Explore Chapter 83 of 'Spring Ming Outer History' with the original Chinese text, English translation, detailed Chinese vocabulary explanations, and audio of the Chinese original. Listen and improve your reading skills.
Yang Xingyuan thought it must be He Jianchen and Wu Bibo. But when he entered the room, it was the Fu brothers, Fu Jiaju and Fu Jiajun. Fu Jiaju quickly cupped his hands and said, "Mr. Yang, we have been waiting for a long time. You are only returning now, Mr. Yang. You must have gone somewhere to have fun again." Yang Xingyuan replied, "I went to see Ms. Li Dongqing. What business do you gentlemen have to instruct me?"
Fu Jiajun said, "We come firstly on our father's orders, and secondly for our own affairs. We need to ask Mr. Yang for a great favor." Yang Xingyuan said, "What is it? If it is within my power, I will certainly help." Fu Jiaju said, "Does Mr. Yang know our relative Third Concubine Yu?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I have met her, but we are not very familiar." Fu Jiaju said, "She suddenly came to our home again yesterday. She said her circumstances are now very difficult. She cannot make a living and begged our father to take her in. Our father has gone south. Our mother does not dare make a decision. This matter is truly troublesome. We would like to ask Mr. Yang to speak with Third Concubine Yu. Please persuade her not to make such a fuss. If she is willing to return, we are prepared to give her some money."
Yang Xingyuan thought about it. This matter was not appropriate for him to speak on. He said, "This is your family affair. How can an outsider interfere? Moreover, I have only met Third Concubine Yu once or twice. It is even more inappropriate for me to speak." Fu Jiajun said, "We know this is embarrassing for Mr. Yang. But are you not on good terms with that relative of the Yu family? Could you ask him to speak on our behalf?" Yang Xingyuan said, "That relative of yours, I am not very familiar with him either. I am afraid it would also be inappropriate for me to speak." Fu Jiaju said, "Under normal circumstances, Mr. Yang's words would be correct. However, Third Concubine Yu keeps saying she wants Mr. Yang to come out and speak fairly. She says Mr. Yang is the most understanding person. That is why we have come to beg you."
Yang Xingyuan said, "How does she know me?" Fu Jiajun said, "She originally did not know Mr. Yang. But people in our household often mention your esteemed name in front of her. She also knows you are a friend of our father's. So she trusts you without doubt." Yang Xingyuan said, "This is truly asking a blind man for directions. I cannot even manage my own affairs clearly. How can I meddle in others' business? But since she trusts me so, I should go see her and find out what she really means."
The Fu brothers were overjoyed to hear Yang Xingyuan was willing to go. They immediately accompanied him to Third Concubine Yu's dwelling. Third Concubine Yu lived in a very quiet hutong. There was only one electric light at the entrance. A copper plate nailed to the doorframe bore the characters "Yu Residence." Yang Xingyuan pressed the electric bell. An old maidservant came out and opened the door. Fu Jiaju said, "Please tell Third Concubine Yu that we have come with Mr. Yang." The maidservant assented and went in.
Before long, Third Concubine Yu emerged. She wore an old black serge robe lined with camel hair. Her hair was disheveled. Her face was unpowdered, sallow, and full of sickness. Upon seeing Yang Xingyuan, she said with tears in her eyes, "Mr. Yang, look how wretched I have become. Do I still have the face to see anyone? Now I have no choice but to beg Mr. Yang to stand up for me." Yang Xingyuan said, "Third Concubine Yu, speak slowly and tell me everything. If I can help, I certainly will."
Third Concubine Yu said, "Since I left the Yu family, my suffering, Mr. Yang, you know. Now my health is poor. I cannot do any work. How can I go on living? I have thought it over and over. I can only return to the Yu family. But the Yu family certainly will not have me. What am I to do?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Third Concubine Yu, if you are willing to return, I think they will not necessarily refuse."
Third Concubine Yu said, "Mr. Yang, you do not know. They now despise me for being poor and old. How would they ever take me in? If I insist on returning, unless Mr. Yang is willing to speak a few words for me. Mr. Yang, you are a compassionate person. You cannot just watch me suffer like this." As she spoke, she began to weep.
Yang Xingyuan said, "Third Concubine Yu, do not grieve. If you wish to return, I can go discuss it with the Yu family. But I think, after you return, everyone should live in harmony. Do not make trouble again." Third Concubine Yu said, "As long as they are willing to take me in, why would I make trouble? Mr. Yang, please go speak for me."
Yang Xingyuan said, "Very well, I will try." He comforted her with a few more words, then left with the Fu brothers. Fu Jiaju said, "Mr. Yang, what do you think should be done?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I see she is very pitiful. If she can return, it would be a good thing. But your household might not easily agree."
Fu Jiajun said, "Our father is now in the south. Our mother cannot make decisions. Even we brothers find this matter very difficult." Yang Xingyuan said, "In that case, my speaking would be futile. I think it is better to wait until your honored father returns." The Fu brothers had nothing more to say. They could only bid farewell and leave.
Yang Xingyuan returned to the Guild Hall. His heart ached for Third Concubine Yu. He thought, life in this world is truly unpredictable in joy and sorrow. Someone like Third Concubine Yu, once so influential, had now fallen to such a state. It showed that wealth and poverty are but fleeting clouds. Thinking this, he could not help but recall Li Dongqing. Though Li Dongqing lived in modest circumstances, she could support herself. Moreover, her character was noble. She was truly admirable.
The next day, Yang Xingyuan was just about to go to the newspaper office when he suddenly received a letter from Third Concubine Yu. The letter said she had now moved to Outside the City. She asked Yang Xingyuan to come to Outside the City without fail. She had urgent matters to discuss. Yang Xingyuan wondered why she had moved outside the city. Had something else happened? He had no choice but to take a rickshaw to Outside the City to see her.
When he arrived, it was a small Buddhist Nunnery. Third Concubine Yu came out to greet him. Yang Xingyuan saw she wore a gray monastic robe and a nun's cap on her head. She was dressed as a Buddhist nun. Yang Xingyuan was shocked and asked, "Third Concubine Yu, what are you doing?" Third Concubine Yu said, "Mr. Yang, I have seen through the vanity of the world. I have shaved my head and become a nun. Today I asked Mr. Yang to come to bid you farewell."
Yang Xingyuan said, "Why must you do this? Is there really no other way?" Third Concubine Yu said, "There are other ways, but I do not wish to take them. I have thought it over. Only this path can free me from all troubles. Mr. Yang, you are a good person. I thank you for always looking after me. From now on, I will recite sutras and worship Buddha in this Buddhist Nunnery. I will spend my remaining days here."
Yang Xingyuan saw her determination was firm. He knew he could not dissuade her. He could only say, "Since you have made this decision, I cannot say more. But if you have any difficulties in the future, you can still come to me." Third Concubine Yu said, "Thank you, Mr. Yang. Today I part from you. I fear we may not meet again. Mr. Yang, take care of yourself."
Yang Xingyuan felt deeply sorrowful. He sat for a while, then took his leave. Walking on the road, he thought about the impermanence of life's meetings and partings. Just a moment ago, she was a normal person. In the blink of an eye, she had retreated into the monastic life.
When he returned to the Guild Hall, he saw He Jianchen and Wu Bibo waiting for him. He Jianchen said, "Xingyuan, where have you been? We have waited for you a long time." Yang Xingyuan said, "I went to Outside the City to see Third Concubine Yu." He then recounted the matter of her becoming a nun. He Jianchen sighed and said, "That is just as well. It is a clean break." Wu Bibo said, "But she is not that old. There may still be twists and turns in the future."
So the three took rickshaws out through Xizhimen Gate toward the Western Hills. It was the season of clear autumn skies and crisp air. The red leaves of the Western Hills had not all fallen. Viewed from afar, they layered upon layers, quite beautiful. The three arrived at the Western Hills and slowly ascended along the mountain path. Midway up the slope, they saw a small pavilion and went in to rest.
Yang Xingyuan leaned on the railing and gazed into the distance. The plains below the mountain, with trees and houses, looked like chess pieces. A gust of wind blew, bringing a chill. He Jianchen said, "Xingyuan, what are you thinking?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I think life in this world is like the clouds on this mountain. They gather for a while, then scatter. It is truly meaningless."
After chatting and laughing for a while, they continued upward. Reaching the mountaintop, they saw a temple and went in to look around. A monk came out to greet them and accompanied them to various places. Yang Xingyuan saw a couplet hanging in the Buddha hall. It read: "Form is emptiness, emptiness is form; within passion lies karma, within karma lies passion." His heart stirred unconsciously. He stared at it for a long time.
When they left the temple, the sun was already setting in the west. The three descended the mountain to return. At the foot of the mountain, they saw a woman wearing a light blue cloth garment walking slowly ahead. Her back view resembled Li Dongqing. Yang Xingyuan hurried forward to look. It was indeed her.
Yang Xingyuan called out, "Ms. Li, how come you are here too?" Li Dongqing turned and saw Yang Xingyuan. She stopped and said, "Mr. Yang, how are you here?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I came to visit the Western Hills with two friends. I did not expect to meet you here."
Li Dongqing said, "Mr. Yang, look at the scenery of the Western Hills. How beautiful it is. Yet we cannot enjoy it forever. In the blink of an eye, we will each go our separate ways." Yang Xingyuan said, "Is Ms. Li planning to leave Beijing?" Li Dongqing said, "I may leave, or I may not. It is not yet certain."
Yang Xingyuan said, "If Ms. Li leaves Beijing, we friends will be even lonelier." Li Dongqing said, "No feast in the world lasts forever. Sooner or later, we must part."
As they spoke, He Jianchen and Wu Bibo caught up. After exchanging greetings, He Jianchen said, "Ms. Li, it is rare to meet you. Let us return to the city together." Li Dongqing said, "Very well."