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The matrons signified their obedience and took their leave. Hsi Jen retraced her steps into the house to fetch a tray in which to place the presents intended for Shih Hsiang-yuen, but she discovered the shelf for trays empty. Upon turning round, however, she caught sight of Ch'ing Wen, Ch'iu Wen, She Yueeh and the other girls, seated together, busy with their needlework.
As she made this remark, they all burst out laughing heartily, and Hsiang-yuen speedily turned herself round and ran away. But reader, do you want to know the sequel? Well, then listen to the explanation given in the next chapter. The eminent Hsi Jen, with winsome ways, rails at Pao-yue, with a view to exhortation. The beauteous P'ing Erh, with soft words, screens Chia Lien.
She therefore quietly crossed over to watch her opportunity and take such action as would enable her to get an insight into his and her sentiments. Contrary, however, to all her calculations, no sooner did she reach her destination, than she overheard Shih Hsiang-yuen dilate on the topic of experience, and Pao-yue go on to observe: "Cousin Lin has never indulged in such stuff and nonsense.
But let me think again." Hsiang-yuen, at this reply, fetched a copper poker, and, while beating on the hand-stove, she laughingly said: "I shall go on tattooing. Now mind if when the drumming ceases, you haven't accomplished your task, you'll have to bear another fine." "I've already got them!" Pao-yue rejoined, smilingly. Tai-yue then picked up a pencil.
Hsiang-yuen hastened to smilingly interpose with the distich: Its auspicious descent dispels the Emperor's grief. There lies one frozen-stiff, but who asks him a word? Pao-ch'in too speedily put on a smile and added: Glad is the proud wayfarer when he's pressed to drink. Snapped is the weaving belt in the heavenly machine.
Ts'ui Lue went on to nod her head, and to laugh. She felt inclined to apply her questions to several other things, but as she could not fix her mind upon anything in particular, she, all of a sudden, drooped her head. Catching sight of the pendant in gold, representing a unicorn, which Hsiang-yuen had about her person, she forthwith made allusion to it.
The whole number of spectators laughed boisterously and withdrew. "Is it likely that the men themselves didn't hear the report?" Hsiang-yuen insinuated. "Why, the men themselves were deaf," lady Feng rejoined. After listening to her, they pondered for a while, and then suddenly they laughed aloud in chorus.
Come she may, but here she also gets our dear ancestor to lavish such love on her!" "Unless you stay with our worthy senior," Hsiang-yuen said, "do come into the garden. You may romp and laugh and eat and drink as much as you like in these two places.
"What I say must be right for you to laugh in this way," Ts'ui Lue observed. "Perfectly right, perfectly right!" acquiesced Hsiang-yuen. "People say," continued Ts'ui Lue, "that masters are Yang, and that servant-girls are Yin; don't I even apprehend this primary principle?" "You apprehend it thoroughly," responded Hsiang-yuen laughingly.
Saying this, she descended from the stove-couch, and came, in company with Pao-yue, to dowager lady Chia's on this side, where they saw Shih Hsiang-yuen laughing aloud, and talking immoderately; and upon catching sight of them both, she promptly inquired after their healths, and exchanged salutations.
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