The Golden Lotus, Volume 2

by Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng

“I wanted to ask a favor of you,” An said. “Cai Xiaotang, his Eminence’s ninth son, is governor of Jiujiang. He is on his way to the Capital and I have had a letter from him to say he will be here very shortly. Song Songquan, Qian Yunye, Huang Taiyu and I would like to entertain him. But, for that, we should need your house, and I don’t know whether you would be willing to lend it to us or not.”

  “Certainly you may have it,” Ximen said. “When is he coming?”

  “On the twenty-seventh,” An said. “I will send the necessary money tomorrow. It is extremely kind of you.”

  They drank tea, and Vice President An went away.

  Ximen Qing went to Lady Lin’s house and sent in his card. Wang the Third came out to receive him and took him to the great hall. Above the place of honor hung a golden scroll with the words: “The Hall of Loyalty Continuing.” There were other scrolls on either side. One said, “The Wind and Frost wear down the mighty Trees,” and the other, “Mountains and Rivers, Girdles and Whetstones are always new.”

  Wang the Third made a reverence to Ximen Qing and asked him to take the place of honor. Tea was brought, and he himself handed it. After tea they talked for a while until dinner was served. Two boys sang to them.

  “Will you not ask her Ladyship to come?” Ximen Qing said.

  Wang the Third sent a servant to invite his mother to join them.

  Very soon the servant returned. “Her Ladyship asks that you will go to the inner court to see her,” he said.

  Wang the Third asked Ximen Qing to go, and Ximen asked Wang the Third to lead the way. So they went to the hall.

  Lady Lin was wearing pearls and ornaments on her head, a scarlet, straight-sleeved gown, and a girdle decorated with gold and green jade. She wore a silken skirt embroidered with the design of the hundred flowers. Her face was powdered till it was as white as silver. Ximen Qing prepared to make a reverence to her and asked her to take the place of honor. “You are my guest,” she said. “The place of honor is due to you.” Finally, they made equal reverences, and sat down.

  “My young son,” Lady Lin said, “is very inexperienced. He was unfortunate enough to incur your displeasure, but you were generous and punished the fellows who led him astray. I don’t know how to thank you. I have prepared this very simple entertainment for you, but I feel that really I should kowtow. Why have you sent me presents? I shall feel embarrassed if I accept them, and lacking in courtesy if I decline them.”

  “I had to go to the Eastern Capital on duty,” Ximen Qing said, “I could not come to congratulate you on your birthday. These trifling presents you speak of are really intended for your servants.”

  Old woman Wen was standing beside Lady Lin. Ximen said to her: “Madam Wen, please give me a cup that I may offer her Ladyship some wine.” He called Daian, who brought a dress of very fashionable style, embroidered with gold. This was put on a tray, and offered to Lady Lin. The dress was so bright that it was dazzling to the eyes. Lady Lin was delighted. Old woman Wen brought gold and silver cups. Wang the Third was going to send for the boys to sing, but Lady Lin said it would be better if they played outside. When Ximen had offered wine to her, she offered it to him in return. Then Wang the Third offered wine to him. Ximen would have made a reverence to the young man in return, but Lady Lin said:

  “My lord, you must stand and allow him to pay you the respect that is your due.”

  “I dare not,” Ximen Qing said, “the Rites do not allow it.”

  “My lord,” Lady Lin said, “surely you are wrong. Your rank is now such that you might be his father. My son, in his earlier youth, was very poorly educated. He never associated with gentlemen. If you are well disposed to him, you may, perhaps, be willing to teach him something of the ways of the world. I would even venture to suggest that you might take him under your guardianship and treat him as your son. If he gets into trouble, correct him. I will not stand in your way.”

  “Lady,” Ximen Qing said, “you speak wisely, but your son is really both intelligent and amiable. He is still young and only on the threshold of life. As he acquires more experience, he will amend his ways. You must not worry about him.”

  Ximen Qing was persuaded to take the place of honor. Wang the Third offered him three cups of wine and made reverence to him four times. Then Ximen Qing made a reverence to Lady Lin, and she, smilingly, returned it. After this, whenever Wang the Third was in the presence of Ximen Qing, he called him Father.

  After this simple ceremony, Lady Lin bade her son take Ximen Qing to the outer court to take off his ceremonial clothes. Daian brought a hat and he changed. The two men sat down, and the singing boys played and sang for them. When the cooks brought in food, Daian gave them a small present of money. When five courses had been served, and the singers had sung two songs, lights were brought. Ximen Qing stood up to take leave, but Wang the Third begged him not to go so pressingly that he remained. The young man took him to a small courtyard attached to the study. There were only three rooms, but there were delightful flowers and trees about, and the furniture was very handsome. A golden sign bore the words: “Sanquan’s Ship of Poesy.” There were five old pictures on the walls.

  Ximen Qing asked who Sanquan was. Wang the Third was reluctant to tell him, but at last he said: “It is your son’s name.” Ximen Qing said nothing.

  Tall jars were brought. They played darts and drank, and the singing boys sang for them again. Lady Lin, in the inner court, looked after the cooks and servants, sending them with dishes and fruits.

  It was the second night watch before Ximen Qing went away. He was almost tipsy. He distributed money to the cooks and singers, and went home.

  When he reached home, he went at once to Jinlian’s room. She had not gone to bed, but had taken off her headdress and painted her face very delicately. She had made tea and burned incense in a golden burner. Now she was waiting for him, and when he came, she was delighted. She took his clothes and told Chunmei to make him a special cup of Sparrow-Tongue Tea. Chunmei helped him to take off his clothes and girdle. He went to bed. Jinlian took off her ornaments, put on a pair of bed shoes, and went to bed too. They lay down together and entwined their legs. Ximen Qing made a pillow of one arm and pressed her close to him with the other. Her body seemed to him as smooth as a piece of soft jade. His breast touched hers; their cheeks were close together. They kissed; their hearts seemed to melt away within them, and they were thrilled to the very center of their beings.

  “My child,” Ximen said, “did you ever think of me when I was away?”

  “I never forgot you for a single second. The nights seemed so long. When I lay down, I could not sleep. I heated my bed and made it as warm as I could, but I still felt cold, so cold, indeed, that I could not stretch my legs out. I had to suffer and keep them drawn up. I kept thinking you would come, but you never came. Oh, many tears fell upon this pillow. Then dear little Chunmei saw how melancholy I was and sighing, and she cheered me as best she could. She used to play chess with me in the evenings. We stayed up till the first night watch, then went to bed and slept together. That was how I felt, Brother. I wonder how it was with you.

  “Little oily mouth,” Ximen said, “I have several wives, but, as everyone knows, I love you best.”

  “No, you are deceiving me,” Jinlian said. “You are like a boy who takes rice from the bowl but keeps his eyes on the jar all the time. You think I don’t know it. Do you remember how you and Laiwang’s wife were as close together as honey and oil mingled? You never thought about me then. Li Ping’er had a baby, and you treated me like a black-eyed hen. Now they are gone, and I am still strong and well. You are like a willow catkin blown about by the wind. You have been secretly carrying on with Ruyi’er. You don’t seem to care what sort of creature she is. After all, she is only a nurse, and, besides, she has a husband. If you take her on, one of these days her husband will bring all his sheep outside your door. You are an officer now. What are you going to do when the scandalmongers begin to talk about it? When you were
away, that woman quarreled with me, screamed at me, and wouldn’t give way an inch. That was when I sent Chunmei to borrow a dolly pin from her.”

  “Dear, dear!” Ximen Qing said. “It doesn’t matter who she is, she must not forget that she is a servant here. I am surprised she had the audacity to quarrel with you. If you raise your hand, it should be a sign to her to pass, and if you lower it, she should know that she is barred from going any farther.”

  “Oh, you can always talk!” Jinlian said. “Now that Li Ping’er is dead, Ruyi’er has taken her mistress’s place. I suppose you said to her: ‘Serve me well, and you shall have everything that belonged to your mistress.’ Did you say that?”

  “Don’t be so silly. I said nothing of the sort. If you will forgive her, I will make her come and kowtow to you tomorrow.”

  “I don’t want her apologies. I forbid you to go to her.”

  “When I go there to sleep,” Ximen Qing said, “I have no other purpose than to remember your dead sister. I go to look at her tablet, and I have nothing whatever to do with the woman.”

  “You are such a liar, I don’t believe you,” Jinlian said. “It is more than a hundred days since Li Ping’er died. Why should you go to gaze upon her tablet? You don’t go to watch before the tablet, you go to make the place like a miller’s grinding place. Before midnight we hear the sound of the bell and, after midnight, the sound of the winnowing.”

  Ximen Qing pulled her to him and kissed her. “You funny little strumpet,” he said “where did you get such sharp ears?”

  He told her to turn over, and inserted his penis from behind. He held her legs and moved in and out noisily. “Do you fear me or not?” he cried. “Will you try to control my actions any more?”

  “If I didn’t,” Jinlian said, “you would fly off in the air. I know you can’t give the woman up, but, if you wish to have her, you must ask my permission, and, if she asks you for anything, you must tell me before you give it to her. I won’t have you giving her things without my knowledge. If you do, and I find out, you shall see whether I make trouble or not. I and that strumpet will die together. It is the story of Li Ping’er over again. You could think of no one but her, and I was as little to you as the lowest of your women. You rotten peach! You are like bean sprouts that haven’t been tied with proper string. But your old mother is too clever for you.”

  Ximen Qing laughed. It was the third night watch before they were content to put their arms around one another and go to sleep. They slept till nearly dawn.

  Before it was light, Jinlian, still hungry for more, fondled his weapon with her slender fingers till it was ready once more for action.

  “Darling,” she said, “I want to lie on you.” She climbed on to him, and played the game of making a candle upside down. She put her arms around his neck and wriggled about. She asked him to grip her firmly by the waist. Then she lifted herself up and dropped herself again; soon his penis entered her up to its very root, and the only part that stayed outside was that bound by the clasp.

  “Darling,” she said, “I will make a red silk belt for you, and you can keep in it the medicine the monk gave you. And I will make two supports that you can tie at the root of it and fasten around your waist. When they are tightly tied, it will be soft and go in all the way. Don’t you think that better than this clasp, which is so hard and such a nuisance?”

  “Yes, my child, make it by all means. The medicine is in my little box. Put it in for yourself.”

  “Come back tonight,” Jinlian said, “and we will see what it is like.”

  Daian came with a card and asked Chunmei if his master was out of bed. “His Excellency An,” he said, “has sent money, two jars of wine, and four pots of flowers.”

  “Father is not up yet,” Chunmei told him. “Ask the man to wait.”

  “He has a long way to go,” Daian said. “He is on his way to the new wharf.”

  Ximen Qing overheard this. He asked what was the matter, and the card was brought to him. Upon it was written: ‘I send you eight taels for the refreshment of Xiaotang. The food for the others may be what is customary. I trust you will instruct your servants to make careful preparations, and thank you for your kindness. I send you also four pots with seasonable flowers in the hope that you will like them. The two jars of wine may, perhaps, serve for the entertainment of the guests. Please accept them indulgently.

  Ximen Qing got up. He did not dress his hair but, putting on a felt hat and a gown, went to the hall. He sent for his Excellency’s messenger. The man presented the silver and the pots of flowers. One contained red plum, another white plum, the third jasmine and the fourth, magnolia. And there were two jars of Southern wine. Ximen was very pleased. He gave the man a card in return and five qian of silver for himself.

  “When will the gentlemen arrive?” he asked. “Will it be necessary to engage actors?”

  “Their Excellencies will be early,” the man said. “They would like to have the Haiyan company.” He went away.

  Ximen Qing told the servants to take the flowers to his study and sent Daian to engage the actors. As it was Meng Yulou’s birthday, he arranged for them to come in the evening also. Laian was sent to buy provisions.

  We now return to Ying Bojue. On the twenty-eighth day of the month, his baby would be one month old, and there was to be a celebration. He took five cards and sent Ying Bao with a box to the house opposite Ximen Qing’s. He was going to ask Scholar Wen to write invitations to Ximen’s five ladies.

  He had left his own house and turned into the street when he heard a voice behind him calling: “Uncle! Uncle!” It was Li Ming. Bojue stopped, and Li Ming asked where he was going.

  “I am going to see Scholar Wen on business,” Bojue said.

  “I was just coming to see you,” Li Ming said. “There is something I want to tell you.”

  Ying Bojue saw a porter carrying a box behind Li Ming, and he took Li Ming to his house. The boy kowtowed to him and presented the box. There were two roast ducks and two bottles of spirits in it.

  “I have nothing but these trifles to offer you,” Li Ming said, “but I should like to ask your help.” He knelt down and could not be persuaded to rise. Bojue finally pulled him up.

  “You silly boy. If you have anything to say, say it. There was no need for you to bring these presents.”

  “I have served his Lordship Ximen ever since I was a little boy,” Li Ming said. “Now he is giving his patronage to others and leaving me out in the cold. I have nothing to do with Li Guijie’s affairs. We are not in the same boat. His Lordship is angry with her, and he seems to be angry with me too. I have had no opportunity to explain matters. So I have come to you. I beg you to go and speak for me. Tell him that I had nothing to do with Guijie’s naughty behavior. Since I have incurred his displeasure, all the boys in my business make fun of me.”

  “You haven’t been to his place for a long time,” Bojue said.

  “No,” the boy said.

  “That explains why, the other day, when Captain He was at his place, I only saw Wu Hui, Zheng Chun, Zheng Feng and Zuo Shun. You were not there, and I asked why. His Lordship told me that you never came near the place and he wasn’t going to send for you. Now, you silly boy, pull yourself together and don’t be such a blockhead.”

  “When he didn’t send for me,” Li Ming said, “I felt too shy to go of my own accord. The other four were there two or three days ago and, today, I find Laian is engaging two of them for the Third Lady’s birthday. There is a party tomorrow, and the four boys will be there again without me. I am very miserable about it. Uncle, I want you to explain matters for me. I will come and kowtow to you again.”

  “I spend all my time helping others,” Bojue said, “and I will do the best I can for you. I have done many, many things for people, and this trifling business of yours is nothing at all. Take these presents away. I know how you get your money, and I won’t take them. Come with me, and let me make everything all right.”

  “I w
ill not go unless you accept my present,” Li Ming said. “You do not need the things, of course, but I am anxious to show my humble respect for you.”

  He implored Ying Bojue to take them, and, at last, Bojue did so. He gave thirty coppers to the porter who had carried the box. Then they set out together. They went first to the house opposite Ximen Qing’s. They went into the courtyard. Bojue knocked at the door and asked if Scholar Wen was at home. The scholar was in the study, writing a card. “Please come in,” he cried. Huatong opened the door, and Bojue went into the study. Scholar Wen greeted him. They sat down, and the scholar said: “You are early today. What have you been doing?”

  “I have come to ask you to write a few invitations with your masterly brush. It will be the end of my little son’s first month of life on the twenty-eighth, and I am inviting his Lordship’s ladies.”

  “Give me the cards,” Scholar Wen said, “I will write them for you with pleasure.”

  Bojue told Ying Bao to take out the cards and give them to Scholar Wen. The scholar took them to the inner room and had written two when Qitong came hurrying in and said: “Master, please write another two cards for my lady. She wishes to invite Mistress Qiao and Mistress Wu. Did you give Qintong the cards for Mistress Han and Mistress Meng?”

  “Yes,” Scholar Wen said, “they were sent off sometime ago.”

  “Master,” Qitong said, “when you have finished those two cards, please write another four. They are for Mistress Huang the Fourth, Mistress Fu, Mistress Han, and Mistress Gan. Laian will come for them.”

  Qitong went away and Laian came for the four cards. Bojue said to him: “Is your master at home or at the office?”

  “He has not been to the office today,” Laian said. “He is in the hall receiving presents.”

  “It was very late when his Lordship came back from Wang’s place last night,” Scholar Wen said.

  “Which Wang’s?” Bojue asked.

  “The general’s,” Scholar Wen told him.

  This was the first Ying Bojue had heard of this business.