CHAPTER 19 :: Deceived by love, Modesty Zhu misreads a hidden motive; plagued by illness, Water Blossom puts on a brave face

Amity Zhu went by sedan chair to Bright Pearl’s and then told the bearers, “Take the chair back to fetch Fifth Young Master here.” After that, he went upstairs. He was met by the maid, Second Sister Bao, who invited him to go into Bright Pearl’s room.

“I’ll just sit in the study,” he replied.

Bright Pearl’s house had five rooms on each floor. The two west rooms were the main ones. Of the three east rooms, the parlor was in the middle. On the right was the Western dining room. With its whitewashed walls, white curtains, an iron bed, and mirrors, it looked like a crystal palace. The room on the left was used as a waiting room for guests when the main rooms were occupied. Since it was furnished with paintings, calligraphy scrolls, books, and chess sets, it was called the study.

As Amity Zhu entered the east rooms, he saw the partitions between them had all been taken down. The parlor led straight to the little mezzanine room at the back. There, a small stage had been set up, with rows of tasseled lanterns suspended from the overhang. The screens and curtains onstage were made of beautifully embroidered silks and satins of a variety of colors. The foreign dining set had been moved to the center of the parlor. The table was covered with a tablecloth, on which were placed two condiments sets, cutlery, and eight drinking glasses, each displaying a linen napkin folded into the shape of a flower.¹

At the sight of this, Amity said, “Excellent.” When he went into the study on the left, he could see Bright Pearl doing her hair at the window on the other side of the house. Given the distance, they just nodded at each other in greeting. Second Sister Bao presented him with a water pipe and tea. The four or five girls owned by Bright Pearl all came out to entertain him, and the little girls in the all-girl theatrical troupes also came to sit with him.

Soon the five other hosts, Cloud and Jade Tao, Pragmatic Li, Crane Li, and Modesty Zhu had all shown up. Having finished her toilet, Bright Pearl also came over. They were just going to send a message to hurry Script Li up when Old Merit appeared, saying, “There’s no need. He’s on his way.”

On hearing this, Cloud Tao went off to make the arrangements. Sixteen kinds of imported fruits, nuts, candies, and cream cakes displayed in high-stemmed glass dishes were set out on the table. The players and musicians were all on standby, waiting to start as soon as Script Li arrived.

In a moment, a steward rushed upstairs to report, “His Excellency is here.”

They all stood up. Bright Pearl welcomed Script Li at the head of the stairs, where she took his hand and walked with him into the parlor. Script Li said in mock vexation, “You’ve gone to so much trouble. It’s quite uncalled-for.”

Everybody came up to greet him. Since this was Modesty Zhu’s first meeting with Script Li, the latter looked him up and down and then said to Amity, “If you don’t mind my saying so, he’s one better than you.”

Everybody covered his mouth and laughed. They all crowded with Script Li into the study.

Bright Pearl, who was standing to one side, asked, “May I take your jacket, Your Excellency?” So saying, she reached out to unbutton his jacket for him. He took it off and handed it to her, saying, “Much obliged.” She replied with a smile, “Your Excellency is courtesy itself!” The jacket was passed on to Second Sister Bao, who hung it on the clothes rack while Bright Pearl made Li sit down on a high-back chair.

The maid of the theatrical troupe submitted a list of operas asking for their choices. Bright Pearl answered on behalf of Script Li, “We should ask Mr. Yu to pick the plays.”

Old Merit chose two short plays and told Second Sister Bao to bring the call chits. Amity Zhu pointed at Jade Tao and Modesty Zhu, “What about these two? There aren’t that many girls they can call.”

“Never mind,” said Script Li. “They can call as many as they like or just call one. It’s up to them.”

Amity Zhu gave the names while Old Merit wrote them down. They were calling all the girls everybody had ever summoned before. In Jade Tao’s case, he could summon Water Blossom as well as her younger sister, River Blossom. But Modesty Zhu had no one to call but Twin Jade.

After the chits had been written, Cloud Tao asked them to take their seats at the table.

“It’s too early,” Script Li said.

“We can have some appetizers first,” Cloud Tao replied.

Script Li again complained to Amity Zhu, “It’s all your fault. You’re the one who started all this.”

Everybody proceeded into the parlor. There, they saw that eight foreign rattan chairs had been set out in a row in front of the dinner table and facing the stage, with a set of teacups for each person.

“Let’s sit wherever we like. Anyone who feels like eating can just help himself.”

As he said this, Script Li picked up a cream cake, pulled out a rattan chair, and sat down against the wall, so the others had to follow his example, dispense with ceremony, and sit around informally.

Private performances always started with the routine “Dance of Official Promotion.” After this came the two auspicious short plays they had picked, A House Full of High Officials and Beating the Princess. They bored Script Li, so he said to Modesty Zhu, “Come, let’s have a chat.” He took the young man by the hand and went back into the study. Amity Zhu followed them but was told off by Script Li. “You go and watch the play. Forget about this silly fuss of keeping me entertained, all right?” Amity had to obey. Script Li told Modesty Zhu to sit across from him on the divan and asked him his age, what books he was studying, and whether he was betrothed. Modesty Zhu answered all his questions.

Soon, Bright Pearl came in with a handful of imported hazel nuts, pine nuts, and walnuts she had shelled and presented them to Script Li. He took them and offered half of them to Modesty, saying, “Try some.” Modesty picked up a few but did not eat them. Script Li again asked him about all sorts of things. This went on for a long time. Bright Pearl, who was watching and listening to one side, got some idea of what Script Li had in mind.

They chatted until noon, when Second Sister Bao came to get the call chits. Bright Pearl realized it was time for lunch to be served, so she invited Script Li back into the parlor. Everybody stood up, ready to toast him and decide on the seating order, but Script Li would not permit it. Instead, he made Modesty Zhu sit beside him. The others could not very well insist, so, with the exception of Old Merit, they took their seats according to their age. The first course was oyster soup, after which came the fish. Bright Pearl hastened to bone it for Script Li with her knife and fork.

By then, the girls summoned to the party were arriving one after another. Onstage, they were performing the Kun opera Catkin Pavilion, in which the gongs and drums were silent and only stringed instruments played. That made it quiet and peaceful. Script Li looked around him and found that he was already surrounded by girls called to the party, yet more were still coming. He asked Amity Zhu, “How many girls did you call for me?”

“A very limited number,” Amity Zhu answered smiling. “Less than twenty.”

Script Li frowned. “You really don’t have any sense of proportion!” Then he looked at the others. Some had called two or three girls, some four or five, but Modesty Zhu had just one. Script Li learned it was Twin Jade. He looked her up and down and nodded in approval. “They do make a perfect couple.”

Everybody echoed his praise in chorus.

Script Li then turned to Amity Zhu. “You’re the elder brother. Don’t you play the fool! You should bring them together—seriously.”

On hearing this, Modesty Zhu was overcome with embarrassment. Even Twin Jade lowered her head.

“No need to be so formal, you two,” said Script Li. “Sit over here and chat, so I can listen in, too.”

“If you want to hear these two talk, I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed,” said Amity Zhu.

Script Li was taken aback. “Is she a mute?”

The others could not suppress a smile.

“A mute she’s not; only they don’t talk,” Amity Zhu replied.

Script Li urged Modesty Zhu, “Come on, show them. You must say a few words for everyone to hear. Don’t let your brother triumph over you.”

Modesty Zhu was more embarrassed than ever. Then Script Li turned to Twin Jade and tried to get her to speak. She just smiled. Finally, pressed hard by Script Li, she said with a smile, “There’s nothing to say, though. What should I say?”

This sent everybody exclaiming: “Well done! She’s broken her golden silence.”

Script Li lifted his cup for a toast, “All of us should drink a cup to congratulate them.” He drained his in one draught and then showed Modesty Zhu the bottom of his cup. Everybody drank up. Modesty Zhu was so embarrassed even his ears turned red. He just would not drink. Fortunately, a new play, Tianshui Pass, had just started. The noise of its battle cries cut short Script Li’s badinage.

Seeing that the eighth course, curried chicken rice, was about done, most of the summoned girls took their leave. Twin Jade also made to go, but Script Li spotted her and said, “Don’t go just yet. I want a word with you.” She thought he still was teasing, but when Amity Zhu joined in to detain her, she had to return to her seat. Her servant girl Clever Baby whispered something in her ear. She just replied she’d be back directly. Clever Baby then left ahead of her.

At the end of the feast, everybody drank a cup of coffee with milk. Then they wiped their faces, rinsed their mouths, and dispersed. The theater troupe happened to have finished its main performance just then, and the maid came to ask for further choices.

“Would somebody just pick something?” said Script Li.

Amity Zhu knew that Script Li needed his afternoon nap. He thought it best to stop the show for now and have both troupes play together that night. Without even consulting Script Li, he just dismissed the troupe.

Taking Modesty Zhu in one hand and Twin Jade in the other, Script Li walked away from the others, saying, “Let’s go over here.” He walked slowly into the dining room and sat down on an air cushion on the sofa against the wall. He told them to sit on either side of him and then asked Twin Jade how old she was, where she lived, and whether her mother was still alive. She answered his questions one by one. He then turned to Modesty Zhu, “When did you start seeing her?”

Modesty Zhu looked lost and bewildered. She answered for him, “Only at the end of last month, when the elder Mr. Zhu called me to a party for him. He hasn’t been to our place yet.”

Script Li immediately pulled a long face. “You’re really not a nice person,” he chided Modesty Zhu. “Someone’s been longing for your visit day in and day out, so why disappoint her?”

Modesty Zhu got quite a turn. Only when Twin Jade let out a giggle did he realize what Script Li meant.

Then Script Li consoled her, “Don’t be angry. I’ll come with him tomorrow. Tell me if he’s not nice to you, and I’ll give him a beating.”

She turned sideways to hide a smile. “Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet. Wait till I’ve really played matchmaker for you, then say your thanks in one go.”

At this, even Twin Jade ceased smiling and said nothing.

“What is it? Don’t you want to marry him?” said Script Li. “Look, such a nice young fellow, what’s wrong with marrying him? If you refuse, you’ll be missing out on a great opportunity!”

“I’m afraid such blessings are not my lot.” she said.

“You can count yourself blessed if I speak up for you. Just say yes, and with a word from me it’s done.”

She still said nothing.

Script Li kept urging her, “Speak up. Are you willing?” She replied in vexation, “Your Excellency, is it reasonable to ask me about something like this?”

“Am I to ask your mother then? You have a point there. Once you’ve agreed, naturally I’ll go and ask your mother.”

She remained silent, her head still turned away.

Second Sister Bao happened to come in with tea, so Twin Jade changed the subject and said playfully, “Do have some tea, Your Excellency.”

He reached out for the teacup and asked Second Sister Bao, “Where’s everybody?”

“They’re chatting in the study. Shall I ask them to come over?”

“Don’t bother.” He handed her the teacup and lay down on the sofa. Once Second Sister Bao was gone, it was quiet in the room. Before he knew it, everything grew blurred; his mouth fell open, and his eyes closed.

Taking this in from the corner of her eye, Twin Jade tiptoed off. Modesty Zhu remained seated there, afraid to leave. As he hesitated, he heard Script Li starting to snore. He coughed deliberately, and the noise did not wake Li, so Modesty also slipped out of the room. He wanted to find Twin Jade and talk to her. When he walked over to the study, he saw the younger men were seated around Old Merit, deep in conversation. Bright Pearl put in a word from time to time, but Twin Jade was not there. He was just going to withdraw when Bright Pearl spotted him and asked, “Is His Excellency alone in there?” He nodded. She rushed over, all flustered.

Modesty took the opportunity to retrace his steps. He stood at the door trying to figure out where Twin Jade had gone. As he chanced to look that way, he caught sight of someone leaning at a window on the east wing. On looking more closely he found it was none other than Twin Jade. Overjoyed, he made bold to skirt round the back. When he entered Bright Pearl’s own chamber, he tiptoed up behind Twin Jade, but she had sensed his approach and just pretended not to notice. As he slowly reached out a hand for her wrist, she suddenly snatched her hand away and shouted, “Don’t horse around!” Never expecting such a reaction, he got a real shock and stumbled back a step or two. Cowering before the divan, he stood in a daze, his face frozen.

She waited a moment. Seeing that nothing was happening, she turned around to find out what he was doing. To her surprise he seemed to be in a state of shock. Realizing she had been too brusque, she felt quite apologetic. But how was she to console him? She could not come up with an idea, so she just shot him a sidelong glance with the flicker of a smile.

Reassured, he sighed. “You’re a fine one! You almost scared me to death!”

Holding back her laughter, she said in a low voice, “If you have enough sense to be scared, why don’t you keep your hands to yourself?”

“How would I dare do otherwise? I just wanted to ask you something.”

“What is it?”

“I wanted to know where Sunshine Alley is. How many people are there in your place? Would it be all right if I came?”

She did not answer. He repeated his questions, and finally she said in vexation, “I don’t know!” Then she stood up and walked out of the room. Modesty just stared after her, bewildered, and could not very well stop her.

When she got to the door curtain, she turned around and asked him with a smile, “Are you close to Benevolence Hong?”

He thought for a moment. “Benevolence Hong? No, not really. But he and my brother are old friends.”

“Just go and find Benevolence Hong.”

He wanted to ask her why, but she had walked out of the room. He followed her back to the study. Clever Baby had just come to fetch her, so she made ready to say good-bye.

“Go and tell His Excellency,” Amity Zhu said.

“Never mind. His Excellency is asleep,” said Bright Pearl.

After a moment’s reflection, Amity Zhu said, “In that case, you can go now. We’ll call you again later.”

Twin Jade had just left when a maid came peeping around the edge of the curtain. Seeing her, Jade Tao hurried outside, and they talked for a while in undertones, after which he returned to the study to sit with the others. When Cloud Tao saw the expression of uncertainty on his brother’s face, he asked, “More trouble?”

“No,” Jade Tao mumbled. “It’s just that Water Blossom is not feeling well.”

“She was fine just now,” Cloud Tao said.

“With her, it’s hard to say,” Jade replied glibly.

Cloud sneered. “If you want to go and look in on her, do it now when we’re free. Come back early.”

This was just what Jade had been hoping for. He immediately excused himself, went downstairs, got into the sedan chair, and made straight for East Prosperity Alley. As he walked into her room, he saw Water Blossom lying in bed, hugging the quilt. Only her younger sister, River Blossom, was there, propping herself up on the bed by the elbows, keeping Water Blossom company. He reached out to feel her forehead, which was slightly feverish.

“Sister, Brother-in-law is here,” River Blossom called out repeatedly.

She opened her eyes and saw him. “You shouldn’t have come right away. Won’t your brother scold?”

“It’s all right, he told me to come.”

“Why would he do that?”

“He told me to come here first and then go back there early tonight.”

After a long pause, she said, “Your brother is a nice man. Don’t be stubborn with him, just do as he says.”

He did not reply, just bent down, put her hands under the quilt, and tucked it up firmly around her neck and shoulders, leaving a little gap for air circulation. Then he suggested that she take off her earrings. But she refused, saying, “I’ll be all right after I get a little sleep.”

“Just now, you were perfectly all right. Did the wind get at you in the sedan chair?” he said.

“No, it was just that awful play, Tianshui Pass. It made such a racket, my head was bursting.”

“Then why didn’t you leave early?”

“The girls hadn’t all arrived. How could I leave first?”

“That doesn’t matter really.”

River Blossom broke in, “Brother-in-law, you should have said something. If you did, then Elder Sister could have left first while I stayed a little longer. That’d have been all right, wouldn’t it?”

“Then why didn’t you say so?” he asked.

“But I didn’t know Elder Sister was unwell.”

“So you didn’t know, but I was supposed to know?” he said with a smile. At this, River Blossom also smiled.

Jade Tao sat down on the bed, and River Blossom leaned against his knees. Neither of them spoke. Water Blossom remained wide awake, unable to sleep. By the time the lamps were lit, Cloud Tao’s sedan-chair bearers came with a message: “The table is set. Second Young Master is requested to go over right away.”

Jade Tao answered in the affirmative. Water Blossom happened to hear this, so she said, “Hurry up, or else your brother will lecture you again.”

“There’s ample time.”

“It’s not that. If go early, you can come back early. That’ll also give your brother a good impression, won’t it? Otherwise, he’ll go on about your being bewitched and say you won’t even attend to serious matters.”

After a moment of reflection, he turned to River Blossom, “Then you keep your sister company. Don’t go away.”

“No,” Water Blossom said quickly. “Let her go and have supper. After that, she’ll have to answer party calls.”

“I’ll eat here,” said River Blossom.

“I have no appetite. You go and eat with Mother.” 

“Have something, all right?” he tried to persuade her. “If you don’t eat, your mother will worry herself sick.”

“All right, now off you go.”

Thereupon he went by sedan chair to Tripod Alley for dinner at Bright Pearl’s, while River Blossom lingered by the bed, asking questions about this and that.

“Go and tell Mother I want to sleep for a while. I’m not feeling unwell, but I don’t want dinner,” Water Blossom said.

At first, the young girl refused to go, but finally Water Blossom made her.

A moment later, Water Blossom’s mother, Fair Sister Li, pushed open the back door and came in. Seeing there was no one with her, she asked, “Why isn’t Second Young Master here?”

“I told him to go. He’s the host today so he should go and entertain.”

Fair Sister Li walked up to the bed to look at Water Blossom’s face and touch and feel her all over.

“Don’t, Mother, I’m all right,” she said smiling, trying to stop her.

“D’you feel like eating anything special? I’ll tell them to make it. The cook is not doing anything just now.”

“I have no appetite.”

“There’s some five-spiced pigeon. I’ll tell them to make a little congee, and you can have it later.”

“You eat it yourself, Mother. Just the thought of it makes me unwell, so how could I get it down?”

Fair Sister gave her some more advice and then turned up the lamp on the dressing table and lowered the wick of the paraffin lamp in the side chamber. She also let down the curtains before she went out through the backdoor to go to supper. Water Blossom was alone in the room.

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1. [This is in contrast to Chinese custom, which leaves such preparations until after the arrival of the guests. E.H.]