The Romance of the Western Chamber

The Romance of the Western Chamber

Wang Shifu

Volume One: Zhang Junrui Causes a Stir at the Monastery

(Supporting Role, playing the Old Madam, enters.)

OLD MADAM: My surname is Zheng. My late husband’s surname was Cui, and he once served as prime minister under the former dynasty. Sadly, he died of illness. We had only one daughter, whose childhood name is Yingying. She is nineteen years old and is accomplished in needlework, embroidery, poetry, literature, writing, and arithmetic. There is virtually nothing she cannot do.

While my husband was alive, he promised her in marriage to my nephew, Zheng Heng, the eldest son of Minister Zheng. But because her father’s mourning period has not yet expired, they have not been married.

There is also a young maidservant who has attended my daughter since childhood, named Hongniang, and a young page called Huanlang.

After my husband passed away, my daughter and I escorted his coffin toward Boling for burial, but the road was blocked and we could go no farther. When we reached Hezhong Prefecture, we temporarily deposited the coffin at Pujiu Temple. This temple was originally built by my late husband when he was prime minister. It was once an imperial Buddhist establishment founded by Empress Wu Zetian. Moreover, Elder Faben, the abbot here, was ordained under my husband’s patronage.

For this reason, I have taken up residence in a house beside the western wing of the temple. At the same time, I have sent a letter to the capital, asking Zheng Heng to come and escort us back to Boling.

When I think of my late husband’s days, when every meal filled a table a full square zhang in size and hundreds attended upon him, and compare that with today, when only three or four close family members remain, my heart cannot help but ache.

[Xianlü Mode: “Season of Admiring Flowers”]

My husband’s allotted span ended in the capital; Mother and child, widowed and alone, are stranded on the road. Thus his traveling coffin rests in this Buddhist sanctuary. We cannot yet reach his ancient grave at Boling; Tears of blood stain the cuckoo flowers crimson.

OLD MADAM: It is late spring today, and the weather makes one terribly weary. I had better call Hongniang out and give her some instructions. Hongniang, where are you?

(Female Lead, playing Hongniang, enters.)

OLD MADAM: There is no one burning incense in the Buddha Hall. Go with the young lady and let her stroll there for a while to ease her mind.

HONGNIANG: I obey your command.

(The Old Madam exits.)

HONGNIANG: Young lady, please come out.

(Female Lead, playing Yingying, enters.)

HONGNIANG: Madam has told me to accompany you to the Buddha Hall for a little recreation.

YINGYING sings:

[Continuation]

Here in eastern Puzhou, at the fading edge of spring, The monastery gate is shut behind layer upon layer. Fallen petals drift red upon the flowing water; A thousand idle sorrows fill the heart, And wordlessly I blame the east wind.

(They exit.)