且說陶氏送他二人去後，瞅著殷顯笑道：「你瞧這好不好？」殷顯笑嘻嘻的道：「好的。你真是個行家，我也不願意去，樂得的在家陪著你呢。」陶氏道：「你既願陪著我，你能夠常常兒陪著我麼？」殷顯道：「那有何難，我正要與你商量。如今這宗買賣要成了，至少也有一百兩。我想有這一百兩銀子，還不夠你我快活的嗎？咱們設個法兒，遠走高飛如何？」陶氏道：「你不用合我含著骨頭露著肉的。你既有心，我也有意。咱們索性把他害了，你我做個長久夫妻，豈不死心塌地麼？」兩個狗男女正在說的得意之時，只見簾子一掀，進來一人，伸手將殷顯一提，摔倒在地，即用褲腰帶捆了個結實。殷顯還百般哀告：「求爺爺饒命。」此時陶氏已然嚇的哆嗦在一處。那人也將婦人綁了，卻用那衣襟塞了口，方問殷顯道：「這陳起望卻在何處？」殷顯道：「陳起望離此有三四十里。」那人道：「從何處而去？」殷顯道：「出了此門，往東，過了小溪橋，到了神樹崗，往南，就可以到了陳起望。爺爺若不認得去，待小人領路。」那人道：「既有方向，何用你領。俺再問你，此處卻叫什麼地名？」殷顯道：「此處名喚娃娃谷。」那人笑道：「怨得你等要賣娃娃，原來地名就叫娃娃谷。」說罷，回手扯了一塊衣襟，也將殷顯口塞了，一手執燈，一手提了殷顯，到了外間一看，見那邊放著一盤石磨，將燈放下，把殷顯安放在地，端起磨來，那管死活，就壓在殷顯身上。回手進屋，將婦人提出，也就照樣的壓好。那人執燈看了一看，見那邊桌上放著個酒瓶，提起來復進屋內。拿大碗斟上酒，也不坐下，端起來一飲而盡；見桌上放著菜蔬，揀可口的就大吃起來了。
且说陶氏送他二人去后，瞅着殷显笑道：「你瞧这好不好？」殷显笑嘻嘻的道：「好的。你真是个行家，我也不愿意去，乐得的在家陪着你呢。」陶氏道：「你既愿陪着我，你能够常常儿陪着我么？」殷显道：「那有何难，我正要与你商量。如今这宗买卖要成了，至少也有一百两。我想有这一百两银子，还不够你我快活的吗？咱们设个法儿，远走高飞如何？」陶氏道：「你不用合我含着骨头露着肉的。你既有心，我也有意。咱们索性把他害了，你我做个长久夫妻，岂不死心塌地么？」两个狗男女正在说的得意之时，只见帘子一掀，进来一人，伸手将殷显一提，摔倒在地，即用裤腰带捆了个结实。殷显还百般哀告：「求爷爷饶命。」此时陶氏已然吓的哆嗦在一处。那人也将妇人绑了，却用那衣襟塞了口，方问殷显道：「这陈起望却在何处？」殷显道：「陈起望离此有三四十里。」那人道：「从何处而去？」殷显道：「出了此门，往东，过了小溪桥，到了神树岗，往南，就可以到了陈起望。爷爷若不认得去，待小人领路。」那人道：「既有方向，何用你领。俺再问你，此处却叫什么地名？」殷显道：「此处名唤娃娃谷。」那人笑道：「怨得你等要卖娃娃，原来地名就叫娃娃谷。」说罢，回手扯了一块衣襟，也将殷显口塞了，一手执灯，一手提了殷显，到了外间一看，见那边放着一盘石磨，将灯放下，把殷显安放在地，端起磨来，那管死活，就压在殷显身上。回手进屋，将妇人提出，也就照样的压好。那人执灯看了一看，见那边桌上放着个酒瓶，提起来复进屋内。拿大碗斟上酒，也不坐下，端起来一饮而尽；见桌上放着菜蔬，拣可口的就大吃起来了。
Now, when Madam Tao had seen the two of them off, she looked at Yin Xian and laughed. “Well, how was that?” Yin Xian grinned from ear to ear. “Very nice. You really know your business. I didn’t want to go anyway. I’d much sooner stay at home and keep you company.” “If you’re so keen to keep me company,” said Madam Tao, “can you keep me company for always?” “What’s hard about that?” said Yin Xian. “That’s just what I wanted to talk over with you. Once this deal comes off, it’ll fetch a hundred taels at least. Isn’t a hundred taels of silver enough for you and me to have a good time on? Let’s think up some way for us to fly far away together. What do you say?” “You needn’t hide the bone and show me just the meat — say it straight,” said Madam Tao. “If you’re willing, so am I. Let’s just do away with him outright, and then you and I can be man and wife for good. Won’t that set our hearts at rest once and for all?” Just as the two curs, man and woman, were enjoying their talk the most, the curtain was flung aside and a man came in. He reached out, hoisted Yin Xian up and threw him to the floor, then tied him up good and tight with his own trouser sash. Yin Xian begged and pleaded all the while: “Mercy, sir! Spare my life!” By now Madam Tao was so frightened she had huddled into a heap, shaking. The man tied the woman up too, and stuffed her mouth with a corner of her own jacket. Only then did he ask Yin Xian, “This Chenqiwang: where is it?” “Chenqiwang is thirty or forty li from here,” said Yin Xian. “Which way do I go?” “Out of this door, head east and cross Xiaoxi Bridge. When you come to Shenshu Ridge, turn south, and that will bring you to Chenqiwang. If you don’t know the way, sir, I’ll guide you.” “If there’s a direction to follow, what do I need you to guide me for? Let me ask you something else: what is this place called?” “It’s called Wawa Valley,” said Yin Xian. The man laughed. “No wonder you lot are out to sell a wawa, a baby: the very place is called Wawa Valley.” With that he turned, tore off a strip of cloth and stuffed Yin Xian’s mouth too. Holding the lamp in one hand and carrying Yin Xian in the other, he went out to the outer room to look around, and saw a stone hand mill standing over there. He set down the lamp, laid Yin Xian on the floor, lifted the millstone and, caring nothing whether the man lived or died, pressed it down on top of him. Then he went back into the room, carried the woman out and pinned her down in just the same way. Lamp in hand, the man had a look round and saw a jar of wine on a table over there. He picked it up and went back inside. He poured wine into a big bowl and, without even sitting down, raised it and drained it at a gulp; then, seeing dishes of food on the table, he picked out whatever tasted good and fell to eating heartily.
你道此人是誰？真真令人想擬不到。原來正是小俠艾虎。自從送了施俊回家，探望父親，幸喜施老爺施安人俱各安康。施老爺問：「金伯父那裡可許聯姻了？」施俊道：「姻雖聯了，只是好些原委。」便將始末情由述了一番。又將如何與艾虎結義的話俱各說了。施老爺立刻將艾虎請進來相見。雖則施老爺失明，看不見艾虎，施安人卻見艾虎年幼，英風滿面，甚是歡喜。施老爺又告訴施俊道：「你若不來，我還叫你回家，只因本縣已有考期，我已然給你報過名。你如今來的正好，不日也就要考試了。」施生聽了，正合心意。便同艾虎在書房居住。遲不多日，到了考試之日，施生高高中了案首，好生歡喜，連艾虎也覺高興。本要赴襄陽去，無奈施生總要過了考期，或中或不中，那時再為定奪起身。艾虎沒法兒，只得依從。每日無事，如何閒得住呢。施生只好派錦箋跟隨艾虎出外遊玩。這小爺不吃酒時還好，喝起酒來，總是盡醉方休。錦箋不知跟著受了多少的怕。好容易盼望府考，艾虎不肯獨自在家，因此隨了主僕到府考試。及至揭曉，施俊卻中了第三名的生員，滿心歡喜。拜了老師，會了同年，然後急急回來，祭了祖先，拜過父母，又是親友賀喜，應接不暇。諸事已畢，方商議起身趕赴襄陽。待畢姻之後，再行赴京應試，因此耽誤日期。及至到了襄陽，金公已知施生得中，歡喜無限，便張羅施生與牡丹完婚。
你道此人是谁？真真令人想拟不到。原来正是小侠艾虎。自从送了施俊回家，探望父亲，幸喜施老爷施安人俱各安康。施老爷问：「金伯父那里可许联姻了？」施俊道：「姻虽联了，只是好些原委。」便将始末情由述了一番。又将如何与艾虎结义的话俱各说了。施老爷立刻将艾虎请进来相见。虽则施老爷失明，看不见艾虎，施安人却见艾虎年幼，英风满面，甚是欢喜。施老爷又告诉施俊道：「你若不来，我还叫你回家，只因本县已有考期，我已然给你报过名。你如今来的正好，不日也就要考试了。」施生听了，正合心意。便同艾虎在书房居住。迟不多日，到了考试之日，施生高高中了案首，好生欢喜，连艾虎也觉高兴。本要赴襄阳去，无奈施生总要过了考期，或中或不中，那时再为定夺起身。艾虎没法儿，只得依从。每日无事，如何闲得住呢。施生只好派锦笺跟随艾虎出外游玩。这小爷不吃酒时还好，喝起酒来，总是尽醉方休。锦笺不知跟着受了多少的怕。好容易盼望府考，艾虎不肯独自在家，因此随了主仆到府考试。及至揭晓，施俊却中了第三名的生员，满心欢喜。拜了老师，会了同年，然后急急回来，祭了祖先，拜过父母，又是亲友贺喜，应接不暇。诸事已毕，方商议起身赶赴襄阳。待毕姻之后，再行赴京应试，因此耽误日期。及至到了襄阳，金公已知施生得中，欢喜无限，便张罗施生与牡丹完婚。
Who, you may ask, reader, was this man? No one could have guessed it. It was none other than the Young Hero, Ai Hu. He had seen Shi Jun home to visit his father, and happily they had found Lord Shi and Madam Shi both well. Lord Shi asked, “Has your Uncle Jin agreed to the match?” “The marriage has been agreed,” said Shi Jun, “but there’s a long story behind it.” And he told the whole affair from beginning to end, and everything about how he had become sworn brothers with Ai Hu as well. Lord Shi at once had Ai Hu invited in to meet them. Lord Shi was blind and could not see Ai Hu, but Madam Shi saw how young he was and how his face shone with a hero’s spirit, and she was very pleased with him. Lord Shi also told Shi Jun, “If you hadn’t come, I’d have sent for you anyway. The county has set the date of its examination, and I’ve already entered your name. You’ve come at just the right time: the examination is only days away.” That suited Shi Jun exactly. So he and Ai Hu lodged together in the study. Not many days later the day of the examination came, and Shi Jun took first place on the list. He was overjoyed, and even Ai Hu was pleased. Ai Hu had meant to go on to Xiangyang, but Shi Jun insisted on getting the examinations behind him first, pass or fail, and deciding then when to set out. Ai Hu had no choice but to go along with it. With nothing to do day after day, how could he sit still? Shi Jun could only send Jinjian along with Ai Hu when he went out to amuse himself. This young gentleman was well enough when he wasn’t drinking, but once he started, he never stopped till he was drunk, and Jinjian suffered no end of frights trailing after him. At long last the prefectural examination came round. Ai Hu would not stay at home on his own, so he went with master and servant to the prefectural city for the examination. When the results were posted, Shi Jun had passed third and become a licentiate, and his heart was full of joy. He paid his respects to his examiner and met the men who had passed with him, then hurried home, sacrificed to his ancestors and bowed to his parents; and then the relatives and friends came with their congratulations, more than he could keep up with. Only when all this was done did they talk of setting off for Xiangyang. He would hold the wedding first and go to the capital for the examinations afterwards, and so the days slipped by. When at last they reached Xiangyang, Lord Jin, who already knew of Shi Jun’s success, was delighted beyond measure, and at once set about arranging Shi Jun’s marriage to Mudan.
艾虎這些事他全不管，已問明了師傅智化在按院衙門，他便別了施俊，急急奔到按院那裡。方知白玉堂已死。此時盧方已將玉堂骨殖安置妥協，設了靈位。待平定襄陽後，再將骨殖送回原籍。艾虎到靈前大哭一場，然後參見大人與公孫先生、盧大爺、徐三爺。問起義父合師傅來，始知俱已上了陳起望了。他是生成的血性，如何耐的，便別了盧方等，不管遠近，竟奔陳起望而來。只顧貪趕路程，把個道兒走差了，原是往西南，他卻走到正西，越走越遠，越走越無人煙，自己也覺乏了，便找了個大樹之下歇息。因一時困倦，枕了包裹，放倒頭便睡。
艾虎这些事他全不管，已问明了师傅智化在按院衙门，他便别了施俊，急急奔到按院那里。方知白玉堂已死。此时卢方已将玉堂骨殖安置妥协，设了灵位。待平定襄阳后，再将骨殖送回原籍。艾虎到灵前大哭一场，然后参见大人与公孙先生、卢大爷、徐三爷。问起义父合师傅来，始知俱已上了陈起望了。他是生成的血性，如何耐的，便别了卢方等，不管远近，竟奔陈起望而来。只顾贪赶路程，把个道儿走差了，原是往西南，他却走到正西，越走越远，越走越无人烟，自己也觉乏了，便找了个大树之下歇息。因一时困倦，枕了包裹，放倒头便睡。
Ai Hu took no interest in any of this. Having found out that his master Zhi Hua was at the Inspector’s yamen, he took leave of Shi Jun and hurried there. Only then did he learn that Bai Yutang was dead. By now Lu Fang had seen Yutang’s remains properly laid by and had set up a spirit tablet; once Xiangyang was put down, the remains would be taken back to his native place. Ai Hu wept bitterly before the tablet, and then paid his respects to His Excellency, Mr. Gongsun, Lu Fang and Xu Qing. When he asked after his adoptive father and his master, he learned that both had gone up to Chenqiwang. Hot-blooded as he was born, how could he bear to wait? He took leave of Lu Fang and the others and, caring nothing how far it was, set off straight for Chenqiwang. Intent only on covering ground, he took the wrong road: he should have gone south-west, but he went due west, so that the further he went, the further he strayed, and the further he went, the fewer people there were. At last he felt tired himself, and found a big tree to rest under. Overcome all at once by drowsiness, he pillowed his head on his bundle, lay down and fell asleep.