2.

In the seventh chapter of the third volume of the newly engraved novel "The Flower Garden,"
the fake doctor uses poetry to diagnose illness , and the blind fortune teller recites
a poem for divination: "
A thousand-mile marriage relies on a thread, longing for each other across two places under the same sky;
the phoenix letter is not conveyed by clouds, but by plum blossom verses passed down from the Longtou. I still worry that time will pass swiftly, and I fear that my temples will turn gray with age; I hear of this painting soon, it should not be too late, but suddenly, the joy and sorrow are intertwined." Meanwhile, Wenying returned, his heart heavy with a sense of loss. He was a womanizer, how could he resist? He also knew that a family named Yu lived in the inner quarters, and had a daughter named Shungu, about fifteen or sixteen years old, who was not yet married. One day, Wenying lingered at his door, and saw him wearing a peach-red silk brocade jacket and a purple brocade skirt, his feet bound three inches wide. This was only a general description of his handsome appearance. However, his eyes were unusual; this was what people called lustful eyes. He disliked direct eye contact, preferring to peek. He needed no other means, but stealing glances at men was his sole purpose. He didn't need to get close; even from dozens of feet away, a single glance was enough to discern good from bad. If he saw someone good, he'd give them a quick look. If the man was upright, he'd lower his head and walk past, leaving the glance unseen. But if he was a lecherous man, he'd glance back and forth, a love letter delivered from the corner of his eye, and they'd be hooked. Wenying, a lustful man, saw this woman, though not as beautiful as Miss Liu, and thought she could be used temporarily. He rushed forward, grabbed her, and kissed her. As night fell, they made love passionately, venting their desires. Ultimately, his heart remained with Miss Liu, not with Shungu. Meanwhile, Miss Liu fell ill and hurriedly took Tianbiao home. Tianbiao, concerned about Chunmei's matter, was ultimately humble and offered a few perfunctory words of advice to the lady of the house. Because the young lady was seriously ill, the lady was inclined to bring up this matter. Tianbiao said, "When my brother was alive, so many noble and wealthy families sought his hand in marriage, but you refused them all, causing them to back down. You only thought of staying at home to care for him in his old age, without considering that men should marry when they are of age and women should marry when they are of age. My daughter is so old and still unmarried. Did my daughter say this to anyone? It's all your fault for delaying him. I'll take you to the room to see." He quietly pushed open the door and saw Qiuxiang. The lady asked, "Is the young lady asleep or awake?" Qiuxiang said, "I can speak as if I'm asleep, and I can sleep as if I'm awake." The lady lifted the bed curtains, and the young lady saw Tianbiao. With tears in her eyes, she called out "Uncle" and closed her eyes to sleep again. Tianbiao said, "My niece is seriously ill. Please come and see her quickly." The lady said, "My daughter says she can't stand the decoction and refuses to take it anymore." Tianbiao said, "As long as she gets better, what does it matter if she can't stand it? Recently, a new Confucian doctor has arrived, specializing in gynecological ailments. Just one dose of medicine, and in two or three days, the disease will be completely cured." The lady said, "That's perfect." She immediately sent someone to fetch the doctor. He examined her pulse but couldn't diagnose the illness. Several doses of medicine were ineffective, and her condition worsened. The lady was deeply grieved. Tianbiao said, "Sister-in-law, let me go to Chongxiang Temple to pray for good fortune. You can send someone to fetch my niece's wet nurse so she can stay with her morning and night." The lady obeyed and sent someone to fetch the wet nurse. Who was this wet nurse? She was the wife of Yu Wu, who lived at the entrance of Wenying Gate, and the mother of Shun Gu. The woman entered the gate, met Yu Po, first explained the cause of her daughter's illness, and then told her that the lady had come to fetch her. Yu Po was astonished. Yu Wu readily agreed, "I'll come to your residence!" He went back to the courtyard first, and Wen Ying, who was standing at the Yu family's gate, heard this and asked with concern, "Who was that person from?" Yu Wu replied, "From the Liu family." Wen Ying asked, "Why are you taking your wife?" Yu Wu said, "The young lady is currently ill in bed, and the madam wants my wife to keep her company." Wen Ying was surprised to hear this and asked, "What is the relationship between your family and the Liu family?" Yu Wu laughed, "Their young lady was raised by my wife since childhood. Fortunately, the madam favored her and, taking pity on my lack of business, gave us one hundred taels of silver to open this fur shop. That young lady still can't bear to part with my wife." "I often took her there." Wenying said with deep regret, "I lived with him for a year, and I thought of Miss every day. How could I have known there was such a way!" He then asked, "Has Miss been engaged?" Yu Wu said, "Miss lost her father at a young age, and her mother cherishes her like a treasure. When Master Liu was alive, many nobles sought her hand in marriage, but she refused them all. Now she is sixteen years old and still refuses to be easily given away." Wenying said, "Miss's illness is caused by her daily worries. My late father left behind a good remedy that is different from other doctors' remedies. It can cure all kinds of difficult and strange diseases in women. Why don't you tell your wife and go to Madam and boast about me? It will definitely work. Not only will I be honored, but you will also benefit." Yu Wu told this to Granny Yu. Granny Yu went to the Liu residence and told Madam about Wenying's cure. Madam Yu was delighted and said, "Since there is such an extraordinary person, why don't we come with you?" Granny Yu said , "This person is our mistress. It is very easy to go and fetch him." So she went home to see Wenying and invited him to come with her. Wenying was very happy to see her come to fetch him. So she changed her clothes and went to the Liu residence with Granny Yu. The lady stayed in the hall and sat down to explain the cause of her illness. Wenying pretended to say, "Madam, do you know the medical texts on observation, listening, questioning, and palpation? Generally, when treating a patient, one should first observe their complexion, listen to their voice, inquire about the cause of their illness, and then take their pulse. The timing and speed of the pulse should be carefully considered before prescribing medicine, and it will always be effective." The lady, hearing these sound principles, naturally believed her. She led Wenying to the young lady's room. The lady lifted the bed curtains and greeted her with a smile, saying, "A renowned doctor is here." Wenying kept peeking into the curtains. The young lady, lying on the bed, turned her gaze out and instantly recognized Wenying, extending her slender hand. After taking her pulse for a while, he wanted to say a few words to tease the young lady, but seeing the madam beside him, he dared not speak. He only said, "The young lady has a sinister look on her face, which means she is suffering from a ghostly illness. If I don't examine her, she will most likely be in danger. Quickly go to the gods to pray, and you will be safe." You see, when the women heard this, they all believed it. Little did they know it was a trap, so they all went to the gods to pray. Wenying, having tricked the lady out, hesitated, fearing someone might see them. He then teased her, saying, "Miss's illness is all from that one glance at that charming young man." The lady, secretly surprised, thought, "These two lines are from a poem I once recited to that man. How could he have known my heartache?" She gazed intently from behind the curtain, vaguely remembering something. She thought, "This man resembles that man. Could it be that he knew I was seriously ill and disguised himself as a doctor to visit me? I'll challenge him to recite his poem to see if it's true." The lady said, "Laughing at me, like a butterfly on a flower, stealing fragrance and jade, when will I find my way?" Wenying replied, "Alas, the night is long, who is my companion? This is the root of my illness." The lady, seeing that he was reciting the same poem, knew it was him, and her illness lessened considerably. At that moment, the two exchanged glances, about to speak their hearts, when suddenly the lady entered the room. Wenying quickly composed himself, lowering his head in thought. The lady said, "We have already prayed before the gods. How is my daughter's pulse?" Wenying replied, "I have examined Miss's pulse for a long time, but I still have no clue." Granny Yu said, "Let the blind man come and calculate Miss's birth chart to see what it is." Suddenly, a blind man came. Granny Yu called him in, invited him to sit in the hall, and read out the birth chart: "Year of Xinmao, Month of Xinmao, Day of Wuzi, Hour of Renzi." The blind man took out a small abacus from his sleeve, spun it once, and said, "In my opinion, this birth chart has a very special structure. If it were a man's chart, he would surely be wealthy and powerful; if it were a woman's chart, she would certainly be adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe." The lady said, "This is a woman's chart. Please analyze it carefully." The blind man said, "Although this birth chart indicates a future of great wealth and honor, there is currently evil spirits causing disaster, which is truly difficult to overcome. In my opinion, only sincere exorcism can ensure safety."

Upon hearing this, the lady turned ashen-faced and asked, "If we perform a ritual to avert this calamity, will we be able to pass through it?"
The blind man replied, "These days, rituals require water. If we perform the ritual today, it will be fine tomorrow or the day after."
The lady then instructed the servants to prepare sacrificial offerings so that the spirit medium could come to perform the ritual.
The blind man said, "No! That sorcerer drinks alcohol and eats meat, unlike me, who is so sincere in my vegetarian diet. He only needs to recite a few old words before sending off the spirits. Now we need to make noise to please the spirits. Besides, if I were to seek out a sorcerer to make a promise, it would only bring disaster."
The lady said, "Then let us rely on you to perform the exorcism!"
The blind man said, "It's not that I'm trying to summon those spirits, but I'm just looking at people's sincerity. For a poor family, a bowl of soup or a bowl of rice is enough. For you wealthy people, if you don't offer pigs or sheep and make a half-hearted vow, the spirits won't even notice you."
Granny Yu chimed in, "That's right, let us rely on you tonight, and we'll thank you handsomely."
The blind man took his leave and went out.
The lady ordered that an empty room be prepared for Wenying to stay in, and also ordered that all the exorcism arrangements be made. When night fell, the blind man and a bandit leader were seen carrying a box and setting up in front of the hall. They played music, distributed talismans, and received the spirits. The blind man, in a glib manner, knelt before the gods and prayed. After a commotion of music and revelry, he recited the ten offerings, his words all aimed at the blind man.
He presented a set of dominoes, saying:
"These dominoes are like those of today's 'empty shells,' disappearing without a trace. One day they hit a square, and the dominoes fall like a broken goose."
He then presented scissors, saying:
"These scissors are like those of today's 'raw hair,' quick-witted, two-faced. One day they hit a rough hand, and the scissors become rough and unsightly."
He then presented abacus beads, saying: "
These abacus beads are like those of today's 'scoundrels,' wary of gold and silver. One day they break their strings, and leap out of the sky."
Finally, he presented a silver ingot, saying: "
This silver ingot is like those of today's 'bachelors,' their faces covered in fine lines. When not in use, they are easily broken; but when chiseled, they suffer a headache."
After reciting, he presented the jade crab, saying:
"This jade crab is like a theatrical performer today, with eight legs as its prestige. Its two eyes bulge out, and it scurries about while boiling tea or water."
He then presented the paper flower, saying:
"This paper flower is like a frivolous old man today, attracting butterflies with its alluring appearance. A copper wire trembles on its leg bone, always eager to show off on the grass."
He then presented the hairpin, saying:
"This perforated hairpin is like a wealthy man like Qiao today, all show and no substance. One day, when all else fails, he'll scratch his head to see if it's working."
He then presented the mirror, saying:
"This mirror is like a liar today, invisible and dishonest. But when faced with a real face, its ugly face is revealed."
He then presented the abacus, saying: "
This abacus is like a broker today, extremely precise. Sometimes, when money and banknotes are lost, they're left unattended."
After reciting the prayers, he presented the golden needle, saying, "
This golden needle is like the old and young officials of today, whose eyes still need others to pierce them. Once they develop pterygium, finding clothes becomes incredibly difficult."
After the crowd finished reciting the ten offerings, they played music to send off the spirits. One of the blind man's apprentices went to fetch oil from the altar, while another went to collect the sacrificial offerings from the horse. After the meal, the heavenly messenger gave everyone a silver envelope. The blind man accepted it and dispersed with the crowd.
Meanwhile, Wenying stayed at home, claiming he was seeing a doctor, and frequently went to his room to see his mistress. His wife stayed close by, unable to exchange a single word. The mistress, seeing Wenying, was comforted by her longing. Within six or seven days, her illness had subsided considerably. His wife was overjoyed and kept Wenying at home, treating him like a close relative.
What happened next? To be continued... Chapter Eight

: The Emperor Arrests the
Adulterer, the Magistrate Injustices the Law, and the Scholar Judges the Marriage Alliance.
It is said that the Lady kept Wenying at home, and after more than ten days, the young lady's illness was fully cured.
One day, Wenying was strolling in the shade of the flowers when she suddenly saw the young lady still dressed as before, with Qiuxiang following behind, walking out of the main hall. Wenying saw this from behind a screen and was about to approach her when she suddenly heard footsteps and saw the Lady emerge, so she quickly retreated.
Wenying was very displeased, but she secretly reassured herself, "I live here, and there will be opportunities for me; why should I care?"
Only Madam Li waited for more than ten days, but Wenying did not return home. Worried, she hurriedly called her servant to inquire, and happened to meet Yu Wu, who told her about Wenying's illness.
The servant reported this to Madam Li, who was both angry and annoyed. She said, "He's not familiar with medical books, how dare he presume to treat patients? If he causes trouble, he'll have to bear the consequences himself."
She then called to the servant, "Since it was Yu Wu who told you, go see him again and ask who sent him." The
servant went to ask Yu Wu, who said, "The other day, the Liu family came to summon my wife, but my husband was at my door when he heard that Miss Liu was seriously ill. He said I had a good remedy left by my late father, which could cure all kinds of difficult gynecological diseases, so my wife went to boast about it. Madam heard this and ordered my wife to bring her back."
The servant, upon hearing this, begged Yu Wu to bring Wenying back. Yu Wu, missing his wife, went to the Liu residence. Finding no one around, he went straight to the kitchen to look for his wife. At that moment, Qiu Xiang arrived at the study and heard laughter and the tinkling of curtains.
Qiu Xiang was startled and peeked through the crack in the board. She saw her mistress, Jinlian, hooked around Wenying's waist, and Wenying was thrusting in and out. Qiu Xiang was so engrossed in watching that she unconsciously released semen from her vulva, which was no different from urine. She put her hand into her trousers and touched her genitals, feeling an intense itch.
Looking up, she suddenly saw Yu Wu approaching. Qiu Xiang quickly dodged, and Yu Wu knelt down, saying, "I was just enjoying myself here. I beg you, sister, to have mercy and relieve my lust."
Qiu Xiang spat and pushed him away, then hurriedly went inside. Yu Wu, feeling awkward, went to the kitchen to see his wife and said a few words about what happened. Meanwhile,
Qiu Xiang pushed Yu Wu aside and waited for the storm to pass before whispering in her mistress's ear what Yu Wu had said about threatening to rape her. The mistress was shocked and turned ashen-faced. She quickly straightened her clothes and rushed into her embroidery room.
You might say how fortunate the two of them were to have this meeting, for the young lady had recovered from her illness, the lady was soundly asleep in her room, and Tianbiao had returned to the estate, so no one was in their way, making this a wonderful occasion possible. Wenying was sitting in his study when he suddenly heard footsteps at the window. He went out to look and saw Yu Wu.
Yu Wu said to Wenying, "My lord has business at his residence and has specially invited me to come."
Wenying refused to go home, but instead used the excuse of going elsewhere to ask Yu Wu to inform his mother.
Several days later, it was the year of the new imperial examination, and the supervising official, the Provincial Education Commissioner, was in Jiangyin issuing the list of candidates for the examination in Jiangning. Wenying learned of this and bid farewell to his wife. His wife thanked him repeatedly and prepared a farewell feast. After drinking, he returned home, spent the night there, and the next morning arranged to go to the examination with Tianbiao.
Upon arriving in Jiangyin, he was fortunate to find that the examination had been held, and the next day he would take the exam in several counties. Wenying took his seat according to his assigned number, and once the questions were given to him, he wrote two essays in one go. From afar, he saw Tianbiao staring blankly, racking his brains.
Wenying went to hand in his exam paper first, and the examiner instructed him, "All students, please return to the provincial capital. The papers will be distributed after the provincial examination is completed and you return to Jiangning."
The next day, Wenying set off with Tianbiao, taking advantage of a favorable wind. Before long, they arrived at Tianbiao's house. Wenying's house was about a mile away, and Tianbiao invited him to stay. A table and chairs were laid out, laden with delicacies, and Tianbiao earnestly urged him to eat. After the meal, Wenying thanked him and wanted to go home. Unexpectedly, his wife rushed out and insisted he stay. Wenying spent the night there and returned to see his mother the next morning.
Madam Li was deeply saddened because her younger sister, Jiaolian, had suddenly contracted dysentery. The medicine was ineffective, and after several days, she died. The whole family was grieving.
After everything was settled, Wenying said, "I am fortunate to have a landlord, and I was just about to prepare for my studies. Unexpectedly, Madam Liu, moved by my medical skills, has been so hospitable that my mother has been unable to visit me regularly."
Having said this, he returned to his study. That evening, under the hazy moonlight, Wenying was pacing among the flowers when Qiuxiang approached and handed him a small gift. Inside was a five-character poem: "
In the sky is the full moon, on earth there is deep affection;
the full moon may wane, but deep affection cannot change.
I admire your handsome appearance, and love your sincere heart;
I wish to be your humble servant, to serve you for life.
" Wenying read it, pondering silently. Qiuxiang was beside him. Wenying reached out to embrace and kiss her, but Qiuxiang, though long celibate, declined and quickly tried to leave.
Wenying grabbed
her, saying, "I have a poem to give you; please take it with you. Please sit for a while." He quickly wrote a five-character poem: "
A beautiful woman is housed in a golden palace, admired by all for her wealth and status;
She tries every means to climb
the social ladder, but matchmakers cannot secure her marriage. I would gladly give my life to become a loving couple; Even
a humble woman like Meng Guang would not be disappointed."
He finished writing and gave it to Qiuxiang to take away. Meanwhile, the lady, still longing for her wish fulfilled, chose the first day of the eighth month to go and fulfill her vow to the gods, hoping to receive a heavenly memorial. On that day, she prepared gifts, invited the gods, summoned several sedan chairs, and took several maids with her, leaving only her mistress at home.
Wenying, having learned this, locked his own door and entered the mistress's bedroom. Upon seeing her, he coaxed and seduced her, and they undressed and went to bed. He spread her legs and thrust into her rapidly, pumping more than a hundred times, reaching a state of ecstasy, his lips trembling with pleasure.
Unexpectedly, Tianbiao returned first and found Wenying's study locked and the inner room door tightly shut. The two were unseen, only Qiuxiang was present.
Tianbiao, suspicious, asked where the young lady had gone.
Qiuxiang replied, "She just finished lunch and went to her room."
Tianbiao asked, "When did Pang Sheng leave?"
Qiuxiang said, "I don't know." Tianbiao
said, "They must be having an affair."
He then ordered Qiuxiang to keep watch in the main hall, and hurriedly went to the young lady's door, peering through a crack in the plank. It wasn't the bed, so he couldn't see clearly.
A moment later, he heard male and female voices, and saw Wenying and her niece come out hand in hand. Tianbiao was furious and shouted, "What a mess!"
The young lady, frightened, covered her face and went back into her room. Tianbiao punched Wenying a few times, saying, "You are a scholar, you must know proper etiquette. This is not the Jia family's private residence, what business is it of you to barge into their inner chamber? Now I ask you, would you like to be handed over to the authorities?"
Wenying said, "I only wish to be handed over to the authorities."
Tianbiao said, "According to you, do you think I'm afraid of being handed over to the authorities? I'll go with you."
Suddenly, the lady got out of the sedan chair, surprised and asked what was going on. Tianbiao told her the shameful story, and then said, "I heard that the Grand Master has finished the examination and returned to the provincial capital. Take this scoundrel to the Grand Master, first remove him from the list, and then ask him about a major crime."
Wenying felt ashamed and did not explain. Tianbiao dragged Wenying out the door, cursing him as a "rapist" all the way. When people in the market asked, Tianbiao told them the whole story. Yu Wu also heard the news and wanted to go to the Liu family to see what was going on, but then thought, "I was the one who led them there the other day, if I get involved, I won't be able to get away with it." As
soon as Tianbiao arrived at the gate, he asked someone to write a complaint and dragged Wenying into the gate to plead his case.
The Master was in the hall when he heard the commotion. He summoned the man and asked, "What is it?"
Tianbiao replied, "It's about the rape of a young woman."
He then presented the petition. The Master unfolded it and read:
---------------------------
This petition, submitted by scholar Liu Jin, concerns the rape of a young woman:
My niece, Yu Rong, is a beautiful woman from an official family. The wicked student, Pang Guojun, is a lustful devil. They were living in the neighbor's house, oblivious to the fact that the walls were overheard. The willow tree of Zhangtai has already been broken by another; it's said that the willow was planted unintentionally. In the boudoir, they raped a beautiful woman; before the mirror of karma, I beg to exorcise this monstrous beast. I hereby appeal.
" ---------------------------
The Master, Zhi Ting, is highly capable and decisive. Furthermore, he is upright, kind, and magnanimous.
Having read the petition, seeing that it concerned the daughter of an official and the dignity of his father, he felt inclined to forgive. Then the master summoned Wenying and asked, "Your name is Pang Guojun, are you a student from Shangyuan County?"
Wenying replied, "Yes."
The master said, "I already praised your exam paper the other day. Judging from your dignified appearance, you are not of low rank. You should know the law.
How could you rape a daughter of an official's family? You should be prosecuted according to the law." Wenying pleaded, "The walls of the Liu family's house are several feet high. If they hadn't opened the gates to welcome you, how could you have flown in? This is a private affair, not rape. Besides, I am also from an official family. It's pitiful that both families are daughters of officials and are not yet married. Rather than beating them to death under the table, it's better to let them live under the pen. I hope the master will have mercy."
Master Wang said, "For rape, we should arrest Liu and present evidence. Then the truth will be clear."
He then summoned the constables to bring the young lady to the table.
When the constables brought her, the master said, "Does your uncle believe the affair is true or false?"
The young lady knelt down, blushing and speechless. The master shouted, "Adultery is certain! It must be consensual, not rape."
The young lady recounted their meeting in front of the building, their exchange of poems, and how she then disguised herself as a doctor to visit the sick.
The master said, "You two should uphold the law and reason; why have you done such an indecent thing?"
The young lady replied, "I beg your mercy, sir; even in death, I will never forget your kindness!"
Tian Biao, kneeling below the steps, was about to step forward to argue when two bailiffs dragged him away.
The master said, "Since you two can compose poems, let's have an examination. Wenying will use the spiderweb and butterfly hanging from the eaves as your theme, and the young lady will use the bamboo curtain in the hall as her theme; each of you will compose a poem."
Wenying then recited on the spot: "
Because of my wild and eccentric nature, I wander among the flowers seeking fragrance;
today I am caught in the net, and suddenly I become a top scholar."
Miss Liu also recited:
"The bamboo is split open, its branches breaking apart, the red threads gently opening, revealing wondrous sights;
because of my love for flowers, I have formed distinct sections, causing the true branches to be uneven.
" Master Wang listened and praised her endlessly. Seeing that neither had discussed marriage, he said, "According to the law, adultery is punishable by eighty strokes of the cane. But considering that they are a perfect match, a talented young man and a beautiful young woman, and as Confucius said, 'A gentleman

helps others achieve their goals,' I am now in power. Why should I hesitate to compromise the law to help them achieve their goals?" He then immediately decreed: "The talented young man Pang Guojun and the beautiful young woman Liu Yurong, though separated by a poem, longed to express their love. Suffering from illness, who will pity their selfish desires? To fulfill the wishes of their mother, they made their vows in the bridal chamber. Upon returning home, the uncle searched everywhere, but the couple was separated. This was simply a matter of upholding the law. To unite them as a pair was merely a matter of conforming to a noble family. To grant them an opening, the law must be applied. From now on, the two families will be united in marriage, without needing to cross walls or stray into any wrong places."
Tian Biao reported, "If the Grand Master makes such a judgment, where is Xiao He's law? But if marriage is not in accordance with propriety, what will future generations learn from this?"
Grand Master Wang said, "Have you not heard that Zhuo Maoyun established the great law, upholding human sentiment even in death? These two are both talented and beautiful, truly born immortals. Let them return home today and be united in marriage, making it a beautiful affair."
Tian Biao dared not insist further and bowed in gratitude before leaving. Seeing that the Taoist priest had not questioned the adultery but instead judged them as husband and wife, everyone considered it an extraordinary event. They composed a poem: "
Jiangnan's Academician Wang Fangbian, the first adulterer, did not punish the adultery;
a few lines of empty poetry in court, and the two confessed.
Judged as husband and wife, such a strange tale is truly rare;
regretting killing the unjustly Liu Tian Biao, not showing human compassion but instead incurring resentment." That very

night,
Wenying married the young lady, but Tianbiao was extremely resentful. He said to his wife, "What honor or disgrace is there in them becoming husband and wife? It's a disgrace to you and me. We've even tarnished the plaque commemorating the top scholar at the gate. I'm going back to the manor tomorrow morning and never coming back. Let this bachelor manage the affairs of the household."
The lady said, "My son-in-law has a different surname, so he can't manage affairs on my behalf."
Tianbiao said, "Since I've acknowledged you as my mother-in-law, I'm practically a son to you. Your savings will naturally go to my daughter and son-in-law in the future; you'll never share any with me." (This is a separate story.)
Meanwhile, Wenying was deeply grateful for the master's virtue, and upon hearing that his exam results were excellent and that he had gained a beautiful wife, he was overjoyed. The next morning, when his family heard the news, they ordered Yu Po and her servant to bring in their luggage. A poem testifies to this:
Yesterday they were lovers stealing fragrance, today they are open-hearted lovers;
their paths are now set, books and swords are all put away.
The servant put down his load and stood before the steps
. Yu Po saw the lady and said, "I've come to congratulate you." Tianbiao, upon hearing this, flew into a rage, saying, "If you, you old slut, ever come in again, I'll break your legs!"
Seeing his anger, the servant stuck out his tongue and said, "New relatives and newlyweds, and you put on this act!" The lady
persuaded Tianbiao to leave, and the servant rushed to the lady and kowtowed. The lady rose and carefully examined the luggage, which contained:
a few tattered scrolls of books and an ancient inkstone. In the brocade pouch lay a three-foot-long zither, in the bronze sheath a seven-star sword, a jade pot, half a box of fragmented bamboo slips, several exquisite garments wrapped in purple felt, and a half-new bedding wrapped in a red velvet blanket.
What will Tianbiao say next? To be continued.

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Chapter Nine: Hating Past Enemies, Gathering Party Members to Avenge Shame, Studying Diligently, Passing the Imperial Examination Independently .
The poem reads: "
When a scholar is not yet fortunate, he suffers endless bullying;
treacherous schemes abound, and villains find it difficult to display their talents.
Only through diligent study can one expect to pluck the laurel branch;
Heaven does not fail those who persevere, and one achieves fame in a single examination."
It is said that when the Grand Master announced the results, Wenying was ranked first in the first class, and Tianbiao was ranked sixth in the sixth class. Upon hearing the announcement, Wenying went to see for himself and was overjoyed to see that he had achieved a high ranking while Tianbiao was ranked last. Tianbiao, brimming with pride, also went to see for himself and was pleased to see that Wenying was ranked first and he himself was ranked sixth. He considered those with higher rankings superior, thinking only that the imperial examination had been successful.
He added, "I usually refuse to study, and now this imperial examination is proving particularly difficult for me."
You might wonder why Tianbiao is so incompetent, unable to distinguish between the best and worst. It's simply because his brother recommended him as a scholar, and he always used illness as an excuse to travel and study. Unexpectedly, this time he's in high spirits and determined to take the exam, returning his clothes and hat as before. Several days later, the examiner posted a notice, setting the sixteenth day to distribute the scholars of Jiangning County.
On this day, the scholars gathered; those at the top were beaming with pride, while those at the bottom were ashen-faced, all waiting in the hall for their fate. A short while later, the examiner ascended the hall, first distributing the scholars from the prefectural school, then the top scholar from Shangyuan County.
Then the master summoned Wenying, who went up to the master. The master unfurled the scroll and praised, "Your writing is deeply rooted in the principles of nature and reason, refined by classics and elegant by style. Its opening and closing, its rise and fall, all follow the rules. You are truly outstanding. If it weren't for my intervention the other day, you would have faced great inconvenience. From now on, you must cherish this opportunity and diligently study."
Wenying thanked him repeatedly, took the red paper and pen, and went out the door to greet him.
Tianbiao had been waiting for a long time before calling him. He went to greet him with a smile, but the master, seeing him, was furious. "You are arrogant and reckless! I've never seen your poetry! No wonder your writing is as long as a turtle's piss! It's incoherent, neither sentence nor word. You have the audacity to be in school, but you're only good at catching adulterers!"
He then ordered the master to expel him immediately. That day, Tianbiao returned home, filled with resentment.
Because of Wenying's anger the other day, and now the humiliation of being punished, his anger only intensified. After pondering all night, at dawn, he took out the examination papers and eight qian of silver, and paid the printer to have them engraved. Two or three days later, the printing blocks were completed and printed. He also wrote a few dissenting comments and engraved them together, sending them to his friends. The comments read:
"
A skilled judge of writing knows only what is truly commendable and what is truly deserving of criticism. Those who do not know how to judge writing are quite different. For example, Jin's entire examination paper was less than four hundred words long, yet every sentence was exquisite and every word fluent, and he was only awarded a sixth-grade honor. Was Jin truly sincere? Now I have specially printed it and distributed it widely to my friends in the academy to uphold justice. Perhaps, even in this world of injustice, a thread of humanity still remains."
—Liu Jin's own words.

—After printing, the papers were separated, and several hundred copies were written down, which were then distributed along the roads. Those who were close to him advised him, "Brother, your poor family has wronged you in this exam, and the comments are hurtful to those involved. If the Grand Master hears of this
, you might face serious consequences." Tianbiao was still indignant. Later, the Grand Master indeed found out and immediately arrested him.
The Grand Master shouted, "You ignorant fool! You spout nonsense and yet you're not ashamed, and you even published and distributed it widely!"
He ordered the bailiffs to give him thirty lashes and throw him out. Some servants followed him home to collect their money, but they could only give him one tael and two mace before they dispersed. The next morning, a sedan chair was hired to carry him back to the manor. He felt extremely painful and it took him two months to recover. Feeling ashamed to face anyone, he could only sit quietly in the manor, eating some leisurely food and wine. Meanwhile,
Wenying, having passed the exam with top marks and ranked sixth, was very pleased with himself. Unexpectedly, the widespread distribution of the published papers caused trouble, which was even more strange. At that time, the osmanthus flowers were in full bloom, and Wenying and his young lady went to the flower garden behind the Hibiscus Pavilion to enjoy them. A poem testifies:
The flower, though of one kind, comes in three colors: tender red, delicate white, and
enchanting yellow. In this clear and bright scene, its beauty is extraordinary, naturally graceful, and when it blooms, it doesn't attract swarms of bees and butterflies.
Drinking alone under the moonlight, I ask the
divine light, "Where does the divine light belong?" This inspires poets to compose verses, and many talented scholars vie to pluck its blossoms, for Huan'e possesses three kinds of pure fragrance.
The top scholar is red and yellow, the second-place scholar is white, and the third-place scholar is white.

(From "Right-tone Chrysanthemums Facing Hibiscus")

The two looked behind the Hibiscus Pavilion; the sun was approaching noon, and they had just returned to their room. The lady called Qiuxiang to invite Wenying and the young lady to have lunch.
The lady said to Wenying, "My reluctance to stay was due to my desire to calmly resolve this matter, but it was only because of that jealous and envious person that I didn't expect the master to have such refined taste, arranging the marriage despite the adultery. He is a benevolent and virtuous man, worthy of admiration and respect."
Wenying said, "This matter is also due to the power of my writing; the master had already taken notice, and when this matter came to fruition, he showed me leniency."
You see, when the lady saw her son-in-law pass the imperial examination with honors and receive the red paper and pen, and when she saw the shameful act committed by the master, she respected Wenying even more.
One day, Wenying was strolling in the street when he saw a house with a cloth awning set up in front, crowded with people. Wenying recognized the man as a fortune teller. On the wall hung two lines of poetry: "
To know the hidden prime ministers of the world is like encountering a hero yet
to be found." The fortune teller then recited four lines:
"Shi Chong was rich and powerful, Fan Dan was poor; Gan Luo rose early and Taigong died late;
Peng Zu lived a long life but Yan Hui died young; all six are within the Five Elements."
These four lines were originally the words of a fortune teller, intended to lure people together so he could swindle a penny from them. The fortune teller, being perceptive, singled out Wenying from the crowd and carefully examined him from head to toe, saying, "Your features are handsome and refined, with a noble bearing. You are destined for success in the imperial examinations at a young age, even achieving the highest rank. However, your face has a dark aura, suggesting you may be plotted against by a villain. But good fortune will come after this year."
Wenying was delighted, gave him two coins, and happily went home. He saw Tianbiao urinating in the hall, and Wenying could only approach and bow. Although Tianbiao returned the bow, his displeasure was evident. From that moment on, he had no intention of returning to the village. He intended to cause trouble for Wenying at home, and so he did so.
Wenying, a clever man, seeing Tianbiao's displeasure, became submissive and exceptionally cautious and respectful. Tianbiao, however, harbored malicious intentions, only wanting to harm Wenying. Just then, a man came to pay his respects
, saying that it was Tianbiao who had secretly recommended Hushan. Tianbiao went out to greet him, and they took each other's hands and sat down in a quiet place. Tianbiao said, "I have no deep-seated grudge against you, but I intend to plot against him. Can you help me with the plan?" Hushan said, "He has passed the imperial examination. If we don't act now, how can we vent our anger? We should gather our followers and wait at the gate. When he comes out, we can beat him half to death." Tianbiao said, "That's a brilliant plan."

The two devised a plan, and Tianbiao returned to the village. He summoned all the villagers who herded cattle and sheep, farmed, and tended gardens. In a short while, fifty or sixty people gathered. Tianbiao took two taels of silver and bought wine and meat to treat them.
When the wine was flowing freely, Tianbiao said, "I have a deep-seated hatred for Xiao Pang. Tomorrow, you will come with me into the city and guard my gate. When he comes out, give him a good beating so that I can atone for his shame."
Everyone readily agreed.
The next morning, Tianbiao led the group into the city and went to find Wang Ba, the butcher, Zhu Qi, the dog butcher, and Gu Azu, the womanizer. All of them were rogues without any followers.
Zhu Qi said, "Since there is such a matter, we need to invite more people to guard the gate day and night." Tianbiao
said, "Yesterday I brought fifty or sixty men from the South Village here. Today, I would like to ask the three of you to be my leaders."
He then took out three envelopes of silver and gave them to the three men. Zhu Qi immediately stepped forward as if to avenge his father, assigning thirty men to guard the main gate and another thirty men to guard the garden gate. After the arrangements were completed, Tianbiao went into his home. Hearing the sound of reading aloud, Tianbiao devised a plan to lure Wenying out of the house, so he went to the study.
Upon seeing Wenying, the two sat down, and Tianbiao said, "Today is the City God Festival. The journey into the city has been truly spectacular, so I've come to invite you to see it."
Wenying replied, "I prefer to stay home and study; I dislike the crowds on the road and dare not accompany you."
Seeing that he couldn't coax him, Tianbiao went to his wife's quarters. A servant boy named A-Wang, who happened to be outside, saw the long lines of people and quietly came to tell him…
Wenying thought, "Could this villain be trying to harm me?"
Then Qiuxiang came and said, "I was on the platform and saw more than thirty people lined up outside the garden gate. I don't know why."
Wenying was greatly alarmed and rushed into the inner room, telling the young lady what had happened at the front and back gates. She said, "It must be Tianbiao trying to harm me. I'll flee for a while and wait until Qiuxiang is successful in the imperial examinations; then he will naturally comply. If I only stay in the courtyard, I might sneak in at night and fall into his trap. I think Wang Nianbo is currently on leave at home, and the whole city fears him. It would be better to write him a letter."
She then picked up her brush and wrote: "

I have been unable to send a letter for over ten days, and I am deeply sorry. Now, the villain Liu Tianbiao, as venomous as a snake, has gathered more than sixty thugs and is controlling the front and back gates to harm my nephew. I fear that he might sneak in at night and fall into his trap!
I humbly request that Your Excellency, in your carriage and with a yellow cane, send three or four men to my wife's house so that I can slip away and escape this calamity." I respectfully request permission from Elder Wang. Having

finished writing, I immediately went to the garden to have someone take it. Wenying packed her clothes and books and went to see the young lady.
The young lady was tearful and reluctant to part. Wenying said, "Now that I am leaving, that bachelor will be disappointed and leave. I may still visit him occasionally in the future, but this is merely a way to avoid him." Suddenly, she saw
someone enter. Wenying peeked out and saw that it was a sedan chair.
She quickly waved goodbye to the young lady with tears in her eyes, hurried out, placed her books and clothes in the sedan chair, and then sat down. A yellow canopy hung in front of the sedan chair, and servants followed, carrying it out the gate. The scoundrels knew it was the local gentry, Wang, and dared not make a move.
Meanwhile, Tianbiao, having sat for half a day, came to the study to look for Wenying, but the door was locked. He went inside and asked, but there was no sign of her. He hurriedly rushed out and asked the men, "You've been guarding for so long, have you seen a young man slip out?"
The men replied, "We only saw Wang, the local official, carrying him in and out, but we never saw a young man."
Tianbiao said, "In the end, this scoundrel has been let go. You may all leave now, it's just a waste of your time."
Wenying got into a sedan chair and went to see his uncle. Wang, the local official, said sternly, "Nephew, your future is bright, how can you put yourself in such a dangerous place? Moreover, the autumn examination is approaching, you should be diligently studying."
Wenying thanked him and said, "If it weren't for your kindness, Uncle, I would have been humiliated by those scoundrels."
After saying this, he went home and told his mother what had happened. His mother was greatly shocked.
Wenying said, "The examination is approaching, and I want to review the classics and essays for the next two or three sessions, but I don't have a quiet place. I suddenly heard that my two friends, Zhang and Ren, are both taking the examination and are studying in an ancient temple. I might as well go and visit them and keep them company."
So he found the ancient temple and saw weeping willows and a clear stream; it was indeed a quiet temple. A Tang poem testifies to this:
Entering the ancient temple at dawn, the rising sun illuminates the tall trees; a
winding path leads to a secluded spot, where the Zen room is surrounded by flowers and trees.
The mountain light delights the birds, the pool's reflection empties the heart;
all sounds are silent here, except for
the tolling of bells and chimes. Wenying then went to inquire at the head of the house, and the elder led her to Zhang and Ren's study. She explained the matter of accompanying them in their studies to Zhang and Ren, who agreed.
Wenying then returned home, summoning a servant to bring her luggage, clothes, and books, which she immediately brought back. The three of them then discussed and refined their studies.
When Tianbiao saw Wenying leave, he said to his wife, "Wenying came to Jiangyin with me the other day. I asked him a few characters with many strokes, and he didn't recognize them. Why is he going to the examination?"
His wife said, "He can compose poems and essays very well."
Tianbiao said, "Nowadays, who doesn't know how to write a few lines of doggerel? This doggerel can fool others, but can one become a scholar or a jinshi? Now we should find a better husband for our niece, otherwise her old illness will flare up again."
When his wife heard this, she argued with him and burst into tears. He had no choice but to return to the manor.
From then on, Wenying met with his young lady once a month, and spent the rest of his time studying diligently in the temple. Soon, winter ended and autumn came, and another year passed. The examiners had arrived, and on the sixth day, they entered the examination hall. In the first round, Wenying was delighted with the topic, and all seven essays were satisfactory. In the second and third rounds, he passed without fail.
After the fifteenth, Wenying, Zhang, and Ren each wrote their examination papers and praised each other. When the results were announced, Wenying indeed ranked second, Zhang Zijiang ranked twentieth, and only Ren Boqu came in first on the supplementary list.
Wenying was overjoyed, and all his relatives and friends sent congratulatory letters and came to visit him; he was truly honored for a time. After the Deer Cry Banquet, Wenying returned home. This was a hundred times better than his previous success in the provincial examinations. He paid respects to his ancestors and mother, and the next morning went to pay respects to his wife and daughter.
You might ask who his tutor was? It was none other than Magistrate Zhao of Shangyuan County. Because he was well-versed in the Book of Poetry, and Wenying also studied poetry, he
repeatedly expressed his gratitude upon meeting him. Magistrate Zhao smiled and said, "Your success in the provincial examinations was due to my exceptional talent, and now you are my first recommendation; you will eventually become my student."
Wenying bid farewell to Magistrate Zhao and went to thank his great tutor and meet with his companions. Magistrate Zhao then sent over a flagpole and plaque with fanfare.
Wenying had the flagpole erected and the plaque hung high. Everyone who saw this was filled with admiration. Would the heavens dare to plot against Wenying again? It's probably not certain. Will he achieve another victory in the spring examination? To find out, stay tuned for the next chapter.
General Comment:
The Emperor, in high spirits, spent several taels of silver and gathered countless thugs, but ultimately failed to harm Wen Ying enough, and dispersed in disappointment. Wen Ying, however, remained independent and passed the examination with flying colors, later even achieving the highest rank. This was not enough to deter him.
End of Volume Three of "The Flower Garden

" --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newly Engraved Novel Volume Four of "The Flower Garden"
Chapter Ten: The Victory Report from Chang'an, the Top Scholar Returns Home in Brocade Robes from Jinling
The poem reads:
"The quinoa reflects the cold, the iron inkstone is worn through, spring thunder suddenly roars towards the gate of Yu.
Chewing on the yellow pickles, Shang Zheng's rhyme is chosen, the green coin is selected.
In the imperial examination, the green robe is bright, the plump figure flutters, the purple horse neighs to the edge of the apricot blossoms.
Ten miles of jade towers vie for attention, the beauty is captivated." The story

of "Right-Handed Examination: Waves Washing Sand"
tells of Wen Ying's immense joy after passing the imperial examination. He immediately took out the examination papers, quickly engraved the vermilion scrolls, and wrote numerous visiting cards, intending to visit relatives and friends, as well as his fellow graduates, once the scrolls were finished. It took more than ten days to complete the printing. After hurriedly finishing the printing, another ten days passed before Wen Ying could finally go out to visit guests. Wen Ying's family had always been poor, but now they had three men following them.
They were unaware of the despicable nature of the world; some people, upon passing the imperial examinations, immediately seek refuge with newly rich men, a practice known as "relying on the newly rich." Once they attain high office and their masters gain power, these men become predatory, eyeing their subjects with predatory intent. They are hardly virtuous people!
Now, Tianbiao was a snobbish man. He had initially plotted to harm Wenying, intending to marry his niece off to her. But upon seeing Wenying pass the imperial examination, he prepared lavish gifts to feign remorse and confess his sins.
When Wenying returned home from visiting guests, he bowed deeply to greet her, his face beaming with smiles, as if she were sitting in a warm, welcoming spring breeze. Wenying happily accepted the gifts.
Seeing his obsequious manner, her previous grievances vanished. Upon seeing his wife, he showered her with sweet words and flattery, saying with a grin, "Sister-in-law, you have such a fine son-in-law today! It brings me great honor."
His wife replied, "The other day you caught my daughter cheating and brought her to justice, causing her to be embarrassed. Even if she has gained some honor, it has nothing to do with you. Now that she has passed the examination, you should hurry up and become a high-ranking official. What business is it of yours here?"
Tianbiao was filled with shame and unease. A moment later, the young lady came out and pretended to say, "Among my nephews-in-law, it was only because I encouraged him so much last time that he was willing to study hard and persevere. Today, he has fortunately passed the imperial examination. Do you think Uncle deserves credit for this?"
The young lady turned her back to him and did not respond. He then laughed and teased her , "Now that you've become a successful candidate in the imperial examination, you don't even care about your uncle anymore! That's unreasonable."
The young lady angrily said, "There were many ambushes at the front and back gates. Who devised this vicious plan? If it weren't for a clever escape, how could you be in this situation today? How can you be so heartless and unreasonable!"
Tianbiao felt very embarrassed and left dejectedly.
Wenying, because his tutor was at the academy, went to pay his respects every morning. All his fellow graduates came to visit him. After paying respects to his tutor, he would go to Xie Antai and his other tutors. Everyone then dispersed. After Wenying finished paying respects to his fellow graduates, those who came to present their congratulatory papers arrived one after another, and Wenying was overwhelmed with them.
Among his relatives and friends, some who had not sent congratulatory letters that day came to make up for it. Wenying had no choice but to invite all the previous and current guests to watch plays and drink wine to end the affair. Zhang Zijiang, who was also a student of Zhao Gong, was wealthy and generously donated money to invite a group of friends to a banquet, which Wenying also had to attend.
Zhao Gong's group had eight students, with Wenying being the top one, and he was specially recommended as the top scholar, which was approved by the examiner. By the time it came to Zhang Zijiang, he had already completed three volumes, and Zhao Gong was most proud of Wenying. Suddenly one day, a report came that Zhao Gong was summoned by imperial decree, saying that he had collected enough taxes and grain, was honest and upright in his official duties, and was quite capable, and was not afraid of the arduous process, so he was specially summoned to the capital for examination. Zhao Gong
was overjoyed, thinking that he had secured the position of censor. He hurriedly packed his bags, handed over the taxes and grain, and submitted the list of names and registers, then took his leave and went to the stage. Wenying hosted a farewell banquet for him. The next day, Zhao Gong set off, and Wenying saw him off for two or three stops before returning home.
That very day, Wenying discussed with her mistress, saying, "Our marriage today is all thanks to Master Wang. I've heard that the third day is his birthday, and we cannot be impolite in celebrating."
Wenying immediately prepared a lavish gift to repay the kindness of their marriage. The gift list read: "
Respectfully presented are
four longevity coins, four fresh fish, one pair of longevity candles, one longevity statue, two
pieces of fresh meat, one plate of longevity noodles, one pair of raw geese, one plate of longevity cakes, two
raw sheep, four raw chickens, one plate of longevity peaches, and two jugs of spring wine. Your disciple , Pang Guojun,

bows respectfully." On the third day, Wenying handed the gift card to her attendant and boarded a sedan chair to see the Master. Upon Wenying's arrival, the Master greeted her in the hall. Wenying presented the gift card, which the Master unfolded and examined carefully, expressing his sincere gratitude. He then accepted the longevity coins, the longevity statue, and the longevity wine, returning the rest to his own possession. Wenying then took her leave. Returning to the gate, she saw that Zhang Zijiang's sedan chair had also arrived, and Wenying invited him in to sit down. Zhang Zijiang asked, "Brother, what brings you here?" Wenying replied, "I went to pay my respects to Master Wang on his birthday, but I was surprised to find you here. We just met." Zhang Zijiang said, "It's already past October, and half of us who took the imperial examinations this year have already left. I've decided to set off on the 15th. Brother, please pack your things and come with me. We can't delay." Wenying said, "It's only half past the month. I can't wait any longer. Thank you for your guidance!" After seeing Zijiang off, he told his mistress that he had arranged for his mother to live with them. They would disembark on the 15th. He packed his clothes and bedding, took two hundred taels of gold for travel expenses, and three servants. On the evening of the 14th, his mistress prepared a feast for them. The next morning, he would send his luggage off the ship first. He bid farewell to his mother and mistress. Wenying and his mistress were reluctant to part, and they had to say goodbye with tears in their eyes. Fortunately, with Zijiang by his side, he was not lonely. After leaving Nanjing, he diligently studied all the way, and it took him almost two months to reach the capital. He rented a place to stay, and Zijiang and Wenying encouraged each other. All around them, they could hear the sounds of recitation, which made them even more excited. On the fifteenth of the second month, the three examinations were over, and Wenying's examination paper was fresh and lovely. When the results were announced, Wenying ranked twelfth among the successful candidates. Zhang Zijiang was also disappointed and sighed repeatedly. He bid farewell to Wenying, saying, "Brother, you are now in heaven. I am feeling dejected and will be returning home tomorrow morning." Wenying prepared a farewell feast and gave him twelve taels of gold as a gift. Zhang Zijiang, with his servants, went home first. Now, on the third day of the third month, Wenying took the palace examination. At this time, he poured out his life's ambitions and presented his brilliant ideas. He offered his strategies at the imperial examination, all aiming to win the top prize. Unexpectedly, Wenying became the top scholar, and when the results were announced, he was selected as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Wenying stepped into the palace, thanked the emperor for his grace, and was ordered to parade through the streets for three days. Upon leaving the court, his palace robes and flowers shimmered. Arriving at Qiufeng Tower, the prefectural magistrate brought his sedan chair to greet him. Carried to the hall, the magistrate prepared a feast to entertain Wenying, who was now immensely honored. All the officials, high and low, in the capital offered generous gifts and congratulations. A messenger was immediately sent to the residence of Liu, the top scholar in Jiangning Prefecture, to report the victory. The messenger asked, "Master's surname is Pang, why report to Liu's house?" Wenying replied, "Because I am married into the Liu family, and my maternal grandmother also lives there, I must report first." The messenger rushed to Jiangning that very night and delivered the news to Liu's residence. The whole family was overjoyed to hear that Wenying had become the top scholar. They kept the messenger at home and hurriedly brought Tianbiao home to distribute rewards. Tianbiao and his wife argued over who would go out first, and Wenying, having been in the capital for some time, did not return home even once. Upon hearing that Wenying had become the top scholar, they were filled with regret. He then remarked to himself, "In this day and age, a bit of opportunism is all that works. If I go back and say a few opportunistic words, no one will blame me." He hurried back, only to find a bustling scene, all the guests being officials who had come to offer their congratulations. Tianbiao, upon seeing the young lady, bowed deeply and said, "Madam of the Top Scholar, your humble uncle has come to offer his congratulations." The young lady praised her uncle's profound wisdom and ingenious plan, which had brought them this honor. The lady said, "The other day, when you took Pang Sheng as your son-in-law, you said it was an insult to the plaque. Now that he has become the top scholar, we are like father-in-law and son-in-law; there is no insult at all." Because a messenger urged her to leave, she ordered Tianbiao to present the plaque and thank him. The next day, the Prefect of Jiangning received the examination results and respectfully presented a banner and plaque to her gate. A memorial archway for the top scholar was also built, much to the delight of the mother, son, mother-in-law, and daughter-in-law. The gate and walls were also renovated to be neat and tidy, and everyone in the world remembered the Top Scholar Pang. Truly: Ten years of studying in obscurity, one success made him famous throughout the land. Wenying, having been appointed to the Hanlin Academy, wished to request leave to return home, but how could he do so without the three-year leave? Officials in the capital, seeing his young age and handsome appearance, all praised him. Among them was a man named Fang Zhijie, who had a sixteen-year-old daughter. However, he refused to marry her off easily, insisting on marrying a young scholar who had just passed the imperial examinations. Upon seeing Wenying, he was overjoyed, unwilling to part with him, and asked Sun Xiangde, the Director of the Court of Judicial Review, to act as matchmaker. Wenying was sitting quietly in the main hall when someone announced, "Director Sun of the Court of Judicial Review has come to pay his respects!" Wenying quickly went out to greet him and invited him to sit down in the hall. Wenying said, "What advice do you have for me? I dare to trouble you." Sun Gong said, "Your Excellency Fang Yanweng admires your great talent and has a beloved daughter who wishes to marry Brother Pang. He has specially asked me to act as matchmaker. Please do not refuse." Wenying said, "I am of humble origin and lack virtue. I already have a wife, but she has not yet been presented to you. I cannot possibly comply with this matter." Sun Gong said, "Since that is the case, I dare not advise you. Please allow me to reply to Yanweng and then I will ask for your advice."

After speaking, he rose and left, then met Fang Yanweng and recounted Wenying's words in detail. Yanweng was displeased and repeatedly asked Sun Gong to convey his message. Sun Gong had no choice but to go to Wenying again and say, "I just relayed your intentions, and Yanweng looked very displeased. I'm afraid this marriage cannot be firmly agreed upon. If he insists on not agreeing, I'm afraid unforeseen changes will occur later. You should think it over carefully to avoid regret."
Wenying repeated what he had said before, and Sun Gong was also somewhat annoyed. He went to Yan'an and said that it was not going well.
Yan'an was furious when Wang Jingzhai came and asked, "Why are you displeased, sir?"
Yan'an said, "I wish to marry my beloved daughter to Scholar Pang, but he says he has a wife and refuses."
Jingzhai said, "Scholar Pang is my nephew. He has been married for two years. This year's new third-place scholar, Li Yuan, is just as talented and handsome as Scholar Pang, and he is only eighteen years old and has not yet married. Why don't you take him as your son-in-law and make a good match?"
Yan'an then asked Jingzhai to act as matchmaker again. Unwilling to accept Jingzhai's suggestion, he agreed. Wenying wanted to bring his family to the capital, but since he had no respectable person to entrust with the matter, and Zhitianbiao was a simpleton, he had to put it off.
Suddenly, one day, Yuwu requested an audience. Wenying invited him into his study, and Liangming said, "I rushed over to offer my congratulations the other day, and there is still one matter that we haven't discussed in detail. I wonder if Master Pang intends to take a concubine?"
Wenying happily replied, "If you recommend a beautiful woman, I would be willing to take her as my concubine."
Liangming said, "A relative of mine, Zhou, married Meiniang, but she died shortly after their marriage. Since this woman has nowhere to go, she should remarry Ruoxiu, who is unworthy to be in my household. However, because this woman is of unparalleled beauty, I have come to inform you of this. If Master Pang is willing to take her in, no betrothal gifts are required, and I will send them to you."
Wenying said, "Since you have shown me such kindness, how can I not offer betrothal gifts?"
He prepared four bolts of colored silk and sixty taels of betrothal money, and sent someone with Liangming to deliver them to the Zhou family. Because Liangming was trying to curry favor with Wenying, he returned all the gifts and instead added four bolts of silk and two pairs of leather trunks. That night they married, and Wenying was overjoyed. Afterwards, their intimate moments were too numerous to recount.
Two years later, Wenying requested leave to return home to bury his father. His petition was approved by his father. Wenying then chose an auspicious day to set off. With his official entourage, he recruited some new servants, totaling thirty or forty people, and hired two boats. Wenying bid farewell to the court, his colleagues, and various government officials, and on an auspicious day, they all boarded the boats. They hung the imperial warrant on the bow of the boats and constantly played music, causing passing boats to give way.
At each town, three cannon shots were fired, and the local officials would come out to greet them. He would pay respects to any old friends and acquaintances he met, and stay for several days. After several months of travel, they finally arrived in Jinling. First, he sent word home to deliver two sets of phoenix coronet and embroidered robes to his mother and young lady. His father and relatives came out of the city to welcome him. As the saying goes: "
In poverty, even in a bustling city, no one cares; in wealth, even in the deep mountains, distant relatives appear."
The next day, Wenying entered the city and obtained forty constables from a certain official. They arranged for him to be carried in a large sedan chair, accompanied by three bands of musicians and the sound of gongs, straight to the gate. He saw the gatekeepers moving about, the music and drums deafening. Upon entering the main hall, he alighted from the sedan chair, bowed to his mother, and then to his wife. He then exchanged greetings with his young lady, and called for his concubine to come out of the sedan chair to greet each of them. His young lady was very virtuous and showed no jealousy.
That evening, his father hired an opera troupe and arranged a banquet to welcome Wenying. Wenying had no choice but to accept the seat. What will happen next? To be continued.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Eleven: Returning to Court After Leave, Bringing Concubines, Facing Difficulties, Relying on a Celestial
for Advancement. A poem
reads: " I recall meeting the Emperor's countenance, now past my prime, I rode my lame horse to Yandu, soaring high; My heart yearned to fulfill my duties as a subject, but alas, I encountered peril halfway. My small boat frequently swam with giant waves, but celestial beings protected me, dispelling the primordial chaos; Bringing my wife and concubines, I went to the imperial palace, dragging my shoes to court, which was unbecoming of the emperor." The next day, after Wenying finished breakfast, all the governors, prefects, and county officials brought gifts to congratulate him. Local gentry also came to congratulate him, crowding together so much that he couldn't attend to them all. He could only politely decline, saying they would meet another day. Wenying spent the entire day entertaining these people. Only Master Wang, now promoted to the Fujian Funing Circuit, knew that Wenying had no leave upon his return and came to visit him the next morning. Wenying greeted him and invited him into the main hall. Master Wang first presented his congratulatory gifts and then sat down as teacher and student. Master Wang said, "My worthy friend, once a thief stealing a flower's beauty, is now a top scholar. It seems the butterfly's love for the spider's web is a testament to a great destiny." Wenying smiled and said, "If it weren't for your great kindness, Master, I would be a prisoner, how could I dare to hope for this day?" After several rounds of tea, Master Wang was about to rise when he suddenly heard the sound of drums and music at the door. Wenying asked where it came from, and the crowd replied, "Second Master Liu has come to offer his congratulations, but upon hearing that you are inside, he has not yet come in." Master Wang asked who it was . Wenying said, "It is my brother-in-law, Liu Jin, the one who opposed my student." Master Wang said, "I find this man to be exceptionally arrogant." Having said this, he rose and left. Tianbiao then carried lavish gifts and rushed forward. Unaware that some relatives were in the side room, he grabbed Wenying's collar and gave him a hard thud, which Wenying lifted up. Two poems testify to this: "Because of my unfulfilled ambitions, I never entrusted any scholar with any help; now that I have achieved fame, I must be wary of those who do not recognize my sincerity." Secondly: His past transgressions of paying homage to Buddha out of affection are not the cause for his loss of dignity; if he were to become the top scholar and his heart were to change, even dead ashes could be rekindled. Tomorrow, Wenying will return the favor to his officials and relatives, a process that will continue for several days. Invitations will come in public and private, some for hiking, others for water activities; Wenying will be invited to drink every day. Wenying's cousin, Gui'e, hearing of her cousin's glory, will visit him. At that time, Chen had been dead for three years. Upon seeing his aunt, Li, she lamented her lack of support and wept incessantly. Wenying and Li had a long-standing relationship, and although he was older, Wenying intended to take him as her third wife. He knelt before the young lady and said, "To be honest, Madam, I have a past relationship with Sister Gui'e. I hope Madam will be lenient and take her as a concubine. What do you think?" The young lady helped him up and said, "I am not a jealous woman, why are you acting like this?" Although she said this, she sighed inwardly, "He has a beautiful wife now, why does he still think of Gui'e? I have been unmarried for more than three years, and he has been back in glory for more than ten days, yet he has not shown any affection for my young master." She was somewhat displeased. That evening, Wenying arranged for the young lady to meet on the balcony. It was truly a case of "a new bride is not as good as a long-lost wife," and their joy was too great to describe in detail. Four seven-character quatrains testify to this: 1. Love has been lightly separated for several autumns, 2. The silk robe is soaked with tears; 3. Tonight, we reassemble the mandarin duck quilt, 4. Cast aside the sorrows of the past years. 5. Before the lamp, I pour out my sorrows of parting, 6. Only longing has no end; 7. Most romantic is the night of the bright moon and gentle breeze, 8. Who can receive my devoted heart? 9. Flowers bloom and wither, 9. I was triumphant in the capital and returned home; 10. Without hard work, I would have been destitute and stranded at the ends of the earth. Fourthly: Long separations are always better than new marriages; holding hands through rain and clouds is always precious. Don't exhaust all your energy; leave some time for tender moments. Meanwhile, Gui'e, at home with only her aunt Qiong'e for company, felt lonely and thus spoke of Chen Cixiang being falsely accused and imprisoned. Gui'e informed Li, who then relayed this to Wenying. Wenying, knowing the details, immediately went to pay respects to the Grand Master, explaining Cixiang's false accusation and imprisonment. The Grand Master immediately released him. It turned out that Wang San knew Cixiang was a chivalrous and unyielding man, fearing that if he couldn't subdue the tiger, he would be harmed instead. Therefore, he cut off all contact with Cixiang, determined to kill him. Fortunately, he encountered a jailer named Qiu Ba'er, who had received kindness from Cixiang. Thanks to Qiu Ba'er's help, Cixiang didn't starve to death. Once released, Ci Xiang knelt before Wen Ying and said, "I thought I was going to be imprisoned, but I never expected to be rescued by Master Pang. I am ashamed of my weakness and have no way to repay you. The only thing I can do is to offer you my concubine when I get home." Wen Ying laughed and the two parted ways.

Before long, Ci Xiang returned and said to Wen Ying, "This young lady is here to perform the ancestral rites; I hope you will accept her."
Wen Ying tried to persuade Ci Xiang to stay, but he firmly declined, saying he was going far away. Wen Ying then gladly accepted the young lady's offer and led her to meet her.
The young lady angrily said, "Since you have already sent her, how can you return her? Now it is inconvenient to marry again."
Wen Ying replied, "I received no dowry; how can I refuse? Having Qiu Xiang as well will be enough."
The young lady smiled but said nothing. At this time, Wen Ying already had one wife and four concubines.
One day, Wen Ying's mother said, "After you have been back for over a month, you should go to the ancestral graves to pay respects and fulfill your filial duties."
Wen Ying then chose an auspicious day and invited his close relatives to go to the graves to pay their respects. He prepared offerings, rode in a grand sedan chair, and left the city with music playing. After the rites were completed, he summoned a feng shui master to find a good burial site at the ancestral graves, and the funeral was completed.
On that day, Wen Ying distributed the remaining money from the ancestral rites to everyone to enjoy his blessings before dispersing. Returning home late at night, Wenying received a report from someone who said, "Lord Wang, the Provincial Education Commissioner, has an urgent term and is allowed to board the ship the day after tomorrow. I
have sent someone to inform him." Upon hearing this, Wenying immediately took ten taels of gold as a farewell gift and prepared a feast for his departure. After drinking to their hearts' content, Master Wang thanked him and left. But let us not dwell on that.
Now, Wenying, who often disliked the young lady's behavior but loved the pleasures of the four concubines, ordered craftsmen to build a study on a vacant lot behind his house. He also built artificial hills and ponds, planted many flowers and trees, and burned incense and sat in meditation every day. As for the four concubines, some were fond of talking and laughing, others of playing music and singing, indulging in unrestrained revelry all day long.
Only the young lady preferred quiet, rarely laughed or spoke, was dignified, and had no frivolous manner. She often sat alone in her room, not associating with the other concubines.
Wenying feared the young lady would resent him, so he often went to her room to comfort her. It turned out that countless officials sought an audience with Wenying every day. He simply kept his wealth to himself, and those who associated with him instead showered him with affection.
Wenying had earned 40,000 taels of gold during his year at home. His leave was nearing its end when the Emperor sent an envoy with an imperial decree summoning him. Wenying dared not hesitate, packed his belongings, and set off for the capital. He brought his mother, wife, young lady, four concubines, beautiful maids, and servants, all boarding the ship together.
His wife and wife were in the aft cabin, his young lady in the middle cabin, and the four concubines in their own cabin. Finding the ship cramped and unable to move, they burned incense, played chess, swiped cards, and laughed. As the sun dipped below the horizon, they prepared a feast, welcoming his mother, wife, young lady, and four concubines to their seats in order.
They drank heartily until late into the night before returning to their cabins. Wenying first went to his young lady, took her feet in his arms, and hastily thrust his penis inside her, pumping five or six hundred times before hastily finishing. He then went to the four concubines, rearranged their robes, and held a joyous gathering with them.
Wenying slept in the middle, and the four concubines, holding his whisk, quickly took over and began to play with him. First, they made Meiniang lie on her back and lift herself up, then they made Qiuxiang and Gui'e sit on either side, lifting one of Meiniang's jade legs each, and then they thrust hard, penetrating deeply and striking hard. Meiniang felt pleasure all over her body and cried out incessantly.
Wenying thrust wildly, then inserted his toes into Qiong'e's vulva, causing Qiong'e to lose control. She felt an unbearable soreness in her vulva. Wenying put Meiniang down and climbed onto Qiong'e's chest. Qiong'e hurriedly twisted Wenying's wicked root and stuffed it into her vagina. With each thrust, she was about to give birth when she heard Qiuxiang and Gui'e cry out, "You're just having fun, but you've forgotten about us."
Wenying quickly called Gui'e over and was about to stop, but because he had already fought three men, he was exhausted. He lay on his back and rode on top of her alone. Gui'e leaped up and put her vulva on his jade stem, thrusting with all her might. She didn't care about breaking the flower core and kept shooting one after another. Qiuxiang was getting impatient and quickly pulled Gui'e off. Wenying felt his energy was running low, so he turned over and rode on Qiuxiang's belly, doing his best to please her. He thrust more than eight hundred times before stopping. Suddenly, they heard several Taoist priests chanting a word loudly in the distance.
He said: "
Even living a hundred years feels too short; when will this toil of life end?
To seek wealth and status, one schemes and plots; when wealth and status arrive, one is already old.
Do you not see how Liu Hou sought the Red Pine Tree, and Tao Qian resigned his post and returned to his humble abode?
Contentment is the true secret; to retire after success is the mark of a hero.
How I wish I could ride a whale to the imperial palace, and finally lay down my burdens!
With jade flutes and golden pipes, in a sandalwood boat, I would occasionally play with the autumn moon over the Five Lakes.
Time flies by in a year; I urge you not to be stingy with your wine money.
Do you not see Qin Shi Huang and Emperor Wu of Han? Now their tombs are shrouded in the cold mist.
" Wenying, after listening, said, "This ancient poem is a warning; one should not let 'fame and fortune' deceive one's way through life. I think retiring to a life
of leisure would be a joy; I'll live a few more years, then I can retire gracefully." Meanwhile, Tianbiao, seeing Wenying rise, became proud and stubborn, refusing to return to his estate. Inside the gate, he acted as if he were still the young master he once was. He then turned to Wenying to dress up. Some, unaware of his true intentions, were tricked into handing him important official business.
Others, knowing the ins and outs, maintained only a distant relationship, yet still managed to extract some spare change from Wenying. Wenying, having heard rumors, feared tarnishing his official reputation and was displeased.
Whenever officials from Jiangning were selected, he personally instructed them: "Although the treacherous Liu Jin is a relative, there is no need to treat him with courtesy." After several
such instances, the officials all knew. Tianbiao, realizing his fate was sealed, continued on his way to Nanzhuang.
Meanwhile, Wenying had been traveling for over twenty days and was approaching the mouth of the Yellow River. Suddenly, darkness fell, a fierce wind and torrential rain arose, and huge waves surged for half a day, threatening to break the boats and drown the people.
Wenying said, "It seems the lewdness on the boat has angered Shenlang City. I humbly beseech the Heavenly Dragon Gods to appease your wrath. I will prepare a sincere offering to express my gratitude; please do not let me be seen."
After praying, he suddenly saw a bright light from the west and a Taoist priest spewing magical water and waving a magic broom. The priest said, "I am acting on the Jade Emperor's decree. Pang Guojun has been in this perilous situation for a day. We must quickly clear it so he can pass."
He added, "I am the Earth Immortal Chisong. You are one of my kind. Because your worldly desires are not yet exhausted, I will allow you to be guided with ease. Therefore, I have come to rescue you."
Wenying heard this from mid-air and was about to thank him when the Taoist priest transformed into a gust of wind and disappeared without a trace. From then on, the wind and waves subsided, and the sun rose. While the other boats suffered damage, Wenying's boat remained intact, all thanks to the immortal's power.
They sailed with the wind and arrived at the capital in just a few days. The group carried their luggage into the city first. Wenying's mother, along with the lady and young lady, all wore red round-necked dresses and jade flowers in their hair. The four women, including Mei'e, were also adorned with jewels and wore peach-colored jackets, their feet bound in golden lotuses, graceful and elegant. Three women rode in large sedan chairs, and four in smaller ones, all carried to the government office.
Wenying waited until everything was finished before entering the city himself. The next morning at dawn, he waited for the Emperor outside the Meridian Gate.
Bowing before the Emperor, he reported, "Your Majesty, I, Pang Guojun, have been bestowed the title of Top Scholar by imperial decree and appointed as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy. Now that my leave has expired, I have come to present this memorial, wishing to serve you." The
Emperor decreed that he temporarily relinquish his original post and resume his duties. Wenying thanked him profusely and was overjoyed, then returned to his office. What will the outcome be? To be continued in the next chapter.
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Chapter Twelve: Having experienced the vicissitudes of life, I have seen the world's dust and the heavens.
A poem reads: "
Life is short, even a hundred years is rare; when will the toil of the mortal world end? Greed
for wealth and honor never returns; even with all my scheming, I am already old."
Secondly:
Zhang Liang sought immortality early by abstaining from grains, and Tao Yuanming
abandoned the Jade Dipper; both were content with their lot and indifferent
to worldly gains, choosing instead to live a simple life. It is said that Wen Ying returned to court and was reinstated to his original position. However, the post was prestigious but the office was deserted, and he had no money to earn. Fortunately, during his leave, he could discuss official business and make ends meet. Upon arriving
in the capital and the capital, he was required to offer lavish gifts to all the important government offices. If anything displeased him, he would cause trouble. Wen Ying had to spend several thousand taels of silver to avoid trouble. From then on, he attended court and performed his duties. He had half a day of leisure each day, which he spent either drinking and chatting with his colleagues or joking with his wives and concubines. He indulged in drinking games, gambling, and other vices.
A year later, it was the year of the imperial examinations, and Wen Ying was appointed chief examiner in Shengjing. Shi Zaiting, a compiler in the Hanlin Academy, was appointed deputy chief examiner. The number of candidates was limited, but Shengjing (Mukden) had the largest quota. Six or seven out of ten of those selected by Wenying made it onto the top list. Who in the literary world did not admire his judgment? Soon after, many scholars offered their advice to the emperor, and more than ten of them were able to secure official positions for Wenying. Wenying was deeply pleased and delighted.
All those who excelled in the imperial examinations sought an audience with Wenying. Wenying received them for several days, and upon reviewing the examination records, he learned that Zhang Zijiang had ranked twenty-first among the successful candidates, placing him at the top of the third class and appointed as a judge, but he was not yet ready to go to the frontier for selection.
One day, Ren Boqu came to visit. Wenying asked, "Brother, you are on the supplementary list; what brings you here? Are you heading north?"
Boqu replied, "I am fortunate to have received the imperial favor; all ten candidates on the supplementary list are granted the privilege of being recommended for the imperial examination.
I was fortunate enough to be ranked first, and I have come to the capital to take the palace examination." While they were chatting, Zhang Zijiang also arrived to pay his respects, and the three met and sat down.
Wenying said, "Congratulations, Brother Zijiang! You have brought honor to our party. It has been several years since we parted ways."
After tea, they ordered wine, and the three drank heartily until they were all quite drunk before parting ways.
Boqu waited for the palace examination and was selected as a county magistrate, but it took him three years to be transferred. Since Wenying took up his former post, he was fortunate to have several students serving as county and Huai officials, who were quite wealthy and often rewarded their teacher handsomely. Three of those who entered the Hanlin Academy were transferred to other government offices, one holding a minor post, the other a salt commissioner, who, despite less than a year, amassed considerable wealth.
Upon receiving their commissions, they gave a small portion of their earnings to Wenying. Two others, one to the Ministry of Revenue and the other to the Ministry of Personnel, discreetly eliminated corrupt officials, submitting memorials to impeach any wrongdoing found in court.
Both were wealthy but did not use their positions for bribery. Knowing their teacher's austerity, they often provided him with several thousand taels of silver for daily expenses. Three years later, Wenying was promoted to Hanlin Attendant. Li Yuan, who had taken the imperial examinations with Wenying, benefited from his father-in-law Fang Yan'an's influence and, within a few years, was transferred from Hanlin to Right Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Li Yuan
and Wenying were very close, often visiting each other. Their appearances were not very different, and they were as close as brothers. Wenying initially appointed Pang Wenying as the chief examiner in Shengjing, and Pang Wenying also appointed him as the chief examiner in Zhejiang. Both young men achieved top honors, and everyone applauded them. All the candidates selected by the two were young and brilliant, and their essays were like naturally formed jade. Therefore, on the day of their return, the Emperor praised them highly: "The two chief examiners, Pang and Li, are unmatched by others."
Meanwhile, Liu Tianbiao was staying at his home, discussing matters. Whenever an official in Jiangning, regardless of rank, selected a candidate, Pang Wenying would speak ill of him to his face. Who would treat him with respect?
One day, he met the prefect of Jiangning, who was a classmate of Wenying. Taking advantage of this connection, he went to pay his respects. The prefect ignored him, and Wenying, enraged, argued fiercely, only to be humiliated. After much bewilderment, he fell ill and died. Even with the wealth of Tao Zhu, what good is it if you have no son? All the cunning and scheming of his husband have vanished like flowing water.
After Wenying returned to the capital, his daughter gave birth to a son, and his wives, Meiniang and Qiong'e, each gave birth to a son.
Wenying was overjoyed and cherished the child like a precious jewel. After the child's first birthday, he named the young lady's son Lin'er. His daughters, Mei Niang and Qiong'e, were named Da'er and Xi'er respectively. When the children were five or six, renowned teachers were hired to tutor them, hoping they would inherit their family's legacy and bring honor to the family. Moreover, the children were exceptionally intelligent and handsome, and by the age of twelve, they could compose poems and essays.
Since arriving in the capital, Wenying had been in office for over ten years. Unexpectedly, he rose from a Hanlin scholar to the Minister of War. On this day, a cabinet member summoned Chen Cixiang from Nanjing to pay his respects, and Wenying bowed deeply to welcome him in.
Ci Xiang was dressed as a Taoist. After exchanging pleasantries, Wen Ying said, "It has been more than ten years since we parted in Jinling. I wonder where you have gone? Madam Cao is inside; would you like to meet her?"
Ci Xiang replied, "For a wise man, his wife and children are as insignificant as a mustard seed. What good would it do to meet her? I am nearing the end of my life and have no children to give me. I have instructed my younger brothers and nephews that I have long been living a life of leisure, making my home wherever I go, and traveling to all the famous mountains and scenic spots. I lament that time flies so quickly and that it is rare to encounter a Taoist master." Afterwards, we passed Dongting Lake and anchored our boat below Yueyang Tower. There were other boats on the same boat... An old Taoist priest, whom I discussed with, spoke of profound and mysterious principles that were so impressive they made one clap one's hands in admiration. I then became his disciple and went to the foot of a mountain peak, a place like a paradise. There were several thatched huts, where I cultivated my true nature and meditated for ten years. My master said to me, "Minister Pang, a mere scholar who rose from the top scholar to the position of Minister, is truly a man of great wealth and honor. He is extraordinary; you may guide him here. I have a small note for you to take."
Wenying said, "Quickly, take it out!"
He opened it and read: "

I recall when you were returning to court, you encountered great calamity at the mouth of the Yellow River. If it were not for my rescue, you would have drowned! Fortunately, more than ten years have passed, and you now hold a high official position and live a life of wealth and honor. You are no longer a mortal; you are of celestial bones, and your wives are celestial maidens. You must know that the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back as soon as possible, for once you fall into the dust, it will be too late for regrets." I hereby inform you that I pray you will soon be free from worldly troubles. I am overjoyed by the arrival of Lord Yong. Respectfully submitted by Bai Wenying,

the Daoist Chisong. After reading this,
Wenying quickly showed the letter to his mother, wife, daughter, and maids, all of whom were delighted.
Wenying said, “I now hold a high-ranking official position, have long experience, and am content with wealth and honor. It would be better to renounce worldly life. Those who abandon their official posts are like those adrift at sea; how many will not drown? Besides, time flies, youth fades, and life in this world is but a fleeting dream. If I continue to cling to wealth and honor, and be entangled in love and affection, how can I achieve a transcendent life? I now cast off the net of desire, no longer seeking in this illusory world, and will live a life of peace and prosperity throughout the land!”
Having said this, he wrote a letter, instructing Cixiang to carry it back. Before Cixiang departed, he wrote two lines of poetry: “
Eating sesame seeds and abstaining from grains will ultimately lead to ascension; do not doubt that immortality is absurd. ”
Wenying replied:
“The toil of the mortal world is all in vain; the purity and nobility of immortality are what you desire.”
Wenying had made up his mind, so he submitted a petition requesting leave due to illness. Fortunately, the emperor granted his request, allowing him to return to his hometown to recuperate. He then took his family with him back home, leaving a few capable stewards behind. He divided his land, houses, gold, silver, and wealth among his three sons, entrusting the management to his family. He also instructed them in their studies, showing them unwavering devotion. Then, with a flourish, he took his two elderly wives and five other ladies, booked a boat, and ordered it to moor at the riverbank.
One morning, he suddenly got up, disembarked, and sailed away into Taihu Lake. Look at him:
his name was recorded in the court, his merits were inscribed
in the annals; fearing slander for his high position, he withdrew to preserve his reputation.
Flowers can bloom again after falling, but people cannot be reborn after death;
he shattered the desire for fame and fortune, without any regret.
Others who transcend the mortal realm must abandon much cultivation to achieve sainthood, but Wenying's family was originally of celestial lineage, needing no cultivation, awaiting their destiny. After leaving that day, he suddenly arrived at a place where peach blossoms lined the banks, and tall willows swayed in the mist. On the mountaintop, countless colorful birds flew and sang sweetly. Then they continued south, past countless distant grasses and rare flowers.
After crossing a large bridge, they saw several pairs of white cranes, which, upon seeing Wenying, flew close as if to greet him. In the distance, they saw a high palace reaching to the sky, its multi-tiered buildings captivating the eye. As they approached the entrance, many attendants addressed Wenying as "Your Majesty," kneeling to welcome him to the palace.
Wenying, accompanied by his ladies, entered the palace, where the sounds of golden pipes, jade flutes, cloud-patterned cymbals, and ivory clappers filled the air.
Wenying said, "Rather than be a withered bone in the mortal world, it is better to transcend the world and ascend to immortality. How carefree and joyful we are! A hundred times better than that of humans!"
Wenying then sat down, and the officials kowtowed, proclaiming the return of the Immortal Lord. Countless celestial maidens then prepared a grand banquet, displaying exquisite dishes. The air was filled with fragrance, all dishes unlike anything they had ever seen before.
Wenying was overjoyed and said, "Today I am delighted to be here. Do you have any fine poems to express your feelings? Those who fail to compose a poem will be punished with a certain amount of Golden Valley wine."
Wenying first asked his mother to recite one, and Madam Li urged his wife to take the lead. His wife could not refuse, so she recited a quatrain: "
Only for my children's sake do I toil in the mortal world;
I am deeply pleased that my white hair has given me an immortal's spirit, and I deeply regret that the mortal world has mistakenly killed people."
After his wife finished reciting, Wenying asked his mother to recite another. Madam Pang then recited a quatrain:
"The empty gate is so desolate, I know not how carefree the Purple Palace is;
mortals cultivate the path to immortality, laughing as they follow the immortals to offer peaches."
After Madam Pang finished reciting, Wenying filled his jade cup and drank it all in one gulp. He then recited: "
When will the turmoil of officialdom end? My family gathers to share our deepest feelings;
casting aside worldly glory, my heart is at peace, I quickly ascend to the immortal palace to listen to the flutes and pipes."
After Wenying finished reciting, the young lady slowly recited: "
I remember meeting my celestial lover by chance, who would have thought we'd be together forever;
together we'll ascend to the immortal realm of Penglai, unlike the vast and uncertain world of mortals.
" After the young lady finished, Wenying said, "Now it's your turn, the four of you. Please recite quickly, or you'll be punished with a drink."
Meiniang, Gui'e, Qiong'e, and Qiuxiang all stepped aside, saying, "We are ashamed of our lack of poetic talent; how dare we presume to show off our limited skills and become the subject of ridicule?"
Wenying said, "Regardless of skill, let's just enjoy ourselves." Meiniang recited
: "
Jade flowers and precious grasses fill the path, the bright moon shines on the azure sky;
we are separated from the mortal world, forget the love of our children at home."
After Meiniang finished reciting, Gui'e pondered for a long time before reciting slowly: "
Who says the immortal abode is a cold dream, the jade crown is casually worn at dawn;
time passes in an instant on the Jade Terrace, how many springs have passed without visiting the mortal world?"
After Gui'e finished reciting, Qiong'e recited a quatrain without hesitation:
"Having experienced the hustle and bustle of the mortal world, a visit to the immortal path is all in vain;
disregarding the joys and sorrows of the mortal world, this pleasure is known only to oneself, not to others."
After Qiong'e finished reciting, Qiuxiang recited:
"Transcending the mortal world and entering sainthood is truly predestined, it is not easy to ascend to the Great Luo Heaven;
the Han Emperor was misled by the deception of Le Cheng, in the end, he struggled to become an immortal."
After Qiuxiang finished reciting, Wenying called for the beautiful maids around her to light a large candle and went to the inner room to rest. The fragrant aroma wafted through the air, a place far removed from earthly pleasures, let alone one of wealth and status!
It is only through the passing down of later generations that it is said that Wen Ying and his eight sons all became immortals, and that his three sons later achieved high positions. The eldest, Zao, received an official post through family connections and rose to the rank of prefect. The second, Jing, became a renowned scholar and served as a high-ranking official. The third, Yan, served only as a county magistrate through imperial examinations. Several generations later, the family continued to produce officials. Unexpectedly, the second son, Jing, was also taken in by Wen Ying and became an immortal as well.
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In my biography of Pang and Liu, I believe Pang's life was filled with many serendipitous encounters. However, it still doesn't compare to the many fortunate encounters of Qi Yudi. Little do people know that the world is full of strange and wonderful things; for example, talented men and beautiful women might unexpectedly meet, exchange poems, and secretly pledge their love—truly a serendipitous encounter. This autumn, a friend asked me to write a biography about Pang and Liu, so I picked up my pen and began to compose this short piece. Although he resembled Qi Sheng, Pang Sheng's unexpected meeting with the beauty under the pretext of checking the exam results, and their rendezvous on a promised date, was quite surprising. As for the widowed Gui'e and the virgin Qiong'e, who, disguised as congratulatory guests, committed adultery, their encounter was particularly enchanting. Later, the young lady's longing was entirely due to the fake doctor's diagnosis. Later, during her recovery, her mother's wish was fulfilled, and her uncle's return home led to the arrest of the adulterer, resulting in the official's acquittal. The people deeply appreciated the kindness of Wang Xuexian. If the law had been followed, Pang Sheng would have had no power to act, wouldn't you say? Heaven grants good fortune, allowing no one to refuse. Yet, there are those in the world who aspire to study and seek the guidance of a single person, but ultimately fail. Wen Ying, at fourteen, entered the academy and was among the top scholars. He rose to the position of Minister, and it was said that he ascended to the celestial palace, receiving enlightenment from the Red Pine Tree; indeed, he was a celestial being in his previous life.
I have just enjoyed a small snack, merely recounting Wen Ying's story for my own amusement. My friend insisted on requesting pears and dates, and wanted to make them known throughout the country. I could not force him, so I could only listen.

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