Hao Qiu Zhuan/zh-en/Chapter 16
第16回 — Chapter 16
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) |
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第十六回 美人局歪厮缠实难领教Chinese original text of Chapter 16 Compare with the modern English translation, Wilkinson/Percy 1761 translation, and other language versions. 第十六回 美人局歪厮缠实难领教 词曰： 脸而粉白，眉儿黛绿，便道是佳人。不问红丝，未凭月老，强要结朱陈。岂知燕与莺儿别，相见不相亲。始之不纳，终之不乱，羞杀洞房春。 ——《少年游》 图书与文学 话说铁中玉与冰心小姐自成婚之后，虽不曾亲共枕衾，而一种亲爱悦慕之情，比亲共枕衾而更密，一住三日，并不出门。水尚书与铁都院探知，十分欢喜不提。 却说大夬侯与仇太监俱受了过学士的谗言，一个要嫁，一个要娶，许多势利之举，都打点的停停当当，却听见铁中玉与冰心小姐已结了亲，便都大惊小怪，以为无法，只得叫人来回复过学士，过学士听见，心愈不服，暗想道：“我卑词屈礼，软软地求他一番，倒讨他一场没趣。我出面自呈，狠狠的参他一番，竟反替他成了大功。此气如何得出！此恨如何得消！今央大夬侯与仇太监，指望夹吵得他不安，他又安安静静结了亲，此着棋又下虚了，却将奈何？”因差了许多精细家人，暗暗到水尚书、铁都院两处细细访他过失。 有人来说：“铁翰林不是娶水小姐来家，是就亲到水尚书家中去。”又有人来说：“铁翰林与水小姐虽说做亲，却原是两房居住，尚未曾同床。”又有人来说：“铁翰林与水小姐恩爱甚深，住了三日，并不出门。”过学士听在肚里，甚是踌躇，道：“既已结亲，为何不娶回家，转去就亲？既已合卺，为何又不同床？既不同床，为何又十分恩爱？殊不可解。莫非原为避大夬侯与仇太监两头亲事做的圈套？我想圈套虽由他做，若果未同床，尚可离而为两。今要大夬侯去娶水小姐，他深处闺中，弄他出来，甚是费力，若铁翰林日日上朝，只须叫仇太监弄个手脚，哄了他家去，逼勒他与侄女儿结成亲，他这边若果未同床，便自然罢了。”算计停当，遂面拜仇太监，与他细细定计。仇太监满口应承道：“这不打紧，若是要谋害铁翰林的性命，便恐碍手脚。今但将侄女与他结亲，是件婚姻美事，就是明日皇爷知道了，也不怕他。老先生只管放心，这件事大一半关乎我学生身上，自然要做的妥帖。只是到那日，要老先生撞来，做个媒正，使他后来无说。”过学士道：“这个自然。”因见仇太监一力担承，满心欢喜，遂辞了回来，静听好音不提。正是： 邪谋不肯伏，奸人有余恶。 只道计万全，谁知都不着。 却说铁中玉为结婚，告了十天假。这日假满要入朝。冰心小姐终是心灵，因说道：“过学士费了一番心机，设出大夬侯与仇太监两条计策，今你我虽不动声色，而默默谢绝，然他们的杀机尚未曾发，恐不肯便休。我想大夬侯虽说无赖，终属外庭臣子，尚碍官箴，不敢十分放肆，妾之强求可无虑矣。仇太监系宠幸内臣，焉知礼法？恐尚要胡为。相公入朝，不可不防。”铁中玉道：“夫人明烛机先，虑周意外，诚得奸人之肺腑。但我视此辈腐鼠耳，何足畏也！”冰心小姐道：“此辈何足畏？畏其近于朝廷，不可轻投也。”铁中玉听了，连连点头道：“夫人教我良是，敢不留意。”因随从入朝。 朝罢，回到东华门外，恰好与仇太监撞着。铁中玉与他拱拱手，就要别去，早被仇太监一把扯住道：“铁先生遇着得甚巧，正要差人到尊府来请。”铁中玉问道：“我学生虽与老公公同是朝廷臣子，却有内外之别。不知有何事见教？”仇太监道：“若是我学生之事，也不敢来烦渎铁先生。这是皇爷吩咐，恐怕铁先生推辞不得。”就要扯着铁中玉同上马去。中玉因说道：“就是圣上有旨，也要求老公公见教明白，以便奉旨行事。”仇太监道：“铁先生你也太多疑，难道一个圣旨，敢假传的？实对你说罢，皇爷有心爱的两轴画儿，闻知铁先生诗才最美，要你题一首在上面。”铁中玉道：“如今这画在哪里？”仇太监道：“现在我学生家里，故请同去题了，还要回旨。” 铁中玉因有冰心小姐之言，心虽防他，却听他口口圣旨，怎敢不去？只得上马并辔，同到他家。仇太监邀了入去，一面献茶，一面就吩咐备酒。铁中玉因辞道：“圣旨既有画要题，可请出来，以便应诏。至于盛意，断不敢烦。”仇太监道：“我们太监家，虽不晓得文墨，看见铁先生这等翰苑高第，倒十分敬重，巴不得与你们吃杯酒儿，亲近亲近。若是无故请你，你也断不肯来，今日却喜借皇爷圣旨这个便儿，屈留你坐半日，也是缘法。铁先生你也不必十分把我太监们看轻了。”铁中玉道：“内外虽分，同一臣也，怎敢看轻？但既有圣旨，就领盛意，也须先完正事。”仇太监道：“铁先生你莫要骗我，你若完了正事，只怕就要走了。也罢，我也有个法：圣上是两轴画，我先请出一轴来，待铁先生题了，略吃几杯酒，再题那一轴，岂不人情两尽？” 铁中玉只得应承。仇太监就邀入后厅楼下，叫孩子抬过一张 书案来，摆列下文房四宝，自上楼去，双手捧下一轴画来，放在案上，叫小太监展开与铁中玉看。铁中玉看见是名人画的一幅磬口蜡梅图，十分精工，金装玉裹，果是大内之物，不敢怠慢，因磨墨舒毫，题了一首七言律诗在上面。刚刚题完，外面报过学士来拜，仇太监忙叫请进来，不一时，过学士进来相见，仇太监就说道：“过老先生，你来得恰好。今日我学生奉皇爷圣旨，请铁先生在此题画，我学生只道题诗在画上，要半日工夫，因治一杯水酒，屈留他坐坐。不期铁先生大才，拿起来就题完了。不知题些甚么，烦过老先生念与学生听，待我学生听明白些，也好回旨。”过学士道：“这个当得。”因走近书案前，细细念与他听道： 恹恹低敛淡黄衫，紧抱孤芳未许探。 香口倦开檀半掩，芳心欲吐葩犹含。 一枝瘦去容仪病，几瓣攒来影带惭。 不是畏寒凝不放，要留春色占江南。 过学士念完，先自称赏不已，道：“题得妙！题得妙！字字是蜡梅，字字是磬口，真足令翰苑生辉！”仇太监听了，也自欢喜道：“过学士称赞，自然是妙的了。”因叫人将画收了，拿出酒来。铁中玉道：“既是圣上还有一轴，何不请出来，一发题完了，再领盛情，便心安了。”仇太监道：“我看铁先生大才，题画甚是容易，且请用一杯，润润笔看。”因邀入席。原来翰林规矩要分先后品级定坐席，过学士第一席，铁中玉第二席，仇太监第三席相陪。 饮过数巡，仇太监便开口道：“今日皇爷虽是一向知道铁先生义侠之人，不知才学如何，故要诏题此画；也因我学生有一美事，要与铁先生成就，故讨了此差来，求铁先生见允。今日实是天缘，刚刚凑着。”过学士假装不知道：“且请问老公公：有何事要成就铁兄？”仇太监道：“鼓不打不响，钟不撞不鸣。我学生既要成就这段姻缘，只得从实说了。我学生有个侄女儿，生得人物也要算做十全，更兼德性贤淑，今年正是十八岁了。一时拣择一个好对儿不出，今闻知铁先生青年高发，未曾毕婚，实实有个仰攀之意。前日朝回，撞见尊翁都宪公，道达此意，已蒙见允。昨日奏知皇爷，要求皇爷一道旨意，做个媒儿，皇爷因命我拿这两轴画的梅花图来，叫铁先生题。皇爷曾说：‘梅与媒同意，就以题梅做了媒人罢，不必另降旨意。像他文人自然知道今画已题了，不知铁先生知道么？’” 铁中玉听了，已知道他的来意，转不着急，但说道：“蒙老公公厚情，本不当辞。只恨学生命薄，前已奠雁于水尚 书之庭矣，岂有复居甥舍？”仇太监笑道：“这些事铁先生不要瞒，我都访得明明白白在这里了。前日你们做的把戏，不过为水家女儿不肯嫁与大夬侯，央你装个幌子，怎么就认真哄起我学生来了？”铁中玉道：“老公公此说，可谓奇谈。别事犹可假得的，这婚姻之事，乃人伦之首，名教攸关，怎说装做幌子？难道大礼既行，已交合卺，男又别娶，女又嫁人？”仇太监道：“既不打算别娶别嫁，为何父母在堂，不迎娶回来，转去就亲？既已合卺，为何不同眠同卧，却又分居而住？”铁中玉道：“不迎归者，为水岳无子，不过暂慰其父女离别之怀耳。至所谓同眠不同眠，此乃闺阁私情，老公公何由而知？老公公身依日月，目击纲常，切不可信此无稽之言。” 图书与文学 仇太监道：“这些话是真是假，我学生也都不管。只是我已奏知皇爷，我这侄女定要嫁与铁先生的，铁先生却推脱不得！”铁中玉道：“不是推脱，只是从古到今，没个在朝礼义之臣，娶了一妻，又再娶一妻之理。”仇太监道：“我学生只嫁一妻与铁先生，谁要铁先生又娶一妻！”铁中玉道：“我学生只因已先娶一妻在前，故辞后者。若止老公公之一妻，又何辞焉？”仇太监道：“铁先生娶妻的前后，不是这样论。若娶到家的，方才算得前，若是外面的闲花野草，虽在前到要算做后了。”铁中玉道：“若是闲花野草，莫说论不得前后，连数亦不足算。至于卿贰之家，遵父母之命，从媒的之言，钟鼓琴瑟，以结丝萝，岂闲花野草之比？老公公失言矣。”仇太监道：“父母之命，既然要遵，难道皇爷之命，倒不要遵？莫非你家父母大似皇帝？” 铁中玉见仇太监说话苦缠，因说道：“这婚姻大礼，关乎国体，也不是我学生与老公公私自争论的，纵不敢亵奏朝廷，亦当请几位礼臣公议，看谁是谁非。”仇太监道：“这婚姻既要争前后，哪有工夫，又去寻人理论？若要请礼臣，现今的过老先生，一位学士大人在此，难道不是个诗礼之人？就请问一声便是了。”铁中玉道：“文章礼乐，俱是一般，就请教过老先生也使得。”仇太监因问道：“过老先生，我学生与铁先生这些争讼的言语，你是听得明明白白的了，谁是谁非，却要求你公判一判，到不要党护同官。” 过学士道：“老公公与铁兄不问我学生，我学生也不敢多言。既承下问，怎敢党护？若论起婚姻的礼来，礼中又有礼，礼外又有礼，虽召诸廷臣穷日夜之力，也论不能定。若据我学生愚见，切闻王者制礼，又闻礼乐自天子出，既是圣上有命，则礼莫大于此矣。于此礼不遵，而拘泥古执今，不独失礼，竟可谓之不臣矣。”仇太监听了，哈哈大笑道：“妙论！说得又痛快，又斩截，铁先生再没得说了！”因叫小太监满斟了一大杯酒，亲起身送与过学士面前，又深打一恭道：“就烦过老先生为个媒儿，与我成就这桩好事。”过学士忙接了酒，拱仇太监复了位，因回说道：“老公公既奏请过圣上，则拜老公公如命为圣上之命也，我学生焉敢不领教？”一面就饮干了酒，就一面对着铁中玉道：“老公公这段姻事，既是圣上有命，就是水天老与寅翁先有盟约，只怕也不敢争论了。铁寅兄料来推脱不倒，不如从直应承了罢，好教大家欢喜。” 铁中玉听了，就要发作，因暗暗思想：一来碍着他口口圣旨，不敢轻毁；二来碍着内臣是皇帝家人，不便动粗；三来恐身在内庭，一时走不出来。正想提着过学士同走是条出路，恐发话重了，惊走了他，转缓缓说道：“就是圣上有命，不敢不遵，也须回去禀明父母，择吉行聘，再没学生自应承之理。”仇太监道：“铁先生莫要读得 书多，弄做个腐儒。若皇爷的旨意看得轻，不要遵，便凡事一听铁先生自专可也；若是皇爷的圣旨是违拗不得的，便当从权行事，不要拘泥，哪有这些迂阔的俗套了。恰好今朝是个黄道吉日，酒席我学生已备了，乐人已在此伺候了，大媒又借重了过老先生，内里有的是香闺秀阁，何不与舍侄女竟成鸾俦凤侣，便完了一件百年的大事？若虑尊翁大人怪你不禀明，你说是皇爷的圣旨，只得也罢了。若说没装奁，我学生自当一一补上，决不敢少。”过学士又撺掇道：“此乃仇老公公的美意，铁寅兄若再推辞，便不近人情了。”铁中玉道：“要近情，须先近礼，我学生今日之来，非为婚姻，乃仇老公公传宣圣旨，命微臣题画。今画二轴，才只题得一辆，是圣上的正旨尚未遵完，怎么议及私事？且求老公公请出那一轴画来，待学生应完了正旨，再及其余，也未为迟。”仇太监道：“这却甚好。只是这轴画甚大，在楼上，取下来甚是费力，莫若请铁先生就上面去题罢。” 铁中玉不知是计，因说道：“上下俱是一般，但遂老公公之便。”仇太监道：“既是这等，请铁先生再用一杯，好请上楼去题画，且完了一件，又完一件。”铁中玉听说，巴不得完了圣旨，便好寻脱身之路，因立起身来说道：“题画要紧，酒是不敢领了。”仇太监只得也立起身来道：“既要题画，就请上楼。”因举手拱行。铁中玉因见过学干也立起身来，因说道：“过老先生也同上去看看。”过学士将要同行，忽被仇太监瞟了一眼，会了意，就改口道：“题画乃铁寅兄奉旨之事，我学士上去不便。候寅兄题过画，下来做亲，学生便好效劳。”铁中玉道：“既然如此，学生失陪有罪了。” 说罢，竟被仇太监拱上楼去。正是： 鱼防香饵鸟防弓，失马何曾虑塞翁。 只道飞鸿天地外，谁知燕阻画楼东。 铁中玉被仇太监哄上楼来，脚还未曾立稳，仇太监早已缩将下去，两个小内官早已将两扇楼门紧紧闭上。铁中玉忙将楼中一看，只见满楼上俱悬红挂绿，结彩铺毡，装裹的竟是锦绣窝巢，楼正中列着一座锦屏，锦屏前坐着一个女子，那女子打扮的： 珠面金环宫样妆，朱唇海阔额山长。 阎王见惯浑闲事，吓杀刘郎与阮郎。 那女子看见铁中玉到了楼上，忙立起身来，叫众侍儿请过去相见。铁中玉急要回避，楼门已紧紧闭了，没法奈何，只得随着众侍儿走上前，深深作了一揖，就回过身来立着。那女子自不开口，旁侧一个半老的妇人代他说道：“铁爷既上楼来结亲，便是至亲骨肉，一家人不须害羞，请同小姐并坐不妨。”铁中玉道：“我本院是奉圣旨上楼来题画的，谁说结亲？”那妇人道：“皇爷要题的两轴画，俱在楼下，铁爷为何不遵旨在楼下题，却走上楼来？这楼上乃是小姐的卧楼，闲人岂容到此？”铁中玉道：“你家老公公的计策妙是妙，只可惜在我铁中玉身上毫厘无用！”那妇人道：“铁爷既来之，则安之，怎说没用？”铁中玉道：“你们此计若诬我撞上楼来，我是你家老公公口称圣旨题画，哄我上楼来的，况且又是青天白日，现在有过学士在楼下为让，自诬不去。若以这等目所未见的美色来迷我，我铁翰林不独姓铁，连身心都是铁的，比那坐怀不乱的柳下惠，明烛达旦的关云长还硬铮三分，这些美人之计如何有用！” 那女子不但不美，原是个惫赖之人。只因初见面，故装做些羞羞涩涩，不肯开言。后面偷眼看见铁翰林水一般的年纪，粉一般的白面，皎皎洁洁，倒像一个美人，十分动火，又听他说美人计没用，便着了急，忍不住大怒道：“这官人说话也太无礼！我们虽宦官家，若论职分也不小。我是他侄女儿，也算做个小姐。今日奏明皇爷嫁你，也是一团好意，怎么说是用美人之计？怎么又说没用？既说没用，我们内臣家没甚名节，拼着个不识羞，就与你做一处，看是有用没用？”因吩咐众侍妾道：“快与我拖将过来！”众侍妾应了一声，便一直上前说道：“铁爷听见么？快快过去陪个小心罢，免得我们啰唣。”铁中玉听见，又好恼又好笑，只是不作声。众侍妾看见铁翰林不做声。又见女子发急，只得奔上前来，你推一把，我扯一把，夹七夹八的乱躁。铁中玉欲要认真动手，却见又是一班女子，反恐不便，只得忍耐。因暗想道：“俗话说：‘山鬼之伎俩有限，老僧之不睹不闻无穷。’只不理他便了。”因移了一张椅子，远远的坐下，任众侍妾言言语语，他只默默不睬。正是： 刚到无加柔至矣，柔而不屈是真刚。 若思何物刚柔并，唯有人间流水当。 铁中玉正被众侍妾啰唣，忽仇太监从后楼转出来，一面将众侍妾喝道：“贵人面前，怎敢如此放肆！”一面就对铁中玉说道：“铁先生，这段姻缘已做到这个田地，料想也推辞不得，不如早早顺从了罢，也免得彼此失了和气。”铁中玉道：“非是学生不从，于礼不可也。”仇太监道：“怎么不可？”铁中玉道：“老公公不看见《会典》上有一款：‘外臣不许与内臣交结。’交结且不可，何况联姻？”仇太监道：“这是旧制，旧制既要遵，难道皇爷的新命倒不要遵？”铁中玉道：“就是要遵，也须明奉了圣旨，谢过恩，然后遵行。今圣旨不知何处，恩又不曾谢，便要草草结亲，这是断乎不可，望老公公原谅。”二人正在楼上争论，忽两个小太监慌慌忙忙跑将上来，将仇太监请了下去。 原来是侯总兵边关上又招降了许多乱人，又收了许多进贡的宝物，亲解来京朝见，蒙圣上赐宴，因前保举是铁中玉，故有旨诏翰林铁中玉陪宴。侍宴官得了旨，忙到铁衙来召，闻知被仇太监邀了去，只得赶到仇太监家内来寻。看见铁翰林跟随的长班并马俱在门外伺候，遂忙禀仇太监要人，仇太监出来见了，闻知是这些缘故，与过学士两个气得你看着我，我看着你，话都说不出来。侍宴官又连连催促，仇太监无法奈何，只得叫人开了楼门，请他下来。 铁中玉下便下来，还不知是甚缘故，因见侍宴官与长班禀明，方才晓得。又见侍宴官催促，就要辞出。仇太监满肚皮不快活，因说道：“陪宴固是圣旨，题画也是圣旨，怎么两轴只题一轴？明日圣上见罪，莫怪我不早说！”铁中玉道：“我学生多时催题，老公公匿画不出，叫学生题甚么？”原来这轴画原在楼下，因要骗铁中玉上楼，故不取出。及骗得铁中玉上楼，便将这轴画好好的铺在案上，好入他的罪。今听见铁中玉说匿画不出，因用手指着道：“现放在 书案上，你自不奉旨题写，却转说匿画，幸有过老先生在此，做个见证。”铁中玉见画在案上，便不多言，因走近前，展开一看，却画的是一枝半红半白的梅花，与前边的磬口梅花又不相同，磨墨濡毫要题。侍宴官见铁中玉要题画，因连连催促道：“题诗要费工夫，侯总兵已将到，恐去迟了。”铁中玉道：“不打紧。”因纵笔一挥，挥完掷笔，将手与过学干一拱道：“不得奉陪了！”竟往外走，仇太监只得送他出门上马而去。正是： 图书与文学 孤行不畏全凭胆，冷脸骄人要有才。 胆似子龙重出世，才如李白再生来。 仇太监送了铁中玉去后，复走进来，叫过学士将题画的诗念与他听。过学士因念道： 一梅忽作两重芳，仔细看来觉异常。 认作红颜饶雪色，欲愁白面带霞光。 莫非浅醉微添量，敢是初醒薄晓妆。 休怪题诗难下笔，枝头春色费商量。 过学士念完，仇太监虽不深知其妙，但见其下笔敏捷，也就惊倒，因算计道：“这小畜生有如此才笔，那水小姐闻知也是个才女，怎肯放他？”过学士道：“他不放他，我如何又肯放他？只得将他私邀养病之事，央一个敢言的当道上他一本，使他必不成全，方遂我意！”只因这一算，有分教： 镜愈磨愈亮，泉越汲越清。 不知过学士央谁人上本，且听下回分解。 End of Chapter 16 |
Chapter 16: The Beauty Trap: A Crooked Scheme Hard to EndureFrom: 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 V-VI] CHAP. V.[1] Tieh-chung-u having completed his marriage with Shuey-ping-sin, was notwithstanding greatly in love with her: and that as well for her wit and good sense, as for the beauty and gracefulness of her person. He was so charmed with her conversation that he could not endure to stir abroad: which being related to their respective parents, they were extremely well pleased. Let us leave them thus enamoured of each other, and return to Tah-quay and the Eunuch Chou. These two persons, who had been encouraged by Kwo-sho-su to make the proposals abovementioned, hearing now of the marriage that had taken place between the young couple, were inclined to desist; and sent to inform that Mandarine of their resolutions. He was very much chagrined, and disappointed at the news, and resolved to send some of his servants to the house of the young lady to listen and spy out what was transacting: he did the same to the house of the Supreme Viceroy. The first information he received was, that the young Mandarine Tieh-chung-u had not brought the bride home to his house, but had gone to reside with her at her father's. Soon after it was told him, that although they were married, they still continued in separate apartments. He afterwards learnt, that the bridegroom was so enamoured of his lady, that he had not stirred from her for two or three days. These different accounts somewhat puzzled Kwo-sho-su; their behaviour was singular and mysterious, so that he imagined there was something more than ordinary at the bottom. At length from their living in separate apartments, he concluded that the matter was neither more nor less than this, that the marriage was only a feint, in order to avoid the proposals of Tah-quay and the Eunuch Chou. Well, said he, if they have not yet cohabited, 'tis still possible to separate them, and spoil their marriage. Tah-quay must be informed of this, and encouraged to renew his application: but then her friends will refuse him under pretence of this marriage, and as she seldom stirs out, he will find no opportunity to carry her away. Before he takes any step of this kind, it will be better to set Chou-thay-kien at work: I will go and persuade that Eunuch to intice this Tieh into his house; and when he has him there to compel him at once to marry his niece." Full of these designs he hasted to the house of Chou-thay-kien, to whom he related as well the information he had picked up, as the measures which he thought necessary to be taken. The Eunuch thought them practicable, and promised to give him notice, as soon as he had enticed the youth to his house: desiring him in that case to come to him immediately. Kwo-sho-su was pleased to see him so readily adopt his design, and promised nothing should delay or prevent his coming. Then taking his leave he went home, impatiently waiting till he should be sent for. Tieh-chung-u, on account of his pretended marriage had obtained leave of the Emperor to absent himself ten days from court. These were expired, and he must now return: Shuey-ping-sin, whose judgment and penetration were admirable, seeing him about to go, said to him as follows, "Kwo-sho-su having laid a plot with a view to get us both disposed of, the one to Tah-quay, and the other to the niece of the Eunuch Chou, hath hitherto been disappointed: it is not however to be supposed that he will give us up so easily: he will still seek some way to embroil us. With regard to Tah-quay, as he is not within the precincts of the palace, he would be liable to reproof from superior tribunals should he do any thing amiss: and therefore I apprehend nothing from him. But this Eunuch, who is a domestic servant of the Emperor's, presuming upon his favour, and knowing his mind, regards nothing but his own inclinations. If therefore you go to court, be sure be upon your guard against his attempts." "You argue rightly," said Tieh-chung-u, "and talk with your usual judgment and discretion. But this Eunuch is of a mean, low cast: what can he do? what is there to be feared from him?" She replied, "Such persons it is true are despicable, and not to be feared: but at present as things are circumstanced, and as he hath got the ear of his Majesty, it would not be amiss to be upon your guard." The young Mandarine agreed it would be proper; then taking his leave of her went to the palace. As he was thence returning home, who should meet him but the Eunuch himself. Holding up his hands, he saluted the youth with great familiarity. The latter would have proceeded on his way, but the other laid hold of his horse's bridle. "I was even now going," said he, "to send to your house to desire to speak with you." "What business," said Tieh-chung-u, "can you have with me? Your affairs and mine can have no relation. My province lies without the palace, and yours within." "If it were only on my own account," replied the Eunuch, "I should not have taken the liberty to stop you: but I have business of the Emperor's to impart to you, which must not be deferred: you had better then go home with me, and let us talk it over there." "Before I do that," replied Tieh-chung-u, "you must tell me plainly what your business is." "Sir," said the other, "do you think I would go about to deceive you? or durst abuse the Emperor's authority? To tell you truly then, his Majesty hath heard that you are a fine poet; and requires you to write some verses on two pieces of painting, which he greatly values." The youth inquired where they were: and was answered, at his house. Tieh-chung-u immediately recollected the words of his lovely mistress; but found he could not avoid the snare, as the other had got the Emperor's order. He accordingly went home with Chou-thay-kien. When they were got within his doors, the Eunuch ordered tea to be brought and a table to be spread for an entertainment. "No! no!" said the young Mandarine, "the first things to be attended to are the pictures, I dare not enter on any thing else till they are dispatched." "Sir," replied the other, "you know very well what the generality of us Eunuchs are: we are a foolish illiterate set of people: however I cannot but take great satisfaction in seeing a person of your ingenuity and learning: I hope therefore you will honour me so far as to drink something with me: and will permit me to shew the great respect I entertain for you. I believe if I had sent to invite you, you would hardly have come: but as his Majesty's business hath brought you here, you must oblige us a little with your company. And pray don't look upon me in the same mean and despicable light as the rest of my brethren, since I have obtained this great honour: upon which account I hope you will overlook the liberty I take of sitting down with you." "Pray don't talk in this manner," said Tieh-chung-u, "are not we both the Emperor's servants? But as there is his Majesty's order to be obeyed; let that be first dispatched, and afterwards we will converse together." "Perhaps," replied he, "when that is performed, you will not stay any longer. Well then; you shall write upon one of the pictures first, and before you take the other in hand you shall do me the favour to drink a little wine." To this the young Mandarine assented. Chou-thay-kien then led him into a hall, and calling a servant, ordered him to take down a painting that was hung up, and lay it on a table. Tieh-chung-u found it to be a beautiful flower piece, containing the picture of a double jasmin: then taking a pencil he wrote a few lines over it. He had scarcely done, when word was brought that the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su was arrived. He was accordingly desired to walk in. The Eunuch Chou told him he was very opportunely arrived to meet with the great Doctor Tieh-chung-u; who was come there to write upon some pictures by the Emperor's order. "And here," said he, "he hath dispatched one in less time than you would drink off a dish of tea." The Mandarine Kwo-sho-su told him that those that were masters of their art were generally expeditious. "Pray my Lord," said the Eunuch Chou, "be so kind as to read the inscription to me, and tell me what it contains; that I may the better talk of it to the Emperor when I carry it to him." The other assented, Tieh-chung-u desiring him to pardon and overlook the faults he should find in it. When Kwo-sho-su had perused the verses, he cried out, "They are written with a great deal of spirit, and shew a fine understanding." The Eunuch appeared extremely satisfied with this account, and immediately ordered an entertainment to be served upon the table. Tieh-chung-u intreated, that he would permit him to finish both the pictures now he was about it. But the Eunuch would not let him: "said he, you do it with the greatest ease and pleasure: why can't you then first sit down and regale yourself, and afterwards finish the verses at leisure?" Kwo-sho-su sat down at the first: the Eunuch with Tieh-chung-u at the second. After some little conversation on indifferent subjects, Chou-thay-kien addressing himself to the latter, said: "His Majesty being informed of your great ingenuity, hath ordered these two pictures to be sent here, that you should write something upon them: but it was at my intreaty in order to bring you to my house, where I have something to impart to you of great moment. It is also a peculiar happiness that this Mandarine hath chanced to drop in, and that I can do it in his presence." "What," said Kwo-sho-su, "have you of moment to impart to this Mandarine in my hearing?" The Eunuch replied, "If a drum be not struck upon, it returns no sound; if a bell be not rung, it will not be heard; excuse me therefore if I enter at once upon the matter in hand, without farther ceremony, or delay. I have a niece born with no great beauty; nor is she yet very ill-favoured: but she is very good tempered, chearful and pleasant. She is now about eighteen years of age, and yet I have not hitherto found a proper match for her. Now, Sir," said he, addressing himself to Tieh-chung-u, "you are the man I would chuse for her husband: she is ingaged to no other person: I have got the consent of the Mandarine your father: and yesterday I begged of the Emperor to have the marriage performed: in order to which he gave me these two pictures to ratify the contract." How much soever Tieh-chung-u was surprized, and chagrined to discover this treachery, he endeavoured to conceal it from observation. He even assumed an appearance of satisfaction, and told the Eunuch he was extremely obliged to him: that his proposal was what he could not possibly have refused, had it been in his power to have accepted of it; but that he was already married to Shuey-ping-sin, the daughter of the Lord President of Arms: and that it was impossible for him to be married twice.[2] Chou-thay-kien smiled and said,[3] "Sir, you must not think to deceive me, I have examined the affair to the bottom: your proceedings were a feint, in order to avoid marrying my niece; as also to prevent the addresses of Tah-quay to the young lady: and as it was so easy to see through this imposition, I wonder you should think of attempting it." Tieh-chung-u answered, "Your Lordship surprizes me: in an affair of any other nature, such an attempt might be feasible: but in such a subject as marriage, how can any imposition take place?" "If you are really and truly married," said the Eunuch, "why did not you conduct the bride home to your house, but on the contrary go to reside in that of her father? Why also don't you cohabit with your wife? Why do you continue in separate apartments?" "I do not bring home my bride," said the Mandarine Tieh, "because her father hath never a son; I dwell therefore with him, in order to attend and comfort him in his old age: but whether we reside in the same apartments or not, is an affair of no consequence to any but ourselves: it is sufficient that the marriage hath been duely celebrated. Beside as your Lordship is continually with the Emperor, how can you tell what passes in the house of another person? and this being the case, you ought not to believe any such story." "I shall not enter any farther into the merits of these reports," said the other: "it concerns not me whether they are true or false: it is sufficient that I have spoke with his Majesty about your marriage with my niece: and have the sanction of his authority. It is in vain therefore to think to avoid it." "Not avoid it!" said Tieh-chung-u. "From the remotest antiquity till the present hour, it hath never been heard of, that a man endowed with reason hath been married to one wife, and then taken another. I have already espoused a young lady with all the due solemnities of law; for this reason I must refuse all other: yet had you made me the offer of your niece first, I should not have slighted it." "Before you had talked in this manner," said the Eunuch,[2] "you should have made it appear that you were really married. When the bride is once carried to the house of her husband, then it may be reputed a true marriage: then she may be considered as a first or secondary wife: but this cannot properly be done till she is carried from her own house. And this ceremony the Rites require." "I grant your Lordship," said Tieh-chung-u, "that generally speaking this is necessary, but then it is only for the especially in obedience to the express commands of a parent." "You talk of obedience to your parents," said Chou-thay-kien, "will you pay attention to them, and neglect to obey the orders of the Emperor? Do you think then that the private commands of your parents are to take place of those of his Majesty?" "Far from it," said Tieh-chung-u; who began to be vexed, to hear him talk in so unreasonable a manner: "I only say that marriage is a thing of great importance; and ought to be conducted with regularity and order: otherwise you violate the laws and rites of the empire. This is not a private affair between your Lordship and myself, but a thing of public concernment; and if his Majesty will be pleased to consult all the doctors of the empire, he will see that I am right." "What occasion for so much trouble?" said the Eunuch: "or why is it needful to consult all the doctors, when there is present so great a doctor as Kwo-sho-su, one who is so capable of determining the question?" "Very true," replied the youth; "will your Lordship ask him to judge between us?" "My Lord," said the Eunuch, addressing himself to that Mandarine, "you have been here some time listening to the dispute between this gentleman and myself: be pleased to favour us with your opinion of the case." "If you alone had asked me," said the Minister, "and if the Mandarine Tieh-chung-u himself had not also applied to me, I should not have hazarded a word between you: but as he also desires it, I will speak according to my conscience, without partiality to either side. With regard to the rites of marriage, there are reasons within other reasons, and the subject contains some things so intricate, that all the doctors in the empire cannot infallibly decide upon it. But if the question turns upon the Emperor's authority, I am of opinion that the rites of marriage are subject to it, and that he may over-rule them at pleasure. For if you look back through all ages, you will find that the Emperor hath power to change the laws of the realm, and even to abolish the whole estate of his Mandarinate, by which those laws are executed and supported." The Eunuch Chou hearing these words, could not conceal his satisfaction: he laughed and said, "Your Lordship is certainly right, the Mandarine Tieh cannot answer one word to this." Then calling for a cup of wine, he took it in his hand, and presented it with great reverence to Kwo-sho-su, intreating him to be bridesman or mediator to the marriage of his niece. "As you have obtained his Majesty's licence," replied he, addressing himself to Chou-thay-kien, "it is no longer left to your discretion; I shall therefore act in that behalf, for I dare not disobey his Majesty." Then he drank off the wine.[4] After which he addressed himself to Tieh-chung-u: "As the Emperor," said he, "hath been pleased to lend his sanction to this marriage, you cannot refuse your compliance, notwithstanding your prior engagement with Shuey-ping-sin: let me then advise you, Sir, to stand off no longer, but submit, and all will be well." Tieh-chung-u was extremely chagrined and vexed, and could with much difficulty keep his patience: he nevertheless found it necessary to bridle his temper for many reasons. In the first place, he considered that they had made the point to rest upon the Emperor's authority: again he reflected that the Eunuch Chou had continual access to his Majesty's presence, and would be able to give what turn he pleased to the affair: he was also fearful that being within that Eunuch's house, he would not suffer him to go out: he was moreover unwilling to quarrel openly with Kwo-sho-su: he therefore answered that Mandarine mildly; "I have nothing to object to your Lordship's opinion, and if his Majesty hath given his order, far be it from me to dispute it. But still it is necessary for me to go, and inform my father and mother; that they may fix on a fortunate day; and settle the terms of the nuptial sum: for I cannot pretend to take upon me to do it without their knowledge." "Sir," said the Eunuch, "you only want to shift off the affair; but it will not serve your turn: if you do not comply, you shew contempt to his Majesty's order: it wholly depends upon yourself whether you will obey it or not: you ought to obey, and not to study these excuses. This is a fortunate day: all that relates to invitations is already performed: the music is prepared: the banquet ready: and here by great good fortune is the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su to act as bridesman: within is the nuptial chamber fitted up for the bridegroom: let us now celebrate your marriage with my niece, and then I shall have discharged the most important duty that relates to this life. If you think, Sir, that your father or mother will complain of being neglected, you must lay the blame on his Majesty's order; and then what complaint can be made? If you make any scruple about the nuptial sum, I will leave that entirely to yourselves: that shall make no ground of dispute." "Really, Sir," said Kwo-sho-su to the young Mandarine Tieh, "my Lord Chou-thay-kien discovers a great affection for you; if now you make any farther excuses, you will certainly pass for an ungrateful person." The young Mandarine replied, "Before one can acknowledge a favour, one ought to be certain of its propriety and reasonableness. I came hither to-day by his Majesty's order to make some verses or encomiums on two pictures. I have already finished one; the other remains to be performed: and how can I dare to take in hand any other business till this is discharged? Now I intreat your Lordship to give me here the other picture, that I may finish it; and then I shall be at liberty to enter upon any other business." "Sir," said the Eunuch, "you say very well: but the other picture is very large, and is laid up in an inner apartment: as therefore it would occasion a great deal of trouble to bring it here, you had better go within to it." Although Tieh-chung-u suspected that there was some secret design in this, which he could not at present discover, he notwithstanding thought it best to comply: which he signified accordingly. "Well then," said the Eunuch, "let us drink once more, afterwards we will go within: for your Lordship is right in proposing, that one thing be finished before another be taken in hand." The young Mandarine Tieh said to himself, "When I have once dispatched the other picture, I shall perhaps find a means to escape from this house." Accordingly rising up from the table, he said, "Come let us finish the verses: I will drink no more." The Eunuch Chou rose up likewise, and said, "Let us go." The Mandarine Kwo-sho-su expressed also an inclination to accompany them: but the Eunuch gave him a signal with his eye: immediately that Mandarine stopped and said; "It is not necessary that I be present at the composing of these verses, I will wait for your return here without: and when you have finished them I will compleat the business." Then Chou-thay-kien conducted the young Mandarine Tieh within: by which means he fell into the snare: for as soon as the other had led him into an inner apartment he left him and withdrew; two women servants immediately shutting the doors upon him. CHAP. VI. Tieh-chung-u being thus shut up within the inner apartments of the Eunuch's palace, found them all adorned and fitted out in the most splendid manner. He entered one of the chambers, which shone with the richest and most elegant furniture; and saw in it a lady seated in a chair, who was adorned with jewels, and the costliest ornaments in great profusion. Tieh-chung-u seeing her thus dressed out like a princess, composed the following verses in his mind.
This lady, who was no other than the niece of the Eunuch, seeing the young Mandarine enter, rose up from her chair, and made signs to her women to perform their reverences to him: who asked him to draw near, and converse with their lady. Far from complying with their request he drew back; but seeing all the doors were shut upon him, and that there was no remedy, at length he went somewhat nearer the lady, and bowed to her very low; which done, he drew back a little as before: all this while the lady never opened her mouth. One of the most aged of the female attendants seeing this, came up to Tieh-chung-u, and said to him: "Your Lordship came here within the women's apartments to marry my lady: husband and wife being[6] once married, are both of one body, of one flesh. You are now Lord of all this house. You need not therefore be reserved or bashful: but may come and sit down here with your lady." "I came here," said he, "by the Emperor's command to write verses upon two pictures belonging to his Majesty: how then can you say I came here to marry?" "The pictures you speak of," said the servant, "are without; if therefore your Lordship only came on that account, why did not you stay in the outer apartments? Obedience to the Emperor's command did not require you to come in hither. These are the apartments belonging to the women; which none ever enter but my lady and ourselves. You could never have come here, but in order to marry her." "Your lady's uncle," said he, "the Eunuch Chou, with many wiles inticed me within: he hath deceived me. This is very disrespectful treatment of one of my rank, and is an affront to his Majesty, by whose favour I am advanced to be one of the first doctors of the empire." "As your Lordship is now here," said the servant, "be easy and chearful; why do you talk of any thing that happened to you without?" He replied in a rage, "You are all of you concerned in this piece of treachery. Your master hath ensnared me by pretending the pictures were here within, and this the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su can testify. But you are all of you deceived in thinking to conquer me: my name is Tieh, that is Iron; my body, my heart are all of iron, hard and inflexible, it is impossible to move me. I am more steady and resolute than those two ancient heroes Lieu-hiau-whey and Quan-in-chang,[7] who are so famous in history for being firm and unshaken. But indeed what effect can be expected from such shallow plots as these? This girl is not only ugly: but also shameless. Notwithstanding her fine ornaments, I regard her not: she is a low and worthless creature, and not to be regarded." The young lady, although at first she was charmed with the graceful figure of the young Mandarine Tieh, and did not behold without some emotion, the fine features, and fair complexion of that beautiful youth; hearing this abuse, could no longer contain herself, but broke silence, and said, "Sir, you treat me very ill, niece as I am to a great officer of the Emperor, and one who stands continually in his presence. This honour puts him upon a level with any of the Mandarines, so that I have a right to be considered with all the distinction of a Siaou-tsieh or Mandarine's daughter.[8] His Majesty hath commanded a marriage to be concluded between you and me: in which there is nothing wrong or indecent. Why then do you complain of plots against you? How dare you presume to call me low and worthless. You disgrace the honour of my family. But since I am so immodest and shameless, I will make you know whether I am to be regarded or not." Then she called out to her women, "Bring this fellow here before me." All the attendants went up to him, and said, "Our lady orders us to bring you to her to pay her the reverence and respect due to her quality: if you do not comply, we must force you." Notwithstanding he was so much discomposed and chagrined, he could not help smiling at them: but he neither stirred nor answered a syllable. The women enraged at this contempt, fell all upon him at once, striving to force and drag him up before their mistress, not without great tumult and disturbance. Tieh-chung-u however provoked at the ridiculous situation in which he saw himself, reflected that it would be very indecent, and unmanly for him to contend, and fight with women: he therefore mustered up his patience, and comforted himself with the old proverb, "Who regards the little demons of the wood?"[9] Then drawing a chair to him, he sat down: and while the women were struggling and talking round him, he remained calm and unmoved; repeating to himself the following verses:
In the midst of this disturbance came in the Eunuch Chou himself, having entered through another door; who looking round him, cried out to the women, "What is the meaning of this? Retire. How dare ye presume to offer this rudeness in the presence of people of quality?" Then addressing himself to Tieh-chung-u on the subject of the marriage, he said, "Well, Sir, it is in vain to resist; you had better comply and put an end to all this disturbance." He answered, "I don't refuse my compliance: but we must pay obedience to the laws." "Why not?" said the other. "Your Lordship," replied he, "forgets there is a book of the laws, which contains an injunction for the Mandarines within the palace to have no dealings or contracts with the Mandarines without.[11] Now as there is this doubt about the lawfulness of our engagement, what matters it, if we defer its completion for the present?" "That injunction," said the Eunuch, "is old and obsolete: what occasion to observe an obsolete law? But it is necessary to obey the present commands of the Emperor, and to execute what he injoins. The other is old and out of date." Tieh-chung-u replied, "If your Lordship would have me execute those commands, shew me your patent; that I may first thank his Majesty for his favourable notice of me."[12] "Nay, Sir, shew me the patent. For how can I presume to conclude this marriage, thus hand over head, before I have returned the Emperor thanks?" While this contention lasted between them, there came two little Eunuchs in great haste to the house of Chou-thay-kien: he was called out to speak to them. They told him that Hu-hiau, General of the Tartarian frontiers,[13] was returned from the war, with him a multitude of prisoners: that there were also come with him many ambassadors, loaded with tribute of great value:[14] and that the Emperor had ordered a banquet for them. They added, "As the Mandarine Tieh-chung-u was the patron and protector of the General, his Majesty commands him to accompany them. The banquet is prepared: we have already been at this nobleman's house to seek him, but he was not there; we were told he came home this morning with your Lordship. We are accordingly come hither to inquire after him: the messenger of state waits for him in the outward court, and his servants are attending there with his horse. Please to inform him to come away immediately." Not satisfied with this account, the Eunuch Chou went himself to the gate accompanied with the Minister Kwo-sho-su: and finding it to be literally as they had related, these two looked at each other in great confusion, not knowing what to say; especially when they saw there was also come the Mandarine whose business it was to provide the banquet, and that the summons would admit of no delay. Finding there was no remedy, the Eunuch ordered the doors to be opened, and Tieh-chung-u to be suffered to come forth. The latter was wondering what could occasion this unexpected deliverance, when the Mandarine of the banquet, and the Emperor's messenger informed him of the invitation, which required his immediate attendance. Chou-thay-kien greatly chagrined, said, "They say the Emperor commands you to attend the banquet: his Majesty also commanded you to write the verses. You have finished one picture, yet another remains to be dispatched. To-morrow, when his Majesty will demand of me why they were not done; what shall I answer? You cannot go till both are finished." This he said with a malicious design to embarrass him, and render him incapable of complying with the order. But Tieh-chung-u answered, "I have long been desiring you to let me have the other picture that I might dispatch it: yet you would not give it me. This picture is here without, but you deceived me, and inticed me to go within: however bring the picture here, and I will finish it." The Eunuch Chou brought him the picture; when in a moment he finished all the verses, and taking his leave, went away. Chou-thay-kien who accompanied him to the gate, returned to his friend Kwo-sho-su, and said, "What astonishing abilities hath this young man? And who would have thought he could have escaped the snare?[15] This unexpected message from the Emperor hath broke through all our measures." They remained both of them enraged and vexed at a disappointment so little foreseen. After some time Kwo-sho-su broke silence, and said, "Let us look out for some other expedient. The marriage with Shuey-ping-sin is not completed: it is well known that they do not sleep in the same chamber. I will yet cause them to be separated. Think not I propose an impracticable attempt. I will revive the suspicions that have been so long dormant, with regard to her carrying him home to her house to attend him in his illness. I will refute this pretended excuse, and accuse them of disorderly and unlawful motives. I will relate this to the Censor of the empire, who is obliged by his office to report it to his Majesty. I will tell him, that after having had an unlawful amour, they now would increase the scandal by a patched-up marriage: and I will remonstrate the contempt and reproach this will bring on the laws: especially as they are people of such rank in the state. Your Lordship shall lend your assistance to forward and strengthen this accusation. Then will his Majesty summon the Tribunal of Rites to examine into it: in the mean time, I will apply to the Che-hien of the city where the affair happened, and will get him to turn over all the papers of his office, in order to procure minutes of the case, wherewith to support the accusation. After this, the least that can happen will be their being divorced and separated for ever." "True," said the Eunuch Chou; "and when once they are separated, it will be an easy matter to speak to the Emperor about the marriage with my niece." These resolutions they formed, both agreeing that in order to render them effectual, the utmost secrecy and caution were necessary. End of Chapter 16
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