University of Virginia Library

CHAP I.[1]

KWO-khé-tzu perceiving that the
Grand Visitor would not assist him
further in promoting the desired marriage,
but on the contrary had set forth
a Declaration to prevent the young
lady from being molested any more
on that subject; perceiving also that

he was unwilling to admit him into
his presence; was no less perplexed
how to proceed, than at a loss to account
for such an alteration. In this
distress he went to the Che-hien to learn
what intelligence he could from him;
telling him, how much he was mortified
by the Grand Visitor's coldness, and
by the order he had published. That
Mandarine was surprized at what he
heard: "And yet, said he, this is all
the work of Shuey-ping-sin. She hath
found means to terrify the Grand Visitor
into what he hath done." The
other objected how impossible that was
for a young and simple girl, who had
neither father nor any one else to
direct her. "You must not consider
her, said the Che-hien, as a young woman
of the ordinary stamp. Although she
is very young, she hath uncommon abilities.
When I carried the first order
to her house, she made no objection
to it; but received it with very little
concern: and when at parting I told
her it was not a thing of trifling consequence,
and that it was too late for
her now to recede; she told me she
should not alter her own intentions,
although the Grand Visitor might possibly
depart from his. Her words are
so punctually accomplished, that it is
evident she hath occasioned this change.
But how she effected it you must inform
yourself at the tribunal, where
the matter was transacted." Kwo-khé-tzu
followed his advice, and applied
to the people of the audience for intelligence;
but without effect: for their
master, unwilling to become the talk
and reflection of the city thus upon
his first arrival, had given positive orders
that not a syllable should be mentioned
of the young lady's appearing
before him, nor that she had occasioned
this change in his measures.

Twenty days were now past in this
uncertainty, when an officer from the
Grand Visitor's tribunal came to tell
Kwo-khé-tzu that his master had sent
for him. He gladly obeyed the summons,
and presented himself at his audience.
The Mandarine received him
with much respect, and carried him into
an inner apartment: where he told
him, that when he first arrived he was

ignorant of the affair between him and
the young lady Shuey-ping-sin, but that
his too forward interposal in it had
like to have been attended with very
fatal consequences. Kwo-khé-tzu with
some surprize, asked in what respect
any consequences that were fatal could
result to one of his rank; or what
harm could arise from so trifling a
cause as the concerting a private wedding:
he even ventured to remonstrate
to his Excellence the inconsistency which
had appeared in his conduct, and which
seemed so unsuitable to one of his gravity
and office[2] . The Mandarine replied,
"I looked upon Shuey-ping-sin
as a girl of no consequence: and when
I sent my order requiring her to compleat
the marriage, I never imagined
that she would be able to set it aside,
much less that she was of so distinguished
a capacity as she appears to
be possessed of. She made no objections
to the order, but seemed disposed
to obey it; yet afterwards drew
up a petition to the Emperor, and
sent it to court by a trusty servant.
Judge from hence of the acuteness
of her wit." The surprize of Kwo-khé-tzu
was increased, "How, said
he, could she dare to send a petition
to the Emperor? Perhaps this
is only reported to strike you with
fear." "She not only sent it, pursued
the Grand Visitor, but came herself
to my audience, and shewed me a
copy of it." "Why did not your
Excellency tear the paper, said the
youth, and order her to be chastised?"
"Her petition, replied he, had been dispatched
three days. After that time
if I had offered to pass sentence upon
her; when the Emperor had seen the
petition and demanded her to be forthcoming,
what answer could I have returned?
For had I behaved to her with
the least harshness, she was prepared
to plunge a poinard in her bosom.
It behoved me therefore to treat her
with gentleness, and to issue forth a
Declaration in her favour. By this
means she was prevailed on to recall
her servant. But until he returned,
it was in no wise proper for
me to speak to you. The petition is at
length brought back. I have it in my
possession, and have sent for you to
shew it unto you. Here it is!" When
Kwo-khé-tzu had perused it, he was astonished
at her boldness. "What a daring
and dauntless petition is here, said he?
Shall she go clear with this? No! I will
not quit her yet. I must still intreat your
Excellency's assistance." The Grand
Visitor replied, "Could I serve you in
any thing else, you might command me.
But with regard to my being any further
concerned in this marriage, you must
never think of it. And if you still persist
in your views on this subject, you
will perhaps involve yourself in a great
deal of trouble: for this young lady is
immoveable in her resolutions."

Kwo-khé-tzu, not knowing what answer
to make, took his leave of the
Grand Visitor, seemingly persuaded of
the reasonableness of his advice, and
disposed to comply with it. But he
still retained in his bosom a desire to
practise farther on the young lady; and
the moment he was withdrawn resolved
to spare no means for its gratification.
With this view he sent for his friend
Chun-kéé, to whom he communicated
the young lady's petition, and all the
circumstances attending it. [When he
had perused it] "Certainly, said he, her
petition is very home and severe. And
yet she does not object to your person
or character: but pleads her father's
absence, and her having no permission
from him to marry. She only urges the

injustice of forcing her into a marriage
under these circumstances. And I think
she hath reason. Let us think no longer
then of compulsive methods: but proceed
to others more proper and effectual.
And for these you have now a
good opportunity. The Mandarine her
father is in banishment. Your father is
preferred, and hath great interest at
court. You have nothing to do then
but to send thither and relate all the
matter to him. Ask his consent, and
intreat him to procure the same from the
father of the young lady. Disgraced and
banished as he is, he will hardly refuse
it. This once obtained, there is no
room to fear that she will deny you
any more." Kwo-khé-tzu approved of
his advice. He smiled and said, "There
will then be no danger that she will
take flight again. And yet, said he,
when I write to my father, one cannot
descend to circumstances upon paper:
on the other hand, I have no servant
capable of discharging so important a
trust. I wish you would oblige me so
far as to undertake it. You will help
me greatly in this affair with my father."
"This, replied his friend, is
no more than to give you a good morrow.
I am contented to go, if it will
serve you. This is an undertaking
of little trouble. But if it were otherwise,
I should set about it with a
very good will." Kwo-khé-tzu immediately
prepared the letter, and
gave it to Chun-kéé, whom he liberally
furnished with necessaries for his
journey; ordering an old servant to
attend him. He accordingly set out
for the court, in compliance with the
request of Kwo-khé-tzu, in order to
bring his marriage with Shuey-ping-sin
to a safe and speedy conclusion. We
shall at present leave him in pursuit
of his journey.