話說袁夫人自華府回來，到家已晚，換了衣服，卸了花鈿，便與子雲說起所行的令，並將婢女們的也說了，子雲連聲說好。
後來瞞了他夫人，把這十六個令刻了出來，分作二等：夫人小姐行的十個為上令，婢女們的六個為下令，作了題，題了好些詩，不過沒有注出姓名來。因第一個令是群鴉噪鳳，後有這些婢女們攪鬧，就取名為群鴉噪鳳令。外人見了，都傳為美談。
及至袁夫人知道，已經傳遍，也無可如何了。
光陰甚快，不覺已至仲春。如今要特說一個人的行事，也是此書中緊要人。你道是誰？前回書中，蕭次賢說有兩封情書的燈謎，被人打去了，可惜沒有問得這人姓名。原來這人姓田，名春航，號湘帆，年二十三歲。也是金陵人，卻寄居揚州。自幼失怙。母張氏，名門世族，淹通經史。二十五歲上生了春航，二十八歲上，春航之父田浩中了進士，即歿於京師。這田夫人苦節撫孤，教養兼任，幸藉其兄張桐孫太守不時周濟。這春航的學問，多半得於母教。幼有鳳毛之譽，長誇駿骨之奇。十三歲進了學，十八歲中了副舉。
生得一貌堂堂，朗如玉山，清如秋水。情性則蘊藉風流，胸襟則卓犖瀟灑。
在庠序時，人就謂其雞群鶴立。但時運未來，三試不中。
娶妻顏氏，德容兼備，是個廣文先生之女，與春航琴瑟和諧。
去年正月內，田夫人見其子困守鄉園，終非長策；且當年其夫的同榜進士，如今置身青雲者也不少，遂令春航遊學京師，命一老家人田安隨了。□被出門，先到杭州，後到蘇州，兩處的年誼故舊，幾個當道顯貴，共相幫扶。春航在那兩處，勾留了半年，詩文著作傳抄殆遍。時下謂其可與侯太史、屈大令爭名，因此囊橐充盈，黃自滿篋。不消說題花載酒，訪翠眠香，幾至樂而忘返。及接了他太夫人的手諭，催其速行進京，春航不得已，即擇日起身。先寄了千金回家，又收了兩個俊僕，裘馬輝煌，妓女餞行，狎客祖道。一路上風花詩酒，遊目騁懷，好不有興。
復繞道而行，東瞻泰岱，西謁華山，直到十一月底才到京，寓居城南宏濟寺，就與高品前後隔院住著。一切同鄉年誼，未暇探訪，獨自一人，日日在酒樓戲館，作樂陶情。幸虧此地的妓女生得不好，紮著兩條褲腿，插著滿頭紙花，挺著胸脯，腸肥腦滿，粉面油頭；吃蔥蒜，喝燒刀，熱炕暖似陽臺，秘戲勞於校獵，把春航女色之心，收拾得乾乾淨淨。見唱戲的相公，卻好似南邊，便專心致力的聽戲。又不聽崑腔，倒愛聽亂彈，因此被幾個下作的相公迷住。春航這片情，真似個散錢滿地，毫無貫串。且繫心慈面熱，只要人待得他好，他就將這人當作寶貝一樣，斷不肯割愛。到京數月，倒也沒有幹過一件正事，天天帶著幾個相公，吃喝之外，還要做衣服，買玩器，隨分子。
春航這點囊橐，那裡經得大鬧，過了年，竟花得乾淨了。後來就盡當衣服，衣服將要當完，這些相公有些看得出他的光景來，漸漸的與他疏遠。這春航是個胸襟闊大的人，卻也毫不介意。
田安雖常苦諫，他那裡肯聽，還是一樣的苦中尋樂。他預先存著一個主意，是」財盡而交絕」的一句，若能樂得一天，算一天，實在到水盡山窮時，方肯歇手。此時高品與春航已經認識。
日夕聚在一處，甚為莫逆。高品也常於謔浪之中，寓些規勸之意。春航口雖唯唯，而心實不以為然，倒反要拉了高品出去，高品也應酬了幾回。高品現在刑部候補七品小京官，一切車馬服飾，外面應酬也就不易，所以不能如春航這樣。而且他又不喜歡他那些相公，說他所愛的一班不好，春航不服。及見了李玉林來看高品，那一種娟媚韶秀的豐致，比蓉官等似要好些，便此心自訟了幾日。
一日，高品過來，適值春航吃飯，青蔬半碟，白飯一盂。
蒼頭小子，侍立兩旁。那一個俊俏大跟班早巳走了，春航談笑從容，恬然自適。高品道：「自待如此之薄，而待人又如此之厚，我看你不及小旦多矣。」春航驟然聽了，當是高品奚落他，又知他是詼諧慣的，也不介意，問道：「何以見得呢？」高品道：「看你現在的服食起居，那一樣及得小旦，何於人有情，於己忘情若此。且吾兄景況，我已深知，也不過與我高卓然伯仲之間。就算慷慨性成，揮霍貫了，然亦不犯著以有用之黃金，填無底之糞窖。請問吾兄進京來，是干功名的，還是鬧小旦的？題花載酒，只可偶然，要像足下之忘身捨命。刻苦勞神，只怕黃龍洞未會歃血之盟；白兔園早受噬臍之害。此余所不解也。」
春航啞然一笑道：「我始以閣下為達人，今聽你這些話，你尚未達。你談二十年書，連性理二字都不解，也來論白道黑，我替你說了。」高品道：「倒要請教。」春航道：「真實無妄便是誠，自誠而明便是性。有一分假處，有一分虛處，便不得謂誠了。」高品道：「自然。難道真實無妄，指鬧相公的麼？」
春航道：「縱橫十萬里，上下五千年，那有比相公好的東西？不愛相公，這等人也不足比數了。若說愛相公有一分假處，此人便通身是假的。於此而不用吾真，惡乎用吾真？既愛相公有一分虛處，此人便通身是虛的，於此而不用吾實，惡乎用吾實？況性即理，理即天，不安其性，何處索理？不得其理，何處言天。造物既費大氣力生了這些相公，是造物於相公不為不厚。造物尚於相公不辭勞苦，一一佈置如此面貌，如此眉目，如此肌膚身體，如此巧笑工顰，嬌柔宛轉，若不要人愛他，何不生於大荒之世，廣漠之間，與世隔絕，一任風煙磨滅，使人世不知有此等美人，不亦省了許多事麼？既不許他投閒置散，而必聚於京華冠蓋之地，是造物之心，必欲使縉紳先生及海內知名之士品題品題，賞識賞識，庶不埋沒這片苦心。譬如時花美女，皎月纖雲，奇書名圃，一切極美的玩好，是無人不好的，往往不能聚在一處，得了一樣已足快心。只有相公如時花，卻非草木；如美玉。不假鉛華；如皎月纖雲，卻又可接而可玩；如奇書名畫，卻又能語而能言；如極精極美的玩好，卻又有千嬌百媚的變態出來。失一相公，得古今之美物，不足為奇；得一相公，失古今之美物，不必介意。《孟子》云：『人少則慕父母，知好色則慕少艾，仕則慕君。』我輩一介青衿，無從上聖主賢臣之頌；而吳天燕地，定省既虛；惟少艾二宇，聖賢於數千載前已派定我們思慕的了。就是聖賢亦何常不是過來人，不然，那能說得如此精切？我最不解今人好女色則以為常，好男色則以為異，究竟色就是了，又何必分出男女來？好女而不好男，終是好淫，而非好色。彼既好淫，便不論色。若既重色，自不敢淫。又最不解的是財色二字並重。既愛人之色，而又吝已之財。以爛臭之糞土，換奇香之寶花，孰輕孰重？卓然當能辨之。」
高品聽了這一席話，卻也無處可駁。便道：「情之所鍾，正在我輩，難道我是不通人道的麼？所以勸你者，以君牀頭金盡，我又無囊可解。足下將來，雖能封到滎陽郡公，恐此輩中，競無▉國夫人。烏巾少年，縱馳名於酒肆。而鶉衣小丐，恐忽餓於花街。竊恐為鄭元和所笑耳。」春航笑道：「大丈夫豈與守錢虜同日語？自我得之，自我失之，亦復何憾？」二人正講得熱鬧，忽見高品的下人來說：「顏少爺來拜老爺。」高品即出去，到了自己屋裡，見了仲清坐下，問有好幾日不見，仲清道：「自從燈節逛燈之後，便著了涼，病了好幾日，已有半個多月不曾出門，在家也悶。」就說起燈節晚上南湘的醉態來，高品笑道：「那一天我也在坐，也醉得了不得了。我是乘間脫逃，不然也要波及無辜，難道去向酒糟頭索命麼？」於是大家又講起怡園的燈，與那些燈謎來。高品道：「有兩個好燈謎，是兩封情書：一封是花名，一封是藥名，都被我們同廟住的一位叫田湘帆打著了，真是好心思。」仲清聽得湘帆二字，便想起去年酒樓賞雪那個題詞少年，款是湘帆，便問高品道：
「這湘帆怎樣的人？」高品道：「也是我輩。我去年對你說過的：樣樣精緻，是個精品。如今是樣樣精光了。」仲清笑問：「怎樣？」高品便將他方才的議論，與到京所為的事，一一說了。又道：「此人卻真可惜，才貌雙全，胸襟闊大，就是愛鬧，太無收束。他也是你們金陵人，此時住家揚州。他說他的夫人母家姓顏，或者是你的本家，你何不會會他？」
仲清道：「也好。你為我先容。」高品即同了仲清進去，仲清先已望見一個少年，神光似玉，寶氣如珠，可不就是去年酒樓上所見的？高品與他們介紹了。春航見了仲清，也覺面熟。
仲清說起去年在酒樓見了那首詞，傾倒至今，真恨相見之晚。春航也想起那日相見，便彼此說些仰慕的話。仲清把他的家世細細問了一遍，始知春航的泰山，果是他的本家叔父。不過仲清在京久了，所以不知這門親戚。二人說的意氣相投，又係親戚，已十分相契，後來便談起肺腑來。仲清見春航去年服飾何等華美，如今已不似從前，再想高品的話說他精光，一無所有，也不知他所闊的是些什麼人？便問道：「聞足下頗有狎優之癖，但不知賞識的那幾個？可能不負品題否？」高品接口道：「他的賞識，與人不同，我說給你聽：「咭咭咯咯梆子腔，咿咿啞啞唱二簧。褲花白似秋雲薄，上得巫山屁亦香。」
仲清大笑，春航漲紅了臉說道：「放屁！你這個屁，倒有些香。只可惜白香山那句好詩，夾在你那三個屁裡頭。」仲清笑道：「說正經話，吾兄賞識的到底是誰？」春航道：「各部名花，我未曾全覽，想亦妍媸不等。我也不過逢揚作戲，所謂未能免俗，聊復爾爾。大約諸名班中，要推登春的玉美、全福的翠寶，其餘聯珠的蓉官，也還可以，想都是有目共賞的。」仲清笑了一笑道：「葉公好龍，未見真龍；鄭人夢鹿，終是假鹿。湘帆可惜有鬧相公之名，無鬧相公之實。天下相公出在京城，京城相公聚在聯錦班。史竹君的《曲臺花選》，品題最允，如袁寶珠、蘇蕙芳等方配稱名花，而且詩詞書畫無一不佳，直可作我輩良友。若翠寶、玉美等，不過狐媚迎人，蛾眉善妒，視錢財為性命，以衣服作交情，今日迎新，明朝棄舊，湘帆何其孟浪用情若此？」春航聽了，半晌不語，俯首而思。仲清道：「足下莫非懊悔賞識錯了麼？」
春航道：「這有什麼錯不錯，原是一時寄興；況且各人賞識不同。大凡賞識兩字，須要自己做出眼力來，不必隨聲附和。此輩中倒不必要他充斯文，一充斯文轉恐失之造作，倒不妨有相公習氣，方是天真爛漫。我如得志，便不惜黃金十萬，起金屋數重，輕裙長袖侍於前，粉白黛綠居於後，伺候我數年，然後將這班善男信女，配做了玉瑟瑤琴，還了普天下八萬三千大心願，成了個歡喜世界，我便如彌勒一笑，永不合口，豈不快活？」高品道：「你那金屋中，我必要送你副對子。」即念道：「月明瑤島三千里，人在蓬萊第一峰。」春航道：「這副對子，也題得不切。」高品道：「切得很，上聯切你的粉白黛綠，下聯切你的長袖輕裙。」仲清、春航都不甚解。高品道：「有了這副對子，人才知道他這金屋中，前面要開棚子，後面要開窯子。」仲清大笑。春航道：「你擱起那貧嘴。」三人談笑了半日，仲清回去，與王恂說起春航與他有親，就是去年酒樓題詞的少年，果然才貌雙全，但志願太奢，流而忘返。遲了幾日，又去看望春航，一連幾次，總未晤及。春航竟鬧得不堪回首。仲清憐其才，欲成全他，聞他窘得不堪，便張羅了二百兩銀子，寫了一封書，說聞其旅況不佳，少助買花之費，原是試他的心的。春航大喜，回書謝了，便又樂了十數天，依然空手。前日所贖的當，仍又當了。仲清聞知，甚為歎息。
一日，春航又在戲園看戲，卻看的是聯珠班。一個人冷冷落落的，在下場門背暗的地方坐了。看見蓉官的戲，心上便又喜歡。正看到得意處，忽見前面一張桌子，來了一個三十來歲胖子，反穿著草上霜，同著一個二十幾歲伶伶俐俐的人坐下，背後站著一個跟班。那胖子是一口京話，那一個是南邊人，原來就是富三與魏聘才。不多一刻，蓉官卸了妝，已坐在對面樓上，與一個少年說話。下來又在樓下坐了一會，即走到這邊來，一路路請安照應人。
忽然看見前面桌上那兩個，便搶步上來，照應了，就坐在中間。春航如今的衣服，大非從前可比，不過剩了家常所穿的幾件舊衣，又坐在背暗處；越覺得顏色黯淡，並不見蓉官過來照應他。只聽得蓉官說道：「二老爺，昨日有人很感你的情。」那胖子道：「是誰？」蓉官道：「聯錦班的二喜，說你很疼他，給他好些東西，在你家住了一夜，有沒有？」那胖子道：
「我倒不認識他。那日魏老爺同他進城喝了幾鍾酒，天晚了，出不了城，就留他住下。早上逛了廟，他要買了幾樣零碎東西，就出去的。這二喜倒罷了，肯巴結。」蓉官道：「此刻是盡講究巴結了。我們的師傅不好，當年教戲時，就沒有教會巴結。」
那個後生，將手搭在蓉官肩上道：「你也只要會巴結，富三老爺難道還不愛你麼？」蓉官道：「我說過不會巴結。要不然你教我，我就拜你做師傅。你怎樣教我，我就怎樣學你。」那後生一面笑，一面把他臉上擰了一把。蓉官一回頭，見了春航，卻把眼睛一低，又撲轉來一注，卻又別轉了頭。半晌又回轉來，上上下下，把春航一看，像要招呼又止住的光景。春航心裡頗疑，想道：「難道他看不清？此時仲春，人還穿著小中毛，春航已是一身棉衣。且這幾日陰雨連綿，地下難走，又坐不起車。
靴子也沾了些泥，迥非從前的模樣。蓉官因此駭異，心裡也想道：邊分明是田老爺，怎麼窮了？冷冷清清的一人坐著。意欲過去照應，又恐不是。及仔細看清了，才過去請了一個安，坐下，倒說了好一會話。富三卻不留心，聘才見了，便扯扯富三的衣裳，道：「你瞧，蓉官倒巴結那個人，難道這種人，倒有什麼巴結處麼？」富三道：「那也難說的。」蓉官辭了春航，又到富三處來。聘才笑向蓉官道：「好闊老鬥。」蓉官臉上一紅，道：「他真闊過來。他倒從沒有欠人的開發，要人替擔帳。」少停，富三等即帶了蓉官，又叫了一個相公出去了。
天又濛濛的下起細雨來，春航也無心再看，付了戲錢。出得門來，地下已滑得似油一樣。不多幾時，只見全福班的翠寶坐著車，劈面過來，見了他，扭轉了頭，竟過去了。春航心裡頗為不樂，只得低著頭，慢慢找那乾的地方。
誰料這街道窄小，車馬又多，那裡還有乾土？前面又有一個大騾車，下了簾子，車沿上坐著個人，與一個趕車的如飛的衝過來。道路又窄，已到春航面前，那騾子把頭一昂，已碰著春航的肩，春航一閃踏了個滑，站立不牢，栽了一交。這一交倒也栽得湊巧，就沾了一身爛泥，臉上卻沒有沾著。車內人見了，唬了一大跳，忙把簾子掀起，探出身子來，鶯聲嚦嚦道：「快拉住了牲口，攙起那入來。」
趕車的早巳跳下來，把牲口勒住了，跟班的也下來，扶起春航。春航又羞又怒，將要罵那車夫，只見那坐車的，陪著滿面笑，從車中探出身子，說道：「受驚了！澄車的不好，照應不到，污了衣裳怎麼好？」即把趕車的罵了幾句。
春航一見，原來是個絕色的相公，就有一片靈光，從車內飛出來，把自己眼光罩住，那一腔怒氣，不知消到何處去了。
只見那相公生得如冰雪摶成，瓊瑤琢就，韻中生韻，香外含香。
正似明月梨花，一身縞素；恰稱蘭心蕙質，竟體清芬。春航看得呆了，安得有盧家鬱金堂，石家錦步幛置此佳人，就把五百年的冤孽，三千劫的魔障，盡跌了出來，也忘了自己辱在泥塗，即笑盈盈的把兩隻泥手，扶著車沿說道：「不妨，不妨，這是我自不小心，偶然失足，衣服都是舊的，污了不足惜，幸勿有擾尊意。」說罷在旁連連拱手，道：「請罷，請罷。」那相公重又露出半個身子，陪了多少不是而去。春航只管立著，看這車去遠了，方轉過身來行路。人見了，掩口而笑。
春航拖泥帶水的，一步步走回廟中，恰懊悔不曾問得那一班的小旦。進了廟門，就把衣裳脫下，交田安收拾，換去泥靴，身上只穿了一件夾襖，來到高品屋裡坐下。高品見他身上不穿袍子，且下雨寒冷，便問他何以不多穿件衣服？春航答以被雨沾濕，叫田安烤去了。高品即於衣包內，取出一件袍子與他穿了。春航即坐下說道：「我今日雖然跌了一交，沾了些泥，但這一交實在跌得有趣。鬧了兩個多月的相公，不及這一交受用。天假奇緣，得逢絕代，就跌死了也不作怨鬼。」高品笑道：「說些什麼鬼話？」春航就將看見的相公說了一遍，高品道：「我倒替你做章《詩經》念給你聽。」隨念道：
其雨其雨，梨園之東。有美一人，其車既攻。匪車之攻，胡為乎泥中？賦也。
春航笑著，又將那相公的相貌衣裳，連那騾子車圍的顏色都說了，問道：「你可識得是那一班的相公？」高品想了一會道：「據你說來，不是陸素蘭，就是金漱芳，不然就是袁寶珠。」春航道；「金漱芳在聯殊班，我見過他的戲，生得瘦瘦兒的，不是。至於陸素蘭、袁寶珠我卻不認得，不知到底是誰？」高品道：「袁寶珠是不大穿素色衣裳的。你說這光景，也不大很像陸素蘭。要不然是蘇蕙芳，不錯的，定是蘇媚香，那真是冰壺秋月，清絕無塵，生得不肥不瘦，一個雞子臉兒，常穿件素色衣裳，在聯錦班。史竹君定他是第二名。」春航道：「尚是第二名，第一名是誰？難道還有比他好的麼？」高品道：「第一名是衰寶珠，過兩天開溝的時候，你就看見了。」春航道：「為什麼？」高品道：「見第二名相公，已經跌在車轍裡，見第一名相公，不要倒在溝裡麼？」春航只管的笑，猶細細的把那相公摹想，想了一會，那相貌聲音，丰神情韻，便宛然一輛大騾車，那相公坐在面前，便不言不語的傻笑。就在高品處吃了晚飯，直講到三更天，才各安寢。
次日天晴了，春航絕早起來，把衣裳曬晾乾了，刷淨了泥，換了一雙靴子，心裡想去聽戲，又苦於無資，竟無可典之物。
想著田安尚有幾件衣服，便走到田安房裡，卻不見他，也等不及他來，打開了他的衣包，見有件繭綢皮袍，包在裡面，便拿了出來，叫那小使張和去當了，倒有六吊錢，心中大喜。飯也不吃，一連看了五天聯錦班，才見著那個相公一面。看他唱了一齣《獨佔》，訪問他的姓名，卻正是蘇蕙芳。蕙芳偶在春航身邊走過，認得是前日跌在泥裡那一位，又見他衣裳一身斑點，未免一笑，但不好意思來照應他。春航見蕙芳對他一笑，便如逢玉女投壺，天公開口，便喜歡得說不出來。千思萬想，可借不能叫他一回。又看他這樣局面，似乎不肯輕易陪酒，斷非紙條飛去隨叫隨來的光景。不得主意，日間咨嗟太息，晚上夢魂顛倒，看看將要害相思病了。再經田安進來瑣碎，又說當了他的衣裳，他要留著做什麼的。又說煤米全無，鋪內因前帳未還，不肯再賒。和尚房錢催逼，明日准要。
春航只當不聽見，在炕上和衣臥了，心裡只想著蕙勞。田安出去，嘴裡卻不住咕咕嚕嚕的抱怨，春航也有些躊躇。
但生平沒有求人，今日去向誰借貸？且到京兩三月了，也沒有去拜望一個同鄉親友，此時怎樣去問人告借？忽又想起顏仲清，前日一面之交，居然就贈銀二百兩，況且並未向他商量，這人真是今人中之古人。想他也不是為那點葭孚之誼，必定知我的肺腑，看來還可與他商量商量。
過了一夜，次早寫了一封書，也不明說，隱隱約約似要乞援的話，命張和送去。春航在家盼望佳音，少頃張和回來，卻是空手，連回書也沒有，說道：「他們門上說，顏少爺知道了，就送回信來。」春航想他必定打算銀子，吃了飯，候了一會。忽見顏仲清著人來，來人手裡拿上一軸畫，說：「我們少爺，給老爺請安。這軸畫請老爺題一題，叫小的候著帶了回去。」春航聽了，不知何意，又不見有回信，只得打開畫來一看，是唐六如畫的鄭元和小像，鶉衣百結，在風雪中乞食的模樣。春航知道奚落他，不覺大怒，兩頰通紅，然也不便對著來人發作，只得說道：「你在外邊候一候，我即刻就題。」來人出去，春航氣忿忿的把畫攤在桌上，見上面已題了兩首七言絕句，款是劍潭題。詩是：王孫乞食淮陰日，伍相奇窮水瀨時。
此是英雄千古厄，豈同飄泊狹邪兒？
鶉衣百結破羊裘，高唱蓮花未解羞。
若使妖姬無烈性，此生終老不回頭。
春航心裡想道：「他雖罵得刻毒，但理卻不錯，怎樣的來翻他？」便略略構思，題起筆來，一揮而就，寫道：
欲使蛾眉成義俠，忍教駿骨暫支離。
此中天早安排定，不是情人不易知。
蓋世才華信不虛，風流猶見敝衣餘。
五陵年少休相薄，後日功名若個如。
落了款，用了印章，卷好交與來人。春航氣悶，又獨自出外去了。
來人回去，將畫送上，仲清與王恂同看，見這兩首詩雖是強詞奪理，但其志可見，未免可惜了一番。仲清原想把這兩首詩去感化他，誰想倒激怒了他。又聽來人說，他光景更為狼狽。
據他的跟班講，今日已斷了炊，不能舉火。仲清與王恂皆為歎息，仲清道：「這樣看來，此人真是『我心匪石，不可轉矣。』奈何！奈何！」王恂道：「你前日送他二百金，不上半月，竟已化為烏有。這人這樣行為，就再送給他二百金，也是無濟於事。除非要將徐度香的家私分一半與他，才夠他揮霍。但人到斷炊，也不成件事了。依我想，我們如今再幫他百金，存在卓然處，教他相機行事，慢慢點化他。或者憑卓然那張嘴，倒還勸得轉他，也未可知。仲清亦以為然。王恂即備了百金，交與仲清送至高品處。未知後事如何，且聽下回分解。
Speaking of Lady Yuan, she returned home late from the Hua Mansion. After changing her clothes and removing her hair ornaments, she told Zi Yun about the orders she had given during her visit, as well as those given by the maidservants. Zi Yun repeatedly praised her actions.
Later, without his wife’s knowledge, he carved out the sixteen orders into two categories: the ten given by the lady and the young lady were considered superior, while the six given by the maidservants were considered inferior. He made a title for them and wrote many poems, but he did not reveal any names. The first order was “A Flock of Crows Disturbing the Phoenix”, and because of the disturbance caused by the maidservants, he named it “A Flock of Crows Disturbing the Phoenix Order”. Outsiders who saw it all praised it as a beautiful story.
By the time Lady Yuan found out, it had already spread widely and there was nothing she could do about it.
Time flew by quickly, and before they knew it, it was mid-spring. Now, we must talk about the actions of a particular individual, who is a key character in this book. Who might that be? In the previous chapter, Xiao Ci Xian mentioned two love letters that were riddles, which were solved by someone. Unfortunately, they didn’t ask for the person’s name. This person’s surname is Tian, his name is Chun Hang, and he goes by the nickname Xiang Fan. He is 23 years old. He is also from Jinling, but he lives in Yangzhou. He lost his father at a young age. His mother, Madame Zhang, comes from a prestigious family and is well-versed in history. She gave birth to Chun Hang when she was 25, and when she was 28, Chun Hang’s father, Tian Hao, passed the imperial examination and became a scholar, but he died in the capital. Madame Tian, a widow, raised Chun Hang on her own, teaching him and taking care of him. Fortunately, her brother, Zhang Tong Sun, a high-ranking official, helped them from time to time. Chun Hang’s education was mostly due to his mother’s teachings. He was praised for his talent from a young age, and his exceptional abilities were admired. He entered school at the age of thirteen and passed the preliminary imperial examination at the age of eighteen.
He was handsome and dignified, as bright as a jade mountain and as clear as autumn water. His temperament was refined and elegant, and his demeanor was bold and unrestrained.
During his time at the academy, people said he stood out like a crane among chickens. However, his luck had not yet arrived, and he failed the examination three times.
He married a woman named Yan, who was virtuous and beautiful. She was the daughter of a scholar and got along well with Chun Hang.
In the first month of last year, Madame Tian saw that her son was stuck in the countryside and decided that it was not a long-term solution. Many of her husband’s classmates who had passed the imperial examination were now in high positions, so she sent Chun Hang to study in the capital, accompanied by an old servant named Tian An. They left home and first went to Hangzhou, then to Suzhou. In both places, they were helped by old friends and influential figures. Chun Hang stayed in these two places for half a year, and his poetry and writings were widely circulated. People said that he could compete with famous scholars like Hou Tai Shi and Qu Da Ling. As a result, he had plenty of money and was content. Needless to say, he enjoyed drinking and visiting beautiful women, almost to the point of forgetting to return home. When he received a letter from his mother-in-law urging him to hurry to the capital, Chun Hang had no choice but to set off. He first sent a thousand gold pieces back home, then hired two handsome servants. With splendid clothes and horses, accompanied by courtesans and friends, he traveled in style, enjoying the scenery and indulging in poetry and wine along the way.
He took a detour, visiting Mount Tai in the east and Mount Hua in the west, and didn’t arrive in the capital until the end of November. He stayed at the Hongji Temple in the southern part of the city, living in a separate courtyard from a high-ranking official. He didn’t have time to visit his fellow townspeople and old friends, and spent his days alone, frequenting wine houses and theaters to amuse himself. Fortunately, the courtesans in this area were not attractive. They wore trousers with floral patterns, had paper flowers in their hair, and had plump bodies and greasy faces. They ate onions and garlic, drank strong liquor, and were as warm as a heated bed. Their secret performances were as exhausting as hunting, and they completely cleaned Chun Hang of his lust for women. When he saw the actors, he found them similar to those in the south, so he focused on watching the plays. He didn’t like Kunqu opera, but preferred the chaotic strumming, which is why he was fascinated by a few low-class actors. Chun Hang’s affection for them was like scattering money all over the ground, with no consistency. Moreover, he was kind-hearted and warm, and as long as someone treated him well, he would treasure them and would not bear to part with them. After several months in the capital, he hadn’t done anything serious, and spent his days with a few actors. Besides eating and drinking, he also made clothes and bought toys, spending money freely.
Chun Hang’s savings couldn’t withstand such extravagance, and by the end of the year, he had spent all his money. Later, he pawned his clothes, and when he was about to pawn all his clothes, some of the actors began to see his situation and gradually distanced themselves from him. Chun Hang, being a broad-minded person, didn’t mind at all.
Although Tian An often advised him, Chun Hang wouldn’t listen and continued to seek pleasure in his misery. He had a plan in mind, which was to “cut off ties when the money runs out”. If he could enjoy one more day, he would count it as one more day. Only when he was truly at the end of his rope would he stop. At this time, Gao Pin and Chun Hang had already met.
They spent their days and nights together, and got along very well. Gao Pin often gave advice in a joking manner. Although Chun Hang verbally agreed, he didn’t really take it to heart. On the contrary, he tried to drag Gao Pin out with him, and Gao Pin obliged a few times. Gao Pin was now a minor official in the Ministry of Justice, waiting for a promotion to a seventh-rank position. He had to maintain appearances and couldn’t afford to be as extravagant as Chun Hang. Moreover, he didn’t like Chun Hang’s actors, saying that the ones Chun Hang liked were not good, but Chun Hang disagreed. When he saw Li Yu Lin visiting Gao Pin, he noticed that her graceful and charming demeanor was somewhat better than that of Rong Guan and the others, which made him think for a few days.
One day, Gao Pin came over and happened to find Chun Hang eating. He had half a plate of green vegetables and a bowl of white rice, with two young servants standing by his side. His handsome big servant had already left. Chun Hang was calm and composed, chatting and laughing as if nothing was wrong. Gao Pin said, “You treat yourself so poorly, yet you treat others so generously. I think you’re even worse off than the young actors.” Chun Hang was taken aback when he heard this, thinking that Gao Pin was mocking him. But knowing that Gao Pin was a joker, he didn’t mind and asked, “How do you figure?” Gao Pin said, “Looking at your current lifestyle, none of it is better than that of the young actors. Yet you are so affectionate towards others and so forgetful of yourself. I already know your situation well, and it’s not much different from mine. Even if you’re generous by nature and spend all your money, you shouldn’t waste your valuable gold on a bottomless pit. May I ask, did you come to the capital to pursue a career or to mess around with actors? Drinking and visiting flowers should only be occasional indulgences. If you’re as selfless and devoted as you are, I’m afraid you’ll end up like the Yellow Dragon Cave, making a blood oath without ever achieving anything, or like the White Rabbit Garden, suffering from self-inflicted harm. This is what I don’t understand.”
Chun Hang gave a wry smile and said, “I thought you were a wise man, but after hearing what you said, I realize you’re not. You’ve studied for twenty years, but you don’t even understand the two words ‘nature’ and ‘reason’, yet you’re here to talk about right and wrong. Let me explain it to you.” Gao Pin said, “I’d like to hear it.” Chun Hang said, “Truth without falsehood is sincerity, and clarity from sincerity is nature. If there’s a bit of falsehood or emptiness, it can’t be called sincerity.” Gao Pin said, “Of course. Are you saying that truth without falsehood refers to messing around with actors?”
Chun Hang said, “Across a hundred thousand miles, up and down five thousand years, is there anything better than actors? Those who don’t love actors are not worth mentioning. If there’s a bit of falsehood in loving actors, then this person is completely false. Where else can I use my truth if not here? If there’s a bit of emptiness in loving actors, then this person is completely empty. Where else can I use my reality if not here? Moreover, nature is reason, and reason is heaven. If we don’t follow our nature, where can we seek reason? If we don’t attain reason, where can we talk about heaven? The Creator went to great lengths to create these actors, showing the Creator’s generosity towards actors. The Creator doesn’t mind the trouble of arranging each actor’s appearance, eyes, skin, body, charming smile, delicate frown, and graceful movements. If people weren’t meant to love them, why didn’t the Creator create them in a desolate world, isolated from society, to be eroded by wind and dust, so that people wouldn’t know about these beautiful people, wouldn’t that save a lot of trouble? Since the Creator didn’t let them waste away, but gathered them in the capital, a place of power and prestige, it shows the Creator’s intention for gentlemen and famous scholars to appreciate and recognize them, so as not to waste the Creator’s efforts. For example, beautiful flowers, beautiful women, bright moon, thin clouds, rare books, famous paintings, and all the most beautiful things are loved by everyone, but they often can’t be gathered in one place. Getting one of them is enough to make one happy. Only actors are like beautiful flowers, but they’re not plants; they’re like beautiful jade, but they don’t need lead and mercury; they’re like the bright moon and thin clouds, but they can be touched and played with; they’re like rare books and famous paintings, but they can talk and speak; they’re like the most exquisite and beautiful things, but they have thousands of charming and varied forms. Losing an actor and getting all the beautiful things from the past and present is not surprising; getting an actor and losing all the beautiful things from the past and present is not a big deal. ‘Mencius’ says, ‘When people are young, they admire their parents, when they know what beauty is, they admire young women, when they serve, they admire their lord.’ We, as humble scholars, have no way to praise the virtues of the sage king and the wise minister; and the beauty of the heavens and the earth is beyond our reach; only the two words ‘young woman’ have been designated by the sages thousands of years ago for us to admire. Even the sages were once like us, otherwise, how could they speak so accurately? What I don’t understand is why people today think it’s normal to love women, but strange to love men. After all, love is love, why do we have to distinguish between men and women? Loving women but not men is ultimately about lust, not love. If they love lust, they don’t care about color. If they value color, they dare not lust. What I don’t understand the most is the equal emphasis on wealth and beauty. If you love someone’s beauty, but are stingy with your own wealth, using rotten and stinky dung to exchange for rare and fragrant flowers, which is lighter and which is heavier? Surely you should be able to distinguish.”
Gao Pin listened to this speech and found no way to refute it. He said, “The heart is drawn to what it likes, and that’s within our control. Are you saying I’m inhuman?” Chun Hang said, “What’s wrong with that? It’s just a temporary indulgence; besides, people have different tastes. Generally speaking, the word ‘appreciation’ requires one’s own judgment, and one shouldn’t just follow the crowd. These people don’t need to be cultured, as being cultured might make them artificial. It’s better if they have the habits of actors, which are natural and spontaneous. If I get what I want, I won’t hesitate to spend a hundred thousand gold pieces to build several layers of golden houses, with light skirts and long sleeves serving me in front, and powder-white and green-dyed ones living in the back, serving me for several years. Then I’ll pair these good men and faithful women with jade zithers and precious qins, fulfilling the great wishes of the eighty-three thousand people in the world, creating a world of joy. I’ll smile like Maitreya and never close my mouth. Wouldn’t that be happy?” Gao Pin said, “In your golden house, I must give you a pair of couplets.” He recited, “The moon shines on the jade island three thousand miles away, people are on the first peak of Penglai.” Chun Hang said, “This pair of couplets doesn’t fit the theme.” Gao Pin said, “It fits perfectly. The first line refers to your powder-white and green-dyed ones, and the second line refers to your long sleeves and light skirts.” Chun Hang and Zhong Qing didn’t quite understand. Gao Pin said, “With this pair of couplets, people will know that in his golden house, he needs to set up a stall in front and a kiln in the back.” Zhong Qing laughed. Chun Hang said, “Stop your nonsense.” The three of them chatted and laughed for a while, and then Zhong Qing left. He told Wang Zhong about Chun Hang being his relative, and that he was the young man who wrote the poem at the wine house last year. Indeed, he was talented and handsome, but his ambitions were too extravagant and he was lost in indulgence. A few days later, he went to visit Chun Hang again, but he didn’t meet him several times. Chun Hang was messing around unbearably. Zhong Qing pitied his talent and wanted to help him. Hearing that he was in a dire situation, he prepared two hundred taels of silver and wrote a letter saying that he had heard about his difficult journey and wanted to help him with some flower-buying expenses, which was actually a test of his heart. Chun Hang was overjoyed, thanked him in a reply, and then had fun for another ten or so days, ending up empty-handed as before. The things he had redeemed before were pawned again. When Zhong Qing heard about this, he sighed deeply.
One day, Chun Hang was watching a play in a theater garden, specifically the Lian Zhu Troupe. He was alone and cold, sitting in a dark place near the lower stage. He enjoyed Rong Guan’s performance and was happy. Just as he was enjoying the show, he saw a fat man in his thirties come in and sit at a table in front of him, wearing a grass hat with frost on it, accompanied by a lively young man in his twenties. Behind them stood a servant. The fat man spoke in a Beijing accent, while the young man was from the south. It turned out to be Fu San and Wei Pin Cai. Not long after, Rong Guan took off her makeup and was sitting on the opposite balcony, talking to a young man. After a while, she came down and sat downstairs for a while, then walked over here, greeting and responding to people along the way.
Suddenly, she saw the two men at the table in front of her, rushed over, greeted them, and sat down in the middle. Chun Hang’s clothes were now far from what they used to be. He only had a few old clothes left from his daily wear, and he was sitting in a dark place, which made him look even paler. He didn’t see Rong Guan come over to greet him. He only heard Rong Guan say, “Two masters, someone was very grateful for your kindness yesterday.” The fat man asked, “Who?” Rong Guan said, “Er Xi from the Lian Jin Troupe. He said you were very kind to him and gave him a lot of things. He stayed at your house for one night, didn’t he?” The fat man said, “I don’t know him. That day, Master Wei and he came into the city and had a few drinks. It was late and they couldn’t leave the city, so I let him stay. In the morning, we visited the temple, and he wanted to buy a few small things, so he left. This Er Xi is okay, he’s willing to flatter.” Rong Guan said, “Nowadays, it’s all about flattery. Our master is not good, he didn’t teach us how to flatter when he taught us how to act.”
That young man put his hand on Rong Guan’s shoulder and said, “You just need to know how to flatter, wouldn’t Master Fu San love you?” Rong Guan said, “I’ve said I don’t know how to flatter. Otherwise, you teach me, and I’ll take you as my master. I’ll learn from you however you teach me.” The young man laughed and twisted his face. Rong Guan turned his head and saw Chun Hang, but lowered his eyes, turned around again, and then turned his head again. After a while, he turned back, looked up and down at Chun Hang, as if he wanted to greet him but stopped. Chun Hang was quite suspicious and thought, “Can’t he see clearly? It’s mid-spring now, and people are still wearing light fur. Chun Hang is already in cotton clothes. Moreover, it has been raining continuously these days, and the ground is hard to walk on, and he can’t afford a carriage.
His boots were also stained with some mud, which was quite different from before. Rong Guan was shocked by this and thought to himself: It’s clearly Master Tian, how could he be poor? He’s sitting alone, cold and clear. He wanted to go over and take care of him, but he was afraid it wasn’t him. After a careful look, he went over and greeted him, sat down, and talked for a while. Fu San didn’t pay attention, and when Pin Cai saw him, he tugged at Fu San’s clothes and said, “Look, Rong Guan is flattering that person. Does this kind of person have any place to flatter?” Fu San said, “That’s hard to say.” Rong Guan said goodbye to Chun Hang and went to Fu San. Pin Cai laughed at Rong Guan and said, “Good broad old fight.” Rong Guan’s face turned red and said, “He really came over. He never owed anyone any development and asked others to take the blame.” After a short pause, Fu San and others took Rong Guan and called another gentleman to leave.
The sky started to drizzle again, and Chun Hang had no heart to watch anymore, so he paid for the play. When he came out, the ground was already slippery like oil. After a while, he saw Cui Bao from Quan Fu Ban sitting in a carriage, coming face to face. When he saw him, he turned his head and left. Chun Hang was quite unhappy and had to lower his head and slowly look for dry ground.
Who would have thought that the street was narrow and there were many carriages and horses, where was there any dry soil? There was a big mule cart in front, with the curtain down, and a person sitting on the edge of the cart, rushing over with a cart driver. The road was narrow, and by the time it reached Chun Hang, the mule had bumped into Chun Hang’s shoulder. Chun Hang slipped and fell. This fall was quite coincidental, he was covered in mud, but his face was not stained. The person in the car saw this and was startled. He quickly lifted the curtain and leaned out, saying in a warbling voice, “Quickly stop the beast and help that person up.”
The cart driver had already jumped down and stopped the beast, and the attendant also came down to help Chun Hang up. Chun Hang was both embarrassed and angry, and was about to scold the cart driver, but he saw the person sitting in the cart, with a full face of laughter, leaning out of the cart and saying, “I’m sorry! The cart is not good, I didn’t take care of it, how can I dirty your clothes?” He scolded the cart driver a few times.
When Chun Hang saw this, he realized that it was a stunning gentleman, and a ray of light flew out of the cart, covering his eyes. All his anger disappeared.
He saw that the gentleman was as if made of ice and snow, carved from jade, with a rhythm within a rhythm, and a fragrance beyond fragrance.
Just like a bright moon and pear blossoms, dressed in plain white; perfectly embodying the heart of an orchid and the character of a hibiscus, completely pure and fragrant. Chun Hang was stunned, and if there was a Lu family’s golden hall and a Shi family’s brocade step banner to place this beauty, even the grievances of five hundred years and the demonic obstacles of three thousand calamities would all fall out, and he would forget that he was humiliated in the mud, and he would just laugh foolishly with his two muddy hands, holding the edge of the cart and saying, “It’s okay, it’s okay, this is my own carelessness, an accidental slip, the clothes are all old, it’s not worth pitying if they are dirty, fortunately it didn’t disturb your thoughts.” After saying that, he kept bowing his hands on the side, saying, “Please, please.” The gentleman once again revealed half of his body, apologized a lot and left. Chun Hang just stood there, watching the cart go far away, then turned around and walked. People saw this and laughed.
Chun Hang, dragging mud and water, walked back to the temple step by step, regretting that he didn’t ask for the name of the young lady. He entered the temple gate, took off his clothes, handed them to Tian An to clean up, changed his muddy boots, and only wore a padded jacket on his body, and sat down in the high-ranking room. Gao Pin saw that he was not wearing a robe, and it was cold and rainy, so he asked him why he didn’t wear more clothes? Chun Hang replied that it was wet from the rain and asked Tian An to roast it. Gao Pin immediately took out a robe from his clothes bag and gave it to him to wear. Chun Hang sat down and said, “Although I fell today and got some mud on me, this fall was really interesting. I’ve been watching the gentlemen for more than two months, and it’s not as enjoyable as this fall. Thanks to the strange fate, I met a peerless beauty, even if I fell to death, I wouldn’t be a resentful ghost.” Gao Pin laughed and said, “What kind of ghost talk are you talking about?” Chun Hang then told about the gentleman he had seen, and Gao Pin said, “I’ll recite a chapter of the Book of Songs for you to listen to.” He then recited:
Its rain, its rain, east of the pear garden. There is a beautiful person, whose car is attacked. It’s not the car that’s attacked, why is it in the mud? It’s a poem.
Chun Hang laughed and described the appearance and clothes of the gentleman, even the color of the mule cart, and asked, “Do you know which group of gentlemen he is?” Gao Pin thought for a while and said, “According to what you said, if it’s not Lu Su Lan, it’s Jin Shu Fang, or Yuan Bao Zhu.” Chun Hang said; “Jin Shu Fang is in the Lian Shu Ban, I’ve seen his play, he’s thin, it’s not him. As for Lu Su Lan and Yuan Bao Zhu, I don’t recognize them, I don’t know who they are?” Gao Pin said: “Yuan Bao Zhu doesn’t usually wear plain clothes. You say this situation, it’s not very much like Lu Su Lan. Otherwise, it’s Su Hui Fang, it’s definitely Su Mei Xiang, that’s really like ice in an autumn moon, pure and dust-free, not fat or thin, a chicken face, often wearing a plain clothes, in the Lian Jin Ban. Shi Zhu Jun ranked him second.” Chun Hang said: “He’s still second, who’s first? Is there anyone better than him?” Gao Pin said: “The first is Shuai Bao Zhu, you’ll see him in a few days when the ditch is opened.” Chun Hang said, “Why?” Gao Pin said, “Seeing the second gentleman, you’ve already fallen in the cart track, seeing the first gentleman, don’t you want to fall in the ditch?” Chun Hang just kept laughing, and carefully thought about the gentleman, after a while, his appearance, voice, demeanor, and charm, it was like a big mule cart, the gentleman was sitting in front of him, he just kept silent and laughed foolishly. He ate dinner at Gao Pin’s place, and they talked until three in the morning before they each went to bed.
The next day the sky cleared, and Chun Hang got up early, dried and aired his clothes, brushed off the mud, changed a pair of boots, and wanted to go to the theater, but he was short of money and had nothing to pawn.
He thought that Tian An still had a few pieces of clothes, so he went to Tian An’s room, but he didn’t see him, and he couldn’t wait for him to come, so he opened his clothes bag and saw a cocoon silk fur robe wrapped inside, so he took it out and sent it to Zhang He to pawn, and got six strings of money, and he was very happy. He didn’t eat, and watched the Lian Jin Ban for five days before he saw the gentleman again. He watched him perform a play called “Monopoly”, and asked his name, and it turned out to be Su Hui Fang. Hui Fang happened to walk by Chun Hang and recognized him as the one who had fallen in the mud the other day. Seeing his clothes all spotted, he couldn’t help but laugh, but he didn’t feel comfortable to take care of him. Chun Hang saw Hui Fang laugh at him, and it was like meeting a jade girl throwing a pot, and the sky opening its mouth, and he was so happy that he couldn’t speak. He thought a thousand times and ten thousand times, but he couldn’t call him once. And seeing his demeanor, it seemed that he wouldn’t easily accompany him to drink, and it was definitely not the situation where he could call him whenever he wanted with a paper strip. He didn’t know what to do, he sighed during the day and was restless at night, and he was about to get lovesick. Then Tian An came in and complained, saying that he had pawned his clothes, what was he going to keep them for? He also said that there was no coal or rice, and the shop wouldn’t give any more credit because the previous bill hadn’t been paid. The monk’s rent was pressing, and it had to be paid the next day.
Chun Hang pretended not to hear, and lay down on the kang with his clothes on, thinking only of Hui Fang. Tian An went out, but his mouth kept grumbling and complaining, and Chun Hang was a little hesitant.
But he had never asked anyone for help in his life, so who should he borrow from now? Moreover, he had been in Beijing for two or three months, and he hadn’t visited a single fellow countryman or friend, so how could he ask someone for a loan now? Suddenly he thought of Yan Zhongqing, who had given him two hundred taels of silver after a brief encounter the other day. Moreover, he hadn’t consulted with him, this person was really a man of the past among today’s people. He must have known my heart, and it seemed that he could still discuss with him.
After a night, the next morning he wrote a letter, not clearly saying, vaguely as if asking for help, and ordered Zhang He to send it. Chun Hang waited at home for good news, and after a while, Zhang He came back, but he was empty-handed, and there was no reply, saying, “They said at the door that Master Yan knows, and will send a reply.” Chun Hang thought he must be considering the silver, and after eating, he waited for a while. Suddenly, Yan Zhongqing sent someone over, and the person was holding a scroll of painting, saying, “Our young master, sends his regards to the old master. This scroll of painting, please give it a title, and let the little one wait to take it back.” Chun Hang heard this and didn’t know what it meant, and he didn’t see a reply, so he had to open the painting and take a look. It was a small portrait of Zheng Yuanhe painted by Tang Liuru, dressed in a quail coat with a hundred knots, begging for food in the snow. Chun Hang knew that he was mocking him, and he couldn’t help but get angry, his cheeks flushed, but he couldn’t vent his anger in front of the person, so he said, “You wait outside for a while, I’ll title it right away.” The person went out, and Chun Hang angrily spread the painting on the table, and saw that there were already two seven-character quatrains on it, signed by Jian Tan. The poem is: The prince begs for food in Huaiyin, Wu Xiang is strangely poor in the water rapids.
This is the eternal plight of heroes, how can it be compared to the narrow-minded wanderer?
In a tattered sheepskin coat, singing high of the lotus, yet the shame remains.
If the enchantress lacks a fiery nature, this life will grow old without turning back.
Spring Voyage thought to himself, “Although his scolding is harsh, his reasoning is not wrong. How can I refute him?” He pondered briefly, picked up his pen, and with a swift stroke, he wrote:
To make a beauty a righteous hero, endure the temporary dislocation of the steed’s bones.
This is predestined by heaven, only a lover would understand.
The world’s talent is not in vain, the elegance is still seen in the worn clothes.
Young men of the five tombs, stop belittling each other, future achievements will be like this.
He signed, stamped, rolled up and handed it to the messenger. Spring Voyage, feeling stifled, went out alone again.
The messenger returned and presented the painting. Zhong Qing and Wang Xun looked at it together. Although the two poems were forcefully argued, their ambition was evident, and it was a pity. Zhong Qing originally wanted to use these two poems to reform him, but instead, he angered him. They also heard from the messenger that his situation was even more desperate.
According to his servant, they had run out of food and could not light a fire. Zhong Qing and Wang Xun both sighed. Zhong Qing said, “It seems that this man truly has a heart of stone that cannot be turned. What a pity! What a pity!” Wang Xun said, “You gave him two hundred gold the other day, and in less than half a month, it has all been spent. If we give him another two hundred gold, it will be of no use. Unless we give him half of Xu Duoxiang’s property, it will be enough for him to squander. But when a man runs out of food, it’s not a good thing. In my opinion, we should help him with another hundred gold, keep it in Zhuoran’s place, and let him act according to the situation, slowly reform him. Perhaps with Zhuoran’s persuasion, he might be able to turn him around, who knows.” Zhong Qing agreed. Wang Xun prepared a hundred gold and gave it to Zhong Qing to send to Gao Pin’s place. As for what happened next, let’s wait and see in the next chapter.