Ximen Qing spent a night at Pan Jinlian's place, and Pan Jinlian wished she could dive into his heart. At the bedside, she clung to him, crying her eyes out and speaking particularly softly, all to firmly capture Ximen Qing's heart. But unexpectedly, Ximen Qing was also seeing Wang Liu'er on the side, spending 120 taels of silver to buy a house east of the stone bridge on Lion Street. The house had two shops and four floors in total: one for the living room, one for worshipping Buddha and honoring ancestor tablets, one for living quarters, and one for the kitchen. After they moved in, everyone in the neighborhood knew he was Ximen Qing's guy and didn't want to offend him, sending gifts and even throwing a little celebration. The middle-class families called him Brother Han and Sister Han, while those from lower classes called him Uncle and Auntie. Whenever Ximen Qing showed up, Han Daoguo would hang out in the shop, letting his wife entertain Ximen Qing. As time passed, everyone in the neighborhood caught wind of it, and no one dared to mess with Ximen Qing, since he had plenty of money and power. In less than a month, Ximen Qing had dropped by three or four times, and his relationship with Wang Liu'er was on fire.
As the twelfth month approaches, Ximen Qing is busy delivering festival gifts to various government offices in Dongjing. The disciples of the Jade Emperor Temple, Wu Dao Guan, sent four boxes of gifts, along with heavenly and earthly talismans, New Year charms, and a thank-you note for the kitchen god. While Ximen Qing was having a meal, Dai An brought over a visiting card that read: "Wang Huang Temple's little Daoist Wu Zongzhe bows in respect." Ximen Qing said, "Aren't Daoists supposed to be more relaxed?" He instructed Dai An to give a tael of silver to the attendant to deliver a reply. Yue Niang, nearby, said, "You receive his gifts every year during the festival; shouldn't you let him handle the vow ceremony you promised for Sister Li's child a few days ago?" Ximen Qing replied, "Since you mentioned it, I promised a hundred and twenty cleansing rituals, but I completely forgot." Yue Niang said, "You're really forgetful! Who would forget a promise made? Even if you didn't take it to heart at the time, the deities remember! The child has been crying all day, probably because this wish hasn't been fulfilled." Ximen Qing said, "So, we should go to Wu Dao Guan to fulfill the wish in the first month." Yue Niang added, "Yesterday, Sister Li said the child is a bit ill and wants to give him a nickname." Ximen Qing replied, "A nickname? Just give him a Daoist title at Wu Dao Guan." He then asked Dai An, "Who is in the temple?" Dai An said, "It's his second disciple, Ying Chun." Ximen Qing went out, and Ying Chun quickly bowed, saying, "Master sent me to greet you; I don't have anything special to offer, just some heavenly and earthly talismans and a small gift." Ximen Qing returned half the gift, saying, "Thank you to your master," and invited Ying Chun to sit down. Ying Chun said, "I dare not sit!" Ximen Qing insisted, "Sit down, I have something to discuss with you." The Daoist, wearing a small hat and a blue robe, humbly declined several times before sitting down and asked, "What instructions do you have, sir?" Ximen Qing said, "In the first month, I want to fulfill a wish and also give the child a Daoist name. Is your master available?" The disciple quickly stood up, saying, "I'll make sure to take care of what you asked, sir. May I ask, on which day in the first month?" Ximen Qing replied, "The ninth day, the ninth day of the first month." The disciple said, "That day is the Heavenly Birthday of the Jade Emperor. The Jade Box Record states that on this day, inviting the law master for celebrations and the five blessings is ideal for fasting and rituals. May I ask how much incense money you are preparing, sir?" Ximen Qing said, "In July, I promised a hundred and twenty cleansing rituals for the child." The disciple asked again, "How many Daoists will be invited that day?" Ximen Qing said, "Let's invite sixteen." After that, he had a table set up for tea. He first offered fifteen taels of incense money, and the other tael was a thank-you for his festival gift, adding, "Your master doesn’t need to prepare his clothing and such; I have everything ready on my end." The Daoist was extremely pleased, thanking him profusely as he left, bowing and gesturing in gratitude.
On the eighth day of the first lunar month, Dai An first sent one hundred catties of white rice, a bundle of incense candles, ten catties of ceremonial candles, five catties of aloeswood sandalwood, sixteen pieces of cloth for shirts, a pair of Jingduan, two jars of Southern wine, four geese, four chickens, a pair of pig trotters, a piece of mutton, ten taels of silver, and money for naming the children. Ximen Qing sent out invitations in advance, inviting Wu Dajiu, Hua Dajiu, Ying Bojue, and Xie Xida to accompany him. Chen Jingji first rode a horse to the temple to offer sacrifices on behalf of Ximen Qing. On the ninth day, Ximen Qing did not go to the yamen. Early in the morning, he dressed neatly and rode a big white horse, accompanied by a retinue, to the Jade Emperor Temple. From a distance, he could see colorful flags fluttering and banners hanging high. Upon arriving at the gate, he dismounted and beheld:
The lush green pines towered, while the dense emerald cypresses stood proudly. The golden nails on the vermilion doors, the jade bridge with low shadows and the Xuan officials; the blue tiles with carved eaves, the embroidered curtains hanging high on the precious railings. In the seven main halls, golden inscriptions hung prominently in the center; in the two side corridors, there were colorful paintings of heavenly generals. Outside the three gates, Lilo and Shikuang are fierce, and in front of the left and right steps, the White Tiger and the Azure Dragon are valiant. In front of the Hall of Eight Treasures, there are immortal jade maidens standing by, and on the Nine Dragon Bed, there sits an indestructible golden body. When the golden bell rings, the three thousand worlds all convert; when the jade chimes sound, all things in the universe bow down. In the Hall of Heavenly Adoration, the heavenly wind blows down with a hollow sound; in the Altar of Dharma, the sound of celestial bells often resonates under the moonlight. From now on, it is the true Purple Mansion, where else could one seek the mythical Penglai?
As Ximen Qing entered through the main gate, he saw the first Flowing Star Gate, with a seven-foot high vermilion archway, with two pairs of couplets written on it:
The Yellow Path unfolds, welcoming the gates of the nine heavens, inviting the golden chariot and emerald canopy to extend grace;
The Mysterious Altar is glorious, shining on the banners of the saints, reciting the precious scriptures and explaining the teachings.
In the Hall of Treasures, twenty-four characters are inscribed: "Lingbao thanks the heavens and the earth, repays the country's grace, the nine-turning jade pivot, repays the alliance and entrusts the name, auspiciousness fills the altar." On both sides, there is another pair of couplets:
The Primordial establishes the ultimate, gazing up at the grand Dao, embodying the highest sincerity;
In the residence of the Emperor of Heaven, I humbly acknowledge the blessings of pure and diligent efforts. Ximen Qing walked to the incense table, where a young boy held a basin for him to wash his hands, then laid out a mat and invited him to offer incense. After Ximen Qing paid his respects and bowed, he saw Wu Daoguan dressed in a splendid ceremonial robe and wearing a Daoist headpiece, who quickly descended from the scripture platform to greet Ximen Qing, saying, "Thanks to your great kindness, I have received your generous gifts multiple times, which truly makes me feel undeserving. You entrusted your child to me; I should be wishing him health and a long life, and I really cannot accept your generous rewards." Ximen Qing replied, "It's just a small token of my appreciation, not a formality." Once the formalities were done, everyone in the temple bowed together. Then they invited Ximen Qing to the Songhe Pavilion outside for tea.
As soon as Ximen Qing sat down, he asked the young boy to call for Wu Yingyuan: "Quickly go ride and fetch your Uncle Ying, don’t let him be without a horse, why hasn’t he come yet?" Dai An said, "Brother-in-law, the donkey you rode is still here." Ximen Qing said, "Then ride the donkey, hurry up." The young boy agreed and left. After Wu Daoguan finished reciting the scriptures, he came down to pour tea for Ximen Qing and chatted with him, saying, "Your sincere devotion to the deities, I’ve been up since around 2 AM reciting the scriptures. Today’s San Zhao Jiu Zhuan Yu Shu ritual has all been carried out according to the procedures. I also specially wrote a document for Officer Wu, presenting it before the Three Treasures, naming him Wu Yingyuan, wishing him eternal wealth and prosperity. Additionally, I have added twenty-four offerings to thank Heaven and Earth, twelve praises for the Supreme Deity, and twenty-four offerings for the departed, totaling one hundred eighty offerings." Ximen Qing said, "You have truly put in a lot of effort."
After a while, the ritual drum sounded, inviting Ximen Qing to the altar to view the document. Ximen Qing donned a magnificent ceremonial robe, tied on a golden rhinoceros horn belt, and came to the altar. Beside him was a ceremonial official dressed in crimson, who began by reading the purpose of the ritual:
In the residence of the county archway of Qinghe County, Shandong Province, Great Song, offering prayers for grace, rewarding the ritual for peace, the faithful official Ximen Qing, born in the year of Bing Yin on the twenty-eighth day of the seventh month at the hour of the Rat, with his wife Wu, born in the year of Wu Chen on the fifteenth day of the eighth month at the hour of the Rat.
The official in charge of expressing the memorial said, "I have not included your other family members." Ximen Qing said, "Just add Li Shi, born on the fifteenth day of the first month of the Xinwei year, Mao hour, and also the son, an official, born on the twenty-third day of the seventh month of the Bingshen year, Shen hour." After the official finished reading, he continued to read:
"Lead the family members to offer their allegiance today, paying respect to Hong Zao. It is thought that Qing is a humble person, with no outstanding achievements. In daily life, he always feels under the protection of heaven and the dragons; in times of change, he consistently receives divine support. Holding a military position, he enjoys grace, wealth, and abundant blessings, having received the favor of the imperial guard. Therefore, a rite is set up with twenty-four ranks, to repay the great grace of heaven and earth and to thank the emperor for his great kindness. Also, a rite with twelve ranks is set up, celebrating the emperor's birthday and honoring His Majesty. Embracing the five blessings for prosperity, welcoming the heavenly beings. Qing also prayed on the twenty-third day of the seventh month of last year, when his concubine Li Shi gave birth to a son, praying for a safe delivery and a joyful birth. He also wishes to entrust his son to the Sanbao Hall, named Wu Yingyuan, offering a ceremony of one hundred and twenty ranks, continuing the family lineage, and extending life. Attached are the souls of three generations of the Ximen family: ancestor Ximen Jingliang, ancestor Li Shi; predecessor Ximen Da, mother Xia Shi; former wife Chen Shi, and the deceased ancestors, their whereabouts unknown. Therefore, a rite with twelve ranks is set up, with the Dao's grace, affirming the cycle of life. A total of one hundred and eighty ranks of immortal rites, seeking divine transformation and absolution. During the auspicious occasion of the heavens' birth in the first month of the third year of Xuanhe, specially at the Great Compassion Jade Emperor's Hall, entrusting the officials with the construction of spiritual treasures, thanking heaven and earth, repaying the country, celebrating the protection of the gods, entrusting names to the scriptures, and a day and night of auspicious and abundant offerings. Inviting the honored officials of the three realms, welcoming the emperor's chariot of ten thousand heavens. The family has long experienced peace and harmony, and the four seasons are prosperous. With the Dao's power, blessings will surely follow. Sincerely."
After reciting the scripture, a large number of talismans and documents were arranged neatly, totaling one hundred and eighty-nine, very orderly and detailed. There were also many documents, talismans, and letters sent by officials to the Three Treasures Hall, too numerous to examine closely. Seeing Daoist Wu's diligence, Ximen Qing lit incense in front of the case, signed the documents, and had a bolt of silk brought out as a gift for Daoist Wu. Daoist Wu repeatedly declined until he finally allowed a young boy to accept it. At this moment, a Taoist priest vigorously struck the ritual drum at the hall's corner, its sound resonated like spring thunder. The entire temple resonated with music. Daoist Wu donned a splendid ceremonial robe, red shoes on his feet, holding a jade tablet and the documents, ascending the altar to invoke Ximen Qing. The bell rang on both sides, leading Ximen Qing into the altar, where he lit incense on both sides of the Three Treasures. As Ximen Qing opened his eyes, he saw that the altar was arranged according to the five directions and divided into eight levels:
The altar was arranged for offerings presented for the three requests and four imperial decrees, with eight poles and nine skies on the side, mountains, rivers, and peaks in the middle, and the underworld and dark officials below. Incense wafted, creating auspicious clouds, a thousand painted candle branches casting their glow; flowers clustered on brocade banquets, a hundred silver lamps casting colors. The Heaven and Earth Pavilion, adorned with a lofty feather canopy; the Jade Emperor's hall, with flags and banners densely arranged. As the golden bell tolled, high-ranking officials stepped forward to honor the Celestial Emperor; when the jade pendant rang, everyone ascended the altar to pay homage to the Jade Emperor. The brocade robe shone like stars; the beautiful crown was adorned with gold and jade. The fierce guardian deities at the altar, the valiant day officials. The Azure Dragon subtly emerged along the Yellow Path, while the White Crane gracefully descended into the Purple Palace.
After Ximen Qing finished paying his respects at the temple, he was invited to the Songhe Pavilion. The room was covered with brocade carpets, and the charcoal fire crackled warmly, creating a comfortable atmosphere. Shortly after, Ying Bojue and Xie Xida arrived. They greeted him respectfully, and Ximen Qing handed each of them a small amount of tea money, saying, "I originally wanted to send some tea leaves over, but the journey was too far, so think of this as tea money." Ximen Qing refused to accept the money, saying, "Please, just come sit with me; I don’t need to give you tea money! I've already got snacks and tea from the Wu family ready." Ying Bojue quickly bowed again, saying, "Brother, really? Then we will accept it." He then turned to Xie Xida and said, "It's all your fault for insisting on sending tea! I told you brother wouldn’t accept it; bringing it out would just make him uncomfortable."
After a while, Wu Dajiu and Huazi also arrived, each bringing two boxes of fine tea snacks. Ximen Qing asked Wu Daoguan to take them all. After drinking tea, everyone ate vegetarian dishes together, with the food and snacks being very sumptuous and exquisite. Ximen Qing also had a vegetarian meal. Wu Daoguan had invited a storyteller to narrate a tale from the Han Dynasty, "The Feast at Hong Gate." Wu Daoguan wrote a note and came over to accompany Ximen Qing, asking, "Brother, is your son coming today?" Ximen Qing said, "Yes, the child is still young; I'm afraid the long journey might scare him, so he is not coming. At noon, his clothes were sent over, and he received his precepts in front of the Sanbao statue." Wu Daoguan said, "I also think so; this is the best way." Ximen Qing said, "Other than that, he is just timid. There are several maids and wet nurses taking turns to look after him at home, but he’s still quite frightened, even of cats and dogs coming near him." Wu Dajiu said, "It's not easy to raise a child..." While they were talking, Da'an came in and said, "Guixi and Yinyi sent Li Ming and Wu Hui to deliver tea." Ximen Qing said, "Let them in." Li Ming and Wu Hui knelt with two boxes in their hands, opened them to reveal various exquisite pastries. Ximen Qing asked Wu Daoguan to accept them all, then asked Li Ming, "How did you know I was here?" Li Ming said, "This morning, I saw Uncle Chen riding past, and only then did I know that Father was doing rituals here today. I went home to tell Guixi and Sanma, and then called Wu Yinyin, and we came over together. We should have come in person, but we really couldn't leave, so we brought some simple snacks for Father to enjoy." Ximen Qing ordered, "You two stay and eat the vegetarian meal." Wu Daoguan arranged for them to sit down, and even the servants got to enjoy a hearty meal.
Speaking of which, at noon, after the worship ceremony ended, Wu the Daoist prepared a big table, a jar of Jinhua wine, and a set of Daoist clothes for Ximen Qing's son: a green satin Daoist cap with gold thread, a black silk robe, a green satin undershirt, a pair of white silk socks, a pair of green shoes made of silk, a yellow cord made of wool, a yellow silk thread placed before the Three Treasures statue, a purple silk thread placed before the Ancestral Goddess statue, a silver neck ring inscribed with the words "May your halls be filled with gold and jade, and may you enjoy a long and prosperous life," a yellow silk talisman inscribed in cinnabar with the phrase "Taiyi governs life, peaches extend health," attached with a yellow silk thread. All these items were placed on square trays, along with four plates of fruit and snacks, on the table. A young boy carried a scripture wrapped in red paper, outlining the process of the three-day ceremony, for Ximen Qing to look over before packing it away. They sent a total of eight sedan chairs to Ximen Qing's house. Ximen Qing was thrilled and quickly rewarded the Daoist boy with two handkerchiefs and two taels of silver.
Besides, it was Pan Jinlian's birthday. Wu Dajin, Pan Laolao, Yang Gu Niang, and Yu Dajie were all sitting in the room with Yue Niang. When they saw the vegetarian food and gifts sent from the temple, they set up four tables, but there wasn't enough room for everything, and everyone gathered around to see what was happening. Jinlian said, "Sister Li, why aren't you coming out to take a look? Your son’s master sent gifts from the temple, along with his son's Daoist robe and crown. Hey, look, there are even little shoes!" Meng Yulou stepped forward and picked up the shoes, saying, "Elder sister, look how thoughtful the Daoist is; these little shoes have white silk soles, the stitches are so fine, and the embroidered patterns are beautiful. I bet he must have a wife! Otherwise, how could he sew like that?" Wu Yue Niang said, "Don't talk nonsense. He is a monk; where would he have a wife? It must have been made by someone else." Pan Jinlian took over and said, "Daoists can have wives, just like Master Wang and Master Da do. They know how to pick good sweat towels; maybe they even have men!" Wang Guzi said, "A Daoist wears a hat; how could you not recognize them! Just like us monks, we can tell at a glance." Jinlian said, "I heard that behind the Guanyin Temple where you live is Xueming Temple. As the saying goes: male monks face female monks; nothing happens, but something is still going on." Yue Niang said, "Sixth sister, why do you love to gossip so?" Jinlian said, "This is the purple thread lock his master and the goddess sent. And this silver collar, engraved with eight characters, looks really good. The back is engraved with his name, something like Wu something Yuan?" The chess boy said, "This is the Dharma name given to him by his master, Wu Yingyuan." Jinlian said, "This is the character for 'Ying'." Then she said, "Elder sister, the Daoist is quite rude; why did he change the child's last name?" Yue Niang said, "Look at you, you really don’t get the rules!" Then she told Li Ping'er, "Go get the child and bring him here; put on this Daoist robe, and let’s see how it looks!" Li Ping'er said, "He just fell asleep; do I really have to wake him?" Jinlian said, "It's fine, just wake him up." Li Ping'er had no choice but to comply.
Pan Jinlian learned to read and picked up the scriptures inside the red paper bag. She saw it was written that Ximen Qing's cohabitant, Wu, was mentioned, but didn't mention me. She felt very displeased and showed it to others: "Look at this thief! Is he showing favoritism or not? It only mentions those who have given birth, and we’ve all been left out, thrown into the 'additional names'!" Meng Yulou asked, "Is the eldest sister's name mentioned?" Jinlian replied, "It would be ridiculous if the eldest sister was mentioned." Yue Niang said, "Just one name is enough; do you want your whole family listed just to be laughed at by the Taoist?" Jinlian replied, "Are we all like Liu Zhanyuan's ghosts? Who wasn’t born after ten months of pregnancy!" Just then, Li Ping'er walked in carrying the official boy. Meng Yulou said, "Bring the clothes; I’ll dress him." Li Ping'er held the child while Meng Yulou dressed him with a Taoist bun, nameplate, and two cords. The child was so scared that he shut his eyes and didn’t dare to move for a long time. Yulou dressed him in a Taoist robe. Wu Yue Niang said to Li Ping'er, "Take this scripture, find a fire basin and burn it in the back yourself." Li Ping'er went. Yulou held the child and said, "In these clothes, he looks just like a little Taoist." Jinlian took over, "What little Taoist? He looks more like a little Taiyi Zhenren!" Yue Niang said sternly, "Sixth Sister, what are you saying in front of the kid? Be careful!" Jinlian felt embarrassed and fell silent. After a while, the child, frightened by his clothes, started to cry. Li Ping'er hurried over to take him, and while undressing him, he made a big mess. Meng Yulou laughed, "What a good little Wu Yingyuan, even when he poops, he’s so particular about it!" Yue Niang quickly called for Xiao Yu to bring paper to wipe him. After a while, the child snuggled into Li Ping'er's arms and fell asleep. Li Ping'er said, "Little brother is tired; let’s take him up front to sleep." Wu Yue Niang cleared the table and invited Auntie, Yang Niang, and Granny Pan to join us for a vegetarian meal.
The sky gradually darkened. On the eighth day, Ximen Qing was holding a Daoist ritual and not eating meat. Pan Jinlian did not offer him wine in the evening, so she planned to offer it to him when he got home tonight, waiting at the gate. When the sun set, only Chen Jingji and Dai'an rode their horses home. Pan Jinlian asked, "Has your father arrived?" Jingji replied, "Father is afraid he won't make it. When I left, the ceremony was not yet finished, still repenting. It probably won't be over until midnight! The Daoist said it could end early, but he still needs to thank the wine." Jinlian did not speak, angrily went back to the house, and told Yueniang, "Jia Xiazi is carrying out his plan—working until the early hours of the morning! Separated by a wall, wholeheartedly devoted—dead set on it, the belly is broken off the belt—no more stumbling! I was just waiting at the door for a bit and saw Chen Jiefu riding a horse here. He said his father couldn't come, the ceremony was not over yet, so he was sent home first." Yueniang said, "It's probably for the best if he doesn't come. Let's listen to the Master and Wang Master talk about cause and effect and sing Buddhist songs tonight." Just as she was speaking, Chen Jingji lifted the curtain and came in, a little drunk, saying, "I came to pay my respects to Fifth Sister." He asked the eldest sister, "Do we have a wine cup? Find a wine cup and offer Fifth Sister a toast." The eldest sister said, "There is no wine cup. Just do a kowtow. I'll toast you later. Look at him being so drunk; it's just right to indulge him today, only coming home after getting so drunk." Yueniang asked, "Is your father really not coming? Did Dai'an not come?" Chen Jingji said, "Father saw that the ceremony was not over yet and was afraid there would be no one at home, so he sent me first and left Dai'an there to help. Daoist Wu kept stopping me several times, insisting on making me drink several large cups of wine before letting me go." Yueniang asked, "Who was there today?" Jingji said, "Today, there was Eldest Uncle, Hua Eldest Uncle outside the door, Third Uncle Ying, Third Uncle Xie, as well as Li Ming and Wu Hui, two actors. I have no idea how long they'll keep playing. Only Eldest Uncle Wu has left. Hua Eldest Uncle outside the door was left by my father and will also stay overnight." Jinlian did not see Li Bing'er and said, "Chen Jiefu, did you also call Hua Eldest Uncle? What relatives? You only find out when someone dies. You should call him Li Eldest Uncle." Jingji said, "Fifth Sister, you’re from the countryside, just let it slide." The eldest sister said, "You troublemaker, hurry up and pay your respects then get out!" Jingji kowtowed to Jinlian four times and left.
Before long, they lit the lamps, set the table, and the dishes were ready. They invited Grandma Pan, Miss Yang, Aunt Da, and others to join. Jin Lian raised a toast, and everyone sat down to eat. After the meal, they cleaned up and moved the table outside. Yue Niang instructed Xiao Yu to close the ritual door and set up a small table on the kang, gathering everyone around the two nuns seated at the small table, lighting incense in the middle, holding candles, and listening to them talk about cause and effect. First, the master monk spoke, talking about the third patriarch from the West coming down to the East to transmit the Buddha's heart seal and the cause and effect of the Buddhist teachings, starting with the wealthy Zhang family, elaborating on how rare it is to understand the Buddha's teachings, which led the wealthy Zhang to renounce his riches and go to Huangmei Temple to practice. After he finished, Aunt Wang chanted a verse.
Once she finished, Wu Yue Niang said, "Master must be hungry, let's put the scriptures aside and have a bite to eat." She had Xiao Yu prepare four dishes of vegetarian food and four platters of treats, inviting Aunt Da, Miss Yang, and Grandma Pan to join the two masters for a meal. Aunt Da said, "We just finished eating, let Miss Yang accompany them; she hasn't had any vegetarian food." Yue Niang picked some snacks with a small gilded plate, first giving them to the two masters, then to Miss Yang, saying, "You accompany the two masters to eat a bit." The old woman said, "My Buddha, I'm full." She then added, "This plate has roasted bone, sister, you take it over, be careful not to get it in your mouth." This made everyone laugh. Yue Niang said, "Grandma, these are the vegetarian dishes sent from the temple, please eat as much as you like, it's fine." Miss Yang said, "Since they are vegetarian, I will eat. I was confused, thinking they were meat dishes." Just as they were eating, the daughter-in-law Hui Xiang arrived. Yue Niang said, "You little rascal, what brings you here?" Hui Xiang replied, "I came to listen to the songs too." Yue Niang said, "The ritual door is closed, how did you sneak in?" Yu Xiao said, "She came from the kitchen where the fire was put out." Yue Niang said, "You dark little thing, have you turned into a little ghost, coming to listen to what sutras?!"
A group of servants surrounded the two nuns. After finishing the tea and snacks and tidying up the household chores, they cleaned the scripture table. Yue Niang lit the lamp again and placed the incense. The two nuns began chanting, their voices quite loud. They discussed Zhang Yuanwai's practice at Huangmei Mountain Temple, kneeling to listen to the scriptures during the day and meditating at night. Master Fourth Ancestor found him promising and took him as a disciple, giving him three treasures and sending him to be reborn by the Turbid River. There was a story about a young woman washing clothes by the river when a monk sought shelter; the lady ignored him, and the monk jumped into the river.
Pan Jinlian felt tired and went back to her room to sleep. After a while, Li Ping'er in her room called out, saying that Guaner had woken up, and she went as well. Only Li Jiao'er, Meng Yulou, Granny Pan, Sun Xue'e, Miss Yang, and the big aunt remained in the room. They began to talk about how a large peach floated down the river, and after the young woman ate it, she became pregnant and, after ten months, gave birth to a child. Wang Guzi sang a song titled "Playing with the Child." After finishing, the master recited four lines of verse:
The Fifth Ancestor possesses Buddha nature, reborn in the womb, residing for ten months, transforming the ordinary to save sentient beings.
Seeing that her elder sister had also fallen asleep, the big aunt had tilted over and fallen asleep on the inner bed, and Miss Yang was yawning as well. The candles on the table had burned down to stubs, so she asked Xiao Yu, "What time is it now?" Xiao Yu replied, "It's already the fourth watch; the rooster has crowed." Only then did Yue Niang allow the two masters to put away the scriptures. Miss Yang returned to Yulou's room, and Yu Dajie went to sleep in Xue'e's room. Yue Niang arranged for the master to sleep with Li Jiao'er, while she and Wang Guzi shared the kang. They were still waiting for Xiao Yu to brew tea before they could sleep. The big aunt slept on the inner bed with Yu Xiao. Yue Niang asked Wang Guzi, "So, how did the Fifth Ancestor become a Buddha when he grew up?"
Wang Guzi continued to tell the story of how she was driven out by the young mistress's parents, how she escaped, and how she arrived at the Village of Immortals; how she was born as the Fifth Patriarch, how she was raised until the age of six; how she went to the banks of the turbid river to obtain three treasures, and then went to Huangmei Temple to hear the teachings of the Fourth Patriarch; how she ultimately attained Buddhahood and guided her mother to enlightenment; there was much more to her tale. Lady Yuexiang, after hearing this, became even more devout in her faith. There is a poem as proof:
Fearing impermanence while hearing the teachings,
A red lotus blooms from the tongue.
Who will leave behind empty Zen words?
Let them serve as the nun's sustenance!
