且說包公見貧婆口呼包卿，自稱哀家，平人如何有這樣口氣。只見娘娘眼中流淚，便將已往之事，滔滔不斷，述說一番。包公聞聽，嚇得驚疑不止，連忙立起身來，問道：「言雖如此，不知有何證據？」娘娘從裡衣內，掏出一個油漬漬的包兒。包興上前，不敢用手來接，撩起衣襟，向前兜住，說道：「鬆下罷。」娘娘放手，包兒落在衣襟。包興連忙呈上。千層萬裹，裡面露出黃緞袱子來。打開袱子一看，裡面卻是金丸一粒，上刻著「玉宸宮」字樣並娘娘名號，包公看罷，急忙包好，叫包興遞過，自己離了座位。包興會意，雙手捧過包兒，來至娘娘面前，雙膝跪倒，將包兒頂在頭上，遞將過去；然後一拉竹杖，領至上座。入了座位，包公秉正參拜。娘娘吩咐：「卿家平身。哀家的冤枉，全仗卿家了。」包公奏道：「娘娘但請放心。臣敢不盡心竭力以報君乎？只是目下耳目眾多，恐有泄漏，實屬不便；望祈娘娘赦臣冒昧之罪，權且認為母子，庶免眾口紛紛，不知鳳意如何？」娘娘道：「既如此，但憑吾兒便了。」包公又往上叩頭謝恩，連忙立起，暗暗吩咐包興，如此如此。
且说包公见贫婆口呼包卿，自称哀家，平人如何有这样口气。只见娘娘眼中流泪，便将已往之事，滔滔不断，述说一番。包公闻听，吓得惊疑不止，连忙立起身来，问道：「言虽如此，不知有何证据？」娘娘从里衣内，掏出一个油渍渍的包儿。包兴上前，不敢用手来接，撩起衣襟，向前兜住，说道：「松下罢。」娘娘放手，包儿落在衣襟。包兴连忙呈上。千层万裹，里面露出黄缎袱子来。打开袱子一看，里面却是金丸一粒，上刻着「玉宸宫」字样并娘娘名号，包公看罢，急忙包好，叫包兴递过，自己离了座位。包兴会意，双手捧过包儿，来至娘娘面前，双膝跪倒，将包儿顶在头上，递将过去；然后一拉竹杖，领至上座。入了座位，包公秉正参拜。娘娘吩咐：「卿家平身。哀家的冤枉，全仗卿家了。」包公奏道：「娘娘但请放心。臣敢不尽心竭力以报君乎？只是目下耳目众多，恐有泄漏，实属不便；望祈娘娘赦臣冒昧之罪，权且认为母子，庶免众口纷纷，不知凤意如何？」娘娘道：「既如此，但凭吾儿便了。」包公又往上叩头谢恩，连忙立起，暗暗吩咐包兴，如此如此。
Now, Lord Bao heard the poor old woman call him “Minister Bao” and speak of herself as “We” — and what commoner would talk like that? Then, tears streaming from her eyes, Her Majesty poured out the whole story of what had happened long ago, on and on without a pause. As Lord Bao listened, he was startled and bewildered. He sprang to his feet and asked, “That may be so, but what proof is there?” From inside her undergarments Her Majesty brought out a little bundle, all greasy and stained. Bao Xing stepped forward. Not daring to take it in his hands, he lifted the front of his robe and held it out beneath the bundle like a pouch. “Let it drop,” he said. Her Majesty let go, and the bundle fell into the fold of his robe. Bao Xing hastily presented it. It was wrapped in layer upon layer, and at the heart of the wrappings appeared a cloth of yellow satin. When the cloth was opened, there lay a single gold ball, engraved with the words “Yuchen Palace” and with Her Majesty’s name and title. When Lord Bao had looked at it, he quickly wrapped it up again, told Bao Xing to hand it back, and left his own seat. Bao Xing understood. Holding the bundle in both hands, he went before Her Majesty, dropped to his knees, raised it above his head and so handed it back to her. Then, with a tug on her bamboo stick, he led her to the seat of honour. When she was seated, Lord Bao made his obeisance before her in due form. “Rise, minister,” said Her Majesty. “The wrong done to Us, minister, We leave entirely in your hands.” “Your Majesty may rest assured,” Lord Bao replied. “How would your servant dare do less than his utmost to repay his sovereign? Only, there are a great many eyes and ears about just now, and should anything leak out, it would be most awkward. I beg Your Majesty to pardon your servant’s presumption: for the time being, let us pass as mother and son, so that there will be no talk. Would that please Your Majesty?” “If that is so,” said Her Majesty, “it shall be just as you say, my son.” Lord Bao kowtowed toward her once more in thanks for her grace, then quickly rose and gave Bao Xing secret instructions — thus and thus.
包興便跑至廟外，只見縣官正在那裡叱喝地方呢：「欽差大人在此宿壇，你為何不早早稟我知道？」范宗華分辯道：「大人到此問這個，又問那個，又派小人放告，多少差使，連一點空兒無有，難道小人還有什麼分身法不成？」一句話惹惱了縣官，一聲斷喝：「好奴才！你誤了差使，還敢強辯？就該打了你的狗腿！」說至此，恰好包興出來，便說道：「縣太爺算了罷，老爺自己誤了，反倒怪他。他是張羅不過來呀。」縣官聽了，笑道：「大人跟前，須是不好看。」包興道：「大人也不嗔怪，不要如此了。大人吩咐咧，立刻叫貴縣備新轎一乘，要伶俐丫鬟二名，並上好衣服簪環一分，急速辦來，立等立等！再者公館要分內外預備。所有一切用度花費的銀兩，叫太爺務必開清，俟到京時再為奉還。」又向范宗華笑道：「你起來罷，不用跪著了。方才你帶來的老婆婆，如今與大人母子相認了。老太太說你素日很照應，還要把你帶進京去呢！你就是伺候老太太的人了。」范宗華聞聽，猶如入雲端的一般，樂得他不知怎麼樣才好。包興又對縣官道：「貴縣將他的差使止了罷。大人吩咐，叫他隨著上京，沿途上伺候老太太，怎麼把他也打扮打扮才好。這可打老爺個秋豐罷。」縣官連連答應道：「使得，使得。」包興又道：「方才分派的事，太爺趕緊就辦了罷。並將他帶去，就叫他押解前來就是了。務必先將衣服首飾丫鬟，速速辦來。」縣官聞聽，趕忙去了。
包兴便跑至庙外，只见县官正在那里叱喝地方呢：「钦差大人在此宿坛，你为何不早早禀我知道？」范宗华分辩道：「大人到此问这个，又问那个，又派小人放告，多少差使，连一点空儿无有，难道小人还有什么分身法不成？」一句话惹恼了县官，一声断喝：「好奴才！你误了差使，还敢强辩？就该打了你的狗腿！」说至此，恰好包兴出来，便说道：「县太爷算了罢，老爷自己误了，反倒怪他。他是张罗不过来呀。」县官听了，笑道：「大人跟前，须是不好看。」包兴道：「大人也不嗔怪，不要如此了。大人吩咐咧，立刻叫贵县备新轿一乘，要伶俐丫鬟二名，并上好衣服簪环一分，急速办来，立等立等！再者公馆要分内外预备。所有一切用度花费的银两，叫太爷务必开清，俟到京时再为奉还。」又向范宗华笑道：「你起来罢，不用跪着了。方才你带来的老婆婆，如今与大人母子相认了。老太太说你素日很照应，还要把你带进京去呢！你就是伺候老太太的人了。」范宗华闻听，犹如入云端的一般，乐得他不知怎么样才好。包兴又对县官道：「贵县将他的差使止了罢。大人吩咐，叫他随着上京，沿途上伺候老太太，怎么把他也打扮打扮才好。这可打老爷个秋丰罢。」县官连连答应道：「使得，使得。」包兴又道：「方才分派的事，太爷赶紧就办了罢。并将他带去，就叫他押解前来就是了。务必先将衣服首饰丫鬟，速速办来。」县官闻听，赶忙去了。
Bao Xing ran out of the temple. There was the county magistrate, berating the constable: “His Excellency the imperial commissioner is staying the night here! Why didn’t you report it to me sooner?” Fan Zonghua protested, “His Excellency came here and asked me this and asked me that, and then he sent me round to tell folk he was hearing complaints — so many errands, I didn’t have a moment to spare! What, am I supposed to have some magic for being in two places at once?” That set the magistrate off, and he gave a thunderous shout: “Insolent slave! You neglect your duty, and you still dare to answer back? I ought to break your dog’s legs!” Just then Bao Xing came out. “Oh, let it go, Your Honour,” he said. “You were the one who was late, sir, and now you’re blaming him. He just had too much on his hands.” The magistrate laughed at that. “But it looks bad, you know, in front of His Excellency.” “His Excellency isn’t cross,” said Bao Xing, “so there’s no need for all this. Now, His Excellency’s orders are these: Magistrate, you’re to get a new sedan chair ready at once, and two bright, quick-witted maids, and a set of the finest clothes, with pins and earrings. Get them here as fast as you can — he’s waiting for them, waiting! Besides, the guesthouses along the way are to be made ready with separate inner and outer quarters. And you’re to keep a clear account, Your Honour, of every tael spent on all this; it will be paid back when we reach the capital.” Then he turned to Fan Zonghua with a smile. “Get up, you don’t need to kneel any more. That old woman you brought in just now — she and His Excellency have found each other: she’s his mother! The Old Madam says you’ve always looked after her well, and she means to take you to the capital with her. You’re to be the Old Madam’s own attendant now.” At this Fan Zonghua felt as if he were floating up into the clouds, so happy he didn’t know what to do with himself. Bao Xing turned to the magistrate again. “Magistrate, you’d better take him off his duties. His Excellency says he’s to come to the capital with us and wait on the Old Madam on the road, so you must see about smartening him up a bit too. That much, I’m afraid, we’ll have to sponge off you, sir!” “Certainly, certainly,” said the magistrate, again and again. “And those things I told you about just now,” Bao Xing went on, “see to them right away, sir. Take him along with you, and he can bring everything back here himself. Above all, get the clothes, the jewellery and the maids here first, and be quick about it.” At this the magistrate hurried off.
包興進廟稟復了包公，又叫老道將雲堂小院打掃乾淨。不多時，丫鬟二名並衣服首飾一齊來到，服侍娘娘在雲堂小院沐浴更衣，不必細說。包公就在西殿內安歇，連忙寫了書信，密密封好，叫包興乘馬先行進京，路上務要小心。
包兴进庙禀复了包公，又叫老道将云堂小院打扫干净。不多时，丫鬟二名并衣服首饰一齐来到，服侍娘娘在云堂小院沐浴更衣，不必细说。包公就在西殿内安歇，连忙写了书信，密密封好，叫包兴乘马先行进京，路上务要小心。
Bao Xing went back into the temple and reported to Lord Bao, then had the Taoist sweep the Cloud Hall court clean. Before long the two maids arrived along with the clothes and jewellery, and they waited on Her Majesty while she bathed and changed in the Cloud Hall court — but there is no need to go into all that. Lord Bao lodged for the night in the west hall. He hurriedly wrote a letter, sealed it up securely and told Bao Xing to ride on ahead to the capital, and to take great care on the road.
包興去後，范宗華進來與包公叩頭，並回明轎馬齊備，縣官沿途預備公館之事。包公見他通身換了服色，真是人仗衣帽，卻不似先前光景。包公便吩咐他一路小心伺候，「老太太自有丫鬟服侍，你無事不准入內。」范宗華答應退出。他卻很知規矩，以為破窯內的婆婆如今作了欽差的母親，自然非前可比。他哪裡知道，那婆婆便是天下的國母呢！至次日，將轎抬至雲堂小院的門首，丫鬟服侍娘娘上轎。包公手扶轎桿，一同出廟。只見外面預備停當，撥了四名差役跟隨老太太，范宗華隨在轎後，也有匹馬。縣官又派了官兵四名護送。包公步行有一箭多地，便說道：「母親先進公館，孩兒隨後即行。」娘娘說道：「吾兒在路行程，不必多禮。你也坐轎走罷。」包公連連稱「是」，方才退下。眾人見包公走後，一個個方才乘馬，也就起了身了。
包兴去后，范宗华进来与包公叩头，并回明轿马齐备，县官沿途预备公馆之事。包公见他通身换了服色，真是人仗衣帽，却不似先前光景。包公便吩咐他一路小心伺候，「老太太自有丫鬟服侍，你无事不准入内。」范宗华答应退出。他却很知规矩，以为破窑内的婆婆如今作了钦差的母亲，自然非前可比。他哪里知道，那婆婆便是天下的国母呢！至次日，将轿抬至云堂小院的门首，丫鬟服侍娘娘上轿。包公手扶轿杆，一同出庙。只见外面预备停当，拨了四名差役跟随老太太，范宗华随在轿后，也有匹马。县官又派了官兵四名护送。包公步行有一箭多地，便说道：「母亲先进公馆，孩儿随后即行。」娘娘说道：「吾儿在路行程，不必多礼。你也坐轿走罢。」包公连连称「是」，方才退下。众人见包公走后，一个个方才乘马，也就起了身了。
After Bao Xing had gone, Fan Zonghua came in, kowtowed to Lord Bao and reported that the sedan chair and the horses were ready, and that the magistrate had arranged guesthouses all along the road. Lord Bao saw that he had changed into new clothes from head to foot. Truly, it’s the clothes that make the man: he was not at all the fellow he had been. Lord Bao told him to serve carefully all the way. “The Old Madam has her maids to wait on her. Unless you have some reason to, you are not to go inside.” Fan Zonghua said yes and withdrew. He knew very well how to behave: the old woman from the kiln was now the imperial commissioner’s mother, he thought, and naturally things could not be as they were before. Little did he know that the old woman was the mother of the whole realm! The next day the sedan chair was carried to the gate of the Cloud Hall court, and the maids helped Her Majesty into it. Lord Bao walked beside it with his hand on the carrying pole, and so they left the temple together. Outside, everything was ready. Four runners had been assigned to attend the Old Madam; Fan Zonghua was to follow behind the chair, and he had a horse too; and the magistrate had sent four soldiers as an escort besides. When Lord Bao had walked more than a bowshot, he said, “Go on ahead to the guesthouse, Mother. Your son will follow directly.” “My son,” said Her Majesty, “on the road there is no need for so much ceremony. You ride in your sedan chair too.” Lord Bao said yes, yes, and only then did he fall back. Not until they saw him go did the others mount their horses one by one, and so they all set off.
這樣一宗大事別人可瞞過，惟有公孫先生心下好生疑惑，卻又猜不出是什麼底細。況且大人與包興機密至甚，先差包興入京送信去了。想來此事重大，不可泄漏的，因此更不敢問，也不向王、馬、張、趙提起，惟有心中納悶而已。
这样一宗大事别人可瞒过，惟有公孙先生心下好生疑惑，却又猜不出是什么底细。况且大人与包兴机密至甚，先差包兴入京送信去了。想来此事重大，不可泄漏的，因此更不敢问，也不向王、马、张、赵提起，惟有心中纳闷而已。
A matter as great as this could be kept from everyone else; only Mr. Gongsun was deeply puzzled, though he could not guess what lay behind it. Besides, His Excellency and Bao Xing had been extremely secretive, and Bao Xing had been sent ahead to the capital with a letter. It must be something grave, he thought, something that must not get out, and so he dared ask all the less. He did not mention it to Wang, Ma, Zhang and Zhao either, but could only puzzle over it in silence.
單說包興揣了密書，連夜趕到開封。所有在府看守之人，俱各相見。眾人跪請了老爺的鈞安。馬夫將馬牽去喂養刷溜，不必細表。包興來到內衙，敲響雲牌。裡面婦女出來問明，見是包興，連忙告訴丫鬟，稟明李氏誥命。誥命正因前次接了報摺，知道老爺已將龐昱鍘死，惟恐太師懷恨，欲生奸計，每日提心吊膽；今日忽見包興獨自回來，不勝驚駭，急忙傳進。見面，夫人先問了老爺安好。包興急忙請安，答道：「老爺甚是平安。先打發小人送來密書一封。」說罷，雙手一呈。丫鬟接過，呈與夫人。夫人接來，先看皮面上寫著「平安」二字。即將外皮拆去，裡面卻是小小封套，正中簽上寫著「夫人密啟」。夫人忙用金簪挑開封套，抽出書來一看，上言在陳州認了太后李娘娘，假作母子，即將佛堂東間打掃潔淨，預備娘娘住宿。夫人以婆媳禮相見，遮掩眾人耳目，千萬不可走漏風聲。後寫著：「看後付丙。」誥命看完，便問包興：「你還回去麼？」包興回道：「老爺吩咐小人，面遞了書信，仍然迎著回去。」夫人道：「正當如此。你回去迎著老爺，就說我按著書信內所云，俱已備辦了。請老爺放心。這也不便寫回信。」叫丫鬟拿二十兩銀子賞他。包興連忙謝賞，道：「夫人沒有什麼吩咐，小人喂喂牲口也就趕回去了。」說罷，又請了一個稟辭的安。夫人點頭，說：「去罷，好好的伺候老爺。你不用我囑咐。告訴李才，不准懶惰。眼看差竣就回來了。」包興連連應「是」，方才退出。自有相好眾人約他吃飯。包興一壁道謝，一壁擦面。然後大家坐下吃飯，未免提了些官事：路上怎麼防刺客，怎麼鍘龐昱。說至此，包興便問：「朝內老龐沒有什麼動靜呀？」伙伴答道：「可不是。他原參奏來著。上諭甚怒，將他兒子招供摔下來了。他瞧見，沒有什麼說的了，倒請了一回罪。皇上算是恩寬，也沒有降不是。大約咱們老爺這個毒兒種得不小，將來總要提防便了。」包興聽罷，點了點頭兒。又將陳州認母一節略說大概，以安眾心。惟恐娘娘轎來，大家盤詰之時不便。說罷，急忙吃畢。馬夫拉過馬來，包興上去，拱拱手兒，加上一鞭，他便迎了包公去了。
单说包兴揣了密书，连夜赶到开封。所有在府看守之人，俱各相见。众人跪请了老爷的钧安。马夫将马牵去喂养刷溜，不必细表。包兴来到内衙，敲响云牌。里面妇女出来问明，见是包兴，连忙告诉丫鬟，禀明李氏诰命。诰命正因前次接了报折，知道老爷已将庞昱铡死，惟恐太师怀恨，欲生奸计，每日提心吊胆；今日忽见包兴独自回来，不胜惊骇，急忙传进。见面，夫人先问了老爷安好。包兴急忙请安，答道：「老爷甚是平安。先打发小人送来密书一封。」说罢，双手一呈。丫鬟接过，呈与夫人。夫人接来，先看皮面上写着「平安」二字。即将外皮拆去，里面却是小小封套，正中签上写着「夫人密启」。夫人忙用金簪挑开封套，抽出书来一看，上言在陈州认了太后李娘娘，假作母子，即将佛堂东间打扫洁净，预备娘娘住宿。夫人以婆媳礼相见，遮掩众人耳目，千万不可走漏风声。后写着：「看后付丙。」诰命看完，便问包兴：「你还回去么？」包兴回道：「老爷吩咐小人，面递了书信，仍然迎着回去。」夫人道：「正当如此。你回去迎着老爷，就说我按著书信内所云，俱已备办了。请老爷放心。这也不便写回信。」叫丫鬟拿二十两银子赏他。包兴连忙谢赏，道：「夫人没有什么吩咐，小人喂喂牲口也就赶回去了。」说罢，又请了一个禀辞的安。夫人点头，说：「去罢，好好的伺候老爷。你不用我嘱咐。告诉李才，不准懒惰。眼看差竣就回来了。」包兴连连应「是」，方才退出。自有相好众人约他吃饭。包兴一壁道谢，一壁擦面。然后大家坐下吃饭，未免提了些官事：路上怎么防刺客，怎么铡庞昱。说至此，包兴便问：「朝内老庞没有什么动静呀？」伙伴答道：「可不是。他原参奏来着。上谕甚怒，将他儿子招供摔下来了。他瞧见，没有什么说的了，倒请了一回罪。皇上算是恩宽，也没有降不是。大约咱们老爷这个毒儿种得不小，将来总要提防便了。」包兴听罢，点了点头儿。又将陈州认母一节略说大概，以安众心。惟恐娘娘轿来，大家盘诘之时不便。说罢，急忙吃毕。马夫拉过马来，包兴上去，拱拱手儿，加上一鞭，他便迎了包公去了。
Our story turns to Bao Xing. With the secret letter tucked inside his clothes, he rode through the night to Kaifeng. All those who had been left behind to look after the yamen came to see him, and they knelt and asked after their master’s health. A groom led his horse away to be fed, rubbed down and walked — but there is no need to tell all that. Bao Xing went to the inner quarters of the yamen and struck the cloud-shaped gong. A woman came out to ask who was there, and when she saw it was Bao Xing, she quickly told a maid, and word was taken to Lord Bao’s wife, Lady Li. Lady Li had received the earlier dispatch and knew that Lord Bao had put Pang Yu to death under the guillotine. Afraid that the Grand Preceptor would bear a grudge and hatch some wicked scheme, she had been on tenterhooks day after day; now, seeing Bao Xing come back alone without warning, she was terribly alarmed and had him sent in at once. When he came before her, the first thing she asked was whether Lord Bao was well. Bao Xing made his bow at once and answered, “The master is quite safe and well, my lady. He sent me on ahead with a secret letter.” With that he held it out in both hands. A maid took it and passed it to Lady Li. She took it and looked first at the cover, on which were written the words “All well.” She tore off the outer cover. Inside was a small envelope, and on the label down the middle was written: “For my lady, to be opened in private.” Lady Li quickly slit the envelope open with a gold hairpin, drew out the letter and read it. It said that in Chenzhou he had found the Empress Dowager, Consort Li, and that they were passing as mother and son. She was to have the east room of the Buddhist chapel swept clean at once and made ready for Her Majesty to stay in, and to receive her with the courtesies a daughter-in-law shows her husband’s mother, so as to hide the truth from prying eyes and ears; on no account must a word of it get out. At the end was written: “When you have read this, give it to the fire.” When she had finished reading, Lady Li asked Bao Xing, “Are you going back?” “The master told me to hand you the letter myself and then ride back to meet him,” Bao Xing answered. “Quite right,” said Lady Li. “Go back and meet your master, and tell him that everything has been done just as his letter says. He is not to worry. It wouldn’t be wise to write a reply.” She told a maid to bring twenty taels of silver as a reward for him. Bao Xing thanked her for it at once. “If you’ve no other orders, my lady, I’ll just feed my horse and be on my way back.” With that he made her another bow, this time to take his leave. Lady Li nodded. “Off you go, and take good care of your master — not that you need me to tell you that. And tell Li Cai there’s to be no idling. The commission will soon be done, and you’ll all be home.” Bao Xing said yes, yes, and only then withdrew. Naturally his friends in the household asked him to eat with them, and Bao Xing thanked them while he washed his face. Then they all sat down to eat, and of course there was some talk of official business — how they had guarded against assassins on the road, and how Pang Yu had gone under the guillotine. At this point Bao Xing asked, “And Old Pang at court — hasn’t he made any move?” “Hasn’t he just!” one of his fellows answered. “He did put in a memorial against the master. His Majesty was furious and threw his son’s confession down in front of him. Once he’d seen that, there was nothing he could say, and he ended up begging pardon instead. His Majesty was merciful, you might say — he didn’t punish him for it either. But if you ask me, our master has made himself a deadly enemy there. We’ll have to keep on our guard from now on.” Bao Xing heard him out and nodded. Then he gave them a brief account of how the master had found his mother in Chenzhou, to set their minds at rest, for fear that when Her Majesty’s sedan chair arrived, everyone would start asking questions and it would be awkward. That said, he hurried through his meal. The groom brought his horse round, Bao Xing mounted, cupped his hands to them all, gave the horse a crack of the whip and was off to meet Lord Bao.
這裡誥命照書信預備停當，每日至至誠誠，敬候鳳駕。一日，只見前撥差役來了二名，進內衙敲響雲牌，回道：「太夫人已然進城，離府不遠了。」誥命忙換了吉服，帶領僕婦丫鬟在三堂後恭候。不多時，大轎抬至三堂落平，役人轎夫退出，掩了儀門，誥命方至轎前。早有丫鬟掀起轎簾，夫人親手去下扶手，雙膝跪倒，口稱：「不孝媳婦包拯之妻李氏接見娘親，望婆婆恕罪。」太后伸手。李氏誥命忙將雙手遞過，彼此一拉。娘娘說道：「媳婦吾兒起來。」誥命將娘娘輕輕扶出轎外，攙至佛堂淨室。娘娘入座。誥命遞茶，回頭吩咐丫鬟等，將跟老太太的丫鬟讓至別室歇息。誥命見屋內無人，復又跪下，方稱：「臣妾李氏，願娘娘千歲，千千歲。」太后伸手相攙，說道：「吾兒千萬不可如此，以後總以婆媳相稱就是了。惟恐拘了國禮，倘有泄漏，反為不美。俟包卿回來再作道理。況且哀家姓李，媳婦你也姓李，咱娘兒就是母女。你不是我媳婦，是我女兒了。」誥命連忙謝恩。娘娘又將當初遇害情由，悄悄訴說一番，不覺昏花二目又落下淚來，自言：「二目皆是思君想子哭壞了，到如今諸物莫睹，可怎麼好？」說罷，又哭起來。誥命在旁流淚，猛想起一物善能治目，「我何不虔誠禱告，倘能祈得天露將娘娘鳳目治好，一來是盡我一點忠心，二來也不辜負了此寶。」欲要奏明，惟恐無效：若是不奏，又恐娘娘臨期不肯洗目。想了多時，只得勉強奏道：「臣妾有一古今盆，上有陰陽二孔，取接天露，便能醫目重明。待今晚臣妾叩求天露便了。」娘娘聞聽，暗暗說道：「好一個賢德的夫人！她見我痛傷人心，就如此的寬慰於我，莫要負她的好意。」便道：「我兒，既如此，你就叩天求露，倘有至誠格天，二目復明，豈不大妙呢！」誥命領了懿旨，又敘了一回閒話。伺候晚膳已畢，諸事分派妥當，方才退出。
这里诰命照书信预备停当，每日至至诚诚，敬候凤驾。一日，只见前拨差役来了二名，进内衙敲响云牌，回道：「太夫人已然进城，离府不远了。」诰命忙换了吉服，带领仆妇丫鬟在三堂后恭候。不多时，大轿抬至三堂落平，役人轿夫退出，掩了仪门，诰命方至轿前。早有丫鬟掀起轿帘，夫人亲手去下扶手，双膝跪倒，口称：「不孝媳妇包拯之妻李氏接见娘亲，望婆婆恕罪。」太后伸手。李氏诰命忙将双手递过，彼此一拉。娘娘说道：「媳妇吾儿起来。」诰命将娘娘轻轻扶出轿外，搀至佛堂净室。娘娘入座。诰命递茶，回头吩咐丫鬟等，将跟老太太的丫鬟让至别室歇息。诰命见屋内无人，复又跪下，方称：「臣妾李氏，愿娘娘千岁，千千岁。」太后伸手相搀，说道：「吾儿千万不可如此，以后总以婆媳相称就是了。惟恐拘了国礼，倘有泄漏，反为不美。俟包卿回来再作道理。况且哀家姓李，媳妇你也姓李，咱娘儿就是母女。你不是我媳妇，是我女儿了。」诰命连忙谢恩。娘娘又将当初遇害情由，悄悄诉说一番，不觉昏花二目又落下泪来，自言：「二目皆是思君想子哭坏了，到如今诸物莫睹，可怎么好？」说罢，又哭起来。诰命在旁流泪，猛想起一物善能治目，「我何不虔诚祷告，倘能祈得天露将娘娘凤目治好，一来是尽我一点忠心，二来也不辜负了此宝。」欲要奏明，惟恐无效：若是不奏，又恐娘娘临期不肯洗目。想了多时，只得勉强奏道：「臣妾有一古今盆，上有阴阳二孔，取接天露，便能医目重明。待今晚臣妾叩求天露便了。」娘娘闻听，暗暗说道：「好一个贤德的夫人！她见我痛伤人心，就如此的宽慰于我，莫要负她的好意。」便道：「我儿，既如此，你就叩天求露，倘有至诚格天，二目复明，岂不大妙呢！」诰命领了懿旨，又叙了一回闲话。伺候晚膳已毕，诸事分派妥当，方才退出。
Meanwhile Lady Li had everything made ready as the letter said, and day after day, with the deepest devotion, she waited reverently for the phoenix carriage. One day two of the runners who had been sent with the party arrived ahead of it. They came to the inner quarters, struck the cloud-shaped gong and reported, “The Old Madam has entered the city. She’s not far from the yamen now.” Lady Li quickly changed into her ceremonial robes and, with her serving women and maids, waited respectfully behind the third hall. Before long the great sedan chair was carried in as far as the third hall and set down. When the runners and bearers had withdrawn and the ceremonial gate had been closed, Lady Li at last went up to the chair. A maid had already lifted the curtain. Lady Li took down the front bar with her own hands, dropped to her knees and said, “Your unfilial daughter-in-law, Li, wife of Bao Zheng, welcomes her mother. I beg you to forgive me, Mother.” The Empress Dowager held out her hands. Lady Li hurried to give her both of her own, and they clasped hands. “Rise, daughter-in-law, my child,” said Her Majesty. Lady Li gently helped her out of the chair and gave her an arm to the quiet room in the chapel. When Her Majesty had taken her seat, Lady Li served her tea, then turned and told her own maids to take the maids who had come with the Old Madam to another room to rest. When she saw that no one else was in the room, Lady Li knelt again, and only now did she say, “Your handmaid Li wishes Your Majesty a thousand years — a thousand thousand years!” The Empress Dowager reached out to raise her. “My child, you must never do that. From now on we shall simply be mother-in-law and daughter-in-law to each other. If we keep to the etiquette of the court and anything leaks out, it will only do harm. When Minister Bao returns, we shall decide what is to be done. Besides, We were born a Li, and you, my daughter-in-law, were born a Li too, so the two of us are mother and daughter. You are not my daughter-in-law — you are my daughter.” Lady Li thanked her at once for this favour. Then, in a low voice, Her Majesty told her the whole story of how she had been wronged long ago, and before she knew it the tears were falling again from her dim, clouded eyes. “I wept my eyes blind,” she said, “longing for my lord and pining for my son, and now I can’t see a thing. What am I to do?” And with that she began to weep again. Lady Li wept beside her. Suddenly she remembered a thing that had a wonderful power to heal the eyes. “Why should I not pray with all my heart?” she thought. “If I can obtain the dew of heaven and heal Her Majesty’s eyes, I shall be showing a little of my loyalty, for one thing, and for another, that treasure will not have been wasted.” She wanted to tell Her Majesty, but feared it might not work; and yet if she said nothing, Her Majesty might refuse to bathe her eyes when the time came. After thinking it over for a long while, she could only venture to say, “Your handmaid has a Basin of Past and Present, with two holes in it, one yin and one yang. If it is used to catch the dew of heaven, the dew can heal the eyes and make them see again. Tonight your handmaid will kneel and pray for the dew of heaven.” When Her Majesty heard this, she said to herself, “What a good, virtuous lady! She sees how heartbroken I am, and so she comforts me like this. I mustn’t spurn her kindness.” So she said, “My child, if that is so, then kneel to heaven and pray for the dew. If your sincerity moves heaven and my eyes can see again, what could be more wonderful?” Lady Li accepted Her Majesty’s command, and they chatted a while longer. When she had waited on her at supper and seen everything properly arranged, she withdrew.
看看掌燈以後，誥命洗淨了手，方將古今盆拿出，吩咐丫鬟秉燭來至園中，至誠焚香，禱告天地；然後捧定金盆，叩求天露。真是忠心感動天地。一來是誥命至誠，二來是該國母的難滿：起初盆內潮潤，繼而攢聚露珠，猶如哈氣一般；後來漸漸大了，只見滴溜溜滿盆亂轉，彷彿滾盤珠相似，左旋右轉，皆流入陰陽孔內，便不動了。誥命滿心歡喜，手捧金盆，擎至淨室，只累得兩膀酸麻，汗下如雨。恰好娘娘尚未安寢，誥命捧上金盆。娘娘伸玉腕蘸露洗目，只覺冷颼颼通澈心腑，香馥馥透入泥丸，登時兩額角微微出了點香汗，二目中稍覺轉動。閉目息神，不多時，忽然心花開朗，胸膈暢然。眼乃心之苗，不由的將二目一睜，哪知道雲翳早退，瞳子重生，已然黑白分明，依舊的盈盈秋水了。娘娘這一歡喜，真是非常之樂。誥命更覺歡喜。娘娘把手一拉誥命，方才細細看了一番。只見兩旁有多少丫鬟，只得說道：「虧我兒至誠感格，將老身二目醫好，都是出於媳婦孝心。」說著，說著，不由的一陣傷慘。誥命一見，連忙勸慰，道：「母親此病原因傷心過度，如今初癒，只有歡喜的，不要悲傷。」娘娘點頭，道：「此言甚是。我如今俱各看見了，再也不傷心了。我的兒，你也歇息去罷，有話，咱們母女明日再說罷。可是你說的，我二目甫愈，也該閉目養養神。」夫人見如此說，方才退出。叫丫鬟攜了金盆，並囑咐眾人好生服侍，又派兩個得用的丫鬟前來幫著。吩咐已畢，慢慢回轉臥室去了。
看看掌灯以后，诰命洗净了手，方将古今盆拿出，吩咐丫鬟秉烛来至园中，至诚焚香，祷告天地；然后捧定金盆，叩求天露。真是忠心感动天地。一来是诰命至诚，二来是该国母的难满：起初盆内潮润，继而攒聚露珠，犹如哈气一般；后来渐渐大了，只见滴溜溜满盆乱转，仿佛滚盘珠相似，左旋右转，皆流入阴阳孔内，便不动了。诰命满心欢喜，手捧金盆，擎至净室，只累得两膀酸麻，汗下如雨。恰好娘娘尚未安寝，诰命捧上金盆。娘娘伸玉腕蘸露洗目，只觉冷飕飕通澈心腑，香馥馥透入泥丸，登时两额角微微出了点香汗，二目中稍觉转动。闭目息神，不多时，忽然心花开朗，胸膈畅然。眼乃心之苗，不由的将二目一睁，哪知道云翳早退，瞳子重生，已然黑白分明，依旧的盈盈秋水了。娘娘这一欢喜，真是非常之乐。诰命更觉欢喜。娘娘把手一拉诰命，方才细细看了一番。只见两旁有多少丫鬟，只得说道：「亏我儿至诚感格，将老身二目医好，都是出于媳妇孝心。」说着，说着，不由的一阵伤惨。诰命一见，连忙劝慰，道：「母亲此病原因伤心过度，如今初愈，只有欢喜的，不要悲伤。」娘娘点头，道：「此言甚是。我如今俱各看见了，再也不伤心了。我的儿，你也歇息去罢，有话，咱们母女明日再说罢。可是你说的，我二目甫愈，也该闭目养养神。」夫人见如此说，方才退出。叫丫鬟携了金盆，并嘱咐众人好生服侍，又派两个得用的丫鬟前来帮着。吩咐已毕，慢慢回转卧室去了。
When the lamps had been lit, Lady Li washed her hands clean and only then brought out the Basin of Past and Present. With a maid carrying a candle, she went out into the garden, burned incense in all sincerity and prayed to heaven and earth. Then, holding the golden basin steady in both hands, she knelt and begged for the dew of heaven. Truly, loyalty can move heaven and earth. For one thing, Lady Li was utterly sincere; for another, the time of trial fated for the mother of the realm had run its course. At first the inside of the basin grew moist; then beads of dew gathered on it, like breath misting a mirror. Little by little they grew bigger, until they were spinning and rolling all over the basin like pearls rolling round a plate, whirling to the left and to the right, and all of them ran into the yin and yang holes and were still. Overjoyed, Lady Li carried the golden basin in both hands to the quiet room, her arms aching and tingling with the strain and the sweat pouring off her like rain. As it happened, Her Majesty had not yet gone to bed. Lady Li held up the golden basin to her, and Her Majesty stretched out a jade-white wrist, dipped her fingers in the dew and bathed her eyes. She felt a coolness go right through to her heart, and a sweet fragrance seep up into the crown of her head. In an instant a faint, fragrant sweat broke out at her temples, and she felt a slight stirring in her eyes. She closed them and rested her spirit, and before long her heart suddenly opened like a flower and her breast felt light and free. Now, the eyes are the sprouts of the heart: without meaning to, she opened them wide — and who could have known? The cloudy film had long since cleared, the pupils were born anew, the black and the white stood out sharp and clear, and her eyes were brimming pools of autumn water as before. Her Majesty’s delight was a joy beyond all ordinary joy, and Lady Li was happier still. Her Majesty took Lady Li by the hand, and only now did she look her over closely. But seeing how many maids stood on either side, she could only say, “It is thanks to your sincerity, my child, which moved heaven, that this old woman’s eyes are healed. It all comes of my daughter-in-law’s filial heart.” As she went on speaking, a wave of sorrow came over her in spite of herself. Seeing this, Lady Li hurried to comfort her. “Mother, this illness came from too much grief. Now that you are only just cured, you must be glad and nothing else — no more sorrow.” Her Majesty nodded. “Very true. Now that I can see everything, I shall never grieve again. Go and rest too, my child. Whatever else there is to say, we’ll say it tomorrow, mother and daughter. And as you said, my eyes have only just been healed, so I ought to close them and rest a little.” Hearing this, Lady Li withdrew at last. She had a maid carry the golden basin, told everyone to wait on Her Majesty well, and sent two of her most capable maids to help them. When she had given all her orders, she went slowly back to her own room.
次日，忽見包興前來、稟道：「老爺已然在大相國寺住了，明日面了聖，方能回署。」夫人說：「知道了。」包興退出。
次日，忽见包兴前来、禀道：「老爷已然在大相国寺住了，明日面了圣，方能回署。」夫人说：「知道了。」包兴退出。
The next day Bao Xing appeared without warning and reported, “The master is lodging at the Great Xiangguo Temple, my lady. Tomorrow he will have his audience with His Majesty, and only then can he come home to the yamen.” “Very well,” said Lady Li, and Bao Xing withdrew.
未知如何，且聽下回分解。
未知如何，且听下回分解。
To learn what happened next, read the next chapter.