Chapter 9

Poem: 　　　　Hiding tracks in famous mountains, autumns have already passed, 　　　　Perching on clouds and mooring in mists, leaving the orchid boat. 　　　　Metal Lord and Wood Mother find grievances hard to resolve, 　　　　Giving birth to the literary star, they bow before the imperial crown. 　　Now speaking of Xu Hanwen, after being struck and thumped by the two fiends, the Bai woman and Xiaoqing, he still recognized them and returned together with them to Qiantang, taking a boat to arrive at the Li family home. Just as Gongfu was standing at the threshold, Hanwen walked up before him, and Gongfu, filled with joy in his heart, hurried inside and called out, "Virtuous wife, your younger brother has returned." When Xu Jiaorong heard this, filled with joy, she stepped out of the hall in three or two steps. Seeing Hanwen standing in front of the hall with two elegant women, Hanwen stepped forward to pay his respects to his elder sister. Madam Xu said, "Congratulations on your return home today, younger brother. Who are these two women?" Hanwen said, "One is my wife, Bai Zhenniang, and the other is the maid Xiaoqing." Madam Xu said, "So it is the young mistress." Bai and Xiaoqing also stepped forward to exchange greetings. Everyone sat down and recounted their feelings of separation. 　　Madam Xu said, "Younger brother, ever since you left the house under criminal charges, I have had no peace day or night. Fortunately, last winter I received news from you and you sent silver, so I finally knew younger brother was in Suzhou's Ruyi. Later, I heard that because of an affair you were reassigned to Zhenjiang, turning my joy into sorrow. Today, I am simply glad that husband and wife have returned together—this is the greatest of fortunes." 　　Hanwen was just about to answer, but Bai, fearing his words would not match up, hurriedly stepped forward to respond, "Elder sister, it was simply because we were on duty in Suzhou the year before last, and on the Patriarch's sacred birthday, it was customary to display precious treasures. It was I who took the heirloom treasures left by my late father and had the master arrange them. Afterwards, due to the master's birthday, they were arranged in the hall once more. Who could have known where some violent bandits would see the treasures and have their hearts moved, impersonating [officials] to lure the master, extracting a false confession through torture, and sentencing him to exile in Zhenjiang? I had no choice but to pack up the silver, entrust it to your esteemed household, and follow to Zhenjiang to serve him. Because the master went out for leisure on New Year's Day at Jinshan, he was deceived by the demonic monk Fahai, who wanted him to shave his head and become a monk. When I, your younger maid, heard of this, I went with the maidservant to Jinshan to seek out and retrieve the master. Who would have known that the waters of Zhenjiang would rise and flood the entire city? Fortunately protected by Heaven, I escaped disaster at Jinshan. Now I have returned with the master, temporarily borrowing your esteemed household's residence to lodge briefly before we find another place to settle. I hope the elder sister will graciously grant this." Madam Xu said, "Younger brother, this young mistress is so virtuous that she is hard to find in this world; I advise you not to act as a heartless person. It's just that your foolish sister's house is narrow and small—how would it be to stay here temporarily for now?" Gongfu said, "That is fine. Right next door there are two rooms that are quite spacious and are currently up for sale. Let me discuss the price with the owner so the transaction can be completed." Hearing this, Hanwen was greatly overjoyed. 　　Madam Xu immediately went to prepare wine to welcome them, setting out two separate banquets: Gongfu and Hanwen in the hall, and Madam Xu with Bai and Xiaoqing in the inner rooms. Amidst the conversation at the banquet, they learned that Elder Wang had already passed away. Hanwen thought of past events and could not suppress his sighs. When the banquet ended, Gongfu cleared out the outer rooms for Hanwen and the others to dwell in for the night. 　　At dawn, Gongfu took out the silver that had been originally deposited with him and handed it to Hanwen. Hanwen said, "Brother-in-law, why did you need to take it out? You can use this silver to buy a house and household utensils for your younger brother; if there is any surplus, it can be used for our livelihood." Gongfu said, "Since it is thus, I shall accept it for now, and as for all matters, I will go and manage them." Hanwen said, "I rely entirely on brother-in-law's support." Gongfu smiled and said, "You and I are the closest of kin; why speak such words?" He then put the silver away and went right to inquire of the former owner to discuss the house. One discussion and it was settled, whereupon contracts were drawn up and the silver was paid over clearly. Gongfu also went to purchase miscellaneous goods and household utensils, making every single item complete. Selecting an auspicious day, Hanwen moved in. Gongfu handed the remaining silver over to Hanwen, who expressed his utmost gratitude. Consulting with Bai, they reopened their medicine shop as before. The doors of the two households connected, and they frequently visited each other. 　　Because of the flooding of Zhenjiang, which had mistakenly harmed living creatures, Bai set up an incense table in the garden every night, burning incense and praying in the hope of erasing her sins. Exactly as the poem says: 　　　　Privately wishing completely for wind and waves to calm, 　　　　Who could have expected the billows to rise once more? 　　Leaving Bai aside for the moment, let us speak again of the Perfected Man Lu Yi who, having been humiliated by Bai on that day, returned to the mountain filled with resentment and practiced Daoist cultivation. In the mountain, he took a centipede spirit as a disciple. One day, while cultivating in his cave, he thought: "The centipede's magical arts are already proficient; I cannot but lead him down the mountain to go take my revenge." He then called out, "Where is disciple?" Hearing his master's call, the centipede stepped forward and replied, "Disciple is here. What are your instructions?" The Perfected Man said, "Virtuous disciple, I called you out for no other reason than because the year before last, at the Lü Patriarch Temple in Suzhou, I was suspended and humiliated by the white snake spirit of Qingcheng Mountain, a grudge that has yet to be avenged. Now the white snake is currently in Hangzhou, and I intend to take you down the mountain to Hangzhou to exterminate this fiend so as to wash away the hatred of the previous year. What do you think?" The centipede leaped with joy and said, "Disciple is willing to go down the mountain with Master to exterminate the fiend and exact revenge." Seeing this, the Perfected Man was overjoyed. Immediately taking the centipede out of the cave, the master and disciple rode upon the clouds and headed toward Hangzhou. 　　In less than a moment's time, they arrived in Hangzhou. The two pressed down the clouds and took up residence within the City God Temple. The Perfected Man said, "Virtuous disciple, when you go to eliminate the snake monster, you must be careful, advance according to circumstances, and not let her escape." Receiving his command, the centipede rode the clouds to arrive inside Bai's garden, staying and waiting there, of which no more need be said. 　　Now speaking of Bai, when she saw that the watch of the night was deep and quiet, she went to the garden again to burn incense and offer prayers. Just as she was about to lower her head and bow, the centipede saw her clearly and flew out. Bai suddenly smelled a fishy stench, and looking up, she was so startled that her soul fluttered and she fell to the ground. The centipede opened its mouth and was just about to peck at her when, unexpectedly, the Boy Baiying arrived in midair. Knowing that Bai was in disaster and acting upon the Buddha-decree of the Bodhisattva, he had flown over. Seeing that the centipede was about to deliver its poisonous bite, he hurriedly flew down from the edge of the clouds and gave a single peck right on the centipede's head, instantly pecking away half its body while the other half lay horizontally on the ground. The boy saved Bai and returned directly to the South China Sea to report on his mission. 　　At this time, Xiaoqing was outside and, hearing the cries in the garden, hurried inside. Seeing Bai fallen on the ground, she received a shock and hastily aided and revived Bai, asking, "My Lady, why is this so?" Bai settled her wits and only then replied, "Xiaoqing, just now when I came in and was about to burn incense and bow, I do not know where a large centipede came from, with steel teeth and sharp mouth, pecking toward me. I fell to the ground in fright. How did you know someone came to save me?" Xiaoqing said, "I heard My Lady's startled cry, and therefore I came in. The centipede must have already left." Thereupon she supported Bai and returned her to her room. 　　Let us speak again of the Perfected Man Lu Yi in the temple. Not seeing the centipede return, he grew anxious with waiting and immediately rode the clouds to come and inspect. Suddenly, he saw the centipede pecked to death upon the ground, and he was extremely terrified. Xiaoqing, having supported Bai into her room, turned around and re-entered the garden to clear away the incense table. Seeing a half-centipede amidst the flowers and beside the grasses, she was in the midst of shock and doubt when she abruptly raised her head and saw the Perfected Man Lu Yi standing upon the clouds. Xiaoqing understood the matter in her heart, soared up into the clouds, and cursed, "You wicked Daoist! My Lady was merciful the year before last and could not bear to harm you, sparing your dog's life. Instead of thinking of repaying this kindness, today you actually came with this evil centipede to try and harm my Lady! By heavenly luck this evil centipede perished by itself, otherwise I would have nearly fallen victim to your poisonous hands." The Perfected Man cursed, "Wicked beast! You killed my disciple—this adds hatred upon hatred." Xiaoqing grew furious and slashed across his face with her flying sword. The Perfected Man met her blow head-on with the horsetail whisk in his hand. After the two fought for several bouts, Xiaoqing untied her blue damask sash, cast it into the air, and it transformed into a binding immortal rope, tying up the Perfected Man. She then ordered the Yellow-Turban Warriors to throw the Perfected Man into the Eastern Ocean. Xiaoqing put away the green silk handkerchief, descended from the clouds, and walked into the room. She called out, "Milady, it turned out to be that wild Daoist Lu Yi from the Lü Zu Temple in former years, come with this venomous centipede to seek revenge. I cast the green silk handkerchief and flung them into the Eastern Sea. But I do not know who will come to eliminate this venomous centipede and save you, Milady." Bai Shi pinched her fingers and made a calculation, then called out, "Xiaoqing, it was the White Oriole Youth sent by the Buddha of the Southern Sea who came to our rescue." Thereupon she and Xiaoqing went out of the room, faced the sky, and bowed in thanks for the Buddha's life-saving grace. Because Bai Shi had suffered this fright, she took to her bed with illness. Han Wen was alarmed and tended to her day and night. When Xu Shi heard of this, she also came to visit. Entering the room and taking a seat, Xu Shi said, "I have heard that you are unwell, so I have come especially to inquire after you." Bai Shi said, "My humble person is temporarily indisposed; to have troubled you to come, my lady, is more than I deserve." Xiaoqing brought tea into the room, and after tea was finished, Xu Shi said, "Your pregnancy has now reached its full term; you must take extra care with your health. I hope you will give birth to a son, to continue the Xu family line." Bai Shi said, "Many thanks for your golden words. I have heard that your pregnancy coincides with mine. I have something to say, but I do not know if you would deign to listen?" Xu Shi smiled and said, "We are close kin; what instruction do you have? I will certainly comply." Bai Shi smiled and said, "My pregnancy and yours both reach full term this month. If both families bear sons, let them become brothers; if both bear daughters, let them become sisters; if one bears a son and the other a daughter, let them be betrothed. What does my lady think?" Xu Shi was delighted and said, "This is a fine matter, and I am happy to agree. It is settled with one word, never to be changed." Bai Shi was about to reply when Han Wen walked into the room, so Bai Shi told him the whole story. Han Wen was overjoyed and said, "Since my sister-in-law has made this kind offer, I have a small token as a betrothal gift." So saying, he took off the jade ring from his hand and gave it to Xu Shi. Xu Shi also took a golden hairpin from her head and handed it to Han Wen. Both sides received their tokens. Han Wen kept his sister-in-law and entertained her with wine and food. After the feast, Xu Shi took her leave and returned, telling her husband Gongfu the whole story of the betrothal. Gongfu was also filled with boundless joy. Thus: Today they bind the silk-and-rose festivity, Another day they shall share the honor of imperial decrees. Now to the tale: because Bai Shi had not yet recovered from her illness and had spoken with Xu Shi at length, she disturbed the fetal energy. By nightfall, she began to suffer abdominal pains. Han Wen and Xiaoqing both attended her in the chamber. At the third watch, the zi hour, red light filled the room—the literary star descended to the world. Xiaoqing picked up the child and saw it was a boy. She and Han Wen were overjoyed. They helped Bai Shi onto the bed and were busy all night until dawn. When Gongfu heard the news, he came to offer congratulations. On the third day, a festive banquet was held at home. Han Wen invited his brother-in-law and sister-in-law to come and share the celebration wine. The child was named Mengjiao, style Yingyuan. They drank merrily at the feast, cups and plates in disarray. Gongfu smiled and said to Han Wen, "Now that you have been blessed with a jade unicorn, I wonder what will befall your sister-in-law?" Han Wen laughed and said, "Brother-in-law, heaven follows man's wishes—she will certainly bear a daughter, no doubt." The whole table roared with laughter. As dusk fell, the feast dispersed. That night, Xu Shi returned home, and late in the night she felt abdominal pains. By dawn she gave birth—indeed it was a daughter. Gongfu and Xu Shi were also delighted, taking it as a fulfillment of their wish. When Han Wen and Bai Shi heard the news, they were even more joyful. Han Wen promptly prepared red silk and brocade, and on the third day sent them to his brother-in-law's home. Gongfu accepted them and invited Han Wen over to share the celebration wine. The daughter was named Bilian. During the feast, Han Wen said to Gongfu, "Brother-in-law, I said my sister-in-law would certainly bear a daughter—and now it has come to pass." Gongfu laughed heartily, and after the feast they dispersed and returned home. From then on, the two families, joined by marriage, grew even closer. But who knew that Bai Shi would—just having escaped a mountain tiger, she would soon encounter a water dragon. If you wish to know what followed, listen to the next installment for the resolution.