Originally written by Tang Xianzu, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
This story happened in the time of the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279). At that time, the prefect of Nan’an in Jiangxi was Du Bao. He had a daughter named Du Liniang, a girl who had grown into a famous beauty. The prefect was an enlightened man and insisted his daughter was intelligent enough to learn about literature and culture besides just needlework. Thus he decided to engage a tutor for his only daughter after talking it over with his wife.
Many young and talented scholars came to apply for the job. But, Prefect Du required that the tutor be experienced and prudent. Therefore, he engaged a scholar who was nearly 60 years old as his daughter’s tutor.
The scholar was Chen Zuiliang. His father was a pharmacist family and he had received an education in the traditional Confucian classics early in his life. He was awarded the rank of Xiucai after passing the county level imperial examinations when he was just 12 years old. But after that, luck did not shine upon him. In all he sat the provincial level imperial examinations no fewer than 15 times. The examinations were held every three years, so the unfortunate scholar had spent some 50 years in this unsuccessful enterprise. What was worse, he could hardly even afford to live. He eked out a paltry existence on the chemist shop left by his ancestors. Hearing that Prefect Du intended to employ a tutor, he went along to try his luck. To his amazement, the old scholar was given the job.
The first lesson was about to start. But Liniang was still reluctant to begin to study reading. She had read some books before and was fed up with such dull and dry texts. Therefore, she didn’t appear with her maid Chunxiang until the tutor called for her. Liniang first bowed to her tutor. Then the tutor opened The Book of Songs, and read, “On the river continent fish hawks bark; the man of honor desperately pursues the sylph”. He kept up this dull recitation, ranging from dry lessons regarding the virtue and open mindedness of imperial concubines to the dignified appearance and morality of a woman. Liniang was so bored she wanted to fall asleep. Chunxiang, a teenage girl, was also far too spirited to remain quiet during her mistress’s studies. She couldn’t stop making trouble and finally she simply slipped away, and didn’t come back until the tutor had finished his duller than dull class. She said to her mistress with some excitement,
“I found a garden. There are many beautiful flowers inside. It is great fun!”
As soon as the tutor left, Liniang couldn’t wait to ask Chunxiang where the garden was and what was in it. Chunxiang told her that there were hills, stones, springs, exotic flowers and rare herbs. Liniang’s thought flew to the wonderful garden after hearing her maid’s description.
In other people’s eyes, Liniang was a graceful lady from a wealthy and influential family. Despite her strict upbringing, she still felt depressed as the life she had to lead was very dull and flat for a teenage girl in the very springtime of life. She had had to admit despite how boring the overall lessons had been that something had stirred inside her when she read the words, “A man of honor passionately pursues the sylph”.
One day, Chunxiang found her mistress was feeling very blue. She decided to persuade her to come to the garden. Liniang couldn’t resist the lure and instantly agreed to come to the garden with Chunxiang.
As she opened the gate, Liniang was deeply impressed by the spring sights and fragrances. She was absolutely thrilled when she saw the beautiful scenery for the first time in her dull lifetime. She couldn’t understand why her parents had never shared such pretty sights with her before. However, the glittering scenery was hidden away behind a wall, which made Liniang think of her own secluded life. She too had to be fettered in the seclusion of her boudoir. Peonies, no matter how beautiful they were, would inevitably wither away, leaving only dead branches and leaves. Liniang thought that her own fate would be similar to the faded peony, and she couldn’t help sighing and feeling even more annoyed. Later, she returned home with Chunxiang.
Back in her room, Liniang felt tired and she fell asleep at her table.
Liniang dreamt of a young scholar approaching with a willow-twig in his hand. When he came up to her, he cried out suddenly, “My lass! My lass! I’ve been looking for you. And here you are!”
Liniang found this very weird. She said nothing, but sneaked a secret glance at him.
The scholar said, “I passed by the garden just now and snapped off a willow twig. As you are a lass of such brilliant intellect, will you not please sing a poem for the willow twig?”
Liniang had never met this scholar before, but the handsome lad had made a favorable impression on her. She wanted to talk with him. But she had to maintain a reserved manner in front of a stranger. The scholar saw through her though to her true desires. He took her hands and said, “My lass, let’s have a walk in the garden and enjoy the spring scenery!”
Liniang followed the scholar into the garden. As if in a trance, he took her to a veritable wonderland. He whispered to Liniang about his love for her. The lovers passionately embraced amid the blooming peonies beside the Peony Pavilion. Liniang, for the first time, experienced the sweet but terrible happiness of love.
After a while, the scholar said to Liniang, “My mistress, you are tired. Let me walk you back.” Later, just as they reached Liniang’s boudoir, he said “My mistress, I’m about to leave. Please rest well.”
Liniang was loath to part from him. She stood up to see him off but at this moment, her mother came in. Liniang was scared and broke into a cold sweat. She opened her eyes, but couldn’t see any scholar. It had been just a dream.
Liniang basked in the afterglow of the visionary dream. She felt even more empty and disconsolate when she woke up. Thereafter, she was tortured by the memory of the dream of the scholar with a willow-twig in his hand, and was unable to think of anything else. She was too depressed and absent-minded to even eat and sleep, and gradually her health began to suffer.
