Secondary 09 – Teachers Learn ETD

Secondary Course 09
The Butterfly Lovers

Description:

The Butterfly Lovers is a Chinese legend of a tragic love story of a pair of lovers, Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai. Although it is sometimes described as the Chinese Romeo and Juliet its first version was written a long time before Shakespeare lived.

The romance fascinates Chinese audiences all over the world. It has been performed on the stage, adapted for the screen, and rewritten as dramas for television. It has inspired theme parks and postage stamps, violin concertos, and western-style operas.

It is claimed there have been 878 different adaptations of the legend, including 149 folktales, 79 folksongs, 352 traditional plays, 201 ballads, 16 novels, 10 movies, and 10 television dramas.

Unit 1

This lady can also help you to sing the song and at the same teach you some Chinese.

Warm Up Song

The Bright Moon Depicts My Heart by Teresa Teng.

It is sung in Chinese but it should not be difficult to accompany Teresa in English.

Teresa Teng, was a Taiwanese singer, actress, and musician.
Referred as “Asia’s eternal queen of pop,” Teng became a cultural icon, “Wherever there are Chinese people, there is the music of Teresa Teng”.

你问我爱你有多深
nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn
You ask how deep I care for you

我爱你有几分
wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn
How much I love you so

我的情也真
wǒ de qíng yě zhēn
My affection is real

我的爱也真
wǒ de ai yě zhēn
My deep love is real

月亮代表我的心
yuè liang dài biǎo wǒ de xīn
The bright moon depicts my heart

你问我爱你有多深
nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn
You ask me deep I care for you

我的情不移
wǒ de qíng bù yí
My feelings won’t change

我的爱不变
wǒ de ài bú biàn
My deep love is real

月亮代表我的心
yuè liang dài biǎo wǒ de xīn
The bright moon depicts my heart

轻轻的一个吻
qīng qīng de yí ge wěn
Simply a gentle kiss

你去想一想
nǐ qù xiǎng yi xiǎng
You think it through

你去看一看
nǐ qù kàn yi kàn
You go have a look

月亮代表我的心
yuè liang dài biǎo wǒ de xīn
The bright moon depicts my heart

(MUSIC PAUSE)

轻轻的一个吻
qīng qīng de yí ge wěn
simply a gentle kiss

已经打动我的心
yǐ jīng dǎ dòng wǒ de xīn
Is enough to move my heart

深深的一段情
shēn shēn de yí duàn qíng
Feelings inside of me

叫我思念到如今
jiào wǒ sī niàn dào rú jīn
Has caused me to think of you

你问我爱你有多深
nǐ wèn wǒ ài nǐ yǒu duō shēn
You ask how deep I care for you

我爱你有几分
wǒ ài nǐ yǒu jǐ fēn
How much I love you so

你去想一想
nǐ qù xiǎng yi xiǎng
Yo go think it through

你去看一看
nǐ qù kàn yi kàn
You go have a look

月亮代表我的心
yuè liang dài biǎo wǒ de xīn
The bright moon depicts my heart

你去想一想
nǐ qù xiǎng yi xiǎng
Yo go think it through

你去看一看
nǐ qù kàn yi kàn
You go have a look

月亮代表我的心
yuè liang dài biǎo wǒ de xīn
The bright moon depicts my heart

Unit 2

Background to The Butterfly Lovers

This knowledge should inspire creative ideas for the production of the play and help the actors to ‘inhabit the parts’. Your students could research more into each of these backgrounds.

Qingming Festival

The Qingming festival, also known as Tomb-Sweeping Day is a traditional Chinese festival observed by the Han Chinese of mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand and by the Chitty of Malaysia and Singapore. It falls on the first day of the fifth solar term of thetraditional Chinese lunisolar calendar, either 4, 5 or 6 April. During Qingming, Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to clean the gravesites, pray to their ancestors and make ritual offerings.

Qingming originates from ‘Hanshi Jie’ (Cold Food Festival) as a memorial to Jie Zitui, a loyal retainer of Duke Wen of Jin during the Spring and Autumn period (from approximately 771 to 476 BC). Jie followed and supported Duke Wen throughout his years of exile. Once, when they could not find anything to eat, Jie was said to have cut his own flesh to boil a meat soup to feed the starving Duke Wen. The painting opposite is Along the River During the Qingming Festival by the Song dynasty painter Zhang Zeduan (1085–1145 AD)

Hangchow University

Sitting on a small hill southwest of West Lake is Wansong Shuyuan, or Academy of Ten Thousand Conifers. Parents flock to site where the legendary lovers, Yingtai and Shanbo, are believed to have studied to find partners for their children. It has
also become a blind date venue.

The Purple Mountain Nunnery

The Purple Mountain Nunnery may be inspired by the Purple Bamboo Temple, sited in the south east of Putuo mountain. It was said to be the residence place of Guanyin (Goddess of Mercy). Putuo mountain is an island south east of Shanghai and is popular for Buddhist pilgrimages.

Ban Zhao

Ban Zhao completed her brother Ban Gu’s work on the history of the Western China, the Book of Han. She also wrote Lessons for Women, an influential work on women’s conduct.

She also had great interest in astronomy and mathematics and wrote poems, commemorative writings, argumentations, commentaries and essays.

She became China’s most famous female scholar and an instructor of Taoist sexual practices for the imperial family.

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl is a Chinese folk tale and love story between Zhinü the weaver girl and Niulang the cowherd. Their love was not allowed, thus they were banished to opposite sides of the heavenly river (symbolizing the Milky Way). Once a year, on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month, a flock of magpies would form a bridge to reunite the lovers for one day.

Today, we can still see them in the starry night. The two bright stars, Altair and Vega, at different sides of the Milky Way symbolize Cowherd and the Weaving Maid respectively in Chinese culture. The night of seventh day of the seventh lunar month is called “Qixi,” literally “the Night of Sevens” in Chinese. It was traditionally celebrated as a Girl’s Day, and is often taken as a Chinese Valentine’s Day nowadays.

Traditionally, girls will compete threading needles on the Qixi Day, as a way to pray for clever hands. There are still traditions of bathing in rivers on the day in some southern regions, wishing the river bathed by the immortal maids will bring them happy and healthy lives. To commemorate the old ox who sacrificed himself for Cowherd and the Weaving Maid, children in some regions collect wild flowers as decoration on the ox horns, as showing gratefulness. In the evening, girls and young ladies invite female friends to gather in the moonlight and worship the Weaving Maid. With incense burning, they pray to the Vega for a good husband or clever children and chat together till midnight.

The Blue Bridge

The story from the ancient Chinese classic Zhuang Zi about Wei Sheng and his beloved, took place during the Tang Dynasty (618A.D.-907A.D.). Wei Sheng and his girl arranged to meet each other under the Blue Bridge. If one or the other did not show up, that would mean they did not want to continue their courtship. The man arrived first and waited for a long time but the girl didn’t show up. The river suddenly rose up quickly and the poor young man drowned while hugging a pier of the Blue Bridge.

From then on, the phrase, the Blue Bridge, was used in the Chinese phrase to praise one’s steadfast love. Also, the pier Wei Sheng hugged when he was drowning in the water was taken as a metaphor for keeping a promise. They arranged to meet under the blue bridge , but she did not keep her promise and he demonstrated his faithfulness by clinging to the bridge as the water rose and thus committing suicide

Encountering Sorrow

Encountering Sorrow by Qu Yuan, (340 – 278 B.C.) is one of China’s greatest poems. The king had exiled Qu Yuan south of the Yangtse River. The poem describes a soul in agony, riding on dragons and serpents from heaven to earth.

The conflict between the individual and the ruling group is repeatedly described, while the poet affirms his determination to fight for justice. His passionate desire to save his country, and his love for the people, account for the poem’s splendour and immortality.

Qu Yuan is known as the father of Chinese poetry and is a symbol of patriotism. After he finished the poem he drowned himself while villagers in boats tried to save him.

This attempt is believed to be the first instance of dragon boat racing.

The Yellow Spring

This was the name for the Underworld in ancient Chinese religion . The Yellow Springs were not a ‘hell’ where one suffers retribution but rather a place where the souls of the departed were supposed to reside. Life could be made easier for the departed if it was provided with food, clothing, money, precious objects, and servants. These would be placed in the tomb by the surviving relatives. The servants (human and animal) were at first provided by immolating the actual servants of the deceased in the tomb, but with time inanimate representations of the attendants were placed in the tomb instead.

When the Map is Unrolled, the Dagger is Revealed

This expression is equivalent to “letting the cat out of the bag”. In 228 BC, as a last ditch attempt to avoid invasion by its enemies, the nation of Yan sent a man named Jin Ke to assassinate the King of Qin. Using a map of Yan’s most fertile areas as bait, Jing Ke was able to get close to the King, and as he unfurled it, he pulled out a dagger that had been hidden inside.

Unit 3

Creative Writing

The Cowherd and the Weaving Girl

If your students would like to do some creative writing, we suggest they dramatize this story.

The legend has it that on every seventh day of the seventh lunar month, magpies bridge the Milky Way, so that two lovers who have been separated can reunite once every year.

Zhinu, or the Weaving Maid was a beautiful immortal maid living to the east of the Milky Way. She was the granddaughter of the Lord of Heaven. With magic silk yarn, she wove layers of magnificent clouds on her loom. She called “clothes of heaven.” She had six elder sisters, also good at weaving, but she was the most skillful.

The mortal world sits on the west side of the Milky Way. There lived Niulang, or Cowherd, whose parents died early and had to depend on his brother’s shelter. He worked from dawn to dusk, cutting firewood, grazing cattle and farming. Every night, he slept in the cowshed, looking at the starry sky while missing his parents.

Then one morning his elder brother and sister-in-law told him to leave, saying he was old enough to stand on his own feet. They gave him nothing but an old ox.

Together with his ox, he found a wild field where he started his life again. He blazed trails and paths, built a cottage, and opened up wasteland for cultivation, with the ox’s help. He lived a hand-to-mouth existence and felt very lonely, as the ox was his only company. He talked to the ox which sometimes seemed to understand.

One day, Cowherd led the ox to the meadow near the Milky Way. He lay on the grass while the ox grazed. Looking up to the changing clouds, he fantasized how his life would be wonderful if an immortal maid came down to help him. As he drifted off to sleep, the ox suddenly began to speak. It told him that the immortal maids would come to bathe in the Milky Way and one of them would be his wife if he hid her clothes.

Cowherd jumped with surprise, but the old ox returned to silence.

Despite his doubts, he hid himself in the reeds close to the Milk Way to check whether it was just a dream. To his surprise, seven immortal maids arrived. They took off their beautiful dresses and jumped into the clear river, causing ripples on the surface like a white lotus.

Cowherd quickly hid the most beautiful dress. Noticing Cowherd, all the other maids hurried away to get dressed and fled, but the Weaving Maid hid herself behind the reeds as she could not find her dress.

Cowherd built up courage and asked the Weaving Maid whether she would like to be his wife. The Weaving Maid agreed as she had been curious about life in the human world and Cowherd looked honest and kind. The couple led a happy life, with a son and a daughter. Cowherd continued farming as the Weaving Maid wove cloth.

Soon, news found its way to the Lord of Heaven. The furious lord ordered the arrest of the Weaving Maid and sent her back to heaven. Cowherd returned from farming, only to find his wife missing and children crying. He put the two children in separate baskets and shouldered them with a pole. He rushed to the Milky Way, only to find it had disappeared.

The Queen Mother took the Milky Way back to heaven. Cowherd had no choice but to return home.

The children missed their mother and cried day and night. Even the old ox was too sad to eat or drink anything.

One day, the dying ox spoke again, he said, “After I die, you can peel off my skin and put it on. It will take you up to the Milky Way.” Cowherd buried the ox with tears and followed what he said. Amazingly, he was traveling through stars and saw the Weaving Maid on the other side of the Milky Way.

Just as they were trying to cross the river, the Queen Mother appeared and stirred the Milky Way with her hairpin. All at once, raging torrents rose from the peaceful Milky Way.

But it didn’t stop Cowherd. He wiped his tears and began to scoop out water from the Milky Way with a dipper.

The Lord of Heaven was touched and allowed the couple to meet once a year on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, with flocks of magpies forming a bridge over the Milky Way. On rest days, the couple could only look at each other from different sides of the galaxy.

Stage Play

The Ancient Legend of The Butterfly Lovers

Dramatised by many writers over the Centuries

Persons in the Play	Their Role Types
Yue Lao.	The legendary old man under the moon, who arranges marriages.
Chuk Yingtai	Maiden disguised as a boy in order to study in Hangzhou
Liang Shanbo	Companion and room-mate of Yingtai, madly in love with her after finding out her true identity
Yan Sum	Personal maid of Yingtai
Shi Kau	Shanbo’s personal servant
Chuk Kungyuan	Father of Chuk Yingtai
Madame Chuk	Mother of Chuk Yingtai
Zhou Shizhang	The Master of Hangzhou Academy
Madam Zhou	His perceptive wife
Ma Manchoi	Rich young man who wants Yingtai as his wife
Ma Fu	Manchoi’s household servant
Ma Lung	Manchoi’s household servant
Madame Qiu	Matchmaker
Female Woodcutter	Who Shanbo and Shi Kau meet when they are lost
Student 1	On the way to Hangzhou (voice only offstage)
Student 2	On the way to Hangzhou (voice only offstage)
Many students singing	On the way to Hangzhou (voices only offstage)
Ballet dancers	Dancing as butterflies to the Violin Concerto
Four non speaking servants / housemaids	Male and female servants to Zhou Shizhang and to Chuk Kungyuan
Four non speaking actors	As the front and back of two pantomime horses
Musicians with drums

Scene 1

Setting	Courtyard and Garden of the Chuk Family Home
Characters	Lao Yue, Yingtai, Yan Sum, Students 1 & 2, More students singing.
Furniture and Props	Potted flowers, a table and chairs, a fortune tellers banner, a bag, a turtle shell, a plate, a few coins.
Sounds and Music	Violin concerto, Students singing, marching feet.

The Images below are intended to inspire ideas for characters, costumes, props, settings, etc.

The Images are intended to inspire ideas for characters, costumes, props, settings, etc.

(THE BACKDROP TO THE COURTYARD AND GARDEN OF THE CHUK FAMILY HOME. THERE ARE CHAIRS AND TABLES. IN THE BACKGROUND ARE PAVILIONS AND BUILDINGS. THE COURTYARD IS SURROUNDED BY BAMBOO FENCES; LINING THE FENCES INSIDE ARE FLOWERS AND OUTSIDE A FEW BAMBOO TREES. WE HEAR THE BUTTERFLY LOVERS VIOLIN CONCERTO, EITHER PLAYED IN OR PERFORMED BY A SMALL ORCHESTRA AT THE SIDE OF THE STAGE.) (LAO YUE, IN TRADITIONAL CHINESE COSTUME AND A LONG WHITE BEARD AND DROOPING MUSTACHE, NARRATES.)
LAO YUE:	I am Lao Yue, known as the man under the moon. I am immortal and I arrange marriages. I am much more efficient than any matchmaker. I would like to tell you of a most unusual marriage.
(IN THE BACKGROUND BALLET DANCERS ENTER, ALL IN WHITE WITH DIAPHONOUS WINGS, DANCING TO THE CONCERTO. YINGTAI WALKS ON READING A SCROLL)
LAO YUE:	Yingtai, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Chuk, who own this beautiful mansion, pays little attention to putting on make up. Instead she escapes the seclusion of the mansion into the imagination of poetry and the classics. She reads the analects of Confucius, the great sage and Ban Zhao, the woman who helped to write “The History of the Han Dynasty”, the golden age of Chinese civilization. (LAUGHS) Anyway that’s enough from me. Let me join you in the audience, and enjoy the play.
(HE MOVES DOWN FROM THE STAGE AND SITS ON THE EXTREME RIGHT OF THE FRONT ROW WITH THE AUDIENCE. YAN SUM YINGTAI’S MAID ENTERS. SHE IS WEARING AN APRICOT RED DRESS.
YAN SUM:	You are such a book worm. Why not admire these butterflies? They are so beautiful.
YINGTAI:	They make me sad. They are not imprisoned. We can’t even take one step outside the compound gate. They can fly wherever they choose. They can see world.
(AS IF ON CUE THE BUTTERFLY DANCERS DANCE OFF THE STAGE AND THE VIOLIN CONCERTO SLOWLY FADES. AS THIS HAPPENS WE HEAR DISTANT SINGING AND MARCHING OF YOUNG MEN APPROACHING.
STUDENTS SINGING	While we’re young, let us rejoice, Singing out in gleeful tones; After youth’s delightful frolic, And old age so melancholic!, Earth will cover our bones. Long live our academy, Teachers whom we cherish; Long live all the graduates, Ever may they flourish.
(YAN SUM CLIMBS UP AT THE SIDE OF THE STAGE AND LOOKS OFF STAGE.)
YAN SUM:	Miss! Miss! Quick, come over here and take a look!
(YINGTAI JOINS HER.)
YAN SUM:	Do you think these men are merchants?
YINGTAI:	(LAUGHS) No! They are scholars. Can’t you tell by how they’re dressed?
YAN SUM:	I don’t believe you. I’m going down to make sure for myself.
(SHE PREPARES TO GO DOWN AND APPROACH THE SCHOLARS. YINGTAI QUICKLY PULLS HER BACK.)
YINGTAI:	Yan Sum, are you crazy? If father finds out, he’ll be furious.
(YAN SUM DISAPPEARS AND WE HEAR THE FOLLOWING DISCUSSION OFF STAGE.)
SCHOLAR 1:	I wonder which family owns this flower garden?
SCHOLAR 2:	Look, a red apricot tree has climbed over the wall!
YAN SUM:	What are you doing?
SCHOLAR 1:	(LAUGHS) We are going to Hangzhou to study.
YAN SUM:	Why to Hangzhou?
SCHOLAR 2:	It has many libraries, as well as many famous teachers. Miss, why don’t you come with us?
(THEY LAUGH AND CONTINUE SINGING UNTIL THEIR VOICES DISAPPEAR INTO THE DISTANCE.)
STUDENTS SINGING	Long live all the maidens fair, Easy-going, pretty; Long live all good ladies who Are tender and so friendly to Students in this city. May our Alma Mater thrive, A font of education; Friends and colleagues, Where’er they are, Heed her invitation.
(YAN SUM RETURNS TO XINGTAI.)
YAN SUM	Miss, you guessed right; they really are scholars. They are going to Hangzhou to study.
(YINGTAI MOVES DOWNSTAGE AND THINKS ALOUD TO THE AUDIENCE. WE REALISE YAN SUM CANNOT HEAR HER.)
YINGTAI:	Oh, if only I could follow them – or fly like the butterflies – to that land of ‘libraries and teachers’.
(SHE TURNS TO YAN SUM)
YINGTAI:	Yan Sum, let’s go with them to Hangzhou to study. What do you think?
YAN SUM:	A great idea. Too bad you’re not a man.
YINGTAI:	Are you telling me that only a man can go away to study?
YAN SUM:	Didn’t you notice just now that all those students just now were men? There wasn’t one female among them!
YINGTAI:	So let’s dress up like men. I’ll dress up like a scholar and you can be my page. Then we will be able to go.
YAN SUM:	That’s a wonderful idea! But ….but there’s just one small problem – your Dad. Normally, he won’t even let us out of the house.
YINGTAI:	I’ll talk to my mother.
YAN SUM:	What if she doesn’t agree either?
YINGTAI:	There’s an ancient saying: ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way’. As long as we’re determined, nothing can stop us.

(CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAM CHUK ENTER.)
YINGTAI:	Hi, beloved parents, where did you go this morning?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Today Qingming Festival. We went to pay respects to our ancestors.
(THE CHARACTERS FREEZE WHILE LAO YUE STANDS UP)
LAO YUE:	Excuse my interrupting, but you should know that Qingming Festival, also called Tomb Sweeping Day, is when Chinese families visit the tombs of their ancestors to pray to and to make ritual offerings. It is a tradition that has lasted over 2,000 years.
(HE SITS DOWN AGAIN AND THE CHARACTERS COME BACK TO LIKE.)
YINGTAI:	Why didn’t you invite me to go along?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	You’re our precious baby girl. We can’t let you step outside just anytime you please.
YINGTAI:	And what would happen to me if I did go outside?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	You really don’t know? If you go out for no good reason, the people outside will ridicule you.
YINGTAI:	If I go outside and commit some serious crime, of course people will ridicule me. But if I were to go outside to further my education, I think it is highly improbable that people would still ridicule me.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Ha, Ha, Ha! Since ancient times, only men have left home to get an education. Who ever heard of a woman doing so?
YINGTAI:	So there’s nothing special about a man leaving home to get an education. But for a woman to go out to get an education — now that’s really special. Dad, I would really like to go and study in Hangzhou. What do you think?
MME. CHUK:	Yingtai, are you daydreaming again?
YINGTAI:	You and Dad know how much I love poetry. You know I’m ambitious. While I’m still young and while this wonderful spring weather lasts, I want to study in Hangzhou to study with a famous teacher. When I finish my studies there, I will come back — and I will make this family proud.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	I told you long ago that you shouldn’t spend all your time reading books. Now look what’s happened! What you’re suggesting is absolutely ridiculous!
YINGTAI:	So do you agree or disagree?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	If you were a boy, I’d have sent you away to study long ago. As the ancients say, ‘Inside or outside, men and women are completely different in every way.’ After reading all those classics you still don’t know that ancient truth?..
YINGTAI:	Daddy, you really are a male chauvinist. How can you quote that hoary old nonsense? In the past there were many women who became renowned for their great learning, such as Ban Zhao, the historian of the Eastern Han Dynasty. Wasn’t she a woman also?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Uh..Uh..“How can you compare yourself with Ban Zhao? You must get your head out of the clouds!
YINGTAI:	Ban Zhao wasn’t born a genius. As long as I study hard…. Who knows I might even be able to surpass her?
(CHUK KUNGYUAN TWISTS HIS FINGERS IN HIS BEARD.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	How dare a mere slip of a girl like you defy your father? I don’t want to hear any more of this nonsense.
( CHUK KUNGYUAN FOLLOWED BY MME. CHUK STORMS OUT IN ONE DIRECTION AND YINGTAI FOLLOWED BY YAN SUM STORMS OUT IN THE OTHER. LAO YUE COMES UP ONTO THE STAGE AGAIN.)
LAO YUE:	Yingtai knew nothing could change her father’s mind and it was to no avail either to plead with her mother. So she locked herself in her tower. Even in her sleep she dreamed about studying in Hangzhou. At last she had a brainwave and she hatched a plot with Yan Sum. Meanwhile her mother sent Yan Sum to see if she was all right.
(LAO YUE REJOINS THE AUDIENCE. CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAM CHUK ENTER AND YAN SUM JOINS THEM.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Yan Sum, how is Miss doing? Is she getting better?
YAN SUM:	Master, after you lectured your daughter on the day of the Qingming Festival, she returned to her tower and fell ill. She constantly making a fuss about going to Hangzhou and becoming a scholar. I advised her to talk it over with you again, but she said, ‘There is only a son in my father’s heart, no daughter. I’d be better off dead than carrying on in this way.’ I planned to tell Madam, but I was afraid to leave Yingtai by herself. Today I made myself come here to see what ideas you may have to remedy the situation.
MADAM CHUK:	(TO HER HUSBAND) This is your fault! I agree that ‘in your heart, there is only a son, no daughter.’ Luckily her condition is not too serious yet. But if she does come down with something really serious….Believe me, I won’t let you hear the end of it!
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Yingtai is also my only daughter. I love her just as much as you. But just think, a young girl like her going to Hangzhou and showing herself off in public like that! Good Heavens! It’s all our fault for spoiling her the way we have.
YAN SUM:	Senior Master and Madame, I have an idea. I notice there is a fortune teller outside the family compound. He is known to be good. Why don’t we ask him for guidance?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	That’s an idea. Let’s hope he can point us in the right direction. Usher him in.
(YAN SUM CROSSES THE STAGE TO A PART OF THE STAGE WHICH CANNOT BE SEEN BY MASTER AND MADAM CHUK. YINGTAI JOINS HER DRESSED AS A SOOTHSAYER, WITH A FALSE MOUSTACHE, AND HOLDING A BANNER SAYING: “DIVINER OF THE FUTURE WITH THE POWER OF THE DEITY”. SHE IS ALSO CARRYING A BAG THAT CONTAINS A TURTLE SHELL, A PLATE AND A FEW COINS. SHE ENTERS AND SPEAKS TO HER PARENTS IN A DEEPER VOICE.)
YINGTAI:	Honourable sir and madame, greetings. May I ask the name of your family and your question?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	My surname is Chuk. My daughter Yingtai wants to go to Hangzhou for school. As her father I didn’t give my permission. She has taken fallen ill from depression. We want to know if her sickness will be fatal. Please, Mr. Soothsayer, can you find an answer so I know what to do.
YINGTAI:	How old is your daughter and what are the month, date, and time of her birth? I need to know to divine accurately.
YAN SUM:	Our lady is sixteen years old.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	As for her month, date, and time of her birth…
MADAM CHUK:	She was born on the fifteen day of the eighth month, at the “yau” time of the day. Please be accurate in your divination, and relay to us exactly as you learn from the deity.
YINGTAI:	Oh, so the girl was born at night, on the fifteen day of the eighth month. No wonder she is so clever.
(OUT OF HER BAG SHE TAKES A TURTLE SHELL, A PLATE, PLUS A FEW COINS.)
YINGTAI:	To be accurate, we have to inquire very carefully of the spirit. Now we have a maiden last name Chuk. She wants to go study in Hangzhou but her father forbids her . She has not felt well and we want to know if she will be fine. Eight times eight we have a total of sixty-four combinations. Give us the one truthful answer.
(SHAKES THE COINS IN THE SHELL AND THEN DROP THEM ONTO THE PLATE.)
YINGTAI:	One, two, single cross.
(SHAKES THE SECOND TIME.)
YINGTAI:	One, two, double cross.
(PRETENDS TO BE FRIGHTENED, SHAKES THE THIRD TIME.)
YINGTAI:	One, two, triple cross. Sir, the sign is for triple cross.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	What does that mean by triple cross?
YINGTAI:	Triple cross, triple cross. It won’t be good to stay home. Studying for the examination, her prospect is fine, but the sign is not good. It is really unfortunate.
MME. CHUK:	What is so unfortunate, sir?
YINGTAI:	It is unfortunate that she is a girl, And she won’t have an opportunity to show how good she is. Were she to stay home, I am afraid tragedy would strike. Terrible things could happen.
MME. CHUK:	To follow what you are saying, then it will be better for her to be away.
YINGTAI:	You are right. To be homebound is to invite disaster. It will be a blessing to have her leave for Hangzhou for study.
YAN SUM:	Elderly master, it makes sense to let her go then.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Ai, how can I let her go? Yan Sum, give two ounces of silver to this gentleman.
(YAN SUM HANDS MONEY OVER TO YINGTAI.)
YINGTAI:	Thank you so much. (PAUSE) Why is the Senior Master so adamant in refusing to let your daughter go study? I know for a fact that she is ambitious and determined to achieve high goals.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	How would you know?
YINGTAI:	Now you can see for yourself.
(SHE TAKES OFF HER MOUSTACHE AND SPEAKS IN HER LIGHTER VOICE.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	(ANGRY) Aiyaya! How dare you fool your father!
(YINGTAI KNEELS DOWN.)
MADAM CHUK:	She cross-dressed as a man. None of us can tell. We should consider granting her request.
YAN SUM:	Elderly master, Miss has asked for your permission many times. Why are you still not granting her request?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	You people don’t understand. As a father, how can I not consider the well-being of my daughter? None of you realize how dearly I love her.
YINGTAI:	Father. Don’t you remember that the reigning emperor has issued an order to select beauties to enter the palace? If I am picked, I am afraid parents and child will be set apart forever.
MADAM CHUK:	Why don’t you allow her to go? I have heard that your friend Zhou Shizhang has opened a library in Hangzhou. Yingtai could study under him, and he could keep an eye on her while she is there.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Very well. Yingtai, since you are determined to go, I give you permission, but you must agree to two conditions: First, your mother is in poor health and gets sick easily. If she becomes seriously ill, you must immediately return home. Second, your conduct at any time cannot be loose or unrestrained. If you bring shame to our family, I will sever our father-daughter relationship.
MADAM CHUK:	If even the slightest thing goes wrong, don’t expect your father to show you any mercy.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	You should always maintain your integrity.
YINGTAI:	Thank you, Father.
MADAM. CHUK:	My daughter, what is your reply to father?
YINGTAI:	Mother, you should not doubt my intention. Your daughter is a woman of honour and integrity. I will abide by the two conditions. Father thank you so much. Yan Sum, come with me so we can start packing.
(EVERYBODY EXITS. LAO YUE CLIMBS ONTO THE STAGE)
LAO YUE:	There we are. Kungyuan originally planned to have a male servant escort her, but Yingtai told him that a male servant might cause some inconvenience and she would much rather have Yan Sum as a companion. Chuk thought this was a reasonable request, and did not press the issue. Knowing that his daughter was not very good at riding horses, he specially provided her with a docile white colt.
(CURTAIN DRAWN)

Scene 2

Setting	Countryside with willow trees, a pavilion and a bridge over a stream
Characters	Shanbo, Shi Kay, Lao Yue, Yingtai, Yan Sum. Four non speaking actors inside the horses.
Furniture and Props	Willow branches, post, stone seat. Horses’ heads and costumes. Loads carried by Shi Kau and Yan Sum.
Sounds and Music	The birdsong of the oriole.

(CURTAIN UP.) (A BACKCLOTH OF COUNTRYSIDE, WILLOW TREES, A PAVILION, AND A BRIDGE OVER THE STREAM. THERE ARE ONE OR TWO WILLOW BRANCHES STICKING OUT OF THE BACKCLOTH. THERE IS A POST TO TIE THE HORSES TO. THERE IS A STONE STOOL. SHANBO, DRESSED IN A SCHOLAR’S GOWN AND CAP, ENTERS RIDING ON A CHESTNUT ‘PANTOMIMIE HORSE’; THAT IS TWO ACTORS WHO ARE COVERED BY THE BACK AND FRONT OF A HORSE COSTUME. HIS SERVANT, SHI KAU IS, IS WALKING BEHIND HIM, CARRYING A LOAD OF BOOKS AND LUGGAGE. THEY GO ROUND AND ROUND THE STAGE BEFORE TETHERING THE HORSE. LAO YUE REMAINS SEATED AND ENJOYS THE MOMENTS OF COMEDY WITH THE AUDIENCE. FROM TIME TO TIME WEHEAR THE CALL OF THE ORIOLE BIRD.)
SHANBO:	(MOURNFUL) What a sad and misty road. Step by heavy step we make our way to Hangzhou. I am leaving home on a long journey, to study under a master. How can I repay my parents’ love and guidance? Other than by studying hard?
SHI KAU:	Young master, you are such a parent’s boy. Look at the beautiful scenery. Look at the silky green hanging from the willow trees. How about the song of orioles and how they dance in their flight! Look at the bridge arching over the stream. Why are you so depressed.
SHANBO:	(STILL MOURNFUL) I see only sorrow; a son leaving home. I can never return the blessing of my parents in raising me. How can I enjoy sightseeing! We better hurry. The sun will set soon. Be alert for bandits on the road. Safety is never guaranteed.
SHI KAU:	(LAUGHS HEARTILY) Don’t scare so easily, young master. With me, Shi Kau, by your side, no one dare to pick the whisker from a tiger. (HE SHAKES HIS FIST) My fist is as big as a cooking pot. I’ll be delighted if someone wants to pick a fight. If a robber shows up, I’ll handle him. Relax! I’m here to protect you. See, there is a pavilion in front, why don’t we take a rest.
SHANBO:	I am tired. That’s a good idea.
(WALKS UP TO THE PAVILION TO REST. SHI KAU TIES THE HORSE BEFORE TAKING A REST HIMSELF. YAN SUM IS CARRYING SOME LUGGAGE, AND YINGTAI IS APPROACHING SLOWLY ON HER SMALLER GREY AND WHITE PANTOMIMME HORSE WITH TWO ACTORS WITHIN. YINTAI AND YAN SUM ARE DRESSED AS BOYS.)
YINGTAI:	I am like a bird out of the cage. I am using my wings to fly as high as I want, to become someone that I am proud to be. I will never get tired in my studies. Dressed as a young student, who will know I am a girl?
YAN SUM:	Miss…
YINGTAI:	Don’t call me miss! Remember I am now your young master!
YAN SUM:	Sorry, young master. You must be tired. Why don’t we take a break under the shade of the willow trees.
YINGTAI:	Taking a rest here will be fine. Go and tie my horse.
(YINGTAI GETS DOWN FROM THE HORSE AND TAKES A SEAT ON A STONE STOOL UNDER THE SHADE OF THE WILLOW. YAN SUM: PUTS DOWN THE LUGGAGE AND LOOKS FOR A PLACE TO TIE THE HORSE. THE TWO HORSES BELONGING TO YINGTAI AND SHANBO BUMP INTO ONE ANOTHER AND STUMBLE ABOUT. BOTH SHI KAU AND YAN SUM TRY TO RESTRAIN THEM. LAO YUE LAUGHS. HE HAS AN INFECTIOUS LAUGH.)
SHI KAU:	Tie the horse quickly. Why don’t you do it properly? Don’t you know how to tie a horse? Hey, I am talking to you. Are you deaf, or are you mute?
YAN SUM:	Deaf mute yourself – and dumb! You’ve such a bad temper. Who is going to want to talk to you? How rude!
(SHANBO AND YINGTAI COME OVER TO TAKE A LOOK.)
YINGTAI:	Yan Sum, don’t be so aggressive. If our horse bumps into someone else’s, we should apologize.
YAN SUM:	He’s rude and offensive. He’s the one who should apologise.
SHI KAU:	You skinny chap! Do you know who I am?
YAN SUM:	I don’t know anyone dumber than you!
SHI KAU:	So! You want a fight. I’ll teach you.
(SHANBO PUTS HIMSELF BETWEEN THEM.)
SHANBO:	Shi Kau, are you in the business of beating up people? Don’t be so rude. Apologize.
(SHI KAU HESITATES)
YINGTAI:	Yan Sum, that’s enough. Why make an enemy? (MOVING FORWARD) Please excuse this fellow’s ignorance. There is no need to use force. We are so sorry!
SHANBO:	It is my servant’s fault. We owe you an apology!
YAN SUM:	Please excuse me for being rude. You are generous and forgiving. What I did is inappropriate. My apology, you are my senior.
SHI KAU:	Thank you. Maybe it takes a fight like to get to know one another. I know I get angry easily. Since you are willing to concede, we should let it go.
YINGTAI:	We are so lucky to run into you both. May I ask for your names?
SHANBO:	I’m Liang Shanbo. My servant is Shi Kau. How about you two? We are traveling to Hangzhou. What is your destination?
YAN SUM:	We are on our way to Hangzhou too. My young master is Chuk Yingtai. He is going there to study with a famous teacher.
SHI KAU:	We are heading to see Master Zhou Shizhang. He is a famous literary figure. Can you tell us who will be your teacher?
YINGTAI:	What a happy coincidence! I am going to study with Master Zhou as well. He’s famous for his scholarship.
SHANBO:	This is too good! Since we will be classmates, why don’t we travel together?
YAN SUM:	Fantastic! That way we will be safer on our our journey.
SHI KAU:	You’ll be safe with me. I can handle eight or ten fellows. My fist is bigger than a cooking pot.
YINGTAI:	I am excited, but I am also nervous. It is my first time to journey so far. I don’t know anyone in Hangzhou.
SHANBO:	We’ll be strangers in Hangzhou. So I’d like to propose that we become sworn brothers and look after one another in that strange city. I’ve always wanted a brother. I know we’ve only just met, but I want to be your friend. So please forgive me for this imposition!
YINGTAI:	Miss!
(YINGTAI LOOKS EMBARRASSED AND SHANBO ASTONISHED. YAN SUM HAS TO THINK QUICKLY TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE.)
YAN SUM:	Er, I mean if Miss had come along with us, you could have been three sworn kin!
YINGTAI:	(LAUGHS WITH RELIEF) Yan Sum stop talking nonsense.
SHANBO:	What? You have a sister?
YINGTAI:	Yes, a younger sister. She loves to read books, doesn’t like to do needlework, and originally she was going to come along with me. But my parents wouldn’t let her go. I really feel they were unfair to her!
SHANBO:	Why do you think that’s unfair?
YINGTAI:	If a man can go to school and further his education, why shouldn’t a woman have the same rights?
SHANBO:	You are right. I admire your sense of fairness.
YINGTAI:	About your suggestion, I would be honored to be your sworn brother. But here, in the middle of nowhere, where are we going to find gifts and incense to have a proper ceremony?
SHANBO:	Well… How about using a willow branch as an incense stick. What do you think?
YINGTAI:	That would be so poetic!
(LIANG EXCITEDLY BREAKS OFF A WILLOW BRANCH AND STICKS IT IN A HOLE IN THE BACKCLOTH NEAR THE BRIDGE AND TREAM.)
SHANBO:	Let’s first decide who will be the older brother.
YINGTAI:	This year I’m sixteen years old.
SHANBO:	Ah, but this year I’m seventeen years old.
(YINGTAI CUPS HER HANDS TOGETHER AND BOWS TO SHANBO.)
YINGTAI:	That means you are the older brother and I am the younger.
SHANBO:	We should now bow to Heaven.
(SHANBO KNEELS ON THE GROUND. YINGTAI THEN KNEELS BESIDE HIM. THE TWO KOWTOW REVERENTLY THREE TIMES BEFORE GETTING UP AGAIN. THEY THEN RECITE THE FOLLOWING RITUAL INCANTATION:)
SHANBO:	Underneath the willows, bow a reverential pair.
YINGTAI:	A sworn brother is even closer than a natural brother!
SHANBO:	We will help each other forever.
YINGTAI:	For good or bad, in death or in life we will never part.
(SHI KAU AND YAN SUM WATCH.)
SHI KAU:	Why don’t we become sworn brothers, too?
(YAN SUM PLAYFULLY SHAKES HER HEAD. )
YAN SUM:	I don’t want to be your sworn brother.
(HE JUMPS AT YAN SUM AND PINS HER TO THE GROUND, MUTTERING FIERCELY: )
SHI KAU:	Are you going to be my sworn brother or not?
YAN SUM:	(LAUGHS) All right, all right, I’ll do it.
(THEY GET UP.)
SHI KAU:	This sworn thing is behind us, we better be on our way before it gets dark.
YAN SUM:	Let’s get going with the horses.
SHANBO:	As brothers we will continue this journey together.
YINGTAI:	We are no longer afraid that the trip is long and arduous.
YAN SUM:	Well, you are so strong, why don’t you carry my load as well. Later on, we can switch and I can do yours.
SHI KAU:	You must have a few fathers to teach you to become so crafty!
(CARRYING TWO LOADS, HE LOOKS RATHER UNHAPPY. YAN SUM HAS A SMILE ON HER FACE. PLAY MORE OF THE VIOLIN CONCERTO AS WE PREPARE FOR THE NEXT SCENE.) (CURTAIN DOWN.)

Scene 3

Setting	Zhou Shizhang’s Study and two bedrooms, one each side
Characters	Lao Yue, Zhou Shizhang, Yingtai, Shanbo, Shi Kau, Yan Sum, servants to Zhou Shizhang.
Furniture and Props	2 beds, chairs, incense table with bowl of sand, lighted joss sticks, hanging scroll with calligraphy, quill pen and parchment paper, jugs of wine and cups, bowl of water, cactus plant, letter.
Sounds and Music	Firecrackers, cock crow.

(FADE CONCERTO. THE SET IS DIVIDED INTO THREE: STAGE LEFT THE SIMPLE BEDROOM WITH ONLY ONE BED FOR YINGTAI AND SHANBO, STAGE CENTRE THE STUDY OF ZHOU SHIZHANG AND STAGE RIGHT THE SIMPLE BEDROOM WITH ONLY ONE BED FOR YAN SUM AND SHI KHAU. LAU YUE COMES UP AT THE SIDE.)
LAO YUE:	I hope you had a good laugh in the last act. Life is often an interplay of comedy and tragedy, is it not? Any way on with the story. It was after dusk when the four arrived at the library of Master. Zhou Shizhang. Yingtai handed him a letter from Chuk Gongyuan, and then introduced Liang Shanbo.
(THE CURTAIN OPENS. WE SEE ZHOU SHIZANG, WITH SHANBO AND YINGTAI KNEELING IN FRONT OF AN INCENSE TABLE. )
LAO YUE:	He took an instant liking to these two handsome and talented young scholars-to-be. He had set up an incense table in his study.
ZHOU SHIZANG:	First make an offering and pay your respects to Confucius.
(SHANBO AND YINGTAI PLACE LIGHTED JOSS STICKS IN THE BOWL OF SAND ON THE TABLE. THEN THEY KNEEL DOWN AND MAKE OBEISANCE)
SHANBO:	Now we should like to make our obeisance to you, Master.
(SHANBO AND YINGTAI PLACE MORE LIGHTED JOSS STICKS IN THE BOWL OF SAND AND THEN THEY KNEEL DOWN AND KOWTOW TO ZHOU SHIZANG.)
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Very good. Thank you. Now before you retire for the night let us study a little. I am sure you both love poetry, so let us begin by looking at traditional, antithetical couplets; for example, “Jade must be carved to be made into a bowl. Wood must be processed to be made into a wheel.”
(THE CHARACTERS FREEZE. FROM THE SIDE OF THE STAGE LAO YUE COMMENTS.)
LAO YUE:	Let me explain. Antithetical couplets, perhaps better described as counterpoint, have a history of more than a thousand years and remain an enduring aspect of Chinese culture. They are usually seen on the sides of doors leading to people’s homes or as hanging scrolls in an interior. Let me show you one.
(HE PRODUCES A BEAUTIFUL HANGING SCROLL WITH CHINESE CALLIGRAPHY. THEN HE RETURNS TO SIT WITH THE AUDIENCE. ZHOU, YANBO AND YINGTAI COME BACK TO LIFE AGAIN.)
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Now have a go at inventing one. You first Yingtai with the first line and let Shanbo complete the couplet.
YINGTAI:	“Only through diligence can a gentleman be made.”
SHANBO:	“And the ignorant man is the lazy man. “
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Good. Now Shanbo complete the couplet starting: “Green leaves and red flowers welcome the butterfly.”
SHANBO:	“The golden bow and silver dart desire to strike the mandarin duck….”
YINGTAI:	Brother Liang, ‘desire’ is not a suitable word here. Try to find another one.
(SHANBO IS EMBARRASSED. HE CANNOT THINK OF ANYTHING.)
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Yingtai, what do you think would be an appropriate word instead?
YINGTAI:	I would complete the line with ‘should not hit the mandarin duck’ .
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Excellent! Excellent!
SHANBO:	This proves that my ‘little brother’ is more gifted than I.
YINGTAI:	(LAUGHS) You flatter me too much.
ZHOU SHIZANG:	(LAUGHS TOO) Well my new students. You must be tired. It is time to sleep. I shall enjoy teaching you. Goodnight.
SHANBO:	Goodnight.
YINGTAI:	Goodnight.
(THEY LEAVE. LAO YUE RETURNS TO STAGE LEFT.)
LAO YUE:	Yingtai and Shanbo loved studying. Time sped by and before they knew it, spring was over and summer had arrived. As the months passed they grew increasingly fond of one another. Meanwhile Shanbo‘s servant, Shi Kau had become suspicious.
(HE LEAVES THE STAGE AND THEN YAN SUM AND SHI KAU ENTER STAGE RIGHT . YAN SUM PREPARES THE BEDDING. SHI KAU ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE. IT IS CLEAR THAT YAN SUM CANNOT HEAR HIM. )
SHI KAU:	Look at him. His eyes and eyebrows are pure and clear. His waist is shapely. He doesn’t look like a man at all. Let me write a love poem to express my affection.
(HE SCRATCHES HIS HEAD AND SITS DOWN AND STARTS TO WRITE WITH A QUILL PEN. YAN SUM ADDDRESSES THE AUDIENCE.)
YAN SUM:	I have been keeping my mistress company in her study for three years. No one seems to know our female identity. Shi Kau has been most skeptical and inquisitive about it. Thank goodness I have been firm and alert!
(SHE LIES DOWN TO SLEEP)
SHI KAU:	Yan Sum, are you going to sleep so early? Why don’t we chat for a bit? I just composed a love poem. Can you read it for me?
YAN SUM:	I don’t have as much time as you. You act like an owl with no desire to go to sleep at night. No wonder it is so hard for you to get up in the morning. I don’t have time for this nonsense. Besides, I don’t know anything about love poetry. You should ask someone else for advice.
SHI KAU:	I am not bragging. This poem is so well done that my target will fall under a spell when she reads it. My ability to woo is second to none. You’d better have some ointment handy in case you feel dizzy after reading my poem. I am not going to carry you.
YAN SUM:	Are you that good? I better take a look.
(SHE TAKES THE POEM AND STARTS READING)
YAN SUM:	“Yan Sum is so womanly in appearance. Her waist is so shapely and appealing. I want to be her darling. My desire is to keep her company for the rest of my life.” You stupid Shi Kau; you are sick; and you deserve to die! I am a man, what do you mean I act womanly? Let me tell your young master to see how he would punish you.
SHI KAU:	It is said that hitting is an expression of affection; I guess it is the same when it comes to scolding. If you are really a woman, I am going to go after you no matter what!
YAN SUM:	I am not a woman. There’s no point writing this poetic rubbish!
SHI KAU:	Yan Sum, do you know I am getting very sentimental about you? You are my most intimate friend. If you are a girl, I will ask you to marry me at once. I trust you will accept my proposal!
YAN SUM:	Stop it! Brother Shi Kau, stop being so silly. Stop making fun of me. We really must get some sleep.
SHI KAU:	Very well.
(THEY BOTH LIE DOWN. YAN SUM KEEPS HER BACK TO HIM. THE SPOTLIGHT COMES UP ON STAGE LEFT. YINGTAI COMES ON WEARING ONLY A FLESH COLOURED BODY STOCKING ABOVE HER DRAWERS. SHANBO COMES IN AND SURPRISES HER. SHE HAS A SHARP INTAKE OF BREATH. )
SHANBO:	You look like a pretty wench with those breasts!
(SHE WHIPS ON HER GOWN)
YINGTAI:	Dear brother Shanbo, what you say is scandalous. When a man has large breasts, he’ll be a Chancellor; When a woman has large breasts, she’ll be a shrew. You haven’t studied physiognomy. You’re not thinking clearly.
(SHANBO KEEPS SILENT FOR A WHILE BUT THAN HE SAYS:)
SHANBO:	Little brother, why does it look like your ears have been pierced? Who ever heard of a man getting his ears pierced?
YINGTAI:	Don’t you know? Women pierce their ears so that they can wear earrings, and men pierce their ears to mar their appearances, so that they can be assured of longevity. How is it that you have never heard of that custom?
SHANBO:	Truly, I haven’t. But why is it called ‘marring the appearance to attain longevity’?
YINGTAI:	In my hometown we have this custom that when a boy is born, the parents, hoping that he can enjoy a long life, make a little scar on his face. A few of my elder brothers passed away when they were very young. So my parents decided to pierce my ears to make sure I’d live to be an adult. So I wore earrings throughout my childhood.
SHANBO:	Oh, now I understand.
YINGTAI:	Get some sleep, dear brother
(HE LIES DOWN. YINGTAI ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE.)
YINGTAI:	For three years now, the string of love has been touched. My heart is really after dear brother Liang. The situation is like that of the weaving maid separated from the cowherd by the Milky Way. Nevertheless, I am uneasy about all the suspicion and gossip that this may create.
(SHANBO STIRS AND SITS UP.)
SHANBO:	If you were really a girl, then I would be the lucky one!
YINGTAI:	Don’t tease me. Why would you be lucky if I were a girl?
SHANBO:	Do I have to make it obvious? If you’ve cross-dressed and you turn out to be a girl, I will be thrilled. We have spent three years together as fellow students. We share the same bed and the blanket. Like a body and its shadow, we are more intimate than siblings. If you were a girl, I would be the first one to approach you and propose marriage! Who can I thank but the moon deity for tying our red knot. My dear brother! I am just afraid that our time together is like a wonderful banquet will inevitably end. I get sentimental and don’t know what to say whenever I think of our separation.
YINGTAI:	[TO HERSELF] That’s not good. I better be extra careful and be very alert.
(SHE PLACES A BOWL OF WATER BETWEEN THEM ON THE BED.)
SHANBO:	Why are you putting this bowl of water here tonight? Are you afraid that I move a lot in bed making it hard for you to fall sleep?
YINGTAI:	That’s exactly right. You have a tendency to turn left and right while asleep.
SHANBO:	That’s reasonable. So, brother Chuk, good night.
(WHILE THEY SLEEP LAO YUE COMES ON STAGE.)
LAO YUE:	Outside, the snow was falling thick and fast. But indoors, it was still as warm as spring. Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai would often engage in literary discussions; at other times they would recite couplets to each other. They never quarreled.
(WHILE HE IS SPEAKING MADAM ZHOU ENTERS THE STUDY. THEN YINGTAI AND SHANBO GET UP AND LEAVE THE STAGE. THEY RE-ENTER THE STUDY. THEY MIME TALKING TO AUNTIE ZHOU.)
LAO YUE:	Occasionally, they would pay their respects to Zhou Shizang’s wife, Auntie Zhou. This old lady loved them very much, and cared for them like a mother. She especially cared about Yingtai. From the very first day, she had had her doubts as to whether Yingtai was really a boy. Later, through careful observation, she discerned that Yingtai was indeed a girl disguised as a boy. But since she noticed that Yingtai was reserved and very cautious, she decided that there was no point exposing her to the others.
(SHANBO AND YINGTAI LEAVE AUNTIE ZHOU.)
LAO YUE:	To show her sympathy for the lengths Yingtai had gone to in order to further her education, she would help to protect Yingtai’s secret, even from her own husband.
(ZHOU SHIZANG ENTERS.)
LAO YUE:	However one day, she decided to test her husband.
AUNTIE ZHOU	If Yingtai were a girl, don’t you think she and Liang Shanbo would make a lovely couple?
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Don’t talk nonsense. In his letter, Chuk Kungyuan made it very clear that Yingtai was his son, so how could he be a girl?
(AUNTIE ZHOU SMILES TO HERSELF. THEN WE HEAR FIRECRACKERS OFF STAGE AND YINGTAI AND SHANBO RE-ENTER AND SERVANTS WITH CUPS OF WINE THAT THEY PASS AROUND.)
LAO YUE:	On New Year’s Eve, Zhou invited Shanbo and Yingtai over to celebrate the festival. As the two bosom pals sat with the old couple, they were like one happy family. Zhou was particularly merry.
(LAO YUE LEAVES.)
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Let’s compose a spring festival couplet to celebrate the New Year. I’ll begin. “Amidst blazing firecrackers, a thousand families rejoice.”
YINGTAI:	“Plum blossom clusters in winter bring new scenery.”
ZHOU SHIZANG:	Very good. Try this. “The language of birds and the fragrance of flowers adorn the lovely landscape.”
SHANBO:	“The wind and glorious sun welcome a new spring.”
ZHOU SHIZANG:	That’s really great. Shanbo’s literary style is simple-hearted and honest; Yingtai’s is outstanding and elegant. You both have very different strengths, but a bright future ahead of you.
AUNTIE ZHOU:	The two of you are so intimate that you really seem much more than just brothers.
(THEY ALL LEAVE. YINGTAI AND SHANBO ENTER THEIR ROOM. WHILE SHANBO GOES TO SLEEP YINGTAI PUTS A CACTUS BETWEEN THEM. THE LIGHTS DIM AND THE VIOLIN CONCERTO PLAYS TO CONVEY THE PASSAGE OF TIME. THEN THE LIGHTS COME UP, THE MUSIC FADES AS WE HEAR THE COCK CROW. WHEN SHANBO TURNS TOWARD YINGTAI, HE IS PRICKED AND WAKES UP AT ONCE. YINGTAI GETS UP TOO. SHANBO SEES THE CACTUS.)
SHANBO:	Sworn brother, what are you doing? This hurts. Please it put elsewhere. Or how am I going to sleep?
YINGTAI:	Sleep? It’s almost sunrise.
(ROOSTER CROWS AGAIN AND THE SUN IS UP. YAN SUM BRINGS IN A LETTER.)
YAN SUM:	Young master, you have a letter from home. Read it.
(SHE HANDS HER THE LETTER, WHICH YINGTAI READS)
YINGTAI:	My mother is getting very sick. I’m asked to return home immediately. Brother, why don’t you read it?
(HE TAKES AND READS IT.)
SHANBO:	“My son Yingtai: You have been studying in Hangzhou for three years. Your mother misses you terribly and is getting sick as a result. You should pack up and return home at once, to comfort your parents. Your father.” (TO YINGTAI.) I’m terribly reluctant to see you leave, but I understand.
YINGTAI:	I should do so at once. Let me first bid farewell to my teacher. Yan Sum please go and buy a boat ticket to take us home.
YAN SUM:	Yes Master.
(YAN SUM EXITS.)
YINGTAI:	Brother Shanbo, you’ll be going home soon too. When you get home, please pass my greetings on to your mother.
SHANBO:	Certainly. When you get home, please do the same for me.
YINGTAI:	Of course. Your mother isn’t getting any younger. It’s time you get a wife to take care of her in her old age. Please tell me when you find the right girl, so I can attend your wedding feast.
SHANBO:	Stop joking! I’m a poor man. Who would want to marry me? You, on the other hand, come from a wealthy family, and, on top of that, you are such a brilliant scholar. Who knows, maybe when you get home, your parents have already set up a nice girl for you. If so, please don’t forget our oath of sworn brotherhood on your wedding night!
YINGTAI:	I don’t care if you laugh at me, but I’ve decided that I will never find a wife. I only want to spend the rest of my life with you. What do you say to that?
SHANBO:	I think you’re talking nonsense. Anyway let me walk you to the boat to see you off.
YINGTAI:	Very well.
(THEY LEAVE TOGETHER. THE CURTAIN DESCENDS)

Scene 4

Setting	Backcloth with a jetty and boat on one side and a temple with statue of Lao Yue on the other
Characters	Lao Yue, Shi Kau, Yan Sum, Shanbo, Yingtai.
Furniture and Props	Luggage, tray with jug and cups for wine, jade butterflies.
Sounds and Music	Quacking of ducks, violin concerto.</span>

(STAGE LEFT IS A BACKDROP OF A JETTY WITH BOAT. STAGE RIGHT IS THE A BACKDROP OF A TEMPLE WITH A STATUE OF YUE LAO HOLDING SOME RED STRING. THEN THE LIVING YUE LAO ENTERS STAGE RIGHT. HE POINTS AT THE STATUE AND LAUGHS.)
YUE LAO:	Yes that’s me. Later you will understand my part in this story.
(HE LEAVES. SHI KAU ENTERS STAGE LEFT HOLDING A TRAY WITH WINE AND CUPS.)
SHI KAU:	[TO THE AUDIENCE] As I think it over, both Yan Sum and Master Chuk are definitely women. My young master is blind . My heart aches! Yan Sum will leave today. I asked for an advance from my wages to send her off with a flagon of wine.
(HE WIPES HIS TEARS. YAN SUM ENTERS CARRYING A PIECE OF LUGGAGE.)
YAN SUM:	[TO THE AUDIENCE] I have spent three years with Shi Kau. How can I not feel the pain!
SHI KAU:	[TO YAN SUM] Sister ….. Sorry, I mean Brother Yan Sum. We are to be separated like birds flying apart. I cried myself to sleep last night. See how my eyes are swollen.
YAN SUM:	We are men. Birds flying apart applies to couples. You should know that.
SHI KAU:	You voice is soft. Your fingers are tender. Exactly like a woman’s. If you were a woman, I would marry you. I swear I am not day dreaming.
YAN SUM:	Huh. You are crazy about women. Even if you are not ashamed of yourself, you should be sensitive about my feelings.
SHI KAU:	My feet will be so cold, sleeping by myself. I will call on you every night in my dreams. I wish you’d turn into a maiden, so we could be united like a phoenix and a dragon. Since our masters are still some distance away, let us drink.
YAN SUM:	Of course, we can have a drink to say goodbye.
(THEY EXIT TOGETHER. SHANBO AND YINGTAI ENTER, HOLDING HANDS.)
SHANBO:	Life is like a dream. After you leave, our room will be empty.
YINGTAI:	We can see one another in our dreams.
(WE HEAR THE VIOLIN CONCERTO AGAIN AND TWO BUTTERLY DANCERS APPEAR.)
YINGTAI:	See how the butterflies fly together among the flowers – sharing their love – whispering to one another. Brother, are you like a butterfly? Would you want to dance as a couple? Can you write me a poem?
SHANBO:	Who cares if the butterflies are circling the flowers! I grind the iron ink stone and cannot come up with love poetry. If you were a girl, we would be tying our knot as a couple! I so hate the sight of that boat that will tear you from me
(THE DANCERS LEAVE. WE HEAR THE QUACKING OF DUCKS AND PERHAPS VERY SOFTLY THE VIOLIN CONCERTO AGAIN.)
YINGTAI:	See how those ducks cross their necks, how intimate they are. They seem to be laughing at your sorrowful expression. Don’t let them tease you.
SHANBO:	They don’t understand the agony of human separation. At night, I will hug my cold blanket all alone.
YINGTAI:	So human beings are worse off than the birds.
SHANBO:	Brother Chuk. After you leave, you will be reunited with your family. But for me, you will be far away. Let’s walk a little before we part.
(THEY CROSS TO THE BUDDHIST TEMPLE WITH THE STATUE OF THE MOON DEITY ON THE ALTAR; THEY ENTER THE TEMPLE HALL.)
YINGTAI:	Who is that old man with a white beard and a big smile on his face, holding a piece of red string in his hand? Is he the God of the Land?
SHANBO:	No, he is the god who unites persons in marriage. He’s called Yue Lao, the Old Man under the Moon. He’s responsible for all the marriages in the world. Little brother, if you want a happy marriage, you can burn incense to him.
YINGTAI:	Brother, why don’t you ask the moon deity to tie our knot as a married couple?
SHANBO:	As brothers, we are better than spouses. There is no need to join together on the blue bridge.
(YINGTAI AND SHANBO FREEZE FOR A MOMENT AND THERE IS A CHORD OR TWO OF MUSIC WHILE YUE LAO EXPLAINS.)
YUE LAO:	The bittersweet phrase, the blue bridge, refers to a moving love story, between a man and a woman who fell in love with each other. One of them broke their promise to be together forever and as a result, the other committed suicide.
(UNFREEZE.)
YINGTAI:	Too bad the moon elder is sculpted from wood and earth. I doubt he can help me.
SHANBO:	Your appearance and talent are outstanding. You will be matched with such a lady.
YINGTAI:	Brother, I suddenly have an idea….. I would like to propose that I act as your matchmaker. What do you think?
SHANBO:	What? You want to help me find a wife?
YINGTAI:	As I told you, I have a younger sister. She is unattached. If you agree, I’d be more than happy to set you up with her. Then we can be together in the same family for the rest of our lives.
SHANBO:	How could I say no to such a wonderful offer? But I come from such a poor family, it would be do a great disservice to your sister.
YINGTAI:	Be assured. My sister and I are twins. We not only look alike, but think alike. She doesn’t want riches. She doesn’t despise poverty. She’ll listen to me. I will persuade her. As soon as you’ve finished school and seen your mother, come to me at once. Otherwise, this perfect plan will be for naught. Do not disappoint me. Any delay may ruin our plan. But before we part let me leave you with a token as a betrothal gift. In my hands here is a pair of jade butterflies.
(SHE HANDS HIM THE JADE BUTTERFLIES.)
SHANBO:	Thank you so much. This will make us closer than ever.
(THEY CROSS BACK TO THE JETTY BY THE BOAT. SHI KAU AND YAN SUM ENTER. BOTH ARE WIPING THEIR TEARS. SHI KAU BRINGS A BOTTLE OF WINE AND FOUR GLASSES)
SHI KAU:	Young master. The boat is going to leave anytime now. I can’t help crying.
YINGTAI:	Brother Liang, keep your promise to visit me on time. Don’t make me worry.
SHANBO:	Brother Chuk. I promise.
(HE TAKES THE BOTTLE OF WINE AND SHI KAU HANDS OUT THE GLASSES. HE POURS THE WINE AND RAISES HIS GLASS)
SHANBO:	To your safe journey!
SHI KAU:	Brother Yan Sum. Let me also toast you. As the saying goes, brothers are like limbs. We sworn brothers are closer than siblings. Let’s empty the cups till our faces get red.
(YAN SUM GETS TO THE JETTY AND DRINKS WITH YINGTAI.)
YINGTAI:	Brother, you must study hard. One day, you will ride on the crest of success. A cup of wine to mark our separation; a celebration mixed with tears.
SHANBO:	Let us celebrate! In three months, we will be reunited.
(ALL EXIT.) (CURTAIN DOWN.)

Scene 5

Setting	Zhou Shizhang’s Study
Characters	Lao Yue, Zhou Shizhang, Madam Zhou

The Images are intended to inspire ideas for characters, costumes, props, settings, etc.

(MASTER ZHOU’S STUDY. LAO YUE ENTERS AT THE SIDE OF THE STAGE.)
LAO YUE:	Before Shanbo left Hangzhou he had told Master and Madam Zhou of his plan to marry Brother Yingtai’s sister.
(ZHOU SHIZHANG, AND MADAM ZHOU ENTER.)
MADAM ZHOU:	That “brother” is such a clever girl! It’s so ingenious the way she has planned her wedding with Liang Shanbo. Why didn’t you let me tell the boy that her so-called twin sister is actually Yingtai herself? He would be overjoyed I’m sure.
ZHOU SHIZHANG:	How can you be so sure? What if you’re wrong about the whole thing? Wouldn’t that be a terrible insult to Yingtai? I just can’t believe that Yingtai was actually a girl.
MADAM ZHOU:	Just you wait and see!
(THEY LEAVE THE STAGE. DRAW CURTAIN.)

Scene 6

Setting	Courtyard and Garden of the Chuk Family Home.
Characters	Lao Yue, Madam Qiu, Chuk Kungyuan, Madam Chuk, Yingtai, Manchoi.
Furniture and Props	A book, a table.

The Big Dipper, an ink painting by Ming Dynasty royal artist. In Chinese mythology, most beings in the celestial worlds more or less look like humans. The difference between the bodies of the terrestrial humans and the celestial beings is that the latter is much more refined in substance, more graceful in appearance, lighter in weight, shining in colour and transformable in shape since it is not formed with flesh and blood but pure Qi.

(THE CHUK HOUSEHOLD AS IN SCENE 1. LAO YUE APPEARS.)
LAO YUE:	As the Scottish poet, Robert Burns said, “the best laid plans often go awry.” While Yingtai and Shanbo were making their farewells, Yingtai’s parents received a visit from Madam Qiu, a manipulative matchmaker. She did not care how many unhappy marriages she caused as, long as she made money.
(LAO YUE MOVES TO THE SIDE OF THE STAGE. CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAM CHUK ENTER WITH MADAM QIU.)
MADAME QIU:	I have to congratulation you Master and Madam Chuk. I’ve been sent by Governor Ma to announce the good news that he wishes to obtain your daughter’s hand in marriage for his third son, Manchoi. H’s just turned twenty-four, and he’s very talented as well as learned. He doesn’t gamble or drink, and is an obedient son. Because he knows he is such a good catch, he’s very choosy. I’ve already tried to arrange several matches for him, but he’s never satisfied. Either the girl’s not pretty enough or she’s not smart enough. Now after looking long and hard, he has fixed his sights upon your daughter, who he has heard is both pretty and bright. What’s more, both of your families are from the same social class. His son is clever and your daughter is pretty. It’s a ‘marriage made in Heaven’
(LAO YUE PUTS HIS HAND BESIDE HIS MOUTH LEST THE OTHERS HEAR.)
LAO YUE:	Oh no it isn’t. I have that on good authority. My own!
(OF COURSE ONLY THE AUDIENCE CAN HEAR HIM.)
MADAME QIU:	So, now what do you think?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	When I went to Ma’s house for a banquet the other day, I met his son. He is a most presentable young man. He’d make an excellent son-in-law. And, seeing that Master Ma has purposely sent over Madam Qiu to intercede for his son, I think we should accept his offer here and now.
MADAM CHUK:	Why such a rush? Marriage is not a minor matter. We should take time to think about it.
MADAME QIU:	I think you should agree with your husband. How many families like the Ma’s do you think there are in Shangyu County? And how many eligible young bachelors like Manchoi? Other girls would die for such a chance, but here he is handed to you on a silver platter, and you want to say no?! If you refuse him, I’m afraid Master Ma might be very unhappy. If you go along with him, he can be as kind as Buddha, but if you cross him he can be like the Devil himself! Why make an enemy of him if you can be friends?
(MADAM CHUK SIGNALS TO HER HUSBAND TO MOVE TO ANOTHER PART OF THE STAGE WHERE THEY CANNOT BE HEARD.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	(TO MADAME QIU) Please excuse us, for just a moment.
(WHILE THEY MOVE AWAY, LAO YUE SPEAKS.)
LAO YUE:	As just an ordinary citizen Chuk Kungyuan would find it a great honour to be connected with the likes of such a powerful family. For his daughter’s future happiness, he just couldn’t miss such a golden opportunity. He had been just about to consent to the marriage.
(AGAIN ONLY THE AUDIENCE HEARD THIS.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	What was all that about?
MADAM CHUK:	You can’t take anything that matchmaker says at face value. She’s definitely got an axe to grind. We must find out if she is telling the truth. We should wait for Yingtai to get home and ask her opinion. You know her temper, and if she doesn’t agree to this marriage, there’s going to be trouble.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Though your concerns are completely valid, in the matter of marriage it is the parents that should have the ultimate say. If I can check out his background and approve of his character, that will be enough for me to make my decision. For Yingtai to be able to marry into such a prestigious official family is her good fortune and will bring glory to our family.
MADAM CHUK:	You can tell Yingtai that when she arrives. For now, tell Madam Qiu that the deal is still being negotiated and that she can come back in a month for our reply.
(HE GOES BACK TO MADAME CHUK AND MIMES TALKING TO HER WHILE LAO YUE SPEAKS.)
LAO YUE:	Chuk Kungyuan did as his wife bade him. The matchmaker was not very pleased that she could not immediately report success to the Ma family, but since the Chuk’s were not flatly refusing the offer, she asked that they contact her as soon as they had decided.
(CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAME QIU BOW TO EACH OTHER AND LEAVE. WE HEAR A FEW CHORDS OF THE VIOLIN CONCERTO AND YINGTAI AND YAN SUM ENTER AND ARE GREETED BY MADAME CHUK.)
LAO YUE:	When Yingtai and Yan Sum got home and saw that Madam Chuk was not sick at all, they found this a little strange, but Madam Chuk explained she had come down with a minor illness and was now recovered. Their suspicions were put to rest. Yingtai is shy to bring up the subject of Shanbo with her Dad, but eventually summons up courage to tell her Mum.
YINGTAI:	He is a virtuous and learned young man. We were classmates for three years, and we’re also sworn brothers. We get along perfectly and that’s why I made up the story about a twin sister and promised him that I would persuade her to marry him. Please say you support me, Mother.
(YINGTAI AND YAN SUM LEAVE. MADAME CHUK PACES UP AND DOWN WHILE LAO YUE SPEAKS.)
LAO YUE:	Madam Chuk was moved by her words, but knew that she did not have the final say. She told Yingtai not to worry for the moment, as she would talk it over with her father. But Chuk Kungyuan was furious when he heard.
(CHUK KUNGYUAN ENTERS AND SLAMS HIS FIST DOWN ON A TABLE.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	How dare she defy me like that! How dare she take matters into her own hands! She is absolutely shameless, and she calls herself an educated woman! She is a disgrace to our family!
MADAM CHUK:	Since things have already gone this far, we might as well just approve this marriage. I’s the least we can do to show our love for our daughter.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Nonsense! We give in to her about everything! Do we now have to listen to her about her marriage too? Forget it! I don’t care how wonderful this Liang Shanbo fellow is, or whatever kind of a deal they have made with each other, she’s not going to get her way this time! I’ve already checked out Manchoi’s credentials, and I’ve decided to go through with the offer. That’s my final decision, and from now on I don’t want you interfering.
(WE SEE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIBED BY LAO YUE, PLAYED OUT IN MIME BY THE CHARACTBERS.)
LAO YUE:	Madam Qiu showed up a few days later for her answer, and Chuk Kungyuan promptly closed the deal with her. Madam Chuk wanted to tell Yingtai, but Chuk Kungyuan forbade her, saying that since ancient times it had always been the parents who had the final say in their children’s marriage. And so, just like that, the rest of Yingtai’s life was determined by her parents, while Yingtai was still completely in the dark. Poor Yingtai, who was still dreaming about her blissful future with Liang Shanbo!
(YINGTAI TAKES UP A POSE, SEATED READING A BOOK. MADAM QIU SPIES UPON HER.)
LAO YUE:	One day, when Madam Qiu came over to find out Yingtai’s date of birth and the eight characters of her Chinese horoscope, she decided to take this opportunity to check out what Yingtai looked like. Having heard that the girl was sitting in the garden relaxing, she stealthily slipped through the garden gate to spy on her. Yingtai was sitting with a book in her hand, in a state of contemplation.
MADAME QIU:	What a beauty she is! What a rare jewel!
(MANCHOI APPEARS AT THE SIDE OF THE STAGE. MADAM QIU MIMES TO HIM. MANCHOI PREENS HIMSELF.)
LAO YUE:	When she got back to the Ma household, she described Yingtai as a “goddess who has descended to the world of mortals.” Although he had not yet seen Yingtai Madam Qiu had such a gift for weaving words that Manchoi was fascinated. Madam Qiu also lied and told him that Yingtai was longing to marry such a handsome and talented young man. This appealed to his vanity. He was convinced. He was anxious to get on with the marriage arrangements as soon as possible. So he set off to the Chuk’s family home to deliver the betrothal gifts.
(EVERYBODY LEAVES THE STAGE. THE CURTAINS ARE DRAWN)

Scene 7

Setting	Countryside by a bridge
Characters	Manchoi, Ma Fu, Ma lung, Shi Kau, Shanbo, Woodcutter girl.
Furniture and Props	Loads of betrothal gifts, luggage with clothing, an axe.

(COUNTRYSIDE BY A BRIDGE. MANCHOI ENTERS AND ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE.)
MANCHOI:	I am so happy that nuptial bliss is upon me, at last to impregnate a girl. I am so excited and happy for myself.
(MA FU AND MA LUNG, MANCHOI’S SERVANTS ENTER CARRYING LOADS OF GIFTS. THEY STOP BECAUSE THEY ARE EXHAUSTED.)
MANCHOI:	Why are you taking a break here. Don’t you realize that I am in a great hurry?
MA LUNG:	Young master. We need a break. My back is really hurting.
MA FU:	We’ve gone so far. It’s exhausting carrying this load of presents.
MANCHOI:	Rest assured big tips are coming. Take a short break. Once we resume, we will go fast no matter how much further and how hard the journey.
(SHI KAU ENTERS CARRYING LUGGAGE WITH CLOTHING. SHANBO ALSO ENTERS AND ADDRESSES THE AUDIENCE.)
SHI KAU:	Look, young master. We’re at a fork. I’ve no idea which road will take us to the Chuk Family Hamlet.
SHANBO:	All you need to do is ask. Go over and inquire about it.
SHI KAU:	[TO MANCHOI] Hi, my friend, do you know how we can get to the Chuk Family Hamlet? Please be kind enough to let us know.
MANCHOI:	Wait a moment. My servants will help you. [ASIDE TO MA LUNG AND MA FU] I don’t why that odd couple should be going to the Chuk family village. I don’t want them around when I’m presenting my gifts. The village is to the east. Point them in the wrong direction.
(MA LUNG AND MA FU GO OVER TO SHI KHAU)
MA LUNG:	You will have to go over a few hills for it is quite far away.
MA FU:	Just keep on going; cross the bridge when you see one.
MA LUNG:	Face west the whole time; It is a long journey ahead.
MA FU:	We need to get going; you just keep heading west.
(MAN CHOI EXITS LAUGHING WITH MA LUNG AND MA FU.)
SHANBO:	Shi Kau, from now on you should always be polite toward others. Let us continue towards the setting sun.
(THEY CONTINUE WALKING ROUND AND ROUND THE STAGE WITH SHI KAU CARRYING A HEAVY LOAD.)
SHANBO:	You are rather slow. Let’s hurry up; the sun is about to set.
SHI KAU:	I’m dripping with sweat. I feel like a fat lamb. Why don’t I ask again? What if those fellows decided to trick us? There’s somebody coming. I’ll ask her.
(ENTER THE WOMAN WOODCUTTER, CARRYING AN AXE. SHI KAU GREETS HER.)
SHI KAU:	Woman, can you tell me how to get to the Chuk Family Hamlet?
WOODCUTTER:	How come you are so dumb?
SHI KAU:	(ASIDE) Young master, I’m trying to be polite. Why is he like that?
SHANBO:	(ASSIDE) She looks like she is a young girl. You address her as a woman. No wonder she responds like that. (HE ADDRESSES THE WOODCUTTER) Sister, please forgive him. We are on our way to the Chuk Family Hamlet to visit a friend. Can you please give us directions?
WOODCUTTER:	I see. If you are going to the Chuk Family Hamlet, you are heading in the wrong direction. It’s to the east. You’re traveling in the opposite direction. (SHE POINTS ) After that hill, it will still be far away.
SHANBO:	Now we have to walk back on the original route. It may take us till next morning.
SHI KAU:	I am so exhausted that it seems my soul is no longer with my body. Let’s turn around then and continue this miserable trip.
(THEY EXIT) (DOWN CURTAIN)

Scene 8

Setting	Courtyard and Garden of the Chuk Family Home.
Characters	Yingtai, Lao Yue, Yan Sum, Madam Chuk.
Furniture and Props	Book

(AS IN SCENE 1. YINGTAI IS READING A BOOK. LAO YUE COMMENTS FROM THE SIDE OF THE STAGE.)
LAO YUE:	The next morning she was completely occupied, perhaps prophetically, with reading the famous poem “Encountering Sorrow” by Qu Yuan, when Yan Sum suddenly ran in.
YAN SUM:	Miss! Miss! Congratulations, your marriage to Master Liang has been settled! He’s turned up here with lots of betrothal gifts. I saw them!
YINGTAI:	Really? Are you sure?
YAN SUM:	Why should I lie about such a thing? I can assure you that your marriage to Master Liang is now certain.
YINGTAI:	Can you say what you said again, only slower this time? You’ve got me all worked up. Maybe I didn’t hear you clearly.
YAN SUM:	The reason you’re all worked up is not because you heard me incorrectly. The reason is that you heard me correctly and now you can’t control your happiness. (PAUSE) All right, I’ll tell you all the details. Just now I was loitering in the front courtyard, when I noticed that there was a crowd of guests in the living room. Your dad was all smiles and was ordering some of his servants to move boxes of presents into the next room. At first I wondered whether, it was your dad’s birthday, but then I thought that if it was, you would know and be there celebrating with him. So I went into the room where your mum taking the presents out of the boxes and setting them one by one on the table. Then I heard her say, ‘Well it looks like her marriage is settled for good now. Today we’ve accepted the betrothal gifts, and the wedding will take place in two months.’ At this point, it all became clear to me what has happened. What do you think?
YINGTAI:	So what kind of presents did you see?
YAN SUM:	Let me see ….. there were ten bolts of silk.
YINGTAI:	They signify the alliance between our two families, no doubt. What else was there?
YAN SUM:	There were also four brocade boxes full of books, brushes and ink stones.
YINGTAI:	How considerate of Brother Liang to remember my love for poetry.
YAN SUM:	There were also many items of gold, silver, jewelry….
YINGTAI:	Yan Sum, are you sure you got a good look?
YAN SUM:	Yes. That’s exactly what I saw. There’s no mistake. And the jewelry included pearls, agates and carved jade. It was quite a sight!
YINGTAI:	And are you sure you heard my Mum’s words clearly?
YAN SUM:	Of course I heard her clearly — I’m not deaf.
YINGTAI:	Yan Sum, this can’t be right. You and I know Brother Liang is from a very poor family. There’s no way he could present gold, silver and pearls as betrothal gifts.
YAN SUM:	You’re right, mistress. When I was in Hangzhou, Shi Kau often told me that Liang’s home only possessed poetry books. Gold and silver are exactly what his home doesn’t have.
YINGTAI:	Moreover, Brother Liang and I made a verbal agreement that within two months he would come over and propose to me. But today it’s only been one month. Why would he come so hastily? Also, the last time I talked to my Mum about us, she said that she would first talk it over with my father and then get back to me about it. But she hasn’t yet. I think there must be a reason for this. I’ll talk to her tonight.
(THEY LEAVE THE STAGE.)
LAO YUE:	Madam Chuk had originally planned to keep the news from her for a while, but now her daughter’s suspicions were aroused, she’d better tell her the whole story.
(YINGTAI ENTERS WITH MADAM CHUK AND YAN SUM.)
YINGTAI:	Mother, mother! You can’t let this marriage go through! I told you I’ve already found somebody. There’s no way I will marry into the Ma family.
YAN SUM:	Please Madam, help my mistress. If not, she’ll fall ill, and that will break your heart!
MADAM CHUK:	Yingtai, what can I do? I don’t have the final say.
YINGTAI:	It doesn’t matter what father says. I’ve made up my mind to marry Brother Liang. If I can’t, then I’ll be single for the rest of my life! I’ll become a nun.
MADAM CHUK:	Yingtai, don’t be so stubborn. Your dad has set up this marriage for your own good. The Ma’s are a rich and powerful family, and Manchoi is talented as well as virtuous. You’ll live in the lap of luxury with them. You’ll have everything you’ve ever wanted, and what’s more, you will make your parents proud.
YINGTAI:	I don’t care about the good life and being rich. I want someone I love – who can be my life-long companion and friend.
MADAM CHUK:	Even so, it’s too late now because your dad has already closed the deal. And even if there was no deal, there is still no way he would ever let you marry Liang Shanbo. As I see it, the kindest thing for you to do now is to withdraw your proposal to Liang, so you won’t jeopardize his chances of finding someone else.
YINGTAI:	How can you say such a thing, Mother? I’ve already promised Liang Shanbo. How can I go back on my word? In one month he’s coming here to propose to me. Please, I beg you to talk to Dad again, and please return all those betrothal gifts to the Ma’s.
MADAM CHUK:	Very well. I’ll talk to your father again. But I make no promises.

Scene 9

Setting	Courtyard and Garden of the Chuk Family Home.
Characters	Shanbo, Shi Kau, Yan Sum, Yingtai, Butterly ballet dancers, Chuk Kungyuan, Madam Chuk, Manchoi, housemaid.
Furniture and Props	Bottle of wine and glasses, jade butterflies, food on a tray, scissors.
Sounds and Music	Violin concerto.</span>

(SHANBO AND SHI KHA ARRIVE OUTSIDE THE CHUK FAMILY HOME)
SHANBO:	Shi Kau, I think this is the right place. You better go and inquire in the most polite manner. If it is the right one, ask for Brother Chuk. Say that Liang Shanbo is here to visit.
SHI KAU:	(CALLS) Hey, anyone inside? Our young master is here to visit your young master. Please announce our visit to the host.
(YAN SUM, NOW DRESSED AS THE GIRL SHE IS, HEARS THE NOISE AND COMES OUT.)
YAN SUM:	(HAPPILY) Oh, are you Brother Shi Kau?
SHI KAU:	I don’t think I know you. How do you know me? Why are you staring at me like that? Oh, I understand. You must be Yan Sum’s sister.
YAN SUM:	(TO HERSELF)How can he be so stupid? Ok, let’s have some fun. (ALOUD) Yes, I am. Who are you looking for?
SHI KAU:	(HAPPILY) Let me introduce myself. I am a good friend of your brother called Shi Kau. I come with my master Liang to see your master Mr. Chuk Yingtai.
YAN SUM:	(EXCITED) Oh, is that right? Why don’t you and your master Liang come in? Let me announce your arrival.
(THEY ENTER AND SHE LEAVES. THEY LOOKS AROUND AND ARE SURPRISED NOT TO SEE ANYONE.)
SHANBO:	Did we enter through the wrong door? How come there isn’t anyone here?
SHI KAU:	Yan Sum’s sister told us to come in. Let’s sit. I am so tired.
(THEY SIT DOWN. YAN SUM ENTERS WITH YINGTAI THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STAGE, WHERE THEY CANNOT BE SEEN BY SHANBO AND SHI KAU.)
YINGTAI:	It should have been a happy reunion. But it turns into a tragic encounter. The sooner I tell him the truth, the sooner he will be heartbroken. What choice do I have but try to make the best out of it?
YAN SUM:	Come have courage. Let us enter.
(THEY ENTER. SHI KAU SEEMS TO NOTICE THE FAMILIAR FACES BUT IS UNSURE. SHANBO IS STUNNED BY THE SIGHT OF YINGTAI DRESSED AS A WOMAN. HE DARES NOT LOOK AT HER STRAIGHT.)
YINGTAI:	Brother Liang, How are you?
SHANBO:	You, you, you… Are you Yingtai’s sister? Where is my brother Yingtai? How come he is not here?
YINGTAI:	I… I don’t have any sister at home. This is Yingtai right in front of you. I am a woman. I dressed like a man in order to travel to study.
(SHANBO IS SHOCKED.)
SHANBO:	I see. So you and Yingtai’s sister are the same person. That is beyond words.
SHI KAU:	I saw through this a long time ago. My dear master, however, is too trusting, too gullible. He has been deceived for three long years. The dagger finally reveals itself at the end of the rolled map. At last everything is clear.
SHANBO:	Oooh thank… thank heaven! Sworn brothers now become good spouses. Thank heaven for tying the knot for this beautiful union.
YINGTAI:	Finally, you understand Brother.
SHANBO:	At last I understand.
YINGTAI:	(SUDDENLY SOBBING) Brother Liang, I am afraid you are too late.
SHANBO:	Why too late?
YINGTAI:	My heart is pierced before I can open my mouth. Our romance will dissolve, like the moon in the water. The blooming flower is awaiting the butterfly; But its beauty has drawn instead the attention of the bees. I am bonded to a marriage I have not sought. I can only blame my father. I am betrothed to Ma Manchoi. I blame you as well for being late for our reunion.
SHANBO:	My dear, do you love me or do you love Manchoi? Please make this very clear.
YINGTAI:	Brother Liang, your question is now meaningless.
SHANBO:	My dear Sister Chuk, please go and ask your father to reconsider. Tell him of your resolute opposition. Do whatever you can so we can be together.
YINGTAI:	My father has made it clear. He will not grant our request to tie the knot. He considers that an affront to traditional teachings and morals.
SHI KAU:	Miss, you need to match his stubbornness with yours and simply refuse to give up. He is the one who made the promise, so let him marry that fellow. If you are resolute, there must be a way. I, Shi Kau, am not bragging, but with my help, we can do it.
YAN SUM:	Don’t be ridiculous! The betrothal is tomorrow. Even if you were as brilliant as the strategist, Kung Ming, it is too late!
SHANBO:	(HE STARTS TO SOB) Fate sets us apart. With great sadness, I return this betrothal gift to you my dear. This pair of jade butterflies won’t be able to fly together. With a broken heart, I… I… will just head home.
(HE RETURNS THE JADE BUTTERFLIES. SHE TAKES THEM AND AFTER A GOOD LOOK, HANDS THEM BACK TO HIM.)
YINGTAI:	My dearest, the jade butterflies are for you to keep. We cannot fly together like butterflies this life, but I hope this pair will remind you of me. (SHE SOBS) Brother Liang, in fulfilling my filial obligation, I can’t at the same time fulfill our love. I ask you to forgive me. Let us talk over a cup of wine. Yan Sum leave us now.
YAN SUM:	Yes, my lady. Come Shi Kau.
(SHE LEAVES WITH SHI KAU.)
YINGTAI:	Brother Liang, come to the terrace. Wine will take away the sadness.
(THEY CROSS THE STAGE TO WHERE THERE IS A BOTTLE OF WINE AND GLASSES.)
YINGTAI:	Let’s get drunk together. How bitter sweet! But you …. you have a bright future ahead of you. Don’t allow yourself be detained by our sorrowful relationship.
(THE VIOLIN CONCERTO. SOME BUTTERFLIES START TO DANCE AT THE BACK OF THE STAGE.)
SHANBO:	Oh butterflies, you stay together in pairs, but I will remain alone. Three years of deep affection now vanish.
YINGTAI:	In the past, I likened us to butterflies. Today, I am more like a cuckoo weeping in blood.
SHANBO:	My bones will turn into ashes, but my bitterness won’t be vanquished. How can I accuse you for being heartless and lay any blame on you?
(YINGTAI HOLDS SHANBO’S HAND.)
YINGTAI:	From now on, it will be impossible to see you anymore.
SHANBO:	Love can endure, but our desire can never be fulfilled.
YINGTAI:	In a short while, I can no longer behold your dear face.
(TOGETHER THEY CRY. SHI KAU, YAN SUM, KUNGYUAN, MADAM CHUK, MANCHOI ENTER, TOGETHER WITH THE HOUSEMAID CARRYING FOOD ON A TRAY.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Now, I understand why you have been so insistent on rejecting the marriage proposal. It is all because of this fellow student! What you did makes me fume with anger!
MADAM CHUK:	My daughter, please listen. You have already accepted the Ma family’s betrothal presents. You are a member of the Ma household. Whatever love or feeling you have had ought to be severed.
YAN SUM:	Mistress. It is pointless to dwell on it any more. It is fate.
SHI KAU:	Young master. All we can say is that we were late! It is now too late to do anything. It is over. She will be married into the Ma family because we were late for three days. Let’s go. No use to linger. No use for you two to keep on talking.
SHANBO:	I will leave now, Yingtai. I blame myself for the lack of luck. If we will to meet again, it will be over in the Yellow Spring of Hades. Shi Kau, give me a hand.
(SHI KAU COMES OVER TO HELP. MANCHOI BLOCKS THE WAY.)
MANCHOI :	Why the hurry, Mr. Liang? Please stay and attend the banquet tonight before you go. A talented man and a fine-looking woman make a perfect couple. This gorgeous beauty is all mine. When it is time for the bride to travel on the fragrant carriage to her new home, you should be on hand to bless the couple. As we conclude the nuptial union, please honor us with your presence. I heard you were my fiancé’s classmate and that you two are sworn siblings! In that case, you will become my brother-in-law. Since we are all family, you should stay to attend the banquet. Don’t be a stranger, my future brother-in-law.
(SHANBO COUGHS BLOOD)
SHANBO:	(STAMMERS) Th…th…hank you so much. N…. n …. nuptial union.
(YINGTAI HOLDS HER KERCHIEF FOR THE BLOOD DRIPPING FROM HIS MOUTH. SHI KAU SUPPORTS SHANBO TO PREVENT HIM FROM FALLING.)
SHI KAU:	Young master, take good care. Manchoi, you deliberately provoke him to the point of coughing blood. Watch out for your last days – you are cursed. At times of thunder and lightning, you better watch out.
SHANBO:	I would rather die for love and go down to the Yellow Spring; That would be better than staying alive to witness my darling join someone else’s household. I bid you farewell. I hope that during Qingming every March, My darling will come visit my grave.
SHI KAU:	Your hope is no hope at all. Young master, let us just leave.
(HOLDING SHANBO BY HAND, THEY START TO EXIT TOGETHER. YINGTAI THROWS HERSELF AFTER SHANBO.)
YINGTAI:	I will not marry another person. I hope to die for my lover. My loyalty and devotion will remain unchanged.
(MANCHOI TRIES TO RESTRAIN HER.)
MANCHOI:	Dear, you have to let go. I will cherish you like golden bells protecting flowers. Why are you still whimpering?
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	You impudent girl, do you still refuse to come to your senses?
YINGTAI:	Even if you don’t cancel the marriage, I’m not going to marry Master Ma. I don’t care even if he were the Son of Heaven. You might be afraid of him, but I am not.
(SHE SUDDENLY SEES A PAIR OF SCISSORS ON THE TABLE AND STARTS CUTTING HER HAIR WITH THEM.)
MADAM CHUK:	My daughter, why are you doing this to yourself!
YINGTAI:	If Daddy does not cancel the marriage, I will cut off all my hair. I will become a nun! – or I will commit suicide!
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Ok, if you are so stubborn, and refuse to observe your filial responsibility, you don’t have to get married. Let us both die and meet down in the Yellow Spring, the realm of the dead. Let me take my own life first!
YINGTAI:	Ai, my father, please don’t harm yourself. I will obey your order and offer myself as an example of filial piety.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	My desire is to stay wealthy and keep my honour the rest of my life. Ooh, I am so glad that this wedding is going to go forward as planned.
(ALL EXIT.) (CURTAIN DOWN.)

Scene 10

Setting	Courtyard and Garden of the Chuk Family Home.
Characters	Lao Yue, Shanbo, Yingtai, Shi Kau, Yan Sum, Madam Chuk, Chuk Kungyan, Manchoi, Madam Qiu, Musicians.
Furniture and Props	Sedan Chair, writing desk, quill pen, paper, scissors, envelope, drums, bridal gown, ornaments.
Sounds and Music	Wedding drum music, firecrackers.</span>

(THE CHUK RESIDENCE AS IN SCENE 1. YINGTAI IS AT HER WRITING DESK. AT THE EXTREME LEFT OF THE STAGE, AS IF FAR AWAY, IS SHANBO )
LAO YUE:	A few weeks later, Shanbo wrote to her.
(SHANBO SPEAKS AS HE WRITES.)
SHANBO:	Your humble brother has fallen terminally ill. No medicine is helping. Daily I wait with tear-filled eyes for you to prescribe that medicine that alone can make me well again; otherwise you may never see me again.
LAO YUE:	Although she had told her father she would obey him she could not steel herself to do so.
(YINGTAI TAKES A QUILL PEN AND A PIECE OF PAPER AND SPEAKS ALOUD WHAT SHE IS WRITNG.)
YINGTAI:	My father stubbornly clings to his antiquated ways, and rejects the possibility of our marriage. There is nothing I can do. I am distraught when I learn you are ill and pray that you will get well soon. You know the old saying, “As long as the green mountain remains, there will always be firewood.” I speak to you as my only true friend, and I am sure that you will not fail me. I have sworn myself to you and you alone; in life and in death, we will always be together.
(SHE TAKES A PAIR OF SCISSORS WITH WHICH SHE CUTS OFF A LOCK OF HER HAIR AND SEALS IT IN AN ENVELOPE WITH THE LETTER.)
YINGTAI:	Enclosed is a lock of my hair as a token of our future union. I have much more affection in my heart, so please get better soon. Your little brother wipes away the bitter tears and bows humbly before you.
LAO YUE:	Though Yingtai’s father has done his best to imprison her in his Confucian ways, nothing could shut out Yingtai’s and Shanbo’s loyalty to each other.
(SHI KAU APPEARS WITH SHANBO.)
SHANBO:	Shi Kau, I … after I die … go … go and tell Yingtai that I… was thinking of her to the very end. Please… please tell her that she must come to my grave. And tell her never to forget that we swore to be together in life and in death.
SHI KAU:	Yes Master.
(HE HELPS HIS MASTER OFF THE STAGE. YAN SUM APPEARS BESIDE YINGTAI.)
YINGTAI:	So long as he lives through this, one day we will be reunited. But if he doesn’t recover, then I have no choice but to follow him to the next life.
LAO YUE:	She planned to leave before the wedding for the Purple Bamboo Nunnery. Before she did so Shi Kau visited her.
(SHI KAU ENTERS.)
SHI KAU:	My master died six days ago. I would have come to tell you earlier, but I couldn’t get away from the house. He is buried by the side of the main road at the foot of South Mountain. Before he died, he kept calling your name. He wanted me to tell you that he was thinking of you to the very end, and said you must meet him at his grave….
YINGTAI:	tomorrow morning remember to buy some paper money and tinfoil and wait for me at your master’s grave. I shall pay my last respects to him.
YAN SUM:	But, miss, tomorrow the Ma’s will be here …
YINGTAI:	Let them come!
(SHE LIES DOWN TO SLEEP. WE SEE THE FOLLOWING – THE SEDAN CHAIR, PROCESSION AND MUSICIANS PLAYING DRUMS; AND FIRECRACKERS – AS LAO YUE DESCRIBES.)
LAO YUE:	On the seventh day of the seventh lunar month, the early morning sun rose over the mountains and shone brilliantly. It shone on Manchoi, as, dressed up in the gorgeous red silk robe of a bridegroom, his head held high and proud, he rode towards the Chuk residence. Following closely behind was the bridal sedan-chair and its accompanying procession of musicians and other nuptial functionaries. Bringing up the rear was the old crone Qiu, the matchmaker, smugly and triumphantly eyeing the onlookers who thronged both sides of the road.
(WE CAN IMAGINE THE ONLOOKERS. WE SEE YINGTAI WAKING UP.
LAO YUE:	The booming drums and the crackling fireworks suddenly woke Yingtai. She knew that the fateful morning had come, and inevitably felt nervous and afraid. But the thought that her dream would soon come true calmed her down once more. Manchoi was impatient to return home before noon so that he could let his parents meet his new bride. Chuk Gongyuan told his wife to urge Yingtai to hurry up and get dressed.
(MADAM CHUK ENTERS CARRYING A SCARLET WEDDING DRESS AND ORNAMENTS AND ACCESSORIES.)
MADAM CHUK:	Yingtai, the sedan-chair bearers are almost here!
(MADAM CHUK LAYS THE BRIDAL GOWN, ORNAMENTS AND ACCESSORIES READY BEFORE YINGTAI, BUT THE GIRL JUST SITS THERE WITHOUT BUDGING. )
MADAM CHUK:	Yingtai, hurry up and get dressed! Today the weather is going to be hot; it will be much cooler if you can be on the road while it’s still morning.
YINGTAI:	Mother I just have one question I want you to ask Dad and the Ma family, and then I’ll get dressed.
MADAM CHUK:	What’s your question?
YINGTAI:	Please ask them whether they want a dead Yingtai or a living Yingtai as a bride?
MADAM CHUK:	How can you ask such a preposterous question on your wedding day?
YINGTAI:	If they want a living Yingtai as a bride they must first fulfill three conditions; otherwise they should prepare to carry a corpse back home.
MADAM CHUK:	On any other day you can insist on having your own way, but today you have to bow to decorum!
YINGTAI:	This will be the last time I will insist on having my own way. So do you want to hear my conditions or not?
MADAM CHUK:	All right, what are your three conditions?
YINGTAI:	My first is that on my wedding day I dress all in white. I won’t need any of these wedding accessories you have prepared for me.
MADAM CHUK:	How can I let you dress all in white? Today is the only wedding day you’re going to have in your life. You should wear red and green. How can you wear all white?
YINGTAI:	My next condition is that the sedan-chair take a detour to Huqiao Village and pass the foot of South Mountain.
(MADAM CHUK IS GETTING MORE AND MORE PERPLEXED. )
YINGTAI:	My third and last condition is that you allow me to visit Liang Shanbo’s grave to pay my last respects to him.
MADAM CHUK:	This is most awkward. Why do you insist on going to his grave today? In the future, you can visit it any time you want.
YINGTAI:	Today will be the last time I ever pay my respects to him.
YAN SUM:	You know that she is not going to change her mind, Madam. I think the only thing to do now is to talk to the master of the house.
MADAM CHUK:	You’re right. Go and ask my husband to come here, and tell him I have something very important to discuss with him.
YAN SUM:	Yes Ma’am.
(YAN SUM LEAVES.)
MADAM CHUK:	Have you gone out of your mind? Your father will be furious.
YINGTAI:	I know what I am doing.
(CHUK KUNGYUAN ENTERS. MADAM CHUK TAKES A DEEP BREATH.)
MADAM CHUK:	Liang Shanbo has died, and Yingtai wants to pay her last respects at his grave on the way to her wedding as a final expression of their friendship. She promises that this will be the last time she visits it. I think you might as well let her do so.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Stop that nonsense! I don’t want to hear any more! Anyway it’s not up to you and me anymore; what will Manchoi make of such an absurd request?
YINGTAI:	Dad, if you don’t agree, then forget about me getting into that bridal sedan-chair! I have only one life, and there is only one me. If Master Ma wants a dead bride, that’s easy. But if he wants a live one, he’d better let me have my own way in this!
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	Do you even now still defy me and my house rules? Do you want me to die of apoplexy?
YINGTAI:	If you did die, it wouldn’t be my fault. Dad, you’re the one who made this decision for me. I’m sorry to do this to you, but I have no other choice.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	How dare you talk back to your elders like that? How dare you show such disrespect for your father? If you don’t get into that sedan-chair by yourself, I’ll get my men to tie you into it!
YINGTAI:	I can’t wait for the end. You’re the one who drove Liang Shanbo to the grave, and now you want to drive your own daughter to the grave as well! If that’s how you want it, I’ll kill myself right here and then you can take my corpse and give it to Governor Ma as a gift!
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	How dare you threaten me?
YAN SUM:	Master, please let her go! Just this one last time, master, I beg you.
MADAM CHUK:	Why are you doing this to her? And yourself? Your daughter is about to become part of the Ma family, just as you wanted, and now you’re going to push her to point of suicide! Don’t you have any love at all left for her?
(CHUK KUNGYUAN OPENS HIS MOUTH, BUT DOES NOT SAY ANYTHING. LAO YUE STEPS FORWARD.)
LAO YUE:	Chuk Gongyuan thinks: “If Yingtai really does kill herself, what can I tell Governor Ma? Furthermore, now that Liang Shanbo is dead, that thorn in my side is gone forever. It can’t hurt to let Yingtai visit his grave, I suppose?”
(LAO YUE STEPS BACK AGAIN.)
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	What else can I do? I can’t do anything for this.
MADAM CHUK:	You can talk it over with your son-in-law.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:	How can I say it?
MADAM CHUK:	If you feel awkward about talking to Manchoi, ask the matchmaker to intercede. She’s cunning. She might be able to talk him round.
(YINGTAI, CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAM CHUK LEAVE AND AS LAO YUE SPEAKS MADAM QIU AND MANCHOI ENTER.)
LAO YUE	At first, the old woman was a little hesitant, but when she remembered the handsome compensation that was awaiting her at the end of the deal, she thought it would be a shame to lose it. She also thought, “It’s lucky Governor Ma is not around, because his son is a lot easier to deal with.”
(HE STEPS BACK AS MADAM QIU ADDRESSES MANCHOI.)
MADAM QIU:	The way I see it, you might as well say yes. This is your chance to show her that you are compassionate and open-minded. Right now Yingtai is in her room crying her eyes out and thinking about killing herself. Now if you say no, how is that going to help you? You’d lose everything. (PAUSES TO LET THIS SINK IN) And if you miss this opportunity, don’t come asking me to find you another girl as pretty and smart as she is. Believe me, they’re few and far between! I know you’re a smart young fellow, so take my advice: Don’t let this girl slip through your fingers over such a trifling matter.
MANCHOI:	Even if I say yes, I’m afraid that my dad may have something to say about this.
MADAM QIU:	Don’t worry. We just won’t tell him.
MANCHOI:	All right, but I want you to go and tell my father-in-law that I don’t mind if my bride wears all white on the outside, so long as inside she wears red. Once she is done with paying her respects to her friend, she has to take off her white garments. Also, she must not wail and weep at the graveside.
(THEY LEAVE AND LAO YUE SPEAKS AGAIN.)
LAO YUE:	Red plays a vital role in Chinese weddings. It is associated with success, loyalty, honour, fertility, and love. White on the other hand is commonly associated with funerals.
YINGTAI DRESSED IN HER WHITE FUNERAL DRESS ENTERS WITH HER MOTHER.)
YINGTAI:	Mother, this time when I leave, I don’t know when we’ll meet again. So please take good care of yourself!
MADAM CHUK:	Yingtai, don’t feel too bad. After all, you’ll be coming back home three days after the wedding, right? Remember, when you get to the Ma household to be a dutiful wife.
(YINGTAI TURNS AND SPEAKS JUST TO THE AUDIENCE.)
YINGTAI:	What a pity that my mother still has no idea that this may be the last time she sees her beloved daughter!
(CURTAIN.)

Scene 11

Setting	The Cemetery with Shanbo’s grave
Characters	Shanbo, Yingtai, Shi Kau, Yan Sum, Madam Qiu, Manchoi, Kungyuan Chuk, Madam Chuk, servants carrying sedan chair.
Furniture and Props	Sedan chair, incense sticks, a hoe.
Sounds and Music	Thunder, Violin concerto, trotting horses coming to a stop.</span>

(THE BACKCLOTH WITH CEMETRY AND SHANBO’S TOMB. IN THE BACKLOTH THE PORTION SHOWING THE TOMB IS CONSTRUCTED LIKE A DOOR WITH HINGES SO THAT IT CAN OPEN AND CLOSE. SHI KAU BURNS INCENSE AND KNEELS IN FRONT OF THE GRAVE.)
SHI KAU:		Oh Master Shanbo, your ancestors consider you a fool – consumed by the sickness of love. You died too young. How are you now in Hades?
(NOISES FROM APPROACHING HORSES BACK STAGE. MADAM QIU IS IN FRONT OF THE MARITAL SEDAN CARRIER; YAN SUM ALONGSIDE; YINGTAI IN HER FUNERAL DRESS RIDES ON THE SEDAN CARRIER. YAN SUM APPROACHES.)
YAN SUM:		Brother Shi Kau. This is the eve of our mistress’s wedding. This is why she wears a funeral gown of hemp to come before young master Liang’s grave. The love in her heart has not changed.
SHI KAU:		(TOUCHED) Since your miss is full of love for my master, why not invite her to come over to the grave? My young master’s spirit would surely appreciate her deep affection and true love.
(YAN SUM APPROACHES THE SEDAN CHAIR.)
YAN SUM:		My lady, Master Liang’s grave is here. Will you dismount?
(YINGTAI DOES SO.)
YINGTAI:		Where is my dear Shanbo’s grave?
YAN SUM:		Right over there.
(YINGTAI READS FROM THE INSCRIPTION ON THE TOMBSTONE.)
YINGTAI:		Huiji Baisha Hill Master Liang Shanbo’s tomb.
(SHE TOUCHES THE TOMBSTONE AND CRIES. YAN SUM ALSO CRIES.)
YINGTAI:		Dear brother, why are you silent today? I never thought that the day you left my house would be the last time I would see you. Don’t you remember the oath we made to each other — that we would be together in life and in death? Today, I pray that you will open up your grave and let me join you, so that we will never be apart again.
YAN SUM:		Hush, lest Manchoi hears you crying like this!
(YINGTAI CRIES EVEN LOUDER. WE HEAR DISTANT THUNDER. MADAM QIU CALLS FROM A DISTANCE.)
MADAM QIU:		Quick, miss! Get back into the sedan-chair. It looks like a rainstorm is coming.
(VIOLIN CONCERTO MUSIC. YINGTAI STOPS CRYING. SHE DANCES SLOWLY ROUND THE TOMB WITH HER ARMS STRETCHED OUT)
YINGTAI:		I turn into a butterfly to flutter around the lonely grave. How can a flower bloom in the aftermath of such a tragedy! I send forth my sorrows and regrets down to the spring terrace of hell. Oh Shanbo, my darling, the flower is ready, but no butterfly arrives. The earth on your grave is not even dry. Is it too much to ask that your tomb open for me? Then we can fly together to the paradise. I want to turn into a butterfly and flutter over the grave. This page of history shall forever be immortalized.
(SHANBO APPEARS DRESSED IN A SPECIAL HAN-STYLE GOWN WITH BUTTERFLY WINGS AS SLEEVES. HE DANCES BESIDE THE GRAVE. SHE MOVES FORWARD TRYING TO TOUCH HIM. HE DANCES BACKWARDS AND DISAPPEARS OFF THE STAGE. THEN SUDDENLY THERE IS LIGHTNING AND A DEAFENING CRASH OF LIGHTNING. LAO YUE APPEARS. THE GRAVE OPENS.)
LAO YUE:		Suddenly, a deafening crash is heard — and Liang Shanbo’s grave yawns open! Yingtai sees her opportunity. She cries out, in astonishment and joy:
YINGTAI:		Brother Liang, you really are welcoming me! Brother Liang, my beloved brother Liang, I now come to join you!
(YAN SUM RUNS TOWARDS HER.)
YAN SUM:		Miss! Miss!
LAO YUE:		Yan Sum tries to prevent her, but it is too late.
(YINGTAI FLINGS HERSELF INTO THE GRAVE AND DISAPPEARS. THE TOMBSTONE CLOSES AGAIN. THE THUNDER FADES. YAN SUM KNEELS DOWN BESIDE IT. SHI KAU ALSO APPROACHES.)
LAO YUE:		In the blink of an eye the clouds disperse, the sky clears. The sun once more shines over the mountains in all its glory and brilliance. A rainbow appears against the backdrop of a clear azure sky – and then the lovers arise.
(THE PAIR OF BUTTERFLIES, YINGTAI AND SHANBO APPEAR AND DANCE ABOVE THE GRAVE.)
SHI KAU:		My master and your mistress are reunited at last! Thank you for flying this last time so that I, Fatty Kau, can see. Too bad I am left alone, languishing like an opium addict. I am proud that our young master has outdone Manchoi. I will buy candles and incense to celebrate my young master and Miss Chuk’s happiness in heaven – and who knows perhaps I will not be alone after all.
(MADAM QIU APPEARS. YAN SUM ADDRESSES THE MATCHMAKER.)
YAN SUM:		I will go to tell my senior master, and you go at once to inform young master Ma.
(BRING UP THE VIOLIN MUSIC AGAIN. THE PAIR OF BUTTERFLIES KEEP ON FLYING. MANCHOI ENTERS DRESSED IN HIS GROOM’S RED WEDDING GOWN.)
MANCHOI:		Tragedy strikes on my wedding day!. .
(READS THE INSCRIPTION ON THE TOMBSTONE.)
MANCHOI:		The grave of Liang Shanbo. Yingtai, how dard you dress in a funeral gown and wail at the grave for a dead fellow? Shanbo, how dared you take my Yingtai! She is my wife, daughter-in-law of the Ma family. I swear I will pry open the grave. I will take back my lover.
(SEIZES A HOE AND ABOUT TO DIG INTO THE GRAVE. SHI KAU, YAN SUM, AND MADAM QIU. SHI KAU STOPS MANCHOI.)
SHI KAU:		You rascal! What are you doing digging the grave of my young master? If you dare to touch it, I will kill you.
YAN SUM:		Our miss would rather die than marry you. She is now wedded to master Liang in Hades. If you are so upset, you can join them down below.
CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAM CHUK APPEAR.
CHUK KUNGYUAN:		Oh, my daughter was so madly in love with Mr. Liang. It was my mistake to force her into this marriage.
MADAM CHUK:		Alas, I lost my daughter. You are without luck as the groom. I, too, am in grief.
MANCHOI:		I can’t believe that Mr. Liang’s ghost is so powerful! He sucked my beloved into the grave. How strange for a ghost to refuse to give up his love for a live person.
SHI KAU:		At last you see. Be very careful. The ghost of my master could very well come after you for all your misdeeds.
LAO YUE:		Let us forget Manchoi.
(MANCHOI STUMBLES AWAY FOLLOWED BY CHUK KUNGYUAN AND MADAM CHUK.)
LAO YUE:		The two lovers are bonded together by their devotion and loyalty to one another. They were united as a wedded couple down in Hades. But now they have risen together to heaven. They are so free! So happy! Frolicking and dancing! See how playfully they fly around Shi Kau and Yan Sum, the fluttering of their wings seeming to whisper sweet nothings in their ears.
YAN SUM:		(FULL OF JOY AND WONDER) Oh Miss! Oh Master Liang!
SHI KAU:		See how carefree and happy they are now!.
(SHI KHAU TAKES YAN SUM”S HAND, AND THE TWO KNEEL DOWN BEFORE THE GRAVE. AS LAO YUE SPEAKS THE TWO BUTTERFLIES SLOWLY DANCE AWAY TO THE STRAINS OF THE VIOLIN CONCERTO.)
LAO YUE:	Wingtip to wingtip they fly together towards the heavens — a pair of lovers — soaring into the clear blue sky.
THE END

The teacher gives the students rewards, perhaps an English through Drama certificate.

For their homework please let them draw any character or action from “The Butterfly Lovers” Also write his/her name on the picture.

Or for homework continue with finding the answers to research questions.Or best of all get the students to complete their own version of the script.

Once they have done this your school or drama club can also produce and perform the full stage version of The Butterfly Lovers.

You can submit your students’ pictures to the English through Drama website. The best pictures will go on the website. If they wish we shall add their name, school and / or country.

We have several pages with advice on how to write, direct and act in an audio play. Have a listen! You might be inspired to create your own audio play!

We have advice on the use of music in plays and particularly the music of the great classical composers and of film music. Have a read and a listen !

Secondary Course 09 The Butterfly Lovers

Unit 1

Warm Up Song

Unit 2

Background to The Butterfly Lovers

Qingming Festival

Hangchow University

The Purple Mountain Nunnery

Ban Zhao

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl

The Blue Bridge

Encountering Sorrow

The Yellow Spring

When the Map is Unrolled, the Dagger is Revealed

Unit 3

Creative Writing

The Cowherd and the Weaving Girl

Stage Play

The Ancient Legend of The Butterfly Lovers

Dramatised by many writers over the Centuries

Scene 1

Scene 2

Scene 3

Scene 4

Scene 5

Scene 6

Scene 7

Scene 8

Scene 9

Scene 10

Scene 11

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Secondary Course 09
The Butterfly Lovers