This volume follows a string of domestic incidents and sexual intrigues in Ximen Qing (西门庆)'s household. Pan Jinlian (潘金莲) and Chen Jingji (陈敬济) are discovered flirting in the garden by Li Ping'er (李瓶儿). Pan pretends to chase butterflies and uncovers a damp cave beside the banana grove. Meng Yulou (孟玉楼) later descends from the Woyun Pavilion (卧云亭) and finds Pan emerging from that cave. She angrily accuses Pan of abandoning the infant. Tensions rise and the household hurries back to report the negligence. The infant becomes feverish after being frightened. Wu Yueniang (吴月娘) worries about a disturbed spirit and summons help. Ximen Qing calls the diviner Shi Zhuogui (石卓规). His tortoise shell reading points to fright and he advises incense at the City God Temple (城隍庙). When the child relapses, Liu Pozi (刘婆子) performs a kitchen-soul ritual and uses rice and incense signs. After her rite the baby calms. Zhang Zhupo (张竹坡) remarks on the parents' reliance on comforting rites while others mock. Meanwhile Pan continues secret liaisons. She slips away with Chen and later receives Ximen Qing himself. Her taunts wound Wu, who longs for a son to defend her honor. Ying Bojie (应伯爵) organizes a riverside picnic to flatter Ximen Qing. The party enjoys roast game and singers. A wager over the late arrival of Wu Yiner (吴银儿) leads to loud drinking. Han Yuchun (韩玉钏) is teased into an awkward moment. The outing ends abruptly when a page reports trouble at home. Li Ping'er's postpartum collapse brings medical care. Doctor Ren (任医官) diagnoses blood and qi deficiency worsened by exhaustion. He prescribes restorative decoctions. Sun Xue'e (孙雪娥) boils the medicine and helps feed the patient. Ximen Qing keeps vigil at the bedside and the mother slowly recovers. With the crisis easing, Ximen Qing prepares heavy gifts and travels to the capital. He seeks an introduction through Zhai the steward (翟管家) at the Taishi mansion (太师府). The episodes intertwine superstition, revelry and sexual ambition with domestic duty and social maneuvering. FREE transcripts of the audio files are available for download at: https://www.truelake.com/qrpages/pingshufreedownloads/

此卷描写西门庆家中一连串琐事与风流，既有闹剧也有焦虑。潘金莲与陈敬济在花园调戏，被李瓶儿撞见。潘借戏掩饰，又在芭蕉丛边发现山洞引人疑窦。孟玉楼下亭责问潘弃婴不顾，众人回亭议论。幼儿受惊发热，吴月娘焦急请人观查。有人以龟壳占卜之言及赴城隍庙烧香。刘婆子以灶王招魂，招魂后孩儿暂安。潘在背后与孟争执，讥吴非亲子女之心，令吴郁闷暗泣。潘乘机与陈或与西门庆多有偷欢。应伯爵设宴郊游，以讨好西门庆为图利。宴间笑语载酒，吴银儿姗姗而至，众人逼饮作乐。郊游之际传报家变，众人匆归。李瓶儿产后突病，任医官诊为血虚气耗并因劳累，开方调养，孙雪娥煎药喂服。西门庆守床夜间照料，李瓶儿渐稳可起。为献礼于太师，西门庆备重礼入京，请翟管家引见并谋为干子。全篇穿插占验祈祷与宴乐，展示市井男女的欲望与家务的紊乱。人物在争宠与扶持之间流转，既有笑闹也有隐痛。 音频文件的字幕稿可在以下网址免费下载： https://www.truelake.com/qrpages/pingshufreedownloads/