 Section 58 of The Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Yu Qing in Singapore. The Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2 by Cao Xueqing. Translated by Harry Bencroft's Jolly. Chapter 54, Part 1. Dao Zhe Lady Jia, Nei Shi, does away with brought-in-out customs. Wang Xifeng imitates ingest the dutiful son by getting herself up in Gordy theatrical clothes. Jia Zhen and Jia Lian had, we will now explain, secretly got ready large baskets of cash so the moment they heard Old Lady Jia utter the word tip, they promptly bade the pages, be quick and fling the money. The noise of the cash running on every side of the stage was all that fell on the ear. Dao Zhe Lady Jia thoroughly enjoyed it. The two men then rose to their feet. The pages hastened to lay hold of a silver kettle newly brought in with fresh wine and to deposit it in Jia Lian's hands who followed Jia Zhen with quick step into the inner rooms. Jia Zhen advanced first up to Cicero in Lord Li's table and courtesy him he braised her cup and turned round whereupon Jia Lian quickly filled it to the brim. Next they approached Mrs Xue's table and they also replenished her cup. These two ladies lost no time in standing up and smilingly a-spotulating. Gentlemen, they said, please take your seats or see use of standing on such ceremonies. But presently everyone, with the exception of the two ladies, Madame, Heng Xing and Wang, quitted the banquet and dropping their arms against their bodies, they stood on one side. Jia Lian and his companion then drew near Dao Zhe Lady Jia's couch. But the couch was so low that they had to stoop on their knees. Jia Zhen was in front and presented the cup. Jia Lian was behind and held the kettle up to her. But notwithstanding that only these two offered her wine, Jia Zong and the other young men followed them closely in the order of their age and grade. So the moment they saw them kneel, they immediately threw themselves on their knees. Bao Yu too prostrated himself at once. Xiao Ming studedly gave him a push. What's the use of your now following their lead again and falling on your knees? She said, But since you behave like this, wouldn't it be well if you also went and poured wine all round? Bao Yu laughed. Hold on a bit. He rejoined in a low tone. And I'll go and do so. So speaking, he waited until these two relatives had finished pouring the wine and risen to their feet when he also went and replenished the cups of Meidang Wang and Xing. How about the young ladies? Jia Zong smilingly asked, You people had better be going. Oh, the ladies yet and the other ladies unanimously observed. They all then be more at their ease. At this hint Jia Zong and his companions eventually withdrew. The second watch had not, at the time, yet gone. The plate that was being sung was the eight worthies to look at the lanterns. Consisting of eight acts and had now reached a sensational part. Bao Yu at this stage left the feast and was going out. Where are you off to? Inquired his grandmother Jia. The crackers outside are dreadful. Mind, the lightest pieces of paper falling from above might burn you. Bao Yu smiled. I'm not going far, he asked. I'm merely going out of the room. It will be back at once. That was your lady Jia directed at the matrons to be careful and escort him. Bao Yu forthwith salad out with no other attendants however than Shuo Yue, Qiu Wen and several useful maids. How is it? His grandmother Jia felt obliged to ask that I don't see anything of Xiren. Is she too now putting on high and mighty airs though she only sends these juvenile girls here? Madame Wang rose to her feet with all haste. Her mother, she explained, died the other day. So being in a deep mourning she couldn't very well present herself. Gao Zhenli Jia nodded her head ascentingly. When one is in service she smiled only remarked there should be no question of mourning or no mourning. It was only that if she was still in my way she wouldn't get present to be here. All these practices have quite become precedent. Liddy Feng crossed over to her. Had she even not been in mourning tonight? She chimed in with a laugh. She would have had to be in the garden and keep an eye over that pile of lanterns, candles and fireworks as they are most dangerous things. For as soon as any theatricals are set on foot in here who doesn't so repetitiously sneak out from the garden to have a look. But as far as she goes she's diligent and careful of every place. Moreover, when the company disverses and Brother Boi retires to sleep everything will be in perfect readiness. But had she also come that bevy of servants wouldn't again have cared a straw for anything. And on his return after the party the bedding would have been called the tea water wouldn't have been ready and he would have had to put up with every sort of discomfort. That's why I told her that there was no need for her to come. But she knew dear Senior wish her here I'll send for her straight away and have done. Old Lady Jia lent an ear to her arguments. What you say she promptly put in is perfectly right. You've made better arrangements than I could. Quick, don't send for her. But when did her mother die? How is it? I know nothing about it. Some time ago Lady Feng laughed. Xiren came in person and told you a worthy ancestor and how is it you've forgotten it? Yes resumed Dowdy Lady Jia smiling after some reflection. I remember now my memories really not off the best. Etna's everybody gave way to laughter. How could you vulnerable ladieship? They said, we collect so many matters. Dowdy Lady Jia there upon heaved a sigh. How I remember she added the way she served me ever since her youth up and how she waited upon ringer also. How at last she was given to that Prince of Devils and how she has slaved away with that imp for the last few years. She is besides not a slave girl born or bred in the place nor has she ever received any great benefits from our hands. When her mother died I meant to have given her several tails for her burial but it quite slipped from my mind. The other day Lady Feng remarked Madame Wang presented her with 40 tails so that was all right. At least was old Lady Jia nodded ascent. Yes, never mind about that. She observed Yuan Yang's mother also died as it happens the other day but taking into consideration that both her parents lived in the south I didn't let her return home to observe a period of mourning but as both these girls are now in mourning why not allow them to live together? They'll start to be able to keep each other company take a few fruits, eatables and other such things and then she bade a matron and give them to those two girls to eat. Will she likely wait till now? He'll put a lovely interposed. Why? She joined here a long ago. In the course of this conversation the various inmates partook of some more wine and watched the theatricals but we will now turn our attention to Bao Yu. He made his way straight into the garden the matron saw well enough that he was returning to his rooms but instead of falling him in they ensconced themselves near the fire in the tea room situated by the garden gate and made the best of the time by drinking and playing cards with the ghosts in charge of the tea. Bao Yu entered the court the lanterns burned brightly yet not a human voice was audible. Have they all forsooth gone to sleep? Shoryu ventured let's walking gently and give them a fright. Presently they stepped on tiptoe past the merit partition wall. At a glance they discerned Shoryu lying on a stove couch face to face with some other girl. On the opposite side set two or three old nurses nodding half asleep. Bao Yu conjectured that both the girls were plunged in sleep and was just about to enter when all of a sudden no one was heard to heave a sigh and to say. How evident it is that wildly matters are very uncertain. Have you lived all alone in here while your father and mother tarried abroad and roamed year after year from east to west without any fixed place of the bold? I ever thought that you wouldn't have been able to be with them at the last moments but as it happened your mother died in this place this year and you could after all stand by her to the end. Quite so rejoined Shiren even I little expected to be able to see any of my parents' funeral while I broke the news to our Madame Wang she also gave me 40 tales. There was really a kind attention on her part I hadn't nevertheless presumed to indulge in any vain hopes. Bao Yu overheard what was said hastily twisting himself round he remarked in a low voice addressing himself to Shui Yu and her companions who would have fancied her also in here but were right to enter she up all the way in another tantrum better than that we should retrace our steps and then quietly have a chat together Shiren was alone and down in the mouth so it's a fortunate thing that she joined her in such good time as he spoke there was more walked out of the court with gentle tread Bao Yu went in the back of the rockery and stopping short he raised his clothes Shui Yu and Shiren stood still and turned their faces away Stoop they smiled and then looted your clothes be careful that the wind doesn't blow on your stomach the two young maize who followed behind surmised that he was bent upon satisfying a natural want and they hurried ahead to the tea room to prepare the water just however as Bao Yu was crossing over two married women came in sight advancing from the opposite direction who's there they inquired Bao Yu is here Shiren answered better mind if you bore a shout like that you give him a start the woman promptly laughed she had no idea they said that we were coming at a great festive time like this to bring trouble upon ourselves what a lot of artwork must day after day forward to your share young ladies speaking the while they drew near Shui Yu and her friends then asked them what they were holding in their hands we're taking over they replied some things to the two girls miss Xin and miss Hua they're still singing that it worthies outside Shui Yu went on to observe laughingly and how is it you're running again to miss Xin and miss Hua before the troubled first moon box has been gone through take the lid off Bao Yu cried and let me see what there's inside Xin went and Shui Yu at once approached and uncovered the boxes the two women promptly stooped which enabled Bao Yu to see that the contents of the two boxes consisted of a like of some of the finest fruits and tea cakes which had figured at the banquet and nodding his head he walked off while Shui Yu and her friends spittily threw the lids down anyhow and followed in his track those two dames are pleasant enough Bao Yu smiled and they know how to speak decently but it's they who get quite win out every day and they, contrary wise, say that you've got ample to do daily now doesn't this amount to bragging and boasting those two women Shui Yu chimed in are not bad but such of them as don't know what good manners mean are ignorant to a degree of all propriety you who know what's what Bao Yu added should make allowances for that kind of rustic people you should pity them, that's all speaking, he made his exit out of that garden gate the matrons had, though engaged in drinking and gambling kept incessantly stepping out of doors to firstly keep an eye on his movements so that the moment they perceived Bao Yu appear they follow him in the body on their arrival in a covered passage of the reception hall there spied two young waiting-mates the one with a small basin in her hand the other with a towel throwing over her arm they also held a ball and a small kettle and had been waiting in that passage for ever so long Chiu Wen was the first to hastily stretch out her hand and test the water the oh, there you grow she cried, but don't say you get how could one ever use this icy coat water miss, look at the weather the young maid replied I was afraid if the water would get cold it was really golden is it cold now while she made this rejoinder an old matron was by a strange coincidence seen coming along carrying a jug of port water dear dame shouted the young maid come over and pour some for me in here my dear girl the matron responded this is for our old mistress to brew tea with I'll tell you what you'd better go and fetch some yourself are you perchance afraid lest your feet might grow bigger by walking I don't care who's it is Chiu Wen put in if you don't give me any I shall certainly empty your own lady's teapot and wash my hands the old matron turned her head and, catching sight of Chiu Wen she there and then raised the jug and poured some of the water that will do exclaimed Chiu Wen with all your gears don't you yet know what's what you isn't aware that it's for our old mistress but would one presume to ask for what shouldn't be asked for my eyes are so dim the matron joined with a smile that I didn't recognise this young lady when Ba Yu had washed his hands the young maid took the small jug and filled the bowl and as she held it in her hand Ba Yu rinsed his mouth but Chiu Wen and Chiu Yu availed themselves likewise of the warm water to have the wash after which they followed Ba Yu in Ba Yu at once asked for kettle of warm wine and starting from Cisterin Law Lee he began to replenish their cups Cisterin Law Lee and his aunt Xu pressed him however with smiling faces to take a seat but his grandmother Jia remonstrated he is only a youngster she said so let him pour the wine we must all drain this cup with these words she quaffed her own cup leaving no heel taps Maidam Xing and Wang also lost no time in emptying theirs so Mrs Xu and Cisterin Law Lee had no alternative but to drain their share fill the cups too of your female cousins senior or junior Da Yu and Lady Jia went on to tell Ba Yu and you remain to pour the wine anyhow each of you must swallow every drop of your drinks Ba Yu upon hearing her wishes set to work while signifying his ascent to replenish the cups of the several young ladies in their proper gradation but when he got to Da Yu she raced the cup for she would not drink any wine herself and applied Ba Yu's lips Ba Yu drained the contents with one breath upon which Da Yu gave him a smile and said to him I'm much obliged to you Ba Yu next pour the cup for her but Lady Feng immediately laughed and expatiulated Ba Yu she cried you mustn't take any cold wine mind your hand will tremble and you won't be able tomorrow to write your characters or to draw the bow I'm not having any cold wine Ba Yu replied I know you're not Lady Feng smiled but I simply warn you after this Ba Yu finished helping the rest of the inmates inside with the exception of Da Yu's wife for whom he made a maid to fill a cup then muddying again into the covered passage he replenished the cups of Jia Zhen and his companions after which he tarried with them for a while and at last walked in and resumed his former seat presently the soup was brought and soon after that the feast of lanterns cakes were handed round Da Yu and Lady Jia gave orders that the play should be interrupted for a time those yarn people she said are to be pitied let them to have some hot soup and warm vines they then can go on again for a week of every kind of fruit she continued feet of lanterns cakes and other such deities and give them a view the play was shortly stopped the matrons ushered in a couple of blind singing girls who often came to the house and put two benches on the opposite side for them oh, Lady Jia desired them to take a seat and benches and guitars were then handed to them what stories would you like to hear oh, Lady Jia inquired of sister and lordly and Mrs. Xu we don't care what they are both of them rejoined with one voice any will to have you off late added any new stories to your stalk oh, Lady Jia asked we've got a new story the two girls explained it's about an old affair of the time of the five dynasties which tore down the Tang dynasty what's this title oh, Lady Jia inquired it's called a feng six aluan in marriage the male phoenix asks the female phoenix in marriage one of the girls answered the title is all very well oh, Lady Jia proceeded but why I wonder was it ever given to it first, tell us its general purport and if it's interesting you can continue the story the girl explained trees of the time when the Tang dynasty was extinguished they lived then one of the gentry who had originally been a denser of jingling his name was Wang Zhu he had been minister under two reigns he had about this time pleaded old age and returned to his home he had about his needs only one son called Wang Xifeng when the company heard so far they began to laugh now, isn't this a duplicate of our girl feng's name oh, Lady Jia laughily exclaimed a married woman hurried up and pushed the girl that's the name of your lady she said so don't use it quite so heedlessly go on with your story doubly Lady Jia shouted the girl speedily stood up smiling a while we do deserve there she observed we weren't aware that it was our lady's worthy name why should it be in such fear and trembling Lady Feng laughed go on, there are many duplicate names and duplicate surnames the girl then proceeded with her story in a certain year he resumed his honor owed Mr Wang or for the capital to be in time for the examinations one day he was overtaken by a heavy shower of rain and he took himself into a village for shelter who would have thought it then lived in this village one of the gentry of the named Li who had been an old friend of his honor owed Mr Wang and he kept Mr Wang Junior to put up in his library this Mr Li had no son but only a daughter this young daughter's worthy name was Shu Luan she could perform on the flute she could play chess and she had a knowledge of books and of painting there was nothing that she did not understand Old Lady Jia eagerly chimed in it's no wonder she said that the story had been called a Feng Sui Luan in marriage a male phoenix Sui Sui female phoenix in marriage but you need to proceed I've already guessed that a noma there's no doubt that Wang Xifeng asks for the hand of this Miss Shu Luan your vulnerable ladyship must really have heard the story before a singing girl smiled what has now worthy Senior Heard they all exclaimed but she's quick enough in guessing even unheard of things all these stories run invariably in one vine Old Lady Jia laughingly rejoined they're all about pretty girls and scholars there's no fun in them they abuse people's daughters in every possible way and then they still term them nice pretty girls they are so concocted that there's not even a semblance of truth in them from the very first they canvas the families of the gentry if the painter familiars isn't a president of a board then he's made a minister the heroine is bound to be lovable as a gem this young lady is sure to understand all about letters and propriety she knows everything and is in a word appeal as beauty at the sight of a handsome young man she pays no heed as to whether he be relational friend but begins to entertain thoughts of the primary affair of her life and forgets her parents and sets her book on one side she behaves as neither devil nor thief would so in what respect does she resemble a nice pretty girl or even her brain full of learning she couldn't be accounted a nice pretty girl after behaving in this manner just like a young fellow whose mind is well stored with book law and who goes and plays the robber how is it likely that the imperial laws will look upon him as a men of parts and that they wouldn't bring against him some child of robbery from this is evident that those who fabricate these stories contradict themselves besides they may see that the heroines belong to great families of official and literary status that they are conversant with propriety and learning that their honourable mothers too understand books and good manners but great households like theirs must in spite of the parents having pleaded old age and returned to their native faces contain a great number of inmates and the nurses maids and attendants on these young ladies must also be many and how is it then that whenever these stories make references to such matters one only hears of young ladies with but a single close attendant what can think for ourselves all the other people be up to indeed what is said before doesn't accord with what comes afterwards isn't it so eh the party listeners to her with much glee these criticism of yours vulnerable ancestor they said have laid to bear every single discrepancy they have however their reasons old ladies asked my only resumed among the writers of these stories there are some who begrudge people's wealth and honours or possibly those who having solicited a favour of the wealthy and honourable and not obtain the object upon which their wishes were set have fabricated lies in order to disparage people there is moreover a certain class of persons who become so corrupted by the peruser of such tales that they are not satisfied until they themselves pounce upon some nice pretty girl hence is it that for fun's sake they devise all these yarns but how could such as they have another principle which prevails in official and literary families not to speak of the various official and literary families broken about in these anecdotes takes now our own immediate case as an instance we're only such a middle-class household and yet we've got none of those occurrences so don't let her go on spinning these endless yarns we must on no account have any of these stories told us why even the maize themselves don't understand any of this sort of language I've been getting so old the last few years that I've felt unaware is quite melancholy whenever the girls are far off smile won't has been to have a few passages recounted to me but as soon as it got back I at once would have stopped to these things sister-in-law thee and mrs. she both laughed this is just the rule they said which should exist in great families not even in our homes is any of this confused talk allowed to reach the use of the young people end of section 58 recording by in Singapore section 59 of the dream of the red chamber book 2 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by in Singapore the dream of the red chamber book 2 by translated by jolly part 2 lady fun came forward and poured some wine enough that will do she laughed the wine has got quite cold my dear ancestor to take a sip and moisten your throat with before you begin again to delight our falsehoods what we've been having now can well be termed record of a discussion of falsehoods it has had this origin in this rain in this place in this year in this moon at this very season but variable senior you've only got one mouth so you couldn't very well simultaneously speak of two families when two flowers open together the proverb says one person can only speak of one but whether the stones be true or fictitious don't let us say anything more about them let's have the footlice put in order and look at the players dear senior do let these two relatives have a glass of wine let's see a couple of plays and you can then start arguing about our dynasty after another what do you say saying this she poured the wine laughing the while but she had scarcely done speaking before the whole company were convulsed with laughter the two singing girls were themselves unable to keep their countenance lady secunda they both exclaimed what a sharp tongue you have to take to storytelling we really would have nowhere to earn our rise don't be such overflowing spirits mrs. shun laughed there are people outside this isn't like any ordinary occasion there's only my senior brother in law chen outside lady feng smiled and we've been like brother and sister for our youth up we've romped and been up to every mischief to this age together in marriage I've had of late years to stand on ever so many ceremonies why besides being like brother and sister from the we were small kids he's anyhow my senior brother in law and I his junior sister in law when I'm on those 24 dutiful sons travestute himself in theatrical costume to amuse his parents but those fellows having sufficient spirit to calm in some stage talks and try to make you have a laugh their own sister I've however succeeded after ever so much exertion in so diverting you as to induce you to eat a little more than you would and in putting everybody in good humour and I should be thanked by one and all of you it's only right that I should but can it be that you well on the contrary poke fun near to me I've truly not had a hearty laugh the last few days old lady da smiled but thanks to the funny things she recounted just now I've managed to get in somewhat better spirits in here so I'll have another cup of wine then having drunk her wine but she went on to say calm and present a cup to your sister in law lady fun gave a smile there's no use for him to give me any wine she mentioned I'll drink out of your cup so as to bring upon myself your longevity your honourable ancestor while uttering this response she raised the lady jazz cup to her lips and drained the remaining half of the contents after which she handed the cup to a waiting mate who took one from those which had been rinsed with tepid water and brought it to her but in due course the cups from the various tables were cleared and clean ones washed in warm water were substituted and when fresh wine had been served round lady song and the maid resumed their seats fennel ball lady a singing girl put in you don't like the stories we tell but Moody's room a song for you you too remarked old lady jazz had better play a duet of the Jiang Jing Ling song the general's command here her wishes the two girls promptly tuned their chords to suit the pitch of the song and struck up on their guitars what water of the night is it old lady jazz at this point inquired is the third watch the matrons replied with alacrity no wonder it has got so chilly and damp old lady jazz added extra clothes were accordingly soon fetched by the servants and maids Madame Wang speedily rose to her feet and forced a smile fennel ball senior she said wouldn't it be prudent for you to move on to the stove couch in the winter apartment it would be as well these two relatives are no strangers and if we entertain them it will be all right well in that case dowager lady jazz mildly rejoined why shouldn't the whole company join inside wouldn't it be warmer for us all I'm afraid there isn't enough sitting room for every one of us Madame Wang explained I've got a plan old lady jazz added we can now dispense with these tables all we need now are two or three placed side by side we can then sit in a group and by bundling together it will be both sociable as well as warm yes this will be nice when an all cried ascending the fourth with rose for a table the married women hastened to remove the debonded of the banquet then placing three large tables lengthwise side by side in the inner rows they went on to properly arrange the fruits and vines some of which had been replenished others changed you must none of you stand on any ceremonies dowager lady jazz observed if you just listen while I allot you your places and sit down accordingly it will be all right continuing she motioned to Mrs. Xue and sister Luo Li to take the opposes on the side of honor and making herself comfortable on the west she made the three cousins Baoxing Daiyu and Xiangming sit close to her on the left and on the right Baoyu she proceeded you must go next to your mother so presently she put Baoyu and Baochai and the rest of the young ladies between Maidam Xing and Wang on the west she placed improper gradation Daimluo along with Jialan and Mrs. You and Liwen with Jialan number two between them while she assigned a chair to Jialan's wife among the lower seats put crossways brother Zhen elderly Jia cried take your cousins and be off I'm also going to sleep in a little time Xiaodun and his associates speedily expressed their obedience and made in a body their appearance inside again to listen to any injunctions she might have to give them Bunder yourself away at once Xiaotu Xiaojia Lady Jia you needn't come in we've just sat down and you'll make us get up again go and rest be quick tomorrow there are to be some more grand doings Jiazhen assented with alacrity but Rong'er should remain to replenish the cups he smiled it's only fair that he should quite so answered old lady Jia laughingly I forgot all about him yes acquiesced Jiazhen then twisting himself round he let Jialan and his companions out of the apartment Jiazhen and Jialan were of course both pleased at being able to get away so bidding the servants see Jiazong and Jiahuang to their respective homes Jiazhen arranged with Jialian to go in pursuit of pleasure and inquest of fun but we will now leave them to their own devices without another word I was just thinking meanwhile Taojia Lady Jia laughed that it would be well although you people are numerous enough to enjoy yourselves to have a couple of great-grandchildren present at this banquet so Rong'er now makes the full compliment but Rong'er sit near your wife or she and you will then make the pair complete the wife of a domestic thereupon presented a playbill we ladies old ladies had the mud are now chatting in highly and are about to start a romp those young folks have also been sitting out for far into the night that they must be quite cold so let the plays alone tell them then to have a rest yet call our own girls to come and sing a couple of plays on this stage they too will thus have a chance of watching us a bit after landing near to her the married women assented and quitted the room and immediately finding some servant the garden of broad vista and some of the girls they betook themselves at the same time as far as the second gate and called a few pages to wait on them the pages went with hurry step to the rooms reserved for the players and taking with them the bearers grown up members of the company they only left the more youthful behind then fetching in a little time wungwan and a few other girls 12 in awe from among the novices in a peer fragrance court they aggressed by the corner gate laying out of the covered passage the matron took soft bundles in their arms as their strength was not equal to carrying boxes and under the conviction that their own mysteries would prefer plays of three or five acts they had put together the necessary theatrical costumes after wungwan and the rest of the girls had been introduced into the room by the matrons they paid their obeisance and dropping their arms against their sides they stood reverentially in this propitious first moon elderly jasmiled won't your teacher let you come out for a stroll what are you singing now the eight acts of the eight worthies recently sun here were so noisy that they made my headache so you'd better let us have something more quiet you must however bear in mind that Mrs. Shu and Mrs. Lee are both people who give theatricals and have heard I don't know how many fine plays the young ladies here have seen better plays than our own girls and they have heard more beautiful songs than they these actresses you see here now formed once despite their youth part of a company belonging to renowned families fond of plays and though mere children they excel they are a group composed of grown-up persons so whatever we do don't let us say anything disparaging about them but we must now have something new tell fanguan to sing us the three moon ballad and let early flutes and pandian pipes be used the other instruments can be dispensed with your fan of a ladieship is quite right our acting couldn't certainly suit the taste of such people as Mrs. Shu, Mrs. Lee and the young ladies nevertheless let them merely heed our enunciation and listen to our voices that's all well said sister in law Lee and Mrs. Shu were filled with delight what a sharp girl they remarked smilingly but do you also try to imitate our old lady by pulling our leg they're intended to afford us some ready-at-hand recreation oh ladies, I smile besides they don't go out to earn money that's how it is they're not so much up to the times at a close of this remark she also desired Quigua to sing the play Huiming sends a letter you needn't she added make your face up just sing this couple of plays so as to merely let both those ladies hear a kind of parody of them but if you spare yourselves of the least exertion, I shall be unhappy when they heard this Wen Guan and her companions left the apartment and promptly apparelled themselves and mounted the stage first in order was son the Xun Meng next Huiming sends a letter during which everybody observed such perfect silence that not so much as the core of a crow fell on the year I'm verily seen several hundreds of companies this is sure mild but never have I come across any that can find themselves to flutes there are some doubtily these out answered in fact in that play acted just now called Love in the Western Tower at Chuizhou a good deal sang by young actors in unison with the flutes but lengthy unison pieces of this description are indeed few this too however is purely a matter of taste there's nothing out of the way about it when I was of her age resuming she pointed at Xiangning her grandfather kept a troop of young actresses there was among them one who played the lute so efficiently that she performed the part when the lute is heard in the Xi Xiang Ji the piece on the lute in Yu Zan Ji and that in the supplementary Pi Pa Ji on the mongo flageolet with the 18 notes in every way as if she had been placed in the real circumstances herself yay it's far better than this this is still a rare rare thing the inmates exclaimed the woman servants received her orders and went to execute them Xiaorong and his wife meanwhile passed the wine round when Lady Feng saw Daojiu Lady Jia in most of the suburban spirits she smiled wanted to be nice she said to avail ourselves of the presence of the singing girls to pass plum blossom around and have the game of forfeit spring happy eyebrow corners go up eh that's the fine game for forfeits owed Lady Jia cried with a smile it just soothes the time of the year orders were therefore given at once to fetch a forfeit drum varnished black and ornamented with designs executed with copper tacks when brought there was handed to the singing girls to put on the table and wrap on it a twig of red plum blossom was then obtained the one in whose hand it is when the drum stops Daojiu Lady Jia laughingly proposed well have to drink a cup of wine and to say something or other as well I tell you what Lady Feng reinterposed with a smile who of us can pit herself against you, dear ancestor who have ever ready attended whatever you want to say with the little use we are in this line wouldn't there be an absolute lack of fun in our contributions my idea is that it would be nicer when something said that would be appreciated both by the refined as well as the unrefined so it wanted to be preferable that the person in whose hands the twig remains when the drum stops should crack some joke or other everyone who heard her was fully aware that a good hand she had always been at witty things and how she more than any other had an exhaustive supply of novel and amusing rules of forfeits ever stopped in her mind so her suggestion not only gratified the various inmates of the family seated at the banquet but even filled the whole pot there of servants those owed in young who stood in attendance below with intense delight the young waiting maze rushed with eagerness in search of the young ladies and told them to come and listen to those ladies akunda who was on the point again of saying funny things her crowd of servant girls anxiously pressed inside and crowned the room in a little time the theatricals were brought to a close and the music was stopped dowdy lady jiao had some soup fine cakes and froze handed to wenguan and her companions to regale themselves with and then give orders to sound the drum the singing girls were both experts so now they beat fast and now slow either slow like the dripping of the remnants of water in a clear pistra or quick is when beams are being sewn or with the velocity of the pace of a scared horse and of the flash of a swift lightning the sound of the drum came to a standstill abruptly the twig of plum blossom had just reached owed lady jiao when by a strange coincidence the rattle seized everyone blurted out into a boisterous fit of laughter jiao rung hastily approached and filled a cup is only natural they lovingly cried that you venerable senior exhilarated for then thanks to you we shall also come in for some measure of good cheer to go down this wine is an easy job dowdy lady smiled but to correct jokes is somewhat difficult your jokes dear ancestor are even wittier than those of lady fun the party shouted so favouris with one and let them laugh had nothing out of the way to evoke laughter with owed lady jiao smileily answered yet all that remains for me to do is to thicken the skin of my antiquated fizz and come out with some joke in a certain family she consequently went on to narrate there were ten sons these married ten wives the tens of these wives were however so intelligent sharp quick of mind and glib of tongue that her father and mother-in-law loved her best of all and maintained from morning to night that the other nine were not filial these nine felt much aggrieved and they accordingly took counsel together we nine they said are filial enough yet hard the only thing is that that true has the gift of the gap the mother and mother-in-law think her so perfect but to whom can we go and confide our grievance one of them was struck with an idea let's go tomorrow she proposed to the temple of the king of hell and burn incense we can then tell the king and ask him how it was that when he bathed us receive life and become human beings he only conferred a glib tongue on that vixen they were only allotted such blunt mouths the aid listened to her plan and were quite enraptured with it these proposal is fortless they assented on the next day they spared in a body to the temple of the god of hell and after burning incense the nine sister-in-law slept under the altar on which their offerings were laid their nine spirits waited with a special purpose the carriage of the king of hell arrived but they waited and waited and yet he did not come they were just giving way to despair when they espised Sun Xingzhe the god of monkeys advancing on a rolling cloud he espised the nine spirits and felt inclined to take a golden rod and beat them the nine spirits were plunged in terror hastily they fell on their knees and pleaded for mercy what are you up to? Sun Xingzhe inquired the nine women with alacrity told him all after Sun Xingzhe had listened to their confidences he stamped his foot and heaved a sigh is that the case he asked well, it's lucky enough you came across me for had you waited for the god of hell he wouldn't have known anything about it at these assurances the nine women gave way to entreaties great saint they pleaded if you were to displace some commiseration we would be alright Sun Xingzhe smiled there's no difficulty in the way he observed on the day on which you ten sisters in law came to life I was, as luck would have it on a visit to the king of hell's place so I saw him do something on the ground and the judge the junior sister in law of yours lapped it up but if you now wish to become a smart and sharp-tongued the remedy lies in water if I too were therefore to do something for you to drink it the desired effect will be attained at a close of her story the company roared with laughter splendid shouted Lady Feng sadly we're all sleigh of tongue and dull of intellect otherwise we too must have had the water of monkeys to drink who are my nurse here Mrs. Yao and Dane Luo smiley remark addressing themselves to Li Yuan has tasted any monkey's water so don't sham ignorance of things a joke must hit the point to be amusing this is true of ventured but while she spoke the girls began again to beat the drum the young maize were keen to hear Lady Feng's jokes they therefore explained to the singing girls in a confidential tone that a cuff would be the given signal for them to desist in no time the blossom was handed round on both sides as soon as it came to Lady Feng the young maize provisely gave a cuff the singing girl at once sobbed short now we've caught her shouted at the party laughingly drink your wine be quick and mine should tell something nice but don't make us laugh so heartily as to get stomach aches Lady Feng was lost in thought presently she began with a smile a certain household she said were celebrating the first moon festival the entire family was enjoying the sight of the lanterns and drinking their wine in real truth there were great grandmothers grandmothers daughters-in-law grandwives, great-grandsons granddaughters, granddaughters-in-law arms-granddaughters, cousins-granddaughters and ayoyo there was severely such a bustle and confusion while minding her story they laughed listen to all this mean mouth says they cried we wonder what other ramifications they used if you want to bully me this is your smile I'll tear that mouth of yours to pieces Lady Feng rose to her feet and clapped her hands wonders all one can to wreck one's brain she smiled and here you combine to do your utterance to confuse me well if it is so I won't go on proceed with your story old lady jags claimed with a smile what comes afterwards Lady Feng thought for a while well, after that she continued to laughingly they all sat together and crammed the whole room they primed themselves with wine throughout the hours of night and then they broke up the various inmates noticed in what a serious and sedate manner she narrated her story and none ventured to pass any further remarks but waited anxiously for her to go on when they became aware that she cordially and dryly came to a stop Xu Xiaoming stared at her forever so long I'll tell you another Lady Feng laughing remarked at the first moon festival several persons carried a cracker as large as a room and went out of town to let it off over and above 10,000 persons were attracted to see the sight one among them was of an inpatient disposition he could not reconcile himself to wait so stoutly he snatched a jawstick and set fire to it a sound of poor shu was heard the whole number of spectators laughed boisterously and withdrew the persons who hurried the cracker fell to grudge against the cracker for not having made it tight and wondered how it was that everyone had left without hearing it go off is it likely that the men themselves didn't hear the report Xu Xiaoming insinuated why the men themselves were deaf Lady Feng rejoined after listening to her they pondered for a while and then suddenly they laughed aloud in chorus but remembering that her first story had been left unfinished they inquired for after all the issue of the first story you should conclude that too Lady Feng gave a wrap on the table with her hand how vexatious you are she exclaimed well the next day was the 16th so the festivities of the year were over and the feast itself was passed and gone I see people busy putting things away and fussing about seal so how can I make out what will be the end of it all at this one and all indulged in renewed merriment the fourth watch has long ago been struck outside Lady Feng smileily said from what I can see a worthy senior is also tired out and we should like when the cracker was let off in that story of the deaf people be bundling ourselves off and finish Mrs Yord and the rest covered their mouth with their handkerchiefs they laughed now they stooped forward and now they bent backward and working at her this thing they cried has really a mean tongue those ladies are laughed yes she said this vex and Feng has in real truth developed a mean tongue than ever but she alluded to crackers she added so let's also let off a few fireworks for the fumes of the wine Darryl overheard the suggestion hurriedly leaving the room he took the pages with him and having a scaffolding erected in the court they hung up the fireworks and got everything in perfect readiness these fireworks were articles of tribute sent from different states and were albeit not a margin size contrived with extreme ingenuity the representations of various kinds of events of antiquity were perfect and in them were inserted all sorts of crackers Lin Darryl was naturally of a weak disposition so she could not stand the report of any loud intonation her grandmother Jia therefore clubbed her immediately in her embrace Mrs Xiu meanwhile took Xiangyun in her arms I'm not afraid smiled Xiangyun nothing she liked so much as letting off huge crackers but I smiled on the interposed and could she fear this sort of thing Madam Wan laid hold of Bao Yu and pulled him in her lap you've got no one to carry a rack for us Lily Feng laughed I'm here for you Mrs Xiu rejoined with a laugh I'll embrace you they were again behaving like a spoiled child you've heard about crackers and you comfort yourself as if you had honey to eat you're quite frivolous again today which shall we break up Lily Feng answered laughing and we'll go and let some off in our garden I can fire them far better than any of the young lads while they bandaged words one kind of fireworked after another was lighted outside and then later on some more again among these figured Phil Haven stars nine dragon enter clouds and nine dragon enter clouds over whole land a crack of thunder fly off heavens sound of ten shots and other such small crackers the fireworks over the unactresses were again asked to render the lotus flowers for and cash was drawn upon the stage the young girls bustled all over the boards snatching cash and coopering about the soup was next wrought the night is long the night is long the night is long oh Lady Jia said and somehow or other I feel peckish there's some kanji Lady Feng promptly remarked prepared with duck's meat I'd rather have plain things Daoja Lady Jia answered there's also some kanji made with none glutinous rice and powder of states it's been cooked for the ladies who fast if there's any of this it will do very well Old Lady Jia replied while she spoke orders were given to remove the remnants of the banquet and inside as well as outside were served every kind of resher shé small dishes one and all then partook of some of these refreshments as their pleasure and raising their mouths with tea they afterwards parted on the 17th they also repaired at an early hour to the Ning Mansion to present the compliments and remaining in attendance while the doors of the ancestral hall were closed and the images was away they at length returned to their quarters invitations had been issued on this occasion to drink the new year wine at Mrs Shui's residence but Daoja Lady Jia had been out on several consecutive days and so tired out did she feel as she withdrew to her rooms after only a short stay after the 18th relatives and friends arrived and made their formal invitations or else they came as gifts to the banquet's given but so little was owed Lady Jia in a fit stay to turn her mind to anything that the two ladies Madame Xing and Lady Feng had to attend between them to everything that cropped up but Baoyu as well did not go anywhere else than to one's tongues and the excuse he gave out was that his grandmother kept him at home to dispel her on we we need not however dilate on irrelevant details in the new course the festival of the 15th of the first moon passed but reader if you have any curiosity to learn any subsequent events listen to those given in the chapter below end of section 59 recording by Cao Yuqing in Singapore section 60 of the Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2 this is a Librebox recording all Librebox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit Librebox.org recording by Yuqing in Singapore the Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2 by Cao Xieqing translated by Henry Redcraft Jolly chapter 55 part 1 the stupid secondary wife Dame Zhao needlessly loses her temper and insults her own daughter Tentren the perverse servant girls are so full of malice that they look down contemptuously on their youthful mistresses we will now see a moderation with the wrong mention soon after the bustle of the new year festivities the young who with the most arduous duties she had had to fulfill both before and after the new year had found little time to take proper care of herself got a miscarriage and could not attend to the management of domestic affairs day after day two and three doctors came and prescribed for her but Lady Feng had ever costumed herself to be hardy so although unable to go out of doors she nevertheless devised the ways and means for everything and made the various arrangements she deemed necessary and whatever concerns suggested itself to her mind she entrusted to Ping'er to live for Madame Wang but however much people advised her to be careful she would not lend any to them Madame Wang felt as if she had been deprived of her right arm and as she alone had not sufficient energy to see to everything she bestowed her own attention upon such important affairs as turned up and entrusted for the time being all miscellaneous domestic matters to the cooperation of Li Wen Li Wen had at all times held virtue at her high price and set but a little value on talents of any kind so that she as a matter of course displayed leniency to those who were placed under her Madame Wang accordingly paid attention combined with Li Wen in the management of the household in the month she argued Lady Feng will be getting all right again and then you can once more hand over charge to her little however than one would think it Lady Feng was endowed with a poor physique from her youth of moreover she had not known how to husband her health and emulation the contentiousness had more than anything else combined to undermine her vital energies hence it was that although her complaint was a simple miscarriage he had really after all been the outcome of lots of figure after a month symptoms of the emissions of blood began also to show themselves and notwithstanding her reluctance to utter what she felt everyone at the side of her shallow and emaciated face readily concluded that she was not as well as she should Madame Wang therefore enjoined her merely to take her medicines and look to herself with due care and she would not allow her to disquiet her mind about the least thing but Lady Feng herself also gave way to misgivings lest her illness should assume some grave face and much though she laughed with one and all she was ever mindful to steal time to attend to her health feeling inwardly vexed as not being able to soon get back her old strength again but she had as it happened to dose herself with medicines and to nurse herself for three whole months before she gradually began to rally and before the discharges stopped by degrees but we will abstain from any reference to these details which pertain to the future suffice it now to add that though Madame Wang noticed her improved state she thought it impossible for the time being for Tantuan and Yuan to resign their charge but so fidgety was she lest with a large number of inmates in the garden proper control should not be exercised that she specially sent for Baochai and begged of her to keep an eye over every place explaining to her that the old matrons were of no earthly use for whenever they could obtain any leisure they drank and gambled and slept during broad daylight in those cars during the hour of night I know all about their doings she said when that girl Feng is well enough to go out they have some little fear but they are bound at present to consult again their own convenience yet you dear child are one in whom I can propose complete trust your brother and your female cousins are on one hand young and I can on the other no spare time so do you exert yourself on my behalf for a couple of days and exercise proper supervision and should anything unexpected turn up just come and tell it to me don't wait until I load lady inquires about it as I shall then find myself in a corner with nothing to say in my defence if those servants aren't on their good behaviour mind you blow them up and if they don't listen to you you're complained before me for it will be best not to let anything assume a serious aspect Bao Chai listened to her appeal and felt under the necessity of volunteering to undertake the charge the season was about to close off spring so Dai Yu got a cuff back again but Xiang Yun was likewise later in the Heng Wu Yuan as she too was affected by the weather and day after day she met some homeless doctors and took endless medicines Tantra and Li Wan lived apart but as they had off-date assumed joint management of affairs it was, unlike former years extremely inconvenient even for the servants to go backwards and forwards to make their reports they consequently resolved that they should meet early every day in a small three-bromed reception hall at the south side of the garden gate to transact what business there was and that a morning meal over they should afternoon return again to their quarters this three-bromed hall had originally been got ready at the time of the visit of the imperial consort to her parents to accommodate the attendants and eunuchs this visit over it proved therefore no longer a fuse and the old matron simply came to it every night to keep watch but mild weather had now set in and any complete fittings were quite superfluous all that could be seen about amounted to a few small pieces of furniture just sufficient for them to make themselves comfortable with over this hall was likewise affixed a play cut with the inscription in four characters perfected philanthropy published virtue yet the play was generally known among the domestics as the disgust matters hall to this hall Lee Wan and Tantron were daily adjourned at six in the morning and leave it at noon and the wives of the managers and other servants who had any matters to lay before them came and went in incessant strings when the domestics heard that Lee Wan would assume sole control each and all felt secretly elated for as Lee Wan had always been considerate for bearing and loathe to inflict penalties she would be, of course, they thought easier to put off than Lady Feng even when Tantron was added they again remembered that she was only a youthful, unmarried girl and that she too had ever shown herself good natured and kindly to a degree so none of them worried their minds about her and they became considerably more indolent than when they had to deal with Lady Feng but after the expiry of three or four days several concerns passed through her hands which gave them an opportunity to gradually find out that Tantron did not in smartness and thoroughness yield to Lady Feng and that the only difference between them was that she was soft in speech and gentle in disposition by remarkable color incidents Princess, Dukes, Marquis, Earls and hereditary officials arrived for conservative days from various parts all of whom were, if not the relatives of the long-ending mansion at least their old friends there were either those who had obtained transfers on promotion or others who had been degraded either those who had married or those who had gone into mourning and Madame Wan had so much congratulating and condoling receiving and escorting to do that she had no time to attend to any entertaining there was, therefore less than ever anyone in the front part to look after things so while Tantron and Li Wan spent the whole days in the hall Baochai tarried all day in the drawing rooms to keep an eye over what was going on and they only betook themselves back to their quarters after Madame Wan's return often night they wild away the leisure hours by their needle book but they would, previous to retiring to sleep and into their chairs taking along with them the servants whose duty it was to be on night watch in the garden and other domestics as well they visited each place on their round such was the control exercised by these three inmates that signs were not wanting to prove that greater severity was observed than in the days when the management devolved on Lady Feng to this reason must be assigned the fact that all the servants attached inside as well as outside cherished a secret grudge against them no sooner they insinuated here's one patrolling ogre com then they had three more Suburban sort of spring josses that even at night would got less time than ever to sip a cup of wine and indulge in a romp on the day that Madame Wan was going to a banquet at the mansion of the Marquis of Jingxiang Li Wan and Tantron arranged the coiffure and performed their ablutions at an early hour and after waiting upon her until she went out of doors they repaired into the hall and installed themselves in their seats but just as they were sipping their tea they advised Wu Xindeng's wife or him Mrs Zhao's brother Zhao Guozhi she observed departed this life yesterday the tidings have already been reported by our old mistress and our lady who said that it was all right and bade me to tell you, miss at the close of this announcement he respectfully dropped her arms against her body and stood aloof without adding another word the servants who came at this season to lay their reports before Tantron and Li Wan mustered no small number but they all endeavored to find out how their two new mistresses ran the household for as long as they managed things properly one and all willingly resolved to respect them but in the event of the least disagreement or improper step not only did they not submit to them but they also spread the moment they put their food outside the second gate numberless jokes on their account and made fun of them Wu Xindeng's wife had first devised an experiment in her own mind as she had to deal with Lady Feng she would have long ago made an attempt to show off her zeal by proposing numerous alternatives and discovering barriers by gone precedence and then allowed Lady Feng to make her own the choice and take action but in this instance she looked with such disdain on Li Wan on account of her simplicity and on Tantron on account of her youthfulness that she volunteered only a single sentence in order to put both these ladies to the test and see what cause they were likely to adopt what shall we do Tantron asked Li Wan Li Wan reflected for a while the other day she enjoyed that Xirin's mother died and heard that she was given 40 tails so now we give her 40 tails as well and have done upon hearing this proposal Wu Xindeng's wife eagerly expressed her acquiescence by uttering a yes and taking over the permit on her way at once come back shouted Tantron Wu Xindeng's wife had to propose to retrace her footsteps wait, don't get the money yet Tantron remarked I want to ask you something some of the old secondary wives attached years back to our venerable senior's rooms lived inside the establishment others outside there were these two distinctions between them now if any of them died at home helmet was loud to them and how much was allotted to such a side outside tell us what was given in either case for our guidance as soon as Wu Xindeng's wife was asked this question every detail bearing on the subject slipped from her memory hastily forcing her smile this is she replied nothing of any such great consequence whether much or little be allowed who will ever venture to raise a quarrel about it Tantron then smiled this is all stuff and nonsense she exclaimed my idea is that it would be better to give a hundred tales for if you don't comply with what's right we shall not speak of your ridiculing us find it also a hard job by and by to face your mistress the commander well in that case laughed Wu Xindeng's wife I'll go and look up the old account I can't recollect anything about them just at this moment you're quite a note hand in the management of affairs Tantron observed with a significant smile and it can't you remember but come instead to perplex us whenever you've had anything of the kind to lay before your lady Secunda have you also had to go first and look it up but if this has been the practice Lady Feng can't be looked upon as being such a dreadful creature one could very well call her lenient and kind yet don't you yet hurry to go and hunt them up and bring them to me to see if we dilly dally another day they want to run your people down for your cause mindedness but we will seem to have been driven to our wits end Wu Xindeng's wife got quite scarlet in the face promptly twisting herself round she quitted the hall while the whole bevy of married women stretched out their tongues significantly during her absence other matters were reported but in a little while Wu Xindeng's wife returned with the old accounts on inspection Tantron found that for a couple of secondary wives who had lived in the establishment 24 tales had been granted and that for two whose quarters had been outside 40 tales had in each case been allowed besides these two others were mentioned who had lived outside the mansion to one of whom 100 tales had been given and to the other 60 tales under these two records the reasons were assigned in the one case the coffins of the father and mother had had to be removed from another province and 60 tales extra had consequently been granted in the other an additional 20 tales had been allowed as a burial place had to be purchased at the time Tantron handed the accounts to Liwan for her perusal here for 20 tales readily suggested Tantron leave these accounts here for us to examine minutely Wu Xindeng's wife then walked away but unexpectedly Mrs. Zhao entered the hall Liwan and Tantron speedily pressed her to take the seat Mrs. Zhao then broke the silence all the inmates of these rooms have trampled me under heel she said but never mind yet my child just ponder it is only fair that you should take my part while ventilating her grievances her eyes got moist her nose watered and she began to sob to whom are you alluding Mrs. Zhao Tantron hastily inquired I can't really make out what you're driving at who tramples you under foot speak out and I'll take over your cudges you are now trampling down yourself young lady Mrs. Zhao observed and to whom can I go and tell my grievance Tantron at these was jumped up with alacrity I would never presume to do any such thing she protested Liwan too vehemently sprung to her feet to proffer her some good counsel pray seat yourselves both of you Mrs. Zhao cried and listened to what I have to say I've had like simmering oil to consume away in these rooms these advanced age there's also your brother besides yet I can't compare myself now even to Xirin and what credit do I enjoy but you haven't as well any face so don't let speak of myself it was really on account of this Tantron smiled that I said that I didn't presume to disregard right and to violate propriety while she spoke he resumed her seat and taking up the accounts she turned them over for Mrs. Zhao to glance at after which she wrote them out to her for her edification these are owed customs she proceeded enforced by the seniors of the family and everyone complies with them and could I ever pray have changed them these were held good not only with Xirin she also takes a concubine the same cause will be naturally adopted as in the case of Xirin this is no question for any large quarrels or small disputes and no mention should be made about face or no face she summed up one servant girl and I've dealt with her according to a long-standing precedent those who say that I've taken suitable action will come in for our ancestors bounty and our ladies bounty as well but should anyone uphold that I've adopted an unfair cause that person is devoid of all common sense and totally ignorant of what a blessing means the only thing she can do is to foster as much resentment as she chooses our lady, Madame Wang may even give a present of a house to anyone what credit is that to me again she may not give a single cash but even that won't imply any loss of face as far as I'm concerned what I have to say is that as Madame Wang is away from home you should quietly go after yourself a bit what's the good of worrying and fretting a lady is extremely fond of me and if at different times a chilliness has sprung up on her part it's because you Mrs. Zhao have again and again been officious had I been a man and able to have gone abroad long ago have run away and started some business I would then have had something of my own to attend to but as it happens I am a girl so that I can't even recklessly utter so much as a single remark Madame Wang is well aware of it in her heart and it's now because she entertains a high opinion of me that she recently made me assume the child of domestic affairs I've had time enough to do a single good act here you calm Mrs. Zhao to lay down the law if this vicious Madame Wang's ear I fear I shall get into trouble she won't let me exercise any control and then I shall in real earnest come in for no face but even you Mrs. Zhao will then actually lose countenance reasoning with her she so little could repress her tears and pull down her cheeks Mrs. Zhao had not a word more to say to refute her arguments with if Madame Wang loves you she simply responded there's still more reason why you should have drawn us into her favour instead of that all you think about is to try and win Madame Wang's affection and you forget all about us however did I forget you Tantran exclaimed how would you have me drag you into favour go and ask every one of them and you'll see what mistress is indifferent to anyone who exerts her energies and makes herself useful and what worthy person requires being drawn into favour the one who stood by did her best to pacify them with her advice Mrs. Zhao she argued neither should you feel any ill will against this young lady of yours has she even at heart every good intention to lend your hand how could she put it into words this worthy senior dame Tantran impatiently interposed has also grown quite dense whom could I drag into favour why in what family do the young ladies give a lift to slave girls their qualities as well as defects should all alike be well known to you people and what have they got to do with me Mrs. Zhao was much incensed who tells you she asked to give a lift to anyone were it not that you looked after the house I wouldn't have come to inquire anything of you but anything you may suggest is right so had you now that your maternal uncle is dead granted twenty or thirty tales in excess is it likely that Madame Yuan would not have given you her consent it's evident that our Madame Yuan is a good woman and that it's you people who are mean and stingy unfortunately however her ladyship has with all her bounty no opportunity of exercising it you could my dear girl well set your mind at ease you wouldn't in this instance have had to spend any of your own money and at your marriage by and by I would still have borne in mind the exception of regard you had shown the Zhao family but now that you've got your full plumage you've forgotten your extraction and chosen a lofty brine to fly to before Tentren had heard her to the end she flowed into such a rage that her face blanched and she hoping for breath she garbs and panted sobbing she asked the while who's my maternal uncle my maternal uncle was at the end of the year promoted to be high commissioner of the nine provinces how can another maternal uncle have cropped up it's because I've ever shown that reference and joined by the right that other relatives have now more than ever turned up if what you say be the case how is it that everyday that while it goes out doggos you too stand up and follow him to school what doesn't he put on the ears of an uncle what's the reason that he doesn't who isn't aware of the fact that I'm born of a concubine we didn't require two or three months time to trace my extraction but the fact is you've come to kick up all the hellabaloo for fear that people shouldn't be alive to the truth I've expressed a sign of making it public all over the place but I wonder who will first too will make the other loose face luckily I got my wits about me for had I been a stupid creature ignorant of good manners I would long ago have lost all patience the one was much concerned but she had to continue to exhaust them to the east but Mrs. Charles proceeded with a long rigmarole the observant was unexpectedly heard to report that Lady Secunda had sent Miss Pyong to deliver a message Mrs. Charles caught the announcement and eventually held her peace when they inspired Pyong making her appearance Mrs. Charles hastily forced a satin eyes smile and motioned to her to take a seat is your lady any better she went on to inquire with fearments I was just thinking of going to look her up but I could find no leisure upon seeing Pyong enter the one felt prompted to ask her the object of a visit my lady says Pyong smiled and responded that she every hands know that Mrs. Charles brother is dead that your ladyship and you miss are not aware of the existence of an owned precedent according to the ordinary practice no more need to be given than 20 tales but she now requests you miss to consider what would be best to do if even you add a good deal more it will do well enough Cantranette once wiped away all traces of tears was the use of another addition but there's no valid reason for it she promptly demurred who has again been 20 months in a womb but is it for Sooth anyone who's gone to the wars to escape with his life carrying his master on his back your mistress is certainly very ingenious she tells me to disregard the precedent in order that she should pose a benefactress she wishes to take the money which madame once burned so as to reap the pleasure of conferring favors just you tell her that I could not resume to add or reduce anything or even to adopt any reckless decision let her add what she wants and make a display of bounty when she gets better and is able to come out she can effect whatever additions she fancies the moment Pinare arrived she obtained a fairer insight than your lady Feng's designed so when she heard the present remarked she grasped a still more correct idea of things but perceiving an angry look about Tendren's face she did not have the temerity to behave towards her as she would find her in high spirits of past days all she did therefore was to stand aloof with her arm against her thighs and to wait in British silence just at that moment however Balchai dropped in on her return from the upper rooms Tendren quickly rose to her feet and offered her a seat but before they had had time to exchange any words a married woman likewise came to report some business Tendren had been having a good cry three or four young maids brought her a basin, towel and hand glass and other articles of toilette Tendren was at the moment seated cross legs on a low wooden couch so they made with a basin head when she drew near to drop on both her knees and lift it high enough to bring it within reach the other two girls prostrated themselves next to her and handed the towels and the rest of the toilet things which consisted of a looking glass, rouge and powder but Pino noticed that Shishu was not in the room and approaching Tendren with hasty step she tucked up her sleeves for her and unclopped her braids seizing also a large towel from the hands of one of the maids she covered a lapel on the front part of Tendren's dress whereupon Tendren put out her hands and washed herself in the basin my lady and miss the marriage woman observes may it please you to pay what has been spent in the family school for Mr. Zhaohuan and Mr. Zala during the year Pino was the first to speak what are you such a harry for she cried he's got your eyes wide open and must be able to see our young lady washing her face instead of coming forward to wait on her you start talking do you also behave in this blind sort of way in the presence of your lady Sakunda this young lady is is true generous and lenient but I'll go and report you to your mistress I'll simply tell her that you people have no eye for Miss Tendren but when you find yourselves in a mess don't bear me any merlis at this hint the woman took alarm and hastily forcing a smile she pleaded guilty and rude she exclaimed with these words she rushed with all dispatch out of the room end of section 60 recording by Thao Riting in Singapore