CHAPTER XXVI.
On the Feng Yao bridge, Hsiao Hung makes known sentimental matters in equivocal language. In the Hsiao Hsiang lodge, Tai-yue gives, while under the effects of the spring lassitude, expression to her secret feelings.
After thirty days' careful nursing, Pao-yue, we will now notice, not onlygot strong and hale in body, but the scars even on his face completelyhealed up; so he was able to shift his quarters again into the garden ofBroad Vista.
But we will banish this topic as it does not deserve any additionalexplanations. Let us now turn our attention elsewhere. During the timethat Pao-yue was of late laid up in bed, Chia Yuen along with the youngpages of the household sat up on watch to keep an eye over him, and bothday and night, they tarried on this side of the mansion. But Hsiao Hungas well as all the other waiting-maids remained in the same part tonurse Pao-yue, so (Chia Yuen) and she saw a good deal of each other onseveral occasions, and gradually an intimacy sprung up between them.
Hsiao Hung observed that Chia Yuen held in his hand a handkerchief verymuch like the one she herself had dropped some time ago and was bentupon asking him for it, but she did, on the other hand, not think shecould do so with propriety. The unexpected visit of the bonze and Taoistpriest rendered, however, superfluous the services of the various maleattendants, and Chia-yuen had therefore to go again and oversee the menplanting the trees. Now she had a mind to drop the whole question, butshe could not reconcile herself to it; and now she longed to go and askhim about it, but fears rose in her mind lest people should entertainany suspicions as to the relations that existed between them. But justas she faltered, quite irresolute, and her heart was thoroughlyunsettled, she unawares heard some one outside inquire: "Sister, are youin the room or not?"
Hsiao Hung, upon catching this question, looked out through a hole inthe window; and perceiving at a glance that it was no one else than ayoung servant-girl, attached to the same court as herself, Chia Hui byname, she consequently said by way of reply: "Yes, I am; come in!"
When these words reached her ear, Chia Hui ran in, and taking at once aseat on the bed, she observed with a smile: "How lucky I've been! I wasa little time back in the court washing a few things, when Pao-yue criedout that some tea should be sent over to Miss Lin, and sister Hua handedit to me to go on the errand. By a strange coincidence our old lady hadpresented some money to Miss Lin and she was engaged at the moment indistributing it among their servant-girls. As soon therefore as she sawme get there, Miss Lin forthwith grasped two handfuls of cash and gavethem to me; how many there are I don't know, but do keep them for me!"
Speedily then opening her handkerchief, she emptied the cash. Hsiao Hungcounted them for her by fives and tens at a time. She was beginning toput them away, when Chia Hui remarked: "How are you, after all, feelingof late in your mind? I'll tell you what; you should really go and stayat home for a couple of days. And were you to ask a doctor round and tohave a few doses of medicine you'll get all right at once!"
"What are you talking about?" Hsiao Hung replied. "What shall I go homefor, when there's neither rhyme nor reason for it!"
"Miss Lin, I remember, is naturally of a weak physique, and hasconstantly to take medicines," Chia Hui added, "so were you to ask herfor some and bring them over and take them, it would come to the samething."
"Nonsense!" rejoined Hsiao Hung, "are medicines also to be recklesslytaken ?"
"You can't so on for ever like this," continued Chia Hui; "you'rebesides loth to eat and loth to drink, and what will you be like in thelong run?"
"What's there to fear?" observed Hsiao Hung; "won't it anyhow be betterto die a little earlier? It would be a riddance!"
"Why do you deliberately come out with all this talk?" Chia Huidemurred.
"How could you ever know anything of the secrets of my heart?" HsiaoHung inquired.
Chia Hui nodded her head and gave way to reflection. "I don't think itstrange on your part," she said after a time; "for it is reallydifficult to abide in this place! Yesterday, for instance, our dowagerlady remarked that the servants in attendance had had, during all thedays that Pao-yue was ill, a good deal to put up with, and that now thathe has recovered, incense should be burnt everywhere, and the vowsfulfilled; and she expressed a wish that those in his service should,one and all, be rewarded according to their grade. I and several otherscan be safely looked upon as young in years, and unworthy to presume sohigh; so I don't feel in any way aggrieved; but how is it that one likeyou couldn't be included in the number? My heart is much annoyed at it!Had there been any fear that Hsi Jen would have got ten times more, Icould not even then have felt sore against her, for she really deservesit! I'll just tell you an honest truth; who else is there like her? Notto speak of the diligence and carefulness she has displayed all along,even had she not been so diligent and careful, she couldn't have beenset aside! But what is provoking is that that lot, like Ch'ing Wen andCh'i Hsia, should have been included in the upper class. Yet it'sbecause every one places such reliance on the fine reputation of theirfather and mother that they exalt them. Now, do tell me, is thissufficient to anger one or not?"
"It won't do to be angry with them!" Hsiao Hung observed. "The proverbsays: 'You may erect a shed a thousand _li_ long, but there is noentertainment from which the guests will not disperse!' And who is itthat will tarry here for a whole lifetime? In another three years orfive years every single one of us will have gone her own way; and whowill, when that time comes, worry her mind about any one else?"
These allusions had the unexpected effect of touching Chia Hui to theheart; and in spite of herself the very balls of her eyes got red. Butso uneasy did she feel at crying for no reason that she had to exertherself to force a smile. "What you say is true," she ventured. "Andyet, Pao-yue even yesterday explained how the rooms should be arranged byand bye; and how the clothes should be made, just as if he was bound tohang on to dear life for several hundreds of years."
Hsiao Hung, at these words, gave a couple of sardonic smiles. But whenabout to pass some remark, she perceived a youthful servant-girl, whohad not as yet let her hair grow, walk in, holding in her hands severalpatterns and two sheets of paper. "You are asked," she said, "to tracethese two designs!"
As she spoke, she threw them at Hsiao Hung, and twisting herself round,she immediately scampered away.
"Whose are they, after all?" Hsiao Hung inquired, addressing herselfoutside. "Couldn't you wait even so much as to conclude what you had tosay, but flew off at once? Who is steaming bread and waiting for you? Orare you afraid, forsooth, lest it should get cold?"
"They belong to sister Ch'i," the young servant-girl merely returned foranswer from outside the window; and raising her feet high, she rantramp-tramp on her way back again.
Hsiao Hung lost control over her temper, and snatching the designs, sheflung them on one side. She then rummaged in a drawer for a pencil, butfinding, after a prolonged search, that they were all blunt; "Where didI," she thereupon ejaculated, "put that brand-new pencil the other day?How is it I can't remember where it is?"
While she soliloquised, she became wrapt in thought. After somereflection she, at length, gave a smile. "Of course!" she exclaimed,"the other evening Ying Erh took it away." And turning towards Chia Hui,"Fetch it for me," she shouted.
"Sister Hua," Chia Hui rejoined, "is waiting for me to get a box forher, so you had better go for it yourself!"
"What!" remarked Hsiao Hung, "she's waiting for you, and are you stillsquatting here chatting leisurely? Hadn't it been that I asked you to goand fetch it, she too wouldn't have been waiting for you; you mostperverse vixen!"
With these words on her lips, she herself walked out of the room, andleaving the I Hung court, she straightway proceeded in the direction ofPao-ch'ai's court. As soon, however, as she reached the Hsin Fangpavilion, she saw dame Li, Pao-yue's nurse, appear in view from theopposite side; so Hsiao Hung halted and putting on a smile, "Nurse Li,"she asked, "where are you, old dame, bound for? How is it you're co
mingthis way?"
Nurse Li stopped short, and clapped her hands. "Tell me," she said, "hashe deliberately again gone and fallen in love with that Mr. something orother like Yun (cloud), or Yue (rain)? They now insist upon my bringinghim inside, but if they get wind of it by and bye in the upper rooms, itwon't again be a nice thing."
"Are you, old lady," replied Hsiao Hung smiling, "taking things in suchreal earnest that you readily believe them and want to go and ask him inhere?"
"What can I do?" rejoined nurse Li.
"Why, that fellow," added Hsiao Hung laughingly, "will, if he has anyidea of decency, do the right thing and not come."
"Besides, he's not a fool!" pleaded nurse Li; "so why shouldn't he comein?"
"Well, if he is to come," answered Hsiao Hung, "it will devolve uponyou, worthy dame, to lead him along with you; for were you by and bye tolet him penetrate inside all alone and knock recklessly about, why, itwon't do at all."
"Have I got all that leisure," retorted nurse Li, "to trudge along withhim? I'll simply tell him to come; and later on I can despatch a youngservant-girl or some old woman to bring him in, and have done."
Saying this, she continued her way, leaning on her staff.
After listening to her rejoinder, Hsiao Hung stood still; and plungingin abstraction, she did not go and fetch the pencil. But presently, shecaught sight of a servant-girl running that way. Espying Hsiao Hunglingering in that spot, "Sister Hung," she cried, "what are you doing inhere?"
Hsiao Hung raised her head, and recognised a young waiting-maid calledChui Erh. "Where are you off too?" Hsiao Hung asked.
"I've been told to bring in master Secundus, Mr. Yuen," Chui Erh replied.After which answer, she there and then departed with all speed.
Hsiao Hung reached, meanwhile, the Feng Yao bridge. As soon as sheapproached the gateway, she perceived Chui Erh coming along with ChiaYuen from the opposite direction. While advancing Chia Yuen ogled HsiaoHung; and Hsiao Hung too, though pretending to be addressing herself toChui Erh, cast a glance at Chia Yuen; and their four eyes, as luck wouldhave it, met. Hsiao Hung involuntarily blushed all over; and turningherself round, she walked off towards the Heng Wu court. But we willleave her there without further remarks.
During this time, Chia Yuen followed Chui Erh, by a circuitous way, intothe I Hung court. Chui Erh entered first and made the necessaryannouncement. Then subsequently she ushered in Chia Yuen. When Chia Yuenscrutinised the surroundings, he perceived, here and there in the court,several blocks of rockery, among which were planted banana-trees. On theopposite side were two storks preening their feathers under the firtrees. Under the covered passage were suspended, in a row, cages ofevery description, containing all sorts of fairylike, rare birds. In theupper part were five diminutive anterooms, uniformly carved with, uniquedesigns; and above the framework of the door was hung a tablet with theinscription in four huge characters--"I Hung K'uai Lue, the happy red andjoyful green."
"I thought it strange," Chia Yuen argued mentally, "that it should becalled the I Hung court; but are these, in fact, the four charactersinscribed on the tablet!"
But while he was communing within himself, he heard some one laugh andthen exclaim from the inner side of the gauze window: "Come in at once!How is it that I've forgotten you these two or three months?"
As soon as Chia Yuen recognised Pao-yue's voice, he entered the room withhurried step. On raising his head, his eye was attracted by thebrilliant splendour emitted by gold and jade and by the dazzling lustreof the elegant arrangements. He failed, however, to detect where Pao-yuewas ensconced. The moment he turned his head round, he espied, on theleft side, a large cheval-glass; behind which appeared to view, standingside by side, two servant-girls of fifteen or sixteen years of age."Master Secundus," they ventured, "please take a seat in the innerroom."
Chia Yuen could not even muster courage to look at them straight in theface; but promptly assenting, he walked into a green gauzemosquito-house, where he saw a small lacquered bed, hung with curtainsof a deep red colour, with clusters of flowers embroidered in gold.Pao-yue, wearing a house-dress and slipshod shoes, was reclining on thebed, a book in hand. The moment he perceived Chia Yuen walk in, hediscarded his book, and forthwith smiled and raised himself up. Chia Yuenhurriedly pressed forward and paid his salutation. Pao-yue then offeredhim a seat; but he simply chose a chair in the lower part of theapartment.
"Ever since the moon in which I came across you," Pao-yue observedsmilingly, "and told you to come into the library, I've had, who wouldhave thought it, endless things to continuously attend to, so that Iforgot all about you."
"It's I, indeed, who lacked good fortune!" rejoined Chia Yuen, with alaugh; "particularly so, as it again happened that you, uncle, fell ill.But are you quite right once more?"
"All right!" answered Pao-yue. "I heard that you've been put to muchtrouble and inconvenience on a good number of days!"
"Had I even had any trouble to bear," added Chia Yuen, "it would havebeen my duty to bear it. But your complete recovery, uncle, is really ablessing to our whole family."
As he spoke, he discerned a couple of servant-maids come to help him toa cup of tea. But while conversing with Pao-yue, Chia Yuen was intent uponscrutinising the girl with slim figure, and oval face, and clad in asilvery-red jacket, a blue satin waistcoat and a white silk petticoatwith narrow pleats.
At the time of Pao-yue's illness, Chia Yuen had spent a couple of days inthe inner apartments, so that he remembered half of the inmates of note,and the moment he set eyes upon this servant-girl he knew that it wasHsi Jen; and that she was in Pao-yue's rooms on a different standing tothe rest. Now therefore that she brought the tea in herself and thatPao-yue was, besides, sitting by, he rose to his feet with alacrity andput on a smile. "Sister," he said, "how is it that you are pouring teafor me? I came here to pay uncle a visit; what's more I'm no stranger,so let me pour it with my own hands!"
"Just you sit down and finish!" Pao-yue interposed; "will you also behavein this fashion with servant-girls?"
"In spite of what you say;" remarked Chia Yuen smiling, "they are youngladies attached to your rooms, uncle, and how could I presume to bedisorderly in my conduct?"
So saying, he took a seat and drank his tea. Pao-yue then talked to himabout trivial and irrelevant matters; and afterwards went on to tell himin whose household the actresses were best, and whose gardens werepretty. He further mentioned to him in whose quarters the servant-girlswere handsome, whose banquets were sumptuous, as well as in whose homewere to be found strange things, and what family possessed remarkableobjects. Chia Yuen was constrained to humour him in his conversation; butafter a chat, which lasted for some time, he noticed that Pao-yue wassomewhat listless, and he promptly stood up and took his leave. AndPao-yue too did not use much pressure to detain him. "To-morrow, if youhave nothing to do, do come over!" he merely observed; after which, heagain bade the young waiting-maid, Chui Erh, see him out.
Having left the I Hung court, Chia Yuen cast a glance all round; and,realising that there was no one about, he slackened his pace at once,and while proceeding leisurely, he conversed, in a friendly way, withChui Erh on one thing and another. First and foremost he inquired of herwhat was her age; and her name. "Of what standing are your father andmother?" he said, "How many years have you been in uncle Pao'sapartments? How much money do you get a month? In all how many girls arethere in uncle Pao's rooms?"
As Chui Erh heard the questions set to her, she readily made suitablereply to each.
"The one, who was a while back talking to you," continued Chia Yuen, "iscalled Hsiao Hung, isn't she?"
"Yes, her name is Hsiao Hung!" replied Chui Erh smiling; "but why do youask about her?"
"She inquired of you just now about some handkerchief or other,"answered Chia Yuen; "well, I've picked one up."
Chui Erh greeted this response with a smile. "Many are the times," shesaid; "that she has asked me whether I had seen her handkerchief; buthave I got all that leisure to worry my
mind about such things? Shespoke to me about it again to-day; and she suggested that I should findit for her, and that she would also recompense me. This she told me whenwe were just now at the entrance of the Heng Wu court, and you too, Mr.Secundus, overheard her, so that I'm not lying. But, dear Mr. Secundus,since you've picked it up, give it to me. Do! And I'll see what she willgive me as a reward."
The truth is that Chia Yuen had, the previous moon when he had come intothe garden to attend to the planting of trees, picked up a handkerchief,which he conjectured must have been dropped by some inmate of thosegrounds; but as he was not aware whose it was, he did not consequentlypresume to act with indiscretion. But on this occasion, he overheardHsiao Hung make inquiries of Chui Erh on the subject; and concludingthat it must belong to her, he felt immeasurably delighted. Seeing,besides, how importunate Chui Erh was, he at once devised a plan withinhimself, and vehemently producing from his sleeve a handkerchief of hisown, he observed, as he turned towards Chui Erh with a smile: "As forgiving it to you, I'll do so; but in the event of your obtaining anypresent from her, you mustn't impose upon me."
Chui Erh assented to his proposal most profusely; and, taking thehandkerchief, she saw Chia Yuen out and then came back in search of HsiaoHung. But we will leave her there for the present.
We will now return to Pao-yue. After dismissing Chia Yuen, he lay in suchcomplete listlessness on the bed that he betrayed every sign of beinghalf asleep. Hsi Jen walked up to him, and seated herself on the edge ofthe bed, and pushing him, "What are you about to go to sleep again," shesaid. "Would it not do your languid spirits good if you went out for abit of a stroll?"
Upon hearing her voice, Pao-yue grasped her hand in his. "I would like togo out," he smiled, "but I can't reconcile myself to the separation fromyou!"
"Get up at once!" laughed Hsi Jen. And as she uttered these words, shepulled Pao-yue up.
"Where can I go?" exclaimed Pao-yue. "I'm quite surfeited witheverything."
"Once out you'll be all right," Hsi Jen answered, "but if you simplygive way to this languor, you'll be more than ever sick of everything atheart."
Pao-yue could not do otherwise, dull and out of sorts though he was, thanaccede to her importunities. Strolling leisurely out of the door of theroom, he amused himself a little with the birds suspended under theverandah; then he wended his steps outside the court, and followed thecourse of the Hsin Fang stream; but after admiring the golden fish for atime, he espied, on the opposite hillock, two young deer come rushingdown as swift as an arrow. What they were up to Pao-yue could notdiscern; but while abandoning himself to melancholy, he caught sight ofChia Lan, following behind, with a small bow in his hand, and hurryingdown hill in pursuit of them.
As soon as he realised that Pao-yue stood ahead of him, he speedilyhalted. "Uncle Secundus," he smiled, "are you at home? I imagined youhad gone out of doors!"
"You are up to mischief again, eh?" Pao-yue rejoined. "They've donenothing to you, and why shoot at them with your arrows?"
"I had no studies to attend to just now, so, being free with nothing todo," Chia Lan replied laughingly, "I was practising riding and archery."
"Shut up!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "When are you not engaged in practising?"
Saying this, he continued his way and straightway reached the entranceof a court. Here the bamboo foliage was thick, and the breeze sighedgently. This was the Hsiao Hsiang lodge. Pao-yue listlessly rambled in.He saw a bamboo portiere hanging down to the ground. Stillnessprevailed. Not a human voice fell on the ear. He advanced as far as thewindow. Noticing that a whiff of subtle scent stole softly through thegreen gauze casement, Pao-yue applied his face closely against the frameto peep in, but suddenly he caught the faint sound of a deep sigh andthe words: "Day after day my feelings slumber drowsily!" Uponoverhearing this exclamation, Pao-yue unconsciously began to feel a preyto inward longings; but casting a second glance, he saw Tai-yuestretching herself on the bed.
"Why is it," smiled Pao-yue, from outside the window, "that your feelingsday after day slumber drowsily?" So saying, he raised the portiere andstepped in.
The consciousness that she had not been reticent about her feelings madeTai-yue unwittingly flush scarlet. Taking hold of her sleeve, shescreened her face; and, turning her body round towards the inside, shepretended to be fast asleep. Pao-yue drew near her. He was about to pullher round when he saw Tai-yue's nurse enter the apartment, followed bytwo matrons.
"Is Miss asleep?" they said. "If so, we'll ask her over, when she wakesup."
As these words were being spoken, Tai-yue eagerly twisted herself roundand sat up. "Who's asleep?" she laughed.
"We thought you were fast asleep, Miss," smiled the two or three matronsas soon as they perceived Tai-yue get up. This greeting over, they calledTzu Chuean. "Your young mistress," they said, "has awoke; come in andwait on her!"
While calling her, they quitted the room in a body. Tai-yue remainedseated on the bed. Raising her arms, she adjusted her hair, andsmilingly she observed to Pao-yue, "When people are asleep, what do youwalk in for?"
At the sight of her half-closed starlike eyes and of her fragrantcheeks, suffused with a crimson blush, Pao-yue's feelings were of asudden awakened; so, bending his body, he took a seat on a chair, andasked with a smile: "What were you saying a short while back?"
"I wasn't saying anything," Tai-yue replied.
"What a lie you're trying to ram down my throat!" laughed Pao-yue. "Iheard all."
But in the middle of their colloquy, they saw Tzu Chuean enter. Pao-yuethen put on a smiling face. "Tzu Chuean!" he cried, "pour me a cup ofyour good tea!"
"Where's the good tea to be had?" Tzu Chuean answered. "If you want goodtea, you'd better wait till Hsi Jen comes."
"Don't heed him!" interposed Tai-yue. "Just go first and draw me somewater."
"He's a visitor," remonstrated Tzu Chuean, "and, of course, I shouldfirst pour him a cup of tea, and then go and draw the water."
With this answer, she started to serve the tea.
"My dear girl," Pao-yue exclaimed laughingly, "If I could only share thesame bridal curtain with your lovable young mistress, would I ever beable (to treat you as a servant) by making you fold the covers and makethe beds."
Lin Tai-yue at once drooped her head. "What are you saying?" sheremonstrated.
"What, did I say anything?" smiled Pao-yue.
Tai-yue burst into tears. "You've recently," she observed, "got into anew way. Whatever slang you happen to hear outside you come and tell me.And whenever you read any improper book, you poke your fun at me. What!have I become a laughing-stock for gentlemen!"
As she began to cry, she jumped down from bed, and promptly left theroom. Pao-yue was at a loss how to act. So agitated was he that hehastily ran up to her, "My dear cousin," he pleaded, "I do deservedeath; but don't go and tell any one! If again I venture to utter suchkind of language, may blisters grow on my mouth and may my tongue wasteaway!"
But while appealing to her feelings, he saw Hsi Jen approach him. "Goback at once," she cried, "and put on your clothes as master wants tosee you."
At the very mention of his father, Pao-yue felt suddenly as if struck bylightning. Regardless of everything and anything, he rushed, as fast aspossible, back to his room, and changing his clothes, he came out intothe garden. Here he discovered Pei Ming, standing at the second gateway,waiting for him.
"Do you perchance know what he wants me for?" Pao-yue inquired.
"Master, hurry out at once!" Pei Ming replied. "You must, of course, goand see him. When you get there, you are sure to find out what it's allabout."
This said, he urged Pao-yue on, and together they turned past the largepavilion. Pao-yue was, however, still labouring under suspicion, when heheard, from the corner of the wall, a loud outburst of laughter. Uponturning his head round, he caught sight of Hsueeh P'an jump out, clappinghis hands. "Hadn't I said that my uncle wanted you?" he laughed. "Wouldyou ever have rushed out with such alacrity?"
Pei Ming als
o laughed, and fell on his knees. But Pao-yue remained for along time under the spell of utter astonishment, before he, at length,realised that it was Hsueeh P'au who had inveigled him to come out.
Hsueeh P'an hastily made a salutation and a curtsey, and confessed hisfault. He next gave way to entreaties, saying: "Don't punish the youngservant, for it is simply I who begged him go."
Pao-yue too had then no other alternative but to smile. "I don't mindyour playing your larks on me; but why," he inquired, "did you mentionmy father? Were I to go and tell my aunt, your mother, to see to therights and the wrongs of the case, how would you like it?"
"My dear cousin," remarked Hsueeh P'an vehemently, "the primary idea Ihad in view was to ask you to come out a moment sooner and I forgot torespectfully shun the expression. But by and bye, when you wish to chaffme, just you likewise allude to my father, and we'll thus be square."
"Ai-ya!" exclaimed Pao-yue. "You do more than ever deserve death!!" Thenturning again towards Pei Ming, "You ruffian!" he said, "what are youstill kneeling for?"
Pei Ming began to bump his head on the ground with vehemence.
"Had it been for anything else," Hsueeh P'an chimed in, "I wouldn't havemade bold to disturb you; but it's simply in connection with my birthdaywhich is to-morrow, the third day of the fifth moon. Ch'eng Jih-hsing,who is in that curio shop of ours, unexpectedly brought along, goodnessknows where he fished them from, fresh lotus so thick and so long, somealy and so crisp; melons of this size; and a Siamese porpoise, thatlong and that big, smoked with cedar, such as is sent as tribute fromthe kingdom of Siam. Are not these four presents, pray, rare delicacies?The porpoise is not only expensive, but difficult to get, and that kindof lotus and melon must have cost him no end of trouble to grow! I lostno time in presenting some to my mother, and at once sent some to yourold grandmother, and my aunt. But a good many of them still remain now;and were I to eat them all alone, it would, I fear, be more than Ideserve; so I concluded, after thinking right and left, that there was,besides myself, only you good enough to partake of some. That is why Ispecially invite you to taste them. But, as luck would have it, a youngsinging-boy has also come, so what do you say to you and I having ajolly day of it?"
As they talked, they walked; and, as they walked, they reached theinterior of the library. Here they discovered a whole assemblageconsisting of Tan Kuang, Ch'eng Jih-hsing, Hu Ch'i-lai, Tan T'ing-jenand others, and the singing-boy as well. As soon as these saw Pao-yuewalk in, some paid their respects to him; others inquired how he was;and after the interchange of salutations, tea was drunk. Hsueeh P'an thengave orders to serve the wine. Scarcely were the words out of his mouththan the servant-lads bustled and fussed for a long while laying thetable. When at last the necessary arrangements had been completed, thecompany took their seats.
Pao-yue verily found the melons and lotus of an exceptional description."My birthday presents have not as yet been sent round," he felt impelledto say, a smile on his lips, "and here I come, ahead of them, totrespass on your hospitality."
"Just so!" retorted Hsueeh P'an, "but when you come to-morrow tocongratulate me we'll consider what novel kind of present you can giveme."
"I've got nothing that I can give you," rejoined Pao-yue. "As far asmoney, clothes, eatables and other such articles go, they are not reallymine: all I can call my own are such pages of characters that I maywrite, or pictures that I may draw."
"Your reference to pictures," added Hsueeh P'an smiling, "reminds me of abook I saw yesterday, containing immodest drawings; they were, truly,beautifully done. On the front page there figured also a whole lot ofcharacters. But I didn't carefully look at them; I simply noticed thename of the person, who had executed them. It was, in fact, something orother like Keng Huang. The pictures were, actually, exceedingly good!"
This allusion made Pao-yue exercise his mind with innumerableconjectures.
"Of pictures drawn from past years to the present, I have," he said,"seen a good many, but I've never come across any Keng Huang."
After considerable thought, he could not repress himself from burstingout laughing. Then asking a servant to fetch him a pencil, he wrote acouple of words on the palm of his hand. This done, he went on toinquire of Hsueeh. P'an: "Did you see correctly that it read Keng Huang?"
"How could I not have seen correctly?" ejaculated Hsueeh P'an.
Pao-yue thereupon unclenched his hand and allowed him to peruse, what waswritten in it. "Were they possibly these two characters?" he remarked."These are, in point of fact, not very dissimilar from what Keng Huanglook like?"
On scrutinising them, the company noticed the two words T'ang Yin, andthey all laughed. "They must, we fancy, have been these two characters!"they cried. "Your eyes, Sir, may, there's no saying, have suddenly growndim!"
Hsueeh P'an felt utterly abashed. "Who could have said," he smiled,"whether they were T'ang Yin or Kuo Yin, (candied silver or fruitsilver)."
As he cracked this joke, however, a young page came and announced thatMr. Feng had arrived. Pao-yue concluded that the new comer must be FengTzu-ying, the son of Feng T'ang, general with the prefix of Shen Wu."
"Ask him in at once," Hsueeh P'an and his companions shouted with onevoice.
But barely were these words out of their mouths, than they realised thatFeng Tzu-ying had already stepped in, talking and laughing as heapproached.
The company speedily rose from table and offered him a seat.
"That's right!" smiled Feng Tzu-ying. "You don't go out of doors, butremain at home and go in for high fun!"
Both Pao-yue and Hsueeh P'an put on a smile. "We haven't," they remarked,"seen you for ever so long. Is your venerable father strong and hale?"
"My father," rejoined Tzu-ying, "is, thanks to you, strong and hale; butmy mother recently contracted a sudden chill and has been unwell for acouple of days."
Hsueeh P'an discerned on his face a slight bluish wound. "With whom haveyou again been boxing," he laughingly inquired, "that you've hung upthis sign board?"
"Since the occasion," laughed Feng Tzu-ying, "on which I woundedlieutenant-colonel Ch'ou's son, I've borne the lesson in mind, and neverlost my temper. So how is it you say that I've again been boxing? Thisthing on my face was caused, when I was out shooting the other day onthe T'ieh Wang hills, by a flap from the wing of the falcon."
"When was that?" asked Pao-yue.
"I started," explained Tzu-ying, "on the 28th of the third moon and cameback only the day before yesterday."
"It isn't to be wondered at then," observed Pao-yue, "that when I wentthe other day, on the third and fourth, to a banquet at friend Shen'shouse, I didn't see you there. Yet I meant to have inquired about you;but I don't know how it slipped from my memory. Did you go alone, or didyour venerable father accompany you?"
"Of course, my father went," Tzu-ying replied, "so I had no help but togo. For is it likely, forsooth, that I've gone mad from lack of anythingto do! Don't we, a goodly number as we are, derive enough pleasure fromour wine-bouts and plays that I should go in quest of such kind offatiguing recreation! But in this instance a great piece of good fortuneturned up in evil fortune!"
Hsueeh P'an and his companions noticed that he had finished his tea."Come along," they one and all proposed, "and join the banquet; you canthen quietly recount to us all your experiences."
At this suggestion Feng Tzu-ying there and then rose to his feet."According to etiquette," he said. "I should join you in drinking a fewcups; but to-day I have still a very urgent matter to see my fatherabout on my return so that I truly cannot accept your invitation."
Hsueeh P'an, Pao-yue and the other young fellows would on no accountlisten to his excuses. They pulled him vigorously about and would notlet him go.
"This is, indeed, strange!" laughed Feng Tzu-ying. "When have you and Ihad, during all these years, to have recourse to such proceedings! Ireally am unable to comply with your wishes. But if you do insist uponmaking me have a drink, well, then bring a large cup and I'll take twocups full and
finish."
After this rejoinder, the party could not but give in. Hsueeh P'an tookhold of the kettle, while Pao-yue grasped the cup, and they poured twolarge cups full. Feng Tzu-ying stood up and quaffed them with onedraught.
"But do, after all," urged Pao-yue, "finish this thing about a piece ofgood fortune in the midst of misfortune before you go."
"To tell you this to-day," smiled Feng Tzu-ying, "will be no great fun.But for this purpose I intend standing a special entertainment, andinviting you all to come and have a long chat; and, in the second place,I've also got a favour to ask of you."
Saying this, he pushed his way and was going off at once, when HsueehP'an interposed. "What you've said," he observed, "has put us more thanever on pins and needles. We cannot brook any delay. Who knows when youwill ask us round; so better tell us, and thus avoid keeping people insuspense!"
"The latest," rejoined Feng Tzu-ying, "in ten days; the earliest ineight." With this answer he went out of the door, mounted his horse, andtook his departure.
The party resumed their seats at table. They had another bout, and theneventually dispersed.
Pao-yue returned into the garden in time to find Hsi Jen thinking withsolicitude that he had gone to see Chia Cheng and wondering whether itforeboded good or evil. As soon as she perceived Pao-yue come back in adrunken state, she felt urged to inquire the reason of it all. Pao-yuetold her one by one the particulars of what happened.
"People," added Hsi Jen, "wait for you with lacerated heart and anxiousmind, and there you go and make merry; yet you could very well, afterall, have sent some one with a message."
"Didn't I purpose sending a message?" exclaimed Pao-yue. "Of course, Idid! But I failed to do so, as on the arrival of friend Feng, I got somixed up that the intention vanished entirely from my mind."
While excusing himself, he saw Pao-ch'ai enter the apartment. "Have youtasted any of our new things?" she asked, a smile curling her lips.
"Cousin," laughed Pao-yue, "you must have certainly tasted what you'vegot in your house long before us."
Pao-ch'ai shook her head and smiled. "Yesterday," she said, "my brotherdid actually make it a point to ask me to have some; but I had none; Itold him to keep them and send them to others, so confident am I thatwith my mean lot and scanty blessings I little deserve to touch suchdainties."
As she spoke, a servant-girl poured her a cup of tea and brought it toher. While she sipped it, she carried on a conversation on irrelevantmatters; which we need not notice, but turn our attention to Lin Tai-yue.
The instant she heard that Chia Cheng had sent for Pao-yue, and that hehad not come back during the whole day, she felt very distressed on hisaccount. After supper, the news of Pao-yue's return reached her, and shekeenly longed to see him and ask him what was up. Step by step shetrudged along, when espying Pao-ch'ai going into Pao-yue's garden, sheherself followed close in her track. But on their arrival at the HsinFang bridge, she caught sight of the various kinds of water-fowl,bathing together in the pond, and although unable to discriminate thenumerous species, her gaze became so transfixed by their respectivevariegated and bright plumage and by their exceptional beauty, that shehalted. And it was after she had spent some considerable time inadmiring them that she repaired at last to the I Hung court. The gatewas already closed. Tai-yue, however, lost no time in knocking. ButCh'ing Wen and Pi Hen had, who would have thought it, been having atiff, and were in a captious mood, so upon unawares seeing Pao-ch'aistep on the scene, Ch'ing Wen at once visited her resentment uponPao-ch'ai. She was just standing in the court giving vent to her wrongs,shouting: "You're always running over and seating yourself here, whetheryou've got good reason for doing so or not; and there's no sleep for usat the third watch, the middle of the night though it be," when, all ofa sudden, she heard some one else calling at the door. Ch'ing Wen wasthe more moved to anger. Without even asking who it was, she rapidlybawled out: "They've all gone to sleep; you'd better come to-morrow."
Lin Tai-yue was well aware of the natural peculiarities of thewaiting-maids, and of their habit of playing practical jokes upon eachother, so fearing that the girl in the inner room had failed torecognise her voice, and had refused to open under the misconceptionthat it was some other servant-girl, she gave a second shout in a higherpitch. "It's I!" she cried, "don't you yet open the gate?"
Ch'ing Wen, as it happened, did not still distinguish her voice; and inan irritable strain, she rejoined: "It's no matter who you may be; Mr.Secundus has given orders that no one at all should be allowed to comein."
As these words reached Lin Tai-yue's ear, she unwittingly was overcomewith indignation at being left standing outside. But when on the pointof raising her voice to ask her one or two things, and to start aquarrel with her; "albeit," she again argued mentally, "I can call thismy aunt's house, and it should be just as if it were my own, it's, afterall, a strange place, and now that my father and mother are both dead,and that I am left with no one to rely upon, I have for the present todepend upon her family for a home. Were I now therefore to give way to aregular fit of anger with her, I'll really get no good out of it."
While indulging in reflection, tears trickled from her eyes. But just asshe was feeling unable to retrace her steps, and unable to remainstanding any longer, and quite at a loss what to do, she overheard thesound of jocular language inside, and listening carefully, shediscovered that it was, indeed, Pao-yue and Pao-ch'ai. Lin Tai-yue waxedmore wroth. After much thought and cogitation, the incidents of themorning flashed unawares through her memory. "It must, in fact," shemused, "be because Pao-yue is angry with me for having explained to himthe true reasons. But why did I ever go and tell you? You should,however, have made inquiries before you lost your temper to such anextent with me as to refuse to let me in to-day; but is it likely thatwe shall not by and bye meet face to face again?"
The more she gave way to thought, the more she felt wounded andagitated; and without heeding the moss, laden with cold dew, the pathcovered with vegetation, and the chilly blasts of wind, she lingered allalone, under the shadow of the bushes at the corner of the wall, sothoroughly sad and dejected that she broke forth into sobs.
Lin Tai-yue was, indeed, endowed with exceptional beauty and with charmsrarely met with in the world. As soon therefore as she suddenly meltedinto tears, and the birds and rooks roosting on the neighbouring willowboughs and branches of shrubs caught the sound of her plaintive tones,they one and all fell into a most terrific flutter, and, taking to theirwings, they flew away to distant recesses, so little were they able tolisten with equanimity to such accents. But the spirits of the flowerswere, at the time, silent and devoid of feeling, the birds were plungedin dreams and in a state of stupor, so why did they start? A stanzaappositely assigns the reason:--
P'in Erh's mental talents and looks must in the world be rare--. Alone, clasped in a subtle smell, she quits her maiden room. The sound of but one single sob scarcely dies away, And drooping flowers cover the ground and birds fly in dismay.
Lin Tai-yue was sobbing in her solitude, when a creaking noise struck herear and the door of the court was flung open. Who came out, is not yetascertained; but, reader, should you wish to know, the next chapter willexplain.