Title of the poem: Right Tune: "Longing for Each Other":
Call upon the passionate, remember the passionate, who calls someone by name is detestable? For the passionate, turn to the passionate, dying with an unfulfilled heart for the passionate. Don't let love weigh you down or lift you up.
Count Ying has gone home, and Ximen Qing is sitting at Cangchun Dock, watching the bricklayer construct the earthen kang. A fire was burning outside the wall, and flowers and plants were arranged to prevent coal smoke from entering the house. Suddenly, Ping An brought a note saying, "Lord Zhou from the Marshal's residence has sent a congratulatory gift." Inside the box are five gifts: Zhou Shoubei, Jing Dujian, Zhang Tuanlian, and the two inner ministers, Liu and Xue, each with five taels of silver and two pieces of coarse cloth, as a congratulatory gesture. Ximen Qing instructed the servants to put them away and sent a note to send the messenger on his way.
That day, Miss Yang, Aunt Wu and Grandma Pan were the first to arrive by sedan chair, followed by Miss Xue, Master, Aunt Wang, and two younger sisters, Miaoqi and Miaofeng, along with Sister Yu, all bringing gifts to celebrate Yulou's birthday. Yue Niang was serving tea in the living room, and all the sisters gathered together. After a while, once the tea was finished, everyone casually settled down in various spots.
Pan Jinlian was thinking about making a white satin ribbon for Ximen Qing, so she went into the room, took out her sewing box, picked a piece of white satin, and carefully filled it with the powdered aphrodisiac, sewing it very delicately with a backstitch, preparing for a romantic evening with Ximen Qing that night. Unexpectedly, Xue Guzi suddenly came in, bringing her a talisman and medicine to support a healthy pregnancy. Pan Jinlian quickly took it and sat with her. Seeing that there was no one around, Xue Guzi quietly handed it to her, saying, "You should take it on an empty stomach on a Renzi day, and when you are with the official at night, you'll surely conceive after just one time. Just look at the Bodhisattva in the backyard; I helped her through her pregnancy, and she has been pregnant for several months now. I will also teach you a method: sew a lovely scented pouch, and I will write a cinnabar talisman to put inside. If you carry it with you, it's a sure thing you'll have a boy!" Hearing this, Pan Jinlian was extremely happy, took the talisman and medicine, and hid them in her box. She opened the almanac and saw that the twenty-ninth day was a Renzi day. So she gave Xue Guzi three taels of silver, saying, "This small amount is nothing; take it home to buy vegetables. When you help me successfully maintain my pregnancy, I will give you a nice piece of silk to make clothes." Xue Guzi replied, "Bodhisattva, please don’t be so polite. I'm not like that greedy Monk Wang. In the past, because of that deceased Bodhisattva’s chanting, he said I took his business, and we had a big fight, spreading bad words about me everywhere. Sigh, let him be; I can’t be bothered to argue with him. I just do good and help those in need." Pan Jinlian said, "Xue Ye, you just do your job; everyone has a different heart. As for my matters, please don’t discuss them with him." Xue Guzi said, "What’s said should not be shared with others; I definitely won’t tell him! Last year, for the joyous occasion of the great Bodhisattva in the backyard, he even said I secretly took money and forced me to give him half before he would stop. A monk who can't even follow the precepts and is so greedy, after receiving donations from the benefactors, without cultivating virtue, will definitely go to hell after he dies!" After speaking, Pan Jinlian instructed Chunmei, "Please serve tea to Xue Ye." After Xue Guzi drank the tea, she went with Pan Jinlian to pay respects to the Bodhisattva at Li Ping'er’s place before returning to the backyard.
In the afternoon, Yuniang arranged a table in the heated kang room, inviting the guests and her three sisters to take a seat. In the main room, another table was set with an Eight Immortals table, a brazier, and an array of dishes and wine to celebrate Meng Yulou's birthday. Soon, the wine and dishes were ready, and Meng Yulou dressed up beautifully, first raised her glass to Ximen Qing, then exchanged toasts with her sisters before taking her seat. Chen Jingji and Eldest Sister also wished Yulou a happy birthday, then sat down nearby. Longevity noodles and pastries were continuously served from the kitchen. While everyone was eating and drinking, Lai An arrived with a box and said, "Yingbao has sent a gift of congratulations." Ximen Qing instructed Yuniang to accept it and told Lai An, "Please send an invitation to Second Madam Ying and ask Second Master Ying and Eldest Uncle to join us. I know his wife won't be coming tomorrow, so just have Second Master come over, and we can return the favor another time." Lai An took the invitation to find Yingbao. Ximen Qing sat at the head of the table, suddenly recalling last year's birthday celebration for Yulou and Li Dajie; this year, with five wives but missing Li Ping'er, he felt a pang of sadness, and tears streamed down his face.
Before long, Li Ming and two young actresses came in. Yue Niang asked, "Can you sing 'Wings of a Pair'?" Han Zuo said, "I can." Just as he was about to pick up the musical instrument to perform, Ximen Qing called them over and ordered, "Sing a set of 'Remembering the Flute' for me to listen to." The two young actresses quickly changed the tune and started singing the "Remembering the Flute" from the "Gathered Guests," singing, "Remembering the flute, where is the jade beauty?" When they sang, "He made me take off my Xiang skirt, and the cuckoo flowers were stained with blood," Pan Jinlian immediately knew that Ximen Qing was missing Li Ping'er in his heart. When they sang this line, Pan Jinlian deliberately covered her face with her hands, pretending to be shy and sarcastically said, "You look as ugly as Zhu Bajie sitting on a cold bench! A remarried widow, not a daughter, where did the 'cuckoo flowers stained with blood' come from? You really have no shame!" Ximen Qing said, "You little girl, you're just here to watch the show; what do I know? Don't talk nonsense!" The two young actresses continued singing, "A young lady in a wealthy family, suddenly left without a trace. How could I follow along and go pick the wall flowers randomly?" Ximen Qing just kept his head down and listened attentively. After they finished singing, Pan Jinlian grew even angrier, and the two of them started arguing at the table. Yue Niang couldn't bear to watch anymore and said, "Sister Liu, calm down, stop arguing! Yang Gu Niang and the old lady are in the room, feeling lonely with no one to keep them company. You two go in and keep them company for a while; I'll be there soon." So Jinlian and Li Jiaoer went to the room.
After a while, Lai'an said, "Second Sister's reply has come, and both Second Father and Uncle are here." Ximen Qing said, "Go tell the kitchen to bring out the dishes; I'll go keep him company." He then called Li Ming, "You go in front and play music." Li Ming followed Ximen Qing out and sat in the west wing room with the Count. Ximen Qing expressed his gratitude to the Count, saying, "Please do come by tomorrow." The Count said, "He might not be able to make it; there's no one home." After a bit, Mr. Wen showed up, bowed, and took a seat. The Count got up and said, "Thank you for your trouble this morning, Sir." Mr. Wen said, "I dare not." Wu Dajiu also arrived, and after exchanging greetings and seating each other, Qin Tong lit the candles, and the four of them gathered around the fire. Lai'an brought out food and wine. In the candlelight, the Count saw Ximen Qing wearing a white satin jacket over a blue brocade five-color flying fish python robe, which looked impressive and startled him. He asked, "Brother, where did this robe come from?" Ximen Qing stood up and smiled, saying, "Take a guess where it’s from!" The Count said, "We can't guess." Ximen Qing said, "This was sent to me by the eunuch He in Beijing. I was cold at his house, so he gave me this robe to wear. This is a flying fish robe, and the court also rewarded him with a python dragon jade belt. He no longer wears this, so he gave it to me. This is quite a generous gift!" The Count praised, "This robe must be worth a pretty penny. This is a good omen for you. When you get promoted to governor someday, you won't worry about not having a jade belt and python robe, not to mention a flying fish robe! You might not even have enough occasions to wear it!" Then, Qin Tong set the table, and Li Ming played music in the front. The Count said, "We should go in and toast to Third Sister-in-law, not just drink." Ximen Qing said, "As long as you show some filial respect, that’s good enough. Later, go to the back and kowtow to Third Sister-in-law, no need to say much." The Count said, "I don’t mind bowing; I'm just afraid others will say I don't understand etiquette. Why don't you kowtow for me?" Ximen Qing playfully tapped him on the head and said, "You don't understand anything!" The Count said, "Whether I understand or not, I can't let the children hit me." After some playful banter, Qin Tong brought out the birthday noodles. Ximen Qing let the other three dig in first, and after he finished in the back, he passed some to Li Ming. After Li Ming ate, he came up to play music again. The Count said to Wu Dajiu, "Don’t put him on the spot; let him sing something he knows." Ximen Qing said, "Uncle, I love that 'Washbasin' tune." Then, he had Qin Tong pour the wine, and Li Ming played the strings and sang a song: "Staring at the scenery in silence, losing my charm all day long," and then left.
Lai'an came in and reported, "The chef has left. How many people do you need tomorrow, sir?" Ximen Qing instructed, "Six chefs, two in charge of wine and water, set up five banquet tables, and everything must be ready." Lai'an promised and left. Wu Dajie asked, "Who is my brother-in-law having over tomorrow?" Ximen Qing explained that he was inviting An Langzhong to host Prefect Cai. Wu Dajie said, "Since the Imperial Commissioner will be dining at my brother-in-law's place tomorrow, that's fantastic." Ximen Qing asked, "Why?" Wu Dajie said, "My storage repair matter needs the approval of the Imperial Commissioner. I hope my brother-in-law can help speak up for me tomorrow, get him to take a second look, and recommend me at the end of the year's assessment. That would be a favor from you, brother-in-law." Ximen Qing said, "No problem. Dajie, write a resume and application letter tomorrow, and I will help you talk to him at that time." Dajie quickly bowed. The Count said, "Don’t worry, you are the Emperor's man. If he won't help you, who will? I promise you’ll get what you want!" They kept eating until two in the morning before finally breaking up. Ximen Qing sent Li Ming and the others off, saying, "Come early to serve tomorrow." Li Ming and the others promised and left. The servants cleaned up as the room filled with people, and when they heard that everyone had left, they all went to that room. Jinlian had planned to go to Ximen Qing's room, but she panicked and hurried outside. Just then, Ximen Qing came home, so she hid behind the screen to watch him secretly and then quietly crept to the window to eavesdrop.
Yuxiao stood at the door of the hall and asked Jinlian, "Why isn't Lady Wun coming in? Where is Grandma?" Jinlian replied, "She's not feeling well and has gone back to her room to sleep." After a while, Yue Niang's voice floated in, asking, "Why did you have those two new boys sing today? They didn't sing well; all they can sing is 'Three Variations on Plum Blossom'." Yulou said, "Only if you teach them how to sing 'Mandarin Duck Lotus Blooming' will they be willing to sing. These two cheeky little guys, I don’t even know what they’re called, just play around here all day." Ximen Qing said, "One is called Han Zuo, the other is called Shao Qian." Yue Niang said, "Who cares what their names are, Qian'er or Li'er!"
Unexpectedly, Jinlian quietly walked behind the warm kang and suddenly said, "You asked them? The song that the respectable sister taught them is forbidden, yet they sing 'Remembering the Flute.' Those little kids are all over the place, not knowing whose tune to follow." Yulou jumped, turned around, and saw Jinlian, saying, "Sixth girl, where were you hiding so sneakily? You scared me half to death with your sudden words! You're always so secretive; were you just behind me?" Xiaoyu said, "Fifth sister has been behind Third sister for a while." Jinlian nodded at Ximen Qing and said, "Brother, say a few less words. Do you think others don't know about your little thoughts? What does he mean by 'spring lady in the mansion'? Both he and I are late wives. What does 'Dujuan flowers on the Xiang skirt fading blood' even mean to you? Three officials bowing to two—who's ever seen that? Sun Xiaoguan asked Zhu Ji, I can't vouch for anything else, but I can't say this either. But what you said to others, since his death, you haven't even had a decent meal. Without Wang Tu, you can't even get scraps! Are you eating garbage every day? Even if we are not considered high-class, we don’t need you to fret. A big sister like you can't keep things in check, just because he was nice. He died; why didn't you stop him? How did you manage before he came along? Now nothing seems good enough for you. Just mentioning him makes you uneasy! You don't even want anyone else taking his place. Is the water in his room the only thing worth drinking?"
Yue Niang said, “Good, Sixth Sister, as the saying goes: good people don't live long, but disasters can last a thousand years. Since ancient times, what's round can be cut from what's square. We are already latecomers, not worth his notice, so let it be.” Jin Lian said, “It's not that we don't talk about him; his words are disheartening. It's just unbearable.” Ximen Qing only laughed and scolded, “You little demon, what nonsense are you talking? When did I ever say that?” Jin Lian replied, “That day when you invited the inner official Huang, didn’t you say something to Er and Wen Manzi? No wonder your wife is dead; even if he were around back then, it wouldn’t have mattered. Just find someone else tomorrow and go against him. What a shameless jerk!” Ximen Qing got angry, jumped up, and tried to kick her with his shoe, but Jin Lian quickly ran away.
Ximen Qing chased after her but he didn’t catch a glimpse of her. He saw Chun Mei standing at the door of the main room and put his arm around her shoulder to walk forward. Yue Niang saw he was drunk and quickly told him to go to sleep, saying he should listen to the three sisters recite scriptures. So she called Xiao Yu to grab a lantern and help him back. Jin Lian and Yu Xiao hid in the shadows of the corridor; Ximen Qing didn’t see them and passed by. Yu Xiao said to Jin Lian, “I bet Dad went to Mom’s room.” Jin Lian said, “He’s drunk; let him sleep first, and I’ll go in slowly.” Yu Xiao said, “Mom, wait, I’ll go get some fruit for Grandma.” She then went to the bedroom, took some fruit to Yue Niang, who received it and walked over to Ximen Qing’s side. Just then, Xiao Yu brought Ximen Qing back and said, “Where is Fifth Sister? Dad is looking for Fifth Sister everywhere.”
Jin Lian walked to the door but didn’t go in; she quietly peeked through the window and saw Ximen Qing lying on the bed, playing with Chun Mei. Afraid of disturbing him, she quickly went to the next room and handed the fruit to Qiu Ju, and asked, “Has Grandma fallen asleep?” Qiu Ju replied, “She’s been asleep for quite a while.” Jin Lian instructed her, “Make sure to keep the fruit safe.” Then she went back to her room.
In the room were Madame Yue, Li Jiaor, Meng Yulou, Sister Ximen, Aunt Ximen, Miss Yang, three nuns, and two little nuns, all sitting together. Sister Xue sat cross-legged on Madame Yue's kang, with a kang table in the middle and incense burning, and everyone surrounded her, listening to her talk about Buddhist teachings. Jinlian smiled as she lifted the curtain and entered. Madame Yue said, "You caused trouble, and he's looking for you. You didn't let him sleep; why did you come back? I was worried he would come to hit you!" Jinlian smiled and said, "Ask him if he dares to hit me?" Madame Yue replied, "You spoke too harshly just now. He was drunk and impulsive; who else would he take it out on if not you? We were all worried about you; turns out you're quite fierce!" Jinlian said, "Even if he's angry, I'm not afraid of him. I don't care about those shallow folks. The proper songs that the elder sister ordered aren't being sung, only random things, singing about his own feelings. Today is Meng Sanjie's birthday; we shouldn't be singing this farewell song. No one knows when they'll die, but there are people putting on a show of compassion and filial piety, and I just don't like it!" Aunt Ximen said, "What's going on with you two today? Uncle was sitting well; why did he go out again?" Madame Yue said, "Aunt Ximen, you don't know yet. One remembered Sister Li and said that last year Meng Sanjie's birthday still had her, but this year she's gone, and shed some tears, letting Xiaoyou sing a passage of 'Remembering the flute, where is the jade person.' The one who argued got angry and tried to hit her, so she ran away." Miss Yang said, "Sister, why do you have to go against the official? As the saying goes, a couple's bond lasts for a hundred days. Even if you're together every day, there are times when you quarrel. If one person is missing, can you not feel sad?" Jinlian said, "Whether you want to or not, there are times. They're all your wives; why lift one and suppress the other? Just because we didn't wear mourning for him, he's not your mother-in-law; wearing mourning for seven days is enough; why keep wearing it?" Miss Yang said, "Sisters, you're always like this, good one moment and bad the next." Aunt Ximen said, "Time flies; the seven days are over, and the hundred days are almost here." Miss Yang asked, "Which day is the hundredth day?" Madame Yue said, "It's coming soon, the twenty-sixth day of the twelfth month." Sister Wang said, "We must chant scriptures." Madame Yue said, "It's almost New Year; why chant scriptures! He can chant them during the New Year!" With that, Xiaoyu brought in tea, serving each person a cup.
After a while, they finished their tea. Yue Niang washed her hands, lit incense on the stove, and listened to Xue Guzi discuss Buddhist teachings. Xue Guzi first recited a verse, then recounted a story about the monk Wujie breaking his vows and playfully teasing the Red Lotus girl, and then being reincarnated as the Buddha Seal of Dongpo. The story continued for quite some time. Lanxiang from Yulou cleared away the incense burner and placed two boxes of exquisite vegetarian dishes, fruit platters, and pastries on the table. They brewed another pot of tea and joined the three masters for tea. Then they served some meat dishes and opened a jar of Magu wine, gathering around the stove to drink. Yue Niang and Aunt Jia played dice for red tokens, Jinlian and Lijiaoer guessed the coins, and Yuxiao poured wine for everyone, even helping Jinlian roll the dice under the table. Before long, Lijiaoer had won several cups. Yulou said, "Let me join in; just keep winning against her." She insisted that Jinlian show her hands, not hide them in her sleeves, and that Yuxiao couldn’t help. In the end, Jinlian ended up winning several cups.
Jin Lian couldn't sit still any longer and got up to leave. She called out for a long time in front, and the corner door opened only to find Qiuju rubbing her eyes. The woman scolded, "You lazy girl, are you still in bed?" Qiuju said, "I didn't sleep." The woman replied, "I saw you get up after sleeping, trying to fool me! You’re so comfortable, you didn’t even bother to come and pick me and the child up." Then she asked, "Is your father asleep?" Qiuju said, "My father has been asleep all day." The woman walked into the heated bed room, hiked up her skirt to warm herself by the kang. She wanted to drink tea, and Qiuju quickly poured a cup. The woman said, "You dirty girl, your hands are so dirty! I won’t drink this old tea; it has a strange taste. Go get Chunmei and have her brew some good tea in a small pot, putting in more tea leaves and making it strong for me." Qiuju said, "She is sleeping in the other room, I'll go get her." The woman said, "Don't call her, let her sleep." Qiuju didn't listen, walked to the other room, and saw Chunmei sleeping sweetly at the foot of Ximen Qing. She shook Chunmei awake and said, "Mother is here, she wants tea, so why aren’t you getting up?" Chunmei scolded, "You silly girl, when mother comes, she comes, why scare people!" While scolding, she slowly got up and walked to the woman, rubbing her eyes as she leaned against the kang. The woman scolded Qiuju again, "You sleep so soundly, it's not easy to wake you up." Then she said to Chunmei, "Your handkerchief is on your head; why don’t you take it down?" She asked, "Why are you only wearing one earring on your ear?" Chunmei touched it and indeed one was missing. She lit a lamp, searched on the bed, but couldn't find it. It took a while before she found the earring on the footboard. The woman asked, "Where did you find it?" Chunmei said, "It got knocked off by Qiuju when she startled me awake, and I found it on the footboard." The woman said, "I knew it; she did it on purpose to wake you up." Chunmei said, "She said mother wanted tea." The woman said, "I want tea, but I don't like her dirty hands." Chunmei quickly filled a small pot with water, put it on the fire, added some charcoal, and soon the tea was ready. She washed the tea cup, poured the brewed tea, and handed it to the woman. The woman asked Chunmei, "How long has your father been asleep?" Chunmei said, "My father has been asleep all day. When you asked, I told her you still hadn’t come back."
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The woman drank tea and asked Chunmei, "I just wrapped a few fruits and candied fruits, which Yuxiao gave to your grandmother to eat. Did you receive them from Qiujun?" Chunmei said, "I didn't see them. Does she know where they are?" The woman called Qiujun and asked her where the fruits were. Qiujun said, "I put them in the vanity case." She went to get them, and the woman counted them, finding one tangerine missing. She asked Qiujun where it went. Qiujun said, "I brought it in and put it in the vanity case. Maybe some greedy little thief ate it!" The woman said, "You little brat! If you didn't steal it, then where did it go? I counted them myself and handed them to you; how could one be missing? I've always been kind to you!" She said to Chunmei, "Slap her ten times!" Chunmei said, "Her dirty face will dirty my hands." The woman said, "Bring her here." Chunmei pulled Qiujun by her hair in front of the woman. The woman twisted Qiujun's cheeks and scolded, "You little brat, did you steal the tangerine? Tell the truth, and I won't hit you. Otherwise, I'll get the whip and give you a good thrashing! Am I drunk? Did you steal it and lie to me?" She asked Chunmei, "Am I drunk?" Chunmei said, "Mother, you're sober. Where would the alcohol come from? If you don't believe it, search her sleeves; there might still be tangerine peels!" The woman then pulled Qiujun's sleeve, trying to search, but Qiujun hurriedly blocked her. Chunmei also helped to pull Qiujun's hand, and indeed, some tangerine peels were found. The woman twisted Qiujun's face harshly, slapped her twice, scolding, "You useless girl, all you know is stealing food. You got caught red-handed, and you're still trying to deny it? I won't hit you today, but I'll settle the score with you tomorrow!" Chunmei said, "Mother, don't be lenient tomorrow; make her remember this lesson with dozens of hits. A few light hits won't bother her at all!" Qiujun's face was swollen from the woman's twisting; she ran to the kitchen, covering her mouth. The woman split the tangerine in half, took a pomegranate, and handed it to Chunmei, saying, "This is for you; the other is for your grandmother." Chunmei didn't even look; she just tossed it in the drawer. The woman wanted to share the candied fruit as well, but Chunmei said, "Mother, don't share any; I don't like sweets, let your grandmother have them all." So the woman didn’t share any, and they were all left for later.
The woman walked to the edge of the tub to take a leak and called for Chunmei to bring the chamber pot. After washing herself, she asked Chunmei, "What time is it now?" Chunmei replied, "You've slept for half a day; it's almost around 1 AM." The woman took off her jewelry, walked to the other room, and saw that the silver lamp on the table was nearly out of oil. She added oil to it, then went to the bedside and saw that Ximen Qing was snoring soundly. She untied her belt, took off her skirt, got into bed, and cuddled up under the blankets with Ximen Qing.
…Ximen Qing suddenly woke up and said, "You little minx, why did you come back so late?" The woman replied, "We were drinking over there. Meng San'er brought two large boxes of food and drink, Sister Yu sang, and we played rock-paper-scissors and dice all day. I got Li Jiaor drunk. Later, Meng San'er and I played Five in a Row, and I lost several cups of wine. You’re so comfortable, sleeping away while I’m the one working hard. Are you kidding me?" Ximen Qing asked, "Did you sort out that strap?" The woman said, "It's under the mattress." While she was talking, she reached under the mattress to grab it, showed it to Ximen Qing, and tied it snugly around his waist. She then asked, "Have you eaten?" Ximen Qing replied, "I have." After a while, the woman started teasing Ximen Qing… and said, "Hold me, let me sleep on you for a while." Ximen Qing said, "My sweetie, sleep now; I will hold you."… The two cuddled up together, wrapped in each other's arms until dawn. Just like trying to see your reflection in a silver basin, they were a pair of soulmates meant to be together.
