CHAPTER 4 :: Benevolence acts as comprador to help a friend, and Pearlie signals to her girl to curb her jealousy

Whistler Tang made Prosperity Luo sit down, saying, “What’s the hurry? I suggest that Maestro Lute send a maid home first to make arrangements for a dinner party. Since Benevolence has just got here, we should now let him have his turn as banker. When Amity comes back, we’ll all go over to Lute’s place, and they should be ready by then, right? If you go now, you’d just be waiting around—no point in that, is there?”

“You’re right, you’re perfectly right,” Prosperity Luo said. Of the two girls he had called, one was his steady girl, Lute. She told her maid to go home and see to the preparations. “Come back when the table is set.”

Benevolence looked around and found that Amity Zhu was indeed absent. In his stead, White Fragrance and Whistler Tang were playing host. White Fragrance’s younger sister Green Fragrance, as the “girl at home” summoned by Whistler Tang, also helped out.

Benevolence asked in surprise, “It’s Amity’s party, where’s he gone off to?”

“Script Li sent word for him to go over there. He’ll be back in no time,” replied Whistler Tang.

“Now that you mention Script Li, I’m reminded of something.” Benevolence Hong turned to Cloudlet Chen. “Lichee wants to know if you have taken his list to Script Li.”

“I asked Amity to take it along just now. Seems to me the prices are set a bit too high,” said Cloudlet Chen.

“D’you know where the things came from?” Benevolence Hong said.

“It’s said to be a Cantonese family. I don’t know the details, either.”

“Now it’s my turn to question you: have you become a detective?” Prosperity Luo asked Benevolence Hong. “Our Maestro Twin Pearl here has a Cantonese guest; she doesn’t know enough about him. Have you found out for her?”

Everybody laughed, Benevolence along with them.

“Where would I get a Cantonese guest?” said Twin Pearl. “Now you’ll have to find me one.”

Prosperity Luo was about to retort, but Benevolence intervened. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’ll put up ten cups for the bank, now you try to break it.”

Prosperity Luo rolled up his sleeves to play the finger game and lost the very first round.

“I’ll finish the game first and then drink all the penalty cups in one go,” he said.

He went five rounds and lost them all. Lute drank a penalty cup for him. The other courtesan whom he had just started to see, Green Phoenix, also reached out for the wine.

“No wonder you want to play the finger game,” said Benevolence Hong. “You’ve got all these people to drink for you.”

“All substitutes keep off! I’ll do the drinking myself,” said Prosperity Luo.

Benevolence Hong applauded, laughing.

“Better stick with your substitutes,” said Cloudlet Chen.

Whistler Tang helped pour some wine and passed a cup to Green Phoenix. Knowing that Prosperity Luo was taking the party to Lute’s place, she said, “I have to go now. Shall I drink a couple more penalty cups as a reserve?”

Prosperity Luo shook his head. “Never mind.” So Green Phoenix left.

Whistler Tang persuaded Prosperity Luo to take a break and told Cloudlet Chen to take on Benevolence Hong for five rounds, too. Whistler Tang himself was the next to play. That left only Elan Ge.

Ge had twisted around in his seat to talk to his girl, Snow Scent. They had been whispering into each other’s ears, and he’d never even noticed that Benevolence Hong had been banker all this time. He turned around only when Whistler Tang asked him to play.

“What is it?” he asked.

“I know you’re passionate lovers,” said Prosperity Luo, “but do keep it down at this table. You don’t want to act it out for us to see, do you?”

Snow Scent flung her handkerchief in Prosperity Luo’s face. “As for you, you never have a single decent thing to say.”

Benevolence Hong saluted Elan Ge. “I await your instructions.”

Elan Ge had no choice but to play a couple of rounds and drink up. Then he went back to talking to Snow Scent.

Impatient by now, Prosperity Luo stuck out his fist to challenge Benevolence Hong again, and this time he won. Benevolence lost nine out of his ten cups. Prosperity Luo thought it was his chance to break the bank, but unfortunately he lost again. Just then, they heard the menservants shout out downstairs, “Mr. Zhu coming up.”

Cloudlet Chen hastened to stop Prosperity Luo. “Let Amity play a round, and we’ll wind up the game.”

It sounded reasonable, so Prosperity Luo played no more. Amity Zhu hurriedly sat down, saying repeatedly, “Forgive my absence.” Then he asked, “Who is banker?”

Instead of continuing the game Benevolence Hong asked, “What’s that important matter you want to consult me on?”

Amity Zhu was bewildered. “Eh? I haven’t got any important matter, not me.”

Prosperity Luo could not help saying with a smile, “Isn’t a dinner party in a sing-song house important enough?”

Benevolence Hong also smiled. “I knew you were the one who made a fuss about nothing.”

“All right, my fault. Quick, play the game before you go.”

“Since there’s only one round left, let’s just forget it. I’ll give everyone a toast instead,” said Amity.

They replied in unison, “Whatever you say.”

Amity Zhu collected six of the large wine cups and filled them. Everyone drank up and left the table to sit casually around the room while the menservants busied themselves preparing hot towels. Lute’s maid, who had reported back a while earlier, now came up again to hasten the guests. Elan Ge, Prosperity Luo, and Amity Zhu had their own sedan chairs, and Cloudlet Chen his private ricksha. All the courtesans were to follow their guests to Lute’s place. Only Whistler Tang and Benevolence Hong were going on foot, so the two of them started out ahead of the party.

They left White Fragrance’s house, and just as they came to the mouth of Generosity Alley, another man was about to turn into it. On seeing them, he quickly moved to one side and stood at attention to greet Benevolence respectfully.

Benevolence Hong saw that it was Talisman, Lotuson Wang’s steward. He asked, “Where’s your master?”

“My master is in Lucky Spring Alley. He hopes you will drop by for a chat, sir.”

“Whose house is he visiting?”

“Name’s Constance, sir. My master has only just started seeing her in the last couple of days.”

On hearing this, Benevolence Hong turned to Whistler Tang and said, “I’ll go over there for a minute; be right with you. Please tell them to start without me at Lute’s.” Whistler Tang told him to hurry back and went on by himself.

Benevolence Hong followed Talisman to Lucky Spring Alley. It was dark in the narrow lane, and they had to feel their way past two or three houses. Then they pushed open a big double door and went in.

“Mr. Hong’s here,” Talisman called aloud.

Somebody answered upstairs, but things remained quiet.

“What about bringing a foreign lamp down here?” Talisman called again.

“Coming, coming!” the voice upstairs answered.

After another long wait, an old serving woman came down the stairs holding a tin plate reflector lamp, saying, “Do please come up, Mr. Hong.”

Benevolence saw rosewood tables and chairs piled up in the parlor; it looked like they were moving house. Upstairs, a paraffin lamp hung in the middle of the room, lighting up all four corners. It was as bright as the full moon, but the place was empty except for a large bed and a dressing table. Even the window curtains, bed curtains, lamps, and mirrors had been packed and cleared away. Lotuson Wang was seated at the dressing table, with four small dishes set before him, having a simple supper. The courtesan eating with him would be Constance.

Benevolence walked into the room and said pleasantly, “So, you’re enjoying yourself alone.”

Lotuson rose to greet him. Seeing the tipsy look on Benevolence’s face, he asked, “Have you been drinking?”

“At two parties,” said Benevolence. “They sent you several invitations. Now Prosperity Luo has taken the party to Lute’s. D’you feel like going?”

Lotuson smiled and shook his head.

As Benevolence perched himself on the bed, Constance brought him a water pipe. Taking it, Benevolence hastened to say, “Don’t stand on ceremony. Please get on with your meal.”

“I’ve finished,” she said with a smile.

Benevolence saw that she had amiability written all over her face. She was kind and approachable, and he guessed that she was probably a second-class courtesan who only entertained at home. “I see that you’re moving, right?” he asked.

She nodded and said yes.

“Where to?”

“Big Feet Yao’s house in East Co-prosperity Alley. My room will be right across from Snow Scent’s.”

“Are you just renting the room, or are you working for them?”

“I’m renting. It costs thirty dollars a month, though!”

“That’s nothing. Mr. Wang alone will be spending five to six hundred a season. There’s no danger of your not making ends meet.”

As they talked, Lotuson had finished eating, wiped his face, and rinsed his mouth. The old serving woman came in with an opium tray. She asked Constance, “Where should I put it?”

“On the bed, of course. Would it be on the floor?” said Constance.

The old woman guffawed and took the tray to the bed. “Oh dear, Mr. Hong will surely kill himself with laughter over this!”

“Go downstairs after you’ve tidied up, and stop chattering,” said Constance.

Only then did the old woman gather up the dishes, cups, and chopsticks and go downstairs.

After that, Constance invited Lotuson to have his smoke. He went over to the bed, lay down opposite Benevolence, and said to him, “I asked you here because I need to buy two things: a marble rosewood couch and a set of lantern panels with pictures of birds framed in spotted bamboo. Best if you could get them for me tomorrow.”

“Where should I send them?” asked Benevolence.

“To Big Feet Yao’s house. The west room on the first floor.”

Benevolence looked at Constance and grinned. “Get somebody else to buy them for you. I’m not doing it. If Little Rouge hears of it, she’s going to slap my face.”

Lotuson smiled and said nothing.

“Mr. Hong, why is it that you, too, are afraid of Little Rouge?” asked Constance.

“Why wouldn’t I be? You ask Mr. Wang. She’s a spitfire!”

“Mr. Hong, I’d be grateful if you would look out for me, for Mr. Wang’s sake,” she said.

“And how will you show your gratitude?”

“I’ll invite you to a dinner party, all right?”

“Who wants dinner parties from you? It’s not as if I’ve never been to any. Are they such a rarity?”

“Then what should I do?”

“Instead of a party, just treat me to your buns. That’s easy for you and won’t cost you anything, right?”

She giggled. “You’re all the same; there’s not one good one among you!”

Benevolence laughed and stood up. “If there’s anything else, tell me now. I have to be going.”

“No, that’s it.” said Lotuson. “I’d like you to come to a dinner party the day after tomorrow. When you see Prosperity and the others, tell them for me. I’ll send you the proper invitations tomorrow.”

Benevolence promised to do so and went on his way to the dinner party at Lute’s place in East Civic Peace Alley.

When Benevolence had gone, Constance came over to the bed and leaned against Lotuson to prepare the opium for him. Lotuson smoked some seven or eight pellets in succession and after that gradually closed his eyes.

“Shall we retire for the night, Mr. Wang?” she whispered.

He nodded his consent, so she removed the opium tray, and they went to bed.

The next day, they did not get up until one in the afternoon. After they had washed, the old serving woman brought congee, and they each ate some. Constance remained at the dressing table to do her hair. The old woman again set the opium tray on the bed, where Lotuson smoked by himself, thinking that it’d be necessary to go to Little Rouge’s now and tell her a lie. He’d break the news to her gradually. Having made up his mind, he put on his jacket and made ready to go.

“Where’re you going?” Constance was quick to ask.

“I’ll drop in at Little Rouge’s.”

“Won’t you have lunch before you go?” said Constance.

“No, I’m all right.”

“Will you be coming back later?”

He thought for a moment. “What time are you moving over to East Co-prosperity Alley tomorrow?”

“Early in the morning.”

“Then I’ll be there at one in the afternoon.”

“Do drop in later today if you have time.”

He said all right as he ambled downstairs. Talisman followed him out of Lucky Spring Alley, and they headed eastward. As they approached West Floral Alley, Lotuson told Talisman to go home and fetch his sedan chair. He then turned into the alley. The maid, Pearlie, had already caught sight of him.

“Aiyo!” she shouted, “Mr. Wang is here!” She hurried out into the courtyard, grabbed him by the sleeve, and called out again, “Maestro, Mr. Wang is here!” She only let go of him when they got to the staircase.

Lotuson went upstairs at a leisurely pace. Little Rouge came out of her room to greet him with just the semblance of a smile. “I say, Mr. Wang, you’ve got a nerve …” she choked in midsentence.

The sadness on her face made him feel guilty. He put on a grin, went into her room, and sat down. Little Rouge came in after him and leaned against him, holding his hand.

“Tell me, where have you been these three days?”

“I was in the Old City. A friend of mine was celebrating his birthday, and the feast went on for three days.”

She sneered. “D’you think I was born yesterday?”

Pearlie brought him a towel to wipe his face.

“When you were in the Old City, did you go home at night?” Little Rouge asked again.

“No, I just stayed at my friend’s place.”

“So your friend is a brothel keeper,” said Little Rouge.

He could not help laughing.

Little Rouge also laughed. “Pearlie, just listen to him! The day before yesterday I sent Goldie to look for you at your house. They said your sedan chair was there, but you weren’t home. You’ve got good legs, I must say, going all the way to the Old City on foot. Or did you take a carriage and jump over the city wall in it?”

Pearlie guffawed. “Mr. Wang is getting up to a bit of trickery now. Where did he get such a good idea, to say he was in the Old City?”

“He kept his secret well, though. Even his friends couldn’t find him, and not for lack of trying,” said Little Rouge.

“Mr. Wang, you’re a patron of long standing,” said Pearlie. “Even if you want to see somebody else, it doesn’t matter. It’s not as though our maestro won’t let you!”

“Whoever you choose to see is none of my business. And yet you had to keep it from me and make it look as though I’m jealous and wouldn’t let you go. Now that’s infuriating!” said Little Rouge.

In the face of this perfect duet, Lotuson could only remain silent. He made an awkward attempt at a smile. Finally, when Pearlie had finished her chores and gone downstairs, he said to Little Rouge, “You mustn’t listen to idle gossip. We’ve been together for three or four years; don’t you know me by now? Even if I want to see somebody else, I’ll tell you all about it first. Why would I keep it from you?”

“I wouldn’t know why,” said Little Rouge. “Ask yourself. All along you’ve been calling other girls to occasional parties, one from this house and another from that. Have I ever said anything? Yet now you want to keep it from me; what for?”

“But there’s nothing going on. I’m not keeping anything from you.”

“I think I know the reason, though. You’re not so much keeping it from me as planning to jilt me for someone else, right? I’d like to see you do that!”

When Lotuson heard this, he changed color and looked away. He said with a sneer, “I didn’t come for three days, and you call it jilting you. Have you forgotten all the things I said to you before?”

“That’s the whole point. If you haven’t forgotten, then tell me: Where have you been these three days? Who’s the girl? If you’d only tell me, I wouldn’t be quarreling with you.”

“What would you have me tell you? I said I was in the Old City, and you won’t believe me.”

“You’re still trying to pull the wool over my eyes! I’ll ask you again when I’ve found out.”

“Very well then. Since you’re too angry to talk about this right now, we’ll wait a couple of days. When you’re in a better mood, I’ll tell you all about it.”

She snorted and was silent for a long while.

“Let’s have a smoke,” he coaxed her.

So she went to the divan with him, hand in hand. He took off his jacket and lay down to smoke. But she just sat passively at the other end. He wanted to make some light conversation but could find nothing to say.

Suddenly they heard footsteps coming up the stairs. It was the servant girl, Goldie. As soon as she saw Lotuson, she said, “Mr. Wang, I’ve just been to your residence to invite you here, but you’re here already!” Then she said, “Why didn’t you come the last few days, Mr. Wang? Were you angry with us?”

He made no reply.

Little Rouge said testily, “Why would he be angry? I’ll slap your face for that! Angry, indeed!”

Goldie said, “Mr. Wang, when you don’t come, our maestro gets so upset we have to go again and again to invite you. Don’t be like that again, please?” So saying, she moved a cup of tea over to the opium tray, hung up his jacket, and was about to go.

Seeing the blank look on Little Rouge’s face, Lotuson said, “Let’s get a bite to eat, all right?”

“Just tell her what you want,” Little Rouge replied.

“You’ll have some, too, won’t you? Let’s eat together. If you don’t want any, we won’t bother.”

“Then tell her what you’d like.”

He knew she liked fried noodles with shrimp, so he ordered that. Little Rouge told Goldie just to call down for the servants below to order it from the Garden of Plenty. Shortly afterward, the noodles were delivered, and Lotuson asked Little Rouge to join him.

She frowned. “I don’t know why, but there’s a sour taste in my mouth.¹ I’ve got no appetite.”

“Have a little anyway.”

Reluctantly, she put a tiny amount on a small plate and ate it. Lotuson, too, did not eat more than a few mouthfuls before he called to have the dish taken away.

Pearlie brought a hot towel and reported, “Your steward is here with your sedan chair.”

“Did he say what it’s about?” Lotuson asked.

Pearlie called toward the window, “Master Talisman!” Hearing this, Talisman came upstairs at once and handed Lotuson an invitation. He opened it, saw that it was from Elan Ge for a dinner party that night at Snow Scent’s, and set it aside. Talisman withdrew. Lotuson returned to the divan to smoke. Then he suddenly thought of something and told Pearlie to bring his jacket.

Pearlie took the jacket down from the clothes rack, but Little Rouge stopped her with a bark. “What’s the hurry? Where d’you want to go?”

Pearlie signaled Little Rouge with a glance, saying, “Let him go to the party.” That put a stop to Little Rouge.

Lotuson happened to look up and see it. He wondered what Pearlie was up to. Could they have found out about Constance?

As he was wondering, Pearlie helped him put on his jacket, saying, “When you get to the party, send us a call chit right away. Don’t go and get anybody else, now.”

“What are you saying this for?” said Little Rouge. “Let him call whoever he wants.”

After putting on his jacket, Lotuson held Little Rouge by the hand and asked with a smile, “Aren’t you going to see me out?”

She wrenched her hand free and sat down in a chair instead. He pressed close to her and whispered many little endearments. She just looked down and started to clean and groom her fingernails, completely ignoring him. After a long while, she finally said, “I don’t know what’s the matter with your heart, it’s changed so.”

“Why d’you say I’ve changed?”

“Ask yourself.”

He still pressed for an answer. She pushed him off with both hands. “Go! Just go! Even the sight of you makes me mad!”

He pretended to smile and left.

::

1.  This is a pun on the common Chinese metaphor for jealousy, drinking vinegar. E.H.]