ABSTRACT
My surname is Chêng, my name is Hêng, and my style is Pai-ch’ang. My late father was appointed the President of the Board of Rites. When he was alive he betrothed me to Ying-ying, the daughter of my paternal aunt. Unexpectedly my aunt’s husband died and Ying-ying had to go into mourning for her father. As the period of mourning has not yet ended, our marriage has not been carried out. My aunt, along with Ying-ying, is conveying my uncle’s coffin back to Po-ling to be buried there. Having been stopped on her journey, she is staying temporarily in the Prefecture of Ho-chung. Several months ago she sent a letter to tell me to go to her. But as there was no one to look after my family I have delayed my coming. To my surprise, when I arrived here, I heard that Sun, the Flying Tiger, wanted to carry off Ying-ying, but that a scholar, Chang Chün-jui by name, succeeded in making the bandit-soldiers retire. My aunt then betrothed Ying-ying to him. If I were now to intrude I am afraid it would not look well. This affair now depends entirely upon the maid Hung Niang, so I sent some one to call upon her and simply to say that I have just come from the Capital and dare not too suddenly visit my aunt. I also told her to come up to my place as I have something which I want her to tell my aunt.
