The Golden Lotus, Volume 2

by Lanling Xiaoxiaosheng

  Ximen Qing looked at the card and said: “Now I must get ready two sets of presents, one for Xia and one for Shang.’’ He told Qintong to go out and buy them and to tell Chen Jingji to send them with his compliments. Then he went to the study to have something to eat with Ying Bojue.

  Ping’an came hurrying in with three cards. “Counselor Wang, General Li and Vice president An have come to see you,” he said. Ximen Qing looked at the cards. They bore the names of Wang Boyan, Li Qiyuan, and An Shen. He hastily put on his ceremonial dress.

  “Brother,” Bojue said. “You seem to be very busy. I had better go.”

  “I will see you tomorrow,” Ximen said, and went to receive his three visitors. He took them to the great hall. There they thanked Ximen Qing for the trouble he had taken, drank tea, and sat down to talk.

  “Li, Wang, and I have come to trouble you again,” An said. “Magistrate Zhao has been appointed to the Lord Chamberlain’s office, and we should like to use your house for a reception. We have invited him on the ninth. Five tables will be needed and we will provide the actors. Will you be so kind as to allow us to do this?”

  “The house shall be put in order for you, and I await your instructions,” Ximen said.

  An told his attendants to present three taels of silver, and Ximen Qing accepted them. Then the three officers went away. When they came to the gate, Li said to Ximen Qing: “The other day I had a letter from Qian Longye. He told me that a certain Sun Wenxiang was one of your underlings. I set him free. Did he tell you?”

  “Yes, indeed,” Ximen Qing said. “And I am very much obliged to you. One of these days I will come especially to thank you.”

  “You must not trouble,” Li said, “we are very good friends.” They got into their sedan chairs and were carried away.

  Pan Jinlian had now taken charge of the housekeeping accounts. She began by buying a new pair of scales. Every day, when the boys brought vegetables, or things for the house, she insisted on having them shown to her, and would not hand over the money until she was satisfied. She did not count the money herself but made Chunmei do so. The maid measured the silver. Curses rained upon the boys’ heads, and she was always saying she would tell Ximen Qing to beat them. The boys grumbled a great deal. “It was very much better in the Third Lady’s time,” they said.

  The next day, when Ximen Qing had finished his work at the office, he said to Captain He: “Xia’s family are now ready to start, and you should send somebody to take over their house.”

  “I have already sent one of my servants,” Captain He said. “They sent word to me yesterday.”

  “Shall we go and look at it?” Ximen Qing said.

  They left the office together and went on horseback to Xia’s house. It was empty except for a few servants, and Ximen Qing showed Captain He how it was arranged. They went to the garden. It seemed very bare.

  “When you move in,” Ximen Qing said, “you will have to plant some flowers and trees here, and make a place where you can really enjoy yourself. These arbors need to be repaired.”

  “Yes,” He said, “I shall set to work as soon as the Spring comes. I shall build a pavilion in the hope that you will often come and spend your leisure with me.”

  When they had finished their inspection of the house, He bade his servants clean the place and keep all the doors and windows shut. He made up his mind to write to his uncle and ask him to send his family before the New Year. He himself proposed to take up his quarters there the next day. The two officers took leave of one another. Ximen Qing went home and Captain He went back to the office.

  When Ximen reached home, He the Ninth had come to thank him with a roll of silk, four dishes of food and a jar of wine. Eunuch Liu’s servant had brought a box of candles, twenty tablecloths, eighty packets of official incense, a box of precious incense, a jar of homemade wine, and a pig. When Ximen Qing came in, Eunuch Liu’s servant kowtowed and said: “My master presents his compliments and sends these trifles for you to give to your servants.”

  “The other day,” Ximen said, “I allowed your master to leave my table hungry, yet still he sends me these delightful presents.”

  He told his servants to take the things and asked Liu’s man to wait a moment. Huatong brought the man a cup of tea and Ximen Qing gave him a return card and five qian of silver. Then he ordered He the Ninth to be shown in. When old He came, Ximen took his hand and went with him to the hall. Old He knelt down. “Your Lordship,” he said, “has shown the generosity of Heaven in saving my younger brother’s life. I shall never forget your kindness.”

  He begged Ximen Qing to allow him to express his gratitude in the humblest manner, but Ximen would not have this and dragged He the Ninth to his feet. “Old Ninth,” he said, “we are very good friends, and you must not think of it. Please sit down.”

  “I am so contemptible a creature,” He the Ninth said. “How shall I sit in your presence?”

  He remained on his feet, so Ximen Qing remained standing also and drank a cup of tea with him. “Why did you bring me these presents?” he said. “I will not take them. If anyone interferes with you in any way, let me know, and I will see that you are protected. And, if you have any business at the Town Hall, send me word, and I will write to Li on your behalf.”

  “It is very kind of you,” He the Ninth said, “but I am an old man now and I have handed over my office to my son He Qin.”

  “That was wise,” Ximen Qing said, “you did well to retire. Since you will not take all the presents away, I will accept the jar of wine, but you must take away the rest. I won’t detain you any longer.”

  He the Ninth thanked him repeatedly and went away. Ximen Qing sat in the great hall watching his servants packing up presents, fruit boxes, flowers, sheep, wine, scrolls, and money. He told Daian to take one set to Qiao’s place, and sent Wang Jing with the other to Yun Lishou. Daian returned with five qian of silver that Qiao had given him, and then Wang Jing came. Yun Lishou had given him tea, a roll of black cloth, and a pair of shoes. He brought a return card. “Master Yun,” he said, “sends his love. He is going to send you an invitation later.”

  Ximen Qing was pleased. He went to the inner court for dinner.

  “Ben the Fourth has gone,” he said to Yueniang, “and Uncle Wu the Second is at the shop. I have nothing else to do today, so I will go and see him.”

  “Very well,” Yueniang said, “tell him that, if he wants anything to eat or drink, he need only tell one of the boys to ask me for it.”

  Ximen Qing called for his horse, put on a felt hat, sable ear covers, a dark gown, and black boots with white soles, and went to Lion Street. Qintong and Daian followed him.

  Uncle Wu and Laizhao were there. A sign was hanging outside the shop, and people came to buy silk, thread, and cotton wool. Trade was so flourishing that there were almost too many people to be served.

  Ximen Qing dismounted, watched the people for a while, then went and sat down at the back of the shop. Uncle Wu the Second came to him. “We are doing twenty to thirty taels’ worth of business a day,” he said.

  “I hope you are taking the greatest pains over Uncle Wu’s food,” Ximen Qing said to Laizhao’s wife.

  It was very cloudy, bitterly cold, and almost snowing. Ximen Qing decided to go and see Zheng Aiyue. “Go back and get my fur rug,” he said to Qintong, “and ask the Great Lady to give you something for Uncle Wu to eat.” Qintong went home. He was soon back with the fur rug, and a box of food and wine for Uncle Wu. Ximen Qing drank a few cups with his brother-in-law. “I suppose you will spend the night here,” he said. “See that you enjoy yourself. I must be off now.” He put on his eyeshades, mounted his horse, and, still followed by Daian and Qintong, went to Zheng Aiyue’s house. When he came to East Street, it was already snowing.

  Far and wide the bitter frost

  Encompasses the earth.

  The snow falls exquisitely

  A flake and then another flake

  Like the willow catkin and the c
otton fluff

  Each flake as big as a pussy willow.

  The bamboos, the trees, the cottages

  Slowly succumb beneath the weight of snow.

  The rich say it will drive away calamity

  And grumble that there is no more of it

  Sit by their stoves with choice charcoal to warm them

  Wearing coats of sable and embroidered mantles

  Twirling a sprig of plum blossom

  Between their fingers

  And singing of good omen of prosperity

  Heedless of the poor.

  And poets lie at ease

  And make a lot of verses.

  The snow seemed like a mass of tiny fragments of jade. Ximen Qing walked over it and went into Zheng Aiyue’s house. As soon as he had dismounted, a maid had rushed in and told her mistress that he was there. The old procuress came out to welcome him and took him to the hall. There she greeted him and thanked him for the presents he had sent and for his kindness to Zheng Aiyue. “Your Great Lady and the Third Lady gave her flowers,” she said.

  Ximen Qing answered politely and sat down. He told Daian to take the horse to the inner court.

  “Please come to the upper room,” the old woman said. “Zheng Aiyue has just got up. She is dressing her hair. We expected you yesterday, and she waited for you all day. Today she did not feel very well, so she did not get up till late.”

  Ximen Qing went in. The windows were partly open, and all the blinds were drawn. There was a bronze brazier on the floor with charcoal burning in it. He took the place of honor. Zheng Aixiang came in and offered him some tea. Then Zheng Aiyue, very daintily dressed, with plum-flower ornaments, gold pins, and a sealskin cap. Her hair seemed like the mist; her form as though it were carved from a block of jade. She smiled and made a reverence to Ximen Qing.

  “Father,” she said, “I was late the other day. Your party went on so long and, when I went to the ladies’ court, the Great Lady kept me and insisted that I should have something to eat. I did not get home until the third night watch.”

  “Little oily mouth,” Ximen said, “you and Li Guijie boxed Beggar Ying’s ears very soundly.”

  “Yes,” Zheng Aiyue said. “He is always saying such nasty things. Pock-marked Zhu was drunk too. He said he was going to see us safely home. I told him we had people with lanterns to take us home, and we didn’t need him.”

  “Yesterday, I heard he had gone with Wang the Third to the house in the main street to see one of the girls,” Ximen said.

  “He only stayed one night and then he was done with her. Now he has taken up with Sesame.”

  They talked for a while, then Zheng Aiyue said: “Father, you must be cold here. Come into the inner room.”

  Ximen Qing went in. He took off his fur coat and sat down beside the fire with Zheng Aiyue. The air was deliciously scented. After a while, a maid brought food, and the two sisters and Ximen Qing ate it together. Zheng Aiyue offered him another half-bowlful, but he told her that he had had some cakes before he came out. “I meant to come and see you before,” he said, “but the weather was so bad.”

  “You never sent me word, Father,” Aiyue said, “and I waited for you all day. Today, when I didn’t expect you, you came.”

  “Two friends came to see me yesterday, and I couldn’t get away.”

  “I am going to ask a favor of you,” Aiyue said. “Will you give me a sable fur? I want one to wear about my neck.”

  “That is easily done,” Ximen said. “My friend Yun, who has just come back from the north, brought me some excellent specimens the other day. The ladies want some and, when they make up their own, I will ask them to make one for you.”

  “You don’t say you will give me one,” Aixiang said, “but I suppose you only think about Aiyue.”

  “You shall each have one,” Ximen said.

  The two girls stood up and made reverence to him.

  “Don’t tell Guijie or Wu Yin’er,” Ximen said to them.

  “The other day, when Guijie saw that Wu Yin’er was staying at your house,” Aiyue said, “she asked me how long I thought she would stay. I told her. I told her, too, that when you invited Major Zhou, we four singing girls were there, but you didn’t send for her because Wang the Third was there. Yesterday, when there were only relatives and friends, you did send for her. She didn’t know what to say.”

  “You said exactly the right thing,” Ximen Qing said. “I gave up sending for her brother Li Ming, but he persuaded Uncle Ying to come and speak for him. Then, on my third lady’s birthday, Guijie herself came with presents and begged to be forgiven. The ladies pleaded for her. I didn’t say anything but I deliberately asked Wu Yin’er to stay, just to show Guijie what I thought about things.”

  “I forgot the Third Lady’s birthday,” Zheng Aiyue said, “I didn’t send her anything.”

  “Tomorrow my friend Yun will be giving a party,” Ximen said. “Perhaps you and Wu Yin’er will come and sing for us.”

  “I shall be there,” Aiyue said.

  She got thirty-two ivory tablets and played with Ximen Qing. Aixiang sat with them and joined in the game. Wine was brought and the two girls offered it to him. Then they tuned their lutes and sang. When the song was done, they brought the dice box and threw dice with him. They drank together and grew more and more gay. Suddenly, Ximen Qing saw a picture of the Moon Maiden over the bed and, underneath it, a poem.

  Here is a beauty, fair beyond all others

  The gentle breeze blows aside her crimson skirt.

  It is the third month of Spring and the flowers bloom

  In the golden valley.

  The moon shines and the shadows of the flowers move

  The night is at its best.

  The essences of jade and snow are combined in her

  Her learning and her beauty surpass those of Wen Jun.

  Love in youth should be kept as a precious thing

  And the lover should not wander with the white cloud.

  Beneath the poem was written: “Sanquan, after drinking, wrote these words.”

  “I suppose Sanquan is Wang the Third,” Ximen Qing said.

  “Yes, but he wrote this a long time ago,” Zheng Aiyue said, hastily. “He calls himself Xiaoxuan now. He has explained to everybody that your honorific name is Siquan and he has given up his old name to save you annoyance.” She took a brush and crossed out the word “San.”

  Ximen Qing was pleased. “I didn’t know he had changed his name,” he said.

  “I shouldn’t have known if somebody or other hadn’t told me,” Zheng Aiyue said. “I understand his father’s name was Yixuan, and that is why he calls himself Xiaoxuan.”

  By this time Aixiang had left them and Aiyue was alone with Ximen Qing. They sat side-by-side, drinking and throwing dice.

  “Lady Lin is very fond of lovemaking,” Ximen said. “The other day, I went and took wine with Wang the Third, and she invited me to go to the inner court to see her. She asked me to take the young man under my protection, and made him do reverence to me as to a father. She said I was to give him instruction and advice.”

  Zheng Aiyue clapped her hands in delight. “You have me to thank for that,” she said, smiling. “One of these days you will have his wife.”

  “Yes, but I must burn a stick of incense to her first,” Ximen said. “When the New Year comes, I am going to invite her to my house to see the lanterns and to drink wine with my ladies. Then we shall see what happens.”

  “Father,” Aiyue said, “you have no idea how beautiful that young lady is. She is more exquisite and dainty than any figures painted on a lantern. She is only nineteen, yet she has to live like a widow. Wang the Third never spends a night at home. If you devote a little time and attention to her, she will certainly be yours.”

  They drew closer and closer together. A maid brought fruit. Aiyue offered some to him. She passed honey lozenges from her own tongue to his. She unloosed his trousers with delicate fingers, took out his penis, and s
troked it gently until it stood erect, proud and purple. He asked her to suck it; she bent her head, opened her red lips and took in half the penis, which moved this way and that with a pleasant sound. Before long, Ximen’s passion was fully roused and he was ready for more serious things. Aiyue went to the back, and Ximen Qing also went out to change his clothes. It was snowing harder than ever.

  When they were both back, Aiyue helped him to undress and he got into bed. Aiyue, when she had washed her cunt, closed the door and got into bed too.

  It was the first night watch before they had done. Then they got up and put on their clothes, and Aiyue dressed her hair again. The maid came in and gave them something to eat. Ximen Qing drank some wine and asked Daian if umbrellas and lanterns were there. Daian told him that Qintong had just brought them. The old procuress and Zheng Aiyue went with Ximen to the gate and watched him mount his horse.

  “Father,” Aiyue said, “whenever you want me, let me know in good time.”

  Ximen Qing promised, then, holding an umbrella over his head, rode away over the snow. When he got home, he told Yueniang he had been drinking with Wu the Second.

  The next day was the eighth. Ximen was told that Captain He had transferred his things to Xia’s house, and sent him some presents. Then Ying Bojue came. It was very cold, and Ximen asked him to come to the study and sit by the fire. He told the boys to bring breakfast.

  “I have sent all the things to my kinsman Qiao and Brother Yun,” he said. “I gave them two qian of silver as a contribution from you, so you need not trouble to send them anything. Now you have only to wait until they send you an invitation.”

  Bojue thanked him. “What did his Excellency An want with you yesterday?” he said. “And who were the other visitors?”

  “The others were General Li and Counselor Wang. They are both Zhejiiang men. They want me to give a party for a certain magistrate Zhao who has been appointed to the Lord Chamberlain’s office. He was a prefect in their native place. I could not very well refuse them. They gave me three taels of silver towards the expenses.”