| Chinese Text Project |
《玉簫跪受三章約 書童私掛一帆風 - Yu Xiao Kneels to Receive Three Chapters of Oath Yushutong Secretly Raises a Sail in the Wind》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 玉簫跪受... : | 詩曰： |
| The poem says: | ||
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玉殞珠沉思悄然，明中流淚暗相憐。常圖蛺蝶花樓下，記效鴛鴦翠幕前。 只有夢魂能結雨，更無心緒學非煙。朱顏皓齒歸黃土，脈脈空尋再世緣。 | ||
| Jade falls and pearls sink, thoughts arise in quiet; clearly shedding tears, secretly feeling pity. Often painting butterflies beneath the flowered pavilion, remembering mandarin ducks before the emerald curtain. Only in dreams can soul and rain unite; there is no more heart or mood to imitate non-smoke. Red complexions and white teeth return to yellow earth, silently in vain seeking a karmic bond for another life. | ||
| 2 | 玉簫跪受... : | 話說眾人散了，已有雞唱時分，西門慶歇息去了。玳安拿了一大壺酒、幾碟下飯，在鋪子里還要和傅伙計、陳敬濟同吃。傅伙計老頭子熬到這咱，已是坐不住，搭下鋪就倒在炕上，向玳安道：「你自和平安吃罷，陳姐夫想也不來了。」玳安叫進平安來，兩個把那酒你一鐘我一盞都吃了。收過傢伙，平安便去門房裡睡了。玳安一面關上鋪子門，上炕和傅伙計兩個對廝腳兒睡下。傅伙計因閑話，向玳安說道：「你六娘沒了，這等棺槨念經發送，也夠他了。」玳安道：「他的福好，只是不長壽。俺爹饒使了這些錢，還使不著俺爹的哩。俺六娘嫁俺爹，瞞不過你老人家，他帶了多少帶頭來！別人不知道，我知道。銀子休說，只金珠玩好、玉帶、絛環、鬏髻、值錢的寶石，也不知有多少。為甚俺爹心裡疼？不是疼人，是疼錢。若說起六娘的性格兒，一家子都不如他，又謙讓又和氣，見了人，只是一面兒笑，自來也不曾喝俺每一喝，並沒失口罵俺每一句『奴才』。使俺每買東西，只拈塊兒。俺每但說：『娘，拿等子，你稱稱。』他便笑道：『拿去罷，稱什麼。你不圖落圖什麼來？只要替我買值著。』這一家子，那個不借他銀使？只有借出來，沒有個還進去的。還也罷，不還也罷。俺大娘和俺三娘使錢也好。只是五娘和二娘，慳吝的緊。他當家，俺每就遭瘟來。會勝買東西，也不與你個足數，綁著鬼，一錢銀子，只稱九分半，著緊只九分，俺每莫不賠出來！」傅伙計道：「就是你大娘還好些。」玳安道：「雖故俺大娘好，毛司火性兒，一回家好，娘兒每親親噠噠說話兒，你只休惱著他，不論誰，他也罵你幾句兒。總不如六娘，萬人無怨，又常在爹跟前替俺每說方便兒。隨問天來大事，俺每央他央兒對爹說，無有個不依。只是五娘，行動就說：『你看我對爹說不說！』把這打只提在口裡。如今春梅姐，又是個合氣星。──天生的都在他一屋裡。」傅伙計道：「你五娘來這裡也好幾年了。」玳安道：「你老人家是知道的，想的起他那咱來的光景哩。他一個親娘也不認的，來一遭，要便搶的哭了家去。如今六娘死了，這前邊又是他的世界，明日那個管打掃花園，乾凈不乾凈，還吃他罵的狗血噴了頭哩！」兩個說了一回，那傅伙計在枕上齁齁就睡著了。玳安亦有酒了，合上眼，不知天高地下，直至紅日三竿，都還未起來。 |
| As the people dispersed, it was already time when the rooster crowed; Xi Menqing went to rest. Dai An took a large jar of wine and several small dishes for accompaniment, and still wanted to eat together with Fu Huoji and Chen Jingji at the shop. Old man Fu Huoji, having waited until now, could no longer sit still. As soon as he got to the shop, he fell onto the kang bed and said to Dai An, "You just eat with Ping'an by yourself; Uncle-in-law Chen probably won't come." Dai An called Ping'an in, and the two of them drank the wine from the jar, taking turns with cups. After clearing away the utensils, Ping'an went to sleep in the gatehouse. Dai An closed the shop door and climbed onto the kang bed, lying down with Fu Huoji's feet facing each other. Fu Huoji, while making idle conversation, said to Dai An, "Since your sixth wife is gone, this coffin and chanting of sutras for her funeral are enough for her." Dai An said, "Her fortune was good, but she just didn't live long. My father spent all this money, and it still wasn't enough for my father to use." You old man know well that when my sixth wife married my father, she brought a lot of dowry with her!" Others may not know, but I do. Never mind the silver; just the gold and jewels, ornaments, jade sashes, tassels, hairpins, and valuable gemstones—nobody knows how many there were. Why is my father's heart so pained?" It isn't about loving the person; it's about loving the money. If we talk about the character of my sixth wife, no one in the whole family could match her. She was modest and amiable; whenever she saw people, she would only smile politely. From beginning to end, she never scolded any of us even once, nor did she ever curse any of us with a single word like "servant." When we bought things for her, it was only in small amounts. Whenever we would say to her, "Madam, take the scale and weigh it." She would smile and say, "Take it away; why weigh anything. If you don't want to get something for nothing, what else are you looking for?" "Just buy me something worth it." In this whole family, who didn't borrow silver from him? There was only borrowing out, and never any repayment back. Whether they repaid or not, it didn't matter. My first wife and my third wife spent money well. Only the fifth wife and second wife were very stingy. When they took charge, we all suffered misfortune. When they bought things, they wouldn't give you the full amount. They would tie it up like a ghost; for one qian of silver, they'd only weigh out nine and a half fen, and in a hurry, just nine fen. We had to make up the difference ourselves!" Fu Huoji said, "Even your first wife was somewhat better." Dai An said, "Although my first wife is good, she has a hot temper. When she comes home happy and the mother and children talk affectionately, you just don't anger her; no matter who it is, she will scold you a few words." She was still not as good as the sixth wife. The sixth wife had no complaints from anyone, and she often spoke in our favor before my father. No matter what big matters came up, whenever we asked her to plead for us and speak to our father, there was never a time she refused. Only the fifth wife—whenever she moved or acted, she would say, "Look, should I speak to my father about it or not!" She always brought up these things in her mouth. Now, Sister Chunmei is another harmonizing star. "All the naturally kind people are in her house." Fu Huoji said, "Your fifth wife has been coming here for several years now." Dai An said, "You old man know well; you can recall the scene of when he first came here. He didn't even recognize his own mother, and whenever he came once, if things went wrong, he would cry and run home. Now that the sixth wife is dead, this front area has become his world. Tomorrow, who will clean and maintain the garden? If it's not kept clean, he'll scold you until your head is covered in dog blood!" After talking for a while, the old man Fu Huoji snored and fell asleep on his pillow. Dai An had also drunk some wine, closed his eyes, and didn't know whether the sky was high or the earth low. He did not get up until the sun had risen three poles high. | ||
| 3 | 玉簫跪受... : | 原來西門慶每常在前邊靈前睡，早晨玉簫出來收疊床鋪，西門慶便往後邊梳頭去。書童蓬著頭，要便和他兩個在前邊打牙犯嘴，互相嘲逗，半日才進後邊去。不想這日西門慶歸上房歇去，玉簫趕人沒起來，暗暗走出來，與書童約了，走在花園書房裡乾營生去了。不料潘金蓮起的早，驀地走到廳上，只見靈前燈兒也沒了，大棚里丟的桌椅橫三豎四，沒一個人兒，只有畫童兒在那裡掃地。金蓮道：「賊囚根子，乾凈只你在這裡，都往那裡去了？」畫童道：「他每都還沒起來哩。」金蓮道：「你且丟下笤帚，到前邊對你姐夫說，有白絹拿一匹來，你潘姥姥還少一條孝裙子，再拿一副頭須系腰來與他。他今日家去。」畫童道：「怕不俺姐夫還睡哩，等我問他去。」良久回來道：「姐夫說不是他的首尾，書童哥與崔本哥管孝帳。娘問書童哥要就是了。」金蓮道：「知道那奴才往那去了，你去尋他來。」畫童向廂房裡瞧了瞧，說道：「才在這裡來，敢往花園書房裡梳頭去了。」金蓮說道：「你自掃地，等我自家問這囚根子要去。」因走到花園書房內，忽然聽見裡面有人笑聲。推開門，只見書童和玉簫在床上正幹得好哩。便罵道：「好囚根子，你兩個幹得好事！」唬得兩個做手腳不迭，齊跪在地下哀告。金蓮道：「賊囚根子，你且拿一匹孝絹、一匹布來，打發你潘姥姥家去著。」書童連忙拿來遞上。金蓮逕歸房來。 |
| Originally, Xi Menqing often slept in front of the spirit tablet. In the morning, Yu Xiao came out to tidy up the beds and bedding, and then Xi Menqing would go to the back to comb his hair. Shutong, with his head still tousled, would often quarrel and bicker with the two of them in front, teasing each other back and forth for a long time before finally going to the rear. Unbeknownst to them, on this day Xi Menqing had gone back to the main house to rest. Yu Xiao did not get up when she went out quietly and secretly made an appointment with Shutong; they went off together to do something in the study of the garden. Unbeknownst to her, Pan Jinlian got up early and suddenly walked onto the hall. She saw that the lamp before the spirit tablet had gone out; in the large pavilion, tables and chairs were scattered haphazardly left and right, with not a single person around—only Huatong was sweeping there. Jinlian said, "You wretched scoundrel, you're the only one here keeping it clean—where have they all gone?" Huatong replied, "They haven't gotten up yet." Jinlian said, "Put down the broom for now and go to the front to tell your brother-in-law: bring a piece of white silk; my mother-in-law still needs one more mourning skirt. Also take a set of hairpins and sash for her." "She is going home today." Huatong said, "I'm afraid my brother-in-law is still asleep; let me go ask him." After a long while, he returned and said, "My brother-in-law said it's not his responsibility; Brother Shutong and Brother Cuiben are in charge of the mourning arrangements." "Just ask Brother Shutong for them, Mother." Jinlian said, "If you know where that servant has gone, go find him and bring him back." Huatong peeked into the 厢房 (side room) and said, "He was here just now; he must have gone to comb his hair in the study of the garden." Jinlian said, "You keep sweeping. I'll go ask this wretched scoundrel myself." She walked into the study in the garden and suddenly heard laughter from inside. Pushing open the door, she saw Shutong and Yu Xiao on the bed, just finishing up something good. She scolded, "You wretched scoundrels! What a fine thing you two have done!" The two of them were so startled they couldn't move quickly and both fell to their knees on the ground, begging for mercy. Jinlian said, "You wretched scoundrel! Go get a piece of mourning silk and some cloth for me right now to send my mother-in-law home with." Shutong hurriedly took it and handed it over. Jinlian went straight back to her room. | ||
| 4 | 玉簫跪受... : | 那玉簫跟到房中，打旋磨兒跪在地下央及：「五娘，千萬休對爹說。」金蓮便問：「賊狗肉，你和我實說，從前已往，偷了幾遭？一字兒休瞞我，便罷。」那玉簫便把和他偷的緣由說了一遍。金蓮道：「既要我饒你，你要依我三件事。」玉簫道：「娘饒了我，隨問幾件事我也依娘。」金蓮道：「第一件，你娘房裡，但凡大小事兒，就來告我說。你不說，我打聽出來，定不饒你。第二件，我但問你要甚麼，你就捎出來與我。第三件，你娘向來沒有身孕，如今他怎生便有了？」玉簫道：「不瞞五娘說，俺娘如此這般，吃了薛姑子的衣胞符藥，便有了。」潘金蓮一一聽記在心，才不對西門慶說了。 |
| Yu Xiao followed her into the room and spun around on her knees, begging: "Fifth Madam, for heaven's sake don't tell Master." Jinlian then asked, "You dogflesh thief! Tell me the truth—how many times have you done this before?" "Don't hide a single word from me, or else it won't end here." Yu Xiao then recounted the entire story of how she had been involved in stealing with him. Jinlian said, "If you want me to forgive you, you must agree to three things I ask of you." Yu Xiao replied, "Madam, if you spare my life, no matter how many things you ask me to do, I will obey." Jinlian said, "First of all, whenever there is any matter big or small in your mother's room, you must come and tell me." If you don't tell me, and I find out on my own, I definitely won't spare you. Secondly, whenever I ask for anything from you, you must bring it to me immediately." Thirdly, your mother has never been pregnant before. Now how come she suddenly is?" Yu Xiao said, "I won't hide this from Fifth Madam. My mother took the amulet and medicine for conception given by Nunn Xi Guzi in this way, and that's how she became pregnant." Pan Jinlian carefully listened and remembered everything. That was why she did not tell Xi Menqing about it. | ||
| 5 | 玉簫跪受... : | 書童見潘金蓮冷笑領進玉簫去了，知此事有幾分不諧。向書房廚櫃內收拾了許多手帕汗巾、挑牙簪紐，並收的人情，他自己也攢有十來兩銀子，又到前邊柜上誆了傅伙計二十兩，只說要買孝絹，逕出城外，雇了長行頭口，到碼頭上，搭在鄉裡船上，往蘇州原籍家去了。正是： |
| Shutong saw Pan Jinlian coldly smile and lead Yu Xiao away, realizing that something was amiss in this matter. Shutong packed many handkerchiefs, sweat cloths, hairpins, buttons, and other items he had collected from gifts. He also had saved about ten taels of silver himself. Then he went to the front cabinet and tricked Fu Huoji out of twenty taels, saying he needed it to buy mourning silk. Without further ado, he left the city, hired a long-distance cart, boarded a boat at the wharf, and took it downriver to his hometown in Suzhou. It was indeed: | ||
| 撞碎玉籠飛彩鳳，頓開金鎖走蛟龍。 | ||
| Smashing the jade cage, the colorful phoenix flies; breaking open the golden chain, the dragon escapes. | ||
| 6 | 玉簫跪受... : | 那日，李桂姐、吳銀兒、鄭愛月都要家去了。薛內相、劉內相早晨差人抬三牲桌面來祭奠燒紙。又每人送了一兩銀子伴宿分資，叫了兩個唱道情的來，白日里要和西門慶坐坐。緊等著要打發孝絹，尋書童兒要鑰匙，一地裡尋不著。傅伙計道：「他早晨問我柜上要了二十兩銀子買孝絹去了，口稱爹吩咐他孝絹不夠，敢是向門外買去了？」西門慶道：「我並沒吩咐他，如何問你要銀子？」一面使人往門外絹鋪找尋，那裡得來！月娘向西門慶說：「我猜這奴才有些蹺蹊，不知弄下甚麼硶兒，拐了幾兩銀子走了。你那書房裡還大瞧瞧，只怕還拿甚麼去了。」西門慶走到兩個書房裡都瞧了，只見庫房裡鑰匙掛在牆上，大櫥櫃里不見了許多汗巾手帕，並書禮銀子、挑牙紐扣之類，西門慶心中大怒，叫將該地方管役來，吩咐：「各處三街兩巷與我訪緝。」那裡得來！正是： |
| On that day, Li Guijie, Wu Yin'er, and Zheng Aiyue were all going home. Xue Neixiang and Liu Neixiang sent people in the morning to bring a sacrificial table with three kinds of offerings for mourning rites and burning paper money. They also gave one tael of silver each as a gift for lodging and expenses, hired two storytellers to perform Daoqing, and planned to sit with Xi Menqing during the day. They were urgently waiting to distribute the mourning silk and went looking for Shutong for the key, but could not find him anywhere. Fu Huoji said, "He asked me for twenty taels of silver from the cabinet in the morning to buy mourning silk, saying that Master had ordered him because there wasn't enough. Perhaps he went outside to purchase it?" Xi Menqing said, "I never gave him any orders; how could he have asked you for silver?" At the same time, they sent someone to look for him at the silk shop outside the gate, but of course, he was nowhere to be found! Yue Niang said to Xi Menqing, "I suspect this servant is up to something strange. I don't know what tricks he's pulled off; he must have run away with a few taels of silver." You should take another good look in your study. He might have taken something else as well." Xi Menqing went into both studies and looked around. He saw the key to the storage room hanging on the wall, but many handkerchiefs and silk handkerchiefs were missing from the large cabinet, along with silver for gifts, hairpins, and buttons. Extremely angry, Xi Menqing called for the local officials in charge of patrols and ordered them: "Search every street and alley to find this man." Of course, they could not find him! Indeed: | ||
| 不獨懷家歸興急，五湖煙水正茫茫。 | ||
| Not only does he miss home and long to return, but the misty waters of the Five Lakes stretch endlessly before him. | ||
| 7 | 玉簫跪受... : | 那日，薛內相從晌午就坐轎來了。西門慶請下吳大舅、應伯爵、溫秀才相陪。先到靈前上香，打了個問訊，然後與西門慶敘禮，說道：「可傷，可傷！如夫人是甚病兒歿了？」西門慶道：「不幸患崩瀉之疾歿了，多謝老公公費心。」薛內相道：「沒多兒，將就表意罷了。」因看見掛的影，說道：「好位標緻娘子！正好青春享福，只是去世太早些。」溫秀才在旁道：「物之不齊，物之情也。窮通壽夭，自有個定數，雖聖人亦不能強。」薛內相扭回頭來，見溫秀才穿著衣巾，因說道：「此位老先兒是那學里的？」溫秀才躬身道：「學生不才，備名府庠。」薛內相道：「我瞧瞧娘子的棺木兒。」西門慶即令左右把兩邊帳子撩起，薛內相進去觀看了一遍，極口稱贊道：「好副板兒！請問多少價買的？」西門慶道：「也是舍親的一副板，學生回了他的來了。」應伯爵道：「請老公公試估估，那裡地道，甚麼名色？」薛內相仔細看了說：「此板不是建昌，就是副鎮遠。」伯爵道：「就是鎮遠，也值不多。」薛內相道：「最高者，必定是楊宣榆。」伯爵道：「楊宣榆單薄短小，怎麼看得過！此板還在楊宣榆之上，名喚做桃花洞，在於湖廣武陵川中。昔日唐漁父入此洞中，曾見秦時毛女在此避兵，是個人跡罕到之處。此板七尺多長，四寸厚，二尺五寬。還看一半親家分上，還要了三百七十兩銀子哩。公公，你不曾看見，解開噴鼻香的，裡外俱有花色。」薛內相道：「是娘子這等大福，才享用了這板。俺每內官家，到明日死了，還沒有這等發送哩。」吳大舅道：「老公公好說，與朝廷有分的人，享大爵祿，俺們外官焉能趕的上。老公公日近清光，代萬歲傳宣金口。見今童老爺加封王爵，子孫皆服蟒腰玉，何所不至哉！」薛內相便道：「此位會說話的兄，請問上姓？」西門慶道：「此是妻兄吳大哥，見居本衛千戶之職。」薛內相道：「就是此位娘子令兄麼？」西門慶道：「不是。乃賤荊之兄。」薛內相復於吳大舅聲諾說道：「吳大人，失瞻！」 |
| On that day, Xue Neixiang arrived in a palanquin as early as midday. Xi Menqing invited Uncle Wu Da, Ying Bojie, and Censor Wen Xiucai to accompany him. They first went before the spirit tablet, burned incense, and paid respects with a bow. Then they exchanged greetings with Xi Menqing and said, "How sad, how tragic! What illness did your concubine die from?" Xi Menqing said, "Unfortunately, she passed away from a severe case of diarrhea. Thank you very much for your kind concern, respected elder." Xue Neixiang said, "It's not much; just a token gesture to show our respects." Seeing the portrait hanging there, he remarked, "What a beautiful lady!" She was just in her prime and should have enjoyed happiness, but it's too early for her to pass away." Censor Wen Xiucai said from the side, "Variety among things is natural; it is their inherent nature. Whether one is rich or poor, whether they live a long life or die young, there are fixed fates for all things; even sages cannot change them." Xue Neixiang turned his head and saw Censor Wen Xiucai wearing a scholar's robe and cap. He then asked, "Which school does this old gentleman belong to?" lou Censor Wen Xiucai bowed and said, "I am but an unworthy student, merely registered in the local school of the prefecture." Xue Neixiang said: "Let me take a look at the lady's coffin." Xi Menqing immediately ordered his attendants to lift the curtains on both sides. Xue Neixiang went in and inspected it thoroughly, praising enthusiastically: "What a fine set of boards!" "How much did you pay for it?" Xi Menqing said, "It was a coffin from my relative. I returned it to him." Ying Bojie asked: "Please, respected elder, give an estimate—where is the original place of production, and what kind of name or reputation does it have?" Xue Neixiang carefully examined it and said: "This coffin is either from Jianchang or Fuzhenyuan." Bojie said, "Even if it's from Zhenyuan, it isn't worth much." Xue Neixiang replied: "The best quality would definitely be Yang Xunyu wood." Bojie said, "Yang Xunyu is thin and small; how could it compare!" This coffin wood surpasses even Yang Xunyu. It is called Tahuadong and comes from Wuling, in the Huguang region. In ancient times, Tang Yufu entered this cave and once saw Qin dynasty's Mao Nü hiding here from the war; it is a place rarely visited by people. This board is more than seven chi long, four cun thick, and two chi five cun wide. Even considering the favor of a relative, it still cost three hundred and seventy taels of silver. Elder sir, you haven't seen it yet; when opened, the scent is fragrant and both inside and outside are decorated with patterns." Xue Neixiang remarked: "Only a lady of such great fortune could enjoy using this coffin. Even we eunuchs, if we were to die tomorrow, would not receive such a grand funeral." Uncle Wu Da said: "Respected elder, you speak well. Those who have a connection with the court enjoy great titles and emoluments; how could we officials outside the palace possibly match that? Respected elder, your days are spent in close proximity to imperial radiance, representing His Majesty and conveying proclamations from the golden mouth. Nowadays, Uncle Lao Ye has been granted a royal title, and his descendants all wear dragon robes and girdles of jade—what could possibly be beyond their reach!" Xue Neixiang then said, "This eloquent gentleman, may I ask your surname?" Xi Menqing replied: "He is my wife's elder brother, Uncle Wu Da. He currently holds the position of Qianhu in this garrison." Xue Neixiang asked: "Is he then the lady's elder brother?" Xi Menqing said, "No." He is the elder brother of my humble wife. Xue Neixiang bowed again to Uncle Wu Da and said, "Minister Wu, I have been remiss in my respects!" | ||
| 8 | 玉簫跪受... : | 看了一回，西門慶讓至捲棚內，正面安放一把交椅，薛內相坐下，打茶的拿上茶來吃了。薛內相道：「劉公公怎的這咱還不到？叫我答應的迎迎去。」青衣人跪下稟道：「小的邀劉公公去來，劉公公轎已伺候下了，便來也。」薛內相又問道：「那兩個唱道情的來了不曾？」西門慶道：「早上就來了。──叫上來！」不一時，走來面前磕頭。薛內相道：「你每吃了飯不曾？」那人道：「小的每吃了飯了。」薛內相道：「既吃了飯，你每今日用心答應，我重賞你。」西門慶道：「老公公，學生這裡還預備著一起戲子，唱與老公公聽。」薛內相問：「是那裡戲子？」西門慶道：「是一班海鹽戲子。」薛內相道：「那蠻聲哈剌，誰曉的他唱的是甚麼！那酸子每在寒窗之下，三年受苦，九載遨遊，背著琴劍書箱來京應舉，得了個官，又無妻小在身邊，便希罕他這樣人。你我一個光身漢、老內相，要他做甚麼？」溫秀才在旁邊笑說道：「老公公說話，太不近情了。居之齊則齊聲，居之楚則楚聲。老公公處於高堂廣廈，豈無一動其心哉？」這薛內相便拍手笑將起來道：「我就忘了溫先兒在這裡。你每外官，原來只護外官。」溫秀才道：「雖是士大夫，也只是秀才做的。老公公砍一枝損百林，兔死狐悲，物傷其類。」薛內相道：「不然。一方之地，有賢有愚。」 |
| After looking around for a while, Xi Menqing led him into the pavilion. He placed an armchair facing forward and Xue Neixiang sat down. A servant brought tea and served it to him. Xue Neixiang asked, "Why hasn't Uncle Liu Gonggong arrived yet?" "I should send someone to go and meet him." A servant in black robes knelt down and reported, "I went to invite Uncle Liu Gonggong. His palanquin is already waiting; he will come shortly." Xue Neixiang also asked, "Have the two performers of Daoqing arrived yet?" Xi Menqing replied: "They came early in the morning. "Bring them up!" In no time, they came forward and kowtowed. Xue Neixiang asked: "Have you two had your meal yet?" The man replied, "We have already eaten." Xue Neixiang said: "Since you've had your meal, be attentive and serve well today; I will reward you handsomely." Xi Menqing said: "Respected elder, I have also prepared a group of actors here to perform for you." Xue Neixiang asked: "Where are these performers from?" Xi Menqing replied, "They are a troupe of Haiyan opera performers." Xue Neixiang said: "That barbaric and harsh sound—how can anyone know what they are singing!" Those poor scholars, studying in cold rooms for three years of hardship and nine years of wandering, travel to the capital with their zithers, swords, and bookcases to take the imperial examinations. After obtaining an official post, they have no wife or children by their side; it is these people that one admires. "What do we, a single old man and an aging eunuch, need them for?" Censor Wen Xiucai smiled from the side and said: "Respected elder, what you are saying is too heartless. If one lives in Qi, they speak with a Qi accent; if one resides in Chu, they adopt the Chu dialect. Respected elder, living in grand halls and spacious mansions, how could there not be something that stirs your heart?" At this, Xue Neixiang clapped his hands and laughed, saying: "I had forgotten that Master Wen was here. "You outside officials—originally you only protect your own kind." Censor Wen Xiucai replied: "Though they are scholar-officials, they were also once just scholars themselves. "Respected elder, cutting down one branch harms the entire forest; when rabbits die, foxes grieve—things mourn for their own kind." Xue Neixiang said: "Not quite. "In one region, there are both the wise and the foolish." | ||
| 9 | 玉簫跪受... : | 正說著，忽左右來報：「劉公公下轎了。」吳大舅等出去迎接進來，向靈前作了揖。敘禮已畢，薛內相道：「劉公公，你怎的這咱才來？」劉內相道：「北邊徐同家來拜望，陪他坐了一回，打發去了。」一面分席坐下，左右遞茶上去。因問答應的：「祭奠桌面兒都擺上了不曾？」下邊人說：「都排停當了。」劉內相道：「咱每去燒了紙罷。」西門慶道：「老公公不消多禮，頭裡已是見過禮了。」劉內相道：「此來為何？還當親祭祭。」當下，左右捧過香來，兩個內相上了香，遞了三鐘酒，拜下去。西門慶道：「老公公請起。」於是拜了兩拜起來，西門慶還了禮，復至捲棚內坐下。然後收拾安席，遞酒上坐。兩位內相分左右坐了，吳大舅、溫秀才、應伯爵從次，西門慶下邊相陪。子弟鼓板響動，遞了關目揭帖。兩位內相看了一回，揀了一段《劉智遠白兔記》。唱了還未幾折，心下不耐煩，一面叫上兩個唱道情的去，打起漁鼓，並肩朝上，高聲唱了一套「韓文公雪擁藍關」故事下去。 |
| They were still talking when suddenly someone from the side came to report: "Uncle Liu Gonggong has arrived and is stepping down from his palanquin." Uncle Wu Da and others went out to greet him, then led him in and paid respects before the spirit tablet. After exchanging greetings, Xue Neixiang asked: "Uncle Liu Gonggong, why have you only just arrived?" Liu Neixiang replied: "Someone from the north named Xu Tong came to visit. I sat with him for a while and only sent him off just now." They took their seats on separate cushions, and attendants served tea. He then asked the attendant: "Have all the offerings for the memorial ceremony been set up?" The people below replied, "Everything has been arranged and is ready." Liu Neixiang said: "Let us go burn the paper offerings then." Xi Menqing replied: "Respected elders, there is no need for too many formalities; we have already paid our respects earlier." Liu Neixiang asked: "Then why did you invite us here?" It is still appropriate to offer a personal memorial." At once, the attendants presented incense. The two eunuchs burned it, offered three cups of wine, and kowtowed in reverence. Xi Menqing said: "Respected elders, please rise." They then bowed twice more before rising. Xi Menqing returned the courtesy and they sat down again in the pavilion. Then, they arranged the seating, served wine, and everyone took their places. The two eunuchs sat on either side, while Uncle Wu Da, Censor Wen Xiucai, and Ying Bojie followed in order of precedence. Xi Menqing sat below to accompany them. The young performers struck up the drum and clappers, and a summary of the play was presented. After watching for a while, the two eunuchs selected an excerpt from Liu Zhiyuan Bai Tu Ji (The Tale of Liu Zhiyuan and the White Rabbit). They had not sung many acts before the two eunuchs grew impatient. They immediately called for the two Daoqing performers, who struck up their fishing drums and stood side by side on stage, singing loudly a set of the story "Han Wen Gong Xue Yong Lan Guan" (Han Yu's Snowy Blue Pass). | ||
| 10 | 玉簫跪受... : | 薛內相便與劉內相兩個說說話兒，道：「劉哥，你不知道，昨日這八月初十日，下大雨如註，雷電把內里凝神殿上鴟尾裘碎了，唬死了許多宮人。朝廷大懼，命各官修省，逐日在上清宮宣《精靈疏》建醮。禁屠十日，法司停刑，百官不許奏事。昨日大金遣使臣進表，要割內地三鎮，依著蔡京那老賊，就要許他。掣童掌事的兵馬，交都御史譚積、黃安十大使節制三邊兵馬，又不肯，還交多官計議。昨日立冬，萬歲出來祭太廟，太常寺一員博士，名喚方軫，早晨打掃，看見太廟磚縫出血，殿東北上地陷了一角，寫表奏知萬歲。科道官上本，極言童掌事大了，宦官不可封王。如今馬上差官，拿金牌去取童掌事回京。」劉內相道：「你我如今出來在外做土官，那朝事也不乾咱每。俗語道，咱過了一日是一日。便塌了天，還有四個大漢。到明天，大宋江山管情被這些酸子弄壞了。王十九，咱每隻吃酒！」因叫唱道情的上來，吩咐：「你唱個『李白好貪杯』的故事。」那人立在席前，打動漁鼓，又唱了一回。 |
| Xue Neixiang began chatting with Liu Neixiang, saying: "Brother Liu, you don't know. On the tenth day of the eighth lunar month yesterday, it rained heavily as if pouring from a bucket. Lightning struck and shattered the chimeric roof tile on the Ningshen Hall inside the palace, terrifying many palace attendants to death. The court was greatly alarmed and ordered all officials to reflect on their conduct. Every day, they recited the Jingling Shu (Spirit Scripture) at the Shangqing Palace for a ritual offering. Slaughtering of animals was banned for ten days, judicial punishments were suspended, and officials at all levels were forbidden from presenting petitions to the throne. Yesterday, a large Jin envoy came with a letter, demanding cession of three inland towns. Had it not been for the old traitor Cai Jing, they would have agreed to his demands. They wanted to transfer the military forces under Tong Zhaoshi's command to be controlled by the Grand Censor Tan Ji and the Ten Ambassadors Huang An, but they refused. Instead, they insisted on consulting with many officials for a decision. Yesterday was the Beginning of Winter. The Son of Heaven came out to perform a sacrifice at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. A scholar-official from the Taichangshi, named Fang Zhen, who had been cleaning in the morning, saw blood oozing from the cracks between the bricks and noticed that a corner of the ground northeast of the temple hall had collapsed. He wrote an official report to inform the Son of Heaven. The officials from the Ke and Dao departments submitted memorials, strongly stating that Tong Zhaoshi had grown too powerful and that eunuchs should not be granted royal titles. Now they are immediately sending officials with a golden imperial edict to bring Tong Zhaoshi back to the capital." Liu Neixiang said: "Now that you and I are serving as local officials outside the capital, court affairs have nothing to do with us. As the saying goes, we should just get through each day as it comes. Even if the sky were to collapse, there are still four strong men left. By tomorrow, I'm afraid these scholar-officials will definitely ruin the great Song dynasty's territory. Wang Shijiu, we'll just drink wine!" He then called the storyteller to come forward and ordered: "You tell the story of 'Li Bai's Love for Drinking.'" The man stood before the gathering, struck his drum, and sang another round. | ||
| 11 | 玉簫跪受... : | 直吃至日暮時分，吩咐下人，看轎起身。西門慶款留不住，送出大門，喝道而去。回來，吩咐點起燭來，把桌席休動，留下吳大舅、應伯爵、溫秀才坐的，又使小廝請傅伙計、甘伙計、韓道國、賁第傳、崔本和陳敬濟復坐。叫上子弟來吩咐：「還找著昨日《玉環記》上來。」因向伯爵道：「內相家不曉的南戲滋味。早知他不聽，我今日不留他。」伯爵道：「哥，到辜負你的意思。內臣斜局的營生，他只喜《藍關記》、搗喇小子山歌野調，那裡曉的大關目悲歡離合！」於是下邊打動鼓板，將昨日《玉環記》做不完的折數，一一緊做慢唱，都搬演出來。西門慶令小廝席上頻斟美酒。伯爵與西門慶同桌而坐，便問：「他姐兒三個還沒家去，怎的不叫出來遞杯酒兒？」西門慶道：「你還想那一夢兒，他每去的不耐煩了！」伯爵道：「他每在這裡住了有兩三日？」西門慶道：「吳銀兒住的久了。」當日，眾人坐到三更時分，搬戲已完，方起身各散。西門慶邀下吳大舅，明日早些來陪上祭官員。與了戲子四兩銀子，打發出門。 |
| They continued drinking until dusk, then ordered their attendants to prepare the palanquin for departure. Ximen Qing tried in vain to keep them and finally saw them off at the main gate, where they left with a grand procession. After returning, he ordered the candles to be lit and instructed that the banquet table remain untouched. He kept Uncle Wu Da, Ying Bojue, and Wen Xiucai seated, then sent a boy servant to invite Fu Huaji, Gan Huaji, Han Dao guo, Bin Dichuan, Cui Ben, and Chen Jingji back to their seats. He called for the young men and ordered: "Find out who performed 'Yuhuan Ji' yesterday." He then said to Bojue, "The Grand Secretary doesn't know the flavor of southern opera. Had I known he wouldn't listen, I would not have kept him today." Bojue said: "Brother, this is a pity for your kindness. "The eunuch's biased taste in entertainment—he only likes 'Languan Ji,' loud and crude mountain songs, and vulgar tunes. How could he possibly understand the grand themes of joy, sorrow, parting, and reunion!" So below, the drum and clappers were struck, and the unfinished acts of yesterday's "Yuhuan Ji" were performed one by one—some quickly acted, some slowly sung—and all were staged. Ximen Qing ordered the boy servants to repeatedly pour fine wine at the banquet table. Bojue, sitting at the same table with Ximen Qing, then asked: "His three sisters haven't gone home yet. Why not call them out to offer a cup of wine?" Ximen Qing said, "You're still thinking about that dream. They've been eager to leave for a long time!" Bojue asked: "Have they stayed here for two or three days already?" Ximen Qing replied, "Wu Yin'er has been staying the longest." That day, everyone remained seated until past three o'clock at night. After the play was finished, they finally rose and dispersed. Ximen Qing invited Uncle Wu Da to come early the next day to accompany the officials in charge of the sacrificial rites. He gave four taels of silver to the actors and sent them out the door. | ||
| 12 | 玉簫跪受... : | 到次日，周守備、荊都監、張團練、夏提刑，合衛許多官員，都合了分資，辦了一副豬羊吃桌祭奠，有禮生讀祝。西門慶預備酒席，李銘等三個小優兒伺候答應。到晌午，只聽鼓響，祭禮到了。吳大舅、應伯爵、溫秀才在門首迎接，只見後擁前呼，眾官員下馬，在前廳換衣服。良久，把祭品擺下，眾官齊到靈前，西門慶與陳敬濟還禮。禮生喝禮，三獻畢，跪在旁邊讀祝，祭畢。西門慶下來謝禮已畢，吳大舅等讓眾官至捲棚內，寬去素服，待畢茶，就安席上坐，觥籌交錯，殷勤勸酒。李銘等三個小優兒，銀箏檀板，朝上彈唱。眾官歡飲，直到日暮方散。西門慶還要留吳大舅眾人坐，吳大舅道：「各人連日打攪，姐夫也辛苦了，各自歇息去罷。」當時告辭回家。正是： |
| The next day, Zhou Shoubei, Jing Dujian, Zhang Tuanlian, Xia Tixing, and many other officials from the garrison jointly contributed funds to prepare a sacrificial banquet of pigs and sheep with an official reader reciting the eulogy. Ximen Qing had prepared a feast, and three young actors including Li Ming were on hand to serve and respond as needed. By midday, the sound of drums could be heard—the sacrificial ceremony had arrived. Uncle Wu Da, Ying Bojue and Wen Xiucai were waiting at the gate. They saw a crowd of officials arriving with attendants shouting ahead and behind them. The officials dismounted their horses and changed clothes in the front hall. After a long while, the sacrificial offerings were arranged. All the officials gathered before the spirit tablet, and Ximen Qing and Chen Jingji returned their bows in courtesy. The official reader called out the rites, completed three rounds of offerings, then knelt on the side to recite the eulogy, and the ceremony ended. After Ximen Qing descended and completed the ritual of thanking them, Uncle Wu Da led the officials to the pavilion, where they removed their plain mourning clothes. After serving tea, they were seated at the banquet table, with cups and chopsticks crossing in a lively exchange as drinks were offered with great hospitality. Li Ming and the other two young actors, accompanied by silver zithers and wooden clappers, performed songs and music for the gathering. The officials drank merrily until dusk before finally dispersing. Ximen Qing still wanted to keep Uncle Wu Da and the others seated, but Uncle Wu Da said: "Everyone has been troubling you for several days. Brother-in-law, you must be tired too. Let us all go rest now." At that time, they took their leave and went home. It was indeed: | ||
| 天上碧桃和露種，日邊紅杏倚雲栽。家中巨富人趨附，手內多時莫論財。 | ||
| Heavenly peach trees are planted with dew, Red apricot blossoms by the sun, supported in clouds. With great wealth at home, people flock to him; When power is long held, one need not speak of riches. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch64