CHAPTER 54 :: A faithless lover half-heartedly plights his troth, and an unfaithful woman gets a well-deserved beating

Seeing that they were alone in the House of Fragrant Slumber, Modesty Zhu spoke hesitantly to Harmony Qi, “Elder Brother tells me to go home tomorrow. I wonder what it’s about.”

“Your brother got you engaged. Didn’t you know about it?” Harmony said, smiling pleasantly.

“That’s always the trouble with Elder Brother,” Modesty said with a frown, his head bowed low.

Harmony was astonished to hear this. “What’s wrong with getting you engaged?”

“There’s nothing wrong, but why the hurry? Could you please put in a word with Elder Brother to cancel this engagement?”

Harmony had a good idea what was on Modesty’s mind from the way he looked but decided to probe him further, “What d’you mean?” He repeated the question several times, but no answer came. Modesty just could not get the words out.

Harmony then spoke to him seriously, “You shouldn’t say that to your brother. At your age, it’s time to get engaged, and since you’ve lost your parents, naturally your brother makes the decision for you. Nothing can be better than getting engaged to Script Li’s daughter; there’s no warmer friendship than his. But instead of being grateful to your brother, you’re telling him to cancel the engagement! Not only would he be angry, but just think for yourself: the matchmakers have all arrived, and the betrothal gifts have been prepared; is it possible for your brother to turn them down now?”

Modesty said not a word.

“Though you’re engaged, it’s important to make sure that everybody’s willing,” Harmony said. “If there’s anything not to your liking, just say so, and we’ll talk it over. The way I look at it, the most important thing for you is to get engaged. The earlier the engagement, the earlier the wedding; then you can take Twin Jade home at the same time. Wouldn’t that be nice?”

Hearing this, Modesty swallowed hard, hesitated a while, and again mumbled, “Now that you mention Twin Jade, in the beginning it was Elder Brother who first called her to parties for me, and it was also Elder Brother who told me to have a dinner party at her place. Right after that, Twin Jade asked me if I wanted to marry her. She said she came from a respectable family and ended up in a brothel just this year, that she had only spent one season as a virgin courtesan. She wanted me to promise to marry her, and she said she would not take on another patron. Well, I did give her my word.”

“If you want to take Twin Jade as your concubine, that’s easy enough, but you won’t be able to make her your wife. Look at Jade Tao, he wanted to marry Water Blossom after his first wife died, and he never succeeded. In your case, it’d be a first marriage, so it’s hopeless.”¹

Modesty again bowed his head and frowned. After a while, he said, “That’s the rub. Twin Jade is awfully stubborn by nature. Ever since she got here, she’s been talking about buying back her freedom. She told me that if I take another wife, she will drink raw opium and kill herself.”

Harmony could not suppress his chuckle. “Don’t you worry. Courtesans all talk like that. You don’t have to take it seriously.”

Modesty looked chastened, but inwardly he was deeply agitated, so he said helplessly, “At first, I didn’t believe it, either, but Twin Jade is not like the others. From the look of it, she isn’t bluffing. Now if anything happens, it won’t be funny.”

Harmony waved his hand to show he disagreed, “What can happen?” he asked. “I guarantee the show will go on, all right? Don’t you worry.”

Modesty saw that they were talking at cross-purposes, so he knew it was no use saying anything else. Just then, the manservant from the tea kitchen brought tea, and Harmony politely urged him to drink. Having taken a sip, Modesty got up to take his leave. Harmony walked him to the door and offered this advice: “I suggest you tell Twin Jade at once that your elder brother wants you to be engaged. If she has anything to say, just put all the blame on your brother.”

Modesty acknowledged this absently.

When they ambled out of the House of Fragrant Slumber, Pendant and Hairpin were waiting for them at the door and followed them down the slope of the hill, where they went their separate ways. Harmony Qi headed west with Pendant and Hairpin to the Moon-worshiper’s Chamber, while Modesty Zhu walked eastward by himself. He thought, “Harmony is well-known for being the leader of the love cult, yet even he wouldn’t help bring a happy ending to this romance. What’s to be done? If Twin Jade learns about this, there’s no telling how far she’ll go.” He pondered long and hard but could see no way out. When he reached the archery path, he found that all those who had been watching the horse ride had dispersed. Only two menservants remained in Right Target Hall to make sure that the incense and candles did not start a fire. Modesty retraced his steps and ran straight into Aroma. “Where’s Our Excellency gone off to; did you see him, Fifth Young Master?” she asked cheerfully.

“He’s at the Moon-worshiper’s Chamber.”

“But I didn’t see him there,” she said.

“Well, he has just gone there.”

On hearing this, she turned to go at once. He called to stop her, asking, “Have you seen Twin Jade?”

She pointed and said something that he did not catch, but he followed the direction she indicated to continue his search in the lake house. As he entered the courtyard, he caught a whiff of opium scent and knew Amity must be smoking in his bedroom. Instead of disturbing him, he returned to his own room, where, sure enough, he found Twin Jade. A large number of porcelain bowls littered the table, and she was feeding the crickets with powdered lotus seeds. When she saw Modesty, she happily conferred with him on how to take the crickets home the next day.

Modesty was listless. Twin Jade thought he was unhappy about their temporary separation and comforted him with loving words. He tried to tell her about his betrothal several times but each time stopped for lack of courage. It also occurred to him that it would be unseemly if she made a scene there, so he decided to leave it until they were home. He tried his best to converse and joke as usual.

When evening came, lamps were lit and the feasting began. The hall was filled with musicians to entertain them. Harmony was in high spirits, pressing wine on everybody and asking them to join in the drinking games. After the merrymaking, he produced A Collection of Flowers on the Sea and wanted a eulogy for each of the sisters appended to the biography. Everybody applauded the idea, so Modesty Zhu, too, had to do his part somehow. He managed to get through the night.

The next afternoon, carriages and sedan chairs awaited the guests. Apart from Dragon Ma, Second Bai Gao, Devotion Yin, and Wenjun Yao, only Iron Hua and White Orchid had been persuaded to stay on. The rest, including Nature Shi, Elan Ge, Cloud Tao, Jade Tao, Amity Zhu, Modesty Zhu, Second Treasure, Snow Scent, Belle Tan, River Blossom, White Fragrance, Twin Jade, Sunset, Flora Zhang, and Green Fragrance, all took their leave to go home.

Harmony said to Jade Tao, “You’re just going for Water Blossom’s ‘spirit return day.’² Come back as soon as it’s over.”

“I think I’ll go home tomorrow,” Jade said. “I’ll definitely come again on the twenty-fifth.”

Since Jade was going home, Harmony could not very well insist. He turned to Modesty Zhu instead. “You can come right away tomorrow, can’t you?”

Afraid he would reveal the matter of the betrothal, Modesty evaded the question.

The group left Conical Hat Garden and went their different ways. Modesty’s and Twin Jade’s carriage made straight for Sunshine Alley, where Twin Jade bade him in no uncertain terms, “Come as soon as you can.”

Modesty gave his promise repeatedly and watched as Pearlie helped Twin Jade into the alley, supporting her by the elbow, before he returned to Middle Peace Alley. He saw that his brother, Amity, was already home and was attending to various matters in the parlor. At loose ends, Modesty went to the study, where he sat brooding, thinking that Twin Jade absolutely must not be told. “I’ll keep it from her for now and talk it over in due time,” he thought.

When it was almost four o’clock in the afternoon, the doorman came in to announce, “Mr. Tang is here.” Etiquette demanded that Modesty go out and greet him. Dispensing with the usual greetings, Whistler Tang told Amity urgently, “Pragmatic Li came with us. He and the others are still in the boat.”

Amity immediately dispatched three invitations and three mandarin’s sedan chairs to the pier to fetch Old Merit Yu, Pragmatic Li, and Crane Li. Then he sent a servant to West Civic Peace Alley to ask Mr. Tao to come at once. Unexpectedly Cloud Tao was not at Belle’s place, and neither did they know his whereabouts.

Amity had become quite agitated by the time Cloud presented himself without being summoned. Seeing Whistler Tang, he said by way of greeting, “It’s been a while.”

Amity could hardly wait to ask him, “Where did you go? We couldn’t even find you.”

“I was in East Prosperity Alley,” Cloud said with a smile.

“What were you doing there?” Amity asked.

Cloud smiled and then frowned, “It’s Jade again. We’ve just wound up Water Blossom’s affairs and up pops River Blossom. It’s quite an awkward business.”

“Whatever’s the matter?” asked Amity.

Cloud sighed before he spoke. “When Water Blossom was still alive, she had said something about having Jade marry her younger sister. So now Fair Sister Li has handed River Blossom over to Jade and said he should take her as concubine when she’s a bit older.”

“Well, that’s not a bad thing,” Amity said.

“Except Jade would have none of it. He said, ‘I’ve ruined one life already; I’m not going to ruin another. If River Blossom comes to me, she’ll be my adopted daughter, and I’ll marry her off.’”

“Well, that’s not a bad thing, either,” said Amity.

“But Fair Sister insisted on giving her to Jade as his concubine! She said poor Water Blossom never got to marry Jade, so now River Blossom is to be her surrogate. If River Blossom is lucky enough to have a son by him, Water Blossom would be considered the source of such a blessing, and there’d be someone who’d remember her.”

Having heard all this, Amity nodded in sympathy. Whistler Tang cut in, “Every one of them makes sense. It really is an awkward business.”

“I’ve thought of a way out, though, so it’s all right,” Cloud said.

As he spoke, Longevity came running in with two red calling cards to announce the arrival of guests. Amity and Modesty Zhu hurriedly put on their hats and formal robes before they went forth to welcome Old Merit and Crane Li. The two men alighted from their sedan chairs and walked into the parlor, saluting their hosts, and then seated themselves on the divan, where they were served tea.

“Why isn’t your esteemed uncle coming?” Amity inquired.

“Uncle is not feeling very well. He’s here to see a doctor. He appreciates your kind invitation, regretting that he can only enjoy your hospitality in spirit, and told me to convey his thanks.”

Amity turned to exchange a few pleasantries with Old Merit and then invited them all into a reception room by the parlor where they could remove their hats and formal robes. Cloud Tao and Whistler Tang were asked to join them there. Everybody made small talk, but Modesty Zhu said nothing.

Soon Old Merit got to their chief business. He told them of Script Li’s wishes and conferred with them over the betrothal and wedding ceremonies. Modesty was glad to take this opportunity to excuse himself.³ Longevity, thinking he would get into Modesty’s good books, snatched a free moment and went to the study to congratulate him, going down on one knee. Disgusted with the man’s interfering nature, Modesty glared at him angrily. Longevity withdrew in embarrassment.

That evening, Longevity came to ask Modesty to attend the banquet, so Modesty had to return to the reception room and keep the dinner guests company. By then, the arrangements for his marriage had been settled, and nothing was said about it at the table. When dinner was over, Old Merit, Crane Li and Cloud Tao thanked their hosts and took their leave. Amity and Modesty saw them to their sedan chairs. Though Whistler Tang stayed behind, he was such a close friend that there was no need to entertain him, so Modesty withdrew again to the study. Nothing more needs to be said.

On the twenty-second, Amity was busy finding out which were the most auspicious dates for the betrothal and the wedding, which he had to submit to the bride’s family for approval. Modesty, though at leisure, dared not leave the house. His opportunity finally came at dusk, when someone invited Amity to a sing-song house party. Modesty then slipped off for a rendezvous with Twin Jade in Sunshine Alley.

When he arrived, Benevolence Hong happened to be in Twin Pearl’s room, so Modesty went over to tell him about the betrothal and bid him to keep it from Twin Jade. Benevolence understood his situation and relayed the message to Twin Pearl at once. Twin Pearl then told Orchid Zhou, who ordered the entire household to keep the news under a tight lid.

Everyone obeyed her, with the exception of Twin Jewel, who, gratified by this turn of events, began to make fun of Twin Jade through hints and innuendoes. Twin Pearl happened to catch her at it and called her into the room to admonish her, “How dare you still wag your tongue like that! Have you forgotten the incident of the silver water pipe? If Twin Jade picks a quarrel, no good will come to you.”

Twin Jewel dared not answer back. She went silently downstairs.

The next day, Orchid Zhou left a bunch of keys in Twin Jewel’s room when she went there to get some clothes from the trunks. She happened to see Pearlie and told her to look for them. When Pearlie had found the keys and turned to go, Twin Jewel grabbed her and asked in a whisper, “Aren’t you going to Fifth Young Mr. Zhu’s to congratulate him?”

“Don’t talk nonsense,” Pearlie answered offhandedly.

“Fifth Young Mr. Zhu is getting married, haven’t you heard?”

Knowing Twin Jewel had a loose tongue, Pearlie had no intention of being drawn into an argument. She said loudly, “Let go of me this minute, or I’m going to call Mother!”

But Twin Jewel would not let go. Just then, they heard Worth calling out in the parlor, “Pearlie, somebody to see you.”

Pearlie asked, “Who is it?” and took the opportunity to extricate herself. She found out that it was her old colleague, Goldie the servant girl. Momentarily taken aback, she asked, “Has anything happened?”

“No, I just thought I’d look in on you,” Goldie replied.

Pearlie rushed off to hand over the keys to Orchid Zhou and then came out, took Goldie by the hand, and walked with her to a corner of the alley, where they stood by the whitewashed wall for a heart-to-heart.

“Things are getting impossible. Even the couple of old clients are keeping away, not to mention Mr. Wang. There aren’t any new clients, either. At the end of last season, my share of tips came to just four dollars. We’re worried to death, but she’s still taking carriage rides and going to the theater and seems quite happy,” said Goldie.

“Little Willow is doing very well, so why should she be glum? The way I look at it, you should just quit.”

“I will. They’re renting a little hideaway and want me to go with them at a dollar a month. I’m certainly not going.”

“I heard Mr. Hong say that they need a servant girl at Mr. Wang’s house. D’you want to give it a try?” Pearlie said.

“Fine. Will you speak for me?”

“If you like, I’ll ask Mr. Hong about it later. I’m busy tomorrow, so I’ll go with you on the twenty-sixth, at two in the afternoon.”

The appointment made, Goldie took her leave, and Pearlie returned to the house. On the morning of the twenty-fifth, a call chit came from Conical Hat Garden, so Pearlie accompanied Twin Jade to the party. The next day, Pearlie came home with the message: “The young maestro won’t be back until the twenty-eighth.” Orchid Zhou made no comment. Not long after lunch, Goldie showed up to go with Pearlie to the Wang residence on Fifth Avenue.

When the two of them arrived at the door, a young man charged out as if the devil were after him and dashed off with his head down. It was Lotuson Wang’s nephew. They had no idea what it was about. The two of them pushed the door open and went in. It was all quiet inside, with no one around. They had gone as far as the parlor when Talisman came out from the back of the house. On seeing them, he held up a hand to indicate that they should not come in, so they stood still. Pearlie asked in a low voice, “Is Mr. Wang in?”

Talisman nodded.

“Has anything happened?”

Talisman approached her and was about to whisper into her ear when the sound of whacking came from upstairs. Then all hell broke loose, and they heard shouting and loud crying. The two women could tell it was Constance’s voice, but they did not hear Lotuson Wang. Next came the sound of running feet—bound and natural. They ran into the center room, and then another bout of whacking followed. Constance was shouting incessantly, “Help! Help!”

Pearlie could stand it no longer. “Go and intercede,” she urged Talisman.

He hung back, not daring to go. Then came a thump that shook the ceiling, sending the dust flying down. They knew it was Constance falling on the floor. Lotuson Wang never uttered the slightest sound; he beat her in complete silence. Constance rolled and writhed all over the floor. Pearlie wanted to intercede but felt she was in no position to do so, so she did not dare go, either. As there was no one else present, Lotuson Wang could beat her to his heart’s content. Gradually, Constance’s voice became hoarse, and she no longer had the strength to roll around or call for help. Only then did they hear Lotuson Wang stop. He heaved a long sigh and then withdrew into the inner room.

Pearlie surmised that it was best not to disturb him, so she whispered good-bye to Talisman. Goldie, still transfixed, only came to her senses when she saw Pearlie leaving. As they slipped out the door hand in hand, they again heard Constance howling a couple of times; it was a really chilling sound.

Goldie could not help lamenting, “I wonder what brought this about?”

“What do we care! Let’s go and have a cup of tea.”

This cheered Goldie up no end. They went out of the alley, turned a corner, and made their leisurely way to Splendid Assembly Teahouse on Fourth Avenue, where they went upstairs. It was the peak hour, so tea drinkers were coming and going in droves. They chose a table that overlooked the street and ordered one pouring cup to share. They drank slowly and chatted.

“We all thought Mr. Wang was such a nice person, but now he’s beating his concubine! Isn’t it strange?” Pearlie smiled and said.

“It would’ve worked out well if our maestro had married Mr. Wang when he was in love with her. If that had happened, would he have dared beat her?” Goldie responded.

“But Little Rouge is not cut out to be a respectable woman, is she? There’d have been even more of a hullabaloo,” said Pearlie.

Goldie sighed. “It’s all our maestro’s fault. One can’t blame Mr. Wang for marrying Constance. To think that she was a top courtesan in Shanghai, and now she’s come to this!”

“Well, this isn’t the end of the road for her yet,” Pearlie said with a sneer.

As she spoke, the waiter came to pour more hot water into their cup. He showed them a ten-cent coin in his hand and pointed to a table further back, saying, “Your tea is paid for. They’ve paid.”

The two women craned their necks to look. There were four people seated at that table, all unknown to Goldie. Pearlie thought they looked familiar; she seemed to have seen them a couple of times in Conical Hat Garden, but the only one she recognized was the young man, Second Treasure’s brother, Simplicity Zhao. Since Simplicity was dressed in a formal, wide-cut robe, looking uncommonly distinguished, Pearlie refrained from greeting him. She just nodded in acknowledgment and smiled.

A moment later, a smiling Simplicity came over to their table. Pearlie invited him to sit down and handed him a water pipe. After an appraising glance at Goldie, he made conversation with Pearlie. “Your maestro is at Rustic Retreat. How come you’re back here?”

“I’m going there now.”

Simplicity turned to ask Goldie, “Who do you work for?”

Goldie replied that it was Little Rouge.

“She’s looking for a job right now,” Pearlie cut in. “If you know anybody who wants a servant girl, please give her a recommendation.”

Simplicity was all ears. “Flora Zhang of West Civic Peace Alley mentioned that she wanted another servant girl. When she comes back, I’ll ask her about it.”

“Fine. Thank you,” Goldie said.

After asking for her name, Simplicity made an appointment to give her an answer on the twenty-ninth. “You might as well wait a couple days,” Pearlie said to Goldie. “If it falls through at Flora Zhang’s, then you can go to Mr. Wang’s.”

Goldie was full of gratitude. Simplicity took a few puffs on the water pipe and then returned to his own table.

Soon it was getting dark. Pearlie and Goldie went to say good-bye to Simplicity before they left. As Simplicity and his friends were also going, they walked down the stairs of Splendid Assembly Teahouse together and went their separate ways.

::

1.  [Despite Qi’s earlier claim that he could have brought a happy ending to Jade Tao and Water Blossom by adopting the latter as his daughter, here he shows his true feelings about the proper position for a courtesan. E.H.]

2.  [It is believed that the spirit of the dead revisits her old home on the twenty-first day after her death. That day marks the end of the rituals of mourning. E.H.]

3.  [The bride and groom are not supposed to have any say and would be considered extremely immodest if they did not absent themselves during such discussions. E.H.]