LITTLE PAO'S WIFE GAVE THE WITTY LITTLE HSING A SLAP AND SAID to him, laughing:

"From the way you let all that, truth and invention, run off your loose tongue, anyone would think you had picked it up from young Master Pao-yü, instead of from your master, Mr. Chia Lien."

"What does that young boy Pao-yü, do with himself generally?" asked the third Yu.

"Oh, it would be better to ask, what does he not do! Certainly nothing very brilliant," replied Little Hsing with a meaningful grin. "He is utterly degenerate and has no interest either in books or in arms. In the beginning his father, Mr. Cheng, used to take some trouble with his upbringing, but he has given that up long since. So the boy is left completely to his own

devices. Outwardly he is a very nice-looking, bright lad, and does not look at all as if he is wanting in the top story, but when you have a good look at him you can see that he's a weakwitted fool. He seems so timid before strangers that he can hardly get out a sentence.

He's a real little sissy of a mother's darling and never feels at ease unless he has a crowd of girls around him to fool about with and to pet and cuddle. The poor soppy fellow lacks all seriousness and firmness of character. With us servants, for instance, he's different every time, according to his mood. If he's in a good humor he jokes with us as if we were his equals and there was no such thing as difference of class. If he's in a bad humor he retires into his shell and other human beings simply do not exist for him any more. At such times he doesn't even reprimand us if we behave improperly. Naturally, in these circumstances it's impossible

to have any respect for him."

"You servants are certainly a difficult lot to handle," said the third Yu, smiling. "When you finally have a really goodhearted and conscientious master or mistress you grumble and are discontented with them."

"It's a pity about him, for he's a nice boy otherwise," sighed the second Yu, compassionately.

"Oh, don't listen to all this servants' gossip!" continued the third Yu. "Why, we have met him once or twice ourselves, and have been able to form our own judgment of him. There is certainly something effeminate in his nature and behavior, but that is not surprising when a boy grows up only among women and girls. But to call him weakminded and a fool no, that is

quite ridiculous and unjust! Don't you remember when we met him just recently at the funeral services at the bier of the Prince Hermit? We girls were all standing together in a group. Then when the monks filed in and took up their position all round the coffin, Pao-yü, came in and

stood right in front of our group. That was remarked upon unfavorably by everyone. Had he no eyes in his head, and was it not most inconsiderate to stand so awkwardly right in our way, blocking the view from us, people said. But afterwards he told us the reason for his strange behavior. He knew perfectly well what was correct, and he had very good eyes in his head, so he said, but he had deliberately pushed himself in between us and the monks so that we should not be treated too directly to their unsavory odor. And later, when you asked for a drink of tea and the serving woman began to fill up the bowl for you which he had just drunk out of, he stopped her and ordered her to rinse the bowl with water first. From these two little incidents, which I observed dispassionately, I could see that

he is, in fact, a person of very fine feelings, and that in the presence of young girls he has only eyes and thoughts for us and forgets everything else on our account. Naturally, outsiders who do not know his nature cannot understand his behavior."

"Hearing you talk that way, it seems to me that you and he are already of one mind," said the elder Yu gaily. "How would it be if you and he were to become betrothed?"

Because of the presence of the servant Little Hsing, the third Yu chose to remain silent, and sat with bent head, nibbling melon seeds. "Yes, he would suit the young lady quite well," interposed the presumptuous Little Hsing, "but unfortunately he is already disposed of. It's an open secret, after all, that Miss Ling is his intended. Of course they're both very young yet,

and besides, Miss Ling has been very sickly of late. But in two or three years the old Tai tai will no doubt open her mouth and settle the matter."

While he was saying this the servant Little Lung came back from the Yungkuo palace. "Prince Shieh is sending his son Chia Lien on an important mission to Ping an Chow," he reported.

"He will set out in three or four days and will be away for ,about"two weeks. He therefore asks to be excused for today, as he is occupied with urgent preparations for the journey, and he asks the Nai nai please to go ahead alone with the matter she knows of. As soon as he comes back he will take it up again." The two servants, Little Lung and Little Hsing, now

withdrew. The second Yu bolted the hall door behind them and she, her mother, and her sister went early to bed, but before going to sleep she questioned the younger sister persistently until she found out from her the name of the man whom she wanted for her bridegroom.

When Chia Lien made a brief dash over early the next day and wanted to know the name of the third Yu's chosen man as quickly as possible, the second Yu replied with a laugh: "There's no hurry; the man in question is far away now, heaven knows where and for how long. My sister declares that even if he stays away a year, she will wait for him a year; if it is ten years

until he returns, she will wait patiently the ten years, but that if he dies in the meantime she will have her hair cut off and go into a convent; but she will never marry any other man, whatever happens."

"Who, then, is this fellow who has taken her heart so completely?" asked Chia Lien, impatiently.

"Oh, that is a long story, but I will make it as short as I can. It be-

gan five years ago in Grandmother's house on her birthday. There was a theatrical performance in celebration of the day. The performers were not professional actors, but all sons of good families. Among them was one who played the part of the youthful heroine. He is said to have fled from the town a long while ago on account of some trouble or other, and to be travelling in distant parts. His name is Liu Hsiang Lien."

"Oh, so that's the man! A fine, handsome fellow. Your sister has good taste and g'ood eyes; one must say that for her. But he's of a cold, proud nature. He has no time for ordinary people, but he gets on splendidly with Pao-yü,. Last year he had a fight with our wild cousin Hsueh Pan, and to save our family from further awkward incidents he simply disappeared

from the town immediately afterwards without leaving a trace. Perhaps one could find out something about his whereabouts through Pao-yü,'s servant, but he is certainly a drifting water plant. It may well be years before it occurs to him to show his face here again, and your sister may perhaps wait in vain. She would do much better to put him right out of her mind."

"You seem not to know me yet, brother-in-law," interrupted the third Yu, suddenly coming in from an adjoining room. "I'm in the habit of saying what I mean. It is either Mr. Liu or no one, and that's that! From today on I will devote myself to prayer and fasting and looking after my mother, while I wait for him, even if I have to wait a hundred years. And if I do not mean this sincerely, may my fate be the fate of this clasp!" she continued solemnly. Drawing a jade clasp from her hair, she broke it in two, then disappeared into the adjacent room again.

Chia Lien had to resign himself to her decision. He tried to find out something about the whereabouts of the Cold Knight through Pao-yü,'s personal servant, Ming Yen, but Ming Yen knew nothing; and his inquiries in the young man's former locality were equally fruitless.

Shortly afterwards Chia Lien set out on his journey to the prefecture of Ping an Chow, after having spent two more nights secretly in the Lane of the Flowering Branch.

He had been three days on the way when a trading caravan came towards him. As the two parties drew close he perceived to his astonishment that his cousin Hsueh Pan was one of the dozen men on horseback escorting the caravan. And what astonished him still more \\as to see, riding peacefully by his side, his former enemy, the Cold Knight. After mutual greetings, both parties turned in to rest in a near-by inm

"How comes it that I see you two former tilters and adversaries so peacefully united now?"

asked Chia Lien.

"My caravan was attacked and looted by a band of robbers in the neighborhood of Ping an

Chow. Then just by chance and in the nick of time along came Brother Liu to our rescue with his party. He put the robbers to flight, recovered the booty from them by force of arms, and saved the lives of myself and my

people. As he scorned my thanks, I offered him blood brotherhood. And so we have become true confederates and blood brothers forever and have been travelling part of the way together. But our ways must soon part again. I am going back to the capital, and he is going two hundred li farther south to visit an aunt of his. As soon as I have finished my business at

home I intend to obtain a bride and a house for him and to persuade him to settle down permanently in the capital."

"A bride? Oh, that is splendid! I can suggest a suitable party straight away," interposed Chia Lien eagerly. And he told of his secret marriage to the second Yu sister and of the younger sister who was still unwed. He refrained, however, from saying that the third Yu sister had herself chosen the Cold Knight as her husband, and he also prevailed upon his cousin not to breathe a word of the whole story when he got home.

"You should have hit upon that sly plan of yours long ago ! It serves my strait-laced cousin Hsi-feng quite right!" said Hsueh Pan maliciously; and gave his ready approval to the new marriage plan too. But the Cold Knight declared: "That is all very well, but I have firmly resolved to marry only a really outstanding beauty. I set less value upon money and lineage

than upon this. I shall have to make sure on this point before I can agree to your suggestion."

"Oh, you can be quite easy on that score," Chia Lien assured him zealously. "But what are words? You must see her for yourself, and then you will be convinced! It would be hard to find another girl who could compare with her for beauty."

"Very well, I agree; and I shall be in the capital in about two months' time, but I want to visit my aunt first," declared the Cold Knight.

"I accept your word, but you are a restless fellow, a drifting water plant. Would you not prefer to back up your word in a visible way with some kind of betrothal gift?" suggested Chia Lien with a smile.

"Do not worry, brother-in-law; you may rely upon my word. I am not in funds just now, and besides I am travelling. Where would I get a suitable gift right away?" replied the Cold Knight.

"Let me procure the gift!" suggested Hsueh Pan.

"It need not be expensive gold and silver and jewelry straight away. Any little trifle which you are wearing will do just as well. Only it is best that it should be a personal souvenir of yourself,

for otherwise she may possibly not believe me," insisted Chia Lien.

"Very well, then. She shall have my twin-blade sword. It is an old heirloom of my family which I have always treasured faithfully," said the Cold Knight.

They drank a few more glasses together, then broke up and went their opposite ways. Chia Lien carried out his mission to the Prefect of Ping an Chow and was back again in the capital after two weeks.

His first visit was to the Lane of the Flowering Branch. Apart from two surreptitious and completely fruitless visits from the princely brother-in-law, nothing of any consequence had happened during his absence. The three ladies Yu had remained quietly at home behind closed doors and passed the time busy with their needles. Chia Lien proudly reported his successful meeting with ttie Cold Knight and handed over to the third Yu her betrothal gift, the "duck couple" sword with the twin blades.

She examined her strange betrothal gift more closely. One single sheath studded with She Yües and jewels concealed two completely identical, coldly glistening, sharp-edged blades.

The symbol yuan, signifying "little drake," was engraved on the one, and the symbol yang, signifying "little duck," on the other.

The third Yu was overjoyed. She took the twin sword and carried it into her maiden chamber, where she hung it on the wall over her bed, for she wished to have it continually before her eyes so that the sight of it might strengthen and support her until the day when the beloved himself would cpme to lead her to his home.

Chia Lien remained for two days with his Nai nai in the Lane of the Flowering Branch; only then did he go to the western palace to present his report to his father and to greet Hsi-feng.

She had recovered meantime from her long illness and was able to go out again, and to resume her accustomed activities in the household. Finally he visited Prince Chen and informed him of the successfully concluded betrothal of the third Yu. The Prince listened to him rather indifferently and unsympathetically. He was out of humor because of the failure of

his own efforts to win the favor of his beautiful sister-in-law. So he confined himself to putting his hand in his pocket and taking out a few dozen taels as his subscription towards the young lady's dowry, leaving all the rest of the arrangements to his cousin Chia Lien.

In the eighth month the Cold Knight did in fact turn up once more in the capital. On his first day there he visited Aunt Hsueh and his new friend Hsueh Pan, who was in bed with a severe cold in the head. Aunt Hsueh no longer bore him any grudge for his past quarrel with her son,

and now regarded him only as his friend and rescuer and loaded him with thanks and attentions. In order to pay off some part of their debt of gratitude, mother and son had undertaken to meet all the ex-penses of the coming marriage out of their own pockets, an arrangement in which the Cold

Knight gladly acquiesced.

The next day he paid a visit of friendship to Pao-yü, and wanted to hear more details about Chia Lien's secret marriage to the second Yu, but Pao-yü, too knew only a little about it. from hearsay through Ming Yen.

"And in any case I should prefer to keep as clear of the delicate matter as possible," said Pao-yü, parrying his questions. "But tell me about yourself. I hear that you met Cousin Chia Lien on the way to Ping an Chow and had an important conversation with him. What was it about, by the way?"

The Cold Knight told of his betrothal to the third Yu, which had been agreed upon on the journey. "Oh, you are to be congratulated!" Pao-yü, assured him fervently. "She is really a ravishing beauty a worthy partner for you."

"Oh, indeed? If she is as beautiful as all that I cannot understand why a poor fellow like me should fall to her lot. Besides, I am by no means on intimate terms with her brother-in-law," said the Cold Knight thoughtfully. The suspicion that a former light-of-love of Prince Chen's was being foisted upon him suddenly crept into his mind. "It really puzzles me that I was pressed into this engagement in the course of our brief chance meeting on the road. I cannot imagine a girl like that running after a man. I cannot help feeling suspicious about the whole thing, and now I am almost sorry that I handed over my sword as a pledge. I should have preferred to make some inquiries myself first."

"Your doubts are certainly quite unfounded. First you insist upon getting an outstanding beauty, and now when you have got her you begin to falter. Take her, and do not hesitate any longer ! "

"Are you so sure, then, that she is beautiful? For it seems to me that you do not appear to know much more than I do about her person and her family."

"She is a stepsister of Princess Chen, whose maiden name was Yu. During the recent funeral solemnities in the eastern palace I met her and her mother and sister I do not know how many times, so I surely must know."

The Cold Knight stamped his foot angrily.

"Do not talk to me about your eastern palace!" he cried. "The only creatures there that are not disreputable are the two marble lions in front of the main gateway. No! The whole business seems most shady to me. I will not go through with it!"

But he immediately repented of his offensive outburst when he noticed the embarrassed flush on his friend's cheeks.

Bowing ceremoniously before him, he hastened to apologize. "I have

let my tongue run away with me, and I deserve death for my bad manners," he said. "But tell me at least something about her character."

"Oh, please, why do you keep on asking me? Apparently you are better informed than I am.

Besides, I myself may perhaps be disreputable and untrustworthy?"

"Please do not be resentful. I forgot myself."

"Very well. We shall say no more about it!"

The Cold Knight perceived that he would get nothing more out of his offended friend, so he bowed once more briefly and formally and took his leave. He was determined to cancel the overhasty betrothal, which seemed to him more and more questionable.

He set out straight away to report his decision to Chia Lien, who at this hour was with the second Yu in the Lane of the Flowering Branch. The unsuspecting Chia Lien received him in the most friendly and familiar manner, and led him straight into the drawing room of the ladies

of the house, where 'he introduced him to his future mother-in-law. He was not a little surprised at the stiff and formal manner in which 'his presumptive brother-in-law bowed to Mother Yu, and still more surprised when he heard him addressing her not as "mother-in-law"

but as "old aunt," and referring to himself not as "son-in-law" but simply as "the later born one." But he was dumfounded when during tea the Cold Knight suddenly said without any warning: "Our recent agreement was an overhasty, chance arrangement. My aunt, whom I visited shortly afterwards, had already chosen my future bride and she wishes me to marry

her in the fourth month. Respect for my aunt demands that I should fall in with her wishes. In, these circumstances I must reluctantly renounce our agreement and request the return of my pledge. If it had been any kind of ordinary ornament, I would not insist upon its return; but that sword is precious and sacred to me as a heritage handed down by my fathers and ancestors.

I must therefore reluctantly ask for its return."

Chia Lien could hardly believe his ears when he heard him speaking in this way.

"My brother is mistaken: an agreement is an agreement,!' he cried, aghast. "That is just why I insisted upon a betrothal gift so that there would be a visible pledge if you should regret your word. How would it be if every betrothed man could back out of his betrothal whenever he liked? No! What you ask is impossible!"

"I am ready to make any satisfaction that my brother may stipulate, but I must have my sword back," insisted the Cold Knight with a smile.

Chia Lien was about to make some reply, but the Cold Knight stood up and asked him to step outside in order to avoid continuing the dispute in the presence of Mother Yu. The two were just about to leave

the room when the door leading to the adjacent room suddenly opened and the third Yu walked in. She had been listening to the whole argument from the next apartment. So she had been waiting and waiting for the beloved, only to hear now that he wished to have nothing to do with her! Perhaps he had heard an unfavorable report of her in the Yungkuo palace?

Perhaps she had been described to him as a shame-less hussy, unworthy to become his lawful wife? If she let him go now without further ado, there would probably be a fierce quarrel outside on her account between himself and Chia Lien. She did not want that. Suddenly resolved, she tore the double sword down from the wall, drew out the "female" blade, and,

hiding it under her right arm, walked into the room, carrying the "male" blade in the sheath.

"Your quarrel is unnecessary; I return my betrothal gift voluntarily," she said in a voice choked with tears, handing the Cold Knight the sheath with the male blade. At the same time she drew out the hidden female blade and, with a powerful thrust, pressed it into her delicate throat. The others sprang forward aghast and tried to stop her, but it was already too late. The petals of the broken peach blossom were already falling in red splashes over the ground; the crumbling nephrite hill a would never rise again !

After the first shock the mother of the dead girl raised a loud lamentation and broke out in bitter curses and revilements of the Cold Knight. At the same time Chia Lien took hold of him and ordered his servants to bind him with ropes and drag him before the Court, but the second Yu dried her tears in haste and made him desist from his intention.

'"My sister did what she did of her own free will; the gentleman has exercised neither pressure nor force upon her," she said. "To bring the matter before the Court would not undo what is done, and would only bring discredit on our house. Let the gentleman go his way!"

Chia Lien had to admit that she was right, and he let the Cold Knight go. But the latter remained standing where he was, as if stunned, wiping away the tears which ran slowly down his cheeks.

"What a magnificent, heroic girl! Who would have thought such a thing could happen? I curse myself, bringer of woe!" he murmured to himself, lost in thought. And he remained there as if rooted to the spot until a coffin was brought and the hapless girl was laid in it. Then, with his hand on the coffin, he broke into loud lamentations, which continued for some time. Having thus paid the dead girl her due tribute of reverence, he took his leave and walked slowly away. Sunk in thought and tortured with self-reproach, he walked on and on, heedless of either road or goal.

Suddenly he heard a gentle sound like the rustling of silken garments

and the tinkling of golden bracelets and jade belt ornaments, and lo and behold, there stood the third Yu before him. In one hand she held his double sword, in the other a parchment scroll, and she said to him in a tone of lamentation: "In the vain folly of my love I waited for you for five years. Fool that I was, I did not know that your heart was as cold as your glance. I have had to pay for my foolish passion with my life. I am now in the service of the Fairy of Fearful Awakening, who reigns in the Realm of the Great Void. It is my task to register, with my comments, in the archives of unpaid love-debts, notable cases of unhappy love. I have

come to bid you a last farewell, for to see each other again is denied us."

With tears in her eyes, she bowed to him in salutation. He threw himself upon her and tried to embrace her and hold her fast, but she pushed his hands gently away from her and eluded him. Thereupon he began to sob loudly, and the sound awoke him, for he had only been dreaming. When he raised his eyes he saw around him the ancient, crumbling walls of a

ruined temple. By his side sat a man attired in the dirty robe of a Taoist priest. He was lame in one foot, and was busily engaged catching fleas.

"Who are you, Master, and where are we?" he asked the peculiarlooking stranger.

"I do not know that myself, and in any case it does not matter; I only know that we have just been having a brief rest," came the strange reply. Suddenly illuminated with inward light, the Cold Knight shuddered with icy horror, and, drawing his sword, he raised it to his head and cut off his hair. Then he followed the uncanny stranger, he knew not whither.

CHAPTER 68 Hsi-feng cross-examines the servant and so finds out the master's deceits. The unhappy Yu girl allows herself to be hired into a trap.

THE THIRD Yu WAS COFFINED ON THE VERY DAY OF HER DEATH AND was buried

very quietly outside the city walls. The news of her sudden death was brought to Aunt Hsueh's ears by a waiting maid. Aunt Hsueh was profoundly grieved and dismayed. She had been delighted to help arrange the wedding with the third Yu out of gratitude to the Cold Knight for having saved Hsueh Pan's life on the highroad. She had intended, moreover, to

give him a complete house with furniture as a wedding present.

"What do you think of this sad, puzzling occurrence?" she asked her

daughter Pao-ch'ai with a sigh. "The poor thing was engaged to the Cold Knight, your brother's sworn friend. And now, shortly before the marriage, she has taken her life! And her fiance has since disappeared without leaving a trace!"

"That confirms once more the truth of the old saying that human fate is as incalculable as the course of the wind and the form of the clouds. Between evening and morning our fate can suddenly change for good or for ill. It was her predetermined destiny," concluded Pao-ch'ai philosophically. "But what is the use of brooding and complaining? She is dead and it cannot

be helped, and we cannot bring her back again. Get over it and turn your attention to our own lives and our own affairs ! Brother Hsueh Pan has already been back from the South some weeks and meantime has probably sold the goods he brought back. It is high time for him to give a feast for his associates, who spent months travelling with him, and shared his hardships and dangers, to celebrate the happy return home. You should speak to brother Hsueh Pan and urge him to comply at last with this duty, proper to his position."

Mother Hsueh was about to reply when the subject of discussion himself appeared. He looked quite distraught and cried excitedly to the two women: "Have you heard the sad news yet?

Cousin Yu dead! Brother Liu disappeared!"

"We have just been speaking about it. What a sad case!" sighed Aunt Hsueh.

"They say he has gone off with a strange Taoist monk."

"That makes the story all the more weird. How on earth could such a sensible young man as that Liu get such a crazy idea? As he is your friend and is all alone in the world, you must

exert yourself for him and have him searched for. He will scarcely go far with that wretched begging monk. Presumably he is hiding in some temple in the neighborhood."

"My men and I have already searched for him everywhere inside and outside the town; but there was no trace of him anywhere."

"Good, then you have already satisfied your obligations as a friend. But do not neglect your own affairs because of all this. You are bound in gratitude to prepare a worthy feast for your men, who travelled three thousand li and shared all troubles and dangers faithfully with you

for four or five months. They well deserve it."

Hsueh Pan agreed with her, and that same day he sent out invitations to a number of his business managers and travelling companions summoning them to a banquet. When the guests were assembled round the table, one of them called out during the banquet: "Two of our good companions are still missing from the table."

"Who, then?" they were asked.

"Mr. Chia Lien and our host's sworn friend, the Cold Knight. Why have they not been invited?"

Hsueh Pan's face darkened and he sighed deeply.

"My cousin set out for Ping an Chow again a short time ago," he said, "and as for my friend Liu, the mere mention of his name gives me pain. It is a very strange story. He suddenly renounced the world and disappeared in the company of a stranger, a Taoist priest." And he related all he knew of the tragic outcome of the engagement of his friend, and of his sudden

disappearance.

"How strange!" they all said, and one of the business managers went on to tell: "A similar

case was spoken of recently by the customers in the shop. The story was of a monk who with three or four sentences bewitched somebody and made him invisible. I do not know any more.

details; we were busy serving and had no time to pay attention to the idle gossip of customers."

"Oh, what nonsense! This is sure to be quite a different kind of case," said another, skeptically. "A courageous, sensible, strong fellow, used to arms like Mr. Liu, would certainly never allow himself to be bewitched by a wandering monk. Presumably he only pretended to join him in order to get behind his magic tricks and hocus-pocus. He will undoubtedly get the

upper hand of the swindler in the end."

"That is probably what has happened!" agreed Hsueh Pan warmly. "Really, these mountebanks who bluff and dupe people with their tricks should be put down with an iron hand."

"Have you not had a search made for your lost friend?" they asked him.

"Yes, of course, I have had him searched for everywhere, both inside and outside the city walls; but and you may laugh at this he cannot be traced anywhere," declared Hsueh Pan,

becoming despond.ent once more. The company around the table fell into an embarrassed silence; nothing could be heard but long and short sighs, no one could be merry any more,

and after just a few more glasses of wine the party broke up in depressed mood.

A few days afterwards She Yüe went to visit Hsi-feng in a free hour to inquire after her health,

but she did not stay long. She thought she perceived a certain uneasiness in the air, she noticed excited, whispering waiting maids and caught something about cross-examinations to which these porters or those servants had been subjected by Hsi-feng. Therefore she did not want to be in the way. She had hardly gone when Hsi-feng sent for Little Wang, the gatekeeper of the second gate.

"Well, how was it? What have you heard?" she asked the waiting maid P'ing Erh before Little Wang arrived.

"The maid who secretly informed me has been eavesdropping just now at the second gate on a conversation between Little Wang and two of the master's servants. It was about a second Nai nai, who was