Chapter Two: A Spring Outing on Qingming Day Brings a Chance Meeting with a Beauty — At the Warm Jade Tower a Fan-Pendant Is Thrown as a Token of Promise

Now Hou Chaozong had long wished to seek out a beautiful woman, and Yang Longyou had just by chance mentioned the celebrated courtesan Xiangjun. Chaozong turned the matter over and over in his mind but dared not take it too seriously: on one hand he feared that since Longyou was an old acquaintance of Ruan Yuanhai's, this might be a false kindness or a joke at his expense; on the other hand his own means were thin and meager, and he had no money to furnish the gifts and trousseau proper to the occasion. Turning restlessly this way and that, he was in a state of aimless dejection when he suddenly heard someone calling at the door: "Is Young Master Hou at home?" Before he could step out to look, Liu Jingting had already walked in. The two had barely exchanged greetings when Jingting said: "Here we are in this fine third month of brilliant sunshine, lodged in the city of the Six Dynasties' former glories, with pleasure-seekers thronging the lanes — yet you sit brooding in your study. Are you not wasting the flower-festival days?" Chaozong replied: "I have long wished to go out, but had no companion; even with fine scenery, one feels the loneliness of being alone." Jingting said: "I have nothing to do today — shall I accompany you to view the blossoms and walk on the spring grass?" Chaozong said: "Capital!" He changed his clothes, went out with Jingting, and they set off toward the east of the city. Along the road they saw willows green and peach blossoms red, too many beauties to take in at leisure, and spring outings of ladies and gentlemen at every turn.

As they walked on, Jingting pointed ahead: "That is the Qinhuai River. Cross that long bridge and you come to the famous neighborhood of the sisters." Chaozong looked carefully and saw windows wreathed in blue-green mist, red apricot blossoms peeping over the walls, black-lacquered double doors, each adorned with a sprig of dewy, tender willow. He asked Jingting: "What place is this, so charming and inviting?" Jingting said: "This whole lane is the old pleasure quarter. Beautiful women are plentiful here, and that tall gateway is Li Zhenli's house." At the sound of the name "Zhenli," Chaozong recalled what Longyou had said, and asked: "Is her daughter Xiangjun inside?" Jingting replied: "Mother and daughter — where else would they be?" Chaozong pulled Jingting hastily along and knocked at the gate. A voice inside called: "Who is there? Mistress and young Miss are not at home." Hearing this, Chaozong was truly anxious. He thought to himself: "If she is not here, she must have gone out on a spring outing somewhere. I shall sit and wait for a while!" So he sat down on the stone bench before the gate, immovable as a stone himself. Though Jingting urged him in every possible way, he would not stir, and there he sat like a man lost in a waking dream. Just when things seemed hopeless, they suddenly heard someone call his name. He looked up and saw Yang Longyou and Su Kunsheng approaching side by side, bowing with clasped hands: "Brother Hou, here you are! We two have just been to your lodgings looking for you — we heard you had gone out with Jingting for a spring outing, and here we happen upon you, how fortunate! But tell us, Brother Hou, why do you linger here so?" Jingting said: "I and Brother Hou came this way on our spring outing, and he had heard the name of Xiangjun and wished to call on her. But she was not in, and so Brother Hou is in the state you see." Yang and Su said: "Brother Hou, today is the Qingming festival, and the sisters of the house have all gone to the boxed-lunch gathering — how could they be at home?" Chaozong said: "I wonder where they have gone for the gathering?" Kunsheng said: "Today Xiangjun's aunt Bian Yujing is hosting the gathering at the Warm Jade Tower. Brother Hou, why not take advantage of this fine occasion and come along to the tower? It would be worth a look." Longyou added: "The two of us came on purpose for Brother Hou's happy affair. The Warm Jade Tower is not far from here — let us all go together and have a look, so that Brother Hou may set his mind at rest." Chaozong, hearing this, hastily rose and bowed to the two, saying: "I count on all of you to escort and assist me — I shall repay the kindness in good time!" The four of them set off together, chatting and laughing, toward the Warm Jade Tower.

Liu Jingting said: "Brother Hou, we have arrived below the Warm Jade Tower. Let us wait here and watch for the opportunity." Chaozong asked: "Is Xiangjun up there, I wonder?" Longyou pointed: "Is that not Xiangjun sitting up on the balcony!" Chaozong looked up and saw her — tender and exquisite, no more than fifteen or sixteen years of age, truly a beauty that could make a goose alight from the sky, a face to shame a flower into hiding. He felt his soul fly to the heavens; he could not take his eyes off her and gazed up at the balcony in a trance of adoration. Just as he was utterly moved, he heard someone up above say: "Xiangjun, play a passage on your flute." Then a bright, clear flute-melody rang out, like the cry of a phoenix in the clouds. Chaozong could no longer contain himself. He unclasped the pendant from his own fan and said: "These few notes of the flute have all but robbed me of my soul — I cannot help but throw my admiration!" He flung the fan-pendant up toward the balcony, and by chance it fell right into Xiangjun's lap. Xiangjun's cheeks flushed crimson and she smiled with shy delight. Zhenli took Xiangjun's gauze handkerchief, wrapped some cherries in it, and tossed it down to the street below. The men picked it up and spread the contents on a dish. Chaozong said: "We do not know who threw this down — if it was Xiangjun, how wonderful!" Longyou said: "Judging by the handkerchief, it very likely was." Jingting said: "If so, do not make a fuss — let Brother Hou first put one in his mouth and taste its fresh sweetness." The group was laughing and joking when suddenly they saw a woman carrying a teapot and a girl holding a flower vase standing before them. And truly:

Sweet herbs follow wherever butterflies dance;

A beautiful woman descends once more to the Phoenix Terrace below.

Chaozong was still gazing up at the balcony when Longyou caught him by the arm: "Brother Hou, this is Zhenli, and this is Xiangjun!" Chaozong was so overwhelmed he seemed bereft of his soul. He hastily stepped forward to bow: "When did the immortal descend to earth? Forgive me for not coming to receive you!" Kunsheng pointed out: "This one is Zhenli; this one is Xiangjun. Look carefully, Sir!" Only then did Hou Chaozong compose himself and bow properly: "I have long thirsted to meet you — to see you now is a blessing of three lifetimes!" He turned to Longyou: "Truly a matchless beauty in the bloom of youth — your eye for such things is entirely accurate, Brother Yang!" Zhenli said: "Please accept some freshly brewed Tiger Hill tea." Xiangjun said: "Green willows and red apricot blossoms, adorning the colors of spring." Chaozong glanced at Xiangjun and saw the fan-pendant clasped at her side. He composed an impromptu quatrain on the spot:

A beauty of the southland wears my pendant at her side —

Do not let it be hidden away within your sleeve.

Let it follow your lord's round fan like a shadow,

Swaying, spreading fragrance through your whole person.

Longyou said: "This poem has the grace of romance and the refinement of elegance — a truly extraordinary talent!" He then asked: "Regarding the matter of the coiffure ceremony we spoke of yesterday — does Brother Hou consent?" Chaozong said: "A scholar who sits for the examination to become a top graduate — how could he not consent?" Xiangjun, hearing this, blushed and went back upstairs. Zhenli stepped forward and said: "Thanks to Lord Yang's kind words, and the gentleman's willingness not to look down on us — let us choose an auspicious day at once, and this humble woman will presume to make such a fine match!" Chaozong said: "The fifteenth day of the third month — a fine time of flowers and moonlight — would be an auspicious occasion for the ceremony. However, my purse as a traveler is thin and I fear I may not have the means for proper gifts." Longyou interposed: "Brother, you need not worry. I will furnish the trousseau and the banquet to grace the occasion — will Brother be willing to accept with a smile?" Chaozong bowed deeply in gratitude: "Many thanks for the trouble and expense, Brother Yang — I will repay you another day!" Zhenli, seeing her daughter's matter settled, bid everyone farewell and went back upstairs. Chaozong and the other three also returned the way they had come. Among the four, Chaozong alone was transported with joy, and went off in high spirits.

A lyric in evidence:

Hearing the telling, I have wandered wrongly onto the heights of Wu Mountain.

Clouds and rain added there — how quickly one forgets the immortal's manner.

Let not the spring night's flowers and moonlight prove an empty jest,

A good match arrived in hand must not be refused —

Make ready to go up to the high platform of Tang.

Now Yang Longyou, having accompanied Chaozong to fix the date for the coiffure ceremony with Xiangjun, rose early the following morning and went straight to "Trouser Crotch Lane" to call on Ruan Dacheng. Being old acquaintances, he did not wait to be announced but went directly into Ruan's rear garden. Before he could call out, he heard Ruan Dacheng within, saying to himself: "I, Ruan Yuanhai, am a man of literary talent and a degree-holder of distinguished lineage. Only because I made one wrong choice — falling in with the faction of Cui Chengxiu and Wei Zhongxian — I was branded among their followers. Now their power has collapsed and I alone remain, like an owl in a withered wood, reviled everywhere I go, attacked on all sides. At the ceremony for Confucius the other day, I was beaten by five scholars; before that, when I borrowed a theatrical troupe, I was humiliated by three young gentlemen. There is no way to defend myself. Fortunately my sworn brother Yang Longyou devised a plan: I am to prepare the trousseau for Hou Chaozong's coiffure ceremony with Xiangjun, so as to use it as a means of seeking his intercession on my behalf — the reasoning is sound enough. But since yesterday, I have heard nothing from him, and it is most vexing!" Longyou, having heard all this clearly from outside, raised his voice and said: "Brother Ruan, are you missing me? It has been too many days since we last met!" Ruan, hearing Longyou's voice, hurried out and clasped his hands to lead him in. Before they were even seated, Ruan asked: "What has come of the matter of young Hou?" Longyou said: "I came specifically about this affair. Brother Hou's auspicious date has been fixed for the fifteenth of the third month. Have the gifts you promised to prepare been made ready?" Ruan broke into a broad smile: "I have set aside three hundred taels of silver; I trouble my elder brother to arrange the purchase on my behalf. May I ask if you are willing to take the trouble? When the matter is settled, I shall naturally express my gratitude." Longyou said: "There is no need for so much. I shall act on your instructions." Ruan went inside and retrieved the silver, handing it over with both hands. Longyou took the silver and departed.

As for Xiangjun, since the day she had met Chaozong at the Warm Jade Tower, and seen that he was a man of talent and romantic spirit, her heart was quietly filled with admiration. She would no longer go downstairs lightly, nor receive visitors indiscriminately, but waited exclusively for the fifteenth day and the ceremony.

When the auspicious day arrived, Zhenli rose very early. She was just setting servants to roll up the curtains, sweep the floor, and arrange the tables and seats, when Yang Longyou came to the door, calling: "Zhenli, today is the day of your daughter's coiffure ceremony. I promised Brother Hou I would provide the trunks and sundries — they are now all ready. Have someone carry them inside and install them in the bridal chamber to grace the young lady's new adornment. Here too are thirty taels of silver for the kitchen, so that the banquet may be sumptuous." Zhenli saw that the trunks and clothing were all well furnished, and that there was moreover silver for the banquet — she was beside herself with joy. She called Xiangjun out to give her thanks, and Longyou said: "A small token of my good will — no need for thanks!" They were still exchanging pleasantries when the cry went up: "The bridegroom has arrived at the gate!" And in came Chaozong, splendidly dressed, a bridal flower pinned to his cap, stepping through the gate to the admiration of everyone in the courtyard. And truly:

Though not a guest come from the sky on examination glory,

He is yet the man dwelling in the moon where Chang'e lives.

Chaozong dismounted, and Zhenli with the guests went to receive him at the hall. Yang Longyou greeted him with a bow: "Congratulations, Brother — you have won the finest beauty in the pleasure quarter! I have nothing worthy to offer; these rough-and-ready preparations of trousseau and banquet are a small contribution to the night's joy." Chaozong thanked him: "Such generous attentions — how can I be worthy of them!" Zhenli came forward: "Let the new gentleman and Lord Yang be seated and have some tea!" When the tea was done, Longyou said: "Zhenli, is the wedding banquet entirely arranged?" Zhenli replied: "Thanks to your lordship's blessings, everything is in order!" Longyou rose and bowed to Chaozong: "Today is a joyous occasion and I dare not presume to intrude any longer. I take my leave for now and will come early tomorrow to offer my congratulations!" With that he bid Chaozong farewell and departed. The guests Zhenli had invited — Ding Jizhi and others — came forward to bow and offer their felicitations. Chaozong was invited to change his clothes; the female guests, including Yujing, helped Xiangjun out to meet the company, and all made merry together. The two new partners faced each other for the first time: he was the foremost man of literary talent, she was the foremost among the beauties of her quarter. Each secretly admired the other; each felt tender affection stir within. The matrons of the house set out the feast and said in unison: "By the custom of our establishment, there is no formal wedding ceremony — let us simply drink the wine of good fortune!" Chaozong and Xiangjun were seated side by side at the head of the table; Ding Jizhi, Zhang Yanzhu, and two others sat on the left; Bian Yujing, Zheng Tuoniang, and their companions sat on the right. Wine flowed, music played, and spirits rose to the full. Before they knew it, the red sun was setting behind the hills and crows were choosing trees to roost. The guests all cried: "The hour is late! Let us send the new couple to the bridal chamber!" Ding Jizhi held up his hand: "Not so fast! Hou, our lord of letters today, has taken to wife a peerless beauty — we have wine for the union, but can we have no poem?" The guests agreed: "Quite right! Let us bring fresh decorated paper, grind the ink-stick well, and wait upon his brushwork." Chaozong said: "No need for special paper — I have a palace fan with me; I shall inscribe it as a gift to Xiangjun, a lasting token of our vow." He spread open the palace fan and without a moment's hesitation raised his brush and wrote in a single flowing movement — a quatrain in seven-character lines:

Side by side the vermilion towers line the slanting path,1

The young nobleman first rides forth in his wealthy carriage.

All along the Azure Stream the yulan magnolias stand —

None match the peach and plum blossoms of the eastern wind.

The guests, admiring Chaozong's brilliant quickness, were still in the midst of their praises when someone announced: "Lord Yang has sent a poem!" Chaozong took it and read:

From childhood she has been a city-toppling beauty — this is Li Xiangjun,

Willowy and graceful, held within the sleeve.

Why should she, a woman of the twelve Wu Mountain peaks,

Come in a dream to visit the King of Chu?

He finished reading and said: "This old gentleman is so full of feeling — he sends a wedding-night poem, and it is an absolute masterpiece!" The guests heard it and all joined in praise. The music struck up again, wine was urged upon the couple, and Chaozong and Xiangjun exchanged cups and drank deeply together. The watch-tower had already sounded the second drum. The guests all said: "The hour is late — clear the tables! Strike up the music and send the new couple to their chamber!" The maids carried lamps; Chaozong and Xiangjun went hand in hand into the bridal chamber. Chaozong saw that Xiangjun was faintly flushed with wine, her face alive with the colors of spring, even more bewitching than their meeting below the Warm Jade Tower had been. Unable to restrain himself, he gently gathered her up onto the bed. Willing hearts and mutual longing — the words for clouds and rain are inexhaustible; phoenix and phoenix entwined — one felt only the flowers trembling and the breezes quivering. And truly:

Liu Lang has now entered the peach blossom spring —

How could the dew-wet peach blossoms not open?

What happens next, the following chapter will reveal.