The spirit of Mrs. Chia Shih-yin departs from the town of Yang Chou — Leng Tzu-hsing dilates1 upon the Jung Kuo Mansion2.
To continue. Feng Su, upon hearing the shouts of the public messengers, came out in a flurry and forcing a smile, he asked them to explain (their errand); but all these people did was to continue bawling3 out: “Be quick, and ask Mr. Chen to come out.”
“My surname is Feng,” said Feng Su, as he promptly5 forced himself to smile; “It is’nt Chen at all: I had once a son-in-law whose surname was Chen, but he has left home, it is now already a year or two back. Is it perchance about him that you are inquiring?”
To which the public servants remarked: “We know nothing about Chen or Chia (true or false); but as he is your son-in-law, we’ll take you at once along with us to make verbal answer to our master and have done with it.”
And forthwith the whole bevy7 of public servants hustled8 Feng Su on, as they went on their way back; while every one in the Feng family was seized with consternation9, and could not imagine what it was all about.
It was no earlier than the second watch, when Feng Su returned home; and they, one and all, pressed him with questions as to what had happened.
“The fact is,” he explained, “the newly-appointed Magistrate10, whose surname is Chia, whose name is Huo and who is a native of Hu-chow, has been on intimate terms, in years gone by, with our son-in-law; that at the sight of the girl Chiao Hsing, standing11 at the door, in the act of buying thread, he concluded that he must have shifted his quarters over here, and hence it was that his messengers came to fetch him. I gave him a clear account of the various circumstances (of his misfortunes), and the Magistrate was for a time much distressed12 and expressed his regret. He then went on to make inquiries13 about my grand-daughter, and I explained that she had been lost, while looking at the illuminations. ‘No matter,’ put in the Magistrate, ‘I will by and by order my men to make search, and I feel certain that they will find her and bring her back.’ Then ensued a short conversation, after which I was about to go, when he presented me with the sum of two taels.”
The mistress of the Chen family (Mrs. Chen Shih-yin) could not but feel very much affected14 by what she heard, and the whole evening she uttered not a word.
The next day, at an early hour, Yü-ts’un sent some of his men to bring over to Chen’s wife presents, consisting of two packets of silver, and four pieces of brocaded silk, as a token of gratitude15, and to Feng Su also a confidential16 letter, requesting him to ask of Mrs. Chen her maid Chiao Hsing to become his second wife.
Feng Su was so intensely delighted that his eyebrows17 expanded, his eyes smiled, and he felt eager to toady18 to the Magistrate (by presenting the girl to him). He hastened to employ all his persuasive19 powers with his daughter (to further his purpose), and on the same evening he forthwith escorted Chiao Hsing in a small chair to the Yamên.
The joy experienced by Yü-ts’un need not be dilated20 upon. He also presented Feng Su with a packet containing one hundred ounces of gold; and sent numerous valuable presents to Mrs. Chen, enjoining21 her “to live cheerfully in the anticipation22 of finding out the whereabouts of her daughter.”
It must be explained, however, that the maid Chi’ao Hsing was the very person, who, a few years ago, had looked round at Yü-ts’un and who, by one simple, unpremeditated glance, evolved, in fact, this extraordinary destiny which was indeed an event beyond conception.
Who would ever have foreseen that fate and fortune would both have so favoured her that she should, contrary to all anticipation, give birth to a son, after living with Yü-ts’un barely a year, that in addition to this, after the lapse24 of another half year, Yü-ts’un’s wife should have contracted a sudden illness and departed this life, and that Yü-ts’un should have at once raised her to the rank of first wife. Her destiny is adequately expressed by the lines:
Through but one single, casual look
Soon an exalted25 place she took.
The fact is that after Yü-ts’un had been presented with the money by Shih-yin, he promptly started on the 16th day for the capital, and at the triennial great tripos, his wishes were gratified to the full. Having successfully carried off his degree of graduate of the third rank, his name was put by selection on the list for provincial26 appointments. By this time, he had been raised to the rank of Magistrate in this district; but, in spite of the excellence27 and sufficiency of his accomplishments28 and abilities, he could not escape being ambitious and overbearing. He failed besides, confident as he was in his own merits, in respect toward his superiors, with the result that these officials looked upon him scornfully with the corner of the eye.
A year had hardly elapsed, when he was readily denounced in a memorial to the Throne by the High Provincial authorities, who represented that he was of a haughty30 disposition31, that he had taken upon himself to introduce innovations in the rites32 and ceremonies, that overtly33, while he endeavoured to enjoy the reputation of probity34 and uprightness, he, secretly, combined the nature of the tiger and wolf; with the consequence that he had been the cause of much trouble in the district, and that he had made life intolerable for the people, &c. &c.
The Dragon countenance35 of the Emperor was considerably36 incensed37. His Majesty38 lost no time in issuing commands, in reply to the Memorial, that he should be deprived of his official status.
On the arrival of the despatch39 from the Board, great was the joy felt by every officer, without exception, of the prefecture in which he had held office. Yü-ts’un, though at heart intensely mortified40 and incensed, betrayed not the least outward symptom of annoyance41, but still preserved, as of old, a smiling and cheerful countenance.
He handed over charge of all official business and removed the savings42 which he had accumulated during the several years he had been in office, his family and all his chattels43 to his original home; where, after having put everything in proper order, he himself travelled (carried the winds and sleeved the moon) far and wide, visiting every relic44 of note in the whole Empire.
As luck would have it, on a certain day while making a second journey through the Wei Yang district, he heard the news that the Salt Commissioner45 appointed this year was Lin Ju-hai. This Lin Ju-hai’s family name was Lin, his name Hai and his style Ju-hai. He had obtained the third place in the previous triennial examination, and had, by this time, already risen to the rank of Director of the Court of Censors46. He was a native of Kú Su. He had been recently named by Imperial appointment a Censor47 attached to the Salt Inspectorate, and had arrived at his post only a short while back.
In fact, the ancestors of Lin Ju-hai had, from years back, successively inherited the title of Marquis, which rank, by its present descent to Ju-hai, had already been enjoyed by five generations. When first conferred, the hereditary48 right to the title had been limited to three generations; but of late years, by an act of magnanimous favour and generous beneficence, extraordinary bounty49 had been superadded; and on the arrival of the succession to the father of Ju-hai, the right had been extended to another degree. It had now descended50 to Ju-hai, who had, besides this title of nobility, begun his career as a successful graduate. But though his family had been through uninterrupted ages the recipient51 of imperial bounties52, his kindred had all been anyhow men of culture.
The only misfortune had been that the several branches of the Lin family had not been prolific53, so that the numbers of its members continued limited; and though there existed several households, they were all however to Ju-hai no closer relatives than first cousins. Neither were there any connections of the same lineage, or of the same parentage.
Ju-hai was at this date past forty; and had only had a son, who had died the previous year, in the third year of his age. Though he had several handmaids, he had not had the good fortune of having another son; but this was too a matter that could not be remedied.
By his wife, née Chia, he had a daughter, to whom the infant name of Tai Yü was given. She was, at this time, in her fifth year. Upon her the parents doated as much as if she were a brilliant pearl in the palm of their hand. Seeing that she was endowed with natural gifts of intelligence and good looks, they also felt solicitous54 to bestow55 upon her a certain knowledge of books, with no other purpose than that of satisfying, by this illusory way, their wishes of having a son to nurture56 and of dispelling57 the anguish58 felt by them, on account of the desolation and void in their family circle (round their knees).
But to proceed. Yü-ts’un, while sojourning at an inn, was unexpectedly laid up with a violent chill. Finding on his recovery, that his funds were not sufficient to pay his expenses, he was thinking of looking out for some house where he could find a resting place when he suddenly came across two friends acquainted with the new Salt Commissioner. Knowing that this official was desirous to find a tutor to instruct his daughter, they lost no time in recommending Yü-ts’un, who moved into the Yamên.
His female pupil was youthful in years and delicate in physique, so that her lessons were irregular. Besides herself, there were only two waiting girls, who remained in attendance during the hours of study, so that Yü-ts’un was spared considerable trouble and had a suitable opportunity to attend to the improvement of his health.
In a twinkle, another year and more slipped by, and when least expected, the mother of his ward29, née Chia, was carried away after a short illness. His pupil (during her mother’s sickness) was dutiful in her attendance, and prepared the medicines for her use. (And after her death,) she went into the deepest mourning prescribed by the rites, and gave way to such excess of grief that, naturally delicate as she was, her old complaint, on this account, broke out anew.
Being unable for a considerable time to prosecute60 her studies, Yü-ts’un lived at leisure and had no duties to attend to. Whenever therefore the wind was genial61 and the sun mild, he was wont62 to stroll at random63, after he had done with his meals.
On this particular day, he, by some accident, extended his walk beyond the suburbs, and desirous to contemplate64 the nature of the rustic65 scenery, he, with listless step, came up to a spot encircled by hills and streaming pools, by luxuriant clumps66 of trees and thick groves67 of bamboos. Nestling in the dense68 foliage69 stood a temple. The doors and courts were in ruins. The walls, inner and outer, in disrepair. An inscription70 on a tablet testified that this was the temple of Spiritual Perception. On the sides of the door was also a pair of old and dilapidated scrolls71 with the following enigmatical verses.
Behind ample there is, yet to retract72 the hand, the mind heeds73 not, until.
Before the mortal vision lies no path, when comes to turn the will.
“These two sentences,” Yü-ts’un pondered after perusal74, “although simple in language, are profound in signification. I have previous to this visited many a spacious75 temple, located on hills of note, but never have I beheld76 an inscription referring to anything of the kind. The meaning contained in these words must, I feel certain, owe their origin to the experiences of some person or other; but there’s no saying. But why should I not go in and inquire for myself?”
Upon walking in, he at a glance caught sight of no one else, but of a very aged77 bonze, of unkempt appearance, cooking his rice. When Yü-ts’un perceived that he paid no notice, he went up to him and asked him one or two questions, but as the old priest was dull of hearing and a dotard, and as he had lost his teeth, and his tongue was blunt, he made most irrelevant78 replies.
Yü-ts’un lost all patience with him, and withdrew again from the compound with the intention of going as far as the village public house to have a drink or two, so as to enhance the enjoyment79 of the rustic scenery. With easy stride, he accordingly walked up to the place. Scarcely had he passed the threshold of the public house, when he perceived some one or other among the visitors who had been sitting sipping80 their wine on the divan81, jump up and come up to greet him, with a face beaming with laughter.
“What a strange meeting! What a strange meeting!” he exclaimed aloud.
Yü-ts’un speedily looked at him, (and remembered) that this person had, in past days, carried on business in a curio establishment in the capital, and that his surname was Leng and his style Tzu-hsing.
A mutual82 friendship had existed between them during their sojourn59, in days of yore, in the capital; and as Yü-ts’un had entertained the highest opinion of Leng Tzu-hsing, as being a man of action and of great abilities, while this Leng Tzu-hsing, on the other hand, borrowed of the reputation of refinement83 enjoyed by Yü-ts’un, the two had consequently all along lived in perfect harmony and companionship.
“When did you get here?” Yü-ts’un eagerly inquired also smilingly. “I wasn’t in the least aware of your arrival. This unexpected meeting is positively84 a strange piece of good fortune.”
“I went home,” Tzu-hsing replied, “about the close of last year, but now as I am again bound to the capital, I passed through here on my way to look up a friend of mine and talk some matters over. He had the kindness to press me to stay with him for a couple of days longer, and as I after all have no urgent business to attend to, I am tarrying a few days, but purpose starting about the middle of the moon. My friend is busy to-day, so I roamed listlessly as far as here, never dreaming of such a fortunate meeting.”
While speaking, he made Yü-ts’un sit down at the same table, and ordered a fresh supply of wine and eatables; and as the two friends chatted of one thing and another, they slowly sipped85 their wine.
The conversation ran on what had occurred after the separation, and Yü-ts’un inquired, “Is there any news of any kind in the capital?”
“There’s nothing new whatever,” answered Tzu-hsing. “There is one thing however: in the family of one of your worthy86 kinsmen87, of the same name as yourself, a trifling88, but yet remarkable89, occurrence has taken place.”
“None of my kindred reside in the capital,” rejoined Yü-ts’un with a smile. “To what can you be alluding90?”
“How can it be that you people who have the same surname do not belong to one clan91?” remarked Tzu-hsing, sarcastically92.
“In whose family?” inquired Yü-ts’un.
“The Chia family,” replied Tzu-hsing smiling, “whose quarters are in the Jung Kuo Mansion, does not after all reflect discredit93 upon the lintel of your door, my venerable friend.”
“What!” exclaimed Yü-ts’un, “did this affair take place in that family? Were we to begin reckoning, we would find the members of my clan to be anything but limited in number. Since the time of our ancestor Chia Fu, who lived while the Eastern Han dynasty occupied the Throne, the branches of our family have been numerous and flourishing; they are now to be found in every single province, and who could, with any accuracy, ascertain94 their whereabouts? As regards the Jung-kuo branch in particular, their names are in fact inscribed95 on the same register as our own, but rich and exalted as they are, we have never presumed to claim them as our relatives, so that we have become more and more estranged96.”
“Don’t make any such assertions,” Tzu-hsing remarked with a sigh, “the present two mansions97 of Jung and Ning have both alike also suffered reverses, and they cannot come up to their state of days of yore.”
“Up to this day, these two households of Ning and of Jung,” Yü-ts’un suggested, “still maintain a very large retinue98 of people, and how can it be that they have met with reverses?”
“To explain this would be indeed a long story,” said Leng Tzu-hsing. “Last year,” continued Yü-ts’un, “I arrived at Chin Ling, as I entertained a wish to visit the remains99 of interest of the six dynasties, and as I on that day entered the walled town of Shih T’ou, I passed by the entrance of that old residence. On the east side of the street, stood the Ning Kuo mansion; on the west the Jung Kuo mansion; and these two, adjoining each other as they do, cover in fact well-nigh half of the whole length of the street. Outside the front gate everything was, it is true, lonely and deserted100; but at a glance into the interior over the enclosing wall, I perceived that the halls, pavilions, two-storied structures and porches presented still a majestic101 and lofty appearance. Even the flower garden, which extends over the whole area of the back grounds, with its trees and rockeries, also possessed102 to that day an air of luxuriance and freshness, which betrayed no signs of a ruined or decrepid establishment.”
“You have had the good fortune of starting in life as a graduate,” explained Tzu-tsing as he smiled, “and yet are not aware of the saying uttered by some one of old: that a centipede even when dead does not lie stiff. (These families) may, according to your version, not be up to the prosperity of former years, but, compared with the family of an ordinary official, their condition anyhow presents a difference. Of late the number of the inmates103 has, day by day, been on the increase; their affairs have become daily more numerous; of masters and servants, high and low, who live in ease and respectability very many there are; but of those who exercise any forethought, or make any provision, there is not even one. In their daily wants, their extravagances, and their expenditure104, they are also unable to adapt themselves to circumstances and practise economy; (so that though) the present external framework may not have suffered any considerable collapse105, their purses have anyhow begun to feel an exhausting process! But this is a mere106 trifle. There is another more serious matter. Would any one ever believe that in such families of official status, in a clan of education and culture, the sons and grandsons of the present age would after all be each (succeeding) generation below the standard of the former?”
Yü-ts’un, having listened to these remarks, observed: “How ever can it be possible that families of such education and refinement can observe any system of training and nurture which is not excellent? Concerning the other branches, I am not in a position to say anything; but restricting myself to the two mansions of Jung and Ning, they are those in which, above all others, the education of their children is methodical.”
“I was just now alluding to none other than these two establishments,” Tzu-hsing observed with a sigh; “but let me tell you all. In days of yore, the duke of Ning Kuo and the duke of Jung Kuo were two uterine brothers. The Ning duke was the elder; he had four sons. After the death of the duke of Ning Kuo, his eldest107 son, Chia Tai-hua, came into the title. He also had two sons; but the eldest, whose name was Hu, died at the age of eight or nine; and the only survivor108, the second son, Chia Ching, inherited the title. His whole mind is at this time set upon Taoist doctrines109; his sole delight is to burn the pill and refine the dual110 powers; while every other thought finds no place in his mind. Happily, he had, at an early age, left a son, Chia Chen, behind in the lay world, and his father, engrossed111 as his whole heart was with the idea of attaining113 spiritual life, ceded114 the succession of the official title to him. His parent is, besides, not willing to return to the original family seat, but lives outside the walls of the capital, foolishly hobnobbing with all the Taoist priests. This Mr. Chen had also a son, Chia Jung, who is, at this period, just in his sixteenth year. Mr. Ching gives at present no attention to anything at all, so that Mr. Chen naturally devotes no time to his studies, but being bent115 upon nought116 else but incessant117 high pleasure, he has subversed the order of things in the Ning Kuo mansion, and yet no one can summon the courage to come and hold him in check. But I’ll now tell you about the Jung mansion for your edification. The strange occurrence, to which I alluded119 just now, came about in this manner. After the demise120 of the Jung duke, the eldest son, Chia Tai-shan, inherited the rank. He took to himself as wife, the daughter of Marquis Shih, a noble family of Chin Ling, by whom he had two sons; the elder being Chia She, the younger Chia Cheng. This Tai Shan is now dead long ago; but his wife is still alive, and the elder son, Chia She, succeeded to the degree. He is a man of amiable121 and genial disposition, but he likewise gives no thought to the direction of any domestic concern. The second son Chia Cheng displayed, from his early childhood, a great liking122 for books, and grew up to be correct and upright in character. His grandfather doated upon him, and would have had him start in life through the arena123 of public examinations, but, when least expected, Tai-shan, being on the point of death, bequeathed a petition, which was laid before the Emperor. His Majesty, out of regard for his former minister, issued immediate124 commands that the elder son should inherit the estate, and further inquired how many sons there were besides him, all of whom he at once expressed a wish to be introduced in his imperial presence. His Majesty, moreover, displayed exceptional favour, and conferred upon Mr. Cheng the brevet rank of second class Assistant Secretary (of a Board), and commanded him to enter the Board to acquire the necessary experience. He has already now been promoted to the office of second class Secretary. This Mr. Cheng’s wife, nèe Wang, first gave birth to a son called Chia Chu, who became a Licentiate in his fourteenth year. At barely twenty, he married, but fell ill and died soon after the birth of a son. Her (Mrs. Cheng’s) second child was a daughter, who came into the world, by a strange coincidence, on the first day of the year. She had an unexpected (pleasure) in the birth, the succeeding year, of another son, who, still more remarkable to say, had, at the time of his birth, a piece of variegated125 and crystal-like brilliant jade126 in his mouth, on which were yet visible the outlines of several characters. Now, tell me, was not this a novel and strange occurrence? eh?”
“Strange indeed!” exclaimed Yü-ts’un with a smile; “but I presume the coming experiences of this being will not be mean.”
Tzu-hsing gave a faint smile. “One and all,” he remarked, “entertain the same idea. Hence it is that his mother doats upon him like upon a precious jewel. On the day of his first birthday, Mr. Cheng readily entertained a wish to put the bent of his inclinations127 to the test, and placed before the child all kinds of things, without number, for him to grasp from. Contrary to every expectation, he scorned every other object, and, stretching forth6 his hand, he simply took hold of rouge128, powder and a few hair-pins, with which he began to play. Mr. Cheng experienced at once displeasure, as he maintained that this youth would, by and bye, grow up into a sybarite, devoted129 to wine and women, and for this reason it is, that he soon began to feel not much attachment130 for him. But his grandmother is the one who, in spite of everything, prizes him like the breath of her own life. The very mention of what happened is even strange! He is now grown up to be seven or eight years old, and, although exceptionally wilful131, in intelligence and precocity132, however, not one in a hundred could come up to him! And as for the utterances133 of this child, they are no less remarkable. The bones and flesh of woman, he argues, are made of water, while those of man of mud. ‘Women to my eyes are pure and pleasing,’ he says, ‘while at the sight of man, I readily feel how corrupt134, foul135 and repelling136 they are!’ Now tell me, are not these words ridiculous? There can be no doubt whatever that he will by and bye turn out to be a licentious137 roué.”
Yü-ts’un, whose countenance suddenly assumed a stern air, promptly interrupted the conversation. “It doesn’t quite follow,” he suggested. “You people don’t, I regret to say, understand the destiny of this child. The fact is that even the old Hanlin scholar Mr. Cheng was erroneously looked upon as a loose rake and dissolute debauchee! But unless a person, through much study of books and knowledge of letters, so increases (in lore) as to attain112 the talent of discerning the nature of things, and the vigour138 of mind to fathom139 the Taoist reason as well as to comprehend the first principle, he is not in a position to form any judgment140.”
Tzu-hsing upon perceiving the weighty import of what he propounded141, “Please explain,” he asked hastily, “the drift (of your argument).” To which Yü-ts’un responded: “Of the human beings created by the operation of heaven and earth, if we exclude those who are gifted with extreme benevolence142 and extreme viciousness, the rest, for the most part, present no striking diversity. If they be extremely benevolent143, they fall in, at the time of their birth, with an era of propitious144 fortune; while those extremely vicious correspond, at the time of their existence, with an era of calamity145. When those who coexist with propitious fortune come into life, the world is in order; when those who coexist with unpropitious fortune come into life, the world is in danger. Yao, Shun146, Yü, Ch’eng T’ang, Wen Wang, Wu Wang, Chou Kung, Chao Kung, Confucius, Mencius, T’ung Hu, Han Hsin, Chou Tzu, Ch’eng Tzu, Chu Tzu and Chang Tzu were ordained147 to see light in an auspicious148 era. Whereas Ch’i Yu, Kung Kung, Chieh Wang, Chou Wang, Shih Huang, Wang Mang, Tsao Ts’ao, Wen Wen, An Hu-shan, Ch’in Kuei and others were one and all destined149 to come into the world during a calamitous150 age. Those endowed with extreme benevolence set the world in order; those possessed of extreme maliciousness152 turn the world into disorder153. Purity, intelligence, spirituality and subtlety154 constitute the vital spirit of right which pervades155 heaven and earth, and the persons gifted with benevolence are its natural fruit. Malignity156 and perversity157 constitute the spirit of evil, which permeates158 heaven and earth, and malicious151 persons are affected by its influence. The days of perpetual happiness and eminent159 good fortune, and the era of perfect peace and tranquility, which now prevail, are the offspring of the pure, intelligent, divine and subtle spirit which ascends160 above, to the very Emperor, and below reaches the rustic and uncultured classes. Every one is without exception under its influence. The superfluity of the subtle spirit expands far and wide, and finding nowhere to betake itself to, becomes, in due course, transformed into dew, or gentle breeze; and, by a process of diffusion161, it pervades the whole world.
“The spirit of malignity and perversity, unable to expand under the brilliant sky and transmuting162 sun, eventually coagulates, pervades and stops up the deep gutters163 and extensive caverns164; and when of a sudden the wind agitates165 it or it be impelled166 by the clouds, and any slight disposition, on its part, supervenes to set itself in motion, or to break its bounds, and so little as even the minutest fraction does unexpectedly find an outlet167, and happens to come across any spirit of perception and subtlety which may be at the time passing by, the spirit of right does not yield to the spirit of evil, and the spirit of evil is again envious168 of the spirit of right, so that the two do not harmonize. Just like wind, water, thunder and lightning, which, when they meet in the bowels169 of the earth, must necessarily, as they are both to dissolve and are likewise unable to yield, clash and explode to the end that they may at length exhaust themselves. Hence it is that these spirits have also forcibly to diffuse170 themselves into the human race to find an outlet, so that they may then completely disperse171, with the result that men and women are suddenly imbued172 with these spirits and spring into existence. At best, (these human beings) cannot be generated into philanthropists or perfect men; at worst, they cannot also embody173 extreme perversity or extreme wickedness. Yet placed among one million beings, the spirit of intelligence, refinement, perception and subtlety will be above these one million beings; while, on the other hand, the perverse174, depraved and inhuman175 embodiment will likewise be below the million of men. Born in a noble and wealthy family, these men will be a salacious, lustful176 lot; born of literary, virtuous177 or poor parentage, they will turn out retired178 scholars or men of mark; though they may by some accident be born in a destitute179 and poverty-stricken home, they cannot possibly, in fact, ever sink so low as to become runners or menials, or contentedly180 brook181 to be of the common herd182 or to be driven and curbed183 like a horse in harness. They will become, for a certainty, either actors of note or courtesans of notoriety; as instanced in former years by Hsü Yu, T’ao Ch’ien, Yuan Chi, Chi Kang, Liu Ling, the two families of Wang and Hsieh, Ku Hu-t’ou, Ch’en Hou-chu, T’ang Ming-huang, Sung Hui-tsung, Liu T’ing-chih, Wen Fei-ching, Mei Nan-kung, Shih Man-ch’ing, Lui C’hih-ch’ing and Chin Shao-yu, and exemplified now-a-days by Ni Yün-lin, T’ang Po-hu, Chu Chih-shan, and also by Li Kuei-men, Huang P’an-cho, Ching Hsin-mo, Cho Wen-chün; and the women Hung Fu, Hsieh T’ao, Ch’ü Ying, Ch’ao Yün and others; all of whom were and are of the same stamp, though placed in different scenes of action.”
“From what you say,” observed Tzu-hsing, “success makes (a man) a duke or a marquis; ruin, a thief!”
“Quite so; that’s just my idea!” replied Yü-ts’un; “I’ve not as yet let you know that after my degradation184 from office, I spent the last couple of years in travelling for pleasure all over each province, and that I also myself came across two extraordinary youths. This is why, when a short while back you alluded to this Pao-yü, I at once conjectured185, with a good deal of certainty, that he must be a human being of the same stamp. There’s no need for me to speak of any farther than the walled city of Chin Ling. This Mr. Chen was, by imperial appointment, named Principal of the Government Public College of the Chin Ling province. Do you perhaps know him?”
“Who doesn’t know him?” remarked Tzu-hsing. “This Chen family is an old connection of the Chia family. These two families were on terms of great intimacy186, and I myself likewise enjoyed the pleasure of their friendship for many a day.”
“Last year, when at Chin Ling,” Yü-ts’un continued with a smile, “some one recommended me as resident tutor to the school in the Chen mansion; and when I moved into it I saw for myself the state of things. Who would ever think that that household was grand and luxurious187 to such a degree! But they are an affluent188 family, and withal full of propriety189, so that a school like this was of course not one easy to obtain. The pupil, however, was, it is true, a young tyro190, but far more troublesome to teach than a candidate for the examination of graduate of the second degree. Were I to enter into details, you would indeed have a laugh. ‘I must needs,’ he explained, ‘have the company of two girls in my studies to enable me to read at all, and to keep likewise my brain clear. Otherwise, if left to myself, my head gets all in a muddle191.’ Time after time, he further expounded192 to his young attendants, how extremely honourable193 and extremely pure were the two words representing woman, that they are more valuable and precious than the auspicious animal, the felicitous194 bird, rare flowers and uncommon195 plants. ‘You may not’ (he was wont to say), ‘on any account heedlessly utter them, you set of foul mouths and filthy196 tongues! these two words are of the utmost import! Whenever you have occasion to allude118 to them, you must, before you can do so with impunity197, take pure water and scented198 tea and rinse199 your mouths. In the event of any slip of the tongue, I shall at once have your teeth extracted, and your eyes gouged200 out.’ His obstinacy201 and waywardness are, in every respect, out of the common. After he was allowed to leave school, and to return home, he became, at the sight of the young ladies, so tractable202, gentle, sharp, and polite, transformed, in fact, like one of them. And though, for this reason, his father has punished him on more than one occasion, by giving him a sound thrashing, such as brought him to the verge203 of death, he cannot however change. Whenever he was being beaten, and could no more endure the pain, he was wont to promptly break forth in promiscuous204 loud shouts, ‘Girls! girls!’ The young ladies, who heard him from the inner chambers205, subsequently made fun of him. ‘Why,’ they said, ‘when you are being thrashed, and you are in pain, your only thought is to bawl4 out girls! Is it perchance that you expect us young ladies to go and intercede206 for you? How is that you have no sense of shame?’ To their taunts207 he gave a most plausible208 explanation. ‘Once,’ he replied, ‘when in the agony of pain, I gave vent23 to shouting girls, in the hope, perchance, I did not then know, of its being able to alleviate209 the soreness. After I had, with this purpose, given one cry, I really felt the pain considerably better; and now that I have obtained this secret spell, I have recourse, at once, when I am in the height of anguish, to shouts of girls, one shout after another. Now what do you say to this? Isn’t this absurd, eh?”
“The grandmother is so infatuated by her extreme tenderness for this youth, that, time after time, she has, on her grandson’s account, found fault with the tutor, and called her son to task, with the result that I resigned my post and took my leave. A youth, with a disposition such as his, cannot assuredly either perpetuate210 intact the estate of his father and grandfather, or follow the injunctions of teacher or advice of friends. The pity is, however, that there are, in that family, several excellent female cousins, the like of all of whom it would be difficult to discover.”
“Quite so!” remarked Tzu-hsing; “there are now three young ladies in the Chia family who are simply perfection itself. The eldest is a daughter of Mr. Cheng, Yuan Ch’un by name, who, on account of her excellence, filial piety211, talents, and virtue212, has been selected as a governess in the palace. The second is the daughter of Mr. She’s handmaid, and is called Ying Ch’un; the third is T’an Ch’un, the child of Mr. Cheng’s handmaid; while the fourth is the uterine sister of Mr. Chen of the Ning Mansion. Her name is Hsi Ch’un. As dowager lady Shih is so fondly attached to her granddaughters, they come, for the most part, over to their grandmother’s place to prosecute their studies together, and each one of these girls is, I hear, without a fault.”
“More admirable,” observed Yü-ts’un, “is the régime (adhered to) in the Chen family, where the names of the female children have all been selected from the list of male names, and are unlike all those out-of-the-way names, such as Spring Blossom, Scented Gem213, and the like flowery terms in vogue214 in other families. But how is it that the Chia family have likewise fallen into this common practice?”
“Not so!” ventured Tzu-h’sing. “It is simply because the eldest daughter was born on the first of the first moon, that the name of Yuan Ch’un was given to her; while with the rest this character Ch’un (spring) was then followed. The names of the senior generation are, in like manner, adopted from those of their brothers; and there is at present an instance in support of this. The wife of your present worthy master, Mr. Lin, is the uterine sister of Mr. Chia. She and Mr. Chia Cheng, and she went, while at home, under the name of Chia Min. Should you question the truth of what I say, you are at liberty, on your return, to make minute inquiries and you’ll be convinced.”
Yü-ts’un clapped his hands and said smiling, “It’s so, I know! for this female pupil of mine, whose name is Tai-yü, invariably pronounces the character min as mi, whenever she comes across it in the course of her reading; while, in writing, when she comes to the character ‘min,’ she likewise reduces the strokes by one, sometimes by two. Often have I speculated in my mind (as to the cause), but the remarks I’ve heard you mention, convince me, without doubt, that it is no other reason (than that of reverence215 to her mother’s name). Strange enough, this pupil of mine is unique in her speech and deportment, and in no way like any ordinary young lady. But considering that her mother was no commonplace woman herself, it is natural that she should have given birth to such a child. Besides, knowing, as I do now, that she is the granddaughter of the Jung family, it is no matter of surprise to me that she is what she is. Poor girl, her mother, after all, died in the course of the last month.”
Tzu-hsing heaved a sigh. “Of three elderly sisters,” he explained, “this one was the youngest, and she too is gone! Of the sisters of the senior generation not one even survives! But now we’ll see what the husbands of this younger generation will be like by and bye!”
“Yes,” replied Yü-ts’un. “But some while back you mentioned that Mr. Cheng has had a son, born with a piece of jade in his mouth, and that he has besides a tender-aged grandson left by his eldest son; but is it likely that this Mr. She has not, himself, as yet, had any male issue?”
“After Mr. Cheng had this son with the jade,” Tzu-hsing added, “his handmaid gave birth to another son, who whether he be good or bad, I don’t at all know. At all events, he has by his side two sons and a grandson, but what these will grow up to be by and bye, I cannot tell. As regards Mr. Chia She, he too has had two sons; the second of whom, Chia Lien216, is by this time about twenty. He took to wife a relative of his, a niece of Mr. Cheng’s wife, a Miss Wang, and has now been married for the last two years. This Mr. Lien has lately obtained by purchase the rank of sub-prefect. He too takes little pleasure in books, but as far as worldly affairs go, he is so versatile217 and glib218 of tongue, that he has recently taken up his quarters with his uncle Mr. Cheng, to whom he gives a helping219 hand in the management of domestic matters. Who would have thought it, however, ever since his marriage with his worthy wife, not a single person, whether high or low, has there been who has not looked up to her with regard: with the result that Mr. Lien himself has, in fact, had to take a back seat (lit. withdrew 35 li). In looks, she is also so extremely beautiful, in speech so extremely quick and fluent, in ingenuity220 so deep and astute221, that even a man could, in no way, come up to her mark.”
After hearing these remarks Yü-ts’un smiled. “You now perceive,” he said, “that my argument is no fallacy, and that the several persons about whom you and I have just been talking are, we may presume, human beings, who, one and all, have been generated by the spirit of right, and the spirit of evil, and come to life by the same royal road; but of course there’s no saying.”
“Enough,” cried Tzu-hsing, “of right and enough of evil; we’ve been doing nothing but settling other people’s accounts; come now, have another glass, and you’ll be the better for it!”
“While bent upon talking,” Yü-ts’un explained, “I’ve had more glasses than is good for me.”
“Speaking of irrelevant matters about other people,” Tzu-hsing rejoined complacently222, “is quite the thing to help us swallow our wine; so come now; what harm will happen, if we do have a few glasses more.”
Yü-ts’un thereupon looked out of the window.
“The day is also far advanced,” he remarked, “and if we don’t take care, the gates will be closing; let us leisurely223 enter the city, and as we go along, there will be nothing to prevent us from continuing our chat.”
Forthwith the two friends rose from their seats, settled and paid their wine bill, and were just going, when they unexpectedly heard some one from behind say with a loud voice:
“Accept my congratulations, Brother Yü-ts’un; I’ve now come, with the express purpose of giving you the welcome news!”
Yü-ts’un lost no time in turning his head round to look at the speaker. But reader, if you wish to learn who the man was, listen to the details given in the following chapter.
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1
dilates
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| v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的第三人称单数 ) | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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bawling
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| v.大叫，大喊( bawl的现在分词 )；放声大哭；大声叫出；叫卖（货物） | |
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bawl
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| v.大喊大叫，大声地喊，咆哮 | |
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promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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bevy
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| n.一群 | |
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hustled
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| 催促（hustle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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magistrate
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| n.地方行政官，地方法官，治安官 | |
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standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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inquiries
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| n.调查( inquiry的名词复数 )；疑问；探究；打听 | |
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affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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confidential
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| adj.秘（机）密的，表示信任的，担任机密工作的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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toady
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| v.奉承；n.谄媚者，马屁精 | |
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persuasive
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| adj.有说服力的，能说得使人相信的 | |
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dilated
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| adj.加宽的，扩大的v.（使某物）扩大，膨胀，张大( dilate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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enjoining
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| v.命令( enjoin的现在分词 ) | |
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anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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lapse
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| n.过失，流逝，失效，抛弃信仰，间隔；vi.堕落，停止，失效，流逝；vt.使失效 | |
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exalted
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| adj.(地位等)高的，崇高的；尊贵的，高尚的 | |
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provincial
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| adj.省的，地方的；n．外省人，乡下人 | |
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excellence
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| n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德 | |
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accomplishments
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| n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就 | |
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ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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haughty
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| adj.傲慢的，高傲的 | |
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disposition
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| n.性情，性格；意向，倾向；排列，部署 | |
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rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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overtly
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| ad.公开地 | |
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probity
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| n.刚直；廉洁，正直 | |
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countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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considerably
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| adv.极大地；相当大地；在很大程度上 | |
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incensed
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| 盛怒的 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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mortified
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| v.使受辱( mortify的过去式和过去分词 )；伤害（人的感情）；克制；抑制（肉体、情感等） | |
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annoyance
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| n.恼怒，生气，烦恼 | |
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savings
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| n.存款，储蓄 | |
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chattels
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| n.动产，奴隶( chattel的名词复数 ) | |
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relic
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| n.神圣的遗物，遗迹，纪念物 | |
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commissioner
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| n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员 | |
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censors
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| 删剪（书籍、电影等中被认为犯忌、违反道德或政治上危险的内容）( censor的第三人称单数 ) | |
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censor
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| n./vt.审查，审查员；删改 | |
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hereditary
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| adj.遗传的，遗传性的，可继承的，世袭的 | |
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bounty
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| n.慷慨的赠予物，奖金；慷慨，大方；施与 | |
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descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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recipient
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| a.接受的,感受性强的 n.接受者,感受者,容器 | |
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bounties
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| （由政府提供的）奖金( bounty的名词复数 )； 赏金； 慷慨； 大方 | |
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53
prolific
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| adj.丰富的，大量的；多产的，富有创造力的 | |
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54
solicitous
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| adj.热切的，挂念的 | |
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bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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56
nurture
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| n.养育，照顾，教育；滋养，营养品；vt.养育，给与营养物，教养，扶持 | |
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dispelling
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| v.驱散，赶跑( dispel的现在分词 ) | |
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anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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sojourn
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| v./n.旅居，寄居；逗留 | |
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prosecute
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| vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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random
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| adj.随机的；任意的；n.偶然的(或随便的)行动 | |
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contemplate
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| vt.盘算，计议；周密考虑；注视，凝视 | |
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rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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clumps
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| n.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的名词复数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声v.（树、灌木、植物等的）丛、簇( clump的第三人称单数 )；（土、泥等）团；块；笨重的脚步声 | |
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groves
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| 树丛，小树林( grove的名词复数 ) | |
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dense
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| a.密集的，稠密的，浓密的；密度大的 | |
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foliage
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| n.叶子，树叶，簇叶 | |
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inscription
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| n.（尤指石块上的）刻印文字，铭文，碑文 | |
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scrolls
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| n.（常用于录写正式文件的）纸卷( scroll的名词复数 )；卷轴；涡卷形（装饰）；卷形花纹v.（电脑屏幕上）从上到下移动（资料等），卷页( scroll的第三人称单数 )；（似卷轴般）卷起；（像展开卷轴般地）将文字显示于屏幕 | |
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retract
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| vt.缩回，撤回收回，取消 | |
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heeds
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| n.留心，注意，听从( heed的名词复数 )v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的第三人称单数 ) | |
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perusal
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| n.细读，熟读；目测 | |
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spacious
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| adj.广阔的，宽敞的 | |
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beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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irrelevant
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| adj.不恰当的，无关系的，不相干的 | |
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enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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sipping
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的现在分词 ) | |
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divan
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| n.长沙发；（波斯或其他东方诗人的）诗集 | |
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mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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refinement
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| n.文雅；高尚；精美；精制；精炼 | |
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84
positively
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| adv.明确地，断然，坚决地；实在，确实 | |
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85
sipped
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| v.小口喝，呷，抿( sip的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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86
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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87
kinsmen
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| n.家属，亲属( kinsman的名词复数 ) | |
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88
trifling
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| adj.微不足道的；没什么价值的 | |
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89
remarkable
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| adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的 | |
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90
alluding
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| 提及，暗指( allude的现在分词 ) | |
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91
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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92
sarcastically
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| adv.挖苦地，讽刺地 | |
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93
discredit
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| vt.使不可置信；n.丧失信义；不信，怀疑 | |
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94
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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95
inscribed
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| v.写，刻( inscribe的过去式和过去分词 )；内接 | |
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96
estranged
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| adj.疏远的，分离的 | |
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97
mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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98
retinue
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| n.侍从；随员 | |
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99
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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100
deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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101
majestic
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| adj.雄伟的，壮丽的，庄严的，威严的，崇高的 | |
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102
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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103
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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104
expenditure
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| n.(时间、劳力、金钱等)支出；使用，消耗 | |
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105
collapse
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| vi.累倒；昏倒；倒塌；塌陷 | |
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106
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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107
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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108
survivor
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| n.生存者，残存者，幸存者 | |
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109
doctrines
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| n.教条( doctrine的名词复数 )；教义；学说；（政府政策的）正式声明 | |
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110
dual
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| adj.双的；二重的，二元的 | |
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111
engrossed
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| adj.全神贯注的 | |
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112
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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113
attaining
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的现在分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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114
ceded
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| v.让给，割让，放弃( cede的过去式 ) | |
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115
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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116
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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117
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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118
allude
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| v.提及，暗指 | |
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119
alluded
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| 提及，暗指( allude的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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120
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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121
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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122
liking
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| n.爱好；嗜好；喜欢 | |
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123
arena
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| n.竞技场，运动场所；竞争场所，舞台 | |
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124
immediate
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| adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的 | |
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125
variegated
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| adj.斑驳的，杂色的 | |
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126
jade
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| n.玉石；碧玉；翡翠 | |
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127
inclinations
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| 倾向( inclination的名词复数 )； 倾斜； 爱好； 斜坡 | |
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128
rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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129
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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130
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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131
wilful
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| adj.任性的，故意的 | |
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132
precocity
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| n.早熟，早成 | |
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133
utterances
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| n.发声( utterance的名词复数 )；说话方式；语调；言论 | |
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134
corrupt
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| v.贿赂，收买；adj.腐败的，贪污的 | |
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135
foul
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| adj.污秽的；邪恶的；v.弄脏；妨害；犯规；n.犯规 | |
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136
repelling
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| v.击退( repel的现在分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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137
licentious
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| adj.放纵的，淫乱的 | |
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138
vigour
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| （=vigor）n.智力，体力，精力 | |
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139
fathom
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| v.领悟，彻底了解 | |
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140
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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141
propounded
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| v.提出（问题、计划等）供考虑[讨论]，提议( propound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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142
benevolence
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|
| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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143
benevolent
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|
| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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144
propitious
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|
| adj.吉利的；顺利的 | |
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145
calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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146
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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147
ordained
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|
| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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148
auspicious
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|
| adj.吉利的；幸运的，吉兆的 | |
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149
destined
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|
| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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150
calamitous
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|
| adj.灾难的，悲惨的；多灾多难；惨重 | |
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151
malicious
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| adj.有恶意的，心怀恶意的 | |
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152
maliciousness
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| [法] 恶意 | |
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153
disorder
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| n.紊乱，混乱；骚动，骚乱；疾病，失调 | |
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154
subtlety
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|
| n.微妙，敏锐，精巧；微妙之处，细微的区别 | |
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155
pervades
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| v.遍及，弥漫( pervade的第三人称单数 ) | |
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156
malignity
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|
| n.极度的恶意，恶毒；（病的）恶性 | |
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157
perversity
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| n.任性；刚愎自用 | |
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158
permeates
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|
| 弥漫( permeate的第三人称单数 )； 遍布； 渗入； 渗透 | |
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159
eminent
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|
| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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160
ascends
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的第三人称单数 ) | |
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161
diffusion
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| n.流布；普及；散漫 | |
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162
transmuting
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| v.使变形，使变质，把…变成…( transmute的现在分词 ) | |
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163
gutters
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| （路边）排水沟( gutter的名词复数 )； 阴沟； （屋顶的）天沟； 贫贱的境地 | |
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164
caverns
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| 大山洞，大洞穴( cavern的名词复数 ) | |
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165
agitates
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| 搅动( agitate的第三人称单数 )； 激怒； 使焦虑不安； （尤指为法律、社会状况的改变而）激烈争论 | |
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166
impelled
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| v.推动、推进或敦促某人做某事( impel的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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167
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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168
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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169
bowels
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| n.肠，内脏，内部；肠( bowel的名词复数 )；内部，最深处 | |
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170
diffuse
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| v.扩散；传播；adj.冗长的；四散的，弥漫的 | |
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171
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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172
imbued
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| v.使（某人/某事）充满或激起（感情等）( imbue的过去式和过去分词 )；使充满；灌输；激发（强烈感情或品质等） | |
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173
embody
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| vt.具体表达，使具体化；包含，收录 | |
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174
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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175
inhuman
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| adj.残忍的，不人道的，无人性的 | |
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176
lustful
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| a.贪婪的；渴望的 | |
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177
virtuous
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| adj.有品德的，善良的，贞洁的，有效力的 | |
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178
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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179
destitute
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| adj.缺乏的；穷困的 | |
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180
contentedly
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| adv.心满意足地 | |
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181
brook
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| n.小河，溪；v.忍受，容让 | |
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182
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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183
curbed
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| v.限制，克制，抑制( curb的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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184
degradation
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| n.降级；低落；退化；陵削；降解；衰变 | |
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185
conjectured
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| 推测，猜测，猜想( conjecture的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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186
intimacy
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| n.熟悉，亲密，密切关系，亲昵的言行 | |
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187
luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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188
affluent
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| adj.富裕的，富有的，丰富的，富饶的 | |
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189
propriety
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| n.正当行为；正当；适当 | |
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190
tyro
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| n.初学者；生手 | |
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191
muddle
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| n.困惑，混浊状态；vt.使混乱，使糊涂，使惊呆；vi.胡乱应付，混乱 | |
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192
expounded
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| 论述，详细讲解( expound的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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193
honourable
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|
| adj.可敬的；荣誉的，光荣的 | |
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194
felicitous
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| adj.恰当的，巧妙的；n.恰当，贴切 | |
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195
uncommon
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| adj.罕见的，非凡的，不平常的 | |
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196
filthy
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| adj.卑劣的；恶劣的，肮脏的 | |
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197
impunity
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| n.(惩罚、损失、伤害等的)免除 | |
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198
scented
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| adj.有香味的；洒香水的；有气味的v.嗅到(scent的过去分词) | |
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199
rinse
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| v.用清水漂洗，用清水冲洗 | |
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200
gouged
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| v.凿( gouge的过去式和过去分词 )；乱要价；（在…中）抠出…；挖出… | |
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201
obstinacy
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|
| n.顽固；（病痛等）难治 | |
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202
tractable
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| adj.易驾驭的；温顺的 | |
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203
verge
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| n.边，边缘；v.接近，濒临 | |
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204
promiscuous
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| adj.杂乱的，随便的 | |
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205
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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206
intercede
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| vi.仲裁，说情 | |
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207
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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208
plausible
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| adj.似真实的，似乎有理的，似乎可信的 | |
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209
alleviate
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| v.减轻，缓和，缓解(痛苦等) | |
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210
perpetuate
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| v.使永存，使永记不忘 | |
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211
piety
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| n.虔诚，虔敬 | |
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212
virtue
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|
| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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gem
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| n.宝石，珠宝；受爱戴的人 [同]jewel | |
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214
Vogue
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| n.时髦，时尚；adj.流行的 | |
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215
reverence
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| n.敬畏，尊敬，尊严；Reverence:对某些基督教神职人员的尊称；v.尊敬，敬畏，崇敬 | |
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216
lien
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| n.扣押权，留置权 | |
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217
versatile
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| adj.通用的，万用的；多才多艺的，多方面的 | |
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218
glib
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| adj.圆滑的，油嘴滑舌的 | |
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219
helping
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| n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的 | |
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220
ingenuity
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| n.别出心裁；善于发明创造 | |
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221
astute
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| adj.机敏的，精明的 | |
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222
complacently
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| adv. 满足地, 自满地, 沾沾自喜地 | |
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leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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