Hao Qiu Zhuan/en1761-en2026/Chapter 6
Chapter 6 — 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 6: Risking Suspicion to Move the Sickbed: Repaying Kindness with KindnessFrom: 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. Footnotes have been converted from the original endnote/footnote format to inline references. [Volume II, Book II, Chapter I][1] In the preceding Book we saw Tieh-chung-u conducted to a Pagoda or convent by the servants of the Che-bien: a piece of respect, which seemed attended with so much good will, that it took from him all suspicion of harm. But indeed his thoughts were entirely taken up with the lovely Shuey-ping-sin; whom he the more admired when he called to mind the account he had received of her wit and judgment, and the uncommon dexterity with which she had set aside the tricks to ensnare her. "Certainly, said he to himself, this is a young Lady truly admirable! If my father and mother, who would have me marry, could procure me such a wife, I should be the happiest man in the world. Kwo-khe-tzu cannot be blamed for endeavouring to gain so fine a woman; but then had he no other means but violence? That was not only criminal but foolish. Little did my heart suggest to me this morning, that so uncommon an adventure would fall in my way; that I should come to the succour of so fair a lady, and be the happy instrument of rescuing her from danger!" Amidst these pleasing reflections he yielded himself up to sleep; which the fatigues of the day rendered far from unnecessary; and which received no unpleasing interruption from the image of Shuey-ping-sin, who was the subject of his dreams. As soon as he awaked in the morning, he commanded his servant to pack up his bedding and furniture, in order to depart. But the Superior[2] of the Bonzees came to him and told him he must not go: but must spend a few days longer with them. "If you had come of yourself, proceeded he, you might have used your pleasure: but as you are recommended to this place by the Che-bien, let me intreat you to stay and hear what he hath to say: perhaps he will make an entertainment and be glad to converse with you before you go." "I have no acquaintance or correspondence with that magistrate, said the youth: all I know of him is from the business of yesterday, which was too scandalous to be the foundation of an acquaintance: he is no way obliged to invite me, or I to go to him. Why then may not I depart?" "True, Sir, said the other, no obligation in this case lies upon you; but there doth upon me, and I shall incur his resentment if I do not first advise him of it." He had scarcely spoke, when a person came from the Che-bien, with a red paper of invitation, requesting Tieh-chung-u to go and dine with him. "Do you see, Sir, cryed the Superior of the Bonzees, suppose you had gone: where could I have found you? Am I now to blame? Well, pray sit down, while I go and order something for your breakfast." This was hardly finished, when a servant came into the room; who being asked whence he came, answered that he belonged to Shuey-ping-sin, and was sent by her to inquire out the lodging of the young gentleman[3] to whom she was yesterday so much obliged; that she might know where to send a present to him, and to thank him for the great trouble he had met with on her account. "Go home, answered Tieh-chung-u, and give my most respectful service to your lady: tell her what I did yesterday was only to make the street even,[4] that was rugged and uneven. Whatever service I did her was merely accidental: and should I suffer her to send me any present, it cannot but soon be known: which will cause some ill reflection; perhaps give room to suspect us of unlawful correspondence: she must therefore by no means do any such thing. Your mistress, who, with all the delicacy of her own sex, hath all the capacity of ours,[5] will be sensible of the propriety of this refusal. I am one that cannot see any body suffer injustice without resenting it to the utmost; and am therefore by no means intitled to a present; nor will take so much as a thread.[6] I now go to the Che-bien's, and to-morrow from this place. Give my respects to your lady, and tell her to watch, as she would against the spring of a tyger." Her servant reported all this, without omitting a syllable. "Is it possible, said she, with a heart glowing with gratitude and admiration; Is it possible the world should contain a youth of so much integrity and courage! O that I was but a man, that I might go along with him and make him my friend! or could but thank him as I ought for the services he hath done me! But alas! I am a woman, and custom forbids any such thing. Besides I know but very little of him: neither is my father at home, or any guardian friend to make proper acknowledgements for what he hath done. But the breast of this youth glows with a noble ardour, and is as pure as the clearest crystal. Should I procure my uncle to go and visit him, something wrong might happen. He hath refused the present, I offered him by my servant: what if I send him a copy of verses to express my thanks? This too might be misconstrued by the world, as too bold and forward." She revolved a thousand ways in her mind, but could think on none, which she might venture to put in execution. At last she concluded to get intelligence of every thing that passed in relation to him, hoping some occasion would offer to manifest her gratitude. She accordingly sent people every hour to hear what happened. One returned and brought her advice, that the young gentleman was gone to dine with the Che-bien. Another, that that Magistrate had kept him till night, and made him so deeply in liquor as to know nobody. The next morning she sent to see if he was departed, and was told, that having drank hard over-night, he was not yet risen. She sent again; and was informed he could not depart that day: being detained by an invitation from the Che-foo. "This is a young man of rank, said she to herself, and he must comply with these ceremonies and customs." When two days had elapsed, she again sent to inquire after him. Her servants brought answer, that the night before, the Superior of the Bonzees had made an entertainment of Lent[7] for the young stranger, and that he not being used to such diet, was very much indisposed: "He keeps his bed, proceeded he, and can neither drink tea, nor eat rice: every thing offends his stomach, insomuch that he is light-headed." At this Shuey-ping-sin began to suspect some mischief: "A little harmless diet, said she, could never occasion so sudden and dangerous an illness." She therefore sent back her servant to gain more exact intelligence, and to see if there were any physician with him. She was informed there had been, and that it was his opinion, his illness proceeded as well from his having catched cold as his having been guilty of some little excess; but that he had given him a medicine,[8] that would restore him on the morrow. When the morrow came, she was informed that he had been very ill all night, and was become so weak he could not rise from his bed. All her fears and suspicions were now confirmed. "He is indeed, said she, fallen into the snare." She revolved in her mind how to act: her heart inclined her to go and lend him assistance; but her sex and her youth rendered it impossible: and yet she reflected that there were none beside herself interested in his welfare; and that all he suffered was for her sake. Strongly moved with concern and compassion, she at last resolved to exert herself in his favour, be the consequence what it would. She called therefore her servant, and inquired of him what attendants the young stranger had with him. She was answered, only one, and he a boy of fourteen or fifteen years. She inquired about his understanding and capacity: and was told he was a very sensible and likely youth. "Well then, said she to her servants, go two of you: one remain with the master, while the other brings the servant to me." When he was come, the young lady inquired of him, what was the cause of his master's illness? "My master, said he, hath hitherto enjoyed exceeding good health, till he went to the Che-bien's; where he drank wine, and became very sick after it: then going to the Bonzee's feast, he grew still worse and worse." She then inquired whether he yet retained his memory and speech: and was answered, he did. "Well then, hasten home, added she, and with my service, tell him in his ear from me; that these invitations boded no good: that his coming to my relief, and rescuing me from violence, hath made Kwo-khe-tzu very much his enemy: that he and the Che-bien have juggled together to do him mischief: and that they only carried it so civilly towards him, lest he should present the counterfeit order to the Viceroy. Not daring to assault him openly, they have put something in his wine or his rice to kill him: and if he is not careful of what he eats or drinks farther, to-morrow he may be a dead man." Siow-tan listened with great attention. "Your ladyship, said he, is certainly right; for if there hath been no foul play, why should he receive no benefit from the physic he took last night, but on the contrary hath been a great deal worse? And yet the Bonzee would force him to take it. Nay as I was coming away, he was preparing more physic for him to drink. But I will go and prevent it, and set my master to scold at him, and teach him not to bring any more of his stuff." "By no means, replied the lady; only tell your master, to throw away unperceived whatever they give him. The Bonzee's part in this affair, is not of his own seeking: he must have been hired to it with money. Should your master quarrel with them now, what will he be in their hands? as a sheep in the claws of a tyger. He must for the present have patience. Hasten home therefore, and inform him, that when it is night, I will order a chair to be set down quietly at the door of the convent: assist your master to get into it, and come with him to my house: a good apartment shall be prepared for him; and when he hath recovered his health, then he may repay those people the injury they have done him." Siow-tan bowed in token of obedience. When he was gone a little way, she called him back: "There is one thing yet, said she; your master, being a gentleman of good reputation, and one of strict honour and virtue, perhaps may not think well of coming to the house of a young woman, and may be afraid of giving room for censure: but tell him to wave his scruples on this pressing occasion; and remind him, that it was formerly the custom for women and men to converse together without blame:[9] and even should there arise any on this occasion, he is a man of so much resolution and spirit, as to be immoveable to any thing of that kind, as a tree that hath taken root is to a boisterous wind: he is one that can hold fast the helm in the greatest storm. Go now, said she, and remember all I told you." He promised not to forget a syllable. When he returned, he found his master asleep. He waited till he awoke, and then looking round to see that nobody was near, acquainted him where he had been, and of all that had past. Tieh-chung-u was surprized. "How, said he, could I be so bereaved of my understanding, as not to perceive the situation I was in?" Then calling for his cloaths, he would have gone to the Che-bien. "By no means, said his servant; the young lady advised the contrary on account of your present weakness: but stay a little longer, and a chair will come and carry you to her house, where you will be taken care of." Tieh-chung-u was overjoyed at this offer. "And yet, said he, I am a young man, and she a young maid; how can I go to her house, without occasioning scandal? Rather than that, I would even die here; then I should leave no reflection behind me." On this Siow-tan reported to his master what she had said to him at parting; which made such an impression on his mind, that he cried out, he was willing to go. "Surely, said he, this young lady hath the fortitude and judgment of a philosopher. Her capacity exceeds all comprehension." Scarce had he uttered these words, when the Superior of the Bonzees brought a cup of physic, and delivering it to Siow-tan, said, "If your master will drink this he will be well, and need not take any more." "Heaven reward you! replied the boy; when my master gets up, I will give it him to drink." "Do so, said the Bonzee, and then I will bring him some cong-gee or gruel." But no sooner was his back turned, than he threw it away: for which his master commended him. Towards the close of the evening, Siow-tan went out of the door of the convent, to look for the chair, and saw it waiting attended by two servants. He went to inform his master, but found him so faint, that he was not able to raise himself up; however Siow-tan got on his cloaths, and watching an opportunity of doing it unperceived, took him on his back, and put him into the chair. As soon as he saw him carried away, he returned to the convent, and calling to the Bonzee, who had charge of the gate,[10] told him, that he had got his master carried to the house of a friend, who would take care of him, and recover his health: and therefore he committed to his charge the key of their apartment, that they might find all their furniture safe, when they should come for it. In the mean while Tieh-chung-u, as he was carried along, perceived with no small emotion, that a great deal of pains had been taken in the furniture of the chair, and every other accommodation: and he had scarcely got half way, when he was met by two grand lanthorns[11] very finely decorated with the Chop or inscription of Shuey-ping-sin. "Surely, said he to himself, she hath a very great value for me, to do me so much honour." With regard to her, as soon as she was advised of the arrival of the chair, she ordered it to be brought into the hall, which was lighted up so as to equal day. She then placed herself on one side, and ordered four of her women servants to open the chair, and help Tieh-chung-u into a bedchamber prepared for his reception. As soon as he was set down, he called for his servant, and ordered him to present his compliments to the young lady, and intreat her to pardon his not paying his respects to her at his coming into her house: which nothing but his weakness could have made him omit. He then tried if he could walk a little, but being presently tired, laid himself on the bed. Shuey-ping-sin ordered her people to carry him tea, as also Gin-seng,[12] and other cordial restoratives: but they finding him asleep, did not offer to disturb him. Then sending all the men servants away to bed, except two old men; she bade them, together with their wives and her other female attendants, to wait on her in the great hall, where she spent the night in getting ready things for him against he awoke. It was midnight before he opened his eyes, which he had no sooner done, when he was struck with the beauty of the room and the elegance of its furniture. Siow-tan was sitting by the bed side, who perceiving his master awake, asked how he found himself. He told him he was much better, and inquired why he did not go to rest. "Sir, replied his servant, I have not sat up alone; for neither the Lady of this house, nor any of her servants, have taken repose, but are busy in the hall preparing things for your recovery." "Why do they do so, said Tieh-chung-u with concern? how can I suffer them to be at all this trouble, and to do so much on my account?" These two words were hardly spoke, when the servants returned with the tea and the cordials, which they brought to his bed side and intreated him to drink. He found the tea disagreed with him, but was much pleased with the Ginseng, and the other restoratives: and when he had drank Con-gee or gruel, he desired the servants to give his most humble respects to their Lady, and tell her that she had taken him out of the mouth of a tiger. "Yes, proceeded he, my life is intirely owing to her, and therefore I ought to have her welfare in regard above all things in the world: for this reason I am so concerned at the trouble she gives herself, that if she thus persists in putting her own hands to every thing, it will increase my illness." One of the girls named Tsung-siew, who had the office of housekeeper, answered. "My Lady attributes all you suffer to the assistance you afforded her: and if you do not recover your health, will not enjoy any herself. It is now two days since she heard of your illness; from that time she hath had no pleasure or satisfaction in any thing, and hath been even quite indisposed: but since you are come here, and there is hope of your recovery, she is much better. And as to a little tea or the like, so far from giving her trouble, she thinks this the least she can offer you." "If my illness hath made your Lady indisposed, replied Tieh-chung-u, the trouble she gives herself on my account deprives me at once of health and quiet." To satisfy him, she promised to prevail on her mistress to take repose; and then retired. While his servant was making up his bed he opened the curtains; "How delicate and perfumed is every thing here! said he to himself. The care that is taken of me exceeds even that of a tender parent." He then composed himself to rest with great complacency. When the servants had related to Shuey-ping-sin all that had past; she judged that he now was out of danger. Then appointing a physician to be fetched in the morning to feel his pulse, and ordering one or two old women servants to lie in the hall, to be ready to hear and get him what he might want, she retired to her chamber.
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Chapter 6: Risking Suspicion to Move the Sickbed: Repaying Kindness with KindnessModern English translation by Martin Woesler (2025) To the tune of "Treading on Sedge": A grudge once planted is hard to forget; A debt of kindness demands swift repayment. She courts suspicion — only for a face like a flower. Who knows that white jade breeds no stain? Let them dye and stain — it shall not turn to black. Her nature knows no other path; Her clever heart has eyes to see. She walks alone and never leans on another soul. Say not that she lights the great lamp of the moral order — Even to sit unmoved beside a stranger is true virtue's creed.
Tie Zhongyu, having been escorted to the Longevity Temple by the magistrate's men, took it at face value as a genuine kindness and harbored no suspicion. But the image of Miss Shui's extraordinary beauty lingered in his mind, and he could not help thinking: "How can there be such a woman in the world? If my parents were to seek a bride for me, and found one like her — that would be the greatest blessing of a man's life." He also thought: "With such beauty, one can scarcely blame Young Master Guo for his relentless pursuit. But marriage is a matter of propriety and the moral order — it cannot be achieved through abduction and deceit. Today, by pure chance, I rescued her and sent her safely home, sparing her from humiliation. That is a deed to be satisfied with." Though he slept that night, the three words "Miss Shui" never left him even in his dreams. The next morning at dawn, he told Xiao Dan to pack up, intending to depart at once. But the abbot, a monk called Duxiu, came hurrying out to detain him: "Since the magistrate has lodged you here, he will certainly wish to entertain you further. Why such haste to leave?" Tie Zhongyu said: "The magistrate and I are not acquainted. I did not come here to beg favors. I merely intervened on impulse against an injustice. Now that the matter is settled, there is nothing more to discuss and no need for entertainment. Why should I stay?" Duxiu said: "That may be true from your perspective, but I dare not let you go without his permission." Just then, a runner arrived with an invitation from the magistrate for an afternoon dinner. Duxiu said: "There — a good thing I did not let you go." Tie Zhongyu, seeing the magistrate's earnest solicitation, agreed to stay. Before long, Duxiu served breakfast. He had scarcely finished eating when a servant in a blue jacket arrived, saying he had been sent by Miss Shui to find out where Master Tie was lodging, so that she might send a gift of thanks. Tie Zhongyu came out to receive him and replied: "Please convey my regards to your young mistress. What I did yesterday was simply because I could not stand by while injustice was done. I had no intention of favoring your mistress in particular, and so I acted impulsively and even had words with the magistrate. If your mistress sends a gift and the magistrate hears of it, it will look like I acted from private motives. That would be most improper. Please do not send anything." The servant said: "My mistress says that yesterday, through a momentary lapse in vigilance, she nearly fell into the tiger's jaws. Only by the grace of meeting her benefactor was she spared dishonor. If she does not express her gratitude, however modestly, her conscience will not rest." Tie Zhongyu said: "Your mistress is a man among women — and I, Tie Tingsheng, am a man of hot blood and high principle. Between us, there is a bond of the Way that transcends trifling formalities. If you send gifts, it would not honor me — it would insult me, and I would certainly refuse. The magistrate has invited me to dinner today. Tomorrow I depart. Just tell your mistress: the tiger watches with hungry eyes — she must be on her guard." The servant went home and reported every word to Miss Bingxin. She was moved beyond measure and thought: "How can there be such a man of noble spirit in the world? Truly admirable. It is a pity that I, Shui Bingxin, am a woman and cannot befriend him properly. And how vexing that Father is not at home — there is no one to receive him. His generous heart will go unrequited, frozen like snow, and he will depart. How can I not feel guilty?" She considered sending her uncle Shui Yun to pay a visit, but feared his base nature might cause trouble. She thought of sending gifts, but his fierce independence and forthright speech suggested he would think her presumptuous. She considered writing poetry to express her feelings, but feared it would seem like a descent into private sentiment. A thousand thoughts, a hundred plans — no solution presented itself. All she could do was send servants repeatedly to watch and report on Tie Zhongyu's movements. In the afternoon, word came that the magistrate had taken him to dinner. That night, word came that he had returned from dinner very drunk. The next morning, she sent a servant to find out if he had left. The servant returned: "Master Tie drank too much last night and cannot get up this morning — he is still asleep." Miss Bingxin was troubled but relieved that he had not left. She sent the servant again. He returned: "He has still not left." She asked why. The servant said: "I asked the monk Duxiu. He says the prefect has learned that Master Tie is the son of Commissioner Tie and has ordered him detained — he too wishes to host a dinner. That is why he has not left." Miss Bingxin took this for ordinary social courtesy and thought no more of it. Two days later, the servant brought alarming news: "Yesterday the monk Duxiu invited Master Tie to a vegetarian meal. Today Master Tie has a stomachache and some looseness of the bowels. He sits there listlessly and will not even drink tea." Miss Bingxin grew suspicious: "How does a vegetarian meal cause diarrhea? There must be something behind this." She sent the servant back to check whether a doctor had been called. The servant returned: "A doctor from the county seat has examined him and says it is merely a case of indigestion — nothing serious. A dose or two to clear the spleen will set him right." Miss Bingxin was somewhat relieved. But the next morning at dawn, the servant came back: "After taking the medicine last night, Master Tie purged more than ten times. He is so weak he cannot swallow even water." Miss Bingxin was horrified: "This is bad! He has fallen into a villain's trap! What can be done?" She wanted to go see him herself, but she was a young woman — how could she? She paced back and forth, wringing her hands: "This calamity came upon him because he rescued me. If I do not save him, who will?" After agonizing for a long while, an idea struck her: "In an emergency, one cannot afford to worry about appearances. It must be done this way." She asked the servant: "Does Master Tie have anyone with him?" "Only a boy named Xiao Dan." "How old is this Xiao Dan?" "About fourteen or fifteen." "Is he a clever boy?" "Very clever." "Then go and bring him here quietly. Tell him I have something urgent to say to him. Send two men — one to bring Xiao Dan, and leave the other to attend Master Tie. Keep a close watch and do not leave his side." Before long, the servant returned with Xiao Dan. Miss Bingxin asked: "Your master was in such fine spirits the other day at court. How did he suddenly fall ill?" Xiao Dan said: "My master is normally very strong. But ever since he came back drunk from the magistrate's dinner, he has been sluggish and weary. Then the day before yesterday, the monk Duxiu served him some vegetarian food, and he gradually developed diarrhea and fell ill. Yesterday he took a dose from the doctor, and he purged all night. He can no longer walk." Miss Bingxin asked: "Though your master's body is weakened, is his mind still clear?" "His mind is clear enough, but he is too weak to speak." Miss Bingxin said: "If his mind is still clear, there is hope. Go back and tell your master quietly — say it is from me — that the magistrate's hospitality is not what it seems. The other day, your master rescued me and exposed Young Master Guo's scheme; moreover, he rebuked the magistrate harshly. The magistrate wanted to fight back openly, but your master holds the forged placard as leverage, and for the moment the magistrate could not prevail. Seeing that your master is alone in a strange land, the magistrate feigned kindness, planning to poison him slowly through his food and drink. If your master does not see through this and takes so much as another sip of tea or bite of food from them, his life is in danger." Xiao Dan nodded vigorously: "That must be it! No wonder the medicine made him worse! And the monk was just urging him to take more medicine! I'll go tell my master at once, and he can give that monk a piece of his mind!" Miss Bingxin said: "That would be a mistake. Even if the monk is complicit, he is likely acting on the magistrate's orders. If your master confronts him, the monk will report to the magistrate, and the magistrate, already in too deep to turn back, will find some other way to strike. Your master is ill and weak — how could he defend himself? Better to feign ignorance and pretend the illness is worsening, so the monk drops his guard. Wait until evening. I shall have a small sedan waiting outside the temple gate. Help your master out and into the sedan, and bring him straight here. I have prepared a study for him — let him rest quietly for a few days, and his strength will return. Once he has recovered, he can settle accounts with them." Xiao Dan said: "Since the young lady is so kind, I'll help him into the sedan right away." Miss Bingxin called him back: "There is one more crucial thing you must remember." "What is it?" "Your master is a man of strict principle and chivalrous honor. He may well say that since I am a lone young woman, propriety demands that he die here rather than come to my house. If he does say this, tell him I said: a true hero acts according to his own conscience, not by the pedantic rules of rotten Confucianism. Moreover, when the sage Confucius passed through Song in plain clothes, even the sage himself used expedience in times of peril. I shall be waiting — he must not take this lightly." Xiao Dan said: "I understand everything the young lady has said." He hurried back to the temple, waited until Tie Zhongyu woke and groaned, and when no one was looking, whispered the whole message. Tie Zhongyu listened, then started: "She is right! How could I, Tie Zhongyu, have been so blind!" Furious, he tried to get up to go to the magistrate's court and confront him. But Xiao Dan relayed Miss Bingxin's warning that a confrontation would provoke a more dangerous retaliation, and that she had already arranged a sedan to take him to her house to recover. Tie Zhongyu was pleased but troubled: "Miss Shui's thinking is wonderfully thorough! But she is a lone young woman, and I am a young man — with the added complication of what happened the other day. Even if I die at these villains' hands, I cannot go and stay at her house. It would not be proper." Xiao Dan then repeated Miss Bingxin's final admonition: that a true hero judges by his own conscience, not by pedantic rules, and that even the sage used expedience in peril. Tie Zhongyu's heart bloomed with delight: "Miss Shui speaks not like a woman but like a great hero herself! There is no reason I should not go." Just then, the monk Duxiu appeared with another bowl of medicine, saying: "The doctor says one more dose and the purging will stop." Xiao Dan took the bowl: "Thank you, master. Let me help my master sit up and take it." Duxiu left. The moment he was gone, Xiao Dan poured the medicine into the gutter behind the room. Tie Zhongyu said bitterly: "So all my suffering has been that bald villain's handiwork!" At nightfall, Xiao Dan noticed a small warm sedan waiting outside the temple gate. Two servants exchanged a look with him. Xiao Dan crept inside and whispered to Tie Zhongyu. Though Tie Zhongyu could barely walk, not wishing to disappoint Miss Shui's kindness, he summoned all his strength and struggled to his feet. By good fortune, the courtyard was empty at that moment. Xiao Dan supported him out; the two servants helped him into the sedan, and they set off straight for the Shui residence. Xiao Dan went back to find the gatekeeper monk and said: "Master Tie happened to meet an old acquaintance who has taken him in to recover. Please tell Monk Duxiu to look after the luggage — we will come for it another day." Then he hurried off to catch up with the sedan. Halfway there, Miss Bingxin had sent two more servants with a pair of lanterns to guide the way. Tie Zhongyu, sitting in the sedan, saw the curtains drawn snug and warm, the cushions soft and yielding, and felt his body ease. When the lanterns appeared, he knew Miss Shui's care was profound, and was deeply moved. Before long they arrived. Miss Bingxin had the sedan carried right into the main hall before it was set down. The hall was bright with lamplight. Miss Bingxin stood to the right of the hall and ordered two older serving-women and two maids to help Master Tie carefully out of the sedan and into the eastern study. Tie Zhongyu alighted and immediately sent Xiao Dan to convey his thanks: "I am profoundly grateful for the young lady's kindness. My illness prevents me from paying my respects — I shall do so as soon as I am a little recovered." He followed the women and maids to the study, where he sat on the bed. The few steps had exhausted him further, and within moments, still clothed, he fell into a deep sleep. Miss Bingxin sent the maids in with fragrant tea, longan broth, and ginseng broth. But seeing that Tie Zhongyu was sound asleep, they dared not disturb him. Miss Bingxin dismissed the sedan-bearers and the servants, then sat in the hall with several serving-women and maids, brewing tea and warming broth, keeping watch. Xiao Dan was told to doze half-sitting by the bedside, ready for any call. Tie Zhongyu slept until the third watch before waking. He turned over, opened his eyes, and saw the candles still burning on the table outside the bed-curtains. Xiao Dan was still sitting by the bed. Seeing his master awake, he asked: "Are you feeling a little better, sir?" Tie Zhongyu said: "After that sleep, my stomach feels somewhat relieved. Why are you still up?" Xiao Dan said: "It is not only I who am awake — the young lady herself and all the serving-women and maids are in the great hall, brewing tea, making broth, and cooking porridge, waiting on you." Tie Zhongyu was startled: "How can I impose such trouble upon the young lady?" Just then, the serving-women and maids came in with tea, broth, and porridge. Tie Zhongyu, still suffering from diarrhea, dared not drink tea. He feared the ginseng broth might be too rich. He sipped a few mouthfuls of longan broth, and when the maids urged him, drank half a small bowl of porridge. When he was done, he said: "Please convey to the young lady: I, Tie Zhongyu, barely escaped with my life from the tiger's jaws, and owe it all to her rescue. Her noble kindness is enough for a thousand ages. If she continues to lavish such care upon my food and rest, it will make me more uncomfortable than my illness does. Please — let her attend to her own needs." A maid named Leng Xiu, who served as Miss Bingxin's personal attendant, replied: "My mistress says that Master Tie's illness was brought about entirely by his rescue of her. As long as Master Tie is unwell, my mistress's heart cannot rest. These past two days, learning that Master Tie's condition has been worsening, fearing he might be poisoned, she has been pacing day and night, unable to eat or sleep. Now that she has succeeded in bringing Master Tie here, and there is no further danger, all her anxieties are relieved. These little things — tea and broth — are nothing. Please rest your mind and focus on recovery." Tie Zhongyu said: "If I am ill and the young lady is unable to rest, then if she exhausts herself, how can I sleep in peace? I beg her to take her ease as well." Leng Xiu said: "Since Master Tie commands it, my mistress will naturally comply. Once Master Tie has gone to sleep, she will retire." Tie Zhongyu said: "I shall sleep now." He had Xiao Dan help him undress, lowered the bed-curtains, and lay down on his side. He found the quilts of brocade and embroidered silk soft and warm beyond measure — truly a haven of comfort. As the verse says: Kindness begets kindness, feeling begets feeling — Naturally, gratitude springs from a sincere heart. Were there the slightest cloud-and-rain desire, It would betray the virtue of a thousand spotless years. The serving-women and maids, seeing that Tie Zhongyu had gone to sleep, came out and reported his words to Miss Bingxin. She said: "If Master Tie speaks with such clarity and propriety, I trust his illness will not prove grave." She instructed the servants to find a reputable doctor in the morning. She told two serving-women to spread pallets in the corridor near the hall and sleep there, ready for any call for tea or water. Only after giving all these instructions did she retire to her inner chamber. As the verse says: White bones form, but the soul still ties the grass in gratitude; The yellow sparrow carries seeds to repay the kindness of its savior. Since ancient times, chivalrous men and women of rare mettle Have searched their conscience in the still of night — and none dare turn away. Though Miss Bingxin had retired, her thoughts kept returning to Tie Zhongyu. The next morning, at the first light of dawn, she rose and instructed the servants to fetch a doctor, told the serving-women to prepare tea and broth, and quietly told Xiao Dan not to mention that she was managing things personally. Before long, Tie Zhongyu woke. He wanted to get up but was still too weak. He washed and tidied himself in bed, ate a little porridge, and sat propped up, half dozing. Soon the servant returned with a doctor, who examined him and said: "The pulse is calm and regular. This is not an internal disease — it was caused entirely by something he ate that injured the spleen and stomach, resulting in the diarrhea. He does not need much medicine. Let him rest quietly for a few days and he will recover naturally. Above all: he must avoid agitation; he must avoid exertion; and he must avoid excessive talk. These are essential." The doctor prepared two prescriptions and left. Miss Bingxin, hearing that the illness was not serious, was greatly cheered and set about managing his care. But of this we shall say no more. Meanwhile, the monk Duxiu at the Longevity Temple had been told by the gatekeeper that Tie Zhongyu had left, and that his luggage should be kept safe. Duxiu was alarmed: "His leaving is one thing, but Young Master Guo repeatedly stressed that I must keep him here, putting rhubarb and croton seeds in his porridge to purge him to death without leaving a trace. I've been dosing him for four or five days — he was nearly done for. I never expected a sick man to walk out. If Young Master Guo comes looking for him, how do I explain?" At dawn the next day, Duxiu reported to Young Master Guo, who was furious: "You told me just the other day that he was bedridden and could not get up! How did he suddenly escape in the night? Either you let the information slip, fawning over him because he is a commissioner's son, and helped him escape — showing no respect for my father!" Duxiu protested his innocence vociferously. Young Master Guo dragged him to the magistrate's court. The magistrate questioned Duxiu, then thought for a moment: "He has no friends or acquaintances here. The only connection is with the Shui family. Miss Shui is a woman of deep feeling — seeing us keep Master Tie for so long, and now seeing him fall ill, she must have seen through our plan and had him moved." Young Master Guo said: "That is even more infuriating! She refuses me at every turn, yet she harbors a strange young man in her house?" The magistrate said: "Do not be hasty. Confirm the facts first, then we can decide." They released the monk. Young Master Guo went home and sent for Shui Yun, who, upon arriving, was asked: "I hear that your niece is harboring a young man named Tie in her house. Do you know about this?" Shui Yun said: "Since the abduction, she has been angry with me for not protecting her and has refused to speak to me. I know nothing." Young Master Guo said: "Go and find out." Shui Yun went home, sent his youngest son through the connecting door to look around, and the boy quickly returned: "There is a young man lying ill in the eastern study." Shui Yun went through to see Miss Bingxin: "In principle, your brother and I have long kept separate households, and I ought not meddle. But I hear gossip from outside, and as your own uncle, I cannot remain silent." Miss Bingxin said: "If your niece has done something wrong and even outsiders are gossiping, why should my own uncle not speak up? But what is this about?" Shui Yun said: "I often hear people say: 'Between men and women, there should be no physical contact — that is propriety.' You are a young woman alone. Your father is away, you have no brothers. How can you keep a young man — a stranger from another province, no kin, no connection — in your house to convalesce? Never mind outsiders talking — even I, your own uncle, cannot cover for you." Miss Bingxin replied: "I have heard it said that when the sages established the rites, they designed them for ordinary people — they were never meant to shackle the noble-hearted. Duke Huan once presented a jade in a humble fashion, and Yanzi knelt to receive it — that is propriety beyond propriety. Even in the passage from Mencius about men and women not touching hands when passing objects — fearing that people might cling rigidly to the small proprieties and harm the great principles — he immediately added: 'When a sister-in-law is drowning, her brother-in-law pulls her out. That is expedience.' And he explained: 'He who will not pull her out is a wolf.' "So you see, the sages established the rites only to set people's hearts right. If the heart is right, then small departures from form do no harm. That is why Confucius said: 'In matters of great virtue, let there be no transgression; in matters of small virtue, some coming and going is permissible.' "I have also read the Grand Historian's words: 'Urgency is something everyone encounters from time to time,' and: 'For a man of honor, debts of kindness and grudges must be kept clear.' Since ancient times, men and women of chivalrous spirit have cut off their heads and ripped out their hearts without a second thought — all in order to repay a kindness or avenge a wrong. "Though I am but a weak young woman, in my heart I have always admired such people. Consider: until the other day, I was quietly keeping to my chambers, observing the law and heeding public opinion, never once transgressing propriety by contact with any man. But wicked men, in conspiracy, forged an imperial decree and abducted me. Where was the law then? Where was public opinion? Where were my own flesh and blood? The rites that say 'men and women must not touch hands' — to whom was I to recite them? "In that moment of mortal peril, the ones who harmed me were my bitter enemies. If someone saved me, could I not be grateful to the marrow of my bones? This Master Tie — in terms of background, he is indeed a stranger from another province, no kin, no connection. But in terms of his righteousness, burning like clouds, and his loyalty, blazing like fire — compared to my own kin and kindred right here at home, is he not a hundred times more worthy? "He and I were like a horse from Qi and an ox from Yue — completely unrelated. Yet merely because he saw injustice on the road, he strode into the magistrate's court, argued with righteous passion, and saved me from the hands of villains. That I was able to preserve my honor and return home alive — that was Master Tie's doing. And now, because he saved me, he has provoked the villains' wrath and been poisoned nearly to death. If I refused to help him out of some petty concern for appearances — if I let a man of Heaven's noblest gifts, a hero of hot blood, die alone in a strange land — then my heart would be no better than a wolf's. "That is why I have taken him in to recover. When he is well, I shall send him home. Thus both kindness and honor will be preserved. I could declare this before Heaven and Earth, before the gods and spirits, and my conscience would be clear. What outsider would dare gossip? And what uncle would need to 'cover' for me? "If Uncle truly cares for his niece, he should go out and expose the men who forged the imperial decree and abducted me — bring the ringleaders to justice and vindicate the Shui family honor. Instead of standing by in fear of the powerful, coming to lecture me with these toothless platitudes that have nothing to do with the real issue — how is that anything but heartless? How am I to take such advice?" Shui Yun, after this torrent of argument, was struck dumb. He stood silent for a long while, then said: "It is not that I do not wish to help — I simply have no rank and no power, and I cannot manage it. Everything you say is high principle, but the world has more petty people than noble ones, more ignorant than wise. They will simply say: a girl alone, keeping a young man in her house — it does not look right." Miss Bingxin said: "Appearances are but passing clouds — when are they ever absent? But conscience is the foundation of a human being, and must never be lost, not for a single moment. I care only that my purity remain unspotted. As for the rest — I cannot afford to worry about everything. Uncle, observe closely in the days ahead, and you will understand." Shui Yun, feeling thoroughly rebuffed, slunk away in silence. And from that departure there arose: In the melon field, beneath the plum — The heroine's resolve stands clear; In the dark room, under the leaking roof — The gentleman's heart is laid bare. To learn what scheme Shui Yun devised upon his return, the reader must turn to the next chapter. |