The poem says:
When jade shatters and pearls sink in silence,
Tears flow in the light, quietly sharing their sorrows.
Forever chasing butterflies beneath the flower pavilion,
Recalling the lovebirds before the emerald drapes.
Only dreams can weave the rain,
With no thoughts, learning from the haze.
With rosy cheeks and pearly teeth returning to the yellow earth,
In vain searching for a reunion in the next life.
The crowd dispersed, and it was almost dawn. Ximen Qing went back to bed. Dai An brought a large pot of wine and several dishes to have a meal with Fu and Chen Jingji. Fu, being older, couldn't stay awake and fell asleep as soon as he lay down on the bed. He told Dai An, "You and Ping An can take your time eating. Chen Jiefu probably won't come." Dai An called Ping An in, and the two of them finished the wine. After cleaning up, Ping An headed to the gatehouse to sleep. Dai An closed the shop door, got into bed, and slept with Fu. Fu chatted with Dai An and said, "Your Sixth Sister-in-law has passed away, and her funeral was well done." Dai An replied, "She had good fortune, but her life was short. My father spent so much money, but he hasn't even spent his own money yet. You know that when my Sixth Sister-in-law married my dad, she brought a huge dowry! Others may not know, but I do. Apart from silver, there were so many gold and silver jewelry, jade belts, waistbands, hair accessories, and precious stones. Why did my father feel distressed? It's not because he felt sorry for her, but because he felt sorry for the money. As for my Sixth Sister-in-law's character, no one in the family can compare to her. She was humble and easy to get along with, always smiling when she saw people, never said a harsh word to us, let alone scold us as 'servants.' When we bought things, she would casually give money. As long as we said, 'Mother, take some money and see if it's enough,' she would smile and say, 'Take it, don't bother weighing it. You won't shortchange me, right? Just buy me good things.' Who in the family hasn't borrowed money from her? Most who borrowed never paid it back. Even if they didn't pay it back, it was no big deal. My First and Third Sister-in-law are also generous with money. But my Fifth and Second Sister-in-law are too stingy. When they are in charge, we are unlucky. When we buy things, they don't give you the full amount; they quibble, give you nine and a half taels instead of ten, or even just nine taels. We end up losing money!" Fu said, "Your First Sister-in-law is better." Dai An replied, "Although my First Sister-in-law is better, she has a quick temper. At home, she's all smiles and laughs with the kids, but if you provoke her, no matter who you are, she'll give you an earful. Sixth Sister-in-law was better. She never offended anyone and often spoke up for us in front of my father. Whenever something big came up, we would ask her to talk to my father, and she never refused. But Fifth Sister-in-law is always bringing it up: 'Did you see me talking to my father?' Now Chunmei is also a good-tempered person. - A family that naturally gets along well." Fu said, "Your Fifth Sister-in-law has been here for several years, right?" Dai An said, "You know, do you still remember when she first came here? She didn't even recognize her own mother and cried and screamed to go home. Now that Sixth Sister-in-law has passed away, it's her turn. Tomorrow, whoever cleans the garden, regardless of how it looks, is going to get an earful from her!" After chatting for a while, Fu lay on the pillow and fell asleep. Dai An, feeling tipsy, also fell asleep and slept until well after sunrise.
Every day, Ximen Qing slept in front of the spirit tablet. In the morning, Yuxiao came out to tidy up the bed, and Ximen Qing went to the backyard to wash up. Shu Tong came out with a disheveled appearance, played and frolicked with Ximen Qing and Yuxiao in the front yard for a while before returning to the backyard. On this day, when Ximen Qing went back to the bedroom to rest, Yuxiao did not get up. She sneaked out and made an appointment with Shu Tong to get up to no good in the garden study. Unexpectedly, Pan Jinlian got up early, walked to the hall, found that the spirit lamp had gone out, the tables and chairs in the spirit hall were a mess, and there was no one there except for the painter sweeping the floor. Jinlian said, "You lazy people, why are you the only one here? Where is everyone else?" The painter replied, "They haven't gotten up yet." Jinlian said, "Put down the broom and go tell your brother-in-law to bring me a piece of white silk. My mother-in-law still needs a mourning dress, and bring me a pair of head ornaments. I'm going home today." The painter said, "Brother-in-law is probably still sleeping; I'll go ask him." After a while, he came back and said, "Brother-in-law said that's not his responsibility; Shu Tong and Cui Ben are in charge of the mourning dress. Mother, you should ask Shu Tong." Jinlian said, "I know where that kid went; go find him." The painter peeked into the side room and said, "He was here just now; he probably went to the garden study to wash up." Jinlian said, "You continue sweeping the floor; I will go find that kid." Walking to the garden study, she heard laughter inside. She pushed open the door and saw Shu Tong and Yuxiao in bed, getting up to no good. Jinlian scolded, "You two troublemakers, what are you up to!" The two were frightened and pleaded for mercy on their knees. Jinlian said, "You two bad guys, quickly bring me a piece of mourning cloth and some fabric to send my mother-in-law Pan home." Shu Tong hurriedly brought them to Jinlian. Jinlian then returned to her room.
Yu Xiao followed into the room, kneeling on the ground and begging for mercy: "Wu Niang, please don't tell my father." Jin Lian asked: "You little bastard, be honest with me, how many times have you cheated?" Yu Xiao then confessed everything about the affair. Jin Lian said: "If you want me to let you go, you have to agree to three things." Yu Xiao said: "If you spare me, I will agree to anything." Jin Lian said: "First, you have to keep me in the loop about everything that goes on in your mother's room. If you don’t tell me, I’ll find out and you won’t get away with it. Second, you must do whatever I ask you to do. Third, how did your mother get pregnant when she wasn’t before?" Yu Xiao said: "I won’t keep it from you, Wu Niang; my mother got pregnant after taking medicine from Xue Guzi." Pan Jin Lian kept all this in mind and did not tell Ximen Qing.
Shutong saw Pan Jin Lian smiling as she took Yu Xiao away, and he sensed trouble brewing. He went to the study cabinet and grabbed a bunch of handkerchiefs, towels, toothpicks, hairpins, and some cash gifts. He had also saved over ten taels of silver himself and scammed Fu Huoji out of twenty taels at the front desk, saying it was to buy mourning silk. He left the city directly, hired a boat, boarded a ship in the countryside, and returned to his hometown of Suzhou. It is just like: Breaking the jade cage, the colorful phoenix soars; unlocking the golden lock, the dragon takes flight.
That day, Sister Li Gui, Wu Yiner, and Zheng Aiyue all returned home. Xue Neixiang and Liu Neixiang sent people early in the morning to bring offerings to burn joss paper, gave each person one or two taels of silver as accommodation fees, and invited two singers to keep Ximen Qing company during the day. They were waiting to distribute the mourning clothes, looking for Shu Tong to get the keys, but couldn't find him at all. Fu Huoji said, "He asked me for twenty taels of silver this morning to buy mourning clothes, saying that the master ordered that there were not enough mourning clothes, probably going to buy them outside." Ximen Qing said, "I didn't tell him to do that. Why did he ask you for money?" They sent people to search the silk shops outside, but still couldn't find him! Yuemon told Ximen Qing, "I have a feeling this kid is up to something; I don't know what he's up to, maybe he took a few taels of silver and ran away. Take another good look in your study; maybe he took something else." Ximen Qing searched both studies and found that the key to the warehouse was hanging on the wall, many handkerchiefs were missing from the large cupboard, as well as books, silver, buttons, and the like. Ximen Qing was furious and called the manager over to give orders, "Search the whole city for me!" Still, they couldn't find him! It is truly: Not only do I miss my family, but I’m also anxious to return home; the lakes and rivers stretch out endlessly.
That noon, Minister Xue arrived in a sedan chair. Ximen Qing invited Uncle Wu, Count Ying, and Wen the Scholar to accompany him. They first went to the spirit tablet to offer incense and pay their respects to it, then exchanged pleasantries with Ximen Qing, saying, "What a pity! How did the lady pass away?" Ximen Qing replied, "Unfortunately, she passed away due to dysentery. Thank you for your concern, my lord." Minister Xue said, "No need to be polite; it's just a small gesture." Seeing the portrait hanging, he remarked, "What a beautiful lady! In the prime of her youth, enjoying life; it's a pity she passed away too early." Scholar Wen said from the side, "Everything in life has its own reasons. Wealth and poverty, longevity and short life, all have their fates; even sages cannot force it." Minister Xue turned and saw Scholar Wen's attire, asking, "Which academy does this old gentleman belong to?" Scholar Wen bowed and said, "I am just a humble student from the prefectural school." Minister Xue said, "Let me see the lady's coffin." Ximen Qing immediately had the attendants lift the curtain. Minister Xue stepped inside to take a look and praised it repeatedly, "What a nice coffin! May I ask how much it cost?" Ximen Qing said, "This is a coffin from a relative's family; I will return it after use." Count Ying said, "Please estimate its value; what kind of wood is it, and what is its name?" Minister Xue looked carefully and said, "This coffin is made of either Jianchang wood or Zhenyuan wood." Count Ying said, "Even if it's Zhenyuan wood, it's not worth all that much." Minister Xue said, "The best would definitely be Yang Xuan elm wood." Count Ying said, "Yang Xuan elm wood is thin and small; how can it compare! This coffin is better than Yang Xuan elm wood; it’s made from wood sourced from the Peach Blossom Cave, produced in Wulingchuan, Huguang. In the past, fishermen from the Tang Dynasty entered this cave, and it is said that during the Qin Dynasty, a young girl hid here to escape the war; it’s a place seldom visited. This coffin is over seven feet long, four inches thick, and two feet wide. Because it’s from a family connection, it cost three hundred seventy taels of silver! My lord, you haven't seen it; when opened, the fragrance wafts out invitingly, and there are patterns both inside and outside!" Minister Xue said, "The lady is truly fortunate to enjoy such a coffin. As for us inner officials, we don’t receive such treatment even in death!" Uncle Wu said, "My lord is right; those connected to the court enjoy high ranks and lavish rewards. How can we outer officials compare? My lord has a close relationship with the emperor, conveying the imperial edicts on his behalf. Now, Lord Tong has been promoted to nobility, and his descendants wear dragon robes and jade ornaments; what more could they possibly want!" Minister Xue then said, "This brother who speaks so well, may I ask your surname?" Ximen Qing said, "This is my wife's brother, Brother Wu, who is now a captain in this guard." Minister Xue said, "Is he the brother of this lady here?" Ximen Qing said, "No, he is my wife's brother."
"Xue, the Minister, bowed to Uncle Wu again and said, 'Mr. Wu, I'm sorry for my disrespect!'"
After watching for a while, Ximen Qing asked Xue Neixiang to sit in the pavilion and set out a chair for him. After Xue Neixiang sat down, a servant brought tea. Xue Neixiang said, "Why hasn't Liu Gonggong arrived yet? Let me send someone to fetch him." A young servant in blue knelt and reported, "I went to invite Liu Gonggong. Liu Gonggong's sedan chair is ready and will arrive soon." Xue Neixiang asked again, "Have the two singers come?" Ximen Qing said, "They came this morning. Bring them in!" After a while, the two came forward and kowtowed. Xue Neixiang asked, "Have you eaten?" The two replied, "We have eaten." Xue Neixiang said, "Since you have eaten, sing well today, and I’ll reward you handsomely." Ximen Qing said, "Gonggong, I have also prepared a group of performers to perform for you." Xue Neixiang asked, "Where are they from?" Ximen Qing said, "They’re from Haiyan." Xue Neixiang said, "Their singing is strange; who knows what they're even singing? Scholars study hard for ten years, carrying their qin, sword, and books to the capital for the imperial examination. They pass the exam and have no family, so they enjoy these things. What do we old officials have to do with them?" Wen Xiucai smiled and said, "Gonggong is joking, but he’s a bit out of touch with reality. People change with their environment, and Gonggong is in a high position; how can he not be moved?" Xue Neixiang clapped and laughed, saying, "I forgot that Mr. Wen is here. You officials always protect each other." Wen Xiucai said, "Although I am a scholar, I am just a xiucai. When the rabbit dies, the fox feels the loss; it’s a matter of shared fate." Xue Neixiang said, "That's not quite right. In any given place, there are both wise and foolish people."
As they were speaking, someone suddenly came to report from the side, "Liu Gonggong has dismounted from the sedan chair!" Uncle Wu and the others hurried out to greet him, and then they all paid their respects in front of the spirit tablet. After the ceremony, Minister Xue inquired of Minister Liu, "Liu Gonggong, why did you only come now?" Minister Liu replied, "Mr. Xu from the north came to visit; I kept him company for a while before sending him off." After that, the two of them took their seats, and someone quickly served tea. Minister Liu then asked the servants, "Are all the offerings ready?" The servants replied, "Everything is prepared." Minister Liu said, "Then let's go burn the incense paper." Ximen Qing said, "There's no need for so much ceremony; we've already paid our respects before." Minister Liu said, "This time, I must personally pay my respects." So, the servants offered incense, the two ministers offered incense, drank three cups of wine respectfully, and then bowed. Ximen Qing said, "Please rise, Liu Gonggong." The two ministers bowed twice and stood up, Ximen Qing returned the gesture, and then sat back down at his seat.
Then, some seats were removed, and the seating arrangement was adjusted. The two ministers sat on either side of Ximen Qing, Uncle Wu, Master Wen, and Mr. Ying were seated in order, and Ximen Qing sat at the lower end. The musicians began to play and distributed the program. The two ministers looked at it for a while and selected a segment from "Liu Zhiyuan's White Rabbit Tale." After a few scenes, they found it uninteresting, so they summoned two singers to perform short tunes, who played the fishing drum and stood side by side, singing loudly about the tale of "King Wen of Xian and the Snow Embracing the Blue Pass."
Xue Neixiang and Liu Neixiang were chatting. Xue Neixiang said, "Hey Liu, you won't believe this. Yesterday, on the 10th day of the 8th month, it was pouring rain outside, and lightning struck the chiwen on the Lingxin Hall of the palace, shattering it and scaring a lot of palace maids half to death. The court was in a panic and ordered the officials to reflect on their actions. Every day, they hold prayer ceremonies at the Qing Palace, banned slaughter for ten days, and the judiciary has halted all punishments; all officials are not allowed to submit any memorials. Yesterday, the Jin Kingdom sent envoys to offer tribute, wanting to take three towns of our inland territory, and that old crook Cai Jing actually considered agreeing to them. The court handed military power to Tong Guan to let him command the troops at the three borders with the chief censor Tan Zhen and Huang An. Tong Guan refused, and this issue is still being discussed. Yesterday marked the beginning of winter, and the emperor worshipped at the ancestral temple. A scholar from the Taichang Temple named Fang Zhen noticed blood seeping through the cracks in the ancestral temple's bricks while cleaning in the morning, and a section of the northeast corner of the hall had sunken in, so he reported it to the emperor immediately. The censors also reported, claiming that Tong Guan has too much power and that eunuchs should not be granted titles of nobility. Now the court is sending someone with a gold medal to summon Tong Guan back to the capital." Liu Neixiang said, "We are now local officials; the affairs of the court have nothing to do with us. As the saying goes, take it one day at a time; even if the sky falls, there are still four strong guys to hold it up! We'll talk about tomorrow's matters tomorrow. The Song Dynasty will eventually be brought down by these scholars. Wang Shijiu, let's just have a drink!" Then he called over a singer and said, "Sing the tale of 'Li Bai Loves to Drink'." The singer stepped up to the front, beat the fishing drum, and sang a verse.
They ate until dusk, and Ximen Qing had a sedan chair prepared to send the guests off. Ximen Qing tried to keep them there, but the two ministers still decided to leave. After they left, Ximen Qing instructed his servants to light the candles, keep the table settings as they were, and asked Wu Daju, Ying Bojue, and Wen Xiucan to remain. He also had someone invite Fu Huoji, Gan Huoji, Han Daoguo, Ben Dichuan, Cui Ben, and Chen Jingji to come back and continue drinking. He called for the children in the house and instructed, "Bring out the leftover 'Jade Ring Record' from yesterday's performance." Then he said to Bojue, "The ministers don't understand the taste of southern opera. If I had known they wouldn't appreciate it, I wouldn't have insisted on their staying today." Bojue said, "Brother, you really wasted your good intentions. The courtiers only like 'Lan Guan Record', those vulgar mountain folk songs; how could they possibly grasp the depth of emotions in a grand opera!" So the band started playing, continuing the unfinished 'Jade Ring Record' from yesterday. Ximen Qing had the servants continuously refill their glasses. Bojue and Ximen Qing sat together and asked, "The three girls haven't gone home yet; why not invite them to come out for a toast?" Ximen Qing said, "Why bother? They've had enough already!" Bojue said, "They've been here for two or three days now, haven't they?" Ximen Qing said, "Wu Yiner has been here longer." That day, everyone sat until the early hours of the morning, only leaving after the performance wrapped up. Ximen Qing invited Wu Daju to come early the next day to accompany the officials in mourning. He handed the opera troupe four taels of silver and sent them off.
The next day, Zhou Shoubei, Jing Dujian, Zhang Tuanlian, and Xia Tixing, along with many officials from the guard, contributed funds to prepare a banquet featuring pork and lamb for the memorial, with a ritual scholar leading the recitation of the blessing text. Ximen Qing also prepared a feast, with Li Ming and two other young entertainers responsible for hosting. By noon, the sound of drums was heard, and the memorial officials arrived. Wu Dajiu, Ying Bojue, and Wen Xiucai welcomed them at the door, and the officials entered in a throng, dismounting and changing into their ceremonial attire in the hall. After a while, the offerings were set up, and the officials came before the spirit tablet, as Ximen Qing and Chen Jingji returned the greeting. The ritual scholar announced the ceremonial procedures, and after the three offerings were completed, he knelt beside them and recited the blessing text, concluding the memorial. After Ximen Qing expressed his gratitude, Wu Dajiu and the others invited the officials to take their seats, changed out of their mourning attire, served tea, and then everyone sat down to drink. Li Ming and the two young entertainers played the zheng and clappers, singing to entertain the guests. The officials drank to their heart's content, not leaving until evening. Ximen Qing still wanted to keep Wu Dajiu and the others, but Wu Dajiu replied, “Everyone has helped out for several days in a row, brother-in-law, you’ve worked hard too, so let's head home and get some rest.” So, they said their goodbyes and headed home. It was just like: Heavenly peaches and dew are sown, while red apricots lean against the clouds in the sun. In the homes of the wealthy, people flock to them, but let's not dwell on wealth for too long.
