Peony Pavillion

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=220 BGCOLOR="#000000" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div>  <A NAME="quick_jump_to_erotic_tales_1"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/id1296.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/id1296.htm"><U><I><B><IMG SRC="14223230.jpg" border=0 width="35" height="35" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#99CCFF" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/id1296.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/id1296.htm"><U><I><B>Quick Jump to Erotic Tales</B></I></U></A></FONT></div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U><I>Spanish .</I></U></A><FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#FF6633" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U> Pages <IMG SRC="1431e140.jpg" border=0 width="30" height="20" ALT="Spain" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U>Páginas en Español</U></A><FONT SIZE="4" COLOR="#FF6633" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U> </U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U><I>cuentos eróticos</I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U><I>And many thanks to Iruntxu for her translations to Spanish. </I></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/spa/"><U><I>She just needs to learn to keep her fingers on the keyboard,</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> sssssssssss</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Art & Photos</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="00920150.gif" border=0 width="32" height="21" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">   </B></I><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#00FFFF" FACE="Book Antiqua" ><A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/art/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/art/"><U><I>New Arts Image Section</I></U></A></FONT></div> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/art/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/art/"><U>(Working to improve and expand)</U></A></div> <bR> <div> sssssssssss</div> <div> <I><B>Image Libraries</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.blue1water.com/art/id419.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.blue1water.com/art/id419.htm"><U>Q - 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Tu Pao and his wife,Lady Chen,had no son but only a pretty and gifted sixteen-year-old daughter named Li-niang. Prefect Tu had been looking for a tutor for his daughter in the hope that by studying more Confucian classics, Li-niang would become a fine example of virtuous conduct,like those worthy and accomplished women of old time. On this day Prefect Tu had no business in his office and was discussing Li-niang tutor with his wife.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Mr.Ch'en Tsai-liang,a well-read and experienced instructor nearing sixty, recommended by the prefectural collage, was engaged to be the tutor for Li-niang. But Mr. Ch'en had doubts about the result of his teaching, for he did not know the proper way to do deal with a girl pupil of delicate upbringing,to say nothing of the Prefect's daughter. Since Prefect Tu had sent him an invitation,he had no choice but to accept and went to the prefectural office.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Prefect Tu was delighted to meet Mr. Ch'en,whose great learning he had heard so much about. He gave a feast in honor of Mr. Ch'en and introduced his daughter to her new tutor: "As the saying goes,'A piece of jade cannot be considered a work of art without skillful carving and polishing. To be refined and well-educated one has to study. 'Come here,daughter,a nd pay your respects to your tutor, since today is an auspicious day for the start of your studies."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Knowing that the young lady already knew the Four Books(1) by heart,Master Ch'en said to Li-niang. "Let us begin with some classics. The Book of Change is too abstruse; The Book of History deals with government affairs,which have nothing to do with women; The Book of Rites and The Spring and Autumn Annals are not suitable for you either. How about The Book of Songs, which begins by setting forth the virtues of ancient queens?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Prefect Tu agreed: "Yours is a good suggestion indeed, sir. Books are my delight and I have all the books she will need. Let her study The Book of Songs, for women's virtues are the most important thing for her to study." Then,he turned to the serving maid: "Spring Fragrance, kneel before the tutor. You will keep the young mistress company in her studies. See that you wait on your mistress well. If she does not study, you will be beaten."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14968680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Master Ch'en started teaching Li-niang The Book of Songs,reciting: "'Fair,fair,' cry the ospreys on the island in the river. Lovely is this noble lady, Fit bride for our lord." Then he explained: "The first line is written to introduce the following ones; this is a literary device...".</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14a68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"...In the description the lovely noble lady is symbolized by an osprey..."Master Ch'en was becoming carried away with his interpretation when Spring Fragrance interrupted with a question: "Why is this lovely noble lady fit for that lord?" This angered Master Ch'en so much he could not help shouting at the poor girl: "Keep your mouth shut!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14b68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Then,after clearing his throat,adjusting his cloths and sitting up straight, Master Ch'en told his pupils seriously: "The three hundred songs can be summed up in one phrase. Remember well these three words: Think of no evil! Being women, you ought to follow the good example of those charming ladies in the songs who were excellent mothers, of those virtuous queens who were above jealousy, and of those thrifty, unadorned maids of taste and refinement, who ordered well house and home. You must never on any account be careless in this respect!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14c68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>As the tutor had requested, Li-niang was reviewing her lessons in the stillness of the night. She suddenly pushed away her book and heaved a deep sigh: "So sages sang the praises of love between the 'lord' and the 'lovely noble lady', but what has this to do with me?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14d68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Noticing that her young mistress was sighing and groaning, Spring Fragrance thought that perhaps the young lady was tired from having exerted herself in reading. She said to Li-niang: "Don't you feel bored and listless studying here all day long? Why not go out with me to divert yourself in the back garden, which is picturesque with lovely flowers and green willows? The lord is out in the countryside giving encouragement to the peasants in the busy planting season. I think tomorrow we may ask Master Ch'en for one day's absence from classes and go for a walk in the garden we will enjoy ourselves there!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14e68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The following day early in the morning, Spring Fragrance went to the back garden and told the gardener's boy that their young mistress was going out to enjoy the garden and he must clear the paths. Then she went to the study and said: "Master Ch'en,the young mistress wants to take a stroll in the garden for fear that spring will pass her by." The old scholar was very annoyed at hearing this: "Sping Fragrance, I , your teacher,nearing sixty, have never paid attention to all my life to the coming and going of spring or thought of such things as a spring outing!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="14f68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The old man shook his head with disapproval: "What Mencius said is quite true:' Thousands and thousands of words said by the sages in the classics are to teach us that one must maintain self-discipline.' If you are encouraged to wander about enjoying the spring, how can you regain the proper frame of mind for study the next day? Since the young mistress is not willing to attend class, I will ask for several days' leave. "With these words he left the study fuming with rage.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15068680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Pointing after the tutor,Spring Fragrance scolded: "Silly old pedant! There's no fun in him at all!" Then, wild with joy,s he hurried to prepare her young mistress for the stroll in the garden.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15168680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>After breakfast, the two young girls walked in the back garden."No one can imagine how lovely the spring is without coming outside!" exclaimed Li-niang. "What a riot of brilliant purple and tender crimson among the ruined wells and crumbling walls! What an enchanting sight on this fine morning yet it is wasted, for who takes delight in it?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15268680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"My father and mother never so much as remark on the beauty of this scene! Look!Crimson azaleas carpet the rocks,soft vines climb drunkenly above the roses. As we feast our eyes, the swallows' chirps are clear as scissor-cuts, and the orioles' notes smooth and liquid. Ah, spring, after frolicking with you, how shall I console myself when you are gone?" Li-niang wondered to herself, intoxicated with the sights of spring.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15368680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang lowered her head in thought: "How true it is that spring makes the heart sad! I am wasting my youth as time slips away. Though I am pretty as a flower, my fate is as uncertain as a wind-blown leaf." She had not seen enough, but now she was in no mood to go on enjoying the garden. She told Spring Fragrance to pluck some purple iris and returned to her chamber.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15468680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Disturbed by what she had seen, Li-niang took a rest on her couch. She mused: "Ah,Heaven! Spring yearnings are hard to bear indeed, and in secret I long for a lover. But as the daughter of a prominent family, already sixteen years old, a marriage will be arranged for me, and soon the flower of my youth will be wasted. No one knows the languor I feel, and I blush to think of my dreams. Spring and youth are slipping away ,but to whom can I tell my sorrow? I can only appeal to Heaven."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang fell asleep.In her sleep she heard someone calling softly: "Ah, young lady!" A handsome young man approached holding a willow twig. "I have been searching for you everywhere .I did not know you were here," the young scholar greeted her. "I have just plucked a willow twig in the garden. As you are so well read, will you compose a poem about the willow?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang was startled. She wanted to cry out in pleasure and surprise, but checked herself. "I have never seen you before. How did you come here?" she asked. The young scholar laughed: "Miss, I am madly in love with you because you are fair as a flower and youth is slipping away like running water. I have searched for you everywhere, and now I find you in your chamber alone. Let us take a stroll. I have so much to say to you!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>With these words, </I><I>t</I><I>he young scholar stepped forward to take Li-niang's arm. The girl would not move and with a shy look asked in a low voice: "Where do you want to go and for what reason?" The scholar replied with a smile: "Past the terrace of peonies, by the piled up rocks." Then he whispered to her: "There to unfasten your gown, loosen your girdle, and cover your mouth with your sleeve, that you may endure my ardour."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang bashfully pushed the scholar away, but he took her in his arms.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15968680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Wild with passion, the scholar carried Li-niang off to the garden.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15a68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>There at the Peony Pavilion by the terrace of flowers and aided by Heaven, they couched themselves on flowers and made love, with more tenderness than words can tell.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15b68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Intoxicated with love, they longed to hold each other close and linger there, till they melted into one. At long last,the young scholar helped Li-niang up.He hugged her tightly and spoke to her tenderly: "You are tired now. You must rest. I will take you back."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15c68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The young scholar brought Li-niang back to on the couch in her scented chamber. He could not bear to part with her. Touching her shoulder lightly, he whispered: "I am going. Rest well.I shall come back."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15d68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>With these words, the young scholar disppeared. Li-niang stretched her arms and called softly: "Sir, have you gone?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15e68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Mrs. Tu walked in just as Li-niang was calling to the scholar in her dream. The old lady hastened to wake her daughter: "Child, why are you sleeping here? What is it,child?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="15f68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang sprang up bathed in cold sweat and realized it had all been a dream. She hastily greeted her mother. Mrs. Tu asked Li-niang why she had been sleeping during the day. Li-niang replied: "I amused myself in the garden all morning.I was tired, so I took a short nap."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16068680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Mrs. Tu told her daughter: "That garden is too secluded. You must not go there so often. "Then the old lady ordered Spring Fragrance to come and scolded her: "You foolish girl!It was all because of that idea of yours that your young lady went for a stroll in the garden. And now she is so tired and her spirits are low! What if something bad had happened? "The maid knelt down before her mistress begging for mercy.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16168680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang was vexed by her garrulous mother. She could hardly hear what the old lady was saying,for she was still thinking of her dream. She sighed in secret: "Ah, mother, how could you know that the fantasies of your daughter are too wild to tell!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16268680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang was sleepless the whole night. Though she longed to resume her dream, she could not sleep however she tried.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16368680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The next morning,Spring Fragrance brought Li-niang her tea and breakfast. The young lady was so sad that she had no appetite at all. She told Spring Fragrance to take the food away and sighed: "Ah, Heaven!  I long for the reappearance of my dream,but nothing happened last night. My heart will surely break."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16468680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"Yesterday I dreamed I was there by the peonies in the garden. Now sitting here alone,my spirits are low. I will take this chance,unbeknownst to my maid, to slip back to the garden, to the scene of my dream," mused Li-niang. She went to the garden and was glad to find the garden gate was open and no gardeners were there. Seeing the ground strewn with red petals,she sighed: "Ah, spring fires the blood this year more than ever before!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"What a pretty brook!  There is the rock, there the Peony Pavilion;beside the carved balustrades peonies are budding,and willow tendrils hanging down like silk threads, " Li-niang cried out in pleasure and surprise as she walked on. "Ah, yesterday when that young scholar with a willow twig asked me to write a poem, my heart beat so fast! As we made love,petals showered down on us."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"But now I can find nothing.How lonely and deserted the Peony Pavilion and the balustrades look, with not a soul about. My beloved is gone and my heart is broken!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang gazed round and in a lonely spot saw a great plum tree laden with lovely fruit. She gazed at the plum tree and lamented: "If I should die, I would like to be buried here. My spirit will hover here in dark,rainy weather waiting for a chance to join my scholar-lover!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang sat down on a block of stone under the plum tree. </I><I>S</I><I>he gazed long,long at the sky, overwhelmed by sorrow. Spring Fragrance had been searching for her young mistress everywhere and finally saw her sitting beneath the plum tree. "Why are you so sad,young mistress? Let us go back. If the old lady discovers that you are here, she will kill me! "Li-niang leaned listlessly on her maid and heaved a deep sigh: "If I had known then what was going to happen, I wouldn't have refused to write him a poem about the willow!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16968680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>From that day on,Li-niang had no appetite and could not sleep,as if her soul had left her body. Spring Fragrance was worried about her health. "Since you strolled in the garden,young mistress, you have been deeply disturbed. Spring seems to have bewitched you and turned you into a shadow. If you will take a foolish girl's advice, don't go back to the garden again."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16a68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang was startled by what her maid had said. She looked in her mirror and found that her beauty had faded. Li-niang gazed in the mirror and wept at what she saw. She thought: "How have I,once pretty,grown so thin? I must paint my portrait now to leave to the world; if I should die,who would know that Li-niang was once lovely?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16b68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Immediately,Li-niang told Spring Fragrance to fetch her a silk scroll and paints. Li-niang wept as she took up the brush. "Now Tu Li-niang must paint her own youth and beauty! The girl with a face like a flower has withered so soon!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16c64680.jpg" border=0 width="356" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Spring Fragrance watched Li-niang painting her own picture. The maid said unwittingly: "All it lacks is a young man beside you. If you had married a fine husband early, a portrait of the two of you would be hanging on the wall."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16d68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The words of Spring Fragrance struck a chord in Li-niang's heart. She sighed: "Let me tell you a secret,Spring Fragrance. A young man did come when I was in the garden! "Then Li-niang told Spring Fragrance her dream. She recalled: "I remember now, </I><I>S</I><I>pring Fragrance, that the scholar in my dream gave me a willow twig. This may be a sign that my husband's name will be 'Liu'.(1) I have written a verse which hints at the identity of my love. Do you think I should write it on this scroll? "Then Li-niang wrote the verse on the painting: Seen from nearby the figure seems human; From afar she seems an angel. If one day she can join her scholar-lover, it will be near the plum and the willow. (1)Liu means "willow" in Chinese.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16e68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang put down her brush and told her maid: "Call the servant-boy quietly, Spring Fragrance, and tell him to take this painting to the mounting shop. See that they mount it well. We shall enjoy it in the chamber where no one else will see it. "Again Li-niang could not refrain from tears. She lowered her head in thought: Though I am still pretty as a flower and my loveliness is fresh as spring itself, I am wasting my youth as time slips away."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="16f68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang's illness continued for half a year.No one knew the cause of it.She slept for many hours and rose rarely,ate and drank very little,and would smile to herself or weep as she thought of her dream lover.Mrs. Tu worried about her daughter's health,thinking that Spring Fragrance must know what was wrong.The old lady asked the maid what had caused Li-niang's illness.Spring Fragrance told her mistress about the strange dream which Li-niang had had after her stroll in the garden the previous spring.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17068680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Mrs.Tu was startled to hear this,thinking that her daughter must have been bewitched for having offended some willow or flower spirit. The old lady was so worried about her daughter that she could not hold back her tears. She did not know what to do but told Spring Fragrance to call her master at once. Husband and wife discussed what was to be done. Mrs. Tu wanted Li-niang to be exorcized by a shaman,but her husband disagreed: "As the ancients said: 'Put your trust in shamans instead of in physicians, and your illness will never be cured.' Since Master Ch'en understands medicine,you had better ask him to make a diagnosis."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17168690.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="361" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Finally,Mrs. Tu got the abbess Shih of Purple Sun Nunnery to exorcize Li-niang,Master Ch'en prescribed medicine. But, neither Taosit magic nor medicine cured Li-niang's sickness.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17268680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Soon came the Moon Festival.Li-niang asked her parents to come to her chamber and then stammered: "Father, mother, I must did you goodbye. Your disobedient daughter can serve you no longer and in my next existence I hope to serve you again. Right or wrong, please do as I ask. There is a plum tree in the back garden which I love dearly. Bury me under that plum tree when I am dead."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17368680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Prefect Tu and his wife nodded agreement with tears in their eyes. They comforted Li-niang and instructed her to rest and not to indulge in wild fantasies. They told Spring Fragrance to serve her young mistress well. With these words, </I><I>P</I><I>refect Tu and his wife left their daughter's chamber.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17468680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>When her parents were out of the room, Li-niang said to her maid, struggling for breath:"We two love each other like sisters. Please serve my parents well when I am dead. I remember something, Spring Fragrance. That portrait I painted has a verse on it which is not for the eyes of strangers. After my death,please put the scroll in a sandalwood box and hide it among the rocks in the garden."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>On hearing this,Spring Fragrance wept.She sighed: "Ah, my young mistress has waited for the festival of the moon.Who would have thought she would die on this rainy night! "Suddenly, Li-niang fainted. Spring Fragrance cried out in alarm: "Master,Mistress! The young lady has fainted!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Prefect Tu was choked with tears, and Mrs. Tu wept bitterly. She cried in anguish: "My darling child! Though I grieved because you were ill, I never thought you would die.You have broken your parents' hearts,leaving us with no child. Alas, your spirit has left us! Curse the autumn wind which has despoiled our pretty flower so soon!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>After Li-niang's death, Prefect Tu ordered her buried under the plum tree in the back garden, for that was his daughter's last request. Spring Fragrance secretly put the scroll with Li-niang's portrait in a sandalwood box and hid it among the rocks in the garden. At the funeral service, the old couple once again mourned the loss of their daughter,weeping profusely.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>But so inconstant is human fate that congratulations and condolences often go hand in hand. Some days later, Prefect Tu recieved an imperial edict. He had been promoted to garrison commander of Yangchou,and had been ordered to proceed to his post without delay.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17968680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Since it would not be fitting for his successors to use the back garden, Prefect Tu gave orders to have it fenced off and a Plum Blossom Nunnery built for his daughter's shrine. He asked Abbess Shih to preside over the nunnery and attend to the sacrifices performed in each of the four seasons. Master Ch'en was engaged to watch over Li-niang's grave. The Tu family left some acres of land so that the rent would pay for the sacrifices.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17a68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>After everything had been settled, Prefect Tu and his wife left Nanan for Yangchou with broken hearts.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17b68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Three years passed quickly.One wintry day, passing by Plum Blossom Nunnery, Master Ch'en found a young scholar lying on the roadside stiff with cold. Master Ch'en helped the young man up and asked him who he was, where he lived and what was wrong with him. The scholar told him that he was called Liu Meng-mei. He had come from Kuangchou and was on his way to Hangchou for the imperial examination, but unluckily he had been taken ill.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17c68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Master Ch'en felt sorry for the young man. He took him to Plum Blossom Nunnery and asked Abbess Shih to find a room for the scholar so that he might rest during the last days of winter and, when spring came and his health was recovered, he might go on to Hangchou for the examination.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17d68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>So Liu Meng-mei stayed at Plum Blossom Nunnery. Luckily Master Ch'en understood medicine and cured him. Winter passed and spring came. For several days the sights of spring distracted the young man,and he was in no mood to study. He heard from Abbess Shih that there was a garden behind the nunnery where he could stroll to pass the time.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17e68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Abbess Shih showed the scholar how to get there, and he strolled into the garden. Just as he had expected,the garden was large. But the paths were mossy and slippery and wild grass was growing rank.It was a desolate scene.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="17f68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu Meng-mei came to an artificial hill. He looked at it closely. "Ah, there is a small casket inside! Let me move this rock and see what is here."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18068680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu pushed aside the rock and saw a sandalwood box. He opened the box and found a painting in it. "A picture of the Goddess of Mercy!I will take this to my study and worship it. That will be better than leaving it here."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18168680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu brought the painting back to his study and hung it on the wall. He gazed at it,lost in thought. "This painting has turned out to be neither the Goddess of Mercy,nor the Goddess of the Moon as I thought. But can such beauty be mortal? Oh,it seems we have met before somewhere. Three years ago, I had a dream in which I walked in a garden and saw a lovely girl standing under a plum tree, and for this reason, I changed my name to Liu Meng-mei(1). "(1)In Chinese Liu means "willow, "Meng means "dream" and mei "plum".</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18268680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"Ah,a verse is written on the portrait: 'If one day I can join my scholar lover, it will be near the plum and the willow. 'No wonder this lovely young lady looks so familiar; she has turned out to be the beloved in my dream. Why not write a poem in reply using the same rhyme sequence to show my feeling?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18368680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>He wrote on the portrait: "Reading these lines,I admire her skill anew; Willow and plum are linked by destiny.Spring has burgeoned from under the rock and blossomed on the plum tree. "Then he sat down and worshipped the painting, murmuring: "Ah, lady!If we are really linked by destiny, pray descend to join me in the morning and in the night."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18468680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>From then on,Liu Meng-mei seemed spellbound. Every day, he would worship the beautiful girl in the painting with incense and flowers. "Ah, if only I could meet her and make love to her!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>As the saying goes: "Heartfelt sincerity can move ghosts and gods. "One night, while Liu Meng-mei was gazing at the painting, sighing and calling to his love of the dream, he heard a rapping on the door. He opened it and saw a beautiful young girl. "Oh, from where comes this lovely girl? This exquisite beauty takes my breath away," he sighed.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The girl told him that she lived not far away only a few houses to the east, and one evening in the garden, she had seen him walking there. "I have been longing to come to you, for your graceful bearing attracted me. We shall trim the candle by the window, and pass the night in conversation with each other." The young scholar cried out in pleasure and surprise: "What jewelled guest comes this cold night to my house? What angel has come down to mortal men? No matter what family she is from, I will ask her to stay and accompany me on this fine night."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The girl said: "I have a favour to ask .Don't be angry,sir! I am giving you my precious self, and shall be content if you do not despise my love. Also, you must let me leave before cock's crow and you must not see me off." "I agree to all these. May I just ask your name?" said Liu. She gave a long sigh and said: "Flowers have roots and jade is hewn from a block. Pray do not ask my name again, and you will know it in due time."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>From then on, the girl came every night. The two chatted in the candlelight, and there in the scholar's study they made love with great tenderness. The girl left every morning before cock's crow.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18968680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Abbess Shih was shocked to discover that a girl stayed in Liu's study every night, and thought it must be a young abbess from the nunnery who had gone to seduce him. One night,when she was passing by the scholar's study, she heard a woman's voice through the window, so she knocked at the door.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18a68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu Meng-mei was alarmed and confused. The girl said with a smile: "Just open the door, sir; meanwhile, I will hide behind the screen."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18b68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu Meng-mei opened the door as what the girl had told him. Suddenly a gust of wind swept through the room, and Abbess Shih caught sight of a figure flashing past her. She looked around, but found nobody there. "How odd! Could the beauty in the painting have turned into a spirit?" she wondered.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18d68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Most likely the girl was scared by Abbess Shih, for she did not come the following evening. Liu worried about her. The third evening,he sat in his study waiting for his lover. The young lady did not appear until midnight.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18e68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The young scholar rushed to take her in his arms. "How you must have been frightened by that hateful abbess that night! I am afraid you will not come any more. But who would have thought that you would come to join me again! I am greatly indebted to you for this undeserved kindness of yours."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="18f68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The girl told him: "I fell in love with you, for you are a young man with striking appearance and extraordinary talent, and you are full of affection for me. Ah, sir, I am infatuated with you!" "Then, marry me, sister!" the young scholar beseeched her. Then, he told the girl that he would go the next day to visit her parents to make an offer of marriage. She knew this would be impossible, so she pretended to be half-hearted about his request, refusing to tell him her name and where she lived.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19068680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The young scholar had no choice but to make wild guesses: "Are you a fairy fallen from the ranks of angels? Are you the spirit of some flower or willow? Or are you a lovely young wife fleeing from an ugly, old husband?..." The girl shook her head at all his guesses. "Ah,what can I do,sister?" Liu finally cried out.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19168680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The girl said: "Your family is far away in Lingan, of which I know nothing. If I elope with you, you and your family may treat me as a concubine instead of a legal wife. I want you to take an oath first." The young man suddenly understood. "So that's how it is! You want me to make a pledge, engaging you as my legal wife. Very good, let us swear an oath together, sister."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19268680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu Meng-mei burned some incense, then knelt down and asked the girl to kneel beside him. He swore by Heaven: "Ah, Holy Heaven! I met this lovely young lady when I stopped at Nanan on my way to Hang Zhou,and we fell in love at first sight. I wish to marry her, so that we may share the same bed during our lifetime and the same grave after our death. If I say one thing and mean another, my life will end as the incense is burned out."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19368680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The girl was moved to tears by the scholar's sincerity. She drew him to the scroll on the wall and asked: "You found it among the rocks in the garden, didn't you,sir? Do you know that I am the very girl in the painting! "The young man was stupefied by her words. He gazed at her and saw that the girl before his eyes and the lovely lady in the painting were exactly the same. He could not help bowing: "Thanks to Heaven! How fortunate I am!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19468680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"Oh, sister, would you explain all this to me?"  "Trim the candle,sir, and prepare yourself. Since you are now my husband, I am going to tell you my story with no holding back. Don't be afraid! I am the spirit of Tu Li-niang, daughter of the former Prefect Tu Pao. I am a ghost from the nether world."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Her story was a great surprise to Liu Meng-mei. "It is an incredible story! Now I have become Prefect Tu's son-in-law. Since you are my wife, I don't care even if you are a ghost! But what can I do to make you return to life? I am afraid that I rejoice too soon and that my efforts will be as vain as trying to fish for the moon in the water or pluck flowers from the air!</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Tu Li-niang then told the scholar how she had dreamed a strange dream after her stroll in the garden,in which she had fallen in love with him at first sight; how she had died for love of him; how her spirit had been searching for him; and how her love had moved Heaven, and so she had gained permission in the nether world to resume her dream. "It is not difficult to make me return to life," said Li-niang." You have only to open my grave with a pickaxe, and you will find me not dead but alive!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"Now I have told you my story ,and it would be unwise for me to stay here any longer. Do have my grave opened without delay! If I can't come back to life, I will hate you forever."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>With these words, Li-niang disappeared in a gust of wind, Liu Meng-mei was greatly amazed by what he had heard and seen. "How clearly and plaintively she told me her story! Well, never mind whether it is true or not. I must comply with her wish."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19968680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"But,how can I open the grave by myself? I had better consult with Abbess Shih."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19a68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu told Abbess Shih what had happened. The old woman was overjoyed to hear all this and she congratulated the young man warmly. But the opening of a grave without permission was a violation of the law, and those who did were decapitated, with no distinction made between principal offender and accessories. In order to help the scholar, Abbess Shih went to ask her nephew Scabby Turtle to open the grave.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19b68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The following day happened to be a good day for breaking ground. Early in the morning, Scabby Turtle, carrying a pickaxe, entered the garden, accompanied by Abbess Shih and Liu Meng-mei, to open Young Mistress Tu's grave under the plum tree .He laughed to himself: "How odd! How could a person who has been dead for three years return to life and marry her lover!"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19c68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>They reached the plum tree. After Liu had burned the sacrificial papers, bowed,and prayed to the angels and local deities that watch over the earth, Scabby Turtle began to dig. The young scholar could not refrain from tears. "Are you there, young mistress, in this lonely grave?" He looked at the grave and told Scabby Turtle: "Be very careful."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19d68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Scabby Turtle dug and dug. Soon the coffin came into sight, and they bent to open it. When the lid was pushed aside, Liu shouted with joy: "Here she is still.What a miraculous fragrance!As lovely as in life!" The girl groaned and sat up.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19e68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu Meng-mei was wild with joy. He took Li-niang gently in his arms. Slowly the girl opened her eyes and sighed: "Is this a dream? All of a sudden my spirit wakes." Abbess Shih told the young scholar to give the girl some of the wine in the Peony Pavilion.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="19f68680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Liu shouted to Scabby Turtle to hurry and bring some heated wine. He mixed a cordial with the wine and made  Li-niang drink it. Her cheeks soon recovered their rosy color and spring returned to her face. Li-niang looked round and saw Liu indistinctly. "Is this the scholar of the plum and willow?" Then she recognized Abbess Shih.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a068680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Li-niang sighed: "Ah, Master Liu, you have kept your word! I thank you for seeking me and waiting for me by the plum tree." Abbess Shih told the young mistress: "It is cold here in the wind and dew. You must not linger here. Let us help you to the nunnery where you shall rest well."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a168680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Just at this moment, Abbess Shih received a message from Master Ch'en,inviting her to visit Li-niang's grave the following day and asking her to prepare some sacrificial offerings.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a268680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>After walking the messenger to the gate, Abbess Shih came back, crying all the way: "Here's a fine ado! A fine ado!" Liu and Li-niang asked her what was wrong, and Abbess Shih said: "Tomorrow Master Ch'en is coming to the young lady's grave. When this secret is out, you, Li-niang, will be accused of immoral behaviour, and your parents will be condemned for not bringing up their daughter properly. You,Liu, will be mocked for falling in love with a ghost, and I shall be punished as a grave-robber. What's to be done?"</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a368680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>"Yes,lady abbess,what's to be done?" asked the young couple. Abbess Shih was a resourceful woman. She said to Li-niang: "This gentleman is going to Hangchou for the examination, young mistress. You must marry now, tell the servant-boy to hire a boat, and sail away this very night so that no one can find you. What do you say?" Li-niang said: "I am willing."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a468680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Abbess Shih burned some joss sticks(1) and candles and brought the young couple some wine. "The pair of you must bow to Heaven and Earth, and then share a single cup of wine." Liu and Li-niang bowed and accepted the wine. Li-niang was deeply moved: "I pined away beneath the ground, and three years passed like a drunken dream. But now phoenixes are singing in harmony." (1)Sticks of incense burned before a Chinese idol(joss).</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a568680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>At that moment, the servant-boy came in to announce: "The boat is at the wharf. The young lady and gentleman can go on board." Liu asked Abbess Shih to go with them to Hangchou, for he needed someone to look after his wife, and he feared that once the truth came out, Li-niang would be in danger. Then,Liu gave Abbess Shih's nephew some of his wife's jewels and told him to act as caretaker in Abbess Shih's absence.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a668680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>They hurried to the wharf. When Li-niang looked back at the city of Nanan, she began to weep: "I can not hold back my tears at the thought of the last three years I lay underground. I fear we may never return to this place again." Liu consoled her tenderly: "I am so happy that you have been resurrected from the dead. My heart stirs with gladness that such a breath-taking, unearthly beauty is smiling enchantingly at my side! Go on board, young lady."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a768680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>Once they were on board, the boat left for Hangchou. The deep-rooted love of the young scholar and the lovely lady had exacted a debt that must be paid. Li-niang leaned closely to her husband and murmured to him: "Ah,my love! We have wrested life from death."</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I><IMG SRC="1a868680.jpg" border=0 width="360" height="360" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="6" VSPACE="6"></I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <I>The boat sailed away in the stillness of the night ,bearing twin flowers on a single stem.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>