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Updated: June 27, 2025
Early in the morning Ho Chang sent his invitation, and, when the two men arrived, the feast began. Elegant, in the next cabin, could see Ya-nei through the cracks in the bulkhead, and her heart was secretly moved. "If I could have him for my husband, my desire would be satisfied. But I shall not persuade him into a proposal by merely looking at him.
My wife has prevailed upon me to spare your life; but, if you would redeem your fault, you must take my unworthy daughter as your wife. If this is not your intention, do not count upon my pardon." Ya-nei abased himself in ritual prostration. "The honor which you do me is a reward which my conduct does not deserve," he said. "I shall speak to my parents as soon as I return."
His colleague was awaiting him before his cabin, and, having exchanged formal greetings, they sat and talked together, drinking a cup of tea. Wu returned to his boat where, after a few moments, Ho Chang returned his visit. And Ya-nei was present at the meeting. Ho Chang had no son, and took pleasure in seeing this beautiful young man.
Ho Chang hurried him away, without leaving him time to speak to the young girl again. She was clinging to her mother, and whispered: "I do not know my father's intention. Could I not have a letter from Ya-nei on his arrival?" Her truly indulgent mother went and spoke to the steward.
Then she made a small sign to him, retired quickly into her cabin, and rapidly wrote some words on a piece of paper ornamented with sprays of rose peach. She rolled it in a silk handkerchief and cleverly threw it to Ya-nei, who caught it in both hands. They saluted each other, and reclosed their port-holes. He unfolded the handkerchief and smoothed out the crinkled leaf.
Tu Shih-niang nu ch'en pai pao hsiang. In the reign of the emperor Shen Tsung there lived an official named Wu, who was at that time, Governor of Ch'ang-sha. His wife, Lin, had given him a son named Ya-nei, or "In-the-Palace," who had that year reached the age of sixteen.
"We have already reached a ripe age, and this is the only flesh and bone we have. If you kill her, what will be left to us? As for Ya-nei, he is of a good family, he is intelligent, and well-built. Our stations are identical and our houses equal. His only fault is that he did not make a proposal, but rather forced everything in secret. Yet so the matter is.
She followed him in despair, crying: "I have ruined him! I wish to follow!" And she too threw herself into the water. She woke with a start. It was only a dream. Till morning she lay and thought, wondering if this dream were perhaps an omen that her destiny ought not to be bound up with that of Ya-nei. He also had complicated dreams that night.
He had a daughter, whose infant name was Chin Ko; the whole family came in the course of that year to the convent I was in, to offer incense, and as luck would have it they met Li Ya-nei, a brother of a secondary wife of the Prefect of the Ch'ang An Prefecture. This Li Ya-nei fell in love at first sight with her, and would wed Chin Ko as his wife.
As soon as they had determined on their course, Ya-nei slid under the bed, and made himself a place among the baggages. The curtain fell into place in front of him, and the young girl was still in bed when her mother came in, saying: "Aya! Why are you resting like this?" "I do not feel very well. I must have taken cold." "Cover yourself well, my daughter, if that be so."
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