The story goes that Liu Yanyu could not help being surprised and thrilled after hearing Nanny Jiang’s words. Quickly she grabbed the wet nurse and yelled, “Oh my nanny!”
“I lost my birth mother when I was young
I still was bullied even though I had Madam Liu as my mother
Thanks to you, my wet nurse’s sympathy
We have accompanied each other here for several years
My dream from last night reflected what would happen today
Please, my nanny, help me to save the man
Though I am not supposed to go out without permission
It is also—my doomed fate that could not be challenged
As Shaohua is predestined to become a noble
I should not resist—going to the garden and saving him
We can ask Jinxi to head outside first
Playing some tricks to conceal our scheme
Fuddle other servants with tons of wine
So we can go out of the inner chambers
It is not that I have no principles as an unmarried lady
I just have pity for the hero’s misfortune
Since my birth mother came into my dream
Lonely girl as I am, how can I disobey her words
If I miss this opportunity tonight
Being dependent on my father and mother—how could they offer me an easy life?
If you, my nanny, can help me realize my dream
Let us discuss right now without any hesitation”
After these words, the commandery mistress was in great sorrow
Her tears dripped down and dampened her silk clothes
Hearing upon these, Nanny Jiang was pleased
Praising how great the young lady’s idea was:
“Since we have your birth mother’s words in the dream
This does not count as— infamous elopement or licentious behavior
Though the marquis and the lady were both present
They treated you, my dear young lady, so differently
So you were always concerned about your orphaned condition
Not knowing—at which year and month you could be married
Sitting alone inside the boudoir all day long
Who will not be afraid—the flowery face in the mirror fades away
I heard that people outside all praised
The young master Shaohua as handsome with dignified manners
Not only is his appearance unmatched
He is a complete genius in both literature and military
He once performed archery in the mansion of the Ministry of War
Our family’s young master could not compete with him
Though he is already engaged with a first wife
Why not you, my young lady, be his concubine?
Not to mention that marriage is decided by the heavens
Our Aunty1—thus came to your secluded room with the dream
The young lady Meng is so virtuous
That she will call you sisters2 and never treat you shabbily
If the young master does reach a high position
His principal wife will have benefit and you will also become a princess
My dear young lady, tonight you must consider carefully
Please make up your mind without any hesitation
I will go to the wing-room to inform Jinxi
Asking him to go outside and scheme carefully
There will not be any other person in Xiaochun Courtyard
Allowing you and me to go meet the hero”
The commandery mistress instructed the nanny to be careful in a low voice:
“Do not leak out this message
I am counting on you, my nanny
Please do not let the stigma burden me”
The Third Sister complied and hurriedly set off
She returned to the wing-room and spoke in a low voice
The story goes that Jiang the Third Sister returned to the wing-room and spoke of what had happened to her son. Jinxi nodded, “So, let me go outside to prepare, and if everything goes well, I will come inside to let you know.” The Nanny Jiang swiftly returned inside. Immediately, Jinxi walked into Xiaochun Courtyard and saw Huangfu Shaohua idly drinking alone, with two of his own servants and one servant of the Liu house standing by. Shaohua walked out from his position and ordered, “Clear the wine and food. I am already drunk.” All the servants reached forward to clean up. Jinxi smiled, “Uncles, please have a rest outside. I will be here to serve the young master.” Shaohua said, “Yes, you can leave. I do not require you here.”
Those servants answered in succession
One by one they turned around to leave
Jinxi stepped forward and smiled:
“Today our young master left the house
It is always difficult to drink more when you are bored
I am sorry my master’s going alone make you feel wronged
Honorable young master, please relax and have a sit in the courtyard
Allow your humble servant to bring the tea here”
After these words, leaving with the cleared cups and plates
Then Jinxi went to the gate house to persuade other servants:
“Today even the lady is out
Why not drink your fill till the night?
Please allow me to be the host to treat you
Feel free to get drunk and just relax”
All the servants together stood up
They repeatedly complimented Jinxi as the young God of Wealth:
“We all see you as the head of our servants
You better take out strings of cash for today”
Hearing this, Jinxi promised, “Just leave it to me!”
He retrieved five hundred of cash to give to the crowd
Immediately, they stated to slice meat and fry bamboo shoots
In no time, everyone held up the wine pots and raised their cups
It was so lively when they played drinking games
Throwing dice for gambling with loud laughters
Putting aside the matter in the gate house outside
Let us turn to how dangerous it is to save the misfortunate Shaohua
After making all the people take a seat at the table
Jinxi himself made an excuse and left
Finished bringing the tea, Jinxi sent the message to his mother
He sat tight at the two gates of the garden
The wet nurse ran fast to the young lady’s boudoir
She whispered what happened in the young lady’s ear
The young lady’s lotus-like face3 changed
She was trembling and was afraid to move
At that moment the Third Sister became extremely worried
She moved close to hold the rouge candle near the red lamp
Calling: “Young lady, please go to the front
To see the door of the room of the lady
To know whether they have locked the door properly
Be careful since they entrusted you with the household’s security”
Hearing upon the words, the beauty4 had no other alternative
Her heart was beating ever so fast with great concern
She could only stand up and walk outside
Turning back to ask the young servant-girl not to follow
Feiyan agreed and sat inside the room
The wet nurse turned around and said with a smile:
“You, little girl, like to follow the crowd
After a while you will definitely sneak out
Let me go with the door locked
Let us see—whether you can escape or not”
She told the young servant-girl this half-truth
Locking the door of the inner room with cooper rings
Silently Nanny Jiang turned back to the corridor
Yanyu was worried and questioned what to do:
“Being a young frail lady who always lived in my boudoir
How can I go outside and meet strange men in the dark of night?
In a while when we meet in the garden
You, my nanny, please convey the message to help me settle down this marriage”
Hearing this the wet nurse immediately urged the young lady to go:
“We will not be able to save him if the message is exposed
It will be hard to stop plans that have gone this far
Even if you are frightened you should proceed”
With these words, the young lady moved her steps
Having no choice but to lower her head, crossing through the arched door
As the garden approached, she raised her head and looked
There seemed to be a man walking near the door
Seeing the man, the young beauty was terrified
Even her fragrant soul was scared to escape her body
Quickly she hid behind the wet nurse
Softly blowing out the light in her hand
Jinxi who stayed at the door was panicked
He walked quietly and first called to his mother:
“Do not be frightened—nor concerned—
Go quickly to explain to the young lady
I am staying in front of the garden to monitor
If anyone comes, I will secretly let you know”
Hearing that, Nanny Jiang felt reassured
Knowing these, Yanyu was much relieved
It was hard to light the candle again after being extinguished
Edging their way, Yanyu and Nanny Jiang simply stepped into the garden
Heart tormented—she suspected someone was coming as leaves trembled in the wind
Attitude hesitant—she was afraid the birds would be startled when her sleeves touched the flower branches
Steps light—she could not walk stably because the little rocks snagged her shoes
Sound muted—her long dress dragged on the ground and the jade pendant chimed
Glancing about frequently—she was afraid that the door would close in front of her
Awash with trepidation—she was more afraid of the deep grass behind her
The wet nurse Jiang held the commandery mistress’s arm
Slowly they together entered the Xiaochun Courtyard
Putting aside Yanyu, the daughter of Liu
Let us turn to the hero, the young master Huangfu
He felt bored staying alone in the study
Wandered around, he only saw poems and essays on the four walls
Moving the lamp, he read meticulously all around
Loudly, he evaluated the writings as he read
Turned around, he returned next to the agarwood shelf
And selected a military book to browse for a while
Slapping the table, he made a long sigh: “How respectful!
The ancient people left this gift to miraculous heroes
I, Shaohua, knew all the art of war well
But, I had not fought a war for the emperor yet”
After speaking, pacing back and forth, he eventually extinguished the candle
And continued thinking and talking to himself in Xiaochun Courtyard
[1] Refers to Yanyu’s birth mother, Master Liu’s dead concubine. [2] In polygamous imperial China, wives of the same man call each other sisters. [3] The original text is furong mian 芙蓉面 [face like a lotus]. It is using lotus as a metaphor for women’s beautiful faces. [4] The original text is duojiao 多娇 [so much beauty]. It refers to the young lady Yanyu here.
