第十三回 沽酒迎宾甘为知己死 越墙窥影空替美人怜 (Buying Wine to Welcome a Guest, Ready to Die for a Friend; Over the Wall, Spying a Shadow, Vainly Sorrowing for a Beauty)

Now, Fan Jiashu’s feet carried him almost unconsciously to the Guan residence. Finding the courtyard deserted, he made his way to Shoufeng’s room. The latter was just in the act of pouring hot water from a kettle into a teapot upon the table. Glancing up and seeing Jiashu enter, he gave a startled exclamation, set down the kettle, roused himself with effort, and advanced with a smile. "Young friend! You’ve truly come. My daughter said you would, but I scarcely believed her." Jiashu offered no polite demur, only smiling as he said, "I feared your daughter might not be at home, so I came first to converse." "She went to the hospital to fetch a prescription and is back," Shoufeng replied. "She’ll be here presently. Pray, take a seat." As he spoke, he fetched a square stool from his own bedroom and placed it at the head of the table. Then, with a casual motion, he poured a cup of hot water and set it on the table, laughing, "Young friend! The best I can offer you is plain water. You mustn’t take offence." Jiashu said, "You, venerable sir, are in such straitened circumstances. I have not yet shown the slightest consideration, and here you are, spending for my sake. I am truly ill at ease." Shoufeng laughed heartily. "What trifle is this? Since you did not come this morning, I have come into some money again. Pray, sit, sit." So saying, he himself took a seat.

"Your daughter presumably went to fetch the medicine?" Jiashu asked. "Indeed," Shoufeng answered. "But she must always first read over the prescription sent from the hospital before collecting it. Do not suppose she knows many characters, but she can recognise some words upon these foreign prescriptions." "With such a capable daughter," Jiashu said, "you, venerable sir, may set your mind at ease on many scores." Hearing this, Shoufeng stroked his beard and roared with laughter. "Young friend! Worry? Do I look like I don’t worry? I’ve raised a girl this big, and nothing requires my attention. Yet precisely for that reason, I’ve delayed the girl’s prospects. As the old saying goes, ‘A grown man should marry, a grown woman should wed.’ At my age, I should have been carrying a grandson long ago. But my girl, forever following her useless father, drifting east and wandering west, hasn’t even a mother-in-law’s household to call her own." Jiashu smiled and said, "Now, venerable sir, there’s no need for anxiety. Once your daughter finds a suitable match, you may indeed enjoy a life of tranquil ease." "That is what I say too," Shoufeng replied. "But this child’s standards are high. Unless a man is handsome, she won’t have him; if his family is poor, she won’t have him; if he is too old, she won’t have him. Young friend! You see, this alone has worried me until my hair turned white."

Just as Fan Jiashu was about to reply, a delicate, lilting voice sounded from the outer room. "Father! With whom are you speaking, raising your voice so?" Shoufeng smiled at Jiashu. "My daughter has returned. She forbids me to talk overmuch." The moment Xiugu entered, she first uttered an exclamation of surprise, "Oh! Master Fan! What brings you the leisure to visit today?" Jiashu said, "I felt suffocated at home and came especially to see Uncle Guan." Xiugu smiled. "That is truly an honour we do not deserve. Please sit. I shall brew tea for you." "Do not trouble yourself," Jiashu said. "I have just drunk some." "We have no fine tea here," Xiugu said. "You must not disdain it." So saying, she departed.

Shoufeng laughed. "Young friend! See how well my girl talks. In truth, what tea does our household possess? It is merely plain water with a few leaves cast in." Jiashu smiled. "You, venerable sir, truly know how to jest. In truth, plain water is also quite wholesome to drink." "Wholesome it may be," Shoufeng said, "only it is too bland by half. Young friend! You shall dine with me today. I shall go buy some wine, and we shall share a few cups." "There is no need," Jiashu said. "I shall sit a while and then depart." "That will not do," Shoufeng insisted. "You have come with difficulty. How can you leave without eating? If you refuse, it means you look down upon me." Seeing him speak thus, Jiashu found it awkward to decline further and had no choice but to assent.

Shoufeng was greatly pleased by his agreement. Rising to his feet, he said, "I shall go buy wine and, by the way, bring back some dishes. Girl! Keep Master Fan company for a while. I shall be back directly." Xiugu answered from the adjoining room, "Go on. I shall entertain our guest." Shoufeng laughed heartily and went out.

Here, Xiugu brewed a pot of tea and brought it before Fan Jiashu, smiling. "Master Fan! Drink some tea." Jiashu inclined his body slightly. "Thank you, Miss." Xiugu sat opposite Jiashu, lowering her head and toying with the corner of her apron. Jiashu took a sip of tea and spoke first. "Miss, tending to Uncle Guan at the hospital must be very arduous?" "It is nothing," Xiugu said. "For a child, serving her father is only her duty. But Master Fan, aiding us in this manner, we truly do not know how we may ever thank you enough." "Uncle Guan has already said this many times," Jiashu said. "I pray you mention it no more. Since we have become friends, mutual assistance is a matter of course." "Though it be so," Xiugu said, "in our hearts we cannot but feel ill at ease."

Seeing her face suffuse with a deep blush as she spoke, betraying profound shyness, Jiashu dared not gaze at her overlong and shifted his eyes to the wall. There he saw a Buddhist image hanging upon it, with a small table below. Upon the table stood a small bronze incense burner, within which a few sticks of incense were inserted. Before the image, there also lay a string of prayer beads. He smiled and asked, "Miss, do you also believe in Buddha?" Xiugu smiled. "How could I presume to understand belief? Only, when I have nothing to do, I mutter a few Buddhist prayers, and it brings some peace to my mind." Jiashu said, "When the old believe, it is for the sake of the afterlife. But why should the young believe?" "When the young believe," Xiugu said, "it is merely because they listen to their elders and follow along with chanting. How could they truly comprehend anything?" Seeing her answers were ever evasive and indirect, Jiashu felt it improper to inquire further.

The two fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, Xiugu asked, "Master Fan, is your lady mother at home in good health?" "By your kind fortune," Jiashu said, "my mother’s health is still tolerable." "Have you brothers and sisters?" "No brothers," Jiashu said. "Only one younger sister, just fifteen this year." "Master Fan, studying in Peiping, do you not long for home?" Jiashu smiled. "How could I not? Only, with my studies so busy, I cannot afford to dwell on it much." "We children of poor families have no opportunity to study," Xiugu said. "Master Fan, so young and already attending university, you are truly blessed." "This is hardly a blessing," Jiashu said. "Merely the differing circumstances of each person."

Before Xiugu could say more, the sound of footsteps was heard. Shoufeng had returned. In his left hand, he carried a bottle of wine; in his right, a package wrapped in newspaper, likely containing dishes. Upon entering, he laughed and said, "Apologies for keeping you waiting, young friend. I bought some marinated dishes and had a jin of mutton sliced. Today, we shall eat hot pot." Xiugu swiftly cleared the table. Shoufeng opened the paper package to reveal soy-braised beef, marinated eggs, and the like. Another package wrapped in lotus leaf emitted a warm, steaming fragrance. Xiugu went to the kitchen and brought out a purple copper hot pot, placing it in the centre of the table. She then fetched bowls, chopsticks, cups, and plates, arranging them one by one. Shoufeng opened the wine bottle, first poured a cup, and handed it to Jiashu, smiling. "Young friend! Let us drain this first cup together." Jiashu said, "Uncle Guan! You are too kind. I am not a drinker." "Just a little," Shoufeng said. "It is of no consequence." Unable to decline such earnest hospitality, Jiashu accepted the cup and took a sip. Shoufeng poured a cup for himself, threw back his head, and drained it in one go, laughing heartily. "Marvellous! Marvellous!"

Xiugu brought in a plate of raw mutton slices and set it on the table, followed by a dish of cabbage and a dish of vermicelli. Shoufeng brought the water in the hot pot to a boil, then picked up several slices of mutton and swished them in the pot, smiling. "Young friend! Do not stand on ceremony. Help yourself. In our humble abode, we have nothing fine with which to honour a guest." Jiashu said, "This is already excellent, Uncle Guan. Do not trouble yourself overmuch."

And so the three gathered around the table and began to partake of the hot pot mutton. As he drank, Shoufeng held forth with grand talk, speaking of his days as a bandit beyond the Great Wall, his eyes danced and his expression became animated. Xiugu, however, spoke little, merely listening quietly, occasionally pursing her lips in a faint smile. Fearing Shoufeng might drink too much, Jiashu said, "Uncle Guan! Your illness has just abated. It would be better to drink less wine." "No matter!" Shoufeng declared. "When my heart is merry, my illness is cured. With you here today, young friend, it is better than any medicine." So saying, he downed another cup.

Seeing him so jovial, Jiashu did not venture to hinder him. He glanced at Xiugu; her face was flushed, whether from the wine or the fire’s heat he could not tell, making her appear all the more delicately radiant. After several cups, Shoufeng grew even more loquacious. He said to Jiashu, "Young friend! From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew you were a man of promise. As for my girl-though raised in a poor family-as for her character and looks-and I ain’t just braggin’-she’s more than a match for anyone. It’s only a pity that I, her father, am without ability and cannot find her a proper husband’s family." Hearing this, Jiashu knew not how to reply and could only lower his head to eat. Xiugu protested shyly, "Father! You’re drunk again, talking such idle nonsense." Shoufeng laughed uproariously. "Fine, fine! I shan’t say more. Let us drink."

Fearing he might continue and make the situation yet more awkward, Jiashu rose and said, "Uncle Guan! The hour grows late. I must take my leave." Shoufeng said, "What is the hurry? Sit a while longer." "I have lessons tomorrow," Jiashu said. Seeing his determination, Shoufeng did not press him further. "Well then, I shall not detain you. Girl! See Master Fan out." Xiugu assented and escorted Jiashu out.

By now, the sky had darkened, filled with a host of stars. The street was hushed and still, with scarcely a soul about. Xiugu saw him to the main gate and there halted. Jiashu said, "Pray return, Miss." Xiugu said softly, "Take care on the road, Master Fan." Jiashu said, "Many thanks for your concern." So saying, he turned and walked away. After a few paces, he looked back. Xiugu still stood at the gate, watching his receding figure. A sudden, unnamed emotion fluttered in his breast, and he quickened his pace, returning directly to the Tao residence.

Upon reaching home, Tao Bohe and his wife had not yet returned. Fan Jiashu sat alone in his room, recalling Shoufeng’s words. His mind was in utter disarray. Shoufeng’s meaning was clear: he plainly harboured the intention of betrothing Xiugu to him, and Xiugu herself seemed to hold for him a certain inexpressible sentiment. Yet he already had Feng Xi. How could he possibly accept Xiugu? Moreover, the father and daughter of the Guan family were passionate souls. If he did not handle this properly, not only would he wound their hearts, but perhaps even invite other troubles. At this thought, he grew agitated without realising it.

The next day, Fan Jiashu awoke to find the sun already flooding his window. Recalling the previous day’s events, he resolved it would be best to distance himself somewhat from the Guan family. Thus, for several days in succession, he did not visit them. Yet, sometimes, remembering Xiugu’s melancholy gaze, he again felt a pang of reluctance in his heart.

That afternoon, Fan Jiashu returned from school, his heart heavy. He wandered aimlessly to Shuiche Hutong, intending to see Feng Xi. Arriving at the door, he found it tightly shut and utterly silent. He knocked for a while, but no one answered. Jiashu thought perhaps Feng Xi had not yet returned from school, and her mother, Auntie Shen, might have gone out. He lingered awhile at the door and was just about to leave when he suddenly seemed to hear faint sobbing from within. Startled, Jiashu pounded on the door and called out, "Feng Xi! Feng Xi! Are you home?"

After a good while, the door creaked open. Feng Xi stood within, her eyes red and swollen as though she had been weeping for a long time. Jiashu hurriedly asked, "Feng Xi! What has happened? Who has wronged you?" At the sight of Jiashu, Feng Xi’s tears flowed anew. She sobbed brokenly, "Master Fan! You… come inside."

Jiashu entered the courtyard to find it in complete disorder. Auntie Shen sat beneath the eaves, also wiping away tears. Jiashu asked, "Auntie! What on earth has occurred?" Auntie Shen sighed deeply. "Master Fan! This matter is truly shameful to tell. It is all her uncle, Shen Sanxuan. These past few days, he gambled and lost, piling up a mountain of debt. Creditors pressed their demands at our door. Having no other recourse, he… he set his sights upon Feng Xi."

"What scheme is this?" Jiashu asked urgently. Auntie Shen said, "Without telling me, he betrothed Feng Xi to some division commander named Liu as a concubine, taking five hundred dollars as betrothal money. Today, the men came to carry her away. Feng Xi and I refused to consent even unto death. Her uncle quarrelled with them, was beaten, and has now run off who knows where. Those men have left for the moment but said they would return tonight." As she spoke, she wept again.

Hearing this, Jiashu trembled from head to foot with rage. "What an outrage! What age is this, that they dare seize a woman by force? Do not fear. With me here, I shall certainly not let you suffer wrong." Feng Xi clutched at Jiashu’s sleeve, weeping. "Master Fan! Save me, I beg you. I would rather die than marry that man Liu." Jiashu comforted her, saying, "Set your heart at ease. I shall never let you fall into their hands. You cannot remain here. Gather your things at once and come with me."

"But where can we go?" Auntie Shen asked. Jiashu thought for a moment. "I shall first take you to a safe place. We can consider other matters later." Thereupon, he helped Feng Xi and her mother hastily gather some valuables and clothing into a bundle. Jiashu hailed two rickshaws. He took one himself, and Feng Xi and her mother took the other, instructing the pullers to proceed to the Tao residence on Dongsi Santiao.

Arriving at the Tao house, Jiashu settled Feng Xi and her mother in the side room where he himself lodged. He told them, "Stay here for the time being. No one would dare cause trouble here. Await my return for all else." He also instructed Liu Fu to look after them well and allow no idlers to enter. Then he went out, called a rickshaw, and headed for Guan Shoufeng’s home.

Fan Jiashu reflected that while Shen Sanxuan was indeed despicable, that division commander Liu, who dared act with such tyranny, must possess some influence. He himself was but a scholar and might be unable to contend alone. Guan Shoufeng was a man of the jianghu, widely experienced; perhaps he would have a plan. Moreover, both father and daughter possessed martial skill and could serve as capable allies.

Reaching the Guan home, he saw Shoufeng and Xiugu practicing fist forms in the courtyard. Noticing Jiashu’s hurried arrival and anxious expression, Shoufeng ceased his movements and asked, "Young friend! What is the matter?" Jiashu briefly recounted the affair concerning Feng Xi. Hearing this, Shoufeng’s thick brows shot up. "In the full light of day, such a thing occurs! Young friend! Do not distress yourself. Though this old Guan Shoufeng is aged, I can still manage this affair. What is this Liu fellow’s name?" Jiashu said, "I heard it is Liu Dezhu, currently a division commander of the Zhenwu Army." Shoufeng sneered coldly. "So it is him! I know that scoundrel. He is nothing but a local ruffian by origin who obtained his division command only because his sister is a certain minister’s concubine. He commands a gang of rogues who specialise in bullying the good and honest. Others may fear him, but I do not."

Xiugu, standing nearby, said, "Father! We must intervene in this matter. Miss Feng Xi is Master Fan’s friend, which makes her our friend as well." Shoufeng said, "Naturally we shall. Young friend! Return first and protect Miss Feng Xi. I shall make inquiries to see what moves that scoundrel plans for tonight. Set your mind at rest. With me here, I shall not let Feng Xi suffer the slightest harm." Jiashu was overjoyed and thanked him repeatedly. Shoufeng said, "We are all close friends here. What need is there for thanks? Return quickly now."

Fan Jiashu returned to the Tao residence to find Feng Xi and her mother somewhat calmer, though still shaken. He offered them further comfort, but his own heart felt as if fifteen buckets were being drawn from a well-seven up, eight down-for he knew not what plan Guan Shoufeng might have.

As evening deepened, Fan Jiashu could neither sit still nor stand at ease, frequently peering out the door. Around the second watch, he suddenly saw Guan Shoufeng and Xiugu arrive. Shoufeng wore a suit of short clothes, a wide leather girdle cinched about his waist, appearing exceedingly vigorous. Xiugu had also changed into a set of close-fitting black trousers and tunic, a single saber slanted across her back. Jiashu hurriedly ushered them inside. Shoufeng said, "I have already ascertained the facts. That Liu Dezhu is hosting a banquet tonight at his division commander’s mansion, ostensibly to celebrate taking a concubine. All his underlings will be on guard at the mansion and will not come here. We shall take this opportunity to pay a visit to his mansion."