Hao Qiu Zhuan/en/Chapter 9
Chapter 9: Fabricating Ghosts to Frighten a Beauty, Only to Make Her Burst Out Laughing
Modern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025)
To the tune of "Green Willow Tips":
A great man calls it slander; a small man calls it fabricating ghosts. You cannot hide it from heaven, nor screen it from the sun — All wasted, those oily lips and honeyed mouth. Those bright eyes, clear as water, One glance and they have pierced through lung and liver, brain and marrow. Why bother, for no reason, To abandon this bright discernment And make yourself a puppet?
It was told how Tie Zhongyu, entangled by Old Master Li's wild accusations and the Commander's pompous officiousness, was by turns amused and exasperated. Once they arrived at the Li household and the wine and food were set before him, he ate and drank without caring whether the fare was good or bad, had Xiao Dan spread out his bedding, and fell into a deep sleep. It was the fourteenth or fifteenth of the month, and the moon was full. In the middle of the night Tie Zhongyu woke and opened his eyes. The moonlight was streaming through the gauze window, and there was the concubine Taozhi, sitting right beside his bedding, gently caressing his body.
Tie Zhongyu started up in a rush of anger, pushed her away, and said: "A woman should value her modesty! Stop this disgraceful behavior!" He turned on his side, facing the wall, and went back to sleep. Taozhi, rebuffed, was reluctant to leave. She sat for a while, then lay down at the foot of the bed, fully clothed.
Now Old Master Li, though he had locked the concubine in the room, was far from easy in his mind. He crept to the door and listened. When he heard Tie Zhongyu's sharp rebuke, it dawned on him at last: "So it was the hussy who was up to mischief all along. This young man is innocent — I wronged him." At dawn he was ready to release him, but the Commander, who had received no money and had been insulted by Tie Zhongyu, stubbornly issued his paperwork and insisted on sending the case to the Circuit Intendant's office. Old Master Li could not overrule him, and so, with a crowd of escorts, they all set off.
As it happened, that day was the Circuit Intendant's birthday. Officials from the prefectural and county governments had come to offer their congratulations. The gates had not yet opened, and the officials were all waiting outside. Then along came the crowd, escorting Tie Zhongyu and the concubine Taozhi, on charges of adultery and abduction. The officials all went over to look. Seeing Tie Zhongyu's handsome appearance — clearly not a kidnapper — they asked: "Who are you? Why did you kidnap this woman?"
Tie Zhongyu made no reply. They asked Taozhi: "Was it this man who kidnapped you?" Taozhi, still smarting from Tie Zhongyu's rebuff the night before and with no other outlet for her spite, stubbornly insisted: "It was indeed he who kidnapped me." Every official who asked received the same answer. The Commander, taking this for solid confirmation, was in high spirits, waiting only for the Circuit Intendant to open his gates so he could present his achievement.
Just as he was feeling pleased with himself, along came Magistrate Bao of Licheng County, having also come for the birthday celebration. No sooner had he alighted from his sedan chair than he caught sight of the crowd, with Tie Zhongyu and a woman among them. Greatly alarmed, he demanded: "What is the meaning of this?"
The Commander, fearing someone might answer incorrectly, rushed forward to report: "This unknown young man abducted Old Master Li Ziqu's concubine and was caught in the act by the townspeople on the road. Person and evidence are both in hand, and this humble officer has brought them to the Circuit Intendant to present his achievement."
Magistrate Bao was furious: "Nonsense! This is the Iron young gentleman — son of Censor-in-Chief Tie. In my own county I served as go-between, proposing that Vice-Minister Shui's daughter marry him. He refused because he had not received his father's consent, and departed in haste. How dare some village wench accuse him of kidnapping!"
The Commander, hearing that this was the Censor-in-Chief's son, was already half deflated. He tried to shift the blame: "This is none of my doing — it was Li Ziqu who filed the complaint, and this woman who made the accusation."
Magistrate Bao summoned Tie Zhongyu and invited him to sit, then asked: "After you left, sir, how did you come to be caught up in this business?"
Tie Zhongyu recounted how he had encountered a young man and the woman by the edge of the woods. Magistrate Bao said: "What a pity you did not learn the young man's name."
Tie Zhongyu said: "But I did. He is Li Ziqu's own grandson by his daughter — his name is Xuan Yin."
Magistrate Bao, hearing this, summoned Old Master Li and the woman. He scolded the old man: "You wretched old fool! At your age, you ought to know better than to take a young woman as concubine — that was wrong to begin with. Then, failing to keep watch, you let her run off with someone, and you falsely accuse a passerby of kidnapping! What punishment do you deserve?"
Old Master Li protested: "I did not falsely accuse him! My concubine disappeared, and she was found walking with him — caught by the crowd in full view. And last night at the inn, the woman herself stated clearly it was he. How is that a false accusation?"
Magistrate Bao said: "You damnable old fool! Your own grandson Xuan Yin has been carrying on an affair with this woman for ages. Yesterday they seized their chance to elope. It was only by good fortune that they ran into the Iron young gentleman, who caught them and brought her back for you. Instead of being grateful, you repay kindness with malice!"
Old Master Li, hearing the magistrate name Xuan Yin, suddenly saw the light: "So it was that little scoundrel who took her! No wonder he has been coming around every day, smooth-talking and flattering me." He knocked his head on the ground again and again: "Say no more — Your Honor is truly a god!"
Magistrate Bao was about to issue a warrant for Xuan Yin's arrest when Old Master Li pleaded: "By rights I should ask Your Honor to arrest and punish him. But his father is dead and my daughter is a widow — he is her only child. I beg Your Honor's mercy. In future I shall simply forbid him from entering my house."
Magistrate Bao then proposed to have Taozhi subjected to the thumbscrews. Old Master Li dared not object, but Tie Zhongyu interceded: "This Taozhi is the old man's very life. Since you are not pursuing Xuan Yin, let her off as well."
Magistrate Bao said: "A wanton woman like this, corrupting public morals — even if we crushed her thumbs it would not be too much. But since the Iron young gentleman requests it, consider yourself fortunate. Send her away — I shall not investigate further."
Old Master Li and Taozhi hastily kowtowed in thanks and withdrew.
The Commander came forward again and again to beg pardon. Magistrate Bao gave him a sharp rebuke and dismissed him. Then, turning to Tie Zhongyu, he said: "Yesterday I wished to detain you for a quiet drink, but your earlier suspicions were not yet allayed, and you were determined to leave. I felt deeply regretful. Now, by good fortune, these country folk have detained you on my behalf, and we meet again. Will you consent to forget the past and drink freely, to ease both our hearts?"
Tie Zhongyu said: "Yesterday, my former resentments still unresolved, I left in bitter haste. Now, thanks to Your Honor's noble generosity — lofty as the clouds, gentle as flowing water — I, Tie Zhongyu, feel as though I were drinking the purest wine. Never mind being invited to stay — even if you tried to drive me away, I could not bear to leave."
Magistrate Bao was overjoyed and ordered a feast prepared. After paying their respects to the Circuit Intendant, they would return and drink to their hearts' content. As the verse says:
How swiftly the muddled affairs of the world can change; Sincerest friendship, given time, will deepen on its own. Ask old heaven what it means by these reversals — In the main, it is to temper the human heart.
Magistrate Bao, having congratulated the Circuit Intendant, returned to his quarters and laid out wine for himself and Tie Zhongyu. Their previous meeting, though cordial enough, had been mere courtesy, without real warmth. This time they had become true friends, exchanging cups with genuine pleasure.
Halfway through the drinking, when inhibitions had dissolved, they spoke without reserve. When the conversation turned to Miss Shui, Magistrate Bao urged him yet again to consider the match. Tie Zhongyu said: "Between friends who truly understand each other, I dare not speak a false word. When I first saw Miss Shui in the magistrate's court, standing like jade, glowing like a blossom — even in the heat of my anger, my heart could scarcely contain itself. Later, when I lodged at the Longevity Temple, though our encounters were fleeting and in passing, in my inmost heart I could not forget her. Even this illness, which began from something I ate, was also brought on by my wandering, distracted state of mind. Then, when I lay in the stupor of my sickness and she had me moved to her house for treatment, I considered the tender devotion of her care — greater than a parent's, finer than a child's — all conducted with feeling and with propriety. And so my entire private torrent of infatuation was transformed into a pure current of gratitude. From that day to this, I have not dared to harbor a single improper thought. If anyone so much as mentions the word 'marriage,' my heart trembles and my very bones shake, as though I were committing a sacrilege against the divine. And so, each time Your Honor raises the subject, the disquiet of my soul and body deepens. This is not false modesty designed to win a reputation for virtue."
Magistrate Bao listened and sighed: "From what you say, Miss Shui stands before you as awesome as a goddess, not to be profaned. For my part, I would say this: unless Miss Shui resolves never to marry in this life, then when her father returns and she must, after all, undergo the rites of marriage — if she rejects a hero such as you on the grounds of propriety, and goes off to seek some other match, would that not be an even greater profanation? You and Miss Shui are people of true virtue, and at this moment you are deep in the feelings of gratitude and reverence — naturally you do not think of such things. But I, an observer, have witnessed your chivalry with my own eyes. If I do not bring you together, then I am a man who sees righteousness and fails to act."
Tie Zhongyu said: "Perhaps Your Honor sees some way forward that I cannot. But for my part, I can only say that I am struck with awe and dare not presume."
The two talked on with such animation that they did not stop until they were thoroughly drunk. They spent the night together at the magistrate's lodgings.
The next morning, Magistrate Bao had official business calling him back to the county, and Tie Zhongyu wished to continue his journey. As they parted, the magistrate presented him with twelve taels as a travel gift and said: "I have one more word of counsel."
Tie Zhongyu said: "I am glad to hear it."
Magistrate Bao said: "Though an official career and scholarly fame add nothing essential to true character, in our present age the continuation of one's family's scholarly tradition is not to be neglected. Rather than wandering aimlessly, would it not be better to pluck the green and purple of official rank as easily as a mustard seed, and win an honored name?"
Tie Zhongyu, hearing this, nodded with pleasure: "I shall heed this counsel." And so they parted, Tie Zhongyu setting off ahead. As the verse says:
Spear and shield are ice and fire; Close bonds are lacquer and glue. Let the heart but turn one inch, And the road grows deep and long.
Magistrate Bao returned to his county — we shall leave him for the moment.
Now Tie Zhongyu, having taken leave of the magistrate, hired a donkey as before and rode on his way. As he went, he pondered: "This Magistrate Bao — how villainous he was at first, yet how kind he has proven in the end. Once a man can reform, there is no limit to what he may become."
Then his thoughts turned to Miss Shui: "If one considers her beauty — slender as a spring willow, lovely as a crab-apple in bloom — neither Xi Shi nor Mao Qiang could surpass her. Add to that her three acts of brilliant stratagem, which nearly drove Young Master Guo to despair — even Chen Ping's six ingenious schemes were no more than this. When danger struck without warning, she contrived to bring the case before the magistrate's court, and once there, argued with the composure and clarity of a statesman. Without talent, eloquence, discernment, and courage, how could she have done it? When I was poisoned and fell ill, had she not possessed those sharp eyes, how could she have seen through the plot? Even had she seen through it, without the bold resolution of a hero, how could she have arranged my rescue? Even had she managed to rescue me, without her true-hearted, fierce-spirited devotion — governed by feeling yet bound by propriety — she would scarcely have avoided falling into impropriety. Even at my departure, when her uncle's single blunt word offended me and I left without a farewell — anyone else would have been angry; yet she had already prepared traveling money and sent it after me with the most considerate care. If one tallies everything without the slightest error, she must truly be reckoned the foremost woman of our age."
He mused further: "Among the beauties celebrated through the ages, Xi Shi and Zhuo Wenjun represent the highest — yet neither possessed the virtue of chastity. As for Meng Guang and Wuyan, whose fame rests upon moral virtue — they were no more than homely women. But Miss Shui is the 'fair mate by the river's edge' of the ode — the one for whom the noble gentleman 'tosses and turns, awake through the night.' If one could win her, that would truly be the greatest happiness on earth. But alas, I, Tie Zhongyu, was born without such fortune. We are of the same age, our years match, our characters are alike, and we cherish the deepest mutual regard — yet our meeting was fatally ill-timed. We met in adversity, in a public court; without a matchmaker we exchanged words, without ceremony we associated. It became a tale of chivalry and honor — but how different from the drums and bells of a wedding feast, the harmony of lute and harp! If, having already established ourselves as comrades in honor, we were then to negotiate a marriage — would not all our former chivalry be destroyed? If I were to open my mouth on the subject, not only would others mock me — Miss Shui herself would think less of me. It is out of the question! The only course is to resolve firmly to remain, for all time, a friend who honors gratitude and mutual esteem, so that both our hearts may be free of reproach."
Then he thought again: "She is not only scrupulous in her own conduct — even the counsel she gave me about studying and avoiding my enemies was full of wisdom. Her advice to take up my father's legacy and not wander forlorn to the ends of the earth — those few words struck at the very heart of my weakness. If I, Tie Zhongyu, do not earn a place in the imperial examinations, and go on drifting about as a wandering knight — though my name fill the world, I would still be a vagabond, and Miss Shui would laugh at me in the end. Better to return home and sit for the provincial and capital examinations in the year after next, thus fulfilling my parents' hopes for me. After that, whether I take up office or not, I shall be free to pursue my chivalric adventures — and shall I not stand on higher ground than now, when I merely quarrel with petty men?"
His mind made up, he rode straight back to Daming Prefecture. As the verse says:
Words spoken pass the ear and are forgotten; Deeds discarded still alarm the heart. The longing in both hearts is the same — Yet never has longing run so deep as this.
We shall set aside Tie Zhongyu's return home for the moment.
Now Miss Shui, after sending Shui Yong with the traveling money, waited half the day without word. Fearing that some villain might have harmed him, she was deeply anxious. It was not until midday that Shui Yong returned and reported: "The Iron young gentleman was only now leaving the city. The silver and the provisions have been delivered to him and to Xiao Dan."
Miss Bingxin asked: "Did the Iron young gentleman have any parting words?"
Shui Yong said: "The Iron young gentleman said only this: 'Between myself and the young lady — strangers who met by chance — if I tried to speak of gratitude, the debt is too deep for words. If I tried to speak of feeling, there is no feeling to speak of.' He asked me to pay his respects to the young lady and say that after his departure, she should think of him no more."
Miss Bingxin heard this and fell silent. After dismissing Shui Yong, she thought to herself: "He made enemies for my sake and nearly lost his life. Now that he has departed safely, one matter is laid to rest. But I fear that Young Master Guo and Uncle Shui Yun, plotting together, will not let the matter go, and I must remain on my guard."
For some time Shui Yun, embarrassed at having offended Tie Zhongyu and driven him away, did not come to visit. Then one day he appeared, all smiles, and said: "Dear niece, do you know the most extraordinary news?"
Miss Shui said: "Living quietly in my chambers, how would I know what happens outside?"
Shui Yun said: "That fellow surnamed Tie the other day — I thought he was a good man and even advised you to marry him. Fortunately you had enough sense not to agree so easily. Had you agreed, you would have ruined your life! Can you guess what sort of man this Tie really is?"
Miss Bingxin said: "His family background I do not know. But judging from his bearing and conduct, he is a man of chivalry and honor."
Shui Yun slapped his thigh: "A man of chivalry and honor? You have always had the sharpest eye — but today it seems to have failed you!"
Miss Bingxin said: "If not a man of chivalry and honor, then what?"
Shui Yun said: "A professional kidnapper, is what! The other day, while he was living here pretending to be ill, who knows what scheme he was hatching. It is your great good fortune that my words were sharp enough to frighten him off — he could see there was nothing to be gained, and so he left in a pretended huff. But as the saying goes, 'The cracked pot always breaks at the seam.' No sooner had he reached Dongzhen than the truth came out."
Miss Shui said: "What truth?"
Shui Yun said: "A wealthy family at Dongzhen had a beloved concubine. By some trick or other, without anyone knowing, he kidnapped her and tried to escape. Unfortunately the household kept a great number of retainers who gave chase in every direction and caught them. They beat him half to death on the spot before hauling him to the Town Commander's office. If he had known his place and begged the Commander for mercy, perhaps he would have gotten off with a few blows. But the stupid fool, even at that point, tried to put on airs and insulted the Commander. The Commander was incensed and had him sent to the Circuit Intendant's office. Everyone says that this time, with the evidence clear, a sentence of exile is certain."
Miss Bingxin asked: "How did you come to know all this?"
Shui Yun said: "Magistrate Bao went to congratulate the Circuit Intendant on his birthday. The runners who accompanied him — every one of them saw it. The rumor is spreading everywhere. That is how I know."
Miss Bingxin listened, gave a cold laugh, and said: "Even if the Iron young gentleman had turned kidnapper — even if Zeng Shen himself had truly committed murder — what concern would it be of mine?"
Shui Yun said: "Of course it is no concern of yours. I mention it only in passing. But it goes to show — people one does not know from birth cannot be trusted. If one is seeking talent, it is better to choose someone whose roots one knows."
Miss Bingxin said: "If the Iron young gentleman's affairs are no concern of mine, then in principle there is nothing to defend. But when my uncle says that strangers cannot be trusted, he seems to imply that my judgment was faulty — that I misjudged the Iron young gentleman. If my uncle mocks me for misjudging a stranger, I can let that pass too. But I fear my uncle is suggesting I misjudged the Iron young gentleman himself. This young man, in his youth, defended me with chivalry on the public stage of the magistrate's court. I in turn received him here to convalesce, saving his life. If the Iron young gentleman is truly a professional kidnapper, then what passed between us was not chivalry but a private affair. And that would not only destroy the Iron young gentleman's honor — my uncle's slander would destroy it utterly. How can this go unanswered?"
Shui Yun said: "Your words make me by turns angry and amused. I have no old grudge or new quarrel with this Tie fellow — why would I slander him? He kidnapped a wealthy man's concubine — you, being at home, naturally did not know, but every runner at the county gates is talking about it. How can you blame me? If you wish to argue that you were deceived — that you misjudged him unintentionally — that might hold up. But if you are trying to argue that he is not a kidnapper, I am afraid that even if he jumped into the Yellow River, he could not wash himself clean."
Miss Bingxin said: "What I intend to argue is precisely that the Iron young gentleman is not a kidnapper, and that it is petty men who slander him. Only thus will it be shown that my judgment was not in error. As for whether I was acting intentionally or unintentionally — that requires no argument at all."
Shui Yun said: "Dear niece, you are too stubborn. The man is a kidnapper — people saw it with their own eyes, plain as day. What is there left to argue?"
Miss Bingxin said: "My uncle says people saw it. I myself not only did not see it — I did not even hear of it. Truly, I have nothing concrete to argue from. But reasoning from principle and examining the facts, the Iron young gentleman is absolutely not a kidnapper. Even if appearances suggest otherwise — if it is not a false rumor, then there is certainly some other explanation. If my uncle insists he was truly acting as a kidnapper, I am willing to gouge out both my eyes and forfeit them to you."
Shui Yun said: "He kidnapped a wealthy man's beloved concubine! The case has been sent from the Commander to the Circuit Intendant's office! This is hardly a false rumor. And with the person and evidence both in hand, what other explanation could there be? At this point, you are still defending his reputation — this is truly love blinding judgment!"
Miss Bingxin said: "At this moment, whatever I argue, my uncle will naturally not believe me. But I would ask my uncle not to be too hasty in his conclusions. Go and make careful inquiries — the truth will become clear of its own accord."
Shui Yun said: "If I do not inquire, he is still a kidnapper. If I do inquire, he will still be a kidnapper. But if you insist, I shall inquire — it costs nothing more than half a day's trouble. Very well. But since you are so certain, tell me: on what 'principle' and what 'facts' do you base your confidence?"
Miss Bingxin said: "Principle and facts — these two words are the most precise and wonderful things in the world. See through them, and all is clear as day. Fail to see through them, and one stumbles in confusion to the end. It is no easy thing to explain them to a person who does not understand principle and fact. But since my uncle asks, I dare not refuse to speak.
"The principle I rely upon is the principle of righteous propriety. In general, when a person's conduct and speech accord with the rightness of principle, that person cannot be wicked. I have observed the Iron young gentleman, from the public court to the private chamber: in all he does, there is nothing that is not righteous and proper; in all he says, there is nothing that does not accord with the moral order. Only one whose inborn nature is grounded in righteous principle could behave thus. And if his nature is so grounded, to call him a kidnapper is a sheer impossibility.
"The facts I examine are the facts of public and private conduct. In general, one whose passions serve the public good will not use them for private ends. I have observed the Iron young gentleman, from our first meeting to his departure: those whom he rushes to save at the risk of his life are always strangers, with no regard for whether they are close or distant. Those dangers he braves without a thought are always matters of principle, never of personal affection. Only one whose feeling is public rather than private could act thus. And if his feeling is public, to ascribe to him the deeds of a kidnapper is again a sheer impossibility.
"This is why I see clearly and hold firm, unshaken even unto death. According to my uncle's account, everything sounds absolutely true — but if it were true, then the nature with which heaven and earth endow mankind would be unreliable, and the moral teachings of the sages would be mere fabrications. That simply cannot be so. As the common saying goes, 'What the ear hears is false; what the eye sees is true.' I ask my uncle not to be too quick to mock. Go and make your inquiries. If you discover, beyond all doubt, that he is truly a kidnapper without a shadow of error — then come back and mock me. It will not be too late. Why assume the worst of a gentleman based on the mind of a petty man?"
Shui Yun laughed: "Since you are determined to embarrass yourself to the very end, I shall go and find the definitive proof. Then let us see what you have to say!"
Miss Bingxin smiled: "I only fear my uncle will find the inquiries too embarrassing and not come back at all."
Shui Yun went out, thinking as he walked: "How can this girl be so unshakably certain? Could it be that the rumors were garbled after all? I had better go to the county gates and ask around again."
He made his way to the county seat and questioned every runner he met. Some said that indeed there had been a young man and a woman bound together — that much was true. Others said the young man was no kidnapper. All gave confused and contradictory accounts. Only at last, when he found a personal attendant close to the magistrate, did he learn the full story: Old Master Li had falsely assumed Tie Zhongyu was the kidnapper, and it was Magistrate Bao who investigated and cleared him.
Shui Yun was inwardly alarmed: "This girl is truly a remarkable woman! I was completely convinced, yet she had the nerve to stand her ground, biting down on nails and chewing iron, insisting flatly it was not so, offering to gouge out her eyes to make a wager. And as I was leaving, she said she feared I would find the inquiries too embarrassing to come back! How I mocked her earlier — and now I truly haven't the face to see her."
He dithered for a long while, then thought: "Better go and consult with Young Master Guo first, and then decide what to do." He went to Young Master Guo's house and recounted the whole affair.
Young Master Guo said: "My dear sir, you need not take everything so literally. Nowadays, what is settled is called unsettled; what does not exist is made to exist. Since the Tie fellow had this episode, why not embellish it a bit, add a few touches, and make it stick? It does not have to be all fabrication."
Shui Yun said: "Who minds telling a lie? But at the moment there is no lie to tell."
Young Master Guo said: "Lies are not hard. Just compose a little ditty about him — say it is something people are singing — and show it to her. That is all the proof you need. True or false, who will come forward to dispute it?"
Shui Yun said: "A fine idea! But who should compose it?"
Young Master Guo said: "Who but my vastly learned and supremely talented self could compose it?"
Shui Yun said: "If the young master would compose it himself, it will surely be a masterpiece. Pray compose it and write it out."
Young Master Guo said: "Composing it is easy enough — I can recite it to you. But writing it out is beyond me."
Shui Yun said: "Then recite it to me first." Young Master Guo thought for a moment and recited:
What a joke, this son of Tie — Pretending to be a gentleman fine! A great big hat upon his head, And empty airs from top to toe.
Playing the fool, the pompous dunce, Duping a silly girl, what fun! Stripped of his disguise at last — Lo and behold, a kidnapper!
A rope around his neck he wears, A beating on his backside bears. Above, a prowling wall-climber; Below, a common beggar-man.
What an unworthy son he is — A disgrace to his father's name! Poor Miss Shui, a lady true, A jewel of the inner chambers!
She mistook a roaming rogue For a man as chaste as Lu Nanzi. What a show he made of virtue — Bitter the truth beneath the mask!
Her eyes are most to blame, alas, For they were lacking any pearls. All young men are much the same — In a pinch, no one's a gentleman.
A dog-thief puts on lordly airs; A chicken-chaser plays it small. If she would keep her lady's name, She should have married Master Guo!
When the recitation was finished, Shui Yun clapped his hands and laughed: "Splendid! Splendid! Only the last two lines are too obvious — she will grow suspicious. Better leave them out."
Young Master Guo said: "To make her suspicious, those two lines are essential."
Shui Yun said: "Leave them or not — it needs to be written out and shown to her, to look authentic."
Young Master Guo said: "Writing it out is easy enough." He called in a literate servant, dictated the verses, and had them written out. He handed the paper to Shui Yun: "Take this and show it to her first — let it take some of the wind out of her sails. If she relents, well and good. If she still puts on airs, the new Provincial Inspector has just been appointed — his name is Feng Ying, and he is one of my father's most devoted protégés. Once he arrives and takes up his post, I shall petition him to officiate as matchmaker by force and have me married into the Shui household as a groom-in-residence. Then let her try to escape!"
Shui Yun was alarmed: "If you marry into the household, the family property goes to you, and we of the Shui name are left with nothing at all!"
Young Master Guo laughed: "My dear sir, do not take it so seriously. The talk of marrying in is only to get the wedding done. Once married, she will naturally move to my house. Do you think the Guo family lacks property? I would never covet your family's estate and make myself a Shui son-in-law!"
Shui Yun, relieved, said: "I was being too suspicious. Let me take this ditty and show it to her. If she is cowed and relents, I shall then explain about the Inspector's matchmaking, and she will have no choice but to submit."
Young Master Guo was delighted: "Go quickly and come back quickly — I await the good news."
Shui Yun took the paper and went home to see Miss Bingxin. And this meeting was to prove:
Gold, the more it is refined, the harder it becomes; Virtue, the more it is tested, the purer it grows.
To learn what Miss Bingxin had to say, read on in the following chapter.