The poem says:
In the quiet night, I feel lonely, as the flowers bloom in haste. To intoxicate the heart of spring, first invite a jade friend.
The rich fragrance still lingers sweetly, the rosy blush gradually fades from her cheeks. Do not wake from the deep intoxication of longing; morning clouds chase after dreams.
The next day, Ximen Qing sent someone to the judicial office with official documents, and also had tailor Zhao Cai make him some clothes, bringing in many carpenters to nail seven or eight belts. Ximen Qing's household was bustling with activity; let's set aside his family for now and focus on Wu Dian'en. That day, Wu Dian'en went to Ying Bojue's house, begging Bojue to help him with the postmaster position, saying he needed to borrow money from Ximen Qing to smooth things over with the officials, offering Bojue ten taels of silver as a token of gratitude, and then he fell to his knees. Bojue quickly pulled him up and said, "This is a matter of mutual benefit; for Ximen Qing to help you to this extent is not something an ordinary person can do." Then he asked, "How much money do you need?" Wu Dian'en said, "Honestly, my family is broke. Tomorrow, when I take office, I need to prepare gifts, host a banquet, buy clothes and horses; it will cost at least seventy to eighty taels of silver. I've written a promissory note, but I'm hesitant to specify the amount; I hope you can help me, and I will definitely repay you generously after it's done." Bojue looked at the promissory note and said, "Wu, my friend, seventy to eighty taels may not be enough. I suggest you write one hundred taels, say it's for the sake of my reputation, no need to pay interest; you can use it first, and when you become an official tomorrow, you can pay me back whenever you can. As the saying goes, 'You can borrow rice to cook a meal, but you can't borrow rice to cook a meal again.'” Wu Dian'en was extremely grateful. So, Bojue wrote "one hundred taels" on the promissory note.
After finishing their tea, the two of them went to Ximen Qing's house together. After Ping'an reported, the two entered and saw many tailors and carpenters busy at work. Ximen Qing and Chen Jingji were looking at the completed official documents in the corridor. When they saw them, they quickly offered their seats. The Count asked, "Brother, have the official documents been sent out?" Ximen Qing replied, "I sent someone to the Procuratorate this morning. The official documents from Dongping Prefecture and our county are being prepared for Ben Si to deliver." After saying that, a servant brought tea. After drinking the tea, the Count didn't bring up Wu Dian'en and instead went to check on the craftsmen working on the waistbands. Ximen Qing saw him picking up the waistbands and showing off, saying, "What do you think of these waistbands I found?" The Count praised repeatedly, "It's really commendable that Brother could find these; they are all good, wide, and large. Not to mention others, you wouldn't even find these in the capital, even if you had silver to spend. Whether I'm flattering you or not, even the commander of the Tokyo Guard, who has plenty of jade and gold belts, doesn’t have a rhinoceros horn belt as fine as this one. This is water rhinoceros horn, not dry rhinoceros horn; dry rhinoceros horn is worthless. Water rhinoceros horn is called Tongtian rhinoceros. If you don't believe me, try it: take a bowl of water, put the rhinoceros horn in, and the water will split into two halves. This is a true treasure." Then he asked, "Brother, how much did you spend to buy it?" Ximen Qing replied, "Take a wild guess." The Count said, "I have no idea about the price of this thing!" Ximen Qing continued, "Let me tell you, this belt comes from the Wang Zhaoxuan mansion. Yesterday, when someone heard that I wanted to buy it, they hurriedly came to tell me. I asked Ben Si to take seventy-two taels of silver, and after several trips back and forth, the other party was still hesitant and insisted on selling it for a hundred taels." The Count said, "It's so wide and so good-looking; it's really rare. Brother, when you wear it tomorrow, you will definitely be imposing. Even your colleagues will envy you when they see it." After praising, he sat down. Ximen Qing asked Wu Dian'en, "Is your promissory note ready?" The Count said, "Brother Wu was just about to write the promissory note; he came to me today for help. Ximen Qing, you helped him go to Beijing to escort tribute. Although it was the Grand Preceptor who gave him this opportunity, it was also your support that led him to this; it's all his destiny. Who knows, he could end up as a high-ranking official someday. But he told me that now that he has taken office, he needs a lot of money for the courtesy visits, banquets, clothing, etc. How can he handle it? It's a hassle to ask two people for help with one thing. There's no other way, Brother, can you lend him some money on my behalf to help him solve these problems? Once he’s an official tomorrow, he’ll surely repay your kindness! Even though he used to be your servant, you have helped him a lot. Otherwise, where can he get the money?" Then he said, "Brother Wu, take out your promissory note and let the nobleman see it." Wu Dian'en quickly took out the promissory note from his pocket and handed it to Ximen Qing. The promissory note stated borrowing one hundred taels of silver, with the middleman being the Count, and a monthly interest of five percent. Ximen Qing picked up the pen and crossed out the interest, saying, "Since Brother Ying is guaranteeing, you only need to repay the principal of one hundred taels tomorrow. I see that you need to spend this money on various preparations." Then he took the promissory note. Just as he was about to get the silver, suddenly Xia, the Judicial Officer, sent someone to deliver official documents, along with twenty bailiffs, to inquire about his official start date and official number, as well as the congratulatory gifts from his colleagues at the yamen. Ximen Qing called in a fortune teller to pick a date, deciding to take office on the second day of the seventh month at the hour of Chen. Then he sent someone to deliver the reply to Xia, the Judicial Officer, and rewarded the person who wrote the letter with five coins of silver. Just as they were leaving, Chen Jingji came out with one hundred taels of silver and handed it to Wu Dian'en, saying, "Brother Wu, you only need to repay the principal tomorrow." Wu Dian'en took the silver happily and left. Now, dear readers, later on, Ximen Qing passed away, and his family fell on hard times. Wu Yu Niang became a widow; Ping'an stole her jewelry and pawned it at a pawnshop, stayed in a brothel in Nanwazi, and was caught by Wu Dian'en, who falsely accused Wu Yu Niang of having an affair with Dai'an, trying to frame Wu Yu Niang and repay kindness with enmity. That's a story for another time—let's not get into that right now.
As the poem beautifully expresses:
Don't bother planting flowers that won't bear fruit, and don't associate with unworthy people. After Ben Si returned the official documents from Dongping Prefecture and the county, Ximen Qing kept him and Earl Ying to dine with the master of Yin and Yang. While they were eating, Wu Dajiu came to visit, and Mr. Xu got up to greet him. After a bit, Earl Ying said his goodbyes and headed to Wu Dian'en's place. Wu Dian'en had already prepared ten taels of silver as a thank-you gift, handing it to the earl with both hands while bowing in thanks. The earl said, "If it weren't for my smooth talking, he wouldn't have lent you the money." After thanking the earl, Wu Dian'en started getting his official clothes and a belt ready, choosing a day to take office, but we will not elaborate on that for now.
County magistrate Li sent a gift to congratulate him and an eighteen-year-old young scholar named Xiao Zhang Song, from Changshu, Suzhou, who used to be a doorman in the county office. He was quite handsome, fair-skinned, was a good writer and singer, and was dressed in a fresh blue outfit, wearing sandals and white socks. Ximen Qing took a liking to this young man and sent a reply, keeping Xiao Zhang Song as his scholar, making him new clothes, shoes, and a hat, assigning him to manage the study and the garden gate keys, without making him run errands. Zhu Shinian also found a fourteen-year-old servant named Qitong to help, responsible for carrying the saddlebag on horseback.
On the day Ximen Qing took office, a lavish feast was held in the yamen, with a band playing for fun. Li Ming was also present, and everyone drank together, dispersing only by evening. Ximen Qing rode a big white horse, wearing a black gauze hat and splendid official attire, striding down the street with great dignity, surrounded by a crowd, making quite a splash! After taking office, he first visited his superiors and colleagues, then the neighbors, really soaking up the attention! His home received many gifts and invitations every day, truly echoing that line of poetry:
"The white horse with red tassels looks fresh and new; those who don't show up are overshadowed by those who do. When fortune smiles, even dull iron shines, but when luck fades, good gold goes unnoticed."
After Ximen Qing took office, he worked in the yamen every day. Time passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, Li Ping'er had been in confinement for almost a month. Many relatives and friends came to bring gifts to celebrate the full month of the little official's baby. Li Guijie and Wu Yiner also came to present their gifts and congratulations, arriving in a sedan chair. Ximen Qing hosted a banquet to entertain his guests, and the maids Chunmei, Yingchun, Yuxiao, and Lanxiang were all dressed beautifully, serving the guests at the table.
Ximen Qing came back every day; as soon as he stepped into the outer hall, he took off his clothes and had the servant fold them and place them in the study. He only wore his hat as he went into the backyard. The next day, he had the maid go to the study to get them. He recently cleared out a room to use as a study, which was filled with a bed, tables, chairs, screens, writing supplies, and musical instruments. The servant slept on a footstool beside the bed at night. Ximen Qing sometimes rested in the study, and in the morning, he had the maid in the study bring his clothes. Over time, the servant and the maids from different rooms became quite familiar with each other, especially with Yuxiao, with whom he often joked. One day, when the servant was getting ready, Yuxiao walked in and teased him, saying, "You little rascal, looking all dressed up!" The servant ignored her and continued combing his hair. Yuxiao asked, "Where did you put your dad's clothes?" The servant replied, "They're on the south end of the bed." Yuxiao said, "He's not wearing that outfit today; I want to borrow your black jacket with the gold patches." The servant said, "It's in the kitchen cabinet; I just put it away yesterday, and he wants to wear it again today. You can go get it yourself." Yuxiao didn't go get the clothes; she walked over to watch him comb his hair and said, "You little rascal, you even tied your hair with a red string—so fancy!" She saw two sachets hanging on the servant's jacket and said, "Give me the silver-red one!" The servant said, "This is my prized possession." Yuxiao said, "What does a servant boy like you need this for? Let me wear it instead." The servant said, "Alright, if you were a man, you would like it too, right?" Yuxiao deliberately pinched him and said, "You look like a guardian deity; that’s painted really well!" She then snatched the sachet and broke the string. The servant said, "You really have no respect; you broke my string!" Yuxiao hit him a few times, and the servant got impatient and said, "Stop messing around, let me finish tying my hair!" Yuxiao asked, "Do you know where your dad went today?" The servant said, "Your dad went to escort the county's head clerk to drink at Lord Xue's mansion in Huangzhuang; he probably won't be back until the afternoon. He also has to go exchange money with Uncle Ying to buy the house of Qiao Dashu." Yuxiao said, "I'll catch up with you when he gets back." The servant said, "Got it." Yuxiao took the clothes and left.
After a while, Ximen Qing came out and called the book boy and instructed him: "Stay home and don’t wander off. First, write twelve invitation cards and seal them with big red paper. On the 28th, invite guests to celebrate the official son's first month; have Lai Xing go buy supplies, prepare kitchenware and food, and set up the banquet; let Dai An and two attendants deliver the invitation cards and arrange for a band to perform; let Qintong serve wine to the guests." After instructing, Ximen Qing rode out. Wu Yueniang and the others invited the guests, first drinking tea in the tent, and then set up a banquet in the hall, inviting female musicians to play and sing. Ximen Qing returned in the afternoon, had dinner with his family, and went to Qiao Dahu's house with Ying Bojue and Chen Jingji to help buy a house.
Just then, when everyone was drinking, Yuxiao grabbed a pot of wine, four pears, and a tangerine, and went straight to the wing room to give to the book boy. But when she pushed the door open, the book boy wasn't in the room. Worried about being seen, Yuxiao quickly put down the wine pot and came out. That was odd; Qintong was keeping an eye on the wine upstairs and saw Yuxiao enter the study, and then come out a while later. Qintong only knew that the book boy was in the study, so he sneaked in to find out what was happening. To his surprise, the book boy wasn't there; the pot of hot wine and the fruit were still under the bed! Without thinking twice, Qintong quickly hid the fruit in his sleeve and then quietly took the wine pot to Li Ping'er’s room.
Li Ping'er's nursemaid Ruyi'er and Xiu Chun are in the room watching the children. As soon as Qin Tong entered, he asked, "Where is the lady, anyway?" Xiu Chun said, "She's upstairs drinking with the madam; what do you need her for?" Qin Tong said, "I've got something good; I need her to help me keep it safe." Xiu Chun asked what it was, but he didn't show it. That's when Ying Chun brought down a plate of roast goose meat and a plate of steamed cakes with cornmeal and rose fruit filling for the nursemaid to eat. When she saw Qin Tong, she said, "You little rascal, what are you laughing about? Weren't you supposed to be watching the wine upstairs?" Only then did Qin Tong pull out the wine jug from under his clothes and said to Ying Chun, "Sister, help me keep this safe." Ying Chun asked, "This is the wine jug used upstairs; what are you doing with it?" Qin Tong said, "Sister, don’t worry about it, alright? This was taken by Yu Xiao, Shu Tong, and those people upstairs, sneaking off with the wine and fruits, running to the study to drink and eat by themselves. I happened to see it, so I 'borrowed' it from them. Please hide it well, and if anyone asks, don’t let it slip. I'll return it to them later!" Then, Qin Tong took out pears and tangerines to show Ying Chun. Ying Chun said, "What if someone asks about the missing wine jug; are you ready to take the heat for it?" Qin Tong said, "I didn't swipe the wine jug; everyone should just mind their own business, it's not my problem!" After speaking, he left in a hurry. Ying Chun stashed the wine jug on the table in the back room.
In the evening, after the banquet was over, they counted their belongings and found that a wine pot was missing. Yu Xiao hurried to the study to look for it, but of course, she found nothing! She asked the bookkeeper, who said, "I went out, I don’t know." Yu Xiao became anxious and firmly insisted that it was Xiao Yu who stole it. Xiao Yu retorted, "You shameless one! I’ve been watching the tea from the back, while you were holding the wine pot serving wine to the lady at the table. Now that the wine pot is missing, you blame me!" Everyone searched everywhere but couldn’t find it. After a while, Li Ping'er arrived, and Ying Chun told her what had happened: "The qin boy brought a wine pot in and asked me to help him hide it." Li Ping'er said, "What is that rascal doing bringing it in? The wine pot is lost, Yu Xiao blames Xiao Yu, Xiao Yu blames Yu Xiao, and the panicked girl is swearing and crying. You hurry up and return the wine pot, or else it will be your fault!" That’s when Ying Chun finally took out the wine pot and sent it to the back. In the back, Yu Xiao and Xiao Yu were in a heated argument with Yue Niang. Yue Niang said, "You two shameless ones, how dare you fight? The wine pot is missing, who cares?" Yu Xiao said, "I was up there serving wine to the lady, and he was watching the silverware and belongings. The wine pot is missing, and now you blame me?" Xiao Yu said, "Auntie wanted tea; should I not go get it for her?" You were holding the wine pot, how did it disappear? Is it because your backside is big, and your heart is big too?" Yue Niang said, "There were no outsiders at the banquet today; how could things go missing? When your masters return, if this wine pot is not here, the whole household will be in trouble!"
It was a chaotic scene when Ximen Qing returned and asked, "What's going on, why all the noise?" Yu Niang explained the story of the lost wine pot. Ximen Qing said, "Just take it easy, what's all the fuss about?" Pan Jinlian replied, "If losing a wine pot over a drink isn't a big deal, then your family must be rolling in it! It's the first time I've heard of someone losing a wine pot without even getting drunk; that’s a sign of bad luck!" Dear readers, please listen: Jinlian's words were a veiled insult towards Li Ping'er, who lost the wine pot after giving birth to her first child, which is considered inauspicious. Ximen Qing got the hint but chose to stay quiet. Just then, Yingchun brought back the wine pot. Yuxiao said, "The wine pot has been found." Yu Niang asked Yingchun, "What's the story behind this wine pot?" Yingchun explained how Qintong hid the wine pot in my mother’s room. Yu Niang asked, "Where is that kid Qintong now?" Da'an said, "He's probably staying at the place on Lion Street today." Jinlian let out a laugh. Ximen Qing asked, "What are you laughing at?" Jinlian said, "Qintong is their family's person; hiding the wine pot in his room is definitely an attempt to cover up the matter. In my opinion, send a servant to fetch that kid and give him a good thrashing to find out what's going on. Otherwise, blaming those two first is just plain cowardice!" Ximen Qing was furious to hear this and glared at Jinlian, saying, "Are you saying Sister Li has a thing for this wine pot? Now that we’ve found it, just drop it, why stir up trouble?" Jinlian flushed and retorted, "Who said my sister's broke?" With that, she stormed off.
Ximen Qing called Chen Jingji over to talk. Jin Lian and Meng Yulou stood together, cursing, "You blind idiots, thieves and robbers from all walks of life! Are you tired of living it up these past few days? Ever since you had a kid, you all act like royalty, treating us like we're death itself, with less and less kindness, shouting at us at every turn. Who doesn't know that my sister has money? Tomorrow, you will spoil these little servants and maidens, raising thieves and robbers, and talk about us endlessly, so don't mind us!" As they spoke, Ximen Qing chatted with Chen Jingji for a while and then went ahead. Meng Yulou said, "Aren't you going to get a move on? He will definitely go to your room." Jin Lian said, "He said it's lively in the rooms with children, while ours without children are cold and quiet." Just then, Chunmei came in. Yulou said, "I told you he would go to your room, didn't I? Isn't Chunmei here to call you?" She called Chunmei over to ask. Chunmei said, "I came to ask for a sweat towel from the one called Yuxiao." Yulou asked, "Where's your dad?" Chunmei replied, "Dad went to Liu Niang's room." Upon hearing this, Jin Lian felt like she was on fire and cursed, "This robber, even if he breaks his leg tomorrow and for all eternity, he shouldn't enter my room! Kick the threshold, let that jailbird twist his ankle!" Yulou said, "Sixth sister, why are you so venomous today?" Jin Lian replied, "It's not like that. This thief is small-minded, with a heart as small as a pea. It's all your wife, who has had an extra child for no reason at all, so what's the fuss about! Why does each one of them act more fiercely than the last, trampling people into the mud!" Just as it is said:
When the wind knocks down the phoenix tree, people will have plenty to say about it.
Let's put aside the matter of Golden Lotus for now. When Ximen Qing got there, Xue Dajian sent over a jar of fine wine, a lamb, two bolts of golden satin, a platter of longevity peaches, a platter of longevity noodles, and four delicious dishes, one for blessings and the others for congratulations. Ximen Qing generously rewarded the messengers and sent them away. In the backyard, Li Guijie and Wu Yiner came to say goodbye, expressing their wish to go home. Ximen Qing said, "You both should stay for one more day. On the 28th, I will invite many officials, and there will be a special performance in the yard. You two can handle the toasting." Guijie said, "Since you are keeping us, I'll send someone to let my mom know so she won't worry." So, Ximen Qing had their sedan chairs sent off.
The next day, Ximen Qing arranged brocade screens in the hall, laid out lavish mats, and prepared to entertain the officials. Since he had met Liu Gonggong from the brick factory at Huangzhuang a few days prior, he and Xue Neixiang both brought gifts. Ximen Qing sent them invitations and also invited Ying Bojue and Xie Xida to accompany. As mealtime approached, Ying Bojue and Xie Xida dressed sharply and arrived early. Ximen Qing invited them to have tea in the pavilion. Bojue asked, "Brother, who have you invited today?" Ximen Qing replied, "Liu Gonggong, Xue Gonggong, Master Zhou from the Shuai Mansion, General Jingnan Jiang, my colleague Xia Ti, General Zhang, Captain Fan, as well as the Wu brothers. Qiao Lao sent word today, but the person hasn't arrived yet. Along with you two, that's all the guests we have." Just then, Uncle Wu and Second Uncle Wu arrived, greeted everyone, and sat down together as the dining table was set. After the meal, Ying Bojue asked, "Is it the baby's full month celebration? Can we see him?" Ximen Qing said, "Everyone wants to see; the servants advised against bringing the baby out yet, fearing he might catch a chill, but the wet nurse said it's fine. Let the wet nurse wrap him in a blanket and bring him out, take a stroll in his aunt's room, mark the occasion, and then bring him back." Bojue said, "My sister-in-law invited me that day; I also wanted to see, but my old ailment flared up, and I couldn't get out of bed, which made me quite anxious. Now while the guests aren't all here, Brother, tell the wet nurse to bring the baby out; let's all see." Ximen Qing ordered the backyard, "Carefully bring the baby out; don't startle him. Tell the baby's mother, Uncle, Second Uncle are here, along with Second Uncle Ying and Xie who want to see." Madame Yue let the wet nurse Ruyi wrap the baby tightly in a red silk blanket and sent him to the corner of the pavilion gate, where Daian picked him up and brought him to the pavilion. Everyone came to see; the young master was wearing a big red satin shirt, fair-skinned and rosy-cheeked, and chubby, all very complimentary. Uncle Wu, Second Uncle Wu, and Xie Xida each pulled out a brocade pouch from their sleeves, with a small silver pendant on it; while Ying Bojue took out a colorful thread with over ten longevity coins on it. They handed them to Daian, to take back to the room carefully without startling the child, saying, "This child is well-mannered, destined for greatness." Ximen Qing was very happy, bowing in gratitude.
While they were chatting, someone suddenly came to report that Lord Liu and Lord Xue had arrived. Ximen Qing quickly put on his clothes and went to the ceremonial entrance to welcome them. The two ministers were seated in a four-person sedan chair, wearing dragon robes, accompanied by attendants in a grand ceremonial procession. Ximen Qing first welcomed them into the main hall, bowed, and served tea. Soon after, military officials such as Zhou Shoubei, Jing Dujian, and Xia Tixing, all dressed in splendid attire, came in holding rattan rods and fans, their demeanor imposing. In no time, the area in front of the door was packed with people, creating a sea of black. Inside, the gongs and drums thundered, and lively music and singing filled the air. Ximen Qing welcomed them inside to meet with Lords Liu and Xue. Twelve tables were set up in the center of the hall. Ximen Qing lifted his wine cup and invited them to sit down. Lords Liu and Xue politely declined, saying, "There are others here too." Zhou Shoubei said, "The two esteemed eunuchs are highly respected and well-regarded; as the saying goes, 'Those who enter the court at three years old rank above the nobility.' Naturally, you should sit in the primary seats, no need to be polite." After some back-and-forth, Minister Xue said, "Liu, since no one is willing to concede, let’s not make things difficult for the host; let’s sit." Thus, they both clasped their hands in a bow, with Minister Liu on the left and Minister Xue on the right, each placing a handkerchief beneath their knees, while two young attendants fanned them from the side. Then came Zhou Shoubei, Jing Dujian, and others. Not long after, the band began to play. The feast that day featured exquisite dishes and fresh fruits, an abundance that was simply incredible. After five rounds of wine and three courses of dishes, the performers from the music bureau put on a comedic skit. It went like this:
With a belt adorned with treasures, and pearl-embroidered armlets. When laughing, one can be near the eyes; after dancing, the brocade is tied up.
After enjoying those comedic acts, Li Ming and Wu Hui, two young musicians, went on stage to play and sing. One played the zither, the other played the pipa. Zhou Shoubei first exchanged pleasantries with the two eunuchs, saying, "The old eunuch instructed, which song should they perform?" Liu the eunuch said, "Please, go ahead." Zhou Shoubei said, "Old eunuch, you’re too kind, no need for modesty." Liu the eunuch said, "Let them sing 'Sighing about life as if in a dream'." Zhou Shoubei said, "Old eunuch, this song laments the fleeting nature of life; today Mr. Ximen Qing has a lot of joyous events, and it's his birthday, that might not be quite fitting." Liu the eunuch said, "How about 'Though I’m neither one of the eight purple-robed ministers nor one of the six palace beauties'?" Zhou Shoubei said, "This is a line from Chen Lin's 'Makeup Box'; today is a day of celebration, not quite suitable." Xue the eunuch said, "Let them come up first, I will instruct them on what to sing. Do you remember the part in 'Universal Music' that goes 'The most bitter part of life is parting'?" Xia, the magistrate in charge of public security, flaunting his authority, laughed heartily, "Old eunuch, this song is about parting, which is even less appropriate." Xue the eunuch said, "We're just internal officials who only know to follow the emperor's orders, let them sing whatever." Xia ordered, "Sing a set of 'Thirty Tunes'. It’s a great day filled with joy, so this song is most fitting; Mr. Ximen is getting promoted and rich, and it's a joyous occasion." Xue the eunuch asked, "What joyous occasion?" Zhou Shoubei said, "Two esteemed eunuchs, today also marks the full month celebration of Mr. Ximen's son; our colleagues have all sent small gifts to congratulate." Xue the eunuch said, "I see..." Then he said to Liu the eunuch, "Liu family, let’s all come by tomorrow to bring our congratulatory gifts." Ximen Qing thanked them, "I have a new child, it’s nothing to fuss over; the two old eunuchs don't need to worry." After that, he called Dai'an to bring out Wu Yin'er and Li Guijie to toast in front of the guests. Two beautifully dressed singing girls stepped out, kowtowing four times like candles, then stood up and poured wine from the jug, toasting one by one. The two musicians sang a new set of lyrics, their singing was melodious and enchanting, truly a delight to the ears, leaving a lingering impression.
That evening was filled with singing and dancing, bustling and vibrant. They drank until late into the night, and Eunuch Xue finally stood up to say goodbye, saying, "First, I am grateful for your warm hospitality. Second, today is a joyous day, and I got carried away with happiness and drank too much. I apologize for any disruption, so I will take my leave." Ximen Qing said, "It's rare for you to grace us with your presence and have a drink. It has been a delightful evening, and I hope you can stay a bit longer and have a great time before you go." Everyone got up and said, "We’ve truly overstayed our welcome." They all bowed and expressed their gratitude. Ximen Qing repeatedly tried to keep them, but they insisted on leaving, so he had to accompany Uncle Wu, Uncle Er, and others to see them off at the gate. Along the way, drums were loud, lights were bright on both sides, and cheering and laughing, they sent the guests off in high spirits. It was just as the saying goes: "Singing and dancing make the day feel short, so we light high candles to brighten the festive faces."
