Hao Qiu Zhuan/zh-en/Chapter 5
第5回 — Chapter 5
中文原文（繁体） — Percy/Wilkinson (1761)
Other parallel views: 中文 ↔ Percy 1761 | 1761 ↔ 2026 | Modern EN only | Percy 1761 only | 中文 only
| 中文原文（繁体） | Percy/Wilkinson (1761) |
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第五回 激义气闹公堂救祸得祸Chinese original text of Chapter 5 Compare with the modern English translation, Wilkinson/Percy 1761 translation, and other language versions. 第五回 激义气闹公堂救祸得祸 词曰： 才想鲸吞，又思鸠夺，奸人偏有多般恶。谁知不是好姻缘，认得真真还又错。 恰恰迎来，刚刚遇着，冤家有路原非阔。不因野蔓与闲藤，焉能引作桃夭合？ ——《踏莎行》 话说过公子，自与水运定下抢水小姐之计，恐怕抢了来不能服帖，依旧请了府尊与县府在家坐等，要他执庚帖判断，方没话说。仍又请了许多亲戚在家，要显他手段，终是娶了水小姐来家。 这日带着许多人，既抢到手，便意气扬扬，蜂拥回家。到了大门前，脚夫便要住轿，过公子连连挥手道：“抬进去！”过了小厅，过公子还叫脚夫抬进去，直抬到大厅月台下，方才歇下。府尊与众亲友看见，都起身迎下厅来，作贺道：“淑女原不易求，今日方真正恭喜了！”过公子到了此际，十分得意，摇摇摆摆走上厅来，对着府尊、县尊打一躬道：“今日之事，不得治晚越礼，但前日所聘定者，是冰心小姐，现有庚帖可证。不料后来背约负盟，移花接木，治晚生心实不甘，故今日行权娶来，求太公祖与老父母作主！”府尊、县尊同说道：“这婚姻始末，皆太府、本县所知，不消细说；今既垂来归正，可谓变而合礼。前面之失，俱可不究，可快快拥入洞房，成其嘉礼。”过公子道：“这使不得，若单单结缡，恐涉私不服；必经明断，方彼此相安。”府尊道：“既是这等说，可开轿请新夫人出来面讲。” 过公子因叫出几个侍妾，去开轿门。众侍妾上前，掀开轿幔，看见轿门有小锁锁着，忙说与过公子。过公子道：“这不打紧。”因走上前将小锁扭去。众侍妾转入轿杠中，将两扇轿门打开一看，却惊得面面相觑，做声不得。过公子见众侍妾呆立不动，因骂道：“蠢奴才，快些扶新夫人出来！呆着做什么？”众侍妾忙回道：“轿里没有甚么新夫人，却扶那个！”过公子听说没有新夫人，吃了一惊，忙走到轿前，一看，只见轿里一个黄包袱，那里有个人影！急得连连跌脚道：“明明看见他在阁上，怎上轿时又被这丫头弄了手脚，殊令人可恨！” 府尊、县尊、众亲友听见，都到轿前来看，内实无一人，齐赞叹道：“这冰心小姐，真是个神人也！”因对过公子说道：“我劝贤契息了念头罢，这女子行事，神鬼莫测，断不是个等闲人。”过公子气得半句话也说不出，只是垂头叹气。府尊又叫取出黄包袱并皮箱，打开来看，却都是些大小石块，又笑个不了。大家乱了半晌，见没兴头，便陆续散去。 独有一个在门下常走动相好的朋友，叫做成奇，却坐着不动身。过公子与他说道：“今日机会，可谓凑巧矣，怎又脱空？想是命里无缘。”成奇道：“事不成，便无缘：事若成，包管你又有缘了。凡是求婚，斯斯文文要他心服，便难了。若有势利可以抢夺，事便容易。以公子之势力，何谋不成？何须嗟叹！”过公子道：“兄不要将抢夺看轻了。他是个深闺女子，等闲不出来，就纵有泼天本事，也没处下手？”成奇道：“我闻得他父亲水居一，下手妙处在此。”过公子道：“请教有甚妙处，可以下手？”成奇道：“我闻得他父亲水居一，被谪边庭，久无消息；又闻得冰心小姐是个孝女，岂不思量望赦？公子只消假写一张红纸报条，说是都察院上本请赦，蒙恩谁赦，复还原职。叫一二十人假充报子，出其不意，打进他门去报喜，要他出来讨赏。他若不出来，再说又有恩赦诏 书，要他亲接，他欢喜头上，自然忘了情；况闻有旨，敢不出来？等他出来，看明白了，暗暗地藏下轿子，撮上就走。他一个柔弱女子，纵说得伶俐，如何拗得众人过？”过公子听说欢喜，道：“此计甚妙。”成奇道：“此计虽妙，只怕做将来要犯斑驳。”过公子道：“犯甚斑驳？”成奇道：“他一个官宦人家小姐，领了许多人私自抢去，倘或抢到家来，他的性子极烈，有这长这短，祸便当不起。公子虽与府县是一个人，莫若先动一张呈子，与府县说明了，先抬到县，后抬到府，要府县作主，批一笔：‘既前经聘定，准抬回结亲。’那时便安稳了。”过公子听了，越加欢喜道：“如此尤妙！”二人算计定，便暗暗打点行事不提。正是： 一奸未了一奸生，人世如何得太平。 莫道红颜多跌剥，须眉男子也难行！ 却说冰心小姐，自用计脱了南庄之祸，便闭门静处，就是妇女也不容出入。只是父亲被谪，久无消息，未免愁烦。 一日，梳装才罢，忽听得门外一阵喧嚷，许多人拥进门来，拿了一张大红条子，帖在正厅屏门上，口里乱嚷道：“老爷奉旨复任，特来报喜讨赏！”又有几个口称：“还有恩赦诏书，请小姐开看！”人多语乱，说不分明。小姐只得自走到堂后来观看，只见那张红条子帖在上面，堂后又看不见，众报人又乱嚷着：“快接诏开读！”冰心小姐恐接旨迟了，只得带着两个丫环，走出堂来细问。脚跟还未曾站稳，报人早将冰心小姐围在中间道：“圣旨在府堂上，请小姐去方开读！”话未说完，外面早抬进一乘轿子来，要小姐上轿。 图书与文学 冰心小姐看见光景，情知中计，便端端正正立在堂中，面不改色，从容道：“你众人不得啰唣，听我说来：你等不过是遣来迎我，也要晓得过公子迎请我去，不是与我有仇，是要与我结亲。恐我不从，故用计来强我。此去若肯依从成亲，过公子是你主人，我便是你主母了。你们众人，若是啰唣无礼，我明日到了过家，便一一都要惩治。到那时，莫说我今日不与你们先讲明！”原来成奇也混在众人中，忙答应道：“小姐明见万里，但求就行，谁敢啰唣？”冰心小姐道：“既是如此，可退开一步，好好伺候。待我换过衣服，吩咐家人看守门户，方可出门。”众人果退远一步。 冰心小姐因吩咐丫环去取衣服，就悄悄叫他带了一把有鞘的解手刀，暗藏在袖里。一面更换衣服，又说道：“你们若要我与你公子成全好事，须要听我吩咐。”成奇道：“小姐吩咐，谁敢不听？”冰心小姐道：“过公子这段姻缘，虽非我所愿，然他三次相求，礼虽不正，而意实殷勤，我也却他不得。但今日你们设谋诡诈，若竟突然抬我到过家，我若从之，便是草草苟合，虽死亦不肯从，盖无可从之道也。莫若先抬我到府县，与府县讲明。若府县有撮合之言，便不为苟合矣。那时才抬到过家，或者还好商量。不知你们众人可知这些道理么？”成奇听了，正合他的意思，因答道：“众人虽不知道理，但小姐吩咐要见府县，便先抬去见了县里太爷、府里太爷，然后再到家，也不差什么！”就叫抬过轿子来，请小姐上轿。冰心小姐又吩咐家人看门，只带两个丫环，两个小童跟随，又悄悄吩咐家人，暗暗揭了那大红条子带到县前，欣然上轿去了。正是： 眼看鬼怪何曾怪，耳听雷惊却不惊。 漫道落人圈套死，却从鬼里去求生。 众人将冰心小姐抬上肩头，满心欢喜，以为成了大功，便二三十人围成一阵，鸦飞鹊乱的往县前飞奔，又倚着过家势力乱冲，不怕人不让。 不期将到县前，忽撞着铁公子到山东来游学，正游到此处，雇了一匹蹇驴，后面跟着小丹，踽踽凉凉，劈面走来，恰好在转弯处，不曾防备，被众人蜂拥撞来，几乎撞倒，跌下驴来。铁公子大怒，就跳下驴来，将抬轿的当胸一把扭住，大骂道：“该死的奴才，你们又不遭丧失火，怎青天白日像强盗抢夺一般这等乱撞？几乎把我铁相公跌下驴来，是何道理？”众人乱降降拥拥，跑得有兴头，忽被铁公子拦住，便七嘴八舌的乱嚷。有几个说道：“你这人好大胆，这是过学士老爷家娶亲。你是甚人，敢来邀接？莫说你是铁相公，你就是金相公玉相公，拿到县中，也要打得粉碎！”铁公子听了，愈加大怒道：“既是过学士家里娶亲，他诗 书人家，为何没有鼓乐灯火？定然有抢劫之情。须带到县里去问个明白！” 此时成奇也杂在众人中，看见铁公子青年儒雅，像个有来历之人，便上前劝道：“偶然相撞，出于无心，事情甚小。我听老兄说话，又是别府人氏，管这闲事做什么？请放手去罢！”铁公子听了，倒也有个放手的意思，忽听得轿中器着道：“冤屈，冤屈！望英雄救命！”铁公子听见，复将抬轿的扯紧道：“原来果有冤屈，这是断放不得的，快抬到县里去讲！”众人看见铁公子不肯放手，便一齐拥上来，逞蛮动粗，要推开铁公子。铁公子按捺不下，便放开手，东一拳，西一脚，将众人打得落花流水。成奇忙拦住道：“老兄不必打，这事弄大了，私下决开不得交，莫说老兄到县里，若不到县，恐过府也不肯罢了。快让他们抬到县里去！”铁公子哪里肯依，却喜得离县不远，又人多，便抬的抬，撮的撮，你扭我结，一齐哄到县前。 铁公子见已到县前，料走不去，方放开手，走到鼓架边，取出了马鞭子，将鼓乱敲，敲得扑咚咚响亮，已惊动县前众衙役，都一齐跑来，将铁公子围道：“你是什么人，敢来击鼓？快进去见老爷！”原来县尊已有过家人来报，知抢得水小姐来，要他断归过公子，故特特坐在堂上，等候多时。不期水小姐不见来，忽闻鼓响，众衙役拥进一个书生来，禀道：“擅击鼓人，带见老爷！” 那书生走到堂上，也不拜，也不跪，但将手一举道：“老先生请了！”县尊看见，因问道：“你是什么人？因何事击鼓？”铁公子道：“我学生是甚人，老先生不必问我，我学生也不必说。但我学生方才路遇一件抢劫冤屈之事，私心窃为不平，敢击鼓求老先生判断，看此事冤也不冤，并仰观老先生公也不公。”县尊看见铁公子人物俊爽，语言伶俐，不敢轻易便动声色，便问道：“你且说有甚抢劫冤屈之事。”铁公子道：“现在外面，少不得传他进来。”说未完，只见过家一伙人，早已将冰心小姐围拥着进来。冰心小姐还未走到，成奇早充做过家家人，上前禀道：“这水小姐是家公子久聘定的，因要悔赖婚姻，故家公子命众人迎请来，先见过太爷，求太爷断明，好迎请回去结亲。”县尊道：“既经久聘，礼宜迎归结亲，何必又断？不必进来，竟迎去罢！”成奇听了，就折回身拦住众人道：“不必进去了，太爷已断明，吩咐叫迎回去结亲了。” 冰心小姐刚走到中间，见有人拦阻，便大声叫起冤屈来，因急走两步，要奔上堂来分诉。旁边皂快早用板子拦道：“老爷已吩咐出去，又进去做什么？”冰心小姐见有人拦阻，不容上堂，又见众人推他出去，便盘脚坐在地下，放声大哭道：“为民父母，职当分冤理屈，怎么不听一言？”县尊还指手叫去，早急得铁公子暴跳如雷，忙赶上堂来，指着县尊乱嚷道：“好糊涂官！怎么公堂之上，只听一面之词，全不容人分诉？就是天下之官贪贿慕势，也不至此！要是这等作为，除非天下只有一个知县方好，只怕还有府道、抚台在上！”县尊听见铁公子嚷得不成体面，便也拍案大怒道：“这是朝廷设立的公堂，你是什么人，敢如此放肆！”铁公子复大笑道：“这县好个大公堂，便是公侯人家，钦赐的禁地，我学生也曾打进去，救出人来，没人敢说我放肆！” 原来这个知县，新选山东不久，在京时，铁公子打入大夬侯养闲堂这些事，都是知道的。今见铁公子说话相近，因大惊，问道：“如此说来，老长兄莫非就是铁都院的长子铁挺生么？”铁公子道：“老先生既知道我学生的贱名，要做这些不公不法之事，也该收敛些！”县尊见果是铁公子，忙走出公位，深深施礼道：“小弟鲍梓，在长安时，闻长兄高名，如春雷轰耳，但恨无缘一面。今辱下临，却又坐此委曲，得罪长兄，统容荆请。”一面看坐，请铁公子分宾主坐下，一面门子就送茶。 茶罢，县尊因说道：“此事始末，长兄必然尽知，非小弟敢于妾为，只缘撇不过过学士情面耳！”铁公子道：“此事我学生不知，方才偶然撞见，其中始末，倒实实不知，转求见教。”县尊道：“这又奇了，小弟只道长兄此来，意有所为，不知竟是道旁之冷眼热心，一发可敬！”因将水小姐是水侍郎之女，有个过公子闻其秀美，怎生要娶他；他叔叔水运又怎生撺掇他嫁，他又怎生换八字，移在水运女儿名下；后治酒骗他，他又怎生到门脱去；前在南庄抢劫他，他又怎生用石块抵去之事，细细说了一遍。喜得个铁公子心窝里都跳将起来，因说道，“据老先生如此说来，这水小姐竟是个千古的奇女子了，难得，难得！莫要错过！”也顾不得县尊看着。竟抽起身来，走到上，将冰心小姐一看，果然生得十分美丽。怎见得？但见： 妩媚如花，而肌肤光艳，羞灼灼之浮华；轻盈似燕，而举止安详，笑翩翩之失措眉画春山，而淡浓多态。觉春山之有愧，眼横秋水而流转生情；怪秋水之无神，腰纤欲折立亭亭不怕风吹。俊影难描，娇滴滴最宜月照。发光可鉴，不假涂膏。秀色堪餐，何须腻粉。慧心悄悄，越掩越灵，望而知其为仙子中人；侠骨冷冷，愈柔愈烈，察而知其非闺阁之秀。蕙性兰心，初只疑美人颜色；珠圆玉润，久方知君子风流。 铁公看了，因暗暗惊讶，走上前一步，望着冰心小姐深深一揖道：“小姐原来是蓬莱仙子，谪降尘凡，我学生肉眼凡胎，一时不识，多有得罪。但闻小姐前面具如许才慧智巧，怎今日忽为鼠辈所愚？是所不解，窃敢有请。”冰心小姐见了，忙立起身来还礼道：“自严君被谪，日夜忧心，今忽闻有恩赦之旨下颁，窃谓诏旨谁敢假传，故出堂拜接，不意遂为人栽辱至此。”取出解手刀来，拿在手中，又说道：“久知覆盆难照，已拼毙命于此。幸遇高贤大侠，倘蒙怜而垂手，则死之日，犹生之年矣！”铁公子道：“什么恩旨？”冰心小姐因叫丫环，问家人取大红报条，递与铁公子看。 铁公子看了，因拿上堂来，与县尊看道：“报条是真是假？”县尊看了道：“本县不曾见有此报。是哪里来的？”铁公子见县尊不认帐，便将条子袖了，勃然大怒道：“罢了，罢了！勒娶宦女，已无礼法，怎么又假传圣旨？我学生明日就去见抚台，这些假传圣旨之人，却都要在老先生身上，不可走了一个！”说罢就起身要走。县尊慌忙留住道：“老长兄不必性急，且待本县问个明白，再作区处。”因叫过成奇众人来骂道：“你们这伙不知死活的奴才！这报条是哪里来的？”众人你看我，我看你，那里答得出来。县尊见众人不言语，就叫取夹棍来。众人听了叫取夹棍，都慌了，乱叫道：“老爷，这不干小人们事，皆是过公子写的，叫小的们去贴的！”县尊道：“这是真的。有贵客在此，且不打你这些奴才！”一面差人押去铺了，一面就差人另取一乘暖轿，好好送水小姐回府，一面就吩咐备酒留铁公子小饮。 铁公子见送了水小姐回去，心下欢喜，便不推辞。饮至半酣，县尊乃说道：“报条之事，虽实过公子所为，然他尊翁过老先生未必知也。今长兄若鸣之上台，不独过公子不美，连他过老先生也未免有罪，烦望长兄周旋一二。”铁公子道：“我学生原无成心，不过偶然为水小姐起见耳。过兄若能忘情于水小姐，我学生与过兄面也不识，又何故苛求！”县尊听了大喜道：“长兄真快士也！不平则削，平则舍之。”又饮了半晌，铁公子告辞，县尊闻知尚无居停，就差人送在长寿院作寓，谆谆约定明日再会。这边铁公子去了不提。 那边过公子早有人报知此事，慌忙去见府尊说：“水小姐己抬到县中，忽遇一个少年，不知县尊的甚么亲友，请了进去，竟叫轿将水小姐送了回去，转将治晚的家人要打要夹，动下了铺，不知是何缘故？”府尊听了道：“这又奇了，待本府唤他来问。”正说不了，忽报知县要见，连忙命入。相见过，府尊就问道：“贵县来的那个少年是什么人，贵县这等优礼？”县尊道：“大人原来不知，那个少年乃铁都宪之子，叫做铁中玉，年才二十，智勇兼全。前日知县在京候选时，闻知大夬侯强娶了一个女子，窝藏在钦赐的养闲堂禁地内，谁敢去惹？他竟不怕，持一柄三十斤重的铜锤，竟独自打开禁门，直入内阁，将那女子救了出来。朝廷知道，转欢喜赞羡，竟将大夬侯发在养闲堂，幽禁三年，以代遣戍。长安中谁不知道名字？今早水小姐抬到县时，谁知奏巧，恰恰遇着他，问起根由，竟将过兄写的一张大红报条袖了，说是假传圣旨，要到抚院去讲。这一讲准了，不独牵连过老先生，就是老大人与本县，也有许多不便。故本县款住他，徐图之，不是实心优礼。”府尊道：“原来有许多委曲！” 过公子道：“他纵英雄，不过只是个都宪之子。冶晚生虽不才，家父也忝居学士，与他也不相上下，他为何管我的闲事？老父母也该为治晚主持一二。”县尊道：“非不为兄主持，只因他拿了长兄写的报条，有碍，唐突他不得，故不得已，转用周旋。”过公子说道：“依老爷母这等周旋，则治晚这段姻缘，付之流水矣！”县尊道：“姻缘在天，谋事在人。贤契为何如此说？”过公子道：“谋至此而不成，更有何谋？”县尊道：“谋岂有尽？彼孤身尔，本县已送在长寿院作寓，兄回去与智略之士细细商量，或有妙处。” 过公子无奈，只得辞了府尊，县尊回来，寻见成奇，将县尊之言说与他知，要他算计。成奇道：“方才县尊收我们，也是掩饰那姓铁的耳目。今既说他是孤身，又说已送在长寿院住，这是明明指一条路与公子，要公子用计害他了。”过公子听了满心欢喜，道：“是了，是了！但不知如何害他？还是明明叫人打他，还是暗暗叫人去杀他？”成奇道：“打他，杀他，俱是不妙。”因对着过公子耳朵说道：“只须如此如此，这般这般足矣。”过公子愈加欢喜道：“好妙算！但事不宜迟，莫要放他去了。”因与成奇打点行事。只因这一打点，有分教： 恩爱反成义侠，风流化出纲常。 不知怎生谋他，且听下回分解。 |
Chapter 5: Righteous Indignation in the Magistrate's Court: A Rescue That Breeds DisasterFrom: 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. X. The young gentleman being brought before him, did not fall on his knees, or use those other signs of high reverence, which are usual from an inferior to one of higher rank. But when his hands were let go, held them up with the common salute, of one equal to another[1]: accosting him so ill-assumed; he asked very sternly who he was, and for what reason he had beat on the drum. "Who I am, replied the other, is no way material: here hath great injustice been committed; for which reason I struck the drum, that you might examine into, and redress it." Before the Mandarine could answer: Chun-kee entered: "Here, Sir, said he, is the young lady Shuey-ping-sin, whom I have brought in behalf of Kwo-khe-tzu: though engaged to him by all the due solemnities of the law, she hath put another in his place, and abused him: he hath now got her in his power; and having presented her to you, for your approbation and licence, will afterwards carry her home, and compleat the marriage." "If your friend, answered the other, hath gone through all the previous solemnities according to law, why do you bring her here? carry her home to her husband to whom she belongs." On this Chun-kee turned to the people, saying, "The Mandarine hath given his permission, take up the chair and carry it home." The young lady hearing this, cried out, "Injustice! I am wronged and abused! Sir, you must see me righted!" Then she sprung from the chair, and was going into the hall: but the people there said, "What would you have? hath not the Che-bien ordered you to be carried away? You must not advance." Upon this she sat herself down on the floor, crying out aloud; "You Che-bien, that should be the father and mother[2] of the city, how can you thus abandon me to injustice, and send me away without hearing my defence?" The young stranger observing all that past, could no longer contain himself, but very much inraged said to the Mandarine: "This, Sir, is very unjust: your eyes are blinded, and your ears deaf to the cries of the injured: you are void of reason and conscience, you will hear but one side: is it thus you sit in the chair of justice for the Emperor? Surely you think there is none greater than yourself: that you are the only and chief Che-bien." At this the magistrate, highly provoked and stung to the quick with remonstrances at once so just and so severe, loaded him with reproaches, and cried out, "What impudent person are you that dare come into the Emperor's court, and make there this noise and disturbance?" "Truly a great court of the Emperor's! replied the other with a sneer of contempt; a great office yours of the Che-bien! Why I have gone into the house of the greatest Mandarine, a house given him by the Emperor himself, and therefore sacred: I have broke open the doors by violence in order to rescue and protect the injured; yet he hath not dared to load me with obloquy: and are you of so exalted an office, as to heap abuses upon me, and to charge me with impudence?" The Che-bien, who chanced to be at court when the fact abovementioned had happened, instantly recollected the whole affair; as also the person who stood before him. Struck therefore with no little fear, and softening his voice, "What then, said he, are you the son[3] of the chief viceroy Tieh-ying? Is it possible?" And rising from his chair he saluted him in the most respectful manner. "Pardon me, Sir, said he; pardon me, that when a diamond was before my eyes, I could not know it. When I was at court I heard of your fame, which sounded like thunder in my ears. Yet was I so unfortunate that I could not then have the happiness to visit you: and that I should meet with you now is a perfect miracle! I am sorry too it should be upon an occasion wherein you think I have done amiss: but I hope still to recover your good opinion." Then respectfully desiring him to sit, he called for tea[4]: which being brought, the Che-bien began to talk of the affair before them, asking him how he came to be concerned in it, as he seemed to know the whole matter. "For my part, said Tieh-chung-u, I am intirely ignorant of the affair; but met these people just now in the street: when hearing one complain of injury and implore protection, I came along to your audience to procure redress; pray acquaint me with the whole story." "It is so very intricate and perplexed, replied the Che-bien, that I can hardly unravel it myself; but what I know of the matter is this: that young lady is the daughter of a great Mandarine of this city, named Shuey-keu-ye; her beauty hath made such an impression on the son of a minister of state, named Kwo-khe-tzu, that there is nothing he hath not attempted to gain her. The first time she changed the eight letters of Nean-kung, and gave her sister to him in her stead. The second time, when he had allured her to his house under pretence of a wedding visit, from the sound of the music she discovered his intention. The third time he attempted to catch her, as she was going to the gardens: but instead of securing her brought home nothing but a heap of stones." "Certainly, cried Tieh-chung-u, this person must be admirable; perhaps the world hath not her fellow. With your leave, Sir, I will go and view this prodigy." He had no sooner cast his eyes upon her, but struck with her beauty, he said aloud: "Sure never was a form more compleat and lovely: what a face and mien, beautiful without the assistance of art! what killing eyes, over-shaded with the most exact and finished arches, like little moons! neither air nor sun can wither or blast a flower whose teints are the gift of nature alone: there is no need of paint to that charming complexion: her countenance bespeaks a disposition as sweet as the most odoriferous flowers." He was so charmed with her appearance, that it made the deepest impression on his mind. Then approaching one step nearer, he made her a very low bow. "Lady, said he, how came you to be entrapped, and brought hither now, after you had so often and so dexterously escaped?" Shuey-ping-sin rose up from the ground and replied, "My father, who is in banishment, hath caused me for a long time to pass my days in sorrow and affliction: but hearing of a sudden to-day, that the Emperor's order of pardon was come to recall him, I immediately, as it behoved me, ran out to meet it: but no sooner had set my foot in the hall and perceived it was false, but I was surrounded by these people, and had no other remedy but to come with them: yet, Sir, I have brought with me this knife, being resolved to die in the Che-bien's presence. I had determined never to behold the light of another day: but you seem to be a person of virtue and goodness, and were doubtless sent by my good Genius in this extremity to save me." [This said, she let fall a shower of tears, and hid her head in her bosom.] Tieh-chung-u was strongly moved at her distress: "Where, said he with great emotion, where is this order of the Emperor's? let me see it." She ordered the coloured paper to be brought to him; and he carried and shewed it to the Che-bien. "Is this, said he, the Emperor's order or not? you ought to know!" "I know nothing of it, replied the Che-bien, nor from whence it came." "That is much!" said the other; and putting it into his sleeve, he remonstrated to that magistrate in very strong terms, the clandestine manner of his proceedings: "To-morrow, said he, I shall go and lodge a complaint with the Fu-yuen or Viceroy: and as for these people who have been the instruments in this affair, I charge you with them, that they be forth-coming, whenever the Viceroy thinks proper to call for them." Then slightly saluting him he was going away. The Che-bien, extremely frighted at the danger he was in, called to Tieh-chung-u and intreated him to stay: "Pray, Sir, said he, be not so hasty and passionate, let me have time to inquire into this affair, before you take a step of such consequence." Then calling before him Chun-kee, and the rest of his party, with violent emotions of anger he told them they were ignorant of what related to justice, and had acted in this affair like slaves and villains. "Whence, said he, have you brought this order? what authority have you for it?" They all stood silent. Then he ordered the stocks of confession[5] to be brought forth. On which in great fright, they all cried out, "Sir, don't charge this to our account; every thing was done by our master's order." "Very well, said the Che-bien: to-day I have a guest with me, and therefore shall suspend for the present any farther examination." He then ordered them all to be carried to prison: and appointed some of his own people to convey the young lady back to her house. Every thing being thus dispatched, the Che-bien ordered an entertainment to be got ready, and intreated Tieh-chung-u to stay and drink wine with him; which the latter, who was extremely pleased in having procured redress for the fair Shuey-ping-sin, readily complied with. When they had drank pretty plentifully, and all reserve was banished, the Che-bien renewed the former topic, assuring him that all was the contrivance of Kwo-khe-tzu, who was alone in fault: that wholly taken up in his employments at court, his father knew nothing of these transactions: "Yet, said he, if it should be carried before the Viceroy, not the youth alone would suffer, but his father[6], and even myself. Let me conjure you therefore not to carry things to extremity." "For my part, said Tieh-chung-u, my being concerned in this affair was purely accidental: I have no otherwise interposed in it, than as I was led by a disinterested regard for justice: far from bearing any personal resentment against Kwo-khe-tzu, I do not even know him: and the manner in which I became interested in opposing his desires, will clear me from the charge of seeking it busily. Therefore if he will engage to lay aside all thoughts of this young lady, and desist from troubling her, nothing more need be said about it." The Mandarine, glad to see him so well inclined, was full of acknowledgments, and applauded him as a person of great virtue and worth. By this time Tieh-chung-u began to express a desire to withdraw: and upon the Che-bien's demanding where he was lodged, and being told he was not yet provided, he sent his people to conduct him to a Pagoda or Convent[7] and to see him accommodated suitably to his rank. Let us now return to Kwo-khe-tzu, who was flattering himself that he had at last surmounted all obstacles, when he received an imperfect account, that the chair with Shuey-ping-sin had been met by a stranger, who had gone with her to the Che-bien's audience, and that there some dispute had happened, the particulars of which he could not learn: but that the whole had ended in their conveying the young lady home, and his servants to prison. With a heavy heart therefore he repaired to the Che-foo, and acquainted him with what he had heard. "What! more difficulties yet? said he, I'll send and talk with the Che-bien about it." He had scarcely spoke, when that magistrate appeared. The Che-foo informed him what he had heard, and inquired who the stranger was, whom he had treated with so much respect and ceremony. "The person you speak of, answered the other, is the son of the Tieh-tu-yuen (or supreme Viceroy) his name is Tieh-chung-u: he doth not exceed twenty years of age. When I was at court waiting for my present office, there was a great Mandarine who had taken a young maid and kept her by force in his house, which was sacred and none dared so much as look into it: but this youth with his mace, weighing twenty catty, broke open the door and boldly rescued her: which the Emperor hearing of was highly pleased, and did justice to all the parties. But who is ignorant of Tieh-chung-u? the court rings with his name. Shuey-ping-sin was met by him to-day as she was brought to my house: he hath informed himself of the whole affair, and got possession of the counterfeit order: nay he was going to present it to the Viceroy of the province, which if he had done, it would have affected both yourself and me, no less than Kwo-khe-tzu and his father. The least I could do therefore was to shew some outward respect to one who had us all so much in his power." The Che-foo told him, he did well. But Kwo-khe-tzu was greatly chagrined, and said, "What though he is valiant, and his father a Viceroy; am not I the son of a Minister of State? I am not therefore to submit to him: why did not you manage this business for me better?" "This stranger, replied the Che-bien, got the counterfeit order into his hands, and had it in his power to have ruined us all: it was therefore through fear, and not any respect to him, that I carried matters so smoothly." "Well: said Kwo-khe-tzu, since things are so, there's an end of my hopes: Shuey-ping-sin is irretrievably lost." "As to that matter, said the Che-bien, it becomes not me to interpose in it: but if you have still a desire to obtain her, you must go home and consult with the most sensible of your friends. With regard to Tieh-chung-u, I have lodged him at a Convent, where he is alone without friends or acquaintance." These words did not escape Kwo-khe-tzu, who took his leave of those Magistrates, and, as soon as he was got home, sent to find out his friend Chun-kee. With him he talked over all that had happened: "And yet, concluded he, the Che-bien seems to hint to me not to despair; notwithstanding I can see no possibility of success: and unless you can help me, must give up all hopes." "With regard to the Che-bien, answered the other, he is still disposed to serve you: all the civilities he heaped on the stranger were meerly for a blind: he is not on that account the less a friend to our cause. The hint which he dropped that he had carried him to a Convent, where he was alone and without friends, was not without meaning: he intended to point out a way for you to do yourself justice." "True; said Kwo-khe-tzu, this is a valuable hint; but how shall we improve it? Shall we put him to death, or order him only to be soundly beaten?" "However we shall determine that point, said his friend; it will behove us to be careful that no ill consequences accrue to ourselves: let us do nothing that shall afford a handle for justice." He then paused a little, and with great secrecy, communicated to him, a scheme[8], which diffused a visible transport over the countenance of Kwo-khe-tzu: who instantly resolved to put it in execution. "Haste, said he, let us not slip this favourable occasion: let there be no delay lest he should be gone before we can effect it." What relates farther to this story the Reader will find in the following Book. The End of the First Book.
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