A Servant of the Zhen Family Takes Refuge with the Jia Household; Water Moon Nunnery Uncovers a Scandal of Lust

After Feng Ziying had gone, Jia Zheng called the gatekeeper and asked, “The Earl of Lin’an sent someone today to invite me to a drinking party. Do you know the occasion?” The gatekeeper replied, “Your servant made inquiries. There is no great happy event. It is only that the Prince of Nan’an’s household has a new troupe of young actors, very well spoken of. The Earl is pleased and has invited the gentlemen he knows well to come see the plays and make merry for two days. I think no gifts are required.” Just then Jia She came in and asked, “Second Brother, are you going tomorrow?” Jia Zheng said, “He is so warm about it. How can I not go?” Then the gate servant came in again and reported: the clerk from the yamen had come to ask the master to go to the office early tomorrow; there was official business assigned by the court above, and he must be early. Jia Zheng assented. At this point two family servants in charge of the rents from Hao Family Estate came in, kowtowed, and stood to one side. Jia Zheng asked, “Are you from Hao Family Estate?” They answered yes. Jia......