CHAPTER 38 : :

Second Treasure hopes for wedded bliss in the Shi family, and Harmony Qi hosts a party in Rustic Retreat

Simplicity Zhao watched Little Wang flourish his whip and ride out of the alley and then returned to the house to tell Mrs. Zhao about Third Young Master Shi's background. Mrs. Zhao, delighted by the news, made no mention of his fruitless mission to find Fortune Shi.
Unfortunately, the next three days were unbearably hot, and Third Young Master Shi never turned up. The fourth day was the thirtieth of the sixth month. Simplicity got up at the crack of dawn and put together the money he had managed to save, which came to ten dollars. He took it to New Street, where he knocked at Old Mrs. Guo's door and counted it out for her, telling her to take care of things for him. After that, he returned home immediately, convinced that his mother and sister were still in bed and that he had covered his tracks. To his surprise, the servant girl Clever, a hard worker, was already standing in the parlor yawning, her hair uncombed.
"You're up early. You should go back to bed," he tried to make conversation.
"I've got work to do," she replied.
"Need some help?"
She thought he was flirting with her and turned away. Simplicity congratulated himself for having diverted her attention.
As noon approached, a wisp of dark cloud spread from the northwest across the sky, hiding the scorching sun. In the midst of thunder and lightening, the skies opened. The downpour lasted for two hours, after which the sun came out again. Second Treasure had just finished her toilet and was cooling herself in the breeze that came through the window when she saw a man, panting and perspiring heavily, rushing into the parlor holding a call chit. Then Simplicity came upstairs to formally announce that Third Young Master Shi was calling her to the Shi residence at Big Bridge. Delighted, Second Treasure proceeded there by sedan chair.
By nightfall, there was still no sign of her returning. Worried and agitated, Simplicity was on the point of going to fetch her himself when the maid Tiger and the two sedan-chair bearers returned by themselves. Simplicity turned pale and, staring wide-eyed at them, asked, "Where is she?"
Tiger was amused. She turned to Mrs. Zhao and said, "Second Miss is not coming back. Third Young Master has asked her to spend the summer at the house, at the rate of ten party calls a day. I'm to fetch her clothes and her toiletry set right now."
Mrs. Zhao had little to say in response, but Simplicity rebuked Tiger, "You're a bold one! How could you have left her on her own?" "Second Miss told me to come back," she replied.
"Now be more careful next time. If something should go wrong, you, as the maid, would be held responsible, too."
Tiger looked displeased. "There's no need to get into a state. I have four hundred dollars invested in this, too, so would I be careless? I've been in the business since I was little, making my way up to be a maid. You go and ask around-what trouble did I ever get into?"60
Simplicity had no answer to that and withdrew in silence. To make peace, Mrs. Zhao said, "Don't pay him any attention, just get the things and go."
Tiger went upstairs, grumbling all the way. She put everything onto two pieces of foreign wrapping cloth that she tied up into two bundles and then bade Mrs. Zhao good-bye and went out.
Feeling unsettled, Simplicity did not get any sleep all night. The next day, after consulting his mother, he bought a lot of fresh peaches and lichees that he put into two boxes and a tall basket and then set off to pay his sister a visit. A rickshaw took him past Big Bridge to the door of the Shi residence. It was indeed a grand foreign-style house. Four or five hulking fellows were seated on the benches on either side of the door. Thickly built and wearing black leather boots, they looked like army officers. Simplicity hesitantly explained to one of them the purpose of his visit, but the officer just kept fanning himself and ignored him. Simplicity stood there, his body bending forward respectfully to await instructions.
Suddenly, another officer turned around and barked at him, "Wait over there."
Simplicity withdrew to one end of the wall, his face flushing in the full glare of the sun. Fortunately, he saw the man who had brought the call chit yesterday plodding toward him, leading a horse. He went up, saluted the man, and asked him to notify Little Wang. The man merely shot him a glance and continued on his way. A while later, a boy of thirteen or fourteen rushed out shouting, "Where's the man named Zhao?" Not daring to answer, Simplicity peeped into the house. The officer glared at him and shouted again, "You're called!"
Simplicity picked up his basket and made to leave.
The boy seized him. "Is your name Zhao?"
"Yes, yes, it is," he answered.
"Follow me."
As he followed at the boy's heels and entered the first gate, he saw a courtyard of about an acre where rare flowers grew. The main building had three stories while the two wings had one. He walked along a multicolored cobblestone path that led to a covered walkway along one wing. He saw dimly through the window that there were many people in the room, all dressed casually, discoursing in a lofty manner.
The boy led him to a bungalow behind the main building, where Little Wang was standing at the curtained door to welcome him. Simplicity hastened to greet him, first setting down his basket, and then made a salute.
Little Wang invited him into his bedroom and said, "They haven't come downstairs yet. Take off your gown and have a smoke. There's time enough."
The boy served Simplicity ready-made tea in a lidded cup. Little Wang then sent him off to keep watch.
"Let us know as soon as they come down."
The boy made an affirmative noise and went off. Little Wang said to Simplicity, "Third Master is really fond of your sister, says she's like a respectable woman. If it works out, then you have it made."
Simplicity said "yes" repeatedly. Little Wang then taught him some basic etiquette for the meeting, which he took to heart. Just then the boy called outside. Little Wang knew that meant Third Young Master had come downstairs. He told Simplicity to sit for a while and then rushed off himself. A moment later, he rushed back, lifted the curtain, and beckoned for Simplicity. Carrying his basket, Simplicity followed him to the main building. At the door, Little Wang took the basket from him and led him in. Third Young Master was sitting on the lounge at the center of the room, all smiles, attended by two pages with shaven heads.
"Third Master," Simplicity greeted him, walking up sideways and then bending down on one knee to salute him formally.
Third Young Master just nodded. Little Wang drew near to report briefly. Third Young Master turned to Simplicity with a frown, "There's no need for presents."
Simplicity dared not utter a sound. Third Young Master glanced at Little Wang, who immediately brought a low stool, set it down on the humble side of the lounge, and told Simplicity to sit down.
Soon they heard the steps of bound feet coming down the stairs behind the parlor. Then Second Treasure walked leisurely in, leaning on Tiger's arm. Simplicity stood up with bated breath, not daring to look directly at her.
Second Treasure greeted him and then asked after Mother. That was all she said.
Tiger put in, "Isn't Second Miss quite well here?"
Simplicity had no choice but to bear with her.
Third Young Master gave orders to Little Wang, "Take him to sit outside for a while. See that he has lunch before he goes."
Hearing this, Simplicity withdrew, walking sideways. He then returned to Little Wang's bedroom.
"Make yourself at home. If you want anything, say so. I have something to attend to," Little Wang said. He then called in the boy to wait on Simplicity while he himself hurried off.
Simplicity paced the room. Not until the wall clock had struck one did a manservant bring in a tray of food and wine, which he set out on the table in the outer room. The boy asked Simplicity to take the seat of honor and drink alone. Simplicity just wet his lips and then made an excuse, but the boy urged him solicitously to drink more. Loath to refuse, he downed three cups in succession. Just then, Little Wang rushed in and insisted that Simplicity finish what was in the wine pot; he poured himself a cup to keep Simplicity company, so Simplicity had to do his best to comply.
Before they could start a conversation, one of the pages suddenly called Little Wang away on some unknown business. Simplicity finished lunch, washed his face, and waited until Little Wang returned. Then he thanked him and said good-bye, carrying his empty basket.
"Third Master is asleep. Second Miss wants another word with you," said Little Wang.
Simplicity readily complied and followed Little Wang to the bamboo curtain in front of the main building. Little Wang told him to wait while word was sent in. Then a page rolled up the curtain. Second Treasure, resting a hand on Tiger's arm, stood inside the threshold. She said, "Tell Mother I won't be back till the fifth. When the call chits come, say I've gone to Suzhou.'
Simplicity promised to do as she said and then was on his way out. Little Wang took the trouble to see him off at the front door and actually said, "Come and visit in a couple of days."
Simplicity got on a rickshaw and returned to Tripod Alley, where he told his mother in detail what he had seen. Mrs. Zhao was both delighted and impressed.
On the fifth, Simplicity went to order choice teatime snacks from the Garden of Plenty, and then he proceeded to the foreign store Hall and Holtz to buy various imported candies, biscuits, and fruit. Not until afternoon did they see Little Wang come on horseback. He was followed by two official sedan chairs and one medium-sized sedan chair, all of which stopped at their door. Tiger came out of the medium-sized chair to assist Second Treasure into the house, walking behind Young Master Shi. Simplicity darted up to salute him, one knee on the ground. Third Young Master again just nodded in acknowledgment. When they got to Second Treasure's room upstairs, Third Young Master said, "Tell your mother to come out and meet me."
Second Treasure told Tiger to go and ask her. Despite her unwillingness, Mrs. Zhao could not find any way to excuse herself, so she changed into a blouse and skirt of black raw silk and came upstairs shyly. Her faced flushed red after she managed to say the words, "Third Master." He asked how old she was and whether she ate well. That was all.
Second Treasure said to him, "You sit here a while, I'll go downstairs with Mother."
"If there's nothing particular, let's go back soon," he said.
She made an affirmative noise before going downstairs into the
little back room, taking Mrs. Zhao by the hand. Only then did Mrs.
Zhao feel at ease. "Where are you off to now?" she asked. "We're going home. Back to his house."
"How many days will you be gone this time?"
"It's hard to say. Mr. Qi of Rustic Retreat has invited him to visit on the seventh, and he wants me to go along. We'll see after staying a couple of days there."
Mrs. Zhao advised her earnestly, "Now, you look out for yourself. People like them are used to having their way. When they're in love, they seem ever so nice to you, but if you put a foot wrong, they show their displeasure."
At this remark, Second Treasure glanced outside. She shut the door, nestled against Mrs. Zhao, and spoke in whispers. She said this Third Young Master was heir to three branches of his family. In his own branch, he was married, but he did not have a son yet. His adopted mothers from the other two branches were consulting about his taking a wife for each branch, both of them to live in separate households. He was afraid that he might marry the wrong woman, so he was putting off making the decision.
Mrs. Zhao asked urgently in a low voice, "Did he say he'd marry you?"
"He said he'd first go home to talk it over with his adopted mothers. They have to settle on another one, and then he'll marry both women at the same time. He told me not to do business anymore but to wait for him for three months. He'll be back in Shanghai after getting things ready."
Mrs. Zhao was so happy, she could not close her mouth for grinning.
Second Treasure continued, "Now tell Brother not to come to the house again. It'll be so humiliating when he becomes a brother-in-law in the future. Don't buy them any fruit either; they have too much of it. If there're presents to give him, don't you think I'd know what to buy?"
Mrs. Zhao nodded silently at everything Second Treasure said. The girl had much to say but didn't know where to begin.
"It's been a while now. He's all alone. Go upstairs," Mrs. Zhao hurried her.
Second Treasure walked out of the little room slowly, balancing on her tiny feet. Halfway up the stairs, she peeped into the mezzanine room through the latticed window and saw Simplicity and Little Wang lying side by side on the divan smoking opium. The servant girl, Clever, was leaning close to the divan, making facetious conversation. Annoyed by this sight, she hastened back to her own room.
Third Young Master Shi waited till she came close and then pulled nonchalantly at her blouse and whispered, "Let's go home. There's nothing else, is there?"
She saw small meatballs, steamed buns, and other snacks set out on the table, so she said, "Aren't you going to eat some of our tea things?"
"You eat them for me."
She struggled freed, pretending she had not heard him, and told Tiger to instruct Little Wang to get the sedan chairs ready.
Behaving like a new son-in-law, Third Young Master told Second Treasure to say good-bye and tender his thanks to Mrs. Zhao on his behalf. Mrs. Zhao, too shy to come out, packed a basketful of the assorted candies, biscuits, and fruit and gave it to Tiger to take it with her. Second Treasure looked back and frowned.
Mrs. Zhao whispered into her ear, "There's no one to eat it if we leave it here. Why not take it with you and give it to their servants?"
Second Treasure did not have time to stop her. She hurried out the door and got in her sedan chair the same time as Third Young Master did. With Little Wang riding in front and Tiger bringing up the rear, the procession headed grandly back to the Shi residence at the north end of Big Bridge. The officers guarding the door stood at attention as the bearers carried the sedan chairs into the courtyard and set them down in front of the main building, where Third Young Master and Second Treasure got down, walked into the hall, and sat down shoulder to shoulder.
He saw Tiger bringing in the basket. "What is this?" he asked. "Well, it's imported stuff. You can't find it anywhere else except in Shanghai," Tiger replied with a smile.
He lifted the lid to look and then laughed out loud.
Second Treasure picked out a pine nut, shelled it, and put it to his lips. "Try it. After all, it's a kind thought from my mother."
He immediately assumed a solemn countenance and held out both hands for it. This made both Second Treasure and Tiger laugh. Then he called to a page to remove the pomelos in the display bowls and replace them with these candies, biscuits, and fruit and to place the two bowls high on the small stands of carved tree roots. His sincerity made Second Treasure extremely grateful, but there is no need to labor the point.
Two days later, it was the seventh night of the seventh month, lovers' day. Third Young Master had Little Wang get everything ready early in the morning. Carefully made up and wearing her best clothes, Second Treasure looked more charming than ever. At ten in the morning, they received a note from their host hurrying them along, after which they got into their sedan chairs in front of the hall and, accompanied only by Little Wang and Tiger, went via First Avenue and Mud Town Bridge to the gate of the Qi residence, Rustic Retreat. The doormen begged to redirect them to the garden, so they threaded through another street to the main garden gate. The word on the plaque, written in clerical script, read "Conical Hat Garden."
The garden attendants invited them in. The sedan chairs were borne straight to the Phoenix Pavilion by the lake. Second Bai and Devotion Yin welcomed them on the covered walkway, and Nature Shi and Second Treasure went up with them to the pavilion, where Aroma, Wenjun Yao, and Green Fragrance all came up to greet them. Nature Shi was surprised the girls had come so early.
"The three of us have been here for two days," said Aroma.
Devotion Yin said, "Harmony is the leader of a true love cult. A couple of days ago, he gave a wedding party for Second Bai and Wenjun. Today, the guests of honor at this seventh night party are you and your lady love."
As they were talking, Harmony Qi emerged and walked toward them, tripping lightly. Nature Shi addressed him as Collegiate Uncle, saluted him with a deep bow, and asked after his health. Harmony Qi made a few modest remarks, glanced around, and saw Second Treasure. "Is this your lady love?"
"Yes, sir," Nature Shi replied.
"Your Excellency," Second Treasure said in greeting.
Harmony Qi, smiling, came over to Second Treasure, took her hands, and looked her up and down. He then nodded at Second Bai and Devotion Yin, saying, "She certainly has the style of a girl from a good family."
Qi was over sixty. With his grizzled beard and air of innocence and sincerity, he made Second Treasure feel at ease. Everybody sat down and made light conversation. As she was still a stranger, Second Treasure did not say much. Harmony Qi told Aroma to show her the garden. Wenjun Yao and Green Fragrance, both in high spirits, also went along. The four of them walked down the steps on the left of the pavilion and came to a narrow winding path in the green shade of a bamboo grove. The path led to a stream, and they could make out on the other bank, hidden behind the trees, a cluster of gold and turquoise buildings of varying heights. They looked charming but inaccessible.
The four of them followed the stream into a crescent-shaped winding gallery. At both ends of the gallery, its name was inscribed in cursive script: Threshold of the Waves. Once past the gallery, it was curtains of pearls and painted pillars, turquoise tiles, and etched glass. Tall trees reached up to the clouds and brilliant red flowers shone in the sun. The building only had thirty-two chambers, but its visitors felt as if its eaves met up and its roofs were joined, that there were a thousand doors and windows, leaving them confused, not knowing where to go. Its name was Panorama Hall. In front of the hall, amid strange rocks and luxuriant foliage, a rugged peak rose abruptly: the Dragon Range. An octagonal pavilion on the range was called the Mid-sky Pavilion.
A palm arbor had been newly erected in the space between the hall and the hill. With about three hundred pots of jasmine blossoms displayed in the arbor, it did justice to the name Sea of Fragrant Snow. The four women were picking jasmine buds to wear in their hair when suddenly they heard someone calling from way up high. They looked up to find Aroma's servant girl, Greenie, standing alone in the pavilion. She had a lotus flower in her hand and was beckoning to them, smiling. Aroma shouted for her to come down, but Greenie did not seem to hear; she kept beckoning. How could Wenjun Yao stand the suspense? She flew up to the hilltop. When she got there, she waved her arms to beckon the others to join her even more urgently. They were baffled.
"Let's go and have a look," said Green Fragrance. She stepped out, lifting the hem of her skirt to lead the way. Reluctantly, Aroma followed. Holding Second Treasure by the hand, she kept to the stone steps, pausing along the way and panting delicately, quite overcome by exhaustion.
The fact was, the name Conical Hat Garden came from Conical Hat Lake, the circular shape of which embolized heaven and evoked a conical peasant hat. It occupied a couple of acres and so qualified as a lake. This Conical Hat Lake was situated in the center of the garden. To the southwest was the Phoenix Pavilion, which backed onto the water; to its northwest was Dragon Range, from where one could look down and see the entire garden.
Having arrived at the Mid-sky Pavilion, Aroma and Second Treasure could see that in the distance a group of colorfully dressed women was crowding around the fishing bank in the southeast corner of the lake, and a stream of servant girls and maids were heading there. "What's going on?" they asked Greenie.
"A maid was picking a lotus flower when she saw a fish trap and gave it a pull, and up came a huge golden carp, so everybody has gone to have a look."
"And I thought they were looking at something wonderful! My feet are all sore from so much walking," said Aroma.
"Even with flat heels, I was tripping and falling," said Second Treasure.
But Wenjun Yao, dissatisfied with this distant view, was determined to have a closer look. As the others talked, she streaked off again. Green Fragrance wanted to follow suit, but how could she catch up with Wenjun? The three women sat for a while longer before slowly descending Dragon Range.
"I want to go and change," said Green Fragrance. So they parted company in front of Panorama Hall.
Aroma saw all the windows in Panorama Hall were open and the curtains were hanging low. Four or five menservants were busy arranging tables and chairs. She asked, "Are we having our meal here?"
"This is for tonight. Lunch will be served at the waterside pavilion," the men replied.
Aroma said nothing in reply and took Second Treasure back to the Phoenix Pavilion along the original route. They were greeted by the sight of beautifully decked-out women and could smell their fragrances in the breeze. Four more guests had arrived: Iron Hua, Elan Ge, Cloud Tao, and Amity Zhu. Their girls, White Orchid, Snow Scent, Belle Tan, and White Fragrance, were already seated. Only Wenjun Yao remained standing. She had removed her outer garments and was just wearing a narrow-sleeved blouse of mandarin gauze. Leaning at the window overlooking the lake, she tried to cool herself with a straw fan.
"Did you see it when you got there?" Aroma asked.
Unable to speak, Wenjun signed with her mouth. Aroma turned her head around and saw a medium-sized jar for planting lotus set on an ice-bucket rack. In the jar was a golden carp measuring over a foot long. Second Treasure also gave it a fleeting glance.
"We should catch another one to make a pair." Wenjun came over to them, gesticulating.
"You'd have to catch it then," Aroma said teasingly. This brought a smile to every face.

I. Since Suzhou women had the reputation of being great beauties, courtesans all claim to have come from there