Seeing Local Tokens, the Delicate Maid Longs for Her Old Home; Hearing a Secret Affair, Xifeng Interrogates the Servant Boys

At the sight of native souvenirs, Daiyu longed still more for her old home; hearing of a secret love affair, Xifeng questioned the page.

After Third Sister You’s suicide, Old Mrs. You, Second Sister You, Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and the others were all grief-stricken. There is no need to describe it in detail. They quickly had the body encoffined and sent it outside the city for burial. When Liu Xianglian saw that Third Sister You was dead, his infatuation and longing were broken by a few cold words from the Taoist, and he cut off his hair and became a monk, following the mad Taoist away without anyone knowing where. We will leave this aside for now.

Aunt Xue had heard that Liu Xianglian was betrothed to Third Sister You and was delighted. She was eagerly planning to buy him a house, furnish it, and choose an auspicious day for the wedding, to repay him for saving Xue Pan’s life. Suddenly a young servant in the household shouted that “Third Sister has killed herself.” Some little maids heard it and told Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue did not know why and sighed deeply. While she was wondering, Baochai came over from the garden. Aunt Xue said to her, “My child, have you heard? Your Cousin Zhen’s wife’s younger sister, Third Sister, was betrothed to your brother’s sworn brother Liu Xianglian, was she not? For some reason she cut her throat. And no one knows where Liu Xianglian has gone. It is truly strange and utterly unexpected.”

Baochai heard this without much concern. “As the saying goes, ‘Storms come from a clear sky, and fortune or disaster can befall a man overnight.’ This was their fate from a former life. A few days ago, Mother, because he had saved my brother, you were discussing how to arrange things for him. Now the dead are dead and the gone are gone. In my opinion, there is nothing to be done. Mother need not grieve over them. But since my brother has been back from Jiangnan for twenty days or so, the goods he brought should have been sold by now. The partners who went with him worked hard and have been back for months. Mother and brother should discuss giving them a feast to thank them. We must not let people think we do not understand propriety.”

While mother and daughter were talking, Xue Pan came in from outside, tears still on his face. As soon as he entered, he clapped his hands and said to his mother, “Mother, have you heard about Brother Liu and Third Sister You?” Aunt Xue said, “I just heard. Your sister and I were speaking of it.” Xue Pan said, “Mother, have you heard that Liu Xianglian has followed a Taoist and become a monk?” Aunt Xue said, “This is stranger still. How could a young, clever man like Mr. Liu be so foolish all at once as to follow a Taoist? I think, since you two were close and he has no parents or brothers, and is alone here, you ought to search for him everywhere. How far can a Taoist go? He must be in some temple nearby.” Xue Pan said, “That is just what I thought. As soon as I heard, I took my pages and searched everywhere, but there was not a trace. I asked people, and they all said they had not seen him.” Aunt Xue said, “Since you searched and could not find him, you have done your duty by your friend. Who knows but this monastic life may be good for him? But you should also attend to your business, and secondly, settle your own marriage affairs earlier. There is no one else in our family. As the saying goes, ‘The clumsy bird flies first.’ Better to have everything ready than to forget things and be laughed at. Besides, your sister just said you have been home over half a month, and the goods should be sold. You should give a feast to the partners who went with you. They accompanied you two or three thousand li, suffered four or five months of hardship, and bore many frights and worries on the road.”

Xue Pan said, “Mother is quite right. Sister is thoughtful. I thought so too, but these days I have been so busy distributing goods that my head is spinning. Then I was busy over Brother Liu, and in the end it came to nothing. I wasted a lot of effort and neglected proper business. Otherwise, let us set it for tomorrow or the day after and send out invitations.” Aunt Xue said, “Do as you think best.”

Before they had finished speaking, a page came in and reported, “Manager Zhang has sent two boxes of things. He says they are what you bought separately, not entered in the goods accounts. He meant to send them earlier, but they were pressed under the goods boxes and could not be taken out. Yesterday the goods were all sold, so he sent them today.” As he spoke, two pages carried in two large palm-wood boxes bound with boards. When Xue Pan saw them, he said, “Aiyo, how could I be so muddle-headed! The things I specially brought for Mother and Sister—I forgot to have them brought home, and the partners had to send them.” Baochai said, “You may well say that. You call them specially brought, yet they have been sitting there for twenty days. If they had not been specially brought, they might have waited until the end of the year. I think you pay no attention to anything.” Xue Pan laughed. “I suppose my soul was frightened out of me on the road and has not found its way back yet.” Everyone laughed. He told a little maid, “Go out and tell the pages to take the things and go back.” Aunt Xue and Baochai asked, “What things are these, tied up so tightly?” Xue Pan had two pages come in, cut the ropes, remove the boards, and unlock the boxes. One box was full of silks, satins, damasks, brocades, foreign goods, and ordinary household items. Xue Pan said with a smile, “That box is for Sister.” He opened it himself. Mother and daughter looked. It contained brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, colored note paper, scent bags, scent beads, fans, fan pendants, face powder, rouge, and other such things. There were also self-moving figures from Tiger Hill, wine-game toys, little mercury-weighted tumbling boys, sand lamps, clay figurines in scenes from plays set one by one in boxes covered with green gauze, and a small clay figure of Xue Pan made on Tiger Hill, exactly like him. When Baochai saw it, she paid no attention to the rest. She picked up the little figure of Xue Pan, looked at it closely, then looked at her brother, and could not help laughing. She told Oriole to take some old women and carry all these things, box and all, into the garden. After chatting a while with her mother and brother, she went back to the garden. Aunt Xue took out the things from the boxes, sorted them into portions, and told Tongxi to deliver them to the old lady, Lady Wang, and others. We need not mention this.

When Baochai reached her room, she looked over each plaything one by one. Besides what she kept for herself, she made up portions: some with brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones; some with scent bags, fans, and scent pendants; some with cosmetics and hair oil; some with only playthings. Daiyu’s portion was different from the others and twice as generous. When all was ready, she sent Oriole and an old woman to deliver them everywhere.

The sisters all received their gifts, rewarded the messengers, and said they would thank her in person. But when Lin Daiyu saw the things from her native place, she was moved to grief. She thought of her parents’ death, her lack of brothers, and her dependence on relatives. Who would bring her native souvenirs? At this thought she could not help grieving again. Nightingale knew Daiyu’s heart well but did not dare speak plainly. She only urged her from the side: “Miss, you are often ill and take medicine morning and night. These last two days you look a little better than before. Though your spirits are somewhat improved, you are not fully well. Today Miss Baochai sent these things, which shows she values you greatly. You should be pleased, not sad. Would it not be as if Miss Baochai’s gift had made you unhappy? If she heard, she would feel embarrassed. Besides, the old lady and the others have gone to great lengths to find good doctors and medicines for your illness. Now that you are a little better, to cry like this is to ruin your own health and make the old lady more worried. Your illness comes from overmuch anxiety, which has injured your blood and spirits. You must not treat your precious self so lightly.”

While Nightingale was urging her, a little maid in the courtyard said, “Master Bao is here.” Nightingale quickly said, “Ask the Second Master to come in.”

Baoyu entered. Daiyu invited him to sit. Seeing her face covered with tears, he asked, “Cousin, who has made you angry again?” Daiyu forced a smile. “Who is angry?” Nightingale pursed her lips toward the table behind the bed. Baoyu understood, looked over, and saw a pile of things. He knew they were from Baochai and teased, “What is all this? Are you opening a general store, cousin?” Daiyu did not answer. Nightingale said with a smile, “The Second Master still talks about the things. Because Miss Baochai sent some things, our miss looked at them and began to grieve. I was just urging her, and you have come at the right moment. Help us persuade her.” Baoyu knew perfectly well why Daiyu was upset, but he did not dare say so outright. He only laughed and said, “I suppose our cousin is not upset for any other reason than that Miss Baochai sent too little, so she is angry and sad. Cousin, set your mind at ease. Next year I will send someone to Jiangnan and bring you two boatloads, so you need not shed tears.” Daiyu heard that Baoyu was only trying to cheer her. She could neither contradict him nor agree. She said, “However unworldly I may be, I would not sink so low as to be angry and sad because someone sent too little. I am not a child of two or three. You think far too little of me. I have my reasons. How would you know?” As she spoke, tears fell again.

Baoyu quickly went to the bed, sat down beside Daiyu, and picked up the things one by one, turning them over and examining them. He deliberately asked what this was, what it was called; what that was made of, and why it was so neat; what this was for. He said this one could be placed before her, and that one could be put on a side table as a curio. He kept chattering about unimportant things to distract her. Seeing him like this, Daiyu felt a little sorry. She said, “Do not muddle about here. Let us go to Sister Baochai’s.” Baoyu was eager for Daiyu to go out, get some distraction, and relieve her sorrow. He said, “Baochai sent us things. We ought to go and thank her.” Daiyu said, “We are sisters. There is no need. But when we go there, Cousin Xue Pan has come back and will surely tell her about the sights of the South. I will listen and pretend I have gone home once.” As she spoke, her eyes reddened again. Baoyu stood waiting for her. Daiyu had to go out with him to Baochai’s.

Xue Pan, having listened to his mother, quickly sent out invitations and prepared a feast. The next day he invited the four partners. When they had all arrived, they talked about accounts and goods. Soon they took their seats, and Xue Pan poured wine for each in turn. Aunt Xue also sent someone out to greet them. They drank and chatted. One of them said, “Today two good friends are missing from this table.” Everyone asked who. The man said, “Who else? Second Master Lian of the Jia family and Master Xue’s sworn brother, Second Master Liu.” They all remembered and asked Xue Pan, “Why did you not invite Second Master Lian and Second Master Liu?” Xue Pan frowned and sighed. “Second Master Lian has gone to Ping’an Prefecture. He set out two days ago. As for Second Master Liu, do not even mention him. It is the strangest thing in the world. What Second Master Liu? No one knows where he has gone to become Taoist Liu.” Everyone was astonished. “What do you mean?” Xue Pan told them the whole story of Liu Xianglian. They were even more shocked. “No wonder the other day in the shop we seemed to hear people saying that a Taoist had converted a man with a few words, and that a gust of wind had carried him off. We did not know who it was. We were busy selling goods and had no time to ask. We half believed it, half did not. To think it was Second Master Liu! If we had known, we should all have urged him not to go. Whatever happened, we would not have let him.” One of them said, “Maybe that is not it.” They asked what he meant. He said, “A clever man like Second Master Liu would not likely really follow a Taoist. He knows some martial arts and has strength. Perhaps he saw through the Taoist’s tricks and went with him on purpose to deal with him in secret.” Xue Pan said, “If only that were so. These people who spread evil talk—why does no one deal with them?” They said, “At the time, did you know and still not go look for him?” Xue Pan said, “Inside and outside the city, where did I not search? Do not laugh at me, but when I could not find him, I cried.” After that he only sighed and looked listless, unlike his usual cheerful self. The partners, seeing him so, naturally did not stay long. They drank a few cups, ate, and dispersed.

Baoyu and Daiyu went to Baochai’s. When Baoyu saw Baochai, he said, “Elder Brother brought things with great effort. Sister, you should keep them for yourself. Why send them to us?” Baochai smiled. “They are nothing much, only local things from far away. Everyone finds them a little novel.” Daiyu said, “When we were small, we paid no attention to such things. Now when we see them, they seem truly novel.” Baochai smiled. “You know, Sister, this is what the saying means: ‘Things are precious away from home.’ Actually they are nothing.” Baoyu heard this and knew it touched Daiyu’s recent feelings. He quickly changed the subject. “Next year, when Elder Brother goes again, he must bring us more.” Daiyu glanced at him. “If you want them, just say so. Do not drag others in. Sister, look—Brother Bao has not come to thank you, but to order next year’s things.” Baochai and Baoyu both laughed. The three chatted a while. The talk turned to Daiyu’s illness. Baochai advised her, “If you feel unwell, you should force yourself to come out and walk about, to distract yourself. It is better than sitting moping indoors. A couple of days ago I felt lazy and feverish and wanted only to lie down. But because the weather is bad and I feared illness, I found things to occupy myself. Only these last two days have I felt better.” Daiyu said, “What you say is true. I have been thinking the same.” They sat a while longer, then dispersed. Baoyu escorted Daiyu to the gate of Bamboo Lodge before going back.

Concubine Zhao, seeing that Baochai had sent some things to Jia Huan, was delighted. She thought, “No wonder everyone says that girl Baochai is good, knows how to behave, and is generous. Now I see it is true. However much her brother brought back, she sent gifts to every household without missing one, and without showing favoritism. Even people as luckless as we are were remembered. If it were that girl Lin, she would not even look at us, let alone send us things.” As she thought, she turned the things over and over. Suddenly she thought that Baochai was Lady Wang’s relative, so why not go to Lady Wang and curry favor? She took the things, went awkwardly to Lady Wang’s room, stood to one side, and said with a fawning smile, “This is what Miss Baochai just gave to Huan. It is good of Miss Baochai, so young, to be so thoughtful. She is truly a young lady of a great family—dignified and generous. How can one not admire her? No wonder the old lady and Lady Wang praise and love her all day. I did not dare keep it on my own authority, so I brought it for Lady Wang to see and enjoy.” Lady Wang had long known her purpose and saw that she spoke awkwardly. She could not simply ignore her, so she said, “You may take it and let Huan play with it.” Concubine Zhao had come full of hope, but she got a snub. She was furious but dared not show it. She withdrew sheepishly. Back in her room, she threw the things aside and muttered to herself, “What is this worth, anyway?” She sat and sulked.

Oriole and the old women returned after delivering the gifts and reported to Baochai. They told her everyone’s thanks and the rewards given. The old woman went out. Oriole stepped closer to Baochai and whispered, “Just now when I went to Second Master Lian’s wife’s place, I saw Madam Xifeng looking very angry. When I came out after delivering the things, I quietly asked Little Red. She said Madam Xifeng had just come back from the old lady’s rooms, not happy as usual. She called Patience and whispered with her for a long time. From the look of it, something serious has happened. Miss, have you heard of any trouble over there with the old lady?” Baochai was puzzled and could not think why Xifeng should be angry. She said, “Every household has its own affairs. How can we manage them? Go and pour tea.” Oriole went out to pour tea. We need not mention it.

Baoyu, after escorting Daiyu back, thought of her loneliness and felt sad for her. He wanted to tell Aroma about it. When he came in, only Musk and Autumn were in the room. He asked, “Where has your sister Aroma gone?” Musk said, “She cannot be far—just in one of these courtyards. She cannot be lost. You look for her the moment she is out of sight.” Baoyu smiled. “I am not afraid she is lost. I just went to Cousin Lin’s and saw her grieving again. When I asked, it was because Baochai sent her things and she saw native products, which made her sad. I wanted to tell your sister Aroma to go and comfort her when she has time.” Just then Skybright came in and asked Baoyu, “You are back. Who are you asking someone to comfort now?” Baoyu told her what had happened. Skybright said, “Aroma just went out. I heard her say she was going to Second Master Lian’s wife’s place. She may go to Miss Lin’s too.” Baoyu said nothing. Autumn brought tea. Baoyu rinsed his mouth, handed the cup to a little maid, and felt very uneasy. He lay down casually on the bed.

Aroma, because Baoyu had gone out, did some needlework. Suddenly she remembered that Xifeng was unwell and she had not been to see her for days. She also heard Jia Lian had gone out, so it was a good time to talk. She told Skybright, “Stay in the room and do not all go out, or Baoyu will come back and find no one.” Skybright said, “Aiyo, you are the only one in this room who worries about him. The rest of us are just idle freeloaders.” Aroma laughed and did not answer. She left.

When she reached the bank of the Winding Stream, it was late summer and early autumn. The lotus and water chestnuts in the pond were half faded, red and green mingled. Aroma walked along the bank, enjoying the view. Suddenly she looked up and saw someone under the grape arbor with a duster, brushing at something. She went closer. It was Old Mrs. Zhu. The old woman saw Aroma and came up smiling. “Miss, how do you have time to come out for a walk today?” Aroma said, “Yes. I am going to see Second Master Lian’s wife. What are you doing here?” The old woman said, “I am driving away bees. This year there was little rain in the dog days, and the fruit trees have insects. The fruit is all scabby and many have fallen. You may not know, Miss, but these wasps are the worst. On a cluster they bite only two or three, and the juice from the broken ones drips onto the good ones, so the whole cluster rots. Look, Miss, while we talk and I do not drive them away, so many have landed.” Aroma said, “Even if you keep brushing, you cannot drive them all away. You should tell the buyer to make more little cold-cloth bags, one for each cluster. They let in air and do not spoil the fruit.” The old woman smiled. “Miss is right. I only took charge this year and did not know this clever method.” She smiled again. “The fruit is a bit spoiled this year, but it tastes good. Let me pick one for you to try.” Aroma said sternly, “How could that be? Not only are they not ripe and not fit to eat, but even when ripe, they have not yet been offered to the ancestors. We cannot eat them first. You are an old servant of the household. Do you not even know this rule?” Old Mrs. Zhu quickly smiled. “Miss is right. I saw you were pleased and only then dared say it. I was wrong about the rule. I am old and muddled.” Aroma said, “It does not matter. But you older women should not be the first to set such an example.” She went out of the garden gate and came to Xifeng’s.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard Xifeng say, “By all that is right and just, I have been worn down in this house until I feel like a thief.” Aroma heard this and knew something was wrong. She could not turn back, nor did she want to go in. She made her footsteps heavier and asked through the window, “Is Sister Patience at home?” Patience answered and came out to meet her. Aroma asked, “Is Madam Xifeng at home too? Is she much better?” She had already walked in. Xifeng pretended to be lying on the bed. Seeing Aroma, she stood up with a smile. “Better, thank you for thinking of me. Why have you not come to sit with us these days?” Aroma said, “Madam has not been well. I should have come every day to inquire. But I feared that if you were unwell, you would want quiet rest, and our coming would disturb you.” Xifeng smiled. “You would not disturb me. In Baoyu’s rooms, though there are many people, you are the only one who looks after him. You really cannot be spared. I often hear Patience tell me that you think of me behind my back and often ask about me. That shows your loyalty.” She told Patience to move a stool beside the bed and asked Aroma to sit. Feng’er brought tea. Aroma half rose and said, “Sit down, sister.” They chatted. A little maid in the outer room whispered to Patience, “Wang’er is here. He is waiting at the second gate.” Patience whispered back, “I know. Tell him to go first and come back later. Do not stand at the gate.” Aroma knew they had business. After a few more words, she rose to go. Xifeng said, “Come and sit when you have time. I enjoy talking.” She told Patience, “See your sister out.” Patience agreed and saw her out. Two or three little maids were waiting in breathless silence. Aroma did not know what was happening and went back.

Patience, after seeing Aroma out, came in and reported, “Wang’er has just come. Because Aroma was here, I told him to wait outside. Should I call him now, or wait? Please instruct me, Madam.” Xifeng said, “Call him.” Patience quickly sent a little maid to bring Wang’er in. Xifeng asked Patience, “How exactly did you hear it?” Patience said, “It was what the little maid said just now. She said she heard two young servants outside the second gate say, ‘This new second mistress is even prettier than our old second mistress, and her temper is better too.’ I do not know whether it was Wang’er or someone else who shouted at them, saying, ‘What new mistress and old mistress? Keep quiet! If the people inside hear, they will cut out your tongue.’” As Patience spoke, a little maid came in and said, “Wang’er is waiting outside.” Xifeng gave a cold laugh. “Tell him to come in.” The little maid went out and said, “Madam calls you.” Wang’er quickly answered and came in. He greeted her and stood respectfully at the outer door. Xifeng said, “Come here. I want to ask you something.” Wang’er came and stood by the inner door. Xifeng said, “Your Second Master has taken up with someone outside. Do you know about it?” Wang’er dropped to one knee in salute and replied, “This slave waits on duty at the second gate every day. How could I know the Second Master’s affairs outside?” Xifeng sneered. “Of course you do not know. If you knew, why did you stop people from talking?” Wang’er saw that the words had already leaked and knew he could not hide it. He knelt and replied, “This slave truly did not know. Just now Xing’er and Xi’er were talking nonsense there, and this slave shouted at them twice. I do not know the ins and outs, and did not dare report rashly. I beg Madam to ask Xing’er. He often goes out with the Second Master.” Xifeng spat with all her might and cursed, “You ungrateful, rotten little bastards! You are all in it together. Do you think I do not know? First go and call that bastard Xing’er here. You are not to leave either. After I have questioned him, I will deal with you. Good, good, good! So this is the fine lot I have trained!” Wang’er could only say yes several times, kowtowed, got up, and went out to call Xing’er.

Xing’er was in the accounts room playing with the pages. Hearing that Madam Xifeng wanted him, he was startled, but he did not think this matter had come to light. He quickly followed Wang’er in. Wang’er went in first and said, “Xing’er is here.” Xifeng said sternly, “Call him!” When Xing’er heard her voice, he lost his head. He had to summon his courage and go in. As soon as Xifeng saw him, she said, “Fine boy! You and your master have done a fine thing! Tell me the truth!” Hearing this and seeing Xifeng’s expression and the maids on either side, Xing’er went weak with fright. He fell to his knees and kowtowed. Xifeng said, “As for this matter, I have heard it does not concern you. But you did not come and tell me earlier, and that is your fault. If you tell the truth, I will spare you. If there is one word of falsehood, first feel how many heads you have on your shoulders!” Xing’er trembled and kowtowed. “Madam, what matter are you asking about? What did this slave and the master do wrong?” Xifeng’s anger flared. She ordered, “Slap him!” Wang’er came forward to strike, but Xifeng cursed, “What muddle-headed bastard! Tell him to slap himself. Do you need to do it? In a moment you will each slap your own face, and it will not be too late.” Xing’er indeed slapped himself left and right more than a dozen times. Xifeng shouted, “Stop!” and asked, “Your Second Master has married some new mistress or old mistress outside. You probably do not know about it.” Xing’er, hearing this matter brought out, panicked even more. He quickly pulled off his cap and banged his head on the brick floor with loud thuds, saying, “I only beg Madam to spare me. This slave will not dare tell a single lie again.” Xifeng said, “Speak quickly!” Xing’er knelt up straight and replied, “This slave did not know about this at first. It was that day, after the senior master of the East Mansion had been buried, Yu Lu went to Master Zhen’s temple to receive silver. The Second Master went with Master Rong to the East Mansion. On the way, the uncle and nephew spoke of the two younger sisters of Master Zhen’s wife. The Second Master praised them, and Master Rong coaxed him, saying he would give the second younger sister to the Second Master.” Xifeng spat hard. “Bah! Shameless bastard! What sort of aunt is she to you?” Xing’er quickly kowtowed. “This slave deserves death!” He looked up and did not dare speak. Xifeng said, “Is that all? Why do you not go on?” Xing’er replied, “Madam, forgive this slave, and I will dare to answer.” Xifeng spat. “Fart your mother’s shit! What forgiveness? Tell me properly, and it will be better for you.” Xing’er continued, “The Second Master was pleased when he heard it. Later, this slave does not know how it became real.” Xifeng smiled coldly. “Naturally. How would you know? What you know is probably only what annoys you. All right, tell the rest.” Xing’er replied, “Later Master Rong found a house for the Second Master.” Xifeng quickly asked, “Where is the house now?” Xing’er said, “Behind the mansion.” Xifeng said, “Oh.” She turned to Patience. “Are we all dead? Listen to this!” Patience did not dare speak. Xing’er continued, “Master Zhen gave the Zhang family some silver, I do not know how much, and the Zhangs stopped asking.” Xifeng said, “Why is a Zhang family or Li family dragged into this?” Xing’er replied, “Madam does not know. This second mistress—” Here he slapped himself again, which made Xifeng laugh despite her anger. The maids on both sides also smiled with pursed lips. Xing’er thought and said, “That younger sister of Master Zhen’s wife…” Xifeng said, “Well? Speak quickly.” Xing’er said, “That younger sister of Master Zhen’s wife was betrothed from childhood to someone named Zhang, Zhang Hua. Now he is so poor he is nearly a beggar. Master Zhen promised him silver, and he broke the engagement.” Xifeng nodded and turned to the maids. “Did you all hear? The little bastard just said he did not know!” Xing’er continued, “Later the Second Master had people paper and fit up the house and brought her in.” Xifeng asked, “Where was she brought from?” Xing’er replied, “She was carried over from her mother’s place.” Xifeng said, “Fine.” She asked, “Was there no one to escort the bride?” Xing’er said, “Only Master Rong and a few maids and old women. No one else.” Xifeng asked, “Did your elder mistress not come?” Xing’er said, “Two days later, the elder mistress brought some things to see her.” Xifeng smiled and turned to Patience. “No wonder those two days the Second Master could not stop praising the elder mistress.” She turned back to Xing’er. “Who serves her? Naturally you.” Xing’er quickly kowtowed and said nothing. Xifeng asked again, “Those days when he said he was handling business for that mansion, I suppose this is what he was doing.” Xing’er replied, “There were times he handled business, and times he went to the new house.” Xifeng asked, “Who lives with her?” Xing’er said, “Her mother and her younger sister. Yesterday her younger sister cut her own throat.” Xifeng said, “Why?” Xing’er told the story of Liu Xianglian. Xifeng said, “That fellow was lucky. He avoided being a famous cuckold.” She asked again, “Is there anything else?” Xing’er said, “This slave does not know anything else. Every word I have just said is true. If there is one false word, Madam may beat this slave to death, and I will not complain.” Xifeng lowered her head for a moment, then pointed at Xing’er. “You little monkey, you deserve to be beaten to death. Why hide this from me? You thought to hide it and curry favor with your muddle-headed master, and your new mistress would love you. If I had not seen that you were still a little afraid and did not dare lie, I would have smashed your legs.” She shouted, “Get up.” Xing’er kowtowed and got up. He retreated to the outer door but did not dare leave. Xifeng said, “Come here. I have more to say.” Xing’er quickly stood with hands at his sides. Xifeng said, “What are you in a hurry for? Is your new mistress waiting to reward you?” Xing’er did not dare look up. Xifeng said, “From today you are not to go over there. When I call you, you come. If you are one step late, just try me! Go out.” Xing’er said yes several times and withdrew. Xifeng called again, “Xing’er!” Xing’er quickly answered and came back. Xifeng said, “Go out quickly and tell your Second Master, is that it?” Xing’er replied, “This slave would not dare.” Xifeng said, “If you breathe one word outside, watch your skin!” Xing’er quickly agreed and went out. Xifeng called, “Where is Wang’er?” Wang’er quickly answered and came. Xifeng stared at him for the time it takes to say two or three sentences, then said, “Good Wang’er, very good. Go! If anyone outside breathes a word, it is on your head.” Wang’er agreed and went out.

Xifeng called for tea. The little maids understood and went out. Then Xifeng said to Patience, “You heard all that? This is fine.” Patience did not dare answer and only smiled. The more Xifeng thought, the angrier she became. She lay back on the pillow, staring into space. Suddenly her brows knitted, and a plan came to her. She called, “Patience, come here.” Patience quickly answered and came over. Xifeng said, “I think this matter should be handled in such a way. There is no need to wait for your Second Master to come back and discuss it.” No one knew what Xifeng would do. Read the next chapter.