2.

The newly engraved novel, "The Flower-Filled Scroll,"

Chapter Seven: The Fake Doctor Uses Poetry to Illness, the Blind Diviner Speaks to Pray for Fortune.

The poem reads:

A thousand-mile marriage is bound by a thread, longing exists in two places under the same sky;
the phoenix's message is not conveyed by clouds,
but by plum blossom verses passed down from the mountain pass. I worry that time will pass
swiftly, I fear that youth will turn my hair white; this painting, though heard of soon, is not too late, a fleeting moment of laughter and tears.

Meanwhile, Wenying returned, his heart heavy, as if something was lost. He was a womanizer, how could he resist? He also knew that a family named Yu lived in the inner quarters, with a daughter named Shungu, fifteen or sixteen years old, not yet married. One day, Wenying lingered at his door, seeing 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. Only his eyes were unusual, an expression that 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 of her daughter's serious illness, the lady had no heart 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 herself? 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 then 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, who cares about her taste? 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 day 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 near the 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 summoned 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 praise me to the madam? 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 the madam about Wenying's cure. The madam 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 landlord. 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 the poems I once recited to that man. How could he have seen through my heartache?"

She gazed intently into the distance, vaguely remembering something, and thought, "This man resembles that man. Could it be that he knew of my serious illness 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, I'm like a butterfly on a flower, stealing fragrance and jade, waiting for what day?"

Wenying said, "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 said, "I have been examining 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, they heard a blind man coming. Granny Yu called him in, invited him to sit down 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 around, and said, "In my opinion, this person's birth chart is exceptionally auspicious. If it were a man, he would surely be wealthy and powerful; if it were a woman, she would be adorned in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe."

The lady said, "This is a woman's birth chart. Please analyze it carefully

." The blind man said, "Although this birth chart indicates great fortune in the future, it is currently plagued by evil spirits and disasters, making it difficult to overcome. In my humble opinion, only sincere exorcism can ensure safety."

Upon hearing this, the lady's face turned ashen, and she asked, "If this major obstacle is exorcised, can it be overcome?"

The blind man said, "These days, divination requires water. If we perform the exorcism today, it will be fine tomorrow or the day after."

The lady then ordered the servants to prepare sacrificial offerings to invite the spirit medium to perform the exorcism.

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 in prayer. After a lively performance of music and music, he recited the ten offerings, his words carefully chosen to impress 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 and sharp-tongued, 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 fall from the thread, leaping out of the 'fixed star' (a metaphor for a lucky break).

Finally, he presented a silver ingot, saying: "

This silver ingot is like those of today's 'bachelors,' its surface covered in fine lines. When not in use, it's upside down at both ends; but when chiseled, it causes a headache."

After reciting, he presented the jade crab, saying:

"This jade crab is like a theatrical performer today, eight legs for prestige. Two bulging eyes, scurrying about while boiling tea or water."

He then presented the paper flower, saying: "

This paper flower is like a frivolous old man today, its fragrance attracting butterflies. A copper wire trembles on its leg bone, always showing 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 'eye strain,' 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, found solace in 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...

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Chapter Eight: The Emperor Apprehends the Adulterer, the Lawbreakers the Scholar, and the Judge Judges the Marriage Alliance

It is said that Madam 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 for a friendly chat when she suddenly heard footsteps and saw Madam coming out, so she quickly retreated.

Wenying was very displeased, but she thought to herself, "I'm staying 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. She was very worried and hurriedly called her servant to inquire. Coincidentally, she met 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 aside, 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 master instructed him, "All students, please return to the provincial capital. We will issue your papers 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 prepared to go home. Unexpectedly, his wife rushed out and insisted on keeping him. Wenying spent the night there and returned to see his mother the next morning.

His mother, Madam Li, was distressed because her younger sister, Jiaolian, had suddenly contracted dysentery. The medicine was ineffective, and after several days, she died, causing great grief to the entire family.

After everything was settled, Wenying said, "I was fortunate to have a host today, and I was just about to prepare for the examination. Unexpectedly, Madam Liu, moved by my medical skills, insisted on keeping me here, causing my mother to miss her usual visit." 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 her a small gift. Inside was a five-character poem: "

The moon is full in the sky, and true love exists on earth;
the moon may wane, but true love 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, and Wenying reached out to embrace and kiss her, but Qiuxiang, though long celibate, declined and tried to leave. Wenying

grabbed her, saying, "I have a reply poem; please take it with you. Please stay a little longer." She

quickly wrote a five-character poem: "

A beautiful woman is housed in a golden palace, admired by all in wealth and honor;
I try every means to climb the social ladder, but matchmakers cannot help me.
I would not hesitate to give my life for a beautiful woman, to be a perfect match; even
a humble woman like Meng Guang would not be unworthy of my humble attire."

Having finished, she gave it to Qiuxiang to take away without further ado. Meanwhile, the lady, still longing for her unfulfilled wish, chose the first day of the eighth month to go and fulfill her vow to the gods, hoping to bring Tianbiao back. On that day, she prepared gifts, invited the gods, summoned several sedan chairs, and took several maids with her, leaving only the young lady at home.

Wenying, having learned of this, locked her own room and entered the young lady's bedroom. Upon seeing the young lady, she coaxed and seduced her in every way, and they undressed and went to bed together. She spread the young lady's legs and thrust into her, pumping more than a hundred times, reaching a state of ecstasy, her lips trembling with pleasure.

Unexpectedly, Tianbiao returned first, seeing Wenying's study locked and the inner room door tightly shut, with no sign of the two, only Qiuxiang standing before him.

Tianbiao was suspicious and asked where the young lady had gone.

Qiuxiang replied, "She just had lunch and went to her room."

Tianbiao asked, "When did Pang Sheng leave?"

Qiuxiang said, "I don't know."

Tianbiao said, "The two must be having an affair."

He then ordered Qiuxiang to watch the hall, and hurriedly went to the young lady's door, looking through a crack in the plank, not where the bed was made, so he couldn't see clearly.

A moment later, the sounds of a man and a woman were heard. Wenying and her niece came out hand in hand. Tianbiao was furious and shouted, "What a mess you've made!"

The young lady was so frightened that she covered her face and went back into the room. Tianbiao punched Wenying a few times and said, "You are a scholar, you must know proper etiquette. This is not the Jia family's private residence. What are you doing barging into the inner chambers here? Now I ask you, would you like to be handed over to the authorities?"

Wenying said, "I am willing 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 and asked in surprise what was going on. Tianbiao told her the shameful story and added, "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 serious crime."

Wenying felt ashamed and did not explain. Tianbiao dragged Wenying out of the house, cursing him as a "rapist" all the way. When people in the market asked, Tianbiao told them the whole story. Yu Wu, having also heard rumors, wanted to go to the Liu family to investigate, 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."

Tian Biao arrived at the Taoist temple, had someone write a petition, and dragged Wen Ying into the temple to plead her case.

The Master was in the hall when he heard the commotion and had someone bring her in, asking, "What is it?"

Tian Biao 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. My inferior student, Pang Guojun, is a lustful devil. They were in the neighbor's house, never imagining that the walls had ears. The willow tree in the brothel has already been broken by another; don't say it was planted unintentionally. In the embroidered chamber, a phoenix was raped; before the mirror of karma, I beg to exorcise this monstrous beast. I hereby appeal.
---------------------------

The Master is highly capable, decisive as a god. Furthermore, he is upright, kind, magnanimous, and forgiving.

After reading the petition, seeing that the person was from an official family and that the deceased was respectable, the Grand Master felt a sense of leniency. He then summoned Wenying and asked, "Your name is Pang Guojun, are you a student from Shangyuan County?"

Wenying replied, "Yes."

The Grand 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 family? You should be prosecuted according to the law."

Wenying pleaded, "The walls of the Liu residence are several feet high. If they hadn't opened the gates to welcome you, how could I have flown in? This is a private affair, not rape. Moreover, 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 Grand Master will have mercy."

Grand Master Wang said, "For rape, we should arrest Liu and use her as evidence. Then the truth will be clear."

He then summoned the constables to bring the young lady to the table.

The constables brought them in, and the master said, "Is your uncle's claim of adultery true or false?"

The young lady knelt, 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 disguised herself as a doctor to visit the sick.

The master said, "You two should uphold the law; why have you done such an indecent thing?"

The young lady said, "I beg your mercy, sir; even in death, I will never forget your kindness!"

Tian Biao knelt below the steps, about to step forward to argue, but was dragged away by two constables.

The master said, "Since you two can compose poems, let's have an interview. Wenying will use the spiderweb and butterfly hanging from the eaves as the topic, and the young lady will use the bamboo curtain in the hall as the topic; 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 a net, and suddenly I become a top scholar."

Miss Liu then recited:

"The bamboo is split in two, each branch broken; the red thread gently opens the eyes,
revealing a wondrous sight; only because of the love of flowers forming distinct sections, the true branches are uneven.

" Master Wang listened and praised her endlessly. Seeing that they had not discussed marriage, he said, "If we follow the law today, adultery is punishable by eighty strokes of the cane. But considering that they are a perfect match, Confucius said, 'A gentleman helps others achieve their goals.' Now that I am in power, why should I hesitate to bend the law to help others achieve their goals?" He then immediately decreed: "

The judge finds that Pang Guojun is a talented young man, and Liu Yurong is a beautiful young woman. They recited poems before the pavilion, wanting to express their longing. They are ill and suffering, but who will pity their selfish desires? In addition to fulfilling the wishes of their mother, they made a vow by the side of the embroidered chamber. When the uncle returned home, he searched everywhere outside, breaking up the couple. It was simply a matter of following the law to match them, not a matter of currying favor with a noble family. He wanted to open a door, but he had to return the pretense of marriage. From now on, the two families will be united in marriage, without needing to cross walls or stray into burial pits."

Tianbiao reported, "If Grandmasters monopolize power like this, what about the laws of Xiao He? And what kind of example will future generations take if marriages are committed against proper etiquette?"

Master Wang said, "Have you not heard that Zhuo Maoyun established the Great Law, which governs human relationships even to the point of death? These two are both talented and handsome, truly born immortals. Let them return home today and be united in marriage, making it a beautiful affair."

Tianbiao dared not object any further and bowed in gratitude as they left. 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: "

Wang Fangbian, the Taoist priest of Jiangnan, did not sever the adultery in the first adultery case;
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 Tianbiao, instead of showing compassion, he incurred resentment." That very

night,

Wenying married the young lady, but Tianbiao was deeply 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. Even the plaque commemorating the top scholar's success at the gate has been tarnished. I'm going back to the manor tomorrow morning and will never come back. Let this bachelor manage the affairs of the household."

His wife said, "My son-in-law is of a different surname and cannot manage the affairs."

Tianbiao said, "Since you've become my mother-in-law, you're practically my son. 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 paper had been passed with flying colors, and that he had gained a beautiful wife, he was overjoyed. The next morning, when his family heard the news, they ordered Yu Po's servant to bring their luggage in. 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 hidden away.

The servant put down his load and stood on the steps. Granny Yu greeted the lady, saying, "I've come to offer my congratulations."

Tianbiao, hearing this, flew into a rage, shouting, "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 friends, and you put on this act!"

The lady calmed Tianbiao down, and the servant rushed to her and kowtowed. The lady rose and carefully examined the luggage, which contained:

several tattered scrolls of books, an ancient inkstone, a three-foot-long zither in a brocade pouch, a seven-star sword in a bronze sheath, a jade pot, half a box of fragmented bamboo slips, several exquisite clothes wrapped in purple felt, and a half-new bedding wrapped in a red velvet blanket.

What did Tianbiao say next? To be continued.

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Chapter Nine: Hating Past Enemies, Uniting the Party, Avenging Shame, Studying Diligently, Passing the Imperial Examination Independently

The poem says:

When a scholar is not yet successful, he suffers endless bullying;
treacherous schemes abound, and villains find it difficult to display their talents.
Only through diligent study can he expect to achieve great success;
Heaven does not fail him, and he achieves fame in one fell swoop.

The Imperial Examiner announced the results of the imperial examinations. Wenying ranked first in the first class, while Tianbiao ranked sixth in the sixth class. Upon hearing the announcement, Wenying went to see the results himself. Seeing his high ranking and Tianbiao's low ranking, he was overjoyed. Tianbiao, equally smug, also went to see the results. Seeing Wenying at the top and himself in the sixth class, he was pleased, considering the higher ranking the better, thinking only of the imperial examinations.

He remarked, "I've never studied before, and now this imperial examination is proving difficult for me."

Why was Tianbiao so clueless about rankings? It was because his brother had recommended him for the examinations, and he had always used the excuse of illness to travel and study. Unexpectedly, this time he was in high spirits and determined to take the exams, returning his clothes and hat as before. Several days later, the Imperial Examiner posted a notice, setting sixteen days for the distribution of the examination results for the Jiangning prefecture.

On this day, the scholars gathered. Those who ranked high were beaming with pride, while those who ranked low were ashen-faced, all waiting in the hall for their judgment. After a short while, the Imperial Examiner ascended the hall, first distributing the results to the prefectural school, then to the top-ranked scholar from Shangyuan County.

Then the master summoned Wenying, who went up to the master. The master unrolled the scroll and praised, "Your writing is deeply rooted in the principles of nature and reason, refined by classics and elegant in style. Your writing is comprehensive and follows the rules, making you exceptionally outstanding. If it weren't for my intervention the other day, you would have faced great inconvenience. You must cherish this opportunity and study diligently from now on."

Wenying thanked the master repeatedly and accepted the red paper and pen to greet him at the gate.

Tianbiao had been waiting for a long time before calling him. He went to greet the master with a smile, but the master was furious when he saw him and said, "You are arrogant and have never seen a poem written by yourself. No wonder your writing is as long as a turtle's urine. It's incoherent and illegible. You have no shame in being in school, except for 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 hatred for 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 companions and wait at the gate. When he comes out, we'll beat him half to death." 　　Tianbiao said, "That's a brilliant plan." 　　After they decided on their plan, Tianbiao returned to his 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 everyone. 　　When they were halfway through the drinking, Tianbiao said, "I have a deep-seated hatred for Xiao Pang. Tomorrow, you will all 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 his men into the city and went to find Wang Ba, the butcher, Zhu Qi, the dog killer, and Gu Azu, the womanizer—all of them were unaffiliated rogues. 　　Zhu Qi said, "Since this is the case, we need to invite more people to guard the area day and night." 　　Tianbiao said, "Yesterday I brought fifty or sixty men from Nanzhuang here, and 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 took it upon himself to avenge his father, assigning thirty men to guard the main gate and another thirty to guard the garden gate. Once the arrangements were complete, Tianbiao went into his home. Hearing the sound of reading, Tianbiao devised a plan to lure him out and 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, and I have come to invite you to see it." 　　Wenying said, "I prefer to stay home and study, and I dislike the crowds on the road, so I dare not accompany you." 　　Seeing that he could not coax him, Tianbiao went to his wife's room. A servant named Awang in Wenying's room happened to come out and, seeing the crowds all around, 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 his mistress what had happened at the front and back gates. He 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 palace and don't come out, 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." 　　He then picked up his 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 if he sneaks in at night, I will 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 his 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 　　, a person entered. Wenying peeked out and saw that a sedan chair had arrived. 　　He quickly waved goodbye to the young lady with tears in his eyes, hurried out, placed his 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 him. 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 wicked thief has been let go. You may all leave now, it's 　　just that you've troubled yourselves for nothing." 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. What's the point of him going to the examination?" 　　His wife said, "He can compose poems and essays very well." 　　Tianbiao said, "These days, who doesn't know how to write a few lines of doggerel? These doggerel poems can fool others, but can you really fool people into becoming 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? That may not be the case. Will he achieve another victory in the spring examinations? To find out, please read the next chapter. 　　General Comment:

Tian Biao, overjoyed, spent several taels of silver and gathered numerous thugs, but ultimately failed to harm Wen Ying enough, and dispersed in disappointment. Wen Ying, however, remained independent and passed the imperial examination with flying colors, later achieving the highest rank, which was not enough to deter him.

End of Volume Three of "The Flower Garden "

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Newly Engraved Novel Volume Four of "The Flower Garden" Chapter

Ten: A 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 heard, the green coin is chosen.
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. " (From

"Right Tune:
Waves Washing Sand") After Wen Ying passed the examination, he was overjoyed. He took out the examination documents and quickly engraved the vermilion scroll, writing many visiting cards so that he could visit relatives and friends and fellow graduates once the scroll was finished. It took more than ten days to complete the engraving. After hurriedly finishing the printing business, it took more than ten days before Wenying could finally go out to visit guests. Wenying's household had always been poor, but now three men followed him.

It's a shame that such people, so despicable, flock to newly successful candidates in the imperial examinations, a practice known as "relying on the newly rich." Once they gain high office and power, they prey on those they deem worthy—they are hardly virtuous!

Tianbiao, a snobbish man, had initially plotted to harm Wenying and then intended to marry his niece off to him. Upon seeing Wenying's success, he prepared lavish gifts to feign remorse.

When Wenying returned home from visiting guests, he bowed deeply to greet him, his face beaming with smiles, as if he were sitting in a warm spring breeze. Wenying happily accepted the gifts.

Seeing his obsequious manner, the previous day's events were forgotten. Upon seeing the lady, he showered her with sweet words and flattery, laughing and saying, "Sister-in-law, you have such a fine son-in-law today; it brings me great honor."

The lady replied, "The other day you caught my daughter cheating and brought her to the authorities, causing her to be embarrassed. Any honor you have has nothing to do with you. Now that she has passed the imperial examination, you should hurry up and become a high-ranking official. What business is it of yours here?"

Tianbiao was filled with shame and restless. After a while, 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 pass the imperial examination today. 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 treacherous ambushes at the front and back gates. Who devised this vicious plan? If it weren't for your clever escape, how could you be in this situation today? How could you be so heartless and unreasonable!"

Tianbiao felt very embarrassed and left dejectedly.

Wenying, because his master was at the academy, went to pay his respects every morning. His fellow students also came to visit, and after paying their respects to their master, they would go to Xie Antai and their respective tutors. Then everyone would disperse. After Wenying finished paying his respects to his fellow students, those who had previously sent congratulatory scrolls arrived

one after another, and Wenying was overwhelmed. Among his relatives and friends, some who hadn't sent congratulatory letters that day came to make up for it. Wenying had no choice but to invite all those who had come before, and those who were coming now, to watch plays and drink wine, to conclude the occasion. Zhang Zijiang, who was also a student of Zhao Gong, was wealthy and donated money to invite a group of his fellow students to a banquet, and Wenying had no choice but to attend as well.

Zhao Gong's group had eight students who had passed the imperial examinations, with Wenying being the top performer. He was specially recommended for the top score, and the examiner approved it. By the time it came to Zhang Zijiang, he had already passed his third scroll, and Zhao Gong's favorite was Wenying. One day, a report came that Zhao Gong had been summoned by imperial decree, praised for his efficient collection of taxes and provisions, integrity, competence, and willingness to endure hardship, and was therefore summoned to the capital for examination.

Zhao Gong was overjoyed, feeling certain of securing the position of Censor. He quickly packed his bags, handed over the taxes and provisions, and prepared the necessary documents before taking his leave. Wenying hosted a farewell banquet for him. The next day, Zhao Gong departed, and Wenying escorted him for two or three stops before returning home.

That day, she discussed with her daughter, saying, "Our marriage today is all thanks to Master Wang. I've heard that the third day is his birthday; we cannot be impolite in celebrating."

Wenying immediately prepared a lavish gift to repay the kindness shown to them. The gift list read:

Respectfully presented: Four coins for longevity, 　　four fresh fish, one pair of

longevity candles, one statue of the God of Longevity, two slices of fresh meat, one plate of longevity noodles, one pair of live geese, one plate of longevity cakes 　　, two live sheep, four live chickens, one plate of longevity peaches, and two jugs of spring wine. 　　With heartfelt wishes , 　　your disciple Pang Guojun 　　bows deeply. On the third day, Wenying handed the gift list to his attendant and boarded a sedan chair to see his master. Upon Wenying's arrival, the master greeted him in the hall. Wenying immediately presented the gift list, which the master unfolded and examined carefully, expressing his sincere gratitude. He then accepted the coins, the statue of the God of Longevity, and the longevity wine, returning the rest to his own possession. Wenying 　　then took his leave. Returning to the gate, he saw 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 two months to reach the capital. They 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. 　　By the fifteenth of the second month, the three examinations had been completed, and Wenying's examination paper was particularly neat and charming. 　　When the results were announced, Wenying ranked twelfth among the successful candidates. Zhang Zijiang, however, was not among them 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 Zhang Zijiang 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, but 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 grand banquet for Wenying, who was now immensely honored. All the officials, high and low, in the capital offered generous gifts and congratulations. 　　A messenger was 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, "I am married into the Liu family, and my mother-in-law also lives there, so 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, being a bit opportunistic is the way to go. If I go back and say a few opportunistic things, no one will blame me." 　　He hurried back, only to find a noisy commotion, all from officials who had come to offer their congratulations. 　　Tianbiao saw the young lady and bowed deeply, saying, "Madam of the top scholar, your uncle has come to offer his congratulations."

The young lady repeatedly praised her uncle for his profound wisdom and ingenious plan, which led to his current glory.

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, and there is no insult at all."

However, because a messenger urged her to get up, she ordered the imperial

banner to be sent as a token of gratitude. The next day, the prefect of Jiangning received the examination results and respectfully presented a banner to his gate. A memorial archway for the top scholar was also built, and the mother, son, mother-in-law, and daughter-in-law were overjoyed. The gate and walls were also renovated to be neat and tidy, and everyone in the world remembered the top scholar Pang. It was truly a case of: "

Ten years of studying in obscurity, one success and the world knows.

" Wen Ying was appointed to the Hanlin Academy, and although he wanted to request leave to return home, how could he return home without the three-year leave? The officials in the capital saw that he was young and handsome, and everyone praised him. There is a man named Fang Zhijie, who has a daughter who is sixteen years old. Because he is unwilling to marry her off easily, she remains unmarried, determined to marry a young scholar who has passed the

imperial examinations. Upon seeing Wenying, he was overjoyed, as if he had found a treasure, and could not bear to part with her. He asked Sun Xiangde, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review, to act as matchmaker.

Wenying was sitting quietly in the main hall when someone announced, "Minister 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 brings you here? I am honored by your presence."

Minister Sun said, "Your Excellency Fang Yanweng admires your great talent and has a beloved daughter who wishes to marry Brother Pang. He has specially entrusted 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. This matter is extremely difficult for me to accept." Minister

Sun said, "Since that is the case, I dare not advise you further. Please allow me to reply to Minister Fang and then consult him."

Having said this, he rose and left, then went to see Fang Yanweng and recounted Wenying's words in detail. Yanweng was displeased and repeatedly asked Sun Gong to convey his intentions. Sun Gong then went to Wenying and said, "I just relayed your wishes, and Yanweng seemed quite displeased. I'm afraid this marriage cannot be firmly agreed upon. If he insists on not agreeing, there may be unforeseen circumstances later. Please think it over carefully to avoid regret."

Wenying repeated his words as before, and Sun Gong became somewhat annoyed. He went to Yan'an and said that the marriage 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 top scholar, Li Yuan, is just as talented and handsome as Scholar Pang, and he is only eighteen years old and still unmarried. 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. Unexpectedly, he agreed as soon as Jingzhai suggested it. Wenying wanted to bring his family to the capital, but having no respectable person to entrust with the task, and knowing that Zhitianbiao was a dullard, he had to abandon the plan.

Suddenly, Liangming requested an audience one day. Wenying invited him into his study, where Liangming said, "I rushed over to offer my congratulations the other day, and there's something I haven't had a chance to discuss in detail. I wonder if Master Pang intends to take a concubine?"

Wenying readily agreed, "If you recommend a stunning beauty, I'd be willing to serve you."

Liangming said, "A relative of mine, Zhou, married a beautiful woman, but she died shortly after their marriage. Since this woman has nowhere to go, she should remarry, and I'm unworthy to be her maid. Because she is exceptionally beautiful, I've come to inform you. If Master Pang is willing to take her, no betrothal gifts are needed; I'll send them to you."

Wenying said, "Since you've 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 eager to please Wenying, he returned all the gifts, instead adding four bolts of silk and two pairs of leather trunks. That night, Wenying was overjoyed at their marriage. Afterwards, their passionate lovemaking was too intense to recount in detail.

Two years later, Wenying requested leave to return home to bury his father. His petition was granted by his father. Wenying then chose an auspicious day to depart. With his official entourage and some newly recruited servants, he had a total of thirty or forty people and hired two boats. Wenying bid farewell to the court, his colleagues, and officials, and on the auspicious day, they all boarded the boats. They hung the imperial warrant on the bow of the boats and played music incessantly. Along the way, passing boats all gave way to

him. At each town, three cannon shots were fired, and the local officials would come out to greet him. He would pay respects to any old friends and acquaintances he met, and stay for a few days. After several months of travel, they finally arrived in Jinling. He first sent word home, and then sent two sets of phoenix coronet and wedding robes to his mother and daughter. His father and relatives all came out of the city to welcome him. As the saying goes:

"In poverty, one lives in a bustling city, yet no one cares; in wealth, one finds distant relatives even in the deep mountains."

The next day, Wenying went to the city and obtained forty constables from a certain official. They arranged for him to serve in a large sedan chair, accompanied by three bands of musicians and the sound of gongs, carrying him directly 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 mistress, and summoned his concubine to come out of the sedan chair to greet each of them. His young mistress was very virtuous and showed no jealousy.

That evening, the emperor summoned a troupe of actors and arranged a banquet to welcome Wenying. Wenying had no choice but to accept the seat; what will happen next? To be continued.

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Chapter Eleven: Returning to Court After a Long Vacation, Bringing Concubines, but Facing Adversity, He Relies on a Celestial Being A

Poem:

I recall meeting the emperor, now past my prime, Riding my weary wings in Yandu,
I wholeheartedly desired to fulfill my duties as a subject, But alas, I encountered danger halfway through.
A small boat frequently sails against the giant waves, protected by immortals who disperse the primordial chaos;
carrying his wife and concubine, he heads to the imperial palace, his steps faltering as he ascends to court—a far

cry from the proper conduct of a courtier. The next day, after Wenying finished his breakfast, all the governors, prefects, and county officials sent gifts to congratulate him. Local gentry also flocked to offer their congratulations, crowding the area 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 guests. Only Master Wang, now promoted to the Fujian Funing Circuit, knew that Wenying had just returned and had no time to spare, so he 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, 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 not for your great kindness, Master, I would still 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 gain the favor of the top scholar, his heart might change, and even 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 has a cousin, Gui'e, who, 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 Gui'e had a past relationship, and although he was older, she wished to take him as her third wife. 　　She 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 allow me to take her as a concubine. What is your opinion?" 　　The young lady helped her up, saying, "I am not a jealous woman; why are you behaving this way?"

Though she said this aloud, she sighed inwardly, "He has a beautiful bride, what is he thinking of now? I have been unmarried for over three years, and he has only been home for ten days, yet he shows no affection for my young uncle." She felt a

pang of displeasure. That evening, Wenying arranged for her to meet her mistress on the balcony. It was

truly a case of "a new bride is not as good as a long-awaited return," and their joy was too fleeting to fully describe.

Four seven-character quatrains testify to this: "
Our love has been lightly separated for several autumns, our silk robes soaked with tears;
tonight we reassemble our mandarin duck quilt, casting aside the sorrows of the past years.

" The second:
"Before the lamp, I pour out my sorrow of parting, only endless longing remains;
most poignant is the moonlit night, who can receive my devoted heart?"

The third:
"Flowers bloom and wither, bloom again and again, triumphant in the capital, I return home;
without some effort, I would almost be destitute and stranded at the ends of the earth.

" The fourth:
"Long separation is always better than a new marriage, holding hands and sharing the clouds is always the best;
don't exhaust all your energy, leave some for tender moments later."

Meanwhile, Gui'e, at home with only her aunt Qiong'e for company, felt lonely and thus mentioned that Chen Cixiang had been falsely accused and imprisoned. Gui'e informed Li Shi, who then relayed this to Wenying. Wenying, knowing the details, immediately went to pay respects to the Grand Master and explained that Cixiang had been falsely accused and imprisoned. The Grand Master immediately released him.

It turned out that Wang San knew Cixiang was a chivalrous and unyielding man, and fearing that if he couldn't subdue him, he would be harmed instead, he would be cut off from all contact and determined to put him to death. Fortunately, he encountered a jailer named Qiu Ba'er, who had been kind to Cixiang and had helped him avoid starvation.

Once Cixiang was released, he knelt before Wenying and thanked him, saying, "I thought I would be imprisoned forever, but I never expected you to save me, Master Pang. I am ashamed of my weakness and have no way to repay you, except to offer you my concubine when I get home."

Wenying laughed heartily, 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 they dispersed. Returning home late at night, Wenying received a messenger who reported, "Lord Wang, the Provincial Education Commissioner, has an urgent term and is permitted to board the ship the day after tomorrow. I have specially sent someone to inform you."

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. (To be continued.)

Meanwhile, Wenying, who often disliked the young lady's behavior but loved the four concubines' charms, ordered craftsmen to build a study on a vacant lot behind his house. He also built artificial hills and ponds, planted numerous flowers and trees, and held daily incense burning and meditation. The four concubines, some fond of talking and laughing, others skilled in music and singing,

indulged in unrestrained revelry. Only the young lady preferred tranquility, rarely laughing or speaking, and was reserved and dignified, never displaying any frivolous manner. She often sat alone in her room, refusing to associate with the other concubines.

Wenying, fearing the young lady's displeasure, often went to her room to comfort her. It turned out that countless officials sought an audience with Wenying daily. He simply withheld money, 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, serving her with all his might. 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, though they still managed to pocket 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 violent storm arose, and huge waves surged, lasting 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 Qing see me."

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. Please quickly clear the waters and let him go."

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 other boats suffered damage, Wenying's boat remained intact, all thanks to the power of this immortal.

They traveled 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 his wife and daughter, all wore red round-necked hats and jade flowers in their hair. The four women, including Mei'e, were also adorned with pearls and jade, wearing peach-colored jackets and bound feet, 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 outside the Meridian Gate for the Emperor.

Bowing before the Emperor, he reported, "Your Majesty, I, Pang Guojun, have been bestowed the title of Top Scholar and appointed Compiler of the Hanlin Academy. Now that my leave is over, 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 returned to his office, overjoyed. What will become of us? To be continued.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter Twelve 　　: Enduring Wealth and

Rank, Having Seen Through the Dust of the World, Reaching a High Immortal Realm A

poem says:

Life is short, even a hundred years is rare; when will the toil of the mortal world
end? Greed for wealth and rank never returns; even with all the scheming 　　, one grows old. A second poem: Zhang Liang sought immortality early by abstaining from grains; 　　Tao Yuanming abandoned the Jade Cup, reaching for the highest heavens; Indifferent to profit and 　　fame, content with what one has, one ascends to the Xuanpu Garden, abandoning the weeds. It is said that Wenying returned to court by imperial decree and was reinstated to his original position. However, the post was prestigious, the office desolate, and there was no money to be made 　　. Fortunately, during his leave, Wenying could discuss some official business, which helped him pass the time. Upon arriving in the capital and the capital, he was required to offer generous gifts to all the important government offices. If anything displeased him, he would cause trouble. Wenying inevitably had to spend thousands of 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 contemporaries or joking with his wives and concubines. He indulged in drinking games, gambling, and card games. 　　A year later, it was the year of the grand examination. The Emperor appointed Wen Ying to oversee the examination in Shengjing, as the chief examiner. Shi Zaiting, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, was also appointed as the deputy chief examiner. The number of candidates was limited nationwide, but Shengjing had the largest quota. Six or seven out of ten of those selected by Wen Ying achieved the highest rank. Everyone in the literary world admired his judgment. Soon after, many scholars offered their advice to the emperor, and more than ten people were offered official positions by Wen Ying. Wen Ying was deeply pleased and delighted. 　　All those who had passed the imperial examinations sought an audience with him. He received them for several days, and upon reviewing the examination records, he learned that Zhang Zijiang had ranked twenty-first among the candidates, placing him at the top of the third class, and was appointed as a judge. However, he was not yet ready to go to the frontier for selection. 　　One day, Ren Boqu came to visit. Wenying asked, "Brother, you're on the supplementary list. What brings you here? Are you heading north?" 　　Boqu replied, "I'm fortunate to have received the imperial favor. All ten people 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've come to the capital to take the palace examination." 　　As they were chatting, Zhang Zijiang also came to pay his respects. The three met and sat down. 　　Wenying said, "Congratulations, Brother Zhang! You've brought honor to our group. It's been several years since we parted ways." 　　After tea, they ordered wine to be served. The three of them sat down and drank heartily, becoming quite drunk before parting ways. 　　Boqu passed the palace examination and was selected as a county magistrate, but it took him three years to be transferred. Since Wenying was relegated to his former post, he was fortunate to have several students serving as county magistrates and officials in other places, who had considerable wealth and often rewarded their teacher handsomely. Of those who entered the Hanlin Academy, three transferred to the Censorate, each receiving a two-rank position. Only the Salt Commissioner, who had been in office for less than a year, had achieved considerable success. 　　Upon receiving the order, a small portion was sent to Wenying. The two men, one to the Ministry of Revenue and the other to the Ministry of Personnel, discreetly eliminated corrupt officials. Whenever they found a mistake in a case, they would submit a memorial impeaching the guilty. 　　Both were wealthy but did not use this position for bribery. Knowing their teacher's austerity, they would often give him several thousand taels of silver for daily expenses. Three years later, Wenying was promoted to Hanlin Academician. Li Yuan, who had taken the imperial examination with Wenying, benefited from his father-in-law Fang Yan'an's influence and was promoted from Hanlin Academician to Right Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review within a few years. Li Yuan 　　and Wenying were very close and often visited each other. Their appearances were not very different, and they were as close as brothers. Wenying initially served as the chief examiner in Shengjing, and Li Yuan served as the chief examiner in Zhejiang. Their youthful success was widely applauded. All the candidates selected by the two were young and outstanding, and their essays were like naturally formed gems. Therefore, on the day of the report, the Emperor praised him highly: "Pang and Li, the two examiners, are better than others." 　　Meanwhile, Liu Tianbiao was staying at home discussing matters. Whenever Pang Wenying, regardless of rank, made a slanderous remark to any official in Jiangning, who would treat him with respect? 　　One day, he met the Prefect of Jiangning, who was a fellow examinee of Wenying. Taking advantage of this connection, he went to pay his respects. The Prefect ignored him, so Wenying became enraged and argued fiercely, only to be humiliated. After some time of 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 court, his daughter gave birth to a son, and Meiniang and Qiong'e each gave birth to a son. 　　Wenying was overjoyed and cherished them like precious jewels. After the first birthday, he named the daughter's son Lin'er. The sons of Meiniang and Qiong'e were named Da'er and Xi'er respectively. By the age of five or six, he had been instructed by renowned teachers, hoping to emulate his ancestors and uphold the family's reputation. He was also exceptionally intelligent and handsome, able to compose poems and essays by the age of twelve. 　　Since arriving in the capital, Wenying had served for over ten years. Unexpectedly, he rose from the Hanlin Academy to the position of 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. 　　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 true Taoist." 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 wealthy and powerful. He is extraordinary; you can 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 weren't 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 not of mortal birth; you are of immortal nature, and your wives are celestial maidens. You must know that the sea of suffering is boundless; turn back as soon as possible to reach the shore. 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 at the arrival of Lord Yong. Sincerely, Wenying, 　　Chisong Daoren . 　　Wenying, after reading this, 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 do not drown? Besides, time flies, youth fades, and life in this world is but a fleeting dream. If I continue to let wealth and honor entangle my heart, and be entangled in love and affection, how can I have a transcendent life? I now cast off the net of desire, no longer seeking in this illusory world, and will live a life throughout the nine provinces and five sacred mountains, from this day forward!” 　　Having said this, he wrote a letter, instructing Cixiang to carry it back. Before Cixiang departed, he wrote two lines of poetry: “ 　　Eating sesame and abstaining from grains, I will eventually ascend to immortality; 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 behind a few capable stewards. 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 rose early, disembarked, and sailed away into Taihu Lake. You see, he: 　　his name was recorded in the court, his merits were inscribed in history; 　　fearing slander for his high position, he withdrew to preserve his reputation.

Flowers may fall and bloom again, but the dead cannot be reborn;
shattering the desire for fame and fortune, there is no regret.

Others, to transcend the mortal realm and attain sainthood, must abandon much of their cultivation, but Wenying's family was originally of immortal lineage, needing no cultivation, awaiting their destiny. After that day, they suddenly arrived at a place where peach blossoms lined the banks and tall willows swayed in the mist. On the mountaintop, countless five-colored exotic birds flew and chirped skillfully. They then headed south, passing countless distant grasses and rare flowers.

After crossing a large bridge, they saw several pairs of white cranes, which flew close to Wenying as if to welcome him. In the distance, they saw a high palace reaching the sky, its multi-story buildings gazing into the distance. As they approached the entrance, many servants addressed Wenying as "Your Majesty," kneeling to welcome him to the palace.

Wenying, along with his ladies, entered the palace, where golden pipes, jade flutes, cloud-patterned cymbals, and ivory clappers were played in unison.

Wenying said, "Rather than be a withered skeleton 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 humans!"

Wenying then took his seat, and the officials kowtowed, proclaiming the return of the Immortal Lord. Countless celestial maidens prepared a grand banquet, displaying delicacies. The aroma was intoxicating, all dishes never before seen.

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, and Madam Li urged her to take the lead. Unable to refuse, Madam Pang 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 turned white, yet I possess an immortal spirit; I deeply regret that the mortal world has mistakenly killed people."

After Madam Pang finished, Wenying again asked his mother to recite. Madam Pang then recited a quatrain:

"The empty gate is so desolate, unaware of the carefree life in the Purple Palace;
mortals cultivate the path to immortality, laughing as they follow the immortals, offering peaches of immortality."

After Madam Pang finished reciting, Wenying filled the jade goblet and drank it all in one gulp. He then recited: "

When will the troubles of officialdom end? The whole family gathers in joyful reunion;
casting aside worldly riches, our hearts are at peace; let us quickly ascend to the celestial abode to hear the flutes and pipes."

After Wenying finished, the young lady slowly recited: "

I remember meeting my celestial lover by chance; who would have thought we'd be together forever?
Together we ascend to Penglai, the celestial realm, 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 withdrew, 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 rare herbs grow along the path; the bright moon shines on the azure sky;
we are separated from the mortal world, forgetting the love of our children at home."

After Mei Niang finished reciting, Gui E pondered for a long time before finally reciting: "

Who says the immortal abode is a cold dream, the jade crown is casually renewed at dawn;
time passes in an instant on the Jade Terrace, how many springs have passed without wandering the mortal world?"

After Gui E finished reciting, Qiong E, without hesitation, recited a quatrain: "

Having experienced the bustling mortal world, a journey 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, Qiu Xiang recited:

"Transcending the mortal realm 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 pleasure, ultimately facing the difficulties of joining the ranks of immortals."

After Qiu Xiang finished reciting, Wen Ying summoned his beautiful maids to light a large candle and went to his inner chamber to rest. The air was filled with a fragrant aroma, a far cry from the pleasures of the mortal world, let alone any mention of wealth and honor! Later

generations only heard the legend that Wen Ying and his eight sons all became earth immortals, and that his three sons later did not languish in lowly positions. Chang Zao was granted an official position through hereditary privilege and rose to the rank of prefect. The second son, Jing, became a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) and served as the Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. The third son, Yan, only served as a county magistrate through the imperial examination system. Several generations later, the family produced a continuous line of officials. Unexpectedly, the second son, Jing, was also found by Wenying and became a hermit.

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In my biography of Pang and Liu, I believe Pang's encounters were many serendipitous and fortunate. However, they were not as numerous as Qi Yudi's. Little did I know that the world is full of strange and wonderful things. For example, talented men and beautiful women might meet unexpectedly, exchange poems, and secretly pledge their love—truly a fortuitous encounter. This autumn, a friend asked me to write a biography about Pang and Liu, so I picked up my pen and began to write this short piece. Although it resembles Qi's story, Pang's unexpected meeting with a beautiful woman under the pretext of checking the examination results, and their subsequent appointment, was quite unexpected. As for the widowed Gui'e and the virgin Qiong'e, once they disguised themselves to offer congratulations, and the two committed adultery, their encounter was particularly extraordinary. Later, the young lady's longing for her husband relied entirely on the fake doctor's diagnosis. Later, during her recovery, her mother fulfilled her vow, and her uncle returned home and caught them in adultery, leading to the official's exoneration. The people were deeply grateful for the kindness of Wang Xuexian. If the law had been followed, Pang Sheng would have had no power to act, wouldn't you believe it? Heaven bestows good fortune, and no one can refuse it. Yet, there are those in the world who aspire to study and seek the guidance of a single person, but ultimately cannot achieve it. Wenying, at the age of fourteen, entered the Imperial 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, but in his previous life he was indeed a celestial being. I just finished a small snack and am only sharing Wenying's story for my own amusement. My friend insisted on inviting me to share it publicly. I could not force him, and could only listen.

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