University of Virginia Library

HAU KIOU CHOAAN.
A CHINESE HISTORY.

BOOK IV.

CHAP I.[1]

SHUEY-keu-yé when he came home,
saw to his great satisfaction his
daughter grown up to woman's estate,
and highly improved in her beauty
and accomplishments. He told her
the troubles he had met with had not
been able to render him unhappy, neither
was he at all elevated by his promotion.

"My greatest pleasure, said
he, is to see you again, and to find you
in health." He concluded with telling
her, that at court he had met
with a young gentleman, whom he
had chosen for his son-in-law, one who
was in every respect answerable to his
utmost wishes. It struck the young
lady that this might possibly be Tieh-chung-u;
she therefore answered, "Sir,
you are far advanced in years: it is
a great while since the death of my
mother: you have no child but me: it
is therefore my duty to serve you as long
as I live: and however undeserving I
may be, I will never cease to attend
you." The Mandarine her father smiled
and said, "You must not persist
in these resolutions, however commendable
they may be. It would be very
wrong to let slip the opportunity of
being happily married upon any such
considerations. If my adopted son-in-law
were not a person of superior merit,
I should hardly have made choice
of him: nay if he had the least fault
in the world, I should not have accepted
him without having first consulted
you. But he is a youth of fine
understanding, and of spotless integrity:
he is deficient in no one valuable accomplishment.
I found him in all respects
so unexceptionable, that I did not
think it necessary to apply to you first
for your consent." The young lady,
who by this description was confirmed
in her opinion, that it must be
the son of the Mandarine Tieh-ying,
made answer, that indeed nothing
could be objected to such a person as
he had described: "But who knows,
added she, whether there may not be
other objections to the marriage-contract?
whether it may be lawful—?"
These words made the Lord President
recall to mind those of the young gentleman,
insomuch that he could not
help remarking their resemblance:
he therefore said, "Do you know
the person of whom I speak; it is the
son of the Supreme Viceroy." "Sir,
she replied, had it been any one else,
I would never have consented: and
as it is he, he never will agree to any
such marriage." "Why not?" said
her father. She answered, "Because it
would be to break through all the
regards due to that [honourable engagement,
and to violate its most
solemn rites.] Shuey keu-yé was surprized
at these words: "This youth,
said he, is of no ill descent; but
pure and untainted as yourself: why
then do you talk of any violation that
would accrue to the rites of marriage?"
With that Shuey-ping-sin related to
him all that happened during his absence.
"And now, added she, after
all this, how can such an alliance
take place without intailing everlasting
shame and disgrace on us both?"
When he had heard this relation,
her father was charmed with her delicacy
and nice sense of honour: "If
this be true, said he to himself, my
daughter hath not her equal among
women, any more than Tieh-chung-u is to
be matched among men." "Daughter,
said he aloud, I am glad to see you
keep so closely to the paths of virtue:
there is none but you fit to be paired
with so good and virtuous a youth
as I have chosen. Heaven seems to
have created you both for each other:
this marriage was ordained to take
place between you. I have engaged
to see it performed: you must not
therefore think any thing wrong or
amiss in it."

Such were the resolutions of the father
of Shuey-ping-sin, whom we shall
leave at present, to inquire after Kwo-khé-tzu,
[her unsuccessful admirer.]

When Chun-kéé returned [as we have

seen] without success, nothing could
equal that youth's disappointment: yet
his friend exhorted him not to be cast
down: "Your father, said he, hath
petitioned the Emperor against Shuey-keu-yé,
and against an officer espoused
by him; who will both be sentenced to
lose their heads." Kwo-khé-tzu listened
to this account with pleasure, and they
continued to indulge themselves in the
hope of being revenged for the slight
put upon them, when at length[2] the
news arrived that Shuey-keu-yé was recalled
from exile, and promoted to a
higher office; and all by the interposal
of Tieh-chung-u; in return for which he
had engaged to give him his daughter
in marriage. The report so affected
Kwo-khé-tzu, that he raved and stamped
like a madman, and at last swooned
away. By the assistance of the people,
who came to his relief, he at length recovered,
and retiring with Chun-kéé,
said, "How indefatigable have I been?
what steps have I taken? what expence
have I been at? and what perplexity
have I suffered? and at length
Tieh-chung-u without any pains at all
hath carried off the prize. But, if I
die for it, I will prevent the ceremony
from being compleated. Come, said
he to his friend you must set your wits
at work for me." "Alas! replied
the other, when she was lone and friendless
all our attempts proved ineffectual:
her father is now advanced in
dignity, and will quickly be at home;
what likelyhood then is there now of
success?" "Well, said the youth, I
can now have no hopes of succeeding
myself: I shall be sufficiently satisfied,
if I can but prevent and disappoint the
other." "We know very well, replied
his friend, the nice and scrupulous temper
of her father, and his advancement
will render him still more jealous of the
reputation of his family; let us apply to
some of his acquaintance, and get them
to inform him of the secret correspondence
between Tieh-chung-u and his
daughter: if he hears of this he will
certainly break off the marriage. But
if he should disregard it, we then
will get your father to apply to the
Ko-tau Public Censor[3] : whose complaint
against him will cause the Emperor
to take away his employment,
and set aside their nuptials." Kwo-khé-tzu
thought this a well-concerted
scheme: and said, "To-morrow I will
endeavour to make this matter as public
as I can among all the Mandarines
of the city." "By no means, said his
friend, for the Che-foo and Che-hien know
the whole truth of the affair, and can
contradict such a report: besides they will
now be disposed to solicit the favour of
Shuey-keu-yé, who will be upon the spot.
Let us rather defer it till there come
two new magistrates, for the present will
soon go to court to solicit farther preferment."
"Well, said the other, but
although two new Mandarines should
arrive, they will inquire into the truth
of such a report, and the people of
their audience will be able to set them
right." "If we consider every objection,
and are discouraged by it, replied
Chun-kéé, we had better desist
and give up the affair. However I
now recollect a more effectual means
than any we have thought of: when
I was at court, I observed a very great
intimacy between your father, and Tah-quay,
the great Mandarine who was
so disgraced by your adversary Tieh-chung-u.
The wife of this noble-man
was newly dead, and he was looking
out for a young and handsome woman
to succeed her. Dispatch a letter therefore
to your father, and desire him to
recommend Shuey-ping-sin to him; for
although Tieh-chung-u hath made proposals
of marriage, it is not concluded.
Thus your father will at once
oblige his friend, by helping him to
a young and handsome wife, and you
will be revenged on your adversary;
whose reputation will also suffer by
the disappointment: at the same time
the whole affair will be conducted without
disturbance or danger." "There is
one difficulty attends this method, said
the youth: Tah-quay's confinement is
not yet expired, and no body is permitted
to converse with him openly: so
that my father can only visit him in
secret, and therefore cannot assist him
so much as he would, notwithstanding
his power." "This is very true, said
Chun-kéé, [and will somewhat retard
the attempt,] but I have still another
resource, which is not liable to the
same objection. Your father hath also
contracted a close intimacy with one
of the great Eunuchs of the palace;
one of whom the whole court stands in
awe, as being about the Emperor's person,
and having his ear. This gentleman,
who is called[4] Chou-thay-kien or
the Eunuch of danger, hath a niece who
is very ugly, and not yet married.
Get your father to recommend Tieh-chung-u
as a fit husband for her; he will
not dare to reject the offers of so powerful
a courtier as her uncle. Now when
he is once married to the Eunuch's
niece, undoubtedly so great a Man-darine
as the Lord President of Arms,
will never give him his only daughter
for a second wife or concubine."
Kwo-khé-tzu was so pleased with this
advice, that he resolved to write to his
father immediately: "But this affair,
said he, is of too much moment to be
intrusted to a common servant; shall
I once more intreat you to embark
in it?" His friend readily assented:
and being furnished with money and
other necessaries once more set out for
the court.

[While these plots were contriving,]
Tieh-chung-u lived retired in his country
house: where he pursued his studies

with such application and success,
that at the time of the examination of
students, he was admitted to the degree
of Kiu-jin, or Licentiate[5] : this happened
in autumn, when the examination is
made through all the provinces. And
soon after when the [second] examination
was held at court he offered himself
again, and appeared to such advantage
that he was created Doctor of
Law, and put foremost on the list.
He was soon after made one of the first
doctors of the empire, being chosen
into the royal college or Han-lin[6] ,
and appointed by the Emperor to be
one of the tutors to his son. He had
now attained his twenty second year[7] ,
and his father and mother only waited
for Shuey-keu-yé's return to court, in
order to compleat the marriage, which
they resolved the nice scruples of their
son should not set aside.

CHAP. II.

THE year was now elapsed which
Shuey-keu-yé had been allowed to
spend in retirement: when the Emperor
issued out an order for his return to
court: upon the first notice of which
the Mandarine Tieh-ying wrote a letter,
to intreat him to bring the young lady
along with him. Upon the receipt of

this, he told his daughter, that as she
was now grown up to woman's estate,
he intended she should accompany him
to the court. Shuey-ping-sin testified her
compliance: "To what purpose, said
she, am I your daughter? I might as
well not have been born to you, if I
must remain always at a distance. It
is very fitting I should attend you: but
then I must humbly intreat one fa-vour."
He asked what it was. She
replied, "If at court any offers should
be made about the completion of the
marriage with Tieh-chung-u, that you
will be pleased not to consent to it."
The old Mandarine smiled at her request,
and assured her that he would
do nothing that should be prejudicial
either to her happiness or fame. He
then asked her, to whom he should
devolve the care of his house and effects.
She proposed her uncle as the
properest person to have direction without
doors, but recommended him to
leave the government within to the
care of Shuey-yeong. He followed her
advice, and having made suitable preparations
departed for Pe-king, where
in little more than a month he arrived.

As soon as he had performed his
first duty in waiting on the Emperor,
all the great officers came to visit him,
and among the rest the Mandarine
Tieh-ying: who afterwards sent his son
to pay him the same compliment. Although
the young Mandarine Tieh in
the visiting billet which he had dispatched

before him, called himself only
cousin, and not son-in-law, as he should
have done, Shuey-keu-yé attributed it
to his modesty, and admitted his visit.
The old gentleman was mightily pleased
to see him become a great Man-darine,
and grown a very personable
man[8] , which made him think him
the more suitable match for his daughter,
esteeming them both only born
for each other. "Let this young and
scrupulous pair, (said he to himself,)
object never so much to the marriage,
we old folks will over-rule them, and
make them happy in spite of themselves."

After some conversation Tieh-chung-u
took his leave and retired. As soon
as he was gone, the secretary belonging
to Shuey-keu-yé's tribunal came in
and said, "Sir, I have a relation,
who is servant to the Mandarine Tah-quay;
he hath been here to tell me
that, as his master is confined, he could
not visit your Lordship, neither could
he send a billet of compliments in
due form, but he notwithstanding presents
his services and wishes of good
health: he told me farther, that Tah-quay
having lost his wife, is very desirous

to marry again; and hearing
that you have brought the young lady
your daughter with you to court, he
intends to get the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su
to come in his behalf, and conclude
a marriage-contract for her." "Well!
said Shuey-keu-yé, and what answer did
you make to Tah-quay's servant?" "I
told him, said the other, that she had
been long engaged to the Mandarine
Tieh-chung-u. Upon which he inquired
when the marriage was to be concluded;
but I was not able to inform him.
Of this our discourse, I thought it my
duty to inform your Lordship." The
Mandarine ordered him, if any one
should hereafter question him on that
subject, to tell them that the nuptials
would be celebrated within the space
of two days. "This Mandarine, said
Shuey-keu-yé to himself, is a person of
very ill character, his proposals are
only meant to give us disturbance. But
should he apply to the Emperor himself,
there will be nothing to fear, as
my daughter is already disposed of:
however it is better to have the marriage
completed to prevent the worst
that may happen." He then went to
his daughter's apartment, and told her
she must not think it unreasonable,
that he renewed the subject of her
union with Tieh-chung-u, for that it was
necessary it should take place immedidiately.
Then he related to her all
that his secretary had told him: "Now,
said he, if we do not hasten the completion
of your marriage, this Tah-
quay may perhaps involve us in a great
deal of trouble." It instantly occurred
to the young lady, that Kwo-khé-tzu
or his father were at the bottom
of this business. She communicated
her conjectures to her father, "And
yet, added she, if Tah-quay should
persist in giving us disturbance, upon
proper application to his Majesty it
may perhaps involve him in fresh
disgrace, and be a means of renewing
his former punishment." "The
wisest course, said Shuey keu-yé, is not
to oppose an enemy, but to avoid
him. If we conclude this marriage
out of hand, his design will be defeated."—Before
his daughter could
reply, there came in a servant, to tell
him that the Supreme Viceroy had
sent his service, and begged he would
favour him with his company at his
house, for that he had urgent business
to communicate to him. "This is
a good opportunity, said Shuey-keu-yé;
I had thoughts myself of going thither.
I will therefore lay all ceremony
aside. Let my horse be got ready."
He accordingly went as fast as he
could.

As soon as he alighted, the Man-darine
Tieh-ying took him by the hand,
and led him into the hall: "This
morning, said he, as I was coming
from court, I met the Eunuch Chou-thay-kien;
who making me a very low
bow, said, he begged a favour which
he hoped I would not refuse him:

that he had a niece whom he should
be glad to have married to my son.
I told him it could not be, for he was
already engaged." He replied, "What
though he is engaged to Shuey-ping-sin,
it signifies little, as the marriage is
not yet completed." These Eunuchs,
added the Mandarine Tieh, are saucy
impertinent rascals, and presume upon
the great employments they fill: therefore
to be plagued no more on this
subject, I have sent to your Lordship
that we may get the wedding concluded
as soon as possible. "What,
said Shuey-keu-yé, have you then met
with this trouble? Such another application
hath been this day made to
myself." Upon which he related all
that his secretary had told him. "Now,
said he, this being the case, et us put an
end to the affair. When the marriage
ceremony is once over, even his Majesty's
order will not be of force to
set it aside. Nay let it be concluded
this very day: and yet my daughter
will hardly be prevailed with; she argues
against breaking the laws of decency
and custom." "My son, said
the other, talks in the same strain."
"After all, said Shuey-keu-yé, I believe
they secretly love each other: we must
not therefore regard their objections,
but exert our paternal authority."
"True, said the Mandarine Tieh; and
yet if these impertinent applications had
not been made to us, we might have
indulged them with longer time: but
as it is, there is not an hour to be
lost: I believe they would hardly be
brought to give up each other, and
therefore will now comply with our
desires." Here they parted.

The Mandarine Tieh-ying instantly
sent for his son, and related to him all
that happened both to the President of
Arms and to himself. "Now, said he,
this being the case, if you don't consent
to marry the young lady, you
will cause a great deal of trouble both
to her and yourself; which there are
no other means to prevent or avoid."
"Sir, replied his son, whatever you
command, 'tis my duty to obey you.
I am only concerned at the hastiness
of the proceedings. As to the Eunuch's
application, it is certainly the

contrivance of Kwo-sho-su: but what
signifies his proposing his niece to
me? he will but lose his labour."
"Well, said his father, although you
can so easily resist this attack yourself,
you must give the young lady
some assistance in her difficulty." "Sir,
said the youth, be pleased then to
acquaint the Mandarine her father to
give it out that we are married.
This will stop the mouths of these
people, and rescue us from their impertinence:
at the same time, we may
within doors remain single 'till a more
favourable juncture," The Manda-rine
Tieh approved very well of his
son's discourse: and did not insist
upon his further compliance. "Provided,
said he, you can but satisfy
the world that you are married, you
may act in private as you please."
Then he commissioned proper people
to chuse out a fortunate day for the
celebration of their nuptials.

CHAP. III.

EARLY on the morrow the Manda-rine
Shuey-keu-yé sent a letter to the
Supreme Viceroy, which he opened,
and read to the following effect. "After
I had talked with your Lordship
yesterday, I went home and proposed
to my daughter the completion
of the marriage; which she could by
no means be brought to consent to:

however, after a great many arguments,
at length she yielded that
it should be reported abroad she
was married to your son; on condition
that at home she should still
continue in her present state. I have
therefore sent to consult your Lordship,
whether you think this will be
sufficient."

The Mandarine Tieh-ying was highly
pleased with the letter: but could
not help thinking it very extraordinary
that this young couple should
both adopt the same opinions. "Certainly,
said he, Heaven hath designed
this pair for each other: there is a
wonderful similitude in their fortunes,

manners and sentiments. But yet, he
added, if they do not live under the
same roof, it will soon be discovered
that they are not married: I will therefore
send my son to reside in the house
of Shuey-keu-yé; and then whether they
are married or not, their true situation
will not be known abroad." He accordingly
sent to ask the other's opinion
concerning this proposal: who
intirely approved of it. They soon after
visited each other, and chusing a fortunate
day celebrated the marriage;
at which a great number of Manda-rines
assisted with the highest splendour
and magnificence. Tieh-chung-u
went in state to the house of the bride,
accompanied by his father and the other
Mandarines. When he arrived at the
door, the Lord President came out in
person to receive him: and after the
usual ceremonies were over, there was
a great entertainment prepared for the
guests. The bridegroom however left
them, and was led into the inner apartments.

As it was now evening, the rooms
were lighted up with greatest splendor:
and as soon as he was come into the second
hall, Shuey ping-sin entered also,
followed by a long train of female
attendants. She received him with
the same easy chearfulness, as she
would have received a friend: she
betrayed no particular emotion or

gesture, but accosted him with a decent
and becoming freedom. "Sir,
said she, I am ever sensible of the former
benefits I received at your hands:
and was my life to be laid down in
your behalf, it would not discharge
the debt I owe you. By my father's
order I have the good fortune to meet
with you here this day; which affords
me an opportunity of returning
you thanks for the services you have done
me." Then making a deep court'sy
she presented him with a seat. Tiehhung-u
seeing the graceful ease with
which she accosted him, and the beauty
of her person set off with the richness
and exactness of her dress, thought her
handsomer than she had even appeared
to him at their first encounter: he was
so ravished with the sight of her, that
he thought she could be nothing less
than an angel from heaven. When
he had recovered his surprize, he replied,
"Madam, the benefit I have
received at your hands is so great
that I want words to express it: A
deep sense of it is however engraved
in my heart, and is the subject of my
daily thoughts and nightly dreams. By
your father's permission, I have the
good fortune to meet with you here
this day, to pay you my acknowledgments."
This said, he saluted her with
great respect. Then a carpet was spread,
and they both together performed the
usual ceremony of bowing their heads
down to the ground. After which
they sat down and drank tea. Then
retiring to two different tables they
drank three cups of wine to each other.

Afterwards Tieh-chung-u thus addressed
the young lady, "Madam, I
am so much obliged to you for all
your favours, especially for the good
instructions you gave me, that I shall
ever retain them in my memory. It
is owing to you that I am arrived to
the great honours conferred upon me.
If I had not had the happiness of
meeting with you, I should very likely
have been still a wanderer." "Your
present advancement, said the young
lady, was not owing to any thing
I could say; which was but trifling.
A mere child might by chance point

out the way to those that had lost it.
The source of your reputation was your
redressing the injury of the young lady,
who had been forced away; and your
appearing in behalf of the General Hû-hiau:
these were actions so brave, that
none beside yourself were equal to
them. You also got my father restored
to the Emperor's favour: a benefit
that can be never repaid. How happy
am I then, that I can now offer you
my service! But, Sir, permit me to propose
one word or two. When I invited
you to my house in order to attend
you in your illness, Heaven knows we
were void of all bad intentions; but
the malignity of the world led them
to speak very ill of us abroad: and
shall we now for the sake of a few days
of mirth and pleasure, obscure the remaining
part of our lives? In my
opinion it would be much better to
stay, and see this cloud pass over
before we conclude the marriage farther.
These are my sentiments, and
I should be very glad if yours were
the same." Tieh-chung-u hearing this,
made her a very low bow, and told
her, he highly approved of her opinion;
which he had as much wished
her to adopt, as a shower of rain
is desired in a time of drought. "It
is true, said he, the commands of our
parents would be sufficient to warrant
our completing the marriage: but as
it would cause a deal of reflection,
I am intirely of your opinion that
it will be better to wait a little while
longer." "Our parents' impatience,
said the young lady, proceeds from the
impertinence of Tah-quay and the Eunuch:
[but your regard for deccncy
and good order merits my regard, and
greatly heightens my opinion of you."]
"The people you mention, answered
he, know nothing about us; and are
unacquainted with our affairs: they are
incited to trouble us by Kwo-sho-su:
but when they see the step we have
taken, their mouths will be stopped,
and they can proceed no farther."
"And yet, said Shuey-ping-sin, they may
still shew their spite by raising ill and
calumnious reports of us. Upon all
these accounts it is best to forbear a
while." "For my part, said Tieh-chung-u,
when I came ill into your house,
I thought none knew of it but four,
namely,[9] Heaven and Earth, you and
myself." "Well, said she, if Heaven
hath decreed any thing, it will perfect it.
Our parents' commands would justify
our union in the eye of the world: but
as there is this secret reason for our
forbearance, we must only feign to be
husband and wife: this may pass with
the public, 'till the difficulty is removed
that prevents us from being
such in reality." The young Man-darine
was charmed with her discretion,
and said, "Your ingenious reasoning
informs my mind, at the same time
that it strengthens my resolutions in
virtue[10] ."

Thus they held conversation on their
present circumstances, and on the great
regard that ought to be paid to honour

and virtue: they also related the various
passages that had happened, as well
through the persecution of Kwo-khé-tzu,
as through the plots of him and
his father. They were very pleasant
and chearful: and having drunk
just enough to put them in mind
to have the tables removed, they rose
up, and retired into two separate chambers.
So that their marriage was no
otherwise completed than as to the
outward appearance, and belief of it.

What happened in consequence of
these measures will be found in the following
chapter.

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?"

CHAP. V.

TWO tables being prepared, Kwo-sho-su
sat down at the first: the
Eunuch with Tieh-chung-u at the second.
After some little conversation
on indifferent subjects, Chou-thay-kien
addressed himself to the latter, and

said: "His Majesty being informed
of your great ingenuity, hath ordered
these two pictures to be sent here, that
you should write something upon them:
but it was at my intreaty in order
to bring you to my house, where I
have something to impart to you of
great moment. It is also a peculiar
happiness that this Mandarine hath
chanced to drop in, and that I can do
it in his presence." "What, said Kwo-sho-su,
have you of moment to impart
to this Mandarine in my hearing?"
The Eunuch replied, "If a drum be
not struck upon, it returns no sound; if
a bell be not rung, it will not be heard;
excuse me therefore if I enter at once
upon the matter in hand, without farther
ceremony, or delay. I have a
niece born with no great beauty, nor
yet very ill-favoured: but she is very
good tempered, chearful and pleasant.
She is now about eighteen years of age,
and yet I have not hitherto found a
proper match for her. Now, Sir, said
he, addressing himself to Tieh-chung-u,
you are the man I would chuse for her
husband: she is ingaged to no other
person: I have got the consent of the
Mandarine your father: and yesterday
I begged of the Emperor to have the
marriage performed: in order to which
he gave me these two pictures to ratify
the contract."

How much soever Tieh-chung-u was
surprized, and chagrined to discover this
treachery, he endeavoured to conceal
it from observation. He even assumed

an appearance of satisfaction, and told
the Eunuch he was extremely obliged
to him: that his proposal was what
he could not possibly have refused, had
it been in his power to have accepted
of it; but that he was already married
to Shuey-ping-sin, the daughter of the
Lord President of Arms: and that it
was impossible for him to be married
twice[12] .

[13] Chou-thay-kien smiled and said, "Sir,

you must not think to deceive me, I have
examined the affair to the bottom:
your proceedings were a feint, in order
to avoid marrying my niece; as also
to prevent the addresses of Tah-quay
to the young lady: and as it was so
easy to see through this imposition, I
wonder you should think of attempting
it." Tieh-chung-u answered, "Your
Lordship surprizes me: in an affair
of any other nature, such an attempt
might be feasible: but in such a subject
as marriage, how can any imposition
take place?" "If you are really
and truly married, said the Eunuch,
why did not you conduct the bride
home to your house, but on the contrary
go to reside in that of her father?
Why also don't you cohabit with your
wife? Why do you continue in separate
apartments?" "I do not bring
home my bride, said the Mandarine
Tieh, because her father hath never a
son; I dwell therefore with him, in
order to attend and comfort him in
his old age: but whether we reside in
the same apartments or not, is an affair
of no consequence to any but ourselves:
it is sufficient that the marriage
hath been duely celebrated. Beside as
your Lordship is continually with the
Emperor, how can you tell what passes
in the house of another person? and
this being the case, you ought not
to believe any such story." "I shall
not enter any farther into the merits
of these reports, said the other: it concerns
not me whether they are true
or false: it is sufficient that I have
spoke with his Majesty about your marriage
with my niece: and have the
sanction of his authority. It is in vain
therefore to think to avoid it." "Not
avoid it! said Tieh-chung-u. From
the remotest antiquity 'till the present
hour, it hath never been heard of, that
a man endowed with reason hath been
married to one wife, and then taken
another[14] . I have already espoused a
young lady with all the due solemnities
of law; for this reason I must refuse
all other: yet had you made me
the offer of your niece first, I should not
have slighted it." "Before you had
argued in this manner, said the Eunuch,
you should have made it appear
that you were really married.
When the bride is once carried to the
house of her husband, then it may be reputed
a true marriage: then she may
be considered as a first or secondary
wife: but this cannot properly be done
'till she is carried from her own house.
And this ceremony the Rites require."
"I grant your Lordship, said Tieh-chung-u,
that generally speaking this is
necessary, but then it is only for the
security of the bride or bridegroom
with regard to each other: among people
of honour it may be dispensed with;
especially in obedience to the express
commands of a parent." "You talk
of obedience to your parents, said Chou-thay-kien;
will you pay attention to
them, and neglect to obey the orders
of the Emperor? Do you think then
that the private commands of your
parents are to take place of those of
his Majesty?" "Far from it," said
Tieh-chung-u; who began to be vexed,
to hear him talk in so unreasonable a
manner: "I only say that marriage
is a thing of great importance, and
ought to be conducted with regularity
and order: otherwise you violate
the laws and rites of the empire.
This is not a private affair between
your Lordship and myself, but a thing
of public concernment; and if his Majesty
will be pleased to consult all the
doctors of the empire, he will see that
I am right." "What occasion for
so much trouble? said the Eunuch:
or why is it needful to consult all the
doctors, when there is present so great
a doctor as Kwo-sho-su, one who is so
capable of determining the question?"
"Very true, replied the youth; will
your Lordship ask him to judge betweeen
us?"

"My Lord," said the Eunuch, addressing
himself to that Mandarine,
"you have been here some time listening
to the dispute between this gentleman
and myself: be pleased to favour us with
your opinion of the case." "If you
alone had asked me, said the Minister,
and if the Mandarine Tieh-chung-u himself
had not also applied to me, I should
not have hazarded a word between you:
but as he also desires it, I will speak

according to my conscience, without
partiality to either side. With regard
to the rites of marriage, there are reasons
within other reasons, and the subject
contains some things so intricate,
that all the doctors in the empire cannot
infallibly decide upon it. But if
the question turns upon the Emperor's
authority, I am of opinion that the
rites of marriage are subject to it, and
that he may over-rule them at pleasure.
For if you look back through all ages,
you will find that the Emperor hath
power to change the laws of the realm,
and even to abolish the whole estate of
his Mandarinate, by which those laws
are executed and supported." The
Eunuch Chou hearing these words,
could not conceal his satisfaction: he
laughed and said, "Your Lordship is
certainly right, the Mandarine Tieh cannot
answer one word to this."

Then calling for a cup of wine, he
took it in his hand, and presented it
with great reverence to Kwo-sho-su, intreating
him to be bridesman or mediator
to the marriage of his niece. "As
you have obtained his Majesty's licence,
replied he, addressing himself to Chou-thay-kien,
it is no longer left to your
discretion; I shall therefore act in that
behalf, for I dare not disobey his Majesty."
Then he drank off the wine[15] .
After which he addressed himself to
Tieh-chung-u: "As the Emperor, said
he, hath condescended to lend his sanction

to this marriage, you cannot refuse
your compliance, notwithstanding your
prior engagement with Shuey-ping-sin:
let me then advise you, Sir, to stand off
no longer, but quietly submit, and then
all will be well."

Although Tieh-chung-u was extremely
chagrined and vexed, and could
with much difficulty kept his patience:
he nevertheless found it necessary to
bridle his temper for many reasons.
In the first place, he considered that
they had made the point to rest
upon the Emperor's authority: again
he reflected that the Eunuch
Chou had continual access to his Majesty's
presence, and would be able
to give what turn he pleased to the

affair: he was also fearful that being
within that Eunuch's house, he would
not suffer him to go out: he was
moreover unwilling to quarrel openly
with Kwo-sho-su: he therefore answered
that Mandarine mildly; "I
have nothing to object to your Lordship's
opinion, and if his Majesty hath
given his order, far be it from me to
dispute it. But still it is necessary
for me to go, and inform my father
and mother; that they may fix on
a fortunate day; and settle the terms
of the nuptial sum: for I cannot pretend
to take upon me to do it without
their knowledge." "Sir, said the
Eunuch, you only want to shift off
the affair; but it will not serve your
turn: if you do not comply, you shew
contempt to his Majesty's order: it
wholly depends upon yourself whether
you will obey it or not: you ought
to obey, and not to study these excuses.
This is a fortunate day: all that relates
to invitations is already performed:
the music is prepared: the banquet
ready: and here by great good fortune
is the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su to act as
bridesman: within is the nuptial chamber
fitted up for the bridegroom: let
us now celebrate your marriage with my
niece, and then I shall have discharged
the most important duty that relates
to this life. If you think, Sir, that
your father or mother will complain
of being neglected, you must lay the
blame on his Majesty's order; and then
what complaint can be made? If you
make any scruple about the nuptial
sum, I will leave that entirely to yourselves:
that shall make no ground of
dispute." "Really, Sir, said Kwo-sho-su
to the young Mandarine Tieh,
my Lord Chou-thay-kien discovers a great
affection for you; if now you make
any farther excuses, you will certainly
pass for an ungrateful person." The
young Mandarine replied, "Before
one can acknowledge a favour, one
ought to be certain of its propriety
and reasonableness. I came hither today
by his Majesty's order to make
some verses or encomiums on two pictures.
I have already finished one:
the other remains to be performed:
and how can I dare to take in hand
any other business 'till this is discharged?
Now I intreat your Lordship
to give me here the other picture,
that I may finish it; and then I shall
be at liberty to enter upon any other
business." "Sir, said the Eunuch, you
say very well: but the other picture
is very large, and is laid up in an inner
apartment: as therefore it would occasion
a great deal of trouble to bring
it here, you had better go within to it."
Although Tieh-chung-u suspected that
there was some secret design in this,
which he could not at present discover,
he notwithstanding thought it best to
comply: which he signified accordingly.
"Well then, said the Eunuch,
let us drink once more, afterwards we
will go within: for your Lordship is
right in proposing, that one thing be finished
before another be taken in hand."
The young Mandarine Tieh said to himself,
"When I have once dispatched the
other picture, I shall perhaps find a
means to escape from this house." Accordingly
rising up from the table, he
said, "Come let us finish the verses: I
will drink no more." The Eunuch
Chou rose up likewise, and said, "Let
us go." The Mandarine Kwo-sho-su
expressed also an inclination to accompany
them: but the Eunuch gave him
a signal with his eye: and immediately
that Mandarine stopped and said; "It
is not necessary that I be present at
the composing of these verses, I will
wait for your return here without: and
when you have finished them I will
compleat the marriage."

Then Chou-thay-kien conducted the
young Mandarine Tieh within: by
which means he fell into the snare: for
as soon as the other had led him into an
inner apartment he left him and withdrew;
two women servants immediately
shutting the doors upon him.

CHAP. VI.

TIEH-chung-u being thus shut up
within the inner apartments of the
Eunuch's palace, found them all adorned
and fitted out in the most splendid
manner. He entered one of the chambers,
which shone with the richest and
most elegant furniture; and saw in
it a lady seated in a chair, who was
decked with jewels, and the costliest

ornaments in great profusion. Tieh-chung-u
seeing her thus dressed out
like a princess, composed the following
verses in his mind.

This lady, who was no other than the
Eunuch's niece, seeing the young Man- |

This specimen may serve to shew the incorrectness
of the MS. version.

darine enter, rose up from her chair,
and made signs to her women to perform
their reverences to him: who
asked him to draw near, and converse
with their lady. Far from complying
with their request he drew back; but
seeing all the doors were shut upon
him, and that there was no remedy,
at length he went somewhat nearer the
lady, and bowed to her very low;
which done, he drew back a little as
before: all this while the lady never
opened her mouth. One of the most
aged of the female attendants seeing
this, came up to Tieh-chung-u, and said
to him: "Your Lordship came here
within the women's apartments to marry
my lady: [17] husband and wife being
once married, are both of one body,
of one flesh. You are now Lord of
all this house. You need not therefore
be reserved or bashful: but may
come and sit down here with your lady."
"I came here, said he, by the
Emperor's command to write verses
upon two pictures belonging to his
Majesty: how then can you say I
came here to marry?" "The pictures
you speak of, said the servant, are without;
if therefore your Lordship only
came on that account, why did not
you stay in the outer apartments?
Obedience to the Emperor's command
did not require you to come in hither.
These are the apartments belonging
to the women; which none
ever enter but my lady and ourselves.
You could never have come
here, but in order to marry her."
"Your lady's uncle, said he, the Eunuch
Chou, with many wiles inticed
me within: he hath deceived me. This
is very disrespectful treatment of one of
my rank, and is an affront to his Majesty,
by whose favour I am advanced
to be one of the first doctors of the empire."
"As your Lordship is now
here, said the servant, be easy and chearful;
why do you talk of any thing that
happened to you without?" He replied
in a rage, "You are all of you
concerned in this picee of treachery.
Your master hath ensnared me by pretending
the pictures were here within,
and this the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su can
testify. But you are all of you deceived
in thinking to conquer me: my name
is Tieh, that is Iron; my body, my
heart are all of iron, hard and inflexible,
it is impossible to move me.
I am more steady and resolute than
those two ancient heroes Lieu-hiau-whey
and Quan-in-chang[18] ; who are
so famous in history for being firm
and unshaken. But indeed what effect
can be expected from such shallow
plots as these? This girl is not only
ugly: but also shameless. Notwithstanding
her fine ornaments, I regard
her not: she is a low and worthless
creature, and not to be regarded."
The young lady, although at first she
was charmed with the graceful figure
of the young Mandarine Tieh, and
did not behold without some emotion,
the fine features, and fair complexion
of that beautiful youth; hearing this
abuse, could no longer contain herself,
but broke silence, and said, "Sir, you
treat me very ill, niece as I am to a
great officer of the Emperor, and one
who stands continually in his presence.
This honour puts him upon a level
with any of the Mandarines, so that I
have a right to be considered with all
the distinction of a Siauw-tsieh or Mandarine's
daughter[19] . His Majesty hath
commanded a marriage to be concluded
between you and me: in which
there is nothing wrong or indecent.
Why then do you complain of plots
against you? How dare you presume to
call me low and worthless. You disgrace
the honour of my family. But since I
am so immodest and shameless, I will
make you know whether I am to be
regarded or not." Then she called
out to her women, "Bring this fellow
here before me." All the attendants
went up to him, and said, "Our lady
orders us to bring you to her to pay
her the reverence and respect due to
her quality: if you do not comply,
we must force you." Notwithstanding
he was so much discomposed and
chagrined, he could not help smiling
at them: but he neither stirred nor answered
a syllable.

The women enraged at this contempt,
fell all upon him at once, striving
to force and drag him up before
their mistress, not without great tumult
and disturbance. Tieh-chung-u
however provoked at the ridiculous situation
in which he saw himself, reflected
that it would be very indecent, and
unmanly for him to contend, and fight
with women: he therefore mustered
up his patience, and comforted himself

with the old proverb, "Who regards
the little demons of the wood?"[20]

Then drawing a chair to him, he sat
down: and while the women were
struggling and talking round him, he
remained calm and unmoved; repeating
to himself the following verses:

In the midst of this disturbance came
in the Eunuch Chou himself, having
entered through another door; who
looking round him, cried out to the
women, "What is the meaning of
this? Retire. How dare ye presume
to offer this rudeness in the presence
of people of quality?" Then addressing
himself to Tieh-chung-u on the subject
of the marriage, he said, "Well, Sir,
it is in vain to resist; you had better
comply, and put an end to all this

disturbance." He answered, "I don't
refuse my compliance: but we must
pay obedience to the laws." "Why
not?" said the other. "Your Lordship,
replied he, forgets there is a
book of the laws, which contains an
injunction for the Mandarines within
the palace to have no dealings or
contracts with the Mandarines without[22]
. Now as there is this doubt
about the lawfulness of our engagement,
what matters it, if we defer its
completion for the present?" "That injunction,
said the Eunuch, is old and
obsolete: what occasion to observe an
obsolete law? But it is necessary to
obey the present commands of the
Emperor, and to execute what he injoins.
The other is old and out of
date." Tieh-chung-u replied, "If your
Lordship would have me execute those
commands, shew me your patent; that
I may first thank his Majesty for his
favourable notice of me[23] . Nay, Sir,
shew me the patent! For how can I
presume to conclude this marriage,
thus hand over head, before I have
returned the Emperor thanks?"

While this contention lasted between
them, there came two little Eunuchs
in great haste to the house of Chou-thay-kien:
he was called out to speak
to them. They told him that Hû-hiau,
General[24] of the Tartarian frontiers, was
returned from the war, bringing with

him a multitude of prisoners: that
there were also come with him many ambassadors,
loaded with tribute of great
value[25] : and that the Emperor had ordered
a banquet for them. They added,
"As the Mandarine Tieh-chung-u
was the patron and protector of the
General, his Majesty commands him to
accompany them. The banquet is
prepared: we have already been at this
nobleman's house to seek him, but
he was not there; we were told he
came home this morning with your
Lordship. We are accordingly come
hither to inquire after him: the messenger
of state waits for him in the outward
court, and his servants are attending
there with his horse. Please to inform
him to come away immediately."
Not satisfied with this account, the
Eunuch Chou went himself to the gate
accompanied with the Minister Kwo-sho-su:
and finding it to be literally as
they had related, these two looked
at each other in great confusion, not
knowing what to say; especially when
they saw there was also come the Man-darine
whose business it was to provide
the banquet, and that the summons
would admit of no delay. Finding
there was no remedy, the Eunuch
ordered the doors to be opened, and
Tieh-chung-u to be suffered to come
forth. The latter was wondering what
could occasion this unexpected deliverance,
when the Mandarine of the
banquet, and the Emperor's messenger
informed him of the invitation, which
required his immediate attendance.
Chou-thay-kien greatly chagrined, said,
"They say the Emperor commands
you to attend the banquet: his Majesty
also commanded you to write the
verses. You have finished one picture,
yet another remains to be dispatched.
To-morrow, when his Majesty will
demand of me why they were not
done; what shall I answer? You cannot
go 'till both are finished." This
he said with a malicious design to
embarrass him, and render him incapable
of complying with the order.
But Tïeh-chung-u answered, "I have
long been desiring you to let me have
the other picture that I might dispatch
it: yet you would not give it me.
This picture is here without, but you
decieved me, and inticed me to go
within: however bring the picture here,
and I will finish it." The Eunuch
Chou brought him the picture; when
in a moment he finished all the verses,
and taking his leave, went away.

Chou-thay-kien who accompanied him
to the gate, returned to his friend Kwo-sho-su,
and said, "What astonishing
abilities hath this young man? And
who would have thought he could have

escaped the snare[26] ? This unexpected
message from the Emperor hath broke
through all our measures." They remained
both of them enraged and
vexed at a disappointment so little foreseen.
After some time Kwo-sho-su
broke silence, and said, "Let us look
out for some other expedient. The
marriage with Shuey-ping-sin is not
completed: it is well known that
they do not sleep in the same chamber.
I will yet cause them to be separated.
Think not I propose an impracticable
attempt. I will revive the suspicions
that have been so long dormant, with
regard to her carrying him home to
her house to attend him in his illness.
I will refute this pretended excuse, and
accuse them of disorderly and unlawful
motives. I will relate this to the Censor
of the empire, who is obliged by his office
to report it to his Majesty. I will tell
him, that after having had an unlawful
amour, they now would increase the
scandal by a patched-up marriage: and
I will remonstrate the contempt and reproach
this will bring on the laws: especially
as they are people of such rank
in the state. Your Lordship shall lend
your assistance to forward and strengthen
this accusation. Then will his Majesty
summon the Tribunal of Rites
to examine into it: in the mean time, I
will apply to the Che-hien of the city
where the affair happend, and will get
him to turn over all the papers of his office,
in order to procure minutes of the
case, wherewith to support the accusation.
After this, the least that can
happen will be their being divorced
and separated for ever." "True, said
the Eunuch Chou; and when once they
are separated, it will be an easy matter
to speak to the Emperor about the
marriage with my niece." These resolutions
they formed, both agreeing
that in order to render them effectual,
the utmost secrecy and caution were
necessary.

CHAP. VII.

TIEH-chung-u being thus set at
large by the invitation the Emperor
sent him to the banquet, took
the first opportunity to advise with his

father, concerning his situation with
Shuey-ping-sin. The Mandarine Tieh-ying
said, "Notwithstanding you both
continue in separate chambers, I am
of opinion that your marriage is
valid, and for life. But why don't
you bring your wife home to your
own house, that the world may be thoroughly
satisfied of your nuptials, and
thus all occasion of scandal removed?
The Eunuch Chou owes you a grudge
on account of his niece. Go and consult
with your bride what course to
take in this critical juncture." He
accordingly went to the young lady,
and told her what his father had said.
"My lord, said she with her accustomed
discretion, I am your servant and handmaid,
and will do whatever you shall
prescribe to me, in order to put an
end to these clamours. All this disturbance
springs from the malice of
Kwo-sho-su and his son. Let us then
with the greatest expedition perform
whatever ceremonies remain unobserved,
and thereby convince the world
that our marriage is duly celebrated
according to law." When Tieh-chung-u
found his lovely bride approved of his
father's advice of bringing her home
to his own house, it filled his heart
with extreme satisfaction: "You, said
he, are a lady that always lend an ear
to reason. I will not fail to acquaint
my father and mother of our intentions:
nor will I on this occasion forget
my friend Hû-hiau. I will then
apply to the Tribunal of Mathematics[27]
in order to chuse a good day
for our nuptials, and will invite all
the Mandarines to the marriage feast.
The truth is we have not complied
with the custom which requires us to
present wine to each other[28] ."

Kwo-sho-su hearing that the young
couple were preparing to celebrate their
marriage afresh, was very much disturbed
at it. He applied therefore to
one of the Mandarines, whose business
it is to accuse all that are guilty of
enormities, and with many intreaties
prevailed on him to accuse Tieh-chung-u
and the young lady before the Emperor.

The accusation was drawn up in
the following terms.

"I Vang-yo, Censor[29] of the empire,
with great respect and reverence
present to your Majesty this
paper of accusation concerning a
scandalous marriage, which violates
the law: and I do it in order that
your Majesty may examine into the
same, and find out the truth. Of
the five things that pertain to human

nature[30] , the first is marriage:
it ought therefore to be observed
with due care and attention, and with
all these ceremonies, which the Emperors
have enacted from the remotest
antiquity. Now it is a thing
unheard of that a young woman
without father or mother should remain
under the same roof with a
young man equally removed from
his own parents, and that without
the interposal of any mediator or
bridesman, or without the knowledge
and privity of any. [All this
hath happened, and] the parents of
the offenders are the Mandarines
Shuey-keu-yé and Tieh-ying, both great
officers of your Majesty's council.
Who at length, after the fact is
become notorious to all the world,
are preparing to patch up a marriage
between the guilty pair; which
they have the confidence to celebrate
with great feasting and parade:
mean while, as the nuptial
procession marches along the streets,
all the people are murmuring and
laughing at a thing so unheard of
among persons of quality. All these
facts coming to the ears of me your
Majesty's subject, I durst not but
inform you of them, that the offenders
might be chastized for an example
to others."

The Mandarine Vang-yo having presented
this paper, it was referred to
the council named Ko-chung[31] : which
consulted upon it, and made this report,
"What affects the fame of a

virgin ought to be very clear. Here
is no testimony, only hearsay in
the street. It ought diligently to
be inquired what evidence there is to
support this allegation."

The Eunuch Chou was every day
importunate with them to pursue the
inquiry with more rigour. Nevertheless
it was not till after a considerable
time that the accusation was sent
to the Tribunal of Rites, for their farther
inquiry. The Eunuch Chou vexed
at this delay, applied to the Grand
Eunuch, who is President of all the
Eunuchs of the palace[32] : and immediately

a petition was issued out for the
Emperor's own inspection: who upon
perusal of it said, "As Tieh-chung-u
is a young man, the pretence of
his going to be cured and nursed
in his illness in the house of a
young woman, is greatly to be
suspected."

While the Tribunal of Rites was
deliberating what answer to return to
his Majesty, the news arrived to the
Mandarine Tieh-ying, who greatly alarmed
related to the young couple
what he had heard. "The Mandarine
Vang-yo, said he, out of enmity which
he bears you, hath delivered in a petition
against you to the Emperor;
it behoves you therefore to consider

well what defence you are to make;
and to draw up a petition in your own
behalf." The young couple replied,
"We have long been apprized that
this would happen, and are accordingly
prepared: let us see what answer
his Majesty hath dispatched, and we
shall draw up a suitable memorial."

The Emperor referred the petition
abovementioned to the Tribunal of
Rites. That tribunal dispatched it
away to the province of Shan-tong for
the Viceroy to make inquiry. The
Minister Kwo-sho-su upon the first notice
of this, immediately sent instructions
to his son to gain the Che-hien of
the city over to their interest; with
this view he ordered him to spare no

expence, and furnished him with a letter
written to that Magistrate with his
own hand. Kwo-khé-tzu greatly delighted
with the prospect that seemed
to open before him, immediately got
ready a hundred pieces of gold[33] , in
order to accompany his father's letter
to the Che-hien. The name of the
Mandarine who at this juncture possessed
that office was Wey-phey; being
the same person whom Tieh-chung-u had
formerly befriended in rescuing and restoring
to him his mistress. This gentleman
was but newly promoted to his
office when Kwo-khé-tzu presented to
him the hundred pieces of gold together
with his father's letter. The other
had no sooner perused it, than he was
greatly surprized to find not only the
mischief intended against his benefactor,
but that he himself was desired
to be instrumental in it. Nevertheless
he concealed his sentiments with
seeming approbation; "Very well,
said he; I accept your present; when
the petition arrives, I will not neglect
it." Kwo-khé-tzu was satisfied with
this answer, and withdrew. The Governour
Wey-phey called together all
the clerks belonging to the tribunal[34] ,
and ordered them to examine into the
affair of Tieh-chung-u, and to inform
him upon what pretence that youth was
received into the house of Shuey-ping-sin.
They all agreed that the young
lady took him in, out of gratitude for
having rescued her from Kwo-khé-tzu,
who was carrying her off by force:
and that this was notorious to all the
world. The Mandarine Wey-phey inquired
how far their behaviour together
afterwards was decent and blameless.
They replied, "We know not: but the
Pao Che-hien your predecessor, having
the same doubt of their virtue, employed
a spy to pry into their conduct;
who was accordingly concealed
for some time[35] within the house:
and this man gave such an account of
their behaviour, that the Pao Che-hien
conceived a great regard for the young
stranger, and revered him as a saint."
The governor Wey-phey ordered before
him the spy abovementioned,
as also the superior of the Pagoda,
where Tieh-chung-u had lodged. He
examined them both; and both agreed
in establishing the purity of that gentleman's
conduct. Highly satisfied
and rejoiced with this result of his
inquiries, Wey-phey only waited for the
arrival of the dispatches from the
Tribunal of Rites, and from the Viceroy,
in order to make his report. After
five days the dispatches arrived.
He immediately returned back to the
Viceroy a satisfactory answer. That
Mandarine acknowledged the affair
bore a very reputable aspect, and immediately
transmitted the account to
the court. The Tribunal of Rites
expressed great satisfaction at the clear
and unblemished conduct of Tieh-chung-u,
whom they looked upon as
a saint, and perceived the malice of
Kwo-sho-su: nevertheless being obliged
to observe all the due forms of law,
they informed that Mandarine of the
satisfactory account they had received
of Tieh-chung-u's conduct, and invited
him to come and peruse it himself.
Kwo-sho-su was greatly inraged at the
perusal, and threw out many reproaches
on the governor Wey-phey, "He is
but newly made a doctor, said he,
and just come to his office, how can
he know the truth of this affair? He
is very hardy and rash to pretend
to acquit this criminal upon such slight
pretences: I cannot suffer this boldness
to pass unnoticed." He therefore
applied to the superior Manda-rines
to call Wey-phey to account for his
presumption. With this view Vang-yo
presented another petition to the
Emperor: who accepted it, and gave
orders for Wey-phey to be summoned
to court, in order to justify his conduct.
Wey-phey received this summons
from the Viceroy: together with
private notice to make the best preparations
he could for his defence,
for that he had powerful enemies to
contend with. Wey-phey waited on the
Viceroy to return him thanks for his
advice, and withal assured him that
he had nothing of which he could
accuse himself, and therefore was under
no apprehension of the event.
Then taking with him the spy, who
had been employed by his predecessor,
as also the superior of the Bonzees[36] ,
together with the letter of Kwo-sho-su,
and his present of the hundred
pieces of gold, he set out for the
court. As soon as he arrived there,
he durst not presume to present himself
before the Emperor, but went and
demanded audience of the Hing-pû, or
Tribunal of Crimes[37] . It was inquired
of him at that tribunal, how it
happened, that he who was but newly
promoted to his office, could pretend
to decide so positively upon the
conduct of Tieh-chung-u, and the young
lady? And whether he had not been
bribed to acquit them? Wey-phey answered,
"As I was promoted by his
Majesty to the honourable Tribunal
of Che-hien, it behoved me to examine
clearly into all matters that came
before it. It is true, my own personal
knowledge of this affair cannot
inable me to decide upon it: but I
not only inquired of my clerks and
officers all they knew about it themselves,
but also what testimony they
had to support their account: they
referred me to a person, who was employed
by the Pao Che-hien my predecessor
expressly as a spy to observe the
conduct of the young people, and from
him I learnt a clear state of the case.
Your Lordships have asked if I received
no bribe from Tieh-chung-u:
I have received nothing from that
Mandarine. But from Kwo-sho-su I
have received not only a letter written
with his own hands, but also a hundred
pieces of gold from those of his
son. Here is the spy, who is witness
to the truth of the account, and here
is also the letter and the gold." The
Mandarines at the sight of this, were
astonished and confounded; and finding
no cause to blame Wey-phey, dismissed
him with orders to await the
Emperor's farther pleasure, and to attend
them again upon the first summons.
Then Wey-phey performed the
accustomed reverence, and withdrew.

CHAP. VIII.

THE Mandarines that composed
the Tribunal of Crimes seeing
there was no remedy, and that they
could not favour the cause of Kwo-sho-su
without danger to themselves,
applied to the Tribunal of Rites to
present a memorial to his Majesty,
to acquaint him with what they had
done. The Emperor perused it himself,
and said, "This is a rare incident.
If this report be true, we
have in our realm a most excellent
person." The Eunuch Chou, who stood
in his Majesty's presence, said, "This
report comes from a new governor,
who could not know the affair of his

own personal knowledge; if I might
therefore presume so far, I would
question the truth of this report: for
if there was nothing wrong, why did
not his father come to acquaint and
consult your Majesty upon the case.
The young people in the first place
come together, and afterwards marry."
The Emperor considered a little
with himself, and then replied; "You
are right. Order each of the parties
concerned to draw up a petition for
my perusal, I will afterwards examine
into the affair myself." When this
order came to the two young persons
and their parents, they remained very
joyful and well pleased: the Minister
Kwo-sho-su was no less affected with
concern and dread: he thought to have
wrought the downfall of others, and
saw the evil [ready to] fall upon himself.
In the difficulty in which he
found himself plunged, it occurred
to him to represent in his petition
the overtures of marriage that had
been made by his son, and to assign
reasons for his desisting that should
favour his cause: he therefore gave in
his petition to the following effect.

"I your Majesty's vassal present
this petition concerning the affair
that hath so lately happened. The
truth is, I was at first disposed to
marry my son to the daughter of
Shuey-keu-yé, and for that reason
applied to her father in his behalf:
but afterwards hearing many things

prejudicial to the fame of the young
lady, I laid aside my intention.
How then could my son be supposed
likely to make an attempt
upon her by force[38] ? I submit this
to your Majesty's consideration."

Tieh-chung-u saw this petition of his
adversary, and instantly presented another
to the Emperor in answer to it.

"I Tieh-chung-u in obedience to your
Majesty's orders, make this my petition,
speaking truth without guile.
I did not presume to trouble your
Majesty before on this subject, as

the affair was trifling, and related
only to a private family. I was travelling
through the provinces, by
permission of my father, when lo!
in the city of Tséé-nan I was interrupted
by a great tumult and
disturbance in the streets: I inquired
the cause, and learnt that the
son of Kwo-sho-su was carrying away
the daughter of Shuey-keu-yé, in order
to marry her by force. Hearing
of this outrage, though I was then
but a stripling, I was filled with indignation,
and said, in marriage
the consent of both parties, and
other solemn rites are necessary.
The Che-hien yielding to my remonstrance,
caused the lady to be carried
back to her house. All this while
I had no personal knowledge of
the parties: nor had any other view
but to promote peace and concord.
The son of Kwo-sho-su finding
that I had hindered his unlawful
designs, entertained a violent hatred
against me. I was lodged in a Pagoda
or convent. He applied to the Bonzee
of the convent to give me poison.
It was accordingly administered
to me in my victuals. I was
seized with violent illness, and at
the point of death. Shuey-ping-sin
discovering that I was dangerously
ill upon her account, was greatly
concerned, and caused her people
to convey me to her house. I was
then too much disordered to know
any thing of the matter: but she
did it purely out of gratitude to
repay the services she fancied
I had done her. While I was in
her house I observed the strictest
modesty[39] , nor gave the least occasion
for scandal. With regard to
the marriage contracted with her
afterwards, I did it in obedience
to my father and mother; and this
was owing to my having been
surety[40] for the general Hû-hiau,
who by the victories he obtained,
brought the young lady's father out
of a long exile, which he had suffered
at the instigation of Kwo-sho-su.
The general observing that
I was young and unmarried, in order
to return the benefits I had
done him, became mediator and
bridesman in my behalf, and applied
to Shuey-keu-yé to give me his
daughter in marriage. All this they
concerted among themselves without
my knowledge. But notwithstanding
the marriage hath been twice
solemnized, it is not yet consummated:
so careful have we been
about our reputation and good fame.
We have even lived together under
the same roof with all the innocence
of infants. This I here set
forth in my petition conformably to
your Majesty's orders."

The young lady in like manner presented
her petition to the Emperor.

"I Shuey-ping-sin in conformity to
your Majesty's command, make
this true memorial. I was left an
orphan by the death of my mother,
and by my father's banishment: I
remained alone in my house, where
I lived in the greatest reserve and
retirement[41] . In this solitude how
could I make a marriage-contract?
All [the present disturbance] springs
from the Mandarine Kwo-sho-su.
His son, who is of the same city
with myself, held me in such
contempt, as to form designs
of marrying me by force: he got
me into his power by a counterfeit
order from your Majesty.

As he was carrying me away we
were met by Tieh-chung-u: who seeing
this outrage applied to the Che-hien
in my behalf. That Magistrate
ordered me to be carried back to my
house. Kwo-khé-tzu, inraged at his
disappointment, conceived violent hatred
against my deliverer, and sought
all means of revenge. The latter being
lodged in a Convent, the other
commanded the Bonzee to give him
poison; which brought him to the
point of death. Hearing of his danger,
I resolved to run the risk of
my reputation, rather than let my
benefactor perish. I ordered him
therefore to be conveyed to my
house, that I might superintend his
cure. I remained under the same roof
with him, with the greatest[42] purity
and modesty, without any bad thought.
He is no less innocent. Whatever
is represented as disorderly in our
marriage is false. It was undertaken
and conducted by my father. The
General Hû-hiau was bridesman or
mediator, and gave himself the trouble
of settling the contract. But
although we are married, we have
not yet cohabited. This being a
private concern between man and
wife, we thought it unnecessary to
trouble your Majesty about it. The
liberty I take now is in obedience
to your Majesty's command, to
whose wisdom I refer the justice
of my cause."

The Mandarine Tieh-ying presented
likewise a memorial to the Emperor.

"I the Tu-cha-yuen, or Superior of
the Viceroys, Tieh-ying by name, with
great respect and reverence present
this memorial to your Majesty. The
rites of marriage ought to be
observed by the father and mother
of each party. When a father wants
to marry his son, it behoves him
to seek out a woman of honour
and virtue. My son, who is created
one of the first doctors of the
empire, cannot but understand all
the ceremonies and customs: much
less could he dare to violate the laws.
We being your Majesty's vassals, and
advanced to the honourable charge

of Mandarines, could not presume
to take any steps that were not legal.
The young lady Shuey-ping-sin
hath too much virtue and good
sense to consent to any step injurious
to her reputation. Whatever
therefore is represented as disorderly
in their marriage, is contrary
to truth. But all these troubles
are brought upon me through the
hatred and envy of certain persons.
This memorial I make in obedience
to your Majesty, whose wisdom will
clearly discern the truth."

The father of the young lady presented
also his memorial to the Emperor.

"I the President of the Tribunal

of Arms, named Shuey-keu-yé, with
great reverence and respect present
this memorial to your Majesty.
In marriage, there ought to be the
intire consent of both parties, free
from all force and compulsion.
With respect to my daughter,
she would by no means be prevailed
on to marry Kwo-khé-tzu;
whose father being one of your Majesty's
great councellors, and having
charge of the whole empire, ought
to know all the laws and customs.
And yet hath he been guilty of the
greatest outrage, and still persists in
presenting memorials to your Majesty
full of lies and falsehood, defaming
the honour of ladies, principally
that of my daughter; who
hath already presented her memorial,
which I beg leave to refer to
your Majesty.

These five petitions or memorials were
presented to the Emperor. His Majesty
received them, and calling together all
the Mandarines of his council into his
palace, he required them to take the petitions,
and examine them carefully.
They obeyed his commands, and were
agreed as to the truth of the facts, viz.
That Kwo-khé-tzu had carried away the
lady by force: and that Tieh-chung-u
was in her house to be nursed in his
illness: but whether their behaviour
together afterwards was as pure and
unblemished as was represented, they
could not determine. To this end

it was necessary to inquire of the Man-darine,
who filled the post of Che-hien
when the affair happened. Immediately
an order was issued out
to cite that Mandarine before them:
who accordingly arrived. The Emperor
himself examined him. "You
that were then Che-hien of that district,
are you acquainted with the affair between
Tieh-chung-u and Shuey-ping-sin?
Take here these five memorials, consider
thoroughly on which side lies
the truth, and tell me truly as far as
you know; otherwise you shall be punished
in the same manner as the offenders
themselves." The Pao Che-hien
perused the papers, and assured
his Majesty that as far he had opportunity
of knowing, the defendants
had asserted nothing but the truth; that
indeed with regard to the regularity
of their marriage afterwards, he was not
able to pronounce about it, as it had
been altogether conducted at Pe-king.

The Eunuch Chou told the Emperor,
that with respect to every thing that
past before, it might possibly be true;
but after having been twice married,
it was not credible that they had observed
so strict a chastity, as they would
insinuate. The Emperor agreed that
his remark was just. Then he issued
out an order for all the Mandarines
of the court to meet together at the
palace the next morning; and for Tieh-chung-u
and the young lady to attend
them.

CHAP. IX.

THE next morning when all the
Mandarines were assembled in
the palace, together with Tieh-chung-u
and his bride, the Emperor himself
came amongst them. [When they had
performed the profound reverence[43] due
to his presence,] his Majesty ordered
Tieh-chung-u to stand forth before him.
He obeyed; and the Emperor seeing
him to be a very graceful and well
made youth[44] , was pleased with his

appearance: "What, said he, are you
the person that broke open the gates
of Tah-quay, and rescued the old man
named Han-yuen, together with his
wife and daughter?" He answered
in the affirmative. "Was it you also
that was protector of the general Hû-hiau?"
He signified his assent. "These
two exploits, said his Majesty, indicate
a disposition highly to be applauded;
you must certainly have great courage.
When you went to the house
of Shuey-ping-sin in order to be nursed
in your illness, to remain under the
same roof with her five nights and days
pure and undefiled, is such conduct as
was never heard of from the earliest
ages until now: it is very extraordinary.
Is this also true?" Tieh-chung-u
said, "It is very true." "A sincere
and just man, said his Majesty, may
[sometimes] be met with, but one
like you it is difficult to find. But
you say in your petition you were
twice married; how happened that?"

Tieh-chung-u answered, "When I
was carried to the house of the young
lady to be nursed in my illness, there
went abroad many evil reports concerning
us; this occasioned us to be
married twice. For when our parents
agreed upon the marriage covenant,
if we had come together at first, our
integrity would always have remained
in doubt: for the same reason we have
hitherto resided in different apartments.
And since your Majesty hath called our

conduct in question, we two have been
as the sun among clouds: now we
are in your Majesty's presence, we beseech
you to cause the sun to come
from behind that obscurity." The
Emperor listened to him with great
attention, and said, "According to
your account Shuey-ping-sin is yet a
virgin." He then ordered that young
lady to stand forth before him: and
when she appeared he thought her
beautiful as an angel. He asked if
her name was Shuey-ping-sin. She answered,
"Yes." "The Mandarine,
said he, that was Che-hien of your city
hath told me, that three times with
great ingenuity you delivered yourself
out of the hands of Kwo-khé-tzu. Was
it so or not?" Shuey-ping-sin replied,
"I am a poor weak girl: Kwo-khé-tzu
found my father was banished into
Tartary, and therefore endeavoured
to marry me by compulsion. Finding
that I was unable to resist his
power, I was obliged to practise
some artifice to deliver myself out of
his hands." The Emperor hearing
this, laughed and said, "You that
were afraid of Kwo-khé-tzu, how durst
you take a young stranger into your
house to nurse him? Were not you afraid
that people would raise evil reports
of you?" She replied, "When I was
called upon to return benefits so great
as those I had received, I no longer
regarded fame or report." The Emperor
laughed again, and said, "In
the beginning when you hardly knew
Tieh-chung-u, you took him in without
regarding the murmurs and reproaches
of the world; afterwards when you
were commanded by your father to
marry him, why did you continue in separate
apartments?" She replied, "The
murmuring at first was but small, and
I knew would easily cease together
with my acquaintance with that gentleman.
But now that a more serious
connection was going to take place
between us by means of a regular marriage,
there was danger of our incurring
a disgrace and infamy that would
terminate only with our lives. But
your Majesty hath summoned me into
your presence, and with great shame
and trembling I am come to appear
before you." The Emperor was greatly
pleased with the ingenuous modesty
and diffidence with which she opened
her cause, and said, "Young lady, if
you have all along kept yourself pure
and spotless as at the first, there are
not to be found a pair equal to you
from the most remote antiquity unto
the present hour. You in particular
ought to be celebrated through all
parts of the world, as a saint. I now
order four Eunuchs to attend this
young lady to the Empress[45] : and let
her appoint her ladies to examine if she
be truly a virgin or not."

Four Eunuchs immediately came
forth, and conducted the young lady
to the Empress; who received her,
and ordered two of her attendants
to answer the Emperor's inquiry.
They returned, and said, "We have
performed your Majesty's command,

and pronounce Shuey-ping-sin to be a
spotless virgin." Then the Empress
treated her with tea, and ordered their
report to be carried to the Emperor.
His Majesty with great pleasure communicated
it to the Mandarines of the
court: and said, "Although Shuey-ping-sin
hath been twice married to
Tieh-chung-u by express order of their
parents; and though he was before,
five days and nights with her in her
house; she hath nevertheless kept herself
pure and chaste. This hath been
proved beyond all dispute. I am rich,
proceeded he, in having so valuable
a jewel in my empire. This is a rare
incident that hath happened: and affords
a light to my people; an example
to all my subjects. Yet if I
had not examined into the affair myself,
so much rare merit had been buried
in disgrace: like a precious stone
that is irrecoverably lost[46] ." He then
asked the Mandarines, if this were true
or not. They all answered with one
mouth, "Your Majesty hath examined
and judged; and the decision is
very certain and compleat."

The Emperor commanded the Man-darine
Kwo-sho-su to stand forth, and
said to him, "You are a Minister of
state, and one of the first councellors
of the empire, why did not you

chastise your son? He thrice endeavoured
to force away a young lady of
quality, and was guilty of other outrages:
[in which he was not only countenanced
by you: but you endeavoured
yourself to defame the innocent.]
These are are crimes that cannot be
pardoned." Kwo-sho-su hearing these
words, was struck with great terror
and confusion, and falling on his knees,
prostrated himself on the ground:
"Tieh-chung-u and Shuey-ping-sin, said
he, both of them young persons, had
cohabited in the same house: finding
they had been upon this footing, I
could not help suspecting the worst.
Your Majesty therefore I hope will pardon
me." Then the Emperor commanded
Vang-yo to be called forth, and
said to him: "You are the Censor
of the empire; why did not you make
a more exact inquiry into this affair,
before you presumed to represent it
to me? It was great injustice to give
a false representation of a case, wherein
the fame and honour of so many persons
were concerned. If I had not
judged and examined it myself, but
had rested satisfied with your report,
the truth had been hid under reproach
and infamy." That Mandarine hearing
words at once so just and severe,
was struck with confusion and dismay,
and falling upon his knees, prostrated
himself on the ground, crying out,
"I deserve punishment, let your Majesty
do with me what seemeth good."
The Emperor then called forth the
governor Wey-phey, who presented himself
before him. His Majesty said,
"As you, though lately made a doctor,
and newly promoted to your post, had
such regard to justice, and could resist
the temptation of so large a bribe:
and as you have been the instrument
of delivering Shuey-ping-sin from her
difficulties, and of restoring her to her
good fame; for so much care and pains
you deserve to be promoted higher.

Then his Majesty pronounced sentence
according to the following declaration.

"I the Emperor dispatch and
publish this my order to all my
officers throughout the empire.

There hath appeared an instance
of such rare merit that it deserves
to be magnified and applauded
throughout my dominions; and
affords an example of virtue and
integrity to all persons of both
sexes. Shuey-ping-sin is a young
maid of great virtue, and fortitude.
By her virtue she thrice
resisted the most pressing attacks,
in order to preserve herself chaste
and pure. By her fortitude she
returned the kindnesses of her benefactor,
though at the hazard
of her reputation: for she carried
to her house a man, a stranger,
to nurse him in his illness, notwithstanding
she was a lonely orphan.
All this virtue and ex- | cellence lay hid and contemned
by the world, 'till I the Emperor
discovered it: I have found that
it is most pure and unblemished,
and deserves to be extolled
through all parts of my empire."

"With regard to Tieh-chung-u, he is
a most excellent young man, of
great virtue, justice, and courage.
He was not afraid to enter into
the palace of a man of the first
quality, breaking open his gates
in order to rescue from oppression
an old man, his wife, and daughter.
He was likewise protector
of the general Hû hiau, answering
for his conduct. He also
delivered Shuey-ping-sin out of the

hands of violence. He was married
to her twice, and yet preserved
her purity and chastity
together with his own: at the
same time that he suffered reproach
for his conduct. All
this was unknown, but I the
Emperor have myself examined
into it, and find it true. He is
worthy to be praised throughout
the empire, and ought to be advanced
above all captains. He
deserves to receive Shuey-ping-sin
for his wife, and she is worthy
of such a husband: they are both
of transcendant virtue. I the
Emperor am extremely satisfied
with them both, and applaud
them highly. I therefore advance | the said Tieh-chung-u to the order
of Ta-hio-tse[47] , or Magistrates of
approved capacity, and moreover
constitute him first Co-lau or Minister
of State. And as for Shuey-ping-sin,
I make her a Fu-gen or
dutchess[48] . I myself will be mediator
or bridesman between them;
on which account I make them
a present of a hundred pieces of
fine gold[49] , and a hundred * * *
of gold and silver[50] . I also appoint
to each of them ten royal
vests out of my own wardrobe,
and to each of them a crown.
Let them be accompanied with
my own music: let all the preparations
for their marriage be
furnished out from my own palace:
and let the bride be carried
to the house of her spouse
with imperial splendor, accompanied
by all the councellors,
Mandarines and officers of the
court. I the Emperor appoint
this for the example and encouragement
of the just and good."

"With regard to the Mandarines Shuey-keu-yé
and Tieh-ying, I exalt them
three degrees[51] higher in their
rank, as a reward for the good

education they gave their son and
daughter."

"As to the governor Wey-phey, I remand
him back to his post of
Che-hien for three years, afterwards
he shall be exalted to a higher
office, for his great justice."

"As to the former governor the Pao
Che-hien, who gave so just an account
of the affair, he is hereby
exalted one degree higher."

"As to the Minister Kwo-sho-su, who
in so bad a manner bred up his
son, and hath defamed the reputation
of worthy persons, he hath
deserved death; nevertheless as he
hath served me a long time, let
him be carried to the Tribunal of
Crimes, let him there be divested
of his office, and receive fifty
strokes or bastinadoes[52] .

"As to the Censor Vang-yo, who gave
in a false accusation, let him be
degraded of his rank three degrees,
and amerced three years
income of his salary."

"As to the young man Kwo-khé-tzu,
who thrice attempted to carry
off Shuey-ping-sin, and gave poison

to Tieh-chung-u; notwithstanding
that it did not take effect, he is
guilty of a heinous offence. Let
him be delivered therefore to the
governor of his city, in order to
receive a hundred strokes or bastinadoes[54]
, and afterwards to be banished
twenty leagues from the
place for life."

"I the Emperor pronounce this sentence
upon every one according to
his deserts. Those that do well
shall be rewarded: those that do
evil shall be punished. Let this
sentence be published throughout
the empire."

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.