Explore Chapter 31 of 'Spring Ming Outer History' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Now, Yang Xingyuan had been chatting with He Jianchen and Wu Bibo at Lu Wuya's apartment for a while before they each returned home. When Yang Xingyuan arrived home, a servant brought him a letter. Upon opening it, he found it was a notice from the fellow townsmen's association urging payment of membership fees. He paid little attention and casually placed it on the table. That evening, the weather was sultry. Yang Xingyuan was enjoying the cool in the courtyard when he suddenly thought of Li Yun. A wave of restlessness swept over him, and he went back to his room to sleep.
Early the next morning, just as Yang Xingyuan had gotten up, He Jianchen arrived. He Jianchen said, "We have nothing to do today. Why don't we go for a stroll to Pine and Bamboo House?" Yang Xingyuan replied, "Here you go again. I've been wanting some peace and quiet these past few days." He Jianchen laughed and said, "What peace and quiet? I can see worry all over your face. You must be burdened with thoughts. It would be better to go out and distract yourself." Unable to resist, Yang Xingyuan had no choice but to go with him.
When they arrived at Pine and Bamboo House, Hua Jun came out to greet them, smiling. "Master Yang, it's been a long time since you last visited," she said. Yang Xingyuan forced a smile. He Jianchen asked, "Where is Li Yun?" Hua Jun replied, "Seventh Sister is inside. I'll call her out." With that, she went to fetch Li Yun. Li Yun emerged and, upon seeing Yang Xingyuan, lowered her head and addressed him softly as Master Yang. Yang Xingyuan noticed she had grown thinner, and his heart ached with pity.
They all sat and chatted idly. He Jianchen, ever the one to liven things up, suggested a game of cards. So he called a maid to set up the card table, and the four of them played a round. Yang Xingyuan was distracted and lost a few dollars. Li Yun, sitting beside him, quietly handed him a cup of tea. Yang Xingyuan accepted it, feeling somewhat comforted.
In the midst of the card game, a commotion erupted outside. A woman's voice, crying and cursing, burst in. Hua Jun hurried out to see what was happening. It turned out to be a courtesan who, owing debts, had been forced by the madam to take clients. She refused and had fled here to hide. The madam chased her down, grabbed her, and began beating her. The courtesan was only fifteen or sixteen, frail and pitiful, weeping incessantly.
Yang Xingyuan, seeing this, could not bear it and stepped forward to mediate. Upon inquiring about her fate, he learned that the girl was named Xiaocui. Originally from a decent family, after her father died, her stepmother had sold her into a brothel. She refused to entertain clients and was often beaten. Today, she had escaped, hoping to find a way out. Yang Xingyuan listened and sighed deeply.
He Jianchen said, "Such things are all too common in the hutong. How can we possibly intervene in every case?" Yang Xingyuan replied, "That may be true, but how can we stand by and watch a young girl in such distress?" He then asked Xiaocui, "Do you have any relatives to turn to?" Xiaocui shook her head. "No." Yang Xingyuan pondered for a moment and said, "If you are willing, I will send you to the Women's Relief Society. They can take you in, teach you a skill, so you can become self-reliant in the future."
Xiaocui listened and immediately kowtowed in gratitude. Yang Xingyuan called a rickshaw puller to take her to the relief society and gave her a few dollars. Hua Jun and Li Yun both said, "Master Yang is truly a kind-hearted man." He Jianchen laughed and said, "Xingyuan, you've done another good deed today." Yang Xingyuan replied, "It's just a small effort on my part."
After this incident, Yang Xingyuan's mood improved slightly. He Jianchen said, "Tomorrow there is an elegant gathering organized by several renowned ladies. They've invited us to listen to music. Are you interested?" Yang Xingyuan asked, "What renowned ladies?" He Jianchen explained, "They are female students skilled in singing and playing instruments. They've formed a Poetry and Music Society and often hold gatherings. Tomorrow, they are having a music session at Taoran Pavilion and have invited us to critique." Yang Xingyuan said, "That sounds refined. It might be nice to go and see."
The next afternoon, Yang Xingyuan and He Jianchen went together to Taoran Pavilion. In the pavilion, they saw over a dozen women, all elegantly dressed, sitting or standing as they tuned their instruments and tested their voices. A woman in light blue clothes came forward, smiling. "Mr. He, you've come. And who is this?" He Jianchen introduced, "This is Mr. Yang Xingyuan, a good friend of mine." The woman said, "I have long admired Mr. Yang's poetic reputation. It's a pleasure to meet you today." Yang Xingyuan offered a few modest words.
The woman was named Chen Fangbo, a student at the Women's Normal School and the hostess of today's music session. She introduced several companions, all versed in poetry and music. They sat down, first enjoying tea and casual conversation. When the topic turned to poetry and music, Yang Xingyuan responded fluently, earning the admiration of all the women.
After a while, the music session began. Chen Fangbo first sang an aria from "Wandering in the Garden" from The Peony Pavilion, her voice clear and resonant, with perfect pronunciation. Then several others performed Kunqu opera and Beijing opera tunes. Yang Xingyuan listened intently, unconsciously clapping in praise.
After the singing, Chen Fangbo asked Yang Xingyuan for guidance. Yang Xingyuan said, "Everyone sang extremely well. However, Kunqu opera emphasizes vocal nuances. Some parts could be made more mellifluous." He then demonstrated a few lines himself. The women listened and exclaimed, "Mr. Yang is truly a connoisseur."
He Jianchen laughed and said, "Xingyuan, why don't you sing a piece as well?" Yang Xingyuan could not decline and sang an aria from "Parting at the Long Pavilion" in The Romance of the Western Chamber. He was not skilled at singing, but his enunciation was clear, and the emotion was tender, earning applause from the entire gathering.
On the way back, He Jianchen said, "These women are quite refined and elegant." Yang Xingyuan replied, "Indeed, it's rare. But I observe that despite their elegant gathering, each harbors her own worries. I fear they may not escape the burdens of worldly affairs in the future." He Jianchen said, "You always think too much." As they spoke, they each returned home.
Yang Xingyuan returned to the Guild Hall and, recalling the day's elegant gathering and the incident with Xiaocui, felt that life's meetings and partings were fickle. His heart was filled with myriad emotions. He picked up a brush and wrote a few poems to record the day's events. After finishing, he sat alone under the lamp, unable to calm himself for a long time.