How time flies! The Chinese New year of 1645 arrived. Zhu Yousong, the Prince Fu, had officially proclaimed himself Emperor Hongguang. Those corrupt ministers were once again boisterously promoted to high official posts. Ruan wrote four legendary plays and dedicated them to the new emperor, who issued an edict ordering the Ministry of Rites and Ceremonies to select maids of honor to rehearse one of the plays The Swallow Letter. Ruan Dacheng presented a memorandum to the Emperor saying that since the maids in the palace knew little about music he suggested that courtesans by the Qinhuai River in the southern China be brought to the capital to rehearse and perform. Without hesitation, the Emperor approved the proposal and issued an edict that men will be sent to south to select dozens of good-looking courtesans and bring them back to the palace. Ruan examined the courtesans carefully and found them aesthetically too ordinary. There were some courtesans who were both good-looking and talented but they were old acquaintances of Yang Wencong, who pleaded Ruan not to force them into the Imperial Palace. Ruan did not insist so he gave up. Ma Shiying was displeased and so he told Ruan, “It was Emperor Hongguang’s idea to put up the new play. You must give top priority to the will of the Emperor. How could you use poor players instead of the outstanding ones?” As a result, Yang Wencong’s plea was to no avail. By Ma Shiying’s order, the Imperial Music Office sent people to call up Li Zhenli and other courtesans to enter the Imperial palace.
Since Li Zhenli married Tian Yang in place of Li Xiangjun, Li Xiangjun had remained at the Meixiang House under the name of her foster mother. All of the courtesans were close friends of Yang Wencong , who in return protected them. Suddenly and unexpectedly, they were all, including Li Xiangjun, taken to the Ministry of Rites and Ceremonies for selection.
On the seventh day of the first lunar month, it snowed all day. Ma Shiying and Ruan Dacheng were enjoying a beautiful snow-covered scene with others by the stove at the Shangxin Pavilion. To add to the fun, they ordered the selected courtesans to entertain them with songs and wine. Li Xiangjun was irritated at being forced into the palace and even more so at the sight of those high officials indulging in debauchery instead of handling the affairs of state. She hated them so much that she wanted to give them a piece of her mind, even if it cost her life.
While she was pondering what to say, Miss Li Xiangjun heard someone shout, “Li Zhenli, come over here to serve and sing.” She went over but shook her head, “I don’t know how to serve and sing.”
Ma Shiying was annoyed, “What kind of courtesan are you if you don’t know how to serve and sing?”
Miss Li Xiangjun answered, “I was not a courtesan until I was stranded at a brothel in Nanjing because my country was conquered and my family lost.”
On hearing this, Yang Wencong had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. He knew Li Xiangjun well and knew what she was likely to do, so he hurriedly stopped her. “These officials are enjoying the beautiful snow scene and seeking amusement. Don’t bother them with your grievances and ruin everybody’s mood.”
Ignoring Yang Wencong, Li continued, “My bitterness is not worth saying in here but I do have some truth to tell. Of course, all the officials present are well educated men of reason. At present, half the territory of the great Ming Empire has fallen into the hands of our enemies and this country is facing crisis. The populace counts on you men to revive the Ming Dynasty and recover the lost land. Contrary to their expectations, you have done nothing more than merely flatter the Emperor, compete for attention, and indulge in sensual pleasures. If you keep behaving like this, the kingdom of the great Ming Dynasty will be destroyed and the territory lost forever because of you!”
Ma Shiying angrily banged the table with his hand, “You unbridled courtesan! How dare you speak such nonsense?”
Ruan Dacheng rushed to his side and said, “I have long heard that this lawless woman is closely associated with members of the Donglin Party. She badly deserves a severe punishment!”
Seeing that the situation had become unfavorable, Yang Wencong quickly tried to mediate, “This courtesan is so young. I can’t believe that she could be the same Li Zhenli who was associated with the Donglin Party”.
To ever yone’s surprise, Li Xiang jun was determined to fight on, so she continued, “I am that Li Zhenli! So what? We courtesans revere the Donglin Party members for their devotion to the country and the people. Ruan Dacheng, you are nothing but Wei Zhong xian’s adopted son and lackey. You should be ashamed of yourself !”
Quivering with rage, his face turning red and discarding his dignity, Ruan Dacheng shouted to the courtesan, “How dare you? You uncourteous bitch you deserve a hard beating!”
Ma Shiying also wanted to take the opportunity to show off his power when Yang pulled his sleeve and urged, “Li Xiangjun is just a courtesan and not worth your flying into such a big temper over. As Prime Minister, you would look ungraceful if you personally order her punishment. In my opinion, you should be more careful”.
Ma Shiying observed the attitudes of the officials present and found them mostly noncommittal; sitting back and doing nothing. All except Ruan Dacheng stood there stamping his feet with anger. Consequently, Ma pretended to be lenient and ordered his people to drag Li Zhenli away to the Imperial Palace to work as a maid and do the most onerous chores.
This is how the snow festival was spoiled by Li Xiangjun, who received her dire punishment. One day, when the Emperor was listening to an opera, he spotted Li Xiangjun, beautiful and talented as she was. He then selected her to join the imperial troupe for the rehearsal of a new play. Trapped in the Imperial Palace, and not know ing when she would be free again, Li Xiangjun felt terribly depressed.
