A Living Karmic Debt: the Beautiful Nun Suffers Great Calamity; A Deadly Feud: Concubine Zhao Departs for the Courts of the Underworld

It is said that Xifeng ordered the women on night watch to be bound and sent to the authorities for questioning. These women knelt on the ground and begged bitterly. Lin Zhixiao and Jia Yun said, “It is no use begging. The Master left us to watch the house. It was luck that nothing happened; now that a robbery has occurred, everyone high and low must bear blame. No one can save you. Since the dead man is Zhou Rui’s godson, from the ladies down, everyone inside and outside is implicated.” Xifeng said, panting, “This is a calamity brought by fate. There is no use saying more to them. Just take them away. As for the lost property, explain to the authorities that it was all Old Ancestor’s things. The details will be clear only when the masters return. When we report and the Master comes back, we will formally draw up a list of stolen goods, and say the same to the civil authorities.” Jia Yun and Lin Zhixiao assented and went out to attend to matters.

Xichun could not say a word. She only wept and said, “I have never even heard of such a thing. Why has it fallen on us two? Tomorrow when the Master and ladies return, how can I face anyone? The house was entrusted to us to watch, and now it has come to this. How can we go on living?” Xifeng said, “Do you think we wanted this? The night watch has already been handed over to the authorities.” Xichun said, “You can still explain; besides, you are gravely ill. I cannot explain a single word. It is all my elder sister-in-law who ruined me. She urged Lady Wang to put me in charge of watching the house. Where can I put my face now?” She wept aloud again. Xifeng comforted her: “Fourth Girl, do not think like that. If it comes to losing face, we are all alike. If you brood like this, my heart cannot bear it even more.” As they spoke, they heard someone shouting outside the courtyard: “I said long ago that we must never associate with those nuns, monks, and busybodies. Our Zhen family never allowed such people to come to the door. I never thought this house had no scruples at all. Yesterday Old Ancestor’s coffin had just left, and the nun from that hermitage insisted on entering. I shouted and refused to let her in, but the old women at the waist gate instead cursed me and begged desperately to let the nun in. The waist gate opened and closed; no one knew what they were doing. I was uneasy and did not dare sleep all night. At the fourth watch I heard shouting inside. I wanted to open the door, but it would not open. Hearing the noise grow louder, I broke the door open and saw people standing in the west courtyard. I chased them and killed one thief. Today I learned that was Fourth Girl’s room, and that nun was in the room. Before dawn she slipped away. Was it not this nun who led the thieves in?” Ping’er and the others heard and said, “Who is so unruly? The mistresses and young ladies are here, yet he dares shout outside.” Xifeng said, “Hear how he keeps mentioning the Zhen family. It must be that tiresome Bao Yong recommended by the Zhen family.” Xichun heard clearly and felt even worse. Xifeng then asked Xichun, “Why did you let a nun stay here?” Xichun told how Miaoyu had come to visit and stayed to play chess and keep watch. Xifeng said, “So it was she. How could she do such a thing as lead thieves in? Absolutely impossible. But if this crude fellow spreads it everywhere, it will be bad if the Master hears.” The more Xichun thought, the more frightened she became. She rose to leave. Though Xifeng could not sit steadily, she worried Xichun might be frightened into doing something rash, so she told her not to go yet. “First see that the things not stolen are put away. Have them properly guarded, and then you may go.” Ping’er said, “We dare not move things casually. We must wait until the authorities come to inspect before touching anything. We can only guard here. I wonder if anyone has gone to send word to the Master.” Xifeng told an old woman to go and ask. After a while the old woman returned and reported, “Lin Zhixiao cannot leave; the servants must wait for the authorities to inspect. The others cannot explain clearly what happened. Second Master Yun has been sent to Iron Threshold Temple to report.” Xifeng nodded, and she and Xichun sat worrying.

Now as for that band of robbers, they had originally been gathered by He San. They carried off much gold, silver, and valuables. Seeing someone chase them, they knew the pursuer was not skilled. They had intended to go steal from the west rooms. In the lamplight from the window, they saw two beautiful women in the room, one a young lady and one a nun. These robbers cared nothing for their lives. Evil thoughts arose at once. They were about to kick the door in when Bao Yong came chasing them, so they fled with the loot. Only He San was missing. The others first hid in their hiding place. The next day they inquired and heard He San had been beaten to death. The authorities had taken up the case. They could hide here no longer, so they discussed going early to join the sea pirates. If they waited, once the wanted notices were issued, they could not pass the checkpoints. One especially bold robber said, “We must go, but I cannot bear to leave that nun. She is truly beautiful. I wonder which hermitage’s young nun she is.” Another said, “Aiya, I remember now. She must be the nun from the Green Lattice Hermitage in the Grand View Garden. Years ago there were rumors outside that she had a connection with Second Master Bao of the Jia family. Later she even fell lovesick and called doctors and took medicine—it was she.” The man heard and said, “Let us hide one more day. Tell Big Brother to borrow money and buy traveling gear. Tomorrow before dawn we will leave the pass one by one. Wait for me at Twenty-Li Slope outside the pass.” The robbers agreed, divided the loot, and we leave them for now.

Now Jia Zheng and the others had accompanied the coffin to Iron Threshold Temple. The coffin was laid in place, and relatives and friends dispersed one after another. Jia Zheng kept vigil in the outer side room. Lady Xing, Lady Wang, and the others were in the inner rooms, weeping all night. The next day sacrifices were held again. Just as the offering meal was set out, Jia Yun hurried in. He knocked his head before Old Ancestor’s coffin, ran to Jia Zheng, knelt, and paid his respects. Panting, he told of the robbery at home the night before, the theft from Old Ancestor’s main rooms, Bao Yong chasing the thieves and killing one, and the report to the authorities. Jia Zheng was stunned. Lady Xing and Lady Wang heard from the inner room and were frightened out of their wits. They could not speak a word and could only weep. After a while Jia Zheng asked how the list of stolen goods was to be written. Jia Yun replied, “The people at home cannot remember clearly, so no list has been made.” Jia Zheng said, “That is just as well. Our family has already suffered confiscation. If good things are written on the list, we may instead incur blame. Go quickly and call Jia Lian back.” Jia Lian had taken Baoyu and the others to offer sacrifices elsewhere and had not returned. Jia Zheng sent someone to call him back urgently. When Jia Lian heard the news, he was so frantic he stamped his feet. Seeing Jia Yun, heedless that Jia Zheng was nearby, he cursed Jia Yun bitterly: “Ungrateful wretch! I entrusted you with such a heavy responsibility of watching the house. Arranged night patrols and watches—are you dead? You still have the face to come and report!” He spat in Jia Yun’s face several times. Jia Yun stood with hands hanging down, not daring to argue. Jia Zheng said, “Cursing him is useless.” Jia Lian knelt and asked, “What should we do now?” Jia Zheng said, “There is no other way. We can only report to the authorities and have the robbers caught. But there is one thing: we have not touched anything Old Ancestor left. As for silver, Old Ancestor has been gone only a few days; who could bear to use her savings? We had planned that after the funeral, when accounts were settled and outside debts paid, the remaining money would be used to buy grave land and fields here and in the south. The rest of the property was never counted. Now the authorities want a list of stolen goods. If we write down several precious treasures, it will cause trouble. If we casually write so much gold and silver, so many clothes and jewelry, without exact numbers, we cannot make it up. It is absurd that you have no ideas at all now. What use is kneeling here?” Jia Lian did not dare reply and rose to go out. Jia Zheng called him back: “Where are you going?” Jia Lian knelt again and said, “I will hurry back to town, settle matters, and then report.” Jia Zheng snorted, and Jia Lian lowered his head. Jia Zheng instructed, “Go in and tell your mother. Have one or two maids who were with Old Ancestor think carefully and make a list of the stolen goods.” Jia Lian knew well that Old Ancestor’s property had always been kept by Yuanyang. Yuanyang was dead; whom could they ask? Even if they asked Zhenzhu and the others, they would not remember everything. But he did not dare contradict. He assented repeatedly, rose, and went into the inner room. Lady Xing and Lady Wang scolded him again and urged him to hurry back to town, question the people who watched the house, and see how to explain it to everyone tomorrow. Jia Lian had to agree. He came out and ordered the carriage prepared. He took Hupo and the others back to town, while he rode a mule with a few young servants and hurried back. Jia Yun did not dare remain before Jia Zheng. He slipped out sideways and rode after Jia Lian. Nothing happened on the road.

Back at the Jia house, Lin Zhixiao came forward to pay respects. He followed Jia Lian inside. Jia Lian went to Old Ancestor’s main rooms. Seeing Xifeng and Xichun there, he felt angry and helpless. He asked Lin Zhixiao, “Have the authorities come to inspect the scene?” Lin Zhixiao, knowing he was guilty, knelt and reported, “Both the civil and military yamen have inspected. They examined the thieves’ tracks coming and going and also examined the corpse.” Jia Lian was startled: “Why was the corpse examined?” Lin Zhixiao reported that the thief killed by Bao Yong looked like Zhou Rui’s godson. Jia Lian said, “Call Jia Yun here.” Jia Yun came in, knelt, and waited for orders. Jia Lian questioned, “When you saw the Master, why did you not report that Zhou Rui’s godson was a thief killed by Bao Yong?” Jia Yun said, “The night watch only said he looked like him. They were not certain, so I did not dare report it.” Jia Lian cursed, “Stupid creature! If you had told me, we could have brought Zhou Rui to identify him and confirmed it.” Lin Zhixiao replied, “The authorities have now moved the corpse to the street corner and are waiting for someone to claim it.” Jia Lian said, “More muddled handling! If a family member became a thief and was killed, would claiming the body mean paying with one’s life?” Lin Zhixiao replied, “There is no need for anyone else to identify him. This servant recognized him at a glance.” Jia Lian recalled, “Yes, was this not the very godson of Zhou Rui’s family that Master Zhen wanted to punish years ago?” Lin Zhixiao added, “He fought with Bao Er that year. I saw it with my own eyes.” Jia Lian grew angrier and meant to punish the night-watch women. Lin Zhixiao begged, “Second Master, calm your anger. Even if these night watchers were assigned duties, how would they dare slack off? But by family rule, men may not enter within the third gate. Even we servants cannot enter unless summoned from inside. This servant and Jia Yun patrolled outside without pause. The third gate was tightly closed, and not one outer gate was opened. The thieves climbed in from the rear passage.” Jia Lian asked, “What about the women on night watch in the inner quarters?” Lin Zhixiao replied that they had already been bound as Second Mistress ordered and were waiting for Second Master to question them. Jia Lian asked again, “Where is Bao Yong?” Lin Zhixiao said, “He has gone back to the garden.” Jia Lian ordered, “Call him here.” A young servant brought Bao Yong. Jia Lian said, “Thanks to you being here. Without you, I fear everything in the rooms would have been carried off.” Bao Yong said not a word. Xichun was afraid he would mention Miaoyu’s stay and was very nervous. Xifeng too did not dare speak. Outside someone announced that Sister Hupo and the others had returned. When they met, there was another bout of bitter weeping. Jia Lian had the remaining things counted. Only some cloth, clothes, and money chests had not been touched; all the rest was gone. Jia Lian grew more anxious, thinking of the wages for the outside sheds and coffin bearers and the kitchen expenses still unsettled. What would they use to pay? He sat thinking blankly for a while. Hupo and the others wept in the room. Looking at the open chests and cabinets, how could they remember all the items? They could only guess from memory, drew up a list of stolen goods, and sent it at once to the civil and military yamen. Jia Lian reassigned people for night watch. Xifeng and Xichun each returned to their rooms. Jia Lian did not dare stay the night at home. Without time to blame Xifeng, he rode out of the city back to Iron Threshold Temple. Xifeng, worried Xichun might do something desperate, sent Feng’er to comfort her.

It was already the second watch. After this calamity, everyone in the house closed the doors, took extra precautions, and no one dared sleep. Now that band of robbers kept thinking of Miaoyu. They knew the Green Lattice Hermitage had only nuns and was easy to raid. At the third watch, deep in the night, they took short weapons and drugged incense, climbed over the wall, and entered the Grand View Garden. From afar they saw a light still burning in the Green Lattice Hermitage. They slipped down and hid in quiet corners of the buildings. At the fourth watch, only an ever-burning lamp remained in the hermitage. Miaoyu sat alone on a rush cushion in meditation. After a while she sighed and said to herself, “I came to the capital from Yuanmu in Jiangnan, hoping to cultivate and make a name. I was invited here, and it is not good to seek another place. Yesterday I kindly went to visit Fourth Girl, but that crude fellow insulted me, and at night I had another fright. Since returning today, my mind has been uneasy and I cannot sit steadily. I keep feeling frightened.” She usually sat in meditation alone, and tonight she would not let anyone accompany her. At the fifth watch, chills came over her again and again. Just as she was about to call someone, she suddenly heard noises outside the window. Thinking of the robbery the night before, she grew more frightened. She called for the old women, but no one answered. As she sat, a strange fragrance entered her head. Her hands and feet went numb; she could not move, and her mouth could not speak. She was frantic. She saw a man come in carrying a gleaming knife. Miaoyu’s mind was clear, but her body could not move. Thinking he had come to kill her, she steeled herself and felt no more fear. But the man put the knife behind him, reached out, gently lifted Miaoyu, took liberties with her, then carried her on his back. By now Miaoyu was dazed, like one drunk. Pitiful indeed—this pure and lofty nun, overcome by the robbers’ drugged incense, was carried off by the thieves.

The robber carried Miaoyu to the back wall of the garden, set up a rope ladder, climbed over, and got out. Outside, his accomplices had long since prepared a cart and were waiting. They put Miaoyu in the cart, boldly lit an official lantern, had the bar gate opened, and hurried all the way to the city gate, arriving just as it opened. The gate officer thought they were going out on official business and did not examine them closely. The group left the city, galloped to Twenty-Li Slope, joined the other robbers, and scattered toward the South Sea. After Miaoyu was carried off, whether she lived on in shame or was killed for resisting, her fate is unknown and cannot be guessed.

Now the young nun who attended Miaoyu in the Green Lattice Hermitage lived behind the meditation room. At the fifth watch she heard noises in front and thought Miaoyu was restless in meditation. Later she heard men’s footsteps and doors and windows moving. She wanted to get up and look, but her body was weak and she could not open her mouth. She could not hear Miaoyu speak and could only strain her ears. After dawn her mind cleared. She threw on clothes, called the Daoist woman to prepare tea, and went to the front to find Miaoyu. But Miaoyu was nowhere to be seen, and the doors and windows were wide open. She was astonished. The noises the night before had been suspicious. She thought: So early, where has my master gone? She went out the hermitage gate and saw a rope ladder against the wall and a scabbard and cloth straps on the ground. She cried out, “This is bad! Last night thieves used drugged incense!” She hurriedly called people to get up and inspect. The hermitage gate was still closed. The old women and maids all said, “Last night we were overcome by the fragrance and felt weak all over. We cannot get up this morning. Why call us so early?” The young nun said, “Our master is gone!” Everyone said, “She is probably meditating in the Guanyin Hall.” The young nun said, “You are still dreaming. Come quickly and see.” Only then were they alarmed. They opened the hermitage gate and searched the whole garden. Someone guessed Miaoyu might have gone to Xichun’s place.

They came to knock at the garden’s waist gate and were again cursed by Bao Yong. They said, “Our Master Miaoyu disappeared last night, so we have come to look for her. Please open the gate and let us ask whether she came here.” Bao Yong said, “Your master led thieves to steal from our house. After succeeding, she went off with the thieves to enjoy herself.” They cried, “Amitabha! To tell such a lie, beware of the hell of tongue-cutting!” Bao Yong grew angry: “Nonsense! If you make more noise, I will beat you.” They smiled apologetically and begged, “Please, sir, open the gate and let us look. If she is not there, we will not trouble you again.” Bao Yong said, “If you do not believe me, go in and look. If you do not find her, I will come question you later.” Bao Yong had someone open the waist gate, and they entered Xichun’s courtyard.

Xichun was full of gloom, thinking: Miaoyu left at dawn. I wonder whether she heard Bao Yong’s words. I fear she has been offended and will never come again. Then I will have lost my only true friend. Besides, I now have no face to see anyone. My parents died early, my sister-in-law dislikes me. Before, Old Ancestor loved me, but now she too is gone, leaving me alone and helpless. What will become of me? She thought: Sister Yingchun was tormented to death. Sister Shi must care for a sick man. Sister Tanchun has gone far away, all of them bound by circumstance. Only Miaoyu is like a wild cloud or crane, free and unconstrained. If I could be like her, it would be the greatest blessing. But I was born into a great family and cannot do as I please. This time, while watching the house, such a disaster occurred. What face have I to remain here? She also worried the ladies would not understand her heart. What would become of her in the future? At this thought, she took up scissors, intending to cut her hair and become a nun. Caiping and the others heard and hurried to stop her, but Xichun had already cut half her hair. Caiping panicked and said, “Before one disaster is over, another is added. What shall we do?” As they were in confusion, Miaoyu’s Daoist woman came looking for Miaoyu. Caiping asked the reason and was greatly shocked to hear that Miaoyu had left the Green Lattice Hermitage early the day before and had not returned. Xichun heard inside and quickly asked, “Where has she gone?” The Daoist woman told how the night before they heard strange noises, were overcome by drugged incense, and in the morning Miaoyu was missing; a rope ladder and scabbard were found in the hermitage. Xichun was shocked and uncertain. Remembering Bao Yong’s words, she guessed robbers had seen Miaoyu and carried her off at night. But Miaoyu had always been pure, lofty, and staunch. How could she bear disgrace and live on? “Why did none of you hear anything?” They said, “How could we not hear? We were all overcome by the drugged incense, awake but unable to make a sound. Reverend Miaoyu was alone; no doubt she too was drugged and could not cry out. Besides, there were many robbers threatening with knives. How would she dare scream?” Just then Bao Yong shouted again at the waist gate, “Hurry and drive these old women out and close the waist gate!” Caiping, fearing blame, had to send the old women out and close the waist gate. Xichun felt even more bitter. After Caiping and the others repeatedly urged her, she temporarily pinned up the remaining hair. They agreed not to spread the matter for now, to pretend ignorance of Miaoyu’s abduction, and to wait until the Master and ladies returned. Xichun had already made up her mind to become a nun. We leave this for now.

Now Jia Lian returned to Iron Threshold Temple and reported to Jia Zheng how he had gone back to town, inspected the scene, questioned the night watch, made a list of stolen goods, and reported to the authorities. Jia Zheng asked, “What was written on the list?” Jia Lian took out the list Hupo had written from memory and said, “The list already states the items bestowed by Imperial Consort Yuan. There were also several rare treasures not written down. After my mourning period ends, I will ask people to investigate carefully. There may still be a chance to recover them.” Jia Zheng thought this proper, nodded, and said no more. Jia Lian went in to see Lady Xing and Lady Wang and advised, “It would be best to urge the Master to return to town early. The house is in complete disorder.” Lady Xing said, “Yes. Staying here, we too are on tenterhooks.” Jia Lian said, “It is not easy for us to say this. If you urge him, Lady, Second Master will listen.” Lady Xing and Lady Wang discussed and agreed.

After a night, Jia Zheng could not set his mind at rest about home, so he sent Baoyu to relay a message: Ask the ladies to return to town today and come back to the temple in two or three days. The household staff has been arranged; ask the ladies to arrange who will stay in the inner quarters. Lady Xing assigned Yingge and others to stay at the temple to keep vigil. She put Zhou Rui’s wife and others in charge, and all the other servants returned to town. For a time there was bustle as carriages were hitched and horses prepared. Jia Zheng and the others bade farewell before Mother Jia’s coffin, and everyone wept bitterly again.

Just as everyone rose to set out, Concubine Zhao still lay on the ground and refused to get up. Concubine Zhou thought she was still weeping and went to pull her up. But Concubine Zhao had white foam at her mouth, her eyes rolled up, and her tongue hung out, frightening everyone. Jia Huan shouted in panic. Concubine Zhao revived and said, “I am not going back. I will follow Old Ancestor to the south.” Everyone said, “What use would Old Ancestor have for you?” Concubine Zhao said, “I served Old Ancestor all my life, yet the Elder Master still will not let me go. He plays ghosts and spirits to scheme against me. At first I relied on Mother Ma to vent my anger and wasted much silver, yet I could not harm anyone. Now if I go back, I do not know who will harm me.” Hearing this, everyone knew a wronged spirit had possessed her. Lady Xing and Lady Wang said nothing and watched quietly. Only Caiyun and the others pleaded for her: “Sister Yuanyang, you took your own life willingly. It has nothing to do with Concubine Zhao. Let her go.” Lady Xing was right there, so Caiyun did not dare say more. Concubine Zhao said again, “I am not Yuanyang. She has long since ascended to the immortal realm. I am sent by the King of Hell to be seized. I am to be questioned about the case of Mother Ma and me using black magic to harm people.” She called into the air, “Good Second Mistress Lian, say less about my faults before the Master. Though I have a thousand faults, I also have a shred of goodness. Good Second Mistress, dear Second Mistress, I did not truly mean to harm you then. I was muddled for a moment and listened to that old hag’s provocation.” As she raved, Jia Zheng sent someone to call Jia Huan. The old woman reported, “Concubine Zhao is possessed and raving. Third Master is watching her.” Jia Zheng said, “What strange business is this? We will go first.” So the men set out first. In the temple, Concubine Zhao continued to rave, and no one could help her. Lady Xing, fearing she would reveal more disgraceful things, ordered, “Assign more people to watch her. We will go first. After returning to town, we will send a doctor to treat her.” Lady Wang already disliked Concubine Zhao and simply washed her hands of it. Baochai was kindhearted. Though she remembered how Concubine Zhao had harmed Baoyu, she could not bear it and privately asked Concubine Zhou to stay at the temple and look after her. Concubine Zhou was a gentle person and agreed at once. Li Wan said, “I will stay and look after her.” Lady Wang said, “No need.” Everyone prepared to set out. Jia Huan asked in panic, “Am I going back to town too?” Lady Wang spat at him, “Stupid creature! Your aunt’s life or death is uncertain, and you still want to leave?” Jia Huan did not dare speak again. Baoyu comforted him, “Good brother, you cannot go. After I return to town, I will send someone to see you.” Then everyone got into the carriages and returned home. At the temple only Concubine Zhao, Jia Huan, Yingge, and others remained.

Jia Zheng, Lady Xing, and the others returned to the Jia house one after another and wept in the main rooms. Lin Zhixiao brought all the servants to pay their respects and knelt on the ground. Jia Zheng shouted, “Withdraw for now! I will question you tomorrow.” Xifeng fainted several times that day and could not come out to welcome them. Only Xichun came out to meet them, her face full of shame. Lady Xing ignored her; Lady Wang treated her as usual. Li Wan and Baochai took Xichun aside and said a few comforting words. Only Lady You said, “Girl, you have worked hard, watching the house all these days.” Xichun said not a word, her face turning purple. Baochai tugged Lady You and gave her a look. Lady You and the others each returned to their rooms. Jia Zheng looked around briefly, gave a long sigh, and said no more. He went to the study, sat on the floor, and called Jia Lian, Jia Rong, and Jia Yun to give instructions. Baoyu wanted to stay in the study with Jia Zheng, but Jia Zheng said there was no need. Jia Lan followed his mother. The night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Lin Zhixiao came to the study, knelt, and reported. Jia Zheng questioned him in detail about the whole course of the robbery. Lin Zhixiao implicated Zhou Rui. He also reported that the authorities had caught Bao Er with items from the stolen-goods list on him and were interrogating him under severe torture to uncover all the robbers’ accomplices. Jia Zheng flew into a rage: “Slaves who forget kindness and righteousness, collude with thieves to rob their masters—this is utterly lawless!” He at once sent someone out of the city to bind Zhou Rui and hand him over to the yamen for questioning. Lin Zhixiao remained kneeling and did not dare rise. Jia Zheng said, “Why are you still kneeling?” Lin Zhixiao said, “This servant deserves ten thousand deaths. I beg the Master’s mercy.” Just then Lai Da and other steward servants came in to pay their respects and present the funeral accounts. Jia Zheng instructed, “Give them to Second Master Lian to calculate clearly and then report back.” He ordered Lin Zhixiao to rise and leave. Jia Lian knelt on one knee beside Jia Zheng and said something in a low voice. Jia Zheng glared, “Nonsense! Old Ancestor’s property was stolen by thieves. Do you expect the servants to pay compensation?” Jia Lian flushed red, did not dare reply, rose, and stood to one side. Jia Zheng asked, “How is your wife’s health?” Jia Lian knelt again, “It looks as though she may not last.” Jia Zheng sighed, “I never thought the family would decline to such a degree. Besides, Huan’er’s mother is still ill at the temple. We do not know what illness it is. Do you know?” Jia Lian did not dare speak. Jia Zheng instructed, “Send word: have someone take a doctor to Iron Threshold Temple to treat Concubine Zhao.” Jia Lian quickly assented and went out. He sent someone with a doctor to hurry to Iron Threshold Temple to treat Concubine Zhao. Whether Concubine Zhao lived or died will be told in the next chapter.