Hao Qiu Zhuan/en1761-en2026/Chapter 16
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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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Chapter 16: The Beauty Trap: A Crooked Scheme Hard to EndureModern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025) To the tune of "A Young Man's Journey": A face of powdered white, Brows of blackest green — And straightway they call her a beauty. Without consulting the red thread of fate, Without the Moon Elder's leave, They force a match of Zhu and Chen. But how should they know that the swallow differs from the oriole? When they meet, there is no love. At first he will not accept her; at last he will not yield — Putting the spring night in the bridal chamber to shame.
Instead we turn to the Marquis of Daxia and Eunuch Qiu, who had both accepted Academician Guo's instigation — the one meaning to marry, the other meaning to give in marriage — and had made all their arrangements. But when they learned that Tie Zhongyu and Miss Bingxin had already wed, they were thunderstruck. Seeing no recourse, they sent word to the Academician. When the Academician heard, his fury only deepened. He brooded: "I humbled myself with courteous words and entreaties — they threw it in my face. I submitted a memorial demanding execution — and it only advanced their cause. Now I arranged for the Marquis and the eunuch to harry them from both sides, yet they quietly conclude the wedding as though nothing had happened. Another move wasted! What is to be done?" He dispatched a swarm of trusted agents to spy on the households of both Minister Shui and Censor Tie, seeking any fault or scandal. One agent reported: "The Hanlin did not bring Miss Shui home — he went to her house for the wedding." Another said: "Though they claim to be married, they sleep in separate rooms and have not shared a bed." Yet another: "The Hanlin and Miss Shui are deeply devoted; for three days he has not left the house." The Academician turned these reports over in his mind with great perplexity: "If they are married, why did he not bring her home but went to her house instead? If they held the nuptial ceremony, why do they not share a bed? And if they do not share a bed, why are they so affectionate? None of this makes sense. Perhaps the whole thing is a ruse to ward off the Marquis and the eunuch? The ruse may be theirs, but if the marriage is truly unconsummated, there is still a way to pry them apart. Trying to seize Miss Shui from the depths of her chambers would be enormously difficult. But the Hanlin goes to court every day — all we need is for Eunuch Qiu to contrive some trick, lure him home, and force him to wed the niece. If his marriage to Miss Shui has indeed not been consummated, it will simply fall apart." His plan settled, he called upon Eunuch Qiu in person and laid out the scheme in detail. The eunuch accepted with enthusiasm: "Think nothing of it! If the aim were to take Tie Zhongyu's life, there might be complications. But all we propose is a marriage with my niece — a perfectly respectable match. Even if the Emperor learns of it, there is nothing to fear. Leave it to me, Your Lordship — I shall see it done properly. Only on the day itself, you must happen to appear and serve as the go-between, so that he cannot protest afterward." "Naturally," said the Academician. Pleased by the eunuch's readiness, he took his leave and waited for good news. As the verse has it: Evil schemes refuse to rest; Wicked men harbor endless malice. They think their plan is foolproof — Little knowing that nothing will stick. Now Tie Zhongyu had taken ten days' leave for his wedding. On the day his leave expired, he prepared to go to court. Miss Bingxin, ever perceptive, cautioned him: "Academician Guo has expended great effort on two stratagems — the Marquis and the eunuch — and though we have silently deflected both, their malice has not yet been spent. They will not let the matter rest. The Marquis of Daxia, dissolute as he is, is still an outer-court official bound by propriety — he would not dare go too far. I need not worry on that account. But Eunuch Qiu is a favored palace servant who knows nothing of propriety and is capable of anything. You must be on your guard when you go to court." Tie Zhongyu said: "My lady reads men's hearts before they act and foresees dangers beyond the horizon — you have truly fathomed these scoundrels' very lungs and liver. But I regard such creatures as dead rats. Why should I fear them?" Miss Bingxin said: "It is not they who are to be feared, but their proximity to the throne. One must not provoke them lightly." Tie Zhongyu nodded emphatically: "Your counsel is wise indeed — I shall be careful." He set out for court with his retinue. After the audience, as he reached the East Flower Gate, he happened to encounter Eunuch Qiu. Tie Zhongyu gave him a polite nod and was about to take his leave when the eunuch seized his arm: "What a fortunate coincidence, Master Tie! I was just about to send someone to invite you." "Though we are both servants of the throne, sir, there is the distinction between inner and outer court. What business could you have with me?" "If it were merely my own affair, I would not presume to trouble you. But this concerns the Emperor's wishes, and I doubt you can refuse." He made to pull Tie Zhongyu along to mount their horses together. "Even if it is an imperial command," said Tie Zhongyu, "I must ask you to explain clearly, so that I may carry it out properly." "You are far too suspicious, Master Tie! Would anyone dare to falsely invoke an imperial edict? I shall tell you plainly: the Emperor has two scrolls of painting that he is very fond of, and having heard that your poetic talent is of the finest, he wishes you to inscribe a poem on each." "Where are these paintings now?" "At my house. That is why I ask you to come and inscribe them — I must return them with your poems." Tie Zhongyu, mindful of Miss Bingxin's warning, was inwardly suspicious, but the eunuch kept invoking the Emperor's name at every turn — how could he refuse? He mounted his horse and rode alongside the eunuch to his residence. Eunuch Qiu ushered him in, served tea, and immediately gave orders for wine to be prepared. Tie Zhongyu declined: "If there is indeed an imperial command to inscribe these paintings, pray bring them out so that I may comply. As for the wine, I could not possibly accept." The eunuch said: "We eunuchs may not be scholars, but when we see a brilliant young Hanlin like yourself, we are filled with admiration. If I invited you without cause, you would certainly refuse. Today, thanks to the Emperor's errand, I have the excuse to keep you for a few hours — call it fate! Do not be so quick to look down on us eunuchs." "Inner and outer court are distinct, but we are all the Emperor's servants — how could I look down on you? Yet since there is an imperial command, let us attend to the proper business first, and then I shall gladly accept your hospitality." "I know you, Master Tie — if you finish the work first, you will try to leave! Very well, I have a solution. There are two scrolls. Let me bring out the first. You inscribe it, then we drink a few cups, and then you inscribe the second. That way, both duty and courtesy are satisfied, are they not?" Tie Zhongyu had no choice but to agree. The eunuch led him to the rear hall on the ground floor, where a writing desk was set up with the Four Treasures of the Study. The eunuch went upstairs himself, returned carrying a scroll in both hands, and laid it on the desk. A young eunuch unrolled it for Tie Zhongyu to examine. It was a painting by a celebrated master: a branch of wintersweet in the "magnetic-mouth" variety — exquisitely rendered, mounted in gold and jade, unmistakably a piece from the imperial collection. Tie Zhongyu, not daring to be negligent, ground the ink, moistened his brush, and inscribed a seven-character regulated poem: Languid, she gathers low her pale yellow robe, Clasping her solitary fragrance, forbidding all to probe. Her perfumed lips, too weary, half-conceal their sandalwood, Her tender heart yearns to open, yet the bud still withholds. One lean branch fades — her bearing seems unwell; A few petals cluster tight — her shadow hints at shame. It is not that she fears the cold and will not bloom — She means to keep the spring for the river-land of the south. Just as he finished, word came that Academician Guo had arrived to pay a call. The eunuch hastily ordered him shown in. Presently the Academician entered and exchanged greetings. The eunuch said: "Your timing is perfect, Your Lordship! Today, by imperial command, I have invited Master Tie to inscribe some paintings. I assumed inscribing poems would take half the day, and so I prepared a little wine to keep him company. But Master Tie is so enormously talented that the poem was finished before I could blink! I cannot tell what he has written — would you be so kind as to read it aloud, so that I may understand it well enough to report to the Emperor?" "With pleasure," said the Academician, and stepping up to the desk, he read aloud: "Languid, she gathers low her pale yellow robe, / Clasping her solitary fragrance, forbidding all to probe. / Her perfumed lips, too weary, half-conceal their sandalwood, / Her tender heart yearns to open, yet the bud still withholds. // One lean branch fades — her bearing seems unwell; / A few petals cluster tight — her shadow hints at shame. / It is not that she fears the cold and will not bloom — / She means to keep the spring for the river-land of the south." He praised it lavishly: "Superb! Superb! Every word is the wintersweet, every word captures the magnetic-mouth variety — truly enough to make the Hanlin Academy shine!" The eunuch, hearing this, was pleased as well. He ordered the scroll put away and brought out the wine. Tie Zhongyu said: "Since the Emperor sent two scrolls, why not bring out the second and let me finish both, and then accept your kind hospitality with an easy mind?" The eunuch said: "A talent as great as yours, Master Tie — inscribing a painting is no labor at all. Please have a cup first and moisten your brush." He led him to the table. By Hanlin etiquette, seating was by seniority: the Academician took the first seat, Tie Zhongyu the second, and Eunuch Qiu the third as host. After several rounds of wine, the eunuch began: "Today, while the Emperor has indeed long known of Master Tie's chivalrous character, he was curious about your literary talent and so commanded these paintings inscribed. But I, too, have a matter of personal interest I wish to accomplish for you, and it was for this that I requested the assignment. Today, as it happens, everything has come together." The Academician feigned ignorance: "What matter could you have in mind for Brother Tie?" The eunuch said: "A drum will not sound unless struck, a bell will not ring unless hit. Since I wish to bring about this match, I had better speak plainly. I have a niece — a girl of, I dare say, flawless beauty, virtuous and accomplished — now in her eighteenth year. I have been searching for a worthy match without success. When I learned that Master Tie is a brilliant young Hanlin, still unmarried, I conceived the sincere wish to ally my family with his. The other day, after court, I approached his father, the Censor, who was kind enough to consent. Yesterday I reported it to the Emperor and asked for an imperial endorsement as a kind of go-between. The Emperor said: 'Let me send him these two scrolls of plum-blossom paintings to inscribe. Since "plum" and "matchmaker" sound alike, the inscribed plums will serve as the matchmaker — there is no need for a separate edict.' Now the painting has been inscribed. Does Master Tie take the hint?" Tie Zhongyu, having long since divined the eunuch's intent, was not in the least flustered. He said calmly: "I am grateful for your kind intentions, but my fate is a poor one — I have already offered the wild goose of betrothal at Minister Shui's hall. How could I take a second wife?" The eunuch laughed: "You need not try to deceive me, Master Tie — I have inquired into everything. The charade you staged the other day was simply to keep Miss Shui from being married off to the Marquis. She asked you to put up a false front — that is all. How can you now pretend it is real?" "What an extraordinary thing to say! One may dissemble in other matters, perhaps, but marriage is the very foundation of human relations and the cornerstone of the moral order. How can it be called a 'false front'? Once the grand ceremony has been performed and the nuptial cup has been shared, how can a man take another wife and a woman marry another husband?" "If it is a real marriage, why did you not bring her home but went to her house instead? If you shared the nuptial cup, why do you sleep in separate rooms?" "I went to her house because Minister Shui has no sons, and I wished temporarily to console a father and daughter who had been parted for so long. As for whether we share a bed or not — that is a private matter of the bedchamber. How could you possibly know, sir? You stand at the Emperor's side and survey the bonds of human morality with your own eyes — you must not give credence to groundless gossip." The eunuch said: "Whether any of this is true or false, I neither know nor care. All I know is that I have reported to the Emperor, and my niece is going to marry Master Tie — and you cannot refuse!" "It is not a matter of refusing. Since antiquity, no minister of the court has ever married one wife and then taken another." "I am only giving you one wife. Who is asking you to take two?" "Precisely because I already have one wife that I must decline the second." "The question of 'first' and 'second' is not to be decided as you suggest. A wife brought home is the first; a wild flower picked by the roadside, even if she came first, must count as second." "Wild flowers picked by the roadside do not deserve to be counted at all. But when a match is made between families of the highest rank, in obedience to both fathers' commands, with a proper go-between, with bells and drums and zither and lute — how can that be called a 'wild flower'? You misspeak, sir." "If a father's command must be obeyed, does the Emperor's command not demand even greater obedience? Or do you reckon your parents greater than the Emperor?" Tie Zhongyu, seeing that the eunuch's arguments had become a relentless tangle, said: "This matter of matrimonial propriety touches upon the very fabric of the state. It is not something for you and me to argue about in private. Though I would not presume to trouble the Emperor directly, the question should at least be put before several ministers of rites for a public judgment." The eunuch said: "If you want the ministers of rites, here is Academician Guo right before us — is he not a man versed in the rites? Simply ask him." Tie Zhongyu said: "Literature and propriety are all of a piece. By all means, let us hear Academician Guo's opinion." The eunuch turned to the Academician: "You have heard every word of our dispute. Who is right and who is wrong? I must ask you to judge impartially — and not to side with your fellow official." The Academician said: "If Your Lordship and Brother Tie had not asked me, I would not have presumed to speak. But since you both seek my judgment, how could I show partiality? In the matter of marriage propriety: within propriety there is further propriety, and beyond propriety there is propriety yet again — one could summon all the ministers and debate from dawn to dusk without reaching a conclusion. But in my humble opinion, the ancient kings established the rites, and the rites and music emanate from the Son of Heaven. Since the Emperor has spoken, there can be no higher propriety than this. To disobey this and cling to ancient precedent — that is not merely improper; it borders on sedition." The eunuch roared with laughter: "Brilliant! Spoken with both force and finality! Master Tie has nothing left to say!" He ordered a young eunuch to fill a large cup to the brim, rose personally, and carried it to the Academician, bowing deeply: "I must trouble you, Your Lordship, to serve as go-between and seal this happy union." The Academician accepted the cup, gestured for the eunuch to return to his seat, and replied: "Since you have obtained the Emperor's endorsement, to obey your command is to obey the Emperor's. How could I refuse?" He drained the cup and turned to Tie Zhongyu: "This match has the Emperor's own sanction. Even if Minister Shui and your honored father had a prior agreement, they would hardly dare dispute it. You cannot refuse, Brother Tie. Why not agree at once and make everyone happy?" Tie Zhongyu was on the verge of exploding, but he held back, calculating: first, the eunuch kept invoking the Emperor's name, and he dared not challenge it lightly; second, the eunuch was a member of the imperial household, and rough handling would be inadvisable; third, he was deep inside the inner precincts and might not easily escape. He considered seizing the Academician and making for the door — that seemed his best route out — but if he spoke too sharply he might scare him off. So he said mildly: "Even granting that the Emperor has commanded and I dare not disobey, I must at least go home, inform my parents, and choose an auspicious day for the betrothal. For me to agree on my own — that is simply not done." The eunuch said: "Master Tie, you have read too many books and become a pedant! If the Emperor's edict may be taken lightly and need not be obeyed, then by all means, do as you please. But if the Emperor's edict must not be defied, then expediency is called for — away with your fussy conventions! Today happens to be an auspicious day. The wine I have prepared, the musicians are standing by, and we have the great go-between in the Academician here. Inside, there are fragrant chambers and embroidered rooms aplenty. Why not consummate the match with my niece this very night and be done with it? If you worry that your father will blame you for not consulting him, tell him it was the Emperor's command — he will have to accept it. As for the trousseau, I shall supply everything in due course, down to the last item." The Academician chimed in: "This is Eunuch Qiu's generous offer. If you refuse again, Brother Tie, you are being unreasonable." Tie Zhongyu said: "Reason must yield to propriety, and I came here today not for a wedding, but because His Lordship conveyed the Emperor's command that I inscribe some paintings. Of the two scrolls, I have inscribed only one — the Emperor's actual errand is not yet complete. How can we take up private matters? Pray bring out the second scroll, sir. Let me finish the Emperor's business first, and then we can discuss the rest." The eunuch said: "That is fair enough. But the second scroll is very large and upstairs — getting it down is quite troublesome. Perhaps Master Tie would be good enough to go up and inscribe it there." Tie Zhongyu, not suspecting a trap, said: "Up or down, it is all the same — whatever suits your convenience." The eunuch said: "In that case, pray finish your cup and go up to inscribe the painting — one task at a time." Tie Zhongyu, eager to complete the Emperor's commission so he could find a way out, rose from his seat: "The painting is urgent — I shall forgo the wine." The eunuch rose as well: "Very well, please go up." He gestured for Tie Zhongyu to ascend first. Tie Zhongyu, seeing the Academician also rise, said: "Academician Guo, will you not come up and have a look?" The Academician was about to follow, but the eunuch shot him a glance, and he took the hint. He changed his tune: "Inscribing a painting is an imperial commission for Brother Tie alone — it would not be proper for me to go up. When you have finished the painting and come down for the wedding, I shall be glad to do my part." "As you wish — forgive me for leaving you," said Tie Zhongyu, and allowed the eunuch to usher him upstairs. As the verse has it: The fish must beware the fragrant bait; the bird, the waiting bow. Who thought the Marquis of Sai's lost horse would prove a blessing? He thought he was a wild goose soaring through heaven and earth — Little knowing a swallow was trapped in the painted tower. No sooner had Tie Zhongyu's feet touched the upper floor than the eunuch ducked back down, and two young eunuchs slammed the double doors shut. Tie Zhongyu looked about him in alarm. The entire upper story was draped in red and green, festooned with silk and carpeted with felt — a veritable nest of brocade. At the center stood an embroidered screen, and before it sat a woman. She was got up as follows: Pearls on her face, gold rings in the palace style, Vermilion lips vast as the sea, a forehead broad as a mountain. King Yama, accustomed to such sights, would think nothing of it — But it would frighten Liu and Ruan, those fabled lovers, half to death. When the woman saw Tie Zhongyu arrive, she hastily stood up and ordered her maids to invite him over. Tie Zhongyu tried to retreat, but the doors were already locked fast. With no alternative, he followed the maids forward, made a single deep bow, and immediately turned away to stand at a distance. The woman herself said nothing, but a middle-aged matron beside her spoke on her behalf: "Since Master Tie has come upstairs for the wedding, you are now family — flesh and blood. There is no need for shyness. Pray sit beside the young lady." Tie Zhongyu said: "I came upstairs by imperial command to inscribe a painting. Who said anything about a wedding?" The matron said: "The two paintings the Emperor wishes inscribed are both downstairs. If the Emperor commanded you to inscribe them downstairs, why did you come upstairs? This is the young lady's private chamber — no stranger is permitted here." Tie Zhongyu said: "Your master's scheme is clever, I grant you — but against me, Tie Zhongyu, it is perfectly useless!" The matron said: "You are here now, Master Tie. Why not make the best of it?" Tie Zhongyu said: "If you charge me with having forced my way upstairs, I can prove that your master lured me up here by invoking the Emperor's command to inscribe a painting — and that, moreover, it was broad daylight, and Academician Guo was downstairs as a witness. Your accusation cannot stick. As for trying to seduce me with — if I may say so — beauty of this kind: I, Tie the Hanlin, am not merely named 'Iron' — my body and soul are iron through and through. Compared with Liu Xiahui, who sat unmoved with a woman on his lap, and with Lord Guan, who kept his candle burning through the night, I am three degrees harder still. Your beauty trap will not work!" Now the woman was, in fact, not only plain but brazen. At first, meeting him face to face, she had put on a show of maidenly reticence. But stealing a glance at the Hanlin — his youth like water, his complexion like powder, so fair and fine that he was prettier than any girl — her blood caught fire. Hearing him dismiss the beauty trap, her patience snapped: "This gentleman speaks most rudely! We may be a eunuch's family, but our rank is not low. I am his niece — a young lady, if you please. That we obtained the Emperor's consent to give me to you in marriage is pure kindness. How dare you call it a 'beauty trap'? How dare you say it is 'useless'? Since you say it is useless — well, we eunuch-folk have no great reputation to protect. I shall stake my shamelessness against your iron, and we shall see who wins! Seize him, girls!" The maids responded with a shout and surged forward: "Did you hear that, Master Tie? Go over and make nice — it will save us all a great deal of noise." Tie Zhongyu was caught between indignation and dark amusement, but he held his peace. The maids, seeing his silence and the woman's fury, pressed in — one pushing him from behind, another tugging his sleeve — in a raucous commotion. He was tempted to use force, but they were women after all, and it would only make things worse. He bore it patiently, thinking: "As the proverb says: 'The mountain goblin's tricks are limited, but the old monk's composure is infinite.' I have only to ignore them." He moved a chair to the far side of the room, sat down, and let the maids chatter and wheedle as they pleased. He sat in perfect silence, as still as stone. As the verse has it: When hardness reaches its extreme, it turns to the softest yielding; To yield and yet not bend — that is true hardness. And what in all the world is both hard and soft at once? Only flowing water, gentle and relentless. While Tie Zhongyu endured the maids' pestering, Eunuch Qiu suddenly appeared from the rear staircase. He barked at the maids: "How dare you behave so rudely before a distinguished guest!" Then he turned to Tie Zhongyu: "Master Tie, this match has progressed to such a point that you can hardly refuse. Why not submit gracefully, so that we all remain on good terms?" "It is not that I refuse — propriety does not permit it." "How so?" "Does Your Lordship not know the statute in the Collected Institutes: 'Outer-court officials may not form connections with inner-court eunuchs'? If even a connection is forbidden, how much more a marriage?" "That is the old regulation. If old regulations must be followed, does the Emperor's new command not deserve obedience?" "Even so, I must first receive the imperial edict in proper form, render thanks, and then carry it out. At present, there is no edict to be seen, no thanks have been rendered, and yet I am to be married on the spot — that is absolutely out of the question. I beg your understanding." While they were still arguing, two young eunuchs came rushing up in great agitation and drew Eunuch Qiu away downstairs. It turned out that Regional Commander Hou had scored another triumph on the frontier, receiving the surrender of many rebels and collecting a treasure trove of tribute. He had escorted the tribute to the capital in person and was granted an imperial audience, at which the Emperor ordered a banquet in his honor. Since Tie Zhongyu had been Hou Xiao's original guarantor, the Emperor decreed that Hanlin Tie Zhongyu should attend the banquet. The attendant officer received the order and hurried to the Tie residence. Learning that Tie Zhongyu had gone to the eunuch's house, he rushed there instead. Finding Tie Zhongyu's retainers and horse waiting outside, he ran in and reported the matter to the eunuch. Eunuch Qiu came out, heard the reason, and stood staring at the Academician — the two of them so furious they could not utter a word. The attendant officer urged haste. The eunuch had no choice but to order the doors opened and Tie Zhongyu released. Tie Zhongyu came down without knowing why. Only when the attendant officer and his own retainers explained did he understand. With the officer pressing him, he made to leave. The eunuch, his stomach churning with frustration, said: "The banquet may be an imperial command, but so is the painting. You have inscribed only one of two scrolls! If the Emperor calls you to account tomorrow, do not say I did not warn you." Tie Zhongyu said: "I asked you repeatedly to bring out the painting, and you hid it from me. What was I supposed to inscribe?" In fact, the second scroll had been downstairs all along — the story about its being upstairs was merely a ruse to lure Tie Zhongyu up. When the ruse worked, the scroll was laid out on the desk downstairs, ready to be used as evidence against him. Now, hearing Tie Zhongyu accuse him of hiding the painting, the eunuch pointed at the desk: "It is right there on the writing table! You simply refused to inscribe it. Academician Guo is here as a witness." Tie Zhongyu saw the painting and said no more. He stepped up to the desk, unrolled it, and found a branch of plum blossoms, half red and half white — entirely different from the wintersweet he had inscribed before. He ground the ink, dipped his brush, and with a single sweep wrote his poem. The attendant officer urged: "Poetry takes time — Commander Hou is nearly here. We must not be late!" "No matter," said Tie Zhongyu. He dashed off the last stroke, threw down the brush, and with a quick bow to the Academician — "Forgive me for not staying!" — strode out. The eunuch was obliged to see him off, and he mounted his horse and was gone. As the verse has it: To walk alone and fearless — one needs only courage; To face the world with cold disdain — one needs only talent. His courage is Zhao Zilong, reborn into the world; His talent is Li Bai, come back to life. After seeing Tie Zhongyu off, the eunuch went back inside and asked the Academician to read the second poem aloud: A single plum puts forth a double fragrance — Examined closely, something seems amiss. Mistake it for a rosy face enhanced by snowy whiteness? Or try to find a pale complexion tinged with dawn's first blush? Perhaps a shallow cup of wine has given her a flush; Or perhaps she has just awakened, faintly touched by morning light. Forgive the poet if his brush falters over the inscription — For the spring upon this bough requires some deliberation. When the Academician had finished reading, the eunuch, though he could not fully appreciate its subtleties, was staggered by the speed at which it had been composed. He muttered to himself: "The little beast writes like that — and Miss Shui is said to be a literary prodigy herself. How could she give him up?" The Academician said: "She will not give him up — but neither shall I! The only course is to take the affair of the convalescence and have a fearless censor impeach them both. Once they are forced apart, my purpose is achieved." And from this calculation, it came to pass: The mirror, the more it is polished, the brighter it shines; The spring, the deeper it is drawn, the clearer it runs. If you wish to know whom the Academician recruited to submit the memorial, you must read the following chapter. |