| Chinese Text Project |
《逞豪華門前放煙火 賞元宵樓上醉花燈 - Displaying Splendor: Fireworks Set at the Front Gate and Lanterns Admired from the Upper Floor on Yuanxiao Festival》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 逞豪華門... : | 詩曰： |
| The poem says: | ||
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星月當空萬燭燒，人間天上兩元宵。樂和春奏聲偏好，人蹈衣歸馬亦嬌。 易老韶光休浪度，最公白髮不相饒。千金博得斯須刻，吩咐譙更仔細敲。 | ||
| Stars and the moon shine in the sky, ten thousand candles burning; on earth and in heaven, both are Lantern Festival nights. Spring music is played with a pleasant sound; people dance, their clothes fluttering as even the horses appear graceful. Do not squander your precious springtime, for time spares no one; even the most upright man cannot escape the arrival of white hair. A thousand gold pieces can buy only a moment in time, so carefully instruct the watchmen to strike the gong precisely. | ||
| 2 | 逞豪華門... : | 話說西門慶打發喬家去了，走來上房，和月娘、大妗子、李瓶兒商議。月娘道：「他家既先來與咱孩子送節，咱少不得也買禮過去，與他家長姐送節。就權為插定一般，庶不差了禮數。」大妗子道：「咱這裡，少不的立上個媒人，往來方便些。」月娘道：「他家是孔嫂兒，咱家安上誰好？」西門慶道：「一客不煩二主，就安上老馮罷。」於是，連忙寫了請帖八個，就叫了老馮來，同玳安拿請帖盒兒，十五日請喬老親家母、喬五太太並尚舉人娘子、朱序班娘子、崔親家母、段大姐、鄭三姐來赴席，與李瓶兒做生日，並吃看燈酒。一面吩咐來興兒，拿銀子早定下蒸酥點心並羹果食物。又是兩套遍地錦羅緞衣服，一件大紅小袍兒、一頂金絲縐紗冠兒、兩盞雲南羊角珠燈、一盒衣翠、一對小金手鐲、四個金寶石戒指兒。十四日早裝盒擔，叫女婿陳敬濟和賁四穿青衣服押送過去。喬大戶那邊，酒筵管待，重加答賀。回盒中，又回了許多生活鞋腳，俱不必細說。正亂著，應伯爵來講李智、黃四官銀子事，看見，問其所以。西門慶告訴與喬大戶結親之事：「十五日好歹請令正來陪親家坐坐。」伯爵道：「嫂子呼喚，房下必定來。」西門慶道：「今日請眾堂官娘子吃酒，咱每往獅子街房子內看燈去罷。」伯爵應諾去了，不題。 |
| After Ximen Qing had sent away Qiao's family, he went to the main house and discussed matters with Yueliang, Dai Jinzi, and Li Pinger. Yueliang said, "Since their family has already come to give our child a Festival gift first, we must also buy a present and go over there to give a Festival gift to their eldest daughter." "Let us treat it as an engagement-like gesture, so that we do not fall short in etiquette." Dai Jinzi said, "Here at our end, we must have a matchmaker appointed, so that communication will be more convenient." Yueliang asked, "Their side has Kong Saoer; who should we appoint from our family?" Ximen Qing said, "One guest does not trouble two hosts. Let us appoint Old Feng." Thus, they quickly wrote eight invitation letters and immediately called for Old Feng to come. Together with Dai An, carrying the invitation box, on the fifteenth day they invited Qiao Laoqinjia Mu, Qiao Wu Taitai, as well as Shang Juriren's wife, Zhu Xuban's wife, Cui Qinjia Mu, Duan Dajie, and Zheng Sanjie to attend a banquet. This was for Li Pinger's birthday celebration and also to drink lantern-viewing wine. At the same time, they instructed Laixing to take the silver money early to reserve steamed pastries and other delicacies such as soups, fruits, and snacks. Also included were two sets of Biandijin silk and satin clothes, one piece of crimson small robe, one golden thread crêpe hat, two Yunnan horn pearl lanterns, a box of embroidered green clothing materials, a pair of small gold bracelets, and four gold gemstone rings. On the fourteenth day early in the morning, they packed the gift boxes onto a litter and had the son-in-law Chen Jingji and Ben Si, dressed in blue clothes, accompany them to deliver it. On Qiao Dahu's side, a banquet was prepared for the reception and they gave an especially generous reply in celebration. The return gift box also contained many items of daily use and shoes, but there is no need to go into detail about them all. While things were in a state of confusion, Ying Boque came to discuss the matter regarding Li Zhi and Huang Si's official silver money. Upon seeing this, he asked about the reason behind it. Ximen Qing informed him of the matter regarding the marriage arrangement with Qiao Dahu: "On the fifteenth, I must invite your wife to come and keep our in-laws company." Boque said, "If my sister-in-law calls for me, the husband will certainly come." Ximen Qing said, "Today we are inviting all the officials' wives to drink wine; let us go to our house on Shizi Street to watch the lanterns." Boque promised and left; no more is said about it. | ||
| 3 | 逞豪華門... : | 且說那日院中吳銀兒先送了四盒禮來，又是兩方銷金汗巾，一雙女鞋，送與李瓶兒上壽，就拜乾女兒。月娘收了禮物，打發轎子回去。李桂姐只到次日才來，見吳銀兒在這裡，便悄悄問月娘：「他多咱來的？」月娘如此這般告他說：「昨日送了禮來，拜認你六娘做乾女兒了。」李桂姐聽了，一聲兒沒言語。一日只和吳銀兒使性子，兩個不說話。 |
| Meanwhile, on that day, Wu Yin'er from the courtyard sent four gift boxes first, along with two pieces of gilded handkerchiefs and a pair of women's shoes to Li Pinger for her birthday celebration. She also used this opportunity to pay respects and become an adopted daughter. Yueliang received the gifts and sent the sedan chair back home. Li Guijie did not come until the next day, and upon seeing Wu Yin'er already there, she quietly asked Yueliang, "When did she arrive?" Yueliang told her in detail: "She came yesterday to present gifts and paid respects, recognizing your sixth aunt as an adopted mother." After hearing this, Li Guijie said not a word. For one day, she only showed her temper to Wu Yin'er, and the two did not speak to each other. | ||
| 4 | 逞豪華門... : | 卻說前廳王皇親家二十名小廝，兩個師父領著，挑了箱子來，先與西門慶磕頭。西門慶吩咐西廂房做戲房，管待酒飯。不一時，周守備娘子、荊都監母親荊太太與張團練娘子，都先到了。俱是大轎，排軍喝道，家人媳婦跟隨。月娘與眾姊妹，都穿著袍出來迎接，至後廳敘禮。與眾親相見畢，讓坐遞茶，等著夏提刑娘子到才擺茶。不料等到日中，還不見來。小廝邀了兩三遍，約午後才喝了道來，抬著衣匣，家人媳婦跟隨，許多僕從擁護。鼓樂接進後廳，與眾堂客見畢禮數，依次序坐下。先在捲棚內擺茶，然後大廳上坐。春梅、玉簫、迎春、蘭香，都是齊整妝束，席上捧茶斟酒。那日扮的是《西廂記》。 |
| Meanwhile, in front of the main hall, twenty young servants from Wang Huang's family arrived, led by two masters. They carried boxes and first kowtowed to Ximen Qing. Ximen Qing instructed that the western wing room be used as a theater, and arranged for meals and drinks to entertain them. Not long after, Zhou Shoubei's wife, Jing Dujian's mother Jing Taitai, and Zhang Tuanlian's wife all arrived first. All of them came in large sedan chairs, with soldiers clearing the way and shouting orders, followed by family members and wives. Yueliang and all her sisters-in-law came out to greet them wearing robes, and they proceeded to the back hall for formal greetings. After meeting all their relatives and exchanging greetings, they offered seats and served tea, waiting until Xia Tixing's wife arrived before serving the tea formally. Unexpectedly, by midday she still had not arrived. The servants invited her two or three times, and it was not until after noon that she finally came. She arrived carrying a chest of clothes, followed by family members and their wives, with many attendants accompanying her. With music and ceremonial drums, she was led into the back hall where she performed all the proper courtesies with the other female guests. Then they sat down in order of precedence. Tea was first served inside the arched pavilion, and then they moved to sit in the main hall. Chunmei, Yuxiao, Yingchun, and Lanxiang were all neatly dressed and served tea and wine at the banquet. On that day, they performed The Western Chamber. | ||
| 5 | 逞豪華門... : | 不說畫堂深處，珠圍翠繞，歌舞吹彈飲酒。單表西門慶打發堂客上了茶，就騎馬約下應伯爵、謝希大，往獅子街房裡去了。吩咐四架煙火，拿一架那裡去。晚夕，堂客跟前放兩架。旋叫了個廚子，家下抬了兩食盒下飯菜蔬，兩壇金華酒去。又叫了兩個唱的──董嬌兒、韓玉釧兒。原來西門慶已先使玳安雇轎子，請王六兒同往獅子街房裡去。玳安見婦人道：「爹說請韓大嬸，那裡晚夕看放煙火。」婦人笑道：「我羞剌剌，怎麼好去的，你韓大叔知道不嗔？」玳安道：「爹對韓大叔說了，教你老人家快收拾哩。因叫了兩個唱的，沒人陪他。」那婦人聽了，還不動身。一回，只見韓道國來家。玳安道：「這不是韓大叔來了。韓大嬸這裡，不信我說哩。」婦人向他漢子說，「真個叫我去？」韓道國道：「老爹再三說，兩個唱的沒人陪他，請你過去，晚夕就看放煙火。你還不收拾哩！剛纔教我把鋪子也收了，就晚夕一搭兒里坐坐。保官兒也往家去了，晚夕該他上宿哩。」婦人道：「不知多咱才散，你到那裡坐回就來罷，家裡沒人，你又不該上宿。」說畢，打扮穿了衣服，玳安跟隨，逕到獅子街房裡來。來昭妻一丈青早在房裡收拾下床炕、帳幔、褥被，安息沉香薰的噴鼻香。房裡吊著一對紗燈，籠著一盆炭火。婦人走到裡面炕上坐下。一丈青走出來，道了萬福，拿茶吃了。西門慶與應伯爵看了回燈，才到房子里。兩個在樓上打雙陸。樓上除了六扇窗戶，掛著帘子，下邊就是燈市，十分鬧熱。打了回雙陸，收拾擺飯吃了，二人在簾里觀看燈市。但見： |
| No mention is made of the deep halls adorned with pearls and jade, where music, dance, flute playing, and drinking took place. Ximen Qing, after sending the female guests their tea, immediately rode a horse to invite Ying Boque and Xie Xidai, then went together to his house on Shizi Street. He instructed that four sets of fireworks be prepared, with one set taken there. In the evening, two sets were to be set off in front of the female guests. They quickly called a cook, and from home they carried two food boxes with dishes and vegetables, as well as two jars of Jinhua wine. They also called for two singers—Dong Jiaoer and Han Yuchuaner. Originally, Ximen Qing had already sent Dai An to hire a sedan chair and invite Wang Liu'er to go together to the house on Shizi Street. Dai An said to the woman, "Master says he has invited Aunt Han; you will go there in the evening to watch the fireworks." The woman smiled and said, "I feel so shy. How could I possibly go? Does your Uncle Han know he won't be angry?" Dai An replied, "Master has already told Uncle Han. He told you to get ready quickly." Because he had invited two singers and there was no one to accompany him." Upon hearing this, the woman still did not move to leave. After a while, Han Daoguo came home. Dai An said, "Here comes Uncle Han." "Auntie Han here doesn't believe what I told her." The woman asked her husband, "Are they really asking me to go?" Han Daoguo said, "Old Master Ximen has repeatedly asked. Since there is no one to accompany the two singers, he invited you over and we will watch the fireworks in the evening." You should get ready right away! I was just told to close the shop, so we can sit together in the evening. Bao Guaner has also gone home; it is his turn to stay overnight tonight." The woman said, "I don't know when it will end. You can go there for a while and come back; no one is at home, and you are not supposed to stay overnight." After saying this, she dressed up in her clothes, with Dai An following her, and went straight to the house on Shizi Street. Lai Zhao's wife Yizhangqing had already prepared the bed, kang (heated brick platform), curtains, and bedding in the room, along with incense made from sandalwood that filled the air with a fragrant aroma. Inside the room hung a pair of silk lanterns, and there was an earthenware brazier holding a basin of burning charcoal. The woman walked in and sat down on the kang inside. Yizhangqing came out, paid her respects with a deep bow, and served tea for them to drink. Ximen Qing and Ying Boque watched the lanterns for a while before going into the house. The two of them played double chess on the second floor. On the upper floor, aside from six windows with curtains hanging, right below was a lantern market, which was extremely lively and bustling. After playing double chess for a while, they had their meal prepared and eaten, then the two of them watched the lantern market from behind the curtain. One could see: | ||
| 萬井人煙錦繡圍，香車寶馬鬧如雷。鰲山聳出青雲上，何處遊人不看來？ | ||
| Ten thousand wells of human smoke surrounded by brocade; incense-laden carriages and jeweled horses bustling like thunder. The tortoise mountain rises above the blue clouds—where is there a traveler who does not come to see it? | ||
| 6 | 逞豪華門... : | 二人看了一回，西門慶忽見人叢里謝希大、祝實念，同一個戴方巾的在燈棚下看燈，指與伯爵瞧。因問：「那戴方巾的，你可認的他？」伯爵道：「此人眼熟，不認的他。」西門慶便叫玳安：「你去下邊，悄悄請了謝爹來。休教祝麻子和那人看見。」玳安小廝賊，一直走下樓來，挨到人鬧里，待祝實念和那人先過去了，從旁邊出來，把謝希大拉了一把。慌的希大回身觀看，卻是玳安。玳安道：「爹和應二爹在這樓上，請謝爹說話。」希大道：「你去，我知道了。等我陪他兩個到粘梅花處，就來見你爹。」玳安便一道煙去了。希大到了粘梅花處，向人鬧處，就叉過一邊，由著祝實念和那一個人只顧尋。他便走來樓上，見西門慶、應伯爵兩個作揖，因說道：「哥來此看燈，早晨就不呼喚兄弟一聲？」西門慶道：「我早晨對眾人，不好邀你每的。已托應二哥到你家請你去，說你不在家。剛纔，祝麻子沒看見麼？」因問：「那戴方巾的是誰？」希大道：「那戴方巾的，是王昭宣府里王三官兒。今日和祝麻子到我家，要問許不與先生那裡借三百兩銀子。央我和老孫、祝麻子作保。要乾前程，入武學肄業。我那裡管他這閑帳！剛纔陪他燈市裡走了走，聽見哥呼喚，我只伴他到粘梅花處，交我乘人亂，就叉開了走來見哥。」因問伯爵：「你來多大回了？」伯爵道：「哥使我先到你家，你不在，我就來了，和哥在這裡打了這回雙陸。」西門慶問道：「你吃了飯不曾？」謝希大道：「早晨從哥那裡出來，和他兩個搭了這一日，誰吃飯來！」西門慶吩咐玳安：「廚下安排飯來，與你謝爹吃。」不一時，就是春盤小菜、兩碗稀爛下飯、一碗𤆑肉粉湯、兩碗白米飯。希大獨自一個，吃的裡外乾凈，剩下些汁湯兒，還泡了碗吃了。玳安收下家活去。希大在旁看著兩個打雙陸。 |
| After watching for a while, Ximen Qing suddenly saw in the crowd Xie Xidai and Zhu Shiniang together with another man wearing a square cap looking at lanterns under the lantern canopy. He pointed them out to Boque to see. He then asked, "Do you recognize that man wearing a square cap?" Boque said, "This person looks familiar to me, but I don't recognize him." Ximen Qing then called out to Dai An: "You go down there and quietly invite Uncle Xie over." Don't let Zhu Mazizi or that man see you." Dai An, a clever and stealthy servant, went straight down the stairs and approached among the crowd. Waiting until Zhu Shiniang and that man had passed by first, he came out from the side and pulled Xie Xidai aside. Startled, Xie Xidai turned around to look and saw it was Dai An. Dai An said, "Master and Uncle Ying are upstairs in this building; they wish to speak with Uncle Xie." Xie Xidai replied, "You go ahead. I understand now." "I will accompany the two of them to where the plum blossoms are pasted; then I'll come see your master right away." Dai An immediately vanished like a wisp of smoke. Xie Xidai arrived at the place where plum blossoms were pasted, and in the midst of the crowd, he casually stepped aside, allowing Zhu Shiniang and that other person to continue searching on their own. He then went upstairs and bowed to Ximen Qing and Ying Boque, saying, "Brothers, you came here to watch the lanterns but didn't even call for me in the morning?" Ximen Qing said, "In the morning I was with a group of people and couldn't invite you without causing trouble." I had already asked Ying Erge to go to your home to invite you, but he said you were not at home. "Didn't Zhu Mazizi see you just now?" He then asked, "Who is that man wearing the square cap?" Xie Xidai said, "That man with the square cap is Wang San'guer from Wenzhao's garrison." Today he came to my house with Zhu Mazizi, wanting to ask whether or not Master Xu would lend them three hundred taels of silver from his place. They asked me and Old Sun as well as Zhu Mazizi to be guarantors. They want to secure a promising future by enrolling in the military academy for study. I have no interest in getting involved with such trivial matters! Just now I accompanied him for a walk in the lantern market. Upon hearing you call, I only took him to where the plum blossoms were pasted and then used the crowd as cover to slip away and come see you." He then asked Boque, "How long have you been here?" Boque replied, "Brother sent me to your house first. Since you weren't there, I came here directly and played a round of double chess with Brother." Ximen Qing asked, "Have you eaten yet?" Xie Xidai replied: "Since I left Brother's place in the morning and spent the whole day with them, who has had time to eat!" Ximen Qing instructed Dai An: "Have the kitchen prepare a meal for Uncle Xie." In no time, it was brought out: spring vegetable side dishes, two bowls of thin porridge for the meal, a bowl of braised meat and vermicelli soup, and two bowls of white rice. Xidai ate it all by himself, finishing every bit inside and out; there was still some broth left, which he used to make another bowl of porridge. Dai An took away the dishes. Xidai watched from the side as the two of them played double chess. | ||
| 7 | 逞豪華門... : | 只見兩個唱的門首下了轎子，抬轎的提著衣裳包兒，笑進來。伯爵在窗里看見，說道：「兩個小淫婦兒，這咱才來。」吩咐玳安：「且別教他往後邊去，先叫他樓上來見我。」希大道：「今日叫的是那兩個？」玳安道：「是董嬌兒、韓玉釧兒。」忙下樓說道：「應二爹叫你說話。」兩個那裡肯來，一直往後走了。見了一丈青，拜了，引他入房中。看見王六兒頭上戴著時樣扭心鬏髻兒，身上穿紫潞綢襖兒，玄色披襖兒、白挑線絹裙子，下邊露兩隻金蓮，拖的水髩長長的，紫膛色，不十分搽鉛粉，學個中人打扮，耳邊帶著丁香兒。進門只望著他拜了一拜，都在炕邊頭坐了。小鐵棍拿茶來，王六兒陪著吃了。兩個唱的，上上下下把眼只看他身上。看一回，兩個笑一回，更不知是什麼人。落後，玳安進來，兩個悄悄問他道：「房裡那一位是誰？」玳安沒的回答，只說是：「俺爹大姨人家，接來看燈的。」兩個聽的，從新到房中說道：「俺每頭裡不知是大姨，沒曾見的禮，休怪。」於是插燭磕了兩個頭。慌的王六兒連忙還下半禮。落後，擺上湯飯來，陪著同吃。兩個拿樂器，又唱與王六兒聽。 |
| Just then, the two singers arrived at the gate and got down from their palanquin; the bearers of the palanquin carried in a bundle of clothes with smiles on their faces. Boque, seeing this from inside the window, said, "The two little sluts are just arriving now." He instructed Dai An: "Don't let them go to the back for now. First, have them come upstairs to see me." Xidai asked, "Which two are being called today?" Dai An replied: "They're Dong Jiaoer and Han Yuchuaner." He hurried downstairs and said, "Ying Er Ye wants to speak with you." The two of them were not willing to come over at all but went straight toward the back. They saw Zhang Qing, paid their respects, and were led into the room. He saw Wang Liu'er wearing a fashionable twisted heart bun on her head, dressed in a purple Luxi silk jacket, with a dark blue overcoat and white embroidered silk skirt. Her two golden lotus feet were visible below, with long flowing hair cascading down the sides of her face; she had a purplish complexion, not heavily powdered or rouged, imitating the style of an ordinary woman, with sandlewood earrings in her ears. Upon entering, she merely bowed toward him once, and they all sat down at the end of the kang bed. Xiao Tiegun brought tea over, and Wang Liu'er accompanied them as they drank it. The two singers kept looking up and down at him with their eyes. They would look at him for a while, then laugh among themselves, not knowing who he was at all. Later on, Dai An came in, and the two of them quietly asked him, "Who is that person inside the room?" Dai An didn't answer directly but only said, "He's from my father's aunt's family; they came to see the lanterns." Hearing this, the two of them went back into the room and said, "We didn't know it was your aunt earlier, so we failed to offer proper greetings. Please don't be offended." They then lit a candle and kowtowed twice. Wang Liu'er hurriedly returned the courtesy with a half bow. Later, soup and rice were served, and they ate together while keeping each other company. The two of them took out their musical instruments and sang for Wang Liu'er to listen to. | ||
| 8 | 逞豪華門... : | 伯爵打了雙陸，下樓來小解凈手，聽見後邊唱，點手兒叫玳安，問道：「你告我說，兩個唱的在後邊唱與誰聽？」玳安只是笑，不做聲，說道：「你老人家曹州兵備──管事寬。唱不唱，管他怎的？」伯爵道：「好賊小油嘴，你不說，愁我不知道？」玳安笑道：「你老人家知道罷了，又問怎的？」說畢，一直往後走了。伯爵上的樓來，西門慶又與謝希大打了三貼雙陸。只見李銘、吳惠兩個驀地上樓來磕頭。伯爵道：「好呀！你兩個來的正好，怎知道俺每在這裡？」李銘跪下說道：「小的和吳惠先到宅里來，宅里說爹在這邊擺酒。特來伏侍爹每。」西門慶道：「也罷，你起來伺候。玳安，快往對門請你韓大叔去。」不一時，韓道國到了，作了揖，坐下。一面放桌兒，擺上春盤案酒來，琴童在旁邊篩酒。伯爵與希大居上，西門慶主位，韓道國打橫，坐下把酒來篩；一面使玳安後邊請唱的去。 |
| After playing double chess, Boque went downstairs to relieve himself and wash his hands. Hearing singing from the back, he waved for Dai An and asked, "Tell me, who are those two singers singing for in the back?" Dai An only smiled without saying a word and replied, "Old man, you're like the military commissioner of Caozhou—don't meddle in matters that don't concern you." "What if they sing or not? What business is it of yours?" Boque said, "You cheeky little sly one! If you don't tell me, do you think I can't find out on my own?" Dai An laughed and said, "If you already know, old man, then why are you asking again?" After saying this, he went straight to the back. Boque climbed upstairs again, and Ximen Qing played three more rounds of double chess with Xie Xidai. Just then, Li Ming and Wu Hui suddenly rushed upstairs to kowtow. Boque said, "Oh great!" "You two have come just in time. How did you know we were here?" Li Ming knelt down and said, "Your servant Wu Hui and I first came to the house, but they at home told us that Master was having a banquet here." So we specially came to serve you all." Ximen Qing said, "Very well. You may rise and attend to us." "Dai An, go quickly across the street and invite Uncle Han over." In no time at all, Han Daoguo arrived. He paid his respects with a bow and sat down. Meanwhile, the table was set up, spring vegetable dishes and wine were served, while Qin Tong poured the wine from the side. Boque and Xidai sat at the upper seats, Ximen Qing occupied the main seat, while Han Daoguo sat across from them. They all took their seats and began to pour wine. Meanwhile, they sent Dai An to go behind and invite the singers over. | ||
| 9 | 逞豪華門... : | 少頃，韓玉釧兒、董嬌兒兩個，慢條斯禮上樓來。望上不當不正磕下頭去。伯爵罵道：「我道是誰來，原來是這兩個小淫婦兒。頭裡我叫著，怎的不先來見我？這等大膽！到明日，不與你個功德，你也不怕。」董嬌兒笑道：「哥兒那裡隔牆掠個鬼臉兒，可不把我唬殺！」韓玉釧兒道：「你知道，愛奴兒掇著獸頭城往裡掠──好個丟醜兒的孩兒！」伯爵道：「哥，你今日忒多餘了。有了李銘、吳惠在這裡唱罷了，又要這兩個小淫婦做什麼？還不趁早打發他去。大節夜，還趕幾個錢兒，等住回晚了，越發沒人要了。」韓玉釧兒道：「哥兒，你怎麼沒羞？大爹叫了俺每來答應，又不伏侍你，你怎的閑出氣？」伯爵道：「傻小歪剌骨兒，你見在這裡，不伏侍我，你說伏侍誰？」韓玉釧道：「唐胖子掉在醋缸里──把你撅酸了。」伯爵道：「賊小淫婦兒，是撅酸了我。等住回散了家去時，我和你答話。我左右有兩個法兒，你原出得我手！」董嬌兒問道：「哥兒，那兩個法兒？說來我聽。」伯爵道：「我頭一個，是對巡捕說了，拿你犯夜，教他拿了去，拶你一頓好拶子。十分不巧，只消三分銀子燒酒，把抬轎的灌醉了，隨你這小淫婦兒去，天晚到家沒錢，不怕鴇子不打。」韓玉釧道：「十分晚了，俺每不去，在爹這房子里睡。再不，叫爹差人送俺每，王媽媽支錢一百文，不在於你。好淡嘴女又十撇兒。」伯爵道：「我是奴才，如今年程反了，拿三道三。」說笑回，兩個唱的在旁彈唱春景之詞。 |
| After a short while, Han Yuchuaner and Dong Jiaoer came upstairs slowly and politely. They kowtowed toward the upper seats without being properly aligned. Boque scolded, "I was wondering who it could be—turns out to be these two little sluts." Earlier I called for you, yet why didn't you come see me first?" How bold and disrespectful!" "Tomorrow, if I don't give you a proper punishment, you won't be afraid either." Dong Jiaoer laughed and said, "Brother was just making a ghost face from the other side of the wall; it nearly scared me to death!" Han Yuchuaner said, "You know, Ainu pushed the beast head wall in—what a shameless child!" Boque said, "Brother, you've been too much today." You already have Li Ming and Wu Hui here to sing; why do you need these two little sluts as well?" "You should send them away early." "It's the night of a major festival. They're just chasing after a few more coins; if they stay too late, no one will want them at all." Han Yuchuaner said: "Brother, how can you be so shameless?" "Uncle asked us to come and entertain; we're not here to serve you. Why are you taking out your temper on us?" Boque said, "You silly little crooked bone! You're here now. If you don't serve me, who else are you going to serve?" Han Yuchuan said: "Tang Fat fell into the vinegar jar—your face is all sour." Boque said, "You little slut, you've made me feel sour." "When the party is over and everyone goes home later, I'll have a word with you then." "I've got two tricks up my sleeve anyway; you won't escape from me!" Dong Jiaoer asked, "Brother, what are those two tricks?" "Tell me about them." Boque said, "The first one is to tell the patrol officer and accuse you of violating curfew. I'll have him arrest you and give you a good session with the 拶 zi." "It's very convenient. Just spend three taels of silver on strong liquor, get the palanquin bearers drunk, and let this little slut go with you. When it gets late at night and she has no money to go home, don't worry—her madam will beat her without hesitation." Han Yuchuan said, "It's already very late. We won't go back; we'll sleep in this house of yours." Otherwise, have Master send someone to take us home. Auntie Wang will give a hundred coins for the expenses; it has nothing to do with you." "You're such a shameless woman, always trying to weasel out of things!" Boque said: "I'm just a servant. These days the order is upside down, and I have to use three tricks." While they were joking around, the two singers played and sang songs about spring scenery from the side. | ||
| 10 | 逞豪華門... : | 眾人才拿起湯飯來吃，只見玳安兒走來，報道：「祝爹來了。」眾人都不言語。不一時，祝實念上的樓來，看見伯爵和謝希大在上面，說道：「你兩個好吃，可成個人。」因說：「謝子純，哥這裡請你，也對我說一聲兒，三不知就走的來了，叫我只顧在粘梅花處尋你。」希大道：「我也是誤行，才撞見哥在樓上和應二哥打雙陸。走上來作揖，被哥留住了。」西門慶因令玳安兒：「拿椅兒來，我和祝兄弟在下邊坐罷。」於是安放鐘箸，在下席坐了。廚下拿了湯飯上來，一齊同吃。西門慶只吃了一個包兒，呷了一口湯，因見李銘在旁，都遞與李銘下去吃了。那應伯爵、謝希大、祝實念、韓道國，每人吃一大深碗八寶攢湯，三個大包子，還零四個桃花燒賣，只留了一個包兒壓碟兒。左右收下湯碗去，斟上酒來飲酒。希大因問祝實念道：「你陪他到那裡才拆開了？怎知道我在這裡？」祝實念如此這般告說：「我因尋了你一回尋不著，就同王三官到老孫家會了，往許不與先生那裡，借三百兩銀子去，吃孫寡嘴老油嘴把借契寫差了。」希大道：「你每休寫上我，我不管。左右是你與老孫作保，討保頭錢使。」因問：「怎的寫差了？」祝實念道：「我那等吩咐他，文書寫滑著些，立與他三限才還。他不依我，教我從新把文書又改了。」希大道：「你立的是那三限？」祝實念道：「頭一限，風吹轆軸打孤雁；第二限，水底魚兒跳上岸；第三限，水裡石頭泡得爛。這三限交還他。」謝希大道：「你這等寫著，還說不滑哩。」祝實念道：「你到說的好，倘或一朝天旱水淺，朝廷挑河，把石頭吃做工的兩三钁頭砍得稀爛，怎了？那時少不的還他銀子。」眾人說笑了一回。 |
| Just as everyone was picking up their bowls to eat, Dai An rushed in and reported, "Uncle Zhu is here." Everyone fell silent. In no time, Zhu Shiniang climbed upstairs and saw Boque and Xie Xidai sitting above. He said, "You two are really enjoying yourselves; you're becoming a real person." He continued, "Xie Zichun, if Brother invited you here, at least tell me a word. You just came without any notice, and I had to go looking for you by the plum blossoms." Xidai replied, "I was also walking around by mistake and just happened to run into Brother upstairs playing double chess with Boque." "I came up here to bow, and Brother kept me from leaving." Ximen Qing then ordered Dai An: "Bring a chair over; my brother Zhu and I will sit downstairs." They arranged the table and chopsticks, and sat down at the lower seat. The kitchen brought up soup and rice, and they all ate together. Ximen Qing only ate one dumpling and took a sip of soup; then, seeing Li Ming nearby, he handed the rest to him to eat. Ying Boque, Xie Xidai, Zhu Shiniang, and Han Daoguo each ate a large deep bowl of eight-treasure soup, three big dumplings, plus four additional peach blossom dumplings; only one dumpling was left to sit on the plate. The servants took away the soup bowls and poured wine for them to drink. Xidai then asked Zhu Shiniang, "Where did you part ways with him?" "How did you find out I was here?" Zhu Shiniang explained in detail: "I had been looking for you and couldn't find you, so I went with Wang San'guan to Old Sun's house. We met there and went to Master Xu Buyu's place to borrow 300 taels of silver. Unfortunately, Old Sun, that slick-tongued old fox, messed up the loan contract." Xidai said, "Don't put my name on it; I have nothing to do with it." "Just you and Old Sun vouched for it. You used the guarantee money yourselves." He then asked, "How did he mess it up?" Zhu Shiniang said, "I clearly instructed him to write the document carefully and give them three deadlines before repayment." "But he didn't listen to me. I had to rewrite the document myself." Xidai asked, "What were those three deadlines you set?" Zhu Shiniang replied, "The first deadline was when the wind blew and the roller axle struck a lone goose; " "the second deadline was when fish in the water jumped onto the shore;" "and the third deadline was when stones in the water were soaked until they rotted." These three deadlines were set for repaying him." Xie Xidai said, "You wrote it like this and still say it's not slippery?" Zhu Shiniang said, "You're right to say that. Suppose there is a time when the sky is dry and the water level drops, and the imperial court dredges the river, causing workers to break up the stones with two or three picks until they are completely smashed—what then?" "At that time, we would inevitably have to repay him the silver." The group laughed and joked for a while. | ||
| 11 | 逞豪華門... : | 看看天晚，西門慶吩咐樓上點燈，又樓檐前一邊一盞羊角玲燈，甚是奇巧。家中，月娘又使棋童兒和排軍，抬送了四個攢盒，都是美口糖食、細巧果品。西門慶叫棋童兒問道：「家中眾奶奶們散了不曾？誰使你送來？」棋童道：「大娘使小的送來，與爹這邊下酒。眾奶奶們還未散哩。戲文扮了四折，大娘留在大門首吃酒，看放煙火哩。」西門慶問：「有人看沒有？」棋童道：「擠圍著滿街人看。「西門慶道：「我吩咐留下四名青衣排軍，拿桿欄攔人伺候，休放閑雜人挨擠。」棋童道：「小的與平安兒兩個，同排軍都看放了煙火，並沒閑雜人攪擾。」西門慶聽了，吩咐把桌上飲饌都搬下去，將攢盒擺上，廚下又拿上一道果餡元宵來。兩個唱的在席前遞酒。西門慶吩咐棋童回家看去。一面重篩美酒，再設珍羞，叫李銘、吳惠席前彈唱了一套燈詞。唱畢，吃了元宵，韓道國先往家去了。少頃，西門慶吩咐來昭將樓下開下兩間，吊掛上帘子，把煙火架抬出去。西門慶與眾人在樓上看，教王六兒陪兩個粉頭和一丈青在樓下觀看。玳安和來昭將煙火安放在街心裡。須臾，點著。那兩邊圍看的，挨肩擦膀，不知其數。都說西門大官府在此放煙火，誰人不來觀看？果然扎得停當好煙火。但見： |
| As the day was drawing to an end, Xi Menqing ordered the lights in the upper floor to be lit. On each side of the eaves were yanjiaoling lanterns, which looked very exquisite and cleverly designed. At home, Yueliang also sent Qitonger and the guards to deliver four zanhe boxes filled with sweet delicacies and finely made fruits. Xi Menqing called out to Qitonger, asking, "Have the ladies at home already dispersed?" "Who sent you here?" Qitong replied, "Madam Da niang sent me to deliver these for Uncle Xi Menqing's drinks." "The other ladies have not yet dispersed," he added. Qitong said, "The opera performed four acts; Big Madam stayed at the main gate to drink wine while watching fireworks." Xi Menqing asked, "Is there anyone watching?" Qitong replied, "The street was crowded with people watching." Xi Menqing said, "I had ordered four qingyi guards to be stationed there with poles and barriers to prevent people from crowding in. No idle or miscellaneous people are allowed to push through." Qitong said, "Me and Ping'an, along with the guards, watched the fireworks being set off; there were no idle or miscellaneous people causing disturbances." After hearing this, Xi Menqing gave orders to carry away the food and drinks on the table, set out the zanhe boxes instead, and bring up another serving of fruit-stuffed yuanxiao from the kitchen. The two singers served wine at the banquet. Xi Menqing ordered Qitong to go home and check on things. Meanwhile, they poured fine wine again and set out more delicacies, then called Li Ming and Wu Hui to perform a suite of lantern festival songs at the banquet. After finishing their performance, they ate the yuanxiao, and Han Daoguo went home first. After a short while, Xi Menqing instructed Lai Zhao to open two rooms downstairs, hang the curtains, and carry out the fireworks stand. Xi Menqing and the others watched from upstairs while instructing Wang Liu'er to accompany the two courtesans and Yizhangqing downstairs to view the fireworks. Dai'an and Lai Zhao placed the fireworks in the center of the street. In a moment, they were lit. The crowds on both sides watching pressed closely together, their numbers countless to tell. Everyone said that Master Xi Men was setting off fireworks here—who wouldn't come to watch? Indeed, the fireworks were beautifully and skillfully arranged. One could see: | ||
| 一丈五高花樁，四周下山棚熱鬧。最高處一隻仙鶴，口裡銜著一封丹書，乃是一枝起火，一道寒光，直鑽透鬥牛邊。然後，正當中一個西瓜炮迸開，四下裡人物皆著，觱剝剝萬個轟雷皆燎徹。彩蓮舫，賽月明，一個趕一個，猶如金燈衝散碧天星；紫葡萄，萬架千株，好似驪珠倒掛水晶簾。霸玉鞭，到處響亮；地老鼠，串繞人衣。瓊盞玉台，端的旋轉得好看；銀蛾金彈，施逞巧妙難移。八仙捧壽，名顯中通；七聖降妖，通身是火。黃煙兒，綠煙兒，氤氳籠罩萬堆霞；緊吐蓮，慢吐蓮，燦爛爭開十段錦。一丈菊與煙蘭相對，火梨花共落地桃爭春。樓臺殿閣，頃刻不見巍峨之勢；村坊社鼓，彷彿難聞歡鬧之聲。貨郎擔兒，上下光焰齊明；鮑老車兒，首尾迸得粉碎。五鬼鬧判，焦頭爛額見猙獰；十面埋伏，馬到人馳無勝負。總然費卻萬般心，只落得火滅煙消成煨燼。 | ||
| A fifteen-zhang-high flower pole stood tall, with lively mountain-style scaffolding erected around it. At the very top was a mythical crane, holding in its beak a red-lettered scroll. It was a single firework that shot upward with a cold gleam of light, piercing straight through to the constellation of Dou and Niu. Then, right in the center, a watermelon-shaped firecracker burst open, and figures of people and objects scattered in all directions. With a crackling sound like ten thousand thunderbolts, everything was illuminated thoroughly. Colorful lotus boats and moon-bright fireworks followed one after another, like golden lanterns scattering the stars in the blue sky; Purple grapes, thousands of vines and branches, looked just like 骊珠 (precious pearls) hanging upside down as crystal curtains. The jade whips cracked loudly everywhere; ground rats scurried around people's clothes. Jade cups and crystal stands truly rotated beautifully; Silver moths and golden bullets displayed their exquisite, hard-to-replicate artistry. The Eight Immortals offering longevity were clearly visible in the sky; the Seven Saints subduing demons appeared all ablaze. Yellow smoke, green smoke—dense and hazy, they enveloped countless heaps of rosy clouds; Fast-blooming lotuses, slow-blooming lotuses—brilliant and radiant, they unfolded like ten sections of brocade. One-zhang chrysanthemums faced off with incense orchids; fire pears and ground peaches vied for spring together. Towers, pavilions, halls, and terraces vanished in an instant, their grandeur no longer visible; Village drums and communal gongs seemed to fade away, making it hard to hear the joyous clamor. Peddlers' yokes glowed with light from top to bottom; Old Baolao's carts burst into pieces at the front and back. Five ghosts causing chaos, their scorched heads and burnt brows appeared terrifying; Ten thousand ambushes—horses galloped and people rushed about without a clear winner. Despite all the effort put into it, in the end, everything turned to ashes as the fire died and smoke vanished. | ||
| 12 | 逞豪華門... : | 應伯爵見西門慶有酒了，剛看罷煙火下樓來，因見王六兒在這裡，推小凈手，拉著謝希大、祝實念，也不辭西門慶就走了。玳安便道：「二爹那裡去？」伯爵向他耳邊說道：「傻孩子，我頭裡說的那本帳，我若不起身，別人也只顧坐著，顯的就不趣了。等你爹問，你只說俺每都跑了。」落後，西門慶見煙火放了，問伯爵等那裡去了，玳安道：「應二爹和謝爹都一路去了。小的攔不回來，多上覆爹。」西門慶就不再問了。因叫過李銘、吳惠來，每人賞了一大巨杯酒與他吃。吩咐：「我且不與你唱錢，你兩個到十六日早來答應。還是應二爹三個並眾伙計當家兒，晚夕在門首吃酒。」李銘跪下道：「小的告稟爹：十六日和吳惠、左順、鄭奉三個，都往東平府，新升的胡爺那裡到任，官身去，只到後晌才得來。」西門慶道：「左右俺每晚夕才吃酒哩。你只休誤了就是了。」二人道：「小的並不敢誤。」兩個唱的也就來拜辭出門。西門慶吩咐：「明日，家中堂客擺酒，李桂姐、吳銀姐都在這裡，你兩個好歹來走一走。」二人應諾了，一同出門，不在話下。西門慶吩咐來昭、玳安、琴童收家活。滅息了燈燭，就往後邊房裡去了。 |
| Ying Boque, seeing that Xi Menqing had already drunk his fill of wine and just finished watching the fireworks come down from the upper floor, noticed Wang Liu'er was here. Pretending to need to wash up, he grabbed Xie Xidai and Zhu Shiniang by the arm and left without even bidding farewell to Xi Menqing. Dai'an then asked, "Where are you two going?" Boque whispered to him by his ear, "You fool of a child, I already told you about that account earlier. If I don't leave now, others will just sit there too, and it would look uninteresting." "If your master asks, just say we all ran off." Later, after the fireworks had finished, Xi Menqing asked where Boque and others had gone. Dai'an replied, "Second Uncle Ying and Uncle Xie have all left together." "I couldn't stop them from leaving, Master Xi Menqing," he added respectfully. Xi Menqing then did not ask any more questions. He then called over Li Ming and Wu Hui, giving each of them a large cup of wine to drink as a reward. He ordered, "I won't pay you for singing tonight. Both of you come back on the 16th to perform." "Still, Second Uncle Ying and his three companions along with all the other staff will be in charge of entertaining at the gate tonight." Li Ming knelt down and said, "I respectfully report to Master Xi Menqing: On the 16th, I along with Wu Hui, Zuo Shun, and Zheng Feng will be going to Dongping Fu. The newly appointed Lord Hu is taking up his post there, and we have official duties to attend. We won't return until late afternoon." Xi Menqing said, "Well, since we are going to drink tonight anyway," "just don't be late." The two men replied, "We would never dare to be late." The two singers also came forward to bow and take their leave before leaving the gate. Xi Menqing ordered, "Tomorrow, there will be a banquet for the guests at home. Li Guijie and Wu Yinjie are both here; you two must make an appearance." The two men nodded in agreement, then left together, no more to be said about them. Xi Menqing ordered Lai Zhao, Dai'an, and Qintong to clean up the household affairs. After extinguishing the lamps and candles, he went back to his room at the rear of the house. | ||
| 13 | 逞豪華門... : | 且說來昭兒子小鐵棍兒，正在外邊看放了煙火，見西門慶進去了，就來樓上。見他爹老子收了一盤子雜合的肉菜、一甌子酒和些元宵，拿到屋裡，就問他娘一丈青討，被他娘打了兩下。不防他走在後邊院子里頑耍，只聽正面房子里笑聲，只說唱的還沒去哩，見房門關著，就在門縫裡張看，見房裡掌著燈燭。原來西門慶和王六兒兩個，在床沿子上行房。西門慶已有酒的人，把老婆倒按在床沿上，褪去小衣，那話上使著托子乾後庭花。一進一退往來𢵞打，何止數百回，𢵞打的連聲響亮，其喘息之聲，往來之勢，猶賽折床一般，無處不聽見。這小孩子正在那裡張看，不防他娘一丈青走來看見，揪著頭角兒拖到前邊，鑿了兩個慄爆，罵道：「賊禍根子，小奴才兒，你還少第二遭死？又往那裡張他去！」於是，與了他幾個元宵吃了，不放他出來，就唬住他上炕睡了。西門慶和老婆足乾搗有兩頓飯時才了事。玳安打發抬轎的酒飯吃了，跟送他到家，然後才來同琴童兩個打著燈兒跟西門慶家去。正是： |
| Meanwhile, Lai Zhao's son Xiao Tiagun'er, who had been outside watching the fireworks, saw Xi Menqing go in and hurried upstairs. He saw his father pack a tray of mixed meat and vegetable dishes, a bowl of wine, and some yuanxiao to take home. When he asked his mother Yizhangqing for them, she slapped him twice. Unaware that he was playing in the back courtyard, he heard laughter coming from the main house and thought the performers were still there. Seeing the door closed, he peered through the crack and noticed a lamp burning inside. In fact, Xi Menqing and Wang Liu'er were having sex on the edge of the bed. Xi Menqing, already drunk, had his wife pinned down on the bed's edge. He removed her undergarments and used a support to penetrate her from behind. He pushed and pulled back and forth, repeating the motion hundreds of times. The loud sounds of their movements and his heavy breathing echoed throughout the house, as if a bed were being broken apart—everywhere could hear it. The little boy was still peeking when Yizhangqing suddenly came over and saw him. Grabbing his hair, she dragged him to the front courtyard, gave him two sharp slaps, and scolded, "You wretched troublemaker, you little brat—do you want to die a second time?" "Don't go peeking there again!" She then gave him a few yuanxiao to eat, wouldn't let him out, and frightened him into going to bed. Xi Menqing and his wife continued their vigorous activity for the time it took to eat two meals before finally finishing. Dai'an saw to it that the sedan bearers had their meal and wine, then accompanied them home. Only after that did he return with Qintong, carrying a lantern, to go back to Xi Menqing's house. It was indeed: | ||
| 不愁明月盡，自有夜珠來。 | ||
| Do not worry about the moon fading, for there will always be night pearls to come. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch42