Scene 29: Suspicion from Others

Scene 29: Suspicions Arise

【Step by Step】 (The old Daoist nun enters, painted face role) A woman born a Daoist nun has the appearance of one who has left the family. No spouse, no children. I guard the Three Pure Ones’ holy images, changing the water and adding incense, listening to the bell and drum. The most pressing matter is that wandering young nun, full of deceit and gossip. “Matters of this world are hard to believe fully; human feelings often carry three parts suspicion.” Lord Du built this Plum Blossom Nunnery for his daughter, and I have been watching over it for three years. Clear water, bare stones—not a single flaw. Only because that old dog, Professor Chen, brought a young scholar named Liu from Lingnan, who is recovering from illness in the eastern chamber. A few days ago, he returned from the rear garden, swaying and unsteady, as if possessed by a ghost. I already had my suspicions. Then I encountered a young Daoist nun from Shaoyang, twenty-eight years old, quite charming, who came wandering here and has not left for days. Last night, in Scholar Liu’s room, there was a murmuring sound, like a woman’s voice. Could it be that the young nun hid from me and went to see that scholar, and he, following the current, accepted her? I’ll wait for her and sound her out.

【Previous Tune】 (The young Daoist nun enters, pasted-face role) We Daoist nuns are born pretty, like immortals in appearance. Our manners are all proper, except for a little feeling that drifts and sways. Treading the Big Dipper steps before the wind, playing the reed pipes beneath the moon. (Sighs) Since ancient times, immortals have always come in pairs—why was I born so destitute? (They meet) (Young nun) “Always without desire, one observes the mystery; (Old nun) always with desire, one observes the manifestation.” Little aunt, last night you wandered on a cloud—wandered right into Scholar Liu’s room. Was it the manifestation, or the mystery? (Young nun) Old aunt, where do these words come from? Who saw anything? (Old nun) I saw it.

【Flickering Silver Lamp】 You, a renunciant, with your lotus-like faint makeup, cut a crane-feather cloak from a patch of Xiang River cloud. Your jade cap worn askew, a smile wafting fragrance, you appear fully charming. I wonder—could you have turned toward that scholar’s night window, luring the dim moonlight to shine on half the bed? (Young nun) Which scholar? Old aunt, these words don’t make sense.

【Previous Tune】 Though young, I try my hand at dressing, but I wash away the mundane heart, as clear as an icy moon. How can you belittle people so? I am more proper than you, half-aged beauty! (Old nun) So you’re slandering me now. (Young nun) Look carefully—beside this Chaste Maiden Nunnery, is there a scholar with a long story? (Old nun) Ah, so I’m the one having an affair with a scholar! This Plum Blossom Nunnery—you are a wandering nun, he is a wandering scholar. You can stay, so why can’t he? But usually the scholar sleeps soundly at night; only when you came to the nunnery did he open his door at midnight, murmuring. If not talking to you, then to whom? I’ll drag you to the Daoist Registry Office and report you! (She pulls) (Young nun) Let’s go, then! You let a former official’s incense-hall shelter a wandering tramp. Do you think they’ll let you off? (They pull)

【A Letter Sealed】 (The scholar enters, end-face role) Strolling leisurely to the edge of the white clouds, I ask where Mr. Liu dwells. I knock at the Plum Blossom Nunnery’s gate. (Sees the pulling) Ah, why are two aunts fighting over a patron? “Mysterious female, same gate—the Way can be spoken—why not hide it in a box and wait?” I know you are Big Aunt and she is Little Aunt—have you married a certain Mr. Peng at the harbor mouth? (Old nun) Sir, you don’t know. I heard that Scholar Liu opened his door at midnight, murmuring without stop. I kindly asked this young aunt: “Were you talking to Scholar Liu?” She could have just said, “Who was talking to Scholar Liu?” and that would have been it. Instead, she was stubborn and said I was keeping a scholar. Professor Chen, you tell me—who brought this scholar here? I’ll drag her to the Daoist Registry Office to sort it out. I am made of stone. (Young nun) So am I made of water? (Scholar) Hush! You’ll ruin Scholar Liu’s reputation. I advise you,

【Previous Tune】 I urge you to take it slowly. Is the “scattering the moon and summoning the wind” real or false? It has long been “zhi hu zhe ye”—that Mr. Willow is a gentleman-scholar. If you send a document to the Registry Office to have her return to lay life, I fear the Confucian scholars will laugh at you for being neither nun nor woman. (Young nun) Indeed, it would be very unseemly. (Scholar) Better straighten your cap, comb your hair like clouds and water, and tear off this immortal robe of five or six ounces. (Old nun) As you say, let go. Professor Chen, stay for a vegetarian meal. (Scholar) I’ll come when Scholar Liu is here.

【Coda】 In this pure and secluded place, I linger and hesitate again. (Weeps) Ahem! Scattered in the east wind, sparse tears of a desperate journey. Aunt, may I go up to Miss Du’s grave? (Old nun) It’s raining. (Scholar sighs) I only regret that the spring cold is locked in—these few raindrops on the azalea blossoms. (Exits) (Old nun and young nun remain on stage) (Old nun) Old Chen is gone. Little aunt, you are formidable. (Young nun) Let’s go and find out who was talking to the scholar.

(Old nun) “Amid mist and water, worldly schemes never cease.”—Wen Tingyun (Young nun) “Lofty feelings and refined tastes are rare in this world.”—Liu Yuxi (Old nun) “The parrot of Long Mountain can speak.”—Cen Shen (Young nun) “Wildly, toward the golden cage, it tells of people’s rights and wrongs.”—Monk Zilan