話說知縣正在公堂之上，審問趙氏，下面差役上來稟報：「將孝廉李文芳傳到。」知縣吩咐帶上來。原來李文芳正在家中料理家務，外面家人進來稟報說：「老爺，現在外面有昆山縣的差人來傳老爺過堂，是咱們二奶奶把你告下來了。」李文芳一聽，勃然大怒，說：「好一個趙海明，這廝反復無常。你既不要臉面，我還怕羞恥？」自己把趙氏屋中那身男子的衣裳帶著，用包袱包著，跟著差人來到縣衙。
话说知县正在公堂之上，审问赵氏，下面差役上来禀报：「将孝廉李文芳传到。」知县吩咐带上来。原来李文芳正在家中料理家务，外面家人进来禀报说：「老爷，现在外面有昆山县的差人来传老爷过堂，是咱们二奶奶把你告下来了。」李文芳一听，勃然大怒，说：「好一个赵海明，这厮反复无常。你既不要脸面，我还怕羞耻？」自己把赵氏屋中那身男子的衣裳带着，用包袱包着，跟着差人来到县衙。
Now, the county magistrate was in his courtroom questioning Madam Zhao when a runner came up from below and reported, “The provincial graduate Li Wenfang has been summoned and is here.” The magistrate ordered him brought up. Li Wenfang, it turned out, had been at home seeing to household affairs when a servant came in from outside and reported, “Sir, there are runners from Kunshan County outside, come to summon you to court. Our Second Mistress has brought a charge against you.” At this Li Wenfang flew into a rage. “That Zhao Haiming! The scoundrel blows hot and cold. If he doesn’t care about face, why should I be afraid of shame?” He took the man’s clothes that had been found in Madam Zhao’s room, wrapped them up in a cloth bundle and went with the runners to the county yamen.
稟見知縣，口稱：「老父台在上，孝廉李文芳給老爺行禮。」老爺抬頭一看，見李文芳年有三十以外，頭戴粉綾緞色幅巾，迎面嵌片玉，繡帶雙飄，上面走金線、鑲金邊、繡三藍花朵，身穿一件粉綾緞色袍，繡三藍富貴花，腰繫絲絛，足上篆底官靴，面皮正白，眉分八彩，目如朗星，五官清秀，透著精明強幹。老爺看罷，說：「李文芳，趙氏是你甚麼人？他把你喊冤告下來，你可知道？」李文芳說：「回老父台，晚生知道。」說：「皆趙氏犯七出之條，我兄弟已然故去，故此我寫了替弟休妻的字樣，趙海明寫了無事字，他情願把女兒領回，不必經官，免致兩家出醜。不想，趙氏又聽他父親趙海明串唆，來捏詞誣告。」老爺一聽，說：「趙氏犯七出之條，有何為憑據。」李文芳說：「老父臺，有憑據。若沒有憑據，晚生也不敢無事生非。他是守節的孀婦，晚間由他院中跑出赤身露體男子，裏面有男子的衣服，晚生業已帶來，請老父臺過目。」把包袱遞上去。知縣打開一看，裏面是男子頭巾、褲褂、鞋襪。
禀见知县，口称：「老父台在上，孝廉李文芳给老爷行礼。」老爷抬头一看，见李文芳年有三十以外，头戴粉绫缎色幅巾，迎面嵌片玉，绣带双飘，上面走金线、镶金边、绣三蓝花朵，身穿一件粉绫缎色袍，绣三蓝富贵花，腰系丝绦，足上篆底官靴，面皮正白，眉分八彩，目如朗星，五官清秀，透着精明强干。老爷看罢，说：「李文芳，赵氏是你甚么人？他把你喊冤告下来，你可知道？」李文芳说：「回老父台，晚生知道。」说：「皆赵氏犯七出之条，我兄弟已然故去，故此我写了替弟休妻的字样，赵海明写了无事字，他情愿把女儿领回，不必经官，免致两家出丑。不想，赵氏又听他父亲赵海明串唆，来捏词诬告。」老爷一听，说：「赵氏犯七出之条，有何为凭据。」李文芳说：「老父台，有凭据。若没有凭据，晚生也不敢无事生非。他是守节的孀妇，晚间由他院中跑出赤身露体男子，里面有男子的衣服，晚生业已带来，请老父台过目。」把包袱递上去。知县打开一看，里面是男子头巾、裤褂、鞋袜。
He presented himself to the magistrate, saying, “Honoured father of the county, the provincial graduate Li Wenfang pays his respects to Your Honour.” His Honour looked up and saw that Li Wenfang was somewhat over thirty. On his head was a scholar’s kerchief of pink damask with a piece of jade set in the front and two embroidered ribbons fluttering behind, worked with gold thread, edged with gold and embroidered with flowers in three shades of blue. He wore a robe of pink damask embroidered with peonies in three shades of blue, a silk sash at his waist and official boots with patterned soles. His face was pure white, his eyebrows finely parted, his eyes like bright stars, his features clean and handsome, and he had a shrewd, capable air about him. When His Honour had looked him over, he said, “Li Wenfang, what is Madam Zhao to you? She has cried injustice and brought a charge against you. Did you know?” “To answer the honoured father of the county,” said Li Wenfang, “this junior scholar knows.” He went on, “It is all because Madam Zhao has offended against the seven grounds for repudiating a wife. My younger brother has passed away, so I wrote a deed repudiating the wife on my brother’s behalf, and Zhao Haiming wrote a quitclaim. He was willing to take his daughter home, without going to the authorities, so that both families would be spared disgrace. I never expected that Madam Zhao, egged on by her father Zhao Haiming, would come here with a trumped-up charge.” At this His Honour said, “Madam Zhao has offended against the seven grounds for repudiating a wife — what proof is there?” “Honoured father of the county, there is proof,” said Li Wenfang. “Without proof, this junior scholar would never dare make trouble out of nothing. She is a widow keeping her chastity, yet in the evening a stark-naked man ran out of her courtyard, and inside were the man’s clothes. This junior scholar has brought them along. Will the honoured father of the county please look them over?” He handed up the bundle. The magistrate opened it and looked: inside were a man’s headcloth, trousers and jacket, shoes and socks.
老爺一看，問：「趙氏，你屋中可見這包袱沒有？」趙氏說：「回老爺，不錯，這包袱是在小婦人屋裏來著。」老爺說：「你既是守節的孀婦，你那院中又沒有男子出入，何以有男子的衣服？你還來刁詞誣控，攪擾本縣！大概抄手問事，萬不肯應，拉下去給我掌嘴！」趙氏一聽，心中一動：「我要在昆山縣堂下挨了打，我有何面目見昆山縣的人？再者趙氏門中豈不玷辱？莫如我一死倒好，死後必有穩婆驗我，可以皂白得分，我落個清白之名。」想罷，自己往前跪趴半步，說：「大老爺，先不必動刑，小婦人有下情稟告。」老爺說：「你講！祇要說得有情有理，本縣並不責罰你。」趙氏說：「小婦人我苦守貞潔，我院中並無男子出入，老爺如不信，有跟同榻而睡的人。」老爺一聽，心中一動：「既有跟他同床共榻的人，這事也許別人做的，他不知情。」老爺說：「甚麼人跟你同床共榻？」趙氏說：「是我那孩兒末郎的奶娘李氏。」老爺吩咐傳李氏。手下差役人等下去，不多時把李氏傳到。
老爷一看，问：「赵氏，你屋中可见这包袱没有？」赵氏说：「回老爷，不错，这包袱是在小妇人屋里来着。」老爷说：「你既是守节的孀妇，你那院中又没有男子出入，何以有男子的衣服？你还来刁词诬控，搅扰本县！大概抄手问事，万不肯应，拉下去给我掌嘴！」赵氏一听，心中一动：「我要在昆山县堂下挨了打，我有何面目见昆山县的人？再者赵氏门中岂不玷辱？莫如我一死倒好，死后必有稳婆验我，可以皂白得分，我落个清白之名。」想罢，自己往前跪趴半步，说：「大老爷，先不必动刑，小妇人有下情禀告。」老爷说：「你讲！祇要说得有情有理，本县并不责罚你。」赵氏说：「小妇人我苦守贞洁，我院中并无男子出入，老爷如不信，有跟同榻而睡的人。」老爷一听，心中一动：「既有跟他同床共榻的人，这事也许别人做的，他不知情。」老爷说：「甚么人跟你同床共榻？」赵氏说：「是我那孩儿末郎的奶娘李氏。」老爷吩咐传李氏。手下差役人等下去，不多时把李氏传到。
His Honour looked and asked, “Madam Zhao, have you seen this bundle in your room?” “To answer Your Honour,” said Madam Zhao, “yes, this bundle was in this humble woman’s room.” “Since you are a widow keeping her chastity,” said His Honour, “and no man goes in or out of your courtyard, how do a man’s clothes come to be there? And you still come here with a sly, false charge to trouble this court! I suppose if you’re questioned with folded hands you’ll never own up. Drag her down and slap her face!” At this a thought stirred in Madam Zhao’s heart. “If I’m beaten below the bench of the Kunshan County court, how can I ever face the people of Kunshan County again? Besides, wouldn’t it disgrace the Zhao family? I’d do better to die. After I’m dead a midwife is bound to examine me, black will be told from white, and I’ll be left with a clean name.” Her mind made up, she shuffled half a step forward on her knees. “Your Honour, there is no need to have me beaten yet. This humble woman has more to tell you.” “Speak!” said His Honour. “As long as what you say is reasonable and right, this court will not punish you.” “This humble woman has kept her chastity through hardship,” said Madam Zhao, “and no man goes in or out of my courtyard. If Your Honour does not believe me, there is someone who shares my bed.” At this a thought stirred in His Honour’s heart. “If there is someone who shares her bed, then perhaps someone else did this and she knew nothing of it.” “Who shares your bed?” said His Honour. “Madam Li, the wet nurse of my little boy Molang,” said Madam Zhao. His Honour ordered Madam Li summoned. His runners and the rest went off, and before long they had brought Madam Li.
一上堂，李氏說：「好我二主母！把我告下來了，我正要上堂前去鳴冤！」來到公堂跪倒說：「老爺在上，小婦人李氏給老爺磕頭。」老爺睜眼一看，見李氏有三旬以外年歲，長得姿容豐秀，身穿藍衫、青裙，足下窄小宮鞋，老爺說：「李氏，你二主母院中跑出一個赤身的男子，這男子衣服是哪裏來的？你必知情，從頭說了實話，與你無干！」李氏說：「回大老爺，小婦人我不知道，我昨天告假回家。」老爺一聽，在上面把驚堂木一拍，做官的人，講究聆音察理，見貌辨色，說：「李氏，你滿嘴胡說，你這就該打！你當奶娘，你說告假，難道說你走了，把孩子餓起來了不成？」李氏嚇得顏色更變，說：「老爺不必動怒，我這裏有一段隱情，回頭說。二奶奶，我可要說了。」趙氏說：「你說罷，祇要你照實話說。」李氏這纔說道：「老爺要問，小婦人也並不是久慣指著當奶娘為生，我就在西街住，離我家主人家不遠。是我家二主母僱了奶子散了，老不合適，我家就是一個婆母娘，丈夫貿易在外，我有個小女兒死了，我這也是一半行好。這一天，我二主母就問我：『李氏，你不告假麼？』我說：『不告，末郎公子養活的又嬌，帶到我家去，二主母不放心，不帶了去，公子豈不要受屈？』我家二主母因為這個，有兩天沒跟我說話。又過了些日子，我家二主母又叫我歇工，小婦人我是不敢違背了，我就告假，二主母還賞了我兩串錢，一包袱舊衣裳。晚間給公子吃了乳，我家去睡覺，我在家住了一夜。昨天我家二主母又叫我告假，我還說：『今天是大老爺的生日，焉有我告假之理？』我家二奶奶說：『你是我這院中的人，大老爺他也不能管。』故此我就走了，告了假，二主母還給了我三吊錢。這天晚上，就出了這個事，故此我不知。素日我家二主母實係好人，並無閑雜人進院裏去。」
一上堂，李氏说：「好我二主母！把我告下来了，我正要上堂前去鸣冤！」来到公堂跪倒说：「老爷在上，小妇人李氏给老爷磕头。」老爷睁眼一看，见李氏有三旬以外年岁，长得姿容丰秀，身穿蓝衫、青裙，足下窄小宫鞋，老爷说：「李氏，你二主母院中跑出一个赤身的男子，这男子衣服是哪里来的？你必知情，从头说了实话，与你无干！」李氏说：「回大老爷，小妇人我不知道，我昨天告假回家。」老爷一听，在上面把惊堂木一拍，做官的人，讲究聆音察理，见貌辨色，说：「李氏，你满嘴胡说，你这就该打！你当奶娘，你说告假，难道说你走了，把孩子饿起来了不成？」李氏吓得颜色更变，说：「老爷不必动怒，我这里有一段隐情，回头说。二奶奶，我可要说了。」赵氏说：「你说罢，祇要你照实话说。」李氏这才说道：「老爷要问，小妇人也并不是久惯指着当奶娘为生，我就在西街住，离我家主人家不远。是我家二主母雇了奶子散了，老不合适，我家就是一个婆母娘，丈夫贸易在外，我有个小女儿死了，我这也是一半行好。这一天，我二主母就问我：『李氏，你不告假么？』我说：『不告，末郎公子养活的又娇，带到我家去，二主母不放心，不带了去，公子岂不要受屈？』我家二主母因为这个，有两天没跟我说话。又过了些日子，我家二主母又叫我歇工，小妇人我是不敢违背了，我就告假，二主母还赏了我两串钱，一包袱旧衣裳。晚间给公子吃了乳，我家去睡觉，我在家住了一夜。昨天我家二主母又叫我告假，我还说：『今天是大老爷的生日，焉有我告假之理？』我家二奶奶说：『你是我这院中的人，大老爷他也不能管。』故此我就走了，告了假，二主母还给了我三吊钱。这天晚上，就出了这个事，故此我不知。素日我家二主母实系好人，并无闲杂人进院里去。」
As soon as she was brought into the court, Madam Li said, “Well, my Second Mistress! So you’ve brought a charge against me — and I was just about to come to court and cry injustice myself!” She came before the bench, knelt and said, “Your Honour, this humble woman, Madam Li, kowtows to Your Honour.” His Honour opened his eyes wide and looked. Madam Li was somewhat over thirty, full-figured and good-looking, in a blue jacket and a black skirt, with tiny narrow slippers on her feet. “Madam Li,” said His Honour, “a naked man ran out of your Second Mistress’s courtyard. Where did these man’s clothes come from? You must know. Tell the truth from the beginning, and you won’t be involved!” “To answer Your Honour,” said Madam Li, “this humble woman doesn’t know. Yesterday I had leave and went home.” At this His Honour slammed the gavel block on the bench above. An official prides himself on hearing the truth in a voice and reading it in a face. “Madam Li,” he said, “you’re talking nonsense, and for that alone you deserve a beating! You’re a wet nurse, and you say you had leave? Do you mean to tell me that when you went off, the child was left to go hungry?” Madam Li was so frightened that her colour changed. “There’s no need for anger, Your Honour. There’s something behind this that I’ll tell you in a moment. Second Mistress, I’m going to tell it now.” “Tell it,” said Madam Zhao. “Only tell the truth.” Only then did Madam Li speak. “Since Your Honour asks: this humble woman doesn’t make a habit of earning her living as a wet nurse. I live on West Street, not far from my master’s house. My Second Mistress had hired wet nurses and let them go, and none of them ever suited. At home I’ve only my mother-in-law, my husband is away trading, and I had a little girl who died, so taking this place was half a good deed on my part. One day my Second Mistress asked me, ‘Madam Li, don’t you want to take some leave?’ I said, ‘No. Young Master Molang has been raised so delicately. If I take him home with me, you won’t feel easy, and if I don’t take him, won’t the young master go short?’ Because of that, my Second Mistress didn’t speak to me for two days. Some days after that she told me again to stop work for a while. This humble woman didn’t dare go against her, so I took leave, and my Second Mistress even gave me two strings of cash and a bundle of old clothes. In the evening I fed the young master at the breast and went home to sleep, and I stayed one night at home. Yesterday my Second Mistress told me to take leave again, and I said, ‘Today is the elder master’s birthday. How could I take leave?’ My Second Mistress said, ‘You belong to my courtyard. The elder master has no say over you.’ So I went. I took leave, and my Second Mistress gave me three strings of cash besides. That very night this thing happened, so I know nothing about it. My Second Mistress has always been a truly good woman, and no idle strangers ever go into her courtyard.”
老爺聽罷，說：「趙氏，你叫李氏告假，是所因何故？」趙氏說：「小婦人是紅顏薄命，李氏他丈夫貿易在外，新近回來，我想為我這孩兒叫他夫妻分離，不叫他回去麼？小婦人是修合無人見，存心有天知。老爺自己不明白，到後面問太太就明白了。」知縣一聽這話，其中定有別情，說：「趙氏，你這是刁詞胡說，大概不打你，你也不說實話。來了呀！給我拉下去掌嘴。」趙氏一想：「我要等他打了我再死，我總算給趙氏門中丟臉，莫如我急速一死。」想罷，說：「老爺，不便動怒，小婦人我還有下情。」知縣說：「講！」趙氏說：「我死之後，千萬老爺派穩婆相驗，以表我清白之名，但願老爺公侯萬代。我死後老爺如不驗，叫我皂白不分，老爺後輩兒女，必要遭我這樣報應。」說著話，自己拉出刀來就要在大堂自刎。知縣在上面也未攔！幸虧旁邊差人手急眼快，伸手把刀奪過去。知縣正在無可奈何，就聽外面一陣大亂，有人喊嚷：「冤枉！圖財害命，老爺冤枉！」老爺借這一亂，吩咐先把趙氏、李氏、李文芳、趙海明帶下去，先辦人命案要緊。差役人等將眾人帶下去，祇見外面有一個和尚，帶著一個人，兩眼發直，撲奔公堂而來。
老爷听罢，说：「赵氏，你叫李氏告假，是所因何故？」赵氏说：「小妇人是红颜薄命，李氏他丈夫贸易在外，新近回来，我想为我这孩儿叫他夫妻分离，不叫他回去么？小妇人是修合无人见，存心有天知。老爷自己不明白，到后面问太太就明白了。」知县一听这话，其中定有别情，说：「赵氏，你这是刁词胡说，大概不打你，你也不说实话。来了呀！给我拉下去掌嘴。」赵氏一想：「我要等他打了我再死，我总算给赵氏门中丢脸，莫如我急速一死。」想罢，说：「老爷，不便动怒，小妇人我还有下情。」知县说：「讲！」赵氏说：「我死之后，千万老爷派稳婆相验，以表我清白之名，但愿老爷公侯万代。我死后老爷如不验，叫我皂白不分，老爷后辈儿女，必要遭我这样报应。」说着话，自己拉出刀来就要在大堂自刎。知县在上面也未拦！幸亏旁边差人手急眼快，伸手把刀夺过去。知县正在无可奈何，就听外面一阵大乱，有人喊嚷：「冤枉！图财害命，老爷冤枉！」老爷借这一乱，吩咐先把赵氏、李氏、李文芳、赵海明带下去，先办人命案要紧。差役人等将众人带下去，祇见外面有一个和尚，带着一个人，两眼发直，扑奔公堂而来。
When His Honour had heard her out, he said, “Madam Zhao, why did you have Madam Li take leave?” “This humble woman is one of those fair faces that fate treats ill,” said Madam Zhao. “Madam Li’s husband has been away trading and only lately came home. Was I to keep husband and wife apart for the sake of my child and not let her go home? With this humble woman it is: ‘No one sees how the medicine is compounded, but Heaven knows what is in the heart.’ If Your Honour cannot see it for yourself, go to the back and ask your lady, and you’ll understand.” When the magistrate heard this, he felt there must be something more behind it. “Madam Zhao,” he said, “this is sly, wild talk. I suppose if you aren’t beaten you won’t tell the truth either. Men! Drag her down and slap her face for me.” Madam Zhao thought, “If I wait until he has had me beaten and then die, I’ll still have shamed the Zhao family. Better to die at once.” Her mind made up, she said, “Your Honour, there is no call for anger. This humble woman has something more to say.” “Speak!” said the magistrate. “After I die,” said Madam Zhao, “I beg Your Honour, send a midwife to examine me and prove my clean name, and may Your Honour’s house be dukes and marquises for ten thousand generations. If Your Honour does not have me examined after my death and leaves black and white unsorted, Your Honour’s own children and grandchildren will surely suffer the same retribution as I.” As she spoke she drew out a knife and was about to cut her throat right there in the great hall. The magistrate, up on the bench, did nothing to stop her! Luckily a runner beside her was quick of hand and eye; he reached out and snatched the knife away. The magistrate was at his wits’ end when a great commotion broke out outside, and someone shouted, “Injustice! Murder for money! Your Honour, injustice!” His Honour seized on the uproar and ordered Madam Zhao, Madam Li, Li Wenfang and Zhao Haiming taken down for the time being: a murder case came first. The runners led them all away, and outside there appeared a monk, bringing with him a man whose eyes stared fixedly, making straight for the courtroom.
書中交代：來者和尚非是別人，正是靈隱寺的濟公長老。原來濟公自帶著趙氏鳴冤之後，趙福、趙祿追上和尚。趙福說：「師父，你老人家別犯瘋病，咱們走罷。」和尚跟著往前走，來到南街趙鳳山的住宅門首，家人說：「師父，這裏站一站，我們進去回話。」不多時，由裏面二員外迎出來，趙鳳鳴出來一看，見濟公衣服襤褸不堪，心中暗想：「我打算請了甚麼高人來給治病，原來是一窮僧。」無奈拱手往裏讓。到書房落座，趙福、趙祿二人先把書信拿出來，二員外叫人獻上茶來。打開書信一看，是自己哥哥親筆手書，上寫：
书中交代：来者和尚非是别人，正是灵隐寺的济公长老。原来济公自带着赵氏鸣冤之后，赵福、赵禄追上和尚。赵福说：「师父，你老人家别犯疯病，咱们走罢。」和尚跟着往前走，来到南街赵凤山的住宅门首，家人说：「师父，这里站一站，我们进去回话。」不多时，由里面二员外迎出来，赵凤鸣出来一看，见济公衣服褴褛不堪，心中暗想：「我打算请了甚么高人来给治病，原来是一穷僧。」无奈拱手往里让。到书房落座，赵福、赵禄二人先把书信拿出来，二员外叫人献上茶来。打开书信一看，是自己哥哥亲笔手书，上写：
A word of explanation: the monk who came was none other than Ji Gong, the elder of Lingyin Temple. After Ji Gong had taken Madam Zhao off to cry injustice, Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu caught up with the monk. “Master,” said Zhao Fu, “don’t go having one of your mad fits, sir. Let’s be on our way.” The monk followed them on, and they came to the gate of Zhao Fengshan’s residence on South Street. “Master, wait here a moment,” the servants said. “We’ll go in and announce you.” Before long the Second Squire came out from inside to welcome him. Zhao Fengming came out and took one look: Ji Gong’s clothes were in tatters. “I was counting on him to send some great master to treat the illness,” he thought, “and it turns out to be a poor monk.” But there was nothing for it; he cupped his hands in salute and showed him in. When they had taken their seats in the study, Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu first brought out the letter, and the Second Squire had tea served. He opened the letter: it was in his elder brother’s own hand. It read:
夕陽入律，曙氣同春。伏唸賢弟德門景福，昌茂之時矣！前接華翰，知家務一切事宜，仰賴賢弟料理，愚兄承情莫盡矣！茲者叩稟嬸母太君，萬福金安！以是侄仰賴祖宗之福庇，蒙聖主恩德，簡任太守，不能日侍左右。前接二弟來函，知嬸母太君玉體違和，瞳眸被蒙。奉讀之下，感泣涕零，悲鳴之嘶，實傷五內。侄處請靈隱寺濟公禪師治病，精通岐黃，手到病除，可急癒矣！侄遣家人趙福、趙祿捎至黃金數錠，重五十兩，供為甘旨之資。已是侄盡忠則不能盡孝矣！並候均安不一。
夕阳入律，曙气同春。伏念贤弟德门景福，昌茂之时矣！前接华翰，知家务一切事宜，仰赖贤弟料理，愚兄承情莫尽矣！兹者叩禀婶母太君，万福金安！以是侄仰赖祖宗之福庇，蒙圣主恩德，简任太守，不能日侍左右。前接二弟来函，知婶母太君玉体违和，瞳眸被蒙。奉读之下，感泣涕零，悲鸣之嘶，实伤五内。侄处请灵隐寺济公禅师治病，精通岐黄，手到病除，可急愈矣！侄遣家人赵福、赵禄捎至黄金数锭，重五十两，供为甘旨之资。已是侄尽忠则不能尽孝矣！并候均安不一。
The evening sun keeps to its season; the morning air shares the spring. I humbly trust, my worthy brother, that your virtuous house enjoys great blessings in this time of prosperity! Your esteemed letter, received some time ago, told me that I may rely on you, my worthy brother, to manage all the affairs of the household; I am more grateful than I can say! Herewith I respectfully send my greetings to my honoured aunt, wishing her ten thousand blessings and good health! Through the blessing and protection of our forefathers and the grace of our sagacious sovereign, your nephew has been appointed prefect, and so cannot wait upon her day by day. Second Brother’s earlier letter told me that my honoured aunt is unwell and that her eyes are clouded over. On reading it I was moved to tears; my grief and lamentation truly wounded me to the core. Your nephew has engaged Chan Master Ji Gong of Lingyin Temple to treat the illness. He is versed in the arts of Qi and Huang, and sickness leaves wherever his hand touches; she may soon be cured! Your nephew sends his servants Zhao Fu and Zhao Lu with several ingots of gold, fifty taels in weight, to provide delicacies for her table. Your nephew, in giving his loyalty to the throne, cannot also give his filial service! With wishes for the peace of all. I cannot say all I would.
不孝侄男趙鳳山頓首拜
不孝侄男赵凤山顿首拜
Your unfilial nephew, Zhao Fengshan, bows his head to the ground.
趙鳳鳴看罷信書，這纔重新給濟公行禮，說：「聖僧佛駕光臨，弟子有失遠迎，當面恕罪！我兄長給請聖僧前來給我老母治病，不知聖僧應用何藥？何等治法？」濟公說：「貧僧自有妙法。」
赵凤鸣看罢信书，这才重新给济公行礼，说：「圣僧佛驾光临，弟子有失远迎，当面恕罪！我兄长给请圣僧前来给我老母治病，不知圣僧应用何药？何等治法？」济公说：「贫僧自有妙法。」
When Zhao Fengming had read the letter, he greeted Ji Gong all over again with a proper bow. “Holy monk, your Buddha-presence has graced us, and your disciple failed to come out to meet you on the road. Please forgive me! My elder brother has invited the holy monk to treat my old mother. What medicine will the holy monk use, I wonder? What kind of treatment?” “This poor monk has wonderful methods of his own,” said Ji Gong.
正說著話，聽外面有腳步音，濟公說：「外面甚麼人進來？」趙鳳鳴也問：「甚麼人進來？」祇見由外面進來一位大漢，頭挽牛心髻，身穿舊褲褂，白襪青鞋，原來是種稻地的長工笨漢。和尚說：「你怎麼這麼沒根基，把我的鞋偷了去？你一走到，我就聽出來了。」那笨漢把眼睛一翻說：「和尚，你別訛人，我的鞋，你怎說是你的？」和尚說：「二員外你看，我由臨安來，穿這草鞋，這麼遠走的了麼？我是穿著那鞋來的，到了門口我換上草鞋，他就把我那鞋偷了去。」祇見這大漢方要給濟公爭辯，濟公說：「你說是你的鞋，有甚麼憑據？說對了就算是你的。」大漢說：「我鞋底上有十四個釘子。」濟公說：「我鞋上有十六個釘子。」大漢脫下來一數，果是十六個，急的要跟和尚打架。趙鳳鳴說：「我給你兩吊錢再買一雙吧，這雙鞋給聖僧留下。」大漢也不敢再爭，拿錢去了。趙鳳鳴說：「聖僧要這鞋何用？」濟公哈哈一笑，說：「要給老太太治病，非這雙鞋不可！」當時拿筆開了一個方子，趙鳳鳴一看，暗為點頭。
正说着话，听外面有脚步音，济公说：「外面甚么人进来？」赵凤鸣也问：「甚么人进来？」祇见由外面进来一位大汉，头挽牛心髻，身穿旧裤褂，白袜青鞋，原来是种稻地的长工笨汉。和尚说：「你怎么这么没根基，把我的鞋偷了去？你一走到，我就听出来了。」那笨汉把眼睛一翻说：「和尚，你别讹人，我的鞋，你怎说是你的？」和尚说：「二员外你看，我由临安来，穿这草鞋，这么远走的了么？我是穿着那鞋来的，到了门口我换上草鞋，他就把我那鞋偷了去。」祇见这大汉方要给济公争辩，济公说：「你说是你的鞋，有甚么凭据？说对了就算是你的。」大汉说：「我鞋底上有十四个钉子。」济公说：「我鞋上有十六个钉子。」大汉脱下来一数，果是十六个，急的要跟和尚打架。赵凤鸣说：「我给你两吊钱再买一双吧，这双鞋给圣僧留下。」大汉也不敢再争，拿钱去了。赵凤鸣说：「圣僧要这鞋何用？」济公哈哈一笑，说：「要给老太太治病，非这双鞋不可！」当时拿笔开了一个方子，赵凤鸣一看，暗为点头。
While they were talking, footsteps sounded outside. “Who’s that coming in?” said Ji Gong. “Who’s that coming in?” Zhao Fengming asked too. In from outside came a big fellow with his hair twisted up in an ox-heart topknot, wearing an old jacket and trousers, white socks and black shoes: a clumsy lout of a hired hand who worked the rice fields. “How can you be so low,” said the monk, “as to steal my shoes? The moment you came in, I could hear it.” The lout rolled his eyes. “Monk, don’t try your swindling on me. They’re my shoes — how can you say they’re yours?” “Second Squire, look,” said the monk. “I came from Lin’an. Could I walk all that way in these straw sandals? I came wearing those shoes. At the gate I changed into straw sandals, and he went and stole my shoes.” The big fellow was about to argue it out with Ji Gong when Ji Gong said, “You say they’re your shoes — what proof have you? If you get it right, they’re yours.” “There are fourteen nails in my soles,” said the big fellow. “There are sixteen nails in mine,” said Ji Gong. The big fellow took the shoes off and counted: sure enough, sixteen. He was so frantic he wanted to fight the monk. “I’ll give you two strings of cash to buy another pair,” said Zhao Fengming. “Leave this pair for the holy monk.” The big fellow did not dare argue any further; he took the money and went. “What does the holy monk want these shoes for?” said Zhao Fengming. Ji Gong gave a great laugh. “To treat the old lady, nothing but this pair of shoes will do!” Then and there he took up a brush and wrote out a prescription. Zhao Fengming looked at it and nodded quietly to himself.
不知濟公寫的是何言語，且看下回分解。
不知济公写的是何言语，且看下回分解。
What had Ji Gong written? To learn that, read the next chapter.