Scene 24: Cursing at the Banquet

Scene 24: The Denunciation at the Feast

[Lü Lü Jin] (Vice-male role, playing Ruan Dacheng in festive attire, enters)

"In these romantic times, I have encountered the golden, powdery splendor of the Six Dynasties, and I am uniquely skilled in it. I manage the courtesans and hold the post of imperial entertainer. A new black hat sets off a red robe, black boots stitched with green thread, black boots stitched with green thread."

(Laughs) "I, Ruan Dacheng, rely entirely on His Excellency the Guiyang Minister (Ma Shiying) for extraordinary promotion, and he has further selected me for the Inner Court as an entertainer. Today, on my return from taking up my post, how glorious it is! Moreover, it is a delight that the present Emperor, by nature, loves poetry, calligraphy, and painting. He has promoted Wang Duo to Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet and Qian Qianyi to Minister of Rites. Though I am unworthy, I too join the ranks of literary attendants, daily close to the imperial countenance, speaking whatever I know. A few days ago, I presented four works of chuanqi drama, which greatly pleased His Majesty. He immediately issued an imperial edict, commanding the Ministry of Rites to select palace maidens, intending to set The Swallow’s Letter to music and song, making it the music of a rejuvenated age. I thought that this work of mine, with its profound subtleties, might be ruined if taught by vulgar instructors, thus damaging my literary reputation. Therefore, I seized the opportunity to memorialize: 'A novice is inferior to an experienced hand; a refined amateur is better than a professional instructor.' The Emperor, accepting advice as smoothly as flowing water, ordered a wide search of the Old Quarter and a vigorous roundup along the Qinhuai River, seizing several dozen refined amateurs and courtesans, handing them over to the Ministry of Rites for selection. A few days ago, when I examined their looks and skills, they were all merely ordinary. There were also a few famous ones, all old acquaintances of Yang Longyou, who begged to be excused from selection, so I could only strike their names from the list. Yesterday, I saw His Excellency the Guiyang Minister, who said: 'Teaching and rehearsing new plays is the Emperor’s heartfelt desire. Can it be that we fail to select the best and instead choose the worst?' So I had to summon them again, but they have not yet arrived. Today is the Renri Festival, the seventh day of the first month in the Yiyou year (1645). I have invited Yang Longyou to bring a feast to the Admiring Heart Pavilion, where I will invite my teacher, the Guiyang Prime Minister, to drink wine and admire the snow. I have already ordered the newly selected courtesans to be brought to the feast for inspection. Truly: Flowers and willows, pipes and songs—the enterprise of the Sui dynasty; idle talk and romantic ease—the manner of the Jin dynasty." (Exits)

[Huang Ying Er] (Old female role, playing Bian Yujing in Taoist garb, carrying a bundle, enters hurriedly)

"My home was in the Pearl Palace of the Immortals, but I hate that, unbidden, the wind of karma arose, lightly blowing me into the smoky, flowery realm of the brothels. My throat is swollen from singing, my skirt waist worn loose from dancing. My life’s dreams and souls have all been in the cave of Mount Wu (the place of lovers' union). I, Bian Yujing, why am I dressed like this today? Only because the court is searching for singing girls, forcing me to renounce all worldly thoughts. Last night, I bid farewell to my sisters, changed into Taoist robes, and drifted away from the quarter, but I do not know where to go to seek a master. In the distance, east of the city, clouds and mountains fill my eyes; the path to the immortal realm is endless."

(Floats off gracefully) (Vice-male, male, and painted-face roles, playing Ding Jizhi, Shen Gongxian, and Zhang Yanzhu, three refined amateurs, enter)

[Zao Luo Pao] (Vice-male role) "Just as I was playing the flute and pipes on the Qinhuai River, watching famous flowers and the lovely moon, chaotically reflected on the curtain and window lattice, the palace summons named the musicians, stirring the spring heart of the Southern Court’s emperor. I, Ding Jizhi, am over sixty; I long ago put aside the singing clappers. The other day, I entrusted Elder Yang to exempt me from service. How is it that I am summoned again today?" (Male and painted-face roles) "We two were also exempted. We do not know why we are summoned again or what there is to say." (Vice-male role, cupping his hands) "Two younger brothers, let us all discuss this. For our group of refined amateurs to move the Emperor and be summoned to teach singing is no easy matter." (Male and painted-face roles) "Exactly." (Vice-male role) "You two are young and should advance. You ought to go. I am an old man, sickly and aged, and I do not hope for any good opportunity. Today, I intend to evade this. I beg you two to cover for me." (Male role) "What difficulty is there? Jiang Ziya fishes—those who wish to be caught come willingly." (Painted-face role) "Indeed! Are you guilty of breaking the law that you must be taken for trial?" (Vice-male role) "If that is so, I, the old man, will go back." (Turns to leave) "Hastily I turn my head; the green distant hills; carefree, I seek my path; the dense, tangled pine forest." (Stamps foot) "If I do not leave this mundane world, how can I avoid being entangled?" (Takes a Taoist headcloth and yellow silk sash from his sleeve, changes into them. Turns head and shouts) "You two, look at my attire! The Taoist has awakened from his dream of Yangzhou."

(Sways and exits) (Male role) "Yi! He has actually become a monk. What a resolute heart!" (Painted-face role) "Let us sit for a while under the eaves to bask in the sun and warm ourselves, waiting for the sisters to arrive, then go together to the Ministry of Rites for the roll call." (Sits on the ground) (Young female role, playing Kou Baimen; clown role, playing Zheng Tuoniang; a servant role as attendant, follow on) (Young female role) "Peach blossom petals drift with the wind, bearing no fruit." (Clown role) "Willow catkins float on the water, becoming duckweed." (Looks around) "Look, Old Shen and Old Zhang did not even call us. They are already under the eaves basking in the sun. Let us go over and give them a slap." (They meet, bantering) (Male role asks the servant) "Where are they summoning us again?" (Servant) "You are being summoned to the Ministry of Rites for the roll call, then sent into the Inner Court to teach plays." (Male role) "We were exempted the other day." (Servant) "The Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet did not agree. He insists on borrowing your services, you old refined amateurs." (Painted-face role) "Who are they?" (Servant) "Let me look at the list." (Takes out list and reads) "Ding Jizhi, Shen Gongxian, Zhang Yanzhu." (Asks) "Why is that Ding not here?" (Male role) "He has become a monk and gone." (Servant) "Since he has become a monk, there is no place to find him. I will just report back to the superior." (To the painted-face and male roles) "You who have arrived should go directly to the Ministry of Rites for the roll call." (Painted-face role) "Wait until the sisters are all here." (Servant) "Today, the gentlemen are admiring the snow on the Qinhuai River. They have ordered that the female guests be brought to the feast for inspection." (Male and painted-face roles) "If that is the case, we will go ahead. Truly: Transmitting songs to be kept in the Music Bureau, pressing flutes close to the palace walls." (Exits) (Servant looks at list, asks the young female role) "Are you Kou Baimen?" (Young female role) "Yes." (Servant asks the clown role) "Are you Bian Yujing?" (Clown role) "No, I am Old Tuo." (Servant) "Then you are Zheng Tuoniang." (Asks) "Where is that Bian Yujing?" (Clown role) "She has become a nun and gone." (Servant) "Yi! How is it that all those who have renounced the world come in pairs?" (Asks) "There is one behind with bound feet who cannot walk fast. That must be Li Zhenli?" (Young female role) "No, Li Zhenli has married and gone to a good man!" (Servant) "I just pulled her downstairs. She said she was Li Zhenli. How is it she is not?" (Clown role) "Probably her daughter took her name and came as a substitute." (Servant) "Mother and daughter are the same. As long as the number is not short, it is fine." (Looks) "She has already caught up."

[Te Te Ling] (Female role) "Descending from the Red Chamber, the lingering winter snow is still thick; crossing the Purple Path, the early spring earth is frozen. Unaccustomed to walking, my feet are in great pain. The phoenix imperial edict is issued, selecting beautiful women, holding a silk whip, riding a proud horse; the flower-selecting envoy, in a chaotic crowd, urges me on."

"I, Li Xiangjun, have been seized and brought downstairs, ordered to learn singing. This is the lot of us courtesans, but I have this one shred of will, which even death cannot erase." (Servant shouts) "Hurry up!" (Female role arrives) (Young female role) "You have also come downstairs. I am sorry for you, sorry for you." (Clown role) "We are lucky. We can serve the Emperor." (Female role) "I would rather let you have it." (They walk together) (Servant) "Ahead is the Admiring Heart Pavilion. Minister Ma of the Inner Cabinet (Ma Shiying), Minister Ruan of the Court of Imperial Entertainments (Ruan Dacheng), and Minister Yang of the Ministry of War (Yang Longyou) will arrive shortly. Each of you, prepare yourselves and be in attendance." (Servant exits with young female and clown roles) (Female role, aside) "It is rare for them to gather together. This is the perfect chance to vent the resentment in my heart."

[Qian Qiang] "Zhao Wenhua, accompanying Yan Song, smears his powdered face and fawns before the wine feast; with ugly tones and vile postures, he acts out a true Ming Feng Ji (a play exposing treacherous ministers). I will be a female Ni Heng, beating the Yuyang Cancan drum, cursing every word—let him see if he understands!"

(Clad as Ma Shiying, the second clad as Ruan Dacheng, the third as Yang Wencong, the outer and young roles as attendants shouting orders to clear the way) (The dan hides) (Second) "Jade towers with a touch of red." (Third) "Gold-and-jade peaks finely traced with powder." (Net) "What a fine snow scene!" (Second) "This Appreciating Heart Pavilion was originally a place to view snow." (Net) "How so originally a place to view snow?" (Second) "Emperor Zhenzong of Song once took out Zhou Fang's snow painting and bestowed it on Ding Wei, saying, 'When you go to Jinling, choose an excellent scenic spot to hang it.' Thus this pavilion was built." (Net looks at the wall) "This scroll on the wall must be Zhou Fang's snow painting." (Third) "No. This is a recent gift from my painter friend Lan Ying." (Net) "Splendid, splendid! See how the snow weighs on Mount Zhong, just matching the painting; no spot for delight surpasses this pavilion." (Third gives orders) "Set out the stove, wine vessel, and pleasure implements." (Outer and young role set out the feast and sit) (Second addresses Net) "This rustic pavilion with crude utensils—relying on your great favor to presume, I am truly guilty." (Net) "Nonsense. How laughable that a pack of petty men, flattering the powerful, waste a thousand gold pieces on lavish feasts, utterly vulgar and worthless, leaving only a laughingstock." (Second) "Today I sweep snow to brew tea, seeking pure conversation and your instruction, showing your lofty grace and magnanimity; we latecomers may also spare ourselves a few daubs of paint." (Net) "Ah! The white paint on the stage is the most fearsome; once smeared on the face, it can never be washed off; even with filial sons and loving grandsons, none would recognize them as ancestors." (Third) "Though fearsome, it is also fair, originally meant to warn the unscrupulous, not set for our kind." (Net) "In my view, they all suffer from the harm of flattery." (Third) "Why?" (Net) "See our predecessor, Grand Secretary Yan Song—was he not a scholar? Now in 'The Cry of the Phoenix,' he is painted with a painted face, truly hard to look at. Was he not ruined by the flattery of Zhao Wenhua and his ilk?" (Second bows) "Yes, yes! Your Excellency dislikes flattery; I can only admire from the heart." (Third) "Please, drink!" (They raise cups together) (Second asks Outer) "Have the selected courtesans been summoned?" (Outer reports) "They have been summoned." (A servant leads the courtesans in to kowtow) (Net examines them closely) (Gives orders) "Today is a refined gathering; there is no use for them. Send them to the Ministry of Rites for processing." (Second) "I deliberately had them come to attend the feast." (Net) "Keep the younger one." (The courtesans exit) (Net asks) "What is her name?" (Servant reports) "Li Zhenli." (Net laughs) "Li may not be chaste." (Laughing to Second) "We have played the part of Scholar Tao; shall we now play a scene of Grand Commandant Dang?" (Second) "Splendid, splendid!" (Calls) "Zhenli, come pour wine and sing a tune." (Dan shakes her head) (Net) "Why do you shake your head?" (Dan) "I cannot." (Net) "Ah! Not knowing anything, how can you be called a famous courtesan?" (Dan) "I am no famous courtesan." (Wipes tears) (Net) "What grievance do you have? Tell me."

【River Water Song】(Dan) "My heart's affairs are tangled like tumbleweed, many times I wished to appeal to the throne. Husband and wife torn apart, souls startled; mother and son severed, blood gushing—more fierce than bandits. Playing deaf and dumb, scolded without fear."

(Net) "So you have such grievances." (Second) "This woman is indeed bitter." (Third) "Today the gentlemen are here for pleasure; there is no need to pour out your wrongs." (Dan) "Master Yang knows, my wrongs are hardly worth recounting."

【Five Offerings】"Honorable lords, half of the Southern Court relies on your brilliance. Seeking favor through birth, founding enterprises by selecting voices and faces, adding new tunes to 'The Flower in the Rear Courtyard.' Twisting me about, in the cold wind and snowy seas and icy mountains, bitterly accompanying your revels."

(Net angrily) "Pah! This girl speaks nonsense; she deserves a slap on the mouth." (Second) "I hear Li Zhenli was originally a courtesan appraised by Zhang Tianru, Xia Yizhong, and their kind, so naturally she is insolent. She deserves a beating, a beating!" (Third) "Look at her, she is very young; she may not be that Li Zhenli." (Dan bitterly) "Even if she were, what of it!"

【Jade Branch】"The Donglin brothers, even in the pleasure quarters we know to respect them. Adopted sons and clients are used anew, never cutting off the Wei clan's seed." (Second) "How bold! Whom are you cursing? Quickly seize her and throw her into the snow." (Outer seizes Dan and pushes her down) (Dan) "My icy skin and snowy bowels are the same; my iron heart and stone belly fear no cold." (Second) "This slave, before the Grand Secretary, is so insolent, making us all guilty. How hateful, how hateful!" (Leaves his seat and kicks Dan) (Third rises and pulls him back) (Net) "Enough, enough! Such a slave—what difficulty is there in putting her to death? It would only harm the dignity of a prime minister." (Third) "Yes, yes! The honor of a premier, the baseness of a harlot—heaven and earth apart, why mind it?" (Second) "Very well! Reporting to Your Excellency, send her into the inner palace, assign her the bitterest role, and let her serve." (Net) "That is also fitting." (Third) "Have someone drag her away!" (Servant drags Dan) (Dan) "I am already prepared to die. I cannot spit out all the cuckoo's blood in my breast, cannot spit out all the cuckoo's blood in my breast."

(Dan dragged off) (Net) "A fine refined gathering ruined by this slave. How laughable, how laughable!" (Second and Third repeatedly bow) "Offense, offense! We beg your boundless forgiveness; another day we will sincerely make amends." (Net) "The mood is exhausted; it's time to return on the spring snow boat." (Second) "The guest's shame should be beheaded on the beauty's head." (Net, Second, and attendants exit shouting orders) (Third remains on stage) "How laughable that Fragrant Lady had just come downstairs when she ran into two avenging foes; this quarrel was unavoidable. Without my shielding, Fragrant Lady's life would have been in danger. Enough, enough! Being selected for the inner palace saves a few days of worry; but who will watch over the Fragrant Tower? What to do?" (Thinks) "I have it. My painter friend Lan Ying asked me to find him lodging; I'll have him stay in the tower temporarily. When Fragrant Lady comes out, we'll decide then."

On Appreciating Heart Pavilion, the snow first melts,

Boiling cranes and burning zithers to feast the great lord.

Angering the Qinhuai song-and-dance companions,

Not one goes with Xishi into the Wu palace.