C ONT ENT S

Intr oduct i o n , by Fr an z Kuhn

The Chi a Fam i ly
Pr i nc i pa l Wa i t i n g Ma i ds
Tr an sla tors Not e ’

CH A PT ER 1 : S h i h Y i n g is ca rr ied a wa y i n a drea m a nd rec ei v es a

rev ela t i o n A m i dst t he t a i l a n d w elt er of da i ly li fe Yu Tsun fi nds
.

t he ma i d en o f h is h ea rt .

CH APTE R 2 : In Ya n gc ho w a h i gh b orn la dy jo i n s t he com pa n y of t he

-

B lessed In t he t a v ern Yu Ts u n lea rn s more a b o ut h is n o b le

.

rela t i ves .

CH APTE R 3 : M r L i n g g i ves h is guest from t he West a n i n t roduct i o n

.

t o t he Yu n gk u o pa la ce T he P r i n c ess A n ces t r ess ta k es a m o t he rle ss

.

chi ld lo v i n gly i n t o her h o m e .

CH APTE R 4 : A n u nf ort u n a te g i rl fi n ds a n u n fort unat e su i t or A li t t le

.

bo nze fro m t he Tem ple o f t he G ourd a c ts a s judg e .

CH APTE R 5 : The sp i r it of Pa o Yu w a n ders a bout i n t he Pha n t om

R ea lm of t he G r ea t Vo i d The Fa i ry of F ea rf u l A wa k en i n g va i n ly
.

i n t erpret s fo r hi m i n s o n gs t he D rea m of t he R ed C ha m ber .

CH APTE R 6 : Pao Yu t r ies fo r t he fi rst t im e t he P la y of C lou da nd

“

”
Ra i n . In t he N i n g kuo pa la c e he beco m es a c q ua i n t ed w i t h h i s
n ep hew C h i n C hu n g .

CH APTE R 7 : Pa o Yu i s s how n t he gold a m ulet of hi s gi rl co usi n The .

g i rl co us i n i s s ho w n Pa o Y u s s t o n e
’
.

CH APTE R 8 : Chia Che n g repr ima n ds h is deli n qu en t o flsp ri n g I ll .

b eha v ed b oy s cr eat e a di st u r ba n ce i n t he school .

CH APTE R 9 : The P r i n ce Herm it s b i rt hda y i s cele b ra ted i n t he Ni ng

’

k uo pa la c e T he si g ht of Ph o en ix a wa kens ca rna l d es i r es i n t he
.

hea rt of C hia Ju i .

CH APTE R 1 0 : P ho en i x m a li c i ous ly i n c i t es a n u n requ i t ed pa ssi on In .

s p i t e o f w a r n i n gs C h ia Ju i looks i nt o t he for bi dden s i de of t he

,

W i n d a n d M oon M i rror .

CH APTE R 1 1 : K0 Ch i n g d ies a nd rec ei v es t he p o st hum ou s t i t le of w i fe

of a m a n da r i n of t h e fift h ra n k Ph o en i x ta k es o ver t h e h ou s eh old
.

ma n a g em en t i n t h e N i n g k u o pa la ce .

CH APTE R 1 2 : Pa o Y u m eet s t he P r in ce o f t he Nor t her n Q u i et n es s o n

t he roa d C h i n C hu n g en o s h i m s elf i n t he n u n n ery
.
j y . 10 1
CH AP TE R 1 3 : Beg i nn i n g of Spr i n g i s exa lt ed by Im p eria l fa v or and
cho sen t o b e M i s t r ess of t he Ph oen i x Pa la c e C h i n C hu n g s ets o ut
.

p rem a t u r ely o n h i s j o u r n ey t o t he Ye ll o w S pr i ng s .

CH AP TE R 1 4 : P a o Yu revea ls h is ta len t i n t he Pa rk of D eli ghtful Vi

s i o n B la c k J a de is a n n o ed b
.
y y t he b i t e of a fly .

CH AP TE R 15 : On the day of t he La n t ern Fest i va l t he Im per ia l consort

pa ys h er fa m i ly a v is i t .

CH APTE R l 6 : 0 n e n i ght t he m a i d P ea rl t est s Pa o Yu s feeli n gs a nd

-
’

s t i p u la t es her con d i t i o n s B la c k Ja d e m a ke s f un of C ou si n L i tt le
.

C lo u d .

CH APTE R 1 7 : T he m a i d P ea rl su lks a n d tak es P ao Yu q u i et ly to ta sk .

The m a i d L i tt le P i n g k eeps s i len ce a nd sa ves C h ia L ien f rom b ei n g

d i sco vered .

C H APTE R 1 8 : Pa o Yu fa lls o ut w i t h t w o of h is co usi ns at t he sa m e

“
t i m e Tw o lo v ers t eas e o n e a n o t he r w i t h q u o ta t i o n s f rom
. The P la y
”
of t h e Wes t er n Pa v i l i o n .

CH AP TE R 1 9 : Ni t he usu rer prov es i m p u lsi v ely gen ero us w hen dru n k .

A Io ve lorn m a i d g ets q ueer i d eas a b o u t a lo st ha n dk erch i ef .

CH APTE R 20 : A s orcerer bew it ches t he co us i ns T he m a r ve llo us po w er

.

of t h e m a g i c st on e b r i n g s a b o ut t he i r r eco v ery .

CH APTE R 2 1 : On t he Wa sp Wa ist B ridg e a lo v elorn m a i d expr esses

.

“ ”
h e r feeli ng s i n com m o n p la c e w ords The C o u rt esa n Y a n g st a rt les
.

t w o b u tt erfl i es i n t h e P a v i l i o n o f t h e Ki n gfis h er B lu e D rops -

.

C H APTE R 2 2 : T he bett er ofi o n e i s t hem ore on e t ro u bles a b o ut on e s

,
’

w elfa r e T h e m or e a w o m a n i s c her i shed a nd lo ve d t h e m or e lo ve

.
,

do es she d em a n d .

CH AP TE R 2 3 : A lost unic orn a m u let ca u ses L i t t le Clo u d to expose he r

ba re I a d t o t he fi erc e s un G o ld R i ng ca nn ot g et o ver t he i n su lt she
.

s ufi ers a n d s eek s t h d ea t h of hon or

e .

CH APTE R 24 : The degen erat e o fi sp ri n g exper ien c es t he pa i n of a

CH APTE R 2 5 : The B eg onia C lu b m eets i n t he H erm i ta ge of C lea r

A u t um n Weat he r The Pri nc ess A nc est ress en t erta i n s t he god
.

m ot her fromt heco un try in t he Pa rk of D eli g htfu l Vis i on .

1
A T ER 2 6 : P a o Yu Set s o ut t o bu rn dust of t h e hi gh
c
i n ense i n t he
w a y i n m em ory of a dea r dep a rt e d On t he D a y of t he Th ousa n d
.

A ut um ns P h o en i x u ne xpe cte dly t urn s i nt o a v i nega r ba rrel .

e
CH AP TE R 2 7: Th w i ndy an d ra i n y m ood of a gloom y aut um n ev e
Io d e w it h a n elegy o n t he w i n d a n d t he rai n .

fD uc lc r en ou n ces t he b liss of a Ma nda r i n D uck

CH APTE R 2 8 : The Mad R o bber C ount ha s i m proper des i gns a nd ex
p er ie n ces a flogging TheC o ld Kn i ght
. set s o fi on a j our n ey t o a v o i d

t rou b le .

CH APTE R 2 9 : The li be rt i ne sha m ed and d i sgra ced seeks d i st ra c t i on

, ,

i n a b u si ne ss expedit i o n A super i or gi rl pra c t i c es t he a rt of po et ry

. ,

s t udy i n g t he best ma s ters .

“
CH APTE R 30 : A q ua ck doct or t rea ts B r i g ht C lo u d w it h ger a nd ti

wolf m ed icines D espi t e bei n g i ll B r i g ht C lo ud hero ica lly sac r i

”
.
,

ficeshe rself fo r P ao Y u a nd m en d s hi s p eac ock p lum e clo a k - '

.

CH APTE R 3 1 : T he wa it i n g ma i d C uc k oo s lyly t ests Pao Yu s feeli n gs ’

a nd u p set s his m
‘

ent a l ba lanc e by h i n t i n g a t a pa rt i n g A n dly

k i .

a u nt
pa ci fi es a lo velorn ma id en w i t h g ent le w ords .

CH APTE R 3 2 : C hi a L ien secret ly ta ke s t he s econ d M is s Yu to w i fe .

The t h i rd M is s Y u a sp i res t o t he ha n d of t he C old Kn i g ht .

CH APTE R 33 : A fiery m a iden , h

as a me d of her u n r equ it ed pa ss i o n ,

ta k esh er li fe The C old Kn i g ht

. s t r i d es w i t h a co ld hea rt t h roug h

t he Ga t ewa y of t he G r ea t V o i d .

CH APTE R 3 4 : Ph oe n i x cross exa m i n es t he ser va n t a n d so fi n ds o u t t he

-

ma st er s de ce i t s The u n ha ppy Yu g i rl a ll o w s he rs elf t o b e lured

’
.

i n t o a t ra p .

CH AP TE R 3 5 : Phoen ix w it h cu nn i n g a nd m a li c
, e pla ys , t he you n g
ri va l ofi a ga ins t the old er o n e D ri ven t o d esp erat i on .
, t he s eco n d

Yu k i lls he rse lf by sw a ll o w i n g g o ld .

CH APTE R 3 6 : The b a g w i t h t he spr i n gli ke em b ro i dery becom es a

t ra i t or i n t he ha n d s o f a si m p le g i rl T h e g ir ls i n t h e P a rk o f D e
.

li ghtfu l V is i on fa ll i n t o d is cr ed i t a nd ha v e t o sufl er t he t ortu r e of a

h o us e s ea rc h .

CH A P TE R 3 7 : A s in is t er occurre nc e at t he n oct u r n a l ba n q uet a w a k ens

da r k foreb odi n gs A t t he M i d A ut u m n Fest i va l a n ew sta n za a wa k
.
-
.

ens ha ppy pro mi s es fo r t he f u tu re .

CH AP TE R 3 8 : T he
cha rm in g m a id ca n n ot get ov er t he w ron g don e
he r a nd die s i n th e fl o w er of he r yo ut h Th e u n ha pp y s c i on o f
, .

pri n ces dedi cates a fun era l hym n t o t he d ead m a i d .

CH APTE R 3 9 : The P la st e r P r i est m a k es ga m e of Pa o Yu a n d i n ven ts a

r em edy fo r jea lous y F our b ea u t i es q uest i o n fa te w i t h t he fis h in g
.

rod .

CH APTE R 40 : l drea m fr i ght en s a n u n ha ppy lo v esi ck m a i den

An ev i

i n t h e B a m b oo H erm ita g e B eg i n n i n g o f S pr i n g is v i s it ed b y he r
.

rela t i v es o n he r sick b ed i n t he Im pe ri a l Pa la c e . 44 1
 C H AP TE R 41 : The b ea ut i fu l ca ug ht up i n th e fir e of si n a s she
sa i n t is
s i t s o n h er p ra y er c us h i o n a nd i s c a rr i e d a w ay i n t o ec st a sy by
,

dem on i a ca l forc es B la ck Ja de is fr i g ht en ed by t he shado w of t he

.

s n a k e i n t h e b ea k er d rejects a ll n our i shm en t w i t h s u b l i m e

,

r esolu t i on .

CH AP TE R 4 2 : Th e A n cest ress puts a reverse i nt erpr eta t i o n upon t he

e v i l om en o f t h e b eg o n i a b lo ss o m i n g i n w i n t er a n d t r i es t o drow n

a nxi o u s dou b t s i n t h e j oy o u s u m u lt of a b a n u et P a o Y u lo s es t he
t q .

sp i r i t st o n e a n d f orf ei t s h i s r ea s o n a s a co n s eq u en c e .

CH APTE R 43 : B la ck Ja d e co n si gn s h er po eti ca l w orks t o t h e fla m es

a n d fi n a lly r e n o u n c es h er u n ha ppy lo v e P r e c i o us C las p crosses t he
.

t h r es h oldof her m a i d en ly b o w e r f o r t h e la st t im e a nd g o es t h rou g h ,

t h e g r ea t c er em on y of h er l i fe .

CH APTE R 44 : The pla n t P u rple P ea rl r et u rn s t o t he Sp h ere o f B a n

i sh d S ufl er i n g The sp i r i t s t o ne dr en c h es w i t h t ea rs t he p lace o f
a .

dea r m em or i es .

C H AP TE R 45 : Ta st e of S pr i n g m a rr i es fa r f rom h om e a n d P a o Yu ,

.w eep s b i t t er t ea rs a ft er h er G h os t s d i spor t t h em selv es a t n i g h t i n

.

t h e d eser te d pa r k .

CH AP TE R 46 : Y u Ts un recogn i zes i n t h e m yst er i o us he rm i t h i s old

f ri en d a n d b en efa ct or The m on eylen der Ni k n o w n a s th e D ru n k en
’

.
,

D ia m o n d b ecom es t h e p i k e i n t he ca rp po n d
, .

CH AP TE R 47 ; Th e un ha ppy lo ver Pa o Y u st i rs up pa st f ee li n gs Th e
, , .

ba i li fi s of t he M i n i st er of F i na n c e ta k e possessi on of t he w est ern

-

p a la ce .

CH AP TE R 48 : T he P r i n cess A n c est r ess prost ra t e b efore h ea v en n o b ly

, ,

ta k es upo n h er o w n h ea d t h e gu i lt of t h e w h ole cla n a n d g en ero us ly ,

d i st ri bu tes her t r ea su r es Th e Im p eri a l gra ce i s s h ow ered upo n

.

C h ia C h eng a n d t h e pr i n c ely t i t le r est or ed o n c e m ore i s pa ss ed

, , ,

on to him .

CH APTE R 49 : R o bb ers loot t h e prop ert y left by t h e A n cest ress a nd

a b duc t t h e b ea u t i ful a n c h or ess P a o Y u t b a ck h i s s t o n e a nd i s
g e s .

a w a k e n ed .

CH APTE R 5 0 : Pa o Yu pa ss es t he exa m i n a t i o n w i t h h on ors a nd re

n o u n ce s t h e r ed d u st of t h e w orld S h i h Y i n
g a nd Yu Tsu n m eet
.

on c e m ore a n d c o n lu de t he s t o ry o f t h e s t on e
c .
 INTRO DUCTI ON

A uth or : T he u th or sh i p of th e H u n g L o u M eng wh i c h fir st a ppe a r e d

a ,
’
in 1 7 9 1 w a s for a lo n g t i m e u n kn ow n A s l a t e a s 1 92 1 Dr H u S h i h s
,
. .

ex h a u st i v e r esea rc h m a d e i t po s s i bl e t o a s cr i b e t h e fir s t ei g h t y c h a p

t e rs o f t h e or i g i n a l w h i c h h a s o n e h u n dr e d t w en t y c h a p t e r s t o T sa o
, ,

Hs ueh Ch i n a n d t he r em a i n i n g fort y c h a p ter s t o Ka o Ngoh o ne o f t he

, ,

tw o e d i t or s of th e firs t pr i n t e d e d i t i o n publ i sh e d i n 1 79 1 Th i s du a l .

a u t h or sh i p see m s t o i n d i c a t e t h a t T s a o H s u eh C h i n prob a bly l e f t mor e

th a n e i g h t y c h a p te r s a n d t h a t Ka o Ngo h e d i t e d exp a n d e d a n d cor , ,

r el a t e d th e r em a i n i n g i o rty c h a p te rs .

The ve rs i o n s o n w h i c h t h e pres en t tex t i s b as e d a re an e d i t i o n o f

1 8 32 publ i s h e d by t he T su i W e n Comp a n y a n d a mod er n a n n o t a te d
,

ve rs i on w i t h comm e n t a ry publ i sh e d by Comm erc i a l Pr ess S h an gh a i ,

.

T i t le : C hi n ese a rc hi tec t ure prov i d es for t he m ass o f t h e popul a t i o n

lo w o n e st ory bu i ld i n g s A m a n s i o n w i th a se co n d st ory i s c a ll e d lo w
,
-
.

“
a n d H un g L o u s t an d s fo r R e d T w o S t ory Bu i ld i n g Accord i n g t o
Budd h i st u sa g e i t i s a l s o a m eta p h or for such con c e p ts a s worl dly
glo ry luxury w ea l t h a n d h on ors—s i m i l a r t o t he Budd hi st i n te rpreta
,

, , ,
T ” “ ” “ ”
t 1 o n of r ed du s t a s worldly st r i v i n g s
‘
t h e m a t er i a l world
, .

P e r i od : The do es n o t m en t i o n a n y p a rt i cul a r d a t e How eve r th ere

t ex t .
,

a re i mpl i c i t i n d i c a t i o n s t h a t t h e a c ti o n ta k es pl a c e dur i n g t h e C h i n
g
Dyn a st y ( 1 644 O ffic i a l t i t l es an d r an ks corr espo n d t o th o se 0
th e l a s t dyn a s t y a n d M a n c h ur i a could b e r e ferr e d t o a s a p ro v i n c
,

o n ly si n ce th e C h i n g Dy n a sty Accord i n g t o the fi n d i n g s o f Dr H t

. .

S hi h the a u th or Tsa o H s u eh C hi n wro t e a bou t co n tempor a ry e v en t

,
.

a n d h i s o w n exp e r i en c e s I n t ern a l ev i d en c e i n d i c a t es t h a t th e m a i i
.

n a rr a t i v e cov e rs t h e pe r i od b e t w een 1 7 2 9 a n d 1 7 3 7 .

P la c e : Th e t ex t pe aks a l te rn a t ely o f t he c a p i ta l a n d C h i n l i n g T h e
s .

c a p i t a l un d er th e C h in g D yn a st y w as P e k i n g C hin li n g wh i c h m ea n s
.
,
“ ”
gold en t omb s i s prob a bly a n a ll u si o n t o th e w ell kn own i mp er i a l
,
-

bur i al pl a c es i n th e v i c i n i ty o f P e k i n g T h e mou n t a i n s ou t s i d e th e c i t y
.

g a t es w her e th e Pr i n c e H e rm i t l i v es i n seclu si o n s uggest th e fa mou s

, ,

w este rn moun ta i n s n ea r Peki n g w i th th ei r spl en di d t emples

, .

The H u n g L o u M en g h a s b een d es cr i b e d to th e Wes te rn er a s a f o r

b i dd i n g l i ter a ry mo n um en t w i th h un dr e d s o i c h a r a ct e rs On ly o n e .

xi ii
 European b efore my self B an cro ft J oly an Engli sh con , sul i n C h in a
.

, ,

h a d a re d to ap pro a ch th e t a s k of t r a n sl a t i o n How eve r h e di d n o t

s .
,

e v en r ea c h th e h a lfw a y po i n t o f th e or i g i n a l H i s t w o volum e t ra n s la .
-

t i o n D r ea m of t h e R ed C h a m b er w a s publ i sh e d by K e lly an d Wa lsh i n

, ,

Ho n g Ko n g i n 1 892 9 3 -
.

A n o ther mor e r ec en t at t emp t t o m a ke t he H un g L ou M en g ac

c essi bl e t o t he West ern m i n d c a m e from the C hi nese s i d e C h i C hen ,

Wa n g s t r an sl a t i o n a n d a d a p t a t i on D r ea m of th e R ed C ha m b er
’
,

( G e orge R ou t l e dge 81 So n s L t d L o n don n o d a t e ) B ut Mr Wa n g s

’
. . .
, ,

cov e r s b a r ely o n e fourt h o f my v er si o n an d p a r t i cul a rly i n i ts

_ work -

l at er p a rt i s more i n the n a t ur e of a n a b st r a c t th a n a tr an sl a t i on He
, .

e l i m i n a t es a gr ea t m a n y d et a i l s o f comp ell i n g n t e r est t o t h e W e st e rn

i
rea d er a n d a l so a n umb e r of i n c i d en ts essen t i a l to th e log i c a l d ev elop
,

m en t of th e st ory for i n sta n c e th e en t i re m a gn i fic en t dr ea m v i si on

, ,

t ow a rd t h e en d o f th e book ( C h a p t er 49 i n th e pr esen t v e r si o n ) w hi c h
'

i s o n e o f th e l i t e r a ryp ea k s of t h e n ov el a n d qu i t e i n d i s p ensa bl e t o i t .

My t ra n sl a t i o n i n t o th e G e rm an o n wh i ch the pr esen t En gl i sh tr an s
,

l a t i o n i s b a se d pr esen ts a bou t fi v e s i x th s o f t he ori gi n a l It i s i n ten d e d

,
-
.

n o t s o muc h for a r est r i c t e d sc h ol a rl

y a ud i en c e a s f or the gen eral
r ea d er i n teres te d i n C h i n ese l i t er a t ur e Th o u gh my tra n sl at i o n i s n o t
’

a compl e te o n e I m a y st i ll cl a i m t o b e the fi r st W estem er t o ha v e

,

m a d e a cc essi bl e t he mo n um en t a l st ruc t ur e of th e H u n g L o u M en g My .

v ers i o n g i ves a full r en d er i n g o f th e m a i n n a rr at i v e wh i ch i s o r ,

g a n i zed a rou n d t he th r ee figur es o f Pa o Y u Bl a ck J a d e an d Pre c i ous , ,

C lasp I ha ve treat ed the seco n d a ry plots more o r less comprehen si vely

.

a cco r di n
g t o t hei r i mpor t a n c e a lw a y s w i t h a v i ew t o a vo i d i n g g a p s
'
,

i n t h e s t ory d ev elopm en t Th er e ca n b e n o doub t th a t soc i olog i c a lly

.

t h i s n ov e l i s o f the gr ea t es t i n te r e st B u t i t ca n cl a i m o ur a tt en t i o n
.

equ a ll
y o n pur e ly l i t e r a ry grou n d s : t he n a rr a t i ve i s compe ll i n g t h e ,

c h a ra c t e r s a re mo st v i v i dly i n d i v i du al iz e d the b a ckgrou n d i s ,

r e ss i vel
p y a n d r e a l i st i c a lly dr a wn .

In Ch i n a th e H ung L o u M en g i s con si d e re d th e ou t st a n d i n g cl a ssi c

n ov e l o f t h e C h i n g Dyn a s t y A co n si d e r a bl e body o f cr i ti c a l l i t er a t ur e
.

h a s grow n up a rou n d i t Th e g en e r a l ass um p ti on i s t h a t th e a u th or

.

dre w o n h i s o wn exp eri en c es a n d t h a t hi s h e ro P a o Y u i s a se lf , ,

por t r a i t T sa o H s u eh C hi n w as th e p a mpe red so n o f a ri ch an d hi gh ly

.

cul t i va te d M a n d a r in fa m i ly i n whi ch the lucr a t i ve offi c e o f I n spe c t or

o f t he Imp er i a l S i lk F a c t or i es i n K i a n g s u h a d b een her e d i ta ry f o r

gene r a ti on s In sp i t e o f h i s gr eat int ell ec t u al g i fts h e fai l e d a t th e

. -

L i t er a ry Ex am i n a t i on s a n d w as b a rr e d from offi ce He t ook refug e .

i n the s ph e r es of ph i lo s op h y an d l ett ers .

C hi n ese li t er a ry cri t i ci sm h as off e re d o th er s olut i on s t o the puzz le

-
'

h ow e ve r A n ot i mprob a ble th eo ry i den t ifi es Pa o Y u wi th t he you thful

.

XI V
Emper or Chi en Li n g ( r 1 7 3 6 o f w h om i t i s sa i d th a t li ke P a o
. ,

Y u h e h a d th e h a b i t f li ck i n g th e rouge o ff t h e l i ps o f th e youn g
, v

l a d i es o f hi s en to ura ge Accord in g t o th i s th eo ry P ao Y u s fath e r

’
.
, ,

the ste rn C hi a C hen g represen ts Em pe ror Yu n g C h en g ( r 1 7 2 3

'

.
,

C h ien L i n g s pre d ec esso r Th is th e ory has much t o comm e n d i t

’
. .

Amo n g th e h ost o f c ha r a c ters i n the n ov el C hi a C hen g i s the pure ,

t ype o f th e ste rn Co n fuc i a n H i s t ory pr ese rv e s th e m emory o f E mpe r or

.

Y un g C hen g as t h at o f the gre at Co n fuc i an o n C hi na s th ro ne the ’

,

rul er o f co m mo n se nse an d so c i a l co n scro usn eSs .

Th ou gh a t first si gh t th e Hun g L o u M en g a pp ears t o b e an i nexpl i

ca ble ch a o s o f i n n um era bl e c h a r a c t e rs an d ev ents o n clo se r sc ru t i n y ,

th e n ovel r ev ea l s i ts elf t o b e a h a rmo n i ous st ruc t ure w e ll ord e r e d

l ogi c a l co n s i sten t The m a i n c ha r a c te rs—Bl a ck J a d e o f a n ea rly
, , ,

.
, ,

sa i n t ly c h as t i t y ; th e Pr i n c e ss An c es t r ess e a rt h y a n d mo th e rly ; Pr e c i ou s
,

C la s p wom a n ly warm se n sible ; Bri ght C loud a n d M an d a ri n Duck

t ouc h i n gly loy a l a n d d evo t e d ; C h i a C hen g s t em a n d du t i ful—
, , , ,
"
a re a d,

m i ra b ly dr a wn B ut the m a n y se co n d a ry fig ure s a lso fill th e i r pos i t i o n s

.

s ol i dly a n d h a ve th e i r d e fi n i t e fu n c t i o n s w i th i n a ca re fully ca lcul a t e d

pl a n To g i ve o ne ex ample a mo n g m an y th e seem i n gly g ra t u i t ou s

.
~
,

a ppe a r a n c e o f th e o ld se rv a n t an d grumbl e r a t th e ope n i n g o f th e

n ov el b ecom es m e a n i n gful w hen h e re a ppea rs a t th e en d o f t h e sto ry

a n d th e r ea d e r r ea l i z es t h a t th e o l d w a rri or fun c ti o n s a s th e un w a n t e d

d un he e d e d prophe t .

T he t wo my ste r i ou s mo n ks th a t kee p r ea ppe a ri n g a dd a n e le m en t

o f t he s upe rn a t ur a l ; t h e y a re m e ss en g e rs from the b e yo n d T he y re re
p .

sen t t h e re curr i n g mo t i f o f th e fun d a m en ta l th em es o f th e work w h i c h ,

i s un d en i a bly T a o i s t Th e ac ti o n b e g i n s wi th a prologu e i n t h e
.

P ha n tom R ea lm o f th e Gr ea t Vo i d th e T a o i st hea ven ; i t en ds wi th ,

an e p i logu e i n t h e Bl esse d R e g i o n s o f Pur i fi e d S em bl a n c e w h i c h i s ,

a n o th e r n a m e f o r th e s a m e sp h e re Four t i m es w e see c . h a r a c t e rs p a ss
th roug h th e g a t e s o f t h e G re a t Vo i d wh i c h i n T a o i s t l a n u a g e m ea n s
g, , ,

t o ren ou n c e th e world : S h i h Y i n g th e Cold Kn i g h t Gr i e f o f Spr in g

, , ,

a n d fi n a lly P a o Y u th e h ero h i m s elf

, .

A sec o n d mo t i f o f the n ov el seems to m e the m a t ri a rch y e loqu ently ,

re p resen te d by th e A n c es t ress w ho a lwa y s Op t i m i st i c an d rea dy t o

, ,

c e l ebr a te a dmon i sh i n g a nd p a c i fy in g h ol ds t he fam i ly t og eth e r Th e

, , .

Co n fuc i a n p h i lo sop h y o f l i fe o f course could n o t b e a b sen t from a

, ,

C h i ne se n ovel It a ppe ars in th e pe r so n o f Pa o Y us fa the r C h i a Ch en g

.
’
, .

W h a t br i efly s umm a r iz e d i s th e cor e o f the n ov el ?

, ,

From t h e Co n fuc i an po i n t o f vi ew i t m i gh t b e th e st ory o f the wea l th

,

an d h on or of a gr ea t an d n obl e h ouse an d ts se lf des truc ti o n

i T he -
.

XV
h ou se i s r eh a b i l i t a te d in th e en d th rough t h e i n t ell e ct u a l a n d mor a l
c
a hi e ev m en t o f a so n h i t h e rt o co n s i d e r e d d e g en e r a t e —
si n c e P a o Y u

du t i fully con form s t o t h e wi sh es o f hi s p a r en ts a n d subm i t s t o th e

ord e a l o f th e ex a m i n a t i o n s .
g

From th e B udd h i st a n d T a o i st po i n t s o f v i ew the a n swer m i ght b e

It i s a s t ory of t he gr a du a l a w a k en i n g pur i fic a t i o n an d fi n a l t r an sc en d
, ,

en c e o f a s oul or i g i n a lly s u n k i n t h e sl i m e o f t empor a l an d m a t e ri a l

st r i v i n g s
.

From th e West e rn po i n t o f v i e w th e an swe r m i gh t b e th i s : It i s th e

c a se h i st ory o f a h i gh ly g i ft e d b ut d e gen e r at e youn g a r i st ocrat a ,

p sych op a th an d a w ea kl i n g a soc i a l efi em i n a t e pl a gu e d by i n fe r i or i t y
, , ,

compl ex es a n d m an i c d epr essi on s w h o th ough c a p a ble o f a tempor a ry

, ,

r ally i n g of en erg i es fou n d er s a mon g th e d em a n d s o f r ea l i ty an d

,

s l i n ks cr a v en ly a w a y from h um a n s oc i e t y .

T h e l a st st a g e o f P a o Y u s d ev e lopm en t h i s c h an g e i n t o a sp i ri t
’
, ,

go es b eyo n d th e compr eh en si o n o f the W e st ern m i n d For T a o i sm i s .

n o t o n ly a t he ory b ut a bov e a ll pr a c t i c a l exp e ri en c e

, ,
.

A n d fi n a lly t h e of ten m en t i on e d s p i r i t s t o n e prob a bly symb ol i z es

,
-

t h e i n n a t e d i s po si t i o n th e s p i r i t u a l n a t ur e o f a m a n w h i c h h e m ay
, , ,

n o t b et r a y w i th ou t r i s k i n g th e lo ss o f h i s es sen t i a l se lf .

Th e godd ess Nu Ku a a n d th e st o n e s for th e r ep a i r o f th e

p i ll a r s o f h ea v en w i th wh i c h t h e n ov e l st a r ts a re my th ologi c al m eta
, ,

p h ors o f r a t h er pro sa i c s i gn i fic a n c e Coun t l ess a s st on es m en i n h a b i t

.
,

t h e ea r t h ; a mo n g th em Prov i d en c e p i cks a c e rt a i n n u mb e r a n d a ssi gns

t h em t o a dm i n i st e r t h e S t a t e a s m e mb e r s o f t h e h i e r a rc h y o f offic i a l s
an d t o pr ese rv e t h e m a ss of t h e p e opl e from t h e t h r ea t o f a n a rc h y .

Pa o Y u w a s r ej e c t e d a s u n fi t for th i s s e rv i c e b ut h e h a d b een t ouch e d

,

by th e h an d o f t h e godd ess an d en n obl e d by h er t ouch L az i n ess m a kes .

h i m w i sh t o b e a n ord i n a ry st o n e a mo n g s t o n es b ut a h i gh e r d est i n y ,

fr ees h i m a n d h e b ecom e s co n s c i ou s o f h i s qu a l i t y as Pre c i ous S t o n e .

Fo r th i s r e as o n o ur n ov el h a s a se co n d t i t l e i n C h i n a S h i t o u ch i , ,
“ ”
Th e S t ory o f th e S t o n e .

FR AN Z K UHN
 THE CHIA FAMILY

H EADS O F T H E FAM I LY
i

Pr i n cess A n cest ress n ée S h i h , w i dow of C h i a T

, ai S h an , se con d Pr in ce of
Y un gk u o R uler of t h e ea st ern a n d w es t e
.
W
C hia C h i n g (P r i nc e He rm i t ) , so n of Ch i a T a i Hua , th e se con d Pr i nce of
N i n gk uo Ret i red t o a Ta o i st temple
.

T H E SENIORS
f f '

C h ia Chen ( Pr i n c e C h en ) , so n of C h i a Ch i n g ; in his pla ce mast er of th e

N i ngkuo pa la ce
C h ia S h i eh ( Pri n c e S h i eh ) elder so n of th e Pr in cess ,
A n c es tres s; mast er
of th e Y u n gk uo p a l ac e
- C h ia C h en g ,1193 2 8 223 22 of t he Pr i nc ess A n c es t ress
Pr i n c ess C he n n é e Y u w i fe of Pr i n c e C h en
,

P r in c ess Shi eh n é e Hs m w i fe of Pr i n c e S h i eh
, ,

fi Ma da m e C hen g ee Wan g w i fe of C h i a C h en g
p
‘

, ,

THE J U NIORS
\
C h iaY un g , s on of Pr i nc e Chen
C hi aL i e n so n of Pr i n c e S h i eh
,

C h iaPa o Yu so n of C h i a C h en g by h i s w i fe M a d am e Chen g v t au:

, ,
t

H ua n s o n of Ch i a C h en g by h i s sec o n dT a fl v i fe C h a o ; h a lf bro th e r
C h ia , S
of Pa o Y u
C h ia La n s o n of Ch i a C h u t he dec ea se d s o n of Ch i a Ch en g
, ,

M i st ress Y u n g , w i fe of Ch i a Yun g a lso kn own by h er c h i ldh ood n a me , K0

,

Chin g
«
M a da m e Ph o en i x, w i fe of Ch i a Li en
W i do w C h u , mot her of C h i a L i n
B egi n n in g o f S pr i n g d a ugh t er of Ch i a Ch en g an d h i s wi fe, n é
, e Wa n g ;

e r a l s eco n d a ry w i fe
p i — F ‘

Ta ste o f S pr i n g da u gh te r B f Chi a C hm
F

,
g by h i s se co n d a ry w i fe Ch a o ;

h a lf s i ster of P8 0 Y u
G ri e/ o f S pr i n g , d a ugh t e r of C h i a C h i n g t h e Pr i n c e H erm i t ,

G reet in g o f S pr i n g d a ugh ter of Pr i n c e S h i eh by a seco n da ry w i fe in

,

R E LAT I O N S O F T HE C H I A FA M I LY
li v i n g w it hi n t he co n fi n es o f t he N i n g k uo a n d Y u n k u o es t a t es
g
t
fi
l a de ( M i ssLi n g ) d a ugh ter of Li n g Jn , Ha i , gra n dd a ught er of th e
r n c ess An cest ress
xvii
 A
A un t Hs uch , n ee Wa n g, s i st er of M a d am e C h en g
J r eci ou s C la sp ( Pa o C h a i ) d a ugh t er of Aun t H s u eh

Hs u ch P a n , so n of Au n t H su eh
M ot her Yu , st eps i st er of Pr i n c ess Ch en
S econ d S is t er Yu , elder d augh ter of Moth er Y u ;
o n da r w i fe
y
Th i rd S i ster Y u, youn ger d aughter of Moth er Y u
 P RI N C I P A L W A I T I N G M A I D S

A n cs s r a e s s P a s c ro u s C LAS P
O ri ole

A pri co t

B L A C K J A DE

MAD A M E C H EN c C uc k oo
-

S n o wgo ose

G ns s r m c or S p am s

C a re r or p w e

5 m Hung Pa i n t i n g M a i d

xi
 T RA NSLA TOR S NO T E
’

T o a vo i d co n fu si on , m ale n a m es h a ve b een tr an sl i te r a t ed wh i le n early

,

a ll f e m a l e n a m es h a v e b een fr ee ly r en d e r e d i n a n a pprox i m a t i o n o f th ei r

l i ter a l m ea n i n g .

Forms o f a ddr ess u se d t hrough ou t the book

“ ” ’
Ta i ta i ( l i te r a lly gre a t gr ea t
-
fo r t h e m a st er s wi fe .

’
O ld Ta i ta i for the m a ster s mo the r
,
.

’
Na i na i f or th e w i fe o f th e m a st er s s o n
, .

“
M ei m ei ( l i te r a lly you n g er s i ster youn g er s i st er
,
f or yo un g er
si st ers a n d you n g fe m a l e cou s in s .

”
The t e rm se co n d a ry w i fe i s u se d i n pr efer en c e t o co n cub i n e , si n c e
th e W est e rn co nn o t a t i o n o f co n cub i n e do es n ot a pply t o th e mor a l a n d
l eg a l sta tu s o f co n cub in es i n C h i n a , w h o a re form a lly t a ken i nt o th e
TH E D R EA M O F T H E R E D C H A M B E R
wh i ch she ha d set asi d e fo r h er purpo se By con t a c t wi th h er d i vi n e .

h a n d i t h a d b ecom e po ssesse d of a s oul h en c e i t could c h a n g e i ts loc a ,

t i o n w h en ev er i t pl e as e d a n d m a ke i ts e lf l a rg e r o r sm a ll e r It f e l t p a i n
,
.

'

fully con sc i ou s da y a n u ni gh t o f th e h um i l i a t i on wh i ch i t h a d s uff e re d

i n b e i n g re j ec t e d by t he godd es s a s u n s u i t a bl e .

In th e cour se of i ts w a n d e r i n g s i t c a m e o n e da y t o th e p a l a c e o f th e
F a i ry of F e a rful Awa keni n g The fa i ry w h o kn ew i ts h i g he r d esti n y
.
, ,

t ook i t i n t o h er h ou seh old s t a ff an d ga v e i t t h e t i t l e of Gu a rd i a n o f th e

‘

R a d i an ce of t he S t on e of th e G o ds i n th e P a l a c e o f th e R ed Cloud s"
.

B ut i t s i mply could n ot sett l e dow n an d g i v e up i ts w a n d e r i n g l i fe .

“
It u se d t o st e a l a w a y fr equ en t ly from i t s du t i es i n th e p a l a c e a n d go
o ff t o t h e sh or es of t h e R i v er o f t h e Sp i ri t s T h er e o n e da y i t di s co v .
, ,

e r e d t he
p l an t Purple P ea rl It b e c a m e v ery fon d of Purpl e P ea rl a n d
, .

t o sh ow i ts a ff e c t i o n u s e d t o s pr i n kl e i t d a i ly w i th fr a gr a n t dew T h u s i t .

s a v e d t h e d e l i c a t e pl a n t from f : d i n g a w a y t oo s oon T h a n ks t o t h e b e
“

n efi cen t r e fr es h m en t w i t h fr a gr an t dew t h roug h w h i ch i t dr a n k i n t h e ,

fi n est pow ers of t h e mu t u a l r el at i on s b et ween h ea v en an d ea r th i t w a s ,

en a bl e d l a t e r t o drop i t s e a rth ly fo rm of pl an t a n d t a k e h um an shap e .

T h e d el i c a t e pl an t t urn e d i n t o a youn g g i rl .

“
A n i n v i n c i bl e lo n g i n g oft en drov e t hi s yo un g g i rl b e yo n d t h e c a lm
'

‘ ’
Sph er e of B an i sh e d Su ffe ri n g Wh en sh e w as h un gr y sh e lov e d t o e a t
.
’

of t h e Treeo f S ecr e t Lo ve Fru i t s Wh en sh e w a s t h i rst y sh e lov e d b e st

‘
.
’

‘
t o s i p from th e Sourc e of Dr en ch i n g Gr i e f Ag a i n an d a g a i n sh e re ’
.

m e mb ered h o w i n the p a st w hen sh e w as a fr a i l pl a n t som e on e u se d

, ,

tO w a t er h er w i th swee t dew a n d h er lo n g i n g t o r e qu i t e t h a t ki n dly

‘

d ee d n ev e r l ef t h er I c a nn o t r ep a y h i m by do i n g t h e sa m e for h i m she
.
,

u s e d often t o th i n k t o h er se lf B ut i f i t sh ould b e gra n t e d m e i n my n ex t

.
,

e x i s t en c e t o m eet h i m a s a f e llow b e i n g o n e a r th th en I h o e I sh all

, p ,

t h an k h i m w i t h a s m a n y t ea r s a s I ca n sh e d i n a w h ol e lo n g l i fe .

“
Th a t t h en i s th e preh i st ory o f t he lov e dr a m a wh i ch by t he w i ll o f
, ,

Prov i d en c e i s n ow a bou t t o b e en a c t e d upo n e a r th Th o se t a ki n g p a rt .

,

a mo n g t h em t h e pl an t Purpl e P e a rl a re a lr e a dy pr ep a r i n g t o st e p
,

down upon t h e ea r t hly st a ge Th er e fore let us h a sten t o t a ke b a ck our

.

st o n e t o i ts m i st r e ss , t h e F a i ry o f F ea rful Aw a k en i n g so t h a t sh e ca n ,

en t er i t i n t h e l i s t of t h o se t a k i n g p a rt i n t h a t dr a m a a n d s en d i t t o ,

j o i n t he o t h er pl a y e r s .

“
V ery st r a n g e i n d ee d rem a rke d th e T a o i st To r ep a y a d eb t of
, .

gr a t i t ud e w i th t ea rs i s d e fin i tel y some th i n g n ew Th e st ory see ms t o m e .

t o b e s uffic i en t ly wor th wh i l e t o i n duc e us t o o t o s te p down i n t o t h e

du st of the ea r th P erh a p s w e m ay s ucc ee d th er eby i n eff ec t i n g th e re

.

d emp t i o n of som e e rr i n g s oul s Thi s would i n dee d b e a m eri t ori ous

.

”
work .

“
Th a t i s cert a i nly m y opi n i o n t o o I t herefor e pro po se t hat We fi rst
'
.

4
o f all d eli v er o ur foun dl i n g th e st on e t o th e F ai ry of F ea rful Awa k en
, ,

i n g an d l ate r d esc en d our selv es a ls o w h en all th e a c t or s i n t h i s dr a m a

, ,

o f m i s fort un e ar e a lrea dy m et t og eth e r d o wn b elow Up t o t he pr es en t .

”
o n ly h a lf o f th em a re g a th ere d th e re .

“
Goo d Let us b e off t hen t o t he P a l a c e o f th e R ed Cloud s
.
, , .

T h e s l ee pe r S hi h Y i n g h a d follow e d ev e ry word o f t h ei r cov en a

t i o n He n o w st e pp e d ah e a d o f t h e tw o w h o w e r e w a lki n g b e s i de h i m
‘

.
j , ,
“
sa lu t e d th em wi t h a b o w a n d a ddr ess e d t h em a s follow s :
, R e veren d
M ast e rs t h i s si mpl e fellow w a s a n a cc i d en t a l li sten er t o y our st r an ge
,

co n ve rsa t i o n He di d n o t u n d e rst an d i t s full m ean i n g If you would

. .

fa vor h i m w i th a mor e d et a i l e d e xpl a n a t i o n o f i t he would l i ste n mo st .

,

d e vou t ly an d res pe c t fully He would v e ry much l i ke t o profi t i n s om e

.

sm a ll m e a s ur e from your w i s dom a n d so n o t s i n k i n t o t h e vor t ex o f

,
”
fooli shn ess .

“
It i s n o t pe rm i tte d t o u s t o s p e a k i n a dv an c e o f m a tt e rs co n ce r n i n g
” “
d es t i n y w as th e r e ply Whe n t h e t i m e com es thi n k o f u s I f yo u do
, .
,
.

”
so yo u wi ll es c a pe t h e fi e ry
p i t o f p e rd i t i o n .

“ ”
M a y I n o t a t l ea s t se e t he obj ec t o f your co n ve rs a t i o n ?
”
T ha t i s p e rmi tte d t o you by t h e wi ll o f Prov i d en c e sa i d th e bonz e
, , ,

p assi n g h i m th e d e s i re d obj e c t S h i h Yi n g t ook i t in h i s h a n d a n d

.

looke d a t i t It w as a lov ely j a d e st o n e w i th a fresh p a l e r a d i an c e O n

.
, .

th e uppe rs urf a ce w e r e en gr a v e d th e four i d e ogr a p hs t un g l i n g p a o y u -

,
“ ”
S t o n e of pen e tr a t i n g sp i r i t u a l power Th e bo tt om surfa c e t o o sh ow e d
.

a se r i es o f sm a ll wri tt en c h a r a c t e rs S h i h Y i n g w as a b ou t t o d e c i p h e r
.

“
th e m wh en th e bo n z e t oo k th e st o n e o u t o f h i s h a n d a g a i n s a y i n g : W e ,
”
h a v e a rri ve d a t th e R ea lm o f I llu si on a n d str ode o n ah ea d wi t h th e
,

T a o i st S h i h Y i n g sa w t h em w a lki n g i n thr ough a hi gh st o n e a ch w a y

‘

.
r
,
“
ov e r whi ch st o od th e word s i n b i g l ett e rs : P h an t om R e a lm o f th e
Gr ea t O n th e tw o pi ll a rs o f t he a rc h h e re a d th e coupl et
When seemin g i s t aken for be in g be i n g b ecomes seem in g , ,

Where n oth in g is t a ke n for s omet h i n g som et h i n g becomes n oth i n g ,

.

He w as bou t t o h ur ry a fte r t h e tw o m en wh en a fr i gh t ful cl a p o f

a

th u n d er r es o un d e d i n h i s e a rs It se em ed a s i f th e e ar t h w e r e a bou t t o
.

coll a pse W i th a loud cry h e woke up H e o pe n e d hi s e y es an d bl i n ked

. .

a t t h e glowi n g o rb o f th e e v en i n g sun wh i ch w as bl az i n g s la n twi se '

,
,

thr ough t h e b an a n a l e a v e s Alr ea dy h e h a d h a lf forgo tt en hi s vi si o n

'

. .

T he urse a ppea re d o n th e th resh old w i th li tt l e Lo t us in h er arms

n .

S hih Y i n g t ook th e chi ld from h er pr esse d i t t en d e rly as a j ew e l t o hi s

,

bo som an d d an dl ed i t a n d pl a y e d w i th i t for a wh i l e Th en h e t ook i t

,
.

wi th hi m ou ts i de th e h a ll do or a n d st ood th e re look i n g a t th e n o is y
,

th ro n g i n t e st ree t H e w as j ust a bou t t o go b a ck i n t o t h e h ou se wh en

h .
 t w o m en i n pri es t l y a tt i re p a sse d b y—o n e a se rv an t o f Buddh a th e ,

o th e r a di s c i pl e of La o Tzu T h e bo n z e w a s b a re foot e d H i s sh orn h e a d

. .

w as full o f s curf a n d Scr a t ch es T h e T a o i s t w a s l a m e l n o n e foo t ; t h e

'

h a i r o f h i s b a re h ea d h u n g a bou t i n a n u n comb e d t a ngl e Alo n g th e y

‘

c a m e g est i cul a t i n g w i ldly a n d l a ugh i n g l i ke a p a i r o f m a dmen Th e y .

st opp e d i n fro n t of S h i h Y i n g s t h r esh old a n d r e m a i n e d a mom en t

’

st a r i n g a t h i m a n d th e c h i ld T h e n t h e bo n z e s udd en ly b e g a n t o s i g h
-
.

“
loudly a n d h e sa i d t o S h i h Yi n g : Si r wh a t i ll fa t e d cr ea t ur e i s t h a t
, ,
”
u h old m your rm ? I t w i ll br i n g n o t h i n g b ut s orr ow t o i t s p a r e n t s !
y o a s

S hi h Y i n g t h ough t t h e m a n w a s m a d so h e t ook n o n ot i c e o f h i s
‘
,

t a lk B ut t h e bo n z e co n t i n u e d t o a ddr es s h i m w i t h gr ea t e mp h a si s
. .

“ ”
G i ve i t to m e ! G i v e i t t o m e ! h e urge d po i n t i n g t o th e chi ld i n h i s ,

a rm s .

Thi s w a s t o o muc h for S h i h Y i n g H e pr esse d th e b a by mor e firmly .

t o hi s br e a st a n d w a s a lr ea dy t urn i n g t o go a w a y w h e
,
n t h e bo n z e ,

broke in t o a sh r i ll p e a l of l a ugh t e r a n d c a ll e d o ut a ft er hi m :
.

A fool dotes ;
Ten der blossoms
A re cut by th e fr ost .

T ak e c a r e
a t New Yea r ,

F i r e a n d fl a me .

S h i h Yi n g h un g b a ck He would h av e v e ry much l i ke d t o h a v e th e
.

my st er i ou s rh ym e expl a i n e d t o h i m B ut h e h ea rd t he Ta oi st pr i est s ay .

“
t o t h e bo n z e : From n o w o n o ur p a th s d i v i d e W e sh a ll work a p a rt . .

Aft er th r ee a e on s I sh a ll a w a i t yo u i n t h e w e ll kn own c em e te ry o n th e
P e i M an g H i ll n ea r Lo y a n g W e sha ll t h en g o b a ck t og e th er t o th e
.

P h an t om R e a lm of t he Gr ea t Vo i d an d h a v e t h e a ff a i r o f th e st o n e o h
”
l i t er a t e d from th e re g i s t er
Good S h ih Yi n g h ea rd t h e bo n z e r eply w
.

“ ”
, h e r e upo n th e t w o s u d ,

d ea l y d i s a pp ea r e d S h ih Yi n g w a s st i ll m a d az e d a n d st up efi e d st at e
.
.
,

t hi n ki n g ov e r t h e s t r a n g e i n c i d e n t w h en h e s a w h i s go od fr i en d a n d ,

n e i g h bor C h i a Y u T s u n com i n g t ow a rd s t h e h o use ; Y u T s un w a s a poor

yo un g st ud en t w h o lodge d n ea r by i n t h e Te mple o f th e Gourd He w a s .

t h e s o n of a n offic i a l i n H uc h ow w h o h a d d i e d ea rly l e a v i n g h i s fa m i ly
, ,

i n poor c i rcum st a n c es A y ea r a g o h e h a d se t o u t t o m a ke h i s w a y t o th e
.
,

c a p i t a l i n t en d i n g t o en te r for t he gr e a t publ i c ex a m i n a t i on s a n d w i n
,

f a m e a n d s ucc ess He h a d o n ly go t a s f a r a s Such ow h ow ev e r wh en hi s

.
, ,

mo n ey r a n o ut S o h e h a d fo und te mpor a ry r efug e a n d lodg i n g i n a

. .
-

mo n k s c ell i n t h e T empl e of t h e Gourd H ere h e con t i n u e d hi s st ud i es

’
.

i n du st r i o u sly a t th e s a m e t i m e e a rn i n g h i s b e a rd a n d kee p by wr i t i n g
,

for t h e u n l et t er e d In t h i s w a y h e h a d m a d e t h e a cqu a i n t an c e of S h i h
.

Y i n g an d w a s s oo n o n t e rms of fr i en dshi p w i th hi m Fo r S hi h Yin g h a d

, .

6
a gre at reg a rd fo r the a rt o f l ett ers a n d h e t ook a ke en d e li gh t i n ,

th e profou n d a n d g en u i n e cul t ure of t h e bri ll i a n t you n g s c h ol a r .

Y u T s u n n o w a ppro a c h e d w i t h a pol i te bow s a y i n g : I se e t h a t yo u

a re l e a n i n g a g a i n s t t h e doorpo st a n d cr a n i n g your n e ck No doub t yo u .

? ”
a re look i n g o ut for a n y n ov e l h a p pe n i n g s i n t h e t own
“
“
Th a t i s n o t i t r e pli e d S h i h Y i n g b ut th e c hi ld w a s res tl e ss a n d
”
, , ,

I t ri e d t o d i st ra c t h e r f a b i t by t a k i n g h er t o th e d oor wi t h m e My .

wort h y bro t h er h a s come j u s t a t th e ri g h t t i m e Le t us go i n a n d sh ort en .

”
t h e en dl e s s da y w i t h pl e a s a n t co n v e rs a t i o n .

H e g a ve th e c h i ld t o t he nur se a n d sh ow e d h i s vi si t or i n t o th e l i br a ry .

Th e y h a d b a re ly h a d t i m e t o dri n k a bowl of t ea an d exch a n g e four o r

fi v e s en t en c es w h en th e h o st w a s c a ll e d a w a y t o a n o th e r vi s i t or i n th e
ou t e r room S h i h Y i n g a ske d h i s fr i e n d t o r em a i n b ut t o excu se h i m f o r
.

a f e w m i nu t e s S o Y u T s u n st a y e d a n d p a ss e d t h e ti m e o f w a i t i n g rum
.

m a g i ng a n d se a rch i n g o ut o ld books from a mon g the volum e s i n th e

li bra ry Wh i l e he w a s th u s e n ga ged h e s udd en ly h e a rd th rough th e
. ,

wi n dow th e cle ar t on e s o f a fem i n i n e vo i c e He l a i d th e o ld books a s i d e

, .
,

s l i pp e d ov e r t o th e wi n dow a n d l e an e d o u t No t f a r from the w i n dow

, .

h e sa w a youn g g i rl b en t down b e t w een t he flow e r b e ds Sh e w a s p i ck .

i n g flow e rs a n d h umm i n g a s o n g a s she di d s o Sh e w a s n o t e x a c t ly .

t e n t en t h s b e a ut if ul n e v e rt h el e s s sh e w a s qu i t e u n co mmo n ly ch a rm i n g
-

,
.

A t an y r a te Y u T s un rem a i n e d a t th e wi n dow ; sta ri n g st ea d i ly o ut a t

,
'

h er T hen c h an ci n g t o look up sh e a lso c a ugh t s i gh t o f h i m

.
, ,
.

H e i s poorly clo th e d i t i s t ru e b ut s ta te ly i n form a n d a pp ea r an c e

, , ,

sh e t h oug h t t o he rs e lf as s h e t urn e d a w a y h a s t i ly Wh a t h an d so m e .

fe a t ur es h e s go t a n d wh a t e xpr e ss i v e e y e s ! He mu st sur ely b e th e

’

, .

s c h ol a r Y u T s un t h e fr i en d o f wh om my m a s t e r s p e a ks so muc h
, an d ,

wh om h e i s so a n x i ous t o h e lp w h en e ve r h e h a s a c h a n c e Y es i t mu st .
,

b e h e b e ca u s e a ll t h e o t h e r pe opl e w h o fre qu en t o ur h ous e ar e o f th e

,

we ll t o d o cla sse s ut o n e h a s o n ly t o se e h i m t o un d e rst an d w h y o ur

-

m as t e r a lw a y s b e li e v es t h a t h e wi ll n o t h a v e t o go a bou t much lo n ge r i n
s uc h o ld a n d t orn clo th es S h e eo ul d n o t r e s i s t l oo ki n g b a ck o n ce mor e
°

a t t h e wi n dow Th en sh e d i sa pp ea r e d f a r t h e r i n t o th e g a rd en
. .

Y u Ts un w as i mm en se y pl ea se d a t h a v i ng obv i ou s ly m a d e an 1 m
’

pressi o n o n h er d es p i t e h i s sh a bby a pp e a r a n c e Th a t gi rl i s b o th wi se .

a n d ob s e rv a n t h e s a i d t o h i m s elf a n d s h e ca n p e rc e i v e t h e hi g h er
, ,

v a lue of a p ers o n l i ke my sel f d e s p i t e u n fa vor a bl e ci rcums t a n c es .

Mov e d by th ese t h ough t s h e st rod e m e d i t a t i v ely t h rough t h e g a rd en

,

a n d o ut in t o a s t re e t by a s i d e door For t h e gu e s t w a s r e m a i n i n g t o di n.

n e r a s a se rv a n t h a d i n form e d h i m
, a n d so i t would b e t o o lo n g f o r ,

hi m t o w a i t He could n o t forg e t th e li tt l e i n c i d en t of th e pr e tt y g i rl i n
.

th e g a rd e n w ho h a d t urn e d roun d t w i c e t o look a t h im .

~
O n th e e ve n i n g of th e M i d Au t umn F es t i v a l a ft e r th e us u a l f a mi ly
-

,
m ea l w a s ov e r h i s p a t ro n w ent roun d t o i n vi te h i m t o dr i n k a fri en dly
,

gl a ss of w i ne a lo n e w i th h i m i n h i s l i br a ry Y u Ts u n w a s si tt i n g by hi m
.

se lf i n hi s mo n a st e ry c e ll i n a m e l an c h oly mood Co n t empl a t i o n o f th e

.

h a rv est moo n h a d i n sp i r e d h i m t o wr i te a po e m o f ei g h t li n es i n whi ch

h e h a d d es cri b e d i n crypt i c words h i s r e c en t e xp e r i en ce a n d re v ea le d
t h e s ecr e t w i sh es w h i c h i t h a d a w a ken e d T h e t h ough t t h a t an un ki n d
.

fa t e would d en y h i m t he fu lfillm en t o f h i s d es i r es m a d e h i m si gh d eep ly ,

look up full o f sorr ow a t th e moon an d bri n g forth th e followi n g a ddi

,

t i o n a l l i n es

In d a rkn ess l an gu i sh es th e prec i ou s st o n e .

Wh en wi ll i ts e xc ell en c e ench an t th e world ?

T h e prec i ou s cl a sp h i dd en a w a y
Lon gs for wi n gs t o fl y t o t h e br i d e .

Wh i l e h e w as re p eat i n g th es e li n es ov er to hi m s elf in c am e S hih

Yin g .

“
It m s t o m e th a t my wort h y bro the r m a kes h i gh d em an ds o f li fe
s ee
”
a n d co n si d e rs h i m s e lf muc h a bov e t h e commo n h e rd h e r e m a rk e d ,

w i th a sm i l e .

“
O h I w a s n o t r e fe rri n g t o my se lf
, r epl i ed Y u Ts u n e mb a rr asse d
, ,
.

Th a t s a n o ld po em It j u st occurr e d t o m e by ch a n c e Y o u fl a tt er m e
’
. .

”
1 1 th i n k i n g i t m i n e
1 .

S h i h Y i n g g a v e h i s i n vi t a t i on an d t ook Y u T sun b a ck w i th h i m t o hi s
l i br a ry H e dr an k h i s h ea l th g a i ly a n d en cour a g e d h i m t o h e lp h i m se lf
.

from the m a n y d i sh es of d a i n t i e s wh i ch he ke pt on t i r elessly ord e ri n g

for h i m Th u s i t h a pp en e d t h a t Y u T s u n a ccu st ome d a s h e w as t o th e
.
,

S p a r e d i et o f a mon k fell more a n d mor e i n t o th at mood o f e xhi lara

,

t i o n i n w h i c h th e mou t h e xpr es se s t h e t h i n g s wh i c h mov e t h e h ea rt .

T h e pl e a s a n t s ou n d o f st r i n gs a n d flu t e s a n d m e rry s on gs dri ft e d i n
from t h e st ree t a n d from t h e n ei g h bori n g h ou ses Up i n th e h e a ven s .

h un g t h e sh i n i n g w h i t e o rb o f t h e full moo n In a tr i c e Y u Ts un h a d
.

i mprov i se d a qu a t r a i n i n pr a i se o f t h e h a rv est moo n .

“ ”
M a gn i fic en t ! D i vi n e ! cr i e d h i s h o st en th u si a st i c a lly O n c e more
, .

my wor th y bro th e r h a s g i v en a proof o f hi s po et i c a b i li t y I h a ve alw a y s .

s a i d th at y o u would n o t w a d e f o r lo n g i n t h e s lough o f d ej e c t i o n Soon .

yo u wi ll b e flo a t i n g upo n th e cloud s I co n gr a t ul ate yo u i n a dv a n ce D o

. .

”
m e t he h o n or t o d ri n k !
A n d h e re a c h e d h i m a n o t h e r b e a ke r o f wi n e fill e d wi th h i s o w n h a n d .

Y u Ts un emp t i e d t h e b ea k e r Th en h e t ook a d ee p bre a th a n d s a i d :

.

Pr a y do n o t t h i n k t h at i t i s th e w i n e wh i ch h a s i n sp i re d your h umb l e
youn g er bro th e r w i th d a ri n g word s I am co n fid en t th a t I sh a ll b e a bl e
.

t o p as s t h e e x a m i n a ti o n an d h a v e my n a m e wri tt en i n th e li s t o f th e
ch o sen B ut o f wh a t a v a i l i s a ll my ab i li t y i f my t r a ve lli n g t run k i s
.

e mp ty ? Th e ro a d t o P e ki n g i s a lo n
g o n e I f s om e good souls do n o t
.

8
h e lp m e, I fea r I sh a ll n o t m a ke i t w i fh th e li tt l e I ea rn as a sc ri ven er .

“ ”
Wh y h as my worth y bro th e r n ot s poken o f th i s s oo n er ? hi s h o st
“
i n t e rrup t e d qu i ckly . I h a ve b een thi n ki n g o f thi s m a tter f er som e ti m e
p a st b ut I di d n o t t ru st my self to bro a ch i t No w h ow ev er I can m a ke
,
.
, ,

up fo r lo st t i m e Tru e I am n o t a h i ghl y e duc a t e d m a n ; n ev er the le ss I

.
,

kn ow wh a t i s see mly be t wee n fri en d s N ex t s pri n g a fter an i n te rv a l

.
,

o f th ree y ea rs a S ta t e ex a m i n a t i o n is t o b e he ld a g a i n
,
My worth y .

bro th e r mu st o n n o accoun t mi ss thi s opport un i t y an d he mus t th e r e fore

set o ut f or th e c a p i t a l a s s oo n as po ss i bl e i n ord e r th e r e to prove hi s

a b i l i ti es I sh a ll b e a r th e co st o f t h e j ourn e y a n d o f e v e ry thi n g e ls e
.

th a t i s n ec ess a ry M y worth y bro t h er sh a ll a t l eas t n o t h a v e s qu an d e r e d

.

”
h i s fri en d sh i p i n v a i n upo n an un wor th y p e rs on .

He wh i s p e r e d a n ord e r t o o n e o f hi s se rv an ts T he m an d i sa ppea re d.

a n d c a m e b a ck st r a i gh t a w a y t o la y b e for e h i s m a ste r s pro t é g éa ’

mon eyb a g co n t a in i n g fif t y sh i n i n g o un c e p i ec es an d tw o b e a u t i ful ,

qui l te d wi n te r co a ts M ean t i m e th e m as t er o f th e h ouse h a d b ee n look

.

i n g th rough th e c al en d a r .

T h e n i n ete en th i s a fa vor a bl e da y f or se tt i n g o u t o n a j ou rn e y h e ,
“
con ti n u ed M y worth y bro th er sh ould ta ke t i me ly ste ps t o se cur e a
.

h i re d bo a t f o r th a t da y A n d pe rh a p s w h en th e y ea r i s ov er I sh a ll
.
, ,

o n c e mo re h a ve th e h o n or o f b as ki n g i n th e r a di an c e o f your presen c e ,

a ft e r t h e w i n gs o f your t a l en ts h a v e c a rri e d
yo u up t o g i ddy h e i g h t s .

Tha t would i n d ee d b e a day o f hi gh fest i val f o r m e .

Y u Tsun w as so exh i la r at e d by th e w in e th a t h e o n ly mumbl e d a few

b a n a l word s o f th an ks b efore se tt l in g down o n ce more t o e a sy a n d
loqu a c i ou s ch a tt i n g a n d dri n k i n g No t un t i l f a r i n t o th e n i ght a bout
.
,

th e t i m e o f th e th i rd dr um ro ll di d th e fri en ds t a ke l ea v e o f e a ch o th er
,
.

The n ex t morn i n g S hi h Y in g r e m e mb er e d t h a t h e h a d a ls o i n t en d e d
t o g i v e hi s pro t égé l e tt e rs o f i n troduc t i o n t o tw o c i vi l se rv an ts w h om
h e kn ew i n th e c a p i t a l He th e r e fore sen t a serv an t ov e r t o t h e T empl e
.

o f th e Go urd t o a s k Y u T s un t o com e ov er o n ce mor e t o r e c e i v e t h ese

l ett e rs of re comm en d a ti o n B u t o n r et urn in g th e se rv an t re port e d th a t

.
,

Y u T s un h a d se t o ut v ery e a rly th at morn i n g He h a d l e ft wi th o n e o f .

th e t e mpl e bo n z es a fa r e w e ll gr ee t i n g f or h i s p a tr o n a n d a furt h e r m es
s a g e t o th e eff e c t th a t pe opl e o f e duc a t i o n l i k e h i ms e lf w e r ei n th e h a b i t

o f co n si d e r i n g o n ly th e m a t t e r in h a n d a n d w e r e n o t i n flu en c e d by

s up e r st i t i ou s d i r e c t i o n s i n t h e c a l en d a r A n d th a t w as th at wh e th er
.
,

S hi h Y in g l i ke d i t or n o t .

Li ght an d sh a dow ch a n g e swi ft ly T h e first f ull moon o f th e New

.

Yea r th e ti m e o f th e La n t e rn Fes ti v a l h a d com e a roun d a g ai n un pe r

, ,

ce i ve d In th e e v en i n g S h ih Y i n g h a d sen t a se rv an t t o t a ke h i s li t t l e
.

d a ugh t er Ou ts i d e th e h a ll door so th a t she m i gh t en j oy th e si ght o f th e

9
gay l an t ern s a n d th e m erry fi rew o rk s— th e sp i ri t fir es The se rv a n t .

h a d go n e r i g h t i n t o th e th ro n g of th e T en M i l e S t r ee t He foun d so .

m a n y fa sc i n at i n g si ght s an d s oun d s th e r e t h a t h e w a s compl et ely sp ell

’
bou n d a n d could n o t t ea r h i m self a w a y B u t n e e d i n g a mom en t s .

pri v a cy h e th oug ht l essly l e ft t h e c h i ld i n h i s ch a rge s i tt i n g o n a st o n e

,

p a r a p et i n fro n t of a st r an ge h ou se w h i l e h e d i sa p pe a r e d roun d th e
n ea r es t cor n e r W h en h e c a m e b a ck t h e l i t t l e g i rl w a s go n e H e se a rc h e d
. .

t h e s t r e e t s a n d l a n es for h e r a ll n i g h t b ut i n v a i n T h e n ex t morn i n g
“

.
, ,

b ei n g t o o muc h af ra i d o f p un i sh m en t t o r et urn t o hi s m a st er s h ou s e ’
,

h e fl e d from t h e t own a n d r an b a ck t o h i s n at i v e vi ll a g e .

S h i h Y i n g l n d esp e r at i o n sen t h i s w h ol e h ou seh old o ut t o sea rc h

, ,

for th e lo st c hi ld b ut w i t h out s ucc ess T h en m o urm n g f e ll upon t he

,
.
,

h ou se wh i c h h a d form e rly b een s uch a h a ppy o n e Bo t h p a ren ts w e re .

a l re a dy p a s t fif t y a n d could s c a rc ely h 0 p e t o h a v e mor e c h i ldr en T h ei r

, .

s i g h s a n d l a m en t a t i o n s di d n o t c ea s e e i t h e r by da y o r by n i g h t and
“
-

, ,

s oo n p h y si c i a n s a n d s oo t h sa y e r s b e c a m e d a i ly gu est s i n t h e h ou s e B ut .

t h e lo s s of t h ei r c h i ld w as n o t t o b e t h e i r o n ly m i s fort u n e .

O n t h e fif tee n th da y of t h e t h i rd mo n t h n a m ely o n All Souls D ay

‘
’
, , ,

a fi re brok e o u t i n t h e T e mpl e o f t h e Gourd Th e Bro th er w h o w as .

,

cook i n g th e sa cri fic i a l food s h a d c a re l essly a ll ow e d t h e fl a m es o f t h e

,

fi re t o sh oo t o ut ov e r t h e p a n a n d set a l i gh t th e p a rch m en t p a n es a n d
wood en fr a m e of th e ki t ch en w i n dow A ll t h e bu i ld i n gs roun d a bou t
.

h a d b a mboo f en ces a n d wood en w a ll s s o t h e fl a m es s pr ea d r a p i dly

,

fro mt h e T empl e of t h e Gourd t o th e n ei ghbori n g h ou se a n d t hen c e ,

f a rt h er a n d fa r th e r from h ou se t o h ou se S oo n a ll th e st r eet s a roun d

.

t h e t e mpl e w e r e o n e s i n gl e m a s s o f fl a m e s a g a i n st wh i c h t h e i n h a b i t
,

a n t s a n d t h e t own fi re br i g a d e s t rov e i n v a i n Th e fi re r a g e d for a w h ol e

.

n i g h t b efor e b urn i n g i t s e lf o u t S h i h Y i n g s h ou s e t o o h a d go n e do w n
’
.

i n ru i n s a n d a sh es T h e i n m a t es h a d b a r e ly b e en a bl e t o esc a p e w i th
.

t h e i r l i v e s S o w h a t could poor S h i h Y i n g do b u t h o w h i s kn ee s a n d
.

u tt e r sh or t si gh s a n d lo n g o n es ?
A t fir st h e a n d h i s w i f e w en t t o l i v e o n th e i r cou n t ry est a t e B ut t h ey .

fou n d li fe h a rdly t ol e r a bl e t h er e for ow i n g t o drought a n d fa m i n e th e

,

w h ol e coun t ry si d e w a s ov e rru n w i t h robb er b an d s wh i ch fell upon ,

t h e v i ll a g es l i ke s w a rm s of b ees Sold i e rs c a m e t o dri v e a w a y t h e rob

.

b e r s b ut th e y i n t h e i r t urn b e c a m e a scourge wh i ch m a d e coun t ry l i fe

,

h i g h ly u n pl e a s a n t O n a ccou n t of a ll th i s t h e sor ely t ri e d S h i h Y in g de

.

c i d e d t o s e ll h i s l a n d H e t h en w en t w i th h i s w i fe a n d t w o m a i d s t o l i v e
.

w i t h h i s fa t he r i a la w old F en g in t he s a fe t own of T a yu ch ow O ld
- -

, , .

F en g w ho w a s l i ke w i se a form e r lan down e r w a s f a i rly comfor tably o ff

, ,
.

All t h e s a m e he w a s n o t e x a c t ly ove rj oy e d a t see i n g h i s so n i n la w

.
- -

com i n g t o se ek r e fug e w i t h hi m i n such a wret ch e d sta t e of w an t .

H a pp i ly S h i h Y i n g di d n o t com e emp t yh a n d e d ; he brough t som e cas h

,
-

0
m en t Th ere upo n i n w ell ch o sen an d s ki llfully d i spo se d word s S h i h
.
-

Yi n g i mprovi se d a m el an ch oly h om i ly on th e spl en dor o f h i s p a st l i fe ,

t h e m i s e ry o f h i s pr esen t si t u a t i o n a n d t h e tr a n si t ory n a t ur e o f all

,

e a r th ly t h i n g s .

“
Spl en d i d ! Y o u h a v e put i t a ll i n d eeply 1 m pres s1 v e word s s a i d ,

t h e mo n k a dm i r i n gly w h en S h i h Y i n g s ou t pouri n g h a d e n d e d
’
.
,
“ ”
I sh ould l i k e t o go a lo n g wi th you sa i d S h i h Y i n g si mply He t ook ,
.

th e h e a vy kn a p s a ck from t h e mo n k s sh ould e r s a n d buckl e d i t o n t o h i s

’
,

o w n T h en wi th ou t e v en go i n g b a ck t o h i s h ou se h e j o i n e d th e st r a n g e
.
, ,

h oly m a n i n h i s c a s u a l w a n d e ri n g .

Hi s d i sapp e a r a n c e f orm e d th e s ubj e c t of con v e rs a t i on f o r s om e t i m e

i n h i s qu a rt e r o f t h e t own H i s w i fe a lmo st d i e d o f sh ock a n d gr i e f i t
.
,

w as s a i d Wh en a ll i n qu i r
. i es for h i s w h e r ea bou t s prov e d i n v ai n an d
t h e m i ssi n g m an f a i l e d t o r et urn sh e w en t b a ck t o th e h ou s e of h er
,

p a ren ts w i t h h er tw o m a i d s a n d from t h a t t i m e o n worki n g da y an d

, ,

n i g h t wi th h er n ee dl e sh e st rov e t o k ee p up t h e h ou seh old for h e r self

,

a n d h er a g e d f a t h e r .

O n e da y t h e eld e r o f h er m a i d s w a s st an d i n g a t t h e st r eet door buy '

in g y a rn from a h a wk e r S udd en ly sh e h e a rd th e y a m en ou t ri d e rs a s
.

“
t h e y c a m e n ea r e r a n d n ea r e r down t h e s t r ee t sh ou t i n g : M a ke w a y !
”
M a ke w a y ! The ne w d i st ri c t M an d a r i n w a s t a ki n g up h i s offic e t od a y ,

t h e p e opl e t old h e r L e an i n g b a ck i n th e doorw a y sh e w a t ch e d th e

.
,

proc essi on p a ss It w a s a st a t ely cort e ge In fron t w e r e po st i ll i o n s o n

. .

h or seb a ck t h en c a m e pol i c e a n d y a m en offi c i a ls i n t w o l i n es c a rry i n g

,

b a nn er s a n d the i n si gn i a o f offi c e In b et ween th e l in e s w as t h e gr e at

.

offi c i a l se d a n ch a i r w i th t he M a n d a r i n i n h i s s c a rl et S t a t e rob e s ea t e d i n
i t B eh i n d w a lke d more flu n k i es T h e m a i d g a v e a st a rt It seem e d t o h er
. . .

t h a t sh e h a d s een th e h a n d s om e f a c e o f t h e m an i n th e s c arl et rob e

s om e t i m e s om ew h er e b efor e .

Wh en t he pro cessi on h a d p a sse d by sh e went i n t o t h e h ou se a g a i n

a n d h a d s oo n forgo tt en t h e t r i fl i n g i nc i d en t .

L a t e i n th e ev en i n g o f t h a t s a m e da y j u st as ev e ryo n e w as go i n g t o
,
,

b ed th e r e w a s a s udd en loud a n d p e r emp t ory kn ocki n g a t th e door of

,

th e Fe n g s h ou se A t r 0 0
’

p o f y a m en se rv a n t s w er e ou t si de d e m a n d i n g
.

to b e l et i n .

Th e o l d Gove rn or h a s sen t us t he y sa i d i n a c h oru s W e h a v e a

, .

”
lo a d t o d el i ve r .

O ld F en g w a s a s fri gh t en e d a s i f a t i ge r st ood i n h i s p a th Wh a t .

n ew t roubl e w a s t h i s i n t h e n a m e o f h e a v en ? If
,
you w a n t t o kn ow yo u
mus t read wh a t th e n ex t c h a p t er h as t o re port .

12
 CHA PTER 2

In Ya n gch ow a la dy jo i ns th e co m p an y of the B lessed

h i g h b orn
-
. In
t h e ta v e r n Yu T s u n lea rns m ore a b o u t h i s no b le r e la ti v es .

A S SO ON F EN G H A D R EC O VE R ED S O ME W HA T F R O M H IS S H O C K
A S O LD ,

he wen t t o t he door a n d a s ke d t he pe opl e from th e y am en wh a t th ey

w a n t e d A c e rt a in S hi h Y i n g i s sa i d t o li ve h er e a n d w e h a ve ord e rs to
.
,
”
ta ke h i m t o th e o ld Gov e rn or c a m e th e answe r ,
.

“
M y n a me i s F en g b ut my son i n l a w s n am e i s S h i h Yin g He n o
,
- -
’
.

lon ge r li ves i n t h i s t own h oweve r ; he j o in e d th e w an d e ri n g mo n ks a n d

,
'
”
he rmi ts tw o y ea rs a go
'

“
Th en you mu st come wi t h us in st e a d o f h i m t h ey sa i d A n d t he y , .

t oo k o l d F en g a lo n g wi th t h em a n d brough t h i m t o th e y a m en o f t h e
n ew M a n d a r i n .

It w as l a t e a t n i g ht wh en o l d F en g ret urn e d h om e t o h i s f a mi ly w h o ,

we re a w a i t in g h i m an x i ously His r eport a t o n ce b an ishe d all th e i r .

fe ars a n d t urn e d the i r sa dness i n t o joy .

“
T he n ew M an d a r i n s n a m e i s C h i a wi th th e s urn a me o f Y u T s un
’
.
,

He i s a n ati ve o f Huch ow a n d i n form e r d a y s w h en h e l i ve d fo r a t i m e

,

in Suc h ow h e w as a good fr i en d a n d n ei g h bor o f my so n in la w S hih - -

,
” “
Yi n g recoun t e d o ld F en g A s he w as p a ss i n g by o ur h ouse y es te r
“

.
,

da y 1 n th e c eremo n i a l proc es s i o n h e es p i e d o ur m a i d Apri co t s ta n d in g

,

in th e doorw a y He r em e mbe re d h e r a n d co n clud e d th at h er form e r

.

m as ter S hih Y i n g mus t li v e he re He w a n t e d t o r en ew th e o ld fri en d

, , .

shi p so h e sen t h i s m en a lo n g He w as v e ry muc h d i st re sse d wh en I

, .

t old h i m o f th e s a d fat e o f h i s form e r b en e fa ct or He a ls o i n qu i r e d for .

my gr an dd a ug h t e r an d d ee ply re gre tt e d he r d i sa ppe a r an ce He prom

, .

'
ised m e th a t he would h a v e an o fi ci al sea rc h m a de f or he r wh e re abou ts .

Wh en I w as t a ki n g l ea ve he g a ve m e a presen t moreove r o f t wo , , ,
”
oun ces o f sil ver .

“ ”
O ur n ew M an d a ri n i s a fri en dl y aff able g en t l em an ! w as the ,

un an i mou s ve rd i c t o f the fami ly .

E a rly th e n ex t da y mes sen g e rs a g a in a rri v e d from th e y a men The y .

brought tw o in gots o f si lver an d four p i e ces o f sa tin f or S hi h Y i n g s ’

wi fe The Man da rin sen t th e m—f sb th e m es s a ge ran — as a sm a ll ret urn

.

f or the ki n dn ess he h a d en j o y ed i n h e r h us b an d s h ou s e T he m e s
’
.

sen ger s han de d o ld F en g a pe r s o na l n o t e a s w e ll In i t th e M an d a r i n .

as k e d i f h e mi g h t take h om e the m a i d Apri co t t o b e mi s t r ess o f his

s i d e c h a mb e r O ld F en g w h o w as v e ry h a ppy a t b e i n g t h u s h o n or e d
-
.
, ,

n a t ur l ly g a v e h i s co n se n t t o t hi s In gr a t i t ud e th e M a n d a r i n se n t h i m
a .

a h un dr e d oun ce s o f gold an d m an y mor e g i f ts fo r S h i h Y i n g s w i fe

’
, ,

an d h e sa m e e v e n i n g h e h a d th e m a i d Apr i co t fet ch ed i n a a y l i tt le
t g
red se d a n c h a i r .

13
 Lucky Apr i co t ! W h o would h av e th ough t t h a t th e tw o h urr i e d gl a n ces
w hi c h she h a d o n c e b es t owe d upon t h e poor st ud en t Y u T s un whi le
plucki n g flow er s i n t he ga rd en sh o uld o n e da y d e c i d e h er f at e ? B ut
'

m e r ely b ei n g a ccep t ed i n t o t h e si d e c h a mb e r o f t h e hi gh ly r es p e ct e d
'

M a n d a r i n Y u Ts u n w a s by n o m ea n s th e e n d o f h er good l uck A y ear .

a f t erw a rds sh e bor e h i m a l i tt l e so n a n d wh en t h e m i st r e ss o f t h e

,
.

pri n c i p a l c h a mb er fe ll i ll an d d i e d s oo n a ft e rw a rd s Apr i co t w a s r a i se d ,

t o t h e r a n k of pr i n c i p a l wi fe It could Well b e sa i d o f h er :
.

In th e c h a n c e look of a n e ye —l i felo n g h a pp i n ess ,

H ere we must m en t i o n th a t a s soo n a s h i s p a t ro n h a d g i ven h i m

m ea n s fo r th e j ourn ey Y u Ts un h a d go n e st r a i gh t o ff t o th e c a pit a l
, ,

wi th ou t w ai t i n g f o r t h e l ucky da y w h i ch h a d b een looke d up f o r h i m

.

i n t h e c a l en d a r T h e re h e p a sse d h i s ex
.
am i n a t i o n br i ll i a n t ly a n d g a i n e d
t h e t h i rd h i g h es t doc t or at e ch i n s h i h whi c h procur e d h i m a cc e p t a n c e
, ,

i n t o t he h a ll o f s i lk blo ss om i n g t a l en t an d en t r a n c e t o publ i c offi c e

“ ”
-
.

He w as a ss i gn e d t o p rov i n c i a l gov e rn m en t a n d a ppo i n t ed D i st r i c t

M a n d a r i n o f T a yu ch ow U n fortun a te ly h e p reju di ce d h is c a r ee r by
.
, _

c erta i n f a ults o f ch ar a c t er Con s c i o usn ess o f h i s un us u a l a b i li t y le d h i m

.

t o s h ow a l a m en t a bl e l a ck o f r e s p e c t t ow a r ds h i s coll ea gu e s a n d su

p eri o rs an d o f co n s i d e r at i o n t ow a rd s t h e comm on p e opl e H e t h u s m a d e .

h i m se lf e qu a lly un popul a r w i th bo th h i s sup er i ors a n d h i s s ub ord i n a te s .

Aft er s c a rc ely tw o y ea r s i a o fli ce h e foun d h i mse lf d en oun c e d a t Court

-

,
.

He w a s a ccu se d o f h avin g a rb i t r a r i ly abol i sh e d o ld t r a di t i on a l ri t es a n d

n a t i o n a l cu st om s ; of h i d i n g ; un d er t h e m a sk of cor r e c t n es s a w o lfi sh ,

an d t i g er i sh d i spo si t i on ; of fom en t i n g d i s ord e r l n h i s a rea o f ju ri sdi c

t i o n a n d m a k i n g l i f e u n bea r a bl e f o r t h e popul a t i on T h u s ra n t h e l e tt e r.

o f c en s ur e w h i c h h i s Prov i n c i a l Go v e rn or s ubm i tt e d a t C o ur t .

Th e dr a go n f a c e of th e Son o f H e a v en d a rken e d a n d t he Impe ri a l

“

"
h a n d wro t e o n th e m a rg i n o f t h e l ette r o f compl a i n t a n a ngry d e cr ee
r e li ev i ng t h e a ccu sed offi c i a l o f h i s po st t o th e j oy o f hi s j ea lou s col
,

l ea gu es .

Y u T s un bore t h e blow w i th ph i lo s oph i c r esi gn a t i o n In t h e pa st t w o

‘

y ea r s he h a d sa ve d en ough from h i s s a l a ry t o en abl e h i m t o l i ve a ca re

free pr i v a t e l i fe for s ome t i m e H a vi n g duly h a n d e d ov e r o ffi c e t o hi s
.

s ucc ess or h e g a v e up h i s h ou se se n t h i s wi f e a n d se rv a n t s w ell pro

, , ,

vi de d w i th mo n ey b a ck t o t h e i r f a m i li es for t h e t i m e b ei n g a n d s et
, ,

o u t o n a gre a t ro a m i n g t our of th e cou n t ry Fre e o f a ll resp on si b i li ty

.

“
a n d c a r e w i t h n o o t h e r h i n dr a n c e t h a n
, th e wi n d o n h i s s h ould e rs th e ,

moo n l i gh t i n h i s s l ee v e s h e w i sh e dt o b e free for o n c e a n d t o t r a v e l

”
,

a bou t for a t i m e j u st w h e r ev e r h e w a n t e d t o le a rn i n g t o kn ow th e
,

co un t ry a n d th e pe ople .

In th e cour se o f hi s t r a vel s h e c a m eo n e da y t o t h e c a pi t a l o f th e i m
po rtan t sa lt m in i n g d i st r i c t o f Ya n gch ow He l ea rn e d th at a c ert a i n
-
.

Lin g J u Hai w as the n e wly a ppo i n t e d R oy al Tre as urer of t h e sa l t mi nes

t h e r e Th e f a m i ly o f th i s Li n g h a d b aske d i n t h e Impe ri a l f a vor from
.

a nc i en t t i m es a n d h a d b een r a i se d fi v e g en er a t i o n s a go t o t h e s e co n d

cl a ss o f n ob i l i t y Accordi n g t o th e let ters p a ten t th e ti t le w a s t o h a v e

.

d es c en d e d o n ly t o t h e th i rd gen e r a ti o n b ut b y spe c i a l Impe ri a l fa vor

, s

i t h a d b een ex t en de d t o th e pre sen t L i n g s f a th er a n d so n t h u s c a rry

, ,

i n g i t down t o t he fif th g en e r a t i o n B esi d e s th ei r ex t e ri or n ob i l i t y th e
.

fa m i ly L i n g were a ls o en dow e d w i th t he a n ci en t i n h eri te d fr a gr a n c e

,

o f a h i g h ly d e v e lop e d cul t ur e a n d educ a t i o n a n d o ur L i n g t oo w as

,

n o t o n ly t h e so n o f hi s f a th e rs b ut by h i s ow n a t t a in m en ts a n d a br i l
,

li an t c a r ee r ha d prov e d hi m self wor th y o f them

,
.

He w a s i n h i s fift i es a n d w a s th e l a st o f hi s l i n e fo r a p art from a ,

l i tt l e so n o f t h ree w ho h a d d i e d r ec en t ly fa t e h a d n o t gr an ted hi m
,
’

a n y m a l e d es c e n d a n t d es p i te t h e m a n y co n cub i n e s w h o fille d h i s s i d e

c h a mb e r s O ri ly a l i tt l e d a ugh t e r th e d eli c at e pre coc i ou s T a i Y u

.
, , ,

Bl a ck J a d e h a d b ee n pre sen t ed t o h i m by h i s pr i n c i p a l wi fe n ee C hi a
, , .

Bl ack J a d e as a n o n ly c h i ld w a s t en d e d w i th ex a gge r a te d love a n d

, ,

c a re a n d b e i n g i n t e lli gen t an d qu i ck w i tt e d w a s educ a te d w i th th e ut

,
-

mo st c a re j u st a s i f sh e we re t o r epl a c e the son w h o w a s un for t un a t e ly

,

l a cki n g .

Prec i s e ly a t t he t i m e w h en Y u T sun c a m e t o Y a n gc h ow Mr L in g .

w a s look i n g for a cl ev e r t u t or for h i s l i t tl e d a ug h t e r Aft e r a l l h i s w an .

deri n gs Y u T s u n o n hi s si d e fel t a wi sh t o follow f or a c h an ge a r e gu

, , ,

la r occup a t i o n w h i c h would en a bl e h i m more ove r t o r eple n i sh h i s ex

, ,

h a nste d fun d s He fou n d th e su i t a bl e spo n s ors i n t w o form e r fellow

.

st ud en t s wh om h e m e t by c h a n c e i n hi s lodg i n g s a n d w h o w e r e w el l

a cqu a i n t e d w i th t h e t r e a s u re r of t h e s a l t m i n es a n d t h an k s t o t h e i r
,

recomm e n d a t i o n s h e re c ei ve d th e po st cf t u t or i n th e Li n g h ou seh old .

Hi s po s i t i o n w a s n o t p a rt i cul a rly a rduou s a n d l ef t h i m pl en t y o f

free t i me ,for h i s pup i l w a s a t e n d er cr ea t ur e w h o ow i n g to fre qu en t ,

i n d i spo si t i o n s could st udy o n ly v e ry i rregul a rly Two youn g w a i t i n g

, .

m a i d s a lw a ys ke p t her comp a n y dur i n g her le ss on s .

He h a d t h us p a s se d t w o y e a rs i n h i s qu i e t a n d pl e a sa n t po st w h en
t h e mo th e r o f h i s pup i l fe ll i ll a n d d i e d T h e good c h i ld h a d d e d i c a te d
.

h ers e lf w i t h s uc h t ouc h i n g d evo t i o n t o n ur s i n g h er s i ck mo th e r a n d ,

a f t er th e mo th e r s d e a th h a d fulfill e d th e m a n y e l a bor a te mour n i n g

’

co n ven t i o n s s o ex a c t ly th a t h er a lrea dy d e l i c a t e h e a l t h suff e r e d se ri

,

o usly a n d t h e l ess o n s h a d t o b e s t opp e d for a lo n g t i m e Dur i n g t h i s .

pe ri od Y u T s un w a s l e ft t o h i m se lf a grea t d ea l a n d wh en th e w e a t he r
,

w as fi n e h e a v a i l ed of h i s l e i s ur e t o m a ke fr e qu en t excur si o n s i n t o t h e

On on e o f th e se excurs i o n s h e h a d vi s i ted an old t empl e h i dd en i n

15
 cop se ou t si d e th e t own a n d th en h a d f o un d a vi ll a g e in n n ea r by wh ere
'

a , _

h e w en t t o r e fre sh h i m self w i th a gl a ss o f w i n e In t h e t a v e rn h e un .

e xpe c t e dly m et a n ol d a cqu a i n t a n c e from t h e c a p i t a l He w a s th e c uri o .

a n d a n t i qu e d ea l er L en g w i t h wh om h e h a d b e com e fri en dly wh en h e

,

h a d st a y e d i n C h i n li n g f o r th e S t a t e e x a m i n a t i o n He e st eem e d Len g a s .

a pr a c t i c a l bu s i n ess m a n a n d Le n g e st ee m e d h i m a s a m an o f kn owl
“

,
’

e dg e a n d c u l t ur e L en g w a s o n h i s w a y b a ck from h i s n a t i v e pl a c e
.
,

wh e re he h a d c e le br ate d th e New Y ea r an d h a d broken th e j ourn e y ,

a t Y an gc h ow w h e r e h e w a s st a y i n g w i th a bu si n es s fri en d fo r a f ew
,

d a y s J u st by ch an c e h e t o o h a d m a d e a t ri p i n t o the co un t ry th a t da y
. .

Aft er the u n exp ec t ed m ee t i n g h a d b een duly c e l ebr a te d wi th dri n ks a ‘

mut u a l exch a n ge of n ew s st ar t e d .

“ ”
A n y n e ws from th e c a p i ta l ? a s k e d Y u T s un .

“
Noth i n g o f i mpor t an ce t o yo u exc ept p e rh a p s th at th e c i rcum
”
s t a n c es o f your n obl e r el a t i o n s a re b e g i n n i n g t o c h an ge .

“ ”
I do n ot kn ow wh at n obl e rel a t i on s you m ea n .

I m ean t w o pr i n c ely hou ses w h o l i ke yo u hear th e fa mi ly n a m e, ,

of Chi a an d th e r e for e are o f your cl a n ; an d I do n o t thi n k yo u n ee d

”
d en y th i s r el a t i o n sh i p .

“ ”
A h yo u mu st m e an th e tw o h ou ses o f N i n gk uo a n d Y un gk uo ?
,
”
Y es ex a c t ly
, .

“
Y o u a re r i gh t W e a re i n th e sa m e g en ea log i c a l t a bl e B ut sin c e th e
“

. .

H a n d yn a s t y th e C hi a cl a n h as spr ea d a ll ove r th e prov i n c es an d so

o n e can n o lo n g e r i d en t i fy a ll t h e br a n c h es of th e f a m i ly B es i d es suc h .
,

a r ea t s oc i a l d i ff r e n c e e p a r a t e t h e i llu t r i ou h ou e s o f N in gkuo a n d
g e s s s s s

Y u ngk uo from my h umbl e p e r so n th a t i t woul d b e mo st i mpe rt in en t o n

my p a rt t o cl a i m t h ei r re l a t i o n sh i p .

“
I am n o t so s ur e of th a t R ec en t ly th e t w o fa m i l i e s o f N in gkuo a n d
.

Y a n gkuo h a v e b een go i n g down ser i ou sly ; th e form er s plen dor i s b e

”
g i nn i n g t o d i m i n i sh .

“
I ca n s c a rc e ly cr e d i t th a t La st y ea r wh en I w as t r a ve lli n g th rough
.
,

C h i n l i n g an d p a sse d a lon g th e street of wh i c h on e en t i re si d e is o ccu

,

p i e d t o t he e a st by th e N i n gkuo p a l a c e a n d t o th e west by th e Y un gk u o
p a l a c e I go t a n i mpr essi o n of th e ut mo st s plen dor a n d gr e a t n ess C er
. , .

t a i n ly t h e re w a s n o t much go i n g an d com i n g a t t h e g a t es b u t i nsi d e

, ,

t h o se gr e a t h a lls an d si n gl e st ory p a v i l i o n s e v e ry t h i n g w a s st i ll i n p er
-

feet co n d i t i o n an d un d i m i n i sh e d spl en dor A n d b eh i n d t h em th a t m a g .

n i fi cen t p a rk w i th i ts cl i ff s a n d cr a g s an d fi sh o n ds a n d exo t i c pl a n ts
, p
— n o th a t di d n o t look i n th e l ea st li ke d e ca y a n d d e cli n e ”
, .

“
Now Doc t or Kn ow All h o w ca n o n e j udg e j us t by th e outs i d e ?
,
-

T h e cen t i pe d e go es o n w ri gglin g w h en h e s a lr ea dy de a d N a t ur ally i n

’
.
,

s p i t e of ev e ry th i n g t h e t w o h ou se s a re s t i ll mor e s pl en d i d an d i mpo s i n g
,

t od a y th a n th e a v er a g e a r i st ocr a t i c h om e B ut t h e d i ffi cul t y o f fee di n g

.

16
so m an y mou th s a n d o f m a i n t a in i n g suc h a l a rg e an d expe n si ve h ous e
h old i n a m a n n e r b e comi n g i ts r a n k i s co n ti n u a lly i n cr ea si n g Suc h a n .

e sta bl i sh m en t n ee ds t o b e wi s e ly fi n a n c e d a n d t h a t i s w h a t h a s go n e
,

wro n g i n r e c en t t im es B ut st i ll more se ri ou s i s t he fa c t t h a t t h e forme r

.

”
a b i l i t y of t h e f a m i ly i s d i m i n i sh i n g i n t he you n g e r g en e r a t i o n .

“
Wh a t ? Is t h e e duc a t i o n o f t h e youn g er g en e ra t i o n provi n g a t fa ul t
in th a t h ou s e o f an c i en t h e re d i t a ry cul t ure ? I ca n h a rdly b el i ev e i t B ut .

I must co n fe ss t h a t I a m n o t w e ll i n fo rm e d a bou t all th e c i rcumst a n c e s .

? ”
P erh a ps yo u wi ll h a v e th e ki n d n ess t o en l i gh t en m e
“
W i t h pl ea sur e It i s n o w fi v e g en e r a t i o n s si n ce th e f a m i ly o f C hi a
.

w as r a i se d t o pri n c e ly r a n k It w a s t w o blood bro the rs w h o fi rst bore

.

t h e pr i n c e ly t i t l e a s a re w a rd for t h e i r s pl en d i d s e rvi c es t o th e Th ro n e ,

t h e eld e r a s N i n gkuo Ku n g Pri n c e o f t h e Ho n or o f t h e Th ro n e th e

, ,

you n ge r a s Y un gk uo Ku n g Pr i n c e o f t h e P e a c e o f th e Th ro n e Th e
,
.

d e cl i n e o f th e fa m i ly h a d a lr ea dy b e gun wi th th e gr a n ds o n o f th e
form er H e fell a vi ct i m t o the folly o f th e T a o i st he res y d evo t e d h i m
.
,

se lf t o a lc h e my a n d t h oug h t of n o th i n g e l s e b ut br ew i n g el ix i r s o f l i fe
,

a n d b a k i n g v e rm i l i o n p i ll s He l i v es a s a h e rm i t i n t h e mou n ta i n s i n
.

fr o nt o f t he c a p i t a l a n d a llow s h i s so n C h en t o h old t h e t it l e i n h i s
pl a c e Th i s Pri n c e C h en w h o h as go t a si x t een y e a r o ld so n i s t he r e
.
,
- -

,
.

fore t he pr e sen t rul e r o f th e N i n gkuo p a l a c e B ut u n fort u n a t e ly he do e s

.

n o t rul e worth i ly f o r t h roug h h i s f a t h e r s f a ul t he w a s d e pri v e d o f a

’
,

sen s i bl e upbri n gi n g He li v es for h i s h umors an d pl ea sures an d un

.
,

h a pp i ly t h e re i s n o o n e w h o d a r es t o t ell h i m th e t ru t h In sh ort e ve ry .
,

t h i n g i s go i n g t o r a ck a n d ru i n i n t h e p a l a c e o f N i n gkuo .

“
In t he p a l a c e o f Y un gk u o m a tt er s a re s om ewh a t b et t e r Th er e th e .

Pr i n c e ss An c es t re ss wi dow o f th e se co n d Pri n c e o f Y un gk uo i s t h e
, ,

rule r Sh e b elo n gs t o th e n obl e fa m i ly o f S h i h from th e Ch i n li n g

.
,

n e i ghb orh ood Th e eld e r o f h er t w o s o n s S h i eh by n a m e t h e pre se n t

.
, ,

h old er o f t h e pri n c ely t i tl e i s a fr i e n dly s om ewh a t ph l e gm a ti c g en t le

, ,

m a n w h o l i k es a qu i e t l i fe a n d do e s n o t t ro ubl e t o o muc h a bou t th e

,

m a n a g em en t o f th e est a t e .

T h e youn g e r so n C h en g o n th e o th er h an d po ssesse s ou ts ta n di n g 1
“
, , ,

gi ft s o f m i n d a n d c h a r a c t e r H e i s r ea lly wort h y o f h i s i llus t ri ci us p r o

.

gen i t or an d h a d a lw a y s b ee n h i s fa vori te A t th e wi sh o f h i s gr a n d .

fa th er a n d als o followi n g h i s Own b en t he rec e i ve d a s ou n d a n d ,

t h o roug h tr a i n i n g f o r th e c i vi l se rv i c e T hr oug h s p e c i a l Im e ri al favor

.
p
h e w a s ex emp t e d from th e t hi rd S t a t e ex ami n a t i o n a n d i s n ow a n as
si s ta n t i n o n e of th e mi n i str i e s
J
.

“
The r e are tw o st r a n ge i n c i d en ts wort h y o f m en t i on r e g a rd i n g t h e
fa m i ly o f t h i s C h i a C h en g T he fi rs t of h i s four d a ught e rs n a m ely a
.
,

c hi ld of h i s pr i n c i pa l w i fe o n e o f t he W a n g fam i ly w a s st r a n g e t o sa y
, , , ,

b o rn o nth e fi rst da y o f th e firs t mo n th B ut h e re i s s om ethi n g s ti ll more

.

17
curi ou s : A y ea r l a t er M a d a m e C hen g g a ve b i rth t o a son w h o c a m e i nt o ,

t h e world w i t h a n op a l es c en t cry st a l bri gh t j a d e st o n e i n h i s mou th !

,
-

A n d th i s st o n e mor e ov e r sh ow e d d i st i n ct t r a c es o f a n in scri p t i o n ! Th e
, ,

s o n w a s t h e r e fore n a m e d P a o Y u o r
‘ ’
Prec i ous S t o n e H a ve yo u e ver .

h e a rd o f a n y th i n g more e x t r a ord i n ar y .

“
I mu st co n fess I n ever h a v e Presum a bly th i s ph en om en on po i n ts
.

”
t o a r em a rk a bl e fu t ur e .

“
Th a t i s t h e g en er a l op i n i on an d th e b o y i s in fa c t th e a vowe d
,

fa vo ri t e of t h e Pr i n c ess A n c est r ess B ut j us t l i st en ! Accord i n g t o an

.

c i en t cu st om th e y pl a c e d a wh ol e l o t of t oy s n ea r th e ch i ld o n h i s first
b i r th d a y i n ord e r t o a sc ert a i n h i s gi fts a n d h i s fut ur e a p t i t ud e s from
,

t h e c h o i c e wh i c h h e would m a ke A n d wh a t do y o u th i n k th e c h i ld
.

clu t ch e d a t ? No t a t a n y boy s t oy m i n d yo u I n st ea d h e r e ach e d f o r

’
, .
,

t h e co s m e t i c s an d powd e r box e s b a n gl es a n d h a i r orn a m en t s ! H i s f a t h e r

,

w a s n o t ex a c t ly pl e a se d w i th th i s c h o i c e an d expr esse d t h e op i n i o n th a t
'

t h e boy w a s u n l i ke ly t o grow up m a n ly a n d would prob a bly b e a w e a k

l i n g a n d a d an dy a n d si n c e th en h e h a s n o t b een a bl e t o st a n d hi m
,
.

O f cour se b ec a u se of t h i s h i s gr an dmo th e r s po i l s h i m a ll th e mor e

,
.

Now a t t w e lve y e a rs o f a ge h e i s a v e ry w a yw a rd b ut i n t e ll i g en t a n d
, ,

pre coc i ou s b o y M a n y a st o n i sh i n g u tt e r an c es h av e a lr ea dy com e from

.

h i s c h i ld i sh mou th H e s a i d on c e fo r i n s t an c e th a t i t s eem e d t o h i m
.
, ,

t h a t f e m a l es w er e m a d e o f w a t e r wh i l e m a l es w e r e m a d e o f cl a y ; f o r i n

fe m i n i n e s oc i et y h e a lwa y s fel t r ev i v e d a n d re fr esh e d wh e r ea s i n m a l e ,

s oc i et y h e f e l t dull an d d e pr e ss e d No w w h a t do you t h in k o f t h i s ex
.
,

t ra o r di n a ry pro n oun c e m en t ? Would n t yo u s ay h e i s po ssess e d by t h e

’

? ”
d e mon o f lu st ful n es s
“
I do n o t kn ow ; p erh a p s h e i s m i sj udg e d s a i d Y u Ts un th ough t ,
“
ful ly It m a y b e a n i n he ri t e d d i spo si t i on a n d i f so h o w ca n t h e b o y
.
, ,

h elp i t ? I h a v e com e a cro ss a s i m i l a r c a s e my se lf Dur i n g my tw o .

y ea rs w a n d er i n g a roun d I h a pp en e d t o b e t u t or for s om e t i m e t o t h e
’

so n o f a N a n ki n g f a m i ly W h en h e h a d h i s l ess o n s a lo n e h e w as a di fli
.

cul t an d i n s uffe r a bly i n a tt en t i v e pup i l w i th w h om o n e could do a b so

'

l ut ely n o th in g H e a lw a y s d e cl a r e d th a t i n ord e r t o b e a bl e t o l ea rn
.
°

a n d t o co n c e n t r a t e h e n ee d e d g i rls n e a r h i m ; a n d i n f a c t i n t he pr es
, , ,

e n c e of h i s you n g cous i n s w h o l i v ed i n th e s a m e h ou s e h e w a s qu i t e a
, ,

d i ffe r en t p e rso n H e would t h en b e th e b e st m a n n e r e d gen t l est mo st

.
-

, ,

‘ ’
w ell b eh a ve d boy o n e could i m a gi n e Th e m e re word g i rl see m e d t o
-

e xc i t e a n a lmo s t h oly r e v er en c e i n h i m B e for e y o u u t te r t he word ‘

.

“ ”
g i rl w i th your fil t h y mou th k i n dly r i n se i t o ut wi th pur e w a t er a n d
,

p e rfum e d t e a o r e l se I wi ll br e a k your t ee th a n d poke o u t your e y es !

,
’

h e u se d t o w a rn h i s h ou seh old s e rv a n t s a n d v a l ets Wh en h i s f a th er .

C h i eh c h i e h ” a n d M e i m e i ”
‘
t hr a sh e d h i m h e u se d t o cry o u t :
‘
. .

‘
S i st e r ! Li t t l e si st e r ! Wh en h i s cous i n s la ugh e d a t hi m be c a u se he w a s
’

18
ga t es sh u t On th e w ay a m a n c a m e runn i n g a f ter th em b ecko n i n g an d
.
,
“
s h ou t i n g from qu i t e a d i st a n c e : Co n gr a t ul at i o n s bro t h er Y u Ts un ! ,

Con gr a t ul at i o n s ! I h a v e b een run n i n g a ft e r yo u h a lf t h e da y t o bri n g

”
yo u good n ew s .

If yo u w a n t t o kn ow w h o thi s p e r s o n w as an d w ha t good n ew s he

h a d t o br i n g you mus t li st en t o t h e n e x t c h a p t e r
, .

CHAPTER 3

M r L i n g gi v es h i s g ue st fro m th e W es t a n i n t ro du c t i o n t o th e Y un g k u o
"

pa la ce Th e . P r i n c ess A n c es t r ess ta k es a mo th er less ch i ld lo v i n gly i n t o

h er h o m e .

Y U TS UN ST O O D A ND L O O KE D B EHIND . THE PERSO N W HO H A D B ECK O N ED

an d c a ll e d from f a r o ff w a s a f o rm er f e llo w st ud en t w h o l i ke
o ut to hi m ,

h i m self h a d b een di sm i ss e d from a gov e rn m en t pos t Som e t i m e ago

,

a n d s i n c e t h en h a d b ee n l i v i n g i n h i s n a ti v e t own Y a n gc h ow ,
.

”
T h er e s g o bd n e w s for you a n d f o r m e ! h e s a i d t o Y u T s un b e a m
’
,
“
i n g w i th jo y A n Imp e ri a l e d i c t h a s j u s t b een i ss u e d gr a c i ou s ly p er
-
.

m i tt i n g u s t o r es um e offi c e Now i t i s a m a t t e r o f st i rr i n g ours elv es

.

”
a n d loo k i n g a roun d for p a t ro n a g e .

Af t er mu t u a l con gr a t ul a t i o n s t h e t w o fr i en d s p a r t e d e a ch m a ki n g
"

for h i s o wn dwe ll i n g .

“
He i s r i g h t ; yo u mu st l ook a rou n d for p at ro n a g e s a i d L en g t o Y u ,
“
T s un Wh at a bou t a sk i n g Mr Li n g t o u se h i s i n flu en c e f o r yo u a t t h e
. .

? ”
Y un gk uo p a l a c e
Y u T s un a c t e d o n h i s a dvi c e B u t fir st of a ll h e procure d t h e l a t est
’
.

e d i t i o n of t h e S t a t e n e w s p a p e r a n d m f a c t h e f o un d i n i t t h e e d i c t a n
,

no un ci n g hi s r eh a b i l i ta t i on .

T h e 1l et da y h e pr esen t e d hi m se lf b e fo re Mr L i n g a n d p u t h i s t e
qu e“st t oh i m .

” “
Wh a t a st r a n ge a n d fa vo ra bl e co i n c i d en c e ! cr i e d Mr Lin g Ju st .
'
.

by c h a n ce a n d b e for e yo u m a d e t h i s r e qu es t o f m e I h a d a lre a dy
, ,

wr i tt en a l et te r o f i n t roduc t i o n for you t o my bro th e r i n l a w C h en g of - -

t h e Y u n gk u o p a l a c e It h a pp en s t h a t my mo t h e r i n la w t h e Pri nc e ss
.
-

A n c es t r ess w i shes t o t a ke my mo t h erl e ss c hi ld i n t o h er h om e She h a s

, .

a lr ea dy s en t t w o bo a ts w i th a tt en d a n t s t o f et c h th e gi rl b ut t h e de ,

p a r t ure h a s b een d el ay ed o n a ccou n t of h er i n d i s pos i t i o n Now h o w .

,

, f
e v e r s h e i s s u fi c i en t ly r e cov e r e d t o m a k e t h e j ourn e y I w as a v a i li n g .

of th i s oppor t un i t y t o g i v e h e r a l e t t e r of i n t roduc ti on f o r y ou t o my
bro t h e r i n la w C h en g as I w i she d i n thi s w a y t o rep a y yo u i n so m e
- -

, v

m e a s ur e for th e good se rv i c es whi ch yo u h a ve ren d ere d my h ous e .

20
Would it doubly a dv an ta ge ou s sin ce yo u are go i n g t o th e c a p i
n ot be ,

tal i n an y ca se i f yo u a ccomp an i e d my d a ugh t e r an d i n t rodu ce d y our

,

? ”
s elf pe rs o n a lly t o my bro th e r i n la w - -

Y u Ts un bowe d poli te ly a n d wi th m an y ea rn est words o f th an ks as

s ur e d Mr Li n g t h a t h e would c ar ry o u t t h e commi ss i o n w i th pl e as ur e
‘

. .

“ ” “
M a y I a sk wh a t i s th e r an k o f yo ur bro th er i n la w ? h e a dd e d I - -
.

fea r th a t i t m i g ht a ppe a r pr esump t uo us i f a m an o f my roug h m ann e r s

”
w ere t o ven t ure i n t o s uc h an i llust ri o us prese n c e .

Now n o w n o e x a gg e r a t e d mod est y pl e a se ! sa i d t he C oun t s mi l

“ ”
, , , ,

“
i ng. Afte r all yo u b e lo n g t o the sa me cl a n Ac t u a lly I h a v e tw o
,
.
,

bro th ers i n la w i n th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e The e ld e r o n e Pri n c e S hi eh

- -
.
, ,

h olds t h e t i t le o f a m a rs h a l o f th e fi rs t r an k The yo un ger Ch en g i s an . x

, ,

ass i st an t i n t he M i n i st ry o f Publi c Works He i s a m a n o f si mpl i c i t y .

‘ ’
a n d g en e ro si t y a n d po ss e sses a gr ea t d e a l o f th e br ea t h a n d s ta t ur e
,

o f hi s gr ea t a n c es t or T h e r e i s n o h a ug h ti n ess o r a r i s t ocrat i c pr ide i n

’

h im Y o u can a ppro a c h h i m w i th ou t h esi t a ti o n an d w i th ab so lut e confi

.

d en c e A s re g a rds th e e xpe nses n e c e ss a ry fo r your a dv a n c eme nt I ha ve

.
,

a rr an g e d f o r th es e t o o i n t h e l e tt e r Mor e ov er I h a v e fi x e d t he da t e of
.
,
”
de p a rt ur e a s th e se co n d da y o f n e x t mo n th .

Accord i n gly o n th a t da y Bl a ck J a d e e m b ar ke d o n o n e bo a t w i th th e
,

fema l e se rv a n ts wh i le Y u T s un fo llow e d h er i n th e o th er wi t h th e m a le
s t a ff T h e r e h a d b ee n s om e t ea rs a n d so m e f a th e rly a dmo n i t i o n s b e fore
.

th e l i tt l e o n e would co n sen t t o go i n g .

“
I a m a lr e a dy p a st fift y an d do n o t i n ten d t o m a rry a g a i n th e Co un t ,
“
h a d sa i d t o h i s yo un g d a ug h te r H e r e a t h om e yo u a re d e pri v ed o f th e
.

a dvi c e a n d gu i d an c e o f a mo t h e r an d th e m e rry comp a n y o f s i s t e rs

'

. .

You w i ll fi n d bo th in the h om e o f your gr an dmo th e r I am do i n g t hi s .

for your good .

’
Afte r se ve ra l d a y s tr a ve ll in g th e y a rr i ve d i n th e c a p i t a l Y u Ts un ,

p ut o n h i s b es t co a t m a d e h i s w a y t o th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e an d h an d e d
, ,

in h i s vi s i t i n g ca rd C hi a Ch en g w as a lrea dy e xpe c t i n g hi s vi s i t b e
.
,

ca us e th e l et te r o f i n t roduc t i on ha d b e en sen t on i n a dv an ce and h e ,

re ce i v e d Y u Ts un a t o n c e He foun d hi s vi s i t or t o b e a man o f sta tel y

.

an d pr e po sse ss in g a p ea r a n ce a n d e x t re m e ly w e ll s pok en — us t th e t
p j y pe
o f m a n of cul t ur e an d kn owl e dg e as w ell a s r efi n e d b e a r i n g w hom h e
, , ,

gr ea t ly estee m e d A n d a s he followi n g th e t r a d i t i on o f h i s i llus tri ous

.
,

fore fa th er li ked to as s i st the w ea k an d op r ess e d h e di d n o t h esi t a t e

,
p ,

t o a ppe al t o th e Sov e re i gn i n Y u T s un s f a vor wi th th e r es ul t th a t w i th i n

’
,

tw o mo n ths t h e l a t t e r h a d th e good fort un e t o b e a ppo in t e d Pre fe c t o f

t h e d i s tr i c t of Y i n g ti e n i n clo se t o th e c a p i ta l
, .

B ut let us re t urn t o Bl a ck J a d e Wh en h er b o a t w as moor e d an d she

.

st e
p pé d o n t o th e ri v e r b an k sh e fo un d a w a i ti n g h er a s ed an c ha ir a n d
- -
-
.
,

a w h ol
e cro wd of se rv an ts and l ugg a g e t rucks A t h om e sh e had often .

21
 h ea rd her mo t h e r s pea k f the
wea l th a n d gr a n de ur i n wh i ch the rel a
o s

t i v es i n t h e c a p i t a l l i v e d
Thi s d i s pl a y o f a tt en d a n c e o n th e j o urn e y an d
.

upo n a r ri v a l w a s a foret a st e o f wh a t w as i n st or e The re on th e s po t .

wer e th re e ki n ds o f se rv an ts e a c h lo t dresse d d i ff e r en t ly A n d how w e ll

, .

e u i pp e d t h ey w e r e a n d h o w w ell f e d a n d w e ll c a r e d f o r th e y look e d !
q ,

Bl a ck J a d e r esolve d t o a ct wi th t he u tmo st prud en c e an d c i rcum

spe ct i on i n h er n ew h om e a n d n ev e r t o s a
y a word t oo muc h O th e r .

wi se she m i g ht po ssi bly h e l a ughe d a t as b ei n g provi n c i a l an d un

s op h i st i c a t e d O n t h e w a y sh e could n o t r efr a i n from p ee p i n g o u t ri gh t
.

a n d le f t t h roug h t h e s i lk g a uz e curt a i n s of t h e se d a n c h a i r a n d sh e coul

d ,

n o t get ov er h er a st o n i sh m en t a t t h e crowd s o f p e opl e a n d t h e gr ea t .

bust l e i n t hest ree ts a n d sq u a res whi c h s urrou n d e d t hem on c e th ey h a d

p as se d i n th rough the c i t y g a te s She h a d n ev er kn own an yth in g l i ke .

t h a t i n Ya n gch ow .

Afte r a lo n g m a rc h th e proc essi o n p a sse d on th e ri ght by a grea t

‘
-

, ,

t ri pl e a rc h e d ga t e w a y fl a n ke d by t w o m as si v e cowe ri n g m a rbl e l i o n s
-

, .

Ea c h o f i ts th ree door s h a d a kn ocke r i n th e form o f a n a n i m a l s he a d

’
_
.

Abou t a doz en s e rv a n ts i n splen d i d b ri gh t ly col or e d l i v ery were s qu at

"

t i n g i n fron t o f t he door s T h roug h th e si d e door s wh i c h w er e op en a

.
, ,

li v ely str ea m o f p e opl e w er e p a ss i n g i n a n d o u t Ab ove th e m i ddle door .

,

whi c h w as clo se d Bl a ck J a d e rea d th e i n scr i p t i on wri tt en o n a t a ble t

,

i n fi v e l a rg e c h a r a c te rs : N i n gkuo p a l a c e bu i l t a t th e Imp e r i a l co m ,
”
m an d .

A l i tt l e f a r th er w es t h er se d an c h a i r w a s ca rri e d th rough a ga tew a y

o f s i m i l a r s t yl e a n d s i z e a n d o n th e sa m e si d e o f t h e st reet Th i s w a s
, .

th e e n t r a n c e t o t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e A t firs t th e y w ent s t r a i gh t ah ea d .

a bou t t h e l en g t h o f a n a rrow sh o t T h e n a t a t urn i n g t h e s e d a n c h a i r

-
.
, ,

w a s p ut down an d four you n g fellow s i n s m a rt l i ve ry c a m e a n d t ook

,

th e pl a c es o f th e form e r b ea r e rs A t t he sa m e t i m e t h e fem a l e a t t en d a n ts
.

g o t o u t o f t h e i r se d a n c h a i r s an d from t h i s po i n t follow e d Bl a ck J a d e s

c h ai r o n foo t T he proc ess i o n h a lt e d o n ce more t hi s t i m e a t a ga te

.
,

cov ere d wi th flow e ri n g cree pe rs T he b ea re rs ste ppe d b a ck wh i l e th e .

fem a l e a tten d a n ts h urri e d fo rw ar d Open e d th e doo r an d helpe d Bl a ck , ,

J a d e d esc en d Suppo rt e d o n ei th er s i de by a s turdy serv i n g m at ron sh e

‘

.
,

St ep pe d thr ough th e G a te o f Flowe rs From th e G ate o f Flow e rs tw o .

covere d p as s a g es led t o a n o pe n en t r an ce h a ll i n th e m i ddl e o f wh i ch

‘

st ood a st o n e sl ab b ea u ti full y d e cor at e d w i t h st r a n ge l an ds c a pe l i ke

”
, ,
-

cro ss ha t chi n g an d s upporte d o n a re d sa n d a lwood pe d esta l This w as

-
.

th e s p i ri t scr een Be h i n d th e e . n tr an c e h a ll th e w a y le d th roug h th r ee

s m a ll p a v i li o n s i n t o th e grea t i nn e r co u rty a rd w hi ch lay i n fro n t o f th e

fi v e room dwe ll in g o f t h e Pri n cess A n ces t re ss Th e bu i ld i n g w as re
-
.

s pl en d en t i n bri lli an t colo rs a n d th e p i ll a rs an d r o of bea ms w e re r i c h ly

,

ca rv e d Cov er ed veran das lea di n g he re an d there th ro ugh ov erha n gi n g

.
,

22
 ocks ex t en d e d a lo n g th e si d es o f th e bu i ld in g wh i ch ov erlooke d th e
‘

r ,

court y a rd Th e y we re a li v e w i th th e t wi t te ri n g an d s cre echi n g o f br i l

.

li an tl y color e d p a r a keets an d p a rrots wh o se c a g es w er e swin g i n g ,

e v e ryw h e r e from t h e w a lls an d p i ll a rs .

S e v e r a l l a d i es ma i d s dr esse d i n red an d gr een wer e si tt i n g on th e

’

st e p s o f th e st a i rw a y wh i c h l ed t o t h e c en t r a l a p a rt m en t o f t h e bu i ld i n g .

A s Bl a ck J a d e a ppro a c h e d th ey ro se a n d c a m e t ow a rd s h er sm i l i n g a n d
c urts y i n g le d her up th e st ep s an d c a lli n g o ut M i ss Lin g i s he r e
,
“
, , ,

dre w th e gl i sten i n g cur t a i n cord s Bl a ck J a d e w a lke d i n an d fo un d h er

.

self f a c i n g a group o f wom en ; o n e o f t h e m a si lv e r hai r e d m a tr o n ,

-

c a m e forw a rd s uppor te d by tw o se rv an ts on e o n her ri gh t an d o n e o n ,

h er le ft .

Th a t mu st b e my gr an dmo th e r th ought Bl a ck J a d e t o h er self , ,

a n d w a s a bou t t o kn e el do wn t o m a k e h er kowt ow r i gh t a w a y B ut th e .

Pr i n c ess A n c est r ess c am e up t o her a n d w i th ou t st ret ch e d a rms cl as pe d

h er t o h er brea st .

“ ”
My hea rt ! My l i ve r ! Fl esh a n d blood o f my ch i ld ! sh e cr i e d i n a
vo i c e so st i fl e d w i th emo t i on th a t th e room b e c a m e fi ll e d w i th th e
s oun ds o f s obb i n g a n d s n i fli i n g a n d Bl a ck J a d e t o o could n o t k e e p b a ck
,

h er t ea r s Th ey a ll pr esse d a roun d h er s p ea k i n g lovi n g an d comfort i n g

.

word s A t l a st sh e pull e d h e rse lf t og et h e r s om ewh a t an d du ti fully m a d e

‘
'

h er kowt ow b efor e t h e Pr i n c ess A n c es t ress T h en t h e i n t roduc t i on s b e .

“
gan Th i s i s your eld est a un t ; t h i s i s your youn g e r a u n t ; t hi s i s your
.

”
s i s t e r i n l a w Ch u t h e wi dow of your l a t e cou si n
- -

,
C hi a C h u T h i s w e n t ,
.

o n for qu i t e a w h i l e Bl a ck J a d e t a k i n g a st e p t ow a rd s e a c h p e rs o n a n d
,

bow i n g i n sa lu t a t i o n .

“
T h e th r ee you n g l a d i e s m a y com e ! sa i d th e Pr i n c ess A n c est r e
”
ss ,
“
t u rn i n g t ow a rd s t h e comp a n y In h o n or o f o ur gu es t s a rr i v a l th e y ar e
’
.

”
b ei n g excu s e d from t h ei r l esso n s t od a y .

After s om e t i m e t h e t h r ee g i rls Greet i n g o f Spri n g T a ste o f Spr in g

, , ,

a n d Gri e f o f S i i n pp r d cor d by h r wor h m a t ro n s a n d

p g a ea e e s t
, e t ee t y
s i x youn g w a i t i n g m a i d s T h e fir s t w a s o f m e d i um h ei g h t plump wi th
'
.
, ,

i ce fresh c h ee ks a n d a li tt l e fl a t n o se w h i c h look e d a s i f mold e d i n goo se

-

f a t— a c h a rm in g s i g h t T h e s eco n d w a s s l en d e r ,s li m w a i s te d w i th s om e
.
-

wh a t slopi n g sh ould e r s a fa c e oval a s a duck s egg a n d, b e n e a th

,
’
,

p e rfe c t ly a rch e d brows t w o s oulful e y es w i th a mo s t fas c i n a t i n g gl an ce

—
,

a n a rr es t i n
g si ght T h e t h i rd as ye t t o o ch i ld i sh i n fa c e a n d form t o
.
,

m a ke a v erd i c t po s si bl e All th r ee w e re dr esse d i n t he s a m e si m p le w ay

’

a n d wor e s i m i l a r a r a fl es a n d b a n gl es
g .

Aft e r t he i n t roduc ti o n s w e r e fi n i sh e d t h e comp an y s a t down and

dr a n k t ea a n d th en b e g a n t o overwh e lm Bl a ck J a d e w i th symp a th e t i c
,

qu est i o n s Wh a t h a d h er mo th e r s m a la dy b een ? Wh a t m e d i c i n e s h a d
.
’

sh e b een g i v e n ? H o w di d t h e mourn in g c er emo n i e s p a ss off ? A n d s o o n .

24
T he A n c e st ress co uld n ot ge t ove r th e fa c t th a t her fa vor i te d a ugh ter
sh ould h a v e go n e t o h er r es t b e fore h er T h en th e a tt en ti o n o f a ll w as .

di rec te d o n t he n ew m emb e r o f th e h ou se h old h er se lf T he y foun d h er .

s t r i k i n gly gr a ve a n d m a t ur e f o r h er t w e lv e y ea rs o f a ge H e r fo rm w a s .

so d e l i c a te t h a t sh e see m e d s ca rc e ly s t ro n g en oug h t o b ea r t h e t ri fl i n g

we i gh t o f her clo th i n g A nd yet th e r e w as i n h e r t r an s p a re n t p a le f ace

.
,

a cur i ou s s hi mm e r o f volup t uous n ess a n d love o f li f e A n e mi c th e y all .

,

t h oug ht to t h em s e lv es .

“ ? ”
Y o u look a i li n g D o yo u do n o t h i n g f o r your m a l a dy
. sh e w as

as ke d .

“
I h a v e b ee n si ckly fr om my ea rl i est ch i ldh ood an d e v er sin c e I ,

h a v e b een o ld en ough t o u se c h ops t i cks I h a ve b een s w a llow i n g m e d i

c i n e a ls o I do n o t kn ow h o w man y doc t ors have trea te d m e b ut n o n e
.
,

could h elp m e I rem emb er w hen I w a s thr ee y ea rs o f a ge an un kemp t

.
,

ugly w an d er i n g mo n k w a n te d t o t a ke m e a wa y from h om e an d p ut m e
i n t o a co n v en t My p a ren ts would n o t h ea r o f i t Th en h e t old th e m th a t
. .

i n t h e bo som o f my fa m i ly I would n e ve r b e com e a h ea l th y pe rs o n b e ,

c a us e th e i n ev i ta ble d a i ly an n oy a n ce s an d t roubles o f h om e li f e would

h a rm m e I sh ould See n o o t h e r r el a t i v es e xc e pt my f a t h er an d mo t he r i f
.

I we re t o b e w ell N a t ur a lly n o o ne t ook th e t a lk o f t he d i r t y cr a zy

.
, ,

mo n k s er i ous ly S i n ce th en I h a ve b ee n t re a t i n g my i lln ess w i th th e

.

”
h ea l th g i v i n g g i n sen g roo t an d blood st ren g t h en in g p i ll s
- -
.

“ “
Tha t i s sens i bl e sa i d th e gr a n dmo the r T h o se are a ls o o ur tr us te d
, .

h om e re m e d i es an d I sh a ll see th a t yo u ge t your a ccus t om e d d a i ly ra

,

t i o n o f th em h e r e t oo .

Sh e h a d n ot fi n i sh e d s pe a k in g wh en t h e s oun d o f l a ug h te r a n d c h a t
t er s ou n d e d from th e p a rk a n d Bl a ck J a d e hear d a wom a n s cl ear vo i ce
’
,
“
O h I m t erri bly la t e i n co mi n g t o gr ee t o ur di s ti n gu i sh e d
’
sa y i n g : ,

gue st .

W hi le Bl a ck J a d e w a s st i ll wo n d e r i n g w h o this m i gh t b e w ho v en
t ur ed to burs t so g a i ly an d bo i st e rou s ly i n t o th e solem n a n d form a l a t
m o sph ere s urroun d i n g t he r e ve r e d F i rs t La dy o f th e f a m i ly sh e s a w a ,

s m a r t ly d re ss e d yo un g wom an e n te r s urroun d e d by a crowd o f l a di es ,

i n w a i t i n g a n d m a i ds Sh e w as gli t t e ri n g wi th j ew e ls a n d b ea u ti ful as a
-
.

f ai ry an d her v e rm i l i o n l i p s w e re p a rt e d i n a s p a rkli n g sm i le Bl a ck
, .

J a d e h a d h urr i e dl y r i sen from her se a t .

“ ”
Y o u do n o t kn ow h e r yet s a i d th e Pr i n c ess A n ce s t r es s t o Bl a ck
,
“
J a d e w i th a sm i le Thi s i s o ur fa mo us m e rry h ou se h old f a i ry w i th ou t
.
,
”
wh om w e sh ould all b e d ull a n d bo re d J us t c a ll h er P h oe n i x ! .

“ ”
B ut I do n o t even kn ow h er r e a l n a m e yet s ai d Bl a ck J a d e e mb ar ,

ra sse d.
“
Sh e i s
your si s t e r i n - -
la w , L i en . Her m a i d e n n a m e i s P h o en i x , sev ~

era l vo i c es e xp l ai n ed t o h er No w sh e
. co uld p la ce h er Her mo th er
. ha d

25
often t old h er a bou t th i s si st er i n law She w a s th e b eau t i ful an d cl e ver
- -
.

n i ec e o f U n cl e C h en g s wi f e n é e W a n g an d wi fe o f C h i a L i en P ri n c e
’
, , ,

S hi eh s secon d so n Aft e r t he form a l gr eet i n gs h a d b e en exc h an ge d

’
.
,

M a d a m e Ph o en i x t ook t he youn g g i rl f a m i l i a rly by t h e h a n d an d coolly

i n s pe c t e d her f o r s e ve r a l m i n u t es from h ea d t o foo t Th en sh e brough t .

h er b a ck t o her s e at by th e si d e o f th e o ld Pri n c e ss an d sa t down he

si d e h e r .

“
T o th i n k th at a n y h um a n fo rm i n t he world could b e so t en d e r a n d
d el i c a t e ! she e xcl a i m e d ,t urn i n g t o th e ol d l a dy I would n o t ha ve
” “
.

b e l i e v e d i t po ssi ble i f I h a d n o t b een co n vi n c e d o f i t w i th my o wn e y e s .

Th e po or li tt l e m e i me i ! H o w s a d th a t sh e sh ould lo se h er mo th e r so
”
you n g !
Sh e d a bb e d h er e y es wi th h er h an dke rc h i ef t o rub a wa y s om e t ea rs .

D o yo u w a n t t o re duc e us t o t e a rs a g a i n ? O ur e y es a re o n ly j u st
” “
dri e d s ai d t he Pri n c ess A n c est r ess j oco se ly O ur gu est i s t i re d from
, .

t he lo n g j ourn e y a n d b es i d es sh e h a s d e l i c a t e n e rv es Be tt e r n o t open
, .

t h e o ld wou n d b u t l et t h e p a st r est
, .

M a d a m e P h o en i x ob e d i en t ly res um e d her u s u a l m e rry m a n n er a t

“
o n c e Gr an dmo the r i s r i gh t a n d t he ca r el ess ch i ld d ese rv e s a s l a p
.

p i n g sh e s a i d h old i n g o ut h er l i t t le l i ly wh i te h a n d s wi t h a com i c
, ,
-

g e st ure l i ke a s ch ool c hi ld w h o exp e cts t o b e c a n e d O n c e more sh e

, .

t ook Bl a ck J a d e by t h e h a n d a n d pl i e d h er w i th e v e ry po s si bl e qu es
t i o n a bou t h er a ge h ea l th e duc a t i o n f a vori t e d i sh es a n d f a vor i te
, , , ,

g a m es She h o pe d sh e would b e ha ppy he re an d n o t s u ff e r from h om e

.

s i ckn ess a n d i f s h e l a ck e d o r n ee d e d a n y thi n g would sh e pl e as e n o t

, ,

a sk t h e si mpl e ch a m b erw o m en or m a i d s b ut com e s t r a i g h t t o h er s i st e r

i n la w P h oe n i x
-

, .

“ ”
H a s M iss L in g s lugg a g e b e en brough t up ? sh e as ke d t urn i n g t o
’
,
“
h er a tt en d a n ts A n d a re th e room s pre p a re d f o r th e se rv an ts wh om
.

? ”
sh e h a s broug h t wi th h e r from Y a n gc h ow

Sh e a t t en t i vely h a n d e d h e r gu est t ea an d c a ke a n d th en b e g an t o di s ,

cuss wi th A unt C hen g p ra cti c a l m a tters s uch a s h ouseh old expe n ses a n d
clo th i n g Bl a ck J a de go t th e i m m edi a t e i m pres si o n th a t t h i s si st e r i n
.
l
-

la w w a s th e soul o f the wh ole gr ea t h ou seh old .

T hi s fi rs t r ece p t i o n w as follow e d by a vi si t of i n t roduc ti on t o U n cle

S h i eh an d U n cl e C h en g A t th e G a te o f Flowe rs Bl a ck J a d e es cor te d by
.
,

Aun t S hi eh go t i n t o a b i g da rk blu e l a cqu ere d whee l se d a n wi t h a

, , ,

l i gh t blu e si lk a wn i n g wh i ch w a s dra wn a t first by b ea re rs a n d l a te r by

,

m ules w h i ch h a d b ee n s pe c i a lly tr a i n e d t o go a t a v e ry g en t le p a c e Fo r
'

i t w a s a lo n g d i st a n ce t o t he res i d en c es o f th e t w o un cl es a n d th ere ,

we r e m a n y cou rt y a rds a n d g atew a ys t o b e p assed thr ough A t l ast t h e .

se d an c h a i r w as se t d o wn a n d Aun t S hi eh t ook Bla ck J a de by th e h a n d

26
 A un t C hen g w as a lr ea dy recli n i n g a t th e ri gh t si de Wi th a fr i en dly . .

w a ve o f th e h an d she i n vi te d h er n i ec e a s she en t e re d to r e cl i n e co m
, ,

f o rt ably o n th e l e ft B ut Bl a ck J a d e sa i d t o h e rs e lf t h a t n o doub t th e
.

m a st er o f th e h ou se w as a ccu st om e d t o r est o n t h ese cu sh i on s a n d

h en c e i t would b e u n s eemly o f h er t o t a ke th a t pl a c e Sh e t h er efore .
-

mod est ly sa t do wn o n a si mply cove re d ch a i r n ea r th e couch an d n ot ,

un t i l sh e h a d b een as ke d thr ee t i m es t o do so di d sh e c h an ge ov er to
h er a u n t s s i d e
’
.

“
Yo ur un cle i s i n th e t empl e t od a y fa st in g an d a tt en d i n g se rvi c es
, ,
“
sa i d th e a u n t , b ut h e wi ll s oo n com e h om e an d gr eet you M ean ti m e .

h e h a s a s ke d m e t o s ay a few word s t o you from h i m Your t hr e e cous .

i n s a re a ll i n t elli gen t w ell b rough t up g i rls Y o u w i ll a ll l e a rn your

,
'
- -
.

l ess on s n i c ely t og et her do n ee dl ework a n d h a v e pl ea sa n t g a me s an d I

, ,

t h i n k you w i ll a ls o ge t on w e ll t og et h e r B ut t h e r e i s on e t h i n g w hi c h
.

m a kes u s p a ren ts un ea sy : w e h a v e a t ruly i n co rri g i bl e youn g so n w h o

i s a r ea l t o rm en t a n d a m i s c h i evou s i m p i n th e h o use H e also i s i n t h e
‘

t e mpl e t od a y fulfilli n g a vo w b ut h e w i ll b e b a ck t ow a rds e v en i n g an d

,

th en yo u w i ll get t o kn ow h i m p ers o n a llyf I w a n t yo u t o kn ow t he f a c t s

i n a dv a n c e It wi ll b e b est i f yo u t r eat h i m a s your cous i ns do th at i s
.
, ,
”
t a k e a s li tt l e n o t i c e o f hi m a s po ssi bl e a n d l ea v e h i m a lo n e .

Bl a ck J a d e r ememb e r e d t ha t h er mo th e r h a d oft en spoken of a

n ep h e w w h o h a d b een born w i t h a j a d e st o n e i n h i s mou t h a n d w a s a

s om e wh a t s t r an g e fr ea ki sh boy w h o i n st ea d o f k ee p i n g t o hi s books
, , ,

lov e d ro a m i n g abou t t h e wom en s qu a r te r s pl a y i n g all s orts o f si lly

’

pr an ks an d i n sp i te o f t hi s w a s v ery much fa vore d a n d s po i l e d by hi s

,

gr an dm o th e r wi th t h e resul t th at n o on e d a r e d t o b e se ve re wi t h hi m
,
.

“
A h Au n t m ea n s n o do ub t th e co us i n w h o w as born w i th th e j a d e
,
” “
s t o n e i n h i s mou t h ? sh e a sk e d sm i l i n g Mo th e r oft en s poke o f hi m
,
. .

H e i s Pa o Y u a n d i s a y e a r old e r th a n I i s h e n o t ? Mo th e r th ough t h e ,

w a s j u s t i n cli n e d t o b e e a s ygo i n g a n d pl a y ful b ut th a t o t h e rw i se h e w as

v e ry poli t e a n d n i c e t o h i s si st e rs No w I sh a ll b e i n t he comp a n y o f my
.
,

g i rl cou si n s mo st o f th e t i m e a n d I sh a ll n o t h a ve much opport un i t y o f

,

m eet i n g th i s cou si n a n d provoki n g hi m t o t ri cks The h ous e i s so ver y .

roomy .

“ ”
Oh do n o t s ay t h a t ! re pl i e d Aun t C h en g l a ugh in g
, T h e con , .

foun d e d boy c an n o t do w i th ou t th e comp a n y o f g i rl s an d wi ll b e a ble

t o fi n d you e ven i f yo u do n o t look for h i m A s lo n g a s t h e g i rl s do n o t .

t a ke n o t i c e o f h i m h e b eh a v es t ol e r a bly b u t o n e word t o o much from ,

t h e m i s en ough t o m a k e hi m do t h e m a dd est th i n g s j u s t thr ough sh e e r

h i gh s p i ri t s So you mu st r em e mb er th i s a n d n o t let your self b e ei th e r
.

”
c h arm e d by hi s h on e y swee t words or fri g h ten e d b yh i s fooli sh r a ges
-
.

A se rv a n t en t e r e d an d sa i d th a t t h e o ld Ta i ta i b a d e the m com e t o
s upp e r Aun t C h en g t ook h er n i e c e by th e h a n d a n d le d h e r o u t thr oug h
’

28
a b ack e xi t a n d a cro ss by m an y z i gz a g p a th s O n the w a y she st oppe d .

o n ce an d po in te d to a d a i n ty h o use bu i l t i n thr ee ti ers wi th a v e r an d a

r unn i n g a ll a lo n g th e s ou th si d e .

“
Y our si ste r i n law Ph o en i x li v es he re she sa i d sm i li n g No doub t
- -

, ,
.

u w i ll b e o i n g i n an d u t h ere oft e n Wh en ev e r o u w an t an y thi n g

y o g o y .

”
you h a ve j u st t o go t o her .

A t l as t a fter muc h w i n di n g i n a n d o ut th ey p asse d thr ough a

, ,

cover ed corri dor a nd foun d th em selves i n th e g a rd en b ehi n d th e re si

d e n c e o f th e Pri n c ess An ce stress The o ld l a dy w as a lr ea dy a w ai t in g
.

th e m i n th e d i n i n g room D e sp i t e h e r mod est pro t e sts Bl a ck J a d e w as

.
,

obli ge d a s gu est t o t a ke the pl a ce o f h o n or a t her l eft si d e Th ree

, , .

c ha i rs t o th e ri gh t an d l eft o f th e Pri n cess A n cest ress re m a i n e d un oc

cup i ed Ac t u a lly th e y w e re m ea n t f o r Aun t Ch e n g a n d th e tw o sis te rs
.
,

i n la w P h oe n i x an d Ch u B ut t od a y th ese thre e w e r e i n a tten d an ce 0 1

-

, .
1

th e A n c est re ss S is te r i n la w P h o e n i x p la ce d fres h c h op s ti cks b e for e

.
- -

her fo r ea c h course A un t C h en g se rv e d her s oup an d si ste r i n l aw C h u

, ,
- -

se rv e d th e o th e r d i s h es t o h er L a te r A un t C h en g h a d t o s i t a t h er ri g h t
.

“ ”
h an d si d e The th r ee Spri n g g i rls a te a t a se p a r a te t a ble T h e m ea l
. .

w as ea t e n si l e nt ly a n d c e remo n i ous ly From th e sw a rm o f se rvi n g

.

wom en an d gi rls o f wh om som e n o i se less ly ca rr i ed th e di sh es i n an d

,

o u t wh i l e o th e rs st ood r ea dy i n th e a n t er o om wi th w ash b as i n s cl us te rs , ,

a n d h an d t ow e ls n o t th e sl i g h t es t coug h o r cl e a r i n g o f th e th ro a t w as
,

a u di b le Bla ck J a d e h a d t o h e v e ry a t t en ti v e i n ord e r t o a da p t h ers elf

.

t o th e m an y forms o f t a bl e et i qu ett e whi c h w e r e n ew t o h er Fo r i n .

stan ce , pe rfum e d t ea w as serv e d i mm e di ate ly a fte r th e m ea l She w as .

a bou t t o dr in k i t r eluc t an tly f o r a t h om e sh e h a d a lw a y s b een ta ug h t

,

th a t i t w as h a rmf ul to dri n k t e a s t r a i gh t a ft e r a m ea l b u t th e e x a mpl e

‘

o f th e o th ers s oo n m a d e i t cl e a r t o h er t h a t thi s t ea w as o n ly m ea n t f or
“
ri n sin g o ut the mou th W i th th e words Y o u o th e r s m a y go ; I wis h t o
.

”
ta lk t o o ur gu es t for a li tt l e w h i l e al o n e t h e An ce st r e ss ro se from t h e
,

ta bl e .

”
How f ar ha ve yo u g o n e i n your rea di n g ? sh e in qui re d o f h er

gr an dchi ld .

“
I h av e j us t fin i sh e d st udy in g th e S ix Cl ass i c a l Books repl i e d ,
“ ”
Bla ck J a d e A n d wh a t a re my cous in s rea di n g
.
?
“
A h th ey can b a rely un d e rs t an d a few word s
, .

Th e re w as a cn m chi n g on th e gr a vel o uts i d e an d i mm edi a t ely a fter ,

“ ”
w ards a se rv an t an n oun c e d : Pa o Y u i s comi n g .

Bla ck J a d e loo ke d t ow ard s th e en t r an ce in ea g er e xpec ta ti on The r e .

upo n he w a lke d in Sh e w a s mo st pl easan tly s ur p ri se d He wore o n hi s

. .

h ea d a purpl e ca p i n te rwoven wi th gold an d t ri m m e d w i th bri g ht ly

color e d j ew els A gold e n b an d i n t h e form o f tw o dr a go n s sn a pp i n g a t
.

a pe ar l en c i rcled hi s for eh ea d His Clo se fi tt i n g da rk red j e rkin em

.
-

29
 bro i d e r ed wi t h gold en bu tterfl i es an d bri ght flowe rs w as fa stene d wi th ,

a color e d b el t wov en i n a d es i gn o f flow e r st em s a n d ea r s o f corn O v e r .

th e j e rki n h e wor e a s l at e blu e sa t i n J a p a n ese clo a k e mb ro i d e r e d wi t h

-

e i g h t bu n c h es o f flow e rs a n d fri n g e d a t t h e edg e s Hi s f eet w e re en

, .

v el o e d i n blu e sa t i n sh o e s H i s f a c e w a s a s b r i g h t a s t h e mi d a u t umn
p .
-

moon h i s color fr esh a s s pri n g flowers i n t he morn i n g dew ; h i s h ai r

,

w a s a s sh a rply ou t l i n e d a b ov e h i s t empl es a s i f i t h a d b een cut wi t h a

kn i fe h i s e y ebrow s seem e d a s i f p a i n t e d o n w i th I n d i a in k th e fi n e o ut
, ,

l i n e o f h i s n o se b e t oken e d boldn ess o f ch a r a c te r hi s e y es gli st en e d wi th

,

t h e w et sh i n e o f a u t umn w a v es h i s mou th s ee m e d t o sm i l e ev en i n i ll
,

h umor a n d h i s gl a n c e r a d i a t e d w a rm t h a n d feel i n g ev en i n a n g e r A
, .

gold en c h a i n i n t he form o f a sn a k e en ci rcl e d h i s n eck an d a ls o a si lk en ,

‘

cord o f fi v e colors from wh i ch h un g a b ea u t i ful st on e .

Bl a ck J a d e w a s t a ken compl et ely by sur pr i se a t h i s a pp ea r an c e It i s .

st r a n g e h o w f a m i li a r h i s f ea t ur es see m t o m e j u st a s i f I h a d m et hi m
,

b efor e sh e t h ough t t o h e r self

, .

A s s o o n a s th e Pri n c es s h a d r et urn e d h i s sa lut a t i o n sh e b a d e h i m go ,

an d sa
y good da y t o h i s mo t h e r w h e re upo n h e i mm e d i a tely di s a p
,

p ea red Wh en h e r et urn e d a ft er a l i tt l e w h i l e h e w a s n o lo n g e r w ea ri n g
.

h i s c a p H i s fro n t h a i r w a s dr esse d a roun d h i s h e a d i n si n gl e sh ort p i g

.

t a i l s i n t e rwov en w i th re d br a i d wh i c h w er e dr a w n up a n d j o i ne d o n th e
,

t op o f h i s h ea d t o form a crown H e wor e h i s b a ck h a i r i n a lo n g jet

.

bl a ck sh i n i n g p i g t a i l whi ch w a s woun d a roun d a br a i d d e cor a t e d w i t h

fo ur b i g p ea rls a n d ei gh t gold en p en d a n ts r epr esen t i n g t h e v a ri ou s em
hlem s o f th e ei gh t T a o i s t sa i n ts— t h e Sword th e Flu t e t h e Lo t u s
, ,

Flow e r an d so o n I n st e ad o f th e blue clo a k h e n o w wor e a sat i n co a t of

, .

a flow e r e d s i lv e r a n d re d p a tt e rn b e low wh i ch sh ow e d fi r t r ee gr een

,
- -

flow ere d si lk broc a d e t rou se rs D a rk red t h i ck s ol e d s a t i n sl i ppe rs

.
-

cov er e d h i s bl a ck st ocki n g e d f eet Hi s cou n t en a n ce w a s i f po ss i bl e

-
.
, ,

more ra d i a n t th a n b e fore T h e n a t ur a l color o f hi s c h ee ks t r i umph e d

.

ov e r th e a rt i fic i a l e ff e c t o f powd e r an d p a i n t hi s gl an c e w a s s oulful h i s
, ,

s p e ech w a s a s m i l e B ut h i s c h a r a c t e r expr es se d i t s elf mo st eloqu en t ly

.

i n th e h i g h ly expr ess i v e pl a y of h i s brow s All th e h un dre d h um a n fee l

’

i n g s seem e d t o fi n d pl a c e i n a corn er o f h i s eye .

“ ”
Wi ll yo u n o t greet your cou si n a t l a st ? t h e Pri n c e ss A n c e st r ess
s m i l i n gly a sk e d h e r f a vor i t e w h o h a d s a t down pol i t e ly a t h er s i d e
, ,

a pp a ren t ly ov e rlook i n g t h e n ew cou s i n compl et ely B ut o f cou rse h e .

h a d seen h er He n o w st ood up w en t ov e r to t h e youn g gi rl a n d wi th

.
, ,

h i s h a n d s r a i s e d t o h i s br ea st m a d e a sl i gh t b o w t o h er T h en h e r e
”

t urn e d t o h i s pl a c e a n d g a z e d a t h er for a w h i l e fix e dly a n d a tt en ti ve ly .

He foun d h er d i ffe r en t from t h e o t h e r gi rls H o w ful l o f co n t r a d i c t i o n s

.

w a s t h e e xpr ess i o n o f h er fea t ur e s ! H er e y e brow s li ke t w o fi n e ly o ut ,

l i n e d th rea d s o i smoke w e re clo se t og eth e r an d seeme d t o e xpress so r

,

30
row ev en when sh e w a s qui te m erry Her s oulful e y es looke d se ri ous
, .

e v en wh en sh e w a s l a ugh i n g g a i ly She w a s b ea u t i ful b u t h er b ea uty .

,

w a s clo t h e d wi th th e clo a k Of s uff e r i n g H er e y es w ere a lwa y s g li st en in g .

a s i f full o f t ea rs A n d h o w f a n t a n d s of t w a s h er b r e a t hi n g In r e po se
i . .

sh e w a s l i k e th e d ewy r e fl e c t i o n o f a flow e r i n w a t er In mo t i o n sh e w as .

li ke a w i llow br an c h t r emb li n g i n th e wi n d .

“ ”
I mu st h a ve m et h er b efor e murmure d Pa o Y u t o h i mself l ost i n , ,

th ough t .

“
Wh a t r i d i culou s n on sen se yo u a re t alki n g a g a i n ! How cou ld yo u
”
? Hi s gr an dmo th er s vo i ce rec a ll e d hi m t o r e
’
h av e m et h er a lr ea dy
ali t y .

B ut h er fa c e —i t see m s so f am i li ar t o m e just as i f w e h a d m et
“ '

”
a g a i n a ft e r a lo n g lo n g se p a r a t i on h e mur mur e d
, , .

“
All th e b etter for then yo u w i ll get on well wi th h er r emar ke d th e
, ,

old Pri n c ess w i th a sm i l e .

Pa o Y u s t ood up th en s at down ri gh t b es i d e h i s cou si n an d reg ar d e d

,

h er o n c e more wi th att en t i on .

“
H a v e yo u gon e f a r in your r ea d in g o f l i t er at ur e M ei me i ? he ”
,

a s k e d h er .

“
No t v ery f a r I h a v e h a d b a re ly tw o y ears e duc a ti on an d a m sti ll a t
’
.

”
th e b eg i n n i n g repl i e d Bl a ck J a d e
, .

“ ”
We r e yo u a l so born w i th a j ewel i n your mou th ?
“
No Such a si lly th i n g as th a t s c a rc ely h a pp en s t wi c e
. .

Her h a rml ess rem a rk c a u se d h i m t o br ea k i n t o a rea l ra g e He t ore .

t h e cord w i th t h e s t o n e On i t from h i s n eck an d flun g i t sco m f ull y o n

‘

th e groun d .

“ ”
N a st y t h i n g ! Wh at do I ca re ab out yo u h e cri e d ab us i vely t o t he
?
“
st o n e A re you a b i t of m e a b ei n g en dowe d wi th r ea so n t h a t peo pl e
.
, ,
”
m a ke so much fu ss a bou t yo u Awa y w i th yo u ! I a m si ck o f yo u !
?

T h e l a d i es i n w a i ti n g st ood a roun d th e en r ag e d b o y t e rri fi e d On e o f

- -

,
.

th em p i ck e d up t h e cord w i t h th e st o ne a n d h a n d e d i t t o th e o ld Prin

c ess T h e Pr i n ce ss h urr i edly cl a s pe d h er gr an dchi ld i n her a rms

. .

“
Con t rol your se lf chi ld ! sh e sa i d r e pro a ch ful ly B e a n gry wi th
”
,
“ ‘

p e opl e i f you w an t t o B ut wh a t h a rm h as t hi s i n n ocen t st on e thi s b i t Of

.
,

? ”
your self don e t o yo u t ha t yo u t reat i t so rough ly
, ,
“
Non e of my bro t he rs an d si st e rs h as a h orr i bl e st on e li ke thi s at
” “
t a ch e d t o t h em n o t e v en t h i s n ew an g el i c cou si n
, h e sobb ed So i t ,
.

’
”
mu st b e a usel ess b a d t h i n g I dou t li ke i t !, .
’

“
Your n ew cou si n a ls o c a me in t o t h e world wi th a st on e l i ke t hat ,
“
l i ed t he gr an dmo th er t o qu i et h i m O ut o f fili a l d evot i o n sh e buri e d .

i t w i th h er mo th er t o wh om sh e w as gre at ly a tta c h e d so th a t e ven i n

, ,

d e a th a b i t o f he rself would b e clo se t o her mo th er It i s thr ough shy .

32
n ess th a t sh e h as n o t s po ken o f i t t o yo u A n d n ow b e sens i bl e W h at . .

would your mo th er sa y i f sh e h ear d o f your b e ha v or ”

i ?

He b ec a m e th ough t f t s i l en t an d a llow e d h i s gr a n dmo th er t o f as t en

th e cord wi th th e s t o n e roun d h i s n eck w i th he r o wn h a n d s A ch a mb e r .

m ai d en t er e d an d as ke d where th e youn g l a dy w as to slee p in fu t ure .

W e sha ll c h an ge Pa o Y u ov e r t o my a p a rt m en ts an d M i ss Li n g can
“
,

mov e f o r the t im e b ei n g i n t o the gree n p a vi li on i n hi s pla ce Late r on

.
.
,

wh en th e win te r i s ove r w e wi ll a rr an g e an o th er pla ce f o r h er

,
.

“ ” “
A h , d ear , good Gr andmo th e r , b egge d P ao Y u , let m e sta y in th e
r e p vi li o ! I ca l ee p qu i t e w ell i n a si de c ha m ber I am so n o i sy ,
g e n a n n s -
.

I woul d d estr oy your pea ce .

“
V e ry w ell, yo u m ay, th e gran dm o th e r d ec i d ed, a ft er a mom ent s
” ’

co n si d erat i o n .

A ccordi n gly fr om tha t tim e th e tw o co us ins sh are d the green pa vi l

,
o

i o n w hi c h w a s p a rt o f th ep re mi s es o f th e Old Pri n cess E a c h o f t h e tw o .

chi ldren h a d thei r o wn pe rs o n al dom es ti c sta ff i n att en d an ce o n th em

da y a n d n i g h t Bla ck J ad e h a d b rough t wi th h er from Y a n gc h ow h er
.

o wn se rvi n g m a t ron M ot h e r W an g a n d a li tt l e t en y ea r o ld w a i t i n g
, ,
- -

m a i d c a ll e d Sn ow goose Th e Pri n ces s An c est r e ss fo rm d li t t l e S n ow

.

goo se t o o youn g an d M oth e r Wa n g t oo old for se rvi c e so she g a ve her ,

gran dd a ugh t e r in a ddi ti on t o h er o wn h ouse h old st a ff th e w a i t i n g m a i d

, ,

Cuckoo B esi d es th es e she got as h er st a fl h a lf a doz en m a i d s f o r t he

.
'

l i ght an d h ea vy work j ust li ke h er cous i n s P a o Y a h a d a n e ld e rly se rv

, .

i n g m a tr o n M o th e r Li a n d a s ma rt youn g t ru st worth y w ai ti n g m a i d
, ,
.

Thi s m a i d w h o e n j oy ed th es p e c i al co n fid en c e o f th e Pr in c ess A n ces

,

tr ess w a s c a ll e d P ea rl Th a t n i g h t a lo n g t i m e a ft e r i t h a d b e com e
, .
,

qui et i n th e si d e c h a mbe r wh ere P a o Y u sl ep t th e m a i d P ea rl n o t i ce d

-
,

th a t th e re w a s sti ll li gh t in th e inn e r b e dr oom a n d th a t pe opl e w e r e ,

ta lki n g t h e r e B ei n g cur i ous sh e s l i ppe d in i n h er n i gh t dre s S h e foun d

.
, s .

Bl a ck J a d e si tt in g on th e edge o f her b ed ta lki n g t o t h e m a i d Cuckoo .

W h y i s th e youn g l a dy s ti ll up ? ”sh e a sk e d a st o n i sh e d
“
.
,
“ ”
Si t down , si st e r Bla ck J a d e i n v i te d her a m i a bly P ea rl a l s o sa t
, .

down on th e e dg e Of th e b ed Th en Cuckoo m a d e h er r e port T h e youn g

. .

l a dy h a d b een w ee p i n g i n a h e a rt r en d i n g w a y thi s firs t ev en i n g she

-

sa i d. Her e y es h a d fill e d w i th t ea r s a g a i n a n d a g a i n a s s oo n as sh e
wi p e d th em dry She w as di s co n sol a te ov e r h a v i n g provoke d t he son o f
.

th e h ous e t o a fi t of r a g e a t th ei r v e ry fir st m ee t i n g a n d sh e f el t sh e w as ,

a br i n g e r o f mi s fort un e .

“
D e ar youn g l a dy yo u sh ould n o t t a ke a th i n g l i ke tha t so tra gi
,

ca ll y sa i d Pea rl smi lin g a t Bl a ck J a d e I fear yo u wi ll exper i en ce

”
, ,
“
.

muc h mor e cr az y an d e x tr a ord i n a ry b eh a vi or from him 1n the fut ure If .

yo u ta k e e ve ry th i n g t o h ea rt li k e t h a t I fea r yo u wi ll b ecome qu i te i ll ,

wi th heart tro ubl e You mus t no t b eso sen si ti ve !

.
”

33
 Th an k yo u si st e r ! I wi ll thi n k o f wh a t yo u sa y sa i d Bl a ck J a d e
, , ,

s om ewh a t c a lm e d a n d s oo n a f t e rw a rd s sh e w a sa bl e t o
, get t o sl ee p at
l a st.

Wh en Bl a ck J a d e w en t n ext morn in g w i th her cou si n s t o wi sh Aun t

C hen g good morn i n g a s u su a l t h ey foun d th e a un t an d Ph oen i x i n li v ely
,

con v er sa t i o n ov er a l ett er from a rel a t i ve whi ch tw o m essen g er s h a d j u st ,

brough t from t he t own Bl a ck J a de on ly h al f un d erst ood wh a t t he l i vely

.

d i s cu ssi o n w a s a bou t Her cou si n s en l i gh t en e d h er T he l ett er w as from

. .

U n cle Wa n g a n eld e r bro t her o f Aun t C h en g a n d co n c e rn e d a di stress

, , ~

i n g aff a i r i n w h i c h t h ei r n e p h ew H s u eh P a n w a s i n volv e d Youn g H s u eh

‘

P a n a so n of A un t j C h en g s s i st e r pr es um i n g o n th e pow er o f th e
’
, ,

f a m i ly t o pro t ec t h i m h a d ki lle d a r i v a l i n a qu a rr el a n d w as n o w t o
, ,

a n s w e r for i t b e for e th e Pr e fe c t o f Y i n g t i en f u Y o u w i ll l ea rn from t h e .

n e x t c h a p t er t h e r a m i fic a t i o n s o f th i s p a i n ful a ff a i r an d h ow i t i s co n ,

n ect ed wi t h o ur st o ry .

CHAPTER 4

An u nfor t u na te g i rl fi n d s a n u n for t u na te su i t or A li tt le b o nz e fro m . the

T em ple of th e G o urd a c t s as ju dg e .

As A L R E A D Y MENTI O NED A FTE R ,

T S UN GO T
H IS R EIN ST A T E M ENT YU
t h e po si t i o n o f Pref ec t o f Y i n g ti en f u th an ks t o t h e p a tr on a g e h e re

ce i v ed t h r ough t h e i n flu en c e o f L i n J u Ha i a n d hi s bro th er i n l a w - -

C h en g Imme d i ately a ft e r he t ook up ofli ce t h e ca se o f a murd er com

.
“

m i tt e d i n hi s d i stri ct l es s th a n a mon th pre vi ou sly c am e b efore h i m f o r

h ea r i n g In a qu ar re l ove r th e own e rsh i p o f a pr ett y s la v e gi rl on e buy er
.

h a d h a d h i s r i v a l b ea t en t o d e at h T he pl a i n t i ff w as t h e se rv an t o f th e
.

murd er e d m a n In hi s ev i den ce h e d ecl a re d :

.

“
Th e murde r e d m a n w a s my m a st er My ma st er h a d bough t th e sla v e .

f a i rly from h er o w n er a ch i ld th i ef an d h ad a ls o p ai d th e pur ch ase

,
-

pri c e b u t i t w as a rr a n ge d t h at h e wa s on ly t o bri n g th e s l av e t o hi s
,

h ou se t hr ee d a y s l a t e r b ec a u se th a t da y w as st a t e d i n th e c al en d a r t o
,

b e a lucky da y Now t h e rogu e of a c hi ld th i e f h a d use d thi s i n te rv a l t o

.
-

se cr et ly s e ll t h e s l a v e a s e co n d t i m e ri ii m el
y t o a m a n n am e d H s u eh
, ,

P a n My m a st er h e a rd i n t i m e o f t h i s d ea l an d se t o fi t o f et ch th e gi rl
.

from th e sl a v e d e a l e r b ut t h e s erv an ts of th at bruta l fellow H s u eh Pan

, ,

w h o r e ly i n g o n th e pow er o f h i s f am i l y h a s co n t emp t f or la w an d jus

, ,

t i c e s t oppe d h i m by f o rce a n d b e a t h im t o d e a th wi t h st i cks T h e cul

, .

p ri t s t h en m a d e o ff wi th t he s l a v e g i rl an d th ere h a s b een n o tra ce o f ,

th e m si n ce It i s a lr ea dy a mo n th si n ce I m a d e a ch a rg e b ut your pr e de
.
,

c ess or i n offic e di d n o t t a ke up the cas e I b e g o f yo u t o h a ve th e m ur .

34
 “
It i s cus t om a ry n ow a d a y s f o r gov ernm en t omci als i n the pro vi n ces
to k ee p a secre t li st o f t h e n a m es o f a ll t he s pe c i a ll y r mi n en t w ell off
pp , ,

an d i n flu en t i a l c i t i z en s dom i c i l e d i n th eir di stri c t ab ov e a ll t h e W e ar

‘
,

ers o f t h e B e l t
’
o r form e r h i g h offi c i a ls w h o ha v e i mport a n t co n n e c t i o n s
,

wi th g ove rn m en t c i rcl es at th e Co ur t A pru d en t provi n c i a l m a gi strat e

.

wi ll t a k e grea t c a re n o t t o com e in t o co n fli c t wi t h th e se i mport a n t ,

pe ople o the rw i se he en d an g e rs h i s po si ti o n or i n c e rta i n c i rcum s t an c es

,

ev en hi s li fe Th a t i s w h .
y i t i s c a ll e d t h e Pro te c t i on L i st No w , t h a t m an .

H s u eh Pa n i s o n e o f th e promin e n t p e ople o f th e d i st ri ct wh om o ne d are

n ot an n oy T h a t i s w h .
y your pre d e c ess or i n offi c e di d n o t t a ke an y st e p s
”
i n th e mur d er c a s e a l th ough H s u eh P an s gui lt i s qui te obvi ou s
’
, .

Whi le he w a s s p ea ki n g h e t ook from h i s pocket a fold e d p a pe r wh i ch

he h a n d e d t o Y u T s un It w a s t h e Pro t ec t i on L i st whi ch h e ke p t f or hi s
.

p e rs on a l use Y u Ts un foun d i t full o f t he n a m es o f th e l ea di n g f am i li es

.

i n t h e d i str i c t an d b esi d e t h e i n d i vi du a l n a m es w ri tt en i n t h e commo n

, ,

t o n gu e w e r e m a rg i n a l n o t es o f w h a t pe opl e sa i d a b ou t t h e f a m i l i es i n
,

qu est i on Amon g o th e rs h e r ea d th e fo ur n am es C hi a S hih W a n g an d

.
, , ,

H s u eh .

“
Th ese four powe rful fa m i li es th e secret a ry e xpl a i n e d t o h im ar e
, ,

a ll blood r e l a ti on s o r co nn e c t e d by m a rr i a g e a n d are b oun d t og et h e r ,

f or good o r i ll Th e pu ni sh m en t yo u m et e o u t t o on e fa m i ly hi t s a ll four ;
.

t h e h o n or yo u sh ow t o o n e f a m i ly i s sh a r e d b y t h e o th e r s B esi d es t h i s .

powe rful fa m i ly bloc a t h i s b a ck t h e murd erer H su eh P a n a ls o h a s a n

,

i n fl u en t i a l co nn e c t i o n a t th e Co u rt a n d i n t he provi n c es If you n o w .

i ss u e a w a rr an t f or th e a rr est o f hi s s upport ers h ow m a n y pe opl e wi ll

'
,

? ”
yo u a c t u a lly h a v e t o lock up
“
Hm I h a d n o t th ought o f th at B ut wh a t li n e am I t o t a ke i n th i s
. .

m a tt er th en ? Evi d ent ly th e murd e re r s wh erea bou ts are w e ll kn own t o

,
’

? ”
y ou

T he cr eta ry g a ve a cunn in g smi le

se .

“
If I m a y sp ea k fr a n kly o ld Gov e rn or I m a y sa y t h at I kn ow n ot
, ,

o n ly the w her ea bou ts o f t h e mur d e r e r b ut a ls o a good d ea l abou t th e

o th e r pe rs o n s i mpl i c at e d th e murd ere d m an th e sl a v e d e a le r an d th e
'

, , ,

sla v e gi r l If yo u w i ll b e s o ki n d a s t o li s t en t o m e p a ti en t ly I wi l l t e ll
.
,

yOu th e w h ol e story a b s olu t e ly corre c t ly .

“
Th e murd er e d m an w as n am e d F en g He ca m e from a mod est .

fa m i ly o f c i vi l serv a n ts a n d si n c e hi s p a r en ts di e d h a vi n g n o broth ers o r

, ,

si s t e r s t o sh a re th e h e ri t a g e he w a s a bl e t o li v e mod es t ly on wh a t h i s
,

f ath er l eft hi m The tw en tyy e ar ol d w as by n at ure a ve rs e t o wom en

.
l
- -

a n d pr e fe rr e d t h e com pa n i o n shi p o f m en Prob a bly Prov i d en c e i n .

t en d e d to m a k e hi m a t o n e f or s om e cri m e commi tt e d i n a pr e v i o u s ex

i st en ee w h en t o h i s m i sfort u n e i t le d h i m t o th a t c h i ld th i ef w h o h a d
t h e s l a v e g i rl A t all ev en ts qu i t e co n tr ary t o hi s us u a l h ab i ts h e b e
.
, ,
ca me i n f at u at ed wi th th e sl a v e gi rl a t fi rst si gh t d e c i d ed t o m a ke her
,

his co n cub i n e a n d r en oun c e d all i n tercourse w i t h m en fo r the fu t ur e

,
.

The fool t ook the m a t ter so se r i ous ly th at he ev en look ed up a lucky

da y i n the c a l en d a r fo r t a ki n g h om e th e g i rl a n d th a t w as t h e th i rd da y
,

a ft er h e h a d m a d e t he b a rg a in a n d p a i d th e purc h a se pr i c e .

“
Th e cun n i n g s l a ve d ea l er n o w t ook i t i n t o hi s he a d t o a v a i l o f th e
in te rv a l t o s ell the gi rl a g a in fo r c a sh t hi s t i m e t o H su eh Pan But b e
,
.

fo re he could cl ea r O H w i th th e doubl e proc eed s he fe ll i n t; t he h a n d s

,

o f th e t wo r i v a ls n e i th e r o f wh om w a n t e d hi s mo n e y b a ck b ut bo t h of
, ,

wh om w a n t e d po ssessi o n o f t he g ir l SO h e w a s n ea rly b ea ten d ea d by

.

t he tw o o f th e m T he n t he t w o r i v a l s fell upo n ea c h o t h e r Th a n ks t o h i s
. .

l a rg e su i t e o f se rva n ts H s u eh Pa n h a d t he a dv an t a ge T h o se fe llows
,
.

b e at the un for t un a te F en g u n t i l he w a s so w ea k th a t he could n o t sti r

a n y mor e He d i e d t h re e d a y s l a te r B ut h i s ri v a l th en w en t o ff t o t h e
. .

c a p i ta l w i th h i s boo t y a n d h i s s u i te of se rv a n ts n o t a s a fug i t i ve b ut
, ,

qu i te coo lly op en ly a n d a t hi s e a se l i ke a ny i nn oc en t t r a v e ll e r j u st a s
, , , ,

i f n o t h i n g a t a ll h a d h a pp en e d B ut n ow com e s th e mo st r em a rka bl e
'

? ”
p a rt o f th e st ory W h o do you th i n k th a t sl a ve g i rl w a s
.

“ ”
Ho w sh ould I kn ow th a t ?

L i tt l e Lo t us t h e d a ughte r O f your gr eat fr i en d a n d p a t ron S h i h

, ,
”
Yi n g of your Templ e o f th e Gourd d ay s !
,

“
Wh a t o n e a rt h a re yo u sa y i n g ? But she w as h a rdly t h ree y ea rs old
wh en she w a s s t ol en t h a t t i m e o n t he ev en in g of th e La n t e rn F est i v a l .

? ”
A n d yo u sa y t h e t h i e f w a s o n ly sell i n g h e r n o w ei g h t y e a rs l a ter
,
“
It i s t h e cu s t om of c h i ld t hi ev e s t o kee p th e l i tt l e gi rl s t h ey st ea l
-

a n d bri n g t h em up u n t i l t h ey a re t w elv e o r t h i r t een y e a rs o f a e a n d

g .

t h en p u t t hem o n th e m a rket i n a n o t he r p a rt of t h e co un t ry SO t h e man .

w h o s t ol e o u r l i t t l e Lo t u s k e p t h er h i dd en i n h i s l a i r n ea r S uc h ow for
e i g h t y e a r s a n d th e n h e broug h t h e r h e r e t o Y i n g t i en f u t o sell h er I
, .

a m n o t m i s t a k en ; I d e fi n i t ely r e cogn i z e d h e r a g a i n For dur i n g h i s s t a y

.

h e r e t he th i e f a c t u a lly lodge d i n th e s a m e h ous e wh ere I do w i th t h e ,

l i tt le gi rl
.

“
W e mo n ks of t h e T empl e o f t he Gourd w e re o n t h e mo st fr i en dly
a n d n e i g h borly t e rm s w i th l i tt l e Lo t us T h e t ru s t ful c h i ld u se d t o com e
.

ov e r to t he templ e ev e ry da y a n d w e u se d t o pl a y w i t h her a n d h a v e a ll
s orts of f un T h a t i s w h y h er fa c e rem a i n e d i mpr e ss e d upo n my m em
.

o ry He r f ea t ure s h a v e d e v elop e d a n d g a i n ed in t he i r b ea u t i ful propor

.

t i o n s i n t h e course of t he y e a r s b u t t h ey h av e r em a i n e d ess e nt i a lly th e

,

sa m e B e s i d es I r e cogn i z e d h e r by h er b i rthm a rk a fr e ckl e t h e s i z e of a

.
, ,

gr a i n of ri c e b et ween he r e y ebrow s a bov e t he br i dge of her n o s e .

“
O n c e wh en th e sl a ve d e a l e r w a s o ut a n d she w a s a lo n e i n t h e h ou se ,

I wen t t o her a n d qu e st i o ne d he r urg en tly b u t sh e w a s unw i ll i n g t o

,

s pe ak o u t Sh e mus t n o t s pe a k o r she would b e b ea ten sh e s a i d

.
, qu i te ,

37
 c r d
s a e , d sh e i n si st e d th a t th e th i ef w as h er fa th er , wh o h ad t o sell her
an

t o p a y h i s d eb ts W h en I co n t i n u e d t o pr ess h er w i t h qu est i on s sh e b e
‘

g a n t o w eep a n d s a i d sh e coul d n ot r e m e mb e r her ea rly c hi ldh ood B ut .

l a t e r o n s h e b et r a y e d h e rse lf T he da y t ha t yo un g F en g bought h er I
.

l i st en e d a t t he door a n d S p i e d i n t o th e room th rough a cr a ck Th e .

s l a v e d ea l e r h a d c el e br a te d t h e d ea l w i th you n g F en g a n d h a d
go t th or
ough ly ti ps y B el i e v i n g h e rse lf un ob se rve d , L o t us let a dee p si gh o f
.

r e l i e f es c a pe h er Tod a y my d eb t from a form e r e x i st en c e h a s a t l ast

.
‘

b een p a i d off ! sh e cr i e d B ut w hen she hea rd tha t she would b e fet ch e d

’
.

by h er s u i t or o n ly t h r ee d a y s l a t e r her ch ee rfulness ch an ge d t o sa dnes s

,
.

“
I w a t c he d o u t for t he n ex t t i m e th a t she w a s a lo n e an d sen t my w i fe ,

t o h er room t o s p ea k word s of comfor t t o h er M y w i f e sa i d t o her t h a t .

th e fa c t th a t youn g F e n g w a s w a i t i n g for a lucky da y t o t a k e h er h om e

s h ow e d t h a t h e h a d h o n or a bl e a n d s er i ou s i n t en t i o n s t ow a rds h er a n d ,

looke d o n h er a s a w i fe an d n o t a s a sl a ve ; si n c e th i s m a n w h o ha d ,

a lw a y s b ee n kn o w n a s a wom a n h a te r h a d p a i d a h ea p o f mo n e y f o r
-

h e r h e mu st b e v e ry muc h i n lov e w i th h er i n d ee d She sh ould wa i t p a

, .

t i en tly for t h e t h r ee d a y s t h e n h er lucky h our would com e a n d sh e

, ,

would fi n d a pl ea sa n t l i fe a n d a good h om e A t th i s she b e c a m e mor e .

t r a n qu i l .

“
W h o would h a v e t h ou gh t i t would a ll t urn o u t qu i te d i ff er en t ly ? The
follow i n g da y th e rogue o f a sl a v e d eal e r s old the poo r t h i n g a g a i n t hi s ,

t im e t o t h a t f e llow H s u e h P a n If i t h a d b een a n yo n e e ls e a t a ll i t would

.

n o t h a v e b e en so b a d B u t t h a t th i s bru ta l l i b er t i n e a n d s pe n d th r i f t w h o
.
,

i s k n own a mo n g t h e p e opl e a s th e M a d R obb er Cou n t sh ould b e com e

‘ ’
,

h er m a st er—th at w as t h e l a st s t r a w ! S h ow e ri n g blow s o n h er as t h i ck a s
a u t um n l ea v es h e dr a gg e d t h e poor t h i n g a w a y w i th h i m mor e d ea d
, ,

t h a n a li v e O n e ca n r ea lly feel s orry f o r h e r h a pl e ss s ui t or youn g F en g

.
,
.

His jo y c a m e t o n oug h t a n d h e sa cr i fic e d h i s l i fe a n d his mo n ey in

,
”
vai n .

Y u T s un si gh e d d ee ply .

“
T h e poor thi n g s ! W h o kn ow s wh at cri m es th e y m a y h a ve eo m ~

mi tte d i n a form e r e x i st en c e s i n c e th e y h a v e t o a t o n e so muc h n o w FOr

, .

t h e gi rl i s a ls o t o b e p i t i e d Tru e h er first s u i t or co ul d n o t o ff e r h er an y
.
,

t hi n g li ke t h e comfor t a n d t h e lux u ry w h i ch sh e n o w en j oy s in t h e

h ou se of th e s e co n d b ut o n t h e o th e r h an d sh e mu st sh a re w i th m an y
,

ot h e r wom e n t h e f a vor o f a s po i l e d b a d t e mpe r e d pl ea s ur e s eek e r ,

- -

w h e r ea s i n th e h ou se of the o th e r sh e would h a ve b e en th e o n ly wi fe
a n d m i st r ss B u t w h a t s t h e
g
’
ood of p h i lo op h i z i g f t rw rd ? Fo r
e . s n a e a s
”
m e th e i mport an t th i n g j u st n o w i s to m a k e a w i s e d e c i s i o n
, .

“
E st eem e d si r lo n g a go i n t h e Templ e o f th e G ourd you u se d t o b e
,

a v ery sh r e
’
wd cl ea rh ea d e d m an Th e re for e ,a ft e r so m a n y y e ar s pro
, .

f essi on al e xp e ri en c e i t r ea lly sh ould n o t b e di fficult for yo u t o com e t o

, ,

38
a d e cisi o n Afte r all yo u o we your present po si ti on to the pa tro na ge o f
.
,

the s e sa m e fa mi li es C h i a an d W an g w h o b e lo n g t o th e se t o f t h a t H s u eh
,

Pan D o you w a n t t o fig h t a g a in st th e s t rea m an d a nn oy your pro tec

.

to rs ? I a dv i se yo u t o drop th e m a t t e r gr ace fully so th a t yo u m a y b e ,

abl e t o look yo ur p a tr o n s i n th e fa c e w i th ou t e mb a rr a ssme n t i n t h e

”
fu t u re !
“
Hm t ha t s oun ds r e a s o na ble N ev e r thel ess i t s a m a tt e r o f a h um an
, .
,
’

lif e Ho w co ul d I d a r e t o re p a y by a c ti n g wi th p a rt i ali t y a n d d e fea t in g

.
,

the e n ds o f j u s ti ce th e t rus t w hi ch th e So n o f H ea v e n h a s pl a c e d i n
,
”
me !
“
Y o u m a y b e ri gh t i n th e ory B ut i n pr a c t i c e, un fort u n a te ly , o n e ca n
.

The wi se m an
‘
n o t a lw a y s h ee d suc h mor a l co n si d er a t i o n s n ow a d a y s .

T he wi se m a n
‘
a d a p ts hi m s e lf t o c i rcums t a n ce s , sa y s t h e o l d m a x i m
’
.

’
s tri v es for a fri en dly se t t l em en t a n d a vo i d s wi ck e d e o n fl i ct ru n s a n ,

ot h e r t ru st wort h y rul e If yo u w e r e t o a ct s t r i c t ly a ccord in g to t h e ory ,

.

yo u wo uld v ery so on lose your posi t i o n an d co n se qu en tl y n o lo n g er b e

a bl e t o j u st i fy t he co n fid en ce o f th e S o n o f H ea v en ; i n d ee d yo u would ,
”
a c t u a lly ri s k lo s i n g your h e a d .

Y u T s un w as th oug h t ful f or a mom en t .

“ ? ”
Go od Wh a t th en i n your Op i n i o n sh oul d b e do ne
.
, , ,

I h a v e a sple n d i d pl an Wh en yo u co n t in u e w i th th e c a se a g a i n t o
.

morro w pl a y th e sev er e p i t i less j udg e sh ou t a n d r a g e a n d i ss u e a w a r

, , ,

r an t f or t he a rr est o f th e murd er e r Hs ue h Pa n D O n o t p ut i t i n t o forc e .

,

h owe ve r b ut i n s te a d j u s t to a ppe ase t he o the r s i d e h a v e som e un im

, , , ,
’
u

or t a n t m e mber s o f hi s h ouse h old he re a rres te d a n d e xa m i n e th e m ! I

p ,

wi ll v i si t th ese pe opl e i n th e ir pri s o n ce ll b eh i n d your b a ck a n d le t th e m

kn ow t h a t the m a tt er i s n o t t o b e t a k en so se ri ou sly an d th a t th e y ,

sh o uld s a y a t th ei r e x a m i n a t i o n th a t th e i r m as t e r t he murd e r e r H s u e h ,

Pan h a s m ean ti m e di e d o f a s u dd e n i lln ess More ove r I wi ll s ee t o i t

, .
,

th a t a d e a th ce rt i fi ca t e m a d e o u t by th e c h i e f m e mb e r s o f th e H s u eh
clan an d th e offi c i a ls of th e W ard co n c e rn e d is produc ed
, , .

“
In t h e furth e r course o f th e h ea rin g i n ord e r t o st i fl e an y po ss i bl e ,

di s co n t en t on th e pa rt o f th e pe o ple yo u w ill pla y a li tt l e a t ca lli n g up

,

s p i ri ts a n d st a g e a ub l i c pe rform an ce wi th an a l ta r o f s a cr i fic e a n d
p
m a gi c w an ds a n d c a use t he s p i ri ts of th e d ea d t o a n n oun c e t h a t th e y
,

h a d been en e m i es in a form e r ex i st en c e a n d m ee ti n g o n a n ar row p a th ,

w a y h a d ki ll e d o n e an o th e r ; t ha t th e mur d e re r H s u e h P a n h a d b een
,

affli c t e d w i th a m a l i n a n t d i s eas e by t h e a ve n g i n g s p i r i t o f th e mur

’

g
de re d Fen g an d h a d a ls o d i ed The refore th e murd e r w a s a lrea dy
, .
,

a t o n e d for a n d a p a rt from pu n i sh i n g t h e fr a udul e n t s l a ve d ea l e r th e r e

, ,

w a s n o n e c ess i t y for t h e a u t h or i t i es t o pur s u e t h e m a t t e r furt h e r .

“
If you w i sh t o do som eth i n g mor e yo u ca n se n t en c e th e H s u eh
fami ly t o compens a te th e r el a t i ves o f th e m
,

urd e r e d m an f o r th e co sts o f

39
hi s buri a l Th e H s ueh fami ly a re ri ch Th e y wi ll n o t m in d p a y i n g fi ve
. .

h un dr e d o r a t h ou sa n d oun c es Th e d ead m an s r e la ti v es a re i n si gn ifi
’
.

c an t h umble pe opl e The y wi ll b e gl a d t o get a n i c e sum o f mon ey i n t o

, .

t h e i r h a n d s an d t o sh u t th eir mou t h s Wh a t do yo u t hi n k o f th i s li tt l e
.

? ”
pl an
“ ”
Impo ssi bl e ! s a i d Y u Ts un w i th an e v a si v e l a ugh B ut I ll th i nk .
’

”
t h e m a t te r ov e r a g a i n .

He di d n o t n ee d t o co n si de r f o r lo n g b e fore d e c i d i n g o n t h e pl an .

A n d th en h e c a rr i e d i t o u t po i n t for po i n t j u st a s h i s a dvi se r h a d w h i s
, ,

p e re d t o hi m w i t h the r es ul t t h a t t h e r e w as n o murmuri n g a mon g th e

,

p e opl e a n d bo t h p a r ti e s w e re s a t i s fi e d F i n a lly h e wro t e t w o l ett e rs t o

, .
,

C h i a C hen g a n d M a r sh a l W a n g Tz u Ten g t h e i n flu en ti a l un cl es o f th e ,

cri m i n a l i n formi n g the m t h a t t h e proc ee d i n gs a g a i n st th ei r worth y

,

n e ph e w h a d b een s a t i s f a c t ori ly s e t t l e d a n d t h a t t h ey n ee d n o t b e t h e

l ea st t roubl e d a bou t i t a n y mor e A n d th u s th a n ks t o th e cunn i n g i d ea

.
,

o f a form e r l i tt le mo n k from th e T e mpl e o f t h e Gourd l a w a n d j ust i c e ,

w e re set a si d e an d a p a in ful la w ca se w a s l i qu i d a te d i n a n in geni ous

w ay .

B u t a f t er t h i s Y u T s un fou n d th e prox i m i ty o f th e u n pl ea si n g sh a rer

o f h i s s e cr e t d i s t urb i n g a n d un comfort a bl e It p a i n e d h i m t o t h i n k t h a t
.

t h e form e r t e mpl e bo n z e m i g h t t e ll t a l es o r by c a r e l es s go ssi p d i s clo se t o

t h e p e opl e t h e ob s cur e m i se r a bl e p as t o f t h e pr esen t h i g h ly r es pe c t e d
,

m a gi s t r at e The r e fore o n t he e xcu se t h a t t h e secr et a ry h a d a c t e d in a

.

bl a m e wort h y m an n e r i n t h e ex e cu t i o n of h i s dut i es he t ook t he fi rst

.
,

a v a i l a bl e opport u n i t y t o p a ck h i m o ff t o a d i st a n t po s i t i o n i n h i s di s

t r i et B ut t h i s i s en oug h a b ou t Y u T s un for th e presen t Le t us n o w ta l k

.
~
.

a bou t H s u eh P a n .

Al t h oug h d esc en d e d from a good fa m i ly r e dol ent from g ene ra ti on t o

g en er a t i o n of t h e h i gh est cult ure H s u eh P a n a s th e on ly so n o f an
, ,

e a rly w i dow e d mo t h e r h a d b e en s po i l e d a n d p a mpe r e d from c h i ld h ood

-

, ,

a n d d e pri v e d o f a n y ser i ou s d i s c i pl i n e o r gu i d a n c e a n d h a d o n ly h a d a ,

v ery s up erfic i a l e duc a t i o n Th a n ks t o old a n d good c o n n ec t i o ns wh i c h

.
,

h e ow e d t o h i s fore f a th e r s a n d t o h a v i n g i nh e r i t e d a for t u n e o f s om e
,

m i l li on s of t ael s he h a d procure d th e lucr a t i v e po si t i o n o f a pri vi l ege d

,

buy er for t h e Imp er i a l W a rdrob e ; b ut a p a rt from th e f a c t th a t h i s n am e

st ood i n t h e r e g i s t e r o f co n t r a c t or s of t h e M i n i st ry o f F i n a n c e a n d th a t

h e r egul a rly dr e w h i s e molum en t s h e l e f t t h e a c t u a l ex e cu t i o n o f h i s

,

offi c i a l du t i es t o h i s a g en t s a n d t ru st e d employ ees a s he u n d erst ood ,

n o t h i n g a bou t bu s i n ess H e h i m se lf l i v e d compl e t ely for h i s p a ss i o n s

.
,

a n d p a s se d h i s t i m e i n co ck fi h t i n
g g h ors e r a c i n g a n d r i o t ou s li v i n g
, , .

H e w a s a sp en d th r i f t an d a volup t u a ry a l i c en t i ou s bru t a l fe llow o f , ,

a n t s p ee c h .

M a rsh a l W a n g Tz u Ten g o f th e c a p i t a l a n d o f
th e wi f e ofC hi a C hen g o f th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e w as n ow fort y y ea rs ,

o f a ge , an d b es i d es t h i s so n sh e a ls o h a d a d a ug h t e r a bou t thi r t een

“ ”
y ea rs o f a g e n a me d Pa o C h a i Prec i ou s Cl a s p In her s oft roun d e d
, ,
. ,

b ea u t y Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp r esemble d a smoo th ly poli sh e d gli ste n i n g a g a t e

, ,
.

B ut h er p e rfe c t pol i sh w a s n o t o n ly ph y si c a l T h a n ks t o he r gr ea t z ea l .

for l ea rn in g a n d to th e c a r e he r l a t e fa th e r h a d b est ow e d upo n h er e du

ca t i on from ea rl i e st c h i ld h ood sh e w a s ten t i m es b ett e r e duc a t e d th an
,

h er bro t her H s u eh P an w h o w a s h er s en i or B ut wh en sh e r ea l iz e d t h at
, , .

h er wi dow e d mo th e r could expe c t n o r e a l h elp from h er ill b eh a ve d -

e ld e r c hi ld sh e h a d l a i d a s i d e h er books f o r th e p a st f e w y
,
ea r s i n ord e r

to rel i e v e her mo th e r o f t h e h ou seh old worri es l i ke a good co n sci en ,

.
,

ti ou s d a ug ht e r .

On a ccou n t o f her ou t s t a n d i n g vi rt u es a n d qu a li t i e s sh e h a d r e c en t ly ,

b ee n pl a c e d o n th e li st o f t h e youn g wom en an n u a lly ch o se n from

a mo n g th e r e s pe c t e d f a m i l i e s o f t he n ob i li t y a n d m a n d a r i n cl ass
t hr oug h ou t t he Emp i re t o b e pr ese n t e d a t Co u rt a n d r et a i n e d th e r e
, ,

so m e a s co n cub i n es of t h e Emp e ror o t h e r s as l a d i e s o f t h e Co u rt a n d

,

ch a pe ro n s t o th e Pri n c es ses Fo r t he pr esen t S on o f H e a v en v a lu e d t h e

.

e x a l t e d t ea c h i n g s an d p h i lo s op h i c a l wr i t i n g s o f M a s t e r C o n f u ci us a n d
‘

d esi r e d th a t the Pri n c e sses a t t he Cour t sh o uld b e fa vor a bly i n flu en c e d

an d en coli ra g e d t o e x e mpl a r
y b eh a vi or b y t h e comp a n i o n sh i p of g i rls
e duc a t e d i n t he cl a ss i c s .

No w w h en H s u eh P a n d e c i d e d t o e scor t h i s s i s te r to t h e Court h e di d
, ,

so f o r th r ee re a s o n s F i rs t o f a ll h e wi sh e d t o t a k e t h e opport un i ty o f
.
,

vi si ti n g h i s rel a t i v es i n th e c a p i t a l ; seco n dly h e w i sh e d t o pr esen t h i m

,

se lf t o hi s employ e rs th e M i n i s t r , yo f Fi n a n c e a n d t o se tt l e s om e offi c i a l
,

b us i n ess m a t te rs ; b u t t he t h i rd a n d mo st po t en t r ea s o n of all w a s t h at
he w an t e d t o en j oy h i ms elf For i t h a d a lw a y s b een h i s d esi r e t o kn ow
.

th e c a p i t a l w i th i ts s pl en dor a n d g a y li fe of w h i c h h e h a d h e a rd so
,

much pr a i se .

All pre p a ra t i o n s f o r th e j ourn ey h a d a lre a dy b een m a d e th e n um e r ,

o us t run ks as w e ll as th e pr ese n t s i n t e n d e d f o r t h e fr i en d s a n d r e l a t i v es

ha d b een p a ck e d a n d a fa vor a bl e da y f o r d e p a r t ur e look e d up i n t h e

'

,
.

cal en d a r wh e n th e pr ev i o us ly m e n t i o n e d i n c i d en t wi t h t h e s l a v e d ea l e r
,

h a pp en e d i n th e course o f w hi c h th e un fort un a te F e n g lo st h i s l i fe a n d
li t tl e Lo t us fe ll i nt o th e h an ds of H s u eh P a n Lea vi n g th e h ouseh old in .

th e c are o f s om e o f t h e old e r t ru s t e d s e rv a n t s H s u eh P a n h a d se t o ut ,

f o r t h e c a p i t a l w i th hi s mo th e r s i s t e r co n c ub i n es b a gg a g e a n d s e rv
, , , ,

an ts o n th e pr ea rr a n g e d da
, y T h e a ff a i r of t h e murd e r di d n o t t roubl e
.
,

hi m i n th e l e a s t ; t o h i m i t w a s j u s t a t r i fl e w hi c h could b e d i s po se d o f
wi th a h an dful o f d i rt y co i n s .

Ac t u a lly M a d a m e H s u eh ha d i n t en d e d t o sta y w i th h er bro th e r

,

M arsh a l W a n g i n t h e c a p i t a l B ut sh or tly b e fore th e y re a ch e d th e w a lls

.

41
 '

of th e Impe ri al C i t y n e ws re a ch e d th em th a t M a rsh a l Wan g ha d j us t

b een appo i n te d Impe r i a l M a rsh a l o f th e N i n e Provi n ces a n d h a d re
ce i v e d ord e rs t o proc ee d wi t h ou t d e l a y o n a t our o f i n s pe c ti o n o f th e

fr o nt i er s Thi s n ew s w a s a se cr e t r el i e f t o H s u eh Pa n No w h e sa i d to
. .
,

hi mse lf h e would b e free of th e ir ks om e a u t h ori t y an d s upe rv i si on o f

,

hi s un cl e a n d h a ve a b s olu t e fre e dom f o r h i s pl eas ur es an d h e th an k ed ,

h ea v en f o r ha v i n g di s po se d m a t te rs a ccord i n g t o hi s wi s hes Th e a l te r e d .

c i rcums ta n c es n ow r en d e re d a fam i ly c o un cil zn ecessary .

“
W e sh ould sen d s om e o f o ur serv an ts o n in a dv a n ce t o fix up o n e
o f o ur o wn h ou ses w h i ch h a s b e n un u se d f or y ea
”
th e so n s uggest e d
e rs , .

T h e mo th er w as a g a i n st th i s .

W h y all thi s fu ss ? Wh a t h a v e w e go t r e l a ti v es f o r ? W e can sta y

“

ei th e r w i th my bro th e r W a g o r m bro th e r i h l a w C h eng Ther e i s

n y
- -
.

plen t y o f room i n t h e Y un gk uo p a l ace W e can sti ll mov e in t o on e o f

.

’
o ur o wn h ou s es l a t e r o n .

“ i
U n cl e W a n g i s in th e m i ds t of pr ep a r at i on s f or h s j ourn e y t o th e
fro n t i e r ; h i s h ou se I S i n co n fu si o n It would r ea lly be s om ewh a t t a c t
.

”
l ess o f u s t o i n v a d e h i m li ke a sw ar m o f h orn ets sa i d th e son doub t , ,

fully .

“
You a re ri gh t W e ll th en we sh a ll go t o th e Ya n gkuo pa lac e My
.
,
.

s i s t e r h a s i n vi t e d m e a g a in a n d a g a i n t o v i si t h er so sh e w i ll b e h a ppy
,
.

t o h a v e u s a s h er gu e st s B ut I qu i t e un d e rst a n d t h a t yo u w an t t o b e
.

free an d u n h a mp er e d so yo u m a y go an d look for qu ar ters o f your

,

c h o i c e whe rev e r yo u l i ke B ut I sh a ll go an d st a y in th e Y un gk uop a l a ce

.

”
wi th Pr e c i o us Cl as p .

N a t ur a lly H s u eh Pa n could n o t go o ff an d lea ve hi s fa m i ly ri gh t at

,

t h e b e g i nn i n g ; t h a t would h a v e m a d e a b a d i mpr essi o n o n th e r e l a t i ves .

S o s uppr essi n g h i s d i spl e as ur e h e sub m i tt ed t o hi s mo th e r s w i sh a n d

, ,
’

s en t o ff m es sen g e r s to a n n oun c e t h ei r a rr i v a l a t th e Y un gk u o p a l a c e .

The r e t he t r a v ell er s w e r e r e c ei v e d wi t h th e grea t est cord i a l i t y a n d both ,

t he Pr i n c e ss A n c e st r e ss an d Au n t C h e n g urg e d t h e m t o st a y o n U n cl e .

C h en g h a d a su i t e of t en un u sed rooms pr e p a r e d f or th e gu ests i n t he

s ou t h ea st e r n t i o f h i s dom a i n— t h e so c a ll e d P e a r G a rd en
p
-
.

Th e P ea r G a rd en w a s a d el i g h t ful pl e as ur e h ou se set in en ch an t i n g
s urroun d in g s i n t h e p a r k t h e f a vor i t e dw e ll i n g o f t h e fir st Pri n c e o f
,

Y un gk u o i n h i s o ld a ge W i t h i t s grou n d s i t form e d a se p a r a t e w a ll e d
.
,

o ff a r e a w i t h i n t h e es t a t e To t h e i n si d e i t w a s co n n e c t e d w i t h t h e dw e ll
.

i n g of A un t C h en g by a l i tt l e g a t e an d a n a rrow p a t h a n d t o t h e ou ts i d e ,

i t h a d i ts o w n e x i t t o th e stre et T hi s l a tt e r f a c t w a s s p e c i a lly pl e a s i n g
.

t o H s u eh P a n for i t e n a bl e d h i m t o go i n a n d o u t un i mp ed e d a n d
,

w i t h ou t t h e a n n oy a n c e o f h i s mo v em en ts b ei n g ch e cke d a t th e g a t e
’
'

Al t og et he r the d i spl e a s ur e he h a d fe l t wh en mov in g i n di mi n i she d

,

mor e a p d m o re .Hi s fea r th a t h i s un cle s would supe rvi se hi m a t e ve ry

g
‘

42
he sa i d fri en dly word t o o much t o Pr e c i ous C la s p ,an d t hi s led to
'

a
I

m a n y s cen es o f j ea lou s y i n t h e cour se o f wh i c h sh e would ru sh w ee p i n g

t o h er room a n d i n t h e en d forg i v e t h e f a i th l e ss on e a ga i n an d a g a in
,

w hen he w oul d come run n i n g a ft er her wi th bow e d hea d an d a po log i z e

'

t o h er wi t h you th ful i mpe t uo s i t y .

On e da y a t th e t i m e o f th e plum blo ss om s Pri n c e a nd Pri n c ess C h en

h a d i n vi t e d th e n e a r by r e l a t i v es t o vis i t t h e m i n t h e N i n gkuo p a la ce .

Aft e r th e comp a n y h a d w a lke d a bout f o r a whi le in t h e G a rd en o f A s

semb l e d P erfum e s w hi c h w a s sh i mm e r i n g i n th e full s pl en dor o f blo
, s
so m t i m e t h e y a ll sa t do w n a t o n e gr ea t t a bl e t o t h e u s u a l f a m i ly f eas t
, ,

a b ou t w h i c h th ere i s n o th i n g s p e c i a l t o s ay .

A t th e en d o f th e m ea l P a o Y u fel t sl eepy an d e xpr esse d th e wi sh t o

li e do wn f o r a w h i l e M i st r ess Yun g t h e b eau t i ful youn g d a ugh t e r in
'

-
.
,

la w o f Pr i n c e C h en un d e rt ook t o co n duct h i m h ers elf to a room whi ch

,

sh e t h ough t se e m e d su i t a bl e f o r a m i dd a y n a p It w as a s m a ll b ea u t i
“

.
,

fully an d comfort a bly furn i sh e d gu est room b ut tw o mo t t oe s whi ch '

de cor a te d o n e of the w a lls c a use d t h e b o y obvi ous di scomf o rt Fo r .

wh en h e r e a d :
For kn owledge of n ature a n d th e world
D O n o t n egl ec t th e sc i en c es .

For kn owl edge of th e h uma n h ea rt

D evote yours elf t o th e study O f h i st ory
“ " 9
h e t urn e d p et ul a n t ly b a ck an d sai d Let us get o ut qui ckly
. .

b e a u t i ful comp an i on th e re upon l a ughi n gly Off ere d t o g i v e h i m her

“
B ut M i st r ess th e u n cle c a nn ot w e ll sl ee p i n t h en i e c e s b ed; th a t
, ,
’

”
would b e con t r a ry t o a ll good form obj e c te d a ch ambe rwom an w h o
, ,

w a s i n a t ten d an c e .

“
A h w h y h e s o prud i sh ? Th e u n cl e i s a f ter a ll st i ll a b o y re pli e d
, ,

th e youn g wom a n l a ug hi n g a n d l e a d i n g P a o Y u w h o i n ki n sh i p w as i n
, , ,

fa c t h er u n cl e b ut i n a ge could we ll b e h e r n eph ew in t o h er b e droom ,

.

A s h e en t e r e d h e w a s m et by a w a v e o f d e li gh t ful p e rfum e w hi ch i n toxi

ca t e d h i s s en se s a n d m e l t e d hi s bon es .

“ ”
O h i t s m ells n i c e h er e ! h e re m a rk e d wi th pl e as ur e an d hi s pl eas
‘

, ,

u re i n cre a s e d w h en h e s a w a p a i n t i n g by M as t er T an g P ei H u rep re
’

p
s en t i n g s om e o n e s l e e i n g b en e a th b e go n i a br a n c h es i n e ar ly s p rin g ,

a n d r e a d t h e fo llow i n g word s wr i t ten t o th e r i g h t an d l e ft o f i t :

G en tl e cool n es s surrou n d s th e dreamer — ea rly s pri n g !

T h e br eez es wh i ch c a ress h i m —fra gr an t as w i n e !

'

In s i l en t a dm i r a ti o n P a o Y u le
t hi s e y es w a n d e r roun d t he s pl en d i d

fu rn ishi n gs o f th e room H ere o n t h e dressi n g t abl e w as a bron z e mi r ror

.

whi ch wo uld h a v e don e h on or t o t h e m i rror p a l a c e o f th e Em press Wu

of th e T an g dyn as ty Th e re w as a m a gn i ficen t fl a t gold en d i sh o n whi ch
’
.

t h e c e l ebr a t e d d a n c e r
“
Fl y in g Sw a llow m i gh t o n ce h a ve d a n c e d b e
fore her Impe ri a l lord Th a t spl en d i d j e wel st udd e d couch o n a r a i sed
.
-

d a is would ha ve b ee n worth y t o a dorn th e b e droom o f Pr i n c e ss S h ou

Y an g i n th e Ha n C h a n g p a l a ce Th e st ri n gs Of p ea rls wh i ch h un g
.

ar oun d th e couc h m i g h t h a v e b een f a s t en e d th er e by t h e h a n d o f

Pri nc ess Tu n g C h an g .

“ ”
Wh a t a b ea u t i ful room ! cr i e d P a o Y u en r a p t ur e d ,
.

Y es i s n ,
t i t ? Ev en sp i r i ts an d g en i i could fee l h a ppy here
’
,

marked hi s n i e c e sm i li n g ,
.

S a y in g th i s she th re w o ff th e blo ssom wh i te b edcov e r wi t h h er o wn

,
-

h a n d a n d a rr an g e d t h e s of t p i llow embro i d ere d wi th m an d a ri n ducks

, ,

“ ”
whi ch t he R e d M a i d en m i gh t o n c e h a ve cl a s pe d t o h er bo s om a s she
y ea rne d f or h er lov e r T he sw a rm o f w a i t i n g m a i d s a n d ch am b erw o m e n
.

h elpe d P a o Y u to un dress an d p ut hi m t o b ed o n th e couc h ; a n d th en

th e y all wi th dre w n o i sel ess ly P e a rl a n d th ree o th e r c h a mb e rm a i ds h a d
.

t o kee p w a t c h ou ts i d e th e b e dr oo m d oo r .

“
T a ke goo d c are th a t the c a ts do n o t st a rt figh t in g un d er the wi n dow
”
an d d i s t ur b your m as te r s re st ! M i st ress Yun g i mpres se d upo n th em
’

th ough t fully .

H a rdl y h a d P a o Y u sh u t h i s ey es th a n h e fel t hi mse lf c a rr i e d a w a y

i n t o a l an d o f dr ea ms Hi s b ea u t i ful n i e c e see m e d t o h ov e r i n fron t o f
.

him an d l ea d h i m t o a fa i ry p a l a c e wi th w alls o f j a s p e r an d pi ll a rs a n d
b a lustr a d es o f rub y s urroun d e d by the rus tli n g o f t ree t op s a n d th e mur
‘

mur o f si lv e r brooks .

“
It s good t o b e h e re h e s i gh e d h a pp i ly i n h i s dr e a m
’
,
I much p re .

fer b ein g h ere t o b e i n g a t h om e wh e re I a m a lwa y s w a t c h e d a n d a lwa y s

'
,
”
ex ecti n g bla m e a n d s cold in g s from F a th e r a n d M o t h e r H i s gu i d e
p .

h a d di sa ppe a r e d i n th e m ea n ti m e He li s t en e d From s om ew he re o r
. .

o ther b ea uti ful c el est i al si n g i n g l i ke a wom an s vo i c e r e soun d e d i n his ’

ea rs .Imm ed i a t ely a ft e rwa rds he sa w a mo st lov ely f a i ry a pp ea ri n g

fr om b ehi n d a hi ll an d ge nt ly flo a t i n g t ow a rd s hi m P a o Y u r a i se d h i s .

“
han ds t o hi s breas t i n greet i n g an d sa i d t o her bow i n g : S i ste r f a i ry I , ,

h a ve lo s t my w a y Would you b e so k in d as t o di rec t m e a n d t ell m e

'

.
,
”
w h o yo u are ?
The fai ry r epli e d : I am th e F a i ry o f Fea rful Aw a k en in g I l i ve n ot .

f ar from h e re i n th e P h an t om R e alm Of th e Grea t Vo i d i n th e Sph e re

, ,

o f B a n i sh e d Suff e r i n g b eh i n d th e Dr en chi n g Sea o f Troubl e o n th e

, ,

H ei gh ts o f L i b er a t e d Spri n g i n t h e Gro tt o es o f Everl as t in g P erf um es s l

,

j udg e th e Pl a y o f W i n d a n d C louds b e t w ee n h um an b ei n gs a n d sett l e

th e un b a l an c e d d e b ts of lov e b e t w e e n u n h a ppy m a i d ens a n d l a gu i sh
, n

i n g you th s It i s n o t ch a n c e b ut d est i n y whi ch l ea d s m e t o you t od a y I

. . .

shall l ea d
yo u to my ki n gdom an d en tert ai n yo u in my p al a ce wi th a

45
bowl o f ce l es ti a l t e a plucke d b y my se lf an d a gobl et of m a gi c wi ne
wh i ch I h a v e brewe d My m a i d s s h all ent ert a i n yo u wi th th ei r m a g i c
.

d an c es a n d si n g t o y o u t he t we lv e n ew sp i ri t s on gs fr om Th e D ream o f ‘

”
t h e R ed Ch am b e r W i ll you f o llow m e
’
.
?
“ ”
I w i ll a gr ee d Pa o Y u j oyf ully an d follow e d the f a i ry It w a s n o t
, .

lon g un t i l th e f a i ry le d h i m t h rough a hi gh st on e a rch ov er wh i ch h e ,

r ea d th e i n s cr i pt i on : Ph a n t om R ea lm of th e Gr ea t Vo i d On th e p i ll a rs
‘

t o th e r i g h t an d l e ft w a s wr i tt en

Wh en seemi n g i s ta ken fo r be i n g b ein g becomes seem m g , ,

Wh er e n oth in g i s ta ke n for s omet hi n g s ometh i n g becomes n oth i n g ,

V e ry short ly th ey pa ssed thr ough a p ala ce g a t ew a y ove r wh i ch w as ,

wri tt en i n b i g l e t t e rs : S ea of Lo v er s Gri ef an d H eaven of th e P a ssi o ns ’

whi l e t o ri gh t an d l e f t st o od wri tten

Pa ss i on s w i th out e n d old an d ne w , ,

Swell bro a d as th e earth w i de as the sk y ,

“

T O O l a te amorou s you th l an gu i sh i n g m a i d i s your repen tan ce

, , , ,

A h t o at on e for t h e gu i lt of w in d an d moo n pl a y cost s pa i n !

,
~ -

Th a t s t ru e th ough t P a o Y u to h i m self i n hi s i nn ocen c e If on ly I

’
, , .

“ ” “
k n ew w h a t i s m ean t by p a ssi o n s o l d a n d n ew an d by t o at o n e fo r th e
”
gu i lt o f w i n d an d moo n pla y I mu st c e rt a i n ly fi n d Out t hr ough per
-
.

s o n a l exp e ri en c e .

In m a ki n g t h i s r es olu t i on he h a d un co n s c i ous ly i n vi t ed t h e wi cke d ‘

d emons of sen su a l a gi t ati on t o com e i n to hi s body an d ta ke up thei r

a bod e b et ween h i s h e a rt an d hi s d i a ph ra gm .

Af te r p assi n g th rough an othe r ga te w a y th ey cam e t o a ro w o f '

,

a p a r t m en ts o n t h e clo se d doors o f w h i ch h e rea d st r a n g e i n scri p t i on s

,

s uc h a s D e p a rt m en t o f L ov e s Folly Depa rtm en t o f J ea lousy Depa rt

’
, ,

m en t o f Morn i n g T ea rs D ep art m en t Of N i gh t S i gh s D e part men t of

, ,

Spri n g Gri e f D e p a rtm en t o f Au t umn Sufl eri n g

, .

P a o Y u as k e d i f h e mi ght vi e w th e diff er en t ch ai nb ers The fa i ry .

sh ook h er h e a d In th e a pa rt m en ts sh e sai d th e r e we re r egi st e rs o f th e

.
, ,

m emor ab le d es ti ni es o f numero us L WOm en a n d g i rls o f wh o m s om e h ad

' ’

w i th hi s pr ofan e e y es an d h i s body o f d ust i t w as n o t t o b egr an t e d t o ,

“

“ ” “
gl a n ce i n t o the fu t ur e Follo w m e she sa i d I ha ve s o me thin g f ar
.
, .

mo re b e a u t i ful t o sh ow yo u th an the se t i r es om e r eg i st ers ”

.

Pa o Y u follow e d the fa i ry far therin t o th e i n t e ri or Of th e p a l a c e ,

t i l t h e y c a m e t o a gli tt e ri n g h a ll H i s e y es w er e qui t e d a zz le d by th e
.

s ple n dors w hi c h a p ea re d b e for e hi m h er e : w a lls of

p j as pe r fl oo rs o f ,

gold m o sa i c gl i st en in g p an es o f gl a ss pu rpl e cur t a i n s i n fro n t o f red

, ,

d oors l umi n ou s co lOred p i ll ar s arti sti ca lly c a rv e d r oo f b ea ms an d all

, ,
‘
,

ar oun d g ar d en s f ull o f s p i r i t pla n t s a n d m a rv el lou s flowers an d r are , ,

46
p e rfum es Wh i l e P a o Y u w a s st i ll s un k i n a m a z e d con templ a ti on h e
.
,
“
h e a rd t h e f a i ry c a ll i n t o t h e h a ll : Com e o ut an d gr eet your wo rth y
”
gu est ! Imm e d i a t ely four elv es a pp ea re d a t th e e n t r a n c e Th ey wor e .

l i ght fe a th er g a rm en ts lot u s l ea v es h un g from th ei r sh ould er s a s sl ee v es

, ,

th ei r s t r i d e w as a d a n c e t h e i r w a lk w a s a gl i d e a g en t l e r a di a n c e l i ke
, ,

a u t um n moo n l i g h t e n v e lop e d t h em W h en th e y n o t i c e d P a o Y u a look

.
,

o f d i sa ppo i n t m en t cro ss e d t h e i r flow e r f a c es an d t h e y s a i d r epro a c h ,

“
fully t o th e fa i ry : W e th ought you w er e bri n gi n g Pur pl e P ea rl for ,

wh omw e h a v e w a i t e d so lo n g t o v i si t u s W hy do you bri n g th i s d i rt y

, .

cr ea t ur e her e i n s t ea d an d a llow h im t o s o i l a n d profa n e by hi s pr esen ce

,

? ”
t h i s dw e ll i n g of pur e m a i d en s
Pa o Y u h ea rd t h i s w i th sh a m e a n d h e would h a v e l i ke d t o r un a w a y
,

a t o n c e H e w a s w ell a w a r e of th e f a c t t h a t th e y w e re r i gh t
. an d th a t ,

i n t h e pr esen c e of t h ese pur e b ei n g s h e r ea lly s eem e d a n i n su fl erab ly

d i r t y p e r s on B ut th e fa i ry t ook hi m ki n dly by the h a n d a n d sai d t o
.

“
t h e e lv es w i th a sm i l e : You do n o t kn ow th e w hy a n d t h e wh e r efor e
of my a c t i o n I re all y w an t e d t o go t o th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e t od a y a s I
.
,

h a d prom i s ed you t o fet c h your si st e r Purpl e P ea rl B ut a s I w as p a ss

, ,
.

i n g by t h e N i n gkuo p a l a c e o n my w a y th er e I m e t t h e gh o st s o f th e ,

tw o a n c est or s o f t h e Y un gk u o a n d N i n gkuo p a l a c es T h e y i mplor e d .

m e t o t a ke ch a rg e of t h ei r d es c en d a n t P a o Y u Aft e r a h u n dr e d y ea rs .

of f a m e a n d S pl en dor th ei r fa m i l i es a re t h reat en e d w i th rui n an d ,

a mo n g t h e i r m a n y gr ea t gr a n dc h i ldr en P a o Y u i s t h e o n ly o n e w h o
-

i s c a p a bl e of p e rp et u a t i n g t h e r a c e i n h o n or It i s t ru e t h a t h e i s o f a
.

s om e wh a t p e cul i a r a n d fri volou s d i s po s i t i o n b u t h i s i n t e lle c t a n d

,

t a l en t s j u st i fy t h e gr ea t est h op es All h e l a ck s i s t h e r i g h t gu i d a n c e
. .

Th er e for e t he y e a rn est ly a ske d m e t o w a rn h i m o f t h e d a n ge r s o f fool

,

i sh ly t r i fl i n g w i th love a n d followi n g t h e i n st i n c t s w i th out r est r a i n t t o ,

gu a rd h i m a g a i n st p i t fa ll s a n d a llurem en t s an d d i re c t h i m o n the r i gh t
p a th Th ey would b e gr a t e ful t o m e for ev e r i f I do t hi s
. .

“
Mov e d w i th p i t y I h a v e brough t h i m h e r e i n ord er t o h a v e h i m
,

l e a r n a n d r e a l i z e th e folly of ea rt h ly sen su a l i n dulg en c e P erh a p s i t wi ll .

b e po s si bl e t o a w a k en h i m so th a t h ew i ll t a k e my w a rn i n g s t o h ea rt
,
”
for h i s f ut ure l i fe a n d so b ecom e proof a g a i n st d a n ge rs
‘
, .

Wh en sh e h a d fi n i sh e d spe a ki n g sh e le d P a o Y u i nt o th e h a ll In .

si d e, a w a v e O f i n d e scr i b a bly s w eet p e rfum e s uc h a s h e h a d n ev e r ,

s m ell e d b e for e a ss a i l e d h i s n o st ri l s W h en h e a sk e d wha t t h e p e rfum e

, .

“
c a m e from the fa i r yi n form e d h i m sm i l i n g : In your world of du st t h i s
, ,

a rom a t i c m i x t ur e i s qu i t e u n kn own It i s d i st i ll e d from t h e m a n i fold

.

j u i c es of pr ec i ou s youn g pl a n ts an d r a r e tr ees w h i ch grow o n h oly

'

”
mou n t a i n s It i s c a lle d t h e M a rrow of G ath e re d P e rfum es
. .

Th e y s a t down a t t h e t a bl e a n d dran k a mo st wo n d e rful t ea s uch as ,

P a o Y u h a d n e v er b efore t a s t e d .

48
 ? ”
Wh a t i s th e n am e o f thi s kin d o f h e a ske d
t ea .

”
A th ou sa n d re d drop s i n o n e mou t h ful r e pl i e d th e fa i ry Th e ,
.

s h rub grow s n ea r th e Gro t t o es of Ev e rl a s t i n g P e rfum es o n t h e H e i g h ts

of Li b er a t e d S pr in g a n d i t s l ea v e s a re bo i l e d i n t h e morn i n g dew of
,

m a g i c flow e rs an d pl an ts .

“
It i s a wo n d erful t ea ! sa i d P a o Y u a pprov i n gly n odd i n g h i s h ea d ,
.

He looke d a rou n d th e room o n c e mor e H i s gl a n c e fe ll o n j ew e l st udd e d

.
-

lu t es pre c i ou s t ri pod s i n c en se v e sse l s Old p a i n t i n gs n ew mo tt o es o n

, , , ,

t h e w a lls No t h i n g r e qui re d for th e e qu i pm e n t of a comfor t a bl e l i v i n g

.

room w a s l a cki n g T he r e w e re ev en ve lv e t du st er s h a n g i n g un d e r th e
.

w i n dows t o w i p e a w a y th e du s t from t i m e t o t i m e T hen h e a s k e d t h e .

n a m es o f th e e lv es T h e f a i ry i n t roduc e d t h em : Elf of Amorou s Dr e a m s

.
,

Gre a t M i st r ess o f P a ssi o n Gold en M a i d en o f Sorrowful Lo n g i n g

, ,

’
Bod hi s a tt v a of Aven g e d L ov e rs R a n cor .

M e a n t i m e you n g m a i d se rv a n ts h a d l ai d th e t a bl e T he y n o w c a rr i ed .

i n a s ump t uou s m ea l a n d fill e d a mb er gobl e ts w i t h a c h o i c e gold e n w i n e

from cry st a l j ug s .

“ ”
?
Wh a t i s t h i s wo n d e rful wi n e as ke d P a o Y u .

It i s pr e p a re d from th e pollen o f a h u n dr e d flow er s t h e j u i c e s of a ,

t h ou s a n d pl a n t s t h e m a rrow of u n i cor n s a n d t h e m i lk of t h e p h o e n i x
, , ,

”
a n d i t i s c a ll e d A Th ou sa n d D e l i g h t s i n O n e Gobl e t .

Pa o Y u di d n o t w e a ry of dr i n k i n g t he w i n e f r ee ly a n d pr a i si n g i t
fe rv en t ly M e a n t i me t welve d a n c i n g m a i d en s h a d a pp ea re d a n d t a ken
.

up po si t i on s i n fro n t Of th e t a bl e .

“ ”
T o wh a t t ex t s h a ll w e d an c e
' ? t h ey a sk e d t h e f a i ry .

To t he t we lv e n e w s p i ri t so n g s from Th e Dr ea m of t h e R e d ‘

C h a mb e r t h e fa i ry ord e re d
’
.

T h e d a n c e rs bow e d ob e d i en t ly a n d b eg a n t o s i n g a n d d a n c e to t h e
ge n t l e mu s i c o f t h e i r t we lv e s t r i n ge d s i lve r lu t es a n d th e m e a s ur e of
-

t h e i r s an d a wood c a st a n ets In ord e r t h a t h e m i gh t u n d e r s t a n d i t b et

l .

t er t h e fa i ry ord e r e d a s e rv a n t t o h a n d h e r gu e s t t h e wr i tt e n t e x t of t h e
,

t we lv e s o n g s a n d n o w h e s a t a n d t r i e d t o u n d e r s t a n d t h e m ea n i n g of
,

t h e p e rform a n c e li st e n i n g t o t h e mu s i c wh i l e h i s e y es follow e d t h e t e x t
, .

Y e t h i s e ff or t s we r e i n v a i n Tru e h e could n o t e s c a p e t h e eff e c t O f t h e

‘

mus i c b ut w h a t th e t ex t w i th i ts m a n y cryp t i c s a y i n g s a n d h i dd en
, ,

a llu s i o n s ,m i gh t m e an r e m a i n e d a compl e t e my s t e ry t o h i m B ut th e .

m e lody w a s so e xqu i si t e a n d c h a rm i n g a n d so s u p enb ly p e rform e d a s

to b e w i t c h t h e m in d a n d i n t ox i c a t e t h e s en s es a n d h e a sk e d n o t roubl e
,

som e qu e st i o n s in t h e i n t e rv a l s b u t o n ly l i s t en e d t o t h e mu s i c w h i l e
,

j ust r ea d i n g th e t e x t m e c h a n i c a lly .

A t l a st t h e g irls h a d fin i s h e d t h e lo n g pe rform a n c e of th e t w elv e

s o n gs .Ac t u a lly th e y w e re a bou t t o co n t i n u e w i th a l a st r e fr a in b u t
, ,

49
 '

the f a i ry , w ho h a d n o t i c e d th e s eel py i n di fl e ren ce of h er gu e st , si gn e d

t o t h em t o go a w a y .

“
It w a s al l in va in he si gh e d Th e fool h as r em a i n e d
‘

, s . un
”
a w a k en e d .

P a o Y u w a s gl a d th a t t h e f a i ry st opp e d th e p e rform an c e , an d h e h i m
se lf h urri e dly c a ll e d O u t t o t h e g i rl s n o t t o s in g a n mo e He f e l t ex
y r .

h a n st e d a n d sl ee py from th e m ea l a n d th e a b un d a n c e o f wi n e , an d as k e d
i f h e m i gh t l i e down for a w h i l e .

Th e fa i ry g a ve ord e r s t o cl e a r a w a y , a n d h a d P a o Y u le d i n t o o n e
’

o f t h e wom en s c h a mb e rs H e t h oug h t h e h a d n e v e r i n h i s l i fe s een s uch

’
.

luxur i ou s furn i shi n gs a s h e sa w h e r e B ut a sti ll gr ea t e r s urpri se a w a i t e d

.

hi m He fou n d i n th e room a youn g g i rl w h o r es e mbl e d hi s cou si n

.

Pre c i ou s Cl a sp i n form a n d b e a u t y b u t i n e xpr e ssi on a n d d em ean or w a s

t h e i m a g e o f h i s cou si n Bl a ck J a d e W h i l e h e w a s s t i ll fee l i n g qu i t e.

“
d a z e d h e hea rd t h e fa i ry s a y : A h h o w m a n y gr een w i n dow e d i n n e r
, ,
-

c h a mb e rs i n t h e h ou ses of t h e r i c h a n d a r i st ocr a t i c o f th i s world o f dust

a re m i s u se d by fr i volou s you th for si n ful a morou s pl a y ! T h e r e a s o n

t h a t I t a ke s uc h a k i n dly i n t e r est i n you i s t h a t yo u a re t h e mo s t i n

”
v et era t e a morou s
p r o fl i g a t e o f a ll t i m e .

P a o Y u s t a mm e r e d a b a sh e d : S i s t e r fa i ry you a re m i st a k en It m a y
, ,
.

b e th a t I a m l azy a t l ess o n s a n d h a ve brough t o n my s elf d ese rv e d

p a r en t a l r ebuk e B ut I a m n o t a w a r e th a t I a m an a morous p ro fl i ga t e
. .

Aft e r a ll I a m st i ll t oo youn g a n d I do n o t kn ow wh a t i t i s t o b e
,
”
p r o fl i ga t e i n lov e .

“
The r e a re tw o k i n d s of a morous p ro fl i gat e s th e c a rn a l and t h e ,

i n t e ll ec t u a l o n es Th e fir st st ri v e s o n ly for ph y s i c a l po sse ss i o n ; h e i s i n
.

s a t i a bl e i n h i s s en s u a l d esi r e s a n d r e gr e t s h e c a n n o t h a v e a ll t h e b ea u
,

t i ful wom en a n d g i rl s un d e r h ea v en a s pr e y for h i s lu st s You do n t b e .

lon g t o th at c a te gory b ut t o th e se con d Your d i ss olu t e d e si r e s s ks

,
. a

t h e i n t ell e c t u a l comp a n y of g i rl s th er e for e y ou would h a v e b e en

,
ui te
a s u i t a bl e m a te f or t h e wom en s a p a rt m e n t s o f o u r s p i ri t k i n g d 1m ;
’

wh erea s i n th e world of du st yo u w i ll n o t b e un d e r st ood ; th er e you wi ll

.

b ecom e a n Obj e c t of mocke ry a n d con t e mp t Touch e d by t h e pl ea d n gs .

o f your tw o a n c e st or s I h a v e l e d yo u i n t o my k i n gdom w e lc o m e d yo u
, .
,

w i th m a g i c t ea an d f a i ry w i n e a n d t r i e d t o a w a k en you w i th s pi ri t
,

s o n g s Now I pr esen t t o you my you n g e r s i s t e r KO C h ing so t h a t sh e

'

.
, ,

m a y sh a r e your couc h t o n i gh t The h our for your u n i o n i s f a vor a bl e

. .

T h e j oy s of t h i s bri d a l couch i n our P h a n t om Realm w i ll en abl e you t o

form an est i m a t e o f t h e d e l i gh t s Of t h e bri d a l ch a mb e r i n you r world
o f du st From t od a y o n w a k e up a n d c h a n g e your form e r w a y s ! D i r e c t
.

your m i n d t o th e w i se t ea c h i n gs of t h e M a st e rs Con fuc i u s a n d M en c i us

”
a n d r e s olu t e ly t r ea d t h e p a t h of commo n s en s e .

Whe n sh e h a d fi n i sh e d s pe aki n g sh e co n fi de d t o hi m s ome furthe r in

50
 C H A P T ER 6

P a o Yu r i es fo r th e fi rs t t i m e t h e P la y 0 / C lo u d a n d R a i n In t he
t .

N i n g k u o p a la c e h e b e co m es a c q ua i n t e d w i t h h is n ep h ew Ch i n Ch u n g .

PA O Y U L A Y ON T HE B E D F OR A W HILE L O N GE R Q U I T E E X H A U STED A N D ,

gi ddy from th e e x per i en c e o f h i s dr e a m He fe l t a s i f h e h a d lo st s om e

.

t h i n g H a v i n g s t r en g t h en e d h i m s elf w i th a f e w s i p s Of c i n n a mo n s oup
.
,

h e go t up a n d th e m a i d P e a rl h e lp e d h i m t o dr ess A s sh e w as a bou t t o .

f a st en h i s g a r te r h er fi n g e r ch a n c e d t o t ouch h i s b a r e t h i g h a n d sh e
fe l t s om eth i n g l i ke cold st i cky sw ea t Sh e dr e w h er h a n d b a ck i n a l a rm
, . .

”
Wh a t h a s h a pp en e d t o you sh e wh i sp e re d H i s blu sh a n d a l i gh t
? .

pr es sure o f t h e h a n d w a s t h e an sw e r Now P ea rl w as qu i t e a n i n t elli

.
,

g en t g i rl a n d b e si d es sh e w a s tw o y e a r s Old er th a n h e a n d a lr ea dy kn e w
t h e f a c t s o f l i fe S he u n d e rs t ood a t o n c e blu sh e d h e r s e lf a n d di d n o t
.
, ,

a sk a n y th i n g mor e .

Wh en sh e w a s help i n g h i m t o u n dre ss a g a i n th at sa m e n i gh t b efor e

h e w en t t o b e d sh e h a pp en e d t o b e i n th e room wi th h i m a lo n e for a
,

whi le .

“ ? ”
Look h e r e d ea r si s t e r yo u w i ll kee p i t t o your se lf wo n t yo u h e
, , ,
’

b e gge d h er blu sh i n g a g a i n
, .

“ ? ”
W h a t di d you a c t u a lly drea m t h a t t h i s h a pp en e d t o yo u
,
sh e re

pl i ed w i t h a n u n d e r st an d i n g sm i l e
, .

“
I c a n n o t t ell i t a ll t o you i n o n e word A n d h e b e g a n t o d es cri b e .

h i s dr ea m a dv en t ur e i n d et a i l W h en h e c a m e t o th e p a r t o f h i s s t ory
.

“
w h er e t h e f a i ry i n st ruc t e d h i m i n t h e pra c t i c e o f t h e Pl a y o f Cloud a n d
R a i n P e arl coyly cov ere d h er f a c e w i t h h er h a n d s a n d doubl e d up
,
”

w i t h l a ugh t er P a o Yu h a d a lw a y s b e en v e ry fa m i l i a r w i t h P ea rl H e
. .

l i ke d t h e fr i en dly pr et t y l i tt l e t h i n g b et t e r t h a n a ll t h e o t h e r m a i ds a n d
,

s e rv a n t s .P e a rl o n h er p a r t w a s a w a re o f t h e s pe c i a l po si t i on of co n
fi den ce w i th w h i c h t h e Pr i n c ess A n c e st r e ss ha d h o n or e d h er B e c a u se .

o f t h i s sh e p e rm i t t e d h e r s e lf s om e l i b e rt i e s i n h e r a s s oc i a t i o n w i t h h er

c h a rge .

In sh ort sh e di d n o t h e si t a t e t o t ry o ut a t o n c e w i t h h i m th e Pl a y
'

,
”
o f Cloud a n d R a i n wh e r eby t h e y f a i th full y follow e d t h e i n st ruct i on s
,

i mp a rt e d t o h i m Lucki ly t h e y w er e l e ft u n d i s t urb e d whi l e t h u s o c

.
,

cup i e d From t h a t h our h e n o lo n g e r t r e a t e d h e r a s a s e rv a n t b ut a s a n

'

i n t i m a t e fr i en d a n d sh e r ewa rd e d hi s co n fi d en c e w i t h s ti ll m a s a rd ent
,
il ,

d evo t i on .

O n e da y M a d a m e P h o e n i x w a s ov er i n t h e N i n gkuo p a l a c e v i si t i n g
Pr i n c e ss C hen a n d h e r d a ugh t e r i n law M i st r ess Yun g A t h i s o wn re
- -
.

qu es t s h e h a d t a ken P a o Y u w i th h er W h i le t h e thr e e l a d i es w e r e con

'

v e r si n g a s us u a l a bout h ouseh old m a tte r s th e t i m e se em e d v e ry lon g t o

52
him . M i st re ss Yun g , w ho n o t i c e d t h a t he w as restl ess ly fi dge t i n g a bou t
t h i s w a y a n d t ha t w a y on d to h im :
hi s se a t , s a i
“
My youn g er bro t her for w h om you r e c en t ly aske d h a pp e n s t o b e
, ,

h e r e t od a y He i s prob a bly i n th e li br ary n o w If you l i ke go a n d w e ]

. .
,
”
come hi m !
Pa o Y u qu i ckl ys l i d down from t he h ea te d d i v a n .

“
W h y do you n o t h a ve h i m com e h e r e ? I sh ould a ls o li ke t o m a ke
” “
h i s a cqu a i n t a n c e s ugg es t e d M a d a m e P h o en i x
,
O r p e rh a ps I sh ould .

? ”
n o t a sk to

M i st res s Yu n g t r i e d t o d i ss u a d e her from h e r re qu es t T he boy w a s .

s o sh y a n d s i mple qu i te d i ff e r en t from t he c heeky l i v ely boy s o f t he

, ,

C h i a cl a n Sh e would b e d i sa ppo i n te d a n d would o n ly b e in cli n e d to

.

l a ug h a t h i m B ut M a d a m e P h o en i x st uck t o he r re qu es t a n d s o t o
.
,

ple a se h er C hi n C h un g for s o th e boy w a s c a ll e d w a s brough t i n

, , .

M a d a m e Ph o en i x w a s mo st a gree ably surpr i se d T he boy w h o bowe d .

,

t o h er an d poli te ly in q uir e d a bou t h e r h ea l t h comp a r e d v e ry we ll w i th ,

Pa o Y u w h o w a s t h e sa m e a ge H e w a s s om ew h a t sl i mm e r th a n t h e
, .

l a t t e r b u t i n b ea u t y of fa c e a n d form i n l i ve l i n ess of expr ess i o n i n h i s

, , ,

w h ol e d e por tm en t an d h i s c h a rm o f m a n n er h e a lmo st surp as se d h i m , ,

exc e p t th a t h e w a s a l i t t l e sh
y a n d a wkw a rd a lmo s t l i ke a g i rl M a d a m e
,
.

P ho en i x t ook h i m by the h a n d drew h i m down t o h er si d e a n d b e g a n

, , ,

que s t i s o n s a n d ev e ry ,

thi n g se rv an t s O f h e r

re t i n u e b ack t o t he Y un gk uo p a l a c e b el a t e dly t o fet ch s om e g i fts s uc h

a s are u s u a lly pre s e n t e d by t h e e ld e r t o t h e youn g e r upo n fir s t m e e t i n g .

B ea r i n g i n m i n d th e clo se fri en d sh i p b e tw een M a d a m e Ph o e n i x an d

M i st re ss Yun g t he y c h o se some s pe c i a lly v a lu a bl e pr esen ts n a m e ly a
, , ,

p i ec e of s i lk for a n ew co a t a n d t w o gold m e d a ll i o n s i n scr i b e d w i th t he

,

w i sh t ha t t h e ow n e r would w i n fir st pl a ce a t ex am i n a t i o n s M a d a m e .

Ph o en i x con si d e r e d th ese g i fts t oo i n s i g n i fic ant so gr ea t w as h er sym ,

p a th y for her n ew n e phew .

Wh i l e the l a d i es th en set t l e d down to a g a m e O f c hess P a o Y u t ook ,

t he oppor t u n i t y of l ea v i n g t h e t a bl e w i th h i s n e p h ew a n d go i n g t o c h a t

w i t h h i m u n d i s t urb e d i n a s i d e room T h e boy h a d m a d e a d eep i m .

pre ss i o n o n h i m W hen h e first s a w h i m h e t h oug h t t o h i ms e lf qu i t e

.
, ,

a b a sh e d : Comp a r e d t o s uc h a p e r s o n I a m n o b et t e r t h a n a d i r t y
pig
or a m a n gy dog ! W h o kn ow s i f I l i ke h i m ,h a d grow n up i n t he cold
, ,

s i mple h o n or a bl e m i ddl e cl a ss f a m i ly I m i g h t h a v e m a d e
, ,
-

a cqu a i n t a n c e lo n g a go a n d n o t d a wdl e d a w a y my t i m e

I h a v e do n e up t o n o w W h a t i s the good O f r i c h es a n d
.

ch I w e a r o n ly h i d e s t h e h ollow ro t t en cor e o f ,

luxur i ous m ea l s o n wh i ch I fe ed e ve ry da y
, ,

53
o n ly co n c e a l th e d i r t y r efu se pi t of a corrup t ch ar a ct er Th e tw o con
-
.

cep t i o n s r i c h es a n d r a n k m e a n n o t h i n g b u t d i r t a n d po i s o n !
,

T h e p a i n ful r efl ec t i o n of C h i n C h u n g upo n s ee i n g P a o Y u f o r t h e

fi rs t t i m e i n a ll h i s fi n e ry a n d w i t h h i s l a rg e r et i n u e w a s e x a c t ly t he
, ,

oppo si te O h w h a t m i s for t u n e h e mu se d t o com e from a poor e ven

.
, , , ,

t h oug h h o n or a bl e c i v i l se rv i c e fa m i ly ! Th a t i s i n d e e d th e cur se of
,

pov e r t y t ha t i t se t s up a n i n s urmou n t a bl e b a rr i e r b et ween p e opl e li ke

,

h i m a n d p e opl e l i k e m e If i t w e r e n o t for t h a t I sh ould prob a bly lo n g

.

a go h a v e en j oy e d t h e a dv a n t a g e of h i s comp a n y .

Th u s b oth o n e a n d t he o t h e r of t he m w a s mov e d by con fu se d fool

, ,

i sh r e fl ec t i o n s Af te r a few op en i n g qu es t i o n s a bou t books a n d s t udi es

.
,

t h e y b e c a m e fr i en dly P a o Y u w a s so ea g e r t o get t o kn ow t h e i n n er
.

f a m i ly c i rcum st a n ces of h i s n ew comp a n i o n th a t he qu i te forgo t about

t h e d a i n t y mor s e l s a n d fru i t s w h i ch h a d b een sen t ov e r t o th e m from
t h e t a bl e He l ea rn e d tha t a t t h e mom en t C h i n w a s wi th ou t s c h ool in g
.
,

a s h i s pr ev i ou s t u t or h a d h a d l ea v e o f a b sen c e for mo n t h s p a s t Hi s .

fa t h e r w a s o ld si ckly a n d ov erburd en e d wi th offi c i a l du t i es a n d th e re

, , ,

for e un a bl e t o bo th e r much a bout h i s e duc a t i o n All h e could do a t

-

pre sen t w a s t o go t h rough hi s old l e ss o n s ov e r an d ove r a ga i n b ut un ,

fort u n a t ely he l acke d t h e comp a n y o f a good comr a d e f o r on e could ,

l e a rn muc h b e t ter in comp a n y t h an a lo n e .

“ ”
Th a t i s wh a t I th i n k t o o ! i n t errup t e d P a o Y u ea g e rly Y o u kn ow .

w e h a v e a fr ee f am i ly s ch ool h e r e for t h o se m e mb e r s o f t h e cl a n w h o
c a nn o t h a ve t h ei r o wn t u t or or do n o t w a n t t o kee p o n e A t my fa t h er s .
’

wi sh I my self a m s oon go i n g t o a tte n d th i s s ch ool for a t i m e ; for my

form e r t ut o r h a s a l s o go t sev e r a l mo n ths l ea ve an d my f a th er do es n o t
’
,

w an t t o h a v e m e si tt in g a roun d i dl e m ea n t i m e forge tt i n g w h a t I h a v e
,

le a rn e d I would h a v e b een a t ten d i n g t h e s ch ool lo n g a go i f I h a d n o t

.

b e en i ll B esi d es Gr a n dmo t h er w as a g a i n st i t up t o n o w b e c a u se sh e
.
, ,

th i n ks th a t i n a cl a ss w i th a l o t of pup i ls t h e r e would b e n o th i n g b u t
d i st urb an c e and m a d pr a n ks B ut my f a th e r n o w i n si st s th a t t h e r e mu st
.

b e a n en d t o my i dl i n g Would yo u n o t li k e t o com e t o o u r s c h ool t o o ?

.

Th e n w e could l ea rn t og eth er a n d h elp o n e an o the r Won t you s p ea k t o .

’

? ”
Your f a t he r ab ou t i t
“
Wi th pl ea sur e ! O n ly r e c en t ly my fa th er gr ea t ly pr a i se d th e i n st i
t u t i o n o f your f a m i ly s ch ool In f a c t h e h a s b ee n i n t en d i n g t o a pply
.
,

t o my s i s t e r s fa t h er i n l a w Pr i n c e C h en t o a cc e p t m e B u t h e h as p ut
’
- -
.
, ,

0 3 do i n g so a g a i n a n d a g a i n b e c a us e h e di d n o t li k e t o bo t h e r h i s i l

lu st r i o n s r el a t i v es a bou t s uch a t r i fl e a n d di d n o t w i sh t o s ee m o b
,

t ru s i v e B ut i f my un cl e thi n ks t h a t h i s n e ph ew would b e of a n y u s e t o
.

h i m i n t h e sc h ool m a yb e t o sti r t h e I n d i a i n k o r t o cl ea n hi s wri t i n g

,

i mpl e m en ts p e rh a p s h e would s ee abou t th e m a t t e r h i m se lf a n d pu t i n

,

a word of r e comm en d a ti o n ? Ho w gr a n d i t would b e i f w e could st udy

54
t og ethe r ! B es i d es w e could b e com e r ea l fri en d s an d gi v e o ur p a r en ts
,
”
l ess t o worry a bou t Th e r e would b e m a n y a dv an t a ge s i n i t
. .

“
D o n o t worry ! I w i ll s pe a k a bou t i t t o my gr a n dmot h er at o n c e W e .

w i ll a l s o t ell your s i st er Yun g a n d my si st er i n la w F en g o f o ur w i sh es - -

a n d you your s e lf mu s t t a lk t o your f a t h e r Th eh w e sh a ll see i f th e

.

”
t h i n g ca n b e m a n a g e d .

M e a n t i m e d a rkn ess h a d f a ll en an d th e t i m e h a d com e t o get th ei r

l a n te rn s Th e t w o fi n i sh e d t h ei r e a rn est co n s ul t a t i on j o i n e d t h e com
.
,

p a n y a t t h e t a bl e a g a i n a n d w a t ch e d th e l a d i es pl a y i n g ch e ss for
,

a wh i l e . Pr i n c ess C h en a n d M i st r ess Y un g lo st t h e g a m e t o M a d a m e
Ph o en i x a n d pl e dge d th emse lv es t o p a y t h ei r g a mb li n g d eb t by st a n d
i n g a b a n qu et a n d t h ea te r t h e e v en i n g a ft er n ex t T h en th e y sa t dow n .

a g a i n for a n e v en in g sn a ck a ft e r w h i c h t h e gu es t s s t a r t e d t o d e p a rt
, .

“
W h o i s go i n g t o t a ke C h i n C h un g h om e
”
? Pr i n c ess C h en a s ke d her
wom en a tt en d a n t s .

“
T h e m a j ordomo h a s ord e r e d C h i a o T a t o do s o t h e y sa i d He i s , .

”
t i p s y a g a i n a n d i n h i s u s u a l a bu si v e h umor .

“
It i s j u st t o o s t up i d t o c h oo s e t h a t old boor a s a n e s cort ex ,

cl a i m e d bo t h Pr i n c ess C h en a n d M i st r es s Yu n g a t th e sa m e t i m e w i th ,

a n n oy a n c e .B ut t o c an c e l t h e ord e r n o w would o n ly i rr i t a t e t h e old

m an .

“
Is t h e c a rr i a g e r ea dy ? ” as e k d M a d a m e Ph o en i x t ur n i n g t o h er at
,

t en da n t s .

“
It i s w a i t i n g i n fron t of t h e gr ea t h a ll the y r epl i e d M a d a m e ,
.

P h o e n i x s a i d good b y t ook P a o Y u by t h e h a n d a n d w a lke d th rough

-

, ,

t h e br i g h t ly i llum i n a t e d h a ll b e t w een a s ol e m n doubl e ro w of s i l en t

se rv a n t s t o t h e c a rr i a g e Amo n g t h e s e rv a n t s w as old C h i a o T a w h o w as
_ .
,

so dru n k t h a t h e could n o t b e pr ev e n t e d e v en b e for e t h e v i s i t or s from

, ,

d i s t urb i n g t h e st a t e ly f a r e w ell c e r e mo n y by k i ck i n g up a h orr i bl e row

a n d u t t e r i n g fi lt hy a bu s e H i s r an cor w a s d i r e c t e d a g a i n s t t h e m a j or
.

“
domo L a i S h en g : Is th a t t he th i n g t o do t o c h ase o ut a n old m a n li k e
,

” “
m e o n a cold w i n t e r s n i g h t
’
? h e h owl e d a t h i m W h en t h e r e s a n u n
.
’

pl eas an t j ob t o b e do n e I m good e n oug h for i t b ut for a n i c e j ob

,
’
,

t h e r e a r e o t h e r s Is t h a t j u s t i c e ? A n d t o t h i n k t h a t s uc h a clum s y bl i n d
.
,

t or t o i s e sh ould b e m a j ordomo ! B u t b e w a r e t h a t old C h i a o T a do e s n o t

r a i s e h i s foo t a n d cru sh you you m i se r a bl e worm ,
.

D ur i n g th i s voll e y of a bu se C h i a Yu n g w a lke d th rough t h e h a ll by

t h e s i d e of M a d a m e P h o e n i xa n d e scor t e d h e r t o h er c a rr i a g e W h en .

t h e old m a n would n o t s t op r ev i l i n g i n s p i t e of a pp ea l s from t h e o t h e r

,

s e rv a n t s C h i a Yu n g r ebuk e d h i m a n gr i ly :
,
“
W i ll you s h u t u p a t l a s t ? If n o t I w i ll h a v e you t i e d a n d locke d up
,

u n t i l you a r e s ob e r a g a i n ! A n d w e sh a ll see i f you get o ut th i s t i m e

”
s a f e a n d s oun d !

56
 B ut t h e gry old m an r e fu se d t o b e i n t i m i d a t e d He w a lke d U p t o
an .

“
h i m m en a c i n gly sh ou t i n g : L i t t le fr i en d do n t pl a y th e grea t g en t l e
’
, ,

m a n b e for e o ld C h i a o T a ! If your fore f a th e r s di d n o t d a r e t o r e pri m a n d

o l d C h i a o T a h o w d a r e yo u l i tt l e cock s t a r t c a ckl i n g ! W h er e would
, , ,

?
a ll your gr e a t n e ss b e t od a y w i th ou t o l d C h i a o T a N i ne t i m es I
sn a t c h e d your gr a n df a th e r from th e j a w s o f d e a t h ! It w a s h e w h o p i l e d

up a ll your r i ch es Is th i s t rea t m en t th e th a n ks I get fo r my good se rv

.

i c e s ? I n st ea d o f r ew a rd i n g m e prope rly yo u blow your se lf up l i ke a ,

frog a n d pl a y th e gr ea t g en t l e m a n ! T h e l e a st I ca n e xp e c t i s t h a t yo u
kee p your mou t h sh u t O th e rw i se j u st t a ke c a r e th a t my sword do e s
.
,
”
n o t go i n t o your body w h i t e a n d com e o u t re d !
“ ”
W h y h a v e you n o t go t ri d o f t ha t d a n g e rou s old b a n d i t lo n g a go ?

w h i sp e r e d M a d a m e Ph o en i x t o h e r n e p he w from t h e c a rri a ge w i n dow ,

“
d i sgus t e d a t th e p a i n ful s c en e He i s e n d a n g er i n g th e r e pu t a t i o n o f t h e
.

”
w h ol e f a m i ly a n d m a k i n g you a l a ugh i n g st ock b e for e the p e opl e .

“ ”
You a re r i g h t a gr ee d h e r n ep h e w n odd i n g ; a n d he ord e re d t h e
, ,

s erv a n t s t o f ett e r t h e o ld m a n a n d lock h i m up i n a n e mp t y sh e d n e a r

th e s t a bl e Wh i l e t h e y w e r e dr a ggi n g h i m a w a y by forc e C h i a o T a con

.
,

“
t i n n e d t o sh ou t a n d r a g e I w i ll go t o th e T e mpl e o f th e A n c e st or s a n d
.

co m p la i n t o t h e gr ea t o l d m a s t e r ! H e s h a ll l e a rn w h a t a cl ea n l i vi n g
.
-

brood h e h a s l e ft b eh i n d ! Wh ori n g l i ke ru tt i n g dogs a n d fowl s ; cou s i n s

‘ ’
a n d bro th e rs i n la w c a rry i n g o n t og e t h er
- -
s cr a t c h i n g i n t h e ash es

t h a t s a ll t h e a ccur se d brood i s good for !

’

In t h e f a c e of th i s h orr i bl e gr o ss ly ob s c e n e s pe e c h w h i c h c a u se d t h e
, ,

s un t o d i s a pp ea r b eh i n d th e cloud s i n s h a m e a n d m a d e t h e s oul s of t h e ,

l i st en e rs a lmo st l ea v e t h ei r bod i es i n h o rror t he se rv a n ts w h o w e re ,

dra gg i n g hi m a w a y could do n o th i n g b ut st op hi s mou th w i th mud a n d

h or s e m a n ure .

M a d a m e P h o en i x a n d h e r n e ph e w Yu n g w h o u n d e rst ood ev e ry word ,

of h i s a bu si v e sp e ech b eh a v e d n eve r t h e l ess a s i f t h e y h a d h e a rd n o t h

,

i n g B ut Pa o Y u i n h i s i n n oc en c e could n o t r e fr a i n from a s k i n g
.
, ,
“
M a d a m e P h o en i x dur i n g th e j ourn e y i n t h e c a rr i a ge : S i st e r wh a t di d ,

h e m e an by t h e e xpress i on scr a t c h i n g i n t h e
‘

V i ol en tly an gry w h i c h w a s qu i t e un u s u a l for her sh e r ebuk e d h i m

, _ ,

Do n o t a sk st up i d qu e st i o n s ! You n o t o n ly l i st en t o t h e fool i sh ch a tt e r
o f a drun k a rd b u t h a v e t o a s k qu est i o n s a bou t i t ! J u s t w a i t un t i l I t ell
,

”
your gr a n dmo th e r ! Y o u w i ll p a y f o r t h i s w i t h a t h r a sh i n g !
“
A h d ea r b i g s i s te r ple a se do n o t t ell o n m e ! I c e r t a i n ly w i ll n o t
, ,
”
a sk s uc h a s t up i d qu e s t i o n a g a i n plea d e d th e fr i gh ten e d Pa o Y u In
,
.

d ee d h e would n o t h a v e a sk e d i f h e h a d kn own th a t t h e expressi o n t o

,
‘

s cr a t c h i n t h e a sh e s r e f e rr e d t o i ll i c i t a s s oc i a t i o n b e t w een a f a t h e r i n
’
-

n -
la w .

ch i ld , sa i d M a d a m e P hoen i x qu i ckly ,
a pp e a s e d .

57
 A n d wh en w e a re h om e I sh a ll S pe a k t o Gr an dmo th er an d a sk h er f o r
your s a ke h elp t o h a v e your n e p h e w C h i n C h un g a dm i t t e d t o your
'

to
s c hool .

C H A P TE R 7

P ao Y u L3 sh o wn th e gold a mu et o f h is gi rl co usi n
l . Th e g ir l co usi n is
’
sh o w n P ao Y u s s t o n e .

T W O D AY S L A TE R T H E R E W A S A G R E A T B A N Q U ET A ND THE A T R IC A L P E R
f o rm an ce g i v en i n th e N in gkuo p a l a c e i n h o n or o f t h e r el a t i v es i n th e
Y un gk u o p a l a c e P a o Y u m i ss e d h i s cou s i n Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp i n th e crowd
. .

H e h a d n o t s een h e r fo r da ys He w as t old th a t sh e w a s n o t qu i t e w ell an d

..

w a s kee p in g t o h er room H e so lo n g e d t o s ee h er a g a i n t h a t ea rly th a t

.
,

a ft e rn oo n w hi l e th e r est of the fa m i ly w a s sti ll t oge th e r h e a e com

, ,

a n i e d t h e Pr i n c ess A n c est r e ss b a ck t o t h e Y un g k uo p a l a c e a n d w a s
p ,

a bl e th en t o st e a l o ff t o t h e P ea r G a r den by u n fr e qu en te d s i d e p a th s ,

un t roubl e d by t e d i ou s a tten d a nts a n d u n d esi r e d w a t che r s H e fir st .

poli t ely gr eet e d Aun t H s u eh w h o w as si tt i n g ov e r s om e sew i n g w i th h er

m a i d s Sh e e mbr a c e d h i m w a rmly
. .

“
How t ouchi n gly t h ought ful o f you t o com e ov e r t o see your a un t
i n t h i s cold w ea t h er ! B u t get up h e re qu i ckly o n th e w a rm k an g ! A n d
”
th en st r en gt h en your s elf w i th a bowl o f h o t t e a !
“ ? ”
l s Cou si n H s u eh Pa n a t h om e a sk e d P a o Y u .

“ ”
i

A h I h a v e gr ea t t roubl e w i th t h i s pl a yboy
, s i gh e d Aun t H s u eh ,
.

He i s l i ke a h or se wi t h ou t a bri dl e or hal t e r No t a s i n gl e da y do es .

”
h e s p e n d a t h om e .

“
Is Pre c i ou s Cl a s p w e ll a g a i n
Y e s t h an k yo u sh e i s It w a s v e ry ki n d o f yo u t o sen d s om e o n e
, , .

ov e r l a t e ly t o a sk h o w she w a s Sh e i s i n h er room n ow Y o u can go i n

. .

a n d v i s i t h er It i s w a rm e r th e r e th an h e r e I w i ll follow l at e r o n ; I w an t
. .

”
t o cl ea r up my work h e r e fi rs t .

P a o Y u a cc e p t e d h er sugg est i o n o n ly t o o w i lli n gly H e s li d down .

qu i ckly from th e k a n g an d ru sh e d o ff t o t h e room w i th th e re d broc a d e

curt a i n b e for e th e door Li ft i n g th e curt a i n h e st e p pe d i n si d e T he re he
.
,
.

foun d Pr ec i ous Cl a sp si t t i n g o n th e h e a te d d i va n li kew i se bus y w i th ,

h er n ee dle a n d th r ea d H er h a i r w a s t i e d i n a loo se kn o t o n t o p of h e r
.

h e a d It w a s bl a ck a s l a cq ue r a n d sh o n e l i k e o i l Sh e wore a h on e y
. .

colore d p a dd e d co a t a p i n k w a i st co a t t r i mm e d wi th t w o color ed gold

,
-

a n d si lv e r s qui r e l fur a n d a sh ort o n i o n color e d s li t t un i c He r l i p s

r
-
.
,

n ee d e d n o roug e h er blu e bl a ck brow s n o brus h ; h er f a c e w a s s moo t h

,

a s a s i lv e r d i sh a n d h e r e y e s w e r e l i k e a lmo n d s s w i mm i n g i n w a t e r
,
.

T he f a ct th a t sh e w a s s o s p a ri n g o f h er wo r ds an d s o prud en t in h er
 Ih a v e sh own my a mul et , so do m e th e sa m e f a vor d ea r
, si s t e r ,
”
pl ea se ! h e b egg e d .

Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p could r esi st n o lon g er .

“
W ell i t i s t ru e I a ls o w ea r an a mul et If i t w e r e n o t f or th e lucky
, . .

i n s cr i p t i o n I would n o t dr a g a roun d th e h ea vy a wkw a rd t h i n g wi th ,

”
m e e v e ry da y .

W i th t h ese word s sh e loo sen e d th e cl a s p of h er ch a i n a n d sh ow e d th e

p i e c e o f j ew e lry wh i ch h a d b een h i dd en u n d e r th e s e a m o f h er dress It .

w a s a m a ssi v e gold en m e d a ll i o n st udd e d w i t h pe a rl s a n d j e w e l s P a o

, .

Y u t ook i t o ut of h er h a n d a n d h e ld i t e a g e rly b e for e h i s e y es R i gh t .

e n oug h t h er e o n t h e fro n t a n d t h e b a ck w er e ei g h t c h a r a c t e r s li k ew i se
,

en gr a v e d i n m in u t e s cr i p t T h e y r ea d .

Nev er l ea ve m e n ever r ej ect m e ! ,

Pr ec i ou s you t h— l a st i n g bloom !
Pa o Y u re a d th e tw o l i n es t w i c e loud a .

“
Th ey compl em en t t h e l i n es of my st on e ex a c t ly ; t og eth e r t h e y form
”
a four l i n e s t a n z a ! h e cr i e d j oyfully s urpr i se d
, .

“
A m a n gy h e a d e d bo n z e o n c e g a v e h er t h e l in es a n d a dv i se d h er t o
-

,
”
h a v e th em en gr a v e d o n a gold m e d a ll i o n O r i ol e t hr e w l n i mport a n t ly
, .

“ ”
Th a t s e n ough S t i r your se lf a n d pour o u t o ur t ea ! sa i d Pr ec i ou s
’
.

Cl a sp cu tt i n g sh or t h er c h a tt e r
, .

“ ? ”
Wh e r e h a v e yo u com e from sh e s a i d t urn i n g t o h er v i si t or a n d ,

ch a n g i n g t h e d el i c at e co n v er s a t i o n B ut P a o Y u di d n o t h ea r h er qu e s
.

t i o n ; h i s a tt en t i o n w a s fix e d o n t h e s t r a n g e fr a gr a n c e w h i c h e m an a t e d
from h e r For wh en v i e w i n g t h e a mul et th ey h a d dr a wn clo s e t o e a ch
.

o th e r .

“ ? ”
Wh a t p e rfum e h av e yo u u se d si ste r h e w an t e d t o kn ow I h a ve
'

, .

”
n e v e r s m e ll e d i t b e for e .

“ ? ”
P e rfum e sh e s a i d slowly I a m n o t i n t h e h a b i t of spo i l i n g my
.

good clo th e s w i th p e rfum e ” Th en a ft e r a mom en t s r efl e c t i on sh e co n

.
,
’
,

t i n n e d qu i ckly : You r e r i gh t i t mu st b e t h e s m ell of t h e m e d i ci n e

’
,
”
wh i c h I t ook th i s morn i n g .

“ ? ”
Wh a t i s th e n a m e of your m ed i c i n e
P i lls of cold b a l sa m .

”
Oh let m e a l s o t a s t e th o se fr a gr a n t p i ll s ! h e b e gg e d
, .

” “
Y o u s i lly t h i n g ! sh e burs t o ut l a ug h i n g Ho w can o n e s w a llow
,
.

”
a n y i n e di ci n e a t r a n dom !

Th e y st opp e d sh ort i n th ei r co n v er sa t i on Th e vo i c e o f a serv a n t .

a n n ou n c e d from ou t s i d e :
“ ”
M i ss Li n g i s h er e !
A n d i mm e d i a t ely Bl a ck J a d e en t e re d .

“ ? ”
O h am I d i st urb i n g you
, sh e a s k e d s m i l i n g wi t h a h urr i e d gl a n c e
, ,

60
at p a i r Pa o
t he . Y u h a d r i s en an d pol i te ly off ere d h er h is pl a c e on th e
wa rm e d d i v a n .

“ ? ”
A n d w h y sh ould yo u d i s t ur b u s s a i d Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p c a su a lly .

I j u s t t h ough t n a t ur a lly , I would n o t h a v e com e i f I kn e w th a t

”
h e w as h e re .

“ ’
I do n t see w h a t you m ea n r epl i e d Pr e c i ous Cl a s p coolly ,
.

I m ean th a t i t would b e f a r n i c er for you i f yo u di d n o t h a ve a ll o f

‘

us v i si t i n g you a t t h e s a m e ti m e a n d th en h a v e n o v i s i t or s a t a ll B e tt e r ,
.

h a ve h i m t od a y a n d m e t omorrow T h a t would g i v e mor e v a ri et y a n d .

b et te r d i st r i bu t i o n of our v i si t s Y o u would n o t fee l e i th er t oo n egl e c te d .

? ”
o r t o o muc h b es i e g e d Is t h a t s o d i fficul t t o u n d e r st a n d
.

“ ”
a s k e d P a o Y u t o c h a n g e th e co n v e rs a t i o n
?
Is i t sn ow in g ou ts i d e , ,
’
po i n t i n g t o Bl a ck J a d e s re d clo a k .

“ ”
It h a s b een for a lo n g t i m e t h e vo i ce of h i s n urse Mo t h er L i w h o , , ,

h a d a ccomp a n i e d Bl a ck J a d e re pl i e d from ou ts i d e ,
.

”
Bri n g m e ov e r my r a i n co a t P a o Y u c a lle d o ut t o her , .

”
A h w he n I com e h e mu s t go o f co urs e
, r em a rke d Bl a ck J a d e
, , ,

po i n te dly .

“
W h o sa i d t h a t I w a n t e d t o g o n o w ? I o n ly w a n t e d my co a t t o b e
”
h er e for l a te r o n w h en w e r e go i n g h e sa i d t ry i n g t o p a c i fy t h e ov e r
’
, ,
’

s en si t i v e cou si n .

P a o Y u a n d h i s t w o cou si n s p as s e d i n t o t h e l i v i n g room w h e re A un t ,

H su eh h a d m ean t i m e set a t a bl e w i th a ll k i n d s o f swe et d i sh es a n d

d a i nt i es Pa o Y u h a d r e c en t ly pr a i se d a d i sh o f gee se fe et an d ducks
.
’

t o n gu es w h i ch h e h a d ea t en at Pr i n c e s s C he n s f or t h e fi rs t t i m e T o
’
.

plea se h i m Au n t H su e h h a d h a d t hi s d i sh pr e p a re d for h i m t od a y .

“
B ut i t ta st es e v en b e tte r w i t h s om e w i n e t h e s po i l e d P a o Y u t e
’’
,

m a rke d Au n t H s u e h there upo n sen t for th e v e ry b e st w i n e wh i c h s he

.

h a d i n th e h ou se .

”
No w i ne pl ea se ! h i s old n urse Mo th e r L i obj e c t e d
, , , .

Ju st o n e goble t ! h e begg e d
” ’

”
No ! in si ste d Mo th er L i se v er e ly If your mo t he r or gr an dmo th e r .

we re presen t you could drin k a w h ol e j ugful for a ll I would c a re B ut .

I a m r es po n si bl e for yo u n o w an d I do n o t w a n t t o get i n t o t roubl e as ,

I di d la t ely wh e n s om e fool g a ve you w i n e th e mom en t I t urn e d my

b a ck I h a d t o b ea r r e pro a c h es f o r d a y s o n e n d ov e r th a t You do n o t
. .

kn ow Ta i ta i wha t a r a s c a l h e i s a n d w h a t he ca n do w h en h e h a s e v en
, , ,
”
o n e drop of wi n e s h e sa i d t ur n i n g t o Au n t H s u e h
, , .

“
All ri gh t do n o t e xc i te yourse lf so muc h old n ur se s a i d Au n t
, , .

“
H s u eh l a ugh in g t o c a l mher You sh a ll h a v e a gobl e t yours elf t o o In
, , . .

thi s wea th e r w in e i s good for o n e t o pro t e c t o n e a g a i n s t cold s I sh a ll , .

t a ke ca re th at h e doe s n o t dr i n k t o o muc h a n d I sh a ll b e r es po n s i bl e ,

f o r hi m t o hi s gr andmo the r .

61
 ’
Mo th e r Li y i eld e d a n d w as t ak en i nt o th e se rv a n ts room by a m a i d
, ,

t o sh a r e a cup of w i n e w i t h th e o t h e r s .

“
B u t pl ea se cold wi n e ! I do n o t c a r e f or i t w a rm
, ,
Pa o Y u w a s ,

h ea rd a g a i n .

“
I can on ly all ow yo u t o h a v e i t w a rm e d obj e c t e d Aun t Hs u eh ,
.

”
Cold wi n e m a kes on e s h a n d sh a ke wh en wri ti ng’
.

“
A t h om e yo u h a v e t h e oppor t u n i ty e ve ry day o f i n cr ea si n g your
kn owl e dg e a n d you do n o t ye t kn ow an y th i n g a bou t t h e n a t ur e o f
,

? ”
wi n e Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp a dd e d s om e wh a t sa rc ast i c a lly a n d pr ecoci ou sly .

“
W i n e m ak es o n e h o t a n d r i ses t o th e h ea d B ut o n e can do a wa y w i th .

t h i s e ff e c t i f on e t a kes t h e w i n e w a rm Cold w i n e o n t h e o th er h a n d .
,
.
,

run s t h rough t he body a n d sprea d s i t s h a rmful i n flu en c es th rough all

th e fi v e i n t e st i n e s .

Wh a t w as sa i b ea u t i ful mou t h mu st o f cour se b e ri gh t

d by suc h a

a n d sen s i bl e so h e h a d t h e w a rm w i n e s erv e d t o hi m
, .

B ut i t w as n o t a m a t te r of j u s t on e gobl e t A s s oo n a s th a t st r i c t .

’
w a t c h e r Mo t h e r L i h a d w i t h dr a wn h e could dr i n k t o hi s h ea rt s co n
, , ,

t en t en cour a g e d by A un t H s u eh A t l a s t t ow a rd s e v en i n g h e w a
, .
, s ,

sl i g h t ly t i p s y a n d so t i r e d from a ll t h e dr i n ki n g th a t h e would h a v e l i k e d

t o a cc e p t Au n t H s u eh s i n v i t a t i o n t o s p en d t h e n i gh t i n h er h ou se B u t
’
.

Bl a ck J a d e w h o di d n o t l i ke h i s i n t i m a cy w i th t he H s u eh fa m i ly w a s ,

a bl e t o pr ev en t i t .

“ ? ”
A re you n o t t h i n k i n g of go i n g h om e a t l a st sh e a s k e d h i m .

“
H i s dull e y es bl i n k e d a t h e r Wh en you go I w i ll go wi t h yo u
.
, ,

h e r epl i e d .

Wh er e upo n Bl a ck J a d e i mm e d i a tely ro se an d b a d e fa r ew e ll He f o l .

low e d h er e x a mpl e pol i t ely a n d a ske d for h i s wr a p s Wh en t h e m a i d

,
.

S n ow go o se p ut th e bro a d r i mm e d r e dd i sh brow n mo n k e y fur w i n t e r

,
-

,
-

,
-

h a t s om ew h a t a wkw a rdly o n h i s b en t h ea d h e pull e d i t o ff a g ai n an d t e ,

b uk e d h er a n gr i ly .

Le t m e do i t ! s a i d Bl a ck J a d e h urr i e dly ru n n i n g ov e r t o h i m He .

w i ll i n gly subm i tte d How gen t ly a n d c a r e fully h er d el i c a t e fi n g e rs

.

m a n i pul a t e d h i s co i ffur e ! So s ki llfully di d sh e fix h i s h a t o n h i s h e a d

t h a t h i s h a i r r em a i n e d u n r ufli e d; t h e i n n er h a t b a n d fi t t e d a g a i n st h i s
for eh e a d ex a c t ly a n d t he re d v elv et t a ss el th e si z e o f a W a ln u t d a n gl ed
,

do w n t o j u s t b elow t h e ri m .

A t h om e o n a ccou n t of h i s t i p s i n e s s h e w a s n o t t a ken i n t o th e
,

e ven i n g m ea l b ut sen t st r a i g h t t o b e d T h e m a i d Bri gh t Cloud w a s

.
, ,

a w a i t i n g h i m i n h i s room .

“ ”
W ell you r e a n i c e o n e ! s h e gr eet e d h i m l a ugh i n g po i n t in g t o th e
,
’
, ,

wr i t i n g t a bl e w he r e th e wri t i n g i mpl em en ts w e re st i ll ly i n g j u s t a s sh e
“
h a d l e ft th em for h i m i n the morn i n g Y ou g o t m e t o pr e p a r e a wh ol e .

lo t o f I n d i a i n k f o r yo u th i s m o rn i n g a n d yo u wro t e on ly t h re e cha r a c
,
»

62
t er s . Th en off you w en t I wa i te d fo ryo u he r e all day i n v a i n B ut n ow
. .
,

set t o work qu i ckly a n d wr i te un ti l th e s upply o f I n d i a i n k i s ex

”
h a ust e d!
“ ”
Whe re a re th e th ree c h a r a c t ers yo u spok h e w an te d t o kn ow e of ? .

I n d ee d you mu st b e t i psy ! Wh en yo u left th is morn in g yo u t old m e

,

t o fa st en t h e c h a r a c t er s ou ts i d e on t o p of t he door I w e n t up o n the .

l a dd er my sel f a n d di d t h e j ob f or you My fi n ge r s w ere qu i te sti ff wi th .

”
cold .

“ ”
Ah I re m emb e r n o w G i v e me your h a n d I ll w a rm i t i n m i ne !
’
. .
,

H e t ook h er by the h a n d a n d dre w h er wi th h i m ou ts i d e t h e door t o

look a t the c h a ra ct e rs o n t he door J u st t hen Bl a ck J a d e c a me a lo n g . .

“
D ea r si st e r ple a se s a y qu i te h o n es tly w hi c h o f t h e t hr ee c h a ra c te rs
, ,

? ”
in your Op i n i o n h a v e I do n e b est ,
h e a ske d anx i ou sly .

Bl ack J a d e looke d up The re res pl en den t ly dr a wn i n th r ee l a rge

.
,

ch a ra c te rs s t ood th e proud i n scri p t i o n : Purpl e C h a mb e r o f th e Fr a

,

gr a n ee of Cul t ur e .

“
I fi n d all th ree ch ar a cte rs si mply m a sterly she a pprove d w i th a , ,
“
s m il e . Wh a t ab out p a i n t i n g a b ea u t i ful in scri p t i o n li ke th a t fo r my
? ”
room
“ ? ”
A h go o n Y o u a r e j us t m a kin g f un o f m e B ut whe re i s P ea rl
, . .

Bri g ht Cloud curl e d her l i p s a n d po i n t e d to t h e b ed Pe a rl h a d m a d e .

he rs elf comfort a bl e th e re Sh e la y in h er clo th es a pp a r en t ly s oun d.

,

a s l ee p .

“
V e ry e a rly t o go t o slee p he r em a rke d l a ugh i n g Then h e re , , ,

fl ect ed fo r a mom en t .

“
Whe re a re th e curd b a lls wh i c h I h a d se n t h e re from th e m i dd a y,

m ea l ? I a ske d s i s te r i h la w C hen t o se n d s om e ov e r a s I w a n te d t o e a t
- -
'

t h e m in t h e e ven i n g Th e y w e re m e a n t f o r you as you l i ke t hem so

.
,
”
much .

“
I th ought a t on ce the y w e re m ea n t fo r m e a n d w as ldo k i n g forw a rd
t o e at i n g th e m 1 n t he e ve n i n g B u t th en Mo t h e r L i c a m e a lo n g a n d .

t ook th e m You h a d a lre a dy ea t en qu i t e en oug h an d s he would pr e fe r

.
,
”
t o g i ve th e m t o h e r gr an dch i ld sh e sai d , .

A n o ther m a i d brough t h i m t ea .

“
A bowl for Cou si n Li n g a s w ell he ord e r e d ,
.

“
Sh e h a s go n e lo n g a go th e y l a ugh i n gly t old h i m ,
.

He dr an k just o n e mou th ful t h e n st oppe d

‘

.
,

“
B ut I h a d m a pl e t ea m a d e for m e th i s morn in g a n d I s a i d d i st i n c t ly ,

th a t i t w a s t o b e i n fu se d a n d dr a wn o ff thr ee or four t i m e s for o n ly t hen ,

”
does i t ta ste good W h y do you g i ve m e th i s oth e r t ea
.
?

“ ”
”
I ha d prep ar e d a po t o f m a pl e t ea fo r yo u repli e d th e m ai d b ut , ,

Mot he r Li dr ank i t .

63
 In r a ge P a o Y u flun g th e full chi n a bowl t o th e gr oun d so th a t i t
a ,

cr a sh ed i n fr a gm en ts an d the co n t en ts spl a she d th e m a i d s sk i rt ’

.

“
M o th e r Li ! It s a lw a y s M oth e r L i ! W h o i s sh e a n yw a y th a t ev ery
’
, ,

o n e mu st s ub mi t t o h er a n d di e o f aw e b e fore h er ? Sh e n ur s e d m e for

a b i t w h en I w a s a c h i ld t h a t s a ll ! T h a t do e s n o t g i v e h er th e ri gh t t o
’
,

p u t o n a i rs h e r e a s i f she w er e th e Pri n c es s A n c es tr e ss h e r self Sh e .

”
mu st b e ch a se d from t he h ou se th en i t w i ll b e b et te r for a ll of us A n d
, .

h e would h a v e go n e st r a i g h t o ff t o h i s gr an dm o th e r t o compl a i n o f h e r
i f th e m a i d P e a rl h a d n o t i n t e rv en e d P ea rl h a d o n ly b een p ret en d i n g
.

t o b e a sl ee p Sh e w an t e d t o a llur e h im w h en h e r e t ur n e d an d foun d h er
.

t h e r e b e for e h im o n t h e b e d so t h a t h e would fl i rt w i th h er a n d m a k e
,

love t o her Sh e h a d n ot bo t he r e d t o li st en t o th e prec e d i n g d i scus si on

.

a b ou t t h e t hr ee wr i tt en c h a r a c t e r s an d th e curd b a ll s b u t t h e cr a sh o f ,

th e s m a sh e d t ea cup m a d e h er j ump up n i mbly t o t ry t o c a lm h i m A t .

t h e s a m e mom e n t a se rv a n t sen t by th e Pr i n c es s A n c est r ess c a m e t o a sk

th e r e a s o n o f th e n o i s e
'
.

“
It i s n o th i n g r ea lly
, coun te re d P ea rl b efore h e h a d t i m e t o
, ,
“
s p ea k .I w a s po uri n g o u t t ea a n d I s l i pp ed b ec a u se t h e re w as sn ow o n
”
my sh oe s ; so th e cup fe ll o ut o f my h a n d a n d g o t broken .

A n d wh en th e se rv a n t h a d go n e sh e co n t i n u e d t urn i n g t o P a o Y u,

If you w a n t t o dr i ve Mo th e r Li a w a y w e o th e rs sh a ll go t o o No doub t .

”
you w i ll fi n d i t ea sy t o get b et t e r t h a n u s .

H e re m a i n e d s i l en t a n d a llowe d h i m self t o b e un dresse d a n d p u t t o

b e d V e ry s oo n h i s t i r e d e y e s clo se d P e a rl di d n o t forg et t o t a ke th e
. .

st o n e a mul e t from hi s n e ck a n d p u t i t c a r e ful ly wr a pp e d i n a h a n dk er

ch i e f un d er hi s p i llow so t h a t i t would b e n i c ely w a rm n ex t morn i n g

,

a n d n o t h a rm h i m by m a ki n g h i s b a r e n e ck cold .

E a rly t h e ne x t day t h e n e ph ew Yun g from th e N in gkuo p a l a c e a r

ri v e d a ccomp an i e d by hi s bro th e r i n la w C h i n C h un g t o presen t th e
- -

,
,

l a tt e r t o th e Pr i n c ess A n c est r ess Th e o ld l a dy w a s j u st a s c h a rm e d by

.

th e youn g b o y a s w e r e th e o th e r l a d i e s of t h e h ous e H e w a s ke p t for .

t h e m i dd a y m ea l a n d lo a d e d w i th g i f ts o n l e a vi n g T h e Pr i n c ess A n .

ces tr e ss g a v e h i m a pur s e a n d a gold en s t a t u ett e o f t h e d i vi n i t y of .

l et te r s Sh e con si d er e d hi m a s u i t abl e comp an i on an d s c h oolfell ow

.

for Pa o Y u an d gl a dly a gree d th a t h e sh ould b e a cc ept e d i n t o th e

fa m i ly s ch ool .

“
Y o u l i v e f a r a w a y from h e r e sh e s a i d t o h i m
, a n d i n v e ry h o t o r
,

i n fro s t y w ea t h er you w i ll fi n d t h e j ourn e y t o o muc h A t s uc h t im es yo u .

c an r em ai n h e r e for a s lo n g a s you l i k e a n d s t a y wi th your un cl e P a o

Y u It i s b e tt e r for t w o t o st udy h ere a t h om e th a n to ass oc i a t e wi th a

.

”
p a ck of l a zy youn g r a s c a ls .

C h in C hun g s fa th er w as h i g hl y pl e a se d w i th t he good r ec ep ti on
’
-

64
whi ch hi s offs pri n g h a d b een gi ven by h i s a ri st ocra t i c re l a t i v es a n d w a s
very gl a d t ha t th e qu es t i o n o f th e boy s e duc a t i o n ha d n o w b een solv e d
’

wi t hou t t he h um i li a t i n g n e c essi ty o f a v i si t o f pe ti t i on He sa w th a t h i s .

so n would b e i n th e b es t h an d s i n a s c h ool o f w h i c h th e Pr in c i p a l w a s

t h e wor t h y old C hi a T a i J u a s pl en d i d sc h ol a r an d Co n fuc i a n O f cour se

, .

h e could n o t a vo i d p a y i n g a form a l vi si t t o t he l a tt e r a n d g i v i n g h i m
th e cu st om a ry g i ft of mo n e y H e di d n o t w i sh t o b e t o o muc h b eh i n d
.

t he b et t e r pl a c e d p a re n ts o f o t he r boy s i n th i s m a tt e r T h u s t h i s l i t t l e
-
.
,
’
i n si gn i fic an t gov e rn or s se cre t a ry h a d t o p i n c h an d s cr a pe a n d c a lcul a t e
i n ev e ry w a y i n ord er t o get t og e the r t h e en t r a n c e g i ft of t we n t y fi v e -

s i lv e r p i e c es prope r for a pe rs o n of h i s s t a t i o n Af te r t he f a t h e r a n d so n
.

h a d p a i d t h e i r r es pe c ts a n d presen t e d t hei r g i ft t o t he Pr i n c i p a l t h e -

un cl e an d n e ph ew set o ut for th e s c h ool o n a lucky da y w hi ch Pa o Y u

h ad c h o se n i n th e c a l en d a r Th e n ex t c h a p te r w i ll t ell o f th e r i o t ous i n
.

ci den ts wh i c h we r e t o t a ke pla c e i n t h e s c h ool s oo n a f te rw a rd s .

CHAPTER 8

Ch ia Chen g re pri m a n ds h is d e li n q u en t o fi sp r i ng . Ill b ehav e d b oy s

-

cr ea t e a d ist ur b a n c e i n th e s ch ool .

TH E D AY P ICKED IN T H E C A LEN D A R O R THE FI R ST A TTEN D A NCE

O UT T

a t t h e s c h ool h a d a rri ve d Th e m a i d P ea rl h a d r i s en ea rly a n d go t r ea dy

.

t h e wr i t i n g m a t e r i a ls a n d book s for h e r m a s te r a n d n o w sh e s a t sa dly ,

wa i t i n g o n t he e dg e o f h i s b e d for h i m t o w a ke up A s she h e lpe d h im .

t o dress h e n o t i c e d h e r d e j e c t e d look .

”
D e a r s i st e r w h y do yo u loo k so un h a ppy h e as ke d h er I h op e
,
? .

you do n o t fee l c a s t as i d e a n d unw a n t e d no w b e c ause I a m go i n g t o ,

? ”
s c h ool
“
It i s n o t th a t sh e re pl i ed sm i li n g O n e h a s t o b e e duc a t e d o t h e r
, ,
.
,

wi se o n e ge ts n o wh e r e i n l i fe B ut j us t n o w I h a v e b een t h i n k i n g o n e
.

sh ould n o t ov e rdo e ve n l e a rn i n g S t udy i s l i k e food : t oo muc h do e sn t

’
.

a gr ee wi th yo u Y o u mu st co n s i de r y o ur he a l t h a n d en j oy a l i tt l e l ei s ur e
.

som et i m es Duri n g st udy k ee p your a tt e n t i o n o n ly o n your b oo k s b u t

.
,

i n your h ours o f le i s ur e th i n k of t h e p e opl e a t h om e w h o a re n e a r t o

you A n d o n e th i n g more : do n o t get i n volv e d i n a n y t rouble or fights
.

’
wi th your fellow st uden ts Y o u kn ow tha t your fa t h e r wo n t st a n d for
.

an y n o n se n se It h as b e en o n my m in d t o r em i n d you of th at b e fore
.

”
you go .

Pa o Y u promi s e d t o ta k e h er a dv i c e t o h ea rt .

“You w ll prob sh e co n t i n u e d
i ab ly b e fr ee z i n g i n t h e sch oo l room ,
.

A n yw a y I h a ve p a cke d up a f ur co a t fo r you ; I h a ve a ls o gi ven your

" ‘

se rv an ts a h an d w a rm e r for o u B ut y o u m us t a sk for th ese thi n g s

y
-
.

65
wh en yo u cold T he l az y r as c a ls w i ll n ot st i r a h an d f o r you on th ei r
a re .

”
o w n D o th in k o f your h ea l th !
'

“
Th an k you I wi ll c e rt a i n ly t a ke c a re o f my se lf B ut you n ee d n o t
, .

si t h er e a ll t h e t i m e i n my room w h i l e I a m a w a y g e tt i n g bor e d t o ,
”
d e at h Go ov er t o Cou si n Bl a ck J a d e a n d t a lk t o h er
. .

On P ea rl s a dv i c e h e a ls o t ook le a v e of h i s gr a n dm o th e r an d h i s
’

p a r en t s b e for e goi n g o ff Th e l a s t p er s on h e w en t t o see w a s h i s st e rn

.

f a t h e r C h i a C h en g Tod a y i t h a pp en e d th a t th e l att er w a s b a ck e a rly

, .

from h i s o ffi c e a n d en t e rt a i n i n g s om e v i si t or s i n th e li br a ry In t h e mi d st .

of t h e co n v e r sat i o n h i s so n en t er e d a n d f a ll i n g o n h i s k n e es off e r e d , ,

h i s gr eet i n g— t s i n g a n — a n d a nn oun c e d t h a t h e w as go i n g t o s c h ool .

“
M r C h en g r e g a rd e d h i m Wi t h a con t emp t uou s s m il e Do n o t di s gr a c e
. .

m e b e for e t h ese wor th y g en t l e m en w i th yo ur ja b b eri n g a bou t go i n g

‘
_

’ “
t o s c h ool h e s a i d mocki n gly For a ll I c a r e you m a y go o n w i th
“

.
,

your c h i ld i sh t ri cks b ut kin dly le a v e m e i n p e a c e ! Your presen c e s o i ls

,
”
t h i s r es p ecfa b l e pl a c e .

“ ”
D o n o t b e so st e rn wort h y o l d fr i en d ! h i s vi si t or s w h o h a d ri sen
, ,
“
from t h e i r se a t s urg e d h i m b en i gn ly L et our youn g n eph e w go t o h i s
, .

Sc h ool h a ppy H e w i ll c e r t a i n ly get ov e r h i s boy i s h w a y s s oo n a n d m a k e

.

a glor i ou s n a m e for h i m s elf i n tw o or t h r ee y e a r s A n d you es t e em e d

“

.
,

n e p h e w sh ould n o t d a lly h e r e b u t s a
, y f a r e w ell for i t i s a lmo st d i nn e r
, ,
”
ti me .

A n d tw o of th e wor th y g en t l em en t ook Pa o Y u b e t w een t h em an d led

h i m o u t of th e room .

“ ”
W h o i s a ccomp an y i n g h i m ? a s k e d Mr C h en g of t h e r et i n u e of .

s e rv a n t s w h o w e r e w a i t i n g for h i s s o n ou t s i d e t h e door Four st ro n g .

fe llow s c a m e forw a rd bow e d th e i r kn ee a n d o ff e re d t h e i r tsi n g a n

, ,
.

Mr C h en g t urn e d t o t h e b i gg est of th em w h o w a s c a ll e d L i Kw ei an d
.
,
“
w a s a s o n o f th e n urs e Mo t he r Li You fellow a re r e s ponsi bl e t o m e .
, ,
” “
for h i m ! h e sai d Wh a t h a s h e l ea rn e d up to n o w ? No th i n g b ut
'

e mp t y word s a n d j um bl e d p h r a s e s H i s b elly i s full of cu n n i n g w i ck e d

.

n ess B u t j us t w a i t ! A s s oo n a s I h a v e l e i s ur e I w i ll h a v e yo u s t r i pp e d
’

n a k e d a n d t h en w e s h a ll s et t l e our a ccoun t s ov e r t h i s u s e l e ss r a s c a l
'

In u t t er co n st e rnat i o n L i Kw ei p ulle d o ff h i s cap an d t ouc h e d h i s h ea d

' "

t o t h e grou n d .

“
O ld Gov ern or h e st a mme r ed th i s m i ser ab le fe llow would n ot
, ,

d a r e t o li e t o you B ut t h e yo un g Gov e rn or a lr ea dy re a lly kn ows by

.
'

h e a rt t h r ee p a rt s of t h e h oly book of S h i h C h i n g t h e B oo k of S o n g s ,
.

H e h a s com e t o t h e p a rt wh i ch t e ll s o f t h e st a g cry i n g i n t h e d i s t a n c e
a n d th e lo t u s l e a f dri fti n g o n th e w a v e s .

T h es e p a r t i cul a rs c a u se d t h e wort h y g en t l em en t o l a ug h a loud an d ,

ev en M r Ch en g co ul d n o t keep a p hi s s te rn e xp ress i o n b ut h a d t o
’

'

: _

sm i le .
a t ta i n ed lucr a ti ve po s i t i on s Th ese co n t ri b u ti o n s provi d e d the pup i ls
.

n o t o n ly w i th fr ee e duc a ti o n b u t a ls o free food Accord i n g t o t h e d ee d

.

o f fou n d a t i o n, t h e Pr i n c i p a l w a s t o b e a n o ld a n d wort h y sc h ola r ,

prov e d i n the v i rt u es o f th e Con fuc i a n p hi losoph y .

"
F rom t h i s fir st da y o f a tt en d an c e a t sc h oo l t og eth e r P a o Y u an d ,
“
C hi n C h un g b ec a m e i n sep a r a bl e comra d es Th e y w en t t o s ch ool t o
.

g ether a n d c a m e h ome t og eth e r th ey s at t ogeth e r a t th e i r l esson s an d

,

st ood t og et h e r dur i n g r e cr e a t i o n Th e Pri n c ess An c estr es s t re a t e d C hi n

.

C h u n g a s i f h e we r e a gr an dchi ld o r g re a t n ephe w by blood She oft en

-
.

ke p t h i m a s h er gu est for th r ee or fi ve d a y s o n en d an d sh e a ls o h elp e d ,

h i m g en erou sly w i t h clo t hi n g a n d o th e r n ec essi t i es A ft e r t w o mo n th s .

C h i n C h un g w as a s in t i m at e w i th ev e ryon e i n th e Y un gk u o p a l a c e as i f
h e b elo n g e d to th e f a m i ly .

Wh en i t c ame to sa t i s fy in g a mood or h umor P a o Y u w a s a pt to b e ,

n ei t h e r p a rt i cul a rly sen si bl e n or logi c a l Th us h e s ugg e st e d t h a t good

.
,
“
fe llow sh i p should b e t h e key n ot e o f r el a t i on s w i th hi s n e ph ew W e ar e .

t h e s a m e a ge a n d st udy i n g si d e by s i d e W hy sh ould w e kee p up t h e

.

c eremon i a l d i st in ct i on b et ween un cl e an d n e ph e w ? Let us i n th e fu t ur e

”
c all ea ch o ther fr i en d an d bro t h e r ! He ke p t di nn in g th i s i nt o th e
o t h er s ea rs so con ti n u a lly t h a t a t l a st C hi n C h un g ov erc a m e h is i n i t i a l
’

sh y n e ss a n d a cc ep t e d th e s ugg est i o n .

Th e m a n y pupi l s a t th e fa m i ly s ch ool a h ost a ll b elo n ge d , i t i s t ru e ,

_

t o th e s a m e cl an a n d w e r e a ll mor e o r l ess i n te rr el a t e d by blood or m ar

r i a g e , b ut a s th e prov erb so a p t ly s a y s e v en a m on g dr a go n s t h e re are
,

n i n e v a r i et i e s , a n d ea c h v a r i et y i s d i ff e r en t from t h e o th e r In sh o r t i t .
,

i s e a s y t o r ea l i z e th at th e re w er e sn a k es a n d vi pe rs cre e p i n g a rou n d
a mo n g t h e dra go n s o f t h e f a m i ly s ch ool , an d t h a t h i gh a n d lo w w er e

m i x e d t ogeth er .

It w a s i n ev i t abl e th a t t h e tw o h a n d som e , blo ss om fr esh youn g n ew -

com er s sh ould v ery soon a tt r a c t gen er a l a t ten t i o n a mo n g t hei r fe llow

pup i l s , C hi n C h un g o n a ccount o f h i s gen t le , m i ld w a y s an d hi s b a sh
ful sh y n at ur e , wh i ch m a d e h i m blus h li ke a gi rl wh en s poken t o ; P a o
,

Y u , o n a ccoun t o f h i s w e a l th an d h i s se lf ass ur e d b e a ri n g , h i s m as t er
’

ful b eh a v i or , h i s ea se an d s ki ll wi th words Th ei r clo se fri en ds h i p w a s

.

much rem arke d upo n a n d di scu sse d b ehi n d th ei r b a cks En vy a n d .

j e a lous y di d t h e i r worst In sh ort , i t w as no t lo n g b efor e t h e r el a t i o n

.

sh i p o i t h e t w o w a s w h i sp e r e d abou t a n d se cr etly d i s cuss e d e v e rywh e r e

bo th in si d e a n d ou ts i d e t h e sch oolr oo m s .

Fr i en d H s u eh P an t o o w a s a tten d i n g t h e fam i ly sch ool b ut l ess ,

th rough z e a l for l e a rn i n g t h a n for c e rt a in p ri v a t e en d s Wh en h e h ea rd .

for the first t i m e o f t h e ex i s ten ce o f th i s sch ool , in wh i ch t h er e w a s s uch

a c h o i c e select i ox of c h a rm i n g youn g boy s , t h i s n ew s a t on c e a w a ke n e d
.

68
b ase d esi res i n h i m Pre ten d in g th a t h e wi she d t o i mprov e an d e n ri ch
.

h i s kn owl e dg e h e h a d procur e d h i s a dm i s s i o n from o l d T ai Ju by a

,

s ub s t a n t i a l g i ft of mo n e y In r e a l i t y h e w a nt e d t o b e l i k e th e fi sh e rm a n
.
,

w h o fi shes f o r th r ee d a y s a n d i dl e s a bou t for th e n e x t tw o d a y s w h i l e

,

h i s n et s a re dry i n g He h a d l e ss i n t e r e st i n l e a rn i n g t ha n i n form i n g
.

fri en d shi p s w i t h boy s He di d i n f a c t fi n d a mon g t h e pup i l s s om e w h o

.

le t t h em se lv es b e e n t i c e d by g i f ts o f mo n e y a n d o t he r f a vor s t o b e ao
co m m o da t i n g t o h i s purpo s es w h i c h i t i s n o t n e c e s s a ry to d i s cu ss i n
,

more d et a i l C hi ef a mo n g th ese wer e t w o e l e ga n t boy s w h o o n a ccou n t

.
,

o f t h e i r s m a rt a n d a tt r a c t i v e a ppe a r a n c e w e r e n i ckn a m e d H s i a n g L i e n ,

“ ” “
Fr a gr a n t A t t a c h me n t a n d Y u A i Pr ec i ou s F a vor i t e In t h e s ch ool
, ,
.

t he y w er e o n a w h ol e a dm i r e d b ut o n ly i n se cr et fo r t hr ough f ea r o f
, ,

H s ueh P an n o n e of t h e o th e r b oy s v e n t ur e d t o m a ke fr i e n d s w i th th e m .

P a o Yu a n d C h i n C h un g w ere a l s o a t t r a c te d to th es e t w o soo n a f te r
com i n g t o t h e sc h ool b ut t hrough fea r of H s u eh P a n di d n o t d a r e t o
,

sh ow th ei r l i ki n g a n d co n fi n e d t h em s elv es t o a dmi r i n g gl an c e s from a

,

d i st an c e A n d H s i a n g L i en a n d Y u A i r e c i proc a t e d i n k i n d D a y a ft e r
. .

da y t h e s a m e s ecr et g a m e w en t o n i n the cl a ss durin g i n s truc t i on : from .

four d i ff e r en t sea t s four p a i r s of e y es m et a n d sp oke t og et her th e s i l en t

l an gu a g e of love In co n v e r sa ti o n dur i n g r ecrea t i on t h ey expre sse d t h e i r
.

h i dden s e n t i m en ts an d fee l i n g s by m e a n s o f g en t l e a ll us i o n s a n d a m
b i g uo us p h r a s e s .

B ut c a r e fully t h ough th e y c a rr ie d o n t h i s s e cr et g a m e i t could n o t ,

r em a i n h i dd en from t h e sh a rp e y e s o f c er ta i n sly boy s Co n sequ en t ly .

,

t h e r e w a s muc h w i n k i n g a n d s ugg es ti v e cl e a r i n g of t h e th ro a t an d
, ,

cough i n g b eh i n d the b a cks of the four .

T h e Pr i n c i p a l C h i a T a i Ju h a pp en e d t o b e a b sen t from sc h ool o n e

, ,

da y ow i n g t o a dom e s t i c c e l e b ra t i o n To k ee p h i s pup i l s bu s y h e h a d
.

gi v en them o n e h a lf of a st a n z a T h ey w er e t o compo se a co m ple m e n

.

t a ry s e co n d h a lf T h a t w a s t h e i r a s s i gn m e n t H e h a d e n t ru st e d t h e c a r e
. .

of t h e sc h ool duri n g h i s a b se n c e to h i s a ss i s t a n t a n d gr a n d s on C hi a J u i ,
.

J u st by c h a n c e H s u eh P a n w a s a b sen t from th e sc h ool t h a t da y C h i n .

C h un g a n d H s i a n g L i e n a v a i l e d of h i s a b sen c e t o si g n a l ea c h o th e r by
gl a n c es mor e Open th an u s u a l a n d fi n a lly o n th e pr et ex t of a tt en d in g
, ,

t o t h e w a n t s of n a t ur e t h e y s t ol e a w a y t o t h e f a r th e s t cor n e r o f t h e
,

sc h ool cour ty a rd for a n un d i s t ur b e d co n v e r s a t i o n .

“ ”
?
Would your f a th e r obj ec t i f w e w e r e fr i e n d s Op en ly C h i n C h u n g
h ad j u st a ske d t h e o th e r w h en t h ey h e a rd s om e o n e cl e a r i n g h i s th ro a t
,

b e hi n d t he i r b a cks Gr ea t ly s t a r tl e d th ey t ur n e d a roun d t o fi n d a fellow

.
,

e f o re t h e m l a ug h i n g m a l i c i o us ly H e .

t h em U n l i k e t h e g e n t l e C h i n C h un g
.
,

t e mp e r e d -
.

m ean ? A re w e n o t a llow e d t o s p e a k

69
 ? ”
t og et h e r h e sai d t o th e mi schi ef m aker emb a rr asse d an d ann oy e d a t
-

, .

th e sa m e t i m e .

“ ”
Do n t let m e di st urb you ! th e o th er repli e d mocki n gly B ut i f yo u
’
.

cl a i m t h e r i ght t o sp ea k m a y I o n my p a rt b e a llow e d t o cough ?

,

Th ough i f yo u ha v e som eth i n g t o say t o ea c h o t h e r w hy do you n o t do , _

so op en ly ? O n e j u st wo n d e r s w h a t s ec r
’
et do i n g s you r e up t o h e r e Let s
’
.
‘

n o t pre t en d ; I kn ow all a bou t i t ! A n d n o w you ca n h a v e your c h oi c e

e i t h e r you le t m e i n o n your g a m e a n d I ll k ee p my mou th sh u t o r t h e

’
,
”
wh ol e sc h ool w i ll h ea r a bout i t .

“ ”
Wh a t i s th e re t o h ea r a ske d C hi n C h u n g an d H si an g Li en bo th
?

t og e t h er blu sh i n g t o t h e roo t s of t h e i r h a i r
, .

“ ”
T h e t ru th ! r epl i e d t h e o t h er l a ugh i n g Th en h e cl a pp e d h i s h a n d s
, .

“
an d c a ll e d o u t loudly a cro ss th e s c h ool y a rd : H i com e h ere ! Fr esh ly
‘

b a ked p a n c a kes for s a l e ! ”

T h e tw o fr i en d s ru sh e d r a g i n g i n t o t h e sc h ool an d compl a i n e d t o
'

C hi a J ui w h o w as i n ch a rge o f th ei r sch oolfe llow s gr a t u i t ou s i n sul ts ’

'

.
, ,

Now thi s C h i a J ui p ut profit a bov e con sc i en c e ; h e u se d h i s po si t i on a s

,

t ea ch er i n t he s c h ool t o fl e e c e t h orough ly t h e pup i l s en t ru s t e d t o h i s

‘

c ar e H en c e he di d n o t t ry t o ch eck H su eh P a n i n h i s di s gr a c e ful do i n g s
.

b ut h e a c t u a lly a i d e d a n d a b et te d h i m t o wi n t he f avor o f th e ri c h
l i b e r ti n e a n d th u s Ob t a i n mo n e y an d good m ea l s .

If C h i n C h u n g a n d H s i a n g Li en b e l i ev e d th e y would b e pro te ct e d by
C hi a J ui t he y w ere v e ry much m i st a ken C hi a J ui bo re a grudge
, .

a g a i n st H s i a n g L i en b e c a u se w h i l e th e l a t ter w a s go i n g w i th H s u eh Pan
,

— th i s dri ft i n g w a t er pl an t h a d m ean t i me dropp e d h i m for n ew fri en ds

—he ha d n ever procure d th e le ast fa vor for h i m from hi s ri ch p a tr on .

Wh en t h e tw o t he r efore c a me wi th t h ei r compl a i n t he sh owe d h i mself

, , ,

ve ry offh a n d a n d promp t ly t ook th e si d e o f t hei r en emy K i n g Yun g ,

.

Mor e ov e r a t the t i me K i n g Yu n g w a s i n hi gh fa vor wi th H su eh Pan

, ,

an d t h a t w a s a ll th a t m a t t e re d t o h i m Tru e h e di d n o t d a r e c en s ur e
. .
,

C h i n C h un g i n co n si d e r a t i o n o f hi s i n flu en t i a l fri en d Pa o Y u wi th
, ,

wh om he di d n o t w i sh t o qu arre l B u t all t he le ss di d h e rest r ai n hi s di s

.

pl ea s ur e t ow a rd s H si a n g Li en ; he bl a m e d hi m b e for e t h e wh ole class

a n d po i n t e d h i m o ut a s a qu a rre ls om e di s t urb e r o f t h e p ea c e .

A nn oy e d a n d h urt by th e un d ese rv e d bla m e H si an g Li en wen t b a ck ,

t o h i s sea t i n th e cl a ss wh en c e he si gn a ll e d h i s d i s pl e as ure by gl an c e s
, ,

growl i n g an d whi s pe re d a bu se t o h is fri en ds K i n g Y un g o n hi s p a rt

,
.
, ,

fe lt obl i g e d a s v i c t or t o m a ke hi ms elf i mporta n t an d con sp i cuous by

si g n i fic a n t n ods gr i m a c es an d se lf compl a c en t mu t t e rin g s d ir e c t e d to
, ,
-

t h i s s i d e an d t h a t .

“
I v e j u s t c a ugh t th e m i n the d a rkes t co m e r o f th e cour t y a rd th e
’
,

wh i spe ri n g wen t t o r i g ht a n d le ft .

a n d car ess i n g an d I h ear d th e m

,

70
ea ch o th er A n d the y we r e so much en gro ss e d in th ei r im mrtan t co n
.

”
ve rs a ti o n th a t t h e y n e v e r e v en n o t i c e d m e !

Amo n g th e li st ene rs o n th e n e a r b y se a ts w a s o n e w h o w as much an

-

n oy e d by s uc h t a lk H e w a s s i x t een y ea r o l d C h i a C h i a n g w h o b elo n g e d
.
- -

t o t he N in gkuo br an c h o f t h e cl a n Pr i n c e C h i a C h en h a d t a ke n hi m in
.

a s an orp h an c hi ld a n d broug h t h i m up as h i s o w n s o n B ut h i s extr a o r .

’
d in a r i ly clo se fr i en d sh i p w i t h C h i a Yun g th e Pri n c e s so n h a d ca u se d
, ,

s us p i c i ou s wh i s pe ri n g a n d comm en t a mo n g th e se rv a n t s w hi c h h a d

fi n a lly come t o th e ea r s o f th e Pr i n c e In ord e r t o s a ve hi s h ous e from

.

d i s repu te th e Prin c e ha d r e cen t ly d e c i d e d t o h a ve h i s fo st er so n li ve

ou ts i d e th e N i n gkuo p a l a c e Th u s C h i a C h i an g w a s mor e o r l ess p er
.

so n ally s t un g by K i n g Yun g s n as t y ta lk a n d a s i n t i m a t e fri e n d o f C h i a

’

Yun g fel t i mp e lle d t o st a n d by t h e l a t ter s bro th e r i n la w C hi n C h un g

,
’
- -

,
.

To b e s ur e h e di d n o t w a n t t o get p ers o n a lly in volv e d as h e w a s a fr a i d

, ,

o f a qu a rr el wi th H s u eh P an i f h e sh ould op e n ly t a k e si d es a g a i n s t t h e

la tt e r s pro t ég éK i n g Yun g B e i n g cl e v er h e c h o s e a good w a y of a t

’
.
, ,

tai n i n g hi s en d wi th ou t t a kin g an y pe rso n a l ri s k b ut r em a i n i n g co m ,

forta bly i n th e b a ckgrou n d .

O n t he f a vor i t e pr etex t o f h a vin g t o r el i e ve h i ms e lf h e s udd en ly di s ,

a p e a r e d from t h e cl a ss O u tsi d e i n th e sc h ool cour t y a rd h e w en t up t o

p .

P a o Y u s a tten d an ts t ook as i de M i n g Y en w h o w a s kn own a s a t ur b u

’
, ,

l en t d a re d ev i l fell ow a n d th oroughly i n c i t e d h i m a g a i n st K i n g Yun g

, , .

He i n s i ste d th a t by i n s ul ti n g C hi n C h un g K in g Yun g h a d a ls o i n s ul t e d
,

h i s m a st e r Pa o Y u a n d i f th e sh a m el es s fe llow w a s n o t ma d e t o sh u t up
,

ve ry soo n h e would ta ke sti ll grea te r l i b e rt i es i n th e fu t ur e H a v i n g p er .

form ed the work o f i n c i tem en t he r et urn e d to th e cl a ss c a lmly p ut o n

, ,

h is ou t door clo th e s an d a ske d p e rmi ss i o n o f C h i a Jui t o l ea ve th e

,

s ch ool a li t t l e ea rli e r t od a y as h e h a d an urg en t e rr an d t o do

, He .

wi she d t o b e o ut o f th e w a y o f th e a ppro a c hi n g st orm wh i ch h e h i mse lf ,

h a d provok ed He w a s j ust i n ti me f o r a lre a dy M i n g Y en w h o h a d

.
, ,

b een s ti rr ed up by hi m ca m e rus hi n g in t o th e cl ass roo m h is fa ce bl az

, ,
“ ”
i n g red an d wi th ou t us i n g th e t i tl e o f youn g g en tl e m an
, whi ch w as ,

fi t ti n g f o r him as a se rv an t t o use he ca ll e d o ut roughl y an d w i th ou t

,

Whi ch o f yo u he re i s Ki n g Yun g ?”

Wh en th e b o y h e w as looki n g fo r w as po i n ted o ut t o hi m he se iz ed
'

,
“
hi m boldly an d fi rmly by th e sh ould e r an d sh ou ted a t hi m : Wh a te ve r
,

w e do wi th o ur b ehi n ds i s n o d a mn b us in ess o f yours yo u chi cke n a rse ! ,

-

Be gla d if w e lea v e your o l d ma n i n pea ce ! B ut I a dvise yo u Ki n g ,

”
Yun g to ki n dly lea v e my yo un g m as te r a lo n e !
, _

Th e re w as gen er al p an d e moni um i n th e cla ss Ch i a J ui exh ort ed th e .

i n tru d e r to be ha ve so m ewh a t l ess wi ldly B ut Ki n g Y un g w h ose fa ce .

,
:
ta ke li b e rt i es l i ke t h a t ! B ut j u st w a i t I ll h a v e a word wi th your ,
’

”
m ast er !
He free d h i m s elf from M i n g Yen s gra sp an d w a s a bou t t o f a ll on
’
,

P a o Y u A t th a t mom en t C h i n C h u n g h ea rd a w hi zz i n g n o i se clo se t o
.

h i m By a lucky c h a n c e h e mov ed a si de so th a t th e m i s si l e wh i c h w a s
s lu n g by an u n kn own h a n d— i t w a s a s qu a r e I n d i a in k s t o n e—wh i zz e d
.
,

by w i th i n a h a i r s br e a d th of t h e b a ck of h i s h ea d an d cl a tt ere d down
'
’

o n a b en c h f a rt h er up i n fro n t b et w ee n t h e pl a c es o f C h i a L a n a n d C hi a
,

C h un A t t h e sa m e t i m e a ch i n a po t full of I n d i a i n k w a s brok en i n t o
.
,

fr a gm ent s an d t h e books whi ch la y a bou t w e r e spl a she d a ll ov e r wi th

,

i n k In r eply a h ea vy book box w a s h urle d from t h i s b en c h t o th e b a ck

.
,

b u t i t fe ll sh ort a n d l a n d e d o n t h e b en c h o f P a o Y u a nd C h i n C h u n g ,

whe r e i t kn ocke d down th e books a n d wr i t i n g m a teri a l s a n d sh a tte re d

P a o Y u s te a bow l t oo M ean t i m e l i ttl e h ot t emp e r e d Ch i a C h un h ad
’
-
.

j ump e d up t o figh t wh o ev er h a d t h ro am th e I n d i a i n k st o ne In a t r i c e .

a t an gl e of fig h t e r s h a d form e d rou n d K i n g Yun g w h o h a d s udd en ly ,

g o t h old of a f ea t h e r du st e r t h e lo n g b a mboo h a n,dl e o f w h i c h h e

br an d i she d w i ldly a n d hi t o ut w i th M i n g Y en a l s o go t a blow from i t. .

Th i s i n t urn g a v e M i n g Y en a r ea so n t o c a ll i n h i s th r ee coll ea gues

, ,

w h o w e r e w a i t i n g ou t s i d e t h e s e rv a n t s S a o Hun g C hu Y o a n d M o Y u
, , , ,

t o s upport h i m T h e t h r ee ru sh e d i n li k e a s w a rm of h orn e t s sh ou t i n g
.
,
“ ”
w i ldly : You b a st a rd brood d a re t o r a i s e your wea pon s a g a i n st us !
Mo Y u w a s arm e d w i t h a wood en door b ar wh i l e S a o H un g a n d C hu Yo ,

br a n d i sh e d h or se wh i p s i n t he i r h a n d s In t h e w i ld co n fu si o n wh i c h n ow
‘

followe d t h e d e sp a i r i n g d e put y sc h oolm a st er t r i e d m v a i n t o m a k e h i s

,

w a rn i n g a n d i mplori n g vo i c e h ea rd Th e y we r e a ll u t t erly b e yo n d co n
.

t rol ; d i s c i pl i n e a n d ord e r w e r e a t a n en d Som e j o i n e d l n h e a rt i ly j u st .

for t h e f un of i t h i t t i n g o u t i n a ll d i re c t i o n s ; o t he r s st ood on t h e
,

b en ch e s a n d t a bl es an d e gg e d o n th e figh te rs by cl a pp i n g t h ei r h a n d s
“ ”
a n d sh ou t i n g : S t a n d fi rm s t a n d firm ! Fl a y t h e m ! Fl a y t h em ! O n ly a
,

f ew o f th e more ti m i d boy s k ept sh yly a w a y from t h e g en e r al t um ul t .

Th e w h ol e cl a ss w a s li k e a bo i l i n g c a ldro n Th e i n t e rv en t i o n o f s om e of .

t h e old e r mor e s en s i bl e se rv a n t s s uch a s L i Kw e i a t l a st brough t th e

,

upro a r t o a n en d To the qu est i o n r e g ardi n g th e c a u se th e an swers

.
,

w e re v a r i e d ev eryo n e a t t ri bu t i n g t h e bl a m e to s om eon e e ls e L i Kwe i

, .

s a w t o i t firs t of a ll t h a t t h e w a rl i k e M i n g Y en a n d h i s t h r ee comp a n i o n s

we r e go t a w a y from t h e s c en e of b a tt l e Th en t h er e w a s qu i etn ess Pa o . .

Y u w a s j u st w i p i n g w i th t h e l a p e l o f h i s co a t a bl eed in g woun d w h i c h
-

h i s fr i en d Ch i n C h un g h a d r e c ei v e d o n th e for e h ea d from th e h an dl e o f
’
K i n g Yun g s fe a t h er du ster wh en a lon g c a m e L i Kw e i ,
.

“ ”
H a v e my book s p ut t og eth e r a n d sen d my h orse ! h e orde r e d L i
“
Kw ei I sh a ll r i d e s t r a i g ht off t o old T a i J u a n d compl a i n of h i s
.

'

d e pu ty He n o t o n ly fa i l e d t o gi ve us pro t ect i on a g a i n st t ho se w h o i n
.

72
su lt ed us , b ut even en cour a g e d th e off en d e rs t o do us v i ol en c e ; an d th i s
le d t o th e g en e r a l a tt a ck M in g Y en w as qu i t e r i gh t to com e t o my a i d
. .

T hey hi t hi m a n d C h i n C h un g u nt i l th e y bl e d N a t ur ally I c a n n o t t e . ,

”
m a i n lo n ge r i n th i s sch ool Li Kwei p a c i fi e d hi m an d t ri e d h i s b est t o
.

d is s u a d e hi m from h i s pur po se It would n o t b e ve ry n i c e o r b e com i n g

.

t o worry t he wort h y o ld g e n t l e m a n a bou t s uch a t ri fl e , h e s a i d .

“
A n d you are t o bl a m e for i t a ll he co n t i n u e d , t urn i n g t o C h i a J ui
,
.

A s d epu t y sc h oolm as ter a n d br a i n of t h e cl a ss you sh ould h a ve i n t e r

v en e d j ust ly a n d n o t let th i n g s go so fa r I n stea d , yo u looke d o n i dly .

”
an d let th e m i s c h i ef d evelop .

I w a rn ed Often en ough a n d c a ll e d for ord e r b u t th ey di d n o t l i st en ,

”
to m e pro teste d C hi a J u i
, .

“
Ta ke i t b a dly o r n o t wh e n I spe a k so ope n ly si r b ut i t i s your own , , ,

f a ul t th at you a re n o t res pe c te d i n th e s ch oo l Li Kwe i co n ti n u ed h is ,

“
c ens ure un fl i n ch i n gly If you h a d a lw a y s b eha v e d i n a bl am el e ss m an
.

n er yo u would b e r e s p e c t e d Th e m a t t er m a
, y st i ll b e ve ry u n pl e as an t
.

i n d ee d fo r you i f i t com es t o th e e a rs o f th e wo rth y o ld M a ste r T a i J 11 .

”
You must str i ve t o u n r a vel t h e t a n gl e d n e t a s qu i ckly a s po ss i bl e si r , .

“ ”
Wh a t do you mea n by u n r a v ell i n g ? i n terj e c te d Pa o Y u i n di g
“ ”
n an tly I am go i n g to m a ke a compl a i n t
. .

“
E i t he r K i n g Yu n g lea v es t he sc h ool o r I do n o t com e a n y more ,

a dd e d C h i n C h un g .

“
It would b e a fi n e th i n g i n dee d i f w e w e re t o y i e ld t he groun d b e
” “
fore th a t i n so len t fe llow ! sa i d Pa o Y u fl a r i n g up i n a n g er I sha ll see ,
.

”
th a t h e g e ts o ut A n yw a y h o w i s thi s K i n g Yu n g r e l a t e d t o u s
.
,
?
“ ”
He i s a n eph ew o f M rs Ch i a Hu a n g o f th e N i n gkuo br an c h
. t he ,

vo i c e o f t he serv a n t M i n g Y en w a s h ea rd t o sa y from ou ts i d e th e w 1 n
“
dow M rs Hu a n g i s h i s a un t o n t he f a ther s si d e She i s a l wa y s o n h er
. .
’
.

kn ees to o ur seco n d m i st r ess M a d a m e Ph o en i x t o m a ke t h i s or th a t

, ,

requ es t or pe t i t i o n It i s i mpud e n t en ough for s uc h a wr e t ch e d l i cks p i tt l e

.

e ven t o rub sh ould er s w i th u s H o w ca n w e b e exp ec t e d t o resp e c t s uc h

.

“ ”
B e s i l en t , so n o f a
b i t c h ! mut t e r e d L i Kwe i a si d e t o hi m Wh a t .

”
are th e fl b i tes of o t h e r pe opl e t o you ?
y
“
Then h e i s a n e phew of si s te r in la w Hu a n g rem a rke d P ao Y u - -

,
“
co n tern t uo u sl Good I w i ll go t o h e r a n d gi v e her a p i e c e o f my
p y .
,

min d a bout h e r sc a mp of a n ep he w .

“
W hy t a ke a ll th a t t roubl e yours elf ? ”
t h e t urbul en t M i n g Y en i n t e r
“
ject ed a g a i n Let m e go ! I s h a ll t e ll he r t h a t th e old Pri n c ess A n ce s
. .

t ress w i she s t o s pe a k t o h e r An d I ll t a ke h er ov e r str a i gh t aw a y i n a

’
.

h i re d c oa ch In your gr a n dm o t h er s pr es en c e o n e ca n m a ke a s ta t em en t
.
’

“ ”
B e o ff ! Di Kwei re buk e d hi m . O r do yo u w an t t o get a th r a shi n g ?

73
I h a ve o n ly j u st m an a ge d t o qu en ch the fi re a n d yo u w an t t o poke i t up ,

a g a in !
’
I f you do n t st op t ryi n g t o st i r up your m aster I wi ll ha ve yo u
p un i sh ed .

Wh i l e L i Kw ei w a s t ry i n g wi t h a ll h i s m i gh t t o m a ke p ea ce i n th e
s c h ool d i spu t e t h e d e pu t y s c h oolm a st er C h i a J ui w h o w a s t h oroug h ly
, ,

fr i gh t en e d w a s b e ggi n g a n d b eseech i n g first C h in C h u n g t hen P a o Y u

, , ,

t o s p a r e h i m a n d let t h e m a t t e r b e h ush e d u p Af t e r h old i n g o u t for a .

lon g ti m e P a o Y u a t l a st d ecl a r e d t h a t h e would b e pre p a re d t o refr ain

from compl a i n i n g i f K i n g Yu n g would m a ke a full an d form a l a pology .

Ki n g Yu n g w a s n o w pr ess e d h a rd from e ve ry si d e H e re luc t a n tly con .

s en t e d t o m a k e a sli g h t bow i n t oken o f a pology t o h i s c hi e f oppo n en t ,

C h i n C h u n g wh om h e h a d so gri evou sly offen d e d B ut P a o Y u di d n o t

, .

co n si d e r th i s r e p a r ati on s uffi c i en t He i n si ste d upo n a full cer emon i a l

.

”
kowt ow C hi a J ui i mplor e d Kin g Yu n g t o gi v e i n Be wi s e he ur ged
. .
, ,
“
an d r e m emb e r th e prov erb

Ba n i sh t h e momen t s a nger ’
,

A n d sp a re yourself m an y da ys gu i sh
’
an .

Co erc e d a n d ur g e d o n a ll si d es Ki n g Yun g a t l a st s ubm i t t e d an d con

,

s en t e d t o p e rform t h e r e qu i r e d kow t ow A n d w i th t h i s th e s ch ool br a wl .

en de d .

CHAPTER 9

Th e P ri n c e H erm i t b i r th da y i s i n th e Nin g ku o pa la c e The

’
s c ele b ra t e d .

si ght of Ph o en i x a w ak ens ca rna l d es i res i n the h ea rt of Ch i a J u i .

KING Y UN G H A D INDE ED P E R F OR MED

'

K O W T O W o r AP O L O G Y B UT H IS ,

h e w a s st i ll d evour e d w i th r es en t m en t H av in g com e h om e h e sa i d t o .
,

h i s mo th e r n é
“
e Hu z , Thi s C hi n C h un g i s j us t as d i st an t ly rel a t e d t o
th e h ouse o f C hi a a s I a m ; h e i s o n ly co nn ec t e d by m arri a g e an d ha s n o
be tter cl a i m t o a pl a c e i n t h e fa m i ly sch ool th a n I h a ve B ut o n t he .

st r e n g th o f hi s clo se fr i en ds h i p w i th Pa o Y u h e t h in ks h e can p u t o n a i rs

an d look down o n t h e li ke of us If h e a t le a st b eh a v e d b la m el e ss ly on e
.

could e xcuse h i m b ut he mu st th in k w e a re a ll bli n d h e c a rr i es on so

, ,

Ope n ly n ow wi th thi s n o w wi th th a t on e Th e q ua rre l w a s due t o th e

, , .

f ac t th a t I c a ught him at i t t od a y A n d mus t I li e down b efore hi m after .

? ”
t ha t
”
“
Do n ot be kee p o ut o f o the r pe opl e s a fl ai rs !
so h ea ds tr o n g , an d
’

“
hi s mo th e r a dvi se d h i m T h a n ks t o my in te rc essi o n w i th Aun t Huan g
. ,

an d t o h er c e ase less pe t i t i on s t o M a d a m e P h o en i x yo u ha ve b een

.
,

lucky en ough to procur e a sc h ol a rsh i p in the f ami ly sch oo l Do yo u .

wa n t thr ough your d efi a n ce t o thr ow awa y the be nefi ts of thi s free edu
, ,
.

74
 No th i n g sp ec i a l In t he b eg in n i n g s om ethi n g seemed t o b e o n h er
.

m i n d b ut i n the cour se o f t h e con v ersa ti o n wh en I t old h er abou t th e

, ,

i lln ess of our d a ug hter i n law h er f a c e b e c a m e mor e tra n qu i l Sh e w a s

- -

,
.

a c t u a lly co n si d e r a t e en oug h n o t t o a cc ep t your i n v i t a t i o n t o a m ea l .

”
Th i s t i m e she di d n ot a sk for a n y t hi n g .

T h e Pr i n c e n odd e d t h oug h t fu l ly A v i si t from si st e r i n la w Hu an g

.
- -

wi th ou t a r e qu est seeme d t o h i m d e c i d e dly odd .

“
I vis i te d our Eld e r t od a y i n h i s he rm i t a g e o ut i n t h e moun t ai n s an d
i n vi t e d h i m t o com e h e r e th e da y a f te r t omorrow t o re c ei ve b i rth d a y
” “
co n gr a t ul a t i o n s from t h e wh ol e fa m i ly he r e port e d Th e ol d gen t l e , .

m a n d ecl i n e d w i th th a n ks h ow ev er I do n o t w i sh t o b e d i s t urb e d i n
‘
.
,
’ ‘
my co n templ a t i ve p ea c e h e sa i d a n d I h a v e n o d esi r e t o r et urn t o
, ,

your world of co n fl i ct i n g op i n i o n s a n d t o t a ke p a r t i n a u se l ess n o i sy ,

f e a st If you w i sh t o g i v e m e pl e a sure see t h a t my r e c en tly compl ete d

.
,
“ ”
tr ea t i se o n T h e Bl ess e dn ess of Work i n Sol i t ud e i s n e a t ly a n d p er
'

fe ctl y cop i e d o ut a n d en gr av e d upo n wood for th e purpo se of m a k i n g

cop i es of i t I would pr e fer t h a t a h i m dred t irn es t o an y ou tw a rd d i spl a y
. .

of fest i v i t y A s f ar a s I am co n cerne d th e f a m i ly m a y fe ast t o t h ei r

.
,
’
h e a r ts co n t en t at h om e w i th yo u f or t h e tw o d a y s B u t sp a re m e from
’
.

gi ft s a n d v i s i ts ! Even you m a y sp a re your self th e t roubl e of a vi si t b ut ,

i f you i n si st upo n m ak i n g m e a kow t ow of con gr a t ul a t i o n w ell yo u are , ,

a t l i b e rt y t o m a k e i t n o w i n a dv a n c e B ut k i n dly l ea v e m e i n pe a c e t h e
.

da y a ft e r t omorrow ! In t h es e c i rcum s ta n c es th en th er e i s n o th i n g for

’
, ,

us t o do b u t c e l e br a t e w i t h ou t t h e old g en t l em a n G i v e your o r d er s t o
-
.

t h e m aj ordomo L ai S h en g i n good t i m e t o a rr a n g e th e t w o d a y s b a n
’

”
q u et i n g .

Th e Pr i n c ess a ccord i n gly sen t th e n ec essa ry i n st ruc t i o n s t o th e m a

j ordo m o by h er so n C h i a Yu n g Then C h i a Y un g h a d to go t o th e w est
.

“ ” “ ”
e rn p a l a c e a n d p er s o n a lly i n v i t e t he o ld T a i ta i an d th e b i g T a i ta i
“

“ ”
a n d th e s e co n d Ta i ta i a n d si st er i n la w P hoen i x t o th e b i rth d a y f es
- -

ti val .

On morn i n g of the b i rth d a y Pri n c e C hen sen t hi s son t o th e

the
”
Grea t Eld e r a t h i s h erm i t a ge A t roop of se rv a n t s ha d t o dr a g wi th
.

th e m si x t een l a rge g i ft box es fill e d w i th s e l ec t d i sh es a n d ch o sen frui ts .

“ “
Te ll t he Eld e r h e sa 1 d t o h i s so n th a t your f a th e r h a s compl i e d
, , ,

wi th hi s ord ers a n d i s r e fr a i n i n g from p a y i n g a v i si t A t h om e b e fore .

,

t h e asse mbl ed m em b er s o f t h e f a m i ly h e w i ll du t i fully sh ow h i s r ev e r ,

e n c e by p erform in g a kowt ow b e for e th e Eld er s th r on e of h o n or A n d

’
.

do n o t e wh eth er th i s form of r es pe c t m eets w i t h h i s a pprova l

”
.

T h e first v i s i t ors t o a ppe a r w e re C h i a L i en from th e Y un gk u o p al a c e

a n d P ri n c e C h en s fo st er so n C h i a C h i a n g T h e y vi e we d th e a rr a n g e
’
.
,

m en ts of th e t a bles wi th cur i o si t y for th e y w an t e d t o kn ow wh a t en t er

,
‘

t a i n m en t would b e off e r e d T h e y w e r e i n form e d th a t a comp an y o f a c

.

76
t ors an d a tr oupe o f mus i c i a n s h a d b een en gag e d an d w e r e j us t n o w
gett in g r ea dy t o a pp ea r o n th e g a rd en st a ge The c hi e f gu e sts w h o .
,

wer e r ec ei ve d by t he Pri n c e a n d Pr i n c e ss C hen at th e en t r a n c e t o t h e

rec e p t i o n h a ll an d a ccomp an i ed up th e ste p s gr a du a lly a rr i v ed Th ey ,
.

w e r e Pr i n c ess S h i eh M a d a m e C he n g an d M a d a m e P h o en i x w i th Pa o
, , ,

Y u an d t he o t h ers O n ly t h e Pri n c ess An c es t res s h a d r em a i n e d a t h om e

. .

“
T he old Ta i ta i i s th e old est of all t he ki n folk o ur Eld e r i s o n ly h er ,

n eph e w an d n o doub t i t w a s pr es ump t uou s o f u s t o expe c t h er t o t a k e

,
”
t h e t roubl e t o com e ov e r f Or a n e p h ew s b i rt h d a y
’
r em a rke d Pr i n c e ,

C h en hi d i n g un d e r a smi l e h i s un pl eas a n t s ur pr i se a t th e a b sen c e o f t he

,

A n cest r ess B ut w e i n vi t e d h er a ll th e sa m e b ec a u se of t he b ea u t i ful

.

a u t umn w e a th e r an d a s t h e C h ry sa n th emum s ar e j u s t i n full bloom w i t h

u s W e t h oug h t i t would g i v e h e r ple a s ur e a n d en t e rt a i n m en t t o t a k e

.

p a rt in t h e gen e r a l f a m i ly g a th eri n g a n d t o see a ll th e ch i ldr en an d

gr an dc h i ldren t ogeth er It i s a p i t y t h a t w e ar e d e pr i v e d o f th e pl e as ure
.

”
o f h er pr esen c e .

“
O n ly y e st e rd a y she sti ll i n ten d e d t o come M a d a m e P h o en i x t e ,

pli e d qu i ckly i n ste a d o f M a d am e C hen g w ho r ea lly sh ould h a ve an

, ,
“
s w er e d . B ut l a s t n i g h t sh e upse t h er st om a c h w i t h a fresh p ea c h a n d
t h i s morn i n g sh e fe l t t o o w ea k t o go o ut Sh e w i sh es t o b e e xcu se d a n d
.
,

a s ks i f t he r e i s a n y t hi n g s p e c i a l o n th e t a bl e t o sen d h er ov e r a mor s e l
”
t o t a s t e b u t n o th i n g r i c h o n ly i n v a l i d food
, , .

T h e Pri n c e w as sa ti s fi e d .

“
I th ough t a t o n ce th er e mu st b e s om e s p ec i a l re a so n f o r h er n o t
”
com i ng U s u a lly sh e lov es th ese fa m i ly p a r t i es so muc h
. .

Th e co n v e rs a t i o n t u rn e d t o th e i lln es s o f M i st r ess Yun g a n d t o m e di

ca l m a tt e r s T h en C h i a Yun g a ppe are d a n d r eport e d o n h i s v i s i t t o t h e
.

Pr in c e H e rm i t T h e old gen t l em an h a d sh own h i m self vi s i bly pl e a s ed a t

.

th e a tt en t i o n s pl a nn e d for h i m a n d a s k e d h i s so n Pr i n c e C h e n t o g i v e
, , ,

th e b e st po ssi bl e h o sp i t a l i t y a n d en t e r ta i n m e n t t o t h e w h ol e fa m i ly .

“
More ove r h e a g a i n expre sse d th e w i sh th a t h i s t rea t i se o n T h e Bless
,
”
e dn ess o f Work i n Sol i t ud e s h ould b e qu i ckly pri n t e d It would b e t h e .

grea test b i rt h d a y ple a s ur e po ssi bl e for h i m t o s ee h i s work pri n t e d i n

an e d i t i o n of t e n t h ou s a n d cop i es an d c i rcul a t e d .

Aft e r th e s umpt uou s b an qu et se rv e d t o th e m a l e a n d fem a l e gu ests

,

se p a r a t ely h a d b ee n s ucc ess fully co n s um e d an d th e comp an y h a d

, ,

rin se d thei r mou t h s an d w a sh e d th e ir h a n d s C h i a Yu n g a pp ea re d a g a i n

,

a n d i n v i t e d t h e l a d i e s t o com e t o t h e th e a t ri c a l pe rform a n c e i n t h e
ga r
den T he g en t l em en h a d a lrea dy t a ken th e i r s ea t s Four Impe r i a l
.

pr i n ces six pri n ce s an d e i gh t coun ts h a d sen t the i r con gr a t ula t i o ns t o

, ,

get her wi th pre sen ts he s a i d He h a d h a d a ll th e g i fts r e g i st e r e d i n t h e

, .

E st at e Offi c e an d gi ven th e v a r i ous m essen g ers th ei r re c ei p ts an d th e ,

77
 Pri n cess C h en a cc ep t ed h er s on s report wi th sa ti s fa ct i o n an d then
’
,

ro se from th e t a bl e w i th t h e o the r l a d i es i n ord e r t o see t h e t he a t ri c al

p e rform a n ce i n th e g ard en M a d a m e Ph o en i x l e ft th e comp a n y Sh e w a s
. .

lo n gi n g t o p a y a v i si t t o th e p a ti en t M i s t r es s Yun g of wh om she w a s
, ,

v e ry fon d P a o Y u expr essed th e w i sh t o go w i th h er

. .

“
B u t do n o t st a y t o o lo n g i n t h e s i ckroom ! R em e mbe r the p a ti en t ,
”
i s your n i e c e ! h i s mo t h e r i mpre sse d u p o n h i m '

Soon a fte rw a rd s a t h i s cou si n P h oe n i x s si d e h e en t ere d t h e fa m i l i a r ’

r oom w h i c h a w a k ene d i n h i m a s e cr et m em
, ,

ory of th at st r an ge drea mi n
whi c h h e w a s c a rr i e d o ff t o t he P h an t om R ea lm of t h e Gre a t Vo i d How .

t e rri bly h i s poor lov e ly n i e c e h a d c h a n g e d ! Sh e w an t e d t o ge t up from

h er b e d w h en h er vi s i t ors en t e re d b ut Cou si n P h o en i x a n x i ou sly ,

pr esse d h er down on th e p i llow a ga i n .

“
Do st a y qu i e t ly on your b a ck good Na i na i ’ O t he rwi se yo u m i gh t
, .

”
g et d i zzy , sh e s a i d s i t t i n g o n t h e e dg e o f t h e b e d a n d t a k i n g th e p a
,
’ “
t i en t s h a n d O h h o w th i n you h a v e go t you poor t h i n g si n c e I s a w
.
, , ,
”
yo u l a st !
“
Y e s un for t un a t e ly I h a v e lo st w e i g h t ‘ si gh e d t h e p a t i e n t forc i n g
9’
, ,

h e r s e lf t o i s my m i s for t un e n o t t o b e v e ry we ll Wh a t lov e a n d .

ki n dn ess I h a v e en j oy e d from all si d es ! My p a r en t s i n la w t r eat m e a s i f - -

I we r e th e i r o w n c h i ld My h u sb an d a l t h ough h e i s so yo un g est ee m s
.
, ,

m e a s I e s t eem h i m ; our m a rr i a g e i s a mo st h a ppy o n e A n d a l s o from .

t h e o t h e r r e l a ti o n s bo th old a n d you n g I r e c e i v e n o t h i n g b u t k i n d n ess

, ,
'

an d s m
y p a th v A n d n ow t h i s s i lly i lln e ss com es a lo n g a n d pr e v en ts m e
.

from r ep a y i n g a ll th i s A n d t o yo u d ea r Aun t I sh ould l i ke t o m a ke

.
, ,

s om e a ck n owl e dgm en t f or a ll your t ouch i n g lov e a n d a t t en t i o n b u t u m ,

fort u n a t ely I l a ck th e stren g th t o do so I f eel a s i f my en d w er e n ea r .

’

”
W h o kn ow s i f I sh a ll l i v e t o s eet h e New Y ea r
'

Wh i le th e y we r e t a lki n g P ao Y u w a s looki n g st ea d i ly a t th e p a i n t i n g
o n t h e w all wh i ch re pr esen t ed a p er so n sl eep i ng b en ea th b e gon i a
,

br an ches to th e r i gh t and lef t o f wh i ch w a s wr itten :

,

Gen tl e cooln ess s urr ou n ds th e dreame r—e a rly spr in g !

T h e br ee z es wh i ch c a ress hi m —fra gr a n t as w i n e
"

T h e re mm br e an r in g drea m whi ch h e h a d experi

ce f hi s
o o wn sp ,

en ce d i n t h i s s am e r o oi n a n d w i th t h i s sa m e b e a u t i ful KO Ch i n g w h om

he n Ow h e a rd u tt eri n g gloo my pr e s en t i m en ts o f d e a th gri pp e d him ,

p o w e rq y a n d t ouc h e d him t o t h e ve ry cor e H e f el t h i s h e a r t p i e rc e d ,

by a th ou sa n d a rr ow s an d hi s e y es fill e d wi th t ea rs Thi s di d n o t e sc a pe
,
.

Cous i n Ph o en i x w h o h e rse lf w a s d eeply move d B ut sh e r eme mb er e d

, .

th a t t h e pur po s e o f h er vi si t w as t o c h ee r a n d comfort th e p a t i en t an d ,

n o t t o m a k e h e r st i ll more s a d b y w ea r i n g a s a d f a c e .

“ ”
‘

P a o Y u do n o t b eh a ve li ke an o ld wom an ! she cri e d rousi n g h er

, ,

78
cou si n o ut o f h i s s oft mood Your n i e c e i s sti ll youn g an d wi ll b e able
.

t o ov e rcom e t h i s l i t t l e i ll n ess Sh e m a k es o ut t h a t sh e i s much wor se

.

t h a n sh e r ea lly i s .

“
Y o u sh ould n o t g i v e i n t o s uc h gloomy t h ough ts ! Th a t do es n o t
”
h elp t o m a k e your co n d i t i o n b e tt e r sh e a dmo n i sh e d th e p a t i en t
,

gen t ly .

“
Above a ll sh e mu st get b a ck her a pp eti t e th en I sh a ll n ot b e w o r
, ,
”
ri e d a bou t h er a n y mor e in te rj e c t e d th e youn g h usb an d C h i a Yun g
, , ,

re a ss ur in gly .

“
Th a t i s my op in i o n to o a gr ee d P h o en i x A n d n ow b e so good a s
, .

t o t a k e P a o Y u b a ck t o h i s m o th e r She t old h im e mph a t i c a lly n o t t o

.

s t a y h er e t o o lo n g I sh ould l i ke t o sta y a lon e wi th o ur p ati en t for a

.

”
l i tt l e wh i l e
.

Th e u n cl e a n d n e ph ew th en l e ft Ph o en i x a lo n e wi th th e p a t i en t an d
w en t t o the t h ea t r i c a l p e rform an c e i n th e G a rd en o f A sse mbl e d Per
fum es .

P h o en i x sta y e d on for a lo n g ti m e by t h e si ckb e d a n d th ey h a d t o ,

sen d for h er t h r ee t i m e s b e for e sh e c a m e a w a y Afte r sh e h a d qu i et ly .

a n d t h orough ly d i s cu ss e d a ll k i n d s o f co n fi d en ti a l m a tt e r s wi th t h e s i ck

wom an a n d t r i e d t o c h ee r her up sh e at l a st st ood up t o go , .

“
W ell I w i sh yo u a sp ee dy r e cov e ry an d I w i ll com e a g a i n soon
, , ,

she s a i d o n d e p a r t i n g
“
M ea n t i m e do n ot b e down h ea r te d ! Th e n ew
.
,
”
doc t or w i ll c e r t a i n ly cure you .

“
P e rh a p s h e w i ll b e a bl e t o g i v e m e som e r el i ef b ut h e wi ll n ot b e ,
”
a bl e t o a l te r my f a t e e v en if h e w e r e g i ft e d w i t h sup e rn a t ur a l pow er s ,
“
re pl i e d t h e p a t i en t w i th a w ea k s m i l e I kn ow p e rfe c t ly w ell t h a t I a m
.

”
o n ly dr a gg i n g o n from day t o day .

“
Do n o t gi ve i n t o such i d eas ! Y our fea r s a re qu i t e grou n dl ess Y o u .

a re h a v i n g t h e b est po ss i bl e c a r e n o w a n d lucki ly you b e lo n g t o a ,

f a m i ly wh ere t h e r e i s n o l a ck o f e v ery a v a i l a bl e r e m e dy e v en th e b est ,

”
an d d ea r est g i n s en g B u t n o w e xcu se m e I mu st go b a ck t o t h e o t h e r s
.
,
.

You mu st excu se m e for n o t seei n g you o ut an d do pl e a se v i si t m e ,

s oo n ag
”
( a i n w h en
yo u h a v e t i m e !
“ ”
You m a y r ely o n m e !
Sun k i n th ough t P h oen i x a ft er t r a v er si n g m a n y w i n d i n g p a th s
, , ,
'

c a m e th rough a si d e door i n t o t h e G a rd en of A sse mbl e d P e rfum es Th e .

c h a rm of th e s c en ery wh i ch surroun d e d h er h e r e m a d e h er sl a ck en h er
p a c e a n d st roll a lon g th ou gh t fully .

Th e groun d a t h er feet sh i mm e r e d y ellow w i th ch ry san th emum s ,

from th e h i ll s a n d slop e s a sp en tr ee s an d s i lv e r popl a r s n odd e d Om a .

m en t a l br i dge s st r et ch e d ove r murmuri n g brooks n a rrow z i gz a g p a t h ,

w a y s cro sse d w i d e ro a d s wh i ch le d t o moo n t e rr a c es From cl i ff s sh i n .

i n g s pr i n g s t r i ckl e d dow n Exqu i s i t e p er fum es c a m e h o m e o n th e

.

80
breez e from fru i t t r ell i ses From t i me t o t i m e a li gh t gu s t o f w i n d f rom
.

t h e w e st m a d e t h e r e dd i sh t op s of the t r e e s wh i ch s t ood h e r e a n d t h e r e
,

i n a r ti st i c group s t re mbl e a n d sh a ke Th e s o n g o f th e gold en ori ol e a n d

, .

t he c hi rp o f t h e gr a ssh opp e r could s t i ll b e h ea rd i n t h e w a rm s u n sh i n e .

Up a bove th e w a t c ht ow e r b ecko n e d from a st ee p h e i gh t ; dow n b e low

, ,

t h e w a te r p a v i l i o n wi th i ts t r i pl e a rc h e d roof w a s r e fl e c t e d i n th e l a ke .

In th e d i s t a n c e t he pl a y i n g of flu t es a n d t h e b ea t i n g of drum s could b e
h e a rd .

P h o en i x w a s w a lki n g a lo n g qu i e t ly compl etely ab s orb e d i n th e

b ea u t y of t h e sc e n ery w he n she s udd en ly h e a rd h er sel ca ll e d by so me
,

o n e w h o e m e rg e d un exp e c t e dly from b ehi n d a n a r t i fic i a l s t o n e cl i ff a n d

n o w st ood b e for e h er .

“ ”
T s i n g a n S i s te r i n la w ! h e gr ee te d h er bow i n g pol i t ely
,
- -

, .

P h o en i x st e pp e d b a ck st a r t le d .

“ ”
Is t h a t you C h i a J ui
,
? sh e a s k e d a l i tt l e un c e r t a in ly .

? ? ”
How i s t h a t Do n t you r e cogn i z e m e S i s ter i n la w
’

,
- -

Y es I do ; o n ly I w a s r a th e r co n fu se d by your s udd e n a pp ea r a n c e
, .

It mu s t i n d ee d b e Prov i d en c e w h i c h h a s c a u s e d u s t o m ee t h er e ,
“
C hi a J u i r em a rke d w i th a n o i ly sm i l e I s t ol e a w a y from th e t a bl e j u st
.

n o w t o t a ke a li t t l e w a lk a f t e r th e m ea l i n t h i s qu i e t se clud e d s po t A n d .

”
he re I m ee t you ! R e a lly i t mu s t b e t h e work of Prov i d en c e
, .

Wh i l e h e a s s p e a k i n g h i s li tt l e ey e s br i g ht w i th w i n e bl i n ke d, ,

fix e dly a n d br a z en ly a t t he b ea u t i ful wom a n oppo si te h i m P h o e n i x h a d .

s uffic i en t k n owl e dg e of h um a n n a t ur e t o en a bl e h e r t o s i z e up t h e s i t u a

t i o n by n i n e t en th s
-
.

“
I h a v e a lw a y s h e a rd muc h th a t i s good a n d pra i se wor th y of yo u ,

s h e fl a tt e r e d h i m w i th a ssum e d fr i en dl i n es s A n d n o w h e a r i n g yo u
, .

s p e a k I kn ow th a t p e opl e h a v e n o t e x a gg e r a t e d w h e n t h e y pr a i s e d
yo u
a s a m a n of i n t e ll e c t an d gr ea t wor t h U n fort un a t e ly a t th i s mom e n t I
.
,

mu st d en y my se lf t h e pr i v i le g e of a lon g co n v e r sa t i o n wi t h you a s I a m
‘

exp e c t e d t o j o i n the l a d i e s ov e r th e r e B ut p e r h a p s w e s h a ll m e e t a g a i n
.

”
an o t h e r t i m e .

“
It h a s lo n g b e e n my i n ten t i o n t o p a y my r es p e c ts t o you B ut .

t h roug h co n s i d e r a t i o n for your t e n d e r you th I di d n o t v en tur e t o do so ,

”
up t o n o w i n t e rj e c te d C h i a J ui eag erly
, .

“
O h a mo n g n e a r r el a t i on s a g e an d y e a r s are n o t s o i mpor ta n t s h e
, ,

sa i d s ee m i n g t o en cour a g e h i m a n d pu t t i n g o n a c h a rm i n g s m i l e
, .

C hi a Jui could h a rdly co n t a i n h i m se lf f o r secre t t ri umph I would .

n ev e r h a v e dr ea m t t h a t I would s ucc ee d s o ea s i ly w i t h h er ! h e th oug h t

h i s lu st ful d es i r es s o d i s t i n c t ly a n d
t h ough t i t a dv i s abl e t o get r i d of

p a n i o n s o th e rwi se you
, w i ll h a v e t o p a y a

81
fi ne of dr i n k she ur g e d hi m cu n n i n gly an d i n fa c t sh e succ ee d e d i n
a , ,

m a ki n g h i m mov e h esi t an t ly a w a y t h ough h e could n o t r efr a in from ,

t urn i n g rou n d a g a i n a n d a g a i n t o look at h er Sh e le t h i m go o n a g ood .

w a y a n d t h en sh e h e rse lf follow e d s lowly O n t h e w a y s h e th ough t t o

, .

h er s elf : A m a n l i k e t h a t h a s a h um a n f a c e b ut b eh i n d i t t h er e s o n ly a
’
~-

b ea st My word h e w i ll get t o kn ow m e ye t i f h e d a r e s t ry an y l i b e rt i es
.
, .

A t a b en d i n t h e ro a d b eh i n d a proj ec t i o n of rock th r e e s e rvi n g

wom en c a m e br ea th l e ssly t ow a rd s h er Pr i n c ess C h en h a d sen t t h e m t o .

look for h er b e i n g qu i t e worr i e d b e c a u se sh e h a d st a y e d a w a y s o lo n g

, .

“ ”
Afte r a ll I a m n o t a s p i ri t th a t ca n fly r em a rk e d P h o en i x dryly
, , ,

co n t in u i n g a t h er e a sygo i n g p a ce n o t i n t h e l e a st d i s con c e rt e d
, .

“ ”
How m a n y a c t s h a v e a lr ea dy b een p e rform e d th en ?
,
”
E i gh t or n i n e .

’
T a lki n g a n d ch a t t i n g a w a y th ey a rr i v e d a t th e sp e ct a t or s en t r a n c e t o
,

th e g a rd en t h ea t e r In fro n t o f t h e en t r a n c e P h o en i x c a ugh t s i gh t o f h er
.
'

cou si n P a o Y u en g a g e d i n a v i si bly l i v ely a n d e xub e r a n t co n v ersa t i o n

'

w i th a crowd of yo un g w a i t i n g m a i d s a n d a ct re sses .

“ ”
M i n d n o si lly t ri cks Cou s i n P a o Y u ! sh e c a lle d ov e r t o h i m i n
, ,

mock i n g t h r e a t .

“
Th i s i s th e st a i rw a y t o t h e upp e r pl a t form s a i d a m ai d l ea d i n g th e , ,
“
way . Th e o th e r l a d i es a r e a ll up th e r e a lr ea dy .

P h o en i x t uck e d up h er s k i r t an d follow e d t h e m a i d up th e st e p s t o t h e
upp e r pl a t form Pr i n c ess C hen w a s w a i t i n g for h er a t th e t o p o f t h e
.

st a i r s .

“
You h a v e b een gon e a lo n g t i m e sh e sa i d w i th g en t l e r epro a ch ,
.

“
S i n c e you fi n d i t so d i ff i cul t t o t e a r your se lf a w a y from your b elov e d
n i e c e i t wi ll b e b et t e r i f you mov e ov e r t o u s a t o n c e a n d go t o l i v e
,

w i th h er B ut n o w t a ke your s ea t H e re i s a progr a m R e a d i t t h rough

. . .

”
a n d s ee i f t h e r e i s a p i e c e w h i c h you would l i k e t o h a v e p e rform e d
‘

W h y a m I t o h a v e t h a t h on or ? T h a t i s a m a tte r for t h e o t h er s w h o
”
h a v e pr e c e d en c e of m e i n r a n k a n d a ge pro t est e d Ph o en i x mod est ly ,
.

“ ”
O h pl ea s e c h oo s e ; w e o t h e r s h a v e c h o s en a lr ea dy
, s a i d Pr i n c es s ,

S h i e h a n d M a d a m e C h en g .

P h oen i x r e a d th e progr a m a tt en t i ve ly an d i n di c a t e d t w o i t em s t h e ,
“ ”
s k et ch G h o st ly App a r i t i o n a n d a son g a ccomp an i e d by lut e mu si c .

“ ”
Wh e r e a re t h e g en t l em en go n e t o ? sh e as k e d b en d i n g down t o ,

look ov er th e b a lust r a d e .

“
To t he P a v i l i on o f Cr yst a l Br i ll i a n c e t o con t i n u e th ei r dr i n ki n g ; an d
'

t h ey h a v e t a ke
”
n t n e b a n d wi t h t h em s h e w as t old ,
.

“
A h a t h e y w a n t t o b e t o th em s e lv es ; w h o kn ow s w h at m i sch i e f th e y
"

,
”
wi ll b e up to b eh i n d our b a cks !
You c a n n o t exp e c t e v eryo n e t o b e as good a n d vi rt uous a s yo u ar e ,

sa i d Pr i n c es s C h en j ocul a rly .

82
 CHAPTER 1 0

Ph o en i x m a l i c i o us ly i n c i t es a n r
un equ i t e d p a ss i o n . Inp i t e of w a rn i n g s
s ,

Ch ia Ju i loo k s i n t o th e for b i dd en si d e of th e W i n d a n d M oo n M i rror .

PH O EN I X H A D H A R DL Y THE S E NT E N C E W H EN A V O ICE F R O M
F IN I S H E D
“ ”
ou ts i de a n n oun c e d : C h i a Jui i s he r e .

“ ”
L e t h i m com e i n ord er e d P h o en i x
’

.
,

B ea mi n g w i th j oy a ll ov e r h i s fa c e t h e v i si t or en t e r e d b owin g a n d , ,

s crap mg a n d rubb i n g h i s h a n d s a n d bur st o ut w i t h a rus h of qu est i o n s

,
“ ” “ ” ”
a bout t he est ee m e d w ell b e i n g a n d t h e pr e c i ou s a n d n e p h r i te
-

h ea l th of h i s h o s t ess She w e lcom e d h i m w i t h h ypocr i ti c a l fr i en dl i n ess

.
,

i nvi te d h i m t o t a k e a s ea t a n d se rve d hi m t e a , .

T h e fa c t t h a t h e w a s p erm i t te d t o s ee h er i n h er n egli g ee a tt ir e m a d e
‘

h i m s o ft a s c h ee se a n d h i s a morou s g a z e dr i pp e d h o n e y a s h e a ske d
, ,

s udd en ly r es olv e d t o com e s t r a i g h t t o th e po i n t

“ ”
W hy i s Cou si n L i en n o t h er e ?
“ ”
How can I kn ow wh er e h e m ay b e sh e r epl i e d wi th an a i r o f i n
?

d i ff er en c e .

“
P erh a p s h i s foo t b e c a m e en t an gl e d i n som e gen t l e sn a r e o n h i s w a y
? ”
h om e
“
Po ssi bly M en a re l i ke th a t ; th ey f a ll i n lov e a t first si gh t wi th th e
'
.

fi rst w o m a n t h ey meet
’

“
Oh , S i s t e r i n la w , I a m c e rt a i n ly n o t o n e of t h a t i n co n st a n t ki n d
- -

Then you mu s t b e apr a i se wor t h y exc e p t i o n O n e could h a rdly fi n d .

”
one of your s ort sh e fl a t t e r e d h i m A n d h e fou n d h er fl a t
m a n i n t en , .

t ery so pl e a si n g t h a t h e a lmo s t fe l t a s i f sh e w e r e fo n d li n g h i s e ar a n d
s t rok i n g h i s c h ee k .

“
You mu st s uff e r gr e a t bor e dom i n your s ol i t ud e da y i n da y o ut , , ,

h e br a v e ly co n t i n u e d .

“
I n d e e d ye s A n d my o n ly comfor t i s w h en som e o n e com es t o v i si t
, .

”
m e n o w a n d t h en a n d br ea k s t h e mo n o t o n y .

“
How would i t b e i f I w er e t o t a k e ov e r th i s rol e o f your comfort er i n
lo n el i n ess ? I h a v e pl en t y o f fr ee t i m e a n d would b e a t your di s po sa l
”
e v e ry da y w i th t h e gr ea t es t pl ea s ur e .

“
S ur e ly you a re j ok i n g ! Would you r ea lly t a k e a s much tr oubl e a s
”
th a t ?
“
M ay I b e st ruck by l i gh t n i n g a n d spl i t i n tw o ha lv es i f my i n t en t i o n s
t ow a rd s you a r e n o t s i n c er e ! Up t o n o w I di d n o t r e a lly t ru st my s e lf t o

s h ow my f ee l i n g s you w e r e a l wa y s s a i d t o b e s o t e rr i bly s t r i c t a n d co r
,
'

re c t B u t h a v i n g con v i n c e d my s e lf o i h o w en t e r t a i n i n g a n d c h a rm i n g
.

a n d d el i g h t ful y ou a re I sh a ll n o lo n g e r r e fr a i n b ut sh a ll h a st en t o
, ,

com e t o you a n d I wi ll g i ve my l i fe w i lli n gly i f o n ly I m ay en j oy yo ur

,
”
comp an y !

84
 ”
Wh a t a hi gh an ure your word s b et r a y ! sh e sa i d assum
d n obl e n at ,
“
i n g a n e n r a p t ur e d t o n e How a b s olu t ely d i ff e ren t you a re from your
.

s i mpl e cou si n s C h i a Yu n g a n d C hi n C h un g wh o se a tt r a c t i on s a re ,

m er e ly s upe rfic i a l a n d w h o do n o t po ssess a s cr a p o f un d e rst a n d i n g o r

”
d e li c a cy o f feel i n g .

Th i s pr a i se t i ckl e d h i s v e ry V i t a l s a n d en cour a g e d h i m t o e dge clo se r ‘

an d clo s e r t o h er s i d e a n d t o fo n dl e h e r w i t h h i s e y es mor e a n d more

br az en ly Hi s gl a n c e r est e d boldly i n th e r eg i o n o f h er lo t us sh a p e d
.
-

g i rdle pocket He w a s in a fev e r t o t ouch h er

. .

“ ”
M a y I h a v e a clo se look a t your r i n g ? h e a sk e d h er boldly t ry i n g ,

to gr a s p her h an d .

“ ”
No t so ve h em en t pl ea se ! sh e re bu ff e d h i m g en t ly W h a t i f s om e
, .

? ”
o n e sh ould c a t c h u s u n a w a r e s

He qu i ckly mov e d a w a y from h er a g a i n a s ob e d i e n t ly as i f i t w er e a

m a tt er o f a n Impe ri a l e d i c t o r a comm an d of Buddh a .

“ ”
Now you mu st go ! sh e sa i d sm i li n g , .

”
Do n ot b e so cruel b u t le t m e s ta y a l i tt le lo n ge r ! he b egge d
, .

” “
Impo ssi bl e ! she br e a th ed Th er e a re t o o m a n y pe ople abou t h e r e
.

duri n g the da y It would b e t o o r i sky B ut t o n i gh t a t t h e t i m e of th e

. .

first n i g h t wa t ch w a i t f o r m e ou ts i d e i n t h e p a rk by the w es te rn cov e r e d

”
p a ss a ge .

C hi a J ui r e c ei ve d thi s wi th a feeli n g o f ke en d e l i gh t a s i f a pre c i ou s ,

j ewel h a d fa ll en i n t o h i s h an ds .

“
You a re n o t j oki n g a re you S i st e r in l a w ? A n d are w e sa fe from
, ,
- -

? ”
ea v es dropp e rs th e r e he a s k e d exc i t e dly .

“
Do n o t worry ! I wi ll g i v e l e a v e of a b sen c e to th e se rv ant s w h o are
due for w a t c h th e re t o n i g h t ; a n d o n c e th e g a tes a bov e a n d b elow a re
locke d n o o n e ca n com e t h rough sh e re a ss ur e d h i m
, , .

He h urr i e d o ff i n bl i ss ful a n t i c i p a t i o n o f wh a t w as t o come A s du s k .

w a s f a ll i n g h e s l i pp e d o n c e mor e i n t o t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e pre c i n c t s ,

a n d sh or t ly b e for e t h e g a t es w e r e lock e d t ook up hi s po s i t i o n i n th e as

p
sa g e i n d i c a te d Soo n t h e s urroun d i n g p a rk la
.
y i n compl e t e d a rkn ess a n d
s i l en c e No t a h um a n s oun d w a s t o b e h ea rd H a lf th e n i g h t t h roug h h e
. .

w a i t e d an d l i st en e d in v a i n She h a d m a d e th e a ppo in t m en t wi th hi m
.

for t he fir st n i ght w a t c h Th e se co n d n i gh t w at ch h a d p a sse d m e a n t i m e

.
,

a n d sh e h a d n o t a rr i v e d T h en i t b e c a m e cl e a r t o h i m th a t h e h a d b een
.

h o a x e d a n d h e d e c i d e d t o ge t a w a y B ut h e t r i e d t he e a s t g a t e an d t h e
.

wes t g a te i n v a i n T he y w e re se cur ely locke d a n d bol t e d from th e o u t

.

s i d e H e n o w t ri e d t o cl i m b th e w a ll ; b u t i t w a s t o o h i g h an d t h e r e w a s
.

n o l e dg e or foo t h old a n ywh e r e by w h i c h h e could h e a v e h i mse lf up For .

good or i ll b e h a d t o p as s t he wh ole n i gh t i n th e i n h o s p i t a bl e e mp t y
, ,

p a ss a ge Th a t w a s f ar from pl easa n t a t th a t wi n tr y se a so n A n i cy w i n d
. .

blew r i gh t i n ar oun d th e e dges o f th e door an d w i n dow a n d cu t h im p i t i

85
 l essly t o t h e v e ry bo n e Hi s l i mb s w e re st i ff w i th cold w h en mor n i n g
.

d a w n e d a t l a st a n d a n old g a t eke ep e r c a m e a n d fi r s t op en e d t h e e a s t er n
g a t e a n d t hen b e g a n r a t tl i n g a t th e w est ern o n e A s soo n a s sh e t urn e d .

h er b a ck h e sl i pp e d s w i ft ly from h i s h i d i n g pl a c e a n d fl e w l i ke smoke
,

o u t t h rou g h t h e e a s t e r n g a t e Luck i ly e v eryo n e w a s s t i ll a s l ee p a t t h i s

“

.
,

e a rly h our s o t h a t h e w a s a bl e t o e s c a p e u n s een from t h e es t a t e by a

,

po st e rn g a t e a t t h e b a ck T h en he ra n h om e t o h i s gr an dfa th er s h ou se
.
’
.

For C h i a Ju i w h o w a s orp h a n e d you n g l i ve d w i th old T a i Jn w h o

, , ,

m a i n tai n ed hi m .

Th e old g en t l e m a n k ep t t h e gra n d s o n u n d e r st ri c t co n t rol a n d s up er

v i s i o n a n d w a t ch e d h i m co n sc i en t i ou s ly t o pr even t h i m from lo a fi n g
a bou t a n d n e gl e c t i n g h i s s t ud i e s T h e f a c t t h a t t h e r a s c a l h a d r em a i n e d
.

o u t t h e w h ol e n i g h t n a t ur a lly m e r i t e d t h e s e v e r e s t r e proof from h i s

gr a n dfa t h e r H e s u s p e c t e d t h a t w i n e a n d w om en h a d ke p t h i m o u t a n d
.
,

w he n h e a rr i v e d h ome a t l a s t i n t h e e a rly h our s of t h e mor n i n g h e m e t

w i th a n y t h i n g b u t a fr i en dly r e c e p t i o n Th e gra n dfa th e r could c er ta i n ly
.

n e v e r h a v e gu e sse d t h a t t h e m a t t e r w a s a c t u a lly f a r wor s e t h a n i t

s ee m e d a n d t h a t t h e s cou n dr e l w a s w e ll o n t h e w a
.
y t o cre a t i n g a se r i
o us f a m i ly s c a n d a l .

M opp i n g t h e cold sw ea t from h i s brow t h e n i gh t r evell e r a ppe a r e d ,

b efor e t h e en r a g e d o l d g en t l em a n a n d t r i e d t o li e hi m self o u t o f h i s
.

pre d i c a m en t a s w e ll a s h e could Y est erd a y wh en v i s i t i n g a re l a t i v e h e

.
,

h a d st a y e d t o o l a t e a n d h a d b een k ep t for t h e n i g h t B ut T a i J u r e a d .

th e l i e o n h i s f a c e .

“ ”
Y o u sh ould n o t go o u t w i th ou t my p erm i ssi o n ! h e s a i d s e v e r ely .

A n d for d e c e i v i n g m e a s w e ll you d ese rv e a ll t h e gr ea t e r pu n i sh m en t

, .

A n d h e m a d e h i m kn ee l down a n d g a v e h i m t h i r t y o r fort y st roke s

wi th a c a n e B e si d e s th i s h e l e ft h i m w i th ou t food f o r t h e w h ol e da y a n d
.
,

g a v e h i m a s a dd i t i on a l pun i shm en t an a ppropr i a t e l esso n t o l ea rn

kn eel i n g o ut i n t h e y a rd Af te r h a v i n g b een froz en t h rough a ll n i gh t
.
,

t h e poor d e v i l h a d t o a t o n e s t i ll mor e for h i s folly w i th a t hr a sh i n g ,

h u n g er st i ll mor e cold an d s om e s t r en uou s br a i n work

, ,
.

B ut a ll t h e se s uff e r i ng s fa i l e d t o cur e h i s d epr a v i t y Sc a rc ely tw o .

d a y s h a d p a sse d wh en h e sl i pp e d a cro ss a g a i n d ur i n g a fr ee h our t o th e

Y un gk u o p a l a c e He w a s o n c e mor e r e c ei ve d by Ph o en i x Sh e h a d de
. .

c i d e d t o cur e h i m e v en more t h orough ly t h i s t i m e A t fir st sh e a ct e d a s .

i f sh e w er e o ff en d e d a n d r e pro a c h e d h i m for h a vi n g fa i l e d t o kee p h i s

word r e c en t ly W i t h se cr et m a l i c i ou s pl ea s ur e sh e l i st en e d t o h i s pro t
.
,

es t a t i o n s t o t h e co n t r a ry a n d l et h i m t e ll h er a ll h e h a d e n dur e d an d

s u ff e r e d o n h e r a ccoun t T h en sh e suggest e d a n ew m ee t i n g for t h a t

.

s a m e e v en i n g b u t i n a d i ff e r e n t pl a c e S h e i n d i c a t e d a l i tt l e un u s e d g ar
, .

den h ou s e clo s e b eh i n d h er dw e ll i n g He w a s t o w a i t for h er th e re

, . .

“ ? ”
B ut you r ea lly m ean i t h e a s k e d di ffi dently .

86
 D ea r n e phe w let m e get a wa y a n d do n ot b et r a y m e ! begge d Chi a
,
”

“
J u i u t t erly d i s m a y e d I prom i se yo u a f a t re w ard
, . .

“ ” “
I could let you run off repl i e d C h i a C h i an g b ut first I mu st kn ow
, ,

e x a c t ly h o w much u a re wi ll i n g t o a A d a v e rb a l prom i se i s n o t
y o p y n .

e n oug h f or m e ;
yo u w i ll h a v e t o s i g n a prom i ss ory n o t e Fo r t h e sa k e .

o f d e c en cy t h e a moun t i n qu est i o n ca n b e
p u t down o n th e n o t e a s a
‘
,
”
g a mb li n g d eb t .

“ ? ”
Agree d B ut wh e re can w e get p a p e r an d ink h er e
.

”
Th e y w i ll b e brough t t o yo u i mm e d i a t ely Wa i t on e mom ent ! .

C h i a C h i a n g d i sa pp e a re d a n d a t on c e r et urn e d w i th wr i t i n g m a t er i a l s .

Aft er l en g th y b a rg a i n i n g C h i a Ju i h a d t o a gr ee t o wri t e o u t a prom i s

s ory n o t e for fif t y t a e l s C h i a C h i an g
p u t t h e n o t e i n h i s pocket a n d t ook
.

C hi a Yun g by t h e h a n d t o d e p a rt B u t sudd en ly C h i a Yun g b e c a m e re .

f ra ct o ry an d d e cl a r e d d efi an tly t h a t h e would t ell th e st ory t o a ll th e

cl a n i n the morn i n g Thi s th r ea t g a v e C h i a J ui a n ew fri gh t a n d even
.
,

i n duc e d h i m t o h um i l i a t e h i m s elf by maki n g a kowt ow t o h i s t ort ur e r .

B ut th e l a tter would n o t let h i m go un t i l he t o o h a d a prom i ss ory n o t e

f o r fift y t a e l s i n h i s pocket .

“
We ll for t od a y w e w i ll let you go fr ee o n o ur o wn r espon si b i li ty
, ,
“
s a i d C h i a C h i a n g m a g n a n i mou s ly B ut n o w you m u st get o ff i t i s o n ly
.
,

a qu e s t i o n o f wh i c h w a y You c a n n o t go t h roug h t h e dom a i n o f t h e o ld

.

T a i t a i for all th e g a t es are lock e d A n d you d a re n o t v en t ur e n ea r th e

, .

r esi d en c e o f Gr ea t Un cl e C h en g He i s st i ll si tti n g up ov er h i s offi ci a l

-
.

docum en t s W o e b eti d e yo u i f he w e r e t o c a t ch you ! B ut you c an n o t st a y

.

h er e a n y J o n ger ei th er ; a t a n y mom en t o n e o f t h e se rv a n t s m a y com e

,

'
ov er for t h ere i s a st or eroom n e a r by Th e o n ly ex i t po ssi b le for yo u
, .

i s th e b a ck p a rk g a te ; b ut w e mu st first go o ut an d se e i f t h e co a st i s
cl ea r for i f you w er e c a ugh t i t would b e b a d for u s t o o I kn ow a cer
, , .

”
t a i n pl a c e w h e r e yo u ca n w a i t for u s i n t h e m ea n t i m e Com e wi t h us ! .

H e bl e w o ut h i s w a x c an dl e s ei z e d C h i a J 11 1 by th e h a n d an d dr a gg e d
, ,

hi m o ut He c a r efully grop ed hi s w a y i n t h e d a rkn e ss un t i l th e y g o t i n t o

.

“
a f a rmy a rd w h e r e t h e y s t opp e d b en ea t h a s t a i rw a y Y o u a re sa fe h e re .

” “
for th e pr esen t h e wh i sp e r ed Squ a t down o n th e groun d an d kee p
, .

”
v e ry qu i et un t i l w e com e b a ck a n d c a ll you !
H e w en t a w a y w i th th e o th e r you th C h i a J ui s qu a tt e d ob e d i en t ly o n .

t h e groun d a t t h e e dg e o f t h e st a i r s h a rdly d a r i n g t o br e a t h e Wh i l e h e
, .

w a s crouc h in g th e r e t h i n k i n g ov er h i s s t r a n g e po s i ti o n h e s udd en ly ,

h ea rd a bov e h i m a gur gl i n g s pl a sh i n g n o i se a n d i mm e d i a t ely a th i ck

d i sgust i n g flu i d— h um a n e xcr em en t s —
, ,

w a s pour e d ov e r hi m A s u p .

pr essed cry es c a p e d h i m b ut i mm e d i a t e ly r e m em b e r in g t h a t h e h a d
,

b een ord e re d t o kee p si l en t h e presse d h i s h a n d t o h i s mout h T he e vi l

-

, .

s m e ll i n g li qu i d dri pp e d do w n h i s for eh ea d a n d ch e ck s dren ch e d h i s ,

clo thi n g t hr ough from t o p t o bo tt om an d m a d e hi m sh i v er w i th col d ,

88
an d d i s comfort How . lo n g mu st h e en dur e th i s m i ser abl e sta t e ? He w a s
i mm en se ly r e li e ve d w h en a t l a st h e h e a rd t h e tw o r et urn an d c a ll o ut
“ ”
Qu i ck get a w a y get a w a y ! H e go t up qu i ckly from h i s crouch i n g
, ,

po si t i on a n d ra n i n gr ea t bou n d s t o th e b a ck g a rd en g a t e Compl et ely .

e x h a u st e d a n d o u t o f br e a t h h e a rr i v e d a bou t m i d n i gh t i n fro n t o f h i s
,

h om e Th e h ou seboy w h o op en e d t h e door sh r an k b a ck st a r t l e d a t
.

s i gh t o f hi m
“ ”
W h a t h a s h a pp en e d t o yo u ? h e a s k e d h old i n g h i s n o s e , .

”
I fe ll i n t o a c esspool i n t h e d a rk l i e d C h i a Ju i ; a n d h e ru sh e d t o
,

hi s room w h e r e h e th r ew off h i s odorou s clo th e s an d w a sh e d h i m self

,

t h orough ly Al t h oug h h e w a s d ea d t i r e d h e could n o t s l ee p a w i n k th a t

.
-

n i h t h i s m i n d w as s o a g i t a t e d by t h e a dv en t ur e h e h a d go n e t h rough
g , .

I n d ee d h e could n o t b ut feel a grudge a g a i n st th e b elov e d o n e w h o h a d

,

pl a y e d h i m s uch a v i l e t r i ck b ut h er lov e ly i m a g e wh i ch p e r si st en t ly
, ,

fl i t t e d a cro ss h i s m i n d a g a i n d i s p e ll e d th e gr i e f an d r an cor a n d o n ly
,

l e ft pl a c e for o n e cr a v i n g— t o b e p e rm i tt e d t o fold h er i n h i s a rm s i n
'

s p i t e o f e v e ry t h i n g To b e s ure h i s d esi r e for furt h e r vi si ts a t th e

.
,

Y un gk u o p a l a c e h a d v an i sh e d compl ete ly a f te r t h i s l ast e xp e r i en c e .

A p e ri od o f r ea l s uff e r i n g n o w b e g a n for h i m Th e p er s i st en t dun n i n g .

by h i s t w o cr e d i t or s for p a ym en t of th e prom i ss ory n o t e s wh i ch th ey

h a d e x t or t e d from h i m t he co n st a n t fe a r of b e i n g fou n d o ut by h i s
,

s t r i c t gr a n df at h er th e co n s um i n g u n fu l fill e d d e si r e for t h e b e lov e d

, ,

wom an wh i ch r e duc e d th e u n m a rr i e d t w en t y y e a r old t o fr e qu en t - -

n e rv e sh a tt e ri n g fi n g e r pl a y ; a dd e d t o th i s t h e burd en of t h e d eb t s
-

wh i ch h e fel t h ea v i e r da y by da y a n d fi n a lly t h e cold w h i c h h e h a d

, ,

c a ught as a r es ul t of h i s t w o n oct urn a l a dv ent ur e s— all t h e se t h i n g s h a d

t h e cum ul a t i v e e ff e c t o f m a k i n g h i m a s i ck m a n i n a sh or t t i m e H e lo st .

h i s a pp et i t e h i s d i g e st i on f a i l e d h e f el t h ea vy a n d g i ddy a s i f h i s l e g s
, ,

w er e m a d e n o t of bon es a n d si n ew s a n d mu s cl es b u t of co t t o n wool ; h i s -

e y es b e c a m e dull a s i f v i n e g a r h a d b een s pr a y e d i n t o t h e m
,
'
h e sp a t ,

blood wh en h e cough e d fe ver a n d sl ee pl essn ess t or t ur e d h i m by n i gh t

, ,

by da y h e s uff e r e d drowsy ex h a u st i o n Wh en h e di d go t o sl e e p h e fell .

i n t o r e st l es s dr ea m s a n d s t a mm e re d i n d e l i r i um Such w e r e t h e m a n i fold .

i n fi rm i t i es w h i c h c a m e upo n h i m by d e gr ees i n t h e cour se of a y e a r .

H i s a n x i ou s gr a n dfa t h e r t ri e d a ll po ss i bl e doc t or s a n d m a d e h i m ,

s w a llow pou n d s of m e d i c i n e b ut i t w a s a ll i n v a i n O n ly a good do s e of

,
.

g i n sen g could sa ve h i m s a i d th e doc t or s B ut wh e r e could a poor

, .

s c h ol a r g e t t h e m ea n s t o a cqu i r e t h i s u n u s u a l a n d e xp en s i v e drug
?

T h e old T a i J n t urn e d t o h i s r i c h r el a t i o n s i n t h e Y u n gk u o p a l a c e .

M a d am e C h en g t o w h om he m a d e h i s r e qu e st p a s se d i t o n t o M a d a m e
, ,

P h o en i x th e m i st ress o f t h e k i t ch en s a n d st or es Sh e a ske d h er t o
, .

w ei gh o ut t w o oun c e s of g i n sen g for h i m B ut M a d a m e Ph o en i x h a d n o .

i n t en t i o n w h a t eve r of h elp i n g t h e i n v a l i d w h om s h e pr eferr e d to see ,

90
n ot t ry o ut m i rror ? Th e st r an ge pr i est h a d d i a gn o se d h i s co n d i ti on
t he
re m a rk a bly corr e c t ly ; thi s th e o th er s could n o t kn ow o f cour se So h e ,
.

t ook t h e m i rror i n h i s h a n d a n d loo ke d a s th e pr i est h a d t old h i m t o

, ,

i n t o th e r ev erse si d e H e re co i l e d i n h orror A s k el et o n gr i n n e d a t h i m
. .

from t h e m ir ror !
“ ? ”
D i d th e a ccur se d fe llow o n ly w a n t t o fr i gh t en m e h e cri e d
“ ”
a n gr i ly Now I w i ll j ust look i n t o t he forb i dd en si d e
. .

A n d h e t urn e d t h e m i rror a nd looke d i n t o t h e o t h e r si d e 0 m a rv el ! .

Th e lov ely i m a g e of P h o en i x m et h i s g az e ! Sh e w a s sm i l i n g a t h i m an d
b e cko n i n g h i m t o h er w i th h er h a n d Bl i ssfully h a ppy h e fel t h i m self
.
,

dr a wn h e kn e w n o t h o w i n t o t he m i rror by s ome m a gi c forc e an d en

, , ,

j oy e d w i th th e b elov e d o n e th e p a ss i o n a t e Pl a y of W i n d a n d Cloud .

W hen t h i s w a s ov e r sh e le d h i m gen t ly o ut o f th e m i rr or a g a m H e .

foun d hi mself o n c e mor e ly i n g i n h i s b e d st i ll gro a n i n g an d mo a n i n g

,

from th e a ft e r eff ec t s o f t he deli ght f ul experi en ce .

Now h e t urn e d t o th e m i rror a g a i n an d look e d o n c e mor e a t t h e

o th er si d e Ag a i n t h e h orri bl e ske l et o n gr i n n e d a t h i m bri n gi n g a cold
.
,

s w e a t o u t o f h i s por es T h ough s t i ll e x h a u s t e d from t h e fir st en j oym en t

.

o f lov e h e could n o t r es i s t t h e t e mp t a t i o n of look i n g i n t o t h e forb i dd en

,

s i d e of t h e m i rror a s e co n d t i m e a n d a g a i n P h o en i x b e cko n e d h i m a n d
,

s m i l e d a t h i m a llur i n gly an d dr e w h i m w i th m a g i c pow e r i n t o t h e

m i rror o n c e mor e t o p e rform th e Pl a y of Wi n d a n d Cloud Th e exp eri

,
.

en c e w asr e p ea t e d four t i m e s W h en sh e le d h i m o u t for t h e fourt h t i m e

.

h e s udd en ly fel t h i m s e lf b e i n g sei z e d by tw o m en w h o p u t h im i n i ron

,

ch a i n s .

“ ”
I w i ll follow you ! B ut let m e t a ke t h e m i rr or w i th m e ! he cr i e d
a loud .

T h es e w e r e h i s l a st word s Th o se ou tsi d e h a d h e a rd h i s cry The y

Op en e d th e door of th e si ckroo man d p ee p e d i n si d e a n d could j u st see
. .

h i m s t a r i n g a t t h e m i rror w i th w i d e op en ey es w h en i t sl i d t o th e grou n d
,

as h i s gr i p loo s en e d T h e y a ll pr e sse d a rou n d t h e b e d b u t t h e s i ck m a n

.
,

di d n o t br e a th e a g a i n Th e y foun d th e s h eet s w et w i t h t r a c es of h um a n
.

e m i ss i o n s T h e s e rv a n t s w a sh e d a n d dr e ss e d t h e d ea d m a n a n d l a i d h i m
.

'

o n a b i e r i n a ccord a n c e w i t h cu s t om Th en t h ey i n f o rm e d h i s gr a n d
.

p a r en ts t h a t he h a d p a sse d a w a y .

T h e r el a t i v es r a i se d a loud d i rg e an d di d n o t f a i l t o a bu se th e l am e
pri est a n d h i s m a g i c m i rror .

“
T h e m a g i c m i rror mu s t b e d est roy e d ; o th erw i s e i t w i ll do s t i ll mor e
”
h a rm , cr i e d old T a i J u a n gri ly ; a n d h e ord e r e d t h em t o th row i t i n t o
t h e fi re B u t b e for e t h e y h a d t i m e t o c a rry o u t h i s ord er a vo i c e w a s
.

“
h e a rd i n t h e a i r s a y i n g : W h y do you w a n t t o burn my m i rror ? It i s
i n n oc e n t Th e d ea d m a n h i m s elf i s t o bl a m e W h o t old h i m t o i g n or e
. .

”
my pro h i b i t i o n a n d look i n t o t h e wro n g si d e ?

92
 A t th e s a m e t i m e t h e m i rror ro se from th e groun d o f i ts e lf a n d flo ate d
o u t thr oug h t h e w i n dow O ld T a i J u ru sh e d o u t t h e door a f te r i t a n d
.

t r i e d t o c a t ch i t w h en he s a w t h e s a m e l a m e pr i e s t st a n d i n g t h e r e
,
.

“ ”
W h o d a r e s t o s e ize my m i rror ? h e h e a rd h i m cry i n g i n a th re a t
e n i n g vo i c e a n d th en h e sa w h i m s t r et c h o ut h i s ha n d a n d c a t c h th e
,

fl o ati n g m i rror T h e n ex t momen t bo th pr i est a n d m i rror h a d v a n i she d

.

into n o thi n gn ess .

CHAPTER 1 1

K 0 Ch i n g d i es a nd r e ce i v es t h e po s th u m ou s t i t le of w i fe o f a ma n d a r i n
o f th e fifth ra n k P h o en ix ta k es o v er t h e h ou seh old m a na g em en t i n th e
.

Ni n g k u o p a la c e .

T O W A R DS THE EN D THE Y E A R THE N E W S C A M E F RO M YA NGCH O W

OF

t h a t Bl a ck J a d e s f a t h e r L i n g J u H a i w a s v e ry i ll a n d urg e n t ly d es i r e d
’
, ,

t o see h i s d a ug h t e r o n c e mor e Th e Pr i n c e s s A n c e s t r e s s t h oug h t i t r i g h t

.

th a t t h e f a t h e r s w i s h sh ould b e gr a n t e d a n d so sh e s e n t h e r gr a n d
’
,

d a ugh t e r h om e un d er t he es cor t of h er cou si n C h i a L i en P a o Y u w a s , .

n a t ur a lly v e ry s a d a t b e i n g d e pri v e d of t h e comp a n y of h i s f a vori t e

cou si n for a co n s i d e r a bl e t i m e P h o en i x t o o foun d i t h a rd t o b e a r t he

.
, ,

lo n g se p a r a t i o n from h er h us b a n d Add e d t o t h i s w as h er a n x i e t y for

.

th e se r i ous ly s i ck fri en d i n t h e ea s t e r n p a l a c e S he p a s se d t h e lo n e ly .

e v en i n g s u n t i l b e d t i m e a s b e s t s h e co uld c h a t t i n g a n d go ss i p i n g m e r

ri ly w i t h t he m a i d Li tt l e P i n g .

O n e n i g h t th oug h t i re d from t a lk i n g a n d work i n g l a t e h er r es tl es s

, ,

t h ough t s ke p t h e r ly i n g a w a k e lo n g a f t e r h e r m a i d P i n g w a s f a s t

a slee p By p a t i e n t ly cou n t i n g o n he r fi n g e r s she h a d a t l a s t m a n

.
‘

a g e d t o lull h e r se lf i n t o a n u n c e r t a i n doz e O u ts i d e t h e t h i rd b ea t of
.
,

th e dr um h a d j u s t a n n ou n c e d m i d n i ght w h e n i t s ee m e d t o h e r t h a t h e r
n i e c e Ko C h i n g w a s s t a n d i n g b e s i d e h e r b e d .

“ ”
We ll m a y you s lee p d ea r Ko C h i n g s a i d t o h er sm i l i n g b ut I
, , , , ,

o f cour s e h a v e t o s e t o u t o n t h e r e t urn j ourn e y t od a y Would you n o t

, .

li ke t o a ccomp a n y m e p a r t of th e w a y ? W e h a ve a lwa y s b e en so fo n d
of ea ch o th e r a n d u n d e rs t a n d ea c h o t h e r so w ell t h a t I di d n o t wi sh
t o go w i th ou t s a y i n g good b y t o
yo u B es i d es I h a ve m a n y th i n g s t o
-
.
,

sa y t o you w h i c h I would n e v e r co n fid e t o a n yo n e e l se For yo u a re .

n o t a n a v e r a g e wom a n a n d i n th e m a t t e r of i n t e ll e c t a n d en e rgy you

,
”
a re t h e e qu a l of a n
y m a n or a n y h i gh offi c i a l .

Sh e n o w e xpl a i n e d ii i a lo n g d i s cour se th a t sh e w as co n c e rn e d for

th e fu t ur e of t h e h ou s e of C h i a Tru e t h e C h i a cl a n h a d en dur e d
.
, ,

st ro n g a nd powe rful for h un dr e ds of y e a r s a lr e a dy b u t blo ss om i n g i s

‘

, ,

93
li kely t o b e followe d by d e c a y a n d th e da y m i ght com e w h en th e
,

m i gh t y t r ee would fa ll a n d th e crowd o f mo n key s wh i ch i t h a d sh e l t er e d

,

i n i t s br a n c h e s a n d crow n up t i ll n o w would b e s c a tte r e d i n ev e ry di r ec

t i o n T h i s m ea n t t h a t i n good t i m e s prov i si o n sh ould b e m a d e f o r b a d
.

t i m e s Two t h i n g s w e r e o n h e r m i n d : th e co n s ol i d a t i o n o f t h e f a m i ly
.

s c h ool a n d i n s ur a n c e o f t h e p e rp et u i t y o f t h e qu a r t e rly s a cr i fic es t o t h e

a n c est or s Sh e en t e rt a i n e d a f ea r l e st l ean t i m es sh ould com e w h en th e r e

.

would b e n o fun d s a v a i l a bl e for t h ese t w o obj e c t s Sh e would t h e r e .

for e l i ke t o r e comm en d t h e Eld ers o f t h e cl a n t o t a ke a dv an t a ge of t h e

pr e sen t fa vor a bl e c i rcum st a n c es an d buy up a s much l a n d a n d prop ert y
a s po s si bl e i n t h e n e i g hb orh ood o f t h e f a m i ly v a ul t s t h e r e by form i n g
,

a l a s t i n g a n d i n a l i en a bl e f a m i ly fou n d a t i o n T h e purpo s e o f t h i s fo un
.

d a t i o n mu st b e t o m a i n t a i n th e f a m i ly sch ool a n d a s s ur e t h e p e rpe t ui t y

of t h e a n c e st or s sa cri fic es from th e proc ee d s of t h e comm u n a l l a nd s
’
.

A for t u n e d e di c a t e d t o s uch cul t ur a l purpo se s would e ven i f t h e wor st ,

c a m e t o tfh e worst b e sa fe from se i zur es by t h e S t a t e i n t h e ev en t o f

,
i
t h e offi c e s a r d d i gn i t i e s of t h e h ea d s of i n di v i d ua l f a m i l i es b ei n g f o r
f e i t e d a n d th ei r pr i va te fort u n e s co n fi s c a te d i h co n s e qu en c e of Im
,

p e r i a l d i sfa vor o r t h e l i k e In s uch an em e rg e n c y th e m e mb e rs of t h e

.

fa m i ly con c e rn e d wo ul d mor e ov e r fi n d a pl a c e of re fug e 1 n t h e l a n d s

, ,

o f t h e f a m i ly fou n d a t i o n w h e r e t h e y could co n t i n u e t o s uppor t t h e m

,

se lv e s by f a rm i n g T h e f a m i ly s c h ool would th en gi v e t h e s o n s a n d
.

gr a n d s o n s t h e po ssi b i l i t y o f r i si n g i n t h e world o n c e more F a rm i n g .

a n d e duc a t i o n — t h e s e w e r e t h e tw o s ol i d p i ll a r s upo n w h i c h a gr e a t

a ri s t ocr a t i c f a m i ly l i k e t h e C h i a cl a n mu s t r e ly i f t h e i n e v i t a bl e v i c i s

s i t u de s of for t u n e w e r e t o b e ou t l i v e d a n d i f t h e cl a n w a s t o b e proof

a g a i n s t dow n f a ll T h e s p ea k e r en d e d w i t h t h e quo t a t i o n :
.

Spr i n g p a sses fr a gr a n c e fa d es
, ,

B e w at c h ful of t h e po s i t i on a cqu i r ed .

P h o en i x had
follow e d th i s i n t ell i g en t d i scourse w i t h profou n d a t ten
t i o n S h e w a s j u st a bou t t o as k s om e qu e s t i o n s w h en t h roug h th e s t i ll
.
,

n ess of t h e n i g h t sh e h e a rd t h e Cloud C o n g boom i n g a t t h e s e co n d

,

g a t e w a y Its h e a vy t h ud r es ou n d e d four t i m es Th a t w a s t h e s i gn a l t h a t
. .

s om e body i n t h e h ou s e h a d d i e d P h o e n i x s t a r t e d up
. a l a rm e d o u t of
, ,

h er l i g h t sl ee p a n d i mm e d i a t ely a m e s sen g e r a pp ea r e d w i th t h e a n
,

n o u n ce m e n t t h a t M i s t r e ss Yu n g of t h e ea s t e r n p a l a c e h a d j u s t p a s s e d

a w a y P h o e n i x dr e ss e d qu i ckly a n d h urr i e d ov e r t o h er a u n t M a d a m e
.
,

C h en g N e e dl es s t o s a y th e sa d n e w s of t h e e a rly d e a t h of t h e youn g
.
,

a n d b e a u t i ful l a dy w h o w a s so u n i v e r s a lly b e lov e d c a u s e d s obb i n g

, ,

a n d l a m en t i n g ev e ryw h e r e i n th e e a s t e rn a s w e ll a s i n t h e w es t e rn
,

p a la ce .

P a o Y u a ls o go t n ew s of th e d ea t h dur i n g t h e n i g h t wh i l e h e w as i n

94
se lf a g a i n w i th th e re d dust o f th i s world a ft er h e h a d h a pp i ly att ain e d
,

t o s om e d e gr ee o f puri fic a t i o n an d pe rf ec ti on ? Accord i n gly h e t ook ,

n o fur th e r n o t i c e of th e e ven t b u t r e m a i n e d i n hi s he rm i t a g e an d l ef t
, ,

t h e e n t i r e ex e cu t i on o f th e mourn i n g progr am i n th e h a n d s o f h i s son ,

Pri n c e C h en .

R i ght a t th e b egin n i n g o f th e mourn i n g peri o d an e p i sod e oc cur r e d

wh i c h a t tr a c te d muc h n o t i c e a n d c a lle d for th gr ea t pr ai se A m a i d o f
~ .

t h e d e c ea se d l a dy on e Ju i Ch u i n a n eff ort t o gi v e vi s i bl e expr ess i on

, ,

t o h er s i n c er e s orrow a t t h e d e a th o f h er m i str ess h a d h i t h er h ea d so ,

h a rd a g a i n st a wood en po s t th a t sh e h a d d i e d o f th e eff e c ts Th e wh ol e .

cl a n pr a i se d t h e b eh a v i or o f th i s m a i d a s a n extr a ord i n a ry an d m emo

r a bl e ex a mpl e o f self sa cri fi cin g fid eli t y a n d de voti o n an d Pri n c e C hen
-

ord e r e d th a t a s a r ew a rd th e br a v e gi rl sh ould b e buri e d w i th th e

, ,

c ere mon y due t o a gr an dd a ught e r by bl oo d an d th a t h er S p i ri t ta bl et

a ls o s h ould b e set up i n th e H a ll o f Glo ri fi ca ti on i n th e G a rd en o f A s

sembl e d P e rfum es .

Y e t an o th e r e p i s od e i n d i c a tin g pr a i sewort h y p i et y an d d e vo t i on w as
a nn ou n c e d .A n o th er se rv a n t o n e P a o Ch u n obly offe re d t o a llow
, ,

he r self t o b e a dop t e d po st h umou sly a s a d a ugh te r o f th e d e c ea se d

wom a n w ho w a s c hi ldl ess i n ord e r th a t she mi gh t c a rry o ut duri n g the
,

mourn i n g pe r i od a n d a t th e fun er a l th e di fficul t a n d o n e rou s rol e i n

cumb en t o n a surv i vi n g c hi ld wh i ch d e m an de d a mo n g o th er th i n gs
,

t h a t sh e sh ould w a lk by t h e coffi n sw a y i n g from s i d e t o s i d e duri n g th e

wh ol e cour se o f th e fun er a l proc es si on Pri n c e C h en a cc e p t e d h er off e r
.

w i th gr a t e ful emot i on a n d rew a rd e d h er by d i rec t in g th at hen c e forw a rd

“ ”
s h e s h ould b e c a ll e d M i ss a n d r es p e c t e d a s a d a ugh te r of th e h ou se .

A n d P a o C h u u n d e rt ook h e r du t y as a d a ugh ter in s uc h a co n s c i en t i ou s

w a y a n d ex a gg e r a t e d t o s uch a n ex t en t t h e pres c ri b e d l a m en t i n g a n d
w a i l i n g b esi d e t h e coffi n th a t sh e a lmo st lo st h er l i fe by i t .

In h i s eff or ts t o c a rry o ut th e fu n e r a l wi th a s muc h ou tw a rd m a g

n i fi cen ce a s po s s i bl e Pr i n c e C hen sa w h i mself h i n d e r e d t o hi s a n
, ,
“
n oy a n c e, by o n e c i rcum st an c e My so n po ss esses n ei th er ran k n or
.

offi c e h e r efl e ct e d Th e o n ly t h i n g h e has t o b e proud o f i s a t i t l e o f

,
” “
.

doc t or of t he fir st a n d low es t d e gr ee a cqui re d by purch a se Th e i n .

s cr i p t i o n o n t h e b a n n er s o f h o n or o f h i s l a t e wi f e wi ll look p a l t ry an d

m e an i n d ee d T he d e cea se d wi ll mor e over b e d epr i ve d o f an y offi c i a l

“

.
, ,
”
mourn e rs T h i s i s a p a i n ful d efic i en cy
. .

Th en i t h a pp en ed v e ry a ppropr i a t ely th at o n t he fourth day of th e

first w ee k of mourn i n g T a i Ku an t h e i n flu en t i a l ch i ef Imp eri a l eu n uch
, ,

a n d s up e r i n t en d en t of t h e Imp e ri a l P a l a c e c a m e t o
p a y a vi si t M es
, .

s en g ers w en t a h ea d bri n gi n g gi f t s for h i s s a cri fic e t o t h e d e p a rt e d S p i ri t .

T h en h e h i m se lf a ppe a r ed i n th e b i g S t a te se d an ch ai r h i s a rri v a l ,

b ei n g c e remo n i a lly procl a i me d by her al ds an d go n g h eat ers Pri n ce .

96
Ch en i n vi ted hi m i n t o the Pa vi li on o f the Resti n g Bees wh ere they were ,

a bl e t o ch at un d i st urb ed an d i n th e c ourse o f th e co n v e rsa t i on h e put

,

forw ar d h i s r equ est re g a rd i n g promot i o n for h i s so n T he'c hi e f e u n uc h .

un d erst ood a t o n ce wh a t he w a s dri vi n g at wi th hi s gu ar d e d hi n ts .

If I un d e r st a n d yo u a ri ght yo u would li ke t o gi v e a gr eat er a i r o f

,

b ri lli a n c e an d i mport an c e t o t he fun er al he rem ar ke d smi li n g , ,

.

“
Y our as s ump t i on i s r i ght o ld C han ce llor of the I n t e ri or P ri n c e
,
”
,

C hen h asten e d t o co n firm .

“
Hm your r equ est com es j ust a t the ri gh t t i m e I kn ow by ch a n c e o f
, .

a n i c e s u i t a bl e v a c an cy f o r your so n O f th e th r ee h un dr e d offi ce rs
’
.
,

po sts o f comm an d i n t he Imp e ri al P a l a c e Gu a rd t h e r e a re tw o v a c a n t ,

a t t h e mom en t Tru e o n e po st I h a v e a lrea dy i v w a y el se wh e r e

.
, g en a

n a m e ly t o Coun t H s i a n g Y a n g s so n S i n c e t h e Coun t h as re qu est e d

’
.
,

m e r e p ea t e dly a n d urg en t ly a n d mor e ov e r h a d se n t o n e th ous a n d fi v e

,

h u n dr e d s i lv e r t a e ls t o my h ou s e I c ould n o t v ery w e ll t urn a d ea f ea r

,

t o h i s re qu est e s pe c i a lly a s w e are v ery o l d fri en d s S om e o n e e lse h a s

, .

a ppl i e d f o r t h e re m a i n i n g v a c an cy i t i s t rue t h e f a t Provi n c i a l Tr e a s

,
h

urer Yun g H s i n g w h o w an ts i t fo r h i s s on b u t I h a v e n o t a n s w e re d h i s
, ,

re qu est yet Y o u a re th ere fore free t o h a n d i n a st a tem en t o f your so n s

.
’

cur ri culum .

Th e Pr i n c e di d n o t h a v e t o b e t old t wi c e ; h e ord e r e d h i s se cre t a ri es

t o w ri t e o ub th e re qu es te d curri culum o n n i c e r e d p a e r Th e c hi e f
p .

e un uc h r ea d t he p a p e r o n th e s po t th en h e h an d ed i t t o a youn g m a n of ,
“
hi s re t i n u e wi th th e words : T a ke th is p a pe r t o my o l d fri en d C h a o ,
'

th e M i n i s te r o f F i n a n c e G i v e h i m m y k i n d r e g a rd s a n d a sk h i m t o
.
,

pre p are a docum en t o f i n v est i t ure f o r an a ppo in tm en t o f offi c er i n t h e

p a l a c e gu a rds wi th lette rs p a t en t f o r a bu tt o n o f th e fi f th r a n k Sa y th a t .

I sh a ll fet ch th e docum en t my self t omorrow a n d bri n g w i th m e th e

”
a ppropri a t e a mou n t of duly w ei g h e d si l t tr .

T h e youn g a tt en d an t n odde d a n d lef A li t tl e l a te r t h e c h i ef e u n uc h ,

hi m w lf st ood up t o go Pri n c e Che n 1; i li tel y a ccomp an i e d h im to th e

.

ou te r g a t e .

“ ”
S ha ll I sen d th e mo n ey t o th e M i n i st ry o r t o your h ou se ?
he
a s k e d a s h i s vi s i t or
, go t i n t o th e se d a n c h a i r .

“
It m i g h t prej ud i c e yo u wi th them i f yo u sen t i t t o the M i n i s t ry .

Bet t e r sen d m e th e roun d s um of a th ousa n d t a els t o my h ouse th en

.

,
”
yo u w i ll h a v e n o f urth e r bo th e r w as hi s an s we r Pr in c e C hen t h a n k e d
, .

hi m exub er an t ly .

“
Wh en th e mourn i n g p er i od i s ov er I sh a ll n o t fa i l t o go p ers o n a lly
t o your n obl e th r es h old an d t a k e my un wort h y do
g of a so n w i t h m e ,

”
so th a t h e m a
y du t i fully m ake h i s kowt ow o f th an ks t o you h e ass ur e d
-

As ear ly as th e followi n g day Chi a Y un g c ved from

re e i t he M in i stry

97
hi s docum en t o f in vest i t ur e and hi s l e tt ers
p a t ent o f r an k an d from ,

th a t da y th e s p i ri t t a bl et o f t h e d e c ea s e d
l a dy bor e th e i n s cr i p t i o n
“
Sp i r i t t a bl et o f t h e L a dy C h i n g by m a rri a ge o f th e h ou se o f C h i a by
, ,
”
Imp e r i a l p a ten t w i fe o f a M a n d a r i n of th e fif th r a n k .

In fro n t o f t h e wi d e op en ou t er g a t es of th e G a rd en o i A sse mbl e d

-

P erfum es th e r e sh o n e from hi gh po st s t w o bri gh t red n o t i c es vi si bl e ,

from a di st a n c e w hi ch a nn oun c e d i n l a rg e gold l ett e r s th at th e

,
“
ob s equ i e s of L a dy C h i n g by l ett er s p a t en t w i fe o f a n offi c er o f th e
,

Imp er i a l P a l a c e Gu a rd i n th e in n e r prec i n c t s of th e R e d Forb i dd en

”
C i t y w er e b ei n g h eld her e .

Pr i n c e C hen w as v e ry h appy an d r el i ev e d th a t h i s r e qu e st h a d b een

gr a n t e d s o qu i ckly B ut th er e w as st i ll a n oth er d i l e mm a wh i ch gre at ly
.

d i s qu i et e d h i m .

H i s w i fe w a s i ll an d co n fi n e d t o b e d a n d j us t i n th es e d a y s w h en ,

t h e r e w a s a rus h of v i si ts a n d r e c e p t i o n s a n d t h e r e w e r e so m an y ,
,

a rr a n g em en t s t o b e m a d e t h e m i s t r e s s o f t h e h ou s e w h o could d e pu ti z e
, ,

for h i m wi th d i gn i t y an d kee p t he se rv an ts i n co n t rol w as sa dly m i ss e d , .

H e r a b s en c e w a s a c a l a m i ty Ho w e a si ly could t r a n s gr es s i o n s a g a i n st
.

cu st om occur wh i ch would l ea v e h i m op en t o th e mocke ry o f h i s n obl e

,

a n d i llu st r i ou s gu est s A s i t w a s t h e s e rv a n t s w e r e u s e d t o e a s y di s c i
.
,

pli n e an d n o w w i th ou t di r e c t i o n a n d s up e rv i si o n t h ey wo ul d i f po ssi ble

, ,

b e e v en mor e c a r el es s T h e Pr i n c e w a s i n a s w ea t of a n x i et y an d co n
.
,

fi ded t h e m a tt e r t o h i s cou s i n P a o Y u T h e a dv i c e whi c h Pa o Y u .

w h i s p e r e d i n h i s e a r m a d e h i s t roubl e d f a c e br i gh ten up a n d h e re ,

s olv e d t o follow i t a t o n c e .

H e l e f t h i s m a l e gu es ts a lo n e a n d a pp ea r e d sh or t ly a fte rw a rd s a c
‘

comp a n i e d by P a o Y u i n th e l a d i e s sit t i n g room A s luck h a d i t th ere ’

.
,

w er e pr esen t o n ly Pr i n c ess S h i eh M a d a m e C h en g M a d a me P h o en i x , , ,

a n d a f ew o th e r l a d i es all clo s e r el a t i o n s Pr i n c e C h en h i ms e lf di d n ot
, .

fee l v e ry w e ll t od a y a n d w a s e xh a u st e d from th e ru sh i n g a rou n d an d

n i g h t w a t c h i n g of t h e l a st f ew d a s H e h a d t wi n g es of p a i n i n h i s l i mb s
y .
,

a n d l i mp e d i n t o th e room s upport e d o n a st i ck ro a n i n g a n d wi t h
, g ,

d iffi cul ty Th e la d i es ro se from t h ei r se a ts w h en h e a ppe are d an d

.
,
“
Pr i n c e ss S h i eh a ske d an x i ou sly : Do you n o t fe el w e ll ? You look ex
”
h a n st e d you sh ould r est a n d ta ke c a r e of yourself
,
.

T h e Pri n c e clu t ch i n g h i s s t i ck go t down o n h i s kn ees wi th d i ffi cul t y

, ,

t o s a lu t e t h e l a d i e s w i th h i s t s i n g a n T h e l a d i e s s i gn e d t o P a o Y u t o
.

h el p h i m up a n d a sk e d h i m t o t a ke a sea t B u t th e Pri n c e modest ly

,
.

i n s i s t e d o n m a k i n g h i s r e qu est sta n d i n g .

“
T h e u n wor th y n ep h e w h a s com e h er e t o a s k a fa vor of t h e t w o
”
wort h y a u n ts a n d t h e e s teem e d cou si n h e b e g a n forc i n g h i ms e lf t o , ,

s m i l e A n d t h e n h e t old of t h e emb a rr a ss m en t h e w as i n owi n g t o t h e

.

l a dy o f the h ou se b ei n g l a i d up just n ow an d he as ke d i f M a d am e
. '
,

98
 P h o en i x would b e w i ll i n g t o help o ut by t a ki n g ov er th e rol e o f mi stress
of th e h ou s e dur i n g th e w ee ks of mour n i n g .

T h a t a ll d e pen d s o n wh eth er Aun t Ch en g can do w i th out h er t e ,

m a rke d Pr i n c ess S hi eh la ugh i n g .

“
Sh e 1 5 st i ll you n g an d i n expe ri en c e d an d wi ll sc a rc e ly b e a bl e t o
,

u n d er t ake s uc h a d i ffi cul t t as k Wh at i f sh e w er e t o m a ke s ome mi s

.

? ”
t a ke It would b e b etter i f yo u would a sk s om eo n e e lse s a i d Aun t
‘

C h en g d ub i ous ly
, .

B u t P h o en i x di d n o t co n si d er t h e m a tt er for lon g Sh e w as co n fiden t .

o f h er a b i l i t y f o r th e d i ff i c ul t t a s k an d a s th e pri n c e ly cou si n b e gg e d
,

a n d i mplor e d so p a t het i c a lly s he g a ve h er co n se n t T h e Pri n c e th a n ke d

, .

h er wi th a low b o w a n d str a i gh t a w a y g a v e h er full a u t h or i t y i n wri t i n g .

He w a rmly i mpresse d u po n h er th a t sh e sh ould m an a ge t h e se rv an ts

a n d th e p a l a c e h ous e k ee p i n g fun d s qu i t e fre e ly a n d a b s olu t ely a t h er

di scr et i o n j u st a s i f th e y w er e h er o wn se rv an ts an d h er o wn fun d s .

Fur the r h e s ugg este d th a t sh e sh ould mov e ov er t o th e N i n gkuo p a l a c e

,

f or th e p e ri od o f h er m a n a gem en t i n ord e r t o s p a re h e rs elf th e fre qu en t

j ourn e y s b a ck a n d for th B ut P h o en i x sa i d sm i l i n g t h at sh e th ought
.
, ,

sh e could n o t b e do n e wi th ou t 1 n t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e e i th e r s o sh e ,

would pr efer t o com e ov e r eve ry day .

Th a t sa m e da y P h o en i x t ook up th e m an a ge m en t T h e fi r st t hi n g she .

di d w a s t o m a ke a l i s t o f th e n a m es o f a ll t h e st aff A n d th en e ve ry .
,

mor n i n g a t h a lf p a st si x pu n ct u a lly sh e h eld th e roll c a ll W i th thi s l i st

’

, .

i n her h a n d a n d t h e w i fe o f t h e m a j ordomo L a i S h en g by h er si d e ,

sh e h a d e a c h m a n s e rv a n t a n d m a i d se rv an t— mor e th a n a h u n dr e d i n

a ll—com e t o h er o n e a ft e r a n o th er a n d sh e h e r se lf set th e m th ei r t a sks

,

for the day A n d even wh en sh e h a d h a d on ly a few h our s s l ee p sh e

.
’
,

n e v e r m i sse d t hi s h our o f t h e roll c al l Sh e d em a n d e d th e s a m e pun c t u

.

a li t y from th e se rv a n ts H er own se rv a n t s a ll h a d w a t c h es a n d w er e
.

t r a i n e d t o b e pu n c t u a l t o t h e m i n u t e sh e t old th e s ta ff T h er e mu st a l s o
, .

h e w a t ch es i n th e N i n gkuo p a l a c e Amo n g o t h e r t h i n g s sh e i n t roduc e d

.
,

a d a i ly co n s ul t a t i o n h our from t e n u n ti l h a lf p a s t el e v en wh en a ll t e
-

qu ests an d n eed s were t o b e s ubm i t te d t o h er Ev e ry ev en i n g a t seven .

o clock she m a d e th e rou n d o f th e en t i re pre m i ses Sh e t ook st e rn m ea s

’
.

ur es a g a i n st a n y da wdlin g o r n egl i gen c e O n c e wh en a se rv an t w a s m i ss

.

i n g from th e roll c a ll sh e pun i sh e d hi m wi th t w en t y s t rok e s an d th e

’
d e duc t i o n o f a f ull mon th s w a g es Thi s h a d i ts eff e c t T h e slov e n l i n e ss
. . .

wh i ch h i th e rt o h a d r ei gn e d i n th e N i n gkuo p a l a c e w a s re pl a c e d by s te rn
d i sc i pli ne an d th e lo n g wee ks o f mourn i n g c er emo n y p a sse d o ff t o t h e
,

gr e a t sa t i s fa c t i o n o f Pri n c e C h en an d th an ks t o th e e n e rgy a n d di sere

,

t i o n o f P h o e n i x w i th ou t th e l e a s t v i ol a t i o n o f form o r cu s t om wh i ch
,

would h a ve g i v en c a u se f or mocke ry o r l a ug h te r .

l 00
 CHAPTER 1 2

Pao Yu meets the P ri n c e f th e North e rn Q u ie t ness o n

o the road C h i n.

C hun g enjoy s h i ms e lf in the n u n ne ry .

TH E P R INC I PA L D AY T H E W EEKS L O NG O B S E Q UIE S N AM EL Y T H E

OF -

, ,

da y o f th e fun e ra l proc e ssi o n h a d com e Af te r th e comp a n y h a d s pe n t

, .

th e wh ole n i g ht lo n g f ea st i n g i n th e b ri ll i an tly i llum i n a t e d h a lls an d b e

i n g en t e rt a i n e d by th e pe rform a n c es o f tw o t roupes o f pl a y e rs a n d o n e
t roupe o f a crob a ts t h e gi g an t i c fun e r a l proc essi o n set o u t ea rly i n th e
,

morn i n g for t h e Te mple o f t h e Iro n R a i l i n g s w h e r e th e an c es t r a l v a ul t s

,

o f t h e tw o pr i n c e ly f a m i li es w e r e T h e cort e g e w h i c h followe d t h e coffin

. ,

wi th i t s si xt y fo ur b ea r e rs a ll dr esse d i n d a rk gre en s t r e t c h e d for w ell

o

, ,

ov er four m i les T h e a dop t e d d a ugh t er Pa o Ch u w h o t o tt e r e d a lo n g

.
, ,

b esi d e t he coffi n i n an a t t i t ud e of compl e t e d ej e c t i o n s obb i n g in ce s ,

sa n tly le d t h e proce ss i o n T he m a l e r el a t i v es fri e n ds a n d fu n e r a l

gu ests—a mon g th e m pr i n c es cou n ts a n d hi gh offi c i a ls — follo w e d o n
.
, , ,

, ,

foo t ; then c a m e th e fe m a l e m e mb e rs of the fa m i l i e s a n d fe m a le fu n e r a l

gu es t s i n more t h a n a h u n dre d c a rr i a ges a n d se d a n c h a i rs a n d fi n a lly ,

t h e n um e rou s se rv a n t s an d th e b ea r e r s o f t h e cu st om a ry b an n e rs s ym ,

bol s a n d fun er a l gi fts

, .

A t r e gul a r i n t e rv a ls a lo n g t h e rou te th e proc ess i on p asse d bri g h t ly

color e d sa cr i fic i a l t en ts e re c t e d by promi n en t i n d i vi du a l mour ner s for
,

t h e purpo se o f pr es en t i n g a w a y s i d e o ff e r i n g of s orrowful mu s i c t o t h e

d e ad l a dy a s sh e pa sse d T he o w n e rs of t h e firs t four o f t he se t en ts w ere

.

th e Pr i n c e s of Tun g P i n g Nan A n H s i N in g a n d Peh C h i n g A s t h e i r

, , ,
.

“ ” “
r es p e c t i v e t i t les Prin ce of the E a st e rn Coven a n t
, Pr i n c e of th e Sou t h ,

” “ “
ern P ea c e , Pr i n c e o f th e We s te rn Tr a n qu i lli ty a n d Pr i n c e o f t he ,
”
Nor t he rn Qu i etn ess b e tr a y e d t h e i r b ea r e rs w er e d e sc e n d a n t s o f m e ri
, ,

t o ri o us m en of Impe r i a l blood w h o h a d h e lp e d t h e fou n d e r o f t h e

,

dyn a st y i n h i s co n ques t of t h e Emp i re O f t h ese four a g a i n t he b e ar e rs

.
, ,

of t he t i t le Peh C hi n g W a n g Pr i n c e of t he Nor th e rn Qu i e t n ess w e re

, ,

t h e mo st fam ous an d th e mo s t r es p e c t e d be c a us e t h e i r an c est or h a d

,

t a ke n a n e xc ee d i n gly pro m i n e n t p a rt i n t h e foun d a t i o n of t he rul in g

dy n a st y T he pr ese n t h old e r o f t he t i t l e Prin c e Ch i Y ung a n excep
.
, ,

t i o n a ll y h an d s om e youn g m a n n o t ye t t w e n t y w as more ove r lov e d a n d , , ,

r es pe c te d by a ll fo r h i s c h a rm i n g mod es ty an d fri en dl i n ess In co n s i d .

cra t i o n o f th e w a rm bro t h erly f ri en dshi p w hi ch h a d e x i s t e d b et ween

,
‘

hi s an c est or a n d th e fir s t Pr i n c e of N i n gkuo h e would n o t b e de n i e d ,

th e pr i v i l e g e of a pp ea ri n g t od a y p e r s o n a lly in h i s s a cr i fic i a l t e n t i n o r , .

der t o ren d er t he l a st h o n ors t o th e d ea d l a dy wh e n h e r coffin p asse d by .

I m m e d i a te ly a f te r th e a ud i e n ce wh i ch h a d broug ht h i m t o th e Im
p e r i a l P a l a ce a t fi v e o clock th i s morn i n g li ke e ve ry o th e r morn i n g h e
’

1 0]
 ch an g e d h i s Court dress f o r a w hi t e mourn i n g ga rm en t a n d ha d hi m ,

s e lf t a k en t o h i s mour n i n g t en t i n h i s S t a t e li tt e r pr e c e d e d by m en
,

b e a t i n g go n gs a n d follow e d by h i s c e r emo n i a l umb r e ll a a n d a gr ea t

,

r e t i n u e Th e r e h e h a d w a i t e d p a t i en t ly si tti n g in h i s l i tt e r un ti l th e
.
, ,

fun e r a l cort e ge c a m e by from th e N i n gkuo p a la ce Aroun d hi m a ls o .

,

w a i t i n g i n s i len c e crowd e d h i s t r0 0 p of s e rv a n ts an d a r e spe c t ful si

, ,

l en c e l i kew i se r ei gn e d a mo n g t h e m asses w h o st ood r a n g e d on e i th e r

s i d e of t h e proc essi o n a l rou t e i n t h e n ei g h bor h ood o f t h e pr i n c e ly t en t .

A t lo n g l a s t w i n d i n g i ts w a y from th e n ort h an d looki n g a ll wh i t e li ke

, ,

a s i lv e r s t r e a m c a m e th e en dl es s fu n er a l proc ess i o n
, .

R u n n e r s an d ush e r s w ho h a d h ast en e d o ut f a r a h ea d o f th e a ct u a l
,

proc ess i o n t o cl ea r th e rou t e h a d m ea n t i m e sen t b a ck word t h a t H i s

,

Exc e ll en cy th e Pr i n c e of t h e Nor t h ern Qu i etn ess w a s pr esen t i n p ers o n

i n h i s fu n e r a l ten t Pr i n c e C h en h a l t e d th e proce ss i on an d a ccomp an i e d
.
,

by Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d C hi a C h en g w en t a si d e t o greet t h e d i sti n gui sh e d

,

gu e st i n h i s sa cr i fic i a l t en t All th r ee fell o n t h ei r kn e es b efore th e

.

Pri n c e a n d p a i d h om a g e t o h i m w i th a c e r e mo n i a l st a t e kowt ow a s ,

b efi t t ed h i s r a n k Sm i l i n g court e ou s ly an d qu i t e n a t ur a lly wi th ou t
.
,

an y a ff e c t a t i o n , as i f h e w er e a mo n g good o l d fri en ds t h e Pr in c e s i t , ,

t i n g i n h i s l i tt e r r et urn e d t h e sa lu t a t i o n w i t h a sl i g ht bow
, .

Pr i n c e C h en expr esse d t h a n ks for th e un m eri t e d h on or wh i ch t h e

Pr i n c e h a d sh o w n h i m by a pp ea r i n g i n p er s on Th e Pr i n c e i n r eply
.
, ,

r e fe rr e d t o t h e o ld h er e d i t a ry t e rm s o f fr i en d sh i p w hi ch e x i st e d b et w een
t h e t w o h ou s es i n v i e w o f wh i c h h i s com i n g w a s o n ly t o b e exp e c t e d
,
.

Th en he m a de a si gn t o h i s m a st er of c e r emon i es t o off e r th e sa cr i fic e
in h o n or o f th e d ea d W h en t h e c er emo n y w as a t a n e n d h e t ur n e d
.

cour t eou s ly t o P a o Y u s fa th e r a n d a ske d : Wh e re i s t h e you n g g en t l e

,
’

m an w h o c a m e i n t o t h e world w i th a j e w e l i n h i s mou th ? It h a s lon g

b e 1 my w i sh t o en j oy t h e pl ea su r e o f h i s a cqu a i n t a n c e W i ll you pl ea s e
: .

? ”
a sk h i m t o com e ov e r h e r e

C h i a C hen g h urri e d b a ck t o th e fun e r a l proc ess i on t o r et urn i mm e ,

.

di a t ely a f t e rw a rd s w i t h Pa o Y u P a o Y u t o o h a d lon g c h e r i sh e d t h e
.

wi sh t o m eet t h a t Pr i n c e o f wh om p e opl e a lw a y s sa i d w i th s uc h en
t h u5 1 a sm t h a t h e un i t e d ou t w a rd b e a u t y wi th n ob i li t y o f soul a n d t h e
fir st a n d h i gh es t d egree of un a ff e c t e d a n d ki n dly ta c t B ut t h e compl et e .

l a ck of f r ee dom of move m en t wh i ch h i s st ri c t fa th e r i mpo se d upo n h i m

h a d m a d e t h i s i mpo s si bl e h i th e r t o T h er e fore h e w a s a ll t h e h a pp i e r
.

wh en h i s a rd en t w i sh s o un exp e c t e dly foun d fulfill m en t t od a y by t he

w a y s i de A s h e en ter e d t h e t en t , full o f e a g e r e xpe c t a t i on h e looke d up
.
,

a t th e Pr i n c e w h o s a t en t hr o n e d b e for e h i m o n h i s l i tt e r a ugu s t a n d ,

full of d i gn i t y H e w as w e a r i n g o n h i s he a d t h e s i lv er w in g e d ca p w i th
.
-

w h i te t a ssel s worn by pr i n c es Hi s wh i t e kn i fe ple a t ed mourn i n g ga r

.
,
-

m en t w a s e mbro i d e re d in a d esi gn o f fi v e cl a w e d dra gon s an d h e wor e

-

,
.

1 02
a re d ea th e
l r b el t st udd e d wi th eme r a lds Hi s f a c e w a s li ke a j e we l h i s
.
,

e y es w e r e lus t rous star s b ea u t y r a d i a t e d from hi s wh ol e form P a o Y u

, .

e y e d h i m wi t h se cr et a dm i r a t i o n a n d i t w a s wi th n o l ess s a ti s f a c t i o n
,

t h a t th e Pri n ce s e yes r est e d upo n hi s vi s i t or P a o Y u w as w ea ri n g a

’ ‘

si lv e r ca p a n d ro un d h i s for eh ea d w a s t h e u s u a l gold b an d i n th e fo rm
,

o f t w o dr a go n s s n a pp i n g a t a pe a rl H i s w h i t e mour i n g g a rm en t wh i c h
.
n ,

w a s e mbro i d er e d wi th a sn a ke d e si gn w as f a st e n e d by a si lv e r b el t set
,

w i th p ea rls Hi s f a c e glow e d w i th th e fr esh n e ss o f a s pr in g fl ower h i s

.
,

e y es sh o n e l i ke l a cqu e r .

Wh en h e h a d p a i d h i s h om a g e t o t he Pr i n c e t he l a tte r ope n e d h i s ,

ar m s wi d e a n d dre w t h e b oy t o h i m .

“
Tru ly i t i s n o t i n v a i n t h a t yo u h ear your n a m e h e sa i d sm i li n g
, , , .

Yo u r e a lly look l i ke a Pre c i ous S t on e B ut where a c t u a lly i s th e

‘
.
’
, ,
”

h
st o n e wi t h wh i c o u c a m e i n t o th e world ?
y
Pa o Y u promp t ly t ook o u t th e st o n e wh i c h h e wore o n a fi v e colore d
,
-

cord h i dden un d e r h i s co a t a n d h a n d e d i t t o the Pr i n c e Th e Pr i n c e

, .

ex a mi n e d t h e a mul et a n d i ts i n s cr i p t i o n c a r e fully .

“ ? ”
Ha s th e s t o n e a lrea dy sh own i ts m a g i c pow er h e a sk e d .

“ ”
Up t o t h e pre sen t i t h a s h a d n o c h an c e o f do in g so r e pl i e d C hi a ,

C h en g f or h i s so n .

Wh i l e t he Pri n c e wen t on s pe a kin g i n t erms o f th e u t mo st as t o n i sh

m en t a bou t t h e S t r a n g e b i rt h ph en om en o n h e f asten e d th e cord wi th ,

t h e a m ul e t b a ck on P a o Y u s n e ck w i t h h i s o w n h an ds T h en h e dr e w
’
.

h i m i n t o a mor e i n t i m a te co n v er s a t i o n a bou t h i s a ge a n d h i s s t ud i es a n d
o th er p e rs o n a l th i n g s E n ch a n te d by P ao Y u s cl ea r d i st i n c t s pe ech an d
.
’
,

th e pl ea si n g t o n e o f h i s vo i c e th e Pr i n c e r e m a rke d t o M r C h en g :
, .

“
Y our li t t l e lord seem s t o b e a re a l youn g p h o en i x F a r b e i t fr om t h e .

un wor th y Pri n c e t o u t t er fl a t t e r i es t o h i s h o n or e d o l d fr i en d b ut wh o ,

kn ow s p e rh a p s th e fa m e o f th i s youn g p h o en i x m ay o ne day ou tsh i n e

,
”
th a t f th e o ld o n e
o .

“
O h , my lo ath s om e youn g cur i s f a l sely m i sl e a d in g yo u in t o s uch
” “
golden e ulog i e s r e pl i e d M r C hen g w i th a s mi le B ut i f th a n ks t o
, . .
,

your i n exh a us ti bl e pr i n c ely fa vor your prophe cy sh oul d b e fulfille d i t

"

, ,
”
would b e a s o urce o f th e gr e a test jo y t o m e a n d t o my h ou se .

“
I wo uld o nly po in t o u t o n e th in g t o you co n t in u e d th e Pr in ce
”
,
“
th ough t ful ly B ec a u se o f h i s m an y pe rfe c t i o n s your li tt le lord i s
. ,

doub t l ess s urr oun d e d wi th v e ry s p e c i a l lov e a n d t en d e rn ess a t h om e by ,

h i s r ev er e d gr a n dmo th er a n d t h e w h ol e f a m i ly B u t s uc h lov e ca n e a s i ly .

l e a d t o p a mpe r i n g a n d i n t h i s li es t h e d a n g e r for you n g p e opl e l i ke o ur

,

s e lv e s t h a t a n o t h e rw i s e good e duc a t i o n m i g h t b e u tt e rly n ull i fi e d

. I .

kn ow th i s from my o wn exp e r i en c e a n d I th i nk th a t th e sa m e m a y b e
,

th e c a se w i t h your l i tt l e lord If a s I b el i e v e your li t t l e lord i s h in d e r e d

.
, ,

a t h om e i n t h e full d e ve lopm en t o f h i s a b i li t i e s th e r e i s n o t hi n g t o p re ,

1 04
ven thim from vi si ti n g m e fr e qu en t ly i n my cold h om e Tru e I my se lf .
,

a m wor th l ess a n d w i t h ou t m e ri t b ut I enj oy t he a dvan ta ge o f b e i n g

,

a cqu a i n te d w i t h m a n y o f th e mo st d i s t i n gu i sh e d m en o f th e Emp i re ,

a n d w h e n o n e o f t h e m com es t o t h e c a p i ta l h e se ldom f a i ls t o gr an t m e
,

t h e h o n or o f a f a vor ab le gl a n c e from h i s blue bl a ck e y es Th us i t h a p -

.

pe n s th a t m an y h i g h a n d n oble s p i ri ts m eet i n my cold dwe ll i n g a n d ,

your s m a ll pri n c e l i n g would fi n d in my h ous e m an y opport un i ti es fo r

”
a dv a n t a g e ou s an d b en e fic i a l exc ha n g e o f th oug h t .

C hi a C hen g a cc e pted the gr a c i ous in v i ta ti on w i th ou t hesi ta ti o n an d

t h m an y po l i te bow s an d than ks T h e Pr i n c e n o w u n f ast en e d a pr a y e r
.

ch a plet from his wr i st a n d ha n d e d i t t o P a o Y u .

“
B e c a u se o f th e un exp ec ted n ess o f th i s o ur fi rst meet i ng I h a v e n o
, ,
”
worth y g i ft a t h an d w i th w h i c h t o h on or yc u he a dd e d B ut f o r the , .

p resen t pl ea se a cc ep t th ese pr a y e r b ea d s o f c a rve d yun n an roo t a s a

”
sm a ll S i gn o f my r e g a rd T he y w e r e a gi f t from t h e So n o f H ea v en
. .

Pa o Y u p asse d the ch a pl e t o n to hi s f a th e r an d bo th e xpres se d th ei r,

th an ks C hi a C h en g a n d Pr i n c e S h i eh th en b es oug h t th e Pri n c e n o t t o
.

a llow h i ms e lf t o b e d et a i n e d a n
y lo n g e r by th e fun e r a l proc ess i o n ,

b ut th e Pr i n c e g en tl y i n s i s te d upo n re m a i n i n g un t i l th e corp se h a d
p a sse d .

“
T he d ep a rt e d l a dy h a s j o i n e d t he bl esse d he sa i d She is n o w a
,
.

hi gh er b ei n g th an w e ord i n a ry mor ta l s w h o a re st i ll t o i l i n g in th e re d
d us t o f th i s e a rt hly world Al th oug h by th e favor of th e So n o f H ea v en
.

I h a ve b een pe rm i tte d u n wort h y th ough I a m t o i n h eri t th e ra n k o f

, ,

Pri n c e i t would b e a n i mp e r t in en c e o n my pa rt i f I w e re t o t a ke pre c e d

,
”
en c e ov e r a ble sse d s p i ri t .

A n d so Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d M r C h en g a n d Pa o Y u could n o t do o th er
.

w i se th an ta ke l e a v e o f t he Pr i n c e a n d le t th e proc essi o n proc ee d o n c e

more B u t th e y orde r e d th a t th e fu n e r a l mu si c sh ould c ea se a s a m a rk
.

o f r es pe c t f or as lo n g a s t h e Pr i n c e r e m a i n e d i n h is t e n t T h et Pr i n c e .

w ai te d for the wh ol e proc ess i o n t o p a ss by ; o n ly th en di d h e co n ti n u e

on h is w a y .

Aft er t he proc essi o n h a d p a sse d th rough t h e c i ty g a t es i n t o th e ope n

co un t ry si d e Pr i n c e C hen d ec i d e d tha t th e t i m e h a d com e to i n v i te the
,

m a l e mourn e r s w h o up t i ll n o w h a d b een follow i n g th e coffin o n foo t t o

, ,

co n ti n u e th e re m a i n in g stre t c h o f th e rout e t o th e T empl e o f th e Iro n

,

R i li g in a more co m fo r ab le m a nn e r Accord i n gly t he old e r ge n t le

a n s ,
'
.
,

m en t ook t h ei r pl a ces in th e i r c a rri a g e s a n d l i tt e rs w h i l e the youn g er

o nes moun t e d th ei r h o rs es P a o Y u w an te d t o mou n t h i s h orse t o o b ut
.
,

M a d a me P h o e n i x fea rin g t h a t h e would ta k e a dv an t a ge o f th e gre a te r

,

fr ee dom o f movem en t a n d la ck o f s upe rv i s i on o n c e ou ts i d e th e t own t o

‘
, ,

in dulg e i n a ll s or ts of w i ld pr an ks a s ke d h i m t o ge t i n t o h e r c a rri a g e
, .

“ ’ ” “
Come dea r co usi n get i n she i n v i te d h i m wi th a sm i le I kn ow
, , , .

1 05 .
yo u a lw a y s li ke fem i n i n e s oc i ety Th ere for e yo u wi ll s urely fee l much
.

mor e comfortable i n my ca rr i a ge a n d by my si d e th an i n th e comp an y

”
o f t h o s e a p es on h or se b a ck .

P a o Y u d i smou n t e d ob e d i en t ly f rom h i s h or se a n d sl i pp e d i n t o h er
c a rri a g e an d the tw o con t i n u e d th e i r w a y ch a t ti n g m e rri ly
, .

Afte r a w h i l e t w o se rv a n t s o n h or seb a ck c a m e g a llop i n g up an d an

n o un ce d t o M a d a m e P h o en i x t h a t t h e proc ess i o n w a s j u s t a ppro a c h i n g

a r est i n g po i n t Would n ot t h e Na i n a i wi sh t o r est f o r a t i m e a n d

.

c h an ge h er g a rm en t s ? M a d a m e P h o en i x a gr eed t o thi s an d ord ere d h er

c a rri a g e t o follow t h e tivo gu i d e s w h o t urn e d a si d e from t h e h i gh w a y
,

i n t o t h e op en coun t ry si d e A t Pa o Y u s w i sh h i s fri en d C h i n C h un g
’
.
,

j o in e d th e p a rt y o n h or se b a ck .

Afte r go i n g a sh ort st re t ch th ey a rri v e d i n fron t o f a fa rmh ou se It .

w a s a mod est l i tt l e dwe ll i n g o f a f ew room s i n w h i c h t h e n um e rou s

f a m i ly li ve d crowd e d t og ethe r W hen th e si mpl e folk saw t he m a gn i fi
.

cen t ca rr i a ge wi t h i t s e l e g a n t ly a t t i r e d occup an t s a n d i t s form i d a bl e

'

t r a i n o f se rv a n t s o f cour se th e y st ood an d g a p e d in a st o n i sh m en t a s i f
,

i t w e r e a h ea v en ly a pp a r i t i o n .

M a d a m e P h o en i x g o t o u t a n d d i s a pp ea r e d in t o th e s t r a w th a t ch e d
-

co t t ag e Sh e h a d pr evi ou sly t old P a o Y u th a t h e could look a roun d th e

.

fa rm for a b i t w i t h h i s fri en d an d follow h e r i n a l i tt l e l a te r Pa o Y u .

un d er st ood t h e h i n t a n d s et o u t w i th C hi n C h un g o n a t our o f in spe c

t i o n o f th e f a rm .

He h a d n ev e r s e en th e va ri ou s f a rm i n g i mpl e m en t s b efore He di d .

n o t ev en kn ow t h e i r n a m es a n d h a d t o a sk t h e s e rv a n t s w h o w e r e a o
,

comp a n y i n g h i m t o expl a i n th ei r use a n d purpo se Wh en t old h e could .

,

n o t get ov e r h i s a s t’ o n i shm en t a t th e n umb er o f n ew t h i n g s h e w a s l ea m

i n g th e r e .

O n ly n ow do I un d erst a n d th e m e an i n g o f th e o l d prov e rb a bou t t h e

ri c e i n th e d i sh o f w h i ch ev e ry gr a i n i s th e r esul t o f en dl ess t roubl e
,
”
a n d e x e rt i o n , h e r e m a rk e d th ough t fully .

In the cour s e o f h i s t our h e c a m e t o a room i n wh i ch h e sa w ly i n g ,

o n t h e k a n g a s t r an g e i mpl e m en t w h i ch s ee m e d t o h i m e v en mor e cur i

,

o us th an t h e o th er s T h a t h e w as t old w a s a s p i n n i n g wh ee l w i th w hi c h
.
, ,

w as m a d e th e y a rn th a t w a s l a t e r wov en i n t o clo th Ful l o f h i gh s p i ri ts

.
,

Pa o Y u j ump e d up o n t h e k an g a n d b eg a n t u rn i n g th e s p i n n i n g w h ee l .

A p eas an t g i rl ab ou t se ven t een y ea rs o f a ge c a me up an d st opp e d hi m .

” “
Tha t i s n ot f o r pl a y in g wi th ! she s a i d Y o u w i ll p ut i t o ut o f
.

”
ord er !
Pa o Y u prompt ly d es i s te d T hi s i s t he firs t ti m e th a t I h a v e see n a
.

” “
s p i nn i n g w h ee l ,b e e xcuse d hi ms e lf w i th s om e em b arr ass m en t an d I
, ,
”
wan te d t o tr y i t j us t f or f un
,
.

1 06
t i l th e buri a l Pr i n c ess S h i eh an d M a d a m e C hen g a l so ret urn e d h om e
.

t h a t da y T h e y i n t en d e d t o t a k e P a o Y u w i t h th e m b ut P a o Y u w as s o
.
,

pl ea s ed w i th th e un a ccu st om e d c h an ge o f th i s s t a y i n t he cou n t ry th at
h e co n t ri v e d t o b e a llow e d t o r em a i n th er e i n th e comp a n y o f P h o en i x
un ti l th e en d o f th e s ol e mn i t i e s .

Th e Te mpl e o f th e Iro n R a i l i n g s h a d b een e r ec te d lo n g a go by t he

t w o an c est or s o f t h e N i n gkuo a n d Y u n gk u o dy n a s t i es a n d d est i n e d a s a ,

h er e d i t a ry bur i a l pl a c e f o r a ll t h o se m emb e rs o f bo th fa m i li es w h o
sh ould di e i n t h e c a p i t a l It w a s m a i n t a i n e d from t h e proc ee d s o f an
.

est a t e w h i ch h a d b een b e qu e a t h e d t o t h e t empl e i n a dd i t i o n t o th e

_

t empl e l a n d s prope r Th an ks t o t h e r i ch r e v en u es y i eld e d by t h i s co n

.

v en t fa rml a n d th e t empl e w a s m a i n t a i n e d i n t h e b est po ss i bl e st yl e an d

, ,

o n occ a si o n s s uc h a s t h e pr es en t o n e n ei th e r a mpl e bo a rd n o r sui t a bl e

a ccommod a t i o n w as l a cki n g for t h e f u n e r a l

gu ests .

Ph o en i x pr efe rr e d h ow e ve r t o s pen d th e t h r ee n i ghts un ti l th e bur i a l

, ,

i n a n u n n ery si t u a t e d n o t f a r from t h e T e mpl e o f th e Iro n R a i li n g s A c .

co r di n gly a f t e r t h e t empl e bo n z es h a d c a rr i e d o u t t h ei r pr i es t ly du t i es
,

a n d th e m a j or i t y of t h e fun e r a l gu es ts h a d h i dden f are w e ll sh e r e p a i r e d ,

t og ethe r w i th P a o Y u an d C h i n C h u n g t o t h e Co n v en t o f t h e W a t e ry
“
Moon as i t w a s c a lle d Th i s n un n e ry w a s a l s o kn own as th e Br ea d
,
-
.

C on ven t amon g the cou n t ry folk a rou n d b ec a use i t h a d a b a ke ry

”
,

w hi ch produc e d exc ell en t bre a d Th e Abb ess w i th t w o young er n un s.

, ,

r e c ei v e d t h e gu ests a t the con ven t g at e an d a ccomp a n i e d the m t o th ei r

gu est c e ll s Th en wh i l e Ph o en i x a n d th e Abb ess s at down f or a good
.
,

lon g c h a t ov er a bowl o f t ea Pa o Y u an d C hi n C h un g p asse d th e t i m e

,

s tr oll i n g th roug h th e c ourt y a rd s a n d h a lls an d ex a m i n i n g th e i n t er i or

”
o f t h e co n v e n t T h er e go es C h i N en g r em arke d Pa o Y u su dd en ly
.
, ,

n udg i n g h i s comp a n i o n C h i N en g w a s o n e o f th e tw o youn g n un s w h o

.

h a d re c e i v e d t h em sh ort ly b e fore .

”
Y es b u t w h a t ab ou t h er
,
? an sw er e d C h i n C h un g wi th a fl ect e d i n

d i ff er en c e .

“ ”
Do n o t b e s uch a h u mbug ! sa i d P a o Y u l a ugh i n g W h o w as i t , .

’
w h o e mbr a c e d h er so t en d e rly i n Gr an dm o th er s room o n e t i m e wh en
? ”
n o o n e w a s look i n g eh ,
“ ”
It would n e ve r occur t o m e t o do s uch a th i n g ! r et ort e d C hin
Ch u n g emb a rr asse d
, .

“
W e ll I wi ll n o t i n te rf e r e B ut wi ll yo u pl e ase s pe a k t o h er an d a sk
, .

”
h er t o bri n g us s om e t ea ?
C h i n C h un g di d a s he w as h i dden L i ttl e N en g he c a ll e d o ut .
, ,
”
pl ea se b e so good as t o bri n g us s om e t ea From h er c h i ldh ood li tt l e .

Ch i N en g h a d b een fre qu ent ly in an d o u t o f th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e on

m ess a g es from t he con v en t Eve ryon e i n t h e p a l a c e kn e w h er a n d P 3 0
.
,

Y u an d C h i n C h u n g h a d a lrea dy exc h an ge d m an y a glan c e an d man y a

108
 j oke w i th h er Now sh e h a d gr own i nt o a m a t ur e youn g wom an an d h a d
.

gr a du a lly a w a k en e d t o a n a w a r en ess o f th e Pl a y of Wi n d a n d Moo n .

Th e h a n d s om e li ve ly C hi n C h u n g h a d w o n h er h ea r t an d h e on h i s
’

, ,

p a r t h a d b ecom e v ery fo n d o f th e c h a rm i n g crea t ur e Tru e th ey h a d .

,

n o t yet h a d an oppor t un i t y o f i n dulg i n g i n i n t i m a cy b u t i n t h ei r s e cret ,

h ea rt s t h e y h a d lo n g b e en un i t e d .

So Chi N en g r a n i n t o t h e ki t c h en a n d a f ter a wh i l e w i th a po t o f t ea
, ,

in o n e h a n d a n d a pl a t e o f c a k es i n th e o t he r c a m e a lo n g t o t h e gu e st ,

c ell occup i e d by th e t w o you n g boy s Th e t w o he ld o ut t h e i r t ea bowls .

t o h er at t h e sa m e t i m e .

M e first pl ea se ! b egg e d C h i n C h u n g
“ ”
.
,
”
No m e fir st ! pl ea d e d Pa o Y u
, .

”
Wh a t con ten t i on for a bowl o f t ea ! sh e s ai d h er li p s curli n g i n a ,
“
p e rt sm i l e Y o u a re rea lly b eh a v i n g a s i f i t w e r e h on e y t o b e li cke d o ff
.

”
.

my h a n d In th e e n d Pa o Y u s ucc ee d ed i n h a v i n g h i s bowl fill e d fir st

. .

Wh i l e seemi n g t o s i p t h e dri n k he t ri e d t o en g a ge C h i N en g i n co n v er
,

sa t i o n b u t u n fort un a t e ly an o t h e r n un c a m e a lo n g a n d c a ll e d h er a w a y
, .

S tr an ge ly en ough as soon a s Sh e w a s go n e the tw o boy s s udd en ly foun d

,

t h ey ha d n o mor e a pp et i t e for t e a a n d c a kes a n d l e a v i n g bo th a lmo st

.
,

un t ouch e d t hey w en t o ut a g ai n in sea rc h o f n ew d i s cov eri es

, .

“
Wh en P h o en i x r e ti r e d i n th e ev en i n g t o h er C e ll o f Imm a cul a t e
C ha st i t y t h e Abb es s w h o a ccomp an i e d her se ei n g t h a t o n ly a f ew
, ,

t rus t e d c h a mb e rm ai ds w ere n ea r bro a c h e d t h e s ubj e c t o f a p ers o n a l

,

re qu est .

“
I h a v e som ethi n g o n my m i n d sh e sa i d wh i ch I sh ould l i ke t o
, ,

d i s cu ss o n e o f th ese d a y s w i th yo ur a un t th e T a i ta i C hen g b ut I sh ould , ,

”
li ke t o ha v e your good a d v i c e fir st sh e b e g an , .

“ ”
Pl ease s p ea k o ut a n d t ell m e wh a t i t i s r epl i e d Ph o en i x , .

”
Holy Am i d a Buddh a ! I h a v e t o b egi n r a th er f a r b a ck gro a n e d th e ,

Abb e ss Th en she w en t o n
.

“
You w i ll r ec a ll t h a t b e for e I t ook ov e r t h e rul e o f t h i s co n v en t I ,

w a s Abb ess o f th e Co n v en t o f G ood Work s i n t h e C h a n g a n d i st ri c t A .

r i ch p a t ro n o f t h a t con ven t o n e Mr C h an g u se d t o st a y i n th e co n v ent

,
.
,

ev e ry y ea r w i t h h i s f a m i ly i n ord e r t o o ff e r sa cr i fic es a n d b u rn i n c en se

wi th p i ou s d evo t i o n He h a s go t a d a ught e r n a me d Ki ng Kuo Duri n g

. .

o n e o f t h es e vi s i ts i t h a pp en e d t h a t a you n g Mr L i a bro t h e r i n l a w o f .
,
- -

t h e Pr e fe c t o f C h a n g a n w as st a y i n g w i th u s t o o a n d h e sa w th e youn g
, ,

l a dy K i n g Kuo He fe ll i n lov e wi th h er a t fir st s i gh t an d i n si st e d th a t
.

h e w a n te d t o m a rry h er b ut w h e n h e s en t h i s i n t e rm e d i a r i es t o M r
,
.

C h an g s h ou se h e h ea rd t o h i s gri e f t hat K i n g Kuo w a s a lre a dy form a lly

’

en g a g e d t o t h e so n of t h e C i t y Comm a n d a n t o f C h a n g a n Th e r e fore .

Mr C h a n g coul d n o t do o th e rw i se t h an r e fu se t h e s ui t of you n g Mr Li
. . .

“
B ut youn g L i woul d n o t ta ke n o f o r a n an sw e r an d i n s i st e d upo n ,

1 10
 Th i s a rgum en t worke d P h o en i x fel t h er fa m i ly h on o r atta ck e d an d
.
‘

sh e sa w i n t h i s a co n v en i en t e xcu s e for g i v i n g up h er a tt i t ud e o f a loof

“
p
n ess In a c t u a l f a c t sh e by n o m ea n s d es i se d a l i tt l e fi n a n c i a l g a i n
.

”
.

O h o yo u h a v e kn own m e for qu i t e a lo n g t i m e
, sh e s a i d v eh e ,
“
m e n t ly ,an d
yo u sh ould sur ely kn ow t h a t I do n o t fea r e ven t h e d e v i l
h i m s elf a n d h i s cour t w h en i t i s a qu e st i o n of g et tin g my w a y So let
, .
,

Mr C h a n g produc e t h r ee t h ous an d oun c e s o f S i lv er an d I w i ll h a v e th e

.

”
m a t t e r p u t r i gh t for h i m .

“ ”
Spl en d i d i f th a t s a ll yo u w an t ! cr i e d th e Abb ess d e l i gh t e d
,
’

,
.

B ut let h i m n o t i m a g i n e for a mom en t th a t i t i s f o r h i s mo n ey I w i ll

” “
h elp h i m co n t i n u e d Ph o eni x To pull st r an ge st ubborn ox en by th e
, .
,

h a l te r for mo n ey ! T h a t i s s om eth i n g wh i ch I pr e fe r t o lea v e t o o th er '

p e opl e I n ee d t h o se t h r ee t h ou san d ou n c es o f si lv er m e r ely for th e

.
'

e xp en s es o f my em i s sa r i es so t h a t t h e y sh a ll h a v e a li t t l e t i
, p for t h ei r
t roubl e a n d t h ei r ru n n i n g h i th e r a n d t h i t h er I do n o t a sk a s i n gl e co p
e r co i n for my se lf A t th e mom en t I h a v e t en t i m es a s muc h—s om e
.

p
t h i r t y t h ou s a n d s i lv e r oun c es —
.

ov e r a n d t o sp a r e so I am i n n o n ee d ,
”
o f mo n e y .

“
Y es of cour se A n d m ay o n e t ru st th a t th e gr a c i ous Na i n a i wi ll los e
, .

n o ti me b u t w i ll get t o work st r a i gh t a w a y t omorr ow t o fulfi ll h er

,

? ”
ki n dly prom i se
“
Y o u see for your self I a m s ur e h o w ex t r e m e ly bu s y I a m an d h o w
, , ,

e v eryo n e t urn s t o m e B ut s i n c e I h av e .
g i v en my word yo u m a y coun t ,

upon my fulfill i n g i t promp t ly .

’

“
Good My m i nd i s a t r e st n o w A n d sm ce I kn ow t h at th e m at te r i s
. .

”
n o w i n your h a n d s I h a v e n o doub t a s t o i t s s ucc ess ful ou t com e
, fl a t ,
“
t ere d t h e Abb e ss A cl ev e r en erg et i c wom a n li ke you s ucc ee ds so
.
,
”
ea si ly S h e h a s o n ly t o g i v e o n e l i tt l e w i n k
. .

Pr a i se s uc h a s t h i s pl ea se d P h o en i x a n d th ough sh e w a s t i re d sh e
, ,

r em a i n e d qu i t e a w h i le lon g er t a lki n g ea rn est ly w i th t h e Abb es s .

M e a n w h i l e P a o Y u a n d C h i n C h u n g h a d a v a i l e d o f th ei r fre e t i m e t o
e x a m i n e t h e co n v en t t h oroug h ly a n d ob se rv e i ts v a r i ou s a p a r tm en ts

i n d e t a i l T h e r e for e w h en th e ev en i n g gr e w d a rk e r C h i n C h u n g h a d
.
, ,

l i tt le d i fficul t y i n fi n d i n g h i s w a y un se en t o S i st e r Ch i Nen g s c ell A n d ’

.

h e w a s lucky t o o Sh e w a s a lo n e bu s i ly w a sh i n g up t ea t h i n g s by th e
, .
,

l i gh t of a l a mp Wi th ou t an y mor e a do he t ook h e r i n h i s a rm s an d
.

h ugg e d a n d k i sse d h e r a s h a rd a s h e could A t fir st th e l i tt l e cr ea t ur e .

r e si st e d fi e rc e ly a n d st a mpe d a n d ki ck e d i n an e ffor t t o fr ee h e rse lf ,

.

“ ” “ ”
Wha t do you m ean sh e cri e d I ll scr ea m o ut ! B ut sh e di d n o t
? .
’

s cr e a m .

“ ”
D a rli n g I am dy i n g of lo n gin g for yo u ! h e plea d e d A n d i f yo u
,
.

do n t l i ste n t o m e I sh a ll di e h er e o n t he S po t
’
.

“
Wh a t a re you t h i n ki n g of ? H e re i n th i s n a rrow con ven t c e ll wh er e ,

1 12
 w e m a y b e s urpr i se d a t a n y mom wo n t do he re ! H a v e p a t i en ce
en t ?
’
It
”
un ti l I am o ut o f th i s a n d free , she w h i s pe r e d .

“
Th a t i s cold comfor t for my burn i n g n ee d F i re s uc h a s m i n e mus t .

”
b e qu en c h e d a t o n c e he gr o a n e d A n d a lr ea dy b e h a d blown o u t th e
, .

l amp leav i n g th e room i n p i tc h d a r k ness No w sh e n o lo n g e r p ut up

, .

muc h r es i stan c e b ut le t hi m l i ft her up a n d c a rry he r ove r to he r k a n g

, .

True sh e st ruggl e d a b i t a n d b en t a n d s w a y e d b ut she di d n o t cry o ut

, , ,

an d sh e let h i m h a v e h i s w a y He w as i n full S wi n g a n d th e cloud w a s

.
,

a bou t t o d i s c h a rg e i t s r a in when th e couple s udden] f el t them s lves

, .
e

gr a s pe d by a st r an ge h a n d a n d t orn a p a r t Wh o ev e r i t w a s h a d cre p t i n .

s i l en t a n d un ob se rv e d T h e h e a rts o f t h e lov e r s a lmo s t s t ood s t i ll w i th

.

fri ght Th e in t rude r n ow b et r a y e d h i s i d en ti t y by a suppresse d g i ggle

. .

It w a s P ao Y u C hi n C h un g l ea p e d t o hi s fee t
. .

“ ? ”
Wh a t do yo u m e a n by thi s h e cr i e d en r ag e d , .

Le t m e i n o n yo u r b i t o f f un t o o If yo u do n o t I wi ll r a i s e th e
, .
,

a l a rm , th r e a t en e d P a o Y u l a ugh i n g , .

B ut th e fri gh ten e d C h i N en g h a d a lr ea dy fl e d from h er ce ll un d e r

cover o f th e d a rkn ess Pa o Y u dr ew h i s fri en d o ut o f th e room w i th
.

”
Now wh i c h o f the t w o o f u s i s the st ron g r he a sked j oki n gly
, e ? .

V e ry well yo u m a y com e i n o n o ur g a m e a s muc h as yo u l i ke in t he

,
”
fu t ur e re pli e d the o th e r s pe e d i ly m oll i fi e d
, , .

Th e n ex t morn in g M a d a m e C hen g se n t fo r Pa o Y u ask i n g h i m t o ,

.

com e h om e a t o n c e B ut P a o Y u h a d so en j oy e d h i s bri e f s t a y in th e
.

Con ven t o f th e W a tery Moo n th a t he co n tri ve d t o get pe rm i ss i on

t hr oug h P h o en i x t o r e m a i n on th e re o n e mor e n i gh t w i th hi s fri e n d .

Th en o n the thi r d da y th e y r et ur n e d t og eth er t o t he t own a ft e r C h i n

, , ,

C h un g an d the n un C hi N en g ha d exc han g e d n um e rous k i sses a n d com e

t o m a n y secre t a gr e e m en t s .

In fulfi llm en t o f h er word t o t h e Abb e ss P h o e n i x h a d al re a dy th e , ,

p re vi ous da y co n fid e d t he a fore men t i o n e d m a t t e r t o o n e o f her co n fi

,
~

d en t i a l se rv a n ts L a i W a n g a n d sen t h i m b a ck to t he Y un gk uo p a l a ce
, ,

wi t h in st ruc t i on s t o get a lette r wr i tt en t o M a r sh a l Y un Kw a n g o f

C h a n g an o s ten sib ly o n b eh a lf o f h er a b se n t h u s b a n d C h i a L i e n by
, , ,

th e la t t e r s se cr e t a ry He ru sh e d o ff t o C h a n g a n w i t h t h i s l e t t e r t h e
’ ‘

sa m e da y Th e M a rsh a l w ho w as i n d e b t e d t o t h e Y un k uo p a l a c e for
.
, g
pre vi ou s goo d se rvi c es co uld no t do o the rwi se t h a n a cc e d e wi ll i n gly t o
,

a re qu es t com i n g from t h en ce H e a cco rd in gly ex er c i s e d th e d es i re d

.

pre ss ur e o n h is s ubord i n a t e th e C i t y Comm a n d a n t t o suc h good eff e c t

, ,

th a t t h e la t t e r r e li n qu i sh e d h i s resi st a n c e a n d ca n c e ll e d t h e e n g a g e m e n t

1 13
li .The r e w as n a t ur ally n o qu est i on o f h ea v y out l a y i n t i p s an d the l i ke .

P h o en i x ke p t t he t i dy l i t t l e sum o f t hr ee t h ou san d t ae l s a ll f or h e r self ,

a n d n obody i n t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e e xc ept th e t ru st e d s e rv a n t L a i W a n g

a n d h er h u sb a n d s se cr e t a ry h ea rd a word a b ou t t h e w h ol e m a t t e r Th i s
’
.

s ucc e ss s t r en g th en e d P h o en i x s self co n fi den ce a n d en cour a g e d h er t o

’
-

un d e rt a k e n um e rou s si m i l a r sh a dy t r a n s a ct i on s l a t er o n o n h er o wn ,

i n i t i a t i ve un d et err e d by an y qu a lm s o f co n s c i en c e
, .

CHAPTER 1 3

B eg i n n i n g f S pr i n g i s exa lt e d by I m p er i a l fa v or a n d ch os en to
o be
M is t r ess of th e Ph o e n i x P a la ce Ch i n C h u n g se ts o u t pr ema t u re ly o n
. h is
jo u rn e y t o th e Y e llo w S pr i n gs .

O NE DA Y ,
W HEN T H E B I R T H D A Y o r C HI A C HEN G W A S B EIN G C ELEB R ATED
i n th e Y un gk u o p a l a c e b y a gr ea t fa mi ly b an qu et a doorkeepe r a p
'

d udd ly i n t h e m i d st of t h e f e a st i n g a n d a n n oun c e d exc i t e dly :

"

p e a r e s e n
“
Th e c h i e f Imp er i a l e un uch H si a s up e r i n t en d en t of t h e s i x roy a l
, ,
”
h a r e ms i s ou ts i d e H e b ea r s an Imp er i a l m e ss a g e
, . .

Th e an n ou n c em en t n a t ur a lly p ut t h e w h ol e comp a n y i n t o a st a t e of
commo t i on T h e b an qu et a n d th e t h ea t ri c a l p e rform a n ce w e r e a b an
.

do me d a t o n c e Th e m a l e h ea d s o f th e f a m i l i es h a sten e d t o t h e gr ea t
.

r ec e p t i on h a ll wh e r e t h ey g a th er ed a ro un d a n i n c en se t a bl e wh i ch w a s
,

s p e c i a lly r e s e rv e d for r e c ei v i n g Imp e r i a l m e ss a g es ; a n ord e r w as g i v en

t o op en t h e c en t e r p an e l s o f a ll t h e door s for t h e Imp e ri a l a mb a ss a dor ,

.

a n d t h e comp a n y kn eel i n g i n d e vou t s i l e n c e ,a w a i t e d t h e a rr i v a l of th e

,

c h i e f e un uch H e w a s a lr e a dy a ppro a ch i n g o n h or seb a ck a ccomp an i e d

.
,

by a l a rg e r et i n u e of u n d er eu n u t h s H e d i smou n t e d i n fr on t of t h e en
-
.

t r an c e t o t h e gr ea t h a ll a n d w i t h a s m i l e o n h i s f a c e mou n t e d t h e s te p s
‘

, ,

l ea d in g te th e s ou th fro n t of t h e h a ll Th e r e h er em a i n e d st a n d i n g a n d
.
,

di d n o t as e xp e c t e d produc e a wr i t t en d e cree b ut s im ply an n oun c e d :

, , ,

A t th e comm an d of t h e Mo st H i g h O n e M a s te r C h i a C h en g sh a ll p ro
,

cee d a t o n c e t o th e H a ll o f R e s p e c t ful Appro a c h for a n a ud i en c e

”
.

H a v i n g pron ou n c e d th i s br i e f m e ss a ge h e l eft for th w i th w i th ou t e ven

,

t a k i n g a s i p of t ea Ev e ryo n e w a s puzzl e d W a s th e my st e ri o us m e ss a g e
. .

t o b e i n t e rpr et e d f a vor a bly or un fa vor a bly ? B ut Mr C h eng h a d n o ti m e .

t o co n si de r th e m a t te r a t l en g th He c h a n g e d qu i ckly i n t o Court a t ti r e
.
,

go t i n h i s c a rri a g e an d h a st en e d t o t h e p a l a c e
, .

Tort ur e d w i th u n c er t a i n t y th e Pri n c ess A n c est r es s se n t o n e moun t ed

,

m essen ge r a ft e r a n o th e r a t sh ort i n te rv a ls a fte r h i m N e ve rth e less sh e .

,

h a d t o w a i t t w o doub le h ours b e for e a n y n ew s a rri ve d A t las t four .

1 14
hi s phy si c al r esi st a n c e u t t erly he fel t more wr et ch e d da y by da y a n d
, ,

w a s slowly a n d st ea d i ly p i n i n g a w a y .

Th a t w a s w h y P a o Y u could work up n o en t h u si a sm f or t h e good for

t un e of h i s si ste r,B eg i n n i n g of Spr i n g H e di d n o t t a k e t h e sm a ll est p a rt
.

i n a ll th e e xc i t em en t s of th o se d a y s — h i s f a th er s a n d mo th er s a n d
’ ’

gr an dmo t h e r s a ud i en c e w i th th e So n of H ea v en a n d t h e v i si t s o f
’
,

co n gr a t ul a t i on p a i d by r el a t i v es an d fr i en d s We a ry a n d i n d i ff er en t h e .
,

s a t mop i n g i n h i s room a n d w h en a n yo n e t e as e d or r e prov e d h i m for

,

h i s st r a n g e b eh a vi or h e b ec a m e i rr i ta bl e a n d sh u t h i ms e lf o ff st i ll more
from th e comp a n y of th e o th e r s .

'

The r e w a s o n ly o n e th i n g w h i ch could c h e er h i m up a b i t a n d th a t ,

w a s t h e r e t urn o f Bl a ck J a d e H er f at h e r L i n g u H a i h a d d i e d i n t h e
.
, ,

m ean t i m e an d a f te r t h e ob se qu i es h a d b een c a rr i e d t h rough a n d th e

,

i n h eri t a n c e p ut i n ord e r w i th t h e h e lp o f h er cou si n C h i a Li en t h e t w o ,

cousi n s h a d r et urn e d t og eth e r t o th e c a p i t a l .

“
Now sh e wi ll n ev e r l ea ve you a g a i n
”
P h oen i x h a d s a i d w i th a sm i l e
,

t o P a o Y u o n Bl a ck J a d e s r e t urn T h e r e un i o n of P a o Y u a n d h i s n o w
’
.
,

complet e ly orp h a n e d cou si n w a s j oyful a n d s orro w ful a t th e s a m e t i m e ,

a n d t ea r s flow e d fr eely o n bo t h s i d es Af te r t he p a r t i n g o f seve r a l

.

mon th s P a o Y u fou n d Bl a ck J a d e con si d e r a bly mor e m a t ur e a n d f a r

,

more b ea u ti ful a n d a tt r a c t i v e t h a n b e fore Sh e h a d broug h t b a ck a .

wh ole l i br a ry o f books w i t h h er a n d a ls o v a ri ou s gr a c e ful obj e c t s for

,

t h e wri ti n g t a bl e a n d t h es e s h e sh a r e d o u t a mo n g h e r cou si n s a n d P a o
,

Y u W i s h i n g t o sh ow h i m s elf g ra t e ful P a o Y u s oug h t t o h o n or h er wi th

.
,

a g i f t of t h e pr a y e r c h a pl e t w h i c h t h e Pr i n c e of t h e Nort h e rn Qu i etn ess

di d n o t pl e a s e Bl a ck J ad e a t a ll It i mm e di .

S h a ll I t h a n k you for a t h i n g t ha t h a s b een worn a lrea dy by a

? ”
s tr a n g e m a n s h e cr i e d d i s d a i n fully fl i n g i n g t h e c h a pl et o n t he
,

groun d He p i ck e d i t up a n d t ook 1 t b ack 1 n si l en c e

. .

P h o en i x a n d h er h usb a n d C h i a L i e n n a t ur a lly h a d a gr ea t d ea l t o t ell

t h e fir s t da y of th ei r r e u n i o n P h o e n i x h a d j u st fi n i sh e d h er
.

o f h er s ev en w ee ks m c h a rg e of t h e N i n gkuo p a l a c e wh en

n
g s t uck h er h ea d l n t h e door W h e n s h e saw .

sh e s t opp e dsh ort an d w a s j u st a bou t t o di sa

p

“
fWh a t ? ”
P h o en i x c a ll e d a fte r h er
is i t

j
.

No th i n g s p e ci a l M rs Hs ueh of t h e P ea r G a rden sen t S i st e r Lo t us

’ “
q . .
‘

ov e r f or s om e i n form a t i on I h av e a lr ea dy g i ven i t t o h er a n d she h a s

.

go n e a w a y a g a i n r epl i e d Li tt l e P i n g s li pp i n g o u t a g a i n
,
’
, .

“
Lo t u s ? Is n o t t h a t th e c h a rm i n g youn g s l a v e wh om Cou si n H s u eh
”
Pa n b ough t 1n Y i n g t i en sh ort ly b e fore com i n g h e r e ? r em a rk e d C hi a
“
L i en w i th a s m i rk W h en I w as ov er i n th e P ea r G a rd en j u st n ow p a y
.
in g my res pe c t s t o Aun t H su eh on my r et urn I saw a st r i ki n gly pret t y ,
'

youn g t h i n g th e re I h a d n eve r seen h e r b e for e a n d th en I h ea rd from

.
,

Aun t H s u eh th a t s h e w a s t h a t g i rl Lo t u s Sh e looke d re a lly qu i te e u

, .
‘

c h an t i n g W h a t a p i t y t h a t she b elo n g s t o Cou si n H s ue h P a n S he i s fa r

. .

9’
t oo good f o r t h e fool ‘ .

“
My word ! H e re s a m a n j u st b a ck from a lo n g j ourn e y H e h a s h a d
’
.

a s urfe i t of b e a u t i ful wom e n i n Suc h ow a n d H a n c h ow a n d st i ll h e i s n o t ,

” “
s a ti s fi e d ! s a i d P h o e n i x l a ug h i n g W ell the n i f yo u fi n d l i tt l e Lo t u s so
.
, ,

c h a rm i n g yo u sh a ll h a v e h e r I h a ve o n ly t o e xc h a n g e h e r fo r o ur L i t tl e
, .

P i n g a n d br i n g h er ov e r h e re fo r my self I b el i eve Cou s i n H s u eh P a n i s .

t i r e d o f h er a lr ea dy H e i s o n e o f t h o s e i n s a t i a ble a n d fickl e m en w h o
.

wh i l e th e y a re e a t i n g o n e d i sh a lw a y s kee p w a t chi n g for t h e n e x t He .

n ea rly t a lk e d h i s mo th e r t o d e a t h t o p e r s u a d e h er t o g i v e h i m t h e g i rl .

Au n t H su e h g a v e i n a t l a st a n d h a n d e d h i m ov e r t h e l i t t le o n e w i th a ll
,

due s ol e mn i t y t o b e h i s co n cub i n e A n d sh e s n o t a n ord i n a ry s l a v e gi rl

’
.

a t a ll b u t s e e m s i n h er w h ol e p e r s o n a n d i n a ll h e rw a y s t o b e mor e l i k e
, .

a we ll broug h t u p g i rl from a good f a m i ly B u t t h e fe llow h a rdly h a d h e r

- -
.

tw o w ee ks w h e n h e c e a s e d e v e n t o look a t h e r a n d th r e w h e r o n th e ,

s cr a p h ea p l i k e a ll th e crowd o f c h e a p ord i n a ry g i rls h e h a s h a d I a m

, .

”
re a lly s orry for t he poor th i n g !
C h i a L i en h a d n o ch a n c e t o re ply fo r a se rv a n t c a m e i n t o c a ll h i m t o
,

h i s f a th e r Pr i n c e S h i eh w h o a w a i t e d h i m i n t h e l ib r a ry W h e n h e w a s
, ,
.

gon e P h o en i x c a ll e d h er l i tt l e m a i d P i n g , .

“
Wh a t di d A un t H su eh w an t w h e n sh e sen t Lo t u s ove r j us t n o w .

sh e a s k e d .

“
Sh e w an t e d n o thi n g an d sh e sen t n obody ov e r I w a s j us t fi bb in g a .

“
b i t b ut i t w as a wh i t e li e
,
r epl i e d th e ma i d w i th a s ly sm i l e La i
,
.

’
W a n g s w i fe c a m e t o br i n g yo u s om e in te r est Could th e st up i d cre a t ure .

n o t h a v e foun d a mor e s u i t ab l e t i m e t o do i t ? S h e h a d to blun d e r i n

j ust w h en your h u sb a n d w a s t h e r e a n d sh e di d i t purposely s o th a t h e

,

sh ould ge t t o kn ow o f your bu s i n e s s a n d l ea rn t h a t yo u h a v e pri v a te

fun d s a t your d i s po sa l If h e kn e w th a t h e would b e e ven more s pe n d

.

thr i ft th an h e i s a lr ea dy Luc k i ly I w a s a bl e to i n t er ce p t o l d M rs W a n g
.
,
.

”
j u st i n t i me an d ge t th e mo n e y from h er .

“
Br a vo ! Y o u h a v e a c te d mo st cl e ve rly sa i d Ph oe n i x a ppr ec i a ti v e ly . .

“
I w as r ea lly wo n d e r i n g w h a t o n ea rt h sh ould h a ve m a d e Au n t H s u eh
i n t e rrup t my firs t c h a t w i th my h u sb a n d so rud ely an d i n co n s i de r at e ly .

Aft e r a li t t le t i m e C hi a L i en r et u rn e d a n d j u s t a fte r th a t m c a m e ,

Mo th e r C h a o h i s o l d n ur se t o w e lco m e hi m h om e a f t e r h i s lo n g a b
, ,

senc e Sh e w as mo s t cord i a lly i n vi t e d t o s i t down food a n d dr i n k w e re

. ,

se rv e d t o h er an d P h o en i x se t t l e d d own t o li st en t o he r co n v e rs a ti o n
, .

o nly h al f l i st en e d to h er le i sur e ly ch a tt e r ; h e a te an d
a n a b se n t m i n d e d w a y a
-
n d h i s th oug h t s w ere obv i ous ly e lse
,

117
 wher e Would th e y pl e a se excu se hi m for n o t t aki n g p a rt i n the con v er
.

s a t i o n b u t h e w a s i n a h urry a n d h a d t o go ov e r a t o n c e f o r an i mpor
,

t a n t d i s cu s s i o n w i t h Pr i n c e C h en s o h e s a i d
, .

“
Do n o t let us d et a i n you b u t wh a t h a d t h e o ld g en t l e m a n t o d i s cuss
,

”
wi t h y o u j u s t a l i tt l e t i m e a go ? a s k e d P h o en i x .

“
H e s pok e a bou t t h e com i n g v i si t of fi l i a l r e v e re n c e .

”
H a s t h e v i si t b e en a lr ea dy a pprov e d by th e Court ?
”
No t yet form a lly B ut i t i s a s good a s c e r ta i n
. .

? ” “
Is i t r e a lly cr i e d Ph o en i x j oyfully Th a t would i n d ee d b e a qu i te
, .

n ew a n d un pr e c e d en t e d a ct o f gr a c e o n th e p a rt o f o ur
p r es en t m o n
a rc h a n d o n e of w h i c h t h e r e i s n o r e cord e i t h e r i n o u r: h i s t or i c a l a n n a ls
,
”
o r i n our t h e a t r i c a l p i e c es
.

“ ”
W h a t i s a ll t h i s t a lk a bou t a ske d M ot h e r C h a o st up i dly Fo r th e
? .

p a st f ew d a y s I h a v e h ea rd e v ery o n e h ere t a lki n g a n d c h a t t e ri n g a bou t

a v i s i t o f fil i a l re v e r en c e b u t I h a v e grown dull from o l d a e a n d I
g
”
could n o t m a k e h e a d o r t a i l o f a ll t h e t a lk .

“ ”
I w i ll expl a i n th e m a t t e r t o yo u s a i d C h i a L i en O ur pr esen t Son
, .

o f H e a v en i s a gr ea t a dvoc a t e of fil i a l r e v e r en c e H e r e g a rd s t h e r esp e c t
.

ful a tt i t ud e o f c h i ldren t o t h e i r p a r en t s a s a u n i v e r sa l l a w o f n a t ur e
w h i c h i s b i n d i n g upo n the w h ol e h um a n r a c e r e g a rdl ess o f d i ff e r en c e o f
cl a ss ; an d h e co n si d er s t h a t th e m a i n t en a n c e o f fil i a l r e v er e n ce i s t h e
mo s t i mport a n t dut y of a w i se gov e rn m en t b ec a u se by i t h um a n s oc i et y
,

ca n b e k e p t i n ord e r i n t h e s i mpl es t mo st n a t ur a l w a y O ur r ei g n i n g
, .

mo n a rch h i m se lf sh i n es for th w i th good ex a mpl e i n t h i s r es p e ct by sur

rou n d i n g h i s a g e d p a r en t s th ei r form e r M a j e st i es w i th e v e ry co n cei v
, ,

a bl e s i g n o f fil i a l lov e da y an d n i gh t A n d yet h e co n s i d e r s t h a t h e do es
, .

n o t fulfill h i s fil i a l du t y a s compl et ely a s h e would w i sh t o do so st em ,

a n d e x a l te d a re h i s i d ea ls .

Now h e h a s com e t o t he con clu si o n th a t h i s w i v e s a n d se co n d a ry

,

w i ve s a n d o t he r wor th y p e r s o n s w h o d e d i c a t e th e i r l i ve s t o t he se rvi c e
o f t h e p a l a c e a r e h i n d e r e d 1 n t h e expr es s i o n o f t h e i r n a t ur a l fe el i n g s o f

fil i a l r ev e r en c e a n d mu st s u ff e r sp i r i t u a lly by t h ei r lo n g y e a r s o f se p a r a
t i o n from t h ei r f a t h e r s a n d mo t h e r s a n d t h a t t h e p a r en t s o n t h ei r p a rt
, , ,

w h o p i n e for t h e d a ugh t e r s w h o h a v e b een t orn from t h e m h a v e muc h

t o en dure from t h i s st a te of t hi n g s H e h a s d e c i d e d t h a t t h e d i v i n e ly
.

a ppo i n t e d h a rmo n y w h i c h sh ould re i gn i n h um a n s oc i et y i s s e v e r ely i n

j ur e d by t h i s Mov e d by t h ese co n si d e ra t i o n s h e h a s h a d a m emo
.
,

r a n dum pr e s en t e d t o h i s p a r en t s t h e i r form e r M a j e st i es i n wh i c h h e
, ,

ha s s ugg es te d th a t p a r en t s of t h e Impe r i a l w i ve s sh a ll b e pe rmi t te d 1n

fu t ur e t o com e t o t h e p a l a c e t o v i si t t h e i r d a ug h t e r s o n t h e se co n d an d
mo n t h a l t e rn a t ely .

Imp e ri a l M a j est i es we r e mo st d ee ply mov e d by thi s

s ugg e s t i o n t h e n obl e mo t i v e s o f w
,
h i c h th ey fully r ecogn i z e d b ut th ey ,

1 18
 l
a re a dy b een m ea s ur e d an d m a rk e d o ut ann oun c e d C hi a Yun g It
,
.

un i t e s t h e p a rk o f th e ea st e rn p a l a c e a n d tha t o f th e w este rn o n e an d
'

m ea sur es t h ree a n d a h a lf li w i d e t herefore i t i s qui t e s uffi c i en t for a

,

d i gn i fi e d pl a c e of r ec e p t i o n for t he d i st i n gu i sh e d v i si t or A n a rc h i t ec t .

h a s a lr ea dy b een i n st ruc t e d t o pr e p a r e t h e ske t ch e s o f t h e n e c ess a ry

bu i ld i n g s a n d h e w i ll pr esen t h i s pl a n s t omorrow A s F a th e r a ss um es
, .

t h a t you a re t i r e d from your j ourn e y h e a s ks u s t o sa y th a t you n ee d

,

n o t t roubl e t o com e ov e r t od a y ; a n d would

yo u pl ea se po st po n e your
”
vi si t u n t i l t omorrow morn i n g i f yo u w i sh t o d i scu ss a n y t hi n g .

“
Te ll your fa th e r th at I t h a n k h i m v e ry muc h for h i s ki n d con si d er a
t i o n a n d I sh a ll n o t go ov e r u nt i l t omorrow morni n g r e pl i e d C h i a,
“
L i en Te ll h im th a t I a gr ee fully r e g a rd i n g t h e pl a c e t h a t h a s b een
.

a rr a n g e d ; i t s ee m s t o m e t o b e a mo st for t u n a t e a rr a n g e m en t i n e v ery

w a y It w i ll s a v e u s v e ry co n si d e r a bl e exp en se a s i t obv i a t es th e me c es
.

”
s i t y of a cqu i ri n g a p i e c e of groun d sp ec i a lly for t hi s o n e v i si t .

C h i a C h i an g t h en st e pp e d forw a rd a n d b eg a n t o sp ea k .

“
I h a v e b een i n st ruc t e d t o t rav el t o Such ow h e sa i d a n d th ere t o
, ,

en t ru st c a p a bl e a g en ts w i th th e t a s k o f fi n d i n g ou ts t a n d i n gly a ecom

p li sh e d you n g d a n c i n g g i rl s a s w e ll a s mu s i c a l i n st rum en t s a n d t h ea te r
r e qu i s i tes Two s on s o f th e m a j ordomo L a i S hen g w i ll a ccomp a n y m e ;
.

”
a n d U n cl e a s k s you t o pl ea s e g i v e m e t w o of your p e opl e a s w ell .

C h i a L i en m e a s ur e d t h e you th ful s pe a k er w i th a cri ti c a l eye C an .

“

? ”
yo u t ru st your s elf t o c a rry o u t t h i s t a sk wort h y n ep h ew ,
h e as ke d .

Tru e i t i s n o t a n i mm en se o n e b ut a ll th e sa m e L
, ,
h e r em a rke d
s om e w h a t sa rc a st i c a lly .

C h i a C hi a n g w h o w a s st an d i n g rl gh t b esi d e P h o eni x ou ts i d e t he ra
,

di us o f th e l a mpli gh t plucke d h er dr ess surre p ti t i ou s ly Ph o en i x u n d e r

,
.

s t ood t h e h i n t .

“
You a re ov e r an x i ou s sh e sa i d t o h e r h u sb a n d wi t h a r ea ssuri n g
,
“
sm i l e Cou si n C hen i s s ur e ly a bl e t o j udge b ett e r th a n w e a re w h o a re
'

s u i t a bl e p e r so n s t o w h om t o en t rus t hi s comm i ss i o n s T h e boy s a re n o .

lon g e r ch i ldr en a n d ev en i f th ey h av e n o t ye t p ro b e d th e my st e ry of th e
'

, _

t a st e of ro a s t pork th e y h a v e a t l ea st a lr ea dy s een a l i v e p i g run n i n g

,

a bou t t h e ro a d a n d t h e y kn ow wh a t i t lo o ks l i ke i n i t s li v i n g sta t e A n d .

a ft e r a ll U n cl e C h en h a s o n ly sen t t h emint o t h e fr a y a s s t a n d a rd
,

b ea re rs H e h a rdly exp e c t s th em t o w a g e t he b a t tl e t h e m se lv es ; i n o th e r
.

word s t o b a rga i n ov e r pr i c es wi th the a g en ts Th a t i s wh a t o u r p e opl e

’

.
,
”
wi ll b e t he r e for : Let th e m go ! Th e y w i ll get o n a ll ri gh t .

”
V e ry w e ll I h a v e n o obj e c t i on s C hi a L i en a ss ur e d h er B ut p er
, ,
.

h a p s I ca n h elp t h em w i th s om e a dvi c e .

“ ”
Where a re yo u g ett i n g th e ne c essa ry fun ds from he as ked t urn?
,

i n g to C hi a C hi a n g .

O ur pr in c e ly m ast er h as a lr e a dy i n struc te d u s r e g a rdi n g th at

“
re ,

1 20
pli ed C hi a C hi a n g W e do n o t n ee d t o t a ke a n y mo n e y fr om the fun d s
.

he re as t h e C h i a f a m i ly h as a cre d i t o f fif t y th ou sa n d s i lv e r t a els wi th
,

th e C h e n f a m i ly i n K i a n g n a n wh e r e w e sh a ll b e s t opp i n g o n o ur j our ,

n ey He w i ll g i v e u s a d r
. a f t f o r t h i rt y th ou s a n d ta e ls wi t h w h i c h w e ca n ,

dr a w on th i s cred i t T he r e m a i n i n g t wen t y t h ou sa n d t a e ls w i ll b e u se d
.

l a te r fo r the purc ha se o f l a n t e rn s color e d c a n dl es b an n ers p enn a n t s , , , ,

clo th f or curt a in s a n d o the r fes ti v e d e cor a t i o n s

, .

C hi a Li en n odd e d a pprovi n gly P h o en i x d e c i d e d upo n tw o s o n s o f .

Mo ther C ha o a s t r a ve lli n g comp a n i o n s an d a ss i st an ts f o r C h i a C h i a n g ,

t he n sh e b a d e t he m good b y C hi a Yun g w en t a f t e r h er a n d b e fore sh e

-
.
,

re a c h ed th e door sa i d h e h a d t o h a v e a pr i v a t e word w i th h er
,
.

“
If yo u w a n t a n y th i n g from Such ow dea r A un t j ust wri te i t a ll o ut , ,
” “
o n a l i st h e w h i s pe re d ; I wi ll gi v e t h e l i st t o my bro th e r a n d h e wi ll
,
”
a tt en d t o i t promp t ly o n th e j ourn ey .

“ ”
O h wh a t a s i ll y i d e a ! sh e l a ugh e d p a rry i n g h i s off er
,
I do n o t , .

w a n t a th i n g O n the co n t r a ry I ha ve n o t go t s uffi c i en t sp a c e f o r a ll th e
.
,
”
st u ff w h i c h I h a v e ! Wh a t o dd a r t ful i d ea s yo u ge t ! ,

A n d o ff sh e w en t .

M ean w h i l e i n si de the r oo m C h i a C h i a n g w as i mport un i n g h i s e ld e r

, ,
“
cou si n i n ex a c tly the sa m e w a y If t he re i s an y th i n g yo u w a n t I sh a ll
~ .
,

n o t f a i l t o ge t i t for you a lo n g w i t h my o t h e r comm i ss i o n s a n d l a y i t a t ,

”
your feet a s a sm a ll t oken o f my r es p e c t h e w a s sa y i n g gl i bly B ut ,
.

C h i a Li en t o o d i sm i sse d t h e off e r wi th th an ks .

“
No t s o f a st my b o y ! B e gi n n e rs l i ke yo u sh ould st i ck t o t h e j ob i n
,

h a n d i n your fir s t t r a n s a c ti o n s a n d n o t st a rt d i st r a c t i n g yours e lve s wi t h

,
”
tr i fl e s If I w an t a n y th i n g I sh a ll wri t e
. h e a dd e d s m i l i n g a n d sen t , ,

t h e t w o you n g p e opl e off .

Th e n ex t mor n i n g C h i a L i en w en t t o Pr i n c e C h en V a ri ou s e xp e rt s .

a mo n g t h e fri e n d s of t h e fa m i l i e s a n d s om e o f th e old e r a n d mor e e x

p eri en ce d m emb e rs o f t h e h ou seh old s t a ff s w e re pr e s en t a n d th e re w a s ,

a gr ea t co n s ul t a t i o n bu i ld i n g pl a n s w e re e x a m i n e d a n d que st i o n s o f
, ,

l a bor a n d m a t e ri a l s t h orough ly d i s cussed .

Th a t sa m e da y a l i v ely s c en e of bu i ld i n g a c t i vi t y comm en c e d a t th e
west e rn si d e o f the N i n gkuo p a l a c e a n d t h e ea ste rn si de of t h eY un gk uo
.

p al a c e L a bor e rs ca rpen t e rs an d bu i ld e rs c a m e i n h ordes an d a c e a se

.

.
, , ,

les s s uc ces si o n of c a r ts a n d h an db a rrows full o f bu i ld i n g m a te ri als

bri ck s gl az ed roof t i l es gold s i lve r coppe r a n d t i n — roll e d i n
, , , , ,
.

s i d e ou t e r w a ll s t urr et s a n d p a vi li o ,
n s w e re pull e d dow n i n t h e
,

G a rd en of A ssembl e d Perf um es ; a t th e o the r si de th e wh ol e form er

'

’
block of se rv a n t s r esi d en t i a l qu a rt e rs w as t orn down i n ord e r t o m a ke
w a y f o r on e co n t i n uous a r ea o f m a gn i fic en t ple a s ure g a rd en s a n d p a
vi li o n s .

H e re we mu st m en t i o n th a t th e tw o es t a t es w e re se p a r a t e d m er ely by
a na r r ow pri vate p a th en clo se d by h i gh w alls It w a s th er efor e on ly n ec
-
.

e ss a ry t o kn ock do wn th e w a lls i n ord e r t o t urn t h e wh ol e dom ai n qu i t e

ea si ly in t o o n e s i n gl e p i e c e o f t e rri t ory More ove r a str e a m flow e d

.
,

thr oug h th e G a rd en o f A sse mbl e d P e rfum e s a n d i t w a s foun d po ssi bl e ,

t o di v er t thi s st r ea m i n t o th e Y un gk u o p a rk w i th ou t d i ffi cul t y so th a t ,

w at e rworks could b e co n tri ve d a t a r e a son a bl e co st The N i n gkuo p al .

ace grou n d s a g a i n w e r e l a cki n g in a rt i fic i a l h i ll s rocks a n d tr ee s T h i s

, , , ,
.

l a ck w a s ove r co m e by t r an s port i n g f o r th e t i m e b ei n g from Pr i n c e

, ,
’
S h i eh s r esi d en c e an d gr o un d s w hi ch we r e r ea lly p a rt o f th e or i g i n a l
,

Y un gk u o p a rk sev er a l h i lls ari d p i e c es o f rock as w el l a s a n umb e r o f

,

t r e es bri dg es an d b a lu s t r a d es a n d s e t t i n g th e m dow n a g a i n i n th e N in g
, , ,

k uo p a l a c e groun d s In t h i s w a y a gr ea t d ea l o f mo n ey wh i c h would
.

h a v e h a d t o b e s p en t on n ew m a t eri a l s w a s s a v e d a n d th e a i m o f a ch i ev ,

i n g a s i n gl e a n d co n t i n uou s n ew l a you t o f m a gn i fic en t orn a m en t a l gar

d en s w a s a c hi e ve d u n d e r t he e xpe rt gu i d a n c e of t he c a p abl e ol d H u a ,

form e r Court a rc hi t e c t i n an a st o n i sh i n gly sh or t sp a c e o f t i m e

, .

New rocky gorg es po n d s w a t erf a ll s a i ry p a v i l i o n s an d p a god a s

, ,. , ,

b a mboo h e dg e s a n d flowe ry grov es c a m e i n t o b e i n g Th e m a l e m emb e r s .

o f t h e f a m i l i es o f bo t h p a l a c e s co n s c i en t i ou s ly sh a r e d t h e s up e rv i si o n of

t h e work T o b e s ur e Pr i n c e S hi eh a n d C h i a C h en g r e m a i n e d o u t o f
.
,

t h i n g s for th e mo st p a rt ; th e l a tt e r w a s t o o gr ea t ly occup i e d w i th hi s
m i n i ste r i a l offic e whi l e t h e form e r lov e d th e l ei s ure o f h i s l ib r a ry an d
, ,

l e ft i t t o h i s son C h i a Li en t o r e pr esen t h i m an d t o r epor t t o h i m i n

wr i t i n g from t i m e t o t i m e o n th e progr ess of the work Pri n c e C hen w i th .

h i s m a j ordomo s up erv i se d t h e a c t u a l bu i ld i n g op era t i o n s a n d th e rolls

o f work p e opl e h i s s o n C h i a Yun g S up e rv i se d t h e m e t a l work 1 n gold
,

a n d s i lv er A n d s o ea c h o n e h a d h i s cl ea rly d e fi n e d fi e ld o f a c t i v i t y A s
. .

a lr ea dy m en t i o n e d ow i n g t o t h e i lln es s of h i s fr i e n d C h i n C h un g P a o
, ,

Y u t ook s c a rc ely a n y p a r t i n a ll t h e bu s y do i n g s w h i c h w e re go i n g o n
i n t h e h ou se Even t h e f a c t t h a t h i s f a th er o w i n g t o h i s m a n y o th e r
.
,

urg en t occup a t i o n s dur i n g th a t t i m e w as u n a bl e t o w a t c h h i m an d

,

s up e rv i s e h i s st ud i es a s muc h a s u s u a l f a i le d t o c h ee r h i s d e presse d
,

s p i r i t s a s i t would as s ur e dl yh a v e do n e at a n o th e r t i m e
, .

O n e morn i n g h i s i n n e r un r est drov e hi m o ut o f b e d j us t a t br ea k of

d a wn W h i l e h e w a s dre ssin g h e w a s i n form e d t h a t a n o ld se rv a n t o f hi s
.

fr i en d ha d com e t o c a ll hi m urg en tly t o th e si ckb e d F i ll e d w i th a n x i ous .

for ebod i n g s he h a s ten e d t o h i s fr i en d s h ou se b ut h e ca m e t o o late

,
’
, .

T h e s i ck b o y w h om h e fo un d ly i n g o n hi s b ed wit h w a x w hi te fa c e a n d
,
-

clo s e d e y e s p a i n fully g a s p i n g f o r br ea th m ade n o reply t o hi s t hri ce

, ,
“ ”
re p ea te d cry : Bro th e r C h in P a o Y u i s h e r e ! Un a ble t o u tt e r o n e
,

word o f fa r e w e ll h e h a d bre a th e d o ut h i s l a st r emn a nt o f br eath 1 11 th e

,

pre sen c e o f hi s fri en d an d set o u t o n h i s j ourn e y t o the Y e llow Spri n gs .

1 22
 Mr . C hen g st oppe d first fron t of th e cover e d g atew a y an d let th e
in
irnp ress i on o f th e vi e w from ou t si d e work upo n h i m Th e roof s o f th e .

fi v e door e d g a t e w a y w hi c h w e re cov e re d w i th copp er t i l e s st ood o ut

’

, ,

l i ke t h e shim m er i n g s c a ly b a cks o f li z a rd s or a ll i g a t or s T h e b a lu st r a d es .

a n d st ep s o f th e m a rb l e bri dg e w h i c h le d t o t h e e n tr a nc e w e r e a dorn e d

wi th a rt i st i c a lly wrought orn a men t s i n t h e W e st ern st yl e N ei th er th e .

g a t ewa y n o r th e br i dg e h a d a n y whi t ew a sh or p a i n t ; bo th a bov e an d

b e low e ve ry th i n g gli t t er e d i n t h e n a t ur a l whi t e o f w a ter cl ea r m a rb l e -
.

Wh i t e w a s a ls o the color of t he l i m e w a sh e d w a ll en clo s in g t h e wh ol e -

wh i c h ra n from l eft a n d ri ght o f th e g a tew a y T he w a ll ro se from a b a se .

o f n a t ur a l fr ee s t o n e s w h i c h w e r e ri bb e d li k e a t i g er s p e l t a n d cut an d
'
’
,

pl a c e d i n s uch a w a y o n e ov e r th e o th e r t h a t t h e y g a v e th e w a ll a mo st
, ,

ple a si n g a pp ea r a n c e T h e wh ole i mpr e ssi on w a s t h a t o f an un u s u a l

.
“

s e tt i n g f o r a b ea u t i ful j ew el .

We ll con ten t Mr C h en g mov e d on Ju st i n si d e th e g a t ew a y the eye

, . .

w a s m e t by a gr een hi ll .

“ ”
Wh a t a b e a ut i ful h i ll ! t hey a ll excl a i m e d en r a p t ure d , .

Th i s h i ll wh i ch a t fi rst sh u t s o ut t h e vi e w hei gh t en s e xp e c t a ti o n If
, , .

o n e w e r e t o s ee th e w h ol e p a rk i m m e d i a t e ly upo n e n t e r i n g th e eff ect ,

”
would b e i n on o to n o us r em a rke d C h i a C hen g ,
.

“ ” “
Qu i t e so ! t he o th ers a gr ee d On e mu st h a ve h ei gh t s an d d e p ths t o
.

”
en li v en th e s p i r i t .

The y w a lke d o n by a n a rr ow p a th wh i ch woun d upw a rd s thr ough a

n a rrow gorg e form e d by m i gh t y gr a y rocks ov ergrown wi th mo s s an d ,

cr ee p er s Th ese rocks w i th t h ei r grot es qu e sh a p es ly i n g t h i s w a y an d

.
, ,

th a t looke d a s f an ta st i c a s go b l i n s o r m i gh t y f a bulou s a n i m a l s H a lf
, ,
.

w a y u p in fro n t o f a s in gl e m i rr or br i gh t sh e et o f s t o n e th e y h a l t e d
,
-

,
.

It seem s t o m e t h a t th i s i s th e r i gh t pl ac e for a n i n s cri p t i o n Wh a t

“
.

”
n a m e sh a ll w e g i v e t o th i s spo t ? Your suggest i o n s pl ea se g en t l em en ! , ,

ur g ed C hi a C h en g .

” “
A doz en s ugg est i on s s uch a s S t r a t i fi e d K i n gfi sh e r Gr een
,
Em ,
”
broi de re d Cr ags a n d th e li ke w e r e h e a rd Pa o Y u w a s th e l a st to b e
,
’

,
.

c a ll e d upo n t o s pea k H e g a v e i t fr an kly an d fr ee ly a s hi s Op i n i o n th a t

.

a n i n s cr i p t i on would b e s om e w h a t pr e m a t ure h e r e w h er e o n e h a d j u st ,

t a k en th e firs t s t e p i n t o th e groun d s b u t i f i t w e r e d e fi n i t ely d e s i r e d t o

,

a do rn th i s i n i ts e lf un i mpo rt an t s po t wi th a mo t t o h e would s ugg es t th e ,

word s rem i n i s c en t o f an a n c i en t t e x t : On tw i s t e d p a ths th rough tw i

,

li g h t sh a des Th e re w a s gen e r a l a ppl a u se

”
. .

Thi s s uggest i o n o f o ur wort h y n e ph ew e xpr e sses t ru e n a t ur a l t a len t .

Comp a r e d wi th hi m w e o th e rs are o n ly clums y duff ers an d dry p ed

,
”
a n ts,
sa i d t h e sen i ors fl a tt e ri n gly , .

“
No e x a gg e r a t e d pr a i s e ,i f yo u ple a se or th e b o y w i ll get n ot i ons ,

a bou t hi s h i t o f kn owle dg e Be tt e r l a ug h a t h i m ; i t woul d b e mor e b en e

“

.
fi ci a l to obj e c te d C h i a C hen g sm i l i n g A t a n y r a t e w e h a v e sti ll
hi m , , .

”
go t t i m e t o co n s i d e r th e m a tt e r .

T h e p a th le d o n th roug h d a rk gro tt o e s i n t o br i gh t cl ea r i n g s ov e r
S IO p e s s om e cov e r e d w i t h bu shes s ome w i t h t r ee s an d o th e rs a g a in
, , , , ,

w i th flow e r s a lo n g by a b abbl i n g brook w h i c h h e re wo un d sl ee p i ly

,

th r oug h l ev e l l an d a n d th e r e h opp e d i n ga y l e a p s dow n t ow a rd s a v a ll e y ,

t o d i s a pp e a r i n t o a n a rrow fe ll an d fi n a lly t o d i s p e r se i n th e form o f a

,

st ee p fo a mi n g w a t e rf a ll i n t o a s m a l l sh i mm e r i n g l a ke A w h i t e m a rbl e
, ,
.

b a lu st r a d e e n c i rcl e d the sh ore s o f th e l a ke a n d ov er i ts n a rrow si d e th e ,

t ri pl e a rc h o f a m a rbl e br i dg e st re t c he d l i ke th e g a p i n g j a ws o f a se a
mo n st e r T he p a v i l i o n w h i c h st ood o n t he bri dge an d ove rh u n g th e
.

w a t e r w a s c h o se n a s th e n ex t h a l t i n g pl a c e .

All w e r e fully a gr ee d t h a t t h i s c h a rm i n g w a te r p a vil i o n w a s n o t o n ly

wort h y of a po e t i c a l n a m e b ut defi n i tely ha d t o b e e x t olle d in a he pt a
‘

m e t r i c coupl e t H en c e th e r e fo llow e d a l i vely l i te r a ry d eb a t e i n wh i c h

.
,

P a o Y u o n c e mor e h a d a n oppor t un i t y o f sh i n i n g W h i l e a ll th e o t h e rs .

“
t h ough t a t o n c e o f a n a p t quo ta t i o n from th e c e l e br a t e d o de P a vi li o n ,
”
of a dr un ken o ld m a n i n wh i ch th e po e t glo ri fi es a p a v i li o n n ea r th e
,

s ourc e o f t h e N i a n g a n d w a n t e d t o t a k e from t h i s o de th e n a m e o f
,

W a t e rfa ll of J a s pe r P a o Y u m a i n t a i n e d th a t th i s w a s n o t a s u i t a bl e
,

n a m e O n t h e occ a s i o n o f r e c e i vi n g s uc h a n e x a l te d v i s i t o n e mu st p a y
.
,

h ee d t o e t i qu ett e a n d r em emb e r th a t t h e i d e ogr a p h f o r w a t e rfa ll a ls o

s t ood f o r s om e t h i n g v e ry i n d e li c a t e n a m e ly d i a rr h ea a n d mi g h t t h e r e
, , ,
‘

fore c a u s e d i s gu s t i n t h e h i gh est qu a r te rs T hi s a rg um e n t w a s qu i t e nu .

an s w e r a bl e C h i a C h en g s t rok e d h i s b e a rd t h oug h t fully a n d r e m a rke d

.

t h a t t h e boy w a s full o f t h e s p i r i t o f co n t r a d i c t i o n a n d t h a t n o t h i n g w as
ri g h t to h i m F i rs t h e h a d b een a ll i n fa vor o f o ld quo t a ti o n s a n d n o w
.
,

wh en a n o l d quo t a t i o n h a d b ee n propo se d h e h a d a n obj e c t i o n t o r a i se

“ ”
t o i t In th e e n d P a o Y u s s ugg e s t i o n o f T h roug h P e rfum ed Gl a d e s
’
.
,

as t i t le for t h e pl a c e w h e r e a w a t e rf a ll e m e rg e d from a flowe ry gl a d e

, ,

fou n d u n a n i mous a cc e p t a n c e a n d th e C oupl e t wh i c h h e i mprovi se d o n

,

t h e s po t a t h i s f a t h e r s w i s h a rou se d s t i ll mor e a dm i r a t i o n
’
.

T h e comp a n y n ex t m a de a rou n d o f t he l a ke i n t h e cour se of w hi c h ,

ea c h moun t cr a g flowe r an d tr e e w a s th e s ubj e c t o f a se p a r a t e an d

, , ,

t h oroug h e x a m i n a t i o n Sudd en ly th e y foun d t h em se lv e s b e fore a sh a dy

.

b a mb oo gr ov e s urrou n d e d by a low wh i t e w a sh e d w a ll I n s i d e th i s gr ee n
, .

b e l t la y h i dd e n a fr i e n dly l i tt l e cou n t ry h ou se bu i l t o n p i l es ,
.

”
Wh a t a ch a rm i n g li tt l e pl a c e ! th e y a ll e xcl a i m e d Th e y w en t i n A n . .

a rbor cov e r e d w a lk le d i n z i gz a g b en d s from t h e g a t e w a y u t o t h e l i tt l e

p
-

co tt a g e w h i c h h a d o n ly th r e e rooms tw o o f t hem ope n in g o n t o ope n

, ,

ve r a n d a s a n d a ll th r ee furn i sh e d t a st e fully b ut wi th t he u t mos t e co n

,

c e n t e r room a n a rrow d oo r le d in t o a b a ck

125
openi n g down by the g a rd en w a ll a cl ea r s pri n g b ub bl e d whi ch t urn i n g , ,

i n t o a b a bbli n g brook woun d i ts w ay t h rough th e g ar den a roun d th e

‘

li t t l e cot t a g e a n d s p l a sh e d down from the b a mboo gl a d e t o h a sten

,
“

, ,

fi n a lly i n t o th e n e a r b y l a k e
,
-
.

“
Wh a t a d eli g htful s po t ! Th i n k o f si tti n g h ere a t the w i n dow on a
’
b ea ut i ful moo n l i t n i ght st udy i n g ; t h a t would n ot b e s pen d i n g o n e s l i fe
,
”
i n v a i n ! exela i m ed C hi a C h en g wi th a c en s ori ou s gl a n c e a t h i s s o n Pa o
, ,

Y u w h o a t o n c e b owe d h i s h ea d t i m i dly O n c e more a li v ely l i t e r a ry

, .

’
co n tes t a ro se re g ar d i n g a s ui t a bl e mo tt o a n d a g a i n i t w a s Pa o Y u s i d e a ,

wh i ch w on th e da y He emph a siz e d th e fa c t t h at th e d i st i n gu i sh e d
.

vi si t or would m a ke h er first r e st a t th i s s po t an d th a t f or th i s rea son th e

i n s cri p t i o n mu st co n t a i n s om e pl ea sa n t p ers o n a l a ll u s i o n T h e cl a ssi c a l .

“
quo t a t i on w h i ch he re comm en d e d A p h o en i x com es wi th gr a c e t o ,
” /
rest a rous e d th e g en er a l en th u si a sm o f t he sen i ors n o wh i t less th a n
,

di d th e furt h e r st a n z a w h i c h h e h a d t o compo se a t h i s fa th e r s co m
’

m a n d Hi s fa ther a lo n e d i ss en t e d a n d w a s hea rd t o mu tt e r di sp ara g

.
,
‘

i n gly s om et h i n g a bou t m e d i ocri t y an d th e bra i ns o f a n i n s e c t

“ ” “ ”
.

Th e w a y n o w curve d a roun d a gr een projec tin g h i llock b eh i n d wh i ch ,

t h e r e e m e rg e d i n t o v i e w a ri c e p la n t a t i or1 pro t e c t e d by l o w y e llow cl a y _ _ _

w a ll s Adj o i n i n g t h i s p a ddy fi e ld w a s an orch a rd o f s om e hu n dr e d s o f

.

a pr i co t tr ee s i n bloom B eh i n d th e fl a m e— red cloud o f blo ss om s th e

.

s t r a w t h a t c h e d roof o f a f a rm h ou s e p e e p e d t h r
-
ough A t t h e o th e r s i d e .

o f t h e f a rmh ou se st ood a m i x e d gr o up o f t r ees s uc h as e lm s m ulb e rr y , ,

t r e es a n d c h e rry t r ees Arou n d t hem w as a gr een h e dg e an d b eh i n d

’

.
,

th i s o n a h i ll a cou n t ry w ell compl et e w i t h buck et an d l e v e r B eyon d

, , , .

t h e w e ll s t r e t c h e d e x t en s i v e pl a n t a t i o n s o f c h o i c e v e g et a bl es e a c h ki n d ,

i n i t s a ccur a t ely m e asure d plo t .

“
T h a t i s w h a t pl ea se s ru e ! e xcl a i me d Mr C hen g en ch a n te d a t th e
”
.
,
“
si gh t o f a ll t h e t i ll a g e A p i e c e of l a n d l a i d o ut l i ke th a t h a s sen se a n d
.

m e an i n g I c a nn ot co n t a i n my fee l i n g s for th e si ght mov es m et o th e

.
,

d e p th s o f my b ei n g a n d a w a ken s my lon g i n g f or a p ea c e ful coun t ry

”
li fe L et us go i n th e r e a n d r est !
.

B ut a t th e s a m e m om en t he d i s cov er ed by th e w a y si d e b eh i n d th e ,

th e h e dg e a s in gl e block of rock whi c h do ub t l ess la y t h ere

‘

w a yfa r e r t o si t down a n d m ed i ta t e Thi s rock a w a i te d a n

'

”
No ! Com e h e re i n st e a d It i s e v en lov el i e r h e re ! h e
‘
.

cri e d from ou ts i d e an d th e y a ll foll owe d h i m an d g a th er e d a roun d

,
“
th e sl a b o f rock O n c e mor e a profoun d l i t er a ry d i s cu ss i o n a ro s e V il
l a ge o f Blo ss om
. .

i n g Apri co t w as propo se d un an i m
”
ou s ly b y th e e ld ers .

B ut he re a g a i n P a o Y u w a s o f an o th e r op i n i on an d th i s t im e n o doub t , ,

e mbold en e d b y th e pr e vi ous a ppl a us e h e p u t forwa rd hi s op i n i on ,

som ewh a t a ud a c i ou s ly w i th ou t w a i t i n g t o b e as ke d f o r i t by h i s fa th e r
'

.
,

Thi s b rough t h im a sh arp p a tern al re pri m an d

‘

1 26
 ’

b en d s t h ey st ood b e for e a ro ck gro t to ov erh un g wi th cr ee p i n g pl a n t s , ,

from wh i c h th e y could h e a r t h e r i ppl i n g s oun d of w a te r H er e t he com .

'

p an y c a m e t o a h a lt a n d broke i n t o e xcl a m a ti on s o f d el i gh t N a t ur ally .

,
“ ”
t h i s a g a i n w as t h e r i gh t pl a c e for a mo t t o Wu l i n g Spr i n g a n d .

”
Gro t t o of t he S t r a n g e H erm i t wer e s ugg est e d wh i l e P a o Y u propo se d
'

,
” “ ”
B an k o f th e Fern s No n sen se ! excl a i m e d C h i a C h en g cu tt i n g sh ort
.
,

t h e d i s cu ss i o n a n d w a lki n g o n t h roug h t h e gro tt o A t t h e o th e r s i d e i t s .

n o i s y brook ran i n t o a s i l en t da m .

“ ”
C a n o n e n o t go o n f a rt h er from h er e i n a bo a t ? a sk e d C h i a C h en g .

Th er e a re t o b e four boats for pi ck i n g w a t e r l i l i e s a n d o n e for row

” “ ”
mg r e pl i e d Pri n c e C hen b ut un fort un a t e ly t h ey a re n o t h e r e yet
, , .

“ ”
Wh a t a p i t y !
Y es w e mu s t go ov er t h e mou n
, t a i n o n foo t r epli e d Pri n c e C h en , ,

t a k i n g t h e l e a d A s t e e p m o u n t a i n p a t h wou n d upw a rd s a lo n g t h e gorg e

. .

It w a s so n a rrow ; i n d ee d,"t h at o n e h a d t o h old o n t o sh rub s a n d

bra n ch es Th en . a a l n a n d th e w a yf a r e r s foun d t h e m se lv es
g ,

el
y fi sh o n d ov e rh u n g w i t h w i llow
p p e a ch , ,

o th e r en d of th e fi shp o n d t he y c a ugh t a
of t he t r ee s of a wood en bri dg e wi th ,

re d r a i l i n g Cro s s i n g t h i s t h e y c a m e upo n a n e a t b u t a pp a r en tly qu i t e

.
,

t a st el e ss br i ck h ou se s urrou n d e d by a w a ll .

“ ”
Qu i t e d e vo i d of c h a rm ! w a s th e v e rd i c t of C hi a C hen g .

Y et i mm e di a t ely b e yo n d t h i s pl a i n bu i ld i n g th e l a n d s c a p e b e c a m e
rom a n t i c o n c e mor e For t h e h ou se la y w i t h i ts b a ck e mb e dd e d a s i t
.
,

w e re i n a gr e a t bould e r s t r ewn gorg e from wh i ch o n e s i n gl e rugge d

,
-

p e a k of rock ro se s t e e ply upw a rd s O n e fe l t s udd en ly a n d compl et ely .

_

t r an sport e d t o a n a u st e r e h i g h l an d la n dsca pt Flowe rs a n d t r ee s w e re

co m p le t ely a b s en t O n ly m os ses r a r e h e rb s a n d t r a i l i n g pl a n t s w h i c h
.
, ,

e xud e d a rom a t i c a n d e xo ti c p e rfum e s w e re v i s i bl e h e r e

. .

“ ”
Th i s i s r e a lly i n t e rest i n g s a i d C h i a C h en g corr ec t i n g h i s fir st i m
, ,

“ ”
pre ssi o n Wh a t a p i ty o n e kn ow s s o l i tt l e a bout t h es e pl a n ts
. .

Hi s r em a rk en cour a g e d P a o Y u t o di s pl a y hi s bo t an i c a l kn owl e dg e . .

In a lo n g di ss e rt a t i o n m t erla r de d wi t h m a n y l ea rne d quo t at i o n s b e

, ,

i d en t i fi e d t h ev a ri o us p l an ts o n e a f t e r a n o t h e r gl i bly rol li n g o ff t h e un
'

fa m i li a r b o ta n i ca l n a m es un ti l h i s f a th e r a t l a st los t p a t i en c e a n d
’
’

, ,

s t opp e dh i m w i t h a gr u ff :
“ ”
B e s i l en t ! W h o a s k e d y o u ? P ao Y u wh o ,

h a d r a t h e r exp ec t e d s om e pr a i se w a s so i n t i m i d a t e d t h a t h e di d n o t
,

d a r e t o o p n h i s mou th a t a ll for a lon g t i m e

e
.

A t w i n p a i r o f cov e r e d corr i dor s led l i ke tw o ou t st ret ch e d a rm s , ,

from t h i s a lp i n e he rd s m an 5 but to a n orn a t e bu i ld i n g Th i s o n e co n

’
.

s i s t e d of fi v e room s w a s com p l e t ely e n c i rcl e d b y a n Op en v er a n d a a n d

“

, , ,

wi th i ts gr a c eful curve d roo f i ts pr ett i ly v a rn i sh e d w a lls a n d th e green

‘

, ,

1 28
g a uz e c u rt a i n s a t th e wi n dows i t m a d e a n e ve n more pl eas in g i mpres
,

s i o n th a n th e v a ri ous bui l di n g s whi c h h a d b een v i e w e d up t o t h i s .

“
If a m a n co uld b rew hi s t ea a n d p e a ce fully pl a y h i s lu te he re h e ,

could ev en fi n d co n s ol a ti on an d esc a pe from t h e th ough t th a t h e would

di e w i t h ou t a so n a n d h a ve n o o n e t o off er sa cri fic e a n d burn i n c e n s e
”
f o r h i m a fte r h i s d ea th s i gh e d C h i a C h en g Th en w h i l e th e u s u a l l i t e r
, .
,

ar y d e b a t e w as go in g o n h e t urn e d bru s qu ely t o h i s so n w h o w a s s t i ll

, ,

re m a i n i n g s i l e n t
.

“ ”
W h y do you n ot s pe a k when yo u sh ould ? h e a ske d N o doub t yo u .

a re w a i t i n g t o b e po li t e ly re q u e s t e d t o gr a n t us t h e f a vor o f your gr a
? ”
ci o us i n s t ruc t i o n

Pa o Y u could n ot e v a d e th e p a te rn a l c h a ll e n g e a n d o n c e mor e h i s ,

mo t t o a n d h i s coupl e t m e t wi th the u n an i mou s a ppl a use o f th e sen i ors .

”
B ut Mr C h en g mu tt e re d som e thi n g d i s p a r a gi n g a bou t pl a gi a r i sm
.

a n d quo t e d t h e ori i n a l v erse upo n w h i c h P a o Y u h a d b as e d h i s compo

g
si t i ou T he se n i ors h owev e r d e fen d e d P a o Y u a n d a sse rt e d t h a t a t t h a t
.
, ,

r a t e e ve n the gr ea t Li T a i P o hi ms e lf could b e a ccu se d o f pl a g i a ri sm ,

“ ”
s in c e h e h a d b ase d h i s o de T h e T e rr a ce o f th e P h oe n i x en t i r ely upo n
,
“ ”
a n ea rl i e r po e m , T h e Tow e r o f th e Y ellow Cr an e Wh a t m a tt e re d w a s .

th e e xc ell e n c e o f t h e n e w v e rs i o n an d in th i s c a se P a o Y u s w a s de
’
,

ci de dly b e t t e r t h a n th e ori gi n a l .

”
A gruff No n se n se w as Mr C h en g s o n ly r e ply .
’
.

Aft e r a sh ort wa lk the y rea ch e d a h i g h a n d m a gn i fi c ent c astl e A .

plea sure g a lle ry o n e st o r y h i gh led from thi s in m an y curv e s a n d w i n d ,

in gs f a r i n t o t h e coun t ry s i d e Th e t ops o f p in e t r ees c a res se d t h e edg es

, .

o f t h e roofs T h e m a rbl e t e rr a c es w e r e l in e d w i th orc hi ds Th e bodi e s o f

. .

dr a go n s a n d o th e r fab ulo us a n i m a ls gl i tt e re d i n gold s i lv e r a n d bro n z e ,

.

“ ” “
The m a i n h a ll ,
c ri e d Mr C hen g T h e o n ly fa ul t o n e ca n fi n d w i t h
. .

”
i t i s a c e rt a i n e xces s of m a gn i fic e n ce .

“
W e a re a w a re t h a t t he Impe ri a l s pou se v a lu es s i mpl i c i t y ye t co n ,

s i de ri n
g h e r hi g h r a n k th e ou t la y e n t a i l e d h e re di d n o t see m t o us to b e
”
exc ess i v e b u t o n th e co n t r a ry c a ll e d for a s o ur du e t ri b u te o f r es pe c t
, ,

th e o t h er s r e pl i e d .

O n th e y w en t u n ti l th e y ca m e t o a h i gh t ri umpha l a rc h m a d e o f s oft
e Its fri ez e w as orna m en t e d w i th a d es i gn of dr a go n s i n
.

”
Wh a t t i t l e sh a ll w e gi v ke d Mr C h en g E nt r a n c e t o t h e
e th i s ? as . .

”
Dom a i n of t he Bl ess e d Sp i ri ts w a s t h e un a n i mou s s ugg e st i o n P a o Y u .

was s u n k d ee p i n t h oug h t T h e re m e mb r a n c e of a s i m i l a r s t o n e a rc h
.

wh i c h he h a d o n ce see n th ough h e co uld n o t rem em b e r wh en — n e i t h e r

th e da y t he mo nth o r th e y ea r— h a d b ee n r ea w a k e n e d i n h i m H e w a s
, ,
.

s ti ll re ma in e d si l en t ev en w h e n h i s f a t h e r

1 29
 G i v e h i m u n t i l t omorr ow ! th e sen i ors ur g e d M r Ch en g Th e y as
”
. .

s um e d t h a t P a o Y u w a s so e xh a u st e d from b e i n g as k e d so of t en th a t h i s

br a i n h a d n o w c e ase d t o fun c t i o n a n d t h ey fe a r e d th a t i f h e w a s t o o
,

much h a rr i e d an d go a d e d l i ke a n o x i n h arn ess h i s h ea lth m i gh t suff e r ,

a n d t h en t h e y would h a v e t o e xpe c t t he r e pro a ch es o f th e Pri n c ess A n

ces t r ess D i d n o t M r C h en g t h i n k t h e s a m e ?
. .

“
H a h a t h e i n f a n t prod i gy h as r ea ch e d th e en d o f h i s w i ts
, , he ,
'

“ ” “
j e er e d Y es yo u m a y b e r i gh t Th en t urn i n g t o th e b o y : V ery w ell
.
, .
, ,

I gi ve you un t i l t omorrow b u t w o e b et i d e yo u i f yo u h a ve n o t foun d a

,
”
t i t l e by th en Y o u w i ll p a y f or i t !
.

It w a s n o w d e c i d e d t o cut sh or t th e t our o f i n s pec t i o n s om e wh a t for ,

t h e r e w a s t o o much t o b e s een O f all h e p a rks a n d gro u n d s o n ly a bou t

t .
,

fi v e or six t en ths h a d b e en v i ew e d so f a r T h e comp an y h a l t e d o n c e

-
.

mor e n ea r a b i g br i dge H e re th e r e w a s a w ei r ov er wh i ch t h e d amm e d

.
,

u p w a t e rco u rse droppe d l i ke a gl i st en i n g cry st a l cur ta in .

“ ”
Wh a t n a m e sh a ll w e g i v e th i s w ei r as k e d Mr C h en g
? . .

We i r o f P en et r at i n g P erf urries s ugge ste d Pa o Y u

”
, .

“ ”
R ubb i sh ! O ut of t he qu est i on ! sn a ppe d Mr C he ng cu ttin g sh ort .
,

th e d eb a te an d st r i d i n g o n Th e r e follow e d i n ga y s ucc e ss i on i mpo si n g

.

h a ll s a n d si mpl e s t r a w t h a t c h e d h u ts m a ss i ve bri ck w a lls an d gr a c e ful

-

, ,

flow ery a rbors si l en t moun t a i n t empl e s h e rm i t s c e lls h i dd en i n d en se

, ,
’

wood s a n d w i t ches c a v es whe r e love po t i on s m i gh t b e br ew e d pl ea s ure

,
’
,

g a ll e r i es a n d wi n d i n g clo i st er s cu t o ut of rock a n gu l a r ki o sks c i rcul a r , ,

p a v i l i on s a n d m a n y o the r t h i n g s wort h look i n g at B ut Mr C h en g di d

, . .

n o t g i v e h i m s e lf t i m e t o st op ev erywh e r e H i s l e g s w e r e t i r e d from w a lk
.

i n g for s uc h a lo n g t i m e a n d h e pr ess e d o n t ow a rd s t h e e x i t
, .

A sep a r a t ely h e dg e d o ff p a rt o f th e p a rk n o w em e rg e d i n t o vi ew .

“ ”
L et u s go an d r est i n t h ere fo r a w h i l e s ugg es t e d M r C h en g Th e y , . .

t urn e d a s i d e fro mt h e ro a d a n d p a ss i n g u n d e r pe a c h tr ee s i n bloom an d

,

t hr oug h a ro s e a rbor m a d e o f t a ll b a mboo rod s c a m e t o a c i rcul a r ,

moon g a t e w a y R i gh t a n d l e ft o f t h e g a t ew a y w a s an en c i rcl i n g wh i t e
.

w a sh e d w a ll sh a d e d w i th wi llows from th e outsi d e Alo n g th e si de o f

, .

t h e w a ll r a n a cov er e d pl ea s ur e g a ll ery Ap a rt from a f ew b a n an a pl a n ts

.

wh i c h s t ood a mon g group s of rocks t h e court y a rd co n ta i n e d o n ly o n e

,

m a gn i fic en t s p e c i m en o f th a t r a r e pl an t t h e gold en b e gon i a Its crown

,
.

s pr e a d o ut li k e an ope n umbr ell a i ts br a n c h es sh i mm e r e d li k e gold en

,

t h r ea d s th e c a l i c es o f i ts flow ers s eem e d as i t w ere t o sp i t o ut v er

'

mi l i on.

“ ”
Wh a t m a gn i fic en t bloss om s ! th e y a ll cri e d i n ch orus W a s such a .

? ”
m a gn i fic en t spe c i m en e v e r seen b efor e
“
It i s t h e forei gn ki n d wh i ch i s c a ll e d M a i d en B e gon i a re m a rk e
‘
,
“
C h i a C hen g T he pop ul ar e xplan a ti on f or th e n am e i th at thi s
. s

1 30
b a rke d upon a secon d roun d wh en C hi a C h en g an n oun ce d th a t i t w as
,

t i m e t o l ea v e B ut h e could n o lon g er fi n d t h e e x i t Th e c i rcul ar h al l

. .

co n t a in e d a n umb e r of mi rror door s all si mi l a r an d sev e r a l wi n dows , , ,

li l vi s e si m i l a r a n d t he p a tt e rn o n th e w a ll w a s so co n fu s i n gly co n
,

ti nu t th a t i t w a s qu i t e i mpo ssi bl e t o see w h e r e i t b e g a n a n d wh e r e

i t en d e d B ut Pri n c e Ch en w h o kn ew t h e pl a c e th o ro u gh ly sm i li n gly
.
, a

le d th e p a r ty o u t of th i s m a z e l i ke h a ll th rough t h e corr e c t m i rror e d

door Thr ea d i n g thei r w ay b et ween flower b ed s a n d ro se t re ll i ses th ey
. ,

p a ss e d for a t i me alon g a cl e a r w a t ercourse an d a roun d th e foo t o f a

h i ll b e fore r ea ch i n g l ev el groun d o n c e more .

A t ruly en ch a n tin g p a rk a p ea k ach i ev e m en t o f br i ll i an t in ven

,
”
ti on ! Such w a s th e verdi c t of the hi ghly gr a t i fi e d comp an y P a o Y u .

w a s gl a d t h a t th e t i m e h a d come t o lea v e H e w a s y e a rn i n g f o r t h e .

comp a n y of g i rls w hi ch h e h a d ha d t o do w i th ou t for so lon g B ut h e

, .

h a d t o w a i t o n for h i s f a th er h a d n o t yet d i s m i s se d hi m
, .

“
T h e word o f re l ease c am e a t l a st Wh a t are you doi n g st i ll h an g
.

i n g a bou t here ? H a v e you n o t h a d en oug h ? B e off ! Yo ur gr a n dm o th e r

”
wi ll b e a ski n g for you sa i d C hi a C hen g sudden ly t urn i n g t o hi m He
, , .

m a de o ff i n a t ri c e .

The p a r t y w a s h a rdly o u t of si ght wh en seve r a l o f h i s f a th er s se rv ’

a n t s c am e ru sh i n g a lon g b eh i n d h i m an d s urroun d e d h i m ch a tt e r, ,

i n g a n d l a ugh i n g exc i t edly .

R ej o i c e youn g M a s te r ! T h e old m a ste r i s i n a good h umor th ey i n

, ,
“
forme d hi m w i th s ole mn fa c es Your gr a n dmo th e r s en t fo r yo u sev .

e r a l t i m e s b u t th e old m a s t e r sen t h er word t h a t h e w a s pl e a se d w i th

,

you a nd w i she d t o kee p you for a l i t t l e t i m e lon ge r in h i s comp a n y .

Ev eryo n e i s full of pr a i se of your t a l en t an d t h ey ar e all sa y i n g th a t ,

your mo tt o es w er e much more b ea u t i ful th an th e o t h e rs A n d n ow yo u .

mu g vs t i e u so m s
e th i n g t o c el ebr a t e t h e da
' ”

“
y .

V ery well e a ch of you sh a ll h av e a st r i ng o f copp e rs sa i d P a o Y u

,
, ,

l a ug h i n g .

“
No copp e rs a re n o use t o us W e wa n t a prop e r souv en i r th ey
, .
,

pro t es te d v i gorou sly an d wi t h out wa i t i n g for hi s co n sen t th e y t ook h old

,

of hi m an d i n n o t i me h a d pull e d o ff th e purse th e f an sh a pe d c a se a n d ,
-

a ll t h e o t h e r li t tl e t h in g s w h i ch h e c a rr i e d
o n h i s b el t .
“ ”
Now ha t s sett le d the y d e cl a re d w e w i ll b e your gu ard of h o n or
’ “
t , , ,

a n d t a ke you t o th e old T a i t a i
”
A n d th ey escor t e d h i m i n t r i umph in t o
.

'
t h e pr e s en c e of t h e Pr i n c es s A n c e st r ess “
O h t h e y ve plu n de r e d you
’
.
,
”
sh a
m el essly ! r em a rke d t he m a i d P ea rl w i th a sm i l e as sh e pour e d hi m ,

te a i n t h e gr een p a v i l i o n .

Bl a ck J a d e w ho h a d ov erhe ard th i s r em a rk from th e n ex t room ca me

,
,
a n d look e d a t hi m a t te n t i v e ly .

You h a v e g i ven them the e mbro i d er e d lo t us l ea f pu rse th at J -

1 32
g a ve yo u ! Th at s n i c e ! Y o u m a y b e ce rta in t ha t I w i ll n e ver g i ve yo u
’

”
a pr es en t a g a i n ! sh e sa i d pe t ul a n t ly t urn i n g h er b a ck o n h i m O n re
,
.

t urn i n g t o h e r room sh e t ook h er sc i ss or s a n d b e g an a n gr i ly cu t t i n g

t o p i ec es th e s t i ll u n fi n i s h ed p e rfum e b a g w h i c h he h a d a ske d h er t o
m a ke for h i m a sh or t t i m e b e for e P a o Y u w h o c a m e ru n ni n g i n a fte r
.
,

h er look e d o n re gret fully a t th e work o f d es tr uc t i o n

,
.

“ ”
W ha t a p i t y to d es troy t h e lov ely b a g ! he s a i d B ut look ! W h a t s
’
.

”
th i s I v e go t he re
’
? S a y i n g t h i s h e t urn e d b a ck t he fa c i n g o f h i s co a t
,

a n d pull i n g o u t a lo t u s l ea f purse h eld i t t ow a rd s h e r sm i l i n g Sh e

,
-

, ,
.

looke d up It w a s the o ne she h a d g i v en h i m She i mm e d i a t e ly re

. .

e n t ed h e r h a st i n e ss a n d h u n g h er h e a d s i l en t a n d a s h a m e d He mu s t
p , .

really t r e a s ure h er g i ft she th o ugh t to kee p i t so sa fe ly h i dd en u n d er

, ,

h i s clo th i n g B ut t o pu n i sh h er h e n o w b eg an t o pl a y th e off en d e d p a r t y
. .

“
Y o u n ee d n o t h a v e b een so qu i ck w i th your s c i ss ors B u t i f you .

”
th in k m e un wort h y o f your g i ft pl ea se ta ke b a ck your pur s e !
,
he sa i d
coolly a im i n g th e pur se so t ruly a t her th a t i t sl i d st ra i gh t down her
,
‘

bo s om W here upon he l e f t the room Bl a ck J a d e burst o ut cr y i n g t ook

. .
,

t h e purs e from i n s i d e h er dr ess a n d w a s j u s t b e g i n n i n g t o c u t i t up

,

wi th t he s c i ss ors B ut s udd en ly t he re w a s Pa o Y u s t a n d i n g b efor e her

.

a g a i n W i th a r a p i d mov e m en t h e s n a t c h e d from h er t h i s s e co n d v i c t i m
.

o f h er i ll t e mpe r
-
.

”
Sp a re i t cl ea r l i ttl e si ster ! he b e gge d h er sm i l i n g She le t t h e
, , .

s c i ss or s f a ll t o t h e grou n d a n d d a bb i n g h e r t e a r fi l le d e y e s w i t h he r
,
-

“
h a n dke rc h i e f s a i d i n a vo i c e c h oke d w i th s ob s : It i s h orr i bl e of you
,

t o t o y w i t h m e a s you do N i c e o n e t i m e a n d n as t y t h e n e x t
. I
’
c an t b ea r i t .

She j ump e d up a n d t h rew h e r se lf o n h er b e d t h e b e t ter t o go on ,

dry i n g h er e y es wi t h her fa c e t urn e d t o the w a ll P ao Y u could n o t .

r e fr a i n from j ump i n g up a ft er he r an d a ss ur i n g h er w i t h m a n y t en d e r ,

word s ho w sorry he w a s t o ha ve o ff en d e d he r a n d th a t he recogn iz e d

, ,

h i s gu i l t an d would b e b e tte r in th e fu t ure . .

M ean wh i l e th e Pr i n cess A n ces tres s h a d b een i n qu i r i n g where h er

gr an d s o n w a s He w a s i n M i ss L i n g s room sh e w as t old
.
’

, .

“ ’ ” “
T ha t s a ll t h e b e tte r sa i d t h e gra n dmo th er H i s fa th e r ha s b e en
, .

t orm en t i n g a n d pe rs e cu t i n g h i m h a lf t h e da
y W h y b e grudg e h i m a .

li tt le t i m e en j oy i n g h i m se lf wi th h is cou si n o ut of h a rm s w a y ? D o n o t ,
’

”
c a ll hi m b ut o n ly see t h a t t hey do n o t qu a rre l !
,

Bl a ck J a d e w h o foun d Pa o Y u s e n d ea rm en ts t oo overwh elmi n g

,
’

f or h er l i ki n g h a d go t up from th e b e d a g a i n
, .

Y o u do n o t l ea ve m e a mom en t in p ea c e ! I am

1 33
lo t us l eaf p urse b ack
-
on hi s b e lt B ut s udd enly
. he
s sn a t ch ed it fro m
”
I thi nk yo u do n ot l i ke i t Y o u are a pl a gu e an d a n ui s an c e !
.

”
D ear M ei m ei gi v e i t b a ck to m e !
,
”
“
F i rs t sa y pl ease n i c ely !
‘ ’

Pl ease pl ea se ! A n d you w i ll gi ve m e th e p erfum e b a g yo u promi se d

,

? ”
’
m e t o o wo n t you
,
“
Tha t wi ll d e pen d enti rely on my mood .

CHAPTER 1 5

On th e day o f th e La n tern F es t i va l t he I m p e r i al cons ort p ays her

fa mi ly a v is i t .

T HE FIN A L P R E PA RAT I O N S T H E R ECE PT I O N O F T H E M IST R E SS O F

F OR

t h e P h o en i x P a l a c e h a d n o w b een compl e t e d C h i a C h i a n g h a d brough t .

b a ck wi th h im from Such ow a t roupe o f t w e lv e p i cke d d an c i n g an d

s i n g i n g g i rl s w h o w e r e t o pr e p a r e a r e p e r t o i r e of t w en t y d a n c e pl a y s
-

u n d er the di r ect i on of a comp etent b a ll et m i s tress T he t roup e w as .

h ou sed i n t h e P ea r G a rd en i n th e pre m i s es h i t he rt o i n h a b i te d by
,

Au n t H su eh a n d h er fa m i ly t he l a tte r b ei n g t empor ari ly qu a r te r e d i n

,

a qu i et a n d se clud e d s po t a t th e n or th e a st e rn ex t r em i t y o f t h e N i n gkuo

a .
e
p a l c e For att en d an ce o n t he youn g a rt i sts a f ew e ld erly women -

w ho i n th e i r you t h h a d a l s o b e en v er se d i n s i n g i n g a n d d a n c i n g b ut

w e r e n o w set tl e d gr a y ha i r ed m a t ro n s w e r e p i ck e d o ut from a mo n g
,
-

t h e dom esti c s t aff C h i a C h i a n g w a s en t rus t e d w i th th e t a s k of s ee i n g

.

t o t h e m a i n t en a n c e Of thet roup e a n d r en d e r in g an a ccou n t o f t h e co st

of wha t th ey co n s ume d .

A t t h e l a st gr ea t se ssi o n of t h e f est i v a l comm i tt ee w h i ch t ook pl a c e ,

i n t he t en th mo n th th e i n d i vi du a l commi tt ee m emb ers h a d s ubm i tt e d

,

a d eta i l e d a ccou n t of th ei r v a ri ou s d e p a r t m en t s a n d i t h a d b ee n e s t a b
,

l i sh e d th at t h ere w a s a b s olu t ely n o th i n g l a cki n g From th e br i gh t ly .

co lore d si n g i n g b i rd a n d th e M an ch uri a n s p i ri t cr a n e t h e st a g a n d th e ,

b a re i n the g a m e prese rv e th e g eese a n d fowl s i n t h e f a rmy a rd s down

, ,

t o th e l a st bronz e bowl a n d t h e s m a ll es t orn a m en t ev e ry th i n g w as i n

,

i ts pl a c e T he t roup e of d a n c i n g g i rl s h a d compl et ely m as t e r e d th e i r

.

r epe r t o i r e of t wen t y n umb er s a n d th e ch o i rs of t welv e Budd h i s t an d

,

t we lve T a o i st n u n s w e r e a bl e t o r eel o ff th ei r l i t urg i es a t th e i r fi n g er s ’

en d Y et a n o t h e r g e n e r a l i n s e c t i o n of th e f e s t i v a l g a rd en s w a s m a d e
p
.
,

th i s t i m e by t h e Pr i n c es s A n c es t r ess an d h e r l a d i e s i n w a i t i n g No w ‘

- -
.

C hi a C hen g s gr ea t mom en t ha d com e at l a st : h e compo se d h i s peti ti o n

’

t o t he T h ro n e o fli ci a ll ,y b e ggi n g t he Imp e ri a l co n sen t t o h i s e ldest

1 34
 At th e ugges ti on o f Ph o en i x w ho h a d h ea rd th e wh ol e con v e r sa
s ,

t i 1 t h rough t h e p a rt i t i o n th e old e r l a di es reti r e d in door s f o r a t i m e

,

r es t In th e l a t e a fte rn oon the loud tr o t o f h ors es w a s h ea rd on c e

.

more Th i s t i m e ten eun uchs c a m e ri d i n g a lon g Th ey w e re o u t o f

. .

brea th an d a s t hey d i smou n t e d th ey cl a ppe d th ei r h an d s exc i t e dly Th i s .

w a s t h e pr ea rr a n g e d si g n a l t o th e m an y e un uchs w h o h ad b e en di s
t r i bu t e d ov e r th e p a rkl an ds for s e v e r a l d a y s b e fore t h a t t h e a ugu st ,

v i si t or w a s a ppro a ch i ng an d th ey all rush e d t o th ei r po s t s

,
.

A lit tl e mor e ti m e p asse d i n si l en t expe ct a ti on t h en t w o ou t r i d e r s ,

a ppe a r e d r i d i n g a t an e a s y t ro t T h e y lea pe d from th e i r h or se s a n d w i th

.
,

t he i r fa c es t ur n e d t ow a rd s t h e w est t ook up th e ir po s i t i o n b esi d e t h e

,

l a d i es screen Afte r a t im e an o th e r p a i r o f outri d er s c a m e a lo n g a n d

’
.

j o i n e d t he first Then t en more p a i rs o f ou t ri de rs a rri v e d a n d w i th

.
,

t he firs t tw o p a ir s form e d a doubl e ro w From a d i st a n c e c a m e th e

, .

s oun d o f mus i c A n d n o w tw o by t w o t h e lon g proc es s i o n a ppro a c h e d :

.
, ,

dra gon b an n er s grea t fan s of ph o en i x an d ph e asan t f ea th e r s c e r e

,
‘

mon i a l p a l a ce umbre lla s sw a y e d t o a n d f ro N e x t ca m e b e a r e r s c a rry .

in g li gh te d c en se rs o f gold ; th en str et ch e d ove r an a rch e d fr a m ework

, ,

an i m m en se c an opy of y ellow si lk o n whi ch w e re e m b r o i der ed s ev en

_

ph o en i x es ; a crown rob es g i rdl e an d sh oes w e re bo rn e o n cu sh i o n s ;

, , ,

th en c a m e mor e e un uchs c a rry i n g b as i n s o f w a rm pe rfum e d w a t e r ,

embro i d er e d h an d t owe ls p erfumed h an dke rchi e fs cl u st e r s an d s i m i

, ,

la r obj ec ts whi c h t h ey h eld rea dy A n d fin a lly born e by e i gh t m en

, .
, ,

c am e the gr eat y ell ow gold si lken S t a t e se d an ch a i r e mbro i d e re d w i th

-

ph o en i x es wi th a gold en kn ob a t th e b a ck a n d li tt l e b e lls wh i ch t i n kl e d
,

swee tl y a t ea c h s i d e A t i ts a ppro a c h th e en tir e crowd whi c h w a s w a i t i n g

.

w en t down on i ts kn ees Eun uchs ca m e rush i n g a lo n g t o h elp t h e

.

Pri n c ess A n cest r ess a n d the o the r grea t la di es t o th e i r fee t a g a i n Then .

t he y a ll s urroun de d t he s e d a n ch a i r an d follow e d i t o n foo t i n ord erly

process io n i n t o t he p a l a c e pr ec i n c ts In fr on t o f t he e n t r a n c e t o a s om e
-

wh a t seclud e d court y ar d si t u a te d a t th e eas te rn ex tr e mi t y o f th e Yun g

k uo p a l a c e th e li t te r w a s set down A e un uch h as ten e d up t o t h e door
.
,

k l dow
n e t n a n d i n v i t e d th e Imp e ri a l s po use t o di sm oun t and c h an g e
,
“

”
cloth es T he e un uch th en wi th dr ew to make w a y f or th e Impe r i a l
.

la d i es in w a i tin g w ho help e d th e d i st in gui s he d i n m at e Out o f th e se d an

- -

ch ai r a n d es cort e d h er t o the a p artrn en t i n qu es ti on .

Af r B g i n n i n g of Spri n g h a d ch an ge d cloth es sh e go t i n t o th e
t e e
“

ch a i r a ga in a n d h a d h e rself c a rri e d to th e P a rk o f D el i gh t ful V i si on .

The p a rk gl i t te re d w i t h th e m ul t i colored shi mm e r o f inn um erable

i h
br g ly colore d l am ps an d l a nte rn s the air w as hea vy wi th th e a rom a ti c
t
,

perfum es whi ch ro se on a ll si d es in spi r a ls o f s moke fr om c enser s a n d

t ri pod s a n d fill e d wi th th e sw eet s t r a i n s o
, f an in vi si bl e orch est ra w hi ch
ma d e i tself he ard from ti m e to ti m e .

1 36
 ”
M uch too lux uri ous muc h t oo co stly ! murmur e d B e gin n i n g o f
,

Sprin g sha ki n g he r he a d w he n sh e sa w fr om i n si d e h er se d an ch a i r
, ,

a ll th e un h ea rd o f m a gn i fice n c e a roun d h er
-
.

A e un uch a ppro a c h e d th e c ha ir kn el t down a n d i n vi te d Her H i gh

, ,

n ess t o e n t e r a bo a t B e gin n i n g of Spr in g l e f t t h e c h ai r an d e n te r e d

.

th e gorg e ou s S ta t e bo a t w h i c h th e n gl i d e d g e n t ly a lo n g t h e gl i t te ri n g
,

w a t ercour s e th a t wo un d b et ween h i gh s lopes To ri gh t a n d l e f t th e cl i ff s .

an d s t o n e b a lu s tr a d e s gl i tte r e d w i th th e color e d l i g h t s o f i n n um er abl e

l i ttl e cry s ta l an d gl a ss l a mp s T he tr ees a n d shr ub s a lo n g th e b an ks

. ,

whi c h w er e st i ll b a re o f l e a ve s ha d b een g i ven a spr i n gli ke a ppe a r a n c e

,

by a r ti fic i al le a ves an d fl owers m a d e o f g a i ly colore d f a bri c an d t i ssu e

'
,

an d ev e ryw her e a mo n g th e b ra n ch es a n d l e a v es br i g h t l i ttl e l a mp s a n d

l an t e rn s w e re glowin g Down b elow o n th e w a t er to o l i ght s rocke d

.
, ,

a n d sw a y e d f or e v e ryw h e r e a mo n g th e r ee ds a n d t h e lo t u s l ea v es a n d
, ,

w a te r li li es glow e d li t tl e l a mp s m a d e i n the sh a p e o f oy st e r s a n d sh e ll s
, ,

w hi l e o t he rs fa st en e d t o the p i n i o n s o f h e ro n s s w a n s a n d ducks dr e w
, , , ,

fa n ta st i c c i rcl es o f li ght ov e r t h e s urf a c e o f th e w a ter O n e could i m .

a gi n e o n es e lf t r a n s port e d i n t o a f a i ry r ea lm o f cry s t a l a s p a rkl in g ,

wo n d e rl a n d o f pea rls a n d pre c i ou s st o n es T h e bo a t i ts elf w as li ke wi se

.

a bl az e o f mul t i colore d l i g h ts a n d th es e ,
pl a y i n g upo n t h e s umpt uous
,

pe a rl st udd e d curt a i n s a n d e mbro i d e re d d a m as k por ti e r es an d o n th e

-

w e t o a rs ca rv e d o f pr e c i ou s wood m a d e a br i ll i an t g a l a xy o f r e fl e c t i o n s
,
.

T h e j ourn e y en d e d a t a m a rbl e l a n d i n g pl a ce w h i c h bor e th e t i tl e

“ ”
P e pp e r Pl an t Qu a y a fte r wh i ch th e j o u rn e y w a s co n t i n u e d by li tt er
,

un d e r th e st o n e a rc hes o f h o n or w i th th ei r dr a go n s i n r el i ef up t o th e ,

m a in ha ll .

O n t h e w a y B e g i nn i n g o f Spr i n g expres se d v a ri ou s w i sh es r e g a rd in g
mo tt o e s an d i n s cri pt i o n s wh i c h she d e si r e d c h an g e d Fo r i n st a n c e she .
,
“
wi she d th e ex ub er an t t i t l e o n th e a rc h o f h o n or E n t r a n c e t o th e D o ,
”
m a i n o f t he Ble ss e d S p i r i ts t o b e c h a n g e d t o th e si mpl e in scri p t i o n
, ,
“ ”
E n t r a n ce t o th e Co un t ry Hous e o f th e F i li a l V i si t E a ch of th ese .

wi sh es w as i mm e d i at ely con v ey e d by e un uch s t o C hi a C hen g w h o h a d ,

th e r e qu i r e d a l t er a t i o n s c a rr i e d o ut t he r e a n d t h en ; f o r a ll t h e e x i s t i n g
mo tt oes a n d i n scr i p ti o n s h a d o n ly b een p ut up prov i s i on a lly Th ey wer e .

a lmo st a ll b ase d upo n P a o Y u s s ugg est i o n s

’
.

It must h e re m a rke d he re th a t B e g i n n in g o f Spr i n g h a d a p a rt i cul a rly

t en d e r a ff e c t i o n f o r h e r you n g bro th e r W h i l e sh e w a s s t i ll li vi n g a t
.

h om e an d P a o Y u w as h a rdly four y e a rs old s h e u se d t o t a ke a n a lmo s t ,

mo th e rly i n t er est in th e d e velopm en t of h i s m i n d an d i n du st ri ously ,

i ns t ruc t e d hi m in th e fi rs t fou n d a t i o n s o f a cl a ss i c a l e duc a ti o n an d

'

t a ugh t h i m se v e r a l th ousa n d i d e ogr a phs Ev en a f t e r sh e h a d b e e n t a ke n

.

i n t o th e servi ce o f th e Impe r i a l P a l a c e sh e h a d n e ve r c ea se d t o i n qu i r e
, ,

i n her l ette rs t o h er fa th e r an d mo the r h o w h e w a s ge tt i n g o n an d w ha t

,

1 37
progress h e w as m a ki n g i n h i s st ud i es In m akin g use ev erywh ere o f th e
.

produc ts o f Pa o Y u s br a i n i n t ex ts for mo t t o es C hi a C hen g s i d ea w as

’ ’
,

t o g i ve h i s s i st e r pl eas ur e Sh e w a s t o pe rc ei ve from t h es e t h a t th e
.

troubl e she h a d t a ken w i t h h i m i n her c h i ldh ood d a y s h a d n o t b ee n

’
wasted an d ha d brought for th good fru i t For even i f Pa o Y u s i nsp i ra .

t i o n s di d n ot ex a c t ly sh ow g en i u s a t l east t h e y b e t r a y e d co n si de ra bl e
,

t a l en t a n d a c e rt ai n or i g i n a l i t y .

Th e m a i n ha ll sh o n e f esti v ely i n th e r espl en d en t glow o f i mm en se

c an d el a br a Everywhe r e s molde ri n g t ri po d s an d i n c en se po ts st ood
.

a bou t o n t he grou n d s fill i n g th e a i r w i th a rom a t i c p e rf um es from t h e

,

m us k gl an ds of t he c i vet a n d mus k o x It would b e i mpo ssi bl e to de

sc i b e a d e qu a t ely th e s ump t uou sn es s o f t he i n t e ri or d e cor a t i o n s—
.

to
r
d ep i c t a n d recoun t i n d e t a i l all t h e s pl en dor s o f th e c a rpe ts an d h an g
in g s th e w a ll s a n d th e w in dow s th e st a i rca ses a n d th e b a n i st e rs It w as
, ,
.

“ ” “ ”
a r ea l fa i ry c a st l e a g en u i n e
, c i nn a mo n h a ll a p a l a ce o f orchi ds
, ,

worth y to b e t h e dwel li n g pl a c e o f th e Impe ri a l spou se .

B egi nn i n g of Spr i n g rem a rke d th a t th ere w a s n o i ns cri p ti on ov er th e

fro n t o f the bui ld i n g A e un uch expl a i n e d t o h er th a t th i s w as th e m ai n
.

h a ll a n d th a t n o o n e h a d d a r e d t o an t i c i p a t e h er o wn c h o i c e a t th i s th e
, ,

mo st i mport an t po i nt i n the wh ol e of th e fest i ve g a rd en s A h ea d .

eun uc h w h o w a s a c t in g as m as t er of c er emo n i es n o w i n vi t e d h e r t o a s
, ,

c en d the th ro n e an d r ec ei v e t h e h om a g e of th e memb er s o f t h e fa m i ly .

A t ea ch si d e of t h e s tep s l ea d i n g t o th e th ro n e mu si c b e g an t o pl a y .

M e an tim e Pr i n c e S hi eh a n d the o th e r sen i or s h a d g roupe d th em selves ‘

,

un d er th e gui d an c e of M o eu n uchs o n th e Terra c e o f th e Moon i n fro n t

,

of th e en tr a n c e to th e h all a n d st ood a w a i t i n g a si gn t o a pp ea r b efor e

,

th e f a c e of Her Impe ri a l H i ghn e ss a n d p e rform th e i r kow t ow o f h om a g e

'

i n the m a nn er prescr i b e d by Court c e r emo n i a l B ut H er Imp e r i a l H i gh .

n es s re l ea se d t h em a n d a l s o t h e l a d i e s from th e p e rform a n c e o f th i s
,
'

kowt ow an d con ten ted h er self w i th a si mpl e l e v ee In t h e course o f

, .

t h ese proc ee d i n g s tea w a s h a n d e d t o H er H i gh n ess th r ee t i m es Sh e .

t h en s t ood up a n d d es c en d e d from th e t h ro n e A s sh e di d so th e mu s i c.

c ease d A n d wi th thi sthe o fli ci a l p a rt of the rec ep ti o n c am e t o an en d

.
.

Th e Impe ri a l wi f e n ow en ter e d a si d e c h a mb e r a n d ch a n g e d h er at
t i r e S he t hen l e ft t h e p a rk i n a c a rr i a g e b elo n gi n g t o t h e h ou s e a n d
.

went n o w a si mpl e d a ugh te r of the fa m i ly o n c e mor e t o vi si t h e r p a r

,
,

en ts a n d h er gr a n dmo th e r Th s se co n d pri v a te r ec e p t i o
i .
, n t ook pl a c e i n
th e h om e of t he Pri n c es s A n c est r ess S tr i c t ly s ea ki n g B e g i n n i n g o f
.
p ,

Spri n g sh ould n o w a s d a ugh te r a n d gr an dd a ugh te r h a v e h a d t o th row

,
,

herse lf upo n h er kn ees b e for e t h e old Ta i ta i a n d h er mo th e r B ut th e .

o l d T a i ta i a n d t h e o t h e r f em a l e r el a t i v es a ppro a c
h e d h er wi th a cur ts y
a n d forb a d e her t o co n form wi th th e c e r emo n y pr
e s cri b e d by Court
e t i qu e tt e .

1 38
fa mi ly l i fe t o th ei r hea rts con ten t B ut we on th e con t r a ry th ough w e
’
.
, ,

a re m a d e o f th e s a m e fl esh a n d blood a s t h e y h a v e t o en dur e so rr owful

,
”
se p a r a t i o n Wh a t good t o us a re all of o ur s pl en dors an d r i c h es ?
.

Her fa th er t o o w a s o n th e v erg e o f t ea rs b ut h e s poke words o f co m

,

fort t o h er a n d exh or te d h er n o t t o qu a rr el w i th fa t e wh i c h h a d tr e at e d ,

h er so w ell b u t t o a ckn owl e dg e w i th gr a t i t ud e t h e f a vor gr an t e d t o h er

,

by the So n of H ea ven an d t o r e p a y i t w i th r e doub l e d du ti fuln es s .

W h o would ev er h a ve dre a m e d th a t i t would b e gr a n t e d t o a s i m m e ,

ob scur e s ubj ec t s uch a s I t o r ea r a pr ec i ou s ph o en i x i n h i s poor cold ,

h ous eh old amo n g o rd i n a ry b i rd s of th e h en a n d goo se s p e c i e s ? N e x t to

t h e f a vor o f th e Emp eror a n d th e i n s cru t a bl e d e s i gn s o f n a t ur e s uch ,

gr ea t good for t un e i s doub tl ess a l s o t o b e a scri b e d t o t h e bl esse d an d

b eni gn in flu en c e of o ur a n c est or s Ther efore w e mu st sh ow ours elv es
.
,

wort h y o f our a n c est ors by r e doubl e d se lf sa cri fi ce an d d evo ti on to th e

-

Thro n e th e more so n o w t ha t t he Th ron e h as gr an t e d u s thi s hi th er t o

,

un kn own fa vor o f a v i si t t o t he fa m i ly Ev en i f w e w e r e t o d a sh o ur
.

br ai n s o ut a ga in st t he gr oun d i n do i n g h om a g e w e sh o ul d st i ll n o t h a v e
,

p a i d the t en th ou san d th p a rt o f o ur d eb t o f gr at i t ud e t o th e So n o f
-

H e a ven —m ay he see a th ou san d h a rv es ts ! L et th e Imp eri a l spou se

an d t h i s i s my mo st e a rn est pr a y e r mo t t hi n k so much o f t h e y ears sh e
-

ha s w a s te d i n t he soc i et y o f h er p a r en ts b u t r a th e r le t h er d e d i c at e a ll
,

h er m i n d an d all h er st r en g th t o t h e s erv i c e of Hi s Imp e r i a l M a j est y !

C hi a C hen g th en w en t o n t o S p ea k of Pa o Y u rem a rki n g th a t mo st o f ,

t h e in scr i p t i o n s a n d mo t t o es i n th e p a rk h a d b e en pl a nn e d by h i m If .

s he would d ei gn t o t a ke n o t i c e of o n e or o t h er of th es e in s cr i p t i o n s an d

h elp to i mprove upo n t h em sh e would c er ta in ly m a ke P a o Y u v e ry

,

ha ppi
O h wh at s pl en d i d progr ess h e h a s m a d e ! cr i e d B e g i n n i n g o f
,
”

Spri n g j oyfully Then when C h i a C h en g ha d w i th dr a wn sh e a ske d

, .
, ,

t h o se a rou n d h e r : W h do I n o t s ee P a o Y u ? ”
y
“
A s a m a l e r el a t i ve w i th ou t offi c e o r t i t l e h e do es n o t d ar e t o a ppea r
,

wi th ou t b ei n g c a ll e d for r epli e d the Pri n c ess An cest r es s

”
, .

“ ”
Bri n g h i m her e t he e un uchs w e re ord ere d Soo n a ft e rw a rds Pao
, .

Y u a ppea r ed a n d s a lu te d hi s s i st e r by f a ll i n g o n hi s kn e e an d t ouc h i n g
,

th e grou n d w i th hi s for eh e a d B ut she t ook h im qu i te un c e r emo n i ou s ly

.

by t he han d a n d cl a sp i n g h i m t o h er br ea st fon dly st roke d hi s hea d

,
,

a n d n eck .

b ”
How i g you h a ve grown ! she excl a im e d smi li n g b ut i mm e d i a te ly
’

, ,

ov e rcome b y her ch i ld h ood m emor i es she broke down in t ea r s on ce

,

more .

“
T he b a n qu et i s r ea dy W e b e the Impe r i a l s po use t o gr an t us th e
.
g
h a pp i n ess of sh a ri n g i t ” W i th th es e words th e y s ough t t o d i str a c t her
.

from her gr i e f B e g inn in g o f Sprin g st oo d up orde red Pa o Y u to lea d

.
,

1 40
th e w ay, an d set o ut on foo t th rough the n ew p ark t og et her wi th th e,

en ti r e comp an y for th e m a i n h a l l wh er e t h e b a n qu et w as t o t a k e pl a c e
, ,
.

O n t he w a y t he mo st i mpo rt an t p a rts of th e p a rk whi ch w a s i llum i n a t e d

'

wi th i nn umer abl e br i gh t lan t e rn s wer e i n sp ec te d th orough ly Be gi nn i n g

,
.

o f Spri n g w as l a v i sh w i th h er pr a i se a n d a pprov a l b ut sh e b e gg e d h er
,

fam i ly v e ry ea rn est ly n o t to in dulge i n such exc ess i ve exp en d i t ur e when

s h e sh ould vi si t them a g a i n A t t h e b a n qu et Pr i n c es s C h en an d Ph o en i x
.

sh a r ed th e offi c e of h a n d i n g h er food a n d fill i n g h er gl a ss .

Aft er th e mea l B egi n n i n g of Spri n g aske d fo r wri t i n g brush an d in k

an d wro t e w i th h er o w n h an d o n s t r i p s of flow e r e d s i lk th e n a m es a n d

i n scri p t i on s wh i c h sh e g a v e t o t h e mo st i mport a n t pl a c es i n t h e n ew
p a rk Th e groun d s a s a wh ol e w er e t o r ec e i v e th e n a m e o f P a rk o f
.

” “
D el i ght ful V i si on an d th e fa ca d e of t he m a i n h a ll t h e in s cr i pt i on R e
m em b eri n g th e Impe ri a l F a vor in ten t upo n F a i th ful Fulfil lm en t o f
,
”
Du t y a n d so n a m e a ft er n a m e mo t t o a fter mott o t ex t a ft e r t ex t c a m e
, , ,

un der r evi ew Afte r th i s a comp et i t i o n i n po et i c a l compo si t i o n b e g an

.
,

b etw een the si sters a n d cou si ns an d P a o Y u Gr ee tin g o f Spri n g Gri ef

.
,

o f Spri n g T a st e of Spri n g Pr e c i ous Cl a s p

, , Bl a ck J a d e a n d Li W an
, , ,

t h e y o un g wi dow o f th e d e c e a s e d bro th e r C h i a C h u ea c h r e c ei v e d a ,

mo tt o a s t h em e a n d h a d t o compo se a st an z a on i t : Ac t u ally Pa o Y u ,

w a s g i v en four th em es H e w a s r e qu i r e d t o ex t ol i n st an z as of p a rt i en
“

la rly c h o i c e l a n gu a g e t h e four pl a c es i n t h e p a rk w h i ch pl ea se d h i m th e
most A n d so th e i mprov i si n g an d v ersi fy i n g w en t o n unt i l f a r i n t o th e
.

n i gh t
. O f the s i x sa mples of fem i n i n e li ter ar y t a l en t B e gin n i n g o f ,

Spri n g de cla r e d the efforts s ubm i t t e d by Bl a ck J a d e a n d Prec i ou s Cl a s p

t o b e th e b est ; s o exc e ll en t i n d ee d sh e a dd e d mod e s t ly th a t sh e h e rse lf
, ,

could n o t compe t e w i th th em .

Pa o Y u t o o h a d fi n i sh e d h is t ask w i th r e a l eff ort a n d wi th t h e se cr et

fr i en dly h elp of hi s t w o g i fte d cou si n s Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p a n d Bl a ck J a de
, .

Pr ec i ou s Cl asp h a d h elp ed h i m w i th t he th i rd st a n z a by r ec i t i n g a
m is si n g l i ne w h i c h h e co uld no t rem emb er from a po em o f th e c e le
b ra te d T an g po et H a n Y u ; an d Bl a ck J a de h a d a c t u a lly wr i tt en th e
’

wh ol e fourt h st a n z a for hi m an d p a ss e d i t t o hi m s e cr et ly s cri bbl e d o n a

crumpl e d p i e c e of p a p e r B e gin n in g o f Spri n g promp tly d e cl a r e d thi s
.

fourt h sta n z a t o b e by f a r th e b est o f h i s eff ort s T a st e o f Spri n g w h o

.
,

wro t e a b ea u ti ful h a n d n o w h a d t o copy all the t en st a n z a s o ut a fresh

,

o n p a pe r a f t e r w h i c h th ey w er e t a k en by
, a e un uc h t o C h i a C h e n g so ,

th a t h e m i g h t r ej o i c e a t th ese s p ec im e s o f th e li ter a ry
n t a l e n t o f th e
youn ger m emb ers o f th e fa mi ly .

Cous i n C h i a C hi a n g w ho w a s bur ni n g w i th d esire t o shi n e wi th h i s

,

t roupe of d a n c i n g gi rl s w a s a hn o s t b es i d e
, h i m se lf wi th i mp a ti en ce
wh en a t l as t a e un uch c am e ru shi n g i n b ehin d th e d an ci n g st a g e .

1 42
wr ought i n th e form of t he i d e ogr a p hs repr ese nt i n g M a y your Wi sh es
come True a n d ten si lver b a rs i n th e form o f t h e i d eogr a ph represen t
”
,
”
i n g H a pp i n ess an d Bl essi n g s To en um er a t e a ll t h e Oth e r gi ft s would
“
.

b e t oo l en g thy a t a sk Suff i c e i t t o s a y th a t th e comb i n e d h ou seh old

.

sta ff s of t h e ea st a n d w es t p a l a c es re c e i v e d g i ft s co mpri si n g a h un dre d

b a les of si lk a th ousan d oun c es of si lve r an d m a n y bo tt le s o f Imp e ri a l
, ,

w rn e .

It w a s l
a r ea ppro a ch i n g t h r ee in the morn i n g wh en th e C h i e f
dy a

Eun uc h w ho w a s i n cha rge a n n oun c e d t h a t i t w as t i m e t o l e a v e O n c e

, ,
.

more th e e y es of the Imp e ri a l w i fe fill e d wi th t ea r s b ut sh e br a v e ly ,

forc e d h erself t o smi l e chee rfully presse d t h e h a n d s o f h er mo th e r an d

,

gr an dmo t her o n c e mor e a n d b egg e d t he m n o t t o let th e p a rt i n g gr i ev e

,

th em t o o grea t ly Th e S o n o f H ea v en i n h i s i mm en se g en e ro s i t y wo uld
.
, ,

s ur ely p e rm i t t h em t o s ee e a c h o th e r a g a i n o n e da y b u t o n th e occ as i o n ,

o f h er n e x t v i si t t h e y s h ould r e fr a i n fro ms uc h e xc es s i v e exp en d i t ure i n

her h o n or A n d fi n a lly th ey p a rt e d w i th h e a rt br ea k i n g t e a r s a n d l a m en
.

t a t i o n s A s th e Imp e r i a l li tt e r d i s a pp ea r e d o ut of si g h t w i th B egi n n in g
.

o f Spr i n g h er mo t h er a n d gr a n dmo t h e r h a d t o b e s upport e d o n ea c h

,

s i d e l es t th ey sh ould si n k t o th e groun d wi t h t h e w ei g h t o f th ei r g ri e f
, .

CHA PT E R 1 6

On e n i gh t th e ma id P ea rl t es t s P a o Yu
’

fs eeli n gs an pdula tes

st i her
co n d i ti o ns . B la c k Ja d e ma k es fun of C o us i n L i t t le C lo u d .

O N R s r uaN ING T O T H E I M P E R IA L P A L A CE B EGINNIN G o r S P R ING G A VE ,

her Imp e ri a l h u sb an d a r eport of her h a rmo n i ou s a n d ple a sa n t v i s i t t o

her h om e T h e dr a gon coun ten a n c e o f th e So n of H ea v e n gre w bri gh t
.

w i th j oy a n d i n t oken o f h i s fa vor a n d r e cog n i ti on h e sen t r i ch g i fts

o f s i lk , gold , a n d si lv er t o h i s f a th er i n l a w C h i a C h en g f or hi m se lf a n d
- -

h i s fam i ly an d a ls o for d i st ri b u t i o n a mo n g th e p e rs o n a l a tt en d a n ts o f
t h e Impe ri a l s pou se .

Afte r a ll the t roubl e an d e xe rt i o n whi ch t h e i llu st ri ou s vi si t h a d

c a use d the i n m a t es o f th e e a st an d w est p al a c es pe rm i tte d th em se lves
,
'

a f ew d a y s of w ell e a rn e d r est a nd re cr
ea t i o n T h e New Y e a r c el ebr a
-

t i o n s co n t i n u e d i t i s t rue b u t t h ey we r e l ess form a l th a n u s u al Ap ar t

, , .

from Ph o en i x w ho co n t i nue d t o c a rry o ut her h ou se h old dut i es w

,
'

i th
he r wo n ted en e rgy eve ryo n e s ought h i s or h er o w n comfort an d
,

bo t he re d as li t t l e as possi ble abou t o t h e rs Th us i t h a pp en e d th a t P a o .

Y u w a s l e ft to hi s o wn d ev i c es more t h a n u s u a l a n d a s t h e f a m i ly s c h ool
,

w as clo se d for th e New Y e a r h o li d a y s h e h a rdly kn w w

e h a t t o do w i th
,

a ll h i fr ee t im e He o t bor e d by th e mo o o y
s g .
n t n o f th e d a y s an d l a ck of ,
'

s upe rw si o n wh ett e d hi s d esi r e for fr ee dom

.

1 44
 One ft e rn oo n he sl i ppe d a w a y from the th eatri c a l p e rform an c e in
a

th e N i n gkuo p a la c e Th e d e mo n d a n ces o n th e st a g e w i t h th e i r a e com

. ,

a n i m e n t o f w i ld cr i es a n d th e i n t ox i c a t i n g mu s i c o f go n g s an d drum s
p
w hi ch could b e h eard ri gh t o ut o n th e str eet w her e t he y he ld a crowd ,

o f lo i t e r e r s s pe llboun d w i t h a dm i r a t i o n w e r e n o t a t a ll t o hi s t a s t e H e
,
.

foun d thi s ki n d o f art t oo rough a n d r ea dy .

A ft e r a h urri ed p a ss i n g gla n ce i n t o th e i nn e r room s wh er e h e sa i d

, ,

good b y t o Pri n c ess Ch e n a n d v a ri ou s se co n d a ry w i v es h e st ol e i n t o a

-

s om ew h a t s eclud ed pa rt o f th e bu i ld i n g a li tt l e r e a d in g p a v i l i o n In th i s
,
.

p a vi li o n h un g th e p i ct ure o f a m a rv e lou sly b ea ut i ful wom a n w hi c h w a s

pa i n t e d in a m ann e r so t ru e t o n a t ur e th a t i t a lmo st se e m e d t o bre a th e .

I w i ll kee p t h i s b ea uti ful la dy comp a n y so t h a t she w i ll n o t fe e l so for

s a k en o n t h i s m e rry ho l i d a y h e th o ug h t t o hi m se lf
, .

He w as a ll a lo n e f o r t h e se rv an ts t o o h a d a gr ea t d ea l o f fr ee dom th a t
,

da y T h e old e r o n es w ere free to i n dulg e i n th ei r b e lov e d c a rd g a m es or

.

s p en d t h e da y wi th th ei r rela t i ves i n th e t own ; t h e youn g e r o n e s w e r e

a llow e d t o a t t en d t he th ea t ri ca l pe rform a n c es a n d fire work s Tod a y .

n o n e of t h e m w as re ui re d to bo th e r muc h a bou t th e li tt l e m a s t er
q .

A s Pa o Y u p asse d un d e r th e wi n dow o f th e p a v i l i o n h e h ea rd a s ou n d
?
C a n t h e p i c t ure h a ve
’
o f s i g h i n g a n d gr oa n i n g from i n si d e Wh a t s t h i s .

?
come o l i f he th ough t i n a la rm po k in g a h ol e i n the w i n dow p a rc h
t e ,

m en t t o loo k i n No t h e p i c t ure h a d n o t com e t o l i fe ; t h e n o i se c a m e

.
,
‘

i n st ea d from t w o rea l mo rta ls w h o w e re a b s orb ed i n th a t pl e as ur a bl e

g a me w h i c h t he F ai ry o f F ea rful A w a k ehi n g h a d o n ce t a ug h t h i m In .

t h e m a l e h a lf o f t h e coupl e he recogn i z e d h i s v a l et M i n g Y en , .

“ ”
S t op th a t ! h e sho ut ed push in g th e door ope n w i th h i s foo t Th e
,
.

lov e rs se p a r a te d i n ha s t e h ur ri e dly fa sten in g t hei r clo thi n g M i n g Y en

, .

fell o n h i s kn e es b e for e hi s m as ter an d b egg e d for m e rcy .

T hi s I s a n i c e w a y t o b eha v e I n cl ea r d a yl i g h t if th e m a ste r of t h e ,
”
h ou se h e a rs of i t i t wi ll go i ll w i th yo u
, s cold ed P ao Y u a t t h e s a m e
, ,

t i m e ta k i n g a good lo ok a t M i n g Y e n s p a rt n e r She w a s n o t e x a c t ly a
’
.

be a u t y t hi s l i ttl e ki t ch en m a id b ut she w as ch a rm i n g an d pr et t y
, .
-

en oug h n o t t o l e av e a ma l e h ea rt un mov e d S he h a d b ecom e r e d t o t h e .

ea rs a n d w a s sta n di n g wi th down c a s t e y e s si l en t a n d e mb a rr a s se d
, , .

“ ”
W h y don t yo u cl e a r o ut
’
? a s ke d P a o Y u a n gr i ly s t a mp i n g h i s foo t
'

.
,

T h e l i t t l e crea t ur e sli p ped o ut li ke th e wi n d Pa o Y u follow e d he r . .

“ ”
Do n t b e a fr a i d I am n o t a tell ta l e ! h e c a ll ed a f t e r h er
’
, .

”
No t so loud li t tle an ces t or Your sh ou t i n g wi ll c er t a i n ly b et r a y u s
, .
f .

cri e d M in g Y en follow i n g h im In h i s tur n P a o Y u st opp e d a n d let th e

, , .

youn g g i rl sli p o ff A fte r h e ha d qu esti on e d M i n g Y en a bou t h e r a ge

.

a n d p a r en t a g e h e s ai d t h a t h e would li ke t o t a k e s om e k i n d of exp e d i
.
,

t i o n . M i n g Y en S uggest ed a good lo n g w a lk ou ts i d e th e c i t y w a ll s b u t
, ,
'
hi s m a ste r th o ug ht tha t too d a ri ng H e fin a lly d e c i de d o n a v i si t to t h e
.

1 45
h om e of Pe a rl w h o h a d go t l e a v e t o s pe n d th e day wi th h er mo th e r
,
.

T he h ou s e w a s o n ly a b a r e m i le a w a y .

P ea rl w ho w a s j us t t ak i n g t ea a n d c a ke w i th he r mo th er a n d bro th er
, ‘

a n d h a lf a doz en f em a l e cou si n s , fel t n o t a l i tt l e s urpr i se d a n d h o n or e d

by th e un exp ec t ed v i s i t o f her you n g m a st e r He mu st s ur ely b e v ery .

fo n d of her i n d ee d i f h e could n o t do w i t h ou t h er fo r a f ew h ours .

S he h a d wo n d er e d w h a t urg en t m att er h a d brough t h i m h er e , b ut h e

sa i d h e w a s m er ely bor e d a n d w an t e d h er comp a n y Y e t sh e ha d t o .

s cold hi m for h i s folly i n d a ri n g t o l ea ve th e h ouse a ll o n h i s o wn a n d

s h e w a n t e d t o sen d h i m st r a i gh t b a ck Wh a t i f t h e y m i sse d h i m
.
? Or if

he m et h i s ste rn old f a th er o n t h e w a y ? O r i f hi s h or se t ook fr i gh t i n

t h e crowd ed st r eet s a n d t h r ew h i m ? sh e a s k e d a n x i ou sly H er bro t h e r .
,

w h o w a s old e r th an s h e c a lm e d h er s a y i n g t h a t s i n c e t h e you n g g en t l e
, ,

m an w as h ere t h ey w e re bou n d i n d ec en cy t o en t e rt a i n h i m for a w h i l e .

So th ey t ook h i m i n t o t h e l i v i n g room m a d e h i m s i t down o n th e ,

hea te d k an g a n d s et b efor e h i m a ll k i n d s of modes t t i t b i ts w h i c h h e di d

n o t t ouc h L i t t l e comfort t h oug h P ea rl s s i m
,

. pl e h om e could off e r h i m
’

n e v er th el es s t h e c ha n g e pl ea s e d h i m Th e e a s ygo i n g a t mo s ph e re o f
.

humbl e folk w hi ch th i s l i v i n g room br ea th e d w a s s om et h i n g qu i te n ew

to th e spo i l e d you n g a r i st ocr a t from a gr ea t h ous e a n d s e v e r a l o f th e ,

s i mpl e you n g th i n g s w h o s a t w i t h dow n c a st e y es a n d flu sh e d c h ee ks

a rou n d t he f am i ly bo a rd seem e d t o h i m qu i t e c h a r m i n g P ea rl he r se lf .

w a s t ouch i n g i n her a tt en t i o n s t o h i m Sh e pu sh e d h er o wn cu sh i o n b e
.

h i n d h i s b a ck p ut h er o w n foo t w a rm e r t o h i s fee t a n d s et a l i g h t i n h i s
,
-

h o n or tw o sweet sm ell i n g off er i n g s o f pre sse d plum blo ss oms H e n o

-

t i c e d t h a t ther e w e r e re d c i rcl es rou n d h er e y es a n d s i g n s o f t ea rs on h er

“

powd ere d c heeks .

“ ”
H a v e yo u b een cry i n g h e aske d g en t ly
?
.

No no ! A s pe ck of du st go t i n my eye a n d th e li d h a s go t red from

, ,
” “
i
rubb g i she a n s were d bri gh t ly B ut yo u are v e ry sm a r tly dr ess e d !
n t , .

It w a s n o t for us w a s i t ? ” she a ske d ch an g i n g th e s ub j ec t h urri e dly

, , .

“
No i t w a s for th a t aw ful th e a t ri c a l sh ow a t Prin ce C hen s I h a v e
,
’
.

”
j ust come from i t .

“
A n d you mu st go b a ck t o i t a s qu i ckly as o u can O ur poor h ut i s
‘

y .

n o pl a c e for you t o b e .

“
I a m go g b ut you mus t com e b a ck s oo n She g a ve h i m a kn ow
i n ,
”
.

i n g sm i l e T hen she t ook th e fi ve colore d cord w i th th e s t o n e a mul e t

. -

from hi s n eck an d h a n d e d i f rou n d t h e f a m i ly ci rcl e .

“
Lo ok th i s i s the wo n d e rful th i n g I h a ve oft en t old you a bou t
, .

Now you can look a t i t a n d wo n d er a t i t wi th your o w n e y es H a v e a .

rea lly good look a t i t ; you do n t h a v e th e ch a n c e t o see s uch a str an ge

’

t h i n g a s t h a t e v e ry da ” she d e cl a r e d proudly f ast en i n g th e cord

y , ,

roun d hi s n eck a g a i n Aft er thi s P a o Y u cut sh ort h i s br i e f vi si t O n

.
.

1 46
b e tte r tha n a n i n feri or cr ea t ur e li ke m e t o p a ss h er li fe in th ese sp a c i ous
”
h a lls a n d ex ten si v e g ar den s .

“
Th at good for t un e h a s c er ta i nly b een d en i e d h er b ut sh e h as n ev er ,

h a d t o s uff er w an t a n d h er p a r en t s h a v e spo i l e d h e r i n ev e ry w a y Sh e .

i s seven teen n o w a n d sh e h a s a lr ea dy got h er ful l bri d a l e qu i pm en t

”
r ea dy i n her tr un ks an d c a ses For sh e s g et ti n g m a rr i e d t h i s y ea r
.
’
.

“ ”
A regret ful A h ! esc a pe d from P a o Y u .

“
, ,
”
Y es i n d ee d i t s a p i t y co n t i n u e d Pe a rl w i th a si gh
’
,
W e cou si n s .

h a v e seen s o l i ttl e of ea c h o th er a ll th ese y ea r s t h a t I v e b ee n h ere A n d

’
.

”
n o w j u st w hen I am a bou t t o r et ur n h om e sh e i s l ea v i n g u s
, ,
.

Pa o Y u w a s so st a r tl ed th a t h e let th e c h est n u t s roll o n t o th e gr oun d .

? ”
W hat Y o u w an t to r et urn hom e h e a ske d dum fou n d e d
?
,
.

“
Y es Ju st w hen you c am e th i s a f tern oo n w e w e r e h a v i n g a f a m i ly
.

coun c i l ov er i t My mo ther a n d my bro the r w er e urg i n g m e t o r em a i n

.

j u st o n e more y ea r i n serv i c e ; th en th e y would h a v e go t t og eth e r en ough

”
mo n ey t o buy my fr eedom .

“
W h y do th ey w an t t o buy you free ? ”

Wha t a funn y qu est i o n ! After a ll I am n o t a d a ugh t er of th e h ou se

,
.

”
Do you t hi n k p erh a p s th a t I sh ould en d my d ay s h e r e ?
“
Wh a t i f I do n o t let yo u go ? ”
O h o ! Ev en a t th e Imp er i a l Cour t t h ere i s n o s uch th i n g a s pe rpet u a l
se rv i t ud e T h e dom es t i c s t a ff i s c h a n g e d a n d a dd e d t o e v e ry f ew y ea rs
. .

There a re sp ec i al l aws a bou t th ese t h i n g s If ev en t he Co urt mu st b o w .

t o t h o se l a w s t hen your h ou se mu st a ss ur e dly do s o

, .

Pa o Y u could n ot h i d e from h i m self th e f a c t t h a t sh e w as r i gh t .

N evert h el ess he t r i ed t o p ut forw a rd o t h e r obj e ct i o n s .

“
You w i ll fi n d i t d i fficul t t o get fr ee w i th ou t t h e perm i ssi on o f th e
”
old Ta i ta i h e rem a rked
, .

W h y sh ould she b e a g ai n st i t ? Am I p erc h a n c e so s p e c i a l th at sh e

could n o t do w i thou t m e ? Th a t sh e sh ould p erh a p s co n sen t t o a n a dd i
t i o n t o my mo th er s a llow an c e i n ord e r t o k ee p m e ? It seem s t o m e
’
-

, ,

o n t he o th er h a n d t h a t I am n o b et t e r t h a n th e a v e r a g e g i rl a n d ca n
,

b e ea s i ly r epl a c e d a t an y t i m e A t a n r a t e I h a v e b een i n th e s e rv i c e ‘
y .
,

of yo u r fa m i ly lon g en ough first sev er a l y ea r s w i t h M i ss L i tt l e Cloud

, ,

t h e old T a i ta i s gr a n dd a ugh t e r a n d a ft e r th a t w h o k n ow s h o w m a n y
’

y ea rs w i t h you It s rea lly t i me for m e t o go Your gr a n dmo th e r w i ll b e

’
.
.

pl e a sed o n the con t r a ry I do b el i ev e wh en sh e i s r i d of m e a t l a st an d

, , , ,

sh e wo n t d em an d a sp e c i a lly b i
’

g r a n s om T h e f a c t t h a t I h a v e se rve d .

you well w a s on ly my dut y O ther s do th ei r dut y j u st as w ell or b et te r

.
.

Pa o Y u fi dget ed un ea si ly on h i s se a t ‘

“
B ut w hat i f I greatly d esi re you t o r em a i n ? Would your mo th e r n o t
_

d esi st fro m her in t en ti on i f my gr an dm o th er a s ks h er t o an d p li ers h er ,

”
a n i n cr ea se d a llow an ce ?

1 48
 My mo th er would c er t a in ly n o t d a r e t o resi st i f th e o ld Ta i ta i i n
si st e d a b s olu t ely th a t I s h ould r em a i n an d i n t h a t c a se t h e r e would b e
,

n o n ee d of i n cre a s i n g th e a llow a n c e by a si n gl e copp er B ut t h e qu es t i o n .

i s w o u ld t h e o ld Ta i ta i i n si st ? A s f a r as I k n ow i t h a s n ev er b een th e
, ,

cu st om o f your fa m i ly to m i su se the i r po we r a n d in flu en c e i n ord e r t o

i n t i m i d a te a nd co e rc e t h e w ea k From w h a t I k n ow o f t he o ld Ta i ta i I
.

doub t ve ry much whe the r sh e would d ep a rt from t h i s n oble fa m i ly tr a d i

t i on i n ord e r t o forc e m y mo th e r a n d m e t o s om et h i n g w h i c h would b e
o f n o p a rti cul a r a dv a n ta g e t o your fa m i ly a n d a h um a n h a rd sh i p for

m in e .

Pa o Y u r em a i ne d th ough t ful for a f ew mom en ts .

“ ? ”
If I un d erst a n d yo u a r i gh t you are se ri ous ly r es olv e d t o l e ave
,
”
Y es .

U n gr at eful cr eat ur e ! he th ought t o hi mself an gr i ly Then a loud ,

.
,
“
t h a si g h : If I h a d gue sse d that b e fo re I would n ev e r ha ve t a ke n yo u
i n t o my servi c e No w I sh a ll rem a i n b eh i n d a lo n e h er e a poor fors a k en
.
,
”
gh o st .

He sl i ppe d o ff s a dly to hi s b e d a n d lay down He di d n o t kn ow t h a t .

Pea rl ha d o n ly b een pl a y a ct in g a b i t i n ord er t o t est h i s feeli n gs fo r

-

he r In rea l i ty sh e h a d d e cla re d t od a y a t h om e w h en h er mo th e r a n d
'

.
, ,

bro t her ha d expre ss e d t he i n tent i o n o f buy i n g h er b a ck th a t sh e h a d n o ,

d esi re to b e r a n s om e d a n d would r a th er di e th a n l e a ve her se r vi c e A t .

a t i m e w h e n t h e re w a s n o t a n o th er gr a i n o f ri ce t o ea t a t h ome sh e h e r ,

se lf h a d d e c i d e d t o b e s old i n t o se rvi t ud e t o sa ve h er f a m i ly from st a r

v a t i on She w a s lucky en ough t o ha v e a po si t i on n o w whe r e she l a ck ed

.

n ei th e r clo th i n g n o r good food w a s t r ea t e d a lm ost li ke a d a ugh t e r of

,

t he h ou se an d w a s n e i th e r b e a ten by day n or mi s u se d by n i g h t ; an d w a s
,

she t o b e so fool i sh a s t o g i v e up th i s pl easan t li f e n ow t o r e t ur n t o t h e

n a rrown e ss of h er h om e ? C e r ta
m n ot She di d n o t wi sh to hea r ah
.

o th e r word a bou t be i n g bought b a ck an d m em M e woul d pr e fer h er

,

fam i ly t o re g a rd he r a s b ei n g d ea d .

A n exc i te d fa m i ly d i s cu ss i o n h a d fol low e d i n th e course o f wh i ch

,

s om e t e a rs of w h i c h P a o Y u h a d r ema rke d th e tr a ces h a d b ee n sh e d

, , . .

T he r es ul t w as th a t t he mo th e r a n d bro th er g a ve w ay a n d dropp e d th ei r
i n t en t i o n Pa o Y u s un exp ec te d vi si t h a d sh own th e m th e w a rm r ela ti o n s
’
.

ex i sti n g b et wee n se rv an t an d m as t er an d le ft th em compl e te ly co n

vi n ce d an d r e ass ur e d In sh ort a ll th a t P ear l ha d j us t sa i d a b ou t l e a v in g

.
,

an d b e i n g r a n so m e d w as sheer fic ti o n .

P a o Y u h a d n o t b een i n b ed for lo n g w hen P ea rl c a m e t o hi s be ds i d e

a n d g a v e h i m a c h ee rful sh a ki n g She n oti c e d t ea rs o n h i s c h ee k s
. .

? ” “
Wh a t h as woun d ed your hea rt sh e as ke d gen t ly It a ll d e pen ds .

o n whe th e r yo u ar e r ea lly b en t o n kee p i n g m e If yo u are I could pe r. .

,

1 49
 He j umpe d up .

“ ”
Oh , i s t ha t s o ? I do t o kee p yo u ?
A n d wh a t can

You would h a ve to prom i se m e t hr ee th in gs If yo u ca n do that I .

,

w i ll b el i eve i n th e s in ce r i ty of yo ur wi sh an d th en I wi ll sta y even i f , ,

t he y wer e t o cu t my th ro a t h er e .

“
N ame th ree na m e a h un dre d co n d i ti on s d ea r est l i ttl e si ste r ! I
, ,

wi ll do e very th i ng you a sk i f yo u w i ll o n ly sta y w i t h m e R e m a i n a t .

le a st u n ti l I h a v e t urned i n t o fl eet i n g a shes —n o n o t a sh es f o r ashes , ,

would sti ll co n t ai n t o o b i g a r emn an t o f my bod i ly b ei n g R em a i n u n t i l .

I h a v e t urn e d i n t o a st r ea k of smoke a n d b een blown a w a y by th e w i n d

wi th out l ea vi n g a t ra ce Then I w i ll n ee d you n o lon ger ; th en yo u m a y
'

go wh er ever your fan cy urg es you .

A s h e spoke h e b ec a m e mor e a n d mor e v eh e m en t Sh e seal ed hi s .

mou th w i th her h a n d a n d st opp e d h i m from s p ea k in g more .

“
S t op ! You n eed n o t b e so sen t i m en t a l Y o u n ee d o n ly fulfill th ree .

”
sm a ll co n d i t i o n s .

“ ”
A n d wh a t would the y b e ?

F i rstly you mu st a dm i t your fa ul ts when yo u a re r eprov e d

, .

“
I w i ll A n d you m ay wr en ch o ut my t on g ue i f l eve r ta lk n o n sen se
'

a g ai n C o o
.
n

“
S econ dly wh ether you a re r ea lly l ea rn e d or on ly preten d t o b e yo u
, ,

mu s t b e more u n a ss um i n g b e fore p e opl e a n d n o t mock a n d cr i t i c i z e so ,

much a nn oy i n g your fa ther a s you do In a n y c a se h e i s n o t p art i cu

, .
,

la rly i mpresse d by your a c h i e v em en ts a n d h e t a kes i t i ll th a t o u s ea k

y p
con t emp t uou sly b ehi n d h i s b a ck o f wor th y old er p e opl e w h o ha ve
a c h i ev e d s om e t h i n g by d i n t of a b i l i t y an d wh om you l i ke t o c a ll s a l a r i e d ‘

h
’ ”
block d So ot so ov erb ea ri n g i f you pl ea se !
ea s . n , ,
“
Y o u a re qu i t e r i ght A n d I w i ll n ev er a g a i n r e p ea t t h o se si lly
.

th i n g s t h a t I h a v e s a i d i n th e i mm a t uri t y o f my you th Go o n ! ” .

“
Thi rdly yo u must ha v e more r es pe c t fo r p i ou s h o m es a n d holy
,

T a o i st pri ests an d n o t m a ke f un o f the m Moreo v e r yo u mu s t b e le s s

.

~
, .
,

fri volous an d i rrespon si bl e i n your b eh a v i or w i th y oun g gi rl s a n d n o t ,

r un a f te r all t he g i rl s you see wi th p a i n t d l p

e —
i s a n d i n re d dr e sses !
”

“
i h t i
All r g I w ll m n d my w a y s A n yt h i n g e lse
. e ? ”
.

No It i s en ough for m e i f you fu lfill th ese t hr ee co n d i ti on s ; i f yo u

.

g
ev en a l i tt e r w i th ei gh t b ea r e r
t s wi ll en t i c e m e t o l ea v e th e
o, no

ou se .

“
W hy n o t ? W h o k n ow s yo u m a
y ye t h a v e a l i t t e r wi th ei gh t b ea re rs
,

a t your d i s po sa l i f r
t y h e e lon g en o u gh ”
’

“
y o u s ,a .

Oh n o I a m n ot so v ery ea g er for th a t ”
, .
.

T hey we re st i ll ta lki n g l a te i n t o the n i gh t w hen a n o th e r wa i ti n g m a i d

‘

a
ppe a re d a n d a sked them would th ey n o t set tle down t o sl ee p a t las t It .

w a s a lr ea dy t h e thi rd w a t c h o f t h e
n i gh t P a o Y u ask e d h er wt o h an d
. .

1 50
 Tha t i s j u st wh a t I w i ll sp eak o f a n d n ow Y o u a re a fr a i d of d ea th
,
. ,

? ”
I a m sur e a n d would l i ke t o l i v e t o b e a h un dre d I sn t t h a t so
’
.
,
“
A c h a rm i n g co n ver sa ti on li ke th i s wo u ld a hn o st m a ke on e wi sh f or
”
d ea th .

“ ? ”
Th a n k you So you would wi sh m e d ea d
.

yo u t w i st th e
h ? I m ea n t m i n e H o w
W o is
h S p e a k i n g of your d ea t .

”
word s i n a p erson s mou th ! ’

”
“
Cou si n Li tt l e Cloud 1 3 w a i t i n g fo r yo u ! W i th th ese w o rds Pr ec i ou s /

Cl a s p broke i n o n t he i r conv ersat i on an d sn a t ch e d P a o Y u a w a y w i th

'

o ut more a do Bl a ck J a d e r em a i n e d ob s ti n a t e ly b eh i n d ; she s a t down

.

by t h e w i n dow a n d w ep t b u t sh e h a d n o t b een t he r e lon g wh en P a o

,

Y u c a m e b a ck A s s oo n as h e a pp e a r e d Bl a ck J a d e s s uppre sse d w eep i n g

’
.

ch a n ge d to loud sobb i n g H e st a r te d t ry i n g t o p a c i fy h e r
. .

“ ”
W hy are yo u bo th er i n g m e a g ai n ? sh e a s k ed , for es t a ll i n g h i m .

You h a v e go t som eo n e els e w h o ca n en t er ta i n yo u muc h b et te r t h a n I

ca n ,
an d w h o i s muc h cl ev e r er a n d mor e pr a c t i c a l
,
a n d mor e e du ,

c a t e d a n d more a musi n g t ha n I—w h o i s a lw a y s an x i ou s for your w el

,

f a re a n d t a kes you a w a y i n good t i m e wh en yo u are i n b or i n g comp an y .

? ”
So wh a t do you w a n t h ere plea se ,
“ ”
Do b e r ea so n a bl e ! h e pl ea d e d g en t ly Y o u know j ust a s w ell a s
.

I do t ha t clo s e r el a ti o n s com e b efor e d i stan t o n es a n d o ld fr i en d sh i p s ,

b efore n e w o n es I a m muc h more clo sely r e l a t e d t o yo u th a n t o Pr e c i ou s

.

Cl asp an d I h a v e kn own you muc h lon g e r t h a n I h a ve kn own h er W e .

t w o h a v e ea t en t og e th e r l i v e d t og e th e r l ea r n e d a n d pl a y e d t og et h e r
, , ,

for y ea r s n o w da y a f ter da y— so yo u h a ve r e ally n o r ea s on at all t o

,
”
feel sl i gh ted .

“
P a h ! I a m n o t s o an x i ou s for your fa vor th a t I would comp ete w i th
.

o t hers for i t I do wha t s ui t s m e Wh a t o th e r s th i n k m a t te rs n o t h i n g a t

. .

”
a ll to m e .

I am j u s t t he same Th a t i s w hy w e h a ve s uch fre qu en t m i sun der

.

”
st a n d in g s .

“
Oh I un d erst a n d you t h orough ly we ll B ut o u w i ll n ot t ol er a t e
,
y .

an
y w ell m ea n t re proof a n d by yo ur w h i ms yo u a re a lw a y s c h a ll e n g i n g
-

p e ople t o reprov e you To gi v e a n ex a mple ri gh t a w a y : w h y do yo u

.

t a k e i t i n t o your h e a d t o l ea v e o ff your w ar m blu e f ox coll a r j u st n o w

”
i n t hi s cold w e a th e r ?

ga i y
“
“
B ec a u se your b a d h umor ha s m a d e m e q ui te h ot h e re pli e d
.
,

You w i ll c a t ch a fi n e cold she si gh e d Whi l e the y w ere s ki rm is h

, .

m g " 1 t h l s w a y Cou s i n L i t t l e Cloud c a me s ki pp i n g a lon g .

You t w o h a v e e a ch o th er th e wh ol e ti m e ; you re t oge the r da y a ft e r ‘ ’

da y s h e sa i d w i t h h er com i c a l s oun d i n g l i s p “ I come h e r e so seldom

, -

.
,

i h
you m g r lly g i ve a l i tt le more ti m e to m e
t e a ”
.

1 52
 ”
Wh a t a funn y pro n un c i a ti on th e li tt l e on e h a s ! excl ai m e d Bl a ck
“
J a d e mock in gly m i m i cki n g h er If yo u coun te d on e t w o thr ee her
, .
, ,
”
w a y yo u would b i t e your t o n gu e i n tw o
‘

“
Ta ke c a re tha t yo u do n o t b i te your o w n t o n gue In tw o by m i m i ck
”
i n g h er s o w e ll ! s a i d P a o Y u t o Bl a ck J a d e in t h e sam e t o n e o f
m i mi cry .

“
You re t e rri ble You wo n t ov e rlook th e t i n i e st d efe c t i n y our fell ow
’
.
’

”
cr ea t ur es ; yo u mu st a lw a y s fi n d fa ul t w i t h us l a m en t e d th e vi c t i m ,
.

“
Y o u m a y p u t o n s upe r i or a i rs w i th o th e r s,b ut I kn ow s om e o n e w h om
”
you would nev er d a r e t o fi n d fa ul t w i th .

“
e e,
?
O h in d d I would r ea lly lov e t o kn ow w h om yo u m ean rep li e d ,

Pao Y u .

“
If ough cour a ge t o fi n d fa ul t w i th Cou s in Pr ec i ous
yo u h a v e en

Cla s p u can b e r ea lly proud o f your s elf

y o , .

O h w i th h e r ? V e ry w e ll j us t see i f I do n t
“ ’
.
, ,

Pa o Y u tr i e d t o cu t h er sh or t a n d b e g a n t a l k i n g a bou t som ethi n g

‘

e ls e B ut L i t t le Cloud would n o t g i v e up a n d r a t t le d a w a y i n mock

.

i n d i g n a t i o n lo Bl a ck J a d e : I h op e yo u w i ll o n e da y h a v e a m a n w h o
w i ll b i te h i s t o n gu e w hen he sp ea k s a n d t or t ur e yo u da y a n d n i gh t
w i th h i s st ut te r If I lIve t o see t h a t I w i ll b eli ev e h oly Buddh a i n yo u
.
, , ,
”
a n d your powe r o f r et r i bu t i o n !

A n d w i th th i s l a st sh a f t sh e w a s o u t o f th e roo m i n a fl ash a m i d th e
l a ugh ter o f t he o th e rs .

Bl a ck J a d e w a n t e d t o d a sh a ft e r h er b ut P a o Y u st ood i n the door ,

w a y w i th ou ts t r et c h e d a rm s l a ug h i n gly b a rr in g h er w a y
, .

“
B e g en e rou s an d le t h er o ff
N o I wo n t ; sh e w i ll ha ve t o p a y for th i s ! sa i dB la ck J a d e h eat e dly
”
’

’
, ,

t ry i n g i n v a i n t o pus h h i m as i d e .

“ ”
D ea r est b est si st e r I b eg fo r m e rc y ! pl ea d e d Li tt l e Cloud w ho
, , ,

h a d st oppe d ou tsi d e .

B e fri en d s a g a i n f o r h i s sak e urg e d Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp from i n si d e

, .

”
No I wi ll n o t ! i n s i st e d Bl a ck J a d e st a mp i n g he r foo t d efi an t ly
, , .

”
I see you h a v e a ll plo tt ed t og eth e r t o m a ke g a m e o f m e .

“
B u t i t w a s yo u w h o b eg a n i t No w do b e r ea s o n a bl e a n d gi v e i t
. .

”
up ! P a o Y u tr i e d t o pe rs u a d e h er
”

. .

A n d so th e li v ely co n t est w en t o n for a wh i l e th i s w a y a n d th a t un , ,

t i l a se rv a n t a ppe a r e d t o c a ll t h e m t o t h ei r e v en i n g m e a l T h e y broke .

o ff th ei r s qu a bbl e an d w en t o ff a ll four t og e t h e r h o t c h ee k e d an d
, ,
-

ch att e r i n g g a i ly t o th e a p a rtm en ts o f th e Pr i n c e ss A n c es t ress L i tt l e

, .

Cloud a ls o w en t t o h er qu art e rs j u st as u s u a l a n d sh a re d a b e d p e a c e
‘

a bly wi t h Bl a ck J a d e .

1 53
 C H A P T ER l 7

Th e ma i d P ea rl l ks a nd ta k es P a o Y u q u i e t ly t o ta s k Th e m a id L i t t le
su .

P i n g k eep s si le n c e a nd sa v es Ch ia L i en fro m b e i n g d i sco v er e d .

T HE NE X T M OR N ING PA o Y UU M P ED o ur o r B E D VE R Y E A R L Y P UT
J ,

o n h i s sl i pper s a n d dr ess i n g gown a n d t r i pp e d a lo n g n e x t door t o t h e

,

b edroom o f hi s tw o cou si n s He foun d t h em st i ll i n b e d f a st a sl e ep T he

.
‘
.

a b sen c e of t h e m a i d s m a d e i t po ssi bl e for h i m t o ob se rv e t h em a t

lei sure How d i ff eren t t he y looke d e v en w h en asl ee p ! Bl a ck J a d e la y

.

a ll c a r e fully wr a pp e d a n d muffl e d up t o h er ea r s i n t h e a pr i co t color e d -

si lk e i d e rdown w hi l e Li t tl e Cloud h a d let t h e cov e r sl i d e off h er so

,

m uch th a t her r i g h t sh ould er a n d h er r i gh t a rm de cor a t e d w i t h t wo ,

gold b a n gl es a n d e ven a b i t of h er rou n d smoo t h t h i gh lay b a re a n d

,

n a k e d T h e blu e bl a ck r i n gl e t s of h er loo s e n e d h a i r f ell ov er t h e e dg e

.
-

of t he p i llow .

“
She c an n o t b e s t i ll e ven w h en a sl ee p ! murmur e d P a o Y u t o h i m
“ ’ ”
s elf . S h e ll get a fi n e cold a n d t hen compl a i n o f t w i n g es .

A n d h e drew th e cov er g en t ly a n d c a r efully up ov e r h e r T h e r e upo n .

Bl a ck J a d e t urn e d rou n d a n d op en e d h er e y es W ha t a re yo u do i n g .

”
he re s o ea rly ? sh e a sk e d P a o Y u .

“
It s n o t a t a ll so e a rly Qu i ck ge t up !
’ ”
.
,

You mu s t go o u t first .

P a o Y u w a i t e d a l i tt l e w h i l e i n t he a dj o i n i n g dr e ss i n g room th en ,

h e c a m e b a ck In t h e m ea n t i m e t h e tw o cou s i n s h a d o t up a n d w e r e
.
g
j u st a t t hei r morn i n g t o i le t P a o Y u s a t dow n by t h e dr ess i n g t a bl e an d
.

looke d o n a s Li t tl e Cloud w a sh e d he r self W h en sh e h a d fi n i sh e d th e .

'

m a i d Blu e Th rea d w a s a bou t t o t a ke a w a y t h e w a sh i n g w a te r .

“ ”
t ! i
S op cr d Pa o Y u h ol di n g h e r b a ck I would l i ke to h a v e i t t o
e ,
“
.

”
w a sh i n .

A n d h e st oop ed ov er th e b a s i n w et te d h i s f a c e a n d h a n d s i n t h e sa m e
,

w a ter wh i ch Li t tle Cloud h a d u se d a n d dr i e d h i m se lf w i t h th e sa m e

,

t ow el w i th w h i c h s he h a d dr i e d h e r self T h e n h e qu i ckly r i n . s e d o ut
h i s mou th a n d cl ea n e d h i s t eeth w i th blu e s a l ts a n d t h i s do n e t urn e d
, ,

rou n d a g a i n to Li ttl e Cloud She ha d j u s t fi n i she d do i n g h er h a i r

.
.

“
D rl l
e a i tt e s i s t e ,
”
r pl e a se do my h a i r t o o ! he b e gg e d .

”
No I c a n n o t do tha t
, .

'

B ut you u sed t o b e a bl e t o do i t b e for e .

P er ha p s so b ut I h a ve forgo tten h o w to
, .

You mu st do i t ! I w i ll n o t go a w a y from h e re o r p u t o n my for e

hea d b a n d or my ca u n t i l you h a v e do n e my h a i r ! J u
p s t t o pl a i t th e few
lI t t le p i g t a i l s i s n o t s o v ery d iffi cul t ! ”
/

F i n ally s he g a ve i n a n d di d w ha t he aske d ; she dr ew h i s h ea d n e a re r

1 54
'
 h er , pl a i t e d the fro n t ha i r i n t o a r i n g o f l i tt l e p i gt a i l s wh i c h wh en
‘

to
a ll t i e d by t h e en d s a n d dra wn u p f orm ed a crown sh a p e d co i q re
-

_
,

an d dres s e d! h is b a ck h a i r i n a lo n g p i gt a i l wi t h a red br ai d plai t ed

th rough i t T h i s br a i d w a s d ecor a t e d w i t h four pe a r ls a n d i t w as

.

wei gh t e d dow n wi th a gold cl a s p a t t he en d .

“
Look he r e the four th p ea rl do es n o t m at ch th e ot h er pear ls I t e
,
.

”
m emb er t hat a ll four u se d t o b e a li ke r em a rke d Li tt le Cloud whi le
‘

sh e w a s pl a i tin g .

“
Tha t s r i ght It i s a r epl a c emen t ; I lo st th e or i gi n a l on e
’
. .

O ut i n th e street I s uppo se It s a p i t y th e lov e ly p e a rl i s i n

‘ ’
.
, ,
”
s tr an g e h a n d s n o w .

“
W ho kn ows p erh a p s he di d n ot lo se i t b ut pr ese n t e d i t t o so m e
,
”
o ne a s a m a rk of r e g a rd i n terj e c t e d Bl a ck J a d e
, .

P a o Y u di d n o t r eply b ut con t i n u e d t o ha n dl e an d p ee p i n t o th e
,

bo t tl es a n d box es wh i c h cov er e d t h e dr essi n g t a bl e No w h e ca ught .

s i g h t o f a n op en ja r of roug e H e would h a v e l i k e d t o sti ck i n hi s fi n g e r

.
,

as w a s h i s h a b i t a n d t as t e t h e re d s t uff b ut h e w a s a fr a i d h i s co usin s
, ,

would c a t ch hi m a t i t a n d scold h i m Wh i le h e w as h esi ta ti n g an d .

st a r i n g f a s c i n a t e d a t t h e t emp t i n g re d p a st e h e s udd en ly
go t a s l a p
from b eh i n d wh i ch m a d e h im drop t he p o t o f roug e .

“ ”
You sh ouldn t do th a t ! Wh en w i ll yo u g i v e up s uch si lli n ess ?
’

L i ttl e Cloud r ebuked h i m .

A t th a t mom en t t h e m a i d P e a rl a pp ea r e d b ut i mme d i a t e ly wi th ,

drew a g a i n w hen sh e sa w h o w m a t t e r s s t oo d Sh e foun d sh e w as s up e r .

fl uo us a t s uc h t i m es Wh i l e sh e w a s do i n g her o wn morn i n g t o i l et Pre

.

ci o n s Cla s p en ter ed h er room .

“ ”
Wh er e i s Pa o Y u she ask ed
? .

”
He i s bu sy repl i ed P ea rl w i th an i ron i c a l smi le i n d i c at i n g the
, ,

n ex t room .

Prec i ou s Cl asp un d erst ood .

“
Y es o n e can pr ea ch t o hi m a s much a s on e l i kes b ut i t o n ly oes
,
g ,
”
I n o n e ear a n d o ut t h e o t h e r “
co n t i n ue d P e a rl w i th a si gh Th e y ar e
, .

h i s co usm s o f course b ut ev en w i th cou s i n s th e r e a re c e rt a in li m i ts

, ,

Th i s bo i sterou s pl a y i n g about da y an d n i gh t—h e kn ows no m

.

od e ra
t i on '
.
”

Prec i ou s Cl asp th ough t sh e wa s s p ea ki n g ve ry sen si bly She sat on .

th e e d ge of t h e b ed an d st a r t d a l i tt l e t a lk w i t h her a s ki n g a bou t h er
e ,

a ge a n d f a m i l
y an d o the r p e rs o n a l t h i n g s ; a n d t h e mor e sh e c h a tt e d
w i th h er t h e more she w a s ch arm e d by h er ki n d an d un d e rst a n d ing n a
,

t ur e A t l as t P a o Y u r et urn e d Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p st ood up at once an d w en t

.
.

o ff w i th ou t a word or a gr eet in g .

“
W h y di d she 8 0 O H 5 0 S udd en ly w hen I c a m e i n ? ” h e as ke d i n sur
.

pri se .
 W hy do yo u I c ann o t kn ow w h at th ere i s b et ween yo u
as k me?
”
tw o ,
r epli e d P ea rl coolly Pa o Y u di d n o t fa i l t o n o ti c e he r ann oy e d
.

express i o n .

“ ”
W hy a re yo u i n s uch a b a d h um o r he con t i n u ed sm i li n g
?
,
.

I di d n o t kn ow t ha t I w a s i n a b a d h umor M oreov er in fu t ur e yo u .
,

n eed n o t se t your foo t i n my room an y more a n d wh en yo u w an t so m e ,

o n e t o se rv e yo u pl e ase ge t s om e o n e e ls e ! From n o w o n I would pr e fe r

,
”
'

t o serv e th e o ld T a i ta i a g a i n .

S a y i n g th i s sh e th re w h e r se lf on h er b e d P a o Y u sa t down b esi d e
, .

h er an d s po ke k i n d word s to h e r b u t sh e sh u t h e r e y e s t i g h t an d di d
,

n o t ta k e a n y n o ti c e o f h i m H e w a s u t t e rly p e rpl e x e d
. .

”
Wh a t i s t he m a tte r w i th he r he a ske d th e m a i d Mus k w h o ca m e
?
, ,

i n j us t th en .

“
How do I kn ow ? Y o u m us t a sk he r y our self a n swe re d Mus k ,

b rus qu ely a n d d i sa ppe a re d a g a i n Pa o Y u look e d a f te r h er puzzc

, .
,
“
A h we ll ! I ll lie down to s l ee p t o o h e sa i d i ll h um o re dly ; an d
’
-

, ,

s ta n di ng up he w en t i n t o h is b e droom a n d t h r e w h i ms e lf o n t h e b e d .

Fo r a whi le i t w a s qu i e t i n bo t h room s T h en P ea rl h ea rd th e s oun d .

o f re g u lar br ea thi n g Sh e t h oug h t h e h a d r ea lly go n e t o sl ee p so sh e

. ,

go t up qu i e t ly wen t ove r a n d cove r e d hi m wi th a bl a n ke t B ut h e

, ,
.

pu sh ed th e co ver i n g a w a y cross ly an d co n t i n ue d t o pre te n d t o b e

a sl e ep Sh e sa w th roug h h i s pre t en se
. .

“
If i t s ui ts yo u th a t w a y I a ls o can pr eten d to b e d ea f an d dumb in
,
”
fu t ure she sa i d
, .

He g a ve up hi s p reten d i ng an d sa t up .

“
How h a ve I d ese rv ed your dis pl ea s ur e a g a i n ? I h a ve no obj e c t i o n
t o your sc old i n g m e B u t to s ul k s i l en t ly wi th out an y r e aso n a n d no t
.
,

t o n o ti c e m e at a ll th a t s no m a nn e rs ! I do n o t u n d er st a n d your b e
’
,
”
h a vi or .

“
It is a p i t y th a t yo u l a ck th e ne ces s ary i ns i g h t .

He ha d n o t i m e to re ply for th e Pr i n cess A n c e st r ess sen t fo r hi m t o

,

come to brea kfas t Whe n h e ret urn e d a g a i n a f t e r a br ea kfas t t a k en

.

h urri edl y an d ab sen b m i n dedl y Pe a rl h a d m a d e h er self comfort abl e o n

,

th e d i v an i n t h e v e r a n d a wh i l e M us k w as s qu a tt i n g down b es i d e h er
,

t r an qui lly la y i n g o ut domi n oes The y b e h a v e d a s i f th e y di d n o t se e

.

hi m He kn ew th a t th e y a lwa y s made commo n ca u se Enf a ge d a n d

. .

w i th ou t e ven de i gn in g t o gla nce a t th em h e pa sse d th em by an d w en t ,

i n to hi s own room Mu s k got up s lowly a n d fo llow e d h i m i n si len tly

.
,

e xpe c ti n g an order B u t w i tlw u t h es i t a t i o n h e pu sh e d h e r o u t th e door

. .

“ ”
Ple ase do n o t le t m e d is t urb yo u tw o ! he sa i d an gr i ly Mus k t urn e d .

away gi ggli n g t o he rs elf an d sen t hi m tw o li tt le a ux i l i a ry m a i d s i n

, ,

1 57
to ord r
e tea h e s w a t h e t w o li tt l e th i n g s s t an d i n g qu i et ly a n d sh yly i n

a corn er On e o f t h em t h e old er h e foun d mo st c h a rmi n g

. , ,
.

“ ? ”
Wh at i s your n a me h e asked .

”
O rchi d P erfume .

? ”
W h o g a v e you th a t n am e
S i ste r P ea rl My r ea l n a m e i s P e rfum e o f R esi n
. .

? ”
R i d i culou s ! he murmur e d Ho w m an y si st ers h a v e you a t h ome
” “
.

”
There a re four of us .

? ”
A n d w her e do you com e in
“ ”
I m t h e fourth
’
.

Good Then I sh a ll j us t c a ll you Li ttl e Fourt h W h y th ese el abo ra t e

. .

”
n a m es ? Hurry up a n d bri n g m e t ea !
T h e tw o eld e r m a i d s wh o w e re ou t si de o n t he v er an d a h a d h ea r d th e
con v ersa t i o n Th ey presse d t hei r l i ps t i ght ly t og e th e r t o kee p from
.

l a ughi n g o ut loud .

T ha t wh ol e da y Pa o Y u rem a i n e d qui et ly i n hi s room con tra ry t o ,

h i s u su a l cu st om a n d cure d h i s b a d h umor a s b est h e could by r e a d i n g

, .

a n d wr i t i n g He l e f t al l t h e m a i d s a lo n e w i th t h e e xc e p t i o n o f L i tt l e
.
,

Fourt h Li ttl e Four th n a t ur a lly fe lt v e ry much fa vor e d an d b ei n g v e ry

.
,

wi d e a w ake she t ook t he oppo r t u n i t y t o f a wn upo n h i m an d d a n c e

,

a tt e n d a n c e o n h i m t h u s compl e t ely w in n i n g h i s f a vor B ut h e w as n o t

,
.

i n cl i n ed t o p a y h er much more a t t en t i o n t od a y .

When even i n g c ame he fel t h i s self i mpo se d lon eli n ess doubly op -

pressi ve A few gl a sses o f w i n e wh i ch h e h a d t a ken a t t a ble h a d ex

.

c i t e d a n d st i mul a te d hi m Hi s ey es b urn ed a n d h i s ea rs glow e d No r

. .

m a lly i n suc h a mood a s t h i s he would h a v e j ok e d a n d b een bo i st erou s

,

w i th h i s cou si n s an d the m a i d s Tod a y i t w a s cold an d qu i et a ll a rou n d

.

h i m He sa t a lo n e i n fro n t of t h e l a mp i n dulg i n g i n sa d t h ough ts

. .

S h ould he n o t go t o t hem a ll th e sa m e see k th ei r comp a n y as u su a l ? ,

No h i s pr i d e would n o t a llow t h a t H e di d n o t w a n t t o run a ft er th e m

, . .

If h e di d so t hey would t r ea t h i m w i th mor e co n t emp t th a n e v er i n th e

,

fut ur e a n d t a ke e ven more l i b erti es i n m a ki n g cr i t i c a l re m a rks B e tte r t o

'
’
.

i n or e th e m compl et ely a s i f t h e y w e r e d ea d a n d t o b e co n t en t w i t h
g , ,

h i s ow n comp an y for o n c e .

Afte r he h a d forc e d hi ms elf to th i s h ero i c d ec i si on a feel i n g o f c hee r

ful compo sure c am e ov e r h i m He go t L i tt l e Four th t o po u r hi m .

o u t s om e fresh w i n e a n d t ook dow n t h e work of t h e grea t ph i lo s op h e r

,

C h u a n g Tzu Th a t w as j u st the r i g h t book for h i s m oo d A s h e w a s

.
.

l o oki n g t hrough i t h e c a me o n a p a ss a ge i n t h e ch a p t e r a bout rob b e r s

,

“
a n d t h i eves en t i t l e d ”
O pe n t h e Cupbo a rd s w h i ch r e a d : Aw a y w i th “

mora l i ty a n d e duc a t i o n ! Th en th er e wi ll b e n o mor e str eet robb e ri es .

Aw a y wi th pea rl s a n d pr ec i ou s st o n es ! T hen th e f ts w i ll c e a se Burn th e .

docum en t s o f i n ves t i t ure ! Sm a sh up t he se a ls of offi ce ! The n pe opl e

1 58
w i ll b ecome h o n est an d si mple a g a i n D est roy t h e w e i gh i n g m a ch i nes !
.

Sm a sh up the w e i ghts a n d m ea s ur e s ! Th en t h e r e w i ll b e n o more qu a r

relli n g a n d s t r i fe ! Do a w a y w i th l a w s a n d r e gul a t i ons ! T hen pe ople

w i ll b ecom e sensi bl e of th ei r o w n a ccord Aw a y w i th t h e s t udy o f .

h a rmo n y a n d mu s i c a l i n strum en ts ! Th en p e opl e w i ll l ea rn t o hea r o f

th em se lv es Aw a y w i th c a ll i gr a p h y a n d color t h e or i e s ! T h en pe ople
.

w i ll l ea rn t o see for th em selves Aw a y w i t h a r i t hm eti c an d g e om et ry

.
,

wi th angl es an d comp a sses ! Th en p eopl e w i ll b e com e cle v e r a n d sh re wd

of t hemselv es .

WhenPa o Y u ha d r ea d t h u s f a r h e d i ppe d h i s brush in th e I n d i a

,

i n k a n d i n sp i r e d by th e w i n e an d by th e sp i r i t of t h e w i se C h u a n g Tzu
, ,
“
he wro te o n co n t in u i n g t he th em e : Aw a y w i th t h e P ea rls a n d th e
.
,

Mu sks ! Then t h e i n m a te s of t he i nn er ch a mb e rs w i ll t a ke c a re o f the m

se lves Sm a sh up t he Pr e c i ou s Cla sp s ! L et t he Bl a ck J a d es ret urn t o
.

a she s ! Bur y a ll
yea m i n gs a n d p a ssi o n s ! Th en w i ll th e b e a u t i ful a n d th e
ugly i n m a tes of i n n er ch a mb er s b e a r w i th o ne a n o th e r a n d r e c i proc a lly
a n d w i t ou t r a n cor a cc e p t w i s e i n st ruc t i o n s du e from th e o t h e r S h ould
h .

’
Pre ci ou s Cl a sp s d i vi n e b ea u t y fa d e a w a y I would b e cur e d o f th e de ,

l usi o n of lov e S h ould Bl a ck J a d e s s pl en d i d m i n d g o t o a sh es th en I

.
’ '

would n o lo n g er n ee d t o b e co nsum e d w i th a dm i r a ti o n f o rh er These .

four Cl a sp J a d e P ea rl an d Mu sk c a st o ut t hei r n e t s a n d set t h ei r

, , , , ,

m ali c i ou s sn a res an d fool an d b ewi t ch all w h o com e w i th i n th ei r r an g e ”

.

H av i n g wr i t ten these p a ssa ge s from h i s hea r t P a o Y u flun g a si d e ,

he sa w the
m a i d P ea rl ly i n g a t h i s si d e fully clo th e d o n t o p o f th e
, ,

b edclo th es He g av e her a pu sh
.
.

“
Li e down prop erly i n t h e b e d! You W l ll c a t c h cold l i ke tha t ” h e
,

sa i d t o h er He h a d lo n g a o forgo t t en th e i t tl e qu a rre l
.
g l o f y es t e rd a y ,

b ut sh e h a d n ot W h e n sh e r em a i n e d s i len t h e st re t che d o u t h i s h a n d
.
,

an d t r i e d t o pull o ff h er j a ck et B u t h e h a
d s c a rc e ly un do n e t h e firs t
.

bu t t o n when she pushed b a ck h i s h a n d a nd b ut t o n e d h er j a cket a g ai n .

He gr a s pe d her h an d an d a s k e d k i n dly : “ Wh at i s t h e m att e r w i th o u ? ”

y
She looked a t h i m a s t o n i sh ed “ T he r e i s n o t hi n g a t all wr on g w i th
.
’

m e b ut I would a dv i se you t o go ove r qu i ckly t o yo ui morn i n g t o i let

,
,
”
or l you w i ll a rr i v e t oo l a t e
e se .

“ ”
O ve r w h e r e ?
wa rd crea t ure li ke m e w ho st up i dly m i su ses b ea ut i ful flower n am es
,
.

“ ? ”
C a n yo u n o t forg et a bout y este rd a y th en ,

N ever ! No t i f I w ere t o li ve fo r a h un dr e d y ea rs ! I am c e rta i n ly

n o t li ke yo u p a st w h o se ea r a ll w ell m ea n t word s a re blown a w a y by
,
-

th e w i n d un h ea rd an d w h o do es n ot kn ow th e n ex t morn i n g w h a t h a s
,
”
b een sa i d the n i gh t b e fore .

P a o Y u se i z e d a j a d e h a i r cl a s p w h i c h h a d s l i d down n ear th e p i ll ow ,

d flun g i t so vi ol en tly t o th e gr o un d th at i t broke .

”
M ay th a t h a pp en t o m e t oo i f I do n o t li s ten t o yo u in th e fu t ure ! .

h e sa i d w i th emph a sis .

“ ”
B e tt e r n o t t o sw e a r ! sa i d P ea rl l a ughi n g B esi d es yo u do n o t
, .
,
”
r ea lly m ean i t .

“ ”
If yo u kn ew h ow he a vy my he a rt i s !
Wh a t do yo u kn ow a bout gri e f a n yw a y ? Y o u would h a ve t o look
,
”
i n t o my h ea rt to kn ow th a t B ut en oug h o f th i s It s t i m e t o get up
’
. . .

Pa o Y u go t up an d dre ss ed hi m se lf T hi s t im e h e di d n o t go ov e r .

t o Bla ck J a d e an d L i t tl e Cl o u d b ut r em a i n e d qu i et ly wi th P ea rl a n d le t
h er do h i s h a i r S h ort ly a f te r h e h a d go n e t o t a k e brea kfas t wi th h i s
.

gr a n dmo t he r a s u s u a l Bl a ck J a d e c a m e i n t o h i s room Full o f curi o si t y

,
.
,

sh e r an sa ck e d h i s wr i t i n g t a ble T h e r e sh e fo un d t h e book o f C h u a n g
.

Tzu ly i n g ope n an d b esi d e i t the s uppl em en t a ry compo si t i o n wri tte n i n

P a o Y u s o w n h an d She di d n o t r ea lly kn ow w h e t h e r t o l a ugh a t h i s
’
.

ou t pour in gs o r t o b e a n gry A t an y r a te she t ook th e wri t i n g bru sh

.
,

a n d wr o t e t h e fo llowi n g s a t i ri c a l v e r se a s furt h er s uppl em en t un d er h i s ,

eff us i o n

W h o i s t he
clum sy fo ol t h a t d a res t o pr a tt l e
A n d n i bbl e at th e words of M a st e r C h II a n g Tzu ?
Le t h i m a t ten d t o h i s o w n bu si n ess
A n d kee p h i s h a n ds o ff t he a ff a i rs of o th er s .

Ph o e n i x 5 l i tt l e d a ugh te r w a s i ll w i th sm a llpox a n d t h e doc t or h a d ,

ord ere d th e u s u a l pre c a u t i o n s t o b e t a ken P h o en i x a n d h er h u sb a n d .

C h i a Li en h a d t o ev a cu a t e t he i r h ou se t empor a ri ly o n a ccoun t of t he
d a n g e r o f i n fe c ti o n an d li v e se p a r a tely C h i a Li en i n th e ou t er l i br a ry
, ,

a n d P h o en i x wi t h h er a un t M a d am e C h en g The dw e ll i n g w a s s w e pt
, .

o u t a n d fum i g a t e d i n a ccord a n c e wi t h t h e pr e s cr i b e d formul a a n a l t a r ,

w a s e r ec t e d t o th e godd es s o f s m a llpox a n d P h o e n i x d e vou t ly o ff e r e d

,

s acr i fic e a n d pr a y e d b e for e i t e v er y da y Ev e ry th i n g ro a s te d or b a ke d
.

wa s b a n i sh ed fr om th e ki t ch en of the Y un gk uo h ou seh old duri n g the

d a y s of t h e i lln e ss Th e n u rse an d t h e m ai ds w h o h a d t o a tt e n d t o t he
.

e w d a rk re d ga rm en ts T w o doc t ors t ook .

p ati en t an d we r e no t a llow e d t o lea ve th e

16 1
 The te mpor a ry of m a ri t a l r el at i on s w as a h a rd t ri a l fo r
i n t e rrupt i o n
C h i a Li en a n d h e fou n d t h e lo n eli n ess o f h i s sl eep i n g qu a rt er s i n th e
, ‘

ou t er l i br a ry s o Oppressi v e th at by th e th i rd da y h e w a s a lr ea dy looki n g
a rou n d for s om e comp en s a t i o n Th e comp an y of a f ew n i c e youn g
.

s e rv i n g boy s di d n o t s a t i sfy h i m for lo n g Then h i s e y es fell o n th e

.

w i fe of th e cook To Ku an Th i s wom a n w h o w a s b a re ly t w en t y w as
.
, ,

full of volupt uou s ch a rm an d h a v i n g b een m a rri e d o ff by h er p a r en ts

,

t o a dru n ken blockh e a d w h om sh e di d n o t lov e sh e m a d e i t a pr a c t i c e ,

’

t o comp e n s a t e h e r s elf for th i s as w e ll a s sh e co ul d b eh i n d h i s b a ck T h e .

cook n o lon ger bo t h er e d a bou t h er do i n gs ; h e on ly c a r e d for mon e y a n d

good food a n d dri n k an d it w a s h i s h a b i t t o th row h i ms e lf o n h i s b e d
,

qu i te e a rly i n t h e even i n g t o sl eep o ff h is u s u a l t i p si n e ss So i t w a s e asy .

for h i s w i fe t o p i ck flow er s by th e w a y si d e or en j oy secret fru i t s a n d ,

t h e r e w a s s c a rc e ly a m an e i th e r i n th e w e st e r n or i n t h e ea st e rn pa l a c e
w h o h a d n o t en j oy e d he r f a vor s a t o n e t i m e or a n o t h e r .

C hi a L i en s mou th t o o h a d lon g b een w a t e r i n g for th i s j u i cy pe a ch b ut

’
,

fea r of Ph o en i k h a d r est r a i n e d h i m up t o n ow Un der t h e presen t ci r .

cu m s t an ces h ow ev er h e ut a si d e a ll h i s qu a lm s a n d a s th e wom a n
, p , , ,

moreove r w a s en coura gi n g h i m by o st en t at i ou s ly st ru tt i n g about i n

,

fro n t of t h e w i n dows of h i s qu a rt ers h e e a s i ly a rr a n ge d for a fir st m eet i n g

,

w i th h er O n e ev en i n g wh en th e cook w a s a g a i n ly i n g o n th e k an g
.

h elpl essly dru n k a n d s n or i n g h e sl i pp e d i n t o h e r room H er prox i m i t y

, .

w a s s uffi c i e n t t o m a ke h i m i mm e d i a t e ly lo se compl e t e Co n t rol a n d n o ,

prel i m i n a ry a morou s d e cl a r a t i o n or ski rm i sh i n g a bou t w a s n e c essa ry ,

s t r a i g h t a w a y t h e y u n dr ess e d a n d l a dow n s i d e by s i d e W i t h k een

y .

del i gh t h e rel i sh e d h er o ft t r i e d a rts of love wh i ch h a d a lr ea dy m a d e

-

,
’
m a n y a m a n s bo n es a n d n e rv es s oft a s w a x H e fe l t i n h er a rm s as i f
'

h e w e re b e dd ed i n co t t o n wool a n d rev ell e d i n th e un i on of t h e i r

-

bod i es .

”
You are a real v il l a i n ! sh e r em a rke d l a ugh i n g a s th e y l a y th er e ,
.

Your ch i ld i s i ll your w i fe i s pr a y i n g t o th e godd ess o f sm a llpox

'

, ,

and o u sh ould b e mor t i fy i n g your se lf i n v i rt uo u s s ol i t ud e B e o ff a t

o nc e y
.

’
.

“ ”
You a re my godd ess ! Wh a t do I w a n t w i t h o th e r godd esses h e ?

s t a mm e r e d co n t i n u i n h i s d evou t ex e rc i se Af t e r t h i s fir st t i m e h e c a m e
,
g .

t o h e r d a i ly a n d w a s a lmo s t s orry wh en a ft e r t w e l ve d a y s th e ch i ld
, ,

w a s we ll a g a i n a n d th e wor s i p of t h e godd e ss as h e un d e rst ood i t w a s

h , ,

a t a n e n d T h e a l t a r a n d t h e st a t u e of t h e godd e ss o f sm a llpox w e re
.

t a k en dow n a n d i n t h e i r pl a ce a s ol e m n c e r emon i a l t h a n ks gi vi n g sa cr i
fi ce w a s o ff ere d t o h e a ve n a n d t o t h e a n c es t ors by t h e a sse mb l e d f am e

i ly A n d P h o en i x a n d Ch i a L i en r et urn e d t o t h ei r commo n h om e
.
.

T he m a i d L i ttl e P i n g w a s pu tt in g C h i a L i en s clo t h n g a n d b ed ’
i
h n e n b a ck i n t h ei r pl a c e a g a in wh en sh e d i s cov e re d b et ween th e i l
, p

1 62
 Well v I c d my p r w ll ? Y o u sh ould b e v ery gr a t e ful t o
ha e,
a t e a t e
”
m e s h e s a i d t o h im
,
.

”
“
My hea rt ! My l i ver ! My l i tt l e m eat b all ! h e fl a tt e r e d h er em ,

bra c i n g her t en derly Li tt l e P i n g h a d a g a i n produc e d th e t ellt a l e st r an d

.

o f h a i r a n d swun g i t gl ee fully i n h i s f a c e .

”
Look wi th t hi s I h ave you fetter e d f o r li fe ! she cri e d exult a n t ly
,
.

If e ve r you are n o t n i ce t o m e I ca n go t o your wi fe an d b etr a y ,

”
you .

B ut wi th a s udden gra b h e h a d sn at ch e d a t h er w a vi n g h an d an d
t orn t h e boo t y fr om h er .

“
The thi n g i s sa fe r wi th me A t b est yo u w i ll do so m e m i s ch i ef wi th
.
,
”
i t he s a i d l a ug hi n g a n d s t uff e d th e st r an d i n t o th e le g o f h i s boo t
,
.

” “
F i e l Y o u a re v ery rude ! sh e pou t e d d i scon c e r t e d Y o u a re ,
.

h a rdly sa fely a cro ss t h e st rea m wh en you br ea k down th e b ri dg e B ut .

”
do n o t i m agi n e th at I w i ll t ell l i e s for you a g a i n ! W i th t h i s sh e di sen
ga g e d herself from hi s t en d er embr a c e a n d sl i pp e d o ut o f th e room .

“
Such a h u ssy ; fir st you ent i c e an d t hen wh en th e fi re i s ali gh t yo u
, , ,

r un o fI h e c a ll e d a fter h er .

“ ”
W h o t old yo u t o get o n fi re ? sh e c a ll e d b a ck t h rough t h e wi n dow ,

l a ugh i n g Yo u do n o t i m a gi n e t h a t I could b elon g t o y o u ? Y our w

“
. i fe
”
would cer ta i n ly h a ve i t i n for m e i f sh e go t t o kn ow o f i t .

“
O h sh e ! Y o u n ee d n o t b e a fr a i d of h er Som et i m e I ll sh a tt e r th a t ’
, .

v i ne ga r po t i n pi eces ! S h e ll l ea rn t o kn ow m e w i th h er d a mn e d
’
,

j ea lou sy ! I v e b een t i re d o f th i s t e d i ous spy i ng f o r a lo n g t i me p ast

’
.

She w a t c hes m e a s if I w ere a th i e f If sh e h a d h er w a y I d o n ly 8 8 .

,
’
?

soc i a t e w i th m en a n d n ev er s p ea k t o an
y fem a l e Ev en t h e v e ry prox .

i m i t y of a wom a n a rou s e s her s us p i c i o n Sh e on th e o th e r h an d en jo y s

'

.
, ,

hers elf fr ee ly a n d un a sh am e dly w i th bro th e rs in la w a n d cou s i n s a n d - -

”
n e ph e ws B ut j u s t w a i t I w i ll b a ck !
“
.
p a,y h e r

She h a s eve ry re aso n t o m i st ru st you b ut you o n your p a r t h a ve ,

n o r e a s o n t o b e j ea lou s Sh e i s t h e b est a n d mo st f a i th ful m a rri e d

.

wom l v ga n i i n B u t you are a d e pr a v ed scoun drel an d vi ll a i n

.
”
.

“
A h a yo u h a ve bo th co n sp i r e d ag a i n st m e B u t j u st w a i t I w i ll h a v e
, .
,

an Opport u i t y so m e d a y o f st opp i n g your s l a n d erou s t o n gu es l”

n
Th e a ppro a ch of Ph o en i x st opp e d a n furt h e r a bu se Wh en sh e
y .

n o t i c e d t he m a i d Li tt l e Pi n g co n v e rsi n g w i th h i m a t t h e w i n dow
, , ,

sh e sa i d t o h er t e a s i n gly :
“
If you w a n t s om eth i n g from h i m pl e ase ,

a rr a n g e i t i n si d e ! W h do yo u t a lk w i th h i m t h rough t h e w i n dow ? ”
“
y
T ha t s r i gh t She b eh a ves a s i f t he re w er e a t i ge r i n h e re w h o w a n t e d
’
.

”
t o e a t h er i n terj e c t ed Ch i a Li e n: l a ugh i n g
, .
“
T rh e e i s n o o n e i n t h er e b u t h i m s elf
”
r em a rke d L i tt l e P i n g sh a rply
, .
,

Oh b ut th a t s a ll t he b e t t e r ” co n t i n u e d P h o en i x i ro n i c a lly
,
’

All t h e b e t er for wh om a ske d L i t tl e P i n g i rr i t a t e d

t ? ”
, .

1 64
 ”
Fo r you o f course ! ,

You would do b etter n o t t o forc e m e t o sp ea k Fo r i f yo u do all

.
. ,

ki n d s of n i c e th i n gs mi gh t com e t o li gh t t h e m a i d re pl i e d in an in ,

j ur e d t on e t urn i n g h er b a ck on h er m i st r e ss w i th out dr a w i n g a si d e t he
,

cur ta i n for h er Ph o en i x r a i s ed th e cur t a i n h e rself a n d wen t i n t o the

.

ro o rr
“
Th e crea t ur e seem s t o h a ve gon e cr a zy sh e r em a rke d a n gril y t o ,

“
h er h u sb an d B ut i f sh e sh o ul d t a ke i t i n t o h er h ea d t o w a n t t o get
.

t h e b e tt e r of m e I would l i ke t o a dv i se yo u als o t o s a v e your s ki n

,
.

C hi a Li en t h r e w hi m self full len gt h o n th e d i v an an d cl a ppe d h i s

h an d s wi th plea s ur e .

“ ”
?
Wh at Is sh e r ea lly so d an gerou s ? h e excl a i m e d l a ugh i n g If , .

”
th a t i s so I must look a t h er wi t h qui t e d i ff e r en t ey es i n fu t ure
,
.

“
O f course you a re t o bl a m e ! You mu st h a ve en cour a g e d h er sai d ,
“ ”
Ph o en i x seve r ely T a ke c a r e th at I do n o t set t l e a ccoun ts w i th yo u !
.

“
H a t h en I h a d b ett er b e o ff
,

S t op ! S ta y he re ! I h a v e s om eth i n g else t o s pe a k t o yo u a bout .

Wh a t sh e h a d t o sp ea k t o h im a bout wi ll b e r ev ea l e d i n th e n ext
ch a p t e r .

C H A P T ER 18

Pa o Yu fa lls o ut w i th t w o o f h is cou si ns a t th e sa m e t i m e T wo lo v ers.

“
te as e one a n o th e r w i th q u o ta t i o n s fro m Th e Play of th e Wes t ern-

”
P a v ili o n
.

C HI A L IEN R E M A INED ST A NDING .

“ ? ”
Well
“
The w y fi rst wi ll b e Co u si n Pre c i ou s Cl a sp s b i rth d a y H o w
t en t
’
'
-

”
sh a ll w e c e l ebr a t e i t ?
“
Y o u mu s t s ur ely kn o w th a t b est your se lf Y o u h a v e h a d suffi c i en t .

”
exp e ri en c e i n c el ebr a t i n g b i r th d a y s .

“
Y es th o s e of grown up p e opl e ; th e r e a r e d e fin i t e rul es ab ou t th o se
,
-

B u t o n e c an n o t yet coun t Cou si n Pr ec i ous Cla s p as a n a dult a n d ,

n ei t he r i s sh e a c h i ld Th at i s t h e t roubl e ” .
.

“ ’
It s qu i t e si mpl e W e ca n c el ebr a t e h er b i rt h da y j us t a s Bl a ck J a d e s
.
’

w a s c el ebr a t e d l a st y ea r ” .

“
O f cour se I h a d a lr ea dy th o ugh t o f th a t B ut i t won t do fo r wh en .
’
,

m
Gr an d o th e r r ec en tly i n qu i re d th e a ge s o f h er v a ri ou s gr a n dc h i ldren
w e re alIze d t h at Pr e c i ous Cl a s p is n o w fifte en so sh e i s m a rri a g e abl e
,

, .

Gr an dmo t he r t hi n ks th a t w e sh ould p a y s pec i al a tt en ti on t o t he i m

”
port a n c e o f th i s da y .

1 66
t a i n ed an d g av e ea ch of th em a th ous an d -
pi ece st r in g o f mon ey a s an

e x tra f ee .

“
Do es lde r o n e in h i s fem a l e a tt i re rese mbl e a ce rt a in p er
n o t t he e , ,

? ”
so n w e all kn ow r em a rke d P h o en i x .

Pr ec i o us Cla sp un d er st ood a t o n c e wh om sh e m ean t ; she di d n ot

m en t i o n a n a m e h owev e r b ut j u st n odd e d h er h e a d P a o Y u followe d
, ,
.
_

h er ex ampl e B ut Cou si n L i ttl e Cloud could n o t r e fr a i n from b ur s tin g

.

o ut i n h er i mp et uou s w a y : W h y of cours e h e i s l i k e S i st er Bl a ck , ,
”
J a de !
T h e w arn i n g s i d elo n g gl an c e wh i c h P a o Y u sh o t a t h er c a m e t oo
,

l a te Eve ryon e n i ced n ow ; a ll scrut i n iz e d Bl a ck J a d e an d a gr ee d

. , .

“
a m i d l a ug h t er : Y es i n d ee d th e y are so muc h a li ke o n e could m i s
, ,
.

”
t a ke th em for o n e an o th er !

Wh en Pa o Y u w a s go i n g t o b ed th a t n i gh t he h ea rd Li tt l e Cloud i n
th e n ex t room ord e ri n g h er m a i d t o p a ck h er t h i n g s a n d s a y i n g i n re ,
“
ply t o th e m a i d s a st o n i sh e d qu est i o n : Y es I a m go i n g a w a y ea rly in
’

th e m orn i n g I do n o t w i sh t o sta y h er e a n y lo n g e r Th i s ev erl a st i n g

. .

cri ti ci z i n g an d w at ch i n g of e v e ry word a n d e v e ry look do es n o t s u i t

”
me .

Pa o Y u cro ss t o h er room
ra n a .

“
D ea r l i t t le si st e r you a re un j u st ly a n gry h e sa i d t ry i n g t o pl a c a t e
, , ,
“
h er Bl a ck J a d e i s s o t e rr i bly sen si t i v e an d t h a t i s w hy I t ri e d t o w a rn
.
,

you by a look n o t t o m en t i o n her n a m e ; I w as a fr a i d sh e would t a ke

o ff ense a t b ei n g comp a re d t o a n a ct or I m ea n t i t w ell a n d yo u n e e d n o t .

b e so an gry w i th m e o n a ccou n t of i t If i t w a s abou t a n o n e e ls e

y .
,

“ ” “
h
’
T a t s e n oug h ! L i tt l e Cloud i n te rrup t e d Sp a r e
m e your flow ery words ! Wh at a m I b e si d e your cou s i n Bl a ck J a d e ? A n
ord i n a ry gi rl b esi d e a hi gh b o m l a dy i sn t t h a t so ? O th e r s m a y m a ke
-

,
’

”
r m rk bou h r b ut I d a r e n o t If I op en my mou th i t s a cr i m e
e a s a t e , .
,
’
.

“
If I ha ve eve r th ought of sl i gh t i n g you i n t h e le a st m a y I b e t urn e d ,

i n st a n tly i n t o th e d i r t of th e ro a d o n w h i c h e v e ryo n e m a trampl e ! ”

'

,y
pro test e d Pa o Y u i n d i sm a y .

“
M a ke th o se flowery sp ee c hes t o i n fer i or p e opl e o f your ow n ki n d -

w ho i n th ei r i nsen si t i v en es s kn ow n ob et t e r t h a n t o r i d i cul e a n d m
,

,
, o ck
th e i r fellow b ei n g s b ut s p a r e m e your commo n s t r e et j a rgo n an d do
,
“

n o t provoke m e t o sp i t o u t b e for e you ! ” r e pl e d L

i i t t l e Cloud fur i ous ly
a s sh e ra n o ut of th e room t o t h
e a p a r tme n t s of t h e Pr i n c e s s A n c est r e ss ,

whe r e sh e s pen t the n i ght .

Pa o Y u w h o h a d run a f te r h er In v a i n t urn e d b a ck muc h d ej e c t e d

, .
,

He w as lo n g i n g for Bla ck J a d e s comp a n y b u t sc a rc ely h a d h e s e t f o o t

’

; <
in her room th a n Bl a ck J a de pu sh e d h im o ut a n d sh u t h e o oi ehi n d '

t d b
hi m Pa o Y u w a s pe rpl ex e d
.
. '

l I .
‘
I i '

1 68
 ”
D ea res t best M e i m e i ! he c a ll ed w i th g en t le en tr eaty thr ough th e
,

d oo r t o her .

B ut Bl a ck J a d e r em a i n e d si l ent an d i n vi si b le Pao Y u h un g h i s h ea d .

a n d sa n k i n t o sa d th ough ts A s th ere w a s n o s oun d f o r a lo n g t i m e

. ,

Bl a ck J a d e th i n kin g h e h a d go n e to hi s room open e d th e doo r T h en

, ,
.

sh e s a w hi m sti ll st and i n g th er e li ke a po or si nn e r No w sh e ha d p i t y o n .

hi m an d let hi m i n .

Wi ll yo u n o t a t l east e ll m e w hy yo u are he b eg a n
t
he si tan t ly .

Sh e g a v e a sh ort dry l a ug h , .

Y o u a sk t h a t ? I sh ould t a ke i t qui et ly wh en I a m com pa re d wi t h a

? ”
com e d i an an d m a d e ri d i culous b e fore th e wh ole comp an y
“
B ut I di d n o t m a ke suc h a comp a ri so n n e i th e r di d I la ugh a t yo u ,
.

No b ut your se cr et e xc h an g e o f gl an c es wi th L i t t le Cloud h urt m e

,

e ven mor e I kn ow w e ll w h a t u m e an t by i t th a t yo u thi n k more o f

.
y o ,

Li tt le Cloud th an o f m e th a t she gi ves up s om e t in g a n d low e rs h e rself

,
h
wh en sh e a ss oc i at es w i th m e N a t ur a lly sh e i s a h i gh born la dy a
.
, ,

coun t s d a ugh t e r an d I a m o n ly an ord i na ry g i rl o f the peO p le ! Is n o t

’
,

t ha t w h a t you m e an t ? It s a p i t y th at w i th your good i n t en ti o n s y o u

’

h a v e found so li tt l e rec i proc a l lov e from h er an d h a v e t o b e re pro a c h e d

by h er f o r go i n g a bou t wi th a n i n fe ri or pe rs o n li ke m e w h o i n h er , ,

i n sen si t i v en ess kn ow s n o b et te r th an t o r i d i cul e a n d mock h er fe llow

,

b ei n gs ! I r ea lly do no t un d ersta n d your a n x i ou s co n si d e r a ti o n for h er .

S h e c e rt a i n ly do es n o t th an k yo u for i t
’
.

P a o Y u un d e rst ood th a t sh e h a d b e en li s ten i n g j us t n o w t o hi s a rgu

m en t wi th Li tt l e C loud .

Th a t i s wh a t I get fo r my good i n t en t i o n o f t ry in g t o pl a y th e p a rt
o f m e d i a t or b et w e en th e m ! h e th oug h t t o h im s elf b i tt e rly No w I h a v e .

f a ll en foul of bo th o f th em a n d h a v e t o p ut up w i th r e pro a ch es from

,
“
bo th si d es T h e w i se C h u an g Tzu w a s ri gh t when h e sa i d : W hy so
.

much ac t i vi t y ? It o n ly g i v es o n e worry Wh y t roubl e a bout all s or ts o f .

th in g s ? On e i s o n ly a n n oy e d by th e m H o w s pl e n d i d o n t h e o t h e r h a n d
.
, ,

on ly t o c a reab out o n e s o wn mod es t n e c es si t i e s o f l i fe a n d so flo a t o n

’
,
'
” ’
th e w a ves fr ee an d a lo n e a s a b o a t a dr i ft ! How u sel ess i s my st r i v i n g
a n d t roubl e ! I do n ot e v en s ucc e e d I n br i n gi n g a bou t r e con c i l i a t i o n a n d

h a rmon y b etw ee n tw o gi r ls ! W hy sh ould I se t my s e lf h i g h e r a i m s

?

S un k In th ough t he t urn e d a w a y from Bl a ck J a d e t o go b a ck t o h i s

,

r oom .

“
Go a wa y ! Y o u n ee d n o t com e b a ck a g a i n an d yo u n ee d n o t s pe a k
”
to m e a n y more sh e c a lle d a f t e r h i m
, .

W i th ou t ta ki n g an y more n ot i ce o f h er h e sl i ppe d b a ck t o hi s roo m

a n d thr e w hi t ti se lf o n th e b e d wi th a s i g h P ear l s vo i ce s t a rt l e d hi m o
’
. ut

o f h i s broo di n g . s

1 69
 W e sha ll prob ably mor e t hea tri c a l p e rform an c es i n th e n ext few
se e

d a y s for M i ss Prec i ou s Cl a sp i s s ur e t o m ak e th e b est o f h er O ppo rt u

,
”
n i ty sh e r em a rk e d t ry i n g t o d i s t r a c t hi m
t
.
, ,
“
It s all th e sam e t o m e h e r e pl i e d brus qu ely
’
.
, ,

H o w i s th a t ? In th i s h a ppy New Yea r sea s o n ev e ryo n e i s m erry an d

”
i n good sp i ri ts W h y are you a lo n e o ut o f h umor
.
?
“
Wh a t i s i t t o m e i f th e oth e rs are en j oy i n g th e mse lv es ?
Y o u sh ould get o n b ett er wi th th em ; th en yo u a ls o would en j oy
”
yourse lf .

“
Wh a t have I t o do wi th th e o th ers ? Aft e r a ll I a m a lo ne qu i t e , ,
”
al o n e No o n e w a n ts m e
. .

Tea r s c a m e t o h i s e y es an d he g a ve a lo ud so b Then h e go t up w en t .
,
’

to the wri t i n g t a bl e t ook h i s bru sh a n d worke d o ff h i s i ll h umor by

, ,
-

wri ti n g a st a nz a full o f t h e wea rin ess o f li fe an d Budd h i st r en un c i a

t i on o f th e world H a vi n g do n e t hi s h e fe l t mor e fr ee / a n d r e li e v ed a n d
.
, ,

lay do w n pea c efully t o sl ee p .

A l i tt l e l a te r Bl a ck J a d e s li pp e d i n t o h i s room full o f curi o si ty un d er ,

th e pr et ex t of look i n g for P e a rl .

“ ”
He s a lr ea dy a sl eep
’
P ea rl i n t i m a t e d t o her qu i e tly H er e r ea d
, . ,

t h i s ! He h a s j u st wr i tt en i t .

Bla ck J a d e sc an n ed t he p a ge o f wr i t i n g Sh e w a s a mu se d a t th e con .

ten t s b u t a t th e sa m e t i m e fe l t s orry f or t h e b o
y
“
It s o n ly a l i tt l e fool e ry a n d m ean s n o th i n g sh e s a i d wi th a pp a r en t
’

i n d i ff eren c e b ut sh e could n o t re fr ai n from t a k i n g t h e sh eet o f p a pe r

,

a w a y wi th h er a n d g i vi n g i t t o L i tt l e Clo u d a n d t h e n ex t morn i n g t o
Prec i ou s Cl a sp t o r ea d .

Do wh a t you w an t t o ! Come go a s you pl eas e ! , ,

Weep ! Laugh ! It s all th e s ame t o m e ’

.

h
W at do I c a re a bou t t h e world ! ”

Th r ea d th e s t an a ,z th e fi rs t p ar t f whi ch wr i tt en i n th e Su tr a
p
s o w as
s t y e.
“
Oh Cous i n P a o Y u w a nts t o j o i n th e s a in ts a n d r en oun c e th e
,
”
world ! the t hree o f t h em cr i e d looki n g a t ea ch o t h er w i th e mb a r , .

r ass ed sm i l es E a c h o f th e m fe l t a l i t tl
.
e b i t gu i l t y .

“
Com e l e t us go t o h i m t ogeth e r an d br i n g hi m t o r ea s o n ! sug
,
”

geste d Bl a ck J a de A n d th e t hr e e o f t h em set o ff t og et h e r t o th e C h a m
.

b er of th e Fr a gr a n c e of Cul t ur e Bl a ck J a d e dr e w h i s a tten t i o n t o th e
'

fa ct th a t hi s Budd hi st st a nz a w a s i n compl et e a n d sh e a dd e d th e mi ssi n g ,

co clusi v e po i n t ; a n d Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p m en t i o n e d th e c ase o f a w ell

n

knp w n Buddh i s t sec ta ri an w h o ha d resi g n e d t h e l ea d e rsh i p o f hi s se c t

i n f a v o r o f his cook wh en th e l a t t e r ut h im t o sh a m e by the corre c t
0 p ,

cn t i ci sm o f a s i
m i l a rly d e fec t i ve st a nz a w h i ch h e h a d compose d P a o .

1 70
hi m ,
yi n g th at h e h a d n o th in g t o fea r an d th a t hi s fath er prob ably
sa ,

on ly wi she d t o g i ve hi m som e i n st ruc t i o n s o n good b eha vi or b efore h e

le ft for the fut ure dwellin g Accomp a n i e d by two wort h y m atr o n s w h o
. ,

h a d t o a ct as p ersona l gu a rd s Pa o Y u set o u t o n th e drea d e d j ourn e y

, ,

b ut h e wen t so slowly a nd un wi ll i n gly th at h e h a rdly progress e d three

i n ches w i th ev ery step A t l a st v e ry h e s i t a n t ly h e en t e r e d th e p a ren ta l
.
, ,

p a vi li o n How un pl ea sa n t we r e th o se h a lf cur i ou s h a lf mocki n g gl an c e s

.
-

,
-

whi ch m et h i m as h e w alke d thr ough t h e row s o f se rv an ts in fro n t o f th e

en t r an c e A m a i d n a m e d Gold en B a n gl e w a s a c t u a lly so i mpud en t as t o
.

“
pluck h i s sl eev e a s h e p a sse d by a n d wh i sp e r : Now wh at abou t i t ? ,

Would yo u n o t l i ke t o l i ck th e roug e from my li p s ? It i s qu i t e fresh

”
an d h a s a p erfum e .

W here upon an old er m a i d n am e d Bri ght Cloud g a v e h er a pu sh a n d

“
sai d re ro v in l z Ill m a n n ere d cr ea t ur e ! Y o u see th a t h e i s n o t in a
p gy
-

'

mood for s uch j ests j u st n o w ! B e o ff

I n si d e P a o Y u foun d h i s fa th e r an d mot h e r si tt in g Op po si te e a ch
,

ot her o n th e d i va n en ga g e d i n con v er sa t i on T h e th r ee Spr i n g gi rls .

,

an d t he yo un g e r bro t h e r C h i a Hu a n t h e so n o f a se co n d a ry w i f e o f h i s
,

fa th er w ere si tti n g a t th e i r feet o n low st ool s T he youn ger r el a ti o n s

, .
,

T a st e of Spri n g Gr i e f of Spri n g an d C hi a Hu a n st ood up a s Pa o Y u

, , ,

en t er e d Mr C h en g s cru t i n i z e d th e n e wcom e r sh a rply t h en h i s gl a n c e

. .
,

w a n d e r e d ov e r t o t he o th er so n a n d h e comp a r e d t h e m How f a vor a bly

, .

P a o Y u s pr e po ss essi n g cul t i v a t e d a pp ea r a n c e comp a r e d w i th th e t h i ck

’

se t co a r se a pp ea r a n c e of t h e b a st a rd ! Mr C h en g w en t o n to r e fl e c t th a t
, .

h i s h a i r w as a lr ea dy b e g i n n i n g t o t ur n gr a y a n d tha t h e could sc a rc e ly
,

h o e t o h a ve a n o t h e r a n d b ett er off s pr i n g than P a o Y u N i n e t en t h s o f

p
-
.

th e a v e rs i o n whi ch h e u s u a lly fe l t t ow a rd s P ao Y u v an i sh e d as a r es ul t
o f t hi s si l en t r e fl ec t i o n a n d h e s ou n d e d mor e g en t l e th a n u s u a l wh en
,
“
he sa i d : Her Imp eri a l H i gh n ess h a s d ei g n e d t o g i v e ord e rs th a t o u
y
a re t o co n t i n u e your s t ud i e s i n fu t ur e i n t h e comp a n y
, o f your s i st e r s
a n d cou s i n s i n t h e P a rk of D el i gh t ful V i si o n
, B ut sh e des i res you t o .

pul l your self tog eth er a n d st udy ser i ou sly i n st e a d o f lo a fi ng a roun d So .

n o w comply w i th t h i s or d e r a n d b e on your gu a rd ”
, !
Pa o Y u m a n a g e d t o murmur a h urr i e d sh i h — e s th e re follow e d a
y ;
sh ort co n v e r sa t i o n b etw een mo t h e r a n
d s o n co n ce rn i n g h i s h e a l t h th en ,
“
a gr uff W h y i s th a t cre at ur e th a t pl a gu e o f my l i fe sti ll s ta n d in g
, ,
”
th er e ?
s c a r e d h i m qu i ckly ou t si d e t h e door Now look i n g h a ppy . he ,

ran n i mbly t h roug h t h e l i n es o f s e rv a n t s i n t h e a n te rdo m c hee kil y ,

st i cki n g o ut h i s t o n gu e a t th e m a i d Gold
en B an gl e as he p asse d .

C h i a C hen g fixe d th e t w en t y se co n d of th e mon th as th e mo s t su i ta bl e

-

da y for th e mov e M ea n t i m e th e v a r i ou s bu i ld in gs w h i c h h a d b een as

.

si n e
g d as dwell i n g s h a d b e en p ut i n h ab i ta bl e ord er P a o Y u an d Bl ack .

J a d e m a n a ge d to a rra n ge for t h ei r qu a rt er s t o b e qu i te n ea r o n e an

1 72
o th er Th ey. ea ch l i ve d on thei r ow n , an d b esi d es th e m ai ds wh om they
ha d h a d up t o n o w ea c h h a d t w o eld erly c h a pe ron s t o s upe rv i se th e m
'

an d four m a i d s for t h e roug h work o f t h e h ou s e .

Th u s o n t he t we n t y se co n d o f th e mo n t h l i fe a n d youth en t ere d th e
,
-

hi the rt o d es ol a t e p a rk an d th e colorful flow er b e ds an d th e wi llow

, .

l eav es w a vi n g i n t he z e p hyr br eez es could n o lon g er b e sa d a n d com

pl a in o f lon e l i n e ss The c h a n g e of dwell in g seem e d t o a l te r P a o Y u s
.
’

wh ol e pe rs o n a li t y Hi s d ej ec t i on v an i she d a n d g a ve pl a c e t o m e rf y
.
'

s p i ri ts From n ow on he p a sse d h i s d a y s wi th the g i rl s re a d i n g an d

.
,

wr i t i n g st r umm in g t he lu te o r pl a y i n g ch ess , p a i n t i n g o r r e c i t in g ve r se
, ,

w hi l e t he g i rls e mbro i d e re d th ei r p h o en i x p a tte rn s i n du st ri o usly ,

plucke d flowe rs a n d i d e n ti fi e d pl ant s, a mu se d th e ms elves pl a y i n g di c e

a n d o t h e r dr a wi n g room g a m es , a n d sa n g s o n s i n t h ei r g e n t l e vo i c e s
-

g .

He w as completely h a ppy an d h a d n e v e r b e for e b een i n s uch a good

mood fo r wri t i n g po e t ry M a n y o f h i s v e rs es an d st a nz a s t h ough n o t
.
,

pe rh a ps sh ow in g ex t r a ordi n a ry t a l en t b ut r e pl ete w i t h feel i n g a n d keen

,
“ ”
ob serv a t i o n o f n a t ur e a s for in st an c e h i s Son gs o f th e Four Se a so n s
, , , ,

foun d th e i r w a y t o th e publ i c Fo r th ere w a s n o l a ck o f fl a tt erers a n d

.

S po n g ers ea ge r to w i n h is fa vor w h o fe lt obl i ged t o n o i se a bro a d i n th e

,

s t r eets a n d m ar k et pl a c e s t h e f a m e o f th e d i st i n gui sh e d fourt ee n y ea r -

o l d b o y po et o f t h e Y un gk uo p a l a c e a n d t o d i s pl a y cop i e s o f h i s
,

po e ms It b e c a m e th e fa shi on a mo n g th e ga y youn g set t o d e cor a t e fa n s

.

a n d w a ll s o f room s wi th th e l a t es t s oulful ou t pouri n g s from t h e b ru sh -

of th e c e l ebr a t e d P a o Y u ; i t w a s co n si d e re d i nt ell e c t u a l t o rec i t e h i s

l a t est po em s a t s oc i a l fun c t i o n s ; pe opl e compe t e d fi e rce ly t o ob t a i n a
few l i n e s wr i tten by h i s o wn h a n d w h eth e r v e rse o r m axi rn s or ev en , , ,

j us t sh or t mo tt o es Pao Y u fe l t v e ry i mport an t an d h a d h i s h an d s full

.

s at i s fy i n g a ll th e cl a i m s m a d e on h i m from ou ts i d e .

W h o would h a ve th ought t h a t i n s p i t e o f ev ery th i n g h i s o ld res tl es s

‘

y th e spl en do rs o f t he
n es s would b e s t i rr e d up a g a i n so s oo n
? O n e da

p a rk w hi c h h a d c h a rm e d h im so much i n th e b e g in n i n g b eg a n t o bore
, ,

h i m He fou n d f a ul t w i t h th i s an d cr i t i c i z e d th a t a n d fel t an n oy e d an d
.
,

d i ss a t i sfi e d Als o the s oc i et y of hi s comp a n i ons di d n o t sa t i s fy h i m ;

.
,

th e i r m e rry bo i s t e rou s pl a y i n g t h e i r i n g en uo us fri volou s g i rli s

, , h w a ys , ,

l e ft h i m cold He lon ge d for n ew d i ve rsi o n s st ron ge r i mpressi o n s T h e

.
, .

fool !
H i s v a l et M i n g Y en h a d b een t ry i n g in v a in f o r a lo n g t i m e t o b a n i sh
h i s i ll h umor w i th v a ri ou s s ugge st i o n s a n d d i st r a c ti o n s b u t a t l as t h e
-

t a n ew i d ea wh i ch s ucc ee d ed On e da y a ft e r a w a lk t h roug h th e
g o .
,
"
books e llers l a n e he t ook h om e t o h i s m a st e r a wh ol e st a ck of u n kn own
,

l i gh t li t era t ur e h all n ovel s a n d rom an c es bo th old a n d mod e rn ob sc en e ,

love st ori es a n d t a l es o f th e a dv en t ur es o f fam ous co urt es a n s a n d the

1 73
 Pa o Y u h a d n ever be fore seen s uch books Wh en h e pee pe d i nt o .

th em n o w h e b ec a m e a s i f i n t ox i c a t e d , an d as h a ppy a s i f t h e y w er e a
v a lu a ble fi n d A n d the f a c t th a t h e mi gh t o n ly r ea d th es e bo oks secr etly ,
.

a s M in g Y en i mpr esse d upo n h i m , m a d e t h e m doubly f a sc i n a t i n g He .

hi d th em as well a s h e co ul d i n h i s b e d a n d i n o th e r sa fe pl a c e s , an d
from n ow on h e sp en t hi s t i m e , wh en eve r h e w a s a lon e an d un d i st ur b e d ,
ea ge rly d elvi n g i nt o th em .

On e day a bou t t h e m i ddle of t h e th i rd mo n th h e s a un te r e d a lo n g

, ,

a ft er br ea kfas t t o t he bri dg e l ea d i n g t o t h e W e i r o f P en et r a t i n g P er
“ ”
fum es c a rry i n g the H s i H sia n g Ch i Pl a y o f th e W est e rn P a vi l i on
, , ,

i n hi s h an d a n d s a t down t o re a d on a rock u n d e r blo ss om in g p e a ch

,

trees a t t he e dg e o f th e po n d A s h e w a s s i t t i n g t h ere an d h a d j u s t com e

.

'

t o a pl a c e i n t h e book w h i c h d e s cr i b e d f all i n g re d g a th e re d up i n ,
”
h ea ps a s udd en gu st o f w i n d ble w th r ou gh th e br a n ch es an d c a use d
,

a he a vy r a i n o f p et a ls t o ri ppl e down o n h i m a n d h i s book H e w a s co v .

e re d a ll ov er wi th t h e r e dd i sh p et a ls a n d h a d t o sh a k e h i m s e lf t o
get ri d
o f th e d eli c a t e burd en So lov ely a n d c h a rm i n g di d th e se pe t als see m t o
.

h i m t h a t h e would h av e b een s orry t o t r ea d o n th e m w i th h i s fee t .

Th erefore he g ath ered up wi th bo th h a n d s th e ro s y p i l es w hi ch la y

,

roun d a bou t h i s se a t an d c a r ri e d t h em t o t h e n ear b

y b a n k t h er e t o
-

sh a ke t h em ov er th e s u rf a ce o f the wa te r A n d e a c h t i m e th a t h e h a d
.

sh a ken o ut tw o h an dful s i n thi s w a

y h e r em a i n e d f or a w h il e o n th e
,

b an k looki n g a ft e r t he flowe r p et a l s t h ough t fully a s th ey d a n c e d a bout ,

o n t h e w a v es a n d w e r e g en t ly dr a wn by t he curr en t t ow a rd s th e w e i r .

Jus t as h e w a s b en d i n g down t o g a the r t og ether a n o th en h ea p o f

“
pe ta ls h e h eard a g i rl s vo i c e b ehi n d him a sk in g : Wh a t are yo u do
,
’

? ”
ing h ere
He ur ne d a roun d Th er e he sa w Bl ack J a d e sta n d in g i n fron t o f
t .

hi m She w a s c a rry i n g a sp a d e ove r h er sh ould er o n t h e h a n dl e o f

.
,

wh i ch h un g a flower c a rri er m a d e o f li gh t g a uz e ; i n her le ft h a n d sh e

h a d a broom .

“ ’
It s good th at you h av e com e ! You can help m et o sw e e p up th ese
flower pe tals an d thr ow th em in t o the w a te r I ha ve a lr ea dy thr own i n .

”
qu i t e a lot he sa i d
, .

“
You sh ould n o t do th a t ! H er e th e w a t e r i s t ol e r ably cl e an b ut l a t er ,

o n wh en th e p et a l s h a v e dri f t e d f a r th er a lo n g w t
i h t h e cur re n t ; a n d flo at
in t o o th er esta t es th ey w i ll com e i n co n t a c t w i th a ll ki n d s o f d i rt a n d
,

re fuse It would b e a p i t y f o rthe lov ely pure p et a l s t o b ecom e so i l e d

.
, .

No i t i s b ett er i f w e t a ke th em t o th e pe ta l r a ve wh i ch I h a v e j u s t dug
,
g
b ehi n d tha t b i ll I sh a ll sw eep t hem up Y o u st uff th e m in t o t h e b a g a n d
.
.

th en w e wi ll c a rry th em t o th e gr a v e t og eth e r
In t h e cour se o f ti m e th e y
. .

wi ll t u rn i n t o good ga rden s o i l Is n o t th a t ni ce r an d clea n er th an

.

thr o wm g them in t o th e w a te r ? ”

1 74
at him , sh e d : B esi d es I could r eply t o yo u i n th e sa m e t on e i f I
sa i ,

wi she d t o an d by w ay o f ex a mpl e sp ea k o f a c e rt a in sGm eon e wh o re

,
”
se mble s t h e f a mou s l an c e w i t h t h e s i lv e r e d w ax po i n t .

”
“
If you s a y such thi ng s I a ls o w i ll go a n d t ell t a l es on yo u ! h e
th r ea t en e d j ok i n gly
,
.

“
I o n ly w an te d t o sh ow you th at I ca n rea d j u st a s qu i ckly a s yo u
'

ca n a n d ca n r em emb e r w h a t I r ea d j u st a s e a s i ly a s you can It i s n o t h

,
.

in g t o m e t o re a d t en l i n es o f wr i t in g wi th on e si n gle gl a n c e O r do yo u .

? ”
doub t t ha t
“
Oh i n dee d I b el i e v e i t B ut n o w w e wi ll b e s en si bl e a ga i n a n d bury
, .

our poor pe t a ls .

They set t o work a g a i n an d sw ep t up an d he a p e d t h e f a ll en p et a ls

,

an d c a rr i e d t h em t o th e p et a l gr a v e b eh in d t h e h i ll M ean t i m e t h e m a i d .

Pea rl a pp ea re d Sh e h a d b een sen t by t he Pr i n c e ss A n c est r ess t o f e t ch

.

P a o Y u Pri n c e S h i eh w a s n o t w e ll a n d P a o Y u w a s t o go t o h i m
.

str a i gh t a w a y a n d w i sh h i m a s p ee dy r e cov ery a s w a s prop e r Th e ,

.

Spri n g g i rls h a d a lr ea dy vi si t e d the si ckb e d P a o Y u t h er e for e b a d e .

fa rewell t o Bla ck Ja de a n d l e ft th e p a rk a ccomp a n i e d by P ea rl .

D ee p i n th ought Bl a ck J a de sa un te re d slowly b a ck t o h er h ou se A s
,
I
.

sh e w a s p a ss in g by t h e w a ll o f t h e P e a r G a rd en sh e h e a rd from wi th i n

t he g en t l e sou n d s o f flu t e pl a y i n g a n d ch a r m i n g si n gi n g Th e mu si c
'

c a m e from th e twe lv e d a n c i n g g i rls from Suc h ow w h o h a d t h e i r qu a r ,

t e rs i n t h e P ea r G a rd en a n d w er e j u s t n o w pr a c t i c i n g a n ew t h ea t e r

p i ec e Bl a ck J a de w a s n o t p a y i n g p a rt i cul a r a tt en t i o n t o th e si n g i n g b ut
.
,

t w o l i n es o f o n e o f t h e s o n g s c a u gh t h er e ar so d i s t i n c t ly t h a t sh e w a s
.

a bl e t o un d e rs t a n d e v e ry word i t w a s a bou t a wo n d e rfully b e a u t i ful

.

purpl e flow er whi ch bloom s glor i ou sly on ly t o b e plucke d t o w i t h er

, , , ,

an d t o en d m i se r a bly 1 n s om e r e fu se
pi t .

Bl a ck J a de w a s t ouche d t o t he core by t h e m e l a n ch oly expr esse d i n

t h ese tw o l i n es I n volun t a r i ly sh e s l a ck en e d h er p a c e a n d l i st en e d h a rd
.

i n an eff ort t o follow th e re s t o f t h e t ex t A n d sh e could n o t bu t si

'

,
.

len tly a gree w i th t h e sen t i m en ts of t h e n e x t tw o l i n e s wh i c h s poke of t h e ,

t r a n si en c e of e x t er i or s pl en dor a n d good l i v i n g w h en i n n e r h a pp i n ess

w a s d estr oy e d A n d she h a d t o si gh th i n k i n g of t h e s u e rfi ci a li t of
.
,p y
h um a n b ei n g s w h o go t o th e t h ea t e r o n ly t o b e en t e r t a i n e d a n d do n o t
,

t h i n k a t a ll of look i n g i n t o th e m se lve s a n d a pply i n g t o t h e i r o w n l i v es

th e t ru t h s wh i c h t h e y h ea r o n t h e st a g e Wh i l e s t i ll s un k i n m e d i t a t i o n
. ,

sh e h ea rd th e word s :

As a fl ower i n s pr i n g b ea u t y fa des
, ,
”
As a fl eet i n g w a v e you t h p a ss es
, .

Sh e f e l t dee ply move d a n d fri gh t en e d H er h e a d b e c a m e d i zzy , h er .

feet re fused t o mov e she st a gg e red as i f sh e w e r e drun k a nd h a d t o si t

, ,
.

1 76
do wn o n a n ea r b y rock Th er e she sa t murm ur i n g
-
.
, to h e r s el f a gain an d
a g a i n th e words sh e h a d j u st h e a rd :

As a fl ower i n spr i n g be a u t y fa des

, ,
”
As a fl ee t i n g w ave you th p a s s es
, .

A t th e s a m e t i m e i t occurre d t o h e r t h a t i n t h e p a st sh e h a d r ea d i n
“ ”
o l d st or i es a n d a l s o t od a y i n t h e Pl a y o f the W es tern P a v i l i o n s i m i l a r
word s a bou t fa ll i n g p et a ls a n d run n i n g w a t e rs p a ss i n g s pr i n g a n d l ast
,

i n g s orrow A feel i n g of i n fi n i t e an gu i s h a n d s a d n e ss st ol e upo n he r h er

. ,

hea r t sh r a n k , t ea rs dropp ed from h er ey es S he would h a ve so love d to

.

s p e a k t o s om e o n e t o let h e r s el f b e comfor t e d S udd e n ly s h e f el t a l i gh t

, .

t a p o n h e r sh ould e r S h e t ur n e d a roun d A you n g g i rl w a s s t a n di n g b e

. .

fore h er Y o u w i ll l e a rn from t h e n ext c ha p te r w h o t hi s g i rl w as

. .

CHA PTER 19

Ni th e u su re r pro v es i m p u ls i v ely g en ero us w he n dru n k A lo v e lorn . m a id

g ets q ue er i d eas a b o u t a lo s t ha n d k e rch i ef .

W HEN B L A C K J A DE T UR NL D RO UN D THE R E W A s L or us r m: S T O LEN. ,

s l a v e g i rl an d d a ug h t er of S h ih Y i n g s ta n d i n g b e for e h er
,
.

“ ”
S t up i d c re a t ur e t o fri g ht en m e s o ! s a i d Bl a ck J a d e a n gr i ly Wh a t , .

? ”
you looki n g f o r her e
I a m looki n g for my youn g m i str e ss M i ss Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp b u t I can
, ,

n o t fi n d h er a n yw h e r e A n d your m a i d C uckoo h a s b ee n i n qu i r i n g for

.
?

yo u M a d a m e C h en g h a s sen t you a p a ck a g e o f t ea from t h e n e w

.

h m ves t Would yo u plea s e com e an d r ec ei v e t h e g i f t

. .

Bl a ck J a d e s et o ut h a n d i n h an d w i th Lo t u s t ow a rd s her p a v i l i o n .

S he a cc e p te d t h e t ea from t h e n e w h a rv es t a n d o f t h e b e s t qu a l i t y
, ,

w hi ch h er Au n t C he n g h a d j u s t sen t h er a n d k ep t Lo t u s w i th h er for a
wh i l e She foun d h er comp a n y pl e a sa n t i n he r pr esen t s t a te of m i n d
. .

Sh e d i s cu ss e d wi th h er t h e e xc e llen c e o f t h i s t a p est ry a n d th e c h a rm of
th a t p i e c e of e mbro i d ery an d di d n o t let h e r go u n t i l t he y h a d pl a yed
,

a g a m e of c h e ss a n d r e a d s om e p a ss a g es from a book t og e th e r B u t le t .

us n o w l e a v e th o s e t w o a lo n e f o r a wh i l e a n d t a lk of P a o Y u .

Wh e n h e go t b a ck t o h i s dw e ll i n g w i th P ea rl h e foun d th e m a i d
M a n d a ri n D uck ly i n g o n h i s d i v a n ex a m i n i n g a p i e c e o f em b ro i dc y
w h i ch P ea rl h a d b e gun .

“ ”
Wh e r e h ave yo u b e en h i d i n g she as k e d P a o Y u wh en he en t e r ed
.
? .

T h e old T a i ta i s en t ov e r for you qu i t e a lo n g t i m e a go Y o u a re t o .

”
h urry a cro ss a n d v i s i t your s i ck un cl e Qu i ck ! C h a n g e your clo th es
. .

Whi le th e m a i d Pea r l wen t i n t o th e n e x t room t o fe t c h h i s v i s i t i n g

clo thes h e sa t o n the edg e o f th e d i v a n an d push e d h i s s li ppe rs o ff wi t h
,
.

177
 o es Then he t urn ed roun d an d t a ki n g a dv an t a ge o f P ea rl s ah
’
hi s t .
,

s en c e t h orough ly i n spe c t e d M a n d a ri n Duck wh o w a s ly in g b eh i n d

,
.
,

hi m Sh e w a s ly i n g wi th he r fa c e t ow a rd s th e w a ll an d w as so a b s orb e d
.

in th e embro i de ry th a t she n o lo n g er n o t i c e d h i m H e foun d h er mo st

'

b ewi t chi n g i n h er l i t tl e b ri gh t re d si lk j a cket ov e r th e gr een bodi ce a n d

,

th e whi t e s a t i n sash whi ch en c i rcl e d h er s l en d e r w a i st A n d h e could .

n o t r e si st b en d i n g ove r h er n e ck ea g erly t o sn i fl th e fr a gr an c e whi ch

em a n a t ed from h er an d t o st roke h e r b a ck pl a yfully

,
.

“
D e a r M ei m e i do let m e li ck a li tt le o f th e p i n k st uff from yo ur
,

li p s he wh i sp ere d n est lin g clo se Up t o her an d en ci rcl i n g h er w i th hi s

, ,

arm an d leg .

“ ”
Com e and look P ea rl ! cri ed t he g i rl l a ughi n g loudly a s sh e t ri e d
, ,
“
t o d i s en g a g e h e rs elf from h i m You h a ve b een wi t h h im goodn ess
.

”
kn ows h ow lon g an d you h a ve n o t yet t a ugh t hi m t o b eh a v e
, .

P ea rl hurri ed a lon g w i th a b un dl e o f cloth es i n h er a rm s W i th on e .

gl a n ce she gra s p e d th e si t u at i on .

“
I see th a t a ll my good t ea ch i n g i s in v ain , sh e sa i d t urn i n g t o P a o ,
”
Y u If th at ever h a ppen s a g a i n I wi ll l ea ve a t on c e
. .

P a o Y u kep t a r a the r sh a m efa c e d si l en c e ch a n g e d h i s clo th es a n d , ,

went off to h i s gr an dmo th e r a ccomp a ni ed by tw o m a i d s In th e fore .

court o f h er p a vi li on h e foun d h i s serv an ts a lr ea dy w a i t i n g wi th hi s

s a ddl ed h orse t o t a k e h i m t o Pr i n c e S h i eh
, A s h e w as moun tin g h i s .

h orse wh i le a t th e sa m e t im e exc h an gi n g a f ew word s wi th Cou si n Ch i a

Li en w h o h a d j ust come b a ck from a ri d e h e h ea rd a youn g m a n c a ll
, ,
“ ”
i n g up t o h i m from th e si d e : T s i n g an Un cl e ! ,
,

P a o Y u looke d down from th e sa ddle Th e youn g m a n m i gh t h av e .

b een ei ght een or n in eteen y e a r s old H e w a s sl en d er and w ell bu i l t h i s .

,

fi n ely form e d fa c e seem ed someh ow f am i l i a r b ut P a o Y u could n ot ,

re c a ll hi s n am e o r wh o h i s f am i ly we r e .

“
W h y o n ea rt h are you st a ri n g at h i m l i ke th a t ? Do yo u n o t kn ow
h im ? He i s o ur n eph e w L i t t l e Y un , s on o f o ur si st e r i n l a w Fi ve ”
'

- -

Cou sin Li en i n form e d hi m l a ughi n g , .

“
Oh of cours e ! I rem emb er h i m n ow A n d t h e b o b eh a v es as i f h e “

,
”
y .

were my so n !
“ ’
Do n t b e fun n y ! He i s four or fi v e y ea rs old e r th an yo u are ,

l a ughe d Cousin Li en .

“
H llo h ow old a re you th en a ske d P a o Y u con d esc en d i ngly
e ,
? ”
, .

”
E i ght een repl i e d L i t tle Y un sm i l i n g a n d a dd ed wi th qu i ck wi t
,

No doub t my wor th y un cl e i s th i n ki ng o f th e prov e rb of th e gr a n d

p a re nts w ho h a ve kept them selv es un t i l o l d a ge as youn g as t h e ch i ld i n
th e cr a dl e a n d of t h e gr an dch i ldr en wh o a r e ol d b e for e t h ei r '
years .

No w ev en i f I surp a ss you s om e wh a t i n y e a r s th a t do es n o t r ven t

,
p e ,

your s urp assi n g m e i n wort h as th e sun surp a sse s th e moun ta i n ati d ,

-
modest sh0 p i s qu i t e sma ll an d I could n o t sa ti sfy your r e qu ir e m en t s
,

compl et ely ev en i f you w ere t o p a y c a sh , You h a d t h erefor e b e tte r look

a rou n d e ls ew h e r e B esi d es i t i s a w e ll kn ow n f a c t t h a t mo n e y t r an s a c
. ,
-

t i o n s spo i l fr i en d sh i p You a re a th oug h tl e ss yo un g f ellow a n d n on e t o o

.

p ar ti cul a r a bout w h a t i s r i gh t a n d wro n g You would t a k e your d eb t .

l i g h tly you would forg et t o p a y I would h a v e t o ke ep dun n i n g you for i t

, , ,

a n d you would t a k e t h a t i ll of m e My a dv i c e t o you i s t h i s : H elp your

.

self a n d s a v e mo n e y i n good t i m e s o t h a t you w i ll n o t h a v e t o borrow

‘

,
”
a t a ll a n d your u n cl e w i ll b e pl e a s e d w i t h you !
“ ”
You a re p erfe ct ly r i g h t dea r Un cl e r e pl i e d L i t tl e Y un co n t rolli n g
, , ,
“
h i s feeli n gs w i th d iffi cul t y B ut you mu st t a k e i n t o a ccoun t t h a t I lo st
.

my fa th e r wh i l e I w a s s t i ll a ch i ld a n d for t h a t r ea s o n h a v e n o t h a d t h e
,

r i ght i n st ruc t i o n an d upbri n g i n g My mo th e r h a s a lw a y s sa i d h o w lucky

.

w e we r e i n a t l e a st h a v i n g your s upport a n d h elp m o s L h erro re d U n cl e ,

.

Tha t i s w hy I th oug h t ] could coun t upo n y our h e lp Mor e ov e r I w a s .

,

n o t a w a r e t h a t I h a d fr i volou sly s qu a n d e r e d a w a y a n
y i n h e r i t e d prop
e rt y w h et h e r a h ou se or a p i e c e of l a n d Ev en t h e b e st h ous ew i f e ca n
, .

n o t cook r i c e s oup i f t h e r e i s n o r i c e t o h a n d How t h en could I h a v e .

, ,

u t a n y th i n g a s i d e up t o t h e pr ese n t w h en I h a d n o t t i com ?
p g o a n n e

How ev e r yo u ma y cou n t your self lucky th a t I do n o t i mpor t un e yo u

,

tw o or t h r e e t i m es a da
y w i t h th i s a n d t h a t re qu est a s m a n y a n ot h e r
'

i n my po s i t i on would do .

“
My d e a r boy I a m i n a pret t y b a d w a y my self ; o th e rw i se I would
,

mo st w i l li n gly g i ve you a h a n d B ut w hy do you n o t t urn t o your r i c h

.

i ? S ee t h at
p r lr l o
a t e n a e a t n s you fi ll your pockets as full a s you ca n i n ‘

t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e b eh i n d t h e b a cks of t h e g en t l e m en of t h e h o us e O r .

w h y n o t tr y t o i n gr a t i a t e your s e lf w i t h t h e i r m a j ordomo by d i n t of fl a t
t er y a n d e n g a g e i n s om e r ew a rd i n g en t erpr i se t h a t wi ll br i n g in a good
,
”
comm i s si on ?

Li tt le Y un r em a i n e dsi l en t a n d t urn e d t o go .

“
W hy are you i n s uch a h urry? You ca n s ur e ly s t a y f or a b i t e sa i d ,

t h e a v a r i c i ou s un cl e j us t for form s s a k e B u t a t th e sa m e mom en t th e

’
, .

scold i n g vo i c e of h i s w i f e b ec a m e a ud i ble “
A re you h ov e ri n g up i n .

t he cloud s a ga i n ? ” “
sh e a s k e d I h a v e b a r e ly en ough food for ours e lves
.

i n t he l a rd er a n d t her e you a re pl a y i n g t h e s pl en d i d h o st ! ”
, ,
“
If th a t s s o buy s om e mor e prov i s i on s for our g u es t ! ” h e r e pl i e d
’ ’

, ,

h
w r upo h e i ll t empe red fem al e vo i ce w a s h ea rd on c e more : Go
e e n t .
-
“

ov er to n e i ghbor W a n g a n d a sk h er could sh e h elp u s o ut w i th t w en ty or

t h i r t y p en c e wor th of r i c e I would ”
; p a y i t b a ck t omorrow s h e ord e r e d ,

h er d a ug h te r .

B ut Li t t l e Y un h a d h a d en ough of t hi s m i se ra b le kin d of h o s p i ta li t
y
‘

a n d he co n tr i v e d t o
get a w a y a n d so h e se t o u t o n h i s n oc tu rn a l j ou rn e y
,

h ome i n d epres sed S p i r i ts A s h e wa lk e d a lo n g d eeply s un k i n hi s

.
’

1 80
 o ghts he st umbl ed a b se n t m in d e dly a g a in st a drun ken m an wh o
th u ,
-

h a d com e r eel i n g t ow a rd s h i m T he drun k a rd gr a bb e d h i m by th e a rm

.

“ ”
a n d sh ou t e d : H i h a v e you n o e y es i n your h ea d
,
? -

T he vo i c e see m e d f a m i l i a r t o L i tt l e Y un an d r i gh t en ough i t w a s h i s ,

n e i gh bor Ni th e w ell k n ow n u s ur e r a n d g a mbl er dru n k ar d a n d rowdy

,
-

,
.

“
L e t m e go old fr i en d ! It i s I your n e i ghb o r L i tt le Y un
, ,
h e de , ,
,

cla re d l a ug h i n g
, .

T h e dru n ken m a n scru t i n i z e d h i m i n t en tly o u t o f glaz e d ey es A t l a st .

h e r e cog n i z e d h i m He let h i m fr ee murmur i n g a few word s o f excu s e

.
,
.

“ ? ”
Wh er e a re you go i n g l i tt l e fr i en d he a ske d , .

Ah do n t a sk m e I m i n a b a d h um or O n e s d ea r fellow b e i n g s are
’ ’ ’
. .
,
”
so a n n oy i n g !
“
Sp ea k your m i n d w i th co n fid en c e ! W h o h as a n n oy e d you ? I t he ,

drun ka rd Ni sta n d up for my fr i e n d s i n th e w h ol e ne i ghborh ood A n y

,
.

’
o n e w ho h a rm s o n e o f t h em w i ll h a v e t o re ckon w i th m e I ll pull down .

”
h i s s h op a nd c h a se h i s w i f e a n d c h i ldren ou t o n th e st r ee t !
L i tt le Y un t old hi m o f h i s fu t i l e b e gg i ng v i si t t o h i s un cle .

“
The wret c h ! If h e di d n o t h a pp en t o b e your r e l a ti v e I would m a k e ,
” “ ’
h i m p a y d e a rly for t h a t ! s t orm e d n e i gh bor Ni i n d i g n a n t ly B ut do n t .

worry I h a v e some sm a ll c h a n g e w i th m e by ch a n c e a n d I w i ll l en d
.
,

you a fe w t ae l s n a t ur a lly w i th ou t i n t er es t as i s ri g ht a n d prop e r b e

, ,
”
t w een good n ei gh bors .

He p ut h i s h a n d i n h i s b e l t pock e t .

“
H ere a re fift ee n t a els I h op e th e y a re en ough
'
. .

You a re a good fe llow a n d I would n o t l i ke t o o ff end you by re fu s

,

in g your fr i en dly o fl er ; s o I a cc e p t i t w i th th a n ks A s s oo n a s I get .

”
h om e I sh a ll wr i t e you a r e c ei p t .

“
Wh a t n o n sen se ! If yo u com e t o m e w i th a r e c e i p t I wo n t g i ve yo u ’

”
a copp e r .

“
A s you w i sh t h en M a n y t h an ks
,
. .

Th a t s goo d A n d n o w I mu s t b e get t i n g a lo n g a s I ha v e a n o th e r
’
.
,

bu si n es s c a ll t o m a ke ; o the rw i se I would a sk yo u t o h a ve a dr i n k A n d .

n o w w h en you go h om e would you b e good en oug h t o c a ll a t m y h ou s e

'

, ,

a n d t e ll my p e opl e t h a t I sh a ll n o t b e h om e t o n i g h t a n d th a t i f th e y
.
,

w a n t a n y th i n g th e y mu s t se n d for m e i n th e mor n i n g T h ey w i ll fi n d m e .

” ’
a t th e h or s e d ea l e r W a n g s .

A n d h e r eel e d o n B u t L i tt l e Y un w a s d e l i gh t e d w i th h i s u n exp e c t e d
.

good for t un e a n d h i s o n ly fe a r w a s t h a t as s oo n a s h i s b en e f a c t or h e
,

c a me s ob er h e would r e pe n t t he n oble i mpulse w h i ch h a d ove rcom e

h i m w h e n dru n k a n d would d em a n d b a ck th e s um l e n t w i t h t h e a dd i ti o n
,

o f a u s ur i ou s i n t e r e st B ut h e would fi n d i t e a s y en oug h t o pa y ev en
.

u s ur i ou s i n t e res t 1 f o n ly M a d a me Ph o en i x would gi ve hi m th e h oped

181
 Ve ry ea rly th e n ex t morn i n g he s ought out a groce ry st or e i n th e hi gh
st r ee t ou t s i d e t h e Sou th G a t e a n d bough t a p a ck a g e o f c a mph or an d a
p a cka g e of musk Then w e ll groom e d a n d dr esse d i n h i s b e st clo th es
.
, ,

h e w en t t o t h e Y un gk uo p a l a c e T h ere h e w a s t old t h at M a d a m e Ph o e
.

n ix w a s j u s t a bou t t o go t o t h e Pr i n c ess A n c e st r ess H er h u sb an d w a s

“

n o t a t h om e ei th er H e w a i t e d in th e for e court wh i c h s e v e r a l se rv a n t s
.
,

wer e busi ly s w eep i n g a n d cl e an i n g wi th en ormou s broom s J ust at th a t .

momen t th e w i fe o f the m a j ordomo C h ou c a ll e d o ut :

“ ”
Clea r th e w ay P ut by your broom s ! Th e m i st r es s i s com i n g !
.

Imme d i a t ely a ft e rw a rd s M a d a me Ph o en i x a pp ea r e d s urro un d e d by ,

a sw a rm of s e rv in g m a t ro n s a n d w a i t i n g m a i d s L i tt l e Y un st e ppe d up .

a b i t clo se r a n d p a i d h er r e v er en c e wi t h a d ee p b o w Sh e di d n o t d ei g n .

t o look a t h i m b ut co n t i n u e d t o w al k st r a i ght o n m e r ely i n qu i ri n g

, ,

c a s u a lly h o w hi s mo ther w as a n d w hy sh e n e v er c a m e t o see h er .

Sh e h as no t b een qu i teh e rs elf th ese d a y s b u t sh e i s v e ry often wi th

“
,
”
yo u i n her th ough ts an d i s lo n g i n g t o see you
, r epl i e d Li ttle Y un ,

gli bly He kn ew th at M a d a m e Ph o en i x w a s ex t r e m ely a m en a bl e t o

.

fl att eri es .

Come come ! D o n t b e t o o gu sh i n g
,
’
r em a rke d wi th a smi l eP
.
,
sh e ,

“
s lowi n g down h er p a c e a li tt l e I a m pr ett y s ure sh e would n o t h a ve
.

”
th ough t of m e i f I di d n o t h a pp en t o m en t i o n h er .

“
Oh h o w would I d a r e t o t ell li es i n yo ur pr es en c e r ever e d Aun t ?
, ,

O n ly y est erd a y my mo the r spok e of you In s p i t e o f your deli c at e .

“

he al th sh e s a i d yo u h a d t a k en th e wh ol e bur d en o f th e gr ea t h ou se
, ,

h old upo n your sh oulde r s an d i t i s o n l y th a n k s t o your i n comp a r a bl e

,
.

en e rgy t h a t e v e ry t h i n g run s a s i f o n w ell o i l e d wh ee l s i n t h e w est ern -

pa la ce You a re si m ply i n d i sp en sa ble a n d i rre pl a c ea ble sh e th i n ks ” “

. .
,

M a d a me Ph o en i x st ood st i ll A b en i gn s m i l e s pr ea d ove r h er fa ce
. .

“
A n d w h a t w a s yo u r r ea son for d i scu ssi n g m e w i th your mo th er h e
”
hi n d my b a ck ? sh e a sk e d gr a c i ou s ly , .

“
O h I h a d a v e ry s oun d r ea so n A good fr i en d o f mi n e a w ea l th y
, , .
,

dea l er 1n S p l C eS h a s re cen t ly ob t a i n e d by purch a se th e po st of s ubpr e

,

feet in a di stri ct o f th e prov i n ce o f Yun n an B e for e sett in g o ut wi th hi s .

fa mi ly t o ta ke up h i s po si t i o n h e sold o ut h i s st ock a n d clo se d down hi s

sh o p h e r e Wh en h e di d t h i s h e g a v e m an y v a lu a bl e lo ts o f goods as
.

g i ft s to hi s close fri en ds an d a cqu a in t a n ces H e re m emb e r e d m e t o o a n d .

ga ve m e a p ar c el of c a mph or a n d mus k I co n s ul te d my mo th e r a s t o .

th e b est u s e I coul d m a ke of h i s g i ft It seem e d t o u s a p i t y t o s ell th ese

.

v a lu able dru gs b elow th ei r v a lu e a n d th er e di d n o t seem an yo n e a mon g

,

o ur clo s e fri en ds wort hy of g i v i n g t h e m t o Th en w e r e m e m e r e d t h a t

b .

yo u est ee m e d Aun t a lw a y s n ee d a gr ea t dea l o f c a mp h or a n d m us k f or

, ,

1 n ce n se a n d w e th ou h t th a t es p e c i a lly i n vi e w
,
g ,o f th e prox i m i t y o f t h e
s p ea k i n g t o my m a ste r b efor e th i s eve n i n g a n d you s ur ely would n o t ,

wi sh t o w a i t u n t i l th en sh e s a i d br i e fly a n d defi n i t ely w i th t h e m a n
, ,
“
,

n er of o n e fu lly co n v i n c e d of t h e i mpor t a n c e of h er ow n p e r s o n A n d .

w i th t hi s she d i sm i sse d hi m Li ttl e Y un could n o t h e lp c a st i n g a few

.

fur ti ve gl a n c es a t her as h e we n t a w a y .

Wh en h e r et urn e d t o the Y un gk uo p a l a c e ea rly t h e n ex t da y h e h a d

t h e good fo r t u n e t o m ee t M a d a m e P h o en i x a s s oo n a s h e a rr i v e d Sh e .

h a d j u s t go t i n t o h er c a rr i a g e to t a k e a n ou t i n g Wh en sh e s a w L i tt l e .

Y un sh e h a d h i m c all e d ov er t o h er c a rr i a g e door .

“
Look here my boy you a re b ei n g a b i t c h eeky w i th m e I t hi n k
, , , ,
“
sh e sa i d sm i l i n g o u t t h e c a rr i a g e w i n dow
,
Your g i ft of y est e rd a y w a s
.

o n ly a n excu se of cour se My h u sb a n d h a s m e a n t i m e t old m e wh a t you

, .

”
w an t .

“
Oh h as he ? How a wkw a rd ! Y es th a t i s qu i t e r i g h t ; I would l i k e
, ,

v ery much I am o n ly s orry th a t I di d n o t com e s t r a i gh t t o you i n

pe rs o n i n t he b eg i n n i n g d e a r Au n t If I h a d do n e so th e m a tte r would
, .
,

h a v e b ee n se ttl e d lo n g a go B ut o n e do es n o t r ea l i z e t h a t Un cl e L i en
.

”
r ea lly h a s so l i tt le sa y i n th i n gs .

“ ’
So t h a t s the w a y i s i t ? It w a s o n ly a ft e r h a v i n g b een u n lucky w i th
,
”
h i m th a t you w a n t e d t o t ry i t w i t h m e y e s t e rd a y ?
“
You do m e a n i n j u sti c e d e a r Au n t I r e g a rd e d i t a s my du t y a s a
, .

n e p h e w n o t t o go ov e r t h e h e a d of m u n cl e B u t n o w t h a t I k n ow h ow
y .

m a tte rs st a nd I sh all a pply o n ly t o you i n fu t ur e A n d w i ll you b e s o

, .

good a s t o l en dm e a k i n dly ea r n o w ? ”

“
Oh n o w s t ra i g h t a w a y ? You s h ould h a v e op en e d your mou t h
, ,

s oo n e r T he r e a r e a ll s or ts of t r ees t o b e pl a n t e d a n d flow e r b e d s t o b e
.

l a i d o u t i n t h e p a rk I f you h a d o n ly sa i d a t i m e ly word t o m e I would

.
,
”
p erh a p s h av e en t ru ste d you w i th th e m a t te r .

“ ”
Do pl ease do so ev en yet !
Tha t ca n h a rdly b e m a n a g e d n o w B u t h a v e p a t i en c e u n t i l n e x t New
'
.

Yea r l esti v a l wh en w e sh a ll h a v e t o buy fir eworks I m a y p e rh a ps co n

, .

”
si d er
you t h en .

“
D e a r d ea r Aun t Do pl ea s e t ry m e o ut ri g h t a w a y i n st e a d You m a y
, . .

d ep en d upo n m e t o a cqu i t my se lf w e ll You w i ll b e s o pl ea se d w i t h m e .

t h a t you w i ll en t ru s t m e w i th t h e New Y ea r F e s t i v a l ord e r s t r a i g h t

”
a wa y .

“
My word ! T h e boy do es kn ow h o w t o look a h e a d ! W e ll , you m a y
t h a n k your u n cl e for h a v i n g
pu t i n a word for y ou I would n o t h a v e .

bo t he re d a bou t you of my se lf So n o w t o com e t o t h e po i n t : Com e b a ck

.
,

a g a i n t od a y a f t e r br e a kf a s t C a ll a t t
h e E s t a t e C a sh i e r s offi c e a n d s e e
’
.
,

t h a t you e t s t a r t e d w i t h t h e g a rd en work ”
g t h e da y a ft er t omorrow !
A n d g i v i n g a s i g n to t h e co a c hm a n sh e drove o ff .
,

Li ttl e Y un w a s ov erj oy e d He h op e d t o fill i n t h e t i m e of W a i ti n g i i n t i l

.

1 84
a fte r br ea kf a st by v i si t i n g P ao Y u B ut Pa o Y u w a s s pen d i n g th e wh ol e
.

o f t od a y i n t h e h ou s e o f h i s n e w fr i en d t h e Pr i n ce o f t h e Nort h e rn
'
,

Qu i et n ess .

’
Pun c t u a lly a t e l e v en o clock L i tt l e Y un w e n t t o th e E st a te C a sh i e r s
’

O fli ce a rm e d w i th th e l e tte r of a u t h or i t y w h i c h M a d a m e P h o en ix h a d
,

sen t t o h i m i n t h e m ea n t i m e a n d t h e r e h e w a s h a n d e d t h e h a n d s om e
,

s u m o f tw o h u n dr e d t ae l s He th en h urr i e d h om e a n d h a d a good t i m e
.

for t h e w h ol e da y w i th h i s mo t her T h e n e x t mor n i n g h e set t le d h i s s e

.

cou n t w i th h i s n e i gh b or Ni th en w en t t o th e n urs e ry g a rd en o f F a n g
,

C h u n ou tsi d e t h e W e ste rn G a t e a n d boug h t flow er pl an t s a n d t r ees t o

t h e v a lu e of fift y t a e l s B u t le t u s l e a v e h i m fo r t h e t i m e b e i n g t o h i s
.

n ew Occup a t i o n a n d r e t urn t o P ao Y u .

Wh en h e h a d m a d e a n a p p o i n t m en t th e da y b e fore y e st e rd a y w i th
Li tt l e Y un t hi s w a s o n ly o n e of th o se pol i t e b ut emp t y compl i m en ts
,

w h i c h upp e r cl ass p e opl e a re i n th e h a b i t o f expr essi n g w i th ou t a m o

-

m en t s t h ough t t o pe opl e of low e r s oc i a l st a tjo n H e h a d of cour se f o r

’
.

go tten t h e a ppo i n t m e n t m e a n t i m e Wh e n he r et urn e d h om e t ow a rd s .

e ven i n g from h i s v i si t t o t h e Pr i n c e o f t h e Nort h e rn Q ui e t n ess h e f e l t

t h a t h e would l i ke a b a th It h a pp e n e d by c h a n c e t h a t h e w as s i t t i n g
.

qu i te a lone i n h i s room for a lo n g t i m e b e c a u se t he m a i d P e a rl h a d ,

a cc e p t e d a n i n v i t a t i o n from Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p t h e m a i d Mu s k w as i ll i n ,

b e d a n d tw o o t h e r m a i d s h a d go n e o ff t o f e t c h h o t b a t h w a t e r T h u s i t
, .

h a pp en e d t h a t n o w w h e n h e c a ll e d t w o or t h r ee t i m es for t ea o n ly t h e ,

t w o e ld e rly m a t ro n s w h o h a d b een a ss i g n e d t o hi m a s c h a p e ro n s a n

s w e re d h i s c a ll .

“
T h a t i s a ll ri gh t You m a y go h e s a i d sh oo i n g t h e m st r a i gh t o u t
.
, ,

a g a i n wi t h a w a v e of t h e h a n d H e would pr e fe r t o .
g e t t h e t ea h i m s e lf ,

h e s a i d So h e w e n t i n t o t h e k i t c h en a n d po t te r e d a rou n d t h e h ea r th
.
,

a n d w a s j u st a bou t t o pour a
p o t o f bo i l i n g w a t e r i n t o t h e t e a po t w h en
h e h ea rd s om e o n e b eh i n d h i m sa y i n g : You w i ll b urn y our h a n d .

”
Pl e a s e let m e do i t !
A t t h e s a m e mom e n t a pr ett y youn g th i n g c a m e t o h i s s i d e t ook t h e ,

p o t o f h o t wa t e r from h i m fill e d t h e t ea po t a n d t oo k t h e t e a t h i n g s
, ,

i n t o h i s room A s h e s i pp e d l i s t e a h e e y e d t h e youn g m a i d a tte n t i v ely

. .

H e h a d n o t n o t i c e d h e r a t a ll b e fore W h a t lovely curly h a i r sh e ha d .

,

a n d w h a t a s li m d e l i c a t e l i t t l e f a c e
, .

? ”
Do you b e lo n g t o my s t a ff t oo he a sk e d .

”
Y es .

”
How i s i t th en tha t I h a v e n ev e r see n you b e for
, , e ?

T h e re a re s o m a n y of u s i t would b e h a rd for you t o kn ow e a c h o n e

, .

B e si d e s I am s ti ll n ew a n d I h a v e n e v e r h a d a n y p e r so n a l se rv i c e s t o
, ,
”
do for you s u cli a s m a k i n g your t e a
, .

“
W hy
”
not ?

1 85
 B ec a u se th e o th ers th e old e r o n es w h o h a v e b een lon ge r wi th yo u
, , ,
”
keep t ho se servi c es for t hem selves .

“
Th a t i s a pi t y for on e c ann o t see yo u a t all t h en
,
.

No t un l ess t here rs a sp ec i a l orde r s uch as t h e o n e o n whi ch I Ca m e ,

h e re j u st n o w A c ert a i n Mr Y un as ke d for you y es t e rd ay a ft ern oon I

. . .

t old hi m t o com e b a ck t od a y a s you h a d h a d n o m i dd a y s l ee p y est erd a y

an d w e r e t i r e d Now t od a y you w e r e w i th th e Pr i n c e o f t h e North e rn
.
, .

”
Qui etn ess an d so Mr Y un h a s m i sse d you a se con d t i me
, . .
.

“ ? ”
O h i n d ee d so h e w a s h er e
, ,

He w o ul d h av e li ke d t o co n t i n u e th e con ver sa t i o n wi th th e d a in t y
'

li tt l e cr ea t ur e b ut sh e s udd en ly d a r t e d o ff b e c a u se t w o b lder w a i t i n g
,

m a i d s w ere com i n g a lon g l a ugh i n g a n d ch a tt i n g Th e y w er e c a rry i n g a .

s pl a sh i n g t ub of b a t h wa t e r W i t h t h ei r f r ee h a n ds t h e y w e r e h old i n g up
. . -

t h e e dg es of t h e i r sk i rt s w h i c h h a d b een w ett e d by t h e s pl a sh e s o f w a
,

t er L i t t l e S i a o Hu n g ra n t ow a rd s t h em a m i a bly a n x i ous t o h e l th e m
.
p ,

c a rry t he t ub When the t w o ol der m a i d s r ea ch e d t he room t h e y ob

.

se rv e d t o t h ei r s ur pr i s e a n d a nn oy a n c e t h a t P a o Y u w a s a ll a lon e Af t e r .
.

t h e y h a d pr e p a r e d t h e b a t h for h i m t h e y t ook t h e l i tt l e n ew m a i d t o
'

“ ”
t a sk Wh a t were you do i n g w i th hi m j u st n o w when w e c a m e t hey
.
?

a s ke d h er s u sp i c i ou sly .

No t h i n g a t a ll I w a s looki n g for my h a n dkerch i e f whi ch I h a d lo st

“
. .
,

H e c a ll e d for t ea a n d a s n o o n e e l se w a s t h e r e t o s e rve h i m I g a v e h i m ,
”
h i s tea T 1 s t 5 a ll
‘ ’
. .

“ ’ ”
Do n t t ry t o h oodw i nk u s you ch ee ky cr ea t ur e ! cr i e d t h e e ld e r
,

“
g i rl a n gri ly sp i tt i n g i n t h e youn g o n e s fa c e W e ca n see n o w w h y
,
’
.

yo u di d n o t ru n t o fe t ch t h e b a t h w a t e r j u s t n o w a s w
’
as y o ur du t y b ut , ,

l e ft i t t o u s t w o t o go i n ste a d of you Your e xcu se t h a t you h a d n t t im e

'
’
.

w a s j u s t i n v en t i o n a n d d e c e i t You w a n t e d t o et r i d of u s so t h a t you
g .

would b e a lo n e w i th th e youn g m a st e r B u t j u st look i n t h e gl a ss an d .

s ee i f you a r t fi t t o sh ow your se lf i n h i s pr e s en c e .

“ ’
I ll t e ll Pe a rl t omorrow h o w you pu sh e d your self forw a rd t h e sec ,
“
on d on e
put i n T h e n ex t t h i n g w i ll b e th a t you w i ll w a n t t o s e rv e t h e
'

g m a st er a lo n e W e o th e r s h a v e b e com e un n e c ess a ry i s n t th at
’

pp
yo .
,

so .

Aft e r t h e qu a rrel h a d b een go i n g o n t hi s wa y for a Whi l e a s ervi n g ,

m a t ro n a rr i v e d wi th a m ess a ge from M a d a m e P h o en i x t o fhe eff e ct t h a t

t h e g a rd en e r s would b e com i n g i n t o t h e p a rk t o o r o
m r w a n d t h a t th e
w a i t i n g m a i d s mu st kee p mod est ly i n t he b a ckgr oun d a n d no t u m s

s t n ot sno w t h e i r un de
a roun d o ut of cur i o s i t y a n d t h a t t h e y mu rclo th es
op en ly o n the w a shi n g l i n e b e for e th e ey es o f th e st r a n ge m en M ore .
.

s t o b e pl a
r a ll t he p a rt of t h e p a rk w h i c h w a
n t ed w ould b e sc re en e d
e
o ,

o
 ”
W h o i s s upe rv i si n g th e work ? th e t w o e ld e r w ai t i n g m ai d s w an t e d
to kn ow .

“
On e Mr Y un , repl i e d t h e c h a mb e rm a i d T h e n a m e w a s qu i te n ew
. .

t o t h em B ut l i t tl e S i a o Hun g r e m e mb e r e d v e ry w e ll t h a t t h e n i c e you n g
.

m a n w ho h a d spok en t o he r y est erd a y i n fro n t o f t h e l i br a ry door , a n d

h a d the n t urn e d rou n d so n o t i c eably t o look a f t e r h e r , w a s c a ll e d Y un
’

Would sh e r ea lly see h i m a g a i n , she wo n de re d Fo r t h e l i t t l e c rea t ur e .

w a s a mb i t i ou s a n d w a n t e d t o r i se i n t h e world F o r a lo n g t i m e p a st sh e
'

h a d b een h op i n g t o h e n o t i c e d by P a o Y u , b ut h e r e ld e r coll ea gu e s a l
w ay s kn ew h ow t o keep h er i n t h e b a ckgroun d A n d a fte r b ei n g c a ugh t
’

o u t t od a y th e v ery fir st t i m e sh e h a d b een a lo n e w i t h P a o Y u , sh e would

,
.

h a ve t o s u ff er more en vy a n d mor e sl i gh t s th a n e v er from n o w o n B ut .

h er f o rlo m n ess w a s c h an g ed i n t h e t w i n kl i n g o f a n eye i n t o j oyou s an

wh en sh e h ea rd t he old s erv i n g m a t ro n u tt e r th e n a m e Y un
t i ci p a ti o n ,

a n d for the wh ol e da
y sh e could n o t st o p th i n k i n g o f h er m eet i n g o f
'

y est e rd a y w i t h the n i c e you n g m a n Th en th a t n i gh t wh en she w as .

, ,
’

a lo n e i n h er room a n d l a
y down t o s l ee p t h e t h oug h t of h i m di d n o t ,

le a v e h er ev en i n h er sl e e p Sudd en ly s h e seem e d t o h e a r a vo i c e ou t si d e
'

h er b edroom w i n dow sa y i n g : I h a v e foun d y our h an dke rc h i e f S i a o ,

”
Hun g .

Sh e go t up an d w en t t o th e door T h e r e w a s t h e you n g m a n o f yes

.

t er da y st a n d i n g b efor eh er .

“ ”
W her e di d yo u fi n d i t she a ske d sh yly
?
, .

Com e wi th m e I wi ll sh ow you t h e pl a c e h e a n sw e r e d dra wi n g

.
, ,

h er to h i m a n d cl a sp i n g h er i n h i s a rm s Sh e d i s en g a g e d h e r self a n d.

t ri e d t o r un b a ck t o h er room b u t s t u m bl e d ov e r a s t e p o n t h e w a
, y .

Th i s a woke her Wh a t a p i t y ! She h a d o n ly b een dre a m i n g

.
.

CHA PT ER 2 0

A s orc erer b ew i t c h es th e co usi n s Th e ma r v e llo u s po w e r of

. th e magi c
st on e b r i n g s a b o u t t h e i r r e co v ery .

A FTE R A N UNE A S Y E E P S I A O H U NG C O T U P V E R Y E AR LY TH E N E X T
SL

da y t o go a bou t h er work Sh e w a s f a r t o o e xc i t e d by h er b e a u t i ful

, .

drea m t o b e a bl e t o g i ve th e u su a l c a r e t o h er t o i l et Sh e b a r ely d i pp e d .

h e r fi n g e rs qu i ckly i n t h e w a s h b a s i n c a re l ess ly p i n n e d up h e r lo n g
,

br a i d s i n fro n t of th e m i rror a n d fix ed a h a n d t ow el a s a pro n i n t o t h e

,

b el t of h er sk i rt Their w i th a s i gh sh e t ook h er broom a n d w as on c e

.
,

more an ord i n a ry h ou sem a i d .

P a o Y u h a d a l s o k e p t i n h i s he a r t t h e m emory of h i s fir s t me e t i n g of
y es te rd a y w i th t he pret t y l i t tl e n ew m a i d He would h a ve l i ke d t o c a ll .

1 88
h er to do h i m th i s o r t h a t se rv i c e b ut in th e fi rst pl a c e h e w as a fr a i d
, , ,

o f a rou s i n g t h e j e a lou s y of t h e old e r m a i d s a n d i n t he se co n d pl a c e h e , ,

di d n o t e ve n kn ow t h e l i t tl e o n e s n a m e He go t o ut o f b e d v e ry ea rly i n
’
.

t h e mor n i n g f ee l i n g i n a b a d h umor w en t t o th e w i n dow a n d r e m a i n e d

, ,

l ea n in g o ut for a w h i l e w a t ch i n g t he m a i d s sw ee p i n g th e court y a rd .

How n i c ely t he v a i n cr ea t ures h a d d e cke d th em selves o ut ! T her e w a s

n o t o n e of t h e m w h o h a d n o t p ut o n powd e r a n d roug e a n d s t uck flow
e rs coqu e t t i s h ly i n h e r h a i r U n for t u n a t e ly h e could n o t d i s cov e r th e
. .
,
'

l i tt l e n e w o n e o f y est e rd a y a mo n g th em b ut h e d efi n i te ly w a n te d t o se e,
'

h er a g a i n He s l i pp e d q u i cklyf i n t o hi s cl ot he s a n d w en t o ut i n t o t h e
.

p a rk He pre te n d e d W0 ha v e com e o ut t o look a t t he flowe rs b u t i n

.
-

r ea l i t y he w a s w a t c hi n g o u t fur t i ve ly t o t he ea st a nd t he w e st for l i t t l e
'

S i a o H un g A t l a st h e d i s cov e re d h e r l e a n i n g o n th e p a r a p e t o f a pl e a s
.

ur e g a ll e ry h i dd en u n d e r plum blo s s om s a n d b eh i n d b e go n i a br an c he s
, ,

s un k i n t h oug h t H e w e n t up t o h er a n d w a s j u s t a bou t t o s p ea k t o h er
.

wh e n a n old e r m a i d c a m e a lo n g a n d t old h i m t h a t i t w as t i m e t o w a sh ’
.

It w a s r ea lly a p i t y t o b e d i st urb e d ! So he h a d t o l e a v e t h e l i ttl e o n e

”

s t a n di n g t h ere w i t h ou t h a v i n g e xc h a n g e d a word w i t h h er a n d t urn ,

b a ck t o t he h ou s e .

‘
’
S h or t ly a fte r h e h a d go n e Pe arl sen t S i a o Hun g t o Bl a ck J a d e s p a
v i li o n A flow e r v a s e h a d b e en broke n a n d sh e w a n t e d t o
.
g et t h e lo a n
,

of a n o t her o n e from Bl a ck J a d e A s S i a o H un g cro sse d ov e r t h e Br i dg e

.

o f Blu e Gr ee n Fo a m o n h e r wa
y th e r e sh e n o t i c e d th a t t h e a dj a c en t
-

h i lly p a rt of t h e p a rk w a s f en c e d i n an d sh u t o ff by s cr een s T h i s w a s .

t h e p a r t w h e r e t r e e s a n d sh rub s w e r e t o b e pl a n t e d t od a y R i g h t e n oug h .
,

s h e s a w p e opl e a t work e v e ryw h e r e d i gg i n g a n d pl a n t i n g A n d t h e r e a t .

,

t h e e dg e of t h e dr i v e sh e c a ug h t s i g h t o f L i tt l e Y un se a t e d g i v i n g o r
, ,

d er s She fe l t i n cl i n e d to go ov e r t o h i m b u t t h en h er se lf co n fi den ce
.
,
-

’
fa i l e d h er a n d sh e st ol e a lo n g by a roun d a bou t w a y t o Bla ck J a de s p a
,

v i li o n A s s oo n a s s h e h a d do n e h e r e rr a h d s h e s l i pp e d i n t o h e r room
.

a n d th re w h e r se lf d ej e c t e dly o n t o t h e c ouc h The o th e r m a i d s n o t i c e d .

h er d e pre ss e d a pp ea ra n c e b u t th e y th oug h t she w as n o t f e el i n g w e ll

, ,

a n d t ook n o fur th e r n o t i c e o f h er .

O n t h e follow in g da y th e b a st a rd C h i a Hu a n h a d j u st ret ur n ed from

t h e f a m i ly s c h ool a n d w a s i n M a d a m e C h e n g s si t t i n g room bu s i ly copy
’

i n g o u t t h e D i a mo n d Su tr a for h er Sh e w a n t e d a n i c e l eg i bl e copy f o r
.

l e a rn i n g by h ea r t T h e b a st a rd fel t v e ry i mport a n t o n a ccou n t of th i s

.

comm i ss i o n a n d w a s g i v i n g ord e r s a ll a roun d O n e m a i d w a s t o t r i m

, .

a n d l i g h t th e w a x ca n dl e for h i m a n o t h e r w a s t o bri n g h im t e a
, he ,

r ebuke d a th i rd b e c a us e sh e st o od i n h i s l i gh t a n d s o i t w en t o n in ce s ,

sa n tl y A s h e w as un pop ul a r w i t h t h e s t a fl
. w h o h a d l i t t l e r es pe c t f o r ,

h i m n o o n e to ok an y n o t i c e o f hi m e xc e p t th e m a i d D a wn w h o broug h t
, . .
,

hi m t ea .

1 89
 Do n ot g i v e so m an y ord er s ! You are on ly m aki n g yours elf st i ll
.

more un popul a r ! she w hi sp ere d t o h i m a s sh e pour e d out hi s t e a He

”
,
.

look e d a t h er an gr i ly
”
“
I kn ow ! Y o u are all for P a o Y u an d h av e con spi re d a g a i n st m e ! h e
sa i d sh a rply .

D a wn sh owe d her t eeth an d r a pp e d h i s h ea d w i th h er fi n ge rs N ast y .

,

”
sn a pp i sh cur sh e s cold e d a n d w a s a bou t t o b e g i n a lo n g e r s ermo n
.
,

wh en the a rr i v a l of Ph o en i x an d P a o Y u pr e v ent e d h er from do i n g s o .

Th e two w er e com i n g from a b i r t h d a y c el ebr a t i o n i n th e h ou se o f

M a d ame C h en g s eld er bro t h e r M a r sh a l Wa n g Tzu Ten g P a o Y u s
’
,
.
’

ch eeks w er e re d from dri n ki n g w i n e an d h e fel t s l eepy Wh i le h i s .

mo ther w a s a sk i n g M a d a m e Ph o en i x h ow th e b i r th d a y c el e b ra t i on s h a d
p a ssed o ff a n d a bou t t h e gu e sts a n d th e th ea t r i c a l p erform a n c e h e let
, ,

t h e m a i d s t a ke o ff h i s ca p ov erco a t a n d sh o es th en h e n est l e d down o n

, , ,

t h e d i v a n b es i d e h i s mo t h er a n d l ea n e d h i s h ea d w ea r i ly o n h e r br east .

Sh e t en d erly s t roke d h i s c h eeks a n d n e ck a n d h e i n t urn c a resse d h er

,
.

“ ” “
. How h o t you a re ! sh e sa i d You h a ve c e rt a i n ly dr un k t o o m uch
.

a g a in M a k e your self comfo rt abl e a n d stret c h your se lf o u t so t ha t you

.
,
’ ”
wo n t feel i ll !
He follow ed h er a dv i c e a n d st r e t c h e d h i m self o u t b eh i n d h er on t h e
'
'

cush i o n s A t th e sa me t i m e h e c a ll e d D aw n a n d a ske d h er t o m a ssa ge

.

hi m a b i t B ut D a wn di d n o t wan t t o a n d k e p t look i n g a t th e b a st a rd w h o
. .

w a s wri t ing n e a r by Pa o Y u t ook h er by t h e h a n d a n d t r i e d t o dra w h e r

.

n e a r er t o h i m ,
“
D r ld r si st er do look a ft er m e a l i t t l e b i t t o o ! h e b e gge d
e a e e ,
”
.

B e qu i et o r th ere wi ll b e a u a rr e l ! ” sh e w h i sp er e d p a rry i n g h i m
,
q ,

a n d w i t h dr a wi n g h er h a n d for sh e h a d n o t ic e d th e look s o f h a t red

“
‘

whi ch th e b a st a rd w a s c a st i n g a t t h e s po i l e d fa vor i t e of t h e f a m
,

i ly .

Act u a lly C hi a Hu an h a d ob se rv e d w i t h grow i n g resen tm en t ,h o w P a o

, ,

Y u w a s o n c e more cl a i m i n g t h e g en er a l a tt en t i o n a n d pu tt i n g h i m t h e
,

b a st a rd i n the sh a d e He w a s d evou re d w i th en vy a n d t h i s i n sp ir e d
, .

h i m t o thi n k o f a m a l i c i ous pl a n W i t h i n t en t i o n a l a wkw a rdn e s s h e

.

t i pp e d ov e r t h e bowl i n t o wh i c h t h e m e l t i n g w a x f rom t h e c a n dl e w as

flowin g i n s uch a w a y t h a t t he h o t w a x spl a sh e d ov er P a o Y u s f a c e

,
’
.

When th e l a tt er u tt er e d a lo u d cry of p a i n th e y a ll rush e d ov e r t o h im

a n d sh n e th e a
o l mp s o n hi s f a c e Th en th ey sa w t o th ei r h orror th a t h i s
.
-

a e was
f c covere d w i th a t ri ckli n g l a y e r o f h o t li qu i d w a x Fi ll e d wi t h .

n st e n a t i n
co r o Ph o en i x a n d th e m a i d s st a rt e d t o scr a pe down t h e w ax
,

an d t o w a sh t h e i n j ur e d sk i n wi t h t p d w
a te r
“

e i .
.

S uc h a block d h e a ! A n d h e
’
s n o l on g e r a s t up i d s m a ll c h i ck !
”
sh e
s
cold e d c a st i n g a thr ea t en i n g si de lo n g gl an c e a t t h e b a st a rd “ H e do e s
,
.

n ot
yet e ven kn ow h o w t o m an a g e li gh t s ! It j u st sh o ws h o w b a dly hi s
th e i
mo r br gin g him up !
s i n
”

1 90
ta ek fa l se st ep s The se youn g p e opl e a re e xpo sed t o th e a ffl i c t i on s o f
.

t h e w i cke d d ev i l s a t ev e ry st e p dur i n g th e i r t e n d e r y e a s a n d fr e qu en t ly r
,
”
t h e y lo s e t he i r l i ves by th e m .

“ ? ”
Is t h ere t h en n o eff ec ti v e c h a rm a g a i n st t h em
, ,
as k e d t h e a l a rm e d

A n c e stress .

“
C er t a i n ly wi th the help of Buddh a th e d ev i ls ca n b e dr i ven o ut B ut
,
.

Budd h a d em an ds s om e good work a s a cou n t er — o ff e r i n g It i s wr i t t en .

,

moreove r i n th e h oly wr i t i n gs th a t i n t h e W est t h e r e i s a m i gh t y bod

, ,

h i s a tt va of l i g h t wh o se sp ec i a l offi c e i t i s t o pro t e c t t h e ch i ldr en of good

pe ople from th e demo n s of d a rkn ess B u t on e h a s fir st t o co n j ur e up t h i s
.

pro tec t i n g sp i r i t a n d r en d e r h i m w e ll d i spo se d by m ea n s o f s u i t a ble '

”
o fl eri n gs a n d sa cr i fic es .

“ ”
Wh at th en do es h e d e m an d a s a n o fl eri n g ?
, ,

O h n o t so much A coupl e of ou n c es of fr an k i n c en se e v e ry da y a n d
, .

pl en t y of o i l for a b e a u t i ful b i g a l t a r l a mp For t h e l a mp mu st n o t b e .

”
a llow e d t o go o u t da
y or n i gh t It i s t h e s ymb ol o f t h e Sp i ri t o f L i gh t
. .

“
V ery we ll You sh a ll h a v e th e mon ey for t h e fr an k i n c en se a n d th e
.

l amp How much o i l i s re qu i re d

.
? ”

Mo the r M a n am e d a w h ol e sc a le of th e s um s : usually g i v en wh i ch ,

w ere gr a d ed a ccord i n g t o th e soc i a l po si ti o n o f t h e h ou se co n c e rn e d .

Afte r len gth y b a rg a i n i n g a d a i ly qu an t i t y o f fi v e ou n c es o f o i l w as

a gr ee d upo n Mo th er M a w a s t o rec ei ve t h e mon e y f o r t hi s e a ch
. -

mo nth i n a dva n ce from t he c as h i er s offi c e ’

.

O n th e a dvi c e of t he w i se wom an t h e A n c e st ress ord e r e d mor e ov er , ,

th a t P a o Y u s serv a n t sh ould i n fu t ur e c a rry w i t h h m s om e t h ou sa n d

’

i
p i e c e s tr i n gs of mon e y t o d i st r i but e a s a hns t o mo n ks a n d b e gg a r s w h en
he w en t o ut W i th t he a ss ur a n c e th a t Budd h a would r e w a rd h e r ch a ri t y
.
,

th e w i se wom a n t ook l e a v e of t h e Pr i n c ess A n c est r ess Wh en m a ki n g a .

rou n d of t he wom en s qu a r te rs i n th e w e st e rn p a l a c e sh e a rr i v e d a t t h e
’

room of th e se con d a ry w i fe C h a o mo t h er of t h e b a st a rd C h i a Hu a n
, .

Sh e w a s si tt i n g o n th e w a rm e d k a n g pu t t i n g s l i ppe rs t og eth e r A s sh e
’

gl a n c e d a t t he hea p of br i ght ly color ed p i e ce s of sa t i n b es i d e h er

.

M o h er M a r em a rke d : A h I could do w i t h s om e n ew m a t eri a l for

“
’

t
,

“Look he re th er e s n o th i n g v ery good l e ft b u t i f o u do n ot di s d a i n

’
,
y ,

t h ese sh a bby rem n an ts p i ck o u t s om e ”

t h a t you li ke !
,

Whi le Mo ther Ma w a s rumm a g i n g th rough t h e m a t er i a l an d m a ki n g

t h e b est p i e c es drsa
pp ea r i n t o h er roomy s k i rt pocke t M rs C h a o co n , .
“
ti n ue d: D i d you d e li ver t o th e T empl e o f th e God o f M e d i c i n e th e fi e
v
h un dr e d copp e r p i eces w h i ch I rec en t ly sen t o u ? ”
y
Mo ther M a sa i d th a t she di d .

It w as te rr i bly li ttl e ” co n ti n u e d M rs C h a o w i th a si g h
“
, I sh ould
. .
‘

1 92
so much l i ke t o g i ve more an d often e r b ut j us t now my h an ds a re t i e d ,
.

”
I c e rt a i n ly do n o t l a ck good wi ll .

“
H a ve p a t i e n c e B e tt er d a y s w i ll c e rt a i n ly com e fo r yo u O n ly w a i t
. .

un t i l your so n i s gr ow n up ! He wil l sur ely h a v e a n i c e lucr a ti v e po si ,

”
t i o n s om ed a y .

M rs C h a o g a v e a n e mb a rr asse d sm i l e
. .

“
A h pl ea se do n o t s pe a k a bou t th a t I do n o t w is h t o expe c t muc h
,
.

i n th at d i r ec t i o n my s o n s po s i ti o n i s s o v e ry di fli cult owi n g t o Pa o Y u
’
.
,

Th e w h ol e h ou se h old rev o ly es ar oun d o n e pe rs o n n a m e ly P a o Y u B u t , ,

.

’
I wo n t cra wl t o th a t wom a n .

Sh e s i g n i fic a n t ly s t r et c h e d tw o fi n g e rs o f h er ri gh t h a n d up in t h e a i r .

Mo the r M a u n d erst ood h er s i gn l a n gu a ge .

“
Y o u m ea n th e seco n d Na i na i M a d a m e Ph o en i x . ,

”
Hu sh ! sa i d M rs C h a o fri ght en e d sta n d i n g up t o pe e p th rough
.
, ,

t he curt a i n an d m a ke s ur e th a t n o b ody w a s li st en i n g Th e r e w a s n o o n e .

outsi d e Sh e sa t dow n a g a i n r eass ur ed

.
, .

“
Y es th e a u t ocr a t i c w a y th a t pe rs o n i s a llow e d to ru l e t h e h ou se i s
,
” “
s i mply u n en dur a bl e s h e co n t i n u e d i n a w h i s p er
, I h a ve n o vo i c e i n .

”
a n y t hi n g ; I a m h a rdly a h um a n b e in g b es i d e h e r .

Hm I un d e rs t a n d yo u are po werl ess a n d d a re n o t sh ow an y o p

.
,

po si ti on Open ly S ti ll why n o t try t o do so se cret ly ? B ut I sh ould n o t

.
,

”
s a y a n y th i n g .

”
Oh pl ea se s pe a k ! i n t e rj ec t ed Mrs C h a o ea g erly I am b u rn in g to
, . .

d ea l j u st o n e blow a t her se cr et ly If I o n ly kn ew ho w to ! I shall n ot .

fai l t o sh ow my gr a t i t ud e i f yo u wi ll h elp m e .

“
Holy Budd ha ho w ca n I reco n c i l e my cons c i en ce t o th a t ? I ha v e
,
”
s uc h a t en d e r co n s c i en c e !
“
Now yo u are n o t u s u a lly so t i m i d ! O r are yo u a fra i d tha t I do n o t
,

? ”
si n c e r e ly m ea n wh a t I sa y abou t my gr a t i t ud e

A bro a d gr i n sprea d ov e r Moth er M a s fa ce ’

.

“ ? ”
Wh a t then would yo u t h in k o f gi v i n g m e she aske d fr an kly
, , .

Y o u are bo th cle ve r an d wi se Mo t he r M a an d yo u kn ow b et te r , ,

th a n a n yo n e t h a t th e w h ol e p al a c e w i th ev e ry thi n g b e lo n gi n g t o i t , ,

would fa ll t o m e i f yo u s ucc eede d in get t in g th ose tw o P h oen i x a n d

, ,

Pa o Y u o ut o f the w a y In th a t c a se yo u co uld d em an d as much a s yo u

, .

”
w i sh e d from m e .

“
Hm th a t i s ve ry n i c e But ass um i n g th a t eve ry th ing g oes a ccord i n g
, .

t o your wi sh es an d yo u becom e th e mi s tr ess yo u m i g h t o b a ck on yo ur

g ,

prom i se I ca nn o t un d e rt a ke the bus i n ess w i th out s om ethin g in wri t

. -

”
i ng .

If th at is all
yo u w an t I sh a ll mo st wi lli n gly Wri t e o ut a promiss o ry
n ot e f or yo u . It wi ll b e pa i d pun c t uall y la t e r o n, yo u ca n rely on th a t !

1 93
B esi d es t hi s I can gi ve you some a rt i cl es of clo thi n g an d s om e p i eces
, “
”
of j ewel ry i n a dv a n ce .

“
Y e s I a gr ee t o th at
. .

So Mrs C h a o op en e d h er ch ests a n d p i ck e d o ut som e p i eces of

.

clo t h i n g an d a r t i cl es of j ewelry for Mot he r M a a nd a dd e d to th i s s om e ,

broken si lver a n d m o reo v er sh e wro t e o ut i n Mo th e r M a s f a vor a for

,
' ’

m a ! prom i ss ory n o t e for fif t y t a el s Wh en t h e fi n an c i a l s i d e o f t h e m a t

.

t er h a d t h u s b een s a t i s f a c t or i ly s e tt l e d Mo t h e r M a go t down t o work

,

wi t h ou t a n y more mor a l s crupl es a n d w i th ou t d i st i n gu i shi n g blu e from

,

re d or bl a ck from w h i t e S h e t ook s c i ss or s a n d cu t o ut t w o h um a n fi
g
‘
.

ures from a sh ee t of wh i t e p a p er M rs C h a o ha d t o wr i t e o n e a ch o f
. .

t h em a s et of four doubl e cycl i c s i g n s— n a m e ly th e y ea r mo n t h da y , , , ,

an d h our of t h e b i r th of P h o en i x a n d of P a o Y u T h en sh e cu t from a .

hea t of blu e p a p e r t w o s e ts of fi v e figur es of d e v i l s a n d go t M rs C h a o .

She h a d b a r ely t i m e xpl a i n t h a t sh e would c a rry o ut t h e r est

to e

c h a rm a t hom e by h e r self , an d qu i ckly t o g a the r up th e p i e ce s o f p a pe r

whi ch we re sewn t og eth er wh en a m a i d a pp e a r e d t o c a ll M rs C h a o t o
, .

a m ea l M o t h e r M a t ook l e a v e h urr i e dly a n d s et o ut for h er h om e

.
.

Th a t a ft er n oo n Bl a ck J a d e wen t t o v i si t h er s i ck cous i n P a o Y u On , .

t h e v er a n d a i n fro n t o f h i s p a v i l i o n s h e fou n d s e v e r a l m a i d s bu sy

w ash i n g themselves m a k in g up th ei r fa c es a n d p a i nti n g th ei r eye

, ,

brows From i n si d e ca m e t he sou n d of m e rry c h a tt e r a n d l a ugh te r

.
_ .

ta ini n g th e pa t i en t w i th t he i r pl e a san t comp an y .

“
A h, ”
he r e com e s a n o t her ! t he y cri e d i n c h oru s as
te re d .

“
You mu st a ll h a v e b een i n vi t e d by l ett er t o a rr 1v e ,
? ”
b ers sa i d Bl a ck J a d e pl a yfully .

“
H v you r d
a e t i e t h e t e a
”
wh i ch I sen t you r ec en tly Bho en ix
? '
'

I th i n k i t t a stes good , b ut th e
Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp .

“
It i s t r i bu t e t o n ot l i ke it
v ery muc h e i the r ; I t h i n k
O f cours e Bl a ck
of ord e r i t se e ms, .

”
of t he s a m e kin d sa i d Ph o en i x
, .

”
a i d for i t .

1 94
 Th a t i s n o t neces sa ry I wa s go i n g t o sen d over t o yo u t omorro w
.

for s om e thi n g i n an y c a se .

O h i n d ee d ? I sh ould v e ry muc h l i k e t o kn ow wh a t se rv i c e i s de
“
,
”
s i re d of m e i n re t urn for th e p a ck a g e o f t ea .

W h o n s P e rh ap s you w i ll b e a s k e d t o pr ep are t o b e a l i ttl e

“
k ow ?

br i d e for our fa mi ly s a i d P h o en i x bl i the ly

”
,
.

”
“
M a rv ellou sly w i tty ! r em a rke d Pre c i ous C las p som ew h at a c i dly ,

whi le the o thers l a ughe d loud .

“
Wi t ty ? I fi n d th e r em a rk i n ve ry b ad t a st e a n d mo s t unfi t ti n g ,

Bl ack J ad e burst o u t v i ol en t ly Sh e h a d gon e re d t o th e roo ts o f h er

.

h a i r an d on e could h ea r h er t eeth gn ash i n g .

“
No w would yo u b e t h row i n g your se lf a w a y i f yo u w e r e t o b e a
, ,

”
br i d e to t h a t m emb er of t he f am i ly there co n t i n u e d P h o en i x ca hnly
?
,

i n t in h e r fi n g er a t P a o Y u Do es h i s pe rs o n o r h i s ori g i n n o t
'

p o g .

? ”
pl ea se yo u
Bl a ck J a d e ha d st ood up an d go n e si l en tly t o the door Prec i ous
“

C lasp h urr i e d a fte r h er a n d dr ew h er b a ck .

“ '
? ”
How can o n e t ak e o fl en se so ea si ly an d j u st r un o ff s h e sa i d t o

h er A t th at mom en t th e t wo seco n d a ry w i v e s C h a o a n d C h ou w h o h a d
.
, ,

a l s o com e t o i n qu i re a f t e r P a o Y u s h ea l t h en t e r e d th e roo m Ev e ry
’
.
,

on e st ood U
p pol i tely wh en th ey a pp ea r e d P h o e n i x a lo n e r em a i n ed .

s ea ted a n d i gn or ed t h em d el i b er a t e ly S h o r tly a f te rw ard s P h oen i x an d

.

t he cou si n s w e r e c all e d a w a y t o M a d a m e C h en g s t o greet t h e wi fe o f

’
,

t h e l att er s bro t her M a rsh a l W a n g Tz u T en g w h o h a d com e t o vi si t

’
-

, .
,

T he si ckroom wa s s oo n emp t y .

“ ”
Wi ll yo u a t l east st a y w i th m e a l i ttl e wh i l e ! b e gg ed Pa o Y u wh en ,

Bl a ck J a d e to o wa s a bou t t o leav e h im .

“
D o yo u he ar th a t ? Your presen c e i s d esi re d h e re s a i d P h o en i x , ,

s upport i n g hi s r e qu est a s sh e t ur n e d a rou n d a n d wi th a l a ugh pu sh e d

,

Bl a ck J a d e b ack i nt o t he room Pa o Y u c augh t he r by t he h a n d an d

.

smi l e d a t h er i n s i l en t en t rea t y Bl a ck J a d e flush e d a n d t r i e d t o di s

.

en g a g e h erself from h i m Sudd en ly h e l et h er g p d h i h d and

.
g o ra s e s e a , ,

u tte r ed a loud cry o f p a i n .

“
Oh how my hea d a c h es ! h e gro an e d Th e n ex t mom ent h e g a ve a
,
”
.

grea t l eap i nt o the a i r a n d b e ga n t o run ro un d the room l i ke a po s

e s se d pe rs o n sh ou t i n g an d st a mm e r i n g
o u t di sco hn ec t ed word s H ea r
s ,
’
1 n g Bl a ck J a d e s a n d th e m a i d s ’
.

fr i ghten e d cri es f o r he lp P a o Y u s ,
’

mother the A n c est ress a nd the i r v i si t or Au n t Wan g c a m e h urry in g

, , , , .

They saw Pa o Y u w i ldly br a n d i sh i n g a n a ke d d a gg e r a n d a fen c i n g fo i l

as h e j umpe d up a n d dow n t h e room r
oa r i n g fr an t i ca lly S h a kin g wi th .

te rror t h e
, , women sn at che d up th ei r ski rts an d ran o ut o f th e p a vi li on
u t te ri n g loud cr i es o f gri ef W i th l i gh tn i n g s pee d th e a wf ul n ews sp rea d
.

t h rough bo th p ala c es th a t Pa o Y
u h a d go n e m a d an d i n th e cours e o f ,
_

1 96
tim ehi s fa the r a n d Pri n c e S h ieh a n d Pr i n ce C hen an d C hi a L i en a n d
, , ,

m a n y o t he r m en an d wom e n o f the cl a n a rr i v e d a t t he i ll fa te d s po t -
.

In t he m i d st o f t he ge n e r a l t umul t w he n a ll m in d s we re co n c e n t r a te d
,

o n P a o Y u P h oe n i x w as s udd e n ly seen ru n n i n g th roug h th e p a rk i n

,

gre a t bou n ds She w as a rm e d w i th a lo n g k i t c he n kn i fe w i th w h i c h

. ,

s he w a s s las h i n g o u t h e r e b eh ea d i n g a h e n w h i c h h a ppe n e d t o cro ss

,

h er pa t h a n d th e re s t a bb i n g a do g w h i c h h a d com e t oo n ea r he r He r
,
.

roll i n g e y es gl a re d w i th lu s t for blood as she no w a ppro a c h e d t he group

o f re l a t i v es a n d se rv a n ts Ev eryo n e fe ll b a ck cry i n g o ut i n fr i g h t b u t
. , ,

som e br a v e s t ro n g se rv i n g m e n a n d m a i d s surr o u n d e d h e r forc e d t h e

, ,

w ea po n from h e r gra s p a n d c a rr i e d he r o ff t o he r r es i d e n c e
,
.

Th ere w as an e xc i te d fa m i ly cou n c i l In gre a t co n fu s i o n the y a ll

.

t a lke d t og e t he r Som e s ugg e s te d t h i s d e v i l c a t c he r o t he r s t h a t e xorc i s t

.
-

o f s p i r i t s ; s om e w e re fo r c a ll i n g a d o c t or o t h e rs for t ry i n g m a g i c an d
, ,

fi n a lly i t w a s d ec i d e d t o se n d for bo t h doc tor a n d m a g i c i a n s B u t i n s .

s p i te of a h u n dre d m e d i c a l e n d ea vor s a n d m a g i c i n c a n t a t i o n s a n d i n

s p i te o f t horoug h s pr i n kl i n g w i t h h oly w a t e r t he t w o p o s s e s s e d pe r s o n s
,

co nt i n u e d the i r r a v i n g s u n t i l t he i r bod i e s w e re glow i n g l i ke fi re a n d ,

t he y s a n k down a t l as t ex h a u s t e d o n t he i r b e d s B u t e v e n ly i n g t he r e .
,

th e y co n ti nu e d t o b a bbl e i n co h e re n tly a n d dur i n g t he n i g ht t h e i r ra v

,

i n g s t ook o n re a lly t e rr i ble form s No o ne d a re d t o go n e a r t he m

.

t h roug h ou t t he w h ole n i g h t T he n e x t da y t he t w o w e re s h u t u p i n o n e
.

room i n t he dwe ll i n g o f Pa o Y u s mo the r a n d gu a rd s we re po s te d t o

’
,

w a tc h i n t ur n s da y a n d n i g ht a n d pre ve n t t he m a n i a cs from e s c a p i n g .

B ut n o t fa r a w a y th e A n c es t re ss a n d M a d a m e C he n g Pr i n c e S h i e h a m l , ,

Au n t H s u e h s a t t oge th e r n e v e r mov e d a s to p from t he v i c i n i t y a n d

, , ,

fi lle d w i th a t h ou sa n d fe a rs an d s obb i n g c e a s e l e s s ly follow e d t he de ,

v e lo m e n t of t h e co n d i t i o n o f t h e t w o fa vor i te s of t h e h ou s e W he n
p .

th ree d a y s a n d t h re e n i g h ts h a d p a ss e d w i t h ou t a n y i mprov em e n t Mr ,
.

C he n g g a ve up h o pe .

“
T he n umb e r o f o u r y ea rs i s d e te rm i n e d by hea v e n , h e s a i d t o
Pr i n c e S h i e h w ho ke p t t i re l e ss ly pu tt i n g fo rw a rd n e w s ugg e s t i o n s
, .

“
W i t h o n ly o ur h um a n s t re n g t h w e ca n do n o t h i n g T he i ll n es s o f t hes e .

t w o d efi e s e v e ry t re a tm e n t W e mu s t l e a ve t ho m t o t h e i r fa te
”
. .

By th i s t i me P h o e n i x a n d Pa o Y u w c rc ly i n g o n c o uc he s i n a n e x
ha n s te d a n d a p a th e t i c co n d i t i o n a n d w e re b re a t h i n g o n ly w ea k ly
, .

Eve ryo n e r e g a rd e d th e i r c a se a s ho pe le s s a n d th e e ld e rs ha d de c i de d to
,

m a ke pre p a ra t i o n s fo r t h e i r d e a t h w hi c h Wa s expe c t e d a t a n y mome n t

, .

T h i s n ews c a u se d r ene we d l a m en t a t i o n a n d mour n i n g i n t h wom e n s e

’

a p a r tm e n ts O n ly o n e wom a n w a s u n t ouc he d by t he g e n e ra l s o rr o w an d
.
,

s ym a th y w a s qu i e t ly rej o i c i n g T h a t w a s t he se co n d
p , .

O n the fo urt h da y Pa o Y u
’

s udd en ly ope n e d his e yes an d as ked fo r

1 97
hi s thi n g s H e could n o t st an d i t h e r e a n y l o n ger , h e sa i d , a n d h e w i sh ed
.
’

s t r a i g h t a w a y t o l ea ve t h e h ou s e for e v er T he A n c es t ress w a s i n co n .

s ol a bl e a n d t r i e d t o d i ss u a d e h i m from h i s i n t en ti o n B u t t h e s e co n d a ry .

w i fe C ha o urg e d her t o let h i m ha v e h i s w a y .

“ ”
Do n o t b e sa d a bou t i t old Ta i ta i sh e sa i d Let h i m p u t o n h i s
!
,
.

clo th es a n d go o ff i n a n y c a se h e i s n o lo n g e r a n y go od for h i s f a m i ly
. .

H e mu st b e p e rm i tt e d to h a v e h i s w a y o r h e wi ll get a n o t h e r a tt a ck o f
m a d n ess .

Her rem a rk p ut th e A n c est r e ss i n t o s uc h a r a g e t h a t o n e could h ea r

her tee t h gn a sh i n g an d s ee t h e fo a m dropp i n g from t h e cor n e rs of h er
mou th .

“ ”
M a y th e t on gu e dry up i n your m e a th yo u con fou n d e d wom an ! ,

“
sh e cur s e d You wi ll pe r secut e hi m t o h i s d e a t h ! D o n o t i m a gi n e th a t I
.

a m bl i n d ! I kn ow w e ll h owco n v en i en t i t would b e f or you i f h e d i e d

~
.

é
I kn ow w ho sie f ul t i t i s th a t h e t rembl es b e for e h i s fa t h e r l i ke a mou se
f
b e fore a ca t ,a h d t ha t h i s l i ve r i s burst i n g t h rough co n st a n t fe a r Y o u .

woul d l i ke t o b e ri d of h i m Th a t would s u i t you v ery w e ll ! B ut I w i ll

.

n o t a llow i t Her vo i c e droppe d an d s h e w a s ov e rcom e by a fi t

”
’

of cough i n g Mr C hen g w h o w a s st a n d i n g b e si d e h er w a s p a i n fully

. .
, ,

a w a r e of t h e r e pro a c h es d i r ec t e d a t h i m a n d t urn e d a wa y mu t t e r i n g
'

.
,

Wh i le t h e wom a n w h o h a d re c ei v e d th i s s cold i n g w as t ry i n g t o j u st i fy
he r self a n d to c a lm t he en r a g e d A n c es t r ess a se rv a n t a rr i ve d a n d a n ,

n o un ce d t h a t t h e t w o coffi n s h a d b een m ad e T h e A n c e s t r e ss n o w w as .

bes i d e herse lf Sh e fe l t a s i f her h e a rt w e r e p i e rc e d by d a gg e r s

. .

“
W h o di d s uc h a w i ck e d t hi n g a s t o ord e r th e se coffi n s ? ”
s h e cri e d
“
i n a scr eec hi n g vo i c e Br i n g wh o e ve r di d i t st r a i gh t t o m e t h a t I m a y
.

h a v e hi m b e a ten to d ea t h ! ”

In th e m i ds t of th e t umult t he s oun d o f a wood en cl a pp e r s uc h a s

‘

p i ous Buddh i st s a re i n t he h a b i t o f u si n g a t pr a y e r w a s h e a rd from f a r ,

down th e st reet an d a l oud vo i c e comm en d i n g i n th e n a m e of th e

, ,

South e rn R ed eem er c ert a i n hea l i n g re c i p es for th o s e po ss esse d by t h e

‘

de vi l b ec a m e d i st i n c t ly a ud i ble T he A n c es tr ess forth wi t h sen t se rv a n t s .

o u t t h e fro n t g a t e t o fi n d t h e t r a v e ll i n g m i r a cl e h ea l e r a n d br i n g h i m t o

th e h ou se It w a s n o t lo n b ef o re t h e se rv a n ts c a m e b a ck w i th t w b v e ry
‘

g
.
.

o dd looki n g i n d i v i du a ls O n e o f t h em w a s a m an g look i g bo n z e th e
‘

y
-

. n -

o t he r w a s a l a m e T a o i st pri est Th e prom i n en t n o se o f t h e form e r i n di .

ca t ed bol dne s s o f c h a r a c t e r hi s e lo n g ate d e y es s p a rkl e d l i k e bri ght

,

s t a rs t h e p a t ch e d b a s t s a n d a ls wh i c h
h e w e r e l ef t n o t r a cks i n th e du st
' '

,
,

his gri my b ald h ea d w a s cove re d w i th sc urf T h e o th e r wa lk e d w i t h a

“

l i mp for o n e foo t w a s sh ort er th an th e o th e r an d h i s sh a bb y h a b i t w as

,
,

d i rt y an d s t a in e d wi th pe rs pi r a t i on
e ls e could th e y h a v e com e th an from

ern S e a where th e sun sets ? Chi a ’

198
h a d b e en w a i t i n g exp ec t a n tly crowd e d ou ts i d e t he door o f th e si c k room .

Bl a ck J a d e w a s the first w ho sh owe d her r el i e f by cry i n g from her

h ea rt : Th an ks b e t o Buddh a ! Pre c i ous C l as p s a i d n o th i n g b ut o n ly
“ ”

l a ughe d .

“ ”
W h y are you l a ughi ng ? Gr i e f o f Spr i n g w a n t e d t o kn ow .

I ha ve t o l a ug h a t a ll t he good Budd h a h as t o do He mu st m a k e .

t h e si ck w ell an d br i n g poor s i n n e rs t o reg en e r a t i o n He can do e v ery .

t h i n g ; o n e ha s o n ly t o c all upo n h i m T h e n ex t t h in g Wi ll b e t h a t h e
.

”
w i ll n ego ti a t e m a rr i a g es o n r e qu es t .

”
S hame ! How can yo u b e so W i ck e d a n d fr i volous ! cri e d B la ck
J a d e flus hi n g a s full of in d i gn a t i o n she ra n o ut o f t he room
, , , ,
.

CHAPTER 2 1

O n the Wa sp Wa is t B r idg e pr ess es h er fee li ng s

lo ve lorn ma i d
a ex in
“ ”
comm o n p la ce w ord s Th e . s ta r t le s t w o b u t t e rfl i es
C o ur tesa n Ya n g in
th e Pa vili o n of th e K i n gfis h er B lu e D rop s -
.

Ar m s E ND o r T H E T H I R T Y T H R EE oar s NO T O N L Y W A S PA O Y U c ua s o
-

o f hi s m en t a l d e r a n g e m en t b ut t h e d i s fi gur i n g bur n s o n h i s f a c e w e r e

a lso compl et e ly h e a l e d H e fel t st ro n g e r a n d i n b ett e r form t h a n b e for e

. ,

a n d h e w as gl a d t o b e a bl e t o move b a ck a t l a s t t o h i s b e lov e d p a rk .

A n d a n o th er p erso n rej o i c e d a t h i s r et u rn : th a t w a s l i t t l e S i a o Hun g ;

for n o w she could see he r se cr et ly b elov e d Li t t le Y un a g a i n i f o n ly a t a ,
’
d i st a n ce fo r he w as st i ll en ga ge d o n h i s g a rd en work A n d L i tt l e Y un s
, .

he a r t t oo b ea t fa s t e r eve ry t i m e h e s aw t h e gra c e ful figure of t he l i t t le

ma i d a p pe a r i n g in hi s v i c i n i t y I f o n ly he could m a n a ge t o s pe a k t o
.

her ! B ut he di d n o t d a re for a fter a ll P a o Y u h a d forb i dd en h i m a t th e

,

outset t o h a ve a n y co n ta c t w i th th e fem a l e i n m a t e s o f t he p a rk S i a o .

H un g ha d o n ce n o t i c e d a d a i n t y l i tt le p a l e gr ee n si lk ha n dke rch i ef in
Li t t le Y tin s han d It w as h er h an dkerc h i e f w hi ch she ha d lo st rec en tl y!
’
.

Pe rha ps a fte r all her drea m m i ght ye t co m e t ru e ?

, ,

O n e da y P ao Y u rem e mb e ri n g th e prom i se he ha d m a d e qu i t e a
,

whi le ago bra ce d hi ms elf to i n vi te Li tt le Y un t o a cup o f t ea C ha n ce

, .

would ha ve i t tha t j us t as th e w a i t i n g m a i d E a rri n g w a s escor ti n g th e

,

guest a lo n g n o t f a r from t he W asp Wa i s t Br i dg e l i t t l e S i a o Hu n g w as

, ,

walki n g over t he b ri dge S i a o Hu n g s t opp e d a n d exc ha n g e d a fe w

.

words wi th Earri ng W h a t she h a d to sa y w a s somet hi n g qu i te u ni m

.

po rta n t b ut the dela y a llowe d h e r t o look profoun dly i n to L i tt le Yun s

,
’

ey es an d t hi s
, hurri ed exc ha n g e o f gl a n ce s c a u se d the m bo t h t o blu s h .

She ha d n o t yet foun d the p a le green ha n dk e rc hi ef wh i c h sh e h a d los t ,

th e artful li t t l e cr ea t ur e re m a rke d qu i te c as u a lly as she co n t i n u e d h er

"

w a y.
 "

P a o Y u h a d ord ere d t h a t h i s gu est sh ould b e brough t i n t o t h e l i br a ry

i n the Co ur t of H a rm on i c a s R e d W h i l e th e m a i d w e n t t o a n n o un c e h i s
.

“ ”
a rr i va l L i tt l e Y u n h a d a n oppor t u n ity t o look rou n d h i m T h e cour t .

llur i n g rock l a n d s c a p e pl a n t e d h e re a n d t h e re wi t h cypr ess es

'

wa s an a , ,

b a n a n a pl a n ts a n d o n e h uge gold en b e go n i a ; B en e a th a cypr ess t re e

,

s t ood t w o M a n c h ur i a n s p i r i t cr a n e s pr ee n i n g t h ei r f e a t h e r s w i t h t h ei r .

lo n g b ea ks T h e c hi rp i n g a n d sh ri e k i n g of r a r e colored b i rd s i n n um e r
.
,

o us c a g e s r es o un d ed from t h e w a ll s of t h e pl e a s ur e g a ll e ry wh i c h e n

c i rcle d t he roun d i n n e r court y a rd w a ll Above t h e en t r a n c e door t o t h e .

“
c i rcul a r m a i n b ui ld i n g h un g a t a bl et b e a r i n g t he i n scr i p t i o n H a rm o
‘

n i o u s R e d Joyful G r
,
ee n W h i l e L i tt le Y un w a s st i ll po n d e ri n g ove r t he
mean i n g of t hese four c h a ra c t e r s h e w a s c a l l e d l n P a o Y u w a s recli n
,
.

i n g o n a m a g n i fic en t c a rve d bl a ck l a cqu e re d d i v a n b en e a t h a re d s i lk
c a n opy e dge d w i th gold a n d embro i d e r e d w i th fl ow e r s In h i s h an d h e .

h eld a n Op en book w h i c h h e l a i d down wh en t h e v i s i t or en t e r e d .

.
.

P ao Y u a polog i se d for t h e f a c t th a t h e h a d b een pre ven t e d from

c a rry i n g o u t h i s prom i se un t i l t od a y t w o m on th s l a t e ow i n g t o h i s i ll
, ,

n ess L i t t l e Y un pro t es te d pol i t ely h o w s orry h e h a d b een a bou t h i s i ll

.

n es s a n d wh a t a n i n e xpr e ss i bl e h a pp i n e ss h i s ul t i m a t e r e cov e ry w a s t o
,

h i s wh ol e f a m i ly Wh en P a o Y u s po k e h e o n ly ha lf l i s t ene d for h i s
.
,

th ough ts w e r e d i st r a c t e d a s muc h by t h e S pl en dor o f hi s s urroun di n g s

a s by t h e c h a rm of t he t w o w a i t i n g m a i d s m a t t en d a n c e H e a ss um e d .

t h e e ld e r o n e w h o w a s s o sump t uou sly r es pl e

, n d en t i n r e d a n d gr een

a n d s i lv er si lk t o b e P a o Y u s p e r s o n a l m a i d P e arl A s h e h a d h e a rd
’
, , .

wh a t a n i mport an t rol e P e a rl pl a y e d he di d n o t d a r e t o a llow h er t o,

serv e h i m W h e n sh e w a s a b c
'

i u t t o pour o u t t e a h e s t ood up r es p e c t fully

“ “

a n d s h yly a sk e d t o b e a llow e d t o pour i t o u t hi m s e lf P a o Y u l a ugh i n gly .

pu sh ed h i m dow n o n h i s se a t a g a i n s a y i n g h e n e ed n o t b e so ce rem o n i
,

o us w i th w a i t i n g m a i d s b ut l n h i s s e cr et h e a r t h e fou n
, dt he ob se q ui ou s
m a nn e r of t he poor rel a ti o n somewhat t e d i ou s h en c e h e cut t h e v i si t a s
'

sh or t a s po s si bl e an d l i m i t e d t h e co n v e r sa t i o n t
o s uc h s up e rfic i a l com ,

m o n p la ce t hem e s a s th e w ea t he r s e rv a n t s g a rd en p l a n ni n g ood food

, g , , ,

an d t h e l i ke Qu i t e s oo n h e fe l t w e a
.
ry of h i s gu est w i th h i s i n c e ssan t a n d
e t a a an t
xr v g pr a i se a n d he b a d e h i m fa rew
, e ll T h e w a i t in g m a i d Ea r .

rin g ha d to co n duct h i m o ut a g a i n .

On th e w a y L i tt le Y un d e li b e ra t ely w a lke d
i n a ll t he four d i r ec t i on s of he a ven for l i tt l e Si
w he r e t o b e seen He det er i ne d t o b e com e
, m
m a i d E a rr i n g i n o .

a s k e d h e r a bou t h

e v e ry

fami li
sa i d Pa o Y u se verely a n d then cont i n u ed o n h i s w a y A t l a s t h e c a me t o
,
.

a se cret door whi c h w a s h i dd en a w a y b eh i n d a th i ck et of h i g h fe rn s by

th e e dg e of a qu i et po n d A my s t e r i ou s h umm i n g w h i c h see m e d t o
. ,

com e from a wa t er dra go n ly i n g a t t he bo t t om o f t h e po n d fille d th e ,

a i r P a o Y u ha d a rr i ve d a t Bl a ck J a d e s p a v i l i o n H e qu i et ly l i ft e d t h e
’ “

. .

b amboo screen a n d ste ppe d i n t o t he fro n t g a rd en Th e r e w a s d ee p si .

l en c e ev e ryw here He crep t u n d e r th e open w i n dow w h i c h h a d o n ly a

.
,

t h i n g a uz e cur t a i n a n d p ee r e d i n si d e A w a v e o i h e a vy fr a gr a n c e m et
,
.

h i s n o stri ls B efore he h a d pe rc ei ved th e i n m a t e h e h ea rd a d ee p s i gh

. ,

a n d then th e follow i n g word s S pok en i n a n u n d e r t o n e

A lo ne all da y lo n g o n my p i llow
'

Where ca n I p ut my fee l i n gs b u t i n t h ough t .

Sh e i s quo ti n g from the Weste rn P a v i l i o n th ough t th e l i st en e r , ,

a mus ed p ee ri n g w i th d iffi cul t y t h roug h a s l i t i n t h e g a uz e Fo r h e could

, .

s ee d i st i n c t ly t h a t she w a s ly i n g o n t h e d i va n her l i mb s st r et c he d o u t ,

a s i f i n s l ee p .

W h y do you a lw a ys li e a lo n e o n a p i llo w j u st th i n k i n g wh at yo u
“

? ”
fee l
Wi th t hes e word s he burst i n t o t he room sm i l i n g She qu i ckly p ut , .

h er a rm ove r her blu shi n g fa c e a n d t urn e d t o w a rd s th e w a l l preten d i n g ,

to b e a sl ee p He w en t up t o h er couc h a n d t ri e d t o dr a w h e r ov e r t o t h e
.

o th e r si de b ut he w as d i sturb e d i n hi s eff or ts by tw o se rv in g wome n

, .

“
T he youn g l a dy i s s ti ll a sl eep ; pl ea se w a i t ou ts i d e u n t i l s h e w a k es
”
up . the se d a te gu a rd i an s o f ord er i n form e d the i n t rud e r B ut Bl a ck -

J a d e had a lrea dy t urn e d over o n t o th e o the r s i d e .

“W ho is asl ee p her e ? ” sh e a sk e d pl eas an t ly .

“
O h w e o n ly th oug h t
, th e m a t ro n s e xcu se d the m se lv es w i t h ,

emb a rr a s se d s m i l es an d w i t h drew t o g i v e pl a c e t o th e m a i d Cuckoo

,
.

Bla ck J a d e h a d s a t up a n d b ega n t o do he r h a i r, .

“
Wh a t do yo u m ea n by s urpr i si n g m e i n the m i ddle o f a b ea u t i ful
? ”
s l e ep she a sk e d t urn i n g t o P 3 0 Y u w i t h a sm i l e
, .

Ho w b ew i tc h i n gly b ea u t i ful she seem e d t o h i m w i th her c h ee ks

flu she d wi th sl ee p a nd th e m el a n ch oly swee tnes s o f her expressi o n ! He
pus he d hi s se a t n ea re r to her a n d g a z ed a t her fas c i n a te d , .

“
Excuse m e b ut w ha t w ere yo u sa yi n g j us t n ow ? he aske d a h
,
”
,

sca l ly .

“
O h n o t hi n g i n pa rt i cul a r
, .

”
I m e a n j u st n o w .

I do n o t kn ow wh a t you m ea n .

’
Wo n t you g i ve m e som e n u ts t o cr a ck ? B ut I cert a i n ly hea rd w h a t
y o u sa i d ju s t n o w .
”
Bri n g m e a g ood b owl o f tea ! he sa i d t urn i n g t o ,

t he w a i t i n g m a i d Cuckoo .

204
 ”
don t th i n k you l i ke our t e a B et te r le t your P ea rl ge t you som e !
I
’
.

r et ort ed Cuckoo p er t ly ,
.

“ ”
It s all r i g h t pour i t !
’
,

Cuckoo ob ey ed an d th en t urn e d t ow a rd s t h e door

,
.

“
Li st en ! When on e da y I a m unit ed t o your b e lov e d l i t le m i st r ess
‘
‘

b en e a th the cur t a i n embro i d e r e d w i tl ap a i r o f man d a r i n ducks you

’
i ' '

s h a ll a lwa y s b e a llow ed t o s et t l e t h e cu sh i o n s a n d s pr e a d t h e cov e r s he ,

“ ”
ca lle d a fte r her j okin gly quo t i n g from t he We ste rn P a v i l i o n ,
.

’
Hi s words i n st an t ly b an i s he d t he m erry e xpr essi o n from Bl a ck J a d e s
fa c e .

“
A r e you t r ea t i n g m e a g a i n t o the st reet exp r ess m n s th e co a rse ,

o fl en s i v en ess wh i c h you rea d i n lew d b oo k s ? I w i ll n o t li st en t o s uc h

,
g
”
t a lk ! she bur st o u t pa ss i o n a t e ly I n 6ne j ump sh e w a s o ff t he couch .
!
'

a n d o ut of t h e room H e ra n a ft e r he i
'

r . .

De a rest b est M e i m e i I d es e r ve d ea t h ! he c a ll e d o u t qu i te b e
,
.
”
, , ,
“
w i ld er ed B ut I w i ll n e v e r a g a i n u tt e r s uc h e xpr ess i o n s or i f I do m a y
.
, ,

my t o n gue ro t o ut . a

The a rr i va l of th e w a i t i n g m a i d P ea rl pr ev en t e d hi m from e l a bor a t

in g h i s o a t h .

Qu i ck ! Dress your se lf ! T h e old gov ern or w a n t s t o sp ea k t o yo u

‘
.

,
“
h
s e a n n ou n c ed Th e word s
”
old gove rnor wen t t h rough h i s li mb s li ke
.

a s t roke of l i g h t n i n g For t h e mom en a ll o t e r t roubl es w er e forgo tt en

t h .
,

a n d h e h urr i e d b a ck t o h i s p a vi l i o n at P e a rl s s i d e i n ord e r t o r e a dy
’

g e t
for t he drea d e d v i si t Hi s v a l et Ming Y en w a s w a i t i n g for h i m a t th e
.

p a rk ga t e .

“ ”
Do you kn ow w hy th e old m an wa n ts t o sp ea k t o m e h e a sk e d hi m ?

exc i t e dly .

“
N o f B ut h urry U p ! You w i ll kn ow soon en ough .

W i th hi s s t om a c h hea vi n g wi th t or t ur i n g doub ts P a o Y u h urri e d o n , .

Fro m b eh i n d a proj e c t i o n of w a ll in ea r t h e grea t re c e p t i o n h a ll a sh ri l l

l a ug h greete d him a n d Cou s i n H su eh P a n s udd en ly s t e pp e d o u t i n
of hi m He w a s cl a pp in g h i s h an d s wi ldl y a n d doubl i n g up w i th l
.

t er .
“
J us t look h ow the boy ca n h urry ! On e on ly n ee d s t o men t i on h i s
'

m an t o fri gh t en hi m o ut of h i s wi t s ! ” h e cri ed g e e fully

'

l .

Pa o Y u st ood dumfou n d ed He s a w t h a t h e ha d b een h o a x e d an d w a s .

a
bout t o burst o ut i n r a ge b u t Hs u eh P a n n o ivs gree ted hi gn j okin gly
,
’

W i th a c e remo n i ou s bow a n d t ri ed
t o a ppe a s e h i m .

“
I adm i t my off en se a n d b eg your ki n d forb ea r a n c e B ut I wa n t ed .

your co mp any so very muc h Th e re a re a wh ole crowd of us an d yo u .

ar e th e o n l o n e m i s si n g
y o o n o n t h e th i rd of
.
,
t h e fift h mo n t h a n d W e
, c el ebr a t i on t od a y .

you o ut so qu i ckly .

206
sh e would cry a loud i n her gri ef W h y di d h e lock h er o ut so hea rt
.

l ess ly ? She th ought an d th ought a n d r a cke d h e r br a i ns ri gh t an d le ft

.
.

D i d he w an t to pun i s h her for h a v i n g re pr i m an d e d hi m t od a y a n d th en

‘ '

? B ut sh e h a d n o t r e a lly m ea n t i t so se ri ou s ly Would h e d a r e
a wa y .

r ul gly for h ? T h e n ex t th in g would b e th a t h e

t o t e a t h r so in s
e t i n t at

would r efu se to see her a t all !

For a lon g ti me she st ood th er e lo nely an d fors ak en i n the sh a dow
, ,

o f a corn e r o f t h e w a ll an d h ee dl ess o f th e n i g h t c h i ll wh i c h c a m e down

,
i

from th e blu i s h gl i steni n g hi lls i d es w et w i t h d ew an d en v eloped h er

,
.

Then she crept a w a y slowly sobb i n g wi ldly A n d h er s obb i n g a w a k

, .

en e d th e b i rd s i n th e br a n c h es by t he w a y s i d e fro m th ei r sl ee p a n d

c a u se d th em t o fly a wa y in a l arm ed flu tt e rs t o mor e d i st a n t r es t i n g
pl a ces She ha d n o t gon e far wh en sh e he ar d b eh i n d h er a d o or cr ea k
.

in g o n i ts h i n ges She st oppe d an d t urn ed rou n d Pre c i ou s Cl asp w as

. .

j us t com i n g o ut o f P8 0 Y u s g a rd en g a te Pa o Y u an d th e w a i t i n g m a i d
’
.

Pea rl were a ccomp an y i n g h er a f ew ste ps Bla ck J a d e woul d h a v e li ke d

.

t o h urry b a ck an d ca ll P a o Y u to a ccoun t b u t sh e di d n o t w a n t t o b e,

tr a y h e r se lf t o Pre c i ous Cl a s p a n d P e ar l 5 0 s he re m a i n e d wh ere sh e

.

w as an d w a t c he d from a di s t an c e a s P a o Y u p a rt e d fr om h i s cous i n ,

ret u rn e d wi th Pe a rl an d d i sa ppe are d in si d e th e g ard en g a te A s s oo n

, .

a s the g a t e h a d b een sh u t she co n t i n u e d h er w a i n t ea r s

y .

Her tw ow a i ti n g m a i ds C uckoo an d Sn o w goo se h a d lo n g s in c e grown

a ccu st om e d t o th e s udd en fi ts o f m el a n c h oly f rdm wh i c h th ei r mi st ress

s uff e re d a t fre qu en t an d re ul a r i n t e rv a ls A t firs t th e y h a d t h ough t i t

g .

w as h om es i ckn ess o r ri e f for h er de a d pa r en t s an d th ey h a d m a d e

’

g , ,

eff o rts t o comfort her ; b u t as th e mo n t h s p asse d by a n d th ese t ear ful

a tta cks of m el an c h oly co n t i n u e d th e y c e ase d t o b e s urpri se d an d t ook

, ,

t hese sta t es as i n ev i ta bl e expr essi o n s of a som ewha t str an ge d i s po si ti o n .

en e wh en Bl a ck J a de c a m e h om e i n a broken sta t e thi s n i gh t th ey

‘

H c
.
, ,

di d n o t ta ke an y n o ti ce of h er co n di ti on o r as k th e r ea so n o f h er sorrow .

B ut Bl a ck J a de sh u t h e rs elf i n t o her b e dr oo m an d sa t cr ouc h e d o n th e

edg e of her bed for a lo n g t i m e wi th h er h an ds cl as pe d ov e r her kn ees
,

moti o nless as a sta t ue un ti l a t l ast sh e la y down t o rest as d a wn w as

,

Th e
foll owi n g day the t wenty si x th o f the fourth mon th th e be gi n
,
-

,
.

m ug o f summ er w as c el ebra t e d Th i s i s th e da w hen th e flower s p i ri ts

.
y
co me down from their thr ones an d th e co rn com es in t o i ts glory A c .

cordi n g t o a n c i en t cus t om thi s da

y w a s a lso ce l ebr a t e d i n th e P a rk o f
De li gh tful V i si on w i th th e us u a l off e ri n g o f sa cri fic es th e t r a di ti o n a l ,

flower b an qu et an d bo is terous fest i vi ty Th e you thf ul fem al e inm a tes

, .

o f the pa r k an d th e ir w ai ti n g m a i d g ly color d g rm
s had i
"
u t n a e a en ts
p o ,

the d azz li n g splen dor o f whi ch m a de th e ga ud pa rro ts p al e

y wi th en vy ,

208
an d bri gh tn ess an d cheerf ulness rei gn ed ever yw he re O n ly o n e pe rs on .

w as m i s si n g from th e m e rry comp a n y an d th at w as B la ck J a d e ,

.

“ ”
Wh ere o n ea rth i s Cous in Bl a ck J a d e Greeti n g o f Spri n g as ke d
? .

“
T h e l az y th i n g seems t o w an t t o sl ee p a ll da y .

“ ”
Wai t I wi ll go an d rouse h er ! sugg e st e d Pre c i ous Cla sp a n d hur
, ,

ri ed off On th e w ay sh e m e t t he t roupe o f t we lv e d a n c in g g i r ls from the

.

P e a r G a rd en .

“ “
T he o th er s are o ver th er e sh e sai d to th em po in tin g b eh i n d h er
, , .

J us t go a lo n g ! I shall f o llow i m m edi a tely ; I am o n ly go i n g t o fe t ch

”
Blac k J a de .

A s she ca m e n ea r Bla ck J a d e s pa vi li o n she sa w P a o Y u j us t en te ri n g

’

i t She sl a cken ed h er p a ce an d r efl e c te d a mom en t S h oul d sh e di st urb

. .

th em ? No sh e woul d n o t b e so in co n s i d er at e O n thi s fes t i v e da y sh e

, .

di d n o t w an t to upse t th e se n s i t i ve Bl a ck J a d e w h o sh e kn e w l i ke d t o , , ,

h a ve her co u sin all to h erse lf S he prompt ly m a d e up h er m i n d t ur n e d

.
, ,

an d ra n b a ck A s s h e we n t s h e n o t i ced a p a i r o f b i g wo n d e rfully b ea u
.
,

t i ful bu tt erfl i es clo se by th e pa th flu tt e rin g up a n d down i n th e g en t l e

,

wi n d Ho w s he would love t o c a t c h th em ! She drew her f a n o ut o f h er

.

sl ee ve pouc h a n d st a rt e d t o c h ase th em B u t ea c h t i m e sh e t h oug h t sh e .

w as qu i t e n e a r th e m t h e tw o wi n g e d fug i t i v es cl e v e rly dodg e d h er f a n

,

a n d en t i c e d h e r f art h e r a n d fa rt h e r from th e p a t h w a y an d i n t o t h e gr a ss
'

ri gh t up t o th e e dge o f t he n ea r b y po n d H e re sh e h a d t o gi ve up t h e
-
.

c ha se Th e fug i ti ves e sca pe d from h er ov er th e w a te r

. .

Prec i ou s Cl as p w as a bou t t o t ur n roun d a g a i n wh en she b e c a m e

a w a re o f th e so un d o f li v ely w h i s pe ri n g com i n g from t h e P a vi l i o n o f

th e Ki n gfi sh er Blu e Drop s Th e p a vi li o n w h i ch s t oo d o ut ai r i
-
. in ,

th e m i ddl e o f th e pon d w as co n n e c t e d wi t h t h e b a n k by m e a n s o f four

,

cov e red wood en foo tbr i dges It w a s s urroun d e d o n a ll si d es by h i gh

.

fold i n g sc ree n s Pr ec i ous Cl a sp cr e p t a cro ss th e n ea re st b ri dg e a n d lis

.

t e n e d i n th roug h t h e wood ca rvi n g o f o n e o f th e b i g foldi n g scr een s ,

whi ch w a s p a st e d up wi th p arch m en t an d w hi ch sh u t o ut th e vi ew all ,

a roun d S he d i st i n gu is h e d tw o wom en s vo i ce s Now sh e h ea rd o n e of

’
. .

“
t h e m s a y in g : Well t e ll m e a t l a st is thi s your h an dk e rchi ef wh i c h yo u
, ,
”
lost tha t ti m e I f n o t I mus t ta ke i t b a ck to M r Y un
?
'

. .
,
’ ”
O f course i t s mi n e Gi ve i t to m e ! sh e h ea rd the oth er reply
. .

J us t a m i n ute ! Not so q ui ck ! Fi rst o ut wi th th e r ewa rd for you r e ,

’

n o t go i n g t o
ge t i t f o r n o th i n g ! I de fin i te ly pro m i se d M r Y un o n ly t o .

gi ve i t up i n e x ch an ge f or th e rew a rd .

“
No nsen se ! W hy a re wa rd ? Afte r a ll i t s a duty to gi ve up w ha t on e ,
’

”
fi n ds i n a str an g e h ouse .

“
. V e ry we ll then yo u won t get i t
,
’
.

“
Th e dis pu te co n ti n ue d for a w hi le lo n g er Th en a vo i ce sa i d : V ery .

209
 ’
well g i v e h i m th i s b a n gl e a s a rew ard ! B ut prom i se m e yo u won t say a
,
”
word t o an yo n e abou t i t ! Swea r i t !
“
I sw ea r i t an d i f I do n o t keep my word m a y I get a b i g bo i l i n my
,
”
mou th a n d b e m i ser ably s uffoc a t e d t o d ea th by i t !
Sh ! No t so loud ! Wh a t i f a n yo n e sh ould b e l i st en i n g ou tsi d e ! W e
“

h a d b ett er pu sh asi d e t h e scr een a li tt l e so a s n o t t o a w a ken s u sp i c i on ,

”
a n d t o see b et t er i f an yo n e i s com i n g .

Prec i ous Cl a sp w h o di d n ot w an t t o be c au gh t ea v es dropp i n g t e

, ,

t r e a t ed qu i ckly a cro ss t h e foo t br i dg e o n ly t o r e t urn i mm e d i a t ely th i s

, ,

t i m e i n t en t i o n a lly cl a tt e r i n g loudly o n t he bo a rd s Sh e h a d r ecogn i z e d .

l i tt l e S i a o Hun g an d E a rr i n g by t hei r voi ce s an d w a s a st on i sh e d a t th e ,

cun n i n g of these young est of all t h e w a i t i n g m a i d s w h o a pp ea r e d t o b e ,

’
so ex t r em e ly i nn oc en t ye t h er e b eh i n d t h e i r m a st e r s b a ck w e r e g a i ly
'

, , ,

kn otti n g th e fi rst t hre a d s of a pl e a san t li tt l e l ov e g a m e .

“
Hi S i ster Bl a ck J a d e w h er e h a v e you cre p t a w a y t o ? I c a n t fi n d
’
, ,

you a n ywh er e sh e c alle d a loud pu tti n g o n a compl etely in n oc en t a i r

, ,
.

Ab ashe d a n d st ar tl e d t h e t w o youn g g i rls st a r e d a t t h e u n exp e ct e d i n

,

t ru de r th rough t h e s p a c e b etw een t h e t w o foldi n g scr een s wh i c h t h e y

h a d pu sh e d a si de j ust b efore T hen th e y sh o t o u t to gr eet Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p
.

w i th due resp ect .

“ ”
Where h a v e you h i dd en my cou s i n ? as k e d Pr e c i ou s Cl as p qu i t e-

n at ur a lly .

“
W e do n ot kn ow wh er e M i ss L i n g i s sa i d E arri n g s urpri se d , ,
.

B ut I j u st s aw h er by t h e po n d I t h ough t sh e mu st h a v e cr ep t a lo n g
.

t h e b an k s om ew h er e h ere w a n t i n g t o t a k e you by surpri s e b u t a pp a r

, ,

en t ly sh e s a w m e com i n g a n d ev a d e d m e O r could sh e h a v e hi dden h er .

”
self h er e i n th e p a v i l i o n ?

Sh e stepp ed i n an d cr an e d her n e ck an d st r et c h e d h er l i mb s as i f ,

s ea rc hi n g i n t en t ly .

“
Sh e mu st h av e j u st cr ept i n t o a gro tt o ou t si d e Let us h op e sh e wo n t .
’

”
ge t b i t ten by sn akes ! she murmur e d T h en sh e w en t a w a y a g a i n s e .
,

cretl
y amu se d a t t h e l i t t l e i n c i den t a n d t h e s ucce s s ful t ri ck w h i ch h a d
helpe d h er o u t of h er emb arr assm en t

H av i n g sp en t h alf the n i gh t si tti n g up Bl a ck J a de s lep t lon g er th a n ,

u su a l t od a y The o t h ers h a d b een i n th e p a rk a lon g ti m e b e fore sh e

.

a wok e Sh e di d h er t o i l et 1 n fr an ti c h a st e for sh e di d n o t w a n t t o a rri v e

.
,

t o o l a te a t th e f a r ew ell b a n qu et 1 n h on or of th e d e p ar t i n g flow e rs n o r t o
,

b e l a ugh ed a t by th e o t h ers a s a s l ee py h e a d Sh e w a s j u st g ett i n g ready .

t o go o ut w h en P a o Y u en ter e d .

“
D ea r M ei m ei he sa i d a s gen tly as possi ble th e wh ol e ni gh t
,
“
,

t h ro i i gh I h a v e b een t ur n i n g ov er yo ur words o f y es t e rd a y i n my
m i n cl
 ”
Wha t ki n d o f t a ste would a cool v r ep li e d h i s si st er i n di g
i e ha e ?

n a n tly .
“
No I sh ould li ke v ou t o c h oo se for m e th en I would b e s ure
, ,

o f g ett i n g s o m ethi n g un common A s a m a t t e r of f a c t l h a v e a gre a t ‘ "

.
,

m an y more wi sh es For i n st an c e I sh ould l i ke a p a i r of sl i pp ers ex a c t ly

.
,

l i ke the o n es you go t f or yourself r ec en t ly b ut m i n e would h a Ve t o b e ,

a l i t t l e more d a i n ti ly worke d .

The y wen t on li ke t h i s for qu i t e a Wh i le un t i l a t l a st Pr e c i ou s Cl as p ,

c am e alon g a n d i n t errupt e d the i mport ant secr et con sul t at i on sa y i n g : ,

“
Wi ll you tw o ever ha ve fi n i she d t a lki n g ? W e o th ers do n o t see m t o ,
ex i st for you an
y lo n g e r Af t e r a ll you a re bro t h er an d s i st e r an d n eed
.
,
”
n o t h a v e an
y se crets from us .

T he th ree o f th em ret urn ed t o th e r est o f t he comp an y l a ugh i n g ,

m erri ly .

Pa o Y u m i sse d Bl a ck J a de She i s a vo i di n g m e b ut h er r esen t m en t

.
,

n ev er l a st s mor e t h an ta ro d a y s I kn ow h e r w a y s —h e comfort e d h i m :
,

self w t h t hese t h oug h t s A s h e mu s e d t h u s h i s h ea d b en t t h oug h t ful ly

i .
, ,

h i s ey es o n the grou n d h e s udd en ly p erc ei v e d t h a t th e grou n d w a s

,

compl et ely st rewn w i th c am -

e ll i a a n d pom e gr a n a t e blo ss om s H o w di s .

t ra u gh t sh e mu st b e w hen sh e n o lon g er fi n d s t i m e t o bury h er blo ss om s !

’

h e t h ought Wh en h e looke d up a g a i n Pre c i ou s Cl a s p a l s o ha d di sa

.
p
pe ered from h i s si ght Now th ey h a v e bo th for sak en m e h e th ough t
'

.
,

m i sera bly He b ent down a n d g a t her e d up tw o h an dful s of blo ss om s t o

.
’

c a rry t o Bl a ck J a d e s flower gr a v e H i s p a th t h en c e wou n d i t s w a y ov er

’
.

h i ll s a n d w ater cours es th rough groves a n d p a st ur es J u s t a s h e w as

, .

n ea ri n g hi s obj e c t i ve h e h ea rd a pl a i n t i v e g i rl s v o i ce c m i n
'

o g f r om be
’

h i n d the l a st she lf o f rock He s t ood s t i ll a n d li st en e d It mu s t b e som e

. .

ma i d w ho i s weep i n g a w ay her gri ef f o r som e i n j u st i c e i n t h i s h ea rt ‘

ren d in g fa shi on h e co nj e ct ur ed a n d st ep pin g s oftly n ea r er he pe ered

, , ,

y rou n d th e sh elf of rock He st a rt e d b a ck i n d i sm a y— for

~

1 n ui si t i v el
q .

t h e g i rl w as Bl a ck J a d e .

Bl ack J a d e h a d n o t yet go t ov er t h e i n su l t wh i c h she wron gly i m

a i n e d sh e h a d s
g uff e red from P a o Y u th e e ven i n g b e for e The m e rry .

m a ki n g wi th wh i ch the Fea st of th e D ep ar t i n g Flowe rs w as b ei n g ce le

b ra te d t od a y di d n o t a t all h a rm o ni z e w i th h er gloomy fr a m e o f mi n d
— ,

a n d so sh e h a d
w i th dr a wn from the c i rcl e o f h er pl a ym a t es i n t o sol i
t ud e Sh e h a d se t o ut for h er fl ow e
r g ra ve w i t h a n a rmful o f f a ll en
‘

. -

p l Wh i l e bury i n g the pet a ls i n th e gr a v e j u st n o w sh e h a d b een

eta s .

e h
ov rw lm ed w i th un s pe a ka bl e gri e f P e rh ap s i t w a s symp a th y fo r the
e
.

p or blos soms ; p erh a p s i t w as t he t h ough t of t h e t r a n si ence of her o wn

o

blo sso m i ng you th Wha tev er i t was sh e w a s qu i te ove rcom e wi th m el

.
,

a n ch ol
y a n d bro ke o ut i n t o a lo n g l a m en ta t i on « in whi c h sh e comp a re d “

h e rself wi t h a t en d er blosso m an d be w a i l d
e he r i n e vi t a bly s a d d es ti ny
th e es t i n
d y of a fa di n g flower A n d so movin g w a s h er me lody that in
.
:

212
the mi dst o f o n g o f lam en t a t i on i n t e rm i n gl e d w i th tea rs th e li s
thi s s , ,

t en e r by th e sh elf of rock wa s se i z e d w i t h emo ti o n le t hi s lo a d o f pe ta ls ,

fall to th e groun d an d broke o ut in loud sobb in g to o W h a t would b e

, .

com e o f hi m i f a ll th e g en t le blo ss om i n g m a i d ens a roun d hi m — Bl a ck

J a d e Pr ec i ous Cl asp P ea rl an d all th e r e st— w e re to fa de a w ay an d
, , ,

wi th dr a w t o th o se un kn own gl a d es wher e the re i s n o see kin g an d n o

fi n di n g ? The se we r e the th oug h ts wh i c h i n v a d e d hi s m i n d .

B la ck J a de s udd en ly h ea ri n g th e e c h o o f her o Wn p a i n from th e

,
‘

w a ll o f rock b ehi n d her st oppe d sh ort in h er l a men t The y a lw a y s l a ugh

, .

at m e for be in g foo lis h b u t i t see m s th e r e i s s om e o t h e r fool h e r e b e

,

si d es my se lf sh e t h oug h t, t urn in g roun d A n d th en sh e d i s cov er e d

, .

Pao Y u .

“ ”
Oh i t s th a t lo a ths om e o n e ! sh e g asp ed ,h a lf a loud T he n , sh ocke d
’
.
,

a t h e r own ou t burs t , sh e qu i ckly cov e re d h er mou th w i th h e n h a n d ,

j umpe d up an d ra n a w a y He followe d her ti mi dly some d i s ta n c e b e

,
-
.

h in d fo r a wh i le t h en h e v en t ure d t o com e n e a re r
.
, .

“ ” “
Pl ea se st op h e i mplor e d h er I kn ow yo u do n o t li ke m e , a nd I
. .
“

w i ll c e rt a i nly kee p a w a y from you in th e f ut uf e, b ut I wo uld li ke t o

”
s pe a k j u s t o n e si n gl e s en t en c e t o you !
“
V e ry W ell b ut o n ly o n e sen ten ce she s a i d , t urnin g roun d qu i ckly
, ,

d sl a cken i n g her p a c e .

”
W i ll you li sten to m e ev en i f i t is a b i t mor e ?

Sh e i n s tan t ly r es um e d a qu i ck er p a c e He follow i n g clo se b ehi n d .

,
“
h er h e a ve d a d ee p s i g ht an d th en cri e d o ut : W hy i s i t so d i ff er en t b e
, .

? ”
t w een us n ow a d a y s from w h a t i t w as i n th e p as t
“ ”
Wh a t do you m e a n by t ha t she a ske d st opp i n g
?
, .

W e re you n o t my f a i th ful co mp a n i on a n d pl a ym a t e wh en you c a m e

he re ? D i d w e n o t ea t at th e sa me t abl e a n d r est o n th e sa m e couc h ?
W e re n o t my fa vor i te d i sh es your fa vor i t e d i shes t o o ? D i d w e n o t grow
up t og eth e r ? A n d n o w th a t yo u a re grown up yo u wi ll n ot look a t m e ,

a n d you a vo i d m e f o r wh ol e d a y s o n en d Am I n o t j u st a s muc h a lo n e .

a n d fors a k en as you a re ? I h a v e a bro the r a n d a sis t e r i t i s t ru e b ut , ,

t he i r mo t h e r i s a s t r a n g e r S i n c e w e t w o h a v e n o rc a l bro th e r s or s i s
'

t e r s a re w e n o t fe llow s u ff e r e rs ? S h ould w e n o t b e a comfort a n d sup

,

por t t o ea t h e ?
c o r A n d n o w i s i t a ll to come t o a n en d
h .

He could n o t ge t an y furth e r T ea r s c h oke d h i s vo i c e Sh e h a d . . .

li sten e d t o hi m s i le n t ly wi th b en t h ea d Symp a th y we lle d up i n h er .

brea st h er a n g e r ha d more th a n h a lf t urn ed t o a sh es Now sh e i n t ur n

, .

w a s i n fe c t e d by h i s t ea rs an d b e g a n t o w ee p t o o E n cour a g e d by he r .

“
s oft en i n g of h ea r t h e co n ti n u e d : , I kn ow th a t I a m b a d B ut w h a t .

h a rm h av e I don e you ? Wh en I commi t a f a ult you m a y bl a m e m e ,

a n d w a r n m e a n d s cold m e and e v en b ea t m e I ca n b ea r a ll t h a t B u t
'

.
, , ,

th a t you j u st do n ot n o t i ce m e th at dr i v es m e to de s p a i r ! It m a ke s m e
“
’
,

2 13
’
d em en t ed Do you then real ly wi sh m e t o di e a poor si nn er wh om no
.
, ,

? ”
Budd hi st or T a o i st re qu i em ca n sa ve from d amn a t i o n
Hi s movi n g pl a i n t h a d b an i sh e d th e l as t r emn an t o f h er resen tm en t
i nt o th e n i n th r eg i o n of h ea v en .

“ ? ”
W h y di d you n o t let y o ur m a i d open th e door t o m e l as t n i gh t
sh e comm en c e d c h an g i n g h er t on e
,
.

“
You c all ed on m e l ast n i ght ? M a y I di e on th e s po t i f I kn ow a ny
”
t h i n g a bou t t h a t ! h e pro t est e d a st o n i sh e d , .
i

“
O n e sh ould n o t use th e word d i e so th ough t l essly ! Y o u kn ow I
‘ ’

h a te th o se st ro n g pro t es ta t i on s A si mpl e yes o r n o i s en ough for m e

. .

“
B ut really I kn ew n o thi n g a bou t your com i n g I o n ly kn ow th a t
,
.

Cousi n Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp w a s t her e .

Bl ack J a d e s fa ce bri ght en ed up

’
.

“
Hm Th en i t seems t h a t i t w as th rough i n dol en ce o r b a d h umor
.

” ’
t h a t your m a i ds di d n o t op en t h e door sh e r em a rk e d a ft er a mom en t s .

r e fl ec t i o n .

“ ”
Th a t mu st b e i t ! repl i e d Pa o Y u ea g erly I w i ll i n vest i g a t e the .

m a tter a t o n c e when I go h om e I w i ll g i v e th e l azy thi n gs a good p i ece

.

”
of my m i nd !
“
Y es do so b ut n o t for my s a ke ! Th a t th i s sh oul d h a pp en t o m e i s
, ,

n o t so v e ry b a d B ut i t m i g h t h a pp en s om et i m e t o o n e of your o th e r
.

more fa vored cou si n s a n d t hen the s c an d a l would b e i n co n c ei va bl e

, .

’
? ”
I sn t t h a t s o she sa i d sm i l i n g i ron i c a lly , .

A n d so for the t i m e b e i n g p ea c e r ei gn e d a g a i n .

CHAPTER 22

Th e b et t er o fi on e is , th e
more o n e t ro u b le s a b o u t o n e s w elfa re Th e ’
.

m ore a w o m a n is ch eri sh ed a nd lo v e d t h e m or e lo v e do es sh e d ema nd .

,

T HE FIFTH THE M O NTH THE DA Y O F T H E D RA G O N B O A T FESTIV A L

OF , ,

h a d a lmo st com e The Pri n c ess A n c est ress h a d d e c i d e d t o s pen d t hi s

.

da y wi th P h o en i x an d Pa o Y u an d th e gr an dd a ug h t e r s ou ts i d e t h e t own
i n th e T a o i st T empl e o f th e S e ren e Vo i d Sh e h a d d e cl a r e d th a t th e .

co n ti n uou s mon o t o n y of h om e l i fe dulle d th e m i n d i n th e lon g run ; sh e

n ee d e d a c h a n g e a n d looke d fo w a rd
r t o th e much d es i r e d d i ve rs i o n -

prov i d e d by the thea t ri c a l p erform a n c es wh i ch j u st a t th i s t i me t ook

pla ce a t t he t empl e Ph o eni x h a d a gr ee d e n t h usi as ti callv a n d a dd e d
.

t h a t sh e w a s a lr e a dy th orough ly s i ck of th
e r e pe r t ory of the ho us e
th ea te r She un d ert ook to m a ke t h e n e c ess a ry pr e p a r a t i o n s for t h e h o li
.

da y w h i ch w a s to l as t for sever a l d a y s T h e templ e w a s comfort a bly

t .

furn i she d an d w a s cl ose d t o the g en er a l publ i c duri n g th e vi si t o f t he

214
ath i s work by th e arri v al o f th e l a d i es an d w an t e d t o s l i p o ut qu i ckly .

Ph o en i x , ann oy e d at h i s clumsi n ess , d ea l t hi m a r es oun di n g b ox o n th e

ca r.
“ ”
J ust look o ut Where you a re ru nn i n g l i tt l e s a va g e ! sh e r ebuke d ,

hi m an gri ly The boy w h o h a d fa ll en a n d lo st h i s sn ufl ers i n h i s p an i c

.
, ,

p i cke d h i mself up qu i ckly a n d ra n o ff t ow a rd s t h e ex i t In do i n g so h e .

go t more a n d more i nt o t h e cro w d for th e occup an ts o f th e o n com i n g

'

_ ,

se d an ch a i r s h a d d i smou n t e d m ea n w h i l e a n d t h e youn g l a d i es ,
to ,
~

geth er w i th th ei r wai ti n g m a i d s an d se rv i n g women form e d s uch a ,

den se thron g a t th e t empl e ga te th a t a drop o f r a i n could n o t h a v e

fa llen t o the groun d b etw een th em The wom en w e r e h orri fi e d a t th e .

i mpud en c e o f t he y ou n g boy w h o w a s t ry i n g t o s qu eez e t h rough th em ,

“ ”
a n d t he y cr i e d o ut : S t op h i m ! Kn ock h i m down !
Wh at i s t he m att er t h e A n ce st r ess a ske d Pr i n ce C hen
? ”
.

T h e Pr i n c e ru sh e d t o t h e door i n qu i r e d w h a t t he h ubbub w as a bou t

’

, ,

a n d h a d t h e boy a rr est e d by t h e se rv a n t s .

A l i ttl e c an dl et r i mm er w a s l a te a t h i s work a n d ra n i n t o the l a d i es

-

”
a s t h e y c am e i n h e r epor t e d t o t h e A n cres t res s
, .

“ ”
Bri n g h i m here ord e r e d t h e A nc est r ess B ut b e v e ry p ati en t
, .

w i th hi m ! On e c an n o t d em a n d a h i gh st a n d a rd o f ma n n e r s from t h e
”
ch i ldr en of such h umbl e p e opl e an d o n e mu s t : h a ve co n si d e r a t i o n
, .

Dra gg e d a lon g by Pr i n c e C hen t he boy fe ll t o th e groun d t r emb l i n g

,

a n d s h a k i n g i n fron t of t h e A n c est r ess T h e A n c e st r ess m a d e h i m st a n d

.

up spoke ki n d word s t o h i m a n d a s k e d h i m v a r i ou s q uesti o n s t o

, , ,
‘

whi ch th e boy w a s t o o shy t o re ply F i n a lly th e A n c e st r e ss let h i m run

'

o ff a ft er h a v i n g r e comm en d e d t h e Pri n c e t o g i v e h i m a f ew copp e r s

t o buy c a kes a n d h elp h i m r e cov er from h i s fr i gh t Pr i n c e C h en di d .

wh a t h e w a s t old an d mor eov er t ook stron g m e a s ur es t og eth er w i th th e

,

m a j ordomo to en clo se the pr emi se s so th a t un pl ea san t i n c i d en ts of th e

ki n d would n o t occur a g a i n Even th e you n g p e opl e a n d th e se rv a n t s
.

from the N i n gkuo an d t h e Yun gk u o p a l a c e s w h o h a d com e o u t w i th ,

t h e o t h er s w e re n o t p e rm i tt e d t o en t e r t h e in n e r pr e c i n c t s o f t h e t empl e
, ,

whi ch w e re s t r i c tly r ese rv e d t o t h e l a d i es .

T h e H i g h Pri est C h an g w h o h a d b een st a n d i n g a si d e sh yly i n fro n t

.

o f th e en t r a n c e t o t h e t empl e a l t h e t i m e n o “
l w a s k e d w i th a s m i l e : A n d
,

w h a t a bou t m e ? M
a y your h umbl e se rv a n t a h i r p c t t t h e l a d i es
p y s e s e s o
i n s i d e ? P erh a ps th e old T a i ta i m a d esi r e my d i r e c t i on a n d m i ss m e
y .

How ever I wi ll c er t a i nly n o t act u po n my o wn a uth ori t y b ut w i ll co n

, .
,

form en t i rely t u your pri n c ely i ns tr uc t i o n s ” .

T h e Pr i n c e di d n o t h es i t at e for t h e wort h y o l d m an en j oy e d a re pu
,

t a t i o n for h ol i n ess Mor e ov e r h e u s e d form rly

.
, e t o com e an d go f t c
qu ently i n t he Y ungk u o an d N i n gkuo p a l a c es d i s ch a rgi n g ?t he du ti es o f o

exo rmst so h e w a s n o st r an g er
t o th e l a di es .
'
,

216
 O f c ourse the te mple i s Open t o yo u an d i f yo u m a ke an y more ,
”
words a bou t i t I sha ll ta ke yo u by your lo n g b ea rd an d pull yo u i n ,

r epl i e d th e Pr i n ce j oki n gly l ea d i n g hi m i n t o t he i n n er pr ec i n c ts an d up

,

t o th e A n c es t re ss The H i g h Pr i es t bow e d to th e A n c es tr es s an d t h e
.
-

“
youn ger l a d i es an d sm i li n gly off e red h i s gr ee t i n gs : M ay th e o ld .

A n c es tr es s b e gr an t ed t he sa m e ab un d an c e o f he a l th h a pp i n ess an d , ,

lon g l i fe w hi c h h a s b een gr an te d h er up t o t he presen t ! S i n c e I h ave

h a d th e h on or o f offe ri n g her my gree t i n g s in he r p a l a ce i t seems t o ,
”
m e th at h er h e a l th an d a ppe a r a n c e h a v e d i st i n c t ly i mprove d .

“ ? ”
Ho w do yo u do h oly o ld m an ,r epl i e d the A n ce st r ess s mi li n g , .

The sta t e o f h ea l th o f th e l i ttl e m on k dep en ds en ti r ely upo n th e .

'

well b ei n g o f th e o ld A n c est r ess ”r e pl i e d the Pr i or g a ll a n tly an d t urn ed

-

, ,

th e co n ve rs a t i o n o n t o P a o Y u A t h i s r eq ues t th e A n ce st r es s h a d h er
.

gr an d so n ca ll e d .

“ ”
How m a gn i fi cent ly th e li tt l e bro ther 1 5 g e tt i n g o n ! cri e d th e o ld
m an .

“
Th a t o n ly on th e surf a c e un for t un a tely ; h e i s r ea lly a v e ry w e a k
is ,
” “
b o y sa i d th e An c est ress s i g h in g No wo n d e r fo r h e st udi es so h ar d
, , .
»

, .

Hi s fa th e r keep s h i m down t o h i s books co n tin u a ll y a n d a llow s hi m n o

”
r ecr eat i o n ; he w i ll b e com e i ll yet th rough ov e rwork .

“
I do n ot un d er stan d a t a ll w h y th e o ld m as te r is d i spl e as e d w i th h i s
progr ess I h av e h a d proof ag a i n an d a g a i n o f ho w s plen d i dly th e li t tl e
.

bro the r ca n h an dle th e wr i ti n g bru sh an d m a ke ve rses Wh en I o h .

s e rv e h i m a t t en t i v el — h i s f a c e h i s figur e h i s de port m en t hi s w a y
y , , ,

o f s p e a ki n g— h e see m s t o m e mor e a n d mor e t o b e t h e i m a g e o f hi s

”
grea t progen i t or th e A n c e st or Pr i n c e h e co n t i n u e d
, , .

“ ”
You are r i ght agr ee d t h e A n ce st r ess wi th emo ti on i n her vo i c e
, ,
.

O f all my s o n s a n d n e p he ws a n d gr a n ds o n s n o n e r ese mbl es hi s A n ,

”
cest o r so muc h a s t h i s c h i ld .

’
T h e old m an s f a c e gr ew cunn in g .

“
R ec en t ly i n th e h om e o f a ce rt a i n n obl e fa mi ly I c am e a cross a
, ,

fi f t ee n y e a r o ld d a ugh te r a pe rf ec t ly ch a rm in g cl ev er e duc a te d you n g

- -

, , ,

g i rl . S he W ou l d b e a s u i ta bl e p a rt n e r f o r t h e li tt l e bro the r If th e o ld .

Ta i ta i wo uld h o n or h er h umbl e se rvan t w i th in st ruc t i o n s t o th a t eff ec t ,

h e would wi ll i n gly pl a c e h i s se rv i c es a t h er d i s po sa l a n d ope n hi s mou th

i n th e h o use i n qu es ti o n .

“
Th a n k you for t he ki n d off er sa i d th e A n ce st res s e v as i v ely B ut
, , .

th er e i s t i m e en oug h for th a t A h oly youn g Bud dh i s t in form e d us re

-

cen tly th a t i t w a s t h e wi ll of Prov i d en c e th a t my gr an ds o n s h o uld n o t

m a rry t oo ea rly so w e are w a i t i n g un ti l he i s s om ew ha t mor e grown up

,
-
.

B ut i f you wi sh t o kee p a pre l im i n a ry lookou t f o r a s u i ta bl e p a rt n er I ,

do n o t m i n d It i s o f the gr ea t es t i m por t a n c e t o m e th a t th e c h a r a c ter

.

of th e p e rso n i n qu es t i o n sh ould h a rmon iz e w i th th a t o f my gr an ds o n ;

217
I a ttach l i tt le i mportan ce to a ri st ocra ti c an d ri ch desc en t ; sh e m a y w ell
come from a poor fami ly The refo re let m e kn ow wheneve r you h a v e . ,
”
s ui ta bl e sugg es ti on s t o m a ke !

There upo n th e o ld m an expr esse d th e wi sh t o b e a llow ed t o sh ow

Pa o Y u s famous a mul et t o h i s pri estly coll ea gu es A t th e ord er o f th e
’
.

A n cestr ess Pao Y u t ook off t h e ch a in wi th th e s p i ri t st o n e an d ha n de d

,

i t t o t h e Pri or T he Pri or l a i d i t in a bro nz e bowl a n d li mpe d o ut l ea n

.

i n g o n hi s st aff When h e ret urn e d a ft e r a l i tt l e wh i l e h e bro ugh t b a ck

.

i n the bowl abou t for ty o r fi ft y o th e r a mul ets pr esen ts from th e p ri ests ,

to P ao Y u .

“
My coll ea gu es th an k you fo r the ha pp i n ess o f l ett i n g th em see th e
” “
st r an g e m a g i c st on e he sa i d Th e y w an t t o t a ke t hi s oppo rt un i ty o f
,
.

p r h v i n g t h e i r fr i e n dly a n d h umbl e d evo t i on t o t h e l i tt le bro t h e r A s .

t h ey h a v e n o t h i n g b ett er a t h a n d th e y o ff e r hi m t h ese li tt le e mbl ems o f

,

Ta o i st p i et y He ca n keep t h em a s souv en i rs o r p ass th e m o n as pres

.

”
en ts j u st a s h e pl e a ses
, .

T he A n c est ress looke d wi th curi o si t y a t th e co n t en ts o f th e bowl .

They were mo st ly sem i c i rcul a r gold or j a d e t able ts p i erce d wi t h h ol es , ,

som e of t he m set w i t h pe a rls a n d a ll o f th em gra v en wi th i n s cri p t i o n s

,
“ ” ”
s uc h a s M ay your wi shes all com e t ru e o r Lo n g l i fe an d h ea l th
“
,
.

“
How di d yo u d are to a llow your poor coll ea gu es t o go t o s uch ex
”
pense W e c a nn o t a cce p t t hese pre sen ts un de r an y c i rcum sta n c es ! th e
?

A n c estr ess prot ested th an ki n g h i m , .

“
O h the y i n si sted upo n provi n g t h ei r d e vo t i o n I could n o t prev en t
, .

th em from do i n g so Th e y wi ll f eel h urt i f th e y see t h at th ei r we ll i n

.
-

”
ten t i o n ed g i ft s a re d i s d ai n ed .

O f course th e A n c est ress di d n o t w i sh t o h urt the don ors so she ,

a cc e pt e d t h e i r gi f ts .

“
W h a t sh a ll I do w i th th ese t h i n g s ? ”
as k e d P a o Y u i n a s om ewh a t
”
sco m f ul t o n e I sh a ll g i v e th em t o b egg a rs o n th e w ay h om e
. .

“ ”
Do n o t do th a t ! obj ec t e d th e Pri or “ I n dee d I do n ot f a i l to r ecog .
,

ni ze your pr a i sewor th y i n t en t i on b ut b e gg a rs do n o t a ppr e c i a t e s uc h

,

t h in g s ; b e gg a rs w an t mo n e y K ee p th es e li tt l e obj ec ts ! T h ough t h e y
.

m ay see m t o yo u o utw ardl

y i n si gn i fi c a n t an d wort hl ess n ev e rt h el ess ,

th ey po ssess b en efi ce n t powe r ”
‘

Pa o Y u t o ok th e h i n t an d i n t he even i n g h e or de re d t ha t mo n e y
,

sh ould b e d i st r i bu t e d a mon g t h e b e gg a r s i n fro n t o f t h e t empl e g a t e .

T he Pri or r et i red an d t he l a d i e s w en t t o th e ir l i vi n g qu a rt e rs Th ree .

o n e st ory t empl e bu i ld i n g s h a d b e en pl a c e d
a t t h ei r d i s po sa l Th e m i d
-

dle o ne w as i n t en de d for t he A n c est ress th e e a st e rn o n e f o r t h e o t h er ,

l a d i es an d th e wes te rn o ne for th e domest i c fem a l e sta ff Afte r a whi l e

, .

Pr i n ce C hen ca m e to th e A n ces t res s an d a dvi se d h er o f th e th ea t ri ca l

progr a m Th e s t .
“
fi r p i ece w as t o b e T he H i st ory o f t he Whi te S n a ke ”
.

2 18
c i rcl e of fri en d s a n d r ela t i o n s th ese d ea r p e ople h a d h asten e d t o sen d
,

mess en ger s wi th all po ss i bl e m a rks o f a tt en t i on a n d wi th sa cri fi c i a l

g i fts an d e v en to com e th ems e lves as i f th ey t h ough t t h at i t w as a m at
, ,

t er o f a s ol emn t empl e c er emo n y Now t h i s w a s n o t a t all wh a t th e .

,

Pri n c ess ha d i n ten d e d She h ad o n ly w a n te d t o h a ve s om e r ecr eat i o n

.

a n d for o n c e t o h a v e a r ea ll qu i e t c a r efr ee t i m e w i t h j ust a f ew f a vor

y
i te rel a t i ve s Sh e w a s e v en d i s pl ea se d w h en Pr i n c ess C h en t urn e d up
, .
,

b el at e dly w i th th e n ew w i fe of C h i a Y un g an d sh e di d n ot r e c e i ve th e
tw o un we lcome a rr i v a ls i n a v e ry fr i en dly w a y F ea r i n g th a t sh e m
,

i gh t .

b e even mor e i n un d a t e d i n th e fo llow i n g d a y s sh e cut sh o rt h er s oj o urn ,

an d w en t h om e i n i ll h um or -
.
.

Th e en terpr i si n g P h o en i x w h o di d n o t a pprov e o f thi s a t a ll tr i e d

, ,

to p ers u a de h er t h e n ex
'

t da y t o m a ke a n o t h e r t r i p t o t h e t empl e b ut in
“

v ai n It ha ppe n ed th a t P a o Y u a l s o di d n o t wa n t t o go t h ere He wa s o ut
. .

of h um or t o o b e c a u se th e Pr i or C h a n g h a d brought up the m a tter o f

m arr i a ge th e da y b efor e an d pu sh e d h i ms elf forw a rd as a n e go t i a t or
, .

Pa o Y u di d n o t n ee d t h i s un so li ci ted m e di a t i o n ; h e h a d m ad e h i s o w n
c ho i ce lon g a go He ha d n o d esi re t o a pp ea r b e fore o ld C h a n g ever
.

a g a i n h e d e cl a r e d a n gr i ly t o h i s gr a n dmo th e r wh en h e
,
go t h om e N0 .

o n e could r ea lly un d er s t a n d w h
y h e w a s so much a nn oy e d w i th t h e
fri en dly old m a n Mor e ov er Bl a ck J a de ha d c aught cold o n t h e w a y
.
,
‘

h om e a n d w a s a l i t tl e f ev e ri sh t od a y For t h e se t h r ee r ea s o n s t h e .

Pi i n cess A n c est re ss r em a i n e d firm a n d let P h o en i x a n d th e o th e r s o

g
l
a one.

Pa o Y u ’
ook Bl a ck J a d e s sl i g ht cold s o much t o hea rt th a t h e could
t
n o t t ouc h a b i t e t h e wh ol e da
y Hi s a n x i et y im p e ll e d h i m t o v i si t h er
.

con sta n t ly an d t o fi n d o ut h o w she w a s .

“
W hy wo n t you go w i th t h e o t h e rs t o t he pl a y s a t the t empl e i n
’

s t ea d o f s t i ck i n g a t h om e a n d b e i n g bor e d ? ” a sk e d Bl a ck J a d e w i sh i n g
,

t o p u t h i m t o t h e t e s t H er
.

q u es t i o n a n n oy e d h i m gr e a t ly
. If a n yo n e .

e l se h a d a ske d i t h e would n ot h a v e b e e n s p e c i a lly up s e t b u t Bl a ck J a d e

,

s h ould s ur ely kn ow p erf e c t ly w ell t h a t

h e w a s a vo i d i n g th e t em pl e
s ol ely o n he r a ccoun t an d b e c a u s e h e w a n t e d t
o e v a d e t h e a n n oy i n g
m a rr i a ge pl an s o f th e Pr i or .

“
I see t h a t i t i s u sel ess for us t o kn ow o n e a n o th e r V e ry w ell let 11 5 .
,
”
fi n is h w i th i t ! h e r epl i e d d eeply d i sa ppo in t e d Sh e m a de m a t t e rs .

worse by a dd i n g sh a rply : Y es i t i s c e rt a i n ly us el ess Un l i ke c e rta i n

, .

t h
o rp r o
e e s n s I v n o t hi n g at a ll a bou t me w h i ch s u i ts you
h a e,
”
.

He Wen t up clo s e to h er d eeply a g i t a t ed a n d s a i d t o h er in a vo i c e

, ,
“
w hi c h tr emb l ed : Wi th th ese word s you h a v e cold he a rt e dly s poken a -

cu of d m nat i on over m e
r s e a
”
.

I do n o t kn ow wh a t you mea n a n d I do n o t un d e rsta nd your ag i ta

“
,
”
t i o n a t a ll , sh e r e pl i e d
“
Evi d en t ly yo u ar e worr i e d les t the bea ut i ful
.
ma rr i a ge pl an of whi ch th e Pri or spoke y esterd a y sh ould f a ll th ro ugh ,
”
an d a re m a k i n g m e s uff er for your i rri t a t i o n .

Fool i sh gi rl ! Fooli sh b o y ! W h y were t hey sh a mmi n g an d sa yi n g th e

ex a c t oppo s i t e o f w h a t w a s i n t h e d ep th s o f t he i r h ea r t s ? Th e y h a d h e

lon g ed t o ea ch o th er se cre tly lo n g s i n c e W h y d i d th e y t or t ure th e m

.

? They were
se lves a n d b eh a ve a s i f t h ey w r e s t r n g e r s a n d e
e a n e mi es

s p i r i t u a lly so c lo se t o ea ch o t h er W hy di d th e y ou t wa rdly stru ggl e

.

a w a y from a c h o t h e r ? B ut a l as th a t h a s a lw a y s b ee n th e w a y wi th
e ,

lov e rs an d doub tl ess a lw a y s wil l b e

,
.

“
A t th e word s b ea u t i ful m a rri a g e pl a n P ao Y u compl et ely lo st h i s
‘

s el f co n tr ol In a s udd e n fi t of p a ssi o n h e t ore t h e sp i ri t st o n e fr om hi s

-
.

n eck an d fl un g i t fi e rc e ly t o th e gr ou n d
‘

“
I wi ll sm a sh yo u up a ccurse d th i n g ! Th en I sh a ll h a v e pea ce a t
,

”
l a st ! he cri ed b esi d e h i m self B ut t h e good st o n e w as m a de o f such
, .

s o un d m a t er i a l th at th e f a ll could n o t h a r m i t ; i t di d n o t b ea r t h e

sl i g h te st tr a c e o f d a m a g e Wh e n P a o Y u n o t i c ed t h i s h e turn ed ro un d
.

a n d b e g an to look f o r s om e h a rd obj e c t wi t h t h e h e lp o f whi ch h e could

sm ash t h e st o n e .

“
Bl a ck J a d e b emo an e d h i s ab surd a c ti o n Wha t h as tha t d ea f an d
.

d umb obj ec t do n e t o yo u th a t ydu i ll trea t i t so Be tt e r ill tr ea t m e !

,
-
? -
”

sh e sa i d .

’
Bl ack J a d e s w a i t in g m a i d s Cuckoo an d Sn o w goo se h a d a lrea dy
wi tn essed m an y a rgumen ts b et ween th ei r m i str es s a n d Pa o Y u b u t n o ,

pr evi ous d i scus si o n h a d le d t o so muc h exc i t em en t a s thi s t od ay In .

th eir di l emm a th e y fe t c h e d P ea rl a lo n g t o h e lp T h e firs t thi n g P e a rl

.

di d w a s t o try t o sa ve th e thre a t en e d sp iri t st o n e .

”
Do n ot i n t e rfe re ! ord e re d P a o Y u brus qu ely Wh a t i s i t to yo u i f .

? ”
I d estr oy my prope rt y
P e a rl w as st a rt l e d by th e e xpressi o n o f hi s f ac e as h e u tt ere d th ese

words Th i s r a ge di st ort e d li vi d fa ce ! She h a d n e v er b e fore seen h i m

.
,

in s uc h a co n di ti on Sh e tr i e d g en tly t o p a c i fy hi m
. .

“
Do you n o t t hi n k a t a ll of your co usi n s d e l i c ate h ea l th wh en you
’

r ag e a g a i n st h er so un ki n dly ? ”
sh e as ke d re pro a c h fully t a ldn g h i m
,

gen t ly by th e h a n d A s i f t o co n firm h er word s j u st at th a t mom en t

.
,
’
Bl a ck J a d e s m en ta l exc i t em en t ca u se d h er t o vomi t up th e i nva li d soup
sh e h a d t a k en sh ort ly b e for e Th e m a i d Cuckoo rus h e d t o h elp h er
.
,

qui ckly h old i n g a han dke rchi e f to h er mou th .

“ ”
Y o u sh ould no t t a ke th e li tt l e qu a rre l so much t o h ea rt sh e s a i d ,
“
t o h er . How can y ou get we ll i f you vomi t up you r m e d i c i n e st r a i gh t
? ”
a wa y Do you n o t see h o w our l i t t l e m a st e r suff e rs w h en you are i ll
,
‘

?
hi s poor cousi n Hi s an ger h a d m el t e d a w a y ; he w as on the v erge o f
.

t ea rs A s h e s tr uggl e d co n vuls i v ely on th e o n e h a n d a g a i n st h i s t e a rs

.

a n d t h e o t h e r a g a in s t t h e i n cl i n a t i o n t o vom i t h e w a s S uch a p i c t ur e o f ,

m i se ry th a t Pea rl w as n ow mov e d t o te a rs a n d b e g a n t o so b loudly .

An d Cuckoo w h o w a s fann i n g h er m i s t r ess t o cool h er w a s i n h er

.
, ,

t urn a ff e c t e d by P ear l so a s obb i n g a n d sn i ffi n g an d si g hi n g res oun d e d

, ,

from four d i r ecti on s a t th e s a m e t i m e a n d t h e wh ol e comp an y w as ,

h owl i n g P ea rl w as th e firs t t o pull h er se lf t og eth er

. .

“
Look a t t he si lk t a sse l on your st on e wh i c h your co usin m a d e fo r
”
u w i th h e w n h a n d s! s h e s a i d t o P a o Y u forc i n g h e rs elf t o sm i l e
y o r o ,
.

Is i t n o t en ough of a r em i n de r t o you t o forg et your qu a rr el a n d b e

? ”
fri en d s a g a i n Un fort un a t ely h er w ell m e a n t word s brough t ab ou t
,
-

un d esi re d eff ec t Forget ti n g h er i lln ess Bl a ck J a d e j ump e d up an d t ore

.
,
’
from Pea rl s h a n d t he a mul et w i th th e fi v e color e d cord a n d th e t a ssel -

whi ch sh e h a d m a d e ; sh e sei z ed s c i ssors an d b e g a n wi ldly t o cut up th e

t ass el B e for e Pe a rl a n d Cuckoo w i th u n i t e d s t r en g t h w e re a bl e t o wr est
.

th e cord from h e r th e t a s se l w a s a lr ea dy b a dly d a m a g e d w i th m a n y cu ts

, .

“
Let i t a lo n e ! Afte r a ll h e c a r es n o th i n g f o r wh a t I t ook so much
,

t roub l e t o m a ke for h i m ! He ca n get s om eo n e el s e t o m a ke a n ew t a sse l

”
for hi m cr i e d Bla ck J a de sobb in g
, , .

“
Do n ot t a k e i t b a dly o f h er ! I am t o bl a m e w i th my t h ought l ess
”
c h atter pl ea d e d P ea rl a polog et i c a lly t o P a o Y u a s sh e g av e him b a ck
, ,

th e cord .

“ '

Pl e a se cut i t up a s much a s you li ke ! I wo n t ev e r wea r t h e un ’

lucky th i n g a ga i n de cl a re d Pa o Y u coolly an d th e qu a rre l would

, ,

h a v e fl a re d up wi t h n ew forc e i f Pa Y u s mo th e r a n d gr an dmo t h er w h o ’
,

h a d b een c a ll e d t o th e rescu e by h i s serv i n g wom en h a d n o t com e b e ,

t w e en them j us t a t th e r i g ht mom en t W h en t h e y en t er e d t h e t w o cous

.

i n s b e c a me s i le n t w h i le P e a rl an d Cuckoo furt i v e ly s cold e d on e an

,

o t he r b e c a use ea ch b e li eve d th a t t he o th er h a d c a ll e d th e t w o Ta i ta is
,

a n d th er eby m a d e t e m a tt e r wor se
h .

A s th e tw o cous in s could n ot b e o t t o u tt er a w ord t h e l a d i es dis

g ,

c ha rge d th ei r an ger o u Pea rl a n d Cuckoo an d r epro a c h e d th em furi

o u sly for n o t h a v i n g look e d a ft e r th ei r m a t r
s e a n d m i st r ess b e t te r an d

b ee n a ble t o pre ven t t he qu a rre l F i n ally th e A n c estr es s t o ok Pa o Y u by

.
,

th e h an d an d le d h i m a wa y w i t h h er .

T h e follow i n g day th e t h i rd of t e fifth mo n th Cou s i n H s u eh P an s

h
’
, ,

b 1 rth da y w as c el ebr a t e d In h i s h o n or a gre a t fa m i ly b an qu et an d a

.

t h ea t n ca l pe rform an c e w er e g i v en All
.

th e r el a t i v es a ss e
. mbl e d ; on ly
P a o Y u a n d Bla ck J a d e w ere m i ss i n g Af t er th e h a pp en in g s o f y es t er
'

da y they w er e n o t i n t he h umor t o a t t en d a b an qu et o r a t h e a t ri c a l p er

m
f o r an ce T he y bo th excu e d th ei r ab s en ce o n t h e pl e a of b ei n g i l In
re a h t
. s
l .

y the re w as n o th in g wro n g wi th P a Y u a n d Bl a ck J a de w as a l n
,

222
 A nd w hy n ot
? ke everyth i n g sot r a gi cally ! h e
W h y sh ould one ta
'
”

repl i e d fa ll i n g i n w i th h erl i gh t h ea rt e d t o n e A nd i f I w er e dead my

‘ '

.
, ,

sp i r i t woul d com e t o vi si t your li t t l e m i st r es s n o t on c e b ut a h u n dr e d

”
-

t i m es a da y How i s sh e t od a y ?
“
. Ph y si c a lly she i s we ll b ut her he a rt i s n ot yet qu i t e c a lm an d in
, ,
-

”
order .

“
I ca n w e ll b e l i ev e th a t h e sa i d smi l i n g,as h e w a lked i nt o th e li v
“ ‘

i n g room He fou n d Bl a ck J a d e ly i ng o n t h e d i v a n cry i n g a g a i n

. .

h e a sk e d ki n dly Sh e wi p e d
”
A re you qu i t e w e ll a g a i n M e i m ei ?
' ’

.
,
'

a w a y h er t e a r s b u t r e m a i n e d s i l en t H e s a t down o n t h e e d e o f t h e
'

, g .

couch an d co nt i n u e d br i ght ly : I kn ow you a re n ot an gry wi t h me a t

“ ‘

a ll B ut i f I a m n ev er s een w i t h you t h e o t h e r s m a
y t h i n k th a t w e h a v e
'

.
,

qu a rr ell ed a n d th at you a re r ea lly a n gry w i th m e a n d t h en th ey W ould

'

i n t erfer e a n d w an t t o l e c t ur e u s I th i n k w e could sp a r e our se lves th i s .

a nn oy i n
g i n terferen c e from ou ts i d er s If you h a v e a n y t hi n g a ga i n st me
"
.
,
”
bl am e m e qu a rr el w i th m e hi t m e ! O n ly do ; n o t i gn ore m e !
, ,
’

”
D ur i n g hi s s peec h h e h a d u se d the t e rm s d ea r est M e i m ei an d
b est M ei m ei a t l ea st adoz en t i mes From t h e r em a rk t h a t o ther peo
”
.

ple nee d n o t i n t erfer e i n th ei r a ff a i r s Bl a ck J a d e un d erst ood th a t he ,

.

fel t sp e ci ally n e a r a n d i n t i m a t e w i th h er Thi s fi ll e d h er w i th secret .

“

j oy a n d un sea l e d h er l i ps .

You n ee d n o t com e h e r e a t a ll You o n ly w an t t o an n oy me I a t . .

“

a n y r a t e w i ll t a k e c a r e n o t t o com e t o o n ea r
yo u Th e b e st th i n g i s for
'

”
m e t o go a w a y a l t og eth er she s a i d st i ll see mi n gly qu i te irr e co n c i l abl e
, , .

B ut h e di d n o t let h i m self b e i n t i m i da t e d .

“ ”
Wh er e wi ll you go th en he a ske d bli thely
?
, .

Hom e .

“ ’
I ll go wi th yo u .

A n d wha t i f I di e s oon ? ”

Th en I wi ll b e com e a mon k .

“
I d d You use d t o d ecl a re t h a t yo u a ls o would di e i n th a t ca se
?
-

n ee
.

O n e can see from th a t th a t your t a lk i sn t t o b e t a k en a t a ll se ri ou sly ’

.

Be si des yo u h a v e o ther cou si n s Wi ll you b e co m e a mon k e ve ry t i m e

, .

o n e of them d i es ? If s o you w i ll
h a v e t o mul t i ply you rsel f Wh a t if I
“

‘ , .

te ll th e m of your pr a i se wor th y i n t en t i o n ? ”
He rea liz e d th a t h i s st a tem en t h a d b een ra th er th o ugh t o f
Prem o us Cl asp and blus h e d W h a t a good th in i t w a s th a t n o o n e e l s e
g .

w as presen t ! T h er e w a s a lon g e mb a rr a e d p u
ss a se i n t h e co n v e rs a
,

ti o n A t last sh e t a ppe d h i m li g ht ly i n a i g fic for

ni an t w a t h e
“
.
s n e
y o
h ea d wi th h er fi n g er .

“
Y ou she b e g an b ut could n o t co n t in ue I ns t e a d sh e t ook
, o ut .
,
h er h an dkerchi ef a n d wi pe d h er e y es Hi s e y s b e c a m e t ear ful t o o an
e d .
,

2 24
mo i st l i ds She n o t i c e d i t a n d w i th ou t a word h an d e d h i m on e o f h er
.

o wn h a n dk e rc h i e fs Touc h e d by t h i s se rvi c e o f love he cl a s pe d h er

. ,
“
h an d t en d erly a n d s a i d : E n ough o f te a rs ! My fi v e en t r a il s are a lrea dy
t or n a s u n d e r from a ll th i s h ow li n g Com e le t us go t o th e old Ta i ta i
.
,
”
t oge t h e r .

Bl a ck J a d e pu she d h i s h a n d a w a y .

“
Lea ve o ff th i s co a rse c a re ssi n g ! Y o u a re grow i n g old e r e v e ry da y .

? ”
When w i ll you l e a rn t o b eha v e yours elf a t l a s t
Th e vo i c e of P o
h en i x w as h e a rd ou ts i d e S t art l e d t h e tw
.o cou s i n s ,

se p a r a t e d h urr i e dly .

“ ”
Now a re yo u fr i en d s a g a i n
,
? a s k e d P h o en i x l a ug h i n g T h e o ld
,
.

Ta i t a i h a s b e e n gri e v i n g up t o t he h ei gh t s o f h e a v en a bou t you Sh e .

s en t m e h e r e t o see i f e v ery t hi n g i s a ll r i g h t A t fir s t I di d n o t w a n t t o
.

com e a n d I s a i d t o h er t h a t by th e en d of thr ee d a y s yo u would h a v e

,

m a d e i t up your selv es b ut sh e go t a n gry a t th a t a n d g a v e m e a gr e at

,

s cold i n g A n d s o I a m h e r e W h ar e u tw o n o t t o b e see n
? Wh a t h a s
.
y y o .

h a p pen e d t o you a g a i n ? Mu s t yo u qu a rrel e ve ry th re e d a y s ? T h e old e r

yo u grow t h e more yo u fly i n t o p a ss i o n s l i ke c h i ldr en A n d n o w com e .

”
t o t h e old T a i ta i w i t h m e t o a s s ur e h er t h a t a ll i s w ell .

She t ook Bl a ck J a d e by t h e h a n d a n d drew h er o u t w i t h h er Bl a ck

. .

J a d e t urn e d roun d a n d c a ll e d for h er w a i t i n g m a i d s b ut bo th m a i d s ,

h a d d i sa pp e a r e d .

W hy do you n ee d t hem ? My m a i d s a re a t your d i spo s a l b u t let us ,

”
n o t d el a y ! urge d P h o en i x a n d dr a gg e d th e res i st i n g Bl a ck J a d e w i th
h er Pa o Y u followe d b eh i n d a n d so all th ree a rr i v e d a t th e h om e o f
.
,

th e A n c estr es s .

“ ”
Now w a s I n o t r i g ht ? sa i d P h o en i x c h e e rfu l ly I di d n o t h a v e .
,

t o i n t e rfe r e a t a ll ; t h e y h a d a lr e a dy m a d e i t up t h e m s e lves T h e y h a d .

a s ke d e a c h o t h e r s p a rdo n a n d w e r e s i t t i n g t og et h e r qu i t e p ea c e full y
’

c h a tti n g a n d j o k i n g a n d aff e c ti o n a t ely cl a w i n g e a c h o t h e r li ke a n

”
e a gl e an d a f e m a l e h a wk s i t t i n g o n t h e s a m e h un t i n g r i n g .

T h e A n c e st ress a n d a ll pres en t h a d t o l a ug h h e a r t i ly a t t h e odd co m

p a r is o n Bl a ck J a d e sa t down by t h e si d e of t h e A n c e st ress ; sh e fe lt
.

r a th er e mb a rr a sse d by Cou si n Pre c i ous Cl asp s pres en c e a n d di d n o t ’

op en her mou th P a o Y u a pologi z e d t o Pr ec i ous Cl a sp for h a v i ng b ee n

.

un a bl e t o m a ke h i s b i rth d a y kow t ow to h e r bro th e r a n d bri ng a pr es

en t ow i n g t o n o t b e i n g w e ll b u t h e would m a k e up for t h e om i s si o n
, ,

l a te r Th en h e w a n t e d t o kn ow w h y sh e w a s n o t a t th e t h ea t r i c a l p er
.

f o rm an ce .

“
I sawp i e c es a n d the n I could n o t en dure the he a t a n y lo n ge r
two , ,
”
so I sn ea k ed off r epl i e d Pre c i ou s Cl as p
, .

ak e s o m e re ply I n volun ta r i ly h i s a tt en t i o n
..
,

Clas p s plump whi te arm whi c h h e h a d t e

’
,

1 3 2 25
cen t ly se en when sh e t ook off a gold b a n gle for hi mt o look a t mo r e
‘

clo sely A n d i t c a m e i n t o hi s m in d h o w Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp gen e r a lly w en t

.
.

“
by th e n i ckn ame of Court es an Y an g b ec a u se th a t c elebr at e d Im ,

p er i a l cour t esan of th e T a n g dy n a st y i s th e on ly pIM p l a dy th e

’
.

C hi n ese g a ll ery of fa mous b ea ut i es h a s t o s h ow So i n ord e r t o sa y .

,
“
s om et h i n g h e r em a rke d j ocul a rly :
,
I a m n o t s ur pri se d th a t p e opl e a l “

w a y s comp a r e you w i th t h e Cour t esa n Y an g for sh e al so w a s somewha t ,

plump a n d sen si t i ve t o h ea t .

Hi s rem a rk gr ea tly a n n oy ed Pr e c i ous Cl a sp Sh e ge t re d an d s ough t .

for a lon g t i m e for a su i t a bl e r eply A t l a st sh e g a ve tw o sh ort dr y .

.

“
la ughs a n d r em a rke d d er i si vely : If I a m so v ery li k e th e Court esan
Ya n g i t i s r ea lly a p i t y th a t I l a ck th e sui t a ble cou si n a se co n d Y an g
, ,
”
Chun g He w a s c e rt a i n ly a fi n e fellow !
.

It w a s p a i n ful t o P a o Y u t o h a v e o n c e more l a i d hi m self op en t o

corr ecti on by a cou si n o n a ccoun t of a t h ou ght l ess r ema rk a n d th i s ,

t i me mor e ov e r b e fore e v eryo n e w h e r e a s Bl a ck J a d e h a d o n ly co r

, , ,

r ect ed h i m wh en t h e y w er e a lo n e j u st n o w Bl a ck J a d e w h o h a d b een .
,

s ecr et ly pl ea s e d a t t h e a t i f s o m ew h a t crud e
fa ux p as wh i ch h e h a d
'

p
j us t p erp et ra t e d a t t he exp en se of Pr eci ou s Cl a s p a n d w a s s orry t o see ,

h i m wr i thi n g w i th em b a rr a ssm en t d ec i d e d t o com e t o hi s h e lp , .

“ ”
Whi ch pl a y h av e you seen th en ? sh e a sk e d t ur n i n g w i th a sm i l e
,

t o Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp .

“
It w a s c a ll ed T h e Tyr a n t L i Kw ei Abu se s Sun g Ch i an g an d La t e r
‘ ‘

Admi ts H i s I nj ust i c e or some thi n g l i ke th a t re pl i e d Pre c i ous Cl a sp

”
\
’
-

coolly .

“
You are so w e ll v er se d o t h e rw i se i n a n c i en t a n d m od e rn li t er a t ure ’

an d ”
'

y e t you do n o t kn ow th e sh ort p o p ula r t i tle o f th i s p i e ce co n '

,
“
t in n e d Bl a ck J a d e d er i s i v e ly , A s e v eryo n e kn ow s i t i s c a ll e d si mply
.
,
‘
A V i si t of P et i t i on wi th th e R od .
’

“
Y es v ery w ell l et i t b e A V i s i t of P e t i ti o n w i th t h e R od ! Y o u o f
, ,
‘ ’
,

cour se a re so well e d uc a te d a n d so l e arn e d t h a t yo u mu st kn ow i t t o o

,
,
.

I r lly
e a d i d n o t kn ow a n y thi n g un t i l n o w a bou t a v i si t o f th a t kin d ”
,

repli e d Pr e c i ous Cl as p sh arply and she no t e d w i th sat i sfa c ti on th e

,

e
mb arra ssmen t wh i ch the s udd en blu sh es o n t h e faces o f P a o Y u an d
Bl a ck J a de d i st in c t ly b et r a y ed Her sta b h a d h i t t h e mar k O f th ose
.
_
.

pr esen t a fourt h p ers on h a d un d e r st o od th e i mport o f Pr eci ou s

,
’
Cl a sp s word s an d th a t w a s P h o en i x ; an d sh e h a stened t o clea r th e
,

un easy a tmo s phere wi th a pl e a san t j oke .

“
Is an yo n e h ere chew i n g gre e n g i n g e r o n a ccoun t of th e h ea t ? ” sh e '

aske d un exp ec te dly .

Everyon e a n swere d the cryp t i c qu est i on in t he

“
?
I d d I j us t t hought t here m i gh t b e t h e r e
n e e
,

b i tin g sme ll h ere sh e sa i d preten di ng s urpri s e and m a ki ng a comi c

, ,

226
fa c e Prec i ou s Cl as p burst o ut l a ugh i n g an d th e o t he rs l a ugh e d wi th
. ,

h er a th
,
l oug h mo s t of t h e m di d n o t kn o ww h y Th e t e n s i o n h a d b een .
'

broken a n d t h e comp a n y d i sp er se d i n m erry mood W h en Preci o us

,
.
*

Cl a sp h a d gon e o ff w i th P h o en i x Bl a ck J a d e re m a rke d wi th a smi l e

,

to P a o Y u z Now a re you co n v i n c e d t h a t o t h e r p e opl e ca n h a v e w i ck

“

d
e e r t o n gu e s t h a n I ? Comp a r e d w i th th e m I am
p os i t i v ely sh y an d
”
h a rml ess !
He foun d t he o n e j us t a s b ad as t h e o t he r so h e le ft Bl a ck J a d e st an d ,

in g th ere a n d ran o ff .

CHAPTER 2 3

A lo st un i corn a m u etl ca uses L i tt le C lo ud t o expo se h er b a r e h ead to

th e fie rc e su n . G old R i n g c a n n o t g e t o v er th e i n su lt s h e s u fi ers a nd
s ee k s t h e d ea t h o f h o n or .

O N THE F O LL O W ING D AY A FTE R THE M IDD AY ME A L IN THE R ESIDENC E

of th e A n c est ress wh en ev e rybody e mploy er an d se rv a n t a l i ke w as
, , ,

t a ki n g a mi dd a y r est o n a ccoun t of t h e s t up e fy i n g h e a t a n d e v en t h e ,

b i rd s i n t h e t r ees a n d bus h es wer e s i l en t w i t h exh a u st i o n P a o Y u st rod e ,

s lowly t h roug h t h e b a ck g a rd e n s an d groun d s of t h e w e s t e rn p a l a c e ,

h i s h a n ds b eh i n d h i s b a ck Aft e r w a lki n g th rough t h e w este rn corri dor

.

p a vi l i on h e c am e p a st t h e self con t a i n e d dwell i n g of P h o en i x an d o n

-

t o t h e h o me o f h i s mo th er H er e a l s o t h e n oo n d a y s i l e n c e r ei gn e d ov e r
.

all P a ss i n g by s eve r a l m a i d s w h o w e r e drow s i n g ov e r t h e i r n ee dl ework

.
,

h e a rr i ve d a t th e l i v i n g room of t h e T a i ta i Sh e w a s ly i n g a s l ee p on .

a d i v a n of m a t t i n g Th e w a i t i n g m a i d Gold R i n g w a s l e a n i n g a g a
. i n st
t h e en d of t h e d i v a n w i t h h er l e g s st r e t c h e d o u t l i mply doz i n g
.
, ,
.

P a o Y u s l i pp e d qui etly up t o h er a n d pluck e d a t h e r e a rr i n g A re .

you so t i red h e whi s pe re d Gold R i n g bl i n k e d a t h i m sl eep i ly po i n t e d

? ”
.
'

t o t h e door w i t h a sm i l e a n d sh u t h e r e y es a g a i n B u t P a o Y u di d n o t
, .

mov e from h er si d e Wh en h e h a d fur t i vely a s ce rt a i n e d t h a t t h e Ta i ta i

.

w a s r ea lly a sl ee p h e pull e d o u t; of h i s hel t pouch a t ub e of d am p s t i cky

, , ,

pe rfum e d c i nn a mon p a st e squ eez e d o u t a l i tt le b a ll a n d pu sh e d i t b e

, ,

w e en t h e m a i d s l i p s She li ke d i t an d sw a llow e d i t down w i th ou t op en

’

t er e e .

mg h y s He t ook h old of he r h a n d
.
.

h
Look r h all 1 a sk th e T a i t a i t o gi v e yo u t o m e
e. e s ,
? ”
h e aske d ,

q ui etly Sh e r em a i n ed si l en t :
.

“
A s s oo n a s t h e Ta i t ai w a k es up I sh a ll a sk h er f or o u h e co n
y
, ,

t i n n e d Gold R i n g op e ne d h e r e y es an d looke d at h i m s m i l i n g
.
.
,
“
You a re i n a m i gh t y h ur ry ! Wh a t a bou t h avi n g L a mb s Fl ee c e ? If ’

you go i nt o t h e l i tt l e e ast ern g a rd en you ca n t a ke he r by s urpri se w i t h

”
M as ter C h i a Hu a n .

228
 “ ”
They m ay en j oy th em se lves f o r all I ca re I w an t yo u ! He h a d .

sc a rc e ly fi n i sh e d s pe a ki n g wh en th e Ta i ta i su dd en ly st ood up an d

d ea lt th e wa i t in g m a i d a vi gorou s sl a p o n th e fa c e .

“
Ab an don e d cr ea t ure ! I sh all j us t sh ow yo u ! Tryi n g t o se duce my
”
so n ! sh e s cold e d .

Pa o Y u h a d flown o ut li ke a s t rea k o f smoke th e i n sta n t th e Ta i ta i

h a d st i rre d Wh i le Go ld R i n g rubb e d h er burn i n g c hee k i n b e wi ld er
. .
,

m en t , n o t d a ri n g t o ope n her mou th se v er al w a i t in g m a i d s an d serv i n g

,

women c a me ru sh i n g i n , re a dy t o se rv e T he Ta i ta i t urn e d t o N e phri t e

.

B an gle , th e youn g e r si ste r o f th e gi rl wh om she h a d j u st r ebuke d .

“
Tell your m athe r th at she i s t o ta ke your si ster o u t o f t he h ous e thi s
”
ve ry da y ! sh e s a i d Gold R in g thr ew he rse lf o n he r knees a n d w i th
.

te a rs an d kowt ows i mplore d h er en r a ge d m i str e ss t o b e m e rc i ful .

“ ” “
Hi t m e , b ea t m e b ut do n o t t urn m e o ut ! she i mplor e d
,
I h a ve .

a lr e a dy b ee n se rvi n g yo u h o n or a bly f o r t en y ea rs I could n o t s urvi ve .

”
th e sh a m e o f b ein g dri v en a w a y in th e en d ! B ut t he Ta i ta i w h o w as ,

u su a lly so ki n dh e a rt e d an d h a d nev e r b ee n i n th e h a b i t o f b ea t i n g
,

h er m a i d s would n o t b e s oft ene d th i s t i m e an d t h a t v e ry da y poor

, ,

Gold R i n g h a d t o l e a v e th e h ou se i n d i s gr a ce .

Th e n eit t da y th e fift h of th e fift h mo n th th e Dr a go n Bo a t Fes ti v a l

, ,

w as c e l ebr a t ed R ee d s a n d wormwood w e re pl a c e d ov e r t h e doors a n d

. ,

eve ryo n e wor e a mul et s an d m a g i c c h a rm s a n d sp e ll s M a d a m e C h e n g .

g a ve a fa m i ly b a n qu e t a t m i dd a y b ut n obody w a s i n a r ea lly fest i ve

,

mood M a d am e C h en g w a s sti ll o ut o f h umor o n a ccou n t of th e un

.

pl ea san t i n c i d en t o f y e st e rd a y when sh e h a d ca ught P a o Y u wi th Go ld

Ri n g a n d she i gn ore d Pa o Y u i n t en ti o n a lly Ph oe n i x w h o h a d been
, .
,

t old o f th e m a tt e r by M a d a m e C hen g th e e ven i n g be for e a l o sh owe d ,

s

h er d i spl ea s ure a n d co n t ra ry t o h er u s u a l m a n n e r w a s n ei the r t a lk a t i ve

, ,

n o r i n cl i n e d t o l a ugh Pa o Y u w a s st i ll s uff erin g from t h e eff e c t o f th e

.

p a i n ful sn ubb i n g t o wh i ch h i s cou s in s Pre c i ous Cla sp a n d Bla ck J a de

h a d s ubj e c te d h i m y es te rd a y a n d di d n o t ven t ur e to en t e r in t o co n
versa ti on w i th th em a n d h i s b a d t empe re d si l en ce i n fec t e d th e m in
,
-

t urn A n d so t h e b a n qu et prov e d a mo s t st r a in e d a n d te d i ou s a ff a i r a n d
.

e v eryo n e w as re l i e v e d w h en i t w as ov e r b ut p a r t i cul a rly Bl a ck J a d e

, .

A t n o t i m e w a s sh e v e ry kee n o n s oc i a l g a th e r i n g s The mo re pl e a s ure .

p e ople fi n d i n m e rry p a rti e s t he more kee n ly do th e y fee l th ei r cold

,
-

a n d forlorn st a t e w h en th e se p a rt i e s a re ov e r ; h e n ce i t i s b est t o a vo i d

s uc h soc i a l g a th e ri n gs a l t og eth e r T h u s sh e phi lo s op h i z e d Sh e t h oug h t

. .

o f t h e flow e rs wh o se fa d i n g w as a ll th e more p a in ful th e more o n e

,

h a d en j oy e d th ei r bloom i n g a n d sh e fe l t i t would h a ve b ee n be tt er
,

h a d th e y n e v e r blo o m e d A n d so h e r f a c e w a s mourn ful w h en o th e r

.

pe opl e ha d h appy fa ces a n d v ice ve rsa , .

Lucki ly th e a rr i v a l o f Li tt le Cloud n ex t day brought li fe an d me rri

,

229
men t in t o th e h ou se All th e cou s i n s w er e j u st a ssembl e d for th e mi d
.

day m ea l a t th e h om e of the A n c est r ess wh en sh e a rr i ve d T h e youn g .

pe opl e j ump e d up t o m eet h er a n d ove rwh e lm e d h er wi th all sorts o f

qu esti o n s The y h a d n o t seen h er for a mon th an d of cour se th e re w as
.
,

pl ent y to rel a te .

“
Wi ll you n o t m a ke your clo th i n g mor e comfort able o n a ccoun t o f
? ”
th e h eat s ugg est e d t h e An c est re ss .

Li ttl e Cloud st ood up an d t ook off t h e ou t er la y e r of h er dr a p e ry . .

’
A n d wi t h t h i s th e co n v ersa ti o n t urn e d t o L i tt l e Cloud s cl ev e rn ess i n
di sgui sin g herself .

“
Don t you r eme mb e r t h at t i m e th a t she p ut o n P a o Y u s co a t an d
’ ’

? ”
sh o es a n d
p ut h i s for eh ea d b an d roun d h er h ea d as k e d Pr e c i ou s
“
Cl as p l a ughi n g Sh e looked so li ke h i m t h a t wh en th e o ld Ta i ta i
, .

c am e in an d s aw h er b a ck a s sh e s t ood over t h e re by the a rmch ai r , she

w a s d e c e i v e d a n d s a i d t o h er : P a o Y u com e h e r e a n d look a t t h e
‘
,

cry sta l c ha i n s o n th e c ei l i n g l a mp s ! The y a re qu i t e cov e r e d w i th

smok e an d dull th e l i g h t
’
B ut L i tt l e Cloud di d n ot St ir from th e s po t
. ~ .

”
A n d h ow w e l a ug he d !
“
Y es sh e dr ess es up splen d i dly a s a boy a dd e d t h e A n c e s t r ess
, ,
.

Th a t i s n o th i n g for h er ! co n t i n u e d Bla ck J a de ! Do you r em emb e r

”

th a t sn owy da y i n t h e fir st mo n t h of l a st y ea r wh en sh e s e cr e tl y p u t o n
th e old Ta i ta i s n ew r ed mo n k ey h a i r clo a k ? It w a s so lo n g a n d wi d e
’
-

for her th a t she h a d t o t i e i t up a rou n d h er h i p s w i th tw o s c a rves Sh e .

pla y e d sn owb a ll s wi ldly a roun d th e g a rd en w i th t h e m a i d s fi n a lly ,

st umbl i n g ov e r a d i t c h a n d t um b l i n g down ful l l en g th in t h e s n ow an d

,
”
ev e ryo n e t h ough t i t w a s t h e old T a i t a i .

T he wh ol e comp any broke o ut i n t o m e rry l a ugh t e r a t th e m emory

of th i s .

“
Wh er e on e aCou rth is ”
i n qu i r e d Li tt l e Cloud
s in P a o Y u ? .

O f cour se sh e i s o n ly th i n kin g of t he n a ugh t y comp a n i o n of h er

t h
you ful pr n ks ; she h a s n o th oug h t for us o t h e rs sh e i s i n corr i g i bl e
a
”
, ,

sa i d Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p j ok i n gly Th e r e upon P a o Y u c a m e a lo n g an d
.
‘

gree te d the v i si t ors j oyfully .

“
He h a s s om et hi n g n i c e for you ! ”Bl a ck J a d e wh i sp e r e d t o h er .

”
Som e t h i n g ni c e for m e ? a sk e d L i tt l e Cloud i n cr e dulou s ly , .
,

It i s true you ca n b el i ev e i t ” P a o Y u a ss ure d h er ! How b i

, , g yo u
h v e grown L i tt l e Cloud !
a ,
”

“
You sh ould n o t c a ll e a ch o th e r by your first n a m e s a n y more h i s ,

mo th e r r ebuke d h i m T he old T a i ta i do es n o t wi s h i t You are n o

.
.

lo g r
n e t h e c h i ldr en you u se d t o b e ”
.

“ ”
How i s your P ea rl a s ke d Li tt le Cloud
?
.

Ve ry w ell Th a n k you for your ki n d i n qu i ry

.
.

I h a ve brought h er somet hin g ” .

23 0
 Sh e produc e d a l i t tle poli sh e d box i n wh i ch w e r e four ri n gs In th e
,
.

re d st o n e of ea c h ri n g a n a m e w a s en gr a v e d .

”
You ha v e g i ven us presen t s l i ke th a t i n th e p a st ! cr i e d Bl a ck
J ad e d i s a ppo i n te d I w a s exp ect i n g you t o produc e some n ov el t y b ut
,
“
. ,

o u a r e n o t v ery i n g en i ou s You c e r t a i n ly do n o t t a k e muc h tr oubl e

y .

”
t o t hi n k up s om et h i n g n ew .

“
O h pl eas e b ut o n t h e o t h er h an d t h e pre sen t s a re v ery pr a c ti c a l
, , ,

“
s ai d L i t t l e Cloud i n s e lf d e fen s e -
Fo r P e a rl M a n d a ri n Duck Gold
.
, ,

Ri n g an d Li t tl e Pi n g —a s u i t a ble r i n g for e a ch o f th em so th a t o n e
, ,

can d i st i n gu i sh t h em O the rwi se o n e can h a rdly t e ll a ll t h e w a i ti n g

.

? ”
‘

ma i d s a n d o th e r m a i d s a p a r t Now i s i t n o t pr a ct i c a l
.
,
“ ”
Ex t rem ely pr a c t i c a l ! th e y all a gr ee d a mu se d , .

How she can t a lk ! S he s n ev e r a t a lo ss for an an sw er sa i d P a o

’
,

Y u sm i l i n g
,
.

“
She h as n o con v ers a t i or b ut o n th e o th e r h a n d sh e w ea rs a gold en
.

un i corn l i ke a ce rta i n o t h e r p er s on Bl a ck J a d e i nt e rrup t e d sh a rply

, ,

an d wen t o u t Lucki ly h er re m a rk h a d b een u n d e r st ood o n ly by P a o

.
,

Y u a n d Prec i ou s Cl as p ; i t w a s re c ei ve d by h er w i t h a n u n d e rst an d i n g
sm i l e a n d by h i m w i t h a n e mb a rr a ss e d on e
, Pre c i ou s Cl a s p a l so go t .

up a n d wen t t o j o i n Bl a ck J a d e .

“
Re fre sh yourself w i th a cu p of t ea a n d a sn a ck a n d r est a wh i l e ! ,
”
Then l a ter you can greet your si st er i n la w a n d pl a y i n th e p ark s ug - -

ges te d th e A n ce stress t o h er gr a n dd a ught e r Li tt l e Cloud t ook h er a d .

v i ce an d a f t er sh e h a d gr ee t e d P h o en i x a n d t h e W i dow Ch u s h e s et
,7
.

o ut for t h e P a rk of D e l i g h t ful V i s i o n es cor t e d by a s w a rm of s e rv i n g

women an d w a i ti n g m a i d s S h ort ly b efor e r ea ch i n g P a o Y u s dw ell

.
’

in g th e Cour ty a rd of H a rmo n i ou s R e d sh e d i s mi ss e d h er r et i n u e wi t h
, , ,

th e e xc ep t i o n o f h er o w n w a i t i n g m a i d Blu e T hr ea d A s th e y c a m e , .

t hr ough t h e ro se a rbor sh e n o t i c e d s om et h i n g sh i n i n g l i ke gold ly i n g

on t he gr ou n d Sh e t old h er m a i d t o p i ck i t up a n d sh e e x a m i n e d i t
.
,

w i th cur i o s i ty It w a s a n a mul et i n t h e sh a p e o f a gold e n un i corn v e ry

.
,

li ke her own on ly somewh a t b i gge r an d more fi n e ly w ork e d h e t ook

,

i t i n h er h a n d a n d ob s erve d i t t h ough t fully .

How odd ! Whe re ca n th i s thin g h a ve com e from ? I h a v e n eve r

n o t i c e d i t o n a n yo n e i n t h e h ou se sh e th ough t W h i l e sh e w as st i ll .
, ,

pon d eri n g Pa o Y u a ppea re d

, .

“
Look here why a re you tw o st an d i n g th e r e i n t h e stro n g sun ? W hy
,

”
n o t com e i n a n d gr ee t P e a rl ? h e a s ke d .

“
W e a re j u st go i n g t o h er sa i d L i t t l e Cloud qu i ckly h i d i n g h er
”
, ,

fi n d The th r ee of th em w en t i n t o th e B e go n i a Court y a rd t oget he r

. .

P ea rl w as si t ti n g o n th e st ep s in a sh a dy corn e r i n fro n t o f th e eu
tr an c e l ean in g a g a i n st th e b a lus tr a d e a n d fan n in g h e r s elf t o
,
get cool .

2 32
Sh e st ood up we n t t o gr ee t ,
L i tt l e Cloud an d h er m ai d ,
an d le d th em by
t he h a n d i n t o t he h ou se .

“
I b een expe c t i n g yo u fo r a lo n g t i m e I h a ve so m eth i n g \n i ce
h a ve .

”
t o sh ow you s a i d P a o Y u to hi s cou s i n b e gi n n i n g t o rumm a g e a n d
, ,

s ea rc h i n h i s pock e t s .

“ ? ”
H a ve you p ut t he th i n g a w a y he a sk e d t urni n g i n e mb a rr a ss ,

m en t t o P ea rl a fter se a rc h in g for a lo n g ti m e
,
.

“ ? ”
Wh a t t h in g do you m ea n a ske d P ea rl .

T h e gold u n i corn a mul et w h i c h I re c en t ly go t as a pres en t .

Y o u a lw a y s c a rry i t a bou t w i t h you I h a ve n o i d ea wh e re i t i s . .

”
The n I mu st h a v e lo st i t ou ts i d e Come h elp m e t o look fo r i t !
”

.
,

H e w a s a bou t t o ru sh o ut t o th e p a rk b ut L i tt le Cloud h e ld h i m
b a ck a n d sh ow ed h i m h er fi n d wi th a sm i l e , .

“ ? ”
Is th i s i t
He z d i t w i t h d e li ght
sei e .

“
You fou n d
“
Oh h o w ca n , one be
c a r el e ss ! Lucki ly
so , i t w as o n ly a t r i n ket t h i s
t i m e , b ut i f yo u sh ould lose y o u r st o n e t h e n ex t t i m e i t m i gh t b e a
,
”
gre a t m i s for t u n e .

“
O h t he lo ss of my st o n e would n o t t roubl e m e a t all B u t th i s a r
, .

t i el e w h i c h yo u c a ll a t r i fl e i s i rre pl a c e a bl e ; i ts lo ss would m ea n d ea th
“

, ,
”
to m e .

L i t t le Cloud b en t blu sh in g ov e r th e t ea cup w h i ch P ea rl h a d p a sse d

t o h er T he n th e co n v e rs a ti o n t urn e d t o o t h e r t h i n g s In t h e m i d s t of
. .

t he h a ppy c h a t t e r i n g a se rv a n t of Mr C h e n g s a rr i v e d a n d a n n o un c e d
’
.

“
M a ste r Y u Tsun from th e S t r ee t o f Bl oo m i n g Pro sp e ri t y h as com e t o
vi si t T he o ld m a ste r as ks th e yo un g g en t l em a n t o com e ov e r to s a lu t e
.

”
t he gu es t .

P a o Y u s good h umor w a s i n st a n t ly ove r

’
.

“ ”
Is i t n o t en ough i f t h e o l d m a n re c e i ve s h i m W h y mu s t I b e t h e re
? ?

h e murmur e d u n gr a c i ou s ly w h i l e h e s lowly m a d e h i ms elf re a dy for th e

,

v i si t .

“
Ho w ca n o n e lo i t er s o lo n g w h en th e old g en tl em a n c a l ls o n e .

cri e d L i t tl e Cloud d ea l i n g h im a ra p wi t h h er f an by w a y o f e n
,

co ur a gem en t .
“
A h, i t i s my old gove rn or w h o h a s expre ss e d a wi sh to see m e
not ,
”
b ut th i s M a s t e r Y u T su n h i ms elf .

It i s a ll t he more fl a tt e rin g f o r you wh en s uc h a v e ry d i st i n gu i sh e d

’

g en t l em a n sh ow s i n t e r est i n yo u H e w i ll c e rt a i n ly use hi s in fl u en ce for

.

”
you Th at can o n ly b e t o your a dv an t a ge
. .

P ah ! Wh a t do I c a re a bou t p a t ro n a g e a n d k n owi n g d i s t i n gu i s he d
“

e p le
? I a m a n a ve r a g e p e rs o n a n d do n o t w a n t a n yt h i n g mor e th an
“

p o
”
t o b e a h urri a n b e i n g a mo n g o th e r h um a n b e i n gs .

23 3
 '

Y ou ar equi t e i n corr i gi bl e ! After all you are grow i n g up H ave

,
.

you n o sp ec ial a mb i t i o n ? A re you n o t t h i n k i n g a t all of yo ur fut ur e ?

If you w a n t t o p a ss yo ur S t a te ex a m i n a ti on s y o u mu st see k th e a o,

qu a i nta n ce of se ri ou s p e opl e a n d fut ur e m i n i st er s in good t i m e Th ei r .

con versa t i on i s profi t a bl e t o you a n d t hei r fri en d sh i p w i ll en sur e yo u

,

p at ron a ge l at e r o n B ei n g a lw a y s 1 n th e comp an y o f gi rls wi ll n ot g et

.

”
you on !
“
Would you b e so ki n d a s t o go t o your cou si n s a p a rtm ent s youn g
.
’
,

la dy ! I would n o t w i sh th a t a seri ou s pe rs on l i ke you sh ould b e mort i

”
fi e d by a s oj ourn in my u n wor th y dw ellin g s a i d Pa o Y u
, hi s t on e ,

s udd en ly grown gruff P e a rl s urr e p t i t i ou s ly pluck e d L i t t l e Cloud b y t h e

.

s l eev e.

“
He do es n ot l i ke an yo n e t o bri n g up th i s Subj ect s h e sa i d t o h er ,
“
i n a low vo i c e
-

R e cen t ly h e si mply r an a w a y wh en M i ss Pr eci ou s

.

Cl a sp b e g an t o sp e a k of i t It w a s lucky t h a t i t w a s M i ss Pre c i ou s C la sp
.
,

for sh e di d n o t t a ke i t b a dly If i t h a d b een M i ss Bl a ck J a d e o h th en

.
, ,

t h er e would h a v e b een a n i c e sc e n e ! Sh e would n o t h a ve looke d a t hi m

a g a i n u n t i l h e h a d a dm i tt e d h i s wr on g w i th a ll form a l i t y a n d h a d
-

b egg ed for p a rdo n .

“
Sh e i s n o t c a p a bl e of s uch a l a ck o f good t a st e o th e rw i s e I would ,
”
h a ve brok en w i th h er lo n g a go i n t erj e c t e d P a o Y u e mph a t i c a lly
, .

J us t by ch an c e Bl a ck J a d e w a s a wi tn ess t o h i s l a st rem a rk She kn e w .

t h a t L i tt l e Cloud h a d set o u t for t h e B e go n i a C ourt y a rd sh e pr es um e d

’

t h a t Pa o Y u would sh ow h er t h e coun t e rp a rt t o h er old u n i corn a mul e t

g
a n d i n do i n g so would i n t roduc e a ll k i n d s o f a ff e c ti o n a t e a ll us i on s as
,

w a s h i s w a y a n d sh e h a d t h e r e for e cr ep t a lo n g se cr et ly t o l i s t en for
,

a b i t u n d er t h e w i n dow Sh e h a d j u st a rri ve d i n t i m e t o h ea r L i t t l e
.

Cloud recomm en d i n g h i m t o cul t i v a t e t he a cqu a i n t a n c e of se ri ou s m en .

So wh en h e d ecl a re d emph a ti c a lly t h a t sh e Bl a ck J a d e w a s n o t c ap abl e

, ,

of such l a ck of good t a st e i n con v e r sa t i on sh e felt si mul t an e ou sly move d

by four sen sa t i on s—j oy fea r p ai n a n d r egr et Sh e w a s j oyful a t n o t
,

, , , .

b ei n g d i sa ppo i n t e d i n h i s lov e a n d h i s n obl e m i n d e d n e ss ; sh e w as-

fri gh t en e d a t hi s a ckn owl e dg i n g h i s pre fer en c e for h er so op en ly b e for e

p e opl e ; she t h ought w i th p a i n of h o w a lo n e sh e w a s i n t h e world si n ce
t h e d ea t h of h er p a r en t s a n d h o w sh e h a d n o o n e t o co n fid e i n r e ar d
,
g
i n g m a tters of the he a r t A n d sh e h a d t o si gh r e gret f ully b e c a u se sh e
.

w a s w a s t i n g a w ay w i th a m a l a dy w h i c h would n o t i ve h er much ti m e
g
t o w a i t n o m at ter h ow s ur e sh e m i gh t fe e l o f h i s lov e Sh e w a s ov e r
, .

com e w i t h gri ef a t th e fri gh t en in g pre sen t i m en t t h a t sh e mi gh t di e t o o

s oo n t o e xp e r i en c e th e ful fillm e n t of h er w i sh H er e y e s fill e d w i th t ears
, .

a n d sh e w en t a w a y a g a in s lowly .

M ea n tim e Pa o Y u h a d fin i sh e d dr ess i n g an d wh en h e wen t m t o th e

,

2 34
 D ea rest M ei m ei up t o n ow I h a v e n o t d a re d t o d i sclo se t o yo u what
,

t ouch e s my h e a rt t o t h e core b ut t od a y I fee l th e cour a g e i n m e a n d I

, ,

wi ll sp ea k e ven i f I ha ve t o p a y fo r my i mpud en c e w i t h my d ea th Do
'

you kn ow t ha t I a l so ami ll i ll o n you r a ccoun t a n d I wi ll n o t get w ell

,

.
, ,

a g a i n u n t i l you are we ll Dr e a m i n g a n d w a ki n g I a m a lwa y s t h i n ki n g

.
,

on ly of you
“
You must b e compl e t ely po ssesse d by w i cke d spi r i ts ! Hur ry up!
”
T hey a re w a i t i n g for you ! He w a s bro ug h t b a ck from hi s e cs t a sy by
t h e vo i c e of P e a rl P earl h a d r u n a f t e r h i m t o bri n g h i m t he f an h e h a d
.

forgo tt en a n d h a d b een l i st en i n g for qu i te a wh i le wi th growi n g ast on

,

i shm en t t o h i s s ol i loquy In hi s w i th dr a wn st a t e h e h a d n o t n ot i c e d h er
. .

a ppro a ch .

“ ”
A h i t s you ! h e n o w burst o ut s t a r t l e d t ook t h e f a n a n d h urri e d
’
, , , ,

o ff P ea rl look e d a f t e r h i m for a w h i l e t h oug h t fully It w as cle a r t o h er

. .

t h a t t h e co n fessi o n of lov e wh i c h sh e h a d j u st h ea rd could o n ly r efe r t o

Bl a ck J a d e Wh a t would b e com e of h ers elf P ea rl l a t er o n ? Wh i le sh e

.
, ,

s t ood th er e s u n k i n t h ough t Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp c a m e a lo n g .

“ ”
W h a t i s C ou s i n P a o Y u up t o sh e c a lle d o u t t o t he m a i d I h a ve
? .

”
j u st seen h i m a ll dresse d up rushi n g t o th e p a rk g at e wi th lon g st ri d es .

“
Th e old Gover n or h a s s en t for hi m .

”
Oh w o e n o doub t a n o t h e r f a th e rly r epr i m a n d Th e po or b o y !
, , .

”
No i t i s n o t t h a t H e i s t o greet a gu est
, . .

”
Is L i tt l e Cloud i n t here ?
”
Y es .

Wh a t i s she do i n g
-
? ”

Oh w e h a v e j u st b een c h a tti n g a b i t
, .

I a m sorry for th e poor gi rl Thi n g s a re n o t go i ng v e ry well a t h ome

. .

She a dm i tt ed t o m e t h a t sh e oft en s i t s up l a t e a t n i gh t do i n g n e edle ~

”
work .

“
Oh I a m sorry for th a t A n d I st up i d t h i n g w a s j u st a bou t t o a sk
, .
, ,

h er for a n ew p a i r of h and embro i d er e d sl i pp er s I w a s s u rpri s e d t h a t

-

r ec en t ly sh e sen t m e b a ck h a lf fi n i sh e d a p i e c e o f e mbro i d ery—a but te r

.

fl y p a tt em ed clo th— th a t sh e h a d prom i se d t o do for m e Sh e e xcu se d

-

h e rse lf s a y i n g th a t sh e would fi n i sh i t a t h er n e x t v i si t h er e Un d er
, .

t h e s e c i rcum st an c e s o n e c a n n o t of cours e exp ec t h er t o do a n

y more
, ,

n ee dl e work It s a p i t y n o w I mu st go w i t h ou t my s l i pp e r
’

;
.
s .

“
It i s n o t a s b a d a s t h a t I sh a ll m a k e a p a i r for o u
.
y .

?
R lly Oh t h a t i s fi ne ; th en I sh a ll br i n g you th e m ate ri a l t his
’

e a ,

Wh i l e the y w ere ch a t t i n g a se rv i n g wom an c a m e a lo n g g a s p i n g i n th e

gr e a t e s t e i
xc mt e e n t a n d c a ll e d o u t t o t h e m :
“
Do you kn ow th at
R i n g h a s jum md i n t o the w ell a n d drown e d h er se lf ! ”
“ ”
B u t w hy ? a s ke d Pe a rl h orr i fi e d , .

2 36
 J us t re cen tly she w as s udden ly di sm iss e d an d sen t h ome b y th e Tai
ta i C h en g n o o n e kn ows w h y Sh e could n o t ge t ov er i t a n d s h e sa t
,
. ,

abou t a t h om e the w h ol e da y cry i n g T h en she s udde nly d i sa pp ea r e d

. .

F i n a lly th e y foun d her body i n th e we ll wh en th e y w e r e dr a w i n g w a t e r .

”
The y tr i e d t o brin g he r t o l i fe a g a i n b ut i t w as t o o l a te
,
.

“
W h y ca n sh e h a v e dro wn e d h erse lf ? It s
’
Pre c i ous
Clas p th ough tfull y w h i le Pea rl sh ook h er h ea d i n sile n c e an d we p t
,
: .

Pr ec i ou s Cl as p wen t o ff a t o n c e t o Aun t C hen g t o h ea r more d etai ls ,

.

She foun d th e Ta i ta i a lo n e i n t ea rs Sh e s a t down b e si d e h er wi th ou t

, .

s pe a ki n g .

“ ”
Whe re ha ve yo u com e fr om aske d Aun t C hen g
? .

”
From th e p a rk .

D i d yo u see yo ur cous i n P a o Y u ?
Y es a t a d i s t an ce He w as i n vi s i ti n g dress an d se em e d t o b e i n a
, .

”
h ur ry .

“ ? ”
H a ve yo u he a rd th a t Go ld R i n g ha s dro wn e d h e rself i n th e w e ll
co n t i n u e d M a d a m e C h en g wi th a deep s i gl
,
“ ”
I h e a rd abou t i t W hy di d sh e do i t
.
?

Sh e broke s om e th i n g i n my room re c en t ly a n d I d i sm i sse d h er in

ge r I i n t e n de d t o ta ke h er b a ck a g a i n i n a f ew d a y s W h o woul d
. .

h a v e t h oug h t th a t sh e would ta k e i t t o h ea rt l i ke t h a t a n d i mm e d i a te ly
j um p i n t o t h e well ! I a m b esi d e my se lf an d a m r epro a ch i n g my se lf
”
b i tt erly .

“
Y o u sh ould n o t do th a t d ea r Aun t s a i d Pr e c i ou s Cl as p co n sol
, ,
“
i n gly After all yo u w e re a lw a y s so good t o her ! She h as c e rta i n ly n o t
. .
,

ta ken h er l i fe o n a ccoun t o f th a t I b e li eve i t is mor e l i k e ly t h a t s h e fe ll

.

i n t o th e w ell by a cc i d e n t b u t i f she rea ll y th r e w h e rse lf i n o n a ccoun t

,

o f s uc h a t ri fl e th a t would b e s uc h a fooli s h t h i n g th a t o n e r ea lly sh ould

”
n o t fee l so rry f o r h er .

It m a y b e as you th i n k B u t i n an y c as e h er d e a t h gri ev es m e t o th e
.

”
co re.

“
D o n o t ta k e i t so much t o h ea rt ! S en d h er r el a t i ves a li tt l e i n d em
n i ty ! T h e n yo u wi ll h a v e do n e your du t y a n d m a d e r e sti t u t i o n an d ,
”
co mpli ed wi th the obl i g a ti on s o f a m i str ess t o h er se rv an t .

“
I h a ve a lre a dy se n t her fa m i ly fift y t a e ls I r ea lly w an t e d t o gi ve her
.

a b ea u t i ful n e w fun e r a l rob e a n d t h ou h t t o t a k e s om e th i n g from my

g
’
d a ug ht er s w a rdrob e b ut sh e h as a lr e a dy worn a ll h er dr esses on ce
, .

A n d t o p ut a dr e ss w h i c h h a s b e en worn o n a corp se i n a coffi n i s co n

t ra ry t o th e R i t es T h e r e i s n o t hi n g for me t o do b u t t o se n d f or a ta i lor
.

”
t o com e t o th e h ou s e .

“
W h y bo the r so muc h ? Sure ly t h e mon e y pu ts ev e ry th i n g ri g h t ? ”

“
No th e dea d gi rl w as p a rt i cul a rly d ea r t o me —
, a lmo s t li k e a da ugh

23 7
 Ve ry well th en I sh all h elp yo u o ut from my wa r drob e 1 h a ve tw o
, ,
.

dr ess es whi ch I h a ve h a rdly e ve r worn a t a ll a n d can do w i th out Th e .

dea d gir l sh a ll ha ve t hem Sh e w a s my s i z e a n d often wore my o ld

.

”
cloth e s .

“
Th a t i s very n i c e o f yo u B ut are you n o t a fra i d ? Y o u say yo u h a ve
.

? ”
a lr e a dy worn th e t w o dre sses your s elf
“
O h I d i sr eg a rd t h o se s up e rs t i t i ou s rul es
,
r epl i e d Pr eci ous Cla sp ,

me rri ly j ump i n g up Wh en sh e c am e b a ck l a te r t o Aun t C h en g wi th t h e

,
.

tw o dres ses for t h e d e a d g i rl sh e fou n d P a o Y u i n th e room H e

,
-
.

looke d as i f h e h a d b een cry i n g Wh en sh e en te r e d mo th e r an d so n .

,

s udd enl y st opp e d t a lk i n g Pr e ci ou s Cl a sp th ough t sh e kn e w t o se ven

.

or e i g ht t en t h s wh a t t h e y w e r e t a lki n g a bou t ; sh e di d n o t le t i t b e n o
-

t i c e d h ow ev e r an d s i l en t ly d e li v e r e d th e tw o dr e s ses w hi ch Aun t
, ,

Chen g l a t e r o n pr esen t e d t o th e mot h er of Gold R i n g .

CHA PTER 24

Th e d eg en era t e oflsp ri n g exp e ri e n c es th e p a i n of ap a te rna l fl oggi n g .

A ND so M A D A ME C HENG C A VE T W O B U R I A L R O BE S T O GO L D ’
R rN c s
mo th er t oget her wi th sev e r a l buckl es a n d r i n gs a n d a l so sen t a con
, ,

t i n g en t of bo n z es t o h er h ou se t o c e l e bra t e a s ol em n r e qu i e m for th e

d e ce a se d a t her exp en se .

A t th e n ew s o f Gold R i n g s volun t a ry d ea t h Pa o Y u fel t a ll h i s fi v e

’

i n t es t i n es t orn w i t h p a i n H e h a d t o s ubm i t t o a st e rn l e c t ur e from his

.

mo th e r Then when Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p c a m e i n he wen t o ff qu i ckly a n d

.
“

w an d ere d abou t h i s p a r en t s est at e a i ml e ssly a n d q u i te di s tr a ught A s

’ ’

h e walk e d a bou t si gh in g a n d t h i n k i n g w i t h h i s e y es o n th e groun d an d

, ,

hi s h a n d s b eh i n d h i s b a ck w i th ou t n o t i c i n g th e p a th w a y s o r th e sur
,

roun d in gs i t h a pp en e d th a t h e r an i n t o h i s fa t he r a t th e s p i ri t w a ll i n
,

fron t o f t he l a rg e r ec ept i on h a ll Fri gh t en ed he st e ppe d as i d e an d .

,
‘

wa i t ed in a h umbl e a tt i t ud ef o r hi s fa t he r t o p a ss by ’

“
W h a t o n e ar th i s t h e m a t t e r wi th you ? ”
a sk e d Mr C h en g se v ere ly . .

J ust n o w wh en Mr Y u Tsun w a n t e d t o s ee yo u yo u ke p t us wai t

, .
,

in g h a lf th e da y for you Wh en you sh ow e d yourse lf a t l a s t you s at

.
,

th e r e in di fi eren t an d a p a t h e t i c a n d di d n o t ope n your mou th I ob se rve d .

'

th a t your d epr a v e d t h ough ts w e r e s om e wh e r e els e A n d o w

n yo u ar e .

ru nn i n a n i t h
g rou d w a m o urh f ul f a c e Wh a t do es i t m ea n ? ”
.

Norm a ll y Pa o Y u w a s n ot a t a lo ss for a s u i t a bl e e xcu se b ut thi s ,

t i m e h e could t h i n k of n o t h in g Th e t r a g i c f a t e of poor Gold R i n g

.

t ouc h e d h i m so d e e ply t h a t e v e ry t hi n g els e w a su n i mport an t t o h i m H e .

would h a v e li ke d b est t o follow h er t o her dea th A n n o ye d a t hi s si len ce .

‘
 I r ea lly kn ow n o th in g rep ea te d Pa o Y u I h av e been fals ely
,
.

”
a ccu s e d .

O h i n d e e d ? P erh a ps I m a y a s k t hen h o w young C h i s red si lk

“ ’

, , ,

? ”
h a n dkerch i ef com e s t o b e i n your b e l t you n g m a n ,

P ao Y u fel t h i s e a rs h umm i n g a n d buzz i n g To b e s ur e h e h a d n o t .

,

th oug h t of t hi s p i e c e o f evi d e n c e If t h e Sup e r i n t en d en t r ea lly kne w o f

.

s uc h i n t i m a c i e s t h e n h i s d en i a l s would b e of n o a v a i l
,
.

“
S i n ce you a re i n form e d of s uc h sm all d et a i l s e st eem e d si r t he n I , ,

a m s urpr i se d t h a t t h e f a c t of you n g C h i s r e c en t c h an g e o f a ddr e s s h a s

’

” “
esc a p e d you he sa i d as coolly a s po ssi bl e A s f a r a s I h a v e h ea rd h e
, .
,

h a s r ec en t ly s e tt l e d i n t h e e a s t e rn subur b t w en t y li d i s t a n t from t h e ,
’
c i ty wa lls T h e d i st r i c t i s ca ll e d R e d S a n d a lwood S t ro n gh old or som e
.
‘

t h in g li k e t h a t ; h e i s sa i d t o h a v e boug h t a h ou s e a n d a p i e c e of l an d
t he r e .

Th e Sup e r i n tend en t s fa c e bri gh t en e d

’
.

“
I sh a ll lo se n o t i m e b ut sh a ll go t h er e a t o n c e t o sa t i s fy my se lf If .

your i n form a t i o n t a ll i es my e rr a n d i s ex ecu t e d O th e rw i se I sh a ll un

, .

”
fort un a te ly h a ve t o t roubl e you a g a i n .

H a v i n g s a i d thi s h e t ook l eav e Mr C hen g a ccomp a n i e d h i m t o t h e

, . .

“
g a te n o t wi th ou t h a v in g fir st s a i d ste rn ly t o h i s so n : D o n o t st i r from
,

”
h ere ! I h a ve s om et hi n g t o a sk you a ft e rw a rd s .

A t t he g a t e Mr C h en g m et h i s so n C h i a Hu a n w h o w a s run n i n g
.
,

a lo n g i n r e m a rka bl e h a st e w i t h s e v e r a l s e rv a n t s .

“
H i ! W he r e a re you go i n g ? A n d w h a t i s a ll t h e h urry for ? Y o u are
”
run n i n g l i ke a fr i gh t en e d h or se ! Mr C h en g c a ll e d o u t t o h im . .

“
I h a v e j u s t com e from th e w ell i n w h i ch our poor w a i t i n g m a i d h as
drown e d h erself I h a ve seen th e co pse t h e swoll en h e a d th e i n fl a t e d
. .
, ,

l i mb s ! Ugh ! Such a t erri bl e s i g h t ! I h a ve r un as qu i ckly a s I could ,

” '
j u st to get a w a y a t o n c e sa i d C h i a Hu a n sh udd e r in g w i t h h orror
, , .

“ ? A
W h a t w a i t i n g m a i d h a s drown e d h e r self ? T h a t i s un he a rd o f !
cri e d Mr C h eng dumfou n d e d In my h ou se th e s e rv a n t s h a ve a lw a y s
.
, .

b een t re a te d j u st ly an d w i t h k i n dn ess S i n c e t he d a y s o f my i llu st ri ou s .

an c e s t or s s uc h a t h i n g h a s n o t occurr e d Pr es um a bly th e m a j ordomo s .

h a ve m i s u s e d th ei r a u t h or i t y i n my a b s en c e I c a nn o t a fte r a ll look .
, ,

a f t e r ev e ry th i n g my s elf Bu t o n n o a ccoun t mu s t th e n e w s of th e r e gr e t
. .

t a bl e occurr en c e et t o th e t own T h e re pu t a t i o n a n d h o n or of m
g .
y h ou s e ,

a re a t s t a k e A n d n o w t e ll m e t h i s !
W h t do you k ow bou t h o w i t a ll
‘
.
a n a
”

h
a en e ? A n d he t urn e d s t e rn ly t o C hi a Hu an Th e b o fe ll upo n h i s
y .

1 n ppee s . d
“
Do n o t get exc i t ed F a t h er ! No o n e b ut t he T a i t a i a n d h er i nt im a t es
,
” “
n a t t h
k ow bou e st ory h e b e g a n A s t h e T a i ta i t old m e
, .

He st opp e d a n d looke d fur ti v ely a roun d h i m T h e s e rv ants w ho w e r e .

n ea r by un d e r s t ood a n d s t epp e d b a ck t o a prop r d

e i st a n c e .

240
 R e c en t ly w he n th e Ta i ta i w a s a sleep bro th er P a o Y u tr i e d to se
, ,
” “
duc e t h e w a i tin g m a i d Gold R i n g he co n t i n u e d i n a w h i s pe r Th e ,
.

Ta i ta i pu n i s he d h e r by h i tt i n g her a n d then di s m i ss e d h e r Gold R in g

,
.

drown e d he rself t hrough gr i e f b e c a u se of th i s .

Hi s word s c a u se d C h i a C h en g s f a c e t o t urn sudd e n ly p a l e Hi s com

’
.

ple x i o n b e c am e y e llow i s h li ke gold p a p er , .

“ ”
S ti r yours e lves ! S e i z e th e boy ! he ord e r ed h i s s erv a n ts a n d rush e d ,

i n t o th e li br a ry T h ere se ve ra l fri e n d s o f th e fa m i ly w e re w a i t i n g for

.

If v e r a g a i n occ urs to a n y of yo u t o a dmo n i s h m e a n d p er su a d e

it e

m e t o l en i en cy I s h a ll t ea r o ut o n e by o n e t h e l a s t h a i rs w h i c h I s t i ll
,

h a ve go t d es p i t e t roubl e a n d a n n oy a n c e g i ve ove r t o t h i s wor t h y s o n of ,

mi n e my ca p o f offi c e my b e l t an d a ll my po sses si o n s a n d go i n t o a
, , ,
”
mo n a ste ry ! he sh ou te d Then I sh a ll a t l a st h a v e p e a c e a n d sh a ll n o
.

lon ge r b e s h a me d b e fore my a n c est ors by my u nr uly off spr i n g .

Th e fr i e n d s of t he f am i ly r ea l iz i n g t h a t h i s ou t bur s t (i f r a g e w a s
,

di re c te d a g a i n st Pa o Y u le t t h e i r t o n gu es h a n g o ut of t h ei r mou th s w i th
,

fri gh t an d d eem e d i t w i se t o get o ut of t h e w a y a s qu i ckly a s poss i bl e

,
.

Gro a n i n g a n d sn or t i n g C h i a C he n g sa n k i n t o a n a rmc h a i r
,
.

“
Br i n g th e boy h e r e t o m e ! T i e h i m w i t h a rop e ! Fet c h m e th e h ea vy
cudg e l ! Lock th e doors ! Le t n obody u n d e r p a i n of d e a t h d a r e to r u n , ,
”
t o t he wom en s a p a rt m en t s a n d c h a tter a bou t w h at i s go i n g o n h e r e !
’

Th u s ran h i s v a r i o us ord ers i n qui ck s ucc ess i o n S ev er a l of t h e s e rv a n t s

, .

ob edi e n t ly w en t to t he grea t ha ll t o fe t c h P a o Y u .

Wh en h i s fa th e r h a d ord e r e d h im sh ort ly b e for e n o t t o s t i r from , ,

whe r e he w a s P a o Y u h a d a l rea dy r ea l i z e d t h e c a l a m i t y t ha t th r e a t en e d
,

h im ; b ut h e ce r t a i n ly could n o t h av e gu ess e d t h a t i n t h e i n t e rv a l h i s
po si t i on h a d b een m a d e v ery muc h worse by h i s h a lf bro t h er s t al e b e a r ’

i n g Tor t ure d w i th p a i n ful un c e r t a i n t y he h a d b ee n p a c i n g r es t l e ssly

.
,

up a n d down th e grea t h a ll If o n ly h e could le t h i s mo t he r o r h i s gr a n d

.

mo th e r kn ow ! B ut n o t o n e of the se rv an ts c a m e w i th i n h a i l i n g di st a n c e .

Even hi s pe rso n a l se rv a n t M i n g Y en w as n o t t o b e se en A t l a st h e sa w
, , .

a n o ld se rvin g wom a n cro ss i n g th e court y a rd A s ov e rj oy e d a s i f h e h a d .

d i s cove re d a pre c i ou s t r e as ur e h e d as h e d o ut an d st oppe dher

, .

“
Qu i ck ! R un t o t he Ta i ta i or t o th e o ld Ta i ta i a n d t ell t he m th a t the
o ld Gov e r n or i s go i n g t o b e a t m e t o d ea t h ! B u t h urry up ! I m i n t e r
’

”
ri ble d an g e r ! h e sa i d t o h er .

U n fort u n a te ly t h e old se rv i n g wom an w a s ha rd of hea ri n g a n d o n ly

,

und e rst ood a fr a c ti on o f wh a t he w as blurt i n g o u t i n th e gr ea t est a g i t a

ti o n a n d e v en th a t fr a c t i o n sh e t ook up wro n gly I ns t e a d of Ya o C h i n
, .
,
“ ” “
grea t est d a n g er s he t h ough t he w as s a y i n g t iao ch i n j umpe d i n t o
, ,

th e w e l l
, .

“
Le t her j ump i n t o th e w ell ! Y o u n ee d n o t worry yours e lf o n th a t

24 1
 ”
a ccoun t youn g g ent l em an ! she sa i d wi th a gri n A t th i s Pao Y u re
,
.

a liz ed t h a t h e w a s S p ea kin g t o a d ea f p e r s o n H e f el t d es p e r a te . .

“ ”
R un a n d c all my se rv a n t h er e ! h e ro ar e d a t h er .

W hy do you st i ll exc i t e your self ? T he f am i ly of th e d ea d gi rl h a ve

o t a n i c e lump of h u sh mo n e y a n d t h a t s et t l e d t h e m a tt e r c a m e th e
g , ,

del i c a te an swer P a o Y u brok e i n t o a fr en zy H e s ta mp e d h i s feet a n d

. .

clut ched a t th e a ir wi th h i s h an ds a s i f h e w er e s ee ki n g som e in vi si bl e

s uppor t t o cl i n g o n t o B ut h i s e xc i t em en t w a s i n v a i n Now h e s a w h i s
. .

f a th er s serv a n ts a pp ea r i n g i n t he d i st a n c e H e h a d t o get b a ck t o th e
’
.

b a ll a s qu i ckly a s po ss i bl e Th e se rv a n t s t ook h i m b et w een t h em an d

.

brought hi m t o Ch i a C hen g ’ s l i br a ry T h e d i st or t e d fe a t ur es t h e roll i n g .

,

e y eb all s t h e r ed ey e l i d s of h i s f a th er bod e d i ll
, .

Mr Chen g w a ste d n o word s w i th a l en g th y ex a m i n a t i o n H e l i mi te d

. .

“ ”
h i ms elf t o a n a n gr i ly sn or te d greet i n g o f Lo a f e r ! Tr amp ! S e duc er !
“ ”
an d t h en c a m e t h e br i ef ord er B ea t h i m t o d ea th ! .

A n d s oo n t h ey h a d h i m s t r a pp e d t o a b e n c h a n d b e g an t o flog hi m
wi th t he hea vy b a m boo st i ck Mr C h en g seem e d t o th i n k th a t th e se rv
. .

a n t wh om h e ord er e d t o a dm i n i s t e r t h e b e at i n g w a s do i n g i t f ar t oo

mi ldly He s t a mp e d hi s feet i n r a g e gr a bb e d t he sti ck from th e serv

.
,

a n t s h an d a n d b eg an wi th all h i s s t r en g t h t o b e a t t h e v i c t i m of h i s
’
, pa
t e rn a l a n g e r un t i l h e w a s o u t of br ea t h an d could co n t i n u e n o lo n g e r
, .

T h e p a mp ere d P a o Y u h a d n ever i n h i s l i fe s uff e r e d s uch a n exp eri

en c e Hi s fir st ro a rs of p a i n s oo n ch an g e d t o a dull r a t t l i n g i n h i s th ro a t
.

as h i s br ea t h i n g b ec a m e w eake r a n d a ft e r a sh ort w h i l e n o furt h er ,

s ou n d esc a p e d h i s l i p s H e h a d lo s t co n s c i ou sn ess In v a i n t h e s e rv an t s
. .

a n d s om e fr i en d s of t h e f a m i ly w h o h a d r em a i n e d b eh i n d s ei z e d wi th
,

compa ssi on t ri e d t o i n te rc e de for h i m ; Mr C h en g r e fu se d t o b e mov e d

, . .

“
A sk h i m wh a t h e h a s do n e a n d t h en j udg e for yours e lve s w h eth e r ,
”
l e n i e n
,
“
cy i s c all e d for he re h e cri e d b esi d e h i m self Fo rm e rly I h a v e , .

a llowe d my se lf— t o o of t en a l a s —t o b e p er s u a d e d t o l en i en cy a n d co n
,

si d e ra ti o n Now you ca n see w h at t h a t h a s l ed t o If I let h i m o ff a g a in

.
.

t hi s t i m e th e nex t t h i n g m a
y b e t h a t h e w i ll b e com e hi s o w n fa th er s
’
,
”
murd er er !
T he by st a n d e rs st ood i n dumfou n d e d si l en c e a n d sen t a m ess a g e se
cr et ly t o t h e wom en s qu a r t e r s V e ry s oo n M a d a m e C h e n g a pp a re d o n
’
.e
t h e s c en e Upo n h e a ri n g t h e a l a rm i n g n ew s sh e h a d ru sh e d a lon g i n
.

gre a t h ast e a ccomp an i e d by o n ly o n e w a i t i n g m a i d Wh en she a rri ve d

, .

Mr C h en g w a s a bou t t o c on t i n u e th e floggi n g w hi c h h e h a d in te rrup t e d

.

on ly t o p a use for bre a th Her a pp ea r an c e a ct e d upon h i m l i ke o i l o n

.

fi re a n d h i s blows n o w fell i f po ssi bl e more r a p i dly an d h e av i ly th an

,

b efore T erri fi ed t he T a i ta i t ri e d t o th row h e r se lf i n fro nt of hi m

.
, .
“
G et aw a y from m e ! h e sh ou te d fur i ou sly “ Th e m ea s ur e i s {11 11 T o
”
. '

da y h e h as t o di e ! ”

242
p a use d t o t a ke breath ; an d th en sa i d w i th a n efi o rt : I would h a v e h a d
s om e t h i n g t o say b u t as a good so n h a s , a l a s b een d en i e d t o m e I do
, , ,

”
n o t r e a lly kn ow t o wh om I could s p e a k my mi n d .

C hi a C heng qu i ckly fell t o hi s kn ees .

“
Your repro a ch gri ev es m e b eyon d words M o th er I h a ve on ly gi ven ,
.
'

”
my so n a l esson I owe d t hi s t o th e m emory of my glori ou s anc es t or s
. .

I n dee d ? To b eat t o d e a th— you c a ll th a t a l e ss on ? D i d your fath er

? ”
ev er gi ve you s uc h l ess o n s

She could n ot co n t i n u e t o sp e a k ; she w a s w e epi n g t o o muc h .

Mo th er do n o t t a ke i t so much t o hea rt ! I a dm i t th at I h a v e let

,
'

mys elf b e c a rr i e d awa y by a ng er ; I sh all n ev e r b ea t hi m a g a in h e sa i d , ,

t ry i n g t o c a lm h er T h e An c estr ess l a ugh e d dryly

. .

“
O h pl ea se do n o t r est r a i n yours e lf on my a ccou n t ! Aft e r a ll h e i s
, , ,

your so n Ill t r eat h i m a s much as you w i sh ! B ut r ea lly yo u c ann o t

.
- -

bl a m e us women i f w e prefe r t o lea v e th e h ouse un d e r th ese ci rcum

stan c es It i s b et t e r for t h e sa ke of pe a ce
. .

Sh e g a v e in st ruc t i o n s t o h er r et i n u e t o get th e l a rg e se d an c h ai r
r ea dy .

“
I w i sh t o t r avel to t h e s ou the rn c a p i t a l a t o n c e w i th the T a i ta i an d
”
my gr an d son sh e d ecl a r ed br i efly a n d d e fin i t ely
, .

“ ‘
”
B ut Mo th er s urely you w i ll n o t do th a t ! I am b esi d e my se lf ! cri e d
, ,

C hi a C h en g ast oun d e d , .

“
It i s b et ter th a t I go ; then you can h a ve qui etn ess a n d n ee d n o t let
yours elf b e ta lk ed o ut of th i n gs a g a i n by a n yon e p e r si st e d th e A n ces
”
,

tr ess A n d o n c e mor e sh e ord e re d h er r et i n u e t o p a ck qu i c kly a n d et

.
g
r ea dy t he c arri a g es an d th e se d a n ch a i rs C h i a C h en g h i t hi s for eh e a d .

o n th e
groun d d e s p a i ri n gly a n d a ckn owl e dg e d h i s gu i lt b ut th e A n ces ,

t re ss t ook n o n o t i c e o f hi m H e r gr a n d s o n s p i t i a bl e con d i t i on a b s orb e d

.
’

a ll h er a t ten t i o n a n d sh e brok e o u t a g a i n i n t o v i ol en t s obb i n g M a d a m e

, .

Ch en g an d Ph o en i x by th ei r un i t e d eff ort s s ucc e e d e d gr a du a lly in

, ,

c a lm i n g her Now sev e ra l w a i t i n g m a i d s an d se rvi n g wom en b eg an tr y

. ,

in g to he lp P a o Y u t o h i s f e et .

You st up i d crea t ur es ki n dly Op en your e y e s ! sc old e d Ph oen i x Do

”
, .

yo u n o t s ee t ha t h e c a n n o t w a lk i n t h a t co n d i t i o n ? F et c h a st ret ch e r
”
qui ckly .

The re upon t hey c a rri e d P a o Y u o n th e st r et ch e r t o th e h om e o f th e

,

A n c estr ess C hi a Ch en g j o in e d th e p roce ss i on o f wom en w h o a ecom

.

p a n i ed h i m On th e w a y h e h a d t o l i st en t o t h e c e ase l ess l a m en ts o f h i s
‘

wi fe wh i ch cut h im t o th e soul an d fi n a lly coo l e d th e r emn an ts o f h i s

,

ge r H e r ea li z e d th a t h e h a d gon e t o o f a r a n d en d ea vor e d o n c e more

.

t o t a lk th e A n c e st r ess roun d i n a co n c i l i a t ory w a

“
y .

You sh ould h av e th ough t of m e b e for e yo u m a l t rea t e d th e poor b oy

so wi ck e dly ! Y ou are a b a d so n Wh a t
do yo u w an t he re ? D o yo u w an t
.

244
th e furth er pleas ure o f l oo ki n g on at hi s death ? Get o ut of he re ! I do
”
n ot wi sh t o see yo u ! sh e re buff e d h i m i n d i gn an t ly .

C hi a Chen g sl i pped a wa y d i s con c ert e d In th e m ean ti m e Aun t H s u eh

.
,

Prec i ous C l as p Lo t us Bla ck J a d e an d Pear l h a d al so a rri ved on th e

, ,
i
,

s c en e T hey a ll presse d ar o un d t h e i ll t r ea t e d b o y a n d h e lp e d t o w a sh
.
-

hi s b urn in g woun d s an d to co ol hi m wi th th ei r f ans B ut P ear l w as lon g .

i n g t o fi n d o ut th e reas o n f o r th e i ll t r ea tm en t so sh e w en t o ut an d
-

searc h e d f or P a o Y u s se rv an t M i n g Y en
’
.
,
“ ”
Wh y di d yo u n o t i n form th e Ta i ta i an d th e old Ta i ta i i n ti m e ?

sh e a sk e d hi m re pro a c h ful ly .

“
I j us t h a ppen e d n o t t o b e wi th h i m an d o n ly hea rd abou t i t wh en
” “
th e y w e re i n th e m i ddl e o f th e fl ogg i n g d ecl a re d M i n g Y en There
,
.

w ere tw o rea so ns f or th e chas ti s emen t— th e m at te r o f th e a ct or C h i an d ,

th e s ui c i d e of Go ld Ri n g .

“ ? ”
How di d th e o ld m aste r get t o kn ow o f th ese t h i n gs
H su eh Pa n w as j ea lous o f youn g C h i an d o ut o f en vy sprea d th e
st ory o f h i s a ss oc i a t i on wi th P a o Y u t h rough t h e t own a n d so th e fi re ,

r an o n un t i l i t r ea c h e d th e o l d m a st e r A n d as f o r t h e m a tt e r o f Gold
.

R i n g a pp a ren t ly C hi a Hu a n h a s b een go ss i p i n g A t l eas t I h ea rd th a t

, .

j us t b efor e th e floggi n g he ra n a cro ss th e o ld g en t le m an a n d pri v a tely

”
w h i spe re d som ethi n g i n hi s ea r .

P ea rl kept these th i n gs i n her h ea rt a n d ret urn e d t o th e b edsi de o f

h er m aste r t o h e lp to n urse h im d e vo t e dly .

CHAPTER 2 5

Th e B ego n ia C lu b m eet s i n th e H er m i ta g e f C lea r A ut um n Wea th e r

o .

T h e P r i n c es s A n c es t ress en t ert a in s th e god m o th er fro m the co unt ry i n

th e P a r k o f D eli g h tful V i s i o n .

T H E T O UC H ING SY M PAT HY C O U S IN S P R EC I O U S C LAS P AN D

O F H IS T W O

Bl a ck J a d e a ff ord e d P a o Y u comfort i n hi s s uff e ri n gs Pr ec i ous Cl as p .

h e rself broug h t h i m a h ea li n g po w der whi c h P e a rl h a d t o di ss olve in

'

wi n e an d spr ea d o n th e in j ure d pl a ces A n d wh en t ow ard s even i n g h e

.
, ,

woke up sti ll q ui etly weep in g o ut o f a li gh t sl ee p he foun d B la ck J a de

, , ,

si tt in g by h i s b e d an d h a d t o prom i s e h er th a t h e would et w ell .S h e

g
ha d m a n y o th er thi n g s on h e r h eart whi c h sh e w an t e d t o sa y t o hi m b ut ,

un fort un a tely t hei r sh ort ti m e t og eth er w as di st urbe d by th e in trusi on o f

P h o en i x a n d Ma d ame Ch en g b efo re wh om Bl a ck J a d e qui ckly fl ed
, .

Soon af t e r sh e h a d gon e P ao Y u dr opp e d 0 3 t o sl ee p o n ce more When .

h e a woke a g ain Pear l pu t b efore hi m t he tw o bo tt l es co nta i ni n g essen ce

o f oli ves an d esse n ce o f ro ses whi ch hi s d e vo t e d mo th er ha d l ef t t o

24 5
 r gth en hi m P a o Y u dr an k th e l i gh tly pe rfum e d dr i n k wi th gr ea t
st e n .

rel i sh ; t hen he t hough t of Bl a ck J a d e He fe lt a gr ea t lo n g i n g fo r h er .

a n d w an t e d t o se e h er w i t h ou t f a i l b u t P e a rl s pr e sen c e would b e i n
’

con ve n i en t Accord i n gly un d er th e pr et ex t of w a n t i n g he r t o fet ch a

.
,

c er t ai n book from Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p h e first go t P ea rl o ut of th e w a y ,

. .

“
Th en h e c a ll e d t h e wa i t i n g m a i d Br i gh t Cloud Go t o M i ss L i n g a n d
,
.

”
see wh a t sh e i s do i n g ! h e ord er e d h e r If sh e as ks h o w I a m sa y I . ,

”
am g e tt i n g o n w e ll .

“
B u t I c a n t j u s t go up t o h e r l i k e th a t w i th ou t a n y excu se obj ec t e d
’
,

? ”
Br i gh t Cloud Don t you h a v e a n y m ess a g e for h er
.
’

“
I c an n o t t h i n k of a n y .

Well j ust let m e a s k h er for s om eth i n g o r t a ke s om eth i n g t o h er

,
.

”
Then th e m a tt er w i ll b e corr ec t .

P a o Y u th ough t i t ove r T h en h e r ea c h e d o u t for tw o h an dk erc h i e fs

.

w h i ch w er e ly i n g n ea r by a n d g a ve the m t o h er .

“
H ere T a ke th ese t w o h an dke rch i e fs t o h er i n m yn a m e
.

Wh a t w i ll she do w i th t hese t w o h an dkerc h i e fs wh i ch ar e n o lo n ger ,

'
”
n ew ? Sh e w i ll b e a n gry a n d th i n k t h a t you w a n t t o m a ke g a m e of h er ,

s a i d Br i gh t Cloud do u b t fully .

“
Do n o t worry a bou t t h a t ! Sh e w i ll kn ow w e ll wh a t t o t hi n k a bou t
i t P a o Y u r ea ssure d h er w i th a sm i l e
, .

So Br i gh t Cloud t ook th e t w o h a n dke rc h i e fs a n d ran t o t h e B a mboo

H erm i t a ge Bl a ck J a d e w a s ly i n g i n comple t e d a rkn e ss w i t h ou t an y
.
,

l amp t o l i g ht her Br i ght Cloud w a s sh own i n t o th e b e droom wh e re sh e

.

la y o n h er b e d s a dly d a ydr e a m i n g
, .

”
W h o i s th a t ? sh e a s k e d .

”
It i s 1 Br i ght Cloud .

”
Wh a t do you w an t ?

T he yo u n g m a st e r sen d s you th ese t w o h a n dke rch i e f s .

Wh a t sh a ll I do wi th th em ? th ough t Bla ck J a d e t o h e r self t a ken ,

a b a ck .

Le t h i m k ee p t h em or g i v e th em to som e o n e e ls e sh e s a i d a lo u
“
d I , .

h a v e n o n ee d for n ew f a n cy h a n dke rc h i e fs ”
.

“
Th ey a re n o t ne w on es b ut u se d e v e ryd a y
’

,
'

Bl a ck J a d e w a s st i ll more p uzzl ed ; sh e wo n d e r ed for a w h i l e wh a t th e

r ea s o n of t h i s st ran g e gi ft m i ght b e a n d th en s udd en ly i t b ec a me cl ea r,

to her .

Th a t i s a l l r i gh t ;
l e a ve th em he re ! sh e sa i d qu i et ly ”
.

Br i g ht Clo u d pu t t h em down an d w en t a w a y Wh en '

. s h e ha d gone
Bl a ck J a d e ord ere d t h e l a mp t o b e l i gh t e d groun d s om e
.

th e i nk b i ush i n i t f
.

nd wro
'
t e o rr t h e
'
f t ta
’
'

Ch i efs t h ree m pr o vi eil b q uat ra i n in w x s d e a tty

? h i ch sh e w
Si
h
‘

s i f
"

'
t i
e pre s e t ut
sh hesi tati on t h e sec
'
ness o rf h er tto n ely m ai denh oedf o
’

y re f t lo gln gs of 53
' ' ’

246
 The p a rro t g a ve a d eep s i gh i n j u st th e t on e th a t i t h a d l ea rn e d from
,

l i sten i n g t o i ts m i str ess an d t h en re c i t ed :

,

I bur y t he fl ower p eta l s t od a y ;

They l augh a t my fool i shn ess .

When I di e ,
”
W h o wi ll t en d my t omb ?

The m a i d Cuckoo h a d t o l a ugh o u t loud .

”
“
Ju st l i sten how well he ha s m emor iz ed your own words M i stress !
, ,

sh e cr i e d .

Bla ck J a d e m a d e her t a ke th e perch down a n d h a n g i t on a n a i l in

fron t of the moo n w in dow Th en sh e w en t i n s i d e t ook h er m ed i ci ne
.
, ,

a n d sa t do wn by t he w i n dow She s a t t h er e for a lo n g t i m e st a r in g a t

.
,

t h e cool i n g sh a dow s wh i ch f e ll i n t o t h e room from th e b a m boo br an ch es

ou ts i de d a pp li n g the floor a n d t he w i cker furn i t ur e w i t h blu i sh gr e en

,

s po ts a n d g a v e h erse lf up t o h er m el a n c h oly t h oug h t s A t i n t e rv a ls for

, .
,

a c h a n g e a n d t o p a ss th e t i m e sh e co n v ers e d w i t h h er p a rro t b a i t i n g
, ,

hi m a n d t easi n g hi m a n d a rd en tly r e pe a t i n g t hi s o r th a t fa vor i t e v e rs e

,

to hi m .

Th a n ks to t h e lovi n g c ar e wh i ch s urrou n d e d h i m o n all si d es Pa o ,

Y u s re cov ery m a de ra p i d progr ess In ord er t o pro t ec t h im from fur

’
.
.

t her i lli r ea t m en t by h i s f a th er h i s gr a n dmo t he r g a v e i n s t ruc t i o n s t h a t

,

s he w a s t o b e i n form e d a t o n c e e v ery t i m e th a t Mr C h en
g W i sh e d t o s e e
.

hi s o ff sp ri n g w h e the r i t w a s t o ex a m i n e h i m o r t o presen t h i m t o promi

,

n en t gu ests T h e n t h e s e rv an ts w e r e t o g i v e t h e m ess a g e i n h er n a m e t o
.

Mr C heng th a t Pa o Y u w a s st i ll i n ur g en t n ee d of c a r e a nd n o t fi t for
.

v i si t i n g Pa o Y u r ej o i c e d wh en he hea rd of h i s gr a n dmot h er s i n stru c ’

‘

t i o n s for th es e form a l co n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h se r i ou s m en t h e se s ol e mn
,
,

form a l i ti es a n d thi s t roubl esom e h urr i e d dr e ssi n g up i n hi s b est clo t hes

, ,

w er e exc eed in gly r epug n a n t t o hi m A n d th e f a c t th a t h e w as to b e fr ee

.

for the pres en t from t he drea d e d d a i ly morn i n g an d even i n g v i si tS J Q ’

t he s te rn old g en t l em a n r e l i ev e d h i m i mm en se ly .

Ev ery morn i n g n ow he o n ly h a d to go t o h i s mo ther an d h i s gr an d

mo th er t o i n qu i r e du ti fully a fter th ei r he a l th Then fo r th e r em a i n der
.
,

of th e da y he could do an d b eha ve as he w i sh e d He w as abl e t o follow

, .

hi s fa vor i te pursu i ts a n d h i s a morous i n cl i n a t i o n s a n d en j oy h i m se lf

wi th cou si n s a n d w a i t i n g m a i d s t o h i s h ea r t s co n t en t Now a n d th en
’
.

Pr e ci ou s Cla sp o r Bl a ck J a défel t obl i g e d to re buke h i m fo r h i s fri v o

lou s m a n n er of l i vi ng a n d t o ex h or t h i m t o e a rn est e n d ea vor B ut th en
, .

h e would ge t a ng ry an d r e ply : “ It i s a p i t y t h a t e ven t h e pur e m e rry a t

,

m o sph ere o f t h e g i rls a pa rt m en ts in th i s un h a

’
h u e i po i l e d by
ppy o s s s
t he d i rt y i ll h umore d o ss i p of m e n !
,
g
-

I do n o t w a n t t o h ea r an y thi n g o f
t i r es om e word s s uch a s offi c e a n d d i
gn i t y , a n d S t a te a n d fa me ! Thes e
, , ,

bor i n g th i n gs were i n v en te d lo n g a go by p la cr h un t ers an d pe d an ts i n

or der t o keep st up i d un cou th m en i n t heir pl a ce W h a t h av e gen tl e
, .
,

i nn oc en t g i rl s l i ke yo u t o do w i th s uc h dull th i n g s ? It i s an in gr a t i t ude
a n d a n off en s e a g a i n st kin d n a t ur e wh i ch h as m a d e yo u fo r more
,
”
b ea u ti ful purpo ses i f yo u occupy yourse lv es wi th th ese n a st y t h in gs
, .

In th e en d n o n e o f h i s cou s i n s o r w a i t in g m a i ds d a r e d t o com e t o h i m
w i th a dmon i ti o n s or s ugge st i o n s a n y mor e It w a s j ust th i s th a t h e
e st ee m e d s o h i g h ly i n B l a ck J a de—
.
.

t h a t sh e h a d a lw a y s t a c t ful ly s p ar e d
hi m a n y u n pl ea sa n t qu est i o n in g re g a rd i n g hi s ca lli n g o r fu t ur e o r s uc h , ,

worldly m a t te rs .

M an y mon th s p a sse d th us fo r Pa o Y u in pl ea sa n t rou t i n e an d in

m e rry comp a n y ha ppy pl a y a n d ea g er v e r se m a ki n g i n th e P a r k o f De
'

li gh t f ul V i s i on Hi s l i fe b e c a m e Even more pl easa n t a n d c a re free o wi n g

.

t o t h e fa c t th a t h i s fa the r w a s c a ll e d a w a y t o a di st a n t prov i n c e a s C h i e f
M ag i st r a te .

On e da y P a o Y ure c ei v e d from r T a ste o f Spr i n g a

h i s h a lf si s t e , ,

wri t ten i n vi t a ti o n t o t a ke p a rt i n t h e form a t i o n o f a po et ry c i rcl e He .

set o u t a t t h e a ppo i n t e d h our for h er dw e ll i n g t h e H e rm i t a g e o f Clea r

,

Au t umn Wea th er wh e r e he fou n d all t he cous i ns a lr ea dy a ssembl e d

, .

Th e re w as u n an i mou s en th u si a sm for the prop os a l an d i t w as d ec i d e d ,

t o h old a po e t ry m ee t i n g o n th e se co n d a n d si x t een t h o f e a c h mo n t h .

E a c h m e mb e r w a s to b e h o st i n t ur n a n d en t e rt a i n the o th er m emb er s
w i th w i n e a n d l i gh t r e fre shm en ts T he W i dow Ch u w h o o n a ccoun t o f
.
,

h er pro sa i c a n d pr a c t i c a l d i s po si t i o n w a s n o t e x a c tly m a de for po et i c

compo si t i o n w a s en t rus te d wi th t h e busi ness m a n a g em en t of th e club
, .

Gr eet i n g o f Spri n g w h o e xc e ll ed i n c a ll i gr a p h y w a s g i v en c h a rg e o f
, ,
'

m a ki n g t h e f a i r cl ea n C op i es of a ll fi n i sh ed compo s i ti on s for t he club

, ,

a rc h i v es Gr i e f o f Spr i n g w a s a ppo i n t e d j udg e o f r h ym i n g o n a ccou n t

.

o f h er ’sk i ll i n m a k i n g rh ym es E a c h m em b e r r e c e i v e d a l i t er a ry club
.

n a m e w hi c h occ a s i o n a lly W a s d e r i v e d from t h e n a m e of t h e pl a c e w h e r e

th e m emb e r l i v e d T h e club i ts e lf w a s c a ll e d H a i ta n g or B e go n i a Cl ub
.
, ,

i n bo n ds of th e tw o po t s o f w h i te b e go n i a w h i c h P a o Y u h a d j us t by
c h a n ce i e cei v e d a s a pr esen t th a t da y T h e b e gon i a w a s a l s o t h e t h em e
‘

f o r th e firs t c ompo s i t i o n a t th i s foun d a t i o n m eeti n g for Bl a ck J a d e h a d

,

i ns is te d th a t t h e club sh ould b e g i n i ts a c t i v i t y a t o n c e O n t h i s occ a si o n .

th e c h ai rm an o f th e club th e W i dow C hu a w a rd e d t h e fir st pri z e t o

, ,

Pre c i ous C l a s p for the d ep t h of feel i n g wh i ch sh e re vea l e d i n h er

po et ry T h e op i n i o n s h a d b een d i vi d e d O th e r m e mb e rs w a n te d t o
. .

a w ard t h e fir st pri z e t o Bl a ck J a d e o n a ccoun t o f th e p e rf e c t i o n of form

o f h er compo s i ti o n .

A t th e n ex t m ee tin g t he youn g est m emb e r Li tt l e Cloud w a s t o a ct a s

, ,

h o st es s A t Pa o Y u s i n st i g a t i o n sh e h a d b een i n v i t e d by t h e An c es tr ess
’
.

o n a lo n g vi s i t a g a i n a n d w as l i v i n g wi th Pr e c i ou s Cl as p Pr e c i ous Cl as p .

24 9
 r d
sh a e duti es o f en tert a in i n g wi th h er in a si st erly w ay an d fur
th e ‘
,

n i sh ed th e t abl e w i th so m e b as kets o f d e li c a t e i f n o t ex a c t ly ex pen si v e

cr ab s a t her own co st .

Thi s t i m e th e th eme w a s th e chr y san th emum an d i t w as t o b e tr ea te d ,

i n tw elve v a r i a t i o n s Fo llow i n g th e n at ur a l cour se o f e v en ts th e first

. , ,
“ ”
s ub t h em e c h o sen w as t h e mo t t o : O n e t h i n ks of ch ry santh emum s t h en ,

“ ” “ ”
On e looks for c hr y s an themum s On e pl a n ts ch ry s a n th emum s ,
,
” “
H a ppy ob serv at i o n o f th e flowe r C hr y sa n th emum s in a v ase
, ,
” “ ” “
C hry san themum s i n son g C hr y sa n th emums in p i c t ur es
, Qu es ,
” “ ” “
t i o n s t o ch ry san th emum s Th an ks t o chr y sa n themum s
,
Ch rys an th e ,
” “ ”
m um s i n the sh a d e a n d fi n a lly Wh en chr y san th emum s dre a m an d
,
“
Wh en ch ry san themums di e Li t tl e Cloud f a st en e d t he l i st of the
”
.

t wé lv e them es o n th e g a rd en w a ll an d e v ery m em b er w a s p e rm i tt e d to
‘

p i ck on e or sev e r a l them e s a t ch o i ce After th e compo si ti on s h a d b een

, .

h a n d e d i n a n d f a i r cop i es m a d e by Gre et i n g of Spri n g th ey w ere s ub ,

jected t o a scrupulou s ex a mi n a t i o n by th e W i dow C hu Sh e crown e d as .

“
t he t h r ee b est works i n ord er of m e ri t th e po em s Ch ry sa n th emums i n
” “ “
song , Qu est i o n s t o ch ry s a n th emum s an d Wh en c h ry sanths ,
”
mums dream The Pr i n c ess of t he B a mboo H e rm i t a g e w a s a nn oun c e d
.

a s t h e a u th or of all th r ee compo si t i o n s Th i s w as Bl a ck J a d e s club ’

.

n a me .

It j u st ha pp en ed tha t th at sa me da y Godmo th er Li u from th e coun

t ry a rri v e d on a v i si t a t t h e Y un k uo p a l a c e T h e vi gorou o l d p ea s an t
g s .

wom an w a s a d i st an t r el a ti v e o f M a d a m e C h en g a nd h a d b een to v i si t
on c e b e for e t hr ee y ea r s a go She b ro ught w i th h er a s pr esen ts som e
'

, .

b ags full of d a tes m e lo ns gourd s a n d v a ri ou s o the r coun t ry produc e

, , , .

Act u a lly she h a d o n ly com e t o v i si t M a d am e C hen g a n d Ph o en i x b ut

, ,

when the An cest r ess h ea rd of her a rr i v a l a n d w a s t old o f h er j olly di s

po si t i on she expr essed a wi sh t o m a ke th e a cqu a i n t a n c e o f thi s go d
,

mo th er from the coun try .

“
Y o u sh ould d eem your self lucky ; t he o l d T a i t a i wi sh es to m ake
”
your a cqu a i n ta n c e th e wi fe o f t he m a j ordomo C h ou J ui w h o h a d
, ,

es c t e d her i n a n d a nn oun c e d h e r t old t h e v i si t or “ Com e a n d fol ow l

me pz
.
, .

“
B utIc o po bly let my se lf b e seen in th i s poor peasan t a tti re !
an n t ss i
”

“
e t e t h
obj c d Godmo r Li u h orri fi e d Go an d t ell th e old Ta i ta i th at I
e , .

h a ve go n e h om e a lr ea dy ”
.

“ ”
Do n o t worry ! th e o th er r e a ssur e d her l a ugh in g O ur o ld Ta i ta i , .

l s goodn ess i ts elf a n d kin d a n d g en e rou t

s o sirn l e pe o e a t in
p p l TT e
h ng g l( ; og l
,
i '
uf i II b
youn g l a di es from th e P a rk o f D eli ght ful V i si o n we re g a t h ere d th ere
t o o Godmo t he r L i u w as qui t e dumf oun d e d by a ll t h e s pl en do r o f th e
.

g armen t s an d the gli tt er of th e j ewels a n d n ee d e d a l i tt l e t i me t o col lec t

h ersel f Sh e n o t i c e d a d i gn i fi ed o ld l a dy re cl i n in g o n a d i v a n i n th e
.

m i dst of th e b ea ut i fully dresse d youn g pe opl e Th a t must c e rt ai n ly b e

. .

the A n c est r ess sh e t h ough t Sh e bow e d a s low as h e r old bon es would

,
.

“
a llow h er t o a n d s a i d s ol em n ly :
,
I wi sh th e old Bodh i sa t tv a a lon g li fe
”
of p ea c e !
Th e A n c es tress rep l i e d k i n dly t o h er exuberan t gr eet i n g an d asked :

her t o si t do wn .

“
How old are you n o w Cou si n ? a ske d th e A n c est r ess
,
.

“ ”
S event y fi v e, r epl i e d t h e old wom an st an d i n g up bri skl y
-

,
.

So you a re old er th a n I a m ! Se e h o w h e al th y a n d st ron g sh e h as re

”
m a i ne d ! sai d th e A n c est r ess a dm i ri n gly t urn i n g t ow a rd s th e b yst an d ,
-

”
W h o kn ow s h o w d e cr e pi t I m ay b e i f I ev e r r e a c h h er y ea r s !
"
e rs .

“
Ther e must b e d i sti n c t i o n s ; w i se Prov i d en c e sees t o t h a t O ur ki n d i s . ,

a ft er all bor n for work t h e o l d T a i t a i for g en t l e l i v i n g Wh a t would

, ,
.

”
b ecom e of f a rm i n g w i t h ou t p e ople l i ke us sa i d Godmo t h e r L i u
? .

“ ? ”
A re your t eeth an d ey es sti ll s ou n d t h e A n c est r es s a s ke d co n ,

t i n ui n g h er 1n
q u i ri es
.

“
T hey a re of ord e r O n ly a b a ck t oo th o n t h e le ft si d e ha s
i n t h e b e st .

b ecome a l i tt l e loo se r ec en t ly .

“
Wh at a u sel ess cre a t ure I am comp a r ed wi th you s i gh e d t h e .

“
A n cest ress My e y esi ght l s gett i n g b a d my h ea r i n g I S w ea k my m em
.
, ,

o ry pl a y s t r i ck s o n m e I a vo i d t h e comp a n y of s t r an g e rs i n ord e r n o t t o
.

sh ow my p h y si c a l w ea kn ess All I do 1 5 e a t w h a t m
y sh a ky t e et h a llow
.

m e t o a n d sl eep a n d en t e rt a i n my s elf w i th my ch i ldr en a n d gra n dchi l

, ,
”
dr en when I n eed d i v er si on .

“
. On e can see from t h a t h o w h i gh you st an d i n th e f a vor o f h ea v en ; I
”
w i sh l i fe w er e as ki n d t o m e ! sa i d Godmo th e r L i u .

Th e A n c es t ress w a s so c h a rm e d by t h e cou n t ry si mpl i c i ty a n d th e

i n g en u i t y of h er vi si t or th a t sh e promp t ly i n v i t e d h er t o r em a i n f o r a

few d a y s a s h er gu est P h o en i x s aw t o i t th a t sh e h a d comfo rt abl e

.

qu a rt ers .

T h e n ex t day t h e A n c est re ss w oul d n o t Is h er se lf b e d i ss u a d e d from

pers o n ally sh ow i n g her g uest th e b e a u t i e s o th e P a rk of D e li gh t ful V i f
si on H er e da ugh t er m la w a n d gra n dch i ldren help e d t o sh ow her
.
- -

a rou n d Go d mo t her Li u coul dh a rdly get ov e r her a st o n i shm en t

.
.

“
W e coun t ry p e opl e h a ve an old cu s t om o f h an g i n g up p i c t ur es of
”
m a gn i fic en t p a l a c es a n d p a rks on th e w a lls of o ur rooms a t New Yea r ,
“
sh e sa i d Up t o n ow I alw ay s th ough t t h a t s uch spl en dors ex i st e d o n ly
.

i n the i m a g i n a t i on of th e p a i n t e rs b ut n o w I se e th a t h e re in thi s spl en

,

di d p a rk ev ery th i n g i s e v en more b ea u t i ful th an i n o ur pi c t ur es I wi sh .

2 52
I c
uld t a ke p i c t ures o f th i s p a rk h om e wi th m e to sh ow t o my pe ople
o
”
i n th e coun tr y Th e y woul d Ope n t h e i r ey es i n s urpri se
. .

Th e A n c es tr es s sm i li n gly po in te d t o h er gr a n dd a ughter Gr i e f o f
Spr in g an d prom i se d th a t her a rti sti c han d would produc e som e b ea u
,

ti ful v i ew s o f th e p a rk for h er Th e m i dd a y me a l w as t a ken i n th e Cl ea r

.

Au t umn Wea th er H e rm i t a ge th e h om e o f T ast e o f Spri n g P h o en i x

,
.
,

a lw a y s r ea dy for a j ok e h a d se cr e t ly a rr an g e d w i th M an d a ri n Duck
, ,

th e f a vor i t e w a i t i n g m a i d of th e A n c es tr e ss t o a mu se t he comp an y a t ,
’
ta bl e a t t h e e xp en se o f th e good l a dy Li u Ev en a t g en t l em en s d i nn e r .

p a rt i es i n th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e i t w a s a fa vor i t e cu st om t o m a ke a n ew
gu est a t ta bl e th e obj e c t of g en er a l a musem en t Accord in gly b e for e th e .
,

m ea l M an d a ri n Duck t ook Godmo th e r L i u qu i etly asi d e an d i n form ed

“
h er of v a r i ous a ll eg e d cu s t oms o f t h e h ou s e a n d i n st ruc t e d h er th a t
"

sh e mus t k ee p si l en t a bou t s uc h an d suc h a n d s a y s uc h a n d s uc h t h i n g s

i f sh e w a s n o t to c a us e d i s pl e a s ure a n d exc i te l a ug h ter .

Godm o th er L iu w as g i ven h er pl a c e a t th e t a bl e b esi d e th e A n ces

t r ess T h e w a i t i n g m a i d M a n d a ri n Duck w h o se t a sk i t w a s t od a y t o p as s
.
,

w a rm e d h an dk erchi efs t o th e An c est re ss from t i m e t o t i me o r t o c h a se

a w a y th e fl i es w i th a f ea t h e r du st e r or t o w i e ld a coo l i n g f a n upo n h er
’
m i st r ess h a d t a ken up h er pos i t i o n b eh i n d th e A n c est r ess s b a ck
, ,

wh en c e sh e w as abl e t o keep an eye o n o l d Li u an d g i v e he r a surre pt i

t i ou s w i n k n o w an d t hen .

A s s oo n a s t h e y h a d t a k en t h ei r sea ts th e fir st thi n g t o b e l a i d b e fore

th e gu e s t w a s a p a i r of h ea vy o ld f a shi o n e d i vory c h op st i cks w i th
,
-

gold en t op s .

“ ”
?
W h a t sh a ll I do wi th th ese h ea vy th i n g s Go dmo th er Li u blurt e d
“
o ut i n a l a rm Th ey are e ven mor e d i ffi cult t o m a n a ge th a n o ur i ron
.

”
ch ops t i cks 1 n th e coun t ry
T h ere w a s suppr esse d g i ggli n g all a ro un d Then th e m ai ds brough t .

a lo n g b i g se rv i n g t r a y s w i t h m a n y d i ff e r en t ki n d s of food i n l i ttl e d i sh e s

an d bowls P h o en i x c h o se a bowl Wi th d a i n t y p i g e o n s e gg s w h i ch sh e
’
.
,

p ut b e for e t h e gu est T h e o
“ ”
l d Ta i ta i s s a y i n g pl ease ! pol i tely g a v e
’
.

her gu est a si gn t o b e gi n t h e m ea l R em e mb e ri n g t h e in st ruc t i o n s sh e

.

h a d re c ei ve d from M an d a ri n Duck b e for eh an d Godmo th er L i u ro s e a t ,

o n c e from h er se at a n d rec i t e d th e followi n g words loudly an d sol e mn ly

ove r th e ta bl e :
I a m old Moth er L i u ,

I nt o my mouth fi ts a wh ol e cow .

A good f a t moth er sw i n e
, ,
”
I e a t alon e a n d i n n o ti me !
'

A s soo n as sh e h a d sai d he r p i ec e , sh e s a
l ppe d h e rse lf se v e r a l ti m e s
.
-

o n th e c h ee ks , s a t down a g a i n an d s i l en t ly se t abou t ea t i n g h er d i h of
,
s

’
p i g eo n s e ggs . Th e pa rty w e re ast on i sh e d a t first a t h er st r an g e b e

253
h a vi or , b u t th ey oon gu essed th a t th e good old l a dy w as th e vi c ti m o f
s

a ll e g e d cu st om s of t he h ou se Soo n h ea rt y l a ugh t er spr ea d down th e

.

ta bl e Li tt l e Cloud had t o splu tte r o u t t he t ea wh i ch she h a d j ust t a ken

.

i n h er mou th Bl a ck J a d e h a d t o h old o n t o t h e e dg e of th e t abl e sh e

. ,

w a s so sh a ken w i th l a ugh t e r P a o Y u fe ll o n t h e br e a st o f th e A u c es
.

“ ”
t r ess a n d t he A n c es t r ess cl asp e d h i m c ry i n g o ut :
,
My h eart my li ver ! ,

h er vo i c e st i fl e d w i th l a ugh t er M a d a m e C hen g w h o gu e sse d th a t th e

.
,

or i g i n at or of th e l a rk w a s th e j est e r Ph o en i x si len t ly th re at en e d h er ,

wi t h her r a i sed fi n ger Au n t H s ueh a l so ha d t o splu tt e r o ut a mou th ful

.

of t ea whi ch sp i lle d ov er Ta st e of Spr i n g s frock A n d T a st e o f Spr in g

,
’
.

i n h er t urn sp i ll e d th e co n t en t s of h er t ea cup wh i c h sh e w a s h old i n g i n ,

her h a n d ov er Gr eet in g o f Spri n g s s ki rt Th ey w e re a ll doubl e d up

’
.
,

wi th l a ugh ter Thi s o n e an d th a t o n e sl i pp e d o ut qu i et ly from th e t able

.

t o l a ugh h er fill u n d i st urb e d ou tsi d e a n d p u t o n a cl ea n dr ess w h i ch th e

m ai d h a d r ea dy O n ly Ph o en i x a n d th e w a i t i n g m a i d M a n d a r in Duck
.

rem ai n e d i mp a ssi ve a n d con t i n u e d t o serv e old L i u w i th d i gn i t y an d

ki n dn ess as i f n o th i n g h a d h a pp en e d whi l e old Li u h e r se lf seeme d n o t
, ,

to h a ve n o t i c e d th at sh e w as t h e c a use o f t h e g en er a l m e rri m en t Sh e .

c a lmly t ook th e h ea vy ch op s t i cks i n her h an d an d set t o work o n th e

’
p1 geo n s e gg s .

“
O h wh a t prett y li t t le h en s you mu st h av e to lay s uch d ai n t y l i ttl e
,
”
e gg s a s the se ! I t o o would l i ke t o h av e a s p e c i m en o f t h i s ki n d of h en
, , ,

sh e r em a rk ed ; a n d h er r em a rk let loo se a n o t he r burst o f l a ugh t e r

h es e r a re egg s co s t a good d ea l of mon ey t o o—

.

T “
f a si lv e r t a el ea c h , ,

de
fila
red Ph o en i x i mport a n t ly Ea t th em an d do n o t let t hem get
.

co

Go dmo th er Li u m a d e a gr ea t eff ort t o c at ch the sl i pp e ry l i tt le thi n gs

b etwe en her a wkw a rd c h op st i ck s Th ey scorn ed h er effor t s a n d rolle d
.

a g a i n a n d a g a i n w i th a n a ud i bl e plop b a ck in t o th e bowl A t l ast sh e .

'

s ucc ee d e d i n g ett i n g o n e clo se t o h er mou th Sh e str et ch e d o u t h er .

n e ck t o sn a p a t i t b u t a t th e l a st mom en t i t es c a p e d from h er c h op st i cks

,

a n d roll e d n t o th e floor Sh e
o p ut down t h e c h op st i cks an d w a s a b out to
.

c a t ch th e run aw a y egg w i th h er h a n d b ut a m a i d go t th ere b efor e h er

, ,

p i cke d up the egg a n d p u t i t a s i de

, .

“ ”
It s a pi ty ! si g he d Godmo th er Li u O n e t a el a p i ec e an d o n ly t o
’
.
,
”
look a t !
“
W h o g ave th ose he a vy c h op st i cks t o o u r gues t ! ” as ke d th e A n -

ces tr ess r e pro a c h fully o f t h o s e a rou n d her “ Af

; t er all w e are n ot h a vi n g ,

a sol e mn b a n qu et t od a y O f course i t
s a n o th er n a s t y t ri ck o f our h ob
’
.
,

b h h i !
P o x F ch o th er c hop st i cks qu i ckly !
t ”
g o n e n e

Th ey ob ed i en tly l a i d a more m an a gea ble p ai r o f ch opsti cks in front

o f th e gu est Th ese wer e m a d e o f ebo n y
.
an d moun te d wi th s i lv er .
“
These si lver thi n gs

254
a lo n g ti me w i th th em profan i n g th e i r m a i d en ly a p a rt m en ts . Is th a t
? ”
no t s o
9’
‘ pro test e d T as t e of
Oh , pl ea se do r em ai n her e as lon g as yo u li k e

Spri n g .

“
No , o t her J a d es o f gr an dch i ldr en m i ght b e j ea lou s sa i d
no, two
‘ ’
,

t he An c es t r ess j oki n gly a ll ud i n g t o t he sen si t i v e Bl a ck J a d e an d P a o

,

Y u Now le t us h a v e a l i t tl e dri n k a n d t hen w e sh a ll i n v a d e t h e tw o

.
,
”
o f t he m !

L a ug h i n g a n d ch atte ri n g the c omp an y st ood up a n d w en t t o th e,

bo a t sl i p n ea r t h e Duck Pl a n t B a n k Two bo a t s w e r e a lr ea dy a w a i t i n g
- -
.

th em t h e r e st a ff ed by h i r e d f erryw om en from Suc h ow w i th lo n g

, ,

wood en poles Th e A n cest ress M a d am e C hen g Au n t H s u eh God

.
, , ,

mo th er Li u Wi dow Chu an d Ph o en ix as well a s th e tw o w a i ti n g mai d s

'

, , ,

M an d a r i n Duck an d N e ph ri t e B a n gl e t ook th ei r s ea ts i n t h e firs t bo a t ,

.

Th e h i gh S p ir i t e d P h o en i x s a t a t t h e bow an d t ook h old o f a pol e i n

-

ord e r t o h a ve a h a n d i n run n i n g the bo a t .

“
It s b et te r t o l e a v e th a t a lo n e ! Pol i n g i s n o t c hi ld s pl a y i t h a s t o
’ ’
,
” “
b e l e a rn e d ! cr i e d th e fri gh t en e d A n c es t r ess from t h e c a b i n It s t ru e .
’
,

w e a re n o t o n a h ug e ri v e r h er e b ut t he w a t e r i s d ee p en ough t o dr ow n ,

o n e Be good en oug h t o com e i n h er e a t o n c e !

”
. .

“
I a m n o t t he l ea st a fr a i d ! T h e old A nc est r ess n ee d n o t worry re .

pl i e d Ph o en i x l a ughi n g a n d pu sh i n g 0 3 vi gorou sly from t h e b an k In

, .

t h e b e g i nn i n g i t w en t w ell b u t w h en t h e y w e r e i n m i d s t r ea m t h e h ea v i ly
-

lo a d e d l i tt le bo a t b e gan t o t o ss a n d P h o en i x b e c a m e d i zzy Sh e qu i ckly

, .

g a ve th e pol e t o t he f eri y w o m a n w ho w a s st a n d i n g n e a r by a n d s qu a t t ed
'

down o n th e d eck bo a rd s ; o th e rwi se sh e would h a v e fa ll en ov e r Pa o .

Y u followe d i n t he seco n d bo a t w i th h i s s i s te r a n d cou si n s T h e fe m a l e .

se rv an ts r a n a lo n g t h e n ea r b
y ri v e r b an k P a o Y u w a s dr a w i n g h i s
- -
.

’
comp a n i o n s a tt en t i o n r e gr et fully t o th e m a n y w i th e r e d lot u s l ea v es ,

a n d sa i d th e y sh ould
ge t th e g a rd en e rs t o s w ee p th e m up Pr e c i ou s .

Cla s p a gr ee d w i t h h i m b u t o n c e mor e Bl a ck J a d e w a s o f a d i ff eren t

,

op i n i o n .

“
On th e wh ol e I do n o t th i n k muc h o f th e po e m s of L i S h ari sh e ,
“
'

q rq ar k d t h oug h t fully B u t o n e l i n e of hi s I fi n d s pl en d i d : L e a v e th e ‘
{ c
-

wi th ered lo tu s le a v es a s t h ey a re ; t h ey m a ke u s un d e r st an d t h e l a men t
o f th e r a i n
’
.

Th a t i s d efi ni tely a m
“
a g i fi en t l i n e a gr ee d P a o Y u fe rv en t ly
’

c n
, .

So let us l ea ve th e wi the r e d le a v es w h ere th e y a re

i

T h e bo a ts gli d e d i n t o t he S a n db a n k H a rbor of Blo s s om i n g Puri t

y .

S ha dowy d a rkn ess la y ov er th e r i ve r b an k w h i c h w as d e n s ely ti mb er e d -

W i th tr ees T h e wi t h e r e d r ee d s th e f a d e d gr
.
een o f th e w a t e rfich es t n u t
,

t r ees exha le d a u t um n a l me l a n c h oly Pre c i ou s Cl a s p

s p a v i li o n wa s n o t
’
, .

fa r from th e ri v er b an k T he An c estress d e c i d e d t o a a vi si t th e re i n
-

p y
.

256
pass in g A n a rrow s tee p C loud P ath led ove r sto n e s te p s up t o t he
.
,

Jun gl e C ourt In th e fro n t g a rd en t he v i s i t ors n o st ri ls w e re a ssa i l e d by

.
’

a s t r a n g e s t ro n g p e rfum e T h e re t h e wo n d e r pl a n t t h e s p i r i t cr e e p e r
, .
, ,

gre w i ts b ea u t i ful fru i ts pe ep i n g fort h from un d e r fro st blu e fol i a g e

,
-
.

an d h a n g i n g i n h ea vy clus te r s a n d t r e ss es l i ke r e dd i s h a n d blu i s h

cor a ls .

O n en t e ri n g the p a v i l i o n t he A n c es t ress fe l t a s i f s he h a d b e e n t r a n
po rte d to a sn ow gro t t o so dr a b a n d in h o sp i t a ble di d th e i n ter i o r a p
,
'

pe a r t o h e r No t a b i t of d ecor a t i o n n o cur i o s a n d n o kn i ckkn a cks

.
, ,
.

O n ly o n the wr i t i n g t a bl e a si mpl e po t te ry v a se w i t h s om e ch rysa n th e

mums i a i t Th e gre en g a uz e cur ta i n a bove the b e d t h e fe w cu shi o n s
. .

a n d cove r s w e re of t he s i mpl e s t k i n d A fe w books a n d te a bowl s com

, .

p let e d t h e s c a nt y e qu i pm e n t T he A n c e s t ress s i g h ed
. .

“ ”
Such si mpl i c i t y ! sh e sa i d sh a ki n g h e r h ea d a n d t urn i n g t ow a rd s
,

“
her a tt e n d a n ts Ev e ry th i n g i s la ck i n g h ere W h y di d you n o t m a ke i t
. .

more a t t ra c ti ve for t h e c h i ld ? W e h a ve e ve ry t hi n g a v a i l a bl e i n t h
h ou se ! I c a nn o t look a f te r e ve ry s i n gl e t h i n g my se lf M a n d a r i n P u c k .

must fi t up t he room w i t h som e pre tt y works o f a r t Y o u sh ould re a lly .

”
ha ve s ee n to th i s lo n g a go s h e s a i d repro a c hfully t urn i n g to Ph o e n ix
, ,
.

“ ”
B ut s he a tt a c hes n o i mport a n c e t o furn i s h i n g s re pl i e d P h oe n i x , ,

“
sm i l i n g . S h e se n t m e b a ck a ll t h e a r t i cle s I h a d pl a c e d a t h e r di s

A t h om e , t o o , sh e n e e
v r t h oug ht much of j ewe lry or tr i nk ets ’
,

h e r o w n mo t h e r Aun t Hs u e h re as s uri n gly

, , .

“ ' ”
It s u n b e li e v a ble ! s a i d t h e A n c e st ress Her d e si re f o r s i mpl i c i t y
.

a n d e co n omy m a
y i n d ee d b e ve ry pr a i s e wor th y b ut w h a t k i n d o f i m
,

p r e ss i o n do e s s uc h a t a st e le ss room m a ke o n v i s i t or s ? B e s i d e s sh e i s a ,

youn g p e r so n w h o mus t en j oy lov ely th i n gs I f t he you th a re so ah .

s t em i on s , t h e n w e o l d p e opl e s h ould r ea lly b e co n te n te d w i t h a s t a ble .

Luckil y I gli a iv e some n i ce th i n g s I ca n do w i th ou t whi ch my gr a n d s o n

,

Pa o Y u h as n o t s e en ye t ; o th e rwi se he would h a v e t a k en t h em a w a y

Duck . Br in g t he you n g l a dy t he m a rble

a l s o th e h e a
C v l m
O
i rror w i th th e

t r i pod fo r burn i n g C hi ne se i n k !
to th e D a m a s k Ki o sk The re th e t we lve d an c in g gi rls from Suchow
.

p ai d thei r r espe c ts an d aske d what t he comp an y w i sh e d th e progr am

to be .

O n ly pe rform s omethi n g whi ch yo u h a v e pr a ct i c e d well ord ered ,

th e Anc est ress wh er e upon t h e t roup e of d an ce rs w en t off t o th e Lo t u s

,

R oo t P avi l i on a cross th e p on d i n ord er t o st a ge thei r perform a n c e th ere .

In the D am ask K i o sk a m e rry dr i n k i n g p a rt y n o w st a rte d wi th th e f a

v o ri te g a m e o f i mprovi s i n g rh ym es a t wh ic h th e un re s tr a in ed dogg e re l
‘

an d th e pe as an t co a rs en ess o f Godmo th e r L i u w h o w as proof a g ain st ,

dri n k prov i de d ceasel ess m erri men t Go dmoth er L i u part ook hea rt i ly
, .

o f t he good wi n e an d t h e d eli c i ou s p astri es h an ded a roun d wi th i t an d ,

fell more an d more i n t o a st at e of b i bulou s exh i l a r a t i on ; an d when the

c a pti v a t in g st r a i n s of d an c e mu si c so un de d a cro ss from th e w afer
p a vi li on her d el i ght knew n o boun d s a n d sh e a ccomp an i e d th e musi c
,

wi th vi olen t gest i cul a t i n g of her h a n d s rh y th m i c a l stamp i n g o f h er

,

feet an d swa y i n g o f her body Pa o Y u secret ly n udge d Bla ck J a d e t o

, .

dr a w her a tt en t i on t o the comi c g est ures o f t he o ld l a dy wh er eupo n ,

“
Bl a ck J a d e rem a rke d wi tt i ly : In o ur old wr i t i n gs the y spe a k cf th e
c alm in g i n flu en ce o f h oly mu si c whi ch even ta m es th e wi ld an i mals
'

an d m a k es th e m d a n c e se d a t ely i n s ets O n e ca n sa
y o f th i s mu si c t h a t
.

”
a t l eas t i t ca n en r a p t ure a co w .

When the d an c i ng pe rform an ce w as fi n i she d th e com pan y rose fr om ,

t he t abl e Th e A n c est r ess t ook Godmo th er L i u by th e h a n d a n d m ak

.
,

i n g an ex t en si ve t our sh ow e d h er th e rem a in i n g s pl en do rs o f th e P a rk
,

o f De li gh t ful V i si on Th e i n qu i si ti v e o ld l a dy c uld n ot
.
o get ove r h er
a st o n i sh m en t an d ceas e l e ssly qu est i on ed an d a s ke d f or i n fo rm a ti on
, ,

n o w abou t t h i s ki n d o f m i n e r a l a n d n ow a bou t t h a t pl a n t o r tree f On ce

,
“
sh e rem a rke d pen si vely : W h o would h a v e th o u ght th at h ere i n th e '

t own n o t o n ly do th e pe ople a cqui r e fi ne poli sh an d e du ca t i on b ut

,

e ven t h e b i rd s a tt a i n t o kn owl e d e an d th e p w e r o f s pe e c h un d er your

g o
sa lu ta ry i n flu en c e

A n d wh en sh e s aw th e s urpr i s e d e xpressi o n s a roun d h er sh e con ,

“
ti n ue d: Th e green b i rd wi th t h e re d b ea k s i tt i n g t h e re on th e gold en
e rc h i s a p a rro t an d I kn ow a lr ea dy wh a t
p , h e can do B ut n o w I would .

g bl a cki s
y e ry muc h li ke t o kn ow wh eth e r t h e b i
h gr a y fe llow ove r th ere

hca ge whi ch l o oks li ke a ph oe n i x h as b een ta ugh t to ta lk by

in t

you e .
,
,
,

Wi t h amu si n g r em a rks s uch a s t hese she prov i de d g a i et y an d m em

m en t a g a i n a n d a g ai n
’

Th e c mp an y h a d a rr i v e d a t t he Ki n fi sher s Ca g e H e rm i t a g e wh ere ’

o g ,

a
.
b ea ut i ful youn g n un n ame d M i a o Y u li ve d The hi gh ly educ a t ed .

e i h t e en
g y ea r o ld gi rl c a me from a n oble m a n d ari n fa mi ly o f Suc h ow ;
- -

Aft e r the d ea th of h er par ents sh e ha d re n oun ce d t he world an d de di

2 58
L i u dra n k of i t sa i d Pa o Y u t o h im se lf A t la s t th e n un foun d
o ut ,
.

t w o s u i t a bl e tea v e s s e l s for t h e t w o g i rls O n e w as a pre c i ou s a n t i qu e .

e w t e r gobl e t of t h e Su n g dy n a s t y a s t h e f ollow i n g en gr a v e d i n s cri p

p ,
“
t i o n sh ow e d : In th e four t h mo n t h of th e fift h y ea r of t h e Yu a n Fo n g
P e ri od o f th e Sun g dyn as t y S u Tun g po w a s r e ce i v e d i n t o th e Han L in -

Ac a d emy T h e th re e le gg e d gobl et w i th h a n dl e h a d obvi ou s ly b e

.
-

lon ge d ori g in a lly t o the fa mou s po e t Su T an g p o Th e n un prese n t e d ,

-
.

i t t o Prec i ous Cl a s p T h e o th e r v essel wh i ch w a s a l s o of m et a l re

.
, ,

sembl e d o n e of t h o s e a lm s bowl s us e d by Budd h i s t b e gg i n g mo n ks ,

e xc e p t th a t i t w as s om e w h a t s m a lle r T h e i n scri p ti o n s h ow e d i t t o b e
.

of st i ll gr ea te r a n t i qu i t y fo r i n th at ch a r a c t er i st i c se a l s cr i pt whi c h
,
“
st ood o u t l i ke drop s o n e r ea d : , W en C h i a o w h o li g h t e d up a rh i n o c ,
”
ero s s h orn
’
.Pr esum a bly t h e bowl on c e b elo n ge d t o W en C h i a o a ,

li te r a ry a n d pol i t i c a l c el ebri t y o f th e ea s t e rn C h i n dy n a sty , of wh om

tr a d i t i o n re l a t es th a t h e co n c e i v e d t h e br i ll i a n t i d e a of i llum i n a t i n g
’
th e de p t h s of a r i v e r by m ea n s of a l i g h t i n s i d e a r h i n oc e ro s s h orn ,

whi ch he let down i n t o th e wat er Th e n un pr es en t e d t h i s h i st ori c t e

.

ce p t a cle t o Bl a ck J a d e F i n a lly sh e pour e d t e a i n t o a b ea u t i ful gr ee n

.
,

n e p h r i te bowl wh i c h s h e h e r se lf u s e d e v e ry da
y an d p a sse d i t t o P a o ,

Y u Pa o Y u w a s d i s a ppo i n t e d
. .

“
My t wo cous i n s h a v e go t suc h won d erf ul an t i qu e pr ec i o us t hi n gs ,

t o dr i n k from a n d I h a v e t o b e s a t i s fi e d w i th a si mpl e e v e ry d a y p i e c e
, ,

of chi n a T h i s me a n s I s uppo se t ha t my cou si n s a re v e ry sp e c i a l p eo

.
, ,
”
ple a n d t h a t I a m j u st a n ordi n a ry fe llow h e pou t e d i n j oke , .

“ ”
You c a ll th a t eve ryd a y w are sa i d t h e n un t urn i n g t o h im muc h
?
, ,
“
ofi e n de d . I do n o t wi sh t o b e a t a ll pr es ump t u ous b ut I b el i ev e th a t ,

yo u w i ll n o t fi n d s uc h e ve ryd a y w a r e i n yo ur o w n h om e .

“
In your se l e c t prox i m i t y ord i n a ry pr ec i ous obj ec ts s uch as gold ,
”
pe a rls an d n e p hr i t e b e com e e ve ryd a y t ri fl e s sa i d P a o Y u g a ll a n tly
, , .
,

s ee ki n g to m a k e a m en d s .

T h e n un w a s pl a c a t e d o n c e more a n d compe n sa t e d h i m
a mo n s te r t a n k a rd m a d e of kn o t t y b a mboo
roo t s pl a i
s n a ke co i l s w h i ch sh e rumm a ge d o ut for hi m P a o Y u foun d t h e n u n s
'
’
.
, .

“ ”
f vor i te t e a wh i c h he s i p pe d o ut o f th e h ug e sea m an s gobl et i n
a ,
’
,

comp a r able a n d could n o t pr a i se i t h i gh ly en ough .

“
Is t h i s t ea a l s o pre p a r e d w i t h l as t y e ar s r a i w a t e r ? ” Bl a ck J a d e ’

n
wa n te d t o kn ow .

T he n un s m i l e d co n tem ptuou sly T hat j ust s h o ws wh a t v e ry o ffl i

.

n a ry
peo pl e you d i st i n
i a th e
wh i c h

2 60
ke p t j ug unt ouched de ep down i n th e ea rth f or fi v e y ea rs O n ly
th e , ,
.

thi s s umm e r I dug i t up a n d t ook o ut t h e sn ow w a t e r Tod a y i s th e .

se co n d t i m e th a t I h a ve pre p a r e d t ea w i t h so m e o f t h i s pr e c i ou s w a t e r

s upply .How co ul d you thi n k t h at on e could get from ord i n a ry las t

? ”
y ea r s r a in wa ter such a pure fi ne t a ste a s t h is pre c i ous t e a possesses
’
,

Bl a ck J a de w a s a fra i d o f i rr i t a t i n g th e i r a s c ib l e n un st i ll more by a n y
un gu a rde d rema rk a n d sh e th ere for e t ook h er l e a v e shor t ly a ft e r
,
.

w ards wi th Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp Pa o Y u r em ai n e d b ehi n d a li tt l e lon ge r He

. .

t u rn e d th e co n v e r s a t i on t o th e s ubj e c t o f t h e K an g Hsi ch i n a bowl

’
,

o ut of w hi c h o l d L i u h a d drun k a w h i l e s i n c e .

'
I a dmi t th a t th e b 6wl i s so i l e d an d d e secr a te d b ut would i t n o t b e an ,

? ”
u t ter sh am e si mply t o th row a w a y t h e b ea u t i ful a rt i cl e as rubb i sh he
“
r ema rke d In my op i ni on i t would b e b est t o gi v e i t t o t h a t good si m
.
,

ple pe a sa n t wo man She coul d s ell i t a n d m a ke a n i c e profi t on i t Wh a t

. .

? ”
do yo u t h i n k
“
Y es c e rt a i n ly o n e could do t h a t
, , sa i d t h e n un a ft e r r efl ec t i n g f or
,
“
a mom en t It i s lucky th a t I h a v e n e v e r u s e d i t my se lf o t h e rwi se
.
,

I would h a ve broken i t t o fr a gmen t s a t on c e Well a s f ar a s I am co n .

,
'

”
ce rn ed yo u m ay ta ke i t a n d g i v e i t t o t h e o ld wom a n your se lf ! P a o
,

Y u wen t o ff w i th h i s c h i n a bowl for boo t y O u ts i d e h e h a n d e d i t t o .

,

t he w a i t i n g m a i d M an d a r i n Duck wi t h th e r e qu es t t h a t sh e sh ould g i v e
i t t o Godmo th er L i u th e n ex t da y a s a p a rt i n g g i ft t o th e gu est for h er
j ourn ey Th e A n cestr e ss a s w e ll a s th e r est o f th e comp a n y h a d a lrea dy
.

st ood up t o
go Th e n un a ccomp a n i e d th e m a s f a r a s th e t empl e g a t e
.
,

th en sh e h urri e d b a ck qu i ckly an d bol t e d th e g a t e b ehin d t h e un d esi r e d

guests from th e profa n e world .

In t he furth er cou rse of the si g ht see in g t our Go dmo th e r L i u b e c a m e

-

s ep a r a t e d from t h e r es t o f th e comp a n y a n d lo st h er w a
y She h a d su d .

den ly felt v i ol en t s t om a ch p a i n s a ccomp a n i e d by si n i s t e r i n t e rn a l

,

rum bl i n gs a n d a se rv i n g wom a n h a d t o t a ke h er h urri e dly t o a l i tt l e

,

se clud e d n ook i n t h e n ort h e a st corn e r o f t h e p a rk A s w a s i n e v i t abl e .

a f te r a m ea l so h e a r t i ly p a rt a ken o f t h e se s si o n t h e r e l a st e d r a th e r
,

lo n g a n d wh en sh e re a ppe a red h er escort h a d lon g si n c e gon e a w a y

, .

Ti re d from so much run n i n g ab ou t she h a d t a ken t h e w e lcome opp or ,

t un i ty t o st ea l a w a y t o h e r room an d t a ke th e m i dd a y n a w h i c h sh e
p
h a d m i ss ed The re w a s n o t r a c e o f th e r est of th e comp a n y ei t h er Alo n e
.
.

an d a b an don e d Godmo th e r L i u n o w w a n d e r e d
, at r a n dom t h rough th e
p a ths an d en clo s ure of the va st an d un fa m i l i ar p a rk flow e rs d an c i n g
s
,

b e for e h er ey es a nd her li m b s h ea v y w i t h w i n e un t i l a ft er aski n g , ,

t h e w a of a w all p a i nt i n g of a b e a u t i ful youn g gi rl w i ch h e h a
y h s d mis
t a ken for a l i vi n g p e r s o n
, .
g
an d r un h er h e a d a a i n s t t h e p a i n t e d ‘

scen e ry o n a s p i r i t w a ll sh e a t l a s t fou d
, n herse lf i n a m a gn i fic en t ; ci r
cula r h a ll gli tt er i n g w i t h gold a n d pr e c ou
, i s s t o n es a b ew i ld e ri n g m a z e ,

26 2
 CHAPTER 2 6

Pa o Y u l
s e ts o u t t o d us t o f th e h i gh w ny i n m em ory
b u rn i n c en se i n th e
o f a d ea r d ep a r t e d O n t h e D a y o f th e Th o u sa n d A u t um ns P h o en i x
.

u n exp e c t e dly t u r n s i n t o a v i n e g a r b a rr e l .

P H O EN IX S B I R THDA Y ’
W AS C E L EB R A TED O N T H E S E C O ND D A Y OF THE

n i nt mon t h A t the s ugg e st i o n of t he A n c est re ss e v e ryo n e a b st a i n e d

h .

t h i s t i m e from g i v i n g i n d i v i du a l g i ft s a n d i n s e a d a ll t h e l a d i e s a n d
,
.

g i rl s of th e t w o p al a c es a s w ell a s a ll t h e f em a l e serv a n t s h a d e a ch t o
co n t r i but e a ccord i n g t o her m e an s a n d po s i t i o n from o n e t ael t o t wen t y
, ,

t a el s to a commo n b i r th d a y fu n d T h i s fu n d w en t t o d e fr a y t h e ex .

p en ses of th e v a ri ous amu se men ts of t h e da y Th e m a n a g em en t of t he .

fun d s w a s en tr ust e d t o Pr i n ce ss C h en B esi d e s th e u sua l f est i ve b a n qu et

.
,

t h e r e w e re m a n y o t h e r pl e a s ur e s : a t roup e of a c t or s p e rform e d pl a y s a ,

t roup e of j uggl e r s sh ow e d th e i r h un dr e d t r i ck s an d a st ory t e ll e r r ec i t e d ,

a mu si n g st or i es .

T h e co m p a n y h a d b ee n a ss e mble d for qu i t e a lo n g t i m e ; o n ly P a o
Y u w a s m i s s i n g W h en h e w a s s en t for word c a m e b a ck th a t h e h a d
.

go n e i n t o t h e t own Th ey could h a rdly b e l i ev e th i s so th e y sen t for

.
,

Pea rl from w h om t h ey expe ct e d mor e i n form a t i on

, .

“
He s a i d y e s t e rd a y t h a t h e would h a v e t o go to the Pr i n c e of t h e ‘

Nor ther n Qu i et n ess t od a y o n an urg en t m a t t er P e a rl w a s a bl e t o t e ll

’ ”
,
“
t h em I t ri e d t o d i ssu a d e h i m b ut i n v a i n H e rod e off v e ry e a rly t o
.
, .

”
da y .

Ev e ryo n e t h o ugh t i t v ery t a c tl ess of h i m t o go o ff j u s t t hen e s pe c i a lly ,

a s a m e e t i n g of t h e B e go n i a Club h a d a l s o b e en fix e d for th a t da
y .

“
Curi ous ly en ough he di d n o t p u t o n h i s v i si t i n g s ui t b ut j u st wore
,

”
h i s ev eryd a y clo t h e s go i n g o ut a dd e d P e a rl
“
V e ry l i ke ly h e h a d t o
, .

p a y t he Pr i n c e a v i s i t of co n dol en c e o n t h e d e a th of a se co n d a ry w i fe ,

b ut I do n o t kn ow a n y thi n g more ” .

'
Tha t would e xcu se h i m to a c e r t a i n e x t en t p e opl e s a i d modi fy in g , ,

t h e i r fir s t j ud gm e n t .

It w a s i n a s e n se t ru e th a t P a o Y u h a d go n e o u t o n a ccoun t of a
d e at h b ut h e di d n o t t e ll an yo ne a rou n d h i m w h o th e d e a d p er son i n
,

que st i o n w a s The da y b e for e h e h a d o n ly gi ven a br i e f ord e r t o h i s

.
.
,

v a l e t M i n g Y en t o h a ve tw o h orses r e a dy e a rly th e n e x t morn i n g a t t h e

b a ck g a te of t he p a rk A n d t h e se rv a n t L i Kw e i h a d b e en ord e r e d t o
.

sa
y i f a n yo n e sh ould a sk for Pa o Y u t h a t h e h a d go n e t o v i s i t t h e
, ,

Pr i n c e of th e Nort he rn Qu i e t n ess b ut t h a t th ey sh ould n o t sen d for ,

h i m as h e would b e b a ck i n good t i m e
, .

Qu i te ea rly t h en o n t h a t mor n i ng h e a ppea re d a t t h e hack g a te o f

, , .

264
mou n t e d h i s h orse a n d rod e off a t a sm a rt t ro t hi s b o dy b en t ri ght over ,

th e s a ddl e bow M i n g Y en h a d t o u se h i s w h i p i n ord er t o kee p pa ce

.

“
w i th hi m A sked w h e re he w a s go i n g Pa o Y u h a d re pl i e d : S tra i g ht
.
,
”
on o ut t h roug h t h e n ort he rn c i t y g a t e !
,

“
B ut t he re i s n o th i n g i n te re st i n g o ut th e re ; the d i st r i c t i s d es ol a te
”
a n d lo n ely M i n g Y e n h a d d e cl a re d Pa o Y u h a d n odd e d a n d re pl i ed
,
.

“ ”
T he more desol a t e a n d lo n ely i t i s th e b e t te r , .

M i n g Y en w a s ve ry much puzzl e d by t he str an g e d i st r a ugh t m a n n e r ,

o f h i s m a st e r T h e y h a d ri dd en si x o r se v e n li a t a qu i ck t ro t a n d w e re
.
,

n o w o ut i n op en th i n ly pop u l a t e d cou n t ry w h en P a o Y ust oppe d h i s

, ,

h orse .

“ ? ”
I wo n d er w heth e r i n cen se could b e procure d i n th i s nei ghborh o od
h e as ke d t urn i n g t o M i n g Y en
, .

“ ? ”
It s po ss i ble ; b u t t h e qu est i o n i s : Wh a t k i n d would i t b e
’

”
I n ee d sa n d alwood l a ve n d e r a n d ol i b an u mi n c en se
, , .

S uc h fi n e v ar i eti es as th o se w i ll b e d iffi cul t t o ge t i n t h i s d ese rt ed

” “
re gi o n s a i d M i n g Y en l a ug h i n g B ut do n t yo u u su a lly ca rry som e
, , .
’

? ”
in c en s e w i t h you i n your b e l t pouc h
Pa o Y u rumm a g e d i n h i s lo t u s l ea f b a g a n d di d i n f a c t fi n d tw o l i tt l e
-

“ ”
fr a gm en t s o f C a mbod i a n a loe wood Good we v e go t i nc en se ! he sa i d
.
,
’
,
“ ”
gr a t i fi e d No w I o n ly n ee d a br az i e r
.
, .

“ ? ”
How c a n you e xp e c t t o ge t a br az i e r o ut her e i n t hi s wi ld e rn es s
a sk e d M i n g Y e n sh a k i n g h i s h e a d dub i ou s ly T h e n a n i d e a occurre d t o
, .

hi m .

“
If w e r i d e o n j u st a n o t he r tw o li w e w i ll com e t o t h e n u n n e ry kn own
,

as t h e T empl e of t h e W a te r Go d an d th e re w e ca n ge t e v e ryt hi n g w e
,
”
wan t .

“
T h a t s spl en d i d ! sa i d P ao Y u an d wh i ppe d h i s h or se up t o a sw i ft
’
,

t ro t M i n g Y en wo n d e re d t o h i m s e lf h o w i t w a s t h a t h i s m a st e r w h o
.
,

u su a lly seeme d r a th e r con te mp t uou s of th e Temple o f the W a te r God ,

was a ppa ren t ly so e a ge r t o vi si t i t t od a y .

T h e o ld Abb ess of the T empl e o f t h e W a t e r G o d w ho w a s in th e ,

h a b i t o f dropp i n g i n a t t h e Y un gk uo p a l a ce n o w a n d then w as much ,

s urpri sed a n d fel t a s gr e a t ly h o n ore d a t t h e un ex pe c t e d vi s i t o f th e

a ri s t ocr a t i c youn g gr a n d s o n o f a pr in c e as i f a l i vi n g dr a g on h a d de

sc e n d e d o n t o h e r t h resh old st r a i g h t from th e s ki es B u t P a o Y u t ook .

n o spe c i a l no t i ce e i th e r o f h e r or of t h e W a t e r G o d H e o n ly gl a n ce d .

h urri e dly a n d w i th ou t a n y s h ow o f re v e ren c e a t the s t a t ue o f th e god

w i t hi n t he t emple wh i ch t h ough o n ly roughl y fa shi o n ed of cl a y a n d
, ,
wh y hi sm aster seeme d t o b e th ri ll e d wi th joy j ust n ow wh en he h a d
men ti one d the Templ e o f th e W at er G o d Pa o Y u s p i ous a ct of de .
’

v o ti on t o th e d ea d n a t ur a lly r eferr e d t o G ol d R i n g w h o h a d lo st h er ,

li fe through h i s f a ult It w a s o n P h o en i x s b i r th d a y a y ea r b efor e th a t

‘

.
’

th e poor cr eat ur e h a d th rown h er se lf in t o t h e we ll .

Whi le Pa o Y u w as l i ghti n g h i s tw o fra gmen ts o f C a mbod i a n a loe

wood ov er t he bur n i n g co a ls w eep i n g an d d evou tly pro st r a t i n g h i m self
, ,

i n si l en t sa lu t a t i o n t o th e dea d h i s symp a th et i c s e rv an t a lso f ell upo n

, _

hi s kn ees an d st r i ki n g h i s forehe a d sever a l t i m es o n the groun d h e

, ,
“
ga n t o pr a y th u s : I M i n g Y en w h o h a v e se rv e d my youn g m as t er
, ,

fa i th fully a ll th ese y ea rs h a ve a lwa y s un t i l n o w kn own t h e se cr ets of hi s

,

h ea rt O n ly t od a y he h as n o t co n fide d i n m e a n d h as b een si l en t w i th
.
,

rega rd t o th e rea so n o f hi s burn t off e ri n g Propr i et y forb i ds m e t o .

i mport un e h im w i th cur i ou s qu est i o n i n g B ut I h a ve n o doub t t h at yo u.

,

Sp i ri t i n th e R ea lm o f S ha d es for wh om th i s off e r i ng i s m a d e b ut
, ,

wh o se n am e I do n o t kn ow o n c e l i ve d a mo n g th e pe ople as a sen si bl e
, ,

cl ev er ch a st e splen d i d an d i n comp a r a ble youn g l a dy or l i tt l e si ster A s

, , , .

my li tt le m a st er c ann o t sp ea k o ut i n my pr esen c e r e ga rd i n g th e m att e r s

whi ch w ei gh on h i s hea rt le t m e pr a y i n stea d o f hi m an d gi v e ea r t o
, _

my suppl i c a t i on si n ce yo u a re a sp i ri t a n d h a ve th e power of sp i r i ts .

Gr ac i ous ly l i st en t o my li t t l e m a st er w h o r e m emb e rs you so fa i th

,

fully ; pro tec t an d gu a rd hi m wh en h e ent ers i n t o t h e R ea lm of S h a d es ,

an d he lp h i m th a t i n a fu t ur e ex i st en c e h e m a b e born a g a i n as a
, y
g i rl a n d so m ay b e a bl e t o pl ay an d j oke an d b e h a ppy w i th such as
,
”
yo u t o h i s h ea rt s co n t en t !
’

hen he h a d fi n i she d h i s pr a y e r h e m a d e a f ew more kowt ow s Th en

‘ W .

he h ur ri e dly ro se from h i s kn ees Pa o Y u h a d l i st en e d t o hi m wi th i n

.

crea si n g a muse ment an d duri n g h i s pr a y er h a d gi v en hi m a fri en dly ‘

“

p ush w i th hi s foo t .

“ ”
Cea se your n on sen se ! he whi spe r e d to hi m sh a ki n g w i th l a ught er ,
.

How a wful i f a n yo ne sh ould he ar yo u ! You m a kem e a l a ughi n gst ock

.

”
b efore t he p eopl e !
Th a n ks t o the i n n oc en t si mpl i c i t y of the good M i n g Y en t h e so r
r ow f u l c e r e
m o n y t h u s lo st n i n e ten ths o f i t s b i tt e rn e ss a n d a f te r h ur
-

ri edly r e fresh i n g th em se lv es w i t h a frug a l sn a ck i n t h e co n v en t m ast er

,

an d se rv an t set o u t for h om e i n c hee rful s p i ri ts .

Pa o Y u qu i ckly exc h a n g e d hi s du s t y eve ryd a y clo th es for exub e r an t ly

colorful festi ve a tt i r e an d wen t t o th e b i rth d a y p arty A ll we r e a sse mbl e d .

in th e l a rg e n ewly bu i l t H a ll of Blo ss oms from whi ch th e m erry p i p in g

, ,

o f flu tes a n d th e soun d of sh ri ll si n g i n g could alr ea dy b e h ear d i n th e

di sta n c e A s he w as str i d i n g through the corri dor p a vi l i on n ea r the en

.

t r a n c e t o th e h a ll h e c a m e upo n th e m a i d N e p h ri t e B a n gl e th e s i s te r
,

o f th e d e a d g i rl Gold Ri n g Sh e w as si tt in g u d r
, . n e th e proj e c t i n g r oo f ,

2 66
hea lth a n d sh e could n o t a vo i d a llow i n g h er gl a ss t o b e fi ll e d a fre sh
,

e a c h t i m e i n res po n se T he eff e c t of t hi s u n a ccus t om e d qu a n ti t y of

.

w i n e s oo n b ec am e e vi d e n t Sh e s udd en ly fe l t rumbl es i n h er st om a c h
.

a n d h a d t o go t o h er a p a r tm e n t s l ea n i n g o n t h e arm of h er w a i ti n g

m a i d L i tt l e Pi n g i n t he m i ddle of th e pe rform an ce by t he tr oup e of

j ugglers .

No w , as ppro a ch e d the corr i dor p a v i l i on of h er h ome sh e

. s he a ,

could see from a d i st an c e ho w o n e of h er m a i d s w h o h a d b een kee p ,

i n g a lookou t i n fro n t o f th e en t r a n c e t urn e d q u i ckly a s li gh tn in g a t ,

~

si g h t of her a n d ra n i n t o t h e h ou se Th e st r a n g e b eh a v i or of t h e m a i d
.

i mm ed i a t ely a w a ken e d h er s u s p i c i o n s Sh e c a ll e d o ut t o h er t o s t op .
,

b u t t h e m a i d b eh a v ed a s i f she di d n o t h e ar h er an d d i sa pp ea r e d
i n si de Then sh e b e c a m e r ea lly s u s p i c i ou s Sh e r a n i n t o t h e i nn e r court
. .

y a rd of her h ou se a s qu i ckly a s her leg s would c a rry h er an d sa t down

o n th e st e p s of t h e s t o n e t e rr a c e Th en sh e Ca ll e d o ut t h e m a i d i n qu es
.

t i o n a n d ord e r e d h e r t o kn ee l down b e for e h er Sh e n e x t sen t Li t t l e P i n g .

t o f e t c h tw o doorkee p e rs from th e i nn e r g a te w h o w er e to b ri n g rop es ,

a n d w hi p s w i th t h e m .

T i e up t h e m i ser ab l e b i t c h t h e wr e t c h e d h u s s y w h o n o lo n g er h a s
, ,
”
e y es for h e r m i st r es s an d b e a t h er un t i l sh e i s h a lf d e a d !
, sh e ord e r e d

t h e t w o se rv a n ts h a r sh ly Th e m a i d a hn o s t s woo n i n g w i th fr i g h t de
.
, ,

s a i ri n l
p g y b e a t he r for eh e a d o n t h e st o n e fl a g s a n d wh i n e d for m ercy .

“ ”
Am I a gh o st or w hy di d you run a w a y when yo u sa w m e comi n g ?

sh ou t e d Ph o en i x .

“
I di d n o t see t he Na i n a i a t a ll ; i t j u st occurre d to m e th a t the h ouse
”
w as emp t y an d un w a t c he d a n d t h a t is w h I r a n i n th e m a i d t ri e d t o
y, ,

excu se h e rs elf .

“
O h i n dee d ? If the h ou se w as emp t y w h a t we re you lo a fi n a bou t
,
g ,

ou t si d e t he en tra n c e for ? B esi d e s I sh ou t e d my se lf h o a rs e c a lli n g you

, .

You were n o t f a r a wa y you a re n o t d ea f an d mu st h a v e h ea rd m e b ut

, ,

i n sp i t e of th a t you ra n on Sp a re yours e lf th e t roubl e o f ly i n g My

. .

”
p at i en c e i s a t an en d .

A n d sh e d ea l t th e m a i d tw o s uch pow e rful s l a p s on th e fa c e th a t bo th

he r ch ee ks i mm e d i a t ely s w ell e d up an d t ur n e d purpl e .

“ ”
i
You w ll spr i n your h an d Na i n a i ! cri e d th e w a i ti n g m a i d Li tt le
a ,

P i n g t ry in g to p a c i fy her
, .

“
”
e e st i
V ry w ll r ke her in ste a d of m e ! hi sse d h e r an gry m i stress
, .

A n d if she s t i ll r em a i n s st ubbor n I w i ll ha v e h e r t on gu e s i n g e d w i t h
, .

”
a h o t i ro n .

“
I wi ll co n fess ho w ledt h e m ai d i n t error Th e mast er i s i n th e
, .

h ou se He ord e r ed m e t o w a t ch o ut for ou a n d t o w a rn him a s s oo n

y
.
.
”
as
yo u r et urn e d .

268
 W h y sh ould you k ee p a lookou t for m e ? W a s h e an xi ous lest I
” “
could no t fi n d t h e w a y a lo n e ? she p e r si st e d O ut wi t h th e t ru th o r
. ,

”
I wi ll pri ck yo u wi th p in s !
In ord e r to sh ow th at sh e w a s i n ea rn est sh e dre w from h e r h ai r a
lo n g po i n te d h ai rp i n w h i ch sh e w a ve d threa ten in gly i n the fa c e of
, ,

t h e kn eel i n g gi rl T h e m a i d dr ew b a ck he r h ea d i n t e rror a n d mo an e d
.

“
D o n o t s ti ck m e ! I w i ll te ll yo u e very t h i n g ! B ut pl e as e do n o t b e tr a y .

m e ! W hen th e m as te r c a m e h om e t od a y h e t ook tw o p i ec es o f lbo se

'

s i lv er t w o a gra fl es a n d t w o p i e c es of sa t i n o u t o f t h e t re as ur e t ru n k
, ,
.

I h a d t o t a ke th em s ecret ly t o t he w i fe of th e se rv an t Li t tle P a o a n d
’
br i n g her b a ck t o th e m a st er She i s st i ll i n si de i n the m a ste r s room
. .

I w a s t o keep w a t ch ou ts i d e Wh a t h a s ta ken pl a c e i n t he room I do

.

”
n o t kn ow .

P h oen i x h a d t o p a u se t o get ov e r a n a t t a ck o f fa i n t ness t h en sh e ,

p i cked herself up an d rushe d to her h u sb an d s p a v i li on O n the w a y ’

.

t h e r e sh e n o t i c e d t h a t a n o th e r m a i d w as c a uti ou s ly s py i n g o u t th e
co ur t y a rd g a te an d on see i n g h er qu i c k ly drew i n her h ea d an d m a d e
,

off P h oe n i x c a lle d h er by n am e Th i s m a i d w as cle v e rer th a n the fi rst

. .

on e .Wh en sh e sa w th a t she w a s d ete c t e d sh e t urn e d r oun d qu i ckly ,

“
h urr i e d up t o P h o en i x an d s a i d qu i te coolly : I w as j us t o n my w a y
,
”
t o yo u a n d n o w you com e a lo n g yourse lf !
,

? ”
Wh a t m ess a g e di d yo u h a v e for m e th en .

The m a i d re port e d t h a t th e m as te r wa s i n th e ho use a n d h a d L i ttl e

“

’
P a o s w i fe w i t h h i m a n d s o o n , .

“
A n d w hy di d yo u n o t te ll m e t h a t a t o n c e i n st e a d o f o n ly do i n g
? ”
so n o w t o s a v e yourse lf w h en yo u see you a re fou n d o ut s a i d P h oe n i x ,

gi v i n g h er a sl a p Then sh e r an o n an d cre pt un d e r th e wi n dow o f he r

.

’
h u s b an d s b e droom Scr a p s o f a n an i m a te d co n ve r s a t i on r e a c h e d her
.

“
No w sh e d i s t i n gu i s he d a wom a n s vo i c e : J us t w a i t soone r o r
’
ca r .
,

la ter th a t Pri n c ess o f th e U n d erworld w i ll di e ; th e n your s u ff e r in gs w i ll

” “
b e a t an e n d ! T o w hi c h th e vo i c e of h er h us b an d re pl i e d : Y es b ut ,

wh a t the n ? S ha ll I ma rry a n o t he r then an d ha ve all th e o ld m i se ry ,

? ”
be gi n o ve r a g a in
Th e wom an s vo i c e co n t in u e d : Aft e r a ll yo u ha ve Li ttl e P i n g
’
.
,

M a ke h er your firs t w i fe w h en t h e o t he r o n e d i es T he n you wi ll ha ve

'
.

”
no m o re w o rri es .

“
To whi ch h e re pli e d : She is d ea d b en t o n seei n g tha t I h a ve n o th i n g
t o do w i th Li tt l e P i n g I kn ow th a t L i ttl e P n g s uff e rs b e c a use o f h e r
,

i .

sus p i ci o ns b u t she do es n o t d are

to do an yt h in g Th a t wom an is j us t
‘

.
,

P h o en i x w as tremb l i hg wi th i n d i gn a ti on L i tt l e
. P in g wh om
, sh e had

269
‘
a ble to con ta i n he rself an y lon ger an d sudd en ly t urn i n g roun d dea lt th e
, ,

puzzl ed Li tt l e P in g tw o s l a p s o n the e a r s Th en sh e st orm e d i n t o h er .

h u sb and s b e droom pu shi n g open th e door wi th h er foo t Wi th ou t

’
.
,

w ast i n g a word sh e ru sh e d at th e ri v a l a n d comm en ce d b ea t i ng h er

wi th all h er st ren gt h Wh en she could con t i n u e n o lon g e r sh e pl ant e d
.
,

he rs elf b e for e th e door i n ord e r t o pre v en t h er h us b a n d from es c a p in g ,

“
a n d sh ou t ed a t th e wom a n : Y o u cr azy h u s sy s o you w a n t to st ea l ‘

my husb an d from m e an d would li ke t o ki ll m e in t o th e b a rg a i n ? Th o se

a re fi n e pl an s ! Com e h e r e L i tt le Pi n g ! Y o u a re n o b ett er th an th a t
,

wom an an d yo u are i n volv e d i n th e sa m e gui lt a s sh e i s Y o u h a ve .

”
mean ly b et r a y e d m e b eh i n d my b a ck ! A n d on ce mor e sh e box ed po or
’
Li tt le P i n g s ea rs ri gh t an d le ft Th e o u tr a ge d Li ttle P i n g i n h er t urn
.

v ented h er an ger o n the wi fe o f Li tt l e P a o by d ea li n g her a coupl e o f

blows .

“
Could you n o t get o nw i th your d i rt y g a m e by your se lv es ? W h y di d
you h ave t o dr a g m e i nt o i t sh e sh out e d
? ”
.

Chi a Li en w h o w as som ewh a t drows y from a ll th e w i n e h e ha d b een

,

dri n ki n g ha d a t first looke d on i n con fu si on a t th e sc en e whi ch w as

,

b ei ng en a c te d w i th s uch dr a m at i c r a p i d i t y b efore hi s ey es Wh en .

Ph o en i x h a d th r ashe d hi s p a r a mour jus t n ow h e ha d fel t an gry a n d '

,
-

a sh am e d , b ut res pe ct f o r h i s wi fe h a d n e v e rth e less restr ai n e d h i m .

Now h ow eve r seei n g th ema i d Li tt le P i n g a ls o d ea l i n g o ut a buse an d

, ,

blows h e felt i mpe ll e d t o gi ve up hi s p a ss i ve a tti t ud e an d come t o th e

,

a i d o f h i s do ubly m a l t r ea t e d p a r a mour .

“
Wh at do yo u me an by hi t ti n g o ut li ke tha t h e sa i d rough ly t o
? ”

Li tt l e P in g pushi n g her w i th hi s foo t Wh i l e Li tt l e P i n g dr ew b a ck

, .

fri ghtened Ph o en i x pomme lle d her i n t he b a ck r ebuke d h er f or ,

cowa rd i ce a n d a ga i n pu sh e d h er forwa rd In d esp e r a t i o n she ra n o ut

, .

o f th e room i n t o t h e k i t c h en a n d w a s i n th e a ct o f g a sh i n g h e rs e lf wi th
,

a ki t c h en kn i fe wh en sh e w a s st opp e d j us t in t i m e by t he m a i ds w h o

we r e n e a r h er M ea n wh i le P h o en i x i n th e b e droom w as v en t i n g h er
.
,

ra ge o n her fa i thl ess h us b a n d S he r amm e d h er h ea d wi ldly a ga in st hi s

.

c hest a nd sh oute d i n h i s f a c e : You ha ve b een co n s p i r in g a g a i n st m e

“

wi th th a t wom an ! I he a rd you r a gi n g a g a i n s t m e i n h er e Y o u w i ll dri ve .

m e in th e en d t o t a ke my l i fe ” .

Her r a gi n g drove h im i n t o a fr en zy He pull e d down a s word from .

th e w a ll an d sh ou t e d b a ck a t h er : “ If o u r ea lly w a n t t o di e I ca n do
y ,

you a fa vor an d ki ll us bo t h t ogeth e r Fo r I a ls o am t i re d o f li fe a n d

'

i li i
would w l gly cr fice my se lf wi th you fo r th e sa ke o f pe a ce
n s a ”
.

In th e m i ds t of th i s s c en e Pri n c e ss C h en a ppe a r e d es cort e d by sev

Wh a t th e
G

mean i n g of th 1 s ro w ? W h y j u st most b ea ut 1 ful

0

th e
e 0
15 n ow
,

ha rmon y w as ”
re 1
gn m g! he
s cri ed in am az em en t “

270
re a lly to bl am e I sh ould n o t h a ve in duc e d h er t o dr in k wi n e No wo n d er
.
.

t h at i t r i s es up i n h e r a f t e rw a rd s m b i l e s our a s v i n e g ar ,
.

‘‘
Th ey a ll h a d to l a ug h a t h er good j oke for th e word b i l e n o t on ly ,

mea ns si ck vom i ti n g b ii t a ls o j e a lous y .

“
C a lm yourself ! co nti n u e d t he A n c es tr ess t ur n i n g t o Ph o en i x H e
”
,
.

w i ll h a ve t o b e g your p a rdo n form a ll y t omorrow ; I w i ll se e t o th a t !

B ut you mu st kee p aw a y from your h ou se t od a y a n d l ea ve h i m a lo n e ,

o th erwi se h e m a y get i n t o a fury a g a i n B u t wh a t h as com e ov er th a t.

h uss y L i t t l e P i n g t ha t s h e s h ould c a rry 0 11 th i s b ase i n t ri gu e b eh i n d

, ,
”
your b a ck ? I a lw a y s t h ough t sh e w a s good a n d r esp e c t a bl e
“
Li t tle P in g 1s i nn oc en t s a i d Pr i n c ess C h en w i th a s m i l e i n de
, , ,
‘

fou se of the ab sent m a i d I n ste a d of comi n g t o blows w i t h ea ch oth er

“
.

t he coupl e h a v e v e n t e d t h e i r r a g e o n a n i n n oc e n t p er s o n Sh e do es .

n o t d es e rv e a word of bl a m e Sh e h a s b een b i tt e rly wro n g e d

. .

”
O h I a m s orry for th a t s a i d t h e A n c es t r e s s r e gr e tfully Sh e cer
’

.
, ,

t a i nly n ev e r g a v e m e th e i mpr es si o n o f b ei n g a b a d g i rl ea g e r t o b e ,

se duc e d O f cour se sh e mu st b e comp en s a t e d for t h i s Amb e r

. qu i ck .
, ,

run t o L i ttl e P i n g a n d t e ll h e r I kn ow n o w th a t sh e h a s b ee n wr on g e d ,

a n d I sh a ll m a ke h e r m i st r ess b eg h er p a rdo n t omorrow B ut t od a y . ,

h er m i s t res s s b i r th d a y i s no t t h e r i g ht t i m e t o do so M ea n t i m e t e ll
’
.
, ,

”
her n o t to fret a n d t o ha v e p a ti en c e u n t i l t omorrow
, .

Li tt l e P i ng h a d r un t o t he P a rk of D e l i gh t ful f i si o n a n d b een co n
‘

s ol e d a l t e r n a tely by P a o Y u a n d P e a rl Pa o Y u h a d r e c e i ve d h e r k i n dly
.

i n t h e B ego m a Co urt y a rd h a d le t h er p u t o n o n e of P e a rl s gown s i h

’
,

st e a d of h er o w n w h i c h h a d b een s o i l e d w i th w i n e a n d t e a r s p l a c e d ,
’
Pea rl s dr ess i n g ta bl e a t he r d i spo sa l a n d re fr esh e d h er w i th a bowl of
,

pun ch Then w he n Amb er brought th e comfort i n g m essa g e from t he

.
, D

A n c estress Li tt le P i n g fel t h e r fa c e glow i n g w i th r en ew e d b ea ut y a n d

,

h er t e ars t urn e d t o j oy She s p e n t t h a t n i gh t w i t h W i dow Ch u i n t h e

.

R i c e F a rm Cour ty a rd wh i l e Ph o e n i x re m a i n e d w i th t he A n c est ress

, .

T h e follow i n g morn i n g th e dom es t i c qu a rrel of th e day

sa t i s f a c t or i ly se t t l e d w i th due f o rm a li t
y a ccord i n g t o t h e
’

of t h e A n c est r ess C hi a Li en w a s c a ll e d t o
.

b e g h er p a rdo n o n h i s kn ee s a n d i n doi n g ,

as an excuse for h i s co n duc t T h e n h e h a d .

s t a n d i n g t he r e h er e y es re d ,

to Ph o en i x W hen
. pe a ce ha d b een
 rest or ed b et ween th e h us b an d a n d w i fe L i tt l e P i n g w as sen t fo r Ch i a
,
.

L i en bowe d poli t ely t o h er t o o a n d b e gg e d her p a rdo n fo r th e i n j u st i ce

don e t o her y este rd a y by hi m self a n d h i s w i fe .

“ ? ”
W i ll you n o t sa y a ki n d word t o her t o o ’
th e A n c e s t r ess ur g e d
P h o en i x B ut a lr ea dy L i tt le P i n g h a d p ro st ra te d he r se lf o n th e groun d
.

b e fore her m i st r ess a n d a s she kow towe d sh e sa i d w i th d e ep h um i l i ty :

,
’

I d ese rv e d e a t h for h a v i n g c a u se d m y Na i n a i a n n oy a n c e y este rd a y ,

”
th e da y of h er t h ou sa n d a u t um n s !

P h o en i x move d t o t ea r s dr ew he r t o her fe et She fel t thorough ly

, , .

a sh a m e d . Ho w o n e a r t h could sh e h a ve forgo tten h e r self so u t t e rly ,

y este rd a y a s t o b e a t t he good g i rl ? It w a s c e rta i n ly a ll b ec a use sh e h a d

,

drun k t oo muc h w i n e .

“
In a ll t h e y ea rs i n w h i c h I h a ve se rv e d yo u yo u h a v e n e v e r o n c e
,

”
r a i se d your l i tt l e fi n ge r a g a in st m e ! co n tin ue d L i tt l e P i n g li ke w i se ,
“
move d t o te a rs You h a ve a lw a y s bee n g od to m e The re for e I wi ll
.
o .

b e ar you n o grudg e for th e l i tt l e in ci d en t o f y es t e rd a y .

“
We ll ev e ry th i n g i s r i ght a g a i n n o w ! A n d a n ybo dy w ho m a kes a
,
.

”
fu ss a bou t the st ory a ft e r th i s w i ll ge t a soun d th r a sh i n g A n d s o th e .

A n c estr ess clo se d t h e c e remo n y o f r e co n c i l i a t i o n a n d d i sm i sse d th e p a r

t i ci p a n ts a f te r h a v i n g r e c e i v e d a p a rt i n g kow t ow from a ll th r ee o f th em
,

t og e th e r B u t w h en th e h usb an d a n d wi fe we r e a lo n e i n t h e i r h om e o n c e
.

mor e P ho ehi x could n o t re fra i n from rem a rki n g : Is th e r e re a lly

,

s om ethi n g so r epuls i v e an d lo a th so m e a bou t m e t h a t t h a t h u s s y d a r es

t o ca ll m e pri n c e ss o f th e Un d e rworld a n d a n i g h tm a r e ? A h d yo u b a cke d »

h er up i n w i sh i n g m e d ea d ! Wh en an in fe r i or wom a n l i ke t h a t i s more
ple as i n g t o you th a n I am ho w can I kee p fa ce a n d co n ti n u e li vi n g
,

b esi d e you ? ”

She ta l ke d w i t h i n cr ea si n g exc i tem e n t a n d brok e o u t i n t o s ob s .

A re you b e g i n n i n g a g a i n ? D i d you n o t h a ve en oug h o f a s ce n e yes

”
t erda y ? h e growl e d p ee v i sh ly
, . I h a ve h um i l i a t e d my self b e fore th e
pe ople a n d a s ke d your p a rdo n o n my kn ees Is th a t n o t e n ough f or
.

you ? Do you w a n t m e t o go down o n my kn ees a ga i n so th a t your fa ce ,

m a y bri gh t e n o n ce more ? O n e sh ould n o t b e t o o a rr og an t el s e o ne get s ,

j us t t he oppo si t e of wh a t o n e w a n ts .

P h o e n i x sa w h e w a s r i g ht so sh e r em a i n ed s i l en t
, .

“
Let i t b e n o w ! I a dm i t t h a t I h a ve b een wro n g h e co n t i n u e d
.
,

a m i a bly wh e n s udd e n ly a m a i d se rv a n t c a m e rus h i n g i n a n d a n n o u n c e d

,

”
e xc i t e dly : Th e w i fe of L i tt l e P a o h a s h a n g e d h e rs elf Af te r th e fi r t
.
s

sh ock P h o e n i x pull e d h e r s e lf t og eth e r qu i ckly .

“ ”
We ll en oug h o f t h i s ! W h a t i s t h e re re a lly so exc i t i n g a bou t i t
,
?

s h e a s k e d c a ll ous ly T h e m a j ordomo L i n g s w i fe w h o look e d a f t e r t h e

’
.
,

fem a l e st a ff c a m e in t i m i dly a n d co n firm e d t h e n ews

, .

273
 Th e m embe rs of her cl an in t en d t o lodg e a compl ain t wi th the au
”
th o ri t i es
, sh e a dd e d r e luc t an t ly
, .

“
I do n ot m in d I in t en de d t o do th e sa me my se lf sa i d Ph o en ix
.
”
, ,

coldly .

“
I t ri e d as h a rd a s I could t o d i ss u a d e th e m from th ei r m t en ti on P er .

”
h a ps th ey could b e i n d emn i fi e d w i th mo n e y con t i n u e d M rs Li n g
,
. .

Mon ey ? I h a v e n o mon ey for th at A n d even i f I h a d I would n ot

“ ”
. ,

thi n k of do i n g such a th i n g Let th e m l o dg e th e i r compl a i n t a n d yo u

. ,
”
m a y s p a re yourself t he t roubl e o f t ryi n g t o m e d i at e d ecla r e d Phoen i x ,

res olut ely .

Ch i a Li en wi n ke d sur rept i t iou sly a t M rs Li n g Sh e un d e r st ood th e

. .

h in t a n d t ook h er l ea v e b u t w a i t e d for h i m ou ts i d e th e door He w ent

,
.

o ut a ft e r h er .

I wi ll see wh a t can b e don e he sa i d t o Ph oen i x .

”
B ut do n o t g i ve an y mon e y ! sh e c a ll e d a ft e r hi m
The ou t come of th e con sul t at i on b et w een Ch i a L i en a n d L i n g s w i fe
’

w as th at sh e w as a uth ori z e d t o off e r t h e r e l a t i v e s o f t h e d e c ea se d t w o

“

h un dre d tae ls a s h u sh mo n ey C h i a L i en h a d a b a d co n s c i en c e an d
'

w an te d t o avo i d a sc a n d a l a t an y co St He a rr an g e d w i th M rs i ng th at
.

t e m o n ey w as t o b e t a ken from th e h ou sek e ep i n g fu n d s a n d dr a wn

h ,

o ut un d er cov e r o f curren t e xpen ses by m ean s o f fa l si fi e d a ccoun ts .

Th e m a tt er w a s h u sh e d up i n th i s w a y w i th ou t P h o en i x h a v i n g t o kn ow
an y th i n g abou t i t Th e r el a t i v es w er e sa t i s fi e d
.
p dck et e d th e n i c e s um,

o f mo n ey an d sw a llow e d th e i r r esen tm en t Mor e ov e r C h i a Li en t oo k

, .
,

Li tt le Pa o asi d e con sole d hi m w i th a f ew oun c es o f si lv er an d som e

,

words of con dolen ce an d prom i se d t o h elp h i m t o get a n oth er wi fe

, .

Th is pl ea se d the se rv an t Li tt l e Pa o qui t e w e ll a n d so the p a i n ful m a tt e r

,

w a s se tt l ed .

C H A P T E R 27
The w i ndy and ra m y m ood of a gloo m y a u tum n even i n g i nsp i r es B la c k
Ja d e w it h a n e le gy o n t h e w i n d a nd t h e ra i n T h e m a i d M a n d ari n D u c k
.

r eno un ces th e b lis s of a M a n da ri n D u c k u n i o n .

B L A CK J A DE A CCUST O M E D T O E X P E R IENCING A N A GG R A V ATI O N OF

W AS
he r old compl a i n t i n the s pri ng a n d a u t umn Duri n g th ese a u t um n d a y s
.
“

sh e w as t roubl e d more th a n u s u a lly w i t h h er f ev er s

i h s ympt oms a n d h er
b a d cough ; she h a d t o s ta y i n b ed oft en a n d seldom e me rg e d fr om th e
B amb oo H e rm i ta ge She s uff ere d grea t ly fromb e i n g a lo n e so much
.

a n d w as a lw a y s w a t c hi n g o ut lo n i n gly for
g t h e di s tr a c t i o n o f a vi si t
from an y of her cousin s B ut wh en t he lon ge d f or vi si t or ca m e she
. -

2 74
m a i d s do n ot t roubl e abou t m e a t a ll Th ey do mo t r eg a rd m e a s r ea lly
.
~

b elo n g i n g h e re a n d look upon m e as a st r an ge r wh om th e y o n ly serv e

,

un wi ll i n gly I doub t ve ry much i f I w i ll b e a llow e d t o h a v e t h e d a i ly t a

.

t i on of sw a llow s n ests a n d i ce s ug a r whi ch yo u t h i n k i s n e c e ss a ry

’
.

“ ”
C o n fi de i n m e ! I am i n th e s a m e po si t i o n a s you ar e s a i d Pre c i ou s ,

Cla sp .

B ut you h a v e st i ll g o t your mo th er and your bro t h er w h o i s old e r

“
.

th a n you Your f a m i ly st i ll po ssess a h ou se an d a p i e c e o f l a n d o f t h e i r

.

o wn ! You a r e n o t th r o wn upo n th e ch a r i t y o f st r a n ge r s ! If i t s u i t s you

you gan go a w a y a n y t i m e you li ke a n d l i ve o n your own prop e r t y B ut I .

h ave n o h om e ; I h a v e n o m ea n s t o dr ess a n d fee d my se lf N a t ur a lly .

,

un der these c i rcum st an c es I a m n o t fully a cc e p t e d by th e se rv a n t s a n d

”
ge t b ut li t t l e resp e c t Y o u a re i n a much b et t e r po s i t i o n t h a n I a m !
.

Well t t mor e do you n ee d for your fut ur e th a n a li t t l e bri d a l

,

? ”
j ewe lry It i s a pi t y th a t i t i s n o t yet t i me for th a t , sa i d Pr e c i ous
Cl a sp j oki n gly .

Bl a ck J a d e blush e d .

“
I con fid e my t roubl es t o yo u b ec a u se you seem so ki n dh e a rt e d an d ,
”
th en you mock m e ! T h a t i s n o t r i gh t sh e s a i d sm i li ng , .

“ ”
It w a s o n ly a j oke ! sa i d Pre c i ou s C l a sp ch eerf ull y a n d un co n , ,

“
cern e dly e xcu s i n g h e rse lf
, b ut p erh a p s t h e re w a s som e t ru th i n i t
, ,

w h o kn ow s ? In an y c ase h av e co n fid en c e i n m e ! Wh en an y t h in g w or
, ,

ri es you wh en you h a v e an y th i n g t o compl a in o f tell m e a bout i t an d

, , ,

I wi ll h elp you a s f ar a s i s i n my power B ut as for my bro th e r H s u eh .

,

P a n wh om you h a ve ju st m en ti o n e d w ell you kn ow yourse lf h o w much

, , ,

h e i s wort h an d h ow li tt le support I h av e from h i m ! O f course I a m i n

a s om e wh a t b ett e r po si t i o n t h an you a r e b e c a u s e I h a ve st i ll go t my
,

mo the r O n e ca n t a lk th i n gs ove r a n d s h a re o n e s j oy s an d s orrows wi th

.
’

her B u t t o m a k e up for t h at you h a v e i n t ell i g en ce Aft er a ll o u a r e

y
.
, , .
,

n o t a s i lly d a i rym a i d w h o c a nn o t h e lp h e r s elf a n

d on ly kn ow s h o w t o
s i g h You ca n ope n your mou t h t o m e w i th co n fid en c e
.
I w i ll t a lk t o .

my mot h er t omorrow a bou t t h e sw a llows n e st s ; I t h i n k sh e h as sti ll go t’

a s upply I w i ll s en d .
yo u a f ew ou n c es ; a n d o n e of my m a i d s w i ll pre
pa re th e d i sh for you eve ry da y ; yo u n ee d n o t t roubl e th e o th e r se rv a n ts
a t a ll B ut n o w I w i ll go You mu s t b e ex h a u s t e d ”
.
.
.

“
Com e b a ck i n the ev en i n g '”
Pr ec i ou s Cl as p prom i s e d t o do so a n d w en t a w a y Bl a ck J a d e p a r t oo k .

of a few mou th ful s of th i n r i c e s oup th en sh e st ret ch e d h erse lf o n h er

,

b e d a n d la y th e re i n a drea my s t a t e t h roug h ou t t h e lo n g r a y a u t um n
g
a f te rn oo n How gloomy i t w a s ou t s i d
e ! T h e sk
y h a d b e com e ov e rc ast ; a
.

fi ne dr i zzl e m a d e i t se em a lre a dy du s k How sa d t h e mo n o t on ou s dri p

.

p in g s oun d e d o n t he b amboo l e a v es i n fron t o f th e w i n dow ! Bl a ck J a d e

2 76
la y th ere for h ours an d w a i t e d i n v a i n fo r Prec i ous Cl a sp s r et urn She
’
.
,

w i ll n o t go o ut in th i s wea th er she sa i d t o h e rself , .

When d a rkn ess fell she h a d t he l amp s bro ught an d p i cke d a book a t
r a n dom from th e booksh elv es It w a s a coll ec ti o n o f w ell kn own p oem s
.
-

se t t o mu s i c O n t urn i n g ov e r th e p a g es sh e c a m e upo n h ea d in g s s uc h a s
.

“ ” “ ” ’
P a i n o f P a rt i n g a n d Au t umn S ufi eri n g i n th e M a i d en s C h a mb e r
a n d s uc h li k e T h ese e l e g i a c po em s s u i te d h e r mood a n d i n s p i r e d h er t o
.

co mpo se o n e o f her o wn wh i ch sh e c a lle d El e gy o n t h e W i n d a n d t he

“
,
”
R a i n Wr i tten S i t t i n g by t h e W i n dow o n a n Au t um n Ev en i n g .

Sh e h a d j us t fi n i she d h er lo n g po e m co n s i s t i n g o f t en seven word ,

-

coupl et s a n d h a d l a i n down a g a i n when P a o Y u wa s a n n oun ce d A n d

, , .

h e w a lke d st ra i g h t i n a bro a d r imm e d w ea th e r h a t o f pl a i t ed b as t o n

,
- -

h i s he a d a n d a w i d e clo a k m a d e o f r ee d s l i ke th o se worn by fi sh e rm en
, , ,

ov e r hi s clo th es .

“ ”
Oh w ha t ki n d o f fi sh erm a n i s th i s ! Bl a ck J a d e gr ee te d h i m l a ugh
, ,

D o yo u fee l b et te r t od a y ? H a ve yo u b ee n t a ki n g your m e d i c i n e
r egul a rly How i s your a ppe t i te
? ? ”
h e i n q u i red an x i ou sly , a s he la i d
a si d e h i s r a i n w e a r He t ook t h e l a mp in h i s r i g h t h a n d a n d h e ld i t clo se
-
.

t o Bl a ck J ad e s fa c e , s h a d i n g w i t h h i s l e f t h a n d th e s i d e n e a r e st h e r
’
.

“ ”
You look d i st i n c t ly b e tt e r t od a y h e d e cl a re d co n te n te dly a ft er a
,

sea rc h i n g i n s p e c t i o n dur i n g wh i ch Bl a ck J a d e o n her p a r t h ad b ee n

, , ,

ob se rv i n g h i m a l s o more clo se ly He wor e a sh or t re d d a m ask smock. ,

n o lo n g e r qu i t e n e w w hi c h w a s t i e d a rou n d th e h i p s w i th a gr e e n co t t o n
,

sa sh U n d e r th e s mock gr ee n s a t i n bre e c h e s e mbro i d e r e d w i t h flow er s

.
, ,

rea c h e d t o h i s kn ee s Th i ckly qu i lt e d st ock i n gs o f a wov en gold en m a te

.

r i a l cover e d h i s l e g s an d b ea u t i ful comfort a bl e sa t i n sl i ppe r s e m

, ,

bro i d e re d w i th flowe r s a n d bu tte rfl i e s en v elope d h i s fee t .

“
O n ly th e upp e r p a r t of y ou i s pro te c t e d from th e r a i n How i s i t th at .

? ”
i n S p i t e of t h i s y our st ock i n g s a n d sl i pp e rs a re cl e a n a n d dry a s ke d

Bl a ck J a d e .

“
O h o n th e w a y h er e I wore a p a i r o f s t ou t wood en r a i n sh o es m a d e
,
-

from t he wood of wi ld a ppl e t r ees I l e ft t hem ou ts i d e u n d e r th e proj ec t

.

”
i n g roof r epl i e d P a o Y u sm i l i n g
, , .

Whe r e th en di d yo u get th a t b ea ut i ful fi n e wea th e r h a t ? It i s so

, ,
-

l i g ht a n d pli a bl e n o t a t a ll t h e us u a l pr i ckly ki n d th a t o n e g ets in th e

,
”
mar ket i n qu i re d Bl a ck J a d e fur th e r
, .

“
All t hr ee a r ti cl es— t h e b a s t h a t th e ree d clo a k a n d th e wood en , ,

sh o e s — a r e pr es en t s from t h e Pr i n c e o f t h e Nor th e rn Qu i e t n e ss
”
Pao ,

Y u d ecl a re d proudly “ H e w ea rs th e s a m e ou tfi t h i m se lf i n bad w e a th e r

. .

D o you li k e i t ? If you do I sh a ll get th e sa m e ki n d o f co st um e for you

,
.

T h e r a in h a t i s th e mo s t v a lu a bl e of a ll T h e to p i s m a de of b a mboo p i t h
-
.

a n d i s r em o v a bl e On e ca n t a ke i t o u t an d sh a pe i t t o o n e s l i ki n g In ’
. .

2 77
wi n te r i n sn owy w ea th er o n e ca n t a ke i t o ut an d t urn b a ck th e r em a i n
, ,

i i i ?
in g w i d e bri m ov er a w a rm f ur ca p Pr c c l a t a s t n o t .Would you a ls o ,

? ”
l i ke t o h a v e a r a i n h a t l i k e th a t
-

“
N 0 th a n k you ! I would n o t li ke t o go a bout dr esse d up l i ke a fi sh er
,

wom an o n t h e st a ge .

S h e st opp e d sh or t a n d a h o t flu sh s pr ea d ove r h er f a c e T o o l a t e i t .

occurre d t o h er t h a t sh e h a d j u st n o w gr e et e d P a o Y u as a fi sh erm a n .

P a o Y u t ook n o n o t i c e of h er emb a rr a ssm en t w h i c h sh e t ri e d t o h i d e by

'

con vuls i ve coughi n g He h a d foun d o n th e t a bl e th e p o em sh e h a d j u st

.

fin i she d a n d w a s r ea d i n g i t th rough e a ge rly

,
.

“ ”
Splen d i d ! h e excl a im e d i n volun t a r i ly .

In a s e co n d sh e h a d gr a bb e d t h e sh eet o f p a p er a n d b urn e d i t ov er
th e l a mp .

“ ” ”
Too l a t e ! h e l a ugh e d I kn ow i t by h ea rt a lr ea dy !
.

”
I sh ould l i ke t o sl ee p n o w Pl ea se go a w a y ! sh e sa i d
. .

He t urn e d up th e l a p el of h i s co a t a n d t ook o u t a gold pock et w a t ch

th e s i z e of a w a ln u t Th e h a nds a lr ea dy p o m t e d t o t h e h our o f t h e bo a r
.
,

t h e t en th h our .

“
You a re r i gh t It i s h i gh t i m e for yo u t o go t o b e d You mu st b e
. . .

”
worn o ut .

He qu i ckly p ut o n h i s r a i n w e a r a n d t ook h i s l ea v e A t t h e door h e .

t ur n e d a roun d o n c e mor e
“
H a ve you a wi sh for an y th i n g s p e c i a l t o
.

? ”
e a t t omorrow h e a s k e d If s o I w i ll t ell th e o l d T a i ta i Y o u ca n r ely
.
, .

o n m e mor e th a n o n t h o s e old wom en .

“
G i ve m e t im e u n t i l th e mor n i n g P e rh a p s I sh a ll th i n k o f s om e th i ng
.

n i c e dur i n g t h e n i g h t B u t n o w h urry up ! Se e h o w i t s pouri n g ou t s i d e !

’
.

”
H a ve you a n yo n e t o a ccomp a n y you ?
“ ”
W e a re h e re an swere d tw o se rv i n g wom en w h o were i n th e act o f
, ,

Open i n g a h uge umbr ell a a n d l i gh ti n g a pol e l a n t e rn ou t si d e th e door .

“
You t h i n k of l i ght i n g a l a n t ern i n t h i s w ea th e r ? It w i ll s oon b e
”
s o a k e d th rough a n d go o ut s a i d Bl a ck J a d e .
,
“ ’
It s a h orn l a n t ern m a d e of a r a m s h orn a n d i t s r a i n proof
,
’
,
’
.

Bl a ck J a d e t ook a gl a ss l a n te rn from th e booksh e lf go t h er w a i t i n g ,

m a i d t o p u t a l i ght e d w a x c a n dl e i n t o i t an d h a n d e d i t t o P a o Y u ,
.

“
Ple a se t a ke th i s gl a ss o n e i n stea d It i s bri gh t e r th an your dull h orn
.
,
”
a n d i t a ls o i s r a i n proof .
s

No t h an k you I h a v e a gl a ss o n e l i ke th a t my se lf b ut I w a s a fr a i d
, , ,

t h a t t h e b e a r e r s m i gh t sl i p o n t h e s l i pp ery d a mp p a th a n d br ea k t h e
a . h
l mp T t i s w h y I di d n o t u s e i t
a
”
.

“
Do t a ke t h i s o n e ! B e tter for t h e l a mp t o b e broken th a n for you t o
s l i p i n t h e d ark a n d b e h ur t You a re n o t u s e d t o t h o s e a wkw a rd wood en
.

s h o e s H a v e t he h or n l a n t e rn c a rr i e d i n fro n t a n
.
d t a ke th e gl a ss o n e i n
your h a n d yourse lf ! Y o u can sen d i t b a ck t omorrow ”
.

2 78
 The x t morn i n g P h o en i x w a s s ummo n e d t o Pri n c ess S hi eh After a
ne .

h urr i ed t o i l et sh e w en t 0 3 m h e r c a rr i a g e t o h er mo th e r 1 n l a w T h e - -
.

Pr i n c ess first sen t h era t t en d a n ts a w a y t h en sh e st a r te d m a lo w an d ,

“
con fid en t i a l t o n e I n ee d your a dv i ce m a s om e wh a t d el i c ate m a t te r
.
.

My h usb an d h a s c a st hi s e y es o n th e old Ta t t a i 5 f a vor i t e w a i t i n g m a i d ’

,

M a n d a r i n Duck H e Would l i ke t o m a ke h er hi s si d e ch am b e r a n d h a s ‘ ’
.

a sk e d m e t o u n d er t a k et h e n e c e ss a ry s t e p s w i th t h e o l d T a i t a i In i ts elf .
,

th e m a t t er i s n o t of so much i mpor ta n c e b ut I r a th e r doub t w h e t h e r th e ,

old Ta i ta i w i ll g i ve up M an d a r in D uck I do n o t qu i t e kn ow wh a t a t .

? ”
t i t u de I s h ould t a ke W h a t would yo u a dv i se
.

“
I t i s a t i ckl i sh ord er an d you w i ll r un your he a d a g a i n st a n a i l i n
'

” “
c a rry i n g i t o u t r epl i e d P h o en i x prom pt ly Th e o l d T a i t a i w i ll lo se
,
.

h er a pp et i te compl e t e ly i f sh e i s s ep a r a t e d from M a n d a r i n D uck w h o i s ,

i n d i s p en sa bl e t o h er Mor eov e r th e old T a i ta i h a s sa i d o f t en t h a t your

.
,
.

h u sb a n d i s r e a lly t o o old n o w t o h a v e a si d e ch a mb er t o th e l e ft a n d a
‘ ’
-

‘
si d e ch a mb e r t o t h e r i g h t
-
Th i s c a u se s h i m t o n e gl e c t th e m an a gem en t
.
’

of t h e p a l a c e an d b esi d es t h i s m e rry l i fe of pl ea s ur e i s n o t b en efic i a l t o

, ,

h i s h e a l th i n h er op i n i o n You ca n se e from t h i s t h a t t h e old Ta i ta i i s

‘ ‘

.
,

n o t ov erly pl ea s e d by your h u sb a n d s w a y s H e woul d do b e t t e r to get

’
.

w ell o u t of th e t i g er s w a y r a th er t h an t o t i ckl e i t s nose w i th a bl a d e o f

’
,
‘

gr ass j ust n o w Do n o t b e an gry w i th m e b ut you c an n o t coun t o n m e

.
, _

i n t h i s m a tt er I co n s i d er i t wou ld b e u s e l e s s for m e t o i n t e rc e d e Your “

. .

h u sb a n d i s n o lo n g er a you n g fellow h e h a s c h i ldren a n d gr an dc h i ldr en ,

.

Wh a t would th e p e opl e t hi n k ? It would g i ve r i se t o n i c e go ssi p ; yo u

.

”
sh o u ld br i n g h i m t o re a s o n a n d t a lk h i m o u t of h i s i n t en t i o n s .

T h e Pr i n c e ss di d n o t see m ve ry pl e a s e d a t h er word s .

“
O th er a r i st ocr a t i c g en t l em en can kee p t h r e e si d e ch a mb e r s an d ‘ ’

”
four co n cub i n es a n d I S my h u sb an d n o t t o b e a llow ed t h i s sh e a ske d
,
?

wi th a fro st y sm i l e If I t r i e d to d i ss u a d e h i m I would b e u n l i ke ly t o
'

.
,

m ake a n y i mpressi o n on h i m You kn ow h o w ob st i n a t e a n d i r a sc i bl e

'

h e i s W h o i s a sk i n g you i n a n y c a s e t o i n t erce d e w i th t h e old T a i ta i ?

“

.
, ,

I sh a ll go t o h er m yself of course I m er ely wi sh e d t o a sk your a dv i ce

, . .

A s f a r a s M a n d a r i n Duck h er se lf i s co n ce rn e d i f s h e w e r e t h e o ld T a i ,
'

’
ta i s f a vor i t e w a i t i n g m a i d t en t i m es ov e r sh e would h a rdly d e cl i n e s uch
,
”
a n a dv an t a g eou s m a t c h .

Ph o en i x co n si d ere d i t a dv i sab le t o g i v e i n Sh e kn ew t h a t p a rt ly f or
.
. .
“

t h e s a k e o f pe a c e an d p a r t ly o u t of cu n n i n g t h e Pr i n c e ss di d n o t d ar e
'

, .
,

t o oppo s e h e r h u sb a n d i n a n wa
y y For as t h e w i fe of th e f a m i ly Eld er
.
, ,

o n w h om t h e bu s i n es s m a n a g em en t of t h e e st at e d evolv e d a n d t hr oug h

wh o se h a n d s a ll i n com e an d ou t l a y w en t sh e kn ew h o w t o m a ke a good ,

t h i n g of i t a n d t o fe a th e r h er o wn n e s t u n d e r t he pr e t ex t t h a t h er h u s

b a n d w a s som ew h a t ex t r a v a g an t In v i ew o f such i mport a n t a d van t a ge s

.

i t would n a t ur a lly n o t occur t o h er t o a nn oy h er h u sb a n d Pre s um ab ly .

280
s om e p ers o n a l profi t w a s the mo t i ve o f h er a t t i t ud e i n th i s m a t te r t od a y
a l s o 5 0 P h o en i x i mm e d i a t ely a l t e r e d her op i n i o n an d pr e t en d e d t o b e
.

i n full a gr ee m en t .

“
Y o u a re qu i t e r i g h t ; i n my you th ful i n expe ri en c e I h a d n o t th oug h t
o f t ha t a t s a i d s k i llfully c h a n g i n g h e r course
,
T he o ld Ta i .

ta i s r em a rks a bou t your h u s b a nd w h i ch I m en t i o n e d j us t n o w I o n ly

’
, ,

kn ow from h ea r sa y o f cour se It w as re a lly t o o si mpl e o f m e t o ta ke

, .

s uc h fool i sh ta lk ser i ou s ly P a r e n t s of t en t a lk l i ke th a t i n an g e r wh en
.

t he i r c h i l dr en do s om et h i n g wro n g a n d v e ry qu i ckly m a ke a h a rsh

,

j udgm en t a n d t h re a ten t o b ea t th e m t o d ea th B ut a s s oo n a s th e y see .

t h ei r c h i ldr en a ga i n p a re n t a l lov e co n qu e r s a n d th e fir s t a n g e r blow s

, ,

ove r W h y sh ould n o t t he o ld Ta i ta i fa ll m w i t h th e h a rml ess wi sh o f

.

h er s o n an d g i ve h i m a w a i t i n g m a i d t o w h om h e h a s t a k en s uc h a
fan cy ? W e sh o uld ge t t o work a t o n c e Luck i ly t he o ld Ta i ta i i s i n a .
,

good h umor t od a y S h a ll I go o n i n a dv a n c e a n d prep a re th e groun d

.

for you Th en w hen you com e a lon g I w i ll see t h at t he o th e r pe opl e

?
,

t h e r e cl e a r o ff l e a v in g yo u t o d i s cu s s e v e ry th i n g a lo n e a n d u n d i s t urb e d
,
”
w i th th e o ld Ta i ta i .

T h e Pr i n c e ss w a s v i s i bly pl ea se d a t h er a l t e r e d a t t i t ud e .

“
V e ry w ell go o n a h ea d b u t do n o t m en t i o n a n y th i n g to th e o ld T a i
.
, ,

ta i ye t ! W e mu s t g en t ly w i n h e r ov e r by i n d i r e c t m ea n s t h roug h M a n
d a r in Duck he rself B ut fir st le t us ge t t o work o n M a n d a r i n D uck ! She
.

w i ll prob a bly r es i st a n d b e b a sh ful a n d co y i n t he b eg i n n i n g ; I sh a ll do

’
my p a r t l a te r to d i sp e l he r doub ts O n c e w e h a v e M a n d a r i n Duck 5 co n
.

s en t t h e old T a i t a
, i w i ll n o t re s i s t e i t h e r re m emb er i n g th e old rul e :
,
‘
N ever kee p a n yo n e w h o w a n ts t o l ea ve .
’

“ ”
Spl en d i d ! Th o se a re t h e r i g h t t a c t i c s ! a gree d P h oe n i x e a ge rly .

M a n d a r i n Duck w i ll c e r t a i n ly c o ope r a t e I n d e e d sh e would b e u tt e rly

-
.
,

s t up i d i f sh e w e r e t o r e fu s e s uc h a n oppor t u n i t y w h i c h would r a i se h e r ,

from t h e po s i t i o n of a se rv a n t a lm o st t o th a t o f a m i st r ess a n d w i sh t o ,

r em a i n i n s erv i c e i n ste a d w i t h th e pro s pe c t of b e com i n g a t s om e f ut ur e

,
”
t i m e t h e w i fe of a fe llow s e rv a n t .

“
Qu i te r i gh t ! C er t a i n ly sh e ca n o n ly co n gr a t ul a te h er se lf o n t hi s
m a t ch S o go o n a h e a d a n d s p e a k t o h e r ! I sh a ll t a ke my brea kfa s t
'

”
qu i ckly a n d follow you i mm e d i a t e ly .

T h e cl ev e r Ph o e n i x h a d i n th e m e a n t i m e th ough t o f s om eth i n g el s e .

Sh e w a s n o t a t a ll so c e rt a i n t h a t M an d a r i n D uck would b e am e n a bl e .

If I fa i l t o w i n ove r M a n d a r i n Duck t h e Pr i n c e ss w i ll prob a bly bl a m e

,

m e a n d r e pro a c h m e a ft e rw a rd s s he t h ough t t o h e rs elf B e tt er for u s t o

, .

go t og eth e r Th en I sh all b e free of th e r e spo n s i b i l i t y of a n y po ss i bl e

.

f a i lure .

“
Au n t C h eng sen t m e tw o b a sk e ts of fre sh ly b a ke d qu a i l s for th e
bre a kf a s t t a ble a l i tt l e wh i l e a go ; I w as a bou t t o s et ha lf of t h e m a si d e

28 1
for you i n a n y c ase sh e s a i d sm ilin g B es i des th e h em o f your se d an
,
. ,

c h a i r curt a in i s t orn I ch a n ce d t o h ea r yo u r be ar e rs t a lki n g ab out i t

.

j u st n ow as I w as comi n g th rough th e m ai n g at ew a y Th e y w e r e c a rry .

in g i t a w a y t o h a ve i t r ep a i re d Would i t n ot b e b est i f yo u com e wi t h

.

m e n o w i n my c a rr i a g e ; w e could h a v e br e a kf ast t og eth e r a n d th en go ,

o n t o t h e old T a i ta i .

Th e Pri n cess saw t h e po i n t o f h er s ugg est i o n ; sh e dr esse d qu i ckly

a n d go t i n t o th e c a rr i a g e w i t h h er F i n a lly Ph o en i x w a s cun n i n gly a bl e
.
,

t o a rr a n g e t h at t h e Pri n c e s s sh ould go o n a lo n e t o th e o l d T a i ta i an d
t h a t she sh ould follow h er l a t e r Acco rd i n gly t h e Pri n c e ss w en t o ff t o
.
,

t h e A n c est re s s exc h a n g e d a f ew co n v en t i o n a l word s w i th h er a n d l e ft

, ,

h er s oo n a g a in o n th e pret ex t t h a t sh e w a n ted t o v i si t M a d a m e C h en g ;
i n r ea l i t y h ow ev e r sh e s l i pp e d off t o t h e room o f th e m a i d M a n d a ri n
, , ,

Duck M a n d a ri n Duck w a s j u st si tt i n g t here do i n g n ee dl ework W h en

. .

t h e Pr i n c ess a ppe ar e d sh e ro s e pol i t e ly .

“
O h wh a t a lovely p i e c e of e mbro i d ery you are do i n g ! Pl e a se let m e
,
” ’
s ee i t ! sa i d t h e Pr i n c e ss A n d sh et ook t h e em b ro i d e ry o u t of t h e gi rl s
.

h a n d e x a m i n e d i t for a w h i l e w i th excl a m a t i on s o f d e l i gh t an d re
, ,

t urn e d i t t o h er a g a i n T h e n sh e s ubm i tt e d t h e youn g g i rl t o a s ea rch i n g

.

i n s p e c t i o n n o t i n g th e f a c t th a t sh e w a s w ea r i n g a s i lk t un i c o f p a l e
,

v i ol et— th e color of lo t u s root— an d w a t e r gr een t r ou se rs a n d th a t sh e -

h a d a supple w a sp w a i st rou n d g en t ly s lop i n g sh ould ers a n a rr ow f a c e

, , ,

ov a l a s a duck s e gg h a i r th a t sh o n e l i k e l a cqu e r a sm a ll fi n e ly a rch e d

’
, ,

n o s e a n d a de li ca t e m o le o n e a c h c h ee k M a n d a r i n D uck fe l t s om ewh a t
, .
,

un pl e a s an t ly surpr i se d a t th e clo se i n sp ec t i on a n d co n j ect ur e d a t o n c e

t h a t t h e r e mu st b e s om e t h i n g s p e c i a l b eh i n d i t .

“ ? ”
Wh a t bri n gs t he T a i ta i h er e a t s uch a n ea rly h our i n t he morn i n g
sh e a s k e d w i t h a s m i l e
, .

T h e Pr i n c ess le t h er r et i n u e u n de r st an d by a gl an c e th a t sh e wi sh e d
t o b e a lo n e wh e r e upo n t h e a t t en d a n t s w en t a w a y T h en sh e s a t down
, .

a n d t ook M a n d a r i n Duck by t h e h a n d i n a fr i en d y w a
l ” y .

I h a v e com e h er e s p e c i a lly t o co n gr a t ul a t e you .

M a n d a r i n Duck th ough t sh e could gu e ss up t o t h r ee t en th s o f wh at i t -

w a s a ll a bou t Sh e bow e d h er h ea d blu sh e d a n d r e m a i n e d si l e n t

.
, ,
.

“
My h u sb a n d h a s r egr ette d for a lo n g t i me p a st t h a t h e h a s n o o n e
t he Pri n
”
i n h i s p e rm a n en t en v i ro n m en t o n w h om h e ca n r ea lly rely ,
“
c ess co n t i n u e d It i s r e pugnan t t o h i m t o ob t a i n wh a t h e w a n t s i n th e
.

us u a l w a y th roug h a professi o n a l n e go t i a t or for mon e y He h a s a , .

pr ej ud i ce a g a i n st wh a t o n e g et s th rough s uch n e go t i a t or s an d h e t h i n ks ,

t h a t a s t r an g e gi rl bough t i n t h i s w a y m i g h t d i s a ppo i n t l a t e r through

‘

t h i s o r t h a t ph y si c a l or o th e r d e fe c t a n d r e v ea l a ll k i n d s of b a d m an
n e r s a n d se duc t i v e mo n k e y t r i ck s a f t e r tw o or t h r ee d a y s Now f or t h e .
,

p a st si x mon ths h e h as b een d i sp a ssi o n a t ely ob se rv i n g o ur gi rl s he re ,

282
a ble di sh es t o go w i t h them ! Wh i l e t h e Pr i n c e ss 1 5 w i th m e you n ee d n o
com e i n ; you can go i nt o th e p a rk f or th e t i me b ei n g ! Come b ack a g a in
“

”
when she 18 go n e !
Li tt le P i n g c a rr i e d o ut h e r ord er s i n th e k i t ch en a n d th ensh e w en t ,

for a w a lk m t h e g a rd en The r e sh e m et M a n d a r i n Duck Wh en th e

. .

Pr i n c ess h a d l eft her M an d a ri n Duck h a d t h oug h t i t w i sest t o m a k e her

,
“
s elf i n v i s i bl e for a t i m e If th e o ld Ta i ta i sh ould a sk for m e say I am
. ,

”
i ll ! sh e s a i d t o h er comp a n i o n Amb e r an d th e n sh e d i s a pp ea r e d i n t o
, ,

t h e p a rk .

A h h ere com es th e n ew a un t ! sh e h ea rd h er self j oki n g

“ ”
,
ly c a ll e d by
Li ttl e P i n g .

“
A re you t a k i n g p a r t i n t h e co n sp i r a cy a g a i n s t m e w i th your m i s
? ”
t r ess r epl i e d M an d a r i n Duck fl u sh i n g an gr i ly ,
.

Li t tl e P i n g regr ett e d h er th ough t l e ss j oke a n d sm i l i n g drew th e , ,

o th er o v er t o a l e dg e of rock u n d e r a pl an e t r ee an d a ssur e d h er th a t
’

P h o en i x w a s n o t t a ki n g p a r t i n th e co n sp i r a cy a t all b u t o n t h e co n ,

t ra ry w a s o n h er s i d e M a n d a r i n D uck h e r ch e e ks re d w i th e xc i t e m en t
, .
, ,

r epl i ed : Wi th G o ld R i n g dea d w e a re b a r e ly a doz en w a i ti n g m a i d s

“
,

h ere n o w — P e a rl Amb e r Gr a y Cloud Br i gh t Clo ud Cuckoo N e p h r i t e

, , , , ,

B a n gl e Mu s k Blu e In k L i tt l e Cloud s m a i d Blu e T h re a d you a n d m y

, , ,
’
, ,
'

s elf Form erly w e a lw a y s t old o n e a n o t h e r e v e ry t h i n g a n d co n fid e d i n

.

o n e a n o t h e r R e c en t ly a ll you o t h er s go your o w n w a
.
y o n ly I k ee p t o ,

t h e old w a y s a n d st i ck t o th e rul e o f co n fi di n
g i n yo u w h en th er e i s
s om e th i n g s p ec i a l o n A n d s o I w i ll a l s o n o w co n fid e t o you my s ol em n
.

d ec i s i o n : Qu i t e a p a r t from th e f a c t t h a t Pr i n c e S hi eh n o w w i sh es t o
m a ke m e h i s s e con d a ry w i fe w i th ou t mor e a do a n d e v en i f h e w i sh e d ,

t o m a k e m e h i s c h i ef w i fe 1 n c a se of t h e d ea th o f t h e Pr i n c e ss a n d e v en ,

i f h e w er e t o s ubm i t h i s o ff e r o f m a rr i a g e a ccord i n g t o a ll th e rul e s of

good form th rough t h ree n e go t i a t or s a n d th e sen d in g of th e six ki n d s
of br i d a l g i ft s n ever the l ess I would n o t co n s i d er i t !
,

W h y w h a t k i n d of secr e t d i scu ssi o n s are go i n g o n h e r e

,
? ”
a v 0 1 ce

blu rt e d o u t from b eh i n d th e t ru n k o f t h e pl a n e t r ee a n d P ea rl w h o ha d , ,

s l i pp e d a lo n g u n n o t i c e d s a t down l a ug h i n g b e s i d e t h e t w o o th e r s o n
,

t h e rock L i tt l e P i n g expl a i n e d m a t t e r s br i e fly t o P e a rl

.
.

“ ”
W ha t a n old l i b er t i n e ! s a i d P e a rl d i sa pprovi n gly O f cour se h e , .

h a s n o mor e pro sp e c t s w i th wom en of h i s o w n st a t i o n so t h a t s w h yh e ,

’

”
do es i t t h i s w a y .

“
I kn ow h ow you could fo i l h i m i n h i s proj e c t s a i d Li t tl e P i n g ,
.

? ”
How t h en a ske d M an d a ri n D uck cur i ou sly .

S i mply t e ll t he old T a i ta i th a t you h a ve a lr ea dy g i v en yourself t o

”
. h
Mr C i a L i en ! T h e fa th er c a nn o t v e ry w ell t a k e h i s s o n s s w ee th e a rt ’
.

M a n d a r i n Duck t ook h er s u ggest 1 o n wh i ch w a s m e a n t a s a j oke ex

\ ,
“
o u h a v e seen o n
tre m ely b a dly
t
” “
Y o u st up i d th i n g ! sh e h i ss e l
Y y
d
. .

2 84
r ec ent ly ho w M a dam e P h oen i x r a ge d wh en sh e c a ught h er h us b an d
wi th Li tt le Pa o s w i fe I would on ly ex p o se my self t o the gr eat est un
’
.

”
plea s a n tn ess .

“
I h a ve a b etter suggest i on i n t erj ec t ed Pe a rl l a u gh in g Say t o th e
, ,
.

o l d T a i ta i th a t sh e sh ould ma ke th e Pri n c e b eli ev e t h a t s h e h as a lr e a dy

”
prom i se d you to my li tt le m as t e r The Pri n c e wi ll h a v e a fi t !
.

“
Fi e you t w o de pr a ve d crea t ur es t o m a k e g a m e o f m e i n my p re
, ,

di ca m en t a n d re p a y my co n fiden c e wi th mocke ry ! w a i l e d M a n d a ri n
”

Duck ove rcom e w i th a ng e r an d sh a me

, .

“
Do n o t t a ke i t so b a dl y d ea r si ster ! sa i d th e tw o t ry i n g t o c a lm
”
, ,
“
her W e w ere g etti n g o n so we ll t o g eth e r A l i t t l e j oke l i ke th a t amo n g
. .

good fr i en d s i s no t rea lly so wi cke d B ut se r i ou s ly wh a t a re y ou thi n k

.
, ,

? ”
i n g of do i n g
“
I m n o t t hink i n g o f do in g an yt hi n g at all ! I a m j u s t n
’
o t go i n g t o
”
a ppea r ! Th a t wi ll b e en oug h !

Li tt le P i n g sh ook h er hea d dOub tf ulIy .

“
Tha t won t he lp you much The Prin ce i s a st ubborn pe r s on an d
’
.

wi ll n o t g i ve w ay If he does n o t s uccee d no w th en i t w i ll b e l at er o n
.
,
.

T h e o ld T a i ta i w i ll n o t li ve forev e r an d can n o t pro t e ct yo u your wh ol e

,

li fe lo n g Wh en she i s d ea d he wi ll ta ke possess i on of yo u by force Th a t

. .

would b e st i ll worse whe re as n ow the m a tt e r would stil l h a v e so me for

,
”
m a li t y a t l ea st .

“
Psh a w ! He woul d n o t succ ee d so qu i c kly F i rst o f all a s her so n h e .
, ,

would h a v e to do th e th r ee y ea rs mo u rn in g a n d dur i n g t h a t ti m e would

’

h a ve t o p ut a ll th ough t s o f m a rri ag e o ut o f h i s h e ad M ean w h i le I would .

ga in t i m e to kn ow wha t to do If t he worst com es t o t h e worst I wi ll cut

.

”
o ff my h a i r an d o i n t o a co n v en t
g .

“ ”
You h a ve cour a g e ! the t w o comp an i on s si gh e d a dm rn n gly .

” “
I wi ll t a ke a ch an c e ! de cla re d M an d ar i n Duck firmly The Pri n .

c ess i n te n d s t o a pply to my p a r en ts a s sh e sa i d j u st n o w My p a ren ts

, .

l i ve i n th e sou the rn c a p i t a l H a h a ! She can b e looki n g f or th em t here

.
-

”
for a lo n g t i me !
“ '

B ut the y are no t lo st t o th e world A s f a r as I kn ow th e y a re st e w .

”
a rds o f a h ouse th e re
; the y w i ll fi n d t h e m a ll ri gh t obj ec t e d Li tt l e , ,

P i n g Be s i de s yo u ha v e your e ld er bro th e r
.
,

h e re i n th e n ei gh bo rh oo d Th e y ca n t urn t o th em t o o It i s
. .

y o u w e r e bo rn an d gre w up h e r e 1 n t h e h ou se a n d are t h e re for e n o t s o ,

free as w e a re w ho o n ly c a me to b e lo n g t o i t l a te r
, .

“
Ha t h a t m a kes n o i ff e ren c e t o m e ! Th e s t ubborn o x c an n o t b e
,
d
m a de t o
“ '

Be qu i et here comes your si ste r i n la w ! sa i d P e a rl i n ter rupt in g

,
”
- -
,

h er t a lk .

“
The y ha ve sen t the ri ght perso n ! Th a t i s j us t a s u i t a bl e e rran d for
 r ch e d your neck th i s w a y an d th a t w a y an d ran her e and there
s t et

s ea rc hi n g des era telyé— i t w a s t o o fun n y ! F i n a lly I c h o se your o wn n ook

p
”
h er e t o h i d e i n .

“
Let u s look a rou n d qu i ckly ! P erh a p s s om e o n e el s e w i ll s udd en ly
’’
e m erg e sa i d L i t t le P i n g i n j ok e
, .

“
So n o w he t o o h a s sp i e d o n us successfully sa i d M an d ari n Duck , ,

s t r e t c h i n g h e rs e lf o ut o n th e rock an d ya wn 1 n g P a o Y u sh ook h er t o .

m a ke h er si t up .

“
You w i ll get cold o n th e b ar e st o n e B et te r com e i n wi th m e It wi ll . .

b e mor e comfort a bl e an d you can r efr esh your se lf wi th a bowl of t ea

,
.

A n d th e four of t hem w en t o ff t o th e B e go n i a Cour t y a rd .

M ean t i m e Pri n c ess S hi eh h a d go t i n form a t i o n from P h o en i x a b ou t

’
M an d a ri n Duck s fa m i ly an d le a rn e d th a t th e p a r en t s h a d a po si ti on a s
h ou se st ew a rd s i n t h e s ou t h e rn c a p i tal a n d t h a t i t would n o t b e ea s y t o
ge t h old o f t hem b ut t h a t o n t h e o t h e r h an d a n e ld e r bro th e r a n d h i s
,

w i fe we re wi th i n r ea ch a t a n y t i m e for bo th of th e m w e r e i n t h e s e rv i c e ,

o f t h e A n c est r ess Th e bro t h e r w h o se n a m e w a s W en H si a n g w a s a

.
, ,

buy e r an d hi s w i fe w a s ch i e f l a un dr ess T he Pr i n c ess h a d h a d th e wi fe

, .

c a lle d a t on c e a n d h a d sen t h er t o i mport u n e a n d h a r a n gu e t h e o b sti

n a t e M an d a ri n Duck w i th th e un for t u n a t e r es ul t s a lr e a dy r e por t e d
, .

“
She a bu s e d m e u sin g e xpr ess i o n s w h i c h I c a n n o t r e p e a t b e for e t h e
,
”
T a i ta i a n d P e arl t o o a t t a cke d m e t h e si st er i n la w compl a i n e d a s sh e
, ,
- -

report e d t o th e Pr i n c ess t he r ebuff sh e h a d r e c e i v e d B e c a u se P h o en i x .

w a s pr es en t sh e di d n o t d a re t o m en t i o n t h a t L i tt l e P i n g a l s o h a d a t
“
ta cke d h er T h e old m a s te r sh ould look a roun d for a n o t h e r wom a n
. .

”
Th a t n a st y fem a le would on ly br i n g h i m th e gr ea t es t un h a pp i n ess .

“
How di d P ea rl kn ow a bou t th e busi n ess ? W a s an yon e e ls e pr es
? ”
ent a s k e d t h e Pr i n c es s s us p i c i ous ly , .

“ ”
Y e s L i tt l e P i n g
, .

? ”
Li tt l e P i n g W h at w a s sh e do i n g th e r e i n t erj e ct e d Ph o en i x fei gn
?
,
“
i n g i g n or a n c e D i d sh e a l s o t a ke si d es a g a i n st you ? You sh ould h a v e
.

gi v en h er a box o n t he ea r t h e d ese r te r ! I h a ve b een lookin g for h er

,

h a lf t h e da y .

’
I do n t me a n t h a t sh e w a s a c t u a lly pr es en t I sa w h er from a di s .

t a n c e a n d I m a y h a v e m a d e a m i st a k e
, s a i d t h e o th e r e mb a rr a s se d , , ,

t ry i n g t o corr e c t h e r se lf Sh e di d n o t w a n t t o i n cur t h e d i s fa vor o f t h e

.

dr e a de d Ph o en i x H a pp i ly i t e s c a p ed Pr i n c ess S hi eh th a t P h oen i x h a d
.
,

b een pl a y i n g a double ga m e .

When sh e t old h er h u sb a n d i n th e e v e n i n g of t h e fa i lur e of h er m i s

s i o n Pr i n c e S h i eh sen t for h i s so n C h i a L i en
, .

"
Go t o t h e s ou t he rn c a p i t a l a n d b ri n g old C h i n Ts a i M a n d a r in ,
”
Duck fa the r h ere t o m e ! h e orde re d Som ebody ca n s ure ly b e “
’
s , .

foun d t o h old h i s jo b for hi m 1 n the m ea n t i m e .

288
 C hi a Li en fel t li ttl e d esi re for thi s j ourn ey an d t i e d by every po i bl e r ss

e xcu se t o ge t o ut of th e r equ est .

“
T h e j ourn e y w i ll b e u se l ess Accord i n g t o rec e n t n e w s old C h i n T s a i
.

” “
h a s b ee n dy i n g of co n s ump t i o n for s om e t i m e h e l i e d H i s coffi n h a s , .

'

b een r ea dy for a lo n g w hi l e P e r h a p s he h a s d i ed a lre a dy A n d o n e ca n

. .

n o t do muc h w i t h t h e mo th e r sh e i s d ea f ,
”
G e t o ut of my s i g h t yo u i ll bre d j a i lb i rd s br a t ! t h e Pr i n c e i n t er
’
-

r up t e d h i m a n gri ly a n d sh ow e d h i m th e door T he n he h a d M a n d a r i n
, .

’
Duck s bro t he r brough t i n B ut t h e n ex t morn i n g t he bro t h er ha d t o
.

r epor t fa i lur e t o h i s m a ster M a n d a r i n Duck ha d de fi n i t e ly r e fu se d T he

. .

Pri n c e r a ge d .

“
I kn ow i t h as b ee n l i ke t h a t si n c e a nc i e nt t i m es ; wom en pr e fer th e
,
” “
yo un g t o th e old h e com pl a i ned Prob a bly sh e h a s desi gn s o n my so n
, .

o r o n P a o Y u B ut sh e mu s t g i v e up a n y s uc h i d e a s
. I would l i ke to .

kn ow w ha t r a s c a l h e r e would h a ve t he i mpud en c e t o w a n t h e r a ft e r I
h a v e s t r et c h e d o ut my h a n d f o r h er A n d i f sh e t h i n k s sh e could m a rry .

ou t si d e th e h ou se w i t h t he he lp o f th e old Ta i ta i sh e sh ould thi n k tw i c e ,

a bou t i t W h o e v e r s h e m a rr i es sh e re m a i n s w i t h i n my r e a c h U n l es s s h e
.
,
.

pr e fe rs d ea t h o r a co n v en t I wi ll st i ll forc e h er i f n o t by f a i r me a n s
, , ,

t h en by foul S h e would do b e t t e r t o c h a n g e h er ob s t i n a t e m i n d a n d
.

a gree C o a n d t e ll h e r t h a t ! A n d t a k e c a r e n o t t o t ell m e l i es To m a k e
. .

s ure I Wi ll ge t my wi fe t o s p ea k t o h e r a g a in
,
I f yo u come b a ck to m e .

”
w i th a No a n d my w i fe br i ng s a Y e s I w a rn you t o m i n d your skull
‘ ’ ‘
,
’
.

W e n H si a n g promi se d t o do h i s b e st w e n t to h is s i st er a n d re p ea t ed , ,

th e Pr i n c e s word s t o h e r M a n d a r i n D uc k w a s s p e e c h l e ss a t fi rs t at th e
’
.
.

t h r e a t B ut a f t e r a mom en t she h a d pull e d h e rs e lf t og et h e r

‘

. .

“
V e ry we ll I wi ll g i ve i n an d w i ll go to th e o ld Ta i ta i a t o n c e t o i n
,

form h er o f my d ec i si on a n d your w i fe sh a ll a ccomp a n y m e the r e she

,

d e cl a r e d firmly .

Pl e a se d a t her a pp a r ent c h a n ge of m i n d th e bro t he r fet c h e d h i s w i fe , ,

a n d s o M a n d a r i n D uck a ccomp a n i e d by h e r s i s t e r i n la w w en t t o t h e
,
- -

A n ce st r ess s a p a rt m en ts Sh e fou n d the old T a i ta i i n t h e m i d s t of a b i g

’
.

fa m i ly c i rcl e : M a d a m e C h en g Au n t H s u eh W i do w C h u P h oe n i x P a o
, , , ,

Y u Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p a n d th e th re e Spr i n g g i rls w e r e pre s e n t a s w e ll a s a

, , ,

s w a rm of w a i ti n g m a i d s a n d s ervi n g wom en a n d se v e r a l w i v e s of t h e

m a j ordomo Pr i n c ess S h i eh w a s m i ss in g
. .

M a n d a r i n Duck w en t fe a rl essly up t o th e A n c es t re s s thre w h er self ,

w i th a loud cry a t h er fe e t a n d b e g a n t o r e l a t e th e ou t r a g e ou s d em a n d
,

w hi ch Pri n ce S hi eh h a d m a d e o f her ho w h e h a d i mport u n e d her fir st , ,

t h roug h t h e Pr i n c ess t h e n i n t h e p a rk t h roug h h e r s i ste r i n la w a n d

,
- -

ho w h e ha d pr ess e d h e r t r i e d t o i n t i m i d a te ,

a n d a ccu s e d h er fa l se ly of a n a ss oc i a t i o n

an d h a d threa t en e d n e v e r t o let h er o u t of

28 9
rea ch of hi s cl a w s as lon g a s she l i ve d ev en i f she w er e t o m a rry s ome
‘

, _

o ne s om ew h e r e e lse an d e v en i f h e h a d t o f et c h h er down from t h e

,

cloud s; B ut she n ow solemn ly d e cl a r e d b efor e all pr esen t th at sh e would

r em a m un m a rri e d a ll her l i fe lon g an d tha t i f th e o l d Ta i t ai sh oul d t ry
'
,

t o forc e h er t o m a rry sh e would pre fe r t o t a ke a kn i fe a n d cut h er

,

t h ro a t Sh e w i sh e d t o s e rv e t h e o ld T a i ta i fa i t h fully a s lo n g a s sh e l i v e d
. ,

an d i f t h e old T a i ta i sh ould di e o n e da y s h e would follow h er v o l un ,

t ari ly i n t o t h e R ea lm o f S h a d es o r e l se cut o ff h er h a i r a n d b e com e a

n un .
“
H ea ven ea rth sun a n d moon a ll good an d wi cke d s p i ri t s b e wi t
, , , , ,

n ess th a t I s i n c e r e ly me a n i t an d m a
y I s uffoc a t e from th i ck bo i l s i n my
,
”
th ro a t i f I li e ! sh e cri e d so l emn ly .

A t th e sa me ti m e sh e qu i ckly pull e d o u t a sc i ss or s wh i c h sh e h a d
'
-

h i dd en i n h er s l eeve loo sen e d h er h a i r a n d b e g a n w i ldly cu tt i n g off h er

, ,

b ea ut i ful lo n g bra i d s Lucki ly she di d n o t get v e ry fa r i n h er work o f

.
,

d es t ruc t i o n for s ome o f t h e w a i t i n g m a i ds an d se rv i n g w om en st an d i n g

,

by fell exc i t e dly upon h er a n d st opp e d h er .

T h e A n ce st r ess tr embl e d a ll ov e r sh e w as so e xc i t e d a n d st a r tl e d by
,

th e unexp e c t e d s c en e .

“
Wh at ! Th ey are t ry i n g t o t a ke a w a y th e b es t t h e t ru es t a n d th e , ,
”
o n ly de pen d a bl e support I ha ve ! sh e cr i e d i n di gn an t ly A nd t hen t um .
,
“
in g t o M a d a m e C hen g she s a i d : Th a t sh ow s a ll your f a l se n ess ! O ut
,

w a rdly you a re a wo n d e r of goodn ess an d fili a l d e vo t i o n b ut b eh i n d ,

my b a ck yo u plo t v i l e a ct i on s ! Do n o t b e grudg e m e j ust wh a t i s dea res t ’

to me '
M a d am e C h en g w h o h a d b een a ddr ess e d so un gr a c i ou sly th ough i n
, ,

re a l i t y she w a s n o t im pli c a t e d st ood up a n d en dure d t h e un d ese rv e d

,

r epr i ma n d of t he A n c es t ress h um bly an d i n si len c e l i ke a w e ll b eh a ve d -

d a ught er i n la w The o th er l a d i e s pr esen t w e r e l i k ew i se hin der e d

‘
- -
.

t h roug h r espe c t from u tt e r i n g a word o f r e ply J u s t a t th e b e g i n n i n g o f .

t h e s c en e th e W i dow C h u h a d pu she d t h e yo n g g i rls o u t th e door i n

u
ord er n o t t o let th em h e a r M an d a r i n Duck s p a i n ful r e v e l a t i o n s B ut ’
.

T a st e of Spri n g M a d a m e C hen g s st epd a ugh t e r h a d s t ood un d e r th e

,
’

w i n dow a n d a tten ti v e ly foll ow e d t he furt h e r de ve lopm en t o f th e s c en e .

It gri ev e d h er t o se e h o w h er st e pmo t h e r h a d b een w ro n gfull y t epri

m an de d a n d h o w n o on e h a d d a r e d t o s a a w ord i n h e d e fen se
,
y_
r .

Br a ve ly a n d r es olute ly sh e wen t i n a g a i n an d w a lke d up t o th e A n ce s

t r es s w i t h a sm i l e “ T he T a i ta i i s n o t t o bl a m e “
sh e s a i d Aft e r all
-
, .
,

s h e c a n n o t b e h eld r es po n s i bl e f o r th e d e e d
s o f th e e ld e r bro th e r i n \
-

”
law .

“
T he c h i ld i s ri ght R ea lly I .
, h a v e b ecom e -
r athe r th ough tless wi th
”
a
ge , th e A n c e st r e s s a dm i t t e d w i
sh e

2 90
very k i n d a n d self s a cri fi ci n g o f you b ut i t seem s t o m e t h a t your con
-

si d er a t i o n for your h u sb an d go e s a b i t t o o f a r You h a v e ch i ldr en a n d

.
.
.

gr a n dc h i ldr en a n d yet you st i ll let your self b e t yr a n n i z e d by your

,

? ”
h u sb a n d
“
I h a v e a lrea dy c a ll e d h i m t o a ccou n t a t v a r i ou s t i m es b ut un f or ,

t un a t ely w i t h ou t s ucc e s s It i s s o d i ffi cul t t o a dv i s e h i m ; t h e old T a i t a i

.

”
kn ow s t h a t h er se lf sa i d t h e Pr i n ce ss i n e mb a rr a sse d se lf d efen se
,
-
.

“
Then you would n o doub t e v en go so f a r as t o comm i t a murd e r for
”
a s k e d th e A n c e s tr e ss
your h usb a n d i f h e we r e t o s ugg es t i t t o you ?
,
“
sh a rply You kn ow h o w d ep en d en t I a m o n M a n d a r i n Duck My sec
. .

o n d d a ugh t er i n l a w i s a i l i n g a n d c a n n o t g i v e m e muc h a tt en t i o n Ph o e
- -
.
o

n i x i s i n d e e d h e lpful b ut sh e h a s t o look a f t e r e v e ry th i n g i n th e h ou se
, ,

t h er e for e sh e c a n n o t d e vo t e much t i m e t o m e So I h a v e o n ly M a n d a r i n .

Duck t o cou n t o n Sh e i s z ea lou s a n d effi c i en t ; sh e kn ow s wh a t I n ee d

.

an d k n o w s m
) p e cul i a r i t i es a n d my w i sh es an d i n t h e course of h er l i fe
r
, ,

wh i c h she h as s p en t i n th i s h ou se sh e h a s d evot e d h er self en t i r ely t o m e .

In sh ort sh e i s i n d i s p en s a bl e t o m e I a m old a n d c a n n o t v e ry ea s i ly get

, .

a ccu st om e d t o a n ew m a i d I w a s j u s t a bou t t o s en d word t o your h us

.

b an d th a t i f h e mu st h a ve a n o th er w i fe h e m ay buy one a t my e xp en se ; ,

I sh a ll pl a c e ei gh t een t h ou sa n d t a el s a t h i s d i s po s a l for th e purpo se ;

b ut h e sh a ll n ot get M an d a r i n Duck un d e r a n y c i rc u m st a n c es Sh e i s .

more prec i ou s t o m e for t he rem a i n d e r of my l i fe th an h e i s for a ll h i s ,

fil i a l d evo ti on e ven i f h e w er e t o e x e rt h i m se lf for my we ll b ei n g da y

,
~

a n d n i gh t A n d t h a t i s en oug h abou t tha t l It i s a good t h i n g t h a t you

.
-

/
h a v e com e your self for you ca n d el i ve r th i s m ess a g e from m e t o h i m
,

pe r so n a lly st r a i gh t a w a y T h a t i s s ur e r th a n i f h e we re t o h ea r i t
.

”
t hr oug h my se rv a n t s .

A n d w i th th i s t h e m a t t er w a s set t l d for t h e A n c est r e ss Sh e h a d t h e

e .

o th e r l a d i e s r ec a ll e d an d en j oy e d h er self w i th t h e m ov er a g a m e of
m a h j o n gg
-
.

W h i l e th ey w e re in th e m i ddleo f t h e g a m e C h i a Li en c am e sn ea k i n g
a lo n g c a u t i ou sly He h a d b een se n t by h i s f a th e r
. Pr i n c e S h i eh t o spy , ,

o u t t h e res ul t of th e Pri n c e ss s m i s si o n Ju st i n t h e n i ck o f t i m e h e ran

’
.

i n t o Li tt l e P i n g ou t si d e t h e door Sh e t old h i m h o w m a tte rs st ood a n d

.

w a rn e d h i m n o t t o a ppe a r b e for e th e old T a i ta i Sh e h a d b ee n v e ry .

a n ry i n d ee d a s h or t wh i l e a o a n d n o w duri n g th e g a m e Ph o en i x h a d
g g , ,

a t l a s t s ucc e e d e d i n g et t i n
g h e r ou t o f h er b a d h umor to som e e x t en t by
'

h er fu n n y t ri cks .

“
Well s i n c e sh e i s i n a go o d h umor a g a i n I can v en t ur e t o sh ow m y
,

self , C h i a L i e n i n si st e d a n d i n s pi te of b ei n g w a rn e d c a m e n ea r e r t o
, .

t he w a i t i n g m a i d Wh e n P h o e n i x s a w h i m st i ck i n g h i s h e a d i n si d e t h e
.

d o or she ga v e h i m a w a rn i n g look w h i ch m ea n t t o s a y th a t h e should ,

‘

d i s a ppe a r a s qu i ckly a s po ssi bl e A t t h e s a me mom en t P ri n c ess S hi eh .

292
d eli b er at ely st epp e d in fro n t o f the A n c es tr ess o n th e pr et ex t o f h a vi n g ,

to pour o ut s om e t ea i n ord e r t o s cr ee n h im from h e r ey es b ut t he

, ,

A n c e st r ess ha d a lr ea dy c a ugh t si ght o f h i m :

“
W h o i s ou tsi d e ? It se em s t o b e o n e o f the s o n s o f the h ous e sh e ,

sa i d .

“
I sh a ll go a n d look sa i d P h o en i x a n d sli pp e d o ut i n ord er n o t t o
, ,

b e th ere when h er h u s b a n d w a s r e buke d C h i a L i en h a v i n g o n c e b een

-
.
,

d iscov e r e d could n o t v e ry w ell d e n y hi s prese n c e He w a lke d up t o th e

, .

An c est ress a s cooll y a s po ss i bl e a n d w i t h a s m i l e off e re d hi s ”i ng a n !

“
I o n ly w an te d t o kn ow w het he r the o ld Ta i ta i w i ll b e presen t o n the
four te en t h wh en the m a j ordomo L a i Sh en g g i v es hi s b a n que t i n h o n or
,

o f th e promo t i o n o f h i s s o n If so I w a n t t o h a v e th e l a rg e se d a n c h a i r
.
,

”
p ut i n ord er i n good t i m e h e b e g a n , .

I f th a t i s a ll yo u h a v e t o sa y th en yo u could com e i n w i th ou t c e re
,
”
mon y a n d n e e d n o t first cree p a roun d ou t s i d e li ke a gh o st re pli e d the ,

An c est re ss cro ssly .

“
I di d n o t w a n t t o d i s t urb th e old Ta i ta i a t her g am e a n d o n ly
”
w an t e d t o a sk my w i fe t o com e o ut he s a i d i n em b a rr a sse d e xcus e
,
.

“
You cb uld v ery w e ll h a v e w a i te d u n ti l your w i fe w e n t h om e T hi s .

gh o st l i ke lurki n g an d sn e a k i n g a roun d i s n o t m a n n e rly ! Y o u fri gh t en

m e un n ec essa r i ly ! A n d n o w k i n dly le t your w i fe fi n i sh h e r g a me wi t h
m e a n d do n o t d i st urb us a n y more ! R un o fi n o w a n d w ea ve so m e
”
mor e plo ts wi th Li tt l e C h a o s w i fe a g a i n st your w i fe ! r e t ort ed the
’

A n c est r ess i n d i gn a n t ly .

“
L i t tl e P a o n o t Li tt l e C ha o M an d a ri n D uck corr e c te d h er whi le
, , ,

t he y a ll l a ugh e d a t th e co n fu s i o n o f t h e n a m e T h e An c e s t ress to o . , ,

s mi l e d :
“
Well Li tt l e P a o or L i t t l e C ha o ! I h a v e n o m e mory f o r s uc h tr ea ch
,
” “
e r i es ! sh e bu rst o u t h e a t e dly In my t i m e I c a m e h e r e a s t h e yo un g
.

wi fe o f a gr ea t gr a n d s o n of t h i s h ouse No w I h a ve grea t gr a n d s o ns In
-
.
-
.

t h e fif t y or si x t y y ea r s s i n c e t h e n I h a v e l i v e d t h roug h muc h an d see n

m an y th in gs b ut s uc h a b a se sc an d a l a s t h is I h a ve n ev er b e fore ex
,

e r i en ce d O H w i t h you ! O ut o f my s i g h t ! Wh a t a r e yo u do i ng st i ll
p . ,

”
lurk i n g a roun d h e re ?

S i l e n t an d ab a sh e d th e culpr i t w i th dre w
,
.

”
I w a rn e d yo u a n d ye t you st umbl e d r i ght in t o th e n e t ! Li tt l e P i n g
,

c a ll e d a ft e r hi m d e r i s i v ely ou t si d e .

Th e o l d m an i s t o bl a m e f o r t he wh ol e s c an d a l an d w e t w o h a v e t o
“
,

s a i d C h i a L i e n pe e v i sh ly t o Pri n c ess S h i e h w h o h a d h ur
' ”
s ufl er for i t !
. ,

“
F i e how ca n you b e so unfi li a l ! O th e r s o n s suffe r ev en d e a th fo r
,

” “
th ei r fa th e r s ! h i s mot h er t o o r ebuke d h im n o w Ta ke c ar e n o t t o .

293
 i rri t at e your f ath e r t h ese da y s ! If yo u do yo u wi ll get a thr ashi n g in t o
”
the b a rg a i n !
“ ”
Wi ll you pl ease go t o hi m first ? h er so n b egged h er dej ec t e dly I ‘‘
.

do n t
’
d are
So Pr i n c ess S hi eh w en t off t o h er h u s b an d a lon e a n d i n form e d h i m
o f t he s a d r es ul t of h er m i ss i o n Th e Pr i n c e r ea l i z e d th a t furt h e r st ep s
.

would b e u sel ess s o h e sw a llowe d t he in sul t s whi ch h a d b een a i m e d a t

, .

h i m b ut h e wa s so an n oy e d th a t un d e r th e p re t ex t o f b ei n g i ll h e di d
, , ,

n o t s h ow h i m se lf t o t h e A n c e st r ess for s o m e t i m e a n d l e ft h i s w i f e a n d ,

h i s s on t o m a k e th e d a i l y dut y v i s i t s o n h i s b eh a lf Mor e ov er h e se n t .
,

o ut h i s serv an t s t o look a roun d for a n o t h e r s u i t a bl e w i fe for h i m e ls e

wh er e A t l a st h e succ ee d e d l n fi n d i n g for th e p rl ce o f ei gh t h un dre d

.
,

t ae l s a fr esh sev en t een y ea r o l d t o w e d a n d co n duc t t o h i s ch amb er s

,
- -
.

CHA PTER 2 8

Th e M ad R o bb e r C o un t h a s t m p r op er des i g ns a nd
i

ex p er ie n c es a fla g
g i n g Th e C old K n i gh t s ets off o n a jo u rn ey to
. a v o id t ro u b le .

T HE S HENG M A J OR D O M O o r T H E Y Uc uo P A L A C E H A D
'

S O N or LA ! , ,

att a i n e d to a h i g h offi c i a l po si t i o n t h an ks t o th e p a t ro n a g e o f h i s form e r

pri n c ely m a ste r s The proud p a r en t s h a d d e c i d e d t o c ele b ra t e t he h a ppy

.

ev en t duly by a b a n qu et 1 n t h ei r h om e l a s t i n g t h r e e d a y s T h e fir st da
y .

M as r ese rv e d for th e n obl e g en t l e m en a n d l a d i e s a n d youn g gi rl s f ro rri

th e Y un gk u o p a l a c e a n d t h e N i n gkuo p a l a c e a s w e ll a s s om e i mport a n t
,

gu est s from m a n d a ri n c i rcl e s On th e se co n d da y t h e re l a t i ve s a n d

.
’

fri en d s w er e t o b e fea st e d a n d o n th e thi r d da y form er coll ea gu es from

,

bo t h p a l a c es T h e Pr i n c ess An ce st r ess h a d gr a c i ou sly a cc ept ed t h e ruv i

.

t a t i o n a n d o n t h e fourt een t h a cc omp a n i e d by m a n y m e mb e r s o f t h e

, ,

cl a n bo th ma l e a n d fema l e she p ers o n a ll y gr a c e d w i th h er pr esen c e

, ,

t h e h om e of t h e form e r m a j ordomo an d h i s wi fe T h e g a rd en wi t h i ts .
,

b ea u t i ful p av i l i o n s wa s r eserv e d to t he l a d i es w h i l e t h e gen t lem en

, ,

wer e en te r ta in e d i n t h e rec e p t i on h a ll .

Amo n g the gu ests w a s a c e rt a i n L i u H s i a n g Li en a clo se f r i en d of ,

P a o Y u a n d of th e l a t e C h i n C h un g Th i s orp h a n e d s c i on of an a n ci en t
.

n obl e f am i ly w a s a m e rr
y felloww h o w a s n o t muc h a dd i ct ed t o hi s
“

books b ut r a th e r fa vore d h u n t i n g a n d a n d m i l i t a ry purs ui t s flut e a n d

,
,

lu te pl a y i n g w i n e a n d d i c e ; n e i th er di d h e d i s d a i n t h e a bod e sof flowers

,

a n d wi llow s T h e h a n d s om e w e ll b u i l t youn g m a n p o
.
, sse s s e d mor eov e r , ,

r ea t li ki n g a n d t a l en t for t h e t h ea t e r a n d occ a i o n lly

a pp e ar e d 1 ri
a
g s a
a m a t e ur p erform an c es a s t h e g i f t e d i mpe r s o n a t or of
th e yo ut h ful h e ro ~

“
i n e of se n ti m en ta l Win d a n d Mo on” p i e c e s O n t he occ asi o n o f s o me .
 -

s uc h am a t eur p erform a n c e th e l i b er t i n e H s u eh P a n h a d seen an d a d

m i re d hi m an d h a d b een u n a bl e t o d i sm i ss h i m fro mh i s m i n d ev e r
,

s i n c e H e h a d a burn i n g d e s i r e t o m a k e h i s a cqu a i n
.
t a n c e an d b ecom e

fr i en d s w i th h i m e rro n e ou s ly b e l i ev i n g h i m t o b e o n e of th o se loo se
,

li v i n g th eat r i c a l you th s w h o a re r ea dy t o b e se duc e d for a n a morou s

“ “

”
ga m e of Wi n d a n d Moo n Th e r e for e h i s j oy kn ew n o b oun d s wh en
“
.
,

h e m et h i m by c h a n c e a t t h e f ea st a n d h e firmly d e c i d e d t o m a ke
, ,

fri en d s w i th h i m th en a n d th er e .

Th e h o st h a d en g a g e d a t roup e of a c t or s t o en t e r t a i n h i s gu es t s a n d ,

a t t h e s p e c i a l w i s h of Pr i n c e C h e n w h o w a s m e rr y from w i n e a n d w h o
,

a l s o w a s a n a dm i r e r of h i s a r t a n d h i s p e r s o n you n g L i u h a d p e rformed
,

i n tw o a c t s of o n e of h i s o wn p i e c es Af te rw a rd s t h e Pr i n c e h a d m a d e
.

h i m si t b esi d e h i m a t t h e t a bl e for d i s t i n gu i sh e d gu es t s a n d dr a w n h i m ,

i n t o a lo n g a nd a ff a bl e co n v er s a t i o n A n d so H s u eh P a n w h o w a s si t
.
,

t i n g n e a r by b ec a m e a cqu a i n te d w i t h h i m a n d a s h e gr e w mor e a n d
, , _

mor e ex hi l a r a t e d by w i n e i mpor t u n e d h i m s o ob t ru si v ely w i th i n si d i ou s

,

qu est i o n s a n d a m i a bl e a tt ent i o n s t h a t i t gr a du a lly b e c a m e i rks ome t o

you n g L i u w h o a v a i l e d of a fa vor a bl e mom en t t o r i se from t h et a bl e
, ,

a n d qu i ckly d e c i d e d t o l ea v e t h e p a rt y .

T h e h o s t s s o n a sk e d h i m t o st a y a w h i l e lo n g er a s P a o Y u w h o w as
’
,_

ov e r the r e wi th th e l a di es S p ec i a lly w i sh e d t o s p e a k t o h i m a lo n e a ft er
,

t h e comp a n y h a d r i s e n from t h e t a bl e— a w i sh e a s i ly u n d e r s t ood a s ,

P ao Y u h a d t o b e w a ry of expo si n g h i m self t o t h e c h a tt e r of h i s Wa tc h
ful cou si n s or t o t h e mockery of th e t i p s y g en t l e m en B u t i f h e Li u .
, ,

r ea lly mu st go a lre a dy p e rh a p s h e wo uld w a i t j u st a li t tl

,

h o st s so n h a d c a ll e d o u t P a o Y u Yo un g L i u a gr ee d t o t h
’
.

h o s t s en t a s erv i n g wom a n ov er t o P a o Y u t o c a ll h i m a w a y d i s cr eetly

from the l a d i es .

P a o Y ut ook h i s fri en d t o th e l i br a ry wh i ch w as so m ew h a t se clude d

,

a n d w h e r e tw o p e opl e could c h a t u n d i s t urb e d .

I a m worr i e d a bou t our good C h i n C h un g s t omb H a v e you b een ’

.

”
o u t th e r e r e c e n t ly ? b e g a n Pa o Y u .

Y es qu i t e r e c en t ly w he n o u t h un t i n g w i t h f a lco n s W e w e r e h un t
, , .

i n g s c a rc ely tw o li a w a y a n d I t ook th e opport u n i ty o f v i si ti n g t h e

,

g
t omb s e cr e t ly I w a s a fr ai d th a t it m i h t b e w a sh e d a w a y o r s w i mm i n g
.

i n w a t e r a ft e r t h e h ea v r a i n s of l a st s umm e r My m i s g i vi n gs w er e
y .

we ll fou n d e d ; i t look ed v ery mu ch 1 n n ee d of r e p a i r so I wen t o ut th ere

‘

a g a i n t w o d a y s l a t er w i t h t w o cool i e s a n d ut i t i n ord e r Th e j ob co s t
p , .

”
m e a f ew coppe rs .

“
A h n o w I un d e rs t an d L a s t mo n th I sen t my se rv an t M i n g Y en o ut
, .
’

t h er e a n d ord e r e d h i m t o la
y o n t h e t omb a s a n off e r i n g t e n r i pe lo t us
kern el s w hi c h I h a d plucke d from t h e po n d 1 n th e p a rk w i th my o wn
h a n d O n h i s ret urn I a sk e d h i m m w h a t co n d i t i o n h e h a d foun d th e
.
t omb d w h eth e r i t h a d s u ff e r e d ve ry muc h from th e s umm e r r a i n s He
an .

s a i d t h a t , o n th e co n t r a ry i t look e d muc h b e tt e r t h an i t h a d look e d b e

,

for e i n fa c t l i ke n ew I t h ough t a t o n c e th a t i t mu s t h a v e b ee n th e
,
.

work of s om e fr i en d Now I kn ow th a t i t w a s yo u U nfor t un a t e ly I fi n d

. .
,

it mo s t d i ffi cul t t o ge t a w a y from h om e I a m co n t i n u a lly u n d e r ob s e rv a ,

t i o n ; e v e ry s t e p I t a k e i s w a t c h e d a n d cr i t i c i z e d T h e r e for e I could n o t
”

.
,

s ee t o t h e tomb p e r s o n a lly A n d t h e s i lly t h i n g i s t h a t I c a n n o t e v e n

.

s p e n d mo n e y o n my o wn a l t h oug h th e re i s r e a lly en oug h mo n e y i n our

,
”
fa m i ly
Do n o t worry o n th at a ccoun t ! Aft e r all you h a v e m e C a ll o n m
.

“
,
e .

w i t h co n fid en c e a n y t i m e you w a n t s om et h i n g from ou t s i d e ! Mor e

ov e r I h a ve seen t o i t t ha t o u h i s n ex t a n n i ve rs a ry t h e firs t o f the
,
'

t en t h mo n t h o ur d e a d fr i e n d sh a ll r e c ei v e a wor th y burn t off e r i n g

°

.
,
“
I a m gl a d o f t h a t I w a s go i n g t o se n d M i n g Y en t o yo u a bou t i t ;
.

b ut you a re s uc h a dr i f t i n g w a te r pl an t o n e ca n n eve r know w h e r e t o ,

”
look for you .

“
T h a t i s tru e a n d n o w I ha v e a n o t h e r lo n g j ourn e y b efor e m e T h i s
, .

t i m e I sh a l l c e rt a i n ly n o t b e b a ck f o r t h r e e or four y ea rs .

“ ? ”
So lo n g W h a t t h en i s dr i v i n g you a w a y ?
, ,

I c a n no t e xpl a i n i t t o yo u n o w i n s uch a h urry Y o u wi ll h ea r o f i t

, .
‘

”
l a te r B ut n o w I would l i k e t o go
. .

“
Could w e n o t h a v e a n o t he r t a lk a g a i n t h i s e v en i n g wh en th e co m
? ”
p a n y h a s d i s p e rse d
“
Un for t un a te ly i t c a n n o t b e ! I do n o t w a n t t o st a y h e re a n y lo n ge r
, ,

o r e l s e t h e r e w i ll b e a qu a rr e l w i th yo ur cou s i n H s u eh P a n— you u n d e r
? ”
st a n d
“
Y es I w ell u n d e r st a n d I n dee d i t i s b est f o r yo u to ge t o ut o f t h e
, .
,

w a y B u t b e for e you s et o ut o n your l o n g j ourn e y w e w i ll see o n e a n

.
,
”
ot h e r t o s ay good b y wo n t w e Prom i se m e !
-
?
,
’

“
O f course I sh a ll s a y good b y t o you b efor e I go A n d ple a se do -
.

n o t s p e a k t o a n yo n e a bou t my j ourn e y ! No w go i n a a i n a n d le t m e
”

g
”
di sa ppe a r u n ob t ru si ve ly !
Th e y se p a r at e d a n d you n g L i n w en t t ow a rd s th e g a te w a y H e w a s
‘

, .

j us t a bou t to l ea v e th rough t h e g a te wh e n h e en coun te re d H s ueh P an ,

“
w h o sh ou t e d : Wh e re i s l i tt le L i u hi d i n g ? W h o h a s let l i tt le L i u go
‘

? ”
a s h e w a t c h e d a n d se a r c
’
o ut he d fo r hi m Youn g L i u s e y es fl ash e d .

a n gr i ly w h e n h e s a w t h e dru n k e n fe llow a n d h e a rd h i m b a wl i n g He .

would h a v e l i ke d b est t o kn ock h i m t o the groun d wi t h a powe rful blow ,

b ut consi d e r a t i o n for hi s h o st pre v en te d h i m f r o m co m m i tt i n g a v i olen t

'

out ra ge o n h i s pr e m i se s M e a n t i m e H s u eh P an h a d n o ti ce d h i m a n d
.
,

w e re a j e we l h e h a d lo st a n d foun d a g a i n .

'
? ”
Wh e re do yo u w a n t t o go d ea r li tt l e o ne ,h e b a bbl e d c a t c h i n g ,

h i m b yt h e a rm .
 “ ’
I m go i n g t o t a ke a l i tt l e e x e rc i se I ll com e b a ck a g a in ,
’
,

you n g Li u .

“
A h do n t go a w a y ! Th er e s n o l i f e h er e w i th ou t yo u S t a y for my
’ ’
.
,

k ? Do
k
sa e ! I w i ll do y
an thi n g for you t h a t you a s D o you w a n t mo n e y .

you w a n t a po si t i o n ? Your e ld e r bro th e r ca n get an y th i n g f o r you i f

”
you a re j u st a l i tt l e n i c e t o h i m .

Youn g L i u fel t gr ea t ly d i sgu sted w i th th e t i r es om e f ell ow If h e .

could o n ly fix h i m o n c e an d for a ll ! Then a goo d i d ea c a m e t o hi m .

A ss um i n g fr i en dl i n ess h e dr ew t h e o th e r a si d e i n t o a corne r
,
.

“ ”
Do you r ea lly w a n t t o b e my fr i en d, or a re you on ly pret en d i n g ?

he a s ke d i n a low vo i c e .

“ ”
B ut de a r good bro t h e r h o w ca n you st i ll a sk s uc h a thi n g
, , ,
? re
“
pl 1 e d th e o th er j oyfully e y i n g h i m a s ka n c e If I do n o t me a n i t si n
, .

”
cer e ly m a y I f a ll d ea d i mm e d i a t e ly !
,
.
“
V e ry w e ll B ut h ere in t h i s h ou se w e a re h a mp er e d L e t us w a i t a
. .

l i tt l e wh i l e I wi ll go a w a y a lo n e fir st Follow m e t o my h om e a l i tt l e
.
“

l a t er o n ! W e w i ll h a v e a b i t of a c a rou se t o n i gh t a t my pl a c e B esi d es I
.
.
,

h a v e t w o ch a rm i n g you n g t h i n g s t h er e for comp a n y B u t com e a lo n e .

,

w i th ou t serv a n t s ! I my self h a v e p e ople t o se rve u s ”

.

H s u eh Pa n b e c a m e a lmo st s ob er a ga i n w i t h jo y a t hi s word s .

“ ”
?
R ea lly Do you w a n t t o ?
”
How can you st i ll b e doub t ful ?
”
B ut w h e re sh a ll I fi n d you ?

I li ye ou t s i d e t h e c i t y w a ll s i n fron t o f t h e Nor th G a t e Y o u could .

”
st a y t h e n i g h t w i t h m e .

“
O h i f I o n ly h a v e you I sh a ll n o t th i n k an y mor e of h om e
, .

V e ry w ell I sh a ll a w a i t you by t h e br i dg e a t t h e Nor th G a t e A n d

, ,
.

s e e t h a t you a r e n o t n o t i c e d go i n g a w a y from h e r e !
”

H s u eh Pa n prom i sed an d t h e t w o r et urn e d t o t h e t a bl e a n d co n

,

t i n n e d t h e c a rou se for a w h i l e lo n g e r In h i s e xc ess i v e j oy H s u e h P an

.

t o s s e d dow n so muc h w i n e t h a t w i t h i n a s h or t t i m e h e w a s n i n e t en t h s -

dru n k You n g L i u soo n l e ft t h e t a bl e a g a i n sen t h i s se rv an t h om e a n d

.
, ,

rod e a lo n e t o th e br i dg e i n fron t of th e Nor t h e rn G a t e Afte r t he t i m e .

r equ i r ed t o t a k e a mod er a te m e a l h e sa w H s u eh P a n a ppro a ch i n g,

a t a t ro t o n h i s b i
g s a ddl e h or se H e w a s a r i d i culou s si gh t a s h e rod e
.
.

a lo n g , sw a y i n g t o a n d fro i n t h e s a ddl e h i s rou n d h ea d c ea sel e s s ly

,

t ur n i n g t o r i gh t a n d l e ft l i k e a e ddl e r s drum h i s mou th ope n a n d h is

’

p ,

st a r i n g w i n e dru n k l i tt l e e y es p e e r i n g f ran t i c a lly a b u

o t h i m ; In the du s k
-

h e n a t ur a lly f a i l ed t o see L i u w h o h a d st op e d by t h e br i dg e a n d
, p ,

qu i ckly r od e p a s t h i m fa r th er an d far th e r a lo n g t h e h i gh ro a d o u t i n t o ,

t h e op en cou n t ry In s p i t e o f h i s a ngry mood L i u h a d t o l a ug h a t t

.
he ,
.

blu n d er i n g fellow a n d h e followe d h i m a t a d i sc reet d i st a n c e A s th e

, .

d i st ri c t b ec am e more lo n ely an d d esert e d H s u eh P a n t urn e d ro un d hi s ,

an d o n ly a ns wer e d w i th m i se r a ble grun t s a n d gro a n s L i u th re w the .

r i d i n g wh i p o n t o the b a n k a n d b el a bor e d h i m a n ew w i t h a f ew h ea vy
blow s of h i s fi s t .

H s u eh P a n hea ve d h i m self up o n t o dry grou n d wi th s uch an eff or t

“
t h a t h i s si n e w s a lmo s t s n a pp e d a n d h owl e d :,
I a dm i t th a t you a re
a r es p e c t a bl e h o n es t f ellow ! I m i sj udg e d you B ut t h a t i s th e f a ul t o f
,
.

o thers w h o le d m e a st r a y w i t h th ei r t a lk
,
.

“ ”
L ea v e t he o the rs a lon e ! L i u i n t err up t e d h i m a n gri ly K i n dly k ee p .

”
t o t h e po i n t a n d t o t h e pr es e n t t i m e !
“
W ell I a dm i t my error You are a good r es pe c t a bl e m a n a p e rfe c t
, .
, ,
”
m an of h o n or .

“
Th a t do e s n o t yet sa t i sfy m e If I a m t o gra n t yo u m e rcy kin dly ex
.
,
”
pr ess your se lf somewh a t mor e court eou sly a n d h umbly !
“ ”
D e a r youn g e r bro th e r ! p a n t e d H s u eh P a n He g o t n o fur th er T he . .

o th e r h a d on c e mor e d e a l t h i m a blow o n the f a c e .

“
D ea r eld er bro th er ! Sl a p ! Two blows a g a i n fell o n h i s fa c e .

Good o ld m a st e r ! w h i n e d t h e h umbl e d H su eh P a n Gr a c i ou s ly
” “
.

h a ve p i t y o n m e ! My fool i sh ey es w er e st ruck w i th bl i n dn ess From .

”
n o w o n I sh a ll r e spe c t an d h o n or you .

“ ”
Dr i n k tw o mou th ful s of t hi s puddl e w a t er ! ord e r e d Li u to fill th e ,

m ea s ur e of h i s h um i li a t i on .

H su eh P a n p ut o n a gr i m a c e of d i sgu st .

“ ”
T ha t d i r t y w a t er B ut n o o n e could dr i n k t h a t ! h e v en t ur e d to
?

r e ply a n d a g a i n L i u d ea l t h i m a n o th e r blow of h i s fi st
, .

“
V ery w ell v e ry we ll I sh a ll dri n k i t H s u eh Pa n h ast en e d t o sa y
, ,
”
, ,

in ord er t o w a rd o ff fu rth er i ll A n d h e compl i e d w i th t h e ord er by

.

s t i ck i n g h i s h e a d down i n t h e s l i my pool a n d fi ll i n g h i s mou t h w i th t h e

r evol t i n g flu i d B ut h e di d n o t get a s f a r a s sw a llow i n g i t He b elche d

. .

a n d h a d t o vom i t o u t t h e l i qu i d t og e t h e r w i th t h e co n t en ts of h i s

s t o ma c h .

“
You are lucky th a t t h e a i r h er e do e s n o t s u i t m e a n y lon ge r de ,

cl a red L i u bru s qu e ly a n d r e p e ll e d by t h e s t e n c h o f t h e pl a c e
, he
, ,
"

t ur n e d h urr i e dly a w a y loo s en e d h i s h or se a n d t ro tt e d o ff

, .
,

T h e s udden d i sa pp e a r a n c e o f H s u eh P a n a n d you n g L i u from th e

t a bl e h a d n o t p a sse d u n n o ti c e d W h e n t h e y di d n o t r e t ur n t h e wh ol e
.
,

h ou s e Wa s sea rc he d for the m b u t th e y w e r e n o t foun d A t l a st th e n ew s

, .

s pr e a d a bou t t h a t t h e y h a d b e en s een t ro tt i n g o ff qu i ckly i n t h e d i r ce

t i o n of t h e n ort h e r n c i t y g a t e T h e r e upo n Pr i n c e C h e n sen t h i s so n

.

C hi a Yun g w i th s ev e r a l se rv a n t s o u t t o th e n or th e r n g at e t o look fo r
t h e m Abou t t w o sh or t m i l e s b e yon d th e br i dg e by t h e g a t e n e a r a
.
,

pon d s ur roun d e d by nee d s th e sea rch er s foun d H s u eh P an s h orse

,
?
’

t i e d t o a t r e e T h e r i d e r c a nn o t b e f a r from w h e r e th e h or se i s th e y
.
,

t h ough t t o th e m s elv es A n d ri g h t en ough t h e y n ow h ea rd a mi s e r a bl e

.
,

300
gro an in g an d lo n g dr a wn o ut cri es f or h elp com in g from th e e dg e o f
- -

t h e po n d T h e y di s mou n t e d a n d h ur r i e d t o t h e s po t w h en c e t h e c a lls
.

c a m e Th e r e th e y fou n d H su e h P a n ly i n g a mo n g th e ree ds h i s clo th es

.
,

w e t t h roug h an d d i rt y h i s f a c e d i s figur e d bru i se d a n d cov e r e d w i th

, , ,

w e l ts ly i n g li ke a w a t e r ho g on t h e groun d amo n g th e re e d s C hi a
, .

Yun g w ho a t o n c e gu e sse d n i n e ten th s o f th e t ru th hg d h i s he lpless

,
-

u l w h o w as gro a n i n g w i t h p a i n ass i s t e d t o h i s fee t by h is se rv an ts

ng “
e , r , .

See h o w th e grea t un cle n o w see ks o ut sw a mpy puddle s a n d muddy

pools f o r t he sc en es o f hi s a morou s a dv en t ur es C h i a Yun g t e ase d ,
“
hi m . He h a s prob ably b e w i t c h e d th e w a te r dr a go n Pr i n ce w i th h i s
-

h ?
c rm App a r en t ly h e kn ocke d a g a i nst th e dr a go n s h or n s i n do in g
a
’

H su eh Pan w as so a sh a m e d tha t he would h a v e li ke d b e st t o cr eep ._

in t o a cr a ck i n th e groun d In h is prese n t bru i se d co n d i t i o n i t w as i m

.

po ss i bl e fo r h im to thi n k of cli m b in g i n t o th e sa ddle Th e re w a s n o t h .

i n g e lse to do b ut hi re a se d an ch a ir from th e n e a r b y T empl e o f Ku an -

t i th e god o f w a r an d ta ke H s u e h P a n b a ck to t own i n i t A t h i s urg e n t

, , .

en t r ea t y h e w a s n o t t a ken b a ck t o th e b an qu e t a s C hi a Yun g h a d ,

m a l i c i ously w a n t e d b ut w a s c a rr i ed st r a i gh t h om e
, .

’
S o C h i a Y u n g re t ur n e d a lo n e t o th e b a n qu e t t a bl e i n La i S he n g s
h ou se a n d h i s re port o f h i s a dv en t ur e s m a de Pri n ce C h en smi rk an d
,

gr in kn ow i n gly .

“ ”
B e i n g t r a ppe d l i ke th a t w il l do h i m n o h a rm a t a ll ! sai d th e Pri n ce
m a l i c i ous ly .

Wh en h e w en t t o vi si t hi m in h i s h om e l a t e r i n th e even i n g h e w as ,

i n form e d th a t H s u eh P a n w a s i ll a n d could n o t s ee a n yo n e Wh en Aun t .

’
H su eh a n d Pre c i ous Cl a s p a rr i ve d h om e som e wh a t l a t e r H s ueh P an s ,

s e co n d a ry w i fe Lo t u s m et t h e m w i t h t e a r s t a i n e d e y e s a n d po i n t e d t o
-

t h e b e droom w h e r e t h e y fo un d H s u e h P a n ly i n g i n b e d Wi t h brui se d
lim b s an d swoll en fa c e doc t or i n g hi m se lf a s b e st he could Lucki ly
,
.
,

h e h a d com e o ut o f th e s cr a p w i t h ou t a n y sev e re i n t ef n a l i n j uri e s o r

broken bo ne s .

A un t H su eh w a s b esi d e h e rse lf an d a bu sed h er so n an d hi s t ort ur er

i n t urn Ac t u a lly s he w a n te d t o compl a i n t o M a d a m e C hen g a n d h a v e
.
,

youn g Li u a rr este d i mm e d i a t ely b ut Pre c i ous Cla sp w as able to dis

,

s u a d e h er fr om th i s a n d p a c i fy he r It w as n o thi n g b u t a li tt l e scume
.

b e tw ee n drun ken boo n comp a n i on s sh e sa i d Suc h th in gs occur oft en

,
.

a n d o n e n ee d n o t m a k e muc h fu ss a bou t t h e m .

B es i d es e ve ryo n e kn ows o ur fami ly h eir as o n e w h o de fi es hea ven

,
” “
an d h a s co n t e mp t f o r th e la w sh e con ti n u e d
,
If yo u w e re t o l et i t
. .

com e t o a l aws u i t pe ople would ta ke s i d es ag a i n st yo u an d hi m If

,
.

30 1
 fo r t h e b an qu et t od a y by a coun t e r i n vi t a ti on All t h e guest s o f tod a y
- -
.

w i ll b e pr esen t an d a ls o bro t h e r H s u eh P a n an d t h a t fe llow L i u L i u

,
.

ca n t h en a polog i z e befor e a ll t h o se pr e s en t ; T h a t i s muc h b ett e r th an

”
l ett i n g i t come t o a pub li c s c an d a l .

“ ”
Y o u are r i gh t my c h i ld
, a gr ee d Aun t H s u eh
,
T h e firs t ou t burs t .

o f an g e r cloud e d my un d e r s t an d i n g .

“ ”
In rea li t y h e d ese rv es wh a t h e g o t co n t i n u e d Pr e c i ous C las p
, ,
“
wi th a l a ugh Up t o n o w h e h a s h a d n o r e s p e ct ei th er for yo u or fo r
. .

o t h e r pe opl e an d h a s b e en b e h a v i n g v e ry b a dl y da y a ft e r da y H e w i ll
“
.

on ly b e ta ught w i s dom by a dve rs i t y Two o r t h ree s uch b i tt e r ex

.

”
eri e n ce s an d h e w i ll b e cur e d !
p
T ha t n i gh t H s u eh P a n could n o t sl ee p a wi n k H e r a g e d a g a i n st hi s .

e n emy swor e v en g e a n c e a n d n e x t da y se n t h i s se rv an ts w i th ord e r s t o

, ,

t ea r down L i u s h ou se an d fl a y h i m o r b et t e r s t i ll st ri k e h i m d e a d i m
’
, ,

m e d i a t e ly B ut th e s e rv a n ts re t urn e d wi t h ou t h a vi n g pe rf o rrri e d t h eir

.

t a s k Youn g L i u h a d a c t e d i n drun k en n e s s y es t e rd a y O n b ecom i n g

. .

s ob e r h e h a d r e gr ett e d h i s a c t i o n a n d h a d fl e d from the t own t hr ough

fea r of pun i sh m en t so h i s n ei gh bor s h a d t old th em Ho w H s u eh P an re

, .

cei v e d t hi s i n form a t i on
yo u w i ll h e ar i n t h e n ex t ch ap t er
’
-

CHAPTER 29

Th e li b e rti ne, sh a m ed a n d d is gra c e d s eek s d i s t rac t i o n i n a bu si ness

,

ex p edi t i o n . A s u p e r i or g i rl pra c t i c es t h e a rt o po e t r
f y s tudy i n g th e b es t ,

m a s te rs .

T HE N E W S OF T HE I
T O F HI S O PP O NENT HA D T H E E F F E C T O F
FL GH

m a ki n g H s ueh P a n s a n ge r ab a t e gr a du a lly H i s ph y s i c a l st a t e t oo h a d
’
.
, ,

i mprove d i n t h e cour se o f a f ew d a y s bu t s
hm
s a ; ov e r th e ou tr a g e
,

h e h a d s uff e r e d co n t i n u e d t o pre v en t hi m from a ppe a ri n g b e for e hi s

r el a t i ves an d fri en d s .

Th e t en th m o n th h a d a rri v e d Th i s i s th e t i m e wh en tra ve ll i n g tr a d e rs
~
.

compl e t e t h e i r a nn ua l a ccoun ts an d s et o u t for h om e t o s pe n d t h e New

,

Ye a r F es ti va l wi th the i r f a m i li e s Duri n g t h o se d a y s m an y f a re we ll di u
.

n e rs w er e gi v en i n t h e Y un k u o an d N i n gkuo p a l a c e s f or th e bu s in ess
g —
m an a gers w h o m a in ta i n e d v ar i ous ki n ds o f sh op s m th e t own o n belfalf
o f th e t w o pri n c e ly h ouse s an d w h o w e r e n o w d e p a rt i n g f or th ei r
,

hom es Amon g th ese bus i n es s m an a g e rs w as o n e C h an g T e Hui wh o

.
,
’
con duc ted a p a wn broke r s sh op fo r H s u eh P an an d moreo ve r hi mself ,

po sse ss e d a pri v a t e fort un e o f th r ee th ous an d oun c es o f g old .

“
Th e m ar ket h as b ecom e ve ry d i fficul t t oda y f o r m o urm n g fin er y

302
fi rm .I r e fu se t o b e d et e rr e d J u st y ou w a i t a n d see ! I sh a ll co me b a ck
.

”
n ex t y e a r w i t h my fort un e m a d e Y o u do n t kn ow m e yet !
’
.

Aunt H su eh d i s cu sse d th e qu est i on w i th her d a ugh t er Pr ec i ou s Cl as p .

Y es h i s i n ten t i o n s s oun d qu i t e l a u dabl e If o n ly h e do e s n o t f a ll i n t o

,
.

” “
hi s b a d old w a y s a g a i n w h i l e h e s a w ay ! s a i d Pr e c i ou s Cl as p B ut you
’
.

’
c an t v e ry w ell kee p hi m t i e d t o your a pro n st r i n gs Afte r a ll h e s a
’
.
,

grown m a n so w hy sh ould h e st i ck a t h om e ? L et h i m go o u t co n fi
,

den t ly a n d s ee a b i t o f th e world I f h e w a n t s t o m en d h i s w a y s a n d b e
.

com e a u se ful m emb e r of s oc i et y do a t l e a s t le t h i m h a v e a t ry ! Mor e ,

ov er i n Mr C h an g he h a s a r el i a bl e a dv i se r by h i s si d e B e si d es i t ca n
, . .
,

do h i m n o h a rm t o h a v e t o st a n d o n h i s o w n feet for a ch a n g e a n d do
w i t h ou t th e b a cki n g of h i s f a m i ly a n d b e a w a y from th e fr i en d s w h o ,

l e a d hi m i st ra y He w i ll h a v e t o kee p h i s ey es op en a n d b ecome self

.

r el i ant T a ke cour a ge a n d let h i m h a v e t h e ei gh te en h un dr e d oun c e s of

.

”
s i lv e r wh i c h you h a v e s et a s i d e for h i m i n a ny c a s e a n d l e t h i m b e off ! ,
“ ”
Y o u a re r i gh t L et u s h op e h e w i ll t a ke up a u seful o cci i p a t i o n !
.

a gr e e d Au n t H s u eh a f t e r l en g t h y co n si d e r a t i o n
,
.

Th e n ex t da y sh e i n v i t e d th e bu s i n e ss m a n a g er C h a n g t o th e h ou s e
a n d h a d a m e a l s e rv e d t o H s u eh P a n an d h i m self a lo n e i n t h e l i br a r y .

D ur i n g t h e m ea l sh e h er self spea k i n g t h rough a n ou t si d e w i n dow l n

, ,

form e d t h e gu e st of h er a p p ro v al o f the j our n e y a dd i n g a h u n dre d ,

pr a c t i c a l h i n t s a n d a th ous a n d sa lu t a ry w a rn i n g s whi ch t h e gu est ,

prom i se d w i th tw o mou t hs a t t h e sa m e t i m e t o t a ke t o h ea rt H s u eh
, ,
. .

P a n w a s s upre m ely h a ppy T h e four t een th da y of t h e t en th mo n t h w a s

.

p i cke d o u t i n th e calen dar as a lucky da y for th e d ep a rture T he i n t er _

.

v en i n g t w o d a y s w e r e fill e d w i t h bu sy rep a ra t i o n s f o r t h e j ourn e y

'

p ,

mo the r si s t e r s eco n d ary w i fe a n d t w o e ld erly se rvi n g wom en a ll h e lp

, , ,

i n g z e a lou s ly T h r ee b i g c a rt s w ere fill e d w i th t h e lugg a g e a lo n e A s

. .

s a ddl e a n i m a l s H s u eh P an w a s i v en a b i g mul e i ce gr a y i n color

g
-

, ,

wh i ch b e lo n g e d t o h i s o wn fa m i ly o f H s u eh an d a l s o a st ro n g h a ck ,

from t h e pr i n c e ly st a ble s For st a ff h e w a s g i v en fi v e pe opl e t h r e e ex

.
,

pe r i en ce d ol der s e r a n t s a n d t w o you n g fellow s O n t h e t h i r t een t h

’

v .

t h e r e w a s a gr e a t l ea v e t a kin g of th e r e l a t i v es T h en e a rly o n t h e morn

-
.
,

in g of t he fourt een t h h e se t o ut o n h i s j ourn e y M oth er s i st e r a n d Lo

, .
, ,

tus a ccomp a n i ed hi m a s f a r a s th e i n n er g at e w a y a n d r e m a i n e d pe e p ,
.

i n g o u t a f te r t h e d e p a rt i n g figur e for a w hi l e th en t ur n e d b a ck w i th ,

s i g h s h a lf s a dd en e d a n d h a lf r el i e v e d t o t h ei r a p a rt m en ts
, .
,

Aft er H s u eh Pa n w a s go n e Au n t H s u eh h a d a ll th e orn a m en ts a n d
’

furn i sh i n gs t a ken from h i s g en t l em an s a p a rt men ts in t o her o w n dwe ll ’

i n g a n d locke d up hi s s u i t e Mor eove r sh e a rr a n g e d for Lo t u s t o com e

, .
,

t o l i v e i n h e r s u i t e a n d s l e e p w i th h e r a t n i gh t B u t Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p .

be gge d t o b e a llow e d t o ha v e Lo t us l i ve w i th h er i n t h e P ark of D e

li gh t ful V i s i o n Th e r e w a s pl en t y o f room an d sh e co uld v e ry w ell do
.
,

304
w i th a comp an i o n an d p a rtn er fo r the lo n g w i n te r ev en i ng s so she sa i d , .

Au n t H s ue h co n sen t e d a n d so Lo t u s p a cke d h er bl a nk ets an d cushi o ns

,

a n d clo th e s a n d t o i l e t a rt i cl es a n d move d ov e r t o t he Ju n gl e Court y a rd .

Lo t us w a s v e ry pleas e d w i th th e c ha n ge ; i n d ee d she h a d a lre a dy i a ,

t en d e d t o a s k A un t H s u e h s pe rm i s si on to go ov e r n o w a n d t h e n for a
’

da y to k ee p Prec i ou s Cl a s p comp a n y i n th e Pa rk o f D el i g h t ful V i s i o n ;

a n d n o w sh e w a s ac t u al ly t o b e a llow e d t o l i v e th e r e p erm a n e n tly .

I sh ould so lo ve you t o te a c h m e t hea rt of po e t ry i f you hav e ti me ,

”
a n d i n cli n a t i o n s h e s a i d r a d i a n t w i th o
, ,j y t o Pre c i ous Cl a s p the ve ry ,

da y sh e cam e o ve r t o h er .

M y w o rd you a re gr ee dy ! Y o u are l i k e th e old Emp eror Ku a n g

'

_ ,

W u t i o f the Han dyn a s t y w h o h a d h a rdly co n qu e re d t he l an d of Lu n g

-

, ,

w hen he b eg an cove ti n g th e l an d of Ch u al so N a t ura lly I s h a ll b e de .

,

li ght ed t o t ea c h yo u th e art of po e t ry b ut n ot st r a i g ht a w a y o n the first

‘

da y Tod a y yo u mus t first o f a ll p a y your f a rew e ll v i si ts t o th e old T a i

.

ta i a n d t o th e ot h e r l ad i es ov e r t h er e on e af ter th e o th e r an d t h en pa y
, ,

yo ur fi rst vis i ts t o all th e youn g l a d i es h ere If p eopl e a sk yo u th e w hy

'

an d w h er e fore o f yo ur
presen ce h ere yo u c an sa y th a t I w a n t e d yo u a s
.
,
”
co mp a n i o n .

Lo t us w as j us t a bou t t o se t o ut o n her roun d o f v i s i t i n g w hen the '

wa i t i n g m a i d L i ttl e Pin g a p pea r e d o n th e sc ene .

“
H e r e s my n ew comp an i o n si n c e t oda y s a i d Pr ec i ou s C l a s p po i n t
’ ”
, ,

“
i n g t o Lo t us I w as j ust o n the po i n t o f duly ann oun c i ng he r c ha n ge
.

”
ove r here to your m i st ress Ph o en i x .

“ ”
W h y th e form a l i ty I h a v e n o t hi n g a g ai n st i t
? .

O h yes b ut w e mu st h a v e ord er It s on a ccoun t o f t h e g ate w at c h

’
, , .

m en a t th e en t ra n c e to th e p a rk so th a t th e y m a y kn ow t h a t th ey h a ve
'

t o let o n e mor e pe rs o n i n b e for e t h e y clo se th e g a t es i n t he ev en i n g B u t .

n o w you yourse lf ca n n o t i fy your m i str ess a n d I sh a ll n o t h a v e to s e n d ,

”
over s pe c i a lly .

“
V e ry w ell I sha ll see to th a t Has she a lr ea dy b i dd en fa re we ll t o h er
, .

? ”
o l d n ei g hbors an d pr es en t e d h e rse lf t o h er n ew o n es
“ ”
She i s j u st go i n g to do so n o w .

“
Tell her sh e d b e tte r n o t vi si t us Mr C hi a L i en i s ly in g si ck a t
’
. .

”
h om e .

Wh en Lo t u s h a d go ne Li tt l e P i n g t o ok Pre c i ou s Cl a sp a si d e a n d
“ ? ”
a s ke d her i n a wh i s p e r : H a v e yo u hea rd abou t our l a t est sca n d a l yet
“
No I w a s so busy in th e la st f ew d a y s help i n g my bro t he r to get
.

j o u rn e y th a t I could no t bo th er abou t a n y th i n g el se I .
.

”
l as t fe w d a y s e i th er .

a n y th i n g muc h a bou t t he sev er e flogg i n g

? ”
Prin c e S hi e h

305
 No I on ly h ea rd a whi sp er o f i t a n d th a t i s o ne r eas o n why I w a s
, ,
”
go i n g t o v i si t P h o en i x Wh at w as th e r ea s o n for i t
.
?
“
N a t ur a lly th a t Mr Y u T sun 1 5 o n c e mor e a t t h e bo tt om o f it—th a t
,
.

dub i ou s G en tl em a n from Nowh er e w h o o n c e go t st uck h a lfw a y t o th e

‘
,
’

c a p i t a l h a lf d ea d from h un ge r an d u n fort u n a t ely di d n o t p a ss o ut In

, ,
.

t h e t en y e a r s t h a t h e h a s b ee n com i n g i n an d o u t o f h er e h e h a s ,

bro ugh t n ot hi n g b u t m i s for t un e t o our h ou se W ell I ll t ell you th e .

,
’

s t ory O n e da i n t h e s pr i n g Pr i n c e S h i eh ch a n c e d t o see s om e b e a u t i ful

.
y
old fan s From th at t i m e o n wa rd s h e lo st all l i ki n g for h i s o wn fa n s a n d
.
,

s en t o u t h i s s e rv a n t s t o fi n d h i m old f a n s l i k e t h o s e h e h a d s e e n .

“
Well t h e y do i n f a c t h un t up a wr e t ch e d old e cc en t r i c of a f a n co l
,

l ec t or w h o h a s i n hi s po sse ssi on n o l ess th a n t wen t y v alu a bl e old s pe c i

‘
m en s Th e old g en t l em a n i n qu est i on , w h o w a s common ly kn o wn a s th e
.

s t o n y e cc en t r i c mu st s ur ely h a ve h a d a qu a rr el wi th th e Pr i n c e i n s om e
,
’

’
form e r e x i st en c e B e t h a t a s i t m a y th ough h e s so poor t h a t h e h a s
.
,

h a rdly a b i te t o ea t h e w i ll n o t p a rt w i th h i s f a n s a t an y pr i c e T h e
‘

.
,

Pri nc e m a kes ev e ry co n c e i v a bl e e ffort t o get a t l e a st a si gh t of th e

t h i n g s Aft er t w o or t h r ee pol i te r e qu e st s th e e cc en t r i c a t l a s t expr e ss es
.

h i s w i ll i n gn e s s t o r e c e i v e t h e Pr i n c e a n d sh ow h i m h i s t re a sur es T h ey .

w ere a ll r a r e un i qu e ex a mpl e s t he i r h a n dl e s a n d r i b s m a d e of m a rbl e d

, ,

t ea r b amboo o r c a rv e d from coco p a lm wood e lk s h orn a n d s i m i l a r

‘ ’
- -

, ,

r a re m a t eri a l s an d cov er e d more ov er Wi th p a i n t i n g s a n d in scr i p ti o n s

, , ,

m a d e by t h e h an d s of h i st or i c a lly fa mou s p er s o n s .

“
T h e Pr i n c e w a s firmly r es olve d t o buy th em b ut wh e n h e a sk e d th e ,

pr i c e t h e e ccent ri c own er sh ook h i s h ea d a n d d e cl a re d th a t e ven i f he

,

w e re o ff er e d a th ou sa n d b a tz es a pi e ce h e would n o t g i v e them up The ,

.

Pr i n c e wen t a wa y fo i l e d in h i s p u rpose b u t h e sen t hi s son th e r e e v e ry ,

da y t o con t i n u e n e go t i a t i n g He i n cr ea se d h i s o ff e r gr a du a lly t o fi v e
.

h u n dre d b a tz es b ut st i ll th e e cc en t r i cwould n o t p a rt w i th h i s f an s H e
, .

would r a the r g i v e up h i s l i fe h e d e cl a re d T h e Pri n c e w a s fur i ou s w i th

, .

h i s so n a n d a bu s e d him for b ei n g a n i n comp e en t a ss b ec au s e h e could t

n o t c a rr y o ff t h e d ea l Now so f a r i t i s n o t t o o b a d a n d t h e m a t t er
.
, ,

would h a v e blown ov e r i f t h a t wr et ch e d Mr Y u Ts u n h a d n ot qu i t e .

u n n e c ess a ri ly pok e d h i s n o se i n t o i t H e s udd en ly br i n g s a f a l se c h a r e.

g
a g a i n st t h e qu ee r old f e llow a ll e g i n g t h a t h e h a s d e fr a ud e d t h e S t a t e o f
,

t h i s a n d t h a t a mou n t i n r a t es a n d t a x es dr a g s h i m t o h i s y a m en pu t s
, ,

h i m o n t r i a l co n dem n s h i m a n d co n fi sca t e s h i s good s an d c h a t te ls i n

, , ,

clud i n g t h e b e a u t i ful f an s by w a y of r e cov e r i n g t h e all e g e d d eb t due

,

for t ax es T h en h e p a sses t h e f an s o n t o th e Pr i n c e a t a low t a x at i o n

.

v a lu e The u n for t u n a t e own er d i e d so th ey 5

.
,
“
Th e Pr i n c e t h en sa i d co n temp t uo usly t o h i s
t e ll in g m e a ll a lo n g th a t t h i s d e a l w a s i mpo ss i bl e .

o t h er p e opl e h a v e b een a ble t o c a rry i t t h ro ug h ? ’

3 06
p a t te rn an d i mpres s them word for word on your m emory Then rea d a .

2
h un dr ed a n d tw en t y of th e sev en word p oe m s of ol d Tu Fu G o o n th en
-
.

an d re a d th orough ly tw o h un dr e d sev en word p oe m s o f t h e gr e a t L i T a i -

Po Wh en you h ave m a d e yourself fa m i l i a r w i th th ese t hr ee m ast ers

.
a

yo u w i ll h a v e a cqu i re d a s ol i d found a t i o n Th en yo u ma y go o n l a t e r t o .

“
T a o Ch i en a n d the o th er po et s If yo u proc ee d o n these l i n es wi th i n a
'

.
,

y ea r you w i ll b e a ble to t a ke p a rt your self i n po et ry wri t in g li ke a t ri e d

”
e xpe rt .

She go t t h e w a i ti n g m a i d Cuckoo t o fet ch t h e volum e o f W an g W ei

f o r th e po et i c asp i ra n t .

“
T a ke i t w i th you a n d study p a r ti cul a rly th e p a ssa ges w hi ch I h ave
m a rke d i n re d A n d i f a n y l i n e do es n ot see m qu i t e cle a r t o yo u do n o t
.
,

”
hes i t a te t o a sk m e ; I w i ll gl a dly expl a i n i t t o you .

Lo t u s w ent o ff ve ry h a ppy t o the J un gl e Co u rt y a rd w i th h er volum e

o f W an g W e i All th a t ev en i n g a n d l a t e i n t o t h e n i gh t sh e s a t un d er t h e
.

l amp st ud yi n g i t po em by p oe m v e rse by v e r se She se em e d obl i v i ous

, , .

to all t h a t w a s go i n g o n a rou n d h er Pr e c i ous Cl as p h a d t o c a ll h er .

a g a i n an d a g a i n b e for e sh e w en t t o b e d a t l a s t A n d sh eco n t i n u e d li k e .

th a t da y a f t er da y w i t h t i r el e ss z e a l .

O n e morn i n g a s Bla ck J a d e w a s at h er t o i le t Lo t us c a m e a g a i n t o
, ,

t h e B a mb oo H erm i t a g e th e volum e o f W an g W ei un d er h er arm a n d

'

, , ,

a f t e r proudly r e c i t i n g a v e r se from i t as k e d i f sh e m i g h t h a v e a volum e

,

o f Tu F11 n ex t .

“ ”
How m a n y po ems do yo u kn ow by he a rt alr ea dy ? as ke d Bla ck
J a d e sm i l i n g
, .

“
All th e poe ms wh i ch you h ad ma rke d i n re d .

A nd h a v e you t r i e d wri t i n g an y yourse lf yet ? ”

“

“ ”
A l i tt le .

’ ”
Let s h e a r i t !
Th e re upon Lo t us tr ea te d h er te a ch er to a fi rst sa m m e o f wh a t sh e
'

could do an d th en e n t er e d i n t o a n a rd en t li t e r a ry d i sc us si o n i n wh i ch
, ,

P a o Y u a n d T a st e of Spri n g w ho h a pp en e d t o com e i n a ls o j o i n e d
, ,
.

Tas t e o f Spri n g a t on ce d ecl ar e d t h a t Lo t us mus t b e come a m emb er o f

-

th e B e go n i a Club .

“
Oh b ut I can o n ly blu n d er a lo n g as et ; goo d wi ll i s all th a t I
,
y
”
h a v e pro t est e d Lo t us mod es t ly
, .

“
'
’
Do n t le t t h a t W orry yo u ! A ll o f us can o n ly st umbl e a lon
g
”
sa i d ,

Bl ck J d
a a e a n d T st e o f Spri n g si mul ta n e ou sly la ugh i n g
a
“
W h o sa y s , .

th a t w e ca n r ea lly compo se po et ry ? P e ople would po si ti v e ly l a u h th ei r

g
'

2
T u F u 7 12 7 7 0 -
.

L i T ai P o , 7 0 1 —
,

3
7 62
T a o Chi en , 365 —
.

4
4 27 .

308
t ee th o ut o f th eir
mouths i f o ur am ate ur eff orts w ere to pe netr a te be
”
yon d th e pr ec i n c ts o f th e pa rk an d b e com e publ i c .

“ ”
O h do n t pre ten d t o b e t oo mod es t ! pro tes te d Pa o Y u Wh en o ur
f
, .

club c a m e un de r d i s cu ssi o n a t a p a r ty re c en t ly s om e o f my fr i en ds ,

as k e d t o see so m e sampl es o f o ur a rt ; I wro t e o u t a se l e c t i o n o f o ur .

poe m s fo r th e m an d s ubm i tt e d th e m t o th e i r j udgm en t T hey we re re .

ce i v ed mo s t en th us i as t i c a lly an d a gre a t m a n y cop i es h a v e b ee n m a d e

,
”
an d d is t r i b u t e d .

? ”
Is th a t t ru e in te rj e c te d Bl a ck J a d e a n d T ast e o f Spri n g s i m ulta
n eo usl y .

“ ’
O f course i t i s I do n t g abble l i es li ke your p a rro t t h e re o n th e
.

”
pe rc h .

“
We ll yo u sh o ul dn t h a v e do ne t h a t ! s cold e d t h e t w o yo un g gi rls
,
’
.

It w a s mo st in di s c ree t o f yo u Wh et he r th e i m a g es p a i n te d by o ur i nk
.

b rush es ca n b e co n s i d ere d r ea l po em s o r n o t t he y were d e fin i t ely n o t ,

”
mean t for publi c a ti on .

Wh a t h a rm i s i t an yw a y ? W ha t would w e kn ow t od a y o f th e man y
“
,

b ea u t i ful po ems wri tt en by youn g g i rls in t he p a st i f th e y h a d n o t be e n ,

”
m a d e publ i c by i n d i scre t i o n s ?

T h e di s cuss i o n w a s i n te rrup te d by th e a pp ea r an c e o f Gri e f o f Spr i n g ,

wh o w an t e d P a o Y u t o g i v e hi s v e rd i c t o n t h e b i g p a i n t i n g o f t h e p ar k
o n w h i c h s he h a d bee n worki n g f o r m a n y w ee ks p a st a t t h e ord er o f th e

An c est r ess Lo tus a ls o w en t o ff wi th a vol um e o f Tu Fu a ft e r Bla ck

.
,

J a d e h a d g i ven her a t he r re qu es t a n o t h er th e m e t o work o n Sh e wa s

, ,
.

t o compo se a po e m co n s i st i n g o f e i gh t sev e n word l i n es o n t h e b ea u t i ful

-

h a rv es t moo n o f l as t n i gh t wi th th e b a s i c r h ym e a n r e c urr i n g s ix t i m es
,
.

Sh e s a t up fa r i n t o th e n i gh t p a rt ly ove r h er Tu F u a n d p a r t ly ov e r
,

h er o w n compo si t i o n a n d s o en gro s se d di d sh e b e com e t h a t she co m

,

pletel y forgo t t o e a t drin k o r s l ee p, ,

.

“
Y o u w i ll m a ke yourse lf i ll ; i t i s re a lly a b s urd o f yo u scold e d ,
“
Pre c i ou s Cl a sp Y o u a re a b i t w e a k in th e hea d by n a t ure a lrea dy a n d
.
,

go qui te cr az y ! B ut i t s a ll Bl a ck J a de s f a ul t a n d I ll ta ke
’ ’
n o w you w il l
’
,
”
h er to ta s k f o r i t !
“ ’
I ll com e r i g ht a wa y d ea r youn g l a dy ; b ut pleas e don t d is t ur b m e
’
,
”
now ! re p li e d Lo t us a b s en t ly ; an d sh e w en t o n wr i t i n g un t i l s he ha d

fin ish e d h er work The foll owi n g da y she sh owe d i t t o B la ck J a d e fo r

.

h e r v e rd i c t .

“
Th e th o ug ht is n o t b a d b ut th e la n gu a ge i s i n a d e qu a te Th a t i s b e
,
.

ca use yo u la ck e duca ti o n an d are n o t we ll r ea d It all so un ds to o force d . .

”
B ut do n o t b e di s co ur a g e d Try a g a i n ! Thi s w a s h er t ea c h e r s v erdi c t
’
. .

Lo t us w a lked th o ughtq y i n to th e pa rk She di d n o t tr us t herse lf to .

‘

re t urn t o th e J un gl e Co u rt y a rd Pr eci ous C las p would b e s ure to la ugh

.

a t h er ov e r h er b a d m a rks 5 0 sh e lin g e re d by th e fi sh po n d w a n d ered

.
,

309
un der the t r ees r est e d on blocks o f rock st a ri n g a b sen t ly i n t o s p a ce or
, , , ,

b en d i n g low t ra c e d i d eogr a phs i n t h e san d Her pe cul i a r b eh a v i or w as

,
.

s oo n n o i se d a bro a d a mo n g th e oth e r i n m a t es o f t h e p a rk In n o t i m e -

t h e W i dow C h u Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p T a s t e o f Spri n g an d P a o Y u h urri e d

, , ,

a lo n g a n d hi d i n g b eh i n d a sh elf o f rock w a t ch e d h er ev e ry mov em en t

, ,

w i th an x i ou s a tt en ti on as sh e kn i t h er brows f rown e d or l a ugh e d t o

'

, ,

h er se lf It a ll s eem ed v e ry s t r a n g e t o th e m !
.

“
S h e s a b i t cr azy w h isp e re d Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp t o th e o the r s Sh e sat
’ ”
, . .

up l a st n i ght un ti l t he fifth n i gh t w a t ch mu tt e r i n g t o h er self a n d wri t ,

i n g wr i t in g a n d mut t eri n g It w a s a lr ea dy d a wn wh en a t l a st sh e la y
,.
.

down to sl eep A s s oon a s th e re w a s li gh t I h e a rd h e r movi n g a b ou t

.

a g a i n m a ki n g a h u rr i e d t o i l et a n d t h en run n i n g off t o Bl a ck J a d e wi th
,

o ut t a ki n g a n y br ea kf a s t A n d n ow t h e r e sh e i s a t i t a g a i n ! I a sk yo u i s
.
,

? ”
th a t n orm a l
“
Sh e i s a n un u su a l p ers o n an d n o doub t d i vi n ely i n s p i re d s a i d P ao ,
“
Y u rev er en tly Up t i l l n ow w e h ave l a ug h e d a t h er an d co n s i d er e d h er
, .

”
common pl a c e Now her tr u e n a t ur e i s br e a ki n g o ut
. .

“
Y o u would do b ett er emul a t in g h er i n st e a d o f m e r e ly a dm i ri n g h er ;
th i n k h ow i t Would h elp your Pr e c i ou s C l a sp t e asi n gly .

He bore h er h i n t i n si lenc e A t th i s mom en t L o t u s th r e w b a ck h er h ea d .

wi t h a j e rk j ump e d up a n d ran o ff i n th e d i re c t i o n o f t h e B amboo

, ,

H erm i t a ge .

“ ”
Com e ! Let us run a fte r her an d see w h at sh e s up t o n e x t ! su g ’

gest e d T a st e of Spr i n g A n d the y a ll follow e d h er t o t he B a m b oo Her

.

m i t a ge The y a rr i ve d th er e j u st i n t i m e to see Bl a ck J a d e looki n g

.
‘

t h rough t he n ew v e rs i o n of th e po e m a bou t t h e m o o n an d cri t i c i z i n g i t

'

She f o un d i t st i ll i n suffi c i en t ly pol i sh e d an d d em an d ed a th i rd ver si o n .

L o t u s w a s cru she d Sh e h a d im a g in e d t h a t t his t i m e sh e h a d r ea lly got

.

i t ri g h t T he o ther s en cour a g e d h er an d so sh e set t o work f o r t h e t hi rd

.
,

t i m e sea t ed o n th e st o n e t e rr a c e i n fro n t o f t h e ba b o h e dg e h er ey es
,
m o ,

an d ea r s clo se d to a ll th a t w a s go i n g on a rou n d h er .

”
Do ta ke a rest ! T a st e of Spri n g calledout t o h er f rom th e wi n dow _
.

’ ”
R do esn t fi t i n wi th t he r h yme ! repli e d Lot us ab sen t ly
e s t
‘

She i s r ea lly po ssess e d by th e dem o np f po e t ry ; Bl ack J a d e h as t o

'

”
a n sw e r for th a t ! r em a rke d Prec i ou s Cl aspami d g en er a l l aught er .

“
W hy sh ould I n o t t ea ch h er si n c e she asked m e t o do so
u
”
? as ke d
,

Bl a ck J a d e i n se lf d efen se -
.

“
Le t s t a ke her ov er i o C ri ef o f Spr i n g a n d s h ow her th e n ew p a in t
’ ’

in g ; t h a t w i ll d i st r a c t h er s ugg es t e d th e pr a c t i ca l Wi dow C h u Th e y
, .

follow e d h er a dvi ce t ook Lo t us a n d l a ugh i ng ly bore her o ff p ast t h e

, , ,

Lo t u s R oo t Pa vi li on t o the Li tt l e C astl e of W a rm P erf um es Gri ef o f

-

,
'

Spri n g w a s j ust r est i n g from her p a in t i n g

o n a di v an The p i c t ure whi c h st o od o n
'

.
,

310
th r ee p a rt i es h a d m et by c h a n c e o n the w a y th ere a n d h a v in g a scer ,

t a i n ed the i r mu t u a l r e l a t i on s h i p s h a d co n t i n u e d t h e j ourn e y t og et h e r
,
.

T he A n c es tr ess w ho could n ev er h a ve en oug h r el at i v es a rou n d h er

, ,

welcom e d th e n ew a rr i v a l s mo st w a r m ly a n d ke p t t h e wh ol e lo t o f th em
a s p erm a n e n t gu est s o f th e h ou se
’

She w a s p a r ti cul a rly en c h a nt e d w i t h Pre c i ou s H a rp w h o i f po ssi bl e

.

ev e n s u rp a ss e d h er cou s i n Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p l n c h a rm Sh e g o t M a d a m e
.

C h en g t o adop t her b ut t ook her t o l i ve l n h er ow n a p a r tm en t W hi l e

,
.

h e r fa t her w as sti ll l i v i n g i n the c a p i t a l t h e youn g g i rl h a d b ee n b e

t ro t h e d t o a you n g m a n n a m ed M ei so n o f t h e m e mb er of th e H a n L i n
,

Ac a d emy a n d n ow h a d com e t o t own es cort e d by he r e ld e r bro th er fo r

, ,

t h e c el e br a t i o n o f t h e m a rr i a g e w h i c h w a s t o t a k e pl a c e s oo n Her
‘

.
.
,

bro ther w a s lodged wi th Aun t H su eh a n d l i ve d i n t h e room s form erly

occup i e d by H su eh P an Th e o the r t h r ee you n g g i rl s fou n d a cco m m o
.

d a ti o n i n the P a rk o f D el i gh t ful V i si on— Wr ea th o f Cloud s w i th h er

co u s i n Greeti n g o f Spr i n g the d a ugh t e r o f Pr i n ce S hi eh a n d t he two
, ,

Li g i rls w i th th ei r cou s i n t h e W i do w C h u i n t h e R i c e F a r m .

To the grea t j oy of the B ego n i a Club a ll th e four n ew cou si ns w er e

'

well v er se d i n l i te ra t ure a n d po etr y an d we r e h ea r ti ly w e lcom e d a s n ew

,

m e mb ers of th e club The m emb ersh i p o f th e club th u s ro se t o four teen

.

-
t h e W i dow C h u a s c h a i rm a n th e t h r ee Spr i n , g g i rls t he twocou si n s ,

Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp a n d Pr e c i ous H a rp a n d th e t w o si ste r s L i W en a nd Li Ki
, ,

Bl a ck J a d e a n d Pa o Y u Li tt le Cloud Lo t u s a n d Wr eath o f Cloud s a n d

, , ,

P h o en i x a s h o n ora ry c h a i rm a n True t he l a t ter di d n o t un d e rst an d t he

.
,

a rt of v e r s e m a k i n f b u l s he h a d b een pr ev a i l e d upon to a cc ept th e

g
-

h o n or a ry c h a i rm an shi p so t h a t h er pow e rful fi n a n c i a l h e lp m i gh t m a ke

t he v a r i ous club fi x t ures po ss i bl e In t hi s sh e h a d com e up t o e xpe c t a
.

t i o n s a n d i mm ed i a t ely o n j o i n i n g th e club sh e h a d r e pl en i sh e d i ts
,

s c a n t y fu n ds w i th a h a n ds om e s ub s cr i p t i o n o f fif t y t ae l s .

T h e W i dow Chu w a s t h e old est m e mb er i n y ea rs ; a fte r her c a m e

‘
‘

Ph o en i x T he a ge of th e o t he r m embers r a n g e d from fifteen t o sev en

.

t ee n A s mo st o f t h em h a d n o t kn own e a c h o t h e r lo n g a n d h a d n o t o t
.
g
h
t e d a t es of ea c h o the r s b i r th d a y s v e ry a ccur a t e ly 1 n t h e i r h ea d s t h e r e
’
,

w a s muc h amu s i n g co n fu s i o n ov e r form s o f a ddr ess a n d i t oft en h a p s

,
“
pe n ed t ha t a you ng er m e mb e r a ddresse d a n e ld e r o n e a s you n ger
”
s i st e r , a n d v i c e v e r sa A n d s o i n th ese w i n te r mo n th s t he B e go n i a
.
,

Club b ec a me ex tr e m ely a c t i ve a n d l i t e r a ry r i v a lry r ea c he d a n ew p ea k

,

i n t he P a rk of D el i gh t ful V i si o n .

O n e da y P ea rl ha d a ske d for a n e x ten d e d le a v e a t t h e w i sh o f he r

dy in g mo th e r w ho w a nte d t o h a ve he r n ea r her m her l a st h our s Dur
, .

i n g h er a b se nc e the
h er pl a c e i n

312
 go es t o b e d ea rly a n d ri ses ear ly an d do es n ot get i n t o any m i s ch i ef ,

Ph o en i x h a d i mpr esse d upon th e m .

Th e fir st ni gh t a f ter P ea rl h a d l e ft Pa o Y u c a ll ed h er n a m e t wi ce in
h i s dr e am s .

“ ”
Wh a t i s i t a sked M usk y a wn i n g from n ea r by
?
, ,
.

”
I w an t t ea .

Wh i le Bri g ht C loud r em a i n e d l a z i ly i n b ed Mu s k got up an d h urr i e d ,

i n to the ki t c h en A s sh e h a d o n ly go t o n a red qu i l te d p et ti co a t h e m a d e
. ,

h eiif p ut on h i s w a rm sa bl e fur She b rough t hi m a bowl o f t ea an d

'

po ur e d o ut h a lf a bowl for h er self .

‘ ”
fB ri ng m e a drop tOo b egg e d Br i g ht Cloud
,
“
My word you p ut o n a s muc h a i r s a s i f yo u w er e a d a ugh ter o f th e
,

h o use.

“
I w i ll d a n c e a tt en d a n c e on yo u t omorrow l n r et urn Y o u n ee d n ot .

st i t hew h ol e da y
r .

Mu sk di d a s sh e a ske d a n d brough t h er a bowl o f t ea A n d n ow I .

” “
w an t t o sl i p o u t for a mom e n t sh e sai d G o on ch a tt i n g I w i ll b e b a ck
, . .

”
a t on ce .

“ ”
B ew a r e o f t he gh o st s ou t si d e ! Bri g h t Cloud c a ll e d a ft e r Mu sk .

T h er e s cl ea r moon l i g ht ; you n ee d n o t b e a f ra i d
“ ’
e ll b e t a lk i n g
’

”
un t i l you com e b a ck s a i d Pa o Y u A s i gn i fic an t cl ea r i n g of th e t h ro at
, .

g a v e M usk t o un d e r st a nd th a t he w i she d to b e l eft a lo n e w i th Br i gh t ,

Cloud Alr ea dy Mu sk h a d re a che d t h e b a ck door an d sl i pp ed o ut u n d er

.

th e fel t cur t a i n i n t o t h e moo n l i t cour t y a rd

Bri gh t Cloud s udd en ly fel t t emp t ed to sl i p o ut a ft e r h er a n d g i v e h er

a b i t o f a fr i g h t A s sh e w a s s t ron g a n d h ea l t h y by n a t ur e sh e di d n o t
.

t roubl e t o dr ess fir st b u t cl i mb e d dow n from h e r a lcov e j u s t a s sh e w a s

, ,

w i t h o n ly a sh or t p e tt i co a t o n an d sl i ppe d o u t th e door
, .

“ ’ ”
Don t c a t ch cold ! cri e d P a o Y u wa rn i n gly a ft e r h er b ut sh e w as ,

a lr ea dy o ut t h e door Sh e w a s h a rdly ou t s i d e how e v e r when sh e f el t a

.
, ,

cold w i n d cu t t i n g th rough h er fl esh a n d bo n es Sh e sh i v er e d b ut re .

,

m a i n ed ou t si d e a ll t h e sa m e Sh e w a s j u st abou t t o cr ee p up o n Mu sk
.

from th e b a ck a n d fr i ght en h er by c a ll i n g o ut a t her wh en sh e he rs elf ,

w a s s t a rt l e d by P a o Y u s v 0 1 ce c a ll i n g h er b a ck from w i t h i n She h ur
’
.
,

ri e d t o hi s b ed si d e .
N
“
Y o u fri g ht en e d me t o d ea th ! sh e sa i d t o h i m l a ugh i n g
”
, .

“
I di d n o t w a n t t o fr i gh ten you I on l y w a n t e d t o sa v e yo u from ,

c a tc hi n g cold B es i d es i f yo u go fool i n g a bou t ou ts i d e a t n i gh t yo u

.
,

m a y d i s t ur b o th e r p e opl e s sl ee p a n d c a u se go ss i p I do n t w a n t i t t o b e
’
.
’

sa i d t h a t th e d e v i l brok e loo s e h e r e a s s oo n a s P ea rl s b a ck w a s t urn ad ’

.

e h
Com ov r r n d st r a i gh ten my bl a n ket !
e e e a
”

Br i g h t Cloud w en t up t o h i s b e d t o st r a i gh ten h i s bl an ket a nd i n do

i n g s o let h er h a n d s li p a li t tle u n d er i t .

3 14
dec i ded t o kee p her a t h om e a n d t o get a doc t or f o r h e r un kn own t o th e ,

A n c es t r e s s .

“
B ut M a d a m e Ph o en i x a t l east sh ould b e t old O th e rwi se sh e m ay .

fi n d o u t t h a t th e doc t or h as b een h ere an d ta ke i t a mi ss th a t sh e h as

,
-

”
n o t b ee n t old a bou t i t ,
obj ec te d Br i gh t Cloud .

P a o Y u agree d a n d sen t a se rvi n g wom an to Ph o em x Br i ght Cloud

,
. .

h a d c a ug ht a sli g h t cold i t w a s no th i n g a t all se ri ou s a n d h e b e gg e d

, ,

s o th e m e ss a g e ran— to b e a llow e d t o l o ok a ft er h er a t h om e as h e could

n o t we ll do w i th ou t h er ; h e would get a doc t or i n by t h e s i d e g a t e w a y

.
,

a n d would she Ph o en i x pl ease n o t m a ke a n y fu ss a bou t th e m a t t e r

, , .

P h o en i x sen t b a ck word th at sh e h a d n o obj e c t i o n b ut i f th ere w a s n o t ,

a n i mm e d i a e i mprov e m en t t he p a t i en t mus t d efi n i t ely l ea v e t h e h ouse

t
an d go b a ck t o h er f a m i ly for t h e d an g er o f i n fe c t i on w as p a r ti cula rly
“

great i n th ese wi nter d ays a n d th e he a lt h o f th e yo un g l a di es w a s v e ry

pr ec i ous .

“ ”
She re a lly ca rri es o n as i f I h a d t he pl a gu e ! e xclai m e d t h e o f
“
fen d e d p a t i en t pe ev i sh ly V e ry w ell th en I d pr efe r t o go a w a y at
, .
, ,
’

”
on ce i n ord er t o sa ve t he gr a n d l a d i es her e from a n y m o re hea d a ch es .

She sa t up an d w a s a bou t t o st a r t p a cki n g h er t h i n g s b ut P a o Y u ,

g

press e d her g en t ly b a ck on h er b e d .

“ ”
D o n o t b e so qu i ck t o t a ke off en se ! h e sa i d pl a c a t i n gly Ph o em x .

feels respo n s i bl e t o th e o ld Ta i ta i an d w an ts to fee l th at she h a s do n e

, ,

he r du ty i n c a se an yt h i n g sh ould h a pp en b ut sh e di d n o t m ea n i t so ,
”
s tri c tly a s a ll t h a t .

A t t h a t mom en t th e doc t or w h om h e h a d se n t f o r a p pe ar e d o n t h e
s c e n e escort e d by t h r e e e ld e rly a tt en d a n ts ; P a o Y u h i d h urr i e dly b e
,

b i n d a bookca se The serv i n g wom en let down th e re d embro i dere d cur

.

t ai n i n fro n t of Br i g h t Cloud s a lcov e t h en th e p a t i en t h a d t o st r e t c h h er

’
,

h an d o ut t h roug h t he curt a i n T h e doc to r looke d f o r a wh i l e a t th e

.

h a n d a n d th e t w o fi n ge rs t h e n a i l s of w h i c h w e re tw o or th ree i n ches
,

lon g a n d dy e d re d w i th C hi n a b a l sa m Th en h e fel t th e pulse a fter a .

s e rv i n g wom a n h a d wr a ppe d a cle a n h a n dk e rc h i e f a rou n d t h e p a t i en t s

’

wri st .

“
I n te rn a l co n ge st i on ex t e rn a l i rri t a t i on; a sli gh t cold due t o the b ad
,
”
wea the r In th ese word s h e expl a i n e d h i s d i a gn o si s t o the se rv i n g
.

“
wo men whe n the y go t outs i d e th e door Fort u n a t e ly the youn g l a dy .
,

i s ob s e rv i n g mod er at i o n i n ea t i n g a n d dr i n k i n g th e re fore t h e cold h a s ,

n o t do n e h er muc h h a rm a p a rt from a sl i g h t d et e r i or a ti o n i n her br ea th

i n g a n d i n t he c i rcul a t i o n o f the blood A li tt l e do se o f m e d i c i n e a n d

.
,

she w i ll b e a ll ri g h t a g a i n
”
.

T he c ha mb erwom an es cort e d h i m o ut o f t he p a rk a g a i n W i dow Ch u .

h a d t a ken c a re t h a t he sh ould n o t c a t ch si gh t o f a n o f th e you th ful f e

y
m a le i n m a t es o f the p a rk o n h i s wa y o ut H a v i n g r ea ch ed th e p a rk ga te
.
,

3 16
he st e ppe d as i d e i n t o th e g at ek ee pe r s lodg e to wri te hi s prescri p t i on
’
.

Wh en h e w as a bou t to go , a se rv in g wom a n as ke d him t o w a i t a m o

men t T he youn g m aste r w i she d t o see h i s pr es cr i p t i o n an d mi ght w an t
.

'

t o s pea k t o h
“
Oh , w as th e p a t i en t a youn g g n tl em an T h e a p a rtm en t wi th i ts
e ?
,

low e re d b e d cur ta i n g a v e m e t h e cl ea r i mpr ess i on o f b ein g a youn g

,

gi rl s room I th oug h t I h a d th e h o n or o f tr ea t i n g a y oung l a dy o f th e

’
.

”
h ous e , rem a rke d t h e doc t or as t o n i sh e d ,
.

“
Th i s i s your first t i m e he r e , so n a t ur a ll y yo u could n ot kn ow th e
”
co n st i t u t i o n o f th e h o useh old a se rv i n g wom a n expl a i n e d t o hi m wi th
, ,
“
a sm i l e .Y o u ha v e j u st b een i n th e re s i d en c e o f o ur youn g m a ste r , a n d
your p a t i en t w a s n o t a you n g l a dy a d a ughte r o f t h e h ouse b ut on e o f , ,

th e youn g g en t l e m a n s w a i ti n g m a i d s You would h a rdly h a v e r ec ei v e d

’
.

”
a dmi s s i o n so ea s i ly t o t h e b e dr oo m o f a youn g l a dy A n d sh e t oo k the .

pr es cr i p t i o n an d ra n o ff w i th i t t o th e B e go n i a Court y a rd t o sh ow i t t o ,

P a o Y u P a o Y u r ea d i t T he re w as som et h i n g i n i t a bou t purpl e th ym e

. . ,

“ ”
an d th e l i k e
’
i ro n wood s a g e an d l emo n an d bro t h of h ors e s ta i l
, , , ,
.

“ ” “ ’
D a mn i t a ll ! h e e xcl a i m e d Wh a t do es th e fellow th i n k h e s do .

i n g ? He h a s pr es cri b e d st uff h e re w h i ch m i gh t b e a ll r i gh t f o r o n e o f us ,

b ut n o t fo r a fr a i l youn g g i rl ! S en d hi m a bou t h i s b us i n ess a t o n c e an d

”
get a b e tte r doc t or !
“
W e sh a ll sen d for Doct or W an g at o n c e promi se d th e se rvi n g ,

wom a n w h o h a d b een r es po n si ble for th e firs t d o c t or s h a v i n g b e en ’

“
c lle d W ho would h a v e t h ought t h a t th a t o n e would b e suc
a . h a qu cka ?

B ut w e c er t a in ly ca nn o t le t h i m go w i th ou t p a y i n g h i m som ethi n g For .

i t w as w e w h o s en t fo r h i m an d n o t th e m a j ordomo , .

“ ”
How much do yo u th in k w e sh ould gi v e hi m a sked P a o Y u? .

”
A ta el would b e a bou t r i gh t .

“ ? ”
A n d h ow much do es th e o th e r o n e Doc tor W a n g get , ,

Doc t or W a n g l i ke D oc t or C h an g , is o n e o f o ur r e gu l a r h ou se do c
,

t ors h e re H e n ee d n o t g et a sp e c i a l f e e for t h i s p a rt i cu l a r v i si t H e
. .

dr a ws h i s re gul ar s a l a ry a t th e four ann u a l fest i v a ls .

“ ”
V e ry w e ll go a n d t a ke th e qu a ck his t a el P a o Y u ord e re d M us k
, ,
.

Y es I would i f I kn e w wh ere Pea rl h as p ut o ur h ous ek eep i n g

,
”
mo ne y d M us k
, sa i .

“
A s f ar a s I kn ow she kee p s i t i n h er l i tt le c a b i n et wi th the sh ell a n d
,
”
mo th er oi pe a rl i n cru sta t i on Com e let us look !
'
- -
.
,

Tog eth er th e y w en t i n t o P e a rl s room whi ch w as cr amm e d wi th fur ’

,

n i tu re a n d b elo n gi n g s a n d open e d t h e c a b i n et in qu es t i o n T h ey foun d

,
.

th e t o p s e cti o n full o f p a i n t e d fan s pur ses b a gs pe rfum ed p m a d es

o , , , ,

h a n dkerch i efs a n d si mi l a r sm a ll a rt i cle s On t h e low e r sh e lf la y s om e

,
.

t h ous an d p i ece st ri n gs of mo n e y Bes i d es th ese comp a rt m en ts th e re w as

-
.

a dra w e r In th i s th e y foun d an o pen cas h box m a d e o f pl ai t e d b a mboo

.

3 17 .
con t ai n i n g seve r a l p i e c es o f brok en si lv er a n d a sma ll mon e y w ei ght .

Mu sk p i cke d o ut o n e p i e c e of si lv er a t r a n d om an d p ut i t o n th e s c a le .

“ ”
Is th a t m uc h a t a el ? sh e a sk e d P a o Y u u n c e rt a i nl y .

”
Y o u a sk m e i n v a i n s a i d P a o Y u w i th a n e mb a rr a sse d smi l e f o r
, ,

h e w as n o w i se r th an sh e w a s i n th e m a tt er o f w ei gh in g mo n ey .

“ ”
I w i ll a sk the o th er s .

Wh at ever for ? Ju st t a ke th at p i ec e If i t s a b i t more o r l es s wh a t

.
’
,
”
do es th a t m a tt e r W e a re n o t p e ddl ers he re
?
’

Mu sk p ut a wa y th e s c a l es an d w ei gh e d th e p i ece o f si lv er th ough t
fully i n her h an d .

“
Well l et s on ly h ope i t s n o t l ess t h an a t ael sh e s a i d h esi t an t ly
,
’ ’
, ,

el s e th a t poor d ev i l of a qu a ck m i g h t et a f a l s e i mpr e s s i on o f u s ; n o t
g
th a t w e do n o t kn ow h o w t o w ei g h t h e s t uff— th a t wo uld ha rdly occur
.

t o h i m B ut h e would prob a bly t h i n k th a t w e g a v e h i m so l i tt l e deli b

.

”
e r a t ely b ec a u se w e a re h a rd up a n d h a v e t o coun t o r p en c e
u .

“ ”
Th a t s h alf a fi v e ou n c e b a r p ut i n a se rvi n g wom an w h o ha d b een
’
-

, ,
“
li sten i n g from th e door Th e p i ec e you r e h old in g in your h a n d w ei gh s
, .
’

a good t w o oun ce s Y o u m a p i ck m ll r p i c w i t h a n e a s y co n
.
y a s a e e e
”
s c i en c e .

“
A h w h y sh ould w e s e a rc h a n y mor e ? H ere kee p th e e x t r a b i t f o r
, ,
”
yourself ! sa i d Mu sk b ump t i ou s ly .

A n d le t M in g Y en go fet c h Doc t or Wa n g a t o n c e ! a dd e d P a o Y u
“ ”
.

After a li ttl e ti m e Doct or W a n g a rr i ved a n d ex a m in e d th e p a ti en t

an e w Hi s d i a g n o si s w a s n o t muc h d i ff er en t from t h a t o f h i s col l ea gu e
.
,

b u t h i s pr es cr i pt i on s w e r e co n si d e r ably d i ff er en t Th i s t i m e th e h a r sh
purg a t i ves an d s udo ri fi cs wer e om i tt e d an d m t h ei r pl a c e th e r e w a s
,

men t i on o f a rch a n gel roo t p eo n y roo t an d si m i l a r m i ld dru gs Mor e

, ,
.

ov er the do sa ge o f th e i n d i vi du a l dr ugs w a s n o t so gr ea t as i n th efirst

,

pr es cri p ti on .

“
Th i s pl e as es m e b ett er ; i t looks more li ke th e ri gh t m edi c in e fo r
”
youn g gi rls s ai d Pa o Y u co mpl a cen t ly t o hi s t w o w a i ti n g m a i ds
, .

Th ose purg a ti ves a n d su do ri fi cs mu st d efi n i t ely n o t b e use d t oo free ly .

Wh en I w as a ch i ld an d u se d t o get h ea d cold s an d con st i p a ti o n th e

. , .

doct or s n eve r t r ea t e d m e w i th h orset a i l bro th an d ch a lk an d le mo n

‘ ’

a n d t i g e r an d wolf m e d i c i n es of t h a t ki n d Wha t w a s t o o roug h f or m e

‘ ’
.

i s ( l efi n i tely n o t t h e r i g h t t h i n g for th e t ende r co ns t i t u ti o n o f youn g

gi rIs
An o ld
rvi n g wom an brought i n th e v ar i ous me d i c i n es P ao Y u
se .

i ns t ruc te d h er t o fe t c h th e si lv e r v esse l m whi c h m e d i c in es w e r e us ua lly

pr ep a re d an d t o con coc t th e bre w a t o n c e i n Bri ght Cloud s room ov e r ’

t h e c h ar co a l fi re .
a
“
Do ple ase h a v e the m pre p are d o n th e prope r st o ve i n th e ki t c hen ,

3 18
tr e at m en t He di d s t i ll mor e , a nd procure d for th e p a t i en t a l i tt le o f th e
.

Europ e a n o i n tm en t wh i ch Ph o en i x was alw a y s i n t h e h a b i t o f rubb i n g

o n for h e a d a c h es T h en h e l ef t th e s i ckroom a n d s troll e d o u t i n t o th e
. .

p a rk t o s ee k som e rel a x a ti o n w i th Gri ef of Spri n g , w h o w a s si t t i n g b e

for e h er e a sel pa in ti n g ,
.

On t h e w a y h e m e t S n a i l Cou s in Pr e c i ou s Ha rp 5 l i t tl e c h a mb e rm a i d
’ '

, ,

w h o w as on h er w a y to Bl a ck J a d e 5 h om e th e B a mboo H erm i t a ge H er
’
.
,

m i str ess a n d Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp w er e th ere sh e sa i d Th e r eupon h e , .

ch an ge d h i s m i n d a n d a ccomp a ni e d S n a i l t o th e B a mbo oH e rm i t a ge .

“ ”
H er e s a n o t h er v i si t or ! All th e s ea t s a re a lre a dy en g a g e d ! Thi s w as
’

th e l a ug h in g gre et in g w h i c h m et h i m a s h e en t e r e d Bl a ck J a d e s b ed
’

room .

A n d i n fa c t h e fou n d n o less t h a n four cou s i n s— Bl a ck J a d e Pre c i ou s

Cl a sp Pr ec i ou s H a rp a n d Wr e a th of Clouds—g a th e r e d rou n d the
,

, ,

glow i n g br az i er Cuckoo t he w a i t i n g m a i d w a s si tt i n g n o t f a r from t he

.
, ,

wi n dow o n the edg e of t he b e d do i n g s ome n ee dl ework .

“ ”
Wh a t an en c h a n t i n g p i c t ure ! cr i e d P ao Y u a dm i ri n gly On e .

‘
could c a ll i t A G a th e r i n g of G i rls i n Wi n t er A n d h ow cozy a n d w a rm .
’

”
you a re i n h e r e !
He s ett l e d down comfor ta bly i n a n eas y c h a i r cov e r e d w i th s qu i rr el
f ur w hi c h Bl a ck J a d e w a s i n t h e h a b i t of u si n g Hi s gl an c e fe ll o n a j a d e .

v as e i n w h i c h fi v e h y a c i n th flow er s m a d e a fi ne sh ow .

“
Wh e re di d th o se m a gn i fic en t h y a c i n th s com e from ? Th e y w e re n o t
”
here y est e rd a y w e r e th ey ?
,h e as k e d .

Th ey a re a pr esen t from th e w i fe of your m a j or domo L a i S hen g

“
, ,
“
expl a in e d Bl a ck J a d e Sh e g a v e Pr e c i ous H a rp t w o v a s es o f h y a c i n th s
.

l i ke th a t o n e a n d tw o of c a lyc an th u s Pre c i ou s H a rp h a s h an d e d o n a
, .

v a se o f h y a c i n th s t o m e a n d o n e o f t he v a s es of w i n t e r s we et t o Li tt l e
”
Cloud D o you l i k e th e h y ac i n t hs You m a y h a ve t he m
.
? .

N 0 th a n k you I h a v e som e i n my pl a ce b ut th e y a re n o t a s b e a u t i
, .
,

f ul a s yours A n yw a y you c an n o t w e ll g i v e yours a w a y

.

W hy n o t ? I h a v e an a bun d a n c e o f p e rf um es h e r e a lr ea dy— m
,
“
e di ci

n al odors My drug v esse l n ev e r l ea v es th e fi re t h e w h ol

.
e da y It would .

rea ll y b e a p i ty i f t he b ea u t i f ul pur e perfume o f th e flow e rs sh ould b e

.

s po i l e d by t h ese m e di c i n e fum es All t h es e s t ron

g p e rfum es a re a b i t t oo
.

h
muc f a good thi n g ; the y m a ke m e feel qu i t e wea k
o
”
.

“
T he drug c a ldro n h as b een s i mm er in g ov er i n my qu a r te rs t oo
”
s i n c e y es t erd a y h e sa i d l a ug h in g an d t old o f Bri g h t Cloud s cold ’
, , , .

“
A n d do n t you th in k t h a t h y a c i n ths an d c a lyc an th u s would b e mo st
’

e i
d l g fulh t a n d fi tt i n t ? ”
g h em es for o ur n ex t club sess i o n h e a dd e d .

A t thi s th e co n v er sa ti o n t urn ed t o po eti c a l compo si ti o n .

T he n ex t ti m e t he cl ub h old s i ts sess i o n i n my pl a c e o u w i ll all et

“

’’
y g
a sur pri se sa i d Prec i ous Cl as p pu t ti n g on a s t e rn a i r
“
E a ch m emb e r
, .

3 20
 w i ll h a v e t o produc e four fi v e word rhym e d o c t et s a n d four v er ses e a c h
-

of tw elve l i n e s i n flowe ry l a n gu a g e a n d u n rh ym e d v e r se o n ei gh t di f ,

f e ren t t hem e s T h e fir s t t h em e w i ll b e : T a i ch i t u — T h ou gr e a t D es
.
‘

’
ti n y
, a n d n o o n e wi ll b e le t o ff
”
Don t b e li e v e her ! S h e s o n ly j ok i n g i n terj e c t e d Cou si n Pre c i ou s
’ ’
.

H a rp sm i l i n g A s t he d a ug h te r o f a b i g b u sin essm a n s h e w a s a lre a dy

, .

w i d e ly t ra v ell e d d e s p i te h e r you t h an d w a s g en era lly a dm i re d by t he

,

cou s i n s fo rhe r kn owl e dge of t he world a n d he r mo re e m a n c i p a t e d v i ew s .

“
W h y sh ould w e bo th e r w i t h t e d i ou s p h i lo s op hi c a l t h e m e s from th e
I C h i n g t h e Book of C h a n g e s ? B esi d es w e would n o t p o duce a n y th i n g
, ,
“

v ery br i ll i a n t from i t ; a t t he b es t i t would b e st i l t e d a n d a r ti fic i a l .

Wh i c h j u st re m i n d s m e o f s om et h i n g W h en I w a s ei g h t y e a rs o ld my
.

f a t he r t ook m e a lo n g o n a j ourn e y t o the co a s t a l c i ti e s of the W est e rn

S ea w h e r e h e u s e d t o purc h a se for e i g n good s T h e re I m a d e th e a c
, .

qu a i n t a n c e of a b ea u t i ful fi ft e en y e a r old Europ ea n g i rl She w a s j u st

- -
.

l i ke t h o se b ea u t i ful wom en w h om o n e ofte n s ees i n Europ ea n pa i n t i n g s .

Gol de n h a i r fe ll i n loo se lock s ov e r h e r sh ould ers H er j e we lr y co n .

s i s te d of cor a l s br i ll i a n t a g a t es a n d gr e e n c a t s e y e s Sh e wor e a fi n e
’
-
.
, ,

ve st of gold m esh In th e b el t w h i c h he ld i n he r lo n g sl ee v e d dre ss of

.
-

West e rn d a m a sk sh e wor e a sm a ll j e w ell e d d a gg e r i n a gold en sh e a t h .

Sh e w a s wo n d e rfully b ea u t i ful t o look a t e v en mor e b e a u t i ful t h an ,

t h o se wom e n i n t h e p i c t ure s It w a s s a i d t h a t sh e kn e w our C h i n e se

.

po et ry a n d our Si x Cl a ss i c a l Books a n d t h a t sh e e ven u n d ers t ood C hi

,

n es e l i t e r a t ur e My f a t h e r a s k e d t h roug h t h e Co n s ul
.
,
t o s ee s om e ex ,

a mpl e s o f h e r C h i n e s e po e t ry H e a n d a ll h i s fri en d s fou n d t h e m a s t o n

.

i sh i n gly good .

“ ”
O h s how us a s a mpl e of th em ! b e gg e d P a o Y u exc i t e dly
,
.

I a m s orry th a t I c a n n o t I h a ve p ut t he po em s a w a y a t h om e i n t he
. ,

”
s ou t h e rn c a p i t a l .

“ ”
Wh a t a p i t y ! h e s i g h e d d i sa ppo i n te d How lucky yo u a re t o see
,
.

”
s om e t h i n g o f t h e world T h a t luck w i ll n ev e r b e m i n e
. .

“ ” “
Do n o t b e t a ke n i n by her ! cr i ed Bl a ck J a d e Sh e h a s brough t s o .

?
muc h lugg a g e he r e ; w h y sh ould sh e l e a ve j u st t h o se po e m s a om I t h e

s i mply do n o t b e l i e v e i n t h e e x i s t e n c e of t h o s e po e m s
“
Th a t s j us t l i ke Bl a ck J a d e Sh e wo n t b e t a k en i n ! B ut t h i s t i m e she
’
.
’

is d e fi n i t ely t o o sk e p t i c a l r e m a rk e d Prec i ou s Cl a s p
,
.

“
Le t Pre c i ou s H a rp prove h e r a ss e r t i o n by v i s i bl e e v i d e n c e ; u n t i l
”
th e n I w i ll n o t b e l i ev e h er i n s i s te d Bl a ck J a d e
,
.

un t i l sh e h a s un p a cke d a n d t i d i e d a ll
.

”
m e t o l i gh t r e t ort e d Prec i ou s Cl asp ,
.

?
th e m by h e a r t Do pl e a s e re c i te , ,

e s a i d t urn i n g t o h e r cou s i n ,
.
 Gl a dly I ca n r em em b e r a rhym e d fi v e word oct et Qu i t e an a ch i e ve
.
-
.

”
m en t for a Europ e a n g i rl r e pl i e d Pr e c i ou s H a rp
,
.

“
Com e let u s h ea r i t ! No ! W a i t u n t i l I c a ll Li tt l e Cloud ; sh e mu st
,
”
h ea r i t t o o sa i d Pre c i ou s Cl a sp
,
.

“
R u n ov e r t o t h e Ju n gl e Cour ty a rd a n d a sk th e yo un g l a dy t o com e
” “ ’
ov er sh e b a d e th e w a i t i n g m a i d S n a i l T ell h er t h a t th e r e s a b e a u t i
,
.

ful Europ e a n g i rl w h o ca n compo se po et ry i n C h i n ese wh om w e a re ,

a dm i r i n g ov e r h e r e A n d t e ll h er t o br i n g b a ck t h e o th e r po et ry m a d
.
-

”
g i rl w i th h er .

Aft e r a shor t t i m e S n a i l c a m e b a ck wi th Li t t l e Cloud an d Lo t u s “

“ ”
?
Wh e r e i s t h e Europ e a n b ea ut y cri e d Li tt le Cloud wh i l e st i ll a lon g
w ay o ff .
“
Sh e i s n o t yet h er e bod i ly , b ut you ca n a lr ea dy h ea r h er s pea ki n g ,

c am e t h e l a ugh i n g a n sw er .

Pr ec i ou s H a rp o n c e mor e r ep e a t e d for t h e b en efi t of Li t t l e Cloud a n d

Lo t us wh a t she h a d j u st re cou n t e d a bout th e b ea u t i ful g i rl from t h e
d i s t a n t W e s t T h e n sh e r e c i t e d :
.

L ast n i ght I dr eamt t h e drea m of th e red ch amb er .

To n i gh t my s on gs r i se i n a r a i n dr en ch ed l an d -
.

Cloud i sl a n d s ga t he r a bov e sea fo am ,

Mou n t a i n m i s t dr i fts on t h i ckets a n d pi n e t r ees .

Un der t h e e ter n a l moo n t h er e i s n o more t i me ,

O n ly t he c ea sel ess r i se a n d fa ll of c h a n g i n g moods .

C a n I eve r forget t h e spri n gt i m e of ch i ldh ood

”
Sou th of t he b ed of t he r i ver H a n ?

Spl en d i d ! Sh e ca n compo se po et ry a lmo st b et t e r t h a n w e C h i n ese “

w a s t he g e n e r a l v e rd i c t T h e t a lk w e n t o n a l i tt l e lo n g er ; t h en t h e se c
.

o n da ry w i fe C h a o c a m e t o i n qu i r e h o w Bl a ck J a d e w a s a n d t h e co m
,

p an y broke up .

E a rly t h e n ex t morn i n g P a o Y u set o u t u n d er a gr a y ov e rc a st w i n t ry

;

, ,

sk
y for t h e a p a r tm en t s of t he A n c es t r e s s t o g i v e h er h i s u s u a l morn i n g
gr eet i n g T he A n c est r ess h a d n o t yet g o t up b ut sh e a llow e d h i m t o
.
,

com e i n t o h er b e droom Cou si n Pre c i ou s H a rp wh om b e p erc e i v e d

.
,

ly i n g b esi d e th e A n ces t ress w i th h er fa c e t o th e w a ll w a s st i ll f as t ,

a s l ee p .

“
Is i t sn owi n g ? ”
a s k e d t h e A n c es t r es s w i t h a gl a n c e a t P a o Y u s
’

rough w ea ther clo a k of r e dd i sh brow n mo n ke y h a ir fe lt

-
-
.

“
No t ye t b ut i t c e r ta i n ly looks a s i f i t w i ll ”
, .

Br gi n h i m t h e p e a cock f ea th e r clo a k !
”
t h e A nc e s t r e ss ord e r e d h er
-

w a i ti n g m a i d M a n d a r i n Duck T h e m a i d brough t i n a m a gn i ficen t

, .

clo a k whi c h sh i mm e re d gold blu e a n d gr een a n d wh i ch h e sa w n o w

,
, , ,

for t h e firs t t i m e It w a s e ven mor e b ea u ti ful t h an t h e f ur t ri mm ed duck

. -

3 22
fea th e r co a t whi c h t he A n c est ress h a d r ec en t ly g i v en t o h er n ew fa vori te ,

Pre c i ous H a rp .

“
Th i s i s t h e gold en b i rd — dropp i n gs clo a k d e cl a r e d t h e A n c est ress
,

“
j oki n gly H e r e I m m a k i n g you a pr esen t of i t It com es from R u ssi a
.
,
’
.

a n d i s work e d i n p e a cock s f ea t h e r s a n d s i lk y a r n
’
Go a n d sh ow i t t o .

your mo th er !
P a o Y u p erform e d a kow t ow of t h a n ks a n d w en t o ff proudly wi th t h e
pr e c i ou s g a rm en t O u t s i d e h e p a sse d M an d a r i n Duck Sh e looke d a w a y
. .

d el i b e r a t ely S i n c e th e da y o n wh i c h sh e h a d m a d e h er s ol em n vow o f
.

c h a s t i t y sh e h a d a vo i d e d h i m a n d n o lo n ge r s pok e t o h i m .

“ ? ”
H a ve a look h o w do es th i s n ew clo a k su i t m e h e a sk e d h er sm i l
, ,

i n g Sh e o n ly w a v e d h i m o ff w i t h a g e st ur e of t h e h a n d a n d d i s a pp e a r e d
.

i mm ed i at ely i n t o t h e A n c es t re ss 5 b e droom
’
.

Afte r h i s mo th er a n d h i s w a i t i n g m a i d s h a d duly a dm i r e d h i m h e
ret urn e d t o t h e A n c e st r ess a n d du t i fully r e port e d t o h er t h a t h i s mo t h er
h a d w a r n e d h i m t o w ea r th e n ew g a rm en t w i th v e ry s p e c i a l c a r e a n d n o t
le t i t g et d a m a g e d .

“
She i s qu i te r i gh t You mu st t a k e good c a r e o f i t It i s t h e o n ly o n e
. .

o f i ts ki n d t h a t I h a v e o t a n d you w i ll n ev e r e t a n o t h e r Alw a y s b e
g , g .

qu i et a n d r es e rv e d b e t e mp er a t e i n dr i n k i n g an d com e h om e n i c e a n d
, ,
”
e a rly !
“
Sh ih Shi h
, ,h e prom i se d ea g e rly a n d t ook h i s l e a ve He could
, .

h a rdly w a i t t o s h ow h i m self i n h i s m a gn i fic en t n ew g a rm en t t o h i s
a cqu a i n t a n c es i n t h e t own w h o h a d i n v i t e d h i m t o v i s i t t h e m t h a t da
, y .

Wh en h e c a m e h om e i n t h e ev en i n g h i s w a i ti n g m a i d s we r e st a r t l e d t o
h ea r h i m u tte r i n g d ej e c t e d s i g h s a n d s t a mp i n g a n gr i ly w i th h i s foo t .

“ ”
Wh a t s wro n g a s k ed Mu sk
’
?
.

T h e n ew clo a k ! It i s r e a lly t e rr i bl e ! T h e old T a i t a i g a ve i t t o m e

“

t h i s mor n i n g i n a fi t of good h umor an d n o w I fi n d th a t t h e r e 1 5 a b i

, g
” “
burn o n t h e coll a r ! h e l a m e n te d d i scon sol a t e ly A good t h i n g t h a t i t .

i s s o l a t e i n t he e ve n i n g ; s o I sh a ll n o t h a v e t o sh ow my s e lf ov e r th e re
”
a n y mor e t od a y .

T h e w a i t i n g m a i d Mu s k i n s p e ct e d t h e d a m a g e a n d sh e di d i n f a c t ,

fi n d a s i n ge d s po t a bou t t h e l e n g th of a fi n g e r .

“
App a ren t ly som e o ne c a m e t o o clo se w i t h a h a n d w a rm er sh e t e -

,
“
m a rke d B u t i t i s n o t so b a d We ll j u st gi v e i t t o t h e t a i lor an d let h i m
. .
’

re p a i r i t
.

She wr a pp ed up the clo a k a n d h a n d e d i t t o a serv i n g wom a n .

“
T k hi s qu i ckly t o t h e t a i lor sh e sa i d a n d t e ll h i m he mu st
a e t
“
,

h a ve i t r ep a i r e d by t omorrow morn i n g A n d m a k e s ur e th a t t h e o ld T a i
.

ta i a n d t h e T a i t a i h e a r n o t h i n g a bou t i t .

Afte r a l i tt l e wh i le th e se rv i n g wom a n c am e b a ck wi th th e clo a k I .

324
t ri e d vera l t a i lors an d t a i loresses she r epor te d b ut n o o n e kn ow s
se , ,
”
th i s ki n d o f e mbro i d e ry a n d n o n e of t he m would un d e rt a k e i t
, .

“ ”
T he n s i mply do no t w e a r i t t omorrow Mu sk a dv i se d h i m , .

T ha t w i ll n o t sa ve m e for bo t h Gr a n dmo the r a n d Mo th e r expr essly

,

w i sh e d m e t o w ea r i t t omorr ow o n U n cle W a n g s b i r th d a y T he y w i ll ,
’
.

b e fr i g h t ful ly a n gry w h e n th e y h ea r t h a t I d a m a g e d i t t h e v e ry firs t

”
day .

Le t m e s ee it ! cr i e d Br i gh t Cloud from her a lcov e t ur n in g roun d

,

i n he r b e d .

Mu s k h a n d e d he r th e clo a k a n d he ld the l a mp up b e si d e h e r .

“
W ha t i s n ee d e d i s p e a cock gold si lk th rea d T he d i ffi cul t p a rt i s the
-
.

borde r It n ee ds i n v i sib l e m e n d i ng d e cl a re d Br i gh t Cloud a ft er a t h or

.
,

oug h ex a m i n a t i o n .

“
W e h a v e go t the r i gh t y a rn a ll r i g h t b ut w h o i s th ere i n t h e h o use ,

”
e x ce p t you w h o c a n do i n v i s i bl e m en d i n g ?
re m a rked Mu sk .

“ ”
I wi ll t ry t o do i t !
B ut s u rely you a re n o t go m g t o r i sk your h e alth n o w t ha t yo u a re ,

? ”
j u st ge tt i n g w e ll pro t es te d Pa o Y u .

“ ’
Do n t bo th e r T ha t i s my o wn bu si ness
. .

Sh e sa t up i n b ed t i d i e d h e r h a i r a n d sl i ppe d a h ou se frock ove r h er

, ,

n i g h t gown S he fe l t g i ddy h e r ey e s s w a m a n d sh e would h a v e li ke d t o

.
, ,

s i n k b a ck o n h e r p i llow s B u t for P a o Y u s s a k e sh e gr i t t e d h e r t ee th
’
. ,

go t Mu s k to h a n d h e r n e e dl es s c i ss ors a n d v a r i ou s b a ll s o f embro i d e ry
, ,

y a rn a n d se t t o work br a v ely
, .

“
T h i s t hr ea d i s a bou t t he b e st sh e sa i d a f t er l e n g th y sea rc h i n g a n d ,
“
comp a r i ng Tru e i t do es n o t m a t c h ex a c t ly b ut t h e d iff e re n c e wi ll n o t
.
, ,
”
b e n o t i c e a bl e .

“
I t h i n k so t o o a gr ee d P a o Y u It would b e h a rd for us t o di g up
, .

a R u s s i a n t a i lor h e r e .

She pu sh e d a b a mb oo d a rn i n g k n ob t h e s i z e o f a t e a cup u n d e r th e
d a m a ge d spo t d e ft ly cu t a w a y t he si n g e d m a t e r i a l w i th a sh a rp gold
,

kn i fe a n d b e g a n d a m i n g d i l i g en t ly t o a n d fro s ti t c h by st i t ch a r ti s
, , ,

t i c a lly r e produc i n g th e or i gi n a l p a tt e r n Aft e r sh e h a d u s e d t h r ee o r .

four n ee dl e ful s of t h r e a d sh e sa n k b a ck e xh a us t e d o n her p i llow s a n d

h a d t o r est for a w h i l e .

”
Would you l i ke a l i tt le h o t bro t h a ske d Pa o Y u an x i ou sly pu t t i n g
?
,

a s qu i rre l fur a rou n d h e r sh ould e r s a n d pu s h i n g a n o t h e r p i llow b eh i n d

h er b a ck .

“
Sp a r e your t roubl e l i tt l e a n c e st or ! Pl ea se go t o b e d i n s t ea d or yo u
, ,

w i ll not b e a ble t o ope n your sle e py e y e s i n t h e morn i n g Fo r i t s a l .

’

rea dy m i d n i gh t a n d lo n g p a st your b e d t i m e she rebuff e d h i m i m ,

He di d as s he b a de hi m an d cr e p t un d e r hi s b e dclo th es , b ut for a

3 25
lon g t i m e h e co uld n o t sl ee p The clock w a s st r i ki n g four i n t he morn i n g
.

b efor e th e v a l i an t Br i gh t Cloud h a d fi n i sh e d h er t a sk Afte r bru sh i n g .

a w a y a f ew s t r a y en d s of th r ea d w i th a l i tt l e bru sh sh e sh ow e d h er work ,

t o Mu sk .

“
Th i s i s spl en d i d ! cr i e d Mu s k U n l ess you look v e ry ha rd you .

”
ca n t d i scov e r a t r a c e o f t he m en d
’
.

“
It i s re a lly qu i t e i mpo s si bl e t o d i st i n gu i sh from th e ori g in a l p a t
t e rn ,
P a o Y u w h o h a d sl i pp e d qu i ckly o u t o f b e d a gr ee d w i t h em
, ,

t h us i a s m .

“ ’
Oh ,
no, b e a u t i ful a s a ll th a t b u t I c a n t
i t h a sn t t urne d
’
o ut to be as ,
”
do a n o th er st i t ch h ow ev er h a rd I t ry murmur ed Br i gh t Cloud w ea kly ; ,

a n d w i t h t h i s sh e f ell b a ck u n co n s c i ou s o n h er p i llow s .

Pa o Y u a n d Mu sk b et w een th e m brough t h er b a ck t o h erself by

en erg e t i c t h ump i n g a n d m ass a g i n g a n d n e i t h e r o f t h e m l e f t h er b e d s i d e
,

un t i l t h e n ex t morn i n g whe n Doc t or W a n g c a m e a n d f el t h er pul se on c e

more T he doc t or w a s surpr i se d a t t h e r el a p se t h e p a t i en t h a d s uff e r e d
.

a ft e r h a v i n g a lr ea dy s h own a m a rk e d i mprov e m en t ; h e t h oug h t s h e

must ha v e e i t her ea t en t o o muc h o r ov e r ti r e d h e rse lf an d h e pr escri b e d ,

a n o t h e r blood a n d n ef v e st r en g t h en i n g m e d i c i n e co n s i st i n g of c h i n a
-

root foxglov e a rch an g el roo t a n d si m i l a r h e rb s Th a n ks t o her s ou n d

, , , .

con st i t u t i o n a n d to t he fa c t t h a t sh e h a d a lw a y s b e en mod e r a t e i n e a t i n g
an d dr i n k i n g h a d a vo i d e d a ll t o o h i g h ly s p i c e d food s a n d h a d d i et e d
, ,

s t r i c t ly p a r t i cul a rly dur i n g h er i l ln ess a s pr es cr i b e d by t h e rul es of t h e

, ,

h ou s e Br i g h t Cloud r ecov er e d r a p i dly a n d w a s w e ll a g a i n l n a no th e r

,

we e k .

CHAPTER 3 1

T h e w a i t i n g m a id C u c k oo lyly t es t s P a o Y u s fee l i n gs a n d u p sets h is

s
1
’

m en ta l ba la n c e by h i n t i n g a t a p a r t i n g A k i n dly a u n t a ci es a lo v e lorn
p fi .

m a i d en w i th g en t l e w ord s .

O N E DA Y 1 N T H E S P R ING PA O Y U W ENT O V E R T O T H E B A MB O O H E R M IT
age to i n qu i r e
ft e r Bl a ck J a de s h e a l th b u t Bl a ck J a d e w as j u st h a v i n g
a
’

he r m i dd a y n a p Lo a th t o d i s t urb h er h e w en t o u t i n s t e a d t o t h ew a i t i n g
.
,

m a i d Cuckoo w h o w a s si tt i n g i n t h e Op en pl ea s ur e v e r a n d a i n fro n t of
,

t h e h ou s e do i n s om e n e e le work
“
g d .

How i s yo u r l i tt l e m i s t res s l sh er co u g h b ett e r h e a ske d

? ? ”
.

Y es t h a n k you i t i s a b i t b e tte r
,
”
, .

“
A m i t o jo ’ It s a r el i ef t o h e a r th a t
’
- - -
.
.

S i n c e wh en do you i n voke Budd ha ? T h a t i s s om e t h i n g n ew t o m e .

A h well i n d i s tre ss o n e cl i n g s t o t he doc t or ”

, , .
 He r em a rke d t h a t sh e w a s w ea r i n g o n ly a t hi n bl a ck s i lk sk i r t a n d a
d a rk gr een s a t i n v es t ov er i t .

“
Do yo u n o t fi n d t ha t a t t i re t o o l i gh t for t h i s b e t w een sea son s -

” “
w ea th er h e a ske d st roki n g h er w i t h h i s h a n d You w i ll ca t ch cold
?
,
. _

s i t t i n g h e r e expo s e d t o a dr a f t .

“ ”
Do n t do th a t ! sh e sa i d an gr i ly r e co i l i n g Now u n d e rst a n d o n c e
’
,
.
,

for a ll : when w e t a lk t og eth e r th e r e mu st b e n o mor e of t h i s fo n dli n g .

You a re n o t a l i tt l e boy a n y lo n ge r Wh a t w i ll p e opl e t h i n k i f t h ey s ee

.

you ? Th ey w i ll p a ss r em a rk s a bout your b eh a v i or b eh i n d your b a ck

a n d lo s e r es p ec t for you O ur youn g l a dy h a s s t r i c
. t ly forb i dd en u s t o go
o n w i th a n
y fo n dl i n g D o you n ot n o t i c e h o w r e serve d sh e i s wi th yo u
‘

? ”
he r s elf
A n d g et t i n g up sh e g a t h e r e d h er n ee dl ework tog eth e r a n d w en t i n t o
,

t h e h ou s e H e look e d a ft e r h er a s utt e rly dumfoun d e d a s i f a p a i l of cold

.

w a ter h a d b ee n th rown ove r h i m Th en h e cr ep t o ff a n d sa t down o n a

.

p i e c e of rock o n t h e w a y ove rwh e lm e d by a t h ou sa n d s orrowful

,

t h oug h t s SO gr ea t w a s h i s d es po n d en cy t h a t h i s e y e s fill e d w i t h t ea rs
. .

He h a d b e en s i t t i n g t h e r e lo s t i n th oug h t for t h e t i m e th a t i t would t a k e

t o e a t a mod e r a t e m ea l w h en t h e w a i t i n g m a i d Sh o w o o s e c a m e by A s
g i
.

sh e s a w h i m s i tt i n g t h e r e so forlor n o n t h e rock u n d e r t h e
p e a ch t r ee ,

w i th h i s fa c e propp e d o n h i s h a n d st a r i n g ab sen t ly i n t o sp a c e sh e st ood

, ,

a n d look e d a t h i m a n d s a i d w i th a s m i l e :

Wh a t a r e you do i n g h er e a ll a lo n e an d forlorn ? Is i t n o t t o o cold

,
”
for you s i t t i n g o n t h a t sto n e
,
?
“ ”
Wha t i s i t Wh a t do you w a n t w i th m e h e a sk e d st a r ti n g up i n
? ?
,
“ ’
a l a rm You re a g i rl t o o a r en t you so you a l s o h a v e n o doub t b e en
’
.
, ,

forb i dd en t o h a v e a n y t h i n g t o do w i th m e Wh a t would p e opl e s a y i f

.

t h e y sa w u s t og e t h e r ? Aw a y w i t h you a t o n c e !
”

S n o w go o s e t ur n e d a w a y p e rpl e x e d a n d w en t i n t o t h e h ou se Th e .

youn g l a dy mu st h a v e b een r e pr i m a n d i n g h i m a g a i n sh e s a i d t o h e r se lf
,
.

“
H e re 1 5 th e g i n sen g w h i c h M a d a m e C hen g se n d s t h e y ou n g l a dy ’
'

s h e s a i d t o Cuc k oo T h e you n g l a dy I S s t i ll a sl ee p ? W h o t h en h a s j u s t
‘
.
, ,

b een up sett i n g t he l i tt l e m a st e r s o much th a t h e s si tt i n g ou tsi d e th e r e

’

”
n o w cry i n g h i s e y e s o u t
,
?
“ ”
W h e r e I s h e si t t i n g ?

O n a sto n e un d er t h e p e a c h t r ee b eh i n d th e ho n ey s uckl e a rbor .

Cuckoo promp t ly l a i d a si d e h er n ee dl ework a n d h urr i e d o ut Sh e .

could sc a rc ely kee p from l a ugh i n g o ut loud wh en sh e sa w t h e poor boy

s i t t i n g o n h i s rock .

“
M y word you h a v e c h o sen a n i c e cool spo t t o si t down a n d r e st i n !
,

L e t us h op e you do n t c a t c h cold from i t ! How o n e a rt h could you b e s o

’

t ouc h y ov e r t h e t w o w ell m e a n t word s I s a i d t o you j u s t n o w ? ”

“
h ?
I ouc y I a m n o th i n g of t he k i n d ! Y o u w e r e qu i t e ri ght B ut I
t .

328
w as on ly sa ying my self t he o th e rs m a y come t o th i n k a s yo u do un ti l
to , ,

i n th e e n d n o o n e w i ll b e l e ft t o s pe a k t o m e a n y mor e ; a n d th a t t h oug h t
n a t ur a lly w a s p a i n ful t o m e h e re pli ed w i th a s orrowf ul s mi l e
, .

S h e sa t dow n clo s e b es i d e h i m .

“
W h y do yo u com e up so n ea r m e s i n ce yo u bol t e d o ff j u st n o w wh en
? ”
I c a m e t o o n ea r you he aske d .

“
A h do drop t h a t a n d le t us forg et i t ! W h a t I w a n t e d t o a sk yo u w a s
,

t h i s : Som e ti m e r e c e n t ly you b e g a n ta lki n g t o my l i tt l e m i s t r ess a bou t

’
s w a llow s n es t s a n d you w e r e i n t e rrup te d j us t as o u h a d b e gu by th e
,
y n
’
se co n d a ry w i fe C h a o s com i n g i n I would v e ry muc h li k e t o kn ow w h a t .

”
mor e you w a n t e d t o sa y a bou t t he sw a llow s n es ts ’
.

“
Oh n o t h i n g muc h I h a d t old my gr a n dmo th e r t h a t your h ttle m i s
, .

t r ess r e qu i r e d s om e s w a llow s n es ts e v e ry da a s m e di c i n e ; fo r Pr e c i ou s
’

y
Cl a s p i s a l s o o n ly a gu est he re a n d c a n n o t kee p o n prov i d i n g her w i t h
a s ufli ci e n t a mou n t A s f a r a s I kn ow Gr a n dmo th er co n v y e d my wi sh
.
e ,

t o P h o e n i x T h a t i s w h a t I w a s go i n g t o s a
.
y t o y our li tt l e m i s t r ess th e
”
o th er da y w h en I w a s i n te rrup t e d .

“
So sh e ow e s i t t o your k i n d i n te rv en t i o n th a t sh e n o w r ec e i ves a n
’
oun ce of swa llow s n est s eve ry da y from t he k i t c h en ? She could n o t
”
m a ke o ut w hy t he old T a i t a i h a d s udd en ly b e com e so a t ten t i ve t o her .

“
W e ll i f sh e s good a n d e a ts he r por ti o n every da y le t us h op e th a t
,
’

,
”
i n tw o or t hr ee y ea rs s h e w i ll b e qu i te h e a l t h y s a i d P a o Y u , .

“
B ut t h e qu es t i o n i s : W i ll sh e h a ve en oug h mo n e y to co n t i n u e t h e
”
cure w hen she go e s h om e n ex t y e a r r em a rk e d Cuckoo
? .

“
Ho me Wh om a re you t a lki n g a bou t he a sk e d i n a l a rm
? ? ”
.

M i ss Bl a ck J a d e of course ; for sh e i s go i n g b a ck t o her o wn t own

.
,
”
o f Suc h ow n e x t y ea r .

“
Oh com e ! Y o u a re t a lk i n g n o n sen se H er p a ren t s a re b o th d e a d a n d
, .

th a t i s j u s t w h y w e h a v e t a k en h e r i n h e r e Wh a t would sh e do i n .

? ”
S uc h ow
“
O h do n t i m a g i n e t h a t t h e re a re n o o th e r d i st i n gu i sh e d h ou s e s b e
’
,

s i d e s your C h i a cl a n ! r e t or te d Cuckoo c hee ki ly C er t a i n ly th e old .

T a i ta i di d t a k e i n t he orp h a n a t t he t i m e i n ord e r to g i ve h er a s ub s t i
t u t e f o r h er p a r e n t a l h om e B u t n o w t h e you n g l a dy i s grown up a n d
.

m a rr i a g ea bl e T h ere for e i t i s o n ly prop e r th a t sh e sh ould go b a ck t o h er

.

o wn f a m i ly H er p a re n ts a re de a d b u t she h as
.
g o t o th e r r el a t i ves Ev en
, ,
.

i f th e y a re poor t he y a re n e v er t h el ess m emb e rs o f a h i gh ly res p e c t a bl e

,

cl a n i n w hi ch th e fr a gr an c e of a n obl e cul t ur e h a s b een p ass e d down for

gen er a t i o n s a n d th es e pe opl e would e xpo se t he m selv es t o mocke ry a n d
,

co nt emp t i f th e y a llowe d t he i r o w n r el a t i ve t o co n t i n u e t o e a t a t a
st r a n g e t a bl e In sh or t n e x t s pr i n g or a t th e l a t es t n ex t au t umn M i s s
.
,

Bl a ck J a de wi ll l ea ve t h i s h ou se A n d i f th ey do n o t sen d h er a w a y from.

here o f th eir oWn a ccord we ll then the Li n g f ami ly wi ll come an d t a k e

-

, ,

3 29
h er a wa y On e even i n g r ec en t ly th e you n g l a dy g a v e m e i n st ruct i on s t o
.

ask b a ck from you a ll t h e l i tt l e g i ft s a n d s ouv en i rs wh i ch sh e h a s g i ven

t o you i n t h e cour se of t h e y e a r s A n d sh e w i ll l i ke w i se s en d b a ck t o
.

you o n e of th ese d a y s a ll th e g i ft s a n d s ouv en i r s wh i ch she h as r ec ei v e d

from you .

P a o Y u fe l t a s i f a t h u n d e rbol t h a d s t ruck h i m r i gh t o n t h e t o p of
h i s h ea d He w as u n a bl e t o u tt e r a word Cuckoo w a s j u st a bou t t o co n
. .

t i n u e w h en Br i gh t Cloud c a m e a lo n g Sh e w a s look i n g for h i m . .

“
I h a d a m essa ge t o g i ve h i m from my you n g l a dy H e do e s n o t seem .

”
t o h a v e qu i t e gr a s p e d i t ye t T a k e h i m a w a y !
. d ecl a re d Cuckoo curt ly ,

a n d l e f t th e tw o a lo n e .

i h t Cloud p e rc e i v e d w i t h a m a z e m en t t h e d i st r a ugh t a b se n t
‘ Br g ,

m i n d e d expr ess i o n of P a o Y u s f a c e th e flu sh o n h i s ch eek s th e drop s

’
, ,

o f sw e a t o n h i s for eh ea d Sh e t ook h i m by t h e h a n d a n d le d h i m b a ck
.

t o t h e B e gon i a Court y a rd .

“ ? ”
Wh a t h a s h a pp en e d a ske d P e a rl h orr i fi e d , .

He s go t a fev e ri sh cold App a r en t ly h e w as h o t a n d go t i n t o a cold

’
.

”
dr a ft s a i d Br i ght Cloud w i th a sh rug
, .

If o n ly i t w er e m e r ely th a t ! B ut th e pup i l s o f hi s ey e s w er e so
s t r an g e ly fix e d s a l i v a dropp e d from t h e corn er s o f h i s mou t h
,
he ,

seem e d compl e t e ly i n a d a z e a n d a llow e d ev e ry th i n g t o b e do n e t o

,

h i m — let h i m self h e p ut t o b e d t h en propp e d up w i t h p i llow s a n d g i ven

,

t ea all w i th ou t sh ow i n g a n y mov em en t o f h i s o wn w i ll H i s w a i t i n g
, .

m a i d s w ere u tt erly dumfoun d e d by t h e a l te r a t i o n i n h i s wh ol e b ei n g ,

i n t h ei r p e rpl ex i ty t hey c a ll e d Mo th er L i h i s ol d n ur se t o h i s b e d
n
a , ,

5 1 ide .

M o t her Li ob serv e d h i m a t t en t i v e ly a ddr esse d v a r i ou s qu es t i on s t o

-

h i m w i th ou t r ec ei v i n g a n y a n s w e r f el t h i s pul se a n d dug h er sh a rp
, ,

fi n g ern a i l s d ee ply i n t o h i s l i p s a n d oth e r p a r t s o f h i s body B u t t h ou gh .

s h e pr ess e d s o h a rd th at t h e m a rk s of h er n a i l s w e r e d ee ply i m r n t e d
p .

o n h i s sk i n h e see m e d t o f ee l n o t h i n g a n d r e m a i n e d a b s olu t e ly l i s t l e ss
,
.

Then sh e ra i se d a loud l a m en t rocke d h er hea d t o a n d fro l i ke o n e

,

po sses se d b ea t w i ldly w i th h er fi sts o n t h e b e d a n d th e p i llows a n d

, ,

curse d herself for ha v i n g n ur se d h i m i n v a i n i n h i s i n fa n cy a n d de

vo te d h er l i fe t o h i m t o n o purpo s e P ea rl w h o t h ough t t h e world of .
,

o l d L i a n d h e r op i n i o n s b e c a m e i n f e c t e d by
, h er ou t br ea k of d es p a i r
a n d j o i n e d i n h er l a m en t A t th i s po i n t Br i g h t Cloud a t l a st s pok e up
.

a n d co n fesse d th a t P a o Y u s co n d i t i o n h a d n o t h i n g t o do w i th c a t c h
’

i n g cold b ut th a t h e mu s t h a v e b een dri ve n d i st r a c t e d by s om eth i n g

,

wh i ch Cuckoo h a d don e t o h i m j u st n o w i n t h e B a mb oo H e rm i t a ge .

O n h ea r i n g t h i s P e a rl d a sh e d o ff a t o n c e t o th e B a mboo H e rm i t a g e
,

t o t a k e Cuckoo t o t a sk Sh e fou n d h er g i v i n g Bl a c k J a d e s om e m e d i c i n é
.
‘
.

“
W i th out s alut a t i o n o r c ere mo n y sh e fl ew a t Cuckoo cry i n g : What ’

,
h a d off en d e d P a o Y u i n som e w a y, b ut t o ev e ryo n es s urpr i se P a o Y u
’

t ook Cuckoo a ff e c t i o n a t e ly by t h e h a n d a n d dr ew h er clo se r t o h i m

,
.

“ ” “
Do n o t s a y a n y mor e a bou t go i n g a w a y h e w h i s p er e d b ut i f , ,

”
i t mu st b e , l et m e go w i t h yo u !
Hi s word s w ere i n compreh en si bl e t o th e o th e r s T h e y pr ess e d Cuckoo .

t o sp e a k up , a n d t h en th e y l ea r n e d a t l a s t h o w Cuckoo h a d p u t P a o Y u
t o t h e t es t for fun a n d dri ve n h i m compl et ely d em en t e d by h er t a lk o f
b i dd i n g fa r ewell a n d r et urn i n g t o Such ow whi ch of cour se sh e di d n o t ,

m ean ser i ou sly a t all .

“
So th a t i s a ll i t w a s ? I w a s wo n d er i n g wh a t o n e a rth could h a v e
” “
h a pp en e d , sa i d t h e A n c es t r e ss m el t i n g i n t o t ea rs of r el i e f
,
You a re .

s uc h a cl e v e r sen s i bl e g i rl n orm a lly a n d you mu st kn ow t h a t h e i s a

si m
, ,

pl et o n ! How o n ea r th could you m a ke g a m e o f h i m so i rre sp o n s i

? ”
bly she sa i d repro a ch fully t o Cuckoo .

A t th i s mom en t a serv an t a n n ou n c e d : M rs L i ng C h i h H si a o i s .

ou tsi d e a n d would l i ke t o kn ow h o w th e l i tt l e bro th e r i s .

T he m en ti o n of th e n a m e c a u se d a v i ol en t c h a n g e i n P a o Y u .

“ ” “
How fr i g h t ful ! h e cr i e d T he re h er r el a t i v es h a v e com e a lr ea dy
.
,

t o t a k e h e r a w a y ! B u t you mu st n o t l et t h em ! Aw a y w i th t h em ! Aw ay
”
w i t h t he m ! h e cr i e d i n a fr en zy o f exc i t em en t .

Pre ten d i n g t o comply w i th hi s w i sh t h e A n c est r e ss g a ve ord e r s th at

,

t he w i fe of t h e m a j ordomo L i n g sh ould b e s en t a w a y a g a i n .

“
Do n o t b e un ea sy ! T h e Li n g s w h om you m ea n a re all d ea d Your .

”
cou si n ha s n o t go t a n y r el a t i v es l e ft w h o could t a ke h er a w a y sh e s a i d .
,

i n a n effor t t o p a c i fy h i m .

“
. Y e s b ut w h o th en a re t h ese o t h e r L i n g s ? I d o n o t w a n t a n yo n e of
,

t h e n a m e of L i n g t o com e n ea r m e e xc e p t my cou si n ! ” h e cr i e d s t il l ,

t r embl i n g w i t h f ea r .

“ ”
You sh a ll h a v e your w a y No o th e r L i n g s w i ll com e n ea r you ! s a i d
.

th e A n c est r ess a n d sh e g a v e i n st ruc t i o n s t h a t t h e f a m i ly of t h e m a j or

,

domo Li n g w ere n o t t o en te r t he P a rk o f D el i gh t ful V i si on i n fu t ur e a n d »

w e re n ev er t o b e m en t i on e d i n P a o Y u s pr e sen c e No o n e d a r e d t o ’
.

l a ugh a t t h i s st r a n g e i n st ruc t i o n .

Pa o Y u s gl an c e ch a n c e d t o f a ll o n th e Europ e an m ec h a n i c a l sh i p
’

o f g i ld e d t i n wh i c h w a s h a n g i n g o n t h e w a ll .

“
h
’
Look , t e re s h er sh i p ! It ’ s com i n g t o fet c h h e r !
”
h e sh ou t e d i n a
n ew a cc es s of f ev er i sh h a lluc i n a t i o n po i n t n g w t
i i h hi s fi n g e r a t t he shi p
,

o n th e w a ll .

A t a si gn from the n urse P e a rl h ur r i e dly r emov e d t h e t o from th e

y
w a ll i n ord er t o w i th dra w i t from h i s si ght b ut b e st re t ch ed o ut hi s ,

h a n d m a d e P ea rl g i v e i t t o hi m a n d hi d i t un d e r t h e b e dclo th es
,
, .

“ ”
Now she c an t sa i l a w a y ! he sa i d co nt en te dly a t th e same ti me
’

332
h old i n g Cuckoo co n vu l si v e ly f a st a s i f h e would v er a llow her to ne

l e a v e h i s s i d e a ga i n A t th i s po i n t Doc t or Wa n g w a s
. a n n ou n c e d .

Doc t or W a n g fe l t Pa o Y u s pul s e a n d t hen w h i l e Cuckoo l i sten e d

’

, ,

co n s c i en c e s t r i ken w i th b en t hea d t rea te d t he comp a n y t o a lo n g a n d

-

, ,

l e a rn e d profess i o n a l d i a gn o si s co n c e rn i n g furr i n g o f th e t o n gu e a n d ,
,

co n st ip a ti o n a n d d efic i en cy o f t he fl o w o f blood t o t h e br a in ow i n g t o
,

m en t a l e xc i t em en t w i th t he i r a ccumul a t e d resul t o f m en t a l d e r a n ge
,

m en t .

“ ”
E n ough of th a t Iea m e d st uff ! i n te rrupt e d th e A n c es t r es s i mp a
“
t i e n t ly
. W e o t h e r s a re la y folk an d c a n n o t follow your t h e o ri es Wh a t .

”
w e w a n t t o kn ow a bov e a ll i s t h i s : Is h i s co n d i t i o n se r i ou s ?

T h e doc t or r e a ss ur e d h er a n d w i th a cour te ou s sm i l e prom i sed s p ee dy

r e cov e ry .

“
Good ! Th en go a n d w r i t e your pr es cr i p t i o n i n t h e n ex t a p a r tm en t .

If i t i s s ucc essful you m a y b e a ss ur e d o f a n e x t r a fee a n d I sh a ll see ,

t h a t my gr a n d s o n pr e sen t s i t t o yo u p e r s o n a lly w i th a kowt ow o f t h a n ks .

B u t i f i t i s u n s ucc e ss ful w o e b e t i d e you ! I wi ll s en d o u t my pe opl e to

,
”
pull down t he wh ol e s c h ool of m e d i c i n e w he r e yo u st ud i e d ! th re a t en e d
t h e A n c e s t r e ss l a ug h i n g .

A t t h e m en ti o n of a n ex t r a f ee t h e doc t or w a s ove rj oy e d a n d m a d e ,
“
m a n y d ee p a n d c e r emo n i ous bows a n d murmurs o f p a c ha n t oo gr e a t ,

an h o n or ,
e v en co n t i n u i n g h i s p u c ha n s lo n g a f t e r t h e A n c est r e ss h a d

com e o ut w i th h er fr i gh t ful th r e a t— a c i rcum st a n c e wh i c h n a t ura lly

e vok e d h e a r t y l a ugh t e r a mo n g a ll pr e s e n t .

T he m e d i c i n e pre s cri b e d by Doc tor W a n g eff ec te d a re a l i mprov e

m en t a n d th e A n c est r ess r e a ssure d t o s om e d e gree w as a bl e t o l ea v e
, , ,

t h e s i ckroom wi t h h e r l a d i e s A s P a o Y u di d n o t p e rm i t t h e w a i t i n g
.

m a i d Cuckoo t o l e a v e h i s si d e Amb e r w a s a llo tt e d t o Bl a ck J a d e i n h er

,

st e a d for t h e t i m e b e i n g .

A n d so i t h a pp e n e d t h a t t h at n i gh t t h e t h ree w a i t in g ma i d s Pe a rl , ,

Bri gh t Cloud a n d Cuckoo w a t c h e d by Pa o Y u s b e d si de a s well a s t h e

, ,
’

n ur se L i a n d s e v e r a l e ld e rly s e rvi n g wom e n H e sl ep t b u t a t t i m e s r a v e d

.
,
“ ? ”
w i ldly i n h i s dr eams a n d cr i e s s uch a s H a s she go n e a lrea dy or
“ ”
Th e r e a re h er p e opl e comi n g t o fe t c h h er a w a y ! b e t r a y e d t h e fa c t
th a t e v en i n h i s s l ee p h e w a s s ti ll w i t h Bl a ck J a d e S ev e r a l t i m es dur i n g
'

t h e n i gh t t h e A n c e s t r ess a sk e d for re por ts from th e s i c k room a n d wh en ,

sh e h ea rd of hi s d el i r i ou s dr e a ms sh e ord e r e d t h a t t h e p a t i en t s h ould
,

b e g i ve n t he b e s t c in n a mo n p i ll s a n d wo n d e r worki n g powd e rs 111 t h e-

dom e st i c m e d i c i n e clo set—e ffi ca ci o us r e m e d i es wh i c h h a d pow er t o

dr i ve a w a y e v i l s p i r i t s a n d pur i fy th e ch oke d up door s of th e body a n d
-

ma kethe m fr ee so th a t good s pi ri ts could fi n d en t ry .

Th e n ex t da y Pa o Y u f elt d i s ti n c t ly b e tt er an d w a s b a ck i n h i s ri gh t
‘

s en se s o n ce more b ut b e c a us e o f hi s fe a r t h a t Cuckoo mi gh t l ea ve hi m
, ,

33 3
it pl ea se d h i m t o go o n pla y i n g the i n v a l i d a wh i l e lo n g e r O f cour se h e .

could n o t co n t i n u e i n d efi n i tely d e c e i v i n g t h o se a rou n d h im by th e se a rt

ful pre ten ses a n d wh en Li tt l e Cloud c a m e t o v i si t h i m o n e da y an d i n
,
'

h er m erry w a y m i m i cke d h i s co n d i t i o n dur i n g t h o se cri t i c a l d a y s by

m e a n s of a ll sor t s of gri m a c es a n d t omfool ery he forgo t h i s pret en se o f
,

s uff e r i n g s o f a r as t o s i t up i n b e d a n d l a ug h h e a r t i ly H e h a d n ot .

t h ough t t h a t h i s r e c en t co n d i t i o n h a d b e en so fu n n y h e s a i d T h a t ma d e
, .

t h e h ou s eh old fee l fully a ss ur e d t h a t h e mu st r ea lly b e w e ll a g a i n .

“ ? ”
W h y di d you p u t m e i n t o s uc h a sta te of fri g h t r e c en t ly h e a ske d
Cuckoo o n e da y wh en t he y w e r e a lo n e
.
.

“
W h y I on ly di d i t for f un How o n e a r t h could you h a v e t a ken i t
,
.

”
ser i ous ly
?
“
All t h e s a m e wh a t you s a i d di d n o t sou n d so v ery u n l i ke ly
,
.

“ ’
You ca n b e ea sy i n your m i n d No t o n e of M i ss L i n g s clo se r rel a
.

t i v es i s st i ll a l i v e a n d a ll t h e d i s t a n t r e l a t i v e s l i v e f a r a w a y from
,

Such ow s c a t te r e d t h rough t h e v a ri ou s prov i n ce s A n d e v en i f s om e o n e

,
.

s h ould t urn up o n e da y t o f e t c h a w a y my li t t l e m i s t r e ss i t i s qu i t e cer ,

”
t a i n t h a t t h e old Ta i t a i would n o t le t h er go !
“
A n d e v e n i f t h e o ld T a t t a i s h ould b e w i ll i n g t o let h er go I would ,
”
d efi n i tely n o t a llow i t ! h e a dd e d p a ssi on a t ely .

“
Com e n o w ! W h o kn ow s i f you w i ll st i ll th i n k t h e s a m e w a y i n tw o
? ”
or th r ee y ea r s For you a re n o w grown up an d a lre a dy en g a g e d ,
.

“ ”
?
E n g a g e d I di d n t kn ow t h a t ! ’

O h i t s sa i d th a t t h e old A n c est r ess i n ten d s M i ss Pr e c i ou s H a rp f o r

’
,

you For wh a t o th e r r e a s o n would sh e m a ke suc h a fa vor i t e o f th e youn g

.

”
l a dy ?
“
H a ! H a ! So I am s t i ll t a k e n for a fool ? Y et i t s eem s t o m e th a t I
a m n o t qu i t e s uc h a fool a s you a r e I h a pp en t o kn ow th a t Cou si n
.

Pr e c i ou s H a rp h a s a lr e a dy b e en en ga ge d for a lo n g w h i l e p a st t o you n g
M e i so n of M ei th e m emb e r of t h e H an L i n Ac a d emy S o y o u c an t
, , .
’

fool m e t h i s t i me ! Do you n o t kn ow o f t he s ol em n v o w th a t I h a v e m a d e
t o your l i tt l e m i st r e s s ? No ! No ! I a m lucky en oug h t o h a ve j u s t t e
‘

cov e re d from my l a st fr i gh t a n d a lre a dy you w an t t o sta r t t ry i n g t o

,

h o a x m e a g a in ? I o n ly w i sh t h a t I co ul d t ea r th e h ea r t o u t o f my br ea s t
.

h e r e a n d n o w an d sh ow i t t o you a n d t o yo u r m i s t r ess in ord e r t o co n

vi n c e you bo th h o w si n c e r ely I m ean i t Th en I woul d di e h a ppy A n d
. .

w h en I a m d e a d m a y I b e bur n e d t o a sh es a n d go up i n s moke a n d m a y ,

t h e w i n d c a rry m e i n a ll d i r e c
”
t i o n s T h a t i s w h a t I would w i sh !
. He h a d
s a i d a ll t h i s w i t h r i s i n g e xc i t e m en t ; h e w a s g n a shi n g h i s t eet h ; h i s e es
y
w ere full of t ea rs .

“ ’
Do n t get so e xc i te d ! I o n ly w a n t e d t o p ut you t o t h e t est a b i t I w a s ,

worr i e d a bou t my l i ttl e m is t r ess True I h a v e n o t a lwa y s b e lon g ed t o

.
,

h er s in c e I l e ft h om e b u t s h e h as a lw a y s b een so good t o m e Th a t i s
, .

334
a ff a i r o f your l i fe would h a pp en v ery soon wh i l e the o l d Ta i ta i i s st i ll ,

a l i v e ! A s lo n g a s t h e o l d T a i t a i i s i n comm a n d yo u h a v e n o t h i n g t o

fea r b ut o n c e she i s d ea d w h o kn ow s ? Th e se a r i s t ocr a t i c youn g p e opl e

, ,

s i mply a re as t h e y a re : t od a y t h e y look t o t h e e a st t omorrow t o t h e ,

west ; th e y l i ke b est t o do w i t h n o t l ess t h a n t h r e e ch i e f room s a n d fi v e ‘

s i d e c h a mb e r s
-
. Tod a y t he y br i n g h om e a w i fe b ea ut i ful a s a h e a v en ly
’

fa i ry ; a ft er t h r ee or fi v e n i gh ts t h e y a re t i re d o f h er a n d b eg i n look i n g ,

o u t for a n o t h e r a n d t h e n t h e y e i t h e r h a t e t h e fi r s t w i f e or e l se b a n i sh
,

t h e t h ough t of h er i n t o th e f a r t h e st corn e r of t h e i r m i n d s W h en t h i s
'

h a pp en s i t i s a good t h i n g for a you n g w i fe t o h av e t h e b a ck i n g of a n ,

i n flu en t i a l crowd of r el a t i o n s T h er e for e I t h i n k th a t i t would b e a good

.

t h i n g for you i f your m a i n a ff a i r w a s se t t l e d w h i l e t h e o ld T a i t a i i s st i ll

i n a u t h or i ty h er e You a re cl e v e r yo u w i ll u n d e r st a n d w h a t I m ea n
.
,
'

wh en I a dv i se you t o m a ke up your m i n d n ow a n d kee p t o your d ec i

si o n b e a r in g i n m i n d t h e p r o v erb
,

T en th ou sa n d gold b atzes -

A re more e a s i ly w o n
”
Th a n a si n gl e h ea rt .

You seem t o h a v e gon e o ut of your m i n d sa i d Bl a ck J a d e cu tt i n g , ,

“
sh or t h er flow of t a lk How o n e a r th ca n a p er son ch a n g e so sudd en ly
.
,

a ll i n a f ew d a y s ? You h a v e b e com e qu i t e i n t ol er a bl e B u t j u st you .

”
w a i t ! I w i ll a sk t he old Ta i ta i t omorrow t o t a ke you a w a y from h e r e .

“
W hy ? I on ly m ean t w ell by you I m e re ly w an t you t o look o u t for .

”
your se lf wh i l e th er e i s yet t i m e Sur ely th ere s n o h a rm i n t h a t s a i d
.
? ’

Cuckoo i n l a ug hi n g self d e fen s e a n d s oo n a ft e r fell a s l ee p

,
-

, .

B u t Bl a ck J a d e re m a i n e d a w a ke for a lo n g t i m e In h er h ea rt sh e fel t .

qu i t e d iff er en tly from w h a t th e bru squ e t o n e she h a d j u st p u t o n would

l e a d o n e t o b e l i ev e Sh e w a s profoun dly mov e d by t h e sen si bl e word s of
.

he r good w a i tin g m a i d a n d s h e h a d t o a gr ee wi th h e r i n h er h e a rt S h e .

l a y a w a ke th e w h ol e n i gh t t o ss i n g a n d t ur n i n g fre t fully a n d weep i n g

,

si l e n t ly i n t o t h e p i llow
; o n ly as d a wn w a s br ea k i n g di d sh e ge t a l i t t l e
s le e p .

Sh e g o t up n ex t morn i n g so ex h a u s t e d a n d un d e r s l e p t th a t sh e fou n d
i t an eff ort t o w a sh h e rse lf an d r i n s e o u t h er mou th a n d e a t h e r s w a l
, ,
’
lows n est cr e a m Th a t da y Au n t H su eh w a s c el ebra ti n g h er b i rt h d a y
.
‘
.

Bl a ck J a d e w en t ov e r t o o ff e r h er co n gr a t ul a t i o n s a n d a t t he s am e t i m e
t ook h er a p i e c e o f h e r o w n n ee dl e work t h en sh e c a m e s t r a i gh t b a ck t o
;
h er B a mboo H erm i t a g e Sh e w a s qu i t e u n a bl e t o a t t en d th e u su a l b an
.
‘

qu et a n d th ea tr i c a l p e rform a n c e P a o Y u w a s a l s o a b sen t fr om a mo n ’

g
.

t h e b i rt h d a y gu es t s A t t h e f es t i v e b a n qu e t for t h e m a l e gu es ts w h i c h
.
,

l a s te d more th a n t h r ee or four d a y s n ep h e w H s u eh K uo di d t h e h o n or s
,
'

i n pl a c e o f th e a b se n t H su eh P a n .

3 36
 Fo r lo n g tim e p as t Aun t H su eh ha d h a d an eye on Wre a th o f
a

Clouds Pri n c ess S hi eh s poor n i e c e True th e youn g gi rl w a s p en n i l ess

,
’
.
, ,
“ ”
o n e o f th o s e w h o h a v e o n ly a t h orn for a h a i r cl a s p as t h e s a y i n g -

go es O n th e o t h er h an d s he w a s gr a ce ful o f form a n d qu i e t a n d ple a s

.
, ,

i n g i n her w a y s i n fa c t sh e h a d th e m a ki n g o f a n i d ea l w i fe Ac t u a lly
, , .
,

Aun t H s u eh h a d b ee n th i n kin g o f her for h er so n H s ue h P a n b ut t hen ,

she s ai d t o h e rs e lf th a t t h e you n g g i rl w a s rea lly t o o good f o r t h a t soo a n

dre l an d w a st re l a n d would on ly s uffe r m i sery i f m a rr i e d to hi m ; so she

c ha n ge d her pl a n s a n d d e c i d e d t o w i n Wrea t h o f Cloud s for he r n i c e
you n g n e ph e w H s u e h Kuo i n s tea d .

Sh e fi rs t i n form e d P h o e n i x of h er pl a n a n d P h o en i x i n h e r t urn co n
,

fi de d t h e m a tte r t o t he A n c e st res s Th e A n c e s tress g a v e h er w i lli n g co n

.

s en t a n d e v i n c e d ea g e rn e ss h e r se lf t o pl a y th e p a rt o f th e s po n s or a n d

go b et we en w ho bri n g s th e moun t a in s t og e th e She se n t fort h w i th 1 0 1 ‘

-
r.

Pr i n c ess S h i eh a n d as ke d he r co n se n t t o t he proj ec t The Pr i n c ess s a i d .

t o he r se lf th a t a u n i o n o f h e r poor n i e c e wi th th e ri c h f a m i ly of H s u e h
Kuo c oul d n o t b e o th e r t h a n a dv an ta g e ou s a n d a s th e s u i t or more ov e r
, , ,

w a s a good looki n g w ell b e ha v e d you n g m an sh e co n sen t e d wi th ou t

'
- -

, ,

an y l e n g t h y d e li b e r a t i o n T h e A n c es t r e ss n o w sen t f o r Au n t H s u e h t o
.

b e th e t h i rd p a rt y a t th e ma rri a g e co n f er en ce Fo r th e s a ke o f good .

form qui t e a len gth y d i s cu ss i on o f pro s a n d co n s n o w d ev elope d b e

,

t w een Pr i n c s s S hi eh a n d Aun t H s u eh wi t h a pp a r en t res i s ta n c e an d

e ,

rej e c t i o n a n d r a i s i n g of th i s doub t a n d t ha t obj e c t i on un ti l th an ks t o

, ,

t h e e n e rg et i c p e rs u a s i o n o f t h e A n c es t r ess a gr ee m en t w as e ve n t u a lly
,

re a ch e d T h e p a ren ts o f th e bri d e w ere n o w i n form e d a n d ca ll e d upo n

.

t o a pp e a r S om e t i m e pre vi ou s ly th e y h a d ta k en re fug e i n th e Y un gk uo
.

p a l a c e ow in g t o t h ei r pove rt y Could th e y h a v e wi she d fo r a n y thi n g

. .

b ett e r t h a n th i s a dv a n t a geo u s un i o n wi th th e we ll t o do fa m i ly o f - ~

H s u eh ? T he y we re o n ly t o o w i ll i n g t o g i ve th e i r con sen t .

Th e A n c e s t r ess w a s ve ry pl e a s e d w i t h h er a ch i ev em en t .

“
T he re s an o t he r bu s i n ess h a pp i ly co n clud e d ! All my li fe I h a v e en
’

j oy e d c a rry i n g th rough ne go t i a t i o n s of th i s ki n d a n d n o w w h a t a bou t ,

”
my m a rr i a g e brok er s comm i ssi o n sh e s a i d j oki n gly t o Aun t H s u eh
’
? .

N a t ur a lly th e comm i s si o n h as b een w e ll ea rn e d I t r us t th a t ten

,
.

th ous a n d s i l ve r p i ec e s w i ll s ufi ce ” sa i d Aun t H s u e h t a ki n g up t h e j es t
, ,
.

“
B ut h o w wo uld i t b e i f th e old T a i ta i h a v i n g n e go t i a t e d th e m a rri a g e
, ,

? ”
would a ls o do us t h e h o n or o f g i v i n g the we dd in g fe a st
“ ”
No t h a n k yo u ; I sh ould pr e fer n o t t o r e pli e d t he A n c e st ress
, , ,

“
l a ugh in g Le t o t h er h a n ds a n d fee t th an m in e s t i r t he m se lv es t h i s
.

”
ti me ! Th e re upo n sh e sen t for Pri n c ess Ch en a n d i ns t ruc t ed h er t o
m a ke a ll t h e n e c ess a ry prep a r a t i o n s for a wort h y w e ddi n g fe a st n e i t he r ,

t o o e co n om i c a l n o r t o o luxuri ous an d t o r en d e r he r a co n s c i en t i ous a n d

,

d eta i le d a cco dn t o f a ll th e ou t l a y .

337
 -

Dur i n g her sojoum i n the Y un gk uo p a l a c e Wreath o f Clou ds h a d

a tt a c he d h e rs el f mo st o f a ll t o Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p a n d h a d f oun d i n h er a

fri en d a s symp a th et i c a s a si st e r Tru e she li ve d w i th h er cous in Greet

.
,

i n g of Spri n g b ut th e l a t t er bo th e re d j us t a s l i tt le a bou t h er poor r el a

,

t i o n a s di d h er st epmo t h er Pri n c es s S h i eh Sh e w as m a de t o f ee l qu i t e
, .

clea rly th at she w a s poor an d di d n o t b elon g t o t h e r esp e c t e d m an d a r i n

cl ass a s t he o th e r youn g gi rls in th e P a rk o f D e l i gh t ful V i si o n di d an d ,

s h e w a s poorly e qu i pp e d a n d of t en w a s w i th ou t e v en t h e mo st n e c e ss a ry

thi n g s Sh e l a cke d t h e cour a g e t o b e g from h er cou si n or from h e r

.

proud a unt Pr i n cess S h i eh a n d a t s uch t i m es o f n ee d i t w a s a lw a y s

, ,

Pr ec i ous Cl a s p t o w h om she t urn e d i n h er emb a rr a ss m en t an d w h o

h elpe d her o ut secr et ly w i th th i s o r th a t .

On e day Prec i ous Cl a s p m e t Wrea th o f Cloud s by c h an c e in t h e p a rk .

The y w er e bo th goi n g i n th e sa me d i r ec t i on— t o v i si t Bl a ck J a d e Com .

i n g t o a na rrow p a th w a y Pr e c i ous C l a sp let th e o th er st e p i n fro n t a n d

, ,

so sh e n o t i c e d wh a t v ery th i n clo t h i n g sh e wor e .

“
W h y do yo u n o t dress mor e w a rmly i n t h i s cold ea rly s pri n g
? ”
w ea the r she as ke d h er .

Wrea th of Cloud s b en t h er h ea d em b a rr a ss e d a n d di d n o t a n s we r
, , .

“ ”
Your pocket mo n e y h a s run sh ort a g a i n I s uppo se ? sh e as ke d
, ,
“
sm i l i n g. Y es I kn ow Cou si n P h o en i x h a s t a ken t o p i n ch in g a n d
, ,

reckon i n g of l a te .

Wre a t h of Cloud s n odd e d e a ger a gr eem ent .

“
I h a v e t o gi ve h a lf of my me a ge r t w o t a els a mo n th to my p a ren ts a t
Aun t S hi eh s wi sh Then t he r e a re t he li t t le g i ft s whi ch I h a v e t o g i v et o
’
.
,

se rvi n g wom en a n d w a i t i n g m a i d s t o i n duc e t h e m t o c on d es c en d t o

se rv e m e a t a ll a n d n o t ov erlook m e compl e t e ly So w h a
t i s t here le ft
.
fl

”
w i th whi ch t o buy t hin gs ? sh e compl a i n e d O f cour se my pocket .

mo n ey a lw a y s run s o ut r i gh t a t the b e g i n n i n g of t h e mon t h A n d th e .

fa c t i s t h a t I h a v e t a ken all my w a rm lin e d clo th in g se cr et ly t o a p a wn

”
sh op a n d p a wn e d i t .

“
So I th ought Well I sh a ll h a ve a t a lk wi th M o t he r A n d m ean t i m e
.
, . .
,

wi ll yo u t urn b a ck an d sen d m e your p a wn t i cket a s qui ckly as po ssi bl e ,

a n d I w i ll h a v e i t r e d eem e d s e cr et ly an d yo u wi ll h a v e your w a rm
,

t hi n g s b a ck by t h i s ev en i n
g Y o u could e a si ly c a t c h a b a d cold by r un
.

n in g a bou t so l i g ht ly dr esse d W h er e 1 5 your p a wn s h op by t h e w a ?

”

“
.
y ,

It 1 8 o n t h e m a i n ro a d w e s t o f th e Drum Tow e r an d I S c a ll e d t he ,

a l o f n i
H l E dur g Well B ei n g or som ethi n g o f th e ki nd
n -

,
”
.

“
Oh i n d eed ? T h en th e mo n e y wi l l a t l e a st r em a in i n th e fami ly T h e
, .

e mploy ee s i n th e p a wn sh op w i ll thi n k th a t i f th e i r e mploy e rs

do n o t
com e t o th e m 1 n pe rs o n a t l ea st t he y h o n or th e m wi th th e i r clo th es
, .

Wr ea th o f Clouds fl u shedrw i th emb a rr a ssm en t So she h a d gon e t o a .

p a wn shop wh i ch wa s run by th e H s u eh fa mi ly o f all p e ople ! ,

3 38
 W hy Pres um a bly b ec a u se he i s a w a y or b ecau se hi s h oro s cop e
?

do es n o t a gr ee w i th Wre a th o f Cloud s r e pl i e d Bl a ck J a d e gu i l ele ssly ’

,
.

“
No n o th a t s n ot t h e re a s o n H s u eh P a n s br i d e h as a lr e a dy b een
, ,
’
.
’

ch o se n a n d a s s oon a s he com es b a ck from hi s tr a v e ls her n a m ew i ll b e

,

m a d e kn own Now ca n yo u gu e ss w hy Mo th er c a n n o t v ery w ell a dopt

.

”
you as a d a ug ht er Ju st th i n k h a rd !
?

Pre c i ous Cl a sp w i n ke d gl eefully a t her mo the r a s sh e sai d t h i s b ut ,

Bl a ck J a de w ho n o w u n d ers t ood t ook h er j est se ri ou sly Ho rri fi ed sh e

, , ,
.
,
“
h i d h er fa c e o n Au n t Hsueh s breast murmur i n g d i st r a c t e dly : I wo n t !
’ ’

,
”
I wo n t !
’

“ ”
Do n t le t h er fr i gh t en you ! She i s o n ly h o a x i n g yo u ! Aun t H s u eh
’

r ea ss ur e d h er embr a c i n g h er t en d e rly
,

Re ally you m a y b e l i eve i t ! M am a i s go i n g to s p e a k t o th e o l d Ta i

‘

ta i t omo rr ow an d a sk for your h a n d W h y sh ould sh e w aste t i m e l ook .

? ”
i n g els ew h e re wh en t h e r i g ht br i d e i s h e re co n t in u e d Pre c i ou s Cl a s p ,

p er si s t i n g wi t h h er j est i n g .

“ ”
O h yo u re cr azy ! excl a i m e d Bl a ck J a de l a ugh i n g an d go i n g for
’
,

Pr ec i ou s Cl as p w i th ou t spr e a d fi n g e r s a s i f a bou t t o cl a w h er . Au n t
H s ueh p a rt e d th e tw o you n g g i rls sa y i n g t o h er d a ugh t er a s sh e di d so :
'

,
“
E n ough of th i s n on sen se ! S i n ce I t h i n k ev en Wr ea th of Clouds t o o
good for y0 ur sc a mp of a bro th e r h o w wo uld I ev e r drea m o f d e l i v er
.
,

i n g th i s d el i ca t e a n d sen si t i v e c h i ld int o h i s cl a w s ? No ! T h e o l d Ta i ta i
sa i d o n ly r e c en t ly t h a t sh e i n t en d s h er gr a n d s o n P a o Y u f o ryour co us 1 n

Bl a ck J a d e A n d i t i s b est so t o o ; for P a o Y u i s so full of p e cul i a r i t i es

'

.
,

t h a t h e mu st h a v e a w i fe w h o kn ow s a n d un d e r s t a n d s h i m t h oro ug h ly ,

an d s ure ly o n ly Cou s i n Bl a ck J a d e ca n do th a t T h e o l d T a i ta i w i ll o n .

”
n o a ccoun t g i v e h i m a s t r a n g e g i rl a s w i f e .

Bl a ck J a d e h a d l i st en e d w i th grow i n g t en s i o n m a ki n g fa ce s at her ,
.

co us in the whi l e Now sh e flu sh e d up t o t he roo t s o f h er h ai r

. .

Ph ew ! Y o u d es e rv e a good sp a n ki n g for en t i c i n g yo ur mo th er t o
“

t a lk a bou t t h i n gs wh i c h sh ould n o t b e m en t i o n e d ! ”
s h e s a i d t o Pr e c i ous

Cl a s p In j est pre t en d i n g i n d i gn a ti o n
, .

“
O h i f th a t 1 s M a d a m e s op i n i o n woul d sh e n o t go
,
’
,

a n d h e r se lf
p ut i n a word for my l i t t l e m i st r e ss w i th
i n te rj ec te d Cuckoo ea g e rly t u rn i n g t o Au n t H s u eh ; ,
‘
Li st en t o t he gi rl S h e can h a rdly w a i t t o see h er y o un g la dy l e a ve 3
.

h er m a i d en s qu a rt e rs ! Prob a bly sh e w a n ts t o m a rry h e rse lf eh ? ” r

’

m a rke d Au n t H s u eh Cuckoo t urn e d a w a y blu sh i n g

. .

“
K i n dly do n o t m e ddl e 1n m a t te r s w h i ch do n ot co n c e rn yo u you ,

h e e
”
c ky l i tt le cr e a tur e ! Bl a ck J a d e c a ll e d a ft e r h er wi t h a voi ce of ,

prete n de d ste rnn ess B ut i mm e d i a t e ly sh e h er se lf ha d to burs t o ut

.

l a ughi n g .

340
s he w as in th e act o f co n t i n u i n g B ut sh e di d n ot get b eyo n d th e cha i ;
.

t he tz u t urn e d i n t o a h e ft y sn ee z e , to th e a mu se men t o f a ll pr es en t She .

w a s a bou t t o fi ni sh t he sen t e n e she h a d b e gu n wh en L i tt le Cloud b u r st

c
in w a v in g a p i ece of p a p e r i n her h a n d
, .

“ ”
C a n yo u t e ll m e w h a t th i s fu n n y docum en t m ea ns ? she a s ke d It .

”
looks l i ke a b i ll .

Bl a ck J a d e w a s the first t o look a t the p a p e r Sh e could n o t m a ke i t .

o ut ei th er , an d t h en Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p gl a n c e d a t i t T o h e r h orror s h e .

re cogn iz e d Wr e a t h o f Cloud s p a wn t i ck e t o f w h i c h sh e k n e w a lr ea dy
’
.
,

She h urr i e dly s n a t c h e d i t from L i tt l e Cloud a n d t r i e d to h i d e i t Aun t .

H su eh t o o ha d a lr ea dy st ole n a gl i mp se a t i t .

“ ’ ”
It s a p a wn t i ck et sh e e xpl ai n e d t o L i tt l e Cloud
, It mu st b e lo n g .

? ”
to s om e se rv in g wom a n W he re di d yo u fi n d i t T h e ow n e r w i ll mi ss i t
. .

“ ? ? ”
A p a wn ti cket W ha t m a y th a t b e a ske d L i tt le Cloud n ai v e ly .

Wh at a l i tt le n oodle ! She do e sn t yet kn ow wh a t a p a wn t i cket i s !

’

th e wom en an d w ai t i n g m a i d s w h o w er e st a n d i n g a bout excl a i m e d ,

gi ggli n g
“ ”
Wh at i s th e re so fu n n y a bou t th a t sa i d A un t H s ueh re prov i n gly
? .

Th i s i gn or an c e i s o n ly t o her cr e d i t It sh ow s th a t she i s a r ea l M i ss
.

‘
Th ou sa n d Gold P i ec e a g en u i n ely i nnoc e nt you n g g i rl w h o kn ow s
- -

,
’

n o t h i n g a s yet o f th i s w i cke d world I t rust t h a t t h e o t h e r youn g l a d i e s

.

he r e a re a ll j u st t h e s a m e k i n d o f l i ttl e n ood les ”

.

“ ”
O f course o f course re pl i e d th e se rv i n g wom en fe rven tly a s i f
, , ,
“
wi th o n e vo i c e Aft e r a ll M i ss Bl a ck J a d e d i dn t kn ow e i th er so th e
.
,
’

o the r youn g l a d i es s ure ly c a n n o t kn ow I n d ee d w e fee l s ure th a t e ve n

.
,

o ur l i t t l e m a st e r a l t h oug h h e h as b ee n ou ts i d e th e h ou se so of t en a l
,
”
re a dy h as n e v e r seen a p a wn t i cket e i th e r
, .

A un t H s u eh th en e xpl a i ne d br i e fly t o the three youn g gi rl s the n a t ure

a n d m e a n i n g o f a p a w n t i ck et .

O h , goodn ess wh a t fu nn y i d ea s p e opl e com e o n i n ord er t o ob t a in

,
”
mo ne y ! cr i e d Bl a ck J a d e a n d L i tt l e Cloud ast o n i sh e d an d t h ei r re , ,
‘

“
m a rk in duc e d a fur th e r ou t br e ak o f gf i ggh s a n d e xcl a m a t i o n s o f li tt le
”
n oodl es a mo n g th e se rv i n g wom en a n d w a i t i n g m a i d s .

“ ? ”
Wh e re a c t u a lly di d yo u p i ck up th e ti cke t Aun t H s u eh w an ted
, ,

t o kn ow L i t t l e Cloud w a s j u s t o pe n i n g h er mou t h t o an sw er w h en
'
‘

Pre c i ou s C l a sp fores t a ll e d h e r : A n y h ow th e ti cket i s e xp ir e d an d i n ,

”
v a l i d lo n g a go Lo t u s j u st kep t i t fo r f un O f course her a i m w as t o
. .

pre ven t th e t ru t h from com i n g o ut a n d t o sav e Cous in Wrea th o f Clouds

e mb a r a ss me n t Au n t H s u e h w as s a t i s fie d a n d d es i s te d from f u rther
r .

que st i ons ; b ut l at e r w h en t he y we r e by th emsel ves Pre c i o us C la s p b e

, ,
O ri ol e pu tt i n g i t i n t o a book B ei n g curi ou s by n a t ur e sh e h a d ta ken
.
,

o ut t h e t i ck e t un ob s e rv e d a n d a s sh e di d n o t un d er st a n d w h a t i t m e a n t
, ,

h a d brough t i t i n t o h a v e i t s p ur po se expl a i n e d .

So Wr ea th o f Cloud s h a s p a wn e d t h i ng s ? B ut w h y di d sh e h a ve h er
? ”
t i cket se n t ov er t o your m a i d a sk e d L i t t l e Cloud R e a l i z i n g t h a t sh e .

coul d n o lon g er h i d e th e t ru e fa c t s o f th e c a s e Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp co n fi d ed ,

t h e s t ory t o t h e t w o cou s i n s T h e y w e r e bo th s orry f o r Wr e a th o f Cloud s

.

an d i n d i gn a n t t h a t sh e w a s t r ea t e d so sh a bb il y by h er r i ch a un t th e

Pri n c ess a n d h er cou si n Gr e et i n g o f Spr i n g .

“
See i f I do n o t g i ve Cou si n Gr eet i n g o f Spr i n g a nd her i ll b eh a v e d
s ta
”
ff a good p i e c e o f m y m i n d d e cl a r e d L i t t l e Cloud an gr i ly
s
,
.

Sh e w o uld h a v e l i ke d t o c a rry o ut h er i n t en t i o n s t r a i g h t a wa y b ut ,

th e o t h e rs s ucc ee d e d i n d i ss u a d i n g h er from s uch h a s t y a c t i o n w h i c h

— — _
-
,

woul d o n ly h a v e bro fi ght umpl ea san t n e ss t o h e r s elf Th e y a ll a gree d t o .

a vo i d use l ess l e c t ur i n g a n d i n s t e a d t o b e n i c er t o Wr ea t h o f Cloud s

t h em s e lve s a n d t o fi n d a pr et ex t f o r g ett i n g h er a w a y from t h e un p lea s

a n t c omp an y o f h er cou s i n Gr eet i n g o f Spr i n g by t a k i n g h er t o li v e w i t h

Pr e c i o us C l a s p Li t t l e Cloud an d Lo t u s i n t he J un gl e Court y a rd
, ,
.

CHAPTER 32

C h ia L i e n se cr e t ly ta k es t h e co n d M i ss Y u t o w i fe Th e th i rd M i ss
se . Yu
as p i r es t o th eh a n d o f t h e C o ld K n i g h t .

C HI A C HIN G , THE PR IN CE H E R M IT DE A D T H E N E W S o r m s
,. W AS .

d e c ea se re a c he d t h e Y un gk uo a n d t h e N i n gkuo p a l a c e s e x a c t ly o n P a o
Y u 5 b i r th d a y a s i t ha pp en e d It a ls o c h an c e d t h a t j u s t a t t h at t i m e th e
’
.
,

Pri n c e ss A n c e st r ess a n d th e old e r l a d i es a n d a ll t h e m a l e sen i or s o f bo th

p a l a c e s a mon g t he m Pr i n c e C h en a n d h i s so n C hi a Yun g w er e a w a y
, ,

t a ki n g p a rt i n th e fu n er a l proc e ss i o n t o t h e Imp e r i a l bur i a l groun d s of a

re c ent ly d ec ea se d Imp e ri a l w i fe Pr in c ess C h en h a d t o l ea v e th e b i rth

.
,

da y b an qu et fort h w i th r e move h er j e w elry a n d h er f est i v e a t t i r e p u t

,
‘

o n a si mpl e w h i t e mourn i n g rob e a n d ha s t en o u t i n t o t h e moun t a in s i n

“

fro n t o f th e c i t y t o th e h erm i t a ge o f h er d e a d fa th er i n la w i n ord e r t o

,
- -

co mply w i th th e i n i t i a l form a l i t i es s uc h a s v i e w i n g th e corp s e h av i n g i t

,

pr ep a re d f or the b i er an d s o o n Fo r sh e w a s t h e o nl y r e pre sent a t i v e o f

, .

t h e fa m il y a t h om e Tru e sh e s en t e xpr e ss m e ss en g e r s t o h er a b s en t
.
,

h us b a n d b ut i t would b e se v er a l w e e ks 1 n a n c as e b e fore Pr i n c e C h en ‘

,
y
c ould b e b a ck f rom t h e I m pe ri a l buri a l pl a c e t o h e lp h er Th e r e for e sh e .
,

h a d t o r es i gn h er s e lf t o t a k i n g up h er qu a r t e r s for a t i m e i n t h e n e a r b y -

T empl e o f th e Iro n R a i li n g s wh er e th e fa m i ly vaul ts o f t h e C h i a cl an

,

w e r e si t u a t e d a n d whe r e sh e ha d the corp se l a i d t emp or a ri ly o n a b i er ; ‘

34 2
a lwa y s th e re w as some orde r o f t h e Pri n c e or th i s o r th a t domesti c re ,

qu est on th e p a rt o f th e Pri n c e ss wh i ch off er ed h i m th e d esi r ed excu se ,

o f en t e ri n g t h e eas t e rn p a l a c e o n hi s r et urn an d se e i n g an d sp ea k
i ng to
th e b elov e d .

O n e day w he n h e w a s o n c e more o ut a t th e T e mpl e o f t h e Iron R ai l

, _

i n g s th e Pr i n c e s d e pu ty m a j ordomo Y u Lu c a ll e d t o d i s cu ss s om e
’
, , ,

bus in ess wi t h hi s m a ste r A b a l a n c e o f si x h un dre d oun c es of si lv e r w a s

.

s t i ll owi n g for t h e wh i te fun era l clo t h an d t h e gr een s mock s for t h e

coffi n b ea re rs a n d th e tw o clo th merch an t s h ad c a ll e d y est erd a y t o com

,

pl a i n an d d em an d p a ym en t h e re por t e d ,
.

“
Well j u st get th e mo n e y from th e h ous eh old c a sh W h y bot h er m e
,
.

”
a bou t i t a n d m a k e t h i s u n n e c e ss a ry j our n ey h e r e
? s a i d t h e Pr i n c e .

“
T h e burs a r could n o t p ay m e t h e s u m Th e c a sh h a s b e en ex h a u ste d . ,

owi n g t o t he m an y h ea vy exp en ses o f th e r e c en t w ee ks o f mourn i n g .

T h e rea dy mo n e y a v a i l a ble i s ea rm a rk e d for cov er i n g th e exp en ses o f

t h e l a st h u n dr e d d a y s o f mourn i n g h e r e i n t h e T em pl e o f t h e Iron R a i l
'

”
i n g s T ha t i s w hy I h a v e com e for your i n st ruc t i o n s
. .

“
Well j u st see wh e r e else you ca n get t he mo n ey from ; you are o ld
,
”
a n d wi se en oug h t o do t h a t s a i d t h e Pr i n c e , .

Hm i f i t w er e o n ly a m a tte r of o n e o r tw o h un dr ed oun c es I would

, ,

kn ow h o w t o get ove r t h e d iffi cul t y b ut si x h un dr e d st r a i g h t a w a y

.
,

Y u Lu a n sw er e d h e s i t an t ly muc h emb arr as se d , .

T he Pr i n c e co n s i d er e d t h e m a tte r for a w h i l e t h e n h e t urn e d t o h i s ,

“
so n C hi a Yun g a n d s a i d :
, Go t o your mo th er a n d a sk h er w h a t b e c a m e
,

of th e fi v e h un dr e d ou n c es wh i c h c a m e i n r ec en t ly a s a fun e r a l gi f t f rom -

th e C h en f a m i ly of K i a n g n a n A s f a r a s I kn ow t h e mo n ey h as n o t .
,
”
go n e i n to th e h ou seh old c a sh .

C h i a Yu n g w en t t o t h e Pr i n c e ss a n d c a m e b a ck a fte r a w h i l e w i th
t h e m es s a g e t h a t tw o of t h e fi v e h u n dr e d ou nc es w e r e a lr ea dy s p e n t a n d ,

th e r e m a i n i n g th r e e h u n dr e d w e r e i n t h e sa feke e p i n g o f M o t h e r Y u
'

“
V e ry w ell Th en you mu s t go t o your gr a n dmo th er a sk h er t o gi ve
.
,

yo u th e th r ee h un dr e d a n d h a n d t h e m t o Y u Lu t o p a y h i s clo t h m er
,
‘
.

ch a n t s b i ll He w i ll r a ke up the b a l a n c e h i m se lf A t t he sa m e t i m e h a v e
’
. .

'

a look a rou n d a n d s ee h o w t h i n s are

g goi n g a t h om e w h eth e r the re i s ,

a n y t h i n g t h a t c a ll s for d i s cu ss i o n
; a n d see a l s o h ow your t w o a u n t s a re ,
”
a n d g i v e t h em our gr eet i n g s .

C hi a Yu n g an d Y u Lu w e r e j u st a bou t t o t ake l e a v e when Ch i a Li en

a pp ea r e d .

W ll w h a t s t h e i mpor t an t d i s cuss i o n
’ ”
e ? h e a s k e d a n d w h en t h e “

, ,

Pri n c e i n form e d hi m h e th ough t t o h i mse l f thi s i s j u st my cha n ce ; I

, ,

mu st se i z e i t ‘

“
W h y sh ould you 8 0 borrow in g from ou tsi d e rs d ear Cou si n ,wh en i t ,
”
1 5 a m a t t e r o f s uch a t r i fl e ? he con tin u ed a loud “
I h a ppen t o ha ve .

344
qui t e a l a rg e sum ly in g at h om e . I pl a c e it at your d i s po sa l wi th
”
plea s ure .

“
'

Th a t i s spl en d i d ! Would yo u b e so good t hen a s t o g i v e my so n a , ,

”
wri t te n ord e r so th a t t he mo n e y ca n b e h a nded ov e r t o h i m
, .

“
Hm I sh ould pr e fe r t o do t h a t my se lf B esi d es I h a v e bee n lo n g
, .
,

e n ou h a w a y from h om e a n d mu s t t h i n k a bou t r e t urn i n g i n an

g y case I .

s ho ul d l i k e t o see h o w Gr a n dmo t he r a n d Mo t h e r a n d my a u n t s are , , ,

”
a n d t o ma k e s ur e th a t e v e ry t h i n g i s i n ord e r a t h om e
. .

A n d so i t ca m e a bo ut tha t U n cl e L i en an d N ep h ew Yu n g se t o ut t o
g et her a ccomp a n i e d by a few serv an ts t o r i d e b a ck t o the ca p i ta l On
, , .

th e w a y th e u n cle co n tr i v e d a s i f by ch an c e t o l e a d t h e co n v e rsa ti o n o n
, ,

t o t he s ubj e c t o f Cous i n Y u N um b e r T w o He could n o t fi n d n e a rly .

en oug h words w i th w h i c h t o pr a i se h er good qu a l i t i es a n d h e r vi rt u es .

,

h e r b ea u t y her good c har a c t e r a n d h er bl a m e less b eh a v i or an d sO ex

, , ,
‘

tr a v a g a n t w e re h i s e ul og i es th a t t h e n ep he w v e ry so o n rea li zed w h a t h e
w a s dr i v i n g a t .

“
My un cl e see m s to b e ve ry muc h ta ken w i th h er re m a rke d C h i a ,
“
Yun g w i t h a s m i le Ho w would i t be i f he were t o m a ke her h i s l a dy o f
.
‘

”
t he s i d e c h a mb e r a n d i f I w e r e t o a ct a s go b e t wee n ?
’
- -

“ ? ”
Do yo u m ea n t ha t se ri ou sly o r are yo u j oki n g ask e d C hi a Li en , ,

pre ten d i n g s urprise .

“
I a m se r i ou s of cour se , .

T h a t s v e ry fri endly o f yo u B ut th e r e ar e v a ri ous d iffi cul ti es Wh a t

’
. .

e a t ?
would my w f s y to i A n d would your gran dm o th r a pprov More
i e e ?
”
ove r I he a rd t h a t your s e co n d a un t i s a lr e a dy en g a g e d
, .

“
Th a t i s tr u e B ut s i n c e th e fa th e r o f h er b etro th e d a te n an t fa rm er
.
'

o n t h e e s t a t e n a m e d C h a n g lo s t h i s fort un e t en y e a rs a go in a la ws ui t
, ,

th e tw o fa m i l i e s h a v e broke n o ff r e l a t i o n s Fo r a lo n g t i m e p a s t Gr a n d .

mo th e r a n d F a th er h a v e pl a n n ed t o h a ve t hi s e ng a g em en t c an c e lle d by
t he p a ym en t o f a s m a ll i n d e mn i ty i n ca sh an d t o see k a n o th e r s ui ta bl e ,

h us b a n d f o r my a u n t T h e C h an g fami ly are l po o r ; th e y w i ll b e v e ry
.

gl ad t o ren oun c e t h e b et ro t ha l fo r a few oun ces of si lv e r Aird I h a ve n o t .

th e l e a st doub t b u t t h a t Gr a n dmo t h er a n d F a th e r wi ll j oyfully gi v e th e i r

a pprov a l t o s uc h a d i s t i n gu i s h ed s u i t or as yo u Th e o n ly doub t ful po i n t .

i s th e qu est i o n o f w h at P h o e n i x would sa y t o i t ”
'

T h i s C h i a Li en di d n o t kn o w e i th er a n d h is o n ly an sw e r Wa s a force d ,

”
W a i t ! I v e go t a n i d ea ! e xcl ai m ed th e n e p h e w a ft e r th i n ki n g f o r a
’
,

wh i l e W e sha ll c ert a i n ly requ i re s ome cour a ge a n d yo u mu st n ot

.
“
,
”
s hr i n k from s p e n d i n g a b i t of mo n e y t o o i f th e m a tt e r i s t o s ucc ee d ,
.

“ ”
O ut wi t h i t !
“
My p l a n i s s i mply t o ho od w i n k P h o en i x She mus t n o t h e a r an y .
.

thi n g o f your i n t en t i o n I wi ll ca rry th r ough t he wh ol e bu si n ess wi th th e

‘
.
u tm o st di screti on w i th my f a th er an d my gr a n dm ot h e r A s s oon a s the y .

h a ve co n s en t e d I sh a ll buy a l i t t l e h ou se fo r yo u clo se b eh i n d o ur p al
“
-

a ce I sh a ll furn i sh i t n i c e ly a n d coz i ly a s a lov e n es t f o r yo u an d h ir e

. ,

t wo o r t h r e e d i s cr eet a n d r e t i c en t s e rv i n g wom en Th en o n e h a ppy da y .

I w i ll con duc t my a un t t h e re se cret ly a n d un seen by ei th er s p i ri t o r

mort a l a n d i n st a ll h er i n your love n est a s your seco n d a ry w i fe Y o u
,
.

wi ll t hen l i ve a l te rn a te ly wi t h Ph o en i x a n d w i t h your n ew w i fe f or th e '

fu t ur e If P h o en i x g et s t o kn ow of i t i n th e cour se o f t i m e a n d m a kes a
.

ro w w h y you n ee d on ly s a y t h a t yo u w e r e mov e d t o a ct as yo u h ad
, ,

don e by th e ve ry un d erst a n d a ble w i sh t o b ege t t h e so n an d h ei r th at

your pr i n c i p a l w i fe h a d fa i l e d t o g i ve you F a c e d w i th th e a ccomp li sh ed
.

fa c t w i th t he r i c e i n th e po t a lrea dy cooke d P h o en i x w i ll n o doub t p ut

, ,

u p w i th i t A n d t h en i n th e en d you w i ll a sk th e bl ess in g o f th e o ld
.
, ,

Ta i ta i .

In h i s i n fa t u a te d st a t e C h i a L i en foun d th e pl a n s pl en d i d It di d n ot .

e v en occur t o h i m t h a t a ccord i n g t o t r a d i t i o n a l ob s e rv an c e i t w a s i m

prop er fo r h i m t o th i n k of m a rri a g e i n t h i s mourn i n g p e ri od S t i ll l ess .

di d h e r ecko n w i t h t h e st em n ess of h i s f a th e r , Pr i n c e S h i eh , a n d th e
j ea lou sy o f h i s w i fe , Ph o en i x Nor di d h e gu e ss , mor e ove r t h a t h i s cun
.
,

7 ' .1
.
g ph e w h a d h i s o w n a dv an t a g e i n m i n d i n m a ki n g th i s s uggest i o n
ne .

For t h e n e p h ew t o o w a s m a dly en a more d of h i s b ea u t i ful a u n t b ut ,

w i t h i n t h e p a r en t a l h om e h e could n o t w ell m a ke ov e rt ur es t o her In

,
. .

th e s ol i t a ry lov e n est b e h i n d th e p a l a c e h ow e v e r h e would h a v e a S pl en

, ,

di d occ a si o n t o do s o He would o n ly h a v e t o w a t c h h i s c h an c e wh en
.

Un cl e Li en w a s n o t t her e a n d t h i s oppo rt u n i t y would off e r i ts e lf oft en

,

e n oug h B ut n o n e of t h es e t h i n g s cro s se d t h e m i n d o i t h e i n f a t u a t e d
.

”
You r e a lly a br i ght b oy d ea r n e phew ! sa i d t h e l a t t e r b ea m i n g
a re , ,
“
w i t h joy By w a y of th a n ks I sh a ll g i v e yo u a pr esen t of t w o pr ett y
.

”
wa i t i n g m a i d s .

M ea n whi l e th e y h a d r ea c h e d t h e m a i n g a t ew a y of th e N i n gkuo p a l
a ce an d h e r e t h e y p a r t e d w i t h mu t u a l prom i s es o f t h e s t r i c t e s t s
, e cr e cy .

Th e n e p h e w w a s co n si d e r a t e en oug h t o a llow t h e unc l e t o go a lo n e t o

Gran dmo t h e r Y u i n ord e r t h a t C hi a Li en would h a v e t h e fi el d t o hi ms e lf
l a te r wh en h e would m eet A un t Numb e r T w o M e a n t i m e h e h i ms elf .

t urn e d i n t o t h e w es t e rn p a l a c e t o greet th e old A n c est r ess .

In fro n t of t he gr ea t h a ll C h i a L i e n d i sm i sse d h i s r et i n u e of se rv a n ts ,

d i s mou n t e d from h i s h orse an d we n t a lo n e a n d u n a nn oun c e d t o th e

,
’
l a d i e s qu a r ter s A s a n e a r r e l a t i v e w h o w as o n clo se t e rm s of fri en d
. .

sh i p w i t h Pr i n c e C h en t h e m a st er of th e h ou s e h e could t a k e t h i s li b
, ,

e rt y w i t h ou t c a u s i n g u n pl ea s a n t s u rpr i s e a mo n g th e s t a ff O n w a lki n g .

un ann oun ce d i n t o t he l i v i n g room o f t he l a d i e s Y u h e h a d th e good ,

luck t o fi n d M i ss Y u Numb e r T w o a lo n e She w as rec lin i n g o n the .

346
he hea rd hi s c h eeky n e ph e w t urn in g t o th e La dy Y u a n d sa y i n g : No w ,
wh a t do you th i n k, Gra n dm o th e r Wouldn t th i s un cle h er e b e j u st th e
? ’
-

r i gh t m a n for Aun t T w o H asn t h e go t all the qu a l i t i es— h ei ght , figure ,

? ’

good a pp ea r a n c e , a n d so o u— wh i ch F a th e r sa i d r e c ent ly h e would re

? ”
qu i r e of her fu t ur e h u sb a n d
S a y i n g th i s , he po i n t e d hi s fi n g er qu i t e un con cem e dly a t h i s U n cl e
C h i a L i en a n d m a d e ch e eky f a c es a t h i s A un t Tw o T a ki n g th e p a rt o f .

h e r si s t e r , w h o w as v i si bly e mb a rr a ss e d A u n t T hree op en e d h er mou th

,
'

“
a n d b eg an sc o ld i n g h a lf in j oke a n d h a lf in ea rn e st : Wh at a n i m pe rti
,
.

n en t h tt le mo n k e y ! If M o t h e r h a d n o t h a pp e n e d t o s p e a k o f t h i s h e r s elf
”
a lr ea dy I W ould g i v e hi m a good h i d i n g !
,

B ut t h e l i tt l e mo n k ey h a d a lr ea dy s li ppe d gi ggl i n g o ut th e doo r Im .

m ed i a t e ly a ft erw a rd s h i s u n cl e t o o t ook hi s le a v e a ll sm i l es ,
.

Tha t sa m e da y C h i a Yun g r et ur n e d t o th e Te mpl e o f th e Iron R a i l

i n g s a n d a f te r h av i ri g m a d e h i s bu si n es s re port t o h i s f a th er pr e sen te d
, , ,
'

Un cle C h i a Li en 5 ma rr i a ge propo sa l an d st ron gly adv o ca t ed the sug

’ ‘

g este d un i o n b et ween h i s u n cl e a n d h i s a u n t Pr i n ce C hen con si d er e d

.

“
t h e m a t t e r ; t h e n h e s a i d w i t h a sm i l e : It see m s all ri gh t t o m e B ut i s .

t h e g i rl he rs e lf w i ll i n g ? Go b a ck t o t h e c i t y t omo rrow an d m a k e s ur e o n
”
t h i s po i n t !
He t h en V 1 5 1 ted h i s w i fe an d a s ke d h er op i n i o n .

A t first Pr i n c ess C h en w a s d e c i d e dly a g a i n s t t h e pl a n wh i ch se e m e d ,

t o he r a r a t h e r dub i ou s o n e T h a t t h i s m a rr i a g e sh ould t a k e pl a c e dur

.

i n g t h e m ourn i n g p eri od th a t a se co n d a ry w i f e sh ould b e t a k en w i th ou t

t h e k n owl e dg e a n d co n sen t of t h e pr i n c i p a l w i f e—th e se c i rcum s t an c es
,

co n st itut e d breac h e s o f th e R i t es a n d w e re co n tr a ry t o a ll co n ce p ti on s
,
.
‘

of c orr e c t n ess a n d good form B ut a s sh e w as u s e d t o a ssen t t o ev ery

.

t h i n g wh i c h t h e P ri n c e h a d o n c e t a ken in t o h i s h ea d s h e g a v e w a
y in ,

t h e e n d Mor e ov e r t h i s M i ss Y u w a s n o t h er blood s i st e r b ut o n ly a
.
,

s te p s i s t e r ; sh e t h e r e for e di d n o t h a v e t o b e t o o s cr upulou s a b ou t t a k i n g

r es po n s i b i l i t y fo r th e po s si bl e u n pl e a s a n t co n se qu en c es of t hi s
r ect l
y effe c t e d u n i o n .

Accord i n gly ea rly n ex t m or n i n g C h i a Yun g h a st en ed b a ck t o t h e

,

N i n gkuo p a l a c e a t h i s fa th e r s r e qu e st t o ob t a i n th e con sen t o f th e l a d i es

’

Y u He h a d h i m se lf a n n oun c e d t o Gr a n dm o t h e r Y u a n d w h e n a dm i tt e d
.
,

t o h er pr e sen c e i n form e d h e r o f t h e Pr i n c e s w i sh a n d w i th muc h e m

,
’
,

p h a s i s a n d m a n y flow e ry p hr a se s p ut forw a rd a ll po ssi bl e po i n ts i n

,

fa vor o f the m a t ch— wh a t a fi n e l i fe Aun t Two would h a ve w i t h C h i a

L i en w h o would m a ke h er h i s pr i n c i p a l w i fe a s a ma tt e r o f course wh en
,

h
P o x would
e n i d i e — a n e v e n t w h i c h w a s t o b e e xp e c t e d s oo n e r or l a t e r ;

a nd t h a t t h e Pr i n c e wo uld d e fr a y a ll t h e co t s o f t h e w e dd i n a n d pro
s g
v i d e a h a n ds om e h om e a n d fi n e furn i t ure a n d woul d a ls o se e t h a t sh e
, ,

348
 ob ta in a good m at ch for A unt Thr ee He held forth o n a ll th ese thi n gs
'

a n d w i th s uc h e loqu en c e th a t Mo th e r Y u w as compl e t e ly w o n ov e r Th e .

b usi n es s w a s t o co st n o th i n g a n d b esi d es C h i a Li en w as a fi ne l o o kin g

, ,
-
,

fa sh i o n a bl e you n g m a n It would b e ma d ness t o re fus e s uch an a dv an

.

t a g eo us o fi er Gr a n dmo t h e r Y u co n s ul te d fo r a sh ort t i m e w i th h e r
.

d a ught er an d tha t s a m e da y Ch i a Yun g w as a ble t o br i n g hi s fa the r t he

,

d e si r e d word of co n se n t .

C h i a L i en w a s n o w summo n e d to th e fa mi ly t emple a n d i n form e d o f ,

th e a pprov al of th e o t h e r s i d e He w a s ov e rj oy e d a n d h i s gr a t i t ud e
.
,

to w a rd s h i s fr i en dly h e lp e r s Pr i n c e C h en a n d h i s so n kn e w n o bou n d s
, ,
.

We ddi n g g a rm en ts an d l i n g er i e w ere boug ht i n ha ste a n d a ll the o t h er

we dd i n g pre p a r at i o n s w e r e m a d e T w o li from th e b a ck w a ll s o f t h e
.

pri n cely a bod e i n t he qu i et l i t t l e La n e o f th e Flowe r i n g Br an c h a s u i t

, ,
“ ”
a bl e love n e st w as a cq ui re d It w a s a sm a ll cou n t ry v i ll a of twe nt y
'

r oom s L i tt l e Pa o w h o a ft er h i s w i f e h a d k i ll e d h e rse lf h a d m a rr i e d
.
, , ,

th e m e rry w i dow o f t ha t cra zy fe llow t h e cook To w h o h a d d i e d o f dr i n k ,

.w a s en g a g e d a s a se rv a n t He h a d l e f t t h e p a l a c e se rv i c e so m e t i m e p re
.

vi o u sly C h i a L i en could n o t h a v e h i t upo n a b e tte r c h o i c e for L i tt l e

. ,

P ao h a d re c e i v e d a h un dr e d t a e ls i n h us h m o n e y from h i m s om e t i m e
pr ev i ously a s w ell a s th e pr et t y W i dow T o i n compe n sa t i o n for t h e
, ,

lo ss of h i s w i fe a n d h e w a s th e r e fore d ee ply in d e b t e d t o h i m More ov e r

,
.
,

h i s wi fe s form e r t en d e r r e l a t i o n s w i t h C h i a L i en w e re l i ke w i s e a bo n d
’

b et w een h e r self a n d t he i r n ew m a st e r T he re fore C h i a L i en would b e . ,

a b le t o r ely upo n h i s s e rv a n ts f o r t ru e d e vo t i o n a n d r e t i c e n c e A n d o ld
'

C h a n g th e i mpov e r i she d fa th er o f th e ori g in a l h a n c e o f M i ss Y u Num

,

b e r Two w as compe n sa te d w i th a s um o f tw en t y t ae ls , fo r w h i c h h e
,

s i gn e d t h e r e qu i re d d ee d o f r e li n qu ish m e n t .

T he th i rd da y of t h e n ew mo n th w a s p i cke d o ut in th e c a le n d a r a s a
s u i t a bl e day for t he w e dd i n g Mo t h e r Y u a n d D a ug h t e r Th r ee h a d i n
.

spe ct e d th e n ew h om e t h e pr evi ou s da y a n d foun d i t i n th e b es t po ss i bl e

ord er A n d n o w th e br i d e w as fe t c h e d in an o rdi n ary li tt e r un se en by

.
-
‘
,

ei th e r s p i ri t or mor ta l i n th e fi fth h our o f th e morn in g o f th e th i rd a n d

, ,

t ak en to th e lov e n es t i n t h e La n e o f th e Floweri n g Br a n c h A l i t t l e t i m e .

la t e r C hi a L i en a rr i v e d e qu a lly un ob tr us i v ely se a ted i na sm a ll se d a n

, ,

ch a ir an d dr e sse d i n h i s ev e ryd a y a tt i r e p a i d hi s res pe c ts to hea ven an d ,

e a rt h an d to h i s Aun t Y u w h o w as p r es en t bur n e d i n c e ns e a n d li t tl e
, ,

a p er h or s e s a n d dran k w i t h h i s n ew b ri d e from th e sa m e w e dd i n g
p ,

b ea ker i n a fes ti ve ly i ll umi n a ted br i d a l ch a mb e r th en l a te r r eve ll e d ,

wi th he r m t h a t un r est r ai ne d m ann er o f ph oen i x coupl es wh i c h i s all

T he ne w s of th i s se cr et m ar r i a ge di d n o t pe n et r a te b eyo n d th e c i rcl e
Li en cov ered hi s
th a t hi s pr esen ce

.
349
w as re qu i r ed i n th e N i n gkuo p a l a ce a n d i n vi e w o f hi s clo se fri en d sh i p , .

wi th Pri n ce C h en t he un s u sp e cti n g P h o en i x b e l i ev e d h i m Eve ry t hi n g .

wen t as h e ha d d esi red C h i a L i en a ll ow e d h i s n ew wi fe fift een t a e ls per

‘

mo n th a n d wh en he h i m se lf could n o t b e w i t h h er pe rm i tted h er t o
, ,

t a ke he r m ea l s wi th h er mo t h e r a n d si st er so t h a t sh e woul d n o t fee l t o o
,

Ion e ly H i s i nt i m a cy wi th th e n ew w i fe w a s so gr ea t th a t h e gr a du a lly
.

t ook a w a y se cr et ly from h i s h o me i n t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e all t h e obj ec ts

o f v a lu e wh i c h h e h a d coll e ct e d for h i m se lf i n th e cour se o f th e y e a rs ,

a n d g a v e t h em i n t o h er k ee p i n g Mor e ov er h e w a s so r ash a s t o t e ll h e r
.
, ,

dur i n g the h ours t hey la y t og et h e r e v e ry co n c e i v a ble i n t im at e d et a i l ,

a bou t t h e c h a r a c t e r a n d p e r s o n o f h i s pri n c i p a l w i f e T h e s e con d Y u .

w a s n a t ur a ll y e x t r e m e ly gr a t i fi e d a n d i n h e r dre a m s a l r e a dy sa w h e rs e lf
,

a s t h e s ucc e ss or o f Ph o en i x a n d t h e fu t ur e m i s t re ss o f t h e w e st e rn

pa la ce .

Two mon th s o f se cret an d un d i st urb e d h a pp i n e ss h a d p a sse d i n thi s

w a y wh en Pr i n c e Ch en r et urn e d h om e o n e e v en i n g t o t h e eas t e rn p a l a c e

from t h e T em p Ie o f th e Iron R a i li n g s t h e h u n dr e d d a y s o f mour n i n g

'

,
‘

se rv i c e t h e r e h a v i n g com e t o a n e n d Af t e r h i s lo n g a b s en c e h e h a d a .

w i sh t o see h i s t wo b ea u t i ful si s t er s i n la w th a t sa m e e v en i n g H a v i n g - -
.

m a d e sur e th a t Cou si n C h i a L i en w a s n o t th ere h e se t o ut f o r t h e L a n e ,

o f t h e Flow er i n g Br a n c h a ccomp a n i e d o n ly by
tw o t ru st e d fa rmh an ds .

Wh i le h e w a s ch a tt i n g a n d dr i n ki n g pun ch w i th Mot he r Y u a n d .

S i st er i n la w Th ree i n t he l a mp li t l i v in g room o f t h e w e st wi n g S i st er
- -
-

in l a w T w o h a v i n g w i th dr a wn i mm e d i a t ely a ft e r gree t i n g h i m C h i a
-

Li en a rr i v e d Wh en h e h ea rd th a t h i s pr i n c e ly cou si n w a s th e r e h e
.
,

t h oug h t h i s o wn t h ough t s a n d qu i e t ly w en t st r a i gh t t o h i s Na i na i f or
, ,

he w i sh e d t o l ea v e h i s cou s i n u n d i st urb e d B e si de s h e fe l t t i r e d a n d
‘

.
,

pl a nn e d t o go t o b ed ea rly He : ett l e d down comfort a bly a t e h i s e v e

.
,

n i n g m ea l a n d dr a n k t o t h e po i n t o f e x h i l a r a t i on T h e Na i n a i dr an k
'

, .

s t urd i ly w i t h h i m a n d w h en h e sa w h e r s i tt i n g i n fro n t o f h i m i n h er
,

re d un d e rg a rm ent th h er h a i r loo se n e d a n d a s pr i n gl i k e flu sh o n h e r
w i .

ch ee ks sh e seeme d t o hi m more b ea ut i ful t h a n e v er; a n d h e emb r a c e d

,

h er an d sa i d t o h er fl a tt eri n l : P e opl e w i ll k ee p o n t a lkin g i n the

“
gy
hi gh est t errri s o f my pri n c i p a l wi fe b ut w h en I comp a r e o u w i th th at
y ,

wi cke d wi t ch i t seem s t o m e th a t she i s n o t e ven worth y to 1m t i e your

,

“
A h , o f wh a t use i s o n e’ s l i t t le b i t o f b e a u t y , wh en a ll is sa id an d
”
don e ! she re pl i e d wi th a si gh .

“
W h a t do yo u m e an by t h a t ? I do n o t un d e rs t a n d o u d he sai
y , .

O h I w a s th i n ki n g o f my s i st e r ” sh e r epli e d s udd en ly b ursti n g

,
, ,
“
i n t o t ea r s W e t wo h a v e n o w b e en li v i n g as m an a n d wi fe f o r the p a st
.
.

t wo mo n t h s Y o u kn ow h o w d e vo t e d I a m t o o u a n d I kno w w h a t o u
y y
.
,

a re t o m e B ut w h a t i s t o b e com e o f my
si st e r ? Wh a t i s sh e t o do h e re
-

.
t o th e loo se t o n e o f low ha u n ts b ut t o hea r such u nr est r a in e d l a ngu a ge ,

from a m a i d en ly mou th— th a t w as som eth i n g qu i t e n ew t o t he m T h e .

t h i rd Y u di d n o t le t t h ei r el nb a rra ss rn en t d e t e r h er h ow ev e r an d co n , ,
’
t in u ed br az en ly w i th h er loo se t a lk an d h er s t rump e t s a i r s .

“ ”
Com e ! Don t b e t i m i d ! H elp m e to a mu se t h e g en tl em en ! sh e
’

“
pr esse d her si st er w h o h a d re m a i n e d sh yly i n th e b a ckgroun d Aft e r
, .

a ll w e a r e a ll o n e f a m i ly h e r e t og e t h e r a n d i t s so n i c e b ei n g a ll t o o u
’
r
, ,
”
se lv es W h y sh ould n t w e h av e a j olly t i m e Hoop l a ! Le t s b e m e rry !
.
? ’
-
’

Pri n c e C hen cur se d h i s t h ought l essn e ss i n st art i n g i t a ll Th i s w i ld .

gi rl w a s po si ti ve ly fr i gh t en i n g H e t r i e d t o r ea c h th e door b ut th e thi rd
.
,

Y u would n o t le t h i m e s c a p e In ord e r t o sh ow th a t sh e m e a n t t h e word.

“ ”
m e rry se ri ou sly sh e t ook off her j ew e lry loo sen e d h er h a i r a n d
, , ,

wi th ou t the l ea st emb a rr ass m en t st ri pp e d off h er upp e r clo thi n g Th en .

s h e s a t down dr e sse d o n ly i n h e r red un d e rg a rm en t Ev en t h at sh e h a d

’

h a lf Op en e d so th a t o n ly a th i n p a l e green c h em i se cov er i n g th e sn ow
,

wh i t e t w i n w a v es of her br ea st gr een kn i cke r s a n d re d sl i ppe r s we re , ,

vi si bl e No sh e w a s c er tai n ly n o t st i n gy w i th her fre sh c h a rm s—c h a rm s

.
,

whi ch could n o t f a i l t o b ew i ld e r a n d i n fa t ua t e a n y m a n s hea r t ’

.

A n d sh e w en t ev en f a r th e r i n t h e e x h i b i t i o n of h er u n r est r a i n e d
.

t emp e r kee p i n g t h e s en s es of h er tw o m a l e comp a n i o n s i n a w h i rl Sh e

, .

w a s a ll mov e m en t ; sh e di d n o t r e ma i n se a te d lo n g en ough t o c o m p le t e ,

o n e sen t en c e b ut k e p t j ump i n g u
, p a n d s i tt i n g down a n d c h a n g i n g h er , ,

pl a c e co n t i n u a lly so much so th a t h er ea rr i n gs n ev e r st opp e d s w a y i n g

,

l i ke sw i n g s B et we en t i m es sh e poure d he r self o u t o n e gl a ss o f drin k

.

a ft e r a n o th e r w h i l e h er e y es gl ea m e d mor e and mor e s e duc t i v e ly i n t h e

,

l ampl i gh t l i ke th e h um i d gl i s t en i n g of au t um n dew ; th e flush o n h er

,

c h eeks mou n te d up t o h er t e mpl es l i ke re d w a ve s ; th e blu e bl a ck -

s t r ea ks of h er t a p e r e d e y ebrow s wh i c h w e r e sh a p e d a n d ou t l in e d li k e
,

n a rrow wi llow l ea v es pl a y e d i n a l a n gu a g e mor e e loqu e n t t h an words ;

,

t h e fr a gr an c e w h i c h s t r ea m e d from h er v e rm i li o n l i p s w as l i k e th e
.

pe rfum e of san d a lwood Her w ell c alcul a t e d g a m e b e w i t ch e d bo th h er

.
-

bro ther in law an d her cou si n t o an equ a l d egree, r ep e ll in g an d a t t r a c t

’

- -

in g t h e m a t th e s a m e t i m e S i l en t a n d f a s c i na te d th e y sa t a n d s t a r e d
.
, , ,

a n d l i s t en e d t r a n sfix e d w i t h h orror t o t h e c ea se l ess flow o f a ud a c i ous

, ,

j est s an d bo i st e rou s b an t e r a n d i ro n i c a lly m a li c i ou s t a unts u tt e re d at

, , ,

t i m es i n t h e co a r s es t j a rgo n of t h e st r ee t s wh i c h l e a p e d from t h o s e ,

b ea u ti f ul d e l i c a t e m a i d en ly l i p s A t l a st th e thir d Y u h a d h a d h er full
, , .

fl in g Sh e j umpe d up pu shed t h e v i si t o rs o ut t he doo r bol t ed i t b eh i n d

.
, ,

t he m a n d la y down t o sl e e p
, .

From th a t t i m e o n Pr i n c e C h en n e v e r a g a i n v en t ur e d u n a s ke d i n t o
t h e prox i m i t y of th a t d i fficul t si st e r i n l a w B ut i t w a s a ll t h e oft e n e r t h a t - -
.

sh e s um mo n e d ; n o w h i m se lf n ow h i s so n a n d a g a i n C h i a Li e n t o h er
, ,

presen ce th oug h o n l y t o b e sur e wh en sh e fe l t she h a d a c a us e for

, , ,

352
compl a i n t o r w i she d t o a sk fo r s om eth i n g If sh e h a d b ee n mo st ex
, .

a c t i n g a lr ea dy an d ea g er f o r t he l a t es t f a s h i o n s i n clo thi n g a n d pe rs o n a l

a dorn m en t h er d e m a n d s n o w kn e w n o boun ds If s he w as gi ve n si lv e r
, .

j e w elr y she d em a n d e d gold ; i f t hey lo a d e d h er w i th pe a rls sh e de

, ,

m a n de d d i a mo n ds If a frock di d n o t pl ea se h er sh e t ook a p a i r o f
.

s c i ss or s a n d s li t i t ope n a n d c h opp e d i t i n t o b i ts r e g a rdl ess of w h e t he r

,

i t w a s o ld or n e w c h e a p co tt o n o r co s tly sa t i n If a d i sh pl a c ed b e fore
, .

h er a t a m e a l di d n o t ple a se h er she j u st t i ppe d the wh ole ta ble ov e r

,

a n d le t a ll t h e p la t es an d d i sh es o f food roll ov er th e floor Wh e n t h i s .

'
h a pp en e d bro th er i n la w cous i n o r n e ph e w h a d t o t a e t urn s i n c om
,
- -

, ,

i n g t o t he re s cu e an d procuri n g i mm e d i a te h elp a t he r im pe ri ou s
,

ord er s B ut a bove a ll t he y h a d to pay a n d p ay a g a in A n d i f t he y

.
,
.

s h ow e d u n w i lli n gn e ss t o se rv e h er sh e m a d e th e mo st v i ol e n t s c e n es ,

h ea p e d a bu se upo n t h e m a n d th r e a t en e d t o b et r a y a n d expo se th em t o
,

th e r e doub t a bl e P h o en i x In s h ort s h e kn e w h o w t o e xplo i t t h e s i t u a

.
,

t i o n t o th e full es t a dv an ta g e a n d t o m a ke l i fe as d i fficul t a s po ss i bl e for

,

t h o s e t hr ee m a l e r e la ti v es o f her s w h o h a d e n t an gl e d th e m se lv es in a
p a i n ful fa m i ly sec ret .

T h e s e co n d Y u fel t e ven mor e th a n the o th e rs th a t thi s si t u at i o n

, ,

w a s u n ten a bl e a n d sh e pr e ss e d her cl a n d es t i n e h u s b a n d t o try t o a r

,

r an g e for a n ea rly m a rr i a ge wh i c h would at l ast ri d th e h o use o f th e

,

t orm en t or an d r es t or e p ea c e t o th e lov e n est i n t h e L a n e o f t h e Flow e r

i n g Br an ch .

“
I h a ve a lrea dy d is cu sse d the m a tt e r wi th Cous in C he n re pli e d ,
“
C hi a Li en b ut h e fi n ds i t t o o d i fficul t t o p ar t w i t h your si ste r I h a v e
,
.

ut i t t o h im t h a t sh e i s a s uccul e n t b ut i n d i g es t i bl e p i e c e o f w i ld m u t
p
t o n for h i m ; a b ea u t i ful b u t a t t h e sa m e t i m e th orn y ro se an d th a t i t is ,

b e st h e sh ould g i v e her up ; b ut h e could n o t br i n g h i ms e lf to do t ha t .

”
So w h a t s t o b e do n e
’
?
“
W e w i ll s p ea k se ri ou s ly t o he r t omorrow s ugg est e d t h e seco n d Y u,
.

J ust you l ea v e it t o me ! Ev en i f sh e ra nts a n d r a g es I w i ll m a ke he r ,

”
s e e re as o n i n t h e en d .

The n ex t da y th e y g a v e th e t hi rd Y u a n d h er mo th er a form a l i n
vi t ati o n t o m i dd a y d i nn e r .

I can v e ry we ll gues s w hy yo u h a ve in vi t e d m e sa i d th e shr ew i sh ,

youn g e r si s te r— t od a y b y ch an ce i n a softe r mood— t o the elde r w i th ,

“
t e a rs i n h er e y es th e r eby for est a lli n g h er
,
I exp e c t yo u wi ll wan t t o
.

’
re as o n w i th m e a g ai n b ut yo u n ee d n o t hea t a bou t th e bu sh ; I m n o t a
,

t h i ckh ea d I ca n se e t h rough yo u a n d I kn ow w h at you a re a i mi n g a t

.
.

You a n d Mo th er are comfortably se t t le d h e r e an d we ll looke d a ft er a n d ,

n ow you w an t t o h a v e your pe a ce an d t o p a ck m e o ff s om e w h e r e e ls e .

From your p oi n t of v i ew th a t i s ce rta i n ly ri gh t an d r eas o n able b u t f o r

“

. ,

m e m a rri a g e i s a s ol e mn de c i si o n I c ann o t b i n d m yse lf for lif e t o th e

.

353
first m a n w h o t urn s up V e ry w e ll fi n d m e th e ri gh t m an wh om I can
.
, .

lov e an d I w i ll follow h i m a s my h u sb an d B ut sp a re m e propo sa l s s uch

,
.

as Cou si n C h en s Wh a t ev e r h i s mo n e y a n d po s i t i o n I do n o t lo v e h i m
’ '

.
,
”
a n d I w i ll n o t h a v e h i m .

”
W h o then 1 5 t he ri gh t m an for yo u Sp ea k up an d tell us ! ur ge d
, ,
?
“
C hi a Li en Th en you m a y l ea ve a ll th e r est t o us N e i th er you n or your
. .

”
mo th er w i ll h a v e a n y e xpen se o r t roubl e !
“
A sk my s i st er Sh e kn ow s ex a ct ly wh om I m ea n
. d e cl a re d the th i rd ,

Y u bri e fly a n d r es olu t ely .

“
O h I ca n a lr ea dy gu ess w h o i t i s a n d I mu st a dm i t th a t yo u ha v e
, ,
”
good t a st e cr i e d C h i a Li en l a ugh i n g ou t r i gh t
, ,
.

“ ”
W ho i s i t W h o i s i t
? ? a s k e d t h e s e co n d Y u e a g e rly , .

“
W h y w h o e l se can h a ve go t w i th i n r an g e o f h er e y es exc e pt Cou si n
,
”
Pa o Y u ?

Th e th i rd Y u mi l e d co n t emp t uous ly
s .

Pa h ! As i f you f ew cou s i n s w er e th e o n ly m en a v a i l a bl e f or us si s
“

’
t e rs e ven i f t h er e w e r e a doz en of us ! H o w a b s urd ! Fort un a t ely t h er e s
, ,
”
mor e c h o i ce tha n t hat i n th e world for u s .

“ ”
?
W ell wh om else would yo u con s i d e r sh e w a s a s ke d ea gerly from
,

t hree si d e s a t o n c e .

“
L et my si st er th i n k ha rd a n d thr ow h er m i n d b a ck fi v e y ea r s .

t ot t e d th e thi rd Y u .

’
T h e co n ve r s a t i o n w a s i n t e rr up te d by th e a pp ear a n ce o f C h i a Li en s
tr u ste d se rv an t L i tt l e H s i n g w h o h a d com e t o c all h i m t o h i s f a t h e r
, , ,

Pri n c e S h i eh on a n urgen t m a tt e r S o C hi a Li en ha d t o brea k o ff t he

‘

, .

i mpor t a n t co n s ul ta t i o n f or t h e t i m e b ei n g a n d s e t o u t o n h orse b a ck H e .

t ook a s e s cort h i s s e rv a n t Li tt l e Lu n g a n d l e ft L itt le H si n g a t t h e di s

,

posa l of hi s s eco n d wi fe un t i l h i s r et urn .

Th e se co n d Y u a va i le d h er self o f t h e oppo rt un i t y t o q uest i on L i tt l e -

H sin g about l i fe i n th e w e st e rn
p a l a c e H o w o l d M a d a m e P h o en i x
.

w a s ; w h eth e r sh e w a s r ea lly a s b a d a s sh e w a s m a d e o ut t o b e ; t h e a ge
‘

.
,

a n d c h a r a c t e r of th e A n c e st r ess an d th e v a r i ou s you n g gi rls i n t h e P a rk

o f D eli g h t ful V i s i o n ; th ese a n d m a n y o th e r t h i n g s sh e w a n t e d t o kn ow

ex a c t ly Gri n n i n g ob s e qu i o u sly a s h e s a t ea t i n g a d dri n ki n g t ea L i tt l e

.
n , ,

H sin g g a veh e r t he i n form a t i on sh e d esi r e d T h e st a ff h a d more resp e ct .

f or P hoe n i x t h a n for C hi a L i en ; all fe a re d h er sh a rp t o n gu e an d t h e

po i s o n of h er crooke d d esi gn s ; h er h u sb a n d o n th e co n tr a ry w a s a , ,

good n a t ure d fe llow ; an d a s for Li tt l e P i n g P h oe n i x s p e rs on a l mai d

-

,
’
,

s h e n e v e r d a r e d to o
p pose h er st e rn m i str e ss Op en ly b u t b eh i n d h er ,

b a ck sh e p ut ri gh t m a n y w ro n g s a n d w a s g en e r a lly b e love d by t h e
wh ol e st a ff as a ki n dh e a rt e d pro t e ct re ss He t old mor e ov e r ho w Ph oe .
, ,

n ix co n t ri v e d t o h oodw i n k t h e ol d T a i ta i co n t i n u a lly a nd k ee p h er i n .
th a t is ough excu se for h er t o b era t e an d pun i sh th e poor creat ure
en
”
mo st cru elly i n hi s pr esen c e .

“
My word sh e seem s t o b e a rea l d e v il No w t e ll m e s om eth in g a bout
,
.

”
th e W i dow Ch u a n d t h e you n g g i rls i n t h e P a rk o f D e l i g h t ful V i s i o n .

“
We ll, her e go es ! T h e Wi dow C h u i s a n i c e good s ou l w h o co n c e rn s , ,

h er s elf w i t h n o th i n g e l s e b u t s up e r i n t en d i n g t h e youn g l a d i es st udi es

’

a n d t ea c h i n g t h em n e e dl ework A s for our four you n g d a ug h t e r s o f

.

t h e f a m i ly th e e ld es t B e g i n n i n g of Spr i n g t h e Imp e r i a l w i fe i s good

, , , ,

n e ss a n d v i r t u e i t se lf Th e se co n d o n e M i s s Gr eet i n g of Spr i n g
. is a , ,
"
b i t s t up i d a n d for th i s re a s o n go es by t h e n i ckn a m e o f Blockh ea d
‘
.

’
Th e th i rd M i ss T a ste of Spr i n g h a s t h e n i ckn a m e R o se o n a ccou n t o f
‘
, ,

h er ro sy c h ee k s a n d a l s o b e c a u s e th ough sh e s v e ry c h a rm i n g sh e can
’
, ,

a l s o b e t e rr i bly pr i ckly It s a p i t y t h a t sh e i s n o t t h e c h i ld o f t h e good

’
.

’
T a i ta i C h en g b ut o f th e w i ck e d s eco n d a ry w i f e C h ou T h a t s a r ea l .

c a se of a ph o en i x ch i ck b e i n g l a i d by m i st a ke i n a r a v en s n est T h e ’
.

four th of ih e g i rl s M i ss Gri e f of Spr i n g a youn g er b lood si st er o f

, ,

Pr i n c e C hen i s a v ery we ll b eh a v e d good ch i ld B esi d es th ese w e h a ve

, , .
, .

t w o fo st e r d a ugh ter s in th e h ou se t w o v e ry un u s u a l you n g g i rls Th e ,

.

o n e M i ss Bl a ck J a d e i s t h e c h i ld o f t h e l a t e A un t L i n g t h e o t h e r M i s s
, , , ,

Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p i s th e ch i ld of our Au n t H s u eh T he y a re bo th e qu a lly
, .

b e a u t i ful a n d h i gh ly educ a t e d Wh en w e se rv an t s c at ch si ght o f o n e

.

”
of t he m i n t h e d i st a n c e w e h old o ur br ea th , .

“ ”
Oh i n d ee d A n d w h y i s t h a t
,
? ?

For fea r th a t t h e o n e th e d eli c at e M i ss Bl a ck J a d e m i gh t b e blown

, ,

over i f w e br eat h e d t o o h a rd an d t h a t t h e o th e r , the d e l i c i ou s M i ss

,

Pre c i ou s Cl a sp mi gh t m el t a w ay i f w e br ea th e d t o o h o t ly
, .

Ev e ryo n e i n th e room h a d t o burst o u t l a ugh i n g a t th i s droll expl a n a

t i on .

B ut o ur e st eem e d r ea d e r s w i ll w an t t o kn ow a t l a st wh om th e th i rd
Y u rea lly di d w ant for a h u s b an d J u st b e p a t i en t Y o u w i ll l ea rn thi s . .

i n the n ex t c h a p t er .

CHAPTER 3 3

A fie ry ma i d en asha m e d o f h er un re qu i te d p a ssio n
, , ta k es h er li fe .

Th e C old Kn i g h t s t rides w i t h a cold h ea rt th ro u g h th e G a tew a y o f th e

G r ea t V o i d .

L ITT L E PA o
’
’

IFE ca v a THE W ITT Y L ITTLE H sm c A S LA P A N D su n

s W
“
t o h i m l a ugh i n g :
, From t h e w a y yo u let a ll th a t t ru th a nd i n ven t i on , ,

r un off your loo s e t o n gu e a n yo n e would t h i n k

yo u h a d p i ck e d i t up
,

from yo un g M a st er P a o Y u i n st ea d of from your m a st e r Mr Chi a , .

”
L i en .
 W h a t do es th a t youn g b oy Pa o Y u do wi th h im self gener a lly ? ”

a s ke d t he t hi rd Y u .

“
O h i t would b e b e tte r t o as k w h a t d o es h e n o t do ! C e rt a i n ly
, ,
”
n o thi n g ve ry bri ll i a n t re pl i e d Li tt l e H si n g w i th a m ea n in gful gri n
, .

“
He i s u t te rly d e g en e r a te a n d h a s n o i n te res t e i t he r i n books o r i n
a rm s In t h e b eg i n n i n g h i s f a t h er Mr C h en g u s e d t o t a k e so m e t rouble
. .
, ,

w i th hi s upbr i n g i n g b ut he h a s g i ve n t h a t up lo n g si n c e So the b o y i s
, .

le ft compl e te ly t o h i s o w n d e v i ces O u tw a rdly h e i s a v e ry n i c e look i n g

. -

br i g ht la d a n d do e s n o t look a t a ll a s i f he i s w a n t i n g i n t h e t o p st o ry
, ,

b ut w hen yo u h a ve a good look a t h i m yo u can see th a t he s a we a k ’

wi tt e d fool He see m s so t i m i d b efore st r a n g ers t h a t he c an h a rdly ge t

.

o u t a sen t e n c e He s a r ea l l i t t l e s i ssy o f a mo t h e r s d a rl i n g a n d n e v e r
’ ’
.

fee ls a t ea se un le ss he h a s a crowd o f g i rl s a rou n d h i m to fool a bou t

wi th an d t o pet an d cuddl e T h e poor soppy fe llow l a cks a ll se r i ous n ess
.

a n d fi rm n ess o f c h a r a c t e r W i t h us se rv a n t s f o r i n st a n c e h e s di fl ere n t
’
.
, ,

e v e ry t i m e a ccord i n g t o h i s mood I f h e s i n a good h umor he j okes

’
.
,

w i th us a s i f w e w e re h i s e qu a ls a n d t h ere w a s n o s uc h th i n g as d i ff er
en c e o f cl ass I f h e s i n a b a d h um or h e r et i r es i n t o h i s sh e ll a n d o th e r
’
.

h um an b e i n g s si mply do n o t e x i s t for h i m a n y mor e A t s uc h t i m e s h e .

’
do e sn t e v en r e pr i m a nd us i f w e b eh a ve i mprop erly N a t ur a lly i n t hese .
,
’ ”
c i rcum st a n c e s i t s i mpo ssi bl e to h a ve a n y res p ec t for hi m .

“ ”
Y o u se rv a n ts a re c e r t a i n ly a d iffi cul t l o t t o h an dl e s a i d t h e t h i rd ,
“
Y u sm i l i n g W hen you fi n a lly h a v e a re a lly goodh e a rt e d a n d co n sci e n
, .

”
t i ou s m a s t e r o r m i s tr e ss yo u grum ble a n d a r e d i s co n te n t e d w i th t h e m .

“ ”
It s a p i t y a bou t h i m f or h e s a n i c e b o y o the rw i se
’
si g h e d th e
’
, ,

se co n d Y u comp a ss i o n a t e ly
, .

“ ”
O h do n t li st en t o a ll t h i s serv an ts go ss i p ! co n t in u e d th e t hi rd
’ ’
,
“
Y u W h y w e h a v e m e t h i m o n c e o r t w i c e ourse lves a n d h a ve b ee n
.
, ,

a bl e t o form our o w n j udgm e n t o f h i m The re i s ce rt a i n ly some thi ng .

e ffem i n a t e i n h i s n a t ur e a n d b e h a v i or b u t t h a t i s n o t s urpr i s i n g w h e n ,

a boy grows up o n ly a mo n g wom en a n d g i rls B ut t o c a ll h i m w e a k .

m i n d e d a n d a fool— n o th a t i s qu i t e r i d i culou s a n d u n j u st ! Do n t yo u
,
’

r em e mb e r w h en w e m et hi m j u st r e c en t ly a t th e fu n e r a l se rvi c es a t t h e
b i er of the Pr i n ce H e rm i t ? W e g i rl s w e re a ll s ta n d i n g t og e the r i n a
group Then w hen t he mo n ks fil e d i n a n d t ook up th ei r pos i ti o n a ll
.

rou n d th e coffi n P a o Y u c a m e i n an d s to od ri gh t i n fro n t o f o u r group

,
.

Tha t w a s r e m a rke d upo n un fa vor ab ly by e ve ryo n e H a d h e n o ey es .

i n h i s h ea d a n d w a s i t n o t mo st i n co n s i d er a te t o st an d so a wkw a rdly
,

ri gh t i n our w a y blocki n g th e v i e w from us p e opl e sa i d B ut a ft e rw a rd s

, ,
.

he t old us t he rea s o n for h i s st r a n g e b eh a v i or H e kn ew p e rfe c t ly we ll

,
.

wh a t w a s corr e c t an d h e h a d ve ry good e y es i n hi s he a d so h e sa i d
, , ,

b ut h e h a d del i b e r a t e ly pu sh e d hi ms e lf i n be tw ee n us a n d th e mo n ks so
th a t w e sh oul d n o t b e t r ea t e d t o o d i rec t ly t o th e i r un s a vory odor A n d
’

35 7
late r when you a sked fo r a dri n k o f t ea an d th e se rvi n g wom a n b eg an
,

t o fill up t he bowl for you w hi c h h e h a d j u st dru n k o ut o f h e st oppe d ,

h er an d ord e r e d her t o r i n se th e bowl w i th w a t er first From th ese tw o .

li tt le i n c i d en ts wh i ch I ob serv e d di sp assi on a t ely I could see t h at he i s

, , ,

i n fa c t a p er son o f ve ry fi n e feel i n g s a n d th a t i n th e pr esen c e o f youn g

, ,

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o n o ur a ccoun t N a t ur a lly ou t si d ers w h o do n o t kn ow h i s n a t ur e ca n
.
,
”
n o t u n d e r s t a n d h i s b eh a vi or .

H ea ri n g you t a lk th at w ay i t see m s t o m e th a t yo u an d h e are al

,
“
rea dy of o n e m i n d s a i d th e e ld e r Y u g a i ly
,
Ho w would i t b e i f yo u .

? ”
an d h e w er e t o b e com e b et ro t h e d

B ec a us e of t he presen c e o f t h e se rvan t L i t tl e H si n g th e t hi rd Y u ,

c h o se t o rem a in si len t a n d sa t w i th b en t h ea d n i bb li n g m elon see d s

, ,
.

“ ”
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,
in t e rpo se d th e p re ,
“
s ump t uous L i t t l e H si n g b u t un fort un a t ely h e i s a lr ea dy d i spo s e d o f
,
.

It s an op en s ecr et a f t er all th a t M i ss L i n g i s h i s i n t en d e d O f cour se

’ ‘
.
, ,

t h ey r e bo th v efy youn g ye t a n d b esi d e s M i ss L i n g h as b een v e ry

’

, , .

si c k ly of l a t e B u t i n tw o or th ree y e a r s th e ol d T a i ta i w i ll n o doub t
’

op en her mou th and sett l e t h e m a t t e r ”

.
.

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“
t h e Y un gk uo p a l a c e Pr in ce S h i eh i s sen d in g h i s so n C hi a Li en o n a n
.

” “
i mport a n t m i ssi o n t o P i n g a n Ch ow h e r e port e d He w i ll s e t o ut i n
, .

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,

f o r th e j ourn e y a n d h e a sks t h e Na i n a i pl ea se t o go a h e a d al o n e w i th
,

th e m a tt e r sh e kn ows of A s s oo n a s h e com es b a ck h e w i ll t a ke i t up
.
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a g a in .T h e tw o serv an t s L i tt l e Lun g an d L i tt l e H si n g n o w w i th drew
, ,
.

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a n d h er s i st e r wen t e a rly t o b e d b u t b e for e go i n g t o s l e e p sh e qu e s

,

t i o n ed t h e yo u n ge r s i s t e r e r s i st e n t ly un ti l sh e foun d o u t from h er t h e
p
n a m e of the m a n w h om s he w a n t e d for h er br i d e groom .

Wh en C h i a Li en m a d e a bri ef d a sh ov e r e a rly t h e n ext day an d

w an te d t o kn ow the n a m e of t h e th i rd Y u s c h o sen m a n a s qu i ckly a s ’

“
po ss i ble t h e secon d Y u r epl i e d w i t h a l a ugh : Th ere s n o h urry ; t h e
,
’

m a n i n qu e st i o n i s f a r a w a y n o w h e a v en kn ow s wh er e a n d for h o w
,

lo n g My s i ste r d e cl a r es th a t ev en i f h e s t a y s a wa y a y ea r sh e w i ll w a i t
.
.
,

for h i m a y e a r i f i t i s t en y e a r s un t i l h e re t urn s sh e w i ll w a i t pa t i ent ly

, ,

t h e t en y e a r s b u t th a t i f h e d i es m t h e m ea n t i m e s h e Wi ll h a v e h er h a i r
,

cu t o ff a n d go i n t o a co nv en t
; b u t sh e w i ll n e v e r m a rry a n y o t her m an ,
”
wha t e ver h a pp en s .

“
W ho t he n i s th i s fellow wh o h a s t a k en h er h ea rt s o c ompl ete ly ? ” '

, ,

a s ke d C h i a L i e n i mp a t i en t ly , .

O h t h a t I S a lo n g st ory b ut I wi ll m a k e i t a s sh ort as Ica n It l e

“

i
, ,

358
of t i m e alo n g c a m e Bro th er L i u t o o ur r es cu e w i th h i s p a rt y He p ut .

th e robb e r s to fl i g h t , r e cov e r e d t h e boo t y from t h em by forc e o f a rm s ,

an d s a v e d t h e l i ve s o f my se lf a n d my p e opl e A s h e s corn e d my t h an ks ,
.

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.

fe d e r a tes blood bro the r s for eve r a n d h a ve b een t r a v elli n g p a rt of

a nd ~

th e w a y t oget her B ut o ur w a y s mu s t s oo n p a r t a g a i n I a m go i n g b a ck
. .
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t o t h e c ap i t a l a n d h e i s go i n g t w o h u n dr e d li f a rt h er s o ut h t o vi s i t a n
,

a un t of h i s A s s oo n a s I h a v e fi n i she d my bu s i n ess a t h om e I i n t en d t o
.

ob t ai n a br i d e a n d a h o use for hi m a n d t o p e r su a d e h i m t o sett l e down

”
pe rm an en tly i n th e c a p i t a l .

“
A bri de ? Oh th a t i s spl en d i d ! I can s ugge st a s u i t a bl e p a rt y
,
”
st r a i gh t a w a y , i n t erpo se d C h i a L i e n e a g e rly A n d h e t old o f h i s se cr et
.

m a rri a ge t o th e s e co n d Y u si st er an d of t he youn g e r si s t e r w h o w a s st i ll
un wed He r efr a i n e d h owev e r from sa y i n g th a t t h e th i rd Y u si st er h a d
.
, ,

he r se lf c h o sen th e Cold Kn i gh t a s he r h u sb a n d a n d h e a ls o pre v a i le d ,

upo n hi s cou si n n o t t o br eath e a word of th e wh ole st ory wh en h e go t '

h om e .

“
You sh ould h a ve h i t upon th a t sly pl an o f yours lo n g a go ! It s erv es
”
my s t ra i t l a c e d cou si n Ph o en i x qu i te ri gh t ! s a i d H s u eh P a n m a li
-

ci o us ly ; an d g a v e h i s r e a dy a pprov a l t o t h e n e w m a rr i a g e pl a n t o o B u t .

“
t h e Cold Kn i gh t d e cl a r e d : Th a t i s a ll v ery w ell b ut I h a v e firmly t e ,

Solv e d to m a rry o n ly a r ea lly ou tst a n d i ng b ea u t y I s e t l ess v a lu e upo n .

mo n e y a n d l i n ea ge t h a n upo n t h i s I sh a ll ha v e t o m a ke s ure o n t hi s
.

”
po i n t b e fore I ca n a gree t o your sugg es t i on
[
.

“
O h you ca n b e qu i t e e a s y o n t h a t s cor e
, C h i a L i en a ss ur e d hi m
,
“
z e a lous ly B ut w h a t a re word s ? You mu st see h er f o r yourse lf a n d
.
,

t h e n you w i ll b e co n v i n c e d ! It would b e h a rd t o fi n d a n o th e r gi rl w h o
”
could comp a r e w i t h h er fo r b ea u t y .

“
V ery well I a gr ee ; a n d I sha ll b e i n t h e c a p i t a l i n a bout t wo mo nt hs
,
’

t i m e b u t I wa n t t o v i s i t my a un t fi r st ”
, d e cl a r e d th e Col d Kn i gh t
, .

“
I a cc ep t your word b u t you a re a r est l e ss fe llow a dr i ft i n g w a t er
, ,

pl a nt Would yo u n o t pr efe r t o b a ck up your word i n a v i si bl e w a y wi th

.

s om e k i n d o f b e t ro t h a l g i ft ? ”
s ugg es t e d C h i a L i en wi t h a sm i l e .

“
Do n o t worry brot h er i n la w ; you m a y r ely upon my word I a m
,
- -
.

n o t i n fun d s j u st n o w a n d b es i d es I a m t r a ve ll i n g Wh er e would I
, get .

”
a s u i t a bl e g i ft r i gh t a w a y ? r epl i e d t h e Cold K n i gh t .

“
Let m e procure t he g i ft ! sugg es te d H s u eh Pa n
”
.

It n ee d n o t b e e xp en si ve gold an d s i lve r a n d j e w e lry st r a i gh t a w a y .

A n y l i tt le t ri fl e whi c h yo u a re w ea ri n g w i ll do j u s t a s w e ll O n ly i t i s .

b est th a t i t sh ould b e a p ers on a l souven i r of yourse lf for o th e rwi se sh e ,

m a y po ss ibly n o t b el i eve m e ” i n si st e d C h i a Li en
, .

“
V e ry w ell th en She sha ll ha v e my tw in b la d e sword It i s a n o ld
, . -
.
h ei rloom o f my fa m i ly wh i c h I h ave a lw a y s tre a s ure d fa i th fully ,
sa i d
th e Cold K n i g h t .

T hey dr a n k a fe w more gl a sses t og eth e r th e n broke up a n d we n t

t h e i r oppo s i t e w a y s C hi a L i e n c a rr i e d o u t h i s m i ss i o n t o t h e P re fe ct o f
"

P i n g a n C h ow a n d w a s b a ck a g a i n i n t he c a p i ta l a ft e r tw o wee ks
‘

Hi s first v i si t w a s t o t he L an e o f th e Flow e r i n g Br a n c h Ap a rt from .

tw o s urr e p t i t i ou s a n d compl e t e ly fru i t l ess vi s i ts from t h e pr i n c ely

bro the r i n la w n o t hi n g of a n y co n se qu en c e h a d h a pp e n e d dur i n g h i s

- -

a b s en c e T h e t h r ee l a d i e s Y u h a d r em a i n e d qu i e t ly a t h om e b e h i n d
.

clo se d doo rs an d p a sse d th e t i m e bu sy wi th t h e i r n ee dl es C h i a L i en .

proudly r epor te d hi s s ucc ess ful m ee t i n g w i th the Cold K n i ght a n d

“ ”
h a n d e d ove r to t h e t h i rd Y u h er b et ro th a l g i ft t he duck coupl e sword ,

w i th t he t w i n bl a d es .

Sh e e x a m i n e d h er st r a n g e b et ro th a l g i ft more clo s ely O n e s i n gl e .

sh e a t h st udd e d w i t h p e a rls a n d j e w e l s co n c ea l e d t w o comple t ely i de n t i

ca l coldly gl i st en i n g sh a rp e dg e d bl a d es T h e s ymbol y ua n s i gn i fy i n g
, ,
-
.
,
“ ”
l i t t l e dra ke w a s en gr a v e d o n t h e o n e a n d t h e s ymbol y a n g s i g n i fy
, , ,

“ ”
i n g l i tt l e duck o n t he o t he r
'

.
,

T h e t h i rd Y u w a s ov erj oy e d S h e t ook t he t w i n s word a n d c a rr i e d i t

.

i n to h er m a i d en c h a mb e r wh e re s h e h u n g i t o n th e w a ll ove r her b e d
, ,

for she w i she d t o h a v e i t co n t i n u a lly b e fore h e r ey es so th a t t h e s i gh t

of i t m i g ht s t re n g the n a n d s upport her u n t i l t he da y w hen th e b elov e d
h im se lf would c om e t o l e a d h er t o h i s h om e .

C h i a L i en r em a i n ed for tw o d a y s w i t h h i s Na i na i i n th e L an e o f th e
Flowe r i n g Br a n c h ; o n ly th en di d h e go t o th e w es tern p a l a c e t o pre sen t
h i s r epor t t o h i s fa t h e r a n d t o gr ee t P h o e n i x Sh e h a d r e cove re d m ea n .

t i m e from h e r lo n g i lln e ss a n d w a s a bl e t o go o ut a g a i n a n d t o r e s um e ,

h er a ccus t om e d a c t i v i t i es i n t h e h ou se h old F i n a lly h e v i s i t e d Pr i n c e .

C h en a n d i n form e d h i m o f t h e s ucc ess fully co n clud e d b et ro t h a l o f th e

thi rd Y u Th e Pri n c e l i s t en e d t o h i m r a t h e r i n d i ff e r en t ly a n d u n sym
.

p a th et i c a lly He w as o ut o f h umor b e c a u se of th e fa i lur e o f h i s o w n e f

.

fort s t o w in th e fa vor o f h i s b ea u t i ful si st e r i n la w So h e co n fi n e d h i m - -

.

se lf t o pu tt i n g h i s h an d i n h i s pock e t a n d t a ki n g o u t a fe w doz e n t a e ls

a s h i s s ub s cri p t i o n t ow a rd s th e yo u n g l a dy s do w ry l ea v i n g a ll th e r es t
’
,

o f th e a rr a n g e m en ts t o h i s cou s i n C hi a L i e n .

In th e ei g h th mo n th th e Cold Kn i g ht di d i n f a c t t urn up o n c e mor e

i n th e c a p i t a l O n h i s firs t da y th e re h e vi s i te d Au n t H s u eh a n d h i s n e w
.

fri en d H s u eh P an w ho w a s i n b e d w i th a se ve r e cold in th e h e a d Aun t

,
.

H s u eh n o lo n g er bor e h i m a n y grudg e f o r h i s p a st qu a rr el wi th h e r
so n , a n d n o w r e g a rd e d h im o n ly as h i s f ri en d a n d r esc u e r a n d lo a d e d

h i m wi th t h an ks an d a tt e n ti o ns In ord e r to p a y o ff s om e p a rt o f th e i r
.

d eb t of gr a t i t ud e mo the r , an d so n had un d e rt a ken to m eet a ll th e ex

36 1
pen ses o f th e com i n g m a rr i a ge o ut o f thei r o wn pockets an a rr an ge ,

m en t i n wh i c h t h e Cold Kn i gh t gl a dl y a cqu i esc e d .

T h e n ex t day h e p a i d a v is i t of fri en d shi p t o P a o Y u an d w an t e d t o x

h e a r more d eta i ls a bou t C h i a L i en s se cr et m a rr i a g e t o t h e s eco n d Y u

’
,

b ut P a o Y u t o o kn ew on ly a l i t tl e a bou t i t from h ea r sa y t h rough M i n g ,

Y en .

“
A nd in c a se I sh ould pr efe r t o k ee p a s cle a r o f th e d e l i c a t e m a t
an y
” “
t er a s po ss i bl e s ai d P a o Y u
,
p a rry in g hi s qu est i on s B ut t ell m e
,
.

a bou t your s elf I h ea r t h a t you m et Co us i n C h i a L i en o n t h e w a y t o

.

P i n g a n C h ow a n d h a d a n i mport a n t co n v e r sa ti o n w i th h i m Wh at w a s .

? ”
i t a bou t by t h e w a y
,

The Cold Kn i gh t t old o f h i s b e t ro th a l t o th e th i rd Y u wh i ch h a d b een ,

”
a gr ee d upo n o n t h e j ourn ey Oh you a re t o b e co n gr a t ul a t e d ! P a o
.
,

Y u a ss ur e d h i m f e rv en t ly Sh e i s r ea lly a r a v i sh i n g b ea u t y— a wort h y
“
.

”
p a rt n e r for yo u .

“
Oh i n d ee d ? If she 1 5 a s b ea u t i ful a s all t h a t I c a nn o t un d er st a n d
,

w h y a poor f e llow l i k e m e s h ould f a ll t o h e r lo t B e si d es I a m by n o .

,

m e a n s o n i n t i m a te t e rm s w i t h h er bro t her i n la w sa i d t h e Cold Kn i gh t

- -

,
’
t h ough t fully T h e s us p i c i o n t h a t a form er l i gh t o f lov e of Pr i n c e C h en s
.
- -

“
w a s b e i n g fo i st e d upo n h i m s udd en ly cr e p t i n t o h i s m i n d It r ea lly .

puzzl es m e t h a t I w a s pr esse d i n t o th i s en g a ge m en t i n th e cour se of

o u r br i e f c h a n c e m ee t i n g o n t h e ro a d I c a n n o t i m a g i n e a g i rl l i k e th a t
.

run n i n g a fte r a m a n I c an n o t h e lp fee l i n g s u s p i c i ou s a bou t t h e wh ol e

.

t h i n g a n d n o w I a m a h n o s t s orry t h a t I h a n d e d ov e r my swo rd a s a
, .

”
ple dg e I sh ould h a v e pr e fe rr e d t o m a ke s om e i n qu i r i e s my se lf first
. .

“
Your doub t s a re ce r ta i n ly qu i t e un fo un d e d F i rs t you i n si st upo n .

getti n g a n ou ts t an d i n g b ea u t y a n d n o w wh en you h a v e go t h er you b e

,
”
gi n t o f a l t er T a k e h er an d do n o t h e s i t a t e a n y lo n g e r !
.
,
“
A r e you so s u re th e n t h a t sh e i s b ea u t i ful ? F o r i t seem s t o m e t h a t
, ,

you do n o t a pp ea r t o kn ow muc h mor e t h a n I do a bou t h er pe r s o n a n d

”
h er f a m i ly .

“
Sh e i s a st ep si s te r of Pr i n c e s s C h e n w h o se ma i d en n am e w as Y u
,
.

Dur i n g t h e r e cen t f un e r a l sol emn i t i e s i n th e ea st e rn p a l a c e I m et h e r

a n d h er mo t h e r a n d s i st e r I do n o t kn ow h o w m an y t i m es so I s ur ely
,
”
mu st kn ow .

T h e Cold K n i gh t st a mp e d h i s foo t a n gr i ly .

“ ”
Do n o t t alk t o m e a bout your e a st e rn p a l a c e ! h e cr i e d The o n ly
.
.

cr e a t ure s th ere th a t a re n o t di s re pu t a bl e a re th e tw o m a rbl e l i o n s i n

-

fro n t of t he m a i n g a t ew a y No ! Th e wh ol e b u si n es s seem s mo st sh a dy
.

”
t o m e I w i ll n o t go t h roug h wi t h i t !
.

B ut h e i mm e d i a t ely re p en t e d of h i s off en s i v e ou tbur st wh en h e

n o t i c e d t h e emb a rr a s s e d fl u sh o n h i s fr i e n d s c h ee k s
’
.

Bo wi n g c eremo n i ou s ly b e fore h i m h e h a st en e d t o a pol og iz e I h a v e

, ,
.

3 62
th e room wh en th e door l e a d i n g t o th e a dj a c en t room s udden ly op en e d
a n d t h e t h i rd Y u wa lk e d i n Sh e h a d b een l i s t en i n g t o t h e w h ol e argu
.

m en t from the n e x t a p a r t men t S o sh e h a d b een w a i t i n g an d w a i t i n g

. .

for the b elov e d o n ly t o h ea r n o w th a t h e w i sh e d t o h a v e n o th i n g t o do

,

w i th h er ! Pe rh a p s h e h a d h e a rd an u n fa vor a bl e r e por t of h er i n th e
Y u n gk uo p a l a c e ? P erh a p s s h e h a d b een d es cr i b e d t o h i m a s a sh a m e
l ess h u ssy un worth y t o b e com e h i s l a wful w i fe ? If sh e let h i m go n o w
,

w i th ou t furt h er a do t h er e would prob a bly b e a fi e rc e qu a rr e l ou ts i d e

,

o n h er a ccou n t b e t w een h i m se lf a n d C h i a L i e n Sh e di d n o t w a n t t h a t . .

Sudd en ly r es olve d sh e t or e t h e doubl e s word down from th e w a ll

, ,

“ ”
dre w o u t t h e fem a l e bl a d e a n d h i d i n g i t u n d e r h er r i gh t a rm w a lke d
, , ,
“ ”
i n t o t h e room c a rry i n g t h e m a l e bl a d e i n t he sh e a t h
,
.

" ‘
Your qu a rr e l i s u n n e c es sa ry ; I r e t urn my b et ro t h a l g i ft volum
”
t a ri ly sh e s a i d i n a vo i c e c h ok e d w i t h t e ar s h a n d i n g t h e Cold K n i gh t
, ,

t h e sh e a t h w i th t h e m a l e bl a d e A t th e s a m e t i m e sh e dr e w o ut th e h i d
.

den f em a l e bl a d e a n d w i th a pow e rful t h ru st pr ess e d i t i n t o h er d e l i

, ,

c a t e th ro a t T h e o th e r s spr a n g forw a rd a gh a s t a n d t r i e d t o s t op h er b u t
. ,

i t w a s a lr e a dy t o o l a t e T h e p e t a l s of t h e brok en p e a c h blo ss om w er e
‘

a lr ea dy f a ll i n g i n r e d s pl a sh e s ov e r th e grou n d ; t h e crumbl i n g n e p h ri t e
l
b i l would n ev e r r i se a ga i n !
Aft er th e first sh ock t h e mo th e r of th e d ea d g i rl r a i s e d a loud l am en
t a t i o n a n d brok e o u t i n b i tt e r cur s es a n d r evi l e m en t s of t h e Cold.

K n i ght A t t h e s a m e t i m e C hi a L i en t ook h old of h i m a n d ord e re d h i s

.

s erv an t s t o b i n d h i m w i t h rop es a n d dr a g h i m b e for e t h e Court b u t t h e ,

s e co n d Y u dr i e d h er t e a r s i n h a st e a n d m a d e h i m d es i st from h i s i n t e n

ti on .

“
M y s i st e r di d wh a t sh e di d of h er o w n fr ee w i ll ; t h e g en t l em an h a s
‘

” “
e x e rc i s e d ne i t h e r pr e s s ur e n o r for ce upo n h e r sh e s a i d T o bri n g th e .
,

m a tte r b e fore th e Court would n o t un do wh a t i s do n e a n d would on ly '

,
”
br i n g d i s cr e d i t o n our h ou se L et t h e g en t l em a n go h i s w a y !
.

C h i a L i en h a d t o a dm i t t h a t sh e w a s r i g h t an d h e le t t h e Cold Kn i gh t ,

go B u t t h e l a tt er r em a i n e d st an d i n g w h e r e h e w a s a s i f s t un n e d w i p i n g
.
, ,

a w a y t h e t ea r s w h i c h r a n s lowly dow n h i s c h e e ks .

“
Wh a t a m a gn i fic en t h ero i c g i rl ! W h o would h a v e t h ough t s uch a
,

t h i n g could h a pp e n ? I cur se my se lf br i n g e r of w o e ! ” h e mur mur e d t o

. ,

hi m se lf lo st i n t h ough t A n d h e r e m a i n e d th er e a s i f roo t e d t o t h e s po t
, .

un t i l a coffin w a s brough t a n d t h e h apl ess g i rl wa s l a i d i n i t Th en wi th .

,

hi s h a n d o n t h e coffi n h e brok e i n t o loud l a m en ta ti o n s w h i c h co n

, ,

t i n u e d for s om e t i m e H a v i n g t h u s p a i d t h e d ea d g i rl he r du e t r i bu t e o f
.

r ev eren c e h e t ook h i s l ea v e a n d w a lke d slowly a w a y Sun k i n th ough t

, .

a n d t or t ur e d w i th se lf r e pro a c h h e w a lk e d o n a n d o n h ee dl ess o f e i th e r
-

, ,

ro a d or go a l .

Sudden ly he hea rd a g en t l e s oun d li ke th e rust lin g of s i lk en g a rm ent s

3 64
an d th e ti n kli n g of gold en br a c e l ets an d j a d e b elt o rn a m en ts, an d lo
a n d b eh old , t h e r e st oo d th e th i rd Y u b e fore h i m In o n e h a n d sh e h e ld .

'

h i s do ubl e sword i n th e o th e r a p a rc h m en t s croll a n d sh e sa i d t o hi m

’

, ,
“
in a t o n e o f l a m en t a t i on : In th e v a i n foll y o f my lov e I w a i te d for yo u
f or fi v e y ea rs Fool th a t I w a s , I di d n o t kn ow th a t your h e a r t w a s a s
.

cold a s your gl a n c e I h a v e h a d t o p ay f o r my fool i sh p a ssi on w i t h my

.

li fe I a m n ow i n the se rvi ce o f t h e F a i ry of F ea rful Awa keni n g w h o

.
,
'

rei gn s in th e R ea lm o f t he Grea t Vo i d It i s my t a sk t o r e g i st er w i th m y .
,

comm en ts i n t h e a rch i v es of un p a i d lov e d eb t s n o t a bl e c as es o f un

,
-

h a ppy love I h a v e com e t o b i d yo u a l a st fa re w e ll for t o se e e a ch o th er

.
,
”
a g a i n i s d en i e d us .

Wi th t e a r s in h er ey es sh e bow e d t o h i m i n sa lu t a t i on H e t h r ew hi m
, .

se lf upo n h e r a n d t r i e d t o e mbr a c e h e r a n d h old h er f a st b u t sh e pu sh e d ,

hi s h a n d s g en t ly a w a y from h er a n d elud e d h i m T h e r e upo n h e b e g an .

t o so b lou dly an d t h e s oun d a wok e h i m f or h e h a d o n ly b een drea m

, ,
'

i n g Wh en h e r a i se d h i s e y es h e s a w a rou n d h i m th e an c i en t crum
.
,

bl i n g w a lls o f a ru i n e d t empl e By h i s si d e sa t a m an a tt i r e d i n t h e d i rt y
.

r ob e of a T a o i st pr i est H e w a s la m e i n o n e foo t
. a n d w a s bu s i ly en ,

ga ge d c a t ch i n g fl eas .

“ ”
W h o are you M ast er an d wh e re are w e
,
? h e a s ke d t h e pe culi ar
,

looki n g st r a n ger .

“ '

I do n o t kn ow th a t my se lf an d i n an y c as e i t do es n ot m a tt e r ; I
,

on ly kn ow th at w e h a ve j us t b e en h av i n g a bri e f re st c a m e th e st r ange
”
,

r e ply Sudden ly i ll um i n a t e d wi th i n w a rd l i gh t t h e C o ld Kn i ght sh ud

'

.
,

d e re d w i th i cy h orror an d dr a wi n g hi s sword he rai se d i t t o hi s he a d

, , ,

a n d cut o ff his h a i r Th en h e follow e d th e un c an

. n y s t r a n g e r h e kn ew ,

n o t wh i th e r .

C HA PTER 3 4

P h o en ix cro ss exa m i nes t h e ser v a n t a n d so fin d s o u t th e m a s t e r s de

-
’

cei t s T h e u n ha ppy Y u g i rl a llo w s h er se l t o b e lu r e d i n t o a t ra p

.
f .

T HE T H I RD C O FFIN ED O N THE V E R Y D AY O F HE it D E A T H A N D
YU W AS
w as bur ie d v e ry qu i e t ly ou t si d e th e c i t y w a lls The n e w s o f h e r s udd en .

d ea th w a s brought t o Aun t Hsueh s e a r s by a w a i t in g m a i d A un t H su eh

’
.

w a s profoun dly g ri e v e d a n d d i s m a y e d Sh e h a d b een d el i g h t e d t o h e lp .

a rr a n g e t h e we dd i n g w i th th e t h i rd Y u o u t of gr a t i t ud e t o t h e Cold

Kn i g ht for h a v i n g sa ve d H s ueh P a n s l i fe o n t he h i gh ro a d Sh e h a d i n
’
.

t en d e d mor e ove r t o g i v e h i m a compl et e h ou se w i t h fur n i t ur e a s a

, ,

w e dd i n g pr esen t .

“
W h a t t ? ”
do yo u h i n k o f t hi s sa d puzzl i n g occurren c e sh e a ske d h er
,

366
 Mr C h i a Li en a n d o ur h o st s sworn fr i en
. d th e Cold Kn i gh t Wh y
’
,
.

? ”
h a v e th e y n o t b een i n v i t e d
H su eh P a n s fa c e d a rken e d a n d h e si g he d d eeply
’
.

“
My cousi n set o ut for P i n g a n C h ow a g a i n a sh ort t i m e a go h e ,
“
sai d a n d a s for my fr i e n d L i u t h e m e r e m e n i o n of h i s n a m e g i v es
, t ,

m e p a i n It i s a ve ry st r a n g e s t ory H e s udd en ly r en oun c e d t h e world

. .

a n d d i s a pp ea r e d i n t h e comp a n y o f a st r an g e r a T a o i s t pr i e st And be ,
.

re l a t e d a ll h e kn e w of th e tr a g i c ou t com e o f th e en g a ge m en t of h i s
fr i en d a n d of h i s s udden d i s a pp ea r a n c e
, .

“ ”
How st r a n g e ! th eyall sa i d a n d on e o f t h e bu si n e ss m a n a g er s w en t
'

,
“
o n t o te ll : A s i m i l a r c a se w a s s pok en of r e c en t ly by th e cu st om e rs i n
t h e sh op Th e s t ory w a s of a mo n k w h o w i t h t h r ee o r four sen t en c es
.

b ewi t ch ed s om ebody a n d m a d e h i m i n v i si bl e I do n o t kn ow a n y mor e .

d et a i l s w e w er e bu sy se rv i n g an d h a d n o t i m e t o p ay a tt en t i o n t o th e
,
”
i dle go ss i p o f cu st om ers .

“
O h wh a t n o n s en s e ! T h i s i s s ur e t o b e qu i t e a d i ff e r en t k i n d o f
,
’’ “
c a se s a i d a n o th e r sk ept i c a lly A cour a ge ous sen si bl e s t ron g fellow
, , .
, , ,

u s e d t o a rm s l i ke Mr L i u would c e rt a i n ly n e v e r a llow hi m se lf t o b e
.
,

b e wi t ch e d by a w an d er i n g mo n k Pr es um ably h e o n ly pret en d e d t o .

j o i n hi m i n ord e r t o get b eh i n d hi s m a g i c t r i ck s a n d h ocu s pocus H e -

.

”
w i ll un doub t e dly ge t t h e upp e r h a n d o f t he sw i n dl e r i n t h e en d .

”
Th at I S prob a bly wh a t h a s h a pp en e d ! a gr ee d H s u eh P a n w a rmly .

R ea ll y th ese mo un t eb a n ks w h o blu ff an d dup e p e opl e w i th th ei r t ri cks

,

”
sh ould b e
p ut down w i th a n i ro n h a n d .

“ ”
?
H a ve yo u n o t h a d a sea rch m a d e f o r your lo st fr i en d th ey a ske d

Y es , f
cour se I h a v e h a d hi m sea rc h e d for everywh er e bo th i a
o

—
, ,

s i d e a n d ou ts i d e t h e c i t y w a ll s
; b ut — a n d you m a y l a ug h a t t h i s h e
”
c an n o t b e t r a c e d a n ywh e r e d ecl a r e d H su eh P a n b e com i n g d es pon d
, ,

e n t o n c e mor e T h e comp an y a roun d t h e t a bl e f ell i n t o a n emb a rr as se d

.

si l en c e ; n o t h i n g could b e h ea rd b u t lo n g an d sh or t s i ghs n o o n e could ,

b e m e rry a n y m o r e a n d a f t e r j u s t a few mor e gl a ss es o f w i n e th e p art y

‘

, _

broke up i n d e pr esse d mood .

A few d a y s a fte rw a rd s P e a rl w en t t o v i si t Ph oen i x i n a free h our t o

i n qu i r e a f ter h er h e a l th b ut sh e di d n o t st a y l o n g Sh e t h ough t sh e p er
, .

cei v e d a c e rt a i n u n e a s in e ss i n th e a i r s h e n o t i c e d e xc i t e d w h i sp e ri n g
, ,

w a i ti n g m a i d s an d c a ught s om eth i n g a bou t cro ss ex a m i n a t i on s t o whi ch -

th es e port ers o r t h o s e s e rv a n t s h a d b een s ubj e c t e d by P h o eni x Th e r e .

fore s h e di d no t w a n t to b e i n t h e w a y Sh e h a d h a rdly go n e wh en .

Ph o en i x s en t for Li tt l e W a n g th e ga t e kee p e r of th e se co n d g a t e
, .

“ ”
W ll ho w w a s i t Wh a t h a ve you h ea rd
e ,
? ? sh e as k e d th e w a i ti n g

m a i d Li tt le P in g b e fore L i tt l e W an g a rri ve d .

368
 Th e m a i d w ho se cr e tly i n form e d m e h a s b ee n ea v e sdroppi n g jus .
‘
.

n o w a t th e s e co n d g a t e o n a co n v e r s a t i o n b e t w ee n L i t t l e W a n g an d W e

o f t h e m a s t e r s s e rv a n ts It w a s a bou t a se co n d Na i n a i w h o w a s muc h
’
.
,

mo re b ea u t i ful a n d much ki n d e r a n d more fr i en dly t h a n t h e o ld Nai

na i by w h i c h th e y m e a n t you
, .

L i tt le W a n g w a s a n n ou n c e d P h o en i x a sked L i t tl e P in g to b e si l e n t
.

a n d ord e r e d t h a t L i tt l e W a n g s h ould com e i n He r em a i n e d s t a n d i n g .

t i m i dly o n t he t h r esh old of t h e a n t ech aim b er i n a r es p e c t ful a tt i t ud e h i s ,

h an d s h a n g i n g do w n by h i s si d es .

“
Com e ne a r e r ! I w i sh t o qu est i o n yo u ord er e d Ph o eni x where upo n , ,

b e a dva n c e d t o t he th resh old of t he i n n e r c h a m b er .

“
Wh a t do yo u kn ow a bou t t he pe rs o n w i th wh o m my h u sb a n d a ss oc i
? ”
a t e s ou t si d e

L i tt le W a n g b en t o n e kn ee .

“
T he s l a v e p e rforms h i s se rvi c e at th e s eco d g a te w a y day a fter da y n
.

? ”
Ho w can he kn ow w h a t t he m aste r do es ou t si d e
“ ”
N a t ura lly o u kn ow a bou t n o th i n g !
,

Li t tl e Wa n g wen t down o n bo th kn e e
“
V e ry w e ll th en I w a s presen t by ch a n c e j u st no w when Li tt l e
, ,

H si n g a n d Li t tl e H si w er e gossi p i n g a t t he se con d g a te I o n ly t old .

t h e m t o b e qu i et ; I un d e r st ood n o t h i n g o f w h a t t he y w e r e ta lk i n g a bou t .

Y o u sh ould q u es ti o n Li tt l e H s in g He a lw a y s a ccomp a n i es th e m a ste r

.

”
w hen he go es o ut .

“ ”
A h yo u are j us t as good fo r n o t h i n g as th e o th er p a ck ! cri e d
, /

P h oen i x an gri ly fi Y ou are a ll t a ngl e d a n d m a t te d t ogethe r l i ke cree p

,
‘ '

ers B ut do n o t i m a gi n e th a t e ! R un a n d bri n g L i t t l e
.
y o u ca n d e c e i v e m
"

H s i n g h e r e ! I sha ll cro ss e x am i n e h i m fi rst th en yo u sh a ll h a ve a n o t he r

-

t urn "
7
.

“
Shih , s t u tt e r e d L i t t l e W a n g ; an d h a vi n g m a d e a kowt ow h e , ,

p i cke d hi m self up qu i ckly a n d ra n o ut r et urn i n g v e ry s oo n w i t h Li ttl e

,

H si n g Li t t l e H s in g st ood ti m i dly h es i ta n t o n th e ou te r t hres h old

.

“
Come in ! Ph o en i x ord e r e d h i m Tha t s n i c e bu s i n ess yo u h a ve
” “
.
’

”
b een up t o w i t h your m a st e r ! No w o ut w i th t he st ory ! ,

T h e s e ve ri ty o f h e r f a c e a n d vo i c e sh a t tere d th e ai r o f co nfi den c e
w h i c h he h a d p u t o n up to n o w In h i s co n fu si on he could th i n k of
.

n o t h i n g b ett e r t o do th an t o f a ll upo n h i s k n ee s a n d pr ess h i s fo r eh e a d

t o t he groun d .

“
Y o u are n o t im pli c a t e d i n t he c a se your self co n t i n u e d P h o en i x i n ,

“
a m i ld e r t o n e ; b ut w h y di d yo u n o t n o t i fy m e a t o n c e ?
I c a n n o t he lp
ow pl eas e o u t w i th th e w h ol e t ru t h Th e n I w i ll
, ,
.

b e ti d e yo u i f you o n ly com e o u t wi t h emp t y e v a

”
s i o n s ! B ett e r m a ke S t ll e fi r s t t h a t your br a i n b o x i s w e ll s cr ew e d o n !
‘
‘
-

3 69
 S h a ki n g w i th fea r Li tt l e H si n g sl i d a li tt l e n ea rer an d m a d e a n o th e r
, ,

kowt ow .

“
Th e sl a v e i s n o t a t a ll a w a r e of w h a t h a rm h e i s s uppo se d t o h a v e
do n e w i th t he m a st er h e s a i d n o w a s c a lmly a n d boldly a s po ssi ble
, , .

“ ”
G i ve h i m a coupl e of blow s ! ord e r e d P h o en i xy b l azi n g up i n an ger .

L i tt l e W a n g ru sh e d up a n d w a s j u st a bout t o c a rry o ut h e r Ord e r wh en

s h e s t opp e d h i m .

“
No let h i m box h i s o w n e a r s ! Th er e w i ll b e t i m e en ough l a te r on f or
,
”
oth e r h a n d s t o b el a bor th i s t or t o i se .

Li t t le H si n g b en t t o th e r i gh t a n d t o th e l e ft d e a l i n g h i m self w i t h a
’

, ,

s w i f t sw e e p i n g mov e m en t a good doz e n h e a vy clou t s o n th e e a r s u n t i l

, ,
“ ”
h i s m i st r ess c a ll e d S t op .

“
We ll wh a t do you kn ow a bou t t h i s “
, n ew Na i n a i wh om your ,

? ”
m a s t er i s s a i d t o h a v e p i cke d up i n t h e c i t y
Li t t l e H si n g pulle d o ff h i s ca p a n d b e a t h i s b a r e foreh ea d a coupl e
of t i m es o n th e e a r th en w a r e t i l es of t h e floor so forc i bly th a t t he th ud s
-

r esou n d e d dully l i ke mou n t a i n ech o es .

“ ”
I b e g for m ercy a n d I w i ll ce rt a i n ly n ot li e a g a i n ! h e d e cl a r e d .

”
S t a n d up a n d sp e a k !
Li tt l e H si n g p i cke d h i m self up a n d t old wh a t h e kn e w— h o w o n e da y
t h e h ou se s t e w a rd Y u Lu w en t o u t t o t h e T e mpl e o f t h e Iro n R a i l i n g s
t o Pr i n c e C h en for mon e y ; h o w Mr C h i a L i en h a d a ccomp a n i e d h i m .

b a ck t o t h e e a st e rn p a l a ce an d h o w h e a n d Mr C h i a Yu n g h a d di s
, .

cuss e d th e t w o si st e r s i n law of Pr i n c e C h en o n th e w a y a n d h o w Mr
- -
.

C h i a Li en h a d i n dulg e d i n a dmi ri n g pr a l se o f t h e i r s up e ri or qu a li ti es
a n d v i rt u es ; h o w Mr C h i a Yu n g h a d o ff er e d h i s s e rv i c es t o procur e t h e
.

se con d Y u g i rl a s a s e co n d a ry w i f e for h i m H e h a d
.

go t t h u s f a r w i t h
.

“
h i s co n fe ss i on w h en P h o en i x a lmo st ch ok i n g w i t h r a g e bur st o u t : So
, ,
’
i t s th a t o n e ! A n d a r e l a t i v e i n t o t h e b a rg a in ! Suc h m i s e r a bl e f a c e l ess
-

, ,
”
t o r t o i s e b e h a v i or ! L i tt l e H si n g a l a rm e d p a u se d in h i s r e por t m a d e
, , ,

a h a s t y kow t ow a n d t h en s t a r e d r e si g n e dly i n fro n t o f hi m

, .

“ ”
G et o n ! W h y do you n o t t a lk ? P h o en i x ur ge d hi m .

”
B ut w i ll t h e Na i n a i n o t h urt th e s l a v e i f h e s p ea ks o n ? as ke d

L i tt le H si n g w an t i n g t o b e s ur e fir st
, .

“ ”
Non sen se ! Go o n !
A n d L i t t l e H s i n g co n ti n u ed t o re l a t e h ow h i s m a st e r h a d en te r e d joy
fully i n t o h i s n ep h e w s pl a n ’

“
How th e pl a n w a s s ub s e qu en t ly c a rr i e d o ut i s n o t kn own t o m e .

O f cours e a se rv an t c a n n o t kn ow e v e ry th i n g th a t t h e m a st e r does
,
”
or do es n o t do Go o n ! .

“
Th en l a te r o n Mr C h i a Yun g procure d an d furn i sh e d a h ou se f o r
, .

Mr C h i a L i en
. .

“ ? ”
A h ouse Wh er e t h en he w as a g a in i n t errup t e d
,
?
.

3 70
 ”
I would h a v e r ea son en ough for th a t yo u a pe S t an d up ! , .

L i tt l e H s i n g kowt owe d o n ce mor e st ood up a n d slun k o ut He w as

, ,
.

a lr ea dy o n t h e ou t e r th r esh old w h en P h o en i x c a ll e d h i m b a ck .

“
Y o u s eem i n a m i gh t y h urry t o b e o ff t o your n ew Na i na i You .

would l i ke t o d i vulg e ev ery thi n g t o h e r a n d ea rn a r e w a r d wo ul d n t ,

’

you ? B ut you w i ll do n o th i n g of th e s or t ! From t od a y on yo u w i ll n o t

s t i r a s t e p t o go t o th a t h ou se b ut w i ll r e m a i n p e rm an en tly a t my dis

? ”
po sa l Is th a t un der st ood
.

“
Shih prom i se d L i tt l e H si n g a n d w i th dr e w a g a i n t o b e c a ll e d b a ck
, ,

o n c e more .
0

“
No w you a re go i n g t o run o ff a n d r ep ea t e v e ry t h i n g t o your m a st er
, ,

? ”
a re you n o t
“
Your se rv a n t wi ll n o t d a r e .

‘
I wo ul d n o t a dv i se yo u t o i f yo u v a lu e your ski n Off w i t h you !
, .

Cl e a r o ut! ”

'

Now L i t tl e W a n g wa s c a ll e d i n P h o en i x lo o k e d a t h i m sh a rply for

.

a m om en t a n d t h en sh e s a i d :
, You a re a good fe llow L i tt l e Wan g I ,
.

a m pl ea se d w i t h you A n d i n fu t ur e a lw a y s b e s ur e t ot e ll m e wh en
you
'

hea r som eth i n g ou t s i d e ! C a n I r ely o n you ? V e ry w ell you m a y go ,

.

“ ”
Now wh a t do you t h i n k o f that A n i c e st ory i s i t n o t sh e sa i d
,
? ?
, ,

t ur n i n g t o L i tt l e P i n g L i t t l e P i n g o n ly s m i l e d P h o e n i x t h r ew h e r s elf
.

o n t h e d i v a n t ook a s i
, p of t e a a n d sett l e d dow n t o t h i n k Sudd en ly sh e
, .

r a i se d h er brow s Sh e h a d t h ough t of a pl an ; sh e b e cko n e d Li t t l e P i n g

. .

“
W e mu st a ct a n d a t on c e b efor e my h u sb a n d i s b a ck from h i s
, ,
”
sh e s a i d a n d b e g a n t o expl a i n h er pl a n t o t h e w a i t i n
t r a v el s , , g m ai d .

Duri n g th e n ex t f ew d a y s th e r esi d en c e o f th e ab sen t C hi a Li en h e

c a m e a h i ve of a c t i v i t y A crowd o f bu i ld e r s c a rp en t er s p a i n te r s j o i n
.
, , ,

e r s a n d o th e r a r t i sa n s a rr i v e d a n d o n t h e i n s t ruc t i o n s of P h o en i x th e y
, ,

p u t i n ord e r t h e e mp t y ea st e rn w i n g co ns i s t i n g o f t h ree room s T h e

,
.

room s w ere fi tt e d w i th t h e sa m e k i n d of w a llp a p e r c a rp et s fur n i t ur e , , ,

cov ers cur ta i n s a n d o t h e r e qu i pm en t a s t h e room s wh i ch P h o en i x h er

,

s e lf occup i e d O h t h e da
y t h a t t h e work w a s compl et e d a n d t h e work
e rs l e f t t h e h ou se —
.

i t w a s t h e fo u r t een th o f t h e n i n t h m on th — P h o en i x
s en t a m e ssa g e t o t h e A n c e s t r e ss t h a t sh e i n t en d e d t o v i s i t t h i s a n d t h a t

t e mpl e t o b u r n i n c en s e a n d pr a y o n t h e follow i n g da
y .

T h e n e x t da y sh e g o t i n t o h e r c a rr i a g e a n d a comp an i e d by th e
' c ,

w a i t i n g m a i d s Li ttl e P i n g a n d Li t t l e Lu n g a s w ell a s th e w i fe of th e
‘

por ter L i t t l e W a n g a n d t he w i fe of t h e s t ew ard C h ou Jui w en t o ff ri o t , ,

t o t h e t empl es n a m e d b u t t o t h e h ou s e of t h e s e co n d Y u i n t h e L a n e
,

of t he Flow er i n g Br a n ch L i tt l e H si n g w a s t a ken a lon g an d h a d t o sh ow

.

t h e w a y a n d a n n ou n c e t h e vi s i t or T h e .

l i tt l e s urpri se d wh en qui t e s u dd en ly the

3 72
n in g i n , t erri bly xc i te d a n d tr em bli n g a ll over and ann oun ce d : Th e
e ,
”
gr eat Na i na i i s com i n g t o v i si t !
Sh e pulle d h er self t oge th er a t o n c e h ow ever ra n to the door an d , ,

a ccomp a n i e d h er v i s i t or cour t e ou sly i n t o t he r e c e p t i o n room pol i t e ly ,

l a i d cushi o n s f o r h er i n th e pl a c e o f h o n or a n d h a d tea se rv e d t o h er , .

Sh e e xcu se d h e r self o n t h e pl ea o f h er you th fuln es s for a ll th a t h a d h a p

p en e d Eve ry t hi n g she sa i d h a d b een d on e ov e r he r he a d an d t h rough
.
, ,

h er mo the r a n d Pr i n c e ss C hen a n d sh e ass ure d M a d a m e Ph o en i x o f

,

h o w h o n ore d a n d h a ppy sh e was a t t h e v i si t an d h o w ea g er to h e a r th e ,

“ ”
i nst ruc ti o n s o f t he e ld e r si st e r a n d to se rv e h e r w i t h du t i ful r es p e c t .

P ho e n i x w a s dr e sse d comple te ly i n wh i te an d s i lver gr a y t o g i v e t he ,

i mpr essi o n th a t sh e w a s mourn i n g f o r t h e d ec e as e d th i rd Y u f or w h om ,

sh e i n f a c t c a r e d l ess t h a n n o t h in g T o th e kow t ow o f s ubm i ss i o n w h i c h

.

t he o t h e r p e rform e d b e for e her s he r e pli e d w i t h a sl i gh t b o w a n d sa i d : ,

“
Pure ly o ut o f un d e rst a n d a bl e t en d e rn e ss an d c a r e f o r hi s h ea l th ,

a n d a l s o t o S p a r e h i s p a r en ts a nn oy a n c e a n d tr oubl e I a lwa y s w a rn e d ,

my h usb a n d a g a i n st s p e n d i n g t he n i gh t a w a y from h om e b et ween ‘

flow ers an d b en ea th wi llow t rees U n fort un a t e ly h e h a s compl e tely

.
’
,

m i s un de rst ood my w e ll i n ten d e d a dv i ce No w i f i t w e re a qu es t i o n o f

-
.
,

s om e dub i ou s p e r s o n h e would p e r h a p s b e r i g h t i n co n c e al i n g a n at
,

t a ch m ent from m e B ut t h e fa c t t h a t h e h a s Eh o s en a h i g hly r es p e c t a bl e

.

wom a n s uch a s yo u d e a r si ste r for h i s si d e c h a mb e r m a kes i t a di f

, ,
‘
-
’

for en t m a tt e r an d qu i te i n ord er No o n e i n h i s se n s es could bl a m e h i m

.

f o r i t S uc h t h in g s a re a f t er a ll cus t om a ry i n o t h e r fa mi l i es I my s e lf
.
, ,
.

h a v e a lw a y s a c t u a lly a dv i se d h i m to suc h a s te p ; I ha v e e ve n off e r e d

hi m L i t t l e P i n g I t i s i n dee d my o w n wi sh th a t h e sh ould h a v e a li t t le
.

b oy a n d l e g i t i m a te h e i r w ho wo uld o n e da y b e a s upport an d comf ort

,

t o my se lf i n my old age It w a s qu i t e wro n g o f h i m t o kee p t h i s m a t te r

.

se cr et from m e t hrough qu i te u n fou n d e d fe a r o f my j e a lou sy I a m .

n ei t h er n a rro w m i n d e d n or j e a lou s a n d c a ll h e a v e n a n d ea r th t o w i t
-

n ess t h a t I o n ly h ea rd of th e m a tt e r j u st by c h a n c e a f ew d a y s a go My
. .

h usb a n d i s a w a y t r a v ell i n g a t pr es en t so I c a n n o t s p e a k t o h i m my self

,
.

In ord er t o sh ow yo u m e a n t i me d e a r s i st e r h o w gr ea t ly m y h us b a n d
’

, ,

h a s m i sj udg e d m e I h a v e com e t o yo u t od a y t o i n v i t e yo u e a rn es t ly
, ,

a n d lov i n gly t o gi v e up your i s ol a t i o n an d com e ov e r t o m e L et us l i v e

‘

.
,

a s i st e rly w a y i n c a r i n g f o r o ur h us

e o w e th i s t o t h e s t r i c t req u i re m en ts o f
‘

l i v i n g sep a r a te ly i s profi tabl e n e i th er

n o r t o t h a t of o ur h u sb a n d How do I
'
-

{i t s
 h ave x a c t ly th e sa m e as I h a ve Y o u a re s uch a sen si bl e wom an yo u
e .
,

w i ll b e a v a lu a bl e an d i n e st i m a bl e s uppor t t o m e an d t h er e w i ll b e an ,

e n d o n c e a nd for a ll t o t h e s e rv a n t s go ss i p Wh en o ur h us b a n d com es
’
.

h om e a n d s e es us p e a c e fully u n i te d h e w i ll feel p en i ten t a n d w i ll rea l i z e

'

t h a t h e h a s s h a m e fully m i sj udg e d m e B u t i f you do n o t w i s h t o mov e

.

over t o m e then I am d e te rm i n ed t o mov e ov e r t o you d ea r si st e r A n d

, , .

i n t h i s e ve n t I h op e you w i ll p u t i n a good word f o r m e w i th our h us

b a n d s o th a t h e w i ll n o t t e a r us a p a rt a g a i n I sh a ll b e mo st gl a d t o do
, ,
.
.

e v e ry th i n g for you t o do your h a ir an d pr e a r e your foo t b a t h an d

,
p ,

p e rform ev ery serv i c e wh i ch you m a y a sk i f o n ly I ca n b e w i th you

,
.

Sh e h a d spok en w i t h grow i n g e mo t i o n w h i ch w a s m e a n t t o si mul a t e

,

s i n c e r e feel i n g a n d sh e n o w b e g a n a c t u a lly t o s o b a n d w e e p H er em o
,
.

t i o n s e em e d s o g en u i n e t h a t t h e s e co n d Y u w a s qu i t e t ouc h e d a n d h er
e y es t o o fill e d w i t h t ea r s A t a s i g n from h er m i st r ess t h e w i f e o f t h e
.

s t e w a rd C h ou J u i n o w h a d t o t a ke o u t o f h er co tt o n b a g four p i e c es o f
'

b ea ut i ful si lk clo th a n d a p a ir o f gold b an gl es a n d o f e a rr i n gs set w i th

p e a rl s a n d p ass th em t o th e se co n d Y u a s a t oken o f fr i en d sh i p T he
,
.

s e co n d Y u w a s n ow fully co n v i n c e d t h a t P h o en i x mu st b e a mo s t k i n d

h ea r t e d wom a n a n d t h at e v e ry t h i n g w h i c h L i tt l e H si n g h a d r e c en t ly
t old a bou t h er w i ck ed c h a r a c t e r mu st b e s l a n d e r a n d se rv a n t s go ss i p
’
.

She g a v e up h er pr ev i ou s r eserv e b e c a m e t a lk a t i v e op en e d h er h ea rt
, ,

w i d e l a i d b a r e h er th ough ts a n d t rus t fully a cc ep t e d t h e i n v i t a t i o n t o

, ,

mov e over t o th e w est ern p a l a ce th a t v e ry da y .

“ ”
B u t wh a t w i ll b ecome of my h ou seh old h e r e ? sh e a s k e d .

Th a t 1 5 v ery si mpl e Your n ew dw e ll i n g IS r ea dy a n d furn i she d so

.
,

w e o n ly n ee d t o t a k e ov er your clo t hi n g a n d l i n e n a n d o t h e r p e r s o n a l
b elo n g i n g s All th e f urn i t ure ca n b e l e ft h er e
. .

T h e s e co n d Y u i n d i c a te d t h e f ew tr u n ks a n d obj e c ts whi c h rep re

sen t e d h er p e r s o n a l b e lo n g i n g s dr ess e d h e r se lf r e a dy t o d ep a rt an d
, ,

a llow e d P h o en i x t o t a k e h er by t h e h an d a n d l e a d h er t o th e c a rri ag e .

“
On th e j ourn e y i n t h e c a rr i a g e Ph o eni x s a i d t o her co n fid en t i a lly O ve r .

h er e our h ou seh ol d rul es a r e r a t he r s t r i c t So f a r th e o ld T a i t a i kn ows

.

n o th i n g of t h i s st ory .If sh e n ow l ea rn s t h a t o r r h u sb a n d h a s m a rr i e d
s ecr et ly i n t h e m i ddl e o f t h e mourn i n g pe r i od sh e w i ll b e v e ry a n gry ,

a n d prob a bly h a v e h i m n e a rly b ea t en t o d e a t h i n pun i shm en t T h e r e .

for e i t i s b et t er f o r m e n o t t o pr esen t you t o the o ld Ta i ta i st ra i gh t

,
'

a w a y a n d n o t t o t a k e you i n t o my o w n h om e e t b u t t o u t y o u up in
y p ,

t he p a rk for t h e t i m e b ei n g Y o u w i ll b e w e ll look e d a ft e r t h e r e a n d
.

qu i te s a fe from pry i n g ey e s In th e m e a n t i m e I w i ll t a ke furth e r m ea s

.

”
ur es a n d c a r e fully pr e p a r e t he old T a i ta i .

D o e x a c tly a s yo u t hi n k b est ! re pl i e d th e se co n d Y u s ubm iss i ve ly

”
.

A s pr ea rr an g e d th e c a rr i a g e en te re d th e pre c i n c ts o f th e w est e rn p a la c e
, ,

n o t th roug h th e ma in en tran ce b ut un ob t rus i v e ly th roug h a b a ck g a t e .

3 74
 m e a s ur es i f the y fa i l e d i n t h e i r du t y a n d w e re n e gl i g en t i n th ei r servi ce
b ehi n d h er b a ck Th e ki n d h ea r te d Y u w a s s orry f o r th e se rv a n t s w h o
.

wer e t hu s r ebuk e d a n d wh en e v e r sh e th ough t l ess ly op en e d her mou th

,

t o compl a i n a bou t t h i s or t h a t sh e sh u t i t qu i ckly a g a i n w i sh i n g t o

, ,

s p a re h er s e rv a n t s a n d n o t t o m a k e h e r s elf u n popul a r A n d so e v e ry .

t h i n g r e m a i n e d j u s t a s i t w a s a ft e r t h e s e v i s i t s o f i n s p e c t i o n .

Me a n wh i l e Ph o en i x w a s m a k i n g se cr et i n qu i r i es a bou t t h e p ast l i fe
of th e se co n d Y u t h rough h er co n fid a n t t he por ter Li tt l e W a n g an d so
, ,

s h e l ea rn e d of t h e l a t t e r s fir s t en g a g e m en t t o you n g C h an g H u a w h o
’
,

w a s n o w n i n et e en y e a r s of a ge a n d a n u tt e r w a s t r e l a n d lo a fe r H i s .

p a r en t s h a d c a st h i m o ff lo n g a go o n a ccoun t o f h i s d i s solut e w a y o f
l i fe ; con sequ en t ly h e h i m se lf kn ew n o t hi n g a s yet a bou t t h e c a n c ell a t i o n
of hi s en g a ge m ent a n d t h e i n d em n i t y of t w en t y t a el s w h i c h Pr i n c e C h en
h a d p a i d t o h i s p a re n t s .

Now Ph o en i x sen t L i t t l e W a ng s ecr et ly t o C h a n g H ua a n d w o n h i m ‘

f or h er li tt l e g a m e by a p a ym en t o f t w en t y t ae l s H e w a s t o serv e a wri t
.

a ccu s i n g C h i a L i en of h a v i n g e n t i c e d a w a y h i s b et ro t h e d a n d m a rr i e d

h er i n t he m i ddl e of a p er i od of publ i c a n d f a m i ly mour n i n g w i th ou t

t h e kn owl e dg e of h i s l e g a l w i fe an d of t h e f a m i ly e ld e r a f t e r h a v i n g ,

obl i ge d h er by co e rc i o n a n d mo n e y t o c a n c e l h er pr ev i ou s eng a g em en t
t o h i m t h e pl a i n ti ff C h a n g H u a h a d h es i t a t e d t o m a k e a d i r e c t a ccus a
, .

t i o n a g a i n s t a m emb e r of th e powe rful C h i a cl a n w h om h e di d n o t w i sh

,

to qu a rr el w i t h It w a s t h e r e fore a gr ee d t h a t L i t t l e W a n g sh ould t a ke
.

t he a ccu sa t i o n upo n hi m se lf a s t h e a ll e g e d
g o b e t w e e n a n d i n s t i g a t or
-
.

P h o en i x w a s l e ss i n teres t e d i n a c t u a lly c a rry i n g th rough t h e l a ws u i t

“
t h a n i n e xpo s i n g t h e g a n g n a m ely t h e c h i e f culpr i t s of t h e s t ory
’’

, ,

h er cou s i n Pr i n c e C h en h i s w i fe a n d th e i r so n C h i a Yun g— an d
, ,

fr i g h t en i n g t h e m by t h e i mm i n en t pro s p e ct o f a pub l i c s c a n d a l M or e .

ov e r sh e i n t e n d e d t o s te p i n j u s t a t t h e ri gh t mom en t i f t h e a ct i o n
,

sh ould t a k e a n u n f a vora bl e t urn .

C ha n g Hua a cc ord i n gly a pp e a re d o n e da y b efore the publ i c sessm n

o f t h e Cour t c a ll e d a t te n t i o n t o h i m s e lf by t h e cu s t o ma ry cry of
, In ‘‘

j u s t i c e a n d h an d e d i n h i s wr i t In r es po n se t o t h e wr i t t h e m a g i s t r a t e
, .

se n t h i s
g ree n co a t s n ex t da y t o th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e t o a rr est t h e a c
cus e d por t e r L i tt l e W a n g a n d h a i l h i m b e for e t h e Cour t Thr ough re
.

s pe c t t h e
, g i e e n co a ts di d n o t e n t e r t h e l or dly m a n s i o n t h e m se lv es a n d ,

we re abou t t o sen d a se rv a n t to t h e cu st o di a n of t h e i nn er g a te pol i t e ly

r e qu es t i n g h i m to com e o ut Bu t t h a t w as not a t a ll n e c ess a ry Li tt l e
. . .

W a n g h a d r e cko n e d o n th e i r com i n ga n d w a s alrea dy w ai t i n g ch eerfully

for t h em i n th e s tr ee t i n fro n t of t h e g a t e .
‘
1 a
“
No d ou bt h o n or e d brot he r s yo u h a v e
, ,

s e i z e m e a n d h o ld m e f a s t !
”
h e i n vi te d th e

3 76
good h um o re dly for
-

,
he kn ew in a dva n c e th a t no h a rm would com e to

B ut , good eld e r bro t he r ho w ca n w e do i t ! W e o n ly w a n t yo u t o

,

com e w i th us w i th ou t a n y fu ss the y i n v i ted hi m j u st a s po li te ly a nd

”
, ,

e sco r t e d h im t o t h e Cour t Th e m a g i st r a t e sh ow e d h i m t h e in d i c t m en t
'

h an d e d i n y es t e rd a y L i ttl e W a n g r ea d i t kow t ow e d a n d d e cl a re d
.
, ,

Th a t i s qu i t e co rr e c t B ut I my se lf h a v e n o th i n g to do wi th i t C ha n g
. .

Hua h a s m er ely dr a w n m e i n to i t b e c a u s e w e h a v e b ee n o n un fr i en dly

,
”
t e rm s for a lo n g t i m e p a s t You w i ll h a v e t o a rr es t o th e r p e opl e
. .

T h e pl a i n t i ff C h a n g H ua l i k ew i se kow t ow e d a n d expl a i n e d : Th a t i s
a l s o corr e c t ; b u t I di d n o t d a re t o ta ke a c t i o n a g a i n s t th e e mploy e rs ,
”
th e re for e I n a m e d t h e s e rv a n t .

“
S t up i d fe llow ! W e a re st a n d i n g h e re i n a n Imper i a l Cour t b e fore ,

wh i c h w e a re a ll e qua l whe th e r m a s te r o r se rv a n t ; so n o w c i te the

,
”
n a m es ! r e pl i e d L i ttl e W a n g C h a n g H ua n o w n a m e d C hi a Yun g th e
.
,

so n o f Pri n c e C h en a s b e i n g r e a lly t h e gu i l t y p er s o n T he m a g i s t r a t e
, .

th ere for e could n o t do o t he rw i se t h an i ss u e a s umm o n s a g a i n s t C h i a

Yun g .

T he s a m e ev en i n g P h o en i x secre tly sen t t he m a g i s tr a t e t hr ee h u n dr e d

ta els t o h i s h ou se wi th a m e ss a g e r e qu es t i n g h i m f o r t h i s a n d t h a t
r eas o n t o p roc ee d w i th out co n s i de r a t i o n a g a i n st h er a ccus e d cl a n a n d
t o t a ke a r e a lly h i g h h a n d w i t h t h em Sh e w a s v e ry a n x i ou s— so t he .

m essa ge ra n — t o g i ve he r p e opl e a prop e r s c a r e A n d t he m a g i s t r a t e a s .

,

a good fr i en d of h er un cl e M a r sh a l W a n g Tzu T e n g , fel t obl i ge d t o ,

comply w i th the r e qu est whi c h she h a d b a cke d w i th s uc h a co n si d e r a ble

g i ft
.

Pr i n ce C hen an d h i s so n wer e t e rr i bly sh ocke d when n ews c a m e t h a t

thi s ob s cur e i n d i v i d u a l C h a n g H ua h a d dr a gg e d th e i r h o n or a bl e n am e
, ,

b e for e t he m a g i s t r a te s Cour t Pr i n c e C he n fo a m e d a t t h e mou t h over

'
’
.

t h e colo ss a l i mpud e n c e of t he f e llow He h a d v ai n ly b e l i e v e d th a t h e.

’

ha d s i l e nc e d th e fa m i ly C h an g o n ce f o r al l w i th t h e i n d e m n i t y o f
t w en t y t ae l s Now h e would h a v e t o di g d ee p i n t o h i s pock ets a g a i n a n d
.

qu i c k ly produc e t w o h un dr e d n i c e s h i n i ng si lv e r p i ec es t o buy the

m a g i stra te s fa vor J u st as h e a n d hi s so n w ere d is cu ssin g t he ann oy i n g
’

a ff a i r a n d t h e cou n t e r m e a s ur e s t o b e ta ken w h o sh ould a ppe a r qui t e

-

un expe c te dly b ut Cou s i n P h o en i x .

T h e fa th e r a n d so n would ha v e g iv en a n y thi n g t o es c a pe t h is m ee t
i ng b u t i t w a s t o o l a te
, .
m M
.

T hat s a pr e t t y b u s i ii ess yo u two ha ve been up t o w it h my h usb a n d !

’ ”

:
l 1

Wh i l e s he c a ugh t as he
murmure d an em

s que ezi n g pas t h er an d

 ”
An urg en t bu si n ess en g a g em en t ! h e e xcu se d h i m self w i th a gl i b
“
sm i l e B ut my s o n w i ll k ee p yo u comp a n y for t h e presen t a n d s ee th a t
.

”
you get t h e b est th i n g s from t h e ki t ch en .

In a t ri c e h e w a s o ut th e door an d h a d mou n t e d h i s h or se an d go n e
o ff . In t h e m ea n t i m e Mo t h e r Y u h a d a pp ea r e d from th e n e x t room .

S eei n g th e v i si t or s a n gry fa c e she gu e sse d t h er e w as t roub l e br ew i n g

’
,
.

“
Y o u seem to b e o ut of h umor M a y o n e a sk . sh e b e g an In .

re ply P h o en i x s p at ri gh t i n t o h er fa c e
,
.

“ ”
You a re w e lcom e t o a sk ! sh e h i sse d Am I t o a cc e p t i t qu i et ly
.

w hen you sm uggl e i n your j i l te d d a ugh t e r a n d secr etl y p a wn h er o ff o n

my h u sb a n d ? If you h a d j u st do n e i t op en ly an d h on est ly a n d i n th e ,

prop e r m an n e r w i th th r ee n e go t i a t or s a n d s i x w i t n e sse s B u t n o you .

,

di d i t o n th e s ly a n d w h a t i s doubly i n corr e c t i n a t i m e o f publ i c a n d

, , ,

fa m i ly mourn i n g ! A n d n o w w e sh a ll h a v e th e d ev i l t o p a y ! A m a n ha s
.

a pp e a r e d a n d h a s broug h t t h e m a tt e r publ i cly b e for e t h e Cour t j u st ,

so t h a t e v e ryo n e w i ll h ear w h a t a n a bom i n a bl e n a rrow m i n d e d j e a lou s

,
-

wom a n I a m ! P e opl e w i ll po i n t th ei r fi n ge r a t m e a n d p e r su a d e my h u s
b a n d t o d i vorc e m e ! Wh a t h a v e I do n e t o you th at you t r e a t m e s o
m ea n ly ? Is th e old T a i ta i p e rch a n c e b eh i n d i t all ? D i d sh e i n sp i r e th e
w h ol e b a sepl a n i n ord e r t o get ri d of m e i n t hi s w a y ? W ell i t w i ll a ll
, ,

c o m e t o l i ght i n t i m e F i r st you wi ll com e t o t h e Court w i th m e a n d let

.
,

e a c h of u s r en d e r a n a ccoun t t o t h e j udg e so t h a t t h e t ru t h m a y t ri
, _

umph A n d th en let us a pp ea r b e for e t h e a ssembl e d cl a n at h om e an d

.

let us e a c h j u s t i fy h e rs elf If t h e cl an fi n d s m e gu i l t y v e ry w e ll th en
.
, ,
'

t h e y m a y wri t e t h e l et t er of d i vorc e f o r m e a n d I wi ll l ea v e t h e h ou se
”
volun t a ri ly .

Sh e b e g a n t o w e ep loudly a n d t o dr a g M o th e r Y u by th e h a n d t o t h e
,

door a s i f sh e w an te d t o se t o ut for the Court w i th h e r st r a i gh t a w a y .

U t t erly d i sma y e d C h i a Yu n g go t i n fro n t o f her th r ew h i m self a t h er

, ,

f eet p e rform ed a kowt ow an d b e gge d for m e rcy

, , .

“
M a y l i gh t n i n g st r i k e yo u a n d s pl i t you i n f ve you cr azy cre a t ur e
i
, ,
“
sh e ro a r e d a t h i m S h a m e o n yo u yo u good fo r n o th i n g sh a m el ess
.
,
- -

i n t r i gu e r a n d d i st ur b er o f f a m i ly pe a c e sco m e r o f l a w s a n d ri g h ts a n d
,

o f a ll orde r o f h ea v en a n d o f e a rt h ! T h e s p i ri t s o f a ll your a n c e st or s a n d

t h e sh a d e s of yo u r l a t e w i fe w i ll t u rn a w a y from yo u i n a b h orr en c e
a n d d i s gu st A n d a cr ea t ur e l i k e yo u h a s t h e i mpud en c e t o w an t t o
.

”
h a r a n gu e m e !
Sh e r a i se d h er h an d an d de a l t h i m blows ri g h t an d l e f t C hi a Yun g
_ .

“
b en t down a g a in qu i ckly t o m a ke an o ther kow t ow D o n o t exc i te your .

”
s elf Aun t !
, h e b e gge d F o r th e s a ke o f th e o n e da y i n a th ou san d th a t
.

I am good pl ease r e l en t ! Sp a r e yo uf n e rv es a n d your g en t le h a n d ! If

,

I d ese rv e blows o n th e e a r I ca n d e a l t h em my se lf
, .

A n d he g a v e hi ms e lf a few pow e rful sl a p s Thenhe s ta rte d t o upbr ai d.

3 78
an d r epro a ch yourself in st ea d f o r your ,
st up i d i t y an d your culp a bl e
”
s i en
l ce !
Oh h o w ,
cl ev e rly sh e kn e w h ow t o t w i st t h i n gs rou n d a ft e r h a v in g ,

h erse lf go a d e d C h a n g H ua i n t o br i n g i n g a n a c t i o n ! Th e v a r i ou s s ec
o n da ry w i v es a n d s erv i n g wom en a n d w a i t i n g m a i d s w h o w er e st an d
'

i n g a bou t f el t so full of p i t y for Mo th e r Y u s eei n g h er so cru elly dr i v en ,

i n t o a corn er t h a t all t og eth er t h e y f ell a t t h e f eet of th e a n gry P h o en i x

, ,

a pp ea l i n g t o h er gr ea t w i s dom a n d un d e r s t a n d i n g a n d i mplor e d i n ,

c h oru s for p ea c e a n d m e rcy for sh e h a d n o w t r a mp le d o n the poor old

,

l a dy lo n g en ough Tr ue th ei r en t rea t i e s h a d t h e eff e c t of m a ki n g Ph o e

.
,
"
n i x st 0 p sh ou t i n g a n d sh e u t h er t ou s l e d co i ffur e i n ord e r a g a i n ; b u t
p
sh e w a s v e ry f a r from b ei n g p a c i fi e d Sh e d i s d a in e d t h e t ea wh i c h w a s
.

off e r e d t o her a n d t h r e w i t st r a i ght a w a y o n t h e floor She w as i t ch i n g .

t o c a ll Pri n c e C h en t o a ccou n t n e x t .

“
F et ch your fa th er he r e ! I w an t t o a sk h i m a few qu est i o n s p er son
” “
a lly sh e ord e re d C h i a Yu n g p e r e mp t ori ly
, I d e m a n d a n expl a n a t i on
.

fr om h i m a s t o whet her h e co n si d e r s i t t o b e co n si st en t w i th th e L i — t he
r e qu i re m en t s of propr i e t y a n d good cu st om— for a n e ph ew of th e de
c ea se d t o go o ff ga i ly a n d m a rry i n t h e m i ddle of t h e p e r i od o f mourn
i n g for t h e f a m i ly e ld er A l i tt l e i n st ruc t i o n ca n do h i m n o h a rm a n d
.

m a y d et e r h i m from g i v in g b a d e x a mpl e t o you you n g p e opl e i n t h e

'

”
fu t ur e .

C hi a Yu n g qu i ckly th r e w h i m self o n h i s kn ees hi t hi s for eh ea d o n ,

“
t h e groun d a n d pro t es t e d :
, My p a r ent s h a v e h a d n o th i n g t o do wi th
t h e w h ol e bu s i n ess I a lo n e a m gu i l t y I w a s t h e s ol e i n s ti g a t or T h e
. . .

e s t ee m e d a unt m a
y c h a s t i se t h e u n wor t h y n e p h ew a s muc h a s sh e
w i sh es an d he w i ll b e a r i t i n si l en c e ! B ut le t h er pl e a se sp a re h i s p a r
_

en t s ! He could n o t s urv i v e i t i f sh e do e s n o t ! H e a ls o t ru s t s a n d m
i
p lo res th a t th e h o n or e d a u n t m a y m a n a g e t o s top th e a c t i o n Th e st up i d .

un wort h y n e ph ew do es n o t fee l t ha t h e i s e qu a l t o s uch a t a sk a n d de

t i r e ly o n t h e w i s dom of th e h o n or e d a un t ”
p de n s e n He a ccomp an i e d .

h i s h umbl e s p ee c h w i th r e p e a t e d kow t ow s P h o en i x w as p a c i fi e d to .

s om e e x t e n t Sh e r a i s e d h i m up an d t h en si g h i n g a n d w i p i n g a w a y h er
.
, ,
’
t e a r s sh e t u rn e d t o Mo t h e r Y u : “
, Do n o t b e a n gry w i t h m e ! In my
you t h a n d i n exp e r i en ce I h a ve let my self go som ew h a t a n d o ff en d e d ,

yo u gr e a t ly b ut t h e p a i n ful n e w s h a d so s urpr i s e d a n d d umfou n d e d

,

m e ! Forg i v e m e ! A n d n o w w e mu s t a c t w i se ly a n d r ea s o n a bly F i r s t of
. .

a ll t h i s un pl e a s a n t a c t i o n mu s t b e s ett l e d Y o u mu st h a v e a word w i th
, .

Cous i n C hen a bou t i t w i th ou t fa i l ”

.

“
Do n o t wo ry ! Th e m a t te r w i ll b e a rr an e d by us t o yo ur s a ti s f a c
’’
r g
t i on s a i d Mo the r Y u a n d C h i a
,
Y ung a s i f wi th o n e v 0
h u n dr e d ou n c es whi ch yo u hav e a lr ea dy sp e
goo d t o you On n o a ccou n t mu st yo u suffe r a n y fur th er mo n et a ry lo ss
.

380
i n thi s would i n d eed b e i rr es pon si bl e f or us t o a llow s uch a
m a tt e r . It
th i n g B ut w e h a v e ye t a n o t h e r r e qu est t o m a k e o f yo u M a y w e coun t
. .

upon you t o se t t he m a tt er r i gh t a s fa r a s po ssi bl e wi t h the o ld T a i ta i

'

”
a n d n o t t o p u t u s i n t o o u n k i n dly a l i g h t w i th h e r ?
”
H a yo u are a sk i n g a b i t t o o much of m e ! r e pl i e d P h o en i x coolly
, .

Fi r st yo u do m e a gri e vou s wr o n g a n d t h en you a sk m e t o com e for ,

wa rd a n d pl ea d for you S ur ely r a t he r a lo t to ask ! Now I a m of a v e ry

.
, ,

ki n d h ea rt e d n a t ure a n d mor e over I am s i n c e r ely h a ppy t o h a v e a si s

, , ,

t er a n d comp a n i o n com i n g t o my h ou s e ; I h a v e n o t b e en a bl e t o sl ee p
for m a n y n i gh ts so gr ea t h a s b e en my j oyful a n ti c i p a t i o n If o n ly t h i s
,
.

ob scure fellow t h i s co n fou n d e d C h a n g H ua h a d n o t co me b e t w een us

, ,

w i th h i s l a w s u i t ! How s t up i d o f Cous i n C hen to run a w a y li ke t h a t ! I

wa n t ed t o d i s cu ss w i t h hi m s om e m e a n s o f ge tt i n g ri d of th i s mi sch i e
”
vousl it i ga n t !
“
Do n o t worry w e sh a ll b e a bl e t o cop e w i t h t h e fellow a ll ri g h t
, ,

“
C h i a Yun g a ss ur e d h er z e a lou s ly T h a t poor d ev i l of a st a rvin g wr et ch
.

wi ll b e gl a d t o wi t h dr a w h i s a ccus a t i o n fo r a sm a ll i n d e mn i t y W e w i ll .

see t o t h a t He wi ll g i ve u s n o mor e bo t h e r i n th e fu t ur e w e ca n a ss ure

‘

. ,

”
yo u !
“
Th a t s a ll r i gh t i f o n ly i t works ! A s lo n g a s t h e mon ey l asts h e m a y
’
,

p erh a p s keep h i s mou t h sh u t b ut a s s oo n a s h e i s wi th out a pe n n y

,

a g a i n h e w i ll r e s u m e t h e qu a rr e l In t h e lo n g r un i t i s u s el es s t o w a s t e
, .

”
mo n ey o n h i m ; w e sh a ll h a v e n o pe a c e from h i m w h a t e ve r w e do sa i d ,

P h oen i x ske p t i c a lly .

“
W ell o n e could g i v e h i m th e c h o i c e o f ei th e r th e mo ney o r th e
,
” “
wom an s a i d C h i a Yun g w i t h a s m i l e If h e po s i t i v ely i n s i sts o n h i s
, ,
.

cl a i m an d d em a n d s th e wom an w e sh a ll j us t obli g e h i m a n d h an d ove r

,
”
my se co n d a un t I would un d e r ta ke t o p ersua d e my a un t t o comply
. .

”
U n d e r n o c i rcum s t a n c e s ! i n t e rrup t e d P h o e n i x qu i ckly fo r she ,

“
sa w t h a t h e r fur t h e r pl a n s w e re b e i n g j e op a rd i z e d I do n o t wi sh un d e r .

an y c i rcum s t a n c es t o b e se p a r a t e d from your a un t my d e a r n ew s i s t e r ,

.

Would I n o t lo s e fa ce i f I w e re t o d e l i v e r h er up ag a i n a ft e r h a vi n g
o n c e a cce p te d h er ? No n o sh e sh a ll r em a i n ! A n d yo u m a y go o n co n
, ,

fi de n tl y t ry i n g t o st op C h an g Hu a s mou th w
”
i t h mo n e y !
’

To h er secret sa t i s fa c t i o n C hi a Yun g a gr ee d t o t hi s .

“
V e ry we ll th e mo st i mport a n t t h i n g i s t o ge t ri d o f t hi s C h an g H ua
,
.

”
A n d n o w let u s go t og eth e r a n d i n form t h e old T a i ta i ! she d ec i d e d .

“ ? ”
B ut w h a t am I t o t ell h e r as ke d Mo th e r Y u qu i t e a l a rm e d ,
.

O h i f o n e i s so h e lpl ess as t h a t o n e sh ould n o t ri sk s uc h d a r i n g

, ,

” “
un d e r t a k i n g s r e m a rke d P h oeni x mocki n gly B ut s in ce I a m s uc h a
,
.

good n a t ure d a n d symp a th e t i c s oul I s h a ll s pe a k for y o u Do n o t sh ow

- ‘
,
.

I s h al l p resen t your d a ugh te r t o th e

h er more or l ess th a t I in ten d ed i n

38 1
an y c a se buy my h u sb a n d t w o se con d a ry w i v es a s I could sc a rc ely
to ,

coun t o n h av i n g a n y m a l e d es c en d an t or o n l i v in g much lon ge r my self ,

a n d th a t r e c en t ly I h a d b e com e co n v i n c e d of t h e s t e rli n g qu a li t i es o f

your se co n d d a ught e r a n d h a d g i ven h er t h e pr e fe ren c e a s a r el a ti on .

In co n si d er at i o n o f h er r a th e r st r a i t en e d c i rcum st a n c e s a n d t o fr ee h er
from an x i et y a bou t h er l i v el i h ood I ha d d e c i d e d t o d e p a rt a l i tt le from
,

st ri c t cu st om a n d t a k e h er i n t o my h ou se e v en b e for e th e en d Of th e
h un dr e d d a y s mourn i n g ; an d th a t a s s oon a s t h e mourn i n g p e ri o d i s
’

ov er the o ffi ci a l we dd i n g c ere mo n y w i ll t a ke pl a c e Th e r e n ow t hat i s .

,

wh a t I sh a ll s ay ! I sh a ll th us t a ke a n y e v en t u a l bl a m e o n my self A re .

? ”
you sa t i sfi e d
Mot her Y u an d N e ph ew Ch i a Y un g en th u si a sti cally pr a i se d h er gen
_

ero si t y a n d w i s dom a n d g a v e h er t o u n d e r s t an d t h a t t h e Pr i n c ess would

p a y h er a sp e c i a l v i si t o f t h a n k s .

“
Th a t i s all r i gh t; I do n o t w an t a n y t ha n ks s a i d P h o en i x coolly
, .

“
I sh a ll c e r t a in ly kn ow for t h e fu t ur e wh a t t o th i n k o f yo u youn g ,
”
m a n sh e sa i d sh a rply po i n t i n g h er fi n g er a t C h i a Yun g
, , .

“
B ut Aun t th i s o n e li tt l e t i m e you w i ll s ur e ly forg i v e t h e wi ck e d
, ,
”
n eph e w ! b e gg e d C hi a Yun g promp t ly fa ll i n g o n hi s kn ee s a g ai n
, .

Sh e th r ew b a ck h er h e a d as i f sh e w a n t e d t o ov e rlook h i m a n d ,

t ur n e d t ow a rd s t he door .

CHAPTER 3 5

Ph o en ix w i th , cunn in g a n d mal i c e pla y s th e yo u n g r i va l 0 17 a g a i nst th e

,

olde r o n e . D ri ven t o d esp e ra ti o n th a s e co nd Y u k i lls h ers e lf by s w a llo w

,

i ng go ld .

IMMEDI ATEL Y A F TE R HE R T A LK ITH MO THE R Y U P H O EN I X VI S ITED

W ,

th e d a ug h t e r Y u F i r st sh e fr i g h t en e d h er w i t h n ew s o f th e s udd en r e
.

a pp ea r an c e o f h e r form e r b e tro t h e d C h a n g H u a a n d t h en c a lm e d h er
, ,

by te ll i ng o f th e coun te r m e a sii res w hi ch w er e b ein g t a ken n o t fa i li n g

-

t o e x t ol h er own se rv i c es a n d t o s p i n a lo n g y a rn a bou t h o w un s elfi shl

, y
sh e h a d sa cri fic e d an d h a rr i e d h er s e lf a n d w i t h wh a t di s cr e ti o n sh e h a d

a rr an g e d t hi s a n d t h a t a n d h o w s h e h a d do n e e v e ryt h i ng t o pro t e c t
,

t h e tw o fa m i li e s from d i s gr a c e a n d bl a m e Th e s e co n d Y u w a s profuse
.

wi th h er e xpr essio n s o f gr at i t ud e a n d t ru st f ully let h erse lf b e t a ken ove r

t o t he o l d Ta i ta i Mo th e r Y u w h o h a d n o t expe c t e d t o b e p e rm i tt e d t o
.
,

com e j oyfully j o i n e d t h e tw o o th ers B ut sh e h a d h a d t o promi se t o

, .

kee p mod estly i n th e b a ckgroun d a n d lea v e th e t a lkin g t o P h oen i x .

Th e Old T a i ta i w as en g a g e d i n li v e ly co n v e rsa t i o n w i th t he youn g

l a d i es from t h e P a rk o f D eli gh t ful V i si on wh en th e thr ee v i s i t ors a p
p ea re d w i th th eir a tt en d an ts .

3 82
ci o usly he r g a m e o f in tr i gu e a g a i n st h er ab sen t h u sb an d a n d hi s n ew
wi fe . Sh e a g a i n sen t t o C h a n g H ua a n d s ti m ul a t e d h i m by s ub s t an ti a l
gi fts of mo n ey t o co nt in u e th e l e g a l proc ee di n g s a n d i nsi st upon g ett in g
b a ck h i s br i d e .

A t t he ou ts et C h an g H u a h a d o n ly t ak en th i s a c t i o n un d e r press ur e
j
.

Chi a Yu n g w h o h a d a m eeti n g w i th h i m l a te r o n i n th e cour se o f th e

,

n e go t i a t i o n s m a i n t a i n e d t ha t h e h a d pr ev i ou s ly w i th dr a wn from t h e
,

en g a g em en t ; b esi d es t h e s e co n d Y u w a s a n e ar r e l a t i o n O f th e C h i a
, ,

f a m i ly an d t he r e wa s s ur ely n o th i n g a g a i n st h er fi n d i n g a h om e an d
,

bo a rd w i th her ow n r el a t i v e s Th e r e w a s n o qu e st i o n h e a ll e g e d o f h er
.
, ,

m a rry i n g i n t o t h e cl a n Ch a n g H ua h a d b een i n d eb t t o Pr i n ce C h en
.

fo r a lo n g t i m e p as t a n d h a d o n ly t a k en th i s a c t i o n i n order t o forc e
r em i ssi o n of h i s d eb t Th e m a g i st r a te w h o h a d t o j udg e th ec a se w a s
.

en t a n gl e d a n d i n volv e d i n fr i en dly a ss oc i a t i o n s bo t h wi th t h e C h i as

an d w i t h t h e W a n g s t h e r e l a t i v e s o f P h o en i x He h a d rec ei v e d co n
s i der a b l e g i f ts of mo n e y fro m
.
,

b dth s i d es, from Pri n c e C h en a s w e ll a s

'

from P h o en i x He th e r e for e foun d h i m se lf i n s om e e mb a rr a ss m en t a s

. ,

t o h ow b e c ould act F i n a lly h e g a v e h i s v e rd i c t a g a i n st Ch a n g H u a

. ,
.

r epri m an d e d h i m a s a sl an d e r e r a n d a qu a rrell er ord e r e d th a t he ,

sh ould b e g i v en a f e w s t rok e s a n d drov e h i m o u t O f t h e Co u r t No w

, _
.
,

j u st as h e w a s l e a v i n g th e Court a m essen g er from Ph o eni x c a m e up t o

h i m h a n d e d h i m a f ew si lve r p i e c e s a n d w h i s p er e d t o h i m th a t h e
, ,
.

mu st st an d firm a n d figh t o n un fl i n ch i n gly for h i s j ust c a u se ; P h oen i x

would p a y hi s d eb t s a n d con t i n u e t o sta n d by h i m A t t he s a m e t i m e .
“

Ph o en i x sen t word o n c e mor e t o th e m a g i st r a te gi v i n g hi m t h i s a n d ,

t h a t n ew i n st ruc t i o n .

T he r es ul t w a s a se co n d a c t i o n a n d n ew pr oceedi n g s Th i s t i m e th e .

m g r
a i s t a t e s e nt e n ce d th e pl a i n ti ff On t h e o ne p a r t t o p a y b a ck t h e old
’

d eb t t o Pr i n c e C hen a n d o n t he o the r p a rt he a w ard e d [h i m h i s le g a l

,

b ri d e a n d g a v e old Ch a n g a u t h ori t y t o fe t ch h i s d a ug h t e r i h l a w from - -

t h e h ou s e of C h i a a n d t a k e h er i n t o h i s o w n h om e H i gh ly gr a t i fi e d w i th
.

th e doubl e t r i ump h o f h a v i n
g fo un d i n Ph o en i x s om e o n e t o p a y h i s
'

d eb ts an d a t th e s am e t i me b ei n g a llow e d to t a k e p o ss ess i o n o f h i s o

d a ugh t e r i n law old C h a n g set o ut for t h e west ern p a l a c e w i th th e

- -

m a g i s ter i a l m an d a te i n h i s pocket .

Ph o en i x h i d i n g h e r sa t i s fa c t i o n an d fe i gn i n g p a ine d s urpri se h ur
, ,

ri e d t o t h e A n c es t r ess a n d r e por t e d t h e n ew t ur n of e v en ts .

“
S i st e r i n la w C h en i s t o bl ame fo r ev ery th i n g sh e sa i d con clud i n g
- -

, ,
“
h er r e port In th i s m a tte r s h e a c te d w i th an u tt e r l a ck o f di s creti o n
. .

She sh ould ha v e se cure d a v a li d docum en t o f r el i n qu i shm en t How w a s .

I t o gues s th a t th i s Y u w a s a lr ea dy en ga ge d t o s o m eo n e e l s e ? N a t ur a lly ,

th e fir st br i d e groom w a s j u s t i fi e d i n m a kin g a cl a i m No w w e sh a ll h a v e
‘

”
t h e d e vi l to p a y !

384
 The A n ce stress h a d Prin cess C hen brought b efor e her a n d re buke d
her an g ri ly fo r h er l a ck o f w isdom an d d i scret i on .

B u t t h e pe opl e di d h a ve an i n d emn i ty from us in r e t urn fo r w h i ch

”
th e y m a d e o ut a wr i t t en docum en t o f re li n qui shm en t ! i ns is te d th e
Pri n cess much as t oni shed
, .

“
Un fort un a tely th e re i s n o m en t i o n o f an in d em n i t y a n d a d eed o f
,
”
re l in q ui shm en t in the le g al pro t oco l in terj e c te d P h oe n i x qu i ckly ,
.

“
Mor e ov er o ld C han g d e cl a re d in a l e g al st atem ent t h a t i t h a d o n ce
,

b ee n m en t i on ed w i th ou t prej ud i c e th at i n the eve nt o f t he d ea th o f her

, ,

b et ro the d th e se co n d Y u would m a rry i n t o o ur fa mi ly as a se co n d a ry

,

wi fe So th e re i s n o th in g t o b e don e abou t th a t It is j us t lucky th a t my

. .

h us b an d i s a w a y a t prese n t an d th a t t he m a rri a g e w i th Y u h a s n o t yet

b een form a lly c elebr a t e d B ut th e qu esti on i s h o w a re w e t o ge t ri d of
. ,

o ld C h an ? He is h e re W e c ann o t s i mply s e n d th e gi rl Y u a w a y a g a i n
g .

j us t a fter w e h a ve a cce p te d her c e re mon i a lly i n t o t he fa mi ly W e would .

”
d e fini t ely lose fa c e i f w e di d th a t .

“
B ut n e i t he r woul d we w is h t o vi ol at e th e prope rly a cqu i r e d leg a l
ri g hts o f o ther pe o pl e ; th a t would n o t b e b ecom in g o f us ei t he r It i s .

”
b es t a fte r a ll for us t o g i v e h er up sa i d th e A n c e st ress
, , ,
.

“
B ut my mo the r di d p a y o ld C han g a n i n d e m n i t y o f t w en t y t a els i n ,

s uc h a y ea r i n s uc h a mo n th a n d o n s uc h a da
, , y an d i n r et urn old ,
”
C han g co n fi rm e d hi s re li n qui shm ent i n wr i t i n g pro tes te d t he se co n d ,

“
Y u My s i s te r C h e n i s qu i t e ri gh t Ther e i s n o qu est i o n o f a mi st a k e
. . .

O ld C h an g h a s t old l i es t o t he Court a nd i s o n ly ta ki n g l e g al a c t i o n in
”
orde r t o e x t ort mon e y !
“ ”
A d i s gra c e ful tr oubl eso me lo t ! sa i d th e Anc est r ess in di gn an tl y
,
.

”
Ph oen i x go an d get the m att e rp ut ri gh t s om eh ow !
,
-

P h o en i x ob e y e d a n d first o f a ll summo n ed C h i a Yun g fo r a co n fi

d en t i al ta lk C h i a Yun g then con sul te d w i th hi s fa th e r Pri n c e C hen
.
,
.

Pr i n c e C hen in hi s t urn o n c e more s en t a se cr et m e ss a ge t o Ch an g Hua ,

w a rn i n g h im n o t to go t o o f a r a n d ch a ll en ge t he pri n ce ly a n ge r O t he r .

wi se h e mi ght o n e da y di e a m i ser a bl e d ea t h an d b e l e ft un b uri ed Le t .

him b e th an kful fo r th e mo n e y a nd st op d em an di n g th e wom a n as w e ll

,
.

No w w as th e ti m e t o v a n i sh as qui ckly as p o ss i bl e ; th e Pri n c e would

gi ve him mon e y to ge t a w a y .

Ch an g H ua co ns i de re d the m a tt er thi s w a y an d th a t a n d di s cusse d i t ,

wi th hi s p a r en ts The Pr i n ce s o ffer di d n o t se em b a d at all a n d c a sh

.
’
,

w as n o t t o b e d es p is e d Th ey a gre e d amo n g th e m t o d em an d a furth e r

.

i n d e mn i t y o f a h un dre d ou n ces a n d ea rly th e n e x t morn i n g th e p a ren ts

,

C h an g an d thei r so n di sa ppea re d fr om th e c a pi ta l and ret urn e d t o t he i r

n a t v e vi ll a g e
i .

Se cr etly full of mali c i ous j oy Chi a Yun g t old the An ces tress a n d
,
n i zed t h a t th e ll eg a ti on s brought forw a rd by C h a n g H ua h a d b een
a

en t i r e ly wi th ou t foun d a t i o n F ea ri n g pun i shm en t t h e wh ol e r asc all y

. ,

g an g h a d d i sa pp ea r e d T h e m a gi st r a t e h a d st opp e d th e proc ee d i n gs
. ,

a n d so t h e a ff a i r w a s a t a n e n d .

P h o eni x r e cei v e d th e n ew s wi th v ery m i x e d fee l i n gs On th e on e .

h an d sh e could n o t sh u t h er e y e s t o t h e f a c t t h a t i f C h a n g H u a h a d
,

t a k en Y u a w a y w i th h i m C h i a Li e n upo n h i s r et urn w ould prob a bly do

,

h i s b es t t o get h er b a ck from h i m a g a i n a n d sh e di d n o t do ub t b ut ,

t h a t C h a n g H u a wo uld wi ll i n gly d e l i v e r h er up o n c e mor e T h u s f ar .

,

C h an g H ua s d i s a ppe a r an ce di d n o t ch an g e m a tt er s v ery much an d

’
,

mor e ove r i t sp a r e d ex pen ses O n th e o th er h an d she h a d t o fea r th a t

.
,

C h an g Hu a b e i n g no lo n ge r wi th i n r a n g e o f h er i n fl uen c e m i gh t go s
, ,

si
p an d expo se h er as the i n st i gat or of t h e wh ol e in t ri gu e Th a t would
'

t .

t urn o ut un pl e a s an t ly f or h er a n d po ssi bly e v en dr a w h er i n t o a la w

s u i t Sh e n ow h ad to
.
protec t h erself a g a i n st s uch an even t u al i ty .

H a v i n g th ou gh t th e m att e r ov e r sh e sen t h er c on fid an t th e port er

, ,

L i t t l e W a n g a ft e r t he fug i t i v es H i s t ask w a s t o r en d er th e t ro ubl es ome

, .
“

C h a n g H ua h a rml ess b yh ook or by crook Sh e l e ft h i m fr ee t o do th i s

’

e i t h e r by m ean s of l e g a l a cc us a t i o n o n accou n t of a ll e g e d t h ef t o r s om e
'

s uc h o fi e n se comm i tt e d o n t h e ro a d o r b ett e r s t i ll t o h a v e h i m ki ll e d
, ,

r i ght a w a y by h i re d as sa ssi n s Li tt l e W a n g s con s c i en c e would n o t per

.
’

m i t h i m t o c a rry o u t s uch a dub i ou s ord e r ; a t t h e s a m e t i m e h ow e v er , ,

h e di d n o t l i ke t o reb el Op en ly a g a i n st h i s m i st r ess an d p u t h i s po si t i o n
'

i n j e op a rdy H e th er e fore pre t en d e d t o ob e y h er o rder k ep t o u t o f

.
,

s i g h t for s om e d a y s a n d upo n h i s r et urn d i sh e d up a f a ir y t a l e f o r

,

M a d a m e P h o en i x C h an g H ua on hi s j ourn ey h om e h a d a t tr a c t e d the
.
, ,

a tt en ti o n o f h i g hw a ym en by th oug h t l essly bo a s t i n
g of a ll t h e c a sh i n h i s
po sse ss i o n ; o n t h e t hi rd day o f h i s fl i gh t h e h a d b e en robb e d an d m ur
d er e d a n d h i s f a th e r h a d d i e d o f a h ea r t a tta ck brough t o n by sh ock i n ,

t h e n ex t i n n a t w h i ch t h e y st oppe d T h e i r bod i es h a d b een dul y ex .

a m i n ed by a coro n er a n d th e y h a d b een bur i e d i mm e di a t ely

,
r i ght on ,

t h e spo t Ph o en i x r e c e i v e d t h e n e w s w i th s om e s us p i c i o n a n d t hre a t en e d
.

Li tt l e W a n g th a t sh e would h a ve hi s t eeth kn ocked i n i f i t sh ould tran

s p ir e a ft e rw a rd s t h a t h e h a d li e d B u t sh e l e f t i t a t t h a t
.
; for sh e h a d n o
proof t o t h e co n trary an d n o o th e r co n fid a n t th a n Li ttl e Wan g a t h er
,
'

d i s po s a l From n o w o n h er wh ol e e n e rgy w as d i re ct e d un de r th e m ask

.
,

o f fr i en dl i n ess t o ma ki n g the li fe of th e h a t e d ri v a l i n th e h ouse as di f

,

fi cult a s po ss i bl e .

O n h i s r et urn from P i n g a n C h ow C hi a L i en w as gr ea t ly ta ken a b a

,
ck
t o fi n d h i s h ou s e m th e L a n e o f t h e Flow e ri n g Br a n ch whi ch h e vi si t e d ,
T ’

The se ven teen y ear o l d co n cub i n e Chi u Tun g h a d a much bett er

- -

, ,
'

t i m e No o n e d a r e d t o c en s ure o r cri t i c iz e h er f or sh e h a d n ot com e i n

.
,

by a b a ck door b u t as a n open g i ft fr om t he fam i ly Sen i o r P rin c e ,

S hi eh Accord in gly sh e co n si d er e d h e rse lf t o b e f ar abo v e th e se co n d

.
,

Y u No t ev en P h o en i x o r Li tt l e P i n g i mpr es se d h er gr ea t ly much l ess

. ,

t h a t doub t ful pe r s o n w h o h a d b een j i l t e d a n d h a d wo m e d h ers e lf in t o

r
h er pr es en t po si ti o n by w ay o f a dub i ou s an d cla n d es ti ne form e r ass o
ci a ti o n Th o se w er e h e r a c t u a l word s an d Ph oen i x h ea rd t h em wi th
.
,

s at i s f a c t i o n Sh e h a d fou n d i n h er a s ui ta bl e t oo l wi th whi ch t o work

.

a g a i n st t h e d et e st e d Y u .

Ph o en i x a vo i d e d Y u as much as she coul d She con sta n t ly fei gn e d .

i lln es s an d h a d Y u s m ea ls se rv e d t o h er se p a r a te ly an d th e food sh e
’
,

h a d s et b e for e h er w as sta l e un a ppe ti z i n g st uff Goo d Li tt l e P in g w as

, .

th e o n ly o n e t o fee l f or th e g i rl w h o w a s be i n g so b a dly tr ea t e d an d ,

n ow an d th en sh e go t b ett e r food f or h er o ut o f h er o w n po ck et mo n e y .

Thr ough r es pe ct fo r Li t tl e P i n g n o o n e i n th e h o use d a r e d t o obj ec t t o

’

thi s o r t o t e ll P h o en i x O n ly C hi u Tun g w as i n co ns i d e r a t e en ough t o

.

ba ckb i t e Li t tl e P i n g .

“
Your a u th or i t y wi ll go c ompl et e ly Na i na i i f yo u co n tin u e t o let , ,

” “
your w a i t i n g m a i d do a s sh e pl ea ses sh e sa i d to P h oen i x Th at ex ,
.

a c t i n g pe r s o n th a t Y u wom an, l e a v es your g oo d foo d un t ouch e d an d

,

se cr e t ly g ets foo d from L i tt l e P i n g i n th e p a rk ! Wh a t do yo u sa y t o

? ”
th a t
Th er e upon P h o en i x r ebuke d h er m a i d so un dly In o th er pl a ces th e .

c a ts get m i ce t o e a t a s i s prope r B ut yo u a c t ua lly fee d my ca t wi th

, .

”
ch i ck en ! sh e scold e d Li tt l e P i n g di d n o t d a r e t o re ply b u t t o li ve i n
.
,

s uc h a h e a rt l ess world r e vol t e d h er ; sh e wi sh e d sh e w e r e e ls e wh e r e a n d ,

b eg an t o h a t e C h i u Tun g .

Poor Y u a ls o w as gr e a tly p i t i e d by th e youn g gi r ls i n th e P ark o f

D eli gh tful V i si on ; b ut P h o en i x w as so feare d an d kn e w so w e ll h o w
t o d i sse mbl e th a t n o o n e d a r e d t o s peak On ly a mo n g th e m selv es an d
, .

s e cr et ly di d th e y v en t ur e t o b e mo an a n d b ew a i l th e f a t e o f t h e se co n d

Y u A n d C h i a Li en o n hi s p a rt a ls o all ow e d him se lf t o b e d ec ei ve d by
.

t h e pl a y a c t i n g t al en t of hi s chi e f wi f e Wh en h e w as a t h ome e v e ryt h i n g

-

secon d Y u h a d gr ea t ly ab a t e d sin c e h e h a d go t th e se v en t ee n y e ar old - -

as a pr esen t Sh e w a s t o hi
m wh at dry w o od i s t o a b urni n g fl a m e Li ke
'

. .

glu e an d l a cqu e r the y clun gt ogeth er an d h e di d not sti r fr om her si de ,

for w h ol e d a y s an d ni gh ts tog e th e r Ph oen ix o f co urse h a t e d Chi u .

, ,

Tun g n o l ess th a n sh e h a t e d the se con d Y u b ut f or th e presen t th e ,

‘

youn g e r fa vor i t e w as a v a lu able con fe d e ra t e an d a wea po n a g a i ns t th e

eld e r o n e Sh e w an te d t o si t up o n a moun tai n h e i gh t a n d look o n as
.

th e tw o b eas ts t ore o n e an o th er t o p i eces be low O n ce t he first on e w as .

388
fi n ish ed, sh e in ten d ed t o rush in h erse lf upo n th e s ur vi vor for th e ki ll .

“
Y o u a re youn g an d in e xpe ri en c e d a n d yo u do n o t kn ow th e d an ge r
” “
y o u are i n s
, h e w h i s pe re d t o C h i u Tu n g Sh e po ss e sses hi s w
. h ol e .

h ear t Eve n I h a ve t o gi ve w a y b efore he r an d sub mi t t o h er Y o u wi ll

. .

”
d est roy yourse lf i f yo u run i n t o h er so w i ldly .

In th i s w ay she i n c i te d an d go a d e d her an d rouse d th e fi e ry li tt l e,

o n e t o d efi a n c e an d re b ell i o n .

“ ”
I wo uld ne ve r drea m o f gi vi n g w ay b e for e s uch a pe rso n ! re
t o t t ed C hi u Tun g i n d i gn an tly
“
O n e can see by your dwi n dl i n g a u
.

th o ri ty Na i na i , w h a t your wea k kn ee d t ol er an c e l ea ds t o Lea ve i t t o

,
-
.

m e ! I wi ll d e a l wi th th is h u ss y Sh e sh a ll
get to kn ow m e !
.
”

Sh e h a d de li be r a t ely sa i d thi s so loudly th a t th e se co n d Y u w h o w as ,

in th e n ex t roo m h a d t o h e a r i t She w as i n d es p a i r a t see i n g h e rs e lf

, .

s urroun d e d by so muc h m a l i c e , w e p t the wh ol e da

y lo n g an d could n o t ,

t ouc h a b i t e o f f oo d b u t t h e n e x t da y w h en th e An c est r es s re m a rk e d
, ,

her red an d swollen e y el i d s an d a sk e d th e r eas o n sh e w as t o o ti mi d t o ,

open h er mou th Ins tea d th e ch ee ky C hi u Tun g wh i sp e re d t o th e A n

.
,
'

ces tress an d th e e ld er l a d i es th a t Y u o n ly w an te d t o i mpre ss C hi a Li en

by h e r eve rl a sti n g mo a n i n g a n d gro a n i n g a n d p ut h i m o ut o f h umor
wi th hi s tw o o th e r wi ve s w h om sh e se cret ly w i she d d e a d
, .

Th e An ces tress t oo w as compl et ely t a ken i n a n d s a i d di sa p

, ,
“
pro vi n gly : T he r e o n e se e s a g a i n wh a t b as en e ss ca n b e h i dd en b e n e a th
,

a b ea u ti ful e x te ri or ! P h o e n i x m ea n s so we ll by h er an d n o w s he s h ow s ,

h er gr a t i tu d e by i n tri g ui n g a g a i n st h er b en e f a c tress ! Wh a t a low

”
cre at ure !
F rom th a t h our o n t h e fa vor w h i c h the se co n d Y u ha d en j oy e d up
,

t o n o w wi th the A n ces t r ess dw i n dl e d a w a y A n d wh e n th e o th e rs sa w

.

th a t t he A n c es t ress w i th dr e w h er a ff e c t i o n th e y g a v e up a ll co n si d e r a
,

ti o n an d t r ampl e d o n t he poor th i n g in s uc h a w a y t h a t a ll h e r d es ir e
t o li v e v an i sh e d O n ly good L i t tl e P i n g r em a i n e d t ru e t o h e r an d
.

sec re t ly comfor te d h e r as oft en a s sh e could .

F o r s om e t i m e pas t th e se co n d Y u h a d b ee n pr egn an t It w as i n .

e vi ta bl e t h a t th e i ll tre a tm e n t w hi c h sh e h a d t o
p u t up wi th s h ould ha ve
-

a h a rm ful e ffec t o n h er t e n d e r l i lyl i ke body w hi c h w as s

, o m uch in n ee d
,

o f c a r e S h e b eg an t o a i l a n d grow th in an d lo se h er a ppe ti t e By da y
. .

sh e fel t t i re d an d worn o ut by ni g h t di s t urb in g dr ea ms rob b e d h er o f

,

O n ce he r d ea d si s t e r t he th i rd Y u a ppe ar e d t o h e r i n he r dre a ms
, ,
.

She h e ld i n h e r h an d t h e b e j e we lle d sword en gr a v e d w i th the p a ir o f ,

“
ducks an d sa i d t o h er : D e a r s i s t e r a ll your l i fe you h a v e b ee n too
, , ,

wea k an d g ood n a t ur e d No w you a re p a y i n g for i t Do n o t let yourse lf

-
. .

b e d e c ei ve d an d fool e d a n y lo n g e r by t h a t f a ls e j ea lou s wom an ! O ut ,

w a rdl y sh e fe i gns ki n dn ess a n d n ob ili ty o f m in d b ut w i thi n s h e is ful l ,

389
of m a li c e an d b a sen ess a n d sh e w i ll n o t rest un t i l sh e h a s h a rri e d yo u
,

t o d e a t h If I w e r e st i ll a l i v e I would n o t h a v e l et i t com e t o t h i s or p er
.

m i tt e d you t o go a n d l i ve w i t h h er B ut u n for t u n a t ely i t i s your

.
, ,

h a ppy d est i n y t o h a v e t o s uff e r so muc h n ow In your pr ev i ou s ex .

’
i st en ce you i n dulg e d i n sen s u a l pl e asures a n d d estr oy e d o th e r p e opl e s
m a rr i a ges Now you h a v e t o do p en a n c e for i t L i sten t o my a dvi c e a n d
. .

t a k e t h i s s word a n d k i ll yo u r e n emy t h a t I m a y b r i n g h e r b e for e th e

,

j udgm en t sea t of th e F a i ry of F ea rful Aw a k en i n g ! O th erwi se you w i ll

”
s u ff e r d e a th your self i n v a i n a n d n o t a l i v i n g b e i n g w i ll r egr et you .

“ D ea r si ster my l i fe i s a lr ea dy ru i n e d b eyo n d all r e me dy ; b ut a s I

,

h a ve t o do p en an c e for form er s i n s I w i ll s ubm i t t o my f a te an d n ot

,
”
a dd t o my gu i l t r epl i e d th e se co n d Y u s orrowf ully
, , .

T h e t h i rd Y u s ig h e d an d d i sa pp ea r e d O n th e follow i n g da y wh en
'

.
,

t he s eco n d Y u w a s a lo n e w i th C h i a L i en sh e con fid e d t o h i m t h a t sh e
,

w a s pr e g n a n t b ut t h a t sh e fel t i ll a n d a n x i ou s a b ou t h e r o w n l i f e a n d
,

t h a t o f h e r ch i ld C h i a Li en sen t for th e doc t or a t o n ce H e r e a lly w an t e d

‘

. .

Doc t or W a n g w ho w as kn own t o b e good b ut th e l a tt er w a s i ll an d

, ,

could n o t com e In h i s s te a d o n th e i n st ruc t i o n s o f P h o en i x t h e se rv an t

.
, ,

fet ch e d a lo n g th e qu a ck doc t or H u t h e o n e w h o h a d pr ev i ou sly p re

, ,
”
s cr i b e d t h a t wolf a n d t i g e r cur e for Br i gh t Cloud T he r em e dy wh i ch .

t h e qu a ck doc t or pr es cri b e d for poor Y u h a d t h e i mm e d i a t e e ff ec t of

c a u si n g a n a b o r t i o n i n s t e a d of cur i n g h er an d th e st i llb orn c h i ld wh i ch
,

s h e brough t for th w i t h gr e a t p a i n a n d lo ss o f blood w a s a boy .

C hi a Li en w a s b esi d e h i m self He sen t f o r an o th e r doc t or a n d

.
,

ord e re d h i s serv a n t s t o sei z e th e qu a ck doc t or Hu a n d h e w a n t e d t o ,

t a k e l e g a l a c t i o n a g a i n s t h i m B u t Doc t or H u h a d o t word l n t i m e a n d
.
g
h a d a lrea dy fl e d from t h e c i t y C h i a L i en r a g e d an d t h r e a t en e d t o h a v e
.
,

t h e s e rv a n t w h o h a d f et c h e d t h e qu a ck b ea t en t o d ea t h P h o en i x w h i l e .
,

se cr e t ly r ej o i c i n g a ss um e d t h e a pp ea r a n c e o f b ei n g i f po ss i bl e e v en
,

mor e up set a n d i n d i g n a n t t h a n h er h u sb a n d
‘

“ ”
O h wh a t a m i s for t u n e ! sh e l a m en t e d
, No w wh en w e w er e s o .
,

n ea r t o s eei n g our h op es of a l e g i t i m a t e h ei r f ul fill e d th i s bu n gl e r of ,

a doc t or mu s t com e a lo n g a n d d e s t roy o ur h O e s ! It s e e m s t o b e o u r

p
”
f a te to r em a i n w i th ou t a son .

For the sa keof eff e c t sh e burn t i n c en se a n d p e rform e d s ol emn pr a y e r s ,

i mplor i n g h ea v en a n d e a r th t o st r i k e h er w i th i l ln es s b ut t o m a k e ,

t h e s e co n d Y u w e ll a g a i n a n d t o bl e ss h er body w i th n e w offs pr in g .

Sh e vow e d t h a t u n t i l t h e n sh e would f a st a n d sa y d a i ly p r a y e rs t o
Budd h a O f cour se ev eryo n e i n th e h ou se w a s t ouc h e d an d c ea sel e ssly
.

pr a i se d h e r n obl e m i n d e d n ess a n d un s elfi shn ess P h o en i x w en t sti ll

fur th e r Wi th her o w n h a n d s sh e m a d e i n v a li d s oup for h er r i va l an d
.
“

h a d a fort un et e ll e r broug h t a t h er o w n exp en se to for et ell t he p a ti en t 5 ’

fa te The fort un etell e r w h o h a d b een a pp rop ri a t ely worke d upon b e

.
,

3 90
 l by swallowi n g cr ud e gold ; d her d ec i si o n
'

qui ck , p a i n ess w ay an w as
m a de .

Sh e ro se w i th d i ffi cul t y from her b e d, Ope n ed h er tr ea s ure tr un k,

"
.

a n d rumm a g e d i n i t f o r a p i ec e o f loo se gold s u i t abl e f o r h er purpose .

Just as t h e drum b ea t the fifth n i g h t w a t c h ou ts i d e , she g a v e h erse lf a

j e rk a n d c a rr i e d o ut h er purpo se A t firs t t he d e a dly mor se l would n o t
'
.

go down h er th ro a t b ut fi n a lly sh e sw a llow e d i t w i t h a br a ve efl ort Th en

,
.

sh e qu i ckly p u t o n a fes t i v e rob e a n d h er b est j e w e lry s cr a mbl e d b a ck

.
,

o nt o h er b ed a n d r esi gne dly a wa i t e d h er d e a th

, .

Itw a s a lr e a dy l a te i n th e morn i n g a n d o n ly a f te r b e in g rep n m an ded

,

by good Li tt l e P i n g t h a t th e l a zy w ai t i n g m a i ds fe l t obl i ge d t o look m

,

a t t h e si ck m i st r e ss i n th e ea st e rn w i n g from wh om n o t a c all n o r an ,

ord er h a d com e the wh ol e morn i n g Wh en th ey op en e d th e door o f th e .

b edroom th e y fo un d a d ea d wom an b e fore th em Th e y ra n o ut ag a in .

t e rri fi e d a n d sh ou t e d a t L i tt le P i n g t o com e L i t t l e P i n g fe l t h er h e a rt .

t orn wi t h p i t y a t t h e si ght o f t h e j e w el b e d e ck e d corpse a n d p a i d re -

s p e c t t o i t wi th a loud l a m en t a ti o n An d t h e w a i t i n g m a i d s and se rv in g
-

m a i d s w h o t h rough fea r o f Ph o en i x h a d h elp e d so z ea lous ly by th ei r

,

rud en ess an d d i sob e d i en c e t o m a ke poor Y u d i sgu ste d wi t h li fe n ow ,

s udd en ly r e m e mb e re d t h a t t h e d e c e a se d h a d a lw a y s b een a goodh ea t e d

r ,

ki n d m i str e ss w ho g a ve n o o n e c a use t o compl a in a n d ov ercom e wi th ,

remor se a n d p i t y t hey j o i n e d 1 n Li tt le P i n g s l am en t a ti on a s lo n g as ’

Ph o en i x w as n o t pr esen t .

C hi a L i en w a s i n co n sol a ble b ut P h o en i x t ri e d t o ou t do h i s gri e f

, ,
“
whi c h w a s g en u i ne by her ow n h ypocr i t i c a l mourn i n g D e a r si ster
, .
,
”
w h y h a v e you le ft m e ? Is th a t your gr a ti t ud e for my lov e ? sh e

l a m en t e d p a t h eti c ally .

i n a ccord a n c e wi th C hi a Li en s wi sh th e body r e m a in e d l ai d o ut o n
’
,
.

a b i er for a w h ol e w ee k l n th e P ea r G a rden wh er e h e fa i th fully kep t -

th e d ea th w a t c h ov er i t a n d h a d th e cu st om a ry fu n e r a l ri t es c el ebr a t e d
.

f o r t h e s oul of th e de p a rt e d B ut a t th e i nst i g a ti on of P h o en i x buri al i n

‘
.
,

t h e f a mi ly t empl e w h i c h h e h a d d esi r e d w as r e fus e d h i m by th e A h

, ,

ce st res s . Aft e r a si mpl e funera l a t wh i ch o n ly the n ea rest r el at i v es

,

p a rt i c i p a t e d an d from wh i ch Ph o en i x a b sen t e d he rse lf on t he pl ea o f

n o t b ei n g w e ll t he se co n d Y u w a s l a i d t o r e st i n a mod es t li tt l e gra v e
,

ou tsi d e t he ci t y w a ll s b esi d e th at o f h er si st er
, .
 CHAPTER 36

The ba g w ith th e spri n gli k e e m b ro i d e ry b e co m es a t ra ito r i n th e ha n d s

of a si m ple g i rl Th e g i r l s i n th e P a r k o D e li g ht ul V is i o n all i n t o di s
.
f f [
cre d i t a nd ha ve t o sufi er th e tortu re 0 / a h o us e s ea rch .

FO R M O NT HS PAS T PH O ENI X nu ) BE EN S UF F E R IN G F RO M A N O B STIN ATE

fe m a l e a i lm en t wh i ch fr e que n t ly co n fi n ed her to h er room an d her si ck
b e d W i t h ou t h er co n sta n t s upe rvi s i o n d i sc i pl in e i a th e w es t e rn p a l a c e
.
,

h a d gr a du a lly b ecom e lax an d e v en i n t h e P a rk o f D el i g h t ful V i si o n

,

i rr egul a ri ti es h a d cre p t i n w h i c h w e re l i tt le i n kee p i n g w i th t he s tr i c t

,

ord er wh i c h sh ould rule i n thi s c a re fully sh el te re d dom a in o f vi r t uou s

youn g la d i es o f the h ouse R eceirt ly Man d a r i n Duck t a ki n g an e ven i n g
.
,

w alk thr ough the p a rk ha d ca ught Gree t i n g o f Spr in g s ch es s m a i d o n

,
’

a se cr e t r en d ezvou s i n t he bus h e s w i th a youn g m a n se rv a n t w h o h a d ,

cli mb e d i n ove r th e w a ll It w as a n un h ea rd o f h a pp en i n g wh i c h would

.
-

,.

h a v e m ea n t a te rr i bl e flogg i n g fo r bo th pa rt i e s i f i t h a d b ecom e k n own .

Tru e M an d a ri n Duck h a d v e ry co n si d e r a te ly kep t si l en t a bou t i t a n d o f

, ,

c ourse the fe llow h a d m a d e o ff at o n ce N ev e rth e l ess th e culpri t w a s t o .

,

be det ecte d l a ter

'

La t e o n e eve n i ng j u st a s Pa o Y u h a d go ne to b e d th e w a i t in g m ai d
'

, . , ‘

M a gp i e from th e a p a rt me nts o f A un t C ha o th e sec o n d a ry wi fe o f Mr

, ,
.

C hen g a pp e a r e d i n t he B ego ni a Court y a rd an d d es p i t e th e la te h o ur

a s ke d t o s ea k t o P a o Y u He r mi s t r ess h a d j u s t b ee n d is cus s i ng so m
, , ,
‘

e
p .

thi n g in a w h i s pe r wi th h i s fa th e r an d sh e had c a ug h t P a o Y u s n a m e
’ ‘

, ,

so sh e w a n t e d t o gi v e h i m a dvan c e w a rn in g fo r a ta lk w i th hi s fa th er
t omorrow Th a t w as t h e o n ly i mportan t thi n g sh e h a d to sa y It w as
. .

v ery li tt le, to b e s ur e b ut i t w as en oug h to fri ghte n Pao Y u ve ry co n

.
,

si de rab lv .

He sa i d to hi mse lf th a t i t di d n o t bod e a n y good wh e n th e se co n d ar y

wi fe , w h o w as s o ill— dis po s e d t ow a rds h i m m a d e hi m the s ubj ec t o f a ,
-

se c re t co n v e rs a t i o n wi t h hi s f a th e r C hi a C hen g h a d re c en t ly re t urn e d
.

from t he provi n ces an d a t th e ti m e w as en j oyi ng a h oli d a y whi c h the

I mpe ri a l gove rn m en t h a d gr an ted hi m Up to th e prese n t h e h a d b ee n .

s pe n di n g thi s w e lcom e l e i s ure pea ce fully an d m e d i ta ti ve ly a t h om e ,

res ti n g from t h e fa t i u e s o f se rvi ce Co n t r a ry to hi s us ua l ha b i t, h e h a d

g
-

le ft P a o Y u a lo n e an d s p a r e d
th i s t i me u u l v r cro hi m th e s a se e e ss e x
-

a m i n a ti o n a bou t hi s s t udi es an d progr es s No w P a o Y u w as a fr a i d th a t

-

th e sec o n d a ry wi fe Ch a o m i g h t h a v e s ug ges t e d th a t a n ew e x a m i n a t i o n
'

O f hi s off s pr i n g s work w as ov e rdue P erh a p s th e dr ea d e d ex am in a t i o n

’
.

m i gh t t a ke pl a c e th e v e ry n ex t da y A n d h e fe l t co mpl etely un prep a re d !

.

Wi th o n e j um p he lea pe d o ut o f b e d dresse d hi ms elf qu i ckl y an d t oo k , ,

up the lon g ne gle c t ed classi cs He w as goi n g t o s pen d th e wh ol e ni gh t

-
.

3 93
qu i ckly pr ep a r i n g h i mself i n so f a r as h e could an d brus hi n g up h i s
,
~

i n compl et e kn owl e dg e .

O f course th e n i gh t s r est wa s a l so at an en d f or th e w a i t in g m a i d s
’
,

w h o w a t c h e d h i m por i n g ov e r h i s books by t h e l i gh t o f a c an dl e a n d
h ea rd h i m gro a n i n g a n d mo a n i n g a s h e st ren uou sly ra ck e d h i s br a i n s .

“
Such a b ea st ! To surpr i se u s i n t h e m i ddl e of th e n i gh t w i th h er fa lse
a l a rm s ! A fe w good pr i ck s O f a n ee dl e would b e t h e r i g h t t h i n g for
”
h erse lf a n d h er old m i st r ess ! grumbl e d Br i gh t Clo ud a n gri ly M ea n .

t i m e th e w a i t i n g m a i d Mu s k h a d pour e d o u t fr esh t ea an d p ut a bowl

o f i t i n fro n t o f h er worr i e d m a st e r t o refr e sh h i m Sh e w a s o n ly li gh t ly
.

clo th e d 1 11 a sh ort t h i n p e tt i co a t
, .

“
Wi ll you n o t p ut o n s om et hi n g w a rm er? Th en i gh t rs cool an d yo u
wi ll c at ch cold he s a i d a n x i ou s ly l ook i n g up from hi s books
”
, ,
.

Oh do n o t let us d i st r a c t yo u from your work ! Y o ii sh ould on ly

,

th i n k o f t h o se n o w !
”
sh e w a rn e d h i m sm i in gly po i n t i ng t o h i s books
,
l
A t th a t mom en t tw o youn g er m a i ds r an i n fr i gh t en e d an d sh ri eki n g
.

A m a n h a d go t i n t o t he p a rk ov er th e w all th ey r e por t e d br ea th less ly

,
.

“
l t 5 t erri bl e ! W h er e h a s b e r un t o ? T h e p a rk mu st b e s ea rch e d wi th
’

”
l an te rns for h i m ! th ey a ll sa i d c h a tt e r in g t og et h er exc i t edly B ut th e
,
l
.

cl ev er a n d comp a ssi on a t e Br i g ht Clo u d s a w at o n c e th a t h e r e w a s a

‘

c h an ce for h er poor l i tt l e ma st e r t o esc a p e t h e morn i n g ex ami n at i on .

“ ”
Th i s h a rd n i gh t work w i ll n o t r ea lly help yo u v e ry much she ,

wh i s pe r e d t o P a o Y u Pr et en d yo u h a v e b ecom e ill t h r ough fri ght

“
.
,

a n d j u st s t a y i n b ed i n th e morn i n g ! T h en w i ll et ov e r t h e
’

yo u g
”
t roubl e .

P a o Y u j oyfully s n a t c h e d a t t h e s ugg est i o n sh u t th e d et est e d books

, ,

a nd l a
y dow n qu i et ly t o sl ee p B u t firs t o f a ll h e g a v e i n st ruc ti o ns f o r
.

a ll t h e wom en a n d t h e m a l e port e r s o f th e g a t e w a t c h t o s ea rc h ev e ry

corn er of th e p a rk w i th l an tern s for th e i n t rud er The sea rch w a s w i th

.

o u t r es ul t Pr esum a bly th e youn g gi rls h a d i m a g in e d th i n g s in th e i r

. .

s le ep a n d a llow e d th e m se lve s t o b e fr i h ten e d by t he w i n d rus t l i n g in

g
t h e br a n c h es of th e t r ees t h e s e a r ch e r s s ai d .

“
Non se n s e ! T he g i rls report i s prob a bly qu i t e correct ; yo u h a ve n o t
se a rch e d w ell Br i ght Cloud d ec la r e d firmly t o th e se rv ants Of th e
,

g a te w at ch T h e l i t tl e m a st er a n d we Oth e rs ha v e a lso h eard th e s us

“ '

p i ci o us n o i se Sur ely w e c an n o t a ll h a v e b e en d e c ei ve d T h e li tt l e rri as

. .
'

t er i s i ll from e xc i t em en t ; h e h a s a fe v er a n d IS s w ea t i n g a ll o v er hi s

m
"

’
body I m go in g t o h i s o th er t o fet ch p i lls t o get down th e fe v e r
.
.

Would i t b e n ec essa ry for m e t o do th at i f th e st o ry w a s a s ha rml ess as

”
yo u a ll e ge
?

Wher e upo n th e g a t e w a t c h er s my sti fi e d ren ewe d thei r sea rch M ean

, , .

t im e Bri gh t Cloud h urr i e d ov er t oth e T a t ta i Ch en g an d s a w t o i t th at '

a geresses , ei gh t g a mbl i n g sub m a n a geresse s an d t wen ty o th e r p art i c i ,

p a n ts w er e i n d i c te d an d brought b e fore th e A n c es tr ess T h e A nc est ress .

m a d e t h em k nee l dow n i n t h e court y a rd a n d s ubj e c t e d t h em t o a th or

ough cro ss ex a m i n a ti o n D i c e coun t ers an d o th er g a mbl i n g e qu i p

-
.
, ,

m en t w ere coll e c t ed st a ck e d up i n h ea p s a n d b urn ed Th e g a mbl i n g

, ,
.

fun d s w ere con fi sc at e d an d d i vi d e d a mon g th e o t h e r se rv an t s Th e th r ee '

.

pr i n ci p al culpr i ts re c ei v e d fort y st roke s t wi c e over an d w ere d i sm i sse d

from se rv i c e The y w er e n ev er to b e a llow e d to en t er th e p a l a c e a g a i n
. .

T h e o th er p e rs o n s i mpl i c a t e d r e c ei v e d t w en t y st r i p es a n d w er e p un
i sh ed b es i d es by d e duc t i o n o f t h r ee mo n th s w a g e s a nd r e duc e d t o th e
’
,

lowest gr a d e o f serv i ce th a t of l a v a t ory a t ten d an ts Amon g th e th r ee

, .

ch i e f c ulpr i ts w a s Gr ee t i n g of Spri n g s n ur se Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp a n d Bl a ck
’
.

J a d e an d the o ther youn g g i rl s a pp ea l ed i n v a i n f or a p a rdo n for th e

'

, A n ce s t r
’
n ur se t o s a v e t h e i r cou si n s f a c e ; b u t t h e
, e ss r em a i n e d u u r e

lent i n g an d d esp i te thei r in t erc essi o n ch a se d h er gr andd a ugh t er s

, ,
’

n ur se o u t of t h e h ou se .

Whi le th e A n c est ress exh a uste d from th e r ec en t exci t e m ents w a s

, ,

t a ki n g h e r m i dd a y r es t Pri n c es s S h i eh set o u t o n a t our o f i n s pe c t i o n

,

o f t h e p a rk Sh e w a s j u st a b o u t t o en te r t h e p a rk g a t e wh en th e m a i d
.
,

Numskull ch uckl i n g gl ee fully t o h e rself a n d swin g i n g a green an d red

,

e mbro i d e re d b a
g m he r h a n d ra n i n t o h er p a t h , .

Th e li tt l e fi f teen y ea r o ld h a d b ee n i n th e h ou seh old o n ly a sh or t t i i n e

-

an d se rv e d t h e A n c e s t r ess do in g roug h work a n d run n i n g e rr a n d s Th e .

A n c est r ess h a d t a ken a fa n cy t o th e h eft y u n cou th c re a t ur e w i th th e , ,

bro a d fa ce an d th e bi g st ron g feet w h o s e sirn pli ci ty w a s a s ou rc e o f ,

co n st an t a mu semen t ; i t w as sh e w h o h a d g i v en h er th e n a m e Of N um
s k ull Sh e t r ea t e d t h e you n g gi rl wi th s p e c i a l i n dulg en c e a n d e v en a l
‘
.
,

low e d h e? t o pl a y i n t h e p a rk n ow a n d then i n h er sp a r e t i m e It w as .

o n o n e o f th ese frol i c s t h at sh e h a d j u s t n ow p i ck e d up a b ri g h t ly em

bro i d er e d p erfum e b a g amon g s om e i s ol a te d rocks off th e ro a dw a y

, ,
.

T he embro i d ery w a s n o t o f th e u s u a l p a t te rn s t a k en fro m t he world of

fl ow e r s an d b i rds b ut sh ow e d o n t h e fro n t a coupl e i n clo se embr a c e
,

a n d o n t h e b a ck a s er i es o f wr i tt en c h a r a c t e r s O ur N u ms kull ha d n o .

i n kl i n g of th e v er n a l s i gn i fic a n c e o f t h e p i c t ure Sh e i nn oc en t ly th ough t .

t h a t t h e t w o n a k e d fi g ur es w er e ei t h e r t w o d emo n s fi gh t i n g o r a m a r
‘
s
'

r i e d coupl e bra wl i n g B ea m i n g w i th j oy she w as a bou t t o t a ke her fi n d

.
,

t o th e A n c estr es s w h en sh e ra n i n t o Pr i n c ess S h i eh o n t he w a y .

“
Oh wh a t b ea u t i ful th i n g h a sour Num skull p i cke d up t h a t sh e s so
’
, ,

? ”
p l ea se d a bou t Let m e h a v e a look a sk ed th e Pr i n c e ss , .

“
Y es i t s s om eth i n g wo n d erfully b e a u t i ful ! H er e lo ok a t i t yo urs elf
’
"
, , _ ,
”
Ta i ta i ! re pli e d Num s kull a s sh e h e ld up th e b a g t o t h e Pri n c ess A
, .

h urr i e d gl a n c e s uffi c e d t o m a ke t h e Pr i n c ess re co i l i n h orror .

“ ”
Wh ere di d you p i ck i t up sh e i n qu ir e d exc i t e dly
? .

96
 I foun d i t b etw een th e rocks wh en I w as ca tch in g grassh oppe rs .

“ °

It 1 5 s om eth i n g v e ry w i ck e d Y o u rea lly d es e rv e a so un d t hr a sh in g

.

fo r h a vi n g t ouc he d i t ; b ut b e c a use yo u are o ur Nums kull a n d don t

’

kn ow w ha t i t is all a bou t yo u sh a ll b e forgi ve n th i s t i m e In a n y c ase

, .
,

keep your mo uth sh ut an d do n ot spe a k t o an yo n e abou t w h at yo u h a ve

? ”
foun d D o yo u un d e rs t an d
.

Nums kull t urn e d p a le w i th fri ght qui ckl y m a d e a kowt ow o f a po logy

, ,

an d s l i pp ed a w a y fe e li n g th orough ly pe rpl e x e d Th e Pri n c ess hi d th e

.

b a g i n th e pocke t o f h er sl eeve an d sh a ki n g h e r h ea d se t o ff f o r t h e
, ,

p a v i li o n o f h er st epd a ugh ter Gr ee t i n g o f Spr i n g

, .

“
Th a t i s a n i c e t urn your n urs e h a s pl ay e d you ! A n d to th i n k th a t a
b i g sen si bl e g i rl l i k e yo u could a llow s uch af th i n g t o h a pp en an d n ot
” “
Op en her mou th ! sh e sa i d r epro a c h fully t o Greet i n g o f Spri n g A n d .

”
t h a t s uc h a t h i ng sh ould h a ppe n t o my d a ugh t e r o f a ll p e opl e !
,

Gr ee ti n g of Spri n g s ulki ly b en t h er h ea d for a mom ent an d st art e d

l a ci n g up her b el t .

“
I t ook h er t o ta sk twi c e b ut i t w as n o us e Wh a t more could I do ?
, .

Aft er a ll sh e as my n urs e h a s more r i gh t t o gi ve m e a ta lk b i g to th an

,
”
I h a v e t o g i ve h e r o n e re pl i e d Gree t i n g o f Sprin g i ll h um o re dly She
, ,
-
.

could n o t get ove r th e h a rd sen t en c e w h i c h h er n urs e h a d re c e i ve d .

“
Non sen se ! You a re h e r m i str es s; an d i t w a s n o t o n ly your r i ght b ut
a l s o your du t y t o k e ep an e e o n h er i f sh e w a s n o t b eh a vi n g prope rly
y ,
.

A n d i f sh e di d n o t ob ey yo u yo u sh ould h a v e i n form e d m e A n d w h a t
, .

do th e se go i n g s o u l e a d t o ? Thi s pe r s o n h a s prob a bly b een hi ri n g o ut

-

your j ew e lry an d clo thin g t o p a y h er g a mb l i n g d e b ts B ut m i n d yo u : .

If yo u h a v e b ee n s i lly enough t o gr a n t h e r fa vor s o f t h i s k in d you can ,

n o t coun t o n a n y mor e po ck et mo n e y from m e So j u st look o u t w h ere

.
,

y o u are t o g e t mo n e y from for t h e com i n g M i d Au t um n F es t v a l !

-

i
”

Wh en Gr ee t i n g o f Spr i n g r em a in e d d efi a n t ly si l en t t h e Pri n ceSs con ,

t in ue d a ppe a l in g t o h e r s en s e o f h o n or :
, Y our o wn mo th e r th e co n c n ,

b in e Ch ou i s s uch a spl en d i d Wom an ! She i s t en t i me s b ett er t h a n th e

,

mo th er o f your co usin T as te o f Spri n g th e co n c ub i n e C ha o Y o u sh ould

,
.

ma ke an eff ort t o e mul a t e your mo th e r a n d a ls o t o b e s upe ri or t o your

cou s in U n fort un a t e ly yo u a re n o t yet h al f as good a s sh e i s W ell i t
.
,
.
,

i s all th e sa m e t o m e I ha ve n e i th er s o ns n o r da ug h te rs o f my ow n an d
. ,

the re fo re I am fort un a t ely n o t i n d an g er o f b e in g sh a m e d by my chi l

dren B ut
.

She w as i n te rrup te d i n h er ta l k by a w a i ti n g m a i d w h o an n oun ce d

t h a t th e o ld T ai ta i h a d fi n i s h e d h er mi dda y res t w h e r e upo n th e Pri n
,

c ess h urri e dly cut sh ort her vi si t an d t ook h er l e ave m ord er to go b a ck

an d k ee p t h e An c e s tr ess comp a n y a g a i n .

“
What a bo u t th a t j e we lry o f yours w hi ch w as lo st— th e gold br ai d e d -

? ”
ph oeni x clas p wi th the pear l in se ts as ke d th e w ai ti n g m ai d O r an g e

3 97
as s oon a s th e Pr in c es s h a d l e f t When I d i s cover e d th e lo ss I at o n c e.

s u s p e c t e d t h a t your n ur se m i g h t h a v e t a k en t h e pr e c i ou s a r t i cl e a n d

p a wn e d i t t o p ay h er g a mbl i n g d eb t s You th ough t a t t h e t i m e t h a t t h e .

c h ess m a i d h a d p u t i t a w a y b ut w h en I a ske d h er sh e sa i d sh e h a d l a st
“

u t i t i n t h e j e we l c a se o n t h e books h elf t o h a v e i t r ea dy for yo u for

p ,

t h e fi fte en t h of t h e ei gh th mo n t h t h e da y of t h e M i d Au t um n F est i v a l ,
-
.

B ut i t h as d i s a pp ea re d from t h e c a se You ough t t o s en d for vour n ur se .

”
a n d a sk h e r abou t i t .

”
A h w h a t for ! r e pl i e d Gree t i n g of Sprm g 1 n di ff eren t ly O f cour se
, .

sh e h a s t a k en i t I my s e lf g a v e h er pe rm i ss i o n b e ca u s e sh e w as i n s om
'

.
.
e

d i fficult y at the ti m e I m ade h er prom i se th a t she would ret urn i t s oo n

.
“

an d u t i t b a ck i n t h e box b u t ev i d en t ly sh e forgo t a ll a bou t i t No w

p ,
.

t h a t sh e h a s so m a n o t h e r t roubl e s I do n t w an t t o worry h er w i t h t h i s
’

y ,
”
m a tt er .

“
Sh e r em e mb e rs i t w ell en o ugh ; she s j u st cou n t i n g o n your good
’

n at ur e a n d o n your forg et fuln ess S h ould w e n o t i n form M a d a m e P h o e .

n i x a nd d e m a n d b a ck your prop er t y t h roug h h er ? O r i f you do n o t ,

w an t t o m a ke a fus s ab ou t i t p erh aps w e could i n duc e your n urs e t o ,

‘

? ”
gi ve i t b a ck for a few str i n g s o f mo n e y W h a t do yo u t h in k .

“
Le t i t b e ! W h y a ll thi s fu s s ? I do n o t m i ss t h e p i e c e a t a ll .

How ca n o n e go t o s uc h l en g ths of good n a t ur e ? You si mply i n v i te

”
p e opl e t o ch ea t you wh en you b eh a ve l i ke t h a t ! sa i d O r a n ge ; a n d sh e
t h ough t a s sh e sh ook h er h e a d t h a t h er m i st r es s w e ll d ese rv e d th e
, ,
“ ”
n i ckn a m e of Blockh e a d w h i ch sh e bore Th e b est t h i n g i s for m e t o .

t ry t o get j u st i c e for h er sh e th ough t t o h e r s e lf t urn i n g t o go o u t t h e

,, ,

M ea n t i me a d a ught e r i n la w o f t h e d i sm i sse d n urse h a d a rri v e d o ut

- -

'

si d e She w a s t h e w i fe o f t h e s e rv a n t Y u Kw ei a n d h a d com e t o
.
p ut i n ,

a good word w i t h Gr ee t i n g o f Spr i n g for h e r mo t h e r i n l a w Wh i l e sh e - -

.

w a s ou t s i d e s h e h a d h a ppe n e d t o h e a r t h e d i s cu s si o n b e t we en Gr eet i n g
o f Spr i n g a nd O r a n g e r e g a rd i n g t h e lo s t p i e c e o f j e w e lry When she .

h e ard O r a n g e s d e c i s i o n t o go t o M a d am e P h o en i x a n d r eport t h e m a t
’

t er sh e fe l t i mpe ll e d t o i n t e rv en e a n d sh e w a lke d i n wi t h a s m i l e F i r st
, ,
.

o f a ll sh e t u rn ed t o O r a n ge a n d a sked h er t o re fr a i n from goi n g t o

M a d a m e P h o en i x a n d t h u s a vo i d a n ew sc an d a l N a t ur a ll y i t w as a
,
'

.
,

m att e r o f h o n or for h er f a m i ly t o redeem an d r et urn prompt ly th e

’
youn g l a dy s j ew elry wh i ch h er mo th e r in la w h a d borrow e d a n d - -

p a wn e d o n a ccou n t o f a t e mpor a ry mon et a ry e mb a rr a ssmen t Th en she .

pr esen te d h er f urt h er pet i t i o n t o Greeti n g o f Spr i n g a s ki n g h er t o t a ke ,

,

up th e c a u se o f h er old n urse a n d i n t e rc e d e for her wi th t h e A n c es tress

-

“ ’
It s compl e tely u sel ess ! My cou si n s a n d I h a v e a lr e a dy b egg e d i n
“

”
v a i n for m ercy for h er Gr ee t i n g of Spr i n g i n form e d h er curt ly
, .

“
Sure ly S i st e r i n la w yo u a re n o t m a ki n g t he ret ur n o f t he j e we lry
,
- -

3 98
d ep en den t upo n my youn g l a dy s i n t e rc e d i n g f or you r mo th er in ’
la w ?
’

- -

”
On e m a tte r h a s n o th i n g t o do w i th t he o th e r s a i d O ra n ge sha rply ,
.

“
K i n dly bri n g b a ck t he j ew elry fir st , an d th en w e w i ll di scus s m a tt ers
”
Y
”
fur th er !
“
Non eof your i mpuden c e M iss ! r epl i e d t he o th er; ann oy e d a t the
”
,
“
doubl e r ebuff : In o the r pl ac es pe opl e st i ll h a ve comp a ssi on for t h eir
o l d n ur s es B u t h e r e t h e y a re st i n gy a n d i f th e a cc oun t do es n o t t a lly
.
,

t o t he do t t h e r e i s a h ue a n d cry a n d t a l e s a re t old No t ev en your own

, .

rel a t i v e M i ss Wr ea th of Clou ds f a r e d a n y b e t t e r A ll t h e t i m e t h e poor

, , .

youn g l a dy l i v e d h e re sh e h a d t o scr a pe a t a el e v e ry mon th from h er

m i sera bl e b i t o f pocket mon e y an d h an d i t o ut t o h er mo th e r W a s t h at .

n obl e or g en erou s ? No wo n d er t h a t t h e poor youn g l a dy w as a lw a y s -

sh or t of ev e ry t h i n g A n d w h o w a s i t w h o a lw a y s h e lpe d h er o u t ? M y
.

moth e r i n la w Up t o th i rt y t a el s a t t h e v ery l ea st she p a i d o ut o f her

- -
.

? ”
o wn p o ck et i n t h i s w a y up t o t od a y A n d w h o r e p a y s h er t h e lo ss eh .
,

O r a n g e w as go i n g t o r eply an gr i ly b u t Greeti n g o f Spri n g t ouch e d , ,

t o th e qu i ck by t h e a ll t o o w e ll m e ri t e d r e pro a c h st opp e d h e r from

- - -

s p ea k i n g .

“
E n ough of t h i s qu arr ell i n g ! I r el in qu i sh th e j ew elry sh e dec i d e d ,
.

If my mo th e r a s ks a bou t i t I w i ll j u st sa th a t I h a v e lo st i t A n d th a t
y ,
”
.

set t l es t h e m a t t e r A n d n ow go a w a y ! B ut
.
yo u br i n g m e t ea ! she sa i d ,

t urn i n g t o O r a n g e M u tt e r i n g a n d s ul ki n g O r an g e w en t o ff t o t h e
.
,

ki t ch en b ut Gr eetin g o f Spr i n g la y down full l en gt h an d c as u a l ly t ook

,

up a book .

It w a s a da y full of ex asp er a t i o n for th e w o rri ed M a da m e Ph oe n i x ‘

In th e morn i n g th ere w as th e bo th er a bou t th e h a pp en m gs l n th e p a rk ,

o f w h i c h of cour s e s h e h a d t o b e a r t h e br un t In t h e a fte rn oo n th er e .

w as sti ll o t h e r worry Th e a ppro a ch i n g M i d Au t umn F est i v a l would

an .
-

h a ve t o b e fi n a n c e d b u t th e fun d s w er e ex h au ste d an d th e n ew r en ts
,

h a d n o t ye t com e i n Sh e ha d t o se n d M an d a ri n Duck t o a l um b erl ro om

.

i n th e dw e ll i ng of t h e A n c est r ess to e t an anc i en t dust y t run k full o f

g ,

old j e w elry an d t o p awn th e con t en ts whi ch brough t i n a t h o usa n d

, ,
’

t els A n d sh e h e a rd from C h i a Li en th a t th e m a t t e r h a d o t t o t h e ears

a .
g
o f h er a un t thr oug h Num s kull Ho w e x as pe r a t i n g ! So th e Anc estr ess
. .
-

would a ls o hea r a bou t i t a n d th at would mean a reprim an d.

,

Wh i l e sh e w a s st i ll di scu s si n g th i s l atest m i sh ap w i th Li t t l e P i n g,her

a un t , M a d a m e C h en g w a s sudd enly an n oun ce d Wi th ou t u t t e ri n g a
, .

word a n d sh ow i n g e v ery si gn of t h e gre a test a gi ta t i on oh her fa ce th e

,
,

Ta i t a i ru sh e d i n t o th e room an d sa n k down gro a n i n g o n th e d i v a n A t ‘

a s i gn L i tt l e P i n g a n d th e o t h e r w a i t i n g m
~

a i d s ha d t o l ea v e t h e roo m .

T h e T a i t a i n o w pull e d o ut of h er sle eve pock et a b ri gh t ly embro i d e r e d

’

pe rfum e b a g an d w i th t ea rs in h er e y es si l en t ly h eld i t up t o Ph o en ix
, .

400
 Whe r e o n ea rth di d yo u get s uch a th in g ke d Ph oen i x a fte r sh e ? ” as

h a d n o t e d wi t h h orror th e i n de c en t p i c t ure o n th e b a g .

”
Whe r e di d I get i t re pli ed the Ta i ta i i n a t o ne o f s uppresse d ex
?
“
c i t e m en t . It w a s ly in g a b ou t in bro a d d a yl i g h t b e tw ee n th e r o cks i n
t h e p a rk Num s kull foun d i t a n d w a s a lr e a dy o n her w a
y t o sh ow i t t o
‘

th e A n c es t re ss Luck i ly S i s t e r i n la w S hi eh t ook i t from h er o n t h e w a ;

y
- -
.
,

o th erw i se the A n c e st r ess would h a v e seen i t a n d then O h I don t , ,

’

d a r e th i n k o f i t ! I a m b es i d e my se lf I th ough t I coul d rely o n yo u an d .

,

n o w yo u do th i s t o m e ! H o w o n e a rth could
yo u b e so t h oug h t l ess as t o
”
l e a ve th e t hi n g ly i n g a bou t i n t he p a rk ?
“ ”
B ut w h y do yo u a ss um e t h a t th e th i n g b elo n g s to m e ? as k e d P h oe

n i x t urn i n g p a l e
, .

“
W h o els e could i t b e b u t yo u ? W e o th ers are mi ddl e a ge d wom en -

a n d lo n g p a s t s uc h fri vol i t i es O r could i t po ss i bly b e o n e of th e youn g

.

i i h ? No ! Th e r e ca n b e n
g r l s n t e p a rk o qu e s t i o n o f th a t ! No ! It mus t

h a ve com e or i g i n a lly from your h u s b a n d Ho w l i k e th a t i n corri gi bly .

fri volou s fellow ! Y o u tw o a re sti ll youn g pe opl e a ft er a ll an d yo un g , ,

pe ople do fi n d pl ea s ur e i n si lly tri fl es o f th e ki n d E ve ryo n e kn ow s th a t . .

Y o u n ee d n o t d en y i t It i s o n ly lucky th a t i t w a s n o t fou n d by a n y o f
.

th e p a rk st a ff T h a t would h a v e c a u se d t a lk l Your cou s i n s would h a v e

.
-

fa ll en i n t o d i sre pu te A n d w h a t i f t he i n n oc en t crea t ur es t hem se lves ha d

.

”
c a ught si gh t o f i t O h I d a re n o t e ven t h i n k o f th a t !
J
?
,

Flus hin g a n d t urn in g p a l e a lt e rn a t ely P h oe n i x ha d l i sten e d t o the ,

T a i ta i Now sh e t h re w h e r s e lf a t h er f eet
. .

“
You a re qu i te ri gh t Au n t b ut I a ssure you t h a t I h a v e n e ve r po s
, ,
o

”
sesse d s uc h a b a a n d I h a v e n o i d e a h o w i t go t i n t o th e p a rk sh e
g , ,
“
pro t este d w i t h tea rs J ust look clo sely at th i s thin g wi th i ts tas se ls It
- .

i s a c h ea p st r ee t m a rke t ar t i cl e a b a d i mi t a ti o n Of a p a l a c e p a tte rn I
-

,
.

h a v e n e v e r l i k e d s uc h t a wdry st ufl B ut i f I po ssess e d an y th i n g o f th at
.
'

kin d I woul d h a v e hi dden i t c a re fully a n d n o t ha ve c a rri e d i t a roun d

wi th m e Open ly or t a ken i t i n t o t h e p a rk w h e re my cous ins mi gh t po s
, ,

?
s i b ly see i t How could you th i n k m e a p abl e of s uc h th oug h tl ss ess
e n
.
c
After a ll I am n o t t he o n ly youn gi sh wom a n in th e p a l a ce O v e r i n th e
,
.

e ast e rn p a l a c e th e r e i s S i s te r in l a w C h en wh om o n e ca n h a rdly r e g a rd
- -

yet a s b elo n gi n g t o th e ol d er se t an d t h ere i s h er d a ug h t er i n la w Yun g

- -

a n d h er pe opl e a n d t h ere a re v a ri o us youn g wom en se rv an ts an d th e

, ,

p a rk i s j u st a s open t o a ll o f t h em a s i t i s t o m e O r pe rh a ps the own er .

i s ev en o n e o f th e p a rk sta fi h e rse lf Amo n g so m an y pe opl e i t i s i m .

po ssi ble t o keep a w a t ch o n th e b eh a vi o r of ea ch i n di vi du a l How ca n .

o n e kn ow i f th i s o r th a t wom a n m a y b e c a rryi n g o n so m e se c re t love

i n t ri g u e wi th s om e fri en d a mo n g th e m al e st a ff ? W h y 1 5 i t j us t I w h o
am s us pe c t e d ? ”

Th e T a i ta i co uld n o t clo se h er ea rs t o th e logi c o f P h oen i x s wo rds

’
.

40 1
 ”
Do et up ! sh e s a i d pl a c a t e d I k n ow w ell th a t yo u are th e b est o f
g ,
.

a ll t h e youn g wom en o f th e f a m i ly an d t h e on e le ast ca p a bl e o f an y

,

mpropr y v do y ou j u i c B wh h l l d ?
i i e t I h a
. e n e a n i n s t e u t a t s a w e o n o w .

I w a s a lmo st fr i ght en e d t o d ea th wh en your moth er i n law sen t m e thi s - -

”
d i s gu st i n g obj e ct just n ow ~
.

“
D o n o t worry I kn ow wh a t t o do Abov e all w e mu st a vo i d an y
. .
,

fu ss i n ord er t o s p a r e th e old T a i t a i a n y n ew e xc i t e m en ts A s i t i s
'

.
, ,

t h e d i sm i ss a l s o f t od a y h a v e l ef t s om e g a p s a mon g th e old er s up e rv i s ory

st a ff ov e r t h er e Le t u s for th e t i m e b ei n g sen d s om e wom en s up e r
v i sor s ov e r from thi s si d e—wom en wh om w e kn ow th orough ly w ell a n d
.
, ,

ca n r e ly upo n s uc h a s th e wi v es o f th e st ew ar ds C h ou Ju i a n d L a i
,

W a n g a n d h a ve i n v est i g a t i on s m a d e q ui et ly o st en si bly i n con n e c t i on

, ,

wi th t he forb i dd en g a mbl i n g In t h i s w ay th i s an d t h a t o ff en se wi ll
.
,

com e t o fi gh t an d offe r us an oppor t un i t y t o wee d o ut a n d d i sm i ss a n y

un d esi r a bl e m a i d s from a mo n g th e old er st aff W e h a v e f a r t oo m an y .

m a rr i a g ea bl e you n g wom en ov er th e re ! V e ry w ell ! Let th em m arry !

A r e duct i on i n the st aff is a l s o ve ry d esi r abl e for r eas o n s o f econ omy .

? ”
Wh a t do you th i n k
“
You a re qui te r i gh t ; I a m i n full a gree m en t r epl i e d the Ta i ta i ,

wi th a si gh On th e o th e r h an d I would n ot l i ke t o b e un fa i r t o o ur
.
,

yo u n g gi rl s Aft e r a ll e a ch o f th em h a s on ly go t th ree u se ful w a i t in g

.
,

m ai d s a t h er d i spo sa l Th e re m a in in g l i tt l e dev i ls h a rdlycoun t o n th e

.
,

wh ol e th ough on e woul d n o t li ke t o d epri ve th e g i rl s o f th ei r s e rvi c e

,

a n d t h e i r comp an y compl et ely Th a t would b e n e i t h e r in a ccord an c e

.

w i th my i d eas n or th o se o f th e o l d Ta i ta i T h e b est t h i n g i s for m e t o .

look i n t o the matt e r my self as s oon as I h a ve t i m e M e an wh i l e th e

_ .

wom en s up e rv i s ors wh om yo u s uggest can ta ke up th eir po sts ov er th er e

”
a n d qu i et ly m a k e i n v est i g a t i o n s .

P h o en i x h a d th e fi v e r e li a bl e eld erly l a di es wh om sh e h a d i n m i n d
brough t in a n d g a v e t h e m th e n e c essa ry in stru ct i on s Th e T a i ta i
, .

C h en g a dd e d t o the se fi v e th e w if e o f th e st ew a rd W an g S h a n Pa o wh o ,’

h a d com e i n by c h an c e t o ea v es dr op Sh e w a s o n e o f Pri n c es s S h i eh s
’
.

s e rvi n g wom en a n d en j oy e d h er s p e c i a l co n fi d e n c e an d i t w a s sh e w h o ,

h a d brough t ov e r th e a forem en t i o n e d p erfum e b a g .

“
A sk your m i s tr ess i f sh e would s en d yo u f or a ti m e t o th e p a rk as .

”
s up e rv i s or a s a s e ci al f a vor f or m e
, p M a d a m e C h en g sa i d t o h er Sh e
,
.

w a s a n x i ou s t o f o r est all an y po s si bl e l a t e r re pro a ch es r e g a rd i n g p ar

'

t i a l i t y T h i s si x t h wom a n rec e i v e d th e ord e r w i th se cr et s a t i s fa c t i o n

. .

H er e w a s a w elcome Opport un i ty t o get h er o w n b a ck a t l a st o n th e

w a i t i n g m a i d s i n th e p a rk Sh e h a d n eve r h a d a good word f or t h a t
h i gh sp i r i t e d co n c e i t e d l o t w h o sh ow e d h er s can t re s pe ct w h en e ve r
-

, ,

sh e w en t i n t o t h e p a rk .

“
Th er e i s n o n ee d t o w a st e word s on th e s ubj e ct ; a st ri ct in v est i g a

402
m an s v i c i n i t y sh e l i e d The Ta i ta i sh ould i n qu i r e o f h i s p ers o n a l
’
,
.

”
w a i t i n g m a i d s P e a rl an d Mu sk
,
.

“
'

You d ese rv e a s l a p on yo ur mou th ! S i mply pr et en d i n g n o t to kn ow

”
a n y th i n g ! W h a t a re your du t i e s ? a s k e d t h e T a i t a i s t em l y .

“
I u se d t o se rv e the o ld T a i ta i b ut b e c a u se M a st er P a o Y u som e
,

t i m es fel t n ervou s a n d lo n e ly i n t h e b i g p a rk I w a s l a t e r a s si gn e d t o t h e
'

B e gon i a Cour t y a rd a n d I do n i gh t w a t ch t h er e i n th e ou t er c h a mb e rs .

R ea lly I di d n o t w an t t o go a n d I a ske d th e o l d T a i ta i t o ke e p m e w i th
,

h er a s I t h ough t I w a s t o o u n s ki llful t o s e rv e th e you n g g en t l em an B nt

, .

t h e old T a i ta i s cold e d m e a n d s a i d t h a t my work ov e r t h e r e would n o t

c a ll for an y s p e c i a l i n t el li g en c e a n d th a t I would h a v e n o th i n g t o do
,

w i th th e p er so n a l aff a i rs of th e you n g g en tl em an A n d so I g a v e i n I . .

h a rdly e v e r m ee t th e you n g g en t le m a n n o mor e t h a n o n c e in a fort ,

n i gh t ,wh en h e c a lls m e a n d th en I exch a n ge a few word s w i th hi m

, .

H i s s erv i n g wom e n an d t he w a i t i n g m a i d s P e a rl Mu s k an d Au tu mn , ,

W a ve do all th e p e r so n a l a tt en d a n c e B esi d es I fr e qu ent ly s p en d my .

,

h ours of l ei sur e w i th t h e old Ta i ta i do i n g n ee dl e work So I s c a rc ely .

e v e r h a v e t o look a f t e r t h e you n g g en t l e m a n B u t i f o u w i sh I c a n do
y .
,
”
s o from n o w o n .

“
By Budd h a I am gl a d t o h ea r th a t you h a v e so l i tt l e t o do i n h i s
,
”
v i c i n i t y ! cr i e d M a d a m e C h en g w h o t ook wh a t t h e g i rl h a d s a i d t o b e
,

p e rfe ct ly t ru e I c e rt a i n ly do n t in t en d t o a sk you t o sp en d mor e t i m e

.
’

w i th your m a st e r i n fu t ur e O n t h e co n t r a ry I sh a ll a sk th e o l d T a i
.
,

t a i t o t a k e you a w a y a g a i n U n t i l th e n kee p an e e o n h er ! D o n o t a l
.
y ,
”
low h er t o b e n e a r h i m a t n i gh t ! sh e sa i d t urn i n g t o t h e si x s upe r ,
“
v i sor s A n d t h en t o Br i gh t Cloud : G et o u t ! Wh a t are yo u l i n g e ri n g
.

”
h e r e for Th e s i gh t of you g ets o n my n e rv es ! Br i g h t Cloud s l i ppe d
?

o u t qu i ckly T h e T a i t a i a n gr i ly mu t t e r e d s om e th i ng w h i ch s oun d ed
.

“ “ ”
l i ke W it ch a n d S e duc e r a s sh e w en t o u t a n d ord er e d th a t a str i ct ,

h ou se t o h ou s e s ea rc h sh ould t a k e pl a c e i n th e p a rk th a t sa m e ev en i n g
- -

E a rly a t n i gh t a fte r th e A n c est r ess h a d ret i r e d Ph o en i x s et ou t o n

, ,
'

h er t our of i n s p e c t i o n w i th t h e ov er s ee r s All t h e p a rk g a t es h a d t o b e
”

l o ok e d a ft e r t h em wh en t h e y h a d en t e r e d T h e s ea rch s t a r t e d in th e .

a p a r t m e n t s of t h e n i gh t w a t c h s t a ff T h er e a s l i gh t e xc e ss ov e r th e
.
p re
s cri b e d st ock s of l a mp s c a n dle s a n d o i l w a s di s co v er e dQ
, ,
“
Th a t cou n t s a s st ol en prop e r ty It i s n o t t o b e t ouch e d un t i l I i n form
.

t h e Ta i t a i i n t h e mor n i n g w i fe of th e st e w a rd W a n g S ha n Pa o de
cl a re d se v e r e ly T h en t h e y w en t on t o t h e B e go n i a Court y a rd
.
.

“
W e a re look i n g for a v a lu a bl e obj e c t wh i c h h a s b een lo st On e of
-

t h e w a i t i n g m a i d s i s s u s p e c t e d of b e i n
”
g the th i e f Ph o en i x e xpl a in e d ,

t o th e a s t o n i s h e d P a o Y u a s a r e a s o n for t h e l a t e v i si t W h i l e sh e s a t
, .

dow n a n d t ook t e a t h e s upe rv i s or s proceed e d w i th th e sea rch All th e .

s t a ff, o n e a f t e r t h e o t h er h ad t o ope n th e i r box es a n d t run ks an d t urn

.

40 4
o ut th e co n ten ts It c a m e t o a hea te d exc ha n ge of word s b et ween W a ng
.

a n d t h e i n d i gn a n t Br i g h t Cloud i n w h i c h t h e form e r e n t r en ch e d her

,

s elf b eh i n d t h e ord er o f her T a i ta i a n d t h e l a t t er u s e d a s h er trM

p
c ar d her po si t i o n o f co nfid en c e w i th th e o ld Ta i ta i However the .
,

sea rc h di d n o t br i n g t o l i g h t a n forb i dd e t ell t l t h i g s of m as

y n a e n ,

cul i n e ori g i n .

It w a s n o w th e t urn o f th e B a mboo H e rm i t a ge the Ju n gl e Cour t y a rd ,

havi n g b een p a sse d ove r i n co n s i d e r a t i o n o f the fa c t th a t i ts m i st re ss di d

n o t b e lo n g t o th e i nn e r c i rcl e of t h e f a m i ly b u t o n ly li v e d t h er e a s a

gu est Bl a ck J a d e h a d a lre a dy go ne t o b e d whe n the sea rch comm i ssi o n

.

a rri v e d She w a s a bou t t o dr ess h urr i e dly b ut Ph o en i x co n si der a te ly

.

st opp e d h e r m a d e h e r li e down a g a i n an d s a t a n d c h a t t e d pl e a sa n t ly
, ,

w i th her wh i l e t he d e le g a t i o n w a s a t work H e re a l s o the se a rc h w a s .

w i th ou t r e s ult Th e r e w e re o n ly a few su sp i c i ou s a rt i cl es fo un d a mo n g
.

the m a i d Cuckoo s t hi n g s s uc h a s f an s w i t h wr i t i n g o n th e m l i tt l e b a g s
’
, , ,

a n d b e l t buckl e s b u t P h o en i x a t o n c e co n fi rm e d th es e as b e i n g h a rm
,

l ess b i r th d a y g i ft s from Pa o Y u .

Th e y w e nt o n t o the p a v i l i o n o f Ta ste o f Spri n g P ao Y u s ha lf s i s ,

’

t er She h a d a lre a dy b een i n form e d o f t he i r com i n g a n d w a s a w a i t i n g

.

t h e d el e g a t i o n i n fro n t of t h e door a t t h e h ea d o f h er w a i t i n g m a i d s a ,

c a n dl e i n h er h a n d Sh e se em e d rea lly an n oy e d a bou t t he m att er

. .

“
If my wa i t i n g m a i d s stea l t h en of course I a m the he a d of th e rob
b er b an d W i ll yo u n o t b egm your se a rc h w i t h m e ? My box e s a n d
.

t ru n ks are th e re op en for yo u you w i ll c e r t a i n ly fi n d t h e s t ol e n a r t i cl es

,
”
i n th e m sh e r e pl i e d i rr i t a bly t o t h e flow e ry a polog i e s t o w h i ch P h o e
,

n i x t r ea t e d h er b e for e b e g i n n in g Sh e ord e r e d t h e m a i d s t o s pr ea d o u t
.

all h er st ock o f clo t h i n g a n d l i n en a n d j e w e lry b e for e t h e e y es of t h e

h i g h comm i s s i o n P h o en i x ord e re d th e m a i d s t o cl ea r th em a w a y a g a i n
.

wi t h ou t looki n g a t t hem .

“
I a m a c t i n g o n h i g h e r a u th or i ty ; th e r e fore you n ee d n o t b e a n gry
”
wi th m e sh e sa i d w i th an emb a rr a ss e d smi l e try i n g t o p a c i fy the
, ,

a n gry g i rl .

“ ”
Oh pl ea se do n o t b e d e te rre d ! repli e d T as te o f Spri n g i rr i t a bly
, , ,
.

Wh a t i s fa i r t o my m a i d s i s fa i r t o m e B esi d es I kn ow up t o th e l a s t . ,

n ee dle wh a t t h e y h a v e a n d th e y ce rt a in ly h a v e n o th i n g w h i c h is
,

s t ol en you m a y b e s ur e o f t h a t ! Y o u would b e mo re li ke ly t o fi n d s t ol e n
,

goods wi th m e .

Sh e t a lke d o n i n t hi s w a y in th e grea t es t a gi tat i o n ev e n com in g t o ,

tears P h o en i x w h o kn e w T as t e o f Spri n g to b e a d i ffi cul t ch a r a c t e r

.
, ,

w an te d t o en d th e s c en e qu i ckly an d ro se t o go .

“
Oh do pleas e se a rc h th oroug h ly ! T h e re m a y n o t b e a n o th e r o ppor
“
,

I wi l l n o t be h e re fo r i t a s ec o n d

405
 Oh i t , sa ll ri gh t I t a ke your word th a t your w a i t in g m ai d s are n o t
’
,

t h i e v es ,
prot ested Ph o en i x w i th a sm i l e
’’
.

“
H a v e you sea rch e d t h orough ly a ske d T a ste o f Spri n g t urn i n g t o
? ”
, _

t h e o the r m e mb e r s of t h e comm i ss i o n .

“
Y es th oroug h ly r e pli e d t h e s up e rvi sor s sm i l i n g a s the y follow e d
’
, , , ,

Ph o en i x t o th e door B u t o n e o f th em n a m ely th e wi fe o f W a n g S h an
.
, ,

Pa o w a s n o t so ea s i ly s a t i s fi e d A s co n fi d en t i a l servi n g woma n o f Pri n

,
'
.

c ess S hi eh an d spe ci al d e l eg at e of th e Ta i ta i C h en g sh e fel t co n sci ou s

,
'
,

of h er a u th or i t y Her p ri dew o uld n o t a llow h er t o b e i n t i m i d a t e d by thi s

.
.

youn g gi rl; for wh om i n a ny c ase sh e h ad l i ttl e r e s p ec t She w en t up t o .

Ta ste o f Sprin g d a ri n gly se iz e d t he l a p el o f h er gown li ft e d i t up a n d

'

‘ , , ,

i n qu i s i ti v ely p o k ed i n t o eve ry f o ld
-

“
O n ly a l i tt l e p er so n a l se a rc h sh e r em a rked gr i nn i n g m ali c i ou sly
, , .

Com e a lo n g old wom an ! S t op th i s fool e ry ! P h o en i x w a rn ed h er

,
’

a n gri ly a n d a t th e s a m e mom en t sh e h ea rd T a st e o f Spri n g g i v e t h e

,

o l d wom a n a r es oun d in g b o x on t h e ea r s .

“ ”
How d a r e you touc h m e ! cr i e d T a st e o f Spr i n g en r a g ed If t he , .

T a i ta i w i sh es my p ers o n t o b e se arc h e d v e ry w ell I w i ll s ubm i t t o i t, ,

.

B ut I wi ll o n n o a ccoun t p e rm i t my self t o b e t o u c h e d by t he l i k e o f you .

You thi n k b e c a u se yo u a re old a n d h a v e my a un t b eh i n d yo u t h a t

, ,

you ca n b a rk a t us a n d t a ke a ll ki n d s of l i b er t i es B ut thi s t i m e your .

”
i mpud en c e h a s go n e t o o f a r !
Whi l e sh e fa sten e d up t h e bu t t o n s of h er gown wi th h er l eft h a n d ,

s h e dr ew P h o en i x b a ck w i t h h er r i g h t .
0
“
Wi ll you se a rch m e plea se? I h a v e n o obj ec t i o n b ut sp a re m e the
, ,
”
i gn om i n y of b ei n g se a rc he d by a sl a v e ! sh e c ri e d a n gr i ly .

P h o en i x a n d P ea rl t ogeth er put he r clo th i n g r i gh t a g a i n .

T h e old wom a n h a s dr un k t w o mou t h ful s t o o muc h w i n e ; t h a t ex

“

pl a i n s h er r eckl e ssn ess Sh e h a s j u s t b een w i th t h e T a i ta i Do n o t b e

. .

p
” “
a n gry w i t h h er ! s a i d P h o en i x t ry i n g t o ,
a c i fy t h e exc i t e d g i rl And .

”
you get o ut of h ere ! sh e cr i e d t o old Wa n g .

“
I w i ll compl a i n t o t h e old T a t t a i t omo rrow d ecl a r ed T a st e o f ,

Spr i n g a n gr i ly
, .

“
A n d I w i ll compl a i n t omy m i st r ess a n d t o your mo the r t he s cold ,

i n g vo i c e of t he old wom a n ,w h o h a d fl e d c a ll e d up from un d e r th e

"

,
“
w i n dow Such a t hi n g h a s n e ve r h a pp en e d t o m e b efor e i n my li fe ! T o
.

”
h a v e my ea r s box e d i n my old a ge ! I d em a n d s a t i s f a c t i on !
“
Do you h ea r h er b a wl i n g ? Ap par en t ly sh e h a s n o t yet h a d en ou gh ,

s a i d T a s t e of Spr i n g s cor n fully t ur n i n g t o h er w a i t i n g m a i ds O n e o f .

,

t h e w a i t i n g m a i d s ra n o u t i n fro n t of t h e w i n dow .

“
B e r ea so n a bl e a n d k ee p qu i et a t l ast ! she sa i d to th e old wom a n
”
.

We wo n t m i n d i f yo ugO a w a y th en w e sh a ll a t l as t b e ri d of you you

’

, ,

old i n t r i gue r B u t m a ke h a s t e ! You a re sta y i ng h ere t o o lo n g fo r us !

.
”

406
t old th e t ru th , wh i mp ere d th e p a i n t i n g m ai d H a ve m e an d my .

”
bro th er b ea t en t o d ea th i f I h a ve li e d !
“
Now c a lm your self No th i n g w i ll h a pp en t o yo u i f th e Pri n ce con
, .

’
firm s your i n form a ti o n B ut i n fut ur e yo u mus t n o t ta ke o th er pe opl e s
.

”
b elo n g i n gs i nt o your c h a rge .

“
W hy are you so le n i en t S i st er i n la w Ph o en i x ? I do n o t l i ke h e r
,
- -

”
a n y mor e A t b est sh e w i ll corrup t th e o th er s
. d ecla re d Gr i ef o f Spr i n g
,
.

Le t i t b e ! Af te r a ll sh e i s o th e rw i se c a p a ble a n d u se ful Ev e ryo n e

,
.

m a kes a li t t l e m i st a ke s om et i m e sa i d Ph oe n i x w i th a pl a c at i n g sm i l e
,
.

“ ”
I f I on ly kn ew w h o i t w as w ho smuggl e d i n t h e th i n gs .

“ ”
Prob a bly o l d C h an g a t th e b a ck g a t e sa i d Gr i e f o f S pr in g She
,
.

i s a lwa y s v ery fri endly w i th o ur w a i t i n g m a i ds an d th e m a i ds th i n k a n ,

”
e x tr a ord i n a ry lo t o f h e r .

“
Ta ke a n o te of h er n a m e ! I sh a ll qu est i o n he r l a t er sa i d Ph o en i x , ,
'

t urn in g t o h er a tt en d an t s a n d m a ki n g r ea dy t o d e p a r t Th e w i fe o f th e .

st ew a rd C h ou J 11 1 h a d t o p a ck up t h e a rt i cl es w h i c h h a d b een foun d a n d

t a k e t h e m w i th h er .

It h a pp en e d t h a t th e a fore m en ti o n e d C h an g w a s a r e l a t i ve o f old
W a n g b ut t h ey h a d b een o n b a d t e rm s f o r s om e t i m e p a st S i n c e o ld .

Wan g h a d b ecom e th e s pe c i a l co n fid a n t e o f Pr i n c ess S h i eh sh e h a d n o

t i m e for h er r e l a t i ves a n d wh en C h a n g r e pro a ch e d h er w i th th i s o n e
,

da y th ey qu a rr elled fi erc e ly an d h a d n ot s pok en t o o n e a n o th er sin c e .

Now h ea r i n g h er en emy s n a m e m en t i o n e d i t s ee m e d t o o ld W a n g j u st
,
“ ’
,

th e ri gh t mom en t t o g i v e f ull v en t t o t h e grudg e sh e h a d b een p i l i n g up

s in c e th e a bu se sh e h a d b een g i v en sh ort ly b e fo re by T as t e o f Spr i n g .

“
Prob a bly i t w a s o ld C h a n g w ho smuggl e d th e i n d e cen t pe r f um e b a g
” “
i n t o th e p a rk sh e w h i s p e r e d t o Ph o en i x o n th e w a
, y You mu s t cer .

”
t a i n ly qu est i o n h er .

“
N 0 n ee d for yo u t o t e ll m e th a t ; I kn ow i t my se lf r epli e d P h o en i x ,

brus qu e ly .

Th e y h a d now a rr i v e d a t Gr eet i n g of Spr i n g s dwel lin g Gr eet i n g o f ’

.

Spri n g w a s a lr ea dy a sl ee p h er m a i d s w e r e go i n g t o b e d an d i t wa s
, , .

qui te a lon g wh i l e b efor e th e b el a t e d vi s i t ors kn ocki n g w as h ea rd an d ’

th e y w er e a dm i t t e d .

“
Th e youn g l a dy n ee d n ot b e d i st urb e d ; let h er s l ee p o n s a i d P h o e ,

n ix a n d w en t st r a i g ht n t o t h e w a i t i n g m a i ds room W h en t h e y h a d
i
’
, .

fin i sh e d t urn i n g o ut a n d sea rch i n g t h e b e lo n g in g s o f all t h e o th e r m a i ds ,

th e y c a m e a t l a st t o t h e c h e s ma i d s th i n g s
’
.
s .

O ld Wan g el sewh er e so th orough in her se ar ch i n g w a s stri ki n gly i n

, ,

dul g en t an d s up erfi c i a l th i s ti m e ; for t h e c h ess m a id w as h er o wn gr an d

d a ugh te r Afte r sh e h a d Iooke d h urri e dly th rough her gra n dda ugh ter s
.
,
’

“ ”
op en t runk, she m urmur e d No th i n g t o b e foun d an d w a s a bout t o
clo se th e cove r when th e st ew a rd s wi fe Mrs C h ou Jui st oppe d her
,
’

, .
, .

408
 ”
No w ,
I do n t c a ll th at a t h oro ugh sea rch ! On e mu st b e j us t !
n ow !
’

she sa i d an d b e g a n t o roo t i n th e t ru n k h ers elf A n d 10 a n d beh old sh e .

,

pulle d o ut a p a i r o f m en s p a dd e d s ocks an d o f m en s sat i n sli ppe rs

’ ’
.

A n d th a t w a s n o t a ll A Ju i m a s co t d a gg er s uch a s lov e rs pr esen t t o ea c h

.

o th e r w a s foun d wr a pp e d i n a blu e sh a wl ; an d a re d gree t i n g c a rd wi th

, ,

wri t i n g on i t C h ou h a n de d th e a rt i cl es t o Ph o en i x No w , a s m a n a geress
. .

o f th e Y un gk u o p a l a c e h ou s eh old Ph o en i x c a m e i n t ouch eve ry da y ,

wi th a ll s ort s o f a ccoun ts a n d wr i t ten docum en ts an d so i n th e co ur se ,

o f t i m e sh e h a d a cqu i r e d s om e kn owl e dg e o f t h e wr i t t en l a n gu a g e Sh e
,
.

w a s th e r e fore a bl e t o d e c i p h e r t h e wr i t i n g on th e c a rd an d t o h er sur ,

pri se sh e r ea d th e follow i n g : n ow o ur p a r en ts a l s o kn ow h ow w e

st a n d w i t h e a c h o t h e r si n c e your v i si t o f l a st mo n th a n d t h ey a p prov e
, ,
.

O f cour se as lo n g a s your youn g l a dy i s st i ll u n m a rri e d w e c a nn o t

, ,

th i n k of g e tt i n g m a rr i e d If a m ee t i n g i n t h e p a rk i s po ssi bl e gi v e m e
“

word a g a i n t h ro u gh Mo th e r C ha n g It i s much ea si e r t o t al k un d i s .

t ur b e d i n t h e p a rk t h a n a t h om e Tod a y I duly r e c e i v e d t h e pr a y e r .

b ea d s m a d e o f fr a gr a ntly p e rfum e d wood wh i ch yo u sen t m e I sen d .

yo u h e r e wi th a p e rfum e b a g t h e d ecor a t i o n on w h i c h i n d i c a t es my f ee l
,

i n g s for you B ut p ut i t a w a y c a r e fully ! I wi sh y ou p ea c e an d b o w my

.
‘
“ ”
h ea d . Your cou si n Fa n .

Ph o en i x w a s d el i gh t e d w i th h er d i s cov e ry H er e i n h er h a n d sh e h a d .

t h e co n clu s i v e ev i d e n c e w h i c h would cl ea r a n d e xo n e r at e h er com

'

p letely i n h er a un t s e y es Sh e could n o t r epress a sel f sa ti sfi e d sm i l e

’
-
. .

“ ”
Th er e mu st b e blun d er s i n th e a ccoun t t o m a ke t he Na i na i l a ugh ?

a s k e d th e i ll i t e r a t e old W a n g doub t fully a n d h es i t a n t ly .

,
“
Oh n o th e a ccoun t i s corre c t on ly I h a d n o t a dd e d i t up B u t w h y
‘ ’
, , ,
.

’
do es your gra n dd a u gh ter s cou s in b ea r th e n a m e o f F a n an d n o t yo ur
? ”
f a m i ly n a m e o f W a n g a ske d P ho en i x m i sch i evou sly .

Y o u prob ably m e a n Fa n Y o A n w h o ran a w a y r ec en t ly ? C e rt a i n ly

“
, .

”
h e i s my gr an dda ugh te r s cou si n ; h i s mo th e r i s a Fa n by m a rri a g e
’
.

Wh en she h ea rd t he con t en ts o f th e s uppo se d a c coun t wh i ch i n ‘‘

,
’’

r ea li t y w a s a love l et t e r a ddr ess e d t o h er gr an d da ugh te r an d n ot i c e d ,

t h e h e a d sh a k i n g a roun d h er
-

o l d W a n g w a s s o co n foun d e d a n d
,

a sh a m e d th a t sh e w i sh e d t h e grou n d co ul d h a v e s wa llow e d h er Sh e h a d .

b een o ut t o c a t ch Othe r s si n n i n g a n d n o w sh e a n d h er f a mi ly w er e ,

th ems elv es expo se d an d d i gr a c e d

s .

“
Now wh at do you s ay t o th i s p i e ce o f
, It
’ ”
c a n t b e qu i bble d o r e xpl a in e d a w a y r e m a rke d h er collea gu e C h ou ,

J ui m a l i c i ou sly
, .

“
T he y m ea n t i t w e ll a n d w a n t ed t o sp a re th ei r gr a n dmo th e r th e
t roubl e of n e go t i a t i n g A t n i g h t w h en a ll t h e b i rds w e r e si l en t t hey
.
, ,

d er i si v ely t urn i n g t o Ch ou She could

”
m e t t og et h e r a dd e d P h o en i x
, , .

4 10
g a r de n w a ll Co n v ersa t i on c e ase d i nst an t ly Eve ryo n e li st en ed wi th h air
. .

st a n d i n g o n en d t o t h e s oun d s from ou ts i d e .

“ ”
W h o i s th er e ? t h e Pri n c e c a ll e d o ut i n a sh a rp vo i c e The r e w a s n o .

a n sw e r .

“
Th e s oun d mu st h a v e com e from b eh i n d th e w a ll Evi d en t ly o n e o f
-

”
t h e s e rv an ts i s lo a fi n g a bou t t h e r e wh i sp e r e d t he Pri n c ess
, .

“
Non sen se ! T he s e rv a n ts qu a rt e r s a re muc h t o o f a r a w a y W ho
’
.

would ha v e a n y bus i n ess at th a t lo n ely pl a c e n e a r th e H a ll o f G lori fi ca

”
s a i d t h e Pr i n c e H e h a d n o t fi n i sh e d S p e a ki n g
t i on a t suc h a n h our ? .

wh en a sh or t h owl in g gu st o f wi n d sw e p t a cro ss from ov e r th e t o p o f

,

t h e w a ll A t t h e s a m e t i m e t h e si d e door s o f t h e s p i r i t porch i n fro n t o f

.

t h e T e mpl e of A n c es t or s w e r e d i s t i n c t ly h e a rd t o op en a n d s h u t a g a in
‘

w i th a b a n g To th e l i st en in g comp an y th i s seem e d mor e u n c a nn y sti ll

. .

Mor e ov er th e moo n a pp ea re d t o h a ve b ecom e ov e rc a st an d t o sh i n e l ess

,

br i gh t ly t h an b e for e Eve ryon e s a t t he r e for qu i t e a w h i l e p a r aly ze d

.
,

w i th fea r u n a bl e t o st i r Th e Pr i n ce w a s t he fir s t t o r ecover h i m self

, . .

H a lf hi s drun kenn e ss an d h i s d esi re t o k ee p on dr i n k i n g h a d di s ap

p eare d In si len c e h e ro se from th e t a bl e an d en d e d th e p a r t y
. .

T h e follow i n g da y dur i n g th e u s u a l M i d—
, Moon c er emo n y i n th e Hall
of Glo ri fi ca t i on h e look e d a rou n d c a r e fully for a n y t r a c e s o f th e m ys
t er i o us occurr en c es o f t h e pr e vi ou s n i gh t B ut h e could n o t p e rc ei v e t h e .

s l i g h t est c h a n g e O n l ea v i n g th e H a ll o f Glo ri fi ca ti o n h e p er s on a lly

.

m a de s ure th a t t h e en t r a n c e w a s se cur ely locke d an d bol t e d a ft er h i m ,

b u t ord e r e d h i s serv an ts t o ke e p t h e m a tt er a b s olu t e ly qu i et .

In t he ev en i n g h e w en t w i th h i s w i fe t o th e h om e o f the A n c est r ess t o

t a ke p a rt i n a g en era l f a m i ly b a n qu et T h e sen i ors Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d .
,

C hi a C h en g h a d a lr ea dy a rr i v e d a n d w er e en d ea vor i n g t o ke ep the
,

A n c est ress i n a good h umor w i th j okes B en e a th th e pl a t form o f h o n or . ,

a t a r e s p e c t ful d i s t a n c e t h e m a l e j un i or s— C h i a L i en
, Pa o Y u C h i a , ,

Hu a n an d C hi a La n — s t ood a bou t a n d w e r e a llow e d t o l i st en t o the

, ,

co n ve r s a t i o n o f t h e e ld e rs .

“ ”
Ho w h a s P a o Y u b een p ro gress i n g r ecen tl y i n a rc h ery ? t h e A n ces
t r ess a s k e d Pr i n c e C h e n w h o h a d mod est ly s at down on th e e dg e of a
,

s e a t n ea r t h e door .

“ ”
Spl en d i dly r e pl i e d Pri n c e Ch en poli t ely j ump i n g up H e ha s n o t
, ,
.

o n ly i mprov e d h i s a i m b ut i s a l s o b e com in g u se d t o w ea po n s of h ea v i er
”
c a l i b er.

“
Th a t i s good B ut he sh o uld n o t ov erdo i t a n d ex e rt h i m se lf t oo
.

much A n d by th e w a y th e moon c a ke s wh i ch yo u sen t m e t ast e w on

.
,
”
derf ul ; b ut th e m e lo n s look b ette r th an t he y t a ste .

“
Th e moo n c a kes w e re m a d e by a n e xp e r t co n f ec ti o n e r w h om I got
re c en t ly for my ki t c hen I to o fi n d t h a t th e m e lon s do n o t t ast e so good
.
, ,
”
t h i s se as o n as in p a s t y ea rs ; I do n o t kn ow w h a t i s th e r ea so n .

41 2
 Prob ably i t i s b e c a us e th e s umm e r w as t oo we t sa i d C hi a Ch en g , .

Com e n ow ! Let u s go i n t o th e p a rk ! T he b ea u t i ful br i g ht ful l moo n

, ,
”
i s up lo n g s i n c e sa i d t h e A n c es t r ess ; an d l ea n i n g o n P a o Y u s sh oul
,
’

der sh e le d th e comp an y to th e p a rk g a te h un g a ll ov e r w i th r a m s h o rn ’
-
, ,

l a n te rn s O n th e moo n te rr a c e i n fro n t of t he H a ll o f All Good Sp ir i ts a

.

ta b l e h a d b ee n set fo r a n op e n a i r b a n qu e t The pl a c e w a s f es ti v e ly -
.

li gh ted up w i th c an d el a br a th e a i r w a s sce n te d w i t h th e fum es o f i n

,

c e n se th e groun d w as cove re d w i t h c a rp e ts a n d cush i on s F i rs t o f a ll

, .

th e w h ol e comp an y le d by th e A n c e str ess kn e l t dow n o n t he pr a y e r

, ,

ca rp et w ashe d th ei r h a n d s bowe d to the h ou seh old d ei ti es an d b urn e d

, , ,

i n c en se st i cks b e fore t hei r i m a g es T h i s do n e t he b a n qu et could b egi n .

,
.

B ut th e An c estr ess tho u gh t i t would b e n i c er to en j oy t h e vi e w o f the

ful l moon from a mor e a i ry h ei gh t a n d sh e c h o se a s a sui ta ble pl a ce th e ,

H a ll o f Blo ss oms wh i c h w a s th e lookou t p a vil i o n si t u a te d o n t o p o f th e

,

n ea r b y Em e r a ld Co n e Th e p a v i l i o n w a s m a d e r ea dy i n a gr ea t h urry
-
. .

Afte r rest i n g f o r a sh o rt t i me the A n c est ress s t ood up t o le a d t he as ,

c en t M a d a m e Ch en g a n d th e o th er l a d i es a fr a i d th a t sh e m i gh t m i ss
.
,

h er foo t i n g o n th e s tee p st o n y mo ss cov ere d p a th w a y a ppe a l e d to he r

, ,
-

t o a llow h e r se lf t o b e c a rr i e d up o n a s e d a n c h a i r ; b u t th e v i gorous o ld
l a dy w h o h a d c ele br a te d h er ei gh ti et h b i rt h d a y o n ly a sh or t t ime b e
,

fore i n si st ed o u wa lki n g up T he p a th w a y s we re w ell ten d e d an d i n

, .

good ord e r an d a li t t l e e x e rc i se a n d loo se n in g up o f h er o ld bo nes a n d

,

s in e w s could n o t h a rm h er s h e d e cl a r e d l a ug h i n g , ,
.

Le d by Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d C h i a C hen g th e compa n y mov e d o ff T wo ,

.

se rv i n g wom en w i t h r a ms h orn l a n t e rn s l i g h t e d th e w a y in fr o n t o f th e
’
-

A n c est r ess w h o w a lke d a lo n g s uppor te d by Pri n c ess Chen an d th e

,

w a i tin g m a i d s M a n d a r i n Duck a n d Amb e r A t l a st th e y re a ch e d th e .

s umm i t w i t h ou t m i sha p by a p a t h o f m a n y w i n di n g s
,
.

There th e y sa t down o n rou n d uph ol st e re d sea t s wh i ch en ci rcl ed tw o ,

l a rge roun d t a bl es se p ar a te d by a fold i n g scr een whi c h st ood o n t he ,

open t e rra c e in fron t o f th e H a ll o f Blo s soms Th e roun d form h a d b e en . .

ch o sen i n h o n or o f th e roun d full moo n Th e A n ce st ress t oo k h er se a t .

a t o n e t a bl e wi th t h e m a l e m emb e rs o f th e f a mi ly w hi l e t h e l a d i es o c ,

cup i e d t h e o t h e r t a bl e compl et e ly .

It w o rri e d t h e An c es tr ess t o s ee a l a rge v a c an t s pa ce a t th e lo w er p ar t

'

o f t h e ta ble S h e th e r e for e h a d t h e t h ree Spri n g gi rls f e t c h ed fr om th e

.

l a di es ta bl e b ehi n d the fold i n g screen so th a t th e sp a ce would b e fill e d

’
,

a n d th e gu es t s would form a complet e roun d .

To ra i se th e spi ri ts of th e comp an y th e An c es tre ss ord e r e d a m e rry

gam e wi th dri n ks a s forfe i ts A b ra nch o f c inn a mon flowe rs w as pa sse d .
'

r oun d t h e t abl e fr om h an d t o h a n d w h i l e a w a i t i n g ma i d b e a t a drum ,

b ehi n d th e foldi n g s creen On c e th e dr umst oppe d th e bra n c h w as to

. . ,

o n furt h er a n d w h o e v e r h e ld i t i n hi s h a n d at th a t moment w as sen

g o ,

41 3
 ten ced t o dr i n k a gobl et o f wi n e a n d t re a t th e comp an y t o a n an ec dot e .

It h a pp en e d t h a t t h e first p e r s o n i n wh o se h a n d th e br a n ch re m a i n e d
w as th e s t e rn C h i a C h en g A s urr e p t i t i ou s r i ppl e o f g i ggl es a ccom
. .
,

p a n i e d by muc h se cr et t uggi n g o f sl eev es a n d n udgi n g o f si d es ran ,

a roun d t h e t a bl e Wh a t h umor coul d b e expe c t e d from th i s so l e mn f a c e d

.
-

p e r s on ? B ut t od a y for th e sa ke o f th e A n c est r ess Ch i a C h en g h a d n o

,
‘

wi sh t o b e a spo i l sport an d h e d e cl a re d h i ms elf r ea dy t o t r ea t th e co m

,

p a n y t o t h e o n ly an ecdo te h e h a d i n st ock .

“
B ut i f i t do es n o t m a ke us l a ug h th er e wi ll b e a n a dd i t i o n a l fi n e ,

s a i d t h e A n c est r ess .

“ ”
Agr ee d .

A n d C h i a C h en g b e g a n : Th e r e o n c e l i ve d a m an w h o h a d a mo st
t e rr i bl e r e s p ec t for h i s w i fe .

He h a d o n ly g o t a s f ar a s t h i s wh en th e wh ol e comp an y b urs t o ut i n
loud l a ugh ter forc i n g h i m t o a br i e f rh et or i c a l p a u se
,
_
.

“ ? ”
W ell h e sa i d t urn i n g tri umph an t ly t o th e A n ce st r ess
, .

I a dm i t th a t t h e st ory mu st b e spl en d i d si n ce e ve ryon e l a ugh s i n a d

”
v a n c e sa i d t h e A n c est r ess her se lf sha k in g w i th l a ugh t er
, , .

“
Th en i t sh ould b e your o w n t urn n ex t t o dri n k a gl a ss by w ay o f '

”
fo rfei t j oke d C h i a C hen g
, .

“ ”
Agr ee d .

A n d sh e t o ssed off th e drin k forfei t wh i c h Prin c e S h i eh a n d Chi a

C h en g c e r emo n i ou sly st a n d i n g si d e by si d e pr esen t e d t o h er a ft e r t ast
, ,

i n g i t t h e m s e lve s A s s o o n a s sh e h a d drun k i t an d th e tw o sen i o rs h a d

'

“
r esum e d th ei r se a ts Mr C h en g co n tin u e d : More ov e r th e sa i d m an
, .
,

n ev e r d a r e d t o s t a y a w a
yfrom h om e f o r lon g b ut on c e o n t h e day o f , ,

t h e M i d Au t umn F est i v a l a s h e w a s sh opp i n g i n t h e t own h e ch a n c e d

-

, ,
'

t o m ee t a f ew old fr i en d s w h o i n duc e d h im t o j o i n t h e m i n a m e rry

c a rou sa l i n th e h ou se of a mu t u a l fr i en d In th e en d h e b ec a m e so t i p sy .

t h a t h e qu i t e forgo t a bou t go i n g h om e a n d s p en t t h e n i g h t w i th h i s
‘

fri en d T h e n e xt da y wh en h e w a s s ob e r a ga i n h e a ppe a r e d b e for e hi s

.
, .
,

w i fe r ep en t a n t an d co n s c i en c e str i cken H i s w i fe w a s j u st w ash i n g h er

-
.

feet H a v i n g l i st en e d to h i s con fessi o n she sa i d : J u st t h i s o n c e I w i ll

.
,
‘

le t you off th e t h ra s h i n g you d e se rve b ut you are t o l i ck my feet a s a ,

pun i shm en t ! Th i s h e di d b u t i mm e d i a t ely sta rt ed t o vo mi t Now sh e

’
.

b ec a m e r e a lly a n gry a n d w a s ab ou t t o t h r ash h im S o h e kn el t down .

b esi d e h er a n d cr i e d : D o n o t b e an gry w i th m e w i fe It r e a lly w a s n o t

‘ '

.
,

your d i rt y feet b ut my s our st om a ch th a t m a de m e vom i t ! ’

H i s s t ory w a s greet e d w i t h g en er a l l a ugh t e r a n d th e An c es t r es s con ,

sen t e d t o t a k e a n ot h e r volun t a ry forf ei t dr i n k .

“
T a ke t h i s as a w a rn i n g yo u m a rri e d m en a n d dr i n k on ly wa rm e d
, ,
”
wi n e ! It i s mor e b en efic i a l th a n co ld w in e sh e s a i d a mi dst a ren ewed
-

, ,

414
i n h e ri t e d fr a gr an c e o f t r a d i t i o n a l cul t ur e i n h er ent i n th e h ou se o f C hi a
, ,

w a s l i v i n g o n mo st a u sp i c i ou sly i n t h e you n g e r gen era t i o n .

Pr i n c e S h i eh i n w h o se h an d t h e br an c h o f ci n n a mon flow ers n ow

,
‘

“
r em a i n e d co n t r i bu te d th e followi n g an e cdo t e : Th e r e on c e w a s a m a n
,

wh o h a d a v e ry good son O n e day t h e mo t h e r fe ll i ll A s n o doct or

. .

could b e foun d a n old wom a n qu a ck h ea l e r w a s fet che d h e o ld

,
T ’

wom a n o n ly kn ew ho w t o g i ve t r ea t m en t w i t h t h e pun c t ur i n g n ee dl e ,

a n d sh e a l s o kn e w a l i tt l e a b ou t c a u t e r i z a t i on b u t sh e h a d n o i d ea o f ,

t h e h i gh er a r t s of m e d i c in e She di a gn o s e d t h e i lln e ss a s fi re i n t h e
'
‘
.

h e a r t a n d s ugg est e d t rea t m en t w i th t h e pun c t uri n g n ee dl e B ut th en

’ ‘
.
,

my mo the r w i ll h a v e t o di e a ll th e s a m e i f h er h ea r t i s pri cke d w i th a

D o n o t worry i t wi ll o n ly b e
‘
sh a rp n e e dl e th e so n obj e c t e d i n a l a rm
’
.
, ,

a m a tt e r o f a l i tt l e pr i ck b e t w e en th e r i b s th e old wom an a s s ur e d h i m
’
.
,

Y es b ut t h en t h e h ea rt w i ll n o t b en efi t from i t H ea v en kn ows h ow f ar
‘
.
,
’
a w a y from t h e r i b s t h e h e a r t i s si t u a t e d th e so n obj e c t e d o n c e mor e
, .

‘ ’
Th a t i s a ll r i ght A t ru e mo th er s h ea r t i s so b i g th a t i t r ea ch es ri gh t
.

’ ”
down t o t h e r i b s the qu a ck doct or sa i d fi n a lly r e a ss uri n g h i m
,
'
,
.

O n c e mor e th e r e w a s m erry l a ught e r Aft e r t h e b a st a rd C h i a Hu a n .

'
h a d g i ven a t est of h i s a b i li t y w h i c h i n Mr C l en g 5 op i n i o n w as a f ai l
’
.
,

u re t h e A n c est r e ss ord e r e d th a t t h e g a m e sh ould st op Th e g en t l em en

, .

m i gh t n o w t a ke t h e i r l ea v e a n d en j oy t h em se lv es wi t h t h ei r pe r s o n a l
fr i en d s a t th e oth e r si d e It w a s a lr e a dy th e h our o f th e se con d n i gh t
.
-

w a t ch a n d she w i sh e d t o b e a lo n e w i th t h e youn g gi rls f or a whi le she

, ,

sa i d .

A s s oo n a s th e g en t l em en h a d go n e th e A n c est r e ss h a d th e fold i n g
s cr een r emov e d a n d th e tw o t abl es p ush e d t og et h e r The l a d i es t h en .

“ ”
ch a n ge d th ei r dre sses w a sh e d th e i r h an d s r i n se d o ut th ei r mou ths
, ,

wi t h t ea a n d co n t i n u e d th e fea st by t hem selves Th A n ce str ess c a st

, . e

h er e y es a bou t h e r an d r em a rk e d s a dly t h a t t h i s y e a r th e re w e r e m an y
g a p s i n t h e c i rcl e a rou n d t h e t a bl e Ph o en i x a n d th e W i dow Ch u w er e .

a b sen t ow i n g t o i lln e ss ; Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p a n d Pre c i ou s H a rp h a d h a d t o

,

st a y w i t h Aun t H s u eh w h o w a s a ls o i ll Sh e m i sse d p a r t i cul a rly th e

, .

g a i et y w h i ch P h o en i x a lw a y s con tri but e d t o th ese fa m i ly g a th e r i n gs .

“
L a st y ea r i t w a s mor e c heerful ; tr u e th e m en w e r e a b sen t b ut w e , ,

wom en w e r e all h e r e an d P h o en i x prov i d e d en ough ente rt a i nm en t f or

t en T h i s t im e t h e m en w e r e h er e b ut w e wom en ar e n o t i n full n umb e r
.
,
.

It j u s t sh ow s h o w d iffi cul t i t i s t o h a ve ev e ry th i n g o n e w an ts a t th e sa m e
”
t i m e i n t h i s world sh e s i g h e d , .

In ord e r t o r a i se t h e s p i ri t s of th e cb m p a n y she h a d th e li tt l e w in e
gl a sses r epl a c e d by b i g gobl et s w i th t h e resul t th a t i n a sh ort t i m e a ll
,

presen t b e c a me drows y from w i n e w i th th e e xc ept i o n o f th e An c estr ess , .

For n on e of th e l a d i es presen t co uld h Old h er o wn wi th th e A nc est r ess l n

th e m a t t er o f dri n k Th en sh e h a d c a rp e s l ai d o n th e t e rr a c e s te ps i n
.
t

4 16
fron t o f th e H a ll o f Blo ssoms a n d ord ered the serv i n g wome n a n d m a i d
se rv a n ts t o si t comfor t a bly on t h e st e p s a n d ha v e a good t i m e a n d e n j oy

t h e fru i t s a n d d a i n t i es w h i c h h a d b e en d i s t r i bu t e d to t h e m for t h e s ta ff ,

w e r e a l s o to h a ve s om e p a r t i n the b a n qu et The moo n w a s n o w fully .

r i sen a n d w a s sh i n i n g i f po ssi bl e mor e m a gn i fic en tly t ha n b efore .

“
Flu t e mu s i c i s j u st w ha t w e w a n t i n thi s glor i ou s moon l i g ht p ro ,

po se d th e A n c est re ss The o t h ers w an te d t o sen d for a comp a n y of

.

youn g g i rls w i th a ll t he i n st rum en ts n e c ess a ry to m ake up a compl ete

b an d .

“
Th a t would b e to o much o f a good th i n g obj ec t e d t he A n c est ress ,
.

Too muc h n o i se d i st ra c t s the m i n d I sh ould l i ke to he a r o n ly o n e .

s i n gl e si mpl e flu t e pl a y i n g v e ry g e n t ly i n t h e d i s t a n c e
, .

Wh i le t he comp a n y w a s w a i t i n g for the flu te pl a y e r w h om t hey we r e .

-

expe c t i n g o n e of Pr i n c es s S h i eh s se rv i n g wom en c a m e a n d w h i sp er e d
’
,
’
s om e t h i n g i n h er m i s t r e ss s e a r T h e Pr i n c e h a d s t umbl e d o n a s t o n e
.

j u st n o w an d spra i ne d hi s foo t th e A n c estre ss w a s t old i n r e ply to i e r

,
-

i n qu iry T he r e upon th e A n c est re ss g a v e the Pr i n ce ss p e rm i ssi o n to

.

l ea ve t h e comp a n y .

“
N i e c e C hen m a y go w i th you a t the sa m e t i me ; i t i s t i m e for her to
”
go h om e the A n c es t r ess a dde d
, .

“
O h n o I s h ould l i ke t o keep o ur o ld A n c est re ss comp a n y a ll n i g ht
, , ,

sa i d Pr i n c e s C h en
“
s .

Y o u a re a n i c e w i fe i n d ee d ! You n g m a rri e d p e opl e s h ould b e i n b ed

”
o n th i s n i g h t ! D o n o t n egl ec t your w i f e ly du ty ! sa i d th e A n c est ress

w i th a sm i le .

“
O h do n o t fl a tt er m e ! I am a lre a dy i n t he fort i es a n d ha v e b een
,

m a rri ed t o my h u sb a n d for ov e r twen ty y e a rs sa i d the Pri n c ess bl ush , ,

“ ”
in g coyly B e s i d e s w e a re st i ll i n t he mour n i n g p er i od
.
,
.

You a re qu i te r i gh t I di d n o t t h i n k of t ha t Y es of courge, i t i s o n ly
. .
,

t w o y a rs s in c e your fa t h er i n la w d i e d How ca n o n e h e o forg e t ful !

g
- -
- .

Tha t w i ll co s t m e a good b i g forfe i t dr i n k ! B u t do s t a y a n d keep m e

,
”
comp a n y ! Gr a n d n i ec e Yu n g m a y a ccomp a n y my d a ug ht e r i a la w - -
.

Pr in c ess S h i eh an d you n g M i st re ss C h i a Yu n g t her e upo n t ook th e i r

lea v e T h e l a d i es w h o r em a i n e d w en t o n dr in k i n g a n d c ha tt i n g a n d a t
. ,

in t e rv a ls s t roll e d a bou t a l i tt l e i n t he moo n l i g h t a n d s n i ff e d th e fl owe r

in g br a n c h es of th e l i ttl e c i n n amo n t r ees w hi c h h a d b ee n pl a n te d
a roun d t h e H a ll o f t h e Blo ss om s a t t h e sa m e t i m e l i s t e n i n g t o t h e clea r
,
,

g en t l e t o n es of a s in gle fl u te w h i c h dr i f te d t h roug h th e qu i et n i g ht from

t h e o th e r si d e o f th e c i nn a mo n h e dg e Th e r e w as s om e t h i n g so g en t l e
. . ,

s o l i b e r a t i n g an d so re fre sh i n g a bou t th e mus i c th a t t h e y a ll f e ll i n t o

,

an d li s t e n e d s pe l lboun d .

the An ces t r ess b eami n g w i th ,

417
 R ea lly i t w a s much mor e b ea u t i ful th a n w e could h a ve i m a gi n e d
, ,

t h e y a ll r e pl i e d w i th en th u s i a s m .

“
T h e old A n c est res s h a s c e r t a i n ly sh own u s h o w t o enj oy art prop
”
e rly .

O h t h a t w a s n o t hi n g v e ry s p ec i a l O u r s o n gbooks h a v e m a n y m o re
'

.
,

b e a u t i ful a i r s Abov e a ll t h e n o tes sh ould com e ove r mor e g en t le a n d

.
,

mor e su st a i n e d .

T h e A n c est re ss h a d a full gobl e t of w i n e t a k en ov e r t o t h e flu te

pl ay e r t og eth e r w i t h some r e qu est s r e g a rd i n g th e progr a m M a n d a ri n
,
.

Duck a pp e a r e d w i th a w a rm h ood a n d a w a te rproof clo ak wh i ch sh e ,

c a r efully wr a pp e d a rou n d th e A n c es t r ess .

“
It i s l a te n i g h t Soo n t h e dew w i ll b e f a ll i n g a n d t h e a i r w i ll b e g et
.
-

”
t in g cool e r T h e old T a i t a i sh ould g o t o b e d i n good t i m e
. th e w a i t i n g ,

m a i d w a rn e d h e r .

“ ” '

D o n o t n a g m e ! growl e d t h e old l a dy I a m i n s uch good form .

t od a y ! You do n o t t h i n k do you th a t I ca n b e bowl e d Ov e r by a l i tt l e

, ,

c a rou s a l a t n i gh t I w i ll l a st o u t u n t i l morn i n g
? ”
.

Sh e h a d h e r g l a ss fill e d a g a i n a n d t h e f ea st co n t i n u e d Now t h e s i n gl e .
,

t h i n st r a i n s o f g en t l e flu t e mu si c a g a i n p en e t r a t e d t h rough t h e d a rkn ess

o f t h e c i n n a mo n h e dg e T h i s t i m e t h e m e lody w a s s o pl a i n t i v e a nd so
.

full of f eel i n g t h a t i t t ouc h e d th e h e a r t of th e A n c est re ss an d m a d e h er

qu i t e emo t i on a l .

“
Now I sh ould l i k e t o t ell you a n a mu si n g st ory s ugg este d Pri n c ess ,

C h en t o ch eer h er up a s s oo n a s t h e flu t e pl a y i n g c e a se d
, , .

“
So muc h t h e b ett er Go r i gh t a h ea d ! u rg e d th e A n c es t r ess pu tt i n g
”
.
,

o n a mor e c h e e rful f a c e .

“
T h er r o n c e w a s a m a n w h o h a d four so n s b eg a n th e Pri n c ess ,
.

T he fi rs t h a d o n ly o n e eye th e s e co n d o n ly o n e e a r t h e t h i rd o n ly o n e
, ,
"
rt h h a d a l l th ese p a r t s compl e t e b u t h e w as dumb ,
.

b e c a u se sh e n o t i c e d th a t t h e A n c est r ess h a d a pp a r en t ly

W e sh ould ke h er t o b e d sh e wh i sp er e d t o M a dam e Ch en g
ta ,
'

”
N o n o , go
‘
o n w i th t h e s t ory ! s a i d t h e A n c e s t r ess br i g h t ly op en i n g ,
“
her e y es . I o n ly sh u t my e y e s i n ord e r th e b e t te r t o co n c en t r a t e o n the
”
st ory .

“
Tomorrow i s a n o th er day an d th e moon w i ll b e sh i n i n g a g a m th en ;
,

i t i s t i m e t o go t o b e d t h e y a dv i se d h er g en t ly
, .

“ ”
How l a t e i s i t t h en ?
,

W e a re i n t h e four t h n i gh t w a t c h It i s a lr ea dy morn i n g Th e youn g . .

g i rl s wer e s o t i re d t h ey could n o t l a s t i t o u t a n d h a v e sl i pp e d o ff ”
, .

T he A n c e s t re s looke d a roun d th e t abl e T h e you n g g i rl s pl a c es w e re

s .
’

i n d ee d empt y O n ly T a st e of Spr i n g w a s s t i ll pre se n t

. .

“
A fl a bby lot t h ey c a n n o t st a n d a nyth i n g ! sh e murmured O ur
.
”
.

4 18
T a ste of Spr i n g d ese rv es pr a i se ; sh e i s a br a ve gi rl ! B ut you a re qu i te
”
ri gh t ; i t i s t i m e t o go t o b e d .

Sh e t ook a n o t h er dr i n k of cle a r t ea a n d th en sh e g o t i n t o a se d an
,

ch a i r m a d e of b a mboo b asket work born e by tw o st ro n g m a i d s

, .

B u t n o t all th e youn g g i rl s w e r e by a n y m ea n s s o s oft as th e A n ces

t r ess h a d b e l i e v e d t h e m t o b e I n s t ea d of r em a i n i n g t o en j oy t h e moo n
.

li t sc en e from th e h i ll t op Bl a ck J a d e a n d L i tt l e Cloud h a d go n e down

,

b elow a n d w er e en j oy i n g i t by t h e Cry s t a l Crev i c e —th e b e lv e d e r e b ui l t

.

i n t o t h e rocky w a ll a t t he foo t of t h e Em er a ld Co n e by t h e br i n k of th e,

fi shp on d For h ere t h ey h a d the a dd i t i o n a l d e l i g h t o f w a t ch i n g th e sil

.

v e ry refl ect i on of th e moon pl a y i n g o n t h e r i ppl i n g w at er s O n t h e w a y .

down t h e hi ll th ey h a d h a d a l i v ely l i ter a ry a rgum en t a s t o wh e th er th e

tw o i d e ogr a ph s w h i c h h a d b e en a ppl i e d by t h e exp e r t s t o t h e h i ll an d
th e l a k e b elv e d e re w h en t h e p a rk h a d b een cr ea t e d —n a m ely t h e tw o ,

ch a r a ct e r s t u si gn i fy i n g co n e a n d w a si gn i fy i n g crevi c e —w ere
,
“ ”
, ,
“

a dm i ssi bl e from t h e l i t er a ry po i n t o f v i ew or w h e t h er t h e y w e r e i n a p

p rop r i a t e a n d sh ould b e re j e c t e d .

T hen t he y h a d s a t down o n tw o pl a i te d b a mboo st ool s o n th e op en

b elve d er e t e rr a c e a n d i n sp i re d by th e s i ght of t h e tw o moo n s— t h e o n e
, ,

i n t he sk y a n d th e o th e r o n t h e w a te r— t he y h a d compo s e d b et w een
th e m a lo n g a n d wo n d e rfully b e a u t i ful fi v e word s t a n z a o n t h e t h e m e of
-

t h i s moo n l i t n i g h t T h e y i n t en d e d n ex t da y t o s urpr i se a n d p u t t o
.

sh a m e t h e o t h e r m e mb e r s o f t h e B e go n i a Club w i t h t h i s n oc t urn a l opu s

a n d so t o s pur t h e club o n t o r en e w e d e ffor t s for un for t un a t e ly i t h a d

,

b een ve ry i n a c t i ve for a lon g t i m e n o w .

Th e t w o w er e j o i n ed l a t e r by th e b ea u t i ful a n ch ore ss M i a o Y u w h o , ,

li ke t h e r est w a s un a bl e t o sle ep th at b ea u t i ful n i gh t of full moon a n d

, ,

h a d go n e for a st roll th rough t h e p a rk Sh e h a d h elp e d t h e g i rl s w i th

.

’
t h e i r po e t i c a l compo s i t i o n a n d t h en t a k en t h e m t o h er Kin gfi sh er s C a g e

h erm i t a ge a n d r eg a l e d t h em w i th a bowl of h er f a mou s w o n d e r t ea Th e .

fir st crows of th e cock w er e a lr ea dy r esou n di n g from t he R i c e F a rm

wh en t t w o n i gh t r ev e ll er s a t l a st la y down t o s l eep o n th e sa m e b ed
he
i n the B a mboo H e rmi t a g e .

Wh en th e M i d Au t umn F est i v a l w a s ov er a n d P h o en i x h a d mor e or

-

l es s r ecov er e d th a n ks t o t h e l a v i sh u se of th e b est g i n s en g roo t th e in

, ,

t err up t e d purg e i n th e P a rk of D el i gh t ful V i si o n w a res ume d on c e s

mor e .

M a d am e Ch en g h a v i n g r e c e i ve d a r e po rt o n t he rec en t h ou se t o
,
-

h ou se s e a rc h t ook i mm e d i a t e a c t i o n Gr i e f of Spr in g s p a i n t i n g m a i d
, .
’

w a s t a ken a w a y from t h e p a rk a n d t r a n s fe rre d t o t h e ea s t er n p a l a c e a t

h er m i st r es s s r e qu est a n d n o w Gre e t i n g of Spri n g s c h es s m a i d w a s
’ ’
,

c h a se d o u t of th e h ou se She w a s forb i dd en t o t a ke lea ve o f h er col

.

42 0
l ea gu es an d the o the r i n m a tes o f the p a rk wi th wh om sh e h a d p assed
m an y h a ppy y ea rs W hen Pa o Y u wh om she ha d m et by c h an ce as she
.
,

w a s b e i n g c h a se d a w a y an d w h om she h a di m plo re d w i th t ea rs to i n t e r
,

c ed e fo r her tr i ed to get a r epri e ve he w as gi ven a n ast y re ce p t i on from

, ,
“
th e gr i m sup e rvi s or s o f ord er Ofl t o your books ! T hi s i s n o n e o f your
.

”
bus i n ess ! they re buked h i m a n d ru thl essly pushe d h i m a si d e He
, .

could n o t refr a i n from sh ou ti n g a f ew b i ti n g words a fte r t he tr oop o f

“ ” “
d ep a r t i n g m a tro n s It i s a st r an ge th in g he cr i ed th a t as soo n a s
.
, ,

yo u wom e n m a rry yo u lo se a ll your wom a n lin ess a n d a dopt t he b a d

”
w a y s o f m en I n d eed yo u a re even worse tha n m en !
i .
,
“
It see ms th a t you n g g i rl s a re h i g h er b ei n g s i n your Opin i o n a n d th a t
”
m en a re a b a d lo t ? t h e y s coff ed b a ck a t hi m .

“ ”
O f course sa i d P a o Y u n odd i ng ea g erly
, , .

Ha h a ! B e t t e r b e o ff a n d pr ep a re fo r a v i sit from your mo ther fo r

-

your Br i gh t Cloud s t urn i s com i n g r i g ht a w a y ! Tod a y a t l as t w e are

’

m a k in g a cl ea n sw ee p a n d t hese w i t ches w i ll b e c hase d a w a y ! T han ks

,

b e to Budd h a ! Ha h a -
'”

Immedi a te ly a ft e r th i s M a d a m e C hen g h er self a rr i ved a t the B e gon i a

Cour t y a rd a n d t ur n ed Br i gh t Cloud w hom sh e d etest e d o u t o f t he
, ,

h ou se T h oug h i ll Br i g h t Cloud h a d t o p a ck up a f e w b elo n g i n g s a n d

.
,

l ea v e the pl a c e w i t h h er r el a t i v es w h o h a d b ee n sen t for to ta ke h er

,

a wa y . Pre t t y L i tt le Fourth suff e r e d th e sa m e fa te for h a v i n g b een so

i mprud en t a s t o bo a st t h a t her b i r t h d a y fell o n th e s am e da y as th a t o f
h e r you n g m a ste r T h r ee m emb e rs o f t he t roupe o f d a n c in g gi rls from
.

Suc h ow who h a d st a y e d o n i n t he p a rk at the i r re qu est wh en th e tr ou pe

,

w a s d i s p e rs e d l a s t y e a r a l s o m e t t h e sa m e f a te The T ai tai w
,
. o uld o n n o
“ ” “ ”
a ccou n t a llow s uc h d a n g e rou s v i x e n s a n d profess i o n a l se duc t res se s
t o r em a i n a n y lo n g e r i n th e prox i m i t y of h er so n T h e gr ea t p u rg e te rm i
.

n a t ed w i th a s t r i c t s e a rc h of P a o Y u s o w n box e s a n d t ru n k s i n t he
’
,

cours e of wh i c h ev e ry obj e c t w h i c h w a s co n si d e re d i n a n y w a y a lluri n g

or o ff e n si v e a n d a ll s ouv en i rs com i n g from a n y s u s p i c i ou s s ourc e we r e
, ,

ru thl essly co n fi sc a te d .

It m a y b e m e n t i o n e d t h a t t h e c h i e f s up erv i s or of ord e r old W an g , ,

w h o w a s t h e gr a n dmo t h e r of t h e d i sm i ss e d c h ess m a i d h a d h e rse lf t o ,

u t up w i t h f w box t h e e a r from h e r m i s t r e s s Pr i n ce ss S hi eh
p a e e s o n , ,

a n d h a d r e m a i n e d i n v i s i ble a ft e rw a rd s f o r m an y cl a y s o n th e plea o f

42 1
 CHAPTER 38

T h e ch a r m i n g m a i d ca n n o t g et o v er th e w ro n g do n e h er a n d d i es i n th e ,
'

fl o w er of h er you th . Th e un h a ppy s c i o n o f pr i n c e s de d i c a t es a fu n e ra l
h y m n t o th e d ea d m a i d .

PA O Y U H A D B EEN P R E PA R ED F O R THE O R DE A L O F A H O U SE A R CH B UT SE ,

t h a t Bri g h t Cloud t h e d ea r e s t a n d mo st lov a bl e o f h i s w a i t i n g m a i d s

, ,

s h ould b e t a k en from h i m — t h i s h a d h i t h i m l i k e a t h u n d erbol t Af t e r .

h i s mo t h er h a d go n e a w a y i n b a d h umor h e t h r ew h i m s elf o n h i s b e d ,

a n d av e h i m s e lf U p t o h i s b ew i ld e r e d gr i e f
'

g .

J ust b e p a t i en t for a f ew d a y s u n t i l t h e T a i t a i s a n ge r h a s cool e d ‘

’

do wn the n go to t h e o ld T a i t a i a n d b e g h er t o t a k e Bri gh t Cloud b a ck

, g

i n t o the h ou s e a n d t h e n e v e ry t h i n g w i ll b e a ll r i g ht a g a i n
, s a i d P ea rl , ,

t ry i n g t o comfor t h i m .

“
If I o n ly kn e w wh a t h er gr ea t cri m e w a s cr i e d P a o Y u p assi o n , ,

a t e ly
.

“
S h e s t o o pre tt y ; th a t s h er o n ly cr i m e re pl i e d P ea rl sh rugg i n g
’ ’
, ,
“
h er sh ould e rs Th e T a i t a i co n si d e r s so muc h c h a rm a d a n g er t o t h e
.

p e a c e of t he h ou se O n ly ugly st up i d cr ea t ur es l i ke m e a re pl ea si n g i n
.
,

h er e y es .

Th a t i s qu i te r i d i culou s Th er e a re lo ts of e x a mpl es t o th e co n t r a ry
.

’
i n h i s t ory B u t t h e e s s om et h i n g e l se bo th e r i n g m e How di d my
. r .

mo t h e r kn ow word for word eert a i n i n t i m a te l i tt l e t h i n g s a n d j est i n g

word s t h a t I h a d exch a n g e d w i t h Br i gh t Cloud ? Do you t h i n k th er e h a s
”
b e e n s om e s py i n g go i n g o n h e re ?
“
No n ee d for t h a t si n c e you yours elf are u su a lly h eedl ess i n wh a t
,

you s a y w h en you a re a mo n g p e opl e a n d get w a rm e d up I h a ve wa rn e d .

you a g a i n a n d a ga i n w i th word s a nd looks ; b u t i t s n o u se ’

.

“
Aft e r a ll I h a v e oft en e xch an ge d fa m i l i a r i t i e s w i t h you an d Mu s k
, , ,

a n d Au t um n W a v e t o o ; w h
y w a s i t Br i g h t Cloud w h o w as pou n ce d
? ”
upo n
P e a rl m a d e n o r e ply .

“
I m so te rr i bly s orry for h er ! co n t i n u e d P a o Y u sobb i n g Sh e h a s
’
, .

b een u se d t o s uc h t en d e r t re a tm en t h er e —a n d n o w t h i s gr a c e ful d el i ,
’
c a t e orc h i d b a re ly Op en e d i n t o bloom i s rough ly t h ro w n i n t o th e h og s
, ,

fur n a c e A n d t o m a ke m a t t e rs wor se sh e i s s i ck a n d a n orph a n T h e

.
,
.

o n ly rel a t i v e she h a s t o fa ll b a ck upo n i s a n eld e rl y m a rr i e d cou s i n a n ,

e v i l dru n k en cr ea t ur e Sh e wo n t s urv i v e a mon t h i n t h e h ou s e of t h a t

’
.

gr e a s y r ep t i l e I t h ough t t o my self t h a t i t w a s a n e v i l om en wh en I s a w
.

t h i s s pr i n g h o w t h e bloom s of our gold e n b e go n i a h a d s udd en ly d i e d i n

~

s om e qu i t e i n expl i c a bl e w a
y a ll ov e r o n e h a lf of t h e t r ee No w i t i s cl e a r .

”
t o m e t h a t t h i s b a d om en r e fe rr e d t o our poor Br i g h t Cloud .

P e a rl cl a pp e d h er h a n ds t og e th e r i n as t on ish m e n t .

422
the b a ck g a te o f t h e p a rk h e pr ev a i l e d upo n th e port r ess o n gu a rd
,

t h e r e t o sh ow h i m t h e w a y t o Br i g h t Cloud s h om e a f t e r muc h a do T h e
’
.
,

por t ress w h o w a s a fr a i d of lo si n g h er j ob a n d a t fir st di d n o t w an t t o
,

h e lp h i m g a v e i n i n t h e en d w h en h e prom i s e d h er mo n e y
,
.

Wh en her p a r en t s h a d d i e d B ri gh t Cloud h a d b een bough t as a sm a ll

ch i ld by th e h ou se st ew a rd L a i T a L a i T a s w i fe h a d l a t er g i ven h er a s
,
.
’

a pr esen t t o t h e Pr i n c e s s A n c e s t r e ss w h o h a d t a k en a f a n cy t o th e ,

pr e tt y l i tt l e t en y e a r old Her cou si n L i tt l e Kw ei h a d b e en m a rri e d o ff

- -
.
, ,
‘

by L a i T a t o a sly l i tt l e coqu et te w h o d e c e i v e d h er blockh ea d h u sb an d

,

i n every co n c ei v a bl e w a y T h e s e rva n t s o f h er m a s t er L a i T a w er e a l
.

w a y s a f te r h er l i ke fl i es a ft e r a st i n k From th e t i m e Br i gh t Cloud ha d .

b een se rv i n g P a o Y u th i s g i rl h a d b e en a lw a y s p es ter i n g h er t o p ut i n a
word for h er w i th P h o en i x ; sh e w a n te d a po st a s serv i n g wom an i n t h e
Y un gk u o p a l a c e A t l a s t sh e a n d h e r h u s b a n d w e r e a llow e d t o l i v e n ea r
.

the b a c k g a t e o f the p a rk a n d w e r e employ e d by P h o en i x p e rs o n a lly for

a ll s ort s o f profi t a bl e e rr a n d s a n d ord e r s T h e y di d n o t m a k e muc h of a .

fu ss Ov er poor si ck Br i gh t Cloud Sh e w a s p u t o ut of t h e w a y i n a b a ck
.

room a n d l e ft t o h e r self for th e gr ea t e r p a r t of th e da y .

H a v i n g r e a ch e d h i s d est i n a t i on P a o Y u l e ft t h e old wom a n a t t he

,

h ou s e door t o w a t c h o u t a n d w en t a lo n e i n t o Br i g h t Cloud s room H e

’
.
,

fou n d h er ly i n g h a lf a sl ee p o n a wr et c he d b e d of ru sh m a t t i n g : Lucki ly ,

s h e h a d a t l e a st
go t a few cu sh i o n s a n d a bl a n k et from h er form e r po sses
si o n s t o cov e r h er P a o Y u pluck e d h er s l ee v e a n d c a ll e d h er s of t ly by
.

n a m e H a l f fr i g h t en e d h a lf pl e a se d sh e bl i n k e d a t h i m w i th e y es t h a t
.
, ,

h a d grown dull .

O h i t s you ! I th ough t I would n eve r s ee you a g a i n

’
, sh e g a sp e d , ,

co n vul si v ely dr a w i n g h i s h a n d up t o h er Wh en sh e h a d go t ov e r a fi t .

“
of cough i n g s h e co n ti n u e d : By Budd h a ! You h a v e com e j u st a t th e
,

r i gh t t i m e For h our s I h a v e b een g a sp i n g for a dr i n k o f t ea b u t t h er e

.
,
”
w a s n o On e n ea r Do pl e a se pour m e o ut h a lf a bowl !
.

“ ”
Wh er e s th e t e a ket t l e h e a ske d ,w i p i n g h i s e y es
’
? .

“ ’ ”
It s t h er e o n t h e e dg e of t h e st ov e .

P a o Y u look e d a rou n d So t h i s fil t h y ru s t y p o t w i th th e co a l bl a ck
.
,
-

s pou t w a s t h e t ea po t ? H e p i ck e d u
p a d i r t y bowl th e o n ly o n e h e could ,

fi n d o n th e t a bl e It h a d a n a st y s m ell of r a n c i d mu t t o n f a t S h a k i n g h i s
. .

h e a d a n d w i t h t ea r s i n h i s e y es h e w a sh ed i t a n d t h en dr i e d i t w i th o n e
,

o f h i s s i lk h a n dk e rc h i e fs T h en b e fill e d i t h a lf full from t h e bl a ck i ro n

.

o t So t h i s cloudy d a rk re d br e w w a s s uppo s e d t o b e t e a ? H e t a s t e d
p .
,

t h e b i tt e r muck a n d w a s o v e r cam e w i t h n a u s e a It cu t h i m t o th e h e a r t .

t o se e h o w t h e s 1 ck g i rl gre e d i ly gulp e d dow n th e co n t e n t s o f th e bowl i n

o n e s w a llow a s i f i t w er e t h e sw e e t es t dew from h ea v en
, .

“ ”
H a v e you a n y thi n g else t o s a y t o m e ? h e urg ed If yo u h a v e
‘

.
,

m a ke t h e b es t of th i s mom en t t h a t we re a lo n e ’
.

42 4
 ” “
Wh a t el se would I h a v e t o s ay to yo u ? she s i gh ed I m j us t dr a g
'

g i n g my self o n from da y t o da y A s t h i n g s a re go i n g w i t h m e I sh a ll
.
,

b e ov e r i t a ll i n t h re e t o fi v e d a y s T he o n ly th i n g t h a t i s w e i g h i n g o n
.

m e i s t h e t h oug ht th a t I a m dy i n g u n d e r a sh a dow I m a y i n d eed h a ve .

b een pr et t i e r t ha n t he o ther s b ut t o sa y t h a t l w a s a seduc tr ess a da n

, ,

g e r o us v i x e n — ,
’
n o I d i d n t d ese rv e t ha t I w i ll n o t qu a rr e l w i th t h e p a s t
.
,

b u t pe rh a ps i t would h a v e b e en b et ter i f I h a d n eve r

Her br ea t h fa i l e d he r a n d sh e could S p ea k n o lo n g e r Pa o Y u pe r .

ce i v e d w i t h a sh ock h o w cold h er h an d s w e r e H e fe l t a s i f h i s h e a rt h a d .

b een p i e rc e d w i th a t h ou sa n d a rrow s H e an x i ou sly rubbe d h er h an d s

.

an d p a t t e d h e r body l i g h t ly H o w e m a c i a t e d s h e h a d grown ! It sh ook

.

h i m to see h o w four s i lve r br ace l e ts r at t le d loo se ly a ro un d her s ki nn y

“
T a ke t he m o ff a n d we a r t he m a ga i n w h en you re w e ll o n c e more a n d ’

”
h a v e fill e d o ut a b i t ! h e b e gg e d her i n a n a g i t a te d vo i c e .

Br i g h t Cloud sudd en ly r a i se d h er cl en c he d l e ft h a n d t o h er li ps a n d
wi th a grea t effort b i t o ff tw o of he r fi n g er n a i ls She l a i d the m i n P a o .

Y u 5 h a n d He h i d th em i n h i s b e l t pock e t Now s h e sli d he r r i g ht h a n d

’
. .

u n d e r t h e bl a n ke t drew o ff t he sh or t re d si lk p ett i co a t w hi c h she s t i ll

,

wor e from b et te r d a y s a n d ha n d e d i t t o Pa o Y u as a f ur t he r s ouv en i r

,
.

Th en e x ha u st e d by th e t wofold ex e r t i o n she sa n k b a ck gro a n i n g

, , ,
.

Gu e ss i n g her t h oug hts P a o Y u h ur r i e dly r emove d h i s o wn sh i rt s pre a d

, ,

i t ov er he r n a k e d body a n d p u t h er g a rm en t o n h i m self i n s t e a d of i t In
,
.

great h a ste a n d w i t h ou t w a i t i n g t o do U p a ll th e bu tt ons h e dress e d

, ,

h i ms elf a g a i n .

“ ”
Li ft m e up so th a t I can s i t ! sh e a s ke d hi m i n a dull vo i c e w h i l e ,

h e w a s s t i ll dr ess i n g .

Al a s P a o Y u h a d l i tt l e t roubl e i n li ft i n g up h er l i g h t e m a c i a t e d
, ,

body Now s i t t i n g up sh e pull e d h i s sh i r t from un d e r t h e b e dclo t hes

.
, ,

n w i th gr e a t d i fficul t y w i t h P a o Y u s a ss i s t a n c e T h e n h e
’
and u t i t o
p ,
.

let her si n k b a ck g en tly o n h er p i llow s a g a i n .

“ “
Now go ! sh e sa i d It i s h orri ble for you he re i n t hi s fil th y room I
”
.
.

”
a m gl a d t h a t yo u h a v e com e o n c e mor e Now I sh a ll di e h a ppy. .

She w a s a bou t to s a y s o m e thi n g more w h en t he clo th c u rta i n o f th e

door W a s pu she d a si d e an d L i tt l e Kw ei s w i fe w a lke d i n w i th a
,
’

le wd sm i le o n he r fa ce .

Ha h a ! T hi s i s a n i c e co n v e rs a t i o n you v e b een c a rry i n g o n he re !

“ ’
-

I v e se en an d h ea rd ev ery th i n g ! sh e s a i d Now w h a t br in g s th e hi g h
’ ’’ ‘
.
,

bor n you n g g en t l em an i n t o my h umbl e dwe lli ng ? No doub t he w an ts to

? ”
h a ve a loo k a t m e an d to try o u t h i s a rt s o n my you th ful c ha rms eh ,

”
“
Hu sh ! No t so loud good e ld er si st e r ! h e plea d e d much embar
, ,

r a sse d
“N o n e mu st kn ow th a t I m h er e I j us t w an te d to see Bri gh t
’

o
.
.

’
Cloud She serv e d m e fa i th fully for a lo n g ti me
.
.
 Sm i l i n g sh e t ook hi m by the h a n d a n d drew h i m w i th h er in t o h er b e d
,

room .

“
You a re sur ely a l a dy s m a n all th e world kn ow s t h a t ! V ery w ell
’
, ,

t h en i f you w an t m e t o k ee p my mou t h sh u t you mu s t s h ow m e a l i t t l e

,
’
f av o r f
A nd w i t h t h i s sh e s a t dow n o n th e e dge of t h e b e d a n d dr ew h i m
clo s e a g a i n st h er cru shi n g h i m b et w een h er t hi gh s No th i n g l i ke t h i s
, ,
.

h a d ev er h a p p en e d t o h i m b e for e H e fl u sh e d a h o t cr i m s o n . .

”
Do n t do t h a t ! h e g a sp e d i n con fu si on
’
.

” ’
P a h ! Do n t pr e t en d ! sh e s a i d w i t h a n ugly look You r e cr azy for
’
.
,

? ”
wom en a n d g i rls a r en t you S o w h y so sh y n o w
?
,
’

“
Lea v e m e a lo n e ! Wh a t i f t h e old wom a n w h o brough t m e ov e r h e re
”
W e c a n t do i t n o w We ll a rr a n g e for s om e othe r t i m e
’
should s ee m e
’
? . .

“
O h t h er e s n o f ea r w e ll b e see n I h a v e s en t th e old wom a n a w a y
’ ’
.
,

a lr e a dy S h e s w a i t i n g for you i n fro n t of t h e p a rk g a t e Now let m e t e

’
. .

p e a t : E i t h e r you do w h a t I w a n t or I ll r a i se a row an d b et r a y you a n d

’
,

t h en your Ta i ta i w i ll h ea r w ha t a cr a zy f e llow you a re I w as l i s t en i n g .

j u st n o w u n d e r t h e w i n dow of th e room a n d I s a w th e fa m i li a r a n d i n t i
”
m a t e go i n g s o n you h a d w i th Br i gh t Clo ud I m n o fool !
-
.
’

She b e g a n t o op en t h e w a i s tb a n d o f h i s t rou s e r s a n d t o li f t up h e r
o w n dr e ss P a o Y u r . e s i s t e d w i t h a ll h i s s t r en g t h an d s t ruggl e d t o fr ee

h i m self from h e r embr a c e In th e m i ddl e of th e fi erc e s t ruggl e a vo i c e

.
,
”
w a s h e a rd ou t s i d e sa y i n g : Do e s S i s t er Br i g h t Cloud l i v e h e r e ?
’
Li tt l e Kw ei s wi fe st a r te d up i n a l a rm a n d le t h e r pr i s o n er fr ee .

“ ”
S he s h e re ! sh e cr i e d ru n n i n g up t o th e w i n dow O u t i n t h e y a rd
’

, .

st ood t h e s e rv a n t L i u w i t h h e r l i ttl e d a ug h t e r Sh e h a d b ee n s e n t by .

t h e s e rv i n g wom a n Su n g t o br i n g Br i g h t Cloud t h e b e lo n g i n g s sh e h a d

le ft b ehi n d a n d P ea rl s f O p e of a t h ou sa n d co i n s Wh i l e sh e w a s s t a t i n g
’
'

h er e rr a n d a n d b ei n g s h ow n i n t o Br i g h t Cloud s room by t h e wom an

’
,

t h roug h th e w i n dow of t h e n ex t room sh e c a ug h t a gl i mp s e of a m a l e form .

A s s h e w a s w ell a w a r e of th e c h a r a c t e r of Kw ei s w i fe sh e a ss um e d
’
,

s h e h a d o n e of h er lov e r s i n t h e r e a n d t h oug h t n o mor e of t h e m a t t e r

,
.

B ut h er k een ey e d l i tt l e g i rl h a d a lr e a dy r ecog n i z e d th e sh a dowy form

-

as Pa o Y u .

“ ’ ’
W a sn t M i ss P ea rl looki n g for th e l i tt l e m a ste r j u He s i n st n o w ?
”
th e r e sh e w h i s p e r e d t o h e r mo t h e r a s t h e y w en t a w a y Th e wom an
‘

, .
,

L i u s t opp e d a n d look e d i n qu i r i n gly a t t he w i fe of L i t t l e Kw ei .

“ ’ ”
O f course h e s n o t W h a t w o uld th e li t t le m a s t er w a n t w i th m e sh e
.
?

li e d She w a s burn i n g t o r es um e an d c a rry t o v i c t ory th e i n te rrup t e d

.

co n t es t w i th Pa o Y u b ut Pa o Y u fru st r a t e d h er i n ten t i on Two thi n g s

'
, .

drove h i m o nt of hi s h i d i n g pl a c e : t h e fe a r o n t he o ne h a n d th a t h e ,
.
,

would ge t b a ck l a te a n d fi n d t he p a rk g a te s clo se d an d o n th e o th e r , , ,

t h e dr ea d of a r e n ew e d a t t a ck by t h e lu s t i n g wom a n .

426
 Bri gh t Cloud h a s j u st d i e d h e t old h er dully P ea rl di d n o t b el i ev e
,
.

“ ”
h i m a n d t ri e d t o t a lk h i m o ut of h i s h a lluc i n a t i o n b ut h e h eld firmly ,

t o h i s b e l i e f a n d could h a rdly w a i t for t h e mor n i n g t o s e n d for n e w s o f

Bri gh t Cloud A n d h e h a d t o h old h i s s oul i n p a t i en c e un t i l t h e a ft e r
.

n oon b e for e h e go t d e fi n i t e n ew s For h e h i s h a lf bro t h er C h i a Hu a n

.
,
-

a n d h i s n ep h e w C h i a L a n h a d t o s p en d t h e w h ol e da y i n t h e comp a n y of
'

t h e s t e r n fa th e r a n d v a r i ou s wor th y s en i or s T h e r e w a s a n i n s p e c t i o n of .

ch ry s an th emum s a n d o n t h i s occ a si o n t h e j un i or s w e r e r e qu i r e d o n c e
,

mor e t o sh ow t h ei r l i t er a ry a b i l i t y Th e t est p a sse d off t o t h e sat i sf a c t i on

.

of Mr C h en g a n d a ft er i t Pa o Y u w a s a bl e t o d i s pl a y proudly t o h i s
.
,
'

gra n dmo the r a n d mo th e r t h e t rop h i es w i th wh i ch t he v a r i ou s wor th y

s en i or s h a d h o n or e d h i m — t h r ee f a n s t h r ee pr a y e r C h a pl e t s w i t h san d a l
,

w ood b ea d s th r ee j a d e r i n gs a n d a l i t t l e c a rve d s an d a lwood Budd h a

, ,

a s an a mul et t o w ea r o n t h e br e a s t O n h i s w a y b a ck t o t h e B ego n i a
.

Cour t y a rd h e w a s a ccomp a n i e d by hi s tw o w a i t i n g m a i d s Mu sk a n d
Au t um n W a ve a s w ell a s tw o you n g er a ssi st an t w a i t i n g m a i d s O n t h e .

pr et ex t of m a ki n g th e m go o n a h e a d w i th h i s wr i t i n g e qu i pm en t a n d ,

h i s ca p a n d f esti v e ou t e r g arm en ts w h i c h h e h a d t a k en off o n a ccoun t o f

t h e h e a t h e h a d go t ri d of t h e t w o e ld e r g i rl s b e c a u s e h e di d n o t w a n t
,

t o m a k e t h e m j ea lou s by i n qu i r i n g a bou t Br i gh t Cloud H e pr e t en d e d .

h e w a n t e d t o s t roll for a w h i l e i n th e p a rk t h en fi n d i n g a s om ew h a t , ,

s e clud e d l i t t l e pl a c e a mo n g t h e rock s h e t ook th e tw o you n g er g i rls ,

a si d e t o cro s s e x a m i n e t h e m
-

“D i d P e a rl sen d ov er t h i s morn i n g t o Br i g h t Cloud h e a ske d

? ”
.

”
Y es sh e s en t old S u n g ov e r r e pli e d o n e of th e g i rls
'

, , .

”
Wh a t n ew s di d sh e br i n g b a ck ?

Br i gh t Cloud ke p t cry i n g o ut th e w h ol e n i gh t t h en t ow a rd s morn i n g ,

”
s h e sh u t h er e y e s a n d lo st co n s c i ous n ess
'

“ ”
Wh om w a s sh e c a ll i n g for ?
”
For h er m ot h er .

”
For a n yo n e e l se ?
”
I do n t k n ow
’
.

“
A h you s i lly t h i n g I s uppo se you d i dn t l i st en a tt en ti vely
, .
’
.

“ ”
Th a t s r i gh t Sh e o n ly h a lf l i s t en e d th e o th e r ch i m e d i n e a g e rly
’
.
,
.

Sh e w a s r a th er mor e i n t e ll i g en t t h an th e o th e r a n d gu e ss e d th e r ea s o n
“
for hi s urgen t qu est i o n i n g I kn ow a lo t mor e a n d I k n ow i t fi r st
.
,

ha n d to o f
’

“ ”
How i s th a t ?
I w en t ov er t o h er se cr e t ly a t n oo n t od a y Sh e w a s a lw a y s s o good .

t o u s you n g e r o n es an d I w a s s orry t h a t sh e w a s t r e a t e d so u n j u st ly
, .

I w a n t e d t o see h er o n c e more for fr i e n d sh i p s sa k e I would ha v e

’
.
,

w i ll i n gly t a k en t he b e a t i n g I d h a v e go t i f I d b een d i s cov er e d Wh en

’ ’
.

I w en t i n sh e op en e d h er e y es a n d c a ught h old o f my h an d an d a ske d ‘

,
at o n c e for yo u you n g m a ste r Wh e re we re you w a s he r first qu est i o n
, .
, .

I sa i d you h a d go n e w i th your fa th e r t o t he d i s pl a y of c h ry s a n t h em um s .

A t th i s s h e si g h e d a n d s a i d : Th a t s a p i t y ; t h e n I sh a ll n e v e r s ee h i m
‘ ’

’
a gain I sa i d t o h er she s h ould b e p a ti en t for a b i t a s you d s ur e ly ’
.
,

com e t o see h e r a g a i n Sh e sh ook h er he a d a n d sm i l e d a n d r e pl i e d

.

t h a t t od a y a t e x a c t ly t w o qu a r t e r s a f t e r t h e fir s t h a lf of t he doubl e
h our of t h e sh ee p s h e would h a v e t o t a ke up the v a c a n t po s i t i o n o f a
flowe r sp i ri t a t t he comm a n d of t h e N ep hr i te Empe ror b ut th a t yo u ,

would com e h om e a b i t l a te r t ha n t h a t a n d th ere for e sh e could n o t see ,

you a ga i n Sh e sa i d sh e w a s n o t t o b e o ne o f t h e d a m ne d wh o se soul s
.

t h e Pri n c e o f H e ll W en W a n g s en d s h i s l i tt l e d ev i l s to fe t c h a n d w h o
, , ,

’
t ry t o buy a n h our s r e pr i ev e o f t h e i r wre t c h e d ex i s t e n c e by bri b i n g
t h e m erc en a ry m e ssen g e r s o f h e ll w i th s a cr i fic es o f food a n d p a p e r

mo n e y No sh e would b e s olem n l y c a rr i e d b e for e th e t hro n e of the

.
,

Emp eror o f Hea ven by good s p i r i t s a n d sh e di d n o t wi sh t o b e l a t e o n ,

an
y a ccoun t i n g et t i n g t he re I di d n o t b el i e ve h er b ut wh e n sh e drew
.
,

h e r l a st br ea th a l i t t l e w h i l e a f t e rw a rd s I foun d he r words co n firm e d

by t h e clock i n t h e n ex t room The h a n d po i n te d ex a c t ly t o t w o qu a rt ers
.

a f t e r t h e fir s t h a lf o f th e doubl e h our o f t h e s h ee p —j u s t th e t i m e t h a t

s h e h a d for e t old .

P a o Y u n odd e d ea rn e st assen t .

“
I f you we re a cqu a i n t e d w i th o ur l i te ra t ure yo u would kn o w ~th a t ,

t h e r e re a lly i s s uc h a t h i n g Ev e ry s i n gl e flow e r h a s i ts s p i ri t an d ove r

.
,

t h e s p i r i t s of e a c h k i n d of flow e r t h e r e i s s et a g a i n a h i g h e r s p i r i t O n ly , ,
.

I would v e ry muc h li ke t o kn ow t o wh i ch s pe c i e s o f flowe rs she i s a t

t a ch e d a n d wh et h e r as a n o rd i n a ry s p i r i t o r a s a h i gh e r s p i r i t
,
.

T he g i rl t o wh om h i s qu e s t i o n w a s a ddre ss e d w a s n o t lo n g a t a lo ss
for a n a n s wer It occurr e d t o he r tha t n o w i n th e e i g h th mo n th t he
. , . ,

w a t er li li es w e r e j u st i n bloom
“
I a ske d h er abou t t h a t t oo sh e fi b b e d boldly a n d br a vely I t old
,
.

h er th a t w e would li ke t o kn ow so th a t w e could g i ve o ur s pe c i a l ,

lo vi n g c are t o h er s p ec i e s o f flowe rs i n fu t ure Th en she t old m e th a t .

sh e h a d b een a ppo i n t e d uppe r gu a rd i a n s p i r i t o f o ur w a t e r li li es i n t h e

p a rk B ut I woul d n o t li ke t o b e tr a y th a t to an yon e b ut you youn g

. ,

”
m a s te r .

P a o Y u l et h i s g az e w a n d e r a cro ss t o th e w a t e r li li es i n th e n ea r b y -

po n d an d h i s s orr owful f a c e br i ght en e d

,
.

“She h a s b ee n gi ven a wort h y an d a b e a u ti ful offi c e T o li v e o n i n .

t h a t w a y a ft e r h a vi n g p asse d sa fe ly th roug h t h e Sea o f B i tt e rn ess is

,
,

”
ni n deed a h a ppy fa t e h e murmur e d comfort e d
, ,
.

F eel in g the ur ge t o p a y t h e d ea d gi rl th e h on or due t o her o n her ,

b i er h e set o ut un a ccomp an i ed t o go to th e h ouse o f mour ni ng by the

,
.
, ,

429
u s u a l secr et w a y th rough t h e b a ck g a t e o f th e p a rk H e foun d th e h ou s e .

e mp t y a n d lock e d .

L i tt l e Kwei s w i fe h O p i n g for a sm a ll sub s cr i p t i o n t owa rd s t he

’

bur i al h ad go n e o ff t o th e Y u n gk u o p a l a c e i mm e d i a t e ly a f t er Bri gh t
Cloud s d e a t h a n d broug ht word of i t t o M a d a m e C h en g M a d a m e
, .

C h en g h a d gi v en h er t en ou n c e s of si lv er b ut w i t h t h e co n d i t i on t h a t
, ,

i n st ea d of k ee p i n g th e d ea d g i rl for t h e u s u a l p er i od l a i d o u t o n a b i e r
i n t h e h ou s e of mourn i n g t h e y sh ould t a ke h er ou t s i d e th e c i t y w a ll s
,

a n d cr em a t e h er for th w i t h For Br i gh t Cloud h a d d i e d of co n s um p t i o n

.

of t h e lu n g s a n d M a d a m e C h en g w a s a fra i d t h a t s om e h a rmful i n
‘ ‘

fl uen ce m i gh t s pr ea d t o t h e Y un gk uo p a l a c e i f t h e corp s e w er e i n i t s
v i c i n i t y for a lon g t i m e So i t h a pp en e d th a t Li tt l e Kw ei an d h i s w i fe
.

w er e a lre a dy o n t h ei r w a y t o t h e c i t y w a ll s w i t h t h e coffin when P a o

Y u a rr i v e d ; h e h a d th e r e for e t o g o h om e a g a i n w i t h ou t a c h i ev i n g h i s
, ,

obj e ct .

H e w a s d ee ply d epr ess e d an d f e l t a n urg e t o s e e k d i st r a c t i on i n

Bl a ck J a d e s comp a n y b u t wh en h e a rr i v e d a t t he B a mboo H erm i t a g e
’
,

h e w a s t old t h at Bl a ck J a d e h a d go n e t o Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p H e n o w s et .

o u t for t h e Ju n gl e Cour t y a rd H e fou n d i t lo n e ly a n d a b a n done d a n d

'

Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p s room s e mp t y a n d d i sm an t l e d H e th en r em e mb e r e d
' ’
.

h a v i n g h e a rd t h a t Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p w i sh e d t o l e a v e t h e p a rk an d r et ur 1 .

t o h e r mo t h e r R e c en t e v en t s i n t h e p a rk h a d m a d e a n un pl e a s an t i m
.

press i o n o n h er a n d mor e ov e r sh e di d n o t w i sh t o expo s e h e r self t o

, ,

t h e p a i n ful po s s i b i l i t y of a n o t h e r h ou s e s e a rc h P h o en i x a n d M a d a m e
.

C h en g h a d bo th t r i e d i n v a i n t o p er s u a d e h er t o st a y b ut sh e h a d t e ,

m a i n e d firm a n d o n th e e xcu se o f b e i n g i n d i sp en sa bl e t o h er mo th er
, ,

w h o w a s i n poor h ea l th sh e h a d m e a n t i m e c a rr i e d o u t h e r i n t en t i on
, .

A s orrowful fe el i n g of u t te r d es ol a t i o n cr ep t ov e r P a o Y u H e sa w
‘

t h e n umb er of h i s i n t i m a t e comp a n i o n s dw i n dl i n g l i tt l e by l i t tl e How .

would i t b e i f P ea rl or Bl a ck J a d e w er e t o di e n ex t ? W i th a h ea vy h ea rt
h e w a n d e r e d b a ck t o t h e B a mboo H e rm i t a g e b ut st i ll Bl a ck J a d e w a s ,

n o t t h e r e So d es ol a t e di d h e f e el t h a t h e w a s a lmo st gl a d n o w t o b e
’

c a lle d a w ay a g a i n t o h i s fa th e r a n d th e s en i or s T he sessi on of po et i c .

compo si t i on occ a si o n e d by t h e C h ry s a n t h emum sh ow wh i ch h a d b een ,

i n t e rrup t e d by t h e lun c h e o n i n t erv a l w a s t o b e r es um e d n o w

, .

Wh en h e r et urn e d t o t h e p a rk i n t h e h our of y ellow i sh t wi l i gh t a n d

p a sse d by t he po n d w i t h i ts w a te r l i l i e s i n bloom h i s t h ough ts t urn e d ,

o n ce mor e t o t he d e a d gi rl Br i g h t Cloud H e st opp e d a t t h e e dg e of t h e

, .

po n d lookin g o u t at t h e w a t e r l i l i es a n d si gh i n g It h a d b een d en i e d
, .

h i m t o o ff e r sa cr i fic e a n d i n t o n e a d i rg e a t h er b i e r a s would h a ve ,

b e en prop e r S h ould h e n o t m a ke good h i s om i ss i on h er e i n t h e s i gh t

.
,

o f t h e w a t er l i l i e s ? T h i s i d e a p as se d thr oug h h i s m in d
'

A n d a s h i s mu s e ha d a lr ea dy b een s ti rr e d by t h e li t era ry a c t i v i t y o f
“

4 30
follow e d i n s uch r a p i d s ucc e ssi o n A n d t o crown i t all he h ea rd th a t
.

Gri e f of Spr i n g would b e t a ken a w a y n e x t a ls o t o b e m a rri e d Qu i t e ,

.

d i s t r a ug h t h e w a n d er e d th rough t h e p a rk a pre y t o m el an ch oly

, ,

t h oug h t s Ag a i n a n d a g a i n h e fou n d h i m self dr a w n t o t h e a b an do n e d

.

J un gl e Court y a rd a n d th e d es ol a t e D a m a s k K i o sk wh er e form e rly th e ,

h a ppy s ou n d of g i rl s vo i c es e c h o e d a n d n o w o n ly dr ea ry s i l en c e
’
,

r e i gn e d Th e fa ll i n g a u t um n foli a g e h a rmo n i z e d w ell w i t h h i s gloomy

.

mood an d m a d e h i m t hi n k of t h e t r a n si en t n a t ur e o f e a r th ly j oy s H i s .

m en t a l d e pre ssi o n w a s i n t en si fi e d by th e p h y si c a l su ff er i n g of a cold .

H e f ell i ll a n d o n doc t or s ord e r s h a d t o kee p t o h i s room for a h un dre d

’

d a y s T h e m e d i c a l i n st ruc t i o n s w ere i n fa c t b a se d m a i n ly o n e duc a ti o na l

.

groun d s For o n c e h e w a s t o s p en d th e th r ee w i n te r mon t h s up t o th e

.

New Y ea r qu i et ly a t h om e B u t n o w a s i n t h e p a s t P a o Y u a vo i d e d h i s
.

books a n d pr e fe rr e d t o p a ss t h e t i m e i n so f a r a s h e could ch a tt i n g
, ,

a n d pl a yfully t r i fl i n g w i t h h i s w a i t i n g m a i d s A t t h e e n d o f fif t y d a y s .

h e w a s a g a i n b ubbl i n g ov e r w i th t h e j oy of l i fe a n d w i th ev e ry fib er of ,

h i s b ei n g h e cr a ve d t o go o u t ; b ut t o h i s s orrow h i s mo t h er a n d gr a n d
mo t h er r em a i n e d firm ; h e w a s n o t ev en a llow e d t o a t t en d th e m e rry
w e dd i n g fea st of h i s cou si n H su eh P a n For th e M a d R obb e r Coun t . ,

a f t e r muc h s e a rc h i n g a n d c h oo s i n g h a d a t l a st d e c i d e d t o m a rry H e
,
.

b e l i ev e d h e h a d fou n d j u st t h e r i gh t br i d e i n a form e r pl a ym a te Sh e .

w a s a proud s po i l e d b e a u t y wh om h e h a d m e t a g a i n dur i n g h i s r ec en t
,

bu s i n ess t our t h e o n ly d a ugh t e r a n d h ei ress of o n e H s i a o f C h a n g

, ,

a c i n n a mo n pl a n t e r a n d co n t r a c t or t o t h e Imp e r i a l P a l a c e .

Aft er h i s h un dr e d d a y s con fi n em en t Pa o Y u h a d fir st of a ll a t h is
’
,
-

gr a n dmo th er s w i sh t o p a y a v i si t t o t h e Templ e of H ea v en ly H a rmo n y

’
,

ou ts i d e t he w e st ern c i t y g a t e t o o ff e r due t h a n ks t o the N e ph r i t e Em

'

p er or for h i s r e cov e ry Wh a t could h e h a v e d esi r e d mor e a ft e r h i s

.
,

lo n g co n fi n em en t t h an t hi s excursi o n i n t o t h e op en cou n t ry ? H e could

,

h a rdly clo s e a n e ye t h e n i g h t b e for e s o gr ea t w a s h i s j oyful a n t i c i p a

,

t i o n V e ry e a rly i n t h e morn i n g h e drov e o u t of t h e t own i n a c a rri a g e

.
,

a ccomp a n i e d by h i s t w o p e r s o n a l se rv a n t s M i n g Y e n a n d L i Kw e i a s
, ,

w ell a s t h r ee serv i n g wom en .

P a o Y u ex e cu t e d th e c e r emo n i a l p a r t of h i s v i s i t t o th e t e mpl e a s
qu i ckly a s po ssi bl e w i th th e p erform a n ce of a f ew ko w t ows a n d s om e
ki n d of a burn t off e r i n g H e a lw a y s fe l t s om ewha t t i m i d a n d un co m
.

f o rt a b l e i n t h e prox i m i t y of th i s i dol wh i c h wor e s uc h a m a j es ti c an d

,

se v e r e ex r ess m n
p .

H a ppy a t es c a p i n g a g a 1 n from th e oppr essi ve sem i d a rkn ess o f t h e

H a ll of the God s i n t o t h e br i ght d a yli g ht ; h e set o ut w i th h i s s u i te o n a
t our of t h e e x t en s i v e t e m l e groun d s t ook br e a kf as t a n d th en t i r e d
p , , ,

a ft e r t h e e a rly s t a rt an d t h e lo n g j ourn e y la do w n t r e t i t h gu est

y o s n e ,

c e ll L es t h e sh oul d n o d o ff t o s l ee p a n d m i ss th e t im e fo r th e re t urn
'

43 2
j ourn e y h i s se rv an ts a ske d the H i gh Pri est t o k ee p hi m awak e by chat
,

t i n g w i th h i m a l i t t l e .

H i g h Pri e st Wa n g pursu ed th e c all i n g of m i r a cl e doc t or as a si d e

l i n e a n d c a rr i e d o n a l i v ely t r a d e t h rough ou t the wh ole n e i ghborhoo d
,

wi th h i s c e lebr a t e d pl a ste rs a n d o i n t me n t s and formul a s o f pr ay er f o r

eff e c t i n g cur e s w h i c h h a d e a rn e d hi m t he n i ckn a me o f th e Qu i ck
,
”
Pl a ste r Pr i est He w a s w e ll kn ow n b esi d es a s a j oke r a n d wi t a n d his
.
, , ,

m e rry j ests we r e soo n s ucc ess ful i n d i sp e ll i n g hi s g uest s m i dd a y ti r ed ’

n ess .
“
I h ave a lw a y s h ea rd so much prai se o f yo ur fa mou s o in t m en ts an d
” “
m e d i c i n es r em a rke d Pa o Y u in the cour se o f co n versa t n Fo r wha t
, .

”
a i lm en t s th en a re yo ur pr es cr i pt i o n s e ffi c a c i ou s
, ,
?
“
Oh o n e c a n n o t expl a i n a ll t h a t i n j u st a few words I h a ve ov er a
, .

h un dre d prescr i p t i o n s for h i g h a n d lo w o ld an d youn g a g a in s t phy s i

, ,

ca l an d s p i r i t u a l e x t e rn a l an d i n t e rn a l m fi rm i t i es ; a g a i n s t p a i ri i n th e
,

c h est a n d st om a c h comp la in ts a n d indi ges t i o n a s we ll a s a ga i n s t

, , ,

feve rs a n d c old s a n d blood po i so n in g a n d coli c a n d e v e ry t hi n g you

could thi n k o f My r eme d i es b a n i sh d e a th a nd rej uven a t e t he a ge d an d
. ,

”
s i mply work wo n d e r s .

“
Now n o w you a re s urely ex a gge r a t i n g ! I kn ow fo r i n sta n c e o ne
, , , ,
”
a i lm en t a g a i n st w h i c h your sk i ll would s c a rc ely h a v e a n y s ucc ess
“
Y o u m a y b o x my ea r s pull my b ea rd a n d tea r dow n my templ e, i f
, ,
”
my r e me d i es fa i l i n o n e s i n gle c ase Te ll m e wha t the a i lm en t i s ! .

P a o Y u si g n e d t o th e Pl a ster Pr i est t o com e n ea re r .

“ ”
M ak e o n e gu ess ! he wh i s pe re d i n h i s e a r .

Oh I un d e r st an d
, sa i d t h e pri es t sm i li n g s lyly
,
The li ttle m a s te r
,
.

? ”
n o doub t w a n ts a p h i l t er f o r us e i n th e i nn e r c h a mb e rs eh ,

”
Do you wa n t a fe w blow s 1 n the fa c e a s ke d M i n g Y e n pu tt in g h i s
?
,

’
h an d ove r old W a n g s mou th .

“ ”
Wh a t do es h e m e a n aske d P a o Y u n a 1 ve ly
?
, .

”
A h do n t ta ke h i s dri ve l se r i ou s ly !
’
,

Do you kn ow of a n y th i n g wh i c h w i ll cure you n g gi rl s o f j ea lou sy .

a s ke d P a o Y u a g a i n t urn i n g t o th e pri es t
,
.

Th e pr i est doc t or cl a pp e d h i s h a n ds i n as t o n i sh m e n t
- .

“
Wh a t i d e a s p e ople ta ke i nt o th e i r hea d s ! T h i s i s t he fi rs t ca se of t he
ki n d th a t I h a ve com e a cro s s i n my pra c t i c e N ev e rt he l e ss I do kn ow a . ,

rem e dy t h oug h i t do e sn t work very qu i ckly Y o u mu st h a v e a li tt le

,
’
.

p a ti en ce .

a s k e d P a o Y u e a g e rly
“ ? ”
O ut wi t h i t ! S pe a k ! Wh at 1 3 t h e rem e dy .

T h e p ri es t doc t or p u t o n a s ol e mn ly profes s i o n a l a i r
'

- .

“
You d i sso lve o n e oun c e of s ug a r c an dy i n a cup o f wa te r m i x i n ,

ha lf an ounce of dri e d ora n ge p ee l a dd a n i ce ri pe pee l ed pea r an d le t , , ,

43 3
th e s u ga ry syrup so a k in t o i t Ev ery mor n i n g th i s pr ep ar at i onsh oul d b e
.

”
t a k en for br ea kf ast un t i l t h e a i lm en t i n q u est i o n h a s di sa ppe a r e d
, .

“ ”
Is th at all I do n o t th i n k i t v e ry prom i si n g
? obj ec t e d Pa o Y u di s , ,

a ppo i n te d .

“
O h b u t o n e h a s t o p er s ever e w i th th e cur e ev en i f i t t a kes y ea r s ! It
, ,

w i ll c er t a in ly h av e an effe c t i n the en d i f i t i s o n ly o n th e d ea th of th e ,

p a t i ent B ut a p a r t from a ll th at i t s a t a s ty wh ol esom e food good for

.
,
’
, ,

t h e lun g s a n d e x t r a ord i n a r i ly b en e fic i a l for t h e d i g es t i on .

P a o Y u h a d t o l a ugh a loud O n ly n o w di d h e r ea l i z e th a t th e old

.

r a s c a l w a s h a v i n g hi s hi t o f f un a n d w a n t e d t o m a k e h i m u n d e r st a n d

th at n o sug a r cur e i n th e world could h a v e a n y eff e c t o n th e b i l e o f a

j e a lou s wom an .

Upon h i s r et urn P a o Y u foun d h i s r e c en t ly m a rr i e d cou si n Gr eeti n g ,

o f Spri n g v i s i t i n g h i s mo t h e r Sh e compl a i n e d t h a t h er m a rr i a g e w a s
, .

un h a ppy a nd sh e di d n ot w an t t o l e a v e wh en e v en i n g c ame an d sh e w a s
t o b e t a k en b a ck t o h er h u sb a n d s h om e Sh e i m plore d Aun t C h en g w i th
’
.

t ea r s t o kee p h e r a f ew d a y s a s a gu e st f or h e r h u s b a n d w as a n i n t o ler ,

a bl e l i b e r t i n e a drun k a rd a n d rowdy sh e s a i d
, ,
.

“
I must h a v e b een s o a ke d i n v i n e g a r h e sh ou t e d a t m e wh en I v en ,
”
t u re d t o t a ke h i m t o t a s k for h i s un f a i th ful a n d i n co n si d e r a t e b eh a v i or ,

“
s h e compl a i n e d I h av e b een l eg a lly s old t o h i m for a n h on est fi v e
.

t h ou sa n d oun c e s a n d t h er e for e I mu st s ubm i t a n d n o t s a y a word e v en

,
”
i f h e b e a ts m e an d locks m e up i n a serv a n t s room Oh h e s a b ea st !
’ ’
.
,

Move d w i th p i t y a ll t h e cou si n s pre sen t an d M a d am e C hen g broke

,

i n t o a ch oru s of s obb i n g a n d v i e d w i t h o n e a n o th e r i n th e i r eff ort s t o

comfort th e u n fort un a te g i rl .

“
Your U n cl e C h en g w a s a ga i n st t h i s un h a ppy u n i on from th e b e gi n
” “
ning , l am en t e d M a d a m e C hen g b ut un fort un a t ely your fa th e r w a s ,

d ea f to h i s we ll m e a n t obj e c ti on s B ut wh a t can b e don e n o w ? You ca n

-
.

”
o n ly s ubm i t t o your fa t e my poo r chi ld ,
.

“
I c an n o t yet u n d er st a n d w h y I h a d t o l ea v e you all so s udd en ly an d
b e t orn from t h e d ea r pl a c es wh er e I h a d s p e n t s uch ga y a n d h a ppy
y e a r s S i n c e t h en I h a v e fel t d az e d a n d dre a my as i f I ha d b e en h i t o n
.
,

th e h e a d A h i f o n ly I could s p en d th r ee d a y s i n my d ea r o l d h om e i n
.
,
”
t h e p a rk j u s t o n c e mor e I would gl a dly di e ,
w a i l e d Greeti ng of Spr i n g ,
.

“
How can you t a lk of dy i n g ? Li tt l e m i sun d er st an d i n gs b e tween
“

n e wly m a rr i e d coupl e s are a f t er a ll qu it e commo n V e ry w e ll you sh a ll

, , .
,

h a v e your w a y a n d s t a y w i t h u s for t hree d ay s a n d li v e i n your b elov e d

”
p a rk a g a i n sa i d th e comp a ss i on a t e Aun t C h en g
, .

A n d she g a ve i n s t ruc t i o n s for th e D a m a s k K i o sk th e form er h om e o f ,

Gr ee t i n g of Spr i n g t o b e comfor ta bly fix e d up a t o n c e

, .

B ut t a k e ca r e n ot t o bl ab an d t a lk a bou t i t b e fore the ol d T ai ta i !

“

434
po et ry comp et i t i on s ! Th at i s all over n o w ev e ry thi ng i s br e a ki n g up , .

Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p i s gon e Lo t u s i s n o t a llow e d t o come h e r e a n y mor e

, ,

Gr eet i n g of Spr i n g h a s b een t orn from u s by h er m a rri a ge W h y must .

u n for t u n a t e g i rl s b e h an d e d ove r t o a n y k i n d of st r a n g e m an a s s oon a s

th e y a re gro w n up a n d e xch a n g e t h e h a ppy fre e dom of t h e i r you t h for
,
'

t h e sa d s l a v e ry of m a rr i a g e ? I si rnply c a n n o t u n d er st a n d t h a t I w a n t e d .

t o a s k th e A n c est r e ss t o h a v e Gr e e t in g of Spr i n g brough t b a ck a n d t o

let h e r l i v e h e r e w i t h u s a g a i n b u t my mo th e r t a lk e d m e o ut of t h e i d e a
,
.

Sh e s a i d I would b e cr azy i f I di d s uch a th i n g I c an n o t get u se d t o .

h a v i n g ev ery th i n g h e r e b e com e so d i ff e r en t n o w from w h a t i t u s e d t o

b e W h a t w i ll i t b e l i ke me f ew y e ars mor e ? ”
.

Wh i l e h e w a s S p ea ki n g Bl a ck J a d e h a d bow e d h er h e a d low er an d
low er A si gh w a s h er o n ly r eply t o h i m Now sh e sl i pp e d down o n th e
. .

e dg e o f t h e b e d a n d s i l en t ly bur i e d h er f a c e i n t h e p i llow s H e r s ym .

p at h et i c s oul h a d b een compl e t ely i n fe c t e d by h i s d ej e ct i o n A l i t t l e .

wh i l e l a t er wh en t h e m a i d Cuckoo c a m e i n w i t h t ea she sa t up a n d h e r
, ,

e y e l i d s w e r e r e d w i th t ea r s W h i l e P a o Y u w a s t ry i n g t o c a lm h e r a n d
.

t o p e r s u a d e h er t h a t
w h a t h e h a d j u st s a i d w a s e x a gg er a t e d P ea rl a p
_
,

p e a re d t o c a ll h i m t o t h e A n c es t r e ss .

D ee ply d ej e c t e d a n d s un k i n m el a n ch oly t h ough t s P a o Y u t ook a ,

s ol i t a ry s t roll t h roug h t h e p a rk t h a t a f t er n oo n Ag a i n h e f e l t i mp e ll e d .

t ow a rd s t h e for s a k en J un gl e Cour t y a rd a n d t h e D a m a s k K i o s k Aft e r h e .

h a d g a z e d for a wh i l e a t t h e clo s e d u p w i n dow s a n d t h e l i f el e ss g a t e w a y s

-

h e co n t i n u e d h i s w a y t ow a rd s t h e Lo t u s R oo t K i o s k by t h e e dg e o f th e
-

l a ke From a d i st a n c e h e pe rc ei ve d th e h e a d s of four you n g g i rl s sh ow

.

i n g o ver t h e p a r a p et by t h e l a k e T h e g i rl s w e re g a z i n g i n t en t ly ov er t h e
.

s urf a c e of t h e w a t e r H e w a s s e i z e d w i t h a d e s i r e t o s urpr i se t h e four so

.
,

h e sl i pp e d qu i et ly up b eh i n d t h em u n d e r cov e r of t h e rocks
,
.

“ ”
Do you t h ink h e w i ll com e a lon g h e h ea rd o n e of t h e m sa y i n g
? .

Hu sh ! Th e r e h e s go n e a w a y un d e r t h er e ! I t h ought a t o n c e th a t h e
,
’ '

d i dn t w an t t o com e t o you h e h ea rd a n o th e r sa y ; i t se em
’ ”
,
e d to b e th e -

vo i c e of T a st e of Spri n g .

“ B e qu i e t ! H e s co m i n g a lo n g a g a i n
’
cr i e d t h e t hi rd ,
.

Th e r e h e i s fourt h Cou s i n Wr ea th of Clouds cr i e d jo y

, ,

q y .

Pa o Y u could r e fr a i n from t a k i n g up a s t on e an d th row i n g i t i n t o

n ot

t h e w a t e r n o t f a r from t h e four g i rl s .

“
W h o Wa s t h a t ? Suc h i mpud en c e ! Fi e h o w rud e t o fr i gh t en us l i ke ,
”
t h a t ! t h ey pr a t t l e d exc i t e dly a ll t og e th e r P a o Y u j ump e d o u t la ugh i n g
. ,

from b ehi nd h i s rock a n d j o i n e d th e group of gi rls Th e y w er e T ast e of .

Spr i n g Wre a th o f Cloud s an d the tw o cous i n s of W i dow Ch u

, , .

43 6
 ”
Look a t tha t ! En j oy i n g yourse lves h ere a n d l ea vi n g m e o ut o f i t !
h e cri e d .

“
I t h ough t a t o n ce i t w a s yo u yo u rogu e ! Y o u h av e m e a n ly fr i ght
,
’ ”
en e d a w a y o u r b ea u t i ful fi s h It s a p i t y h e w a s j u s t go i n g t o b i te
.
, sa i d ,

T a st e of Spr i n g pou t i n g , .

“
O f course I h a d t o pun i sh yo u ! W hy di d yo u n o t i n v i te m e whe n ,
” “
?
you w e re a mu si n g yourselve s he re re t or te d Pa o Y u l a ugh i n g A n d .

n ow le t us fi v e co n t i n u e fi sh i n g a n d c omb i n e w i t h o ur fi sh i n g a g a m e o f
,
” “
qu est i o n i n g fa te ! he s ugg est e d Wh o ev er c a t ch es a fi s h w i ll h a ve
.

s om e luck i n t h i s s a m e y e a r W h o e ve r g ets n o b i t e w i ll h a v e s om e un
.

”
ple a sa n t e xp e r i en c e A n d n o w t o work ! Let Tas te o f Spr i n g b e g i n !
.

“
Agree d B u t h ea ven h e lp yo u i f you fr i gh ten a w a y my fi sh a g a i n !
.

Tha t would ru i n t h e g a m e
”
.

Tas t e o f Spr i n g w a s the first t o di p he r fi sh i ng l i n e i n t o th e w a te r a n d ,

in sc a rc ely th e t i m e t h a t i t t a kes t o s a y te n sen t en c es a b i g gol dfi sh h a d

b i t t en a n d w a s pull i n g th e flo a t er o f the l in e u n d e r the w a ter
, .

Wi th as ki llful sw i n g she brought h er st rugg li n g pr i so n e r up o n d ry

groun d a n d go t t he w a i t i n g m a i d t o drop i t in t o th e c h i n a p a i l o f fres h
w a t e r w hi c h w a s st a n d i n g r ea dy The t h ree o the r g i rls a l s o s ucc ee d ed i n
.

m a k i n g a c a t c h P a o Y u s t ur n c a me l a st
.
’
.

“
I sh a ll do as old C h i a n g Tzu Y a di d he sa i d i mport a n tly A n d h e ,
.

st e ppe d ov e r t h e st o n e b a lu s t r a d e a n d crouc h e d down r i g h t a t t h e .

wa t e r s e dg e Le g en d re l a t es t h a t old C h i a n g t he c e l ebr a te d wi s e co un
’
.
,

sello r of t h e Emp e ror W en W a n g o f t h e C h ou dyn ast y w as abl e to s ub ,

due eve n a n i m a l s a n d s p i r i t s a n d th a t t h e fi s h e s c a m e s w a rmi n g for

,

w ard o f th e i r o w n a ccord whe n he m a de a d a rt at them w i th a s im ple

i ro n pol e Now P a o Y u h a d ve ry muc h ov e res t i m a te d h i s s u pe rh um an
.
,

a b i l i t i e s H i s s h a dow fr i gh t en e d t h e fi s h e s a w a y n o n e of t h e m w a n t e d
. ,

t o b i t e a n d o n c e w h e n a r i s i n g bubbl e b e t r a y e d t h e prox i m i t y o f a fi sh
,

h e s wu n g h i s fi shi n g rod t ow a rd s t he spo t s o h urri edly th a t th e fi s h

m a d e o ff a s qu i ckly a s po ss i bl e .

“
D e a r fi sh h urry up ! I do n o t li ke w a i t in g lo n g Com e come an d
,
.
,

m a ke m e ha ppy ! h e b egg e d w i th s uch c om i c i rnp a t i en ce th a t th e four

”

g i rl s h a d to bur st o ut l a ug hi n g A t l as t s om e th in g p ull e d a t th e b oo k In
.
.

h i s j oyful e xube r an ce Pa o Y u s w un g th e fi shi n g rod aroun d so h urr i e dly

a n d a wkw a rdly t h a t t h e t o p b ec a m e w e dg e d firmly a g a i n st a ro ck a n d

th e rod broke i n t h e m i ddl e a n d t h e upp e r h a lf w i t h t h e l i n e a n d h ook

,

fe ll i n t o th e w a te r a n d dr i fte d a w a y The r e w a s a gre a t bur st o f sco fli n g

.

l a ughte r from t h e o n looke rs ,

”
D i d a n yo n e e v e r see s uch a wkw a rd n ess ! T a st e o f Spr i n g burs t o ut
“ .

go g mor w h h i i m i d Mu k c m ru nn i n g
S h e w s a i n t o sa y e e n t e w a t n g a s a e

Y u to t h e A n c e st re ss She h a d j ust ha d h er m i dd a y
’

t o qu est i o n h i m abou t s om e ve ry i mport an t m a tt e r ,

43 7 .
an d sh e h a d l o sen t for Ph o en i x r eport e d Mu sk She di d n o t kn ow
a s , .

a n y mor e d e t a i l s P a o Y u
go t a gr ea t fri gh t
. .

P er h a p s t he y w a n t t o t a ke a w a y an o the r w a i t i n g m a i d on a ccoun t
‘

? ”
o f a ll e g e d d a n g e r of i n fe c t i o n h e let s l i p B ut h e w as i mm ed i a t ely .

re ass ur e d wh en h e saw th e A n c est ress p e a c efully pl a y i n g domi n o es w i th

h i s mo th e r .

“
Som e y ea r s a go yo u h a d a n a t t a ck of d i a boli c a l po sse ssi o n from ,

wh i ch yo u we r e e v en t u a lly cur e d by t h o se tw o s t r a n g e f ellows t h e ,

m a n gy h ea d e d bon z e an d t he l a m e T a o i st pri est D o yo u st i ll r em emb er

-
.

? ”
your co n d i t i on a t th a t ti m e aske d t he A n c est r ess .

P a o Y u th oug h t for a w h i l e .

“
It seem e d t o m e a s i f I h a d s udd en ly go t a h e a vy blow w i th a st i ck
on th e b a ck o f t h e h e a d T h e p a i n w a s so gr ea t t h a t e v e ry t h i n g w en t
.

bl a ck a s l a cqu e r b e for e my e y e s Th en I th ough t I sa w d ev i ls wi th h i d e

.

o u s blu e bl a ck f a c es sh ow in g t h ei r teeth a ll ov e r t h e room T h e y w er e

-

, ,
.

w a vi n g kn i v es an d sti cks a n d t h ey ki cke d m e w i th the i r feet so th a t I

,
-

fe ll o u t o f b ed I fe l t a s i f my br a i n w a s pr esse d i n t o an i ro n b a n d Aft er
-
. .

w a rd s I di d n o t feel a n y mor e p a i n A s r e g a rd s th e mom en t of my t e .

co v e ry I r em emb e r t h a t a gold en gl ea m o f l i g h t s u
, dd en ly a pp ea r e d i n
my room a n d th e bl a ck d evi ls d i sp er se d i n fr i gh t b efore i t s d azzl i n g
,

br i ll i a n c e From th a t mom en t o n I fel t w ell a g a i n an d cle a r i n my

.
,
”
min d .

“
Ex a c t ly t he s a me c h a r a c t e ri st i cs a s i n th e c ase w e h a v e j u st b een
s p e a ki n g th e A n c est r e ss t urn i n g t o M a d a m e C h en g M ean t i m e
,
.

P h o en i x h a d com e i n .

“
Th e old A n c es t ress h as sen t f o r m e Wh a t i s i t th a t sh e w an ts t o .

? ”
kn ow sh e a ske d .

“
Do you r em emb er your con d i t i on a few years a go when you su d '

”
den ly h a d a n a tt a ck of po ss essi o n ? a sk e d t h e A n c e st r e ss o n c e mor e .

“
No t ex a c t ly B ut I ca n mor e o r l es s r em emb er t h a t I lo st co n t rol o f
.

my self It s eem e d t o m e a s i f I w e r e b ei n g pull e d a bou t an d sei z e d by

.

d e vi l s I fel t a n urg e t o t a ke h old of t h e fir st murd e rou s w ea pon I could

.

la y h a n d s o n a n d to k i ll t h e firs t l i v i n g cr e a t ure t h a t c a m e n ea r m e In .

s p i t e of t h e e x h a ust i o n wh i c h t h e n ov e rc a m e m e I h a d t o k ee p ru sh i n g

o n fl our i sh i n g t h e w ea po n i n my h an d
, .

“ ”
A n d ho w w a s i t w h en you w er e cur e d l a t e r ?

I t h ough t I h ea rd a vo i c e in th e a i r B ut wh a t i t s a i d I n o lon ge r .

r em emb er .

“
Your s t a t em en t co i n c i d es w i th th a t of P a o Y u a n d co n firm s t h e oh
” “
s e rv a ti o n s m a d ei n t h e r e c en t c a s e r em a rk e d th e A n c est r ess T her e i s
, .

n o doub t a bou t i t th a t a ccur se d b e a s t old M a b e wi t c h e d you a n d P a o

-

, ,

Y u th a t t i m e A n d w e w ere so si mpl e a s t o c h oo se t h a t w i t c h t o b e Pa o
.

Y u s godmo th er a n d a dop t e d mo th e r ! W i th ou t th e a i d of t he tw o
’

438
the ol wom an h a d worke d her m a gi c a n d th e fees sh e h a d ch a rg e d
d
t h em T h er e w e r e a lso foun d qu a n t i t i es of vouc h er s f o r o i l u se d an d
.

”
i n c en s e burn e d o n b eh a lf of o th e r pe opl e .

“
Now I un d er st and cr i e d P h o en i x a st o n i sh e d I go t su sp i c i ou s a t
”
, , .

o n c e sh ort ly a ft er my r ecov ery wh en I s a w the o ld w om an fre qu en t ly

,

v is i ti n g th e seco n d a ry wi fe C h a o s a p a rtm en ts I w as t ol d t h a t th e w i t ch
’
.

w as t ry i n g t o coll e c t a d e b t from C h a o O n o n e s uch occ a si o . n wh en sh e

r a n i n t o m e h er f a c e sh ow e d vi si bl e emb a rr a ssm en t a n d sh e ro ll e d th e
,

pup i ls o f her ey es a bou t t i mi dly an d r est lessly l i ke a st art le d clucki n g

h en .O f cours e w i th th e po si t i o n I h old in th e h ou se i t i s n o t s ur pri si n g
, ,

t h a t I s h ould i n c u r h a te a n d i ll w i ll B u t w h a t cr i m e h as t h e i n n oc e n t
.

P a o Y u comm i tt e d th at th e po i son h an d o f th i s t rea ch e rou s plo t sh ould

? ”
clu t c h a t hi m
W h o kn ow s ? P e rh a p s C h a ob ea rs a grudg e a g a i n st Pa o Y u b ec a u se
“

I pr efe r hi m t o h er o ff spr ing Hu an sai d the A n c estress

”
, , .

“
Th a t i s j us t i t ! T h e plo t n o doub t ori g i n a t e d w i th C h a o i n t er ,
“
B ut h o w ca n sh e b e co n vi c t e d ? Th e
’
r u p t ed P ao Y u s mo t h e r e a g erly .

o n ly po ssi bl e w i t n ess fo r th e p ro se cu t i o n o ld M a i s a lr e a dy con d e mn e d

'

, ,

a n d m a y h a v e a lr ea dy b een e x ecu t ed W i t h th i s w i t n ess go n e C h a o w i ll

.
,

s im ply d en y e v e ry th i n g T h e r e pu t a t i o n o f our h ou se would s u ff e

. r if we
.

l et i t com e t o a publi c s c a n d a l w i th ou t h a v i n g s uffi c i en t proof . T he b est

th i n g i s for u s t o ob serv e C h a o f o r t h e pr esen t an d w a i t un t i l sh e b et r a y s
h ers elf .

“
Th a t i s e x a c tly my op i n i on a gr ee d th e A n c e st r ess W e c a nn o t
, .

proc ee d w i th ou t proof On n o a ccoun t must w e op en o ur mou th s t o o

-
.

s oo n ! L et us l e a v e th e r est t o o ur all see i n g Buddh a ! A n d so w e w i ll n o t

-

”
do a n yt h i n g a bou t the m a tt e r fo r th e pr esen t !
. W i th th i s t he con s ul t a t i on en d e d an d th ey w en t o n t o d i s cu ss c a t er
,

i n g a n d o the r e v e ryd a y m a t t er s P a o Y u s mo th e r w as c a lle d t o Mr

’
‘
. .

C h en g w h o w i sh e d t o d i scu s s s om e i mpor t an t m a tte rs w i th h er Th e

, .

res ul t o f t h i s p a r en t a l d i s cu ssi o n w a s th e d e c i si o n t h a t P a o Y u w a s t o

a tt en d t h e f a m i ly s c h ool o n c e mor e a f t e r a n i n t e rrup t i o n o f s ev e r a l

y ea rs Tru e M a s t e r T a i J u w a s o n ly mod er a t e ly l e arn e d b ut he kne w

.
, ,

h o w t o w i eld a u th or i t y a n d a li t tl e d i s c i p li n e could n o t h a rm Pa o Y u
, ,

w h o w a s s po i l e d by h a v i n g h a d t o o muc h fre e dom s a i d Mr C h e n g , . .

Th e follow i n g morn i n g h e h im se lf t ook Pa o Y u t o th e s c h ool an d ,

ea rn est ly r e qu e s t e d old T ai J u t o form h i s so n i n t o a d e c en t f ellow fi t ,

t o f a c e t he w o rl ds T h ere mu st b e a n en d n o w t o t h e pl a yful d a lly i n g w i th

v erse a n d r h ym e ma k i n g ; from n o w o n i t mu st b e a m a tt e r o f l e a rn i n g
-

h i s t ory a bove a ll a n d m a st er i n g th e s ou n d a rt o f pro s e compo si ti o n A s

, .

ca n w e ll b e i m a g i n e d P a o Y u w a s li t t l e pl e ase d w i th t h e p a r en t a l d e c i
, .

s i o n T h e m i s fort u n e prop h es i e d for h i m by th e fi shi n g rod h a d ar r i v e d

.

s oo n e r t h a n e xpe c te d .

44 0
 C HA PT E R 40

An l dr ea m fri g h t ens a n un ha ppy lo v es i c k ma i d en in t h e B a m b oo

ev i

H e rm i t a g e B eg i n n in g 0 / S pr i n g i s v is i t e d b h er re la t i v es o n h er s i c k
y
.

b ed i n t h e Im p e r ia l P a la c e .

IN THE B EG O N I A CO U R T YA R D O NC E so wo rsr A ND H APPY A S O L EMN

, ,

si l en c e r e i g n e d P a o Y u w a s s p en d i n g t h e
.
gre a te r p a r t of t he da y i n t h e
f am i ly s ch ool a n d w hen he w a s a t h om e th e h om e work w h i c h Sc hool
, ,

m a st e r T a i J u th oug h t fully g a v e h i m m a d e i t a l a s i mpo ssi bl e f o r hi m

, ,

t o romp a bou t a n d w as te h i s t i m e w i t h w a i t i n g m a i d s a n d m a i d se rv a n t s .

“ ”
E a rly t o b e d a n d e a rly t o r i se w a s t he w a t c hword n o w Mor e ov e r .
,

M a d a m e C h e n g h a d g i v en h i s w a i t i n g m a i d s t o u n d e r s t a n d t h a t i f t h e y
d a red t o d i st r a c t Pa o Y u from h i s st ud i e s t he y wo uld fa re a s Br i gh t
Cloud h a d do n e So wh e t he r t he y l i ked i t o r n o t th ey ha d to t a ke t o
.
, ,

t h e i r n ee dl e work i n r ea l e a rn e st n o w
, .

O n e da y P ea rl w a s croc h et i n g h e r n ew b et e l n u t b a g a n d l e t ti n g her -

t h oug h t s w a n d e r i n t h e m ea n w h i l e W h a t would b e com e o f h e r l a t e r ?

.

“ ”
No doub t Pa o Y u would t a ke h e r for h i s s i d e c h a mb e r w hen h e m a r -

r i e d a n d of cours e h e would t re a t he r we ll b ut ho w would sh e get o n

, ,

“ ”
w i th h i s fir s t ? Would sh e ha ve th e sam e t r a g i c f a te a s th e seco n d Y u ,

w h o h a d b ee n t ort ur e d t o d e a t h by he r r i v a l P h o e n i x ? O r would s h e,

fa r e l i ke poor Lo t u s w h o h a d b een fr i gh t en e d a w a y from t he common

,

h om e by H s u e h P a n s dom i ne e r i n g a n d qu a rr el s om e wi fe s h ort ly a ft e r
’

h e h a d m a rr i e d a n d w a s n o w a se rv a n t o f Pre c i ou s Cla sp ? If s he could

,

o n ly fi n d o u t w ho w a s to b e P a o Y u s fu t ur e w i fe ! Accord i n g t o e v e ry
’

t h i n g s he h a d h ea rd Bl a ck J a d e h a d t h e b es t c h an c e S h e d e c i d e d t o
,
.

t a k e a w a lk ov er t o t h e B a mboo H e rm i t a g e a n d t o s ou n d o ut t h e fe el

i n g s o f h er fu t ur e m i s t r e ss a l i tt l e .

Bl a ck J a d e l a i d h er book a si d e a m i a bly in v i te d h er gu est t o s i t down

, ,

a n d g o t t h e w a i t i n g m a i d Cuckoo t o se rv e h e r w i t h t ea Afte r a few .

“
pol i t e n o th i n gs Pe a rl b eg a n w i th a s mi l e t urn i n g t o Cuckoo : I h ea r
, ,

from Au t um n W a ve t h a t you v e b ee n s a y i n g r ec en tly h o w t e rri bly o u r

’

? ”
l i fe in th e p a rk h a s b een c h a n ge d
Y es i n d eed i t s b e com e t err i bly dull— u n b ea r a bly dull Th a t s wh a t
“ ’ ’
.
, ,

”
I sa i d a dm i tte d Cuckoo fe rven t ly Pa o Y u a t sc h ool Pr e c i ous C las p
,
.
,

gon e a w a y Gre e t i n g of Spr i n g go n e a w a y a n d Lo t u s n o t a llowed t o

, ,

? ”
com e ov e r he re a n y mor e I sn t t ha t so .
’

“
I n d ee d i t i s A n d s pe a ki n g o f Lo t us t he poor g i rl seem s t o h a ve
. ,

h a d ve ry t oug h luck w i th h e r F i rs t ; th a t wom an i s ev en mo re ru th l ess

‘ ’

a n d d i ffi cul t t o ge t o n w i th t h an a c e rt a i n o t h e r o n e .

Bea rl st opp e d a n d s i g n i fic a n tl y li ft e d tw o fin g e rs by w h i c h sh e ,

m ea n t Ph o eni x She di d n o t d a re t o m en ti o n th e n a me It s tr uck B la ck

.
.

44 1
J a de th a t thi s w a s th e fir st t i m e sh e h a d h ea rd P e a rl wh o ord i n a ri ly w a s
_ ,

mo st d i scr eet sp ea kin g un fa vor ably of som e o n e a b sen t B ut she h a d to

, .

a dm i t t h a t s h e w a s r i gh t .

“
I n c i d en ts o f th a t k i n d a re in e v i t abl e i n a b i g h ou seh old where there
b
a re s ev e r a l w i v es ; th er e wi ll n o dou t a lw a y s b e ri v a lry b e t w e en t he
”
e a st w i n d a n d t h e w es t w i n d sh e r e m a rk e d p h i lo s oph i c a lly ; a n d sh e
,

t h oug h t t o h e r s e lf o f h er o w n r i v a lry w i t h Pr e c i ou s Cl as p A s i f sum .

m o n ed by t el ep a t h y a se rv i n g wom a n sen t by Pr e c i ous Cl a s p a pp ea r e d

,
'

a t th i s mom en t w i t h a d i sh o f l i t c h i plum s pr e se rv e d i n h on e y f o r Bl a ck
‘

J a d e Th e o ld wom an st a r e d fi x e dly a t Bl a ck J a d e f o r a mom en t th en

.
,
“
w i th a gr i n sh e r em a rke d po i n t bl a n k t o P e a rl : I don t won d er n ow
'
-
’

t h a t o u r Ta i t a i H s u eh a lw a y s s a y s t h a t your you n g l a dy i s j u st t h e ri gh t
'

”
bri d e for you n g Pa o Y u She i s i n d ee d a r ea l a n g el
. .

Th i s fa m i l i a r a n d down ri gh t a sser ti o n n a t ur a lly emb a rr a sse d P ea rl

a n d st i ll mor e Bl a ck J a d e P ea rl t ri e d h a rd t o
.
p u t h e r o ff th e s ubj ec t an d
pr ess e d her t o t a k e a cup o f t ea b u t t he o ld wom a n s eem e d t o fee l i ll at
,

ca s e W i t h a sh ow o f b e i n g bu s y a n d im port a n t sh e t ook h er l e a v e i m
.

m e d i a te ly Sh e h a d n o t i m e sh e sa i d t h e y a ll h a d t h ei r h an d s full ov e r
.
, ,

t h e r e g ett i n g r e a dy for t h e w e dd i n g of M i ss Pr e c i ou s H a rp .

“
G i v e M i ss Prec i ou s Cl a sp my greet i n gs a n d th an ks Bl a ck J a d e ,

t old h e r a s she w en t o ff a n d sh e could h ea r t h e old wom an mu t t e r i n g t o

,

“
h e rs elf s om eth i n g w h i c h s ou n d e d l i k e ; Th o se are n i c e m a nn er s i n
”
d ee d ! No m an exc ep t P a o Y u could p ut up w i th th a t on e ! B ut sh e
pr et en d e d t h a t sh e h a d n o t h ea rd h er .

D i d an yo n e ev er h ea r s uc h i mpud en t b a bbl i n g! O n e h a rdly kn ow

“ '

s
”
whet he r t o b e a n gry w i th h er o r t o l a ugh a t h er P e arl blur t e d o ut “

wh en t h e old wom a n w a s go n e ; an d sh e t o o w en t o ff a ft er a sh ort t i m e

'

T h e c h an c e i n form a t i o n w h i ch t h e ga rrulou s o l d wom an h a d b et r a y e d

w a s a ll sh e w an t e d t o h e a r a n d m a d e i t un n e c e ss a ry for h er t o r em a i n

lon ge r w i th Bla ck J a d e .

B ut t h e old wom a n s word s w en t o n r evolv i n g i n Bl a ck J a d e s m i n d

’ ’

a n d r e l ea s e d a n en dl es s st r e a m o f dr ea my t h oug h t s a s i f from an i n ex ,

h a u st i b le s pool W a s h er m a rr i a g e t o P a o Y u r ea lly a se tt l e d a ff a i r ?
. .

Tru e sh e fe l t sh e could b e s u re o f h i m a n d h i s fee l i n g s ; b ut h i s mo th e r

,

a n d h i s gr a n dmo t h e r would a l s o h a v e a s a i n t h e m a tt er W h y h a d h er
y .

p a r en t s n o t b et ro th e d h er w h i le t h e y we re st i ll a l i v e ? If th e y h a d do n e
s o sh e would b e r e li e v e d of a ll t h i s t or t ur i n g u n c e rt a i n t y O n t h e o t he r
, .

h a n d i f h er p a r e n t s h a d a lr e a dy ch o sen for h er would t h e p ers o n of

, ,

t h e i r c h o i c e b e a s d es i r a bl e a n d a s comp a t i bl e wi t h h er a s P a o Y u defi

n i t el w ? Ex h a u st e d by a ll t hi s brood i n g a n d co n j e c t u r i n g sh e la
y a s y ,

dow n o n h er b e d s t i ll dr esse d a s d a rkn e ss fe ll

, , .

A s sh e la y th e r e h a lf a s l eep i t s udd en ly se em e d t o h er th a t li t t l e
,

Sn o w go o se w a s st a n d i n g b e for e h er a n d t e lli n g h er t h a t Mr Yu Tsun .

442-
w as out si d e an d w i sh e d t o sp ea k t o h er Sh e s en t h i m word th at sh e .

th an k e d h i m for h i s v i si t b ut e xcu se d h e r se lf o n th e pl ea o f n o t b e i n g
,

w e ll For a l th ough h e h a d b een h er t u t or i t would n ev er t h el essb e um

.
,

s ee mly for a you n g g i rl li k e h er t o r e c e i v e t h e v i s i t o f a g en t l e m an a s ,

s h e g a v e S n o w g o o s e t o u n d e r st a n d .

“
I b e li ev e h e on ly c a m e t o co n gr at ul a t e yo u r e pl i e d Sn o w go o se , ,
.

”
a n d v a r i ou s o t h e r p e opl e h a v e com e t o v i s i t you t o o .

A n d i mm e d i a t e ly i n c a m e Ph o en i x a n d Pr i n c e ss S h i eh a n d M a d a m e
C h en g a n d Pr ec i ou s Cl as p a ll smi l i n g t o h er room , , .

“
W e com e i n t h e firs t pl a c e t o co n gr a t ul a t e yo u a n d i n the s e co n d
pl a c e t o es cort you a w a y th e y s a i d , .

“
Wh a t do es t h a t m ean ? I do n o t u n d ersta n d yo u sh e r epl i e d p er , ,

p lexe d .

“ ”
Do n o t pr et en d t o b e so dull w i t t e d ! Sur ely yo u mu st kn ow ! s a i d
-

“ ’
Ph o en i x Do n t you kn ow th a t your f a th e r h a s b een promo t e d Corn
.

Tr ea s ur e r of th e Prov i n c e o f H u Pe i a n d h a s co n t r a c t e d a mo st h a ppy ,

se co n d m a rr i a g e ? H e do e s n o t w i sh t o l e a v e you h e r e a n y lon g er i n your

i s ol a t i o n so h e h a s a ppo i n t e d Mr Y u T s u n as n ego t i a t or t o a rr a n g e
, .

your b e t ro th a l t o a n e p h e w of your st e pmo t h e r You a re t o go h om e n o w .

an d e t m a rr i e d C h i a L i en h a s b een a ppo i n t e d your e s cor t a n d pro

g .

”
t e c t or .

Wh i l e P h o en i x w a s s p ea k i n g Bl a ck J a d e fel t a cold sw ea t br ea ki n g
o u t a ll ov e r h e r body .

Th a t i s a ll n o n sen se ! It s a b a d j oke t h ough t up by P h o en i x sh e

’
,

cri e d e xc i te dly wh e r e upo n Pr i n c e ss S h i eh t h r e w t h e o th e r s a s i gn i fic a n t

,
“ ”
look a n d sa i d : She do esn t b el i e v e u s Com e ! Let us go a way !
’
.

Bl a ck J a d e w a s a bout t o b eg th em wi th t ea rs t o r e m a i n b u t t h e four
‘
-

, , ,

vi s i t or s wa lke d s i l en t ly a n d st i ffl y t o th e door w i t h a cold s m i l e o n t h e i r ,

fa ce s Bl a ck J a d e w a s l e f t a lo n e a pr e y t o h er gr i e f Th en a ll of a s u d
.
, .

den sh e s eem e d t o b e st a n d i n g oppo s i t e th e Pr i n c es s A n c e s t ress Sh e .

kn el t do wn b e for e h er cl a sp e d h er a roun d th e t h i gh s a n d i mplor e d h e r

, ,

w i th t e a rs n o t t o sen d h er a w a y a s i t would b e h er d ea th H e r s te p , .

mo th e r w a s a s t r a n g er t o h er ; sh e w a n t e d on ly t o r e m a i n w i th t h e o ld .

T a i ta i B u t th e A n c e st r es s looke d a t h er coldly a n d r e pl i e d t h a t t h i s
.

m a tte r di d n o t co n ce rn h er .

“ ”
Wh a t do es t h a t m ea n a ske d Bl a ck J a d e a st ou n d e d
?
,
.

Afte r a ll i t i s a ls o v e ry n i c e t o get m a rri e d You w i ll h a v e lo ts o f

, .

”
won d e rful dr esse s a n d lo a d s of j ew e lry w as th e a n sw e r , .

“
I don t c a re i n t he l e a st a bou t a ll t h o se th i n g s I o n ly w an t t o s t ay
’ '

”
h e r e H elp m e o l d T a i ta i ! Do n t le t m e l e a v e yo u ! i mplore d Bl a ck
’
.
,

J a de .

“
S t up i d c h i ld ! You c a n n o t rem a i n he r e a ll your li fe A t i m e com es .

”
w h en youn g g i rls h a v e t o l ea v e h om e a n d m a rry !

444
 No , I would r a th e r go o n l i v i n g h ere ev en as a se rv a n t as the
no ; , ,

lowe s t m a i d se rv a n t a n d e a rn my o w n br ea d ! H a ve p i t y o n m e for th e
, ,

sa k e o f my mo th e r your o wn d a ug h t e r
; h a v e p i t y o n m e o ld Ta i ta i
’

, , ,
”
a n d do n o t t ur n m e o u t ! cr i e d Bl a ck J a d e p as s i on a te ly .

B ut th e A n c es t r e ss r em a i n e d p i t i l es s .

“ ”
T a ke her o ut ! she ord ere d he r wa i t i n g m a i d M an d a ri n Duck , ,
“ ”
brus qu e ly I a m t i re d a n d w ea ry of he r !
.

In d e s p e r a t i o n s h e ru she d o ut H a d a ll t he love s h own he r up t o t hi s

.

by gr a n dmo the r a u n t s a n d cou si n s b een o n ly wre t c he d h ypocr i s y ? She

, ,

fe l t t ha t th e world w a s t o o muc h for h er a n d th ough t o f su i c i d e The n, .

P a o Y u c a m e i n t o h er m i n d Pe rh a p s s he would fi n d h elp from h i m ?

.

A n d th en s he fou n d h e rse lf oppo s i te h i m .

“ ”
I co n gr a t ul a t e you o n your gre a t good for t un e M ei m ei ! he sa i d ,

qu i t e c h ee rfully .

En r a ge d at hea ri n g s uc h a t h i n g a n d i n su ch a t o ne from hi s li p s sh e ,

forgo t a ll her a ccu st om e d t i m i d i t y a n d re se rve dre w hi m clo se up to ,

“
h er a n d s a i d t o h i m fur i ou s ly : Now yo u are b e tr a y i n g yo ur se lf d ea r
, ,
”
e st ! Do you c a ll t h a t lov e a n d fid e l i t y ?
“
W h a t a re you sa y i n g a bou t love a n d fid e l i t y ? Y o u h a v e go t a n o t her ,

”
h a v en t you O ur w a y s h a ve p a r te d h e r e pl i e d c a lmly
’
? .
,
“
No i t i s n o t d e c i d e d ye t w h om I sh a ll follow It li es w i th yo u ! I a m
, .

”
w a i t i n g for your word ! she burs t o u t v ehem en t ly .

“
A n d I h a v e b een w a i t i n g t he w h ol e t i m e for your word O ri gi n a lly .

w e tw o w i sh e d t o b e lo n g t o ea c h o t h e r d i dn t w e ? So i f y o u wi s h s ta y
’
.
, ,

Hi s word s c h a n g e d her sorrow i n t o jo y .

In li fe a n d i n d e a t h I a m yours ! s he sa i d so le mn ly B u t yo u— you
“ ”
.

? ”
mu st d ecl a r e yours elf o n c e mor e : S h al l I go or s ha ll I r em a in
“ ” “
R em ai n ! h e cri e d e qu a lly s ol e mn ly B ut i f yo u doub t t ha t t h i s i s
,
.

”
my si n c e re w i ll j u st look a t my h ea r t !
,

W i t h t h es e word s h e t ook a sh a rp d a gg er an d drove i t r i ght i n t o h i s

br ea st Ho rri fi e d a t the s i gh t of th e cri m s o n s t rea m wh i c h gu sh e d o u t
. ,

s h e pre ss e d h e r h a n d ov e r t h e ope n woun d a n d cr i e d pl a i n t i v e ly : W hy

”
di d you do t h a t K i ll m e fir s t !
?
”
Do n t b e a fr a i d ! s a i d P a o Y u qu i t e c a lmly I on ly w an t t o ta ke
’
,
.

o u t my h e a r t a n d s h ow i t t o you .

A n d h e s t uck h i s h a n d i n t o th e g a p in g woun d a n d fumbl e d a bo ut in

“
i t a s i f look i n g for s om e t hi n g Sudd e n ly h e cri e d o ut i n d i s m a y : O h
. ,

w o e ! I h a v e lo s t my h e a r t ! Now I m
”
u st di e !
H e t urn e d up h i s e y e s a n d s lumpe d t o th e groun d w i t h a h ea vy t h ud .

A t th i s Bl a ck J a d e u tt e re d a s ti fl e d cry of a go n y Sudd en ly sh e r ecog .

“ ”
n i zed t h e vo i c e of he r m a i d Cuckoo M i ss ! M i ss c ri e d th e m a i d
. . .

v g ? W a ke up ! U n dress
n i g h t m a re a re you .
h a i n _

S h e r ea l i z e d th en th a t sh e h a d been d e lud e d

445
 by a dr ea m Her th ro a t w a s st i ll a s i f t i e d up her h ea rt w as bo un d i n g
.
,

w i ldly h er un d e rg a rm en t a n d h er p i llow wer e dr en ch e d w i th cold

,

s w ea t L i mp a n d e x h au s t e d sh e a llow e d Cuckoo t o u n dr ess h e r a n d p u t

.
,

h e rt o b e d prop erly .

B u t t h e w h ole n i g h t thr oug h sh e could n o t s l ee p Sh e t o ss e d r e st l ess ly .

from si d e t o si d e a n d l i sten e d full of fea r t o t h e n o i ses o f t h e n i ght

wh i c h r ea ch e d he r ea r from ou tsi d e A t o ne mom en t sh e would h ea r th e
.

b a bbl i n g o f t he n ea r b y brook t h en i t w a s t he pl a i n t i v e mo a n i n g o f th e
-

wi n d o r th e mon o t o n ou s dr i pp i n g o f t he a u t um n r a i n or a g a i n s om e
, , , ,

co nfu se d h um an s ou n d from s ome wh e r e i n th e d i st an c e .

Sh e l i st en e d w i th s om et h i n g l i ke en vy t o th e re g ul a r s n or i n g t o n es o f
s oun d s l ee p w h i c h c a m e ov e r from Cuckoo s b e d n e a r by T i r e d o f ly i n g
’
.

down sh e h urri e dly a ss um e d a si tt i n g po si ti on u n t i l t h e i cy dr a ft

, , ,

wh i ch sh e fe lt cu tti n g t h rough th e sl i t s i n t h e w i n dow p a rch m en t ,

obl i g e d h er t o li e down a g a i n a n d wr a p h e r se lf li ke a mummy in th e

pro t e c t i n g bl a n ke ts Wh en a t l a st sh e fe ll i n t o an u n ea sy h a lf slee p th e
.

m an y vo i c e d t wi tt e r o f b i rd s w a s a lre a dy a ud i bl e from th e b a mboo

-

pl a n t a t i o n i n t h e fro n t g a rd en a n d the p a le li g h t o f d a wn w a s cr ee p i n g
,

in th e w i n dow .

Sudd en ly she w a s sh a ken by a seve r e fi t o f coughin g a n d th i s a woke ,

Cuckoo w h o ru sh e d t o her b e d si d e
, .

“ ”
Aw a ke s o ea rly ? sh e a s ke d look i n g w i th a n x i et y a t t h e f a ti gu e d
, ,

s u ff e r i n g f a c e of h er m i s t r es s .

“ ’
I could n t s le ep Plea se t a ke o ut th e S p i t ti n g bowl a n d fet ch m e a
.

cl e a n o n e .

Cuckoo p ut a clean bowl by h er b ed a n d t ook th e o the r o n e o ut t o th e

cour t y a rd A s sh e w a s emp t y i n g i t sh e n ot i c e d m a n y s po ts o f blood
.

mi n gle d w i th th e spu t um .

“ ”
O h h o w t e rr i bl e ! s h e g a s p e d i n volun t a r i ly Bl a ck J a d e h ea rd h er
, .

e xcl a m a t i o n d i s t i n c t ly from i n s i d r
“
e ”
.

Wh a t fr i gh ten e d you j u st n o w sh e a ske d th e m a i d a ft e rwa rd s

? .

O h i t w a s r ea lly n o t h i n g T h e bowl n ea rly s li ppe d o u t of my h a n d

'

.
, ,

li e d Cuckoo b ut h e r looks h e r h esi t an t t o n e an d h er t ea r st a i n e d e y es

, , ,
-

b et r a y e d h er Bl a ck J a d e h a d i n fa ct p e rc ei v e d t h e swee t i sh t a st e o f
.

blood in h er mou th wh en sh e w a s cough i n g sh or t ly b e fore Sh e h a d lo n g .

si n ce ce a s e d t o d e c e i ve h e r s e lf r e g a rd i n g h er co n d i t i o n .

“ ”
I kn ow w e ll th a t my s p i t t l e h a s fr i gh te n e d yo u sh e sa i d c a lmly , .

Y o u s h ould t a k e mor e c a re of your h ea l t h a n d co n fid e i n t h e o l d

T a i t a i a n d th e o th e r l a d i es T h e y a ll r e a lly do m ea n s o w e ll by yo u
.
,

d e a r youn g l a dy Cuckoo a dmo n i sh e d h er t en d e rly .

B u t h e r r efe r en c e t o t h e l a d i es r e c a lle d t o Bl a ck J ew e l s m i n d h er
’

t e rri bl e dr e a m of t h e n i gh t b e for e w h i ch b e l i e d th e w ord s o f t h e w a i t i n g

,

m a i d Sh e fe l t a s ta b th roug h h e r st om a c h h er e y esi gh t gr e w s udd en ly

'

.
,

4 46
 ”
To wh om h a v e yo u b een t a lki n g ju st n o w ? Bl a ck J a d e w an t e d to

kn ow .

“
T o P ea rl .

Te ll h er t o com e in
P ea rl h a d to si t down o n t h e e dg e of the b e d .

“ ”
W h o di d you s a y j u st n o w h a d a ba d dr ea m l a st n i ght ?
”
P a o Y u It w a s a b i t of a n i g h t m a r e n o doub t
.
, .

? ”
Do you kn ow wh a t h e sa i d i n h i s dr ea m
No l i e d P ea rl
, .

’
S h e s kee p i n g i t from m e t o s p a re my feel i n gs t h ought Bl a ck J a d e t o ,
“

he rself Sh e h a d h ea rd qu i te w ell th e whi s p e re d word s a bou t t h e d a gg e r

.

s t uck i n t h e br e a st How st r a n g e ly P a o Y u s dr e a m corr espo n d e d w i th

’
.

h er ow n !

Wh i l e t w o p a t i en ts th e o n e i n t h e B e go n i a Court y a rd an d th e o th e r
,

i n th e B a mboo H e rm i t a g e w er e s t i ll b ei n g t r ea t e d i n a ccord a n c e w i th
,

t h e pr es cr i p t i o n s of t h e f a m i ly doc t or W a n g w h om th e o ld T a i t a i h a d
, ,

s en t for n ew s c a m e of t h e i lln ess of t h e Imp e r i a l w i fe

, B eg i n n i n g of ,

Spr i n g .

O n e da y t w o c h i e f e un uc h s arr i ve d a t th e Y u n gk u o p a l a c e a n d de
l i ve r e d a n Impe r i a l ord e r t o Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d C h i a C h en g T h e N ia n g .

n i a n g t h e h i g h l a dy h a d b e en s u ff er
, , i n g som e d i s qu i et f o r a sh ort t i m e
p a st Four l a d i es of h er f am i ly would b e p e rm i t t e d t o en t er th e i n n e r
.

pr e c i n c ts o f t h e Imp e ri a l P a l a c e a n d v i s i t t h e gre at l a dy E a ch l a dy-

would b e perm i tt e d t o t a k e o n e fem a l e se rv a n t t o a ccomp an y h er M a l e .

r e l a t i v es m i gh t j o i n t h e p a r t y b u t would o n ly b e p e rm i tte d a cc e ss t o th e
,

e n t r a n c e of t h e I n n e r P a l a c e ; t h e r e t h e y would h a v e t o sen d i n t h eir

v i s i t i n g c a rd s o ff e r t hei r s a lut a t i o n s a n d a w a i t n ew s Th e n ex t da y h a d
, ,
.

b e en fix e d for t h e v i si t “ a n d th e p e r i od of t i m e a llow e d mor e ov e r w a s

, , ,

b et w een t h e doubl e h our of t h e dr a go n a n d th a t of t he cock , n a m ely

b e t w een ei ght i n t h e morn i n g a n d s i x i n th e e v en i n g .

S t an d i n g resp e c t fully t he t wo sen i or s o f t h e C h i a cl a n h a d l i st en e d t o

,

t h e Imp e r i a l m essa g e T h e y se rv e d t h e c h i e f e u n uc h s a b owl of t ea a n d

.

a ccomp a n i e d t h e m p e r s o n a lly t o t h e door s of t h ei r s e d a n c h a i r s i n fro n t

o f th e i n n e r g a tew a y A fa m i ly coun c i l foll ow e d Th e A n c est r ess de

. .

c i d e d th at for t he four fem a l e r el a t i ve s p erm i tt e d t o v i si t t h e r e could ,

on ly b e a qu est i o n of h e rsel f Pr i n c ess S h i eh M a d a m e C h en g a n d

, , ,

P h o en i x ; wh i l e i t w a s a gr ee d th a t Pr i n c e S h i eh an d Ch i a C h en g sh ould
r e pr esen t th e m a l e r el a t i ve s .

’
Accord i n gly t h e n ex t morn i n g a t th e h our of t h e dr a go n four l a d i es
, , ,

s e d a n c h a i r s cov e r e d w i th
g r een d a m a s k a n d t en c a rr i a g es s e t o ut from
, ,

t h e Y un gk u o p a l a be for t h e Forb i dd e n C i t y Th e p e r s o n a l Se rv a n t s L i .

Kwe i a n d M i n g Y en rod e at t he h ea d of th e proc essi on a n d a n um e r ,

448
 r et i n ue o f se rvan ts b ro ught up th e rea r ; A ll h a d t o d i smoun t a t th e
'

o us

wes t e rn g a t ew a y o f th e I n ne r P al a ce Youn g e un uc hs co n duc te d t h e

.

la di e s t o t he resi d en ce o f Be g i n n in g o f Spri n g The g en t l em en ha d to .

wa i t i n fro n t of th e ga t e wa y wi th th e se rv a n ts .

T w o la d i es i n w a i t i n g i n stru c te d t h e l a di es th a t t h ey w e re o n ly pe r
- -

mi t t e d t o w i s h th e p a ti en t a good r ecov ery an d w er e forb i dd e n a n y di s

cus si o n of th e i l ln ess i ts e lf Be g i n n i n g o f Spri n g ly i n g i n a m a gn i fic e n t
.
,

b e d w elcom e d h er v i s i t ors re c ei ve d thei r ts i n g a n an d gr a c i ou s ly i n

, , ,

vi te d th e m t o b e se a t e d .

”
How i s your h ea l th she a sked th eA n c est ress
?
.

Th a n ks t o t he ov e rw h elm i n g gr a c i ou sn ess o f t he Nia n g n ia n g I a m ,

”
st i ll f a i rly s ou n d r e pl i ed t he A n c estr es s st a n d i n g a n d t r embl i n g w i th
, ,

a w e i n a ll h er m emb e r s i n th e m a nn e r pres cr i b e d by Court e t i qu e t te .

Aft e r a f ew mor e fr i en dly que sti o n s t o th e thr ee o t he r l a d i es ea c h of ,

w h om r e pli e d sta n di n g B e g i n n i n g o f Spri n g gl a n c e d dow n the l i s t of

,

n a m es o f th e m a l e a n d o th e r r e l a t i ves whi c h a l a dy i n w a i ti n g l a i d b e
,
- -

for e h er o n b eha lf o f th e t w o fami ly se n i or s w h o we re w a i t i n g ou ts i d e .

A s she di d s o sh e w as ov ercom e w i t h emo ti o n a n d a n o t he r l a dy ln w a i t - -

i n g h a d t o wi p e h er t ea rful e y e s .

How for t un a te ord i na ry mor t a l s a re comp a re d w i th us s i g he d B e ,

“
gi nn i n g o f Spr i n g T he y ca n c he r i sh t h ei r fa m i ly a s s oc i a t i o ns to t h e i r
.

hea rt s co n t en t a n d se e ea c h o ther a s of t en a s th ey w i sh
’
.
,
“ ”
A n d h ow i s P a o Y u ? sh e co n t i n u e d .

A t th e ea rn est w i sh o f hi s f a th e r h e h a s b een d evo t i n g h i ms e lf se r i

”
o us l y t o h i s st udi es of l a t e a n d h a s a lr ea dy m a d e e x cell en t progr ess
. ,

d ecl a re d th e A n cestress .

“
I a m gla d t o hea r t h a t .

B e gi n n i n g of Spr i n g si gne d t o her a tten d an ts t o co n duc t the gu ests t o

th e t abl e w h i c h w a s l a i d for t h e m i n a n o t h e r p a vi l i o n Af t e r th e m ea l .

th ey t a lke d a li tt l e lo n g e r w i th th e i llus t r i ous l a dy a n d t h e n t ook th e i r ,

l e a v e Af te r a fe w d a y s t he r ea ss ur i n g n ew s r e a c he d th e we s tern p a l a c e
.

th a t t h e Imp e r i a l w i fe w a s qu i te w e ll a g a i n A t th e sa m e t im e e u n uc hs .

brough t r i c h g i fts o n h er b eha lf fo r ev e ry s i n gl e o n e o f h e r re l a t i ves .

“ ”
Sh e i s s ti ll d ee ply d evo t e d t o P a o Y u r e m a rked th e An ces t ress to ,
“
C h i a C h en g dur i n g t he d i str i bu t i on of th e gi fts Sh e i n qu i re d pa rt i cu .

la rly gr a c i ou sly for h i m t he o the r da y .

“
He d oe s n o t d ese rv e t h a t i n th e l eas t th e un gr at e ful l az y r a s c a l
, , ,

i n t erj e c te d Mr C hen g
. .

“
O n th e co n t ra ry I pra i se d h i m t o th e s ki es for hi s re c en t progress
,
.

”
Com e ! Com e ! H e do es n o t qu i te d ese rve th a t yet .

I n d ee d ? I t h ough t he di d He s b ee n go i n g t o sch ool lo n g en ough

.
’

a n d you h a v e b e en c a lli n g h im u for i n te rv i e w s of ten en ough S ur ely

p
.

s om e w i s dom m
”
ust st i ck i n h i s m i n d a t l as t !
 N at ur a lly T h e o ld Ta i t a i i s r i g h t a g a i n t h e r e
. .

A n d b y t h e w a y, w hi l e w e a re t a lki n g a bou t P a o Y u , I j ust r em e m

b er s om eth i n g I h a v e b e en w i sh i n g t o di s cu ss w i th yo u f or a lo n g t i m e
p a st H e i s a lmo st grown up a lr ea dy a n d would i t n o t b e w ell t o look
.
,

o u t for a s u i t a bl e w i fe for h i m i n t i m e ? T h a t i s a m a t t e r w h i c h w i ll

a ff e c t h i s w h ol e l i f e In my op i n i o n w e Sh ould n o t a sk wh et h er t h e g i rl
‘
.

i n qu es t i o n i s r i c h or poor of o ur o wn cl a n o r o f an o t h er b ut o n l y set
, ,

s t or e o n a good c h a r a c t e r a n d a pl easin g e x t er i or .
.

“
You a re qu i te r i gh t O n ly I would a dd a s a coun ter st i pul at i o n th at
'

-
.

h e h i m self sh ould h a v e s om eth i n g t o Off e r i n th e w a y Of c h a r a c t e r a n d

a c h i ev em en t I would n o t wi sh t h a t h e sh ould prov e a w ee d wh i c h would
.

”
s po i l t h e n obl e pl a n t from s om e o th e r f a m i ly .

Hi s obj e c t i o n a n n oy e d t h e A n c est ress s om ewh a t .

“
It m ay b e t h a t I h a t e spo i l e d h i m from c h i ld h ood an d h i n d er e d t h e
d ev e lopm en t Of h i s c h a r a ct er N ev e rt he l e ss h e 1 5 a good w ell b eh a v e d
.
, ,

bo y I c an n o t i m a g i n e h i m i ll t r ea t i n g h i s youn g w i fe A t a n y r a t e h e 1 8
.
-
. .
,

a muc h b ett e r fe llow t h a n your Oth e r s c i o n C hi a Hu a n ,

.

“
Th e O l d T a i ta i h a s a gr ea t kn owl e dg e of h um a n n a t ur e ; n o doub t
sh e i s a bl e t o j udg e corr e c t ly a n d P a O Y u mu st c e rt a i n ly b e co n gr at u
,
”
l a t e d o n t h e fa c t t h a t sh e h a s s uc h a good Opi n i o n o f h i m a dm i tt e d
’
,
“
Mr C h en g O n ly I a m an x i ou s t O see h i m d ev elop a t l a st i n t o a m a
. .

t ur e b a l a n c e d c h a r a c t e r T h a t i s w
”
, . h a t i s o n my m i n d .

“
B ut a f te r a ll h e 1 5 h a rdly mor e th an a c h i ld H e h a s n o e xp er i en c e
, .

O f l i fe or y e a r s O f p ubl i c Offi c e b eh i n d h i m a s p e opl e l i ke y o u h a v e ,

.

”
The r e for e on e mu st n o t exp ec t t o o much O f hi m growl e d t h e A n ces ,

t r e ss a n d t urn i n g t o Pr i n c e ss S h i eh a n d M a d a m e C h en g sh e co n t i n u e d
, ,
“
i n a l i gh t er t o n e : Th i s f ellow w a s a v ery muc h mor e Odd a n d e cc en t r i c
-

boy t h an Pa o Y u i n h i s you th It w a s on ly wh en h e go t m a rr i e d t h a t h e
b e c a m e som ewh a t m
.

”
or e sen si ble .

“
Spl en d i d ! O ur O ld Ta i ta i a lw a y s kn ows ho w t o h a v e th e l a st l a ugh
on h er s i d e , cr i e d th e tw o l a d i es l a ugh i n g h e a r t i ly, .

T h e co n v e r s a t i o n w a s i n t errup t e d by a m a i d com i n g t o a n n ou n c e
t h a t s upp e r w a s r ea dy a n d t h e comp a n y w en t t o t a bl e i n t h e b est Of h u
,

mor Th i s w a s t h e first t i m e th a t P a O Y u s m a rr i a ge h a d b een s eri ou sly

.
’

d i scu sse d 1 n fa m i ly coun c i l .

Th a t sa m e e v en i n g C h i a Ch en g c a ll e d Pa o Y uup f or an i n t ervi ew .

H e m a d e h i m produc e th e t h r e e e ss a y s w h i c h h e h a d pr es en t e d dur i n g
t h e t w o mo n t h s t e r m t o M a st er T a i J u a n d d i s cu sse d t h em t h orough ly
’
,

w i th h i m a lt er i n g t hi s an d i mprov i n g t h a t a n d fi n a lly sen t h i m O ff n o t

, , ,

un gr a c i ou sly t o t he A n c est r ess

, .

P a O Y u fou n d Au n t H s u eh t h e re ; s h e h a d com e t o u n burd en h er

“

s e lf o n t h e s ubj ec t O f h e r i ll b eh a ve d d a ugh t e r in l a w w h o h a d m a d e a
- - -

v i ol en t s c en e w i th h er self a n d Pre c i ous Cl a sp o n ly th a t v e ry day Sh e .

450
 ”
W hy Of co ur se ! My ey es h a ve c e r ta i n ly grown dull wi th
,
a ge ! ex

cl a i m ed th e A n c estress n oddi n g a gr eem en t Pr in cess Shi eh an d M a d

, .
~

a m e C h en g e a g erly n odde d a gr eem ent t o o A n d from th a t h our i t w as .

a s ett l e d m a t t e r wi th i n t h e in n e r coun c i l Of th e l a di es Of th e Y a n gkuo

,

p ala ce th a t Pa o Y u an d Pr ec i ous Cl asp sh ould b ecome m an a n d wi fe

,
.

CHAPTER 4 1

Th e b ea u t ifu l ca ug ht up i n t he fire o f si n as sh e si t
sa i n t is h er
pra y e r c ush i o n a n d i s ca rri e d a w a y i n t o e csta sy by d em o n ia ca l forces
,
.

B la c k Ja d e i s fr i g h te n e d b y t h e s had o w of th e sna k e i n th e b ea k e r a nd ,

r eje c ts a ll n o ur i sh m en t w i th s u b l i m e res ol u t io n .

J U S T A S THE L A DIES O F THE Y UN C K UO PA L A CE W E R E ENG A GED IN E A GE R

d i scussi on O f the l a t est m a rr i a g e pl a n P a o Y u a ppe a re d o n t h e s cen e

,
.

He c a m e from th e p a l a c e O f th e Pr i n c e O f th e Nort h e rn Qui et n ess w h o ,

w a s c el e br a t i n g h i s b i rth d a y t od a y Th e th r ee s en i or s Pr i n c e S h i eh Mr
.
, , .

C hen g; a n d Pr i n ce Ch en an d t h e t w o j un i or s C hi a Li en a n d P M Y u
, , ,

h ad t og eth e r co n v ey e d th ei r co n gr a t ul a t i o n s t o h i m Th e Pr i n c e h a d .

con v er se d a lm o st e xclu si v ely w i th P aO Y u h a d i n form e d h i m b efor e ,

a n yo n e else of t h e com i n g promo ti o n O f h i s f a th er t o th e Offi c e of S t a t e

Coun c i llor i n t h e M i n i st ry of Works a n d gr a c i ou sly h o n or ed h i m o n

,

p a rt in g w i t h t h e g i ft o f a b ea ut i ful j ew el Full of pri d e P a o Y u sh owe d .

,

t h e Pr nc e s g i ft t o t h e A n c est r e ss an d t h e o th e r l a d i es Th e A n c est r ess

’

i .

d ec i d e d t h a t i t would b e w i se t o p ut t h e pr e c i ou s s ouv en i r a w a y i n th e
t r e a s ur e c h a mb e r l e s t i t sh ould b e lo s t .

“
A n d a r e you w e a r i n g your o wn st on e a s you sh ould b e ? D O k ee p i t
”
sa fe ! she sa i d .

P a o Y u pull e d o ut from u n d er h i s t un i c th e st o n e w h i ch h u n g o n i ts
fi v e color e d cord
-
.

“
Y es I do m i n d i t w e ll for i t s n o ord i n a ry st o n e h e a ssur e d h er
’
.
, , ,

A n d by th e w a y th a t r em i n d s m e of s om eth i n g ve ry st r an g e O n e
,
.

n i g ht r ec en t ly wh en I w a s go i n g t o sl e e p an d h a d h u n g i t o n t h e b ed
,

e ur t a i n n ea r my p i llow i t s udd en ly sh o n e so br i gh t ly th a t a w h ol e p a t c h
,
”
of th e cur t a i n b eh i n d i t glowe d re d .

“
Do n t t a lk n on sen se ! It mu st h a ve b een th e re fl ec t i on from th e
’

l a mp or from th e fi re i n th e br az i er ; for t h e cur t a in i s Of re d m a t eri a l ,

”
Of cours e .

“
NO th e br a z i e r h a d a lr ea dy b u rn e d o ut an d t h e l a mp w as qu en ch e d
, .

”
It w a s a s d a rk a s l a cqu e r i n th e room .

Th e l a d i es look e d a t e a c h o th e r w i th si gn i fic an t sm i l es .

“ ”
Th e p h en om en o n do ub tless po i n ts t o a h a ppy e v en t s oo n t o com e
'

i n t e rj e c t e d P h o en i x .

45 2
 “ ’
I don t kn ow wh at i t would b e he sa i d gui le less ly , .

A n d yo u do n o t n ee d to kn ow ei the r ! No w don t st a y ta lki n g , ,

’

t wa ddl e a n y lo n g er Y o u h a v e b een o ut th e w h ol e da
.
y Go b a ck to th e .

”
park a n d r es t n ow ! sai d t he A n c est ress pu tti n g a s top to furth er co n ,

v e rs a ti on .

“ ”
H a ve an y Of yo u i n form e d Au n t H s ueh Of o ur plan mean ti me she ?

a s k e d w hen h e r gr an d s o n h a d go n e o u t
, .

“ ”
Y es I h a v e
, re pl i e d M a d a me C hen g She i s ten ten t hs i n a gr ee
, .
-

m en t b ut sh e would li ke t o d i sc uss th e m a tt er wi th h er so n H s ueh Pa n

,

b efore g i v i n g her fin a l co n se n t So w e m us t w a i t un ti l H sueh Pa n i s

.

”
b a ck from h i s bu si n ess j our ney .

“
Good Then w e w i ll kee p t he m a tte r b etween ourse lves d eci de d th e
.
,

A n ces t ress .

M ea n whi le ove r i n th e B ego n i a Co urt y a rd Pa o Y u w a s tell i n g hi s

, ,

P ea rl abou t the con versa t i on he ha d j us t ta k en p a r t i n a n d a sk i n g her

h o w s he would in t erpr et Ph o en i x s my steri ou s pro n oun ce men t P e a rl
’
.

pret en d e d tha t she a ls o could no t m a ke hea d or ta i l O f i t .

“
W as M i ss Bla ck J a d e ove r th e re
”
? s he w an te d t o kn ow .

No Y ou kn ow th a t she s b een i ll fo r d a y s a n d i sn t go i n g o ut yet

.
’
,
’
.

The y we re d i st r a ct e d from the m a t te r by a l i tt l e qu a rre l b et wee n '

Musk an d Au t um n W a v e B ut P ear l h a d i n fa ct p ut t wo a n d tw o to
.

ge th e r She w a s firmly co n v i n c e d t h a t P a o Y u s m a rri a ge w as the com

.
’

i n g even t h i n t e d a t w h i c h i t w a s i n te n d e d to kee p se cret fr om h i m for

,

the pr esen t The f a c t th a t Bla ck J a d e h a d b ee n ab sen t st re n gthen e d

.

her firm con v i c t i o n th a t shev a s th e ch osen br i de .

Two ven ts on e o f them ha ppy ; th e o th e r unh a ppy pus hed th e m a r

e , ,

ri a ge que st i o n i n t o t h e b a ckgroun d f o r a ti m e Th e a ppo i n tm en t of C h i a .

C hen g a s S t a te Coun c i llor i n t he M i n i st ry of Works brough t sw a rm s o f

gu e sts to the h ouse t o o ff er thei r con gr atu l a t i o n s an d for d a y s o n en d
, ,

th e r e w a s t he u s u a l bu s t l e Of fes t i vi ti es Th e fes t i v e moo d w as fort hw i th

.

d a mp e d by a n un fort un a t e aff a i r of Cous in H s ueh Pa n T h e te rr i ble di s .

~

r c w c mo e r h a d lo n g b een dr ea di n g in se cr et h a d come t o
'

g a e h i h h i s th
p ass a t l a st In ord e r t o get s ome res p i te fr om h i s qu a rr e ls ome w i fe
. ,

n ee H si a H s u eh P a n h a d s e t o ut o n a n o t h er bus in es s t our of t h e Sou th

,
.

A t a n i n n o n th e w a y i n a s udd en fi t O f r a g e h e ha d t h rown a wi n e
'

goblet a t a w a i te r w h o he co n si de re d h a d n o t tr ea te d hi m wi th a de
, ,

qu at e res pe c t Th e gobl et h a d hi t th e poo r devi l s o har d o n the b a ck Of

.

h i s h ea d th a t he h a d d i e d of h i s i n j uri es H s u eh P an h a d b ee n se n t to .

pri so n a n d ch a rg e d wi th murd e r A n d n ow th e re w as a n exc i t ed run n i n g

.

hi th e r and thi t h e r b et w ee n th e ca p i ta l an d th e provi n c i a l t o wn in whi c h

H s u eh Pan “gas i mpri son e d Hi s cousi n Hs u eh Kuo w a s se n t off post
.

h aste t o hi s ai d M ess en g e rs c am e an d w en t ; Aun t H s u eh h a d t o di p

.

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i n t o h er pocket an d produc e t h ou sa n d s Of t ae l s for bri b i n g purposes ,

a n d U n cl e C h en g h a d t o t h row i n t o t h e s c a l e a ll t h e w e i gh t Of h i s po s i

t i o n a n d i n flu en c e i n a n eff or t t o get t h e un lucky n e p h ewo u t O f h i s p a i n

ful d i l emm a N a t ur a lly suc h a h a ppy ev en t a s a w edd i n g could n o t b e
.
, _

t h ough t O f wh i l e s uc h urg e n t m a tt e rs a s th e se r e m a i n e d un r es olv e d .

O n e da y w h en h e w a s free from s ch ool Pa o Y u set o ut o n oll a str

t h r o ug h t h e p a rk a ft er th e m i dd a y m ea l Hi s fir st im puls e w a s t o t urn .

t ow a rd s t h e B a mboo H e rm i t a g e b ut a s Bl a ck J a d e w a s j u s t h a vi n g h er ,

m i dd a y n ap h e di d n o t w a n t t o d i st urb her an d d ec i d e d t o vi si t Gr i ef
, ,

O f Spr i n g i n s t ea d H e fou n d h er dw ell i n g pl a c e t h e L i tt l e C a stl e O f

.
,

Wa rm Perfum es su n k i n d eep e st si l en c e Th e r e w as n o t a so u n d t o b e
, .

’
h ea rd n or ev en t h e sh a dow O f a h um an b ei n g t o b e seen S h e s prob
, .

a bly a sl ee p h e sa i d t o h i m se lf a n d h a d a lr e a dy t urn e d t o go o n wh en a
, ,

s of t cl a pp i n g s ou n d from w i t h i n m a d e h i m h a l t h i s foo t s t e p s o n c e mor e .

“ ’
H e li sten e d Ag a i n c a m e the s oft cl a pp i n g s oun d a n d t h en a vo i c e : It s
.
,

your t urn W h y don t yo u mov e a p i e c e

.
’
? ”

Th a t sou n d s l i ke ch ess con j e c t ur e d P ao Y u I f o n ly h e kn ew w i t h

, .

wh om Gr i e f o f Spr i n g w a s pl a y i n g T h e vo i c e t h a t h e h a d j u st h eard .

s ou n d e d s t r a n g e t o h i m Now b e i d en t i fi e d t h e vo i c e of Gr i e f Of Spr in g
.
,

“
a n d d i s co n n e c t e d word s s uc h a s : Com e o n ! Mov e f o r mov e ! F i rst
”
you t hen m e Qu i et ly ! Qu i et ly ! W e re gett i n g o n ! Th en a fter a wh i le
, .
’
,
“ ”
a n o t h e r vo i c e gro an i n g : I m j u st fi n i sh e d ! ’
,
“
A n d t h en a g a i n Gr i e f o f Spr i n g h o a rs e a n d d ej e c te d : I m n o t yet !
’
, ,

G O o n ! Now n o w t h e r e s th e r e vol t from w i th i n ! I g i ve up

’
,

S ei z e d wi th brea th l ess curi o si t y P a o Y u sl i ppe d c a u t i ous ly un d er th e ,

curt a i n a n d p eer e d i n t o t he room Th e r e upo n t o h i s as t o n is hm en t h e .

, ,

r e cogn i z e d Gr i ef Of Spr i n g s c h es s p a rtn e r Sh e w as th e youn g s a i n t Of

’
.

t h e Ki n gfi sh er s C a g e th e b e a u t i ful a n c h or e ss M i a o Y u T h e t w o w e r e
’
.
, ,

s t i ll so en gro sse d a n d a b s orb e d i n t h e i r g a m e th a t th ey di d n o t n o t i c e

h i m com i n g up b eh in d t h e m .

’ ’
I d c a ll th a t a st r a n g e g am e o f s le i gh t o f h an d th a t s b ein g pla y e d
h e r e ! t h ough t t h e ea v e s dropp e r a mus e d r e m a i n i n g mo t i o n l ess wh e re , ,

he w a s t o co n t i n u e l i s t en i n g
, .

“ ”
Sur e ly your u n i corn h as h a d en ough ? h e h ea rd M i a o Y u wh i s pe r
in
g wi th b en t h ea d t o Gri e f O f Spri n g .

” ’

I n d ee d he ha sn t If you c an n o t m a k e a mov e I can ! sa i d Gri ef Of

’
.
,

Spri n g ea ge rly
, .

“ ”
Pssh ! It s j u st a m a t t e r Of t ry i n g ! sa i d M i a o Y u sm i l i n g ; a n d co n
’
,

t i n n i n g t h e ga m e S h e s u cce e de d i n a f e w cl e v e r mov es i n c h eckm a t i n g

'

, , ,
’

a n d e l i m i n a t i n g Gr i e f Of Spri n g s un i corn wh i c h w as th e v an gu a rd o f
’
,
'

O ut t o th e
ve r a n d a How m i ld th e n i gh t w as ! How b ea u ti fully t h e moo n
.

s h o n e ! L i ke a l i tt l e w a t erf a ll i t s b e a m s r i ppl e d t h roug h a th in l a y er o f

,

cloud w h i c h s t r et c h e d b e for e i t Th e r a cket whi ch h a d j u st st a rt l e d h er

.

h a d com e from a p a i r o f c a t s w h i c h w e re fri s ki n g a bou t o n th e roof ,

a l t e r n a t e ly c a t e rw a uli n g a morous a i rs t o e a c h o t h e r H o w sh e en v i ed .

t h e l i tt l e cr ea t ur es ! How for s a k en a n d lo n e ly sh e fe lt ! Ag a i n a n d a g a i n
t h e h o n e y e d word s w h i c h P a o Y u th e c h i ld Of th e r e d d ust h a d la v
-

, ,

i sh e d o n h er t od a y c a m e i n t o h er m i n d For a lo n g w h i l e sh e st ood
, .

l e a n i n g o n th e p a r a p e t g a z i n g dr e a m i ly i n t o th e moo n l i t n i ght b e fore

, ,

sh e t urn e d b a ck w i t h a si g h t o h er cu sh i o n Of m e d i t a t i o n All h er pe a c e
. .

O f m i n d w a s a t a n end In t h e l a tt e r h a lf Of t h e n i g h t h er s p i r i t broke
' '

lo o s e fr o m i t s h oly b ond s an d s w e p t h e r i n t o forb i dd en r e gi o n s Of

' ‘

worldly a c t i o n s T h e d em on s of t emp t a t i on en t er e d i n t o h er body an d

.

d a n gle d fl eshly v i si o n s b e fore h er A t first t h ese t ook th e form o f h i gh

‘

born a n d h i g h s p i r i t e d you t h s w h o woo e d h er a n d wh om she proudly

-

s corn ed ; f em a l e m a rr i a g e brok e r s s cr a mbl e d for po sse ss i o n o f h er a n d

t r i e d t o dr a g h er i n t o a br i d a l l i t t e r ; a n d fi n a lly sh e s aw h e r self a s t h e

boo t y O f robb e r s w h o dr a gg e d h er a wa y a n d w er e a bout to v i ol a t e h er

, .

B a t h e d i n s w ea t fo a m i n g a t th e mou th wi t h ou t spr ea d h an d s a n d
, ,

s t a r i n g e y es s h e a wok e from h er e c s t a s y For d a y s sh e l a y i n a s em i

, .

co n sc i ou s st a t e u n t i l by d i n t Of s w a llowi n g qu a n t i ti es Of m e d i c i n es
,
“ ”
wh i c h th e doc tor pr es cri b e d for th e cool i n g Of t h e fi re i n t h e blood
”

,
.

S h e fi n a lly r e cov e r e d .

F o r a lo n g w h i l e h er i lln ess w a s th e s ubj ec t Of co n v er sa t i o n a mo n g

t h e yo u ng bloods O f t he t ow n w h o d e cl a r e d w i t h m a n y a s i gn i fic a n t
,

S i gh t h a t a b e a u t i ful youn g gi rl l i ke h er w as born f o r ma rr i a g e an d no t

for se lf ch a st i sem eht a n d r en un c i a t i on Of th e world W h o kn ows in t o
-
.

wh a t u n h oly h a n d s th e b e a u t i ful sa i n t m i gh t o n e da y fa ll !
’

Sh e h a s n ot yet b een a bl e t o free h er s e lf compl et ely from th e re d du st

o f t h i s world t h ough t Gr i e f Of Spr i n g t o h e r s e lf w h en sh e h ea rd o f t h e
,

coll a p se of h er c h es s comp a n i o n Wh a t a p i t y th a t i t i s n o t my good .

fo rt u n e t o d e d i c a t e my l i fe t o th e serv i c e O f Budd h a a s Sh e h a s do n e , ,

a n d t o l i v e t og e t h e r w i t h h e r I wo uld ch a S e a w a y th e d e mo n s o f t em p t a
.

t i o n w i th t h e pow e r Of my pr a y e r i f t he y ev er a g a i n sh ould t a ke i t i n t o
t h e i r h ea d s t o t or t ur e a n d pl a gu e h er .

A n d o n c e mor e s h e b e c a m e z e a lou s ly i mm erse d i n t h e s t udy Of h er

”
M a n u a l O f th e A rt O f C h e ss Pl a y i n g i n orde r t o b e w ell pr ep a r e d fo r ,

t h e n e x t g a m e w i t h h er b elov e d pl a ym a t e .

Hi s ud i es a nd h i s a tt en d an c e a t s ch ool h a d occup i e d P a o Y u SO
st

i n t en s i ve ly r e c e n t ly t h a t h i s vi si ts t o Bl a ck J a d e h a d b ecom e gr a du a lly
less a n d l ess fre qu en t Mor e ov e r Bl a ck J a d e fou n d hi m a l ter e d i n h i s
.
,

n a t ur e t o o for h e h a d b ecom e v e ry gr a v e r ese rv e d a n d s i len t w i th h er

, , ,

45 6
Of la te She th ought sorrowfully Of th e Old d ay s th e fi rs t hap py ye ars
.
,

o f th ei r l i fe t og eth e r Th e thi n g s t h a t w e r e a fl i ms y pre t ex t for bl a m e i n

.

th o se d a y s a h a rml ess so ur ce o f ann oy an c e a n d ti ff s—hi s boy i s h v e

,

h em en ce h i s exub er an t th oug h t l ess c h a tte r— th ese w e r e j u st t he t hi n gs

, ,

t ha t sh e m i sse d mo st i n hi m n o w Wh en her m a i d Cuckoo h a d la i d o ut .

he r w a rm w i n t e r clo th i n g fo r he r a l i t tl e t im e a go a n d she h a d foun d ,

p a cke d a w a y a mo n g them i n a l i t t le bun dl e t h ree souv en i rs Of th o se .

d a y s— t h e un fi n i sh e d pe rfum e b a g t he t asse l from hi s a m ule t whi ch she ,

h a d o n c e d e fi a n t ly cut wi t h s c i ss ors an d th e tw o h a n dke rc h i e fs whi c h ,

h a d com e from h i m a n d w h i c h she h a d co ve re d wi t h v e rse s the blo tte d ,

wri t i n g o f wh i c h Sti ll bor e tr a c e s Of th e t ea rs she h a d she d then sh e -

w a s ov e rcom e wi t h in t e n se emo ti o n Fo r a lo n g ti m e sh e could n o t t e a r .

her e y es a w a y from t h o se d e a r m emor i es a n d n ew tea rs w e re a dd e d t o ,

t h e t r a c es of t h e Old o n e s T h e s omb e r a tmo s p he re Of m e l an c h oly w h i c h

.

t h e p a rk br e a th e d i n th o se gr a y da y s o f fa ll i n g a u t umn l ea v es m a t c he d

h er o w n s omb e r mood ex a c t ly T he o n e th i n g w hi c h uph eld h er w a s the

.

b el i e f wh i c h sh e l i ke h er m a i d s st i ll firm ly held : th a t she w as Pao Y u s

’

, ,

d est i n e d bri d e .

O n e da y a f te r o n e Of t h e u s u a l br i e f a n d co n ve n t i o n a l v i s i t s O f th e
,

b e lov e d S h e h a d l a i n down o n h e r b e d a n d sen t th e m a i d Cuckoo a w a y

,
,

so t h a t sh e m i g h t b e a lo n e w i t h her t h oug h t s Wh en Cuckoo w en t i n t o .

t h e m a i d s room sh e fou n d l i t t l e Sn o w g o o se th e r e lo o kin g obvi ou sly

’
,

up set h un c he d up o n a c h a i r brood i n g by h e rse lf

, ,
.

“ ”
Is th e r e som e th i n g worry i n g you s h e as ke d Th e li t t l e o n e n odd e d
? .

s a dly a n d pu t t i n g h er fi n g e r s i gn i fic an t ly t o h er l i p s
,
dr ew t he e ld er ,

g i rl o ut O f th e door w i th h er o n t o th e te rr a c e fa c i n g t h e fro n t g a rd e n .

”
I v e s a d n ew s Pa o Y u i s b etro th e d t o som e o n e else ! sh e w h i s
“ ’
.

p e re d .

”
Oh b ut th a t c an t b e t ru e ! cr i e d Cuckoo h orr i fi e d
“ ’
.
,
,

Hu sh ! Don t t a lk so loud ! It i s tr u e ! Eve ryon e e xc e p t ourselves

’

”
kn ew i t lo ng a go .

“ ? ”
Ho w di d you fi n d o ut
dr w Cuckoo p f r h w y for coug h i g and a
Sn Ow go o se e t w o s t e s a t er a a n ,

crea ki n g Of t he b e d h a d b ecome a ud i bl e i n s i d e W i th h er he a d t urn e d .

’
b a ck sh e li s t en e d i n te n t ly un t i l a ll w a s qu i et a ga i n i n Bl a ck J a d e s roo m .

Th en sh e cbn t i n ue d i n a lowe r vo i c e : I h ea rd i t y es terd a y i n the Her

“

m i t a g e O f Cle a r A u t um n W e a t he r M i ss T a ste O f Spr i n g w as n o t t he re .

.

s of t he h ous e a n d
We ai s e e
’
m d w r t a lk i n g t og e t h e r a bou t t h e l a t es t n e w ,

t heco n v é
a n d c h i ld i s h
’

i m
.

rs a t i o n t ur d P Y H w m a t ur e
'

n e O n a o u e a s s o
,

full ug b i a g t l m t t h w r i t in g ma i d t e
and Of n a h t i n es s n o t a t e n
,
e an
y e e ,

i t w as un b e l i e v a ble t h a t h e w a s a lrea dy en g a g e d
W h en I asked v ery much a st on i sh e d t o wh om , ,

old t t h o ly d a ug h t e r o f a c e rt a i n ri c h re t i re d
t o e n

45 7
pr e fec t n a m e d Ch a n g a d i st an t re l a ti v e o f Pri n c ess S h i eh B ec a u se o f
, .

th e r e l a t i o n sh i p so i t w as s a i d t h e r e w a s n o n ee d for l e n g th y n eg ot i a
, ,

t i o n s Mr C h en g h a d a cc e p t e d st r a i gh t a w a y t h e propo s a l w h i ch w a s
. .

m a d e by th e go b et ween a youn g coll ea gu e i n th e M i n i st ry n a m e d

-

, ,

Wa n g In sh or t t h e en g a ge m en t w a s a n a ccompl i sh e d fa ct O f cour se I
.
, .
,
”
w a s si mply kn ock e d ov e r by th i s n ew s O ur poor l i tt l e m i st r es s ! .

“ ”
B ut w h y w ere w e t old n o t h i n g
'
? a sk e d Cuckoo a f ter a p a u se .

A t th e eicp ress w i sh o f th e old Ta i ta i th e en g a g em en t w a s t o b e

kep t secr et for th e t i m e b e i n g for t h e sa ke of P a o Y u S h e s a fr a i d t h at .
’

i f h e h ea r s o f i t t o o s oo n h e ll g e t o u t o f h a n d a n d b e com e qu i te h op e
’

l ess a t h i s st ud i es A n d t h e wr i t i n g m a i d t old th e s ecret t o m e un de r th e

.

se a l of s i l en c e O ur youn g l a dy mu s t n o t
-

get t o kn ow a n y t h i n g ab ou t i t
”
o n a n y a ccou n t !

A scr ee c h i n g vo i c e b ehi n d th e i r b a cks

“
Go t o t h e you n g l a dy !
”
Take h er a cu p of t ea !
c a use d th e tw o w a i t i n g m a i d s t o wh eel a roun d i n a l a rm b ut i t w as on ly ,

t h e p a rro t s a y i n g t h e l i tt l e p i e c e h e h a d l ea rn e d T h ey g a v e t h e g a i ly
, .

color e d d i st urb e r a f ew word s o f s cold in g then d a rt e d b a ck t o t he ir ,

m i st r ess .

“
Wh er e w e r e you t w o h i d i n g ? On e can c a ll a n d c a ll a n d n o o n e ,
'

”
comes sa i d Bl a ck J a d e i n a w ea k vo i ce ; th en sh e a ske d li stle ssly f o r a
,

f ew th i n g s a n d i mm e d i a t e ly d i sm i ss e d t h e m a i d s a g a i n Wh en Cuckoo
, .

brought h er f o o d i n t h e e v en i n g sh e foun d h er m i st r ess ly i n g ap a th et i

~

c a lly on h er b e d a lmo st un cove r e d She c a r e fully dr ew th e d i sa rr an ge d

, .

b edclo th es up ov e r h er an d cr e p t soft ly o u t a s sh e di d n o t seem t o b e ,

w a n t e d Wh en sh e c a m e b a ck l a te r t o cl e a r a w a y t h e d i sh es sh e fou n d
.
,

t he food u n t ouc h e d T h e b e dclo th e s w e r e a g a i n pu sh e d down t o t h e

.

foo t of t he b e d as i f i t w e r e h o t s umm e r an d n o t cool au t um n O n ce .

more Cuckoo dr e w up th e b e dclo t h es le t down t he cu rta i ns a n d c a rr i e d , ,

o u t t h e un t ouc h e d m e a l .

Do yo u t h i n k she could h a ve h ea rd u s ? Such an ex t r a ord i n a ry

‘

”
ch an g e h a s com e ov er h er ! sh e r em a rke d an x i ou sly t o Sn ow go ose J

wh en sh e got ou t si d e .

A s a m a tt er of f a c t Bl a ck J a d e h a d u n d erst ood o n ly ab o
, u t se ven t o
ei g h t t en t h s o f th e w h i sp e r e d co n v e rs a t i o n o ut o n t h e t e rr a c e s tep s b ut
-

wh a t sh e h a d hea rd h a d broken over he r h ea d l i ke a t i d a l w a ve o f

d esp a i r Ho w u n c a n n i ly h er t e rr i bl e dr eam w a s b e i n g ful fi ll e d L i fe
. .

see m e d t o b e w i t h ou t a p urpo s e h en c e for th W a s s e t o look o n an d

h .
(

se e h er b elove d br i n g i n g h om e a n o th e r bri d e ? T h e th oug h t w a s m

t ol e r a bl e t o h er S h e re solv ed t o qu en ch t h e fl a m e o f h er o wn l i fe s lowly
.

a n d d e l i b e r a t ely i n st ea d Sh e would n o t t ouc h a n o th e r b i te o f food o r

, .

45 8
t a ke an y more m e d i c in e an d in th i s w a y would a rt i fi c i a lly un d erm i n e
,

h er a lr e a dy fr ai l h ea l th so as t o br i n g ab ou t a n ea rly en d A gr ea t a n d
,
.

j oyful sen se o f pea c e p erv a de d h er W a s i t n o t a b e a ut i ful an d wort h y

.

t a s k gr a du a lly t o fr ee o n ese lf from th e red du st of worldly s t r i vi n g s ,

an d t o flo a t upw a rd s as i t w e r e i n t o t h e s p i r i t u a l r eg i o n o f gr ea t i l
, ,

lum i n a t i on a n d n eg a t i on ? Sh e c a rr i e d o ut h er gri m r es olut i o n w i th

s uc h d e t ermi n a t i o n th a t by t h e en d o f t w o w ee ks sh e n o lo n g e r h a d
-

th e p h y s i c a l st r en gt h t o e a t a s muc h a s a s i n gl e gr a i n o f r i c e e v en i f ,

s h e h a d h a d t h e w i ll t o do so No o n e i n th e h ou se e xc e p t h er tw o m a i ds
.

gue sse d the rea s on of h er f a d i n g an d for fea r o f b e i n g bl a m e d by th e

,

A n c e st r ess t he m a i d s di d n o t d a r e t o op en th ei r mout hs A n d n o w .

m a t t ers h a d gon e so f ar th a t Bl a ck J a d e s l i fe seem e d o n th e po i n t o f

’

comi n g t o a n en d ‘

“
I mu st run ov e r a n d tell the l a d i es th at o ur l i tt l e m i st r ess i s n ea r
”
h er en d; si t by h er w h i l e I a m a w a y ! s a i d Cuckoo t o Sn ow goo se a n d ,

left h er alon e w i th t h e si ck g i rl In h er ch i ld i sh i gn or a n ce o f n a t ur e
.

t h e l i t t l e m a i d t h ough t th a t h er m i st r ess mu st b e a lr ea dy d ea d so st i ll ,

a n d mo t i o n l e ss w a s sh e Wh i l e sh e w a s w a t ch i ng a lo n e by h er i n fea r
.
,

an d t r e mbl i n g t h e wr i t i n g m a i d from t h e H e rm i t a g e o f Cl ea r Au t um n
,

We ath er a ppe a re d ou t s i d e Sh e ha d b een sen t by Ta st e o f Spr in g t o a sk

.

h ow Bl a ck J a d e w a s S n o w go o se w a s i mm en s e ly r el i eve d t o h a ve com
.

p a n y a t l a st an d sh e t ook t h e v i si t or i n t o t h e si c k room
, .

“ ”
Where s Cuckoo a ske d th e wr i t i n gm ai d
’
? .

Sn o w go o se po i n t e d t o Bl a ck J a de .

”
Sh e h a s j u st run ov er t o t e ll th e m th at o ur l i tt le m is t r ess i s dy i n g .

B e li e vi n g t h at th e re w a s n o n ee d t o r est r a i n h er t o n gu e si n ce her
“
mi st ress w a s a f ter a ll n o lo n g er co ns c i ous sh e co n t in u e d : W a s wh at
,

yo u t old m e s om e t i m e a go rea lly t ru e a b ou t t h e n ew s of th e b etr o th a l

”
o f P a o Y u t o t h e d a ugh ter o f o n e Pr e fe c t C h a n g ?
“
O f cour se i t w a s t ru e I h a d i t from t he m a i d S i a o Hu n g a n d sh e
.
,

h a d h e a rd o f i t from h er m i st re s s M a d a m e P h o en i x b u t th ere s b een a

, ,
’

c h a n ge s i n c e When M i ss T a st e o f Spr i n g sen t m e ov er t o M a d a m e

.

Ph o en i x t he n ext da y t o fi n d o ut more a bou t i t M a d am e P h o en i x t old ,

m e t h a t th e o ld T a i ta i h a d n o t a pprov e d t h i s b e t ro th a l a n d h a d sa i d ,

th a t i t w a s t h e r a sh pl an o f a youn g m i n i st e ri a l coll ea gue an d gu est

o f o u r Mr . C hen g T h e g en t l em a n h a d pu t forw a rd h i s pr opo sa l to
. .

curry fa vor wi t h Mr C hen g a n d se cur e fu t ur e a dva n t a ges from hi m i n

.

hi s c a r ee r Wh e n e x a m in e d more clo s ely t h e pl a n prov e d t o b e qu i te

.
,

un fe a si bl e Th e A n c est r ess d e cl a r e d t h a t she a lr ea dy h a d a n o th e r bri d e

.

in m i n d for Pa o Y u o n e w h o l i ve d w i th u s i n t h e pa rk Mor e ove r sh e

, .
,
”
de cl a r e d th a t sh e w i sh e d h i m t o m a rry w i t hi n th e cl an .

Th i s w a s c e rt a in ly an u n drea m e d o f r e v el a t i on t o Sno w go o se
-

“ ?
W h a t Then my poor li ttl e m i st r ess h as thr own a wa y h er li fe fo r

460
 ”
n o rea so n a t all , an d it is a ll my fa ul t ! he
s cri ed , as toni sh e d an d di s
ma y e d .

“
Wh a t do yo u m ean by t ha t ? ”

“
W he n I ll i n g Cuckoo th e new s o f th e a lleged en ga gement to
w a s te
the d a ug h t e r o f Pre fec t C h an g sh e ov e r hear d us an d sh e t ook i t so , ,
”
terri bly t o hea r t t h a t i t h as fi n i she d her .

“ ”
D o b e ca re ful ! Do b e qu i et ! She mi ght h e a r us !
“
'

O h i t s n o t n e c es sa ry a l as to b e ca re ful an y mo re She lost con

’
, , , .

sci o u sn ess lo n g a go In a n o t he r f ew h o ur s
.

“ ”
A fa i nt hem from Bl a ck J a d e c a u se d Sn o w goose s udd en ly t o
st 0 p t a lk i n g Cuckoo w h o h a d j us t com e b a ck rus h e d i n an d be n t ove r
.
, ,

th e p a t i e n t .

“ ”
W a te r ! c a me the voi c e fa i n t as a brea th yet a ud i ble from th e
, ,

mou th of th e g i rl th e y h a d th ough t w as a ll b ut d ead Sno w go o se d as h e d .

i n t o th e ki t c hen a n d broug ht b a ck h a lf a bowl o f bo i led w a t e r By a .

sc a rc e ly pe rc e p t i bl e mov e m en t o f h er he a d th e p a t i en t i n d i c a t e d th a t

she w i sh e d t o si t up Cuckoo pus h ed o n e h a n d g en t ly un d e r her n ec k

.

an d r a i se d h e r h ea d w h i le wi th th e o th e r h an d sh e li f te d th e bowl o f

wa te r c a r e fully t o h er li ps W i th bre a th les s e xpe ct a t i o n th e thr ee ma i ds

.

followe d e very movem en t A n d i n fa c t t he bloodle ss l i ps di d dr aw in

.

t h e vi vi fy i n g l i qu i d O n c e t wi c e th ri c e she sw a llow e d th en sh ook her

.
, , , ,

hea d Cuckoo se t down the bowl T a ki n g a d ee p bre a th Bl ack J a de

. .
,

let h er h e a d f a ll b a ck o n th e p i llow s T h en a f te r qui te a lo n g whi le .

, ,

s h e op e n e d h e r e y es .

“
W a sn t Ta s te o f Spr in g s wri t i n g m a i d here j us t n o w ? I th ough t I
’ ’

he a rd h e r vo i c e sh e sa i d fa in t ly, , .

“ ”
Y es h er e I am ! re pli e d th e wri tin g m a i d com in g up close to her
, , .

” ’

Greet your youn g l a dy fr om m e ! th e word s c a me fai n tly b ut di s

t i n ct ly a f te r a n o th e r p a use Th e wri t in g ma i d n o dded an d qui et ly wi t h
.

dr e w She w a s h a rdly o ut th e door when a sw a rm of l a d i es o f the Yun g

.

kuo p a l a ce— the A n ce str es s M a d am e Ch en g W i dow C hu an d P h oen i x

, , ,

wi th the i r a tt en d an ts—c am e i n b rea th less wi th exc i t em ent an d has te .

Aft er Cuckoo s a l a rm i n g re port th ey ha d com e expec ti n g to fi n d a d ea d

’

gi rl b efore th em an d we re n o t a li tt le s urpri s e d n ow t o fi n d a pa t ien t

, .

w h o t h ough p h y si c a lly we a k w a s n eve rth e less a lrea dy we ll o n t h e w a y

, ,

t o re cov e ry t o j udg e by th e bri gh t e xpress i o n o f he r fa c e Qui te d

,
.

“
foun d ed Ph o en i x t ook Cuckoo as i d e : Wh a t we re yo u te lli n g us j us t
,

? Wh
y sh e s n o t so b a d
’
n o w an d w h y di d yo u fri g h t en us un n e ce ssa ri ly
, ,

”
at a ll !
“
I c an n o t u n d e rst an d i t ! Sh e w as rea l ly ve ry b a d a l i tt l e whi l e a go ,

an d n ow t hi s s udd en im prov em en t st a mm ered Cucko o ,

“ i
Com e r ow ! Do n o t sc old h er f or bei n g t oo ca ref ul ! Better a vi s i t

46 1
 for n o t h in g th a n t o a rr i ve t o o l a t e sa i d t he A n cestr e ss t urn i n g wi th
, ,

a s m i l e t o P h o en i x A n d f ully r ea ss ure d sh e w i th dr e w wi t h h er r et i n u e
.
,
.

S h ort ly b e for e wh en th e wr i t i n g m a i d h a d com e i n Bl a ck J a d e w a s

, ,

i n f a c t ly i n g s eem i n gly l i f el ess p h y si c a lly b u t sh e st i ll h a d s uffi c i en t ly

-

cl ea r con sc i ou sn ess left t o b e a bl e t o c at ch th e m a i n g i st o f the m a i ds ’

loud co n ver s a t i on T h e j oyful n ew s t h a t th e fi rs t m a rri a ge pl a n h a d

.

b e en g i ven up m ea n t i me an d th a t a ccord i n g t o t h e w i ll o f t he A n
ce s t r ess a g i rl of th e cl a n w h o l i v e d i n t h e p a rk— w h o could s ur e ly
,

b e o n ly h e rself— w a s t h e br i d e d es t i n e d for P a o Y u h a d a c t ed o n h er ,

co n d i t i on l i ke a m a g i c drug New jo y i n l i v i n g i n st a n t ly flood e d h er

.

body Her a u st e r e r es olve t o en te r a s a sp i r i t i n t o t h e g r ea t vo i d w a s

.

forgo tt en Her l i fe w a s wort h l i v i n g o n c e mor e a n d sh e w a n te d t o l i v e

.
, .

Bl a ck J a d e r e cov e r e d qu i ckly Her t w o m a i d s br ea t h e d si gh s o f t e

.

l i e f a n d rec i t e d m a n y f erven t pr a y er s o f th an ks g i v i n g t o Budd h a Th e y ,

.

r ec a ll e d th e si m i l a r in st an c e wh en Cuckoo h a d le t drop a hi n t a bou t

Bl a ck J a d e s r et urn t o h er n a t i ve pl a c e a n d P a o Y u h a d i mm e d i a t ely
’

b e com e mor t a lly i ll a n d t h e y con clud e d from th i s t h a t th e tw o mu st

,

d e fi n i tely b e d est i n e d by Provi den c e for ea c h o t h e r Sn o w go o se fe lt .

r e l i e v e d o f a h e a vy w ei gh t o n h er con sc i en c e an d swore sh e would n ev e r

bl a b a g a i n ev en i f she w er e t o see w i t h h er o w n e y e s P a o Y u l ea d i n g
,

h om e a n o th e r bri d e T h e t ru t h a bou t Bl a ck J a d e s s udd en i ll n e ss a n d

’
.

s udd en r e cov e ry n a t ur a lly could n o t r e m a i n h i dd en i n d e fi n i t ely a n d i t ,

w en t from mou t h t o mou th a n d w a s go ssi p e d a bou t t h orough ly a mon g

th e se rv a n t s A n d so i t fi n a lly r ea c h e d t h e e a r s o f P h o en i x a n d t h e o th e r
.

l a d i es o f th e Y un gk uo p a l a c e A s i t w a s t h e y h a d a lre a dy si l en t ly p ut
.
,

tw o a n d t w o t og e t h e r a n d n o w s a w t h e i r a ss ump t i o n s v e ri fi e d
, .

“
A s lo n g a s t h e t w o w e re c h i ldr en I let t hem l i v e a n d pl a y fr ee ly t o _

” “
g eth er sa i d t he A n c est r ess b u t n o w t h a t t h ey a re grown up i t see ms
, , ,

? ”
t o m e more w i se a n d prop e r t o se p a r a t e t h e m W h a t do yo u t hi n k .

sh e a s k e d t h e o t h e r l a d i es .

“
O f course P a o Y u i s st i ll o n ly a ve ry si lly b o y b ut Bl a ck J a d e i s ,
”
a lr ea dy a m a t ur e fully d eve lop e d you n g l a dy r em a rke d M a d am e
, ,

C h en g a ft e r a n e mb a rr a sse d p a u se It m i gh t b e wro n gly i n te rpr et ed i f

.

t h e y w er e t o h e s udd en ly s e p a r a t e d n ow It would b e b e t t e r i f w e m a d e .

t h em m a n a n d w i fe w i th ou t d el a y .

T h e A n c e st res s kn i t h er brow s .

“ \
Bla ck J a d e m a y h a v e h er good po i n ts b ut sh e a ls o ha s h er pe culi a ri ,

t i e s a n d w h im s B e s i d es h er he a l th i s v e ry poor I am a fr a i d th at sh e
.
, .

w i ll n o t l i ve lon g I do n o t w a n t h er a s w i fe for Pa o Y u ; Pr e c i ous Cl a s p

.

”
i s t h e ri g h t g i rl for h i m sh e d e c i d e d, .

Th at w a s exa ct ly wha t M a d a m e C hen g w a n t e d b ut b ec a use Pr ec i ou s ,

Cl asp w a s more clo sely r e l a t e d t o h e r t h a n Bl a ck J a de w as sh e h a d ,

r efr a i n e d o ut o f d i scret i on from sa y i n g so a t fir st

,

46 2
th i s v ei l y as v ery near t o b e in g crue lly t orn down One mo rn i n g i n th e .

e l ev en t h mo n th Cuckoo h a d vi s i t e d M an d a r i n D uck an d h a d t o h e a r ,

from h er a t grea t len gth h o w t h e An c est r ess h a d b een ov e rwh elm ed o f

, ,

l a t e by fem a l e m a rr i a g e broke rs w h o t r i e d t o p e r s u a d e h er n o w t o th i s
-

a n d n o w t o th a t s pl en di d m a t c h for P a o Y u a n d h ow h e a rt i ly s i ck a n d ,

t i r e d t he A n c e str ess w a s of t h e s e fu t i le i mpor t un i n g s Cu ckoo w a s n a t u .

ra lly v ery ea g e r to kn ow w h y th e A n c est r ess s o r es olut ely t ur n e d down

a ll t h es e t emp t i n g propo sa l s M a n d a ri n D uck w a s i n th e v e ry a ct o f
.

ope n i n g her mouth t o com e o u t w i th th e t ru th wh en sh e w a s c a ll e d a w a y

t o th e A nc est r ess w ho h a d j us t w a k e d up No w i se r t ha n b e for e b ut
, .
,

fi ll e d w i th se cr et m i sg i v i n gs Cuckoo h a d r et urn e d t o th e Ba mboo H e r

,

m i t a ge Bl a ck J a d e W a s st i ll i n b ed an d w a s bu s i ly en g a g e d i n putt in g
.
,

li te r a ry m an u s cr i p ts i n ord er
“
W ell wh er e h a ve yo u b een she as ke d Cuckoo
,
? ”
.

I w a s v i si t in g an o th e r m a i d .

”
I b et i t w a s P ea rl cri e d Bl a ck J a d e m err i ly
, .

I do n t kn ow wh at I d w a n t to b e vi si t in g h er f or
’ ’
.

Bl a ck J a de wh o se th ough ts w ere c en ter e d on ly i n P a o Y u an d t h e

,

B e go n i a Court y a rd w as i mm e d i a te ly p eeve d Sh e h a d b een h O p i ng f o r

, .

a m essa g e from t h e b e lov e d o n e .

“ ’
.
It s rea lly a ll t h e sam e to m e w h om yo u v i si t ; bri n g m e my bre a k
”
fa st ! sh e sn a ppe d Sh e w a s j u st dri n kin g her first bowl o f te a wh en sh e
.

he a rd an e xc i t e d buzz o f vo i c es com i n g ov er from th e p a rk p a th n ot ,

f a r from th e fron t ga r d en S eve r a l g a rd en wom en w e re sta n d in g t h e r e

.
,

c h a tte r i n g ea g erly t oge th er i n st ea d o f s w eep i ng t he p a th s Bl a ck J a d e

, .

sen t o u t t o a s k w h a t t h e i mport a n t c a use of d i s cu ss i o n w a s .

“ ”
A m i r a cle o f n a t ur e h a s h a ppe n e d in th e p a rk th e y sa i d Th e , .

w i th er e d s i d e of t he gold en b e go n i a i n t he Be go n i a Court y a rd h a s s u d
den ly com e i n t o bud i n th e m i ddl e of t h e w in te r an d t od a y i t h a s ,
‘

broken i n t o flower O ur li t tle m a st er s poke o f i t y es te rd a y w h en he

.
-

n o t i c e d t h a t i t h a d bud s i n se v e r a l pl a c es b u t n o o n e t ook h i m se r i ou s ly
, .

Tod a y t h e bud s h av e o pen e d a n d ev e ryo n e i s ru shi n g t o th e B egon i a

Cour t y a rd t o v i e w th e m i r a cle T h e A n c estre ss i s exp e c te d t o a rr i v e
.

w i th h er la di esa t a n y mom en t W e h a ve b een sen t by M a d a m e Ph o en i x

.

”
t o s w ee p t h e p a rk p a th s cl ea r o f f a ll en l ea v e s a n d br a n c h e s b e for e h er .

“
O h I mu s t go th ere t o o a n d b e r ea dy t o re c ei ve th e old T a i ta i
‘

, ,

cr i e d Bl a ck J a d e ; a n d sh e j ump e d qu i ckly o u t of b e d a n d sl i pp e d o n
h er clo th es Sh e h a d b a re ly t i m e t o gl a n ce a t th e m i rror an d t i dy h e r
.

h a i r b e for e Sn o w g o o s e a n n ou n c e d t h a t th e old T a i tai h a d a rri ve d a n d ,

t h a t s h e Bl a ck J a d e w as e xp e c t e d i n t h e B e go n i a Court y a rd A e com
, , .

p a n i e d by Cuckoo sh e se t o u t a n d s a lu t e d t h e A n c est r ess a n d h er com

,

a —
p y Pri n c ess S h i eh a n d M a d a m e C h e n g a n d W i dow Ch u an d th e
n
, , ,

cousi n s T a ste of Spr i n g Gr i e f of Spr in g an d Wrea th o f Clouds Ph oe

, , .

464
n ix w a s a b se n t , owi n g t o i n d i s po si t i o n Th ey
ood c ha tt i n g m e rr i ly
. all st

a roun d t h e A n c es tr ess w h o h a d sa t down o n P a o Y u s fa vori t e b en c h i n

’
,

fron t o f t he gold en b ego n i a a nd w ere g az in g w i th ast o n i s hme n t a t th e

,

stra n g e p hen om en o n o f n a t ur e a n d in dulgi n g i n a h os t o f e xc i t e d co m

men ts a n d v a ry in g i n t e rpr et a t i o n s .

“
Th e n orm a l t i m e for the b e go n i a t o bloom i s c e rt a i n ly t he th i rd
” “
mon th sa i d th e A n c est ress To b e s ur e we are no w we ll in t o the
, .
,

e lev en t h mo n t h b ut th e w ea t h e r i s so e xce p t i o n a lly m i ld t h a t i t m i g h t

,

b e th e t en th or th e thi rd mo n th I fi n d n o thin g d i s t urb i n gly st r a n g e

.

”
a bou t t h i s l a t e bloom i n g .

“
T he o ld T a i ta i h a s more e xpe ri e n c e a n d j udgm e n t th a n t he rest o f
u s a n d doub t l es s s ees th e m a t te r i n t h e r i g h t l i g h t Th e p h en om en o n i s
, .

”
ce rta i n ly n o t an ev i l om en a gree d M a d a m e C hen g fe rven tly
, .

“
B ut the p a r t w h i c h i s n o w i n bloom h a s b een w i t he re d for the p a s t
y ea r W h y doe s i t com e i n to bloom n o w at s uc h a n u n u s u a l t i m e ? Th i s
.
,
”
must c er t a i n ly h a ve som e m ea n i n g ! obj e c te d Pr i n ce ss S h i e h .

“
It surely h a s a m ea n i n g a n d a fa vor a bl e o n e In my s i mpl e v i e w
, .

th i s blo s s om i n g po i n ts t o a j oyful e v en t s o o n t o h a ppe n i n Pa o Y u s

’

”
l i fe sa i d the W i dow C hu l a ughi n g
, ,
.

Eve ry frea k o f n a t ur e i s of e v i l ome n T h i s u n t i m ely blo ss om i n g i s .

co n t r a ry t o n a t ure a n d c er ta i n ly fore bod es ev i l t h oug ht T a ste of Spr i n g ,

t o h e r se lf Bp t s h e di d n o t d a r e t o expr ess h e r op i n i o n l e s t sh e s h ould

.

an n oy t h e A n c estr e s s .

Bla ck J a d e o n t he o the r ha n d e a ge rly a n d j oyfully a cc ep te d t he

, ,

W i dow C h u s a sse r t i o n a bou t t he a ppro a c h i n g h a ppy even t a nd rel a te d

’
,

i t a s a m a tt er o f cours e t o h er o wn w e dd i n g w i t h Pa o Y u .

“
Tre es a n d s hrub s a re cr ea t ur es w i t h s oul s a n d the re a re m a n y ex
.
,

a mpl e s t o prov e t h a t t h e y r e a c t i n s ymp a t h y w i th t h e w e a l or w o e o f t h e

” “
h um a n b e i n g s w h o l i v e b es i d e t h e m she d e cl a re d It would se em t h a t
,
.

by t h i s blo ss om i n g th e b e go n i a i s sh ow i n g i t s j oy a t the fac t t h a t Cou s i n

P a o Y u h a s b ee n s t udy i n g so w ell of l a t e a n d i s pl ea s i n g hi s fa th e r s o
muc h .

Her i n te rpre t a t i o n m et w i th t he l i ve ly a pprov a l of th e An c es tr es s .

M e a n wh i le t he sen i ors Pri n c e Sh i eh an d Mr C h e n g h a d a rr i v ed t o

,
. ,

g eth e r w i t h t he j un i ors C h i a Hu an a n d C hi a La n t o v i e w the phe n o m e

, ,

n o n of n a t ure .

“
T h e t h in g bod es n o good The tr ee of i ll om en s h ould b e s i mply cut
.

”
dow n d em a n d e d t h e s upe rs t i t i ou s Pr in c e S h i e h
,
.

“
W h y ou t i t down ? For t h ose w ho do n o t fe ar g h o s ts n o g h o sts ex ,

”
i st sa i d t h e c a lm a n d ra t i on a l Co n fuc i a n Mr C h e n g , . .

W ho i s mu t te ri n g a bou t ev i l om en s a d g o
“ ? W e a re n o t
n h s ts go i n g t o
let a n y ki ll j o y s d e pr ess our s p i r i ts ! A n y m i s fort un e t ha t m a y b ef a ll I
-

”
t a ke upo n my se lf a lo n e ! sn a ppe d t h e A n c e s t ress .

465
 Th e t w o sen i or s bore th ei r moth er s r ebuke i n m eek si l en c e an d di s
’

a pp ea r e d i mm e d i a t ely ou s om e e xcu se B ut th e opt i m i s ti c An c est ress

.

s e n t a m ess a g e t o t h e k i t c h en h a vi n g deci de d t o c el ebr at e wh a t sh e

'

pl e a se d t o co n si d e r t h e j oyful ev en t o f th e m i r a culou s w i n t er blo ssom

i n g by h a vi n g a l a rg e a n d m erry b a n qu et w i th t h e r est of th e cl a n A t .

t h e d es i r e of t h e A n c es t r ess t h e t h re e j un i or s P a o Y u C h i a Hu an an d
, , ,

C h i a L a n h a d t o h elp t o en h an c e t h e en j oym en t o f t he fea st by compo s

,

i n g a n d r ec i t i n g po et i c a l qu a t r a i n s i n h o n or o f th e blo ssom i n g b ego n i a .

”
W e h a v e t o th a n k you f o r a ll th i s j oll i t y s a i d t h e W i dow Ch u j est
‘

i n gly t o T a st e of Spr i n g .

? ”
Wh a t do you m ea n
Well i t w a s you a ft e r a ll w h o foun d ed o ur B egon i a Club lon g a go
, , , .

A n d n o w th e b ego n i a i t se lf i s m a ki n g i ts pr es en c e fe l t ; p erh a ps i t w a n ts
”
t o b e com e a n h o n or a ry m e mb er of our club .

Wh i l e e v e ryon e w a s sti ll l a ugh i n g a t h er j e st a n d t ry i n g t o k ee p the

A n c est r essi n good h umor P a o Y u w a s se cr et ly t orn by tw o co n fl i c t i n g
,

e mo t i o n s O n t h e o n e h a n d h e could n o t h e lp t h i n k i n g of t h e d e a d g i rl
.
, ,

Br i gh t Cloud a n d r egrett i n g t h at sh e could n o t blo ss om i n t o n ew l i fe

,

a g a i n l i k e t h e h a lf of t h e b eg on i a tr ee w h i c h h a d d i ed a w a y Thi s .

t h oug h t m a d e h i m s orrowful O n th e o t h e r h a n d h e r e c a ll e d t h a t h e h a d
.
,

h ea rd sh or tly b e for e t ha t P h o en i x i n ten d e d s oo n t o l et h i m h a v e a

pr ett y l i ttl e n ew m a i d i n pl a c e of Br i ght Cloud Po ssi bly t h e s udd en .

blo ss om i n g of t h e b e go n i a po i n t e d t o th i s pl e a sa n t ch a n g e a n d th i s ,

t h ough t c h eer e d h i m up a g a i n A l i t t l e wh i l e l a t e r t h e m a i d L i t t l e P i n g
.

a rr i v e d a n d h a n d e d t o P e a rl o n b e h a lf of h e r m i s t r e ss M a d a m e Ph o e

n ix w h o e xcu s e d h e r se lf o n t h e pl e a of n o t b e i n g w e ll
, t w o s t r i p s of ,

s a t i n of t h e lucky color re d wh i c h P a o Y u w a s t o s pr ea d ov e r t h e blo s

,

s om s o s t e n si bly a s or n a m en t a t i o n b ut a t t h e s a m e t i m e a s a pro t e c t i o n
,

a g a i n st t h e n i g h t fro s t s a s sh e e xpl a i n e d t o t h e comp a n y

, .

“
My good n ess ! P h o en i x th i n ks of e v e ry t h i n g ! Such con si d e r a t i on
”
for o t h e rs i n s p i t e o f a ll h er i lln ess ! sa i d th e A n c est r ess a ppr e c i a t i v ely .

B ut w h en t h e comp an y h a d go n e L i tt l e P i ng t ook h er coll ea gu e P e a rl

a si d e a n d s a i d t o h er look i n g v e ry s ol em n :
, My m i st r ess pu t s a b a d
i n t erpr et a t i on o n t h i s p h en om en o n of n a t ur e S h e w a n t s P a o Y u t o cu t
.

t h e re d s a t i n i n t o s t r i p s a n d h a n g t h e l i tt l e st r i p s ov e r th e i ll om en e d -

blo ss om s so th a t t he lucky re d m a y cou n t e r a ct th ei r un lucky i n flu en c e .

P e a rl follow e d h e r a dv i c e b ut a pp a r en t ly th e co un t e r m a g i c w as n o t
,
-

s t ro n g en oug h a s w a s t o b e seen a t o n c e
, .

P a o Y u h a d c h a n g e d h i s clo th es for th e v i s i t o f t h e A n c est r e ss a n d ,

p u t o n a fes t i v e g a rm e n t B e c a u s e t h e v i s i t c a m e a s s uc h a s urpri se he
.
,

h a d t o c h a n g e v ery h urr i edly In sh ort i n h i s h a s te h e h a d qu i t e for

.
, ,

go tt en t o p u t o n a g a i n th e n e cklet wi th th e sp i r i t st on e wh i ch he ha d ,

4 66
p e rs on wh i ch she ha d s ufl ere d a t th e h a n d s of W an g th e w i fe o f th e ,

m a j ordomo a n d she s cold e d th e W i dow Chu for a dop ti n g th e m eth ods

,

o f t h a t r ep e ll e n t wom a n .

“
Th i s bod i ly i n sp e ct i on i s qu i t e s up erfluou s sh e con ti n u e d W ho ,
.

would b e so si mpl e a s t o kee p st ol en prop er t y f o r a lon g t i m e o n h er

p erson an d so b et r a y h e r self ? Mor e ov er I doub t v e ry much wh eth e r
'

t he st o n e h as b een st ol en for t h e s a ke of g a i n Af t e r a ll i t i s o n ly o f .
,

sen t i m en t al v a lu e t o our f a m i ly a n d h as no m a rket v a lu e for st r a n g er s

, .

Wh a t would a n yon e p a y f or i t ? I b e li ev e t h a t som e on e w h o w a n te d t o

”
pl a y a n a st y t r i ck o n Pa o Y u h a s t a ken the st o n e .

Her v i e w m e t w i th g en e r a l a gree m en t a n d s u s p i c i o n w as i mm edi ,

a t e ly c en t e r e d o n C h i a Hu a n wh o se h a t r e d o f h i s mor e fa vore d h a lf
,

bro th e r w a s kn own t o a ll C hi a Hu a n h a d of cour se b een pre sen t e a r

.
,

l i e r at th e vi ew i n g o f th e b egon i a flowe rs T h e m a i d Li tt l e P in g w a s .

a ccord i n gly se n t t o fe t c h t h e b a s t a rd u n d e r s om e i n n oc e n t pr et e x t H e .

w a s i n v i t e d t o a cu p o f t ea a n d l ef t a lo n e f o r a w h i l e fi r st w i th L i t t l e
P i n g w h o h a d b een a ssi gn e d t h e t a s k of co a x i n g a n a dm i ssi on o ut o f
,

H a v e you seen P a o Y u s st o n e by an y ch an c e ? It h a s b een mi ssi n g

’
,

si n c e th i s morn i n g sh e s a i d i n t h e cour se of co n v e r s a t i o n
, .

D esp i te h er sm i li n g fa c e th e boy fel t th e po i n t e d a llu si on t o h i ms elf

, .

He go t red a n d st a re d a t h e r full of h a t r e d , .

“
Wh a t h a ve I go t t o do wi th o th e r p e opl e s lo st b e lo n gi n g s ? So i t ’

’
? ”
s eem s I m s u s p e c t e d a s t h e th i e f eh h e mu t ter e d a n gri ly
, .

“
No off en se m e a n t W e m e r ely th ough t th a t you m i gh t h a v e w a n t e d
.

”
t o pl a y a l i tt l e j oke ; t h a t s w h y I a sk e d s a i d L i t t l e P i n g i n t i mi d at e d
’
.
, ,

“
Pl e a se a sk h i m your se lf ! When th er e are g i ft s t o b e d i st r i but e d I am
n o t pr esen t b u t wh e n s om eth i n g i s m i s si n g p e opl e com e run n i n g t o m e
, ,

”
a n d s udd en ly r e m emb e r m e gr owl e d C hi a Hu a n a n d wen t off i n a
, ,

h u ff A n d n o o n e t r i e d t o h old h i m b a ck P a o Y u w a s h ea r ti ly gl a d t o b e
. .

r i d of t h e r e p e ll en t fe llow .

“
You sh oul dn t h a v e brough t hi m ov er h e r e h e sa i d Now h e ll
’

, .
’

prob a bly ki ck up a row ov er th er e an d e v e ryon e w i ll get t o kn ow o f ,

wh a t h a s h a pp en e d T h e st o n e i s n o t so i mpor t a n t t o m e a s a ll t ha t ! Let
.

i t r em a i n lo st a n d go n e for a ll I c a r e ! To look for i t a n y mor e would b e

a w a st e of t i m e W e m i h t as w e ll t r
.
g y t o fi n d a n ee dl e i n a bun dl e of
”
st r a w .

“ ”
You t a ke t h e lo ss t o o l i gh t ly l i t t le a n c est or ! w a i l e d P ea rl Th e
,
.

o l d T a i t a i w i ll b e b e s i d e h e r se lf w h en t he s t ory g et s t o h e r e a rs
- an d ,

w e m a i d s w i ll b e b ea t en ti ll our bo n e s a r e broken It would b e b ett e r t o .

”
t e ll h er th e t ru t h qui t e op e n ly a t o n c e .

“
Non sens e ! T e ll her th a t I sm ash ed the st one i n pi e ces
'

468
 .‘
Tha t s im po ss i bl e Sh e wi ll as k how a n d why an d wi ll pun i sh us for
’
.
, .

i t A n d i f sh e a s ks t o se e t he p i e c es w h a t t hen
. ? ”
,
“
V e ry we ll Th en i t s b et te r to say th a t I l ost the st on e when I w ent
’
.

”
in t o t he t ow n rec en t ly .

“
B ut yo u h a ve b een n e i th e r to sc h ool n o r i n th e town fo r th e l as t tw o
da ys f
’

“
N0 ,b ut I was a t a th e a t ri c a l pe rform a n c e in th e pa l ac e o f the Prin ce
of th e Sou th e rn Pea c e th e da y b e fore y este rd a y I could h a ve lost i t o n .

”
th a t occ a si on .

“ ’
Th a t wo n t do eit h er,
obj ec te d T a ste o f Spr i n g Gr an dmo the r w i ll .

as k w h y y o u di d n o t a n n oun c e th e lo s s to h e r a t o n c e tw o d a y s a o
”
g , .

Wh i le th e y w e re d i s cuss i n g th e m a t ter th i s w a y a n d th a t a n d t ry i n g ,

t o t h i n k up a whi te li e t he e xc i t e d vo i c e o f t h e se co n d a ry w i fe C ha o
, ,

t he mo th er o f C h i a Hu a n w a s h ear d in the di s t a n c e
, Wh a t does th i s .

mea n ? Accusi n g my so n o f th e ft b eh in d my ba ck ! Ho w ca n my so n
h elp i t i f o th er pe opl e a re c a rel e ss w i th t hei r b e lo n gin g s a n d lo se th em ?
I won t sta n d fo r th i s un d erh a n d t rea tm en t H e re I m br i n g i n g yo u th e
’
.
,
’

th i e f a n d n o w cro ss ex a m i ne h i m op en ly b e for e my ey es a n d i f h e i s
,
-

re a lly gu i l t y yo u m a y cut h i s th ro a t fo r a ll I ca re o r do wh a t yo u l i ke ,
”
wi th h i m !
A n d pu sh i n g th e h owl i n g an d bucki n g b o y i n fro n t of h er she en ,

t ere d th e B e go n i a Cour t y a rd p a n t i n g an d o u t of br ea th Wh i l e W i dow .

Ch u w a s t ry i n g t o c a lm her w h o sh ould b e a nn oun c e d— t o m a ke m a t

,

t e r s w o rs h b ut Pa o Y u s mo t h er ! Pea rl w as so fri gh ten e d th a t sh e

’

’
would h a v e l i ke d th e groun d to swa llow her M a d ame Ch en g s a rr i v a l .

h a d a t l e a st t he good eff ec t of i n st an t ly s i l en c in g th e scree c hi n g o f th e

se co n d a ry w i fe C h a o an d h e r s o n .

T h e co n st e m a ti o n o n th e f a c e s o f th o s e pr ese n t prove d t o M a d a m e
C hen g th a t t he re must b e some tr u t h in the rumor th a t h a d rea c he d h er
“ ”
H a s th e o n e re a lly b een lo
st ke d No o n e h a d th e coura ge
st
? sh e a s .

t o an sw e r P e a rl fe l t so gu i l t y t h a t sh e w a s a bou t t o th row h e rself a t h er

.

feet an d co n fess w h a t h a d ha ppe n ed b ut M a d a me C hen g ord ere d her to ,

se t o ut o n th e s ea rc h for th wi t h in s t e a d o f w as ti n g ti m e w i th us e l es s ex

pl a n a t i o ns .

“
Pe a rl could n o t h elp i t s a i d Pa o Y u g a llan t ly ta ki n g th e pa rt o f
”
, ,

“
hi s m a i d I lo s t th e st o n e th e da y b e fore y est erd a y o n my w a y b a ck
.

”
from th e P a l a c e of t he Pr in c e of the Sou th e rn Pe a c e .

W h y th en di d yo u n o t h a ve i t sea rc h e d for ea rli er Moreo ver i t

“ ?
,
, ,

w a s P ea rl s du ty t o i n form m e a t o n c e Sh e h as th e ta s k o f h e lp i n g yo u
’
.

t o dr ess an d un dress She mus t s ur e ly h a v e no t i ce d th e lo ss o f th e st o n e

.

”
th e da y be fore y es t e rd a y re pli e d M a d a m e C hen g ste rn ly
, ,

u
tr s tf lul y Thé se.
co n d a ry w i fe C h a o n o w c hi m e d i n s h r i l ly : Th a t is

469
e ven b ett er ! He lo st it on the ro a d ,
an d he f al se ly a ccu ses my in n o cen t
so n
“
Pl ea se r e fr ai n from t h o se i rr e l ev an t in t e rrup t i on s w h i ch h a ve n o th ,
”
i n g t o do w i th t h e m a t t er ! sa i d M a d a m e C h en g h a r sh ly cu tt i n g h er ,

s h or t . A t t h i s W i dow C h u a n d T a ste o f Spr i n g blurt e d o ut t h e t ru th

w i t h o n e vo i c e M a d a m e C h en g w a s u tt e rly dumfoun d e d Th e r e w as n o
. .

u s e t h i n k i n g o f h u sh i n g i t up Sh e would h a v e t o s h ould er t h e p a i n fu l
.

t a sk o f t a k i n g th e A n c es t r ess t he n ews o f t h e m i s fort un e A s sh e w a s ri s .

i n g t o l ea ve P h o en i x t o o c a m e i n
, .

? ”
H a ve you h ea rd i t ye t a ske d M a d a m e C h en g t urn i n g t o h er n i e c e ,

w i t h a gro a n P a o Y u s st on e i s lo st a n d c a n t b e fou n d an yw h er e It s
.
’ ’
.
’

t e rr i bl e You mu st do s om e t h i n g a bou t i t ! T h e st o n e wi ll h av e t o b e
.

”
foun d ! P a o Y u s l i fe d ep en d s o n i t !
’

“
P h o en i x r epl i e d : It wi ll b e d iffi cul t t o fi n d th e gu i l t y p er s on i f th e
s t o n e h a s b een s t ol en O ur se rv a n t s a r e t o o n um e rou s ; w e ca n a t mo s t
.

kn ow th ei r f a c e s b ut h o w ca n o n e see i n t o th e h ea rt o f ea ch o n e ? In
,

my op i n i o n w e mu st a bove a ll a voi d a llow i n g a n y fu ss o r e xc i t em en t

a bou t i t t o b e kn ow n ou t si d e O t h e rw i se t h e gu i l t y p e r s o n w i ll b e for e
.

w a rn e d a n d a s h e h a s t o expe c t d ea th w i t h ou t buri a l i f co n v i c t e d h e
, ,

w i ll b e doubly c a u t i ou s N 0 le t us i n st e a d re pr esen t th e m a tt e r a s b e i n g
.
,

o f n o i mpor t a n c e a n d spr e a d th e rumor th a t P a o Y u n e v er t h ough t a n y

,

t h i n g of t h e st o n e a n d t h r ew i t a w a y d el i b e r a t e ly a s h e w a s t i r e d o f i t
-
, .

Amon g ourselve s w e mu st a gr ee an d m a ke t h e se rv an ts a l s o un d er
,

s t a n d t h a t i n ord e r t o a vo i d u n n e c e ss a ry d i st urb a n c e n e i th e r t h e o l d
, ,

T a i t a i n o r P a o Y u s fa t h e r i s t o h e a r an y th i n g of t h e lo ss O f co u r s e w e
’
.

sh a ll co n t in u e t o s ea rc h for t h e s t o n e b u t u n ob t ru si v e ly a n d se cr et ly
,

a n d t ry t o co a x i t o ut of i t s h i d i n g pl a c e by cun n i n g W h a t do es th e Ta t .

? ”
t a i s a y t o t h i s s ugg e st i o n
“
T h a t i s a ll v ery w ell b ut h o w sh a ll I h i d e t h e lo ss from my h us
,
”
b an d ? a sk e d M a d a m e C h e n g a ft e r a mom en t s r e fl e c t i o n Sh e h a d
’
.
,

C h i a Hu an brough t b e for e her .

'
“
You h a v e j u st b een m a k i n g a ro w b ec a u se you we r e qu esti o n e d ten
”
t a t i v ely a bou t t h e lo s s of P a o Y u s st o n e sh e sa i d t o h i m h a r s h ly Do
’
.
,

n o t t a ke i t i n t o
yo ur h e a d t o m a ke a n y fu s s a g a i n a n d t her e by en d a n g e r
'

t h e i n qu i r i es w h i c h a re b e i n g m a d e If yo u do w o e b et i d e yo u ! D o you
.
,

? ”
u n d e r st a n d
Mo th e r a n d s on prom i s ed t o h old th ei r t o n gu es a n d w i th drew di s , ,

co n c e rt e d M a d am e C hen g t hen c a ll e d t he mo st im por t an t w a i t i n g

.

“
m a i d s a n d se rv i n g wom en ,an d s a i d t o t h em : Th e st on e c a n n o t h av e
flown a wa y It mu st b e som ewhe r e i n t h e h ou se So sea rch f or i t b ut i n
. .
,

do i n g so a vo i d a ll go ss i p a n d e xc i tem en t I g i v e yo u th ree d a y s I ca n . .

n o t co n c ea l t h e lo ss from my h u s b a n d lo n g e r th a n t h a t If th e st o n e i s .

”
n o t fou n d w i t h i n t hr e e d a y s i t w i ll b e a se ri ou s m a tt e r f or
, yo u all !

4 70
 sa y er s d i sh cover e d wi th a l a y er of sa n d set som e i n c ense a l i gh t a n d
’
, ,

wr o te down a formul a of i n c a n t a t i o n Aft e r she a n d Wr ea t h o f Cloud s

.

h a d p e rform e d a kow t ow b e fore t h e i m a g e o f Budd h a a n d r ec i t e d t h e

m a g i c formul a a loud a s t h e i n c en se burn ed th e two t oget he r wi th , ,

bl i n dfold e d e y es t ook h old of t h e m a g i c st ylu s a n d a llowe d i t t o t r a c e

,

i ts m a g i c wr i t i n g on th e l a y e r of sa n d in t h e d i sh A n d th e st ylu s wro t e .

Wh en ce c ame I ,

Wh i ther go I ,

No s i gn bet r a ys .

Un der a gree n cr a g ,

Nea r a n old pi n e t ree

Th ose a re my w a ys !
You would see k m e ?
You d come t o m e ?
’

No t s o , n ot s o !
Ta ll hi ll s d i v i d e us
Loud l a ugh te r on ly
Wi ll greet you . G0 v s

Th a t c e rt a i n ly sou n d e d v e ry my st e ri ou s N ei th er Wrea th o f Clouds

.

n o r M i a o Y u w a s a bl e t o i n t erpr et t h e v e r ses B u t t h e r e w e re s uc h cl ev e r
.

p e opl e am o n g t h e i n m a t e s of t h e p a rk th ey would s ur ely b e a bl e t o

,

m a ke i t o ut sa i d t h e a n ch or ess i ro n i c a lly a n d sen t her vi s i t or a w a y

, ,
.

“ ”
We ll w h a t n e w s
,
? Wr e a t h of Cloud s w a s r e c e i ve d w i th cri es o f
t en s e e xp e c t a t i o n w h en s h e c a m e b a ck t o t h e B e go n i a Court y a rd Sh e
. .

s i l en t ly s h ow e d t h em a copy of t h e m a g i c r h ym e T h e y a ll cr a n e d t h ei r .

n e ck s ov e r t h e b i t of p a p e r an d t r i e d t o i n t e rpr et t h e v e r se b ut i n v a i n ,
.

W h e re w e r e t he y t o fi n d t h e old p i n e t r ee by th e gr een rock ? W a s th i s

t o b e u n d e r s t ood l i fe ra lly o r w a s i t o n ly a n a mb i guou s p a r a p hr as e o f
,

t h e m a g i c l a n gu a g e ? P e a rl t ook i t l i t e r a lly a n d b e g an sea rc h i n g fe v e r

i s h ly a ll a bou t t h e p a rk wh e r ev er t her e w e r e rocks a n d p i n e t rees n a t u ,

r a lly w i t h ou t s ucc ess .

All thi s t i m e P a o Y u h a d sa t t h e r e ex t ra ord i n a ri ly l i st l ess an d a pp a r

e n t ly a b se n t m i n d e d a n d le t t h e o t h e r s do t h e t a lk i n g H e di d n o t e ven
-
.

a s k P e a rl a bou t t h e r e s ul t of h er s e a rc h i n g w h en s h e c a m e b a ck h o t a n d

e x h a u s t e d A t a l a t e h our— i t w a s a lr ea d y n ea rly m i dn i g h t— t h e y brok e

.

o ff t h e lo n g cou n c i l an d w e n t t o b e d .

A s th e y p a r t e d i n d e pr e ss e d s p i ri t s th e r e w a s o n e a mo n g th em w h o
, ,

could co n c e a l o n ly w i th d iffi c u lt y h er se cr et pl ea sure at th e lo ss of th e

s t o n e a n d t h a t w a s Bl a ck J a d e Now t h er e would b e a n en d a t l a st t o
, .

t h e t al k of t h e u n i o n b e t w ee n n e p h r i t e a n d gold d es i r e d by f a t e wh i c h ,

h a d b ee n o cc a si o n e d by t h e corr es po n d i n g i n s cri p t i o n s o n P a o Y u s
’
,

’
s t o n e a n d Pr e c i o u s Cl a s p s gold e n a mul et a n d w h i c h t o h er a n n oy an c e
,

h a d b een i n t e rpr et e d a s r e fe rri n g t o th e fu t ur e m a rr i a g e o f th e tw o .

472
Th a t ob scure mon k from wh om Pre c i o us Cl a sp h a d r e c e i ve d h er m a gi c
rh ym e lon g ago h a d b een prov e d a l i a r an d n o lon g er st ood b et w een
Bl a ck J a d e a n d h er d esi r es Sh e n o w s a w th e w a y free fo r he r o wn u n i on
.

w i th P ao Y u Th i s comfor t i n g t h ought c a u se d h er t o forget h er p a st

.

t r i a ls a n d a ll h er pr esen t t i r e d n es s a n d w h en sh e r et urn e d a t a l at e
,

h our t o h er B a mboo H e rm i ta g e sh e a c t u a lly st i ll f elt i n a mood f or .

r ea d i n g .

Thi s t i m e i t w a s n o t a n x i ety b ut j oyful e xc i t e m en t w hi ch kept h er

a w a k e un t i l d a wn .

T h e en e rg et i c i n qu i r i es w h i c h M a d a m e C h en g a n d Ph o en i x h a d ca r
r i e d o ut from th e n e xt morn i n g o n w a rd s bo th i n t h e p a wn sh op s o f t he ,

t o w n a n d a mo n g t h e s e rv a n ts w e r e w i th ou t s ucc ess Th e s t o n e di d n o t
, .

t ur n up Th e th r ee d a y s l i m i t w a s lo n g p a s t b u t M a d a m e C h en g s t i ll
’
.
,

di d n o t d a r e t o t ell h er h u sb an d o r t h e A n c est re ss a n d pr e fe rr e d t o k ee p
the m a tt e r d a rk f o r a w h i l e lo n g e r .

It w a s r eg a rd e d a lmo st a s a p i e c e of good luck t h a t i n t h o se v e ry d a y s

t h e A n c es t r e ss a n d Mr C h en g w e re d i st r a c t e d b y an ou t s i d e e v en t a n d
.

t h e r eby h i nde r e d from p a y i n g t h e u s u a l a t t en t i o n t o P a o Y u B e g i n n i n g .

o f Spr i n g th e Imp er i a l w i fe h a d s udd en ly f a ll en i ll w i t h p n e umo n i a

, ,

a n d h a d d i e d o n t h e e i g h t e e n t h o f t h e t w e lf t h mo n t h at t h e a g e of n i n e ,

t een Th e Court mourn i n g c e r e mo n i a l n o w occup i e d t h e sen i or l a d i es

.

a n d g en t l e m en o f t h e Y u n k u o p a l a c e for m a n y w e e ks an d P a o Y u
g , ,

w h o mor e ov e r h a d b e en e xcu s e d from s c h ool o n a ccoun t o f h i s b e r ea v e

m en t w as l e ft a lmo st en t i r e ly t o h i s o w n d ev i c e s On e m i gh t h a ve ex
,
.

p ect ed p e rh a p s t h a t h e would h a v e u se d h i s fr ee dom t o pl a y an d fool

, ,

a b ou t t o h i s h ea r t s co n t en t w i t h h i s cou si n s a n d t h e m a i ds i n t h e p a rk
’

i n h i s u s u a l w a y B u t si n c e h e h a d lo s t t h e st o n e th e mo st e xt r a ord i n a ry
.
,

c h a n g e h a d com e ov e r hi m He w a s s u n k i n dull a p a t h y a n d l i st l essn ess

.

wh i ch i n cr ea se d from da y t o da y a n d gr a du a lly d e g en e r a t e d i n t o a ct u a l
i mb e c i l i t y H e a c t e d s poke a t e a n d dr an k o n ly w h e n t old t o do so
. , , ,
.

Wh en he w a s n o t t old e xpl i c i t ly w h a t t o do he si mply di d n o t hi n g a n d , ,

di d n o t st i r from t h e s po t H e could b e mov e d o n ly by d efi ni t e ord ers t o

.

p a y e v en h i s a ccu st om e d du t y v i si t s t o h i s mo th er a n d h i s gr a n dmo th er .

P ea rl w h o fel t r es pon si bl e a l i ke for h i s pe r s o n an d for th e lo ss of t he

,

s t o n e w a s pr a c t i c a lly i n d e s p a i r
, In h er p e rpl e x i t y sh e t ur n e d r e p ea t
.

e dl y t o Bl a ck J a d e t h roug h Cuckoo a n d t r i e d t o mov e h e r t o , p a y a vi s i t

t o t h e B e go n i a Cour t y a rd for sh e f el t co n fid e n t th a t h er pr esen c e would
,

h a v e a re v i t a l i z i n g eff ec t upo n P a o Y u s m i n d B ut Bla ck J a d e pr i v a t ely

’
.

r e g a rd e d h erse lf a s P a o Y u s br i d e a n d co n si d e r e d t h a t i t would b e
’

un seemly t o go t o vi si t t he b et ro t he d Sh e would h a v e r e ce i ve d hi m i n .

h er o w n dw e ll in g i f h e h a d com e t o h er b ut h e w a s u n a bl e t o rou se h i m,

se lf t o t h i s eff or t .

Pr e c i ous Cl a s p w as in ex a c t ly th e s am e po si t i on Sh e h a d b een i n .

4 74
 V e ry w ell w e wi ll do w i th ou t h i m d e c i d e d th e An c est re ss Fo r
, , .

th e t i m e b ei n g I w i ll l ea v e th e qu est i o n o f bl a m e a si d e C h i a Li en sh a ll
.

fort hw i th wr i t e a n o ti ce a n n oun c i n g th e lo ss o f th e st o n e Wh o ev e r .

br i n gs b a ck t he st on e sh a ll r e c ei v e a r e w a rd o f t en th ous an d oun ces .

Wh o e v er g i v es t h e firs t re li a bl e i n form a t i o n r e g a rd in g th e wh erea bou ts

o f t h e st o n e sh a ll r e c e i v e h a lf th a t s um . S ev e r a l cop i es of t he n o t i ce
s h a ll b e h ung o u t i n t h e st r eet s t h roug h w h i c h P a o Y u p a s s e d r e c en t ly ,
1

o n h i s w a y h om e from t h e Pr i n c e s p a l a c e T h e r e i s n o o th e r w a y o f
’
.

d ea l i n g w i th t h e m att er If I w er e t o w a i t f o r you a n d your pe opl e I

.

”
m i gh t w a i t a lon g t i m e b e for e th e st o n e would t urn up .

In th e s a m e h our C h i a L i en h a d t o wr i t e th e n o t i c e a n d h a ve i t pub _

li cly d i s pl a y e d i n t h e st r ee ts o f th e t own Furth e rmore ,th e A n c est r es s

.

t ook h er s i ck gr a n d s o n o u t o f t he p a rk a n d broug h t h i m t o l i v e i n h e r
qu a r te rs ove r i n t h e w e st e rn p a l a c e Wi th h i m sh e t ook tw o o f h i s st aff
.
,

P ea rl a n d Au t um n Wa ve .

“
Th a t w i n t e r blo ssom i n g o f t h e b egon i a pl a n t n ow see m s t o m e t o
”
h a v e b een r a th e r s i n i st e r , sh e s a i d t o M a d a m e C h en g by w a y o f ex
“
pl an a t i on Th er e would h a v e b een n o t h i n g t o b e un e a sy a bou t a s lo n g
.

a s th e st o n e w a s t h er e b u t n o w P a o Y u w i ll b e d e f en s el e ss a n d a t th e
,

m ercy o f a n y e vi l s p i r i t s w h i c h m a y b e a bou t I do n o t w a n t th i s ; t h a t i s
.

”
w h y I h a v e broug h t h i m ov e r h er e w i t h m e .

“
Oh h e w i ll s ur e ly b e sa f e from a ll h a rm i n t h e a u sp i c i ou s pr esen c e
,
”
o f t h e o ld Ta i ta i , sa i d M a d am e C h en g i n gr a t i a t i n gly .

“ ’
Wh a t do yo u m ea n by a u sp i c i ou s pr e sen c e ? Th e m a in th i n g i s th a t
‘

ord e r a n d clean lin ess r ei gn i n my h ome an d I sh a ll m a ke h i m r ea d

,

sut r a s d i l i g en t ly ; t h a t i ll r e st or e t he b a l a n ce o f h i s m i n d G o a n d a sk
w ”
.

h i m w h eth er h e i s pl ease d wi th t h e c h a n g e !
’ ’
B ut P a o Y u s s ol e re ply t o h i s mo th e r s qu est i o n w a s a s i lly gri n .

P e a rl h a d t o r ep ea t t he qu est i on for h i m b e fore he go t o ut a h a l t i n g ha o ,

“ ”
good M a d a m e C h en g w a s mov e d t o t ea rs a t th i s an d c a m e b a ck t o
.

t h e A n c e st r ess i n s uc h an a g i t a t e d st a t e t h a t t h e o l d l a dy d i sm i ss e d h er
at on ce .

“
I do n o t n ee d your he lp a n y mor e h er e sh e sa i d I sh a ll b e a bl e
, .

t o m a n a g e P a o Y u qu i t e w e ll a lo n e M a n d a r i n D uck wi ll pr e p ar e a s o ul
.

st r en g t h en i n g cord i a l for h i m , b ut yo u mu st co n s c i en t i ou sly t ell your

h u s b a n d th e t ru th wh en h e com es h om e t h i s e ven i n g He n ee d n o t com e
.

t o v i si t m e t od a y h ow e v e r a s I do n o t wi sh t o h a v e a n y d i scu s si o n s b e
, ,
»

fore I go t o b ed .

Wh en C h i a C h en g w as r et urn in g h ome tha t e ven i n g h e ca m e upo n a

crowd wh i ch h a d g a th er e d a rou n d a po ste r d i s pl a y ed a t a s tr eet cross
i n g a hd a s th e t r affi c w a s blocke d h i s c a rr i a g e h a d t o st op for a t i m e so
,

t h a t h e w a s a bl e to h ea r sn a t c h e s o f t a lk from t h e s urrou n d in g crowd ,

“ ”
s uc h a s A fe llow co u ld be a ri ch m an i n a twi n kli n g th a t w a y ! an d

476
 J ust look a t th a t po ster ! It s th ere i n bl a ck an d wh i t e ! Som e so n o f
’

th e h ou s e i n th e Y a n gkuo p a l a c e h a s lo st som e kin d o f s t o n e T he e x a c t .

desc ri p i o n o f th e s t o n e i s g i v e n o n th e po s te r a n d u n d e rne a th th e re
.
,

w a rd : T en t h ou sa n d ou n c e s fo r th e fin der ; fi v e t h ousan d for th e fi rst

pe rs on w h o re por ts t h e w he re a bou ts o f th e st o n e ”
.

Mr C hen g fe lt he co uld n o t b el i ev e h i s ea rs an d he urge d h i s co a c h

.
,

m an t o dri ve f a st e r He could n o t br i n g h i mse lf t o w a i t to e t co n fi rma

.
g
t i o n i n s i d e so o n en te r i n g t h e g a te w a y h e s t r a i g h t a w a y as ke d th e
,

por te r w ha t th e st or y wa s The port er co n firm e d tha t a t mi dd a y t od a y

.
,

a t th e ord e r of Mr C h i a L i e n po s t e r s h a d b een
.
, p u t up in th e st reets .

Th a t w a s a ll he kn ew Mr C hen g mu tt e re d s om e th i n g a bou t th e c h i ld
. .
“

” “ ”
of m i s for t u n e a n d curse of th e f a mi ly a n d d a she d o fl to h is w i fe ,

from wh om h e le a rn e d t he rest He d i sa pprov e d o f t h e publ i c a n n ou n ce

.

m en t o f the r i d i culous ly h i gh re wa rd yet o ut o f co n si d er a t i o n for t he

,

o l d T a i ta i h e di d n o t d a r e to off e r a n
y ou ts pok en oppo si t i o n b ut co n
-

fi n e d hi ms e lf t o r a g i n g a lo n e w i th h i s w i fe Fur th ermor e b e h i n d t he
.
.
,

b a ck of t he A n c est ress he ord e r e d h i s se rv a n ts t o h a ve the n o t i c es t a ken

down a t o n c e It w a s repugn a n t t o h i m t o h av e h i s n a m e b a n d i e d abou t
.

i n publ i c i n t h i s w a y a n d t o see th e pr i v a te even ts i n h i s h ou s e m a d e

th e t a lk o f th e t o wn .

Wh en hi s s e rv a n ts w en t o ut t o c arry o u t h i s ord e rs i t t ra n s p i re d t h a t ,

s e v e r a l of th e po s t e r s h a d a lr ea dy b een t or n do wn by s om e un a u th or i z e d

h a n d S ev e r a l d a y s h a d p a sse d w hen a s t r an ge r o f h umbl e cl a ss s e

.

pe a red a t th e m a i n g a t ew a y of th e Y a n gkuo p a l a c e a n d a sse rt e d th a t h e

h a d brough t b a ck th e lo st s t o n e .

H a n d i t ov er ! cr i e d t he g a te keepe r bru s qu ely b ut a t th e sa m e ti me

j oyf ully .

Th e st r a n g e r s mi l i n gly produc e d a roll of p a pe r from u n d er h i s co a t .

“
Qu i et ly n o w ! Do you r e cog n iz e thi s po st e r ? It w a s p u t up by yo ur -

bo sses A nd i t s wr i tten here i n bla ck a n d wh i te : T en th ou sa n d oun ces

.
’

for the fi n d e r ! No w look a t m e I com e i n he re t o yo u a poor dev i l

. ,

ri ght en ough b ut I ll com e o u t a r i ch m a n s t ra i gh t a w a y So you d b e t

,
’
.
’

”
t e r sh ow m e more re s pe c t if yo u pl e a s e , .

“
B ut yo u m i g h t at l ea s t let us see i t th en w e wi ll go i n an d g i v e your
,
”
m ess a ge a n d an n oun ce yo u s a i d the doo rkee pe rs a lrea dy per ce pti bly
, ,

mo re poli te .

After s om e resi sta n c e th e str an g er produc e d a pr ec i ous st on e an d

h e ld i t b e for e th ei r ey e s o n th e p a lm o f hi s h an d .

“ ”
We ll i sn t th a t t h e ri g h t o n e he as ke d wi th an a i r o f ass ur an c e
’
?
'

.
,

T h e doork ee pe rs looke d a t th e sto ne fo r a f ew momen ts ; th en they

ru she d i n t o th e pa lfl ee to a n n oun c e th e st r an ge r in th e in ne r r oo ms A l
/ .

’
th ough be i ng en g a g e d ou ts i d e th e y h ad o n ly a v a gu e i d e a o f Pao Y u s
, ,

st o n e th e y di d n o t doub t th a t th e y h a d j us t seen the rea l on e

,
.

4 77
 ”
B ut i s i t th er l ea one ? ke d C hi a Li en w h o w a s d eput i z in g for th e
as ,

tw o a b sen t sen i ors .

“ ”
W e h a v e co n vi n ce d ourselv es of i t wi t h o ur o w n ey es ! th e door
“
keep e rs a ss ure d h i m ea g erly B ut t h e m a n w i ll o n ly g i v e up th e st on e
.

”
wh en h e g et s t h e r ewa rd i n t o h i s h a n d .

C h i a L i en h urr i e d o ff a t on c e wi th the j oyful n e w s t o M a d am e C h en g ,

a n d sh e i n t urn i n form e d t h e A n c e s t r e s s Th e n ew s p u t t h e w h ol e h ou s e
.

in a j oyful upro a r P e a rl cl a pp e d h er h a n d s w i th j oy a n d sen t up

.

a fe rv en t pr a y e r of t h an ks g i v i n g t o Budd h a Th e A n c es t r e ss h a d t h e .

s t i a nger brough t i n t o t h e l i br a ry a s a n h o n or e d gu es t a n d th e prom i se d

'

s um l a i d r ea dy t h er e B ut sh e i n si ste d th a t b e for e p a y in g i t o ut sh e
’

mu st h a v e th e st o n e t o e x a m i n e qu i et ly h erse lf a n d sh e s ucc ee de d i n ,

h a v i n g h er w a y .

Th e l a d i e s w h o w e r e a ssembl e d w i th t h e A nc est r ess w a t ch e d a n d

w a i t e d w i th fev er i sh i mp a t i en ce for t he m om en t wh en t h ey would see
t h e s t o n e A t l a st C h i a L i en a pp ea r e d w i th a l i t t l e p a ck et o f re d clo t h
.

i n h i s h a n d B e for e h e h a d t i m e t o op en i t P h o en i x h a d s n a t ch e d i t
.
,

a n d l a i d i t un op en e d i n t h e h a n d of t h e A n c e s t r es s .

She mu s t a lw a y s ge t a h e a d o f m e ! No t th e s m a ll est tr i bu t e w i ll sh e
”
a llow m e t o l a y p e r s o n a lly a t t h e f eet of t h e old T a i ta i
.
! s a i d C hi a

L i en i n j est .

Th e A n c est r ess m a d e M an d a r i n D uck p u t h er gl a ss es o n h er n o se ,

t h en sh e s lowly op en e d up t h e re d wr app i n g rubb e d a n d fe l t t h e li tt e r ,

g
i n g th i n g 1 n th e m i ddl e of t h e clo t h a n d e y e d i t a t t en t i ve ly from e ve ry
.
,

a n gl e In si z e a n d sh a p e i t w a s a b s olu t e ly i d en t i c a l w i th P a o Y u s s p i ri t
’
.

s t o n e n o r w as t h e w e ll kn own i n s cr i p t i o n o n t h e fro n t a n d b a ck l a ck
,
-

i n g Y e t i t s eem e d t o th e An c est re s s th a t th e t o n e w a s s om e wh a t d a rke r

.

a n d t h e s p a rkl e s om e wh a t mor e s ub du e d t h a n sh e r e m e mb e re d from

b e for e U n d e c i d e d sh e i n vi te d M a d a m e C hen g t o e x a m i n e i t M a d a m e
.
,
.

C hen g w a s a l so un able t o g i v e a d e fi n i te ve rd i ct an d aske d P h o en i x wh a t

s h e th oug h t .

“
Th e s i m i l a ri t y 1 s d e c e p t i v e b u t t h e re i s a p e rc ep t i bl e d i ff e r en c e i n
,
” “
th e br i ll i a n c e a n d th e color s a i d Ph o en i x
,
T h e b e st th i n g i s t o let
.

P a o Y u h i ms elf ex a m i n e th e st o n e .

Th e A n c es t r ess a gr ee d a n d en t ru st e d t h e st o n e t o h er t o sh ow to Pa o
Y u P a o Y u h a pp en e d t o b e h al f a sl eep w h en Ph o en i x c a m e in t o h i m
.

w i th P ea rl a n d M a d a m e C h en g .

“ ”
Your st o n e i s fo un d ! sa i d Ph o en i x pressi n g t h e st on e i n t o h i s,

h an d W i th ou t e ve n t roubli n g to gl a n c e a t i t P a o Y u li s t l ess ly let i t

.
,

fa ll t o th e groun d .

”
Le a v e m e a lon e ! You re on ly m a ki n g f un o f m e ! he j abb ere d
’
.

Ph oen i x ben t down a n d p i cke d up t he st o ne .

4 78
 CHAPTER 43

B la c k Ja d e co n si g ns her po et i ca l w or ks t o th e fla m es a n d fi na lly re
n o u n ces h e r u n ha ppy lo v e P r e c i o u s C la sp cro ss es t h e t h r esh old o h er
.
f
m a i den ly b o w e r for t h e las t t i m e a n d go es th ro u g h th e gr ea t c er em o n y
,

o f h er li fe .

R O UND A B O UT THE NE W Y E A R O UTSIDE EVENTS O N E H APPY A ND

TW O ,

t h e o th e r sa d o n c e mor e d i st urb e d th e a ccu st om e d e qu i l i bri um o f l i f e

,

i n t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e C h i a C h en g w a s r e c ei ve d i n gr a c i ou s a ud i en c e
.

by th e So n o f H ea v en a n d a ppo i n te d Corn Tr ea s ur er of t h e ri ch prov

i n c e of C h i a n g h si a t t h e s ugg est i o n of th e M i n i s t e r of t h e I n t e r i or i n
r e cogn i t i o n of h i s i n corrup t a n d d i si n t er e ste d offi c i a l r e cord Wh i l e th e .

con gr a t ul a t ory b a n qu ets a n d t h e pre p a r a t i o n s for h i s j ourn e y w er e i n

full sw i n g t h e sa d n ew s a rr i ve d th a t t he Imp er i a l M a rsh a l Wa n g Tzu ,
’
Ten g M a d a m e C h en g s bro t h e r h a d fa ll en i ll o n h i s j ourn e y from t h e
, ,

prov i n c es t o th e c a p i t a l a n d h a d d i e d o n th e w a y h om e ow i n g t o l a ck
,

of prop e r m e d i c a l a tt en t i on T hu s jo y a n d sorrow we r e m i n gl e d i n
.

e qu a l p a rt s .

O n e da y a ft er h i s a ud i en c e of t h a n k s a n d f a r e w ell Mr C h en g w a s , .

s ummo n e d t o t h e A n c es t r es s Sh e d es i r e d sh e sa i d
. t o se t t l e a n i m
, ,

por t an t m a tt e r w i th hi m b e for e h i s d ep a r t ur e .

“
I a m n o w a n o ld wom a n of ei gh t y o n e y e a r s sh e b e g a n You -

, .

a re a bou t t o l ea v e u s t o t a k e up your n ew po s t i n t h e prov i n c e s ; your

bro t h er i n la w W a n g Tzu Ten g i s d e a d a l as so t h e on ly suppo rt er a n d

- -

, ,

a dv i s e r w h o w i ll b e l e f t t o m e n o w i s your u n pr a c t i c a l bro t h er S h i eh .

Th e probl em n ea r e st my h e a r t a t pr esen t i s t h e w elf a r e a n d fu t ur e of

my gra n d so n P a o Y u H i s co n d i t i o n c a u ses m e gr a v e a n x i e t y a n d for
.
,

t h i s rea s o n I h a v e s en t t h e w i fe of o u r m a j ordomo L a i S h e n g i n t o t h e
‘

t own t o h a v e h i s h oro s cop e c a st by a r en own e d s oo t h sa y e r Th e s oo th .

s a y e r co n si d e r s t h a t o n ly a n e xc i t i n g e v en t of a j oyful n a t ur e s uc h a s ,
'

a m a rr i a g e ca n cur e P a o Y u a n d t h a t o t h e rw i s e w e h a v e t o f ea r th e
,

wor st for hi m H e d e cl a r e d mor e ov e r t h a t th e e l em en t gold i s of de

.
, ,

oi s i v e i mpor t a n c e for h i s h a pp i n ess t h e r eby co n firm i n g t h a t Pr e c i ou s

,

Cl a s p i s d est i n e d for h i m by Prov i d en c e I kn ow t h a t you do n o t t h i n k .

muc h o f s oo th sa y i n g o f th i s ki n d ; t h e r e for e I h a v e s en t for you a n d

a l s o for your w i f e so t h a t w e m a y d i s cu s s t h e m a tt e r t og e t h e r a n d
,

com e t o a d ec i si on S h a ll w e a ct or sh a ll w e j u s t s i t b a ck a n d let th i n g s
.
,

? ”
t a k e t h e i r cour se T h a t i s th e qu es t i o n .

Th e old T a i ta i h a s alw
“
a y s h ad a mo t h e rly c a r e for t h e w elf a re of

h er son t h e r e for e i t i s obv i ou sly t h e du t y of th e s o n t o s h ow h i m s elf

,

worth y o f h er ex a mpl e by h i s p a t ern a l c a re for t h e w ell b e i n g of h i s o w n -

” “
c h i ld re pl i e d Mr C hen g If I h a v e oft en b een an gry w i th P a o Y u i t
, . .
,

480
 was not thr oug h
l a ck o f fa th erly aff ec ti on ,b ut so lely b e ca us e i t gr i ev es
m e to se e h i m m a k i n g s o l i t tl e progress an d to ob se rv e th a t th e i ro n i s ,

n o t t urn in g i n t o s t e e l I a l s o a m tro ubl e d

.
a bou t h i s co n d i t i o n ; I a l s o

would l i ke to see h im h a ppy a n d I h ave n o th i n g a g a i n st a m a rri a ge i f

,

i t m a kes h i m h a ppy a n d h ea l th y B ut l s h ould o n ly l i k e fir s t to a ss ure .

'

my self wi th my o wn e y es wha t h i s pr esen t co n d i t i o n i s prov i d e d t he ,

o ld Ta i t a i a pproves I prom i s e he r t ha t I wi ll r e fr a i n from

.
a n y ex

pressi o n o f d i s ple a s ure i n h i s prese n ce .

From th e t on e o f h i s vo i c e a nd t he re dn ess o f h i s e y e l i d s M a d a m e
C hen g could se e tha t h e m e an t t h i s sin c e rely A t asi gn from h er P e a rl .
,

di sa pp ea r e d o n ly t o re a ppe ar i mme d i a te ly w i th Pa o Y u Pea rl le d h i m

,
‘

up t o h i s fa th e r a s i f he w er e a c h i ld an d w h i s p er ed som e t h i n g i n hi s
. ,

ea r wh e r e upon he ob e d i en t ly sa i d hi s ts i n g a n W i th h orror C h i a
, .

C hen g p e rc e i ve d h i s w a ste d a ppe a r a n c e a n d t he l a cklu st e r of h is

e y es Af te r h e h a d ob se rv e d h im for a fe w mom en t s i n s i l en c e h e s i g n e d
. .

t o P ea rl t o l e a d h i m a w a y H e w a s mov e d t o th e d e p t h s of h i s b e i n g
.

by th e p i t i a bl e s i g h t of h i s so n a n d hi s w i fe w as n o less so a s the s h i n e
, ,

o f t ea rs i n h e r e y es b e t r a y e d He s t ood up a n d tur n i n g to t he A n.

“
ces t re ss sa i d : To j udg e by a ppea r a n ce s th e old T a i t a i i s r i g ht W e , .

mu st d e fi n i tely a ct b ut t he re i s o n e po i n t st i ll i n doub t : Ha s Au n t
,

”
H s u eh a c t ua lly gi v en her co n sen t ?
“
Sh e a pp roves b ut sh e would n o t c a re t o ann ou n c e her form a l co n
,

”
s n t un t i l th e c h a rg e a g a in s t h er so n H s u eh P an i s s ett le d
e re pl i e d hi s ,

Hm a s lo n g as H s u eh Pa n is in p ri so n hi s si ste r c a nn o t v e ry w ell
,

g a i ly c e l e bra t e he r w e dd i n g Tha t would b e ta c tl es s A nd t here i s a n

. .

o th e r doub t ful po i n t 1 0 0 Pa o Y u o n h i s p a rt i s st i ll rest ri c t ed by th e

.

mo ur n i n g for h i s s i s te r B e g i nn i n g o f S pri n g He wo uld n a t ura lly l ike

, .

t o le t th e pr e s cr i b ed mourn i n g p e r i od of n i n e mo n t h s e l a pse b e for e

th i n k i n g of m a rr i a ge R e v er en c e fo r th e d e a d d em a n d s th i s A n d t he re
. .

i s y e t a th i rd m a tt er for doub t I h a v e t o t a ke up my n ew a ppo i n t m e n t

.

sh ort ly I mus t n o t r en d e r my se lf g ui l t y o f n e gl ec t of du t y b e ca us e of a
.

dom esti c m a t t e r Even i f t he two o ther ob sta cl es di d n o t ex i s t ho w

. ,

? ”
could we pr ep a r e a we dd in g i n th e few d a y s a t o ur d i s po sa l
“
Your doub ts are fully j ust i fi ed ; b ut alas P ao Y u s co n d i ti o n doe s , , ,
’

” “
n o t a llow o f a n
y pos t po n em en t repli ed th e An ces tress I kn ow ho w ,
. ,

e ve r w h a t w e can do Le a v e th e qu es ti o n o f Au n t H s ueh s co n se n t t o
’
.
,

m e I wi ll go to h er t og eth er wi th your w i fe an d p ut t he m a tt e r b e fore

.

h er She mus t sen d H s u eh K uo on c e mor e t o H s u e h P a n s pri s o n an d

’
.

bri n g b a ck t he bro th er s co n s en t Wh e n h e h ea rs th a t Pa o Y u s l i fe
’
.
’

d ep en ds upo n i t H s u eh P a n w i ll s urely a gree an d th en Aun t H s u eh too

,
‘

,
'

W l ll n o lo n g e r wi thh old he r offi c i al co ns en t

,
.

“ A s reg a rds th e se con d po i n t i n qu esti on w e mus t for on ce bow t o ,

48 1
 c
n e ess i t y an d se t a si d e th e n orm a l rul es o f et i que tt e W e wi ll c el ebr a te .

t h e w e dd i n g ex t r e m ely si mply a n d qu i et ly A br i d a l l i tt e r c a rr i e d by .

ei g h t men w i th t w e lv e ) a i rs of l an tern b ea rers followi n g sh ould b e

, 1 ,

s uffic i en t All n o i s y po m
. p s uch a s fe st i ve mu si c an d a w edd i n g b a n qu et
w i ll b e el i m i n a ted W e can m a ke up for t hi s l a t er a fte r th e n i n e mon th s
.
’

mourn i n g i s ove r W e sh a ll con fi n e ourselve s t o sel ec t i n g an a u sp i c i ou s

.

d a t e for t he qu i et t aki n g h om e of t he bri d e ; she sh a ll m a ke h er kowt ow s

t o u s a n d t o t h e a n c est or s ; w e wi ll s et h er on t h e br i d a l b e d an d op en
‘

th e b e d cur t a i n for h er ; t h i s much c e re mo n y w i ll b e s uffi c i en t Pr e c i ous

-
.

Cl a sp i s a sen si bl e gi rl a n d w i ll n ot t a ke i t a m i ss i f w e cu t th e proc ee d
i n g s sh ort Furth er sh e wi ll fi n d i n P ea rl a pl ea sa n t a n d rel i a bl e a dv i se r
.
,

a n d s uppor t All t h a t r em a i n s t h en t o b e sett le d i s t h e pre p a r a t i on o f a

.
, ,

s u i t a bl e h om e for t h e youn g coupl e T h a t i s your t ask a n d I a m s ur e .

,

t h a t i t w i ll n o t offe r a n y fur th er d i fficul t i es T h i s d i s po s es o f t h e th i rd .

po i n t i n qu est i on A n d you wi ll em b a rk upo n your j o u rn ey t wi ce a s

.

t r a n qu i l a n d co n t en t e d i f you h a v e p ut th i s dom es ti c m a t t e r i n ord er

”
first an d seen t he tw o h a ppi ly un i t ed .

All t he sa m e C h i a C h en g w a s n o t compl et ely co n v i n c e d b ut o ut o f

, ,

d e fe r en c e to th e A n c est r ess h e expresse d n o oppo si t i on .

“ ”
T he Ta i t a i s s uggest i on i s spl en d i d h e s a i d wi th a s om ewh a t
’

,
“
forc e d sm i le I a gr ee t o i t b ut w e mu st i mpo se th e s t r i c test s i l en c e on
.
,

th e s t a ff i f w e a re t o e sc a p e un n e c essa ry c en s ur e a n d go ssi p W e sh all

, .

a vo i d t h i s o n ly i f t h e we dd i n g i s c ele br a t e d a b s olu t ely qu i et ly .

“ ”
Good Th en I do n o t wi sh t o d e t a i n you an y lon ge r sa i d th e A n
.
,

ces t r ess ; a n d muc h r e l i e v e d sh e d i sm i s se d h im , .

Mr C hen g c h o se a n i m p o s i n g se lf co n t a in e d s u i t e o f tw enty rooms

.
'

,
-

s i t u a t e d n e a r h i s wi f e s s u i t e for t h e fu t ur e h om e of th e youn g coupl e

’
.
,

T h e furn i sh i n g of th e roo m s an d all t h e o th er pr ep a r a ti o n s f o r th e

we dd i n g h e l e ft t o th e l a d i es .

Al th ough Pa o Y u s rooms i n th e resi d en c e of th e A n c est ress i m m edi

’

a t e ly a dj o i n e d t he ro om i n wh i c h th e deci si v e f a m i l
y cou n c i l t ook pl a c e
'

owi n g t o h i s st a t e o f a p a th y n o t o n e word of th e loudly co n duc te d di s

cu ss i o n h a d en et ra t e d h i s co n s c i ou sn ess ; b u t P e a rl h a d l i st en e d t o i t
p
a l l t h e mor e a tten t i v ely H er own n a m e h a d st ruck h er c ar ; t h e A n
.

ces tr es s h a d m en t i o n e d her w i th a pprov a l a n d c a ll e d h er t h e rel i ab l e

’

’
s uppor t of P a o Y u s f u t ur e wi fe T hi s m a d e h er se cr e t ly r ej o i c e ; f o r sh e
.

sa w h er fu t ure a ss ur e d a n d h e r p a th i n l i fe as smoo t h an d a s str a i gh t i n

i t s cour se a s t h e w a te rs of th e Imp e ri a l C a n a l It woul d b e ea s y t o get .

o n wi th a m i st r e ss a s r ea s o n a bl e a s Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p w h o would t a ke ,

off h er sh ould e r s a t l ea s t h a lf the burd en of r es po n s i b i l i ty for P a o Y u .

O n t h e o th e r h a n d th e th ough t of poor Bl a ck J a d e sa d den ed h er pro

,

f o un dly Fort un a t ely sh e kn ew n o th i n g o f all th i s a s yet ; b ut h ow

.
,

would i t b e when she woul d a w a ke fr om h er cru e l il lusi on ? Wh en tha t

48 2
 Wh at you t ell m e on ly co n fi rms my own pri v a t e con j e ct ure “ she
“
H ow th en h a s h e t a k en hi s fa th er s d ec i si on ? Fo r he
’
as s ur e d h er .
, ,

mu st h a ve b een li st en i n g t o o ur co n v e rs a ti on j us t n ow .

“
I do n o t th i n k i t i s li k ely l n hi s presen t n umb e d a n d li st les s st at e he
. .

i s n o t a w a r e of every th i n g th a t go es on a roun d hi m
“

“ ? ”
Well wh a t sh ould w e do n ow
,
“
You c an n ot do ot h e rwi se th an put th e m a tt er t o the o ld Ta i ta i an d
”
t h i n k up s om e cl ev er w a y o f pr e v en t i n g d i sas t e r .

“
V e ry w e ll I w i ll s pe a k t o th e old T a i ta i deci d e d M a d am e Ch en g ;
.
,

a n d sh e w en t b a ck t o t h e o th er s .

Wh at h as P ea rl b ee n whi sp e ri n g t o yo u so myst eri ou s ly j ust n o w ? ”

th e An c es t r es s as ke d h er w h en sh e c a me i n M a d a me C hen g t old h er .

e ve ry t h in g wh i ch sh e h a d j u st h ea rd from Pea rl Wh en sh e h a d fi n i sh ed .

t h e t h r ee l a di es rem a i n e d t h ough t fully s i l en t f or qu i t e a lo n g wh i l e A t .

l a st th e A n c est ress si gh e d an d s a i d : There i s rea lly n o n e ed t o both er

“ '

a bou t t h e g i rl ; b ut i f th e boy h a s a l s o set hi s h ea rt upon th e gi rl t h e ,

s i t u a t i o n i s c e rt a in ly difii cul t
’
.

“
I h a v e a pl an excl aim e d Ph oen ix
’"
.

”
A n d w h a t m i gh t i t b e ?
”
W e sh a ll h a v e t o c ar ry th rough a l i tt l e d e c epti on
? ”
Wh a t do yo u m ea n by th at
A t fir st w e mu st pr et en d t o P a o Yu th a t Bl a ck J a d e 1 s fi n a lly des
ti n e d f o r h i m a n d w a i t to s e e h o w h e t a k e s th e n ew s If i t l ea v es hi m
, .

i n d i ff er en t n o d e c e p t i on w i ll b e n e c ess a ry If h e sh ow s j oy th en w e
, .
,
”
s i mply mu st use d ec ep t i o n .

“ ? ”
A nd h o w do yo u thi nk t o c a rry i t th rough M a d a m e C h en g w a n t e d
t o kn ow P h o en i x b en t down ari d Wh i s p e r e d som eth i n g i n h er ea r t o
‘

.
,

wh i ch M a d am e C hen g n odd e d ea ge r a gr eem en t .

L et m e in t o your sec ret t o o ! s a i d th e A n c est r ess ea g erly P h oen i x

“ ”
'

u n fold e d h er pl a n t o h er b ut b ec a use o f th e presen c e o f th e se rva n ts

,

s h e wh i sp e r e d on c e more T hi s t i m e sh e h a d t o xpl a i n h er pl an l n more

.

e
d et a i l f o r th e A n c es tr ess di d n o t un d e rst an d at on c e b ut fi n ally a sm
, i le ,

o f en li g h t en m en t a n d s e cr e t s a t i s f a c t i on s pr e a d ov e r h er f a c e .

“ ” “
Spl en d i d ! sh e excl a i m e d Bu t c e rt a i n ly som e wh a t b i tt er for Pre
.

”
c i ons Cl a s p A n d w h a t abou t Bl a ck J a d e
.
?

W e w i ll lea ve h er o ut o f th e g a m e complet ely Th e wh ol e c

“
.
om e dy .

w i ll b e en a c t ed o n ly b efor e P a o Y u a n d b e si des i t w i ll r e m a i n stri c t ly

,

b etw een ourselves ”

'
.

O n e da y Bl a ck J a de set o ut a ft er brea kf a st t o s a y go od morn i n g to

th e An c es t r ess On th e w ay sh e foun d t h a t sh e h a d forgo tt en h er h an d
.

kerch i e f a nd sen t h er compa n i on Cuckoo b ack t o fet ch i t M ea n ti me

, , ,
.

sh e co n t i nu e d h er w a y a lo n e a t a l ei s ur e ly p a c e A s sh e s a un ter e d a lo n g . ,

484
 use d on ce t o b ury wi there d blo sso ms wi th Pa o Y u a p i ti a ble whi m per ,

i n g s oun d rea c h ed her ea r from t he bush es by th e w a y s i d e She wen t .

t ow a rds the pl a ce from w hi c h th e vo i ce so un d ed an d soo n ca m e upo n a

,

crud e an d un g ai n ly loo ki n g youn g gi rl wi th b i g ey es ov e rsh a dowe d by

-

h e a vy e y e brow s w h o w as s i tt in g o n a mo ss grown rock w ee p i n g b i t

,
-

, ,

t erly all a lo n e B a ck J a d e gu esse d t h a t th e s tr an g e youn g crea t ure mus t

, .

b e a m a i d employ e d fo r roug h work so m ewhere i n th e p a la ce an d sh e ,

a s ke d h e rself wi th a muse d s urp ri se h o w s uc h a rough un cou th crea ,

t ur e as thi s could fee l an y t hi n g so d ee ply th at she must come h ere to

weep in th is h ea rt t en d in g fash i o n The str an ge gir l h ad sudden ly

-
.

st oppe d cry i n g an d st ood up poli te ly a t Bl a ck J a d e s a ppro a c h an d w as

’
,

n o w bu s i ly dr i n g her e y es
y .

“
C om e wh at ha s s omeon e don e to hurt yo u so as ked Black J a de
,
' ? ”

J udge fo r yourself M iss ! W as i t fair to bea t m e be ca use 1 di so b eyed

,

Ord er t o kee p th in gs d a rk whi ch I knew no th i n g abo ut an d be ca use

-

,
”
I sa i d a word t o o muc h ?
“
W ho a re yo u an d wh a t ord er to kee p si l en t are yo u ta lki n g abou t
,
? ”

“ ’ ’ ’
I m Num s kull an d I m th e o ld Tai ta i s ki t chen ma i d The b an o n .

t a lki n g w h ic h i d n t know o f w a s abou t th e m arr i a g e o f M ast er P a o

’
,
/
I d ,
”
Y u a n d M i ss Pr e c i ous Cl as p .

Bl a ck J a d e fel t as i f a th u n d e rbol t ha d fa llen b es i de her T he g ro un d .

see m e d t o qu a k e un d e r h er feet a n d i t w a s qu i te a w hi l e b e fore sh e

,

could pull h er se lf t ogeth e r .

“ ”
Follow m e ! she g a s pe d a n d wa lke d o n i n fro n t o f Nums kull to
,

t he l i t t l e qu i e t n ook wh e r e th e flow er gr a v e was H ere th e y wo uld b e

, .

qu i te un d i st urb e d an d sa fe from ea ves droppe rs .

“
So M a ste r P a o Y u is t o m a rry M i ss Pre c i ou s Cl a sp ? A n d w h y di d
? ”
th e y b e a t yo u
“
Mr ; C hen g i s t o go o ff i n a few d a y s t o hi s n ew po si ti on i n th e prov
i n c e o f C h i a n g h s i Be fore he go es M as t er Pa o Y u a n d M i ss Pre c i ou s
.

Cl a sp are t o be m a rri e d i n a grea t h urry Th a t i s w h y th e re w as a b i g .

lon g co n fe ren c e recen t ly b e t ween M a d am e C hen g t h e old T ai ta i a n d , ,

M a d am e P h o en i x Th ey we r e s a y i n g t ha t M a s t e r P ao Y u n ee d s a stro n g
.

sen s a t io n of a h a ppy ki n d o r s om e th i n g l i k e tha t a n d t h a t th e co n se n t ,

o f M i ss Pr ec i ous Clas p s mo th e r mus t b e go t as q u i ckly as possi b le

’
.

Aft er th a t
H ere Nums kull stoppe d sh ort a n d st ar ed gri nn i n g a t Bla ck J a de .

Th en th ough Bla ck J a d e w as h ar dly li st en in g she co n ti n ue d : La ter

, , ,

when th e t w o h a v e b e com e m a n a n d wi fe a m an i s t o b e fmm d for you ,

t o o M i ss B ut for th i s an d th a t re a s o n n o n e of a ll thi s w as to b e ta lke d

, .

loud I kne w n o th i n g abou t th a t ord e r A n d when I sa i d to

. .

n ow n ev erthi n ki n g tha t I was lon gi ng fo r th e weddi n g an d

, ,

485
th a t t he
. r e d b e g re a t go i n g s o u i n th e h ou s e my b i g s i st e r w h o a ls o
’
-

, , ,

works for t h e o l d T a t ta i c a m e up a n d box e d my ea r s I h a d d i s ob e y e d , .

t h e ord e r o f t h e ol d T a i tai a n d I d b e c h a s e d from t h e h ous e i n p u n

’
m

i shm e nt she s a i d But w

, h at do yo uth i n k M i ss? D i d I d eserve t o b e
.
,

t r eat e d l i ke t h a t w h en I knew n o th i n ,g about tha t or der n o t t o

? ”
t a lk
Th a t s wh a t com es o f your si ll y c h at t eri n g A n d n ow go ! mur
’ ”
. .

mur e d Bl a ck J a de m a d i st r a c t e d a b sen t m i n d e d m an n er a n d slowly ,

-

t urn e d a w a y Sh e f e l t h orr i bly si ck H e r st om a c h h e a v e d a n d h urt a s i f

. . ,

i t w e r e full of o n e s ol i d m a s s o f s om e i n d i g est i ble burn i n g m i xt ur e o f ,

V i n eg ar a n d o i l a n d p e pp e r a n d s a l t an d s ug a r
r , , , .

L st i n h er t h ough t s s h e mov e d p a i n fully s t e p by st e p a n d a t ea ch

'

o , ,

st e
p i t Sew ard t o h er a s i f h er l e g s w e re m a d e o f co t t o n wool i n st ea d of
-
.

bon es an d si n e ws a n d h a d t o b e a r a lo a d o f a h un dr e dw ei gh t so l i mply ,

a n d fl a b b i ly di d t h e y do t h e i r work W i th ou t go a l o r d i re c t i on sh e .

dr a gg e d h e r self a lo n g t urn i n g a i mle ssly an d sen sel ess ly n o w t h i s wa y

, , ,

n o w t h a t a n d s o mov i n g i n a c i rcl e w i t h t h e r e s ul t t h a t sh e fou n d h er

, ,

s e lf b a ck a a i n an d a ai h i n t h e v i c i n i t y o f t h e foo t b r i dg e n e a r t h e
’
‘

g g
n

blo ssom gr a v e A t l a st s h e st umb l e d i n t o th e m

,

a i d Cuckoo w ho h ad
'

.
,

b e en sea rc h i n g for h er i n v a i n for a lon g t i m e t o bri n g h er t he f o r go tten

-

, _

h a n dke rc h i e f W i th h orror Cuckoo ob s e rv e d t h e f a l t er i n g g a i t of h er

.

m i st ress t h e fix e d expr essi on of h er e ye s t h e d ea dly p a llor of h er fa c e ,

.

In t h e d i s t an c esh e s a w t h e r et r ea ti n g fi g ur e o f a m a i d d i sa pp ea r i n g b e ,

h i n d a b en d o f t h e p a t h .

“
Wh er e a re yo u go i n g ? T hi s i s t h e w a y w e get b a ck t o t h e B a mboo
H e rm i t a g e sh e sa i d t a ct fully t urn i n g t o h er d i s t r a ugh t m i st r ess
”
, ,
.

“ ”
I w a n t t o go t o P a o Y u t o a sk h i m a qu est i o n sa i d Bl a ck J a d e a s ,
.

i i 1 n a t r a n c e T h oug h sh e di 1 n o t qu i t e un d e r st a n d h e r a n s w e r Cuckoo
_
. ,

t ook h er g en t ly by t h e a rm an d le d h e r o u t o f t h e p a rk t o t h e r e si d en c e
o f t h e A n c e st r e ss A t t h e e n t ran c e t o t h e r oom s o f t h e A n c est r ess Bl a ck
.

J ad e s l a ck en ed h er p a ce Sh e seem e d o n ly n ow t o b ecom e co n sc i ou s o f
t
.

t h e pr esen c e o f Cucko o.
“
Wh a t a re you do i n g h ere sh e a s ke d i n a t on e o f s urpr i se
? ”
.

Do n t you r em emb er I w as t o com e a ft er yo u w i th your h an dk er

’
,

c h i e f an d I h a v e a ccomp a n i e d yo u ov e r h e r e from th e foo t bri dge

, .

“ ”
A h yes Th en you a l s o w an t t o see P a o Y u
.
?
,

Cuckoo n odd e d v e ry sl i g htl y l t w a s cl ea r t o he r t h a t her m i st ress .

.
, ,

mu st b e i n a st a t e o f i t ernp orary m en t a l d e r an g em en t a n d she gu esse d

_
,

t h a t h er co n d i t i o n so m e h o w h a d s om e t h i n g t o do w i th h er e n coun t e r
-

w i t h t h e m ai d w h o m sh e h a d just ca ught a gli mp se o f d i s a pp ea r i n g

a rou n d a b en d of t h e p a t h T h e r e m a y b e a n i c e s po t o f t roubl e n o w
~ . .

wh en t he se tw o poor i rr espon si bl e crea t ur es on e o f th e m m a d an d t h e

- -

48 6 ,
Au t um n Wa v e w h o h a d t o go ba ck a n d sh e an d Cuckoo sat w a t c hi n g
, ,

by th e b ed si de w eep i n g , .

“ ”
W h y a re yo u cry i n g
,
? ask ed Bl a ck J a d e qu i te c a lml y when she ,

Op en e d h erey es a fte r a whi l e .

“
You h a ve j u st ha d a li t tl e a tta ck o f fai n tn ess o n th e w a y b a ck here ,
”
a n d i t m ad e us a b i t u n ea y
- s .

“
O h I m n o t i n s uc h a h urry t o di e a s all th a t repl i ed Bl a ck J a d e
'
’
-

, , ,

c hee rfully .

Afte r t h e he morrh a g e sh e felt free d from th e 1 n n er pressur e o f sud

den e xc i tem en t wh i c h h a d cloud e d h er m i n d an d w as n o w qui t e clea r i n ,

h er h e a d .

'

On th e o t h er h a n d sh e h a d on ly a v a gu e m emory o f wh a t h a d h ap
,

pen e d b etw een h er m eeti n g wi th Nums k ull an d t he h emo rrh a ge .

W i t h c a lm r esi gn a ti on she went ov er i n h er m i n d o n c e mo re th e

fri g h t ful fa c t whi ch t he mai d i n h er si mpl i c i t y h a d di vul ged t o her .

Now t ha t t h e b e a ut i ful i llusi on h a d b een sha tter e d n o thi n g r e m ai n e d ,

for h er b u t t o di e qu i ckly ; Th at w a s cl ea r t o her Cuckoo an d S n ow .

goo se w e re a ct u a lly t h i n ki n g oi r un ni n g t o the old T a i ta i a n d re port i n g

'

wh a t h ad h a pp en ed b ut t h en th ey g a ve up th e i d ea a g a i n b e c a u se th e y
'

, ,

di d n o t w i sh t o b e re pro a c h e d f or g i v i n g f a lse a l a rms a s h a d h a ppen e d ,

o n c e b e fore M ean t i m e h ow ever t he m a tt e r ha d com e t o t he kn owl e dg e

“

.
, ,

of t h e old Ta i ta i t hr ough Au t um n W a ve wh o se a gi t a te d m a nn e r ha d ,

a t t r a c t e d a t ten t i o n w h en sh e
go t b a ck T h e A n c est r ess th ere upon hur .

r i edly summ o n ed M a d a m e C hen g a n d P h o en i x t o a d i s cu ss i o n f or th ey ,

a ll gu esse d t h a t Bl a ck J a d e h a d s om eh ow or o th e r l ea r ne d a bou t t h e

d e c i si o n s r ea ch e d a t the fa m i ly coun c i l .

“
I sh ould l i ke t o kn ow w h o has b een t i tt le ta tt l i n g I e mp h at i c ally o r -
.

d er e d t he st r i c t est secr ecy N a t ur a lly th i s m a kes i t m

. ore d i ffi cul t f o r us
,
”
t o c a rry t h rough our pl an sa i d Ph o en i x cr ossly
, .

“ ”
W e can d i s cu ss t ha t later b ut firs t le t us s ee how Bl a ck J a d e i s
‘

, ,

s ugg est e d t h e A n c est r ess an d t he thr ee o f t he m s et o ut for the B amboo

,

H erm i t a g e The y fou n d Bl a ck J a d e i n b ed an d her d ea thly p a llor h orri

.
,

fi e d th em T h e re see m e d t o b e n o t an o th er drop o f blood l e ft in h er

'

ch eeks an d h er br eathi n g w as very wea k B e fore sh e could u tte r a w ord

, .

'
sh e h a d t o ge t o v er a b a d fi t o f coug hi n g a n d h er s put um whi c h she , .
,

s p a t i n t o a bowl h eld by Sn o w o ose w a s profu s ely m i n gl e d w i th bloo d

g , .

“
Th e old Td l ta i l a vi shes her k i n d n ess i n v a i n o n m e
’’
sh e sa i d a t ,

l ast i n fa l te r i n g g as p s T he A n ces tress w a s d e eply mov ed D o n o t b e

, .
“
.

un eas y d ea r ch i ld ! If yo u j us t ta ke good ca re o f yourself a ll wi l l b e

,
”
well a g a in she sa i d con s ol in gly Th en th e doc t or c am e an d th e la di es
, .
,

h a d t o cut sh ort th ei r vi si t .

I c er t ai n ly would n o t wi sh her ill b ut I grea tl y fea r sh e wi ll n ever ,

” “
get up a g ai n sa i d th e An c estress to Ph o en i x as th e y w en t a w a y
, Y ou .

488
 mus t m a ke all th e nece ssar y prep a r a ti ons i n good t i me i n c ase a n yt hi n g ,
”
sh oul d h a ppe n t o h e r .

T hen she qu est i o ne d Cuckoo i n a n effort t o fi n d o ut w ho ha d chat

t ered to Bl a ck J a d e b ut Cuckoo co uld n o t g i ve h er a n i n form a t i o n
,
y .

“
It is t ru e t h a t th e y grew up t oge the r a s c h i ldren a n d so ha ve b e ,
”
come fo n d o f ea c h o t her she co n t i n ue d ra ther d ej e c te dly t ur n i n g t o
, ,
“
h e r l a di es b ut n o w t h e y a re gr own up an d s en s i ble e n ough to rea l iz e
,

th a t th i s k i n d o f in tercour se mus t ha v e i ts l i m i ts It i s n ec essa ry t o de .

man d th at a youn g g i rl sh ould b e pa rt i cul a rly r es e rved If Bl a ck J a d e .

has b ee n i m a gi n i n g s om et h in g wh i c h sh e ha d n o ri g h t to i m a g i n e th en ,
l

sh e h as sh own h e rs e lf un wort h y o f a ll my lov e a n d ki n dn ess I have .

n ev e r b e fore s p a re d mo n e y w her e h e r hea l th w as co n c e rn e d b u t i f her ,

co n di ti o n i s due t o s uch un seeml y th oughts I ha ve n o d esi r e t o go t o ,

”
an y gr ea t expe n se f o r h e r .

“
The old Ta i ta i sh ould n o t worry h e rse lf t oo muc h a bo ut th e g i rl ! A t
”
th e mom en t P a o Y us w elfa re is o f more im port an c e wh i s pe re d Ph oe
’
,
“
nix . Above a ll w e n ee d Aun t Hsueh s fi n a l co n sen t as soo n a s po ss i bl e
,
’
.

The o ld Ta i ta i sh ould s ummo n her fo r a co n s ul t a t i o n th i s ev en i n g W e .

can t a lk t h i n g s ov e r mor e pe a c e fully h ere t h an ove r t h er e w i th P re ,

c i o ns C l a sp abou t ”
.

Her s uggest i o n w a s a c te d upo n an d Aun t H su eh w a s s ummo n e d to a

fami ly cou n c i l t h a t ev en i n g B e for e i t t ook pl a ce Ph oen i x vi s i t ed t he
.

si ck P a o Y u S h e w i sh e d t o p u t h i mt o t h e t est
. .

“
C on gr a t ula ti on s Cou si n P a o Y u ! she greete d hi m ga i ly Th e
,
”
.

? ”
lucky da y for your m a rri a ge h a s b ee n fix e d Well are yo u gl a d Pao .
,

Y a sta re d a t h er a n d n odd e d si len tly .

“ ? ”
Bl a ck J a d e w i ll b e your w i fe A re yo u gla d .

Now P a o Y u beam e d a ll ove r h i s f a ce .

B ut first yo u mu st get qu i te w ell a n d se n si bl e A s lo n g as yo u b eha ve

“
.

”
fooli shly th ere W 111 be n o m a rr i a ge your fa th e r sa y s co n ti n ue d Ph oe
, , ,

n ix She w as s ti ll n o t qui t e cl e a r a bo u t h is m e n ta l st a t e
.
.

Sudd en ly Pa o Y u ass um e d a complet ely se ri ous sensi ble expressi o n ,

.

”
I am n ot fooli sh a t all It i s a ll o f yo u w ho are fooli sh ! h e sa i d Th en
.
.

h e st ood up a n d wen t t ow a rds th e door .

“
I wan t t o go t o Bla ck J a de a nd reass ure her we re hi s words P hoe ,
.

n i x j umpe d up a n d pul l e d h i m b a ck .

“
Bla ck J a d e h as alrea dy b ee n in fo rmed A s a vi rt uous bri d e she can .

”
n o t o f cours e re ce i ve yo u
, ,
.

? ”
“
S h all I a t le as t see her l at e r a t th e we dd i n g
,

“N a t ur a lly B ut o n ly i f yo u are per fe c tly sensi bl e

.
.

”
“
v
I ha e i g v e n h er my h ea r t O n ly s h e ca n.
p u t i t ba ck m my br east ,

Tha t a g ain s oun d ed very odd Ph oen ix . ,

wh o ha d j ust been thi n kin g

489
th a t h e w as l dy c ur e d fe l t d ub i ous on ce more She v i si t e d th e
a re a , .

A n c es tr ess an d i n form e d h er o f h er ob se rv a t i o n s an d her doub ts T h e .

A n c e st res s di d n ot kn ow w h eth e r sh e sh ould b e h a ppy or sa dd en e d by

h er re port ; b ut b e i n g i n t h e h a b i t o f alw a y s look i n g on th e br i gh t s i d e
o f t h i n g s, sh e d e c i d e d th at th e r e w as n o r e a so n t o b e t o o worr i e d abou t

h i m f or th e t i m e b e i n g a n d w i t h P ea rl he w a s
,

A n d so , t h a t ev en i n g t h e gr eat con s ul t a t i
,

p la c e She could n o t sh u t h er e y es t o th e
.

brought forw a rd , an d a ccord i n gly g av e her

a bbr e v i a t e d proc e dur e It w as d e c i d e d t h a t
.

Ch i a L i
b e sen t po s t h a st e t o Cou si n H s u eh P an , w h o w a s s ti ll i n pr i s o n , to o h
t a i n h i s co n sent a s m a l e h e a d o f t h e fa m i ly Af t er ev e ry thi n g h a d b een
'

d i s cu sse d b a ckw a rds a n d for wa rd s t o th e a ccomp a n i m en t o f n um erou s

bowls of t ea t he con s ul ta t i o n en d e d l a t e t ha t n i ght t o t he sa t i s fa ct i on o f
,

a ll p ar t i es .

’
Four d a y s la t er H su eh Kuo c a m e b a ck from H su eh P an s pr i so n
br i n g i n g t he l a t te r s con s en t More ov e r h e w a s a bl e t o ann oun ce t h at
’
.
,

H su eh P a n wou ld s oo n b e fr ee d Th e c h a rge o f murd er h a d b een .

dropp e d th e j udge h a d approv e d a v erd i ct of a cc i d en t a l m an sl aught e r

, ,

an d pro n ou n c e d a j udgm en t w h i c h i n volv e d o n ly p a ym en t o f a fi n e .

Au n t H su eh w a s gr ea t ly r eli eve d Now th e m a rr i age coul d b e c e lebr a t ed

.

w i th a go od con s c i en c e .

T h e e x ecu ti o n o f t he pre scri b e d form a l i t i es w as p ut i n h a n d a t o n c e

‘

H s u eh Kuo h a d t o d esi gn a b ea u t i ful g i ld e d c a rd wi th the four cycl i c a l

do ubl e si gn s o f t he y e a r t h e m o n t h t he da y a n d t h e h our of Pr e ci ou s
, , ,
’
Cl a sp s b i rt h an d h an d i t ov e r c e r emo n i a lly t o C hi a Li en C hi a L i en o n
, .
,

h i s p a rt pr esen t e d th e e i gh t si gn c a rd o f P a o Y u Th e b et ro t h a l g i fts
,
-
.

fo r Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p follow e d t w o d a y s l a t er B e fore th e y w e re sen t th e .

A n c est r ess he ld a grea t r ev i ew of th em t og et h e r w i t h her l a d i es P a o Y u .

w a s a ls o brough t t o t h is r e v i ew U n d e r t h e d e lu s i o n t h a t t h e pr ese n
. ts
“
w e r e f o r Bl a ck J a d e h e r em a rk e d th ough t fully : W h y a ll t hi s fu ss an d
,

bo th e r ? F i r st th e th i n g s are brough t i n t o th e p a rk at gr ea t tr ouble then ,

t h e y a re t a k en o u t o f t h e p a rk a g a in a n d brought b a ck h ere Surely th i s .

”
dr a gg i n g t o an d f ro t wi c e ov er i s qu i t e u nn ec essa ry
'
.

Eve ryo n e l a ugh e d an d exch a n g e d si gn i fican t gl an ces

Th a t do es n o t s oun d i mb ec i l e by a ny m e a n s—o u th e con tr ary i t s
.

“ ’
.
,

d ev i l i sh ly clev e r re m a rke d the A n c est ress con t en t e dly t o P ao Y u 3

,
’

mo th e r A n d t h en she proc ee d e d to coun t a n d ex a m i n e th e gi fts o n e by

.

o n e from a l i s t Th i s w as n o sm a ll t as k f o r th e l i st con t a i n e d n o l ess

ls—neckl a ces h a i r
.
, ,

th an e i gh t y i t em s o f j ew e lr m a d e o f gold an d pe ar
y ,

orn a men ts br a c elets an d rin gs ; s om e fort y arti cl es fo r th e to i let ; o ne

, ,

4 90 L
 S i st er Cuckoo do b e so k i n d as t o r aise m e in a si t ti n g po si t i on ; I
“

can s p e a k b et t er th en sh e co n t i n ue d w i th a gro a n s W i th th e h elp o f

'

-
-
'
, ,

Sn o w go ose Cuckoo t en d e rly ra i se d th e si ck gi r l in her b ed and c a re

,
-

f ully propp e d her up b eh i n d an d a t bo th si des Wi th p i llows so t h at sh e ,

co uld l ean b a ck comfort a bly -

“
Bri n g m e my copybook o f poe m s sai d Bl a ck Ja d e t urn i n g t o
“

Snow goose Sn ow go ose j umped up an d brought h er what she de

. .
, ,

. “

ui n an de d B la c k J a d e n odd e d a n d i n d i c a t e d w i th h er ey es a chest by t he
. :

t o m a ke h er furth er Wi sh un d erstood a s a fi t o f ,
-

vo i ce T h e m a i ds tr i e d t o h elp her one g i vin g her

a dr in k of w a ter theo th er w i p i n g h er m
.
,

, ou th w ith a h andke rch i e f Bl a ck .

Ja de t ook h old o f th e h an dke rchi e f and w i th i t po in te d on ce mor e in

t h e d i re c t i on o f th e ch est .

Now l a st th e m a i d s guesse d her

at th oug hts . A ppar
e n t ly sh e

th e tw o l i t t l e wh i t e si lk h an dk e rc h i efs , st a n e i d wi th i nk an d t ea rs

th e chest an d t ook o ut th e two h andke rch i efs B l a ck Ja de n odd ed and _

.

h a d th em dropp e d i n t o her h an d s .
‘

Do n t bo th e r yoursel f r ea d i n g that n ow, d ea r y oun g l a dy ! W a i t

’

”
unti l you re w ell a g a i n ! plea d e d Cuckoo gen t l y B ut B la ck Ja de w i th
’
.
l
,

o ut c a st i n g a si n gl e gl a n c e a t t h e t ea r blo t t e d wr i t i n g ,w a s on ly o ccup i e d
“

i n co n vuls i v e effort s t o t e a r th e h a n dkerch i e fs t o p i ec es Sh e w a s t o o: .

weak t o do so h ow ev er ; h er t r embl i n g ha n ds refus e d t o se rve h er

, .

Cu ckoo gu essed th a t fr us t r a t e d love mov e d her t o th i s a ct .

“ ”
It s n o t worth th e t roubl e sh e r e m a rke d s oo t hi n g y
l
’
, Bl a ck J a d e .

n odd e d a n d pu sh e d th e t w o l i tt l e h a ndk e rc h i e fs up h er sl eev e .

'

“ ”
Li ght th e l a mp ! sh e ord ere d n ow a n d wh i l e Sn o w go o se w as li gh t ,
“
in g th e l a mp sh e co n ti n u e d a ft e r a pa u se f or br ea t h
«
, M a k e a fi re l n .

”
the br a z i e r !
Cuckoo th ough t th at she w a s cold an d w a n t e d t o Wa rm h erse lf at th e
“
i f yo u li e down , M i ss ; I ll put a n o th er b lank et o
’
It wi ll b e b ett er
”
of th e fi re m i gh t do yo u h a rm , sh e sa i d B ut Bla ck .

h ea d pet ula n tly So Sn ow go ose ob e y e d h er ; sh e w en t. .

i n t o t he k i t c hen an d sh ov ell e d glow i n g c h a rco a l i n to t h e bro n z e br a z i er ,

th en set i t down o n i ts p e d esta l a l i tt l e w a y from th e b e d .

B la ck J a d e in d i c a te d by a move m en t of her hea d th at sh e w an te d i t

" ‘

f clo se r to t he b ed, so Sn ow go ose move d i t ri ght up to th e b ed, t hen ra n

’

o ut fet ch the t abl eli ke br a z i e r pe d e sta l s pe c i a lly me an t f o r b e dsi d e

to
use H a rdly h a d she t ur n e d h er b a ck w h en B la ck J a de pul l ed the tw o
.

wri tt en o n si lk h an dk erch i efs out o f h er sleev e Ben d in g down t o th e

-
.

braz i e r she g aze d i nt o th e red glow for a few m omen ts lost m th ought
, ,
th en let the h an dk erch i e fsflutter down o n th e fi re In a tri ce the l i ght .

st uff wa s burn e d t o ash es Cuckoo could n o t prev en t i t as sh e w as su

p
.
,

po rt in g her mi str e ss an d di d no t ha ve a ha n d free .

“ ”
What are yo u do i n g M i ss she cri ed i n a l a rm Bla ck J a d e di d no t
?
, .

h ee d h er gr abb e d th e copybook co n ta i n i n g her po e ms looke d i n t o i t

, ,

drea m i ly th en let i t sl i p o ut of her h a n d s o nt o th e coverlet a g a i n

, .

Cu ckoo fe a ri n g she would co n si gn i t t o th e fl a mes t oo pu she d her

, ,

s h ould e r a g a i ns t Bl a ck J a d e s b a ck a n d w a s abou t t o m a ke a gr a b f or
’
,

t h e copybook w i th h er free d h a n d w hen Bl a ck J a d e w i t h a s udd en ,

mov emen t fo rest a lle d her an d droppe d t h e copybook on t o t he fi re Ju st .

a t t h a t mom en t Sn o w o o se re t urn e d wi t h th e wooden be dsi d e pe d es ta l

g .

When she sa w th e copybook a lrea dy ca t chi n g fi re i n th e br az i er she ,

h urri e dly set down h er lo a d a n d heedless o f t he fl a mes pul l e d th e , ,

burn i n g book o ut o f the fi re thr ew i t o n the floor a nd t ra mpled i t

, ,

wi th h er fee t un t i l th e fl am es we re o ut B ut a l as o n ly a s orry c h a rre d .

, , ,

re mn a nt o f Bl a ck J a de s po et i c compo si t i o n s h a d s urvi ved Bla ck J a de

’
.

n o w clo se d h er e yes cont ent e dly an d san k b a ck exh a us te d o n h er

,

p i llo ws .

T h e n ex t morn i n g when sh e a wok e sh e seem ed to fee l so m ewh a t b et

t er b ut i mm e d i a t e ly a fter brea kfa st a l a rm i n g a tt a cks o f cough i n g a n d
,

sh ort n ess of bre a th b e g a n a g a in Cuckoo fea ri n g t he wors t le f t h er i n

.
, ,

ch a rge of Sn o w go o se a n d d a she d o ff t o th e An cestress She foun d t he

,
.

pl a c e ex t r a ord i n a ri ly qui e t an d empty N ei the r th e An c es tr es s n o r her .

a t t en d an ts w e re th ere ; o n ly t h ree se rvi n g wom en an d a few ki t ch en

m a i d s we re l e ft b eh in d in th e dese rt e d rooms Wh e n she asked where .

th e A n c e st ress w a s sh e go t o n ly v a gu e ev as i v e an s we rs Th ere w as n o ,
.

tr a c e o f P a o Y u P ea rl o r Au t umn Wa ve e i th e r
, ,
.

‘
Cuckoo th ought sh e could gu ess up t o e i ght o r n i ne ten ths wh a t i t all -

m ea nt an d ov ercome w i th b i t t er feel i n g s s l i ppe d o ut a g a i n She m ean t ’ '

.
, ,

t o v i s i t P a o Y u an d i n h er d i s tr a ugh t st a t e w en t t o th e Be go n i a Court
y a rd by m i sta ke She foun d the fr o n t doo r a j ar an d th e rooms i nsi d e
.

l i ke wi se d es ola te an d d esert e d Sudd en ly i t occurr e d t o her th a t P a o

.

Y u ha d n o t been li vi n g in th e B ego n i a Courty ar d fo r qui te a lo ng while

p ast and ce rt a i n ly would n o t re t ur n th e re wi th his youn g wi fe s i n ce
,
,

th e pla ce w a s expo se d t o th e ev i l in fluen ces o f th e ab n orm a lly bl oomi n g

b e go n i a b ut would go to li ve i n a n ew h ome som ewhere e lse If she
,
.

o n ly kn e w wh er e ! A s she wa lk e d i rresolutely up an d down in fro n t of the

en tr a n c e sh e saw a m a i d w h o b elon g e d t o t h e h ous eh old o f th e A nces
,

tre ss rus hi n g al o n g in a gre a t hurry Sh e s t oppe d h er an d as ked her .

when th e n ew h om e o f th e youn g coupl e w as go i n g to b e .

l rea lly sh ouldn t t e ll yo u sa i d th e ma i d lowe ri ng her vo rce b ut

“ ”’
m , , ,

i f yo u promi se yo u won t te ll Sn ow go o se
’
 We ll th e n ew h ome wh i ch th e o l d m a st er h a s a ssi gn e d t o th e youn g
coupl e i s si t u a t e d b e si d e M a d a m
,

e C h en g s s u i t e b ehi n d t h e H a ll o f
’

F a m e a n d B en e d i ct i on an d th e y w i ll b e en t er i n g in t o occup at i on t od a y
, .

”
For th e w e dd in g i s t a ki n g pl a c e th i s ev en i n g .

S a y i n g th i s sh e d a shed off Cuckoo stood f o r a wh i le overcom e by

, .
,

h er p a i n ful th ough ts Poor for sa k en Bl a ck J a d e ly i n g wr e st l i n g w i th

.
,

d ea th on h er b ed of sufl erin g an d Pa o Y u g a i ly c e l e br at in g h i s w e d ,

d in g b eh i n d h er b a ck ! W a s i t n o t en ough t o dr a w t ea r s from a sto n e ?

How would he fa c e h er t omorr ow when sh e we nt t o t a ke h i m th e n ew s _

o f Bl a ck J a d e s p a ss i n g ? W a s h e n o t a d e t e s t a bl e cr ea t ur e ? D ejecte d an d
’
a

i n fur i a t e d g n a sh i n g h er t eet h an d w i t h a n gry t e a r s in h er e y es sh e

, ,

r et urn e d t o t h e B a mboo H erm i ta g e .

A t t h e en t r a n c e sh e s aw t w o yo un g m a i d s h an g i n g a bou t cr an i n g ,

th ei r n e cks w a t c h i n g for h er T h e i r worr i e d fr i gh t en e d fa c e s bod e d n o

. .
,

good Wi th a gest ur e of h er h an d she s i gn e d t o t h e m t o b e qu i et as sh e

.

fl ew p a st th e m I n s i d e sh e fou n d Bl a ck J a d e ly i n g i n a fev er Wi th b um
.
, ,

i n g re d c he e ks a n d i n h er p e rpl ex i t y sh e s en t for o l d W a n g Bl a ck
, ,

J a de s n ur se B ut i n st ea d of a dv i si n g h er wh a t t o do t h e o ld wom a n
’
.
,
'

e x h a u st e d h er se lf i n us el es s l a m en t a t i o n s Sudd en ly sh e th ough t o f .

W i dow C h u She w a s exper i en c e d an d pruden t an d would b e a rea l

.
,

h e lp t o h er Her a ss ump t i o n t h a t sh e would a b s en t h e r s e lf from t h e w e d

.

d i n g c e r emon y b e c a u se o f h er w i dowh ood prov e d t o b e co rrec t a n d

'
'

s h e c a m e ov er i mm e d i a t e ly e a g e r t o h e lp a ccomp an i e d by t wo w a i t i n g
, ,

m a i d s Cuckoo re c e i v e d h er a t t h e door a n d wee p i n g a n d sobb i n g

.
, ,

e s cort e d h e r i n Un a bl e t o sp e a k a word sh e j ust po i n t e d sil en t ly t o

.
,

Bl a ck J a d e s b ed T h e si gh t m a d e word s s up e rfluou s W i dow Ch u w as

’
. .
"

d ee ply mov e d Sh e c a ll e d Bl a ck J a d e s oft ly by n a me To b e s ur e Bl a ck

. .
,

J a d e op en e d h er e y el i d s a l i tt le b i t an d h er expr ess i o n to o betr a y e d

'
-

un d er st a n d i n g b ut h er bloodless li p s r em a i n e d s i len t H er br ea th i n g
, .

w a s v e ry w e a k .

W i dow Ch u t urn e d t o sp ea k t o Cuckoo b ut Cuckoo h a d d i sa pp ea red , .

Sn ow g o o se po i n t e d t o th e n ex t room Th e re sh e foun d Cuckoo ly i n g o n .

a d i v a n s obb i n g loudly Th e color e d s i lk cu sh i on un d e r h er h ea d h a d a

, .

w et s po t th e s i z e o f a pl a te .

“
You si lly cr eat ur e ! Thi s 1 5 n o t i m e f o r cry in g " e xcl a i m e d W i dow .
7

“
C h u s h a k i n g h er Qu i ck ! Ge t your m i st r ess s shr oud rea dy ! Is the ’
.
,

p o or g i rl t o s e t o ut n a k e d on th e gre at j o u
? ”
rn e y
B ut Cuckoo s obb e d mor e v i ol en t ly th an ev er an d could n o t b e per
s u a de d t o g et up W i dow C h u t o o w as i n fe c t e d w i th h er t e
. a rfuln ess
, , .

“
Com e o n my good g i rl ! G e t t o work ! Pull your self t o ge th er ! Y o u
, _
”
m a ke m e a s d i st r a c t e d a s y our self wi th your h owlin g ! sh e con t i n u ed -

w i p i n g h er t ea r s a n d sl a pp i n g th e o th er o n th e sh ould e r .

Hurr i e d foo ts tep s w er e h ea rd ou ts i d e a n d i m m ed i a tely a fterwar ds ,

4 94
 “
It i s I m a fr a i d b ut I wan t to act correct ly an d n ot b e re
th at
’
n ot ,

s po n s i bl e f or bo t c h i n g th e pl a n w h i c h h a s b e en d ec i d e d upo n i n h i gh er
'

’
pla c es a n d wh i ch I my se lf do n o t kn ow ex a c tly sa i d th e m aj ordomo s ,

Wi fe i n emba rra sse d s e lf de fen se Sn ow go o se off er e d n o obj ec t i o n an d

.
,
’
a t L i t t l e P i n g s i n st ruc t i o n s q ui ckly
p ut o n h er b est clo t h es a n d follow e d
Li tt l e P i n g t o t he n ew h om e o f t he youn g coupl e wh e r e t h e w e dd i n g ,

p a r t y w a s a ss embl e d Sh e h a d n o in kl i n g of wh a t she w as n ee d ed for o r

.
,

w h y sh e h a d ha d t o p ut o n h er b est clo t h es Ol d L in g w a s ord e r ed .

m ea n t i m e t o i n form h er h u sb a n d that Bl ack J a d e 5 d ea th w as t o b e ex ’

.

e ct e d a t an mom en t an d th a t h e sh ould m a ke t h e n ec essa ry a rr a n g e

p y
m en ts w i th ou t d e la y .

From t he momen t th a t he h a d he a rd from th e l i p s o f Ph o en i x th e jo y;

ful n e ws t h a t h e w a s t o m a rry Bl a ck J a d e Pa o Y u h a d r ev i v e d v i si bly,
.

Tru e h e h a d n o t yet r ecov e re d h i s m en t a l pow ers s uffi c i en t ly t o b e abl e

,
-

t o see t h ro u gh t h e d e c ei t wh i c h w as b e i n g pr a c t i c e d o n h i m b ut i n t h e ,

l ast few d a y s h e h a d b een t r an sform e d p h y si c a lly an d m en t a lly so t o ,

”

s pe a k a n d So gre a t w as h i s j oyful i mp a t i en c e th a t h e could h a rdly wa i t

,

t o see t h e b e lov e d a g a i n a s br i d e H e w as n o w si t t i n g dr esse d i n h i s

. ,

w e dd i n g fi n ery i n the m i d st of th e a ssembl e d l a d i es o f bo th p a l a c es

,
“

f ev er i sh ly a w a i t i n g t h e a rr i v a l of Bl a ck J a d e .

“
W h y i s she n o t com i n g ? Aft er a ll th e w a y from t h e B a mboo Her
'

,
”
m i ta g e t o her e i s n o t s o far he a sk e d t urn i n g an x i ou sly t o P ea rl
, ,
.

“
B e p a t i en t ! Sh e wi ll a rr i v e pu n c t u a lly a t t h e lucky h our w h i ch h as
”
b een fix ed sai d P e a rl t ry i n g t o c a lm h i m Then h e h ea rd P h oen i x sa y
, , .

in g to hi s mo
“
th e r : en i f n o i sy w e dd i n g mu s i c w i t h h ea t i n g of drums
Ev _

m ust b e d i sp en se d w i t h 1 11 v i e w of th e Cour t mourn i n g a w e dd i n g qu i te ,

w i th ou t m us i c see m s t o t h e old T a t t a i t o b e r ea lly t oo dull a n d c olor

l ess Th e r efor e a t h er w i sh I h a v e ord er e d our t roup e of h ou se mu s i
.
,

ei au s t o pl a y a l i tt l e a ccomp a n i m e nt o f flu t e mu si c a t t h e a rr i v a l of th e
bri d e a n d dur i n g t h e c er e mo n y .
’

Th e lu cky h our wh i c h h a d b e en s ought o u t i n th e c a l en d a rh a dcom e

a t l a s t and pr e c e d e d by t w e lv e p a i r s of p a l a c e l an t e rn be a r e rs t h e ga y
, , ,

d br i d a l l i tt e r a rr i v e d .

Th et roup e of g i rl m u s i c i a n s w h o h a d t a ken up th e i r po si t i o n in
,

front of the H a ll o f F a m e a n d B en e d i c t i o n b e g a n pl a y i n g a gen tl e ,

m e lody o n th e i r flu te s Now th e pr oc essi on h a l t e d a n d t h e l i tt e r w a s set

down T h e m a st e r of c e r emo n i es c a m e up t o the door an d i n v i t e d th e
.

New L a dy t o d i smoun t W i th s t r a i n e d a tte n t i o n P a o Y u w a t ch e d

“ ”
'
'

“
from h i s h i dd en v a n t a ge p oin t i n si d e as t he he a v i ly ve i le d New La dy
a ll ow e d h ers e lf t o b e h e lp e d o ut of t h e l i t t e r an d l e a ni n g o n t h e arm of ,

”
a re d rob e d
~
M a i d of Joy slowl y moun t e d th e s te p s l e a d i n g up t o th e
,

496
h a ll A n d w ho do yo u th i n k , es teem ed re a d e r tha t red rob e d M a i d of
.
,
-

” ?
J oy w as N 0 o ther th a n Sn o w go o se !
W h y i s Sn o w goo se an d n o t Cuckoo es cort i n g her ? t h oug ht Pa o Y u
to hi ms e lf, s urpr i se d W h y yes , o f course she broug ht S n o w o ose w i th
.
g ,

her y e ars a go from he r s ou the r n h om elan d so Sn o w go o se i s n ea r er to ,

h er th an Cuckoo w h o o n ly b eg an her se rv i c e w i th her h ere , he co n

~

clud ed a fter furt her re fl e c t i o n an d w as re ass ure d on ce more

, .

I n si d e th e h a ll th e br i d e n o w pe rform ed on e a fte r a n o t he r o n the

, ,

i nst ruc t i o n s o f the m ast e r o f c eremo n i es t he pres cr i b e d kow t ows b e

,

for e hea v e n a n d ea r th b e fore the A n c est ress a n d be fore the fa t he r i n

, ,
-

la w a n d mo th e r i n la w T h en sh e w a s le d i n t o the br i d a l c h a mb er w he re
- -
.
,
“ ” “
t he c e re mo n i es of cl imb i n g o n t o t he b ed a n d r a i si n g the b e d e ur -

”
t a i n w e r e p e rform e d i n a ccord a n c e w i t h o ld C h i n li n g 1 cu s t om .

In f a c t C h i a C h en g h a d n o t g i ven a n y cre d en c e to t he ve rd i c t of t he
s oo th s a y e r th a t P a o Y u r e qu i re d som e s t ro n g i mpr es s i o n o f a j oyful

n a t ur e f o r h i s cur e O n ly r es pe c t for th e A n c est r e ss h a d r es tr a i n e d h i m

.

from e xpres si n g h i s do ub ts a loud H i s sa t i sfac t i o n w a s a ll the gre a t er

‘

n ow wh en h e p e rc e i ve d t h a t P a o Y u h a d b ecom e a pe rf e c t ly r ea s o n a bl e

b e i n g on c e more u n de r th e i n flu en c e o f t hi s wedd i n g .

Th e n e w br i d e h a d t a ke n he r pl ac e in t he pres cr i b ed m a n n er o n the
e dg e o f t h e b e d Now th e t i m e h a d com e fo r t h e c e r emo n y of t he l i f t i n g
.

o f th e v e i l w h i c h a ccord i n g t o corre c t form w a s t o b e c a rr i e d o u t by

, , ,

t h e br i d e groom T h i s w a s t h e gr ea t mom e n t t o w h i c h t h e A n c es tr ess a n d

.

h er l a d i es w e re looki n g forw a rd w i th te n se expe c ta t i o n a n d secre t

t remb li n g P a o Y u w a lk e d up t o th e n ew br i d e b ut a c h a n c e a cc ess of
. ,

fool i sh sh y n e ss a t firs t p a r a lyz e d h i s h an d a n d c a u se d h i m t o p ut h i s

mou t h in mo t i o n i n st ea d A re you qu i t e we ll a g a i n n o w M ci m ei ? It s
“ ’

. , ,

s o lo n g s i n c e I v e seen you ! B u t w hy do you kee p go i n g a bou t w i t h t h a t

’

? ”
s i lly t h i n g o n your h ea d

He w a s a bou t t o m a ke a gra b a t t he ve i l a n d th e movem e n t of h i s

,

h an d w a s a lrea dy c a u s i n g th e An c es tress t o pe rs p i re w i th fea r from

e v e ry por e B ut th en h e le t h i s h an d drop a g a i n i rr eso lu t e ly for i t s u d
. ,

den ly pa sse d th rough h i s m in d th a t Bl a ck J a d e w as eas i ly o fl en de d a n d

di d n ot li ke a n y h a st y a c t i o n He must b e v e ry ca re f ul i n h i s b eha v i or
.

w i th her So h e p a us e d qu i te a whi l e b e fo re at las t ta ki n g h old of th e

.

“
ve i l an d dr a w i n g i t gen t ly o ff th e hea d of th e New O ne S n o w goo se .

t ook th e v e i l from h im a n d ca rri e d i t o u t b ut th e va c a n cy c a us e d by

,
’

h er d i sa ppear a n ce was i mm e d i a te ly fille d by Prec i ous Cl as p s w a i t i n g

m a i d O r i ole .

Pa o Y u bli n ke d ha rd W as n o t tha t P rec i ous Cl as p w ho w as s i t t i n g

.

st o ry i s u sua lly descr i b e d m e re l y a s t h e ca p i t a l b ut

den T om b s a n a m e b e l i eve d t o b e deri ed fro m
.
v

t he T o m b s o f t h e Em pe ror s i n t h e v ci i n i t y o f P e ki n g
— Tr ans l at ors N o t e
.
’
.

497
b e for e h i m on th e e dg e o f the b e d? He sh on e th e l amp o n her fa c e ; he
rubb e d h i s e y e s Ther e w a s n o doub t a bou t i t ; i t w a s sh e A n d th er e w a s
. .

h e r m a i d O r i ol e s udd en ly st a n d i n g by h er s i d e Wh ere t hen w a s S n ow .

, ,

goo go s e n e t o ? P a o Y u di d n o t kn ow w heth e r h e w a s a w a k e or a sl ee p .

L i st l essly a n d w i th ou t w i ll h e let th em t a ke t he l amp o ut of h i s h an d

,

a n d pr ess h i m down on t o a c h a i r A n d h e j u st s a t t h e r e u n a bl e t o
.
ge t ,

o u t ev e n h a lf a word .

Th e A n c est ress b e c a m e d espe r a t e l y u n e a sy Sh e fea r e d t h a t h e would .

r e l a p se i n t o h i s form er co n d i ti on W hi l e P h o en i x a n d Pr i n c ess C hen

'

brough t Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp i n t o th e n e xt room she h e r self t ook ch a rge of ,

P a o Y u le d h i m p e r s o n a lly t o th e b e d an d t old h i m t o s i t down com

, ,

f o r ta b ly o n i t .

“ ? ”
Wh e r e am I B ut i t s a ll o n ly a dr e am ’
h e s a i d t ur n i n g t o
,
’
i sn t i t ?
,

P e a rl a ft e r th i n ki n g fo r a lo n g t i me
, .

“
It s n o t a b i t of a dre a m ! It s a b s olu t e r ea l i t y ! Tod a y i s th e h a ppy
’ ’

day of yo ur w e dd i n g ! How can you t a lk a bou t drea m i n g ? Pl ea se do n t

’

”
let th e old m a st e r h ea r you ; h e s i n t h e n ex t room ! r epl i e d P ea rl
’
.

Pa o Y u looke d i n t o th e n ex t room He s aw Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p s i tt i n g .

t here .

“ ”
W h o i s th at b ea u t i ful g i rl th er e ? h e w h i s p er e d t o P e a rl po i n t i n g ,

wi th h i s fi n g er .

“ ”
Your n ew br i d e of Co ur se ! r e pl i e d P ea rl r est r a i n i n g h er se lf w i th
, ,

d iffi cul ty ; a n d a ll th o se pr esen t t ur n e d t h ei r h ea ds a w a y to h i de thei r

l a ught e r .

“ ? ”
A n d w h o i s my n ew bri de a sk e d P a o Y u co n t i n u i n g h i s qu es t i on s ,

un d et err e d .

“
M i ss Pr e c i ous Cl a sp .

”
A n d w h a t a bou t Bl a ck J a d e ?

Th e old m a st er h a s g i v en yo u Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp for a w i fe W h y do .

”
you k ee p o n sp ea ki n g Bl a ck J a d e s n am e s a i d P ea rl i mp a t i en t ly
? ’
.

“
B ut sh e w a s h e r e j us t n ow ! I sa w h er Sn ow go o s e w i t h my o wn ey es .

It s eems t o m e t h at you h a v e a ll j o i n e d i n a plo t a g a i n s t m e a n d a re

m a ki n g g a m e of m e .

P h o en i x c a me up t o h i m a n d e xh orte d h i m gen t ly : Do h a v e con

s i d e r a t i o n for Pr e c i ou s Cla S p ! Sh e i s s i tt i n g t h e r e l i s t en i n g t o ev e ry

th i n g you a re sa yi n g You mu st n o t off en d h er or t h e o ld T a i t a i wi ll b e

.

”
a n gry w i th you .

B ut h er w am in g h a d n o efl ect He lo st th e l a s t r emn a n t o f h i s se lf
’

.
‘

con t rol .

“ ”
I w an t t o go t o Bl a ck J a de ! he sh out ed s udd en ly b e com i n g v i o ,

l en t T he l a d i es pr ess e d anx i ou sly a roun d h i m a n d t r i e d i n v a i n t o ca lm

.

h i m w h i l e Pr e c i ous Cl a s p sa t i n th e n ex t room look i n g o n an d li st en

, ,

i n g d ee ply p a i n e d t o t he w h ol e s c en e It i s c e rt a in ly a re l a p se in t o h i s
, , .

498
t e r in
-
la w w h o w a s a m e mb e r
-
f th e h ou seh old Th e o th e r f em a l e m em
o .

b e r s of t he fa m i ly wen t a b i t fa r th e r w i th h i m— u p to th e se co n d g at e
w a y B ut t h e m a l e r e l a t i v e s w h o w e r e C h i a C h en g s j u n i or s h a v i n g
’
.
,

drun k a p a rt n gobl et w i t h h i m , g a v e h i m th e pres cri b e d farewe ll

e s cort a s f a r a s t h e fir st t en m i l e rest i n g st a t i o n
-
.

CHAPT ER 4 4

The pla n t P u rp le P ea rl r et u rn s t o t h e S p h er e o f B an i s h e d S ufi eri ng .

Th e s p i r i t s t o n e dr e n ch es w i th t ea rs t h e p la c e of d ea r m em ori es .

FRO M H O U R W HEN PA O Y U H A D B IDDEN H rs F A THE R F A R E W ELL

T HE

a n d go n e b a ck t o h i s room h e h a d s u n k mor e a n d mo re i n t o th e form e r

,

s t a t e of a p a th et i c s e m i co n s c i ou sn es s o u t of wh i c h th e d e l us i v e t h ough t

o f a u n i o n w i t h Bla ck J s de h a d dr a w n h i m for a sh ort t i m e O n c e mor e .

h e w a s t r e a t e d by t h e doc t or s w i t h e v e ry po ss i bl e m e d i c i n e b ut w i th ou t ,

s ucc ess V e i l upo n v e i l wou n d i t s e lf rou n d h i s s p i r i t a n d d a rk en e d h i s

.

m i n d ; h i s body r efu se d n our i sh m en t a n d f a i l e d i n i ts fun c t i o n s mor e

a n d mor e Mor e dr e a m i n g t h a n w a k i n g h e j u st dr a gg e d o n from da
.
, y to
da y
com e—t h e da y upo n
.

Th e n i n th da y s i n c e t h e w e dd i n g n i gh t h a d n ow
wh i c h cu st om r equ i r es t h a t th e so n i n l a w sh ould p a y h i s p a r en ts i n
- - -

l a w a v i s i t Could o n e p e rm i t P a o Y u t o b e s een b y A un t H s u eh i n th i s
.

co n d i t i on ? O n t h e oth e r h a n d would n o t Aun t H s u eh b e o ff en d e d i f h e

,

om i tt e d th i s vi s i t ? Th ese qu est i o n s w e r e h o t ly a rgu e d by th e l a d i es of

t h e w e st e rn p a l a c e .

“
Tru e h i s m i n d i s s om ew h at u n h i n g ed b u t ph y si c a lly h e would cer
, ,

t a i n ly b e a bl e t o m a k e a sh or t v i s i t I sh ould l i k e t o k ee p t o t h e corre c t
.

”
form a l i t y a n d n o t c a us e Aun t H s u eh t o feel off en de d sa i d th e A n ec s ,

t re ss H er v i e w m e t w i t h g en er al a gr eem e n t a n d so P a o Y u w as s en t
.
,

t h rough th e p a rk i n a s e d a n c h a i r a ccomp a n i e d by P ea rl t o i si t Aun t ,

V

H s u eh .

Au n t H s u eh h a d n o t b een pr e p a r e d t o see h er so n i n l aw i n such a - -

wr et ch e d pl i gh t an d re pro a ch e d h e rself b i t t erly for h a v i n g g i v en h er

co n sen t t o th i s ov e rh a s t y m a rr i a g e A t h er i n st an c e e v er y kn own doc t or
.
,

wa s c a ll e d o n c e more b u t t o n o purpo se un t i l a t l as t an ob scur e

, ,

h e a l er w h o l i v e d in th e ru i n s of a n old t e mpl e ou tsi d e th e t own c a m e

, ,
’
a lo n g a n d w a s t h e fir s t t o p e rc e i v e th a t t h e or i g i n of t h e boy s i ll n es s

w a s n o t o f a p h y s i c a l b ut of a sp i r i t u a l n a t ur e A n d a c t u a lly th e m e d i .
c

c i ne pr escr i b e d by h i m prov e d s ucc essful a ft e r o n ly a f ew h our s P a o .

Y u b e g a n t o a w ak en from th e a p a th y i n w h i c h h e ha d b een s un k for

m an y d a y s an d s udd en ly aske d f or food an d dr in k Thi s h a ppen e d a t
, .

5 00
th e h our of th e se co n d
ght wa t ch D esp i te the l a ten ess o f th e hour t he
ni .
,

An c estr ess sen t A un t H s u eh word to come a s qu i ckly a s po ss i ble so ,

th a t sh e a ls o mi gh t w i t n es s t he gr a t i fy i n g c h a n ge a n d loo k o n w i th th e

o the r l a d i es whi le th e p a ti ent p a r t ook o f a hea rt y m ea l .

W hen th e l a d i es h a d gon e a nd Pa o Y u w a s o nce mor e alo ne wi th

P e a rl he t ook h er by the ha n d a n d a s i f a w a ken i n g from a drea m
, , ,

as ke d h er a bou t th e rec en t s e qu e n c e o f ev en ts .

“
How i s i t th at Pre c i ous Cla sp i s he re ? I d i st i n c tly rememb er b ei n g
t old th a t I w as t o m a rry Bl a ck J a d e How o n ea r th ca n Pr e c i ous Cl as p
.

h a ve forc e d h e rself forw a rd i n her pl a c e ? I sh ould n o t c a r e to ask

Prec i ou s Cl asp my se lf lest I sh ould off en d her b ut I mu st fi n d o ut th e ,

tr u th Ho w t err i bl e i t mu st b e fo
. r poor Bl a ck J a d e ! She w i ll c ert a i n ly

fret herself t o d e ath ove r i t .

P ea rl di d n o t d a re t o tell h i m t he whole tr u th an d me rely sta te d ,

br i efly th a t Bl a ck J a d e w a s v ery i ll .

“
Then I mus t go a t o n ce t o see h er he d e cl are d p a ss i o n a te ly a n d
, ,

t r i e d th e r e a n d th en to ge t up from h i s b e d b u t a l as h e w as un a ble to , , ,

do 5 0 Af te r so m an y d a y s w i th ou t n our i shmen t o f a n y k in d h i s body

.
,

w as so w ea k th a t i t f a i l e d h i m u tt e rly O n ly n o w di d he b e come re a lly

.

a w a r e of h i s wre t c h ed s t a t e .

“ ”
V e ry we ll ! Th en I sh a ll a t l ea st di e w i th her ! he cr i ed i n h i s gr ie f .

Tha t i s th e o n ly w i sh I st i ll h a ve l e ft an d you mus t do m e t he k i n dn ess

,
-

of ask i n g my gra n dmo t he r t o let m e b e c a rr i e d ov er to Blac k J a d e i m

m e d i a tely S e p a r a t ed from her I h a ve n o w is h e i ther t o l i ve or t o di e A
.
, .

s i mpl e b a r e r o om i s en oug h for us bo t h i f w e can o nly b e t og et h e r If

‘
.
, ,

i t i s gr a n te d us to re m a i n a l i ve ve ry w ell th en I w i ll g la dly b e n ursed

, ,

b a ck t o hea l t h si d e by si d e wi th her If fa te ord a i ns o th e rw ise I wi ll a t

.
,

lea st di e t ogeth er w i t h her a n d b e l a i d o n my b i er si d e by s i d e wi th her .

Fo r th e s a ke o f o ur lo n g y ea rs o f fr i en ds h i p I en tr eat yo u to hee d my ,
”
requ est !
Wh i le P ea rl s tr ov e i n v a i n t o overcome t he emo t i o n w h i c h c h oke d
her vo i c e Prec i ou s Cl a s p s udde n ly w a lked i n t o th e room w i th th e m a i d
,

O r i ol e She h a d b een l i sten i n g to P a o Y u s word s from th e nex t roo m

.
’
.

“ ”
En oug h of th i s fu t i le a n d morb i d pr a t in g ! she sa i d t o h i m c a lmly
“
a n d firmly T he old Ta i ta i h a s j u s t be com e s om ew h a t rea ss ured a bou t
.

you a n d n o w yo u wa n t t o c a u se h er more a g i ta t i o n Do ha v e a l i tt le
,
.

co ns i d era t i o n for her y ea rs ! Ha s s h e n o t b een t ouc h in gly d e vo te d t o

you a ll your l i fe ? Do you feel n o gr a t i t ud e for th a t ? S how her th a t you
a re n o t o n ly t h e d es c en d a n t o i your i llu s t r i ou s an ces t ors
-
b ut a ls o a ,

good fellow yourse lf ! Then s he w i ll b e ha ppy an d w i ll see tha t she has

n o t s ii a n dere d he r lo ve i n Va in o n you A n d th i n k o f your mo the r t oo
q .
, ,

w ho h a s sa cri fice d h er h ea rt s blood for you Do you wa n t to do her

’
.

t he wro n g o f cr a v en ly th rowi n g a w a y th e li fe th a t you o we t o her b e ,

50 1
f or e i t i s h a lf t h rough ? Follow my ex a mpl e ! S ur ely I would h a v e more

r ea so n th a n a n y of yo u t o qu a rr e l w i th my fa t e yet I do n o t d esp a i r So ,
.

’
pull your self t og e th e r a n d do n o t qu a rr el w i th th e h i gh e r d ecr ees o f
h ea wh i c h d em an d t ha t you l i v e ! H a v e p a t i en c e a n d i n four o r
, ,

fi v g da ys your mi nd w i ll b e fr ee d from th e bl a ck d emo n s of co n fu s i o n

.

”
a n d w i ll h a v e reca vere d i t s form e r cl a r i t y a n d h a rmo n y
r

Th e o n ly r es ponse w h i c h h er s en si bl e word s e voke d i n h i m w a s a

'

s i lly i n a n e u n com
, p relr en di n g gr i n
, .

“
For h ea v en kn ow s h o w lon g p as t w e tw o h a v e h a d n o th i n g more t o
s a y t o e a c h o th e r Wh a t i s i t th a t s udd en ly g i v es you t h e r i g h t t o pr ea c h
.

? ”
to m e h e r em a rk e d a t l a st A t t h i s sh e lo st p a t i en c e
. .

“
V e ry w ell th en ! You sh a ll h ea r t h e wh ol e t ru th ! D a y s a go wh i l e
, ,

yo rfr m i n d w a s en v e lop e d i n d a rkn e ss your Bl a ck J a d e d i e d !

”
,

W i th a shr i ek P a o Y u l ea p e d up i n h i s b e d
, .

“ ? ”
Is th a t t ru e
O f cour se i t i s t rue ! Ho w would I dr ea m o f br az en ly sa y i n g t h at
som e o n e w a s d ea d i f i t w e re n o t t ru e ? It w a s s ol e ly t o s p a r e your f e e l

i n g s t h a t your mo t h er a n d gr an dmo th e r k e p t t h e t ru th from you u n t i l

now .

U tt erly broken P a o Y u sa n k b a ck o n h i s p i llows It b e c a m e bl a ck a s

, .

l a cqu er b e for e h i s ey es a n d h i s sp i ri t b e c a m e lo st i n t h e s em i d a rkn ess

,

o f a d i st a n t dr e a ml a n d Som e o n e cro s se d h i s p a t h
. .

“ ”
?
Wh e r e yrs I h e a ske d th e Som e on e .

On th e ro a d t o t he Spr i n g s of th e R ea lm of S h a d es B ut your d es t i n y .

? ”
i s n o t ye t fulfill e d Wh a t a re yo u look i n g for h e r e
. r e pl i e d th e Som e
o ne.
“
I look i n g for a p e r so n w ho i s d ea r t o m e an d w h o d i e d a sh ort
am ,
”
t i m e a g o I h a v e lo st my w a y o n t h e ro a d
. .

“ ”
W h o i s th a t p e r s o n ?

S he i s a g i rl n a m e d Bl a ck J a de of t h e f a m i ly o f L i n g from t h e t own ,
”
of Ku s u .

Th e Som e o n e u tt ere d a dry l a ug h .

“
O h th a t g i rl ? Sh e rs a s p e c i a l c a se In l i f e sh e w a s d i ff er e n t from
, .

o th e r p e opl e ; i n dea th sh e rs d i fferen t from o t he r sp i r i ts Y o u would b e

’

look i n g a lo n g t i m e f o r her ! T o fi n d even ord i n a ry s p i r i ts i s h a rd

e n o u gh let a lo n e a s p i r i t s uc h a s Bl a ck J a d e S o t ur n b a ck a t o n c e a n d
,.
.
,
”
b e o ff !
Pa o Y u r em a i n e d st a n d i n g t he re i rr esolu t ely
“ ? ”
W h e r e I s sh e h e a s k e d a g a i n
Sh e h a s r et urn e d t o t h e Ph a n t omR ea lm of th e Grea t Vo i d It w i ll
.

b e gr a n t e d yo u t o see h e r a g a i n b ut o n ly a ft e r your t i m e h a s b een ful

,

fill e d If h owev e r yo u i n cur t h e gu i l t of d e p a rtin g from l i fe b efore your

.
, ,

t i m e and o f your o wn free w i ll in ord e r t o see k h e r th e J udge of th e ,

5 02
 ’
Bl a ck J a d e s l i fe w a s h an g i n g by a th rea d On th e ev en i n g o f th at day .

s h e se em e d t o r ev i v e a g a i n for a sh or t t i m e Soo n a f t e r Sn ow o o se h a d
g .

b een c a ll e d for,sh e h a lf op en ed h e r ey es a n d a sk e d for w a ter in a w ea k

vo i c e Cuckoo ac t u a lly s ucc ee d e d i n g i v i n g h er t h ree l i tt le s poon fuls o f
.

a s wee t cold fru i t pr e p a r a t i o n T h e l a st r efl e c t i o n o f t h e se tt i n g s un

.
,

t h ough t W i dow C h u t o h e rs elf a n d sh e d ash e d o ff t o see h er o w n h ou se

,

h old i n t he R i c e F a rm Sh e est i m a te d t ha t Bl a ck J a d e would li v e a bou t

.

h a lf a da y lo n g e r .

S h or tly a f te r she h a d go ne Bl a ck J a d e op en e d h er e y es a g a i n ,

clu tc h e d Cuckoo s r i ght h an d a n d must er i n g t he l a st r emn an ts o f h er

’
, ,

s t r en g th u t te r e d a f ew word s of f a r e w e ll
, .

“ ”
’
I m n o good for l i fe sh e g a s p e d
,
Th a n k you for your f a i th ful
.

s e rv i c e I h a d h op e d t h a t w e would b e t og e t h er for a lo n g t i m e mor e I

'

. .

di d n o t th i n k
Ex h a u sted sh e s t opp e d a n d clo se d h er e y es b ut di d n o t rel a x th e
, ,

gr i p of h er h a n d Nor di d Cuckoo v e n t ure t o free i t b u t w a i te d o n i n

.
,

s i l en c e for a n y t h i n g mor e s h e m i g h t h a v e t o s a
y .

“
’ ”
I m a s t r a n g er h e r e S i s t e r g a sp e d Bl a ck J a de a fte r a lo n g p a u se
, ,
.

Do m e t h e k i n d n ess of see i n g th a t the y bury my body my c h a st e body , ,

i n th e ea r t h of my s ou th ern h om e l a n d .

A g a i n s h e h a d t o p a u se a n d clo se h er e y es Cuckoo fe l t h er h a n d b e .

i n g gr a sp e d mor e a n d more t i g h t ly a n d co n vul s i v ely W i th a n a n x i ou s .

h ea r t sh e l i s t e n e d to t he i rre gul a r br ea th i n g Th e dy i n g g i rl s eem e d t o .

b e ex h a l i n g mor e t h a n i n h a l i n g br e a t h In h er u n ea s i n ess Cuckoo se n t

.

word for W i dow C h u to com e b a ck a t o n c e S h or t ly b efore sh e r et urn e d .

T a s t e of Spr i n g c a m e in Wee p i n g s i l en t ly she b en t ov er th e dy i n g g i rl

.
,
’
a n d b a d e h er f a r e w e ll w i th a l a s t pr ess ur e of t h e h a n d Bl a ck J a d e 5 .

h a n d a lr ea dy fe l t w e cold .

T h e th r ee o f t hem w e re j us t be g i n n i n g t o rub Bl a ck J a d e w i th d a mp
t ow e l s w hen sh e s ud d
“
, en ly cr i e d o ut : P a o Y u ! P a o Y u l How
T h o s e we r e her l a st word s Her l i mb s b e c a m e cov er e d wi th cold
.

s w e a t a n d t h e n gre w r i g i d S h e d i e d i n t h e v e ry s a m e h our i n w hi ch
, .

P a o Y u a n d Pre c i ou s Cl a s p w e r e compl et i n g th e c e r emo n y o f th ei r

w e dd i n g .

In t h e m i d s t of th e d i rg es o f th e wom en d el i c a te a n d exqu i s i te mu s i c
s udd e n ly s ou n d e d from s om e w her e i n th e f a r d i s t an c e Everyo n e fell .
,

s i l e n t a n d l i s ten e d It could n o t b e t h e w e dd i n g mu si c i n th e w est e rn

.

p a l a c e— th e d i s t a n c e b et w een the B a mboo H e rm i t a g e a n d th e h om e o f

t h e you n g coupl e w a s t oo gr e a t fo r th a t T a st e of Spr i n g a n d W i dow .

C h u ra n i n t o t he p a rk t o he a r more d i st i n c t ly b u t t he re w as n o lo n g e r
, ,

a n y mu s i c t o b e h ea rd— n o th in g b u t t h e g e n t l e r us t l i n g o f t h e b a mb oo

bra n c hes w h i c h s w a y i n g i n t h e n i gh t w i n d c a st fl eet i n g sh a dows a lo n g

, , ,

t he moo n l i t g a rd en w a ll It all s eem e d so un ca nn y t o th e t w o th a t the y

.

5 04
 t urn e d a wa y from th e pla ce o f d eath an d fl ed o n w i n g ed fe e t b a ck to
th ei r res pe c t i ve dwe lli n gs .

T he foll ow i n g morn i n g a fter a ll the comm o t i o n of Mr C hen g s de

, .
’

p a rt ure ha d d i e d down the la d i e s o f th e wes te rn p a l a ce were i n form ed

‘

o f B la ck J a d e s d ea th
’
.

“
I h a ve h er d e a th on my co n sc i en c e ! w a i led the A n ces tress in be
”

“
l a te d self a ccu sa t i on B ut i t w as her o wn fa ul t t o o She w as a f ar too
-
.
, .

pe cul i ar difli cult crea t ure

, .

“
T he o ld T a i ta i h as n o grou n d s fo r se lf repro a c h She w as un s p a r -
.

in g o f h er love a n d k i n d n ess It w a s th e wi ll o f th e h i g he r powers th a t

.

”
Bla ck J a d e sh ould di e youn g s a i d M a d a me Ch en g comfort i n gly , , .
“
B ut w e w i ll do s t i ll more fo r he r ; w e w i ll a her th e t ri bu te o f a
‘

p y
”
re a lly b ea u t i ful a n d wort h y f un era l .
’

It w a s d ec i d e d to ke e p t he sa d n e ws f ro m Pa o Y u un t i l h i s co n d i ti o n '

h a d i mprov e d T h e A n c es tre ss v i s i t e d Pre c i ous Cla sp pers o n a lly an d

.

t old h er o f w ha t h a d ha pp en e d .

“
Sh e d i e d o f a broken h ea rt a n d t ha t i s the expl an a ti on o f Pa o Y u s
,
’

co n d i t i o n to o I kn ow yo u l i v ed lo n g en oug h in th e p a rk to un d e rs ta n d
.

”
w ha t I m ea n So n o t a word t o P a o Yu l sa i d th e A n c estress em ph a ti
.

c a lly.

Y e t Prec i ou s Cl a s p n orm a lly so doc i l e we n t her o wn w a y th i s t i m e

, , .

If h i s m a l a dy i s of a m en t a l n a t ur e then i t ca n o nly b e he a le d through

,

t he m i n d s he s a i d t o h e r se lf a n d co n t r a ry t o t he ord e rs of t he A n ces
, ,

t ress s h e d e c i d e d t o tell h i m t he e x a c t t ru t h a t t he fi rs t good o

p po r
t un i ty H o w h er s ucc ess proved h er r i g ht h a s a l rea dy b ee n t old ; a n d he r
.

d i sob e d i e n c e w a s duly pr a i se d an d a dm ire d la ter as a p a rti cular ly i n

t e ll i gen t a c t i o n .

W hen Pa o Y u h a d re cove re d t o s ome ex ten t he w as pe rm i tt ed to vi s i t

t h e B a mboo H e rm i t a g e a ccomp a n i e d by h i s mo t h e r an d gr a n dmo th er , ,

a n d P h o en i x a n d t o g i v e f ree re i n t o h i s gr i e f i n a loud d i rge b es i d e

,

t h e co fli n o f h i s b e lov ed Aft e r he h a d w e p t h i s fill he t ook Cuckoo as i d e

.

a n d m a d e h er t e ll h im the en t i re st ory o f t h e d ea th o f he r mi s tr ess .

Cuckoo ha d a c t u a lly ta k en a d ee p d i sl i ke to hi m an d o nly th e p rox i mi t y ,

of th e l a d i es ha d pre ven te d he r from g i vi n g hi m a good p i ece o f her

m i n d fo r w h a t she b e l i eved t o be hi s bre ac h of fa i th an d pli ghted t ro th .

B ut n o w w h en she w i tn ess e d h i s s i n c e re gri e f a n d d ee p fee l in g she fe lt

, ,

s om e w h a t re co n c i l e d t o h i m a g a i n a n d sh e fa i thf t re po rt ed t o h im i n
,

the full e s t d eta i l h o w Bl a ck J a d e h a d m et h er e n d; h o w a lmos t a t ,

d ea th s door she h a d co n si gne d t o t he fl a m es a ll the wri t ten test i mo n y

’

of her fee l i n gs—th e t w o i n k a n d tea r s ta i n e d si lk h an dkerc hi e fs an d

t h e copyboo k of h e r po e ms—
-

an d w h a t her l as t words ha d been .

Ag a i n Pa o Y u broke i n t o vi olen t lam en ta ti o ns an d co n ti n ued un ti l ,

505
h i s h o a r se th ro at could n ot u tte r a n o th e r s oun d an d h i s e y e s could n ot
s h e d a n o t h e r t e a r T h en h e a llow e d P h o en i x t o t ak e h i m by t h e h a n d
'

an d dr a w h i m r e luc t an t ly a w a y from th e pl a c e of d ea r m emor i es .

Th e i mpor t a n t fi n a l a ct n ec ess a ry t o m a ke a p erfect c i rcl e o f th e seri es

o f s ep a r a t e s ol em n a c t s w a s st i ll l a ck i n g t o th e w e dd i n g c e r emo n i a l
, ,

n a m e ly t h e e n t er i n of t h e n up t i a l b e d O n e da t h e A n c es t r ess ask e d
g y
f
.
,

Aun t H s u eh t o com e ov er a g a i n for a f a m i ly cou n c i l a n d sa i d t o h er :

-
'

,
“
W e h a v e n o w com e t o th e po i n t wh en w e n ee d n o lon g er worry abou t
P a o Y u s h ea lth A h un dre d d a y s h a v e p a sse d si n c e t h e b eg i n n i n g of h i s
’
.

cri ti c a l i lln ess ; n ow h e i s w ell a n d h i s old self a g a i n Th e Court mourn .

i n g for B e g i nn i n g of Spri n g i s a l s o a t a n en d n o w T h er e for e i t s eem s t o

'

m e t h a t i t i s t i m e t o m a ke good t h e i n j u st i c e wh i c h Pre c i ou s Cl a s p h a s
b een s uff e r i n g a n d a t lo n g l a st t o p erform t h e c e r emon y wh i ch a lon e
,

ca n m a k e t h e br i d a l c h a mb er r ea lly roun d a t ru e n up t i a l c h a mb er I
'
‘ ’
.
,

sh ould l i k e t o g i v e you th e pr e c e d en c e i n c h oo s i n g a s u i t a bl e lucky

”
da y .

O h , t h e r e ca n b e n o qu est i o n a t a ll o f i n j u st i c e , pro t este d Au n t

H su eh m ee kly My d a ugh t er m a y b e a b i t slow a n d clum s y ph y si c a lly ,
“
.

n e v e rt h e l ess sh e po s s e sse s s uffi c i en t i n t e ll i g en c e t o r ea l i z e t h a t w e

“

si mply could no t h a v e a c t e d o t h e rw i se N at ura lly i t would do much t o .

,

r e a ss ur e us a ll i f t he youn g p e opl e fo un d a n oppor t u n i t y of real i z i n g

t h ei r d es i r e for h a rmo n i ou s co n s umm at i o n n o t on ly s p i r i t u a lly b u t a l s o
,

o t h e rw i se B ut th e h on or of fi Xm g a s u i t a ble lucky day for th i s sh ould

.

n o t b e m i n e b ut t h e old T a i t a i s B e s i d es she w i ll n o doub t w i sh th e

’
.
,

e v en t t o b e celeb r a t e d o n l n t h e v e ry si mpl est w ay w i t h i n th e i n n e r

'

y i ,

c i i cl e of t h e f a m i ly
' ”
.

”
“
Qu i t e the co n t r a ry ! prot est e d th e A n c e st r ess en erg et i c a lly In th e .

first pl a c e for th e ch i ldren i t i s a qu est i o n of t h e mo st i mport a n t e vent

,

o f th e i r l i v e s A n d se co n dly w e h a v e gon e th roug h so muc h worry an d

.
,
x

e xc i t e m en t r e c en t ly t h a t i t i s t i m e w e we r e m erry a g a i n a t l o n g l a s t ,

a n d could c e l e br a t e t o o ur h e a rts con t en t T h e wh ol e cl an sh all b e

’
.

pr es en t at th e fest i v i t i es an d t h e b an qu et w i ll b e a r eally m a gn i fic en t
,
-

a n d l a v i sh a ff a i r My h a r ass e d o ld h e a r t i s cr a v i n g t o se e s om e j oll i t y
.

a g a i n a t lo n g l a s t .

Aun t H s u eh Wa s v e ry muc h pl ea sed t o h ea r th i s a n d s o a h un dre d .

, ,

d a y s a fte r th e form a l we dd i n g t h ere w a s a m a gn ifi c en t a fte r c el ebr a t i on

,
-

i n t h e form of a gr ea t f am i ly b a n qu et a n d th e bri d a l c h amb e r w as a t ,

“ ”
l a st m a d e roun d a s P a o Y u a n d Pre c i ous Cla s p b ec am e in t ru th
,

h u sb an d an d w i fe .
gay comp a n y o n ly three n ow rem a i n e d th er e—W i dow Chu Gr i ef o f
, ,

Spr i n g a n d T a ste o f Spr i n g

, .

A n d n o w P a o Y u w as t o lo se h i s h a lf s i st e r T ast e o f Spr i n g t o o , , .

Mr C hen g h a d wr i tt en a le t te r t o th e f a m i ly from h i s offi c i a l resi d en c e

.
‘

i n t h e prov i n c e o f C h i a n g h si s a y i n g t h a t a form er f ellow s t ud en t o f

h i s n a m e d C h ou C h i un g n o w H i gh Comm i s si o n er o f th e co a st a l dis
,

t ri ct s h a d ju st aske d f o r t h e h a n d o f T a st e o f Spr i n g for h i s so n T he

, .

m a t ch h a d b een a rr an g e d pr i v a t ely b et w een th e fa th e rs lon g si n c e a n d ,

a s i t w as pe rf e c t ly s u i t a ble t h e A n c e st r ess could n o t r e fu s e t h e d es i r e d

,

co n sen t th ough sh e w a s s orry t o h a v e t o let th i s gr a n dd a ugh t e r go so

,

f ar a w a y from h er si n ce s he w a s un l i k ely e v er t o see h er a g a i n T h e

, .

o ne comfort i n g c i rcum s t a n c e w a s t h a t th e offi c i a l r es i d en c e s o f t h e

t w o f a t h e r s i n la w w e r e n o t t o o f a r a p a r t
- -
a n d s o T a st e o f Spr i n g
,

would a t l ea st ha v e h er f a th er n ea r h er Th us th e c a len d a r w as on c e .

more co n sul t e d t o fi n d a lucky da y o n wh i ch T ast e o f Spr in g sh ould set

o u t o n h er br i d a l j ourn e y t o t h e Sou t h .

T a ste o f Spr i n g her self di d n o t kn ow wh et h er t o l a ugh o r to cry She .

f el t th e n ee d of a hea rt t o h e a rt t a lk w i th P a o Y u t h e in t i m at e co m r a d e ,

of h er b ea u t i ful c h i ld h ood d a y s n o w go n e B ut Pa o Y u w h o kn e w
,
.
,

n o th i n g a s t bou t h e b e t ro t h a l d i d n t g i v e h er a c h an c e t o s a y a
y e a r o ,

word b ut t a lke d t h e w h ole t i m e o n ly of Bl a ck J a d e

, .

“
Y o u w e r e pr esen t I kn ow w h en Bl a ck J a d e d i e d D i d you a l s o h ea r
, ,
.

? ”
s ou n d s of my st er i ou s d i s t a n t mus i c
, h e a sk e d .

“
Y e s i t could b e h ea rd d i st i n c t ly thr oug h t h e sti lln es s o f th e n i gh t
, .

It s ou n d e d ve ry st r an g e qu i t e d i ff er en t from ord i n a ry e a rt h ly mu s i c
, , .

‘
P a o Y u th oug h t o f t h e drea m i n w h i c h th a t un kn own Som e o n e s a i d
t o h i m t h a t Bl a ck J a d e w a s a s p ec i a l c a se i n l i f e d i ff er en t from o the r
,

p e ople i n d e a t h d i ff e ren t from o th er s p i r i ts P e rh a p s th o se s ou n d s c am e

, .

from t h e bl esse d s p i r i ts w h o h a d com e down t o th e profa n e world t o

m ee t Bl a ck J a d e s s oul an d es cort i t t o th ei r ki n gdom He w a s so lo st
’
.

i n t h ough t t h a t T a st e o f Spr i n g l e ft a g a in w i th ou t h a v i n g m en t i o n e d h er
o wn aff a i r s .

O n ly a fte r T a st e o f Spr i n g h a d go n e di d h e c a t ch by ch an c e som e

fr a gm ent s o f a co n ver sa t i o n b et ween Pre c i ou s Cl a s p a n d P ea rl an d
l ea rn i n t h i s w a y o f th e b et ro th a l an d i mpen d i n g de p a rt ure o f h i s h a lf
s i s t e r W i th a loud cry h e t h r ew h i ms elf o n h i s b e d Pr e c i ous Cl as p a n d
. .

P ea rl ru she d up t o h i m gre a t ly a l a rm e d a n d ask e d h i m wh at w as th e

m a tt e r .

“ ”
O n e a f ter th e o th er t h e y go an d l ea v e m e ! h e l a m en t e d F i r st B e .

g inn i n g o f Spri n g d i e d ; th a t w a s n o t so t e rr i bl e s i n ce sh e w a s n o t w i t h ,

m e co n st a n t ly l i ke t h e o t h e rs B ut Bl a ck J a d e ! She h a s j o i n ed th e
.

blesse d Then Gr eet i n g o f Spr in g Sh e w a s g i ven t o a n i nt oler a bl e fe llow

. .

a n d i s p i n i n g a w a y i n th e f et t e rs of a h a t e ful m a rr i a g e L i t t l e Cloud a n d .

508
 Prec i ous H a rp are go n e an d w i ll b e m arr i e d v ery soo n t oo A n d no w
, .

T a s t e o f i n !
Spr g Ev rybody e i s l v i n g ! Wh a t sha ll I do alo ne he re
e a ? ”

P ea rl w a n te d t o c a lm hi m b ut Prec i ous Cl as p si gn ed to her t o go

,

a wa y .

“
Le t m e d ea l w i th h i m ! she sai d an d t hen t urn i n g t o Pa o Y u wen t
”
, , ,
“
on : So i f yo u h a d your w a y a ll your s i ste rs a n d cou s i n s sh ould rem a i n
,

here a n d b e a rou n d yo u to t he e n d of your l i fe ? In your op i n i o n i t

,

se e m s th e y a re th e r e o n ly for u d for l ? T o b e log i c a l I

,
y o a n n o o n e e se ,

sh ould n o t h a ve b ee n a llowe d to m a rry e i t he r T

o th i n k th a t a e r o n of
p s .

your e duc a ti o n sh ould h a v e s uc h sen sel ess th oug hts ! Ve ry well i f your ,

cou si ns a re so i n d i s pe nsa ble to you a s th a t Pea rl a n d I w i ll go an d ,

”
m a ke w a y for t hem !
“
No ! No ! No t yet ! W a i t a t le a s t u n t i l I h a ve t urn ed to as hes ! ” he
cri e d p a ss i o na te ly gr a sp i n g them w i th bo th h a n d s as i f he di d no t wa n t
,

to le t th e m go P ea rl ut h er h a n d ov e r h i s mou th
p .
.

“
Be qu i et ! O n e do es n o t sa y th i n gs l i ke th a t ! Co n t rol yourse lf s om e
w h a t or e ls e you w i ll lose us t oo !
,
”

“
I u n d e r st a n d a n d I w i ll co n trol myse lf b ut I c a nn o t ye t a cc e pt t h a t
, ,
”
T as te of Spr i n g i s go i n g aw a y .

Pre c i ou s Cl a sp t ook n o mor e n o t i c e of h i s ta lk b ut proc ee d ed c a lmly

t o pr e p a re a h ea r t st re n g then i n g po t i o n a n d a f te r h e h a d dru n k i t h e
-

c a lmed down gr a du a lly P ea rl s ugg este d tha t the y sh ould a rr an g e w i t h

.

T aste of Spr i n g t h a t she would n o t com e to sa y good b y t o Pa o Y u b e -

for e le a v i n g l est th e wou n d should b e t orn ope n a fres h

, .

“
A h w hy n o t ? By t he n h e w i ll s ure ly h a v e b ecom e rea so n abl e
,
” “
a ga i n , obj ec te d Pre c i ou s Cl a sp The y a re w e lcome to t a lk t o ea c h
.

o th er t o t he i r h e a r ts co n ten t T aste o f Spri n g i s a se n si bl e g i rl n o t l i ke

’
.
,

”
a c e r ta i n o t he r pe rs o n w i t h h er t r a g i c po se
,
.

La t e th a t even i n g P h o en i x se t o ut t o wa lk across th e p a rk t o t he
H e rm i t a ge o f Cle a r Au t umn Wea t he r in ord e r t o d i sc us s w i t h Ta ste o f
Spr i n g som e m a t t e rs con c e rn i n g her tr ou sse a u A s i t w as a lrea dy .

g et ti n g d a rk she ha d ta ken a m a i d t o wa lk i n fr on t o f he r w i t h a l a n te rn
,

o n a po st a s we ll a s t h e t w o w ai t i n g m a i d s w ho a cco m p a n i e d h er B ut
,
.

when sh e st eppe d o u t i n t o th e Ope n th e ha rvest moo n w as ri s in g so

,

cl ea r th a t the la n tern se em e d to b e an unn ecessa ry n u i sa n ce an d she

s en t t h e m a i d b a ck .

A s sh e w as p a s si n g by th e t ea h ous e she h ea rd a li vely co n ve rsa ti o n

i n wom en s vo i c es go i n g o n i n s i d e It sou n d e d a t o n e mom en t l i k e
’
.

qu a rre l l i n g an d w ee p i n g an d the n ex t li ke me rry c ha tt e r an d l a ug h ter

'
.

Her s u sp i c i o n s w e re a w a ken e d a t o n ce S h e sc e n t e d n ew i rregu l a ri t i es

.

a mo n g th e p r s o n n e l a n d se n t th e w a i tin g m a i d S i a o Hun g i n t o do a
e
l i t tl e spy i n g o n som e h a rmles s pre te xt Th us she h ad on ly the wa i ti n g
. .

509
m a i d L i ttl e Fo n g st i ll w i th h er a s sh e p a sse d th rough th e p a rk g a te ,

wh i c h w as st an d i n g a j a r .

I n si d e th e p a rk the moo n w a s sh i n i n g mor e cl early a nd m a gn i fic en t ly ,

i f po ss i bl e t h a n ou ts i d e T h e sh a dows of th e t r ees w er e sh a rply s i lh o u

, .

e tt e d o n t h e groun d U n l i k e form e r d a y s w h en t h e p a rk w a s s t i ll i n
.
,

h ab i t e d a d epr es si n g si l en c e n ow r ei gn e d No t a h um a n s ou n d w as t o
, .

b e h e a rd O n ly n o w a n d a g a i n a br i ef gu s t o f w i n d bl ew th rough th e
.

s umm i t s of t h e t r ee s a n d th en th e s of t ru st l e o f f a ll i n g a u t umn l ea v es
, ,

t h e cr e a k i n g a n d cr a ck i n g o f s w a y i n g br a n c h es a n d th e fl a pp i n g o f ,

b i rd s sta r tl e d from sl ee p b ec a m e a ud i ble from e v ery d i re c t i on l i ke an ,

e c h o W h en sh e set o u t P h o en i x h a d b een s om e w h a t h e a t e d by t h e w i n e
.

wh i ch sh e h a d drun k a t supp er a n d sh e h a d n o t p u t on a w a rm out e r

,

g a rm en t Now i n the p a rk sh e fe l t the cool n i gh t a i r p e rc ep t i bly an d

.
,

s h e sh i v e r e d s l i g h t ly .

“ ”
R un b a ck qu i ckly an d br i n g m e my erm i n e c a p e ! sh e ord ere d
L i t t l e Fo n g M ea n t i m e I sh a ll b e go i n g o n t o t h e H erm i t a g e of Clea r
.
,
”
Au t u m n Wea th e r C a ll for m e t her e ! .

L i tt l e Fo n g d i sa pp ea r ed a n d P h o en i x con t i n u e d o n h e r w a y a lon e
,
.

Sh e h a d n o t go n e f a r w h en s udd en ly sh e h ea rd clo se b eh in d h er a
s ou n d of h ea vy br ea t h i n g a n d s n ufli i n
g Sh e w a s so t e rr i fi e d t h a t h er
.

h a i r s t ood up on en d I n volu n t a r i ly s h e look e d b a ck a n d sh e sa w a

.

bl a ck sh a ggy b ea st t ro t t i n g a lo n g b eh i n d h er w i th i ts muzzl e t o th e
,

grou n d Its tw o e y es glow e d l i k e l a mp s i n th e d a rkn ess P h o en i x u tt er e d

. .

a h o a r s e cr y of te rror w h e r e upo n th e a n i m a l w h i c h s ee m e d t o be a b i g
, ,

dog dropp e d b a ck a n d w i th i t s t a i l b e t ween i ts l e g s s pr an g up o n a

, , ,

s lop i n g h i ll s i d e by t h e p a t h w a y o n ly t o t urn b a ck a g a i n i mm e d i a t e ly
,

a n d o n c e mor e a ppro a c h h er t h r e a t en i n gly .

Go a d e d by fe a r P h o en i x r a n a s qu i ckly a s h er l egs would c a rry her

,

o n a n d o n i n th e d i r e c t i o n of th e H erm i t a g e of Cl e a r Au t u mn W e a th e r .

Sh e w a s a lr ea dy n ea r h e r go a l a n d j u st a bou t t o sk i rt a proj e c t i n g rock ,

wh en h er feet sudd en ly fa i l e d h er From b eh i n d t he rock t h e sh a dow of .

a h um a n form w a s d i st i n c t ly s i l h ou e tt e d a cro s s t h e p a th Sh e di d n o t .

“ ”
d a re t 3 0 o n a n d c a ll e d o ut t w i c e t e rr i fi e d : W ho i s t h e re
,
?
,

B ut n o on e a pp e a re d a n d t h e sh a dow co n t i n u e d t o b a r h er w a y
, .

A lmo st fa i n t i n g w i t h p a r a lyz i n g fe a r sh e h a d t o le a n a g a i n st t he w a ll
,

of rock t o pre ven t h er s elf from si n ki n g t o th e grou n d Sudd en ly sh e

’

“
s e e m e d t o h ea r s om e o n e c a ll i n g t o h er from b eh i n d : Do you n o t kn ow
? ”
m e a n y lo n g er Au n t ,

She t urn e d h er h e a d an d s a w a gr a c e ful fem a l e figur e b e for e h er

, .

T h e c h a rm i n g fe a t ur es seem e d f a m i li a r t o h e r b ut sh e co ul d n o t reco l ,

le c t w h o i t w a s .

“
W h y do you o n ly t h i n k of t h e pl ea s ur es of t h e h our Au n t ? W h y di d ,

you d i sr e g a rd my w ell m e an t a dv i ce wh i ch t ook th e fut ur e in t o a c

-

5 10
w a s, mor eover , f r an even i n g w a lk th rough th e p a rk
i mm e d i a t ely a te .

i n d e l i r i um a bou t a wom a n i nred an d a wom a n i n

“ ”
Sh e h a d ra v ed
”
gr een w h o ha d follow e d h er an d she sa i d th a t sh e s i mply h a d t o go
,

i n t o th e p a rk T h e wom an i n gr een a n d t h e wom an i n re d could o n ly

.

m ea n h er t w o u n fort u n a te si st e rs t he l a te Y u Numb er T w o a n d Y u
,

Numb e r Th ree w ho u sed t o dress i n gre en a n d red r esp ec t i v e ly Pr i n ce

, .

C hen a n d h i s so n C h i a Yu n g bo th a gr eed th at t h e p a rk mu st b e h a u n te d .

“
I kn ow from P a o Y u s serva n t M i n g Y en t h a t Br i gh t Cloud s gh o st
’
, ,
’

a ls o h a u n ts th e p a rk a n d mor e ov e r a rou n d t h e po n d w h e r e t h e w a t e r
, ,
” “
l i l i es a re sa i d C hi a Yun g A n d t hen th er e w a s t h a t st r an g e musi c
, .

wh en Bl a ck J a d e lay dy i n g Th er e i s n o doub t a bou t i t The p a rk i s

. .

”
ha u n te d .

A n d so i t w en t from mou th t o mou th : t he p a rk i s h a u n t e d ! Th e p a rk

gu a rd i a n s an d g a rd en wom en w h o h a d r em a i n e d b eh i n d w e r e l i kew i se
se i z e d w i th th e g e n e r a l p a n i c a n d a s soo n a s th e y e llow t w i l i g h t b e g a n
,

t o f a ll t h ey t ook t o t hr ow i n g a s i d e t h ei r broom s a n d r a k es a n d w a t e r i n g

c an s a n d he dg e cl i pp e r s a n d fl ee i n g from th e p a rk i n a body on ly t o
, ,

v en tur e i n a g a i n i n bro a d d a yl i gh t a ll t og et her a n d w ell a rm e d

, , .

Wh en t o crown i t a ll Pr i n c e C h en a n d hi s son a n d d a ugh t e r i n la w

’

- -

, ,

b e c a me sl i gh t ly i ll t o o an d Br i gh t Cloud s cou s i n i n la w th e w i fe of Wu
,
’
- -

Kwe i w h o a s a lre a dy m en t i o n e d l i v e d w i th her h u sb a n d i n a co t t a ge

, , ,

j u st o u tsi de t he b a ck g a t e of th e p a rk d i e d s udd en ly o n e ev en i n g aft er

,

t a k i n g a wro n g do s e of m e d i c i n e e v e ryo n e t ook i t as c e rt a i n th a t t h e

,

s pook r i dd e n p a rk e x h a l e d a f a t a l i n flu en c e w h i c h w a s t o bl a m e f o r a ll
-

t h e se m i s for t u n es .
”

A s t h e wom a n Wu Kw e i w a s n o t or i ou s for h er m a ri t a l i nfi del i t i es i t ,

w a s s a i d t h a t s h e h a d h a d s e cr e t i n t ercour se w i th t h e p a rk g h o s ts a n d ,

t h a t t h i s led t o h e r d e st ruc t i o n In c a ses of i lln ess Pr i n c e C h en n o lo n g e r

.

c a ll e d doc t ors ; i n st ea d h e h a d i n c en se an d gold l ea f burn e d i n th e p a rk

, ,

or c a ll e d down t h e pro t e c t i o n o f b en i gn ly d i spose d c e l est i a l bod i es so ,

co n v i n c e d w a s h e th at th e o n ly w a y t o a v er t ev i l w a s t o pl a c a te the
'

a n gry s p i r i ts w h i c h f req ue n t e d t h e p a rk .

Th i n g s w en t so f a r t h a t th e m ere ru stl i n g of t h e n i gh t w i n d i n th e
‘

'

t r e e t op s o r t h e d i st a nt cr y o f t h e cr a n e s wh i c h fr e qu en t e d t he p a rk
s uffi c e d t o m a k e t h e i n m a t es o f bo t h p a l a c es t r embl e a n d i m a g i n e t h e y

h ea rd th e vo i c e s of g h o s t s i n t h e a i r In th e en d t h e m emb e rs of th e p a rk
.

s t aff n o lo n g er v en t ur e d i n t her e e v e n i n t h e d a y t i m e a n d o n e a f t er

an o t h e r l e f t t he i r u n comfor t a bl e j ob s o n o n e excu se or a n o t h e r F i n a lly .

,

t h e p a rk g a t es we r e bol t e d f a s t a n d b a rr i c a d e d a n d n o lo n g e r op en e d

a t a ll All th e b e a u t i ful k i o s k s a n d gr a c e ful p a v i l i o n s w e r e n o w a llow e d

.

t o fa ll i n t o ru i n a n d d es ol a t i o n an d to b e com e th e dw e ll i n g pl a c es o f
,

r a ts an d b a ts an d o t he r crea t ur es wh i c h sh un the d a yl i gh t .

T h e A n c estre ss w as co n c e rn e d a bov e a ll el se w i th pro t ec t i n g h er b e

5 12
love d Pa o Y u from po ss i bl e n oc t urn a l att a cks by the p ar k sp i r i ts a n d ,

t o t h i s en d she h a d h i s dwe ll i n g s urrou n d e d a t n i gh t by a b i s t a fl o f

g
w a t c h men A n d morn i n g a fte r morn i n g t he w a t c hm en a nx i ous to m a ke
.
,

t he i r j ob s seem i mpor t a n t , t old blood curdl i n g s t or i e s of g h o s ts— o n e

-

t i m e the y w er e a wful mo n s t e rs w i th red gr i m a c i n g fa c es a n o t he r t i m e

b ea u t i ful g i rl s full o f se duc t i ve c ha rm—w hom t he y h a d see n i n the

, ,

n i g h t T h u s t h ey co n t r i bu te d co n s i d er a bly t o t he grow t h of t he g e ne ra l
.

pa n i c .

O n ly o n e p e rso n r em a i n ed u n t ouc he d by a ll t h i s a n d could n o t b e ,

a rou se d from h i s p ea c e ful w a y s a n d t h a t w a s th e

, ph le na t i c Pr i n c e u

S h i eh He si mply r e fu se d to b el i eve t ha t g h o sts could ha ve m a d e s uc h

.

a b e a u t i ful pl a c e a s t he p a rk t he i r pl a ygrou n d In ord e r to prov e ho w .

u n a fra i d he w a s h e d e c i d ed to t ake a w a lk th roug h t he pa rk w i th a fe w

o t he r p e ople o n e fi n e cl ea r da y In ord e r t o b e pre pa r ed for a n y ev en t u
.

a l i t y h e prov i d e d h i m s elf a n d h i s r eluc t a n t comp a n i o n s w i t h w e a po n s .

Ther e w a s no d e n y i n g th a t a c er t a i n si n i ste r a n d oppr ess ive a tmo s

p h ere w h i c h e ve n Pr i n c e S h i e h could n o t i gn ore p e rva d e d the forsa ke n
, ,

a n d n e gle c t e d p a rk B ut he di d n o t w i s h to sh ow a n y w ea kn e ss a n d
.

s t rod e br a v ely a h ea d w h i le h i s comp a n i o n s t i m i dly p ee r i n g th i s w a y

, ,

a n d t h a t follow e d h i m a t s om e d i s t a n c e L i tt l e Ku a n t h e you n g e s t of
,
. ,

t he p a r t y w as t he mo s t fr i g ht en e d of t h em a ll Now h e a r i n g a s u s p i
,
.
,

c i o ns ru st l i ng a n d i mm ed i a t ely a fte rwa rd s see i n g a br i ll i a n t op a lesc en t

,

s om e t h i n g fl a sh i n g t h roug h t h e bu s hes h e lo st h i s l as t s h re d o f coura g e

,

a n d plopp e d t o t h e grou n d u t te r i n g a loud cry o f t error .

”
Wh a t s wro n g a ske d the Pr i n c e st opp i n g
’
?
,
.

A g h o st ! g a sp ed th e terri fi ed b o y p i ck i n g hi mself U p w i th di ffi

”
’

cul t y I s a w i t w i t h my o wn e y es It h a d a fr i g h t ful ye llow fa ce a re d

. . ,

b e a rd a n d a blu i s h green co a t It cre p t i n t o th a t h ole i n the rock ove r

,
.

t h e r e b e h i n d t h e t ru n ks o f t he t r e es "
3
.
,
?
Now e ve n Pr i n c e S h i eh b ec a m e a b i t n e rvou s D i d yo u se e i t to o .

h e a s k e d t urn i n g t o t he res t of hi s t r a i n of follow ers Amo ng these m e n

,
.

t h e re w e r e s om e w h o d e em e d i t w i s e t o explo i t t h e fa vora bl e t re n d of
e v en t s i n ord e r t o ge t o ut o f t he i ll ome n e d pl a c e a s qu i ckly as po ss i bl e
- .

“
“
O f course w e s a w i t ! th e y re pl ie d rea d i ly T he old ma s t er w as to o
”
.

f a r a h e a d ; o t h e rw i se he t o o would ha ve see n i t W e di d n o t w a n t t o .

worry h i m ; t h a t i s w h y w e di d n o t s a y an y th i ng ; b u t o u r kn ee s a re st i ll
”
qu a k i n g w i th fr i ght .

In t hese ci rcum s t a n c e s Pr i n c e S h i e h d ec i d e d t o t ur n b a ck a s qu i ckly

as po ss i bl e b ut he i n s t ruc te d h i s pe opl e no t t o m e n t i o n o n e word a bou t

,

t h e o ccurr en c e b u t o n th e co n t r a ry t o a s se rt t h a t t he pa rk h a d b ee n
,

t h oroug h ly ex a mi n e d a n d t h at n o t hi n g of a s us p i c i ous n a t ure h a d bee n

ob se rve d He di d n o t real iz e t hat his pe ople en cour a ged by «
. ,
his m m
wea ken i n g wo uld c ha t te r mor e t han e ver n o w A n d th ey di d i t so t h or
,
.
~

513
 ’
oug hly a n d e x a gg e r a t ed so exc essi v ely t ha t th e y m a d e th eir l i st en ers
, ,

fl esh cr ee p a n d t h ei r t o n gu es h a n g o ut w i th t error .

Pr i n c e S h i eh could se e n o o th er w a y out n o w t h an t o sen d for a w ell

kn own m a st e r of m a g i c w h o would dr i v e t h e h a u n t i n g gh o s ts o u t of th e
,

p a rk by h i s m a g i c sp e ll s A s u i ta bl e da y w a s looke d up i n th e c a l en d a r
.
,

on w h i c h th e gr e a t a ct o f e xorc i s m w a s t o ta k e pl a c e A n a lt a r w a s .

e r e c t e d o n t h e e n t r an c e t e rr a c e b e for e t h e gr ea t h a ll wh i c h h a d pr ev i ,

o u sl y s erv e d a s t h e r e c e p t i o n pl a c e for th e I mp er i a l spou s e Abov e i t o n .

,

a t e rr a c e s t ood t h e i m a g e s of th e t h r e e gr ea t es t T a o i s t s a i n t s the
”

!
'

, ,

d i v i n e N e ph r i te Emp eror t h e fir st m a n P a n Ku an d th e w i se L a o Tzu

, , ,

a n d o n bo t h s i d es t h e r e w e r e p i c t ur e s of t h e tw en t y e i g h t mo s t i m -

por t an t h e a ven ly co n s te ll a t i on s S t a t u es of t h e four h ea v en ly fi e ld

.

m a r sh a l s M a C h a o W en a n d C h ou st ood a t e i th er si d e of th e t e rr a c e
, , , , ,

s t e p s B e low t h e t e rr a c e r a n g e d i n row s st ood t h e i m a g e s of t h e t h i r t y

.
, ,

s i x h ea v e n ly g e n e r a l s .

. Am i d r oll i n g cloud s o f i n c en se i n a gl o w of fl a m i n g t orch es a n d

’

burn i n g c a n dl es t o t h e roll of drum s an d th e r i n g i n g of b ell s th e gr e a t

, ,

a c t of m a g i c b e g a n T h e gr a n d m a st er w i z a rd a n d h i s for ty n i n e a s
.
-

s i s t a n t w i z a rd s c a m e up a n d group e d t h e m s e lv es a rou n d fi v e b a n n e r s ,

r epre sen t i n g t h e fi v e d i re ct i o n s of t h e h e a v en s wh i c h w er e pl a n t e d i n ,

fron t of t h e a l t a r T h e m a g i c i a n s wor e h i gh sev en st a rre d t i a r a s a n d

.
-

lo n g m a g i c i a n s m a n t l es embro i d e r e d w i th e i gh t d i a gr a m s a n d w i t h
’
,

por t r a y a l s of th e n i n e h ea ven ly s p h e res Th e i r fee t w e r e en c a se d i n h i gh

.

”
cl o ud co t h urm a n d t h e y held i n t h ei r h a n d s i vory wr i t i n g t a bl et s
,
.

Aft er t h r ee m a s t er m a g i c i an s h a d w a lke d a rou n d t h e a lt a r w i th bur n i n g

i n c e n s e s t i cks a n d spr i n kl e d i t w i th h oly w a t e r t h e gr an d m a s t er w i z a rd ,

s t e pp e d f orw a rd a s t h e dr um s of e xorc i s m roll e d bowe d b efor e t h e ,

t h r ee s a i n t s a n d r e c i t e d a pr a y e r i n vok i n g t h e i r a s si s t an c e a g a i n s t th e
,

e v i l s p i r i t s o f th e p a rk A n i n s cr i b e d t abl et h a d b ee n se t up o n th e
.

a lt a r, s ol e m n ly i n v i t i n g a ll t h e good S p i r i t s of t h e n e i g h borh ood t o

h a s t en a lo n g a n d t a ke p a r t i n th e m er i t or i ou s work of dr i v i n g a w a y th e
devi ls .

T h e m a l e m emb er s of th e C h i a cl a n a ll of w h om bo th youn g a n d old , , ,

h a d com e a s s p ec ta t or s follow e d t h e se qu en c e of even t s w i th d e vou t

‘

exp e c t a t i o n .

“
If so m an y m i gh ty s p i r i t s j o i n i n t h e good work t h ese wr et c h e d
_
,
”
s pook s w i ll h a v e t o cl e a r o u t pr ett y qu i ckly p e opl e sa i d ch ee rfully ,
.

M e a n wh i l e t h r ee m a g i c i a n s h a d d e t a c h e d t h em s elves from th e c i rcl e

of th ei r for t y n i n e coll ea gu es a n d t a ken up th e i r po s i ti o n a p a rt i n fron t
-

of the a l ta r O n e of th em h e ld i n h i s r i gh t h an d a j ew el st udd e d m a g i c
. .
-
-

s word i n h i s l e f t a j ug of h oly w a t e r ; t h e se co n d c a rr i e d a bl a ck s even

, ,

s t a rr e d m a g i c b a n n e r ; t h e t h i rd h e ld gr i pp e d i n h i s h an d t h e c a rve d

pe a c h wood h a n dle of a ma g i c wh i p S udd en ly th e mus i c c ease d From .

5 14
 ”
Do n t t a lk n on sen se yo u si lly boy s ! he cr i e d Gh o st s ca n m a ke
’
, .

t h em s e lv es v i s i bl e or i n v i s i bl e a t w i ll In th e pr e sen c e o f so m a n y pow e r
.

ful S p i r i t s t h e y n a t ur a lly t a ke c a r e n o t t o sh ow t hem selv es vi si bly

, .

N eve r thel ess t h e m a g i c i a n w i th th e h elp of h i s m a g i c h a s c a p t ur e d

, , ,

t h em i n t h e i r i n v i s i bl e form a n d sh u t t h em up i n t h e bo t t l e s a n d p i t c h
ers Now t h e y a r e c a ug h t a n d t h e y c a n n
. o t h a un t t h e pl a c e a n y mor e .

Th e j u n i or s h e ld th ei r p ea c e b u t d e c i d e d t o w a i t a n d s e e w h eth e r th e
p a rk would b e h a un t e d i n fu t ur e by spoo ks a n d qu ee r n o i ses If i t w a s .
,

t h e y w er e d et e rm i n e d t o m a k e t h em se lv e s h ea rd B ut t h e se rv a n t s b e .

li ev ed i n th e gr ea t a ct of exorc i s m a n d t h e th ough t t h a t t h e wh ol e
,

s pook i sh comp an y w a s n o w sa f e ly lock e d up i n bo tt l e s a n d p i t c h e r s

m a d e t h em fe el v ery much r e a ssur e d a n d c a lm e d A n d th e i r fa i th w a s .

s t r en g t h en e d s t i ll mor e by th e f a c t t h a t t h e v a r i ou s i ll n ess e s i n t h e t w o
-

p r i n c e ly f a m i l i es d i s a pp ea re d r em a rk a bly qu i ckly v e ry s oo n a ft e rwa rd s ,

wh i ch of cour se could o n ly b e a s cr i b e d t o t h e m i gh t y s p e ll s of th e
m a gi ci an s .

B ut a mo n g t h e se rv a n t s th ere w as o n e m a n w h o di d n o t sh a r e t h e
g en e r a l fa i t h He h a d b een pr esen t a t Pr i n c e S h i eh s u n lucky r e co n
.
’

n o i t er i n g e xp e d i t i o n i n t o t h e p a rk .

“
I a l so sa w th e su sp i c i ous a pp a r i t i on wh i ch t e rr i fi e d our l i ttl e Ku a n
”
so muc h t h a t t i m e h e l a ugh i n gly d ecl a re d i n t h e s erv an t s h a ll
’
.
,
“
Wh a t w a s i t ? J u st a h a rml ess gold en ph ea san t ! W e s i mply fool e d t h e
old m a st e r wh en h e a ske d us w h et h er w e h a d s een t h e gh o st A n d h e .

h a s go t up th i s w h ol e rumpu s of m a g i c i a n s a n d th e i r s p e ll s a ll on a o
”
cou n t o f a n i nn oc en t p he a s an t ! I sn t i t r i d i culou s
’
?

B u t h i s s ob e r a n d r ea l i st i c s t a t em en t of t h e s i t u a t i o n fou n d n o sym
p a thet i c echo from t he o th er s Surely i t w a s muc h n i c er t o t h i n k of t h e
.

i mpr i s o n e d s pooks a s b e i n g s e cur e ly bo tt l e d up a n d i mmure d i n t h e i r

pr i s o n u n d e r t h e Look O ut P a god a a n d th e y w er e c e r t a i n ly n o t go i n g
-

,
.

t o le t t h ems e lv es b e do n e o u t of t h e i r pl e a sa n t f a n t a sy by a n yo n e .

CHAPTER 4 6

Y u T su n re cog n iz es i n th e m y s t e ri o u s h erm i t h i s old fr i en d a n d b en e

a c t or T h e m o n e yl e n d e r Ni k n o w n a s th e D r u n k en D i a m o n d b e co m e s
f .
, ,

t h e p i k e i n t h e c a rp po n d .

FO UR S I NISTE R AR NIN G SIGN S F O LL O W IN G IN Q UIC K S U C C ESSI O N H A D

W , ,

a l a rm e d t h e i n m a t es of t h e e a s t e r n a n d w es t e r n p a l a c e s —t h e n oc t urn a l

gro a n s i n t h e H a ll of A n c est or s o n t h e e v e of t h e M i d Au t umn F es t i v a l -

Pr i n c e S hi eh s s t umbl e o n th e da y of t h e M i d Au t umn Fes t i v a l t h e

’
-

s u dden glow i n g of P a o Y u s s t o n e a n d t h e w i n te r blo s s om i n g of t h e

’

5 16
b egon i a From th a t t i m e the blows of fa t e wh i c h r a i n e d down o n the
.

C h i a cl a n i n cre a se d t o a n a l a rm i n g d e gr ee F i rs t t here w a s the lo ss o f

.

Pa o Y u s s t o n e follow e d by Pa o Y u s ser i ou s i ll n ess ; t hen t he d e a t h of

’ ’

B e gi n n i n g o f Spr i n g ; then the d ea th o f Bla ck J a de ; th en l i ghtn i n g

s t ruck Au n t Hs u eh s h om e T h e M i n i s t e r of Ju s t i c e ha d revoke d th e
’
.

m i ld se n ten c e p a sse d upo n H su eh Pa n a n d re fer re d th e c h a rg e o f m a n

s l a ug h t e r t o a h i g h e r cour t for a se co n d h ea r i n g a n d v e rd i c t T h i s m ea n t
.

re ne we d a n x i et y a n d more en ormou s s acr i fice s of mo n ey for Aun t

H su eh Fur th e rmore H s ueh Pa n s n a me w a s st ruck off t he l i s t of offi c i a l
.
,
’

Imp e r i a l buy e rs upo n h i s a rrest an d w i t h t h i s h i s i n come from th e S t a t e

,

c ea se d In a dd i t i o n h i s l i c en se t o ope ra te h i s th ree p a wn sh op s i n the

.
,

c a p i ta l w a s w i t h dr a wn a n d t he curr en t c a sh of t w o of t hem w a s co n
fi sca te d Th e m a n a g er o f t he t h i rd p a w n sh op h a d a b s co n d e d s om et i m e
.

pr ev i ou sly w i t h seve r a l t h ou sa n d t a el s a n d th i s i n volve d H su eh Pa n i n

,

n ew t rouble w i th t h e Tr easury In ord e r t o comp en sa te i ts e lf t he Tre a s

.

ury w i t h drew the l i c e n se of a fourt h p a w n sh op wh i c h H su eh Pa n c a rr ie d

on i n Y i n g t i en f u a n d co nfi sc a te d t he c a sh b a l a n ce a s well a s a p i e c e
,

of l a n d w h i ch b e lo n g ed t o t he H s ueh fa m i ly i n Y i n g t i en f u All a t on c e .

t h e H s u e h f a m i ly w a s r e duc e d t o pov e rt y Au n t H s u e h w a s i n bl ea k
.

d esp a i r She di d n o t kn ow w h i c h w a y t o t urn

. .

C h i a C hen g w a s n o le ss p e rt urb e d when o n e da y s i t t in g i n h i s offi c e

,

i n th e prov i n c es h e looked t h roug h t he n ew sp a pe r from t he c a p i t a l a n d

,

s a w a d et a i l e d a ccou n t of t h e b a d t urn wh i c h t h e l e g a l pro ce e d i n g s

a g a i n s t h i s n e h ew s ueh P a n h a d t a ken For th e s a k e o f Au n t H su eh

p .

h e h a d br i b e d t h e judg e of the fir st cour t t he d i s t r i c t m a n d a ri n o f T a i

,

p i n g hs i e n w he re H su eh P an w a s i mpri s o n e d Now he fea re d t ha t hi s

,
.

m a n e uv e r would b e d i scov ere d a n d brought t o l i g h t by the hi ghe r court .

S i n c e then h e h a d n o t h a d a n h our s pea c e of m i n d a n d w a s i n fe a r a n d

’

t r e mbl i n g l es t h e s h ould lo se h i s po s i t i o n a n d r a n k A n d s ure e n oug h . ,

t h e th un d e rbol t w a s t o com e down o n h i s o wn h ea d s oo n a f te rw a rd s ,

th ough i n fa c t i t c a m e from a n o t h e r d i r e c t i o n t h a n the o n e from w h i c h

h e h a d e xp e c te d i t .

In h i s ea rl i e r offi c i a l se rv i c e Mr C he n g h a d h a d v e ry l i tt l e co n t a c t
.

w i t h e veryd a y pra c t i c a l l i fe H i s po s i t i o n a t th e M i n i st ry of Publ i c

.

Works h a d en t a i l e d o n ly offi c e work ; hi s a c t i vi t y a s Impe r i a l Ex a m i n e r

h a d brough t h i m i n t o co n t a c t o n ly wi th the h i gh er l e ve ls of n oble
m i n d ed i nt ell e ct u a l s A s Corn Trea s ure r of the provi n c e of C h i a n g hs i
.

he fou n d h i m s e lf fa c e d for t h e firs t t i m e w i th pr a c t i c a l a dm i n i s tra t i ve

work He h a d t o s u pe rv i se t he m a n y publ i c gr a na r i es i n the pre fec t ure
.

a nd i n t h e c h i e f t own s of h i s prov i n c e ; t o e x a m i n e t h e corn as i t c a m e

i n a n d w e n t o u t ; a n d t o s up e r i n t e n d t h e d i s p a t c h of t h e t ri bu t e corn
de st i n e d fo r th e p a l a ce a n d t h e c a p i ta l Wh a t di d he k n ow of t he s h a rp
.

pra c t i ces w hic h we re a pp li e d i n coll ec t i ng t he pub li c corn d el i ve ri es ;

51 7
of th e p erc en t a g es a n d comm i ssi o n s wh i ch t h e i n d i v i du a l court s w er e
a ccu s t om e d t o l e vy i n g a n d w h i c h t h e h i g h e r cour t s p a s s e d o n to t h e
,

low e r cour t s a n d t he low e r cour ts i n th e i r t ur n p a sse d o n t o th e poor

,
.

s t up i d p e a s an t s ?

H e h a d h e a rd of a ll t h i s t o b e s ur e ,an d i t h a d b een e xpl a i n e d t o h i m

,

i n th e ory by fr i e n d s a n d coll e a gu es A n d as h e t ook h i s du t i es ser i ou s ly

.

a n d w i s he d t o
p ro ve h i m s elf i n e v e ry r e s p e c t a s t r i c t a n d h o n or a bl e
'
'

offi c i a l wor th y of h i s i llu s t r i ou s a n c est or s i mm ed i a t ely o n t a ki n g up

,

h i s a ppo i n t m en t h e i ss u e d expl i c i t i n s t ruc t i o n s t o t h e pr efe c t s a n d

di s t r i c t m a n d a r i n s a n d corn b a i l i ff s t h a t t h e dub i ou s pr a c t i c es h i t h er t o
cu s tom a ry w e r e t o c ea se a t o n ce a n d t h a t h e would n o t t ol e r a t e a n y i r
r e gul a r i t i e s or l e vy i n g of p e rc e n t a g es or comm i ss i on s A n d i n ord e r .

t o prov e h o w s e r i ou s ly h e m e a n t w h a t h e s a i d h e s en t o u t a sse ss or s a n d
,

ov e rs ee r s a ll ov e r h i s a dm i n i s t ra t i ve d i s tr i c t t o kee p a sh a rp e ye o n t h e
offi c i a l s a n d b a i l i ff s an d u n de rb a i li ff s t h rough w h o se h a n d s th e de
l i v er i es of cor n p a sse d Such proc e dur e w a s qu i t e n ew a n d u n h e a rd of
.

a n d c a u s e d co n s t e r n a t i o n o n a ll s i d e s Fur th e r he p u t a st 0 p t o th e
.
,

pr a c t i c e of g i ft s of mo n ey a mo n g t h e c i v i l serv a n ts th em s elv es O n t a k .

i n g up o f fic e h e h a d co n t e mp t uou sly r ej e c t e d th e g i f ts o ff e r e d h i m o n
a ll s i d e s by s ubord i n a t es e a g e r t o w i n h i s f a vor ; h e l i k e w i s e s cor n e d

t o o ff e r t h e cu s t om a ry mo n et a ry t r i bu t e t o h i s o w n s up e r i or offi c e r t h e ,

Gov e rn or of th e prov i n c e o n t h e l a tte r 5 b i r t h d a y

,
’
.

H is o w n offic e a n d dom es t i c s t a ff w e re a ff e c t e d p a r t i cul a rly p a i n fully

by t he r i gor ou sly corr ec t a n d a u s t e r e r e g im e of t he n e w C o m Tr e a s ur e r .

T h e s t a ff s b a n d e d t og e t h er w en t t o h i m boldly i n a body a n d h op i n g
, , ,

to m a k e a n i mpr ess i o n upo n h i m by t h i s s te p d em a n d e d g e n e r a l l e a v e

,

of a b se n c e ; b ut Mr C h en g r efu s ed t o b e i n t i m i d a te d a n d p u t i t t o th em
.

qu i t e coolly t h a t a n yo n e w h o w a s d i ss a t i s fi e d w a s a t l i b er t y t o l e a v e t he
s e rv i c e H i s a t t i t ud e c a u s e d a s pl i t i n t h e r a n k s T h e loc a l p e opl e w h om
. .
,

Mr C he n g h a d t a ken ov e r from h i s pr e d ec ess or l e f t t h e s erv i c e mur

.
,

mur i n g a n d s ulk i n g T he y h a d b een a ccu st om e d t o b e t t e r t i m e s a n d

.
,

a s t h e y h a d t h e i r f a m i ly h om es t h e y w e r e a bl e t o a ff ord t o t a k e h ol i
,

d a y s for a t i m e a n d q u i e t ly look a rou n d for n ew po s i t i o n s .

B u ' h i s o w n s e rv a n ts w h om Mr C h e n g h a d t a k en w i th h i m from t h e
,
.

c a p i t a l w e re i n a v e ry d iff e r en t po s i t i o n If t h ey w e n t o ff d e fi a n tly t h e y
,
.

would fi n d th e m e lv es o n t h e s t r ee t a s t h e y w e r e st r a n g e rs i n t h e pl a c e
s ,
.

B es i d es t h e y w e r e up t o th e i r n e ck s i n d eb t In t he exp ec tat i o n t h a t
,
.

t h e y would q u i ckly e n r i c h t h em s e lv e s i n t h e i r f a t prov i n c i a l po s i t i o n s ,

t h e y h a d plu n g e d i n t o a ll k i n d s of ex p en s e s b e for e t h e i r d e p a r t ur e a n d ,

borrow e d m o n e y t o fi t t hem s e lv es o u t A f t er a ll t h e y w e r e c i t y m en
.
, ,

from t he c a pi t a l a n d t h e y w i s h e d t o l i v e up t o th ei r po s i ti o n i n t h e
,

prov i n c e s Mor e ov e r t he y h a d prom i s e d mo n e y a n d j ew e lry t o t he

.
,

w i v e s a n d rel a t i v e s w h om t h e y h a d l e f t b eh i n d T he y would c er ta i n ly .
 m a n en t l y l e ft u n gu a rd e d Wh i l e h e w as a b sorb e d i n h i s l i st h i s so n
.
,

C hi a L i en c a me ru sh i n g i n .

“ ”
I v e j u s t h ea rd t h e mo s t a st o n i sh i n g n e w s ov er a t Cou si n C h en s
’ ’
,
“
h e r e por t e d exc i t e dly U n cl e C hen g i s s a i d t o h a v e b een d en ou n ce d t o
.

t h e T h ro n e by h i s prov i n c i a l Gov e rn or H e i s a ll e g e d t o h a v e b een

.

gu i l t y of c a r el e ssn ess i n s upe rv i s i n g h i s s ubord i n a t es w h o a re sa i d t o ,

h a ve e x t or te d exorb i t an t d e l i ve ri es of corn from th e popul a t i o n b eh i n d

h i s b a ck Th e Gov ern or h a s propo se d h i s d i s m i ss a l from offic e th e y
.
,

sa
y
T ha t mu st c e rt a i n ly b e o n ly a n u n fou n d e d rumor sa i d th e Pr i n c e , ,
“
a s t ou n d e d . I c a n n o t th i n k a t a ll w h y th e Gov e rn or sh ould sudd en ly
s h ow a h o st i l e a t t i t ud e t ow a rd s h i m In h i s l a s t l et t e r t ell i n g u s of
.
,

T a s te o f Spr i n g s s a fe a rr i v a l h e expl i c i tly m en t i o n e d t h a t a r el a t i o n

’

s h i p h a d b een fou n d t o e x i s t b et w ee n T a st e of Spr i n g s f a t h e r i n l a w

’
- -

a n d t h e Gov e r n or a n d t h a t t h e Gov e rn or ha d co n gr a t ul a t e d h i m mo st
,

h e a r ti ly o n t h e co n n e c t i o n a n d h a d g i v en a g r e a t b a n qu et i n h i s h o n or
‘

a n d h a d s h ow n o t h e r s i g n s of fr i en dl i n e s s t ow a rd s h i m t o o S ur ely th e .

Gov e rn or w i ll n o t d en ou n c e h i s o w n cou si n i n l a w ! You mu st go i m - -

”
m e d i a t e ly t o t h e M i n i st ry of Hom e Aff a i rs a n d m a k e i n qu i r i es .

Ch i a L i en h urr i e d o ff a n d l e a rn e d a t t h e M i n i s t ry th a t a p e t i t i o n h a d
i n f a c t b e en l a i d b e for e t h e Imp er i a l Court i n w
'

h i ch t h e Gove rn or of
C h i a n g h s i propo s e d th a t C h i a C h en g sh ould b e r el i ev e d of offi c e B ut .

t h e S o n of H ea v en h a d sh own m e rcy a n d i n v i ew o f t h e f a c t t h a t C h i a
,

C h en g w a s i n e xp e r i en c e d i n prov i n c i a l a dm i n i st r a t i on a n d h a d b e en a
v i c t i m of t h e m a c h i n a t i o n s of h i s s ubord i n a t es ow i n g t o h i s l a ck of
pr a c t i c a l exp er i en c e h e h a d m e re ly r e duc e d h i s r a n k by t h ree d egr e es
,

a n d h a d b ee n gr a c i ou s en oug h t o r e i n s t a t e h i m i n h i s old po s i t i o n i n

t h e M i n i s t ry of Work s .

“
A t t h e M i n i s try I c h a n c e d t o m eet a pre fe c t from C h i a n g h s i w h o
”
i s h e r e o n offic i a l bu s i n e ss C h i a L i en r e por t e d t o Pr i n c e S h i eh o n h i s
,
“
r e t urn H e a ss ur e d m e t h a t a ll h i s colle a gue s a n d a l so th e Gov e rn or
.

h i m se lf w e r e full of pr a i s e of Un cl e C h en g No t t h e sl i g h t e st r epro a c h
.

ca n b e a tt a c h e d t o h i m p e r s o n a lly H i s o n ly f a ul t i s h i s f a i lure t o s up e r
.

v i s e h i s s ubord in a t es sufii ci en t ly The Gov e rn or w a s i n fa c t w ell

.

i n t e n t i o n e d w h en h e propo s e d t h a t h e s h ould b e r e c a ll e d H e w a n t e d t o .

”
for e st a ll mor e se r i ou s d e ve lopm en ts .

T h a t s ou n d e d s om ewh a t r eass ur i n g a n d th e ste p th e Gove r n or h a d

,

t a k e n w a s a c t u a lly w e lcom e d an d a pprov e d by t h e l a d i e s of t h e Yu n g

kuo p a l a c e a s t h e C h i a cl a n wh i ch fel t t h e l a ck of i t s n a t ur a l l e a d er
, , ,

would get h i m b a ck a g a i n .

“
T h e go i n g s ou of h i s subord i n a tes m i g h t a c t u a lly c o st h i m h i s h ea d
-

”
i f he w e r e t o r e m a i n lo n g e r i n t he prov i n c e sa i d M a d am e Ch en g t o
,

5 20
 h er nep hew C h i a L i en when he brough t her i n co n fid en c e th e n e ws
, , ,

of t he c h a n g e o f offi c e .

“
How do e s i t com e th a t th e Ta i ta i k n ow s a bou t th e go i n gs o n ? ”
~

a s ke d C h i a L i e n .

“
Afte r a ll I h a v e go t e y es i n my hea d T he se rv an ts l eft h ere lo a d e d
, .

w i th d eb ts a n d t hey h a d h a rdly a rr i v ed a t t h e i r po s ts i n th e prov i n c e

,

w hen t hey w e re a bl e t o h ea p o n the i r w i v es he re qua n t i t ies o f gold a n d

s i lv er j e we lry ; a n d s oo n t h e wom e n we re go i n g a bou t w e r
a i n g the
n e w e s t a n d mo s t b e a u t i ful clo t h es W h e re di d the w ea l t h com e from .
a ll
a t o n c e ? If t h a t h a d co n t i n u e d n o t o n ly would my h u s b a n d
, ha v e lo s t
offi c e a n d po si t i o n b ut o ur i llust r i ou s a nc est ors would prob a bly ha ve
,

b een d e pr i ve d po s th umou sly o f a ll the i r t i t les an d ho n ors O n e d a re n o t .

e ve n t h i n k o f s uc h a d i s gr a c e
”
.

“
Th a t i s qu i te t ru e W e m a y a c t u a lly reg a rd i t as a lucky t h i n g tha t
.

t h e Gov e r n or i n t e rfe r e d i n good t i m e

” .

H a rdly h a d t he exc i t em e n t ov er Mr C hen g s rec a ll from offi c e d i e d .

’

dow n w hen a n ew p i e ce of h orr i fy i n g n ews a rr i v e d Gold e n C i n n a mo n .

,

Hs u eh P an s you n g w i fe d i e d s udd en ly of a rse n i c po i s o n i n g T he re

’
, .

w a s a s t ormy dom est i c s c en e a t Au n t Hsue h s T he mo t h e r of the ’

.

d e c e a se d w ho ha d qu i ckly a rr i v e d a t news of he r d e a t h a l te rn a t ely a c

, ,

cu sed Au n t H s u e h Pr ec i ou s Cl a s p a n d Lo t u s of po i s o n i n g he r da u h
, ,g
t e r a n d w an te d t o s t r a n gl e t h e m He r boor of a n a dop te d so n w ho a o
, .
,

comp a n i e d h e r force d h i s w a y i n t o t he wome n s a p a r tmen ts of t he

,
’

h ous e s m a s he d a c h a i r a n d w a s a bou t t o wreck e very t h i ng b i g a n d

, , ,

s m a ll b ut C hi a L i en c a m e t o th e r es cu e j u st i n t i m e a n d o t h i s se rv a n ts
, g
t o ov e rpow er th e r a g i n g fe llow Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p i n h e r prud e n t t a c t ful
.
, ,

w a y s ucc ee d e d i n r es t or i n g ord e r o ut of c h a o s a n d by cl ev e r qu es t i o n
, ,

i n g drov e To a d the d ec ease d wom a n s w a i t i n g m a i d i n t o a corn e r so

’

, , ,

t h a t s h e e v e n t u a lly m a d e a full co n fess i o n .

It tr a n s p i r e d th a t Gold e n C i n n a mo n d i s a ppo i n t e d i n her m a rr i a g e ,

a n d t h i r s t i n g f o r lov e w a s se cr et ly i n f a t u a t e d w i t h H s u eh P a n s cou s i n
’

, ,

H s u eh Kuo H s u eh K uo w h o w a s a g en tl e youn g fe llow di d n o t w i sh

.
, ,

to br ea k fa i th w i t h h i s b e tro t he d Wr e a t h of Cloud s ; w i t h grea t di ffi ,

cult y he h a d t r i e d t o e v a d e the pursu i t o f th e l us t ful fell o w i n m a te of

t he h ou se N e ve r t he l e ss Go ld e n C i n na mo n h a d on ce b ee n very n e a r
.
,

a tt a i n i n g h e r a i m Sh e h a d ca ug h t H s ue h K uo i n fr o n t o f h e r door an d
.

w a s j u st dra w i n g t he h es i t a n t you n g m a n i n t o h er b e droom w h en Lo t u s

h a d com e b e t w een th em a n d t h wa rte d h er i n t en t i o n s From th a t t i m e .

5 21
fri en dl y t rea t m en t she h a d m a d e Lotus un s us pe cti n g Then th ere h a d .

be en ta lk of a tr oubl es om e pla gu e of r a ts i n th e ki t ch en an d l a rd er a n d ,

i t w as sa i d t h a t i n ord e r t o e x t e rmi n a t e th e m a rseni c mu t b e broug h t s

i n t o th e h ouse Sh e h a d pr o cure d th e arsen i c thr ough h er b oor of a

.

fo ste r bro th er wh om sh e h a d rece n t ly ta k en as a love r i n pla ce of t h e

,

i n a cces s i bl e H s u eh Kuo H e h a d b e en t h e a tt r a c t i o n be hi n d t h e re
.
v

m a rk a b ly fr e qu e n t v is i ts w hi c h sh e h a d b een p a y i n g re c en tly t o h er
mo t he r w h o h a d com e t o l i v e in th e ca p i ta l a s h ort t i m e b e for e Dur in g
,
.

t h ese m ee t i n gs i t w a s pl ann e d t h a t Gold e n C i nn am o n sh ould fl ee from

h er mo t h e r i n l a w s h ous e w h ere sh e h a d o n ly expe ri e n ce d gri ef a n d
’
- -

di sa ppo in tm en t B u t b efore do in g t h i s sh e w a n t e d t o g et t h e h a t e d
.

Lo t u s o ut of t he w a y by po i so n i n g her wi th a rs en i c .

Twi c e sh e ha d t r i e d t o po i so n h er b ut e a c h t im e Provi d en c e h a d
prese rv e d Lo t us from th e fa t e pr e p a r e d for h er The firs t t i m e Lo t us .

h a d t i ppe d ov e r by an a wkw a rd move m en t o f th e h a n d t h e gl ass o f

, ,

po is o n e d me di cin e whi c h Go ld en C in n amon h a d prep a r e d w i th h er ow n

h a n d a n d broug h t t o h er s i ckb e d A t th e t i m e i t h a d st ruck Lo t us a s
.

s t ran g e t h a t th e proud s o i l e d Gold en C i nn a mon s h ould h a v e d e i gn e d

p ,

t o g a t h e r up t h e fr a gm en ts a n d t h e t r a ce s of li qu i d from th e broke n

m e d i c in e gla s w i th h er o w n h a n d in stea d of ord e rin g a m a i d t o do t h is

s

in fer i o r work .

H a v i n g fa i l e d thi s firs t t i m e Gold en C i nn a mon n o w d e c i d e d t o

,

c a rry t h roug h h er purpo s e by m ea n s of po i o n e d soup Sh e h a d ord e r e d s .

t h e w a i t i n g m a i d To a d t o pr e p a r e a good s oup for h e r se lf a n d Lo t us .

It a nn oye d To a d th a t Lo t u w h om sh e d is l i k e d s h ould sh a re wi th h er
'

s
, ,

m ist res s t he b en e fi t o f h er culi n a ry art Sh e d ec i d e d th a t sh e would a t.

least t ho ro ugh ly ov e rsa l t h er s oup Th e r e for e she p u t a h an dful mor e.

sa lt t ha n n ec e ss a ry i n t he s oup bowl m e a n t for Lo t us an d i n ord e r n o t ,

t o m i x up t h e t w o bowl s w h e n s e n i n g sh e h a d m a d e a s l i gh t s cr a t c h
,

o n t h e bowl i n t e n d e d for Lo t us t o s e rve h er as a se cr e t i d en t i fic a t i on

,

m a rk J us t as s he h a d pl a c e d th e tw o bowls o n th e t r a y Golden C i n n a
.

she w a n t e d t o vi s i t he r mo t he r .

t ha t h e rm i st r ess w h o .

t ri ck h a d a c t u a lly g o t
,

ch an gi n g of th e bowls .
of th e h i g h er l i fe ,
an d I sh ould l i ke to profi t a li t tl e by your wi se
”
i n st ruc t i o n .

“
O ur com i n g a n d our go i n g—e a ch h a s i ts t i me a n d i t s pl a ce w a s ,

t h e my s t e r i ou s a n s w e r of t h e h e rm i t .

Y u T s u n bow e d pol i te ly a n d co n t i n u e d h i s qu e st i o n s : How w as i t

t h a t h e h a d com e t o se t up h i s b u t i n t h i s a b a n do n e d pl a c e o f w h i c h ,
.

o n e di d n o t e v en k n ow t h e n a m e ; w h y h a d h e n o t c h o s en i n pr e f e r en c e

s om e r e n ow n e d moun t a i n t e mpl e i n w h i c h t o pr a c t i c e h ol i n e ss a n d s o ,

on .

One ca n a sl o l i v e i n a si mpl e h ut m a d e of gourd s ta lks W h y sh ould .

o n e n ee d a f a mou s mou n t a i n ? W h y t h e fool i sh s t r i v i n g t o r i se h i g h e r ?

I a m n o t o n e of th o se w h o c a n n o t w a i t for th e exc e ll en c e of t h e p re ‘

’
ci ou s st o n e t o en c h a n t t h e world a n d t h e cl a s p t o t a k e w i n g s t o fly t o
‘

t h e br i d e
’
.

Y u T su n b e c a m e s udd e n ly en l i g h ten e d W h o b u t S h i h Y i n g could .

qu ote t he v ery word s wh i c h h e h a d o n c e p ut i n t o v e r se w h en h e w a s

a poor s t ud en t i n h i s lo n ely c e ll i n t h e T e mpl e of t h e Gourd ? T h e r e

w a s n o do u b t a bou t i t t h e m a n b e for e h i m w as S h i h Y i n g t h e b en e
, ,

fa c t or o f h i s you th H e looke d a t h i m a tt en t i v ely o nc e mor e It w a s

. .

st r a n g e h o w l i t t l e h i s f ea t ur es h a d c h a n g e d s i n c e t h o s e d a y s .

h e a s k e d a f t e r h e h a d d i s cr eet ly
“ ? ”
A re you n o t M a s t e r S h i h Y i n g ,

i gn e d t o h i s se rv a n t s t o w i th dr a w for h e di d n o t w i s h t h e m t o l ea rn
,

o f h i s ob s cur e p a st .

To se e m i s t o b e a n d t o b e i s t o seem w a s t he sm i l i n g re ply o f ,

t h e old m a n .

Y u T su n bow e d s t i ll more d ee ply T h e word c h i a . s ee m s oun d e d , ,

e x a c t ly l i k e h i s f a m i ly n a m e C h i a O bv i ou sly t h e old m an w i sh e d t o
, .

g i ve h i m t o u n d er st a n d t h a t he h a d a ls o r e cog n i z e d h i m Now a t l a st .

h a d com e t h e c h an c e t o p a y h i s b en ef a c t or a lo n g s t a n d i n g d e b t ! -

Your k i n d n e ss lo n g a go m a d e i t po ssi bl e for m e t o co n t i n u e o n my

j ourn e y t o t he c a p i t a l T hrough your h elp I go t a sea t i n th e co a ch o f
.

S t a t e a n d I w a s a bl e t o a tt a i n t o offic e a n d d i gn i t y O n ly l a t e r di d I
,
.

h ea r of your a w a k en i n g I l ea rn e d th a t you h a d s o a r e d up from t h e

.

du st y lowl i n e ss o f d a i ly l i fe t o th e loft y r eg i on s of t h e s p i r i t Aft e r ‘

h a v i n g lo n g s oug h t for you i n v a i n I cou n t my s elf fort un a t e t o h a ve a t

l a st m et yo u a g a i n t od a y M a y th e si mpl e sc h ol a r h ope th a t t h e wor th y
.

h oly m a n w i ll gr an t h i m t h e f a vor of h i s e st eem e d com pa n y ? I li ve i n

t he c a p i t a l n o t f a r from h e r e a n d would d ee m my s e lf for t u n a t e i f I
m i gh t h a v e you a s my h o n or e d gu est for the r est o f my l i fe a n d b e ,
”
p e rm i t te d t o l i st en t o yo ur ex a l t e d i n st ruc ti on s by da y an d by n i gh t .

T h e h e rm i t h a d r i sen a n d n o w th a n k e d h i m w i t h a pol i te bow

,
.

“
My d es i re do es n o t ex t en d b e yo n d th e c i rcumferen ce o f t h i s si mple
” “
roun d pr a y er m a t he sa i d B eyo n d i t I kn ow o f n o th i n g e ls e b et ween
-

,
.

5 24
h ea ven an d e a rth . Th ere fo re th e mea n i n g of your word s rem a in s clo se d

He sa tdown to i mm e rs e h i m self o n c e more i n holy co n templ a t i o n .

Yu Ts u n w as u n d ec i d e d W a s i t re a lly S hi h Y i n g or w a s i t no t ? T o
.

j udge from h i s fa c e a n d from t he word s he ha d quo te d i t w as h e Be , .

t w ee n t h a t t i m e a n d t od a y t h e re la n i n e te e n lo n g y ea rs How wo n d e r
y .

fully un c h a n ge d h i s fea t ures h a d rem a i n ed ! T h i s w a s n o doub t due to

th e l i fe l e n g t hen i n g pow e r of h i s h oly ex e rc i s es B ut h o w d e ta c h e d from
-

t he world h e w a s ! T h e pro s p e c t of a good c a re fre e l i fe s e em e d n o t t o

,

ma ke t he s l i g ht e s t i mpre ss i o n o n h i m W a s t h ere a n y us e t he n in
.
, ,

s pe a k i n g t o h i m a bou t p e r s o n a l f am i ly aff a i r s or tell i n g hi m w h a t h a d

, ,

b ecom e o f h i s w i fe a n d h i s d a ug h te r Lo t us ? A t a n y r a te h e w o uld ,

m a ke an o t he r eff or t .

“
T h e h oly m a ste r would l i k e t o le t t he p a s t res t b ut th e lowly s c h ol a r
,

h as st i ll so m a n y th i n g s o n h i s m i n d wh i c h he would l i ke to di s
cuss .

He w a s a bou t t o co n t i n u e w h en the m emb e rs of h i s r e t i n u e a p

p ro ache d an d w a rn e d h i m t ha t i t w a s t i me t o cro ss t he ford a s o the r ,

w i se n i gh t would ove r t a ke t hem b e fore t hey could rea c h t he i r i n te n d ed

rest sta t i o n .

“ ”
Your Gr a c e s h ould n o t d el a y ! t he he rm i t a l s o w a rn ed the hes i ta n t
“
Y u T s un . It i s c e rt a i n t h a t w e s h a ll m ee t a ga i n I sha ll w a i t for you
.

”
o n e da y by t h e ford .

Wh en he ha d fi n i sh e d sp ea ki n g h e sh u t h i s ey es to co n t i n u e h i s
my st i c co n t e mpl a t i o n Y u Ts un b a d e h i m fa re well an d ret urn ed t o h i s
.

ret in u e by th e r i ver b a n k .

He w a s j u st a bou t to cro ss ove r w he n o n e of h i s re t i n u e w h o h a d b ee n ,

w i th h i m i n t h e te mpl e a n d ha d st a y ed b e h i n d o n a ccou n t of s toma c h

p a i n s c a me ru nn i n g a lo n g a n d t old h i m t h a t t he old t empl e w h i c h he
,

h a d j u st i n s p e c te d w a s i n fl a m es Y u T s un looked b eh i n d h i m a n d t ru e
. ,

e n oug h sa w i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f th e t empl e a red glow o f fi re a n d a

,
-

m i gh t y cloud of s moke wh i c h d a rken e d the sett i n g sun He w as sur .

pr i se d t h a t t he fi re could ha v e a r i sen so s udd en ly i n th e sh ort t ime

s i n c e h e h a d l e ft t he t empl e a n d h e wo n d e re d a n x i ou s ly wh e th e r h i s
,

old fri en d S h i h Y i n g ha d per i sh ed i n th e fi re or w as sti ll a l i ve He w as .

a bou t t o t urn b a ck t o se a rc h for h i m h i m self B ut i f h e di d so he wo uld

'

. ,

n o t b e a bl e t o cro s s t h e r i ve r t od a y a n d r ea c h t he t ow n b e for e n i g h t f a ll .

”
D i d you s ee a n o ld h e rm i t com i n g o ut of the t empl e
? h e a s k e d t he
mess en ge r T h e m a n sa i d he h a d n o t
. .

“
Th en s ta y b e h in d a n d wh en the fir e i s burn e d o u t se a rc h i n th e
,

ru i n s for a n y t ra ce of h i m ! You ca n s p en d th e n i g h t i n t he n ea res t

”
v i ll a ge i n n a nd follow o n t omorrow !
Th e fo l low i n g mor n i n g w h e n Y u T s un w as go i n g th roug h th e c i ty

5 25
g a t e i n h i s se d a n ch a i r he he a rd a soun d o f loud qu a rr el li n g com i n g
from t h e h e a d of t h e proc essi o n T he h e r a ld s h a d com e i n t o coll i si o n
.

w i t h s om ebody o n t he w a y Upo n i n qu i ry h e w a s t old t h a t a qu a rr e l

.

s om e dru n k a rd h a d r u n i n t o t h e proc es s i o n a n d would n o t g et o ut o f

t h e w a y b u t i n st ea d h a d l a i n down i n th e m i ddl e o f t h e s t r e e t i n ord e r

,

t o g i v e t roubl e Th e d i s r es p e c t ful culpr i t w a s i mm e d i a t ely dr a gg e d t o

.

t h e door o f t h e s e d a n c h a i r .

“
Do you n o t kn ow th a t you a re obl i ge d t o m a ke w a y for th e pr e fe c t
? ”
o f your t own wh en h e p a s s es by ? How d a r e you b a r th e ro a d t o h i m
Y u T s un a ske d t h e m a n h a ug h t i ly , .

“
Com e n ow ! Am I n o t t o b e a llow e d t o get d run k w i t h my o wn good
,
‘

mo n e y a n d wh en I m dru n k t o l i e down for a b i t i n t h e st r eet ? B e

,
’
,

s i d es t h e s t r e et do es n o t b e lo n g t o you b u t t o t h e Emp e ror ; s o th e

, ,
”
gr ea t g en t l e m a n h a d n o th i n g a t all t o compl a i n a bou t c a m e th e i m ,

pud en t a n swe r .

W h a t an i n s ol en t boor ! A sk h i m h i s n a m e ! s a i d Y u T s un eu ,

r a ge d .

“
My n a m e i s Ni o th e rw i se kn own a s th e Drun ken D i a mo n d b e
,
‘
,
’

c a u se I l i ke a good dr i n k a n d ca n b e h a rd a s a d i a mo n d wh en th ere
a r e d e b t s t o b e r e cov e r e d b a bbl e d the drun k a rd
, .

“ ?
I d d W ell w e sh a ll see st r a i g ht a w a y wh e th e r h e s a s h a rd a s
n e e ,
’

”
a d i a mo n d ! B ea t h i m ! ord e r e d th e e n r a g e d Y u Ts u n Th e re upo n t h e .

s e rv a n t s t h r e w t h e dru n k en m a n t o th e grou n d a n d g a v e h i m a f ew

h ea vy blow s w i t h a w h i p T h an ks t o t h i s p a i n ful cure he v ery qu i ckly

.
,

b e c a m e s ob e r a g a i n a n d h umbly b egg e d for m e rcy .

“
A fe llow l i ke t h a t c a ll s h i mself a d i a mo n d a n d h e g i v e s w a y a ft e r ,
”
o n ly a fe w gen t l e blows ! scoff e d Y u Tsun from h i s se d an ch a i r Th a t .

w a s n o r e a l h ea t i n g a t a ll H e w i ll g e t a prop e r flogg i n g a ft e r t h e h e a r
.

”
i n g a t t h e y a m en B i n d h i m a n d t a k e h i m a w a y ! h e ord e r e d h i s “

se rv a n ts A n d s o . d es p i t e h i s s truggl i n g a n d sh ou t i n g t h e w ell kn own

,
-

mo n e yl en d e r w a s se i z e d a n d fett er e d a n d dr a gg e d off w i th t h e p ro ce s
s i o n t o t h e h ou s e of t h e Pr e f e ct a m i d s t t h e m a l i c i ous gl a n c e s a n d co m
m en t s of t he crowd .

T h e rum or of h i s a rr e st s pr e a d from t h e st r ee t to h i s h om e a n d t o t h e
ea r s of h i s w i fe a n d d a ug h t e r Wh e n h e di d n o t com e h om e t h a t ev e
.

n i n g h i s w i f e se n t h er d a ug h t e r o u t t o look for h i m i n a ll t h e w e ll

kn own g a mbl i n g i n n s wh i ch h e w a s i n t h e h a b i t of fr e qu en t i n g B u t th e .

d a ugh t er looke d for h i m i n v a i n a n d t h e rumor of h i s arre st w a s co n ,

fi rm e d t o h er wh e rev e r sh e w ent Wh en a t l a st i n h e r p e rpl ex i t y sh e .

, ,

b eg a n t o w eep p e opl e comfor te d h e r s a y i n g

, ,
“
You n ee d n o t d espa i r Aft e r a ll t h e Pre fect b elo n gs t o th e C h i a
.
,

cl a n a n d t here i s a you n g C hi a w h o i s a n e i g hb or a n d good fr i en d o f

,

your fa th er Y o u a n d your mo t h e r mu st v i si t h i m as qui ckly as po ss i ble

.

5 26
 W i t h bow e d h e a d u tt e rly d i scour a ge d he set o u t for h om e He re
, ,
.

m emb e r e d h ow n obly n ei gh bor Ni h a d h elp e d h i m o u t t h a t t i m e w i th

mo n e y for th e sp i c e s by m ea n s of wh i ch h e h a d lucki ly w a n gl e d th a t
g a rd en i n g j ob from Ph o e n i x How h e would lov e t o do h i m a s e rv i c e
.

i n r et urn n o w ! How would h e f a c e t h e mo t h e r a n d d a ugh te r Ni w h o ,

h a d b ee n cou n t i n g o n h i m ? Could h e t ell t h e m t h e t ru th ? D a re h e let

t h e m kn ow t h a t th e h a rd h ea r t e d M a d a m e P h o en i x a vo i d e d h i m a s a
poor n e p h e w a n d sh u t t h e door s of t h e w est e rn p a l a c e a g a i n st h i m ?
Th a t sh e pr e ferre d t o l en d o u t th e fa m i ly for t un e i n h e r i t e d from t h e i r ,

common a n c e st ors t o compl et e st r a n ger s a t exorb i t a n t i n t er est r a t es

,

r a th e r t h a n u se i t t o h elp poor m emb e rs of th e cl a n ? H e d a re n o t sp ea k

a bou t t h e s e t h i n g s or h e w ould n o t o n ly d a m a ge h i s o w n n a m e an d
,

cr e d i t i n t h e n e i g hbor h ood b ut a l so en d a n g e r t h e r e pu t a t i o n of t h e
,

C h i a cl an .

“
My eff ort s h a v e b ee n i n v a i n Tru e a t my pr ess i n g r e qu est t he .
,

w e st e r n p a l a c e p e opl e di d t a k e st e p s w i th t h e Pr e fe c t b ut a l a s t h e , ,
” “
Pr efe c t i s r el en t le s s h e sa i d o n h i s ret urn B ut p e rh a p s you m i gh t
, .

t r y your luck w i th t h e cur i o d ea l e r Lo n g Tzu H si n g H e i s r e l a t e d t o ,

.

t h e m a j ordomo C h ou Ju i of t h e w es t e rn p a l a c e a n d h a s kn o w n t h e ,

Pr e fe c t for a lo n g t i m e .

“
If t h e m ast e rs ca n do n o t h i n g for us t h e s erv a n ts w i ll n ot fa re b et ,

t er,
r e pl i e d mo th e r a n d d a ugh te r d i sa ppo i n te d , .

“
You a re m i st a ken t h e re Now a d a y s th e s erv a n ts s om et i m es h a v e
.

”
more i n flu en c e t h a n t he m a st er s r em a rke d C h i a Y un a s h e t urn e d
, ,

a w a y a nn oy e d So t h e tw o wom en h a d t o w a i t s e v er a l d a y s mor e b e for e

, .

t h e y g o t b a ck t h e i r br ea dw i n n e r H e h a d g o t o ff w i t h n o t h i n g mor e t h a n
.

a l i g h t flogg i n g O n h i s r e t ur n h i s d i s gru n t l e d w i fe a n d d a ug h t e r t old

.

h i m a bou t C h i a Yu n s fu t i l e v i s i t s t o t h e Y a n gkuo p a l a c e a n d t w i s te d
’
,
.

t h e m a t t e r i n s uc h a w a y a s t o g i v e t h e i mpr e s s i o n t h a t for l a ck of ,

good w i ll C h i a Y u n h a d n o t ex er t e d h i m self s uffi c i en tly o n h i s b eh a lf

, .

“
Wh a t ? Ju st w a i t ! I ll g i v e t h e u n gra te ful s cou n dr e l a good p i ec e
’

”
o f my m i n d ! ro a r e d th e u s ur e r Ni w h o h a d i mm ed i a t ely go t dru n k ,
“
a g a i n t o c e l ebr a t e h i s r e l e as e Th a t t i m e wh en he w a s s t a rv i n g di d I
.
,

n o t h e lp h i m w i t h my mo n e y t o ge t a f a t j ob i n th e w e s t e r n p a l a c e ?
, ,

A n d n o w w h e n I w a s i n a fix my se lf h e l e ft m e i n t h e lurch ! J u s t w a i t !
, ,

If Ni t h e Dru n ken D i amo n d o n c e op en s h i s mou th a n d r a i ses a rum

, ,

u s t h e gr a n d p e opl e i n t h e ea st e rn a n d w e s t er n p a l a c es w i ll h a v e rea
p ,
”
so n to r ue it !
“
Be qu i e t ! W a s t h e l a s t fl ogg i n g n o t en ough for you ? Do you w a n t
? ”
t o g e t i n t o t roubl e a g a i n w i th your drun k e n c h a tt e r i n g s a i d h i s vi f e
'

t ry i n g t o qu i et h i m .

“
P a h ! I m n o t a fr a i d ! Wh i l e I w a s s i tt i n g i n th e cool e r I p a ll e d up
’

w i th a f e w d e c en t fellow s uffe r ers a n d lo t s of t h i n gs c am e t o my e a r s

,

5 28
a bou t th e fi n e C h i a cl a n : wha t ex t or t i o n ers th e y a re ho w t he y fl ee ce ,

t h e poor pe a s an ts in t h e prov i n c e s ho w t hey c h ea t t h e i r fellow b e i n gs

,

o f t he i r prop e rt y a n d t h e i r wom e n a n d h a rry t h em t o d ea th ! S eve r a l

,

o f th e i r s coun dr e lly p e opl e h a v e a lr ea dy b ee n l a i d by th e h e e l s a n d w i ll

b e broug h t to tr i a l v e ry s oo n he re i n th e c a p i ta l for t h e i r i n famou s

d ee d s B u t the fi n e lord s t hemse lves sh ould b e brough t b e fore the
.

j udgm en t sea t Ju st yo u w a i t ! T he y sh a ll get t o kn ow m e Ni th e

.
, ,
”
Drun ken D i a mo n d ,i n t i m e !
“ ”
A h sh u t up a n d com e t o b e d ! h i s w i fe i n t e rru p te d You re so ’
.
,

drun k th a t you do n t kn ow w h a t you re sa y i n g Chea t i n g o t he r pe ople

’ ’
.

”
o f th e i r wom e n
? Th a t i s sure ly o n ly s i lly go ss i p !
“
Y o u wom en do n o t l e a v e your o w n four w a ll s Wh a t do you kn ow o f .

wh a t goe s o n out s i d e ? Two y e a rs a go I b ec a m e a cqu a i n t e d w i th a

n n a m e d C h a n g a t a g a m i n g t a bl e He t old m e e v e ry t h i n g a n d
y ou n g m a . ,

i t i s h e wh om t h e n obl e g en t l em en i n t he ea s tern an d we ste rn p a l a c es

c he a t e d o f h i s b e tro t he d o n e Y u g i rl If I o n ly kn ew wher e yo un g
,
.

C h a ng i s n o w ! I ll e xpl a i n t o h i m ho w he mu s t t a ke a c t i o n a g a i nst the

’

n obl e cl a n T h e g a n g w i ll h a v e t o go dow n o n t h e i r kn ees t o m e yet !

.

”
B ut yo u wom en n ee d n o t t roubl e a bou t i t L ea ve i t to m e ! .

He la y down i n b ed mu tt ere d fo r a w h i le t o h i ms elf then doz ed 0 3

, ,
.

CHAPTER 47

Th e u n h a ppy lo v e r P a o Y u st i rs up p a s t fee l i n gs Th e b a i li fi s o]
, ,
. th e

M i n i s t e r 0 / F i n a n c e ta k e po ss ess i o n o f th e w est ern pa la c e .

D I R E C T LY A FTE R R ETU R N F RO M r m: p ao v m cns C HI A C a r ma a w

ms
b e en s ummo n ed st r a i gh t from h i s t r a v e l li tt e r t o a n lmpe r i a l a ud i e n ce
, ,

t o r ec e i ve t h e re pr i m a n d of t he Mo st H i gh a n d pe rfo rm h i s ko w t ow o f
re p en t a n c e He em e rge d cov er ed w i th pe rs p i r a ti o n an dwi t h hi s t o n gue
. ,

h a n g i n g o ut w i t h s h ock a n d d i sm a y .

“
Con fou n d i t a ll ! Co n foun d i t ! he g as pe d as he ca me o ut t o th e
”
, ,

c rowd of fr i en dly d i gn i t a r i es and coll ea gu es w ho ha d s urge d a roun d

xp c ly h v i bul d b i g d h i m w i t h qu es t i o n s a s t o
h i m e e tan t i n t e es t e a n es e e

ud
h o w t h e a i en c e h d
a p a ss e d o ff Now. a s f a,
r as h i s o w n p e rs o n w as

' i
Eor cern e d t h e mu ch dr ea d
-
e d a ud i en c e of r e co n c i l i a t i o n h a d f o rt u
,

B ut t h e Most H i gh h a d a ske d t h e mo s t
e rn i n g h i s re l a t i o n s h i p t o c e r t a i n o
th e r

w h o h e ld v ar i ou s offi c e s i n d i s t a n t prov
"

52 9
 Hi s fri en d s a n d coll ea gu es t r i e d to di s si p at e h i s fea r s an d con ,

gr a t ul a t e d h i m ou st i ll h a v i n g h i s qu i et p leasan t po s i t i on i n th e M i n ,

i stry of Works i n wh i ch h e w ould n o t b e expos e d t o v ex a t i on s s uc h a s

,

h e ha d h a d t o con t en d wi t h i n h i s form er po st o f C o m Tr e a s ure r i n t h e

prov i n c e s H i s eld e r b ro th er Pr i n c e S h i eh w a s a l s o th e y a dm i tt e d a
.
, ,

m a n of h o nor a n d a bov e a ll r epro a c h B ut a t th e sa m e t i me t h e y di s .

cr ee t ly g a v e h i m t o un d e r st an d t h a t p e rh a p s i t would b e a dv i sa bl e f or
'

h i m t o k ee p a n e ye o n h i s v a r i ou s n e p h ews e s p e c i a lly t h e n e ph ew i n ,

t h e e a st e r n p a l a c e Pr i n c e C h e n All k i n d s of u n f a vor a bl e t h i n gs w e e
, .
r
b e i n g wh i sp e re d abou t t h i s n e ph e w a n d i t a pp e a r e d that h e w a s t e
,

g a rde d w i th s om e d i s pl e a s ur e i n c e rt ai n h i gh m i n i st e r i a l an d e un uch
’
c i rcl es So i t w a s th a t C h i a C h en g s feel i n gs w ere n o t en t i r ely h a ppy
.

wh en h e en t e r e d th e we st e rn p a l a c e a ft er t h e a ud i en c e a n d w a s sol
“

e m n ly r e c ei v e d by t h e cl a n .

For a ll th at th e j oy of seei n g h i s f am i ly a g a i n a n d e spec i a lly th e

, ,
'
'
ou t wa rd we ll b ei n g of h i s so n P a o Y u th e flo ur i sh i n g a pp ear an ce of
-
'

,
’
t h e l a tte r 3 you n g w i fe Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p wh om h e fou n d mor e plump ,

a n d r e s pl en d en t t h an e v e r a n d t h e f a vor a bl e d ev elopm en t of h i s gr a n d
,

so n C h i a L a n en ab l e d h i m t o forg et h i s s e cr e t an x i et i e s for a f ew h our s

, .

“ ”
B ut th e r e 1 5 o n e p e r s o n s t i ll mi ssi n g ! h e s udd en ly e xcl a i m e d wh en
h e h a d fi n i sh e d gr eet i n g all th e fe m a l e r e l a t i ves H i s w i f e un d er st ood .

th a t h e m e a n t Bl a ck J a de ; n o o n e h a d yet t old h i m by l ett er of h er sa d

en d .

Cou si n Li n g i s i ll l i e d M a d a m e C h en g n o t w i sh i ng t o d a mp th e
, ,

j oys of r eun i o n w i t h mourn ful n ew s P a o Y u w h o w as pr esen t fe lt a s .

, ,

i f hi s he a rt h a d b een p i e rc e d w i t h a d a gg e r b ut fil i a l r es pe c t b a d e h i m
-

h i d e h i s p a i n O n ly l a t e r ; a ft er t h e com mu n a l f ea st of we lco m e wh en
.
,

h u s b an d a n d w i f e w er e a lo n e t og et h e r a n d w er e d i s cu ss i n g t h e v a r i ou s
.

e v en t s wh i c h h a d t a k e n pl a c e i n t h e f a m i ly i n t h e i n t e rv a l di d M a d a m e ,
'

C h en g v en t ur e t o m en t i on Bl a ck J a d e s d eath C h i a C h en g w a s ex ’
.

t re m ely sh ock e d a n d fe ll i nt o a d ee p mourn ful m e d i t a t i o n M a d a m e

, ,
.

C h en g t o o b ec a m e qu i t e emo t i on a l an d a w a it i n g m a i d ha d t o pluck a t
,

h er s ki rt to r em i n d h er t o pull h ers e lf t og et he r a n d c h a n g e t he con ,

v er sa t i on t o a subj e c t mor e c a lcul a t e d t o ch eer h er h u sb an d up a g a i n .

T he follow i n g mor n i n g i n a ccord an c e w i t h cu st om Mr C h en g

, _ , .

vi si t e d th e T empl e of t h e A n c e st ors t og eth er w i t h t h e m a l e m e mb e r s of

th e f a m i ly t o an n ou nc e h i s s a f e r et urn h om e t o th e s p i r i t s of t h e a n
,

ce s t o rs an d t o t h ank t h em by a c e r emo n i a l o ff er i n g for t h e p ro t e c t i o n

_
.

a ccord e d h i m Afte r th e c ere mo n y h e t ook h i s t w o n e ph ews Pri n c e

.
,

C h en a n d C h i a Li en a si d e a n d a pp e a l e d t o t h ei r con sc i en c e s i n e a rn est
,

a n d i mpr e ss i v e word s U n f a vor a bl e t h i n g s w e r e b e i n g s a i d a bou t t h em

.
-
.

i n th e t ow n h e t old th em ; t h e y w e r e n o lo n g e r c h i ldren a n d we r e
, ,
-

ki n dly t o kee p a b et t er w a t ch o n t h emselve s i n t h e fu t ure From th ei r

,

. .
-

5 30
f a ul t , i t i s th e
fa ul t o f th e o ld T a i ta i an d th e o th e r s th at Bl a ck J a d e h a d
t o di e of gr i e f I w a n t t o e xpl a i n all th i s t o Cuckoo so t h a t sh e m a y n o t
.

a l s o l i k e Bl a ck J a d e p a ss t o t h e n ext li f e w i th a n un j u s t i fi e d grudg e
, , ,

a g a i n s t m e For I kn ow from T a st e of Spr i n g t h a t t h a t i s w h a t h a pp en e d

.

w i t h Bl a ck J a de Do you a l so co n si d er m e u n lov i n g an d fa i thl ess ? You

.

m a y n o t kn ow i t b ut I a m t ell i n g you t od a y : Wh en Br i gh t Cloud d i e d I

,

c e r emon i a lly m a d e a n off er i n g t o her a t th e w a t er l i ly pon d an d d e d i

ca t e d a d i rg e t o h er A n d Br i gh t Cloud w a s o n ly a se rv a n t ! Is n o t Bl a ck
.

”
J a d e mor e d eserv i n g of a wort h y fun er a l offe r i n g ?
“
T h a t i s your a ff a i r Wh at h a ve w e o th e r s t o do wi th i t
.
? ”
r epli e d
P ea rl coolly .

“
I h a v e i n t en d e d for a lo n g t i m e p a st t o compo se a d i rg e for h er ,

b u t s i n c e I r e cov ere d from my l a st i lln ess my m i n d h a s b een so ex

t ra o r di n a ri ly dull I m i gh t h a v e b een a bl e t o wr i t e s om et h i n g s t r a i g h t
.

a w a y for an
y o t h e r p e rs o n B u t t o wr i t e a hym n i n h o n or of Bl a ck J a d e
.
,

I would n ee d t o con si d e r e ve ry word c a r e fully I w an t e d t o a sk Cuckoo .

t o h e lp m e w i t h i t H er m emory of t h e l a st i n c i d en t s a n d th e l a s t p h a se
.

of Bl a ck J a d e s l i fe i s mor e compl et e t h a n m l n e W h y di d sh e di e so
’
.

s udd en ly a f t e r sh e h a d b e e n so w e ll a n d c h e e rful a ll t h e t i m e b e for e

?

W y h w e r e w e n o t a llow e d t o se e e a c h o t h e r dur i n g t h o s e d a y s ? W h y di d
sh e bur n t h e C op i e s of h e r po e m s sh or t ly b e for e h er d ea t h a n d l ea v e
,

m e n o ke ep s a k e a l t h oug h sh e t h ough t of m e up t o th e l a st ? T h o se a re
,

puzzl es wh i ch I c a n n o t solve A n d w h y di d Pr e c i ou s Cl a s p Take a w a y

.

from m e t h e s ouv en i rs wh i c h I m a n a ge d to get from Bl a ck J a d e thr ough

? ”
t r i ck s i n p a s t y e a r s
“
Sh e di d n o t w i sh t h e s i ght of th em t o op en up old woun ds i n yo u .

? ”
Do you w a n t t o k n ow a n y th i n g else
“
Wh a t di d t h e my st e r i ou s musi c a t h er d ea th m e a n ? P erh a p s sh e di d
?
n o t di e a s a h um a n b e i n g a t a ll b u t s o a r e d up t o h e a v e n a s a s p i r i t
,
I
? ”
di d s ee h er coffi n i t i s t ru e b u t i t w a s clo se d P erh a p s i t w a s empt y
, , .

Wh a t cr a zy i d ea s you h a v e ! Do you r e a lly b el i e v e th a t a n emp t y

coffin w a s set up a n d t h a t i t w a s g i v en o u t t h a t s om e on e d i e d w h o di d ,

? ”
n o t di e T h a t i s j u st n o n s e n s e !
I do n o t kn ow w hy i t sh ould b e n on sen s e A sp i r i t can m a ke i ts e lf
.

”
i n v i si bl e B e good e n ou gh t o br i n g Cuckoo a lo n g t o m e !
.

“
It s t o o l ate t o n i gh t I mu st fir s t pr e p a r e h er for i t W h o kn ow s
’
. .

w h eth e r sh e w i ll b e r ea dy t o r end e r you an a ccoun t st r a i gh t a w a y ? T h e

.

b est th i n g i s for us t o ch oo se a t i m e wh en your wi fe i s w i th th e o ld T a i

ta i p e r h a p s t omorrow or th e da y a f t e r
, .

“
V e ry we ll b ut do n o t forg e t abou t i t You h a v e n o i d ea h ow much
, .

”
I w a n t t o t a lk t o Cuc koo .
’

T h e w a i t i n g m a i d Mus k a ppe a r ed sen t by Preci o us C las p a n d t e

, ,

532
m i n d ed Pao Y u th a t i t w as alr ea dy lo n g p a st m i dn i gh t He should com e .

t o b e d a t l as t , she sa i d .

Th e co n ver sa t i o n mu s t ha ve b e en wo n d e rful ly exc i t in g to m a k e o n e

”
forg et t he t i me compl ete ly she rem a rked sa rca s t i ca lly t o Pea rl
, .

“
Y es , in d ee d i t w as , b ut tomorr ow i s a n o ther da re pli ed Pea rl y,
coolly .

“
V e ry we ll , an d do no t forget t omorrow ! ”
Pa o Y u a ga i n wh i s pe re d
i n h er ea r .

W h y ! Wh a t i mport an t c
you go t b e tween you ? S h ould I
se rets h a ve
n o t s ugg e st t o t h e Na i nai th a t s he h a d b e tte r le t you sl ee p wi th P ea rl ?

Then you could t a lk to ea ch o th e r t o your hea rt s con ten t ” ’

.

“ ”
S t op your c h a tte r ! sa i d Pearl t o Mus k then t urn i n g to P8 0 Y u , ,

S ee h o w you c a use us t o b e go ss i pe d a bou t s he sa i d re pro a c hfully , ,

pus h i n g h i m b e fore h er in t o Pre c i ous Cl a s p s b e dr oom ’

.

Th ough i n n o mood for fest i vi t i es h i m se lf C h i a Chen g g ave w a y to ,

th e i mpo rt u n in g s o f h i s fr i en d s an d a cqu a i n ta n c es a n d he ld a grea t

b a n qu e t t w o d a ys a ft e r h i s ret urn h om e B ut h e d ecl in ed wi th tha n ks .

th e fes t i v a l mu s i c an d t he a t ri c a l p e rform an c es wi th wh i c h the y w i s he d

t o h o n or hi m .

In th e m i d s t o f t he m e rry f eas t in g the Y ungk uo p a la ce sudd en ly t e

“
ce i ve d a str an g e u n i n v i t e d v i s i t or
,
Mr C h a o th e M in i st er of F i n an ce
. .
, ,

”
i s ou ts i d e w i th a n umb e r o f h i s offi c i a l s a n d w i s hes t o p a y h i s res pe c ts
, ,

“
t h e m a j ordomo L a i W a n g a n n ou n ce d exc i t edly He cam e s tr a i ght i n .

th e g a t e w i th ou t c e r emo n y a n d w i th ou t h a vi n g fir s t p rese n te d his vi s i t

”
in g c a rd a n d h e is a lrea dy o n t he w a y t o th e b an qu etin g h a ll
,
.

Wh i l e Mr Ch en g u tt e rly dumfo un d e d w as wo n de ri n g wha t o n earth

.
, ,

co uld h a ve move d th e M in i s ter of F in a n c e w hom he kne w o n ly s l i gh t ly , ,

t o p a y t h i s s udd e n vi s i t an d w h eth e r h e would b e obl i g e d t o i n v i te hi m

,

t o t h e b an qu et a se co n d r e por t w a s broug h t t o h i m t o th e eff e c t th a t

,

th e M i n i st er h a d a lr e a dy p a s se d thr ough th e se co n d g a t e w a y an d would

a rr i v e i n t h e h a ll i mm e d i a t ely .

Mr Ch en g du t i fully h urri e d t o we lcom e him He sa w h im alrea dy

.
. ,

a ccomp a n i e d by s i x a t te n d an ts w a lk i n g st r a i g h t up t o th e m am h a ll
,

wi t h out ce remon y o r g ree t in g w i th an i ron i ca l smi le o n hi s li ps Tha t

,
.

ce rt a i n ly di d n o t look li ke a pri va te vi s i t b ut r a ther a n offi c i al o n e A s , ,

.

h e a ppea re d a s udd en h u s h fell o n th e m e rry b a n qu e t i n g ta ble Eve ry .

on e .
ro se a n d bow e d s ti ffly a n d r e s pe c t fully an d th e n h a lf th e pe opl e
,

sli pp e d a w a y o n e a ft er an o th e r
,
o ut of t h e h a ll ,
Mr C hen g p resse d . .

Mr C h a o w h o st i ll r em a i n ed s il en t sm i li n g di s da in fully t o tak e a sea t

.
, , , ,

j u b g g o v i o l co v r ti o bou t th e wea th er
a n d w as st e in n i n a c n e n t n a n e s a n a ,

“
T h e Pri n ce o f
 M r C h en g h urr i e d
. o ut of th e b e ll
m eet th e seco n d i llus tr i ous
_
to
v i s i t or a n d r es p e c t fully gr eet e d h i m fa ll in g o n h i s kn ees The Pr i n ce
, , .

h e lp e d h i m t o h i s fe et i n a fr i en dly m a n n er .

“
N a t ur a lly I would n o t h a v e i n t rude d h er e in th i s un c er emon i ou s
,
” “
fa sh i o n w i t h ou t s pe c i a l r ea s on h e sa i d se r i ous ly b ut court e ou sly It
, .

i s my du t y t o a n n ou n c e a n Imp e r i a l d ecr ee t o Pr i n c e S h i eh W i ll th e .

h o n or e d fr i e n d s a n d gu ests pl ea se w i t h dr a w fir st ? Th e d e cree i s o n ly
”
m ea n t for t he p e opl e of th e w est ern p a l a c e
'

“
Your H i ghn ess n o doub t m e a n s w ell b ut i n ord e r n o t t o r en de r
‘

mor e d i ffi cul t t h e t a sk o f th e Pr i n c e w h o i s offic i a t i n g i n t h e w est e rn

p a l ac e a s ex e cu t or of th e I mp e r i a l w i sh e s I h a v e a lr ea dy h a d all th e ,

ex i t s clo se d by my offic er s obj e ct e d Mr C h a o

, . .

“
V ery w ell S en d som e of your m en w i th th e gen t le m en so th a t th e y
. ,

can g e t o u t w i t h ou t d i ffi cul t y
_
s a i d th e Pr i n c e w i t h a s m i l e
, .
\

T h e fr i g h t en e d fr i en d s a n d gu es t s d i s p e r s e d l i ke s mok e O n ly Pr i n c e .

S h i eh C h i a C hen g a n d a few m a l e r e l a t i ves r e m a i n e d i n t h e h all

, , ,

t r e mbl i n g a n d l i v i d M ea n t i m e u n i form e d m en s udd en ly s w a rm e d a ll

.

ove r t h e p a l a c e All t h e bu i ld i n g s w e r e occup i e d ; a ll th e g a t es w e re

.

locke d No o n e w a s a llow e d t o mov e from wh e r e h e w a s A s s oo n a s

. .

Mr C h a o a nn ou n c e d t h a t t h e t a sk of lock i n g up an d occupy i n g t h e
. ,

p a l a c e pr em i ses h a d b een compl et e d t h e Pr i n c e o f th e E a s t e rn Cov e

,

n a n t s t e pp e d forw a rd t o m a k e h i s c e r emo n i a l procl a m a t i o n of t h e Im

p e r i a l d ecree Ly i n g subm i ss i v ely o n t h e i r st om a ch s i n th e cour t y a rd

.
,

a t t h e foo t of t h e s t e p s l e a d i n g t o t h e h a ll Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d t he ,

m e mb e r s of h i s cl a n l i st en e d wh i l e t h e Pr i n ce st an d i n g o n a d a i s a bov e , ,

r ea d t he d e cr ee i n th e n a m e of t he Mo st H i gh O n e Pr i n c e S h i eh h a d
.
.

b e en c a rry i n g o n un la w f ul i n t r i gu es w i th offi c i a l s i n t h e prov i n c es an d

‘

h a d m i s u s e d t h e pow e r of t h e S t a t e t o oppr es s t h e w ea k He h a d t h e r eby .

forfe i te d t h e Imp e r i a l fa vor w h i c h h a d b een l a v i sh e d upo n h i m for t h e

s a k e of h i s i llu s t r i ou s a n c es t or s a n d a s pu n i s h m e n t h e would lo s e t h e
,

pr i n c ely t i t l e a n d t he pr i vi l e g es wh i ch w en t w i t h i t The Pr i n c e h a d .

b een i n st ruc t e d w i t h a greem en t of t h e M i n i st e r of F i n an ce t o t a k e h i m

, ,

i n t o cu s t ody a n d t o con fi s c a t e h i s prop e rt y So th e d e cr ee ra n . .

“ ”
Arr est C h i a S hi e h ! t h u n d e r e d t h e M i n i st e r of F i n an c e t o h i s o f
fi ce rs wh e n t h e Pr i n c e h a d fi n i s h e d r ea d i n g t h e d ecr ee
, .

Th e s ea rc h of t h e pre m i s es a n d th e co n fi s c a t i o n o f prop e rt y could

n o w s t a rt i n r e a l e a r n es t D i v i d e d in t o group s t h e con st a bl es a n d
.
,

s h e r i ff s offi c e r s w h o w e r e bur n i n g w i t h ea g e r n ess for t h e h un t a n d

’
,

rubb i n g t h e i r h a n d s w i th j oy i n a n t i c i pa t i on of th e r i ch boo t y w er e le t ,

loo s e o n t he i n d i v i du a l dw ell i n g s The r e w a s a sl i gh t d i ff e r en c e o f

.

op i n i o n b et ween t he Pr i n c e w h o w a s t ry i n g t o m i ti g a te th e m ea sur es
,
.

t o b e t a k en a n d c h o s e t o i n t e rpr e t t h em a s r e fe rr i n g o n ly t o t h e dw e ll in g

of Pr i n c e S h i eh an d th e M i n i ste r w h o i n si st e d t h a t th ey sh ould ex t en d
, ,

5 34
an d w i th rs i mplor e d m ercy T h e Pr i n c e k i n dly ra i sed h i m t o h i s
t ea .

feet a n d i n form e d h i m of th e comfort i n g t erm s of th e n ew d e cree ,

w h e r e upo n Mr C h en g gre a t ly r el i e v e d t urn e d t ow a rds the n or th an d

.
, ,

p e rform e d a kowt ow of t h a n ksg i v i n g .

“
Th e m a tt e r of th e forb i dd en a r t i cl es from th e Imp e ri a l P a l a c e a n d
t he us u rl o u s mo n e y bu s i n ess i s o f cours e a d e l i c a t e o n e
,
t h e Pr i n c e
, ,
“
h i n te d t o h i m It can b e m a i n t a i n e d h ow e ve r th a t t h e form e r o b
.
, ,

e cts w e r e pr e sen t s from your eld es t d a ug h t e r t h e l a t e Imp er i a l w i fe

j , ,

B e g i n n i n g of Spr i n g a n d t hi s would excu se t h e i r pre sen c e h e r e O n

,
.

t h e o th er h a n d h o w ca n t h i s mo n e y bu si n e s s b e e xcu s e d ? T h a t w i ll b e
,

mor e d i fficul t A s r e g a rd s th e co n fi sca t i o n s I h a v e to re qu e st yo u t o

'

.
,

comp i l e a c ompl et e a n d t ru th ful l i st of th e mova bl e good s b elon g in g

”
t o yo u r bro t h e r S h i eh .

Whi l e th e m a l e m e mb er s of t h e cl a n h a d b e en b an qu et i n g w i t h th ei r
fr i en d s a n d a cqu a i n t a n c es i n t h e gr ea t h a ll o n th a t un for t un a t e a ft er
n oo n t h e f e m a l e m emb e r s o i t h e f a m i ly h a d a ss e mbl e d i n t h e h om e of
,

t h e An c e s t or s l i ke w i s e t o c el e br a t e C h i a C h e n g s r et urn wi t h a f e as t
’
.
,
’
In t h e m i d s t of t h e m e rry b a n qu et o n e of Pr i n c ess S h i eh s s e rv i n g
wom en c a m e ru n n i n g i n cry i n g e xc i t e dly : W o e ! W o e ! Th i eves a n d
r obb e rs a re br ea k i n g up t h e cupbo a rd s a n d box e s a n d t urn i n g e ve ry ,

”
t h i n g up s i d e dow n a n d dr a gg i n g our th i n g s a w a y !
,

T he l a di es ha d n o t yet r e cov e re d from t h e fir s t sh ock wh en th e

w a i t i n g m ai d Li tt l e P i n g c a me ru sh i n g i n u tt er i n g sh r i ll cr i es of di s
,

t r ess w i t h h er h a i r h an g i n g loo se dr a gg i n g t h e l i tt l e d a ugh t e r o f

, ,

P hoe n i x a fter h er .

“
I w a s j ust t a k i n g a m e a l w i t h the l i t t l e gi rl sh e r epor t e d br eath ,
“
le ssly w h en s udd enly our L a i W a n g w a s broug ht i n l a d en w i th ch a in s
,

by a t roop of m en i n u n i form I w a n t t o i n form t h e l a d i e s th a t t h ey

.
‘

sh ould w i t h dr a w a t o n c e
’
w a s a ll th a t h e sa i d for a s qu a d of pol i c e w a s
, ,

o n h i s h ee l s t o m a ke a se a rc h a n d t o s ei z e th i n g s I w a n t e d t o g a t h e r up .

a f ew v a lu a bl e t h i n g s qu i ckly b u t t h e s t r a n g e m en pu sh e d m e o u t t h e
,

door T h e l a d i es mu st t a k e th e mo s t n e c ess a ry t h i n g s w i th t h em qu i ckly

.

”
a n d h i d e t h em se lv e s !

T h e u t mo st co n fu s i o n en s u e d All t h e l a d i es j ump e d up from t h ei r

.

s ea ts a n d h urr i e dl y gr a bb e d a t t h i s a n d t h a t Ev e ryo n e sh ou t e d a .

sa m e t i m e a n d n o t a s en s i bl e word could b e h ea rd
, .

s o effi c i en t i n d e a l i n g w i t h d iffi cul t c i rcum st a n c es h a d n o t move d a ,

’
li mb a n d l i st en e d w i th st r a n ge ly t e rr i fi e d w i d e op en e y es t o th e m a i d s
,
-

r e por t ; n o w sh e s udd en ly fell down i n a fa i nt In t h e g en e ra l conf as i on . ,

w h i l e s om e w e re a t t en d i n g t o th e f a i n t i n g wom a n a n d o the r s w e re
gr a bb i n g h old of u sel e ss a r t i cl es w it h ou t kn ow i n g wh ere to take them ,

C h i a L i en c a m e ru s h i n g i n p a n ti n g , .

S36
 ”
Good ne ws ! he
cr i ed to the fr i gh te n e d wom en Th a n ks to th e i a .

t erv en t i o n o f t he Pr i n c es t he wor s t d a n ge r h a s b ee n a ve r te d ! ”
,

He w a s s to rm e d w i t h qu est i o n s from a l l s i d es He w a i ted u n t i l s ome

‘

k i n d o f ord e r ha d b een re st ore d a n d u n t i l the m a i d L i tt l e P i n g h a d

h e lp e d t he d i s t r a ug h t P h o e n i x to h er fee t a n d M a n d a r i n Duck ha d ut
p
t he A n c e s t r e s s w h o w a s g a s p i n g for br e a th down o n a couc h T he n
, , .

he r el a te d i n th e fullest d e t a i l ho w t he tw o Pri n c es h a d k i n dly in te r

ven e d a n d for t u n a te ly p ut a st op j u st i n t im e t o the h a voc wh i ch w as
b e i n g wrought by t he ru t h less M in i s te r o f F i n a n ce B ut i n ord e r n o t to .

c a u s e t h e l a d i es re n ewe d co n ste rn a t i o n he di d n o t m en ti o n for the

pre se n t the fa c t tha t Pr i n c e S hi eh ha d b een a rr es te d A s soo n a s h e ha d .

fulfille d h i s m i ss i o n of c a lm i n g th e l a d i es he l e ft them a n d hurr i ed o ff

-

to h i s o w n dwe ll i n g t o see w h a t w a s go i n g o n t h e r e .

He fou n d h i s h om e i n a s ta te o f w i ld d i sord e r Cupbo a rd s a n d box es .

a n d c h es t s h a d b ee n broke n ope n a n d h a lf th e co n ten ts plu n d e r e d .

Whi l e he w a s ob se rv i n g the d a m a ge pe t r i fi ed w i th sh ock a n d r a ge he

, ,

h ea rd a murmur of vo i c es w h i c h c am e from a group o f m e n ou ts i d e i n

t h e for e cour t He w en t o ut a n d fou n d C h i a C h e n g i n t h e pr e se n c e of
.
,

th e tw o Pr i n c e s a n d se v e r a l offi c er s of t he M i n i s t e r of F i n a n c e m a ki n g .

o u t a l i st of Pr i n c e S h i e h s po ss es s i o n s w h i c h we re b e i n g co n fi s ca te d
’
.
,

Pr i n c e S h i e h s ma j ordomo w a s a ss i s t in g h i m F i n a lly t he l i st w as co m
’
.

p le t e d an d r e a d a loud a n d C h i a L i e n h e a rd
,

C o ld h ea d orn a m en ts o n e h u n dre d a n d t w en ty p i e c es ; tw elve pe a rl

,

n e ckl a c e s ; tw o fl a t gold d i s h es ; four gold cup s ; for t y gold s poo ns ;

ei gh t y s i lv e r ea t i n g bowl s ; t we n t y s i lv e r pl a t e s ; t h r ee se ts of g i ld e d

i vory c h op s ti ck s ; four g i ld e d p i tc he rs ; s i x g i lde d gobl ets ; se v en ty

s i lv e r pl a t es ; th i r ty s i x s i lv e r w i n e t a n k a rd s ; fif t y oun c es o f gold
-

i n go t s ; fi v e t h ou s a n d t w o h un dre d oun c es o f s i lve r i n go t s ; seve n

t h ou sa n d t h ou sa n d p i e c e s t r i n g s of coppe r mo n e y ; th i rt y s i x s able
-
-

s k i n s ; so a n d so m a n y sk i n s of a ll k i n d s of a n i m a l s ; h u n dr e d s o f furs

a n d st a t e rob es h u n dr e d s o f b a l es of a ll k i n d s of m a t e r i a l h u n dr e ds
, ,

o f bro n z e a n d j a d e orn a m en t s a n d s o i t w e n t o n an d o n i n a
’

se e m i n gly e n dl ess l i st T he prom i ss ory n o t es o f Ph oe n i x s m on ey

.

t r an s a c t i o n s w e r e a ls o m e n t i o n e d .

? ”
“
W h o h a s a c t u a lly b ee n c a rry in g o n th is u s uri ous bus i n ess Chi a
Li e n h ea rd the t w o Pri n ces as kin g se vere ly Mr Ch en g th rew hi mse lf . .

“
o n th e grou n d m a d e a kow t ow a n d r e.pl i e d : I t h e l a
, gg a rd of fi c i al ,
,

co r d m lf b ou t h bu i f t h e h ous e h old I kn ow
h a v e n o t n ce n e y s e a t e s n ess o .

o
n th i n g bou t i B p
t t r h s m n e p h e w C h i a L i en c a n g i v e you so m e
a u . e a
p y
”
i n for mat i o n .

Whe n Ch i a Li en h ea rd hi s nam e b e prompt ly c am e forwar d thr ew ,

h
"
m f
h i sel a t th e eet f of t he P ri n c es a n d a d m ,
i tt e d : S i n ce t e c o n fi sca t ed

mort g a ge d eeds an d prom iss ory n o tes were foun d in my h ome I n at ,

53 7
ur a l ly t a e th e
k bl a me fo r t hem I b eg o f you gr a c i ou sly t o fr ee my
. .

”
un cl e o f an y r espon si b i li t y i n th e m att er He kn e w n o th i n g a bout i t . .

“
V e ry well Your a dm i ssi on do es yo u cr ed i t S i n ce yo ur f ath er h a s
. .

b een foun d gu i l t y i n a n y c a se w e sh a ll let h i m a t o n e f or th i s off en se

,

a ls o You yours elf mu st r em a i n for t he pre sen t un d er pol i c e s upe r

.

v i si on T h e o the r m e mb er s o f th e f a m i ly are fr ee an d m a y ret urn t o

. .

”
th ei r re s pe c t i v e dw ell i n g s t h e Pr i n c e s d ec i d e d
, .

“
B ut yo u ough t t o supe rv i se your f a m i ly mor e clo se ly i n t he fu t ur e ,

o ld C h en g ! A n d n ow m a y i t pl ea se yo u t o a w a i t furth e r i n st ruc t i on s .

W e mu st r et urn t o th e Imp er i a l P a l a c e a t on ce an d pl a ce o ur report

”
b e for e t h e Th ron e .

A n d s o C h i a L i en a c t i n g o n a n obl e i mpul se sa v ed M a d a m e
, ,

P h o en i x from d i s gra c e a n d i n do i n g so m a d e a m en d s for much o f th e

i n j u st i c e wh i c h h e h a d do n e h er i n t h e p a st .

Th e Pr i n c es go t i n t o th e i r se d a n c h a i r s a n d w e re born e a w a y Mr . .

C hen g at t h e h e a d o f th o se m a l e m emb e rs of t h e cl an w h b w e r e st i ll
,

fr ee escor te d th em t o th e g a t es A t th e i n n e r g a t e th e Pr i n c e o f th e
,
.
-

Nort h e rn Qu i et n e ss h a d h i s se d a n c h a i r st opp e d on c e mor e Mr Ch en g . .

a n d h i s comp a n i on s i mm e d i a t e ly gen u fl ect e d a t th e door T h e Pr i n c e .

s t r et c h e d o u t h i s h a n d t o Mr C h en g . .

“
Do n o t worry ! Ev e ry th i n g w i ll b e a ll r i ght h e sa i d k i n dly , .

Fr i en dly symp a th y w a s d i st i n ct ly wr i t t en o n h i s f a c e Mr C h en g t urn e d . .

b a ck grea t ly r ea ss ure d a n d di rect e d h is st ep s t owa rd s th e i nn er ch a m

, _

b e r s P a ssi n g t h rough gr oup s o f e xc i t e d se rvi n g wom en a n d m a i ds

.
,

w h o w e r e a ll ch a tt e r i n g a t t h e s a me t i m e h e a r ri v e d a t t h e h om e o f ,

th e A n c es t r e ss H e fou n d h e r ly i n g o n a couc h w ee p i n g qu i e t ly s ur
.
, ,

r oun d e d by her l a d i es a n d a l so M an d a r i n Duck a n d P a o Y u an d

, , ,

Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp Pr i n c ess S h i eh sa t a l i t t l e a p a r t cry i n g loudly Sh e

.
, .

w as t h e o n ly o n e w h o h a d n o t ye t pull e d h e r s e lf t og et h e r H i s a rr i v a l i h .

s p i r e d t h e l a d i es w i t h n ew cour a g e .

“
I di d n o t th i n k t h a t I would se e you a g a i n sa i d th e A n c estr ess , ,

op en i n g h er e y es a n d br e a k i n g i n t o loud s obb i n g i n w h i c h th e r e st of ,

t h e comp a n y i mm e d i a t ely j o i n e d H i s r ea ss ur i n g a ccoun t of t h e Pr i n c es

’
.

pro t e c t i o n wh i c h h a d a v e rt e d t h e wor st a n d whi ch could b e cou n t ed

,

upo n for th e fu t ur e c a u se d t he ch oru s of s obb i n g t o ea se o ff on ly t o

, ,

r i se a g a i n a t th e n ew s of t h e a rr est of Pr i n c e S h i eh Pr i n c ess S h i eh fel t .

oppresse d by th e comp a n y of t h e o th er s a n d sl i pp e d a w a y t o w ee p ,

a lo n e i n h er o w n h om e B u t sh e fou n d t h e g a t es lock e d a g a i n st h er an d
.

n o n e o f h er s t a ff w a s t o b e s e en ; t h e y w e r e a ll sh u t up b eh i n d bol t e d

doo rs .

Cry i n g loudly sh e ra n t o t h e h ome o f P h oen i x t o fi n d comfort w i th

,

h er Sh e foun d t h e en t r an c e t o a si d e bu i ld i n g i n w h i c h P h o en ix ke pt
. ,

h er a ccoun t books a n d tr eas ure c h es ts lock e d a d sea l e d up w i th re d ,

p
5 38
be lock e d up i n h i s old age ! I b elon g e d t o th e w estern p a l a c e I t old ,

t h em a n d m a d e off Th ey st opp e d m e o n t h e w a y a n d brough t m e

, .

h e r e A n d w h o would h a ve th ough t I d fi n d t h i n g s j u s t a s b a d h e re a s
’
.

over i n th e ea ste rn p a l a c e ? B ut t o b e locke d up ? No ! I d r a t h e r di e a ’

”
free m a n !
A n d lu n g i n g forw a rd d efi an t ly a s i nh i s figh t i n g d a y s o f lo n g a go t h e ,

o ld c h a mp i o n m a d e t o a tt a ck h i s gu a rd s : B ut o ut of r esp e c t for h i s gra y

h a i r s a n d rem emb e r i n g t h e Pr i n c e s i n st ruc t i o n s t o t r ea t t h e se rv an ts

’
,

w i th th e gr ea t est co n si d e r a t i on t h e gu a rd s a vo i d e d a n a ct u a l figh t a n d
,

t a lke d p e r s u a s i v e ly an d a pp ea s i n gly t o t h e o l d h o th e a d Th e y w e r e .

h er e o n h i gh e r ord ers a n d w ere o n ly do i n g t h ei r du t y th e y t old h i m , .

S i n c e h e w a s he r e n o w th e y h a d n o obj e c t i on t o h i s st a yi n g h ere '

q ui et ly H e sh ould j u s t m a ke h i m se lf comfort a bl e an d w a i t p a ti en t ly
.

un t i l n ew i n st ruc t i on s a rr i v e d A t t hi s th e old m a n c a lme d down

. .

A n d s o C h i a C h en g l ea rn e d by c han c e from t h e mou th of th e f a i t h ful

b ut t ough old m an of t h e ru i n wh i ch h a d b e f a ll en th e e a st e rn p a l a c e .

A n d he h a d to a dm i t w i th sh a m e th a t t h e s corn e d a n d r es e n t e d old
a dmo n i sh e r a n d grumbl e r h a d b een ri gh t i n h i s w e ll i n t en t i o n e d w a m -

i n g s a ll th ose y ea rs .

“
Th i s i s t h e e n d ! We r e fi n i she d ! Wh o would h a ve th ough t t h a t o ur
’

”
pr oud ra c e sh ould o n e da y si n k i n mud a n d filt h l i ke th i s mu t t e r e d
?

Mr C h en g a s h e t urn e d b a ck t o h i s st udy d ee ply Ieject e d He h a d

.
, .

b een p a c i n g up a n d down for s om e t im e s un k i n th ough t an d t en se ,

’
,

w i t h expe c t at i on when H s u eh Kuo c a m e rus h i n g i n p a n t i n g a n d

, ,

g a sp i n g .

“
It s good th a t yo u h a v e com e sa i d Mr ; C hen g t o t h e w e lcom e m es
’
.

“
s en g e r from t h e ou t s i d e w orld
‘
B u t h o w di d you g et t h em t o let you
. .

”
in ?
“
Wi th mon ey a n d fri en dl yword s .

We ll do n e ! I sh ll n ee d you a s a m essenge r On e m a y h a ve a h o st
a .

o f good f i en d s a n d a cq u a i n t a n c es b u t wh en t h er e i s a fi re
r
,
t h e y al l ,
” “
l e a ve o n e i n t he lurch mu tt e r e d C hi a C h en g Wh a t a c t u a lly i s th e
, .
, ,

? ”
ch a rge ag a i n st o ur p e opl e ove r i n t h e e a ste rn p a l a c e
“
I w a s a t th e M i n i st ry of Ju st i c e th i s morn i n g 1 n q u1 r1 n g a bou t H su eh
“
P an
”
,
r e porte d H s u eh Kuo Th ere I foun d o u t som e d et a i l s r eg a rd i n g
.

t h e r ea s o n for t h e pr oc e e d i n gs a g a i n st Co us i n C h e n T h e a c t i o n h a d i ts .

ori g i n i n t w o b i ll s of i n d i ct m en t lodg e d by tw o publ i c C en s or s H e i s .

a ccu se d of h old i n g g a m b l i n g o r gi e s i n h i s p a l a c e a n d s e du c i n g a n d
~

l e a d i n g a st r a y you n g s on s of nobl e fa m i l i es B ut th a t i s t he l esser

‘

c h a rge The o th er a ccu s a t i on i s mo re se r i ou s a n d i t i s th a t h e for ce d

. ,

you n g g i rl s of good fam i ly i n t o co n cub i n a ge an d t hen h a rr i e d t h em t o

d ea t h by b a d t re a t men t By t hi s th ey m ean o ur cous i n s th e se co n d Y u
.
,

a n d t h e t h i rd Y u Th e C en s ors b a se t h ei r a ccus a t i o n on t h e e v i d en c e o f
.

3 40
th e g ambl e r a n d wa st er C ha n g Hua w ho w as formerly b e tro th ed t o
, ,

t he se co n d Y u a n d o f your form e r se rv an t L i t tl e P a o w ho l a t e r w i th
, , , ,

h i s w i fe kep t h ou s e for t he seco n d Y u when she l i ve d b e h i n d t he

,

p a l a c e i n th e La n e of the Flower i n g Bra n c h Fur ther .

C h i a h
C n g di d n o t let h i m fi n i sh s pe aki n g Te rr ible ! Te rr i ble !
e
“
.
.

”
Thi s i s th e en d! he ra ge d a n gr i ly st amp ing h i s foo t
, .

“
More ov e r the C en sor L i ha s h a n d e d i n a b i ll o f i n d i c tm ent a g a i nst
,

”
th e Pre fe c t o f P i n g a n C h ow “
co nt i n ue d Hsue h Kuo He i s c ha rge d
, .

w i th ha v i n g a cc ep te d br i b es a n d de fea ted t he en d s o f j u st i ce i n collu

s i o n w i t h a corrup t cl i qu e of i n flu en t i a l pe ople in th e c a p i t a l an d ,

c a u se d i n n oc e n t c i t i z e n s
“
0

”
S t op ! i n te rrup te d C h i a C h en g i mp a t i en tly W e h av e en ough .

t roubl e s of o u r o w n W h y s h ould o th e r pe opl e s aff a i rs co n c e rn us ?

’ "
.

“
W h y sh ouldn t th e y i n d ee d ? Th e p e rs o n w h o br i b e d t he P re fe c t i s
’

your o w n eld er bro t he r Pr i n c e S hi eh a n d the cl i qu e a re your good

, ,

fr i en d s a n d a cqu a i n t a n ces ! Th a t i s j u st w hy the y a re rem a i n i n g i n

vi si ble a n d e ve n t od a y t he y di d n o t d a r e t o a ppe a r a t t he morn i ng a ud i
,

e n c e a t t he Cour t T h e y ha ve fl e d from th e c a p i t a l a n d w i ll s ta y a t a
.

s a fe d i s t a n c e un t i l t h e st orm h a s blow n ov e r T he m a tte r i s th e ta lk .

o f th e t own o f cour s e a n d pe opl e a re wo n d e r i n g to wh om th e pr i nc e ly

, ,

t i tl es h o n or a bly a c q u i re d by t he A n c est or s of th e C h i a fa m i ly w i ll
, ,

p a ss w hen t h e presen t h olde r s Cou si n C hen a nd Un cl e S hi eh ha ve , ,

b ee n d e pri ve d of them .

Mr C hen g would n o t li s ten t o Hsu eh Kuo an y lo n ger

. .

“
Th e y h a v e bo th a c te d mos t i rres po n s i bly he sa i d an gri ly b ut , ,

th i s i s n o t i m e for l en gt h y re cr i m i n a t i o n I mus t go t o th e o ld Ta i ta i .

a t o n c e a n d s ee i f sh e i s s t i ll a l i ve You kee p your ea rs ope n a n d t ry .

t o fi n d o ut w h a t i s go i n g o n a n d i f t h er e i sa n y thi n g n ew t o re por t do
‘

, ,

”
n o t f a i l t o com e ov e r a t o n c e .

CHA PTER 4 8

Th e Pri n cess A n ces t ress prost ra t e b efore h ea v en no b ly ta k es upo n

, ,
he r
o w n h ea d th e gu ilt o f th e w ho le cla n a nd g en e ro us ly d i s t ri b ut es ,
h er
t r eas ur es Th e I m p e r i a l gra c e i s sh o w ered upo n C h i a C he ng and
. ,
th e

pri n c e t i t le r est ored o n c e m ore i s pa s se d o n t o h i m

, ,
.

C H I A C HENG F O UN D THE A N C E S T R E S S IN A S E R I O US C O NDITI O N S H E .

j u
h a d st h a d a se v e re a t ta ck o f as thm a , a n d w as st i ll s
’

t ru ggl i n g l a bor i

an d
O us ly for b rea th H e i mplore d h er n o t t o e xc i te h e rse lf t oo muc h
.

k c r of h pr c i ou lif e so th a t h e r u n du t i f ul s o ns woul d n o t
t o ta e a e e r e s ,

h a ve e ven m or e ca use for s e lf re p ro a ch -

.

54 ]
 “ ? ”
Wha t i s t h er e l e ft for m e t o l i v e for sh e
ga sp e d I a m ov e r .

ei g h t y y ea r s of a e Th an ks t o th e ble ss i n gs whi ch h a ve com e from “

g .

o ur a n c est ors I w a s abl e t o en jo y a h a ppy you t h an d m a rri e d l i f e A n d .

n o w t o com e t o s uc h d i s gr a c e i n my o l d a e ! It would h a v e b een b e tt er

g
”
h a d I clo se d my e y es lo n g a go !
Wh i le Mr C hen g w a s sti ll a n x i ously t ry i n g t o cheer h er w i th k i n d
.

word s th e lo n ge d f o r n ew s c a me a t l a st th a t a m e ssen ge r h a d a rr i ve d
,
-

from th e Imp er i a l P a l a c e W i t h a p a lp i ta ti n g hea rt Mr C hen g rush e d

. .

o ff t o th e fro n t r e c e p t i o n h a ll Th e r e t h e p a l a c e s up er i n t en d e n t of t h e
.

Pri n c e o f th e Nort h e rn Qu i et n ess w a s a w a i t i n g h i m H i s e xpressi on .

prom i se d good n e ws .

“ ”
Good t i d i n gs ! h e b eg a n w i th a sm i l e My m a ste r th e Pr i n c e h a s .

re pr esen t e d your c a se v ery ea rn e st ly b e for e t he Th ro n e a n d h e a n d ,

th e Pr i n c e of t h e E a st e rn Cov e n an t h a v e s ucc ee d e d b et w een th e m i n

t ouc h i n g t h e h e a r t of t h e S o n of H ea v en Mor e ov e r t h e m e mory o f .
,

h i s vi rt uou s w i fe your e ld est d a ug h t e r o n ly r ec en t ly d e c e a se d h a s i n

, , ,

cl i n e d t h e Imp e r i a l Lord t o cl e me n cy a n d move d h i m t o pe rm i t yo u

t o r e t a i n your po si t i o n a t t h e M i n i s t ry of Works Th e co n fi s c a t i o n o f .

prop er t y i s to b e co n fi n e d s ol ely t o th e p e rs on a l prope r t y of yo

bro th er S hi eh Wh a t ev er el se h a s b een co n fi s c a te d from t h e w est e rn
.

p a l a c e w i ll b e r est or e d O f cour se t h e lo a n docum en ts t a ken from yo

.
,

n e p h e w C h i a L i en w i ll b e ex a m i n e d a g a i n by my pr i n c e ly m a st e r If .

i t i s prov e d t h a t u s uri ou s bu si n ess of a n i ll e g a l n a t ur e h a s b een ca r

r i e d o n th e docum en t s mu st rem a i n un d er con fi sc a t i on Your ne phe w
, .

L i en w i ll lo se h i s offi c i a l r a n k b ut o t h e rw i se he w i ll b e free a n d h e n ee d
,
”
n o t exp e c t a n
y furt h e r pun i sh m e n t .

Mr C hen g j oyfully p e rform e d t wo k owt ows o f t h an ks o n e for th e

.
,

So n of H ea v en a n d o n e for t h e Pri n c e He would a pp e a r a t t h e e a rly .

morn i n g a ud i en c e t omorr ow w i th ou t f a i l t o p a y h i s r es p e cts t o th e ,

Pr i n ce h e s a i d S h ort ly a fte r th e sup e r i n t en d en t h a d gon e t h e prom i se d

, .

Imp eri a l d e cr ee a rr i v e d an d w a s p ut i n t o force i mm e d i a t ely Un fo r .

t un a t ely C h i a L i en s pl ea s ur e at b e i n g le t o ff so e a s i ly w a s cloud e d by
’
,

th e f a c t th a t t h e t r ea s ur e ch es t s b e lo n g i n g t o h i m self a n d h i s w i fe h a d
a lr e a dy b ee n plun d e r e d by t h e co n st a bl e s a n d b a i l i ff s o f t h e M i n i st e r

o f F i n a n c e b e for e t h e Pr i n c e h a d i n t e rv e n e d a n d t h e good s could n o t ,

b e recl a i m e d for w a n t of a n i n ve n t ory a n d r e c e i p t s A h o a rd a mou n t .

i n g t o s e v en t y or e i gh t y t h ou s an d ou n c es of gold w h i ch Ph o en i x h a d ,

b u si ly a ccum ul a t e d thr ough o ut th e y ea rs w a s t h us i rr et ri e v a bly lo st ,

.

From o n e da y t o t h e n ex t Ph oen i x sa w h er self ch e at e d o f th e fru i ts of

h er lon g s t a n d i n g effic i en t ly ope r a t e d pr i v at e bu si n es s ; sh e w a s n ever
,

t o re cov e r from t h e blow .

O f cour se w i th i n t he f a m i ly c i rcle th e r e w as n o la ck of mu t u a l t e
'
,

p ro a ch a n d b a d t empe re d recri rni n a t i on Mr C h en g w h o h a d n ev er

-
. .
,

542
 ”
Th i s l a st st r a w ! gro a n e d Mr C hen g Un d er t he pre sent ci r
i s the . .

?
cum st an ce s wh e r e could h e fi n d fi v e t h ou s a n d oun c es i mm e d i a t e ly
“
Suc h a s coun dre l o f a so n i n la w ! I n st ea d of a ss i st i n g h i s fa th er i n
- - -

la w i n h i s n ee d or a t l ea s t s h ow i n g h i m s ymp a th y h e com es a lo n g
, ,
”
wi t h s uch un fi li a l a n d u n rea s o n a bl e d em an d s ! sa i d Mr C h en g s .
’

fri en d s i n d i gn an t ly .

“
I w a rn e d a g a i n st th i s m a t ch from t he b eg i n n i n g b ut n o o n e would ,

”
l i st en t o i n e My poor un for t u n a t e n i e c e s i ghe d Mr C hen g Sorry
.
, , . .

a s h e w a s h e h a d t o l et t h e m e ssen g e r d e p a rt s h rugg i n g h i s sh ould er s

,

a n d w i th e mp t y h a n d s a n d Gr ee t i n g of Spr i n g h a d t o co n t i n u e la n
,

g u i sh i n g i n t h e po w e r of a n u n wor t h y h u s b an d .

T h e n ex t da y a t t h e e a rly a ud i en c e Mr C h en g p erform e d h i s kow

, , .

to w of t h a n ks a n d t h e n h e p a i d h i s r e s p e c t s t o t h e Pr i n c e s of th e
,

E a st ern Cov en an t a n d of t h e Nor th e rn Qu i e tn e ss an d a ls o t o t h e C h a n

cello r a n d b e gg e d t h ei r k in dly i n t e rc e s s i o n for Bro th e r S h i e h a n d
,

Cou si n C h en .

Ph o e n i x w a s compl et ely broken by a ll t h a t h a d h a pp en e d a n d ,

t or t ur e d by fr i g h t ful qu a lm s of co n sc i en c e No w s h e b i t t e rly re gr e t t e d .

t h a t sh e h a d no t t a k en t h e l a t e K o C h i n g s a dv i c e a n d i n v e st e d t h e
’

s urplu s mo n e y i n a f a m i ly t ru st prop e rt y w h i c h would b e s a f e from

con fi s c a t i on by t he S t a t e I n s te a d of th a t sh e h a d b ee n fool i sh en ough

.
,

t o p i l e up b a r s o f gold a n d si lv e r a n d t o fill t r ea s ur e t run ks w h i c h ,

could b e plu n d ere d a t an y t i m e How cru e lly th e w i s e pr e d i c t i o n wh i c h

.

h er n i e c e Ko C h i n g h a d m a d e y e a r s a g o on h er d e a t hb e d h a d com e
t ru e !
In a dd i t i o n sh e fe lt p a i n fully a w a r e th a t th e c h a rg e w h i c h th e
,

C en sors h a d h urle d a t Cou s i n C h en— t h a t d a ugh t e r s of good fa m i l i es

h a d b e en forc e d t o b e co n cub i n es a n d t he n h a rr i e d t o d e a th by i ll
tr e a t m en t— a c t u a lly a ppl i e d t o h er T h e u n h a ppy se co n d Y u w h o se
.
,

d ea th w a s o n h er co n sc i en c e ro se b e for e h er e y es l i ke a gh o st ly pr es
‘

e n c e In t h e C en s ors b i ll of i n d i c t m en t t h e n a m e of you n g C h a n g h er
’
.
,

se cr e t t ool a n d t h e s e co n d Y u s form e r b e t ro t h e d w a s expl i c i t ly n a m e d

’
.
,

If t he Cour t w en t t o th e roo t of t he m a tte r h e r o w n gu i l t would ha ve ,

to com e t o l i gh t Sh e di d n o t d a r e co n si de r t h e co n s e qu e n c es A qu i ck
. .

d ea th w a s t h e on ly t h i n g sh e d es i re d Sh e w h o up t o n o w h a d b een
.
,

o n e of t h e mo st v a lu e d a n d r e s p e c t e d p e r s o n s i n t h e Y un gk u o p a l a c e ,

h a d lo s t f a c e forev e r Sh e r ea l i z e d t h i s from t h e gru ff a n sw e r w i th

.

wh i ch h er h u sb a n d C h i a L i en ha d bru sh e d o ff L i t t l e Pi n g wh en sh e h a d
urge d h i m t o sen d for a doct or for h er He h a d n o mo n ey t o s p a re for .

th a t n o w h e h a d t o t h i n k of h i m self h e h a d r ebu ff e d h e r bru s qu e ly

, , , .

“ ? ”
How ca n yo u even t h i n k of gett i n g a doc t or sh e s a i d r e pro a ch
fully to Li t t le P i ng a f t e rw a rd s Wh a t do es my wrecked l i fe m a tte r t o
“
.

544
me n ow ? h a rdly w a i t f o r th e en d, an d I am o n ly h esi ta ti n g b e ~
I ca n
’ ”
c a us e I c an t d e c i d e wh et he r t o sw a llow gold o r ta ke po iso n .

From th a t t i m e o n th e fa i th ful , anx i ous Li t tl e P in g di d n ot move

fr om h er si d e .

Th e A n c est r ess had rec o v ere d wi th sur pri s i n g ra p i d i t y , th an ks t o

t he comfor t i n g kn o wl e dge th a t at l e as t h e r se co n d so n C he n g s t i ll en
j oy e d th e Impe r i a l fa vor a n d th at she h ad her tw o fa vori t e gr a n dchi l
dren , Pa o Y u a n d Pr e c i ou s C la sp a lw a y s w i t h her ; i n th e m i ds t o f t he
,
'

gen e r a l co n fusi on she w a s a ll a c ti v i ty an d mo th e rly c a re Sh e open ed .

h er str o n gbox es a n d h er cupbo a rd s an d prov i ded t he i mpove ri shed

‘

la d i es , Ph o en i x an d Pri n c ess S h i eh an d Pri n c ess C hen w i th mon e y ,

an d clo t h in g Sh e sen t a c a rr i a g e to the e as te rn p a l a c e a n d ha d Pri n c ess

~
.

C hen a n d her d a ught er i n law an d tw o o f th e se co n d a ry w i ves w ho

- -

h a d sta y e d o n brough t ove r t o th e w es te rn p a la c e The o the r seco n d a ry .

w i ves h a d fl e d No n e o f th e n um e rous st aff w as th e re a n y lo nge r L i ke

. .

Pri n c e S h i eh s se rv an ts , the y ha d come un de r th e o fi ci a l co n fi sca t i o n

’

a n d h a d b e en dr a gg e d a w a y by th e b a i l i ff s t o b e publ i cly a uc t i o n e d .

T he A n c e s t ress a llow e d th e l a di es from th e e a s te rn pa l a ce to occupy

se v e r a l rooms i n h er res i d en c e pl a c e d t w o w a i t in g m a i d s an d four
,

se rv i n g wom e n a t t h e ir d i s po s a l h a d t h e m prov i d e d w i t h food from th e

,

gr ea t ki t c h en , a n d a ll o tt e d th em a fix e d mo n th ly sum as pocket mon ey ,

o n t h e sa m e in es as t h a t n orm a lly a llow e d th e m e mb e rs o f th e Y un gk u o

l
clan .

C a sh h a d a ls o to b e m a d e a v a i l abl e fo r the i mpri so ned m embers o f

t h e cl a n — Pri n c e S h i eh Pr i n c e Ch en an d C h i a Yun g—t o e ase the i r
, ,

c a p t i v i t y F a ce d wi th an emb a rr a ss in g l a ck o f fun d s C hi a Li en kne w

. ,

no wa ut e xc e p t t o se ll secret ly p a rt of t h e f am i ly propert y i n th e
y o

count ry Tru e h e di d procur e a fe w th ou sa n d oun ces i n th i s w a y an d

. ,

h a d rea dy c a sh f o r th e mome n t b ut th e doub t ful wi s dom of th is m eas

,

u re w h i c h a g a i n w a s co n t r a ry t o t h e w i se a dvi ce o f th e d e ceased Xc
, ‘

C h i n g w i ll b e seen l a ter o n Th e fa rm st ewa rds w h o sa w th e i r mas

‘

,
. ,

t e rs s pl e n dor d i sa ppe a ri n g an d w e re an x i ous a bou t th e i r o w n fu t ure

’
,

s oug h t t o s a v e w h a t could b e sa v e d b e fore th e g a t es we re cl ose d an d ,

in se cret a gr ee m en t w i th th e ten an ts s tu fi ed as muc h as the y co ul d o f

,

t h e profi ts o f th e M a n c h u ri an prope rty i n t o th e i r o w n poc kets .

’
Th e A c
n est r e s s w a s d e pr es se d by P h o e n i x s p e r pe t u a lly d o w nca st

fa c e an d th e ce a seless la m en ts of the La d i es S h i eh an d Ch en A s he a d .

of t h e C h i a cl an sh e fe l t h e rse lf t o b e pr i m a r i ly res pon s i bl e for t h e

,

uf r g w c com ov r h cl O v i g M d a ri n Duck
s fe in h i h ha d e e t e a n n e e
. e n n a n

i h an d
a nd A mbe h a d t o
r bu i ld a n i n c en se a l t ar o u t n t e op e n cour t y a rd
pr d r y r c rp i fro of i t T h t h A c e
s t ress h obbl ed
a r ed p a t t e n e n
'

e n n
s ea e a .
-

uppor t e d by h e r w a i t i n g m a i d s w e n t do w n o n h er
s ,

carpe t set a l i g h t th e st i cks of i n cense t ouche d t he

,
,

545
groun d wi th h er foreh ea d sever al t i m es and wee p i n g sen t up a sole mn
.

, , , ,

f e rv en t pr a y er t o h ea v en :
“
O M i ght y H eav en up a bove u s ! I o f th e fa m i ly o f S hi h the nu , ,

worth y h ead of th e Chi a cl an h umbly la y my se lf at T h y fe et an d 1 m

,

l o e m e r y o f Th y d i v in e m a j es t y Thr oug h out m an y g en e r a t i o n s my

p r
g
c .

ra c e h a s stri ven t o keep t o the pa th o f v i rt u e an d not t o t u rn t o th e

Wa y s of ev i l As f ar as la y 1n my pow e r I h av e en dea vore d t o b e a de
.
-

vo t e d w if e moth er an d gr a n dmo th er t o m y h us b an d chi ldren a n d

g r a ndc h i ld ren re s pe c t i ve ly Ev en i f I c ann o t cla imt o h a v e don e
, , , ,

ou t st and in gly mer i t o ri ous work n ei th er ca n I a ccuse my se lf o f a n y o ut

,
.

s ta n di n gly w i ck e d dee ds In co ns e qu en ce o f th e ar ro gan t d i ss olut e an d

'

.
, ,

s i n ful mod e of li f e of s om e o f t h e youn g e r d esc en d an ts o f o ur i llus

Turn r s orrow i n t o h a pp in ess thei r mourn i n g i n t o joy !

t h ei ,

Her pr a yer en d e d in v i ol en t s obb i n g Man d a ri n :Duck an d Amber . .

r a i se d h er t o h er feet an d s p e a ki n g comfort i n g words t o h er es cort e d

, ,

her 1 n a g a i n . r

A f ew da y s l at er C h i a C h en g w a s ordere d by an expr ess m essen ger t o

go t o th e Impe ri a l S e cre ta r i a t A t l a st t h e n ew I mp e ri a l d e cree h a d b een
. .

i s s u e d wh i ch w as t o fr ee hi m of un c e r t a i n t y re g a rdi n g t h e ul t i m a te f a t e
o f t h e i mpr i s o n e d m emb er s o f t h e cl an T ha n ks t o th e b en e vol en t rep re
.

sen t a t i o n s
p ut f o ri va rd by t h e Impe r i a l S ecr eta ri a t t o t h e Imp e r i a l
Court t h rough th e mouth o f th e Pr i n ce o f th e Nort h e rn Qu i etn ess t h e ,

n e w decree vi ew ed th e o ff ens es o f t h e
p r i n cely p ri so n er s muc h more
in dulg en t l y th an h i th e rt o excus e d a s l e g i ti ma te fa m i ly rel a t i on s th e
,

conn i v a nc e b et ween Pr i n c e S h i eh a n d th e Pre fect o f P i n g an Ch ou

, ,

a ckn owl e dg e d th a t the e cc en tr i c f a n coll e c t or h a d m et h i s d ea th th rough

-

h i s o wn fooli sh n ess a n d n o t a s a co n sequen ce o f im prope r press ur e on

t h e p a r t of Pr in c e S h i eh a n d a llow e d mor e ov er th a t Pr i n c e C he
, ,
n ha d ,

o n ly m ea n t w ell wh en h e pr e fe rr e d t o see hi s si ster i n l aw th e se co n d

'

- -

Y u l a wfully prov i d e d f or as se co n d a ry w i fe t o h i s cou si n L i en i n

, ,

v i e w of th e compl ete pov e rt y of h er b etr o th e d C h an g Hu a esp ec i a lly , ,

si n ce h en m o t h er t o o h a d ag r e e d t o th i s In t h e cas e o f t h e th i rd Y u
.
,
'
a ls o w h o h ad comm i t t e d s u i c i d e i n co nse qu en ce o f a tr a g i c e rror th er e
, ,
'

could b e n o qu esti on of compuls i on To b e sure th e a ccu se d h a d b een

.
,

gu i l t y of n um erou s off en ses a g a i n st th e la w a mon g t h e m t h e suppres ~

s i o n of a l eg a l a c t i o n th e a rr an g e m en t o f a mr i ag e duri n g t h e pe r i od
,

, ar
of Cpurt mourn i n g an d t h e se cret buri a l o f a memb e r o f t h e fam i ly
,
.

546
S h i eh C h en a n d C h i a Yun g a ppe a red Th ey fe ll pen i tent ly a t th e fee t
, , ,

o f t h e A n c es t r ess a n d cov e r ed w i th sh a m e,
b egge d for for gi ven ess ,
.

Th e re w a s a t ouch i n g fa m i ly sc en e ; the A n cest ress w as mov e d t o t ea rs

.
,

a n d s oo n h ad forgo tt en a ll h er a n g e r .

Now go t o your wi v es an d m ake th e b es t o f th e f ew sho rt h ours yo u

'

”
h a v e t og eth er ! W i th th ese word s sh e d i sm i ss e d h e r el de r son an d her
gr a n dn e ph e w Then followi n g th e i mpuls e o f h er g en erou s h ea rt sh e
.
, ,

b eckon e d t o h er si d e t h e L a d i es S h i eh an d C h en g an d th e w a i t i n g m a i d ,

M a n dari n D uck a n d b ade th em op en h er tr ea s ur e ch ests an d t a ke o ut

,

a ll t h e t r ea s ure w h i ch sh e h a d sa v e d a n d a ccumul a te d i n h er m a rr i e d

y ea r s M a gn an i mou sly sh e m a d e a ju st d i st ri b ut i on of h er b elon g i n gs

.
, .

Her eld e r so n C h i a S h i eh r ec ei v e d thr ee th ou s an d oun ces o f s i lver

, ,
.

H e w a s t o g i v e o n e t h ous a n d t o h i s w i f e a n d t a ke t h e o th e r tw o w i th
h i m i n t o b an i shm en t Gr a n dn ep h ew C h en l i k ew i se re c ei ve d three
.

t h ous a n d o un c e s b ut h e w a s a llow e d t o ke ep o n ly o n e t h ou sa n d f o r h i s
,

ow n u s e ; t h e o th er t w o t h ou san d h e h a d t o l e a v e w i t h h i S w i f e Sh e se n t
' ‘

an o th e r t h r ee t h ous a n d ou n c es t o P h o en i x on h er si ckb e d b u t i n h er ,

gu i l el ess i gn or an ce of t h e fa c ts sh e a dde d a messa ge th at Ph o en i x w a s

'

t o m a n a g e t h e mo n e y h e r s elf a n d n o t a llow h er fr i volou s h u sb a n d t o

s pen d i t fool i sh ly C h i a Li en r e c e i v e d fi v e h undre d oun ces wi th th e
.

con d i ti onth at h e sh ould h i ms elf ta k e Bla ck J a d e s coff i n t o h er n a ti ve ’

t own of Y a n gc h ow t h e follow i n g y ea r an d prov i d e for a wor th y b uri a l

t h e r e F urt h e rmor e sh e set a p a r t a c e rt a in s um for Gr i e f o f Spr i n g t o
.
,

pro vi d e th e t rou ssea u for h er fu t ure we dd i n g A n umb e r of a rt i cl es o f

. .

j ewe lry an d ce remo n i a l a tt i r e were d i vi d e d a mon g t h e v a r i ou s m al e

an d fem a l e m emb er s of t h e f a m i ly C h i a C h en g r e c e i v e d a l a rg e sum
.

o f mo n e y i n gold i n go ts w i t h wh i c h t o br i dg e t h e e x i st i n g sh ort a g e o f
,
-

c a sh a n d d e fr a y th e h ou se h old exp en ses f o r t he i mm e d i a t e fu t ur e P a o

“

Y u w a s g i ven gold a n d si lve r j ewe lry to th e a lu e of sev e r a l th ou sa n d

”
v

oun c es M a d a m e C h en g Wi dow Ch u an d h er son C h i a La n t h e gre a t

.
, , ,

gr a n d s o n o i th e A n cestr ess we re als o gi ven proport i on at e sha res o f

'

t h e t r ea s ur e .

F i n a lly t h e An c est ress g a ve C h i a Ch en g a dd i t i on a l in st ruct i o n s re

,

g a rd i n g r e duc t i on of st a ff an d d i spo sal of all unn e ce ssa ry l a n de d prop

er t y Th e P a rk o f D eli gh tf ul V i si o n w as a l s o a sup erfl uo us l uxury i n
‘

. .

t h e pr es e n t c i rcu mst a n c es sh e sa i d A n en d mu s t b e m a d e o n ce an d
, .
,

for a ll t o th e form er e a sygo i n g w a y s —t o th i s l i fe o f p ret en se an d fa ls e

,

s pl en dor Sh e h a d g i v en a w a y ev eryth i n g n o w a n d th ey could n o t coun t

'

.
,

upo n h er for a n y mor e he lp Wh a t ev er r esi du e sh e would l ea v e a t her

.

d eat h w as t o go t o h er m a i d s a n d m a i d s i n w a i t i n g So th e fam i ly h a d - -
.

b ett er r e pen t an d m en d the ir w a y s .

They a ll kn e lt down co n t ri te a n d d ee ply move d prom i se d re form

, , ,

a n d d e vou t ly wi sh e d th a t t h e A n c es tres s would l i v e to b e a h un dre d .

54 8
But th e An ces t res s d ecl ared th a t sh e would b e gl a d to b e un i te d so on“
w i th th e dep arte d soul s of her i llu stri ous an ces t or s A vi si t o f co ns ol a .

ti o n t o P h oen i x o n her si ckb ed form e d the l as t gen t le r umble o f the

-

st o rm n o w fin a lly a b a te d w hi c h h a d swe p t ove r th e f am i ly

, , Phoen i x .

held her brea th i n te rror an d co v e re d wi th sha m e h i d her hea d un d e r

, ,

th e b edclo t h es wh en she sa w th e An c es tress en t e ri n g h er room a ecom ,

pan i e d by Aun t C hen g Pa o Y u a n d Prec i ous C laS p Co nsc i ous th a t

, , .

she w a s th e c h i e f c a u se o f the fi n a n c i a l ru i n o f t he fam i ly she h a d b een

,

pr ep ar e d fo r a merc i les s st orm o f abuse She b e l i eve d th e favor o f thc.

An cest ress forfe i t e d foreve r an d w as w i shi ng fo r no th in g b ut a s pee dy

,

death I n stea d o f th e r epro a c hes whi ch she expecte d h owev er she n o t

.
, ,

o n ly rec ei ve d comfort in g words b ut w as lo a d ed w i th a ll ki n d s o f use ful

pr esen ts a s w ell as th ree th ou san d oun ces o f mo ney ; a ll th i s th anks t o
th e fa c t th a t her secr et mon e y m a n i pul at i o n s h a d b een so co n si d e r at e ly
ke pt from th e kn owledge o f th e An ces tress A s her m i n d w as se t o nly .

o n worldly po ssess i o n s a n d pro s pe ri t y t he i mprov em en t i n her po s i t i o n

,

i mm e d i a t ely ren e we d her s p i r i ts She pe rform e d her kowt ow o f th an ks

.

wi th a st ou ndin g c hee rfuln e ss an d a g i li t y i n her b e d and prom ise d t ha t

i n fu t ure sh e would work a n d s t ri ve fo r th e A n c estress a nd t he fa m i ly
w i th a ll t he i n dus t ry o f a k i t c hen m a i d .

T he n ex t day C h i a S hi eh an d C h i a C hen h ad t o ta ke the i r l ea ve a n d

’
set o u t o n th e i r j ourn e y i n t o b an i shm en t S e ver a l o f Mr C hen g s own. .

s er v an ts were obl i g e d v e ry much ag a i nst t hei r w i ll to a ccomp an y t hem

, ,
.

The r e w a s th e us u a l fa r ewell drin k a n d th e p res cri b e d esc ort o f h on or

t o th e t en m i l e h a l t i n g pl a c e outs i d e t h e c i ty w a lls F in a ll y Mr C hen g
-
.
, .

s pok e a f ew more word s o f a dmo n i t i o n t o th e d ep a rti n g m e mb ers o f

th e cl a n e x h ort in g th e m t o exp i a ti o n an d a t o nemen t fo r the i r wr o n g

‘

do i n g by z ea lou s se rv i ce to the i r coun t ry Th en he t urne d b a ck an d .

rod e h ome wi th Pa o Y u an d the o ther j un i ors .

O n h i s re t urn h e foun d th e g a t ewa y to the we stern p a l ace bes i eg e d

by a crowd o f re po rt ers a n d n ews h un te rs w ho we re vi olen tly t e
'

,
“
m on st ra t i n g w i th t he g a tekee pe rs a n d n o i si ly d em a n d i n g the i r good
”
n ews bou n t y The y h a d a rri ve d in has te i n ord e r t o b e firs t to bri n g
.

n ew s of a fur th er Impe r i a l d e cree w he r eby th e pri n ce ly t i tle o f t he

Y un gk u o l i n e w h i c h h a d b een forfe i ted by P ri n ce S hi eh w as rest o red

, ,

a n d co n fe rr e d o n C h i a C hen g Th e g a t e kee pe rs ha d refu se d t o pa y

.

”
sa y i n g th a t the n ews w as n o s urpri se an d h a d
“
t h e good n e ws bou n t y , ,

b een expe c te d a s a m a tt e r o f course .

“
No t i n t h e lea st
”
,
th e repor te rs ha d pro t es t ed A pri n c ely ti tl e i s .

i n i tself an exce e d i n gly r a re gi ft B ut to h a ve i t g i ven t o yo ur o ld

’

m ast e r d es p i te th e re c en t sc an d a l is a p i ece o f good fort un e such as

, ,

does n o t occur o n c e in a th ousan d y ea rs Mo st ce rta i n ly w e deser ve o ur

.

9,

549
 _ Ch i a C heng s m i l i gly g ave orders f or nr h un gry mou th s t o b e t h ei
st opp d ; t hen h e v i s i t e d t h e A n c es t r e ss an d t old h er t h e l a t est h a ppy
'

e
n e ws H i s j oy a nd pri d e w e r e s om ewh a t d a mp e d by t h e t h ough t th at
'

h i s g o od for t u n e w as th e co n seq u en c e o f h i s e ld er bro t h e r s d i s gr a c e ’

.

T h e n e ws of t h e l a t est fa vora bl e t urn o f even ts h a d q u i ckly s pr e a d l n

q
th e t own a n d i n a t r i c e a ll t he gb od f ri en ds a n d a c u a i n ta n c es t h e fl a t
'

t er ere an d s pon g er s so con sp i cuou s ly a b sen t duri n g th e t i me o f urgen t

,

n e e d no w t u rn e d up i n for ce
, .

Aft e r h e ha d ren d er e d t h an ks a t t he Imp e ri a l a udi en ce th e n ex t day ,

C h i a Ch en g s st r i c t sen se o f dut y mov e d hi m t o propo se t o t h e Emp ror

’

e
.

th a t a s h e di d n o t d ee m h i m se lf wort h y t o r em a i n a n y lo n g e r i n en j oy

men t o f t h e w est e rn p a l a ce a n d the Pa rk of D e li gh t ful V i si on he pl a c e d

“

bo th a t th e d is po sa l o f th e S t a te B ut o n t he re commen d a t i on o f t h e “

Gr an d S ecr et a r i at t he So n o f H ea ven gr a c i ou sly re fuse d t o a ccep t hi s

,

a ct o f r en un c i a t i o n “

C HA P T E R 49

R o bb ers foo t t he p rop erty left by the A n c est ress d a b d u c t th e b eau ti

' '

an

ful a n ch or ess Pa o Yri g ets ba c k h i s s to ne d k en e d

'

. -
an i s a wa .

T H E EX C IT E VI ENT S -
T H ESE D AY S H A D GIVEN A S H O CK T O T H E O L D
OF

h e a rt o f t h e A n c e st ress from w h i c h i t w a s de st i n e d n o t t o re cov e r O n c e .

moresh e tr i e d t o an i m ate a n d l i gh t en th e drea ry e veryd ay l i fe an d to

br i ng b a ck t h e g ai ety of h a ppy d a y s n o w p a st by a fa mi ly feas t Th e .

n ewly m a rr i ed gr a n dd a ug h t e r L i t t l e Cloud h a d j u s t by c h an c e ar r i v e d
“

sh ort ly b e for e Pr eci o

’
u s Cl a sp s b i rt h d a y A t her s ugg est i on the A n .
“

ces t ress se cr et ly i n v i t ed a ll t h e fe m a l e r el a t i v e s w i th i n r e a c h a n d g a v e ,

th e m asum p t uous ba n qu et i n h o n or o f Pr e c i ou s Cl as p s b i r th d a y as a
’
,

s urpr i se for t h e l a tte r T o a ll ou t w a rd a pp ea r a n ces e v ery t hi n g w a s a s

,
of old b ut t h e li g h th ea rt e dn es s wh i c h used t o an i m a te suc h fa m i ly
'

fl
’
,

g a theri n gs w a s m i ssin g Ph o en i x s pleas a n tr i es soun d e d fo rc e d a n d

.
’

a woke n o ec h o The d i sm a l f a c es o f t he i mpo v er i sh e d L a d i e s S h i eh ,

C he n an d H s u eh t he a b sen t m i n d e dn ess o f Pa o Y u w ho was th in ki n g

, ,
-

s orr owf ul ly o f a J a d e th e l o ok o f s uff e ri n g o n th e f a c e o f Gree t i ng

Bl ck _
,

o f Spr i n g w h o w a s t e arfully t e ll i n g o f th e m i se ri es o f h er m a rr i e d li fe
,

— al l t hese th i n gs eff ec t i vely preven t e d a fest i ve mood .

“ ”
It w i ll pr ob ably b e t h e l a st t i m e I sh a ll se e you sa i d Gr ee t i n g o f , .

S prin g full o f s orrowful fore bod i n g s a s she w a s fet c h ed a wa y o n t he

, ,

or de r o f h er t yrann i ca l h u sb an d l n th e m i d st of t h e b i r th d a y c el ebr a
.

t i o n s A f ew d a ys l a t e r t h e A n c es t r e ss fe ll i ll a nd d i e d Th e n ews t h a t
‘

. .

p oor Gr eet i n g o f Spri n g l i ke a crush e d flow e r h a d d i e d o f a broken

, ,
 m an y y ea r s i n h er j ourn ey t o th e Yellow Sp ri n gs Her a ct i on w as .

p ra i se d by all M r C hen g m a d e her fa mi ly a g i ft o f a h un dr ed oun ces

. .
.

o f s i lv e r a n d g a v e ord e rs tha t t h e exc ell en t gi r l w as t o b e bur i ed w i th ,

t h e h o n ors due t o a n a c t u a l gr a n dd a ugh te r o f t h e An c est r e ss Her coffin .

w a s t o b e c a rri e d i n proc ess i o n t h e n ex t da y b ehi n d th e coffin of th e

A n c est r ess a n d pl ac e d b esi d e i t i n th e fa m i ly te mple .

V e ry ea rly t h e n e x t m orn i n g th e lo n g fun e ra l proc ess i on o f mor e

t h a n a h un dr e d c arr i a g es a n d se da n c h a i rs set o u t f o r t h e T e mpl e of

t h e Iro n R a i l i n gs Mr C h en g h a d en t ru st e d th e ca r e o f th e w est e rn
. .

pa l a ce wh i ch w as a lm o st d en ud e d o f se rv an ts t o Gri ef o f Spr in g an d
, ,

C h i a Y un Gri e f o f Spr i n g b ei n g r es pon si bl e f o r th e wom en s a p a rt

’
,

m ents i n the pla c e o f Ph o en i x w ho w a s i ll an d C h i a Y un ta ki n g re

, ,

spo n s i b i l i t y f o r t he r es t o f th e p a l a c e t og et h e r w i th th e st ew a rd L i n g .

Th at a ft e rn oon Gri ef o f Spr i n g r ece i v e d a v i si t from h er b e l ov e d

ch ess comp a n i on th e b ea ut i ful a n c h oress M i a o Y u w h o st i ll l i v e d i n
, , ,

h er Ki n gfi sh er s C a g e i n t h e f a rt h e st co m e r o f th e p a rk In h er lo n eli
’
. .

n ess sh e k ep t th e w e lcom e comfort e r f o r th e n i gh t a n d p asse d th e t i m e

e a gerly pl a y in g c h e ss w i th h er un t i l d a wn In t h e f our th morn i n g h our

.

“
th e b ea u t i ful an c h or es s w a s ab ou t t o w i th dr a w f or h er h oly s es s i on

o f co n t empl a t i o n wh i ch i t w a s h er cust om t o m a ke at t h i s h ou r wh en
, ,
“ ”
s udd en ly t h e r e w er e loud cr i es ou ts i d e o f H e lp ! Th i ev es ! R obb e rs !
T h e cri es w h i c h fi rs t c a m e from th e fem a le m emb e rs o f th e n i ght
,

w a t c h wh o w ere p a t roll i n g t h e wom en s qu art e rs w e r e i mm ed i a t ely

’
,

t a ken up a n d p a sse d o n by t h e m a l e w a t c h e rs w h o w er e a t t h e o th e r

s i d e of t he l o cke d 1 nn er g a t e .

The t i m i d Gr i e f o f Spri n g w as so fr i gh t en e d th a t sh e could h a rdly

breat he b ut her br a ve comp a n i on ex t i n gu i shed th e l amp a n d l ean i n g
, ,

ov er th e w i n dow si ll p eere d i n t o t h e co u rt y a rd b ut irnm tedi a tely dr ew

, ,

b a ck a n d locke d th e w i n dow a g a i n as qu i ckly as sh e could

. .

“
Th e re a re st ran ge m en in th e court y a rd sh e whi sp er e d t o Gri e f o f
,

Spri n g No w t h e upro a r ou tsi d e i n cr ea se d th e in n e r g a te crea ked an d

.
, ,

t he s ound o f n um e rous vo i c es an d cr i es ca m e n ea r e r Th e boom i n g .

“
vo i c e o f o n e m a n ro se a bov e th e t um ul t cry in g : Wh er e are t h e fe llow s
h i d i n g Hold th e m ! F i gh t th e m ! A t th e he a d o f a few br a v e w a t c h
? ”

m en a rme d w i th a str o n g cudge l t h e st ur dy Pa o Yun g ca m e rus h i n g

, , ,

a lo n g He w as th e n ew p a rk w a t c h m an on ly r e c en t ly ta ken i n t o servi ce
.
, ,

a fea rl e ss an d s t ur dy f e llow who up ti ll h o w h a d b e en s om ew h a t di s

, .

l i ke d b ec a u se o f h is rough m ann er b ut wh o w as to h av e an oppo rt un i t y

,

o f prov i n g h i s wort h n ow Th e st an g e i n tr ud e rs fl ed o n t o t h e roofs a t

.
r .

th e a pp r oa c h o f hi s s qu a d an d t ri ed t o w ar d off th ei r purs u e rs from

,

a bov e w i th a sh ow e r o f wood en rdo f t i les But th e br a ve Pao Yun g

.

purs u e d th em up o n t o th e roo fs a n d dea l t s uch feroc i o us blows wi th hi s

552
 cud gel th at th ey t oo k t o their hee ls an d qui ckly disa ppeared over th e
wall a g a i n .

When th e se rv an ts i n s pec te d t he fi e ld of b a ttle by t o rc h an d lan te rn

l i ght the y d i scov ere d doors a n d cupbo a rds force d open an d c hest s
loo t e d i n the d ese rt e d res i d en ce o f t he A n cestress ; i n the co urtya rd
the y fou n d th e body o f a m a n w ho h a d b ee n k i ll e d by P a o t ’

ga
cudge l They re c ogn iz e d h im as a form e r se rvan t n ame d Ho u Sa n an
.
,

a dop t e d s o n o f th e m a j ordomo C h ou J ui o f th e e as te rn p a la ce .
,

Thi s Ho u San h ad b een fl o gge d an d dr i ve n from the h ouse in th e

.

pr ev i ous y ea r by h i s m ast er Pr in ce C he n o n a ccoun t o f a t ri fl i n g o i

, ,

f en se S i n c e t hen he h a d ta ken to g a mbl i n g an d fa llen i n t o doub t ful

.

comp a n y A t t he n e ws o f the d e a th o f th e A n c es t ress he ha d h un g

.

a roun d f o r d a y s o n e n d a t t h e g a te o f th e w es t e rn p a l a ce in th e h ope ,

of b e i n g t a ken i n t o se n i c e a s an ex t r a h elp duri n g th e mour n in g

pe r i od b ut he ha d b een overlooked He h a d r et urn ed to hi s hab i t ua l

, .

g ambl i n g den an d in th e m i ds t o f h i s fri en d s ha d g i ven free express i o n

t o hi s an g e r a g a i n st h i s form e r m a st e r s He h a d c as u a lly r em a rke d th a t
.

he h a d h ea rd fr om hi s fo s te r mo the r th a t th e An c es tress w a s n o t by an y
m ean s w i th out prop e rty w hen sh e d i e d ; th a t when she ha d gen e rous ly
di str i bu t e d h er tr ea s ures th i s h a d by n o m ean s b ee n every th in g ; in
,

rea l i t y she h a d l e ft b e h in d h e r w h ol e c h es ts an d box es full o f gold an d

s i lv er Th ere upo n Hou S a n s comp a n i o n s urg e d an d pe rs u a d e d hi m no t

’
.

t o b e a fool b ut gr a sp h i s c h a n c e S i n c e he h a d been pr ev en te d from

.

sh a ri n g th e crumb s fr om t he m at e rs ta bl e in a dece n t h o n orable

’
s
,

m anner he sh ould t a ke h i s sha re hi mse lf H is fri en d s in tr oduced Ho u

,
.

San t o s om e d a ri n g fellows m emb e rs o f a pow erful b an d o f g at es

,

w h o w e re a t pr ese n t i n the ca p i t a l Hou S an w as t o gi v e th enr t h e b ene

.
‘

fi t o f h i s kn owle dg e o f th e pl a c e a n d lea d th em over th e w a lls an d roofs

t o th e h om e o f t h e A n c est r ess The da y o f t h e fun e r a l w as c hosen as
.

mo st s ui ta bl e f o r the robb ery The wes tern pa la ce would b e a lmos t

.

comple tely d ese rt e d o f m a l e i n m a t es T he y woul d ha ve an eas y job.

wi th th e f ew women When th e work w as don e the y would l ea ve the

.

c a p i ta l an d see k sa fet y i n th e h i dden h a un ts o f the p ir a te b an d o n the

sh ores o f t h e E a s te rn Se a .

Th e a tt a ck w as m a d e un d e r co ver o f n i gh t The plun de red go ld an d .

s i lve r tr ea s ur es o f th e A n c es tress h a d a lma dy been ta ken o ver th a w all

and p i l e d o n t o t h e ca rts k ep t i n wa i t i n g w h en s om e o f t h e b an d i ts ,

n o t i c e d li g h t i n a room o f th e n ea r b y w es t wi n g The re Gr i e f o f S pr i n g
’
-
.

w as a t h er c h ess g am e w i th h er comp an i on The s i ght of the tw o g i r ls . ,

p
es e i c a lly o f th e o n e w h o
, th oug h s h e wo re a n u n s h a b i t s ti ll di s p l’
a yed ,

fu l g ory h d f h i r i fl m d h lu t ful d i r s of th e
l l of h t e
th e e r ea o a n a,
e e s es

r obb e rs Th e
.
y cr e p t a lo n g t ow a rd s t h e la mpl i t room th in ki n g to dr ag

ou g l u for b t y b t t h t u dy P ao Y an g
off t he two y
,
ng i r s as n e see n oo u e s r ,
fo i l e d t h e i r i n t en t i on s in g ood ti me an d fr i ghten ed th e m off o v er t he
roofs .

B u t th e ro bb er s d esi res we r e n o w th oroughly rous e d ; th e lea d er of

’

th e b a n d m pa rt i cul ar could n o t get t h e a lluri n g p i c t ur e o f th e b e a u ti .

ful g i rl i n t he nun s h abi t o ut o f hi s m in d

’ “

If I on ly kn ewwh i ch conv ent sh e b elo n gs t o ! h e sa i d t o hi s com

_

“ ”

p a n i o n s t he followi n g da y w hen th ey w er e d i v i d i n g t he boot y an d dis

cu ssi n g t hei r fur th er pl an s for fl i gh t
. .

Sh e i s prob ably t he n un i t em t h e Ki n gfi sh er s C ag e at t he bo tt om
“
’

“
of t h e p a rk ,
’
o n e o f th e ban d w as abl e t o i n form h i m Th ere was a lo t . .
-

o f t a lk a b o ut h er tw o e a r s a o w h en s h e s udd en l y b e cam e po sse sse d

'

y
'

g
by d emon s wh i l e si t t ing on h er p i ll ow o f co n t empl a t i on A c h an c e meet .

i n g wi th soi n e you th from t h e pa la cey Pa o Y u or som eth in gli ke t h a t w as

- -

t h e n am e o f th e boy— w as sa i d t o h a v e c a us e d th e d ev i l o f te mp t a t i on
_

“
A ha , so th a t s th e o n e !
’
s ai d th e h is l i p s in
“
an t ic i p ati o n of t h e tast y fru i t I w i ll Ca rry h er . o ff t o n i gh t ! I wi ll n ee d

a co a c h a n d t w o m en You ot he rs go o n i n . W e wi ll m eet t o
morrow mo rn i n g on t he Tw en ty M i le H i ll out si d e th e c i t y w alls -

_
.

It w a s a bout th e h our of th e fourth n i g h t w a t ch Th e p a rk la i n

y
co mplet e d a rkn ess From on ly o n e w i n dow o f th e K i n gfi sher s C ag e
. !
?

sh o n e t h e dull r e dd i sh gl ow of a s i ngl e a lt a r l a m
p The b e a u t i ful M i a o .

Y u w as si t t i n g o n h er rou n d pra y er p i llo w ; h er l eg s cros s e d u11 d e r her

' '

en d ea vor i n g t o comp ose h er

d ays e v en ts an d t o d i spo se
’
,

a s a lw a y s sh e di d no t a ll o w a ny o f her se rvants to b e n ea r h er d uri n g ‘

-
r -

, ,

'

h a d a lrea dy b e en a bou t thr ee h our s pe rsever i n g i n h er h oly m edi tat i on

wh en sh e perc ei ve d a sl i gh t ch i ll from th e coolne ss of
“

i n g Sh e w a s j u s t a bou t t o c a ll out for a bowl o f h ot t ea

.

a s u s p i c i ou s so u n d of foo ts te ps ou ts i d e th e w i n do w

m
.

Terr i fi e d , she c a ll e d her m a i ds , b ut n o an swe r ca m e fro th e n ext .

room Sudd en ly sh e p erc ei ve d a st ron g , st up e fyi n g sm ell She w a s

. .

overcom e by a s t r a n ge h e a vy n um b n ess w hi ch m a d e h er feel ri g i d

an d st i ff , as i f sh e we r e a j o i n t e d doll m a de o f wood an d h emp Sh e .

w as un a bl e t o mov e , n o s oun d w oul d com e fro he r l i p s ; a ve i l as i t m ,

‘

w ere , flo a te d b e fore her ey e s B ut ev en th r ough th e vei l she could see

.

a m an en t e r i n g th rough t h e w i ndow In th e r efl e c ti on from t h e a l t a r l a mp . .

sh e s a w t h e d a gg e r s h i n i n g i n hi s r i gh t h an d Now h e pu sh ed th e bl a d e .
'

i n t o hi s b el t , th en c a m e up an d st r et ch e d hi s h an ds cu t t ow a rd s h er .

In h e r sem i con sc i ou s st a t e, i n c a p a bl e o f d e fen d i n g h er se lf , she h a d t o

let h i m h a v e h i s w a y Now sh e fel t h erself b ei n g li ft e d t hrou gh the
.

w i n dow a n d c arri e d th r ough th e co u rt y ard t o t he w all of the p a rk.Th ey ,

5 54
 o f Spri n g—th e y h a d all b een s a cri fic e d t o con ven t i on , to th e obli g a t i on s
o f s oc i et y Li tt l e Cloud h a d go t a ki n dh ea rt e d h us b an d , i t w as tr u e
.
,

b ut h e w as a con sum p t i ve , doom e d t o ea rly d eath Ta st e o f Spri n g , t oo ,

.

see m e d t o h ave b een fort un a t e , b u t sh e h a d h a d t o

go f ar a wa y from
‘

h er fa m i ly t o di st an t p a r ts an d w a s co n s um e d w i th ho m esi ckn ess

, , .

Wher eve r Gri e f o f Spr i n g looke d she saw on ly in stan c es whi ch di s

,

co ura e d an d fr i g h t en e d h er She dr ea d e d b ei n g t h e un h a ppy v i c t i m

g .

o f a co n v en t i o n a l m a rri a g e No , sh e w an t e d t o r em a i n fr ee l i ke h er
.

fr i en d M i a o Y u w h o w a s h er own m i st ress an d could ri se a t w i ll abov e

,

t h e cloud s l i ke t h e w i ld g e ese .

Now i t w a s th e da y b efor e y este rd ay , th e day o f th e fun e r a l th at th i s ,

d i sast er h a d b e f a ll en the h ouse The ve ry first t i m e th at sh e h a d b een

.

ent ru st ed w i th a r es po n s i bl e ta s k t h i s d e plor a bl e m i s fort un e h a d t o b e

fa ll h er ! She ha d lo st fa c e ; sh e h a d sh own h erse lf i n c a pa ble o f c a rry
i n g o ut h o useh old du ti es Th i s s a d expe r i en c e stren g th en ed h er i n her
‘
.
,

i dea o f for sa k in g th e world Sudd en ly res o lve d , sh e se i z e d a p a ir o f

.

sc i ss or s w h i l e n obody w a s w i th h er, an d h a d a lrea d t ff h a lf o f

y cu o

h er h a i r w hen h er w a i t i n g m a i d c a m e i n a n d forc i bly s t opped h er Th e .

m a i d w as a ccomp an i ed by a m a i d from th e Ki n gfi sher s C a ge , wh o ’

b ro ugh t n ew s o f th e d i sa ppe a r a n c e o f t he b ea u t i ful an ch oress In h er

'
.

co nst ern at i on Gr i ef o f Spri n g s ubm i tte d t o h a vin g th e s c i ss ors wres te d

,

from her a n d a llowi ng th e rem a i n i n g h a lf o f her h a i r t o b e dresse d up

M as coul d b e m an a g e d i n t h e n o rm a l worldly f ashi on B ut ev en .

th e s ad fa t e o f th e fr i end wh om sh e a dm i re d di d n o t i n duc e h er t o
fa l t er i n h er r es olu t i on She w as res olv ed t o cut of! the r em a in d er o f
.

he r h ai r a t th e n ex t oppor t un i t y a n d en t er a co n v en t B ut a t t he per
.

s u as i o n of h er m a i d sh e a gr eed t o w ai t a whi l e b e for e c arry i n g o ut her

d e c i si on , un t i l s ome d egr ee io f c a lm ha d ret urned t o th e h o use a ft er

th e r e c en t exc i t em en ts .

B ut th e A nc est ress a n d M an d a ri n Duck h a d o n ly just b een ta ken

“

t o th e f a m i ly t empl e an d t h e e xc i te m en t ov er th e n i gh t burgl a ry a nd
,
-

th e abduc ti o n o f M i a o Y u h a d h a rdly d i e d down w h en th e h ouse w, as

a g a i n t hr own i n t o a t umul t b y yet an o t h e r d ea th P h oe n i x , w h o f or a

.

h a d b een ph y s i c a lly s i ck a n d m en t a lly wo rn o ut by p an gs

an d the d epr ess in g f ee li n g o f h a vi n g i rret r i ev ably lo st
fa c e and fo rfei t ed h er form e r po si t i o n , d i e d a few d a y s a ft er th e fun era l
proc essi on o f t he An cestr ess She d i e d emb i tt e re d at th e ea rly age of
.

th i rt y y ea r s Sh e, w h o h a d form e rly b een the he art an d soul o f t h e

.

h o use, the po w erful m i str ess o f t he h o useh old , h a d fe lt m

ore an d more
i so l a te d an d shunn ed sin c e th e colla p se f o r w hi ch sh e h a d b een t o
bla m e only good Li tt le P in g r em ain ed t rue t o her t o th e en d When
. .

th e re l a t i ves c am e h om e a ft e r th e i r th r ee d a y s i n th e Tem ple o f th e

v i si t h er si ckb e d , b ut co n fi n e d th emse lv es m e re ly t o i n qui ri n g f o r
to
h er h ea l th t h rough th eir m a i ds T hi s h ea r tlessn ess w as the fi n al blo w
.

wh i ch h a d k i ll e d h er .

In h er l as t h ears sh e w as t ort ur e d by t e rri bl e dr ea ms On e t i m e i t .

w as th e se co n d Y u w h o fri gh t en e d h er ; a n o th e r ti m e t h e sh a d e s o f
C hin Y o a n d her b etr oth e d e m e rge d re pro a ch fully a n d w a m i n gly o ut
o f th e p a st —
th o se t w o youn g pe opl e wh o m sh e h a d d e fr a ud e d o f t h e i r
li fe s h a pp i n ess th rough a v a r i c e an d dr i ven t o su i c i d e a t the in st i ga t i on
’

o f th e Abb e ss o f t h e T empl e o f t h e W a t e ry Moo n Sh e bre a th e d h er l as t .

in a st a t e o f co n f us e . r a vi n g On accoun t o f th e pr ec a r i ou s fi n a n c i a l
d .

si t u at i o n C h i a L i en w a s o n ly a bl e t o g i v e h er a l a m
, en t ably wr et ch e d

fun e r a l a n d i f th e fa i th ful L i tt le P i n g h a d n ot h elpfully i n t e rv en e d an d

,
“

pl a ce d h er pe r so n a l sa v i n g s a t h i s d i s po sa l i t would h a v e b een ev en
more wr et che d .

Gri ef of Spri n g co n fid ed i n Pa o Y u a n d foun d i n h i m a ki n dre d soul .

Sh e di d n ot f ee l th a t sh e w a s m a d e t o b e a h ou sew i f e a n d h e di d n ot ,

fee l t h at he w a s m a d e t o b e an ofli ci al ; th e y bo t h felt un fi t fo r a pra cti

ca l l i fe Two n u n s from th e Con v en t o f E a rth ly S e clu si on w h o h a d
.
,

t a ken p a r t i n th e mourn i n g s erv i c es f or th e A n c est r ess a n d i n t h ei r t our ,

o f th e wom en s a p a r t m en ts o f th e w es t e rn p a l a c e h a d a l s o v i s i t e d Gr i e f
’

o f Spr i n g h elp e d t o co n fi rm h er i n h er h o ly d ec i s i on Th e p i o u s s o u l
, .
.

ca t chers h a d an e a s y ta sk wi th th e four th youn g l a dy o f th e h ou se an d

di d n o t n e e d t o w a s t e m an y word s Gr i e f of Spr i n g loo sen e d h er co if
.

fure a n d sm i lin gly sh owe d th emth e sh om h a lf o f h er h ea d as a v i si bl e

“

proof o f h er d ec i si o n From n ow o n sh e sta rt e d t o fa st a nd c ha st i se her

.

s e lf s e cr e t ly .

Wh en sh e w as t old a f ew d a y s l a ter th at sh e w a s i n t en d e d to b e ,

g i ven i n m a rri a g e t o the so n o f t h e fa m i ly o f Ch en from K i an g n an ,

w h o h a d lo n g b een fr i en ds o f t h e C hi a fa mi ly a n d h a d r e c en t ly mov ed
.

t o t h e c a p i t a l sh e d e cl a r e d forth ri gh t ly t h a t sh e di d n o t w i sh t o m a rr y
, .
'

She dr ea d ed sh a r i n g th e fa t e o f Greeti n g o f Spr in g sh e s a i d an d w as , ,

firm ly r esolve d t o r em a in si n gl e an d d e di c a t e h er l i fe t o h oli n ess There .

w a s a v i o l en t fa m i l y d i s cu ssi o n Mr : C h en g s t a mpe d h i s feet i n r a ge

.

a n d s a i d th a t t h i s w as th e la st s tr a w T h e cl an w a s burd en e d en oug h in
.
-

h a v i n g a d e g en er a t e s on an d di d n o t nee d t o h a v e a d eg en er at e da ugh
,

t er a l s o A n d i f Gr i e f o f Spr i n g p e r si st e d i n h er d efi a n c e h e could n o
.
,

lon ge r r eg a rd her as b e lo n gi n g t o t he fa m i ly Th ey i mpor t un e d h er

.
.

fro m a ll s i d es an d t ri e d t o ta lk h er o ut o f h er str an g e i d eas B u t Gri e f .

o f Spri n g s t ood h er rou n d a n d t h r ea te n e d s u i c i d e i f t he y di d n o t l et

g
h er h a v e her w a y B e s i d es sh e di d n o t r e qu est t o en t er a co n ven t r i g h t
.
,

a wa y sh e s a i d ; a ll s h e w an t e d w a s t o l i v e ea ce fully i n th e K i n g
, p .

fi sh er s C a g e an d emul a t e her mod el M i a o Y u Th en sh e would n o t b e

’
.
,

$58
Orde re d h i s ph ew C hi a Li en t o get th e cofli n d e li vere d f or hi s i ll
ne

f at e d son C h i a Li en w as j u st ab out t o go in sea rch o f th e se rv an ts w h o

.

w er e t o fetch th e coffi n m a ke r wh enon e o f t he g a t ekee pers c a m e rush

-

i n g i n g a sp i n g .

“
Th a t o ld st arvel in g an d v a gabon d IS ou ts i de a g ai n w an ti n g t o se ll
'

,
”
a j ew e l f o r good mo n y ! h r p rt d br t h l essly
e e e o e e a .

“ ”
Wh a t does th e fe llow w an t aske d C hi a Li en rud ely
? .

“
He wan ts t o se ll a pr ec i ou s st on e re pe a t e d t h e g a t ek eepe r
, He .

looks l i ke a w an d e ri n g mon k He h as a pr ec i ous st on e i n h i s han d an d

.

’
a ss e rts th a t i t i s youn g M a st er P a o Y u s lo st st on e He w an ts t en .

”
th ous a n d s i lv er b a tz es f or i t .

“ ’ ”
Don t bo th e r m e w i t h th i s n o n sen se ! sn ort e d C hi a Li en a t th e gat e
keep er O n c e b efore w e we r e t a ken i n by a swi n dl er l i ke th at w h o
.
,

w a n t e d t o t a lk us i n t o buy i n g a fa lse st on e In an y c ase i t s alrea dy .

,
’

”
t o o l a te Cou s in P a o Y u i s a t h i s l ast g as p
. .

“
I t old hi m th a t t o o B ut the fellow wo n t t a ke no f o r an a n s wer W e
.
’
. .

h a v e o n ly t o p a y t h e mo n ey a n d our you n g m ast e r would re cover _

”
i mm e di at ely h e a sse rt s , .

Wh i le t hey w ere sp e a ki n g a t umult o f vo 1 c es an d c a lls w as h ea rd

i n t h e d i st a n c e dra wi n g qu i ckly n ea r er C h i a L i en h ea rd word s li ke
, .

“ “ ”
Impud en t a n d S t op t h e f ellow ! .He w a s a bou t
t o g i v e a n an gry ord e r t o ch a se t he str an ge r a w a y wh en h e hea rd h i m
-

i n clo se prox i m i t y sh ou t i n g t h rough th e wi n do w b f th e st udy in wh i ch

Mr C h en g w as si tt i n g :
.

“
Com e p a y up ! P a y up ! T en th ou san d b a tzes for a h um an l i fe ‘
, .
l ’
.

Mr C hen g t o o h a d b ecom e a w a r e o f th e n o i se an d th e sh ou tin g o f th e

.

str an g e m o n k e r em emb er e d t h a t onc e y ea r s a go wh en P a o Y uw ,

as ,

ve ry i ll tw o st r an g e m en d i c a n t mo n ks l i ke th a t o ne h a d a pp eare d a n d
,

cur e d h i m W a s i t po ssi bl e t ha t t he st r a n ger w as rea lly bri n gi n g h i m

. .

b a ck th e g en u i n e st on e ? If h e o n l y kn e w wher e he could a t o n c e ob
t a i n th e l a rg e s um o f mo n e y wh i ch th e mon k w a s d em an d i n g ! H e '
-

t h ough t h e w ould l i k e t o ch a n c e i t In c as e o f s ucc ess w a y s an d m ean s

'

would h a v e t o b e fou n d .

M r C h eng ha d the st r an g er pol i te ly i n vi t ed t o com e t o h i s st udy B ut

. .

wi th ou t t a ki n g a n y n o t i ce of th e i n v i t a t i o n the odd fe llow ran str a i gh t ,

t o th e i nn e r c h a mb e rs t o t h e room i n w h i ch P a o Y u w a s ly i n g ill Ch i a
’

.
,

Li en a n d th e se rv an ts t ri e d i n v a i n t o b a r h i s w a y .

Say wh e re are yo u go i n g yo u w
“
, i ld cr ea t ur e ? Th at is th e w ay to th e
,
”
W om en s a p a rt m en t s ! C h i a L i en c a ll e d a ft e r h i m
‘ ’
.
fl

“ ”
Do n o t st op m e ! If you do my h elp w i ll b e t o o l at e ! repl i e d th e
,

st r an g e r ,an d a s i f by m a g i c h e d i s p e r se d t h e t h ro n g o f pe opl e w ho w ere

r esis t i n g h i m Th e crowd ran a fter h i m sh ou t i ng ; b ut

.

re a c h e d th e si ckroom Th e wom en w h o w e r e g a t h er e d
.
 b ed weep i n g—Ma d a m e C hen g Prec i ou s Cl as p Pe a rl a n d th e oth ers
—di d n o t even ha ve t i me to h i d e them selves so sudd enly di d th e un
, , ,

ann oun c e d v i si t or en te r S t a rt l ed t hey o n ly moved as i d e a st ep a n d

.
,

s t a r e d as i f b ew i t c h e d a t t h e st r a n g e a pp a r i t i o n of t he
b i g b a ld hea d e d -

fellow i n the d i r t y mo n k s h ood ’

.

Wi t h ou t a n y form a l i t y o r greet i n g he w a lked up to Pa o Y u s be d ’

.

“
E s tee m e d p a t ro n s a n d b e l i evers i n Budd ha I br i n g you b a ck the ,
”
lo st st o n e !
Wi th these word s h e produce d a gl i st en in g j a d e sto n e He held i t up .

i n t he a i r for a ll ey es t o see an d co n t in u ed : “ A n d n o w u i ck ! O ut w i th
-

,
q ,

th e mo n e y s o t h a t t h e work of sa v i ng h i s li fe m a b e co n s umm a te d ! ”
“
,
y
F i rst let us see h i m sa ve d a n d th en the mo n ey w i ll be foun d th ey
,
”
,

sh ou t e d b a ck a t h i m .

“ ”
No t he mo ne y fi rs t ! he i nsi ste d
, .

D i d he w i sh t o p ut the i r fa i th a n d s elf s a cri fi ce t o th e t est ? -

“
Do n o t worry ! Wh a tever h a ppens you w i ll ge t your mo n ey even i f ,

”
w e h a ve t o s ell o r p a wn a ll our p o ss ess i o ns ! sa i d M a d a m e C h en g ,

th er e by sh ow i n g h er t ru e mo t h er s h e a r t
’
.

T he mo n k l a ug h e d a loud a n d b en t dow n clo se t o the ear o f t h e s i ck

“ ”
boy : Pa o Y u ! Pao Y u ! Your st on e i s b a ck a g a i n ! he wh i spe re d to
h i m In te n se exp e c t a t i o n th e by s t a n d e rs w a tc hed fo r h i s word s to ta ke
.

eff e c t ; a n d i n f a c t P a o Y u slowly Op e n e d h i s ey es .

“ ’ ”
He s cure d ! g as pe d Pea rl j oyfully , .

”
Whe re i s t he st o n e th e y hea rd P a o Y u a s ki n g The mo n k pus hed
? .

th e s t o n e i n t o h i s ha n d Pa o Y u he ld i t t i g h t for a w h i l e as i f he we r e
.
,

a fr a i d i t would es c a pe from h i m a ga i n C a re full y a n d gr a du a lly he th en .

loo sen e d h i s gr i p a n d h eld t he s t o ne up i n the a i r b efor e h i s ey es i n

,

ord e r t o look a t i t a tt en t i v ely .

“ ”
A h h o w lo n g w e ha ve b een s ep a ra te d ! h e s i g hed
, T han ks b e to .

”
Budd h a ! All of th em ev en Prec i ou s Cl a s p forgo t the prox i m i ty Of
, ,

th e s t r a n g e r an d press e d clo s e ar ou n d Pa o Y u s b e d T he re w a s n o
’
.

doub t a bou t i t ; h e w a s cure d C h i a Li en ra n t o t a ke t he good n ews t o

.

Mr C he n g T he mo n k w en t w i th h i m Mr C he n g t ha n ke d hi m o n h i s
. . . .

kn ees pol i t ely presse d h i m t o ta ke a sea t an d a s ke d h im v a r i ou s form a l

, ,

qu est i o n s— i n wh a t pla c e th m as te r ha d set Up h i s pre c i ou s pr ay er m a t

'
e. -

wha t h i s w o rt hy n a m e w as an d so o n He a lso w a n te d to kn ow w her e

,
.

h e ha d fou n d t h e pr ec i ou s s t o n e a n d h o w i t h a d h a pp en e d t ha t h i s
,

lo a th some l i ttl e our o f a s o n h a d ge t we ll a lmo st as soo n as he ha d

ca ugh t si gh t of the st o n e .

“
Th a t I do n o t kn ow e i t he r th e str a n g e gues t a n swered w 1 th a
0

,
”
s m i le
“
I sh ould l i ke t o ha ve my t en th ous an d b a tz es a n d th a t i s a ll !
. ,

W ha t rud e low b eha v i or ! th oug h t Mr Ch en g t o h i m se lf b ut he di d

,
. ,

n o t w a n t to off e n d t h e u n kn own b en efa c t or by an u n gr a c i ous re ply

‘

56 ]
 Th e mo n ey w i ll b e produc ed w a s a ll he sa i d i n rep ly , .

“ ”
Th en o ut wi t h i t qu i ckly ! I mu st b e o n my w ay a t o n c e ! ur ge d the
m an Mr C h en g r equ est e d h i m t o s t a y a wh i l e He would go an d see
. . .

a bou t coll e c t i n g t h e mon e y .

“
Hurry up a n d do n o t forg et t o come b a ck ! th e st r a n ge r c al le d
”

d e r i s i v ely a fter h i m Mr C h en g h a st en e d o ff t o t h e i nn e r ch amb e rs

. .

wh e re the wom en we re sti ll g a th er e d a rou n d Pa o Y u W i th the words .

“ ”
H er e i t i s ! P a o Y u b eam i n g h a n d e d h i m the st one Mr C hen g di d
, , . .

n o t g i v e h i m s elf t i m e t o look a t i t for lon g .

? ”
T h e boy do es seem t o b e cur e d B ut h o w ca n w e coll e c t th e mon e y .

h e s a i d t urn i n g t o h i s w i fe emb a rr a sse d

, , .

“ ”
I w i ll gi ve all my po ssessi on s T h e proc eed s w i ll cov er th e amoun t.
,

d ecl a re d Pa o Y u s mo th e r gen e rou sly on c e mor e

’
.

“ ”
I do n ot th i n k h e w a n t s a n y mo n ey sa i d P a o Y u , .

B ut h e d e m a n d e d i t loudly a g a i n a n d a g a i n S t r an g e v e ry st r an g e
, .
,
”
i n d ee d ! sa i d Mr C h en g sh a ki n g hi s h ea d A n d h e r et urn e d t o th e
.
, .

fro n t p a rt of t he p a l a c e t o d i scu ss the mon ey qu est i on op en ly w i th th e

s t r a n g er .

M ea n t i m e P a o Y u h a d a ske d for food an d dri n k Hi s a ppe t i te w as .

s o good t h a t h i s mo th er h a d t o ord e r h i m t o s t op as sh e f e a r e d t h a t h e ,

m i gh t eat t o o much .

”
No f ea r ! I am qu i t e w ell a g a i n ! h e sa i d j oyful ly an d rea ch e d out , _

for a n o th e r h elp i n g After th e m ea l he fe l t st ron g en ough t o get up

. .

Wh i l e th e w a i t i n g m a i d Mu sk w a s help i n g h i m t o get up i n h er j oy a t -

,
“
h i s r e covery she let fa ll th e r em a rk : Now a t las t yo u b el i ev e i n th e
m i r a culou s powe r o f your st o n e Wh a t a good th in g i t w as th at you di d
.

”
n o t s ucc ee d i n br e a k i n g an d d est roy in g i t !

Sh e h a d u tt e r e d t h e r em a rk r a th er th ough tl essly Her word s ha d an .

u n exp ec te d eff ect H e sudd en ly ch an ge d color let th e st on e fa ll an d

.
.
, ,

s a n k b a ck a s i f l i f el es s Th ere w a s gr ea t con ste rn a t i on Mus k re

. .

pro a ch e d h e r self b i t t erly a n d si l en tly vow e d t o follow Ma n d a r i n Duck s

’

e x a mpl e a n d comm i t s u i c i d e i f h e di d n o t r ecov er con s c i ou sn ess th i s

t i m e Wh e n c a ll i n g a n d sh a k i n g h i m prov e d u s el es s M a d a m e C h en g i n
.

h er d es p a i r s en t for th e mon k w h o s h e suppo se d w a s s t i ll w i th her

'

, , ,

h us b an d B ut Mr Ch en g c a m e w i th ou t h i m Wh en h e h a d r et urn ed t o
. . .

t h e r ec ep t i o n h a ll j u s t n o w t h e s tr a n ge fellow h a d a lr ea dy d i sa pp ear e d
,
.

Mr C hen g foun d hi s so n ly in g t h er e a s i f d e a d Hi s ey as an d mou th

. .

w er e firmly clo sed h i s bre a th in g a n d h i s pulse ha d st oppe d b ut hi s

, ,

body w a s st i ll w a rm Th ey sen t for the doc t or i n a gre a t h urry

. .

P a o Y u w as n o t dea d H i s sp i r i t h a d o n ly t empor a ri ly free d i tse lf

.

from h i s body an d d ep a rt e d o n a lo n g j ourn e y F i rst he r et urn e d to th e .

gu es t h a ll Th er e t h e st r an ge mon k w as a w a i ti n g h i m He t oo k h i m by
. .

t h e h an d a n d s i l en t ly le d h i m a w a y Pa o Y u f elt t ha t all th e w ei gh t o f. , .

56 2
ha d n o t llow ed h i m to rem a i n lon g in th e v i c in i t y o f th e rooms H a ppy
a .

a t b e i n g a lo n e an d u n d i st urb e d th i s t i m e h e forgo t th a t h e w an t e d t o,

look for M a n d a ri n D uck an d urge d b y cur i o si t y force d hi s w a y in t o

'

, ,

t h e first room .

Th e room co n t a i n e d a bookshelf wh i ch w a s fill e d w i th volum es o f

fil es He p i cke d o ut a volum e a t r a n dom On th e cov er o f the volum e
. .

“ ”
he s a w th e i n s cr i p t i o n H i st ory of t h e Tw elv e B ea u t i es o f C h i n l i n g
an d n ex t t o i t s e v er a l blurr e d p i c t ur es H e d i d n o t sp en d much t i m e o n
.

t h e p i c t ur es b ut b e g an t o t urn ov er th e p a g es an d plun ge i n t o th e co n
t en t s T h a t mu st h a v e b een th e st ory Of B eg i n n i n g of Spr i n g h e s a i d
“

.
,

t o h i m se lf a f t e r h e h a d r ea d t h e firs t c h a p t e r from b eg i nn in g t o e n d .

A n d h e ea g erly set a bou t t h e se co n d c h a p te r a n d di d n o t st op un t i l h e

h a d r ea d th rough alL th e t w elve ch a p t e rs wh i c h w er e wri tten i n a ,

h i gh ly el a bor a te l i t e r a ry st yle » M u ch O f wh a t h e r ea d w a s n o t cl ea r t o
,

hi m b ut muc h o f i t i mpress e d i ts elf o n h i s m i n d so ea si ly th a t h e kn ew

'

i t by h ea r t a ft erw a r ds Wh a t a pre c i ou s d i scov e ry ! H e a ct u a lly h a d b e

.

for e hi m t h e l i fe st or i es o f a ll h i s si st er s a n d cou si n s t h ough they w ere ,

n o t i d en t i fi e d by t h e i r ord i n a ry n a m es b u t by secr e t sym bol i c t i t l es

, , ,

ea c h of w h i c h h ow eve r h e fou n d n o di fii cult y i n a tt r i bu t i n g t o th e

, ,
'

r i gh t i n d i vi du a l How exc i t i n g t o lea rn i n t hi s w a y th e d i ff e ren t g i rls

.
’

se cr et s t h e kn owl e dg e of wh i c h I h a d b ee n en d ea vori n g t o ob t a i n f o r
,

so lon g i n v a i n ! If o n ly I h a d i n k a n d bru sh a n d p a p e r a t h a n d t o wr i t e
do wn e v eryth i n g an d t a ke i t h om e w i th m e ! O f course I would n o t b e
i n d i s cr eet b u t i t would b e f un t o pl a y th e prop h et a n d for t u n e t ell e r a
,

b i t i n t h e f a m i ly Suc h w e r e th e i d ea s wh i c h r an th rough h i s m i n d It
. _ .

w a s a p i t y t h a t n o wr i t i n g m a t e r i a l s w e r e t o b e foun d i n t h e room .

“
H e h a d j ust Op en e d a s uppl em en t a ry volum e t o t h e H i st ory o f th e
”
Tw elve B e a u t i es of Ch i n l i n g a n d h a d b een move d t o t ea rs a t a
,

s p e c i a lly t ouc h i n g p a ssa g e wh en h e h e a rd a vo i c e b eh i n d h i m sa y i n g :

,
“
H a ve yo u go t your fooli sh i mpuls es a g a i n ? M i ss L i n g i s a s kin g for
”
you !
It s oun d e d l i ke M an d a r i n Duck s vo i c e A n d r e a lly wh en h e t urn e d
’
.
,

roun d h e sa w M a n d a r i n Duck ou t si de t he op en door b ecko n i n g h i m ,

.

H a ppy t o see h er n ea r a g a i n he h urr i e d up t o h er b ut sh e sl i pp e d a w a y

, ,

from h i m b a ck th rough th e d a rk p a ssa ge an d o ut i n t o th e open fa rth er ,

a n d f a rt h er a w a y l i k e a l i gh t sh a dow wh i c h c a n n o t b e c a ugh t In v a i n
, .

h e c a ll e d t o h er t o st o p ; sh e flo a te d a w a y f a rt h e r an d fa rt h er an d h e ,

could n o t c a tch up wi th h er .

All a t on ce h e w as st an d in g i n f ron t o f th e t owe rin g h a ll o f a p al a ce ,

ri th hi gh cur v e d p i n n a cl es o f r i ch ly c a rve d woodwork Urg e d by th e

'

A o .

d esi re O observ e th e bea u t y Of th e con st ruc ti on more clo sely he ,

c a lmly w a lk e d th rou gh the out e r porch in t o th e i n n er pr e c i n cts He ha d .

forgo tten all abou t M an d ari n Duck He foun d h i mself in a fr ont gar .

5 64
den .In th e m i ds t o f t he flow er beds of exo ti c str an gely scente d flowe rs,

he n ot i c e d a s i n gl e gr een fo l i a g e pla n t It w as fen ce d a roun d w i t h a

.

d ecora t i ve curb o f w hi te m a rble He n o t i ce d tha t the lea ves ha d re d

.

t i p s Th e l e a ve s wer e mov i n g to an d fr o a n d rus tl i n g i n a g en t le breez e

.
.

The y seem e d to b e n odd i n g an d b o wi n g i n g reet i ng .

Th ough o n ly a si mple pl a n t an d wi th ou t bloss oms i t ha d a ra re an d

, ,

n oble gr a c e fuln ess wh i c h could n o t fa i l to de l i g h t a n d c h a rm t he e e

y
an d th e h ea rt o f t he b e h old e r A n d so Pa o Y u t o o b ec a me wr a pt in de
.

vo nt co n tem fl a ti o n A s cold i n g vo i c e sudd en ly t ore hi m fr om hi s

.

“
m e d i t a t i on : Ho w d a re yo u sn i fl a roun d o ur sp i r i t pl an t im pe rt i n en t ,
”
t r es p asse r ! Fri ghten ed he t urn e d hi s he ad A n elf w as stan d i n g be
, .

si d e h i m .

“
I str a y e d in here looki n g fo r S i ster M an d a r in Duck he s ta mm e re d ,
“
i n co n fu si o n Forg i ve m e my cr i m i n a l curi o s i t y ! B ut m a y I a s k where
.
,

am I ? A n d h o w does S i s t er M a n d ar i n Duck h a ppe n t o b e h ere ? She

”
a pp ea r e d t o m e j us t n o w an d t old m e th a t li tt le S is t e r L i n g w a n te d m e .

“ ”
‘

Your si ste r an d yo ur li tt le si st e r are a ll o ne to m e ! c a me the un

“
fri en dly re ply I a m th e a ppo i n ted gu a rd i a n o f o ur sp i ri t pl a nt here
.

”
an d i t is my du t y to kee p a t a d i sta n c e profa n e cre a t ur es s uc h a s yo u .

It mu st b e a r a re a n d exqu i s i te pl a n t sin c e yo u a re a p po i n te d t o
,
”
pro t e c t i t he as ke d tea ri n g him se lf aw a y re luc t an t ly from the v i c in i ty
?
,

o f th e sp i r i t pla n t .

“
C e rt a i n ly ; for i t i s t he pl an t Purpl e Pea rl Its pl a ce w as o n ce o n the
.

b an ks O f th e R i ve r o f the Sp i ri t s A t tha t ti m e th e Gu a rd i an of t h e
.

R a di a n ce o f th e S t o n e o f the God s w ho se rve d i n th e P al a ce O f th e

,

R ed Clouds Oft en vi s i t e d i t a n d se cret ly s pri n kle d i t wi th swee t dew

, ,

t h us pr ese rvi n g i ts t en d er body from wi t h erin g to o s oo n La ter i t w as .

a llowe d t o com e down t o th e prof an e world an d th an k w i t h te a rs t he

Guar d i an o f th e R a d i a n c e o f t h e S t one o f th e Gods fo r the lov in g se rv

i ce wh i c h h e h a d ren de re d Now i t ha s re t ur n e d to the R ea lm o f t he
.

Bless e d Th e F ai r y Of Fea rful Awa ken in g h as a ppo i n te d m e i ts gu ard

.

i an I d a re n o t a llow e ven b ees o r bu tt e rfli es to go n ear i t let alo n e

. ,

”
your ki n d .

?
h
0

“
Th en the re i s n o doub t a gu a rdi an elf o f the wa te r l ly r l
, ,
i e e a so

he aske d th i n ki n g o f Bri gh t Cloud

,
.

“
My m i st res s ca n b est gi ve you i n form ati o n about tha t .

“ ? ”
W h o i s your m i st ress S i s te r Elf ,
”
T he Prin c ess of th e W ee p i n g B amboo H e rm i ta ge !
”
O h th a t i s s ure ly my cous in B la ck J a d e !
,

“
No n sen se ! Bet wee n th e R eal m o f the Bl essed an d your profan e
world th e re i s n o kin shi p A n d if yo u co n ti n ue to m ake yourse lf a
.

foo li sh ch a tt er I sh all ha ve yo u thrown o ut by the

,

S65
 Ab a sh e d , Pa o Y u t urn e d t o go . S udd en ly a se con d elf c a m e run n i n g

Wh er e o n e a rt h i s t h e Gu a rd i a n of t h e R a d i an c e o f th e S t on e o f .

t h e God s ? H e i s b e i n g a s ke d for i n s i d e sh e s a i d t o t h e fir st elf , .

“ ”
I h a v e b een look i n g for h i m i n v a i n all ove r th e world re pli e d ,

t h e firs t .

“
B u t th e re h e i s run n i n g a wa y s a i d t h e s e co n d l a ugh i n g a n d h ur
, , ,

r i e d a ft e r P a o Y u .

“ ”
Com e b a ck Gu a rd i a n of th e R a d i a n ce of t h e S t on e Of th e Gods !
,
.

sh e c a ll e d a f t e r h i m B u t P a o Y u st i ll u n d e r t h e i mpr ess i on o f t h e rud e

.
,
.

re c e pt i on w h i c h h a d b een g i ven h i m di d n o t v en t ur e t o connec t thi s ,

s ummo n s w i th h i m se lf a n d t h i n k i n g t h a t h e w a s b ei n g purs u e d
, ran ,

more a n d mor e qu i ckly t ow a rd s t h e ex i t from th e p a l a c e Sudd en ly .

o m eb o dy st e pp e d i n t o h i s p a th It w a s a b e a u t i ful youn g g i rl w i th a
.

s te rn f a c e In h e r r i g h t h a n d sh e h e ld a
.
p reci o us s word .

“ ”
S t op ! W h er e a re yo u go i n g sh e a s ke d h i m se v ere ly
? .

He look e d up a t h er t i m i dly It w a s t h e th i rd Y u No w h e pi cke d up

. .

cour a ge a g a i n .

“
W h y h a v e I b een t r ea t e d so rud ely Cou s i n ? Won t yo u a t lea st b e
-
’
,

? ”
a l i t t le ki n d t o m e h e s a i d re pro a c h fully ;

On a ccoun t of your i n fa mou s cou si n s I c an n o t c a m e t h e blun t ,

“
r eply The y w an t o n ly d est roy e d th e h o n or a n d h a pp i n ess of my self
.

”
a n d my s i st er Now
yo u h a v e t o a t o n e w i th th em !
.

P a o Y u muc h e mb a rr a s se d W a s a bou t t o pro te st h i s i n n oc en ce

, ,

wh en h e he a rd th e elf w h o w a s pur su i n g h i m c a ll ou t t o th e thir d Y u z

“ ”
S t op h i m ! Do n o t let h i m get a w ay !
“ ’
D O n o t worry ! I kn ow our Pr i n c ess s i n st ruc t i o n s I h a v e b een w a i t .

i n g for h i m a lo n g t i m e Tod a y t h e h our h a s com e t o cut w i t h th i s

.

”
s word h i s co n n e c t i o n w i t h t h e r e d dus t of th e world .

P a o Y u t urn ed from t h e gri m m a i d en w i th t h e s word dum foun de d ,

t ry i n g t o e s c a p e i n t h e o th e r d i r e c t i on Now h e s aw th e elf w h o h a d run

.

a ft er h i m It w a s Br i g h t Cloud
. .

“ ”
It i s you Br i gh t Cloud ! How good th a t you a r e h ere ! h e cri ed
, ,

j oyfully surpr i se d I h a ve lo s t my w a y an d h a v e run up i n t o th i s

.

w i cke d en e my You mu st h elp m e a n d t a ke m e h ome qu i ckly !

.
”

“
Do n o t c a ll m e Br i ght Cloud ! I h a ve go t i n str uct i on s to ta ke yo u
”
t o t h e Pri n c e ss ! Now do n o t h e s i t a t e b ut follow m e ! r epli e d th e elf
, .

“ ”
W h o t he n i s y o ur Pr i n c ess
, ,
?
“ ”
You w i ll s ee t h a t for yourself when you m eet h er Come a lon g ! , .

S he w a lk e d o n i n front a n d h e follo w e d b eh i n d Th e r e w as n o doub t .

a bou t i t : t o j udg e by h er w a lk a n d h e r dep o rtrn en t h er f a c e a n d h er ,

vo i ce she w as Bri ght Cloud Bu t why di d she d en y w ho she w as ? SO On

, .
,

a f t e r th e v i s i t t o t h e Pr i n c es s h e would c h a ll en g e h er a g a i n If sh e bo re
,
.
.
 Wh a t cr i m e h a v e I comm i t te d th a t e ve ryon e a vo i d s m e t od a y he ?”

si g h e d p e rpl ex e d a n d bur st i n t o t ea r s He di d n o t d a re t o follow KO

, , .

C h i n g s o h e wa n d er e d s a dly o ff Sudden ly a group of w a t ch m en ap

, .

p e a re d dr ess e d i n y e llow s mocks a n d hold i n g lo n g w h i p s i n t h e i r h a n d s .

“
H i fe llow ! W h o a r e you t h a t you d a r e t o t res p a s s so boldly i n t o
,
”
t h es e bl e ss e d pl a c es ? O ff w i t h you qu i ckly ! t h e y sh ou t e d a t h i m
, ,

roug h ly Fr i g h t en e d h e st a r ted t o w a lk mor e qu i ckly If h e could o n ly

.
, .

fi n d t h e e x i t ! A s h e g a z e d a rou n d h i m h e s a w i n t h e d i st a n c e a gr oup
Of wom en com i n g t ow a rd s h i m c h a tt i n g m e rr i ly H e th ough t h e rec
, .

o n i ze d Gr eet i n g of Spr i n g a n d Gold R i n g a n d t h e s e co n d Y u a mo n g

g , ,
”
t hem . I h a v e lo st my w a y com e a n d h elp m e ! he cr i e d o ut t o them
,

a n d ra n a s f a st a s h e could for t h e w a t c h m en w er e clo se a t h i s h ee ls

, .

H e th o u g h t h e w a s a lrea dy s a fe w i t h t h e wom en b u t a l a s t h e y s udd en ly , ,

t urn e d i n t o ugly d ev i l s w i th h orr i bl e r e d f a c es a n d w h i t e h a i r a n d ,

t h ey m a d e s t r a i g h t for h i m In h i s d a n g e r h e s udd en ly b e c a m e a w a r e Of
.

t h e pr es e n c e o f t h e mo n k w h o h a d a ccomp a n i e d h i m t h e r e H e h eld a
, .

gl i st en i n g m i rror i n h i s h a n d .

“
My d i v i n e m i st r ess t h e form er Impe r i a l wi fe h a s sen t m e t o sa ve
, ,

yo u .

Wh i l e h e w a s sa y i n g t h is h e t urn e d t h e gl i t t er i n g fa c e Of th e m i rror
’
t ow a rd s t h e crowd of P a o Y u s pur s u e r s a n d i n a t r i c e a ll t h e gh o s t ly ,

d ev i l s h a d d i sa pp ea r e d Th e m a gn i fic en t dwe ll i n gs a n d p a l a c es h a d a ls o
.

v an i sh e d P a o Y u fou n d h i m self a g a i n i n a wi ld a n d d ese rt e d w i ld e r

.

n e ss H e pr ess e d h i s r e s cu e r s h a n d w i th gr a t i t ud e a n d co n fid en c e a n d
’
.

“
sai d to h i m : M a st e r you a ccomp an i e d m e h er e a s I w ell r e m emb e r
, ,
.

W h y di d you d i s a pp ea r a ll of a s udd en ? I m et v a r i ou s wom en a n d g i rls

of our cl a n b ut ea ch a n d a ll of th em would h a v e n o th i n g t o do w i th m e
,
.

S om e o f t h em t ur n e d i nt o ugly d e v i ls a n d t h r ea ten e d m e Wh a t do e s .

”
t h a t m e a n W a s a ll t h a t a dr e a m or w a s i t r ea l i t y
? ?

Th e mo n k look e d a t h i m sea rc h i n gly .

“ ? ”
D i d you look a t a n y th i n g s e cr et ly
P a o Y u s a i d t o h i m se lf th a t a n yo n e w h o w a s a bl e t o l ea d h i m i n to
t h i s s p i r i t r e g i o n mu st c e rt a i n ly b e a s p i r i t h i m se lf a n d th a t h e could ,
“
n o t w e ll d e c e i v e a sp i r i t A n d so h e a dm i t t e d fr a n kly :
. I w a s i n a room .

”
a n d I se cr e t ly rumm a g e d th roug h fil es .

“
I n d ee d a n d t hen you a sk t h a t qu est i o n ? You are n o t ye t fr ee from
,

worldly d es i r es O n t h a t a ccoun t t h e bl esse d sp i r i ts do n o t w a n t you

. ,

a n d o n t h a t a ccoun t t h o se d e v i ls fr i g h t en e d you Th e d e v i l s a r e n o th i n g .

b u t th e worldly d e s i r es w h i c h exclud e t h e profa n e cr eat ur es from a d

m i t t a n ce t o t h e R ea lm of th e Bl ess e d A n d n ow go ! B u t t a k e good n o t e
.

of wh a t you h a ve s een a n d e xp er i en c e d ! I sh a ll com e t o yo u l a t e r an d

”
e xpl a i n e ve ry t h i n g t o you Go . .

H e g a v e P a o Y u s uc h a he ft y pu sh t h a t h e t um bl e d ov e r a n d fe ll

68
 down A s uppresse d cry es ca pe d h i s l i ps Aft e r i ts lo ng wa nd e r i n g h i s
.
.

sp i r i t h a d re t urn e d t o h i s body .

“
He h a s com e to h i m s elf a g a i n ! ” he h ea rd h i s mo the r s vo i c e s a ’

y
i n g He op en e d h i s ey es a n d sa w h is mo ther h i s w i fe a n d t he w a
i t i ng
.
, ,

m a i d s st a n d i n g a rou n d h is b ed; the i r e y es red from w ee p i ng a ha lf ,

a n x i ou s h a lf j oyful express i o n o n th ei r fa c es
,
-

He qu i ckly rec a p i t ul a te d
.

h i s dre am i n h i s m i n d Luck i ly mo s t o f i t w a s firm ly fix e d i n h i s

.
,

me mory .

“ ”
Y es th a t i s i t ! he s a i d l a ug hi n g w i th a n a i r Of h a ppy rel i e f
, , .

T he by st a n d e rs looke d a t o ne an o the r s urpri se d n o t kn o w i n g h ow ,

t o i n te rpr et h i s e xcl a m at i o n .

C HAPTER 5 0

P a o Yu p asses th e exa m i n a t i o n w i t h h o n ors a nd ren ou n ces th e red du st

o f th e w or ld S h ih Y i n g a n d Y u Ts u n m ee t o n c e m or e a n d co n clu d e
.

th e s t ory a ] th e s t o n e .

PA O YU H A D R E C O VE R ED R AP ID LY A FTE R H IS L O NG S P E L L O F UNC O N
sci o u sn ess a n d t o e v e ryo n e s j oy w a s fully r es t or e d t o h ea l th Th e co fli n
’
.

m a ke r di d n o t n ee d to ex er t hi ms elf n o w a nd Mus k w a s a ble for the

,

t i m e b e i n g t o g i ve up w i t h a n e a s y m i n d h e r s ubl i m e res olve t o follow

’
M a n d a r i n Duck s ex a mpl e H a pp i ly i n v i e w of th e fa vorable t urn o f
.
,

e v en ts n obody t h oug h t o f re pro a c h i n g h e r a f te rw a rd s

, .

A s Mr C h en g w a s n o w re l i e ve d o f wo rry a bou t P a o Y u a n d sa w
.

pea c e a n d ord e r gr a du a lly r es t ore d t o t he h ouse he res olve d to a v a i l

,

h i m s elf of t he re m a i n d e r of hi s mourn i n g l ea ve t o ta ke t he coffi n o f

t h e A n c es t r ess from t h e T e mpl e of t he Iro n R a i l i n gs a t lo n g l a s t a n d t o ,

l a y i t t o r est a s w a s prop e r i n t h e a n c e s t ra l v a ul t of the S h i h fa m i ly

, ,

i n h er s ou t he rn h om e l a n d Af t er h a v i n g a rr a n g e d v ar i ou s dom es t i c
.

m a tt e rs w i t h C h i a L i en a n d o n c e more se r i ously a pp ea le d to Pa o Y u s
,
’

co n s c i en c e re g a rd i n g t h e a ppro a c h i n g S ta t e ex a m i n a t i o n he took l ea ve ,

o f t h e f a m i ly a n d t h e a n c e s t ors a n d s et o ut t o j ourn e y s ou t h o n bo ar d
,

s h i p w i t h s om e of t h e s e rv a n ts a n d t h e coffi n s of t he A n ces tress an d

h er fa i t h ful M a n d a r i n Duck T he co fli n of K0 C hi n g C h i a Yun g s fi rs t

’
. ,

w i fe wh o h a d d i ed you n g a n d th a t of Bl a ck J a d e we re a ls o t a ken a t
, ,

t h e s am e t i m e t o b e l i ke w i s e l a i d i n t he i r n a t i ve s ou t he r n e a rt h Cuckoo
,
.

h er d ea d m i s tres s Bla ck J a d e b a ck
, ,

whi le C h i a Yun g h ad c ha rge of t he

5 69
in c hara c t er a s comp a re d wi th hi s form er se lf He w as si l en t an d wr a p t .

i n m e d i t a t i o n ; h e bur i e d h i mse lf i n h i s books mo st ly o f T a o i st li te ra

t ur e a vo i d e d co n v e r sa t i o n a n d comp a n y an d—
,

a f a c t wh i c h w a s
, , p ar
t i cula rly r em a rke d w i th muc h sh a k i n g of h ea ds — p a i d n o mor e a t
t en t i o n t o h i s fe m i n in e en v i ro n m en t Cuckoo s i mply could n o t get ov e r
.

th e cool a n d i n d i ff e r en t r e c e p t i o n h e g a v e h er w h en sh e c a m e b a ck from
, .

Ya n gc h ow w her e sh e h a d l a i d Bla ck J a d e s r em a i n s in th e i r l a st r est

, .
’

i n g pl a c e T h ere sh e w a s si t t ing lo n ely an d fors a ken i n h er room

.
, ,

mourn i n g h e r d ea d m i str ess a n d he di d n ot t h i n k i t n e c essa ry t o p ay

‘

h er a v i si t t o s p ea k a word o f comfort t o h er a n d sh e d a t ear t og eth er

, ,

i n si l en t m e mory o f h er w h o h a d o n c e b een h i s b elov e d .

“
O n e ca n see n ow h o w fool i sh w e g i rls w e r e t o h a ve t a ken h i s fl o w
’
ery t a lk s o se r i ou s ly a n d t o h a v e l a v i sh e d o ur a ff e c t i o n s o n h i m T h a t s
’
-

”
h o w h e th a n ks us t he h ea r t l ess fe llow ! sh e compl a i n e d t o Mu sk A n d
, .

M us k an d P ea rl a n d th e o the r s co n firm e d h e r v e rd i c t W h a t di d th e y
. .

kn ow of t h e c h a n g e w h i c h h a d t a ken pl a c e wi t h i n h i m i n t he i n t e rv al ?
He w a s w a i t i n g an d pr ep a r i n g h i m self for t h e prom i s e d v i si t o f h i s
my st e r i ou s fri en d from th e o th e r world .

A n d o n e da y h e c am e .

“
Th at cr a zy fe lloww h o brough t th e st o n e i s b a ck a g a i n ! He i s a sk
”
i n g for h i s t en th ou s a n d b a tz es ! So th e m e ssa g e ra n a n d i t s et th e ,

wh ol e h ous e i n a n upro a r P a o Y u ru she d t o t he g a te i nj oyful h a st e

. .

“ ”
Wh e re i s my d ea r m a st e r h e w a s h ea rd c a ll i n g o ut a s he wen t t o
?
’
m e et h i m t o ev e ryon e s surpri se Y es i n d ee d t h ere th e f ellow w a s
, .
,

s t a n d i n g i n th e g a t e w a y ; a n d P a o Y u r ecog n i z e d h i m a s h i s r e c en t
’
t r a v e ll i n g comp an i o n Th e s e rv a n t Li Kw ei w as b a rr i n g t h e mo n k s
. .

w ay A t a si gn from P a o Y u h e h a d t o le t h i m go P a o Y u co n duct e d
. .

h i m i n t o t h e r e c e pt i o n h a ll as a n h o n or e d gu est .

“
Ple a se m a ke n o fu ss a b ou t m e I h a v e o n ly come t o fet ch my
“

. .

”
mo n ey ! d ecl a re d th e v i s i tor bru s qu ely Pa o Y u t h ough t th at t h i s w as
,
.

n o t t h e l a n gu a g e o f h oly i n st ruc t i o n w h i c h h e h a d exp e c t e d B u t w h en .

he s a w h i m w i t h h i s s c a b i ou s b a ld hea d i n h i s d i rt y t orn mon k s

“ ’

, , ,

h a b i t ou t w a rdly a p i c t ur e of th e u tmo st n egl e c t h e r em e mb e r e d th e

, ,

O l d sa y i n g t h a t t h e w i se m a n do es n o t c a r e for ou t w a rd d i s pl a y an d ,

t h a t t h o se w h o do c a r e for i t a re u s u a lly n o t w i se m en H e w a s t h e re .

for e a t p a i n s n o t t o t h i n k t he l ess of h i s v i si t or b ec a use o f h i s a ppe a r

an c e .

“
D O n o t worry a bou t t he mo n ey M a st er ! My mo th er i s coll ec t i n g i t
,

r i gh t n o w B ut pl ea se t a ke a sea t m ean t i me T h e un w o i th y d i sc i pl e h as
. “
'

a f ew qu e s t i o n s th a t pre occupy hi m D o yo u n o t com e from t h e P h a n

.
_

”
t o m R ea lm Of t he Gr ea t Vo i d ? h e a ske d pol i tely .

“
Wh a t do I kn ow o f Ph a n t om R e alm a n d Gr ea t Vo i d ? I com e from
”
s om e wh er e a n d l a m go i n g s om ewh e r e ; t h a t i s a ll w as t he cryp t i c ,

5 70
 “ ’
It s Of n o i mport a n ce , he
d rea ss ur i n gly t o h i s mo th er ; th ensa i ,
“
po i n t ing w i th a sm i l e a t P ea rl a n d Cuckoo h e sa i d : They a re t o o ,
-

e a s i ly s c a r e d T he s t i ff n eck e d m o n k w o u l d n o t h ea r o f a n
y b a rg a i n i n g
-
. .

He would n o t r e duc e h i s d e m a n d by even a coppe r p i e c e T h a t a nn oy e d

‘

m e a n d I j u st l e f t h i m st a n d i n g t h er e I wi ll O ff e r t o r et ur n th e st on e
, .

t o h i m a n d t e ll h i m t h a t i t s n o t t h e r ea l o n e a ft e r a ll an d t h a t w e do n o t
’
,

s et a n
y grea t st or e by i t Th en h e wi ll sur ely mod i fy h i s r i d i culou s de
.

”
m a n d an d b e gl a d t o get w h a t ev e r w e g i v e hi m Th at s a ll .
’
.

H i s clev e rly c a lcul a te d word s s ou n d e d v e ry r ea s o n able t o a thr i ft y

h ou se w i fe a n d i n f a c t M a d a m e C h en g w a s i n st a n t ly r ea ss ur e d
, .

“ ” “
Oh th a t s all r i g ht ! sh e s a i d
’
, I th ough t th a t you w an t e d a ctua lly .

t o h a n d h i m ov e r t h e s t o n e W h y d i d n t yo u t ell th a t t o t h e tw o g i rls a t
’
.

? ”
ori c e a n d sp a re th em th i s a l t e rc a t i o n
,

B ut Pr e c i ou s Cl a sp full of a n x i ou s for ebod i n g s w a s o f an o th er

, ,

op i n i o n .

“
That si n i st er m o n k fellow i s n o t t o b e t ru st e d ! W h o kn ow s ? If he
'

i s a llow e d t o h a v e t h e st o n e e v en for a mom en t h em a y s udd en ly di s ap ,

p e a r w i th i t B ett er sa fe t h a n sorry ! I would pr e fe r t o sa cr i fice my

.

j ewe lry .

A n d b e for e P a o Y u could st op h er sh e h a d wr e ste d th e s t o n e fr om ,

h i s h a n d i n a t ri c e .

“
S o th a t i s sett l e d sh e co n t i n u e d Now y o u n ee d n ot go b a ck t o
, .

”
h i m a t all Your mo t h e r a n d I w i ll r a i se th e mo n ey b et w een u s
. .

“
V er y w ell B ut I w an t a t l ea st t o sa y good b y t o h i m prop erly for
.
-

,
”
d ec en cy s sa k e he r em a rke d w i t h aff ec t e d i n d i ff e r en c e Th a t also
’
, .

s ou n d e d r ea s o n a bl e P ea rl l e t go o f h i m a t l a st
. .

“
It se em s t o m e t h a t you wom en set mor e st or e o n t h e s t o n e i ts e lf
‘

t h a n o n m y o w n p er s o n W h a t i f I r an o ff w i t h t h e mo n k n ow ? Wh a t
.

? ”
good would t h e st o n e b e t o you t hen he j es t e d He w i sh ed t o pr ep a re .

t h e m w i t h s uc h j ok e s for t h i n g s t o com e P e a rl s s u s p i c i o n s w e r e i m
’
.

m e d i a t ely rea w a k en e d Sh e c a ugh t h old of h i m a g a i n t h en r em emb er

.
, ,

i n g t h a t t w o l a d i es o f t h e h ou s e w ere pr e s en t w i th dr ew h er h an d ,

qu i ckly a n d forc e d h e rself t o a mor e r est r a in ed d em e an or A n d n ow .

t h e w a y w as fr ee for P a o Y u .

B u t P e a rl w a s s o fr i g h t en e d t h a t sh e s en t word t o h i s p e rs o n a l
se rv a n t M i n g Y e n b eh i n d h i s b a ck urg en t ly a s ki n g h i m an d h i s s ub
, , ,

ord i n a t es a t t he t h i rd g a t ew a y t o keep a sh a rp e ye o n t he l i tt l e m ast e r ,

l est he m i gh t po ssi bly b e en ti c e d a w a y w i t h ou t a do by th e st ra n ge

mon k .

M a d a m e C h en g an d Pre c i ou s Cl a sp h a d r et i r e d t o t hei r room s a g a i n ,

an d t h e r e i n pr i v a cy t h e y g o t P ea rl t o t ell th e m t h e w h ol e s t ory o f th e

n o i s y i n c i d en t w h i c h h a d j us t t a k en pl a c e W h en P e a rl r ep e a t e d word .

for word the my st er i ou s u tt er an c es w h i ch Pa o Y u h a d let drop dur i n g

5 72
th e s t ruggl e th e tw o l a d i es b ec a m e ex t remely pe rt ur b ed aga i n a n d g a ve
,
,

ord er s t ha t the fron t h a ll where Pa o Y u w a s w i th hi s gues t sh ould b e

, ,

s urro un d e d by w a t c he rs w ho w e r e a l s o t o w a tc h u n ob t ru s i v e ly t h roug h
,

th e wi n dow wh a t w a s go i n g o n i n s i d e W a i t i n g m a i d s we re se n t t o r un
.

b a ck a n d for th a n d re port wh at the wa tche rs were a ble to c a tch of t he

con ve rsa t i on wh i ch w as ta k i n g pl a c e .

“
T he li tt le m a ster do es n o t s eem t o b e qu i te r i g ht in the hea d o ne ,
“
messen ge r repor te d my ste r i ously The p eopl e li sten in g un de r th e .

w in dow hea rd h i m sa y i n g t o th e s tr a n ge mo n k th a t he could n o t d el i ver

h i m t he st on e — hi s i n n er self prev en te d h i m from do i ng so —b ut th a t he
off ere d hi m h i s p erso n i n stea d He w a s rea dy t o go a wa y w i th h im
. .

“ “
Wh y th a t s qu i t e
’
, th e h orri fi ed Tai ta i An d .

? ”
wh a t di d th e mon k say to t ha t
“
He sa i d he d em a n de d th e st o n e an d n o t th e pe rs o n .

The o n e i s the s a m e as the o th er

“ ”
i n t e rj e c ted Prec i ou s Clas p ex
,

“
ci t e dly . T h e st o n e an d P a o Y u a re o ne ! The fe llow is jus t b e i n g
”
fun n y ! Di d he say n o th i n g a bou t mon ey th en ?
,
“
I don t kn ow After th a t the co n versa t i on b ec ame ve ry l i vely in fa c t
’
. ,

m erry b ut th e m en un d er th e w i n dow were n o t able to un d e rs tan d

,
”
muc h o f i t .

“
Wh at n on sense ! Th ey do n t ha ve to b e so v e ry lea rne d t o b e able
’

”
t o un d e rs t an d a si mpl e co n ve rs a t i o n That s the l ast str a w ! cr i e d
’
.

M a d a me C hen g fl yi n g i n to a p a ss i o n A n d she sen t for o n e of the

,
'
.

li st ene r s N a t ur a lly he could n o t sh ow h i m se lf b efore th e l a d i es b ut ha d

.
,

t o g i v e hi s r e port th roug h th e w i n dow from th e v e r an d a .

“
W e were un abl e t o foll ow th e co n versa t i o n complete ly he sa i d , ,

a s i t w as a bov e o ur h ea d s W e coul d o n ly c a t c h s om e th i n g a bou t

.

’
‘
moun t a i n w i ld e rn ess an d green cra g s an d Rea lm o f th e Gre a t Vo i d
’ ‘ ’ ‘

”
a n d t he l i k e
’
a n d re d du s t a n d se v e r i n g from ea rth ly d est i n y
‘ ’ ‘
.
,

M a d ame C hen g di d n o t kn ow e i th er wh a t t hese expressi ons me a n t

, , ,

b ut Pre c i ou s Cl a sp di d un de rst an d an d b ec a me ex tr emely pe rt urbe d ,

.

Sh e w a s so fr i g h t en e d t h a t s h e w as j u s t g i v i n g ord e rs f o r P ao Y u t o b e

fet che d b ack a t on ce when he a rr i ve d hi mse lf He seemed to be m very .

h i gh s p i ri ts .

“
Every t hi n g wen t off splen di dly h e ann oun ce d ga i ly .

”
Drop t he foole ry a n d pull yourse lf t ogethe r ! sa i d hi s mo ther

F o o lery ? Oh I fee l pe rfe c t ly clea rhea de d The mon k i s a good o ld

,
.

fr i en d o f m i n e; He o n ly c a m e to sa y he llo t o m e Wh a t he sa i d a bou t .

mo y d d m ean s e ir ou ly A ll
’
h k d i re t u rn for b i s
th e ne he i n t s e as e n .
.

wa y s an d rem embe r my ori g i n a l

cle a r t o m e Then he s udde nly .

5 73
flo a te d a w a y So w e st i ll h a v e th e st on e an d w e di d n o t h a v e to pay
. .
,
”
t h e mo n ey I sn t t h a t s pl en d i d
’
.
?

T h e o th e rs exch an g e d i n cr edulou s gl a n c es M a d am e C h en g ga v e .

orde rs thr ough th e w i n dow t o th e l i st en e r w ho w as st i ll w a i ti n g ou tsi de

t o run t o t h e fron t Of th e p a l a c e a n d fi n d o u t i f th i s w as t ru e Af t er a .

“
wh i l e t h e m an c a m e b a ck a n d r e port e d : Y es t h at i s t rue The g a te ,
.

wa t ch men sa w th e s t r a n ge mon k go i n g aw a y Hes a i d t o t ell th e Ta i ta i .

th a t sh e n ee d n o t worry ; h e a sk ed n o mo n e y a s r e comp en s e ; h e o n ly
wi shed th a t th e l i t t l e m aste r sh ould v i si t h i m n o w a n d th en A n d h e sa i d .
,
”
m ore ov e r th a t wh a t eve r h a pp en s i s pr e d e st i n e d by th e h i gh e r pow er s
, .

M a d a m e C hen g br e a t he d a si g h of rel i e f Sh e w as n o w fr ee d from a .

grea t fi n a n c i a l worr y .

“
He seem s t o b e qu i t e a n i c e r ea s on a bl e f ellow a ft e r a ll sh e sa i d
, ,
“
con t en t e d ly B ut w h er e i s my so n t o v i si t h i m ? D i d th e g a te w at chm en
.

? ”
as k th a t
”
H e l i v es f a r a w a y an d n ea r ,
ccord i n g t o h o w yo u look at i t i n te r
a ,

po se d P a o Y u w i th a sm i l e How puzzl i n g t h i s r e m a rk s oun d e d t oo !

.
,
‘

“
Com e b a ck t o your sen ses a t l a st a n d t a ke yo ur h ea d o ut of the
” “
cloud s sa i d Pr ec i ou s Cl as p i mp a t i en tly H a ve you n o feel i n g for
. .

your p a r en t s w h o are s uff e r in g s o much o n your a ccou n t ? Pul l your

,
”
se lf t og et h e r a n d r e w a rd th ei r lov e by a c h i e v i n g s om et h in g n obl e .

Oh i s wh a t I i n t i m a t e d n o t a n obl e a ch i e v em en t ? D o yo u n ot kn ow
,

th e s a y i n g
“
A s o n w h o t o th e Buddha vow s h i s l i fe
Open s h ea v en s ga te t o seven a n cest ors ’
.

M a d a m e C hen g fel t h er h ea rt t orn w h en sh e h ea rd h i m ,

“
'
”
Ho w fri gh t ful ! Wh at cur se h as com e ov er o ur h ous e ? sh e cr i e d ,

“
b e si d e h er se lf Th e se p e rver se n o t i on s o f fl e ei n g th e world ! F i rst
.

”
Gr i ef o f Spri n g an d n o w P a o Y u , I ll n ev er s urv i v e i t !
_
’

A n d sh e broke i n t o v i ol en t s obb i n g .

“ ”
I w a s on ly j o k i n g sa i d P a o Y u smi l i n gly t ry i n g t o r eass ur e h er
, , .

B ut h e w as n o t j ok i n g It w as ob serve d t h a t h e sh u t h i m self o ff more

.

an d more from h i s fr i en d s a n d h e p e opl e o f t h e h ou s e a n d w i t h dr ew

t
t o t he s i l en c e o f h i s st udy o st e n si bly t o pr e p ar e for t h e a ppro a c h i n g
,

S ta t e ex am i n a t i on b ut i n r ea l i t y t o bury h i m se lf mor e an d mor e i n h i s

b elov e d ph i lo soph y Th e on ly p e rs on i n th e h ou se w i t h wh om h e st i ll
.

i n dulg e d i n a n e xc h a n g e of t h ough ts n o w a n d a g a i n w a s h i s cou s i n a n d

ki n dre d S p i r i t Gr i e f of Spri n g A my st er i ou s utte r a n c e wh i ch he m a d e
,
.

’
s r emov a l t o th e Ki ng fi sh er s C a g e
’
o n th e occ a s i o n of Gr i e f of i n
Spr g _

arous e d a gre a t d ea l o f comm en t .

Aft er a q ua rr e l w i th h er si ster in law C h en for wh om she h a d l i t tl e

- -

lOv e Gr i ef o f Spr i n g h a d s udde n ly d ec i de d t o cut o fl th e r ema i n in g

,

5 74
b ri n g i n g h i m h i s tea an d si m i l a r serv i ces o f a p er so n a l n a t ur e i n st ea d ,

Of pre tt y li tt le Wu th e youn g est o f th e w a i t i n g m a i d s w h o h a d b ee n

, ,

g i v en t o h i m i n r epl a c em en t o f the l a t e Bri gh t Cloud So n ow h e would .

prob a bly n o t get si lly i dea s a n d b e d i st r a c t e d from h i s books .

Her a ppr eh en s i o n w a s u n foun d e d h ow e v er H e h a d r e solv e d of h i m

, .

se lf n o t t o look a t a n g rl a g a i n a n d up t o t h e da
y i , y of th e e x a m i n a t i o n
b e s ubj ec t e d h i m self t o a l i fe of st r i c t vol un ta ry se clu s i o n D ur i n g th o se .

d a y s o f pr e p a r a t i on h e di d n o t e ven p a y th e a ccust om e d morn i n g a n d

ev en in g d ut y vi s i t t o h i s mo th e r b ut go t wa i t i n g m a i ds t o con v e y t o
,

h er h i s d a i ly t si n g a n .

T h e t i m e f or th e grea t e x a m i n at i on wh i c h w a s a w a i te d wi th t rem u
,

lou s an x i et y by the l a d i es Of t h e w este rn p a l a c e ha d com e a t la st On , .

th e morn i n g of t h e Op en i n g da y P ao Y u a ccomp a n i e d by h i s n ep h e w ,

C hi a La ri c a m e t o t a ke l ea v e of h i s mo t h er It w a s th e fir st t i m e th a t
, .

M a d a m e C hen g h a d ha d t o a llow he r so n t o p a ss t he n i g ht a w a y from

h om e Fo r dur i n g th e t h ree d a y s of th e ex a m i n a t i o n t he c a n di d a te s w er e
.

kept i n st r i c t co n fi n em en t a n d w e re n o t p erm i tte d t o lea v e th ei r b a re

,

e x a m i n a t i o n c e ll s ev en a t n i g h t A n d so t h oug h P a o Y u a t n i n et een
.
, , ,

w a s pr ett y w e ll grown up by n o w h i s mo t h e r g a v e h i m pl en t y of pra c

,

t i c a l m a t e rn a l a dv i c e a n d a l s o wep t s o m
, , e mo t h e rly t e a r s o f f a r e w e ll .

P a o Y u h i ms e lf t ook th e p a r t i n g v e ry s ole mn ly t oo He kn el t down b e .

fore h i s mo t her a n d sa lut e d h er w i th a c e r emon i a l kowt ow t ouch i n g ,

h i s forehea d t o t h e grou n d t h r e e t i m es .

“
Up t i ll n o w I ha v e h a d n o Opport un i t y o f re p ay i n g my moth er f or
”
all th e lov e t h a t sh e h a s s h own m e s i n c e I c a m e in t o th e world h e sa i d ,
“
ea rn e st ly I w i ll exe rt my se lf t o p a ss t he ex a m in a t i on as w ell a s I ca n
.

a n d t h e r eby m a ke good my form er n e gli g en c e If i t i s gr a n t e d m e t o .

g i ve my p a ren ts jo y by a n o t a ble succ ess I sh a ll r eg a rd my fil i a l du t y ,

a s fu lfill e d a n d t h e i n j u s t i c e wh i c h I h a v e b een do i n g my p a r en ts a ll my
”
l i fe as a t on e d f o r .

How s olemn tha t s o un de d ! L i ke a p a r t i n g for ever !

“
My good good b o y ! If on ly your Old gr an dm o th er h a d l i v e d t o see
,
”
t hi s h our ! s obb e d t h e T a i ta i d ee ply mov e d as sh e r a i se d hi m t o hi s
, ,

feet .

“
Ev en th ough sh e i s n o lon ger bod i ly a mon g u s h er sp i r i t w i ll b e o ur ,
”
wi tn ess an d wi ll rej o i c e w i th us , he d ecl are d si mply .

“ ”
D o n o t w ee p Ta i ta i , t h e o th er s sa i d comfort i n gly t o M a da m e
,
“
C hen g Y o u h a v e eve ry r ea son t o b e j oyful seei n g th a t h e h as m a
.
,

t ured at l ast i n t o a sen s i bl e a n d co n sc i en t i ou s so n an d a dul t .

A n d w i th m a n y fo n d w i sh es th e t w o you th s t he fu t ur e h op e o f th e ,

wh ole cl an w ere see n o ff on thei r w a y to the a r en a

, .

Wh en th e thr ee d a y s o f th e ex a m in a ti on w ere over Chi a Lari c am e ,

b a ck— w i th out Pa o Y u It w as a lrea dy late in th e even in g

. .

5 76
 B ut w here i s your U n cl e P a o Y u ? ” a sked t he l a di es d i sma yed .
,
”
I h a ve lo st h i m , repl i e d C h i a Lari u n ha pp i ly .

Wh at n o n sen se ! Ho w can a grown u p m a n w i th wh om yo u h ave -

b e e n t og h r the wh ol e t i me si mply get lo st sa i d h is mo th er W i dow

e t e
,
? ”
,

Ch u sh a rply
, .

“
I sha re d the sa me c e ll w i t h h i m a n d a te a t t he sa me t a ble a n d i n the ,

ex a mi n a t i o n h a ll t o o h e w a s a lw a y s w i t h i n my s i g ht T h i s
, , morn i n g w e .

h an d e d i n our ex a m i n a t i o n p a pe rs t og ether a n d th en l e f t th e ex a m i n a
—
,

t i o n h a ll t og e t h e r O n our w a
y. h om e— i t w a s a t t h e Dr a go n G a t e l
s udd en ly lo s t s i g h t of h i m i n t h e crowd L i Kw e i w h o h a d com e t o m ee t
.
,

us a t t h e Dr a go n G a t e w i t h h i s p e opl e h a d seen h i m a mom en t b e for e

’
, ,

wa lk i n g a f ew ste ps b eh i n d m e T hen h e h a d sudd en ly d isa p pe a re d I

. .

h a ve b een s e a rc h i n g a n d i n qu i r i n g for h i m w i th L i Kwe i a n d the o the r

”
se rv a n t s a ll da y b ut h e could n o t b e fou n d
, .

T hi s n e w s p ut t he wh ole h ouse i n t o a t urmo i l o f exc i t em ent an d gri e f

’

T h e m a l e s erv a n ts w h o wer e a lr ea dy looki n g forw a rd to t h e cu st om a ry

,

fea st i n st ea d o f s i t t i n g down to a b a nque t h ad to go o u t d esp i te th e

, ,

l a ten ess o f the h our to sea rc h the c i t y o n c e mo re for th e lo st you t h Th e

, .

o n ly p e rs o n i n the p a l a ce w h o did n o t se em p a rt i cul a rly touc hed by Pa o

Y u s d i s a pp e a r a n c e w a s Gr i e f o f Spr i n g
’ ’

“ ”
D i d h e h a v e h i s s t o n e w i t h h i m w h en h e w e n t a w a y ? sh e a ske d

Pr ec i ou s Cl a sp a d th i s w a s he r Only i n qu i ry Pre c i ou s Cl a sp n odd e d

,
n
. ,

wh e reupo n sh e m a d e n o fur th e r rem ark B ut Pea rl rem emb e re d th e .

o a t h wh i c h Pa o You h ad sworn y e a rs b e fore to Bl a ck J a de a n d Pre ,

ci o u s Cl a s p a l s o
p u t t w o a n d tw o t og e th e r w i t h a s i g h ,
.

It w a s a lr ea dy lo n g p a s t m i d n i g h t w h e n th e se a rc hers w h o h a d b ee n
s e n t o u t r e t urn e d T h e y h a d n o re s ul t t o re port All t he i n qu i ri es m a d e
. .

i n th e d a y s t h a t follow e d l i kew i se prov e d i n v a i n A n d t hen ea rly o n e .

,

morn i n g w h i l e th e l a d i e s w e re s t i ll a sl eep t h e grea t an d j oyful n ew s

, ,

a rr i v e d t h a t t h e re s ul t s of t h e S t a t e ex a m i n a t i o n h a d j u s t b ee n m a d e

kn own a t t h e e a rly morni n g a ud i en c e P a o Y u ha d w on sev en th pl a ce

.

o n t h e l i s t of s ucc e ss ful c a n d i d a t e s Hi s n e p he w C h i a La n ha d a ls o
.

p a sse d H i s n a m e w a s t h e h u n dre d a n d th i rt i eth o n the li st Bo t h h a d

.
- -
.

e co n d doc t or s d egr ee a n d he n c e forth m i g h t proudly

’

,
“
o n e of th e e l e c t comp a n y o f k u y en
-
or Ex a l te d .
,

fille d t he h a ll s of t he weste rn p a la c e b ut P a o Y u s t i ll ,

r em a i ne d m i ssi n g Y e t th ere w a s s om e l i tt le comfort i n t he t h ough t th a t

.

a n ew k u ye n wh os e n a m e would b e c a rr i ed o n t he win gs of fame

,
.

of the Emp i re could ha r dly rem a i n un de ,

 from t h efam i ly tell i n g h im o f th e l a t est i mport a n t even ts at hOm e Th e .

n ew s t h a t h i s i ll f a te d c h i ld P a o Y u h a d p a s s e d t h e e x a m i n a t i o n so
‘

, ,

bri ll i a n t ly fill e d h i s p a r en t a l h ea r t w i th proud j oy wh i c h w a s d i mm e d , ,

a l a s by h i s a n x i e t y ov e r t h e boy 8 s udd e n my s te r i ou s d i s a pp ea r a n c e
’
.
,

H e l ea rn e d furt h er th a t t h e Impe r i a l m a st e r h a d p a rt i cul a rly m en

, ,

t i o n e d t h e m a gn i fic en t a ch i e v e m en t of t h e se v en t h c a n d i d a te o n t h e l i s t ,

an d h a d a sk e d th e ex a m i n a t i on comm i ss i o n t o furn i sh h i m w i t h a de
‘

t a i l ed r epor t r e g a rd i n g t h e p e r s o n a l c i rc um s t a n c e s of t h e h i g h ly prom i s
i n g a n d t a l e n t e d you n g m a n W h en h e l e a rn e d from th e r e port of t h e
.

C h a i rm an O f th e e x am i n a ti on comm i ss i on t h e Pr i n ce Of t he Nort h er n ,

Qu i et n ess t h a t th e sev en th o n the li st w as a f ull bro ther O f t h e form er

,

Im p e r i al wi fe B eg i n ni n g of Spr i n g an d th at th e C hi a fa m i ly h a d pr o
, ,

duce d tw o k u y en on t h i s occ a si o n h e fel t move d t O pour o u t h i s Im ,

per i a l f a vor ov e r t h e C h i a cl an on c e m or e B ein g gr a t i fi e d mor e ov er .

, ,

h y t h e s ucc e ss of th e r ec en t o ff en s i ve a g a i n st t he p i r a te pe st a n d t he ,

gen e r a lly co n ten t e d a n d p ea c ea bl e st a te t o wh i ch th e r ea lm O f t h e t en

t h ou sa n d f a m i l i e s h a d n o w b een h a pp i l r est or e d h e gr a c i ou s ly ord er e d
y ,

a gr ea t g e n er a l amn e st y th roug h ou t t h e Emp i re Th a n ks t o th i s a m .

n e st y ;
th e t w o ex i le d m emb e r s of th e Cl a n S h i eh a n d C h e n w e r e t o b e ,

p e rm i t t e d t o r et urn from b ani shm en t ; th e i r co n fi sc a t e d p rop er t y would

b e r est ore d t o th em Ch i a C h e n a s Lord of t h e e a ste rn p a l a c e w a s
.
,
:
, ,

rn O r eo v e r r a i s e d a g a i n tO t h e n Ob il i t h g h b ur e On ly t o t h e
'
‘ ‘
, y t b u t o e s ,.
.

t h i rd r a n k n a m e ly t h a t of a cou n t C hi a C h en g r e m ai n e d t he o n ly p o s
, , .

s e ss o r of t h e t i t l e Of pr i n ce a n d fur thermor e w a s res t O re d t o h i s off i c e

, ,

of S t a t e Co unc i llor i n t h e M i n i st ry o f Works In a dd i t i o n th e Imp e r i a l .

,

Lord g a ve ord ers th a t an O ffi ci a l se a rc h w a s t o b e m ad e for the se ven t h

‘
‘

s ucc e s s ful c a n di d a te o u t h el i s t
’

C h i a C h eng h ea rd a ll th i s c h eerful n ews w i t h t e a rs of m i n l e d j oy

g
an d sh a m e Ho w u n j u s t he h a d b een i n t h e p a s t t o h i s d espi s ed
. de ,
.

g en er a t e s on T h e C h i a cl a n h ad n o w t o t h a n k th i s dpspi se d a nd de
. ,
‘

en e r a t e s o n for t h e f a ct t ha t th e ro o f of t h e H a ll of A n c es t or s w as b e i n g
f

g
a do rii e d w i t h n ew l u s t e r !

T Orn b y a mul t i t ud e of cOn fl i cti n g emo t i o n s C hi a C h en g urg ed the ,

of hi s sh i p t o
‘cr w r e a t e r s p ee d for h e h i m self w as un a bl e t o res t
'
t
e
g .
.

ei t h e r d or i g h t H w s u i n W i t h fl O g g
n in t s e e hi s
‘
"
r
a
y n ,
e a
: n g o .

a g a i n an d a l s o tO t h row h i m
,
s e lf up o n h i s kn ees b e for e t h e s t e p s

T h r on e t h e re t o r en der he ar t fe l t tha n ks
,
.

H e a rri v e d o n e day a t t h e p ost s t at i o n K i m l i n g H er e h e m a de a br i ef

’ '

h a l t i n ord e r h urr i e dly t o c o mpl e te a l et t e r i n reply t o t h e o ne f r0 m h i s ~

,

w i fe A s udd en s p el l of cold h a d b rough t a l ig h t f a ll o f sn ow th a t day

.
’

wh i c h e n v el ope d t he la n d s c a p e i n a m a ii t le O f wh i t e C h i a Chen g h ad .

se n t a ll h i s st a ff o n t o la n d exc ep t i o n

h ad t o p rese nt h i s v i si tin g c ar d t o the v a r i ou

,
,
an d w i de th er e w a s n o thi n g t o b e se en b ut th e wh i t e s n owy emp t y , ,

l a n d sc a p e S h a k i n g h i s h ea d h e t urn e d b a ck M ea n t i m e h i s o th er serv
.
, .

a nt s h a d r et ur n e d t o t h e sh i p Mr C h e n g t old t h e m o f h i s st r a n g e en
. .

count er They s a i d he sh ould i n t errup t t he j ourn e y an d h a ve th e wh ol e

,

d i st r i ct sea rc he d t h orough ly for h i s so n Pa o Y u .

Mr C hen g sh ook h i s h ea d a n d si gh e d H e w a s lo st i n th ough t

. . .

“ ” “
It i s st ra n g e v e ry st r a n g e ! h e murmur e d t o h i m self
, I saw h im .

a n d h i s comp a n i o n s w i th my o wn e y es I a l s o d i st i n c t ly h ea rd th e i r
‘

si n g i n g It w a s d e fi n i t e ly n o t i m a g i n a t i o n o r som e e mp t y p h a n t om v i
.
,

s i on . M a n y th i n g s are n o w b e com i n g clea r t o m e H e c a m e i n t o t h e .

world w i th a pr ec i ou s st o n e i n h i s mou th Th a t w as u n c a n n y en ough ; I .

a lw a y s f e l t u n e a s y a bou t i t from th e v e ry b e g i nn i n g B u t we ll for .

,

th e s a k e of h i s gr a n dmo th er w e r ea r e d a n d fo st e r e d t h e s p i r i t ch i ld .

Th en th es e tw o p e cul i a r fellows a pp ea re d o n t h e s c en e Th r ee t i m es .

t h e y h a v e i n t e rv en e d i n h i s l i fe O n c e wh en th e boy la y i ll t h e y r e
.
, ,

s t or e d t h e pow er o f t h e st o n e w i t h t h ei r i n c an t a t i o n s a n d m a d e h i m w e ll
’
a gain Then o n e of t h e fe llow s th e o n e i n t h e bonz e s cowl brough t
.
, ,

b a ck th e lo st st on e a n d sa v e d th e boy from d ea th for th e se con d t i m e .

Th a t t i m e I s a w h i m w i th my o wn e y e s si tt i n g i n t he r e c e p t i on h a ll th en
a ll of a s udd en h e d i sa pp ea r e d A n d n o w t od a y t h e y h a v e s p i r i t e d a w a y
.

t h e boy h i m s e lf In t h e p a st I w a s fill e d w i t h won d e r ov e r th e fort un at e

.

fellow w h o h a d ex a l t e d sp i r i ts from t h e o th er world for h i s fr i en d s a n d ‘

h elp e rs B u t w h o would h a v e t h ough t t h a t o n e da y h e h i m s elf would

“
.

j o i n t h e world of sp i r i ts ? For n i n et een lo n g y ea rs ,clo th e d i n th e form

o f a h um a n b e i n g h e fool e d h i s gr a n dmo t h e r Now h e h a s b e com e o n c e .

mor e wh a t h e w a s b efor e—a sp i r i t No ! It i s qu i t e u se l ess t o go sea rch

,

”
i n g for s p i r i ts 1
A n d w i th a s i g h C h i a Ch en g p i ck e d up h i s wr i t i n g bru sh t o fi n i sh t h e
l et t er h om e w h i c h h e h a d b egun H e r epor t e d h i s a m az i n g en coun t e r
.

w i t h P a o Y u a n d a dd e d t h e rem a rk t h a t t he y sh ould n o t mourn th e

,

lo st s o n an y mor e In a n y c a se h e h a d n o a p t i t ud e wh a t eve r for the

.

c a ree r of a n offic i a l W h o kn ow s wh a t m i sch i e f h e would h a ve go t imo

.

i n a n offi c i a l po s i t i o n a n d w h a t d i sa st e r h e m i gh t h a v e brough t o n the

,

cl a n ? To h a v e produc e d a bodh i s a tt v a w as qu i t e an h on or for t he

.

f a m i ly a n d c e r t a i n ly n o d i s gr a c e
, .

T h e v a r i ou s m e mb e rs o f t h e cl an w h o h a d b een a w a y a rr i ve d h ome
i n r a p i d s ucc ess i o n —C h i a C h en g from hi s j ourn ey t o t he Sou th ; C hi a
S h i eh a n d C h i a C h en from t h ei r ex i l e ; H su eh P an p a rdo n e d an d r a n
‘

so m e d from h i s i mpr i s o n m en t Th e l a tt e r w a s compl e t ely r e pe n t a n t a n d

. ,

o n r e t ur n i n g h om e s wor e a s ol e m n o a th t h a t h e would t a k e h i s l i f e i f h e

ev e r a g a i n fe ll b a ck i n t o h i s old v i c e s A t h i s mo th e r s w i sh h e r a i s e d
’
.
,

h i s co n cub i n e Lo ui s t o th e po s i t i o n o f pr i n c i p a l w i f e i n pl a c e of H s i a ,

w h o h a d m et h e r en d by po i s o n i n g A n d s o t h e form e r s l a v e g i rl ev en
.

580
t ua ll y rea che d the posi t i o n i n soc i ety “M as prope r to her b i rt h an d
e duc a t i on .

On th e very n ext da y a fte r h i s ret urn h ome C h i a C hen g c a ll e d a t the

Gr a n d S ecre t a ri at a nd through th e good o fi ces of the Gr an d S e cre
,

t a r i es w h o w ere k i n dly d i spo se d t ow a rds h i m ob t a i ne d a n a ud i e n c e of

, ,

t h a n ks w i th the Lord o f th e T h ou sa n d Ye a r s T h e Empe ror i n qu i r e d .

symp a t het i c a lly for th e lo s t so n P a o Y u a n d w a s d ee ply mov e d w hen

, ,

h e he a rd o f Mr C hen g s str an g e en coun te r i n t he s n ow O nc e more he

’
. .

re c a lle d a pprec i at i v ely the m a gn i fi cent a chi ev eme nt o f t he se ve nth

.
'

c a n d i d a t e on th e ex a m i n a t i on lis t It ha d b een hi s i n ten t i o n to c a ll t he

.

youn g m a n up fo r serv i ce i n the l m peri a l P al ac e nea r h i s o wn pe rso n

. .

By h i s Impe r i a l gra ce h e a wa r de d h i m by decree the ex a l te d t i t l e o f

“ ”
T he Imm or tal of M a rve llou s L i t erary Ac h i e ve m en t The co n ferr i ng .

of t h i s hon or console d th e cl a n to som e ex ten t fo r th e phy s i c a l lo ss o f

t he s on o f th e fa m i ly A n o t he r co n s ola t i o n w a s th e fa c t th at Pre c i ou s
.

Cl asp w a s exp ec t i n g a c h i ld Th u s Pa o Y u would st i ll a fter a ll li ve o n

.
, ,

p h y si c a lly t o o i n a c er ta in sen se i n the clan

, , .

1 —
Y u Ts un l o a mon g th o se a fl ected by t he m a t a mn esty In o n e
w as a s .

from a gre a t he i ght b ei n g dra gge d str a i gh t from

,

pr i so n i n c h a i n s Corrup t i b i l i ty self e n r i c hmen t

, .
,
-

th ro ug h offi c e a n d d e fe a t i n g t he en d s of t he la w were t he a buses o f

,

o ffi c e l a i d to h i s c h a rg e by t he Qensors b ei g e; t he Impe r i a l T hro n e .

Th ese off en ses we re en ough to c a ll for a seve re pu n i shme n t for the ru l ,

i n g So n of H ea ven w a s a n en l i g h ten e d rule r wi th a keen s oc i a l con

s c i en c e rea dy t o fl y i n to a r age at t he mere words se lf e n ri c hme nt
,
-

” “ ” “ ”
t hroug h offi c e oppressi on o f t he peopl e a n d explo i ta ti o n Tha n ks
, ,
.

t o t h e gr ea t a m n es t y h ow e v er Y u T s u n go t 0 3 qu i t e l i g ht ly He m e re ly
, ,
.

lo st offi c e an d r an k w a s re duce d o n ce more t o t h e st a t us of a co m

,

mo ne r an d h a d t o re t urn t o h i s n a t i v e t own of Suc h ow as a n ord i n a ry

,

s ubj e c t A n d so th e proud c a r ee r o f t h e a mb i t i ou s pl a c e h u n t er en d e d
-

j us t w h ere i t ha d b e gun i n a sma ll a n d h umbl e w a y m a n y y ea rs a go .

Y u Ts un ha d sen t h i s fa m i ly o n a hea d a n d w as follow i n g w i th his

( 1 lo ts of t i m e o n th e w a y t o

a n d t h e t r a n s i tory na t ure o f

v i c in i ty of wh i c h

58 1
 Greet i n g s worth y Mr Ch i a ! Ho w h a ve yo u b een si n c e . be 7”
,

g an t he old h ermi t .

“
A r e you n o t M a ste r S h i h Y i n g ? ”
a s ke d Y u T s u n W h y di d yo u .

h i d e your i d en t i t y a t o ur l a st m eet i n g ? I w a s gr e a t ly t roubl e d a bou t yo u

a ft er your t empl e w a s burn e d down an d cou n t my se lf lucky t o see you

a g a i n t od a y O n ly n o w do I r ea l i z e h o w w ell you h a v e do n e for your self

.
,

th a n ks t o your ex a l t e d a n d w i s e i n si gh t I wr et ch e d fool o n t h e co n .
, ,

t ra ry w a s obdur a t e a n d d e lud e d Now I h a ve r e c e i v e d t h e d ese rv e d re

, .

”
w a rd o f my folly .

“
Th e l a st t i m e you w ere r es pl en d en t i n o fli ce a n d d i gn i ti es How
, .

”
could th e m i ser a bl e lo o k i n g h erm i t t a ke the l i b ert y of kn ow i n g you
- ?
“
r e pl i e d S h i h Y i n g w i th t h e sh a d ow of a sm i le It w a s o n ly b ec a u se of .

our old rel a t i o n s t ha t I v en t ur e d t o Open my mou t h a t a ll I fee l d eeply .

h o n or ed by your loy a l t y Good fort un e a n d m i sfort u n e w ea l th a n d p o v

.
,

e rt y , a re pr e d es t i n e d t h i n g s O ur m eet i n g t od a y i s n o m ere c ha n c e .

”
e i ther .

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world th at t i m e lo n g a go Y u Tsun w an t e d t o kn ow
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m a n sm i l i n g ev a si vely a n d co un t e r i n g t h e qu e s t i o n w i t h a n o t h e r :
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t h e gr ea t world i n t h e c i rcl es of s of t luxur i ou s li v i n g r i c h es a n d di s
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t i n c t i o n di d you n o t m ee t a c e r t a i n P a o Y u
,
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qu en t ly It i s rumore d t h a t h e a l s o h a s p a sse d t h rough t he g a t ew a y of

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th e Gr e a t Vo i d r e c e n t ly I would n e v er h a v e i m a g i n e d t h a t worldly
. ,

efi em i n a t e f e llow t a k i n g s
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uc h a re solu t i o n .

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B ut I would h a ve I kn ew h i s w h ol e st o ry lo n g i n a dv an c e Do you
. .

r em emb e r t ha t s umm e r even i n g m an y y e a rs a go wh en you sa w m e ,

.

f the d oor of my old h om e ne a r th e T empl e of th e

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s t a n d i n g i n f ro n t o
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Gourd S h ort l yb e for e th a t I h a d m et hi m

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.

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Im p os s i b IE l Your Suc h ow i s m a n y m i l e s d i s t an t from t h e c a p i t a l .

In t h e intercourse b et we en s p i r i ts th er e a re n o boun d a ri es of s p a c e
an d t im e .

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.

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H i s pl a c e 1 8 n o w a g a i n as i t w a s b e for e i n the Bl esse d R ea lm o f , , ”

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.

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.

me i n t o my herm i t a g e whi ch 1 3 n ea r by Th ere I wi ll expl a in to you the

,
.

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S t o ry of t h e S t on e .

58 2