**The romantic spirit fades early from the heart that once played zither,**

  **Who will convey the sounds of emptiness through the secluded valley?**

  **How strange that Heaven's favor falls unevenly like rain and dew,**

  **While tall trees grow dense and form their own forest.**

  After seeing Mengqing that day, Geng Lang returned home with his mother, his mind unsettled and spirits low. At night he tossed and turned, his soul in turmoil; whenever he closed his eyes, he seemed to see Mengqing by his side. From then on, he had no appetite for food or tea and fell ill with melancholy. Lady Kang hurriedly summoned a physician, who diagnosed him with an external seasonal affliction and internal emotional distress, prescribing medicines to soothe his heart and liver and dissipate the stagnation, saying these would cure him.

  After the physician left, Lady Kang said, "Foolish child, why make yourself like this over a bride? Finding another suitable one would hardly be difficult." Geng Lang remained silent. After taking medicine for several days, it was not until the eighth month that he could gradually get out of bed.

  By then, it was already late autumn. Officials from various provinces had sent those who had offered bribes to the capital, and the Emperor, concerned that the judicial authorities would not be thorough, ordered Mao Qiu to personally handle the investigations. This Mao Qiu was truly as swift as wind and fire, caring nothing about startling the snake in the grass; he was impartial and resolute, relentlessly meticulous. He deployed his capable subordinates to first interrogate three men from Jiangnan: one licentiates student named Yin Dezhong and two scholars named Mo Yin and Nie Sizhi. All had colluded with officials to insert their names into the list of successful candidates.

  Next, he interrogated a man from Shandong: an alternate candidate named Xuan Hui. He had bribed an attendant with one hundred taels of silver, falsely claiming that his name had been forgotten when the list was being compiled. Then he questioned two men from Fujian: a tribute student named Huang Dingzhi and a licentiate student named Bai Cheng. Both had offered bribes. Finally, he interrogated three men from Zhejiang: a scholar named Jin Dali and two licentiates named Kong Zhengfang and Lu Bixian. They too were suspected of bribery.

  Mao Qiu then inquired about those who had orchestrated the bribery. Yin Dezhong, Mo Yin, Huang Dingzhi, Bai Cheng, and Jin Dali had not colluded with anyone nor had any mastermind behind them—they had used their own silver. Kong Zhengfang and Lu Bixian had borrowed the silver but had not colluded with anyone. Only Nie Sizhi had been helped by his maternal uncle, Magistrate Wang Zhong, who had planned the scheme. Xuan Hui had received one hundred taels of silver from his cousin, Department Director Xuan Jie. After thoroughly investigating these matters, Mao Qiu was delighted. On one hand, he drafted the charges; on the other, he impeached Wang Zhong and Xuan Jie.

  A few days later, an imperial decree was issued: Yin Dezhong, Mo Yin, Nie Sizhi, Huang Dingzhi, Bai Cheng, Jin Dali, Kong Zhengfang, and Lu Bixian were all to be beheaded immediately; Xuan Hui was to be held for execution; and Wang Zhong and Xuan Jie were to be strictly examined by the judicial authorities to determine their punishment. This Xuan Jie, whose courtesy name was Gongshou, had obtained his position through hereditary privilege and was already over fifty years old. His wife, Lady Lin, was the clan sister of the late Minister Lin Mao. They had a daughter named Ainiang, eighteen years old, who had not yet been betrothed. Suddenly finding himself in the hands of the judicial authorities, the poor mother and daughter were panic-stricken and sought help from relatives and friends.

  Who would have thought that the world is so fickle—when one holds a prominent position, everyone comes to curry favor, but once one falls from power, not a single person steps forward to help. Even when approached directly, people hemmed and hawed, displaying embarrassed expressions. When they reached the point where they could not refuse outright, yet could accomplish nothing, they merely went through the motions. Fortunately, the wife of Minister Lin had a good relationship with her sister-in-law, and she had many former students and subordinate officials who could help. They interceded for Xuan Jie, and in the end, he was judged to have committed an error and was dismissed from office.

  When Xuan Jie had initially provided Xuan Hui with silver, he had merely said that they were cousins of the same ancestral line, that Hui's family was in difficult circumstances, and that the examination period was approaching. He gave the silver partly for household expenses and partly for examination preparations, thinking it a mutually beneficial arrangement. Unexpectedly, Xuan Hui did not behave properly, listened to the wrong people, and committed this transgression. The investigating officials pursued the matter according to the pattern of Wang Zhong's collusion, and Xuan Jie inevitably suffered some injustice. By the time he returned home after being dismissed, he fell ill from distress and died in less than half a month. Lady Lin and her daughter fainted from grief several times, dying and reviving. Although the family had some property, there was no relative to inherit it except Ainiang, so they adopted a nephew from the same clan as their son, naming him Xuan Jizong. From then on, the family of three, along with several dozen servants, lived their lives—we will not elaborate further.

  To return to Geng Lang, though his body had recovered, his lovesickness was unforgettable. Lady Kang sought matchmakers everywhere and had discussed possibilities with noble families like Marquis Zhang of Longping and Earl Li of Pingjiang, but nothing had come of these efforts. One day, a servant woman named Mama Qiao came to say, "My aunt's own daughter, Mama Mu, is a trusted servant in Minister Lin's household. The lady there is over fifty years old and has a daughter who is seventeen this year, as well as a son around ten years old who is born of the second wife. I have seen this young lady myself—she truly has an excellent character, comparable to Miss Yan, perhaps even better. If my lady trusts this servant, you could have Mama Mu relay a message."

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  Lady Kang said, "I have heard my late husband mention the Lin Minister's family. They live at the West Four Paifang and have an exceptionally good family reputation. The lady is the blood sister of Lord Ru Chang, the Marquis of Zhongcheng. I am not concerned now with poverty or wealth, status or humility—only with good family values and children. Those disreputable families, even with money, are disgusting, and even with official positions, are contemptible. You say the Lin young lady is good, but she is a year older than my son."

  Mama Qiao replied, "A wife two years older is as precious as gold. A wife three years older is like holding a gold brick. If you are willing to pursue this match, I guarantee it will succeed."

  Lady Kang said, "You may first go relay the message, and when there is a reply, I will send someone." Mama Qiao accepted the instruction and returned the next day to say that Mama Mu had already conveyed the message yesterday and would come with a reply tomorrow. The following day, Mama Qiao brought Mama Mu to pay respects to Lady Kang, saying, "My mistress sends her greetings to your ladyship and says that when a man is of age, he should marry, and when a woman is of age, she should wed. If your ladyship does not reject us, it would be a good thing, and since both families know each other, what more is there to say? She only wishes to see the young master."

  Mama Qiao said, "I'm afraid the young master would be shy." Mama Mu replied, "In this early winter of the tenth month, which family does not visit ancestral graves? It happens that both families' ancestral tombs are west of Mentou Village outside the West Straight Gate. We can choose a date to observe each other." Lady Kang agreed and set the date for the eleventh day of the tenth month for the grave visit.

  On that day, Lady Kang rode in a sedan chair, Geng Lang on horseback, and a group of people left the city early. On the other side, Lady Lin had invited Lady Hua, the wife of the Marquis of Zhongcheng, and her sister-in-law, Madam Xuan, and the three sedan chairs also left the city, coincidentally traveling on the same road.

  From this side, Lady Kang observed the first sedan chair, in which sat a woman with an oval face, slender build, around fifty years old, wearing mourning clothes. In the second chair sat an elderly beauty who kept looking outside. In the third chair sat a somewhat older lady, presumably Lady Lin.

  From that side, Ladies Lin, Hua, and Xuan saw a large sedan chair on this side, with its curtain lifted, in which sat a lady. Beside the chair, on a horse, rode a young man with a round, fair face, clear, handsome features, tall stature, dignified bearing, distinguished appearance, and outstanding presence. On both sides, Qiao and Mu were secretly observing, and without asking, all understood.

  That evening, everyone returned to the city. Madam Xuan, being in mourning clothes, returned home first. Lady Lin kept Lady Hua overnight to discuss matters. Early the next morning, she sent someone to invite Madam Xuan. As soon as Madam Xuan entered the door, Lady Lin asked, "Aunt, what do you think of that young official?"

  Madam Xuan replied, "I suppose both sister-in-law and elder sister-in-law must be pleased with him." Lady Hua said, "I am old and my eyesight is poor, so although I couldn't see him very clearly, I found him quite satisfactory." Madam Xuan added, "If elder sister-in-law approves, I have no reason to disapprove."

  Lady Lin said, "If this marriage is arranged, you would be both aunt and mother-in-law—don't hide it from me." Madam Xuan replied, "Don't talk about being aunt and mother-in-law; even if I were to be a mother-in-law, I wouldn't decline." Lady Hua asked, "So does this mean Aunt also agrees?" At this, everyone laughed.

  After breakfast, Madam Xuan said, "My niece has been staying at my house these days, and she gets along very well with her sister. They talk and laugh together, seeming inseparable." Lady Lin said, "That's exactly why I want to invite both sisters to stay longer. When they eventually marry, they won't be able to live together, will they?"

  Lady Hua said, "Since everyone is willing, why not send someone with the good news?" Lady Lin still had Mama Mu go to Gulou Street to relay the message. Lady Kang was overjoyed at the news and subsequently sent people several times to inquire about details, obtain horoscope cards, and finally sent the housekeeper's wife, Mrs. Ye, to secretly observe Yunping.

  That day, Lady Lin happened to have welcomed Ainiang and Yunping back, and Mrs. Ye returned home, praising the young lady's character and lovability without cease. Lady Kang was even more delighted and set the first day of the eleventh month for the betrothal gifts.

  When that day arrived, Lady Kang, along with Lady Kang of Qichun, Lady Huo of Xin'an, Lady Wu of Anlu, Lady Wu of the Censorate, and Ladies Tang, Jing, and He—eight ladies in all—with sedan chairs and horses surrounding them, arrived at the Lin household. On this side, Ladies Lin, Xuan, Hua, and other relatives came out to welcome them, exchanging courtesies and taking seats. After tea was served, servants presented the list of gifts, and Lady Lin accepted it with gratitude.

  Lady Kang said, "My late husband was on good terms with the late Minister, and unexpectedly today we have formed this marriage alliance." Lady Lin replied, "I am not skilled in motherhood, and my daughter is also dull-witted. Please forgive us if everything is not perfect."

  Ladies Tang, Jing, and He said in unison, "The two families were already close and are now joined by marriage. The groom's family is a prestigious clan, and the bride's family is a distinguished household. There is no animosity like that between Qi and Zheng, and there will surely be goodwill like that between Zhu and Chen. From now on, harmony in all matters depends on the young couple. As long as they love each other, the family will naturally prosper—how could there be any imperfections?"

  During the gathering, Lady Kang asked about Madam Xuan's family lineage. Madam Xuan replied, "My late husband's position was like that of Shen Kuo, his duties like those of Lü Duan. Because of a minor fault, he was demoted and ultimately departed from this flourishing world. Now our household has only three members, and all affairs are managed by me." After hearing this, Ladies Tang, Jing, and He all offered words of comfort.

  That day, refreshments were served several times before the guests took their leave. Ladies Lin, Xuan, and Hua escorted them to the front hall, watching as they boarded their sedan chairs and departed, before returning inside. Indeed: arranging marriages for sons and daughters truly tests parents' hearts; pairing swallows and orioles most easily stirs husband and wife's thoughts.