The words say:
To draw the fragrant curtains and discuss lingering affection, first smooth the twin brows that furrow over the short night. Encourage the young man to sleep first, under the mandarin ducks' quilt for warmth.
Soon, arrange the feelings like butterflies and bees, discard the silk garments and indulge in endless passion. Leave the lamp by the curtain, glancing at her delicate face now and then.
—— From the right tune "Chrysanthemum Heart"
On Li Jiaoer's birthday, it was said that Wang Guzi from Guanyin Temple invited Xue Guzi from Lianhua Temple and brought along her two disciples, Miaofeng and Miaoqu. Yu Niang knew that Xue Guzi was highly skilled, so she hurried out to greet her. Xue Guzi wore a neat monk's hat, a tea-brown kasaya, and had a shaved head, chubby build, a broad mouth, and puffy cheeks. After she came in, she greeted Yu Niang and others with folded hands, and they quickly returned the greeting. Xue Guzi adopted a rather imposing demeanor, spoke in an eloquent manner, addressing everyone as "Master Xue," and referring to Yu Niang as "Bodhisattva at Home" or "Madam." Yu Niang respected her very much. On that day, both Mrs. Dai and Miss Yang were present. Yu Niang made tea for them and laid out a lavish spread of dim sum and vegetables, far more sumptuous than usual. Miaofeng and Miaoqu, the two young nuns, both around fourteen or fifteen and quite beautiful, sat nearby eating. After drinking tea, everyone sat in the upper room listening to Xue Guzi share her teachings. At that moment, Shu Tong came in with a message, and Yu Niang asked, "Has the monk who was eating meat and drinking wine left yet?" Shu Tong said, "Just sent him away." Wu Dajin asked, "Where did that monk come from?" Yu Niang said, "When my father sent Cai Yushi out today, a monk from the temple outside the door brought him; he eats all sorts of meat and drinks. He asked for a prescription, didn't ask for money, and I have no idea what he's up to!" Xue Guzi heard this and said, "It's hard to make sense of eating meat and drinking wine. Even I, as a bhikkhuni, still adhere to some precepts. What do those male monks care about it anyway! The Tripitaka doesn't clearly state it. If you accidentally eat it, you have to pay it back in the next life." Wu Dajin said, "For those of us who eat meat regularly, I can only imagine the punishment we'll face in the next life!" Xue Guzi said, "Like you, dear lady, it's all blessings from past lives that allow you to enjoy wealth and glory. Just like farming, if you don't plant in the spring, how can you expect a harvest in the fall?" For now, let's pause here.
Ximen Qing sent away Hu Seng, and Dai'an quietly told him: "A brother of Aunt Han came to invite you, saying that today is her birthday. Please come over for a visit." Ximen Qing had just received the medicine from Hu Seng and was thinking of trying its effects. This was just what he needed, so he asked Dai'an to prepare the horse and let Qintong send a jar of wine over first. Then he ran to Pan Jinlian's room and grabbed his "tools," dressed simply, with a veil on, and with Dai'an following him, went directly to Wang Luer's house. After dismounting and entering the house, Ximen Qing told him: "Qin Tong, stay here to serve. Dai'an, you go back. If anyone asks at home, just say I'm settling some accounts over on Lion Street." Dai'an agreed and rode back home. Wang Luer came out and bowed to Ximen Qing, accompanied him to sit down, and said: "It's nothing special, please come and sit, thank you for sending the wine." Ximen Qing said: "I forgot your birthday, I just returned home after seeing someone off." With that, he pulled out a beautiful pair of gold longevity hairpins from his sleeve and gave them to her: "Wishing you a happy birthday." Wang Luer looked at them; they were a beautiful pair of gold longevity hairpins, and she happily said: "They are so beautiful!" She thanked him over and over. Ximen Qing also gave her five silver coins, saying, "Use the change to grab me a bottle of Nanshao wine." Wang Luer smiled and said: "Dad, you are tired of all other wines, and now you want to drink Nanshao wine." She quickly found the change and let Qintong go buy the wine. Then she helped Ximen Qing take off his clothes, invited him in to sit down, made him a cup of tea herself, and set up a little table to play cards. After a bit of playing, they started drinking...
Dai An rode his horse back home. After following the monk all day, he was exhausted and slept until the lanterns were lit. Rubbing his eyes, he realized it was late and went to the backyard to grab a lantern to meet Ximen Qing, waiting there. Yue Niang asked him, "Your father sent the monk away; why didn't you come in to change your clothes before leaving? Who did he go to drink with in the end?" Dai An said, "Father didn't go to someone else's house; he's busy settling accounts in a house on Lion Street." Yue Niang said, "Settling accounts? All day long?" Dai An said, "After settling accounts, father drank alone." Yue Niang said, "No one was with him—did he really drink alone? That doesn't add up! Why did Han Daoguo's servant come looking for you?" Dai An said, "He came to ask when Uncle Han would come." Yue Niang scolded, "You little sneak, always up to something!" Dai An dared not say more. Yue Niang told Xiaoyu to bring him a lantern and said, "Let them know your second mom is at home waiting to celebrate her birthday."
Dai'an responded and walked into the shop ahead, seeing the book boy and the clerk Fu sitting and drinking. On the water cabinet was a bottle of wine, several bowls and plates, and a plate of beef tripe. Ping'an'er had just brought in two bottles of pickled vegetables and was drinking. Dai'an saw this, put down the lantern, and said, "Goodness! I just caught you!" He jokingly said to the book boy, "You little rascal, I've been looking everywhere for you, and you were hiding here drinking!" The book boy replied, "What do you want? You want me to be your grandson?" Dai'an scolded, "You little rascal, dare to talk back! I'm looking for you to settle things!" Saying this, he stepped forward, pinned the book boy down on the chair, and kissed him. The book boy pushed him away, saying, "You bastard, don't be so hands-on, you'll knock out my teeth and pull off my hat!" Clerk Fu noticed his hat on the ground and exclaimed, "That's a new hat!" and told Ping'an'er, "Help him up, don't let him fall." The book boy picked up his hat and threw it onto the kang, his face flushed. Dai'an said, "You little rascal, I'm just playing with you, and you're getting angry?" Before the book boy could respond, Dai'an pinned him down on the kang and spat in his mouth, knocking over the wine and spilling it on the water cabinet. Clerk Fu, worried about getting the account book wet, hurriedly took a towel to wipe it, saying, "These two are really causing a ruckus." Dai'an said, "You little rascal, who taught you to be so coy today?" The book boy's hair was all messed up as he said, "If we're going to make a fuss, let’s go all out; laugh if you want, just don’t spit!" Dai'an said, "You little rascal, you just started drinking today? You have no idea how much you’ve drunk before!" Ping'an'er poured a cup of wine for Dai'an and said, "Quickly go pick up your father, we can talk when you get back." Dai'an said, "I'll deal with him after I bring my father back. If I don’t make this little rascal submit, he won’t know what’s what! What’s a little spit to me anyway!"
Dai An finished his drink, called over a young attendant to light a lantern, and rode to Wang Liu'er's house. He knocked on the door and asked where the boy's father was. The boy said his father was sleeping inside. Once the door was closed, the two headed to the kitchen. Grandma Feng said, "An, Aunt Han has been waiting for you and saved you some dinner." He took out a plate of donkey meat, a plate of roasted chicken, two bowls of longevity noodles, and a jug of wine from the cupboard. Dai An had a little to eat, then called the boy over, saying he couldn't finish the wine and suggested they drink together. The boy replied it was saved for him, so he should drink it himself. Dai An replied that he had just had a bowl. After they finished eating, Dai An said, "Grandma Feng, I have something to tell you, but please don’t get mad. You're taking care of Liu Niang's household now, and you're also managing for Aunt Han, should I mention this to Liu Niang when I get home?" Grandma Feng gave him a light tap: "You little monkey! Don’t bring this up at home, or she’ll be mad at me forever, and I won’t be able to face her!"
When Dai An and Lao Feng were talking, Qin Tong quietly walked to the window of the bedroom to eavesdrop. Dai An noticed him eavesdropping and patted him, saying, "What are you eavesdropping on? Let's get out of here before he wakes up!" Qin Tong followed him out. Dai An said, "Two new girls have arrived in the alley behind. I saw them at Lu Changtui's place when I rode by. One is called Jin'er, and the other is called Sai'er, only seventeen or eighteen years old. You keep an eye on the door here, and we'll go have some fun." He instructed the boy, "You watch the door here, we'll clean up a bit, and when we're ready, you call us at the alley entrance." After giving instructions, the two entered the alley in the moonlight. The alley was called Butterfly Lane, with over ten households, all running brothels. Dai An knocked for what felt like ages before the door opened. It turned out that Wang Ba and the old madam Lu Changtui were counting money by the light. When they saw the two entering aggressively, they quickly blew out the lamp in the inner room. Wang Ba recognized Dai An as the steward of the magistrate's house and quickly offered them a seat. Dai An said, "Call those two girls out and let them sing a tune for us." Wang Ba replied, "Steward, you're late. They were just called away by someone else." Dai An was undeterred and rushed into the inner room. In the moonlight, he saw two drunken waiters lying on the kang, one asleep and the other just taking off his socks. He asked, "Who's there?" Dai An cursed, "Your mother!" and punched the waiter, who screamed and bolted out without his socks on. The other waiter climbed up from the kang and also ran off unsteadily. Dai An called for a light and cursed, "These punks think they can question me! If I had known, I would have dealt with them first before leaving, letting them escape for nothing! They should be caught and taken to the yamen to taste the stick!" Lu Changtui quickly lit the lamp and repeatedly apologized, "Please calm down, sirs. They are outsiders who don't know any better. Don't lower yourselves to their level." Then he called out, "Jin'er, Sai'er, come out and sing a tune for the two uncles." Two girls with their hair styled in buns, wearing washed white shirts and red and green silk skirts, came out and said, "We didn’t know the two uncles were coming today, so late, we weren’t ready for you." Then they brought out a spread of dishes: duck eggs, dried shrimp, cooked whitebait, salted fish, pig's head meat, and dried sausage. Dai An wrapped his arms around Sai'er, while Qin Tong did the same with Jin'er. Dai An saw that Sai'er had a silver-red muslin sachet, so he traded her his handkerchief. Soon enough, the wine arrived, and Sai'er poured a drink for Dai An.
Jin'er played the pipa first, offered a toast to the qin player, and then sang a traditional song called "Mountain Sheep."
Fireworks Village, truly sorrowful. I can't even enjoy the cool breeze. Every day, the family welcomes guests, and the entire family's food and clothing depend on one servant. In the evening, I’m the one pressured for money. The old mistress doesn't care if I live or die. Standing in front of the door until late at night, who will ask me if I am full or hungry? Living in Fireworks Village for five years, in my life as a servant, I face more hardships than joys. Tears flow uncontrollably. If an iron tree blooms, that will be my reward."
After Jin finished singing, Sai poured wine for Dai'an, and they were about to sing again when a young waiter came to call them, so they quickly got up. Dai'an said to Sai, "We'll come back another day." After saying that, they left and returned to Wang Liu'er's house.
Just as Ximen Qing got up, his wife joined him for a drink. They went to the kitchen and asked Lao Feng, "Is my father looking for me?" Lao Feng said, "Your father didn't look for you; he just asked if the horse had come, and that was all." They sat down and had tea, then called the young waiter to light the lantern and lead the horse. As Ximen Qing was about to leave, his wife urged, "Dear, the wine is still warm; have another cup. Don't drink anymore when you get home." Ximen Qing said, "I won't drink when I get home." He drank another cup. His wife said, "When will you come back?" Ximen Qing said, "I’ll come back after everyone has left." After saying that, the maid brought tea for him to rinse his mouth. Wang Liu'er saw him off at the door, and Ximen Qing rode his horse back home.
In her room, Jinlian listened to her two younger sisters singing Buddhist hymns. Suddenly, she remembered when Yue Niang scolded Dai'an before, saying, "Speaking with a forked tongue... who knows what he's scheming!" She returned to her room to search for her hidden money pouch, only to find it missing. She asked Chunmei, who said that her father had been in the room before and might have taken it. Jinlian wondered why she hadn’t noticed it, and Chunmei explained that Jinlian was watching Xue Guzi at the time, and her father had come in quietly, wearing a hat. Jinlian suspected that Ximen Qing had taken the money to give to another woman and decided to ask him about it when he returned.
After Jinlian went to the back yard, Ximen Qing returned home. It was already very late, so he didn't go to the back yard. Qintong lit a lantern to guide him to the garden's corner gate, then went straight to Liu Niang's (Wu Yuemeng's) room. Xiaoyu took the lantern. When Yuemeng saw this, she asked Qintong if her father had arrived. Qintong said he had come and gone to Liu Niang's room. Yuemeng said: "Look, there's something going on here. So many people are waiting in the back yard, but he won't go in." Li Ping'er hurriedly ran to the front yard and said to Ximen Qing: "Your second sister (Wu Yuemeng) is waiting for you in the back yard; why did you come into my room?" Ximen Qing smiled and said: "I'm drunk, let's talk about it tomorrow instead." Li Ping'er said: "Even if you're drunk, you should at least make an appearance in the back yard. What if you end up making your second sister mad for not going?" She insisted that Ximen Qing go to the back yard. Li Jiao'er brought wine, and Yuemeng asked Ximen Qing why he was out so late by himself today. Ximen Qing said he went to drink with Ying Bojue. Yuemeng said: "You went again? I told you no one was around!" After that, she didn’t say much more.
Ximen Qing didn't sit for long before sneaking off to Li Ping'er's room. It turned out that he had taken a strong aphrodisiac from Wang Luer, and the effects of the medicine were overwhelming. He was hard as a rock after spending a day with Wang Luer. He entered the room and had Yingchun help undress Li Ping'er, wanting to sleep with her. Li Ping'er said he hadn't come, and that she was asleep with the kid. When she saw it was him, she said, "You can sleep in the backyard, why are you here? The kid's sleeping like a baby, I'm not feeling great right now, it's that time of the month, so it’s not really convenient. Can't you sleep in someone else's room? Why do you have to bother me?" Ximen Qing hugged her neck and kissed her, saying, "You, I'm wanting to sleep with you." Then he showed Li Ping'er his size, which scared her. "Oh my, how did it get so big?" Ximen Qing laughed and explained that he had taken the aphrodisiac, saying, "If you don't sleep with me, I'm desperate!" Li Ping'er said, "What am I supposed to do? My period isn't clean yet for the past two days, let's talk when it's all cleared up, I'll sleep with you. You go to Wu Niang's room tonight, it's the same." Ximen Qing said, "I don't know what's gotten into me today, I just want to sleep with you. I'm begging you, if you don't want to sleep with me, ask the maid to wash up and sleep with me." Li Ping'er said, "I'm about to die laughing—you come back here bothering me? Even if you wash up, it's not clean, having your period on a guy is just gross and bad luck. If I die tomorrow, are you only gonna look for me?" In the end, Li Ping'er had no choice but to get Yingchun to fetch some water, wash up, and then go to bed with Ximen Qing. Just when Li Ping'er thought she had finally put the kid to bed, the child woke up three times! Li Ping'er had Yingchun use a rattle to soothe the child, took him to the wet nurse's room, and the two finally got some peace and quiet. Ximen Qing sat on the bed, and Li Ping'er climbed on top of him... It's true: everything feels beautiful and full of life. Ximen Qing finally understood just how potent Wang Luer's aphrodisiac really was. By the time they finally dozed off, it was already three in the morning.
Pan Jinlian saw Ximen Qing going to Li Bing'er's room, thinking he stole money fooling around with Li Bing'er, completely unaware of anything else. That night, she gritted her teeth and went to bed, slamming the door shut. Lady Yueliang, Xue Nun, and Wang Nun shared a room upstairs. Wang Nun discreetly handed over some men's clothes and Xue Nun's medicine to Lady Yueliang. Xue Nun told Lady Yueliang, "Pick a Renzi day, drink some wine, and take the medicine; sleep with the official at night, and you will be able to get pregnant. Don't let others know." Lady Yueliang quickly accepted the medicine and thanked the two nuns. She said to Wang Nun, "I have been waiting for you in the first month; why did you come so late?" Wang Nun said, "You say that, but this thing is not easy to find! Thanks to Master Xue. It was also the first time a daughter-in-law wanted a child, thanks to Master Xue secretly slipping three taels of silver to a contact. For your sake, I even used alum water to clean it up, soaked and refined it with two boxes of mandarin ducks' new tiles, sifted it with a fine sieve, and then mixed it with the medicine." Lady Yueliang said, "Master Xue and Master Wang have worked hard." So each person gave them two taels of silver as thanks. She said, "If I am really pregnant tomorrow, I'll give Master Xue a piece of yellow-brown satin to make him a robe." Xue Nun put her palms together in gratitude and exclaimed, "Thank you for the Bodhisattva's kindness!" As the saying goes: You can sell a basket of needles for ten days without a sale, but you can sell three baskets of armor in a single day. It is true that: If these people are taught to become Buddhists, monks and nuns in the world will flow like water.
