A Resentful Heart Takes Offense; Faithful Maid Unwittingly Meets a Pair of Lovers

Jia Zheng returned to the capital. All his official business was finished, and the emperor granted him a month’s leave to rest at home. He was growing older, and his health was not what it had been. After several years of official service away from home, with partings of flesh and blood, he was delighted to have the family reunited in the mansion. He no longer concerned himself with household affairs, but read quietly; when weary, he played chess and drank with his retainers, and in the daytime he went into the inner quarters to enjoy the happiness of family life with his mother, wife, and children.

This year the third day of the eighth month was the old lady’s eightieth birthday. With so many friends and relatives coming and going, they feared the banquet halls would not be large enough. Jia Zheng had early discussed it with Jia She, Jia Zhen, and Jia Lian: from the twenty-eighth of the seventh month to the fifth of the eighth month, the Rong and Ning Mansions would feast at the same time. The Ning Mansion would entertain male guests; the Rong Mansion would entertain the ladies. In Grand View Garden, spacious courtyards such as Decked with Brocade Pavilion and Hall of Shaded Grace would be prepared for guests to rest.

On the twenty-eighth, they feasted imperial relatives, imperial sons-in-law, princes, dukes, princesses, consorts, and titled ladies. On the twenty-ninth, high officials and the wives of officials of various ranks. On the thirtieth, civil and military officials and the ladies of relatives and friends near and far. On the first, Jia She gave a family banquet; on the second, Jia Zheng; on the third, Jia Zhen and Jia Lian; on the fourth, the whole Jia clan, old and young, gave a joint family banquet; on the fifth, the stewards Lai Da, Lin Zhixiao, and the others pooled money for a banquet.

From the first day of the seventh month, birthday gifts poured in without cease. The Board of Rites delivered an imperial edict granting a golden-jade ruyi sceptre, four bolts of colored satin, four gold-and-jade rings, and five hundred taels of silver from the treasury. Yuanchun also sent eunuchs with a golden God of Longevity, an eaglewood staff, a string of agarwood prayer beads, a box of longevity incense, a pair of gold ingots, four pairs of silver ingots, twelve bolts of colored satin, and four jade cups. Princes, imperial sons-in-law, civil and military officials—all who had connections with the Jia family—prepared generous gifts beyond counting. A large table was set up in the main hall, covered with red felt, and the precious gifts were displayed for the old lady to see. For the first day or two she was pleased to look, but afterward grew tired of it and said only, “Tell Xifeng to put them away. When I am dull some day, I will look at them slowly.”

By the twenty-eighth, both mansions were hung with lanterns and colored silk. Screens were embroidered with phoenixes, cushions woven with lotus patterns, and the sound of drums and music filled the streets and lanes. In the Ning Mansion the guests were the Prince of Beijing, the Prince of Nan’an, Yongchang the Imperial Son-in-Law, the Prince of Leshan, and several hereditary dukes and marquises. The Rong Mansion received the Dowager Consort of Nan’an, the Princess of Beijing, and a host of titled ladies of high officials. The old lady and the others dressed in full ceremonial robes according to rank and went out to welcome them. After greetings and courtesies, the guests were first invited to Hall of Shaded Grace in Grand View Garden to drink tea and change clothes, then to the Hall of Rongqing to offer birthday congratulations and take their seats. After much polite yielding, they sat down. The two seats of honor were occupied by the Dowager Consort of Nan’an and the Princess of Beijing; below them were the wives of dukes and marquises arranged by rank. On the left, the titled ladies of the Marquis of Jinxiang and the Earl of Linchang sat as guests; on the right, the old lady sat as host. Lady Xing and Lady Wang, with Madam You, Xifeng, and a crowd of clan daughters-in-law, stood in ranks like wild geese behind the old lady to serve. Lin Zhixiao’s wife and Lai Da’s wife led the wives in serving dishes and pouring wine outside the curtains; Zhou Rui’s wife led the maids behind the screens to await orders. The attendants brought by each family were entertained elsewhere.

The opera began on stage, with twelve young attendants serving below. Before long a page brought the playbill and passed it up layer by layer to Madam You. Madam You presented it to the seats of honor. The Dowager Consort of Nan’an declined several times, then chose an auspicious birthday play; the Princess of Beijing also chose one. The others again yielded to one another and told them to choose good scenes and perform as they pleased. After four courses and a soup had been served, the guests rewarded the servants below. Then the guests rose to change clothes and returned to Grand View Garden for tea and talk.

The Dowager Consort of Nan’an asked about Baoyu. The old lady smiled. “Today sutras for peace and long life are being chanted at several temples. He has gone to kneel and recite sutras.” She asked about the young ladies. The old lady smiled. “Some are ill, and some are frail and shy of strangers. I told them to keep house in their rooms. We have a small troupe in the mansion, and they are watching opera with the girls of our relatives.” The Dowager Consort of Nan’an said, “In that case, ask them to come and see me.” The old lady turned and told Xifeng to bring Baochai, Daiyu, Xiangyun, and Baoqin, and to have Tanchun accompany them.

Xifeng went as ordered. She found the girls eating fruit and watching opera; Baoyu had just returned from the temple. Baochai, Daiyu, Baoqin, Xiangyun, and Tanchun came into the garden to greet the guests and pay their respects. Some of the consorts had seen them before; some were meeting them for the first time. All praised them without exception. Xiangyun was already acquainted with the Dowager Consort of Nan’an, who teased her with a smile. “When I come, you hide. I have to send someone to invite you. One day I will settle accounts with your uncle.” With one hand she took Tanchun and with the other Baochai, asking their ages and praising them again and again. Letting them go, she drew Daiyu and Baoqin closer and looked them over carefully, also praising them without end. She smiled. “Every one of them is excellent. I do not know which to praise best.” Five gifts had already been prepared: for each, five gold-and-jade rings and a string of fragrant beads for the wrist. The Dowager Consort of Nan’an smiled. “Do not disdain them, girls. You may give them to your maids.” The five quickly bowed and thanked her. The Princess of Beijing also gave gifts. The rest need not be described in detail.

After tea, the guests strolled a little in the garden, and the old lady invited them again to the banquet. The Dowager Consort of Nan’an pleaded that she was unwell. “Properly I should not be absent, but I truly cannot bear it. Forgive me if I withdraw first.” The old lady could not press her and saw her to the garden gate, where she got into her sedan chair and left. Then the Princess of Beijing sat a while longer and also took leave. Of the other guests, some stayed until the banquet ended, some left midway.

The old lady had exerted herself all day. The next day she did not receive guests again; all reception was left to Lady Xing and Lady Wang. Young men of noble families who came to offer birthday congratulations merely bowed in the hall, where Jia She, Jia Zheng, and Jia Zhen received them, and then went to the Ning Mansion for the feast. We need not speak of this for now.

During these days Madam You did not return to the Ning Mansion at night. By day she entertained guests; at night she stayed in Li Wan’s room in Grand View Garden. One evening after dinner, the old lady said, “You are all tired, and I am weary too. Go and eat something and rest. Tomorrow we must rise early and be busy again.” Madam You withdrew and meant to go to Xifeng’s rooms for dinner. Xifeng was upstairs directing servants in putting away the screens that had been sent as gifts. Only Patience was in the room folding clothes. Madam You asked, “Has your mistress eaten dinner?” Patience smiled. “If dinner were being served, she would certainly have invited you.” Madam You smiled. “Then I will go elsewhere to find something. I am truly famished.” She turned to go. Patience quickly urged her to stay. “Come back, Mistress. There are some refreshments here. Take a little to stay your hunger, and then have a proper meal later.” Madam You smiled. “You are all so busy. I will go into the garden and chat with the girls.” Patience could not stop her.

Madam You entered Grand View Garden. The garden gate and the side gates had not yet been closed, and colored lanterns were still hanging. She called a little maid to summon the stewardesses on duty. The maid ran to the duty room, but it was empty, and she came back to report. Madam You then told her to summon the管家 wives. The little maid went to the managers’ office outside the second gate. Only two old women were there dividing melons, fruit, and cakes. The maid said, “The First Mistress of the East Mansion is waiting for the stewardesses to come and receive her instructions.” The two old women, intent on dividing the things, heard only that it was the mistress of the East Mansion and did not take it seriously. They answered casually, “The stewardesses have all dispersed.” The maid said, “If they have dispersed, go and call someone.” The old women replied, “We only watch the rooms. We do not run errands to call people. If you want someone found, send a proper messenger.”

The little maid was furious and cried, “This is outright rebellion! On ordinary days, if there is the least profit or news, you run faster than anyone. If Second Mistress Lian summoned you, would you dare answer like this?” The two old women had been drinking. Stung by the maid’s words, they grew angry and retorted, “Nonsense! Our business is none of yours. Your father and mother are even better than we are at currying favor with the managers. Each household has its own gate. If you have ability, go back to your East Mansion and throw your weight around. Do not come here to put on airs.”

The maid went pale with anger. “Fine, very fine!” She turned and went back to report to Madam You.

Madam You had already entered the garden. On the way she met Aroma, Baoqin, Xiangyun, and two nuns from the Earth Treasury Convent chatting and laughing. Madam You was hungry, so she first went to Green Delights. Aroma brought out several meat and vegetable refreshments to stay her hunger. The nuns, Baoqin, and Xiangyun sat drinking tea and talking. Then the little maid came in angrily and told the whole story of how the old women had talked back. Madam You heard it and gave a cold laugh. The nuns and the girls, fearing Madam You would be angry, quickly tried to smooth things over, saying the maid had probably misheard. The nuns also advised the maid, “Old nurses are muddle-headed. You should not have brought such a thing to anger the mistress. She has been weary for days. Do not trouble her with trifles.” Aroma also drew the maid outside to soothe her, saying she would send someone to deal with it.

Madam You would not let it go. “No need for you. Go and call those two old women here, and call Xifeng too.” Aroma wanted to go and pass on the message, but Madam You would not let her. The nuns rose and urged, “Mistress has always been magnanimous. Now it is the old lady’s great birthday. Anger will give people something to talk about.” Baoqin and Xiangyun also urged her. Madam You said, “If it were not the old lady’s birthday, this would never be let off lightly. For now, I will remember it.”

Aroma quietly sent another maid out. She happened to meet Zhou Rui’s wife and told her what had happened. Zhou Rui’s wife, though no longer in charge of major affairs, relied on being Lady Wang’s dowry servant and had considerable standing. She was smooth and ingratiated herself everywhere, and the masters of every room liked her. Hearing this, she hurried into Green Delights, saying repeatedly, “The mistress has been angered! The servants in this household are growing more and more insolent. It is a pity I was not there. Otherwise I would have slapped them, and after the birthday celebrations we would settle accounts properly.”

Madam You said to her, “So late, the garden gate is still wide open, the lanterns are bright, and people come and go freely. If something happens, what then? I told the ones on duty to close the gates and put out the lights, but I could not find a single person in charge.” Zhou Rui’s wife said, “This is outrageous! A few days ago the Second Mistress specially ordered that during the birthday feasts, with so many people, the gates must be closed and lights put out at night, and outsiders not allowed into the garden. They dared ignore it. After the birthday affairs are over, some must be punished.” Madam You also told her how the old women had talked back. Zhou Rui’s wife said, “Do not be angry, Mistress. After the happy occasion, I will order the managers to punish them severely. To speak of ‘each household has its own gate’ is truly insolent. I have already sent someone to close the main gate and side gates and put out the lights.”

Just then Xifeng sent someone to invite Madam You to dinner. Madam You said, “I have already eaten refreshments and am not hungry. Tell your mistress to eat by herself.”

Later Zhou Rui’s wife found a chance to go out and reported the whole matter to Xifeng, adding, “Those two old women have always been arrogant. If you do not deal with them strictly, Madam You will lose face.” Xifeng said, “In that case, record their names. After the birthday celebrations, tie them up and send them to the Ning Mansion. Let Madam You deal with them as she likes—beat them or pardon them, as she decides. It is no great matter.”

Zhou Rui’s wife had never gotten along with these two old women, so this suited her. She immediately sent word to Lin Zhixiao’s wife and had the two old women bound and shut up in the horse stable under guard.

Lin Zhixiao’s wife did not know what had happened. It was already lamp-lighting time. She hurried into the mansion by carriage and first went to see Xifeng. A maid at the second gate said, “The Second Mistress has just gone to rest. The First Mistress is in the garden. Please go and see her.” Lin Zhixiao’s wife had to go into Grand View Garden to Rice Fragrance Village. The maid announced her. Madam You, instead, felt uneasy and quickly asked her in, saying with a smile, “I only asked casually because I could not find anyone on duty. Who alarmed you and made you come all this way for nothing? It was a small matter. I have already let it go.”

Lin Zhixiao’s wife said, “The Second Mistress sent for me, saying you had instructions.” Madam You smiled. “Not at all. Someone must have told Xifeng—probably Zhou Rui’s wife. Go home and rest. It is nothing.” Li Wan wanted to explain the matter in detail, but Madam You stopped her.

Lin Zhixiao’s wife had to leave the garden. Halfway she met Concubine Zhao. Concubine Zhao greeted her with a smile. “Sister-in-law, so late and not home yet? What are you busy with?” Lin Zhixiao’s wife briefly told her what had happened. Concubine Zhao loved to inquire into such gossip and was close to the管家 women, so she already knew much of it. After hearing, she stirred up a few words. Lin Zhixiao’s wife said mildly, “It is not worth mentioning. If one is magnanimous, let it pass. If one makes a fuss, it is only a few beatings.” Concubine Zhao said, “Though it is small, it shows the servants are too arrogant. Summoning you here specially was clearly to make things difficult for you. Go home early and rest. Tomorrow will be another busy day.”

When Lin Zhixiao’s wife reached the side gate, the daughters of the two bound old women came crying and begging. Lin Zhixiao’s wife said, “Your mothers drank too much and talked nonsense, bringing trouble on themselves. The Second Mistress ordered them bound. I can do nothing. How would I dare plead for them?” The two little girls, only seven or eight, kept crying and begging. Lin Zhixiao’s wife, unable to shake them off, hinted, “Silly children, do not beg me. Your sister is married to Old Mrs. Fei’s son. Old Mrs. Fei is Lady Xing’s dowry servant. Go to your sister and ask Old Mrs. Fei to speak to Lady Xing. Then this can be settled.”

The little girls understood and hurried to find their sister, who told Old Mrs. Fei. Old Mrs. Fei had been Lady Xing’s dowry servant and had once had influence. Now that the old lady kept Lady Xing at a distance, her power was not what it had been. Seeing the servants of the Rong Mansion flourishing and managing affairs, she was full of jealousy and often drank and complained, cursing indirectly. Now hearing that her in-law had been bound by Zhou Rui’s wife, she was furious. Under the influence of wine, she cursed loudly through the wall, then went to Lady Xing, weeping, saying her in-law had committed no great fault—only quarreled with a maid of the East Mansion—and that Zhou Rui’s wife had egged Xifeng on to bind the old woman in the horse stable and would beat her after the birthday feast. She begged Lady Xing to plead for her.

Ever since the matter of asking for Faithful had failed, Lady Xing had been increasingly coldly treated by the old lady. Seeing Xifeng flourishing and favored everywhere, while she herself was neglected, and seeing that when the Dowager Consort of Nan’an came, the old lady had only called Tanchun out to meet her, as if Yingchun did not exist, Lady Xing had long stored up resentment with no place to vent it. The petty people around her constantly stirred up trouble, saying Xifeng only flattered the old lady, abused her power, bullied Jia Lian, and fawned on Lady Wang, paying no regard to Lady Xing. They even spread rumors that Lady Wang and Xifeng deliberately made the old lady keep Lady Xing at a distance. Lady Xing already had a knot in her heart and greatly disliked Xifeng. After hearing Old Mrs. Fei’s tearful complaint, she said nothing openly, but secretly remembered it.

The next morning, everyone came to pay respects to the old lady. The whole clan gathered for the feast and opera. The old lady was happy. Today there were no distant relatives from other mansions, only family, so she did not wear ceremonial robes but received greetings in ordinary clothes in the hall. In the middle was a couch with a backrest and footstool. The old lady leaned on it. Around the couch were low stools, where Baochai, Baoqin, Daiyu, Xiangyun, Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun sat in a circle. Jia Bin’s daughter Xiluan, Jia Qiong’s daughter Fourth Sister, and the granddaughters of the various branches, more than twenty girls in all, were present. The old lady was especially fond of Xiluan and Fourth Sister, who were pretty and well-mannered, and called them to sit by the couch. Baoyu knelt at the foot of the couch and massaged the old lady’s legs. The seat of honor was Aunt Xue; below her, the others were arranged by seniority. Outside the curtains, in the long corridor, the male members of the clan sat in order.

The ladies came forward in groups to bow, then the male guests. The old lady lay leaning and only said, “No need for ceremony.” The greetings were quickly finished. Then Lai Da led the stewards and bowed from the ceremonial gate all the way to the main hall; then the wives of the various mansions, then the maids of each room, which took the time of two or three meals. Many bird cages were carried into the courtyard, and the birds were released as a prayer for blessings. Jia She and the others burned paper offerings for the birthday, and then the opera and wine began.

At the intermission, the old lady returned to her room to rest and told everyone to amuse themselves. She especially told Xifeng to keep Xiluan and Fourth Sister in the garden for a few more days before they went home. Xifeng explained to the girls’ mothers, who were grateful for her kindness and gladly agreed. That night the two girls stayed in Grand View Garden.

When the evening banquet ended, in front of the assembled guests, Lady Xing smiled and asked Xifeng for a favor. “I hear that last night the Second Mistress was angry and bound two old women. I do not know what great crime they committed. Properly I should not interfere, but it is the old lady’s great birthday. Outside, we give alms to the poor; at home, should we treat servants harshly? Even if you do not give me face, for the old lady’s birthday’s sake, let them go.” With that, Lady Xing got into her carriage and left.

In front of countless guests, Xifeng was both ashamed and angry. For a moment she could not speak, and her face turned purple. Turning to Lai Da’s wife and the others, she forced a smile. “What talk is this? Yesterday the servants offended Madam You. I feared the First Mistress would be displeased, so I meant to hand them over to her to deal with. It was not a matter of offending me. I do not know who has been quick-tongued and spread it everywhere.”

Lady Wang asked what had happened, and Xifeng told the story of the day before. Madam You also smiled. “I had already let it go. You are making too much of it.” Xifeng said, “I was thinking of your dignity and handing them to you to deal with. That is proper. Just as if a servant in my own quarters offended me, they should be sent to me to be dealt with. However favored a servant may be, the rules cannot be broken. I do not know who made trouble out of nothing and spread this small matter everywhere.” Lady Wang said, “Your mother-in-law is right. Zhen’er’s wife is not an outsider. There is no need for such empty formalities. The old lady’s birthday is the most important. Release the old women.” She ordered the servants to release them.

The more Xifeng thought, the angrier and more wronged she felt. Her heart was full of grief, and she could not hold back tears. She went back to her room in a fit of pique and wept secretly, not wanting anyone to see. But the old lady sent Amber to call her at once. Amber saw her expression and asked in surprise, “Why are you crying? The old lady is waiting.” Xifeng quickly wiped her tears, washed her face, and redid her makeup, then followed Amber.

The old lady asked, “In the birthday gifts sent by various families these days, how many families sent screens?” Xifeng replied, “Altogether sixteen families sent screens: twelve large standing screens and four small kang screens. Among them, the twelve-panel large screen from the Zhen family of Jiangnan is the finest—red silk tapestry of ‘A Bed Full of Official Tablets’ on one side and gilt ‘Hundred Longevities’ on the other. The glass screen from General Wu of Yuehai is also rare.” The old lady said, “Do not touch those two. Put them away carefully. I may give them to someone later.” Xifeng agreed and noted it.

Faithful stood nearby and kept staring at Xifeng’s face. The old lady asked curiously, “Do you not know her? Why do you keep looking?” Faithful smiled. “The Second Mistress’s eyes are red and swollen. I found it strange.” The old lady called Xifeng closer to look. Xifeng made an excuse. “My eyes itched just now, and I rubbed them swollen.” Faithful teased, “Could it be that someone has angered you?” Xifeng replied, “Who would dare anger me? Even if I felt wronged, it is the old lady’s great birthday. How would I dare cry?”

The old lady said, “Just as well. I want to eat dinner. Stay and serve me. Whatever is left, you and Zhen’er’s wife can eat together. You two can accompany the nuns and pick Buddha beans to build up longevity. Baoyu and the girls have already done it. Today I will have you do it too, so no one can say I am partial.”

First a vegetarian meal was set for the two nuns, then meat dishes. After the old lady finished, the food was carried to the outer room, and Madam You and Xifeng ate together. The old lady also called Xiluan and Fourth Sister to eat with them. Everyone washed their hands, burned incense, and brought a pint of beans. The nuns first chanted a Buddhist verse, and everyone picked the beans one by one into a basket, saying a Buddha’s name for each bean. After the beans were cooked, they were sent to a crossroads to be scattered, to form wide birthday karma. The old lady leaned back and listened to the nuns tell stories of karma and retribution.

Faithful had already heard from Amber that Xifeng had wept in private, and she asked Patience for the whole story. That night, when the guests had all gone, Faithful reported to the old lady, “The Second Mistress cried behind everyone’s back. Lady Xing embarrassed her in public.” The old lady asked for details. Faithful explained the whole matter. The old lady said, “Xifeng handled this properly. Because it is the old lady’s birthday, should we let servants offend their masters as they please? Lady Xing has long had resentment in her heart with no place to vent it, so she used this matter to make things difficult for Xifeng in public.” Just then Baoqin and the others came in, so she said no more.

The old lady remembered something and called an old nurse. “Go to Grand View Garden and tell all the maids and old women that although Xiluan and Fourth Sister are poor, their status is the same as the girls of this household. Everyone must look after them well. I know the people in this family all judge by wealth and face and may not truly respect them. Whoever is rude to them will not be forgiven by me.” The old nurse was about to go, but Faithful said, “Let me go. The servants may not listen to the nurse.”

Faithful went to Grand View Garden. She first went to Rice Fragrance Village, but Li Wan and Madam You were not there. The maids said they had gone to Tanchun’s Hall of Morning Light. Faithful went there. Many people in the garden were talking and laughing. Seeing her, they smiled and asked, “What are you doing here? Sit down quickly.” Faithful smiled. “Am I not allowed to stroll in the garden?” She relayed the old lady’s instructions. Li Wan immediately rose and summoned the managers from everywhere to pass on the old lady’s order to everyone.

Madam You sighed. “The old lady thinks of everything. Ten of us young people together could not match her carefulness.” Li Wan said, “Xifeng, with her cleverness and adaptability, still does not go too far in handling affairs. We are even less able.” Faithful sighed. “Do not speak of Xifeng. She is truly pitiable. Though she makes no mistakes before the old lady and Lady Wang, she has secretly offended I do not know how many people. It is hard to be a person: if you are too honest and have no tact, your parents-in-law think you stupid and the servants do not fear you. If you know how to adapt and manage, you neglect one thing for another and offend others. Now the管家 wives in this household are all proud and arrogant. If anything displeases them, they gossip and stir up trouble behind your back. Afraid of angering the old lady, I dare not speak plainly about many things. The old lady loves Baoyu, and people complain in private. Now the old lady values Third Girl, and there is gossip behind her back too. Is it not ridiculous?”

Tanchun said, “There are too many muddle-headed people. How can one reckon with them all? In small, humble families, though poor, the whole family is happy together. In a great house like ours, outsiders see young ladies with gold and silver and think we are so happy, but there are more unspeakable troubles.” Baoyu urged, “Third Sister, do not think too much. Do not listen to idle talk. Just enjoy your wealth and honor. It is I who should have worldly cares.” Madam You smiled. “You are the only one with no cares at all. You play with your sisters, eat when hungry, sleep when tired. All these years you have never planned for the future.” Baoyu smiled. “I only ask to be with my sisters one day more, and then die. What do I care for what comes after?” Li Wan and the others quickly stopped him. “He is talking crazy again. Do not listen to him. The moment he opens his mouth it is foolish talk.”

Xiluan said innocently, “Second Brother, do not say that. In the future, when your sisters marry out, the old lady and Lady Wang will be lonely. I can come and keep you company.” Li Wan and Madam You both laughed. “The girl is talking nonsense too. Are you not going to marry out yourself?” Xiluan blushed and lowered her head. It was already the first watch, and everyone went back to their rooms to rest.

Faithful, returning from Hall of Morning Light, reached the garden gate. The side gate was unlatched. Deep in the night, few people were in the garden; only a faint light came from the duty room, and a pale moon hung in the sky. Faithful had no maid with her and no lantern. Her steps were light, and the old women on duty did not notice her. Suddenly she felt the need to relieve herself. She left the main path and went behind the rockery, near the grass under the osmanthus tree. Just as she turned past the rockery, she heard the rustle of clothes and was startled. In the moonlight she saw two people. Seeing her, they hurriedly hid behind the bushes and rocks.

Faithful recognized at a glance the red skirt, high coiled hair, tall and strong build—it was Chess from Yingchun’s room. At first Faithful thought Chess had also come to relieve herself and was hiding playfully. She called with a smile, “Chess, come out! If you hide again, I will shout ‘thief’ and see what happens. Such a big girl, still playing at night.”

It was only a joke. But Chess, with a guilty conscience, thought Faithful had seen her secret meeting. If Faithful shouted, she would be ruined. She and Faithful had always been good friends. She rushed out from behind the tree, seized Faithful, and fell to her knees, weeping. “Good sister, do not tell anyone!”

Faithful was bewildered. She quickly tried to raise her. “What has happened?” Chess’s face was crimson, tears streaming. Faithful now vaguely saw a man’s shadow in the bushes. She guessed most of it and felt her own face burn with shame and her heart panic. She steadied herself and asked in a low voice, “Who is he?”

Chess knelt again. “He is my cousin, my aunt’s son.” Faithful spat. “You are truly risking your life.” Chess turned her head and whispered, “Do not hide. Sister has seen everything. Come out and kowtow.” The young man had to come out from behind the tree and kowtow to Faithful.

Faithful turned to leave, but Chess clung to her, weeping and begging. “Our two lives are in your hands. I beg you to be merciful.” Faithful said, “Do not worry. I will not tell anyone.”

Before she finished, a voice came from outside the side gate. “Miss Jin has gone out. Lock the side gate.” Faithful, held by Chess, could not leave. She raised her voice and answered, “I still have something here. Do not lock it yet. I am coming out.” Hearing this, Chess had to let go and let her leave.