|
Lin Ju-hai dies in the City of Yang Chou. Chia Pao-yue meets the Prince of Pei Ching on the way. When Lai Sheng， be it noticed in continuing our story， the major-domo in the Ning Kuo mansion， came to hear that from inside an invitation had been extended to lady Feng to act as deputy， he summoned together his co-workers and other servants. Lady Secunda， of the western mansion， he harangued them， has now been asked to take over the control of internal affairs; and should she come we must， when we apply for anything， or have anything to say， be circumspect in our service; we should all every day come early and leave late; and its better that we should exert ourselves during this one month and take rest after its over. We mustnt throw away our old face， for shes well known to be an impetuous thing， with a soured face and a hard heart， who， when angry， knows no distinction of persons. the whole company unanimously admitted that he was right; and one of their number too observed smilingly， Its but right that for the inner apartments， we should， in fact， get her to come and put things in proper order， as everything is very much what it should not be. But while he uttered these words， they saw Lai Wangs wife coming， with an indent in hand， to fetch paper for the supplications and prayers， the amount of which was mentioned on the order; and they one and all hastened to press her into a seat， and to help her to a cup of tea; while a servant was told to fetch the quantity of paper required. (When it was brought，) Lai Wang carried it in his arms and came， the whole way with his wife， as far as the ceremonial gate; when he， at length， delivered it over to her and she clasped it， and walked into the room all alone. | 
