It is a kindness man may seldom hope for.
Fortune has given me a peaceful life, a worthy mate.
I fly as the clouds fly in the wind
My love to me is like a female phoenix to her mate.
True it must be that not in this life marriages are made
And, in my last life, I must have set the jade in Lantian.
An, who was from Hangzhou, was fond of boys. He was delighted with Shutong’s singing, held his hand, and took wine from his mouth.
After a time they had all had wine enough, and Ximen Qing took his guests to look at the gardens. They played chess in the summerhouse. Ximen told the boys to bring two boxes filled with every kind of delicacy to eat with their wine.
“This is the first time we have met you,” the Laureate said. “We must not place too great a strain upon your hospitality. It is late and we should go.”
“Noble Cai,” Ximen cried, “how can you think of going yet? Are you really thinking of going back to your boat?”
“I propose to spend the night in the Temple of Eternal Felicity, outside the walls,” Cai said.
“It is too late for you to go outside the city now,” Ximen Qing said. “Keep one or two of your attendants here and let the rest return tomorrow for you. Then we shall all be content.”
“I greatly appreciate your kindness,” Cai said, “but I hesitate to give you so much trouble.” Nevertheless, he and his companion told their servants to go to the temple and spend the night there, and come again in the morning with their horses. They played two games of chess in the summerhouse, and the actors performed till it was late. Then Ximen paid and dismissed them. Shutong alone remained to serve wine and other things.
They drank till it was dark and the lamps were lighted. Then they went to change their clothes. The Laureate took Ximen Qing’s hand and said to him:
“I am going home to see my parents, and I am a little short of money.”
“Please do not let that trouble you,” said Ximen, “I shall be only too glad to do what Master Zhai suggested.”
He asked the scholars to go into the garden with him and led them around the white wall till they came to the Cave of Spring and into the Snow Cavern. There the lamps and candles were lighted. The place was comfortable and warm. A table was set with fruits and wine, and couches were arranged, with books and musical instruments. There they drank wine again and Shutong sang for them.
“Do you know the song about the Fairy Peaches touched with red?” the Laureate asked Shutong.
“Yes, I think I remember it,” the boy answered, “it goes to the tune of the ‘Moon in the Hall of Tapestries.’” He poured wine for them, then clapped his hands and began to sing.
An’s feelings were indescribably moved. “The boy is perfectly adorable,” he said to Ximen Qing. He emptied his cup.
Shutong was wearing a green gown with a red skirt, a golden ribbon at his waist. He raised the jade cup high in the air to offer wine to them, and then sang another song. They enjoyed themselves until far into the night. At last they were ready to go to bed. Ximen Qing had had silken coverlets prepared for them in the Cave of Spring and the Kingfisher Hall. He told Shutong and Daian to wait on them. Then he said good-night and went to the inner court.
The next morning the servants came for the two scholars, bringing horses and sedan chairs. Ximen Qing had food made ready in the great hall, and refreshments for all the attendants. Two boys brought in square boxes of presents. To the Laureate Cai he offered a roll of gold silk, and silk for making collars, perfume and a hundred taels of white gold. He gave to An a roll of colored satin, one piece of silk for collars, perfume, and thirty taels of white gold. The Laureate at first refused to accept it. “Ten taels will be quite sufficient for my needs,” he said. “Why should you give me so much? You are too generous.”
“Brother Cai,” An said, “you accept, but I dare not.”
Ximen Qing smiled. “These trifling things are nothing more than a token of my regard for you. You are going home and you are about to take a wife. I should like to help you to get a little tea.”
The scholars rose and thanked him. “We shall never forget your kindness,” they said. Then they bade their servants remove the presents. “We must go,” Cai said to Ximen Qing, “and renounce the benefit of your instruction for a while. But before long we shall be returning to the Capital. Then, if a slight measure of advancement should come to us, we shall do something to return your kindness.”
“I hope to behold the glory of your dignity again,” An said.
“Indeed,” Ximen said, “I only hope your honor has not been tarnished by this stay in my snail’s nest. I beg your indulgence for all that has been done amiss. I would come to see you on your way, but, unfortunately, my duty calls me and I can only say good-bye.”
He took them to the outer gate and watched them mount their horses.
CHAPTER 37
Wang Liu’er
Though she be dressed in rags, such is her charm
It makes its presence known.
The flashing eyes reveal the ardor of her love
And he who listens to the music of her soul
Must yield himself her prisoner forever.
They meet within the hall of flowers
The breeze is gentle and the moon is calm.
Softly they talk, and tenderly they smile,
Draw near the bed with phoenixes in flight
Embroidered on its curtains.
Then silently unloose the scented girdle.
After saying good-bye to his guests, Ximen Qing went out on horseback, wearing shades upon his eyes. Soldiers cleared the way for him. In the street he met old woman Feng and told one of the boys to stop her.
“What about this finding a girl for me?” he said. “How is it I have heard nothing from you before this?”
“During the last few days,” the old woman said, “I have inspected several girls, but they all turned out to be the daughters either of butchers or of hawkers. Of course, they were out of the question. Then, fortunately, Heaven granted me a miracle, and I remembered a girl who lives quite close to me. She is a beauty of the very first order, and is but fifteen years old. Her animal is the Horse. If I had not happened to pass her door, and she had not invited me to call, I should not, even now, have thought of her. She has just reached the age for her hair to be dressed. She is as upright as the holder of a brush; her feet are tiny, and she knows how to paint her face most charmingly. Her little mouth is so dainty she might be an elf. Her mother says she was born on the fifth day of the fifth month. I think she is beautiful, and I’m sure you will fall in love with her yourself as soon as you set eyes on her.”
“You crazy old woman,” Ximen said, laughing, “I don’t want to fall in love with her. I have plenty on my hands without her. As a matter of fact, Zhai, the comptroller of the Imperial Tutor’s household in the Eastern Capital, is anxious to ensure the continuance of his family, and he has asked me to find a girl for him. If you only find the right one, so much the better for you. Who is the girl? You must send me the necessary papers.”
“She lives not a thousand miles away,” the old woman said. “In fact, there is hardly a brick between us at this moment. She is the daughter of Han Daoguo who looks after your thread shop. If you wish, I will get her father to have the necessary papers made out, then we can fix a day and you can go to look her over.”
“Very well,” Ximen said, “go and see him, and if he has no objection, get him to give you the papers and bring them to my house.”
Two days later Ximen was sitting in the great hall when old woman Feng came with the papers. In them the girl was described as “the maiden Han, fifteen years of age, whose birthday is the fifth day of the fifth month.”
“I told her father what you said,” the old woman began, “and he said that, thanks to your generosity, the girl has certainly a great future in store for her. But he is afraid that, being a
poor man, he cannot provide what is necessary for the marriage.”
“Go and tell him,” Ximen said, “that I don’t want a single thread from him. Everything she needs—clothes, ornaments, toilet boxes and everything else—shall be prepared here. Moreover, I will make him a present of twenty taels. If he provides her with shoes and socks, that will be all that is needed. As soon as everything is ready, we shall ask him to escort her to the Eastern Capital. You see, she is not going to be an ordinary concubine. The comptroller hopes that she will bear him a son and he will treat her as his wife. So long as she furnishes him with a boy or even a bit of a daughter, she will have nothing to worry about.”
“When will you go and see her?” the old woman asked. “They would like to know so that they can make preparations.”
“Since he has agreed, I may as well go tomorrow. Zhai is in a hurry for her. But tell Han not to make any preparations on my account. He need only offer me a cup of tea. Then I shall take my leave.”
“Oh dear,” the old woman cried, “it is not very often you condescend to go and see anyone. You may not want anything, but you must not rush away. He is one of your people; he can’t allow you to go away with an empty stomach.”
Ximen Qing explained that he was very busy, and the old woman went off to tell Wang Liu’er, Han Daoguo’s wife, all that he had said.
“Don’t tell stories,” Wang Liu’er said.
“Indeed, he did say so,” the old woman said. “Why should I deceive you? You know how busy he is, with people coming and going at his house all the time.” Wang Liu’er gave the old lady some food and wine. Then she went away, promising to come the next morning to await the master.
That night, when Han Daoguo came home, his wife talked to him and they discussed the whole matter. In the morning he got up early, went to the High Well for some sweet water, and bought the finest nuts he could find. These he left at home, then went to the shop to attend to the business. His wife, alone in the house, dressed herself in her prettiest clothes, powdered her face, and made herself look very charming. She washed her hands, cleaned her fingernails, polished the teacups, cracked the nuts, and made some excellent tea. Then old woman Feng came and helped the woman to put everything in order.
The Golden Lotus, Volume 1 Page 61
