United States or Bolivia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Pao-yue therefore was day after day to be found over at Hsi Ch'un's, doing his best to help her in her hard work.
But P'ing Erh noticed that Shih Shu was not in the room, and approaching T'an Ch'un with hasty step, she tucked up her sleeves for her and unclasped her bracelets. Seizing also a large towel from the hands of one of the maids, she covered the lapel on the front part of T'an Ch'un's dress; whereupon T'an Ch'un put out her hands, and washed herself in the basin.
And as Madame Wang, the waiting-maids and the other domestics of the upper rooms had all no leisure, Pao-ch'ai suggested: "Don't let us remain in here and be in the way of their doing what there is to be done, and of going where they have to go," and saying this, she betook herself, escorted by Pao-yue and the rest, into Ying Ch'un's rooms.
"Hurry them up a bit!" Yuean Yang added. The matron signified her assent. Lady Feng and her friends then came into T'an Ch'un's apartments, where they found the ladies chatting and laughing. T'an Ch'un had ever shown an inclination for plenty of room. Hence that suite of three apartments had never been partitioned. In the centre was placed a large table of rosewood and Ta li marble.
Speaking the while, he rose to his feet and left the room with the idea of repairing to Hsi Ch'un's quarters to have a look at the painting. As soon as he got outside the door of the court-yard, he unexpectedly spied Pao-ch'in's young maid, Hsiao Lo by name, crossing over from the opposite direction. Pao-yue, with rapid step, strode up to her, and inquired of her whither she was going.
Hsi Ch'un had already made her appearance out of doors to welcome her, so taking the inner covered passage, they passed over to the other side and reached Hsi Ch'un's bedroom; on the door posts of which figured the three words: 'Warm fragrance isle. Several servants were at once at hand; and no sooner had they raised the red woollen portiere, than a soft fragrance wafted itself into their faces.
While he passed this remark, they saw Ju Hua arrive from Hsi Ch'un's quarters to ask Pao-yue to go over; and Pao-yue eventually took his departure. "Do choose some theme," she also asked Tai-yue and T'an Ch'un, "and let me go and write on it. When I've done, I'll bring it for you to correct." You're at liberty to make use of whatever words you fancy."
"Old farmer of Tao Hsiang," Pao-yue remarked, "you're not, it is true, a good hand at writing verses, but you can read well, and, what's more, you're the fairest of the lot; so you'd better adjudge the good and bad, and we'll submit to your judgment." "Of course!" responded the party with one voice. In due course, therefore, she first read T'an Ch'un's draft. It ran as follows:
Barely, however, had he had time to conclude than he spied dame Chao enter the room to pay Tai-yue a visit. "Miss, have you been all right these last few days?" she inquired. Tai-yue readily guessed that this was an attention extended to her merely as she had, on her way back from T'an Ch'un's quarters, to pass by her door, so speedily smiling a forced smile, she offered her a seat.
Ch'iu Wen too left the room in her company; but she repaired to T'an Ch'un's quarters and fetched the tray. Hsi Jen then got everything ready. Calling an old nurse attached to the same place as herself, Sung by name, "Just go first and wash, comb your hair and put on your out-of-door clothes," she said to her, "and then come back as I want to send you at once with a present to Miss Shih."
Word Of The Day