The Golden Lotus, Volume 2

by Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng

  “If she is not at home,” Daian said, “what is her donkey doing here?” He stood up and went to the inner court. Old Woman Wen was drinking tea with several other old women. She had no time to hide.

  “Surely this is Sister Wen,” Daian said. “Why was I told you were not at home?”

  The old woman laughed and made a reverence. “Brother,” she said, “would you mind going back and telling his Lordship that I have a party? I don’t know what he wants, but I will come to see him tomorrow morning.”

  “I don’t know what he wants you for,” Daian said. “I only know he does want you. What an out-of-the-way hole of a place you live in. Getting here has made me quite exhausted.”

  “For the last few years,” old woman Wen said, “when your master has bought any maids or arranged any marriages, he has always gone to Feng or Xue or Wang. He has ignored me completely. Why does he suddenly want me now? It is as though one saw beans burst before the pan is put on the fire. Perhaps, now that his Sixth Lady is dead, he wishes me to find him another lady to take her place?”

  “I know nothing about that,” Daian said. “You will find out when you see him.”

  “Well, Brother, sit down for a while and, when my guests go away, I’ll go with you.”

  “My master wishes you to go at once,” Daian said. “He told me so repeatedly. He is waiting to talk to you before he goes out.”

  “Stay until I’ve given you something to eat, then we’ll start together.”

  “I don’t want anything to eat.”

  Old woman Wen asked if Ximen’s daughter had any children. Daian told her she had not. Then the old woman gave him some cakes and went to change her clothes. “You go first on your horse,” she said, “and I’ll follow on foot.”

  “Your donkey is here,” Daian said. “Why don’t you ride it?”

  “My donkey?” said the old woman. “That donkey belongs to my neighbors of the bean curd shop. They leave it here to graze, and you think it is mine.”

  “But you used to have a donkey,” the boy said.

  “Yes, but sometime ago one of my young women hanged herself. I had to sell my old house to pay off her people, so you can hardly expect me to have kept the donkey.”

  “The house didn’t matter very much,” Daian said, “but I’m surprised you parted with the donkey. I should have thought you would have kept him with you day and night. If I’m not mistaken, that donkey was splendidly finished.”

  Old woman Wen laughed merrily. “Oh, you young monkey!” she cried, “I’m afraid you’ll come to a bad end. I was taking you seriously. Well, it’s some years since I saw you last and a fine clever-spoken lad you’ve become. You’ll have to come to me when you think of finding a wife.”

  “My horse goes at a good pace, and you walk slowly. If you don’t come soon, my master will be in a fine temper. Come on, up you get behind me.”

  “You young rascal,” the old woman said, “I’m not your shadow. What do you think people in the street will say if they see me riding behind you?”

  “Then hire this donkey. We will pay them when you get there.”

  “That sounds better,” said the old woman. She told her son Wen Tang to saddle the donkey and put a pair of blinkers on him. Then she climbed on to his back and went with Daian to Ximen Qing.

  CHAPTER 69

  Lady Lin

  When Daian and old woman Wen reached the house, Ping’an told them that Ximen Qing was at the shop across the road. Daian went to see him. He was in the study with Scholar Wen but, as soon as Daian came in, he went into another small room.

  “Old woman Wen awaits your pleasure,” Daian said to him. Ximen Qing bade the boy bring her in. The old woman raised the lattice quietly and came in. She kowtowed to him.

  “Sister Wen,” Ximen said, “it is a very long time since I saw you last.”

  “Yes,” the old woman said. “I have been very busy.”

  “Where are you living now?” Ximen asked her.

  “Unfortunately,” the old woman said, “I had a lawsuit and was compelled to sell my old house. I am living now on the Wangs’ estate, at the south end of the street.”

  “Stand up,” Ximen said, “I have something to say to you.” The old woman got up, and Ximen sent the boys out. Ping’an and Huatong went to the corner door, but Daian hid himself behind a curtain to listen.

  “You frequently call to see ladies of quality,” Ximen said. “Tell me, who are they?”

  “The Princely family in the High Street, Major Zhou’s, Master Qiao’s, Master Chang’s and Magistrate Xia’s. I see them constantly.”

  “Do you happen to know the lady at General Wang’s place?”

  “She is one of my most regular patrons. The lady herself and her daughter-in-law are always buying flowers from me.”

  “If you know them well, I should like you to do something for me,” Ximen said. He took up a piece of silver weighing five taels and gave it to her. “If you devise a scheme for getting the lady to your place, so that I can meet her only once, there will be more for you.”

  Old woman Wen laughed. “Who told you about her?” she said. “How did you come to hear of them?”

  “There is a common saying,” Ximen answered, “that as trees have their shadows, so people have their names. Why shouldn’t I know of them?”

  “The Lady is thirty-five years old,” old woman Wen said, “and she is all you could desire. She is charming and intelligent, and she looks not a day over thirty. If she does carry on like this occasionally, she does so only in the strictest secrecy. Generally, when she goes out, she is accompanied by a train of servants. She goes wherever she has to go and comes straight back. Her son is now grown up, so, of course, she does not wish people to talk about her. Probably the stories you have heard are untrue. She has, indeed, a great big house and, when her son is not at home, it is possible a gentleman may sometimes come to visit her, but nobody ever hears about it. It would be quite impossible for her to come to my place. There are no conveniences there. Even if you offered me more money, I dare not take it. I would rather go and tell her what you have said to me.”

  “If you will not take my money, it means you will do nothing for me, and I shall be very much offended. Take it, and if this little business comes off, you shall have some silken clothes. ”

  “You are so wealthy that that side of the affair does not trouble me,” the old woman said. “I shall consider myself lucky if you so much as look my way.” She knelt down and took the money. “I will go and speak to the lady. When I come back, I will tell you what she says.”

  “You must take every pains,” Ximen said. “I shall expect you here. I won’t send a boy for you.”

  “Very well,” the old woman said. “Tomorrow perhaps, or maybe the day after. As soon as I am in a position to say anything, I will come and see you.”

  She went out. Daian came up and spoke to her. “Sister Wen,” he said, “one tael is all I ask from you. It was I who told you to come, and you mustn’t keep everything for yourself.”

  “You little monkey,” old woman Wen said. “When we hear someone sifting grain on the other side of a wall, we have no means of telling whether the results are good or bad. It is just the same with this business.” She went out, mounted the donkey, and her son led it away.

  Ximen Qing and Scholar Wen chatted together for a while, then Magistrate Xia came. Ximen put on his hat and robes and went with Xia to see the Sub-Prefect Luo, whose name was Luo Wanxiang. It was late when he returned.

  Old woman Wen was very pleased with the five taels she had received from Ximen Qing. In the afternoon when the tea party at her house was over, she went to call upon Lady Lin. She made a reverence to the lady, who asked why it was so long since she had called. Old woman Wen said she had been having a tea party and that she had been busy making preparations to go on a pilgrimage in the twelfth month.

  “Why not send your son instead?” Lady Lin said.

  “If I find I can’t go, I shall h
ave to send Wen Tang,” the old woman said.

  “When the time comes, I will give you some money for him.”

  The old woman thanked her. Lady Lin invited her to sit near the fire. The maid brought tea.

  “Is the young master in?” old woman Wen asked, while she was drinking her tea.

  “No,” Lady Lin said, “he has not been home for two nights. He is always going with some villain or other to spend his nights in the haunts of vice. He seems to care nothing for his wife, who is an exquisite creature, and I don’t know what can be done about it.”

  “Where is the young mistress?” the old woman said.

  “She is in her room,” Lady Lin said.

  When the old woman was sure they were alone, she said: “I don’t think you need worry any longer, Lady. I think I know a way to dispose of these bad companions, and get the young master back to his home, so that he never sets foot in a brothel again. But I dare not suggest it to you without your leave.”

  “I always listen to any suggestions you make,” Lady Lin said. “If you have anything to say, speak out.”

  “His Lordship Ximen, who lives near the Town Hall,” the old woman began, “is now an assistant magistrate and a military officer. He lends money to all the officials, and has four or five shops where he sells silks and medicines, cloth and thread. He has boats upon the river going up and down for his purchases. He buys salt from Yangzhou and incense and candles from Dongpingfu. Dozens of clerks are employed in his service. He is a ward of the Imperial Tutor Cai in the Eastern Capital, and a subordinate of Grand Marshal Zhu. He and Zhai, the Comptroller of the Imperial Tutor’s household, are upon a footing of kinship. He is on friendly terms with the highest officers of the Province, not to mention their underlings. He has acre upon acre of property and so much rice that it rots in his barns. His wife, by his second marriage, is a daughter of Captain Wu. He has five or six ladies and scores of singing boys and dancing girls. There is continual feasting in his house. He is about thirty-one or thirty-two, in the very prime of life. He is tall and handsome, and he takes medicine to strengthen his weapon. In matters of love, none is more skilled than he. He plays backgammon and chess, and is an expert ballplayer. He is well up in the philosophers and every kind of amusement. He profits by everything he sees. Indeed, so clever a man can only be compared to a fine piece of jade or a lump of pure gold.

  “Now, Lady, he has heard that your family has held high rank for generations, and he knows that the young master has been in the military academy. He would very much like to make your acquaintance. Of course, he cannot do that without a preliminary meeting. The other day he was given to understand that your birthday is not far distant. He would like to be allowed to come in a friendly way to celebrate the occasion. He spoke to me about the matter. I said to him: ‘I can quite see that you don’t feel you can call without an introduction of some sort. Let me go and speak to the lady and ask her leave.’ Lady, I don’t regard this simply as a question of becoming friendly with him. You will be able to ask him to help you to get rid of the young master’s bad companions. I do not think a man of his sort will be in any way damaging to the good fame of your house.”

  Lady Lin was already persuaded, but she said to the old woman: “We have never met. How can we suddenly pick up an acquaintance?”

  “That need not trouble you,” the old woman said. “I will go to him and say that you would be glad of his help about an accusation you propose to send to the courts against these rascals, and that you would be very much obliged if he would come and talk the matter over with you.”

  Lady Lin was satisfied, and it was arranged that she should expect him two days later, in the evening.

  At dinnertime next day, the old woman came to see Ximen Qing. He was in his study when Daian came to tell him that she had come. He went to the inner room and pulled down the lattice. The old woman came and kowtowed to him. Daian, who knew well enough what was afoot, went out. Old woman Wen told Ximen she had succeeded in persuading Lady Lin. She had spoken highly of him, she said, explained his position, praised his generosity and amiability, spoken of his gay and lively nature. “She believed what I told her,” the old woman said, “and she is willing to meet you tomorrow night. Her son will not be at home. She will offer you a meal and make a show of discussing legal matters with you.”

  Ximen Qing was delighted. He told Daian to get two rolls of fine silk for the old woman.

  “When you go tomorrow,” the old woman said, “don’t be too early. Go at night, when it is quiet in the streets, and enter the house by the back door. Close to the back door is a house belonging to a woman called Duan. I shall be waiting there for you. Knock at the door, and I will come out and take you to Lady Lin’s house. We shall have to be careful that none of the neighbors see us.”

  “I understand,” Ximen Qing said. “Go to Madam Duan’s and wait there for me. Don’t go away. I shall certainly not be late.”

  Old woman Wen went back to tell Lady Lin the result of her conversation with Ximen.

  That night, Ximen Qing went to Li Jiao’er’s room. He was impatient for the next day and was sparing in his attentions. When the day came, he put on a white hat and went with Ying Bojue to Xie Xida’s place to celebrate his birthday. Two singing girls were there. He drank only a few cups of wine and, as soon as it was dark, escaped from the party and mounted his horse. Daian and Qintong followed him. It was the nineteenth day of the month, and the moon was full. He set eyeshades on his eyes and turned into the road that led from the main street to Lady Lin’s backdoor. It was late, and the street was quiet. Before he came to the door, he pulled up his horse and bade Daian knock at Madam Duan’s door. This house belonged to Lady Lin. Old woman Wen had introduced Madam Duan to Lady Lin as a kind of guard for the back door and, whenever any business of this sort was to be done, the back door was always the place chosen as the rendezvous.

  Old woman Wen heard the knocking and came to the door at once. She waited until Ximen Qing had dismounted and taken off his eyeshades. She told Qintong to wait with the horse beneath the eaves of a house close by. Daian went to wait in Madam Duan’s house. Then the old woman took Ximen through the back door and fastened it securely behind them. They went through a passage that led to a courtyard. On one side were the five rooms that formed Lady Lin’s apartments. The small door that led to them was closed. Old women Wen knocked softly. The sound was delightful to Ximen’s ears. A maid came and opened the door. The old woman took Ximen Qing to the hall. When the screen was pulled aside, he saw that the place was brightly lit up by lamps and candles. In the place of honor was a portrait of Wang Jingchong, Commander-in-Chief of Taiyuan, and Duke of Fenyang. He wore a red dragon embroidered gown, with a jade girdle, and sat upon a great chair covered with a tiger skin, reading a book upon the art of war. Had his beard been longer, he would have looked like the God of War himself. Above the portrait was an inscription: “The Hall of Virtue and Righteousness.” There were two scrolls written in the Li style, of which one read: “The Tradition of Integrity in this House stands ever firm as the pine tree and the bamboo.” The other bore the legend: “His services to his country were many as the stars and glorious as the mountains.”

  Ximen Qing was looking at them when he heard a tinkling of the bells upon the door. Old woman Wen brought him a cup of tea. “Please ask the lady to come and see me,” he said.

  “Pray, Sir,” the old woman said, “drink your tea. I have told her lady-ship that you are here.”

  Lady Lin had hidden herself behind the door and was secretly taking stock of him. She found him tall and good-looking. He was wearing a white silk hat with sable ear covers, a purple woolen gown, and a pair of black shoes with white soles. She liked the looks of him. She quietly summoned old woman Wen and asked for whom he was wearing the white hat.

  “His Sixth Lady died in the ninth month,” the old woman said, “but though she is no more, he has still as many ladies as there are fingers on his hand. He is like a quail just
let out from his cage, smart at the attack.”

  Lady Lin was more pleased than ever. Old woman Wen urged her to come and see Ximen, but she said it would embarrass her and she would rather he came to her room. The old woman went back to Ximen Qing and said: “The Lady would like you to go to her.” She pulled aside the screen and he went in.

  There were red hangings about Lady Lin’s room and the floor was covered with carpets and rugs. There was a delightful odor of orchids and perfume, and the atmosphere was as balmy as that of Spring. The bed had embroidered curtains. The screens shone like the moon. Lady Lin wore a headdress of gold thread and jade, a full gown of white silk, and a coat of figured satin, with a gold design upon an incense-colored background. Her skirt was of the scarlet satin worn by ladies of the court, and her white silk shoes were high heeled. She was, indeed, an exquisite woman of the embroidered chamber, a goddess who, as it were, made sacrifice of her body for the love of men.

  Ximen Qing bowed. “Lady,” he said, “will you not sit in the place that is your due, that I may make reverence to you?”

  “My lord,” she said, “I pray you, do not.”

  Ximen Qing kowtowed to her twice, and she returned his greeting. Then he sat down on a chair and she sat on the edge of a small couch shaped like a comb. She was on the other side from him, but not immediately facing him.

  Old woman Wen saw that the door to the courtyard was safely fastened. The servants withdrew. The door that led to young master Wang’s apartments was secured. A maid brought tea.

  “The lady,” old woman Wen said, “has heard of your name and your position as an officer of the law. She would be very glad to know if you are disposed to help her.”