The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian)

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The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 1)
Wu Song went to the inn near the Town Hall, packed his baggage and his bedclothes, and told a soldier to carry them to his brother's house.
When Pan Jinlian saw him coming, she was as delighted as if she had discovered a hidden treasure. She bustled about preparing a room for her brother-in-law and setting everything to rights. Wu Song sent back the orderly, and stayed the night at his brother's home. The next day, he rose very early, and Jinlian hastened to heat water for him. He washed, combed and tied his hair, and then made ready to go to the office to sign the roll.
"Uncle," Jinlian said, "when you have signed the roll, be sure to come home for lunch. You mustn't think of taking your meals anywhere but here."
After signing the roll, Wu Song waited all the morning in attendance at the office, and finally went home. Jinlian had taken the greatest pains over the cooking, and the three sat down together to lunch. Taking a cup of tea in both hands, the woman offered it to Wu Song.
"You take so much trouble on my account," he said, "that it makes me quite embarrassed. Tomorrow I will arrange for a soldier to come and wait on us."
"Please do no such thing," Jinlian cried anxiously. "We are the same flesh and blood, and this house is home to us all. I am not waiting upon a stranger. Certainly this little Ying'er is not much use, and I can't rely upon her. She always seems to do the wrong thing. But if we get a soldier to help about the house, I shall find him in the way in the kitchen, and it will fidget me to watch him."
"In that case," Wu Song said, "I can only accept your kindness gratefully."

第二回　俏潘娘帘下勾情　老王婆茶坊说技
词曰：
　　芙蓉面，冰雪肌，生来娉婷年已笄。袅袅倚门余。梅花半含蕊，似开还闭。初见帘边，羞涩还留住；再过楼头，款接多欢喜。行也宜，立也宜，坐也宜，偎傍更相宜。
话说当日武松来到县前客店内，收拾行李铺盖，交土兵挑了，引到哥家。那妇人见了，强如拾得金宝一般欢喜，旋打扫一间房与武松安顿停当。武松吩咐土兵回去，当晚就在哥家歇宿。次日早起，妇人也慌忙起来，与他烧汤凈面。武松梳洗裹帻，出门去县里画卯。妇人道：“叔叔画了卯，早些来家吃早饭，休去别处吃了。”武松应的去了。到县里画卯已毕，伺候了一早晨，回到家，那妇人又早齐齐整整安排下饭。三口儿同吃了饭，妇人双手便捧一杯茶来，递与武松。武松道：“交嫂嫂生受，武松寝食不安，明日拨个土兵来使唤。”那妇人连声叫道：“叔叔却怎生这般计较！自家骨肉，又不服事了别人。虽然有这小丫头迎儿，奴家见他拿东拿西，蹀里蹀斜，也不靠他。就是拨了土兵来，那厮上锅上灶不干凈，奴眼里也看不上这等人。”武松道：“恁的却生受嫂嫂了。”有诗为证：
　　武松仪表岂风流，嫂嫂淫心不可收。笼络归来家里住，相思常自看衾稠。

Not long after Wu Song had taken up his abode in his brother's house, he gave Wu Da some money and asked him to make arrangements to give a party for the neighbors. They came with presents to pay their respects to Wu Song, and a little later Wu Da gave another party in return. Wu Song presented his sister with a length of colored silk to make dresses.
"Oh, Uncle," she cried delightedly, "I can't possibly accept such a magnificent present," but she hastened to add: "Since you have already bought it, I suppose I must not refuse." She made a reverence, and took the silk. From that time, Wu Song was definitely established as a member of his brother's household.
Wu Da, as before, went to the street every day to sell his cakes, and Wu Song went to the Town Hall to perform his official duties. Whether he returned early or late, Jinlian always had something ready for him, and seemed delighted to wait upon him.
He noticed this, but thought no more about it. Nonetheless, the woman was forever trying to lead him on by pretty speeches, though she found it no easy task, for he was really incorruptible. If he had anything of importance to say, he would stay long enough to say it, but if not, he went straight about his business.
A month soon passed. It was the eleventh month, and they began to experience seasonable weather. The north wind blew violently for several days and black clouds gathered on every hand. Then the snow began to fall, and soon it filled the skies.
For miles and miles the skies were filled with thick dark clouds.
Snowflakes, dancing past the window ledge, in midair formed a screen like tiny flowers of jade.
Zi Yu's boat, on the Yan River, was held and forced to tarry.
Soon was a mantle laid on the high palaces
River and mountain bound with a chain of silver
The skies filled with winged salt and driving, powdery dust.
That day, Lū Meng, in his little hut, sighed
For all his wretchedness.

话休絮烦。自从武松搬来哥家里住，取些银子出来与武大，买饼馓茶果，请那两边邻舍。都斗分子来与武松人情。武大又安排了回席，不在话下。过了数日，武松取出一匹彩色段子与嫂嫂做衣服。那妇人堆下笑来，便道：“叔叔如何使得！既然赐与奴家，不敢推辞。”只得接了，道个万福。自此武松只在哥家宿歇。武大依前上街挑卖炊饼。武松每日自去县里承差应事，不论归迟归早，妇人顿茶顿饭，欢天喜地伏侍武松，武松倒觉过意不去。那妇人时常把些言语来拨他，武松是个硬心的直汉。
有话即长，无话即短，不觉过了一月有余，看看十一月天气，连日朔风紧起，只见四下彤云密布，又早纷纷扬扬飞下一天瑞雪来。好大雪！怎见得？但见：
　　万里彤雪密布，空中瑞祥飘帘。琼花片片舞前檐。剡溪当此际，濡滞子猷船。顷刻楼台都压倒，江山银色相连。飞盐撒粉漫连天。当时吕蒙正，窑内叹无钱。

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The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 2)
The snow continued without ceasing until the first night watch; the world was silver everywhere, and it seemed as though the earth had arrayed itself in a glorious garment of jade. Next morning, Wu Song went to the office and stayed till noon. Jinlian bade her husband go and sell his cakes and she went to ask her neighbor, old woman Wang, to go and buy some food and wine for her. Then she went to Wu Song's room, and made up the fire, thinking: "Today I will make sure of him. Beyond a doubt I can do something to wake him up."
Afterwards, feeling quiet and lonely, she went and stood beneath the lattice and waited till she saw Wu Song trampling down the glistening snow as he hastened home.
She quickly raised the lattice for him and smiled. "You look frozen, Uncle."
He answered her politely and came in, taking off his hat. Jinlian offered to take it, but he brushed the snow away himself and hung it on the wall.
Then he unloosed his girdle, took off his outer gown of parrot green, and went into the living room.
"I have been expecting you all the morning," Jinlian said. "Why didn't you come back to lunch?"
"One of my friends asked me to lunch," Wu Song replied, "and just now I had another invitation, but I decided not to accept it, and came home instead."
"Is that so?" said the woman. "Won't you come a little nearer the fire?" Wu Song thanked her and, taking off his oiled boots, changed his socks and put on a pair of slippers. Then he brought a bench and sat down by the fire.
Jinlian told Ying'er to bolt the gate and shut the back door. She herself went to fetch some of the dishes she had cooked, and set them on the table before Wu Song.
"Where is my brother?" he said.
"He has not come back from business yet," the woman answered. "Let us drink a few cups of wine together."
"It is not late," Wu Song said. "We had better wait for him."
"Oh, why should we bother about him?" Jinlian cried.
当日这雪下到一更时分，却早银妆世界，玉碾乾坤。次日武松去县里画卯，直到日中未归。武大被妇人早赶出去做买卖，央及间壁王婆买了些酒肉，去武松房里簇了一盆炭火。心里自想道：“我今日着实撩斗他他一撩斗，不怕他不动情。”那妇人独自冷冷清清立在帘儿下，望见武松正在雪里，踏着那乱琼碎玉归来。妇人推起帘子，迎着笑道：“叔叔寒冷？”武松道：“感谢嫂嫂挂心。”入得门来，便把毡笠儿除将下来。那妇人将手去接，武松道：“不劳嫂嫂生受。”自把雪来拂了，挂在壁子上。随即解了缠带，脱了身上鹦哥绿纻丝衲袄，入房内。那妇人便道：“奴等了一早晨，叔叔怎的不归来吃早饭？”武松道：“早间有一相识请我吃饭，却才又有作杯，我不耐烦，一直走到家来。”妇人道：“既恁的，请叔叔向火。”武松道：“正好。”便脱了油靴，换了一双袜子，穿了暖鞋，掇条凳子，自近火盆边坐地。那妇人早令迎儿把前门上了闩，后门也关了。却搬些煮熟菜蔬入房里来，摆在桌子上。武松问道：“哥哥那里去了？”妇人道：“你哥哥出去买卖未回，我和叔叔自吃三杯。”武松道：“一发等哥来家吃也不迟。”妇人道：“那里等的他！”

At that moment Ying'er came in with the wine already warmed. Wu Song again apologized politely for causing so much trouble. Jinlian said nothing, but brought a bench to the fire and sat down. There were several dishes on the table, but she only took a cup of wine, looked at Wu Song, and invited him to drink it. This he did in one breath. She poured a second cup and handed that to him, saying, "It is so cold, you must drink this to keep the other company." This, too, Wu Song drank straight off. Then he filled a cup for her. She took the wine and sipped it delicately, then poured out still another cup and offered it to him.
Her milk-white breast was partially uncovered, and her disordered hair was like a beautiful cloud. Desire had given color to her cheeks.
"People tell me you keep a singing girl over there by the Town Hall," she said slyly. "Is that true?"
"People always talk nonsense like that, but you shouldn't believe them, Sister," Wu Song said. "I never was that kind of man."
"I don't believe you," said Jinlian.
"Your heart speaks one language and your tongue another."
"Ask my brother, if you don't believe me."
"What on earth is the use of bringing him into it?" Jinlian said. "His life is one long dream. Judging by the way he goes about, you might think he was always half tipsy. He would not have to spend all his days selling cakes if he had a particle of intelligence. But have another cup of wine."
She filled three or four cups one after the other, and Wu Song drank them all. She drank a few cups too, till the spur of desire pressed her more acutely and the passion within her blazed so that she lost all control of herself and could hardly speak. By this time, an inkling of the true state of affairs was beginning to dawn upon Wu Song, and he looked away from her. After a while she rose and went to heat some more wine. Wu Song, left alone in the room, took up the poker and began to poke the fire.
说犹未了，只见迎儿小女早暖了一注酒来。武松道：“又教嫂嫂费心。”妇人也掇一条凳子，近火边坐了。桌上摆着杯盘，妇人拿盏酒擎在手里，看着武松道：“叔叔满饮此杯。”武松接过酒去，一饮而尽。那妇人又筛一杯酒来，说道：“天气寒冷，叔叔饮过成双的盏儿。”武松道：“嫂嫂自请。”接来又一饮而尽。武松却筛一杯酒，递与妇人。妇人接过酒来呷了，却拿注子再斟酒放在武松面前。那妇人一径将酥胸微露，云鬟半裸，脸上堆下笑来，说道：“我听得人说，叔叔在县前街上养着个唱的，有这话么？”武松道：“嫂嫂休听别人胡说，我武二从来不是这等人。”妇人道：“我不信！只怕叔叔口头不似心头。”武松道：“嫂嫂不信时，只问哥哥就是了。”妇人道：“啊呀，你休说他，那里晓得甚么？如在醉生梦死一般！他若知道时，不卖炊饼了。叔叔且请杯。”连筛了三四杯饮过。那妇人也有三杯酒落肚，哄动春心，那里按纳得住。欲心如火，只把闲话来说。武松也知了八九分，自己只把头来低了，却不来兜揽。妇人起身去烫酒。武松自在房内却拿火箸簇火。

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The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 3)
Jinlian was soon back again with a jar of wine that she had warmed. In one hand she held the jar and with the other she gently pressed his shoulder.
"Uncle," she said, "you must be cold with so few clothes." Wu Song was now beginning to feel thoroughly uncomfortable, and made no answer.
Seeing him thus silent, she snatched the poker from his hand and cried, "You don't know how to poke. Let me do it for you. I want it as hot as a bowl of fire."
Wu Song felt even more uneasy, but he still said nothing. Jinlian was not in any way put out. She set down the poker and poured out another cup of wine. She drank a mouthful, looked meaningly at Wu Song, and said, "If you feel like it, drink what I have left."
This was too much. He snatched the cup from her hand and dashed the wine upon the floor, crying, "Don't be so shameless," and at the same time pushed her so violently that she almost fell. Then he gazed haughtily upon her.
"My feet are steadfast upon the earth and I aspire to reach the heavens. I am a man with teeth in my mouth and hair upon my head. I am a man, I say, not a swine or a cur, that I should pay no heed to the sacred laws of honor or flout the precepts of common decency. You must not behave in this shameless way. If I hear any whisper of your ever doing such a thing again, my eyes may tell me that you are my sister, but my fist will not recognize you."
This made Jinlian so confused and angry that her face became crimson.
She called Ying'er to clear away the dishes, and muttered, "I was only joking. How could you think I was in earnest? You are not an honorable man." When the dishes had been removed, she went down to the kitchen.
So Jinlian came to realize that her blandishments were without effect, except that Wu Song had treated her roughly, while he, now sitting alone, grew angrier and angrier and thought very seriously about the matter.
It was still early, about the hour of the Monkey, when Wu Da came back, carrying his baskets over the snow.
He opened the door, put down his burden, and going into the house at once saw that his wife's eyes were red with weeping. "With whom have you been quarreling now?" he said.
"If you were not such a mean-spirited creature," his wife cried, "things like this would not happen. But you never care whether outsiders insult me or not."
"Who has been insulting you?" Wu Da said.
"If you really wish to know, it was that scoundrel, your brother. When the snow was very heavy, I saw him coming back, and I was kindly getting something ready for him, when he saw there was nobody about, and tried to seduce me. It is perfectly true: Ying'er saw him."
"My brother is not that kind of man," her husband said. "He has always been high-principled and straightforward. Don't make so much noise, or the neighbors will hear you and laugh." He went to see Wu Song.
"You haven't eaten your cakes, Brother," he said. "I'll come and have some with you." But Wu Song did not answer him and, after brooding there a while, started to leave the house.
"Where are you going?" cried Wu Da, but his brother went off without replying. Wu Da went back to the room and said to his wife, "I called him, but he would not answer, and now he has gone down the road to the Town Hall. I'm sure I don't understand what all the bother is about."
"You thievish, stupid worm," Jinlian cried. "There is nothing to understand. The wretch is ashamed and dare not face you. That's why he has gone out. Probably he has not the audacity to inflict himself upon us any longer, and has gone to tell somebody to come and take his things away. I can't imagine why you bother about him."
"If he goes away," Wu Da said, "people will certainly laugh at us."
"You silly creature," Jinlian cried. "He is a shameless, immoral fellow, and he tried to seduce me. Is that a laughing matter? If you want him so much, go and live with him. I won't put up with it. Give me divorce papers if you like, and then the pair of you can live together."
After this, Wu Da did not dare to open his mouth again, and he had to suffer his wife's ill-temper for a long time. They were indeed still quarreling when Wu Song, with a soldier carrying a long pole, came back, packed up his luggage, and went off.
Wu Da went after him, crying, "Why are you going away, Brother?"
"Ask no questions," Wu Song answered. "If I tell the truth, your good name will be ruined. Let me go."
Wu Da did not dare to question him any further, and was obliged to let him go with his luggage. Meanwhile his wife was scolding in her room: "That's better. Relations always prove a nuisance in the long run. People don't know the truth. Just because here is a young brother with a position at the Town Hall, they must needs conclude that he keeps his brother and sister.
They never think that he is really eating us out of house and home. He is like a yellow quince, good to look at and rotten inside. I shall thank my lucky star if he takes himself off for good and all. Indeed there is nothing I hope more than that I may never set eyes on that piece of ill-fortune again."
Wu Da could not avoid hearing all his wife said, but still he could not make out what had really happened, and his heart was troubled. Now that his brother had gone back to live at the inn near the Town Hall, he still sold buns and cakes upon the street. He longed for an opportunity to go to the Town Hall and have a talk, but his wife gave him strict instructions that he must not dare to do anything of the sort, and he did not venture to disobey her.
妇人良久暖了一注子酒来，到房里，一只手拿着注子，一只手便去武松肩上只一捏，说道：“叔叔只穿这些衣裳，不寒冷么？”武松已有五七分不自在，也不理他。妇人见他不应，匹手就来夺火箸，口里道：“叔叔你不会簇火，我与你拨火。只要一似火盆来热便好。”武松有八九分焦燥，只不做声。这妇人也不看武松焦燥，便丢下火箸，却筛一杯酒来，自呷了一口，剩下半盏酒，看着武松道：“你若有心，吃我这半盏儿残酒。”武松匹手夺过来，泼在地下说道：“嫂嫂不要恁的不识羞耻！”把手只一推，争些儿把妇人推了一交。武松睁起眼来说道：“武二是个顶天立地噙齿戴发的男子汉，不是那等败坏风俗伤人伦的猪狗！嫂嫂休要这般不识羞耻，为此等的勾当，倘有风吹草动，我武二眼里认的是嫂嫂，拳头却不认的是嫂嫂！”妇人吃他几句抢得通红了面皮，便叫迎儿收拾了碟盏家伙，口里说道：“我自作耍子，不直得便当真起来。好不识人敬！”收了家伙，自往厨下去了。正是：
　　落花有意随流水，流水无情恋落花。
这妇人见勾搭武松不动，反被他抢白了一场。武松自在房中气忿忿，自己寻思。天色却是申牌时分，武大挑着担儿，大雪里归来。推门进来，放下担儿，进的里间，见妇人一双眼哭的红红的，便问道：“你和谁闹来？”妇人道：“都是你这不不争气的，交外人来欺负我。”武大道：“谁敢来欺负你？”妇人道：“情知是谁？争奈武二那厮。我见他大雪里归来，好意安排些酒饭与他吃，他见前后没人，便把言语来调戏我。便是迎儿眼见，我不赖他。”武大道：“我兄弟不是这等人，从来老实。休要高声，乞邻舍听见笑话。”武大撇了妇人，便来武二房里叫道：“二哥，你不曾吃点心？我和你吃些个。”武松只不做声，寻思了半晌，一面出大门。武大叫道：“二哥，你那里去？”也不答应，一直只顾去了。武大回到房内，问妇人道：“我叫他又不应，只顾望县里那条路去了。正不知怎的了？”妇人骂道：“贼馄饨虫！有甚难见处？那厮羞了，没脸儿见你，走了出去。我猜他一定叫人来搬行李，不要在这里住。却不道你留他？”武大道：“他搬了去，须乞别人笑话。”妇人骂道：“混沌魍魉，他来调戏我，到不乞别人笑话！你要便自和他过去，我却做不的这样人！你与了我一纸休书，你自留他便了。”武大那里敢再开口。被这妇人倒数骂了一顿。正在家两口儿絮聒，只见武松引了个土兵，拿着条扁担，径来房内收拾行李，便出门。武大走出来，叫道：“二哥，做甚么便搬了去？”武松道：“哥哥不要问，说起来装你的幌子，只由我自去便了。”武大那里再敢问备细，由武松搬了出去。那妇人在里面喃喃吶吶骂道：“却也好，只道是亲难转债，人不知道一个兄弟做了都头，怎的养活了哥嫂，却不知反来咬嚼人！正是花木瓜空好看。搬了去，倒谢天地，且得冤家离眼睛。”武大见老婆这般言语，不知怎的了，心中反是放不下。自从武松搬去县前客店宿歇，武大自依前上街卖炊饼。本待要去县前寻兄弟说话，却被这妇人千叮万嘱，吩咐交不要去兜揽他，因此武大不敢去寻武松。

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The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 4)
After Wu Song's departure, the snow suddenly stopped. Ten days passed.
The magistrate of Qinghe had been stationed there for more than two years and had amassed much gold and silver. Now he wanted a man of courage to take his treasure to the Eastern Capital, so that his relatives might take charge of it. In three years his term of office would expire, and knowing that he would then have to make his report to the Emperor, he thought it would be well to have this gold and silver in hand when he came to deal with officials more exalted than himself. But he felt the need of a stout fellow for the job, as thieves often beset the way. Then he thought of Wu Song. He was just the man. That very day he sent for Wu Song and said to him: "I am thinking of sending an important present to one of my relatives at the Eastern Capital. I mean Zhu Mian, one of the Grand Marshal's officers. There may be some danger about the journey, but if you undertake it, I am sure all will be well. If you will do this for me, I will reward you handsomely when you get back."
"You have shown me so much kindness, Sir, that I should never think of refusing," Wu Song replied. "I will set off as soon as you give me your orders."
The magistrate was now perfectly satisfied. He gave Wu Song three cups of wine, and handed him ten taels of silver as journey money. After receiving his instructions, Wu Song went to the inn and, after getting his orderly to buy some food and a jar of wine at a shop in the street, went to his brother's house. When Wu Da returned, he found his brother waiting on the doorstep. He had told his servant to take the wine and food into the kitchen.
Jinlian had not abandoned all hope, and when she saw Wu Song coming with wine and other delicacies she said to herself: "He must still be thinking about me, or he would not have come back. I may get him yet."
So she went upstairs to powder her face and arrange her hair, and when she had changed into a prettier dress, she came down to welcome him.
"I can't imagine what can have displeased you, Uncle," she said, as she made a reverence. "For several days you haven't been near us, and I have often wondered why. It is delightful to see you home again, but why did you trouble to bring wine and food?"
"I have something to say to my brother," Wu Song said. "That is why I have come."
Jinlian invited him to go upstairs, and they all three went to the upper room.
Wu Da and his wife sat in the places of honor, and Wu Song sat down on a long bench. The orderly brought up the food and Wu Song invited his brother and sister to take some. From time to time, Jinlian glanced meaningly at her brother-in-law, but he paid no attention to anything but the wine he was drinking. When they had all drunk several cups, Wu Song asked Ying'er to bring a loving cup and, when the orderly had heated the wine, he took this cup in his hands and said to Wu Da: "Honorable elder brother: today the magistrate has ordered me to go to the Eastern Capital for him. I am starting tomorrow, and it may easily be two or three months before I get back, though I hope it will be less.
What I have come to say to you is this: you have always been a long-suffering kind of man, and I don't intend you to be imposed upon in my absence. Now, listen to me. You have been in the habit of selling ten trays of cakes, but in future you must only make five. Then you will be able to go out later and come home earlier. Don't let anyone persuade you to drink; pull down the shutters and bolt the door as soon as you get home. If you do this, you will be saved a great deal of unpleasantness, but if anything disagreeable should happen, don't let yourself be drawn into a quarrel. Wait till I come back, and I'll soon settle the matter. Now, my dear brother, if you agree, drink this cup of wine."
Wu Da took the cup and drained it. "I will do whatever you think fit," he said.
Wu Song filled up the cup again and spoke to Jinlian. "Sister, you are no fool, and I don't think I need say any more. My brother is so simple-hearted that the real management of the household is in your hands. You will remember the old saying that a proud appearance is not always the mirror of an honest heart. If you attend to your household duties as you should, my brother will have nothing to worry about. As our fathers used to say: ‘When the fence is safe, dogs cannot get in.'"
Jinlian listened, and the crimson color spread across her face. She shook her finger at Wu Da, and addressed Wu Song through him. "You fool! What do you think you will gain by insulting me like this? I have to wear a woman's clothes, it is true, but I am as good as any man. I am always steady and reliable. A man might stand upon my fist or a horse ride over my arm. I am not a turtle to be wounded without bloodshed. Never, since I married Wu Da, has even an ant dared to sneak into my room. How dare you talk about dogs getting in if the fence is not safe? Tell the truth, not a pack of lies. I don't care in the slightest what you say."
Wu Song laughed. "Don't lose your temper, Sister. So long as your heart keeps company with your mouth, all will be well. But I shall remember what you have said. And now, won't you drink this cup?"
Jinlian dashed the cup aside and ran downstairs. Before she reached the bottom, she turned and cried, "You think you're very wise and clever, but how is it you don't seem to know that a brother's wife should be respected as a mother? When I first married Wu Da, nobody ever mentioned his having a brother. Where have you come from? Are you really a relative or are you not? One would think you were the master of the house. Oh, it makes me wild to have to put up with such nonsense." She went down the rest of the stairs, sobbing.
The brothers drank several more cups of wine together till they could stay no longer, while Jinlian affected many airs and graces. At last they both went downstairs, and took their leave of one another with tears streaming down their cheeks.
"Brother," Wu Da said, "you must go, I suppose, but come back as soon as you can and let my eyes rejoice in you once more."
Wu Song said, "Wouldn't it be better if you stayed away from business altogether, and let me arrange with somebody to supply you with funds?"
Finally, he cried, "Remember what I say, Brother, and keep a watch on your door." Wu Da promised. So Wu Song parted from his brother.
He went back to the inn, packed his luggage, and saw to his weapons. The next morning he took charge of the magistrate's presents, secured a horse, and set off for the Eastern Capital.
说这武松自从搬离哥家，捻指不觉雪晴，过了十数日光景。却说本县知县自从到任以来，却得二年有余，转得许多金银，要使一心腹人送上东京亲眷处收寄，三年任满朝觐，打点上司。一来却怕路上小人，须得一个有力量的人去方好，猛可想起都头武松，须得此人方了得此事。当日就唤武松到衙内商议道：“我有个亲戚在东京城内做官，姓朱名勔，见做殿前太尉之职，要送一担礼物，捎封书去问安。只恐途中不好行，若得你去方可。你休推辞辛苦，回来我自重赏。”武松应道：“小人得蒙恩相抬举，安敢推辞！既蒙差遣，只此便去。”知县大喜，赏了武松三杯酒，十两路费。不在话下。
且说武松领了知县的言语，出的县门来，到下处，叫了土兵，却来街上买了一瓶酒并菜蔬之类，径到武大家。武大却街上回来，见武松在门前坐地，交土兵去厨下安排。那妇人余情不断，见武松把将酒食来，心中自思：“莫不这厮思想我了？不然却又回来怎的？到日后我且慢慢问他。”妇人便上楼去重匀粉面，再整云鬟，换了些颜色衣服，来到门前迎接武松。妇人拜道：“叔叔，不知怎的错见了，好几日并不上门，叫奴心里没理会处。今日再喜得叔叔来家。没事坏钞做甚么？”武松道： “武二有句话，特来要与哥哥说知。”妇人道：“既如此，请楼上坐。”三个人来到楼上，武松让哥嫂上首坐了，他便掇杌子打横。土兵摆上酒，并嗄饭一齐拿上来。武松劝哥嫂吃。妇人便把眼来睃武松，武松只顾吃酒。酒至数巡，武松问迎儿讨副劝杯，叫土兵筛一杯酒拿在手里，看着武大道：“大哥在上，武二今日蒙知县相公差往东京干事，明日便要起程，多是两三个月，少是一月便回，有句话特来和你说。你从来为人懦弱，我不在家，恐怕外人来欺负。假如你每日卖十扇笼炊饼，你从明日为始，只做五扇笼炊饼出去，每日迟出早归，不要和人吃酒。归家便下了帘子，早闭门，省了多少是非口舌。若是有人欺负你，不要和他争执，待我回来，自和他理论。大哥你依我时，满饮此杯！”武大接了酒道：“兄弟见得是，我都依你说。”吃过了一杯，武松再斟第二盏酒，对那妇人说道：“嫂嫂是个精细的人，不必要武松多说。我的哥哥为人质朴，全靠嫂嫂做主。常言表壮不如里壮，嫂嫂把得家定，我哥哥烦恼做甚么！岂不闻古人云：篱牢犬不入。”那妇人听了这句话，一点红从耳边起，须臾紫涨了面皮，指着武大骂道：“你这个混沌东西。有甚言语在别处说，来欺负老娘！我是个不带头巾的男子汉，叮叮当当响的婆娘！拳头上也立得人，胳膊上走得马，不是那腲脓血搠不出来鳖！老娘自从嫁了武大，真个蚂蚁不敢入屋里来，甚么篱笆不牢犬儿钻得入来？你休胡言乱语，一句句都要下落！丢下一块瓦砖儿，一个个也要着地！”武松笑道：“若得嫂嫂做主，最好。只要心口相应。既然如此，我武松都记得嫂嫂说的话了，请过此杯。”那妇人一手推开酒盏，一直跑下楼来，走到在胡梯上发话道：“既是你聪明伶俐，恰不道长嫂为母。我初嫁武大时，不曾听得有甚小叔，那里走得来？是亲不是亲，便要做乔家公。自是老娘晦气了，偏撞着这许多鸟事！”一面哭下楼去了。正是：
　　苦口良言谏劝多，金莲怀恨起风波。自家惶愧难存坐，气杀英雄小二哥。
那妇人做出许多乔张致来。武大、武松吃了几杯酒，坐不住，都下的楼来，弟兄洒泪而别。武大道：“兄弟去了，早早回来，和你相见。”武松道：“哥哥，你便不做买卖也罢，只在家里坐的。盘缠，兄弟自差人送与你。”临行，武松又吩咐道：“哥哥，我的言语休要忘了，在家仔细门户。”武大道：“理会得了。”武松辞了武大，回到县前下处，收拾行装并防身器械。次日领了知县礼物，金银驼垛，讨了脚程，起身上路，往东京去了，不题。

america

The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 5)
After his brother's departure Wu Da had to endure his wife's scoldings for several days, but he held himself in check, swallowed his wrath, and let her scold him. He did what his brother had told him, and made only half the number of cakes he had made before. Every day he returned before sunset and, setting down his baskets, pulled down the shutters and closed the outer gate before he came to sit down in the room. His wife saw this, and grew more and more resentful every day.
"You horrible creature," she said at length, "one would think you couldn't tell the time.
Even jailers don't bar the prison gate while the sun is still in the heavens. Our neighbors must be in fits of laughter and think we are afraid of ghosts. You are just like a newborn babe who has to do what his brother tells him. Aren't you ashamed to have everybody laughing at you?"
"Let them laugh," Wu Da said. "What my brother said is true enough, and may save us much trouble yet."
"Pah, you vile creature!" his wife shouted, and spat in his face. "You, a grown-up man, have no will of your own, but have to do whatever anybody tells you."
"Say what you like," Wu Da said with a gesture of weariness. "To me my brother's words are as gold and precious stones." He continued to go out late and return early, and he still shut the door as soon as he got home. This so infuriated his wife that she almost had a fit; she quarreled with him so incessantly that trouble seemed to have become a habit.
About the time for his return, she would pull down the shutter and bolt the door, thinking that so she would annoy him, but instead of making him angry, this gave him considerable secret satisfaction and he thought: "If she takes things like this, so much the better for all concerned."
The sun's bright horses galloped past the window, and the sun and moon raced like a weaver's shuttles. It seemed but a moment since the winter solstice passed and it was the season when the plum trees blossom, yet now the weather was giving warning of spring's return. One day, in the third month, the sun shone so pleasantly that Jinlian decided to dress herself in her best clothes. Wu Da was out, and she was standing by the door beneath the lattice. Thinking it was nearly time for his return, she prepared to pull down the shutter and go back to the room to wait for him.
But now the fates intervened. A man passed beneath the lattice.
In affairs of the heart we always find that Fate brings the lovers together, and a story would not be worth the telling if accidents never happened.
Jinlian was holding the pole and preparing to pull down the shutter, when a gust of wind suddenly blew it out of her hand. She could not catch it, and it fell upon the man's head.
She smiled her apologies, and stole a look at him. Upon his head he wore a tasseled hat, and golden filigree hairpins, with one of the signs of the zodiac edged with jade. Over slender hips he wore a green silk gown and on his feet a pair of fine but heavily soled shoes, with socks as white as the purest water. He was fanning himself with a gilt fan. He was indeed as handsome as Master Zhang, and worthy of comparison with Pan An.
Jinlian peeped at him from under the lattice. When first the pole struck him, he stopped and seemed on the point of an angry outburst, but, as he turned, he suddenly beheld an incredibly pretty woman.
Her hair was black as a raven's plumage; her eyebrows mobile as the kingfisher and as curved as the new moon. Her almond eyes were clear and cool, and her cherry lips most inviting. Her nose was noble and exquisitely modeled, and her dainty cheeks beautifully powdered. Her face had the delicate roundness of a silver bowl. As for her body, it was as light as a flower, and her fingers as slender as the tender shoots of a young onion. Her waist was as narrow as the willow, and her white belly yielding and plump. Her feet were small and tapering; her breasts soft and luscious. One other thing there was, black-fringed, grasping, dainty, and fresh, but the name of that I may not tell. Words fail to describe the charm of so beauteous a vision.
Her luxuriant coal-black hair was as thick as the clouds. On each side she wore small pins and, at the back, a pair of combs with a cleverly fashioned flower. Two peach flowers adorned her willow-leaf eyebrows. The jade pendants she wore were remarkable, but the glory of her uncovered bosom was that of jade beyond all price. She wore a blue gown bound with a long silk-embroidered sash, and in her cuff a tiny satchel of perfumes. Beneath her delicate throat, a many-buttoned corsage concealed her breast.
Her feet were graced by tiny shoes made like the mountain crow, with tips embroidered to look like the claws. Their high heels were of white silk, so that she seemed always to walk upon a fragrant dust. Her scarlet silken trousers were decorated with birds and flowers and, as she sat or when she rose, the wind would puff out her skirts and flowing undergarments. From her mouth there came a perfume as delicious as that of orchides and musk, while her cherry lips and beautiful cheeks had the glory of a flower. One glimpse of this vision, and the souls of men would flutter away and die. Many handsome young men might perish at the sight.
No sooner had the man set eyes upon all this beauty than he became almost beside himself with desire. His anger sped to Java and his face was quickly wreathed in smiles. Jinlian knew that she was to blame for the disaster, so she made a graceful reverence and said, "The wind suddenly blew the pole out of my hand, and I had the misfortune to strike you. Please do not be angry with me."
The man set his hat straight with one hand, and made a reverence so low that he almost swept the ground.
"Lady," he said, "it was not of the slightest consequence. You may do with me what you will."
It so happened that the neighbor, old woman Wang, the tea seller, had seen everything that happened. She was greatly entertained. "Who may you be, Sir," she cried, "who pass by this house to be welcomed with blows upon the head?"
The man laughed. "It was all my fault. I should have been more careful. Please don't be vexed with me, Lady."
"Don't beat me," said the old woman Wang, still enjoying the joke. The man laughed again, and bowed most profoundly to express his regret. His roguish eyes, experienced in amorous adventure and well versed in the value of a woman's charms, could not look away from Jinlian. At last he went off, strutting and waving his fan, though not without turning around seven or eight times.
Jinlian had no sooner set eyes upon the man with his engaging manner and lively ways, no sooner heard him speak so winningly and brightly, than she fell head over heels in love with him. She had no idea who he was or where he lived, but she rightly concluded that he would not have turned his head so often unless he reciprocated her feelings in some measure. She stayed beneath the lattice until he was out of sight and then, pulling down the shutter, closed the door and went back to her room.
只说武大自从兄弟武松说了去，整整吃那婆娘骂了三四日。武大忍声吞气，由他自骂，只依兄弟言语，每日只做一半炊饼出去，未晚便回来。歇了担儿，便先去除了帘子，关上大门，却来屋里坐的。那妇人看了这般，心内焦燥，骂道：“不识时浊物！我倒不曾见，日头在半天里便把牢门关了，也吃邻舍家笑话，说我家怎生禁鬼。听信你兄弟说，空生着卵鸟嘴，也不怕别人笑耻！”武大道：“由他笑也罢，我兄弟说的是好话，省了多少是非。”被妇人啐在脸上道：“呸！浊东西！你是个男子汉，自不做主，却听别人调遣！”武大摇手道：“由他，我兄弟说的是金石之语。”原来武松去后，武大每日只是晏出早归，到家便关门。那妇人气生气死，和他合了几场气。落后闹惯了，自此妇人约莫武大归来时分，先自去收帘子，关上大门。武大见了，心里自也暗喜，寻思道：“恁的却不好？”有诗为证：
　　慎事关门并早归，眼前恩爱隔崔嵬。春心一点如丝乱，任锁牢笼总是虚。
白驹过隙，日月如梭，才见梅开腊底，又早天气回阳。一日，三月春光明媚时分，金莲打扮光鲜，单等武大出门，就在门前帘下站立。约莫将及他归来时分，便下了帘子，自去房内坐的。一日也是合当有事，却有一个人从帘子下走过来。自古没巧不成话，姻缘合当凑着。妇人正手里拿着叉竿放帘子，忽被一阵风将叉竿刮倒，妇人手擎不牢，不端不正却打在那人头上。妇人便慌忙陪笑，把眼看那人，也有二十五六年纪，生得十分浮浪。头上戴着缨子帽儿，金铃珑簪儿，金井玉栏杆圈儿；长腰才，身穿绿罗褶儿；脚下细结底陈桥鞋儿，清水布袜儿；手里摇着洒金川扇儿，越显出张生般庞儿，潘安的貌儿。可意的人儿，风风流流从帘子下丢与个眼色儿。这个人被叉竿打在头上，便立住了脚，待要发作时，回过脸来看，却不想是个美貌妖娆的妇人。但见他黑鬒鬒赛鸦鸰的鬓儿，翠弯弯的新月的眉儿，香喷喷樱桃口儿，直隆隆琼瑶鼻儿，粉浓浓红艳腮儿，娇滴滴银盆脸儿，轻袅袅花朵身儿，玉纤纤葱枝手儿，一捻捻杨柳腰儿，软浓浓粉白肚儿，窄星星尖翘脚儿，肉奶奶胸儿，白生生腿儿，更有一件紧揪揪、白鲜鲜、黑裀裀，正不知是甚么东西。观不尽这妇人容貌。且看他怎生打扮？但见：
　　头上戴着黑油油头发鬏髻，一径里絷出香云，周围小簪儿齐插。斜戴一朵并头花，排草梳儿后押。难描画，柳叶眉衬着两朵桃花。玲珑坠儿最堪夸，露来酥玉胸无价。毛青布大袖衫儿，又短衬湘裙碾绢纱。通花汗巾儿袖口儿边搭剌。香袋儿身边低挂。抹胸儿重重纽扣香喉下。往下看尖翘翘金莲小脚，云头巧缉山鸦。鞋儿白绫高底，步香尘偏衬登踏。红纱膝裤扣莺花，行坐处风吹裙跨。口儿里常喷出异香兰麝，樱桃口笑脸生花。人见了魂飞魄丧，卖弄杀俏冤家。
那人一见，先自酥了半边，那怒气早已钻入爪洼国去了，变做笑吟吟脸儿。这妇人情知不是，叉手望他深深拜了一拜，说道：“奴家一时被风失手，误中官人，休怪！”那人一面把手整头巾，一面把腰曲着地还喏道：“不妨，娘子请方便。”却被这间壁住的卖茶王婆子看见。那婆子笑道：“兀的谁家大官人打这屋檐下过？打的正好！”那人笑道：“倒是我的不是，一时冲撞，娘子休怪。”妇人答道：“官人不要见责。”那人又笑着大大地唱个喏，回应道：“小人不敢。”那一双积年招花惹草，惯觑风情的贼眼，不离这妇人身上，临去也回头了七八回，方一直摇摇摆摆遮着扇儿去了。
　　风日晴和漫出游，偶从帘下识娇羞。只因临去秋波转，惹起春心不自由。
当时妇人见了那人生的风流浮浪，语言甜凈，更加几分留恋：“倒不知此人姓甚名谁，何处居住。他若没我情意时，临去也不回头七八遍了。”却在帘子下眼巴巴的看不见那人，方纔收了帘子，关上大门，归房去了。

america

The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 6)
You may have guessed who this man was. None other than that chief of those who sought the pleasures of the couch, that captain of those who gather precious treasure and pursue unlawful fragrance, his Lordship Ximen. His third wife had just died and been given a solemn burial and, being distressed in mind, he was taking a stroll along the street intending to call upon Ying Bojue and thus secure a little distraction from his gloom. As he passed by Wu Da's house, he received, as we have seen, an unexpected blow on the head. But now that he had seen Jinlian under the lattice, Master Ximen went home again. "That was a splendid woman," he thought. "I wonder how I can get hold of her." He suddenly remembered old woman Wang, the neighbor who kept a tea shop. "She seems a clever old body," he said to himself, "and, if she can bring this affair to the conclusion I desire, she shall have a few taels of silver." He did not stay to eat anything, but hurried off to the street and dashed to old woman Wang's tea shop. He went in and took a seat, looking out beneath the awning.
"That was a very fine bow you made, Sir," said old woman Wang, laughing.
"Please come here, Stepmother,"
Ximen said. "That young neighbor of yours—er—that young woman—ahem— whose wife is she?"
"Oh," the old woman replied, "she is the sister of the King of Hell, the daughter of General Wu Dao. What makes you ask?"
"Don't treat the matter as a joke,"
Ximen said. "I am speaking seriously."
"Surely you know, Sir," said old woman Wang. "Her husband sells cakes outside the Town Hall."
"What! Xu the Third?" Ximen said.
The old woman shook her head. "No, if it were he, they would be something like a pair. Guess again, Sir."
"Perhaps it is Li the Third, then: he sells cakes."
The old woman shook her head again. "No, if he were the man, I should think they were perfectly matched."
"Well, then," Ximen cried, "it must be Liu Xiao. You know: the man they call Tattooed Arms."
Still the old woman laughed. "No," she said, "even if it were he, I should say they were a well-mated couple. Guess once more, Sir."
"I can't guess, Stepmother," Ximen said almost in despair, while the old woman roared with laughter.
"Well, I'll tell you. Her husband is that fellow Wu Da, who hawks his cakes about the streets."
When Ximen Qing heard this, he nearly jumped out of his chair. "You can't mean that Wu Da whom people call Tom Thumb or Old Scraggy Bark."
"That is the man," replied the old woman.
"Good Heavens," Ximen cried. "What a tasty piece of lamb to fall into a dog's mouth. However can it have happened?"
"It is always the same," old woman Wang replied. "You always find a beautiful horse ridden by some fool of a man, and a pretty girl sleeping with a husband who is not fit to be seen.
The old Man in the Moon works things that way."
"How much do I owe you?" Ximen said.
"Nothing worth mentioning," the old woman replied. "We will leave it till another time."
"With whom is your son Wang Chao working now?" Ximen asked.
"He is away with a merchant, a native of Huai, but really he has been away so long that I don't know whether he's alive or dead."
"Why not let him come to me? He seems to be a smart lad."
"I am glad he meets with your approval."
"Very well," Ximen said, "when he comes back we must talk about the matter again." He thanked the old woman and went away. But in less than no time he was back again, sitting once more near the door that looked upon Wu Da's house.
"May I offer you some damson broth, Sir?" said old woman Wang, when she came out.
"I should like some very much,"
Ximen said, "but let it be a little sour, if you don't mind." The old woman made the broth, and offered it to him with both hands. When he had finished it, he put down the cup. "You make excellent damson broth, Stepmother," he said. "Have you got many dam-sons in your room there?"
"I have dealt in damsons all my life,"
the old woman said, "but I never keep them in my room."
"I was talking about damsons, not damsels," said Ximen. "You are getting a little mixed up."
"It was damsels you were thinking about, nonetheless," the old lady retorted.
"Well," said Ximen, "you admit you sell damsels. What about finding one for me? If you can let me have a nice tasty one, you won't lose by it."
"You are only teasing me," the old woman said. "If your wife heard about it, my old face would have a rough time."
"Not at all," Ximen said. "My wife is a most amiable woman, and I have several girls already, but none of them is exactly what I want. If you have a really good girl on your books, you must introduce her to me. I don't care whether she is somebody else's leavings or not, but she must be a woman who will satisfy me."
"Ah," the old woman said, "a few days ago I did hear of an excellent girl, but I'm afraid she wouldn't do for you."
"If she is the right stuff, just go ahead, and you shall be well paid for your pains."
"She is more than usually good-looking," said the old lady, "but rather old, perhaps."
"Well," said Ximen, "people have always said that a middle-aged woman has a charm all her own. It will not put me off if she happens to be a year or two older than I am. But how old is she?"
"She was born under the planet Mercury and her animal is the Pig, so as my reckoning goes, she will be ninety-three years old next New Year."
"You crazy old woman," Ximen cried.
"Why do you screw up your silly old face and make fun all the time?" It was getting late and he decided to go away. The old woman had lighted her lamp and was going to fasten the gate, when Ximen Qing once again appeared. He sat down under the awning and gazed with longing eyes at Wu Da's house.
"Would you like a little allspice soup?" old woman Wang said.
"Yes, please," said Ximen, "but let it be sweet." The old woman hastily brought some soup, and he ate it all.
看官听说，这人你道是谁？却原来正是那嘲风弄月的班头，拾翠寻香的元帅，开生药铺复姓西门单讳一个庆字的西门大官人便是。只因他第三房妾卓二姐死了，发送了当，心中不乐，出来街上行走，要寻应伯爵到那里去散心耍子。却从这武大门前经过，不想撞了这一下子在头上。却说这西门大官人自从帘子下见了那妇人一面，到家寻思道：“好一个雌儿，怎能够得手？”猛然想起那间壁卖茶王婆子来，堪可如此如此，这般这般：“撮合得此事成，我破费几两银子谢他，也不值甚的。”于是连饭也不吃，走出街上闲游，一直径踅入王婆茶坊里来，便去里边水帘下坐了。王婆笑道：“大官人却才唱得好个大肥喏！”西门庆道：“干娘，你且来，我问你，间壁这个雌儿是谁的娘子？”王婆道：“他是阎罗大王的妹子，五道将军的女儿，问他怎的？”西门庆道：“我和你说正话，休要取笑。”王婆道：“大官人怎的不认得？他老公便是县前卖熟食的。”西门庆道：“莫不是卖枣糕徐三的老婆？”王婆摇手道：“不是，若是他，也是一对儿。大官人再猜。”西门庆道：“敢是卖馉饳的李三娘子儿？”王婆摇手道：“不是，若是他，倒是一双。”西门庆道：“莫不是花胳膊刘小二的婆儿？”王婆大笑道：“不是，若是他时，又是一对儿。大官人再猜。”西门庆道：“干娘，我其实猜不着了。”王婆哈哈笑道：“我好交大官人得知了罢，他的盖老便是街上卖炊饼的武大郎。”西门庆听，跌脚笑道： “莫不是人叫他三寸丁谷树皮的武大么？”王婆道：“正是他。”西门庆听了，叫起苦来，说是：“好一块羊肉，怎生落在狗口里！”王婆道：“便是这般故事，自古骏马却驮痴汉走，美妻常伴拙夫眠。月下老偏这等配合。”西门庆道：“干娘，我少你多少茶果钱？”王婆道：“不多，由他，歇些时却算不妨。”西门庆又道： “你儿子王潮跟谁出去了？”王婆道：“说不的，跟了一个淮上客人，至今不归，又不知死活。”西门庆道：“却不交他跟我，那孩子倒乖觉伶俐。”王婆道：“若得大官人抬举他时，十分之好。”西门庆道：“待他归来，却再计较。”说毕，作谢起身去了。
约莫未及两个时辰，又踅将来王婆门首，帘边坐的，朝着武大门前半歇。王婆出来道：“大官人，吃个梅汤？”西门庆道：“最好多加些酸味儿。”王婆做了个梅汤，双手递与西门庆吃了。将盏子放下，西门庆道：“干娘，你这梅汤做得好，有多少在屋里？”王婆笑道：“老身做了一世媒，那讨不在屋里！”西门庆笑道： “我问你这梅汤，你却说做媒，差了多少！”王婆道：“老身只听得大官人问这媒做得好。”西门庆道：“干娘，你既是撮合山，也与我做头媒，说头好亲事，我自重重谢你。”王婆道：“看这大官人作戏！你宅上大娘子得知，老婆子这脸上怎吃得那耳刮子！”西门庆道：“我家大娘子最好性格。见今也有几个身边人在家，只是没一个中得我意的。你有这般好的，与我主张一个，便来说也不妨。若是回头人儿也好，只是要中得我意。”王婆道：“前日有一个倒好，只怕大官人不要。”西门庆道：“若是好时，与我说成了，我自重谢你。”王婆道：“生的十二分人才，只是年纪大些。”西门庆道：“自古半老佳人可共，便差一两岁也不打紧。真个多少年纪？”王婆道：“那娘子是丁亥生，属猪的，交新年却九十三岁了。”西门庆笑道：“你看这风婆子，只是扯着风脸取笑。”说毕，西门庆笑着起身去。看看天色晚了，王婆恰才点上灯来，正要关门，只见西门庆又踅将来，径去帘子底下凳子上坐下，朝着武大门前只顾将眼睃望。王婆道：“大官人吃个和合汤？”西门庆道：“最好！干娘放甜些。”王婆连忙取一钟来与西门庆吃了。

america

The Golden Lotus (CHAPTER 2 Pan Jinlian) (Part 7)
He sat there till it was very late. At last he stood up. "Please make out my bill, old lady, and I will pay you next time I come."
"Don't worry about it," the old woman said; "we shall certainly have another opportunity of settling it." Ximen Qing laughed and went away.
At home, he could take no pleasure either eating or sleeping; his heart was consumed with desire for Jinlian.
Wu Yueniang saw him in this sad state, but thought it was because of his third wife's death, and did not trouble him. Next morning, as soon as it was light and old woman Wang came out to unbolt her gate, Ximen Qing was already striding down the street.
"Ah," she thought, "new brooms sweep clean, and this one seems to be doing all its sweeping in this direction. I must keep the young man on tenterhooks for a while. In his dealings with the people here, he always manages to come off best, but if I get him into my clutches, I shall be surprised if I can't squeeze a little bawdy money out of him."
Old woman Wang's past history was none too creditable. She had been an efficient and busy go-between all her life, and occasionally dealt in children.
She had also practiced midwifery, applying the requisite pressure to the mother and receiving the little ones on their arrival. In short, she was a thoroughly accomplished rogue.
The old woman had just opened her door to throw out the tea leaves when she saw Ximen Qing pacing up and down. Finally he came towards the tea shop and stood underneath the awning facing Wu Da's door. He was looking up at the lattice as though he could not take his eyes from it. The old woman pretended not to see him, and went on making a fire in her tea shop, until Ximen Qing, finding that she did not come out to offer him any tea, called to her to bring two cups.
"Ah," the old woman said, "is that you, my lord? Why have you allowed so long a time to pass without coming to see me? Please take a seat." In a few moments, she had made two cups of very strong tea and set them on the table.
"You'll take a cup with me, Stepmother, won't you?" Ximen said.
"I am not your shadow," the old woman said, laughing. "Why should I always drink tea with you?"
Ximen Qing laughed. "What do these neighbors of yours sell?"
"Roasted love darts; dried cuckoo's nests with parsley all around them; good fresh mincemeat; rolls all ready to be stuffed; oyster dumplings, and warm-heart pastries."
"You mad old woman," Ximen said, laughing. "I do wish you would talk sense."
"I am not mad by any means," said the old woman. "If you would rather go and ask the master of the house, you will find him at home."
"I am quite serious," Ximen said. "If they have good buns there, I should like to buy forty or fifty and take them home with me."
"There is no need to go to the house to buy them. The man will be going to the street in a minute or two, and you can get as many as you like."
"That is true," said Ximen. He drank his tea, lingered for a while, and at last went away.

坐到晚夕，起身道：“干娘，记了账目，明日一发还钱。”王婆道：“由他，伏惟安置，来日再请过论。”西门庆笑了去。到家甚是寝食不安，一片心只在妇人身上。就是他大娘子月娘，见他这等失张失致的，只道为死了卓二姐的缘故，倒没做理会处。当晚无话。
次日清晨，王婆恰才开门，把眼看外时，只见西门庆又早在街前来回踅走。王婆道：“这刷子踅得紧！你看我着些甜糖抹在这厮鼻子上，交他抵不着。那厮全讨县里人便宜，且交他来老娘手里纳些贩钞，嫌他几个风流钱使。”原来这开茶坊的王婆，也不是守本分的，便是积年通殷勤，做媒婆，做卖婆，做牙婆，又会收小的，也会抱腰，又善放刁，端的看不出这婆子的本事来。但见：
　　开言欺陆贾，出口胜隋何。只凭说六国唇枪，全仗话三齐舌剑。只鸾孤凤，霎时间交仗成双；寡妇鳏男，一席话搬说摆对。解使三里门内女，遮莫九皈殿中仙。玉皇殿上侍香金童，把臂拖来；王母宫中传言玉女，拦腰抱住。略施奸计，使阿罗汉抱住比丘尼；才用机关，交李天王搂定鬼子母。甜言说诱，男如封涉也生心；软语调合，女似麻姑须乱性。藏头露尾，撺掇淑女害相思；送暖偷寒，调弄嫦娥偷汉子。
这婆子正开门，在茶局子里整理茶锅，张见西门庆踅过几遍，奔入茶局子水帘下，对着武大门首，不住把眼只望帘子里瞧。王婆只推不看见，只顾在茶局子内煽火，不出来问茶。西门庆叫道：“干娘，点两杯茶来我吃。”王婆应道：“大官人来了？连日少见，且请坐。”不多时，便浓浓点两盏稠茶，放在桌子上。西门庆道： “干娘，相陪我吃了茶。”王婆哈哈笑道：“我又不是你影射的，如何陪你吃茶？”西门庆也笑了，一会便问：“干娘，间壁卖的是甚么？”王婆道：“他家卖的拖煎阿满子，干巴子肉翻包着菜肉匾食饺，窝窝蛤蜊面，热烫温和大辣酥。”西门庆笑道：“你看这风婆子，只是风。”王婆笑道：“我不风，他家自有亲老公。”西门庆道：“我和你说正话。他家如法做得好炊饼，我要问他买四五十个拿的家去。”王婆道：“若要买炊饼，少间等他街上回来买，何消上门上户！”西门庆道： “干娘说的是。”吃了茶，坐了一回，起身去了。

Old woman Wang watched him with her stony eyes, and saw him pacing to and fro, looking first to the right and then to the left.
This he did seven or eight times. At last he came back to the tea shop.
"How do you do, Sir?" the old lady said. "I had almost forgotten what you look like."
Ximen Qing took a tael of silver from his sleeve and handed it to her. "This is for my tea," he said.
The old woman smiled. "Why do you give me so much?"
"I should take it if I were you," said Ximen, "and not trouble how much it is."
"Now," thought the old woman, "my chance has come. It is time this broom lost some of its bristles. I will take this today, and it will doubtless come in for my lodging tomorrow."
She said aloud, "I see there is something you have set your heart upon."
"What makes you think that?" Ximen said.
"It is not very hard to see. There is an old saying, ‘When a man enters your door, don't trouble to ask whether he is in luck or not. Look at his face.' I can assure you I've guessed things far more difficult than that."
"If you can guess what I am thinking about," said Ximen, "you shall have five taels of silver."
Old woman Wang laughed. "One guess will be enough. Let me whisper in your Lordship's ear. You have been haunting this neighborhood for two or three days, and it is quite clear that you have your eye on the lady next door. Am I right?"
Ximen Qing smiled. "Your intelligence, Stepmother, is worthy of Sui He, and you are even sharper than Lu Jia. I shall not attempt to hoodwink you. I don't know how it is, but ever since I saw her face under the lattice I seem to have lost both my heart and my head. Day and night I can think of nothing else. When I am at home, I can neither eat nor drink, and work is out of the question. I wonder if you can think of some way to help me."
"I shall not try to hoodwink you either," the old woman said. "People imagine that I keep a tea shop here, but to tell you the truth, a ghost playing the night watchman would fill the part as honestly as I do mine.
One day, I certainly did sell some tea.
It was three years ago, to be precise, when snow fell in the sixth month; but I've sold none since. No, sir, I make my living in quite another way."
"And what may that be?" Ximen asked.
"When I was thirty-six years old, my husband died. He left me with a young boy and not a penny to live on.
So I took up the business of a go-between, and also made a little money by making clothes, acting the midwife, and introducing people to one another. Sometimes I let blood for people who are ill."
I had no idea your accomplishments were so many," Ximen said. "If you can arrange this matter to my satisfaction, I will give you ten taels of silver for your coffin. All you have to do is to get that woman to meet me."
"I was only joking," the old woman said. "Why did you take me seriously?"


良久，王婆在茶局里冷眼张着，他在门前踅过东，看一看，又转西去，又复一复，一连走了七八遍。少顷，径入茶房里来。王婆道：“大官人侥幸，好几日不见面了。”西门庆便笑将起来，去身边摸出一两一块银子，递与王婆，说道：“干娘，权且收了做茶钱。”王婆笑道：“何消得许多！”西门庆道：“多者干娘只顾收着。”婆子暗道：“来了，这刷子当败。且把银子收了，到明日与老娘做房钱。”便道：“老身看大官人象有些心事的一般。”西门庆道：“如何干娘便猜得着？” 婆子道：“有甚难猜处！自古入门休问荣枯事，观着容颜便得知。老身异样跷蹊古怪的事，不知猜够多少。”西门庆道：“我这一件心上的事，干娘若猜得着时，便输与你五两银子。”王婆笑道：“老身也不消三智五猜，只一智便猜个中节。大官人你将耳朵来：你这两日脚步儿勤，赶趁得频，一定是记挂着间壁那个人。我这猜如何？”西门庆笑将起来道：“干娘端的智赛隋何，机强陆贾。不瞒干娘说，不知怎的，吃他那日叉帘子时见了一面，恰似收了我三魂六魄的一般，日夜只是放他不下。到家茶饭懒吃，做事没入脚处。不知你会弄手段么？”王婆哈哈笑道：“老身不瞒大官人说，我家卖茶叫做鬼打更。三年前六月初三日下大雪，那一日卖了个泡茶，直到如今不发市，只靠些杂趁养口。”西门庆道：“干娘，如何叫做杂趁？”王婆笑道：“老身自从三十六岁没了老公，丢下这个小厮，没得过日子。迎头儿跟着人说媒，次后揽人家些衣服卖，又与人家抱腰收小的，闲常也会作牵头，做马百六，也会针灸看病。”西门庆听了，笑将起来：“我并不知干娘有如此手段！端的与我说这件事，我便送十两银子与你做棺材本。你好交这雌儿会我一面。”王婆便呵呵笑道：“我自说耍，官人怎便认真起来。你也！”且看下回分解。有诗为证：
　　西门浪子意猖狂，死下功夫戏女娘。亏杀卖茶王老母，生交巫女会襄王。