The words say:
Clothes dyed in oriole yellow, love to linger, encouraging to raise the wine cup. The low bun sways in the cicada's shadow, whispering sweet nothings.
Eaves dripping with dew, cool bamboo wind, savoring exquisite drinks. As night deepens, the lamp is lit to welcome the moon, carefully holding each other.
- From the right tune "Unforgettable Thoughts"
After Ximen Qing returned home, the first thing he asked was how Yuemeng's child was doing, whether a doctor had been called. Yuemeng said that they had already called Liu Pozi to take a look; the child had taken the medicine, was no longer causing trouble, and was sleeping soundly, much better. Ximen Qing said, don't believe that old witch's reckless treatment; we should still call a pediatrician to take a look to be reassured. But since the child was much better now, let's stick with that for now. If it doesn't improve, we'll take her to the yamen and teach that old witch a lesson too! Yuemeng was immediately angered, saying that he was always cursing people; the child is better now, why act this way! At that moment, the maid brought the food to the table. Ximen Qing had just finished his meal when Dai'an came to report that Ying Bojue had arrived. Ximen Qing asked the servant to brew some tea quickly and invite Ying Bojue to sit in the side room. Then he told Yuemeng not to touch the food he had just eaten; have the servant bring another plate of food for his brother-in-law first, and he would come later. Yuemeng asked why he had sent Ying Bojue out yesterday morning, why he had only just returned now. Ximen Qing explained that Ying Bojue knew a merchant from Huzhou, He Guaner, who had five hundred taels of silk in his shop and urgently needed to return home, looking to sell the silk at a discount. Ximen Qing only agreed to give him four hundred and fifty taels of silver; yesterday he had Ying Bojue and Lai Bao take two large silver ingots over as samples; they had already negotiated, and today they were going to cash in the silver. Ximen Qing planned to rent out the empty house on Lion Street, open a yarn shop, and since Lai Bao was the accountant for Yunwang Mansion, he would have him and the shop assistants manage the business together. The house had also been inspected, and the deal was finalized.
Yue Niang said, "Looks like we need to find a partner again." Ximen Qing replied that Ying Bojue had a friend surnamed Han, who used to be in the woolen thread business but now had no capital and was idling at home. He was good with numbers and very upright, and Ying Bojue strongly recommended him. In a few days, Mr. Han will come over to meet us, and we'll sign a contract. After Ximen Qing finished speaking, he counted out four hundred and fifty taels of silver in the room and handed it to Lai Bao. Chen Jingji (Ying Bojue) was anxiously waiting in the side room. Seeing the silver being counted out made him happy. He greeted Ximen Qing and said he caused trouble yesterday, came home late, and woke up late today. Ximen Qing said, "I've counted the silver—four hundred and fifty taels. Let's have Lai Bao pack it up." He added, "Today is a good day, so let's quickly hire a cart to bring the goods over and lock them up in that house." Ying Bojue said, "Brother's idea is good, but I'm worried that the merchant from Huzhou might deliberately delay things and settle accounts after the goods arrive." So, Ying Bojue and Lai Bao took the silver and went to He Guaner's shop to trade. Little did they know that Ying Bojue had secretly colluded with He Guaner, who only gave four hundred and twenty taels of silver, keeping thirty taels as a labor fee. In front of Lai Bao, they only showed nine taels of silver as a ruse, and the two divided it equally. They hired a cart, brought the goods into the city that day, stacked them in the empty house on Lion Street, locked the door, and then went back to report to Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing asked Ying Bojue to pick a good day to bring Mr. Han over. Mr. Han was short, in his thirties, spoke frankly, and had a friendly smile. Ximen Qing signed a contract with him right then. Lai Bao used the money to hire workers for dyeing and opened a shop on Lion Street, selling various woolen threads, selling dozens of taels of silver each day—business was booming.
Time flies; in no time, it's already the fifteenth of August, the birthday of the Moon Lady, and many guests came over for a feast. Madam Wu, Granny Pan, Miss Yang, and two nuns all stayed for two days, chanting sutras and singing together at night, often not resting until after midnight. That day, because Madam Wu was in the main room, Ximen Qing felt uneasy, so he went to see the child in Li Ping'er's room, intending to sleep there. Li Ping'er replied, "The child just got better, and I'm feeling anxious; let's stay at Sister Five's (Meng Yulou) tonight." Ximen Qing smiled and said, "I won't disturb you." So he came to Pan Jinlian's room. Jinlian was overjoyed when her husband arrived, quickly sent Granny Pan over to Li Ping'er, lit the lamp, spread out the brocade quilt, and took a bath in incense before going to bed with Ximen Qing. The bond between the couple is hard to put into words; Jinlian just wants to keep her husband's heart close, to keep him from going to other rooms. It's like: buzzing bees and tender buds blooming in the spring breeze; butterflies enjoying sweet nectar, deep in the flower room, spending a romantic night.
Li Ping'er saw Pan Laolao coming and quickly invited her to sit on the kang. She asked Yingchun to get some wine, dishes, fruits, and snacks ready, and they chatted until late into the night before heading to bed. The next day, Li Ping'er gave Pan Laolao a light green silk jacket, two pairs of satin shoes, and two hundred coins. Pan Laolao was overjoyed and showed the gifts to Jinlian, saying they were from Li Ping'er. However, Jinlian called her stingy and dismissed the gifts as nothing special, saying that Pan Laolao was just showing off. Pan Laolao replied, "Dear sister, she gave me these gifts out of kindness. Would you be willing to give me a piece of clothing?" Jinlian retorted, "I am not as rich as her; I don't even have enough clothes for myself. How can I give you anything? You just accepted gifts from others without giving anything in return, so when you go back, prepare some dishes and a bottle of wine to return the favor." Jinlian then instructed Chunmei to prepare eight dishes, four boxes of fruits, and a bottle of wine. Upon learning that Ximen Qing was out, she had Qiuju use a box to send the items to Li Ping'er's room, saying that her mother and grandmother were coming to join her for a drink. Li Ping'er said, "You're worrying your mother again." Later, Jinlian and Pan Laolao arrived, and the three of them settled down to drink, while Chunmei poured the wine for them.
It is said that Jinlian was chatting with someone when Qiujie ran over and said, "Your brother-in-law is looking for clothes and wants you to open the outer door." Jinlian replied, "Tell your brother-in-law to find good clothes and come here for a drink." After a while, Jingji came out with a few pieces of clothing. Chunmei returned and reported, "He's not coming." Jinlian said, "No matter what, get him over here!" She then asked Xiuchun to invite Jingji. Pan Laolao sat on the kang with a fruit plate on the small table, while Jinlian and Lipinger kept him company while drinking. Jingji came in and hurriedly saluted. Jinlian said, "I invited you for a drink, why are you stalling? It really annoys me!" She pouted and asked Chunmei, "Bring a big cup and pour it for brother-in-law." Jingji put the clothes on the kang and sat down. Chunmei took a tea cup, filled it with wine, and handed it to him. Jingji hurriedly said, "Fifth sister rewards me with wine, I'll just drink two small cups. There are many people waiting for clothes in the shop." Jinlian said, "Let them wait, I insist on you drinking this big cup; the small cup feels too cheap." Pan Laolao said, "Let him drink this big cup; he's probably busy with work." Jinlian said, "Do you believe him? How busy can he be! Drinking a little wine is like a gold-painted barrel; you can drink until the second hoop." Jingji smiled and took the wine. Just as he took a few sips, Pan Laolao asked Chunmei, "Sister, give brother chopsticks and let him eat something with the wine?" Chunmei deliberately did not give him chopsticks but took two walnuts from the fruit box and gave them to him. Jingji took them and said, "Are you making fun of me? I can't take this!" He cracked the walnut with his teeth. Pan Laolao said, "Young people have good teeth; I'm old, I can't eat hard things." Jingji said, "There are two things in the world that I can't eat—pebbles and cow horns." Jinlian saw him drink that cup of wine, asked Chunmei to pour another cup, and said, "The first cup is mine. Your grandma and sixth sister are not strangers; don't drink too much, just three cups, spare you." Jingji said, "Fifth sister takes care of me too much; I really can't drink anymore. I'm worried I'll get red-faced from this drink, and my dad will be mad." Jinlian said, "Are you still afraid of your dad? I said you don't have to be afraid of him. Where did your dad go drinking today?" Jingji said, "He went to Wu Yicheng's house for a drink in the afternoon; now he's at Qiao Dahuhu's house across the street looking at the account book." Jinlian asked, "Qiao Dahuhu moved out yesterday; why didn't we send tea today?" Jingji said, "It was sent this morning." Lipinger asked, "Where did he move to?" Jingji said, "He spent 1200 taels of silver on East Street, bought a house that is not too big or too small, similar to our house, with seven rooms in front and a total of five floors." Just then, Jingji held his nose and downed another cup, took the clothes while Jinlian wasn't paying attention, and slipped away. Yingchun said, "Mother, look, brother-in-law forgot to take the key." Jinlian took the key and hid it under her body, and said to Lipinger, "When he comes to ask for it, don't say anything; let me deal with him before we say anything."
Granny said, "Just let it go; what more can you do about him?"
Jing Ji returned to the shop, checked his sleeves, didn't find the key, and went directly to Li Ping'er's room to search for it. Jinlian said, "Who saw your key? Where do you usually put it? How can you not know?" Chunmei said, "Maybe it's locked upstairs." Jing Ji said, "I remember bringing it out." Jinlian said, "Children are careless for sure! And you don't know how many people are inside and outside the house, you're so absent-minded." Jing Ji said, "What if someone comes to pick up some clothes? While my father is not here, find a locksmith to open the door and check upstairs." Li Ping'er couldn't help but laugh. Jing Ji said, "Sister Liu, can you help me?" Jinlian said, "This Li sister, I don't know why she's laughing, as if I’ve taken something from her." Jing Ji, feeling frantic, suddenly spotted a keychain peeking out from under Jinlian and said, "Isn't this the key!" Just about to take it, Jinlian hid the key in her sleeve, not giving it to him, saying, "Your key, why is it in my hand?" Jing Ji was as anxious as a cat on a hot tin roof. Jinlian said, "Everyone says you sing well, sing for the guys in the shop, why not sing for me? Today your grandma and Sister Liu are here, sing a nice song, and I'll give you the key. Otherwise, even if you climb the White Pagoda, I won't give it to you." Jing Ji said, "Fifth sister, you're really making it difficult for me. Who told you I can sing?" Jinlian said, "You’re still playing dumb? Shen Wansan in Nanjing, bent tree in Beijing - people have a reputation, trees have shadows." Jing Ji had no choice but to say, "It's my life, I'll sing! I have a hundred good songs in my stomach!" Jinlian scolded, "Those who are stubborn don't end well!" She poured wine for everyone. Jinlian said, "Have another drink, get a red face and sing better." Jing Ji said, "I’ll have a drink after I sing. I'll sing 'Mountain Goat' for you."
At first, we met and formed a brotherhood in the peach orchard. As we got to know each other, I held you in high regard like a precious yellow plum. Everyone says you drink wine at the Qingcui family's place, which makes me so angry that I feel like my heart is breaking. I see you as a thief who has learned to be both cunning and deceptive, appearing strong on the outside but weak inside, which makes my eyes well up with tears. I sent a couple of peach servants to find you, and when I found you under the soft jujube tree, you just walked away from me. I was so furious that I cut a lock of my green silk hair in a fit of rage, yet you, Five Lady, say I'm in the wrong. After cursing that heartless thief, I became desperate, searching for something to hold onto, and by autumn, I wonder who you will lean on.
After singing, he asked Jinlian for the key, saying, "Five Lady, please give it to me! The guys are waiting for me at the shop. I'm afraid my father will come soon." Jinlian replied, "You're quite relaxed, saying it so easily. If your father asks, I'll just tell him you don’t know where you went drinking, lost the key, and came to my room to look for it." Jingji said, "Oh! Five Lady, you really are a mischievous spirit." Li Ping'er and Granny Pan urged from the side, "Sister, give it to him." Jinlian said, "If it weren't for Granny and your Sixth Sister urging me, I wouldn't let you sing until dark. You just bragged about singing a hundred songs, and now you want to fly to the sky after singing one? I won’t let you get away with it that easily." Jingji said, "I still have a song called 'Mountain Slope Sheep' to dedicate to you." So he began to sing again:
Oh, you scoundrel, you haven't come to see me for a month—it's driving me crazy not knowing what you're up to! I sent a servant with a silver note to invite you, but there you were, having a blast at Bīngbùwā and Yuánbǎo's place all night! For you, I couldn't eat or sleep; my heart felt heavy with worry, like it was branded with sorrow. You’re so full of yourself, ignoring me, leaving me hanging all night. I was so mad I gritted my teeth and pounded on the door, but you heartless jerk just ignored me! I couldn't help but let a curse slip, but you treated my heartfelt feelings like they were nothing, totally wasting my sincerity!
After Jingji finished singing, Jin Lian was about to have Chunmei pour the wine when Yue Niang suddenly walked over from behind. Seeing the wet nurse Ruyi holding the official's child at the door, she said, "The child is just feeling better; you silly one, still holding him out in the wind. Why don't you hurry and take him inside!" Jin Lian asked, "Who is speaking?" Xiuchun replied, "The elder lady has arrived." Jingji quickly ran outside with the keys. Everyone came down to greet Yue Niang. Yue Niang asked, "What is Chen brother-in-law doing here?" Jin Lian said, "Sister Li made some dishes and invited my mother to sit for a while. Chen brother-in-law is looking for clothes; tell him to come in for a drink. Sister, please take a seat; we have some good wine, so please have a drink." Yue Niang said, "I’m not drinking. His elder sister-in-law and Miss Yang are going home, and I'm worried about the child, so I came to take a look. Sister Li, aren't you going to take care of this? You let the wet nurse hold the child out in the wind. A few days ago, Old Lady Liu said the child caught a cold; you all aren't taking care of him properly!" Li Ping'er said, "I was having a drink with my grandmother; I didn’t know that rascal took the child out." Yue Niang sat for a while and then left. After a bit, Xiao Yu came to invite grandmother and the fifth and sixth sisters to join them at the back. Pan Jin Lian and Li Ping'er touched up their makeup and went to the back with Pan grandmother to drink with the elder sister-in-law and Miss Yang. As the sun was setting, they helped Yue Niang into the sedan chair. Everyone stood at the door, and Meng Yulou said first, "Elder sister, today his father is not at home; he went to Wu Yichang's house to drink. Let's go check in on Qiao Dahu’s house." Yue Niang asked the gatekeeper Ping'an, "Who has the key over there?" Ping'an replied, "If you want to go over, the door's open. Come, Xing Ge is watching the two workers over there." Yue Niang instructed, "Tell them to move aside; we’re just going to take a quick look." Ping'an said, "Mother, just look; there’s no problem. They are working in the big room on the fourth floor; just have them come out."
So, Yue Niang, Li Jia, Meng Yulou, Pan Jinlian, and Li Ping'er all took sedan chairs to the next door. Upon entering the ceremonial gate, there were three halls. The second floor was a loft. Yue Niang wanted to go upstairs, but she didn't expect the stairs to be so steep. She let out a cry and slipped, luckily grabbing onto the handrail. Yulou was startled and quickly caught her, preventing her from falling. Yue Niang was shocked and dared not go up. Everyone helped her down, their faces went pale. Yulou asked, "Sister, how did you slip and hurt yourself on the stairs?" Yue Niang said, "I didn't fall, just twisted my waist, scaring me so much that my heart felt like it was going to jump out. The stairs were too steep; I thought it was the stairs in our house, so I slipped. Luckily, I grabbed the handrail; otherwise, it would have been disastrous!" Li Jia said, "Your body was already uncomfortable; if we had known, we wouldn't have let you go upstairs." So the sisters accompanied Yue Niang back home. As soon as they got home, Yue Niang started having stomach pains. Unable to endure the pain and with Ximen Qing out, she asked the servant to invite Mrs. Liu to come and see her. Mrs. Liu said, "You already have old injuries; this time it may not end well." Yue Niang said, "I've been pregnant for over five months, and I twisted my waist going upstairs." Mrs. Liu said, "Take my medicine; if it doesn't work, then you may need to give birth." Yue Niang said, "Let's give birth!" Mrs. Liu left two doses of medicine for Yue Niang to take with mugwort wine. Before midnight, the child was born—a male infant, already formed.
**The embryo failed to become a life; the true spirit first arrived in the realm beyond.**
That night, Ximen Qing happened to be resting in Yulou's room.
The next morning, Yulou went to the main room to check on Mrs. Yue. "How are you feeling?" she asked. Mrs. Yue replied, "I was in terrible pain last night and gave birth to a son." Yulou said, "What a shame! Does his father know?" Mrs. Yue explained, "When his father came back drunk, he was about to undress in my room. I told him to go to the other room because I wasn't feeling well. He then went to your side. I didn't tell him. I still have a slight pain in my stomach." Yulou said, "You might still have some blood left to pass; just drink some rice wine with a bit of potash, and you’ll be alright." She added, "Sister, rest a few more days and don’t go out. Recovering from a miscarriage is tougher than from a full-term birth, so be careful not to catch a cold and harm your body." Mrs. Yue replied, "Keep it to yourself; we don’t want to stir up any gossip." So she didn't tell Ximen Qing. This matter passed like this.
It is said that Ximen Qing recently hired a helper; this kid isn't exactly trustworthy. His name is Han Daoguo, but he goes by Xi Yao. He is the son of the bankrupt Han Guangtou. He is doing well now, working for Ximen Qing, and also holds a position as a sergeant in the Yunwang Mansion, living in Niu Pi Alley on the east street of the county. This guy loves to brag, exaggerating when he speaks, and he has a sweet tongue, particularly good at talking. When he lends money, it’s like pulling a fast one—he’s always empty-handed; cheating people out of money is even easier. Since he started working for Ximen Qing and had some cash, he bought new clothes and strutted around the street like he owned the place. Everyone doesn’t call him Han Xiyao; they call him "Han Yiyao." His wife is the younger sister of Wang the butcher, the sixth child in the family, tall and slender, with an oval face and dark skin, probably in her late twenties. They’re a family of three, including a daughter. His younger brother, Han Er, known as Han Er Daogui, is a gambling addict who lives away from home. When Han Daoguo is not at home, Han Er often goes to his house to drink with his sister-in-law and often ends up staying the night, cuddling her.
A few idle neighbors saw his sister-in-law dressed to the nines, always standing at the door looking outside, and loved to argue with others, with a foul temper and a sharp tongue. So the neighbors were a bit put off and whispered among themselves, observing who his sister-in-law was associating with. After a few days, they discovered the affair between his sister-in-law and Han Er. Han Daoguo's house had three storefronts, with neighbors on both sides, and the back door led to a small river. These people kept an eye on Han Er's comings and goings, sometimes hiding by the wall at night to spy, and sometimes sending a kid to keep watch by the river during the day, just waiting to catch them in the act. To their surprise, one day Han Er heard that his brother was not home, so during the day he brought wine to find his sister-in-law to drink. After getting drunk, he locked the door and got up to no good inside. Unexpectedly, they were caught in the act; the kid opened the back door, and everyone rushed in, kicking down the door. Han Er tried to escape but was knocked down by a young man with a punch and was caught. His sister-in-law was still in bed and didn't have time to get dressed. Someone rushed in, first pulling down their pants and tying their hands together with rope. In a short while, a crowd gathered at the door, causing a ruckus down the whole street. Some people came to ask, some came to watch the excitement, and an elderly man who saw the two tied together asked the onlookers, "What's going on here?" Someone nearby replied, "You don't know? This is the younger brother-in-law caught cheating with his sister-in-law." The old man nodded and said, "This is a real shameful affair; a younger brother-in-law seducing his sister-in-law, this could lead to a death sentence." A gossipy person named Tao Pahui, who had married three wives, all of whom he had "seduced," chimed in, "You know the law well; if the younger brother-in-law's cheating with his sister-in-law calls for a death sentence, what about the father-in-law and daughter-in-law? What crime is that?" The old man felt this remark was inappropriate, lowered his head, and left without saying anything. Truly: each person sweeps the snow in front of their own door, and does not concern themselves with the frost on others' roofs. But for now, let's leave the story of Han Er and his sister-in-law for another time.
Han Daoguo didn't stay in the shop that day; he got home early. It was mid-August weather, and he was dressed in light gauze and soft silk, wearing a new hat. He was strutting down the street. He would chat away to anyone he encountered, whether they were sitting or standing. Coincidentally, he met two acquaintances: one was Brother Zhang who ran a paper shop, and the other was Bai Sige who ran a silver shop. Han Daoguo quickly greeted them. Brother Zhang said, "Han, we haven't seen you much lately. I heard you’ve been doing business at Lord Ximen’s place and opened a jewelry shop. We didn't have a chance to congratulate you, don’t take it the wrong way!" He invited him to sit down. Han Daoguo sat on a stool, tilted his head back, fanned himself, and said, "I’m just lucky to have everyone's support. I’m working as a partner for Lord Ximen, with a 70/30 profit split. I manage large sums of money, oversee several shops, and he values me very much, unlike others." Bai Sige said, "I heard you are only in charge of the jewelry business at Lord Ximen's mansion." Han Daoguo laughed and said, "You two brothers don’t know, the jewelry business is just a cover. Whether it's big or small business at the mansion, money coming in and going out, all are my responsibility! He listens to me; we share good and bad. Without me, he can't get anything done. Lord Ximen comes home from the government office every day for dinner, and he often invites me to accompany him; without me, he can't eat. We often hang out in his study, snacking on fruit and chatting. We often sit until midnight before he goes to rest. Yesterday was his wife's birthday; she took a ride to visit some relatives and didn’t return until midnight. We have a good relationship, no reservations. I can’t share too much, but he even asks me about his private matters. I’m honest and take my work seriously, helping him make money and keeping the peace. All finances are clear, the sources are transparent. Even Fu Zixin has a bit of fear of me. Not to boast, but Lord Ximen likes this about me." Just as he was getting into it, someone rushed over in a panic and called out, "Brother Han, what are you still talking about? We couldn't find you at the shop." They pulled him aside and said, "There's trouble at your house; your sister-in-law and your second brother were caught by the neighbors, tied up at the shop, and they will be taken to the county office tomorrow morning. You better find someone to help fast!" Han Daoguo was frightened. His mouth dropped open, feet stomping, ready to bolt. Brother Zhang stopped him, "Han, you haven't finished yet, why are you rushing off?" Han Daoguo raised his hand and said, "Lord Ximen has urgent matters to discuss with me; I can’t chat right now." He hurriedly ran off. It’s true: who can hold back the West River? It’s tough to wash away today’s shame.
