Scene 6: Sleeping in the Fragrance

【Ling Jiang Xian】 (Enter Li Zhenli, heavily made up) Short spring jacket with double-rolled sleeves, strumming the zither lost in flower-filled chambers. Today I’ll hook up all the embroidered curtains, so no gold-thread willow blocks the magnolia boat. I, Li Zhenli, am forever uneasy because my daughter Xiangjun has reached the age of maidenhood, yet no one has come for her first night. Thanks to Yang Longyou, he found us a young gentleman from a noble family—none other than Hou Chaozong, whom we entertained with wine the other day. His family standing and literary fame are both unmatched. Today is the auspicious day for her initiation, with a grand feast and music set out; the dilettantes have all arrived, and the sisters are all here—no small trouble. (Calls) Where is Bao’er? (Enter Bao’er, a servant, fanning himself and strolling slowly) Telling witty tales before the feast, listening to love talk among the flowers. Mother, where should Bao’er deliver the bedding? (Li Zhenli scolds angrily) Pah! Today is Miss Xiang’s initiation, the honored guest is about to arrive, and you’re still dreaming. Hurry up and roll up the curtains, sweep the floor, and arrange the tables and chairs. (Servant) Understood. (Li Zhenli directs the seating)

【Yi Zhi Hua】 (Enter Yang Wencong, in new clothes) Garden peaches blush like embroidery, more vivid than Wenjun’s wine; a gold-peacock screen unfolds, encircling a spring day. Rinsing the golden goblet, lighting the incense burner. This red-sleeved maid by the stove—who is the gentlest? Lead her to let Xiangru enjoy. I, Yang Wencong, entrusted by Yuanhai, have come to deliver the gifts for the initiation. (Calls) Where is Zhenniang? (Li Zhenli greets him) Thank you for matchmaking; the wedding feast is all prepared. (Asks) Why hasn’t the gentleman arrived yet? (Yang) He should be here shortly. (Laughs) I’ve prepared a few chests to adorn Xiangjun’s trousseau; have them brought in. (Servants enter carrying chests, jewelry, and clothing) (Yang instructs) Take them into the bridal chamber and arrange everything neatly! (Servants acknowledge and exit) (Li Zhenli, delighted, thanks him) How can you be so generous? Many thanks, sir! (Yang takes silver from his sleeve) Here’s also thirty taels for the feast expenses, to be given to the kitchen; all the food and drink must be lavish. (Li Zhenli) I’m even more unworthy of this. (Calls) Xiangjun, come quickly! (Enter Xiangjun, heavily made up) (Li Zhenli) Master Yang has bestowed many gifts; come forward and thank him. (Xiangjun bows in thanks) (Yang) Such trifling tokens, how dare I accept thanks? Please return, please return. (Xiangjun exits) (Servant rushes in to report) The new groom has arrived at the gate. (Enter Hou, in splendid attire, with attendants) Though not a scholar from the celestial examination halls, he is still a man from the moon of Chang’e. (Yang and Li Zhenli greet him) (Yang) Congratulations, dear friend, on winning a beauty from Pingkang; I have no great gift, only a modest trousseau and a simple feast to add to tonight’s joy. (Hou bows) I am deeply indebted to your efforts; how dare I accept this? (Li Zhenli) Please be seated and have tea. (All sit) (Servant enters with tea, they drink) (Yang) Is the wedding feast all arranged? (Li Zhenli) Thanks to your patronage, everything is complete. (Yang bows to Hou) Today is your happy day; I dare not intrude further, so I’ll take my leave and come tomorrow to offer congratulations. (Hou) Why not stay and sit with us? (Yang) That would be improper, improper. (Takes leave and exits) (Servant) Please change your clothes, new groom. (Hou changes clothes) (Li Zhenli) I cannot stay to accompany you; let me dress the bride and prepare the nuptial wine. (Takes leave and exits) (Enter Fu Jing, Wai, and Jing as three dilettantes) A lifetime of flowers and moons—Zhang of Three Shadows; five notes of music—Li of Two Reds. (Fu Jing) I, Ding Jizhi. (Wai) I, Shen Gongxian. (Jing) I, Zhang Yanzhu. (Fu Jing) Today we’re here for Master Hou’s wedding feast, so we came early. (Jing) I wonder which songstresses they’ve invited to accompany us. (Wai) Word is it’s some old hands from the Old Quarter. (Jing) I’ve already had them all for their first nights. (Fu Jing) How much wealth do you have to have so many first nights? (Jing) Everyone has help; look at Master Hou today—did he spend a single coin? (Wai) Enough talk; Master Hou is changing clothes in the hall; let’s go pay our respects. (All bow to Hou) (All) Congratulations, congratulations! (Hou) I’m honored by your presence. (Enter Xiao Dan, Lao Dan, and Chou as three courtesans) Feelings like fragrant grass reach the sky in drunkenness, bodies like willow catkins busy all day long. (They greet) (Jing) Which troupe of songstresses is this? Give us your names. (Chou) Are you the Music Bureau, ordering us to report names? (Hou laughs) I’d like to hear your names. (Lao Dan) I am Bian Yujing. (Hou) Truly a jade-goddess from the immortals. (Xiao Dan) I am Kou Baimen. (Hou) Truly the willow hue of White Gate. (Chou) I am Zheng Tuoniang. (Hou, pondering) Truly fitting indeed. (Jing) Not fitting, not fitting! (Wai) How so? (Jing) She’s fond of cuckolding men. (Chou) Pah! If I didn’t cuckold, how would you get so fat? (All jest) (Lao Dan) The gentleman is here; quickly invite Xiangjun out. (Xiao Dan and Chou help Xiangjun onstage) (Wai) Let’s play music to welcome her. (Fu Jing, Jing, and Wai play shifan music) (Hou and Xiangjun greet) (Chou) In our establishment, we don’t observe the wedding ceremony; let’s just have the nuptial wine. (Hou and Xiangjun take the seats of honor) (Fu Jing, Wai, and Jing sit on the left; Xiao Dan, Lao Dan, and Chou on the right) (Servant enters with a wine pot) (Those on the left offer wine; those on the right play music)

【Liangzhou Xu】 (Hou) Poetry and prose of Qi and Liang, flowers and willows of Chen and Sui, day by day love’s allure leads me on. Leaning in a blue gown, now like Du Mu in Yangzhou. I think of painting brows, pointing out the flute—spring enters my hands from now. A scholar’s thirst urgently needs relief, yet the setting sun lingers, slow to leave the tower; just one cup of wine drunk. (Those on the right offer wine; those on the left play music)

【Qian Qiang】 (Xiangjun) Flowers tremble on the towers, wind shakes the curtains, I lean on a heroic, handsome man. Boundless spring feelings—would he comb my hair with a golden pin? Idle flowers add beauty, wild grass spreads fragrance, enough to make me his wife. Tonight, the lamp’s shadow reddens the gauze; even the seasoned would blush—this first time is truly hard to bear. (Fu Jing) Look, the red sun is touching the hills, crows are choosing their trees; send the new couple to their chamber quickly. (Wai) Don’t rush; Master Hou is a gifted scholar of our time, and he’s initiated a peerless beauty. With wine for their union, how can there be no poem to seal their love? (Jing) Well said! Let me grind the ink and spread the paper, ready for his brush. (Hou) No need for poetry paper; I have a palace fan here—I’ll inscribe it for Xiangjun as a token of our eternal pledge. (Chou) Wonderful, wonderful! Let me hold the inkstone. (Xiao Dan) With your face, you’re only fit to pull off boots. (Lao Dan) This inkstone should really be entrusted to Xiangjun. (All) Yes! (Xiangjun holds the inkstone; Hou writes on the fan) (All read aloud) A winding path through crimson towers, a noble prince first rides in his Fuping carriage. The Green Stream is full of magnolia trees, but none match the peach and plum blossoms in the east wind. (All) Fine poem, fine poem! Xiangjun, keep it. (Xiangjun puts the fan in her sleeve) (Chou) So we’re not as good as peach and plum blossoms—but why call us magnolia trees? (Jing) Magnolia trees are withered wood that meets spring. (Chou) Now withered wood meets spring, and has also been rained on by fresh flowers. (Servant enters with a poem sheet) Master Yang has sent a poem! (Hou takes and reads) Born to topple cities, Li Xiang is small; held in the bosom, graceful in the sleeve. Why should the twelve peaks’ goddesses, in dreams, come only to see the King of Chu? (Hou laughs) This old man is so sentimental—he’s sent a bridal poem; exquisite, exquisite! (Jing) “Held in the bosom, graceful in the sleeve”—it describes Xiangjun’s slender figure, just like a fan pendant! (Chou) His fan pendant—how much is it worth? Can it compare with my amber cat pendant? (All laugh) (Fu Jing) Everyone, play your music and urge the new couple to drink a few more cups. (Chou) Yes, with a bit of wine’s spirit, we’ll enter the bridal chamber. (Music from left and right; Hou and Xiangjun exchange toasts)

【Jie Jie Gao】 (Hou and Xiangjun) Golden goblets with wine chips, endless toasts, sinking like jade after dusk. In secret we hold hands, brows knit with sorrow, fragrant flesh grows thin. One spring night is worth a thousand ages—how can we undo the hibiscus clasp before others? Waiting until the lamps dim and the feast ends, the palace water clock drips through the lotus-drain. (Fu Jing) Listen, the watchtower drum sounds the second watch; it’s too late. Let’s clear the feast. (Jing) Such a fine feast, and we haven’t finished it—what a pity. (Chou) I haven’t had enough; everybody wait a bit. (Lao Dan) Stop your nonsense. Everyone, play music and send the new couple to their chamber. (All rise and play shifan music, escorting Hou and Xiangjun)

【Qian Qiang】 (Chorus) Flutes and pipes descend the painted tower, clear songs float, dim lamps like spring daylight. Tiantai’s peaks, meeting Ruan and Liu, truly a fine match. Layers of brocade curtains, fragrant through and through, others’ brows wrinkle with envy. Drunkenness supports us, too romantic; the fortune to indulge in flowers is born with. (Servant holds a lamp; Hou and Xiangjun leave hand in hand) (Jing) Let’s all pair up and go to sleep too. (Chou) Old Zhang, don’t be deluded; I, Old Tuo, want cash. (Jing counts out ten coppers, pulls her) (Chou takes the money, counts again, swaps for smaller coins, and they exit jesting)

[Coda] (Together) The mist and moonlight over Qinhuai know no old or new;

Perfumed powders and creams drift eastward on the endless flow,

Each night, spring’s passions scatter, never to be reined.

(Second Male Role) South of the river, blossoms bloom, waters stretch serene,

(Second Female Role) A man who comes to Qinhuai forgets all his care,

(Old Male Role) Though beacons flare ten thousand miles from home,

(Old Female Role) At the fifth watch, nestled close, a singing voice is heard.