Hao Qiu Zhuan/zh-en/Chapter 15

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第15回 — Chapter 15

中文原文（繁体） — Percy/Wilkinson (1761)

Other parallel views: 中文 ↔ Percy 1761 | 1761 ↔ 2026 | Modern EN only | Percy 1761 only | 中文 only

中文原文（繁体）

Percy/Wilkinson (1761)

EN · DE · 中文 · 正體 · FR · ES · RU Previous◀ zh Hao_Qiu_Zhuan Nextzh ▶ 第十五回 父母命苦叮咛焉敢过辞 Chinese original text of Chapter 15 Compare with the modern English translation, Wilkinson/Percy 1761 translation, and other language versions. 第十五回 父母命苦叮咛焉敢过辞 词曰： 关睢君子，桃夭淑女，夫岂不风流？花自生怜，柳应溺爱，定抱好衾裯。 谁知妾侠郎心烈，不要到温柔。寝名食教，吞风吐化，别自造河洲。 图书与文学 ——《少年游》 话说水尚书还到家中，看见冰心小姐比前长成，更加秀美，十分欢喜，因说道：“为父的前边历过了多少风霜险阻，也不甚愁；今蒙圣恩，受这些荣华富贵，也不甚喜。但见你如此长成，又平安无恙，我心甚慰；又为你择了一个佳婿，我亦甚快。”冰心小姐听见父亲说为她择了一个佳婿，因心有保奏影子，就有几分疑心是铁公子，因说道：“爹爹年近耳顺，母亲又早谢世，又不曾生得哥哥、兄弟，膝下只有孩儿一人，已愧不能承继宗祀，难道朝夕还不侍奉爹爹？怎么说起择婿的话儿来了？孩儿虽不孝，断不忍舍爹爹远去。”水尚书笑道：“这也难说，任是至孝，也没个女儿守父母不嫁之理。若是个平常之婿，我也来家与你商量；只因此婿少年风流不必言，才华俊秀不必言，侠烈义气不必言，只他那一双识英雄的明眼，不怕人的大胆，敢担石的硬骨，能言语的妙舌，真令人爱煞。我故自做主意，将你许嫁与他。”冰心小姐听见说话，渐渐知了，因虚劈一句道：“爹爹论人则然，只怕论礼则又不然也。” 水尚书虽与铁都院成了婚姻之约，却因铁公子前番说话不明，叫他归询自知，今见女儿又说恐礼不然，恰恰合着，正要问明，因直说道：“我儿你道此婿是谁？就是铁都堂的长公子铁中玉也。”冰心小姐道：“若是别人，还要女儿苦辞；若说是铁公子，便不消孩儿苦辞，自然不可。就是女儿以为可，铁公子必以为不可。何也？于婚姻之礼有碍也。虽空费了爹爹一番盛心，却免了孩儿一番逆命之罪。”水尚 书听了着惊道：“这铁公子既未以琴心相逗，你又不涉多露行藏，力何于婚姻之礼有碍？” 冰心小姐道：“爹爹不知，有个缘故。”遂将过公子要娶他，叔叔要撺掇嫁他，并假报喜，抢劫到县堂，亏铁公子撞见救了回来，及铁公子被他谋害几死，孩儿不忍，悄悄移回养好之事，细细说了一遍，道：“孩儿闻男女授受不亲，岂有相见草草如此，彼此互相救援又如此，此乃义侠之举，感恩知已则有之，若再议婚姻，恐不可如是之苟且也，岂非有碍？”水尚书听了，更加欢喜，道：“原来有许多委曲，怪道铁公子前日说话模模糊糊！我儿你随机应变，避害全身，真女子中所少，愈令人可爱。这铁公子见义敢为，全无沾滞，要算个奇男子，愈令人可敬。由此看来，这铁公子非你也无人配得他来，你非铁公子也无人配得你过，真是天生美对！况那些患难小嫌，正是男女大节，揆之婚姻大礼，不独无碍，实且有光，我儿不消多虑，听我为之，断然不差。”正是： 女之所避，父之所贪。 贪避虽异，爱慕一般。 按下水尚书父女议婚不提。 却说过公子自成奇回来报知水尚书不允之事，恨如切骨；后见父亲上本请斩，甚是快活；又闻得被铁公子救了侯孝成功，转升了尚书，愈加愤恨；后又闻水尚书与铁都院结了亲，一发气得发昏。因与成奇苦苦推求道：“我为水小姐不知费了多少心力，却被这铁家小畜生冲破救了去。前日指望骗他来，打一顿出出气，不料转被他打个不堪。大家告他，又被他先立了案，转讨个没趣。这还是我们去寻他惹出来的，也还气得过。只是这水小姐的亲事，我不成也还罢了，怎因我之事，到被他讨了趣去？今日竟安安稳稳，一毫不费气力议成亲事，我就拼死，也要与他做一场！兄须为我设个妙计。” 成奇道：“前日水小姐独自居处，尚奈何他不得，今水居一又升了尚书回来，一发难算计了。”过公子道：“升了尚 书，管我不着！”成奇道：“管是管不着，只是要与他作对头，终须费力。”过公子道：“终不然就是这等罢了不成？”成奇道：“就是不罢也难明做，只好暗暗设计，打破他的亲事。”过公子道：“得能打破他的亲事，我便心满意足。且请问计将安在”成奇道：“我想他大官宦人家，名节最重，只消将铁公子在他家养病之事说得不干不净，四下传闻，再央人说到他耳边里，那时他怕丑，或者开交，也未可知，他若听了，全不动意，到急时拼着央一个相好的言官，参他一本，他也自然罢了。” 过公子听了，方欢喜道：“此计甚妙。我明日就去见府、县官，散起谣言。”成奇道：“这个使不得。那府、县都是明知此事的，你去散谣言，不但他不信，只怕还要替他分辨哩。我闻得府尊不久要去，县官又行取了，也不久要去。等他们旧官去了，候新官来，不晓得前边详细，公子去污辱他一场，便自然信了。府、县信了，倘央人参论，便有指实了。”过公子听了，方才欢喜道：“吾兄怎算得如此详尽，真孔明复生也！”成奇道：“不敢欺公子，若不耻下问，还有妙于此者。”过公子道：“此是兄骗我，我不信更有妙于此者。”成奇道：“怎的没有？前日我在京中，见老爷与大夬侯往来甚密，又闻得大夬侯被铁中玉在他养闲堂搜了他的爱妾去，又奏知朝廷，将他幽闭三年，恨这铁中玉刺骨。又闻得这大夬侯因幽闭三年，尚未曾生子，又闻他夫人又新死了。公子可禀知老爷，要老爷写书一封，通知他水小姐之美，再说明是铁中玉定下的，教大夬侯用些势力求娶了去，一可得此美妾，二可泄铁公子恨，他自然欢喜去做。他若做成，我们不消费力，岂非妙计？” 过公子听了这番计，只欢喜得打跌。成奇道：“公子且莫欢喜，还有一妙计，率性捉弄他一番，与公子喜喜吧。”过公子道：“既蒙相为，一发要请教了。”成奇道：“我在京中又闻得仇太监与老爷相好，又闻得这仇太监有一个侄女，生得却颇丑陋，还未嫁人，何不一发求老爷一封 书，总承了铁中玉，也可算我仇将恩报了。”过公子听了，连声赞妙，道：“此计更妙，便可先行。要老爷写书不难，只是又要劳兄一行。”成奇道：“公子之事，安敢辞劳。”正是： 好事不容君子做，陰谋偏是小人多。 世情叵测真无法，人事如斯可奈何！ 按下过公子与成奇谋写书进京不提。 图书与文学 却说铁公子在西山读书，待到秋闱，真是才高如拾芥，轻轻巧巧中了一名举人；待到春闱，又轻轻巧巧中了一名进士，殿试二甲，即选了庶吉士。因前保荐侯孝有功，不受待诏，今加一级，升做编修，十分荣耀。此时铁中玉已是二十二岁，铁都院急急要与他完婚，说起水小姐来，只是长叹推辞，欲要另觅，却又别无中意之人。恰好水尚书一年假满，遣行人催促还朝，铁都院闻知，因写信与水尚书，要他连小姐携进京，以便结亲。 水尚书正有此意，因与冰心小姐商量道：“我蒙圣恩钦召，此番进京，不知何时方得回家。你一个及笄的孤女，留在家中殊为不便，莫若随我进京，朝夕寂寞，也可消遣。”冰心小姐道：“孩儿也是如此想，若只管丢在家中，要生孩儿何用？去是愿随爹爹去，只有一事，要先禀明爹爹。”水尚书道：“你有何事？不妨明说。”冰心小姐道：“若到京中，倘有人议铁公子亲事，孩儿却万万不能从命！”水尚书听了笑道：“我儿这等多虑，旦到京中看机缘再作区处。但家中托谁照管？”冰心小姐道：“叔叔总其大纲，其余详细，令水用夫妻掌管可也。”水尚书一一听了，因将家业托与水运并水用夫妻，竟领了冰心小姐，一同进京而去。正是： 父命隐未出，女心已先知。 有如春欲至，梅发向南枝。 不月余，水尚书已到京师，原有住宅居住，见过朝廷，各官俱来拜望。铁都院自拜过，就叫铁中玉来拜。铁中玉感水尚书是个知己，又有水小姐一脉，也就忙来拜过，但称晚生，却不认门婿。水尚书见铁中玉此时已是翰林，又人物风流，十分欢喜，相见加礼款接。每每暗想道：“这铁翰林与我女儿真是男才女貌，可称佳妇佳儿。但他父亲前次已曾行过定礼，难道他不知道？为何拜我的名帖竟不写门婿？窥他的意思，实与女儿的意思一般，明日做亲的时节，只怕还要费周旋。”又想道：“我与铁都堂父母之命已定了，怕他不从！且从容些时，自然妥贴。” 过了些时，忽一个亲信的堂吏，暗暗来禀道：“小的有一亲眷，是大夬侯的门客，说大夬侯的夫人死了，又未曾生子，近日有人寄 书与他，盛称老爷的小姐贤美多才，叫他上本求娶。这大夬侯犹恐未真，因叫门客访问，这门客因知小的是老爷的堂吏，故暗暗来问小的。”水尚书听了，因问道：“你怎生样回他？”堂吏道：“小的回他道：‘老爷的小姐已久定与新中的翰林铁爷了。’”他又问：“‘可曾做亲？’小的回他道：‘亲尚未做’。他即去了。有此一段情由，小的不敢不报知老爷。”水尚书道：“我知道了，他若再来问你，你可说做亲只在早晚了。”堂吏应诺而去。 水尚书因想道：“这大夬侯是个酒色之徒，为抢人家女子，幽闭了三年，今不思改悔，又欲胡为。就是请旨来求亲，我已受过人聘，怕是不怕他，只是又要多一番唇舌，又要结一个冤家。莫若与铁亲家说明此意，早早结了亲，便省得与他争论了。”又想道：“此事与铁亲家说到容易，只怕与女儿说倒有些为难。”因走到冰心小姐房中，对他说道：“我儿，这铁公子姻事，不是为父苦来逼你，只因早做一日亲，即免一日是非。”冰心小姐道：“不做亲事，有甚么是非？”水尚书就将堂吏之言说了一遍，道：“你若不与铁翰林早早的结了亲，只管分青红皂白，苦苦推辞，明日大夬侯访知了，他与内臣相好的多，倘若在内里弄出手脚来，那时再分辨便难了，不可十分任性。” 冰心小姐道：“不是孩儿任性，礼如此也。方才堂吏说是有人寄书与大夬侯，叫他上本娶我的是谁？”水尚书道：“这事我怎得知？”冰心小姐道：“孩儿倒得知在此。”水尚书道：“你知是谁？”冰心小姐道：“孩儿知是过学士。”水尚书道：“你怎知是他？”冰心小姐道：“久闻这大夬侯溺情酒色，是个匪人；又见这过学土助子邪谋，亦是匪人。以匪比匪，自然相合。况过学士前番为子求娶孩儿，爹爹不允，一恨也；后面请斩爹爹，圣上反召回升官，二恨也；今又闻爹爹将孩儿许与铁家，愈触其怒，三恨也。有此三恨，故耸动大夬侯与孩儿为难。若不是他，再有何人？”水尚 书道：“据你想来，一毫不差，但他既下此毒手，我们也须防备。”冰心小姐道：“这大夬侯若不来寻孩儿，便是他大造化；他若果信谗上本求亲，孩儿有本事代爹爹也上他一本，叫他将从前做过事，一齐翻出来。”水尚书道：“我儿虽如此说，然冤家可解不可结，莫若早早的做了亲，使他空费一番心机，强似挞之于市。” 父女正商量来了，忽报铁都院差人请老爷过去，有事相商。水尚书也正要见铁都院，因见来请，遂不排执事，竟骑了一匹马，悄悄来会铁都院。铁都院接着，邀入后堂，叱退衙役，握手低低说道：“今日我学生退朝，刚出东华门，忽撞见仇太监，一把扯住，说他有一个侄女儿，要与小儿结亲。我学生即一口就回他已曾聘了，他就问聘的是谁家，我学生怕他歪缠，只得直说出是亲翁令爱。他因说道：‘又不曾做亲事，单单受聘，也还辞得，容再遣媒奉求。’我想这个仇太监，又不明道理，只倚着内中势力，往往胡为。若但以口舌与他相争，甚是费力，况我学生与亲翁丝萝已结，何不两下讲明，早早偕了秦晋，也可免许多是非入耳。”水尚书道：“原来亲翁也受此累。我学生也有一段缘由。”遂将堂吏传说大夬侯要请旨求亲之事，细细说了一遍。铁都院道：“既是彼此俱受此累，一发该乘他未发，早做了亲，莫说他生不得风波，就是请了圣旨下来，也无用了。” 水尚书道：“早做亲固好，只是小女任性，因前受过公子之害时，曾接令郎养病，一番嫌疑于心，只是不安，屡屡推矢。恐仓卒中不肯就出门。”铁都院道：“原来令爱与小儿情性一般坚贞，小儿亦为此嫌，终日推三阻四。却怎生区处？”水尚书道：“我想他二人才美非常，非不爱慕而愿结丝萝。所以推辞者，避养病之嫌疑也；所以避嫌疑者，恐伤名教耳。唯其避嫌疑，恐伤名教，此君子所以为君子，淑女所以为淑女，则父母国人之所重也。若平居无事，便从容些时，慢慢劝他结亲，未为不可。但恨添此大夬侯与仇太监之事，从中夹吵，却从容不得了。只得烦老亲翁与我学生各回去劝谕二人，从权成此好事，便可免后来许多唇舌。令郎与小女，他二人虽说倔强，以理谕之，未必不从。”铁都院道：“老亲翁所论最为有理，只得如此施行。”二人议定，水尚 书别了回家。正是： 花难并蒂月难圆，野蔓闲藤苦苦缠。 须是两心无愧怍，始成名教好姻缘。 铁都院送了水尚书出门，因差人寻了铁翰林回家，与他商量道：“我为仇太监之言，正思量要完亲事，故请了水先生来计议。不期大夬侯死了夫人，有人传说他要来续娶水小姐。水先生急了，正来寻我，我也愿早早完婚。两家俱如此想，想是姻缘到了，万万不可再缓。我儿你断不可仍执前议，扰我之心。”铁中玉道：“父亲之命，孩儿焉敢不遵？但古圣贤于义之所在，造次必于是，颠沛必于是。孩儿何独不然，奈何因此蜂虿小毒，便匆匆草草，以乱其素心？若说仇太监之事，此不过为过学士播弄耳，焉能浼我哉！”铁都院道：“你纵能驾驭，亦当为水小姐解纷。”铁翰林道：“倘大人必欲如此周旋，须明与水尚书言过，外面但可扬言结亲，以绝觊觎之念，而内实避嫌，不敢亲枕衾也。”铁都院听了，暗想道：“既扬言做亲，则名分定矣，内中之事，且自由他。”因说道：“你所说倒也两全，只得依你。”遂令人拣选吉期要结亲。 图书与文学 到了次日，忽水尚书写了一封书来，铁都院诉开一看，只见上写着： 所议之事，归谕小女，以为必从。不期小女禀性至烈，只欲避嫌，全不畏祸。今再三苦训，方许名结丝萝以行权，而实虚合卺以守正。弟思丝萝既已定名，则合卺终难谢绝矣，只得且听之，以图其渐。不识亲翁以为然否？特以请命，幸亦之教之。不尽。 弟名正具 铁都院看了，暗喜道：“真是天生一对！得此淑女，可谓家门有幸，”亦于名教有光矣。只是迎娶回来，若不命卺，又要动人议论。莫若竟去就亲，闺阁内事，合卺不合卺，便无人知觉矣。”因写书将此意回复水尚书。水尚书见说来就亲，免得女儿要嫁出，愈加欢喜。两人同议定，择了一个大吉之日，因要张扬，使人知道，便请了许多在朝显官来吃喜筵。 到了这日，大吹大擂，十分热闹。到了黄昏，铁都院打了都察院的执事，铁中玉打着翰林院的执事，同穿了吉服，坐了大轿，竟到水尚 书家来就亲。到了门前，水尚书迎入前厅，与众宾朋亲戚相见。相见过，遂留铁都院在前厅筵宴，就送铁中玉到后厅与冰心小姐结亲。铁中玉到了后厅，天色已晚了，满庭上垂下珠帘，只见灯烛辉煌，有如白昼。庭旁两厢房藏着乐人在内，暗暗奏乐。厅上分东西，对设着两席酒筵。厅下左右铺着两条红毡。许多侍妾早已拥簇着冰心小姐立在厅右，见铁中玉到帘，两个侍妾忙扯开帘子，请铁中玉进去。冰心小姐见铁中玉进来，他毫不带女儿羞涩之态，竟喜孜孜迎接着，说道：“向蒙君子鸿蒙高谊，铭刻于心。只道今生不能致谢，不料天心若有意垂怜，父命忽无心遂愿，今得少陈知感，诚厚幸也。请上受贱妾一拜。”铁中玉在县堂看见冰心小姐时，虽说美丽，却穿的是浅淡衣服，今日却金装玉裹，打扮得与天仙相似，一见了只觉神魂无主，因答道：“卑人受夫人厚德，不敢齿牙明颂，以辱芳香，唯于梦魂焚祝，聊铭感佩。今幸亲瞻仙范，正有一拜。”遂各就红毡，对拜了四礼，侍妾吩咐，厢房隐隐奏乐。拜完乐止，二人东西就位对坐，侍妾一面献茶，因是合卺喜筵，不分宾主，无人定席，一面摆上酒来对饮。 饮过三巡，铁中玉因说道：“卑人陷阱余生，蒙夫人垂救，此恩己久难忘，不敢复致殷勤。只卑人浪迹浮沉，若非夫人良言指示明白，今日尚不知流落何所。今虽叨一第，不足重轻，然夫人培植恩私，因时时在人方寸中，不能去也。”冰心小姐道：“临事，何人不献刍荛；问途，童子亦能指示。但患听之者难，从之者不易耳。君子之能从，正君子之善举也，贱妾何与焉？若论恩私之隆重，君子施于贱妾者，犹说游戏县堂，无大利害。至于侯孝一案，事在法司，所关天子，岂游戏之所哉？而君子竟谈笑为之，虽义侠出于天生，而雄辨惊人，正言服众，故能耸动君臣，得以救败为功，而令家严由此生还，功莫大焉，妾虽投身，不足报万一，何况奉侍箕帚之末，敢过为推辞哉？所以推辞者，因向日有养病之嫌，虽君子之心与贱妾之心无不白，而传闻之人，则不白者多矣。况于今之际，妒者有人，恨者有人，谗者有人，安保无污辱？安保无谤毁？若遵父命，而只贪今夕之欢，设有微言，则君子与妾俱在微言中矣，其何以自表？莫若待浮言散尽，再结缡于青天白日之下，庶不以贱妾之不幸，为君子高风累也。不知君子以为然否？” 铁中玉听了俯首连声道：“卑人之慕夫人，虽大旱云霓不足喻也。每再思一侍教，有如天上。况闻两大人之命，岂不愿寝食河洲荇菜？而惶惧不敢者，只恐匆匆草草，以我之快心，致夫人之遗恨也。然而两大人下询，实逡巡不知所对。今既然夫人之婉转，实尽我心之委曲，共同此心，自无他议，事归终吉，或为今日而言也。”冰心小姐道：“即今日之举，亦属勉强，但欲谢大夬侯、仇太监于无言也，不得不出此。”铁中玉道：“卑人料大夬侯与仇太监，皆风中牛马，毫不相及势耳。然作此山鬼伎俩者，自是过氏父子为之播弄。今播弄不行，恶心岂能遂息，不知又将何为？”冰心小姐道：“妾闻凡事未成可破，将成可夺。今日君子与贱妾此番举动，可谓已成矣，破之不能，夺之不可，计唯有布散流言，横加污蔑，使自相乖违耳。妾之不敢即荐枕衾者，欲使通国知白璧，至今尚莹然如故，而青蝇自息矣。”铁中玉道：“夫人妙论，既不失守身之正，又可谢谗口之坚，真可谓才德兼善者也。但思往日养病之事，出入则径路无媒，居停则男女一室，当此之际，夫人与卑人之无欺无愧，唯有自知，此外则谁为明证？设使流言一起，纵知人者，以为莫须有，而辩白者何所据，而敢判其必无，致使良人之子，终属两悬，则将奈何？” 冰心小姐道：“此可无虑也，妾闻天之所生，未有不受天之所成者也。而人事于中阻挠者，正以砥砺其操守，而简练其名节也。君子得之，小人丧之，每每如此分途焉。譬如君子，义气如云，肝肠似铁，爵禄不移，威武不屈，设非天生，当不至此。贱妾虽闺娃不足齿，然稍知大义，略谙内仪，亦自负禀于天者。不过冥冥中若无作合，则日东月西，何缘相会？枘圆凿方，路于参差。乃相逢陌路，君即慷慨垂怜，至于患难周旋，妾亦冒嫌不惜，此中天意，已隐隐可知。然此时养病，心虽出于公而事涉于私，故愿留而不敢留，欲亲而不敢亲。至于今日，父母有命，媒妁有言，事既公矣，而心之私犹未白，故已成而终不敢谓成，既合而又不敢合者，盖欲操守名节之无愧君子也。此虽系自揆，而实成天之所成。君与妾既成天之所成，而天若转不相成，则天生君与妾，不既虚乎？断不然也。但天心微妙，不易浅窥，君子但安俟之。天若监明，两心自表白也。即使终不表白，到底如斯，君与妾夫妇为名，朋友为实，而朝花夕月，乐此终身，亦未必非千秋佳话也。”铁中玉听了，喜动眉宇，道：“夫人至论，茅塞顿开，使我铁中玉自今以后，但修人事，以俟天命，不敢复生疑虑矣。” 二人说话投机，先说过公子许多恶意，皆是引君入幕：后说过学士无限毒情，转是激将成功。正是： 合卺如何不合欢，合而不合合而安。 有人识得其中妙，始觉圣人名教宽。 只个铁中玉与冰心小姐，直饮得醺然，方才住手。侍妾送铁中玉到东边洞房中安歇；水小姐仍退归西阁。此一合而不合，有分教： 藤蔓重缠，丝萝再结。 不知后事如何，且听下回分解。 End of Chapter 15

EN · DE · 中文 · 正體 · FR · ES · RU Previous◀ en-wilkinson Hao_Qiu_Zhuan Nexten-wilkinson ▶ Chapter 15: When Parents Command with Bitter Entreaties, How Can One Refuse? From: Hau Kiou Choaan, or The Pleasing History. Translated by James Wilkinson, edited by Thomas Percy (London, 1761) Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1761 print. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify. [Volume IV, Book IV, Chapters I-IV] CHAP I. Shuey-keu-ye when he came home, saw to his great satisfaction his daughter grown up to woman's estate, and highly improved in her beauty and accomplishments. He told her the troubles he had met with had not been able to render him unhappy, neither was he at all elevated by his promotion. "My greatest pleasure, said he, is to see you again, and to find you in health." He concluded with telling her, that at court he had met with a young gentleman, whom he had chosen for his son-in-law, one who was in every respect answerable to his utmost wishes. It struck the young lady that this might possibly be Tieh-chung-u; she therefore answered, "Sir, you are far advanced in years: it is a great while since the death of my mother: you have no child but me: it is therefore my duty to serve you as long as I live: and however undeserving I may be, I will never cease to attend you." The Mandarine her father smiled and said, "You must not persist in these resolutions, however commendable they may be. It would be very wrong to let slip the opportunity of being happily married upon any such considerations. If my adopted son-in-law were not a person of superior merit, I should hardly have made choice of him: nay if he had the least fault in the world, I should not have accepted him without having first consulted you. But he is a youth of fine understanding, and of spotless integrity: he is deficient in no one valuable accomplishment. I found him in all respects so unexceptionable, that I did not think it necessary to apply to you first for your consent." The young lady, who by this description was confirmed in her opinion, that it must be the son of the Mandarine Tieh-ying, made answer, "that indeed nothing could be objected to such a person as he had described: But who knows, added she, whether there may not be other objections to the marriage-contract? whether it may be lawful—?" These words made the Lord President recall to mind those of the young gentleman, insomuch that he could not help remarking their resemblance: he therefore said, "Do you know the person of whom I speak; it is the son of the Supreme Viceroy." "Sir, she replied, had it been any one else, I would never have consented: and as it is he, he never will agree to any such marriage." "Why not?" said her father. She answered, "Because it would be to break through all the regards due to that honourable engagement, and to violate its most solemn rites." Shuey-keu-ye was surprised at these words: "This youth, said he, is of no ill descent; but pure and untainted as yourself: Why then do you talk of any violation that would accrue to the rites of marriage?" With that Shuey-ping-sin related to him all that happened during his absence. "And now, added she, after all this, how can such an alliance take place without entailing everlasting shame and disgrace on us both?" When he had heard this relation, her father was charmed with her delicacy and nice sense of honour: "If this be true, said he to himself, my daughter hath not her equal among women, any more than Tieh-chung-u is to be matched among men." "Daughter, said he aloud, I am glad to see you keep so closely to the paths of virtue: there is none but you fit to be paired with so good and virtuous a youth as I have chosen. Heaven seems to have created you both for each other: this marriage was ordained to take place between you. I have engaged to see it performed: you must not therefore think it wrong or dishonourable in it." These were the resolutions of the father of Shuey-ping-sin, whom we shall leave at present, to inquire after Kwo-khe-tzu, her unsuccessful admirer. When Chun-kee returned as we have seen without success, nothing could equal that youth's disappointment: yet his friend exhorted him not to be cast down: "Your father, said he, hath petitioned the Emperor against Shuey-keu-ye, and against an officer espoused by him; who will both be sentenced to lose their heads." Kwo-khe-tzu listened to this account with pleasure, and they continued to indulge themselves in the hope of being revenged for the slight put upon them, when at length the news arrived that Shuey-keu-ye was recalled from exile, and promoted to a higher office; and all by the interposal of Tieh-chung-u; in return for which he had engaged to give him his daughter in marriage. The report so affected Kwo-khe-tzu, that he raved and stamped like a madman, and at last swooned away. By the assistance of the people, who came to his relief, he at length recovered, and retiring with Chun-kee, said, "How indefatigable have I been? what steps have I taken? what expence have I been at? and what perplexity have I suffered? and at length Tieh-chung-u without any pains at all hath carried off the prize. But, if I die for it, I will prevent the ceremony from being compleated. Come, said he to his friend, you must set your wits at work for me." "Alas! replied the other, when she was lone and friendless all our attempts proved ineffectual: her father is now advanced in dignity, and will quickly be at home; what likelyhood then is there now of success?" "Well, said the youth, I can now have no hopes of succeeding myself: I shall be sufficiently satisfied, if I can but prevent and disappoint the other." "We know very well, replied his friend, the nice and scrupulous temper of her father, and his advancement will render him still more jealous of the reputation of his family; let us apply to some of his acquaintance, and get them to inform him of the secret correspondence between Tieh-chung-u and his daughter: if he hears of this he will certainly break off the marriage. But if he should disregard it, we then will get your father to apply to the Ko-tau or Public Censor: whose complaint against him will cause the Emperor to take away his employment, and set aside their nuptials." Kwo-khe-tzu thought this a well-concerted scheme: and said, "To-morrow I will endeavour to make this matter as public as I can among all the Mandarines of the city." "By no means, said his friend, for the Che-foo and Che-bien know the whole truth of the affair, and can contradict such a report: besides they will now be disposed to solicit the favour of Shuey-keu-ye, who will be upon the spot. Let us rather defer it till there come two new magistrates, for the present will soon go to court to solicit farther preferment." "Well, said the other, but although two new Mandarines should arrive, they will inquire into the truth of such a report, and the people of their audience will be able to set them right." "If we consider every objection, and are discouraged by it, replied Chun-kee, we had better desist and give up the affair. However I now recollect a more effectual means than any we have thought of: when I was at court, I observed a very great intimacy between your father, and Tah-quay, the great Mandarine who was so disgraced by your adversary Tieh-chung-u. The wife of this nobleman was newly dead, and he was looking out for a young and handsome woman to succeed her. Dispatch a letter to your father, and desire him to recommend Shuey-ping-sin to him; for although Tieh-chung-u hath made proposals of marriage, it is not concluded. Thus your father will at once oblige his friend, by helping him to a young and handsome wife, and you will be revenged on your adversary; whose reputation will also suffer by the disappointment: at the same time the whole affair will be conducted without disturbance or danger." "There is one difficulty attends this method, said the youth: Tah-quay's confinement is not yet expired, and no body is allowed to converse with him openly: so my father can only visit him in private, and therefore cannot assist him in his power." "This is very true, said Chun-kee, and will somewhat retard the attempt, but I have still another resource, which is not liable to the same objection. Your father hath also contracted a close intimacy with one of the great Eunuchs of the palace; one of whom the whole court stands in awe, as being about the Emperor's person, and having his ear. This gentleman, who is called Chou-thay-kien or the Eunuch of danger, hath a niece who is very ugly, and not yet married. Get your father to recommend Tieh-chung-u as a fit husband for her; he will not dare to reject the offers of so powerful a courtier as her uncle. Now when he is once married to the Eunuch's niece, undoubtedly so great a Mandarine as the Lord President of Arms, will never give him his only daughter for a second wife or concubine." Kwo-khe-tzu was so pleased with this advice, that he resolved to write to his father immediately: "But this affair, said he, is of too much moment to be intrusted to a common servant; shall I once more intreat you to embark in it?" His friend readily assented: and being furnished with money and other necessaries once more set out for the court. While these plots were contriving, Tieh-chung-u lived retired in his country house: where he pursued his studies with such application and success, that at the time of the examination of students, he was admitted to the degree of Kiu-jin, or Licentiate: this happened in autumn, when the examination is made through all the provinces. And soon after when the second examination was held at court he offered himself again, and appeared to such advantage that he was created Doctor of Law, and put foremost on the list. He was soon after made one of the first doctors of the empire, being chosen into the royal college or Han-lin, and appointed by the Emperor to be one of the tutors to his son. He had now attained his twenty second year, and his father and mother only waited for Shuey-keu-ye's return to court, in order to compleat the marriage, which they resolved the nice scruples of their son should not set aside. CHAP. II. The year was now elapsed which Shuey-keu-ye had been allowed to spend in retirement: when the Emperor issued out an order for his return to court: upon the first notice of which the Mandarine Tieh-ying wrote a letter, to intreat him to bring the young lady along with him. Upon the receipt of this, he told his daughter, that as she was now grown up to woman's estate, he intended she should accompany him to the court. Shuey-ping-sin testified her compliance: "To what purpose, said she, am I your daughter? I might as well not have been born to you, if I must remain always at a distance. It is very fitting I should attend you: but then I must humbly intreat one favour." He asked what it was. She replied, "If at court any offers should be made about the completion of the marriage with Tieh-chung-u, that you will be pleased not to consent to it." The old Mandarine smiled at her request, and assured her that he would do nothing that should be prejudicial either to her happiness or fame. He then asked her, to whom he should devolve the care of his house and effects. She proposed her uncle as the properest person to have direction without doors, but recommended him to leave the government within to the care of Se-ue-geong. He followed her advice, and having made suitable preparations departed for Pe-king, where in little more than a month he arrived. As soon as he had performed his first duty in waiting on the Emperor, all the great officers came to visit him, and among the rest the Mandarine Tieh-ying: who afterwards sent his son to pay him the same compliment. Although the young Mandarine Tieh in his visiting billet which he had dispatched before him, called himself only cousin, and not son-in-law, as he should have done, Shuey-keu-ye attributed it to his modesty, and admitted his visit. The old gentleman was mightily pleased to see him become a great Mandarine, and grown a very personable man, which made him think him the more suitable match for his daughter, esteeming them both only born for each other. "Let this young and virtuous pair, (said he to himself,) object never so much to the marriage, we old folks will over-rule them, and make them happy in spite of themselves." After some conversation Tieh-chung-u took his leave and retired. As soon as he was gone, the secretary belonging to Shuey-keu-ye's tribunal came in and said, "Sir, I have a relation, who is servant to the Mandarine Tah-quay; he hath been here to tell me that, as his master is confined, he could not visit your Lordship, neither could he send a billet of compliments in due form, but he notwithstanding presents his services and wishes of good health: he told me farther, that Tah-quay having lost his wife, is very desirous to marry again; and hearing that you have brought the young lady your daughter with you to court, he intends to get the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su to come in his behalf, and conclude a marriage-contract for her." "Well! said Shuey-keu-ye, and what answer did you make to Tah-quay's servant?" "I told him, said the other, that she had been long engaged to the Mandarine Tieh-chung-u. Upon which he inquired when the marriage was to be concluded; but I was not able to inform him. Of this our discourse, I thought it my duty to inform your Lordship." The Mandarine ordered him, if any one should hereafter question him on that subject, to tell them that the nuptials would be celebrated within the space of two days. "This Mandarine, said Shuey-keu-ye to himself, is a person of very ill character, his proposals are only meant to give us disturbance. But should he apply to the Emperor himself, there will be nothing to fear, as my daughter is already disposed of: however it is better to have the marriage completed to prevent the worst that may happen." He then went to his daughter's apartment, and told her she must not think it unreasonable, that he renewed the subject of her union with Tieh-chung-u, for that it was necessary it should take place immediately. Then he related to her all that his secretary had told him: "Now, said he, if we do not hasten the completion of your marriage, this Tah-quay may perhaps involve us in a great deal of trouble." It instantly occurred to the young lady, that Kwo-khe-tzu or his father were at the bottom of this business. She communicated her conjectures to her father, "And yet, added she, if Tah-quay should persist in giving us disturbance, upon proper application to his Majesty it may perhaps involve him in fresh disgrace, and be a means of renewing his former punishment." "The wisest course, said Shuey-keu-ye, is not to oppose an enemy, but to avoid him. If we conclude this marriage out of hand, his design will be defeated." —Before his daughter could reply, there came in a servant, to tell him that the Supreme Viceroy had sent his service, and begged he would favour him with his company at his house, for that he had urgent business to communicate to him. "This is a good opportunity, said Shuey-keu-ye; I had thoughts myself of going thither. I will therefore lay all ceremony aside. Let my horse be got ready." He accordingly went as fast as he could. CHAP. III. As soon as he alighted, the Mandarine Tieh-ying took him by the hand, and led him into the hall: "This morning, said he, as I was coming from court, I met the Eunuch Chou-thay-kien; who making me a very low bow, said, he begged a favour which he hoped I would not refuse him: that he had a niece, whom he should be glad to have married to my son. I told him it could not be, for he was already engaged. He replied, 'What though he is engaged to Shuey-ping-sin, it signifies little, as the marriage is not yet completed.' These Eunuchs, added the Mandarine Tieh, are saucy impertinent rascals, and presume upon the great employments they fill: therefore to be plagued no more on this subject, I have sent to your Lordship that we may get the wedding concluded as soon as possible." "What, said Shuey-keu-ye, have you then met with this trouble? Such another application hath been this day made to myself." Upon which he related all that his secretary had told him. "Now, said he, this being the case, let us put an end to the affair. When the marriage ceremony is once over, even his Majesty's order will not be of force to set it aside. Nay let it be concluded this very day: and yet my daughter will hardly be prevailed with; she argues against breaking the laws of decency and custom." "My son, said the other, talks in the same strain." "After all, said Shuey-keu-ye, I believe they secretly love each other: we must not therefore regard their objections, but exert our paternal authority." "True, said the Mandarine Tieh — and yet if these impertinent applications had not been made to us, we might have indulged them with longer time: but as it is, there is not an hour to be lost: I believe they would hardly be brought to give up each other, and therefore will now comply with our desires." Here they parted. The Mandarine Tieh-ying instantly sent for his son, and related to him all that happened both to the President of Arms and to himself. "Now, said he, this being the case, if you don't consent to marry the young lady, you will cause a great deal of trouble both to her and yourself; which there are no other means to prevent or avoid." "Sir, replied his son, whatever you command, 'tis my duty to obey you. I am only concerned at the hastiness of the proceedings. As to the Eunuch's application, it is certainly the contrivance of Kwo-sho-su: but what signifies his proposing his niece to me? he will but lose his labour." "Well, said his father, although you can so easily resist this attack yourself, you must give the young lady some assistance in her difficulty." "Sir, said the youth, be pleased then to acquaint the Mandarine her father to give it out that we are married. This will stop the mouths of these people, and rescue us from their impertinence: at the same time, we may within doors remain single till a more favourable juncture." The Mandarine Tieh approved very well of his son's discourse: and did not insist upon his further compliance. "Provided, said he, you can but satisfy the world that you are married, you may act in private as you please." Then he commissioned proper people to chuse out a fortunate day for the celebration of their nuptials. CHAP. IV. Early on the morrow the Mandarine Shuey-keu-ye sent a letter to the Supreme Viceroy, which he opened, and read to the following effect. "After I had talked with your Lordship yesterday, I went home and proposed to my daughter the completion of the marriage; which she could by no means be brought to consent to: however, after a great many arguments, at length she yielded that it should be reported abroad she was married to your son; on condition that at home she should still continue in her present state. I have therefore sent to consult your Lordship, whether you think this will be sufficient." The Mandarine Tieh-ying was highly pleased with the letter: but could not help thinking it very extraordinary that this young couple should both adopt the same opinions. "Certainly, said he, Heaven hath designed this pair for each other: there is a wonderful similitude in their fortunes, manners and sentiments. But yet, he added, if they do not live under the same roof, it will soon be discovered that they are not married: I will therefore send my son to reside in the house of Shuey-keu-ye; and then whether they are married or not, their true situation will not be known abroad." He accordingly sent to ask the other's opinion concerning this proposal: who intirely approved of it. They soon after visited each other, and chusing a fortunate day celebrated the marriage; at which a great number of Mandarines assisted with the highest splendour and magnificence. Tieh-chung-u went in state to the house of the bride, attended by all the Mandarines. When he arrived at the door, the Lord President came out in person to receive him: and after the usual ceremonies were over, there was a great entertainment prepared for the guests. The bridegroom however left them, and was led into the inner apartments. As it was now evening, the rooms were lighted up with greatest splendor: and as soon as he was come into the second hall, Shuey-ping-sin entered also, followed by a long train of female attendants. She received him with the same easy chearfulness, as she would have received a friend: she bewrayed no particular emotion or gesture, but accosted him with a decent and becoming freedom. "Sir, said she, I am ever sensible of the former benefits I received at your hands: and was my life to be laid down in your behalf, it would not discharge the debt I owe you. By my father's order I have the good fortune to meet with you here this day; which affords me an opportunity of returning you thanks for the services you have done me." Then making a deep court'sy she presented him with a seat. Tieh-chung-u seeing the graceful ease with which she accosted him, and the beauty of her person set off with the richness and exactness of her dress, thought her handsomer than she had even appeared to him at their first encounter: he was so ravished with the sight of her, that he thought she could be nothing less than an angel from heaven. When he had recovered his surprize, he replied, "Madam, the benefit I have received at your hands is so great that I want words to express it: A deep sense of it is however engraved in my heart, and is the subject of my daily thoughts and nightly dreams. By your father's permission, I have the good fortune to meet with you here this day, to pay you my acknowledgments." This said, he saluted her with great respect. Then a carpet was spread, and they both together performed the usual ceremony of bowing their heads down to the ground. After which retiring to two different tables they drank three glasses of wine to each other. Tieh-chung-u thus addressed the young lady, "Madam, I am so much obliged to you for all your favours, especially for the good instructions you gave me, that I shall ever retain them in my memory. It is owing to you that I am arrived to the great honours conferred upon me. If I had not had the happiness of meeting with you, I should very likely have been still a wanderer." "Your present advancement, said the young lady, was not owing to any thing I could say; which was but trifling. A mere child might by chance point out the way to those that had lost it. The source of your reputation was your redressing the injury of the young lady, who had been forced away; and your appearing in behalf of the General, Hu-hiau: these were actions so brave, that none beside yourself were equal to them. You also got my father restored to the Emperor's favour: a benefit that can be never repaid. How happy am I then, that I can now offer you my service! But, Sir, permit me to propose one word or two. When I invited you to my house in order to attend you in your illness, Heaven knows we were void of all bad intentions; but the malignity of the world led them to speak very ill of us abroad: and shall we now for the sake of a few days of mirth and pleasure, obscure the remaining part of our lives? In my opinion it would be much better to stay, and see this cloud pass over before we conclude the marriage farther. These are my sentiments, and I should be very glad if yours were the same." Tieh-chung-u hearing this, made her a very low bow, and told her, he highly approved of her opinion; which he had as much wished her to adopt, as a shower of rain is desired in a time of drought. "It is true, said he, the commands of our parents would be sufficient to warrant our completing the marriage: but as it would cause a deal of reflection, I am intirely of your opinion that it will be better to wait a little while longer." "Our parents' impatience, said the young lady, proceeds from the impertinence of Tah-quay and the Eunuch: but your regard for decency and good order merits my regard, and greatly heightens my opinion of you." "The people you mention, answered he, know nothing about us; and are unacquainted with our affairs: they are incited to trouble us by Kwo-sho-su; but when they see the step we have taken, their mouths will be stopped, and they can proceed no farther." "And yet, said Shuey-ping-sin, they may still shew their spite by raising ill and calumnious reports of us. Upon all these accounts it is best to forbear a while." "For my part, said Tieh-chung-u, when I came ill into your house, I thought none knew of it but four, namely, Heaven and Earth, you and myself." "Well, said she, if Heaven hath seen every thing, it will justify our union in the eye of the world: but as there is this secret reason for our forbearance, we must only feign to be husband and wife: this may pass with the public, till the difficulty is removed that prevents us from being such in reality." The young Mandarine was charmed with her discretion, and said, "Your ingenious reasoning informs my mind, at the same time that it strengthens my resolutions in virtue." Thus they held conversation on their present circumstances, and on the great regard that ought to be paid to honour and virtue: they also related the various passages that had happened, as well through the persecution of Kwo-khe-tzu, as through the plots of him and his father. They were very pleasant and chearful: and having drunk just enough to put them in mind to have the tables removed, they rose up, and retired into two separate chambers. So that their marriage was no otherwise completed than as to the outward appearance, and belief of it. What happened in consequence of these measures will be found in the following chapter. End of Chapter 15