The story goes that Master Qin’s sedan came to the front of the house. He only saw that there was already another sedan parked there. He didn’t know who came before him, so he ordered the servant to report his arrival to the house: “Provincial Administration Commissioner Master Qin has come to visit.”
The servant rushed to the main gate
To report Qin’s arrival to Minister Meng
It happened to be Master Gu that had arrived earlier
He was being offered a seat and hadn’t begun to talk yet
Upon hearing that the Provincial Administration Commissioner had arrived
Master Gu came out together with the Minister to welcome him
The Provincial Administration Commissioner, Master Qin, hurried to get off the sedan
Entering the hall, bowing to the host, and sitting on the guest’s seat
As soon as the first cup of fragrant tea was served
Meng, the Minister of War — took a seat and delightfully inquired
“Sir Provincial Administration Commissioner, what are your requests
Seeing today you came to our humble house?”
Master Qin didn’t waste time speaking courteous remarks
He immediately reported the marriage offer
“Master!—I humbly come to visit you today
Seeking to form ties of good marriage with your daughter
The Commissioner-in-Chief himself specially wrote me a letter
Urging me to put in a good word as a matchmaker
He has long been admiring the talent and appearance of your daughter
The news has spread throughout the entire Yunnan Prefecture
The virtuous young master
Is just at the youthful age of fifteen
Skilled at martial arts, his proficiency is truly unmatched
Well-read in literature, his knowledge is naturally unparalleled
Who can compare to his heroic attitude and appearance?
He is the pinnacle of broad breadth of mind and ambitions
Although in today’s court, he has not yet worn the jade belt
In the near future, he is sure to walk in the Golden Chime Hall
Master has seen him before in banquets
You know the words of a humble official are not lies
A fair lady is well matched with a talented young man
Clear ice is complemented with sleek jade
If I receive your favor in accepting this golden marriage
When I deliver the good news I will also gain face”
The Provincial Administration Commissioner finished his speech and bowed deeply
Trying to ensure this good marriage eagerly
“Master!—Shaohua isn’t a commoner
Please think thrice before making a decision”
The Minister of War had not yet responded
Master Gu laughed and said:
“What a surprise! Master Qin, I happen to come with the same intentions as you.”
“Today I also come as a matchmaker
Visiting the young miss to ask her to form a good marriage
I didn’t expect you, master, to speak first
How could I dare mention it now?”
Upon hearing this, the Minister smiled
He thanked the Provincial Administration Commissioner deeply for his kindness
“My daughter Lijun is at the age of fifteen
I originally wanted to form this connection of marriage earlier
I have indeed noticed the young master Shaohua
He truly is a hero born in a general’s family
Besides, I am also a good friend of the Commissioner-in-chief
What reason do I have not to approve this connection through marriage?
It is only that our hometowns are too far apart
In the future, she would need to travel a long way to visit her parents
I am from Yunnan while he is from Huguang
We are separated not only by thousands of miles
So let us take our time to talk about this matter
I also have the intention to establish this tie of kinship
Since you specially came to act as a matchmaker
I will definitely reply with good news in a few days”
Master Meng finished his words and the Provincial Administration Commissioner was happy
He bowed and thanked the minister again and again
He was grateful that Master Meng’s words did not cause him to lose face
He could now politely bid farewell and report back to the Commissioner-in-chief
Master Qin was afraid that Master Meng would change his mind
So he stood up and immediately prepared to leave
Gu, Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial —who came with enthusiasm but hadn’t spoken a single word
He couldn’t help but be anxious and wore an angry face
The minister noticed and held both of them back
Waiting for them to take a seat again, he asked
“I did not expect you to be matchmakers on the same day
Sir, which household are you entrusted by?”
Hearing the question, the Minister of Rites hurried to open his mouth
Making a bow and greeting the minister
“Please forgive me with your great magnanimity
Please allow me to propose a marriage
My humble nephew is Liu Kuibi
This year, he just reached the age of sixteen
His stern father is a marquis living in the imperial province
His loving mother enjoys family life in the household
It is not a lie that he has both talent and a good-looking appearance
It is true that he has ambitious aspirations
He already possesses the ardent loyalty to serve the emperor
He has prepared sufficient filial piety to present to his parents
He is just sixteen and at the peak of his youth
And has not formed any marriages with other matched households
He has long admired the great parenting style of your family
So I came to talk with your daughter about this marriage proposal
My humble sister has urged me repeatedly
That I must manage to get this marriage settled
I dare to praise my nephew as a sleek jade
So I also compare you, his father-in-law, as the clear ice
If you, master, look upon him with favor
Kuibi the young master of the Liu will immediately set the engagement”
The Provincial Administration Commissioner also act as the matchmaker
A genius is needed to weigh and consider what to do at present
Master Gu explained clearly his reason of coming
The Minister of War was privately thinking it over:
“Ah! What should I do?”
“How could the strength of the Marquis be normal?
The Commissioner-in-chief was also powerful and resourceful
I had seen both of the young masters
Shaohua was of course more than incomparable
Today they called a matchmaker on the same day
It was difficulty for me to make a decision
If I agreed to the Provincial Administration Commissioner Qin
How could I reject the Minister of Rites Gu?
My dear daughter Lijun was indeed a gentry lady
Normally she should marry the young master Huangfu
It was hard to speak directly to the Master Gu
Not to mention that the Marquis had the aura of power
Today I encountered such a difficult thing
I, Minister of War—should find a way to show off my talent”
Here is an error:
Provincial Administration Commissioner Qin—did not GOT up until bowing onto his hands for three times
should be “did not GET up”
Here is a mistake:
One—a suave gentleman adorned with emerald-sleeved garbs and a garland atop his head
The other—a gallant woman suited in embroidered armor and a golden helmet
一個是，金盔繡甲風流客。(男)
一個是，翠袖花冠美貌君。（女）
“emerald-sleeved garbs and a garland atop” is a description for the woman
” in embroidered armor and a golden helmet” is a description for the gentleman