May 20th was Zhou Shoubei's birthday. Ximen Qing dressed to the nines, rode a gorgeous white horse, and brought four servants to Zhou Shoubei's house to pay his respects. At the birthday banquet, there were also Xia Tingxi, Zhang Tuanlian, Jing Qianhu, He Qianhu, and other military officers; it was very lively, and there were performances to enjoy! After delivering the clothes, Dai An returned as dusk was settling in, so he rode his horse to meet Ximen Qing. While on West Street, he ran into Mrs. Feng, who said that the Second Madam had sent her to invite Ximen Qing. The jeweler had finished repairing the jewelry and sent it over for Ximen Qing to check out, and Second Madam was waiting to talk to him. Dai An said that Ximen Qing was drinking at Zhou Shoubei's house, so he would go to pick him up, and asked Mrs. Feng to head back first and let Ximen Qing know when he got there. Mrs. Feng agreed and asked Dai An to tell Second Madam. Dai An rode his horse straight to Zhou Shoubei's mansion. The officials were in the midst of drinking, and Dai An hurried over to Ximen Qing and said that he met Mrs. Feng on his way back, and Second Madam asked him to pass on the message that the jeweler had sent the jewelry and she wanted to talk to Ximen Qing. As soon as Ximen Qing heard this, he wanted to leave, but Zhou Shoubei insisted on raising a toast to him. Ximen Qing said, "Thank you for your hospitality, I'll have a drink first, but I've got something to take care of and can't stick around, really sorry!" After saying this, he downed his drink, said his goodbyes to Zhou Shoubei, and rode straight over to Li Ping'er’s place.
Li Ping'er warmly welcomed Ximen Qing, and he told Daian to head back and come pick him up tomorrow. Li Ping'er showed Ximen Qing some jewelry, which was beautiful and shiny, like fire. Ximen Qing accepted it and said they would get married on the 24th and hold the wedding ceremony on the 4th. Li Ping'er was overjoyed and quickly arranged a celebration, happily drinking with Ximen Qing. After drinking, the maids tidied up the bedroom while the two lit incense, spread a nice quilt, took off their clothes, embraced, and laughed together. Before long, Ximen Qing and Li Ping'er became intimate, then enthusiastically asked her to lie down and did it again.
Poem:
No bamboo, no silk, no stone, the sound of flesh is distinct. The tassels sway, the green gauze hangs, making it hard to distinguish between the tones. A touch of cherry blossoms is about to bloom, slender fingers moving frequently. Deeply inhaling and exhaling, both lost in their infatuation, unconsciously the Lingxi tastes sweet.
Ximen Qing got drunk and asked Li Ping'er, "Did you do this when Hua Zixu was alive?" Li Ping'er said, "He slept and dreamt all day, I didn't have the time for that! He was fooling around outside all day, and I couldn't be bothered when he came back. Besides, when my father-in-law was alive, they slept in the same room, and I even scolded him harshly! If he knew I was like this with someone else, he would definitely kill me! But you, my dear, are like my medicine, I think of you day and night." The two of them enjoyed each other’s company intermittently. Yingchun brought in a delicate little box filled with assorted fruit snacks and a small golden pot of wine. From evening until late at night, the two of them continued... Suddenly, there was a loud knocking on the door outside, Feng Mama went to answer the door, and it turned out to be Daian. Ximen Qing said, "I asked him to come pick me up tomorrow, why is he showing up so late?" and called Daian in.
Dai An hurriedly ran to the door, because Ximen Qing and Li Ping'er were still in the middle of their business, and she didn't dare to go in. So she spoke from outside the curtain: "Brother-in-law, sister, the things have all been moved here, many boxes. My aunt asked me to invite father over, please go take a look!" Upon hearing this, Ximen Qing hesitated: "It's so late, what's going on? I should go back and see what's happening." He quickly put on his clothes. Li Ping'er poured him a cup of hot wine.
Ximen Qing rode home and saw the back hall was brightly lit, with his daughter and son-in-law already there, and it was filled with boxes, bedding, and so on, which took him by surprise. He asked, "Why did you all come so late?" His son-in-law Chen Jingji knelt down and cried, saying: "Recently in the court, my father-in-law, Lord Yang, has been impeached. An imperial decree was issued in anger to imprison him and question him in the dungeon, and his family will be exiled to the border. Yesterday, the steward of the Yang family came overnight to report the news. My father was in a panic and asked me and my sister to bring some things and come to your house to hide for a while. My father went to my sister's place to inquire about the news. Once things settle down, we will repay your great kindness." Ximen Qing asked, "Did your father write a letter?" Chen Jingji said, "He did." He took out the letter and handed it to Ximen Qing.
The letter read:
"Respectfully, Chen Hong bows and submits this letter to the esteemed Ximen Qing, my dear family: There is no need for further pleasantries. Due to the northern barbarians invading the borders and seizing the territory of Xiongzhou, the Minister of War, Wang, has not sent troops for rescue, causing a military blunder, which has implicated Lord Yang in the court, resulting in serious charges. The imperial decree was issued in anger, sentencing him to imprisonment in the southern dungeon, and his relatives in office are all to be exiled to the border as usual. Upon hearing this news, my whole family is alarmed and has nowhere to turn, so I first sent my young child and daughter with some belongings to temporarily stay at your home. I will head to the capital and stay with my brother-in-law, Zhang Shilian, to inquire about the situation. Once things calm down, I will return home and repay your kindness, and I won't forget it. I am sincerely afraid of any rumors in the county, so I've instructed my child to bring along five hundred taels of silver, troubling you, my dear family, with this matter. I will be sure to remember your kindness always. Written quickly under the lamp, without any more fuss."
On the 20th day of midsummer, Hong bows once more.
Ximen Qing finished reading the letter and was flustered. He asked Wu Yueniang to prepare wine and dishes to host his daughter and son-in-law, and instructed the servants to prepare the three rooms in the east wing for Chen Jingji and his wife to stay in, and move their belongings into Wu Yueniang's room. Chen Jingji handed over five hundred taels of silver to Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing summoned Supervisor Wu, gave him five hundred taels of silver, and asked him to go to the county that night to find out what the official report from the capital said.
Yu Wen Xu Zhong, an official, wrote to the Emperor, strongly urged the immediate execution of the treacherous officials who have betrayed the nation, revitalization of the military, and elimination of external threats. He said, since ancient times, foreign invasions have always been a problem, with the Xianyun in the Zhou Dynasty, the Xiongnu in the Han Dynasty, the Turks in the Tang Dynasty, and the increasingly powerful Khitan during the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdoms. After the founding of the Song Dynasty, the Liao Dynasty long dominated the Central Plains region. However, it has never been known for there to be no internal rebellions while facing external invasions. As the saying goes, "When frost falls, the bell tolls; when it rains, the foundation gets wet." Things interact with each other; this is an inevitable truth. Just like a patient suffering from a chronic illness, whose vitality has waned and is now vulnerable to external threats, all limbs and bones are affected by the disease; even famous doctors like Bian Que and Lu Yiyi cannot save him—how much longer can he live? The current situation in the world is like a patient reaching an extremely weak state. The emperor is the head of the nation, the ministers its heart, and the officials its limbs. With the emperor sitting in the palace and officials performing their duties, if the nation is strong and resilient, how can external threats emerge? The primary culprit behind these external threats is none other than Cai Jing, the Grand Secretary of the Chongzheng Hall! He is treacherous and wicked, lacks shame, flatters and ingratiates himself, cannot assist the emperor in governing the country, nor promote education and care for the people, only seeks personal gain, greed for wealth and glory, forms factions and engages in private affairs, deceiving the emperor, and framing loyal officials. Loyal officials are disheartened, and the nation mourns. His relatives, friends, and nobles all gather under him. Recently, following the loss of Hehuang, some have called for an attack on the Liao Dynasty, even suggesting the cession of three counties; Guo Yaoshi rebelled, ultimately leading to the betrayal of the Jin army and invasion of the Central Plains. These are significant events that have harmed the nation, all stemming from Cai Jing's dereliction of duty. Wang Fu is both greedy and incompetent, behaving like a buffoon, promoted by Cai Jing to enter the government; he soon wrongly managed military power, only concerned with preserving his official position, achieving nothing. Zhang Da was defeated in Taiyuan, yet he panicked and his army collapsed. Now that the Jin army has invaded the interior, he fled south with his wife and children to save himself. Shouldn't he face execution for his betrayal of the nation? Yang Jian, relying on the favor of his ancestors, wielded military power with the emperor's trust, but was greedy and shameless, seemingly loyal but actually cowardly. These three ministers conspire together, deceiving both the court and the people; they are a cancer at the heart of the emperor's administration. In recent years, they have brought disasters, damaged national strength, increased taxes, caused people to be displaced, rampant banditry, and foreign invasions; the essence of the country has been exhausted, the national discipline has been relaxed, and their crimes are countless. We, the officials who advise against wrongdoing, watch as traitors damage the nation, yet we cannot inform the emperor; this is unfair to the emperor and betrays our lifelong learning. We earnestly implore the emperor to take action, whether by bringing Cai Jing and his followers to trial as a warning, or by executing them as a deterrent, or by punishing them according to the law, or by exiling them to remote areas to deter evil. We hope that divine favor may return, that the people's hearts may be united, that the nation's laws may be upheld, and that external threats may be vanquished.
What a blessing it is for us in this world and among the common people!
Imperial Edict: Cai Jing will temporarily remain in office as a regent. Wang Fu and Yang Jian have been imprisoned and are to be interrogated by the Three Judicial Offices.
After the interrogation by the Three Judicial Offices, Wang Fu and Yang Jian were found guilty of failure in the Ministry of War, allowing the enemy to advance, harming the people, damaging the army, losing territory, and are to be executed according to the law. Their family members, staff, and close associates Dong Sheng, Lu Hu, Yang Sheng, Pang Xuan, Han Zongren, Chen Hong, Huang Yu, Liu Sheng, Zhao Hongdao, etc., have been found guilty and sentenced to wear a cangue for a month, after which they will be sent to the border to serve in the military.
After reading the memorial, Ximen Qing was so terrified he felt his soul might leave his body, feeling as if:
Startled to the point of injuring his liver and lungs, terrified to the point of his heart pounding through his seven orifices.
He quickly packed up his gold and silver treasures, then called his family members Lai and Laiwang, quietly instructing them: "Immediately go to Dongjing to gather information, do not go to your relative Chen's house. If there is any bad news, try to handle it well and come back quickly to report." He also gave them twenty taels of silver. They hired porters before dawn to set off for Dongjing.
Ximen Qing did not sleep all night. The next morning, he instructed Lai Zhao and Ben Si to stop the garden project and sent all the craftsmen back. He kept the gates closed every day, not allowing the household staff to go out casually. Ximen Qing paced back and forth in the house, full of worry and anxiety, like an ant on a hot pan, completely putting aside the matter of marrying Li Ping'er. Seeing his troubled expression, Wu Yueniang comforted him, saying, "The Chen family's affairs have their own causes and consequences; you don't need to worry so much." Ximen Qing said, "What does a woman like you know? The Chen family is my relatives. The two troublemakers, my daughter and son-in-law, live in my house. They have offended many neighbors on weekdays. As the saying goes, 'When the shuttle is slow, the loom is quick, and the sheep and donkey clash.' If someone reports us and investigates thoroughly, our whole family will be finished." It's true: disaster can strike from anywhere. Ximen Qing was extremely anxious at home, but we’ll leave that for now.
Li Ping waited for a day or two, but there was no response. She sent Feng Mama twice, but the gate was tightly closed, like an iron drum. After waiting for quite a while, no one came out, and she didn't know what was going on. On the twenty-fourth day, Li Ping sent Feng Mama again to deliver jewelry and ask Ximen Qing to come out and talk. But no one opened the door, so Feng Mama had to wait under the eaves across the street. After a while, Dai'an came out to feed the horse, and Feng Mama asked, "Dai'an, what are you doing here?" Feng Mama said, "Your second mistress sent me with this jewelry. Why is there no response? Please ask your father to come out and talk." Dai'an said, "My father has been busy recently and has no time. You should take the jewelry back, and once I finish feeding the horse, I’ll tell my father." Feng Mama said, "Alright, dear, I’ll wait here. Take the jewelry in and let your father know. Your second mistress will be angry with me!" Dai'an tied the horse, went in for a while, and came back out to say, "I told my father, he accepted the jewelry, and asked you to go back and let your second mistress know. Wait a few more days, my father will go to your second mistress to talk." Feng Mama went back and told Li Ping the situation. Li Ping waited for a few more days, and as May was drawing to a close and June was just around the corner, she was consumed with thoughts of him, but there was still no word. She was worried and restless, unable to eat or sleep peacefully. It was truly a time of sorrow:
Reluctant to brush the eyebrows, ashamed to even out the powder on the face.
Full of deep-seated grievances, her spirit, once vibrant as jade, now felt haggard and weary.
The woman was anxiously waiting for Ximen Qing; she couldn't eat a thing each day, and she was completely worn out. At night, she was restless and couldn't sleep. Suddenly, she heard someone knocking at the door outside. She thought it was Ximen Qing coming, so she quickly smiled and rushed to open the door. Once he stepped inside, they started chatting and sharing their feelings. They chatted away the whole night, and it was only when dawn broke that Ximen Qing left. The woman suddenly realized and let out a terrified scream. Mama Feng heard the noise and quickly came over. The woman asked, "Did Ximen Qing just go out? Did you shut the door?" Mama Feng replied, "Madam, you must be imagining things; how could the nobleman have come? Not even a glimpse was seen!"
Since then, the woman has always had disordered dreams at night, each night she dreamed of a vixen-like figure, claiming to come to her... In short, it was that sort of dream. She became increasingly thin, unable to eat and lying in bed all day without getting up. Unable to help, Mama Feng called for Jiang Zhushan, who was at the street corner, to come see her. Jiang Zhushan, not yet thirty, was short and plump, looking rather suave but actually quite superficial and boastful. As soon as he entered the bedroom, he saw the woman with disheveled hair, wrapped in a quilt, lying on the bed with a distressed expression. After taking her pulse, Jiang Zhushan said, "Madam, your liver pulse is stringy, the cun pulse is strong, and the jueyin pulse is irregular, all due to excessive emotions and passions. There is a disharmony of yin and yang, alternating between cold and hot, with a pent-up feeling in your chest that can't be let out. It resembles malaria, but not entirely; it looks like a cold, yet it isn't. You have no energy during the day and just want to sleep; at night you can't sleep and have nightmares, like a ghost. If this isn't treated promptly, it could develop into bone steaming, and that will be troublesome, alas, what a shame!" The woman said, "Thank you, doctor, please prescribe some medicine for me, and I’ll make sure to reward you handsomely once I’m better!" Jiang Zhushan replied, "I'll do my best; if you take my medicine, you should be just fine." After saying that, he left. Mama Feng gave him five taels of silver as payment for the medicine and brought the medicine back.
That night, the woman took the medicine and was able to sleep without feeling afraid anymore. Gradually, she could eat and drink again, and she could get out of bed and start moving around. In just a few days, she was back to her old self.
One day, I hosted a banquet and prepared three taels of silver coins, asking Mama Feng to invite Jiang Zhushan to show my appreciation. Since Jiang Zhushan treated this woman, he had taken a liking to her, and this was not a matter of just one or two days. As soon as he heard the invitation, he immediately dressed up and went. Upon entering the living room, the woman came out in her finery to greet him, performed a deep bow, poured tea twice, and then invited him into the inner room. The food and drinks were already on the table, and the room was filled with the scents of musk and orchids. A little maid named Xiuchun was serving nearby, bringing out three taels of silver on a gilded plate. The woman raised her wine cup, stepped forward to bow, and said, "A few days ago, I was unwell, and thanks to the good prescription you provided, I recovered after taking it. Today, I have prepared a modest spread to thank you." Zhushan replied, "It's my job; I’m just doing my part, so there's no need for formality!" Seeing the silver as a token of thanks, he added, "I can't accept this." The woman insisted, "It's just a small token of appreciation; please accept it." After some back and forth, Zhushan finally accepted it. The woman poured him wine and arranged the seating. After three cups of wine, Zhushan secretly observed the woman; she had a delicate face and was stunningly beautiful. He then tentatively asked her, "I don’t want to be nosy, but may I ask how old you are, madam?" The woman replied, "I am twenty-four by nominal age." Zhushan said, "With a beautiful and young lady like you, living a comfortable life, what could possibly be bothering you to make you sick a few days ago?" The woman smiled slightly and said, "To be honest, my husband passed away, and our family has fallen into decline. I’m all alone and feeling really down; how could I not fall ill?" Zhushan asked, "So your husband passed away? How long ago was that?" The woman replied, "My husband passed away from typhoid last November; it has been eight months now." Zhushan inquired, "Who did you consult for treatment?" The woman said, "Mr. Hu from East Street." Zhushan responded, "Is that the Hu who lives at the Liu eunuch's house on East Street? He is not from the imperial hospital; what does he know about medicine? Why did you consult him?" The woman replied, "He was recommended by neighbors. It was just my husband’s misfortune; it’s not his fault." Zhushan then asked, "Do you have any children?" The woman said, "I have no children." Zhushan remarked, "It’s a shame you’re so young and beautiful, living in widowhood without children. Why not look for a new opportunity? Living in such gloom, how could you not fall ill?" The woman replied, "Recently, someone has been matchmaking for me, and I’m about to get married." Zhushan asked, "May I ask who you are going to marry?" The woman said, "It is the gentleman from the pharmacy in front of the county." Upon hearing this, Zhushan sighed, "That’s unfortunate! Why on earth would you want to marry him? I know him pretty well. This man specializes in handling lawsuits, lends money at high interest, and is involved in human trafficking. He not only has maids but also five or six wives. He has a bad temper; if anything displeases him, he will sell off his wife through the matchmaker. He is simply the leader of wife-beaters and a scoundrel who harms women. You should’ve mentioned that sooner; otherwise, once you enter his family, it would be like jumping into a fire—you would regret it too late. Besides, something has happened in his family recently; he is hiding at home and doesn’t dare to go out, and half of the house he was building has stopped. The government in Tokyo has issued a decree; the county office wants to arrest him. Many of the houses he built were properties confiscated by the authorities. Why would you want to marry him?" This left her at a loss for words. She recalled the troubles in Ximen Qing's household and, after pondering for a long time, secretly stomped her foot: "No wonder he didn't come when I invited him twice; it turns out something has happened in his family!" Seeing that Zhushan spoke humbly and politely, she said, "If I were to marry such a person, then so be it. I wonder if he’s married?" She continued, "Since you have given me such guidance, I am very grateful. If you know anyone good, please help me find a match; I will certainly not refuse." Zhushan seized the opportunity to ask, "What kind of family are you looking for? I will inquire and let you know." The woman replied, "The size of the family doesn't matter; as long as it’s someone like you."
Not provided.
Jiang Zhushan was extremely happy to hear this and didn't know what to do. He quickly stood up from his seat, knelt down on both knees, and said, "Honestly, ma'am, I've been all alone with no children. If you could feel sorry for me and agree to marry me, it would be the greatest wish of my life. I promise I'll take good care of you." The woman smiled and took his hand, saying, "Get up first. May I ask how long you've been a widow, sir? How old are you? If we're getting married, we need a matchmaker to witness it." Zhushan knelt down again and begged, "I am twenty-nine years old, born at the hour of the rabbit on the twenty-seventh day of the first month. Unfortunately, my wife passed away last year, and my family is poor. Since you have already agreed, there is no need to find a matchmaker." The woman smiled and said, "Since you have no money, I have a matchmaker named Mother Feng. Let her be the matchmaker. You won’t need to pay a betrothal gift; we can choose an auspicious day to welcome you in as a son-in-law. What do you think?" Jiang Zhushan immediately bowed down to the ground and said, "Madam, you are like my reborn parents. I must have had a connection with you in a past life, and I am fortunate in this life!" The two of them drank a cup of celebratory wine in the room, and that's how the marriage was arranged. Zhushan only returned home after drinking until dark.
On the woman’s side, she discussed with Mother Feng, saying, "With Ximen Qing in such a situation, it's hard to predict good or bad outcomes. Moreover, I don’t have anyone here; if something goes wrong, my life could be at risk. The best thing to do now is to bring this gentleman in; what’s the harm in that?" The next day, she had Mother Feng send a message, choosing the auspicious day of June 18 to welcome Jiang Zhushan into the household and marry him. Three days later, the woman took out three hundred taels of silver and opened two storefronts for Zhushan, giving the shop a complete makeover. At first, he walked to see patients, but later he bought a donkey to ride around the streets, which made it a lot easier. It was just like: Still waters run deep, but sometimes the spring breeze does come along.
