The story goes that when seeing the red robe had broken, Huangfu Shaohua was greatly delighted and whipped his horse on to catch the robe.
The general whipped the horse on
He caught the robe with a beam
To his servant, he handed the bow and arrow
Like a tiger, he jumped off the saddle
Joyful eyebrows—cheerful face—
He strode while putting on the robe
Scaly golden-python coat wrapped around his body
Colorful clouds drifted on the layers of his brocade sleeves
Spring winds blew across his peach-blossom-like face
Joy popped out across his willow-leaf-like eyebrows
His dignity was doubly demonstrated and his characters was exceptional
His heroism grew greater and his bearing was graceful
He entered the pavilion to move the armchair
He addressed the master delightedly, bending over:
“Master, please sit on the chair, and wait for me to pay obeisance as your son-in-law.”
After these words, the hero tidied up his clothes and hat
Bowing eight times, he called Master Meng his father-in-law:
“Thank you for giving me the robe and contributing to a couple’s relationship
Starting from today, the Huangfu family and the Meng family will unite by marriage
I shall return home and report to my father
We will choose an auspicious day to send betrothal gifts and complete the wedding”
Seeing the young hero bowed and addressed his father-in-law
Minister Meng—hurriedly upheld him with gratification in his heart
Radiant with satisfaction, he said to Shaohua: “my worthy son-in-law,
Congratulations to your prestigious family for having such an outstanding young man
All three arrows hit the targets without any mistake
No wonder your fame is well known within the four seas
It is the blessing of three lifetimes for my delicate daughter
To marry such an outstanding young man
You two become a couple today
Your father and I—will be so delighted to have more connections through this marriage
For convenience, let us ask the matchmaker, Provincial Administration Commissioner Qin
To settle this marriage bound to last for a hundred years
I, the old one, feel shameful for your humble words
You, my eligible son-in-law, addressed a decent speech
Thank the heavens for this coincidence
This story will be praised far and wide for ten thousand of years”
The Master finished talking about the joy in his heart
Took the hero’s arms and in return bowed with hands folded
The father-in-law and son-in-law restored their courtesy
An abundance of praises was left regarding the young hero
Young master Liu next to them was annoyed
He grew fidgety either standing or sitting
More and more anger rose from his eyebrows
A flushed rage silently covered his face
His malevolence grew inwardly
He wished he could—stamp his feet and slash his own throat with a sword
He went forward and congratulated Huangfu reluctantly
Bowed several times and bid farewell to go back home
Knowing that he was unable to retain Liu
The Minister of War saw him off the garden cordially
Holding Liu’s hand, Shaohua sent him off together
Liu Kuibi—leapt upon the saddle with his eyes ablaze with anger
The son-in-law and father-in-law went back together
The student from the Hanlin Academy smiled and said:
“Brother Liu didn’t blame his lack of mastery
Instead, he was seized by anger that showed up on his face
My brother-in-law has offered him opportunities before
But he was too weak to draw the icy string
Marriage is also predestined in the previous life
There is no need to be reluctant at this moment
To leave and leap onto his horse so hurriedly
Brother Liu’s shallow sense is shameful indeed”
Hearing the words, the Minister slightly smiled:
“Young man—do not use words to hurt people without consideration
All those surrounding us were laughing at him
So he cannot be calm with his angry feelings
It may be assumed that everything is predestined
Do not mock young master Liu for his imperfect skills”
With that being said, everyone reentered the pavilion to sit
The Minister turned and gave orders to prepare a feast
The servants said yes and hurried to deliver the order
In a moment the kitchen finished preparing
The Minister set a lower feast inviting family guards to drink
And an upper feast was arranged in the garden
Sitting in the middle was the honored son-in-law
With his father-in-law accompanying him in the seat of the host
The student from the Hanlin Academy, Jialing, sat below
A grand feast was set in the flower pavilion
They only saw that—misty clouds coming from where the brocade screen opened
With the incense burner tilted, the fragrance of rue curled upwards
In this gorgeous feast, women’s golden hairpins flashed
In delicate cups, the wine rippled as if jade lotuses bloomed
Willow leaves fluttered, forming a green mist circled around the seats
Apricot flowers flied, causing a pink rain caressing the curtain
Soft wind blew as butterflies drifted about
The gentle sun went down as crows returned
The warm spring celebration in the garden was precious
It was even more pleasant for people to fully enjoy themselves
In the pavilion, when people were just enjoying drinking together
They saw that—through the window the sun at west was setting
