話說子玉等散後，徐子雲才回，因夜色已深，時交於末，便一徑回宅。
琴言自去年謁見子雲之後，也隨著一班名花天天常到怡園，子雲愛之不亞於寶珠。但琴言生性高傲，冷冷落落，不善應酬，任憑黃金滿斗，也買不動他一笑。一切古玩飲食衣服，只要他心愛，徐子雲無不供給，也算相待十分，琴言未嘗不知感恩，卻只算得半個知己。自那進京這一天路上見了子玉，便認得是夢中救他出陷坑的人，時時刻刻放在心上。又姑蘇會館唱戲那一日，見他同了一班公子，還有魏聘才、李元茂在座，問起葉茂林，始知這位公子就姓梅，已應了梅花樹下之兆。從此，一縷幽情如沾泥柳絮，已被纏住。
這幾日晚間，夢見子玉好幾次，恍恍惚惚的，不是對著同笑，就是對著同哭。
又像自己遠行，子玉送他，牽衣執手。又像遠行了，重又回來，兩人促膝談心。模模糊糊，醒來也記不真切。雖知道是個世家公子，卻不知道他的性情嗜好，與度香何如，又恐他是個青年輕薄寡情短行之人。又恐他豪貴驕奢要人趨奉的人。但細看他溫存骨格，像個厚道正人，斷不至此。一日又夢見寶珠變了他的模樣，與自己唱了一齣《驚夢》，又想不出這個理來。次日，子雲到園來，次賢講起昨諸諾人來園看燈，並子玉打著了琴言的燈謎，即將子玉的才貌痛贊了一番。子雲聽了，心裡頗為喜歡，即道：「這個梅庾香，他雖不認得我，我去年恰見過他。我們也有世誼，他令祖相國，與先叔祖總憲公是同年至好。這梅庾香的外貌卻沒有說的，不知品行如何？」次賢道：「持重如金，溫潤如玉，絕無矜才使氣的模樣。雖然片時相晤，我已知其不丸。」二人談了半天，子雲沒有出門。到酉刻，寶珠同了琴言到園。子雲見了笑道：「玉儂此番好了，我替你覓著了配對，你卻不要忘了我。」倒把琴言嚇了一跳，登時發起急來，止不住眼淚直流道：「度香，我承你盛情，不把我當下流人看待，我深感你的厚恩。即使我有伺候不到處，你惱我，恨我，罵我，攆我，我也不敢怨你。只不犯著勾引入來糟蹋我。請問：什麼叫配對不配對，倒要還我一個明白。」子雲自知出言孟浪，覺得無趣，只得叫寶珠陪著他，用好言勸慰自去便借看畫為名，到次賢房中去了。
這裡袁寶珠用手帕替他擦了淚痕，就將史南湘的醉態，及妝點情形，說得琴言歡喜了，便同在一張牀榻上坐著道：「看昨日這幾個打燈謎的人，內中一個叫梅庾香的，年紀不過十七八歲，相貌生得最好。」琴言道：「這人也姓梅麼？」寶珠道：「他曾問起你來。」琴言沉吟道：「姓梅的他說會過我麼？」
寶珠道：「便是奇怪得很，我因他就只問你一個，只道你們自然在一處飲過酒。問他可與你相好，他支吾了一句，說什麼向未交接，不過聞聲思慕，似乎不像見過的。又說看見你《驚夢》這齣戲唱得很好。」琴言想道：「不要這姓梅的，就是那天看戲的梅公子。」因問寶珠道：「這梅公子，可是初六那天，在姑蘇會館東邊樓上看戲的？」寶珠笑道：「那天我又沒有唱戲，那裡知道是他不是他？」琴言呆呆的想了半晌，又問寶珠道：「他的相貌可同我們班裡陸香畹差不多？就隻眼睛長些，覺得光彩照人；鼻子直些，覺得滿面秀氣，是不是呢？」寶珠道：「這麼說。你們很熟的了，為什麼要瞞著人呢？」琴言無言可答，想起那天的夢來，便道：「你同這姓梅的相好幾年了？」寶珠道：「昨日才見面的。」琴言道：「我不信。若是昨日才見，怎麼前日晚上，倒會變了他的樣兒呢？」琴言說了這句話，用袖子掩著嘴笑。倒將寶珠懵住了，道：「玉儂你說些什麼鬼話？」琴言道：「不是鬼話，你變了他模樣，還唱柳夢梅呢。」寶珠益發摸不著頭腦道：「你到底還是裝瘋，還是做夢？」琴言嫣然的一笑，就把那天梅公子看戲，以及夢見變了他唱戲的話，細細說了一遍。寶珠道：「這人原也生得好，若真個的同你配著唱這出《驚夢》，倒是一對。就可惜我不會變。」琴言默然良久。道：「咳，可惜昨日出去了，沒有見他一面。」寶珠試出琴言屬意子玉，便道：「你可曉得今日錯怪了度香麼？」琴言道：「怎麼？」寶珠道：「他所說替你覓著的配對，你道是那個？」琴言悄悄的道：「難道就是梅公子不成？」寶珠道：：不是他是誰？」琴言道：「我當是度香有心糟蹋我，卻不曉得他所說打燈謎的人就是他。」寶珠道：「據我看來，你同這梅公子大有緣法。我去叫度香明日請他來，與你會一會面，你說好不好？」說著站起身來要走，琴言一把拉住寶珠衣服道：「你又胡鬧了，一來我從未與梅公子會過，知道是他不是他，萬一不是他，便怎樣；就算是他，也不曉得他心性何如。二來剛才我衝撞了度香幾句，怎麼轉得過臉來？」
這裡說得熱鬧，那曉得徐子雲同蕭次賢，早巳轉到隔壁套間內，竊聽得逼真，把門一推，子雲、次賢走將出來，琴言一見，羞得紅了臉，就背轉身坐了。子雲道：「玉儂還怪我不怪我？」琴言低頭不語，子雲道，「就算我錯了一句話，也是無心之言。
況且你又不是女孩子，怕什麼配對不配對，難道真把你配了梅庾香不成？」說得次賢、寶珠都笑起來。寶珠道：「不要說了，他已經明白過來了。我們何不去請了庾香來與他見一見。」子雲道：「知道是他不是他，我自有道理。」寶珠、琴言即在怡園吃了晚飯，坐到二更而回。
次日，子雲即去拜望子玉，彼此道了些景仰渴想的話，就約定於十九日晚間一敘。出來順道到王恂、劉文澤、史南湘等處看望，俱未晤見。回來想道：「這梅庾香果然名不虛傳，玉儂又屬意於他，將來見了面，不消說是他的人了。」又想這：「玉儂的脾氣，差不多的人都猜摸不著，倘或一言不合，就可以決絕的。即使梅庾香是個多情人，也未必能像我這樣體貼。
據瑤卿說來，與玉儂改了名字，他全然不知，可見素未浹洽。
就看過一齣戲，想來也不過賞識他的相貌，未必心上只有這個琴言，我倒要試他一試。」又想道：「若是十九那一天，竟叫玉儂陪酒，他初次見面，就是彼此有心也難剖說，旁人也看不出來。我如今用個移花接木之計，先把玉儂藏了，另覓一個像玉儂的人，用言打動他，看他如何，自然就試出來了。」主意已定，即向次賢、寶珠說知。
到了十九日這一日，一切安排停當。申刻時候，梅子玉到了怡園，主人迎接，進了梅崦。這梅崦是園中名勝，且值梅花盛開，在大山之下，梅林叢中，有數十間分作五處，屋圍著花，花圍著屋，層層疊疊，望之林屋不分。
內中陳設古玩，不能細說。只覺人在花中，不數羅浮仙境，真人間香雪海也。
居中一所是個梅花心，以五間並作一間，復間作五處，上懸一塊匾額，就是」梅崦」二字。兩旁一副對聯是：梅花萬樹鼻功德，古屋一山心太平。中懸著林和靖的小像，迎面擺一張雕梅花的紫檀木榻。榻上陳著一張古錦囊的瑤琴。子雲讓子玉進內坐了，子玉道：「前日斗膽在此試燈，已成不速之客，今日又蒙寵召，坐我瑤齋，主人情重，何以克當？」子雲道：「庾香先生，景星卿雲，相見恨晚，前日失迓為罪。今蒙不棄，惠然肯來，私心實深欣幸。」子玉問道：「今日坐間尚有何客，靜宜先生何以不見？」子雲道：「靜宜現有小事，少刻奉陪。即指著榻上的琴道：「今日此酌，專為玉儂贈琴而設，未便另邀他客，致撓情話。」子玉道：「弟正要動問，前日因何為打一燈謎，有此厚贈？這玉儂究係何人，吾兄如此鄭重？」子雲便令小廝，將琴囊解開，雙手送交子玉道：「琴後攜有銘款，請試一觀。」子玉接過琴來看時，玉軫珠徽，梅紋蛇斷，絕好一張焦尾古琴，後面鎸著兩行漢篆，其文曰：
琴心沉沉，琴德愔愔。其人如玉，相與賞音。
四句琴銘下，又鎸著一行行書小字，是：「山陰徐子雲為玉儂杜琴言移贈庾香名士清賞。」下刻圖章兩方：陰文是「次賢撰句」四字，陽文是「靜宜手鎸」四字。
子玉想起寶珠改名之言，知道玉儂就是琴官，卻喜出望外，便深深一揖，道了謝，仍令小廝囊好。子雲試他道：「聞說吾兄與玉儂相與最深，可是真的麼？」子玉道：「弟因家君管教極嚴，平素足不出戶，就只開春初六那日，在姑蘇會館看見他一齣《驚夢》的戲，有人說起他的名字叫琴官，覺得色藝俱佳。
直到前日在此，於無意中詢知閣下替他改名為琴言，卻從未與他會過，相與之說，恐是訛傳。吾兄將來晤見琴言，尚可詢問。」
子雲道：「吾兄賞識不錯，可曉得琴言頗有情於吾兄麼？」
子玉笑道：「情之一字，談何容易？就是我輩文字之交，或臭味相投，一見如故；或道義結契，千里神交。亦必兩意眷注，始可言情，斷無用情於陌路人之理。琴言之於弟，猶陌路人也。弟已忘情於彼，彼又安能用情於弟乎?」子雲道：「據吾兄品評琴言，比前日所見寶珠何如？」子玉因想琴言、寶珠都是子雲寵愛，未便軒輊，便道：「大凡品花，必須於既上妝之後，觀其體態。又必於已卸妝之後，視其姿容。且必平素熟悉其意趣，熟聞其語言，方能識其情性之真。弟於寶珠、琴言均止一見，一係上妝，一係卸妝，正如走馬看花，難分深淺。」子雲道：「假使有人以琴言奉贈，吾兄將何以處之？」子玉道：「憐香惜玉，人孰無情。就使弟無金屋可藏，有我度香先生作風月主人，正不愁名花狼藉也。」
正說著，只見寶珠同著花枝招展的一個人來，子玉一看不是別人，就是朝思暮想的琴言，心裡暗暗吃驚。又聽得子雲道：「玉儂，你的意中人在此，過來見了。」琴言嫣然一笑，走上來請了一個安，倒弄得子玉坐不是，站不是，呆呆的只管看那琴言。那琴言又對子雲也請了安。寶珠道：「庾香，我竟遵竹君的教不為禮了。」子玉道：
「是這樣脫俗最好，玉儂何不也是這樣？」琴言微微的一笑，不言語。子玉看看琴言，又看看寶珠，覺寶珠比琴言，面目清豔了好些，吐屬輕倩了好些，舉止閒雅了好些。心裡尋思道：
「原來琴言不過如此，何以那兩回車中瞥見如此之好，而唱起戲來又有那樣丰神態度呢？而且魏聘才贊不絕口，徐子雲又鍾情到這樣，真令人不解。「一面想，那神色之間，微露出不然之意來。子雲卻早窺出，頗得意用計之妙。寶珠道：「你們彼此相思已久，今日初次見面，也該說兩句知心話，親熱親熱，為什麼大家冷冰冰的，都不言語。」說著就拉著琴言的手，送到子玉手內。子雲道：「可不是，不要因我們在這裡礙眼，不好意思。」說得子玉更覺接不是，不接又不是的，只得裝作解手出來，又在窗外看了一回梅花。經子雲再三相讓，然後遲遲疑疑的進屋。子雲道：「這裡太敞，我們到裡間去坐。」寶珠走近鏡屏一摸，那鏡屏就像門似的旋了一個轉身，子玉等走了進去，那鏡屏依舊關好。子玉看套間屋子，也像五瓣梅花，卻不甚大。正留心看那室中，只見玻璃窗外，一個人拿著個紅帖回話說：「賈老爺要見。」子雲道：「我在這裡陪客，回他去罷。」那人道：「這位老爺說，有要緊話，已經進來了。」寶珠道：「不是賈仁賈老爺麼？」子雲道：「可不就是他？」寶珠道：「我正要去尋他，我們何不同去見他一見。」子雲道：「尊客在此，怎好失陪。」子玉道：「我們既是相好，何必拘此形跡。」子雲告了罪，寶珠又囑咐琴言好生陪著，遂一同出去。
那鏡屏仍復掩上，屋內止剩子玉、琴言兩人，琴言讓子玉榻上坐了，他卻站在子玉身旁，目不轉瞬的看著子玉，倒將子玉看得害羞起來，低了頭。
琴言把身子一歪，斜靠著炕几，一手托著香腮，嬌聲媚氣的道：「梅少爺，大年初六那天，你在樓上看我唱戲的不是？」
子玉把頭點一點。又道：「你曉得我想念你的心事麼？」子玉把頭搖一搖。琴言道：「那瑤琴的燈謎，是你猜著的麼？」子玉又把頭點一點。又道：「好心思，你可曉得度香的主意麼？」子玉又把頭搖一搖。琴言用一個指頭，將子玉的額拾起來，道：「我聽得寶珠說，你背地裡很問我，我很感你的情。今日見了面，這裡又沒有第三個人，為什麼倒生分起來？」子玉被他盤問得沒法，只得勉強的道：「玉儂，我聽說你性氣甚是高傲，所以我敬你。為什麼到京幾天，就迷了本性呢？」琴言道：
「原來你不理我，是看我不起，怪不得這樣不瞅不睬的，只是可惜我白費了一番心。」說著臉上起了一層紅暈，眼波向子玉一轉，恰好眼光對著眼光，子玉把眼一低，臉上也紅紅的，心裡十分不快。琴言惺鬆鬆兩眼，乘勢把香肩一側，那臉直貼到子玉的臉上來，子玉將身一偏，琴言就靠在子玉懷裡，嗤嗤的笑。子玉已有了氣，把他推開，站了起來，只得說道：「人之相知，貴相知心。你這麼樣，竟把我當個狎邪人看待了。」琴言笑道：「你既然愛我，你今日卻又遠我。若彼此相愛，自然有情，怎麼又是這樣的。若要口不交談，身不相接，就算彼此有心，即想死了也不能明白。我道你是聰明人，原來還是糊糊塗涂的。」子玉氣得難忍，即說道：「聲色之奉；本非正人。但以之消遣閒情，尚不失為君子。若不爭上流，務求下品，鄉黨自好者尚且不為。我素以此鄙人，且以自戒，豈肯忍心害理，蕩檢逾閒。你雖身列優伶，尚可以色藝致名。何取於淫賤為樂，我真不識此心為何心。起初我以你為高情逸致，落落難合，頗有仰攀之意。今若此，不特你白費了心，我亦深悔用情之誤。
魏聘才之贊揚，固不足信，只可惜徐度香愛博而情不專，推以人之餡媚奉承為樂，未免紈袴習氣。其實焉能□我？」說著，氣忿忿的要開鏡屏出去，那曉得摸不著消息，任你推送，只是不開。
正急的無可如何，只聽得鏡屏裡輕輕的一響，子雲、次賢、寶珠都在鏡屏之外，迎面笑盈盈的走進來，那琴言一影就不見了，把個子玉嚇得迷迷糊糊的。只聽得子雲笑道：「好個坐懷不亂的柳下惠，失敬，失敬！就是罵我徐度香太挖苦些。」子玉一回轉頭來，那知眾人都在鏡屏對面套間之內。子玉與次賢見了禮，即向子雲告辭道：「今日出門忘了一件要事，只好改日再來奉擾。」子雲笑道：「庾香兄，必是因適才唐突，見怪小弟。裡間屋內酒席已經擺好，請用一杯，容小弟負荊請罪。」
次賢道：「小弟才來，正擬暢談衷曲，足下拂然欲去，是怪我奉陪得遲了。」寶珠一手拉著子玉進套間屋內，道：「你且再看看你的意中人，不要哭壞了他。」子玉見一人背坐著在那裡哭泣，只道就是剛才的那個琴言。因想他既知哭泣，尚能悔過，意欲於酒席中間，慢慢的用言語感化他。那曉得他倒轉過臉來，用手帕擦擦眼淚，看著子玉道：「庾香，你的心我知道了。」子玉聽這聲音似乎不是琴言，仔細一看，只覺神采奕奕，麗若天仙，這才是那天車中所遇，戲上所見的這個人。子玉這一驚。倒象有闇昧之事被人撞見了似的，心裡突突的止不住亂跳，覺得有萬種柔情，一腔心事．卻一字也說不出來。發怔了半晌，猛聽得有人說道：「主人在那裡送酒了。」子玉如醉方醒的走上去還了禮，卻忘了回敬。寶珠遞了一杯酒來，方才想起把酒送在自己坐的對面。次賢道：「足下是客，那有代主人送酒之理。」子玉始知錯了坐位，只好將錯就錯的送了一杯，定了神，又替主人把盞。子雲再三謙讓，便道：「這杯酒我代庾香兄轉敬一人。」就擺在子玉肩下道：「玉儂，你坐到這裡來。」琴言只得依了，斟了一杯酒送在子雲面前。又與寶珠斟了酒，然後入席。天色已暮，點上燈來。子玉道：「今日之事甚奇，方才難道是夢境迷離。」說得合席都笑，琴言向來不肯輕易一笑，聽了這句話，也不覺齒粲起來。那美目流波光景，令人真個消魂，不要說子玉從沒有見過，就是子雲與他盤桓了將及一月，也是破題兒第一回。知他巧笑，是為著子玉。未免愛極生妒。所喜寶珠的丰姿意態，也趕得上琴言。更見子玉溫文爾雅，與琴言並坐，卻是一對玉人，轉又羨而忘妒。這裡子玉重把琴言細看，覺日間所見的琴言，眉雖修而不嫵，目雖美而不秀，色雖潔而不清，面貌雖有些像，而神色體態迥然不同。
猜不透是一是二，遂越想越成疑團，卻又不便問他們。
酒過數巡，次賢道：「庾香兄，今日可曾見那瑤琴上鎸的字麼？」子玉道：「我倒忘了道謝，鐵筆古心，的是名手。但此燈謎也還易打，度香先生所說為玉儂而設，究竟不知其故？」
子雲指著琴言道：「弟是為他看我制燈謎時，喜誦『落花』、『微雨』兩句。又因他名字是琴，所以借此為彩，原是要替他卜個生平知己。可巧是吾兄猜著，不枉弟一番作合之心。」子玉道：「卻之不恭，受之有愧，當為玉儂珍重藏之。」琴言面有豫色。寶珠見了，將唐詩改了一字念道：「尋常一樣琴前月，才有梅花便不同。」子雲、次賢同聲贊道：「琴字改得好。」
子玉看琴言顏色微慍，知是寶珠以他名字為戲，便道：「若非瑤卿胸有智珠，不能改得如此敏妙。」子雲等還道是尋常贊語，惟有琴言深感子玉之情，替他報復了這個琴字。次賢道：「今日玉儂，何以一言不發？」子雲道：「他本來像息夫人似的，將來靜宜可將那『花如解語還多事，石不能言最可人』，替他寫一副對子。」子玉只管點頭。寶珠道：「他是只會作夢，那裡會說話？」琴言瞅了寶珠一眼。
子玉想道：「這分明與前見的一些不同，難道竟是兩個人。」
子雲見子玉、琴言兩意相投的光景，便道：「庾香兄不是有事麼？為什麼不打發人回去，我們可以暢飲。」子玉支吾道：「雖有小事，遲到明日尚卻不妨。足下好客，可惜前日同來的一班好友都不在此。」子雲道：「他們是常來的，不妨另日再敘。」子玉道：「此外尚有個卓然高品。」子雲道：「我也認識。」琴言道：「這個名字倒起得別緻。」子雲舉杯照子玉道：「難得玉儂開了金口，我們當浮一大白。」子玉飲畢，又照了次賢，也飲乾了。
寶珠道：「我們今日何不以玉儂說話為令，他說一句話，我們合席飲一杯。」子雲笑道：「這令很新，就是這樣。」子玉道：「說一句話，合席飲一杯酒，這個令未免酒太多。他和誰說，誰飲一杯不好麼？」琴言點頭。寶珠道：「這個恐怕有弊。」於雲道：「不妨，就吃醉了，我有醒酒丸。」於是大家依允。
琴言問子雲道：「是什麼醒酒丸？這丸叫什麼名字？」子雲一一說了，共是兩杯。琴言問次賢道：「今日為什麼回來得這樣遲？」次賢道：「替人做媒，回來遲了。」也飲一杯。琴言把子玉看了一看，都不言語，回轉頭來問子雲道：「這園梅花共有多少株？」寶珠咳嗽一聲，子雲道：「約有二千株。」該是一杯。
寶珠過來，替子雲斟了，就便向子雲耳邊說了一句。琴言道：「你們改令，是要罰十杯。」子玉道：「沒有人改的。」寶珠過來要與子玉斟酒，琴言把子玉的杯子拿了道：「我又沒有和他說話，為什麼要給他酒吃呢？」寶珠道：「他和你說話也是一樣。」琴言道：「這個我不依。」子玉倒不好意思道：「我原是想酒吃罷了，吃一杯罷。」琴言道；「你要吃，用他的杯子。」寶珠要來取琴言的酒杯，琴言早巳搶在手內藏了，寶珠沒法，只得另取一隻酒杯斟了酒，送到於玉面前。子玉正要伸手去取，琴言用左手蓋著酒，只不許飲。大家看這隻手，豐若有餘，柔若無骨，宛然玉筍一般。任你鐵石心腸，也怦怦欲動。
子雲雖曾經握過，此時也只能豔羨而已。子玉憶起日間那個琴言的手，又粗又黑，始知必非一人。寶珠心生一計，便道：
「你們大家看他的纖纖女手作什麼？」琴言把手一縮，寶珠隨即取了這杯酒，送在子玉手內。琴言向子玉道：「這杯酒你偏不要吃。」子玉答應。子雲道：「玉儂你該替我作主人，敬客一杯才是。」寶珠接口道：「況這個令，那頭一句話，就不算向庾香說的，難道這句話也是和別人說的不成？」琴言想了一想，這話有理，只得一笑。
子玉飲完酒，便問寶珠道：「方才這個玉儂，到底是誰？」
寶珠笑道：「這個要問你的玉儂。」子雲笑著喚道：「玉齡！你再來給梅少爺瞧瞧。」只見裡面套間內走出一個人來，卻是頭裡那個假琴言，垂手正色，侍立在子雲身旁。這假琴言是華公子家八齡班內的一個，名字叫玉齡，本是子雲家人，送給華公子。因其面貌有些相像，所以叫回應用。這就是子雲移花接木之計。
子玉一見，頗難為情，始恍然知初見那個琴言，實在是假的，疑團盡釋。子雲道：「我是要試試庾香的眼力，所以刻畫無鹽，唐突西子。今果被識透，足見高明。」就令玉齡取了兩個大玉杯來道：「你代我敬梅少爺一杯。」玉齡斟了，送與子玉。子玉接著道：「酒已多了，天也不早了，我們用飯罷。」子雲道：「吾兄若不飲這杯酒，是真怪小弟了。玉齡你替我喝一杯，代我陪罪。」玉齡果將那一杯也斟了，大大的飲了一口。寶珠給他幾片春橘過酒，又飲了兩口方才飲完。子玉沒法，只得一口氣飲了一半，吃了些水果。琴言又擠了些春橘水在酒內，然後慢慢的飲乾。
子玉今日初會琴言，天姿國色已經心醉。又飲這一大杯，雖說酒落歡腸，究竟飲已過量，覺得眼前花花綠綠的，支持不住。子雲不敢再敬。大家吃飯，洗漱畢，子玉便要告辭。倒是琴言恐怕他醉了不受用，向子雲要了一服仙桃益壽丸，泡製好了，吹得不甚熱，給子玉服了。不多一會，子玉心裡十分清爽，又把琴言飽看了一番，雖彼此衷曲不能在人前細剖，卻已心許目成，意在不言之表了。子玉令雲兒抱了瑤琴，向子雲、次賢道了謝出來。琴言悄悄的問後會之期，子玉心裡覺得十分難受，勉強的道：「稍有空閒，即當相聚。」大家送到上車地方，大有依依不捨之意，一直望他車子出了園門，寶珠、琴言也各上車回去。欲知後事，再聽下回分解。
After Ziyu and others dispersed, Xuzi Yun returned home. It was late at night, and because it was getting very dark, he headed straight home.
Qinyin has been visiting Yi Garden daily with a group of famous beauties since meeting Xuzi Yun last year. Xuzi Yun cherished her as much as he did his precious pearl. However, Qinyin was naturally proud and aloof, not good at socializing, and no amount of gold could coax a smile from her. Xuzi Yun provided everything she favored—antiques, food, clothes—and treated her very well. Qinyin was grateful, yet she considered him only a half-confidant. Ever since she saw Ziyu on the road to Beijing, she recognized him as the man from her dreams who rescued her from a pit, and she constantly thought of him. On the day they went to the theater in Suzhou, she saw him with a group of young noblemen, including Wei Pincai and Li Yuanmao. She asked about Ye Maolin and learned that this young master was named Mei, which was the sign she had seen under the plum tree. Since then, her hidden affections for him were like willow catkins in the mud, inextricably entangled.
These past few nights, she dreamt of Ziyu several times, vaguely, sometimes smiling with him, sometimes crying with him.
It was as if she herself was traveling, and Ziyu was sending her off, holding her clothes and hands. It was as if after a long journey, she returned, and they sat knee-to-knee, talking heart-to-heart. All was blurry, and upon waking, she could hardly remember any details. Although she knew he was a nobleman’s son, she did not know his personality or preferences and feared he might be a frivolous and fickle young man. She also worried he might be proud and demanding of others’ subservience. But upon closer observation of his gentle demeanor, he seemed like an upright and honest person, unlikely to be as she feared. One day, she dreamt that Baizhu had turned into his likeness, and they performed a scene from “Startling Dream,” though she couldn’t make sense of it. The next day, Xuzi Yun came to the garden, and Ci Xian spoke of the lantern viewing in the garden the previous day, including Ziyu solving Qinyin’s lantern riddle, and highly praised Ziyu’s talents. Xuzi Yun liked hearing this and mentioned, “This Mei Yuxiang, although he doesn’t recognize me, I saw him last year. We also have a family connection; his great-grandfather was a close friend of my great-uncle. I’ve heard of Mei Yuxiang’s appearance, but what of his character?” Ci Xian replied, “He is as steadfast as gold, as gentle as jade, showing no arrogance. Although we met briefly, I can tell he is genuine.” They talked for a long time, and Xuzi Yun did not go out. At dusk, Baizhu came to the garden with Qinyin. Upon seeing them, Xuzi Yun smiled and said, “Yunong, this time you’re well-matched, and you must not forget me.” This startled Qinyin, who suddenly became anxious and burst into tears, saying, “Du Xiang, I appreciate your kindness; you do not treat me as an inferior person, I am deeply grateful. Even if I fail to serve you well, and you get angry, hate me, scold me, or drive me away, I dare not blame you. Just do not lure someone to ruin me. What do you mean by ‘well-matched’? I demand a clear explanation.” Xuzi Yun realized he had spoken rashly and felt it was pointless, so he only asked Baizhu to accompany him and went to Ci Xian’s room under the pretext of viewing paintings.
There, Yuan Baizhu wiped away his tears with a handkerchief, then described the drunken antics and makeup of Shi Nanxiang, which pleased Qinyin, and they sat together on a bed. “Considering those who solved lantern riddles yesterday, there was one named Mei Yuxiang, who is only seventeen or eighteen years old, with an exceptionally handsome appearance,” Qinyin mentioned. “Is this person also surnamed Mei?” Baizhu asked. “He once inquired about you,” Qinyin pondered, then asked Baizhu, “Was this Master Mei the one who watched the play in the eastern building of the Suzhou guild hall on the sixth day?” Baizhu smiled and said, “I wasn’t performing that day, how would I know whether it was him or not?” Qinyin thought deeply for a while, then asked Baizhu again, “Does he look like Lu Xiangwan from our troupe, but with longer
eyes that seem to brighten people; a straighter nose that makes his face appear more refined, is that right?” Baizhu replied, “That’s what you say. You seem very familiar with each other, why hide it?” Qinyin had no response, remembering the dream of that day, then said, “Have you been acquainted with this Mr. Mei for several years?” Baizhu replied, “We met only yesterday.” Qinyin said, “I don’t believe it. If it was just yesterday, how come the night before, he changed into his appearance?” Qinyin said this and covered her mouth with her sleeve, laughing. Baizhu was stunned and said, “Yunong, what nonsense are you talking about?” Qinyin replied, “It’s not nonsense; you turned into his appearance and even sang about the willow dream, Mei.” Baizhu was even more confused and said, “Are you pretending to be mad, or is it a dream?” Qinyin smiled sweetly, recounting the day Mei watched the play and the dream where he changed into his singing appearance. Baizhu said, “This person was indeed well-born; if truly matched with you in the play ‘Startling Dream,’ it would indeed be a pair. Too bad I can’t change.” Qinyin was silent for a long time and said, “Ah, it’s a pity I went out yesterday and didn’t see him.” Baizhu sensed Qinyin was interested in Ziyu, and suggested, “Do you know you wronged Du Xiang today?” Qinyin asked, “How so?” Baizhu explained, “The ‘match’ he talked about arranging for you, who do you think it was?” Qinyin whispered, “Could it really be Master Mei?” Baizhu replied, “If not him, who else?” Qinyin said, “I thought Du Xiang intended to ruin me, but I didn’t realize he was talking about the person who solved the lantern riddle.” Baizhu said, “According to me, you and this Master Mei are fated. I’ll ask Du Xiang to invite him tomorrow to meet you; what do you think?” Baizhu stood up to leave, but Qinyin grabbed her clothes and said, “You’re causing trouble again; I’ve never met Master Mei, I know whether it’s him or not. If it isn’t him, what then; even if it is, I don’t know his character. Also, I just offended Du Xiang; how can I face him now?”
This conversation was lively, unbeknownst to Xuzi Yun and Xiao Ci Xian, who had already moved to the next room and were eavesdropping intensely. They pushed the door open and came out; Qinyin blushed upon seeing them and turned away to sit. Xuzi Yun asked, “Yunong, are you still angry with me?” Qinyin bowed her head in silence; Xuzi Yun said, “Even if I misspoke, it was unintentional.
Moreover, you’re not a girl; what’s there to fear about being matched, could it really be that you’re paired with Mei Yuxiang?” He said this, and Ci Xian and Baizhu laughed. Baizhu said, “Enough, he’s already understood. Why don’t we invite Yuxiang to meet him?” Xuzi Yun said, “I know whether it’s him or not, I have my reasons.” Baizhu and Qinyin then had dinner in Yi Garden and stayed until the second watch before returning.
The next day, Xuzi Yun went to visit Ziyu, where they exchanged words of admiration and arranged to meet on the evening of the nineteenth. He then visited Wang Xun, Liu Wenzhe, Shi Nanxiang, and others, but did not meet them. Returning, he thought, “This Mei Yuxiang is indeed well-known; Yunong is also interested in him. Once they meet, it’s needless to say he’s the one.” He also thought, “Yunong’s temperament is such that few can guess it; if they disagree even slightly, they can decisively break off. Even if Mei Yuxiang is affectionate, he may not be as considerate as me.
According to Yaoqing, Ziyu has changed his name, and he’s completely unaware, showing they’ve never been close.
Having seen only one play, it seems he only appreciates his appearance, and his heart may not be entirely set on Qinyin; I must test him.” He then thought, “If on the nineteenth, I secretly arrange for Yunong to accompany him for drinks, even if they are both interested, it would be hard to tell in front of others. I now plan to use a trick of misdirection, hide Yunong, find someone else who looks like him, speak to him, and see how he reacts, naturally testing him.”
His plan set, he informed Ci Xian and Baizhu.
On the nineteenth, everything was arranged. At the hour of Shen, Mei Ziyu arrived at Yi Garden, and the host welcomed him into Meiyin. Meiyin is a famous spot in the garden, especially when the plum blossoms are in full bloom beneath the mountain. Among the plum trees, there are about ten structures divided into five sections, with houses surrounded by flowers and flowers surrounding houses, layered upon each other, making it difficult to distinguish between forest and house.
The interiors are decorated with antiques, which are too numerous to detail. One feels as though amidst the flowers, not counting the celestial realm, truly a sea of fragrant snow on earth.
In the center, there’s a heart of plum blossoms, consisting of five sections combined into one, further divided into five areas. Hanging above is a plaque with the words “Meiyin.” On both sides, a couplet reads: “Ten thousand plum trees bear the merit of fragrance, one mountain of ancient houses holds peace at heart.” A small portrait of Lin Hejing hangs in the center, and in front, a carved plum blossom rosewood couch is placed. On the couch lies an ancient brocade bag containing a Yaoqin. Xuzi Yun invited Ziyu to sit inside, and Ziyu said, “I boldly tried the lanterns here the other day, becoming an uninvited guest, and today I am honored by your invitation to sit in my Yaozhai. The host’s kindness is overwhelming; how can I possibly reciprocate?” Xuzi Yun said, “Mr. Yuxiang, with your esteemed presence, it’s regretful we didn’t meet sooner. I missed welcoming you the other day, which is my fault. Today, thankfully, you’ve come, and I am truly delighted.” Ziyu asked, “Who else is visiting today, and why is Mr. Jingyi not seen?” Xuzi Yun said, “Jingyi is currently occupied with a small matter and will join us shortly. He then pointed to the couch and said, “Today’s drinks are specially prepared for Yunong’s gift of a qin; it’s inconvenient to invite other guests, lest it disrupts our conversation.” Ziyu said, “I was just about to ask, why was such a generous gift given for solving a lantern riddle the other day? Who exactly is Yunong that my brother treats him with such gravity?” Xuzi Yun then instructed a servant to unravel the qin bag and handed the qin to Ziyu, saying, “There’s an inscription on the back of the qin; please take a look.” When Ziyu took the qin, he saw it was an exquisite ancient qin with jade tuning pegs and a plum pattern. The back was engraved with two lines of Han seal script, which read:
The heart of the qin, profound and quiet; the virtue of the qin, gentle and faint. The person is like jade, together appreciating the music.
Below the four lines of the qin inscription, another line of small regular script was engraved: “In the shade of the mountain, Xuzi Yun transfers this qin to Yuxiang, a gentleman of clear appreciation, on behalf of Yunong.” Two seals were engraved below: the negative script read “Ci Xian composed,” and the positive script read “Jingyi engraved.”
Ziyu, recalling Baizhu’s words about changing names, realized Yunong was the qin official, and he was overjoyed, deeply bowing and thanking him, then instructed the servant to pack the qin properly. Xuzi Yun tested him by saying, “I heard that my brother has a deep relationship with Yunong; is it true?” Ziyu replied, “Since my father is very strict, I rarely leave the house. I only saw him once at the Suzhou guild hall on the first day of spring, during a play called ‘Startling Dream.’ Someone mentioned his name was Qin Guan, and I felt his art and appearance were both excellent.
Until the other day here, I unintentionally learned from your excellency that his name had been changed to Qinyin, and I have never met him since. The talk of our association may be mistaken. My brother can still inquire when he meets Qinyin.”
Xuzi Yun said, “My brother appreciates well, but do you know if Qinyin has any affection for my brother?” Ziyu smiled and said, “The word ‘affection’ is not easily spoken. Even if we share literary interests, finding immediate kinship or forming a moral bond across a thousand miles, both require mutual fondness before affection can be discussed. There is no reason to feel affection for a stranger. Qinyin is a stranger to me, and I have forgotten any affection for him; how can he then feel affection for me?” X
uzi Yun asked, “How does my brother’s assessment of Qinyin compare to Baizhu, whom you saw the other day?” Ziyu thought about it, considering Qinyin and Baizhu were both favored by Xuzi Yun, it was not appropriate to make distinctions. He said, “When evaluating flowers, one must observe their posture after they are made up, and their appearance after the makeup is removed. One must also be familiar with their interests and language to know their true nature. I have seen Baizhu and Qinyin only once, one with makeup and one without, just like glancing at flowers while passing by, it’s hard to judge the depth.” Xuzi Yun asked, “If someone were to gift Qinyin to my brother, how would he handle it?” Ziyu replied, “To cherish the fragrant and pity the jade, who lacks sentiment? Even if I have no golden house to hide her, with my teacher Du Xiang as the master of romantic affairs, I’m not worried about the flowers being mishandled.”
As they were talking, Baizhu came along with a person flaunting blossoms. Ziyu looked and saw it was none other than the person he had been thinking of day and night, Qinyin, and his heart secretly panicked. He also heard Xuzi Yun say, “Yunong, here is the person of your dreams, come and meet her.” Qinyin smiled sweetly and walked up to greet them, but this made Ziyu feel neither able to sit nor stand, just staring blankly at Qinyin. Qinyin also greeted Xuzi Yun. Baizhu said, “Yuxiang, I’m just following Master Zhu’s teaching and not being formal.” Ziyu said, “It’s best to be so unworldly, why can’t Yunong also be this way?” Qinyin smiled faintly, not speaking. Ziyu looked at Qinyin, then at Baizhu, feeling that Baizhu’s face was clearer and more elegant, her expressions lighter and her demeanor more leisurely. He thought to himself, “So Qinyin is just like this; why did she seem so much better in the carriage and when she sang in the play? And why did Wei Pincai praise her endlessly, and Xuzi Yun is so infatuated, it’s really puzzling.” While thinking, his expression subtly revealed some doubt. Xuzi Yun had already noticed and was quite pleased with the subtlety of his plan. Baizhu said, “You’ve been longing for each other for a long time, and today you meet for the first time, you should say a few heartfelt words and get closer, why is everyone so cold and silent?” Saying this, she took Qinyin’s hand and handed it to Ziyu’s. Xuzi Yun said, “Exactly, don’t let our presence here make you uncomfortable.” Ziyu felt even more awkward, unable to accept or refuse, and pretended to go out to relieve himself, then watched the plum blossoms outside the window for a while. After Xuzi Yun repeatedly insisted, Ziyu hesitantly entered the room. Xuzi Yun said, “This place is too open, let’s sit inside.” Baizhu approached a mirrored screen, touched it, and it turned like a door, letting Ziyu and others enter, then closed as usual. Ziyu looked around the room, which also resembled a five-petaled plum blossom but wasn’t very large. As he was observing the room, someone outside the glass window returned with a message, saying, “Master Jia wants to see you.” Xuzi Yun said, “I’m here accompanying guests, tell him to go back.” The person said, “This master says he has urgent matters and has already come in.” Baizhu asked, “Isn’t it Jia Ren, Master Jia?” Xuzi Yun said, “Isn’t that him?” Baizhu said, “I was just about to look for him, why don’t we go see him together?” Xuzi Yun said, “With such an honored guest here, how can I leave?” Ziyu said, “Since we are friends, why stick to formalities?” Xuzi Yun apologized, and Baizhu instructed Qinyin to accompany him well, then they all went out together.
The mirrored screen closed again, leaving only Ziyu and Qinyin in the room. Qinyin let Ziyu sit on the couch while she stood beside him, watching him intently, making Ziyu shy and lower his head.
Qinyin leaned against the edge of the bed, supporting her cheek with one hand, and cooed, “Mr. Mei, was it you watching my play from the upstairs on the sixth day of the lunar new year?”
Ziyu nodded. She continued, “Do you know how much I’ve thought
of you?” Ziyu shook his head. Qinyin asked, “Was it you who guessed the riddle of the Yaoqin?” Ziyu nodded again. She added, “Good intention, do you know Du Xiang’s idea?” Ziyu shook his head. Qinyin used a finger to lift Ziyu’s forehead and said, “I heard from Baizhu that you’ve been asking about me behind my back, I really appreciate your affection. Now that we’ve met, and there’s no third person here, why suddenly act so distant?” Ziyu, cornered by her questioning, reluctantly said, “Yunong, I heard you are very proud, so I respect you. Why did you lose your nature after a few days in the capital?” Qinyin said, “So you were ignoring me because you look down on me, no wonder you’ve been so distant; it’s a pity I wasted all that effort.” Saying this, a blush rose on her face, and her eyes turned towards Ziyu, meeting his gaze just as he lowered his eyes, his face also turning red, feeling very uncomfortable. Qinyin’s eyes briefly relaxed, taking the opportunity to lean her shoulder, and her face moved closer to Ziyu’s face. Ziyu shifted aside, and Qinyin leaned into his embrace, giggling. Ziyu, already upset, pushed her away and stood up, forced to say, “Knowing each other is about knowing the heart. You treat me like a frivolous person.” Qinyin laughed and said, “If you love me, why do you distance yourself today? If we both have affection, it should be natural, why then act like this? If you refuse to talk and avoid contact, even if there’s mutual affection, you can’t understand it even if you want to die. I thought you were a wise man, but it turns out you’re still confused.” Ziyu, unable to bear it, said, “Offering of beauty and sound; this is not the way of the upright. Even if used to while away idle emotions, it does not lose the gentleman’s way. If not striving for the best, seeking the lowest, those who are fond of self-indulgence still do not do it. I always despise such people and warn myself against it, how could I bear to harm the principle, recklessly overstepping? Although you belong among the performers, you can still make a name with your beauty and talent. Why indulge in the base pleasures of the vile? I truly don’t understand this heart. Initially, I thought you had high sentiments and were hard to match, quite aspiring to climb. Now like this, not only have you wasted your efforts, but I deeply regret my mistaken affection.
Wei Pincai’s praise, indeed unreliable, it’s just a pity that Xu Du Xiang loves broadly but is not focused, considering flattery as joy, inevitably adopting the habits of the gentry. How could he possibly□ me?” Saying this, angrily wanting to open the mirrored screen and leave, he couldn’t find the mechanism, no matter how much he pushed, it just wouldn’t open.
Just as he was desperately at a loss, he heard a slight sound inside the mirrored screen, and Xuzi Yun, Ci Xian, and Baizhu all walked in from outside the screen, smiling. Qinyin had already disappeared, leaving Ziyu dazed and confused. He only heard Xuzi Yun laugh and say, “A fine example of unflustered integrity under the willow tree, my apologies for being too harsh.” Ziyu turned his head back, only to see that everyone was inside the room behind the mirrored screen. Ziyu greeted Ci Xian and immediately bid farewell to Xuzi Yun, saying, “I forgot an important matter today and must leave, I’ll come another day to bother you.” Xuzi Yun laughed and said, “Brother Yuxiang, it must be because of the abruptness just now, please have a drink, allow me to apologize.”
Ci Xian said, “I just arrived, intending to have a heartfelt talk, you’re leaving abruptly, are you blaming me for being late in accompanying you?” Baizhu pulled Ziyu into the room and said, “You should take another look at your heart’s desire, don’t cry and ruin him.” Ziyu saw someone sitting there crying, thinking it was just Qinyin. Considering she knew to cry and could repent, he intended to gradually persuade her with words during the banquet. Unexpectedly, the person turned around, wiped tears with a handkerchief, and looked at Ziyu, saying, “Yuxiang, I know your heart.” Ziyu listened, the voice seemed not to be Qinyin’s, and upon a closer look, he saw a radiant, celestial beauty, the one he encountered in the carriage and saw in the play. Z
iyu was startled, as if he had been caught in a compromising situation, his heart thumping uncontrollably, feeling a myriad of tender emotions, a flood of thoughts, but unable to utter a word. Stunned for a long while, he suddenly heard someone say, “The host is serving drinks over there.” Ziyu, as if awakened from a trance, stepped forward to return the greeting, forgetting to reciprocate. Baizhu handed him a cup of wine, and he only then remembered to offer the drink across from where he was sitting. Ci Xian said, “You are the guest, how can you serve drinks on behalf of the host?” Ziyu realized he had mistaken the seating, could only proceed with the error, and offered a drink, then steadied himself and also served the host. Xuzi Yun repeatedly declined, then said, “I’ll drink this cup on behalf of Brother Yuxiang and offer it to someone else.” He placed it below Ziyu’s shoulder and said, “Yunong, come sit here.” Qinyin obliged, poured a cup of wine, and placed it in front of Xuzi Yun. She also served Baizhu, then joined the banquet. It was getting dark, and they lit the lamps. Ziyu said, “Today’s events are very strange, just now it seemed like a confusing dream.” Everyone at the banquet laughed, Qinyin usually reluctant to smile easily, heard this and couldn’t help but show a radiant smile. That beautiful, glowing sight was truly enchanting, not to mention Ziyu had never seen it before, even Xuzi Yun, who had been with him for nearly a month, saw it for the first time. Knowing her smile was for Ziyu, he couldn’t help but feel jealous. Fortunately, Baizhu’s grace and demeanor also matched Qinyin’s. Seeing Ziyu gentle and elegant, sitting with Qinyin, he envied and forgot his jealousy. Here, Ziyu took another close look at Qinyin, realizing that the Qinyin he saw during the day, although her eyebrows were refined, her eyes beautiful, her complexion clean, and her appearance somewhat similar, her expression and demeanor were completely different.
Unable to figure out if it was one or two people, he became more puzzled but felt it inappropriate to ask them.
After several rounds of drinks, Ci Xian said, “Brother Yuxiang, did you see the engraved words on the Yaoqin today?” Ziyu said, “I forgot to thank you, the iron pen with an ancient heart, truly a master hand. But this lantern riddle was also easy to solve; Mr. Du Xiang said it was set for Yunong, I really don’t know why?”
Xuzi Yun pointed at Qinyin and said, “Brother, I set this lantern riddle while reciting the phrases ‘falling flowers’ and ‘light rain.’ Also, because his name is Qin, I used this as an opportunity to wish for a lifelong confidant for him. Coincidentally, it was my brother who guessed it, not in vain my effort to make a match.” Ziyu said, “I accept it reluctantly and with gratitude, I will treasure it for Yunong.” Qinyin’s face showed anticipation. Baizhu saw this and changed a word in a Tang poem and recited, “Ordinarily just like the moon in front of the qin, but now with plum blossoms, it’s different.” Xuzi Yun and Ci Xian both praised, “Well changed in the word ‘qin.’”
Ziyu saw Qinyin’s slightly annoyed look, knowing Baizhu was playing with his name, and said, “If not for Yaoqing’s wisdom, it couldn’t have been changed so cleverly.” Xuzi Yun and others thought it was just ordinary praise, only Qinyin deeply appreciated Ziyu’s feelings, feeling he had avenged the word ‘qin’ for her. Ci Xian said, “Why hasn’t Yunong spoken today?” Xuzi Yun said, “He’s originally like a quiet madam, in the future, Jingyi can write a couplet for him, ‘Flowers like to talk and are too meddlesome, rocks cannot speak and are most agreeable.’” Ziyu just nodded. Baizhu said, “He only knows how to dream, how could he talk?” Qinyin glanced at Baizhu.
Ziyu thought, “This is clearly different from what I saw before, could it really be two different people?”
Xuzi Yun, seeing Ziyu and Qinyin seemingly interested in each other, then said, “Brother Yuxiang, didn’t you have something to do? Why not send someone back, we can continue to drink.” Ziyu hesitated and said, “Although there’s a minor matter, it can wait until tomorrow.
You’re such a good host, it’s a pity the good friends who came the other day are not here.” Xuzi Yun said, “They come often, no harm in meeting another day.” Ziyu said, “There’s also a person of outstanding character.” Xuzi Yun said, “I also know him.” Qinyin said, “That’s a uniquely chosen name.” Xuzi Yun raised his cup to Ziyu and said, “It’s rare that Yunong has spoken, we should celebrate greatly.” Ziyu drank up, then turned to Ci Xian and also drank.
Baizhu said, “Why don’t we make a rule today that whenever Yunong speaks, everyone at the banquet drinks a cup?” Xuzi Yun laughed and said, “This rule is new, let’s do it.” Ziyu said, “Saying one sentence and everyone drinks a cup of wine, this rule might make the wine too much. How about whoever he talks to, that person drinks a cup?” Qinyin nodded. Baizhu said, “This might have a drawback.” Yu Yun said, “It’s fine, if we get drunk, I have sobering pills.” Everyone agreed.
Qinyin asked Xuzi Yun, “What are these sobering pills? What are they called?” Xuzi Yun explained one by one, totaling two cups. Qinyin asked Ci Xian, “Why did you come back so late today?” Ci Xian said, “I was matchmaking for someone and came back late,” also drinking a cup. Qinyin looked at Ziyu, they didn’t speak, then turned back to ask Xuzi Yun, “How many plum trees are in this garden?” Baizhu coughed once, and Xuzi Yun said, “About two thousand,” which was one cup.
Baizhu came over, poured for Xuzi Yun, then whispered something in his ear. Qinyin said, “You changed the rule, that’s a penalty of ten cups.” Ziyu said, “No one changed it.” Baizhu came over to pour wine for Ziyu, but Qinyin took Ziyu’s cup and said, “I didn’t talk to him, why should he drink?” Baizhu said, “It’s the same if he talks to you.” Qinyin said, “I don’t agree.” Ziyu, embarrassed, said, “I just wanted to drink, let’s have one cup.” Qinyin said, “If you want to drink, use his cup.” Baizhu tried to take Qinyin’s wine cup, but Qinyin had already hidden it in her hand. Baizhu had no choice but to take another wine cup, poured the wine, and brought it to Ziyu. Just as Ziyu was about to reach for it, Qinyin covered the wine with her left hand, refusing to let him drink. Everyone looked at this hand, ample and boneless, truly like jade shoots. Even if you had a heart of stone, it would still be moved.
Although Xuzi Yun had held it before, at this moment, he could only admire. Ziyu recalled the hand of Qinyin he saw during the day, which was rough and dark, realizing it must not be the same person. Baizhu came up with a plan and said, “What are you all looking at his delicate lady’s hand for?” Qinyin retracted her hand, and Baizhu immediately took the cup of wine and handed it to Ziyu. Qinyin said to Ziyu, “You must not drink this cup.” Ziyu agreed. Xuzi Yun said, “Yunong, you should act as the host and honor the guest with a cup.” Baizhu interjected, “Moreover, that first sentence wasn’t said to Yuxiang, was this sentence also spoken to someone else?” Qinyin thought for a moment, found the reasoning sound, and could only smile.
Ziyu finished the wine and then asked Baizhu, “Who exactly was Yunong just now?”
Baizhu laughed and said, “You should ask your Yunong.” Xuzi Yun called out, “Yuling! Come and let Mr. Mei have a look.” A person walked out from the inner room, it was the fake Qinyin from earlier, standing properly next to Xuzi Yun. This fake Qinyin was a member of the Hua family’s Eight Age Troupe, named Yuling, originally a servant in Xuzi Yun’s household, given to Master Hua. Because his appearance was somewhat similar, he was called back for use. This was Xuzi Yun’s trick of misdirection.
Ziyu, seeing this, felt quite embarrassed, finally realizing that the Qinyin he initially saw was indeed fake, resolving his doubts. Xuzi Yun said, “I wanted to test Yuxiang’s discernment, so
I portrayed a bland character, abruptly introducing Xizi. Now that you’ve seen through it, it shows your insight.” He then instructed Yuling to bring two large jade cups and said, “You represent me in honoring Mr. Mei with a cup.” Yuling poured and offered it to Ziyu. Ziyu took it, saying, “The wine is plenty, and it’s getting late, let’s eat.” Xuzi Yun said, “If my brother won’t drink this cup, he’ll truly think ill of me. Yuling, drink one for me, to apologize on my behalf.” Yuling indeed poured another cup, took a big sip, Baizhu gave him a few slices of spring oranges to chase the wine, and after two more sips, he finished the drink. Ziyu had no choice but to gulp down half in one breath, ate some fruit. Qinyin then squeezed some spring orange juice into the wine, and then slowly finished drinking.
Ziyu met Qinyin for the first time today, already enamored by her national beauty. After drinking this large cup, although it’s said wine falls into a joyful stomach, ultimately he had drunk too much, feeling his vision blurring, barely able to hold on. Xuzi Yun dared not offer more. Everyone had dinner, washed up, and Ziyu prepared to leave. Qinyin, fearing he was too drunk to bear, asked Xuzi Yun for a serving of Immortal Peach Life-Extending Pills, brewed it well, cooled it sufficiently, and gave it to Ziyu. Not long after, Ziyu felt very refreshed, looked at Qinyin thoroughly once more, and although their heartfelt sentiments couldn’t be thoroughly discussed in front of others, they had already committed their eyes and intentions, understood without speaking. Ziyu ordered Yun’er to carry the Yaoqin, thanked Xuzi Yun and Ci Xian, and left. Qinyin quietly asked for the next meeting, Ziyu felt very uncomfortable, barely managing to say, “Whenever I’m free, we shall meet.” Everyone escorted him to the carriage, reluctantly watching as his carriage left the garden gate, Baizhu and Qinyin also got into their carriages and left. To know what happens next, listen to the following explanation.