話說前回書講琴仙在江寧落難，受盡悲苦，這回又要說些京中事了。此時已到了十月初旬，小春天氣，晴光和藹，百卉發榮，怡園又要熱鬧起來。
且說徐子雲的夫人袁綺香，生得婉嫻柔靜，賢淑無雙，又且繡口錦心，才能詠絮。於十月初十日，請了華公子的夫人蘇浣香、田春航的夫人浣蘭、劉文澤的夫人吳紫煙、顏仲清的夫人王蓉華、梅子玉的夫人瓊華、王恂的夫人孫佩秋。此時園中菊花開滿，五色斑爛。是日晴光和藹，風不揚塵，小毛衣服都用不著，綿的儘夠了。袁綺香一早帶了十二紅婢，還有幾個家人媳婦，先到園裡候客。那日次賢、高品、南湘皆迴避了。那十二紅都是十五六歲，有的已是雲鬢堆鴉，有的還是垂髫刷翠，卻一樣的盈盈秋水，窄窄弓鞋。綺香夫人帶了群婢在寶香堂伺候。今日寶香堂另是一番鋪設，一色的錦裀繡褥，翠幕銀屏，中間堆了七層菊花。
到巳初一刻，劉文澤的夫人吳紫煙先到，車進了園門，即換肩輿，抬到寶香堂前下轎，珠圍翠繞的，帶了四個丫鬟。綺香迎接上堂，彼此見了禮。綺香笑道：「今日算你早，我是辰刻過來的。」紫煙道：「我今天卯正就起來，昨日姐姐說要辰正畢集的。已經到巳初了，誰知這些姐姐們還沒有一個來。」
綺香道：「也差不多了，大約浣香來得遲些，自然先到浣蘭處同來的。」家人媳婦報導：「王大姑奶奶與少奶奶、梅家少奶奶齊來了。」說罷，轎子已齊到堂前。姑嫂三位下了轎，一群僕婦、丫鬟隨在後頭。綺香一一迎接，見瓊華打扮，今日分外妖豔，比陪新那一日，更添了幾分嬌嬈姽嫿。眾姊妹序齒坐下，蓉華道：「我等二妹來，就等了多時，只道客已到齊了，誰知蘇家二位還沒有來。」綺香道：「蓉妹、佩妹為什麼不把姪兒帶了來？」蓉華道：「孩子們怕見生人，一見就哭，所以沒有帶來。」因問道：「怎麼也不把姪兒、姪女帶過來頑頑？」綺香道：「你姪兒感冒才好，恐過來又冒了風，姪女我倒要帶他過來，他不肯過來。」正說話間，報導：「華夫人、田夫人到。」只見一群蝴蝶，擁著兩朵花王出轎來，蓮步未移，香風已到。
袁綺香接下臺階，蘇氏姊妹笑盈盈的上前見禮，然後與佩秋、紫煙、蓉華、瓊華都見了，各人挽著手，喜笑顏開，敘了一番。
蘇氏姊妹見了瓊華，分外親愛，瓊華見了浣香、浣蘭，也十分親熱。這一班姊妹，大約同是瑤池會上人，都有夙契。綺香道：「今日我們眾姊妹都是通家世好。蘇家二浣，王氏雙華，本是同胞，不用說了。我們一共七人，今日仿他竹林七賢，做個桃園結義，大家團拜一拜，以後遇著，就不許謙讓。愚姐癡長，不識眾位妹妹意下如何？」眾佳人都應道：「甚妙。」浣香道：「妹子前日就有這心，今日正打算商議這事，不料姐姐先得我心。我們今日序齒之後，以後稱呼，就照這裡的排行可好麼？」紫煙道：「更好了。我與綺香姐姐，都沒有親姊妹，我從前就厭人稱我為大姑娘。如今好了，要改排行了。」綺香笑道：「你要改什麼行？大姑娘已改了大奶奶，你如今就想改大太太麼？」說得眾人笑了。序齒袁綺香二十五歲，吳紫煙二十三歲，孫佩秋、王蓉華皆二十二歲，蘇浣香二十一，浣蘭十九，王瓊華十八居末。綺香命丫鬟們焚了一爐百和香，鋪了一條大錦毯，七美順著年次團團的拜了一拜，珠珞垂肩，雲裳貼地，甚是好看。嗣後七美中稱呼綺香為大姐，瓊華為七妹，紫煙行二，佩秋行三，蓉華行四，浣香行五，浣蘭行六，依次而坐。
瓊華對綺香道：「大姐姐，我們今日之來，非為哺啜，原為遊園。若這一坐，天又短，只怕就逛不成了。列位姐姐心裡怎樣？」綺香笑道：「我不過借逛園之名，約妹妹們敘敘。若真要逛園，這五六里一片大地方，山石犖確，又難行走，況你那金蓮三寸還不滿，如何走得來？」浣蘭道：「據我想，要逛盡這個園，一天也逛不到。不如到一個極高的所在，望一望罷。」
浣香道：「極高的所在，除非上山不可，但恐難走。」紫煙道：「我聽說這園裡有個縹渺亭是最高的，我們就到那縹渺亭上去罷。」蓉華道：「據我想，登山不如臨水，且聞得路路走得通的。不如坐個船遊他一轉，望著那些景致，似乎比岸上還好些。」佩秋道：「說得是，又省力。若上山去，只怕也走乏了，還能遊麼？」綺香道：「既是這樣，我們到吟秋榭頂上去，也望得個全景，就在那裡坐罷。」於是一群粉黛，都出了寶香堂後院，到了風露清吟館那邊下了船。主人只有七個，那七家的丫鬟、僕婦共有四十餘人，用了十幾個小船，一齊蕩到吟秋榭來。眾佳人望著芙蓉如錦，空水澄鮮，岩岫如屏，寒林錯落，就是綺香也記不清那些地方。那十二紅婢是常過來折花摘果的，便指點此處是什麼所在，那處是什麼所在，眾佳人目不暇給。
到了吟秋榭，將三層遊覽過了，在第二層設了筵宴。眾佳人酒量雖不算好，卻也能飲幾杯，最大者為吳紫煙、王蓉華。
綺香命紅雪、紅雲、紅玉調絲品竹，小拍清歌。綺香道：「可惜我們酒量都是有限。我新年無事，與我們老爺編了一個酒令，行起來頗為熱鬧，不論多少人，都放得進去。」浣香笑道：「這麼說來，竟不是個酒令，是個陣圖了。」綺香道：「卻也有陣圖在內。」蓉華道：「你且說這個令是怎樣的？若要人多也不難，我們帶著這些女兵，都叫過來，也就不少了。」
綺香道：「要行這個令，只好如此。我這個令叫做『秦滅六國』，又叫做『六國伐秦』。今天好在七人，正合秦、楚、齊、趙、韓、魏、燕七國，有七根籌，掣誰是誰，六國並力伐這秦國。還有小籌數十根，是七國的人物，掣著那一國的，就歸那一國。」
話未說完，喜得眾佳人眉歡眼笑，都要試這個酒令。
綺香道：「我們且先點起將來，設有不合使喚的，便不中用。出去戰敗了，倒累主人罰酒。」就先點自己的丫鬟，點了紅香、紅玉、紅雪、紅雯、紅薇、紅蓮、紅□、紅娟，其餘那四個不能飲酒。浣香的十珠都可使喚，全點了。浣蘭的四個丫鬟，只點了一個小翠，才十三歲，生得很好，且又靈變。又點了許三姐。瓊華的四個丫頭，點了一個青琴。蓉華兩個丫頭，點了一個秋蓮。紫煙兩個丫頭，點了一個侍香。佩秋兩個丫頭，點了一個金鳳。共二十四人。其餘都命他們代酒。綺香即命拿過籌來，先是七人掣了，順著年齒掣去，綺得掣著秦，紫煙掣著楚，佩秋掣著燕，蓉華掣著趙，浣香掣著魏，浣蘭掣著齊，瓊華掣著韓。浣香道：「姐姐，你今日受了大敵了，我們六國今番並力，定要殺你個片甲不留。」綺香道：「慢說大話。少頃叫你這國投降，那國納貢，好看罷。」蓉華道：「我若再掣著廉頗、藺相如，就教你不敢出崤函之外了。」瓊華道：「我若掣了張子房，這博浪一椎，斷不教他中個副車。」
佩秋道：「我掣荊軻，也不至中銅柱的。」浣蘭道：「我把田單的火車驅過來，看你有什麼禦敵的妙計。」紫煙道：「就是我國沒有勇將，若能掣著了項重瞳就好了。」綺香道：「且慢高興，我秦國是兵強將勇，沒有一個弱兵。待我且先派定了人數再說。他們共二十四人，我用六個，你們一家用三個。」即叫浣香的愛珠、花珠過來，道：「你兩人到我大國來立些功業，不要在你那個小國埋沒。」愛珠、花珠笑了，站了過來。綺香自己點了愛珠、花珠、紅香、紅玉、紅雪、紅□，浣香自己留了寶珠、明珠、掌珠，浣蘭留了許三姐、小翠，要了荷珠，紫煙留了侍香，要了紅薇、贈珠，佩秋留了金鳳，要了紅蓮、紅娟，蓉華留了秋蓮，要了紅雯、畫珠，瓊華留了青琴，要了珍珠、蕊珠。
分派定了，綺香叫拿七個小籌來，先掣秦國的。愛珠掣了是白起，花珠掣的是商君，紅香掣的是韓非子，紅玉掣的是呂不韋，紅雪掣的是李斯，紅□掣的是趙高。綺香笑道：「如何，你看我們文武皆全。」收過了筒，取紫煙楚國的籌來，侍香掣的是令尹子蘭，紅薇掣的是高唐神女，贈珠掣的是宋玉。紫煙笑道：「完了，一個佞人，一個夢神，一個風流鬼，這如何打得仗來？」眾佳人皆笑，也收過了。再掣佩秋的燕國小籌，金鳳掣了荊軻，紅蓮掣了田光，紅娟掣了駿馬。佩秋道：「也不好，究竟是個不祥之兆。」蓉花笑道：「尚未出兵，倒已先砍了兩個腦袋。」眾人皆笑，又收過了。取蓉華的趙國來，秋蓮掣了廉頗，畫珠掣了藺相如，紅雯掣了平原君。蓉華道：「我這三根掣得好，大可折秦國的銳氣。」再掣浣香的魏國，寶珠掣了信陵君，明珠掣了侯生，掌珠掣了醇酒婦人，大家又笑起來。綺香道：「這倒難，又算酒，又算婦人，橫豎一出馬，就叫人開心的。」掌珠道：「換一根罷。」紅香道：「好便宜事。」忙將籌拿開了。掌珠無奈，也只得捏了那根籌，臉上甚是羞愧。再掣浣蘭的齊國，浣蘭道：「我這國就掣得平常，只怕沒有什麼好籌在裡頭，再不能如蓉華姐姐的廉頗、藺相如的。」
看小翠掣一根，已經失笑，再看三姐掣出來，大家笑得如花枝亂顫，扎掙不住。原來小翠一根是雞鳴，三姐一根是狗盜，幸虧荷珠掣了孟嘗君，稍可解嘲。再掣瓊華的韓國，蕊珠掣了張子房，青琴掣了博浪椎，珍珠掣了圯上老人。瓊華笑道：「我早說的，綺香姐姐你仔細博浪椎、荊軻匕首，好不利害。就是高唐神女、醇酒婦人教你受用罷。」紅薇道：「奶奶且慢喜歡，只怕奶奶手下也有個笑話出來呢！」綺香道：「不用講，拿出譜來。」大家看時，見寫道：
六國伐秦，無論秦勝秦敗，六國皆要出馬。起手以擊鼓傳花，花到誰國，即誰國先出。國君不出戰，遣將出戰。如三勝秦，秦王領群臣納降，跪獻酒三樽，與某國君臣賀。如某國為秦所敗，亦君臣跪獻秦國三樽，餘皆仿此。一國如有三人，三人出馬後無論勝敗，即退讓他國出戰。七國群臣，各有故事可按，但係隨手掣來，前後不同。如兩人對敵，勝負後，各運化本人故事飲酒，俱有詳注，查對便明。如六國先後以傳花為次，一國諸將出馬以擲骰為次，數到誰，則誰先出馬。
眾佳人看了，笑道：「今日這個笑話，必定鬧得不少。不知誰國誰人先出？且把他們這些譜看看是怎樣的，可有些醜態在裡頭？」綺香道：「都有些，且不要看。若看了，必惹得他們這個喜歡，那個發氣，莫如定了人再看。」於是折了枝菊花來，命小丫鬟點鼓，到了蓉花，鼓已住了。蓉華笑道：「我這三員勇將正好出這個頭陣，試試手段。」秋蓮、畫珠，紅雯三個就上來，旁邊又擺了一桌酒肴。秋蓮把兩個骰子一擲，擲了四點，是自己出馬。秦國的愛珠、花珠、紅香、紅玉、紅雪、紅□也過來。愛珠把骰子一擲，擲了二點，是花珠出馬。花珠是商君，秋蓮是廉頗。綺香翻出譜來，查到廉頗名下，內有一條：「廉頗如遇商君，俱係勇將，皆以豁拳為令。如廉頗敗了，必係老年無用，一敗帶上假白鬚，再敗罰酒一大觴，三敗罰飯一碗。」眾佳人看了，不禁又笑。秋蓮道：「姑奶奶，這廉頗也不見得好。」蓉華笑道：「你只要贏了，就不帶鬍子了。」
再看商鞅的譜：「商君足智多謀，能開阡陌。如敗後，手中藏一物，叫勝家猜。猜不著，平過；猜著了，商君即以本物飛詩一句。不能或不合本題者，罰一杯。」花珠道：「這還好，不甚累贅。」兩人對壘起來。秋蓮看了譜，心已怯了，輸了三次。
蓉姑道：「好個廉頗，頭一陣就打了敗仗。」秋蓮想跑開，被愛珠、花珠趕上，捉了過來，戴上假鬚，飄飄漾漾的。眾婢女把他形容個淋漓盡致，罰了一杯酒，又盛了一碗飯要他吃。秋蓮笑道：「你們也有良心，戴上這個東西，怎樣吃得飯來？除非要用金鉤掛鬍子法子。」紅雪道：「有鉤子，早就預備的。」便在匣子裡找出兩個金鉤來，掛在秋蓮耳上，兩邊分開。佩秋想著他丈夫說的笑話，不留心說了出來道：「倒像人蠅拂子。」蓉華瞅了他一眼，道：「請問，這蠅拂子是誰家的？」一句話說得佩秋兩頰微紅，幸眾人不解，也過去了。秋蓮只得央求旁人代了這碗飯，便除下鬍子，指著花珠道：「我看你的笑話。」骰子擲了，是畫珠，畫珠是藺相如。蓉花道：「廉頗無用，要看這相如了。」綺香看藺相如的譜：「如敗了，三杯俱係趙王代飲。」蓉華笑道：「畫姑娘你須仔細些，不要喪師辱國，反累我喝酒。」畫珠道：「奶奶放心，看我贏他。」無奈行的是猜枚令，畫珠藏了三個瓜子，三次都被花珠猜著，畫珠好不慚愧，只得說道：「這酒我自喝罷。」綺香道：「那不能，你若徇私，是要罰三十杯的。」蓉華笑道：「我喝，我喝。」一口氣就喝了三杯。
輪到了紅雯，是平原君。譜上：「平原君用絲線。平原作交線之戲，平原輸了，叫人打了手，還要喝十大杯，說有酒惟澆趙州土，要他吐了才歇。」這紅雯是酒量最小的，又兼膽小，見了這個令，先害怕起來。兩手框了一條線，那十個指頭就不住的發顫，惹得眾佳人又笑，他自己也笑起來，越笑越顫。綺香道：「看來這個雞爪風更不濟事，蓉妹不如帶了他們來跪獻三杯罷。」蓉華笑道：「尚可背城一戰。」兩人將線交了一回，紅雯也贏了一次，只打了兩下手，喝了兩小杯，餘請旁人代了。
花珠手中藏了一顆蓮子，叫紅雯猜。畫珠看見了，把腳踢一踢紅雯的腳，紅雯不解，看著畫珠。畫珠又指著桌上一盤的蓮子，紅雯又看到隔壁去了，道是鴨掌，便說道：「鴨掌。」畫珠聽了，大笑起來。紅雯害臊說道：「你故意頑我。」畫珠道：「我頑你？」花珠道：「他倒不是頑你，你倒是罵我。」便攤開手說道：「露冷蓮房墜粉紅。」紅雯對畫珠道：「既是蓮子，怎麼踢我的腳，叫我如何想得出來？」畫珠道：「難道你裙下的不是金蓮，定要算鴨掌麼」眾佳人都笑。
綺香笑向蓉華道：「你三將出馬，敗了八陣，雖不算全軍覆沒，也不過一息尚存。你看譜上：『如九陣中只勝一陣者，雖免跪獻之辱，也須領隊前來納降。』」蓉華笑道：「這也不難。」便斟了一杯酒，走到綺香面前福了一福，綺香也還了一禮，笑而受之。那畫珠、秋蓮、紅雯，只得也向花珠萬福。花珠笑道：「我是甲冑在身，不能還禮。」畫珠罵道：「你威風不要使盡了，只怕這回就要對人磕頭呢。」於是又擊起鼓來，花到了紫煙住了，侍香、紅薇、贈珠上來。贈珠把骰子一擲，數到紅薇，是高唐神女，眾人皆笑。紫煙笑道：「好個紅姑娘，高鬟大袖的，真像個神女。」紅薇臉已紅了。那邊愛珠、紅玉、紅香、紅□、紅雪也過來，擲到愛珠，是白起。綺香道：「這叫做無情遇。」看譜：「如神女遇見白起，神女如何能敵？須起傾國之兵盡出助戰。如係文臣者，行藏鬮令，手中各藏一物。國君點戲一齣，如白起為淨，神女為旦，其餘助戰者各肖其人定色。」再查：「令尹子蘭為丑，宋玉為生。」綺香命他們四人手中，各藏一粒榛子，又道：「你們手裡有也使得，沒有也使得，你們伸過一手來，我說的戲內中查點腳色，應到的不到罰，不應到的到也要罰。」
綺香點了一齣《劉唐》，是單，是淨腳戲，看各人手中個個皆有。綺香笑道：「生、旦不應到，各罰一杯。」綺香又點了一齣《鬧莊》，也是淨腳戲，生、旦俱不應到，紅薇又到了，又罰一杯。紅薇不服，說道：「這齣戲也要讓我們國王點了。」紫煙道：「不錯，我們上了他的當了。」紫煙點了一齣生旦戲，想罰愛珠一杯。誰知愛珠是個空手，倒將侍香罰了一杯。
又擊鼓傳花，到了浣香，數寶珠出馬。浣香笑道：「這是我們的福將，四公子中的魁首，看你們什麼人來抵敵罷。」那邊數到了紅雪，是李斯。綺香道：「好個對手。」看譜：「信陵君是運籌點將令。」就拿上一筒酒籌來，寶珠掣了一枝看時，是「蠟照半籠金翡翠。」注：「席中戴金條脫、玉釧者飲一杯。」綺香道：「這一句只怕都要喝一杯。」七位佳人都喝了，獨浣蘭不喝。綺香問他，浣蘭道：「這杯沒有我的酒。」綺香不信，拉他手看時，是一對碧霞璽做成的鐲子。眾佳人道：「這真便宜了他。」那二十四個婢女，不是金的，就是玉的，滿堂都喝了一杯。佩秋道：「五妹好個福將，一出來叫滿堂喝酒。」紅雪掣了一枝是：「玉搔頭裊鳳雙飛。」注：「插金絲軟鳳釵者飲一杯。」紅雪四下留心，戴此釵的卻亦不少，只見愛珠與紅雯在那裡交線頑耍，愛珠交錯了，被紅雯打了一下，愛珠格格的笑，把個金絲雙鳳釵顫得亂飛。紅雪斟了一杯酒，上前道：「在這裡了。」愛珠道：「怎麼你要消酒，消到外國來了？」紅雪道：「你不見你頭上麼？方才這句詩是，戴雙鳳釵的酒。」愛珠摸一摸釵，又看看眾人道：「呸！你瞧誰不戴，你偏來纏我。」說罷又笑。浣香笑道：「愛珠，你喝了罷，難逃公道。」愛珠看看主人，只得喝了一口。紅雪還要他喝酒，愛珠把紅雪一推，半杯酒也翻去了。綺香笑道：「這愛兒真是可兒，不枉這個愛字。」寶珠又掣了一根籌是：「輕斂翠蛾呈皓齒。」寶珠四下一望，道：「有了，我來敬我們侍香妹妹。你看雙蛾顰蹙，皓齒微呈，不是西子捧心的模樣麼？」侍香不肯，被寶珠捏著鼻子一灌，侍香一笑，噴了寶珠一身，眾佳人皆笑。
綺香道：「寶丫頭了不得，真是個勇將。」紅雪又掣了一枝是：「暗中惟覺睡鞋香。」說道：「這句倒難。」綺香道：「你一個個聞去，是誰的香，就叫他喝酒。」紅雪笑道：「若要聞，那就…」便笑了不說。又說道：「我知道了，我來敬個人。」
便斟了一杯來敬紅薇。紅薇道：「難道你真聞過我的腳麼？這奇不奇，無緣無故的來纏人。」紅雪道：「我雖沒有聞過你的腳，但常見你用松子粉漿纏足帶，不是香的？」紅薇被他說著了，兩頰通紅，只得喝了一杯。寶珠又掣了一枝是：「十指纖纖玉筍紅。」看來看去，就是個小翠指甲尚是紅的，要他喝了一杯。紅雪掣了一枝是：「天賜胭脂一抹腮。」看紅雯喝了兩杯酒，兩頰尚是紅的，也逼他喝了一杯。
重擲骰子，數到明珠，是侯生，是個《頂針續麻令》。李斯輸了喝酒，侯生輸了要喝醬油。明珠道：「這個醬油倒有些難喝呢。」花珠低低說道：「吃杯醋罷，比醬油還好些。」眾佳人聽了，忍不住笑。明珠也不理他，說道：「十月之交。」
紅雪道：「交交黃鳥。」明珠道：「鳥鳴嚶嚶。」紅雪道：「嚶其鳴矣。」明珠道：「請教這個矣字怎樣接，這不是難人？」罰了紅雪一杯，喝了說道：「我換一個已字罷。」即道：「已焉哉。」明珠道：「又要罰。」紅雪道：「你單念過一部《詩經》，沒有念過別的經書，就說沒有哉字的起頭。」明珠不服，紅雪道：「你喝一杯醬油，我說給你。」明珠如何肯服，只是嘴強。紅雪道：「你接不上來，怎麼不要喝這醬油呢？」惹得眾人皆笑。明珠道：「你若造一句，我就聽不出，還有奶奶們聽得出來。你如哄我喝了醬油，若說不出來，你要吃我的唾沫的。」紅雪道：「是了，你喝罷。」明珠賭著氣，真吃了一口醬油。紅雪笑道：「《書經》上『惟三月哉生魄，哉生明。』哉字可作起句，怎麼說沒有哉字起句呢？」眾佳人笑道：「這卻說得是。」綺香笑道：「這唾沫可以免了。」後又換字頂了幾句。紅雪輸了一杯。
輪到掌珠，是醇酒婦人，令是擲色，若輸了，跪請本國王與敵國王出令。掌珠擲了么二三，紅雪擲了四五六。掌珠跪在浣香面前求救出令，把個華夫人笑得不止，便道：「出什麼令呢？」便對綺香道：「我有一個集詞牌成韻的，兩句三字，一句七字，要湊拍。」便念道：「宴清都，清平樂，八聲甘州金縷曲。姐姐也照樣說一個。」綺香道：「這個倒難，詞牌我也不甚熟，比不得你是長填詞的，這倒被你難倒了。我喝一杯罷。」
浣香道：「姐姐不要謙，請說來。」綺香想了一想，也念道：「高陽臺，尉遲杯，貂裘換酒醉蓬萊。」浣香道：「拜服，拜服，姐姐說得這樣湊拍，還說不熟呢！」那五位佳人都贊道：「兩人都說得好，我們公賀一杯，為兩盟主壽。再請多說幾個，大家聽聽。」浣香道：「就是七個字的難湊些，只怕也沒有多少呢。」又念道：「長相思，十二時，燭影搖紅玉漏遲。」綺香道：「這個更好。」便也念道：「殢人嬌，繫裙腰，鳳凰臺上憶吹簫。」眾佳人贊道：「妙極！這兩副比前更好了。詞牌中七字的就這一句，被綺香姐姐說著了。」浣香道：「實在繡口錦心，令人拜倒。」又念道：「少年遊，過秦樓，西江月明月棹孤舟。」下句換了八個字。綺香又想了一想，也念道：「紅娘子，錦帳春，如夢令巫山一段雲。」眾佳人稱贊不已，叫滿堂都賀一杯。
於是又擊鼓傳花，傳到佩秋的燕國，數骰子是金鳳出馬，為荊軻。那邊數到了紅玉，是呂不韋。荊軻行的是投壺令。浣蘭道：「這令大約沒有笑話了。」金鳳投了一枝蘇秦背劍，紅玉投了一枝姜公釣魚，那兩枝都沒有中，各人飲了兩杯。轉到紅蓮的田光出來，是個啞口令。各出一指，如大指為金，食指為木，中指為土，無名指為水，小指為火。譬如一個出大指，一個出食指，便是金剋木。大指贏，食指輸了。一個出大指，一個出小指，是火剋金，小指贏，大指輸了。這三婢出得甚快，有輸有贏。
再換紅娟的駿馬上來，看譜是馬弔譜。大指為賞，中指為肩，小指為極，食指為百子，無名指不用。可用兩手齊出，如此出二指，彼出一指，成了色樣，是歸出二指家。出一指者，照賀例賀酒。如彼出兩手三指，此出一手二指，成了色樣，是歸出兩手家。總以少數湊成多數，餘皆仿此。所賀之酒，數多則通場分喝。蓉華道：「這個酒了不得，若照賀例喝酒，譬如要一百賀的，難道也賀一百杯不成？」綺香道：「一百杯也不多，我們現在有三十餘人，一家不過分得三杯酒，怕什麼？」
紅娟道：「這個馬弔色樣我記不清楚，奶奶須與我記著。」浣香應了。紅娟出了一個食指，一個小指，紅玉偏偏出了一個小指，剛剛湊成一百兩極，是個雙尾蠍。浣香道：「這個就六十賀。」綺香道：「這倒好，叫通場伺候的都喝一杯。」紅玉兩手齊出，是一個食指，兩個小指，紅娟出了一個小指，是一百三極，湊成了玉鯽魚背，又是一百賀。佩秋道：「這酒實在消得多，不論多少總通場一杯罷。」於是又通賀了一杯。紅娟出了兩個大指，一個食指，紅玉出了一個大指，又湊成了三賞一百，是個花兜肚，是十二賀。綺香等各飲一杯，紅玉飲了兩杯，紅娟飲了三杯。這一回，通計喝了一百七十二杯酒。
於是傳花又傳到浣蘭，點將出馬是荷珠孟嘗君，那邊點了紅□的趙高。浣香笑道：「趙高如何是孟嘗君的對手？且看譜來。」孟嘗君是食客三千，令兩人用骰子六顆對擲，如遇紅遇麼者，出錢投於盆內，六紅即投六錢，兩紅兩麼即投四錢，無紅無麼即贏此錢。如孟嘗君贏了，問那人：「你有的是什麼？沒有的是什麼？要的是什麼？不要的是什麼？那人每件說一句唐詩，說得好免飲，說得不好與不能說者罰酒。如孟嘗君輸了，人也照樣問他。」
紅□與荷珠擲了一會，紅□輸了，荷珠問道：「你有的是什麼？」紅□道：「我有的是：繡檀回枕玉雕鎪。」荷珠又問道：「你沒有的是什麼？」紅□道：「我沒有的是：珍簟新鋪翡翠樓。」荷珠又問道：「你要的是什麼？」紅□道：「我要的是：紅珠斗帳櫻桃熟。」荷珠道：「你不要的呢？」紅□道：「我不要的是：春入眉心兩點愁。」眾佳人都贊道：「說得好。」浣香對綺香道：「姐姐，足見你強將手下無弱兵。你的婢女都是這樣繡口錦心，真令人羨慕之至。」綺香道：「他們雖然記得幾句詩，然那裡及得尊婢們般般皆會。」荷珠聽他主人稱贊紅□，心中有些不服，便說道：「這四句卻說得好，但忘了你是趙高，一個老公，也配用這些東西？」
即笑說道：「你有的是：細草春香小洞幽。你沒有的是：嬌嬈意緒不勝羞。。你要的是：鴛鴦帳下香猶暖。你不要的是：嫁個蕭郎愛遠遊。」浣香聽了，笑罵荷珠道：「荷兒怎麼這般輕薄？」綺香正笑著，尚未開口，紅□氣極要打起荷珠來，荷珠再四的陪禮，群珠又與他央求，紅□方才饒他。眾佳人笑道：「荷姑娘這幾句太刻薄，幸遇著人多，不然是挨定□姑娘的打。」到了小翠的雞鳴來了，小翠上來就有些發怯。看譜是接牌令。
兩人將骨牌對接，麼頭對麼，二頭接二，接死了罰酒。小翠暗喜。兩人就在地下接起來，小翠接死了三次，便發急起來，不知道要怎樣奈何他。綺香道：「今番有好令來了。」把譜一翻是：「雞鳴出關三杯酒，都要裝著雞啼，從板凳下鑽過去鑽過來三次。」眾佳人掩口胡盧。小翠聽了這個，倒投其所好，毫不為難，便咮咮□□的學起雞叫來，學了幾聲，即從凳下鑽了三次，惹得眾人大笑。浣蘭道：「姐姐你好心，故意點他來作笑話。」綺香笑道：「這是他自己掣著的。你倒別笑他，若不是他，別人也不能鑽得這麼靈便。」小翠鑽完了，頭上歪著個偏髻，嘻嘻的對著浣蘭笑。浣蘭視了他一個白眼，道：「你還樂得很呢。」酒是三姐代喝了。
到了三姐上前，紅□口裡作呼狗聲。三姐道：「你運氣好，別要贏我，你若贏了我，我真咬你一口。」翻出譜來，是五毒令。大指為蝦蟆，食指為蛇，中指為蜈蚣，無名指為蠍虎，小指為蜘蛛。分勝負是蜘蛛吃蠍虎，蠍虎吃蜈蚣，蜈蚣吃蛇，蛇吃蝦蟆，蝦蟆吃蜘蛛。兩人就猜起來。三姐想道：「他若料我出蜘蛛，他就出蝦蟆，我不如出蛇。」誰知紅□出了蜈蚣，三姐輸了，便道：「我倒想喝酒。」紅□笑道：「你看看譜來喝。」
綺香笑對浣蘭道：「妹妹你手下那些雞鳴狗盜怎麼好？又要作出好模樣來了。」浣蘭氣忿忿的道：「罷了！罷了！今日教姐姐的威風施盡，我只好慢慢的報仇。將來掣著了西楚霸王，鉅鹿一戰，才消得這口氣呢。」眾佳人笑道：「還有一個韓國在那裡，兵書尚未出來，只好盼他打勝仗了。」看三姐的令譜：「頭一杯要裝狗叫三聲，第二三杯要伏在地下爬兩步，作狗叫三聲。」三姐笑道：「呸！這個令如何來得？我當狗盜是什麼東西，原來要裝狗的。我不來。」說著就跑，眾佳人聽了，都笑得了不得。只見花珠、愛珠、紅香、紅玉、紅雪、紅□一齊趕上，圍住了三姐，說道：「憑你怎樣利害，今天在我們園裡，你想走到那裡去？好好的叫了饒你，不然我們就按倒了你，剝你的皮。」便七手八腳，你一捏，我一捏，三姐身上最怕捏的，被他們纏住了，便笑作一團，身似紫薇花的亂顫起來，連連求告道：「不要鬧，不要鬧，我叫，我叫。」那六個人還不肯信，五人圍住了他，一個拿了一杯酒，要他叫了再喝。三姐寡不敵眾，只得汪汪的叫了三聲，鬧得哄然大笑，倒像百鳥齊鳴。三姐臉也紅了，紅□還要他猜，三姐也想翻本，又猜，仍舊是輸。
三姐道：「這回姐妹們可饒了我罷。」二珠、四紅如何肯依？浣蘭笑對綺香道：「你這個無道強秦，到底要怎樣？五國已給你吞食盡了，還要縱容這些豺狼虎豹去吃人。」綺香笑得伏桌難應。三姐被他們圍住。毫不容情，心生一計，想道：「這些騷貨實在可惡，我今也顧不得作笑話，也叫他們作些笑話出來。」
又想：「頂壞是愛珠、紅雪兩個，待我頑他們一頑。」便裝著笑盈盈的說道：「姐妹們不要這樣，你們讓開些，我就伏在地上就是了。」諸人還不信，紅雪道：「我們就站開些，諒你也不能跑。」三姐故意慢慢的曲著腰，伏將下去，見紅雪與愛珠都是三寸金蓮，裙邊下微露一線的鑲邊花褲，叫了一聲，眾人又笑。三姐乘其不備，一轉身把愛珠兩腳一抱，把他的褲腿望上一捋，露出雪霜似的一節小腿。三姐就學作狗叫一聲，一口咬定，兩手在腿上亂抓，把個愛珠唬得神號鬼叫，渾身一麻，已載倒在地。那五個人上來救愛珠，三姐又將紅雪腿上一口，兩手也是亂抓。四個人見了，沒命的跑開，笑得彎著了腰。這紅雪也笑得麻倒在地，跌在愛珠身上。愛珠還當是三姐伏在他身上要咬他，極嚷極笑的，已帶著哭聲，將要哭了，三姐掩著嘴走開。那眾佳人與眾婢女，都笑得粉黛霪霪，秋波□淚，有墮釵的，有翻酒的，不一而足。愛珠與紅雪在地上坐了好一會，才爬得起來。三姐還格格的笑，愛珠指著罵道：「你這個短命鬼，你將來總教瘋狗咬一口，肚裡生出小狗子來。。」
紅雪道：「不要將來，只怕出門就教狗咬的。」三姐笑道：「誰教你們太作惡了。我還容情，他們四個跑得快，不然叫你一窩子六個滾在一堆。」那六個人我一句，你一句，把三姐罵了好一會，眾佳人方才笑完，紫煙一人尚有餘笑。綺香對浣蘭道：「妹妹，你這個三姐真好，我拿個丫鬟與你換了罷。」浣蘭道：「姐姐要他作什麼，他是只會裝狗的。。」紫煙笑道：「姐姐你招集這些亡命作甚，你真作秦始皇麼？」大家又笑起來。
瓊華道：「我來滅秦了。他們也只有一個韓非子，只懂刑名，不懂兵法的。」數到蕊珠出馬，是張良，是金門射策令，自己先出一句成語為題，將三個骰子擺出句中之意，將杯子蓋了，叫那人也擺，擺出來相同的不論，如擺出來不同，請中人評論優劣，劣者罰酒。蕊珠將三個骰子擺了，將茶杯蓋好，又將三個骰子遞與紅香，道：「你擺『九重春色醉仙桃』這一句。」紅香想了一想，擺了一個三，一個六，一個四，說道：「三六是九重，四即算仙桃，不知對不對？」蕊珠揭開杯子，是對的。蕊珠又擺了一句是：「十三箏柱雁行斜。」紅香想了一想，擺了兩個五，一個三，蕊珠也說對了。又擺了一句，說道：「詞源倒流三峽水。」紅香想了一會，想不出個理來，便擺了三個三，問道：「是不是？」蕊珠道：「不是。」揭開杯子，是三個四。紅香拍手道：「妙極！這才是倒流，我竟想不到，我罰酒就是了。」看韓非子罰酒的譜是：「作法自弊，輕則黥面，重則刖足。」
蕊珠道：「取筆研來涂臉。」紅香道：「姐姐，饒了我罷，塗了臉又要擦臉，費事得很，我情願跪了喝一杯罷。」蕊珠將要容情，倒是珍珠不肯，說道：「我還要與他來呢。一個容了情，個個要容情了。」便把筆在紅香臉上畫了一個眼鏡，惹得滿堂又笑起來。紅香好不有氣，喝了一杯，忙忙的要水洗了臉。
幸他倒是不擦粉的，不然便將脂粉洗去了。氣忿忿的抬著手，向珍珠道：「你先來，你先來！你若輸了，求人討饒便不算人，只算是狗。」珍珠笑道：「我怕你？討饒也算好漢麼？」看譜上，圯上老人的令是盤象棋譜，名為八陣圖。圯上老人下紅子。
珍珠象棋下得雖好，譜卻不熟，偏偏遇著紅香是愛打棋譜的。
珍珠十分用心，無奈未得其妙，幾著變化就迷住了，看看要輸，寶珠要指點他，紅香道：「誰教了，就算誰輸，要照樣罰酒。」瓊華心甚著急，又不好教，看紅香把他一個掛角將，就將死了。紅香笑道：「今番得了。」查圯人老人的譜，是脫鞋置酒，遍敬席上。珍珠見了，說道：「這個斷斷使不得，怪髒的東西，那是什麼樣兒！」紅香道：「不妨的。」便要來脫他的鞋。珍珠一跑，不防紅雪在旁暗中把腳一勾，珍珠跌了一交，被紅香上前按住，脫了他一隻鞋下來。珍珠急得滿臉飛紅，一手拉住紅香要奪回，不料紅雪把鞋接了過去，正要裝酒，不防又被花珠一手搶了，扔與珍珠，惹得大家笑個不住。珍珠著了鞋，捆上帶子，起來將紅香擰了兩把。這一關也就算了。
只剩了一個青琴是博浪椎，譜上是：打擂有悶雷、劈雷，是打秦國通國中人馬。瓊華道：「就要看這一將成功了。」蓉華道：「琴兒，你須與主人爭個臉。」青琴笑道：「我這椎是要椎椎打中的。」浣蘭道：「你若贏了他們，非但與你主人爭氣，且與我等報仇。」浣香道：「這悶雷、劈雷是可以亂打的，你也不必容情，連他們的國王也可打得的。」佩秋道：「你若像了秋蓮的廉頗，就不好了。」紫煙道：「也不要像我們荊軻的匕首。」你一句，我一句的說笑。綺香笑道：「諒此孤軍深入重地，焉有生還之理？」便命六人一齊上前，與青琴對敵。
說也奇怪，被青琴一頓悶雷、劈雷，將二珠、四紅打得個個心驚膽怯，瓊華好不得意，只管點頭微笑，說道：「一將功成萬骨枯。」眾佳人齊聲稱賀。綺香笑道：「這還了得？你是個頂小的小妹妹，公然欺侮大姐姐來，這般可惡。你敢與我對敵麼？」那五個佳人同聲說道：「這有什麼不敢？如果七妹膽怯，我們一齊相幫。」瓊華笑道：「妹子願避三舍，如必不獲命，也只可秣馬厲兵，與姐姐周旋。」綺香笑道：「眾志成城，堅不可破，我讓了你罷。」看青琴這打擂，已贏得不少，愛珠、花珠、紅香、紅玉、紅雪、紅□都喝了許多酒。
浣香見天色已晚，便要進城，浣蘭要留他，浣香不肯，定要回去。綺香見太陽已落，也不好挽留，只得先送了浣香，便說道：「你們是不要緊，又不趕城，到三更再散不遲。」十珠婢收拾零星，大家都下船渡過了河，直送到山下，上了轎出園。
眾姐妹方攜著手，就近到了春風沉醉軒坐下。群婢也都來了，煮茗清談了一會，已點上燈。紫煙要打馬弔，便拉了蓉華、佩秋二人打起馬弔來。瓊華看見有一匣詩牌，便與綺香、浣蘭三人在一桌打了一副，足足打到二更後，瓊華方成了一首七律，綺香差了一韻鬥不成。浣蘭牌起得不好，尚差了十數字，瓊華將牌攤出，那邊蓉華等也過來看時，只見鬥的是：
餞別春光已半年，小春天氣最堪憐。
酒分捭闔縱橫策，人比瑤池閬苑仙。
任說朝朝依玉樹，終應步步讓金蓮。
彩雲明月如相妒，照徹樓臺分外鮮。
那五位佳人同聲贊道：「這首詩倒像做成的，那裡像鬥出來的？真是字字穩當，且切今日之事。」綺香又笑道：「我最愛是：『任說朝朝依玉樹，終應步步讓金蓮』這一聯，為我輩閨閣吐氣。不然，這個園幾成了那幾個名旦的梨園了。」蓉華道：「姐姐，那幾個名旦你見過沒有？聞得二哥天天帶他們在園裡。」綺香道：「若說這幾個名旦，倒也生得很好，我也只見過五六個，到年節下，他們也過來賀節。不是我說，我們今日這一班人，倒有幾個像他們。」這句話，就有紫想不出是誰，其餘皆聽得人說過。浣蘭、瓊華恐綺香說出來，便不約而同的將閒話攔住他。又看將近三更，也要各散。綺香挽留不住，只得同散，便說道：「殘月未盡，妹妹們可高興，能走到園門口不能？」眾佳人情願都走，一對對的手燈相照，眾姊妹你攜我，我攜你，一路說說笑笑，穿過了好些石門竹徑。正是：
衣香鬢影留餘豔，拾翠尋芳趁此時。
到了園門，各自上車，在車裡又各相辭謝了幾句，方才坐了繡□，碾動雙輪，群婢各登車隨後，綺香也與十二紅各上車而回。不知後事如何，且聽下回分解。
The story continues from where we last left off, with the immortal of the zither encountering misfortune in Jiangning and enduring much sorrow. Now, we shift our focus to events happening in the capital. By this time, it is already early October, and the weather of the minor spring season is pleasant. The sun shines gently, flowers bloom in abundance, and the Yi Garden is once again bustling with activity.
Let us talk about Xu Ziyun’s wife, Yuan Qixiang. She was a gentle, composed, and quiet woman, virtuous beyond compare, and gifted with both poetic and intellectual talents. On the tenth day of October, she invited the wife of Lord Hua, Su Wanxiang; the wife of Tian Chunhang, Wanlan; the wife of Liu Wenze, Wu Ziyan; the wife of Yan Zhongqing, Wang Ronghua; the wife of Mei Ziyu, Qionghua; and the wife of Wang Xun, Sun Peiqiu. At this time, the garden was filled with chrysanthemums in full bloom, radiating a dazzling array of colors. The weather that day was mild and clear, with no wind to stir up dust. Light clothing was unnecessary, as only warm fabrics sufficed. Early in the day, Yuan Qixiang brought twelve young maids dressed in red, along with several housewives, to the garden to wait for her guests. On this occasion, her sons, Xian, Gaopin, and Nanxiang, all stayed away. The twelve girls were around fifteen or sixteen years old. Some already had hair styled in cloud-like buns, while others still wore their hair in youthful ponytails, yet all had clear, shining eyes and wore narrow shoes. Lady Qixiang led her maids to the Baoxiang Hall to await the guests. Today, the Baoxiang Hall had been specially arranged, with embroidered silk cushions and brocade mats, a green canopy, and silver screens, with a seven-tiered display of chrysanthemums in the center.
At the first quarter of the si hour (around 9:15 AM), Liu Wenze’s wife, Wu Ziyan, was the first to arrive. Her carriage entered the garden gate, and she immediately switched to a sedan chair, which was carried to the front of Baoxiang Hall. She was adorned with pearls and jade and accompanied by four maids. Qixiang greeted her at the hall entrance, and they exchanged formal courtesies. Qixiang smiled and said, “You are early today. I’ve been here since the hour of chen (between 7:00 and 9:00 AM).” Ziyan replied, “I got up at the hour of mao (5:00-7:00 AM) today because you said yesterday that everyone should gather by the hour of chen. Now it’s already the first quarter of si, yet none of the others have arrived.”
Qixiang said, “They should be here soon. Wanxiang is probably running late and will likely come together with Wanlan.” At that moment, one of the housewives announced, “Madam Wang, the young madam, and Madam Mei have all arrived together.” As she spoke, the carriages had already reached the front of the hall. The three ladies, along with their attendants and maids, alighted from their carriages. Qixiang welcomed them all individually. Upon seeing Qionghua’s attire, Qixiang noted that she appeared even more radiant and charming than on the day of her wedding. The sisters all took their seats in order of age. Ronghua said, “We’ve been waiting for our second sister for quite a while. We thought everyone would have already arrived, but it seems the two sisters from the Su family are still missing.” Qixiang replied, “Why didn’t you bring your son along, Rongmei, Peimei?” Ronghua said, “The children are afraid of strangers and start crying when they see people they don’t know, so I didn’t bring them.” She then asked, “Why didn’t you bring your nephew and niece along for some fun?” Qixiang answered, “Your nephew just recovered from a cold, and I feared the wind might make him sick again. As for your niece, I wanted to bring her, but she refused to come.”
As they spoke, the housewife reported, “Madam Hua and Madam Tian have arrived.” Soon, like butterflies surrounding two blossoms, the two ladies emerged from their carriages, their scent arriving before they did.
Yuan Qixiang descended the steps to greet them, and the two sisters from the Su family, smiling brightly, came forward to pay their respects. They greeted Peiqiu, Ziyan, Ronghua, and Qionghua, each of them linking arms and exchanging joyful pleasantries.
The Su sisters, upon seeing Qionghua, felt a special fondness for her. Similarly, Qionghua was warmly affectionate towards Wanxiang and Wanlan. This group of sisters seemed as though they were all from a gathering in the Jade Pool, bound by destiny from past lives. Qixiang said, “Today, all of us sisters come from good families. The two Su sisters and the Wang sisters are blood-related, so that goes without saying. There are seven of us in total. Let us follow the example of the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove and form a bond of sworn sisterhood here in this Peach Garden. We shall bow together, and from now on, we must not stand on ceremony when we meet. I, the foolish elder sister, do not know what the rest of you think.” All the ladies agreed, saying, “That’s wonderful.” Wanxiang added, “I’ve had this thought for some time. I was planning to bring it up today, but it seems elder sister has already spoken my mind. After we establish our ranks today, how about we address each other according to this order in the future?” Ziyan said, “That’s even better. I’ve never had any real sisters. I’ve always hated being called the eldest girl. Now, things will be much better with a new ranking.” Qixiang laughed, “What do you want to change your title to? From eldest girl to eldest madam, and now you’re thinking of becoming the eldest lady?” This remark brought laughter from everyone.
The ages were then arranged as follows: Yuan Qixiang was twenty-five, Wu Ziyan was twenty-three, Sun Peiqiu and Wang Ronghua were both twenty-two, Su Wanxiang was twenty-one, Wanlan was nineteen, and Wang Qionghua, the youngest, was eighteen. Qixiang instructed the maids to light an incense burner with a hundred fragrant herbs and lay out a large brocade carpet. The seven beauties, in order of age, bowed in unison, their pearl hair ornaments falling to their shoulders, their flowing garments sweeping the floor—a beautiful sight. From that day onward, the seven sisters addressed Yuan Qixiang as eldest sister and Qionghua as seventh sister. Wu Ziyan was second, Sun Peiqiu was third, Wang Ronghua was fourth, Su Wanxiang was fifth, and Su Wanlan was sixth. They sat in order of their new ranks.
Qionghua said to Qixiang, “Eldest sister, we didn’t come today just to eat and drink. Our main purpose is to tour the garden. If we sit here too long, the day will pass, and I fear we won’t have time to stroll around. What do the other sisters think?” Qixiang smiled and said, “I merely used the excuse of touring the garden to gather everyone here for a chat. If we were to truly explore the garden, with its vast expanse of five or six miles, its rugged rocks, and difficult paths, how could we manage it, especially with your delicate three-inch golden lotus feet not yet fully developed?” Wanlan said, “In my opinion, it would take a whole day to see the entire garden. Why don’t we find a high spot and just take in the view from there?”
Wanxiang said, “To reach the highest spot, we would have to climb the mountain, but I fear it will be difficult to walk.” Ziyan added, “I’ve heard that this garden has a pavilion called Piao Miao Pavilion, which is the highest point. Why don’t we go there?” Ronghua said, “In my opinion, it’s better to be near the water than to climb the mountain. I’ve heard that all the paths are connected. Why don’t we take a boat ride around and enjoy the scenery? It seems that viewing it from the water might be better than from the shore.” Peiqiu said, “That’s a great idea, and it would save us some effort. If we climb the mountain, we might get tired and not be able to enjoy the rest of the outing.” Qixiang said, “In that case, let’s go to the top of Yin Qiu Pavilion. From there, we can take in the entire view and sit for a while.”
Thus, the group of elegant ladies left the Baoxiang Hall and went to the boats at the Wind and Dew Clear Chants Pavilion. There were only seven of them, but the maids and servants from their seven households amounted to more than forty people. They boarded over ten small boats and rowed together to Yin Qiu Pavilion. The ladies marveled at the lotus flowers blooming like brocade, the clear waters, and the screen-like rocky peaks and scattered cold forests. Even Qixiang couldn’t recall the names of all the locations. However, the twelve red maids, who often came to pick flowers and fruits, pointed out the various landmarks, leaving the ladies in awe of the beauty around them.
Upon arriving at Yin Qiu Pavilion, they explored all three levels and then set up a banquet on the second level. Though the ladies were not heavy drinkers, they could each handle a few cups, with Wu Ziyan and Wang Ronghua being the ones with the highest tolerance.
Qixiang ordered Hongxue, Hongyun, and Hongyu to play the silk strings and bamboo instruments, accompanied by gentle singing. She said, “It’s a pity that none of us can drink much. At the beginning of the year, I had nothing to do, so my husband and I came up with a drinking game that’s quite lively. It can accommodate any number of people.” Wanxiang laughed and said, “In that case, it’s not just a drinking game but more like a strategic formation!” Qixiang responded, “There is indeed an element of strategy in it.” Ronghua said, “Tell us, how does this game work? If we need more people, we can call over the maids, and that will be plenty.”
Qixiang explained, “To play this game, we’ll have to do it this way. The game is called ‘Qin Defeats the Six States,’ or ‘The Six States Attack Qin.’ Today, since there are seven of us, it perfectly matches the seven states: Qin, Chu, Qi, Zhao, Han, Wei, and Yan. There are seven main straws, and whoever draws one represents a state. The six states will work together to attack Qin. There are also several dozen smaller straws representing the people of each state. Whoever draws one will belong to that state.”
Before she could finish speaking, the ladies, their faces glowing with excitement, eagerly wanted to try the game.
Qixiang said, “Let’s first assign our troops. If someone is not capable of fulfilling their role, we might lose the battle, and that would result in the host being penalized with a drink.” She began by choosing her maids, selecting Hongxiang, Hongyu, Hongxue, Hongwen, Hongwei, Honglian, Hong□, and Hongjuan. Four others could not drink. Wanxiang’s ten maids were all capable, so she selected all of them. Wanlan had four maids and chose one named Xiaocui, who was only thirteen years old, beautiful, and clever. She also chose Sister Xu. Qionghua had four maids and picked one named Qingqin. Ronghua had two maids and selected one named Qiulian. Ziyan had two maids and chose one named Shixiang. Peiqiu had two maids and selected one named Jinfeng. In total, there were twenty-four participants, and the remaining ones were assigned as substitutes for drinking penalties.
Qixiang then ordered the straws to be brought over, and the seven ladies drew in order of their age. Qixiang drew Qin, Ziyan drew Chu, Peiqiu drew Yan, Ronghua drew Zhao, Wanxiang drew Wei, Wanlan drew Qi, and Qionghua drew Han.
Wanxiang said, “Elder sister, today you face a great enemy. The six states will join forces to leave you with not a scrap of armor.” Qixiang replied, “Don’t boast too soon. Soon, you may find your state surrendering or paying tribute, and we’ll see how that looks.” Ronghua said, “If I draw Lian Po or Lin Xiangru, I’ll make sure you won’t dare venture out of the passes of Hangu and Xia.” Qionghua added, “If I draw Zhang Zifang, I’ll launch a precise strike with my hammer and make sure your carriage doesn’t escape unscathed.”
Peiqiu said, “If I draw Jing Ke, you won’t make it past the bronze pillar.” Wanlan chimed in, “I’ll drive Tian Dan’s fire chariots straight at you and see how you plan to defend.” Ziyan remarked, “Even if my state lacks brave generals, if I draw Xiang Yu, that’ll be good enough.”
Qixiang laughed, “Don’t get too excited just yet. My Qin state has strong soldiers and brave generals, without a single weakling. Let me first assign the troops. There are twenty-four participants in total. I’ll take six, and each of you will have three.”
She then called Wanxiang’s maids Aizhu and Huazhu and said, “You two come to my great state and make some achievements. Don’t waste your talents in that small state of yours.” Aizhu and Huazhu laughed and stepped over to her side. Qixiang herself selected Aizhu, Huazhu, Hongxiang, Hongyu, Hongxue, and Hong□. Wanxiang kept Baizhu, Mingzhu, and Zhangzhu. Wanlan kept Sister Xu and Xiaocui and took Hezhu. Ziyan kept Shixiang and took Hongwei and Zengzhu. Peiqiu kept Jinfeng and took Honglian and Hongjuan. Ronghua kept Qiulian and took Hongwen and Huazhu. Qionghua kept Qingqin and took Zhenzhu and Ruizhu.
After assigning the roles, Qixiang called for seven small straws and began drawing for the state of Qin. Aizhu drew Bai Qi, Huazhu drew Shang Yang, Hongxiang drew Han Feizi, Hongyu drew Lü Buwei, Hongxue drew Li Si, and Hong□ drew Zhao Gao. Qixiang laughed and said, “Look, we have both civil and military officials!” She collected the straws and moved on to draw for Ziyan’s state of Chu. Shixiang drew Ling Yin Zilan, Hongwei drew the Goddess of Gaotang, and Zengzhu drew Song Yu. Ziyan smiled and said, “Well, I’m done for—one flatterer, one dream goddess, and one romantic poet. How can I fight a battle with these?” All the ladies laughed, and the straws were collected again.
Next, they drew for Peiqiu’s state of Yan. Jinfeng drew Jing Ke, Honglian drew Tian Guang, and Hongjuan drew a swift horse. Peiqiu said, “Not good, this is an ill omen.” Ronghua laughed and said, “You haven’t even sent out your troops yet, and two heads have already been cut off!” Everyone laughed again, and the straws were collected.
Then, they drew for Ronghua’s state of Zhao. Qiulian drew Lian Po, Huazhu drew Lin Xiangru, and Hongwen drew the Lord of Pingyuan. Ronghua said, “I’ve drawn well—these three will surely weaken Qin’s might.” Next, they drew for Wanxiang’s state of Wei. Baizhu drew Lord Xinling, Mingzhu drew Hou Sheng, and Zhangzhu drew a woman holding wine. The group laughed again. Qixiang remarked, “This is difficult—both wine and women are involved. As soon as they show up, they bring joy.” Zhangzhu said, “Let me exchange this one.” Hongxiang responded, “What luck!” She quickly took the straw away, leaving Zhangzhu with no choice but to keep it, blushing with embarrassment.
Next, they drew for Wanlan’s state of Qi. Wanlan said, “My state seems ordinary, and I fear I won’t get any good straws like Ronghua’s Lian Po and Lin Xiangru.” Xiaocui drew a rooster crowing, and Sister Xu drew a dog thief. The ladies burst into laughter, unable to contain themselves. Fortunately, Hezhu drew Lord Mengchang, which helped alleviate some of the embarrassment.
Then, they drew for Qionghua’s state of Han. Ruizhu drew Zhang Zifang, Qingqin drew the bo wave hammer, and Zhenzhu drew the old man on the Yi River Bridge. Qionghua laughed and said, “I told you, Qixiang, be careful of Zhang Zifang’s hammer and Jing Ke’s dagger—they’re very dangerous. You’ll also have to make do with the Goddess of Gaotang and the woman holding wine!” Hongwei said, “Madam, don’t get too pleased yet. There might be a joke coming from your side too!” Qixiang replied, “No need to speculate—let’s get the rules out.”
They looked at the written instructions, which read:
“When the six states attack Qin, regardless of Qin’s victory or defeat, all six states must send troops. The game begins with a game of ‘passing the flower’ while beating the drum. When the flower stops in front of a state, that state will send out its troops first. The monarch does not fight but sends generals to battle. If Qin is defeated three times, the Qin king must kneel and offer three cups of wine to the victorious state’s ruler and their officials. If a state is defeated by Qin, its ruler and officials must also kneel and offer three cups of wine to the Qin monarch. Each state has three representatives. After these three have fought, regardless of the outcome, they step aside to allow another state to battle. The game proceeds according to a combination of traditional stories and dice rolls.”
The ladies, after reading, laughed and said, “This game is bound to cause plenty of funny moments today. I wonder which state and which person will go first? Let’s take a look at their roles—maybe there’s something embarrassing hidden there?” Qixiang said, “There’s definitely something, but don’t look yet. If we check now, someone will get excited, and another might get upset. It’s better to decide who goes first before looking.”
So they picked a chrysanthemum branch, and a young maid began beating the drum. When it stopped in front of Ronghua, she smiled and said, “My three brave generals will take the lead and show what they’re made of.” Qiulian, Huazhu, and Hongwen stepped forward, while a table of food and wine was set up beside them. Qiulian threw the dice and rolled a four, meaning she would go first. Aizhu, Huazhu, Hongxiang, Hongyu, Hongxue, and Hong□ from Qin also stepped forward. Aizhu rolled the dice and rolled a two, meaning Huazhu would go first. Huazhu represented Shang Yang, and Qiulian represented Lian Po.
Qixiang looked up the rules and found the following for Lian Po: “If Lian Po encounters Shang Yang, both are brave generals, and the game is decided by a fistfight. If Lian Po loses, it is due to his old age. He must wear a fake white beard after the first defeat, drink a large cup of wine after the second defeat, and eat a bowl of rice after the third defeat.” The ladies laughed when they saw this. Qiulian said, “Auntie, Lian Po doesn’t seem very promising!” Ronghua laughed and replied, “Just win, and you won’t have to wear the beard.”
Then they looked up Shang Yang’s rule: “Shang Yang is resourceful and can build fields and paths. If he loses, he will hold something in his hand and challenge the winner to guess what it is. If the winner guesses incorrectly, Shang Yang is spared; if guessed correctly, Shang Yang must recite a line of poetry based on the object. If he fails to come up with a suitable line, or if it does not fit the theme, he will be penalized with a drink.” Huazhu said, “This isn’t too bad—it’s not a heavy punishment.”
The two began their duel. Qiulian, after reading the rules, grew nervous and lost three times.
Ronghua said, “What a useless Lian Po, losing the first battle!” Qiulian tried to run away but was caught by Aizhu and Huazhu, who dragged her back and put the fake beard on her. It swayed humorously as the maids exaggerated her appearance. They made her drink a cup of wine and filled a bowl of rice for her to eat. Qiulian laughed and said, “How can I eat with this beard on? Unless you give me a hook to hang it on!” Hongxue replied, “We have hooks—they’re already prepared!” She fetched two golden hooks from a box, attached them to Qiulian’s ears, and parted the beard to both sides.
Peiqiu, remembering something funny her husband had said, absentmindedly blurted out, “It looks like a fly whisk!” Ronghua glanced at her and asked, “Pray tell, whose fly whisk are we talking about?” This remark made Peiqiu blush, but fortunately, the others didn’t catch the joke, and it passed. Qiulian pleaded with someone to eat the rice for her, and after removing the beard, she pointed at Huazhu and said, “I’ll be watching your downfall next.” The dice were rolled, and it was Hongwen’s turn. Hongwen represented Lin Xiangru. Ronghua said, “Lian Po was useless; let’s see how Lin Xiangru does.” Qixiang checked Lin Xiangru’s rules: “If Lin Xiangru loses, Zhao’s king must drink three cups of wine on his behalf.” Ronghua laughed and said, “Hongwen, be careful not to lose the army and disgrace the state, or I’ll be the one punished with the wine.”
Hongwen replied, “Don’t worry, I’ll win.” But, unfortunately, the game involved guessing games. Hongwen hid three melon seeds, and each time Huazhu correctly guessed the number, leaving Hongwen embarrassed. She finally said, “I’ll just drink the wine myself.” Qixiang interjected, “That won’t do. If you’re lenient, you’ll be punished with thirty cups!” Ronghua laughed, “I’ll drink! I’ll drink!” and quickly downed three cups in one go.
It was Hongwen’s turn, who represented the Lord of Pingyuan. The rules for Pingyuan read: “Pingyuan uses a silk string. Pingyuan performs a crossing-lines game. If Pingyuan loses, they must have their hands slapped and drink ten cups of wine, saying, ‘There is wine to pour over the soil of Zhao,’ and must continue until they vomit.” Hongwen had the smallest drinking capacity and was timid. Upon seeing these rules, she grew fearful. Her hands, trembling as she held the string, caused the ladies to laugh again, and she, too, started laughing nervously, making her hands shake even more. Qixiang remarked, “It seems this ‘chicken claw tremor’ won’t do any good. Rongmei, why not just have them kneel and offer three cups of wine?” Ronghua laughed and said, “We can still fight one last battle.” The two exchanged the string a few times, and Hongwen managed to win once. She only had to get her hands slapped twice and drink two small cups, while the rest of the penalty was taken by others on her behalf.
Huazhu then hid a lotus seed in her hand for Hongwen to guess. Huazhu gave Hongwen a subtle kick under the table, trying to give her a hint, but Hongwen misunderstood and stared blankly at Huazhu. Huazhu pointed to a dish of lotus seeds on the table, but Hongwen looked at something else and guessed, “Duck feet!” When Huazhu heard this, she burst into laughter. Embarrassed, Hongwen said, “You’re messing with me on purpose!” Huazhu replied, “Am I messing with you?” Huazhu then revealed her hand and recited, “The cold dew weighs down the pink petals of the lotus.” Hongwen, still puzzled, asked Huazhu, “If it’s a lotus seed, why did you kick my foot? How was I supposed to figure that out?” Huazhu teased, “What, is there not a golden lotus beneath your skirt? Why would you think it was a duck’s foot?” The ladies all laughed heartily.
Qixiang then said to Ronghua, “Your three generals have gone into battle and lost eight rounds. Though it’s not a total defeat, they’ve barely survived. According to the rules: ‘If only one round is won out of nine, although you avoid the humiliation of kneeling, the leader must still surrender.’” Ronghua smiled and said, “That’s not too difficult.” She poured a cup of wine, bowed before Qixiang, and offered it. Qixiang returned the bow and accepted the cup with a smile. Huazhu, Qiulian, and Hongwen had no choice but to bow respectfully to Huazhu as well. Huazhu laughed and said, “I’m wearing armor, so I can’t return the salute.” Huazhu retorted, “Don’t be too proud—soon you’ll be the one bowing to others.”
The drum was struck again, and this time the flower stopped in front of Ziyan. Shixiang, Hongwei, and Zengzhu stepped forward. Zengzhu rolled the dice, and the count fell to Hongwei, who was playing the role of the Goddess of Gaotang. The group laughed, and Ziyan commented, “What a fitting role for Red Girl, with your high hair and wide sleeves—you truly resemble a goddess!” Hongwei’s face turned red in embarrassment. Meanwhile, Aizhu, Hongyu, Hongxiang, Hong□, and Hongxue also stepped forward, and the dice determined that Aizhu would be Bai Qi. Qixiang exclaimed, “What a merciless encounter!” She checked the rules: “If the Goddess of Gaotang encounters Bai Qi, how can she possibly resist? She must call forth the full forces of her kingdom to aid her. If they are civil officials, they must play a guessing game with hidden objects. The monarch will designate a scene from a play. Bai Qi will be the ‘jing’ role, the Goddess the ‘dan’ role, and the others assisting in the battle must each play a corresponding role.” She then checked further: “Ling Yin Zilan is the ‘chou’ role, and Song Yu is the ‘sheng’ role.”
Qixiang ordered the four of them to hide a hazelnut in their hands. She added, “It’s fine whether or not you actually have the object. Just stretch out your hand, and I’ll guess based on the play’s characters. If someone is supposed to be there and isn’t, they’ll be penalized. If they aren’t supposed to be there but show up, they’ll be penalized too.”
Qixiang chose a play called “Liu Tang,” which was a performance for the ‘dan’ and ‘jing’ roles. After checking everyone’s hands, it turned out that all of them had the object. Qixiang laughed and said, “The ‘sheng’ and ‘dan’ roles weren’t supposed to appear, so each must drink a cup of wine.” Then she chose another play, “The Noisy Village,” which was also for the ‘jing’ role. Again, the ‘sheng’ and ‘dan’ roles shouldn’t have appeared, but Hongwei showed up again and had to drink another cup. Hongwei protested, saying, “The monarch should at least allow us to choose the play!” Ziyan agreed, “Indeed, we’ve fallen into a trap.” Ziyan then picked a play meant for the ‘sheng’ and ‘dan’ roles, hoping to make Aizhu drink a cup. However, Aizhu’s hands were empty, so Shixiang ended up being the one to drink instead.
The drumbeat continued, and this time the flower stopped in front of Wanxiang. The count fell on Baizhu, and Wanxiang laughed, saying, “This is our lucky general, the top-ranking of the Four Sons. Let’s see who can stand against him!” The count on the other side landed on Hongxue, representing Li Si. Qixiang remarked, “What a worthy opponent!” Checking the rules, she said, “Lord Xinling strategizes his troops through a drawing of straws.” Baizhu drew a straw and read, “The candle illuminates a half-covered jade phoenix.” The note read, “Anyone wearing gold hairpins or jade bracelets must drink a cup of wine.” Qixiang commented, “It looks like we’ll all have to drink a cup!” All seven ladies drank, except for Wanlan, who abstained. Qixiang asked her why, and Wanlan replied, “This cup has no wine for me.” Qixiang didn’t believe her and checked her hands, finding that she wore bracelets made of Bixia jade. The ladies remarked, “How lucky she is!” Out of the twenty-four maids, all wore either gold or jade and had to drink.
Peiqiu exclaimed, “Our fifth sister’s lucky general has made everyone drink!” Hongxue then drew another straw, which read, “A jade hairpin, with phoenixes soaring in pairs.” The note indicated, “Anyone wearing a soft phoenix-shaped hairpin must drink a cup.” Hongxue looked around and noticed that many were wearing such hairpins. Aizhu and Hongwen were playing a game of crossing strings, and in the midst of it, Hongwen playfully slapped Aizhu’s hand, causing Aizhu’s golden phoenix hairpin to wobble and shake. Hongxue poured a cup of wine and said, “Here it is!” Aizhu, laughing, replied, “Why are you bringing your wine here, all the way from another kingdom?” Hongxue responded, “Did you not notice the hairpin on your head? The verse clearly says those wearing phoenix hairpins must drink.” Aizhu touched her hairpin and looked around at the others, exclaiming, “Ugh! Why are you targeting me? Everyone’s wearing one!” She then burst out laughing. Wanxiang teased, “Aizhu, just drink it. You can’t escape the justice here.” Aizhu glanced at her mistress and reluctantly took a sip. Hongxue still tried to make her drink the full cup, but Aizhu playfully pushed Hongxue, causing half the wine to spill. Qixiang laughed, “Aizhu really is a darling, just as her name suggests!”
Baizhu then drew another straw, which read, “Lightly lift your brows, revealing your white teeth.” Baizhu glanced around and said, “I’ll offer this cup to Sister Shixiang. Just look at those raised eyebrows and slightly parted white teeth—don’t they resemble Xishi holding her heart?” Shixiang refused, but Baizhu pinched her nose and poured the wine into her mouth. Shixiang burst into laughter, spraying wine all over Baizhu, causing the group of ladies to laugh even more.
Qixiang said, “Baizhu is truly remarkable—a brave general indeed!” Hongxue drew another slip, which read: “In the dark, only the scent of slippers is noticed.” She commented, “This one is tricky.” Qixiang said, “You should go smell each person, and whoever has the scent must drink the wine.” Hongxue laughed and said, “If I have to sniff…,” then trailed off with a smile. She added, “I know! I’ll offer a toast to someone.”
She poured a cup of wine and offered it to Hongwei. Hongwei protested, “Have you really smelled my feet? Isn’t that strange, accusing me without reason?” Hongxue replied, “I haven’t smelled your feet, but I often see you using pine powder to wrap your feet—doesn’t that smell fragrant?” Caught off guard, Hongwei’s face flushed red, and she had no choice but to drink the cup.
Next, Baizhu drew another slip, which read: “Slender fingers, red as jade shoots.” Upon looking around, they noticed that Xiaocui’s nails were still red, so she had to drink a cup. Hongxue then drew another slip that said: “Heaven grants rouge to lightly tint the cheeks.” Seeing that Hongwen’s cheeks were already red from two cups of wine, she was forced to drink yet another cup.
They rolled the dice again, and the count landed on Mingzhu, who represented Hou Sheng. The rule was that if Li Si lost, he had to drink wine, but if Hou Sheng lost, he had to drink soy sauce. Mingzhu said, “Drinking soy sauce sounds difficult.” Huazhu whispered quietly, “Why not drink vinegar instead? It’s better than soy sauce.” The ladies overheard this and couldn’t help but laugh. Mingzhu, ignoring them, said, “At the turn of October.”
Hongxue responded, “The yellow birds call.” Mingzhu replied, “The birds chirp sweetly.” Hongxue continued, “Chirping they go.” Mingzhu asked, “How do you respond with this ‘go’? Isn’t that just making things difficult?” She penalized Hongxue with a cup, who, after drinking, said, “I’ll change it to ‘the end is nigh.’” Mingzhu replied, “Another penalty!” Hongxue protested, “You’ve only ever read the Book of Songs and no other classics, so you say there’s no way to start a sentence with ‘go.’” Mingzhu disagreed, but Hongxue retorted, “If you drink a cup of soy sauce, I’ll explain it to you.” Mingzhu refused, continuing to argue. Hongxue said, “If you can’t come up with something, why don’t you just drink the soy sauce?” This caused everyone to burst into laughter. Mingzhu said, “If you manage to make a sentence I can’t recognize, I’ll accept defeat, but the others will surely catch it. If you trick me into drinking the soy sauce, but can’t come up with anything, you’ll have to eat my spit!” Hongxue responded, “Alright, just drink.” Mingzhu, in a fit of frustration, actually took a sip of the soy sauce. Hongxue laughed and said, “In the Book of Documents, it says, ‘In the third month, the spirit appears, the spirit grows bright.’ So you can start a sentence with ‘go.’ How can you say there’s no way to start a sentence with ‘go’?” The ladies laughed and agreed, “That’s true!” Qixiang added with a smile, “That should spare you from eating spit.” They continued the wordplay for a while, with Hongxue eventually losing another round and drinking a cup.
Then it was Zhangzhu’s turn. As the ‘woman holding wine,’ her rule was to roll the dice, and if she lost, she had to kneel before both her country’s monarch and the enemy’s monarch to ask for an order. Zhangzhu rolled a one-two-three, while Hongxue rolled a four-five-six. Zhangzhu knelt before Wanxiang to request an order, making Lady Hua laugh uncontrollably. She said, “What kind of order should we give?” Then she turned to Qixiang and said, “I have a rhyming verse order, two lines of three characters followed by one line of seven characters. Let’s match the rhyme.” She then recited, “Banquet at Qingdu, Peaceful music, Eight sounds of Gan Zhou, golden-threaded song. Sister, now it’s your turn to say one.”
Qixiang replied, “That’s a tough one. I’m not very familiar with verse patterns. You are much better at composing poems than I am. I’ll drink a cup instead.”
Wanxiang said, “Sister, don’t be modest. Please give it a try.” Qixiang thought for a moment and recited, “High Sun Terrace, a cup of Yuchi, Fur robes traded for wine, drunk at Penglai.” Wanxiang responded, “I bow to you! Sister, you matched the rhyme so perfectly, yet you claim not to be familiar with verse!” All the ladies praised, “Both of you have done well! Let’s drink a cup in celebration of our two leaders. Please continue with more verses for us to enjoy.” Wanxiang said, “It’s hard to match seven-character lines, and there probably aren’t many that fit.” She then recited, “Longing thoughts, twelve hours, Candlelight sways, and the jade clock ticks slowly.” Qixiang said, “That’s even better.” Then she added, “Charming and delicate, tied at the waist, On Phoenix Terrace, memories of playing the flute.” The ladies praised, “Excellent! These two are even better than the previous ones. Qixiang Sister’s seven-character line is perfect.” Wanxiang said, “Such exquisite words, Sister, truly bow-worthy!” She then recited, “Youthful journeys, past Qin Tower, West River moonlight, solitary boat.” She replaced the last line with eight characters. Qixiang thought again and recited, “The Red Lady, spring in brocade tents, Like a dream, recalling the clouds of Mount Wu.” The ladies couldn’t stop praising them, and the entire group toasted with a cup of wine in celebration.
The drum was struck again, and the flower was passed to Peiqiu’s state of Yan. The dice roll decided that Jinfeng would represent Jing Ke, while the opposing side landed on Hongyu, who played Lü Buwei. Jing Ke’s game was the “pitch-pot” challenge, where players tried to throw arrows into a pot. Wanlan commented, “This game probably won’t have much humor in it.” Jinfeng threw a stick representing Su Qin carrying a sword, while Hongyu threw one representing Jiang Ziya fishing. Neither of them hit the target, so each drank two cups of wine.
Next, it was Honglian’s turn as Tian Guang, and she played a “silent game.” Each person had to raise a finger representing one of the five elements: the thumb for metal, the index finger for wood, the middle finger for earth, the ring finger for water, and the little finger for fire. For example, if one person raised the thumb (metal) and the other raised the index finger (wood), metal would defeat wood, and the thumb would win while the index finger lost. If the thumb was raised against the little finger (fire), fire would defeat metal, and the little finger would win. The three maids played swiftly, with both wins and losses happening.
Then, it was Hongjuan’s turn, representing the swift horse, and her game was based on the “horse-diagram.” The thumb represented rewards, the middle finger represented the shoulder, and the little finger represented extremes. The index finger stood for “hundred sons,” while the ring finger wasn’t used. Two hands were used in the game, with the goal of matching fingers. If one person showed two fingers while the other showed one, the one with two fingers would win, following the rules. If both used three fingers, the matching colors would decide the winner. The winner’s drink would be shared by everyone present if the amount was large. Ronghua said, “This game involves a lot of drinking. If, for example, someone has to toast one hundred times, do they really have to drink one hundred cups?” Qixiang replied, “A hundred cups isn’t too much! With more than thirty of us here, each person would only need to drink about three cups. What’s the harm?”
Hongjuan said, “I can’t quite remember all the details of the horse-diagram game, so I’ll need Madam to keep track for me.” Wanxiang agreed to assist. Hongjuan showed one index finger and one little finger, while Hongyu coincidentally showed one little finger, forming a “double-tailed scorpion” with a value of sixty toasts. Wanxiang declared, “That’s sixty toasts.” Qixiang added, “Good! Let’s have everyone here drink a cup.” Hongyu then used two hands, showing one index finger and two little fingers, while Hongjuan used one little finger, forming a “jade carp’s back” with a value of one hundred toasts. Peiqiu said, “This game will require a lot of drinking. Let’s just have everyone drink one cup each.” They all toasted together.
Hongjuan then showed two thumbs and one index finger, while Hongyu showed one thumb, forming a “flowered apron” worth twelve toasts. Qixiang and the others each drank one cup, Hongyu drank two, and Hongjuan drank three. Altogether, they drank a total of 172 cups during that round.
Next, the flower was passed to Wanlan’s state of Qi. The chosen generals were Hezhu as Lord Mengchang and Hong□ as Zhao Gao. Wanxiang laughed and said, “How could Zhao Gao be a match for Lord Mengchang? Let’s check the rules.” According to the rules, Lord Mengchang, with his three thousand retainers, would engage in a dice game. Each player used six dice, and if the roll produced red or even numbers, coins would be thrown into a basin. Six red numbers would mean six coins, while two red and two even numbers would mean four coins. If no red or even numbers appeared, the player won the money. If Lord Mengchang won, he could ask the opponent four questions: “What do you have? What don’t you have? What do you want? What don’t you want?” Each answer had to be a line from a Tang poem, and if the answer was good, the player could avoid drinking. If not, they were penalized with a drink. If Lord Mengchang lost, he would be asked the same questions.
After a few rounds, Hong□ lost, and Hezhu asked, “What do you have?” Hong□ replied, “I have: an embroidered sandalwood pillow and jade carvings.” Hezhu continued, “What don’t you have?” Hong□ answered, “I don’t have: a newly laid jeweled mat in the Jade Tower.” Hezhu then asked, “What do you want?” Hong□ responded, “I want: a red beaded canopy and ripe cherries.” Finally, Hezhu asked, “What don’t you want?” Hong□ replied, “I don’t want: spring entering my brows, causing two points of sorrow.” The ladies praised Hong□ for her poetic responses.
Wanxiang then turned to Qixiang and said, “Sister, it’s clear that you have no weak soldiers under your command. Your maids are so skilled with words—it’s truly admirable.” Qixiang replied, “They may know a few poems, but they can’t compare to your maids, who are skilled in every aspect.” Hezhu, hearing her mistress praise Hong□, felt a bit competitive and said, “Those four lines were well said, but you seem to forget that you’re playing Zhao Gao, an old man. How could he deserve such elegant things?”
Hezhu then jokingly added, “You have: delicate spring grasses in a secluded grove. You don’t have: tender emotions too shy to express. You want: the warmth of a scented bed beneath a mandarin duck canopy. You don’t want: to marry a man who loves to travel far from home.” Wanxiang laughed and scolded Hezhu, “How can you be so impudent, Hezhu?”
As Qixiang was about to respond, Hong□, infuriated, tried to strike Hezhu. Hezhu immediately apologized and the other maids intervened to plead on her behalf. Finally, Hong□ forgave her. The ladies all laughed and said, “Hezhu’s words were indeed too sharp. Luckily, there are many people here. Otherwise, Hong□ would surely have hit her.”
It was now Xiaocui’s turn with her role as the rooster crowing. Xiaocui appeared nervous. The game for her was a matching-tile challenge. Each player had to match tiles: one pip matched one pip, two pips matched two pips, and if the player couldn’t make a match, they had to drink. Xiaocui was secretly happy with the game, but after losing three times, she grew anxious and didn’t know how to handle the situation.
Qixiang said, “Here’s a fun new rule!” She flipped through the rulebook and announced, “The rooster must crow three times and crawl under the bench three times, while mimicking a chicken.” The ladies covered their mouths, trying to stifle their laughter. Xiaocui, however, found the task amusing and without hesitation, began to mimic a rooster’s crowing. After imitating the rooster, she crawled under the bench three times, causing the ladies to burst into laughter. Wanlan said, “Sister, you deliberately picked this rule to make her a joke!” Qixiang laughed and said, “She drew this challenge herself! Don’t mock her—no one else could have crawled under the bench as smoothly as she did.” After Xiaocui completed the challenge, her hair became disheveled, with a lopsided bun, and she grinned mischievously at Wanlan. Wanlan rolled her eyes at her and said, “You seem to be enjoying yourself!” The wine was then drunk by Sister Xu on her behalf.
It was now Sister Xu’s turn to step forward, and Hong□ started imitating a dog’s barking. Sister Xu said, “You’re lucky. Don’t you dare beat me! If you win, I’ll really bite you!” They flipped to the rules, which were for the “Five Poisons” game. The thumb represented the toad, the index finger the snake, the middle finger the centipede, the ring finger the scorpion, and the little finger the spider. The results followed this cycle: the spider ate the scorpion, the scorpion ate the centipede, the centipede ate the snake, the snake ate the toad, and the toad ate the spider. The two started guessing. Sister Xu thought, “If he expects me to pick the spider, he’ll choose the toad, so I’ll go with the snake.” But Hong□ chose the centipede, and Sister Xu lost. She said, “Well, I guess I’ll just drink.” Hong□ laughed and said, “Check the rules first before you drink.”
Qixiang smiled at Wanlan and said, “How do you like your ‘rooster crows and dog thieves’ so far? Let’s see how well they perform this time!” Wanlan, clearly upset, retorted, “Fine, fine! Today you’ve had your fun, but I’ll get my revenge slowly. When I draw the Western Chu Overlord, and we fight at Julu, I’ll finally avenge this!” The other ladies laughed and said, “There’s still one more round for Korea, and the battle strategies haven’t been played out yet. Let’s hope for a victory.” They checked the rules for Sister Xu: “For the first drink, you must imitate a dog’s bark three times. For the second and third drinks, you must crawl on the ground for two steps and bark three times.” Sister Xu laughed and said, “Ugh! What kind of game is this? So this is what being a dog thief means—imitating a dog. I’m not doing it!” With that, she tried to run away, which made all the ladies burst into laughter.
Immediately, Huazhu, Aizhu, Hongxiang, Hongyu, Hongxue, and Hong□ all chased after her, surrounding Sister Xu and saying, “No matter how tough you are, today in our garden, where do you think you can run to? Bark properly and we’ll let you off. If not, we’ll pin you down and strip your skin!” The group grabbed at her, pinching her here and there. Sister Xu, most ticklish, couldn’t escape their clutches and burst out laughing, trembling like a ziziphus flower in the wind, while pleading, “Stop! Stop! I’ll bark, I’ll bark!” But the six girls wouldn’t believe her. Five of them surrounded her while one held a cup of wine, demanding that she bark before drinking. Outnumbered, Sister Xu had no choice but to bark three times like a dog, causing everyone to roar with laughter, sounding like a chorus of birds. Sister Xu’s face turned red, and Hong□ continued the game, making her guess again. Sister Xu tried to recover and take revenge, but she lost once more.
Sister Xu said, “Come on, sisters, spare me this time.” But Aizhu and the four Hong girls refused to let her off. Wanlan, laughing, turned to Qixiang and said, “What’s the plan, you ruthless Qin tyrant? You’ve devoured the five nations already, and now you’re letting these wild beasts loose on us.” Qixiang was laughing so hard that she was bent over the table, unable to respond.
Sister Xu, surrounded by the group and seeing no way out, devised a plan. She thought, “These troublemakers are too much. I’ll make them the joke this time.” She specifically targeted Aizhu and Hongxue, the worst offenders. Smiling sweetly, she said, “Sisters, don’t be like this. Give me some space, and I’ll crawl on the ground as required.” The others were still skeptical, but Hongxue said, “Alright, we’ll step back a little, but we don’t think you can escape.”
Sister Xu pretended to crouch down slowly, but when she saw that Aizhu and Hongxue were wearing small three-inch golden lotus shoes, with their pants barely peeking out from under their skirts, she made her move. With a quick motion, she grabbed Aizhu by the ankles and pulled up her pant legs, exposing her pale calves like snow. Then, mimicking a dog’s bark, Sister Xu bit lightly and scratched at Aizhu’s legs, causing her to scream and collapse to the ground in shock.
The other five rushed to rescue Aizhu, but Sister Xu turned on Hongxue, grabbing her by the legs and repeating the action. The remaining four girls, terrified, ran away in fits of laughter. Hongxue, laughing so hard she collapsed onto Aizhu, didn’t even realize it at first. Aizhu, thinking Sister Xu was still on top of her and about to bite again, began to wail and laugh at the same time, almost to the point of tears. Sister Xu, covering her mouth to stifle her laughter, slipped away.
The scene sent both the ladies and the maids into fits of laughter, their makeup smudging from tears. Hairpins fell out, wine spilled—all chaos ensued. It took a while before Aizhu and Hongxue could get back on their feet. Sister Xu continued to laugh gleefully, and Aizhu pointed at her, cursing, “You little demon! One day, you’ll be bitten by a mad dog, and you’ll give birth to puppies in your belly!”
Hongxue added, “Forget about ‘one day’—I bet you’ll be bitten by a dog as soon as you step outside!”
Sister Xu laughed, “Well, it’s your own fault for being so cruel. I was being kind, you see. The other four ran fast, or else I would’ve had all six of you rolling on the ground together.” The six of them shouted back, cursing Sister Xu for a good while before the laughter finally died down. Only Ziyan still had residual giggles. Qixiang said to Wanlan, “Sister, your Sister Xu is amazing. How about I trade you one of my maids for her?”
Wanlan replied, “Why would you want her? All she’s good at is pretending to be a dog.” Ziyan laughed and said, “Sister, why gather all these reckless scoundrels together? Are you trying to play Qin Shi Huang?” Everyone burst out laughing once again.
Qionghua said, “Now I will defeat Qin. They only have Han Feizi, who understands law but knows nothing of military strategy.” The dice roll determined that Ruizhu would play Zhang Liang, and the game was “Golden Gate Strategy.” The player would first come up with a phrase and then arrange three dice to represent the meaning of that phrase. After covering the dice with a cup, the other player had to arrange their dice to match the original phrase. If they failed, an impartial judge would decide the better arrangement, and the loser would drink.
Ruizhu arranged her three dice, covered them with a cup, and handed three dice to Hongxiang. She said, “Arrange the dice for the phrase ‘Nine layers of spring color intoxicate the immortal peach.’” Hongxiang thought for a moment, then arranged a three, a six, and a four. She said, “Three and six make nine layers, and four is for the peach. Does that work?” Ruizhu lifted the cup, and it was correct. Ruizhu then arranged another phrase: “Thirteen zither strings in a goose formation.” Hongxiang thought again and arranged two fives and a three. Ruizhu agreed it was correct.
Next, Ruizhu arranged the phrase: “The current of poetry reverses the waters of the Three Gorges.” Hongxiang struggled to understand this one and eventually placed three threes. She asked, “Is this right?” Ruizhu replied, “No.” She lifted the cup to reveal three fours. Hongxiang clapped her hands and exclaimed, “Brilliant! That truly represents a reverse flow. I never would have thought of it. I’ll drink the penalty.” According to Han Feizi’s rule for drinking penalties, it read: “Punished by the law—light offenses require facial branding, heavy ones result in amputation.”
Ruizhu said, “Bring the ink and brush to mark her face.” Hongxiang pleaded, “Sister, please spare me! Having to mark my face and then clean it off is such a hassle. I’d rather kneel and drink a cup instead.” Ruizhu was about to relent, but Zhenzhu wouldn’t allow it, saying, “If we let one off lightly, everyone will expect the same.” She then drew a pair of spectacles on Hongxiang’s face with the brush, making everyone burst into laughter again. Hongxiang, annoyed, drank her cup quickly and rushed to wash her face.
Fortunately, she wasn’t wearing makeup; otherwise, the water would have washed it off. Feeling indignant, she raised her hand and said to Zhenzhu, “You go first! If you lose and beg for mercy, you’ll be no more than a dog.” Zhenzhu laughed and said, “You think I’m afraid of you? Since when is begging for mercy a sign of bravery?”
The next game was for Yishang Old Man’s rule: the “Eight Formation Chess.” Yishang Old Man played the red pieces. Though Zhenzhu was good at chess, she wasn’t familiar with this particular rule, and it so happened that Hongxiang was an expert in chess strategies.
Zhenzhu focused intently but couldn’t grasp the intricacies of the game. Just as she was about to lose, Baizhu tried to help, but Hongxiang interjected, “If anyone helps, they’ll be the one punished with the drink.” Qionghua grew anxious but didn’t dare interfere. Hongxiang soon cornered Zhenzhu’s piece with a hanging checkmate, ready to finish the game. Hongxiang laughed and said, “I’ve got you now.”
According to the rule for Yishang Old Man, the loser had to remove their shoes, pour wine into them, and offer the drink to everyone. Zhenzhu protested, saying, “That’s outrageous! It’s so dirty. I’m not doing that!” Hongxiang responded, “It’s not a big deal.” She moved to take off Zhenzhu’s shoe. Zhenzhu tried to run, but Hongxue tripped her, causing Zhenzhu to fall. Hongxiang pinned her down and removed one of her shoes.
Zhenzhu’s face flushed with embarrassment as she tried to grab her shoe back, but Hongxue passed the shoe to Hongxiang, who was about to pour wine into it. Just then, Huazhu snatched the shoe away and tossed it back to Zhenzhu, causing everyone to laugh uncontrollably. Zhenzhu quickly put the shoe back on, tied the laces, and gave Hongxiang a playful pinch. The round ended with much laughter.
The final contestant was Qingqin, who represented the Bo Wave Hammer, a game that involved two types of thunder—silent and loud—to strike at all of Qin’s forces. Qionghua said, “This is our last hope.” Ronghua encouraged Qingqin, “You must win and bring honor to your mistress.” Qingqin smiled and said, “This hammer is sure to hit its mark every time.” Wanlan added, “If you defeat them, not only will you avenge your mistress but you’ll also take revenge for the rest of us.” Wanxiang chimed in, “With this thunder attack, you can even strike their monarch!” Peiqiu warned, “Just don’t end up like Qiulian’s Lian Po.” Ziyan added, “And don’t end up like our Jing Ke’s dagger either.” Everyone joined in, laughing and making jokes.
Qixiang smiled and said, “How can this lone force hope to survive deep in enemy territory? There’s no chance of retreat.” She ordered six of her maids to step forward and face Qingqin.
Strangely enough, Qingqin, using both silent and loud thunder, managed to strike fear into the hearts of all her opponents—Baizhu, Huazhu, Hongxiang, Hongyu, Hongxue, and Hong□. Each of them trembled in fear. Qionghua, feeling triumphant, nodded and smiled, quoting, “A general’s success is built on the bones of a thousand soldiers.” The ladies all cheered in unison.
Qixiang, amused, said, “This is outrageous! You, the youngest of us all, dare to bully your eldest sister. How awful! Do you dare face me in battle?” The five other ladies chimed in, “What’s there to be afraid of? If our little sister is timid, we’ll all help her together.”
Qionghua laughed and said, “I willingly retreat, but if I must, I’ll prepare for battle and face you, Sister.”
Qixiang, laughing, said, “United we stand, impenetrable! I’ll let you have this one.” Qingqin’s victory in the hammer game meant that many had already lost and had to drink, including Baizhu, Huazhu, Hongxiang, Hongyu, Hongxue, and Hong□, all of whom drank a substantial amount of wine.
As evening approached, Wanxiang noticed the late hour and decided to return to the city. Wanlan tried to persuade her to stay, but Wanxiang insisted on leaving. Qixiang, seeing that the sun had already set, knew it was impolite to keep her, so she escorted Wanxiang to her departure. She said to the others, “You all have time and aren’t in a hurry to return to the city. We can stay until the third watch of the night.” The maids began packing up the loose items, and the group boarded the boats to cross the river. They escorted Wanxiang down the mountain, helped her into her sedan chair, and saw her out of the garden.
Afterward, the remaining sisters, hand in hand, returned to the pavilion called “Spring Breeze in a Drunken State” and sat down together. The maids followed, preparing tea, and they chatted for a while. Soon, the lamps were lit. Ziyan suggested playing “horse tile” and pulled Ronghua and Peiqiu to play with her. Qionghua noticed a box of poetry cards and sat with Qixiang and Wanlan at another table to play a round. They played well into the second watch of the night. By then, Qionghua had completed a seven-character regulated verse, but Qixiang had missed a rhyme and couldn’t finish hers. Wanlan wasn’t doing well with her cards either, still short by about ten characters. When Qionghua laid out her cards, Ronghua and the others came over to look. The verse went:
**”We bid farewell to spring, and half a year has passed,
Little spring’s weather is the most tenderly cherished.
The wine divides strategies of diplomacy and war,
While people resemble the fairies of the Jade Pool.
Every morning, we lean against jade trees,
Step by step, we defer to golden lotuses.
Bright clouds and the moon seem to envy us,
Illuminating the pavilions with extraordinary brilliance.”**
The five ladies praised in unison, “This poem seems more composed than created during a game. Every word is precise, and it perfectly reflects today’s events.” Qixiang laughed and added, “What I love most are the lines: ‘Every morning, we lean against jade trees, Step by step, we defer to golden lotuses.’ It speaks to the spirit of us women. Otherwise, this garden would have turned into a stage for those famous opera singers.” Ronghua said, “Sister, have you met those famous singers? I heard that Second Brother brings them to the garden every day.” Qixiang replied, “As for those opera singers, they are indeed beautiful. I’ve seen five or six of them. During the festival season, they also come to pay their respects. But, to be honest, among our group today, some of us look quite like them.” This comment made everyone curious, though some already suspected who she meant. Fearing that Qixiang might actually reveal names, Wanlan and Qionghua quickly steered the conversation away.
By this time, it was nearly the third watch of the night, and it was time for everyone to part ways. Qixiang, unable to convince them to stay, agreed to let them go. She joked, “The moon hasn’t fully set yet. Are you all in the mood for a walk to the garden gate?” The ladies eagerly agreed to walk. They paired up, lighting hand lanterns, and strolled arm in arm, laughing and chatting as they passed through stone gates and bamboo-lined paths. The moment was captured by the lines:
**”Fragrance from their clothes and shadows from their hair lingered with beauty,
Collecting treasures and seeking flowers in the fleeting time.”**
When they reached the garden gate, each woman returned to her carriage. They exchanged a few more farewells from their carriages before finally sitting down. The embroidered cushions swayed as the wheels of the carriages rolled away. The maids boarded their respective carriages, following behind. Qixiang and her twelve red maids also got into their carriages and headed home. What happens next? We’ll find out in the next chapter.