Act 6: Gratitude for Favor

Scene 7: Favor and Gratitude

【Shangdiao Prelude · Wandering the Pool】 (Supporting Female Role enters)

At Jasper Lake I served in attendance, who would have thought I’d receive new favor? Strange that the bluebird deceived me—turning thoughts over and over, ten thousand strands arise. For no reason, this stirs the heartstrings; helpless against slander, the moth-browed beauty is not yet tolerated.

Jade swallows lightly play in snowy radiance, secretly perching beneath fragrant beams, shadows paired in embrace. The Zhao sisters are full of jealousy—do not fly toward Zhaoyang Hall. I, of the Yang clan, married into the Pei family in my youth. The zither’s strings broke; unluckily, like Zhuo Wenjun, I was widowed early. The sachet held the blue lock—how could I let Han Shou steal love? Because my younger sister Yang Yuhuan gained favor, I was fortunate to be ennobled as Lady of Guoguo. Though dwelling in wealth and honor, I care not for powder and paint. I dare boast myself a peerless beauty, presenting my face plain to Heaven. Unexpectedly, the other day the Emperor visited Qujiang and decreed I accompany him on the outing. All my sisters were feasted outside, but I alone was summoned to serve at the Wangchun Palace banquet. Thus I received Heaven’s gracious regard, and reluctantly accepted the favor. Though the imperial will is deep, human tongues are to be feared. Yesterday he wished me to enter the Inner Palace together; I refused repeatedly before I could return home. Upon reflection, it was a stroke of luck indeed.

【Shangdiao Tune · Words and Words Silk-Patterned】

Favor from Heaven descends thickly; fate was planted in a former life. Beneath flowers, the golden cage opens, cleverly luring the gentle breeze. The candle’s bloom is red; I see only the passing cup—at the place where cups are passed, suddenly words murmur and whisper. Hastily, hastily, I was not allowed to demur, and was drawn into the bed-curtain. Thinking back to the curtain, the curtain’s joy was like a dream. In that clinging moment, two hearts were one. In that clinging moment, two hearts were secretly one. Yet helpless at dawn, behind my back, there are those—there are those—putting on airs, with words and phrases, sneering and mocking. I here, bashful and abashed, startled and terrified, was thus manipulated by him.

【Not the Road】 (Male Servant and Maid Servant enter quietly) (Old Female Role leads Male Servant and Maid Servant in)

The spring breeze has blown through; flowers in the maternal relatives’ garden bloom with unusual richness. The other day, Sister Pei alone received special favor. I had agreed with Sister Liu to go together and inquire. Unexpectedly, she was so angry she fell ill, so I go alone. (Male Servant) Reporting to my lady: we have arrived at the Lady of Guoguo’s mansion. (Old Female Role) Announce us. (Male Servant announces) (Male Servant relays) Her Ladyship of Han has arrived. (Supporting Female Role) Say she is welcome. (Maid Servant invites her in) (Male Servants exit quietly) (Supporting Female Role goes out to welcome; Old Female Role enters) (Supporting Female Role) Please, elder sister. (Maid Servants exit jokingly) (Old Female Role) Little sister, congratulations! (Supporting Female Role) On what? (Old Female Role) You have received special favor—one flower already leans red against the sun. (Supporting Female Role, embarrassed) Elder sister, what are you saying! I only entered the detached palace to attend with a cup of wine—the deep imperial grace is the same within and without. (Old Female Role, laughing) Though the feast is general, how can the outside compare to the inside? Don’t fool me—the spring colors of the Ninefold Palace favor you alone; who can share them with you? (Supporting Female Role) What is there that cannot be shared?

(Old Female Role) Let me ask you—seeing Sister Yuhuan, how are her circumstances in the palace?

【Full Garden Spring】 (Supporting Female Role)

On the spring river, the scenery is warm and bright. Urged to attend the banquet at Wangchun Palace. As for Sister Yuhuan, she has lately relied on her nobility and grown more reserved. (Old Female Role) I wonder how the Emperor and she are in their affection? (Supporting Female Role) In spring nights, in spring nights, they are like paired fish in harmony. Who knows the traces of cloud and rain? (Old Female Role) Does she not feel anything at all? (Supporting Female Role) I only see that Sister Yuhuan’s temper has grown even more willful. Carefully peering into her heart, slowly guessing her thoughts, she has grown accustomed to petulance. Accustomed to petulance, she seeks flaws and finds faults, solely indulging her own caprice.

【Former Tune】 (Change of Head) (Old Female Role)

She has been like this since childhood, little sister—you ought to advise her. (Supporting Female Role) Who has the patience to advise her? (Old Female Role) Her nature is very proud, relying on Heaven-given hundredfold delicacy. Among sisters, let us not gossip behind her back. Moreover, these days, within Zhaoyang, within Zhaoyang, she alone holds the three thousand favorites—ask who can rival her male or female? (Supporting Female Role) Who contends with her? But with such a temper, I fear the sovereign’s heart is hard to fathom! (Old Female Role rises, turns back to audience, speaks softly) Listen carefully to Sister Pei’s words—there must be a reason. Carefully peering into her heart, slowly guessing her thoughts, such petulant anger. Such petulant anger, hiding the head and revealing the tail—could there be another matter on her mind!

(Male Servant enters) “Heard a stern imperial decree unexpectedly; announced to the noble lady in the hall.” (Bows) Reporting to my lady: disaster! The Imperial Consort has offended His Majesty. The Emperor is furious and has ordered Lord Gao to send her back to the Chancellor’s mansion. (Old Female Role, startled) Such a thing! (Supporting Female Role) I said with such a temper, she would surely bring trouble. (Old Female Role) Even so, sisters as we are, and it concerns our family’s honor and disgrace, we must go and see her! (Supporting Female Role) Just so—let us go together. (Old Female Role)

【Coda】

Hearing the stern rebuke suddenly, my heart is frightened. (Supporting Female Role) Let us tidy the fragrant carriage and go inquire of good or ill. Elder sister, Sister Yuhuan—won’t she be laughed to death by Plum Consort! (Chorus) Far better the cold plum blossom that still blooms in the Purple Forbidden Palace!

(Supporting Female Role) A decree is said to have descended from the palace gates, (Liu Changqing)

(Old Female Role) Leaving vermilion gates to enter the halberd-guarded gate; (Jia Dao)

(Supporting Female Role) Why need the sovereign’s favor be long enjoyed alone, (Qiao Zhizhi)

(Old Female Role) Alas, honor and disgrace shift between dawn and dusk. (Li Shangyin)