The Peach Blossom Fan

by K'ung Shang-jen

  Servant [sings]:

  They exclaimed:

  “A true genius with a remarkable pen!”

  Juan: Oho! I am surprised that they were so complimentary. What else?

  Servant [sings]:

  They said: “His style is that of an immortal,

  Expressing himself in human speech.

  In modern letters his art stands supreme.”

  Juan [feigning embarrassment]: This is too much; they are exaggerating. But I shall look forward to hearing their comments when they have seen more of it. Be quick and find out, then run back and tell me. [Servant obeys. Juan laughs aloud] I never guessed those young men were so discerning! [To Yang]: No heel-taps! [Sings]:

  Ah, I have seen

  All the landscapes of the southern school,

  Read all the old romances.

  I have toiled till dusk in my tower or rain pavilion,

  Toiled on from nightfall under a lamp;

  I have drained my heart’s blood in solitary composing.

  At last I have found discriminating hearers!

  Yang: Who are these gentlemen?

  Juan: Ch’en Ting-sheng, Fang Mi-chih, and Mao P’i-chiang — all men of the deepest culture. They have proved their esteem for me.

  Yang: These persons are seldom addicted to praise, but your Swallow Letter is so fine in versification and melody that their admiration is natural.

  First Servant [returning]: I ran out like a rabbit; I fly back like a raven. Your Honour, now that they have seen half the play, I have returned with another report.

  Juan: How did the audience respond?

  Servant [sings]:

  They called Your Honour “Pride of the south,

  Chief ornament of the Eastern Forest,

  Worthy of the Han-lin Academy itself.”

  Juan: Every sentence is so laudatory that I feel embarrassed. What else?

  Servant [sings]:

  They added: “But why did you join the traitors Ts’ui and Wei,

  And turn against your old friends?

  Juan [frowning angrily]: That was only a passing misjudgment; there was no need to bring it up again. What else?

  Servant: They said more in the same strain, but being your humble servant I dare not repeat it.

  Juan: Never mind, proceed.

  Servant [sings]:

  They said: “Your Honour called a stranger his father,

  And became his foster son;

  Utterly shameless and heartless,

  Fawning on your protector like a cur.”

  Juan [furiously]: So they starting reviling me again! I cannot endure it. [Sings]:

  What have politics to do with art?

  I lent them my latest music and poetry

  To increase their enjoyment of wine and flowers.

  Alas, it was in vain.

  They never tried to fathom my motives,

  But only heaped on me the vilest abuse.

  I am overwhelmed by so many insults.

  Yang: Why did they attack you?

  Juan: I cannot imagine. Recently I went to worship at the temple of Confucius, where I was set upon and beaten by five young graduates. Now I have lent them my play and private actors to propitiate them, only to reap further calumnies. I must find a remedy, or I shall never dare step out-of-doors.

  Yang: Don’t worry, elder brother, I have been pondering a solution.

  Juan: You give me a ray of hope. I shall be grateful for your advice.

  Yang: The leaders of the graduates is Wu Tzu-wei, and the leader of the nobles is Ch’en Ting-sheng. If these stop attacking you, your peace will be restored.

  Juan: Of course; but who would venture to defend me?

  Yang: I think Hou Fang-yü might be approached. He is their boon companion in the literary club as well as at the wine table. Both are influenced by his opinions. Only yesterday I heard that he was feeling lonely for lack of employment. He longs for a girl companion, and I have found him one ideal in every respect. Her name is Fragrant Princess. She excels in beauty as in the gentle arts; I am sure he will be captivated by her. Now if you provide a dowry, he would be obliged to show some gratitude. I could then ask him to speak in your favour, which would lead to a general appeasement.

  Juan [clapping his hands and laughing]: Excellent! What a splendid idea. Hou’s father was my classmate, so he is almost a nephew to me. I feel I should do whatever I can for him. But what will it cost me?

  Yang: About two hundred silver taels[4] should suffice for the wardrobe and banquet.

  Juan: I can easily afford it. I’ll send three hundred over to your house. Spend the money as you think fit.

  Yang: That is too large a sum. [Sings]:

  A young willow leans over the gate

  For the lover to climb in late.

  Juan [sings]:

  My poems and music proved inadequate;

  Only this beauteous girl may serve as bait.

  Yang [sings]:

  Upon your bounty will depend their fate.

  [1] Chang Nan-yüan or Chang Lien was a landscape architect of the late Ming and early Ch’ing period who designed many famous gardens in Chekiang and Kiangsu.

  [2] Ni Tsan, 1301–1374, and Huang Kung-wang, 1269–1354, were two of the most celebrated figures of the Yuan dynasty, which was a golden age of Chinese painting.

  [3] Wang To, 1592–1652, was an eminent poet, painter, and calligrapher who attained the exalted post of President of the Board of Rites, first under the Ming and then again under the Manchus.

  [4] Tael was the former monetary unit; it was worth close to one ounce avoirdupois of silver, varying in different localities.

  SCENE 5

  A VISIT TO THE BEAUTY

  1643, THIRD MONTH

  [Hou Fang-yü, elegantly gowned, enters singing.]

  Hou [sings]:

  The golden glory has not quite departed,

  The fragrance of the southern courts still lingers;

  These misty meadows melt into my soul,

  While breezes coax the budding flowers to open,

  But wind and rain will pass, and likewise spring.

  [Speaks]: Too long I have been roving with only my books and sword for company, and no prospect of seeing my home. During this third month I have been steeped in nostalgia for the bygone Six Dynasties. As a wanderer I suffer from homesickness, nor can I help being stirred by the spring scenery. Yesterday I met Yang Wen-ts’ung, who sang the praises of Fragrant Princess Li, of her youthful grace and exceptional beauty. He also told me that Su K’un-sheng was giving her singing lessons, and proposed that I should buy her trousseau. Alas, my purse is almost empty; I cannot afford what I ardently desire. Today is the Festival of Pure Brightness.[1] I feel so lonely that I shall take a stroll through the meadows. Perhaps I may have a chance to visit the beauty’s house.

  [Sings]:

  I gaze towards the Forbidden City, where all the beauties dwell,

  Their gates concealed behind the drooping willows.

  Young cavaliers are riding down the highway,

  Flourishing elegant reins of purple silk,

  But where are the tender couples of young swallows?

  Liu Ching-t’ing [entering]:

  An oriole awoke me from my dreams;

  My white hair kindles memory’s fading gleams.

  [To Hou]: Where are you going, Master Hou?

  Hou: Oh, it is Ching-t’ing! What a pleasant surprise! I set out for a walk hoping to meet a companion like yourself.

  Liu: I shall be glad to keep you company. [As they stroll, Liu points and says]: There is the Water Pavilion, beyond the Ch’in Huai River.

  Hou [sings]:

  Over the waves a green mist creeps,

  Brushing the windows; against the sky,

  Bright blossom of the almond peeps

  Above the house-wall high.

  Liu [pointing]: Here is Long Bridge. Let us loiter on the way.

  Hou [sings]:

  Passing the wine and tea
shops

  And the noisy vendors of flowers . . .

  Liu: Ha! This is the old quarter now.

  Hou [sings]:

  We saunter across the wooden bridge

  To reach a labyrinth of lanes.

  Liu: In yonder lane the most famous beauties dwell.

  Hou: It has an air of voluptuous refinement. [Sings]:

  Over these twin black lacquered gates,

  A tender willow droops as if with dew.

  Liu: That is the house of Mistress Li Chen-li.

  Hou: And where does Fragrant Princess live?

  Liu: She is Mistress Li’s daughter.

  Hou: How lucky! I have been longing to meet her, and here we are!

  Liu: I’ll knock at her door. [Knocks.]

  Voice from backstage: Who’s there?

  Liu: It is old Liu, a regular visitor. I have brought a distinguished guest.

  Voice from backstage: Mistress Li and Fragrant Princess are not at home.

  Liu: Where are they?

  Voice: They went to a hamper party at Mistress Pien’s.

  Liu: Oh, of course! I had quite forgotten about it.

  Hou: Why did they have to go out today of all days?

  Liu: My legs are tired. Let’s sit on these stone steps and rest while I explain. [Both sit down.] Just as men become sworn brothers by burning incense together, courtesans become sworn sisters by exchanging kerchiefs. In due course, they hold parties in celebration at times of festival. [Sings]:

  These beauties become sisters

  By knotting silken kerchiefs together.

  On days of festival,

  They meet in friendly rivalry.

  Hou: I see; but why do they call it a hamper party?

  Liu: Each must bring a hamper filled with delicacies. [Sings]:

  Dainty dishes from the sea,

  Succulent rarities from the rivers,

  And the choicest of wines.

  Hou: What do they do on these occasions?

  Liu: Usually they hold musical contests. [Sings]:

  They play the lute,

  The reed-organ, and the bamboo flute.

  Hou: How fascinating! Are men allowed to join them?

  Liu: No, at such times they shun male society. They bolt their doors and climb to an upper storey. Men are only allowed to admire them from below.

  Hou: Supposing one glimpsed his heart’s desire, how could a meeting be arranged?

  Liu: In that case, a personal trinket might be thrown up into the tower, and the recipient might throw down fruit. [Sings]:

  If the girl is gratified,

  She will descend to offer wine

  And make an assignation.

  Hou: I am tempted to go and see for myself.

  Liu: There’s no harm in trying.

  Hou: But I don’t know where Mistress Pien lives.

  Liu: Her place is called the Halcyon Lodge; it isn’t far from here. I’ll show the way. [As they proceed, each recites one line of a quatrain]:

  Hou:

  Before the worship at the tombs, each family hangs out a willow branch,

  Liu:

  Everywhere the bamboo flute celebrates this festival.

  Hou:

  Three miles of streets are adorned with birds and flowers.

  Liu:

  We cross two bridges over the misty river.

  [Points]: Here is the house. Let’s go in.

  [Yang Wen-ts’ung and Su K’un-sheng enter and meet Hou and Liu.]

  Yang: In my leisure I search for orioles and flowers.

  Su: We have come to see powdered faces and painted eyebrows. [They greet each other.]

  Yang: How astonishing to find you in such a resort!

  Hou: All the more so since I heard you had gone to visit bearded Juan.

  Su: We happened to come here expressly on your account.

  Liu: Let us all sit down.

  Hou [looking up]: What a charming lodge! [Sings]:

  The windows glowing on the spacious courtyard

  Transport one to a gentle land of dreams.

  [Speaks]: But where is Fragrant Princess?

  Yang: She is upstairs.

  Su: Can you hear the music? [A flute and a reed-organ are played offstage.]

  Hou [listens and sings]:

  The fairy organs and phoenix pipes echo among the clouds.

  [Lute and zither play.]

  What subtle rhythm!

  What a harmony of strings!

  [A yün-lo or small gong is heard.]

  What jade-like tinkling!

  Each note plucks at my heart.

  [Pan-pipes play.]

  The phoenix pair soar fluttering through the air. . .

  [Speaks]: These pipes have seized my soul and borne it away. I can restrain myself no longer. I shall throw my pledge aloft. [He removes the pendant from his fan and throws it into the upper room, singing]:

  This treasure from the southern seas

  Is wafted high upon the breeze

  Into the lodge, my beauty’s heart to tease.

  [A kerchief full of cherries is thrown down to him.]

  Liu: How curious! A shower of fruit.

  Su [opening the kerchief]: Strange that there should be cherries at this season!

  Hou: I wonder who threw them. If it was Fragrant Princess, I shall be overjoyed.

  Yang: This kerchief is woven of the finest silk. I’ll wager nine to one that it is hers.

  [Enter Li Chen-li with a teapot in her hand, followed by Fragrant Princess with a vase of flowers.]

  Liu: The light grass trembles under the butterfly’s wings, the beauty now descends the Phoenix Terrace.

  Su: Look! They advance like goddesses.

  Liu [with palms together as in prayer]: Amida Buddha!

  Yang [whispering to Hou]: Observe them carefully. [All rise.] That is Mistress Li, and that is Fragrant Princess.

  Hou [greeting Mistress Li]: I am Hou Fang-yü of Honan. After hearing so much about you I am delighted to have this opportunity. [To Fragrant Princess]: You are indeed a perfect beauty in the flush of youth. My friend Yang’s keen eyes have proved him a connoisseur.

  Li: May I offer you gentlemen some fresh tea from Tiger Hill? [She pours tea.]

  Fragrant Princess [showing her vase]: These green willows and pink almond blossoms enhance the season’s beauty.

  All [in chorus of admiration]: Delicious, to sip the rarest tea and gaze upon such flowers!

  Yang: On this occasion we should be drinking wine.

  Li: I have already ordered it. Aunt Pien is occupied with guests in the lodge, so I shall act as hostess in her stead. [Wine is brought by a maid.] Would it not be amusing to play some drinking games?

  Liu: We await your orders.

  Mistress Li: It is not for me to give orders.

  Su: However, it is customary.

  [Mistress Li produces dice and a jar to throw them in.]

  Li: Fragrant Princess, you pour the wine when I ask you to, depending on the dice. The rule of the game is that each must give a sample of his talent after every cup of wine. Number one stands for cherry, two for tea, three for willow, four for almond blossom, five for the pendant, and six for the silk handkerchief. Your Honour Hou comes first. [Fragrant Princess pours Hou a cup; Mistress Li throws the dice and says]: It’s the pendant. Drain your cup, Master Hou, and let us hear your contribution.

  Hou [drinks and says]: I’ll improvise a verse. [Chants]:

  This came from the south for my beauty to wear;

  It should hang from her fan like a moon in midair,

  To sway and swing at her every turn,

  Catching the breeze from her fragrant hair.

  Yang: How clever!

  Liu: The pendant is a fine one. I’m only afraid it would sway once too often and get broken!

  Li: Now it is His Honour Yang’s turn to drink. [Fragrant Princess pours and Yang drinks. Mistress Li throws the dice and says]: It’s the silk handkerchief.

  Yang: I’ll compose a
verse about the handkerchief.

  Li: Please change the metre for variety.

  Yang: Then I’ll make it an examination essay: “The silk that dabs off perspiration evokes the lustrous skin of its possessor. The sweat that moistens the kerchief is spring’s hot breath on a lovely face. And whose face is worthy of so fine a fabric? The rosy cheek and white silk blend, enhancing each other’s perfection.”

  Hou: That’s excellent.

  Liu: What subtle talent! For this you should pass both provincial and metropolitan examinations at once!

  Fragrant Princess [serving wine to Liu]: Your turn, please, Master Liu.

  Li [throwing dice]: Number two; that stands for tea.

  Liu [drinks, but jokes]: You mean I only get tea to drink, while you drink wine?

  Li: No, your forfeit must be about tea.

  Liu: Shall I tell the tale of Chang San-lang, drinking tea with his paramour Yen P’o-hsi in The Men of the Marshes?

  Li: That’s too long-winded. Just tell us a joke.

  Liu: All right. Su Tung-p’o and Huang T’ing-chien went to visit the Buddhist monk Fo Yin.[2] Su brought a pot of fine Ting-yao porcelain, and Huang a pound of excellent Yang-hsien tea. All three sat under a spreading pine to savour the brew. The monk said: “Master Huang has a notorious passion for tea, but I don’t know about bearded Su’s tea-drinking capacities. Why not have a competition now?” Su asked: “How shall we arrange it?” The monk replied, “You ask him a riddle. If he cannot answer at once, I’ll put it on record that the Beard [i.e., Su] has beaten the Graduate. He will then ask you a riddle, and if you fail to give a prompt reply, I’ll put down that the Graduate has beaten the Beard. In the end we shall make a count. Each must drink a cup of tea on being defeated.” “Very well,” said Su, and asked: “How can you run a thread through a pin without a hole?” “Scratch away the pinpoint,” Huang replied.[3] “Well answered,” said Fo Yin. Huang asked: “How can you hold a gourd without a handle?” “By throwing it into the water,” said Su. “Another good answer,” said Fo Yin. Su asked: “If there is a louse in your breeches, will you see it or won’t you?” Before Huang could reply, Su seized a stick to beat him. At that moment Huang was holding the teapot, and it slipped and was shattered on the ground. Su shouted: “Remember this, you monk, the Beard has beaten the Graduate.” Fo Yin laughed and said: “But I only heard a crash. The Graduate broke the pot [hu-tzu]; the Beard [also hu-tzu] did not break the Graduate.” [General laughter.] This is no laughing matter. Graduates can be dangerous fellows. [Fingering the teapot]: They can break a hardware pot, not to mention a soft one! [Juan hu-tzu, a pun on Bearded Juan.]