| Chinese Text Project |
《潘金蓮售色赴東床 李嬌兒盜財歸麗院 - Pan Jinlian Sells Her Beauty to the Eastern Chamber Li Jiaoer Steals Wealth and Returns to Lijuan Courtyard》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 潘金蓮售... : | 詩曰： |
| The poem says: | ||
|
倚醉無端尋舊約，卻因惆悵轉難勝。靜中樓閣深春雨，遠處簾櫳半夜燈。 抱柱立時風細細，繞廊行處思騰騰。分明窗下聞裁剪，敲遍欄桿喚不應。 | ||
| Drunk on wine without reason, I seek old appointments; Yet due to melancholy, it becomes even harder to bear. In quietness, the pavilion is drenched by spring rain in deep solitude; Far away, behind curtains and lattices, lamps glow at midnight. While waiting faithfully as the wind gently blows, my thoughts rise and fall; As I walk along the corridor, my reflections drift endlessly. Clearly from beneath the window I hear scissors cutting fabric, I knock on every railing but receive no response. | ||
| 2 | 潘金蓮售... : | 話說西門慶死了，首七那日，卻是報國寺十六眾僧人做水陸。這應伯爵約會了謝希大、花子繇、祝實念、孫天化、常峙節、白賚光七人，坐在一處，伯爵先開口說：「大官人沒了，今一七光景。你我相交一場，當時也曾吃過他的，也曾用過他的，也曾使過他的，也曾借過他的。今日他死了，莫非推不知道？灑土也眯眯後人眼睛兒，他就到五閻王跟前，也不饒你我。如今這等計較，你我各出一錢銀子，七人共湊上七錢，辦一桌祭禮，買一幅軸子，再求水先生作一篇祭文，抬了去，大官人靈前祭奠祭奠，少不的還討了他七分銀子一條孝絹來，這個好不好？」眾人都道：「哥說的是。」當下每人湊出銀子來，交與伯爵，整備祭物停當，買了軸子，央水秀才做了祭文。這水秀才平昔知道應伯爵這起人，與西門慶乃小人之朋，於是暗含譏刺，作就一篇祭文。伯爵眾人把祭祀抬到靈前擺下，陳敬濟穿孝在旁還禮。伯爵為首，各人上了香，人人都粗俗，那裡曉得其中滋味。澆了奠酒，只顧把祝文宣念。其文略曰： |
| It is said that after Ximen Qing died, on the first of seven mourning days, sixteen monks from Baoguo Temple conducted a water and land service. Ying Bojue had arranged a meeting with Xie Xidai, Hua Ziyao, Zhu Shiniang, Sun Tianhua, Chang Zhijie, and Bai Laiguang, the seven of them sitting together. Bojue spoke first: "Master Da has passed away; it's now been about one week since his death." We have known each other for a while; back then, we had once eaten with him, used his resources, taken advantage of him, and borrowed from him. Now that he has died today, are we not supposed to pretend ignorance? Even if you and I close our eyes to the dust of his descendants, when he reaches the Five Yama Kings, they will not spare us. Now, if we calculate this way: each of us contributes one qian of silver; the seven of us together will gather up seven qians to prepare a sacrificial offering, buy an axis scroll, and then ask Shui Xiansheng to compose a eulogy. We carry it over to offer sacrifices at Master Da's spirit tablet. Surely we can still get back from him seven fen of silver and a piece of mourning silk. How does this sound?" Everyone said, "Brother is right." At that moment, each person contributed silver and handed it over to Bojue. They prepared the sacrificial offerings properly, bought an axis scroll, and asked Shui Xiucail to compose a eulogy on their behalf. This Shui Xiucail, who had long known about Ying Bojue and his group of people, understood that they were petty friends of Ximen Qing. Therefore, he subtly included satirical remarks in the eulogy he composed. Bojue and his companions carried the offerings to Master Da's spirit tablet, placing them down before it; Chen Jingji, dressed in mourning attire, stood by on the side to return the courtesy. Bojue led the way, and each person offered incense; everyone was vulgar, who could understand the true meaning behind it. After pouring out the sacrificial wine, they just went on reciting the eulogy without paying much attention to anything else. The text briefly said: | ||
| 維重和元年，歲戊戌，二月戊子期，越初三日庚寅，侍教生應伯爵、謝希大、花子繇、祝實念、孫天化、常峙節、白賚光，謹以清酌庶饈之儀，致祭於故錦衣西門大官人之靈曰：維靈生前梗直，秉性堅剛；軟的不怕，硬的不降。常濟人以點水，恆助人以精光。囊篋頗厚，氣概軒昂。逢樂而舉，遇陰伏降。錦襠隊中居住，齊腰庫里收藏。有八角而不用撓摑，逢虱蟣而騷癢難當。受恩小子，常在胯下隨幫。也曾在章台而宿柳，也曾在謝館而猖狂。正宜撐頭活腦，久戰熬場，胡為罹一疾不起之殃？見今你便長伸著腳子去了，丟下小子輩，如班鳩跌腳，倚靠何方？難上他煙花之寨，難靠他八字紅牆。再不得同席而儇軟玉，再不得並馬而傍溫香。撇的人垂頭落腳，閃的人牢溫郎當。今特奠茲白濁，次獻寸觴。靈其不昧，來格來歆。尚享。 | ||
| In the first year of Zhonghe, the year Wu Xu, on the day of Wuzi in the second month, and on the third day Geng Yin, the disciples Ying Bojue, Xie Xidai, HUA Ziyao, Zhu Shinnian, Sun Tianhua, CHANG Zhijie, BAI Laiguang respectfully offer this modest offering of clear wine and various foodstuffs to pay homage at the spirit of the late Jinyi Master Da (Ximen Qing), saying: Your spirit was upright in life, with a firm and resolute nature; Not afraid of softness, not yielding to hardness. Often helping people with a drop of water, always assisting others with brilliance. With a rather full purse, and an imposing demeanor. When joyous occasions arose, he would take the lead; when faced with adversity, he would submit and retreat. Living among the brocade-clad ranks, treasures stored in well-stocked treasuries. Possessing eight corners yet never needing to be disturbed or molested, encountering lice and mites causing unbearable itching. The young men who received his favors often followed him from beneath his crotch, always accompanying him in the shadows. He had once stayed among willows at Zhangtai; he had also behaved recklessly and wildly at Xieguan. Just when it was most appropriate to be alert and active, enduring long battles and exhausting contests—why did he suffer from a sudden illness that left him unable to rise again? Now you have stretched out your legs and gone, leaving us young men behind like a pigeon with one foot missing—what can we rely on now? We cannot go to his brothel again, nor can we depend on the eight-character red walls. No longer can we sit together and flirt with soft jade-like beauty; no longer can we ride side by side, enjoying the warmth of fragrant companions. Leaving people hanging their heads in dejection and making others feel as if they are shackled and abandoned. Today, we specially offer this cloudy white liquor and present a small cup of wine in tribute. May your spirit not be oblivious, but come to accept our offering with pleasure. May you enjoy it. | ||
| 3 | 潘金蓮售... : | 眾人祭畢，陳敬濟下來還禮，請去捲棚內三湯五割，管待出門不題。 |
| After the offerings were completed, Chen Jingji descended to return the courtesy and invited them into a pavilion for three soups and five dishes. They were treated with hospitality before leaving; no more will be said about it. | ||
| 4 | 潘金蓮售... : | 且說那日院中李家虔婆，聽見西門慶死了，鋪謀定計，備了一張祭桌，使了李桂卿、李桂姐坐轎子來上紙弔問。月娘不出來，都是李嬌兒、孟玉樓在上房管待。李家桂卿、桂姐悄悄對李嬌兒說：「俺媽說，人已是死了，你我院中人，守不的這樣貞節！自古千里長棚，沒個不散的筵席。教你手裡有東西，悄悄教李銘稍了家去防後。你還恁傻！常言道：『揚州雖好，不是久戀之家。』不拘多少時，也少不的離他家門。」那李嬌兒聽記在心。 |
| Meanwhile, on that day in the courtyard, Li Jia Qianpo heard of Ximen Qing's death. She devised a plan and prepared an offering table, sending Li Guiqing and Li Guijie to come by palanquin with paper offerings for mourning visitations. Yueliang did not come out; instead, it was Lijiaoer and Meng Yulou who hosted them in the main house. Li Jia Guiqing and Guijie quietly told Lijiaoer, "Our mother said that since the person is already dead, you people from our courtyard cannot possibly maintain such chastity!" Since ancient times, no matter how long a pavilion may stretch for a thousand miles, there is never a banquet that does not eventually break up. She told you to have something in your hand and secretly instructed Li Ming to take it home for future use. You're still so foolish! As the old saying goes: "Yangzhou may be beautiful, but it is not a place for long-term attachment." No matter how much or little time passes, you will inevitably leave his family's door eventually." Lijiaoer listened carefully and kept the words in mind. | ||
| 5 | 潘金蓮售... : | 不想那日韓道國妻王六兒，亦備了張祭桌，喬素打扮，坐轎子來與西門慶燒紙。在靈前擺下祭祀，只顧站著。站了半日，白沒個人兒出來陪待。原來西門慶死了，首七時分，就把王經打發家去不用了。小廝每見王六兒來，都不敢進去說。那來安兒不知就裡，到月娘房裡，向月娘說：「韓大嬸來與爹上紙，在前邊站了一日了，大舅使我來對娘說。」這吳月娘心中還氣忿不過，便喝罵道：「怪賊奴才，不與我走，還來甚麼韓大嬸、屄大嬸，賊狗攮的養漢淫婦，把人家弄的家敗人亡，父南子北，夫逃妻散的，還來上甚麼屄紙！」一頓罵的來安兒摸門不著，來到靈前。吳大舅問道：「對後邊說了不曾？」來安兒把嘴谷都著不言語。問了半日，才說：「娘稍出四馬兒來了。」這吳大舅連忙進去，對月娘說：「姐姐，你怎麼這等的？快休要舒口！自古人惡禮不惡。他男子漢領著咱偌多的本錢，你如何這等待人？好名兒難得，快休如此。你就不出去，教二姐姐、三姐姐好好待他出去，也是一般。做甚麼恁樣的，教人說你不是。」那月娘見他哥這樣說，才不言語了。良久，孟玉樓出來，還了禮，陪他在靈前坐的。只吃一鐘茶，婦人也有些省口，就坐不住，隨即告辭起身去了。正是： |
| Unbeknownst to them, on that day, Wang Liu'er, the wife of Handao Guo, also prepared an offering table. She dressed up prettily and came by palanquin to burn paper offerings for Ximen Qing. She placed the sacrificial offerings before the spirit tablet but just stood there, doing nothing else. After standing for half a day, not a single person came out to entertain or accompany her. Originally, after Ximen Qing's death, on the first mourning day, Wang Jing was sent home and no longer employed. The young servants saw Wang Liu'er arrive but dared not go in to inform anyone. Lai Aner, unaware of the situation, went to Yueliang's room and told her: "Aunt Han has come to burn paper for Master Da. She has been standing in front all day. Uncle Da made me come tell you." Wu Yueliang was still angry and scolded, "You wretched slave! If you don't go for me, why are you bringing up Aunt Han this or that? You damned dog's brat, a woman who took lovers and ruined people's families, causing their homes to collapse and people to scatter—fathers in the south, sons in the north, husbands fleeing and wives separated. How dare she come here burning paper again!" After a scolding that left Lai Aner clueless about which way to go, he returned to the spirit tablet. Wu Daju asked, "Did you tell her in back?" Lai Aner clamped his mouth shut and said nothing. After asking for a long while, he finally said, "Madam just sent four horses out." Wu Daju hurriedly went in and told Yueliang, "Sister, how could you be like this?" Hasten to stop speaking! In ancient times, people may despise a person but not the courtesy. He was a man who led us with so much capital; how could you treat others in such a way? A good reputation is hard to maintain. Please stop doing this. Even if you don't go out, have Second Sister and Third Sister treat her properly when she leaves; it would be the same thing. Why act like this? It will only make people say you're not right." Yueliang, upon hearing her brother speak in such a manner, fell silent. After some time, Meng Yulou came out, returned the courtesy, and sat with her before the spirit tablet for a while. She only drank one cup of tea; the woman, somewhat embarrassed, could not sit still and soon took her leave. Indeed: | ||
| 誰人汲得西江水，難免今朝一面羞。 | ||
| Who can draw the water from the Xijiang River to wash away today's shame? | ||
| 6 | 潘金蓮售... : | 那李桂卿、桂姐、吳銀兒都在上房坐著，見月娘罵韓道國老婆淫婦長、淫婦短，砍一株損百枝，兩個就有些坐不住，未到日落，就要家去。月娘再三留他姐兒兩個：「晚夕伙計每伴宿，你每看了提偶，明日去罷。」留了半日，桂姐、銀姐不去了，只打發他姐姐桂卿家去了。到了晚夕，僧人散了，果然有許多街坊、伙計、主管，喬大戶、吳大舅、吳二舅、沈姨父、花子繇、應伯爵、謝希大、常峙節，也有二十餘人，叫了一起偶戲，在大卷棚內，擺設酒席伴宿。提演的是「孫榮、孫華殺狗勸夫」戲文。堂客都在靈旁廳內，圍著幃屏，放下簾來，擺放桌席，朝外觀看。李銘、吳惠在這裡答應，晚夕也不家去了。不一時，眾人都到齊了。祭祀已畢，捲棚內點起燭來，安席坐下，打動鼓樂，戲文上來。直搬演到三更天氣，戲文方了。 |
| Li Guiqing, Guijie, and Wu Yin'er were all sitting in the main house when they saw Yueliang scold Handao Guo's wife for being a lustful woman this or that. Her words cut down one branch but harmed many others. The two of them became uneasy and restless; before sunset had even arrived, they wanted to go home. Yueliang repeatedly asked the two sisters to stay: "In the evening, we can all sleep together. You may watch the puppet show tonight and go home tomorrow." After being asked to stay for half a day, Guijie and Yinjie decided not to leave after all; only their sister Guiqing was sent home. By evening, the monks had dispersed. Indeed, many neighbors, partners, and supervisors arrived: Qiao Dahu, Wu Daju, Wu Eju, Shen Yifu, Hua Ziyao, Ying Bojue, Xie Xiudai, Chang Zhijie—over twenty people in total. They called for a puppet show and arranged a banquet with wine and food inside the large pavilion to spend the night together. The performance was of the play "Sun Rong and Sun Hua Kill a Dog to Persuade Their Husband." The female guests were all in the hall beside the spirit tablet, gathered around a screen and curtain, with the curtains drawn down. They arranged tables and sat facing outward to watch the performance. Li Ming and Wu Hui were here attending to things, and they did not go home that night either. In no time at all, everyone had arrived. After the offerings were completed, candles were lit inside the pavilion; people took their seats. Drums and music began to play, and the performance commenced. The performance continued until past three o'clock in the morning before it finally ended. | ||
| 7 | 潘金蓮售... : | 原來陳敬濟自從西門慶死後，無一日不和潘金蓮兩個嘲戲，或在靈前溜眼，帳子後調笑。於是趕人散一亂，眾堂客都往後邊去了，小廝每都收家活，這金蓮趕眼錯，捏了敬濟一把，說道：「我兒，你娘今日成就了你罷。趁大姐在後邊，咱就往你屋裡去罷。」敬濟聽了，得不的一聲，先往屋裡開門去了。婦人黑影里，抽身鑽入他房內，更不答話，解開褲子，仰臥在炕上，雙鳧飛首，教陳敬濟好耍。正是：色膽如天怕甚事，鴛幃雲雨百年情。真個是： |
| Originally, since Ximen Qing's death, Chen Jingji had not a single day without teasing and playing with Pan Jinlian. Sometimes he would glance around at the spirit tablet or joke behind the curtain. Taking advantage of the chaos as people dispersed, all the female guests went to the back, and the young servants began tidying up. Taking this opportunity, Jinlian grabbed Jingji's hand and said, "My dear son, today your mother will finally grant you what you want." "While the big sister is in the back, let's go to your room right now." Jingji heard this and hurriedly ran ahead with a "deng" sound, opening the door to his room. In the darkness, the woman slipped into his room without a word. She undressed her pants and lay on the kang bed with her legs spread wide, inviting Chen Jingji to play. Indeed: "With a lustful heart as vast as the sky, what fear is there? In the bridal chamber, clouds and rains of passion for a hundred years." Truly it was: | ||
| 二載相逢，一朝配偶；數年姻眷，一旦和諧。一個柳腰款擺，一個玉莖忙舒。耳邊訴雨意雲情，枕上說山盟海誓。鶯恣蝶採，旖妮搏弄百千般；狂雨羞雲，嬌媚施逞千萬態。一個不住叫親親，一個摟抱呼達達。得多少柳色乍翻新樣綠，花容不減舊時紅。 | ||
| Two years of meeting, one day as husband and wife; Years of marital ties, suddenly harmonious. One with a willowy waist swaying gently, the other with a jade-like member stretching eagerly. Whispers of love and passion by the ear, vows as firm as mountains and seas spoken on the pillow. The swallows dance, dragons soar; her coquettish charm stirs endless desire. Passionate rains and shy clouds—her alluring beauty displays a thousand postures of seduction. One could not stop calling "dear," while the other embraced and called out "darling." How many times had willow leaves turned a fresh new green, yet her blooming beauty remained as red as it was in the past. | ||
| 8 | 潘金蓮售... : | 霎時雲雨了畢，婦人恐怕人來，連忙出房，往後邊去了。到次日，這小伙兒嘗著這個甜頭兒，早辰走到金蓮房來，金蓮還在被窩裡未起來。從窗眼裡張看，見婦人被擁紅雲，粉腮印玉，說道：「好管庫房的，這咱還不起來！今日喬親家爹來上祭，大娘分付把昨日擺的李三、黃四家那祭桌收進來罷。你快些起來，且拿鑰匙出來與我。」婦人連忙教春梅拿鑰匙與敬濟，敬濟先教春梅樓上開門去了。婦人便從窗眼裡遞出舌頭，兩個咂了一回。正是得多少脂香滿口涎空咽，甜唾顒心溢肺姦。有詞為證： |
| Just as their passionate encounter ended, the woman feared someone might come and hurriedly left the room, heading to the back. The next day, this young man, having tasted the sweetness of such pleasures, came to Jinlian's room early in the morning. Jinlian was still in bed, not yet up. Peering through the window, he saw her wrapped in red clouds of bedding, with pink cheeks pressed against jade-like skin. He said, "You keeper of the storehouse, still not up at this hour!" Today Qiao Qinjia's father has come to offer sacrifices. The mistress ordered you to bring in the offering table from Li San and Huang Si's families that was set up yesterday." You had better get up quickly and give me the key right away." The woman hurriedly told Chunmei to get the key for Jingji. Jingji first sent Chunmei upstairs to open the door. Through the window, the woman extended her tongue and they kissed briefly. Indeed, how many times had he tasted the fragrant oil on his lips, swallowing in vain, with sweet saliva overflowing and filling his heart with lust. There is a verse to prove this: | ||
| 恨杜鵑聲透珠簾。心似針簽，情似膠粘。我則見笑臉腮窩愁粉黛，瘦損春纖寶髻亂，雲松翠鈿。睡顏酡，玉減紅添。檀口曾沾。到如今唇上猶香，想起來口內猶甜。 | ||
| Hate the sound of the cuckoo penetrating through pearl curtains. The heart feels like it is pierced by needles, and emotions are as sticky as glue. I see a smiling face with dimples filled with sorrow, delicate spring eyebrows disheveled and jadelike hairpins loosened. Her sleeping face flushed red, jade-like beauty diminished yet adorned with added rouge. Her sandalwood lips had once been kissed. Even now, her lips still smell fragrant; thinking back, the sweetness lingers in my mouth. | ||
| 9 | 潘金蓮售... : | 良久，春梅樓上開了門，敬濟往前邊看搬祭祀去了。不一時，喬大戶家祭來擺下。喬大戶娘子並喬大戶許多親眷，靈前祭畢。吳大舅、吳二舅、甘伙計陪侍，請至捲棚內管待。李銘、吳惠彈唱。那日鄭愛月兒家也來上紙弔孝。月娘俱令玉樓打發了孝裙束腰，後邊與堂客一同坐的。鄭愛月兒看見李桂姐、吳銀姐都在這裡，便嗔他兩個不對他說：「我若知道爹沒了，有個不來的！你每好人兒，就不會我會兒去。」又見月娘生了孩兒，說道：「娘一喜一憂。惜乎爹只是去世太早了些兒，你老人家有了主兒，也不愁。」月娘俱打發了孝，留坐至晚方散。 |
| After a long while, Chunmei opened the door upstairs and Jingji went to the front to oversee moving the sacrificial offerings. In no time at all, the sacrifices from Qiao Dahu's family were set up. Qiao Dahu's wife and many of his relatives completed their offerings before the spirit tablet. Uncle Wu Da, Uncle Wu Er, and Gan Huaji accompanied them and invited them to be entertained in the pavilion. Li Ming and Wu Hui played music and sang. On that day, Zheng Aiyue's family also came to offer paper offerings in mourning. Yuniang had Yulou prepare the mourning skirts and waist sashes for them, and they sat together with the female guests at the back. Zheng Aiyue saw that Li Guijie and Wu Yinjie were both here, and scolded them for not informing her: "If I had known my father was gone, there's no way I wouldn't have come!" "You two good-for-nothings didn't even send someone to let me know." Seeing that Yuniang had given birth, she said, "Mother has one joy and one worry. It's a pity your father passed away too early; now that you have a child, my old lady won't need to worry anymore." Yuniang sent them all off after the mourning rites and kept them seated until evening before they dispersed. | ||
| 10 | 潘金蓮售... : | 到二月初三日，西門慶二七，玉皇廟吳道官十六眾道士，在家念經做法事。那日衙門中何千戶作創，約會了劉、薛二內相，周守備、荊都統、張團練、雲指揮等數員武官，合著上了壇祭。月娘這裡請了喬大戶、吳大舅、應伯爵來陪待，李銘、吳惠兩個小優兒彈唱，捲棚管待去了。俱不必細說。到晚夕念經送亡。月娘分付把李瓶兒靈床連影抬出去，一把火燒了。將箱籠都搬到上房內堆放。奶子如意兒並迎春收在後邊答應，把繡春與了李嬌兒房內使喚。將李瓶兒那邊房門，一把鎖鎖了。可憐正是：畫棟雕梁猶未乾，堂前不見痴心客。有詩為證： |
| On the third day of the second month, on the 14th mourning period for Ximen Qing, sixteen Taoist priests from Wu Daoguan at the Jade Emperor Temple conducted rituals and chanted scriptures in his home. On that day, He Qianhu from the government office organized an event and invited Liu Neixiang and Xue Neixiang, as well as several military officers including Zhou Shoubei, Jing Duting, Zhang Tuanlian, Yun Zhuihui, to participate in a sacrificial ceremony. Yuniang invited Qiao Dahu, Uncle Wu Da, and Ying Bojue to accompany the guests. Li Ming and Wu Hui, two young performers, played music and sang, while everyone was entertained in the pavilion. Details need not be elaborated further. At dusk, scriptures were chanted to send off the deceased. Yuniang ordered that Li Ping'er's spirit bed and its shadow be carried out and burned in a single fire. lords All the chests and boxes were moved into the main house for storage. The wet nurse Ru Yi and Yingchun were assigned to the rear for service, while Xiu Chun was given to serve in Lijiaoer's quarters. The doors of Li Ping'er's rooms were locked with a single lock. Alas, it was truly: The painted beams and carved rafters were still not dry, yet the foolish-hearted guest no longer appeared in the hall. There is a poem to prove this: | ||
| 襄王臺下水悠悠，一種相思兩樣愁。月色不如人事改，夜深還到粉牆頭。 | ||
| Beneath Xiangwang Terrace, the water flows endlessly; one kind of longing brings two different sorrows. The moonlight is not as it was when human affairs change; even at midnight, he still climbs to the painted wall. | ||
| 11 | 潘金蓮售... : | 那時李銘日日假以孝堂助忙，暗暗教李嬌兒偷轉東西與他掖送到家，又來答應，常兩三夜不往家去，只瞞過月娘一人眼目。吳二舅又和李嬌兒舊有首尾，誰敢道個不字。初九日念了三七經，月娘出了暗房，四七就沒曾念經。十二日，陳敬濟破了土回來。二十日早發引，也有許多冥器紙札，送殯之人終不似李瓶兒那時稠密。臨棺材出門，也請了報恩寺朗僧官起棺，坐在轎上，捧的高高的，念了幾句偈文。念畢，陳敬濟摔破紙盆，棺材起身，合家大小孝眷放聲號哭。吳月娘坐魂轎，後面坐堂客上轎，都圍隨材走，徑出南門外五里原祖塋安厝。陳敬濟備了一匹尺頭，請雲指揮點了神主，陰陽徐先生下了葬。眾孝眷掩土畢。山頭祭桌，可憐通不上幾家，只是吳大舅、喬大戶、何千戶、沈姨夫、韓姨夫與眾伙計五六處而已。吳道官還留下十二眾道童回靈，安於上房明間正寢。陰陽灑掃已畢，打發眾親戚出門。吳月娘等不免伴夫靈守孝。一日暖了墓回來，答應班上排軍節級，各都告辭回衙門去了。西門慶五七，月娘請了薛姑子、王姑子、大師父、十二眾尼僧，在家誦經禮懺，超度夫主生天。吳大妗子並吳舜臣媳婦，都在家中相伴。 |
| At that time, Li Ming pretended to help daily in the mourning hall and secretly had Lijiaoer sneak things out for him. He would deliver them home under his arm and then return to serve. Often he stayed away from home two or three nights at a stretch, deceiving only Yuniang's eyes. Uncle Wu Er also had an old affair with Lijiaoer; who would dare say no? On the ninth day, the 21st mourning period scripture was chanted. Yuniang left her private room, and on the 28th mourning period, no scriptures were recited at all. On the twelfth day, Chen Jingji returned after breaking ground for a new plot of land. On the twentieth day, in the early morning, the funeral procession began. Though there were many paper offerings and ceremonial items, the number of people attending was not as dense as it had been for Li Ping'er. When the coffin was about to leave the house, they invited Master Lang of Baoen Temple to preside over the ceremony. He sat in a palanquin and held the coffin high while chanting several lines of dharma verses. After finishing, Chen Jingji smashed a paper basin; the coffin was then lifted and all the mourning family members, young and old, wailed loudly. Wu Yuniang sat in the spirit palanquin, while the female guests followed behind in their own carriages. They all surrounded and accompanied the coffin as it went straight out through the southern gate to the family burial ground five li outside for temporary interment. Chen Jingji prepared a bolt of cloth and invited Yun Zhuihui to present the spirit tablet, while Xu Sheng from the geomancy office conducted the burial rites. After all the mourners had finished covering the grave with earth, the sacrificial tables on the hill were pitifully few, with offerings coming from only a handful of families—Uncle Wu Da, Qiao Dahu, He Qianhu, Shen Yifu, Han Yifu, and several other partners, totaling no more than five or six. Taoist priest Wu Daoguan left twelve young Taoist disciples to return the spirit, placing them in the main hall of the upstairs residence. After the geomancer had finished sweeping and cleansing, all relatives were sent off through the gate. Wu Yuniang and others could not help but accompany their husband's spirit in mourning. One day, after the tomb had been warmed and they returned, all the soldiers on duty bowed their respects and left to return to the government office. On the 35th mourning day for Ximen Qing, Yuniang invited Nunner Sister Xue, Nun Sister Wang, Master Dashifu, and twelve other nuns to recite scriptures and perform repentance rituals at home in hopes of guiding her husband's soul toward heaven. Aunt Wu Dajinzi and the wife of Wu Shunchen were both present in the home to keep her company. | ||
| 12 | 潘金蓮售... : | 原來出殯之時，李桂卿同桂姐在山頭，悄悄對李嬌兒如此這般：「媽說，你摸量你手中沒甚細軟東西，不消只顧在他家了。你又沒兒女，守甚麼？教你一場嚷亂，登開了罷。昨日應二哥來說，如今大街坊張二官府，要破五百兩金銀，娶你做二房娘子，當家理紀。你那裡便圖出身，你在這裡守到老死，也不怎麼。你我院中人家，棄舊迎新為本，趨火附勢為強，不可錯過了時光。」這李嬌兒聽記在心，過了西門慶五七之後，因風吹火，用力不多。不想潘金蓮對孫雪娥說，出殯那日，在墳上看見李嬌兒與吳二舅在花園小房內，兩個說話來。春梅孝堂中又親眼看見李嬌兒帳子後遞了一包東西與李銘，塞在腰裡，轉了家去。嚷的月娘知道，把吳二舅罵了一頓，趕去鋪子里做買賣，再不許進後邊來。分付門上平安，不許李銘來往。這花娘惱羞變成怒，正尋不著這個由頭兒哩。一日因月娘在上房和大妗子吃茶，請孟玉樓，不請他，就惱了，與月娘兩個大鬧大嚷，拍著西門慶靈床子，啼啼哭哭，叫叫嚎嚎，到半夜三更，在房中要行上吊。丫頭來報與月娘。月娘慌了，與大妗子計議，請將李家虔婆來，要打發他歸院。虔婆生怕留下他衣服頭面，說了幾句言語：「我家人在你這裡做小伏低，頂缸受氣，好容易就開交了罷！須得幾十兩遮羞錢。」吳大舅居著官，又不敢張主，相講了半日，教月娘把他房中衣服、首飾、箱籠、床帳、家活盡與他，打發出門。只不與他元宵、繡春兩個丫頭去。李嬌兒生死要這兩個丫頭。月娘生死不與他，說道：「你倒好，買良為娼。」一句慌了鴇子，就不敢開言，變做笑吟吟臉兒，拜辭了月娘，李嬌兒坐轎子，抬的往家去了。 |
| Originally, at the time of the funeral, Li Guiqing and Guijie were on the hillside. They secretly told Lijiaoer in this way: "Mother says you should consider that there are not many fine or valuable things in your hands; it's unnecessary for you to stay in their home any longer." "You don't have any children, so what are you mourning for?" "Let me teach you a lesson of chaos and get out." Ying Erge said yesterday that now Zhang Erganfu from the neighborhood is willing to spend 500 taels of gold and silver to take you as his second wife, where you would manage household affairs. You might as well seek a better future for yourself; if you stay here and mourn until old age, it won't be of much use." "In our neighborhood, people discard the old and welcome the new as a norm; attaching oneself to power and wealth is strength. You must not miss this opportunity." Lijiaoer took these words to heart, and after the 35-day mourning period for Ximen Qing had passed, she used little effort—like fanning a flame with the wind. Unbeknownst to them, Pan Jinlian told Sun Xue'e that on the day of the funeral, she had seen Lijiaoer and Uncle Wu Er talking in a small house in the garden at the grave site. Chunmei had also personally seen, in the mourning hall, Lijiaoer pass a package to Li Ming behind her curtain. He tucked it into his waist and went home. When Yuniang found out, she scolded Uncle Wu Er severely and sent him to the shop to do business, forbidding him from entering the rear quarters again. She ordered Pan'an at the gate not to allow Li Ming to come or go. This Hua Niang, shamed and angry, had just been looking for an excuse like this. One day, when Yuniang was in the upstairs room drinking tea with Aunt Dajinzi and did not invite Meng Yulou while inviting others, Hua Niang became furious. She quarreled loudly with Yuniang, slapped Ximen Qing's spirit bed, wept bitterly, wailed noisily, and at about three o'clock in the morning, she threatened to hang herself inside her room. A maid came to inform Yuniang. Yuniang was alarmed and discussed with Aunt Dajinzi, deciding to invite Li Jia's madam to come and send her back to the brothel. The madam was afraid that her belongings would be kept, and said a few words: "My family has been here enduring humiliation and hardship, taking the blame for others. It's hard-earned to finally reach an end!" "You must give me dozens of taels as compensation for my shame." Uncle Wu Da, holding an official position, dared not act recklessly. After discussing for a long time, he instructed Yuniang to give her all the clothes, jewelry, chests, beds, curtains, and household items in her room before sending her out of the house. They only refused to let her take two maidservants, Yuanshao and Xiuchun, with her. Lijiaoer desperately wanted these two maids. Yuniang refused at all costs, saying: "You are really something—turning a good woman into a prostitute." The madam, startled by the remark, dared not speak further and put on a smiling face. She bowed to Yuniang in farewell. Lijiaoer sat in her palanquin as it was carried home. | ||
| 13 | 潘金蓮售... : | 看官聽說，院中唱的，以賣俏為活計，將脂粉作生涯；早辰張風流，晚夕李浪子；前門進老子，後門接兒子；棄舊憐新，見錢眼開，自然之理。饒君千般貼戀，萬種牢籠，還鎖不住他心猿意馬。不是活時偷食抹嘴，就是死後嚷鬧離門。不拘幾時，還吃舊鍋粥去了。正是：蛇入筒中曲性在，鳥出籠輕便飛騰。有詩為證： |
| Dear audience, please listen: those who sing and perform in the brothels make their living by selling charm, using cosmetics as their trade; in the morning they flirt with Zhang Fengliu, at night with Li Langzi; they receive old men through the front door and young men from behind. Discarding the old for the new, opening their eyes to money—this is only natural. Even if you offer a thousand kinds of affection and ten thousand forms of restraint, you still cannot bind their restless hearts. They are either stealing food and wiping their mouths while alive or causing a ruckus to leave the door behind even after death. No matter when, they will still go back for the porridge from the old pot. Indeed: A snake in a tube retains its crooked nature; a bird out of a cage flies freely and lightly. There is a poem to confirm this: | ||
|
堪笑煙花不久長，洞房夜夜換新郎。兩隻玉腕千人枕，一點朱唇萬客嘗。 造就百般嬌艷態，生成一片假心腸。饒君總有牢籠計，難保臨時思故鄉。 | ||
| It's pitiable how the pleasures of courtesans do not last long; every night in the bridal chamber brings a new husband. Two jade-like wrists have rested on thousands of men's pillows, and one red-lipped mouth has been tasted by ten thousand guests. Crafting a hundred charming postures, they possess nothing but false hearts. Even if you have countless plans to trap them, it is hard to prevent their sudden longing for home in the end. | ||
| 14 | 潘金蓮售... : | 月娘打發李嬌兒出門，大哭了一場。眾人都在旁解勸，潘金蓮道：「姐姐，罷，休煩惱了。常言道，娶淫婦，養海青，食水不到想海東。這個都是他當初乾的營生，今日教大姐姐這等惹氣。」 |
| After Yuniang sent Lijiaoer out of the house, she wept bitterly over it. Everyone tried to comfort her from the side, and Pan Jinlian said: "Sister, enough—don't be troubled anymore. As the old saying goes, 'To marry a lewd wife is like raising a sea eagle; one cannot drink water without thinking of the East Sea.' All this was what she had done in the beginning, and now it's causing such trouble for you, my dear elder sister." | ||
| 15 | 潘金蓮售... : | 家中正亂著，忽有平安來報：「巡鹽蔡老爹來了，在廳上坐著哩，我說家老爹沒了。他問沒了幾時了，我回正月二十一日病故，到今過了五七。他問有靈沒靈，我回有靈，在後邊供養著哩。他要來靈前拜拜，我來對娘說。」月娘分付：「教你姐夫出去見他。」不一時，陳敬濟穿上孝衣出去，拜見了蔡御史。良久，後邊收拾停當，請蔡御史進來西門慶靈前參拜了。月娘穿著一身重孝，出來回禮，再不交一言，就讓月娘說：「夫人請回房。」又向敬濟說道：「我昔時曾在府相擾，今差滿回京去，敬來拜謝拜謝，不期作了故人。」便問：「甚麼病癥？」陳敬濟道：「是痰火之疾。」蔡御史道：「可傷，可傷。」即喚家人上來，取出兩匹杭州絹，一雙絨襪，四尾白鯗，四罐蜜餞，說道：「這些微禮，權作奠儀罷。」又拿出五十兩一封銀子來，「這個是我嚮日曾貸過老先生些厚惠，今積了些俸資奉償，以全終始之交。」分付平安道：「大官，交進房去。」敬濟道：「老爹忒多計較了。」月娘說：「請老爹前廳坐。」蔡御史道：「也不消坐了。拿茶來，吃了一鐘就是了。」左右須臾拿茶上來。蔡御史吃了，揚長起身上轎去了。月娘得了這五十兩銀子，心中又是那歡喜，又是那慘戚。想有他在時，似這樣官員來到，肯空放去了？又不知吃酒到多咱晚。今日他伸著腳子，空有家私，眼看著就無人陪待。正是： |
| While the household was in chaos, Pan'an suddenly reported: "Salt Commissioner Cai Lao came and is now sitting in the hall. I told him that our late master has passed away." He asked when he died, and I replied that he died on the twenty-first day of the first month from illness, and it has now passed five weeks. He asked whether there was a spirit or not, and I replied that there is one, being honored in the back. He wants to pay his respects before the spirit tablet. I will go tell Mother." Yuniang instructed: "Tell your brother-in-law to go out and see him." In no time, Chen Jingji put on mourning clothes and went out to pay respects to Cai Yushi. After a long while, the preparations in the back were completed, and Puyushi was invited to enter and pay respects before Ximenqing's spirit tablet. Yuniang, dressed in full mourning attire, came out to return the courtesy, but did not exchange a single word. She simply said: "Madam, please return to your room." He also said to Jingji: "In the past, I once troubled your household. Now that my term of office is over and I am returning to the capital, I have come especially to express my gratitude. Unfortunately, it turns out he has become an old friend." He then asked: "What illness did he suffer from?" Chen Jingji said, "It was a phlegm-fire ailment." Cai Yushi said, "Truly pitiable, truly pitiable." He immediately called his servants forward, took out two bolts of Hangzhou silk, a pair of woolen socks, four white croakers, and four jars of honeyed preserves, saying: "These small gifts will serve as offerings for the funeral." He also took out a bundle of fifty taels of silver and said, "This is because in the past I once received generous favors from Master. Now I have accumulated some salary money to repay it, so as to complete our lifelong friendship." He instructed Pan'an: "Senior official, take these into the house." lando Jingji said, "Master is being too calculating." Yuniang said, "Please have Master sit in the front hall." Cai Yushi replied, "There is no need to sit down. Bring tea and I will have a cup and be on my way." In no time, the servants brought the tea. After drinking it, Cai Yushi got up and left in a long stride, getting into his palanquin and departing. Yuniang received the fifty taels of silver; she felt both joy and sorrow in her heart. She thought, When he was alive, would officials like this have been allowed to leave without being properly entertained? Nor did we know how late into the night they would drink wine. Now, with his feet stretched out in death and all his property left behind, no one is there to accompany or attend him. Indeed: | ||
| 人得交遊是風月，天開圖畫即江山。 | ||
| Human friendships are like wind and moon; the heavens painting a picture is the rivers and mountains. | ||
| 16 | 潘金蓮售... : | 話說李嬌兒到家，應伯爵打聽得知，報與張二官知，就拿著五兩銀子來，請他歇了一夜。原來張二官小西門慶一歲，屬兔的，三十二歲了。李嬌兒三十四歲，虔婆瞞了六歲，只說二十八歲，教伯爵瞞著。使了三百兩銀子，娶到家中，做了二房娘子。祝實念、孫寡嘴依舊領著王三官兒，還來李家行走，與桂姐打熱，不在話下。 |
| Now, after Lijiaoer returned home, Ying Bojie learned about it and reported to Zhang Er'guan. Zhang then brought five taels of silver to visit her and asked for a night's stay with her. Originally, Zhang Er'guan was one year younger than Ximenqing; he was born in the Year of the Rabbit and was now thirty-two years old. Lijiaoer was thirty-four, but the madam had hidden six years and only said she was twenty-eight; she instructed Bojie to keep it a secret. After spending three hundred taels of silver, he brought her home and made her his second wife. Zhu Shinian and Sun Guaizui still led Wang San'guan'er, who continued to visit Lijia's home and grew warm with Guijie; there is no need to mention this further. | ||
| 17 | 潘金蓮售... : | 伯爵、李三、黃四借了徐內相五千兩銀子，張二官出了五千兩，做了東平府古器這批錢糧，逐日寶鞍大馬，在院內搖擺。張二官見西門慶死了，又打點了上千兩金銀，往東京尋了樞密院鄭皇親人情，對堂上朱太尉說，要討提刑所西門慶這個缺。家中收拾買花園，蓋房子。應伯爵無日不在他那邊趨奉，把西門慶家中大小之事，盡告訴與他，說：「他家中還有第五個娘子潘金蓮，排行六姐，生的上畫兒般標緻，詩詞歌賦，諸子百家，拆牌道字，雙陸象棋，無不通曉。又寫的一筆好字，彈的一手好琵琶。今年不上三十歲，比唱的還喬。」說的那張二官心中火動，巴不的就要了他，便問道：「莫非是當初賣炊餅的武大郎那老婆麼？」伯爵道：「就是他。占來家中，今也有五六年光景，不知他嫁人不嫁。」張二官道：「累你打聽著，待有嫁人的聲口，你來對我說，等我娶了罷。」伯爵道：「我身子里有個人，在他家做家人，名來爵兒。等我對他說，若有出嫁聲口，就來報你知道。難得你娶過他這個人來家，也強似娶個唱的。當時西門慶大官人在時，為娶他，不知費了許多心。大抵物各有主，也說不的，只好有福的匹配，你如有了這般勢耀，不得此女貌，同享榮華，枉自有許多富貴。我只叫來爵兒密密打聽，但有嫁人的風縫兒，憑我甜言美語，打動春心，你卻用幾百兩銀子，娶到家中，盡你受用便了。」看官聽說，但凡世上幫閑子弟，極是勢利小人。當初西門慶待應伯爵如膠似漆，賽過同胞弟兄，那一日不吃他的，穿他的，受用他的。身死未幾，骨肉尚熱，便做出許多不義之事。正是畫虎畫皮難畫骨，知人知面不知心。有詩為證： |
| Bojie, Li San, and Huang Si borrowed 5000 taels of silver from Xu Neixiang. Zhang Er'guan contributed another 5000 taels to finance the batch of money and grain for Guqi in Dongping Fu. Every day they rode fine horses with ornate saddles, swaggering around the courtyard. After Zhang Er'guan learned of Ximenqing's death, he prepared thousands of taels of gold and silver, went to Dongjing, and sought the favor of Zheng Huangqin at the Shumi Yuan. He spoke to Zhu Taivei in charge of the court and requested the vacancy of the office held by Ximenqing at the Tingxing Bureau. At home, they were preparing to buy a garden and build houses. Ying Bojie was always fawning on him, telling him all the big and small matters of Ximenqing's household. He said: "There is still a fifth wife in his family named Pan Jinlian, who is ranked as the sixth sister. She is as beautiful as a painting; she understands poetry, songs, essays, and classical texts, can interpret cards and characters, and is well-versed in games like double sixes and xiangqi (Chinese chess). She also writes beautifully and plays the pipa excellently. She is not yet thirty years old, more charming than a singer." This stirred great interest in Zhang Er'guan's heart, and he was eager to have her. He then asked: "Is she not the wife of Wu Dalang, who used to sell steamed buns?" Bojie said, "That's right." "She has been in the household for five or six years now. I don't know whether she is married or not." Zhang Er'guan said, "Trouble you to keep an ear out for me. If there's any word that she is about to marry someone else, come and tell me so I can take her before anyone else does." Bojie said: "I have a man inside the household working as a servant there, whose name is Laijue'er. Let me tell him that if there are any rumors of her getting married, he will come and inform you immediately." It would be a rare fortune for you to bring such a woman into your home; she is far better than marrying a singer. At that time, when Master Ximenqing was still alive, he went through great trouble and effort to marry her; it cost him a lot of thought. Generally speaking, everything has its rightful owner. It's hard to say for sure; only those with good fortune can be matched. If you now have such power and prestige but cannot enjoy wealth and honor together with a woman of such beauty, it would be in vain to possess so much riches. I will just have Laijue'er secretly keep an eye out. If there is even the slightest rumor of her marrying someone else, I'll use sweet words to stir her heart. You can then spend a few hundred taels of silver to bring her home and enjoy her as you please." Dear audience, listen well. Generally speaking, those idle young men who hang around for favors are the most fickle and self-serving scoundrels in this world. In the beginning, Ximenqing treated Ying Bojie as close as glue and lacquer, more like a blood brother. Every day he ate his food, wore his clothes, and enjoyed all that he provided. Yet not long after Ximenqing's death, while his body was still warm, they had already done many unjust and treacherous things. Indeed, it is easy to paint the tiger's skin but hard to capture its bones; one may know a person's face and manner, yet remain ignorant of their heart. There is a poem as evidence: | ||
| 昔年音氣似金蘭，百計趨奉不等閑。自從西門身死後，紛紛謀妾伴人眠。 | ||
| In the past, their friendship was like that of gold and orchid; they flattered with every means without rest. Since Ximen's death, they have busily plotted to take his concubine as their own companion in bed. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch80