Hou Fangyu, Chen Zhenhui, Fang Yizhi and Mao Pijiang were known as the “Four Most Celebrated Gentlemen of the late Ming Dynasty”. Hou was so well known partly for the fact that both his grandfather and father had joined the Donglin Party and had been dismissed from office because of their opposition to the eunuchs. Handsome and cultured, Hou was a gifted scholar who excelled at poetry and prose, standing out among many of the young scholars in the Restoration Society.
The following day after Yang had discussed his plan with Ruan, he paid Hou a v isit to inform him of this legendary courtesan Li Xiangjun, one of the “Eight Beauties” along the Qinhuai River. Yang suggested to Hou that he redeem and marry the girl. Despite having friends in the Restoration Society and being from a noble family, Hou was a stranger to Nanjing city and lived in loneliness and boredom. To dispel the loneliness, he often strolled around the red-light district along the Qinhuai River in the hope that he would meet a confidante. He knew that Yang had a busy social life, with friends all over the place, from the nobility down to the common people in the brothels and teahouses. Consequently, he was so excited by the idea of meeting this unrivalled beauty that he agreed to go along with Yang.
A few days later, Hou Fangyu and Yang Wencong went to the Meixiang House to visit Miss Li Xiangjun. Having passed through the waterside pavilions and bridges along the Qinhuai River, they arrived at Jiuyuan, a famous red light district. Famous courtesans from all over the country were gathering there at the time. Walking through several alleys, they reached a big gate with high doorsteps. Yang Wencong pointed at the gate and told Hou Fangyu, “This is where Miss Li Xiangjun lives.”
Yang Wencong was a regular here and was therefore quite familiar with the workings of the brothel. Miss Li Zhenli, also known as Zhenniang, was the proprietress of the Meixiang House. Besides, she was Miss Li Xiangjun’s foster mother. In truth, Li Zhenli was in her twenties and a breathtaking beauty herself. She was Yang Wencong’s lover and confidante. Yang and Hou knocked at the door and unexpectedly were told by a doorman that both Zhenniang and Li Xiangjun were not in.
“Where did they go?” Yang Wencong asked loudly.
The doorman recognized Yang Wencong as a regular and bowed hurriedly, “Lord Yang, both Zhenniang and Miss Li Xiangjun went to attend the Hamper Party.”
Yang Wencong slapped his forehead and said, “Oh! I forgot that today is the day of the Hamper Party. Well, let’s go and meet them there then.”
Yang Wencong and Hou Fangyu chatted while they walked. Hou asked his friend, “Why did they go to the pageant today?”
Yang Wencong answered, “Brother Hou, you are new here and may not know the customs amongst these courtesans. They belong to different groups and factions and become sworn sisters just like men become brothers. On festivals or holidays, the girls from these groups assemble to celebrate. Today is the Tomb Sweeping Day and they are attending a Hamper Party.”
“Tell me about this Hamper Party”
“At the party, each one brings a hamper full of seasonal fruits, savory snacks and novel seafood. The courtesans then compete with their artistic skills and enjoy the delicacies. Some play the lute, the ruan (an ancient Chinese music instrument) and bamboo flutes while others sing songs, among other things.”
“It sounds interesting. Could we participate?”
“No, no,” Yang Wencong shook his head and said. “We are not allowed to participate in the party because it is a gathering solely for the courtesans to entertain themselves. What they are afraid of the most is being disturbed by unreasonable guests. If we were to enter they would close the door to the building so that outsiders could only appreciate the party from downstairs. If a courtesan has captured your fancy, you could toss an item upstairs to her and the courtesan may throw some fresh fruits down to you in return. If you two like each other, you can make an appointment to drink together later.”
With this, they arrived at the house where the courtesans gathered and the hamper party was being held. From downstairs they could hear the melodious music coming from above; sometimes the Chinese lute and other times the reed pipe instrument. As Hou Fangyu listened to the music attentively, a melodic flute piece drifted in his direction and he could not help shouting, “This flute playing is truly soulful!”
Yang Wencong whispered to him, “This flute piece is played by Miss Li Xiangjun. Why don’t you toss something upstairs?”
Hou Fangyu nodded in agreement. He untied a jade pendant from a folding fan and tossed it upstairs. Shortly after wards, something was thrown back down. Yang Wencong caught it and handed it to Hou. It turned out to be some juicy red cherries wrapped in a white silk handkerchief. Yang told his friend, “This is Miss Li Xiangjun’s handkerchief.”
After a while, the door opened and there appeared two beauties coming downstairs like a pair of fairies descending from Heaven down to earth. Though they were of different ages and dressed in different styles, both exhibited breathtaking beauty and charm. Noticing that Hou’s eyes were glazed over as if he was in a bewildering trance, Yang hurriedly introduced Zhenniang and Li Xiangjun to his friend.
Hou Fangyu bowed and said graciously, “I am Hou Fangyu from Henan Province. I have long admired you and feel blessed and honored to be able to meet you here at last today.” With this, he raised his head and looked more closely at the two beauties. Miss Li Xiangjun, young, pretty and graceful, was truly deserved her impressive reputation. Miss Li Zhenli, though older, was also elegant and dignified.
