**Deep forests with dense leaves hide the moonlight,**
**Only fortunate are those pure and virtuous maidens who embody the nation's fragrance.**
**Evening drums and morning bells mark the passing of time,**
**Why not hold up a candle and wander freely?**
What is "Lin" (forest)? "Lin" refers to Lin Yunping. Her branches are lush and her leaves dense, sufficient to obscure the color and fragrance of an orchid, thus she is placed first. What is "Lan" (orchid)? "Lan" is Yan Mengqing, taking the meaning of "Yan dreams of orchids." An ancient saying states: "An orchid does not lose its fragrance just because it grows in a deep forest," thus she is placed second after Lin. What is "Xiang" (fragrance)? "Xiang" is Ren Xiang'er. Her beauty and delicacy are enough to overshadow the orchid's color; her fragrance, light and ethereal, is enough to confuse the orchid's scent, thus she is placed third after Lan.
Combining these three women—Lin, Lan, and Xiang—as the book's title indicates that those secluded, virtuous, and pure maidens worthy of being called the nation's fragrance are not few, yet they often fail to receive their husbands' cherished love and spend their lives in vain. This is probably because of concealment and usurpation. Just as Yunping conceals Mengqing, and Xiang'er usurps Mengqing. Endless concealment leads to a lifetime of hardship; constant usurpation leads to lifelong sorrow. This is truly an unavoidable matter!
However, humans are not plants and trees—who can be without feelings? Sometimes emotions come from the outside world, sometimes worries arise from within. If one does not find a way to dispel them, once the snow turns cold and frost descends, would not the orchid wither alongside the desolate artemisia? Those who can act according to circumstances like Xuan Ainiang, and those who can adapt to their situation like Ping Caiyun, though they differ in their relationships with the orchid, can ultimately become objects of the orchid's solace and serve as references for the orchid. Moreover, all things have the natural law of cycles, conserving there while enriching here, with the power of choice in one's own hands. So seeing that the roots of the nine fields of good land still remain, the national fragrance is not extinguished. Who says death is better than life, needlessly worrying about gains and losses?
Thinking thus, Lin's concealment is as if it never happened, and Xiang's usurpation is as if it never occurred. With such thoughts, I spend each day in close friendship with the Xuan sisters, cultivating my fertile fields, regardless of whether the harvest is good or bad, with nothing weighing on my mind—what is there to worry about? What is there to lament?
Alas! Heaven and earth are like a temporary inn, time like a passing guest. The future looks at the present, the present looks at the past—it's all just a play, a ballad, a dream. Lin? Lan? Xiang? Did they really exist? In fact, they did not! Why are they so unfortunate to be suddenly born and suddenly die, as fleeting as mayflies? And yet why are they fortunate enough that, whether worthy or unworthy, they can leave their names in the world?
I recall in the first year of Hongxi in the Ming Dynasty, the emperor was benevolent, and governance was reformed. At that time, the meritorious officials who had participated in the Jingnan Campaign received great favor from the court and were in high spirits. While the founding ministers from the Hongwu era had been enfeoffed, only their direct descendants could inherit the titles, and the collateral descendants lived in leisure and gradually declined.
At that time, Grand Minister Meng Zheng, Marquis of Handan, submitted a memorial, the gist of which was: "I have heard that selecting talent through literary works is meant to value new talent; seeking people through family backgrounds can further encourage virtuous scholars of the past. When looking for capable people among commoners, there is no shortage of outstanding talents; when seeking men of integrity among official families, there are even more men of talent and virtue. Our Great Founding Emperor pacified the realm and unified the country. The heroes who followed him at that time are all recorded in historical books, making their mark in history. But over the decades, only the direct lineage inherits the titles and performs ancestral sacrifices, while the numerous collateral descendants have gradually been reduced to insignificance. I fear this is not the way to uphold national institutions and encourage the duties of hereditary ministers. I request that the collateral descendants of founding meritorious officials be either examined in literature or tested in martial arts, and those with any skill be employed. This would both cultivate the dynasty's fortunes established by the ancestors and revive the reputation of noble families, while also somewhat tempering the wind of advancement."
Emperor Renzong approved this memorial. Thus, it was ascertained that the sixty-four houses including Zhongshan King Xu Da, Kaiping King Chang Yuchun, Ninghe King Deng Yu, Qianning King Mu Ying, Yue Duke Hu Dahai, Ying Duke Feng Guoyong, Ying Duke Fu Youde, Donghai Duke Mao Cheng, Wuding Marquis Guo Ying, Anlu Marquis Wu Fu, Qichun Marquis Kang Maocai, Mianyang Marquis Ding Pulang, and others all had collateral descendants.
Among them was a man surnamed Geng, named Lang, with the courtesy name Miaozhao, who was a collateral grandson of Siguo Duke Geng Zaicheng. He was generous and fond of making friends, spending money freely, associating with scholars skilled in martial arts and literature, and supporting singers and dancers. But his character was unstable, and he liked to listen to others' words, so throughout his life he had few who helped him.
His mother, Lady Kang, became a widow in middle age but managed the household well. When Geng Lang was five years old, she had him start reading and also betrothed him to the daughter of Censor Yan Yu. This Yan Yu, courtesy name Zhuguei, had lived for generations in Lantian and was a jinshi scholar. He married Lady Zheng and had one daughter and two sons. The daughter, named Mengqing, had been engaged to Geng Lang since childhood and happened to be born on the seventh day of the first month in the same year as Geng Lang, though she was eight months older than him. The elder son was named Zizhi, and the younger son was named Zihui, both were Mengqing's younger brothers.
Mengqing had been betrothed to the Geng family for ten years, and now both were sixteen years old. Speaking of Mengqing's character, she was truly serene, virtuous, gentle, and composed, just like the "exemplary maiden" described in the Book of Songs—not merely delicate and able to compose poems about snow. As for Mengqing's talents, her intelligence and wisdom were no less than Ban Zhao's, and her brilliance rivaled that of Cai Yan, truly understanding the principles of the inner chambers and comprehending the emotions of past and present. Regarding Mengqing's needlework, it was like the cloud brocade woven by celestial maidens or the icy silk woven by mermaids—truly "jade shoots parting the lush willow banks, golden needles embroidering flowers of the upper forest." As for Mengqing's appearance, it was not merely that "her beauty could feast the eyes" or that "her radiance could serve as a mirror," but truly "surpassing jade in fragrance, more authentic than flowers in speech."
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Lady Kang had originally chosen to hold the wedding in the second month of spring in the first year of Hongxi, but because Geng Lang had been recruited for service, the opportunity was delayed amid the bustle. It wasn't until April that the examinations were conducted. Geng Lang passed with excellent grades and was nominally appointed as an observer in the Ministry of War. When he turned twenty, he would be assigned actual duties. Lady Kang was overjoyed to see her son obtain an official position, and for a time, congratulatory visitors filled the house. Lady Zheng was even happier because Mengqing, though not yet married, had already become a sixth-rank lady. Even the servants of both families said that Miss Yan was fortunate.
The Geng family chose the fifth day of the fifth month for celebration and set the fifteenth day for the wedding. They thus invited relatives and friends far and wide, and before they knew it, May had arrived. On the second day, Lady Kang's brother, Marquis Kang Pi of Qichun, and her uncle's husband, Marquis Huo Yan of Xin'an, came bearing gifts. On the third day, Geng Lang's cousin's father, Marquis Wu You of Anlu, and Censor Wu Wei came with gifts. Other gift-bearers need not be detailed one by one. It wasn't until the fourth day that the Yan family came with gifts. Lady Kang ordered rewards for the messengers while accepting the gifts. The gifts were a set of round-collared gold-embroidered ceremonial robes, a beautiful jade belt with round plates, ten bolts of palindrome butterfly brocade, two pairs of mandarin duck quilts, ten ingots of double southern gold, and ten wish-granting pearls. She immediately sent a reply card inviting them to come early the next day.
At that time, all the staff and servants in the Geng household were ready. In the evening, an old man suddenly approached the gate and said, "The orientation of this residence, I fear the master will lose his helpmate." He then sighed, "Never mind, but it's a pity that the main room has been changed into a side room!" When the gatekeepers chased after him to inquire further, he moved with flying steps, outpacing even four horses.
After a night passed, the next day all the guests for the celebration had arrived. Yan Yu, as the new relative, sat in the place of honor, while the others—the Marquis of Qichun, the Marquis of Xin'an, the Marquis of Anlu, and others—all sat in order. Geng Lang's uncle, the Duke of Si, Geng Xin; his uncle, Master of the Imperial Stud, Geng Jing; and Minister of Communication Geng Huai accompanied them.
After three rounds of drinks, the theater troupe first performed "Six States Appointing Ministers," an auspicious play, and then performed the complete "Golden Valley Garden." That day, the front hall was resplendent with gold and jade, filled with nobles. In the rear hall, Lady Zheng presided, with Lady Fu of Qichun, Lady Kang of Xin'an, and Lady Xu of Anlu all seated in order. Below them, Lady Kang and the Duchess of Si, Lady Jing of the Imperial Stud, and Lady He of Communication accompanied them. The theater troupe first sang the auspicious tune "Palace Flowers Report Good News," and later performed the story of "Diweng Saves Her Father."
In the grand hall, a thousand silver candles were lit, and a hundred pairs of gauze lanterns hung along the curved railings. Inside and outside, drums and music filled the air, and joyful sounds shook the ground. Maidservants with white powder and black eyebrows moved in pairs back and forth. Young servants with graceful bearing and clear voices entered and exited in pairs. Geng Lang encouraged drinking in both places, so happy that he forgot his weariness. The relatives stayed until sunset, and only after the theater troupe finished did they thank their hosts and disperse. The brothers of Geng Xin also returned to their homes. Lady Kang specifically retained the Duchess of Si, Lady Jing, and Lady He to discuss matters of the betrothal gifts, welcoming the bride, the bridal chamber, and the wedding ceremony—these need not be detailed here.
Let us focus on Yan Yu, who returned home when it was already the first watch of the night. Suddenly, Outer Lang Qian Keyong came to visit, saying he had urgent matters to discuss. Yan Yu went out to welcome him, and Qian Keyong immediately said, "Do you know, elder brother, that your colleague Mao Qiu has submitted a memorial stating that last year's examination officials in various provinces were corrupt, unjust, and unlawful, and both your name and mine are mentioned in the memorial? Although the imperial edict has not yet been issued, it seems rather ominous."
Yan Yu said, "With our enlightened emperor above, there will be fair judgment on whether you and I have been just and law-abiding. Please sit down first to discuss this." The two entered the hall and sat down. Qian Keyong said, "Elder brother, there's no time to waste; we must guard against others implicating us." Yan Yu said, "Don't worry, we'll each submit a memorial of explanation tomorrow." Qian Keyong said, "Only you can submit a memorial; I'm merely a department official and cannot directly petition." Yan Yu said, "Write yours, and I'll submit it together with mine tomorrow." Qian Keyong thanked him and returned home.
Yan Yu wrote a memorial throughout the night, and at the fifth watch the next day, he submitted it along with Qian Keyong's. That day no edict was issued, and Yan Yu remained as usual. Qian Keyong, however, was anxious and couldn't eat. After four or five days, an internal edict was issued:
"As reported by Censor Mao Qiu, the chief examination official of Jiangnan, Bu Dagong, and deputy examination official Jin Cheng, erred in judging essays and made improper selections. Though they did not actually accept bribes, they showed favoritism. Both are to be dismissed from office and investigated. Deputy examination official Zhou Yuli of Fujian and deputy examination official Qian Keyong of Zhejiang each accepted bribes of a thousand taels and are to be severely punished. Chief examination official Yan Yu, having worked with Qian Keyong yet not knowing of his wrongdoing, was clearly negligent. Moreover, he rashly submitted a joint memorial with Qian Keyong, which is confused and muddled. He is to be demoted five ranks and reassigned elsewhere."
Upon the imperial edict, Yan Yu bowed toward the palace in gratitude and stayed at home awaiting assignment. Many relatives and friends came to console him, and the Geng family also thought it inappropriate to immediately discuss the wedding. After some time, just as they were thinking of discussing the marriage again, another edict was issued from the inner court:
"The Three Judicial Ministries report: Zhou Yuli and Qian Keyong have claimed that the chief examination officials Wang De and Yan Yu were both knowingly involved. Wang De has already died, his family is poor and without sons, so no further investigation is needed. Yan Yu is to be handed over to the relevant authorities for strict investigation and sentencing."
At this time, the Yan household was in chaos, with everyone weeping. Geng Lang's marriage was even more impossible to proceed with. Marquis Kang of Qichun, Marquis Huo of Xin'an, Marquis Wu of Anlu, Censor Wu, as well as Duke Geng of Si, the Master of the Imperial Stud, the Minister of Communication, and others, all tried to pull strings in various places. On the other side, Lady Zheng also asked her brother Zheng Wen to intercede. It was truly a confusing situation, making even heroes feel short of breath; things were turned upside down, leaving only the young couple's deep emotions.
