Chapter 6: Calumny Is Braved, and the Place of Lodging Changed, in Requital of Services Rendered

From: The Fortunate Union, a Chinese Romance. Translated from the Chinese Original by John Francis Davis (London, 1829)

Note: This text was digitized via OCR from the original 1829 print. Some scan errors may remain -- compare with the modern translation and Chinese original to verify.

CHAPTER VI.

“< CALUMNY IS BRAVED, AND THE PLACE OF LODGING CHANGED, IN REQUITAL OF SERVICES RENDERED.”

' ——

How long do enmities endure !—The rather , Let benefits be strictly recompensed :

The calumny that hung upon her name

Prov'd her of flowers the fairest—her vile foes Could ne'er depreciate the gem, nor stain, Though they might foul, its surface—native worth, Native intelligence guarded her—she walk'd

Firm and alone, without support or aid :

Though laudable the care that shuts out danger,” The virtue that resists temptation claims - Praise not inferior !

We leave Kwoketsu and his friend to find an agent for the execution of their plot, and turn to Teihchung- yu, who being escorted to the monastery ‘by a ser- vant of the Chehéen, felt grateful to that magistrate for his civility, and was far from suspecting evil in- tentions in any quarter. But when he thought of the uncommon beauty of Shueypingsin, and of the ad- mirable intcllectual qualities she had displayed, he

could

A reference to the stories of Loonantsze and Lewheahoey. The

first, being unavoidably compelled to pass some time alone in a house with a female, is said to have spent the night with a lighted taper and a book, in order to save the lady’s reputation, as well as his own. The second is celebrated by Confucius himself, on account of his passionless and imperturbable character and conduct, under, circumstances where ordinary persons would have yielded.

could not help saying to himself, “ I never imagined that so perfect a female character existed any where! It will be happy indeed if, whenever my family seek a match for me, they find one like this. With such charms as her’s, it is not wonderful that Kwoketsu was anxious to possess her, although the means he em- ployed were quite unjustifiable, and I am delighted at having unintentionally been the instrument of rescu- ing her from harm, and sending her safely home again.” He slept soundly that night, but Shueyping- sin was the unceasing subject of his dreams.

As soon as it was daylight, Teihchungyu called his attendant, and desired him to prepare every thing for their departure ; but the resident priest * of the monastery made his appearance, and detained hia. “ Sir,” said he, “as the magistrate provides you with a lodging here, he no doubt intends iaviting you to an entertainment, and cultivating your friend- ship. Why be in such haste to depart ?”

‘© T am no friend of his,” replied the youth, “ and come here in search of no favour or advantage from him. We had something to say together, ia

VOL. fT. k consequence

¢ Named 7\hsew, which literally means “ rectifying the heart in solitude.” The priests of Buddha are generally stolen or bought from their parents in infancy, and such names as the above are conferred on them. A monastery, similar to the one in the text, exists at Canton, and served as a lodging for the embussy of 1816. It contains, among other objects of curiosity to Europeans, an enormous stye of privileged pigs, whoee lives are spared as an act of merit in this sect.

Et vetus indulget senibus clementia porcis.’

consequence of a little act of injustice which fell in my way ; but, that being done, there is no occasion for farther intercourse, on the ground of either business or civility. What is there to prevent my departure ?”

‘© Nothing,” replied the priest, ‘ except that [ have reported to his worship you would not go away so early.” Scarcely was this uttered before a mes- senger arrived from the magistrate, with a card of invitation for that evening, and the priest then added, “ Was I not right in detaining you ?”

When Teihchungyu found that the magistrate was so pressing, he thought himself obliged to defer his journey ; and the priest soon prepared his - breakfast, which he had just finished, when there atrived a per- son dressed like an upper servant in a family, who said that he had been sent by his lady Shueypingsin to find out the young gentleman’s lodging, in order to convey to him some presents in acknowledgment of his kind succour.

_ Teihchungyu immediately came out to speak to the man, whom he desired to return to his-lady, and tell her, with his best respects, that the occurrences of yesterday had happened entirely without premedita- tion, and he had merely used his endeavours to recti- fy an act of violence which chance threw in his way ; he had accordingly given a loose to his resentment, and provoked the magistrate, “ who,” added he, “ if he finds that your lady sends me presents, will take

occasion

occasion to ascribe it to wrong motives—she must not thiok of it.”

The servant-replied that his lady, who had yester- day been thrown off her guard, and well nigh fallen into the tiger’s jaws, felt so much indebted to her kind deliverer, that she would be very uneasy unless allowed to offer some small token of her gratitude.

“ Your lady,” replied the youth, “ is one of the patterns of her sex; I myself am of a temper easily excited against what is base, and in our cominon re- gard for virtue we have a better ground of mutual esteem than the mere observance of ordinary forms. It would, therefore, be highly unbefitting in me to take a present—on no account will I receive any. To- day I dine with the magistrate, but to-morrow morn- ing shall proceed on my journey. Let me yet warn your lady against the wily violence of the tiger: let me conjure her to be still on her guard against the dangers which menace her.”

The servant on his return home gave a faithful re- port of this message to his lady, who was charmed by what she heard. ‘ Is there-really,” thought she to herself, “ so perfect a character between heaven and earth—one sq truly worthy of respect! I consider it a hard fate that custom debars me, as a female, from an interchange of friendship with him! How unfortunate, too, that in my father’s absence there should be nobody here to receive so worthy a guest—

K 2 that

that the opportunity of contracting so excellent an acquaintance should melt away like ice or snow !” She then considered whether her uncle might not be available on the occasion: but abandoned the idea, as she greatly feared his treachery... She again felt desi- rous of sending the youth a present, but observing his elevation of character, thought he might con- ceive a mean idea of her for paying such minute at- tention to trifles ;—besides, her enemies would mis- construe her motives. Thus it was that she turned the matter repeatedly over in her mind, without being able to decide on any thing. From time to time, however, the young lady sent 8 person to inquire how Teihchungyu was getting on at the monastery, thinking that it might still be in her power to serve him. A report arrived in the after- noon that he was gone to dine with the magistrate ; and in the evening she was informed that he had re- turned to his lodging, after being induced to drink freely. A messenger was despatched on the following morning to ascertain if he had set out on his journey ; but he returned, after some inquiries, and eaid that Teihchungyu, in consequence of the conviviality over- night, had not yet risen. The suspicions of Shuey- pingsin were now excited—she could not rest satis- fied—and again despatched her messenger, who ‘brought the same report as before. She inquired the reason of his not taking his departure as intended? To

To which the servant replied, that he had asked the question, and the priest stated as a reason the wish of the superior magistrate to detain him, as he also was aware of his father’s high situation, and intend- ed to invite him to an entertainment likewise.

Shueypingsin felt in some measure satisfied by this, as it appeared suitable enough with the rank and situation of the parties. After the lapse of two whole days, however, her spy came in a great hurry to inform her, that the preceding evening the priest had invited his guest to an entertainment of herbs and fruit ;* that the latter had this morning been seized with violent pains and sickness, and re- mained 6o indisposed as to refuse every thing—even tea. The young lady’s fears were excited. “ How should such a simple repast make him ill?—there must be something more in this !”” thought she, and imme- diately sent a person to ascertain secretly if a physi- cian had been called in.

She received for answer, that the Chehéen’s doctor had seen him, but reported that it was nothing more than a little internal disorder from irregular diet, which medicine would soon cure. She felt somewhat quieted, but nevertheless sent off early the next morn- ing to ascertain farther, and then learned that he had taken the doctor’s prescription overnight, and been

very

been very ill ever since,—that he was reduced, in fact, to the lowest degree of weakness.*

Shueypingsin’s alarm became excessive. ‘“‘ There is some villainy,” thought she ;—“‘ he has fallen a victim to some foul plot !”—-But what could she do to save him, young girl as she was—how was it possible for her to go thither? She ransacked her invention in vain for some feasible plan, and walked up and down her room in the greatest agitation, sighing and weeping, as she exclaimed, “ Alas! it was all on my account that he incurred this fatal adventure, and if I do not contrive to save him, who will?” After a moment’s embarrass- ment she suddenly thought to herself, “‘ The occasion is urgent, I must brave calumny for once, and act as the extremity of the case requires.” She then inquired of her servants what attendants had Teihchungyu, and being told that he had but one, a boy named Seaoutan, about fourteen or fifteen years of age, she asked if he seemed intelligent? Being told he was particularly so, “Then,” said the young lady, “let him be privately informed that I desire to see him, having something of consequence to communicate. Let two of you proceed immediately, one to bring him hither, and the other to remain by his master during his absence.”

Seaoutan presently obeyed this summons, and the young lady “inquired of him, “ What could occasion

your

your master to fall se suddenly ill, after appearing in such good health only a few days since ?”

“My master,” replied the lad, “ commonly enjoys

the best health ; but after drinking more wine than usual at the magistrate’s, he began to droop, and since the pnest’s entertainment he has gradually became worse ; while the medicine which the doctor gave him yesterday, instead of curing him, has made him still weaker than ever.” - “ But though so weak in body,” said Shueypingsin, “has he yet entire possession of his mind ?”—Being assured that he was still quite sensible, though scarcely able to speak through debility,—“ then,” contjnued-she, “it is not too late to save him. Do you go back, and inform your master privately from me that the Chehéen had no good intention in detaining him. The circum- stances attending my rescue, the discomfiture of Kwo- ketgu’s achemes, and the affront put upon himself, have made an implacable enemy of that magistrate. The seizure of the pretended paper from the emperor, how- ever, obliged him to be cautious, and as he perceived. that your master was without friends in this place, he. has put on the semblance of great civility and attention, with the ultimate view of poisoning him in his food. Unless he observes the greatest precaution, from this moment, and refuses every thing they offer him, I will, not answer for his life.”

The page here exclaimed, “ Your ladyship must

surely

surely be right! for if not for some villainous plot, how should he suffer so much from the medicine which he took last night? I suspect the priest himself is one of the wretches concerned. They would persuade my master to take more of their medicine ;—but I will go back and inform him of every thing, that he may treat them as they deserve.”

“ Hold !” replied Shueypingsin, “ that must not be! The priest is most likely concerned: but he still acts by the suggestion of the Chehéen. If your master says any thing just now, the other will hear of it; and as his situation is desperate,* he will hit upon a plan still more fatal. Your master, in his present condition, is no match for his enemies; let him, therefore, feign that his illness has made him delirious, in order to throw the priest off his guard; and if you will remain quiet until night, a sedan shall be in readiness near the mo- nastery, to which you may convey him, and bring him straight to my house. The library shall be prepared ;— there he may nurse himself in safety for some days, and re-establish his health and strength. When that is effected, it will not be too late to take vengeance on his enemies.”

Seaoutan assured her that he would pay exact obe- dience to her directions, and was going to take his leave, when she called him back and said, “ I have one word more of consequence to add, which you must attend to,

and

Literally, ‘ he is like a man on a tiger's back.’

and recollect. Your master I know to be a person of very rigid sentiments; I am afraid, therefore, that he may object to coming hither, and be willing to run any risk rather than expose either of us to calumnious im- putations. Should such be the case, you may remind him from me, that the great and virtuous have always obeyed the dictates of their own superior minds, with- out affecting a rigid and pedantic exterior. When the sage Confucius himself went over in disguise to the state Soong, he adapted his conduct to the necessity of his circumstances. I shall expect your master at this house, and trust that he will take my invitation in eamest, instead of regarding it as a mere matter of form.”

The page promised to attend to all she said, and hastened to return to his master’s bed-side, where, find- ing him asleep, he waited until he awoke with a deep sigh, and then, looking round to see that nobody was within hearing, reported all that Shueypingsin had di- rected him to say regarding the evil intentions of the magistrate. Teihchungyu listened with astonishment. “ Yes,” exclaimed he to himself, “a pretty dupe I have been on this occasion!” Then, with a sudden impulse of rage and resentment, he would have gone straight to the Chehéen’s ;—but the page mentioned the argument of the young lady in favour of his remaining quiet, and ended by telling him of her plan for restoring him to health.

Teihchungyu

Teihchungyu was charmed by what he heard, and expressed his admiration of her kindness. “ But,” said he, “she is a young woman without protection, and I myself a very young man: besides which, there are the events of the other day to promote suspicion and slander; better die, then, in the hands of these vil- lains, than do her such a disservice as go to her house.” His page now thought it time to recount her parting speech, which he did with great exactness, and at once delighted and persuaded his master, who exclaimed, “To judge by her words, one might take her for some great sage or hero, instead of a tender young girl !—I can have no more scruples on the subject.”

He had hardly done speaking when the priest brought in another dose of medicine, and gave it to the page. “The doctor,” said he, “ advises that this too be taken —it will certainly cure the disorder.” The boy re- ceived it with thanks, and told him that his master should swallow it as soon as he could be lifted up in bed, upon which the priest went away, recommending some rice gruel to be taken soon after: but no sooner was his back turned than Seaoutan threw the potion into the drain behind the monastery,. while Teihchungyu muttered with indignation, “Oh, that I should be re- duced to this condition by the machinations of that shaven-pated slave !”

When it was evening, Seaoutan perceived a small well-appointed sedan waiting at some distance beyond

the

the gate of the monastery, attended by two servants, with whom having made his arrangements, he. pro- ceeded quietly to inform his master. The latter, how- ever, was in so weak a state that he could hardly rise from his bed, and began to fear that he should be unable to avail ‘himself of Shueypingsin’s kindness. But he made a violent ‘effort, and by great good luck there happened to be no person in the way. His boy exerted all his strength to assist him, and when they had got out of the monastery, the two servants con- tributed their assistance to convey the youth into the chair, which done, he was immediately carried off by - the bearers. The boy ran back to the monastery, and told the priest, who acted as porter, that his master had met with a friend who undertook to nurse his com- plaint, and that his travelling effects: might be placed undet the care of the head priest until they were called for ;—after which he followed the chair.

When they had proceeded half-way they were met by two more servants of Shueypingsin, each of them carrying a painted lantern. Teihchungyu, as he sat in the sedan, observing the eare that had been taken m the preparation of its blinds and cushions, and saw the lanterns in attendance, could not help feeling very grateful for the care which Shueypingsin seemed to take of him.

They presently arrived at the house, where, according to the directions that the young lady had previously given,

the

the chair was carried straight into the great hall and set down. The lamps were all burning with a snowy lus- tre, and Shueypingsin stood in a side room on the right of the hall, whence she ordered two wives of servants in the family, and two waiting maids, to go and assist Teihchungyu out of the sedan, and lead him into the library on the east side, which was the chamber pro- vided for him. The young man, as he got out of the chair, called his page and bade him offer his grateful acknowledgments to Shueypingsin for her goodness, which nothing but his sickness prevented him from duly acknowledging ; but that with the first return of health he would bow down to the earth in token of his grati- tude. Then leaning on the attendants, he was led into his chamber, and sat down. on the bed, where, exhaust- ed with the exertions he had made, he laid himself down at once with his clothes on, and being freed from all anxiety, as well as soothed by the kindness of his reception, turned round and fell sound asleep.

Shueypingsin had desired her maids to present de- coctions of the fruits heangyé and loongyen,* as well as the root jinseng ; but when they found that he was

, asleep,

The fruit called loongyen, or ‘ dragon’s eye,’ and the plant jinseng

are well known ; but the heangy? has not been met with. The follow- ing is an abstract of its description in the Puntsaou, or Chinese herbal. “ Tt is called by the Budhists the ganlo fruit, grows on a large tree, and belongs to the pear tribe; when ripe of a yellow colour,—leaves re- sembling the tea plant—seeds those of the pear: a wholesome fruit, and a decoction of it used to allay thirst.”

asleep, they forebore from waking him. Their mistress dismissed her attendants with the exception of a few females, whom she retained in the outer hall to prepare the tea, &c., while the boy was directed to wait by his master’s bed in case he should call.

It was only about the third * watch when the latter awoke, and looking round, perceived a couple of light- ed candles on the table, and Seaoutan sitting at the bottom of the bed. Seeing his master was awake, the boy asked him if he felt better? “‘ My sleep has done me good,” replied Teihchungyu ;—“ but why are you not asleep?” Seaoutan told him that he waa not the only person awake, for the young lady herself was sitting in the hall, with a number of her attendants, preparing tea and other drinks. His master was startled by this. ‘‘ I must not think of letting her take so much trouble on my account!” said he,—when at the same moment several of the attendants came to the door, bringing with them the various preparations.

Teihchungyu would take no tea, and rejected the jimseng as too strong; but he tasted the decoction of loongyen, and was prevailed on to take half a bowl of it. He then addressed himself to those in waiting: “ Pray present my respects to your lady, and tell her how grateful I feel for her noble exertions in rescuing me from the tiger’s jaws; but if she puts herself to so much trouble for my accommodation, it will deprive me

of

‘of rest and sleep—let me entreat her then to consult her own ease a little.”

Here one of the waiting maids, who was more par- ticularly attached to her mistress’s person, interrupted him. “ My lady, sir, considers your present sickness as entirely owing to the services you performed for her, and therefore, as long as you are ill, it is impossible for her to feel at ease. While she heard you were daily growing worse, her anxiety was insupportable, but now that you are lodged in a place of safety. her chief fears are allayed ; and as for these little services which she is able to render, they are not worth consideration. She only begs that you will compose yourself, and thereby consult your own speedy recovery, without troubling your thoughts with any thing farther.”

“But,” rejoined he, “ if your lady is disquieted by my sickness, I am equally disquieted by the fatigue and exertion she undergoes for my sake: let me beg her then to consult our mutual good by giving herself some rest.” ;

“ She will no doubt obey your wishes,” said the other, “ and retire to rest when she finds you are com- fortably settled ;” upon which Teihchungyu said he would retire at once, and desired his boy to assist him off with his clothes, and shut the curtains. As he turned round to sleep, he could not help remarking, with some emotion, the care that seemed to have been taken in

the preparation of his bed and of its furniture. Thus

Thus good for good, kindness for kindness done, Prov’d gratitude unfeign’d, and from the heart : A single thought, unworthy of th’ occasion, Had earn’d the censure of a thousand years.

When her attendants reported to Shueypingsin what the youth had said, she observed, that if he could speak thus sensibly, there was no fear of his being in any danger : but at the same time gave orders that a skilful physician should be called in the morning ; and having directed two of her females to sleep in the hall, in case of any thing being required at night, she retired to her own chamber to rest.

’Tis said the thankful ghost® did knit the grass, While deep in earth the white bones lay ;—the bird Brought in its grateful bill the healing flower :—

Fair gratitude has ever deck’d alike Fam’d characters of old.

Unable, however, to relieve her mind from its chief anxiety, Shueypingsin rose with the dawn to renew her instructions to her domestics, charging the page at the same time to conceal from his master that she was busying herself on his account. When Teihchungyu shortly afterwards awoke, he desired to get up; but finding himself still weak, he arrayed himself in bed, and having taken some gruel, remained quiet in a re- clining posture. The physician presently arrived, and when he had seen him, and examined into his case, delivered the following opinion: “ Your pulse,” said the doctor, “is regular, and therefore nothing serious

can

See Notes to Appendix. :

can be the matter internally. Some impropriety of diet has injured the stomach: there is no need of a great deal of physic: a few days’ quiet nursing will restore you. In the first place, beware of any strong emotion : secondly, beware of fatigue and anxiety: thirdly, be- ware of talking too much. These things are of chief consequence.” Then taking out two papers of medicine, the doctor departed.

Shueypingsin heard of this favourable report with great satisfaction. But we leave her for the present, and turn to the priest at the monastery, who when he learned from the porter that Teihchungyu was gone, and had bequeathed his baggage to his care, was thrown into the utmost consternation. “ I should not mind it,” thought he, “had not Kwoketsu so repeat- edly charged me to detain him, and make away with him quietly by poisoning his drink.* In the course of four days, I had nearly effected this, and gave him a dose at last by which I would have engaged to kill him; but in spite of all this, sick as he was, he has contrived to escape! I cannot understand it. If Kwo- ketsu comes here, what can I possibly say ?”

He pondered anxiously for a whole night, but made nothing of the matter, and as soon as morning appeared, went over to the house of Kwoketsu to inform him. The latter flew into a violent rage. “ What!” ex-

claimed

Literally, ‘ by putting rhubarb, patow, and the like in his gruel.’

Patow is the croton tigltum, a tremendously powerful drug.

claimed he, “ did you not tell me, two days since, that the fellow lay half dead on his couch? How escaped he yesterday 7—But, no, you have been shifting sides : you have let him off, because his father is a member of the Censorate—You have paid this slight to my family.”

- The priest began to rave and beat his breast in despair. “ Alas! sir,” cried he, “ why kill me with your injurious suspicions! I belong to a class alto- gether dependent on those in power. How should I set aside yourself, our native patron and benefactor, to serve the other, who is a perfect stranger ?”

“ This is the Chehéen’s affair,” replied Kwoketsu, “and I shall just take you before him to explain yourself.” So saying, without allowing the priest to communicate with any one, he carried him to the magistrate, and told the latter of Teihchungyu’s escape.

“ How is this?” said he to the priest ; “ how came you to let the youth go away ?”

“ Sir,” replied the other, “ if I had wished to con- trive his escape, what prevented my chusing the time when he was well, and went out to dinner every day? I might then have pleaded an excuse ; but after he was nine parts dead, what should induce me to send him away, merely to excite this suspicion and anger against myself? Believe me I am quite ignorant of his mode of escape.”

“ Well,” said the magistrate, “I am inclined to believe this, and will take no farther notice; but have

you no means of tracing whither he went?” The priest replied, that he was equally ignorant on this point ; and the Chehéen then inquired if any friend had visited him?—to which the other likewise answered in the negative. “ But,” said the magistrate, ‘‘ somebody must surely have communicated with him ?”

“A servant only of Shueykeuyih’s household,” replied the priest, “ came to make inquiries, and even he never entered the young man’s chamber.”

Here the magistrate laughed, and turned to Kwo- ketsu. “ It is just as I guessed !”. exclaimed he.

“ What is your worship’s meaning?” inquired the young man.

“ Why,” said the other, “ Teihchungyu’s friend on this occasion is no other than Shueypingsin, whom he lately rescued. She is a wonderful young woman! Perceiving his long detention and subsequent illness, she saw at once into the whole plot, sent persons to look out, and at length carried him off. If you wish to know more about it, go to your wife’s father, he will be able to inform you.”

Kwoketsu paused, and presently exclaimed, ‘ * Your surmise must be true; but what a hateful creature is that Shueypingsin !—After all my solicitations she persisted in refusing me, and now she at once lodges this smooth-faced youth in her own house.”

“ Do not be hasty,” said the magistrate, “ but inquire first into the truth: we will then consult farther.”

The

The priest was now dismissed, and Kwoketsu returned to his own house, whence he sent a message to Shueyun, inviting him to come over. When the latter arrived, his son-in-law told him that he understood his niece had concealed a young man named Teihchungyu in her house, and asked if he was aware of it?

“ No,” replied the other, “ she is so vexed with me for not going to her rescue on the late occasion, that she never speaks to me ; I have giving up going to see her, and therefore know nothing of this business.”

“* May I trouble you then, to go and make inquiries,” said his son-in-law. ,

“I can easily do that,” said Shueyun, “ but pray is this youth the person who rescued her at the magistrate’s ?”—And being told that he was, “ I heard,” continued he, “ that his worship sent him to lodge at the monastery—how comes my niece, then, to harbour him?” The other gave the grounds of his suspicion, upon which Shueyun exclaimed, “This business will not end here! But wait while I go and make inquiries.” So saying, he walked straight home, and calling for his youngest son, told him to go over to his cousin’s, under pretence of amusement, and observe narrowly what was passing there.

Shueypingsin made no secret of the business, and the boy soon found out the whole truth. He went back in a great hurry to his father, and told him that there was a young man laid up sick in the library on the east

Lu 2 side.

side. This point being ascertained, Shueyun went over to his niece and addressed her thus: “‘ Your father and I have long lived separate, and it is therefore unwillingly that I interfere in your domestic matters. But the scandalous reports I have lately heard abroad, compel me, as your nearest relation, to take some cognizance of them.”

“ No doubt,” replied his niece, “if you have learned any thing to my disadvantage, you have a full right, as my uncle, to inquire into it; but pray what may you be alluding to ?”

“ Thave heard,” said he, “‘ that the two sexes ought to remain properly separate—how is it, then, that you a solitary female, without either father or brothers in the house, receive into your own dwelling and there nurse a perfect stranger, one whom you scarcely know even by name? No wonder that people talk about it, for I, your near relation, cannot pretend to defend you.”

To this his niece replied,* “ I have always under- stood, uncle, that the forms and limitations prescrib- ed by the wise and virtuous of old were for the guid- ance of ordinary characters, who stood in need of them, not for such as were able to act rightly by the native dictates of their own minds. When the sove- reign Heuenkoong conferred with his own hands a badge on his meritorious servant, he stepped out of

the

the ordinary rules of form ;* and the philosopher Men- cius, in speaking of the reserve to be maintained be- tween the sexes, conscious that the blind observance of small forms might prejudice more important duties, states that even this reserve must be waved in matters of life and death, and that he who for a point of form allowed another to perish, would be little better than a savage beast. From such instances one may infer with certainty that all the prescriptions of the sages of antiquity had no object in view but the rectitude of men’s hearts, and that where these are as they ought to be, a few trifling forms may be violated without harm ; in confirmation of which there is this maxim, ‘ im- portant duties must not be omitted ; but minor points may yield to circumstances.’ I remember what has been observed by a great historian, that ‘ particular exigencies are comnion to all ;’ moreover,t ‘ that be- nefits and wrongs should both be returned;’ and accordingly, the celebrated persons of every age have undergone every extremity in order to recompense their benefactors and punish their enemies.. Iam a weak and secluded female, yet I respect their exam- ple. While quietly residing in the privacy of my house, without a thought contrary to the laws or to decorum, a gang of villains conspired to counterfeit

the

the imperial decree, and get possession of my person. -Then where was the protection of the laws? where the restraint of public opinion ?—and, I may add, where the succour of nearest relations? To whom

' could I talk of the reserve to be maintained between

the sexes ?—But in that crisis, when I was more dead than alive, and when the malice of my enemies had reached its height, could I do otherwise than feel grateful to the person who rescued me? Teihchung- yu is a young man neither known nor related to my family; yet when I consider the services his courage and generosity have rendered me, which of my neigh- bours or relations can I find to compare to him? Without any previous acquaintance, and meeting by mere chance with a case of oppression in his path, he defended my cause in the magistrate’s public court, and saved me from perishing in the hands of my wicked ravishers. My safe return was solely owing to this youth’s prowess—and now, when his services have provoked against himself the vengeance of my enemies, and fallen as he is into their snares, did I, from any fear of vulgar calumny, allow my excellent benefactor to perish unfriended ina strange place, in what respect should I differ from a savage beast? For these reasons I received him into my house,but as soon as his health permits he will leave it. I shall then have paid back some part of the debt I owehim,and [ should feel no shame if it were proclaimed to the heavens and

the

the earth, to the gods and demons. Who are the per- sons that dare commenton my behaviour? Would you undertake my defence, and act as befits my near rela- tive, go and apprehend the villains who counterfeited the decree and seized my person; let them. all be punished, both principals and accessaries.* You will then vindicate our family name from reproach ; instead of keeping your hands in your sleeves, and coming over to insult me with a parcel of trite maxims, which I am surprised you should think me capable of listen- ing to.”

Shueyun was struck dumb by this lecture! He stood like a fool for some moments, but at length re- eovered himself sufficiently to make the following reply. ‘* It was not that I felt unwilling to take your part, but my power and influence were unequal to the attempt. Your discourse is very ingenious and reasonable; but you must remember that the virtu- ous and talented bear no proportion to the mean and envious, nor the learned and enlightened to the igno-. rant and dull. Ordinary persons merely remark,

Here is a young woman who entertains a young

man in her house,’ and their construction of your conduct is extremely unfavourable.”

6 The

© The Chinese law distinguishes, in most cases, between principals and aecessaries before the fact, punishing the latter by one degree less severely than the former: while our law punishes accessaries before the fact as principals ;—ajter the fact, as mere concealers of what they were bound to reveal.

“ The world’s unfavourable views of conduct and character,” replied his niece, “ are but the floating clouds, from which the brightest day is not free. The heart is the root of our actions; this should be con- tinually guarded, and I am satisfied if I can keep mine pure and free from taint. With regard to other people’s—if they should stand in need of watching, you have only to exercise a little private vigilance, and may perhaps make some discoveries.”

After this rebuff, Shueyun was glad to slink off to his house in silence ;—but to learn how our excellent pair vindicated themselves from suspicion and slan- der, and to see what farther schemes were agitated against them, the reader must proceed to the next chapter. :

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Hao Qiu Zhuan/en-davis/Chapter 6

Chapter 6: Calumny Is Braved, and the Place of Lodging Changed, in Requital of Services Rendered

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