"Hills and water make for a lovely scene mirrored in undulating waves of green." "Wafting in the air are melodies glad and the fragrance of beauties brightly clad." "The Jiangnan scholar, Tang Bohu by name, has no care for either fortune or fame;" "he only delights in poetry and song on his idyllic roamings all day long." "Make way...stand aside..." "Lady Hua is here to offer prayers." "They say her four maids are all beauties." "They say her four maids are all beauties." "Here they come." "It should be them." "Wow, how beautiful!" "Make way...stand aside..." "Stand aside..." "Madam, please take some tea inside." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes ma'am." "You should pray for Buddha's blessing too." "Come inside after you've finished." "Yes ma'am." "Autumn Fragrance." "Buddha on high, may the moon be ever constant, may flowers ever bloom," "may the beauties among those dressed in green be matched with imperial scholars." "May the moon be full and flowers bloom, may the pretty maid marry a handsome lad." "How dare you take advantage of our sister Autumn Fragrance!" "If our mistress finds out about it, she'll have you beaten for sure!" "Forget it." "Let's go." "I've seen countless lovely women, but never one such as stunning as she!" "Her movements so graceful, her almond eyes so beautiful and cold, so beautiful and cold." "Make way..." "Stand aside..." "Bring the palanquin over here..." "Sister Autumn Fragrance." "Spring hills are her smiles, her brow speaks;" "autumn waters make her soul, jade her bones." "Let's go." "This smiling glance as she departs has sucked the scholar's soul away!" "His soul is flown, his soul is flown," "the soul of Tang the scholar's flown!" "Chasing her to the river bank he sees the boat carry her away." "If only his own feet could turn into boats!" "Whose hand is it that casts the net?" "Whose back carries a load of leaves?" "Who carries the hoe smilingly?" "Who reads by lamp light until midnight?" "The fisherman it is who casts the net, the woodcutter it is who carries the load;" "the farmer carries the hoe smilingly, the scholar reads by lamplight till midnight." "Boatman, please row over here." "I need to borrow your boat at once." "What?" "My boat's not for borrowing!" "I need it to make my living." "If I lend it to you, what will I live on?" "Brother, I said "borrow" out of politeness." "Rest assured I'll pay for your services." "Please row over here at once." "Very well, I'm coming." "Please hurry up, would you?" "Take it easy." "What's the hurry?" "Wait till the boat pulls up." "There's no point being impatient." "Hop in." "Careful!" "Be careful!" "Look at you." "What's the hurry?" "It's no joke if you fall in." "Sit tight." "Sit tight." "Sorry." "I have urgent business." "I need to catch up with the boat ahead." "That's Lady Hua of Dongting Town, come to Hangzhou to offer prayers." "They're going back to Huqiu now." "Sir." "If not by day, I'll catch up by night." "Sit tight." "All right, all right." "Sir, are you related to the Huas?" "Yes." "You're related by marriage?" "I'm her nephew." "Oh, nephew." "Please hurry up." "Shall I sing for you, sir?" "You can sing?" "Of course." "Listen." "All right, all right." "Sing a bit more when we draw near." "Singing more means more tips!" "Very well." "As long as you sing well." "Thank you sir!" "But you have to sing the words I tell you." "As long as I'm paid, I'll sing anything!" "In which season do flowers bloom?" "Which flower is fragrant without pain?" "In spring the peach blossoms bloom red, a pity the spring breeze scatters them all." "In summer lotuses bloom in the pond, a pity all hollow are their stalks." "In winter the narcissus by hand is raised, a pity its beauty never last long." "Only the Autumn Fragrance of the osmanthus, neither hot nor cold, warms the breeze." "Night and day I think of Autumn Fragrance." "How can I not lose my soul, lose my soul?" "The boy is entreating at the bow, the girl is inside feeling annoyed;" "Autumn Fragrance is top of the household;" "who dares to call her repeatedly?" "Deliberately throwing out a basin of water, she opens the window to take a look -- and so falls into the scholar's trap which lures the goddess from her chamber." "It's the youth who knelt upon her skirt;" "unaware he's soaked through and through." "Feeling sorry, she smiles again." "Sir, it's raining." "It's raining?" "Here they come." "Here they come." "Here they come." "A hard trip, my dear?" "A safe one, by your grace, my lord." "Go inside for a rest." "Yes." "Greetings, mother-in-law." "At ease, at ease." "Where's Autumn Fragrance?" "She's taking care of the luggage at the pier." "Brother, she's still on the pier." "Bring it over." "That's the lot." "Ask them to carry it back." "Yes yes." "Quickly!" "Quickly!" "Miss Autumn Fragrance." "For sprinkling me with fresh dew" "I've come to express my thanks." "Go." "Sir, you can't just leave." "You haven't paid me yet." "How much do I owe you?" "How much?" "The boat fare, the singing, tea money..." "It's five taels exactly." "I was in such a hurry I forgot my purse." "What?" "Don't try to run!" "You'll be paid, don't worry." "I know you'll pay me." "So give me the money." "I've things to do." "Why don't we settle it in the teahouse?" "Sure." "As long as I'm paid, anywhere's fine." "Let's go." "You first." "It's not as if you can run away." "Go pawn this fan." "It should bring you 20 taels." "Sir, by the heavens, don't tease a simple man." "How can a fan be worth 20 taels?" "Don't worry." "Just go pawn it." "I'll be waiting here for you." "I need the change to pay the bill." "All right." "I'll give it a try." "Don't run away!" "If you run, I'll find you." "Fine." "Proprietor, please watch him for me." "If he runs, you'll have to pay me." "Who's there, acting so suspiciously?" "Are you trying to steal something?" "Come out." "What do you want?" "I... want to pawn this fan." "How can you pawn a fan?" "Please take a look first." "If it can't be pawned, just give it back to me." "It's not even ivory." "This fan's worth a lot." "How much do you want for it?" "Tw..." "Two.." "Twenty taels?" "Yes!" "Twenty taels!" "Write it down." "One fan, 20 taels." "It's really worth 20 taels!" "Old sir." "Who did the painting on this fan?" "Don't you know?" "The painting's by Tang Yin." "Tang Yin?" "Who's Tang Yin?" "Tang Bohu, the foremost scholar in Jiangnan." "What?" "He's Tang Bohu?" "Hey, don't you want your money?" "Oh, yes yes." "Bring me more of his paintings!" "No problem!" "He and I are pals!" "The threshold of nobility is hard to cross, meeting the beauty requires planning." "Loitering outside again and again, how does he open the Hua mansion doors?" "Disguising himself as a poor lad, he moans and groans, moans and groans." "Don't be crying here!" "This is the Grand Tutor's mansion." "Go away." "There's no need for that." "I'm going." "I'm going to the next world." "What grieves you so, little brother?" "I left my home to be with relatives, but met up with bandits instead." "My valuables have all been taken;" "how shall I continue my journey?" "I'm now in such dire straits, death is my only way out." "Come back, little brother." "You shouldn't think such dark thoughts." "There's always a way out." "I'm Wang Jun. We'll figure something out." "You seem a decent sort." "Are you educated?" "Yes, I've had a few years' schooling." "Good." "Let's have a talk." "Very well." "Please." "You're too young to think of death." "There's always a way to go on." "We're in need of a pageboy for day duty in the Grand Tutor's study." "Are you up to the job?" "Yes." "Thank you very much." "You need a guarantor." "Do you have one?" "where would one such as I find a guarantor?" "Then what shall we do?" "You need one for the Grand Tutor's mansion." "They won't take you on without a guarantor." "Uncle, you can be my guarantor." "Uncle, please accept my request." "Get up, get up." "T ell him to come in." "Yes, My Lord." "Come in." "His Lordship says yes." "Greetings, My Lord." "Greetings, My Lord." "You're Wang Jon's nephew?" "Yes, My Lord." "You may stand up." "Thank you, My Lord." "I'm taking you on as a pageboy to accompany my two sons in their studies." "You'll be Hua An." "How's 3 years at 50 taels?" "Thank his Lordship." "Thank you, My Lord." "Can you write out your own contract?" "Yes." "Take him out to write it." "Yes, sir." "Then give him 5 taels." "Yes, sir." "Hua Ping, take our new pageboy Hua An... to pay his respect to my Lady later." "How foolish is our scholar, selling himself to the Grand Tutor!" "For the sake of pursuing a beauty, he's forgotten all complications!" "He knows one daughter-in-law's father, and is nephew to another's mother." "If they see Tang Bohu here, how will he explain it all?" "Hua An, I hear my Lord thinks highly of you." "Serve well and you'll be rewarded." "Thank you, My Lady." "Take Hua An to see my daughters-in-law." "Yes, Ma'am." "Haven't I seen him somewhere before?" "Brother Hua An, let's go." "Thank you, My Lady." "In the West Wing, the 2nd Lady ponders:" "Autumn Fragrance told me this morning she met a suitor at Huqiu whose description matches that" "of my cousin Tang Bohu." "My cousin has always been a ladies' man." "Might father-in-law's new pageboy turn out to be him?" "If it's him, it'd be awkward for me." "If it's really him" "I'll unmask him and tell him to go home." "One obstacle after another, about to meet his cousin in the West Wing." "She's not one to be dealt with so easily;" "how will he get through, get through?" "Last year I declined to give her a painting and she must bear me a grudge still;" "if only she wouldn't summon me" "I'll offer prayers and incense!" "Second Lady." "What is it?" "The new page Hua An pays his respects." "Send him in." "2nd Lady, whenever male servants came you never saw them before." "This is an exception." "I want to see what he looks like." "Yes ma'am." "Hua An." "Come upstairs." "Hua An, pay your respects to the 2nd Lady." "Greetings, 2nd Lady." "How ill mannered!" "Kneel down!" "Kneel closer." "Moon, you may go now." "Yes, my Lady." "Hua an, are you a naive of Suzhou?" "Yes." "But I'm from the countryside." "I'm not asking where you live." "What's your real name?" "Kang Xuan." "Shiftiness is a common problem." "It's a problem with you too." "Stand up and answer me." "I dare not." "I give you permission." "Thank you, Second Lady." "You're so young." "Why come here to be a servant?" "Second Lady, I beg your indulgence." "You're pathetic, Hua An." "I know what you came here for." "Autumn night, "Fragrance" of lotuses." "It's a virtue to help others in their quest;" "a Grand Tutor's house is no trivial place, with rules that are strict and harsh." "The osmanthus' fragrance is unattainable." "You should know that and retreat." "You cause me to lose face as well by being a slave rather than a scholar." "You always were clever, cousin." "You saw through at once my purpose here, and disclosed in a line of verse that I came for Autumn Fragrance." "I wish you could lend a helping hand." "I beg of you, Second Lady." "Lady, you are so magnanimous, you will forgive where I was wrong." "I'll do a painting for you next year." "If you want 4 panels, I'll do 8!" "Who needs you to paint?" "Who needs 8 panels?" "I only want you to go home." "I don't want you to drag me into trouble." "Don't worry, Second lady." "I won't get you involved." "As long as you don't give me away" "I'll go once I marry Autumn Fragrance." "The First Young Master is a boor," "and the Second Young Master's silly." "They care nothing for books and learning, but laze around the livelong day" "having dreams about Autumn Fragrance." "You think of her and so do I, we think of Autumn Fragrance night and day," "every moment we think of Autumn Fragrance." "Do you know him, brother?" "He's the replacement teacher?" "He's not dressed like a teacher." "He's wearing servants' clothes." "I'll go ask him." "Where are you from?" "I'm from where I'm from." "You're from where you're from?" "What have you come here for?" "I'm here to accompany you two Young Masters." "So you're here to teach us the classics?" "I'm not here to teach you the classics, but if you want me to do so," "I'd be happy to oblige as well." "Brother, come here." "We were fooled." "He's the new pageboy." "How dare you, you rude servant!" "I'm the First Young Master of the house!" "Where are your manners?" "I'll teach you a lesson." "Damned slave!" "You dare hit my brother?" "I'll show you!" "Brother, you hit me instead!" "Sorry!" "Sorry!" "Young Masters, His Lordship bid me come." "My name's Hua An, I'm here to attend you in your morning sessions in the Study." "Hua An, what can you do in the Study?" "I can do a lot." "Really?" "Do tell." "I can play music, I can burn incense," "I can play chess and write literature." "I can also make verse and play the piece "Phoenix Seeking Mate"." "I can paint landscapes and portraits." "I can play various wind instruments." "I can tell fortunes, and lastly," "I can steal the hearts from women." "How multi-talented!" "If you can tell fortunes, can you tell what's my heart's secret?" "Your heart's secret is..." "T ell me." "The First Master has Fragrance in his heart." "Fragrance is on his lips, and in his dreams." "You really are psychic!" "What about me?" "What's in my heart?" "The 2nd Master also thinks of Fragrance." "Right again!" "Who's this Fragrance?" "The one you think of is Autumn Fragrance." "Willows brush the cheek in the spring breeze, butterflies flutter by in pairs;" "the good times and years pass by, and I've yet to meet the perfect man." "I waste my youth in the kitchen, dreaming of the bridal dress." "A pomegranate that no one admires," "I can only sigh and pity myself." "Sister Pomegranate, what's the matter?" "I feel stressed." "Hasn't Hua Ming been to see you today?" "Who cares if he comes or not?" "You don't mean that!" "Pomegranate, I've something to tell you." "His Lordship's hired a new pageboy, Hua An." "He's very handsome and talented!" "Really?" "I'd like to see what he's like." "Where did you see him?" "When he paid his respects to our 2nd Lady." "They talked for ages, and even our 2nd Lady was no match for him." "He must be someone of great learning." "What did they talk about?" "T ell me." "I couldn't understand any of it." "It was all very literary stuff," "I didn't understand a word." "Sister Moon." "Brother Hua Ming." "You're here." "Pomegranate's been thinking of you." "Here's some fabric I bought for you." "Do you like it?" "No." "Look, it has a beautiful pattern." "Greetings, teacher." "I'm sorry to have been ill for a while, but I've read over your compositions." "I see great improvement." "Congratulations!" "I must let your father read them to show him how hard you've worked." "Teacher, it's enough you've read them." "There's no need to bother father just in case he gets angry." "He'll be only happy to see your progress;" "why would he be angry?" "And it'd also show I'm teaching you well." "The Grand Tutor arrives." "Thanks for coming all this way." "Welcome." "Please sit down." "Greetings, father." "Your Excellency!" "How are you?" "Why not take more rest?" "You are too kind, Sir." "I dare not leave off their studies." "It's the autumn season once again." "I expect Sir would feel inspired to drink and verse to the moon." "I'm getting too old for that." "The moon prompts the desire for reunion, in age a person feels sentimental." "It's all to do with age." "One can't help it." "I'm happy to have hired a new pageboy today." "This one." "He's quite gifted." "A pity he's fated for a life of servitude." "Teacher, why not test his literacy?" "Then you'll see if he's talented or not." "It's enough that you've already tested him, Sir." "Go on." "Have a go." "Yes sir." "Listen." "I await your instruction, Teacher." "Now that it's autumn, travelers are easily touched." "The first line of the couplet I set is:" "Hills and rivers welcome travelers' dreams." "The second line is:" "Chopping blocks and pestles sound the autumn." "What do you think, Teacher?" "Exact, literary, and quick!" "Nightingales' speech in the scented garden, sounds of laughter wafts on the breeze;" "in the study, three scholars are distraught at not glimpsing her fragrant shadow." "You're the newly-arrived Hua An?" "I am indeed." "As I am new," "I don't know the way, and took the wrong turn going to the big kitchen for water." "I'm sorry to bother you." "Don't stand on ceremony." "There's water in this small kitchen too." "Come." "Come." "Next time you can get water here." "It's all the same." "Come." "Sit down." "I'll draw water for you." "Sitting down and scrutinizing him, seeing he is so refined," "it seems such a perfect match, an unmissable match made in heaven." "Brother Hua An, sit here a while." "Sister, please draw the water quickly." "I don't want the Teacher to wait." "Sit down, and I'll draw water for you." "Very well." "Thank you, sister." "Don't forget me." "You'll have to come visit." "Certainly." "I'll come visit you." "Hua An, promise me you'll come visit." "Yes." "I'll do so." "Autumn Fragrance, I'm so fortunate to bump into you again here." "Who are you?" "Don't block my way." "Don't you recognize me, sister?" "Sister..." "Sister..." "You're here in the Grand Tutor's Mansion, surely you know the household rules?" "If you persist in blocking my way," "I'll go tell the Lady of the House, and she'll have you given 300 strokes!" "For you, sister, I'd be happy even to die." "What are a few strokes to me?" "But meeting up with you again today," "I must beseech you for a promise." "Who are you?" "T ell me your real name." "Tang Bohu, from Suzhou's Peach Blossom Dock." "If you're Tang Bohu, what are you doing here?" "Sister," "Three smiles at Huqiu locked me in love," "Three locks of love shackling my soul." "One smile when we met at the temple," "One smile when we met at the temple, a second when I was at the boat's bow, a second when I was at the boat's bow, a third smile at the town of Dongting." "a third smile at the town of Dongting." "I sold myself to the Grand Tutor's House, as three locks of love have shackled me, and only the shackler can set me free." "The first smile was unintentional, the second betrayed no love;" "the third smile was at your foolishness, an aimless youth away from his books." "You fancy yourself a lover, but I'm not a girl of easy virtue." "I'm Tang Bohu of Jiangnan, the foremost scholar of the land." "Mistake me not for a wanton man, my love for you is sincere." "If Tang Bohu of Jiangnan would rather be a servant than a scholar, it was not by my purpose or intent to shackle you with locks of love." "Sister, don't shirk responsibility." "Your three smiles came from the soul;" "with the feeling contained in those 3 smiles, how could I not have fallen in love?" "This is the crucial juncture of love." "He professes to be a foremost scholar, but the truth remains to be seen." "I'll play along for the while." "Brother Tang." "Sister." "If you have love to express to me, don't let anyone else know." "Yonder is a firewood store, we can discuss it over there." "Sister!" "Sister!" "Not so loud!" "Someone's coming." "Sister." "Sister." "Teacher, you've worked hard for years to bring my sons to this point." "I've prepared a feast to express my thanks." "It's by heaven's and Your Lordship's grace." "I've done nothing." "Thank you, My Lord." "Please." "My sons." "I've seen your recent progress." "It's all thanks to your teacher." "Not so." "Not so." "Give a toast to your teacher." "Teacher." "Teacher." "It's all down to your own hard work." "You'll be surpassing your teacher." "You have bright futures ahead." "As you've toasted your teacher," "I should give a toast to you in return." "Teacher, you're too modest." "You don't need to toast them." "You two toast the teacher again." "Yes, father." "Teacher." "Thank you, my teacher." "Hua An, Hua Xian." "Yes, My Lord." "Move a seat to the east window." "Yes sir." "Hua Ping, Hua Jie." "Yes, My Lord." "Move a seat to the west window." "Yes sir." "Brother." "Now that your writing's improved," "I want to test it for myself." "If you do well, I'll reward you." "If not, you'll have to copy out the classics." "If I find you've been cheating the teacher," "I'll deal with you as per family rules!" "Father, I haven't finished dinner yet." "You can finish it after you're done writing." "Even half a composition is acceptable." "I wish to see if your writing style matches what you submitted to teacher." "Father, may I write it tomorrow?" "Nonsense!" "Come!" "Beat him!" "Don't be angry, Your Excellency!" "You two mustn't disobey your father." "Don't worry." "You can do it." "One to the east window, one to the west." "Yes sir." "Hua An, come." "Grind the ink." "Hua An, come grind the ink." "Oh!" "Hua An, serve the drinks." "Yes, My Lord." "Teacher." "Your Excellency!" "Let them write." "Let's have a drink." "You're too kind." "Please!" "Teacher, please check my sons' writing." "Excellency!" "It seems from this the other compositions were by another hand!" "Teacher, who do you think it was?" "Obviously their wives." "I doubt it." "My daughter-in-law may be well-educated, but my household rules are strict." "They'd never dare." "That's right." "T ell me now!" "Who was it?" "Come!" "Yes, My Lord." "Beat them!" "Yes, My Lord." "Father, don't beat me." "Hua An did it." "Hua An wrote the compositions for us." "Please forgive me, My Lord." "It was the young masters' own task." "How dare you cheat His Lordship?" "My Lord." "Seeing the young masters waste away over a couple of compositions," "I made bold to do it for them." "Please punish me instead of them." "Very well." "Get up, all of you." "Thank you, My Lord." "My Lord, he admits writing the pieces." "What an insult to your sons!" "Do you believe it, on his word alone?" "You're right." "Hua An." "Here, My Lord." "The Teacher doesn't believe you did it." "Are you up to being tested?" "Indeed I am, My Lord." "Teacher, please." "Big words indeed!" "Listen carefully." "Teacher, teacher..." "Anger wells up within my breast," "I'm willing no longer to stay;" "my leave I shall take from the Grand Tutor, to spend my last years in the country." "The sun and moon rise and set, but my dream of love's yet unfulfilled;" "an entire month has passed me by, but of my love, there's still no trace." "My daily task is to accompany fools, unable am I even to be upset;" "for my love's sake must I bear it;" "when shall my love be requited?" "En garde!" "Brother, look." "You messed up the paper." "What shall we do?" "Don't worry." "Give it to me." "Hua An." "My brother... you..." "Let me add a few strokes and it will become a painting." "Wow, Hua An, you're marvelous!" "What a painter you are!" "This isn't a large pigeon." "This is a small pigeon." "How clever you are." "Can you do portraits?" "If my two young masters desire," "I can do the Two Immortals." "Yes, yes." "Wow, extraordinary!" "Two people!" "Give it to me, I'll keep it." "Brother, it's mine." "I got it first, it's mine." "What are you fighting over?" "It's a painting." "Show it to me." "Who painted it?" "What do you think of it?" "Who painted it?" "Hua An painted it." "What do you think?" "I'll show it to the Lady of the House." "Brother Hua An painted it." "The Lady will definitely like it." "Give back to me." "It's mine." "It's my paper." "Can't I show it to My Lady first?" "Can't I show it to My Lady first?" "You go have some snacks." "My Lady, look." "Hua An painted it." "It's better than even Tang Bohu's." "These Two Immortals are very well done." "Amida Buddha." "They're Han Shan and Shi De." "Mother-in-law, look again carefully." "Why does Han Shan look like my elder son, and Shi De like my younger son?" "Hua An is an ungrateful wretch." "You and father-in-law treat him so well, tasking him to accompany the Young Masters, and he caricatures them in this painting!" "The hawk means one of them is hawkish, and the pigeon means the other's brainless." "He's clearly making fun of your sons." "How dare he?" "I must punish him severely." "Yes." "Winter Fragrance." "Yes, My Lady." "T ell the slave Hua An to come here." "Yes, My Lady." "Hurry up!" "Yes, Ma'am." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes, My Lady." "Prepare to beat him as per family rules!" "Yes, Madam." "My Lady." "Hua An is here." "Greetings, My Lady." "Hua An, your hawk and dove painting obviously pokes fun at the young masters!" "My Lady, I had no such intention." "The painting is not yet finished." "I'd meant to include a poem, but just as I wrote the 4 head words" "Winter Fragrance came while I washed hands and insisted on bringing it to you." "I couldn't stop her in time." "My Lady, it's your slave's fault for making you angry." "I see. 2nd daughter-in-law," "I knew he wouldn't be so ungrateful." "Hua An." "Hua An." "Yes." "You said the painting's complimentary." "So what poem were you going to put in?" "If it's laudatory, I'll forgive you." "If not, you'll get a good beating." "Yes, Ma'am." "Please listen:" "The hawk wins honour before the arrow, the pigeon carries the martial word;" "this soaring painting traverses the house, in praise of the two young masters." "Very good." "Mother-in-law..." "Very good, 2nd daughter-in-law." "Hua An." "Yes, My Lady." "You have some wit in turning satire to praise and avoiding punishment with sophistry." "But you must paint the bodhisattva Guanyin as recompense." "Are you willing?" "I am, My Lady." "Mother-in-law, let them arise." "All rise." "Yes, My Lady." "Thank you, My Lady." "Thank you, Second Lady." "Thank you, Second Lady." "Mother-in-law, the portrait needs a pure and chaste person to grind the ink." "Who do you think is purest?" "Autumn Fragrance." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes, Madam." "Go grind ink in the East Hall." "No one must disturb you." "Yes, Ma'am." "Thank you, Second Lady." "Thank you, My Lady." "So ill-mannered!" "You should thank the Lady." "Together we go to the East Hall, the girl of my dreams before me;" "thanks to my cousin's help," "I can now reveal my heart to her." "Thank you, Sister Autumn Fragrance." "That day you locked me in the wood store" "till the sun set in the west," "I started hallucinating;" "you mistook me for a scoundrel." "For you I became a servant;" "how would I be insincere?" "My only wish is to marry you;" "I'd formally send a go-between." "Who are you asking to paint this?" "I'm asking you." "Is that how you address me?" "I'm not a painter by trade." "Brother Hua An, please paint it for me." "I'm not Hua An." "I'm Tang Bohu." "Why don't you call me Brother Tang?" "Are you painting or not?" "The wine's too much." "Sit here." "I'll sit wherever I want." "Sister, sister why are you so wary of me?" "You're a tiger and a wolf, the way you frighten me so;" "If you persist in pestering me," "I'll report you to Her Ladyship." "Sister, don't go." "I'm not leaving." "Just paint." "I ponder as I grind the ink:" "how many would pursue me like that?" "He claims to be Tang Bohu, but I suspect he's a fake." "His poetry and paintings are good, a scholar like him is hard to find;" "If he really is Tang Bohu, it would be a match made in heaven." "Sister, please come here." "What do you think of this painting?" "What is the meaning of this?" "I became a pageboy because of you." "How could you do this?" "Sister, don't worry." "There's a poem here," "The Moon Over the West River." "Every word and line hides my meaning." "Sister, I painted it for you." "Are you all done?" "Yes." "Ah, Brother Hua An!" "It's been days!" "I miss you so much!" "I knew you wouldn't forget me." "You've come to see me today?" "Come, come." "Let's sit inside." "Thank you, sister." "The young masters ordered me here to fetch ginseng for My Lady." "I can't stay." "Lucky for you to bump into me, or you'd have come in vain." "Today's the 15th." "My Lady's gone to prayers." "Only Autumn Fragrance is left behind." "Sister Autumn Fragrance." "How bold!" "Don't you know the household rules?" "How dare you come into the inner hall?" "Don't be angry, sister." "The young masters ordered me to get ginseng." "Ginseng?" "Her Ladyship's not back yet." "Come back later." "It's a heaven-sent opportunity!" "We can declare our love for each other." "Please give me something as a token." "Ridiculous!" "I never promised you a token!" "Your three smiles were promise enough." "Sister, please marry me." "If you want me to marry you, first you have to answer a riddle." "What riddle?" "Please tell me." "If you get it, you'll know if I'm willing." "T ell me then." "May we be lovebirds in the sky, and intertwined branches on earth;" "the hands know the will of the heart, the wish for a faithful love." "You guessed wrong." "All knowing in heaven and on earth, the gods cannot be deceived;" "the hands know that the heart is true, the truth cannot be revealed in words." "Oh, so I got it wrong?" "Mmm." "I give you another riddle." "All right." "When My Lord and Lady return, your bottom will get 300 strokes!" "Excellent!" "We think alike, you and I." "Let's elope." "Then let it be at midnight." "We'll seal our love in the rear garden." "You're a real loverboy!" "Oh!" "We'll seal our love in the Peony Pavilion." "You guessed wrong again." "Autumn Fragrance." "First Young Master." "Autumn Fragrance." "Young master, what are you doing here?" "I'll go if you'll give me a kiss." "Young Master, Her Ladyship's not back yet." "I can't possibly do that, I can't!" "If you won't, then I shan't leave." "Autumn Fragrance, don't go!" "Autumn Fragrance, give me a kiss." "First Young Master, tonight at midnight wait for me in the rear garden." "I'll give you a kiss then." "Very well." "You can go." "But give me a kiss now." "At midnight." "Please go." "Promise me you'll be there." "What shall I do?" "Why do they all take advantage of me?" "Autumn Fragrance." "Autumn Fragrance." "Second Young Master, what are you doing here?" "Young Master, My Lady's still at prayers." "She'll be back soon." "I know, Autumn Fragrance." "I'm a simple man, I don't have fancy words." "If you'll be mine," "I can abandon it all!" "Money, my wife," "I'll leave it all!" "I'll elope with you!" "Autumn Fragrance." "Autumn Fragrance." "Second Young Master, how could you?" "Everything I said is from the heart." "Autumn Fragrance." "Young Master, tonight at midnight we'll meet in the Peony Pavilion." "Very well, Autumn Fragrance." "Go now." "I'll wait for you at the Peony Pavilion." "Sister, Her Ladyship is back." "Your ladyship." "Autumn Fragrance." "Yes, My Lady." "I want you to make preparations for tonight." "I'm burning incense in the Peony Pavilion." "My Lady." "You've just offered incense." "Why do so again?" "It's cold at night in the garden." "Why not rest and do it another day?" "You forget it's the 1 5th today?" "The weather's neither hot nor cold." "Perfect for being in the garden." "Winter Fragrance, you help her prepare." "You two shall accompany me tonight." "Yes ma'am," "What shall I do now?" "Strange." "The First Young Master's here." "Autumn Fragrance, you fooled me again." "Careful, Your Ladyship." "Take care." "Can you see the way, ma'am?" "I can't see too clearly." "I'll go bring a lantern." "No need." "Winter Fragrance, take care of My Lady." "I'll go fetch the lantern." "All right." "Sister Autumn Fragrance." "Let me go." "Sister Autumn Fragrance, you fooled me again." "Let me go!" "Promise me, Autumn Fragrance, you'll never fool me again." "I'll only agree to marry Tang Bohu!" "Thief!" "Thief!" "Go." "You beasts!" "Your ladyship." "Kneel down, you beasts!" "Kneel down!" "Kneel down!" "You two beasts will be the death of me!" "Don't be angry, mother." "Autumn Fragrance fooled me!" "She's the cause of trouble!" "If you two hadn't tried to seduce her, why would she want to fool you?" "Daughters-in-law, you may go upstairs." "Yes ma'am." "The more I see of these unfilial sons, the angrier I get." "Keep them on a tight leash from now on." "Please don't let father-in-law know, or he'll be furious." "You're right, first daughter-in-law." "Listen, all of you." "No one is to speak of what happened." "Anyone who does will be punished." "Yes ma'am." "Autumn Fragrance." "You're at fault too, fooling your masters." "I shall have to have you beaten." "Your Ladyship, I..." "All rise." "Greetings, Grand Tutor." "I am Zhu Zhishan." "There's no need for that, Mr Zhu." "I'm retired; don't stand on ceremony." "Please take a seat." "Thank you." "Thank you." "Well." "T o what do I owe the pleasure?" "I've come to visit on two accounts." "First, Tang Bohu's been missing for months." "I can't find him anywhere." "I passed by Dongting T own today, and recalled that you're related to him." "May I ask if you know his whereabouts?" "Tang Bohu's too proud of his talents." "Although I'm related to him, our paths have never crossed." "I wonder though why he's missing?" "My 2nd daughter-in-law never mentioned it." "I'm at a loss myself." "I fear he may have had some accident." "That's why I came to pay my respects, and also to enquire about Tang Bohu." "For the latter purpose, what can you tell me?" "I heard you recently engaged a pageboy who's most gifted at poetry and painting, more so indeed than the likes of myself." "I came to see if this was indeed the case." "I came to see if this was indeed the case." "That's easily done." "Come!" "Yes sir." "Bring Hua An to pay his respects." "Yes, My Lord." "Brother Hua An." "What is your pleasure, My Lord?" "Mr Zhu here has heard of your fame." "Come pay your respects." "It's just as I expected!" "What is it, Mr Zhu?" "Your Excellency!" "Your servant's indeed a cut above the rest." "I compliment you on your choice." "I must beg my leave now." "Why the hurry to go?" "I've prepared a feast to welcome you." "Thank you so much, Excellency, but I have a boat to catch, as I must still look for Tang Bohu." "In that case, let me see you off." "There is no need, sir." "What host would not see off his guest?" "My Lord, allow me to do so for you." "That's right, your servant may do it." "I was just about to request a poem of him." "Hua An." "Yes, My Lord." "See Mr Zhu off on my behalf." "As you wish, My Lord." "Goodbye, Your Excellency!" "Goodbye." "Mr Zhu's returned!" "Mr Tang, Mr Zhu has found him." "Brother Zhu, you knew all along." "You can't hoodwink me." "The boatman told you?" "Tang, I have a cunning plan to help you trick the old man." "Thank you for your help." "How dare he?" "How dare he?" "I welcomed Zhu Zhishan courteously, but he dares to entice my pageboy!" "Does he think that in my household there's no suitable match for you?" "How did you reply to him, Hua An?" "I said, Mr Zhu had a point, but My Lord treats me extremely well." "I could not leave without a farewell." "You replied well." "Mr. Zhu said..." "Don't call him "Mister"!" "Call him by name!" "The rascal!" "Yes, My Lord." "Zhu Zhishan said I was a fool." "If I missed the chance to run away with him," "I'd never have the chance to get back home." "I'd have to be a servant all my life." "Hua An, don't fall for it." "He's just a low-ranking official." "How many maids can he afford?" "How can his household compare with mine?" "I'd thought that you might want a wife." "I'll assemble all the maids in the hall, and you may have your pick." "How's that?" "Your Lordship is too kind to me." "Hua An, from now on you'll be teaching here." "I'll have my sons address you differently." "They'll address you as "Teacher"." "You're too kind, My Lord." "T ell the butler to prepare for the wedding." "Once Hua An makes his choice, he'll marry." "Yes sir." "Fair Jade." "Lotus Fragrance." "Winter Fragrance." "Jade Ring." "Every girl is fair of face, every girl is fine of figure." "But I don't have the good fortune to spend my life with any of them." "Don't forget me, Hua An." "Sister." "You're already spoken for." "Thank you, Brother Hua An." "I wouldn't dare take another's love." "I know who you'll pick." "Sister Pomegranate." "What about me..." "My Lady, Hua An hasn't picked anyone." "Would you bear to let Autumn Fragrance go?" "No." "I can't beat to be parted with her." "Mother-in-law, ask Autumn Fragrance if she's willing or not?" "Mmm." "Autumn Fragrance, what's your desire?" "Slowly pacing her lotus steps, blushing, heart beating wildly, in shyness and glad beauty" "she takes the seal with joy and fear." "My dear." "It's a present the 2nd lady gave me." "Is it a key?" "It's the key to the rear gates." "2nd Lady, you've helped me till the end." "You really are a good cousin to me." "Mr. Tang, you're here." "The boat's ready." "Mr. Zhu, here they come." "Come, come." "Tang, the cunning plan's succeeded!" "All thanks to you, Brother Zhu." "Come aboard." "My dear." "Congratulations to you both." "Glad to be united at last, together they return home." "The fine romance of the three smiles will be passed on for all posterity." "Translator :" "Trevor Morris"