此回書又要講那魏聘才，在華府中住了一月有餘，上上下下皆用心周旋的十分很好，又因華公子待他有些顏面，銀錢又寬展起來，便有些小人得志，就不肯安分了。內有顧月卿、張笑梅，外有楊梅窗、馮子佩一班人朝歡暮樂，所見所聞，無非勢力鑽營等事，是以漸漸心肥膽大。從前在梅宅有士燮學士在家，雖不來管教他，自然畏懼的。而且子玉所結交的，都是些公子名士，沒有那些遊蕩之人。譬如馬困槽櫪之中，雖欲泛駕也就不能。此時是任憑所欲，無所忌憚。
一日，因張、顧二人有事，遂獨自出城，僱了一輛十三太保玻璃熱車，把四兒也打扮了，意氣揚揚，特來看子玉之病。
已到梅宅，進去見過顏夫人，即到子玉房中來。子玉已經病了月餘，雖非沉痾，然覺意懶神疲，飲食大減，情興索然。有時把些書本消遣，無奈精神一弱，百事不宜，獨自一人不言不語，有咄咄書空氣象。就是顏夫人，也猜不出兒子什麼病來，只道其讀書認真，心血有虧，便常把些參苓調理，無如藥不對病，不能見效。世人說得好，心病須將心藥醫。這是七情所感而起，叫這些草根樹皮如何解勸得來。只有子玉自己明白，除非是琴言親來，爽爽快快的談一晝夜，即可霍然。倒是聘才猜著了幾分，進來問了好些話。子玉因這幾日沒人來，便覺氣悶，聘才來了，也稍可排解。問那華公府內光景，聘才即把華公子稱贊得上天下地選不出來，又誇其親隨林珊枝及八齡班怎樣的好，就說琴言也不能及他。
子玉聽到提起琴言，便又感動他的心事，即對聘才道：「琴言原是吾兄說起的，及我親見其人，果是絕世無雙，怎麼如今說有多少比他好的呢？」聘才道：「琴言相貌原生得好，但其性情過冷，譬如一枝花，顏色是好極了，偏在樹高頭，攀折不到，叫你不能親近他，人若愛花，自然愛那近在手邊的了；譬如冬天的月，清光皎皎，分外明亮，人仰看時，那一片寒光，冷到肌骨，比起那春三秋八月的月，又好看又不冷，自然就不如了。」子玉道：「這是粗淺的比方。花若沒有人折，花便自保其芳；月到沒有人看，月更獨形其皎。若說難折的花，固不親於人手，若遇珍禽翠羽，仙露清風，越顯花的好處，豈非難攀所致乎！若說寒天之月，固不宜於人賞，若遇寒梅白雪，清波彩雲，愈見月的清光，豈為寒冷所逼乎？大約琴言之生香活色，人所能知，而琴言之摯意深情，人罕能喻。第以尋常貌似之間取之，故有雅俗異途之趣。世有琴言遭逢若此，此天之所以成此人，不致桃李成蹊也。」這一席話，子玉心內真是深知琴言，故有此辯，沒有留心竟把個魏聘才當作俗人異趣了。聘才心上有些不悅，只得勉強應道：「很是，很是。琴言的好處，我早說過，大抵世間人非閣下與我，就不能賞識到這分兒了，我也想去看看他，不曉得他到底是什麼病？」子玉道：「你今日去麼？」聘才道：「且看我還有點事，如便道就去的。」子玉道：「你若見他，切莫說我有病。他若問你，你說不知道就是了。」聘才道：「我會說，你有什麼話告訴我，我替你說到。」子玉道：「我也沒有什麼話。」又停了一回道：「就說我叫他不要病。」聘才笑道：「你怎麼就能叫他不要病？你能叫他不要病，他自然也能叫你不要病了。」子玉自知失言，也就笑了一笑，又忙忙的改口，說道：「已經病了，這也沒法，但是我勸他切莫要病上加病。他若曉得我病，你就不必瞞他，只說我的病不要緊，幾天就好的。你說香畹這個最好的，常可以找他去談談，只要鬱悶一開，自然好得快了。」這句話，聘才卻不甚懂，便也答應了。子玉又道：「我也不能去看他，他見香畹就是了。」子玉一面說，神色之間，便覺慘淡。聘才明白這病，為琴言而起，便又想道：「庾香真是個無用之人，既然愛那琴言，何妨常常的叫他，彼此暢敘，自然就不生病了。何必又悶在心裡，又不是閨閣千金，不能看見的。」便辭了子玉，也不去找元茂，略到賬房門房應酬應酬就出來，一直到櫻桃巷琴言寓裡來。
恰好長慶出門去了，聘才便徑進琴言臥室。只見綠窗深閉，小院無人，庭前一棵梅樹，結滿了一樹黃梅，紅綻半邊，地下也落了幾個。忽聽得一聲：「客來了，莫要進來！」抬頭一看，簷下卻掛了一個白鸚鵡，見聘才便說起話來。對面廂房內，走出一人，便來擋住道：「相公病著，不能見客，請老爺外面客房裡坐罷。」聘才道：「我非別人，我是和他最熟的。你進去，說我姓魏，是梅大人宅子裡來的，要看他的病，還有話說。」那人進去說了，只聽琴言在房裡咳嗽了兩聲，又聽得說，既是梅大人宅裡來的，就請進來。那人出來便笑嘻嘻的說：「相公請！」聘才進了屋子，卻是三間，外面一間，擺了一張桌子，幾張凳子。跟班的揭開了簾子，進得房來，就覺得一股幽香藥味，甚是醒脾。這一間尚是臥室之外，聘才先且坐下，看那一帶綠玻璃窗，映著地下的白絨毯子，也是綠隱隱的。上面是炕，中間掛一幅《壽陽點額圖》。旁有一聯是：「心抱冰壺秋月，人依紙帳梅花。炕几上一個膽瓶，插了一枝梅花。一邊是蕭次賢畫的四幅紅梅，一邊是徐子雲寫的四幅篆字。窗前放著一張古磚香梨木的琴桌，上有一張梅花古段文的瑤琴。裡頭一間是臥房了，卻垂著個月色秋羅繡花軟簾，繡的是各色梅花。
聘才再欲進內，只見琴言掀著簾子出來。聘才舉目看時，見他穿一件湖色紡綢夾襖，藍紗薄綿半臂，卻比從前消瘦了幾分，正似雪裡梅花，偏甘冷淡，越覺得動人憐愛。即讓聘才在上邊坐了，自己卻遠遠的坐在靠窗琴桌邊一張梅花式樣凳上，叫人送了一碗茶，又有個小孩子拿了一枝白銅水煙袋，與聘才裝了幾袋煙。聘才便道：「我聽得你身子不快，特地出城看你，近來可好些麼？」琴言聽得「出城」二字，即思想了一回，怪道庾香久不出來，原來搬進內城去了，因問道：「庾香幾時搬進城的？住在那一城？離此多遠？」
聘才知琴言聽錯了，便道：「庾香是沒有搬家，如今我在城裡住，不在庾香處了。」琴言聽了，便不言語，似覺精神不振，就有些煩悶光景。聘才想道：「他問庾香就高高興興的，對我就是這樣冰冷，實在可惡。橫豎他們不常見面，待我捏造些事哄他，且看他如何？」問琴言道：「這月內見過庾香沒有？」琴言道：「還是新年在怡園一敘後，直到如今沒有會見。」聘才笑了一笑，又說道：「我曉得近來庾香是不記得你了。」琴言聽了這句，著實詫異，便怔了一回，問道：「你說什麼不記得了？」聘才故作沉吟道：「沒有說什麼，我說庾香近來有事，自然也就記不得你了。」琴言忙道：「他有什麼事呢？」聘才道：「他有什麼事，不過三朋四友，總在一塊兒聽戲吃酒的事，沒有別的事。」琴言想了一想，覺得這話有些蹊蹺，因又問道：「我聞庾香有病，又聽得他到過怡園幾次，我沒有遇著。」聘才故意冷笑一聲，不言語。琴言心上更動了疑：「難道庾香近來真不記得我了，難道他與別人又相好麼？」因又想道：「那日玉齡這麼引他，他卻如此發氣，斷無與別人相好之理。聘才的話支支吾吾，半吞半吐，似乎又有些隱情在內。他說進城住了，是已不在庾香處，怎麼又曉得庾香的事呢，苦庾香竟沒一毫的事，他又何必來誑我呢。」便怔怔的低了頭想，又想道：「這聘才也不是什麼好人，他向來的話，是信不得的。我看庾香就是無心於我，也斷不致在外胡鬧。」心上雖如此想，卻又忍不住不問，問道：「我看庾香是個正人君子，不像愛鬧的人。」聘才想道：「我若說他認得的人，他會訪問，便對出謊來。若說個與他不來往的人，就沒對證了。」因慢慢的講道：「人的情慾是不定的。沒有引誘他的朋友，自然也想不起來。沒有嘗過這味兒，自然是不曉得。從來說『近朱者赤，過黑者黑』，有那一班混賬人，引他上這條路，又吃了些甜頭，自然也就往裡鑽了。」說到此，又歎了一口氣道：「我倒可惜庾香，起初倒是個正經人，講究些情致，不肯胡鬧的。始而我聽得人家講，我還不信。及至今日我去看他，我進去是向來不用通報的，一直到他書房外間，就聽見笑聲。他的雲兒就忙的了不得，高高的喊一聲：『有客來了！』及到我進去，庾香卻是臥在牀上，臉上發紅，有些謊張的樣子。我看屋子裡又沒人，笑聲也不像他，也不理會了。
與他講些話，他支支吾吾，所問都非所答。忽聽牀帳後有些響動，似乎藏著個人似的，我又不好問他，如可以見得我，也不用躲了。我就在他牀上坐了一坐，後面帳子又動了一動，偏偏我的扇子又落下地來，我就留心了。借著撿扇子，將他帳子揭開些兒，低頭一看，看見後面一雙靴子及衫子邊兒，是件白花縐綢的，我明白是個相公，倒猜著是你的。又想起你現病著，未必出來。又想道，是你，決不躲的。再看庾香滿臉飛紅，裝起瞌睡來，我怕他不好意思，只好辭了出來。走到門房門口，見跟那聯珠班內蓉官的得子與那些三爺們講話，我知道是蓉官了。玉儂，你想蓉官這種東西，交他做什麼？就叫個相公，也不用瞞人。我真不懂我們這個兄弟的脾氣。我也知道你為了他，很有一番情。他起初卻很惦記你。又聽得人說，他找你幾回，你不見他，他所以心就冷了。你不問我，我不便說，你既問我，我就不忍瞞你。好頑相公，也是常事，我就恨他撇了你，倒愛這個蓉官，不但糟蹋了這片情，也玷污了自己的乾淨身子。」琴言一面呆呆的聽，一面暗暗的想。心中雖是似信非信的，聽到此話不知不覺的一陣心酸，便淌了幾點眼淚下來。卻又極意忍住，把這話又想了一回，身子斜靠了琴臺，把一個指頭慢慢兒捺那琴上的金徽。因又問道：「你見庾香就是這麼樣，也沒有說些別的話？」聘才道：「我出房門時，他才說了一句，說：『你想必去聽戲，聽什麼班子？』我也沒有答應他，我就走了。」琴言道：「你這些話，都是真的？」聘才冷笑一聲，道：「我是說過謊的嗎？信不信由你。」琴言又道：「不是我不信，難道你坐了這半天，就這一句話嗎？」聘才道：「我本來沒有久坐，我又見他心上有事，也就不便多說。」琴言道：「庾香當真只說這一句話？」聘才道：「真沒有兩句，若有兩句來，我就賭咒。」琴言心上覺得十分難過，又不便再問，只得忍住了。聘才道：「我聽你們在怡園見面，彼此很好，又見你送他一張琴，後來怎麼樣疏的？聽說這琴也轉送人了。」琴言聽了，更覺傷心，低了頭，一句話回答不出來。聘才又道：「或者因你常到怡園，他因此動了疑。你既與他相好，就不該常在度香處了，也要分個親疏出來，這也難怪他有點醋意。」琴言心上一團酸楚，正難發洩，聽到此便生了氣，似乎要哭出來，說道：「你講些什麼話？什麼叫相好，什麼叫醋意，我倒不曉得。」便借這氣又哭起來，聘才心中暗暗的喜歡，便陪著笑道：「我說錯了，我知你是講不得頑笑的，不要惱我，與你陪禮。「便走攏來，想要替他拭淚。琴言嬌嗔滿面，立起身便進內房去了。聘才覺得無趣，意欲跟進去，只聽琴言叫那小使進去吩咐道：「你請魏少爺回府罷，我身子困乏，不能陪了。」說罷，已上牀臥了。
這邊魏聘才聽了心中大怒，意欲發作，忽又轉念道：「他是庾香心上人，糟蹋了他，又怕庾香見怪，權且忍耐，慢慢的收拾他。屢次遭他白眼，竟把我看得一錢不值，實在可恨。我不能擺佈他，也枉做了華公府的朋友了。只得忿忿而出，坐上了熱車，風馳電掣的去了。
再說琴言在牀臥了，覺得陣陣心酸，淌了許多眼淚，左思右想，不能明白。忽想起素蘭那日之言，說同庾香前來，因為師傅請客，不得進內，說到此又被人打斷。這幾天又尋不著他，何不再尋他來一問，便知庾香的光景了。即著人去尋素蘭，素蘭回家即換了便服過來，這邊琴言接著，就在房裡坐下。素蘭道：「你尋我有什麼事？莫非又要我做庾香的替身麼？」琴言笑道：「我有一件好難明白的事，要問你。」素蘭道：「什麼難明白的事，你且說。」琴言道：「你方才說起庾香，你近來見他麼？」素蘭一笑道：「果然，果然！你除卻庾香，是沒有事尋我的。我們前日在怡園看龍舟，度香請庾香，他因病了沒有來。度香說起他的病，有一個多月了，臉上清瘦了好些，十天前到過度香處。並有一個笑話，說來人家真好笑，只怕你又要哭壞了，我不說罷。」琴言聽了，心上已覺回轉，便道：
「什麼笑話？你快快說罷。」素蘭道：「媚香的生日，田湘帆做了一篇小序，大家說做得好，度香便抄了。那一天，庾香來，靜宜便將小序給庾香看，庾香也贊了幾聲。度香在旁說道：『湘帆好一個濃豔文心，愈豔愈好，愈濃愈好。』度香正贊湘帆的文章，庾香忽說道：『玉儂自然在玉豔之上，玉豔雖好，尚遜瑤卿、媚香一籌，而玉儂則玉樹瓊花，似非人間花譜中可以位置。』靜宜、度香初聽了不知他說些什麼，後來想了出來：「他誤聽『愈濃、愈豔』，當是問你與琪官那個好？他就所以說出這兩句來，惹得靜宜、度香笑個不了。庾香也想出錯來，便著實不好意思，又支吾遮飾了幾句。這麼看起來，他是一刻不忘你的，將來就要入起魔來，這病倒有些難好呢，你聽了不要哭嗎？」琴言聽到此，便再忍不住，不覺嗚咽起來，淚珠便是線穿的一樣，把一個藍紗半臂胸前淹透了一大塊。
素蘭安慰道：「哭什麼？你病還沒有好些，就這麼傷心，正是雪上加霜了，所以我不肯對你講，知道你要傷心的」。琴言忽又蹬足道：「這魏聘才真不是個東西，無緣無故的糟蹋人，玷污人，造言生事。」素蘭問道：「那個魏聘才？你因甚罵他？」琴言便將帕子掩了臉，索性哭個不止。素蘭只得再三解勸，勸得住了哭，把前日寶珠、蕙芳行的酒令說給琴言聽。說瑤卿還罷了，第一媚香尖利不肯吃虧的，偏偏吃了這悶虧；又聽得他為潘三纏不清楚，媚香卻不肯告訴人，人都傳說出來，說媚香也怕他，到湘帆處躲了好幾天，如今是交代下人：若是潘三來，總回不在家，又說他牀後開了一個門，通得廚房，為避潘三之計。
琴言聽了這些話，略有笑容。素蘭便問魏聘才是何人，琴言略把去年搭船進京，及住在梅宅的話，說了幾句，即對素蘭道：「細聽起來，這魏聘才真是個小人，你問他怎的，不如不提他為妙。」素蘭道：「不為別的，我昨日在春陽樓吃飯，聽得說，掌櫃的鬧了一件事，得罪了華公府一個師爺，便送到兵馬司，打了二十個嘴巴，還出脫了幾十吊錢，又是兩桌酒席。
聽得人說那個人也姓魏，叫什麼才，卻是華公府裡的。」琴言道：「我卻聽得他說，如今住在城裡，不在庾香處了，我也沒有問他在那裡。」素蘭道：「我聽走堂的說起來，卻說得原原委委。新年上，這姓魏的同了幾個人，帶著保珠、二喜，吃了五十幾吊錢，掌櫃的因不認識，寫賬的時候，想必說了什麼話。
後來姓魏的還錢又零零碎碎的，此刻還沒有清楚。前日聽說同了兩個人，倒帶了五個相公，從已初進館，到申正才散，算賬有七十餘弔。掌櫃的不曉得他是華公府出來的，便支支吾吾的不肯寫，又說前賬未清的話。那姓魏的酒也醉了，就把筆摔了，又把大硯臺一推，推下櫃去，可可裡頭放著一桌傢伙，砸得粉碎。掌櫃的不依，喧嚷起來，經眾人幼散了。只得仍就寫了票子，票子上寫的上華公府師老爺。掌櫃的就著了忙，一面招陪他出了門，只道沒有事了。誰曉得第二天一早，兵馬司就是一枝火簽，一條煉子，拿掌櫃的套了就走。還是求了張仲雨，花了幾十吊錢，去講了情，只打了二十，才放出來；又送了兩桌酒席與張二爺。他們說是魏什麼才，方才聽你罵他，想必就是這個魏聘才了。」琴言道：「管他是不是，橫豎叫魏聘才的總不是東西就是了。」因又問道：「那日你同庾香來，遇見我師傅請客。那一回的說話，還沒有說完，到底講什麼？」素蘭就把那一天子玉的光景，細細述了一遍，又道：「我也為你說得口渴了，你茶都沒有一碗。」琴言笑道：「說話說得要緊，忘了吩咐，快沏茶來。」素蘭吃了兩口茶，便笑道：「庾香與你倒是一樣的心腸，竟是一副板印出來的。」琴言道：「怎麼一樣呢？」素蘭道：「我看你屋子裡及身上，處處都是梅花，是因他姓梅，所以借這梅花，是睹物懷人的意思。庾香近來這上身都是琴。」琴言笑道：「我不信，怪重的東西，況這麼長的怎樣帶在身上？你別哄我！」素蘭便大笑起來道：「呸！你這個傻子，難道你身上種著梅花嗎？」琴言也笑了，素蘭道：「我聽度香說，庚香身上荷包、扇絡等物，無一不是琴的樣式，連扇子上畫的也是兩張琴，一張是正的，一張是反的，你說這心腸不是與你一樣麼。」說得琴言又哭了，素蘭道：「你要哭，我以後再不說了。」琴言又只得忍住道：「你再說，我不哭就是了。」素蘭笑道：「我也沒得說了，你方才恨這魏聘才，到底是什麼緣故？」琴言就把聘才方才說子玉的話，一一細說了一遍。素蘭沉吟了一回道：「據我看，庾香是斷無此事的，你斷不必信他。」琴言道：「我起初見他說的光景倒像真的一樣，倒有幾分疑心，今聽你講起庾香來，是斷斷沒有的事。只不曉得魏聘才這個雜種，定要造言生事，糟蹋庾香做什麼，真是人心都沒有了。」素蘭道：「想必是庾香得罪了他，也未可知。或者他要離間你們，他也有什麼想頭，也未可知。」琴言冷笑道：「他有想頭，難道他進了華公府，我就肯巴結他麼？」素蘭想一想道：「我倒囑咐你，這東西既然進了華公府，自然便小人得志起來，要作些威福，我們也不可得罪他。從來說惡人有造禍之才，譬如防賊盜一樣，不可不留一點神。」琴言道：「我是不管，我是不理他，他能拿我怎樣？」當下與素蘭說話，又問了些外間的事，直到二更之後，素蘭方自回去。臨走時又對琴言道：「歇幾天我想個法兒，請庾香來會會你。」說罷也自去了。不知魏聘才受了琴言這些冷淡，未必就此甘休，想要生出什麼事來，且聽下回分解。
This chapter again discusses Wei Pintai, who has resided for over a month in the Hua mansion, skillfully engaging with everyone both high and low, greatly to their satisfaction. Because young master Hua showed him some favor, and money became more plentiful, some underlings grew arrogant and refused to stay in their place. Inside were Gu Yueqing and Zhang Xiaomei, outside were Yang Meichuang and Feng Zipei, among others, who lived a life of joy from morning to night, their actions driven by nothing but the pursuit of power and connections, thus gradually becoming more audacious. Previously, when Mr. Shi Xie was at the Mei residence, although he did not supervise him, Wei naturally feared him. Moreover, those Zi Yu associated with were all gentlemen and scholars, not the wandering kind. Like a horse confined in a stable that cannot gallop, Wei was now unrestrained, acting without fear or hesitation.
One day, since Zhang and Gu were occupied, Wei left the city alone. He hired a luxurious heated glass carriage and dressed up his servant boy, heading out with great spirit to visit Zi Yu, who was ill.
Upon reaching the Mei residence, he first met with Lady Yan and then went to Zi Yu’s room. Zi Yu had been sick for over a month; though not gravely ill, he felt lazy and weak, his appetite greatly reduced, and he was dispirited. Sometimes he distracted himself with books, but his weakened spirit made all activities seem inappropriate. Alone and silent, his presence was like an empty bookshelf. Even Lady Yan couldn’t diagnose her son’s ailment, assuming his intensive studying was draining his vitality, and so she frequently treated him with herbal remedies to no effect. As people say, a heart disease requires medicine of the heart, stemming from emotional disturbances—how could roots and bark persuade otherwise? Only Zi Yu understood that only a visit from Qin Yan, engaging in cheerful conversation through the night, could instantly rejuvenate him. Wei had guessed part of this and engaged him in conversation, which slightly alleviated his gloom. When asked about the situation in the Hua mansion, Wei highly praised the young master Hua, claiming no one could match him, not even Qin Yan.
Hearing Qin Yan mentioned stirred Zi Yu’s emotions, and he said to Wei, “Qin Yan was initially mentioned by my brother, and having met him, I saw he was truly peerless. How can you now say there are many better than him?” Wei responded, “Qin Yan’s appearance is naturally good, but his temperament is too cold, like a flower high on a tree, beautiful but unreachable, which discourages intimacy. People naturally love flowers that are within reach; like the moon in winter, bright and clear but chilling to the bone, unlike the warmer moons of spring and autumn.” Zi Yu replied, “That’s a superficial analogy. A flower unpluck remains fragrant; the moon unseen maintains its brightness. If a hard-to-reach flower meets rare birds and a breeze, it only enhances its beauty—how is that not caused by its inaccessibility? If a cold moon is deemed unfit for enjoyment, does not meeting cold plums and colorful clouds enhance its brightness without being forced by the cold? Qin Yan’s vivacious charm is known, but his profound sincerity and affection are rarely understood. Choosing someone for their ordinary appearance thus leads to tastes refined or common. Such encounters with Qin Yan are why such a person exists, preventing the paths from being overgrown by peaches and plums.” This discourse shows Zi Yu’s deep understanding of Qin Yan, hence his argument, inadvertently treating Wei Pintai as having common tastes. Wei, slightly displeased, could only reluctantly respond, “Indeed, indeed. I’ve mentioned before the merits of Qin Yan, which perhaps only you and I can appreciate. I also want to visit him and see what ails him.” Zi Yu asked, “Are you going today?” Wei replied, “Let’s see, I still have some matters to attend to. If it’s convenient, I’ll go.” Zi Yu said, “If you see him, do not mention my illness. If he asks, just say you don’t know.” Wei agreed, “I’ll speak as you wish. If you have anything to tell him, I’ll convey it.” Zi Yu added, “I have nothing else to say, just tell him not to be ill.” Wei laughed, “How can you just tell him not to be ill? If you can tell him that, he can surely tell you the same.” Realizing his slip, Zi Yu smiled and quickly corrected himself, “He’s already ill, there’s nothing to be done, but I advise him not to worsen his condition. If he knows about my illness, there’s no need to hide it; just tell him it’s minor and will be well in a few days. Tell him Xiang Wan is best, he should see him often for talks, which will quickly dispel any gloom.” Wei, not fully understanding, agreed nonetheless. Zi Yu continued, “I can’t visit him, seeing Xiang Wan will suffice.” As he spoke, his expression grew desolate. Wei understood the illness stemmed from Qin Yan, and thought, “Yu Xiang really is useless; since he loves Qin Yan, why not call him often for a good chat, which would naturally prevent illness? Why keep it bottled up, it’s not like he’s an untouchable lady of the court.” After leaving Zi Yu, Wei didn’t go to Yuan Mao but briefly stopped at the account office before heading straight to Qin Yan’s residence in Cherry Lane.
Just as Changqing had left, Wei went directly into Qin Yan’s bedroom. The green windows were shut, the courtyard deserted except for a plum tree heavy with yellow and partially reddened plums. Suddenly, a voice said, “A guest has arrived, do not enter!” Looking up, Wei saw a white parrot speaking. From the opposite wing, a person emerged and blocked the path, saying, “The master is ill and cannot receive guests, please sit in the outer guest room.” Wei replied, “I am not just anyone; I am his closest acquaintance. Tell him Wei, from Lord Mei’s residence, has come to see him about his illness and to speak with him.” After the servant relayed this, Qin Yan coughed twice inside, and it was said that since he was from Lord Mei’s residence, he could come in. The servant returned smiling, “The master invites you in!” Wei entered the room, which consisted of three sections; the outer one contained a table and several stools. The servant pulled back the curtain, and Wei entered, smelling a faint medicinal scent that was quite refreshing. This room was outside the bedroom. Wei sat down first, looking at the green glass windows that cast a greenish tint on the white wool carpet below. Above was a heated brick bed, in the middle hung a painting titled “Life Longevity with Marked Forehead.” Beside it, a couplet read, “Holding a frosty pot under the autumn moon, a person leans against a paper screen among plum blossoms.” On the brick bed’s table stood a gall-bladder vase with a plum blossom branch. On one side were four paintings of red plums by Xiao Cixian, and on the other side, four scrolls of seal script by Xu Ziyun. In front of the window stood an ancient zhuang fragrant pear wood qin table, on which lay an old plum blossom patterned jade qin. The inner room was the bedroom, draped with an autumn moon-colored embroidered soft curtain, embroidered with various colored plum blossoms.
Wei Pintai was about to enter further when Qin Yan lifted the curtain and came out. Pintai looked up and saw him wearing a lake-colored spun silk jacket and a blue gauze cotton half-sleeve, noticeably thinner than before, resembling a plum blossom in the snow, cold and detached yet increasingly moving and pitiable. Qin Yan then allowed Pintai to sit above, while he sat far away at a qin table by the window on a stool styled with plum blossoms, ordered a bowl of tea for him, and a child brought a white copper water pipe, loading several pouches of tobacco for Pintai. Pintai said, “I heard you were unwell and specially came out of the city to see you, how have you been recently?” Hearing the words “out of the city,” Qin Yan thought for a moment, wondering why Yu Xiang had not come out, assuming he had moved to the inner city, and asked, “When did Yu Xiang move to the city? Which part of the city is he in? How far from here?”
Pintai realized Qin Yan misunderstood and said, “Yu Xiang hasn’t moved; I now live in the city, not with Yu Xiang anymore.” Hearing this, Qin Yan fell silent, seeming dispirited and somewhat sullen. Pintai thought, “He is happy when asking about Yu Xiang but cold towards me, it’s really detestable. Since they rarely meet, let me fabricate something to tease him and see his reaction.” He asked Qin Yan, “Have you seen Yu Xiang this month?” Qin Yan replied, “Only at the New Year gathering in Yi Garden, I haven’t seen him since.” Pintai smiled and added, “I know Yu Xiang has forgotten about you recently.” Qin Yan, truly surprised, paused and asked, “What do you mean forgotten?” Pintai feigned contemplation, “I didn’t say anything specific, I just meant Yu Xiang has been busy lately, naturally he forgot about you.” Qin Yan quickly asked, “What has he been busy with?” Pintai responded, “Nothing specific, just hanging out with friends, watching operas, and drinking, nothing else.” Qin Yan thought this over, feeling something was off, and further inquired, “I heard Yu Xiang was ill and he had been to Yi Garden several times, but I didn’t see him.” Pintai deliberately sneered and remained silent. Qin Yan grew more suspicious, “Has Yu Xiang truly forgotten about me, or is he involved with someone else?” He pondered, “That day Yuling provoked him so, yet he was so angry, it’s unlikely he’s involved with someone else. Pintai’s words are evasive, as if he’s hiding something. He claims to have moved to the city and is no longer with Yu Xiang, yet how does he know so much about Yu Xiang’s affairs? If Yu Xiang truly had nothing going on, why would he deceive me?” He pondered deeply, lowering his head, then thought, “Pintai is not a good person; his words have always been unreliable. I believe Yu Xiang is not interested in me, nor would he behave frivolously outside.” Although thinking this, he couldn’t help but ask, “I see Yu Xiang as a gentleman, not one to cause trouble.” Pintai thought, “If I mention someone he knows, he could verify it, revealing a lie. If I mention someone he doesn’t interact with, there’s no proof.” He slowly explained, “Human desires are unpredictable. Without friends to lead him astray, he wouldn’t think of it. Having never tasted it, naturally, he wouldn’t know. As the saying goes, ‘Those close to vermillion get stained red, and those near ink get black.’ With that group of worthless people leading him down this path, having tasted some sweetness, naturally, he dove into it.” He sighed and added, “I really pity Yu Xiang, initially a serious person, who cared about sentiment and refused to indulge in foolishness. At first, when I heard people talk, I didn’t believe it. But today, when I went to see him, I entered his study without announcing myself, and immediately heard laughter. His attendant was extremely busy and loudly announced, ‘A guest has come!’ When I entered, Yu Xiang was lying in bed, his face flushed, appearing somewhat embarrassed. Seeing no one else in the room, and the laughter not sounding like him, I paid it no mind.”
Talking to him, his responses were evasive, not directly answering my questions. Suddenly, I heard some movement behind the bed curtain, as if someone was hiding there. I couldn’t directly ask him; if it was someone who could see me, they wouldn’t need to hide. I sat on his bed, and the curtain moved again, just as my fan fell to the floor, which caught my attention. Pretending to pick up my fan, I lifted the curtain slightly and saw a pair of boots and the edge of a shirt, made of white flowered crepe, clearly a gentleman’s, and I guessed it was yours. I also recalled that you were ill, unlikely to come out. I thought if it was you, you wouldn’t hide. Then seeing Yu Xiang’s face turn even redder, pretending to fall asleep, I feared embarrassing him and decided to leave. Walking to the door, I saw the son of the head attendant from the Lianzhu class talking with those gentlemen; I realized it was Rong Guan. Yuning, think about it, what is Rong Guan to him? Even calling him a gentleman, there’s no need to hide it. I don’t understand our brother’s temper. I know you cared a lot for him. He initially missed you greatly. I also heard that he looked for you several times, and you didn’t see him, so his heart grew cold. You didn’t ask me, and I wouldn’t say unless asked, but since you did, I couldn’t keep it from you. Such a playful gentleman is common, but I hate that he left you for Rong Guan, not only spoiling this affection but also sullying his own clean reputation.” Qin Yan listened blankly, thinking deeply. Although somewhat skeptical, he couldn’t help feeling a pang of heartache, and tears trickled down his face. He tried hard to contain himself, pondering the words again, leaning sideways against the qin stand, slowly pressing a finger against the qin’s gold tuning pegs. He then asked, “Did you see Yu Xiang like this, without saying anything else?” Pintai responded, “As I left the room, he only said one thing: ‘You must be going to watch a play, which troupe?’ I didn’t respond and just walked away.” Qin Yan asked, “Is all this true?” Pintai scoffed, “Have I ever lied? Believe it or not, it’s up to you.” Qin Yan added, “It’s not that I don’t believe you, but did you sit here all this half-day just to say this?” Pintai replied, “I wasn’t here long, and seeing he was troubled, it was inconvenient to say more.” Qin Yan asked, “Did Yu Xiang really only say that?” Pintai affirmed, “Truly, he said nothing else, I would swear on it.” Qin Yan felt extremely upset and couldn’t inquire further, only managing to restrain himself. Pintai then said, “I heard you two met well in Yi Garden, and you even gave him a qin. What happened after that? I heard he passed on the qin to someone else.” Qin Yan, feeling more heartbroken, bowed his head, unable to respond. Pintai continued, “Perhaps because you often went to Yi Garden, he became suspicious. If you’re fond of him, you shouldn’t frequent the same places, distinguishing between closeness and distance; no wonder he felt some jealousy.” Qin Yan, feeling a surge of sadness, seemed ready to cry and said, “What are you talking about? What do you mean ‘fond of’ and ‘jealousy’? I don’t understand.” Then, using that as an excuse, he started crying again, while Pintai secretly delighted, smiling and saying, “I misspoke, I know you don’t take well to jesting, don’t be upset, I apologize.” He approached, intending to wipe his tears. Qin Yan, full of playful anger, stood up and went into the inner room. Pintai, finding it dull, thought to follow but then heard Qin Yan instruct a servant, “Please ask Mr. Wei to return to the mansion, I am tired and cannot keep him company.” With that, he went to bed.
On hearing this, Wei Pintai was furious inside and wanted to react violently, but then he thought, “He is Yu Xiang’s beloved. If I mistreat him and Yu Xiang finds out, it could backfire on me. I should be patient and deal with him gradually. He has treated me with disdain several times, making me feel worthless, which is truly infuriating. If I can’t manage him, then being a friend of the Hua mansion is pointless.” Filled with indignation, he stormed out, got into the heated carriage, and sped away like the wind.
Meanwhile, Qin Yan lay in bed, overwhelmed by waves of heartache, shedding many tears, unable to understand what was happening. Suddenly, he remembered what Su Lan had said the other day about coming with Yu Xiang because the master was hosting guests, which prevented them from entering, and the conversation was interrupted by others. Having not found him for several days, Qin Yan thought, “Why not seek him out again for a clear picture of Yu Xiang’s circumstances?” He immediately sent someone to find Su Lan, who came over in casual dress, and they sat down in the room. Su Lan asked, “What do you need from me? Do you need me to stand in for Yu Xiang again?” Qin Yan replied with a smile, “I have something difficult to understand and need to ask you.” Su Lan said, “What is it that you can’t understand? Tell me.” Qin Yan then asked, “You just mentioned Yu Xiang. Have you seen him recently?” Su Lan laughed and said, “Indeed, indeed! Apart from matters concerning Yu Xiang, you wouldn’t seek me out. We were at Yi Garden the other day watching the dragon boat races. Du Xiang invited Yu Xiang, but he couldn’t come because he was sick. Du Xiang mentioned his illness has been going on for over a month, and he has lost a lot of weight. He visited Du Xiang about ten days ago. There’s also a funny story from that time, but I’m afraid you’ll cry again if I tell it, so maybe I shouldn’t.” Qin Yan, feeling a slight shift in his mood, urged, “What’s the funny story? Please, just tell me.”
Su Lan continued, “On Mei Xiang’s birthday, Tian Xiangfan wrote a short preface that everyone praised for being well-written, which Du Xiang copied. That day, Yu Xiang came, and Jing Yi showed him the preface, and Yu Xiang also praised it. Du Xiang said at the side, ‘Xiangfan has a richly colorful literary heart; the more colorful, the better, the richer, the better.’ While Du Xiang was praising Xiangfan’s writing, Yu Xiang suddenly said, ‘Yuning naturally surpasses Yuyan, and although Yuyan is good, she falls short compared to Yaoqing and Meixiang, while Yuning is like jade and peony flowers, seemingly not of this world.’ Jing Yi and Du Xiang initially didn’t understand what he was talking about, but later they realized: He misheard ‘the richer, the more colorful,’ thinking it was asking which between you and Qi Guan was better. This prompted him to make those remarks, causing Jing Yi and Du Xiang to laugh uncontrollably. Yu Xiang realized his mistake and was quite embarrassed, trying to cover it up with a few evasive comments. From this, it seems he hasn’t forgotten you for a moment, and it looks like he’s becoming obsessed, which might make his illness difficult to cure. Are you sure you won’t cry after hearing this?” On hearing this, Qin Yan could no longer hold back and began sobbing, his tears streaming down like strings, soaking a large patch on the front of his blue gauze half-sleeve.
Su Lan comforted him, “Why cry? You’re not yet recovered, and getting so upset is just adding frost to snow, which is why I was reluctant to tell you, knowing it would upset you.” Qin Yan suddenly stamped his foot and said, “This Wei Pintai is truly despicable, ruining people’s reputations and creating trouble out of nothing.” Su Lan asked, “Which Wei Pintai? Why do you curse him?” Qin Yan covered his face with a handkerchief and continued to cry unabated. Su Lan had to comfort him repeatedly until he stopped crying, then shared some funny anecdotes from a recent gathering involving Baozhu and Huifang. He mentioned Yaoqing and primarily Meixiang, who is sharp and unwilling to suffer losses, yet ended up facing an embarrassing situation; he also heard about her complications with Pan San, which Meixiang refused to discuss openly, though it became widely known that she feared him and had hidden at Xiangfan’s place for several days, even instructing her servants to deny Pan San entry if he visited,
saying she wasn’t home and even had a door behind her bed leading to the kitchen as a precaution against Pan San.
After hearing these stories, Qin Yan’s mood lightened a bit, showing a slight smile. Su Lan then inquired about Wei Pintai, and Qin Yan briefly mentioned their encounter last year on the boat trip to Beijing and his stay at the Mei residence, telling Su Lan, “From what I’ve heard, this Wei Pintai is indeed a petty person. It’s better not to bring him up.” Su Lan said, “Not for any other reason, but just yesterday at Chunyang Tower, I heard that the cashier had a dispute that offended a steward from the Hua mansion, leading to a serious punishment at the military office where he was slapped twenty times and had to pay a hefty fine, along with hosting two tables of guests.
The story I heard involved someone with the surname Wei, called something ‘Cai,’ and he was from the Hua mansion.” Qin Yan said, “I heard him say that he now lives in the city, not with Yu Xiang anymore, and I didn’t ask where he was staying.” Su Lan added, “I heard the full story from a server there. At the New Year’s gathering, this Mr. Wei and several others, including Baozhu and Erxi, spent over fifty taels. The cashier didn’t recognize them and must have said something when writing up the bill.
Later, Mr. Wei repaid the money in small, scattered amounts, and it’s still not settled. The other day, I heard he brought two people and five gentlemen to the restaurant from early morning until late afternoon, racking up over seventy taels. The cashier, unaware he was from the Hua mansion, hesitated to write the bill, also mentioning the outstanding balance. Mr. Wei, drunk at the time, threw down a pen and pushed over an inkstone, smashing it on a table full of dishes. The cashier protested, causing a commotion that eventually dispersed. Reluctantly, the cashier wrote a promissory note addressed to ‘Master Steward of the Hua Mansion.’ Caught off guard, he tried to appease Mr. Wei as they left, thinking the matter settled. But the next morning, the military office sent officers who seized the cashier right away. It took the intervention of Zhang Zhongyu and several tens of taels to mitigate the situation, reducing the punishment to twenty lashes and requiring another two tables of guests for Second Master Zhang. They said it was Wei something ‘Cai,’ and when I heard you scolding him earlier, I guessed it must be this Wei Pintai.” Qin Yan responded, “Whether it’s him or not, anyone called Wei Pintai is definitely not a good person.” He then asked, “That day you came with Yu Xiang, we were interrupted by my master hosting guests. What exactly was discussed then?” Su Lan detailed the events of that day, adding, “I’ve been talking so much, I’m thirsty, and you haven’t offered any tea.” Qin Yan laughed and said, “The conversation was so engaging, I forgot to order it; please make some tea quickly.” After Su Lan had a couple of sips, he joked, “Yu Xiang and you are indeed alike, as if cast from the same mold.” Qin Yan asked, “How are we alike?” Su Lan explained, “I see plum blossoms everywhere in your room and on your person because of his surname, Mei. You use these plum blossoms as a way to keep him in your thoughts. Recently, everything about Yu Xiang is related to qins.” Qin Yan laughed, “I don’t believe it, it’s such a heavy object, how could he carry something so long on his person? Don’t tease me!” Su Lan burst out laughing, “Bah! You fool, do you really have plum blossoms growing on you?” Qin Yan also laughed, and Su Lan continued, “I heard from Du Xiang that everything on Geng Xiang, from his sachets to his fan tassels, is styled like a qin. Even the fans are painted with two qins, one correct and one inverted. Doesn’t that show his heart is just like yours?” This moved Qin Yan to tears again, and Su Lan said, “If you’re going to cry, I won’t speak of it anymore.” Qin Yan managed to hold back and said, “Keep talking, I won’t cry.” Su Lan smiled, “I have nothing more to say. You were just furious with Wei Pintai; what exactly happened?” Qin Yan then recounted everything Wei Pintai had said about Zi Yu in detail. Su Lan pondered for a moment and said, “From what I see, Yu Xiang is definitely not involved in any such thing, and you absolutely shouldn’t believe him.” Qin Yan replied, “Initially, when I saw how he described it, it seemed so
real that I had my doubts, but now that I’ve heard from you about Yu Xiang, there’s definitely nothing to it. I just don’t understand why Wei Pintai, that scoundrel, insists on causing trouble and ruining Yu Xiang. It’s as if he has no conscience.” Su Lan speculated, “Perhaps Yu Xiang offended him, or maybe he’s trying to drive a wedge between you for some reason of his own.” Qin Yan scoffed, “He has plans, but just because he’s entered the Hua mansion doesn’t mean I’ll curry favor with him.” Su Lan advised, “I’d caution you, since such a person has entered the Hua mansion, naturally he’ll try to exercise some power, and we shouldn’t offend him. It’s said that evil men have the talent to create disasters, just as we guard against thieves, we must be wary.” Qin Yan declared, “I don’t care, I won’t deal with him, what can he do to me?” After further conversation with Su Lan about other matters until late into the night, Su Lan finally went home. As he left, he said, “I’ll think of a way to arrange a meeting between Yu Xiang and you after a few days.” Then he left. What Wei Pintai will do next after enduring Qin Yan’s cold treatment remains to be seen, but more will be explained in the next chapter.