話說趙福、趙祿二人正賣壓狗石，從外面進來二人，問：「這塊石頭要賣多少錢？」趙福說：「白銀一萬兩整。」那二人一語未發，回頭就走。和尚說：「二位請回來，我們要的多，也不算賣了。你二位還個價錢，我們漫天要價，你二位就地還錢，倒是給多少？」那二人說：「我們是有人送給我們一條狗，它盡跑。我想用鏈子把這狗鎖在這塊石頭上，他就跑不了啦！你們要的價錢太大，我們要還價，你可別惱，給你一百錢罷！」和尚說：「一百錢也不少，你給滿錢罷。」那人說：「也好，我就給你滿錢。」把錢給了，僱了一個閑漢，扛著要走。趙福說：「濟公，這種寶貝賣一百錢，那如何行？」和尚哈哈大笑，說：「這塊石頭除卻他還怕沒主要哪。」趙祿說：「一百錢夠挨壓的錢了。」和尚說：「你二人二一添作五，一人五十文，我一文不要。你們賺錢，我再給你二人去找寶貝，短不了，不定甚麼人遇見。」二人一聽，也不敢說別的話，無奈說：「去罷，我二人這一回差事白當了，分文不落己。」和尚說：「快走。」
话说赵福、赵禄二人正卖压狗石，从外面进来二人，问：「这块石头要卖多少钱？」赵福说：「白银一万两整。」那二人一语未发，回头就走。和尚说：「二位请回来，我们要的多，也不算卖了。你二位还个价钱，我们漫天要价，你二位就地还钱，倒是给多少？」那二人说：「我们是有人送给我们一条狗，它尽跑。我想用链子把这狗锁在这块石头上，他就跑不了啦！你们要的价钱太大，我们要还价，你可别恼，给你一百钱罢！」和尚说：「一百钱也不少，你给满钱罢。」那人说：「也好，我就给你满钱。」把钱给了，雇了一个闲汉，扛着要走。赵福说：「济公，这种宝贝卖一百钱，那如何行？」和尚哈哈大笑，说：「这块石头除却他还怕没主要哪。」赵禄说：「一百钱够挨压的钱了。」和尚说：「你二人二一添作五，一人五十文，我一文不要。你们赚钱，我再给你二人去找宝贝，短不了，不定甚么人遇见。」二人一听，也不敢说别的话，无奈说：「去罢，我二人这一回差事白当了，分文不落己。」和尚说：「快走。」
Now, Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu were just selling the Dog-Pressing Stone when two men came in from outside and asked, “How much do you want for this stone?” “Ten thousand taels of silver, not a penny less,” said Zhao Fu. Without a word, the two men turned round and walked off. “Come back, you two!” said the monk. “We asked a lot, but that doesn’t mean that’s our price. Make us an offer. We ask sky-high, you bargain down to the ground. So how much will you give?” “Somebody gave us a dog,” the two men said, “and it keeps running off. I thought I’d chain the dog to this stone, and then it couldn’t get away! The price you’re asking is far too high. If we make an offer, don’t you get cross — we’ll give you a hundred coppers!” “A hundred coppers isn’t bad,” said the monk. “Make it full count.” “All right,” the man said, “I’ll give you full count.” He paid the money, hired an idler to shoulder the stone and was about to go. “Ji Gong,” said Zhao Fu, “a treasure like this, sold for a hundred coppers — how can that be right?” The monk roared with laughter. “Apart from him, I was afraid nobody at all would want this stone!” “A hundred coppers,” said Zhao Lu, “just about pays for the squashing we took.” “You two split it the abacus way — two into one makes five,” said the monk. “Fifty coppers each. I don’t want a single copper. You’ve made money. I’ll go and find you two some more treasures — there’s no shortage of them; who knows who we’ll run into?” The two of them did not dare say anything else. All they could say was, “Let’s go, then. This errand’s been for nothing — the two of us haven’t kept a copper for ourselves.” “Get moving,” said the monk.
正往前走，祇聽對面有人說：「快躲開，來了瘋婦人了！見人就打，這可不好。」濟公一聽，這件事必得我算算，按靈光連擊三掌，口中說：「好好，這件事，我焉能不管？這還了得！」正自思想，祇見從西邊來了一個瘋婦人，年有二十以外，姿容秀美，身穿青布裙，藍布衫，青絲髮散亂，口中說：「來呀！你等隨我上西天去見佛祖。」濟公一聽，早已明白，說：「好哇，閃開，我也瘋了！」撒腿往前就跑。趙福、趙祿隨後追。
正往前走，祇听对面有人说：「快躲开，来了疯妇人了！见人就打，这可不好。」济公一听，这件事必得我算算，按灵光连击三掌，口中说：「好好，这件事，我焉能不管？这还了得！」正自思想，祇见从西边来了一个疯妇人，年有二十以外，姿容秀美，身穿青布裙，蓝布衫，青丝发散乱，口中说：「来呀！你等随我上西天去见佛祖。」济公一听，早已明白，说：「好哇，闪开，我也疯了！」撒腿往前就跑。赵福、赵禄随后追。
They were walking along when they heard someone up ahead say, “Get out of the way, quick! Here comes the madwoman! She hits anyone she sees — this is bad!” When Ji Gong heard this, he knew it was something he would have to work out. He consulted his inner light and clapped his hands three times. “Well, well,” he said, “how could I keep out of this business? This is outrageous!” As he stood thinking, a madwoman came along from the west. She was a little over twenty, with a lovely face and figure, and wore a black cotton skirt and a blue cotton jacket; her black hair hung in disorder. “Come on!” she was crying. “All of you, come with me to the Western Heaven to see the Buddha!” Ji Gong had already understood the whole thing. “Good!” he said. “Out of the way — I’ve gone mad too!” And he took to his heels and ran on ahead. Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu ran after him.
書中交代，這是怎麼件事呢？原來昆山縣有一家紳士人家，姓趙名海明，字靜波，家中豪富，膝下無兒，就是一個女兒，名叫玉貞。生得秋水為神，白玉做骨，品貌端嚴，知三從，曉四德，明七貞，懂九烈，多讀聖賢書，廣覽烈女文。趙海明愛如掌上珠，家大業大，又是本處紳士，姑娘長大十八歲，尚未許配人家。皆因趙海明有一宗脾氣不好，先前常有媒人來給姑娘提親，海明不是把媒人罵出去，就是趕出去，因此嚇的媒人多不敢去了。
书中交代，这是怎么件事呢？原来昆山县有一家绅士人家，姓赵名海明，字静波，家中豪富，膝下无儿，就是一个女儿，名叫玉贞。生得秋水为神，白玉做骨，品貌端严，知三从，晓四德，明七贞，懂九烈，多读圣贤书，广览烈女文。赵海明爱如掌上珠，家大业大，又是本处绅士，姑娘长大十八岁，尚未许配人家。皆因赵海明有一宗脾气不好，先前常有媒人来给姑娘提亲，海明不是把媒人骂出去，就是赶出去，因此吓的媒人多不敢去了。
A word of explanation: what was all this about? It so happened that in Kunshan County there was a family of the gentry, headed by a man surnamed Zhao, named Haiming and styled Jingbo. The family was very rich, but he had no son, only a single daughter, Zhao Yuzhen. Her eyes were clear as autumn water, her bones fine as white jade, and she was dignified and comely. She knew the three obediences and understood the four virtues, was versed in the seven chastities and the nine heroisms, had read widely in the books of the sages and pored over the writings on virtuous women. Zhao Haiming loved her like a pearl in the palm of his hand. His family was large and his property great, and he was one of the local gentry besides, yet the girl had reached eighteen and was still not promised to anyone. This was all because Zhao Haiming had one bad trait of temper. In the past matchmakers had often come to propose matches for the girl, and Haiming would either curse them out of the house or drive them out, so that the matchmakers were mostly too frightened to go there any more.
他有一個本族的兄弟，叫趙國明，乃是鄉紳人家，也是個本處大財主，在外面做過一任武營里千戶，後來告職在家中養老，為人極其正直。這一天，來瞧他族兄趙海明，二人在書房談話，趙國明就問：「兄長，今年高壽？」趙海明說：「我今年五十八歲，賢弟你忘了？」趙國明說：「今年嫂嫂多大年歲？」趙海明說：「他今年六十，比我長二歲。」趙國明聽罷，點了點頭說：「兄長，你還能活五十八歲麼？」趙海明說：「賢弟此言差矣！『壽夭窮通是命，富貴榮華自修。』壽數焉能定準。」趙國明說：「既然如是，我有幾句話勸你，我侄女已然十八歲，媒人一來說親，你就罵出去，再不然搶撥出去，你莫非等著你死了，叫我侄女自己找婆家去？自古以來，男大當婚，女大當嫁，人之常禮。」趙海明一聽，長嘆一聲，說：「賢弟有所不知，這並非是我不給你侄女找婆家，皆因來的那些媒人，有提的不是浮浪子弟，就是根底不清，都不對我的意思。我要給你侄女找婆家·倒不論貧富，祇要是根本人家，本人五官相貌端正，不好浮華，就可以行。真要給一個浪蕩子弟，豈不把侄女終身耽誤？再說女兒姻親大事，也不能粗率就辦。」趙國明說：「我來就為我侄女的親事而來，咱們這西街李文芳李孝廉，他有一胞弟叫李文元，新進的頭一名文學，小考時也中的小三元，人稱為才子，今年十八歲，我想此人將來必成大器。」趙海明說：「好，明天你把這位李文元約來，我求他寫兩幅對聯。我要看看此人人品如何。」趙國明點頭答應。
他有一个本族的兄弟，叫赵国明，乃是乡绅人家，也是个本处大财主，在外面做过一任武营里千户，后来告职在家中养老，为人极其正直。这一天，来瞧他族兄赵海明，二人在书房谈话，赵国明就问：「兄长，今年高寿？」赵海明说：「我今年五十八岁，贤弟你忘了？」赵国明说：「今年嫂嫂多大年岁？」赵海明说：「他今年六十，比我长二岁。」赵国明听罢，点了点头说：「兄长，你还能活五十八岁么？」赵海明说：「贤弟此言差矣！『寿夭穷通是命，富贵荣华自修。』寿数焉能定准。」赵国明说：「既然如是，我有几句话劝你，我侄女已然十八岁，媒人一来说亲，你就骂出去，再不然抢拨出去，你莫非等着你死了，叫我侄女自己找婆家去？自古以来，男大当婚，女大当嫁，人之常礼。」赵海明一听，长叹一声，说：「贤弟有所不知，这并非是我不给你侄女找婆家，皆因来的那些媒人，有提的不是浮浪子弟，就是根底不清，都不对我的意思。我要给你侄女找婆家·倒不论贫富，祇要是根本人家，本人五官相貌端正，不好浮华，就可以行。真要给一个浪荡子弟，岂不把侄女终身耽误？再说女儿姻亲大事，也不能粗率就办。」赵国明说：「我来就为我侄女的亲事而来，咱们这西街李文芳李孝廉，他有一胞弟叫李文元，新进的头一名文学，小考时也中的小三元，人称为才子，今年十八岁，我想此人将来必成大器。」赵海明说：「好，明天你把这位李文元约来，我求他写两幅对联。我要看看此人人品如何。」赵国明点头答应。
He had a younger clansman, a cousin called Zhao Guoming, who also came of a gentry family and was also one of the richest men in the place. He had once served a term away from home as a commander in the army, and later resigned and came home to live out his old age. He was a thoroughly upright man. One day he came to see his clan cousin Zhao Haiming, and the two of them sat talking in the study. “Elder Brother,” Zhao Guoming asked, “how old are you this year?” “I’m fifty-eight this year,” said Zhao Haiming. “Have you forgotten, my worthy brother?” “And how old is my sister-in-law this year?” asked Zhao Guoming. “She’s sixty,” said Zhao Haiming, “two years older than me.” Zhao Guoming nodded. “Elder Brother, can you live another fifty-eight years?” “You’re wrong there, my worthy brother!” said Zhao Haiming. “‘Long life or short, hardship or success, are fate; wealth, rank and glory are your own making.’ How can anyone fix the span of a life?” “In that case,” said Zhao Guoming, “I have a few words of advice for you. My niece is already eighteen. Whenever a matchmaker comes to propose a match, you curse her out of the house, or else send her packing. Are you waiting till you’re dead, so my niece has to go and find a husband for herself? Since ancient times, when a boy is grown he should take a wife, and when a girl is grown she should marry. That is the common way of the world.” Zhao Haiming heaved a long sigh. “There’s something you don’t know, my worthy brother. It isn’t that I won’t find your niece a husband. It’s that the matchmakers who come propose either some wastrel or someone whose background is murky, and none of them is to my liking. When I find your niece a husband, I don’t care whether he’s rich or poor. As long as he comes of a sound family, has a decent face and bearing himself and isn’t given to frivolity, that will do. If I really gave her to some rake, wouldn’t I be ruining her whole life? Besides, a daughter’s marriage is a great matter and mustn’t be settled carelessly.” “That’s just what I came about — my niece’s marriage,” said Zhao Guoming. “Here on our West Street there’s Li Wenfang, the provincial graduate. He has a younger brother by the same mother called Li Wenyuan, who has just been admitted as a licentiate at the top of the list; in the lower examinations he also took the lesser triple first. People call him a man of talent. He’s eighteen this year, and I think he’s bound to make something great of himself.” “Good,” said Zhao Haiming. “Tomorrow, invite this Li Wenyuan over, and I’ll ask him to write me a couple of pairs of couplets. I want to see what sort of man he is.” Zhao Guoming nodded and agreed.
次日早飯後，把李文元帶來，趙海明一看，果然生的豐神飄灑，氣宇軒昂，五官清秀，品貌不俗，連忙讓至書房。家人獻上茶來，趙海明說：「我久仰大名，未能拜訪。」李文元說：「晚生在書房讀書，所有外面應酬都是家兄，故此我都不認識。」談了幾句閑話，又盤問些詩文，李文元對答如流，趙海明甚喜。然後書僮研了墨，求李文元寫了一幅對聯，寫完一看，上寫是：
「書到用時方恨少，事非經過不知難。」
寫的筆法清秀，趙海明甚為愛惜。寫完了，又談些閑話，李文元告辭要走，趙海明送至外面，回來就托趙國明去說這門親事。三言五語，這也該當是婚姻，就停當了。擇日下禮行茶，過了有半月，又擇了日子，搬娶過門，趙海明陪送嫁妝不少。自過門之後，李文元夫妻甚是和好，過了一年之後，這也是該當李文元下場。自到場以後，自己以為必中，焉想到「不要文章高天下，祇要文章中試官」。三場之後，竟自脫科不第，名落孫山。李文元心中鬱悶成疾，到家總說：「考試官無眼，這樣文章不中。」越病越厲害，不知不覺病體深重。趙氏玉貞衣不解帶，晝夜伺候，不想大限已到，古語說的是：「好花偏逢三更雨，明月忽來萬里雲。」李文元一病不起，嗚呼哀哉，竟自死去。
次日早饭后，把李文元带来，赵海明一看，果然生的丰神飘洒，气宇轩昂，五官清秀，品貌不俗，连忙让至书房。家人献上茶来，赵海明说：「我久仰大名，未能拜访。」李文元说：「晚生在书房读书，所有外面应酬都是家兄，故此我都不认识。」谈了几句闲话，又盘问些诗文，李文元对答如流，赵海明甚喜。然后书僮研了墨，求李文元写了一幅对联，写完一看，上写是：
「书到用时方恨少，事非经过不知难。」
写的笔法清秀，赵海明甚为爱惜。写完了，又谈些闲话，李文元告辞要走，赵海明送至外面，回来就托赵国明去说这门亲事。三言五语，这也该当是婚姻，就停当了。择日下礼行茶，过了有半月，又择了日子，搬娶过门，赵海明陪送嫁妆不少。自过门之后，李文元夫妻甚是和好，过了一年之后，这也是该当李文元下场。自到场以后，自己以为必中，焉想到「不要文章高天下，祇要文章中试官」。三场之后，竟自脱科不第，名落孙山。李文元心中郁闷成疾，到家总说：「考试官无眼，这样文章不中。」越病越厉害，不知不觉病体深重。赵氏玉贞衣不解带，昼夜伺候，不想大限已到，古语说的是：「好花偏逢三更雨，明月忽来万里云。」李文元一病不起，呜呼哀哉，竟自死去。
After breakfast the next day, Li Wenyuan was brought over. Zhao Haiming looked him over: sure enough, he had a fine, easy grace and a proud bearing, his features clean and handsome, his looks far from common. Zhao Haiming hurriedly showed him into the study, and a servant brought tea. “I have long admired your name,” said Zhao Haiming, “but never had the chance to call on you.” “I stay in my study at my books,” said Li Wenyuan. “All our dealings with the outside world are left to my elder brother, which is why I know no one.” They chatted idly for a while, and then Zhao Haiming questioned him on poetry and prose. Li Wenyuan answered fluently, and Zhao Haiming was very pleased. Then a page boy ground the ink, and Zhao Haiming asked Li Wenyuan to write a pair of couplet scrolls. When it was done, he looked at it. It read:
“Only when you need your books do you rue how few you’ve read;only when you’ve been through a thing do you know how hard it is.”
The brushwork was clean and elegant, and Zhao Haiming prized it greatly. When the writing was done, they chatted a while longer, and then Li Wenyuan took his leave. Zhao Haiming saw him out, came back and at once asked Zhao Guoming to go and arrange the match. A few words back and forth — this too was a marriage meant to be — and it was settled. A day was chosen to send the betrothal gifts and tea; half a month or so later another day was chosen, and the bride was brought to her husband’s house. Zhao Haiming sent a generous dowry with her. After she came, Li Wenyuan and his wife got on very well. A year later it was Li Wenyuan’s lot to go and sit the examinations. Once he was in the examination hall, he thought he was certain to pass. Little did he reckon on the saying, “It isn’t the essay that beats the world that counts, but the essay that suits the examiner.” After the three sessions he failed after all, and his name fell below Sun Shan’s. Li Wenyuan brooded over it until he fell ill. At home he kept saying, “The examiners have no eyes — an essay like that, and it didn’t pass!” The longer he was ill, the worse he got, and before anyone knew it his illness had grown grave. Zhao Yuzhen nursed him day and night without ever loosening her sash. Who would have thought his appointed time had come? As the old saying goes, “The fairest flowers meet with midnight rain; the bright moon is suddenly veiled by clouds from ten thousand miles.” Li Wenyuan never rose from his sickbed. Alas and alack, he died.
派人給趙海明送信，海明一聽這話，如站萬丈高樓失腳，揚子江斷纜崩舟。老夫妻連忙來到李宅，一見死屍，痛哭不止。到了女兒房中，祇見趙氏玉貞連半滴眼淚都未落，趙海明和黃氏安人說：「兒呀，你這樣命苦，你丈夫去世，如何你不傷心？」趙氏一聽，說：「娘親，為孩兒紅顏薄命，我懷中有孕，已然六個月之久，我此時雖然五內皆裂，就不敢哭，怕傷損胎，為之不孝。久後生養，要是一男哪，可以接續李氏門中香煙，要是一女，也是我那去世丈夫一點骨血。」說著話，甚是悲慘。那趙海明夫妻，又是勸解，又是悲哀。
派人给赵海明送信，海明一听这话，如站万丈高楼失脚，扬子江断缆崩舟。老夫妻连忙来到李宅，一见死尸，痛哭不止。到了女儿房中，祇见赵氏玉贞连半滴眼泪都未落，赵海明和黄氏安人说：「儿呀，你这样命苦，你丈夫去世，如何你不伤心？」赵氏一听，说：「娘亲，为孩儿红颜薄命，我怀中有孕，已然六个月之久，我此时虽然五内皆裂，就不敢哭，怕伤损胎，为之不孝。久后生养，要是一男哪，可以接续李氏门中香烟，要是一女，也是我那去世丈夫一点骨血。」说着话，甚是悲惨。那赵海明夫妻，又是劝解，又是悲哀。
Someone was sent to take the news to Zhao Haiming. When Haiming heard it, he felt like a man who loses his footing at the top of a tower ten thousand feet high, like a boat on the Yangzi River whose cable snaps and whose hull breaks apart. The old couple hurried to the Li residence, and when they saw the body they wept and could not stop. Then they went to their daughter’s room, and there was Zhao Yuzhen without so much as half a tear. Zhao Haiming and his wife, Madam Huang, said, “Child, your lot is so bitter, and your husband is dead. How is it you don’t grieve?” “Mother,” said Madam Zhao, “it is your child’s fate — a fair face and a thin lot. I am with child, already six months along. Though my insides are torn to pieces, I dare not cry for fear of harming the baby — that would make me unfilial. Later, when it’s born, if it’s a boy, he can carry on the incense of the Li family line; if it’s a girl, she will still be a drop of my dead husband’s flesh and blood.” She was terribly sad as she spoke. Zhao Haiming and his wife comforted her, and grieved with her too.
李文芳請人開弔唸經，過了幾日，發引已畢，趙氏玉貞暫守貞潔。過三四個月，腹中動作，派人把趙海明夫妻請來，臨盆之際，有收生婆伺候，生了一男，起了一個乳名，叫末郎兒。每逢丈夫去世，守節孀婦，生這個孩兒，訛傳叫慕生，正字是末生兒。人秉天地陰陽之氣所生，孤陰不生，獨陽不長，陰陽合而後雨澤降，夫婦合而後家道成。
李文芳请人开吊念经，过了几日，发引已毕，赵氏玉贞暂守贞洁。过三四个月，腹中动作，派人把赵海明夫妻请来，临盆之际，有收生婆伺候，生了一男，起了一个乳名，叫末郎儿。每逢丈夫去世，守节孀妇，生这个孩儿，讹传叫慕生，正字是末生儿。人秉天地阴阳之气所生，孤阴不生，独阳不长，阴阳合而后雨泽降，夫妇合而后家道成。
Li Wenfang held the mourning rites and had sutras chanted. Some days later the funeral procession set out and the burial was done, and Zhao Yuzhen kept her widow’s chastity for the time being. Three or four months later her labour began. She sent for Zhao Haiming and his wife, and when her time came a midwife attended her. She gave birth to a boy and gave him the milk name Molang’er. Whenever a widow keeping faith with her dead husband bears such a child, people call it, by a corruption, a musheng, ‘born of longing’; the proper word is mosheng’er, ‘last-born’. Humans are born endowed with the breath of the Yin and Yang of heaven and earth. Lone Yin brings forth nothing; lone Yang makes nothing grow. Only when Yin and Yang unite does the rain fall; only when husband and wife unite is a household made.
閑言少敘，趙氏自生了此子之後，單打出一所院子，守節三載。兒童非呼喚不准進那院中去，趙海明夫妻也時常來看女兒來。
闲言少叙，赵氏自生了此子之后，单打出一所院子，守节三载。儿童非呼唤不准进那院中去，赵海明夫妻也时常来看女儿来。
But enough idle talk. After the birth of this son, Madam Zhao had a courtyard of her own partitioned off, and there she kept her widowhood for three years. Not even the serving boys were allowed into that courtyard unless they were called. Zhao Haiming and his wife often came to see their daughter.
一天，趙氏向他父母說：「爹爹，娘親，明天備一份壽禮來。明天是我哥哥李文芳的壽誕之辰，前來給他祝壽，好叫他照應你這苦命的外孫子。」趙海明夫妻點頭，說：「我夫妻明天必到，給他祝壽。」說完了話，夫妻二人回了家。
一天，赵氏向他父母说：「爹爹，娘亲，明天备一份寿礼来。明天是我哥哥李文芳的寿诞之辰，前来给他祝寿，好叫他照应你这苦命的外孙子。」赵海明夫妻点头，说：「我夫妻明天必到，给他祝寿。」说完了话，夫妻二人回了家。
One day Madam Zhao said to her parents, “Father, Mother, bring a birthday gift tomorrow. Tomorrow is the birthday of my elder brother-in-law, Li Wenfang. Come and wish him long life, so that he’ll look after this ill-starred grandson of yours.” Zhao Haiming and his wife nodded. “We’ll be sure to come tomorrow and wish him long life.” When they had finished talking, the couple went home.
次日，先叫家人送來燭酒、桃面，又送一軸壽幛，然後安人坐著轎，員外騎馬，帶領僕從人等，來到李宅門首。一看，真是車馬盈門，白馬紅纓。那些不是親的也來強說是親，本來李文芳又是本處的紳士，又是財主，又是孝廉公，本處誰不恭敬？所有昆山縣的舉監生員，紳董富戶，都來給他祝壽起來。李文芳纔三十歲，家中大排筵宴款待親友。趙海明夫妻來到裏面祝壽，李文芳說：「親家翁，自我兄弟去世，你我久未得暢敘。今天趁此佳期美景，等晚間應酬親友散去，家中現成的粗酌野芹，你我今天可以暢談。」趙海明點頭。
次日，先叫家人送来烛酒、桃面，又送一轴寿幛，然后安人坐着轿，员外骑马，带领仆从人等，来到李宅门首。一看，真是车马盈门，白马红缨。那些不是亲的也来强说是亲，本来李文芳又是本处的绅士，又是财主，又是孝廉公，本处谁不恭敬？所有昆山县的举监生员，绅董富户，都来给他祝寿起来。李文芳才三十岁，家中大排筵宴款待亲友。赵海明夫妻来到里面祝寿，李文芳说：「亲家翁，自我兄弟去世，你我久未得畅叙。今天趁此佳期美景，等晚间应酬亲友散去，家中现成的粗酌野芹，你我今天可以畅谈。」赵海明点头。
The next day they first had servants deliver candles and wine, longevity peaches and noodles, and a birthday hanging on a scroll. Then the old lady came in a sedan chair and the squire on horseback, with their servants and attendants, to the gate of the Li residence. They looked: truly the gate was thronged with carriages and horses, white horses with red tassels. Even people who were no kin came and insisted they were kin. Li Wenfang was one of the local gentry, a man of wealth and a provincial graduate besides — who in the place did not show him respect? All the provincial graduates, students of the imperial academy and licentiates of Kunshan County, and the gentry, the local directors and the wealthy, came to wish him long life. Li Wenfang was only thirty, and he laid on a great feast at home to entertain his relatives and friends. Zhao Haiming and his wife went inside to offer their birthday wishes. “My honoured kinsman,” Li Wenfang said, “since my brother died, you and I haven’t had a good long talk. Today, on this happy occasion, once the relatives and friends have gone this evening, I have a little plain wine and some humble fare ready at home, and the two of us can talk to our hearts’ content.” Zhao Haiming nodded.
天至掌燈以後，眾親友俱各散去，在書房擺了一桌酒，李文芳同趙海明慢慢小飲，吃著酒談了些閑話。天有初鼓之際，祇見由外面進來一使女，手中拿著一個滅燈進來，站在桌前說：「親家老爺、員外爺，可了不得了，方纔嚇了奴婢一驚。方纔親家太太同大奶奶在上房屋裏吃酒，叫奴婢等去請二主母。我方到東院門前，緊對著書房那裏，祇見那邊一條黑影，我一害怕，也沒瞧出是甚麼來，把燈籠也滅了。」李文芳、趙海明一聽這話，心中詫異，把燈籠點上，二人跟著來到東院門首，叫使女叫門。使女叫了一聲：「二奶奶，開門！」祇聽裏面腳步響聲，把門一開，跑出一個男子，赤身露體，趙海明、李文芳一看，「呀」叫了一聲。有一宗岔事驚人。
天至掌灯以后，众亲友俱各散去，在书房摆了一桌酒，李文芳同赵海明慢慢小饮，吃着酒谈了些闲话。天有初鼓之际，祇见由外面进来一使女，手中拿着一个灭灯进来，站在桌前说：「亲家老爷、员外爷，可了不得了，方才吓了奴婢一惊。方才亲家太太同大奶奶在上房屋里吃酒，叫奴婢等去请二主母。我方到东院门前，紧对著书房那里，祇见那边一条黑影，我一害怕，也没瞧出是甚么来，把灯笼也灭了。」李文芳、赵海明一听这话，心中诧异，把灯笼点上，二人跟着来到东院门首，叫使女叫门。使女叫了一声：「二奶奶，开门！」祇听里面脚步响声，把门一开，跑出一个男子，赤身露体，赵海明、李文芳一看，「呀」叫了一声。有一宗岔事惊人。
After the lamps were lit, the relatives and friends all left. A table of wine was laid in the study, and Li Wenfang and Zhao Haiming sipped at their leisure and chatted idly over the wine. Around the first watch of the night, a maid came in from outside carrying a lantern that had gone out. She stood before the table and said, “Master-in-law, Squire, something terrible’s happened! I had such a fright just now. The mistress-in-law and the First Mistress were drinking in the main house and sent me to fetch the Second Mistress. I’d just got to the gate of the East Court, right across from the study, when I saw a dark shape over there. I got scared and didn’t even see what it was, and my lantern went out.” Li Wenfang and Zhao Haiming were astonished. They lit the lantern again, and the two of them followed her to the gate of the East Court and had her call at the gate. The maid called out, “Second Mistress, open the gate!” They heard footsteps inside. The gate opened, and out ran a man, stark naked. Zhao Haiming and Li Wenfang looked and cried out, “Ah!” It was a shocking turn of events.
不知後事如何，且看下回分解。
不知后事如何，且看下回分解。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.