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《大酒樓劉二撒潑 灑家店雪娥為娼 - Liu Er Causes a Ruckus at the Big Wine House: Xue'e Becomes a Courtesan at Sa Jia Store》 | English translation: AI and Chinese Text Project users [?] | Library Resources |
| 1 | 大酒樓劉... : | 詩曰： |
| The poem says: | ||
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骨肉傷殘產業荒，一身何忍去歸娼。淚垂玉箸辭官舍，步蹴金蓮入教坊。 覽鏡自憐傾國色，向人初學倚門妝。春來雨露寬如海，嫁得劉郎勝阮郎。 | ||
| Bones and flesh are maimed, the family's property lies in ruins; how could one endure to leave and become a prostitute? Tears like jade chopsticks fall as she bids farewell to the official residence, her steps falter with golden lotus shoes as she enters the music school. Looking into the mirror, she pities herself for her beauty that could captivate a nation; facing others, she begins to learn how to apply makeup by the door. When spring comes, the rain and dew are as generous as the sea; marrying Liu Lang is better than marrying Ruan Lang. | ||
| 2 | 大酒樓劉... : | 話說陳敬濟自從謝家酒樓上見了馮金寶，兩個又勾搭上前情。往後沒三日不和他相會，或一日敬濟有事不去，金寶就使陳三兒稍寄物事，或寫情書來叫他去。一次或五錢，或一兩。以後日間供其柴米，納其房錢。歸到廟中便臉紅。任道士問他何處吃酒來，敬濟只說：「在米鋪和伙計暢飲三杯，解辛苦來。」他師兄金宗明一力替他遮掩，晚夕和他一處盤弄那勾當，是不必說。朝來暮往，把任道士囊篋中細軟的本錢，也抵盜出大半花費了。 |
| It was said that Chen Jingji, since seeing Feng Jinbao at Xie's wine pavilion and rekindling their previous relationship, had once again become entangled with her. Thereafter, they met every three days; if on one day Jingji had something to do and did not go, Jinbao would have Chen San send him gifts or write a love letter calling for his visit. Each time, it was either five qian or one liang. After that, he provided her with firewood and rice during the day and paid for her house rent. When she returned to the temple, her face turned red. No matter how the Taoist priest asked where she had been drinking, Jingji only said, "I drank three cups with the shop assistants at the rice store to relieve my fatigue." His senior brother Jin Zongming took full responsibility for covering it up, and at night he engaged in the same activities with him; there was no need to mention this. Going back and forth from morning till night, they stole most of the valuables in Master Ren's money pouch and spent them. | ||
| 3 | 大酒樓劉... : | 一日，也是合當有事。這灑家店的劉二，有名坐地虎，他是帥府周守備府中親隨張勝的小舅子，專一在馬頭上開娼店，倚強凌弱，舉放私債，與巢窩中各娼使用，加三討利。有一不給，搗換文書，將利作本，利上加利。嗜酒行兇，人不敢惹他。就是打粉頭的班頭，欺酒客的領袖。因見陳敬濟是宴公廟任道士的徒弟，白臉小廝，謝三家大酒上把粉頭鄭金寶兒佔住了，吃的楞楞睜睜，提著碗頭大的拳頭，走來謝家樓下，問：「金寶在那裡？」慌的謝三郎連忙聲喏，說道：「劉二叔叔，他在樓上第二間閣兒里便是。」這劉二大叉步上樓來。敬濟正與金寶在閣兒裡面飲酒，做一處快活，把房門關閉，外邊帘子掛著。被劉二一把手扯下帘子，大叫：「金寶兒出來！」唬的陳敬濟鼻口內氣兒也不敢出。這劉二用腳把門跺開，金寶兒只得出來相見，說：「劉二叔叔，有何說話？」劉二罵道：「賊淫婦，你少我三個月房錢，卻躲在這裡，就不去了。」金寶笑嘻嘻說道：「二叔叔，你家去，我使媽媽就送房錢來。」這劉二隻摟心一拳，打了老婆一交，把頭顱搶在階沿下磕破，血流滿地，罵道：「賊淫婦，還等甚送來，我如今就要！」看見陳敬濟在裡面，走向前把桌子只一掀，碟兒打得粉碎。那敬濟便道：「阿呀，你是甚麼人？走來撒野。」劉二罵道：「我肏你道士秫秫娘！」一手採過頭髮來，按在地下，拳捶腳踢無數。那樓上吃酒的人，看著都立睜了。店主人謝三初時見劉二醉了，不敢惹他，次後見打得人不像模樣，上樓來解勸，說道：「劉二叔，你老人家息怒。他不曉得你老人家大名，誤言衝撞，休要和他一般見識，看小人薄面，饒他去罷。」這劉二那裡依從，儘力把敬濟打了個發昏章第十一。叫將地方保甲，一條繩子，連粉頭都拴在一處墩鎖，分付：「天明早解到老爺府里去。」原來守備敕書上命他保障地方，巡捕盜賊，兼管河道。這裡拿了敬濟，任道士廟中尚還不知，只說晚夕米鋪中上宿未回。 |
| One day, it was also destined to have an incident. This Liu Er of the inn, known as a local tiger, was the brother-in-law of Zhang Sheng, a close attendant in the residence of Zhou, the commander of the military garrison. He specialized in running brothels at the ferryhead, bullying the weak with his strength, lending out private debts, and collecting exorbitant interest from each prostitute in the den. If any of them failed to pay, he would forge documents, turn the interest into principal, and add more interest on top. He was fond of drinking alcohol and committing violence; people dared not provoke him. He was the ringleader in beating courtesans, the leader in bullying customers who came for drinks. Because he saw that Chen Jingji was a disciple of Master Ren from Yan Gong Temple, a pale-faced young servant who had claimed Zheng Jinbao, the courtesan, at Xie San's big banquet, Liu Er came to Xie's building with red eyes and a bowl-sized fist, asking, "Where is Jinbao?" Xie Sanlang was so frightened that he hurriedly bowed and said, "Uncle Liu Er, she is in the second room upstairs." Liu Er stormed up the stairs with big strides. Jingji was just drinking wine and enjoying himself with Jinbao inside the room, the door locked from within, with a curtain hanging outside. Liu Er yanked down the curtain by hand and shouted loudly, "Jinbao, come out!" The sudden commotion frightened Chen Jingji so much that he dared not even breathe. Liu Er kicked the door open with his foot, and Jinbao had no choice but to come out and greet him, saying, "Uncle Liu Er, what is it you want?" Liu Er scolded, "You thief and whore! You still owe me three months of rent for the room. How dare you hide here without paying?" Jinbao smiled and said, "Uncle Er, go home; I will have my mother send the rent to you right away." Liu Er grabbed her by the chest and punched her, knocking her down. He seized her head and slammed it against the stone step, breaking it and causing blood to spill all over the ground. He scolded, "You thief and whore! Don't wait for anything else—I want my money now!" Seeing Chen Jingji inside, Liu Er stormed forward, overturned the table with one push, and smashed all the plates into pieces. Jingji exclaimed, "Ah! Who are you?" "Coming here to cause trouble." Liu Er cursed, "I'll f your Taoist's mother!" With one hand he grabbed Jingji by the hair and pushed him to the ground, beating and kicking him countless times. The people upstairs who were drinking wine watched in stunned silence. Xie San, the innkeeper, at first saw Liu Er was drunk and dared not provoke him; later, when he saw people being beaten into unrecognizable shapes, he went upstairs to intervene and said, "Uncle Liu Er, please calm down, old man." "He doesn't know your esteemed name and made a mistake by speaking rudely. Please don't take it to heart. For the sake of my humble face, please let him go." Liu Er would not listen and continued beating Jingji until he was half-conscious. He called for the local neighborhood guards, tied Jingji and Jinbao together with a rope, fastened them to a post, and ordered, "At dawn, take them to my lord's residence." Originally, the commander had been authorized by imperial decree to ensure local security, patrol and capture thieves, and oversee river management. Here they had captured Jingji, but Master Ren at the temple was still unaware, thinking only that he had stayed overnight at the rice shop and not yet returned. | ||
| 4 | 大酒樓劉... : | 卻說次日，地方保甲、巡河快手押解敬濟、金寶，雇頭口趕清晨早到府前伺候。先遞手本與兩個管事張勝、李安看，說是劉二叔地方喧鬧一起，宴公廟道士一名陳宗美，娼婦鄭金寶。眾軍牢都問他要錢，說道：「俺們是廳上動刑的，一班十二人，隨你罷。正經兩位管事的，你倒不可輕視了他。」敬濟道：「身邊銀錢倒有，都被夜晚劉二打我時，被人掏摸的去了。身上衣服都扯碎了，那得錢來？止有頭上關頂一根銀簪兒，拔下來，與二位管事的罷。」眾牢子拿著那根簪子，走來對張勝、李安如此這般說：「他一個錢兒不拿出來，止與了這根簪兒，還是鬧銀的。」張勝道：「你叫他近前，等我審問他。」眾軍牢不一時擁到跟前跪下，問：「你幾時與任道士做徒弟？俗名叫甚麼？我從未見你。」敬濟道：「小的俗名叫陳敬濟，原是好人家兒女，做道士不久。」張勝道：「你既做道士，便該習學經典，許你在外宿娼飲酒喧嚷？你把俺帥府衙門當甚麼些小衙門，不拿了錢兒來，這根簪子打水不渾，要他做甚？」還掠與他去。分付牢子：「等住回老爺升廳，把他放在頭一起。眼見這狗男女道士，就是個吝錢的，只許你白要四方施主錢糧！休說你為官事，你就來吃酒赴席，也帶方汗巾兒揩嘴。等動刑時，著實加力拶打這廝。」又把鄭金寶叫上去。鄭家有忘八跟著，上下打發了三四兩銀子。張勝說：「你系娼門，不過趁熟趕些衣食為生，沒甚大事。看老爺喜怒不同，看惱只是一兩拶子；若喜歡，只恁放出來也不知。」不一時，只見裡面雲板響，守備升廳，兩邊僚掾軍牢森列，甚是齊整。但見： |
| Meanwhile, on the next day, local neighborhood guards and river patrol officers escorted Jingji and Jinbao by hired horse-drawn carriage to arrive at the residence early in the morning. They first submitted a report to the two officials Zhang Sheng and Li An, stating that Uncle Liu Er had caused a disturbance in the area involving Master Chen Zongmei of Yan Gong Temple and the prostitute Zheng Jinbao. The guards all asked for money from them, saying, "We are the ones who administer punishment in court. There is a team of twelve people; you can choose to dismiss us if you wish." "But you must not underestimate the two official supervisors." Jingji said, "I do have some silver on me, but it was all taken by someone during the night when Liu Er beat me." My clothes were torn to pieces; where would I get money from? "I only have a silver hairpin on my head. Let me take it off and give it to the two of you." The guards took the hairpin and came to Zhang Sheng and Li An to say, "He didn't give us a single coin; he only gave this one hairpin. He's still being difficult about paying silver." Zhang Sheng said, "Call him forward so I can interrogate him." The guards quickly gathered around and knelt before him. He asked, "When did you become a disciple of Master Ren?" "What is your secular name?" "I have never seen you." Jingji replied, "My secular name is Chen Jingji. I originally came from a decent family and have been a Taoist for only a short time." Zhang Sheng said, "Since you are a Taoist priest, you should be studying the scriptures. How could you possibly stay out overnight with a prostitute, drinking and causing disturbances?" "Do you think our commander's office is some minor court? If you don't bring money, what good is this hairpin to us? It won't even stir the water!" "Take it back and give it to him." He ordered the guards, "Wait until the commander ascends the court. Put his case at the top of the list." He saw that this dog-like male and female Taoist was clearly a miser, only allowing you to take for free the money and grain from generous donors in all directions! "Don't even mention that you are here on official business. Even if you come to drink and attend a banquet, you should bring a square handkerchief to wipe your mouth!" "When it comes time for the punishment, apply full force in torturing this fellow." He then called Zheng Jinbao up. Zheng's family had a pimp following her, and they paid three or four taels of silver in bribes to the officials above and below. Zhang Sheng said, "You are a prostitute by trade; you're just trying to make a living by taking advantage of familiar customers. There's not much to it." "Depending on the commander's mood, if he is angry, you might just get a couple of sessions with the 拶刑 (finger clamps);" "if he likes it, they might even release you without knowing." In no time at all, the gavel inside rang out, and the commander ascended the court. On both sides stood his officials and guards in neat formation, looking very orderly. One could see: | ||
| 緋羅繳壁，紫綬桌圍。當廳額掛茜羅，四下簾垂翡翠。勘官守正，戒石上刻御制四行；人從謹廉，鹿角旁插令旗兩面。軍牢沉重，僚掾威儀。執大棍授事立階前，挾文書廳旁聽發放。雖然一路帥臣，果是滿堂神道。 | ||
| Crimson silk curtains adorned the walls, and purple sashes bordered the table. A crimson curtain hung above the central hall; emerald-green drapes dangled from all four sides. The examining official upheld justice, and on the warning stone were engraved four lines of an imperial decree; the attendants maintained integrity, with two command flags inserted beside the deer antlers. The guards were solemn and dignified; the officials displayed an air of authority. Men holding big sticks stood in front of the steps, ready to carry out orders, while others with documents waited by the hall to hear the verdict. Although he was merely a local commander along the road, indeed, his presence in court gave off an air of divine authority. | ||
| 5 | 大酒樓劉... : | 當時，沒巧不成話，也是五百劫冤家聚會，姻緣合當湊著。春梅在府中，從去歲八月間，已生了個哥兒小衙內。今方半歲光景，貌如冠玉，唇若塗朱。守備喜似席上之珍，愛如無價之寶。未幾，大奶奶下世，守備就把春梅冊正，做了夫人。就住著五間正房，買了兩個養娘抱奶哥兒，一名玉堂，一名金匱；兩個小丫鬟服侍，一名翠花，一名蘭花；又有兩個身邊得寵彈唱的姐兒，都十六七歲，一名海棠，一名月桂，都在春梅房中侍奉。那孫二娘房中止使著一個丫鬟，名喚荷花兒，不在話下。每常這小衙內，只要張勝抱他外邊頑耍，遇著守備升廳，便在旁邊觀看。 |
| At that time, as it turned out, there was no such thing as coincidence; it was the gathering of old karmic enemies after five hundred lifetimes, and their fates were destined to converge. Chunmei in the residence had already given birth to a little boy, Xiao Yannei, since August of last year. Now only about half a year old, the child had a face like jade and lips as if painted with cinnabar. The commander cherished him as a rare treasure on his table and loved him as an invaluable gem. Not long after, the first wife passed away, and the commander officially registered Chunmei as his legal wife. She then moved into five main rooms and hired two wet nurses to care for the baby boy, one named Yutang and the other Jingui; two young maidservants were assigned to attend her, one named Cuihua and the other Lanhua; there were also two favored young girls skilled in singing and playing music, both around sixteen or seventeen years old, named Haitang and Yuegui, who served in Chunmei's quarters. In Sun Erniang's room there was only one maid servant named Huaer, but that is not important here. Usually, whenever the little Yannei wanted to play outside, Zhang Sheng would carry him around. Whenever they encountered the commander presiding in court, he would watch from the side. | ||
| 6 | 大酒樓劉... : | 當日，守備升廳坐下，放了告牌出去，各地方解進人來。頭一起就叫上陳敬濟並娼婦鄭金寶兒去。守備看了呈狀，便說道：「你這廝是個道士，如何不守清規，宿娼飲酒，騷擾地方，行止有虧。左右拿下去，打二十棍，追了度牒還俗。那娼婦鄭氏，拶一拶，敲五十敲，責令歸院當差。」兩邊軍牢向前，才待扯翻敬濟，攤去衣服，用繩索綁起，轉起棍來，兩邊招呼要打時，可霎作怪，張勝抱著小衙內，正在月臺上站立觀看，那小衙內看見打敬濟，便在懷裡攔不住，撲著要敬濟抱。張勝恐怕守備看見，忙走過來。那小衙內亦發大哭起來，直哭到後邊春梅跟前。春梅問：「他怎的哭？」張勝便說：「老爺廳上發放事，打那宴公廟陳道士，他就撲著要他抱，小的走下來，他就哭了。」 |
| On that day, after the commander sat down and announced his readiness to hear cases by placing a sign outside, people from various areas were brought in for judgment. The first case called was that of Chen Jingji and the prostitute Zheng Jinbao'er. After reading the petition, the commander said, "You are a Taoist priest. How could you not abide by the monastic rules, stay with a prostitute and drink alcohol, causing disturbances in the area? Your conduct is disgraceful." "Take him away and beat him twenty times. Confiscate his ordination certificate and return him to lay life." "As for the prostitute Zheng Shi, apply the 拶刑 once, strike her fifty times with a stick, and order her to return to the brothel and serve her duties." As the guards on both sides moved forward to seize Jingji, strip him of his clothes, and tie him up with ropes, preparing to beat him, something strange happened. Zhang Sheng was holding little Yannei and standing on the moon platform watching when the child saw Jingji being beaten. He could not be held back in his arms but reached out toward Jingji, crying for him to hold him. Zhang Sheng feared the commander would see this and hurried over. The little Yannei began to cry even louder, crying all the way to Chunmei in the back. Chunmei asked, "Why is he crying?" Zhang Sheng explained, "The commander was presiding over a case in the hall and beating that Taoist priest from Yan Gong Temple. The child rushed to him for a hug, so I came down, and he started crying." | ||
| 7 | 大酒樓劉... : | 這春梅聽見是姓陳的，不免輕移蓮步，款蹙湘裙，走到軟屏後面探頭觀覷：「打的那人，聲音模樣，倒好似陳姐夫一般，他因何出家做了道士？」又叫過張勝，問他：「此人姓甚名誰？」張勝道：「這道士我曾問他來，他說俗名叫陳敬濟。」春梅暗道：「正是他了。」一面使張勝：「請下你老爺來。」這守備廳上打敬濟才打到十棍，一邊還拶著唱的，忽聽後邊夫人有請，分付牢子把棍且閣住休打，一面走下廳來。春梅說道：「你打的那道士，是我姑表兄弟，看奴面上，饒了他罷。」守備道：「夫人何不早說，我已打了他十棍，怎生奈何？」一面出來，分付牢子：「都與我放了。」唱的便歸院去了。守備悄悄使張勝：「叫那道士回來，且休去。問了你奶奶，請他相見。」這春梅才待使張勝請他到後堂相見，忽然沉吟想了一想，便又分付張勝：「你且叫那人去著，待我慢慢再叫他。」度牒也不曾追。 |
| Hearing the surname Chen, Chunmei could not help but lightly step forward with her lotus-like feet and carefully lift her Xiang skirt to peek from behind the soft screen. "The man being beaten sounds and looks very much like my brother-in-law Chen," she thought. "Why did he become a Taoist monk?" She then called over Zhang Sheng again and asked, "What is this man's name?" Zhang Sheng replied, "I once asked the Taoist his name. He said his secular name was Chen Jingji." Chunmei muttered to herself, "That's exactly him." At the same time, she instructed Zhang Sheng, "Go and ask your commander to come here." At that moment, the commander was in the middle of beating Jingji with ten sticks and had also ordered a 拶刑 on another person when he suddenly heard from behind that his wife wished to see him. He instructed the guards to pause the punishment for now and walked down from the hall. Chunmei said, "That Taoist you are beating is my cousin by marriage. For the sake of me, spare him." The commander said, "Why didn't you tell me earlier, my lady? I have already beaten him ten times with the stick. What can be done now?" At the same time he came out and ordered the guards, "Release them all." The singer then returned to his quarters. The commander quietly instructed Zhang Sheng, "Call the Taoist back and tell him not to leave yet." "Ask your grandmother first, then invite him for a meeting." Just as Chunmei was about to send Zhang Sheng to invite the man to meet in the back hall, she suddenly hesitated and thought for a moment. Then she gave another order to Zhang Sheng: "You may tell that person to go first; I will call him again later at my own pace." He had not even reclaimed the monk's certificate. | ||
| 8 | 大酒樓劉... : | 這陳敬濟打了十棍，出離了守備府，還奔來晏公廟。不想任道士聽見人來說：「你那徒弟陳宗美，在大酒樓上包著唱的鄭金寶兒，惹了灑家店坐地虎劉二，打得臭死，連老婆都拴了，解到守備府去了。行止有虧，便差軍牢來拿你去審問，追度牒還官。」這任道士聽了，一者老年的著了驚怕，二來身體胖大，因打開囊篋，內又沒有許多細軟東西，著了口重氣，心中痰湧上來，昏倒在地。眾徒弟慌忙向前扶救，請將醫者來灌下藥去，通不省人事。到半夜，嗚呼斷氣身亡。亡年六十三歲。第二日，陳敬濟來到，左右鄰人說：「你還敢廟裡去？你師父因為你，如此這般，得了口重氣，昨夜三更鼓死了。」這敬濟聽了，唬的忙忙似喪家之犬，急急如漏網之魚，復回清河縣城中來。正是： |
| After being beaten with ten sticks, Chen Jingji left the commander's residence and hurried back to Yan Gong Temple. Unbeknownst to him, Taoist Ren heard someone say, "Your disciple Chen Zongmei is at the big wine house, where he hired a singer named Zheng Jinbao. He provoked Liu Er, the local bully of this shop, who beat him up badly and even tied up his wife, taking them both to the commander's office." "Because of your misconduct, soldiers have been sent to arrest you for questioning and to reclaim your monk certificate from the government." Upon hearing this, Taoist Ren, already an old man and frightened by the news, plus being overweight, opened his luggage but found no valuable items inside. In a fit of anger, he took a deep breath, and phlegm surged up to his chest, causing him to faint and fall to the ground. His disciples hurriedly rushed forward to support and rescue him, calling for a doctor to administer medicine, but he remained unconscious. By midnight, he gave out a sigh and died. He was 63 years old at the time of his death. The next day, Chen Jingji came to the temple, and the neighbors on both sides said, "How dare you still come to the temple?" "Your master died of a severe illness last night at three o'clock in the morning because of you." Hearing this, Jingji was so frightened that he ran back to Qinghe Xian like a homeless dog and hurriedly returned as if escaping from a net. Indeed: | ||
| 鹿隨鄭相應難辯，蝶化莊周未可知。 | ||
| The deer follows Zheng Xiang, yet it is hard to tell; the butterfly transforms from Zhuang Zhou, but who can say for sure? | ||
| 9 | 大酒樓劉... : | 話分兩頭。卻說春梅一面使張勝叫敬濟且去著，一面走歸房中，摘了冠兒，脫了繡服，倒在床上，便捫心撾被，聲疼叫喚起來。唬的合宅大小都慌了。下房孫二娘來問道：「大奶奶才好好的，怎的就不好起來？」春梅說：「你每且去，休管我。」落後守備退廳進來，見他躺在床上叫喚，也慌了。扯著他手兒問道：「你心裡怎的來？」也不言語，又問：「那個惹著你來？」也不做聲。守備道：「不是我剛纔打了你兄弟，你心內惱麼？」亦不應答。這守備無計奈何，走出外邊麻犯起張勝、李安來了：「你兩個早知他是你奶奶兄弟，如何不早對我說？卻教我打了他十下，惹的你奶奶心中不自在。我曾教你留下他，請你奶奶相見，你如何又放他去了？你這廝每卻討分曉！」張勝說：「小的曾稟過奶奶來，奶奶說且教他去著，小的才放他去了。」一面走入房中，哭哭啼啼，哀告春梅：「望乞奶奶在爺前方便一言。不然，爺要見責小的每哩。」這春梅睜圓星眼，剔起蛾眉，叫過守備近前說：「我自心中不好，乾他們甚事？那廝他不守本分，在外邊做道士，且奈他些時，等我慢慢招認他。」這守備才不麻犯張勝、李安了。 |
| Let us now turn our attention elsewhere. Meanwhile, Chunmei had just sent Zhang Sheng to tell Jingji to leave for now. Then she returned to her room, removed her hat, took off her embroidered robe, and lay down on the bed, whereupon she began to clutch her chest, strike the quilt, and cry out in pain. This frightened everyone in the household, big and small. Sun Erniang from the side quarters came to ask, "Madam was just fine a moment ago; why has she suddenly fallen ill?" Chunmei said, "All of you go away and don't bother me." Later, the commander returned from his office and saw her lying in bed crying out. He was also alarmed. He grabbed her hand and asked anxiously, "What's wrong with you?" She did not answer. He then asked again, "Who has upset you?" Still no response. The commander said, "Is it because I just beat your brother that you are angry?" She did not respond either. The commander, at a loss for what to do, went outside and summoned Zhang Sheng and Li An. "You two knew early on that he was your grandmother's brother," he scolded them, "why didn't you tell me sooner?" "You made me beat him ten times and caused your grandmother to be upset." "I had told you to keep him here so that I could invite your grandmother for a meeting. Why did you let him go?" "You rascals will have to give me an explanation!" Zhang Sheng said, "I had already informed Madam. She told me to let him go for now, so I released him." He then ran into the room and weeping bitterly, pleaded with Chunmei: "I beg you, Madam, to say a good word for me before my master." "Otherwise, Master will hold us responsible." Chunmei opened her eyes wide, raised her eyebrows, and called the commander over to say, "It is my own problem. What does it have to do with them?" "That rascal did not behave properly and became a Taoist outside. Let us be patient with him for now, and I will deal with him at my own pace." Hearing this, the commander no longer scolded Zhang Sheng or Li An. | ||
| 10 | 大酒樓劉... : | 守備見他只管聲喚，又使張勝請下醫官來看脈，說：「老安人染了六欲七情之病，著了重氣在心。」討將藥來又不吃，都放冷了。丫頭每都不敢向前說話，請將守備來看著吃藥，只呷了一口，就不吃了。守備出去了，大丫鬟月桂拿過藥來，「請奶奶吃藥。」被春梅拿過來，匹臉只一潑，罵道：「賊浪奴才，你只顧拿這苦水來灌我怎的？我肚子里有甚麼？」教他跪在面前。孫二娘走來，問道：「月桂怎的？奶奶教他跪著。」海棠道：「奶奶因他拿藥與奶奶吃來，奶奶說：『我肚子里有甚麼？拿這藥來灌我。』教他跪著。」孫二娘道：「奶奶，你委的今一日沒曾吃甚麼。這月桂他不曉得，奶奶休打他，看我面上，饒他這遭罷。」分付海棠：「你往廚下熬些粥兒來，與你奶奶吃口兒。」春梅於是把月桂放起來。 |
| Seeing that she continued to cry out, the commander had Zhang Sheng summon a physician. The doctor said, "Madam has fallen ill from emotional distress caused by worldly desires and passions; she is suffering from severe internal stress." They brought medicine for her, but she refused to take it. It all went cold. The maidservants dared not approach and speak, so they had the commander come to watch her take the medicine. She only took a sip before refusing it again. After the commander left, the senior maid Yue Gui brought over the medicine and said, "Please take your medicine, Madam." Chunmei took the bowl and flung it in her face, scolding, "You wretched servant! Do you think I will just sit here while you force this bitter water down my throat?" "What is inside my stomach anyway?" She ordered her to kneel before her. 藟 Sun Erniang came over and asked, "What's wrong with Yue Gui?" "Madam told her to kneel." Haitang said, "Madam is angry because she brought the medicine for Madam. Madam asked her: 'What do I have in my stomach?'" "Why are you forcing this medicine down my throat?" ɵ She ordered her to kneel. Sun Erniang said, "Madam, it's true that you haven't eaten anything today." "As for Yue Gui, she doesn't know. Madam, please don't beat her. For my sake, forgive her this time." She instructed Haitang, "Go to the kitchen and cook some porridge for Madam to eat." Chunmei then let Yue Gui get up. | ||
| 11 | 大酒樓劉... : | 那海棠走到廚下，用心用意熬了一小鍋粳米濃濃的粥兒，定了四碟小菜兒，用甌兒盛著，熱烘烘拿到房中。春梅躺在床上面朝里睡，又不敢叫，直待他番身，方纔請他：「有了粥兒在此，請奶奶吃粥。」春梅把眼合著，不言語。海棠又叫道：「粥晾冷了，請奶奶起來吃粥。」孫二娘在旁說道：「大奶奶，你這半日沒吃甚麼，這回你覺好些，且起來吃些個。」那春梅一骨碌子扒起來，教奶子拿過燈來，取粥在手，只呷了一口，往地下只一推。早是不曾把傢伙打碎，被奶子接住了。就大吆喝起來，向孫二娘說：「你平白叫我起來吃粥，你看賊奴才熬的好粥！我又不坐月子，熬這照面湯來與我吃怎麼？」分付奶子金匱：「你與我把這奴才臉上打與他四個嘴巴！」當下真個把海棠打了四個嘴巴。孫二娘便道：「奶奶，你不吃粥，卻吃些甚麼兒？卻不餓著你。」春梅道：「你教我吃，我心內攔著，吃不下去。」良久，叫過小丫鬟蘭花兒來，分付道：「我心內想些雞尖湯兒吃。你去廚房內，對那淫婦奴才，教他洗手做碗好雞尖湯兒與我吃。教他多放些酸筍，做的酸酸辣辣的我吃。」孫二娘便說：「奶奶分付他，教雪娥做去。你心下想吃的就是藥。」 |
| Haitang went to the kitchen, carefully and attentively cooked a small pot of thick glutinous rice porridge, prepared four small dishes as accompaniments, placed them in bowls, and brought everything hot into the room. Chunmei lay in bed with her back to the room, and they dared not call out. They had to wait until she turned around before finally saying, "We have some porridge here; please eat it, Madam." Chunmei closed her eyes and said nothing. Haitang called again, "The porridge is getting cold; please get up to eat it, Madam." Sun Erniang said from the side, "Madam, you haven't had anything to eat all day. Now that you're feeling a bit better, please get up and have some." Chunmei suddenly sat up, called the nurse to bring over a lamp, took the porridge in her hand, and after taking only one sip, pushed it onto the ground. Fortunately, she did not break the bowl; the nurse caught it just in time. She began to shout loudly at Sun Erniang, "You had no reason to wake me up for porridge. Look at this terrible porridge the wretched servant made!" "I'm not in my postpartum period; why are you giving me this meaningless soup?" She ordered the nurse Jin Kui, "You go and give that servant four slaps across her face!" At once, Haitang was indeed given four hard slaps. Sun Erniang then said, "Madam, if you won't eat the porridge, what else can I prepare for you?" "I don't want to leave you hungry." Chunmei replied, "Even if you offer me food, something in my heart is blocking it; I can't bring myself to eat." After a long while, she called over the young maid Lanhuar and instructed her, "I feel like having some chicken tip soup." "Go to the kitchen and tell that shameless servant of mine to wash her hands and make me a good bowl of chicken tip soup." "And tell her to add more sour bamboo shoots, making it spicy and sour for me." Sun Erniang then said: "Madam, I will have Xue'e prepare this as you instructed." "What you want to eat is actually medicine." | ||
| 12 | 大酒樓劉... : | 這蘭花不敢怠慢，走到廚下對雪娥說：「奶奶教你做雞尖湯，快些做，等著要吃哩。」原來這雞尖湯，是雛雞脯翅的尖兒碎切的做成湯。這雪娥一面洗手剔甲，旋宰了兩隻小雞，退刷乾凈，剔選翅尖，用快刀碎切成絲，加上椒料、蔥花、芫荽、酸筍、油醬之類，揭成清湯。盛了兩甌兒，用紅漆盤兒，熱騰騰，蘭花拿到房中。春梅燈下看了，呷了一口，怪叫大罵起來：「你對那淫婦奴才說去，做的甚麼湯！精水寡淡，有些甚味？你們只教我吃，平白叫我惹氣！」慌的蘭花生怕打，連忙走到廚下對雪娥說：「奶奶嫌湯淡，好不罵哩。」這雪娥一聲兒不言語，忍氣吞聲，從新洗鍋，又做了一碗。多加了些椒料，香噴噴，教蘭花兒拿到房裡來。春梅又嫌忒咸了，拿起來照地下只一潑，早是蘭花躲得快，險些兒潑了一身。罵道：「你對那奴才說去，他不憤氣做與我吃。這遭做的不好，教他討分曉。」這雪娥聽見，千不合，萬不合，悄悄說了一句：「姐姐幾時這般大了，就抖摟起人來！」不想蘭花回到房裡，告春梅說了。這春梅不聽便罷，聽了此言，登時柳眉剔豎，星眼圓睜，咬碎銀牙，通紅了粉面，大叫：「與我採將那淫婦奴才來！」 |
| Lanhuar did not dare delay. She went to the kitchen and told Xue'e, "Madam wants you to make chicken tip soup; do it quickly because she is waiting to eat." Originally, this chicken tip soup was made by finely cutting the tips of young chickens' breast and wings into a broth. Xue'e washed her hands and trimmed her nails, quickly slaughtered two small chickens, cleaned them thoroughly, selected the wing tips, cut them into fine shreds with a sharp knife, then added spices, scallion flowers, coriander, sour bamboo shoots, oil, soy sauce, and other ingredients to make a clear broth. She filled two bowls with the soup, placed them on a red lacquered tray, and had Lanhuar bring it hot into the room. Under the lamp's light, Chunmei looked at it and after taking one sip, shouted and cursed loudly: "Tell that shameless servant of yours what kind of soup she made!" "It is just plain water with no taste at all. What's the point?" "You people only force me to eat, and in doing so, you make me angry for no reason!" Lanhuar was terrified of being beaten and hurried to the kitchen to tell Xue'e, "Madam is upset that the soup is too watery and is cursing at us." Xue'e said nothing, swallowing her anger in silence. She washed the pot again and made another bowl of soup. She added more spices to it, making it fragrant, and had Lanhuar take the new bowl into the room. Chunmei found it too salty and, in anger, flung the bowl to the ground. Fortunately, Lanhuar dodged quickly; otherwise, she would have been drenched by the soup. She scolded, "Tell that servant of yours to stop making me food out of spite." "This time the soup was bad; let her explain herself!" Xue'e, hearing this, could not help but mutter under her breath in frustration: "When did my sister become so arrogant that she dares to treat others like this?" Unbeknownst to Xue'e, Lanhuar returned to the room and told Chunmei what had been said. Chunmei, upon hearing this, was so furious that her eyebrows shot up in anger and her eyes bulged. Clenching her teeth until they cracked, her face turned bright red as she shouted, "Bring me that lustful concubine servant at once!" | ||
| 13 | 大酒樓劉... : | 須臾，使了奶娘丫鬟三四個，登時把雪娥拉到房中。春梅氣狠狠的一手扯住他頭髮，把頭上冠子跺了，罵道：「淫婦奴才，你怎的說幾時這般大？不是你西門慶家抬舉的我這般大！我買將你來伏侍我，你不憤氣，教你做口子湯，不是精淡，就是苦咸。你倒還對著丫頭說我幾時恁般大起來，摟搜索落我，要你何用？」一面請將守備來，採雪娥出去，當天井跪著。前邊叫將張勝、李安，旋剝褪去衣裳，打三十大棍。兩邊家人點起明晃晃燈籠，張勝、李安各執大棍伺候。那雪娥只是不肯脫衣裳。守備恐怕氣了他，在跟前不敢言語。孫二娘在旁邊再三勸道：「隨大奶奶分付打他多少，免褪他小衣罷。不爭對著下人，脫去他衣服，他爺體面上不好看的。只望奶奶高抬貴手，委的他的不是了。」春梅不肯，定要去他衣服打，說道：「那個攔我，我把孩子先摔殺了，然後我也一條繩子弔死就是了。留著他便是了。」於是也不打了，一頭撞倒在地，就直挺挺的昏迷，不省人事。守備唬的連忙扶起，說道：「隨你打罷，沒的氣著你。」當下可憐把這孫雪娥拖番在地，褪去衣服，打了三十大棍，打的皮開肉綻。一面使小牢子半夜叫將薛嫂兒來，即時罄身領出去辦賣。 |
| In no time, several wet nurses and maids were sent out. They immediately dragged Xue'e into the room. Chunmei, her face full of rage, grabbed Xue'e by the hair with one hand and stomped on the cap on her head. She scolded, "You lustful concubine! How dare you say I have grown so bold?" "It is not because of your Ximenqing's family that I have become this way!" "I bought you to serve me, and yet you are resentful. I asked you to make a simple soup for me, but it is either too watery or too salty." "You even dared to say in front of the maids that I have grown so arrogant, and you insulted me. What good are you for?" While saying this, she summoned the Shoubei to come and bring Xue'e out, making her kneel in the courtyard. She then ordered Zhang Sheng and Li An to strip Xue'e of her clothes and beat her with thirty heavy rods. Family members on both sides lit bright lanterns, while Zhang Sheng and Li An each held large sticks in readiness. Xue'e refused to take off her clothes no matter what. The Shoubei, fearing that he might anger her further, dared not speak in her presence. Sun Erniang, standing by, repeatedly tried to persuade her, saying, "Whatever punishment the madam wishes to give him is fine, but please spare his underclothes." "It would not look good for his master's reputation if we undress a servant in front of others." "Please, madam, show him mercy. We have already made it clear that he is at fault." Chunmei refused, insisting on stripping him of his clothes before beating him. She said, "Whoever dares to stop me, I will first throw the child down and then hang myself with a rope." "I might as well just stay here forever." As a result, he did not strike her. Instead, he suddenly collapsed to the ground and lay there stiffly unconscious, unaware of anything around him. The Shoubei was so frightened that he hurried to help her up and said, "Go ahead and beat her if you must. I don't want to anger you." At that moment, the poor Sun Xue'e was dragged to the ground, stripped of her clothes, and beaten with thirty heavy rods until her skin split open and her flesh bled. At the same time, they sent a small jailer to summon Xue Guo'er in the middle of the night and immediately had her taken out for sale. | ||
| 14 | 大酒樓劉... : | 春梅把薛嫂兒叫在背地，分付：「我只要八兩銀子，將這淫婦奴才好歹與我賣在娼門。隨你轉多少，我不管你。你若賣在別處，我打聽出來，只休要見我。」那薛嫂兒道：「我靠那裡過日子，卻不依你說？」當夜領了雪娥來家。那雪娥悲悲切切，整哭到天明。薛嫂便勸道：「你休哭了，也是你的晦氣，冤家撞在一處。老爺見你到罷了，只恨你與他有些舊仇舊恨，折挫你。連老爺也做不得主兒，見他有孩子，凡事依隨他。正經下邊孫二娘也讓他幾分。常言拐米倒做了倉官，說不的了，你休氣哭。」雪娥收淚，謝薛嫂：「只望早晚尋個好頭腦我去，只有飯吃罷。」薛嫂道：「他千萬分付，只教我把你送在娼門。我養兒養女，也要天理。等我替你尋個單夫獨妻，或嫁個小本經紀人家，養活得你來也罷。」那雪娥千恩萬福謝了。 |
| Chunmei called Xue Guo'er aside and instructed her, "I only want eight taels of silver. No matter what, sell this lustful concubine into prostitution." "You may make a profit from the deal as you wish; I won't interfere with you." "If you sell her elsewhere and I find out, don't expect to see me again!" Xue Guo'er replied, "Where else would I rely on for my living if not by following your words?" That night, Xue Guo'er brought Xue'e home. Xue'e wept bitterly and cried all through the night until dawn. Xue Guo'er then tried to comfort her, saying, "Don't cry anymore. It's just your bad luck that you've met such an enemy." "The master would have left you alone if it weren't for the old grudges and hatred between you two. That's why he is mistreating you." "Even the master cannot take control of things, for she has a child and always gets her way in everything." Even Sun Erniang, who was senior among the maids, would give in to her somewhat. "As they say, a thief of grain ends up as a granary official—there's no use arguing about it. Don't cry and get angry over this." Xue'e wiped her tears and thanked Xue Guo'er, saying, "I only hope you can find a good master for me soon. At least I will have something to eat." Xue Guo'er said, "She gave me strict instructions to send you into prostitution." "I have raised sons and daughters; I must also consider the principles of heaven and humanity." "I will find you a man with no other wife or family, or at least marry you to a small business owner who can support and take care of you." Xue'e expressed her gratitude in countless ways. | ||
| 15 | 大酒樓劉... : | 薛嫂過了兩日，只見鄰居一個開店張媽走來叫：「薛媽，你這壁廂有甚娘子？怎的哭的悲切？」薛嫂便道：「張媽，請進來坐。」說道：「便是這位娘子，他是大人家出來的，因和大娘子合不著，打發出來，在我這裡嫁人。情願個單夫獨妻，免得惹氣。」張媽媽道：「我那邊下著一個山東賣綿花客人，姓潘，排行第五，年三十七歲，幾車花果，常在老身家安下。前日說他家有個老母有病，七十多歲，死了渾家半年光景，沒人伏侍。再三和我說，替他保頭親事，並無相巧的。我看來這位娘子年紀到相當，嫁與他做個娘子罷。」薛嫂道：「不瞞你老人家說，這位娘子大人家出身，不拘粗細都做的，針指女工，自不必說，又做的好湯水。今才三十五歲。本家只要三十兩銀子，倒好保與他罷。」張媽媽道：「有箱籠沒有？」薛嫂道：「止是他隨身衣服、簪環之類，並無箱籠。」張媽媽道：「既是如此，老身回去對那人說，教他自家來看一看。」說畢，吃茶，坐回去了。晚夕對那人說了，次日飯罷以後，果然領那人來相看。一見了雪娥好模樣兒，年小，一口就還了二十五兩，另外與薛嫂一兩媒人錢。薛嫂也沒爭競，就兌了銀子，寫了文書。晚夕過去，次日就上車起身。薛嫂教人改換了文書，只兌了八兩銀子交到府中，春梅收了，只說賣與娼門去了。 |
| Two days later, Xue Guo'er saw a neighbor, Auntie Zhang who ran a shop, come over and call out, "Auntie Xue, do you have any lady in your house?" "Why are you crying so bitterly?" Xue Guo'er responded, "Auntie Zhang, please come in and sit." She said, "This lady here used to be from a wealthy household. She was sent away because she did not get along with the mistress of the house and is now staying with me while I find her someone to marry." "She would rather have a husband who has no other wife, just so she can avoid more trouble." Auntie Zhang said, "I have a customer from Shandong who sells cotton. His surname is Pan and he is the fifth in his family. He's thirty-seven years old. He often brings several carts of cotton fruit and stays at my place." "The other day, he said his elderly mother is ill. She's over seventy years old and has been a widow for about half a year with no one to take care of her." "He asked me repeatedly to find him a wife, but there hasn't been anyone suitable so far." "I think this lady's age is quite appropriate. Why don't you marry her to him as his wife?" Xue Guo'er said, "I won't hide this from you, old lady. This lady comes from a wealthy family and can do both coarse and fine work. As for needlework and women's crafts, there is no need to mention how skillful she is; besides that, she also makes excellent soups." "She is only thirty-five years old now." "The family just wants thirty taels of silver; it would be a good match for him, wouldn't you say?" Auntie Zhang asked, "Does she have any trunks or belongings?" Xue Guo'er replied: "Only the clothes and hairpins that she carries with her, no trunks or boxes." Auntie Zhang said: "If it's like this, I'll go back and tell that man to come see her himself." After saying so, they had tea together, and Auntie Zhang left after sitting for a while. That evening, she told that man about it, and the next day after lunch, as expected, he brought the person to come for a look. As soon as he saw Xue'e's good looks and her young appearance, the man immediately offered twenty-five taels of silver in return, and additionally gave one tael to Xue Guo'er as a matchmaker's fee. Xue Guo' er did not argue and immediately exchanged the silver, then drafted the contract. That evening they went over to finalize things, and the next day Xue'e got on a cart and left right away. Xue Guo'er had the document altered and only delivered eight taels of silver to the household, which Chunmei received. She then claimed that Xue'e had been sold into prostitution. | ||
| 16 | 大酒樓劉... : | 那人娶雪娥到張媽家，止過得一夜，到第二日，五更時分，謝了張媽媽，作別上了車，徑到臨清去了。此是六月天氣，日子長，到馬頭上才日西時分。到於灑家店，那裡有百十間房子，都下著各處遠方來的窠子行院唱的。這雪娥一領入一個門戶，半間房子，裡面炕上坐著個五六十歲的婆子，還有個十七頂老丫頭，打著盤頭揸髻，抹著鉛粉紅唇，穿著一弄兒軟絹衣服，在炕邊上彈弄琵琶。這雪娥看見，只叫得苦，才知道那漢子潘五是個水客。買他來做粉頭。起了他個名叫玉兒。這小妮子名喚金兒，每日拿廝鑼兒出去，酒樓上接客供唱，做這道路營生。這潘五進門不問長短，把雪娥先打了一頓，睡了兩日，只與他兩碗飯吃，教他學樂器彈唱，學不會又打，打得身上青紅遍了。引上道兒，方與他好衣穿，妝點打扮，門前站立，倚門獻笑，眉目嘲人。正是：遺蹤堪入府人眼，不買胭脂畫牡丹。有詩為證： |
| That man married Xue'e and brought her to Auntie Zhang's house. They spent only one night together, and on the second day at dawn, after thanking Auntie Zhang, they said goodbye, got onto a cart, and went straight to Linqing. It was June, the days were long; when they arrived at Machou, it was just around dusk. They stopped at Sa Jiadian Inn, where there were dozens of rooms and accommodations for traveling performers from all over the country. As soon as Xue'e entered the house, she found herself in a small room where an old woman of fifty or sixty was sitting on the kang. Beside her was a girl of seventeen at most, with a coiled-up hairstyle, powdered face and red lips, wearing soft silk clothes, plucking a pipa by the kang. Xue'e saw this and could only groan in despair, realizing that the man Pan Wu was a water guest (a traveling performer). He had bought her to be a courtesan. He gave her the name Yuer. The girl, whose name was Jin'er, went out every day with a small gong and performed at wine shops to entertain customers for a living. As soon as Pan Wu brought Xue'e in, he didn't ask any questions but beat her first. After sleeping for two days, he only gave her two bowls of rice and made her learn to play musical instruments and sing. If she failed to learn, he would beat her again until her body was covered with bruises. Only after she learned the ropes did he give her nice clothes to wear, dress her up, and have her stand by the front door, leaning against it with a smile on her face, winking at passersby. Indeed: "Her traces are enough to catch the eye of any passerby; no need for rouge to paint a peony." There is a poem as evidence: | ||
| 窮途無奔更無投，南去北來休更休。一夜彩雲何處散，夢隨明月到青樓。 | ||
| On the road to ruin, with nowhere to run or turn, Go south or north, but never again. Where have the colorful clouds of one night scattered? Dreams follow the bright moon to a pleasure house. | ||
| 17 | 大酒樓劉... : | 這雪娥在灑家店，也是天假其便。一日，張勝被守備差遣往河下買幾十石酒麴，宅中造酒。這灑家店坐地虎劉二，看見他姐夫來，連忙打掃酒樓乾凈，在上等閣兒里安排酒餚杯盤，請張勝坐在上面飲酒。酒博士保兒篩酒，稟問：「二叔，下邊叫那幾個唱的上來遞酒？」劉二分付：「叫王家老姐兒，趙家嬌兒，潘家金兒，玉兒四個上來，伏侍你張姑夫。」酒博士保兒應諾下樓。不多時，只聽得胡梯畔笑聲兒，一般兒四個唱的，打扮得如花似朵，都穿著輕紗軟絹衣裳，上的樓來，望上拜了四拜，立在旁邊。這張勝猛睜眼觀看，內中一個粉頭，可霎作怪，「到相老爺宅里打發出來的那雪娥娘子。他如何做這道路在這裡？」那雪娥亦眉眼掃見是張勝，都不做聲。這張勝便問劉二：「那個粉頭是誰家的？」劉二道：「不瞞姐夫，他是潘五屋裡玉兒、金兒，這個是王老姐，一個是趙嬌兒。」張勝道：「這潘家玉兒，我有些眼熟。」因叫他近前，悄悄問他：「你莫不是雪姑娘麼？怎生到於此處？」那雪娥聽見他問，便簇地兩行淚下，便道：「一言難盡。」如此這般，具說一遍。「被薛嫂攛瞞，把我賣了二十五兩銀子，賣在這裡供筵席唱，接客迎人。」這張勝平昔見他生的好，常是懷心。這雪娥席前殷勤勸酒，兩個說得入港。雪娥和金兒不免拿過琵琶來，唱個詞兒，與張勝下酒。唱畢，彼此穿杯換盞，倚翠偎紅，吃得酒濃時，常言：「世財紅粉歌樓酒，誰為三般事不迷？」這張勝就把雪娥來愛了。兩個晚夕留在閣兒里，就一處睡了。這雪娥枕邊風月，耳畔山盟，和張勝儘力盤桓，如魚似水，百般難述。次日起來，梳洗了頭面，劉二又早安排酒餚上來，與他姐夫扶頭。大盤大碗，饕食一頓，收起行裝，喂飽頭口，裝載米曲，伴當跟隨。臨出門，與了雪娥三兩銀子，分付劉二：「好生看顧他，休教人欺負。」自此以後，張勝但來河下，就在灑家店與雪娥相會。往後走來走去，每月與潘五幾兩銀子，就包住了他，不許接人。那劉二自恁要圖他姐夫歡喜，連房錢也不問他要了。各窠窩刮刷將來，替張勝出包錢，包定雪娥柴米。有詩為證： |
| Xue'e's stay at Sa Jiadian was also conveniently arranged by fate. One day, Zhang Sheng was sent by the Shoubei to go downriver and buy dozens of stones of wine yeast for brewing at home. The local bully Liu Er of Sa Jiadian, seeing his brother-in-law come, hurriedly cleaned the wine shop and arranged fine food and drinks on a top-tier balcony to invite Zhang Sheng upstairs for a drink. The wine server, Bao'er, poured the wine and asked respectfully: "Uncle Er, should I call up a few singers from below to serve you?" Liu Er instructed, "Call up Laojisie from the Wang family, Jiaoer from the Zhao family, Jin'er and Yuer from the Pan family. They will serve you, Uncle Zhang." The wine server Bao'er nodded in agreement and went downstairs. Not long after, laughter could be heard from the staircase. The four singers came up one by one, dressed as beautifully as blooming flowers in light gauze and soft silk garments. They climbed upstairs, bowed to Zhang Sheng four times, and stood on the side. Zhang Sheng looked at them with wide eyes. Among the courtesans, one in particular caught his attention and caused a great surprise: "This is none other than Madam Xue'e who was sent out from Lord's residence." "How did she end up doing this kind of work here?" Xue'e also recognized Zhang Sheng with a glance, but said nothing. Zhang Sheng then asked Liu Er, "Whose courtesan is that?" Liu Er said, "I won't hide it from you, my brother-in-law. These are Yuer and Jin'er of Pan Wu's house; this one is Wang Laojisie, and the other is Zhao Jiaoer." Zhang Sheng said, "This Yuer of the Pan family seems somewhat familiar to me." He called her closer and quietly asked, "Aren't you Miss Xue?" "How did you end up here?" When Xue'e heard his question, two lines of tears streamed down her face as she said, "It's hard to explain in one sentence." She then recounted the whole story from beginning to end. "I was tricked by Xue Guo'er and sold for twenty-five taels of silver, ending up here to perform at banquets and entertain guests." Zhang Sheng had always admired his good looks and often harbored affection for him. At the banquet, Xue'e was attentive and urged him to drink, and they talked happily together. Xue'e and Jin'er could not help but bring over the pipa and sang a song to accompany Zhang Sheng's drinking. After the singing, they passed cups and exchanged glasses with each other, leaning close to the red and green silks. When the wine was flowing heavily, Zhang Sheng often said, "The wealth of this world, beautiful women, song pavilions, and wine—what man can remain unmoved by these three things?" Zhang Sheng fell in love with Xue'e. The two stayed in the pavilion at night and slept together. Xue'e, with her romantic whispers by the pillow and vows spoken at her ear, lingered with Zhang Sheng to the fullest. Their relationship was as harmonious as fish in water, full of countless pleasures beyond description. The next day, after getting up and washing her hair and face, Liu Er had already prepared wine and delicacies for his sister-in-law to serve to Zhang Sheng. They ate a big meal with large plates and bowls, packed up their belongings, fed the horses and mules until they were full, loaded rice and malt, and set off with attendants following. Before leaving the door, he gave Xue'e three taels of silver and instructed Liu Er: "Take good care of her. Don't let anyone bully her." From then on, whenever Zhang Sheng came to the river area, he would meet Xue'e at Sa Jia Store. Later on, as he came and went, Zhang Sheng gave several taels of silver to Pan Wu every month. In this way, he had Xue'e exclusively for himself and forbade her from entertaining other guests. Liu Er, wanting to please his sister-in-law's husband so much, not only did he refrain from charging rent for the room but also didn't ask him for anything else. He scraped together money from various sources, paid for Xue'e's expenses on behalf of Zhang Sheng, and ensured that she had firewood and rice. There is a poem to attest: | ||
| 豈料當年縱意為，貪淫倚勢把心欺。禍不尋人人自取，色不迷人人自迷。 | ||
| Who could have foreseen that in his reckless indulgence, he would be greedy and lustful, relying on power to deceive the heart. Disaster does not seek out people; it is people who invite it upon themselves. Beauty does not bewitch people; it is people who become enchanted by their own desires. |
URN: ctp:jinpingmei/ch94