University of Virginia Library

CHAP. X.

THE Empress shewed great fa-vour
and kindness to Shuey-ping-sin,
and dismissed her with very rich
presents: commanding four Eunuchs
to attend her to the Emperor. His
Majesty received her in the most gracious
manner, and said, "That you
a little maid, should possess such fortitude,
and be withal so pure and spotless,
affords an instance not to be equaled
in history. I have now restored
you to that reputation, which you were
in danger of losing: and have caused
your virtue to be published through all
the empire. To-day you may be married
with credit and honour, and I wish
you both good fortune, and long life:

that you may beget a numerous family,
who may be all virtuous like
their parents, and inherit all the happiness
I wish to yourselves."

Immediately Tieh-chung-u, Shuey-ping-sin,
and all the Mandarines, returned
thanks to the Emperor for his goodness,
and withdrew. Then the new-married
couple set out for their house,
accompanied by the Mandarines in
great pomp and magnificence: and
as they passed along in procession, the
streets resounded with the applauses and
acclamations of the people.

Thus did Shuey-ping-sin after all her
troubles at length attain to the highest
glory: which gave occasion to the following
verses.

When the young couple were arrived
at their house in all this splendor,
a table was placed in the middle of
the hall, which was lighted up in the
most brilliant manner. Then in the
presence of all the company the bridegroom
and bride bowed down their

heads, and making their courtesies and
reverence, expressed their gratitude to
the Emperor and Empress for all their
favours. They also bowed down their
heads to their father and mother with
great duty and reverence. Afterwards
they performed their respects to all the
Mandarines who accompanied them
home, giving them many thanks. This
ended, a magnificent banquet was served
up with great pomp and festivity.

When the banquet was over Tieh-chung-u
and his lovely bride performed
the usual ceremonies: after which the
Mandarines took their leaves, and went
back to the palace to inform the
Emperor that all things were compleated,
and that the new-married returned

their most grateful acknowledgments
for his goodness.

Kwo-sho-su received his own punishment
with resignation; but when he
saw the sentence passed on his son, he
was overwhelmed with an affliction not
to be expressed. The Censor Vang-yo
was also greatly affected with the reproof
he met with. Thus all received
the chastisement due to their faults.
On which account Tieh-chung-u composed
the following verses.

Tieh-chung-u and Shuey-ping-sin after
they were married, lived happily many
years; having the greatest affection
for each other. Tieh-chung-u extolled
his charming wife, expatiating on her
virtue and merit, and thanking her for
the benefits he had received at her hands
in times past, attributing to her the
high rank to which he was at present
exalted. On the other hand she was
as full in her encomiums on her beloved

husband: thanking him a thousand
times for the many favours she
had received from him, assuring him
that she could never sufficiently repay
them; that she was not worthy to be
his handmaid; but tho' she was his
wife, she would be always humble and
obedient to him her husband, serving
him all her life with the greatest affection.
Accordingly they made the following
verses on each other.

From this time Tieh-chung-u and
Shuey-ping-sin husband and wife, lived together
in the greatest harmony, observing
the most exemplary virtue, and
serving the Emperor with all sincerity:
He executing the office of Co-lau or first
Minister and counsellor of the state,
with great fidelity and skill, so that he
was beloved and admired of all.

Both Tieh-chung-u and Shuey-ping-sin
afford a striking example of virtue and

integrity. May their fame be spread
abroad for ever![58]

Hau Kiou Choaan, or The pleasing history
is concluded.