Record of Places Outside the Tributaries

It is hard to leave the threshold, in so few days I will be able to face the painted eyebrows again. (Mo) I have been in Meizhou for more than two years, the official is upright and the people are kind, living in peace. (Wai Dan) There is a pair of children before my knees. (Mo) I will just burn incense and urge them to study. I am Wang Wenrui, and this is my wife, Madame Zhao. This maidservant is named Flying Red. My family’s ancestral home is Chengdu, and I am currently the Assistant Prefect of Meizhou. We have one son, named Shanfu, who is six years old, and a daughter named Jiaoniang, whose nickname is Yingqing. When she was born, my wife dreamed of a fairy from heaven handing her a fairy blossom of extraordinary beauty, and thus we named her "Jiao" meaning beautiful or delicate. She is now eighteen years old, talented and beautiful. Because I am residing here as an official, she has not yet been betrothed to anyone. In the region of Long and Shu, I have only one elder sister, who is married to Shen Qing of the same commandery. They have a son who is very talented in literature. Because my children are young, I have been thinking of calling my two nephews to my post to help manage things, so they can study here and prepare for the examinations, though I have not yet managed to do so. Now, my nephew is coming to visit me and should be here momentarily. Servant, you wait in the outer hall, and when you see the Shen family gentleman arrive, report it to me immediately. (Jing) Yes. (All exit) Student enters

Tune: New Water Tune
Walking, step by step, I watch the flowers bloom. Throughout the suburbs, the warm wind blows gently. I watch the pairs of swallows holding mud in their beaks; they fly toward the people, saying spring has come. I express my sorrow; besides, I, the student, have come here to visit my uncle, seeing the beautiful scenery of Meizhou. Tune: Catching Fish
In the west of the Brocade City, a district of magnificent houses; heaven has opened up so much beauty. Facing the door, the green water flows toward the thousand miles; how much more so with the countless green mountains. Worthy of love, there are swaying new bamboos, and the pines and cypresses in the road ahead. In the deep courtyard, I see the curtains hanging low. The silk strings play one after another, all day long there is music and dance. The golden-chambered talent scholar gathers in succession, holding my...