Hongniang was confused. She found Yingying’s thought process very difficult to follow. There was Scholar Zhang going into fits over her, while she could be ice cold one moment and warm as the sun the next. Who knew when she was saying what she meant. She could be so proper in speech while in front of others but when alone might break down into tears thinking of Scholar Zhang. Hongniang couldn’t penetrate her thoughts, but what could she do? She thought of refusing to deliver the letter but she knew she’d be terribly scolded for such insolence. Moreover, she knew poor Scholar Zhang awaited her with baited breath. Finally, she took the letter to his apartments.
Zhang Sheng was elated to see Hongniang return. He bowed repeatedly and obsequiously offered her a place to sit.
“My dear sister, my life depends on you. How did it go? What did she say when she read my letter?” he asked in a trembling voice.
Hongniang had never seen him in such a pitiable state. She knew his happiness would soon melt into despondency once he read her letter.
“Don’t be such a fool – she was very angry with your letter.”
“How could that be? Did she really read it? Can she be so cruel? If she was angry, it must be that you didn’t give her a favorable impression of me.”
“How can you say such things? Heaven as my witness, I did all I could. But she was furious after reading your letter and gave me a terrible scolding. You’re the one who wrote that letter and you can only blame yourself – I’m completely innocent in this affair. This is the last time I’ll act as messenger and the affection between you two should not extend beyond those of brother and sister. Nothing else. Is that clear? I suggest you cut off your infatuation now and stop whining to me about unrequited love.”
Zhang Sheng stood there dumbfounded with his mouth agape at these harsh words.
“Now, the Madame is expecting me. I must go. Good night, Scholar Zhang.”
Zhang Sheng fell to his knees and pleaded, “Please! If you don’t return, who shall hear my terrible sorrows? My life is in your hands, save me!”
Hongniang shook her head, “You’ve read too many books. Get this – it’s over. Don’t expect anything else. The Madame would never assent to such a match. To be honest, I despise the likes of you: you ride on clouds when you’re happy then flood the earth with your tears when you’re sad. You are both annoying and pitiable at the same time – crazy and foolish one minute and full of sweet words the next. But why am I wasting words? Here, take this letter from my mistress and find out for yourself.”
Zhang Sheng grabbed the letter and tore it open. Hongniang prepared herself to see him reduced to pathetic sobs once he finished the letter. But after he finished reading it, she saw that he was beaming with excitement, and repeatedly bowed to Hongniang, each time deeper than the one before.
“This is truly a miracle! Had I known you were bringing a letter such as this, I would have traveled a thousand miles to receive you! Please accept my apologies for not being properly hospitable.”
Now Hongniang was really confused.
“You see, it was only a ruse when your mistress scolded me. She’s made an appointment with me tonight in this poem she wrote,” and he began to read:
Wait till the moon rise over the western chamber,
When a light breeze softly blows open the gate.
The swaying shadow of flowers at the other side of the wall,
Could be the one you are waiting for.
“I didn’t hear anything about any appointment,” Hongniang said.
Zhang Sheng patiently explained that the poem was an invitation for him to go to the garden after the moon rose and that Yingying would open her door and wait for him there. When she saw the shadows of the flowers dancing in the moonlight, she would know that it was him climbing over the wall to meet her.
Hongniang looked at him doubtfully. “Over the wall? She asked you to climb over the wall? Is she serious?”
“Of course, I’ve read so much poetry that I know how to interpret a poem such as this.”
Hongniang smiled, “I never knew my mistress could be so clever. But you’re not the sporting type, how will you get over that steep garden wall?”
“I’ve seen it twice now – I know what to do.”
“But you only stood on the other side reciting poems and playing your lute. Now you’ve got to jump over it!”
“This poem gives me the determination to overcome any sort of wall. Don’t worry – I will do anything for Yingying.”
