The Peach Blossom Fan

by K'ung Shang-jen

  Yang: The wound on your forehead looks almost healed. [Laughing]: I have brought you a little gift — on which I have painted some peach blossoms. [Hands it to her.]

  Fragrant Princess: But this is my old fan. As it is covered with bloodstains, I would rather not look at it. [Puts it in her sleeve.]

  Su: But there is an exquisite picture which you really ought to see.

  Fragrant Princess: When was it painted?

  Yang: Forgive me for not asking permission. I fear I might have spoiled it.

  9. Yang Wen-ts’ung: “The stains on the fan are still very bright. I’ll paint a few leaves and twigs around them. . . .”

  Fragrant Princess [opening and examining it]: Alas, peach blossom is the most ill-fated of flowers, condemned to float forever on this fan. I thank Your Honour. You have almost painted a portrait of myself. [Sings]:

  Each branch a swaying sorrow in the wind,

  Each petal a lost soul swept by the rising tide.

  Only a master’s hand could render thus

  A vivid line so natural, evoking

  The lips of beauty and the lotus cheek.

  A few bold strokes, and the tree springs to life,

  Red petals and green leaves; but evil fate

  Awaits the pictured flower and its possessor.

  Yang: Now that you have this peach blossom fan, you need a partner to appreciate it with you. Why turn yourself into a widow? Do you want to be like the Moon Goddess who flew from the world?

  Fragrant Princess: What is the use of discussing it? The famous Kuan P’an-p’an[2] was also a professional singing-girl, but she lived alone in her Swallow Tower until extreme old age.

  Su: Supposing Master Hou returned tomorrow, would you promptly recover your spirits and come downstairs?

  Fragrant Princess: Ah, then the whole world would be different. I should feel as if my future were spread out like a beautiful tapestry. Not only would I leave this tower, I would travel anywhere.

  Yang: Such steadfast resolve is most unusual. Master Su, to prove your devoted relationship as teacher to pupil, would you try to find Brother Hou and bring them together again? I am sure it would be a blessing for all concerned.

  Su: After repeated inquiries, I finally discovered that he spent half a year in Huai-an-fu with Minister Shih, whence he proceeded to Yang-chou by way of Nanking. He is at present with General Kao’s army defending the Yellow River. I had intended to return to my home, so I may search for him on the journey. But I should have a letter from Fragrant Princess to take with me.

  Fragrant Princess [to Yang]: Though my thoughts and emotions are boundless, I have never been trained to express them in writing. Would Your Honour be so kind as to write the letter for me?

  Yang: How could I express what lies in the depths of your heart?

  Fragrant Princess [pensively]: All my fears and sorrows are associated with this fan. Perhaps it will suffice if you merely take it to him.

  Su: What an original notion, to use a fan as a letter!

  Fragrant Princess: I’ll seal it now. [She seals it, singing]:

  The poem he will recognize as the fruit of his flourishing brush,

  The red blossoms he will see as a new picture.

  So small a space holds the blood of a faithful heart,

  Ten thousand longings bound with silken strands —

  It is worth a volume of characters on paper.

  Su: I promise to deliver it safely to his hands.

  Fragrant Princess: When will you start on the journey, Master?

  Su: Within the next few days.

  Fragrant Princess: I hope you will set out as soon as possible.

  Yang: It is time for our departure. Fragrant Princess, take care of yourself! The hardship you have suffered for purity’s sake deserves the highest credit. When Brother Hou hears of it, he will certainly hasten to see you.

  Su: I may not have time to say goodbye before I leave. Truly, a new message on the peach blossom fan.

  Yang: An old constancy, locked in the Swallow Tower.

  [Exeunt Yang and Su.]

  Fragrant Princess [weeping]: My mother has left me, and now my dear teacher has gone. Alone in this room, my sorrows will seem eternal. [Sings]:

  I have ceased to sing the ballads of north and south,

  My lute is silent, nor do I touch the flute:

  I have thrust aside my instruments, and left them to rot away.

  If only my fan could reach him soon, and my teacher were on his way!

  When my lord returns, upon that joyful day,

  Hand in hand we shall leave the tower together.

  I hope my message reaches him before the snow has melted,

  Though hills and vales seem endless on the voyage.

  Illustration: Yang Wen-ts’ung: “The stains on the fan are still very bright. I’ll paint a few leaves and twigs around them. . . .”

  [1] Famous beauty spots where lovers used to meet.

  [2] Kuan P’an-p’an, brilliant dancer and singer who became the favourite of Chang Chien (died 651), a great-nephew of the founder of the T’ang dynasty. Chang held many important posts. When he died, P’an-p’an refused to marry and lived alone in the Swallow Tower for ten years.

  SCENE 24

  THE REVELLERS UPBRAIDED

  1645, FIRST MONTH

  Juan Ta-ch’eng [enters and sings]:

  Days of ease return,

  The glamour of the Six Dynasties[1] revives,

  And mine is the charge

  Of arts and letters for all the court.

  Behold me now, resplendent

  In smart black cap, scarlet robe,

  And green-lined leather shoes.

  [Laughs and says]: Thanks to the special friendship of the Prime Minister, I have been invited to serve in the Inner Court. Today I have entered my new office. What a triumph! Luckily His Majesty has a passion for literature. Such distinguished writers as Wang To and Ch’ien Ch’ien-yi[2] have both received high appointments, and I have also been admitted to the Emperor’s literary circle. I have won His Majesty’s confidence to such an extent that there is nothing I cannot say to him. The day before yesterday, I presented him with four of my plays. His Majesty was so gratified that he promptly issued a decree, ordering the Ministry of Ceremonies to select the most beautiful singers for his delectation. These are to be trained to perform my Swallow Letter, which His Majesty regards as an expression of the new spirit pervading his reign. In my own opinion it is a difficult play to produce, owing to its extreme subtlety. If the rehearsals are entrusted to novices my reputation will suffer, so I told His Majesty that I would sooner engage experienced singing-girls. His Majesty was so appreciative of my advice that he issued a second decree, ordering a thorough search for musicians and singing-girls the length and breadth of the Ch’in-huai River. These were to be examined and allotted roles by the Ministry of Ceremonies. So far, the result has been disappointing. Not one has shown any notable talent. A conspicuous minority are old friends of Yang Wen-ts’ung, who made a special plea to have them exempted. Yesterday the Prime Minister remarked that His Majesty is very eager for the production of my play. Why should the best artists be exempted? Consequently, I have summoned them to appear in any case. As it is New Year’s day, I have asked my friend Yang to join me in entertaining our patron the Prime Minister. The banquet will be served in the Pavilion of Heart’s Delight, where wine will help us to enjoy the snowy landscape. I have also ordered the newly chosen singing-girls to appear. [Recites]:

  Truly,

  Pipes and singing under the willows bring back the glories of Sui,

  Witty girls in skirts and pattens recall the beauties of Chin. [Exit.]

  [Mistress Pien Yü-ching enters hurriedly, in the costume of a Taoist nun and carrying a bundle.]

  Pien [sings]:

  I was pure as a virgin in the palace of an Immortal

  When an ill wind blew me among the misty flowers.

  There I had to sing until my throat was h
oarse,

  And dance until the skirt hung loose about me.

  All my life has been spent in the Cave of Witches’ Mountain.[3]

  [Speaks]: I am dressed like this because the Imperial court is conducting a search for singing-girls. As a climax to my previous experience, it has been revealed to me that I must abandon this dusty world. Last night I took leave of my sisters. Disguised as a Taoist nun, I fled from the Old House. Now I shall seek a Taoist instructor. [Sings]:

  East of the city, mountains fill my gaze;

  The road to the world of Immortals seems endless.

  [Pien floats off the stage as in a trance. Enter the musicians Ting Chi-chih, Shen Kung-hsien, and Chang Yen-chu.]

  Ting [sings]:

  I was playing my flute on the shore of the river,

  Enjoying the moon and the flowers,

  Watching the shadows creep along my curtain,

  When my name as a minstrel was called from the phoenix scroll:[4]

  His Majesty’s heart is thrilled with thoughts of spring.

  [Speaks]: I have passed my sixtieth birthday, and it is years since I practised my profession. Recently I begged His Honour Yang as a personal favour to spare me from being called to the Inner Court. Why have I been summoned today?

  Shen and Chang: We were also exempted, but since they have called us, what can we do but obey?

  Ting: It is unusual for an Emperor to take much notice of musicians.

  Shen and Chang: The same thought occurred to us.

  Ting: As younger men, you may hope for a career at Court. I am too old and decrepit, and have little more to expect from this existence. All I want is to go into hiding. I trust you will keep my secret.

  Shen: That seems sensible. To avoid coercion you will have to escape.

  Chang: Yes — surely you will not be treated as a criminal.

  Ting: I shall go now. Farewell. [Walks off, singing]:

  I shall return towards the far green hills,

  Seeking a new path through the pine forest.

  [He stamps his foot and recites]:

  Until from this drear dusty world you flee,

  From human bondage how can you be free?

  [Ting produces a Taoist cap and yellow sash, which he puts on. He calls to Chang and Shen]: Behold, I have wakened from a Yangchow dream[5] in the guise of a Taoist priest. [Exit, striding off in a leisurely fashion.]

  Shen: So he has turned Taoist. It takes a tough heart to reach such a decision.

  Chang: Let us wait for the girls and go to the Ministry of Ceremonies together. [They sit down. Enter the singing-girls K’ou Pai-men and Cheng T’o-niang, with attendants.]

  Cheng: A peach petal blown by the breeze will never bear fruit.

  K’ou: A willow catkin swept by the tide will only meet with weeds.

  [Speaks]: Look at old Shen and Chang gossiping over there. I wonder why they never greeted us. Let’s slap them on the back.

  [They greet and joke with each other. An official messenger appears.]

  Shen [to messenger]: Now where are they sending us?

  Messenger: To the Inner Court, of course, to train the actors.

  Shen: But we were specifically exempted.

  Messenger: The Prime Minister insisted on recruiting you, and your names are on this list. [He reads the list aloud and asks]: Where is old Ting?

  Shen: He has retired to become a Taoist.

  Messenger: Then I shall have to report him. Go to the ministry at once.

  I awake from a ten-year Yangchow dream

  With the name of a rakehell of the pleasure quarter.

  Chang: Let’s wait until all the girls are here.

  Messenger: Their Excellencies are banqueting beside the river, where the girls are to be examined.

  Chang and Shen: In that case, we had better be off.

  Truly,

  Flute in hand, song on lips,

  We steal our tunes from the palace. [Exeunt.]

  Messenger [to K’ou]: Are you K’ou Pai-men?

  K’ou: Yes, I am.

  Messenger [to Cheng]: Are you Pien Yü-ching?

  Cheng: No, I’m T’o-niang.

  Messenger: Oh, Cheng T’o-niang. Where is Pien Yü-ching?

  Cheng: She has “left the world” to become a Taoist nun.

  Messenger: Even those who “leave the world” depart in couples. Who is that girl walking so slowly? How tiny her feet are! Is it Li Chen-li?

  K’ou: No, it cannot be, since she was married some time ago.

  Messenger: I dragged her from her tower myself, and she told me she was Li Chen-li. Who else could she be?

  Cheng: Perhaps it is Mistress Li’s daughter, assuming her mother’s name.

  Messenger: Never mind. As far as my business is concerned, I only have to count you girls by numbers. Ah, here she comes!

  [Enter Fragrant Princess.]

  Fragrant Princess [sings]:

  I have left my tower for the depths of snowy winter;

  Unused to treading on ice, my feet torment me.

  The moth-browed are chosen by phoenix decree:

  Court messengers on prancing steeds

  Drive them on with silken whips,

  As fierce winds lash the flowers.

  [Speaks]: I was removed from my tower by force, and now they are taking me to the Inner Court. I may be helpless, but even if I die they cannot quell my spirit.

  Guard [shouting]: Make haste, make haste, you laggard!

  [Fragrant Princess walks faster to the front of the stage.]

  K’ou: So you have stepped down from your tower after all.

  Cheng: You should consider it a great good fortune to come and serve His Majesty!

  Fragrant Princess: I hope this great good fortune alights on you. [They walk along together.]

  Guard: Here is the Pavilion of Heart’s Delight. The Prime Minister and their Honours Juan and Yang will arrive at any moment. Mind you behave yourselves. [Exeunt Cheng and K’ou with the guard.]

  Fragrant Princess: This will give me a chance of seeing the villains together and venting my pent-up rage. [Sings]:

  The shameless flatterer will sit with the cruel tyrant,

  His face a powdered mask of obsequious guile,

  Fawning on the despot’s whim in a thousand odious ways.

  Soon the play called Singing Phoenix[6] will be acted in real life,

  And I shall resemble Mi Heng when he cursed and beat the drum.[7]

  It remains to be seen whether they will understand.

  [Enter Ma Shih-ying, Juan Ta-ch’eng, Yang Wen-ts’ung, Steward, and young page. Fragrant Princess hides.]

  Juan: The lacquered towers with scarlet are bedight.

  Yang: The green and golden hills are flecked with white.

  Ma: What a gorgeous snowscape.

  Juan: This Pavilion of Heart’s Delight is an ideal place for enjoying the splendour of snow.

  Ma: Is there any historical reason to explain this?

  Juan: Emperor Chen-tsung of the Sung dynasty once presented his favorite minister with a painting of a snowy landscape by Chou Fang.[8] On presenting it, the Emperor said to him: “When you reach Nanking, you should select a suitable spot to hang this painting, where the scenery harmonizes with the work of art.” This pavilion was built in consequence.

  Ma [looking up at the wall]: The picture on this wall must be the one you mentioned.

  Yang: No, this was painted by a contemporary, a friend of mine named Lan Ying. He arrived here recently.

  Ma: What artistry! Compare it with the snow outside, and it stands to reason that this should be called the Pavilion of Heart’s Delight.

  Yang [to servants]: Now lay the tables. Let us take our seats. [All sit down.]

  Juan [to Ma]: Having only prepared a frugal repast, we feel deeply honoured by Your Excellency’s presence.

  Ma: No ceremony, please. I prefer simplicity: it is the true badge of culture.

  Juan: Since Your Excellency holds so generous an opinion of
us, we shall be our simple selves without play-acting.

  Ma: Don’t talk about acting, I beg. Actors can be dangerous fellows. When they impersonate a character successfully, he will live forever in the image of this caricature. If they paint his face white like a traitor’s, he will remain so infamous that even his descendants will repudiate him as an ancestor.

  Yang: Yes, actors can be dangerous, but I think they are usually fair. They provide a warning to evil-doers.

  Ma: In my opinion, most of those who have gone down to posterity as villains allowed themselves to be intoxicated by flattery. Take the Prime Minister Yen Sung,[9] for instance. He was quite an accomplished statesman in his time, but since that play, “The Singing Phoenix,” he has always appeared with a hideous white face. I imagine this is due to his patronage of the sycophant Chao Wen-hua.

  Juan [bowing]: Yes, that is profoundly true. I know that Your Excellency abominates flatters. We admire you all the more on that account.

  Yang: Let us toast Your Excellency. [All do so.]

  Juan [to Steward]: Have the singing-girls arrived?

  Steward: They await Your Honour’s instructions.

  [Guard leads in Cheng, K’ou, and Fragrant Princess.]

  Ma [scrutinizing them]: I don’t think we need them just now. Tell them to go to the Ministry of Ceremonies.

  Juan: But I summoned them on purpose to entertain Your Excellency.

  Ma: Well then, let us only keep the youngest. [Exeunt all the girls except Fragrant Princess.] What is her name?

  Guard: The Virgin Beauty, Li Chen-li.

  Ma [laughing]: She seems a beauty, but I doubt if she’s a virgin. Let us hear her sing.

  Juan: Virgin Beauty, come here. Pour wine and give us a song.

  [Fragrant Princess shakes her head.]

  Ma: Why do you shake your head?

  Fragrant Princess: I don’t know how to sing.

  Ma: If you cannot sing, how did you come by your reputation as a famous courtesan?

  Fragrant Princess: I’m nothing of the kind. [Wipes her tears.]

  Ma: What is ailing you? You may confide in us.

  Fragrant Princess [sings]:

  The anguish in my heart grows wild as weeds;

  Save to the Emperor himself I could not reveal it.

  They have severed husband and wife by frightening their souls away,