University of Virginia Library

HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
A CHINESE HISTORY.

BOOK I.

CHAP. I.

IN the city of Tah-ming[1] , formerly
lived a student named Tieh-chung-u,
of great endowments of body and mind:
for the beauty of his person, which equaled
that of the finest woman, he was

called the handsome Tieh: yet was his
temper no less rough and impetuous
than his form was elegant and pleasing:
bold and resolute in resenting affronts,
without any regard or awe of his superiors;
yet strictly just, humane, generous,
and noble, never so happy as
when employed in assisting and relieving
the distressed.

His father, whose name was Tieh-ying,
was a Mandarine of justice: his mother's
name was Sheh-sheh: his father belonged
to one of the tribunals in the palace, but
because of the violent temper of his
son, confined him at his house in another
city[2] , lest he should involve him in

any trouble at court. There he lived
and kept house, pursuing his studies,
and at proper intervals unbending his
mind with company. When he had attained
his sixteenth year, his father and
mother began to think of marrying
their son[3] . They acquainted him with
it; but he was no way disposed to concur
with their intentions: on the contrary,
he urged that marriage was
not like an acquaintance or friendship,
which could not be quitted on any dislike
or disagreement[4] : that whenever
he should incline to marry, he would
take more than common care in his
choice: but should hardly think of
it 'till he could meet with a lady possessed
of every perfection of mind and
person. These arguments weighed so
deeply with his parents, that they left
him to himself.

When he had arrived at his twentieth
year, one day as he was amusing
himself with reading an ancient history,
and drinking between whiles[5] , he met
with the story of an Emperor, who
sent to one of his Mandarines, named
Pé-kan, for his heart[6] to make a
medical potion for his queen, who
was sick. Pé-kan immediately suffered
himself to be opened, and his heart
to be taken out in obedience to the
Emperor's order. Here the young
Tieh-chung-u saw how much the great
were exposed to the fatal caprice

of Princes, and how far more desirable
was a life of obscurity. But more particularly
struck with the great resignation
of Pé-kan, he was led to reflect
on that duty and obedience he had been
wanting in to his parents. So deeply
was he stung with remorse, that he
passed the night without sleep. At
length he resolved to go and throw
himself at their feet; and to implore
their pardon for that stubbornness of
temper, which had kept him so long
apart from them.

Full of these resolutions he arose in
the morning, and taking with him
only one servant named Siow-tan, left
his house and set out for the court.
He had been now two days on the

road, and so impatient to see his father,
as to neglect almost all repose and refreshment,
when he found himself
on the approach of night far from
any house of reception for travellers[7]
. At length he came where at
some distance was a large village,
but near were only a few scattered
cottages of very poor people: at one
of these he alighted, and calling, an
old woman came to him: who seeing
him drest in his student's habit, said
to him, "Siang-coon, or young gentleman,
I suppose you are come from court
hither to visit Wey-fiang-coon, or our
young student of this village." He
said he knew no such person. She
enquired what then could bring him
thither. He told her he had lost his
road, and intreated her to give him
room in some part of her house to
pass the night. She said he was welcome,
and that she was only sorry she
could not entertain him as he deserved.
His servant Siow-tan brought in his
bed and other travelling furniture:
and the old woman shewed him a place
for his horse, furnished out a room for
him with clean straw, and brought him
tea.

Tieh-chung-u having refreshed himself
a little, asked why she was so inquisitive

at his arrival, and who the
young student was whom she had mentioned.
"You don't know perhaps, said
she, that this village was not formerly
called as, as it was at present, Wey-tswün[8]
, but received that name from
a family that lives here, who were once
great people at court, but are now reduced
to the meanest condition. But
thank heaven, there is one of the family,
who altho' poor, understands
letters: he went to court to undergo
his examination[9] : there he met with
a friend, a learned man, named Han-
yuen, who conceived a great fondness
for him; and having one only daughter
would give her to him in marriage:
for which purpose he caused him to
take a pledge. 'Tis now four years
since he was betrothed, without ever
fetching home his wife, not having
wherewithal to maintain her. Some
time since she happened to be seen by
a great Mandarine, who fell in love
with her, and would have her for a second
wife, or concubine, which the father
and mother would by no means
consent to. This enraged the nobleman,
who contrived many ways to get
her, and at last carryed her off by force.
Wey-siang-coon was advised of his loss,
and repaired to the court to make his
complaint: but not knowing how to
apply for relief, and unable to learn
news of his wife or her relations, all
whom the Mandarine had secured, he
returned home in despair. Since that
time, his mother, fearing he might
make himself away, hath desired the
assistance of her neighbours to prevent
such a misfortune."

While she was yet talking, they heard
a great noise and disturbance in the
street: they looked out and saw a
crowd of people, and in the midst of
them a young man clad in blue[10] , who

wept and lamented. In the crowd
the old woman saw her husband, whom
she called to her, and informed of their
guest: he blamed her for having delayed
to provide a supper for the stranger,
and commanded her to hasten it.
Of this man Tieh-chung-u enquired
whether the student's wife was carried
off by night or by day? He told him,
in the day time. He then asked if
there were none that saw it. He was
answered there were several, but none
that durst open their lips: for who
would be forward to appear against so
great and powerful a Mandarine?
Here the old woman interrupted, begging
them to talk no more of it, for
that now there was no remedy. Tieh-chung-u
smiled and said, "You people
of the villages are so fainthearted
and doubtful! but perhaps you
know not the truth of the story, and all
you have been telling me is a fiction."
"By no means, she replied, nettled at
his affected incredulity; I know it to be
true: a cousin of mine who sells straw
at the court, by great chance was present,
and saw both the young woman and
also her father and mother carried into
the Mandarine's house, which is a
palace of retirement given him by the
Emperor, who hath made it sacred to
every body but himself and to whom
he pleases." "Why did not you advise
the young man of this?" said Tieh-chung-u.
"To what purpose? said the
other: it is in vain for him to contend."
He then enquired where this
palace stood: she told, him without the
city: but though he should find it, no
one durst look into it. Supper being
ready they ended talking: after which
he called his servant Siow-tan to lay his
bed, being fatigued and sleepy.

In the morning when he had breakfasted,
he ordered his servant to weigh
out five mace[11] to pay the old woman:
he then took leave of her with many
thanks for her kind treatment: she in

return asked him pardon for any thing
that was amiss; but particularly intreated
him not to open his lips about
what she had told him, as well for his
own safety as hers.—"What is that affair
to me? he replied: your kind entertainment
of me is all I have to
remember: fear nothing." The old
woman waited on him to the great
road, and there took her leave of
him.

Tieh-chung-u mounted his horse, and
was got two or three lee[12] on his way,
when he perceived at some distance
before him Wey-siang-coon stamping and

raving by himself, calling out to heaven
and complaining of his fate. Tieh-chung-u
no sooner discovered who he
was, but he made all haste to come
up to him: when dismounting[13] from
his horse, he ran to him and clapped
him on the shoulder: "Brother,
said he, yield not up to despair: your
cause of grief may be removed: I'll
use my endeavours, and doubt not
but to get your fair mistress restored
to you." Surprised at being accosted
in this manner, the student
lifted up his eyes and looked stedfastly
at him; when seeing him to be a
person of good and genteel aspect, but
utterly unknown to him, he was the
more astonished: nevertheless he said,
"Sir, you seem to be a man of rank
and consideration: I am a poor and mean
person. Till this moment I never had
the honour to see you. I am plunged
in the deepest sorrow and affliction:
but I cannot account for your knowledge
of it. The words you spoke just
now have so rejoiced me, that I think
they could only come from Heaven.
But, alas! 'tis all in vain! my misfortune
is so great that it is not possible
for you, tho' you were an angel[14] , to afford
me relief." Tieh-chung-u laughed,
and said, "This is no more than the
sting of a bee: if I can't untye this knot,
let the world laugh at me. In former
times there were heroes who could perform
great atchievements: and why not
now?" Wey-siang-coon thought there was
something in this more than ordinary:
"Sir, said he, I perceive you are a person
of uncommon merit: I ask your
pardon: pray, how am I to call you?"
"That, replied Tieh-chung-u, it is not
necessary for you to know at present:
but I must beg to be informed of your
own original name[15] , and where you
would betake yourself, for I have something
to say to you farther." "My name,
said he, is Wey-phey, and I should go find
out some way to end my life, but for
my mother, who is a widow, and depends
on me alone for her support.
For her sake I endure my misfortunes,
and have sought all means of relief:
none offers now but to write a petition
and carry it to court, there to present
myself with it to some Mandarine: if
he refuses to accept it I will go to
another; and so on 'till I find one that
will: if none will do me justice, I can
then but dye: I shall dye in the face of
the world, and not meanly in secret."
And taking out his petition, he gave it
to Tieh-chung-u; who read it, and found
the wife's father to be a Doctor of law[16] ,
of the second degree. The Mandarine
also, who had committed the violence,
was not unknown to him. "Very
well, said he, this petition is right, and
must be presented to the Emperor; he
has power: to apply to any other audience
beside will be to no purpose: nor
would it avail to carry it to the Emperor
yourself. Intrust it to my care,
perhaps I may have an opportunity to
serve you." Wey-phey bowed down and
embraced his feet. "Sir, said he, the joy
your compassion excites in my heart is
like the springing forth of tender leaves
from the withered branches of a tree.
If you do me this favour in procuring
my petition to be seen, 'tis not fitting
I stay here: let me rather follow your
horse's feet and wait on you to court."
"Should you go with me, answered
Tieh-chung-u, it might alarm the world:
it is much better for you to return
to your village: within ten days expect
to hear from me." "Sir and
brother, said Wey-phey, this favour you
do me is as great as the heaven and
the earth." He then shed some tears,
and made him a profound reverence.
Tieh-chung-u exhorting him to be comforted,
took the petition and put it
in his sleeve; then bidding him adieu,
mounted his horse and put forward.
Wey-phey stood amazed and motionless,
with his eyes fixed on Tieh-chung-u 'till
he was out of sight, not knowing
whether what had happened was real
or a dream.

CHAP. II.

THE village of Wey-tswün was distant
fifty lee[17] from the court,
where Tieh-chung-u arrived in two hours:
he hastened to his father's house: he
found every thing still and quiet before
the doors; not a person to be seen. He
alighted off his horse, and went into
the hall of audience; but neither was
one of the clerks, or any one else, to be
met with there: he would have proceeded
farther, but he found the doors
fast shut. He knocked and called; the
servants within knew his voice: they
unlocked the door, and meeting their
young master cryed out! "Bad news!
things go very ill!" He asked them,
why? "Our master, replied they, is cast

into prison by the Emperor's order:
you are now arrived in good time:
pray go immediately to our lady your
mother's apartment, and advise with
her." Tieh-chung-u was struck speechless
with surprize and grief, and suffered
himself to be led to the door of
her apartment. His mother, who was
called She-fu-jen, or my Lady Sheh,
perceiving him, went and caught hold
of his sleeve, crying, "My son, you
are arrived in good time. Your father
has discharged the part of a good
man, with the most unwearied perseverance:
eager to redress grievances,
he would be presenting petitions, from
morning to night[18] : there has happened
an affair of great consequence:
I know not whether he is dead or
alive: he is in prison." Tieh-chung-u
fell into a violent transport of grief:
but observing, how deeply his mother
was affected, he fell upon his knees before
her and said: "Mother, be not
cast down, you must not give yourself
up to affliction: though the affair be
as great as the heavens are high, we
must not yield to despair: we must consult
together: you must tell me plainly
all that has happened." She bade him
rise and take a chair, then told him
as follows: "Some days ago, as your
father was returning from the Emperor's
palace, he was stopped in his way
home by an old man and his wife, who
had their hair loose and disordered,
their faces bruised and bloody, and
their cloaths rent: they threw themselves
before his horse's feet, crying out
for justice. Your father asked them who
they were, and by whom they were
injured. I am a Doctor of law, said the
old man, of the second degree, my name
is Han-yuen: I have a daughter, whom
I have long promised in marriage:
but a great Mandarine, named Tah-quay,
hearing of her, and that she was
something handsome, ordered people
to come, and propose terms of marriage,
for her to be a second wife, or
concubine[19] to him: I answered, that
it was impossible for me to consent,
for I had already engaged her to another:
if he has a mind to take my life,
I am content; but I can never yield
to give him my daughter. Tah-quay
was much enraged: "What! said he,
have I made so reasonable a proposal,
and am to see it rejected! I'll try whether
force can be more successful." Accordingly
he sent people to carry her
off; which endeavouring to prevent,
they abused both of us, in the manner
you see. Your father was much affected
with his tale, and passionately
moved to procure them redress: hurrying
home therefore, he instantly
drew up a petition to present to the
Emperor. But alas, proceeded the
Lady Sheh, your father, notwithstanding
his great judgement, was at that
time overseen, not to secure the two old
people for witnesses: for the Emperor,
when he had read his petition,
demanded what evidence he had to
support it. Upon which he went to
seek them, but in vain: for Tah-quay
had immediate advice of the affair, and
instantly secreted them. The awe of
his power drew almost all the Manda-rines
of the court over to his party.
And he in his turn delivered in a petition,
wherein he charged your father,
with abusing the Emperor's confidence,
and possessing him with falsehoods
against his faithful servants. Upon
this your father's office was taken
away, and he was sent to prison. And
though some of the Mandarines expressed
an inclination to assist him, it was to
no purpose, as he had no witnesses to
produce in his favour: and if he can
procure none, he must suffer death."

When she had finished her relation,
the countenance of Tieh-chung-u cleared
up: "And is Han-yuen, said he, the
occasion of all this? this is an affair of
trifling consequence; Han-yuen and his
daughter every body knows, and the
seizing them in their house is known to
many. Be no longer dejected, Madam,
but take comfort; they cannot be lost.
Robbers and thieves, though they be fled
into other provinces, are to be found[20] , and

why not those that are about the court:
fear not then but we shall find these people:
nay I myself know where they are
concealed." "How! said Sheh-fu-jen,
is it possible? do you speak certainly
true?" "Can a son, said Tieh-chung-u
speak untruths before his mother? that
can never be." The Lady Sheh at this
was greatly rejoiced, and said, "If this
news is true, rest a little and refresh
yourself: then hasten to see your father
in prison, and take away his sorrow."
Upon this she ordered a table to be
spread for him to eat; which having
done, and changed his cloaths, she
called for a servant to attend him.
"Madam, said Tieh-chung u, there is
no occasion for such haste; I will first
draw up a petition for my father to
shew the Emperor." When he had
finished it, he asked his mother for his
father's chop or seal: and taking that,
together with the petition of Wey-phey,
he put them both in his sleeve, and
bade the servant shew him the way to
his father.

The Mandarine, that was governor
of the prison, knew Tieh-chung-u,
and received him with great courtesy:
"Sir, said he, the Mandarine your
father is within; pray be pleased to go
to him; pardon me that I don't wait
on you: you have doubtless something
to impart to him in private." Tieh-chung-u
returned his civilities in a proper

manner, and went in. He found
his father sitting, without irons, in
great composure. He immediately
ran and bowed down four times at his
feet; asking pardon for not coming
sooner to assist him in his troubles:
that he deserved not the name of a son,
for being absent when he might have
performed him services, or at least have
known his commands. Tieh-u-sheh[21]
raised himself from his chair: "I am,
said he, in the place where my duty
requires me to be: why are you not at
home minding your studies and doing
your duty." "Sir, said Tieh-chung-u, if
if it is your duty to be here, it is mine
also to be here to wait upon you."
His father paused: at length he answered,
"You are in the right: you do
your duty: but we live in times, when
the Mandarines of the court are corrupted,
and duty has no longer any regard
paid to it: from a just sense of
mine, I presented my petition, putting
to the hazard whether it would be
heard or not: and now, whether I shall
live or die, is in the hand of the Emperor:
your coming here will avail me
nothing." "Sir, replied Tieh chung-u,
I am made acquainted with the cause
of your confinement: but why do you
sit down quietly under it: why do
not you continue to seek out the old
man and his wife; and without trusting
to others, petition for leave to do
it in your own person." "That, said
Tieh-u-sheh, it would not be difficult to
obtain: but I fear, if I should apply
for such licence, and be still unsuccessful,
it will only aggravate my
crime, and increase my disgrace." "I
have notice of these three people, said
the son, but without an express order
from the Emperor, they cannot
be apprehended." "His order
was issued out at the first, replied
the father, but they could not be
found: my friends inquired, but could
learn no news of them. And that you,
who are but just arrived, should know
any thing of them, is very unlikely.
'Tis all a jest! you are but a boy, and
having heard something of it, from
people's discourse, only love to hear
yourself talk. Go! you are a simpleton."
"Sir, answered Tieh-chung-u, this
is a matter which regards your life: is
it possible for a son to jest upon such
an occasion?" Then looking round to
see, that nobody was within hearing, he
related all that had happened on his
journey, both the discourse he had had
with the old woman, and with Wey-phey,
whose petition he shewed him. At this
Tieh-u-sheh became joyful, and said, "If
it be so, the Emperor will see that I am
blameless: there will then be no danger of
my suffering death. But is it not to be
feared, that this Tah quay has poisoned,
or otherwise made away with these people?"
Tieh-chung-u answered, "The
palace where he resides, is the Emperor's
gift, which no one can enter: your
adversary is a wicked man, and of very
mean understanding; wholly addicted
to pleasure, and immersed in luxury,
he thinks of nothing farther:
imagining himself secure, he neither
suspects any danger, nor has contrivance
enough to prevent it: be not
therefore, Sir, cast down or sorrowful."
"Son, said the Mandarine Tieh,
you say well: go home now, and
fetch some paper and my seal, that I
may draw up a petition to the Emperor."
"That is already done, said his
son, I have here brought it with me:
if you like it, let it go: if not, please to
draw it up afresh with greater elegance
and accuracy." He read it, and pronounced
it was very well, and required
no alteration: then putting his seal to
it, he folded it up, and gave it to the
governor of the prison, desiring it
might be delivered to a Mandarine of
the Emperor's audience chamber, called
Tong-ching-su, whose business it is to
receive petitions.

CHAP. III.[22]

THE Mandarine Tieh-u-sheh, was
not two days longer in prison, before
the Emperor sent him a private answer
to his petition. When every body
was retired, he opened it, and found
an order to go, and apprehend the
persons in question: at this he greatly
rejoiced, and making an offering
of fire, prayed for the Emperor[23] .

Then he took the letter, and folded
it up again: and proposed to his
son, to set out both of them upon
the search. "Pardon me, Sir, said
Tieh-chung-u, that must not be. It will
excite suspicion: somebody will acquaint
Tah-quay of your being abroad,
and we shall be disappointed. Let me
rather go privately, and when I have
broke open the gates, and found the
three persons, do you be ready, mount
your horse, and bring with you the
Emperor's order, openly proclaiming
it to be a power to apprehend them."
To this his father assented.

By this time the Mandarine of the
prison came, and inquired what news?
for he saw, that they had been making
an offering of fire. Tieh-u-sheh injoining

him secrecy, informed him of the
private order he had received. He
then said to his son, "Now go, but be
very careful." The youth accordingly
withdrew, and went to tell his mother
all that had happened. He then
asked her for his brazen mace, weighing
twenty catty[24] : which although
so heavy, he had been able to manage
at eleven or twelve years old, but
his parents had taken it from him, lest
he should do mischief with it. His mother
was suprized at his demand, and
said, "Your father ordered me to lay it
up, and never give it you: why do you
ask for it? "I am going, replied
Tieh-chung-u, to the den of a tiger: if
I have not that with me, how shall I
defend myself?" When he had received
it, he asked for wine, and drank
till he made his heart glad: after
which, he put on his soldier's habit,
and his other dress over it; then ordered
a white horse to be got ready,
which he mounted, commanding twenty
servants of the house to come after him
at a distance, but Siow-tan to follow
him near.

This done, he rode softly on, 'till he
was got without the gate of the city:
then he set out full speed, till he came
to a splendid palace. Here he stopped

and alighted. Walking about a little, he
came to a court, with three gates, very
strong and lofty, and curiously wrought:
over the middlemost of these, were
inscribed the three characters, Yanghien
tang, or the name of the palace.
These gates he perceived to be
too strong, and too closely shut, for
him possibly to open them: but he imagined
there must be another entrance
besides this to so magnificent a building:
and looking round, in an alley he
discovered a little gate painted red;
over which was this inscription:

Tieh-chung-u finding a crack in the
door, peeped through, and saw a great
many servants waiting within, and

whispering to one another. He then
withdrew as softly as he could to
his servant: and taking off his upper
coat, which covered his soldier's dress,
and grasping at the same time his arms,
mounted his horse; appearing with all
the glory of an hero, or rather an
angel[25] , in the beauty and gracefulness
of his person, and brightness of his
arms.

"Go now, said he to Siow-tan,
and acquaint the servants that are
behind to come up: afterwards you
shall go to the great Mandarine
your master in the prison, and desire

him to come presently." Then riding
up to the red gate, and there dismounting,
he knocked, and called out,
saying, "I come here by the Emperor's
order, and must speak with the
Mandarine Tah-quay; acquaint him
with it immediately." The servants
answered roughly, "Our master is
not here, he is at his palace in
the city." " 'Tis false, said he, he
is here in the house: ye slaves, do
ye mean to oppose the commands
of the Emperor?" They stood silent.
"Open the door, proceeded he, without
delay." One of the servants answered,
"As our master is not here,
who dares open the door? And if it
were open, who dares enter, in defiance
of the Emperor's order to the
contrary?" Tieh-chung-u in a rage answered,
"I have the Emperor's order:
if you don't open the door, I shall
open it myself." Then lifting up his
foot against the gate, and striking the
lock with his brazen mace, at one
blow he burst it open; this done, he
entered, notwithstanding all the resistance
of the Mandarine's people.
Upon this, some of them ran to acquaint
their master, who was employed
in examining and punishing
the old people, each of them apart,
for refusing him their daughter: remonstrating,
that it was in his power
to make them amends; and that as
they were poor, it was foolish obstinacy
not to comply with his desires. Poor
as they were, they replied, they could
not consent to things so unreasonable.
"I am a Doctor of the law, said the
old man, though of the second degree,
and of no mean extraction; and had
rather live in indigence, than act so unworthily:
your riches will have no effect
upon me." Tah-quay grew outrageous
at this, and commanded him
to be stripped naked, and bound, in
order to be whipped. At this instant
four or five of his people came running
in, who cried out, "Bad news! a very
bad affair has happened!" He inquired
what. They told him, a very bold
young man had forced open the door,
under pretence of the Emperor's order.

By this time, Tieh-chung-u was advanced
as far as the great hall: at which
Tah-quay was greatly surprized, and
was going to hide himself: but the
other came too suddenly upon him.

"Ching-leao, your servant Sir, said
the youth as he came forward: I
am come here by the Emperor's order,
to speak with you: why are you denied
to me?" "If you have such an order,
said the other, why did not you
advise me of it before-hand, instead of
forcing your way in, with so much
noise, impertinence, and insult?" Tieh-chung-u
answered, that his order was
private, and admitted of no previous
notice. Then advancing, with one
hand he seized him, and with the other
his sword: asking him at the same
time, if the Emperor did not give
this, for a house of retirement and
pleasure, and not for a place to administer
public justice: and if so,
why was that person stripped naked,
and bound? "That man, said he,
is my servant, and neither public
justice, nor the Emperor, are concerned
in what I do to him." "I am
not his servant, cry'd the old man, I
am a Doctor of law, and independent
of him." "If you are a Doctor, said
Tieh-chung-u, how came you to be chastised
here in this manner? what is
your name?" He replied, "Han-yuen."
"If your name is Han-yuen,
when the Emperor's order came out
for your appearance, why did you
conceal yourself?" Then looking
back, he gave a signal to Siow-tan to
call in his servants. "Here, said he
to them, take that old man into custody,
he is a person under cognizance of
the Emperor's tribunal." Tieh-chung-u
then renewed his question, why he
came there? "I was forced here, answered
he, on account of my daughter:
and had no more power to resist, than a
kid has to withstand a tiger.[26] If you
had not come as you did, I know not
whether I should have been alive by
this time." He then asked him, "Is
your daughter here, or your wife?"
he answered, "My wife is in an adjoining
room; my daughter also is
within: she every day persists in her refusal
of Tah-quay, and would rather die
by her own hands than submit: so that
I know not, whether she be dead or
alive." Tieh-chung-u at this was deeply
affected, and sent his people instantly
to secure the mother and daughter.
This alarmed Tah-quay, who began to
bluster: "How dare you, said he, violate
this place, by breaking open the
doors, and laying hands on the owner.
If I have done amiss, you ought to produce
the Emperor's order: without it,
you are guilty of an unpardonable outrage."
This said, he endeavoured,
but in vain, to force away his hand.
He then called out to his people, to
come and assist him: but Tieh-chung-u
bade them it do at their peril: "Who
will dare to offer violence to me, who
act under the Emperor's authority?
who will lay hands on me?" So saying,
he took their master by the girdle, and
swung him round, beating down the
people, that came to his assistance:
until he cried out, "Forbear, forbear;
dispute with him no longer."

CHAP. IV.

IT happened, that at this juncture
arrived several great Mandarines
of Tah-quay's acquaintance, and seeing
him in this situation, trembling like
a mouse in the paws of a cat,
they said to Tieh-chung-u, "This
Mandarine is of great rank, and if he
has offended, you must not treat
him so as to violate his dignity and
honour: but let others, or some
of us, know the cause of this difference,

that matters may be composed
between you." "This man,
replied the youth, has deceived the
Emperor with false testimony, and is
guilty of the greatest crimes: what
dignity then, what honour is to be regarded?"
"If it be so, replied the
Mandarines, the Emperor ought to be
informed of it; that he may punish
them, as he shall think proper: but it
becomes not you to treat him thus."
"You say well; said Tieh-chung-u, but
being all alone, when I entered the
house, if I had not secured him, I
should have met with ill treatment."
"You are very brave and valiant, said
the Mandarines; pray did you come hither
to-day, in order to revenge any
former quarrel; or to asist these old
people?" "For neither of these reasons,
answered he, but by a private
order of the Emperor, to apprehend
them as persons concealed in this
house." "Why does not that order
appear? said they, read it to us."
He replied, "You shall see it presently."

Tah-quay perceiving so many of his
acquaintance near him, began to resume
courage; "Do not regard him,
he cried out; there is no truth in
what he says: he is no officer under the
Emperor: he is no way impowered
to execute his orders: he is no Manda-rine
of justice. He is only come with
these pretences, to carry off Han-yuen
his friend in a lawless manner, together

with his wife, and daughter."
"If you have not the Emperor's order,
said the others turning to Tieh-chung-u,
your coming hither to affront
this great Mandarine, and thus to violate
his honour and dignity, is a crime
of the deepest dye. Feats of this kind
might have been more safely performed
in some distant village: there you might
have appeared a valiant fellow. But
here, so nigh the city, and limits of the
court, to affront a Nobleman, and
thus to disgrace his family and rank, is
an unpardonable offence: altho' you
had wings, you could not escape. But
we must send to the city, for the Man-darines
of justice." "That is right,
said Tieh-chung-u, let them be called."
They were accordingly sent for.

Presently arrived the Che foo, and
soon after him, the Che-hien[27] . The
Mandarines rel ted to them, what had
happened. "We know not, said those
Magistrates, on which side lies the
truth: if there is the Emperor's order,
it must be read." Then the Che-hien
commanded a place for a tribunal to
to be prepared, and when it was ready,
the order to be produced. Before answer
could be made, notice was given
that Tieh-u-sheh was arrived. Tah-quay
and all the company were amazed:

"This man, said they, is under close
confinement: how came he here?"
Here Tieh-u-sheh entered, holding before
him the Emperor's order rolled in
yellow[28] . His son cried out, "Shew
respect to the Emperor's order." On
this, they all knelt down. Tieh-u-sheh
seeing so many Mandarines present,
said, "This order I am commissioned
to read; but my eyes being
weak, Sir, said he, addressing himself
to the Che-foo, be pleased to read it."
The Che-foo took the order, and read
as follows.

"This order requires Tieh-u-sheh to
go to the house of Tah-quay, and to

take into custody, Han-yuen, his wife,
and his daughter: which three persons,
wheresoever concealed, Tieh-u-sheh
is hereby impowered to make
search after, and to secure."

"This order shall continue in force
for three days."

When he had done, Tieh-u-sheh, and
all the company, made their profound
reverence, and rose up. The great
Mandarines of Tah-quay's acquaintance
departed in silence: leaving only the
two Mandarines of the city with them.

"These three persons, said Tieh u-sheh
to the Che-hien, are the Emperor's
prisoners: to your custody I commit
them, while I go to acquaint his Majesty

of it, and know his farther pleasure."
Han-yuen paid the most profound
respect to Tieh-u-sheh, and acknowledged
that himself, his wife, and daughter,
owed their lives to his great piety and
justice: but he told them, they must
thank the Emperor alone, for their
preservation and safety; then turning
to the Che-foo, he said, "I have committed
these persons to the care of the
Che-hien, in order to carry them to a
superior tribunal: but as Tah-quay is a
great Mandarine, and of grave and
respectable character, you, Sir, are
desired to attend him alone to the
same audience." Then Tieh-u-sheh,
attended by his son, returned back to
prison, to await the Emperor's further
order.

He then drew up a petition, to acquaint
his Majesty of their whole proceedings:
which he graciously received,
and returned for answer, "You have
done well, and have conducted your
self through this whole business like
a true Mandarine of justice: when the
affair is ended you shall be promoted
to a higher dignity." Orders were
then issued out to release him from
prison.

Tah quay in the mean time was not
idle: he offered presents to the Man-darines
of the tribunal: but none of
them durst accept any. The depositions
of the injured parties lay too
strongly against him; and proved beyond
all doubt, the forcible seizure
they had undergone, and all the other

ill usage they had received. The supreme
Mandarine of the audience, seeing
no other way to bring off his friend,
pronounced judgment as follows.

"Tah-quay is advanced in years, and
is without issue: this induced him
to carry away the young woman[29] :
but though he brought her home to
his house, it does not appear that he
ever offered her any dishonour. He
is descended from an illustrious family:
several of his ancestors have
served the Emperor in the capacity
of Generals, and have made extensive
conquests: he himself hath also
had his share, and given signal

proofs of his ability and courage.
All this considered, as the carrying
off this young woman was from
the motives above recited, and was
not followed by any violence, he is
neither guilty of a great offence, nor
deserving of very severe punishment:
but this must be left to the determination
of his Majesty."

The Emperor issued out this answer
to the proceedings of the audience.

"Tah-quay[30] is of an illustrious family;
and of a respectable rank: but
both these he hath forfeited: he hath
made a tyrannical use of his power

in forcing away these people: the
daughter was already engaged to
another; his attempt was therefore
the highest injustice: when Tieh-u-sheh
delivered in his petition; to
secrete them in his house was a contempt
of our authority: and to lodge
a false accusation against that Man-darine,
a great abuse of our confidence.
To do justice therefore, 'tis
necessary to take away his office: let
him also be confined to his house for
three years, paying to Han yuen one
year's income of his place: and for
the sake of his ancestors, let him
be excused any farther punishment.
The young woman, let Wey-phey
marry. Let Han-yuen be advanced
to a higher degree. Let Tieh-u-sheh
be promoted to the office of
Tu-cha-yuen, or Superior of the Viceroys.
And lastly, for the Mandarine
of the audience, who was judge in
this cause, let him be amerced three
months of his salary."

The determination of the Emperor
being made public, every body admired
Tieh-chung-u, for his wisdom and
courage. His fame spread abroad, and
he was the general topic of conversation.
Mandarines from all parts
came to make him visits of congratulation[31]
; from morning to night,

some or other came to pay him their
compliments.

Too much honour and respect conferred
on a youth, said the Mandarine
pensively to himself, may produce fatal
consequences: it may expose him to
envy: it may be productive of pride: it
may be misrepresented to his prejudice:
it may be followed by neglect. "Son,
said he, one day calling him to him,
the bow will break that is too violently
bent: no man should exceed
what is fit and becoming. Tah-quay
is now a prisoner, but he will one day
be at liberty; when you apprehended the
people at his house, you disgraced him
too much for him ever to forget: he
perhaps will hereafter study to requite

it, and will pay back the injury, he
thinks you have done him. I have
now, proceeded he, a great office conferred
on me by the Emperor, which I
am obliged to attend: whatever be my
success, I cannot abandon it: here I
must remain: but you are at liberty to
go where you please. You have now
gained to yourself a great deal of ho-nour;
you are admired as a youth of
uncommon courage and prudence; nothing
at present can add to your reputation;
it may be forfeited or tarnished."

"Sir, said Tieh-chung-u, I have been
so happy, as to entertain the same
sentiments myself: far am I from desiring
so large a share of the public

attention: I had much rather go out
of the way of it, did not the duty I
owe you, require me to stay, lest you
should have occasion for my service."
"As to that, replied his father, 'tis no
matter; I will excuse you: before I
was but a small Mandarine; now I
am raised to a superior rank, and fixed
above the malice of my enemies:
retire therefore from the court, and apply
yourself to your studies: nay rather
go travel, than continue here. I leave you
now to your own direction; but keep a
strict guard over your passions: learn
to curb your resentment, and to suppress
that extravagance of warmth, to
which your temper is addicted."

Tieh-chung-u bowed in token of obedience,

and went in to take leave of
his mother. She was concerned to
part with him so suddenly, and intreated
him to stay a few days longer.
He submitted: but before three days
were expired, so many people came to
visit him that he was quite wearied
out. He bad adieu therefore to his
father and mother, and set out, attended
only by Siow-tan.

He arrived at the city where he had
usually lived: but the news of his be-haviour
had got there before him:
the people were alarmed, and the
streets crowded as he passed along.
The Mandarines had all notice of his
arrival, and visited him in their turns,
to congratulate him on his success, and
the advancement of his father.

"Have I left the court, said Tieh-chung-u,
because of the fatiguing frequency
of visitants, and am come hither
purposely to avoid them? better were it
to have staid with my father: there
I should have had the advantage of
being with him, and of acquiring valuable
friends. Here is the same interruption,
without the enjoyment of
their company. I will, agreeable to
my father's permission, go visit the
four parts of the world[32] . When this
month is expired, I will resign the
house, and all that belongs to it, to the
care of my steward, and then I will
depart.

When that time was elapsed, he ordered
his travelling furniture to be packed
up, and accompanied with only
one servant, began his travels.

CHAP. V.[33]

TIeh-chung-u was already upon the
road, and had gone forward for
some time, before he could resolve on

the course of his journey: at last he
determined in favour of Shan-tong[34] , a
province no less noted for the beauty and
fertility of its lands, than for the courtesy
and integrity of its inhabitants.
He called therefore to Siow-tan, and
bade him hire the first ass he could
meet with on the road[35] , and follow
him to Shan-tong: whither we shall at
present leave him, pursuing his journey.

In the city of Tséé-nan, the capital of
that province, lived at that time a great

Mandarine, aged about sixty, who belonged
to the Ping-pû, or tribunal of
arms[36] ; his name was Shuey-kew-yeh:
he had lost his wife, and had no other
children, but only one daughter, who
was so exquisitely beautiful, that it
would exceed the power of the most
masterly pencil, to express the exactness
of her proportion: nor could the
whitest lilly, or richest carnation among
the flowery tribes, exhibit tints so lovely,
as were blended in her cheeks.
She was no less distinguished for the
rare endowments of her mind, and
greatness of her capacity, in which
she equalled the most eminent of the
opposite sex. Shuey-ping-sin[37] , for that
was her name, was the darling of
her father, who loved her with an
affection, equal to that he would have
had for a son of the same accomplishments[38]
, and gave her the entire
management of his house: where she
governed his family with such admirable
skill, that Shuey-kew-yeh, who was
continally at court, gave himself no
longer any care on that head. She was
now a young maid of about seventeen
years, and yet the great business of his
office so intirely ingrossed her father's
attention, as to make him neglect to
dispose of her in marriage.

This young lady had an uncle, named
Shuey-guwin, who affected the appearance
of a man of letters, and had
great respect shewn him on account of
his brother. But he was very illiterate,

and the whole aim of his studies
was by any indirect means to
extort money to spend on his pleasures.
He had three sons, as ignorant
and illiberal as himself; and also one
daughter, in manners and disposition
still more unamiable than her brothers,
and in person as disagreeable as her
manners. She was called Ghiang-koo[39] ,
and was born in the same year with
Shuey-ping-sin; than whom she was
about two months older.

"My brother, said Shuey-guwin, is a
very rich and honourable man, but
he has never a son: if he dies, all his

riches must fall to me: the only obstacle
is this girl of his, who remains unmarried,
and has the sole possession of
my brother's house. Could I once get
her disposed of, the whole then would
be mine[40] ." Upon this, he contrives
among his acquaintance to get her married,
and prevailed on several of their
relations, to come and propose to her
a great many matches with men, distinguished
for their persons, their possessions,
or accomplishments: to all
offers of this kind, she gave neither encouragement
nor answer[41] ; burying her
thoughts in profound and invincible
silence. This conduct of hers very
much perplexed her uncle, who found
she was not to be managed in that
manner. At last he bethought himself
of a young man of quality belonging to
the same place, for whom his friends
were looking out a wife. The father
of this youth, who was of the second
order of Mandarines which compose the
Emperor's privy council[42] , was called
Kwo sho-su: Kwo-khé-tzu was the name
of the son.

Shuey-guwin went to pay a visit to
the young gentleman, and taking an

opportunity to tell him of his niece,
asked him how he should like her for
his wife: "I know nothing of her,
said the youth, whether she be handsome
or ugly." "She is very handsome,
said her uncle, and has a fine
understanding." Kwo-khé-tzu expressed
some doubt of this. "To convince
you of the truth of what I have
said, answered he, you shall go home
with me: I live next door to her,
and she often comes through the garden
to visit my daughter, where you
will have a good opportunity of seeing
her." "If it be so, replied the other,
I will attend you." When they were
arrived at his house, Shuy-guwin desired
him to wait a little in the outward
apartment, while he went to see if Shuyping-sin
was with his daughter: he
returned immediately, crying out,
"This is a very favourable opportunity,
my fair niece is now with her
sister[43] : come, let us go see them together."
"How can that be? said
the other." "I'll carry you, replied
he, to a door that has a crevice in
it, through which you may see them
perfectly well." When Kwo-khé-tzu
had seen her; "She is indeed, said
he, as you told me; exquisitely
charming and beautiful. I will hasten
home, and immediately order a person
proper for this occasion to come
and discourse about the marriage."
All the way home, he did nothing but
revolve in his mind the charms of
the young lady he had seen, which had
made the deepest impression on his
heart: eager to obtain her, he rested
not a moment to send proposals of marriage.
She refused them, and slighted
his fairest offers.

Kwo-khé-tzu was plunged in the
greatest concern, but found no other
remedy, than to visit and make his
court to the Che-foo, by friends and
presents; desiring him to use his interest
to make him acceptable to the
young lady, he being equally acquainted
with both their fathers and
families. The Che-foo, unwilling to
disoblige him, with some difficulty
complied, and made her two visits:
but for all he could say he was not
able to prevail with her[44] . He acquainted

Kwo-khé-tzu with his success:
"Very well: we cannot help it: 'tis
sufficient:" said the youth with an
indifference but ill dissembled; while
his heart felt the deepest uneasiness.

In a short time after, arrived news
from court, that the father of Shuey-ping-sin
was fallen into disgrace, and sent
an exile into Tartary: and that the father
of Kwo-khé-tzu was advanced to
the dignity of Co-lau, or Minister of
state[45] . Transported with this news,

his son was encouraged once more to
sollicit the Che-foo, and to intreat him
to try again some way to accomplish a
marriage between him and the young
lady. The Che-foo sent for her uncle:
"Your niece, said he, is of age to be
married: you are a man of sense, and
must know the world: you cannot be
ignorant that time is not to be neglected:
and that when young persons
are arrived at the marriageable age,
it ought not to be deferred. While
her father was at liberty to direct her,
she did right in waiting for his pleasure
therein: not knowing perhaps, but he
was looking out a proper match for her
at court. But she has now no longer that
pretence: his office is taken away, he
is disgraced and sent into Tartary: no
one knows whether he's dead or alive.
Besides, as she is grown up, and has a
great many servants and young men in
her house, 'tis to be feared that people
will give a liberty to their tongues that
will hurt her reputation: you are her
uncle, and nearest in blood, cannot you
lay your commands upon her, now in
the absence of your brother? Kwo-khé-tzu
is a youth of great spirit, capacity
and worth; and his father's advancement
renders him still more respectable:
if she persists in refusing
him, she will not easily meet with so valuable
an offer: go home therefore, and
persuade your niece to accept of him."
"Sir, replied Shuey-guwin, you speak
with great judgment; I shall obey."

Taking leave of the Che-foo, he went
to her house with such visible marks of
displeasure in his countenance, that she
enquired the reason: he told her it was
because she had slighted the offers of
marriage that had been made to her in
favour of Kwo-khé-tzu; especially as
the Che-foo had come in person to
propose them to her with the greatest
marks of courtesy and respect. "Now
your father is in disgrace, proceeded he,
you must not expect that Magistrate
will give himself the trouble of waiting
on you any more: he will not shew
you so much complaisance. He sent

for me to-day to upbraid me with your
contemptuous treatment of the young
gentleman; and even exhorted me to
use the authority I have a right to
exert in my brother's absence." He
ceased speaking, and Shuey-ping-sin stood
fixed in profound silence,: he urged
her to answer: "Well, replied she
fighing after some time, "as my father
is banished, and the Che-foo commands
me to respect you as my father, whatever
you are pleased to order I must
obey: 'tis in vain to resist: you must
do in this matter whatever you please."
"This ready compliance, answered her
uncle overjoyed at her submission, shews
your good sense and judgment: you
don't perhaps know how wealthy and
considerable the house of Kwo-khé-tzu
is: he is a youth of great merit and
understanding: his father is lately promoted
to a very high office; and should
you marry his son, he may be able
to restore my brother." "'Tis indeed
possible, said the young lady."—
"Well then, replied Shuey-guwin eagerly,
I'll go and acquaint the Che-foo
that you consent to the proposals: give
me here the Nean-kung[46] , or writing
of eight letters." "If it must be so,
said Shuey-ping-sin, please to let me
have the paper[47] , and I will write
it." It was presently brought, and she
wrote upon it according to form.

Shuey-guwin took the paper, and folded
it up with great content: then bidding
her adieu, he hasted home to his
house, and acquainted his sons and
daughter that his niece had at last given
her consent. They were too well acquainted
with her aversion to the match
to be over-ready in believing him:
"Surely, said they, it must be a work of
more difficulty than this to procure
her compliance: you may be deceived
in her, for she is very artful: she
will seem to consent to-day, but put
you off to-morrow." He told them,

that she had submitted to obey him as
her father: "Beside, said he, here is
the Nean-kung, as an acknowledgment
of the marriage." They saw it and had
no farther scruples: "'Tis very well,
said they, and yet there is one thing
wanting; as it is the marriage of persons
of quality, and in a Mandarine's family,
the eight letters ought to be in
gold upon scarlet taffaty, and not
upon paper." He agreed it was proper,
and ordered them to be fixed on
accordingly. He then carried it to
the Che-foo, who when he saw it was
very well pleased, but told him he could
not order the marriage [farther]; he
must take the writing to the Che-hien.

The latter of these Mandarines received

the writing, as sent by the other;
and carried it the day after to the youth
whom it concerned. Kwo-khé-tzu
was no less transported, than if he had
found the most valuable jewel in the
world. He instantly ordered a Nean-kung
to be drawn up on his part, and
looking in the calendar for a fortunate
day[48] , made a great entertainment,
wherein the Che-foo and Che-hien were
the principal guests. When the feast
was over the latter of those magistrates
went with the writing to the house of
Shuey-guwin.

He immediately acquainted his niece
of it: and told her, "The day after
to-morrow, is a fortunate or good
day, when Kwo-khé-tzu designs to send
you the nuptial present: command
your house to be put in order, and sit
out your hall to receive it." "Sir,
replied she, if the present should come,
order it to your own house. As my
father is not at home it will be
more proper: and whether it is
brought hither or there the difference
will be little." "Very well, said her
uncle, and what name shall be prefixed

to the letter of thanks to be returned
for the present?" "Yours, Sir, said
she; let your name be to it: you are
my father here; my own father being
disgraced and banished the prefixing of
his name may occasion some discourtesy.
And whatever relates to the
paying of compliments, or the like, on
this occasion it will be proper for you
to take upon you." "It is true, said
Shuey-guwin, it ought to be so."

He then sent to buy a great number
of Tieh-tse, or red and gilded papers,
to write invitations upon[49] , and desired
Shuey-ping-sin to write them. She said, "I
will do it as you cannot write yourself,

but you must not let any one know
but that you wrote them." "Very
well, said he; there must also be the
letter of compliments[50] ." "I will
write that likewise, said the young
lady." When she had finished, she
desired her uncle to read it. He obeyed
and began thus; "My daughter"—

"How, says he, my daughter!
what do you mean by that? am not I
your uncle?" "Yes, said she, but is not
my own father banished, and don't you
tell me I must obey you as my father?"
Shuey-guwin was satisfied: then he took

the papers, and went home rejoicing.
"These writings, said he to his children,
are in my name, and your cousin
is in them stiled it my daughter: by
which not only her house, but whatever
she is now presented with, will be ours."

After two days Kwo-khé-tzu sent the
customary present[51] : at which Shuey-guwin
rejoiced, and put on his habit of

ceremony, ordering music to be provided,
his house to be adorned, and the
great gates thrown open to receive
it. The Che-hien accompanied it in
person: Shuey-guwin sent for his friends
and acquaintance in order to receive
him with the greater respect. He made
a grand feast on the occasion; and to
the servants that brought the present
he gave gifts of money; expressing
throughout the whole day the supreme
content and satisfaction of a man who
is near the accomplishment of a favourite
project.

Shuey-ping-sin heard all these rejoicings
without any emotion. When the
feast was over and the guests retired,
her uncle invited her to go see the present:

she complied with his request.
He asked her, who now must take it?
"Certainly, said she, it belongs to you,
you are my uncle and father; you have
been at great expence and trouble; this
is but a small return; a trifle hardly
worth mentioning, since my house,
my people, and my land, and whatever
else belongs to me is yours." "Why,
said he, should you think they are
mine?" "My father, she replied, has
no son, and is now in banishment: I
only am left, and under your direction
as your daughter, therefore
all I have is yours: but as I only govern
in my father's absence, and cannot
learn whether he is dead or alive,
I dare not yet deliver up my charge."
"Niece, said Shuey-guwin, you have
great generosity and penetration, and
shew an uncommon knowledge of
the world." He then called his three
sons and daughter, and bade them take
the present and lay it up; and upon
her offering to go, entreated her to
sit down and drink something with
them. This she waved on pretence of
some late indisposition, and begged to
retire. Shuey-guwin attributed her refusal
to that shyness and modesty, which
commonly prevails among young ladies
upon so delicate an occasion as the
receiving of the nuptial present; and
permitted her to withdraw.

CHAP. VI.

IT was now a month that Kwo-khé-tzu
had sent his present; when having

fitted up his house and prepared
every thing for his marriage, he chose
a fortunate day, and sent to acquaint
Shuey-guwin that he should come
on the morrow to fetch home his
bride. A piece of news, which the
latter received with much satisfaction.
He went immediately to inform his
niece of it, and desired her to make
all suitable preparations. "I have
no need, said she, to prepare any
thing about me, otherwise than it is."
"Ah! ah! said he, you are merry; you
know better: you do but jest with me."
When he came home, he told his family,
that he believed his niece had lost
her senses: "She talks of making no
preparation for her wedding. 'Tis very
whimsical; but perhaps it is only talk:
she will doubtless to-night comply with
custom and get things in order. Early
to-morrow I will go again and see what
she has done."

The next day Kwo-khé-tzu, according
to his promise, sent his gilded chair,
his trumpets and music, with a long
train of attendants, all in great magnificence
and order, to the house of Shuey-guwin.
He immediately run to his
niece to tell her to get ready, for that
the chair was come for her. "What is
it you would have me get ready,
replied she hastily? Am I not well
enough as I am?" "Are you so ignorant,
said he, as not to know what
you ought to do? Has not the bridegroom
sent his chair for you? He is

also coming to conduct you himself[52] .
Does not he not shew you great honour
and respect? Why then do you talk at
this ridiculous rate?" "What is all that
to me, replied the young Lady? I have
nothing to say to it, it only relates to
my[53] sister your daughter." Shuey-guwin
in the greatest consternation at these
words, was not able to speak for some
time: at last he said; "Is it not for
your sake that this young gentleman
hath taken so much pains, and put
himself to all this trouble and expence?
Whom then does he come for? My
daughter, do you say, that is as ugly as
an evil genius or demon[54] , in comparison
of you? no such thing." "My father,
answered the young lady, is in disgrace;
he is banished afar off, and has committed
all he has here to my care:
in this situation, how can I marry?"
"Nay, said he in deep concern, if you
are not disposed to marry, who will go
about to force you? But why then did
you give me your eight letters of Nean-kung?"
"Uncle, said she, you was
then asleep, and are not yet awake. I
should be a fool indeed to give you any
such writing while I was averse to marriage."
"What, said he, did not I
procure you the coloured paper? and
did not you yourself write upon it?"
"If it was so, she replied, let me see it."

Shuey-guwin hasted home: "My
niece, said he to his sons and daughter,
refuses to marry Kwo-khé-tzu; and
denies that the Nean-kung was of her
writing." Then he took the paper[55]
and went to her house. "Here! said
he holding it out, will you deny this
to be your own hand-writing?" "I
acknowledge the writing, replied she:
I deny it not: but if the eight letters
are found to be mine, I'll be
content to marry. Pray uncle, do

you know when I was born?"
"Doubtless, said he, I do: you
were born on the fifteenth day of
the eighth moon, at ten o'clock: I
remember it perfectly well; it was a
feast day, and I was making merry
with your father." "Very well, Sir,
said she; and when was my cousin
Ghiang-koo born, your daughter?"
"I must certainly, said he, be well
acquainted with my daughter's birth:
it was on the sixth day of the sixth
moon, in the middle of the day."
"Pray, Sir, then, proceeded she, when
you took the paper with you, did not
you observe the eight letters written
upon it: they are as follows;"—here
she repeated them — "The writing,
you see, relates to your daughter; I
am no way concerned in it: why then
do you give me so much trouble and
perplexity?"

Shuey-guwin at this was greatly disturbed,
"However, it is sufficient, he
cried out in a rage; I saw you write it,
and it matters not in what manner it
was done." Seeing him begin to
make a disturbance, she said to him
calmly; "Sir, you must not be so
warm: pray go and consult one that
can divine[56] , and let him see whether
those eight letters belong to me or your

daughter." She argued in vain, he
became still more angry and began to
rave and stamp with his feet; saying
that she only sought to do him prejudice.
"However, said he, it is no
matter; you cannot hurt me; truth
is truth. Both the Che-foo and Che-hien
solicited your consent: the whole city
knows of the young gentleman's present.
How then can you say it is no
concern of yours? you are extremely
blameable." "If it was me,
whom Kwo-khé-tzu designed to marry,
she replied, why did not he order
his present to be brought to me here at
my own house? The Tieh-tse and
letter of compliments, run in your
name: and therein you only speak of
your daughter; there is not the least
mention of me." "How can you
thus embroil the matter, said her uncle?
the letter relates alone to you,
and the form of it was agreed on
between us." "If you had no daughter,
resumed she, then you might have
bestowed that title upon me without
reserve: it is not unusual, it is true,
to reckon the nieces for daughters,
but they are always distinguished by
elder and younger: but since in your
paper 'tis written simply, my daughter,
it can be only understood of Ghiang-koo
my cousin. If you will force this
marriage upon me, how will it appear
reasonable to any Mandarine with whom
a petition may chance to be lodged?"
"To so much talk and prate, replied
Shuey-guwin, it is in vain to give answer.
Very well! very well! said he
in a violent passion, your design I see
is to plague and kill me. If we had
proceeded thus far with a man of the
lowest rank, how should we avoid
trouble and disgrace? much more with
such a person as this, who is a youth
of great resentment, and whose father
is prefered to such power at court.
Your abrupt refusal! what disturbance,
trouble and confusion will it
cause? I shall certainly be ashamed
to shew my head: you will force me to
lay aside all respect of kindred. I must
go lodge a complaint against you before
a Mandarine; then how will you
be able to unravel and clear up so long
a story before him[57] ? or how will you
avoid exposing yourself to a great deal
of shame?" All this he spoke with tears
in his eyes. "Uncle, answered Shuey-ping-sin,
I shall not make so long a
story of it, as you may imagine: I
shall only say that you, who are my uncle,
taking advantage of my father's absence,
would force me, who am left a
young and helpless maid, to marry, in
order to take possession of my substance.
This will make you appear in
so criminal a light, that you will not
be able to hold up your head."

Shuey-guwin was a good deal alarmed
at these words, and began to be more
calm. "I would not willingly, said he,
bring a petition before a Mandarine:
but if I do not, how shall I extricate
myself out of these difficulties?" "Uncle,
said the young lady, if you will
lay aside your ungenerous intentions
against me, I'll undertake to bring you
off clear." Shuey-guwin wiping his
eyes replied, "Alas! that I fear is impossible;
it is not in the power of a
Saint[58] to deliver me." "Pursue my

directions, proceeded she, and this
sorrow shall be turned into joy."
"Alas! said he, at a time when life
and death are indifferent to me, what
hope can I have of so favourable a
change? However, I would know
how you propose to assist me in this
affair, so that this young man's resentment
may not fall on my head."
"Attend then, said she, and do exactly
as I would have you: if I
mistake not, my cousin Ghiang-koo is
just seventeen, of a fit age to be married,
you have now a fine opportunity
of doing it: send her in my stead, and
all the difficulty is over." At these
words he hung down his head and
paused: at length looking up with
a mixture of joy and terror, he said,
"Well, but your cousin is very ordinary
and disagreeable in her person;
and if she should marry Kwo-khé-tzu,
he will not like her, and so I shall still
be involved in trouble[59] ." "Uncle,
she replied, leave that to me: in
other respects there's nothing irregular;
the eight letters are rightly and
truly your daughter's: 'tis as true
that the present came to your house:
all this is notorious. The Tieh-tse run
in your name: and in the letter of
compliments you say, my daughter:
in consequence of all this the chair is
now come to your house: then what
should hinder you from sending my
cousin? on the other hand consider the
credit it will be to have him for your
son-in-law: does not all this afford you
pleasure?" At this the countenance of
Shuey-guwin began to clear up: he
smiled and said, "Daughter and cousin,
how came you, that are a little
helpless and lonely maid, to be possessed
of so much ingenuity, as at
once thus to kill me and restore me
to life? "Sir, replied his niece, it
was never my desire to deceive you:
this affair was all your own seeking
to give me disturbance." "Enough,
said he, let that be forgotten:
one thing yet remains; your
cousin is very aukward, and neither
knows how to dress herself out, not
to behave as she ought, on such an
occasion: you must go to assist, and
instruct her." "I will go, said she,
and if any thing be wanting, let me
have the blame."

She took accordingly two of her
maids, and went to dress up her cousin;

in order to which she caused her to
bathe and wash herself clean from head
to foot, to whiten her teeth, to form
her eye-brows, and put on cloaths perfumed
with the sweetest wood and
gums: this took them up a good part
of the day: she then instructed her,
when she was brought to the house of
the bridegroom to behave herself with
reserve and modesty; and on coming
into his own apartment when he should
advance to take off her veil, to run and
hide herself in the curtains. She also
instructed the two waiting women,
when they were to offer him wine[60] ,
to be as liberal of it as possible, and
when he should have a mind to retire,
to be sure to put out the lights. Then
ordering the maids to withdraw and
get themselves ready, she took the opportunity
of their absence to proceed
as follows: "The next morning when
the bridegroom sees you, he will perhaps
be angry to find you not so
handsome as he expected: in that case
you must throw yourself into violent
fits of crying, and offer to lay violent
hands on yourself; this will doubtless
make him afraid, and prevent his offering
you any ill treatment." Ghiang-koo
promised to observe all her directions:
and then they took their
leaves of each other.

Kwo-khé-tzu was now arrived to
fetch home his bride. Shuey-guwin
went in to see her. "You are very
fine, said he, there wants nothing now
but a veil for your face: when that
is covered you will be perfectly handsome."
Then taking her in his arms
he carried and seated her in the chair.
That ceremony over, the bridegroom
mounting his horse with great content,
went before the chair towards
his house: there he ordered the gates
to be thrown open, and desired his

female relations to be ready to receive
er. He beheld her with great de-
ght as she got out of the chair,
and her face being covered she ap-
peared to him like a Saint or Angel[61] .
hen walking by her side into the
great hall, their friends and relations
ade them their compliments. After
is they retired into his apartment,
here he went to take off her veil:
upon which, according to her cousin's
advice, she ran and hid herself in the
ed. The bridegroom then ordered the
ble to be covered, but Ghiang-koo
would not come to sit down. The wait-
ing women desired him to seat himself
and drink first. He said, "No: your
mistress is ashamed now, and out of mo-
desty will not shew herself, yet perhaps
would be glad to take some refreshment:
therefore to save her blushes,
I'll retire a little while she comes out,
and will go and eat with my friends
and acquaintance." His relations asked
him why he left the lady, and if it
were not usual for the bride and bridegroom
to eat together? "Shuey-ping-sin[62]
, replied he, is a woman of great
fashion and delicacy: she ought to be
treated with suitable respect, and hath
certainly now a just claim to indulgence."
Her relations acknowledged
it was very kind and respectful: then
inviting him to sit down and partake of
their entertainment, they quickly fell to
drinking, plying one another[63] so fast,
that Kwo-khé-tzu became very much
fuddled.

When all the guests were retired, he
went into the bride's chamber; and seeing
it full of lights, he approached the bed,

and asked her why she did not take her
repose? why she stayed for him, and
hindered herself from sleeping with so
many tapers? Ghiang-koo, as he opened
the curtains, turned aside her face, and
ordered her women to put out the
lights. They hesitated, observing that
he was not undressed: but he said,
"Whatever your new lady orders, obey
her: defer it not upon my account."
They obeyed him and retired[64] .

The next morning an hour or two
after it was day, as he was going to rise
and put on his cloaths, he saw the ugly
face of his wife. He could not for
some time believe his senses: "Surely,
said he aloud rubbing his eyes, "the
Shuey-ping-sin which I saw, was exquisitely
beautiful: but who are you? you are
not the bride for whom I contracted."
"Why not, answered Ghiang-koo? but I
am." "I expected a lady compleatly
handsome, said he, and here is an ill-favoured
monster indeed." Then starting
up in a rage, he vented his fury in exclamations
against Shuey-guwin, pouring
on his head a thousand curses. Ghiang-koo
hearing him thus abuse her father,
calling him dog and villain so to deceive
him, was highly troubled "What,
said she, am not I your wife, and is not

my father your father-in-law: and do
you treat him with no more respect, than
thus to abuse him in my hearing?"
Kwo-khé-tzu at this was the more perplexed:
"'Tis enough, said he, I am
soundly cheated! and is Shuey-guwin
really your father?" "Is he, said she?
most certainly: you must know nothing:
you must be very dull of apprehension
to doubt it. Why, Shuey-ping-sin
is my younger sister; the
daughter of my uncle. If you would
have married her, why did not you go
to her own house, and ask for her
there? The Nean-kung you received is
really mine: the Tieh-tse run in the name
of my father. In his letter he writes,
my daughter. 'Twas to his house your
present was brought: and thither you
came yourself to fetch me away.
All the city knows I was carried out
of his house, and no other. I am of a
family very much honoured and respected;
and for you, to whom I am
newly married, to treat me and my
friends with all this scorn and abuse, is
it possible I should bear it? No: I will
never live under so much indignity. I
will sooner die a thousand deaths."

Then working herself up into the
greatest transport of rage and grief,
she fell to stamp and beat herself suriously:
and snatching up a sash that lay
in the room, was going to strangle
herself with it. Kwo-khé-tzu alarmed
at this violence; and fearing the trouble
and disgrace in which it would involve
him and his family should such an accident
happen within his own apartment,

and to his new-married bride;
flew to her instantly and held her arm:
then in a soothing manner begged
her to attribute his words to the wine
he had drank over-night; it being
usually his misfortune to be passionate
after it: that she should not be so
moved by a few inconsiderate expressions:
but that now they were married,
they should endeavour to live in peace
and amity.

CHAP. VII.[65]

KWo-khé-tzu having thus married a
wife, who was his aversion, in all
respects the reverse of Shuey-ping-sin,
was greatly perplexed and disturbed in
his mind. "And yet, said he to himself,
although Ghiang-koo my bride is
very ugly, she hath a great deal of reason

for what she says: and if she should
do herself any violence, it will be attributed
to me." He therefore ordered
his servants to keep along with her, and
take care no harm happened to her
in his absence.

This done, he went to visit the Che-foo;
to whom with a heavy heart he related
the villainous trick Shuey-guwin had
played him; who after carrying him to
see his niece, and encouraging a marriage
contract between them, had put his ugly
daughter upon him in her stead: "I
have also been, said he, at vast expence
in this affair; yet that I regard not;
but to be thus out-witted and made a
a jest of, I cannot endure: I hope
therefore, he added, as you, Sir, are
acquainted with my father, for the

sake of his honour you will not suffer
me to be so scandalously imposed on."

"Certainly, replied that Mandarine,
Shuey-guwin hath done very ill in puting
this abuse upon you: but you yourself
have been also to blame; you
should have proceeded on greater certainty.
Why did not you send the
nuptial present to the house of the
young lady herself? When you received
the eight letters, why did not you cause
inquiry to be made whether they were
truly hers? The papers of invitation
were in the name of her uncle: yesterday
you went yourself to his house:
and you have accordingly brought
away his daughter: there is nothing
irregular in all this. Had you gone
to the house of Shuey-ping-sin, and thence

carried away the other, so flagrant an
imposition and fraud had been punishable.
But if you found yourself cheated
in your bride, why did not you
send her back the same night you were
married? then your charge would have
procured credit, and you might have
obtained redress: now it cannot be had in
the ordinary course of justice: we must
go more artfully to work. I will send
for Shuey-guwin and talk over the matter
with him calmly: perhaps by fair
and gentle means I may gradually
draw forth a discovery of the truth.
But with regard to his carrying you to
see his niece, that will not be proper to
be laid before the public; neither can
it give any advantage to your cause. Go
home then, make no more disturbance;
on the contrary seem contented and
happy: above all things carry it kindly
to your wife, lest you drive her to extremities,
that may occasion you infinite
trouble." Kwo-khé-tzu finding there
was no better course to be taken, thanked
him and promised to follow his
advice.

All this while Shuy-guwin was not
more happy: he had no sooner sent
away his daughter, but he began to
apprehend what might follow. He slept
not a wink all that night, but getting
up in the morning at break of day,
sent people to the house of the bridegroom
to listen if they could hear any
disturbance. Intelligence was brought
him that every thing was in profound
quiet. He revolved again and again
what could be the meaning of this

tranquility: he could not account to
himself for this passive conduct of Kwo-khé-tzu,
whose fiery temper he knew
very well, and whose resentment he
had so much right to expect. In the
midst of reflections of this kind he
received a message that the Che-foo
wanted to see him. Then his mind
misgave him, and he suspected every
thing was not right. With an aching
heart he waited on that magistrate:
who received him into the second
hall[66] , and after the customary salute
invited him to sit down. Then ordering
all the servants out of the room, he
very mildly opened the matter. "Kwo-khé-tzu,
said he, this morning presented
a petition to me, wherein he accuses
you of very criminal practices. You
know that even I interested myself to
bring on a marriage between him and
your niece: how then could you palm
your daughter upon him? You have
not only deceived that young nobleman,
but me also; and thereby shewn
me the greatest slight and disrespect
imaginable. Now justice demands that
this fraud should be punished with the
utmost rigour, and the youth himself
insists upon it: but having a respect
for your brother, who was a great
Mandarine, I was unwilling to proceed
to severities, 'till I had talked
over the matter with you in friendship.
Pray therefore let me know the whole
truth, otherwise I must shew you no
favour." Frighted at these words,
Shuey-guwin fell on his knees, "Sir,
said he, my life is in your hands: how
then can I dare to deceive you? Yesterday's
business hath ten thousand intricacies
in it: but it was not of my seeking:
it was a violence upon my inclinations;
and if you will pardon me, I
will let you know all that relates to it."
The Che-foo bade him rise and speak
without reserve. "Let me then inform
you Sir, said he, that my niece,
whose aversion to this marriage is not
unknown to yourself, is the spring and
mover of all this confusion.
Every step that has been taken
was the effect of her management:
for she hath a surprizing capacity.
Yesterday when the bridegroom came
for his wife, I went to my niece, expecting
she was ready to go with him: instead
of that she flew into a passion, and
refused to comply, insisting upon it
that it was no affair of hers; but suggested
to me for my own security,
to obtrude my daughter upon him in
her stead: which far from being the
result of my own choice or intentions,
was merely owing to that necessity
to which she had reduced me. This
considered therefore, and as it cannot
be recalled, let me intreat you to intercede
with Kwo-khé-tzu to forgive me."
"And is your niece indeed so ingenious,
said the Che-foo? truly I cannot
but admire[67] a lady of such uncommon
spirit and understanding. If it be so,
justice is disarmed: only I fear this
young gentleman will still nourish for
her a fruitless passion." "The disappointment,
said Shuey-guwin, may possibly
increase it: however as all is now
over, and as my niece is quiet and composed,
nor thinks any longer of a marriage
she hath got clear of so handsomely,
it will be best not to alarm her afresh,
but to let the affair sleep, at least for
the present. Yet if he will not be prevailed
on to forget her; let him wait
a little with patience: I hope yet for
an opportunity to obtain her for him."
The Mandarine, glad to hear him
speak thus, said, "If you can still effect
this marriage, you will entirely disarm
all resentment, and convince the world
you were no way blameable. But then if
this young lady hath so much wit, you
will not easily over-reach her." "Now
my daughter is married, and all is
quiet, he replied, my niece will be no
longer on her guard. If you will please
to send for the young gentleman, I will
talk over the matter here before you."

The Che-foo assented, and Kwo-khé-tzu
accordingly came. When they had
unravelled the whole affair, the youth
remained fully satisfied, and told him,
"If you will still endeavour to procure
me your beautiful niece, I shall entirely
forget the injury done me, nor shall
the less esteem and respect your daughter.
But what means can you think of
to effect your purpose?" "I am not
unprovided of these, said the other. Do
you go home, caress and make much of
your wife: touch not on the affair of Shuey-ping
sin, nor on any thing that hath past:
let no dissatisfaction appear in your
face, on the contrary seem contented and
happy: and on the third, the sixth, the
ninth or twelfth day, on any one of
these, when it is usual to entertain the

relations, the men in the outer apartments
and the women within, let my
niece be invited with the rest: you
must also intreat the presence of the
two Mandarines of the city. The eight
letters of Nean-kung you must get
changed to those of my niece, whom it
will be the principal part of your management
to induce to come by means
of your wife, and by all gentle and persuasive
methods. Every thing being
thus previously disposed, when she is
arrived at your house and got into the
hall, you must produce the eight letters,
and pronouncing them to be hers, tax
her with the former deceit she was
guilty of, and appeal to the magistrates
and company for the right you have
to do yourself justice. How after this
can she avoid marrying you?" Kwo-khé-tzu
was charmed with his plausible
contrivance, and pronounced it excellent.
The Che-foo himself thought it
well concerted, yet doubted of its success
from the proofs she had given of
her great penetration, apprehending she
would hardly be induced to come."
"Why not, said her uncle? my daughter
lives in great harmony with her
husband: all is quiet: what then should
alarm her?" Here they parted.

Shuey-guwin went home to his house,
and from thence to that of his niece.
He dropped not a syllable that could
give her suspicion: on the contrary he
complimented her on her great ingenuity,
in having extricated him so well

out of all his difficulties. She received
his applauses with a becoming
modesty. "I was this morning, said
he, very uneasy and fearful of mischief,
for which reason I sent spies to
listen if all was right; they brought
me back notice that every thing was
quiet: perhaps it is so, and he is not
disatisfied with my daughter." "I can
hardly be persuaded to believe that,
she replied; I am well assured he cannot
love her: you will yet perhaps hear
something about them." "That is by
no means likely now," said he as he
withdrew: who went home admiring
the shrewd and subtle spirit of his
niece, and fearing every thing from so
piercing a discernment.

On the other hand Kwo-khé-tzu was
so sanguine about the success of their
artifice, that he thought twelve days
as long as so many years: for in order
to remove suspicion, he had brought
himself to fix on the longest day.
Three days therefore before it came,
he sent five Tieh-tse or papers of invitation[68]
, one for the young lady, the rest

for her uncle and his three sons. Shuey-guwin
carried that for his niece to her
himself. "The day, said he, that I
followed your advice and sent away
my daughter, I was very apprehensive
of bad consequences. You encouraged
me and rather foretold a great deal of
joy. Your prediction is now verified,
and all is right between her and her
husband; otherwise he would hardly
have sent us these invitations: here is
one directed for yourself; which, as
there will be other female relations
there, it will be but right in you to
comply with." The young lady assented.
"If you intend to go then, said
her uncle, it is customary always to
send some present a day or two before."
She agreed it was proper. Upon which
he run and fetched the gilded paper
and paint for her to write the particulars
of the present[69] : in the mean
while she desired him to get it ready,
for as it was for a new relation, she
would have it conducted in the genteelest
manner. Shuey-guwin obeyed
her with great satisfaction, and went to
his son-in-law to tell him that his niece
would certainly come. "Prepare, said
he, the Nean-kung: she suspects nothing:
I told you this was the way to
catch her." Kwo-khé-tzu got ready
the piece of silk together with the proper
letters, and gave them to his wife
to fix them on.

Shuey-guwin had notwithstanding frequent
returns of doubt and distrust,
fearing that some whim would seize his
niece, and prevent her from going at
the time appointed. He went therefore
the day before, and advised Kwo-khé-tzu
to send two of his maids to know

if she wovld assuredly come. He approved
of his advice and sent the women
accordingly: who together with
enquiries after her health, said that her
company would give such pleasure to
their master and mistress, that they
could not be satisfied 'till they had
sent to know whether she would
certainly favour them with it. She
told them, if they had not paid her this
compliment she intended to go and wish
them joy. This she spoke with a very
pleasant countenance, ordering tea to be
brought, and appointing them to sit
down on one side of the room. While
the servants were gone for tea, she asked
them; "Hath your mistress been well
since she came home?" One of them
answered, "She hath been very well,
and passes her time with much satisfaction
in playing, telling stories, and
such diversions." "This morning,
said the other, my master brought her
a piece of red twan-ze or taffaty to fix
something of embroidery upon it."
"Flowers I suppose," said Shuey-ping-sin.
"They were neither flowers, nor
any thing in colours, she answered:
but something in gold." "Possibly
letters," said the young lady. "Yes,
she replied, they were letters." She
asked how many pieces there were:
and was answered about seven or eight.
Then having entertained and given
them presents, she dismissed them.
They returned home with answer that
the young lady would not fail to come.

"Twice, said Kwo-khé-tzu, have messages
been sent, they must go again tomorrow
which will finish the compliment.
Accordingly he gave them a golden
box curiously wrought, in which he
inclosed ten large pearls of the finest
water: and sent them away with proper
instructions. Shuey-guwin who was
present inquired the meaning of this.
"The eight letters, said he, have been
followed by no present, for which reason
I send these jewels." "You are
right, said the other; you have as good
a head as my niece: you know what belongs
to ceremonies[70] . When once

you are married what a sensible pair
will you two make?"

The maids carried the present in the
name of the bride, whose compliments
they presented with a great deal of ceremony,

intreating her ladyship to let
their mistress see her as soon as possible,
for that she had a thousand things to
talk over with her. "She likewise,
proceeded they, intreats your acceptance
of this box of pearls: which she
gave us to present to you privately as
a small acknowledgement for the trouble
your ladyship had at her wedding."

"These pearls, said Shuey-ping-sin
looking upon the box and its contents,
are exceedingly precious indeed:
if they are to be sold, my house is not
valuable enough to purchase them: if
they are a present, I dare not be bold
enough to accept them: therefore carry
them back again to your lady: I will
at least defer my acceptance of them

till I see her." The women express'd
an unwillingness to carry them back.
"Well, said she, on no other condition
will I go to your house." The maids
not being prepared for this accident,
with some difficulty took up the box
and carry'd it back with them.

By this time arrived Shuey-guwin,
who commanded her servants to get
ready the chair of state and the Whangsan
or umbrella. His niece hearing him
cried out, that so much ceremony and
trouble was needless. "Needless! replied
he; at the house of your cousin
yonder are assembled a great many
Mandarines and people of quality; and
every thing is disposed with the utmost
grandeur: and will not you make a

suitable preparation?" "My father, said
she, is in disgrace and banishment: how
will it appear for me to assume so much
pomp and state at a juncture like this?
It will not only expose me to the derision
of the world, but should the Emperor
hear of it, he will think that our
house contemns his authority. Pray
uncle don't give yourself so much trouble,
when I am able to give orders myself."
"Well then, said Shuey-guwin,
if I leave you to yourself; how will
you proceed?" "Yesterday, replied
she, came here four countrymen, that
brought corn with them; two of them
I ordered to stay: there is a little chair
in the house, which two men can
carry: they shall attend me with that."
"Should you come in that manner,
said her uncle, would you not be more
exposed to the laughter of mankind?
Would your relations and the other
visitants shew you any respect?" "Let
me be laught at or affronted, said she,
I go notwithstanding no otherwise than
I ought." When Shuey-guwin found her
so determined, he said, "Enough! it
shall be as you please. It is high time
for me to go: I hope we shall presently
see you there." He then took his three
sons with him and departed.

Kwo-khé-tzu, who waited for her arrival
with the utmost impatience, had
sent people to inform him of all her
motions: and when he heard that she
was preparing to come, was hardly able
to contain his joy. He then applied to

the Che-foo and Chi-hien to be witnesses
to the marriage: and having sent for
four counsellors[71] , he laid before them
the steps he had taken, both the box of
jewels which had been sent for a present,
and her writing of eight letters
which he had to produce. He then
ordered seven or eight lusty women
to be ready, who immediately when
she was set down were to prevent
her from getting away, as also from
flying into any outrage. He had likewise
prepared a chamber for her reception,
set off with the richest furniture of gold
and silver. Mid-day was now past, when
intelligence was brought him, that the
young lady was set out. He was presently
informed she was arrived half way.
Transported at the news he instantly
planted the music at the gates, ordering
them the moment she arrived to sound
aloud the marriage song[72] . So great was
his impatience, that the chair not instantly
appearing, he could not forbear going
out to look for it[73] . At a distance he
beheld it coming, attended by four welllooking
maids, and followed by seven
or eight servants. Ravished at the
sight, he stay'd in the street till they were
got pretty near: he then hasted in, and
told the company that his new bride
was just at the door. They all wished
him joy, except the two Mandarines
of the city, who said one to the other,
"This young person discovered at first
a great deal of sense: but there is a weakness
in women, which notwithstanding
their wit fails not to appear one time
or other; and in this inconstancy they
are inferior to men." "This is a poor
unfortunate girl, said the other; with all
her caution and foresight she at length
is fallen into the snare."

Scarce had he spoke, when Shuey-ping-sin
arrived at the gates; and the
four female attendants lifting up the

chair, she rose from her seat[74] in order to
go out. At the same instant the music
and trumpets began to sound. Struck
with the noise, and alarmed at the sight
of the eight women planted near the
door, she set herself down again in her
chair, and turn'd her face aside in great
displeasure, saying, "The noise of this
ugly music is enough to tear one's head
to pieces: it would kill me if I was to
go in!" Then immediately she gave a
signal to return, and her attendants
carried her out of sight in a moment:
they came the more slowly, in order to
make their retutn the speedier.

CHAP. VIII.

KWO-khé-tzu hearing the trumpets
and music, never doubted but
Shuey-ping-sin had entered the house:
nay he posted himself in a private corner
that he might behold her as she
passed by: having waited some time,
and heard the music play twice, he
began to wonder that no body appeared;
but how great was his astonishment
and confusion, when the eight
women came to tell him, his beautiful
mistress was gone back again. He enquired
the meaning. They told him
that when the music begun to play,
she seemed surprized, and instantly fled.
He asked why they did not endeavour
to stay her? They said, that was impossible,

she was gone so suddenly.
He would have sent his people after
her, but they assured him it would be
in vain; she must have got home by
this time: for that she went away as
swift as an arrow. Kwo-khé-tzu raved
and stared like a madman: he returned
to the hall, and acquainted the Man-darines
of the city, together with all
his relations and friends. Some of
them smiled, all were astonished.

"This young woman, said the Che-foo,
is a prodigy: to discover his intention
from the bare playing of the
music! What, said he, turning to
Shuey-guwin, does your niece study
at home any book of divination?"
"When she was a child, replied her

uncle, she would be always with her
father poring over his books; so that
by often reading and conversing with
him, she would tell what days would
be fortunate, and what unlucky: when
to expect good weather, or bad: but
we never used to regard what she said:
however she now seems to have a
spirit of divination, that from the bare
sound of the music could discover our
intentions."

None that were present could help
conceiving a great esteem and admiration
for a lady of so much discernment.
Kwo-khé-tzu stood overwhelmed
with the deepest melancholy: at
length rousing himself up, he could
not help making one other effort, by

sending the two females once more to
her house. They were ordered to remind
her that this was the twelfth day
of her cousin's marriage: that her
friends and relations were there assembled:
that their mistress had a particular
affection for her, and renewed
her intreaties that she would not disappoint
her of her company, it being
a pleasure she had so much depended on:
and that their master had the utmost
esteem and respect for her. All this
they punctually delivered: adding farther,
that they were surprized her ladyship
should return, after she had once
come to the door: that the music was
now removed; and therefore they hoped
nothing would prevent her from
going again.

She replied: "As I thought the
invitation I received from your lady
and her spouse, flowed from sincere
and undesigning friendship, I esteemed
it my duty to comply with it: how far
it proceeded from sinister views, is best
known to themselves. But if there was
nothing extraordinary intended, how
came the eight letters to be changed?
What was meant yesterday by the present
of pearls? What brought the
Che-foo, and Che-hien, who I have discovered
were at his house? Was it not
with a view of trepanning me into a
marriage with your master? Thank
Heaven[75] the music at the door preserved

me: but for that friendly alarm
I had now been at his disposal. [Then
wiping her eyes, for she could not refrain
from tears when she thought of
the narrow escape she had had;] Go
home, proceeded she, and together
with my humble services to your master,
advise him to live peaceably and
lovingly with his wife: for that he
and myself are never formed to come
together: it will therefore be his wisest
way to desist from all future attempts,
and to trouble me no more."

When this answer was reported to
the Magistrates and the company, their
admiration was still increased, and they
looked upon her as no less then a prophetess:
however as they had been invited
to a feast, and had been waiting
a great while, they desired it might be
served up; and after they had eaten,
took their leaves and departed.

When all the company was gone:
"Certainly, said Kwo khé-tzu to Shuey-guwin
whom he had detained still with
him: your niece is a woman of uncommon
penetration: and yet all this
may be accounted for, without supposing
her possessed of supernatural
powers: perhaps she and you have
agreed together to play me these tricks:
and it was from yourself she learnt my
designs." Shuey guwin, piqued at this
suspicion, not only denied it with the
most vehement asseverations, but offered
to take his solemn oath[76] of it.

He accepted this offer, and remained
satisfied: then desiring him to sit down
by him, he said, "When first I saw
your niece, I fell in love with her for
her beauty, but now were she more ugly
than Ghiang-koo, I should admire her no
less for her ingenuity and wit. I am
distracted to obtain her: you must still
contrive some way to oblige me."

After a profound silence of some minutes,
Shuey-guwin started up and said,
"I have at length discovered means
which I think cannot fail." Kwo-khé-tzu
was all attention. "The twentieth day
of the ninth moon, proceeded the other,
is the anniversary of her mother's death,
when it was her yearly custom to go to
her tomb, and there to burn incense and
offer up sacrifice[77] : at which time she

receives her rents of the neighbouring
villages, and walks and amuses herself
for two or three days among the gardens.
At that juncture do you provide
a good swift horse for yourself,
and a set of stout Cooleys or chairmen:
lay wait for her with these as she goes
or returns: ordering them, when you
give the signal, to stop the men that
carry her chair, and after they have
fallen upon them and beat them, to
seize and carry her home to your house."

Kwo-khé-tzu was charmed with this
proposal, and resolved to put it in execution.
"Nothing, said he, can defeat
a design so well concerted as this:
unless badness of weather should keep
her at home." "Even that, said Shuey-guwin,
will hardly prevent her from
going: for she bears the greatest regard
for her mother's memory." Kwo-khé-tzu
had no farther doubts about the
success of their project: in the happy
contemplation of which Shuey-guwin
left him.

As soon as he got home, he hastened
to his niece to chide her for what had
happened. "Your cousin's husband,
said he, shewed you great civility, not
only to invite you, but also to do it in

so respectful a manner: and for you to
come to his door and then run away,
what could occasion such strange be-haviour?
It hath brought a great deal
of shame not only on yourself but also
on me: for I could hardly lift up my
head any more in company." "I
need not use many words, replied Shuey-ping-sin;
let me only say, that whether
my suspicions were well grounded or
not, is best known to himself, but
I had certainly the strongest foundation
for them." "By no means, said he,
all that he wanted was to pay his compliments
to his new relations, and to
shew you that respect which he thought
due to the cousin of his wife." "That,
said his niece, you will hardly persuade
me to believe: nay although I escaped
the snare this time, I am of opinion
that he is still contriving some trick
to catch me. And you know best
whether you yourself are altogether
innocent. You will probably deny it;
but the event will shew it before it be
long." Shuey-guwin's heart began to
beat, and he went home without uttering
a single syllable.

Now the ninth moon being come,
Shuey-ping-sin began to think of paying
her respects at her mother's tomb, and
of visiting the places where she was
every year accustomed to go. She sent
therefore to acquaint her uncle and his
three sons, of her intention. It instantly
occured to Shuey-guwin, that if he went
with her, he would be thought a party

concerned in the carrying her off: he
therefore returned for answer that he
was indisposed. She then desired his
two eldest sons might accompany her:
but they, it was answered, were ingaged
in business which they could not
leave: but that his youngest son, if she
required it, might go with her. At
the same time he sent to advise Kwo-khé-tzu
of it, and that she was to set out
the very next morning.

On the morrow she ordered every
thing to be got ready with such preparation,
as might testify her respect for
the memory of her mother. She appointed
her grand chair[80] to be set out,

together with four smaller chairs for
her maids. She had a horse brought
to the door in the street for her cousin[81]
: then ordering the chairs into
the hall, and having placed herself and
her women in them, the chairmen
came and took them away. From
thence they marched along in great
order; first of all went the chair of
state, preceded by a magnificent umbrella,
and carried by four cooleys or
chairmen: then came the four small
ones, followed by her cousin on horseback
attended by two servants.

They were now got out of the city,
and wanted but about a lee[82] of the tomb:
when suddenly there came up three
lusty men on the left hand and as many
on the right; who stopped the grand
chair. And presently after from among
the bushes, there rushed out more than
twenty cooleys or chairmen, five or six
of whom immediately seized on the
chair, crying out to them who carried
it: "This is our place; would you
take our livelihood from us?" Then
beating them off, they took it up and
ran away with it as fast as they could.
The servants on horseback seeing this,
rode after them, demanding how they
durst offer such insult to a lady of

quality. They made no reply, but
hurried away the faster.

One of the servants was almost up
with the chair: when of a sudden bolted
out Kwo-khé-tzu himself and stopped
him. "How now, impudence! said
he, your lady there is my wife." "I
knew not that, Sir, said the servant,
I only did my duty: which had I not
done, my lady would have punished
me." "Lay the blame upon me,
replied the other, do you go home
about your business." The servant
stood still. Then Kwo-khé-tzu forbidding
him with heavy threats to advance,
hasted after the chair. By
this time the four other chairs were
come up together with the attendants;

who after a little consultation, turn'd
about and went home again.

In the mean while Kwo-khé-tzu accompanied
his prize 'till it was got
within the gate of the city: then giving
the strictest charge to his servants to
take great care of it, and see it safely
set down within his house, he turned
aside to the Che-foo and Che-hien, in
order to intreat them to come and
be witnesses.

CHAP IX.[83]

KWO-khé-tzu was not so overjoyed
that he had secured the prize, as to
be neglectful of what might happen;

left therefore upon her arrival at his
house, she would make a disturbance
and reject the marriage, he made all
possible haste to fetch the Magistrates
of the city, together with others of his
relations and friends; in order to produce
her eight letters before them;
and to silence whatever she might plead
to the contrary. He was transported
that he should now recover his credit,
in shewing himself capable of outwitting
her; and congratulated himself as well
for the happy concerting of his project,
as for the resolution and dexterity with
which it had been executed. He used
such expedition in mustering his friends,
that he was got home before the chair.
It was not however long behind him.
He soon saw it coming; his people
driving along the streets, and clearing
their way like a swarm of wasps. They
were going to set it down at the gates:
but he would not let them, neither at
the second door, but made them carry
it into the great hall. Upon this the
Che-foo, the Che-hien, and all his relations
and friends rose up, and came to meet
him, crying out, "Kong-héé, or much
joy to you! how rare is it to find
a woman so beautiful and so accomplished
as Shuey-ping-sin? What cause
have you to rejoice in having at length
obtained so inestimable a treasure?"
Kwo-khé-tzu beheld the chair with the
most evident satisfaction, and advancing
towards the upper end of the hall,
returned their compliments with equal
civility: "Extraordinary, said he, as
this step I have taken may appear, I
have been guilty of no unwarrantable
violence: this lady was the person to
whom I was originally contracted in
marriage; and the receiving another
woman in her stead, was the effect of
her contrivance: the opportunity I
now have, permits me but barely to do
myself justice: I must therefore desire
you all to be my witnesses; and that
the Che-foo and Che-hien will be in this
affair as my father and mother, in making
the marriage firm and valid, and
in preventing any farther trouble about
it.

Those magistrates advised him to
bury in profound silence all that was
past; telling him they were ready

to attest what he had asserted; that
since he had brought her there, he was
now obliged to marry her, and therefore
had nothing to do, but to carry
her in, and have performed the
usual ceremonies[84] . Kwo-khé-tzu desired
before this was done, she might
appear before them; that she might
have no pretence to complain of compulsive
or hasty measures, or that the
marriage was conducted otherwise than
openly, with the most proper and deliberate
decorum. "Well, said the
Che-foo,if you would rather have it so,
let the chair be opened, and let the lady
appear."

Kwo-khé-tzu then ordered his women
to go to the chair, and lifting up the
curtain, to open the door. They went
accordingly, but found it lock'd: of
which they returned and inform'd their
master. He was not surpriz'd at this,
attributing it either to her delicacy or
her fear. Then going himself and
trying in vain to open the lock, at length
he broke it. On this, the women advanced
to open the door, which as soon
as they had done, they stood still for
some minutes. Enrag'd at this delay he
began to storm at them, asking, why
they stood staring, and did not hand
their lady out of the chair? With looks
of the utmost astonishment and confusion,
they told him there was no lady;
not so much as the shadow of one. He

was greatly surprized, and advancing
to the chair to be satisfied himself, instead
of the fair Shuey-ping-sin, he saw
nothing but a bundle wrapt about with
a scarlet cloth. At this he fell a stamping
and raving like one distracted: "How
can this be possible? said he; one of my
own women servants this morning saw
her drest, and ready to go into the chair,
but a little while before it set out."

The Che-foo and Che-hien, with the
rest that were invited, went also to the
chair, and with equal astonishment saw
nobody was in it. "Surely, said they
all, this young lady must be a prophetess,
and have a power of divining, thus
to foresee, and avoid all your pursuits:
'tis enough; you must think no more

of her: for whether she be saint or
demon, there is no fathoming her contrivances:
she must surely be of no
common capacity." Kwo-khé-tzu was
too much mortified and confounded to
answer a syllable. The Che-foo seeing
him cast down and dejected, ordered
them to take out the bundle and see
what was in it. Opening it they found
only a box filled with pebble stones.
At this every body laugh'd: and taking
their leave, left Kwo-khé-tzu to
bewail his disgrace[85] .

He was so disturbed in his mind,
that for some time he did not perceive
they had left him: at length raising
up his head and looking round, he saw
his hall empty, and nobody left, except
one friend, who sat unobserv'd in a
corner, and seem'd buried in profound
thought. The name of this person
was Chun kéé. Taking courage to
find he was not totally deserted, the
youth called out, inviting him to come
and sit down with him, and to talk
over the affair that had happen'd.
"To-day, said he, after having thought
myself secure of the accomplishment

of my wishes beyond all possibility
of disappointment, how have I been
deceived, and shamed and mortified?
I cannot account for the trick she
hath play'd me; it seems to exceed
all human power: and yet I cannot
forget her; neither shall I give her
up, as those here advised me. Tell me
how you would act in like situation?"
"This young lady, answer'd Chun-kéé, is
very subtle; she is no less uncomplying
and obstinate: to think to obtain her
therefore by soft and gentle means, will
be involving yourself in an endless
pursuit: nothing but downright force
can succeed with her." "Alas! replied
the other, of what little effect bare force
can be, the disappointment of this day
may shew: besides, after this unsuccessful
attempt, she will not easily fall in
my way again: her youth and sex will
afford her no occasion to stir out for
the future: nor will she readily venture
of herself." "Do not despair, said the
other, I have bethought myself of an
expedient, that does not seem unlikely."
Kwo-khé-tzu listen'd with great attention.
"Her father, proceeded Chun kéé,
is in banishment, and I hear 'tis a long
while that she hath had no news of
him: I hear also that she preserves for
him the most ardent affection, and continually
feeds an hope that he will one day
obtain the Emperor's pardon." "All
this said the other, may be very true:
but what is it to our purpose?" "You
must get, said his friend, a coloured
paper, upon which let it be written,
that a great Mandarine hath procured
a pardon for him, and that the Emperor
has restored him to his office
again. Send this dispatch to her house
by a train of twenty messengers, and
let her be called upon to receive the
mandate[86] with due respect. This will
oblige her to come out to meet it.
Then let a chair be ready, and the moment
she steps out of the hall force her
into it and away."

Kwo-khé-tzu applauded this scheme,
and thought it might be successful.
"But stay, proceeded Chun-kéé, we must
at the same time make some provision
for our own security. Shuey-ping-sin is

the daughter of a Mandarine of good
family: and when she sees herself thus
suddenly beset and carried away by violence,
it may cause her to commit some
desperate action: perhaps to strangle
herself with her garter; or to stab herself
with her scissars, or some other implement
she may have about her. To
prevent therefore the blame of any such
action, you shall present a petition to
the Che-foo and Che-hien to summon her
before them at your suit: by which
you will have their officers to accompany
your people, and their authority for
your sanction: and at the same time that
you are screen'd from the consequences[87]
of the attempt, you will have those
magistrates ready to compleat the marriage."
Kwo-khé-tzu could not conceal
his satisfaction at so artful and at the same
time so safe a contrivance: "This,
says he, is a thousand[88] times better than
any I have undertaken before: nothing
remains but to fix the time for its execution."
When they had settled this
point between them, they parted.

Shuey-ping-sin, having thus a third
time narrowly escaped falling into the
hands of her persecutor, kept herself
very close at home, and would scarcely
suffer any one to go in or out of her
house. As for Shuey-guwin and his
sons, being sensible she strongly suspected
them, they came in her way as

little as possible. Yet greatly as she
had been harrassed, alarmed and terrified,
her concern on that account
was light, compared with what she
suffered for the sake of her father.
His misfortunes and disgrace were the
constant subject of her thoughts: and if
she sometimes encouraged an hope, that
he would one day be restored to his
family and his friends, it was as often interrupted
by doubt and stifled by despair.
One morning as she was employed
in dressing her head[89] , she was
alarmed by a great noise and disturbance
in the street at the gate of her
court: she sent an old woman of her
attendants to inquire the meaning of it.
But before she could get to the gate,
it was already broken down, and a
great many people came running in
with the coloured paper, who cried out,
"Good news! much joy to Shuey-ping-sin!"
These words, though not very
distinctly heard, reached the ears of the
young lady: she therefore hastened
into the hall, and stood behind the
door to be the better satisfied: where
she saw the people, and heard very
plainly what they said: crying aloud,
"Here is the Emperor's mandate,
she must come out immediately to
meet and receive it." Upon this, accompanied
by two of her maids, she
ventured out: and was instantly surrounded.
She asked where the order
was: they answered, at the Che-foo's,
and that she must go there: and
immediately a chair was brought into
the hall. Perceiving how matters were
conducted, she began to suspect all
was not right, and that some evil
design was in agitation against her:
but finding it too late to retreat, she
mustered up a noble courage and resolution,
and concealing her fear and
surprize, waved her hand to be heard.
"You that are now come here, said
she, upon this pretence, belong to,
or are sent by Kwo-khé-tzu; and the
reason he sends you hither to take me,
is not because he hates me or is my
enemy, but it rather proceeds from
his violent regard: and therefore if
I comply with his desires and marry
him, don't I not only gratify his utmost
wishes, but also immediately become
your mistress? As therefore it will
then be in my power to punish you as
I please, be careful how you are guilty
here of any indecency." Chun-kéé,
who was in the crowd, hearing what
she said, cried out, "It is very true,
Lady, and therefore if you will please
to go into the chair, no one will offer
the least discourtesy." "Well then,
said she, stand aside a little and give me
room; let me speak to my people, and
make some little change in my dress."
Then calling a female attendant to bid
her bring her cloaths, she whispered in
her ear, to conceal a knife in the sleeve
of her gown. All this was performed,
and she accordingly changed her habit.
Then having given orders to her servants
about the management of her
house, she addressed herself once more
to the people: "To-day, said she,
if you would gain an interest in your
master, by doing me a favour, you
must oblige me in one thing." "If
you will but marry Kwo-khé-tzu, replied
Chun-kéé, there is nothing we
shall dare to refuse you." She proceeded,
"It is now three times that
that young Lord hath come to marry
me: it is not in my power to resist
him any longer, but then you must
not carry me directly to his house; for I
will sooner dye, than be married there by
force, and in a low clandestine manner.
Therefore carry me first to the Man-darines
of the city: and let the marriage
be performed openly and honourably
before those Magistrates, suitable
to the dignity of my rank, and of
his pretensions." "You say right,
said Chun-kéé, it shall be as you order,
you shall go first to the Che-hien, then
to the Che-foo, and afterwards to the
house of your husband: thus will every
thing be decent and regular." Shuey-ping-sin
then ordering two of her maids
to attend her, and bidding one of her
servants to take down the coloured
paper, which had been fixed to the gate,
and to bring it along to the Che-hien's,
called for the chair, and threw herself
into it.

The people of Kwo-khé-tzu, who
were about thirty in number, having
thus got possession of the prize, which
had so often eluded their master's pursuit,
with the utmost alacrity and speed
took up the chair and ran away with it
through the city, regardless of every
thing they met in their passage; like a
flight of crows, that are winging their
way through the air. They had now
almost reached the audience of the
Che-hien, when in crossing a street, they

ran against a young gentleman mounted
on a mule with such violence, that they
had like to have beaten both to the
ground.

Upon this the stranger, who was
dressed in a student's habit, and was followed
by one servant, instantly dismounted,
and not a little incensed
at their rudeness, laid hold of the chairmen,
calling them impertinent and
clownish rascals: "You are not, said
he, escaping from fire or thieves, wherefore
then do you hurry along at this
uncivil and disorderly rate, overturning
every thing in your way? How durst
you affront me in this audacious manner?"
They answered, that they were
employed about a marriage of distinction;

and who should hinder them?
"Were you gold or diamonds, iron
or glass, said they, go with us to the
Che-hien, and we will grind you to powder."
"If this marriage, replied he,
is between people of quality, where
are the usual ceremonies to attend it?
Where is the chair of state adorned
for that purpose? Where is the music,
and other splendid attendance? Here
is nothing of all this; but you rather
seem to be villains that have stolen away
some unfortunate lady: and as that is
the case, I will go along with you to
the audience myself."

Chun-kéé hearing what he said, and
perceiving by his mien, that he was no
ordinary person, addressed him very

respectfully, and said, "Pray, Sir, excuse
the incivility done you by these
fellows, who are clowns and know no
better: they deserve correction, but in
truth are not worthy your notice: better
let them alone."

The stranger recollected himself, and
was going away; when of a sudden he
heard a voice from the chair crying
out for succour: "I am greatly injured:
you seem to be a person of
valour: O assist and save me!" Upon
which he laid his hand on the chair, and
once more stopped it: saying, "Is this
then the reason of your indecent haste?
Come away, I will go with you to
the Mandarine's audience." The chairmen
thus interrupted, seeing he would

not quit them, went to fall upon him
with their fists: but loosing the chair,
he so well exerted himself, that he
quickly laid many of them at his feet.
Upon which Chun-kéé came up to him,
and said: "Sir, you must not beat the
people thus; though you would not
before have gone to the Che-hien, now
we must oblige you: let go the chair;
and we will go there together." "By
no means, said the young stranger: not
'till I am got to the door of the audience."

As soon as they were arrived there,
he raised the end of his whip, and
struck the great drum[90] that stood at

the door: upon which all the people
came out, wondering at his boldness.
The Che-hien, who had expected the
chair, sate in the hall waiting for it,
when hearing the drum beat, he could
not conceive what was the matter: immediately
he saw his people come in,
bringing in the stranger: "This, they
said, is the person that beat on the
drum."

CHAP. X.

THE young gentleman being
brought before him, did not fall
on his knees, or use those other signs
of high reverence, which are usual
from an inferior to one of higher rank.
But when his hands were let go, held
them up with the common salute, of
one equal to another[91] : accosting him

with ching, ching, or your servant, your
servant. The Che-hien still more sur-prized
at a familiarity, which seemed
so ill-assumed; asked very sternly who
he was, and for what reason he had beat
on the drum.

"Who I am, replied the other,
is no way material: here hath great
injustice been committed; for which
reason I struck the drum, that you
might examine into, and redress it."
Before the Mandarine could answer:
Chun-kéé entered: "Here, Sir, said
he, is the young lady Shuey-ping-sin,
whom I have brought in behalf of
Kwo-khé-tzu: though engaged to him
by all the due solemnities of the law,
she hath put another in his place, and
abused him: he hath now got her in
his power; and having presented her
to you, for your approbation and licence,

will afterwards carry her
home, and compleat the marriage."
"If your friend, answered the other,
hath gone through all the previous
solemnities according to law, why do
you bring her here? carry her home
to her husband to whom she belongs."
On this Chun-kéé turned to the people,
saying, "The Mandarine hath
given his permission, take up the chair
and carry it home." The young lady
hearing this, cried out, "Injustice!
I am wronged and abused! Sir, you
must see me righted!" Then she sprung
from the chair, and was going into the
hall: but the people there said, "What
would you have? hath not the Che-hien
ordered you to be carried away? You
must not advance." Upon this she
sat herself down on the floor, crying
out aloud; "You Che-hien, that should
be the father and mother[92] of the city,
how can you thus abandon me to injustice,
and send me away without hearing
my defence?" The young stranger
observing all that past, could no longer
contain himself, but very much inraged
said to the Mandarine: "This, Sir, is
very unjust: your eyes are blinded, and
your ears deaf to the cries of the injured:
you are void of reason and conscience,
you will hear but one side:
is it thus you sit in the chair of justice
for the Emperor? Surely you think
there is none greater than yourself:
that you are the only and chief Che-hien."
At this the magistrate, highly provoked
and stung to the quick with remonstrances
at once so just and so severe,
loaded him with reproaches, and cry'd
out, "What impudent person are you
that dare come into the Emperor's court,
and make there this noise and disturbance?"
"Truly a great court of the
Emperor's! replied the other with a
sneer of contempt; a great office yours
of the Che-hien! Why I have gone
into the house of the greatest Manda-rine,
a house given him by the Emperor
himself, and therefore sacred: I
have broke open the doors by violence
in order to rescue and protect the
injured; yet he hath not dared to load me
with obloquy: and are you of so exalted
an office, as to heap abuses upon me,
and to charge me with impudence?"

The Che-hien, who chanced to be at
court when the fact abovemention'd

had happen'd, instantly recollected the
whole affair; as also the person who
stood before him. Struck therefore with
no little fear, and softening his voice,
"What then, said he, are you the son[93]
of the chief viceroy Tieh-ying? Is it
possible?" And rising from his chair he
saluted him in the most respectful
manner. "Pardon me, Sir, said he;
pardon me, that when a diamond was
before my eyes, I could not know it.
When I was at court I heard of your
fame, which sounded like thunder in
my ears. Yet was I so unfortunate
that I could not then have the happiness
to visit you: and that I should meet
with you now is a perfect miracle! I
am sorry too it should be upon an occasion
wherein you think I have done
amiss: but I hope still to recover your
good opinion." Then respectfully desiring
him to sit, he call'd for tea[94] :
which being brought, the Che-hien began
to talk of the affair before them, asking
him how he came to be concern'd in
it, as he seemed to know the whole
matter."

"For my part, said Tieh-chung-u, I
am intirely ignorant of the affair; but
met these people just now in the street:
when hearing one complain of injury
and implore protection, I came
along to your audience to procure redress;
pray acquaint me with the whole
story." "It is so very intricate and perplexed,

replied the Che-hien, that I can
hardly unravel it myself; but what I
know of the matter is this: that young
lady is the daughter of a great Man-darine
of this city, named Shuey-keu-ye;
her beauty hath made such an impression
on the son of a minister of state,
named Kwo-khé-tzu, that there is nothing
he hath not attempted to gain
her. The first time she changed the
eight letters of Nean-kung, and gave her
sister to him in her stead. The second
time, when he had allured her to his
house under pretence of a wedding visit,
from the sound of the music she discovered
his intention. The third time
he attempted to catch her, as she was
going to the gardens: but instead of
securing her brought home nothing but
a heap of stones." "Certainly, cried
Tieh-chung-u, this person must be admirable;
perhaps the world hath not her
fellow. With your leave, Sir, I will
go and view this prodigy."

He had no sooner cast his eyes upon
her, but struck with her beauty, he said
aloud: "Sure never was a form more
compleat and lovely: what a face and
mien, beautiful without the assistance
of art! what killing eyes, over-shaded
with the most exact and finished arches,
like little moons! neither air nor sun
can wither or blast a flower whose teints
are the gift of nature alone: there is no
need of paint to that charming complexion:
her countenance bespeaks a
disposition as sweet as the most odoriserous

flowers." He was so charmed
with her appearance, that it made the
deepest impression on his mind. Then
approaching one step nearer, he made
her a very low bow. "Lady, said he, how
came you to be entrap'd, and brought
hither now, after you had so often and
so dexterously escaped?" Shuey-ping-sin
rose up from the ground and replied,
"My father, who is in banishment, hath
caused me for a long time to pass my
days in sorrow and affliction: but hearing
of a sudden to-day, that the Emperor's
order of pardon was come to
recall him, I immediately, as it behoved
me, ran out to meet it: but no
sooner had set my foot in the hall and
perceived it was false, but I was surrounded
by these people, and had no
other remedy but to come with them:
yet, Sir, I have brought with me this
knife, being resolved to die in the Che-hien's
presence. I had determined never
to behold the light of another day: but
you seem to be a person of virtue and
goodness, and were doubtless sent by my
good Genius in this extremity to save
me." [This said, she let fall a shower
of tears, and hid her head in her bosom.]
Tieh-chung-u was strongly moved at her
distress: "Where, said he with great
emotion, where is this order of the Emperor's?
let me see it." She ordered the
coloured paper to be brought to him;
and he carried and shewed it to the Che-hien.
"Is this, said he, the Emperor's
order or not? you ought to know!"
"I know nothing of it, replied the Che-
hien, nor from whence it came." "That
is much" said the other; and putting
it into his sleeve, he remonstrated to
that magistrate in very strong terms,
the clandestine manner of his proceedings:
"To-morrow, said he, I shall
go and lodge a complaint with the
Fu-yuen or Viceroy: and as for these
people who have been the instruments
in this affair, I charge you with them,
that they be forth-coming, whenever
the Viceroy thinks proper to call for
them." Then slightly saluting him
he was going away.

The Che-hien, extremely frighted at the
danger he was in, called to Tieh-chung-u
and intreated him to stay: "Pray, Sir,
said he, be not so hasty and passionate,
let me have time to inquire into this

affair, before you take a step of such
consequence." Then calling before
him Chun-kéé, and the rest of his party,
with violent emotions of anger he told
them they were ignorant of what related
to justice, and had acted in this
affair like slaves and villains. "Whence,
said he, have you brought this order?
what authority have you for it?" They
all stood silent. Then he ordered the
stocks of confession[95] to be broughtforth.
On which in great fright, they all cryed
out, "Sir, don't charge this to our
account; every thing was done by our
master's order." "Very well, said the
Che-hien: to-day I have a guest with
me, and therefore shall suspend for the
present any farther examination." He
then ordered them all to be carried to
prison: and appointed some of his own
people to convey the young lady back
to her house.

Every thing being thus dispatched,
the Che-hien ordered an entertainment
to be got ready, and intreated Tieh-chung-u
to stay and drink wine with
him; which the latter, who was extremely
pleased in having procured
redress for the fair Shuey-ping-sin, readily

complied with. When they had drank
pretty plentifully, and all reserve was
banished, the Che-hien renewed the
former topic, assuring him that all
was the contrivance of Kwo-khé-tzu,
who was alone in fault: that wholly
taken up in his employments at court,
his father knew nothing of these transactions:
"Yet, said he, if it should be
carried before the Viceroy, not the
youth alone would suffer, but his father[96]
, and even myself. Let me conjure
you therefore not to carry things to
extremity." "For my part, said
Tieh-chung-u, my being concerned in
this affair was purely accidental: I
have no otherwise interposed in it, than
as I was led by a disinterested regard
for justice: far from bearing any personal
resentment against Kwo-khé-tzu, I
do not even know him: and the manner
in which I became interested in opposing
his desires, will clear me from the
charge of seeking it busily. Therefore
if he will engage to lay aside all thoughts
of this young lady, and desist from
troubling her, nothing more need be
said about it." The Mandarine, glad to
see him so well inclined, was full of
acknowledgments, and applauded him
as a person of great virtue and worth.
By this time Tieh-chung-u began to express
a desire to withdraw: and upon
the Che-hien's demanding where he was
lodged, and being told he was not yet
provided, he sent his people to conduct
him to a Pagoda or Convent[97] and to
see him accommodated suitably to his
rank.

Let us now return to Kwo-khé-tzu,
who was flattering himself that he had
at last surmounted all obstacles, when
he received an imperfect account, that
the chair with Shuey-ping-sin had been
met by a stranger, who had gone with

her to the Che-hien's audience, and that
there some dispute had happened, the
particulars of which he could not learn:
but that the whole had ended in their
conveying the young lady home, and
his servants to prison. With a heavy
heart therefore he repaired to the Che-foo,
and acquainted him with what he
had heard. "What! more difficulties
yet? said he, I'll send and talk with
the Che-hien about it." He had scarcely
spoke, when that magistrate appeared.
The Che-foo informed him what he had
heard, and inquired who the stranger
was, whom he had treated with so much
respect and ceremony. "The person
you speak of, answered the other, is the
son of the Tieh-tu-yuen (or supreme Viceroy)
his name is Tieh-chung-u: he doth
not exceed twenty years of age. When
I was at court waiting for my present
office, there was a great Mandarine
who had taken a young maid and kept
her by force in his house, which was
sacred and none dared so much as look
into it: but this youth with his mace,
weighing twenty catty, broke open the
door and boldly rescued her: which
the Emperor hearing of was highly
pleased, and did justice to all the parties.
But who is ignorant of Tieh-chung-u?
the court rings with his name. Shuey-ping-sin
was met by him to-day as she
was brought to my house: he hath informed
himself of the whole affair,
and got possession of the counterfeit
order: nay he was going to present it
to the Viceroy of the province, which
if he had done, it would have affected
both yourself and me, no less than Kwo-khé-tzu
and his father. The least I
could do therefore was to shew some
outward respect to one who had us all
so much in his power." The Che-foo
told him, he did well. But Kwo-khé-tzu
was greatly chagrined, and said,
"What though he is valiant, and his
father a Viceroy; am not I the son
of a Minister of State? I am not therefore
to submit to him: why did not
you manage this business for me better?"
"This stranger, replied the Che-hien,
got the counterfeit order into his
hands, and had it in his power to
have ruined us all: it was therefore
through fear, and not any respect to
him, that I carried matters so smoothly."
"Well: said Kwo-khé-tzu, since
things are so, there's an end of my
hopes: Shuey-ping-sin is irretrievably
lost." "As to that matter, said the Che-hien,
it becomes not me to interpose in
it: but if you have still a desire to
obtain her, you must go home and
consult with the most sensible of your
friends. With regard to Tieh-chung-u,
I have lodged him at a Convent, where
he is alone without friends or acquaintance."

These words did not escape Kwo-khé-tzu,
who took his leave of
those Magistrates, and, as soon as he
was got home, sent to find out his
friend Chun-kéé. With him he talked
over all that had happened: "And
yet, concluded he, the Che-hien seems
to hint to me not to despair; notwithstanding
I can see no possibility of
success: and unless you can help me,
must give up all hopes." "With
regard to the Che-hien, answered the

other, he is still disposed to serve you:
all the civilities he heaped on the stranger
were meerly for a blind: he is
not on that account the less a friend
to our cause. The hint which he
dropped that he had carried him
to a Convent, where he was alone and
without friends, was not without meaning:
he intended to point out a way
for you to do yourself justice." "True;
said Kwo-khé-tzu, this is a valuable
hint; but how shall we improve it?
Shall we put him to death, or order
him only to be soundly beaten?"
"However we shall determine that point,
said his friend; it will behove us to be
careful that no ill consequences accrue
to ourselves; let us do nothing that
shall afford a handle for justice."
He then paused a little, and with
great secrecy, communicated to him,
a scheme[98] , which diffused a visible
transport over the countenance of Kwo-
khé-tzu: who instantly resolved to put
it in execution. "Haste, said he, let
us not slip this favourable occasion:
let there be no delay lest he should be
gone before we can effect it."

What relates farther to this story
the Reader will find in the following
Book.