The poem says:
The cattle and horses neigh in the wind, their calls echo among their kind.
In contrast, petty people are not of the same caliber; they must measure themselves against others.
After the banquet that day, it was said that Ximen Qing asked Wu Dajiu, Erjiu, Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, and others to continue drinking. After the musicians finished their meal, Ximen Qing told them, "Come back tomorrow; I'll invite several gentlemen from the county to drink, and you all must dress nicely. I'll reward you all together." The musicians said, "We will definitely dress up nicely and wear new clothes tomorrow." After dinner, the musicians bowed and left. After a while, Li Guijie and Wu Yiner came out together, smiling as they said, "Dad, it's late; the sedan chair is here, we're leaving." Ying Bojue said, "Hey, you two girls are so carefree. The two gentlemen are here, and you want to leave without singing a tune for them?" Guijie said, "If you hadn't said that, I would’ve thought I was mute! We haven't been home for several days; my mother must be very worried." Bojue said, "Worried about what? Do you miss her, like you miss those golden plums?" Ximen Qing said, "Alright, let them go; they've worked hard these past few days. Let Li Ming and Wu Hui sing." Then he asked, "Have you eaten?" Guijie said, "Mom just let us eat." Then they all kowtowed together. Ximen Qing said, "Come back the day after tomorrow and help me get a few more, whether it's Zheng Aixiang or Han Jinchuan; I'll invite friends to drink." Bojue said, "These little fairies, if you call them, you'll have to pay them." Guijie said, "You're not them; how do you know so much?" After saying that, they laughed and left. Bojue asked Ximen Qing, "Brother, who are you inviting the day after tomorrow?" Ximen Qing said, "That day I will invite Qiao Lao, two uncles, Hua Dage, Shen Yifu, and the brothers from the yamen; we will have a good time together." Bojue said, "That'll really be a hassle for you; we've bothered you enough already. We'll come early the day after tomorrow to help you prepare." Ximen Qing said, "I’m really glad you two can make it." After that, Li Ming and Wu Hui came up with musical instruments and sang a piece. Wu Dajiu and the others then got up together. We won't get into what happened that night for now.
The next day, Ximen Qing invited several officials from the county for drinks. Xue Neixiang arrived early, and Ximen Qing invited him to the canopy to have tea. Xue Neixiang asked, "Did the Liu family not send any gifts?" Ximen Qing replied, "Old Master Liu has already sent gifts." After a while, Xue Neixiang wanted to see Ximen Qing's son: "I want to bless him with longevity." Ximen Qing couldn't refuse and sent Dai An to bring the child out. Before long, the nurse brought the little boy to the corner gate, and Dai An took him over. When Xue Neixiang saw the child, he praised, "What a good child!" Then he called, "Where are the young servants?" Soon, two house servants dressed in blue brought two boxes of gifts, presented in a gold lacquer box: a piece of bright red official satin, four gilded silver coins, a painted longevity star drum, and two strings of silver. He said, "This humble Neixiang has nothing of value, these small gifts are for the child to play with." Ximen Qing bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for your kindness." After looking at the gifts, Ximen Qing took the child back to the room. After they finished their tea, Ximen Qing began to set the meal. Just after finishing the meal, someone came to announce: "Several gentlemen have arrived." Ximen Qing hurriedly tidied his clothes and went out to greet them at the second gate. The guests were County Magistrate Li Datian, Deputy County Magistrate Qian Cheng, Chief Clerk Ren Tinggui, and Clerk Xia Gongji. They first presented their visiting cards, and then bowed in the hall. Ximen Qing invited Xue Neixiang to come out to meet the guests, and everyone let Xue Neixiang sit in the seat of honor. Scholar Shang also joined them for drinks. After the guests were seated, a round of tea was served first. After a while, the music and drums began, the singing started, and the wine was served. The entertainment office presented the program. Xue Neixiang chose the four-act play "The Ascension of Han Xiangzi," along with several splendid dance performances. Xue Neixiang was delighted and ordered two strings of coins to reward the musicians.
That day, the officials drank late into the night before finally dispersing. After Li Guijie returned home and learned that Ximen Qing had become a magistrate, she discussed a plan with Qianpo. The next day, she bought various gifts, made a pair of women's shoes, had Baoer carry them on a shoulder pole, and arrived early in a sedan chair to ask Lady Yuexiang to be her godmother. Upon entering, she first happily kowtowed to Lady Yuexiang, then to both her and Ximen Qing. She made Lady Yuexiang very happy as she said, "I received a generous gift from your mother the other day, and today you have gone to the trouble of buying so many things." Guijie replied, "Mother said that now that my father is an official, he doesn't come home as often as before. I would rather recognize you as my godmother, so it’s easier to visit." Lady Yuexiang quickly had her take off her clothes and sit down, then asked, "Why haven't Wu Yiner and the other two come yet?" Guijie said, "I arranged to meet Wu Yiner yesterday, but I don’t know why she hasn’t arrived yet. Father asked me to call for Zheng Aixiang and Han Jinchuan the day before yesterday. When I got here, their sedan chairs were already at the door, so they should be here soon." Before she could finish, Yiner, Aixiang, and a little maid in a bright red gauze top walked in and first kowtowed to Lady Yuexiang. Wu Yiner saw Li Guijie sitting on the kang, already changed out of her clothes, and said, "Guijie, hello! You came before us without waiting." Guijie said, "I was waiting for you! Mother saw my sedan chair at the door and said, 'I'm afraid Yiner has gone ahead, you go quickly.' Who would have thought you’d arrive so late?" Lady Yuexiang smiled and said, "It's not considered late." Then she asked, "What’s this young lady’s name?" Wu Yiner said, "She is Han Jinchuan's sister, Yuchuan." In no time, Xiaoyu set up eight plates of tea snacks and two plates of desserts for the four opera singers to eat. Li Guijie proudly flaunted that she was Lady Yuexiang's goddaughter, sat on the kang beside Lady Yuexiang, peeled nuts, and filled fruit boxes with Yuxiao. Wu Yiner and the others sat on the stools below. Li Guijie was quite full of herself, at times saying, "Yuxiao, please, pour me a cup of tea." At other times, she said, "Xiaoyu, fetch some water for me to wash my hands." Xiaoyu really brought her a basin of water to wash her hands. Wu Yiner and the others were left speechless. Guijie added, "Yiner, you three bring your instruments and play a song for her to enjoy. I’ll go first." Lady Yuexiang and Li Jiaoer sat opposite each other. Wu Yiner had no choice but to grab the instruments. Zheng Aixiang played the zither, Wu Yiner played the pipa, with Han Yuchuan joining in to sing "Eight Sounds of Ganzhou," "Flowers Covering the Cui Building."
After singing, she put down her instrument. Wu Yiner asked Yu Niang first: "Which official did our father invite to dinner today?" Yu Niang said: "Your father only invited family and friends today." Guijie asked: "Didn't you invite those two officials today?" Yu Niang said: "No, there was only Xue Neixiang yesterday; the one surnamed Liu didn't come." Guijie said: "Liu official is okay, but that Xue official just loves to cause trouble, making people feel uncomfortable." Yu Niang said: "Anyway, they are all officials; it's not a big deal. Let him make trouble once." Guijie said: "Mother speaks lightly; what if we run into someone unreasonable? What will we do?" Just as they were talking, Daianer came in carrying a plate of fruit and saw the four of them sitting in the room. She said, "Half of the guests have arrived; seven or eight people are waiting to be seated. Why don't you hurry up and tidy up?" Yu Niang asked: "Who came in front?" Daianer said: "Qiao Dalaoye, Hua Dalaoye, Uncle, Second Uncle, and Xie Lao all came." Guijie asked: "Did Ying Erhuazi and Zhuma Zi come today?" Daianer said: "Ten people, not one less; Ying Erhuazi came at Chen Shi. The master asked him to do something, saying he would come back after he finished." Guijie said: "Oh! These people are more annoying than one another; I don't know when they will stop bothering. I’m not going out today; I’ll just stay in and sing for Mom." Daianer said: "You are really free." After speaking, she took the fruit plate and left. Guijie said: "Mother doesn't know yet; this Zhuma Zi talks a lot at the banquet. Even when others scold him, he just brushes it off. He and Widow Sun are so shameless." Zheng Aixiang said: "Zhuma Zi, who often interacts with Ying Er, came to my house with Zhang Xiao'er a few days ago, holding ten taels of silver to marry my sister Aiyue. My mother said, 'He just taught the people in the south to dress up; it hasn't been a month yet, and the people in the south haven't left. How could I possibly marry my daughter off to him?' He kept pestering, and my mom got really frustrated; she plugged the door and didn't come out to see him. That Zhang Xiao'er has a lot of money, riding a big white horse, brought four servants, sitting in our hall and refusing to leave. The frustrated Zhuma Zi ended up kneeling in the courtyard, saying, 'Please open the door, take this silver, let Yuejie see him, have a cup of tea, and we will leave.' It cracked me up; he was like a kid crying wolf, so shameless!" Wu Yiner said: "Zhang Xiao'er used to chase Dong Mao'er." Zheng Aixiang said: "Because he burned Dong Mao'er's fingers twice, and they broke up, that's why." She looked at Guijie and said, "Yesterday I met Zhou Xiaor specially to tell you that she and Nie Yuer came to your house the day before yesterday, and you were not there." Guijie made a gesture and said, "I went to my father's house; he invited my sister Gui Qing." Zheng Aixiang said: "You don't have much relationship with them; how come you have such a good relationship?" Guijie said: "That Liu Jiuer, he treats him as a pitiful old man; what kind of person, really makes me angry. He talks about this everywhere, blaming me for avoiding him. My mother said, 'You only stay in our house; we buy more things for you to see; it's okay. If you have a good relationship with others, we will be foolish.' It’s like a mirror reflecting the sun—I get it!" After speaking, everyone laughed.
Yue was sitting on the kang and listened to their conversation, saying, "You've been chatting for ages, but I didn't catch a single word. I have no idea who you're talking about!"
As the guests had all arrived, Ximen Qing personally offered a toast. Everyone allowed Qiao Dahuzuo to take the seat of honor and first clinked glasses with Ximen Qing. Three opera singers emerged from behind, adorned with pearl crowns and exuding a delightful fragrance. When Ying Bojue spotted them, he joked, "What are these three rag dolls doing here?" Then he asked, "Master of the house, why hasn't Li Jiaguier come?" Ximen Qing replied, "I have no idea." First, Zheng Aixiang played the zither, Wu Yiner played the pipa, and Han Jinchuan played the clappers. They opened their mouths to reveal their pearly white teeth and first performed a piece from "Narcissus" with the line "Horse hooves cast in gold as a tiger head badge." After the singing and toasting were done, Qiao Dahuzuo sat at the head of the table, followed by Wu Dajiu, Erjiu, Huadage, Shen Yifu, Ying Bojue, Xie Xida, Widow Sun, Zhu Shinian, Chang Zhijie, Bai Laiguang, Fu Zixin, Ben Dichuan, a total of fourteen people at the table, eight tables in total. Ximen Qing took the main seat at the lower table. The singing was enchanting, and the dancing was light and graceful; the wine flowed like water, and the dishes piled up like mountains. After several rounds of drinks and a few sets of performances, Ying Bojue said at the table, "Master of the house, there's no need for them to sing again; they keep repeating the same few songs; who wants to hear that? Have the attendants bring three chairs over, let them toast to everyone; it's much better than singing." Ximen Qing said, "Let them sing two sets of songs honoring their elders first. You, always stirring up trouble, disrupting the order." Zheng Aixiang said, "Ying Huazi, you're hiding flowers behind your back—just wait until tonight!" Bojue personally got up from the table and scolded, "You little minx, what do you mean by tonight? Where's your mother?" He called for Daian, "Come here and bring more props." He pulled one by one to the table, making them offer toasts. Zheng Aixiang said, "Annoying ghost, pulling people so they can't stand still." Bojue said, "Honestly, you little minx, time is running out; the Green Blade Horse is coming soon, toast quickly and leave, I can't wait." Xie Xida asked, "What does Green Blade Horse mean?" Bojue said, "When the cold crows fly over, that’s when the Green Blade Horse shows up." Everyone burst into laughter.
Wu Yiner first toasted Qiao Dahuzi, then Zheng Aixiang toasted Wu Dajiu, Han Yuchuan toasted Wu Erjiu, and they took turns toasting each other. When it was Wu Yiner's turn to toast Ying Bao, Bao asked her, "Why didn't Li Guier come?" Wu Yiner explained, "Don't you know yet? Li Guier now recognizes our mother as her godmother. I was planning to quietly let you know, as long as you were in the loop. That day, after leaving our father's house, everyone went home and said they would come back tomorrow. I waited at home for her, but she came early with gifts, which made me wait for ages. I even sent a maid to her house to check if she was there, to avoid my mother's criticism. Look, she’s calling our parents her godparents, but what’s that got to do with me? She secretly did this and even got angry! As soon as she entered the door, she sat on the mother's kang, acting like a daughter, peeling nuts, playing with the fruit box, taking this and that, making us all look like fools. I only found out when Sister Liu whispered it to me, saying she made a pair of shoes for the mother, bought fruit pies, two ducks, a large piece of pork trotter, two bottles of wine, and came early in a sedan chair." She told Bao the whole story. Bao listened and said, "She's avoiding people now; it's okay, I will find a way to get that little demon out. Let me tell you, she must have had a falling out with her madam. Seeing your father in charge, especially of the prisons, she's worried about her influence and the consequences, so she pretends to be a goddaughter, actually wanting to sever that relationship. Am I right? Here’s an idea: since she’s calling your mother her godmother, you can buy some gifts tomorrow and recognize Sister Liu as godmother. Both of you are from your father's past; just go your separate ways. Am I right? Don't be angry." Wu Yiner said, "Second Uncle is right; I will tell my mother when I get home." After speaking, toasting, Han Yuchuan continued to toast. Bao said, "Han Yujie, no need to bow. What has your sister been doing at home recently?" Yuchuan said, "Someone is taking care of my sister at home; she hasn't come out to sing for a long time." Bao said, "I remember going to your place in May, but I haven't seen your sister since then." Yuchuan said, "Why did you leave so soon that day?" Bao said, "I wanted to stay longer that day, but two people didn't please me, and your father also called me, so I left first." Yuchuan saw Bao finish a cup and poured him another. Bao said, "That's enough; I can't drink anymore!" Yuchuan said, "Second Uncle, take your time drinking; I'll sing you a song after you finish." Bao said, "My sister, who said that? That's exactly what I like! As the saying goes: raising a child doesn't cost money, as long as you're happy. The girls at Lichun Courtyard won't worry about not having food tomorrow, much better than that little demon from the Zheng family, who is lazy and refuses to sing anymore." Zheng Aixiang said, "Second Master Ying, you are too much, always cursing people!" Ximen Qing said, "You, this girl, just complained that she didn't sing; now you want her to sing." Bao said, "That was in the past; now we're toasting, can't she sing a few words? I’ve got three silver coins; let that little demon give us a good show!" Han Yuchuan had to pick up the pipa and sing a small tune at the table.
The Earl asked Ximen Qing, "Why hasn't Li Guijie come out today?" Ximen Qing replied, "She didn't come today." The Earl said, "I just heard someone singing in the backyard; you're lying to me!" So he called Dai An, "Find a way to get her out of the backyard." Dai An refused, saying, "Earl, you heard wrong; it's Yu Dajie playing the pipa for Madam Jia, Miss Yang, and Madam Pan." The Earl said, "You dare to lie to me! I will go to the backyard and call her myself!" Zhu Shi said to Ximen Qing, "Brother, forget it; just call Li Guijie and have her toast to the elders; she doesn't need to sing. I know she has social obligations today." Ximen Qing could not resist them, so he had to let Dai An go to the backyard to invite Li Guijie.
Li Guijie was playing the pipa and singing in Madam Yue's room for Madam Jia, Miss Yang, and Madam Pan. When she saw Dai An coming in to call her, she asked, "Who sent you?" Dai An said, "The Master asked me to invite Guijie up to toast." Guijie said, "Madam, look at how the Master is acting; I just said I wouldn't go, and now he's sending you to call me!" Dai An said, "Master was pressured by everyone, that's why he had me come." Madam Yue said, "Alright, go toast; hurry back." Guijie asked Dai An again, "Did Master really send you? If it was the Earl, I wouldn't go out no matter how he called." So she walked over to Madam Yue's dressing table to freshen up.
Everyone saw her wearing a silver hair coil, with gold hairpins inserted around, with pearls and jade adorning her head, dressed in a silk top and a green skirt, wearing a pair of bright red embroidered shoes, and three green flower ornaments on her forehead. A fragrance wafted over, and she walked to the top seat, bowing her head somewhat awkwardly, merely covering her face with a golden fan, pretending to shyly adjust her jewelry, standing before Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing told Dai An to set a brocade stool at the top seat so she could toast Qiao Dahuz. Qiao Dahuz quickly rose and said, "There's no need for all this trouble; there are other elders here." Ximen Qing said, "Let’s begin with you, Qiao Dahuz." Li Guifang gently waved her sleeve, lifted her glass high, and toasted Qiao Dahuz.
The Earl said on the side: "Old Qiao, please sit down and let her stand and serve. The girls at Lichun House are supposed to sing and pour drinks, don't spoil them." Qiao Dahuzi said: "Two old gentlemen, this girl is Ling Cui from the official's household. How dare I let her serve? It makes me restless." The Earl said: "Don't worry, she’s no longer a prostitute now; the official has made a name for himself, and she is willing to recognize him as her godfather." Li Guijie blushed and said: "Oh, come on, don’t say that!" Xie Xida said: "Is this true? We didn't know. Since all the old predecessors are here today, each person’s five taels of silver as a gift, all sent over to Brother, to celebrate his recognition of a goddaughter." The Earl continued: "It's good to be an official. As the old saying goes, people fear not the officials but the managers. This time, even goddaughters have been recognized. Let's celebrate properly tomorrow." Ximen Qing scolded: "You always meddle in other people's business!" The Earl said: "Meddling? This is a good thing!" Zheng Aixiang was toasting Shen Yifu and interjected: "Lord Ying, since Li Guijie has become a goddaughter, you should recognize Ximen Qing as a godson tomorrow; it's a perfect match." The Earl scolded: "You little bitch, mind your own business! I’m ignoring you!" Li Guijie said: "Xiang Jie, help me scold him a few words." Zheng Aixiang said: "Don't mind this lunatic." The Earl said: "You little bitch, you scold me, I have no choice but to say you’ve even made your mom lose her temper. If I don't give you some benefits tomorrow, you won't be afraid of offending me." Guijie said: "Don't mind him, master is getting angry." Zheng Aixiang smiled and said: "This Lord Ying really made a fool of himself today. He turned out to be a bastard." The Earl said: "This little shrew, no one wants her, but I'll just have to make do." Guijie scolded: "You potty mouth, you've made others angry. Master, why don't you give him a few hits, see how arrogant he is!" Ximen Qing scolded: "You crazy mutt! Let her toast, why are you arguing with her?" He walked to the seat and hit the Earl. The Earl said: "You little bitch! You rely on men to support you; am I afraid of you? Look how sweetly she calls 'father'!" He continued: "Don't let her toast; it will only make her conceited. Let’s grab her and make her sing for us. She has been hiding in the backyard for so long." Han Yuchu said: "Second father, the Caozhou military chief is pretty laid-back." The front hall was lively, drinking and enjoying themselves; let's not discuss it for now.
Since Li Ping'er had her baby, Pan Jinlian always felt that Ximen Qing frequently went to Li Ping'er, which left her feeling quite off-balance, and she was always simmering with frustration. One day, Ximen Qing was hosting a banquet in the front hall. Pan Jinlian got herself all dolled up in front of the mirror, applying makeup and grooming herself, and only after that did she step outside.
She walked to the door of Li Ping'er's room and heard the baby crying, so she went in and asked the nanny, Ruyier, "Why is the baby crying like this?" Ruyier replied, "His mother went to the back, and the baby is looking for his mom, which is why he's crying." Pan Jinlian grinned and started playing with the baby, saying, "Such a small child already knows to look for his mother. I'll hold you and take you to find your mom!" Ruyier said, "Lady Five, don't hold the baby; be careful, he might just pee on you!" Pan Jinlian said, "What’s there to worry about with a little stinky pee! Just put a cloth down to catch it!" Saying this, she picked up the baby and walked to the back.
As she walked to the gate, she lifted the child up high. To her surprise, Wu Yueniang was upstairs watching the daughters-in-law arranging the dishes. Pan Jinlian smiled and said to the child, "Big Mama, what are you doing? The little official has come to pick up his mama!" Wu Yueniang looked up and said, "Wu Jie, what do you mean? His mother is not here; why did you bring the child out? You scared the child by lifting him so high! His mother is busy inside the house!" She quickly shouted, "Li Jie, come out, your son is looking for you!" Li Ping'er hurriedly ran out, saw Pan Jinlian holding the child, and said, "The child is fine inside the house; the nanny is holding him. Why did you bring him out for no good reason? Be careful, he might just pee on you!" Pan Jinlian said, "He was crying inside looking for you, so I brought him out for a walk." Li Ping'er quickly took the child. Wu Yueniang played with the child for a while and instructed, "Quickly take him back inside; don't scare the child!" Li Ping'er returned to the house and quietly told the nanny, "If the child cries, just soothe him gently, wait for me to come back, and don't let Wu Niang take him to the back to look for me again." Ruyi'er said, "I've already told her, but she still insists on holding him." Li Ping'er fed the child milk and rocked him to sleep. To her surprise, after a little while, the child woke up crying and had a fever in the middle of the night. He refused to eat and just kept crying. Li Ping'er was in a panic.
Furthermore, Ximen Qing wrapped up the banquet in the main hall and sent away the four opera singers. Wu Yueniang gave Li Guijie a nice set of clothes and two taels of silver, but I won’t go into details. In the evening, Ximen Qing went to Li Ping'er's room to check on the child. He saw that the child was crying constantly and asked, "What's wrong?" Li Ping'er did not mention the incident of Pan Jinlian holding the child, only saying, "I don't know what's wrong. He keeps crying when he wakes up and doesn't drink milk." Ximen Qing said, "Just soothe him to sleep." Then he scolded Ruyi, "You didn't take good care of the child and scared him!" Ximen Qing then went to the back and told Wu Yueniang what happened. Wu Yueniang knew that Pan Jinlian had scared the child by carrying him out, but she didn't tell Ximen Qing. She only said, "I will call Liu Pozi to come and take a look tomorrow." Ximen Qing said, "Don't let that old hag come and mess around. Why would we need a pediatrician?" Wu Yueniang disagreed, saying, "For a newborn child, why would we need a pediatrician?" The next day, Ximen Qing went to the yamen, and Wu Yueniang had someone fetch Liu Pozi, saying the child had been scared. She gave her three taels of silver, fed the child some medicine, and the child finally slept soundly and stopped crying. Li Ping'er let out a sigh of relief.
Indeed, some things are better left unsaid.
