The words say:
Worries twist and turn, resembling a weave; tears are wiped away in secret, only to drip again. I’m angry with the maid, trying to let my guard down, but all I feel is a deep-seated resentment. All has been settled, how to forget is the only issue! Leaning against the balcony railing again, trying to listen for news.
Ximen Qing drank until completely drunk, swaying back to Sun Xue'e's room. Xue'e was busy in the kitchen and, upon hearing Ximen Qing enter, hurriedly ran over. Yu Dajie was sitting on Ximen Qing's bed, urging him to go to Lady Yu's room to sleep with Yuxiao and Xiaoyu. Xue'e had three rooms: a bedroom, a kang room, and another. Ximen Qing hadn’t visited in over a year, so his sudden arrival today surprised her. She quickly helped him undress and guided him to sit in a chair. Then she quickly made the bed, lit incense, boiled water, poured tea for him, helped him into bed, took off his shoes and clothes, and tucked him in. They spent the night in silence.
The next day was Ximen Qing's birthday, the 28th of the twelfth lunar month. Just after burning joss paper, Han Daoguo's assistant Hu Xiu arrived. Ximen Qing summoned him to the hall and asked about the cargo ship. Hu Xiu presented the account book and said that Han Daoguo had purchased goods worth ten thousand taels of silver in Hangzhou, which had arrived in Linqing but had yet to enter the city due to tax issues. Ximen Qing was overjoyed upon seeing the account book, so he had his servant prepare a meal for Hu Xiu, then asked him to go to Qiao's house. Then, Ximen Qing said to Wu Yueniang, "Han's cargo ship has arrived in Linqing, and the assistant Hu Xiu has brought the account book. We need to quickly tidy up the room across the street, unload the goods, hire some help, and open a shop to sell them." Yueniang said, "You should arrange it quickly; we can't afford any delays." Ximen Qing replied, "I will talk to Ying Er when he arrives." After a short while, Ying Bojue showed up, and Ximen Qing invited him to sit and mentioned that Han's cargo ship had arrived and they were in need of a salesman. Ying Bojue congratulated Ximen Qing, saying that this is a double blessing—good things come in pairs. He recommended a man named Gan Run, who he claimed was experienced in the satin trade, sharp, and capable, and currently residing in Shiqiao Alley. Ximen Qing said, "Sounds good; have him come see me tomorrow."
As they were talking, Li Ming, Wu Hui, and Zheng Feng arrived, paying their respects. After a while, the members of the opera troupe arrived and were shown to the dining room. At this time, the person in charge of the opera reported that Zheng Aiyue wasn't coming. Her mother said she had been summoned by the Wang family to perform, and only Qi Xiang'er, Dong Jiao'er, and Hong Sier came. When Ximen Qing heard that Zheng Aiyue wasn't coming, he got angry and asked Zheng Feng what was going on. Zheng Feng said he didn't live with her and didn't know. Ximen Qing said, "So I have no power over her?" Immediately, he asked Dai An to take people, take his invitation letter, and go to the Wang family to get her, claiming that he was hosting guests and that Zheng Aiyue had agreed to come, so they must let her go. If she refuses, her mother will be taken too. He also asked Zheng Feng to go with them. Worried that Ximen Qing might get angry, Zheng Feng pleaded with Dai An to go in first while he waited outside. Dai An said that if she really went to the Wang family, he would go with the invitation letter to get her; if she was hiding at home, Zheng Feng should quickly go to his mother and ask her to come over, and he would help say a few good words.
Dai An left, and Ximen Qing said to the Count, "This little minx is really infuriating, singing in other people's houses but not coming to mine." The Count said, "She's just a young girl; how could she possibly know about these things? She doesn't even know how powerful you are!" Ximen Qing said, "This little girl is clever; let her come and sing for a few days as a trial. I didn't expect her to be so disobedient." The Count said, "These girls today are all top-notch." Li Ming said, "Second Master, you haven't seen Aiyue yet!" The Count said, "I had drinks at her house with your father; she was still young at that time. I haven't seen her for a few years and don't know how she is now." Li Ming said, "Although she looks good, she's all about appearances; her singing is not as good as Sister Gui." Who would dare to not come to Ximen Qing's place? What if they come? She doesn't grasp the seriousness of the situation! At this time, Hu Xiu reported that he had already been to the Qiao family. Ximen Qing instructed Chen Jingji to take fifty taels of silver, write a letter, send a boy, and go to give the money to the old man Qiao early tomorrow morning so he could help him with tax matters.
Suddenly, someone shouted that Lord Liu and Lord Xue had arrived. Ximen Qing quickly went to greet them and invited them to take a seat. Xue Gonggong asked who Ying Bojue was, and Ximen Qing replied that he was an old friend of his. Xue Gonggong asked if he was the Ying Xian who loved to tell jokes, and Ying Bojue confirmed it was him. After they had tea, Ping An came in to report that Zhou Ye had sent someone with an invitation, saying there was still a banquet today and they did not need to wait for him. Ximen Qing glanced at the invitation, and Xue Gonggong asked who had arrived late. Ximen Qing said Zhou Nanxuan still had a banquet, and he had sent someone to say they did not need to wait for him. Xue Gonggong said that since it was the case, they wouldn’t wait for him.
Just then, Wang Jing brought two invitations, saying, "Two scholars have arrived." Ximen Qing looked and saw one was named Ni Peng and the other Wen Bigu. He realized they were friends recommended by Ni Xiucai and quickly went out to greet them. The two scholars were dressed elegantly. Ximen Qing did not look at Ni Xiucai first; his eyes were fixed on Wen Bigu. Wen Bigu was just under forty, with a straightforward and handsome appearance, a beard on his chin, a dignified demeanor, and a gentle manner. Ximen Qing pondered this person's character and decided to observe him first. He silently evaluated:
This Wen Bigu, while talented, often hangs out in questionable places. His career hasn’t gone far, and his ambitions have long since faded; his family has declined, and that kind of lofty spirit has also dissipated. He’s given up on those writings and Confucian ideals; as for serving the country and the people, and honoring ancestors, he has left them far behind. He’s a real-world rogue, only interested in money; he goes with the wind, not caring at all about his reputation. He dresses flashy, but has a completely indifferent attitude; he talks a big game, but in reality, he’s empty inside. After three years of trying, he can’t even pass the basic exams, yet he still hopes to make the list? He spends all day drinking and socializing, living freely like a true recluse.
Ximen Qing invited them into the living room, exchanged greetings, and each person presented gifts such as handkerchiefs, wishing Ximen Qing a happy birthday. After the greetings, they sat down as host and guests. Ximen Qing said, "I have long heard of Mr. Wen's remarkable talents; may I ask for your full name?" Mr. Wen replied, "My humble title is Rixin, with the style name Kuixuan." Ximen Qing said, "Mr. Kuixuan." He then asked, "Where are you studying? What are you studying?" Mr. Wen replied, "I am not talented; I am studying mathematics at the local academy and just started studying the I Ching. I've long admired your reputation but have been too timid to visit. This time, my classmate Ni Guiyan mentioned your noble character, so I dared to come and visit." Ximen Qing said, "Thank you for visiting first; I will definitely come to thank you in person another time. I'm just a military man, a bit rough around the edges and not well-versed in literature. I don't have anyone to help me with my letters. I met Mr. Ni Guiyan at a colleague's house before, and he praised your talent and character. I had been meaning to visit you for some guidance, but I didn't expect you to come in person, bringing such generous gifts. I am truly grateful." Mr. Wen said, "I only have a few modest talents and virtues; you're too generous." After drinking tea, Ximen Qing took them to the backyard gazebo, where the two elderly eunuchs, Xue and Liu, were also waiting. Prime Minister Xue said, "Please, gentlemen, come in and make yourselves comfortable." Ximen Qing had someone help them out of their outer garments, invited them in, and after several rounds of polite insistences, they finally sat down on opposite sides.
While they were talking, Uncle Wu and Captain Fan arrived, paid their respects, and sat down. After a short while, Dai-An and a few young servants returned and reported, "The four opera singers have all been summoned." Ximen Qing asked, "Did Wang Huang-Qin summon them?" Dai-An replied, "They were called by Wang Huang-Qin's mansion. They haven't left yet. I scared them with a lock to hurry them along, and they all came together." Ximen Qing walked up to the steps in the hall. At that moment, the four opera singers filed in and bowed deeply to Ximen Qing. Zheng Ai-Yue wore a purple gauze blouse and a white embroidered skirt; her slender waist was as light and graceful as a willow, and her beauty was striking, like a hibiscus in full bloom. Truly:
Countless charms exist, yet none can be bought; a night with a gifted woman is truly priceless.
Ximen Qing said to Zheng Aiyue, "I called for you, why didn't you come? How frustrating! Watch me teach you a lesson!" Zheng Aiyue bowed respectfully, stood up without saying a word, smiled, and followed the others to the backyard. In the backyard, they paid their respects to Lady Yuexiang and the others. Seeing Li Guifei and Wu Yiner there, they greeted them and said, "You're here quite early!" Li Guifei said, "I haven't been home in two days." Then she asked, "What took you so long to arrive?" Dong Jiaoer said, "Lady Yue held us up; we only left after receiving the money." Zheng Aiyue simply smiled behind her fan and remained silent. Lady Yuexiang asked, "Who is this young woman?" Dong Jiaoer said, "Madam, you don't know, she is Zheng Aixiang's sister Zheng Aiyue, just turned eighteen, not even six months ago." Lady Yuexiang said, "She's quite well-built." After that, she drank tea and started serving tea to them. Pan Jinlian lifted her skirt and examined her feet, saying, "Why are your feet so straight, not as pretty as the feet we see outside? Our feet have slender toes, while your heels are a bit too large." Lady Yuexiang said to the old lady, "She's just a bit too competitive; why bother asking her!" Then she picked up the golden hairpin on her head and asked, "Where did you have this hairpin made?" Zheng Aiyue said, "It was made by a silversmith in our place." After a bit, the tea was ready, and Lady Yuexiang said, "Guifei, Yiner, accompany them for tea." Soon after, the six opera singers gathered together for tea. Li Guifei and Wu Yiner said to Dong Jiaoer, "Why not take a stroll in the garden?" Dong Jiaoer said, "Let’s take a quick stroll in the backyard first." Li Guifei and Wu Yiner followed Pan Jinlian and Meng Yulou out of the ceremonial gate towards the garden. Since there were people in the gazebo, they decided to skip it, but spent some time enjoying the flowers and plants here before going to see the little one in Li Ping'er's room. The little one seemed a bit uncomfortable, woke up crying and couldn't drink his milk. Li Ping'er stayed inside and didn't come out. Seeing Li Guifei, Wu Yiner, Meng Yulou, and Pan Jinlian come in, she quickly invited them to sit down. Guifei asked, "Is the child asleep?" Li Ping'er said, "He cried all day before finally falling asleep." Yulou said, "Madam suggested inviting Liu the midwife to check on him; why didn't you send someone to get her?" Li Ping'er said, "Today is his father's birthday; we can invite her tomorrow."
Not provided.
While they were chatting, they suddenly saw four performers coming over with Sister Ximen and Xiaoyu. Sister Ximen said, "So you’ve been here all along, causing us to look for you everywhere in the garden." Xiaoyu replied, "There were people in the garden, so we didn’t want to go in; we just took a quick look from a distance and came over." Li Guijie asked Hong Sier, "What have you four been up to in the backyard? It took you so long to get here." Hong Sier said, "We were drinking tea in Si Niang's room." Pan Jinlian, upon hearing this, smiled at Xiaoyu and Li Ping'er and asked Hong Sier, "Who told you to go to Si Niang's?" Dong Jiaor said, "She told us to drink tea in her room and asked us, 'Haven't you paid your respects to the elder yet? Do you not know who this lady is?' She then said, 'I am your Si Niang.'" Jinlian said, "What a shameless little brat! It would be one thing if someone else called you that, but who dares to call themselves Si Niang in their own house? In this household, who respects you, who cares about you, who calls you Si Niang? Your man spent a night in the house and took advantage of the situation, and now he’s causing trouble. If it weren’t for the fact that there’s your sister-in-law in the elder lady’s room, Guijie in the second lady's room, Miss Yang in your room, Sister Li in her room with Sister Yin, and my grandmother Pan in my room, how could you even think you could go to your own room?" Xiaoyu said, "You haven’t seen it yet—this morning, she sent her father to the front yard, shouting and calling in the courtyard, acting all high and mighty." Jinlian said, "As the saying goes: a servant shouldn’t be arrogant, and a child shouldn’t be spoiled." She then asked Xiaoyu, "I heard your father told your grandmother that he would find her a maid. It’s said that your father saw her busy in his room yesterday and asked her about it. That little minx took the opportunity to tell your father, 'I’m too busy to clean the house during the day, so I can only sleep in this room at night.' Your father said, 'No problem, just tell your mother tomorrow to find you a maid to use.'—Is this true?" Xiaoyu replied, "I don’t know; maybe Yuxiao heard about it?" Jinlian said to Guijie, "Doesn’t your father have people from all our households? He doesn’t go to his room for no reason. Did we say something bad about him behind his back? He’s already clumsy with words and tends to offend people, so we don’t talk to him." Just then, Xiuchun brought in tea. While they were drinking, they suddenly heard the sound of drums and gongs in front; Jing Dujian and the others had arrived, bringing wine to the feast, and Dai An called the four performers to the front.
That day, Qiao Dahu did not come. First, there were acrobatics and various performances, with music and singing. After the dance troupe finished their performance, a comedic play was staged. The food was served, starting with a bowl of rice soup. Just then, Doctor Ren arrived, wearing a hat. Ximen Qing went to the hall to greet him, and they exchanged formalities. Doctor Ren instructed the servants to take out a longevity handkerchief and two pieces of silver from a felt bag to celebrate Ximen Qing's birthday. He said, "Yesterday, Han Mingchuan mentioned it, so I just learned that today is your birthday, esteemed elder. I apologize for being late!" Ximen Qing replied, "How dare I trouble you, and thank you for your generous gift. I also appreciate the wonderful medicine you provided a few days ago." After completing their greetings, Doctor Ren wanted to toast, but Ximen Qing declined, saying, "No need." He then took off his coat, greeted everyone, and sat in the fourth position on the left side, next to Wu Dajiu. The rice soup and snacks were served, and after Doctor Ren expressed his thanks, he had the servants take them away. Four performers played musical instruments and sang a birthday blessing. Ximen Qing instructed the guests at the head table to take turns toasting. The musicians presented the program list, and the two court ministers, Liu and Xue, chose the play "Han Xiangzi Crossing Chen Banjie Ascending to Immortality." Just as they began a performance, they heard voices calling out that grew closer. Ping An came in to report, "Lord Zhou from the Guard Bureau has arrived." Ximen Qing hurried to greet him. Before they met, he invited him to make himself comfortable and take a seat. Lord Zhou said, "I came to have a drink with Si Quan." Minister Xue said, "Lord Zhou doesn't need to toast; a simple exchange of greetings will suffice." After they exchanged formalities, they bowed to everyone and took a seat in the third position on the left side. Then, rice soup, snacks, two plates of dim sum, two plates of cooked meat, and two bottles of wine were served. After Lord Zhou expressed his thanks, he had the servants take them away and then sat down. As they drank and enjoyed the lively singing and dancing, the atmosphere was truly festive. Indeed, it was:
The dance sways beneath the willow moon atop the tower, while the song concludes with the breeze under the peach blossom fan.
After drinking until evening, Ren Yiguan left first. Ximen Qing saw him off, and Ren Yiguan asked, "Is my mother feeling any better?" Ximen Qing replied, "My wife has taken her medicine and feels much better. However, she has been a bit uncomfortable again these past two days. Please invite the old gentleman to come by tomorrow for a check-up." After saying this, Ren Yiguan took his leave and rode away. Later, Ni Xiucai and Wen Xiucai also got up to bid farewell. Despite Ximen Qing's repeated attempts to keep them, he eventually escorted them out the main gate, saying, "Please visit again another day for guidance. My humble home is just across the street from the Shiyi Academy, very close to where the old gentleman stays. Even the family has moved here, which makes things very convenient. The students will present a monthly stipend to cover your living expenses." Wen Xiucai said, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness." Ni Xiucai said, "This reflects the old gentleman's love for refinement." After sending off the two scholars, Ximen Qing kept drinking with his guests late into the night. The four performers went to Yueniang's room to sing for her, her sister-in-law, and Yang. Ximen Qing stayed behind with Wu Dajiu and Ying Bojue to continue drinking. After the musicians finished their meal and left, Ximen Qing had the table cleared and instructed someone to bring out a fruit platter from the back, inviting Li Ming, Wu Hui, and Zheng Feng to come up and perform, offering them large cups of wine to drink. Ying Bojue said, "Brother, today is your birthday banquet, and everyone is very happy." Li Ming said, "Today, Lord Xue and Lord Liu treated us to quite a few things, and later when we saw Sister Gui and Sister Yin come out, we each gave them a little something. It’s just that Lord Xue is younger than Lord Liu and loves to have fun more." After a while, a young boy came in carrying the fruit platter. When Ying Bojue saw the buttered snails, he picked one up and put it in his mouth, that melted in my mouth like sweet dew. He exclaimed, "So delicious!" Ximen Qing said, "My son, you really know how to enjoy! This was personally picked by your sixth mother." Bojue laughed and said, "It’s also a gesture of my daughter’s filial piety." He then said, "Old uncle, you should try one too." He picked one up and offered it to Wu Dajiu. He also called over Li Ming, Wu Hui, and Zheng Feng, giving each of them one as well.
While drinking, the count said to Dai'an, "You go to the back and bring out those four young ladies. After I finish my drink, let them sing a song for my dear uncle to hear. If we wait any longer, we’ll have to leave. Today we’ve only had toasts, and they’ve only sung two segments, so don’t let them off easy." Dai'an didn’t move and said, "I’ll go call them right away; they’re singing for my aunt and the ladies in the back." The count said, "You little sly one, when are you going to go? Are you trying to pull a fast one on me?" Then he called Wang Jing: "You go." Wang Jing also didn’t move. The count said, "None of you are going? Then I’ll go myself." Just as he was speaking, a fragrant breeze swept in, and laughter was heard as the four young ladies came out with handkerchiefs covering their heads. The count saw them and said, "My goodness, whose family raised you to be so well-behaved! Covering your heads but wishing to come out, how comfortable! You think you can just leave without singing for us? Not a chance! Just say the sedan chair fare is four taels of silver, and with that you could buy enough rice for your madam and your whole family to eat for a month." Dong Jiao'er said, "Brother, with such cheap food and clothing, you’re really keeping tabs on the costs." Hong Si'er said, "It’s almost two in the morning, let us go." Qi Xiang'er said, "We have to get up early tomorrow to send off a funeral outside." The count asked, "Whose family?" Qi Xiang'er replied, "It's the family under the eaves." The count said, "It’s not Wang Sanguan’s family again, is it? A few days ago, because of him, you were in trouble. Thanks to your uncle’s favor, he pleaded for Li Guier, and you were let off too. This time, the little bird isn’t in the nest." Qi Xiang'er laughed and scolded, "You old rascal, so annoying, what nonsense are you talking!" The count said, "Are you laughing at me for being old? I’m still quite charming! Dealing with you four young ladies is a piece of cake." Hong Si'er laughed and said, "Brother, you don’t look too good; you’re just full of hot air." The count said, "When it comes to my skills, you'll see what I can do when it’s time to settle up." He then said, "That little girl from the Zheng family, after eating the sugar, was silent and seemed a bit dazed. She wouldn’t be thinking about that old man at home, would she?" Dong Jiao'er said, "She was a bit scared when she heard you talking just now." The count said, "Scared or not, bring the instruments; each of you sing a segment, and then you can go. I won’t keep you." Ximen Qing said, "Alright, you two toast, and the other two sing a segment for him." Qi Xiang'er said, "Sister Yue and I will sing together." So, Zheng Yue'er played the pipa, Qi Xiang'er played the zheng, sitting on the bed, singing beautifully, their voices delicate and enchanting, performing "Night Goes and Day Comes" from "Yue Diao: Dou An Chun." Dong Jiao'er toasted Uncle Wu, and Hong Si'er toasted Count Ying, exchanging cups and cheers at the table, creating quite a lively atmosphere.
Exactly:
As the dance returns beneath the bright moon at the Qin building, singing to block the wandering clouds at the Chu Pavilion. After a few rounds of wine and a couple of songs, the four girls were sent away. Ximen Qing invited Wu Dajiu to stay a bit longer and then asked Chunhong to come up and sing a southern tune before instructing the chess boy to prepare the horse and send Dajiu off with a lantern. Dajiu said, "Brother-in-law, there's no need to prepare the horse. I'll leave with Ying'er." Ximen Qing said, "In that case, let the chess boy send you home with a lantern." Dajiu and Bao E got up to bid farewell. Ximen Qing escorted them to the gate and said to Bao E, "You must remember to make arrangements with Gan tomorrow to come see me and sign the contract. I'll let the Qiao family know to get ready to unload the goods from the other property." Bao E said, "Brother, no need to worry. I understand." With that, he said his goodbyes and left with Dajiu, while the chess boy held the lantern. Dajiu asked, "Earlier, Brother-in-law mentioned receiving the house there?" Bao E said, "Han's goods have arrived, and he's opened a new silk store, taking over the house across the street and asking me to find a partner for him." Dajiu said, "When is the shop opening? We have to get our family and friends together to celebrate." After a while, they reached the entrance of Bao E's alley, and Dajiu told the chess boy, "Take Ying'er's father home with the lantern." Bao E refused, saying, "Chess boy, you can just take Dajiu. I don't need the lantern, just go into the alley." With that, they exchanged goodbyes and went their separate ways. The chess boy then escorted Dajiu home.
Ximen Qing sent Li Ming and the others to pay the money, then went to the backyard to sleep in Yue Niang's room for the night. The next day, as expected, the count arrived with Gan Chushen, both dressed in blue, to discuss business. Ximen Qing asked Cui Ben to meet with Qiao Dahus, who was responsible for taking over the property and starting operations. Qiao Dahus told Cui Ben, "From now on, you will defer to your father-in-law on all matters, big and small." They promptly signed a contract with Gan as a partner. The count was made a guarantor, with the profit-sharing divided into ten parts: Ximen Qing five parts, Qiao Dahus three parts, and the remaining three parts split equally among Han Daoguo, Gan Chushen, and Cui Ben. Meanwhile, they built a warehouse, hung a painted sign, and waited for the cargo ship to arrive to unload goods and open for business. Additionally, they acquired an additional academy and invited Scholar Wen to be the guest teacher, specifically to teach reading, letter writing, and social etiquette to the literati. He received a monthly salary of three or two taels, with seasonal gifts throughout the year, and they also provided him with a painter and servants. Whenever Ximen Qing entertained guests at home, he often invited him to drink, but that's a story for another day.
Before they knew it, Ximen Qing's birthday had passed. The next morning, they invited Doctor Ren to see Li Ping'er, while keeping an eye on the deliveries across the street. Miss Yang headed home first, while Li Guijie and Wu Yiner still hadn't returned home. Wu Yueniang picked up three taels of crabs and cooked them for lunch, inviting Auntie and the others, including Li Guijie and Wu Yiner, to join her for lunch. When Yueniang invited Liu Pozi to see Guaner, after they had tea, Li Ping'er took her to the front room. Liu Pozi said, "Guaner was startled and needs to be weaned." She also left a few prescriptions. Yueniang gave her three taels of silver and sent her off. Meng Yulou, Pan Jinlian, Li Guijie, Wu Yiner, and the eldest sister were all under the flower rack, setting up a small table and laying out a mat, playing drinking games together. Sun Xue'e, having lost a few cups of wine to everyone, didn't want to stick around and left. They asked Li Ping'er to take her place. Jinlian also had Wu Yiner and Guijie sing a little something. That day, the sisters drank late into the night, and Yueniang packed up a box to send Li Guijie and Wu Yiner on their way.
Pan Jinlian stumbled back drunk and found that Ximen Qing had slept in Li Ping'er's room last night. He had also invited a doctor to see him this morning, which filled her with rage. She knew that Ximen Qing's child was not feeling well, so she had the worst luck when she stepped inside—stepping right into a pile of dog poop. As she walked in, she asked Chunmei to light a lamp, only to find her red satin shoes dirty. She was instantly furious, her eyes blazing. She asked Chunmei to close the door and then picked up a stick to beat the dog, making it yelp. Li Ping'er sent Yingchun to say, "My mother said that the child just took Doctor Liu's medicine, fell asleep, and asked Fifth Sister not to beat the dog." Pan Jinlian sat in silence for a while. After beating the dog for a while, she let it go and then started picking on Qiujun. The more she stared at those filthy shoes, the angrier she became. She scolded Qiujun, "This dog should have been dealt with long ago. Why is it still in the house? Is it your lover? If you don't drive it away and let it poop everywhere, it's dirtying my new shoes—I’ve only worn them for three or four days! You knew I was coming; you should've lit the lamp. Why are you playing dumb?" Chunmei said, "I told her to feed the dog and lock it in the backyard while you were away. She pretended not to hear and just stared at me." Pan Jinlian said, "Still here! You're really bold! I know you've been acting arrogantly in this house! Look, you've dirtied my shoes!" She forced Qiujun to look down and then smacked her face with the sole of her shoe, making Qiujun's lip split. She covered her face and ran away. Pan Jinlian scolded, "You thieving slave, scram!" She told Chunmei, "Drag her over here to kneel down, fetch the horsewhip, strip her clothes, and give her thirty lashes! If she resists, I'll beat her randomly!" Chunmei stripped Qiujun's clothes, and Pan Jinlian told Chunmei to hold her hands and beat her like a downpour, making Qiujun scream like a banshee. Ximen Qing had just fallen asleep but was awakened by the noise. Li Ping'er sent Xiuchun to say, "My mother asks Fifth Sister to go easy on Qiujun and not scare the child." Pan Jinlian heard Qiujun's screams and got up to step in. Seeing that Pan Jinlian didn't listen, Li Ping'er sent Xiuchun to plead again. Pan Jinlian's mother got up to stop her daughter. Seeing that Pan Jinlian didn't listen and then seeing Li Ping'er sending Xiuchun to plead, she stepped forward and snatched the whip from her daughter's hand, saying, "Sister, please don't beat her so much. Don't scare the child. Why hit a donkey with a stick and ruin the harmony?" Pan Jinlian was even more furious when she heard her mother say this. Her face turned purple, and she pushed her mother away, saying, "You old hag, go sit aside! It's none of your business, so why but in? What harmony are you talking about?" Pan Jinlian's mother said, "What do you mean by butting in? I came to your house to have a meal, and you treat me this way?" Pan Jinlian said, "You bring that old hag of yours to leave tomorrow; don't let them stew me alive!" Pan Jinlian continued to beat Qiujun, giving her thirty lashes and then ten more with a paddle, until her skin was raw and bleeding. She even scratched Qiujun's face and cheeks with her nails. Li Ping'er held her child tightly, tears rolling down her cheeks, too scared to speak.
Ximen Qing drank with the count, Cui Ben, and Gan, the assistant all day at the opposite door, then returned to the Jade Tower to rest. The next day, Zhou Shoubei was hosting a gathering, but he was not home. Li Ping'er saw that after the child took Liu Pozi's medicine, there was no reaction, and in the evening, the child was frightened, their eyes rolling back. That day, she went to the homes of Xue Guzi and Wang Guzi, and told Yue Niang, "I want to take out a pair of silver lions I've kept at the bottom of the chest and ask Xue Guzi to print the 'Buddha's Heart Sutra' to distribute on the fifteenth of August at the Yue Temple." Just as Xue Guzi was about to take them, Meng Yulou said, "Master, please wait. Ma'am, have the young servant call Ben Si to weigh them first, and then go to the sutra shop to discuss the price, how much each sutra will cost and when they can be ready. How can you handle it all by yourself?" Yue Niang said, "You are right." She then sent An'er to call Ben Si over. After greeting Yue Niang and the others, he weighed the silver lions, which totaled forty-one taels and five tenths of a tael. Yue Niang instructed Ben Si and Xue Guzi to go to the sutra shop to print the sutras.
Pan Jinlian asked Meng Yulou to accompany her to see off Ben Si and the others, and also to visit Eldest Sister, saying that Eldest Sister was inside the house making shoes. The two of them went hand in hand. Ben Si, Wang Guzi, and Xue Guzi went first. Jinlian and Yulou walked to the entrance of the east wing and saw Eldest Sister making shoes under the eaves. Jinlian picked them up and saw that the uppers of the shoes were made of sand-green Lu silk. Yulou said, "Eldest Sister, don't use this red thread; it would look better with blue and would be more durable! Are you still planning to use big red heels tomorrow?" Eldest Sister said, "I have a pair with big red heels. For this pair, I wanted blue heels, so I used red thread to stitch it." Jinlian took a look, and the three of them settled on the steps of the hall. Yulou asked Eldest Sister, "Is your son-in-law around?" Eldest Sister said, "He’s out somewhere having had a couple of drinks and fell asleep at home." Meng Yulou said to Jinlian, "If I hadn't been keeping an eye on things just now, Li Eldest Sister's money would have been taken by the nuns to print religious texts. Even if they couldn't print the religious texts, where would they have found the money? Luckily, I managed to call Ben Si in time and had him follow them."
Pan Jinlian said, "Those wealthy sisters, if they don't make some money, they're being foolish, as easy as pulling a hair from a cow. If your son is in danger, don't talk about giving up your wealth; you'd give away everything you have. In this house, others can start fires, but we can't even light a lamp. - Listen, big sister, this isn't about anyone else. He just can't get things right, but he acts so high and mighty. Early in the morning, he orders people to call a doctor to see him. He can do whatever he wants; we don't care. Always acting all high and mighty in front of others, saying, 'I'm so upset, his father insists on coming into my room to see the child, and he even wants to sleep with me, who can stand it! It's like he's deliberately pushing me into someone else's space. We're doing fine on our own, but they still gossip about us behind our backs.' Big sister believes his one-sided words. If it weren't for us, why didn't he come into your room yesterday? Why did you let the maid call him in at the corner door? Saying it's to see the child, you're taking medicine, but in the end, you made your man sleep with Wu Yiner all night, trying to show off how clever you are, pleasing your man, then big sister has nothing to say. Last night, someone stepped in dog poop in the room; the maid chased the dog, and she got angry too, letting the maid come and say it scared the child. My mom, bless her heart, didn't know, came to mediate and ended up messing up the Judas tree, like a donkey on a treadmill. I was fed up with her carefree attitude, said a few words to her, and she went back to her mother's house in a huff. - Let her go! I said, her family doesn’t have many relatives like you, but they wouldn't miss you either." Yulou smiled and said, "You uneducated child, your own mother, you actually talk back to her like that!" Jinlian said, "That's not what I meant. - Annoying person, always stirring up trouble, colluding inside and out, always speaking up for others. Eating other people's food, being at other people's beck and call. If you don't get any benefit from others, you'll praise them endlessly. - Just think about it, she worked hard to raise this child, convinced the man to be devoted to her, supported him steadily, making others envy her. Today, the heavens have eyes; her son is also sick."
Looks like there's nothing here to translate right now.
As he was speaking, Ben Si returned from the moneylender to pay the money and reported to Madame Yue that he saw Yulou, Jinlian, and Dajie sitting on the steps of the hall. He stood outside the ceremonial gate and did not dare to come in. Lai'an ran over and said, "Madame, Ben Si is here." Jinlian said, "What a strange thing; let him in, didn't you just see him coming?" After Lai'an spoke, Ben Si lowered his head, walked up to Madame Yue and Mrs. Li, and said, "Forty-one taels and five mace of silver were handed over to Zhai Jing'er's house together with the two masters. It was agreed to print 500 copies of the Lingke Tuo Luo scripture, each at five cents; and 1,000 copies of the silk-bound scripture, each at three cents. In total, it should be fifty-five taels of silver. After receiving forty-one taels and five mace, they gave back thirteen taels and five mace. They agreed to deliver the scriptures on the morning of the fourteenth." Mrs. Li quickly took out a silver incense ball from the room and had Ben Si weigh it; it came to fifteen taels. Mrs. Li said, "Take it; aside from what you give them, keep the rest and exchange it for some change. On the fifteenth, go to the temple to offer the scriptures for your travel expenses, so you won't have to come back to me again." Ben Si took the incense ball and left. Mrs. Li said, "Fourth Brother, you have worked hard." Ben Si bent down and said, "I dare not." As he walked away, Jinlian and Yulou called him back and asked, "Did you hand over the silver to the moneylender?" Ben Si said, "It has been settled. A total of 1,500 copies of the scriptures, totaling fifty-five taels of silver. In addition to the forty-one taels and five mace received, Sister Liu just handed over this silver incense ball." Yulou and Jinlian looked at each other without saying anything, and Ben Si went home. Yulou said to Jinlian, "Sister Li is throwing money away like this. If it were your children, not even a hammer could take them down; if they are not your children, let alone offering scriptures or making statues, you can't keep them at all. Trust those nuns, they're capable of anything!"
The two of them chatted for a bit and then stood up. Jin Lian said, "Let's go for a walk by the main gate." She asked the older sister, "Are you coming with us?" The older sister said, "I'm not going with you." Pan Jin Lian took Yu Lou's hand, and they walked outside to stand by the main gate. Then they asked Ping An, "Is the house across the way all set up?" Ping An said, "Oh, that? My dad checked it yesterday, and it was all cleaned. The back building is stacked with goods; we had a geomancer come in to break ground yesterday, and we still need to install three rooms downstairs. The storage will hold silk, and the storefront will have three rooms in a row when it opens, all freshly painted by the crew, and it will open next month." Yu Lou asked again, "Has that scholar, Wen, moved in with his family yet?" Ping An said, "They moved in yesterday. This morning, my dad told them to take apart the bed in the back for him and moved two tables and four chairs for him to use." Jin Lian said, "Did you get a look at what his wife looks like?" Ping An said, "She came sitting in a sedan chair, dark and hard to see; who really got a good look at her?"
Just as they were talking, they saw an old man from afar, swaying as he approached with his mirror-polishing burden. Pan Jinlian said, "The mirror polisher is here!" She said to Ping An, "Go and stop him, ask him to polish our mirrors. My mirrors have been damaged lately. You little rascal, why didn't you call him over sooner? We've been standing here for so long, and only now does the mirror polisher arrive!" Ping An quickly stopped the old mirror polisher, who set down his pole. Jinlian asked Yulou next, "Do you want your mirror polished? Have the servant bring it out; we can polish them together." Then she said to Lai'an, "Go to my room, ask Chunmei for my big mirror, two small mirrors, and my square dressing mirror; bring them out for him to polish well." Yulou also asked Lai'an to go to her room and have Lanxiang bring out her mirrors. Lai'an came back soon after, holding a mix of small and large mirrors in both hands, and the square dressing mirror in his arms. Jinlian said, "You naughty boy, if you can't carry them all at once, just make a few trips. What if you drop all my mirrors and break them?" Yulou said, "I've never seen a mirror this big before; where did it come from?" Jinlian said, "It was given to me by someone; I thought it was bright and kept it in the room to use morning and night." Then she asked, "Do I only have three mirrors?" Yulou said, "I only have two, one large and one small." Jinlian said, "Whose are these two?" Lai'an said, "These two belong to Sister Chunmei; I brought them out to be polished as well." Jinlian said, "That little troublemaker! She never uses her own mirrors, just mine all the time, and now look—my mirrors are all worn out!" In total, there were eight mirrors of different sizes, which they handed over to the old mirror polisher to polish. The old man set the mirrors on the stand, wiped them with mercury, and after a while, the mirrors were polished bright and dazzling. The women held the mirrors to their faces, shining like a clear autumn pond.
A poem as proof:
Lotus leaves and water caltrops reflect together, as the wind stirs, shadows dance on the deep blue water. In the pond, autumn lotus flowers appear, like Chang'e beside the moon.
After the women finished looking in the mirror, they asked Lai An to put the mirror back. Yulou asked Ping An to go to the store and ask the shopkeeper for fifty wen to pay the mirror polisher. The old man took the money but stood there motionless. Yulou asked Ping An to ask him, "Why haven't you left yet? Isn't the money enough?" Tears started streaming down the old man's face, and he began to cry. Ping An said, "Our grandmother wants to know what's bothering you." The old man said, "To be honest with you, I am sixty-one years old this year. I have a son who's twenty-two and still unmarried, lazy and good-for-nothing. I go out every day to earn money to support him. He doesn't listen to me, always gambling with the ruffians on the street. Yesterday, he got into trouble, was given twenty lashes for being a bandit. When he came back, he even sold his mother's clothes. His mother got sick with anger, had a fever, and was bedridden for half a month. I advised him a few words, but he ran away and didn't come home. I look for him every day, but can't find him. I thought about giving up looking for him out of anger, but I'm so old; he's the only son I have, and no one will attend to me in the future. He's at home, but he's not doing well, and he makes me angry. Alas, it's all my fault! I'm upset and venting to everyone, so I couldn't help but cry." Yulou asked Ping An, "How old is your daughter-in-law this year?" The old man said, "She's fifty-five this year, hasn't had children, just recovered from illness, hasn't recovered yet, and wants to eat some cured meat. I asked around the street for several days and didn't get a piece of cured meat. It's really pitiful!" Yulou said, "It's okay, I just happen to have a piece of cured meat in the drawer at home." She said to Lai An, "Go tell Lanxiang that there are two more cakes; let her bring them to you." Jinlian asked, "Old man, does your mother like to eat millet porridge?" The old man said, "She loves it! Where on earth can I find some? Millet porridge is so good!" Jinlian also asked Lai An to go, "Go tell Chunmei to measure two liters of new millet that your grandma brought yesterday, and bring out two pickled cucumbers for his mother to eat." Lai An soon brought half a leg of cured meat, two cakes, two liters of millet, and two pickled cucumbers, saying, "Old man, you're quite lucky! Your mother is sick and wants to eat something; maybe she's pregnant and wants something comforting!" The old man quickly took the things with both hands, put them in his burden, bowed to Yulou and Jinlian, picked up his burden, and walked away unsteadily. Ping An said, "The two grandmas shouldn't have given him so many things; he's pulling a fast one on them. His mother is a matchmaker; she walked down this street yesterday. Why did she come at this time?" Jinlian said, "You little brat, why didn't you say so earlier?" Ping An said, "Forget it; he's quite lucky. Luckily, the two grandmas spotted him and ended up giving him so much."
No text was provided for translation.
It is indeed: leaning idly against the door frame, I unexpectedly catch sight of an elderly figure in the startled chamber. Not only can the delicate and subtle be of assistance, but even a single drop of water cannot be accomplished without cause.
