Human Joy

page views:1 Publication date:2023-03-24

Chapter One: Little Virtue Accumulates, Old Clam Gives Birth to Pearl, Clever and Beautiful Girl

Speaks Out: A poem reads:

Accumulated virtue can always turn back the heavens. Swallows fly together, joy lasting years. A refined and

elegant demeanor becomes a beautiful tale. A moth's charm is born, her body like a fairy.

Her graceful steps are suited to a man's manners. The fragrance wafts from the secluded pavilion, envied by a woman's beauty.

Loneliness and sorrow fill my eyes. I temporarily adorn myself to ease my

fluttering figure. Now, in the former dynasty, in Songjiang Prefecture, Southern Zhili, there lived a noble family. His surname was Ju, his given name Jing, and his courtesy name Xingjian. He was a Jinshi (successful candidate in the imperial examination). Because he was an upright official, he did not curry favor with the powerful and wealthy, and he was aloof and unsociable. Therefore, after more than twenty years in office, he only reached the position of Vice Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies. The Court of State Ceremonies was a quiet and unassuming office. If one did not seek official duties, one would have nothing besides one's salary. Ju Xingjian was content with a simple life. When there was business, he would go to court with the crowd; otherwise, he would stay in the office, drinking and composing poetry with two or three close friends. He did not seek official duties. He was neither seeking promotion nor serving as an official in the imperial court. He remained in office for several years, experiencing neither honor nor disgrace. These things held no concern for him. Only one thing troubled him: nearing fifty, he had difficulty conceiving. He feared that he would have no one to carry on the family line, and this constantly troubled him. His wife, Lady Zhu, had previously advised him to take in maids and concubines. He followed her advice and took in several. Unexpectedly, these maids and concubines did not hinder her youth. Therefore, he did his utmost to arrange marriages for them, ensuring they found happiness. Moreover, his wife was virtuous and understanding of her husband's heart, treating the maids and concubines as if they were marrying off their own daughters. These maids and concubines were deeply grateful. Behind their backs, or before the ancestral altar, they prayed that their husband and wife would soon have a son. Before long, these maids, who had never borne children at home, after marrying, either gave birth to a son in one family or a daughter in another, all sending messengers to their wives to announce the good news. Ju Xingjian was overjoyed. After his joy, he nodded secretly, resigned to his fate of being unfortunate. He would not force the desire to have a son. His wife still urged him to take another wife, but Ju Xingjian firmly said, "Children are destined to be together. Why should I harm another woman and incur Heaven's wrath?" From then on, his wife never urged him to take another wife. Unexpectedly, that year, his wife became pregnant around the age of forty and gave birth to a daughter. Ju Xingjian was overjoyed and said, "I had given up hope. Unexpectedly, Heaven showed mercy and bestowed upon me a son. He is like a pearl in my palm, and I will have no shortage of children to enjoy." From then on, the couple cherished her like a precious jewel and named her Miss Zhangzhu. It is said: Who would not want to take a concubine and have a son? Taking a concubine but not having one is a mistake.

If one can understand the meaning of this, even if not a son is given, a phoenix will be given.

After the birth of Miss Zhangzhu, the couple was overjoyed. They wished she would grow up day and night and call out "Father" and "Mother" with delight. They dressed her in gold and jade and surrounded her with brocade. They raised her day by day. Before they knew it, she was five or six years old. This precious young lady was indeed blessed with beauty. She was born with naturally curved eyebrows, naturally red lips, a face as white as snow, a naturally slender waist, bright, sparkling eyes, and a gentle, melodious breath. She was more than a parrot, able to laugh, play, and sit. Ju Xingjian often held her on his lap, teaching her to memorize poems. The precious young lady was indeed intelligent and quick-witted; she could remember anything she was taught. Sometimes, when asked, she would answer clearly and distinctly, never forgetting a single word. Ju Xingjian was overjoyed that the precious young lady possessed such innate talent, understanding her father's teachings so readily. From then on, he taught her constantly. Before long, she could recite couplets. A year or so later, she could speak fluently and eloquently. Ju Xingjian was secretly amazed. One day, during a moment of leisure, his wife and the precious young lady were laughing together... Ju Xingjian called his daughter closer and said, "I have a couplet. Can you match it, my child?" Zhangzhu replied, "I'd like to hear it." Ju Xingjian then presented a couplet: "Clouds and rosy hues adorn the sky." Zhangzhu listened, read it aloud, and then responded with a couplet: "Mountains and beautiful land present literary works." Ju Xingjian immediately came up with this couplet, though he doubted Zhangzhu could answer it right away. However, without hesitation, she perfectly matched it. He was overjoyed and said, "My child is indeed clever. I have another couplet. Can you match it?" Zhangzhu said, "How could I dare not answer Father's command? I'm just afraid it might be poorly done. I beg Father's guidance." Ju Xingjian then presented another couplet: "Flowers and the moon are my confidantes." Zhangzhu immediately responded with a line: "Literature is like an old friend." Ju Xingjian was overjoyed to see her quick wit and then placed Zhangzhu on his lap. He stroked her head and said, "My son has such extraordinary talent. His lineage can be continued. It's just a pity..." He then fell silent. His wife, hearing this, said, "Since you love my son's intelligence and eloquence, you should be overjoyed. Why then do you say it's a pity?" Ju Xingjian only shook his head and didn't answer. Unable to withstand his wife's repeated questioning, he finally said, "My child is so intelligent, how could I not love him? It's just a pity he's not a son. If he were a son, studying my books, he would easily achieve fame and success, and uphold the family tradition. Now he's a girl, and although she's intelligent, I feel it's of little use." His wife said, "Even so, a girl's only problem is that she lacks talent and beauty. If she were talented and beautiful, she would surely find a good husband in the future, and he would naturally be filial to you and me." Before she could finish speaking, a gatekeeper came in and said, "There's something urgent at court. Please quickly summon your father to court." Upon hearing this, Ju Xingjian quickly changed his clothes and went to court.

At this time, the land was peaceful and the people lived in prosperity. Therefore, auspicious omens frequently appeared among the people: the birth of unicorns, the soaring of phoenixes, the nine-eared grains, the birth of filial sons and virtuous grandsons, and the emergence of chaste and virtuous women. Local officials all submitted memorials to the emperor, who was pleased upon seeing them. He then ordered his ministers to grant a general amnesty to the people, to commend those who deserved it, and to reward those who deserved it, in response to the auspicious signs from heaven. No one dared disobey the decree. Those who received the imperial edict departed on their missions. There was also a report from the governor of Sichuan about nine-eared grains, but because of the long distance and the rugged roads of Sichuan, no one dared to go. The court officials, knowing that Ju Xingjian was not good at managing affairs and had not been dispatched for a long time, decided to do him a favor and put his name on the list. Therefore, the report was submitted to the court. Ju Xingjian went to court, received the imperial edict, and returned to his office. The next day, he was ordered to travel south, but that is another story. Indeed: A royal minister's arduous journey through the southwest. A decree, issued from the heavens,

granted amnesty to all, whether already granted or not. Loyalty and virtue were praised, and noble deeds were honored.

The lady and her daughter, idle in the government office, recalled their earlier words and thought to themselves, "Why don't I dress her up like this today? It's just to keep her company and bring her joy. What's wrong with that?" So she took out some silk and satin, and within two days, made several small boys' clothes. She dressed her daughter up, taught her proper manners and etiquette, and the daughter learned them all. She looked every bit like a young gentleman. She spent her days and nights with her mother in her room. The lady instructed the servants to only address her as "Young Master" and "Master," and not to utter the word "Miss." All the servants, both male and female, obeyed. Seeing that her daughter was dressed up to look like a boy, the lady laughed and said, "Even I can't tell the difference now. Let's wait until tonight and see how she reacts before we discuss it further." But let's leave that aside for now. Indeed: It is common for men to dress as women. Women to dress as men is a worldly phenomenon.

Falsehood and truth are intertwined, and so are the realities and the misunderstandings.

Ju Honglu received the imperial edict, accompanied by his retinue. Along the way, he was greeted by porters and horses. In a few days, he arrived in Sichuan. All the officials welcomed him into the city. After the edict was read, others would have gone to pay respects to officials, acquaintances, and old friends, discussing personal relationships and obligations, and would all return home with gifts. But Ju Xingjian was simple and upright, refusing to be swayed by greed. He only accepted the usual formalities and gifts from local officials. Not long after, he returned home as ordered. The lady, leading the (fake) young master, said, "My lord has been away for a while. Someone sent someone saying they have many children and wanted to give this son to me to adopt. I found him quite handsome, and I couldn't refuse their kindness, so I kept him. We'll discuss it when my lord returns, hence the lack of a name yet." She then instructed the maid to spread out a felt mat. The young master, upon hearing this, immediately bowed and approached Ju Xingjian, bowing deeply and repeatedly saying, "Father, please sit down. Allow me to pay my respects." He then respectfully bowed four times. After bowing, he stood beside the lady. Ju Xingjian, caught off guard by the greeting, remained silent, thinking to himself, "Madam is being nosy. Why adopt someone else's son? And what kind of family is she? How presumptuous!" He then looked closely at the child. He saw that his hair was styled in two neat pigtails. Dressed in fashionable young boys' clothes, with powdered soles and black boots, his footsteps jingled softly; golden bells and jade pendants swayed and chimed. His fair skin needed no powder, his red lips barely touched. He bowed respectfully in the courtyard, his movements graceful and measured. He knelt in joyful obedience, following all the rules. The whole family rejoiced at the arrival of this fine young man, and his fame spread far and wide.

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