Chai Sichang Secures A Marriage At The Mountain Temple Through The Five-Flower Formation; Qin Shubao Falls Into Poverty And Distress On His Journey (2)

Early the following morning, the monk Wukong, with this matter weighing on his mind, hurriedly rose, washed his face, dressed, and walked to Chai Sichang’s study.

The young master greeted him:

“Venerable sir, I have seen little of you these past few days.”

The abbot replied:

“This humble monk has been attending Lord Li, the Duke of Tang, and has consequently neglected Young Master Chai.”

Young Master Chai asked:

“What brings Lord Li here?”

The abbot replied:

“His Majesty has graciously granted Lord Li permission to return to his native home by the imperial relay route. He arrived at the temple on the fifteenth. Because his wife gave birth in the abbot’s quarters, he has remained here temporarily, waiting for her health to recover before resuming his journey.”

The young master said:

“I have long heard that the Duke of Tang has a reputation for virtue. What is he actually like?”

The abbot replied:

“This poor monk has seen thousands upon thousands of people, but never such a good man as Lord Li. Because his wife gave birth here and the blood of childbirth was thought to have defiled this sacred place, he first provided ten taels of silver and ordered incense purchased and burned in every hall. He then took the subscription register and pledged ten thousand taels to rebuild the temple and restore the mountain gate.”

“Yesterday at noon, he visited my private chamber for tea. When he saw the couplet Your Honor had written, he praised it without cease. Last night, while we were walking beneath the moon, he heard Your Honor reading aloud and came right up to your window to watch for a while.”

The young master asked:

“What time was that?”

The abbot replied:

“It was just as Your Honor had finished studying and drawn your sword to practice.”

The young master said:

“It must have been around the first watch.”

The abbot replied:

“Indeed, it was about the first watch.”

The young master asked:

“What did Lord Li say?”

The abbot replied:

“This humble monk has come especially to bring you happy news.”

The young master asked:

“What happy news?”

The abbot replied:

“Lord Li has a noble daughter, whom he says is sixteen years old, dignified, and reserved in speech, but has not yet found a worthy husband. He has asked this humble monk to act as matchmaker, for he wishes to establish a marriage alliance with Your Honor.”

The young master smiled and replied:

“Marriage is a matter of great importance and must not be discussed lightly. Nevertheless, I have long admired General Li’s illustrious reputation. If I were to enter his household, I would have opportunities to be near him and seek his instruction, which would certainly be beneficial. It would indeed be a fortunate arrangement.”

The abbot said:

“Lord Li is exceedingly eager to meet Your Honor. Would you care to come to the Buddha Hall and see him now?”

The young master replied:

“He is a distinguished elder. How could I presume to seek an audience so casually? I should prepare a proper introductory gift and pay my respects tomorrow.”

The abbot said:

“He is most eager to make your acquaintance. There is no need for an introductory gift. This humble monk will accompany Your Honor to see him now.”

The young master replied:

“Since you say so, I shall go with you.”

He changed into formal outer clothing, and the abbot led him to the Buddha Hall, where he paid his respects to the Duke of Tang.

When the duke saw the young master, he found that he indeed possessed:

Eyebrows curved like a reclining crescent moon,
Eyes shining like stars at dawn.
A nose straight as a suspended gallbladder,
Teeth arrayed like rows of pearls.
His spirit was bright and clear, his heart pure as ice, his bones like jade;
His bearing lofty and assured, his gait that of a tiger or dragon.
His keen edge was concealed, his brilliance held in reserve—
Truly a future minister who had not yet found his opportunity.
Accomplished in both martial and literary arts,
He was a distinguished talent of the coming age.

The Duke of Tang wished to receive him with the courtesies accorded to a guest, but Chai Sichang repeatedly declined the honor. They therefore seated themselves according to the etiquette observed between teacher and student.

The duke inquired about his family background and exchanged the usual pleasantries.

Sichang spoke with easy fluency, his answers following the questions as naturally as an echo follows a sound.

The Duke of Tang was exceedingly pleased with him.

After entertaining him with tea and seeing him depart, the duke went to the abbot’s quarters and told his wife what had happened.

Lady Dou said:

“Although this young man pleases both of us, marriage is a matter that concerns an entire lifetime. We ought to tell our daughter about it before proceeding.”

The Duke of Tang replied:

“Such matters are decided by parents. How can a young woman presume to make the decision herself?”

His wife replied:

“That is not so! No one knows a son better than his father, and no one knows a daughter better than her mother. Our daughter is unlike ordinary girls. I have observed that she has her own understanding and way of acting in every matter, quite different from other people.

“I shall explain the matter to her and see what she thinks. If she says nothing but inwardly consents, you may proceed with the betrothal. If she shows the least reluctance, let us postpone the matter for a while. I doubt that this young man will immediately be engaged by another family. We can settle it after reaching Taiyuan.”

The Duke of Tang said:

“Since you put it that way, go and ask her. I shall attend to matters outside.”

Having said this, he left the abbot’s quarters.

Lady Dou entered the main room, where her daughter came forward to greet her.

The lady carefully explained everything the Duke of Tang had said concerning his intention to take Young Master Chai as a son-in-law.

The young lady remained silent for some time before replying with a serious expression:

“Mother, ordinarily a daughter ought not to speak too freely on such a matter. But marriage binds two people for a lifetime, and honor and disgrace are both involved. If it is arranged carelessly, how could one ever remedy the regret?”

“According to Father’s account, this young man is handsome and talented. But in the present age, beauty and talent alone are insufficient to pacify disorder and overcome calamity. If adversity should arise, men who merely fuss over words and phrases can do nothing but sit and await death. What use would such a man be?”

Lady Dou interrupted:

“That is precisely why your father mentioned how well the young man handles a sword. When he watched him practicing beneath the moon, the young man looked like a mass of white snow rolling and turning through the air. Surely he possesses considerable ability.”

Hearing this, the young lady smiled faintly.

“If that is so, allow your daughter some time to consider the matter. Please do not give him an answer yet. What would you say to reaching a decision after another two days?”

Lady Dou accepted this and went out to report the conversation to the Duke of Tang.

After her mother had departed, the young lady considered the matter from every angle. She wanted to steal a glance at the young man herself, but such conduct would be improper. Yet if she did not see him, she feared she might be married to an unsuitable husband. She remained uncertain and unable to decide.

Just then, her nurse, a woman surnamed Xu, came before her and asked:

“What does Your Ladyship intend to do about the matter your mother just discussed?”

The young lady replied:

“That is precisely what I am considering.”

Madam Xu said:

“What difficulty is there in this? We need only do such and such, lure him here, and put him to a test. His abilities will then become apparent.”

The young lady nodded, her expression brightening with delight.

As the verse says:

Silver candles shine upon swallows returning to their nest;
The jade flute’s notes accord with the song of the radiant luan.