話說使女正叫趙氏守節的院門，從裏面跑出一個赤身露體的男子。李文芳一把沒揪住，氣得顏色更變，說：「趙海明，你來看，這是你養的好女兒！咱們來書房說。」二人來至書房，酒也不能喝了。趙海明氣得顏色改變，在那裏默默無言。李文芳說：「咱們是官罷是私休？要是官罷，咱兩個人到昆山縣打一場官司。你願意私休，你寫給我一張無事字，我寫給你一張替弟休妻字。我李氏門中，世代詩書門第，禮樂人家，沒有這不要臉的人，給我敗壞門風。」趙海明是一位讀書明理的人，一聽李文芳這一遍話，自己本來是沒得話，趙海明說：「官罷私休，任憑你罷。」趙海明要是不講理，也有的話，我女兒在我家好好端端，到你家這是你家的門風，我能管三尺門裏，不能管三尺門外。無奈，趙海明不能這麼說。李文芳說：「要是依我，咱們私休。」趙海明說：「也好，我先寫給你無事字。」
话说使女正叫赵氏守节的院门，从里面跑出一个赤身露体的男子。李文芳一把没揪住，气得颜色更变，说：「赵海明，你来看，这是你养的好女儿！咱们来书房说。」二人来至书房，酒也不能喝了。赵海明气得颜色改变，在那里默默无言。李文芳说：「咱们是官罢是私休？要是官罢，咱两个人到昆山县打一场官司。你愿意私休，你写给我一张无事字，我写给你一张替弟休妻字。我李氏门中，世代诗书门第，礼乐人家，没有这不要脸的人，给我败坏门风。」赵海明是一位读书明理的人，一听李文芳这一遍话，自己本来是没得话，赵海明说：「官罢私休，任凭你罢。」赵海明要是不讲理，也有的话，我女儿在我家好好端端，到你家这是你家的门风，我能管三尺门里，不能管三尺门外。无奈，赵海明不能这么说。李文芳说：「要是依我，咱们私休。」赵海明说：「也好，我先写给你无事字。」
Now, just as the maid was calling at the gate of the courtyard where Madam Zhao kept her widowhood, a stark-naked man came running out from inside. Li Wenfang grabbed at him and missed, and his face changed colour with rage. “Zhao Haiming, come and look! This is the fine daughter you raised! Let’s go to the study and talk.” The two of them went to the study; there was no more drinking to be done. Zhao Haiming, his face changed with anger, sat there without a word. “Do we settle this in court or between ourselves?” said Li Wenfang. “If it’s court, the two of us go to Kunshan County and fight it out at law. If you’d rather settle it between ourselves, you write me a no-claims paper and I’ll write you a paper divorcing her on my brother’s behalf. My Li family has been a house of poetry and books for generations, a family of rites and music. We have never had a shameless creature like this to ruin our good name.” Zhao Haiming was a man who read books and understood reason. Hearing this speech of Li Wenfang’s, he had nothing to say for himself. “Court or not,” said Zhao Haiming, “as you wish.” Had Zhao Haiming been an unreasonable man, he could have had his say too: “My daughter was perfectly well in my house. Once she came to yours, that’s your household’s business. I can answer for what goes on inside my own door, not outside it.” But Zhao Haiming could not bring himself to say that. “If it’s up to me,” said Li Wenfang, “we settle it between ourselves.” “Very well,” said Zhao Haiming. “I’ll write you the no-claims paper first.”
使女站在一旁，聽明白了，跑到裏面上房說：「親家太太、大奶奶，可了不得了！奴婢去請二奶奶去，走在東院門首把燈籠滅了。我到書房點燈籠去，親家老爺跟員外爺送我出來，一叫二主母的門，由二奶奶院裏跑出一個男子，渾身上下一點衣服也沒穿。員外爺跟親家老爺都瞧見了，也沒抓著這個人。我聽員外說，要寫替弟休妻字，親家老爺要寫無事字，這怎麼好？」黃氏老太太一聽這話，嚇的顏色更變，女兒院中出這個事，酒也喝不下去了。大奶奶本是賢德人，素常妯娌很和美，一聽這話也愣了，趕緊同黃氏老太太夠奔東跨院。
使女站在一旁，听明白了，跑到里面上房说：「亲家太太、大奶奶，可了不得了！奴婢去请二奶奶去，走在东院门首把灯笼灭了。我到书房点灯笼去，亲家老爷跟员外爷送我出来，一叫二主母的门，由二奶奶院里跑出一个男子，浑身上下一点衣服也没穿。员外爷跟亲家老爷都瞧见了，也没抓着这个人。我听员外说，要写替弟休妻字，亲家老爷要写无事字，这怎么好？」黄氏老太太一听这话，吓的颜色更变，女儿院中出这个事，酒也喝不下去了。大奶奶本是贤德人，素常妯娌很和美，一听这话也愣了，赶紧同黄氏老太太够奔东跨院。
The maid, standing to one side, had heard it all clearly. She ran to the main rooms inside. “Madam, Mistress, it’s terrible! I was going to fetch the Second Mistress, and when I got to the gate of the east courtyard my lantern went out. I went to the study to light it, and the old gentleman and the squire walked me back. The moment I called at the Second Mistress’s gate, a man ran out of her courtyard without a stitch on him from head to foot. The squire and the old gentleman both saw it, but they didn’t catch him. I heard the squire say he’s going to write a paper divorcing her for his brother, and the old gentleman’s going to write a no-claims paper. What are we going to do?” When old Madam Huang heard this, she turned pale with fright. Such a thing in her daughter’s courtyard! She could not drink another drop. The Elder Mistress was a virtuous woman who had always got on very well with her sister-in-law. She too was stunned by the news, and hurried with old Madam Huang to the east side courtyard.
來到趙氏玉貞這屋中一看，地下還點著燈，陰陰慘慘。這西裏間是順前檐的床，見趙氏懷中抱著小孩，臉沖裏和衣而睡，已然睡熟，在他旁邊有一身男子褲褂，男子鞋襪各一雙。使女過去叫二奶奶醒來，連叫數聲，趙氏驚醒，睜眼一看，娘親、嫂嫂帶著許多丫鬟、僕婦在地下站著，趕緊問：「娘親還沒回去麼？方纔我抱著孩兒睡著，也不知天有甚麼時光。」黃氏說：「兒呀，你怎麼做出這樣事來，叫我夫妻二人有何面目見人！」趙氏一聽，說：「娘親，孩兒做了甚麼事呵？」旁邊有個使女愛說話，就把方纔之事，如此如此述說一遍，說：「二主母，你不必裝憨，這男子的衣裳、鞋襪還在這裏。」大奶奶就問說：「妹妹，這是怎麼一段事情？素常你不是這樣人。」黃氏也是這樣說。趙氏玉貞一聽此言，是五內皆裂，氣得渾身立抖，身不搖自顫，體不熱汗流，自己長嘆一聲，說：「娘親，孩兒此時也難以分辨，有口也難以分訴。這叫渾濁不分鰱共鯉，水清纔見兩般魚。」正在說話之際，祇見趙海明同李文芳進來，趙海明一瞧，氣往上撞，告訴黃氏：「你還不把你這不要臉的女兒帶了走，我如今與李文芳換了字樣，外面轎子已然都預備在院中。」趙氏玉貞抱著小孩來到外面，方要上轎，李文芳過去一把抓住說：「趙氏，你這一回娘家，不定嫁與張、王、李、趙，這孩兒是我兄弟留下的，趁此給我留下。」由趙氏懷中把孩兒奪過去。趙氏放聲痛哭，坐著轎，母女同趙海明回了家。到了家中，母女下轎，來到上房，趙海明氣昂昂把門一鎖，拿進鋼刀一把、繩子一根，說：「你這丫頭，做這無臉無恥之事，趁此給我死。如不然，明天我把你活埋了！」黃氏老太太一心疼女兒，身子一仰暈過去了。趙氏玉貞一想：「我要這麼死了，死後落個遺臭萬年，莫若我死在昆山縣大堂上去，死後可以表我清白之名。」自己想罷，拿刀把窗戶割開，自己鑽身出奔。到了外面一看，滿天的星斗，不敢走前院，直奔後面花園子角門。開了角門一瞧，黑夜光景，自己又害怕。往外一邁步，門檻絆了一個筋斗，拿著這把刀，把手也碰破了，流了血。擦了一身的血跡，把刀帶好，自己往前行走，深一腳淺一腳，心中又害怕，又不認得縣衙門在哪裏。心中暗想：「倘要被匪人掠搶，自己是活是死？」
来到赵氏玉贞这屋中一看，地下还点着灯，阴阴惨惨。这西里间是顺前檐的床，见赵氏怀中抱着小孩，脸冲里和衣而睡，已然睡熟，在他旁边有一身男子裤褂，男子鞋袜各一双。使女过去叫二奶奶醒来，连叫数声，赵氏惊醒，睁眼一看，娘亲、嫂嫂带着许多丫鬟、仆妇在地下站着，赶紧问：「娘亲还没回去么？方才我抱着孩儿睡着，也不知天有甚么时光。」黄氏说：「儿呀，你怎么做出这样事来，叫我夫妻二人有何面目见人！」赵氏一听，说：「娘亲，孩儿做了甚么事呵？」旁边有个使女爱说话，就把方才之事，如此如此述说一遍，说：「二主母，你不必装憨，这男子的衣裳、鞋袜还在这里。」大奶奶就问说：「妹妹，这是怎么一段事情？素常你不是这样人。」黄氏也是这样说。赵氏玉贞一听此言，是五内皆裂，气得浑身立抖，身不摇自颤，体不热汗流，自己长叹一声，说：「娘亲，孩儿此时也难以分辨，有口也难以分诉。这叫浑浊不分鲢共鲤，水清才见两般鱼。」正在说话之际，祇见赵海明同李文芳进来，赵海明一瞧，气往上撞，告诉黄氏：「你还不把你这不要脸的女儿带了走，我如今与李文芳换了字样，外面轿子已然都预备在院中。」赵氏玉贞抱着小孩来到外面，方要上轿，李文芳过去一把抓住说：「赵氏，你这一回娘家，不定嫁与张、王、李、赵，这孩儿是我兄弟留下的，趁此给我留下。」由赵氏怀中把孩儿夺过去。赵氏放声痛哭，坐着轿，母女同赵海明回了家。到了家中，母女下轿，来到上房，赵海明气昂昂把门一锁，拿进钢刀一把、绳子一根，说：「你这丫头，做这无脸无耻之事，趁此给我死。如不然，明天我把你活埋了！」黄氏老太太一心疼女儿，身子一仰晕过去了。赵氏玉贞一想：「我要这么死了，死后落个遗臭万年，莫若我死在昆山县大堂上去，死后可以表我清白之名。」自己想罢，拿刀把窗户割开，自己钻身出奔。到了外面一看，满天的星斗，不敢走前院，直奔后面花园子角门。开了角门一瞧，黑夜光景，自己又害怕。往外一迈步，门槛绊了一个筋斗，拿着这把刀，把手也碰破了，流了血。擦了一身的血迹，把刀带好，自己往前行走，深一脚浅一脚，心中又害怕，又不认得县衙门在哪里。心中暗想：「倘要被匪人掠抢，自己是活是死？」
They came into Zhao Yuzhen’s room and looked. A lamp was still burning in the room, dim and gloomy. In the inner room to the west the bed ran along under the front eaves, and there was Madam Zhao with the child in her arms, lying face to the wall, asleep in her clothes and fast asleep at that. Beside her lay a man’s jacket and trousers, and a pair each of man’s shoes and socks. The maid went over to wake the Second Mistress. She called several times before Madam Zhao woke with a start. She opened her eyes and saw her mother and her sister-in-law standing in the room with a crowd of maids and serving women. “Mother, haven’t you gone home yet?” she asked quickly. “I fell asleep just now holding the baby. I don’t even know what time it is.” “Child,” said Madam Huang, “how could you do such a thing? How are your father and I to show our faces!” “Mother,” said Madam Zhao, “what have I done?” One of the maids standing by, a girl fond of talking, told her everything that had just happened, this way and that. “Second Mistress, there’s no need to play dumb. The man’s clothes and shoes and socks are still right here.” “Sister,” the Elder Mistress asked, “what is all this? You were never that sort of woman.” Madam Huang said the same. When Zhao Yuzhen heard this, she felt as if her insides were torn to pieces. She shook all over with anger, trembling though no one shook her, sweating though she was not hot. She heaved a long sigh. “Mother, I can’t clear myself now. I have a mouth, but no way to plead my case. As the saying goes, in muddy water you can’t tell the silver carp from the carp; only when the water clears do you see two kinds of fish.” Just as they were talking, Zhao Haiming came in with Li Wenfang. At the sight of her, Zhao Haiming’s anger surged up. “Take this shameless daughter of yours away this minute,” he told Madam Huang. “Li Wenfang and I have exchanged papers, and the sedan chairs are already waiting in the courtyard.” Zhao Yuzhen came out carrying the child. She was just about to get into her chair when Li Wenfang went over and seized hold of her. “Madam Zhao, once you’re back at your parents’ house, who knows whether you’ll marry a Zhang, a Wang, a Li or a Zhao? This child is what my brother left behind. Leave him with me, here and now.” And he snatched the child out of her arms. Madam Zhao burst into loud weeping. She rode off in her chair, and mother and daughter went home with Zhao Haiming. At home, mother and daughter got down from their chairs and went to the main rooms. Zhao Haiming, bristling with fury, locked the door and brought in a steel knife and a length of rope. “You wretched girl, doing such a shameless, disgraceful thing! Kill yourself, here and now. If you don’t, tomorrow I’ll bury you alive!” Old Madam Huang, sick at heart for her daughter, fell back in a faint. Zhao Yuzhen thought, “If I die like this, my name will stink for ten thousand years after I’m gone. Better to die in the courtroom of Kunshan County; then my death can show that my name is clean.” Her mind made up, she cut through the window with the knife, squeezed out and fled. Outside she looked up: the sky was full of stars. She did not dare go by the front courtyard, but made straight for the corner gate of the back garden. She opened the corner gate and looked out into the dark night, and she was afraid. As she stepped out, she tripped over the threshold and went sprawling. She had the knife in her hand, and it cut her hand and drew blood. She got blood all over her clothes. She tucked the knife away and went on, stumbling, one foot deep and one foot shallow, frightened all the while, and not knowing where the county yamen was. “What if some ruffian carries me off?” she thought to herself. “Will I live or die?”
走到天光亮了，自己也不知東西南北，正往前走，祇見有一位老太太端著盆倒水，一見趙氏頭上青絲髮散亂，一身的血跡，不由的心中害怕，說：「喲，這不是瘋子麼？」趙氏玉貞一聽，借他的口氣說：「好，好，好！來，來，來！跟我上西天成佛做祖！」嚇的老太太撥頭就跑，見人就告訴來了瘋婦人了，甚是厲害。過路人又要瞧，聚了人不少。趙氏玉貞也找不著昆山縣，天有巳正，正往前走，祇見對面有人喊嚷：「我也瘋了，躲開呀！」趙氏抬頭一看，由對面來了一個窮和尚，口中連聲喊嚷：「我也瘋了！」趙氏看這和尚，頭髮有二寸多長，一臉的污泥，破僧衣短袖缺領，腰繫絨絛，疙裏疙瘩，光著腳穿著兩隻草鞋，走道一溜歪斜，腳步猖狂。趙氏一瞧，大吃一驚，心說：「我是假瘋，這和尚是真瘋，倘若他過來跟我抓到一處，揪到一處，打到一處，那便如何是好？」嚇的不敢往前走。
走到天光亮了，自己也不知东西南北，正往前走，祇见有一位老太太端着盆倒水，一见赵氏头上青丝发散乱，一身的血迹，不由的心中害怕，说：「哟，这不是疯子么？」赵氏玉贞一听，借他的口气说：「好，好，好！来，来，来！跟我上西天成佛做祖！」吓的老太太拨头就跑，见人就告诉来了疯妇人了，甚是厉害。过路人又要瞧，聚了人不少。赵氏玉贞也找不着昆山县，天有巳正，正往前走，祇见对面有人喊嚷：「我也疯了，躲开呀！」赵氏抬头一看，由对面来了一个穷和尚，口中连声喊嚷：「我也疯了！」赵氏看这和尚，头发有二寸多长，一脸的污泥，破僧衣短袖缺领，腰系绒绦，疙里疙瘩，光着脚穿着两只草鞋，走道一溜歪斜，脚步猖狂。赵氏一瞧，大吃一惊，心说：「我是假疯，这和尚是真疯，倘若他过来跟我抓到一处，揪到一处，打到一处，那便如何是好？」吓的不敢往前走。
She walked until the sky grew light, without knowing east from west or north from south. As she went on, she saw an old woman bringing out a basin of water to throw away. When the old woman saw Madam Zhao, her black hair loose and tangled and blood all over her, she was frightened in spite of herself. “Ooh, isn’t this a madwoman?” Hearing this, Zhao Yuzhen took her cue from it. “Good, good, good! Come, come, come! Come with me to the Western Heaven, to become Buddhas and patriarchs!” The old woman was so frightened she turned tail and ran, telling everyone she met that a madwoman had come, and a fierce one. Passers-by wanted a look too, and quite a crowd gathered. Zhao Yuzhen still could not find the Kunshan County yamen. By mid-morning she was still walking on when she heard someone ahead shouting, “I’m mad too! Out of the way!” Madam Zhao looked up and saw a poor monk coming toward her, shouting over and over, “I’m mad too!” She looked the monk over. His hair was more than two inches long, his face was smeared with mud, his tattered monk’s robe had short sleeves and no collar, round his waist was a sash of woollen cord all knots and lumps, and on his bare feet were two straw sandals. He walked in a zigzag, lurching and reeling. At the sight Madam Zhao got a terrible fright. “I’m only pretending to be mad,” she thought, “but this monk is mad for real. If he comes over and grabs me, and gets hold of me, and starts hitting me, what am I to do?” She was too frightened to go any farther.
來者這瘋和尚，正是濟公。後面趙福、趙祿跟著，一聽和尚說「我也瘋了」。可是氣就大了。他倆想：「花二百三十七兩銀子買了一塊石頭，壓的我二人力盡筋乏，賣了一百錢，他無故又瘋了，倒要看看怎麼樣。」祇見濟公來到瘋婦人跟前，止住腳步，和尚口中唸道：
「要打官司跟我去，不認衙門我帶著去。」
說著話，和尚頭前就走。趙氏一想：「莫非這和尚也有被屈含冤之事？他要打官司，我何不跟他走？」和尚頭裏走，趙氏後面就跟著，大家看著真可笑。往前走了不遠，祇見對面來了轎子，和尚口中說：「得了，不用走了，昆山縣的老爺拜客回來，我和尚過去攔輿喊冤告狀，有甚麼事都辦的了。我和尚過去一喊冤，轎子就站住，我非得打官司，誰也攔不了。」趙氏一聽昆山縣老爺來了，心中說：「這是該我鳴冤了。」
来者这疯和尚，正是济公。后面赵福、赵禄跟着，一听和尚说「我也疯了」。可是气就大了。他俩想：「花二百三十七两银子买了一块石头，压的我二人力尽筋乏，卖了一百钱，他无故又疯了，倒要看看怎么样。」祇见济公来到疯妇人跟前，止住脚步，和尚口中念道：
「要打官司跟我去，不认衙门我带着去。」
说着话，和尚头前就走。赵氏一想：「莫非这和尚也有被屈含冤之事？他要打官司，我何不跟他走？」和尚头里走，赵氏后面就跟着，大家看着真可笑。往前走了不远，祇见对面来了轿子，和尚口中说：「得了，不用走了，昆山县的老爷拜客回来，我和尚过去拦舆喊冤告状，有甚么事都办的了。我和尚过去一喊冤，轿子就站住，我非得打官司，谁也拦不了。」赵氏一听昆山县老爷来了，心中说：「这是该我鸣冤了。」
The mad monk who had come was none other than Ji Gong. Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu were following behind, and when they heard the monk say, “I’m mad too,” their tempers really flared. “Two hundred and thirty-seven taels of silver we spent on a stone,” they thought, “and it nearly broke our backs carrying it, and it sold for a hundred cash, and now he’s gone mad for no reason at all. Let’s just see what happens.” Ji Gong came up to the madwoman, stopped, and chanted:
“Want to go to law? Then follow me;don’t know the yamen? I’ll take you there.”
With that, the monk set off in front. “Could this monk have some wrong of his own to set right?” Madam Zhao thought. “If he wants to go to law, why shouldn’t I follow him?” The monk walked in front and Madam Zhao followed behind, and everyone watching thought it a real comedy. They had not gone far when a sedan chair came toward them. “That’s it, no need to walk any farther,” said the monk. “That’s His Honour of Kunshan County coming back from paying calls. This monk will go and stop his chair and cry out against a wrong and lodge a complaint, and whatever the trouble is, it can all be settled. Once this monk cries out his wrong, the chair will stop. I’m set on going to law, and nobody can stop me.” When Madam Zhao heard that His Honour of Kunshan County had come, she said to herself, “Now it’s my turn to cry out against my wrong.”
不多時，祇見從那邊旗鑼傘扇，清道飛虎旗、鞭牌、鎖棍，知縣坐轎，前呼後擁，跟人甚多。這位知縣姓曾名士侯，乃科甲出身，自到任以來，兩袖清風，愛民如子，今日正是迎官接送回來。趙氏在道旁喊：「冤枉哪！」轎子立刻站住，老爺一看，祇見那道旁跪定一個婦人，年約二十以外，身穿縞素。知縣看罷，吩咐「抬起頭來。」祇見那婦人抬起頭來說：「老爺，小婦人冤枉！」知縣一看，說：「你為何叫冤？從實說來！」趙氏說：「稟大人，小婦人趙氏，配丈夫李文元，丈夫去世，小婦人守孀。祇因昨天是哥哥的壽誕之辰，天有初鼓，小婦人在東院抱著末郎兒已然睡熟，使女叫門，從小婦人院中跑出一個赤身男子，上下無根線。我婆家哥哥，見事不明，也不知道怎樣，寫了一張替弟休妻字樣，我父親見事不明，寫了人家一張無事字樣，把小婦人帶回家去，給了繩子一根、鋼刀一把，叫小婦人自尋死道。小婦人非惜一死，怕是死後落一個遺臭萬年，故此求老爺給我辨白此冤。」老爺一聽這件事，心中一動：「他告的他娘家爹爹趙海明、婆家哥哥李文芳，清官難斷家務事。」打算要不管，祇聽人群中有一窮和尚說：「放著案不辦，祇會比錢糧。」知縣一聽，說：「甚麼人喧嘩？別放走了，拿住他！」官人過去一找，蹤影全無。老爺吩咐把那婦人帶著回衙。
不多时，祇见从那边旗锣伞扇，清道飞虎旗、鞭牌、锁棍，知县坐轿，前呼后拥，跟人甚多。这位知县姓曾名士侯，乃科甲出身，自到任以来，两袖清风，爱民如子，今日正是迎官接送回来。赵氏在道旁喊：「冤枉哪！」轿子立刻站住，老爷一看，祇见那道旁跪定一个妇人，年约二十以外，身穿缟素。知县看罢，吩咐「抬起头来。」祇见那妇人抬起头来说：「老爷，小妇人冤枉！」知县一看，说：「你为何叫冤？从实说来！」赵氏说：「禀大人，小妇人赵氏，配丈夫李文元，丈夫去世，小妇人守孀。祇因昨天是哥哥的寿诞之辰，天有初鼓，小妇人在东院抱着末郎儿已然睡熟，使女叫门，从小妇人院中跑出一个赤身男子，上下无根线。我婆家哥哥，见事不明，也不知道怎样，写了一张替弟休妻字样，我父亲见事不明，写了人家一张无事字样，把小妇人带回家去，给了绳子一根、钢刀一把，叫小妇人自寻死道。小妇人非惜一死，怕是死后落一个遗臭万年，故此求老爷给我辨白此冤。」老爷一听这件事，心中一动：「他告的他娘家爹爹赵海明、婆家哥哥李文芳，清官难断家务事。」打算要不管，祇听人群中有一穷和尚说：「放着案不办，祇会比钱粮。」知县一听，说：「甚么人喧哗？别放走了，拿住他！」官人过去一找，踪影全无。老爷吩咐把那妇人带着回衙。
Before long, from over that way came banners and gongs, parasols and fans, the flying-tiger flags that clear the road, whips and placards, chains and cudgels, and the magistrate riding in his sedan chair, runners calling out in front and a crowd pressing behind, a long train of attendants. This magistrate was named Zeng Shihou. He had come up through the examinations, and since taking office he had kept nothing in his two sleeves but a clear breeze, and loved the people as if they were his own children. Today he was on his way back from seeing off and welcoming officials. Madam Zhao cried out from the roadside, “Injustice!” The chair stopped at once. His Honour looked, and saw a woman kneeling by the road, a little over twenty, dressed all in white mourning. Having looked her over, the magistrate ordered, “Raise your head.” The woman raised her head. “Your Honour, I have been wronged!” The magistrate looked at her. “Why do you cry injustice? Tell me the truth!” “If it please Your Lordship,” said Madam Zhao, “I am Madam Zhao. I was married to Li Wenyuan. My husband has died, and I have been living as a widow. Yesterday was my brother-in-law’s birthday. At the first watch of the night I was fast asleep in the east courtyard with Molang’er in my arms. A maid called at the gate, and a naked man ran out of my courtyard without a thread on him. My husband’s brother couldn’t see the matter clearly, and without knowing what had happened he wrote a paper divorcing me for his brother. My father couldn’t see the matter clearly either, and wrote them a no-claims paper. He took me home and gave me a rope and a steel knife and told me to find my own way to die. It isn’t that I grudge dying. I only fear that after I’m dead my name will stink for ten thousand years. So I beg Your Honour to clear me of this wrong.” When His Honour heard the case, a thought stirred in him. “She’s accusing her own father, Zhao Haiming, and her husband’s brother, Li Wenfang. Even an honest official can’t judge a family quarrel.” He was inclined to leave it alone, when a poor monk in the crowd was heard to say, “Cases lying right there, and he won’t try them. All he’s good for is squeezing taxes.” At this the magistrate said, “Who is making that noise? Don’t let him get away! Seize him!” His men went to look, but there was no trace of him. His Honour ordered the woman brought back to the yamen.
到了衙門之內，下轎升堂，又把趙氏叫上來一問，祇見趙氏一字不差，照方纔所說之話不二。知縣知道趙海明、李文芳二人是本處二個紳士，傳來一問便知。想罷，吩咐：「來人，先把趙海明、李文芳傳到。」聽差人等答應，立刻就到趙宅門首，一叫門，有人出來問明白，到裏邊一回話，趙海明一聽，心中一動，道：「好丫頭！你上縣衙去，現在我有甚麼臉在昆山住著？」就跟人到了衙門。先稟見，知縣一看，是五品員外模樣，五官淳厚，看罷問道：「趙海明，你女兒告你，你要從實說來！」趙海明說：「老父台在上，職員家門不幸，出這樣事，求老父台給職員留臉，不必問了。我要不親眼看見，如何能答覆？」知縣說：「事已到堂，焉能糊裏糊塗下去？本縣必要問明白。」祇見來人回話：「李文芳到！」
到了衙门之内，下轿升堂，又把赵氏叫上来一问，祇见赵氏一字不差，照方才所说之话不二。知县知道赵海明、李文芳二人是本处二个绅士，传来一问便知。想罢，吩咐：「来人，先把赵海明、李文芳传到。」听差人等答应，立刻就到赵宅门首，一叫门，有人出来问明白，到里边一回话，赵海明一听，心中一动，道：「好丫头！你上县衙去，现在我有甚么脸在昆山住着？」就跟人到了衙门。先禀见，知县一看，是五品员外模样，五官淳厚，看罢问道：「赵海明，你女儿告你，你要从实说来！」赵海明说：「老父台在上，职员家门不幸，出这样事，求老父台给职员留脸，不必问了。我要不亲眼看见，如何能答复？」知县说：「事已到堂，焉能糊里糊涂下去？本县必要问明白。」祇见来人回话：「李文芳到！」
Inside the yamen he got down from his chair and took his seat in the hall, and had Madam Zhao called up and questioned again. Madam Zhao told it word for word, not one bit different from what she had said before. The magistrate knew that Zhao Haiming and Li Wenfang were both local gentlemen; he had only to summon them and ask, and he would know. His mind made up, he ordered, “Someone! First summon Zhao Haiming and Li Wenfang here.” The runners answered and went straight to the gate of the Zhao house. They knocked, and someone came out, asked their business, and went inside to report. When Zhao Haiming heard, his heart gave a jolt. “Good girl! So you’ve gone to the county yamen. How can I show my face living in Kunshan now?” And he went with the men to the yamen. He first asked for an audience. The magistrate looked at him: he had the look of a squire of the fifth rank, with honest, kindly features. Having looked him over, the magistrate asked, “Zhao Haiming, your daughter has brought a complaint against you. Tell me the truth!” “Honoured father of the county,” said Zhao Haiming, “this holder of rank has met with misfortune in his family, and such a thing has happened. I beg you, honoured father of the county, spare this holder of rank his face and ask no further. Had I not seen it with my own eyes, how could I have answered as I did?” “The matter has come before the court,” said the magistrate. “How can it be let go in a muddle? This magistrate must get to the bottom of it.” Just then a man came in to report: “Li Wenfang is here!”
不知此案如何辦法，且看下回分解。
不知此案如何办法，且看下回分解。
To learn how the case was handled, read the next chapter.