Mr. Ling gives his guest from the West an introduction to the Yungkuo
palace. The Princess Ancestress takes a motherless child lovingly into
her home.
I U TSUN STOOD AND LOOKED BEHIND. THE PERSON WHO HAD BECKONED
and called out to him from far off was a former fellow student who, like
himself, had been dismissed from a government post some time ago
and since then had been living in his native town, Yangchow.
"There's good news for you and for me!" he said to Yu Tsun, beam‐
ing with joy. "An Imperial edict has just been issued graciously per‐
mitting us to resume office. Now it is a matter of stirring ourselves
and looking around for patronage."
After mutual congratulations the two friends parted, each making
for his own dwelling.
"He is right; you must look around for patronage," said Leng to Yu
Tsun. "What about asking Mr. Ling to use his influence for you at the Yungkuo palace?"
Yu Tsun acted on' his advice. But first of all he procured the latest
edition of the State newspaper, and in fact he found in it the edict an‐
nouncing his rehabilitation.
The next day he presented himself before Mr. Ling and put his re‐
quest to him.
"What a strange and favorable coincidence!" cried Mr. Ling. "Just
by chance, and before you made this request of me, I had already
written a letter of introduction for you to my brother‐in‐law Cheng, of
the Yungkuo palace. It happens that my mother‐in law, the Princess
Ancestress, wishes to take my motherless child into her home. She has
already sent two boats with attendants co fetch the girl, but the de‐
parture has been delayed on account of her indisposition. Now, how‐
ever, she is sufficiently recovered to make the journey. I was availing
of this opportunity to give her a letter of introduction for you to my
brother‐in‐law Cheng, as I wished in this way to repay you in some
measure for the good services which you have rendered my house.
Would it not be doubly advantageous, since you are going to the capi‐
tal in any case, if you accompanied my daughter and introduced your‐
self personally to my brother‐in‐law?"
Yu Tsun bowed politely and with many earnest words of thanks as‐
sured Mr. Ling that he would carry out the commission with pleasure.
"May I ask what is the rank of your brother‐in‐law?" he added.."!
fear that it might appear presumptuous if a man of my rough manners
were to venture into such an illustrious presence."
"Now, now, no exaggerated modesty, please!" said the Count, smil‐
ing. "After all, you belong to the same clan. Actually, I have two
brothers‐in‐law in the Yungkuo palace. The elder one, Prince Shieh,
holds the title of a marshal of the first rank. The‐younger, Cheng, is an
assistant in the Ministry of Public Works. He is a man of simplicity
and generosity, and possesses a great deal of the 'breath' and stature
of his great ancestor. There is no haughtiness or aristocratic pride in
him. You can approach him without hesitation and with absolute confi‐
dence. As regards the expenses necessary for your advancement, I have
arranged for these too in the letter. Moreover, I have fixed the date of
departure as the second day of next month."
Accordingly, on that day Black Jade embarked on one boat with the
female servants while Yu Tsun followed her in the other with the male
staff. There had been some tears and some fatherly admonitions before the little one would consent to going.
"I am already past fifty and do not intend to marry again," the Count
had said to his young daughter. "Here at home you are deprived of the
advice and guidance of a mother and the merry company of sisters.
You will find both in the home of your grandmother. I am doing this
for your good."
After several days' travelling they arrived in the capital. Yu Tsun
put on his best coat, made his way to the Yungkuo palace, and handed
in his visiting card. Chia Cheng was already expecting his visit, be‐
cause the letter of introduction had been sent on in advance, and he
received Yu Tsun at once. He found his visitor to be a man of stately
and prepossessing appearance and extremely well spoken just the type
of man of culture and knowledge, as well as refined bearing, whom he
greatly esteemed. And as he, following the tradition of his illustrious
forefather, liked to assist the weak and oppressed, he did not hesitate
to appeal to the Sovereign in Yu Tsun's favor, with the result that within
two months the latter had the good fortune to be appointed Prefect of
the district of Ying lien fu, close to the capital.
But let us return to Black Jade. When her boat was moored and she
stepped on to the river‐bank, she found awaiting her a sedan chair and
a whole crowd of servants and luggage trucks. At home she had often heard her mother speak of the wealth and grandeur in which the rela‐
tives in the capital lived. This display of attendance on the journey and
upon arrival was a foretaste of what was in store. There on the spot
were three kinds of servants, each lot dressed differently. And how well
equipped they were, and how well fed and well cared for they looked!
Black Jade resolved to act with the utmost prudence and circum‐
spection in her new home and never to say a word too much. Other‐
wise she might possibly be laughed at as being provincial and un‐
sophisticated. On the way she could not refrain from peeping out right
and left through the silk gauze curtains of the sedan chair, and she could
not get over her astonishment at the crowds of people and the great
bustle in the streets and squares which surrounded them once they had
passed in through the city gates. She had never known anything like
that in Yangchow.
After a long march the procession passed, on the right, by a great
triple‐arched gateway, flanked by two massive cowering marble lions.
Each of its three doors had a knocker in the form of an animal's head.
About a dozen servants in splendid, brightly colored livery were squat‐
ting in front of the doors. Through the side doors, which were open, a
lively stream of people were passing in and out. Above the middle door, which was closed, Black Jade read the inscription written on a tablet
in five large characters: "Ningkuo palace, built at the Imperial com‐
mand."
A little farther west her sedan chair was carried through a gateway
of similar style and size, and on the same side of the street. This was
the entrance to the Yungkuo palace. At first they went straight ahead
about the length of an arrow‐shot. Then, at a turning, the sedan chair
was put down, and four young fellows in smart livery came and took
the places of the former bearers. At the same time the female attendants
got out of their sedan chairs and from this point followed Black Jade's
chair on foot. The procession halted once more, this time at a gate
covered with flowering creepers. The bearers stepped back while the
female attendants hurried forward, opened the door, and helped Black
Jade descend. Supported on either side by a sturdy serving matron, she
Itepped through the Gate of Flowers. From the Gate of Flowers two
covered passages led to an open entrance hall, in the middle of which
*tood a stone slab, beautifully decorated with strange, landscape‐like
cross‐hatching and supported on a red sandal wood pedestal. This was
the spirit screen. Behind the entrance hall the way led through three
small pavilions into the great inner courtyard which lay in front of the
five‐room dwelling of the Princess Ancestress. The building was re‐
splendent in brilliant colors, and the pillars and roof beams were richly
carved. Covered verandas, leading here and there through overhanging rocks, extended along the sides of the building which overlooked the
courtyard. They were alive with the twittering and screeching of bril‐
liantly colored parakeets and parrots, whose cages were swinging
everywhere from the walls and pillars.
Several ladies' maids dressed in red and green were sitting on the
steps of the stairway which led to the central apartment of the building.
As Black Jade approached they rose and came towards her smiling and
curtsying, led her up the steps, and, calling out "Miss Ling is here,"
drew the glistening curtain cords. Black Jade walked in and found her‐
self facing a group of women; one of them, a silver‐haired matron,
came forward supported by two servants, one on her right and one on
her left.
That must be my grandmother, thought Black Jade to herself,
and was about to kneel down to make her kowtow right away. But the
Princess Ancestress came up to her and with outstretched arms clasped
her to her breast.
"My heart! My liver! Flesh and blood of my child!" she cried in a
voice so stifled with emotion that the room became filled with the
sounds of sobbing and sniffling, and Black Jade too could not keep back her tears. They all pressed around her speaking loving and comforting
words. At last she pulled herself together somewhat and dutifully made
her kowtow before the Princess Ancestress. Then the introductions be‐
gan. "This is your eldest aunt; this is your younger aunt; this is your
sister‐in‐law Chu, the widow of your late cousin, Chia Chu." This went
on for quite a while, Black Jade taking a step towards each person and
bowing in salutation.
"The three young ladies may come!" said the Princess Ancestress,
turning towards the company. "In honor of our guest's arrival they are
being excused from their lessons today."
After some time the three girls, Greeting of Spring, Taste of Spring,
and Grief of Spring, appeared escorted by three worthy matrons and
six young waiting maids. The first was of medium height, plump, with
ice‐fcesh cheeks and a little flat nose which looked as if molded in goose‐
fat a charming sight. The second was slender, slim‐waisted, with some‐
what sloping shoulders, a face oval as a duck's egg, and, beneath
perfectly arched brows, two soulful eyes with a most fascinating glance
an arresting sight. The third, as yet too childish in face and form to
make a verdict possible. All three were dressed in the same simple way
and wore similar agraffes and bangles.
After the introductions were finished the company sat down and
drank tea, and then began to overwhelm Black Jade with sympathetic
questions. What had her mother's malady been? What medicines had
she been given? How did the mourning ceremonies pass off? And so on.
The Ancestress could not get over the fact that her favorite daughter
should have gone to her rest before her. Then the attention of all was
directed on the new member of the household herself. They found her
strikingly grave and mature for her twelve years of age. Her form was
so delicate that she seemed scarcely strong enough to bear the trifling
weight of her clothing. And yet there was in her transparent, pale face
a curious shimmer of voluptuousness and love of life. Anemic, they all
thought to themselves.
"You look ailing. Do you do nothing for your malady?" she was
asked.
"I have been sickly from my earliest childhood, and ever since I
have been old enough to use chopsticks I have been swallowing medi‐
cine also. I do not know how many doctors have treated me, but none
could help me. I remember when I was three years of age an unkempt,
ugly wandering monk wanted to take me away from home and put me
into a convent. My parents would not hear of it. Then he told them that
in the bosom of my family I would never become a healthy person, because
the inevitable daily annoyances and troubles of home life would
harm me. I should see no other relatives except my father and mother if
I were to be well. Naturally, no one took the talk of the dirty, crazy
monk seriously. Since then I have been treating my illness with the
health‐giving ginseng root and blood‐strengthening pills."
"That is sensible," said the grandmother. "Those are also our trusted
home remedies, and I shall see that you get your accustomed daily ra‐
tion of them here too."
She had not finished speaking when the sound of laughter and chat‐
ter sounded from the park, and Black Jade heard a woman's clear voice
saying: "Oh, I'm terribly late in coming to greet our distinguished
guest."
While Black Jade was still wondering who this might be who ven‐
tured to burst so gaily and boisterously into the solemn and formal at‐
mosphere surrounding the revered First Lady of the family, she saw a
smartly dressed young woman enter, surrounded by a crowd of ladies‐
in‐waiting and maids. She was glittering with jewels and beautiful as a
fairy, and her vermilion lips were parted in a sparkling smile. Black
Jade had hurriedly risen from her seat.
"You do not know her yet," said the Princess Ancestress to Black
Jade with a smile. "This is our famous merry household fairy, without
whom we should all be dull and bored. Just call her Phoenix!"
"But I do not even know her real name yet," said Black Jade embar‐
rassed.
"She is your sister‐in‐law, Lien. Her maiden name is Phoenix," sev‐
eral voices explained to her. Now she could place her. Her mother had
often told her about this sister‐in‐law. She was the beautiful and clever
niece of Uncle Cheng's wife, nee Wang, and wife of Chia Lien, Prince
Shieh's second son. After the formal greetings had been exchanged,
Madame Phoenix took the young girl familiarly by the hand and coolly
inspected her for several minutes from head to foot. Then she brought
her back to her seat by the side of the old Princess and sat down be‐
side her.
"To think that any human form in the world could be so tender and
delicate!" she exclaimed, turning to the old lady. "I would not have
believed it possible if I had not been convinced of it with my own eyes.
The poor little mei mei! How sad that she should lose her mother so
young!"
She dabbed her eyes with her handkerchief to rub away some tears.
"Do you want to reduce us to tears again? Our eyes are only just
dried," said the Princess Ancestress jocosely. "Our guest is tired from
the long journey, and besides she has delicate nerves. Better not open
the old wound, but let the past rest."
Madame Phoenix obediently resumed her usual merry manner at
once. "Grandmother is right and the careless child deserves a slap‐
ping," she said, holding out her little lily‐white hands with a comic
gesture, like a school child who expects to be caned. Once more she
took Black Jade by the hand and plied her with every possible ques‐
tion about her age, health, education, favorite dishes, and favorite
games. She hoped she would be happy here and not suffer from home‐
sickness, and if she lacked or needed anything, would she please not
ask the simple chamberwomen or maids but come straight to her sister‐
in‐law, Phoenix.
"Has Miss Ling's luggage been brought up?" she asked, turning to
her attendants. "And are the rooms prepared for the servants whom
she has brought with her from Yangchow?"
She attentively handed her guest tea and cake, and then began to dis‐
cuss with Aunt Cheng practical matters such as household expenses and
clothing. Black Jade got the immediate impression that this sister‐in‐
law was the soul of the whole great household.
This first reception was followed by a visit of introduction to Uncle
Shieh and Uncle Cheng. At the Gate of Flowers Black Jade, escorted by
Aunt Shieh, got into a big, dark blue, lacquered wheel sedan with a
light blue silk awning, which was drawn at first by bearers and later by
mules which had been specially trained to go at a very gentle pace. For
it was a long distance to the residences of the two uncles, and there
were many courtyards and gateways to be passed through. At last the
sedan chair was set down and Aunt Shieh took Black Jade by the hand
and led her into a reception hall. It seemed to Black Jade that this
part or the gigantic homestead must have once been part of the park, so
romantically did the various buildings, each highly ornate and of the
most superb architectural style, lie nestling among groups of trees and
rocks.
Aunt Shieh sent a messenger to the library for her husband, but the
Prince excused himself on the plea that he was not feeling well. His
niece must make herself quite at home here and not be homesick. Her
cousins were in themselves silly and simple little creatures, but when
they all got together it would be very pleasant. And if she was ever in
any trouble she must not hesitate to open her mouth.
Black Jade remained standing while she listened to this message from
her princely uncle. After a short time she took her leave and was then
taken in the wheel sedan drawn by mules along the endless paths which
led to Uncle Cheng's residence. First she was brought into the central
reception hall. She looked around her in astonishment. What splendor
and what marvels met her gaze ! Raised high on a stand formed of nine
intertwined golden dragons stood a tall tablet, on the azure background
of which three large ideographs in gold announced that this was the
"Hall of Glory and Beatitude." On the wall behind it was an inscrip‐
tion of the date on which the Son of Heaven had honored the first
Prince of Yungkuo with this tablet. Wherever she looked she saw works
of art with the Imperial sign‐manual engraved upon them. 'Here, on a
red sandalwood table with snake‐pattern carving, stood an ancient
three‐foot‐high tripod kettle covered with verdigris. There, there glit‐
tered magnificent goblets of embossed gold. Here, again, sparkled
transparent bowls of crystal. Along the walls stood sixteen carved seats
of precious cedarwood. But Black Jade had not nearly enough time to
admire all the valuable objects assembled here, for they soon moved
on, out of the reception hall, into a tastefully and comfortably furnished
living room situated to the east of it. Here there was no lack of snug
divan seats in the corners, with cushions and upholstered back‐rests,
soft armchairs and carpets, and lacquered tea tables all set ready for
tea; footstools, incense bowls from which rose bluish wreaths of smoke,
as elaborate in formation as beautiful signatures, filling the room with
aromatic vapors which vied with the perfume of the fresh flowers that
adorned a beautiful porcelain vase fashioned in the form of a woman.
Not far from the window stood a great internally heated couch
covered with an exotic scarlet plush overlay. It was divided in two by a
low couch table which stood in the center of it covered with books and
tea things. To the right "and left of this table comfortable back‐rests with
soft red cushions embroidered with scaly gold dragons held out an in‐
vitation to recline.
Aunt Cheng was already reclining at the right side. With a friendly
wave of the hand she invited her niece, as she entered, to recline com‐
fortably on the left. But Black Jade said to herself that no doubt the
master of the house was accustomed to rest on these cushions and
hence it would be unseemly of her to take that place. She therefore
modestly sat down on a simply covered chair near the couch, and not
until she had been asked three times to do so did she change over to
her aunt's side.
"Your uncle is in the temple today, fasting and attending services,"
said the aunt, "but he will soon come home and greet you. Meantime
he has asked me to say a few words to you from him. Your three cous‐
ins are all intelligent, well‐brought‐up girls. You will all learn your
lessons nicely together, do needlework and have pleasant games, and I
think you will also get on well together. But there is one thing which
makes us parents uneasy: we have a truly incorrigible young son who
is a real torment 'and a mischievous imp in the house. He also is in the
temple today fulfilling a vow, but he will be back towards evening and
then you will get to know him personally*. I want you to know the facts
in advance. It will be best if you treat him as your cousins do, that is,
take as little notice of him as possible and leave him alone."
Black Jade remembered that her mother had often spoken of a
nephew who had been born with a jade stone in his mouth and was a
somewhat strange, freakish boy who, instead of keeping to his books,
loved roaming about the women's quarters playing all sorts of silly
pranks, and in spite of this was very much favored and spoiled by his
grandmother, with the result that no one dared to be severe with him.
"Ah, Aunt means no doubt the cousin who was born with the jade
stone in his mouth?" she asked, smiling. "Mother often spoke of him.
He is Pao Yu and is a year older than I, is he not? Mother thought he
was just inclined to be easygoing and playful but that otherwise he was
very polite and nice to his sisters. Now, I shall be in the company of my
girl cousins most of the time, and I shall not have much opportunity of
meeting this cousin and provoking him to tricks. The house is so very
roomy."
"Oh, do not say that!" replied Aunt Cheng, laughing. "The con‐
founded boy cannot do without the company of girls and will be able
to find you even if you do not look for him. As long as the girls do not
take notice of him he behaves tolerably, but one word too much from
them is enough to make him do the maddest things just through sheer
high spirits. 'So you must remember this and not let yourself be either
charmed by his honey‐sweet words or frightened by his foolish rages."
A servant entered and said that the old Tai tai bade them come to
supper. Aunt Cheng took her niece by the hand and led her out through
a back exit and across by many zigzag paths. On the way she stopped
once and pointed to a dainty house built in three tiers with a veranda
running all along the south side.
"Your sister‐in‐law Phoenix lives here," she said, smiling. "No doubt
you will be going in and out here often. Whenever you want anything
you have just to go to her."
At last, after much winding in and out, they passed through a
covered corridor and found themselves in the garden behind the resi‐
dence of the Princess Ancestress. The old lady was already awaiting
them in the dining room. Despite her modest protests, Black Jade was
obliged, as guest, to take the place of honor at her left side. Three
chairs to the right and left of the Princess Ancestress remained unoc‐
cupied. Actually, they were meant for Aunt Cheng and the two sister?
in‐law, Phoenix and Chu. But today these three were in attendance OM
the Ancestress. Sister‐in‐law Phoenix placed fresh chopsticks, before
her for each course, Aunt Cheng served her soup, and sister‐in‐law Chu
served the other dishes to her. Later Aunt Cheng had to sit at her right‐
hand side. The three "Spring" girls ate at a separate taWe. The meal
was eaten silently and ceremoniously. From the swarm of serving
women and girls, of whom some noiselessly carried the dishes in and
out while others stood ready in the anteroom with washbasins, dusters,
and hand towels, not the slightest cough or clearing of the throat was
audible. Black Jade had to be very attentive in order to adapt herself
to the many forms of table etiquette which were new to her. For in‐
stance, perfumed tea was served immediately after the meal. She was
about to drink it reluctantly, for at home she had always been taught
that it was harmful to drink tea straight after a meal, but the example
of‐ the others soon made it clear to her that this tea was only meant for
rinsing out the mouth. With the words "You others may go; I wish to
talk to our guest for a little while alone," the Ancestress rose from the
table.
"How far have you g^ne in your reading?" she inquired of her
grandchild.
"I have just finished studying the Six Classical Books," replied
Black Jade. "And what are my cousins reading?"
"Ah, they can barely understand a few words."
There was a crunching on the gravel outside, and immediately after‐
wards a servant announced: "Pao Yu is coming."
Black Jade looked towards the entrance in eager expectation. There‐
upon he walked in. She was most pleasantly surprised. He wore on his
head a purple cap interwoven with gold and trimmed with brightly
colored jewels. A golden band in the form of two dragons snapping at
a pearl encircled his forehead. His close‐fitting dark red jerkin, em‐
broidered with golden butterflies and bright flowers, was fastened with
a colored belt woven in a design of flower stems and ears of corn. Over
the jerkin he wore a slate‐blue satin Japanese cloak, embroidered with
eight bunches of flowers, and fringed at the edges. His feet were en‐
veloped in blue satin shoes. His face was as bright as the mid‐autumn
moon, his color fresh as spring flowers in the morning dew; his hair
was as sharply outlined above his temples as if it had been cut with a
knife, his eyebrows seemed as if painted on with India ink, the fine out‐
line of his nose betokened boldness of character, his eyes glistened with
the wet shine of autumn waves, his mouth seemed to smile even in ill‐
humor, and his glance radiated warmth and feeling even in anger. A
golden chain in the form of a snake encircled his neck, and also a s*ilken
cord of five colors from which hung a beautiful stone.
Black Jade was taken completely by surprise at his appearance. It is
strange how familiar his features seem to me, just as if I had met him
before, she thought to herself.
As soon as the Princess had returned his salutation, she bade him go
and say good day to his mother, whereupon he immediately disap‐
peared. When he returned after a little while he was no longer wearing
his cap. His front hair was dressed acound his head in single short pig‐
tails interwoven with red braid, which were drawn up and joined on the
top of his head to form a crown. He wore his back hair in a long jet‐
black shining pigtail which was wound around a braid decorated with
four big pearls and eight golden pendants representing the various em‐
blems of the eight Taoist saints the Sword, the Flute, the Lotus
Flower, and so on. Instead of the blue cloak he now wore a satin coat of
a flowered silver and red pattern, below which showed fir‐tree‐green
flowered silk brocade trousers. Dark red thick‐soled satin slippers
covered his black‐stockinged feet. His countenance was, if possible,
more radiant than before. The natural color of his cheeks triumphed
over the artificial effect of powder and paint, his glance was soulful, his
speech was a smile. But his character expressed itself most eloquently
in the highly expressive play of his brows. All the hundred human feel‐
^ings seemed to find place in a corner of his eye.
"Will you not greet your cousin at last?" the Princess Ancestress
smilingly asked her favorite, who had sat down politely at her side,
apparently overlooking the new cousin completely. But of course he
had seen her. He now stood up, went over to the young girl, and with
his hands raised to his breast made a slight bow to her. Then he re‐
turned to his place and gazed at her for a while fixedly and attentively.
He found her different from the other girls. How full, of contradictions
was the expression of her features! Her eyebrows, like two finely out‐
lined threads of smoke, were close together and seemed to express sorrow,
even when she was quite merry. Her soulful eyes looked serious
even when she was laughing gaily. She was beautiful, but her beauty
was clothed with the cloak of suffering. Her eyes were always glistening
as if full of tears. And how faint and soft was her breathing. In repose
she was like the dewy reflection of a flower in water. In motion she was
like a willow branch trembling in the wind.
"I must have met her before," murmured Pao Yu to himself, lost in
thought.
"What ridiculous nonsense you are talking again! How could you
have met her already?" His grandmother's voice recalled him to re‐
ality.
"But her face it seems so familiar to me just as if we had met
again after a long, long separation," he murmured.
"All the better, for then you will get on well with her," remarked the
old Princes^ with a smile.
Pao Yu stood up, then sat down right beside his cousin and regarded
her once more with attention.
"Have you gone far in your reading of literature, Mei mei?" he
asked her.
"Not very far. I have had barely two years' education and am still at
the beginning," replied Black Jade.
"Were you also born with a jewel in your mouth?"
"No. Such a silly thing as that scarcely happens twice."
Her harmless remark caused him to break into a real rage. He tore
the cord with the stone On it from his neck and flung it scornfully on
the ground.
"Nasty thing! What do I care about you?" he cried abusively to the
stone. "Are you a bit of me, a being endowed with reason, that people
make so much fuss about you? Away with you! I am sick of you!"
The ladies‐in‐waiting stood around the enraged boy, terrified. One of
them picked up the cord with the stone and handed it to the old Prin‐
cess. The Princess hurriedly clasped her grandchild in her arms.
"Control yourself, child!" she said reproachfully. "Be angry with
people if you want to. But what harm has this innocent stone, this bit of
yourself, done to you, that you treat it so roughly?"
"None of my brothers and sisters has a horrible stone like this at‐
tached to them, not even this new angelic cousin," he sobbed. "So it
must be a useless, bad thing. I don't like it!"
"Your new cousin also came into the world with a stone like that,"
lied the grandmother to quiet him. "Out of filial devotion she buried
it with her mother, to whom she was greatly attached, so that even in
death a bit of herself would be close to her mother. It is through shy‐
ness that she has not spoken of it to you. And now be sensible. What
would your mother say if she heard of your behavior?"
He became thoughtfully silent and allowed his grandmother to fasten
the cord with the stone round his neck with her own hands. A chamber‐
maid entered and asked where the young lady was to sleep in future.
"We shall change Pao Yu over to my apartments, and Miss Ling can
move for the time being into the green pavilion in his place. Later on,
when the winter is over, we will arrange another place for her."
"Ah, dear, good Grandmother," begged Pao Yu, "let me stay in the
green pavilion! I can sleep quite well in a side‐chamber. I am so noisy,
I would destroy your peace."
"Very well, you may," the grandmother decided, after a moment's
consideration.
Accordingly, from that time the two cousins shared the green pavil‐
ion which was part of the premises of the old Princess. Each of the two
children had their own personal domestic staff in attendance on them
day and night. Black Jade had brought with her from Yangchow her
own serving matron, Mother Wang, and a little ten‐year‐old waiting
maid called Snowgoose. The Princess Ancestress found little Snow‐
goose too young and Mother Wang too old for service, so she gave her
granddaughter, in addition to her own household staff, the waiting maid
Cuckoo. Besides these she got as her staff half a dozen maids for the
light and heavy work, just like her cousins. Pao Yn had an elderly serv‐
ing matron, Mother Li, and a smart young trustworthy waiting maid.
This maid, who enjoyed the special confidence of the Princess Ances‐
tress, was called Pearl. That night, a long time after it had become
quiet in the side‐chamber where Pao Yu slept, the maid Pearl noticed
that there was still light in the inner bedroom, and that people were
talking there. Being curious, she slipped in in her nightdress^. She found
Black Jade sitting on the edge of her bed talking to the maid Cuckoo.
"Why is the young lady still up?" she asked, astonished.
"Sit down, sister," Black Jade invited her amiably. Pearl also sat
down on the edge of the bed. Then Cuckoo made her report. The young
lady had been weeping in a heart‐rending way this first evening, she
said. Her eyes had filled with tears again and again as soon as she
wiped them dry. She was disconsolate over having provoked the son of
the house to a fit of rage at their very first meeting, and she felt she was
a bringer of misfortune.
"Dear young lady, you should not take a thing like that so tragi‐
cally," said Pearl, smiling at Black Jade. "I fear you will experience
much more crazy and‐ extraordinary behavior from him in the future. If
you take everything to heart like that, I fear you will become quite ill
with heart trouble. You must not be so sensitive!"
"Thank you, sister! I will think of what you say," said Black Jade,
somewhat calmed, and soon afterwards she was able to get to sleep at
last.
When Black Jade went next morning with her cousins to wish Aunt
Cheng good morning as usual, they found the aunt and Phoenix in lively
conversation over a letter from a relative, which two messengers had just
brought from the town. Black Jade only half understood what the lively
discussion was about. Her cousins enlightened her. The letter was from
Uncle Wang, an elder brother of Aunt Cheng, and concerned a distress‐
ing affair in which their nephew Hsueh Pan was involved. Young Hsueh
Pan, a son of Aunt Cheng's sister, presuming on the power of the
family to protect him, had killed a rival in a quarrel, and was now to
answer for it before .the Prefect of Ying tien f u.
You will learn from the
next chapter the ramifications of this painful affair, and how it is connected with our story.