| Chinese Text Project |
《賭棋枰瓶兒輸鈔 覷藏春潘氏潛蹤 - Pinging Loses Money at a Chess Game: Pan Shi Hides Her Trace in Secret》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 詞曰： |
| The verse says: | ||
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心中難自泄，暗裡深深謝。未必娘行，恁地能賢哲。衷腸怎好和君說？ 說不願丫頭，願做官人的侍妾。他堅牢望我情真切。豈想風波，果應了他心料者。 | ||
| It is hard for my heart to relieve itself; in secret, I express deep gratitude. You are not necessarily a mother's way, yet you can be so virtuous and wise. How could I possibly tell you about my innermost feelings? I do not wish to be a maid, but rather the concubine of an official. He firmly hopes that my feelings are sincere and earnest. Who could have thought that the storms and troubles would indeed come to pass as he had anticipated? | ||
| 2 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 話說一日臘盡春回，新正佳節，西門慶賀節不在家，吳月娘往吳大妗子家去了。午間孟玉樓、潘金蓮都在李瓶兒房裡下棋。玉樓道：「咱們今日賭甚麼好？」金蓮道：「咱們賭五錢銀子東道，三錢銀子買金華酒兒，那二錢買個豬頭來，教來旺媳婦子燒豬頭咱們吃。說他會燒的好豬頭，只用一根柴禾兒，燒的稀爛。」玉樓道：「大姐姐不在家，卻怎的計較？」存下一分兒，送在他屋裡，也是一般。」說畢，三人下棋。下了三盤，李瓶兒輸了五錢。金蓮使繡春兒叫將來興兒來，把銀子遞與他，教他買一壇金華酒，一個豬首，連四隻蹄子，吩咐：「送到後邊廚房裡，教來旺兒媳婦蕙蓮快燒了，拿到你三娘屋裡等著，我們就去。」玉樓道：「六姐，教他燒了拿盒子拿到這裡來吃罷。在後邊，李嬌兒、孫雪娥兩個看著，是請他不請他？」金蓮遂依玉樓之言。 |
| It happened that one day, when winter was ending and spring returning, during the New Year's festival, Ximen Qing went out to celebrate the holiday and was not at home, while Wu Yue 娘 went to visit her aunt Wu Dajinzi. At noon, Meng Yulou and Pan Jinlian were both playing chess in Li Ping'er's room. Meng Yulou said, "What shall we bet on today?" Jinlian said, "Let us bet five qian of silver for the host's expenses; three qian to buy Jinhua wine, and two qian to buy a pig's head. We'll have Laiwang's wife cook the pig's head for us to eat." She said that she would cook a delicious pig's head, using only one piece of firewood, and it would be cooked until soft and tender." Meng Yulou asked, "Our elder sister is not at home; how shall we proceed?" "We can save a portion and send it to their house; that would be the same thing." After saying this, the three of them played chess. They played three games, and Li Ping'er lost five qian. Jinlian sent Xiu Chun to call Lai Xing, gave him the silver, and instructed him to buy a jar of Jinhua wine and a pig's head with four feet. She ordered, "Deliver it to the kitchen at the back; tell Laiwang's wife Huilian to cook it quickly and bring it to your third madam's room where we will be waiting shortly." Meng Yulou said, "Sixth sister, have her cook it and bring the box here for us to eat." "In the back, there are Lijiaoer and Sun Xuee watching. Should we invite them or not?" Jinlian then followed Meng Yulou's suggestion. | ||
| 3 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 不一時，來興兒買了酒和豬首，送到廚下。蕙蓮正在後邊和玉簫在石台基上坐著，撾瓜子耍子哩。來興兒便叫他：「蕙蓮嫂子，五娘、三娘都上覆你，使我買了酒、豬頭連蹄子，都在廚房裡，教你替他燒熟了，送到前邊六娘房裡去。」蕙蓮道：「我不得閑，與娘納鞋哩。隨問教那個燒燒兒罷，巴巴坐名兒教我燒？」來興兒道：「你燒不燒隨你，交與你，我有勾當去。」說著，出去了。玉簫道：「你且丟下，替他燒燒罷。你曉的五娘嘴頭子，又惹的聲聲氣氣的。」蕙蓮笑道：「五娘怎麼就知道我會燒豬頭，栽派與我！」於是起到大廚竈里，舀了一鍋水，把那豬首蹄子剃刷乾凈，只用的一根長柴禾安在竈內，用一大碗油醬，並茴香大料，拌的停當，上下錫古子扣定。那消一個時辰，把個豬頭燒的皮脫肉化，香噴噴五味俱全。將大冰盤盛了，連薑蒜碟兒，用方盒拿到前邊李瓶兒房裡，旋打開金華酒來。玉樓揀齊整的，留下一大盤子，並一壺金華酒，使丫頭送到上房裡，與月娘吃。其餘三人坐定，斟酒共酌。 |
| In no time, Lai Xing bought the wine and pig's head and delivered them to the kitchen. Huilian was sitting with Yuxiao on a stone terrace at the back, cracking melon seeds for fun. Lai Xing called out to her, "Aunt Huilian, Madam Wu and Madam San have sent me to buy wine, a pig's head with the feet, all of which are in the kitchen. They asked you to cook them for them and send them to Lady Liu's room at the front." Huilian said, "I have no time; I am helping my madam make shoes." She continued to ask, "Why not let someone else do it? Why insist on me specifically?" Lai Xing said, "Whether you cook or not is up to you. I have handed it over to you; I have other things to do." Saying this, he went out. Yuxiao said, "Just put it down for a moment and cook it for them." "You know how Madam Wu talks; otherwise, you'll end up with more arguments and complaints." Huilian laughed and said, "How does Madam Wu know I can cook a pig's head and assign it to me!" She then went to the big kitchen stove, took a pot of water, cleaned and scrubbed the pig's head and feet thoroughly. She used only one long piece of firewood placed inside the stove, mixed a large bowl of oil sauce with star anise and other spices properly, and covered it tightly with tin lids from top and bottom. It took no more than an hour to cook the pig's head until its skin peeled off and the meat melted, fragrant with a perfect blend of five flavors. She placed the pig's head on a large ice platter, along with ginger and garlic side dishes, put them in a square box, and took it to Li Ping'er's room at the front. She then poured fresh Jinhua wine. Meng Yulou selected the neatly arranged portions, left a big plate and a jar of Jinhua wine, had a maid deliver them to the main room for Madam Yue to enjoy. The remaining three settled down, poured the wine, and drank together. | ||
| 4 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 正吃中間，只見蕙蓮笑嘻嘻走到跟前，說道：「娘們試嘗這豬頭，今日燒的好不好？」金蓮道：「三娘剛纔誇你倒好手段兒！燒的且是稀爛。」李瓶兒問道：「真個你只用一根柴禾兒？」蕙蓮道：「不瞞娘們說，還消不得一根柴禾兒哩！若是一根柴禾兒，就燒的脫了骨。」玉樓叫繡春：「你拿個大盞兒，篩一盞兒與你嫂子吃。」李瓶兒連忙叫繡春斟酒，他便取碟兒揀了一碟豬頭肉兒遞與蕙蓮，說道：「你自造的，你試嘗嘗。」蕙蓮道：「小的自知娘們吃不的咸，沒曾好生加醬，胡亂罷了。下次再燒時，小的知道了。」便磕了三個頭，方纔在桌頭旁邊立著，做一處吃酒。 |
| While they were in the middle of eating, Huilian came over with a beaming smile and said, "Madams, please try this pig's head; was it well cooked today?" Jinlian replied, "Madam San just praised you for your excellent skills!" "It is indeed cooked to a soft and tender perfection." Li Ping'er asked, "Is it really true that you used only one piece of firewood?" Huilian said, "To be honest with Madams, I didn't even use a full piece of firewood!" "If it were one piece of firewood alone, the meat would have fallen off the bones." Meng Yulou called Xiu Chun and said, "Take a big cup and pour one for your aunt to drink." Li Ping'er hurriedly asked Xiu Chun to pour the wine. She took a plate, selected some pig's head meat, and handed it to Huilian, saying, "You made this yourself; you should taste it." Huilian replied, "I know Madams don't like too much salt; I didn't add sauce properly. It's just something simple." "Next time when I cook again, I will remember this." She then bowed three times and finally stood by the side of the table, joining them for a drink together. | ||
| 5 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 到晚夕月娘來家，眾婦人見了月娘，小玉悉將送來豬頭，拿與月娘看。玉樓笑道：「今日俺們下棋耍子，贏的李大姐豬頭，留與姐姐吃。」月娘道：「這般有些不均了。各人賭勝，虧了一個就不是了。咱們這等計較：只當大節下，咱姊妹這幾人每人輪流治一席酒兒，叫將鬱大姐來，晚間耍耍，有何妨礙？強如賭勝負，難為一個人。我主張的好不好？」眾人都說：「姐姐主張的是！」月娘道：「明日初五日，就是我起先罷。」李嬌兒佔了初六，玉樓佔了初七，金蓮佔了初八。金蓮道：「只我便宜，那日又是我的壽酒，卻一舉而兩得。」問著孫雪娥，孫雪娥半日不言語。月娘道：「他罷，你們不要纏他了，教李大姐挨著罷。」玉樓道：「初九日又是六姐生日，只怕有潘姥姥和他妗子來。」月娘道：「初九日不得閑，教李大姐挪在初十罷了。」眾人計議已定。 |
| When evening came and Madam Yue returned home, the women saw her and Xiaoyu showed her the pig's head that had been sent over. Meng Yulou laughed and said, "Today we played chess for fun, and won a pig's head from Madam Li; we kept it for you to eat, dear sister." Madam Yue said, "This seems somewhat unfair." Everyone bet on their own; it's not right to have one person lose out. Let us make this arrangement: considering it's a major festival, each of us sisters can take turns hosting a banquet. We'll invite Madam Yu and have some fun in the evening; what harm would that be? It's better than gambling over wins and losses, making it hard on just one person. "What do you think of my suggestion?" Everyone said, "That's a good idea, sister!" Madam Yue said, "Tomorrow is the fifth day of the first lunar month; I will start with it." Li Jiaoer took the sixth, Meng Yulou took the seventh, and Jinlian took the eighth. Jinlian said, "Only I am lucky; that day is also my birthday banquet, so it's a win-win situation." When they asked Sun Xuee, she remained silent for a while. Madam Yue said, "Let it be; don't bother her anymore. Let Madam Li take the next one." Meng Yulou said, "The ninth day is also Lady Liu's birthday; I'm afraid Aunt Pan and her aunt will come." Madam Yue said, "I won't be free on the ninth day; let Madam Li move it to the tenth instead." The group had finalized their plan. | ||
| 6 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 話休絮煩。先是初五日，西門慶不在家，往鄰家赴席去了。月娘在上房擺酒，鬱大姐供唱，請眾姐妹歡飲了一日方散。到第二日，卻該李嬌兒，就挨著玉樓、金蓮，都不必細說。須臾，過了金蓮生日，潘姥姥、吳大妗子，都在這裡過節頑耍。看看到初十日，該李瓶兒擺酒，使繡春往後邊請雪娥去。一連請了兩替，答應著來，只顧不來。玉樓道：「我就說他不來，李大姐只顧強去請他。可是他對著人說的：『你每有錢的，都吃十輪酒兒，沒的俺們去赤腳絆驢蹄。』似他這等說，俺們罷了，把大姐姐都當驢蹄看承！」月娘道：「他是恁不成材的行貨子，都不消理他了，又請他怎的！」於是擺上酒來，眾人都來前邊李瓶兒房裡吃酒。鬱大姐在旁彈唱。當下，吳大妗子和西門大姐，共八個人飲酒。只因西門慶不在，月娘吩咐玉簫：「等你爹來家要吃酒，你打發他吃就是了。」玉簫應諾。 |
| No need for further details. First, on the fifth day of the month, Ximen Qing was not at home but had gone to a banquet at a neighbor's house. Madam Yue held a banquet in the main room, with Madam Yu providing singing entertainment; she invited all her sisters to enjoy a day of drinking together before they finally dispersed. On the next day, it was Li Jiaoer's turn to host in succession, followed by Meng Yulou and Jinlian; there is no need to go into further details. Soon after, it was Jinlian's birthday, and Aunt Pan and Madam Wu Da joined them to celebrate and have fun. As the tenth day approached, it was Li Ping'er's turn to host a banquet; she sent Xiu Chun to the back to invite Xuee. They had to send for her twice, and though she promised to come, she still did not show up. Meng Yulou said, "I told you she wouldn't come; Madam Li insisted on going to invite her anyway." She had said in front of others: "You all with money can have ten rounds of wine, but we won't go barefoot and stumble over donkey hooves." "With her kind of talk, let it be. She even treats our elder sister as if she were a donkey's hoof!" Madam Yue said, "She is such an ungrateful wretch; we don't need to bother with her at all. Why invite her again!" They then set the wine out, and everyone came to Li Ping'er's room in front to drink together. Madam Yu sang and played by their side. At that time, Aunt Wu Da and Madam Ximen were among eight people drinking together. Since Ximen Qing was away, Madam Yue instructed Yuxiao: "When your father comes home and wants to drink, just serve him." Yuxiao replied with an affirmative nod. | ||
| 7 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 後晌時分，西門慶來家，玉簫替他脫了衣裳。西門慶便問：「娘往那去了？」玉簫回道：「都在六娘房裡和大妗子、潘姥姥吃酒哩。」西門慶問道：「吃的是甚麼酒？」玉簫道：「是金華酒。」西門慶道：「還有年下你應二爹送的那一壇茉莉花酒，打開吃。」一面教玉簫把茉莉花酒打開，西門慶嘗了嘗，說道：「正好你娘們吃。」教小玉、玉簫兩個提著，送到前邊李瓶兒房裡。蕙蓮正在月娘旁邊侍立斟酒，見玉簫送酒來，蕙蓮俐便，連忙走下來接酒。玉簫便遞了個眼色與他，向他手上捏了一把，這婆娘就知其意。月娘問玉簫：「誰使你送酒來？」玉簫道：「爹使我來。」月娘道：「你爹來家多大回了？」玉簫道：「爹剛纔來家。因問娘們吃酒，教我把這一壇茉莉花酒，拿來與娘們吃。」月娘問：「你爹若吃酒，房中放桌兒，有見成菜兒打發他吃。」玉簫應的，往後邊去了。 |
| In the afternoon, Ximen Qing returned home, and Yuxiao helped him take off his clothes. Ximen Qing then asked, "Where has your mother gone?" Yuxiao replied, "They are all at Lady Liu's room drinking with Aunt Da and Aunt Pan." łoż Ximen Qing asked, "What kind of wine are they drinking?" Yuxiao added, "It is Jinhua wine." Ximen Qing said, "There's also the jar of jasmine flower wine that your Uncle Ying Er sent during New Year; open it and drink." While instructing Yuxiao to open the jasmine flower wine, Ximen Qing tasted it and said, "This is just right for your mothers to drink." He ordered Xiaoyu and Yuxiao to carry the wine to Li Ping'er's room at the front. Huilian, who was standing by Madam Yue's side to pour wine, saw Yuxiao bringing the wine and quickly stepped forward to receive it. Yuxiao gave her a meaningful glance, squeezed her hand slightly, and the woman immediately understood his intention. Madam Yue asked Yuxiao, "Who sent you to bring this wine?" Yuxiao replied, "Father sent me." Madam Yue asked, "How long has your father been home?" Yuxiao replied, "Father just came home." He added, "Because he asked about you all drinking wine, he told me to bring this jar of jasmine flower wine for the ladies." Madam Yue asked, "If your father wants to drink, set a table in his room and serve him with ready-made dishes." Yuxiao responded affirmatively and went to the back. | ||
| 8 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 這蕙蓮在席上站了一回，推說道：「我後邊看茶來，與娘們吃。」月娘吩咐道：「對你姐說，上房揀妝里有六安茶，頓一壺來俺們吃。」這老婆一個獵古調走到後邊，玉簫站在堂屋門首，努了個嘴兒與他。老婆掀開帘子，進月娘房來，只見西門慶坐在椅子上吃酒。走向前，一屁股就坐在他懷裡，兩個就親嘴咂舌做一處。婆娘一面用手攥著他那話，一面在上噙酒哺與他吃。便道：「爹，你有香茶再與我些，前日與我的都沒了。我少薛嫂兒幾錢花兒錢，你有銀子與我些兒。」西門慶道：「我茄袋內還有一二兩，你拿去。」說著。西門慶要解他褲子。婦人道：「不好，只怕人來看見。」西門慶道：「你今日不出去，晚夕咱好生耍耍。」蕙蓮搖頭說道：「後邊惜薪司擋路兒──柴眾。咱不如還在五娘那裡，色絲子女。」於是玉簫在堂屋門首觀風，由他二人在屋裡做一處頑耍。 |
| Huilian stood by at the banquet for a while, then pretended to say, "I will go back and prepare tea for you ladies." Madam Yue instructed her, "Tell your sister to pick some Liu'an tea from the selected set in the main room and brew a pot for us." The woman, pretending to be absent-minded, walked slowly toward the back. Yuxiao stood at the entrance of the hall and gave her a subtle nod. The woman pulled aside the curtain and entered Madam Yue's room, only to see Ximen Qing sitting on a chair drinking wine. She walked forward, plopped down right into his lap, and the two began kissing and licking each other's tongues together. While holding onto his member with one hand, the woman used her mouth to feed him wine from above. She said, "Father, if you have any fragrant tea left, give me some more; what you gave me the other day is all gone." "I still owe Xue Gaor a few qian of flower money. If you have any silver, give me some." Ximen Qing said, "There is still about one or two taels in my money pouch; you may take it." As he was speaking. Ximen Qing wanted to undo her pants. The woman said, "No good, I'm afraid someone might see us." Ximen Qing said, "You aren't going out today; in the evening we can have a good time together." Huilian shook her head and said, "The woodcutters from the Xixin Office block the way ahead──there are too many people." "We might as well go to Wu Niang's place instead; it will be much more convenient for us women." Thus, Yuxiao kept watch at the entrance of the hall while the two of them played together inside the room. | ||
| 9 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 不防孫雪娥從後來，聽見房裡有人笑，只猜玉簫在房裡和西門慶說笑，不想玉簫又在穿廊下坐的，就立住了腳。玉簫恐怕他進屋裡去，便支他說：「前邊六娘請姑娘，怎的不去？」雪娥鼻子里冷笑道：「俺們是沒時運的人兒，騎著快馬也趕他不上，拿甚麼伴著他吃十輪酒兒？自己窮的伴當兒伴的沒褲兒！」正說著，被西門慶房中咳嗽了一聲，雪娥就往廚房裡去了。 |
| Unbeknownst to them, Sun Xue'e came from behind and heard someone laughing in the room. She assumed it was Yuxiao chatting and laughing with Ximen Qing inside, but did not expect that Yuxiao was actually sitting under the corridor, so she stopped her steps. Yuxiao feared that he would go into the room and thus said to him, "Madam Liu in front is calling for you, why aren't you going?" Xue'e coldly laughed through her nose and said, "We are people with no luck; even if we ride a fast horse, we can't catch up to him. What makes us worthy of accompanying him for ten rounds of wine?" "We are so poor that our attendants don't even have pants to wear!" Just as she was speaking, a cough came from Ximen Qing's room. Hearing this, Xue'e immediately went to the kitchen. | ||
| 10 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 這玉簫把帘子欣開，婆娘見無人，急伶俐兩三步就叉出來，往後邊看茶去。須臾，小玉從後邊走來叫：「蕙蓮嫂子，娘說你怎的取茶就不去了？」婦人道：「茶有了，著姐拿果仁兒來。」不一時，小玉拿著盞托，他提著茶，一直來到前邊。月娘問道：「怎的茶這咱才來？」蕙蓮道：「爹在房裡吃酒，小的不敢進去。等著姐屋裡取茶葉，剝果仁兒來。」眾人吃了茶，這蕙蓮在席上，斜靠桌兒站立，看著月娘眾人擲骰兒，故作揚聲說道：「娘，把長麼搭在純六，卻不是天地分？還贏了五娘。」又道：「你這六娘，骰子是錦屏風對兒。我看三娘這麼三配純五，只是十四點兒，輸了。」被玉簫惱了，說道：「你這媳婦子，俺們在這裡擲骰兒，插嘴插舌，有你甚麼說處？」把老婆羞的站又站不住，立又立不住，緋紅了麵皮，往下去了。正是： |
| Yuxiao pulled aside the curtain, and seeing no one around, the woman quickly darted out in two or three steps and went to prepare tea at the back. In no time, Xiaoyu came from behind and called out, "Aunt Huilian, Madam asked why you haven't gone to fetch the tea yet?" The woman replied, "We have the tea; please bring some nuts for me." In no time at all, Xiaoyu carried a tray while she held the tea pot and went straight to the front. Madam Yue asked, "Why did it take so long for you to bring the tea?" Huilian replied, "Master was drinking wine in his room; I dared not go in." "I had to wait for Xiaojie to fetch the tea leaves and prepare the nuts." After everyone had drunk the tea, Huilian stood by the banquet table, leaning slightly against it, watching Madam Yue and the others roll dice. She deliberately raised her voice to say, "Madam, if you place the long one on top of the six, isn't that Heaven and Earth divided?" "And it would have won against Madam Wu." She added, "As for you, Madam Liu, your dice are like a pair of brocade screen windings. "I see that San Niang's three and five make thirteen points, so she lost." Yuxiao became annoyed and said, "You wife, we are playing dice here; why do you keep butting in? What business is it of yours?" The woman was so embarrassed that she could neither stand still nor move, her face turning bright red as she left in haste. It is precisely: | ||
| 誰人汲得西江水，難洗今朝一面羞。 | ||
| Who can draw the water from the Xijiang River to wash away today's shame? | ||
| 11 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 這裡眾婦人飲酒，至掌燈時分，只見西門慶掀帘子進來，笑道：「你們好吃！」吳大妗子跳起來，說道：「姐夫來了！」連忙讓座兒與他坐。月娘道：「你在後邊吃酒罷了，女婦男子漢，又走來做甚麼？」西門慶道：「既是恁說，我去罷。」於是走過金蓮這邊來，金蓮隨即跟了來。西門慶吃得半醉，拉著金蓮說道：「小油嘴，我有句話兒和你說。我要留蕙蓮在後邊一夜兒，後邊沒地方。看你怎的容他在你這邊歇一夜兒罷？」金蓮道：「我不好罵的，沒的那汗邪的胡亂！隨你和他那裡㒲搗去，好嬌態，教他在我這裡！我是沒處安放他。我就算依了你，春梅賊小肉兒他也不容。你不信，叫了春梅問他，他若肯了，我就容你。」西門慶道：「既是你娘兒們不肯，罷！我和他往山子洞兒那裡過一夜。你吩咐丫頭拿床鋪蓋，生些火兒。不然，這一冷怎麼當。」金蓮忍不住笑了：「我不好罵出你來的，賊奴才淫婦，他是養你的娘？你是王祥，寒冬臘月行孝順，在那石頭床上臥冰哩。」西門慶笑道：「怪小油嘴兒，休奚落我。罷麼，好歹叫丫頭生個火兒。」金蓮道：「你去，我知道。」當晚眾人席散，金蓮吩咐秋菊，果然抱鋪蓋、籠火，在山子底下藏春塢雪洞里。 |
| While these women were drinking wine, by the time the lamps were lit, Ximen Qing pushed aside the curtain and came in, smiling as he said, "You all are eating well!" Wu Dajinzi jumped up and said, "Brother-in-law has come!" She hurriedly offered him a seat. Madam Yue said, "You should have stayed in the back and drunk wine; why did you come here among women and men?" Ximen Qing replied, "Since you say so, I will go away." With that, he walked over to Pan Jinlian's side, and Jinlian immediately followed him. Ximen Qing, half-drunk, took Jinlian by the hand and said, "Little flatterer, I have something to say to you." "I want to keep Huilian at the back for a night, but there is no room there." How about you let her stay here with you for one night?" Jinlian replied, "I can't be blamed; there's no need to bring in that sweaty, disorderly mess!" "Do as you like and go fool around with her somewhere else; she's so flirtatious. I don't want her here!" I have no place to put her." Even if I agree with you, that little thief Chunmei won't allow it either. "If you don't believe me, call in Chunmei and ask her; if she agrees, then I will let you." Ximen Qing said, "Since your ladies refuse, it's settled!" "I will go spend the night with her at the Hill Cave." You tell the maids to bring bedding and light a fire. Otherwise, how can we endure this cold." Jinlian could not help but laugh and said, "I won't scold you out loud, you lustful servant and woman. Is she your mother who raised you?" "Are you Wang Xiang, practicing filial piety in the dead of winter by lying on an icy stone bed to warm fish?" Ximen Qing laughed and said, "You little flatterer, don't mock me." "Alright then, at least have the maids light a fire for me." Jinlian said, "Go ahead; I know what you're up to." That night, after the banquet dispersed, Jinlian gave instructions to Qiujv. As expected, she brought bedding and a fire basket and hid them in the Xue Dong cave at the foot of the hill. | ||
| 12 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 蕙蓮送月娘、李嬌兒、玉樓進到後邊儀門首，故意說道：「娘，小的不送，往前邊去罷。」月娘道：「也罷，你前邊睡去罷。」這婆娘打發月娘進內，還在儀門首站立了一回，見無人，一溜煙往山子底下去了。正是： |
| Huilian saw Madam Yue, Li Jiaoer, and Yulou off to the back of the house by the ceremonial gate and deliberately said, "Madam, I won't go any further; you may proceed ahead." Madam Yue replied, "Very well, then you may go to sleep in the front." After seeing Madam Yue into the house, this woman still stood by the ceremonial gate for a while. Seeing no one around, she darted off like smoke to the foot of the hill. Indeed: | ||
| 莫教襄王勞望眼，巫山自送雨雲來。 | ||
| Do not let King Xiang of Chu weary his eyes in longing; the Wushan rain and clouds will come to him on their own. | ||
| 13 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 這宋蕙蓮走到花園門首，只說西門慶還未進來，就不曾扣門子，只虛掩著。來到藏春塢洞兒內，只見西門慶早在那裡秉燭而坐。婆娘進到裡面，但覺冷氣侵人，塵囂滿榻。於是袖中取出兩枝棒兒香，燈上點了，插在地下。雖故地下籠著一盆碳火兒，還冷的打兢。婆娘在床上先伸下鋪，上面還蓋著一件貂鼠禪衣。掩上雙扉，兩個上床就寢。西門慶脫去上衣白綾道袍，坐在床上，把婦人褪了褲，抱在懷裡，兩隻腳蹺在兩邊，那話突入牝中。兩個摟抱，正做得好。卻不防潘金蓮打聽他二人入港了，在房中摘去冠兒，輕移蓮步，悄悄走來竊聽。到角門首，推開門，遂潛身悄步而入。也不怕蒼苔冰透了凌波，花刺抓傷了裙褶，躡跡隱身，在藏春塢月窗下站聽。良久，只見裡面燈燭尚明，婆娘笑聲說：「冷鋪中舍冰，把你賊受罪不濟的老花子，就沒本事尋個地方兒，走在這寒冰地獄里來了！口裡銜著條繩子，凍死了往外拉。」又道：「冷合合的，睡了罷，怎的只顧端詳我的腳？你看過那小腳兒的來，象我沒雙鞋面兒，那個買與我雙鞋面兒也怎的？看著人家做鞋，不能彀做！」西門慶道：「我兒，不打緊，到明日替你買幾錢的各色鞋面。誰知你比你五娘腳兒還小！」婦人道：「拿甚麼比他！昨日我拿他的鞋略試了試，還套著我的鞋穿。倒也不在乎大小，只是鞋樣子周正才好。」金蓮在外聽了：「這個奴才淫婦！等我再聽一回，他還說甚麼。」又聽彀多時，只聽老婆問西門慶說：「你家第五的秋胡戲，你娶他來家多少時了？是女招的，是後婚兒來？」西門慶道：「也是回頭人兒。」婦人說：「嗔道恁久慣牢成！原來也是個意中人兒，露水夫妻。」這金蓮不聽便罷，聽了氣的在外兩隻胳膊都軟了，半日移腳不動，說道：「若教這奴才淫婦在裡面，把俺們都吃他撐下去了！」待要那時就聲張罵起來，又恐怕西門慶性子不好，逞了淫婦的臉。待要含忍了他，恐怕他明日不認。「罷罷！留下個記兒，使他知道，到明日我和他答話。」於是走到角門首，拔下頭上一根銀簪兒，把門倒銷了，懊恨歸房。晚景題過。 |
| When Huilian of the Song family arrived at the garden gate, she thought Ximen Qing had not yet come in and therefore did not knock on the door; instead, she merely left it slightly ajar. When she arrived at the cave in Cangchunwu, she saw Ximen Qing already sitting there with a candle lit. As the woman entered inside, she immediately felt a chill in the air and noticed dust covering the bed. She then took out two sticks of incense from her sleeve, lit them at the lamp, and inserted them into the ground. Although there was a basin of charcoal fire burning on the floor, it was still so cold that they shivered. The woman first stretched out on the lower berth of the bed and covered herself with a sable-lined chanyi robe. After closing both doors, the two climbed into bed to sleep. Ximen Qing took off his white satin robe, sat on the bed, pulled down the woman's pants, held her in his arms, placed her feet on either side, and thrust into her vagina. The two embraced tightly, just getting to the best part of their lovemaking. Unbeknownst to them, Pan Jinlian had learned that the two were already in bed together. In her room, she took off her hat and moved quietly on light steps, sneaking up to eavesdrop. She arrived at the corner gate, pushed it open, and then stealthily stepped inside. She did not fear the cold moss soaking her feet or the flower thorns tearing her skirt, but tiptoed and hid herself by the moonlit window of Cangchunwu to eavesdrop. After a long while, she saw that the lamp and candle inside were still lit. The woman laughed and said, "You cold-hearted wretch, you heartless old vagabond! You have no ability to find a proper place and ended up coming here into this icy hell!" "You're like someone with a rope in his mouth, frozen stiff and being dragged out." She added, "It's so cold; let's just go to sleep. Why are you staring at my feet all the time?" "Have you ever seen such tiny feet? No one has a pair of shoe uppers like mine. Who would buy me a pair?" "Just watching others make shoes, I can't do it myself!" Ximen Qing said, "My dear, don't worry. Tomorrow I will buy you several qian worth of shoe uppers in various colors." "I didn't know your feet were even smaller than Madam Wu's!" The woman said, "What could possibly compare to her?" "Yesterday I tried on her shoes briefly; they still fit over my own." "It's not really about the size, but rather that the style of the shoe should be proper and well-made." Jinlian overheard this from outside and thought to herself, "This shameless servant-woman!" "I'll listen a little longer and see what else she has to say." After listening for a while longer, Jinlian heard the woman ask Ximen Qing, "How long has it been since you brought home your fifth wife, Qiuhu? You married her into the family how many years ago?" "Was she a woman you took in through adoption or was she a later marriage?" Ximen Qing replied, "She is also a remarried woman." The woman said, "No wonder you are so experienced and well-practiced!" "Originally she was also someone of your fancy, a fleeting marital partner." Jinlian would have let it go if she hadn't overheard, but upon hearing this, she was so angry that her arms went numb and for a long time she could not move. She muttered, "If I let this shameless servant-woman stay in there, she will push all of us down!" She wanted to immediately raise a ruckus and scold them, but she was afraid that Ximen Qing had a bad temper and would give the shameless woman a chance to show off. If she chose to endure it in silence, she feared he might not admit it the next day. "Enough, enough!" "I'll leave a mark for him to remember. Let him know that tomorrow when I speak with him, we will settle this." With that thought, she walked to the side gate, pulled out a silver hairpin from her head, and used it to lock the door before returning to her room in frustration. The evening scene is described above. | ||
| 14 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 到次日清早晨，婆娘先起來，穿上衣裳，蓬著頭走出來。見角門沒插，吃了一驚，又搖門，搖了半日搖不開。走去見西門慶，西門慶隔壁叫迎春替他開了。因看見簪銷著門，知是金蓮的簪子，就知晚夕他聽了出去。這婦人懷著鬼胎，走到前邊，正開房門，只見平安從東凈里出來，看見他只是笑。蕙蓮道：「怪囚根子，誰和你呲那牙笑哩？」平安兒道：「嫂子，俺們笑笑兒也嗔？」蕙蓮道：「大清早晨，平白笑的是甚麼？」平安道：「我笑嫂子三日沒吃飯，眼前花。我猜你昨日一夜不來家！」婦人聽了此言，便把臉紅了，罵道：「賊提口拔舌見鬼的囚根子，我那一夜不在屋裡睡？怎的不來家？」平安道：「我剛纔還看見嫂子鎖著門，怎的賴得過？」蕙蓮道：「我早起身，就往五娘屋裡，只剛纔出來。你這囚在那裡來？」平安道：「我聽見五娘教你腌螃蟹，說你會劈的好腿兒。嗔道五娘使你門首看著賣簸箕的，說你會咂得好舌頭。」把婦人說的急了，拿起條門閂來，趕著平安兒繞院子罵道：「賊汗邪囚根子，看我到明日對他說不說。不與你個功德也不怕，狂的有些褶兒也怎的？」那平安道：「耶嚛，嫂子，將就著些兒罷。對誰說？我曉得你往高枝兒上去了。」那蕙蓮急起來，只趕著他打。不料玳安正在印子鋪走出來，一把手將閂奪住了，說道：「嫂子為甚麼打他？」蕙蓮道：「你問那呲牙囚根子，口裡白說六道的，把我的胳膊都氣軟了！」那平安得手往外跑了。玳安推著他說：「嫂子，你少生氣著惱，且往屋裡梳頭去罷。」婦人便向腰間荷包里，取出三四分銀子來，遞與玳安道：「累你替我拿大碗燙兩個合汁來我吃，把湯盛在銚子里罷。」玳安道：「不打緊，等我去。」一手接了。連忙洗了臉，替他燙了合汁來。婦人讓玳安吃了一碗，他也吃了一碗，方纔梳了頭，鎖上門，先到後邊月娘房裡打了卯兒，然後來金蓮房裡。 |
| On the next morning, just after dawn, the wife got up first, put on her clothes, and came out with disheveled hair. She saw that the side gate was not locked and was startled. She tried shaking the door, but after trying for a long time, she could not open it. She went to see Ximen Qing and had him call Yingchun from the next room to open the door for her. Seeing that a hairpin was used to lock the door, he recognized it as Jinlian's hairpin and thus knew she had overheard something late at night. The woman, full of anxiety and suspicion, walked to the front part of the house. Just as she was opening her room's door, she saw Ping'an coming out from the eastern latrine and noticed that he kept smiling at her. Huilian said, "You rascal! Who are you grinning at like that?" Ping'an replied, "Sister-in-law, is it a crime for us to smile a little?" Huilian said, "It's early in the morning. Why are you smiling without reason?" Ping'an replied, "I was laughing because sister-in-law hasn't eaten for three days and your eyes look bloodshot." "I bet you didn't come home last night!" The woman, upon hearing these words, turned red in the face and scolded, "You cursed, tongue-tied rascal who sees ghosts! On which night have I not slept in my room?" "How could I possibly not come home?" Ping'an said, "I just saw sister-in-law locking the door. How can you deny it now?" Huilian replied, "I got up early and went to Wuniang's room. I just came out a moment ago." "Where were you, you rascal?" Ping'an said, "I heard Wuniang tell you to brine some crabs and said that you are good at splitting crab legs." "She also told you to stand by the gate watching the basket seller, saying that your tongue is good at bargaining." The woman became furious and picked up a door bar, chasing after Ping'an around the courtyard while scolding, "You cursed rascal with evil intentions! Just wait until tomorrow when I tell her about this." "I don't care if you have some merit or not, what are you going to do with a few wrinkles?" Ping'an said, "Oh my goodness, sister-in-law, just let it go." "To whom would I say this?" "I know you've climbed up to a higher branch now." Huilian became furious and chased after him, trying to hit him. Unluckily, Dai'an was just coming out of the printing shop and grabbed the door bar with one hand, saying, "Sister-in-law, why are you beating him?" Huilian said, "You ask that grinning rascal with a silver tongue. His words have made my arms go numb from anger!" Ping'an took the opportunity and ran out. Dai'an pushed him aside and said, "Sister-in-law, don't get so angry. Go back inside and comb your hair." The woman then took out a few li of silver from her satchel at her waist and handed it to Dai'an, saying, "Trouble you to get me two bowls of hot stew in large bowls. Pour the soup into a kettle for me." Dai'an said, "No problem, let me go." He took it with one hand. He hurriedly washed his face and brought her the hot stew. The woman offered Dai'an a bowl to eat, and he also had one. Only then did she comb her hair, lock the door, first go to Yue niang's room in the back to report for duty, and then come to Jinlian's room. | ||
| 15 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 金蓮正臨鏡梳頭。蕙蓮小意兒，在旁拿抵鏡、掇洗手水，殷情侍奉。金蓮正眼也不瞧他。蕙蓮道：「娘的睡鞋裹腳，我捲平收了去？」金蓮道：「由他。你放著，叫丫頭進來收。」便叫秋菊：「賊奴才，往那去了？」蕙蓮道：「秋菊掃地哩。春梅姐在那裡梳頭哩。」金蓮道：「你別要管他，丟著罷，亦發等他們來收拾。歪蹄潑腳的，沒的沾污了嫂子的手。你去扶侍你爹，爹也得你恁個人兒扶侍他，才可他的心。俺們都是露水夫妻，再醮貨兒。只嫂子是正名正頂轎子娶將來的，是他的正頭老婆，秋胡戲。」這婦人聽了，正道著昨日晚夕他的真病，於是向前雙膝跪下，說道：「娘是小的一個主兒，娘不高抬貴手，小的一時兒存站不的。當初不因娘寬恩，小的也不肯依隨爹。就是後邊大娘，無過只是個大綱兒。小的還是娘抬舉多，莫不敢在娘面前欺心？隨娘查訪，小的但有一字欺心，到明日不逢好死，一個毛孔兒里生下一個疔瘡。」金蓮道：「不是這等說。我眼裡放不下砂子的人。漢子既要了你，俺們莫不與爭？不許你在漢子跟前弄鬼，輕言輕語的。你說你把俺們踩下去了，你要在中間踢跳，我的姐姐，對你說，把這樣心兒且吐了些兒罷！」蕙蓮道：「娘再訪，小的並不敢欺心，到只怕昨日晚夕娘錯聽了。」金蓮道：「傻嫂子，我閑的慌，聽你怎的？我對你說了罷，十個老婆買不住一個男子漢的心。你爹雖故家裡有這幾個老婆，或是外邊請人家的粉頭，來家通不瞞我一些兒，一五一十就告我說。你大娘當時和他一個鼻子眼兒里出氣，甚麼事兒來家不告訴我？你比他差些兒。」說得老婆閉口無言，在房中立了一回，走出來了。剛到儀門夾道內，撞見西門慶，說道：「你好人兒，原來昨日人對你說的話兒，你就告訴與人。今日教人下落了我恁一頓！我和你說的話兒，只放在你心裡，放爛了才好。為甚麼對人說？乾凈你這嘴頭子就是個走水的槽。有話到明日不告你說了。」西門慶道：「甚麼話？我並不知道。」那婦人瞅了一眼，往前邊去了。 |
| Jinlian was just sitting by the mirror combing her hair. Huilian, with great care, stood beside her holding up the mirror and fetching water for her to wash her hands, serving her with warm attentiveness. Jinlian did not even glance at her with her eyes. Huilian asked, "Shall I roll up and put away the slippers and foot wrappings you use for sleeping, Madam?" Jinlian said, "Leave them as they are." "Just leave it. Have the maid come in to collect them." She then called out to Qiujv, "You wretched servant, where have you gone?" Huilian said, "Qiujv is sweeping the floor." "Chunmei is combing her hair somewhere." Jinlian said, "Don't bother with them. Just leave it be and wait for them to come and clean up." "It's messy and dirty; don't let it soil your hands, sister." "You should go serve your father. He needs someone like you to attend him in order to be satisfied." "We are all temporary spouses, remarried women." "Only you were officially married to him with a proper wedding procession. You are his legitimate wife, the Qiuhu of legend." Upon hearing this, the woman realized that Jinlian had indeed hit upon her true weakness from last night. She then knelt down on both knees and said, "Madam is my master. If Madam does not kindly extend your hand in mercy, I cannot stand or remain a moment longer." "If it were not for Madam's generous kindness back then, I would never have followed Master in the first place." "As for the elder wife at the back, she is nothing more than a nominal figurehead." "It's because Madam has always looked after me that I dare not be disloyal in your presence, is it not so?" "If Madam investigates and finds that I have been disloyal, even by a single word, may I not meet a good death tomorrow. May a carbuncle grow from every pore of my body." Jinlian said, "It's not that simple to say so." "I am a person who cannot bear even a grain of sand in my eye." "If the man has already taken you, would we not fight for it?" "I won't allow you to play tricks in front of the man or speak secretly." "You say you have pushed us down and want to jump around in the middle. My dear sister, let me tell you—just spit out some of that heart of yours!" Huilian said, "If Madam investigates further, I truly dare not be disloyal. What I fear most is that last night you might have misunderstood something." Jinlian said, "Foolish sister-in-law, do you think I'm so idle that I would listen to you?" "Let me tell you this: ten wives cannot hold onto a man's heart." "Although my husband has several wives at home, or even hires courtesans from outside, he never hides anything from me. He tells me everything in full detail." "Even your elder wife was once as close to him as breathing through the same nostril. What kind of matter could come home without telling me?" "You are a bit inferior to her." The woman was left speechless and stood in the room for a while before finally stepping out. Just as she reached the side passage of the ceremonial gate, she bumped into Ximen Qing, who said, "You good-for-nothing! So it was true that people had told you things yesterday and now you've gone spreading them around." "Today I got a real scolding from someone because of you!" "What I tell you should be kept in your heart and never spoken of to anyone else. It's better if it rots there." "Why did you go telling others?" "Your mouth is as good as a leaking trough—words just spill out of it!" "If you don't stop talking, I'll tell on you tomorrow." Ximen Qing said, "What are you talking about?" "I don't know anything about it." The woman cast a glance at him and then went ahead to the front. | ||
| 16 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 這婦人嘴兒乖，常在門前站立，買東買西，趕著傅伙計叫傅大郎，陳敬濟叫姑夫，賁四叫老四。因和西門慶勾搭上了，越發在人前花哨起來，常和眾人打牙犯嘴，全無忌憚。或一時叫：「傅大郎，我拜你拜，替我門首看著賣粉的。」那傅伙計老成，便驚心兒替他門首看著，過來叫住，請他出來買。玳安故意戲他，說道：「嫂子，賣粉的早晨過去了，你早出來，拿秤稱他的好來！」婆娘罵道：「賊猴兒，裡邊五娘、六娘使我要買搽的粉，你如何說拿秤稱二斤胭脂三斤粉，教那淫婦搽了又搽？看我進裡邊對他說不說？」玳安道：「耶嚛，嫂子，行動只拿五娘嚇我！」一回又叫：「賁老四，我對你說，門首看著賣梅花菊花的，我要買兩對兒戴。」那賁四誤了買賣，好歹專心替他看著賣的叫住，請他出來買。婦人立在二層門裡，打門廂兒揀，要了他兩對髩花大翠，又是兩方紫綾閃色銷金汗巾兒，共該他七錢五分銀子。婦人向腰裡摸出半側銀子兒來，央及賁四替他鑿，稱七錢五分與他。那賁四正寫著帳，丟下走來替他錘。只見玳安來說道：「等我與嫂子鑿。」一面接過銀子在手，且不鑿，只顧瞧這銀子。婦人道：「賊猴兒，不鑿，只顧端詳甚麼？你半夜沒聽見狗咬？是偷來的銀子！」玳安道：「偷到不偷。這銀子到有些眼熟，倒象爹銀子包兒里的。前日爹在燈市裡，鑿與賣勾金蠻子的銀子，還剩了一半，就是這銀子。我記得千真萬真。」婦人道：「賊囚，一個天下，人還有一樣的，爹的銀子怎的到得我手裡？」玳安笑道：「我知道甚麼帳兒！」婦人便趕著打。玳安把銀子鑿下七錢五分，交與賣花翠的，把剩的銀子拿在手裡，不與他去了。婦人道：「賊囚根子！你敢拿了去，我算你好漢！」玳安道：「我不拿你的。你把剩下的，與我些兒買果子吃。」那婦人道：「賊猴兒，你遞過來，我與你。」哄和玳安遞到他手裡，只掠了四五分一塊與他，別的還塞在腰裡，一直進去了。 |
| This woman was clever with her words and often stood by the front gate, buying this or that. She would call Fu Huoji "Fu Dalang," Chen Jingji "Uncle-in-law," and Bin Si "Old Four." After she had started an affair with Ximen Qing, she became even more showy in front of others. She often engaged in witty banter and teasing with the people around her, without any restraint or caution. At times she would say, "Fu Dalang, I bow to you! Stand by the gate and watch for the woman selling powder." Fu Huoji, being a mature and cautious man, was startled but still went to the gate for her as requested. He came over, called out to stop someone, and invited her to come out and buy something. Dai'an deliberately teased her, saying, "Sister-in-law, the powder seller passed by early in the morning. If you had come out earlier, you could have used a scale to weigh and buy some good quality!" The woman scolded, "You cursed monkey! Wuniang and Liu niang inside sent me to buy face powder. How could you say I should use a scale to measure two catties of rouge and three catties of powder for that shameless woman to smear on again and again?" "Do you think I won't go in there and tell them about this?" Dai'an said, "Oh my goodness, sister-in-law! Every time you move, it's always Wuniang you use to scare me!" Another time she called out, "Old Four Bin, I'm telling you—stand by the gate and look for someone selling plum and chrysanthemum flowers. I want to buy two pairs to wear." Bin Si, neglecting his business, made a point of watching for the flower seller and called her over to invite her out to buy. The woman stood inside the second gate, peeking from the side of the door as she selected two pairs of jade-green hairpins and two purple brocade handkerchiefs with gold thread embroidery. In total, it cost her 7 qian 5 fen in silver. The woman reached into her waistband and took out half a tael of silver, asking Bin Si to help her cut it. She weighed out 7 qian 5 fen for him. Bin Si was just writing down the account when he put it aside and came over to help her hammer it out. Just then Dai'an came over and said, "Let me do the cutting for you, sister-in-law." He took the silver in his hand but did not start to cut it right away; instead, he kept looking at the silver. The woman said, "You cursed monkey, if you're not going to cut it, why are you just staring at it?" Hadn't you heard the dogs barking in the middle of the night? "It's stolen silver!" Dai'an replied, "I don't know if it was stolen or not. This silver looks a bit familiar—it seems to be like the one in my father's silver pouch." The other day, Father was at the lantern market and gave this silver to a foreigner selling gold thread. He had half left over—it's exactly this piece of silver." I remember it for sure." The woman said, "You wretch! In this world, people can still look alike—how could my father's silver have ended up in my hands?" Dai'an laughed and said, "I don't know anything about the accounts!" The woman then chased after him to hit him. Dai'an cut out 7 qian and 5 fen of the silver, gave it to the flower seller, and kept the remaining piece in his hand without returning it. The woman said, "You wretched scoundrel!" "If you dare to take it away, I'll consider you a real man!" Dai'an said, "I won't take yours. Give me a bit of the remaining silver to buy some fruit to eat." The woman said, "You cursed monkey, hand it over here and I'll give you something." She coaxed Dai'an to hand it over to her. Then she took out a piece of about four or five fen and gave it to him, putting the rest back into her waistband before going inside directly. | ||
| 17 | 賭棋枰瓶... : | 自此以後，常在門首成兩價拿銀錢買剪截花翠汗巾之類，甚至瓜子兒四五升里進去，分與各房丫鬟並眾人吃。頭上治的珠子箍兒，金燈籠墜子，黃烘烘的。衣服底下穿著紅𫄉綢褲兒，線捺護膝。又大袖子袖著香茶、香桶子三四個，帶在身邊。見一日也花消二三錢銀子，都是西門慶背地與他的，此事不必細說。這婦人自從金蓮識破他機關，每日只在金蓮房裡，把小意兒貼戀，與他頓茶頓水，做鞋腳針指，不拿強拿，不動強動。正經月娘後邊，每日只打個到面兒，就到金蓮這邊來。每日和金蓮、瓶兒兩個下棋、抹牌，行成夥兒。或一時撞見西門慶來，金蓮故意令他旁邊斟酒，教他一處坐了頑耍，只圖漢子喜歡。正是： |
| From then on, she often stood by the gate and spent silver to buy things like hairpins, embroidered handkerchiefs, and similar items. Sometimes as much as four or five sheng of melon seeds would go in, which were then distributed among the maidservants and other people in the household. The hairpin on her head was adorned with pearl decorations, golden lantern-shaped pendants, all gleaming in a yellowish hue. Underneath her clothes she wore red silk trousers and embroidered knee guards. She also carried several large sleeves filled with scented tea and incense canisters, keeping them by her side. Each day she spent two or three qian of silver; it was all secretly given to her by Ximen Qing. I won't go into further details about this matter. Since this woman had been exposed by Jinlian, she began to stay in Jinlian's room every day, showing her affection with small gestures—bringing tea and water for her, making shoes and mending clothes, forcing herself into tasks whether or not they were needed. As for the legitimate wife Yueliang, she only made a brief appearance at the back each day before coming over to Jinlian's side. Every day, she played chess and card games with Jinlian and Ping'er, forming a close trio together. At times when Ximen Qing happened to come by, Jinlian would deliberately have her serve him wine from the side and sit with them to play and chat, all in hopes of pleasing the man. It was precisely: | ||
| 顛狂柳絮隨風舞，輕薄桃花逐水流。 | ||
| Chaotic willow fluff dances with the wind, and delicate peach blossoms follow the stream's flow. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch23