Hao Qiu Zhuan/en1761-en2026/Chapter 4
Chapter 4 — Translation Comparison: 1761 ↔ 2026
Other parallel views: 中文 ↔ Percy 1761 | 1761 ↔ 2026 | Modern EN only | Percy 1761 only | 中文 only
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Chapter 4: Young Master Guo's Vain Pursuit: Grasping at the MoonFrom: 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 IX.[1] Kwo-khe-tzu was not so overjoyed that he had secured the prize, as to be neglectful of what might happen; lest therefore upon her arrival at his house, she would make a disturbance and reject the marriage, he made all possible haste to fetch the Magistrates of the city, together with others of his relations and friends; in order to produce her eight letters before them; and to silence whatever she might plead to the contrary. He was transported that he should now recover his credit, in shewing himself capable of outwitting her; and congratulated himself as well for the happy concerting of his project, as for the resolution and dexterity with which it had been executed. He used such expedition in mustering his friends, that he was got home before the chair. It was not however long behind him. He soon saw it coming; his people driving along the streets, and clearing their way like a swarm of wasps. They were going to set it down at the gates: but he would not let them, neither at the second door, but made them carry it into the great hall. Upon this the Che-foo, the Che-bien, and all his relations and friends rose up, and came to meet him, crying out, "Kong-hee, or much joy to you! how rare is it to find a woman so beautiful and so accomplished as Shuey-ping-sin? What cause have you to rejoice in having at length obtained so inestimable a treasure?" Kwo-khe-tzu beheld the chair with the most evident satisfaction, and advancing towards the upper end of the hall, returned their compliments with equal civility: "Extraordinary, said he, as this step I have taken may appear, I have been guilty of no unwarrantable violence: this lady was the person to whom I was originally contracted in marriage; and the receiving another woman in her stead, was the effect of her contrivance: the opportunity I now have, permits me but barely to do myself justice: I must therefore desire you all to be my witnesses; and that the Che-foo and Che-bien will be in this affair as my father and mother, in making the marriage firm and valid, and in preventing any farther trouble about it." Those magistrates advised him to bury in profound silence all that was past; telling him they were ready to attest what he had asserted; that since he had brought her there, he was now obliged to marry her, and therefore had nothing to do, but to carry her in, and have performed the usual ceremonies[2]. Kwo-khe-tzu desired before this was done, she might appear before them; that she might have no pretence to complain of compulsive or hasty measures, or that the marriage was conducted otherwise than openly, with the most proper and deliberate decorum. "Well, said the Che-foo, if you would rather have it so, let the chair be opened, and let the lady appear." Kwo-khe-tzu then ordered his women to go to the chair, and lifting up the curtain, to open the door. They went accordingly, but found it lock'd: of which they returned and inform'd their master. He was not surpriz'd at this, attributing it either to her delicacy or her fear. Then going himself and trying in vain to open the lock, at length he broke it. On this, the women advanced to open the door, which as soon as they had done, they stood still for some minutes. Enrag'd at this delay he began to storm at them, asking, why they stood staring, and did not hand their lady out of the chair? With looks of the utmost astonishment and confusion, they told him there was no lady; not so much as the shadow of one. He was greatly surprized, and advancing to the chair to be satisfied himself, instead of the fair Shuey-ping-sin, he saw nothing but a bundle wrapt about with a scarlet cloth. At this he fell a stamping and raving like one distracted: "How can this be possible? said he; one of my own women servants this morning saw her drest, and ready to go into the chair, but a little while before it set out." The Che-foo and Che-bien, with the rest that were invited, went also to the chair, and with equal astonishment saw nobody was in it. "Surely, said they all, this young lady must be a prophetess, and have a power of divining, thus to foresee, and avoid all your pursuits: 'tis enough; you must think no more of her: for whether she be saint or demon, there is no fathoming her contrivances: she must surely be of no common capacity." Kwo-khe-tzu was too much mortified and confounded to answer a syllable. The Che-foo seeing him cast down and dejected, ordered them to take out the bundle and see what was in it. Opening it they found only a box filled with pebble stones. At this every body laugh'd: and taking their leave, left Kwo-khe-tzu to bewail his disgrace[3]. He was so disturbed in his mind, that for some time he did not perceive they had left him: at length raising up his head and looking round, he saw his hall empty, and nobody left, except one friend, who sat unobserv'd in a corner, and seem'd buried in profound thought. The name of this person was Chun-kee. Taking courage to find he was not totally deserted, the youth called out, inviting him to come and sit down with him, and to talk over the affair that had happen'd. "To-day, said he, after having thought myself secure of the accomplishment of my wishes beyond all possibility of disappointment, how have I been deceived, and shamed and mortified? I cannot account for the trick she hath play'd me; it seems to exceed all human power: and yet I cannot forget her; neither shall I give her up, as those here advised me. Tell me how you would act in like situation?" "This young lady, answer'd Chun-kee, is very subtle; she is no less uncomplying and obstinate: to think to obtain her therefore by soft and gentle means, will be involving yourself in an endless pursuit: nothing but downright force can succeed with her." "Alas! replied the other, of what little effect bare force can be, the disappointment of this day may shew: besides, after this unsuccessful attempt, she will not easily fall in my way again: her youth and sex will afford her no occasion to stir out for the future[4]: nor will she readily venture of herself." "Do not despair, said the other, I have bethought myself of an expedient, that does not seem unlikely." Kwo-khe-tzu listen'd with great attention. "Her father, proceeded Chun-kee, is in banishment, and I hear 'tis a long while that she hath had no news of him: I hear also that she preserves for him the most ardent affection, and continually feeds an hope that he will one day obtain the Emperor's pardon." "All this, said the other, may be very true: but what is it to our purpose?" "You must get, said his friend, a coloured paper, upon which let it be written, that a great Mandarine hath procured a pardon for him, and that the Emperor has restored him to his office again. Send this dispatch to her house by a train of twenty messengers, and let her be called upon to receive the mandate[5] with due respect. This will oblige her to come out to meet it. Then let a chair be ready, and the moment she steps out of the hall force her into it and away." Kwo-khe-tzu applauded this scheme, and thought it might be successful. "But stay, proceeded Chun-kee, we must at the same time make some provision for our own security. Shuey-ping-sin is the daughter of a Mandarine of good family: and when she sees herself thus suddenly beset and carried away by violence, it may cause her to commit some desperate action: perhaps to strangle herself with her garter; or to stab herself with her scissors, or some other implement she may have about her. To prevent therefore the blame of any such action, you shall present a petition to the Che-foo and Che-bien to summon her before them at your suit: by which you will have their officers to accompany your people, and their authority for your sanction: and at the same time that you are screen'd from the consequences[6] of the attempt, you will have those magistrates ready to compleat the marriage." Kwo-khe-tzu could not conceal his satisfaction at so artful and at the same time so safe a contrivance: "This, says he, is a thousand[7] times better than any I have undertaken before: nothing remains but to fix the time for its execution." When they had settled this point between them, they parted. Shuey-ping-sin, having thus a third time narrowly escaped falling into the hands of her persecutor, kept herself very close at home, and would scarcely suffer any one to go in or out of her house. As for Shuey-guwin and his sons, being sensible she strongly suspected them, they came in her way as little as possible. Yet greatly as she had been harrassed, alarmed and terrified, her concern on that account was light, compared with what she suffered for the sake of her father. His misfortunes and disgrace were the constant subject of her thoughts: and if she sometimes encouraged an hope, that he would one day be restored to his family and his friends, it was as often interrupted by doubt and stifled by despair. One morning as she was employed in dressing her head[8], she was alarmed by a great noise and disturbance in the street at the gate of her court: she sent an old woman of her attendants to inquire the meaning of it. But before she could get to the gate, it was already broken down, and a great many people came running in with the coloured paper, who cried out, "Good news! much joy to Shuey-ping-sin!" These words, though not very distinctly heard, reached the ears of the young lady: she therefore hastened into the hall, and stood behind the door to be the better satisfied: where she saw the people, and heard very plainly what they said: crying aloud, "Here is the Emperor's mandate, she must come out immediately to meet and receive it." Upon this, accompanied by two of her maids, she ventured out and was instantly surrounded. She asked where the order was: they answered, at the Che-foo's, and that she must go there: and immediately a chair was brought into the hall. Perceiving how matters were conducted, she began to suspect all was not right, and that some evil design was in agitation against her: but finding it too late to retreat, she mustered up a noble courage and resolution, and concealing her fear and surprize, waved her hand to be heard: "You that are now come here, said she, upon this pretence, belong to, or are sent by Kwo-khe-tzu; and the reason he sends you hither to take me, is not because he hates me or is my enemy, but it rather proceeds from his violent regard: and therefore if I comply with his desires and marry him, don't I not only gratify his utmost wishes, but also immediately become your mistress? As therefore it will then be in my power to punish you as I please, be careful how you are guilty here of any indecency." Chun-kee, who was in the crowd, hearing what she said, cried out, "It is very true, Lady, and therefore if you will please to go into the chair, no one will offer the least discourtesy." "Well then, said she, stand aside a little and give me room; let me speak to my people, and make some little change in my dress." Then calling a female attendant to bid her bring her cloaths, she whispered in her ear, to conceal a knife in the sleeve of her gown. All this was performed, and she accordingly changed her habit. Then having given orders to her servants about the management of her house, she addressed herself once more to the people: "To-day, said she, if you would gain an interest in your master, by doing me a favour, you must oblige me in one thing." "If you will but marry Kwo-khe-tzu, replied Chun-kee, there is nothing we shall dare to refuse you." She proceeded, "It is now three times that that young Lord hath come to marry me: it is not in my power to resist him any longer, but then you must not carry me directly to his house; for I will sooner dye, than be married there by force, and in a low clandestine manner. Therefore carry me first to the Mandarines of the city: and let the marriage be performed openly and honourably before those Magistrates, suitable to the dignity of my rank, and of his pretensions." "You say right, said Chun-kee, it shall be as you order, you shall go first to the Che-bien, then to the Che-foo, and afterwards to the house of your husband: thus will every thing be decent and regular." Shuey-ping-sin then ordering two of her maids to attend her, and bidding one of her servants to take down the coloured paper, which had been fixed to the gate, and to bring it along to the Che-bien's, called for the chair, and threw herself into it. The people of Kwo-khe-tzu, who were about thirty in number, having thus got possession of the prize, which had so often eluded their master's pursuit, with the utmost alacrity and speed took up the chair and ran away with it through the city, regardless of every thing they met in their passage; like a flight of crows, that are winging their way through the air. They had now almost reached the audience of the Che-bien, when in crossing a street, they ran against a young gentleman mounted on a mule with such violence, that they had like to have beaten both to the ground. Upon this the stranger, who was dressed in a student's habit, and was followed by one servant, instantly dismounted, and not a little incensed at their rudeness, laid hold of the chairmen, calling them impertinent and clownish rascals: "You are not, said he, escaping from fire or thieves, wherefore then do you hurry along at this uncivil and disorderly rate, overturning every thing in your way? How durst you affront me in this audacious manner?" They answered, that they were employed about a marriage of distinction; and who should hinder them? "Were you gold or diamonds[9], iron or glass, said they, go with us to the Che-bien, and we will grind you to powder." "If this marriage, replied he, is between people of quality, where are the usual ceremonies to attend it? Where is the chair of state adorned for that purpose? Where is the music, and other splendid attendance? Here is nothing of all this; but you rather seem to be villains that have stolen away some unfortunate lady: and as that is the case, I will go along with you to the audience myself." Chun-kee hearing what he said, and perceiving by his mien, that he was not an ordinary person, addressed him very respectfully, and said, "Pray, Sir, excuse the incivility done you by these fellows, who are clowns and know no better: they deserve correction, but in truth are not worthy your notice: better let them alone." The stranger recollected himself, and was going away; when of a sudden he heard a voice from the chair crying out for succour: "I am greatly injured: you seem to be a person of valour: O assist and save me!" Upon which he laid his hand on the chair, and once more stopped it: saying, "Is this then the reason of your indecent haste? Come away, I will go with you to the Mandarine's audience." The chairmen thus interrupted, seeing he would not quit them, went to fall upon him with their fists: but loosing the chair, he so well exerted himself, that he quickly laid many of them at his feet. Upon which Chun-kee came up to him, and said: "Sir, you must not beat the people thus; though you would not before have gone to the Che-bien, now we must oblige you: let go the chair; and we will go there together." "By no means, said the young stranger: not 'till I am got to the door of the audience." As soon as they were arrived there, he raised the end of his whip, and struck the great drum[10] that stood at the door: upon which all the people came out, wondering at his boldness. The Che-bien, who had expected the chair, sate in the hall waiting for it, when hearing the drum beat, he could not conceive what was the matter: immediately he saw his people come in, bringing in the stranger: "This, they said, is the person that beat on the drum."
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Chapter 4: Young Master Guo's Vain Pursuit: Grasping at the MoonModern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025) A poem says: How laughable is man in all his foolish ways — Eyes roll and brows are knit, yet never harmony stays. The spring dream ends, but still one longs to dream once more; The autumn clouds have scattered, yet one grasps for clouds of yore. When Heaven's design resists, the sharp grows dull again; The wild horse lacks a bridle — swift, but all in vain. Let him be bold as heaven's vault, and dare the grandest feat — He cannot match the quiet cunning of a maiden's small conceit.
The prefect thought for a moment, then said: "Although this was indeed Shui Yun's deception, the fact is that you too, my dear fellow, were not quite careful enough. Having received the horoscope, you should have checked the month and day of birth. Even I was taken in, so it is no surprise that you were caught unawares. But tell me — why did you send the betrothal gifts to Shui Yun's house rather than Vice-Minister Shui's? Bingxin is Shui Yun's niece; when the reply card said 'my youngest daughter,' that alone should have raised suspicion. And then on the wedding day, you again went to fetch the bride from Shui Yun's house! How could anyone think this was anything other than a marriage with Shui Yun's daughter? Now that you have married her and the union has been consummated, if you accuse him of substitution, who will believe you? As for the secret viewing through the wall — that is a private matter, hardly something to bring up in court. I am afraid there is little ground for punishment. Please go home and do your best to comfort the lady. Do not let anxiety cause further trouble. I shall quietly summon Shui Yun and question him thoroughly, and then we shall see what can be done." Young Master Guo had no alternative but to thank him and go home, where he soothed Xianggu with kind words. But we shall say no more of that. Now Shui Yun, having married off his daughter the night before, was wringing his hands with worry and could not sleep. At dawn he secretly sent someone to the Guo residence to make inquiries, but there was not the slightest disturbance. He thought to himself: "Young Master Guo is not the sort of man to let things slide. Can he really have accepted the situation?" His belly churned with anxiety. Around noon, the same runner from the prefect's office came again: "His Honor requests your presence." Though his heart was pounding, Shui Yun dared not refuse and went to see the prefect. The prefect took him into the inner hall, invited him to sit, dismissed the attendants, and questioned him in private: "When I previously arranged this match, it was for your niece. How could you play such an underhanded trick — substituting your own daughter like transplanting a flower? This is not merely a fraud upon Young Master Guo; it is a fraud upon this office. Young Master Guo came weeping today, accusing you of every kind of duplicity and demanding that I punish you. Because you are of an official family, and because I suspect there may be more to the story than meets the eye, I have summoned you to hear your explanation. You had better tell me the truth, so that I may judge the matter fairly." Shui Yun, in a panic, fell to his knees: "I am entirely at Your Honor's mercy. How would I dare deceive you? Last night's events were truly beyond my control. There are a thousand complications within, which I beg leave to set forth. I throw myself upon Your Honor's clemency." The prefect told him to rise and sit down and explain in detail. Shui Yun described how he had originally negotiated the marriage on behalf of his niece, but she had stubbornly refused; how he had invoked the prefect's authority, perhaps using some intimidating language; how the crafty girl had then consented with suspicious readiness and insisted on treating him as her father; how she had written out the horoscope with her own hand, and he, never suspecting a trick, had sent it on; how the reply card said "my youngest daughter" and how he had received the betrothal gifts himself — all of which he now realized had been her doing. He finished by telling how, on the very day of the wedding, she had dropped her mask and exposed the whole scheme, refusing to acknowledge any part of it. In desperation, he had followed her suggestion and substituted his own daughter, though it went against his heart. He concluded: "My daughter may be plain, but now that husband and wife have shared the marriage bed, perhaps it was Heaven's design after all. I throw myself upon Your Honor's mercy." The prefect, having listened to it all, laughed with delight: "A girl of such tender years, and so sharp! Truly admirable! From what you say, the circumstances do offer some excuse. But Young Master Guo has been sorely used — how will he be appeased?" Shui Yun said: "His dissatisfaction is entirely because he did not get my niece. My niece is still unmarried — if he would be patient, I could gradually find a way to bring her around and make amends. It is not impossible." The prefect said: "If your niece could in the end be given to Young Master Guo, that would settle everything. But with a girl of such intelligence, how could you possibly trick her?" Shui Yun said: "Before my daughter married, Bingxin was on her guard and I was caught out. But now that my daughter has gone to the Guo household, Bingxin's mind is at ease and she will not be expecting anything. If Your Honor would summon Young Master Guo and let me propose a scheme, I guarantee it will succeed." The prefect said: "Very well — I shall not press charges for now. But if this turns out to be another lie, I shall certainly not let you off." He sent for Young Master Guo and had Shui Yun repeat the whole story for him. Young Master Guo, his anger now turned to delight, said: "If you truly have a scheme to bring your niece over to me, I shall not mistreat your daughter either. But your niece is so clever — what scheme could possibly work?" Shui Yun said: "No special scheme is needed. Just go home, be all warmth and smiles with my daughter, and give no sign of discontent. When the third, sixth, or ninth day after the wedding comes — the customary days for the bride's family visit — lay on a grand feast and invite all your relatives. The men's party should include His Honor and the magistrate; the women's side should include my niece, who, as a young cousin-in-law, will be expected to attend. When she arrives, have the original horoscope card changed to her Eight Characters. Then, in front of the prefect and the magistrate, produce the card as evidence, and I shall urge the matter from the side. Even if she could fly to heaven, there would be no escape." Young Master Guo was delighted: "An excellent plan!" The prefect said: "Clever as it is, your niece is sharp enough to find an excuse not to come." Shui Yun said: "When the third and sixth days pass without incident, and my daughter's position is firmly established, she will naturally have no suspicions. By the ninth or twelfth day, the matter will have settled further. Since she is close kin and receives a formal invitation, how can she refuse?" The plan was agreed upon. Young Master Guo and Shui Yun thanked the prefect and departed, exchanging further instructions before going their separate ways. As the verse says: The straight road lies open and plain to see; The crooked man takes a crooked path. Without chastity and constancy, How could the moral order last? Young Master Guo went home to make his preparations. But we shall say no more of that. Shui Yun, on his return, said nothing to Bingxin about his visit to the prefect. Instead he went cheerfully to see her and said: "My dear child, yesterday's business was entirely thanks to you. Without that stratagem, the sky itself would have come crashing down today." Miss Bingxin replied: "It was only what was proper. It was no stratagem." Shui Yun said: "I was sick with worry this morning, but now that it is past noon with no word, I suppose everything has settled down." Miss Bingxin said: "It may have settled on the surface, but underneath they can hardly be content. They are simply biding their time — that is all." Shui Yun went back, thinking to himself: "This girl — how is it that she reads things so clearly? If the Guo family invites her, she may well refuse to go." When the twelfth day arrived, the Guo family sent five invitation cards three days in advance: one for Shui Yun, three for his three sons — all in Young Master Guo's name — and one for Miss Bingxin, in Xianggu's name. Shui Yun took them all to Miss Bingxin. Laughing, he said: "Well, just as you predicted — the great calamity has turned into great joy. Since they are inviting our whole family to the twelfth-day celebration, we should all go and show that the family ties are strong and warm." Miss Bingxin said: "Of course we should all go." Shui Yun said: "We can hardly go empty-handed. We should send gifts the day before, so they know we are all coming and can prepare accordingly." Miss Bingxin said: "Quite right — we should send gifts first." Shui Yun produced a sheet of red paper for Miss Bingxin to list the gifts, and she did so without the slightest hesitation, handing the list to Shui Yun for him to arrange. Shui Yun took the gift list home in high spirits, thinking they had fallen into his trap. He secretly sent word to Young Master Guo and arranged for a fortune-teller to work out Bingxin's true Eight Characters, which he then had secretly fashioned into gold letters to replace those on the card. He also kept a close watch on Miss Bingxin, eavesdropping to see whether she said anything suspicious, fearing a last-minute change of plan. But Miss Bingxin gave nothing away — she neither said she would go nor said she would not — which left Shui Yun uneasy. He therefore sent a secret message asking Xianggu to dispatch two maids the day before to extend a personal invitation: "Your young mistress sends her warmest regards to Miss Bingxin and says that she owes everything to the young lady's kindness. She earnestly begs the young lady to come early tomorrow so that she may thank her in person." Miss Bingxin said: "Tomorrow is your young mistress's auspicious day — naturally I shall come to offer my congratulations." She had tea served to the two maids. While they drank, she asked: "What has your young mistress been doing at home?" One said: "Nothing in particular." The other said: "This morning she was nailing gold characters onto a piece of red satin — I don't know what for." Miss Bingxin said: "The characters nailed on — were there several gold ones?" "Yes, several gold characters." Miss Bingxin heard this and changed the subject. The maids finished their tea and left. Miss Bingxin gave her word that she would certainly come. When Shui Yun heard this, he was overjoyed. The next morning, the Guo family sent two more maids with a personal gift: a small golden box containing ten round pearls the size of soybeans. "These ten pearls," they said, "are a private gift from your young mistress to the young lady. Please accept them so we may report back." Miss Bingxin looked at them and said: "Such precious pearls! Are they for sale, or a gift? If for sale, I cannot afford them. If they are a gift from the young mistress, take them back for now — when I come in person shortly, I shall accept them from her hands." The maids, understanding nothing, carried them back. No sooner had they gone than Shui Yun came to ask: "How many bearers for the sedan chair, and shall we use a parasol?" Miss Bingxin said: "With Father in exile, it would be unsuitable to use a grand sedan and a yellow parasol. A simple small sedan will suffice. Yesterday some tenants came from the South Farm to deliver rent-rice — I have kept two of them on standby. Uncle need not trouble himself." Shui Yun said: "Today the Guo family's great and grand connections will fill every room. As new relatives, we must look our best. A two-man sedan with no parasol is too modest — people will laugh at us." Miss Bingxin said: "Let them laugh as they will — my reputation is not at stake." Unable to persuade her, Shui Yun said: "Well, the sedan is settled. We men will go ahead — you follow shortly!" He took his three sons and went first. As the verse says: The clumsy scheme turns round and round like a millstone; The clever mind is steady as a compass needle. She gathers in and then lets go — Her tricks have more variety than one can know! Now Young Master Guo, having learned that Miss Bingxin had agreed to come, was beside himself with joy. He had prevailed upon the prefect and the magistrate to act as his advocates. He had also enlisted three or four school bullies — men of imposing build — to serve as ushers and facilitate matters. The ten pearls were to be claimed as her acceptance of betrothal gifts; the doctored gold-character horoscope was to serve as evidence. He had also selected seven or eight powerful maids, instructing them that the moment the sedan touched down and the young lady stepped through the gate, they were to seize her firmly, lest she try to kill herself in desperation. He had prepared a lavishly appointed inner room — hung with brocades, spread with pearls and kingfisher ornaments — calculated to dazzle her into submission. From early morning, maids were sent in a steady stream to invite her. It was well past noon when at last someone reported: "Miss Bingxin has gotten into her sedan and left!" A little later, another report came: "Miss Bingxin's sedan is halfway here!" Young Master Guo, his heart blooming with delight, ordered the musicians to crouch by the front gate, ready to strike up the moment the sedan arrived. Impatient, he walked out himself to watch. In the distance he could see a small sedan approaching, preceded by four maids on foot, followed by several servants — the whole procession gliding along as gracefully as an immortal borne on the wind. As it neared the gate, Young Master Guo retreated inside, embarrassed to be caught staring. The prefect and the magistrate, seated in the main hall, heard that the sedan had arrived and thought to themselves: "This girl was so clever before — and yet she has walked straight into their trap. Pitiful and regrettable!" But just as Miss Shui's sedan was set down at the very threshold, with the curtains raised by four maids and Miss Bingxin leaning forward as if about to step out — and seven or eight of the household maids poised to rush forward and seize her — the musicians by the gate suddenly struck up their instruments. Miss Bingxin heard the sound and her face changed color at once. "That drumbeat carries a murderous air!" she cried. "An ambush has been laid — if I go in, I fall into a trap!" She sat back down and ordered the bearers to take her home at once. The two farm-hands carrying the sedan, having been instructed beforehand, did not wait for her to finish speaking. They hoisted the sedan onto their shoulders and ran back as fast as their legs could carry them. The four maids and the servants hurried after. As the verse says: The pearl stays near the dragon's throat; But the hand that gropes meets the tiger's jaw. Now you may know: a bold and pretty wit Is worth more than all your dull-witted scheming, and that's that. Young Master Guo, hearing the music strike up, assumed she had entered and hid behind a screen to peek. But the drums had barely sounded once or twice before they fell silent. Then seven or eight maids came running in to find him. He stepped out and demanded: "Why has Miss Shui not come in?" The maids said: "Miss Shui's sedan had just set down. But when she heard the musicians play, she suddenly exclaimed: 'That drumbeat carries a murderous air — an ambush has been laid! If I go in, I fall into a trap. Turn back at once!' She got back in and was carried away." Young Master Guo stamped his foot: "Why didn't you grab her?" "She left too fast — we could not catch her." Young Master Guo stood dumbstruck. He rushed to the main hall and told the prefect and the magistrate what had happened. Both were astonished and impressed. The prefect said: "This girl is truly extraordinary! How did she know from the sound of the music that there was an ambush?" He turned to Shui Yun: "Does your niece truly understand the arts of divination?" Shui Yun said: "She used to read strange books with her father when she was small, and often made predictions at home about fortune and misfortune. We never believed her — but today she has evidently guessed correctly." The guests murmured in amazement. Young Master Guo, still unwilling to give up, sent two more maids to plead: "Today is the twelfth-day celebration. All the family has come. We invited the young lady simply for a family gathering — our young master had no ulterior motive. Why did you turn back at the door?" The maids returned with this reply: "Miss Shui says: 'I thought it was a sincere family invitation, which is why I came at the first asking. But your young master harbored ill intentions — he has already altered the horoscope card and planned to use the pearls as evidence of a betrothal, bringing in the prefect and the magistrate to coerce me. Had the music not warned me, I would nearly have fallen into his trap. Please convey my compliments to your young master: let him enjoy his time with the young mistress. He and I are not destined to be — let him abandon his wicked fantasies!'" The prefect and all the guests, hearing this, clicked their tongues in admiration: "Miss Shui is truly no ordinary mortal!" After a great deal of commotion, they ordered the feast to be served, ate, and dispersed. Young Master Guo, still smarting, detained Shui Yun and said: "However clever your niece may be, she is not an immortal. How could she know so much? You must be in league with her, conspiring to deceive me!" Shui Yun, in terror, fell to his knees and swore: "If I have conspired with my niece to deceive you, may my whole family perish of plague!" Young Master Guo helped him up: "If you truly are not in league with her, let me tell you plainly — a girl of such cleverness, I simply cannot let her go." Shui Yun said: "You need not blame me. I have one more plan." "What plan?" "The twentieth of the ninth month is the anniversary of her mother's death. Every year on that day she goes to the South Farm to sweep her mother's grave, and while she is there she collects rent and admires the chrysanthemums. It has become her annual routine — she goes every year without fail. On that day, you must ride a fast horse and station yourself with a company of men near the South Farm. Wait until she has finished the sacrificial rites and is heading home, then rush the sedan-bearers, put your own men on the poles, and carry her off. Once she is in your house, she is your woman, and you may settle matters as you see fit. Whether it works or not is no longer my affair." Young Master Guo was delighted: "Excellent! This plan is direct and efficient — it shall be done! But what if it rains that day and she does not go?" Shui Yun said: "My niece is extremely filial. Even in a downpour or a gale, she will go." Young Master Guo was overjoyed, and the two finalized their plan before parting. As the verse says: Let no mortal covet a celestial maid; Remember: the Hemp Lady carries an iron whip. Those who scheme to seize such pleasure for themselves Will find the feast three feet from their eager lips. Young Master Guo now made preparations for the abduction on the twentieth of the ninth month. But of this we shall say no more. Shui Yun went home and, crossing over to see his niece, said: "The Guo family meant well. Why were you so suspicious that you turned back at the door? You left us all embarrassed — I was mortified on your behalf." Miss Bingxin said: "I need not explain. He knows perfectly well what he has done." Shui Yun clasped his hands together: "Amitabha! Do not wrong him. It was truly a family gathering, with no ulterior motive — I can swear on his behalf." Miss Bingxin said: "When I first heard the drumbeat, it was violent and sudden — three sharp rolls. His plot ran deep. Today he has been thwarted, but he will not stop — he will certainly come at me twice more. Wait until tomorrow and you will see that I have not wronged him." These words sent a chill through Shui Yun's bones. He dared not say another word and slunk away. When the twentieth of the ninth month arrived, Miss Bingxin duly ordered preparations for the sacrifice and set out for the South Farm. The day before, she had invited Shui Yun and his three sons to accompany her. Shui Yun thought: "Tomorrow Young Master Guo will bring a mob to seize her — there will certainly be a row. If I go along, I'll be caught up in it. Better stay away." So he declined, saying he had urgent business. Miss Bingxin said: "If Uncle cannot go, surely my cousins can?" Shui Yun said: "Your two elder cousins must mind the house. Only your youngest cousin shall go to pay respects at your mother's grave." It was agreed. Shui Yun then secretly sent word to Young Master Guo, saying he would not go himself but would send his youngest son along as a lookout. Now the South Farm was twelve or thirteen li from the city. Miss Bingxin, knowing the distance was considerable, rose early and made ready. She rode in a large warm sedan, its curtains drawn tight on every side, with a yellow parasol carried before her. Behind came four maids in four smaller sedans. Her youngest cousin and the household servants rode horses at the rear. The procession moved at a stately pace out of the city gates toward the South Farm. As the verse says: The flower in the mirror loves to play with shadows; The moon in the water has a way of leading hearts astray. But try as you will to reach and grasp, The River of Stars can never be won that way. Miss Bingxin's sedan arrived at the South Farm. The tenant farmers threw open the farm gate and carried the sedan right through to the main hall before setting it down. Once Miss Bingxin was inside, the gate was closed again, and the horses were dismounted outside. She sat down, and the farm-wife brought out tea. Miss Bingxin invited her young cousin to share it. After tea, she asked: "Has everything been prepared for the sacrificial rites at the grave behind?" The farm-wife answered: "Everything is ready. We only await the young lady's ceremony." Miss Bingxin rose and, accompanied by her young cousin, went to her mother's grave behind the farm. There she wept and made her offerings. She waited until the spirit-money had burned away, then made her way to the western pavilion to admire the chrysanthemums. The South Farm had two raised pavilions, east and west. Below the eastern one, peach trees grew for the spring sacrificial visits. Today being an autumn sacrifice, Miss Bingxin climbed the western pavilion and looked down upon a golden carpet of chrysanthemums in full bloom. There is a ci poem to the tune of "Treading on Sedge" as proof: Lean shadows fill the fence; the fragrance thins along three paths, Deep yellow and pale gold reflecting here and there. In dew the blooming flowers offer food for the hungry soul; In wind their austere grace — what rival could compare? So frail one pities them, so languid as from new disease, Their listless autumn spirit opens, unaware. In gentle words all day they simply idle at their ease — One must know the Tao patriarch's joy of wine and poetry. From the western pavilion, Miss Bingxin surveyed the four quarters. It was harvest time: some were gathering, others reaping, and country folk hurried back and forth, never pausing. But her eye caught two idle men standing by a thatched hut, watching the threshing with no apparent purpose. Looking further in both directions, she saw three more loafers sitting on a pile of dried grass, nodding off and starting up by turns. Then she noticed her youngest cousin and a servant in a blue jacket whispering together behind the spirit-wall. Miss Bingxin understood everything, but said nothing. Before long, the farm-folk set out a meal in the rear hall. Miss Bingxin came down from the pavilion and called her young cousin to eat with her. After the meal, the cousin urged: "The road is long — since there is nothing more to do, let us start back early." Miss Bingxin said: "Wait a little — play a while longer. I still need to instruct the tenants about collecting the rent-rice." The cousin went off again. Miss Bingxin summoned the tenants, issued her instructions one by one, then withdrew into a small room beside the rear hall. There she ordered the maids to empty the large leather trunk of its clothes, wrap the garments in bundles, and fill the trunk with rough stones, placing it in the rack beneath the sedan. She also had the servants find a large stone, wrap it in a cloth bundle, and set it on the sedan's luggage shelf. Then she closed and locked the sedan doors and drew the curtains over them. She called the servants inside and gave them precise instructions. Then she changed into a plain blue jacket and got into one of the four small maids' sedans, leaving one maid behind with orders for the tenants to find another small sedan and send her along later. Everything ready, she ordered the servants to open the farm gate and call out: "Sedan-bearers, come quickly — the young lady is in the sedan!" The bearers had been waiting outside. Hearing the summons, they rushed in, each found their original sedan, and carried them out as before, with the yellow parasol in front. The servants fetched the young cousin to ride alongside. They had barely left the farm gate — not an arrow's flight away — when two men sprang out from the east, three from the west, and in the twinkling of an eye some twenty porters appeared. Several seized the large sedan; others fell upon the original bearers, shouting: "This is our territory — how dare you carry loads here!" They beat the four original bearers until they fled, and four new bearers seized the poles and ran off with the sedan at breakneck speed. The mounted servants at the rear saw what was happening and spurred forward, shouting: "Stop, you scoundrels! This is the sedan of Miss Shui, daughter of Vice-Minister Shui! How dare you steal it?" The new bearers, hearing that this was Miss Shui, ran even faster. Just as the horsemen were about to catch up, Young Master Guo emerged from a grove of trees with a crowd of men, blocking the road. "Your young lady," he called out, "is already married into the Guo family! What are you chasing after?" The servants pulled up short: "So it is the young master Guo taking her home — we would not dare interfere. But we fear the young lady will punish us tomorrow." "Go back," said Young Master Guo. "If she punishes you, I shall take responsibility." With a crack of his whip, he galloped off, his men racing after the sedan. The household servants, taking this as their cue, slowed down to wait for Miss Bingxin's small sedan to catch up, then quietly carried her home without further incident. As for Young Master Guo, he caught up with the large sedan and, overjoyed, escorted it back to the city in triumph. But from this abduction there arose: Smiles turned to fury; joy became shame. To learn what happened next, the reader must turn to the next chapter. |