University of Virginia Library

CHAP. IV.[11]

TIEH-chung-u, although he had not
completed his marriage with Shuey-ping-sin,
was notwithstanding greatly
in love with her: and that as well for
her wit and good sense, as for the
beauty and gracefulness of her person.
He was so charmed with her conversation
that he could not endure to stir
abroad: which being related to their
respective parents, they were extremely
well pleased.

Let us leave them thus enamoured
of each other, and return to Tah-quay
and the Eunuch Chou.

These two persons, who had been
encouraged by Kwo-sho-su to make
the proposals abovementioned, hearing
now of the marriage that had taken
place between the young couple, were
inclined to desist; and sent to inform
that Mandarine of their resolutions.
He was very much chagrined, and disappointed
at the news, and resolved
to send some of his servants to the
house of the young lady to listen and
spy out what was transacting: he did
the same to the house of the Supreme
Viceroy. The first information he received
was, that the young Mandarine
Tieh-chung-u had not brought the bride
home to his house, but had gone to
reside with her at her father's. Soon
after it was told him, that although

they were married, they still continued
in separate apartments. He afterwards
learnt, that the bridegroom was so enamoured
of his lady, that he had not
stirred from her for two or three
days. These different accounts somewhat
puzzled Kwo-sho-su: their behaviour
was singular and mysterious, so
that he imagined there was something
more than ordinary at the bottom. At
length from their living in separate
apartments, he concluded that the matter
was neither more nor less than this,
that the marriage was only a feint, in
order to avoid the proposals of Tah-quay
and the Eunuch Chou. "Well,
said he, if they have not yet cohabited,
'tis still possible to separate them, and
spoil their marriage. Tah-quay must
be informed of this, and encouraged to
renew his application: but then her
friends will refuse him under pretence
of this marriage, and as she seldom
stirs out, he will find no opportunity
to carry her away. Before he takes
any step of this kind, it will be better
to set Chou-thay-kien at work: I will
go and persuade that Eunuch to intice
this Tieh into his house; and when he
has him there to compel him at once
to marry his niece."

Full of these designs he hasted to
the house of Chou-thay-kien, to whom
he related as well the information he
had picked up, as the measures which
he thought necessary to be taken. The
Eunuch thought them practicable, and

promised to give him notice, as soon
as he had enticed the youth to his
house: desiring him in that case to
come to him immediately. Kwo-sho-su
was pleased to see him so readily adopt
his design, and promised nothing should
delay or prevent his coming. Then
taking his leave he went home, impatiently
waiting till he should be sent
for.

Tieh-chung-u, on account of his pretended
marriage had obtained leave
of the Emperor to absent himself ten
days from court. These were expired,
and he must now return: Shuey-ping-sin,
whose judgment and penetration were
admirable, seeing him about to go,
said to him as follows, "Kwo-sho-su

having laid a plot with a viewto get
us both disposed of, the one to Tah-quay,
and the other to the niece of
the Eunuch Chou, hath hitherto been
disappointed: it is not however to be
supposed that he will give us up so
easily: he will still seek some way to
embroil us. With regard to Tah-quay,
as he is not within the precincts
of the palace, he would be
liable to reproof from superior tribunals
should he do any thing amiss:
and therefore I apprehend nothing
from him. But this Eunuch, who
is a domestic servant of the Emperor's,
presuming upon his favour, and
knowing his mind, regards nothing
but his own inclinations. If therefore
you go to court, be sure be
upon your guard against his attempts."
"You argue rightly, said Tieh-chung-u,
and talk with your usual judgment
and discretion. But this Eunuch is
of a mean, low cast: what can he
do? what is there to be seared from
him?" She replied, "Such persons
it is true are despicable, and not to
be feared: but at present as things
are circumstanced, and as he hath
got the ear of his Majesty, it would
not be amiss to be upon your guard."
The young Mandarine agreed it would
be proper; then taking his leave of
her went to the palace.

As he was thence returning home,
who should meet him but the Eunuch
himself. Holding up his hands, he

saluted the youth with great familiarity.
The latter would have proceeded
on his way, but the other
laid hold of his horse's bridle, "I
was even now going, said he, to send
to your house to desire to speak with
you." "What business, said Tieh-chung-u,
can you have with me?
Your affairs and mine can have no
relation. My province lies without
the palace, and yours within?" "If
it were only on my own account,
replied the Eunuch, I should not
have taken the liberty to stop you:
but I have business of the Emperor's
to impart to you, which must not
be deferred: you had better then go
home with me, and let us talk it
over there." "Before I do that,
replied Tieh-chung-u, you must tell me
plainly what your business is." "Sir,
said the other, do you think I would
go about to deceive you? or durst
abuse the Emperor's authority? To
tell you truly then, his Majesty hath
heard that you are a fine poet; and
requires you to write some verses on
two pieces of painting, which he greatly
values." The youth inquired where
they were: and was answered at his
house. Tieh-chung-u immediately recollected
the words of his lovely misress;
but found he could not avoid the
snare, as the other had got the Emperor's
order. He accordingly went home
with Chou-thay-kien.

When they were got within his

doors, the Eunuch ordered tea to be
brought and a table to be spread for
an entertainment. "No! no! said the
young Mandarine, the first things to
be attended to are the pictures, I dare
not enter on any thing else 'till they
are dispatched." "Sir, replied the
other, you know very well what the
generality of us Eunuchs are: we are a
foolish illiterate set of people: however
I cannot but take great satisfaction in
seeing a person of your ingenuity and
learning: I hope therefore you will honour
me so far as to drink something
with me: and will permit me to shew
the great respect I entertain for you.
I believe if I had sent to invite you,
you would hardly have come: but as
his Majesty's business hath brought
you here, you must oblige us a little
with your company. And pray don't
look upon me in the same mean and
despicable light as the rest of my brethren,
since I have obtained this great
honour: upon which account I hope
you will overlook the liberty I take of
sitting down with you." "Pray don't
talk in this manner, said Tieh-chung-u,
are not we both the Emperor's servants?
But as there is his Majesty's
order to be obeyed; let that be first
dispatched, and afterwards we will converse
together." "Perhaps, replied
he, when that is performed, you will
not stay any longer. Well then; you
shall write upon one of the pictures
first, and before you take the other in
hand you shall do me the favour to
drink a little wine." To this the young
Mandarine assented.

Chou-thay-kien then led him into a
hall, and calling a servant, ordered him
to take down a painting that was hung
up, and lay it on a table. Tieh-chung-u
found it to be a beautiful flower piece,
containing the picture of a double jasmin:
then taking a pencil he presently
wrote a few lines over it.

He had scarcely finished, when word
was brought that the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su
was arrived. He was accordingly
desired to walk in. The Eunuch
Chou told him he was very opportunely
arrived to meet with the
great Doctor Tieh-chung-u; who was

come there to write upon some pictures
by the Emperor's order, "And here,
said he, he hath dispatched one in less
time than you would drink off a dish of
tea." The Mandarine Kwo-sho-su told
him that those that were masters of their
art were generally expeditious. "Pray
my Lord, said the Eunuch Chou, be so
kind as to read the inscription to me,
and tell me what it contains; that I
may the better talk of it to the Emperor
when I carry it to him." The
other assented, Tieh-chung-u desiring him
to pardon and overlook the faults he
should find in it. When Kwo-sho-su
had perused the verses, he cried out,
"They are written with a great deal
of spirit, and shew a fine understanding."
The Eunuch appeared extremely
satisfied with this account, and immediately
ordered an entertainment to
be served upon the table. Tieh-chung-u
intreated, that he would permit him to
finish both the pictures now he was about
it. But the Eunuch would not let him:
"Sir, said he, you do it with the greatest
ease and pleasure: why can't you then
first sit down and regale yourself, and
afterwards finish the verses at your
leisure?"