The Pearl Pagoda

Fang Qing was born into a prominent family in Kaifeng. His father had once served as Minister of Personnel, but a treacherous chancellor framed him and had the entire family massacred, bringing them to ruin. Dressed in rags, the young Fang Qing had no choice but to seek shelter with his aunt’s husband, Chen Lian, a censor in Xiangyang. His aunt, however, despised the poor and fawned on the rich, insulting and driving him away to his face. Just as Fang Qing angrily turned to leave, Chen Lian’s daughter, Chen Cui’e, took pity on him. She sent her maid, Cai Ping, to invite him to her quarters, where she offered him tea and refreshments and comforted him with kind words. Fang Qing was touched, but he still left alone. He stopped to rest at Ji Song Pavilion, where Chen Lian, realizing his wife had treated Fang Qing disgracefully, hurried after him in person and pledged his beloved daughter’s hand in marriage. Fang Qing could not refuse and finally accepted the betrothal. But hidden among the refreshments he had received was a pearl tower, an auspicious symbol of wealth and good fortune. Before long, bandits ambushed him on the road and nearly killed him, but Bi Hong, the commander of the Three Passes, came to his rescue. When the bandits tried to sell the pearl tower at a pawnshop, the shopkeeper recognized it and sent it to the Chen residence, revealing the truth. Chen Lian caught the bandits and reported them to the authorities, and the Xiangyang prefectural court learned that Fang Qing was still alive. Impressed by Fang Qing’s exceptional talent and appearance, Bi Hong offered him his beloved daughter, Bi Xiujin, and provided funds for him to travel to the capital and sit the imperial examinations. Meanwhile, Fang Qing’s mother, Madam Yang, had searched for him for a long time without success. When she heard her son had been robbed, she threw herself into the Qing River, but a nun rescued her, and she took refuge at White Lotus Convent. By fate’s design, Chen Cui’e and Bi Xiujin went to burn incense and encountered Fang Qing’s mother. Bi Xiujin magnanimously yielded, honoring Cui’e as the principal wife, and the three women became close. Fang Qing changed his name to Fang Ding and, just as expected, came first in the imperial examinations, earning the title of top scholar. The emperor appointed him inspector of seven provinces. When he returned home in glory, he first disguised himself as a Daoist to test his aunt, only to find that she still despised the poor and fawned on the rich. He used a Daoist song to mock her, leaving her utterly ashamed. Then he revealed his identity, brought his mother out of the convent, and married Cui’e and Xiujin, finally avenging his family and restoring harmony among his loved ones. Through the rise and fall of fortune, the light of resilience and righteousness shines on.