Chapter 5

Poem says: Red-powder and green-browed maidens mirror the Chu clouds, With subtle thoughts they wish to join the phoenix flock. Orchid and iris fragrance binds hearts as companions, But once calamity comes, they sigh over the parting of phoenixes. Again we tell of Hanwen: the next morning at dawn he rose, washed and dressed properly, and Wang Duan carried the sacrificial offerings. As he was about to leave the gate, the old master exhorted him: "After the sacrifice you must return at once; do not tarry outside." Hanwen answered, "Understood." He went straight out the gate, with Wang Duan following behind carrying the pole, and they made their way toward the west gate outside the city wall. When they reached the gravesite, Wang Duan laid out the offerings; Hanwen knelt and wept, bowing in worship. After the rites were completed, they burned the spirit money. Wang Duan packed up the offerings, and the two returned together. On the way, Hanwen suddenly thought: This is not far from West Lake. Taking this opportunity to go and enjoy a tour, viewing the scenery—would that not be splendid! So he said to Wang Duan, "You take the load back first. I want to go by way of my brother-in-law's house to visit my elder sister, and I will come shortly after." Wang Duan said, "Sir, you should return early, lest the old master worry at home." Hanwen said, "Understood." Wang Duan carried the load back first. Hanwen then headed toward West Lake. After walking some distance, he reached the riverbank, took a boat, and went straight to West Lake. Early on, he saw the lake's radiance rippling, with extended pavilions and multiple towers; painted pleasure boats gathered like scales; carved railings and vermilion windows; visitors in throngs, coming and going without end. Hanwen was greatly delighted, his eyes unable to take it all in. Just as he was looking about, he suddenly saw two women idly viewing the scenery from a bridge. Hanwen fixed his gaze on them and felt his soul stirred and his spirit fly. You ask what these two women looked like—there is a poem as witness: Gathering mist, low chignons, bodies delicate and charming; Sinking fish and dropping wild geese, they are called slender waists. Clearly they are Wang Qiang and Xi Shi reborn, Even surpassing the two Qiaos of Jiangdong. The two were dressed as mistress and maid, but the mistress's bearing was especially superior. At this moment Hanwen was like a lion facing a fire—melting into a soft mass, following them here and there, unable to tear himself away. Dear readers, you ask what kind of household these two women came from—they were none other than the Green and White Snake spirits from the garden of the Prince of Qiu's mansion. On this day they too had come to the lake for pleasure. It was precisely a karmic bond from five hundred years earlier; once they met, they could not be parted. The two spirits saw that Hanwen was handsome and elegant, with a graceful bearing, and they too cast sidelong glances and sent amorous messages with their eyes. While the two sides were still lingering, suddenly dark clouds gathered on all sides, and wind and rain came abruptly. Each took shelter and dispersed. Hanwen felt reluctant in his heart and thought: Those two lovely creatures—I wonder from which household's daughters they come. It is a pity that Heaven sent down this merciless rain, so I could not follow them and ask in detail about their native place. Now the day is growing late; better to cross the Qiantang River and stay the night at my brother-in-law's house, then come back to search for them tomorrow morning. At this point he no longer cared whether the old master Wang might be waiting anxiously at home. With thoughts in his mind and feet moving, he soon reached the riverbank. Seeing a small boat moored there, he called out, "Boatman, ferry me across the river, and I will give you money to buy wine." The helmsman heard this and immediately rowed the boat to the shore, taking Hanwen aboard. Just as they cast off, he suddenly heard a woman's voice from the bank calling, "Take us aboard." Hanwen raised his head and saw that they were the two lovely creatures he had met on West Lake bridge. Wild with joy, he called out, "Boatman, there are two women on the bank who want to take the boat. Quickly turn the boat back and ferry them across—then you can earn more money to buy wine." Hearing this, the helmsman smiled and turned the boat back to the shore. Xiaoqing helped Lady Bai down into the boat, saying, "Miss, take care." Lady Bai put on a coquettish air, feigning shyness as she sat by the side of the boat. Xiaoqing saw Hanwen and smiled faintly. Hanwen could not restrain himself and spoke, asking, "Elder sisters, from what place are you, what are your honored surnames and given names, and where are you going by taking this boat?" Xiaoqing smiled and replied, "Our young lady is from a family in Qiantang County, living in Shuangcha Lane. Her late father, while alive, served as Commander-in-Chief of the border defenses. He had only this one daughter. The master and mistress passed away one after another. Because it is the Qingming Festival, we accompanied the young lady up the mountain to offer sacrifices to the master and mistress, and on the way back we took the opportunity to view the fine scenery of West Lake. Then we encountered this heavy rain, and the road was muddy and difficult to walk, so we came specially to take a boat home. May I ask where the young gentleman is from, and what is your honorable surname and great name? Please tell us in detail." Hanwen answered, "This humble student is also from Qiantang County, named Xu Xian, style Hanwen. I am seventeen this year. My parents have passed away; I have only an elder sister, who married into the Li family of this county. Thanks to my brother-in-law's kindness, I am placed at the Wang family pharmacy in Huaiqing Lane. Today I also came to sweep my parents' graves and took the chance to stroll by West Lake. Unexpectedly, Heaven sent down this heavy rain, making the road difficult, so I came specially to take a boat, also to return home." While the two were conversing, before they knew it the boat had reached the shore. They all went ashore and paid the boatman. The helmsman gave thanks, took the money, and rowed the boat back to moor under the willow shade. Thus it is said: Each sweeps the snow before his own door, And leaves the frost on others' roofs alone. Hanwen saw that the fine rain was still falling without stopping. He called out, "Elder sisters, this humble student has a spare umbrella. I lend it to you, elder sister, to shelter the young lady back to her residence." He then handed the umbrella to Xiaoqing. Xiaoqing took it and said, "Thank you, young gentleman. But the rain has not yet cleared—how can we let you go bareheaded in the rain while we take your umbrella? We would feel terribly sorry." Hanwen said, "The young lady's golden lotus feet are small and short, making walking difficult. We men can walk quickly, and besides, my brother-in-law's house is not far from here—it is no matter." Xiaoqing said, "We are deeply grateful for the young gentleman's great kindness, and we cannot thank you enough. But I fear that when this servant brings the umbrella to your residence tomorrow, if you are not there, what then?" Hanwen said, "Elder sister need not bring it. When the weather clears tomorrow, this humble student will come to your abode to retrieve it." Xiaoqing was pleased and said, "The young gentleman's intention is quite right." She then carefully gave the address, called out "Farewell," and with her left hand holding the umbrella and her right hand supporting the young lady, she cast frequent lingering glances with her autumn eyes as they left. Hanwen's soul had long been snatched away by them. He gazed until the two had gone far into the distance before he finally turned around. We will not speak of the two spirits returning home. But as for Hanwen, his heart was captivated, and he strolled all the way to his brother-in-law's house. Lady Xu saw him and asked, "Younger brother, how do you have leisure to return today?" Hanwen said, "Elder sister, since today is the Qingming Festival, I obtained permission from the old master and went up the mountain to offer sacrifices to our parents, and on the way I came home to pay my respects to my brother-in-law and you, elder sister." Lady Xu was pleased to hear this and said, "That shows your filial thoughts, younger brother. Your brother-in-law had official business in the yamen and went out early this morning. Please sit down." She hurried to the kitchen, heated wine and prepared dishes, brought them out and arranged them in the hall, and the brother and sister drank together, chatting about various small matters. Hanwen did not mention anything about meeting the women, taking the boat, or lending the umbrella. After the meal, Lady Xu cleared everything away and sent Hanwen to his room to sleep. Hanwen lay in bed, thinking of the two beauties, tossing and turning all night long, unable to sleep at all—but of this we will speak later. Again, the two demons returned to the garden. Bai Shi spoke, saying: "Xiaoqing, look at how Xu Lang looked at you and me today, unwilling to part. He will surely come tomorrow to ask for the umbrella. I see his elegant bearing and gentle words; he is a man of deep feeling. I wish to marry him. But his family is poor and without means, and we have no silver to give him. What shall we do?" Xiaoqing said: "Your Ladyship's idea matches my humble opinion. If we wish to give him silver, what difficulty is there? Your Ladyship has vast supernatural powers; if you perform the rite tonight, what is there to worry about not having to give him? First, this will show our wealth, so that he will believe that Your Ladyship is a daughter of an official family. Second, it will make him grateful—would that not be killing two birds with one stone?" Bai Shi was delighted upon hearing this and said: "Xiaoqing's words are reasonable. I shall perform the rite tonight." When night came, at the third watch, Bai Shi held a precious sword in her hand, paced the starry circle and trod the Dipper, chanted true words, and summoned the Five Directional Little Demons. The five demons answered the summons and arrived at once, knelt, and said: "What is Your Ladyship's decree?" Bai Shi pointed and said: "I order you five demons to turn in one thousand taels of silver tonight. Disobey and you shall be punished." The five demons received the order and withdrew. They conferred together and then went to the treasury of Qiantang County and stole out one thousand taels of silver, returning to hand them over to Bai Shi. Bai Shi accepted them and then dismissed the five demons. The two demons made all the preparations and we shall say no more of them. Truly: 　　They prepare the carved bow to shoot the fierce tiger; 　　They arrange the fragrant bait to hook the great turtle. Now as for that night, Hanwen was at his elder sister's home. All night he thought of the two women and could not rest easy on his bed. He could not wait for dawn; he got up, washed and dressed, changed into a fresh set of clothes, concealed it from his sister, and went straight out the door, asking the way to Double Tea Lane. He saw an old man standing at the entrance of the lane. Hanwen went forward and asked: "Honorable Uncle, is this Double Tea Lane?" The old man replied: "It is." Hanwen said: "May I ask, Honorable Uncle, where in this lane is the mansion of the White Commander-in-Chief?" The old man said: "This old man only knows Double Tea Lane; I do not know any White Mansion." Having said that, he went on his way. Hanwen had no choice but to walk into the lane. He raised his eyes and saw a large, very splendid garden. As he was looking, he suddenly saw Xiaoqing open the door and come out. Hanwen saw it was Xiaoqing and was filled with joy. He hurried forward and called out: "Elder sister, your humble scholar has come." Xiaoqing smiled with her eyes and brows, and quickly called out: "Sir, please come in." Hanwen then stepped through the garden gate. Xiaoqing led him to the Hall of Gathering Fragrance and called out: "Sir, please be seated. Allow this humble maid to go inside and inform the young lady of the house." Hanwen said: "Elder sister, do not disturb the young lady; just return the umbrella to me and I will go back." Xiaoqing said: "Sir, you do not know. Last night the young lady instructed this maid that if you came today to take back the umbrella, I was to report it; the young lady wishes to come out in person to thank you face to face." Hanwen said: "How dare I trouble the young lady?" Though his mouth said this, his body had already sat down, and he could not wait for Bai Shi to come out soon—even a moment earlier would be good. Xiaoqing went inside, and before long, suddenly a fragrant breeze wafted into his very lungs. Bai Shi lightly moved her lotus steps and came out into the hall, with Xiaoqing following behind. Hanwen saw her and hurriedly rose to salute; Bai Shi returned a Wanfu greeting. She called out: "Benefactor, please be seated. If it had not been for your precious umbrella lent to us yesterday, I and my maid would hardly have been able to get home." Hanwen said: "It was a trifling thing of mine; why should the young lady praise it so?" After these words, they exchanged courtesies and sat down. Xiaoqing brought out fragrant tea and they drank. Hanwen rose, gave thanks, and pretended to take the umbrella to leave. Bai Shi said: "It is rare for the benefactor to come here; how could we let you go back on an empty stomach? There is a simple meal from our kitchen; if you do not disdain our humble dishes, it will show a little of our gratitude." Hanwen declined modestly: "To intrude upon such a feast, how could I deserve it?" Bai Shi said: "How dare I?" In a moment, Xiaoqing brought out fine dishes—delicacies and rare viands intermingled—and the banquet was sumptuous. Bai Shi gave way and urged Hanwen to take the seat of honor; she set a separate table for herself and sat beside him, while Xiaoqing attended at the side, diligently pouring wine. After three cups, Bai Shi spoke, saying: "Benefactor, my late father, Bai Ying, was once a Commander-in-Chief; my late mother, née Liu, was a lady of title. I have no brothers, only myself, the only child, given the name Zhenniang. Unfortunately, both parents passed away one after another, and there is no one of five feet in the household. I, a lonely weak girl, fear that I might fall into the hands of unworthy people, and I am anxious day and night. Yesterday, when I went up the mountain to offer sacrifices to my parents, I encountered rain on the way. Thanks to the benefactor's generous loan of the umbrella, it fully shows your great virtue. If the benefactor does not disdain this humble dwelling and my unworthy self, I would offer myself for your service—I wish to attend to your garments and serve you. Would the benefactor be willing to condescend?" Hanwen felt as if he had received a royal pardon, yet he pretended to decline: "The young lady is of noble birth, a fragrant flower from an official family; I am a poor scholar of lowly station, drifting with my books and sword—how dare I form a marriage alliance with the young lady?" Bai Shi smiled and said: "To judge marriage by rank is a worldly view. Since childhood I have been fairly skilled in physiognomy; I observe that your bearing is noble and your fortune long. The benefactor need not decline." Hanwen said: "Since the young lady is so kind, but my home is bare and I am penniless—what am I to do?" Bai Shi said: "It matters not." She then called Xiaoqing: "Go to the chamber and take two ingots of fine silver from the gold-inlaid chest and give them to the gentleman." Xiaoqing received the order, went inside and immediately came out with two ingots of white silver, weighing one hundred taels, and placed them on the table. Bai Shi herself presented them to Hanwen and said: "Sir, take this silver back; it can serve as expense for the wedding gifts." Hanwen was overjoyed beyond words. He rose and took them, saying: "I thank the young lady for your great favor, as high as the clouds. I will go back and entreat my brother-in-law and sister to come and propose marriage. For now, I take leave of you; we shall meet again." Bai Shi earnestly urged: "Sir, you must not betray my true heart." Hanwen swore: "If I should prove ungrateful, may heaven and earth not tolerate me!" Bai Shi was greatly pleased and ordered Xiaoqing to escort Hanwen out. We shall say no more of this. Not to speak of the two demons returning inside, but Hanwen came all the way back, full of joy, to his brother-in-law's home. It happened that Gongfu had been on night duty the previous night watching the treasury, and one thousand taels of treasury silver had been lost. The county magistrate had given him twenty strokes of the bamboo and ordered him to apprehend the real culprit; failing that, he was to be beaten every three days. He returned and told Xu Shi; the husband and wife were both in low spirits. Suddenly they saw Hanwen come in, his face beaming with spring breeze and glowing with delight. Xu Shi called out: "Brother, where did you go this morning that you come back with such a ruddy face?" Hanwen laughed and said: "I have a happy matter to tell my brother-in-law and sister. Yesterday, after coming back from offering sacrifices at the tomb, I took a leisurely stroll by West Lake to enjoy the scenery. Suddenly a heavy rain fell. I hired a boat to go home, and met two ladies—one mistress and one maid—who came aboard together. I asked about their origins; the maid in the boat told me that they live in Double Tea Lane, the young lady is surnamed Bai, seventeen years old, named Zhenniang, and the maid is named Xiaoqing. When the boat reached shore, the rain had not yet stopped, so I lent them my umbrella to shelter their return. This morning I went to get the umbrella, and they kept me for a light meal. Moreover, the young lady, with great kindness, did not disdain my poverty and wished to marry me. I declined on grounds of poverty, and she gave me one hundred taels of silver. Now I have come specially to ask my brother-in-law and sister to preside over the match for me." He then handed the silver to Xu Shi. Gongfu and his wife were overjoyed. Gongfu took the silver and examined it closely. He recognized the official stamp as that of Qiantang County treasury silver. He thought to himself: The lost silver from the treasury caused me to be punished; luckily this silver appears here. He then said: "Worthy brother-in-law, this marriage is sent by heaven. You sit at home for a while; I will go to the money shop and exchange this silver and return." Hanwen said: "Whatever my brother-in-law thinks best is fine." Gongfu took the silver ingots in his sleeve and ran straight to the county yamen. He knelt and reported, "Your Honor, there is a clue about the treasury silver lost last night in the vault." Having said that, he presented the two ingots. The magistrate took them and saw that they were indeed the treasury silver. He then called, "Li Sheng, where did you find these two ingots? Where is the thief?" Gongfu reported, "Your Honor, this humble constable has a brother-in-law named Xu Xian, who has lived in my house since childhood. This morning he went out, and I do not know where he became betrothed to two young women. Those women gave him this silver, and he brought it home and asked me to exchange it and officiate as the matchmaker for him. I recognized it as treasury silver and dared not conceal it. I tricked him into staying at home waiting, and have come especially to report this." Upon hearing this, the magistrate immediately issued a warrant and dispatched four constables to arrest Hanwen (Xu Xian) without delay. The constables took the order and flew to the Li household, swarming in. Hanwen saw them and did not know what was happening. He was about to ask when the constables threw an iron chain around his neck, locked him, and dragged him out, bringing him to the yamen hall to kneel. When the magistrate saw Hanwen's dignified bearing, he did not seem like a ruffian, so there must be some reason behind it. He softened his expression and asked, "Are you Xu Xian?" Hanwen replied, "This humble one is indeed Xu Xian." The magistrate said, "Where do you live? How old are you? Do you have parents or brothers? Are you married? Where did these two ingots come from? Confess truthfully before my bench, and you will be spared punishment." Hanwen said, "Your Honor, this humble one lives in this county, is seventeen years old, both parents deceased, and has no brothers. I have only an elder sister married to Li Gongfu as his wife. Since childhood I have lived in my brother-in-law's home, and he sent me to work in a medicine shop. I am not yet married. This silver was a gift from a friend. I beg Your Honor to judge fairly." The magistrate shouted, "Nonsense! What is that friend's name? Confess!" Hanwen thought to himself, She is a noble young lady. If I reveal the truth, I would bring shame to her family's reputation. Better that I suffer punishment than harm her. He called out, "O Blue-Heaven Magistrate, that friend is from another place, and this humble one has forgotten his name." Upon hearing this, the magistrate grew angry and threw down the entire bamboo tube of lots. The attendants shouted, and Hanwen was thrown to the ground and given forty heavy strokes of the yellow rod in the wind. Pitiful Hanwen, with his tender white skin, was beaten until both legs bled profusely and he lost consciousness, only reviving after a long while. Tears streaming from his eyes, he cried, "Your Honor, this humble man is wronged!" The magistrate scolded, "You dead slave! Someone has come forward to accuse you here, and you still dare to deny it?" Hanwen, hearing that someone had come forward, was frightened and cried, "Your Honor, this humble man is indeed wronged! Who is the accuser?" The magistrate then ordered Gongfu to come out and testify. Gongfu came out and said, "Brother-in-law, you yourself told me plainly that the Miss Bai gave you this silver to pledge your engagement, and you handed this silver to me and asked me to officiate. Because the treasury silver was lost, I am the keeper of the vault, and His Honor ordered me to investigate and recover it. If I fail, I am beaten every three days. I recognized these two ingots as treasury silver, and had no choice but to report you—it is not that I am without loyalty, but the beatings are unbearable. I now advise you to confess early and spare yourself further torture." Hanwen, confronted with Gongfu's firm testimony, turned pale with fright. He thought to himself: Miss, it is not that this young student is without loyalty and fears death and loves life, but since my brother-in-law bears witness, I cannot hide it with my mouth. I have no choice but to confess. He then gave a detailed account of the entire sequence: meeting the Miss at the West Lake while sweeping the grave, taking the boat and borrowing the umbrella, returning home, receiving the silver, and the betrothal. The magistrate ordered the scribe to record the confession and then said, "Xu Xian, my treasury lost one thousand taels of silver, which should be twenty ingots. Only these two are here—where are the other eighteen?" Hanwen said, "She only gave this humble one two ingots; I truly do not know about the other eighteen." The magistrate said, "In that case, I will send constables with you to arrest those two women, recover the remaining silver, and spare you punishment." Thereupon he issued a warrant and dispatched eight constables to go with Xu Xian to seize the two women. The constables took the order and flew out of the yamen; we shall not dwell on them. Now we speak of Lady Bai. After she gave the silver to Hanwen and he left, she could not stop worrying. She counted on her fingers and exclaimed, "Oh no!" Xiaoqing asked, "Your Ladyship, what is the matter?" Lady Bai said, "We should not have given that silver to Xu Lang. This silver is from the Qiantang county treasury, and his brother-in-law is now a constable there. If he sees this silver, Xu Lang will certainly be in trouble. You must go and find out what is happening." Xiaoqing accepted the order and immediately mounted the clouds, rising into the air. She indeed saw Hanwen being tortured in the yamen hall, with Gongfu testifying against him, forcing him to confess the truth. She also saw the magistrate sending constables to arrest him. Xiaoqing was greatly alarmed, turned her cloud around, and returned to see Lady Bai, reporting everything in detail. After hearing this, Lady Bai pondered for a long while and said, "Xiaoqing, for the time being we should avoid them. Leave the treasury silver for them, so that Xu Lang will not suffer further torture." Xiaoqing said, "Your Ladyship's judgment is sound." We shall not dwell on the two spirits taking refuge. Now, the constables arrived at Shuangcha Lane, broke into the garden, searched everywhere, but found no trace of anyone. They only saw eighteen ingots of treasury silver placed under the pavilion. They questioned the local neighbors and all said this was the Wang family's empty garden, with no one living there, and that monsters often appeared in the garden, so no one dared to enter. The constables could only take the silver and bring Hanwen back to the hall, where they knelt and reported, "We went to the Qiu Wang mansion garden to arrest the women, but found no trace. Only eighteen ingots of treasury silver were under the pavilion." They then presented the silver. The magistrate had the silver taken into the treasury and called Hanwen forward, saying, "For stealing treasury silver, the crime should be punishable by decapitation, but considering your youth and that you were harmed by a demon, I shall leniently sentence you to exile and send you to the Suzhou Xujiang Post Station." He then called, "Li Sheng, take him back to your home and await my official documents." Gongfu took the order and led Hanwen home. Lady Xu (Hanwen's sister) greeted them, her tears falling in streams. She cried, "Brother, our parents gave you life, and now you have been harmed by a demon. Fortunately, your brother-in-law recognized the treasury silver and reported it—otherwise, if you had been seduced by that demon, your life would have been lost. May you have a safe journey and return in three years." The two were still grieving when Old Master Wang heard the news and came to visit. When Hanwen saw Old Master Wang, he became even more sorrowful. The old master also wept and said, "Good nephew, I never expected you to encounter such a calamity. It is also your fate. I have a few taels of silver as a small token for you to cover travel expenses. In Suzhou, I have a sworn brother named Wu Renjie, who also runs a herbal medicine shop on Wujia Lane. I am writing a letter for you to take with you. When he sees my letter, he will surely look after you." Hanwen said, "I am deeply grateful for your great kindness, which I will never forget for all my life." The old master then wrote a letter and handed it to Hanwen, then took his leave. Within a few days, the superior authorities issued the dispatch, ordering that he depart within three days. The magistrate endorsed the documents and assigned two long-distance escorts to accompany him. The escorts received the documents and came to the Li household. The brothers embraced and wept bitterly once more. Gongfu gave gifts to the escorts. Hanwen had no choice but to set out with the escorts. Gongfu accompanied him out to the ten-li pavilion outside the city before taking his leave. This departure was destined: just as he fled the tiger's den, he would fall into the fox's lair. If you wish to know what follows, read the next chapter for the resolution.