Hao Qiu Zhuan/en1761-en2026/Chapter 3
Chapter 3 — Translation Comparison: 1761 ↔ 2026
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Chapter 3: Miss Shui's Bold Ruse: Transplanting the FlowerFrom: 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. CHAP. VI. It was now a month that Kwo-khe-tzu had sent his present; when having fitted up his house and prepared every thing for his marriage, he chose a fortunate day, and sent to acquaint Shuey-guwin that he should come on the morrow to fetch home his bride. A piece of news, which the latter received with much satisfaction. He went immediately to inform his niece of it, and desired her to make all suitable preparations. "I have no need, said she, to prepare any thing about me, otherwise than it is." "Ah! ah! said he, you are merry; I know better: you do but jest with me." When he came home, he told his family, that he believed his niece had lost her senses: "She talks of making no preparation for her wedding. 'Tis very whimsical; but perhaps it is only talk: she will doubtless to-night comply with custom and get things in order. Early to-morrow I will go again and see what she has done." The next day Kwo-khe-tzu, according to his promise, sent his gilded chair, his trumpets and music, with a long train of attendants, all in great magnificence and order, to the house of Shuey-guwin. He immediately run to his niece to tell her to get ready, for that the chair was come for her. "What is it you would have me get ready, replied she hastily? Am I not well enough as I am?" "Are you so ignorant, said he, as not to know what you ought to do? Has not the bridegroom sent his chair for you? He is also coming to conduct you himself[1]. Does not he shew you great honour and respect? Why then do you talk at this ridiculous rate?" "What is all that to me, replied the young Lady? I have nothing to say to it, it only relates to my sister your daughter." Shuey-guwin in the greatest consternation at these words, was not able to speak for some time: at last he said; "Is it not for your sake that this young gentleman hath taken so much pains, and put himself to all this trouble and expence? Whom then does he come for? My daughter, do you say, that is as ugly as an evil genius or demon[2] in comparison of you? no such thing." "My father, answered the young lady, is in disgrace; he is banished afar off, and has committed all he has here to my care: in this situation, how can I marry?" "Nay, said he in deep concern, if you are not disposed to marry, who will go about to force you? But why then did you give me your eight letters of Nean-kung?" "Uncle, said she, you was then asleep, and are not yet awake, I should be a fool indeed to give you any such writing while I was averse to marriage. What, said he, did not I procure you the coloured paper? and did not you yourself write upon it?" "If it was so, she replied, let me see it." Shuey-guwin hasted home: "My niece, said he to his sons and daughter, refuses to marry Kwo-khe-tzu; and denies that the Nean-kung was of her writing." Then he took the paper and went to her house. "Here! said he holding it out, will you deny this to be your own hand-writing?" "I acknowledge the writing, replied she: I deny it not: but if the eight letters are found to be mine, I'll be content to marry. Pray uncle, do you know when I was born[3]?" "Doubtless, said he, I do: you were born on the fifteenth day of the eighth moon, at ten o'clock: I remember it perfectly well; it was a feast day, and I was making merry with your father." "Very well, Sir, said she; and when was my cousin Ghiang-koo born, your daughter?" "I must certainly, said he, be well acquainted with my daughter's birth: it was on the sixth day of the sixth moon, in the middle of the day." "Pray, Sir, she proceeded, when you took the paper with you, did not you observe the eight letters written upon it: they are as follows"— here she repeated them— "The writing, you see, relates to your daughter; I am no way concerned in it: why then do you give me so much trouble and perplexity?" Shuey-guwin at this was greatly disturbed. "However, it is sufficient, he cried out in a rage; I saw you write it, and it matters not in what manner it was done." Seeing him begin to make a disturbance, she said to him calmly; "Sir, you must not be so warm: pray go and consult one that can divine[4], and let him see whether those eight letters belong to me or your daughter." She argued in vain, he became still more angry and began to rave and stamp with his feet; saying that she only sought to do him prejudice. "However, said he, it is no matter; you cannot hurt me; truth is truth. Both the Che-foo and Che-bien solicited your consent: the whole city knows of the young gentleman's present. How then can you say it is no concern of yours? you are extremely blameable." "If it was me, whom Kwo-khe-tzu designed to marry, she replied, why did not he order his present to be brought to me here at my own house? The Tieh-tse and letter of compliments, run in your name: and therein you only speak of your daughter; there is not the least mention of me." "How can you thus embroil the matter, said her uncle? the letter relates alone to you, and the form of it was agreed on between us." "If you had no daughter, resumed she, then you might have bestowed that title upon me without reserve: it is not unusual, it is true, to reckon the nieces for daughters, but they are always distinguished by elder and younger: but since in your paper 'tis written simply, my daughter, it can be only understood of Ghiang-koo my cousin. If you will force this marriage upon me, how will it appear reasonable to any Mandarine with whom a petition may chance to be lodged?" "To so much talk and prate, replied Shuey-guwin, it is in vain to give answer. Very well! very well! said he in a violent passion, your design I see is to plague and kill me. If we had proceeded thus far with a man of the lowest rank, how should we avoid trouble and disgrace? much more with such a person as this, who is a youth of great resentment, and whose father is preferred to such power at court. Your abrupt refusal! what disturbance, trouble and confusion will it cause? I shall certainly be ashamed to shew my head: you will force me to lay aside all respect of kindred. I must go lodge a complaint against you before a Mandarine; then how will you be able to unravel and clear up so long a story before him[5]? or how will you avoid exposing yourself to a great deal of shame?" All this he spoke with tears in his eyes. "Uncle, answered Shuey-ping-sin, I shall not make so long a story of it, as you may imagine: I shall only say that you, who are my uncle, taking advantage of my father's absence, would force me, who am left a young and helpless maid, to marry, in order to take possession of my substance. This will make you appear in so criminal a light, that you will not be able to hold up your head." Shuey-guwin was a good deal alarmed at these words, and began to be more calm. "I would not willingly, said he, bring a petition before a Mandarine: but if I do not, how shall I extricate myself out of these difficulties?" "Uncle, said the young lady, if you will lay aside your ungenerous intentions against me, I'll undertake to bring you off clear." Shuey-guwin wiping his eyes replied, "Alas! that I fear is impossible; it is not in the power of a Saint[6] to deliver me." "Pursue my directions, proceeded she, and this sorrow shall be turned into joy." "Alas! said he, at a time when life and death are indifferent to me, what hope can I have of so favourable a change? However, I would know how you propose to assist me in this affair, so that this young man's resentment may not fall on my head." "Attend then, said she, and do exactly as I would have you: if I mistake not, my cousin Ghiang-koo is just seventeen, of a fit age to be married, you have now a fine opportunity of doing it: send her in my stead, and all the difficulty is over." At these words he hung down his head and paused: at length looking up with a mixture of joy and terror, he said, "Well, but your cousin is very ordinary and disagreeable in her person; and if she should marry Kwo-khe-tzu, he will not like her, and so I shall still be involved in trouble[7]." "Uncle, she replied, leave that to me: in other respects there's nothing irregular; the eight letters are rightly and truly your daughter's: 'tis as true that the present came to your house: all this is notorious. The Tieh-tse run in your name: and in the letter of compliments you say, my daughter: in consequence of all this the chair is now come to your house: then what should hinder you from sending my cousin? on the other hand consider the credit it will be to have him for your son-in-law: does not all this afford you pleasure?" At this the countenance of Shuey-guwin began to clear up: he smiled and said, "Daughter and cousin, how came you, that are a little helpless and lonely maid, to be possessed of so much ingenuity, as at once thus to kill me and restore me to life?" "Sir, replied his niece, it was never my desire to deceive you: this affair was all your own seeking to give me disturbance." "Enough, said he, let that be forgotten: one thing yet remains; your cousin is very aukward, and neither knows how to dress herself out, nor to behave as she ought, on such an occasion: you must go to assist, and instruct her." "I will go, said she, and if any thing be wanting, let me have the blame." She took accordingly two of her maids, and went to dress up her cousin; in order to which she caused her to bathe and wash herself clean from head to foot, to whiten her teeth, to form her eye-brows, and put on cloaths perfumed with the sweetest wood[8] and gums: this took them up a good part of the day: she then instructed her, when she was brought to the house of the bridegroom to behave herself with reserve and modesty; and on coming into his own apartment when he should advance to take off her veil, to run and hide herself in the curtains. She also instructed the two waiting women, when they were to offer him wine[9], to be as liberal of it as possible, and when he should have a mind to retire, to be sure to put out the lights. Then ordering the maids to withdraw and get themselves ready, she took the opportunity of their absence to proceed as follows: "The next morning when the bridegroom sees you, he will perhaps be angry to find you not so handsome as he expected: in that case you must throw yourself into violent fits of crying, and offer to lay violent hands on yourself; this will doubtless make him afraid, and prevent his offering you any ill treatment." Ghiang-koo promised to observe all her directions: and then they took their leaves of each other. Kwo-khe-tzu was now arrived to fetch home his bride. Shuey-guwin went in to see her. "You are very fine, said he, there wants nothing now but a veil for your face: when that is covered you will be perfectly handsome." Then taking her in his arms he carried and seated her in the chair. That ceremony over, the bridegroom mounting his horse with great content, went before the chair towards his house: there he ordered the gates to be thrown open, and desired his female relations to be ready to receive her. He beheld her with great delight as she got out of the chair, and her face being covered she appeared to him like a Saint or Angel[10]. Then walking by her side into the great hall, their friends and relations made them their compliments. After this they retired into his apartment, where he went to take off her veil: upon which, according to her cousin's advice, she ran and hid herself in the bed[11]. The bridegroom then ordered the table to be covered, but Ghiang-koo would not come to sit down. The waiting women desired him to seat himself and drink first. He said, "No: your mistress is ashamed now, and out of modesty will not shew herself, yet perhaps would be glad to take some refreshment: therefore to save her blushes, I'll retire a little while she comes out, and will go and eat with my friends and acquaintance." His relations asked him why he left the lady, and if it were not usual for the bride and bridegroom to eat together? "Shuey-ping-sin[12], replied he, is a woman of great fashion and delicacy: she ought to be treated with suitable respect, and hath certainly now a just claim to indulgence." Her relations acknowledged it was very kind and respectful: then inviting him to sit down and partake of their entertainment, they quickly fell to drinking, plying one another[13] so fast, that Kwo-khe-tzu became very much fuddled. When all the guests were retired, he went into the bride's chamber; and seeing it full of lights, he approached the bed, and asked her why she did not take her repose? why she stayed for him, and hindered herself from sleeping with so many tapers? Ghiang-koo, as he opened the curtains, turned aside her face, and ordered her women to put out the lights. They hesitated, observing that he was not undressed: but he said, "Whatever your new lady orders, obey her: defer it not upon my account." They obeyed him and retired[14]. The next morning an hour or two after it was day, as he was going to rise and put on his cloaths, he saw the ugly face of his wife. He could not for some time believe his senses: "Surely, said he aloud rubbing his eyes; the Shuey-ping-sin which I saw, was exquisitely beautiful: but who are you? you are not the bride for whom I contracted." "Why not, answered Ghiang-koo? but I am." "I expected a lady compleatly handsome, said he, and here is an ill-favoured monster indeed." Then starting up in a rage, he vented his fury in exclamations against Shuey-guwin, pouring on his head a thousand curses. Ghiang-koo hearing him thus abuse her father, calling him dog and villain so to deceive him, was highly troubled: "What, said she, am not I your wife, and is not my father your father-in-law: and do you treat him with no more respect, than thus to abuse him in my hearing?" Kwo-khe-tzu at this was the more perplexed: "'Tis enough, said he, I am soundly cheated! and is Shuey-guwin really your father?" "Is he, said she? most certainly: you must know nothing: you must be very dull of apprehension to doubt it. Why, Shuey-ping-sin is my younger sister; the daughter of my uncle. If you would have married her, why did not you go to her own house, and ask for her there? The Nean-kung you received is really mine: the Tieh-tse run in the name of my father. In his letter he writes, my daughter. 'Twas to his house your present was brought: and thither you came yourself to fetch me away. All the city knows I was carried out of his house, and no other. I am of a family very much honoured and respected; and for you, to whom I am newly married, to treat me and my friends with all this scorn and abuse, is it possible I should bear it? No: I will never live under so much indignity. I will sooner die a thousand deaths." Then working herself up into the greatest transport of rage and grief, she fell to stamp and beat herself furiously: and snatching up a sash that lay in the room, was going to strangle herself with it. Kwo-khe-tzu alarmed at this violence; and fearing the trouble and disgrace in which it would involve him and his family[15] should such an accident happen within his own apartment, and to his new-married bride; flew to her instantly and held her arm: then in a soothing manner begged her to attribute his words to the wine he had drank over-night; it being usually his misfortune to be passionate after it: that she should not be so moved by a few inconsiderate expressions: but that now they were married, they should endeavour to live in peace and amity. CHAP. VII.[16] Kwo-khe-tzu having thus married a wife, who was his aversion, in all respects the reverse of Shuey-ping-sin, was greatly perplexed and disturbed in his mind. "And yet, said he to himself, although Ghiang-koo my bride is very ugly, she hath a great deal of reason for what she says: and if she should do herself any violence, it will be attributed to me." He therefore ordered his servants to keep along with her, and take care no harm happened to her in his absence. This done, he went to visit the Che-foo; to whom with a heavy heart he related the villainous trick Shuey-guwin had played him; who after carrying him to see his niece, and encouraging a marriage contract between them, had put his ugly daughter upon him in her stead: "I have also been, said he, at vast expence in this affair; yet that I regard not; but to be thus out-witted and made a jest of, I cannot endure: I hope therefore, he added, as you, Sir, are acquainted with my father, for sake of his honour you will not suffer me to be so scandalously imposed on." "Certainly, replied that Mandarine, Shuey-guwin hath done very ill in putting this abuse upon you: but you yourself have been also to blame; you should have proceeded on greater certainty. Why did not you send the nuptial present to the house of the young lady herself? When you received the eight letters, why did not you cause inquiry to be made whether they were truly hers? The papers of invitation were in the name of her uncle: yesterday you went yourself to his house: and you have accordingly brought away his daughter: there is nothing irregular in all this. Had you gone to the house of Shuey-ping-sin, and thence carried away the other, so flagrant an imposition and fraud had been punishable. But if you found yourself cheated in your bride, why did not you send her back the same night you were married? then your charge would have procured credit, and you might have obtained redress: now it cannot be had in the ordinary course of justice: we must go more artfully to work. I will send for Shuey-guwin and talk over the matter with him calmly: perhaps by fair and gentle means I may gradually draw forth a discovery of the truth. But with regard to his carrying you to see his niece, that will not be proper to be laid before the public; neither can it give any advantage to your cause. Go home then, make no more disturbance: on the contrary seem contented and happy: above all things carry it kindly to your wife, lest you drive her to extremities, that may occasion you infinite trouble." Kwo-khe-tzu finding there was no better course to be taken, thanked him and promised to follow his advice. All this while Shuey-guwin was not more happy: he had no sooner sent away his daughter, but he began to apprehend what might follow. He slept not a wink all that night, but getting up in the morning at break of day, sent people to the house of the bridegroom to listen if they could hear any disturbance. Intelligence was brought him that every thing was in profound quiet. He revolved again and again what could be the meaning of this tranquility: he could not account to himself for this passive conduct of Kwo-khe-tzu, whose fiery temper he knew very well, and whose resentment he had so much right to expect. In the midst of reflections of this kind he received a message that the Che-foo wanted to see him. Then his mind misgave him, and he suspected every thing was not right. With an aching heart he waited on that magistrate: who received him into the second hall[17], and after the customary salute invited him to sit down. Then ordering all the servants out of the room, he very mildly opened the matter. "Kwo-khe-tzu, said he, this morning presented a petition to me, wherein he accuses you of very criminal practices. You know that even I interested myself to bring on a marriage between him and your niece: how then could you palm your daughter upon him? You have not only deceived that young nobleman, but me also; and thereby shewn me the greatest slight and disrespect imaginable. Now justice demands that this fraud should be punished with the utmost rigour, and the youth himself insists upon it: but having a respect for your brother, who was a great Mandarine, I was unwilling to proceed to severities, 'till I had talked over the matter with you in friendship. Pray therefore let me know the whole truth, otherwise I must shew you no favour." Frighted at these words, Shuey-guwin fell on his knees, "Sir, said he, my life is in your hands: how then can I dare to deceive you? Yesterday's business hath ten thousand intricacies in it: but it was not of my seeking: it was a violence upon my inclinations; and if you will pardon me, I will let you know all that relates to it." The Che-foo bade him rise and speak without reserve. "Let me then inform you Sir, said he, that my niece, whose aversion to this marriage is not unknown to yourself, is the spring and mover of all this confusion. Every step that has been taken was the effect of her management: for she hath a surprising capacity. Yesterday when the bridegroom came for his wife, I went to my niece, expecting she was ready to go with him: instead of that she flew into a passion, and refused to comply, insisting upon it that it was no affair of hers; but suggested to me for my own security, to obtrude my daughter upon him in her stead: which far from being the result of my own choice or intentions, was merely owing to that necessity to which she had reduced me. This considered therefore, and as it cannot be recalled, let me intreat you to intercede with Kwo-khe-tzu to forgive me." "And is your niece indeed so ingenious[18], said the Che-foo? truly I cannot but admire a lady of such uncommon spirit and understanding. If it be so, justice is disarmed: only I fear this young gentleman will still nourish for her a fruitless passion." "The disappointment, said Shuey-guwin, may possibly increase it: however as all is now over, and as my niece is quiet and composed, nor thinks any longer of a marriage she hath got clear of so handsomely, it will be best not to alarm her afresh, but to let the affair sleep, at least for the present. Yet if he will not be prevailed on to forget her; let him wait a little with patience: I hope yet for an opportunity to obtain her for him." The Mandarine, glad to hear him speak thus, said, "If you can still effect this marriage, you will entirely disarm all resentment, and convince the world you were no way blameable. But then if this young lady hath so much wit, you will not easily over-reach her." "Now my daughter is married, and all is quiet, he replied, my niece will be no longer on her guard. If you will please to send for the young gentleman, I will talk over the matter here before you." The Che-foo assented, and Kwo-khe-tzu accordingly came. When they had unravelled the whole affair, the youth remained fully satisfied, and told him, "If you will still endeavour to procure me your beautiful niece, I shall entirely forget the injury done me, nor shall the less esteem and respect your daughter. But what means can you think of to effect your purpose?" "I am not unprovided of these, said the other. Do you go home, caress and make much of your wife: touch not on the affair of Shuey-ping-sin, nor on any thing that hath past: let no dissatisfaction appear in your face, on the contrary seem contented and happy: and on the third, the sixth, the ninth or twelfth day, on any one of these, when it is usual to entertain the relations, the men in the outer apartments and the women within, let my niece be invited with the rest: you must also intreat the presence of the two Mandarines of the city. The eight letters of Nean-kung you must get changed to those of my niece, whom it will be the principal part of your management to induce to come by means of your wife, and by all gentle and persuasive methods. Every thing being thus previously disposed, when she is arrived at your house and got into the hall, you must produce the eight letters, and pronouncing them to be hers, tax her with the former deceit she was guilty of, and appeal to the magistrates and company for the right you have to do yourself justice. How after this can she avoid marrying you?" Kwo-khe-tzu was charmed with his plausible contrivance, and pronounced it excellent. The Che-foo himself thought it well concerted, yet doubted of its success from the proofs she had given of her great penetration, apprehending she would hardly be induced to come. "Why not, said her uncle? my daughter lives in great harmony with her husband: all is quiet: what then should alarm her?" Here they parted. Shuey-guwin went home to his house, and from thence to that of his niece. He dropped not a syllable that could give her suspicion: on the contrary he complimented her on her great ingenuity, in having extricated him so well out of all his difficulties. She received his applauses with a becoming modesty. "I was this morning, said he, very uneasy and fearful of mischief, for which reason I sent spies to listen if all was right; they brought me back notice that every thing was quiet: perhaps it is so, and he is not dissatisfied with my daughter." "I can hardly be persuaded to believe that, she replied; I am well assured he cannot love her: you will yet perhaps hear something about them." "That is by no means likely now," said he as he withdrew: who went home admiring the shrewd and subtle spirit of his niece, and fearing every thing from so piercing a discernment. On the other hand Kwo-khe-tzu was so sanguine about the success of their artifice, that he thought twelve days as long as so many years: for in order to remove suspicion, he had brought himself to fix on the longest day. Three days therefore before it came, he sent five Tieh-tse or papers of invitation[19], one for the young lady, the rest for her uncle and his three sons. Shuey-guwin carried that for his niece to her himself. "The day, said he, that I followed your advice and sent away my daughter, I was very apprehensive of bad consequences. You encouraged me and rather foretold a great deal of joy. Your prediction is now verified, and all is right between her and her husband; otherwise he would hardly have sent us these invitations: here is one directed for yourself; which, as there will be other female relations there, it will be but right in you to comply with." The young lady assented. "If you intend to go then, said her uncle, it is customary always to send some present a day or two before." She agreed it was proper. Upon which he run and fetched the gilded paper and paint for her to write the particulars of the present[20]: in the meanwhile she desired him to get it ready, for as it was for a new relation, she would have it conducted in the genteelest manner. Shuey-guwin obeyed her with great satisfaction, and went to his son-in-law to tell him that his niece would certainly come. "Prepare, said he, the Nean-kung: she suspects nothing: I told you this was the way to catch her." Kwo-khe-tzu got ready the piece of silk together with the proper letters, and gave them to his wife to fix them on. Shuey-guwin had notwithstanding frequent returns of doubt and distrust, fearing that some whim would seize his niece, and prevent her from going at the time appointed. He went therefore the day before, and advised Kwo-khe-tzu to send two of his maids to know if she would assuredly come. He approved of his advice and sent the women accordingly: who together with enquiries after her health, said that her company would give such pleasure to their master and mistress, that they could not be satisfied 'till they had sent to know whether she would certainly favour them with it. She told them, if they had not paid her this compliment she intended to go and wish them joy. This she spoke with a very pleasant countenance, ordering tea to be brought, and appointing them to sit down on one side of the room. While the servants were gone for tea, she asked them; "Hath your mistress been well since she came home?" One of them answered, "She hath been very well, and passes her time with much satisfaction in playing, telling stories, and such diversions." "This morning, said the other, my master brought her a piece of red twan-ze or taffaty to fix something of embroidery upon it." "Flowers I suppose," said Shuey-ping-sin. "They were neither flowers, nor any thing in colours, she answered: but something in gold." "Possibly letters," said the young lady. "Yes, she replied, they were letters." She asked how many pieces there were: and was answered about seven or eight. Then having entertained and given them presents, she dismissed them. They returned home with answer that the young lady would not fail to come. "Twice, said Kwo-khe-tzu, have messages been sent, they must go again to-morrow: which will finish the compliment." Accordingly he gave them a golden box curiously wrought, in which he inclosed ten large pearls of the finest water and sent them away with proper instructions. Shuey-guwin who was present inquired the meaning of this. "The eight letters, said he, have been followed by no present, for which reason I send these jewels." "You are right, said the other; you have as good a head as my niece: you know what belongs to ceremonies[21]. When once you are married what a sensible pair will you two make?" The maids carried the present in the name of the bride, whose compliments they presented with a great deal of ceremony, intreating her ladyship to let their mistress see her as soon as possible, for that she had a thousand things to talk over with her. "She likewise, proceeded they, intreats your acceptance of this box of pearls: which she gave us to present to you privately as a small acknowledgement for the trouble your ladyship had at her wedding." "These pearls, said Shuey-ping-sin looking upon the box and its contents, are exceedingly precious indeed: if they are to be sold, my house is not valuable enough to purchase them: if they are a present, I dare not be bold enough to accept them: therefore carry them back again to your lady: I will at least defer my acceptance of them till I see her." The women expressed an unwillingness to carry them back. "Well, said she, on no other condition will I go to your house." The maids not being prepared for this accident, with some difficulty took up the box and carried it back with them. By this time arrived Shuey-guwin, who commanded her servants to get ready the chair of state and the Whang-fan or umbrella. His niece hearing him cried out, that so much ceremony and trouble was needless. "Needless! replied he; at the house of your cousin yonder are assembled a great many Mandarines and people of quality; and every thing is disposed with the utmost grandeur: and will not you make a suitable preparation?" "My father, said she, is in disgrace and banishment: how will it appear for me to assume so much pomp and state at a juncture like this? It will not only expose me to the derision of the world, but should the Emperor hear of it, he will think that our house contemns his authority. Pray uncle don't give yourself so much trouble, when I am able to give orders myself." "Well then, said Shuey-guwin, if I leave you to yourself; how will you proceed?" "Yesterday, replied she, came here four countrymen, that brought corn with them; two of them I ordered to stay: there is a little chair in the house, which two men can carry: they shall attend me with that." "Should you come in that manner, said her uncle, would you not be more exposed to the laughter of mankind? Would your relations and the other visitants shew you any respect?" "Let me be laughed at or affronted, said she, I go notwithstanding no otherwise than I ought." When Shuey-guwin found her so determined, he said, "Enough! it shall be as you please. It is high time for me to go: I hope we shall presently see you there." He then took his three sons with him and departed. Kwo-khe-tzu, who waited for her arrival with the utmost impatience, had sent people to inform him of all her motions: and when he heard that she was preparing to come, was hardly able to contain his joy. He then applied to the Che-foo and Che-bien to be witnesses to the marriage: and having sent for four counsellors[22], he laid before them the steps he had taken, both the box of jewels which had been sent for a present, and her writing of eight letters which he had to produce. He then ordered seven or eight lusty women to be ready, who immediately when she was set down were to prevent her from getting away, as also from flying into any outrage. He had likewise prepared a chamber for her reception, set off with the richest furniture of gold and silver. Mid-day was now past, when intelligence was brought him, that the young lady was set out. He was presently informed she was arrived half way. Transported at the news he instantly planted the music at the gates, ordering them the moment she arrived to sound aloud the marriage song[23]. So great was his impatience, that the chair not instantly appearing, he could not forbear going out to look for it. At a distance he beheld it coming, attended by four well-looking maids, and followed by seven or eight servants. Ravished at the sight, he stayed in the street till they were got pretty near: he then hasted in, and told the company that his new bride was just at the door. They all wished him joy, except the two Mandarines of the city, who said one to the other, "This young person discovered at first a great deal of sense: but there is a weakness in women, which notwithstanding their wit fails not to appear one time or other; and in this inconstancy they are inferior to men." "This is a poor unfortunate girl, said the other; with all her caution and foresight she at length is fallen into the snare." Scarce had he spoke, when Shuey-ping-sin arrived at the gates; and the four female attendants lifting up the chair, she rose from her seat[24] in order to go out. At the same instant the music and trumpets began to sound. Struck with the noise, and alarmed at the sight of the eight women planted near the door, she set herself down again in her chair, and turned her face aside in great displeasure, saying, "The noise of this ugly music is enough to tear one's head to pieces: it would kill me if I was to go in!" Then immediately she gave a signal to return, and her attendants carried her out of sight in a moment: they came the more slowly, in order to make their return the speedier. CHAP. VIII. Kwo-khe-tzu hearing the trumpets and music, never doubted but Shuey-ping-sin had entered the house: nay he posted himself in a private corner that he might behold her as she passed by: having waited some time, and heard the music play twice, he began to wonder that no body appeared; but how great was his astonishment and confusion, when the eight women came to tell him, his beautiful mistress was gone back again. He enquired the meaning. They told him that when the music begun to play, she seemed surprised, and instantly fled. He asked why they did not endeavour to stay her? They said, that was impossible, she was gone so suddenly. He would have sent his people after her, but they assured him it would be in vain; she must have got home by this time: for that she went away as swift as an arrow. Kwo-khe-tzu raved and stared like a madman: he returned to the hall, and acquainted the Mandarines of the city, together with all his relations and friends. Some of them smiled, all were astonished. "This young woman, said the Che-foo, is a prodigy: to discover his intention from the bare playing of the music! What, said he, turning to Shuey-guwin, does your niece study at home any book of divination?" "When she was a child, replied her uncle, she would be always with her father poring over his books; so that by often reading and conversing with him, she would tell what days would be fortunate, and what unlucky: when to expect good weather, or bad: but we never used to regard what she said: however she now seems to have a spirit of divination, that from the bare sound of the music could discover our intentions." None that were present could help conceiving a great esteem and admiration for a lady of so much discernment. Kwo-khe-tzu stood overwhelmed with the deepest melancholy: at length rousing himself up, he could not help making one other effort, by sending the two females once more to her house. They were ordered to remind her that this was the twelfth day of her cousin's marriage: that her friends and relations were there assembled: that their mistress had a particular affection for her, and renewed her intreaties that she would not disappoint her of her company, it being a pleasure she had so much depended on: and that their master had the utmost esteem and respect for her. All this they punctually delivered: adding farther, that they were surprised her ladyship should return, after she had once come to the door: that the music was now removed; and therefore they hoped nothing would prevent her from going again. She replied: "As I thought the invitation I received from your lady and her spouse, flowed from sincere and undesigning friendship, I esteemed it my duty to comply with it: how far it proceeded from sinister views, is best known to themselves. But if there was nothing extraordinary intended, how came the eight letters to be changed? What was meant yesterday by the present of pearls? What brought the Che-foo, and Che-bien, who I have discovered were at his house? Was it not with a view of trepanning me into a marriage with your master? Thank Heaven[25] the music at the door preserved me: but for that friendly alarm I had now been at his disposal." Then wiping her eyes, for she could not refrain from tears when she thought of the narrow escape she had had: "Go home, proceeded she, and together with my humble services to your master, advise him to live peaceably and lovingly with his wife: for that he and myself are never formed to come together: it will therefore be his wisest way to desist from all future attempts, and to trouble me no more." When this answer was reported to the Magistrates and the company, their admiration was still increased, and they looked upon her as no less then a prophetess: however as they had been invited to a feast, and had been waiting a great while, they desired it might be served up; and after they had eaten, took their leaves and departed. When all the company was gone: "Certainly, said Kwo-khe-tzu to Shuey-guwin whom he had detained still with him, your niece is a woman of uncommon penetration: and yet all this may be accounted for, without supposing her possessed of supernatural powers: perhaps she and you have agreed together to play me these tricks: and it was from yourself she learnt my designs." Shuey-guwin, piqued at this suspicion, not only denied it with the most vehement asseverations, but offered to take his solemn oath[26] of it. He accepted this offer, and remained satisfied: then desiring him to sit down by him, he said, "When first I saw your niece, I fell in love with her for her beauty, but now were she more ugly than Ghiang-koo, I should admire her no less for her ingenuity and wit. I am distracted to obtain her: you must still contrive some way to oblige me." After a profound silence of some minutes, Shuey-guwin started up and said, "I have at length discovered means which I think cannot fail." Kwo-khe-tzu was all attention. "The twentieth day of the ninth moon, proceeded the other, is the anniversary of her mother's death, when it was her yearly custom to go to her tomb, and there to burn incense and offer up sacrifice[27]: at which time she receives her rents of the neighbouring villages, and walks and amuses herself for two or three days among the gardens. At that juncture do you provide a good swift horse for yourself, and a set of stout Cooleys or chairmen: that day wait for her with these as she goes or returns: ordering them, when you give the signal, to stop the men that carry her chair, and after they have fallen upon them and beat them, to seize and carry her home to your house." Kwo-khe-tzu was charmed with this proposal, and resolved to put it in execution. "Nothing, said he, can defeat a design so well concerted as this: unless badness of weather should keep her at home." "Even that, said Shuey-guwin, will hardly prevent her from going: for she bears the greatest regard for her mother's memory." Kwo-khe-tzu had no farther doubts about the success of their project: in the happy contemplation of which Shuey-guwin left him. As soon as he got home, he hastened to his niece to chide her for what had happened. "Your cousin's husband, said he, shewed you great civility, not only to invite you, but also to do it in so respectful a manner: and for you to come to his door and then run away, what could occasion such strange behaviour? It hath brought a great deal of shame not only on yourself but also on me: for I could hardly lift up my head any more in company." "I need not use many words, replied Shuey-ping-sin; let me only say, that whether my suspicions were well grounded or not, is best known to himself, but I had certainly the strongest foundation for them." "By no means, said he, all that he wanted was to pay his compliments to his new relations, and to shew you that respect which he thought due to the cousin of his wife." "That, said his niece, you will hardly persuade me to believe: nay although I escaped the snare this time, I am of opinion that he is still contriving some trick to catch me. And you know best whether you yourself are altogether innocent. You will probably deny it; but the event will shew it before it be long." Shuey-guwin's heart began to beat, and he went home without uttering a single syllable. Now the ninth moon being come, Shuey-ping-sin began to think of paying her respects at her mother's tomb, and of visiting the places where she was every year accustomed to go. She sent therefore to acquaint her uncle and his three sons, of her intention. It instantly occurred to Shuey-guwin, that if he went with her, he would be thought a party concerned in the carrying her off: he therefore returned for answer that he was indisposed. She then desired his two eldest sons might accompany her: but they, it was answered, were engaged in business which they could not leave: but that his youngest son, if she required it, might go with her. At the same time he sent to advise Kwo-khe-tzu of it, and that she was to set out the very next morning. On the morrow she ordered every thing to be got ready with such preparation, as might testify her respect for the memory of her mother. She appointed her grand chair[28] to be set out, together with four smaller chairs for her maids. She had a horse brought to the door in the street for her cousin[29]: then ordering the chairs into the hall, and having placed herself and her women in them, the chairmen came and took them away. From thence they marched along in great order; first of all went the chair of state, preceded by a magnificent umbrella, and carried by four cooleys or chairmen: then came the four small ones, followed by her cousin on horseback attended by two servants. They were now got out of the city, and wanted but about a lee[30] of the tomb: when suddenly there came up three lusty men on the left hand and as many on the right; who stopped the grand chair. And presently after from among the bushes, there rushed out more than twenty cooleys or chairmen, five or six of whom immediately seized on the chair, crying out to them who carried it: "This is our place; would you take our livelihood from us?" Then beating them off, they took it up and ran away with it as fast as they could. The servants on horseback seeing this, rode after them, demanding how they durst offer such insult to a lady of quality. They made no reply, but hurried away the faster. One of the servants was almost up with the chair: when of a sudden bolted out Kwo-khe-tzu himself and stopped him. "How now, impudence! said he, your lady there is my wife." "I knew not that, Sir, said the servant, I only did my duty: which had I not done, my lady would have punished me." "Lay the blame upon me, replied the other, do you go home about your business." The servant stood still. Then Kwo-khe-tzu forbidding him with heavy threats to advance, hasted after the chair. By this time the four other chairs were come up together with the attendants; who after a little consultation, turned about and went home again. In the mean while Kwo-khe-tzu accompanied his prize 'till it was got within the gate of the city: then giving the strictest charge to his servants to take great care of it, and see it safely set down within his house, he turned aside to the Che-foo and Che-hien, in order to intreat them to come and be witnesses.
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Chapter 3: Miss Shui's Bold Ruse: Transplanting the FlowerModern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025) A poem says: All know that women are gentle, frail, and meek; But who perceives the brilliance that their minds may seek? A single word diverts disaster, light as air; One nimble turn deflects calamity with care. True cunning needs no bluster, needs no show; True wit lies all in timing and in guile below. Let scheming villains try their worst, compete to lead — When the moment comes, their tardy regrets are guaranteed.
To study, one must close the door; To seek the Way, no journey is too far. Survey the mighty mountains and great rivers, And the heart's horizon opens wide. But let us set aside Tie Zhongyu's journey to Shandong for the moment. In the prefecture of Jinan, in the county of Licheng in Shandong, there lived a retired official named Shui Juyi, whose courtesy name was Tiansheng. He had risen to the rank of Vice-Minister of War and had made himself a name by his bold and resolute temperament. Alas, he was approaching sixty, his wife had passed away, and he had no sons — only a single daughter named Bingxin. Her eyebrows were like willows in spring, her face like an autumn flower; she was so delicate and slender that she seemed scarcely strong enough to bear the weight of silk gauze. Yet when the moment called for action, she showed such talent and such courage that she could have put any man to shame. Shui Juyi treasured her like a jewel. While serving at court in the capital, he had treated Bingxin as though she were a son, entrusting her with the management of all household affairs. For this reason she had reached the age of seventeen without yet being married. Unfortunately, Shui Juyi had a younger brother named Shui Yun, whose courtesy name was Jinzhi. Although he bore the name of a scholar, he was in truth completely illiterate. He relied entirely on his family's illustrious past to put on airs, spending his days in dishonest schemes to fill his belly. Fate, however, had cursed him with poverty: whatever he swindled soon slipped through his fingers, as though it had never existed. But he was blessed — if one could call it that — with three sons, all of whom had inherited their father's ambitions and were equally unable to read a single character. He also had a daughter, exceedingly coarse and plain, named Xianggu, who was the same age as Bingxin — only two months older. Seeing that his elder brother had no sons and possessed a handsome fortune, Shui Yun cast covetous eyes on it and longed to consume it. But as long as Miss Bingxin remained unmarried and kept a firm hand on everything, there was no way to get at it. He therefore set about, day after day, enlisting matchmakers and relatives to promote a marriage for Bingxin. Some praised the Zhang family's wealth; others extolled the Li family's high official rank; still others lauded the Wang family's young son for his youth, talent, and handsome looks. But Miss Bingxin had her own views firmly settled, and not a word of these idle proposals found the slightest purchase in her mind. Shui Yun was at his wits' end when he learned that a certain Young Master Guo, son of a Grand Secretary Guo in the same county, was looking for a bride. He promptly sent someone to arrange matters, offering to marry off his niece Bingxin to the young man. Now, Young Master Guo was a young rake — a glutton starved for beauty, as it were. "I don't know what your niece looks like," he said. Shui Yun proceeded to lavish praise upon her, describing her beauty and her talents in glowing detail. Young Master Guo remained somewhat skeptical and would not commit himself. In his impatience, Shui Yun proposed a secret viewing. Although the Shui brothers had long since divided their household, the ancestral dwelling was a single compound split into two wings, and at the point where the upper-story galleries connected, there were still gaps through which one might peep. Shui Yun led Young Master Guo to a vantage point where he could steal a look. When Guo saw how exquisitely lovely and sharp-witted Miss Bingxin was, he became besotted, dreaming of her day and night, and was determined to make her his wife. Several times he sent matchmakers to press the suit, but Miss Bingxin refused to even acknowledge them. In desperation, Young Master Guo spent lavishly to enlist the prefect's support. At first, the prefect — knowing that Miss Bingxin was the daughter of a Vice-Minister of War — dared not act presumptuously. Though he could not very well refuse Young Master Guo to his face, he merely went through the motions of making the proposal twice; and when the young lady declined, he let the matter drop. But then, some time later, word came that Vice-Minister Shui had inadvertently appointed a certain general named Hou Xiao, who had lost a battle through incompetence. The court was furious and stripped Shui Juyi of his office, banishing him to the frontier at once. At the same time, it was announced that Grand Secretary Guo had been promoted to the Grand Secretariat. Seeing Young Master Guo come once more to plead his case, the prefect promptly changed his tune and threw himself into the business in earnest. He summoned Shui Yun and gave him a lecture: "In matters of marriage between men and women, the proper season should not be missed. When a gentleman finds a worthy match, one should not let it slip away. It is the normal rule that a daughter at home should obey her father. But when circumstances make that impossible, one must adapt. Your niece has reached marriageable age. She has lost her mother, she has no brothers to rely upon, and she lives alone in the women's quarters with only servants around her — a most unsuitable arrangement. If your elder brother were at home, one might wait for his decision. But now he has been banished to the distant frontier, and no one knows whether he is alive or dead. Is it not folly to cling stubbornly to convention and miss the opportunity? Your niece, a young lady in the inner chambers, can hardly be expected to speak for herself. You, as her own uncle, should you not think of your flesh and blood and take the matter in hand? Moreover, Grand Secretary Guo has just been promoted by imperial decree, and Young Master Guo himself possesses first-rate examination talents. He has pursued this match time and again — it is clearly an excellent alliance. You must not let a girl's momentary whims ruin a lifelong opportunity. I have summoned you here to urge you most earnestly. If you persist in obstinacy, you will not only lose this fine match but may find it brings ill fortune to your family." This was music to Shui Yun's ears. He agreed wholeheartedly: "I have long been urging this upon her at home, but my niece has been spoiled by my brother and does as she pleases, with no regard for propriety. That is why she has flatly refused every suitor. Now that Your Honor has deigned to instruct me, even the most obtuse must wake up. When I return home, I shall convey your command to my niece. What she has clung to is the absence of her father's word. But Your Honor's word — is that not as good as her father's? There is no reason she should not comply." With that, he took his leave. Back at home, he went straight to the adjoining wing to see Miss Bingxin and tried to intimidate her with bluster: "The other day the prefect came to propose this match with the Guo family. How earnestly I tried to persuade you — but you paid no attention at all. As the saying goes, 'A county magistrate can break a family.' If a mere magistrate can bring ruin when angered, how much more the prefect! Before, when he saw that your father was a Vice-Minister, he still showed some respect. But now that your father has offended the throne and been sent into exile, the prefect has changed his face entirely and let fly a great many harsh words. If you refuse him again, and he turns vicious — you, a lone young woman, and I, without any official rank — how could we withstand him? This match with the Guo family — his father has just been made Grand Secretary, the young man is talented and in his prime, sure to pass the examinations with flying colors — it is as fine a match as could be wished for. Unless you never intend to marry in this life, you would be a fool to let this one slip through your fingers. But if you wait another two or three years and still have to marry in the end, by then you may not be able to find a great official's family willing to have you. Think it over carefully." Miss Bingxin replied: "It is not that your niece is obstinate. Marriage is a momentous affair and should be decided by one's father. Now that Father has been banished and Mother passed away long ago, whose authority am I to follow?" Shui Yun said: "That is precisely what the prefect said. He said that when circumstances change, one must adapt. If your father is too far away for his word to reach you, then the prefect's word is as good as your father's. And if the prefect's word is lacking, your own uncle's word is as good as your father's. Why cling to just one?" Miss Bingxin lowered her head and thought for a moment. Then she said: "The prefect, however exalted, is after all an outsider. But if my uncle can truly stand in for my father, then perhaps we may discuss the matter." Shui Yun said: "Uncle, father — we are of the same blood. How could I not stand in for him?" Miss Bingxin said: "Until now, I have held my father's word supreme. If my uncle may indeed serve as my father, then all decisions shall be his, and there will be no need to consult your niece any further." Shui Yun was overjoyed: "At last you have come to your senses! If your uncle could not stand in for your father, why would I bother meddling in your affairs? My dear child, listen to me — this match with the Guo family is truly perfect in every way. Once you are married, you will see for yourself. If you and your husband get along, and his father is about to become Grand Secretary, you could ask him to submit a memorial and have your father recalled from exile." "If it could work out that way, so much the better," said Miss Bingxin. Shui Yun said: "Since you consent, the prefect is still waiting for my reply. You must write out a betrothal card with your own hand and give it to me, so they can be at ease." Miss Bingxin said: "Writing it is no trouble, but Uncle, you will need to prepare a proper betrothal card — it would not be fitting for me, a young woman, to do that." Shui Yun said: "Since you acknowledge me as your father, that is my responsibility — no one is asking you to prepare it. Just write out your Eight Characters for me." Miss Bingxin at once took up brush and ink, wrote out eight characters [representing the year, month, day, and hour of birth] on red paper, and handed them to Shui Yun. Shui Yun took the slip and went home in high spirits. He told his three sons: "The Guo match — today it is finally settled." His eldest son said: "Just yesterday Sister was quibbling and refusing. Why did she suddenly agree today?" Shui Yun said: "She was fixated on obeying her father's word. When I told her that her uncle was as good as her father, she finally accepted." The eldest said: "She may have agreed in the heat of the moment, but I fear she'll think it over and change her mind." Shui Yun said: "She won't change her mind — I even got her to write out the Eight Characters." He drew the slip from his sleeve and showed it to his three sons. They looked at it and clapped their hands in delight: "Good! Good! Now there is no going back!" "That is all well and good," said Shui Yun, "but there is still one thing..." "What is that?" asked the eldest. "She said she acknowledges me as her father, so all the betrothal formalities — cards, gifts, and so on — should be handled by me. That would be best." The eldest said: "You have to spend a little to gain a lot. If we don't manage these small things, how can we expect to get our hands on their wedding gifts and the family estate later on?" "Easy enough to say," Shui Yun replied, "but where is the money to come from?" "We'll have to find a way," said his son. After much deliberation, father and sons pawned some clothing and ornaments for a few taels of silver. First they bought two feet of crimson satin, then had eight gold characters affixed to it — all very fine and precise — and fashioned it into a betrothal card. Shui Yun personally delivered it to the prefect, saying: "In obedience to Your Honor's instructions, I dare not refuse. Here is the betrothal card." The prefect examined it with pleasure and instructed that it be forwarded to the county magistrate, who should serve as matchmaker. The magistrate, knowing it was the prefect's order, dared not decline. He chose an auspicious day and, with drums and music, sent the card to the Guo residence. Young Master Guo received it as though it were a priceless treasure, accepted it with joy, and laid on a grand banquet to entertain the magistrate. Several days later, he assembled a magnificent array of betrothal gifts worth a thousand taels of gold, chose another auspicious day, and again engaged the magistrate as chief matchmaker to deliver them, with music and fanfare, to the Shui household. The day before, Shui Yun had gone over to inform Miss Bingxin and told her to make preparations. Miss Bingxin said: "Since Father is away, our side of the house has been quiet and neglected for a long time. Since Uncle has assumed the role of father and issued the betrothal card on my behalf, the gifts should properly be received at Uncle's residence — that would be more fitting. Besides, it is all one ancestral dwelling: this side and that side are one and the same." "Receiving the gifts at my place is fine," said Shui Yun, "but I'm afraid the reply card would still need your father's name." Miss Bingxin said: "If we must use Father's name, then Uncle cannot truly serve as father after all. Besides, Father has been disgraced and exiled by the court — he is a criminal in the eyes of the law. Writing his name might be inauspicious and might offend the Guo family. Moreover, after the betrothal, there will be many exchanges of courtesies, all requiring Uncle to attend in person. It would be awkward to keep writing Father's name. Far better for Uncle to sign in his own name throughout — then no one will think twice." "That makes sense too," said Shui Yun. He went off to buy several sets of embroidered reply cards and brought them back for Miss Bingxin to fill in. Miss Bingxin said: "I'll do the writing, but to outsiders, just say my brothers wrote them — I would be embarrassed otherwise." "Of course," said Shui Yun. Miss Bingxin wrote Shui Yun's name and added the phrase "on behalf of my youngest daughter, in acknowledgment of betrothal gifts," then read it aloud to Shui Yun. He listened, then said: "Why does it say 'youngest daughter'?" Miss Bingxin replied: "Since you have assumed the role of father, why should it not say 'youngest daughter'?" "Well, I suppose that's right," said Shui Yun. He took the cards home and said to his sons: "The reply cards bear my name and say 'on behalf of my youngest daughter, in acknowledgment of betrothal gifts.' Never mind the gifts being ours — even the claim to the family estate has now been established." Father and sons rejoiced in secret. The next day, the Guo family's betrothal gifts arrived. Shui Yun and his sons, dressed up in their best caps and gowns as if they were men of rank, threw open the central gate to admit the gifts. The hall was festooned with colored bunting and spread with carpets; drums and music filled the air as the magistrate was received and entertained. It was a day of great bustle and excitement. Miss Bingxin took no part in any of it. After the guests had departed, Shui Yun opened the connecting door and invited Miss Bingxin over to inspect the gifts. "These betrothal gifts and betrothal money," he asked, "to whom do they properly belong?" Miss Bingxin replied: "Since Uncle has adopted me as his own daughter and gone to all this trouble and expense, the gifts and money naturally belong to Uncle. And not just these gifts — the entire family estate, since Father never had a brother, will eventually be Uncle's and my cousins' property. But with Father in distant exile, alive or dead we do not know, your niece can only safeguard it for the time being and would not presume to hand it over to anyone else." Shui Yun clapped his hands in delight: "My dear niece, you are truly virtuous! How clearly you see things! How candidly you speak!" He called his three sons and his daughter over and had them check every item against the original list and take possession of all the gifts. As the verse says: Clumsy schemes are born of greed; Men grow foolish when they covet. Boast all you like of the bait's perfection — The truth is simply that the fish is hungry. A month or so passed. Young Master Guo had made all preparations and selected a supremely auspicious day. With pipes and drums, flutes and gongs, a hundred carriages came to fetch the bride in great splendor. Shui Yun was thrown into a panic. He rushed through the connecting door and urged Miss Bingxin to make ready at once. Miss Bingxin feigned ignorance and answered languidly: "Make ready for what?" Shui Yun, alarmed, said: "How can you ask such a thing? The Guo family has come for you today! The drums, the music, the bridal sedan — they are all at the gate! How can you not know? What do you mean, 'make ready for what'?" Miss Bingxin said: "The Guo family has come for my elder cousin — what has that to do with me?" Shui Yun grew more agitated: "The Guo family went to such lengths, engaging people to arrange it, specifically for you! How can you say they've come for your cousin? Do you think a fine face like your cousin's would induce Young Master Guo to spend a thousand in gold on betrothal gifts?" Miss Bingxin said: "Father has been exiled to the frontier. All of his life's estate is in my hands. I have no intention of marrying. How can you say they've come for me?" Shui Yun, beside himself, forced a smile: "From the way you talk, you are very clever indeed — only what you have done is exceedingly clumsy." Miss Bingxin said: "Since I am not marrying, who can force me? What have I done that is clumsy?" Shui Yun said: "Since you were not willing, you should never have written out the betrothal card for me. Now the card has been delivered to the Guo family, and I'm afraid the words 'I will not marry' won't carry much weight!" Miss Bingxin said: "Uncle, stop dreaming! If I truly did not wish to marry, why would I have written a betrothal card for you?" Shui Yun laughed again: "My dear niece, there is no use denying it! You may think that when I had the eight gold characters made, I threw away the one you wrote in your own hand and that you can now refuse to acknowledge it. But I am more careful than you suppose — I kept it safely as evidence. You could have mouths all over your body and still could not deny it!" Miss Bingxin said: "If I wrote a betrothal card in my own hand and gave it to you, then I have no defense. But if I did not, then you cannot accuse me falsely either. Bring it out, and we shall examine it face to face." "Fair enough," said Shui Yun. He hurried back, fetched the original card, and summoned his three sons to come and confront her. Holding the card out at arm's length, he said: "Is this not in your own hand? What more is there to say?" Miss Bingxin said: "Let me first ask you, Uncle — do you know what month I was born in?" Shui Yun said: "You were born on the fifteenth of the eighth month, at the hour of hai. On the night you were born, your father and I were drinking wine and admiring the moon together. I am your own uncle — how could I not know?" Miss Bingxin said: "And may I ask — what month was Cousin Xianggu born in?" "She was born on the sixth day of the sixth month, at the hour of wu." "Have you ever examined the month recorded on the betrothal card?" "The card has only eight characters — the month and day are not written out separately. How could I tell?" "Can you read those eight characters yourself?" "Well, I can't actually read them. But when I had the gold characters made, I had to weigh each one — so-and-so much for jia, so much for zi — and I remember: jiazi, xinwei, renwu, wuwu — eight characters, weighing in total one liang, three qian, and four fen." Miss Bingxin said: "Those eight characters belong to my cousin's horoscope, not mine. What has it to do with me? Why all this commotion?" Shui Yun said: "You wrote them yourself — how can you say they are hers?" Miss Bingxin said: "There is no need to argue, Uncle. Just summon a fortune-teller and have him calculate whether these eight characters correspond to the fifteenth of the eighth month or the sixth of the sixth — and the truth will be plain." Shui Yun stood in stunned silence for a long while, then said: "The truth will come out in the end. Never mind the Guo family, the prefect, and the magistrate all knowing that I was arranging this match for you — the entire county knows that Young Master Guo is marrying you. Even if you switched the horoscope, the chief matchmaker, the sponsor of the marriage, everyone speaks with one voice. How can you possibly wriggle free?" Miss Bingxin said: "It is not I who needs to wriggle free. If the Guo family is marrying me, their gifts should have been sent to my side of the house. Yet they were sent to yours, and you accepted them. Your reply cards say 'on behalf of my youngest daughter' — not a single word mentions a niece. How can you say it was for me?" Shui Yun said: "You had me call you 'my youngest daughter' because you wanted me to act as your father — we discussed it together." Miss Bingxin said: "If Uncle had no daughter of his own, adopting a niece might be justifiable. But Uncle does have a daughter. Even if you adopted your niece, you would need to distinguish between 'my elder daughter' and 'my younger daughter.' How can you simply say 'my youngest daughter'? Take this argument before any court, and even if Uncle were the judge himself, it would not hold up." Shui Yun, overwhelmed by this barrage of logic, beat his breast and stamped his feet and burst into loud weeping: "I am ruined! Ruined! You have destroyed me! This Young Master Guo is a vicious rascal, and his father is about to become Grand Secretary. He has spent a fortune on you. Today is the wedding day, and he has invited all his grand relatives to a feast at his home, with the bridal sedan and musicians waiting since dawn. If you refuse and there is no bride to give him, do you think he will let the matter rest? Your poor uncle — my life will be sacrificed because of you! Since you are the one ruining me, I can no longer care about family feeling. I shall go straight to the magistrate and the prefect, lay out the whole story, and make it clear that you deceived me, not that I deceived the Guo family. Let the officials decide! But when that moment comes, however eloquent you may be, you will have to appear in public and suffer the disgrace!" All the while he spoke, he wept. Miss Bingxin said: "If Uncle goes to accuse me, I need only say that while Father was in exile, Uncle conspired to trick his orphaned niece into marriage in order to seize the family estate. I fear Uncle's crimes would be far greater." Shui Yun, more desperate than ever, said: "It is not that I want to accuse you — but if I don't, how can I extricate myself?" Miss Bingxin said: "If Uncle does not implicate me and simply wishes to get clear, that is quite easy." Hearing the word "easy," Shui Yun stopped crying and said: "This mess — even an immortal could not untangle it. How can you say it is easy?" Miss Bingxin said: "If Uncle will follow my plan, I guarantee that this great calamity will turn into great joy." Shui Yun, noticing the peculiar turn in Miss Bingxin's words, pressed her urgently: "At this moment, death stares us in the face — how can we hope for great joy?" Miss Bingxin said: "Consider — Cousin Xianggu is already seventeen. It is time for her to marry. Why not seize this opportunity and, in perfectly proper fashion, marry her off? One problem will be solved at a stroke, and there will be no need to go looking for trouble." Shui Yun thought it over, then started with a mixture of alarm and delight: "That is indeed a stratagem! But your cousin and you are worlds apart in looks. Once she gets there and Young Master Guo sees her, he will certainly object." Miss Bingxin said: "The betrothal card you sent plainly bears my cousin's horoscope. The betrothal gifts were plainly sent to Uncle's house. Uncle's reply card plainly says 'my youngest daughter.' And today they are plainly coming to fetch the bride from Uncle's house. It is entirely proper that the cousin should be the one married off. What objection could there be? Besides, Uncle now holds the dignity of a father-in-law. Even if there were earlier irregularities, they may all be smoothed over. Is this not a great calamity turned into great joy?" Shui Yun, hearing this, could not help breaking into laughter: "My child! You are but a slip of a girl, yet what resources you carry in your breast! You tricked your poor uncle half to death, and now you have the ability to bring him back to life!" Miss Bingxin said: "Your niece did not set out to deceive you, Uncle. It was only because you insisted on meddling that I had no choice but to protect myself." Shui Yun said: "The only problem is that your cousin is a clumsy creature, quite unpolished, and has never been properly groomed. If she is to be married today at a moment's notice, you must come over and help dress her up." Miss Bingxin was only too glad to see the matter settled. Taking just two maids with her, she crossed over and spent the afternoon combing Xianggu's hair, plucking her eyebrows, whitening her teeth, and penciling her brows. She decked her out with pearls and kingfisher ornaments until her head was resplendent, and clothed her in embroidered silks from head to toe. She also coached her: once in the bridal chamber, she must plead shyness and insist that all candles be extinguished before allowing the groom near. If wine cups were shared, the maids should contrive to get the groom thoroughly drunk. "And if the groom expresses any dissatisfaction with your looks," Bingxin added, "you must threaten to kill yourself — that will frighten him." Xianggu, though dull-witted, understood well enough when it touched her own interests, and took every instruction to heart. Just as the dressing was completed, the three stars had risen in the evening sky. Young Master Guo arrived on horseback, surrounded by a crowd of servants, to conduct the bride in person. Shui Yun, having no other choice, helped his daughter into the sedan chair and watched as the party bore her away with music and fanfare. As the verse says: The schemer may be cunning, true, But he is no match for a mind that's wise. The cuckoo thought she'd seized the nest — But the magpie had already switched the prize. Young Master Guo was convinced that he had at last secured Miss Bingxin as his bride. Overjoyed, he received the sedan at his front gate. A bevy of maids helped the bride alight and led her into the main hall, her head still covered with the bridal veil. She moved with a willowy grace that seemed otherworldly, and every onlooker praised her beauty. After the ceremonial bows, the whole company swept into the bridal chamber, where the nuptial wine was set out for bride and groom to share. Xianggu, remembering her cousin's instructions, removed the veil but then retreated into the bed curtains and absolutely refused to come out. Young Master Guo, thinking she was merely shy, did not press her too hard. He went out to the front hall to drink with his guests. Between his own elation and the toasts pressed upon him by his relatives, cup after cup, he drank himself into a stupor before at last returning to the bridal chamber. He peered in and could dimly see, in the faint candlelight, the new bride still sitting behind the bed curtains. Emboldened by wine, Young Master Guo swayed over to the bed and whispered: "It is late — why have you not gone to sleep?" Xianggu, seeing him, quickly turned her face away and whispered to the maid to blow out the candles. The maid hesitated, glancing at Young Master Guo. He obligingly said: "Since the new bride wishes it, blow them out and leave us." The maids hastily extinguished the candles and dispersed. Young Master Guo reached out to touch the bride and found she had already undressed and slipped under the covers. Unable to restrain himself, he threw off his own clothes and crawled in beside her. Convinced that this was the dazzling beauty he had spied through the wall, he was beside himself with joy and lavished every endearment upon her. Xianggu, a young woman in the prime of life, was hardly proof against such attentions, and in an instant the bed-curtains swayed, the silken quilt heaved, and the marriage was consummated. As the verse says: Behind the curtains, every cloud-and-rain is with a fair maid played; Beneath the quilt, each dragon's battle is with a good bride made. But when the morning light reveals the face at last, The closeness that seemed promised may already have passed. Young Master Guo indulged himself freely and slept until the sun was three poles high the next morning before waking. He opened his eyes and examined the new bride — and saw a broad forehead, a square face, and a dull, heavy expression. This was not remotely the woman he had spied through the wall. He sat up in alarm, threw on his clothes, and demanded: "You are not Miss Shui! How did you come to take her place?" Xianggu said: "Who says I am not Miss Shui? Look again more carefully!" Young Master Guo looked again and shook his head vigorously: "No, no! I know what Miss Bingxin looks like — like a lotus rising from the water, like a willow veiled in mist. She is nothing like this! I have been swindled by that old dog Shui Jinzhi!" Xianggu flared up: "You married me, and that makes me your equal wife! How dare you insult me by cursing my father to my face?" Young Master Guo was more frantic than ever: "It's over! It's over! He led me to spy on his niece, Miss Bingxin. If you call him your father, you must be his own daughter!" Xianggu also sat up and dressed herself, saying: "What a muddled person you are! Miss Bingxin is the daughter of my father's elder brother, the official. If you wanted to marry her, you should have made your suit on her side of the house. Why did you come to my father instead? Besides, the betrothal card my father sent bears my horoscope, and the reply card clearly says 'on behalf of my youngest daughter.' Can you not read? How can you say it was Miss Bingxin? The betrothal gifts were delivered to my family's house, the wedding party came to my family's house — how can you say it was not me? Today we were properly matched by a chief matchmaker and have become husband and wife. And now you speak of peeping through walls — such shameful, morals-destroying talk! How am I to live with you in the future, to manage your household and bear your children? On reflection, perhaps it would be better if I were dead!" She burst into wild weeping and, snatching up a handkerchief, made as if to hang herself. Young Master Guo, already furious that the bride was not Miss Bingxin, was further alarmed when Xianggu threatened suicide. And because of that alarm, the following came to pass: First beguiled by the willow, now deceived by the flower. To learn how matters were resolved, the reader must turn to the next chapter. |