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Updated: May 2, 2025
When Pao-yue heard these words, he at once became alive to the fact that she too had lent an ear to the private conversation he had had a short while back with Hsiang-yuen: "All because of my, fears," he carefully mused within himself, "lest these two should have a misunderstanding, I was induced to come between them, and act as a mediator; but I myself have, contrary to my hopes, incurred blame and abuse on both sides!
"I heard the other day," continued Shih Hsiang-yuen, a sardonic smile on her lip, "that while the fan-case, I had worked, was being held and compared with that of some one else, it too was slashed away in a fit of high dudgeon. This reached my ears long ago, and do you still try to dupe me by asking me again now to make something more for you? Have I really become a slave to you people?
These taunts induced Chia Cheng to eventually withdraw out of the room. By this time, Mrs. Hsueeh together with Pao-ch'ai, Hsiang Ling, Hsi Jen, Shih Hsiang-yuen and his other cousins had also congregated in the apartments. Hsi Jen's heart was overflowing with grief; but she could not very well give expression to it.
Hsiang-yuen, as of old, betook herself to Tai-yue's quarters to rest, and Pao-yue escorted them both into their apartment, and it was after the hour had already past the second watch, and Hsi Jen had come and pressed him several times, that he at length returned to his own bedroom and went to sleep.
At the table next to this, the four cousins, Pao-ch'in, Hsiang-yuen, Tai-yue and Pao-yue were told to seat themselves. The various viands and fruits that were brought in were first presented to dowager lady Chia for inspection. If they took her fancy, she kept them at the small table. But once tasted by her, they were again removed and placed on their table.
"What time a lonesome flower falls to the ground, no sound is audible," Hsiang-yuen rejoined. "In the middle, there is the one and four," Yuean Yang added. "The red apricot tree is planted by the sun, and leans against the clouds;" Hsiang-yuen answered. "Together they form the 'cherry fruit ripens for the ninth time," Yuean Yang said. "In the imperial garden it is pecked by birds."
Pao-yue himself was no less delighted to carry it into execution, so signifying his readiness to comply with their wishes, he felt desirous to be off at once. "It's exceedingly cold outside," Hsiang-yuen and Tai-yue simultaneously remarked, "so have a glass of warm wine before you go." Hsiang-yuen speedily took up the kettle, and Tai-yue handed him a large cup, filled to the very brim.
But can it ever be possible that he and I should resemble each other in both respects?" Hsiang-yuen was at a loss what reply to make to his arguments. "You may," she consequently remarked smiling, "propound any rubbish you like, I'm not in the humour to enter into any discussion with you. Whether there be one or not is quite immaterial to me. It doesn't concern me at all."
Hsueeh took their places, with due regard to the distinction between hostess and visitors; and Hsueeh Pao-ch'ai and Shih Hsiang-yuen seated themselves below. Madame Wang then came forward, and presented with her own hands tea to old lady Chia, while Li Kung-ts'ai handed a cup to Mrs. Hsueeh.
But after this conventional interchange of salutations, old lady Chia pressed her to take off her outer garments as the weather was so close. Shih Hsiang-yuen lost no time in rising to her feet and loosening her clothes. "I don't see why," Madame Wang thereupon smiled, "you wear all these things! "It's entirely at aunt Secunda's bidding," retorted Shih Hsiang-yuen, "that I put them on.
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