"There is one-tenth of the plan left to succeed, and whether the final part can be achieved depends on Kongcu's own ability. Once you go, Kongcu must shower her with compliments and sweet, grandiose words, and don't be afraid to use touch. Be cunning. For example, accidentally drop your chopsticks from the table, and when you look for them, brush her leg. If she gets angry and scolds, I will step in and help Kongcu so you won’t be shamed. Of course, if that happens, all our plans have failed. Therefore, Kongcu needs to be smart in carrying himself."
"I will surely succeed!" Shi Men clenched his fist, confident in his skill at seducing women. "Once I succeed, will Kongcu remember me?"
"Of course! You have planned very well, Aunt Wang, and when I succeed, I will give you a generous reward. But when will this plan be implemented?"
"Right now, Kongcu. The dwarf is out peddling, I will meet Miss Kim Lian to discuss choosing a good day for sewing. Kongcu, you must send all the necessities right away, and I will inform you of the results tonight."
"Excellent, I'll send the silk immediately." Shi Men then hastily left Aunt Wang's shop to execute the plan. After purchasing all the items Aunt Wang had ordered, he then sent Siauw Thai, his servant, to deliver them to Aunt Wang. Mrs. Wang visited Kim Lian through the back door. Kim Lian greeted her warmly because she was used to the elderly woman's company and this old woman usually brought exciting and cheerful news to listen to.
"Oh, it's been a long time since Miss visited my humble place," said Mrs. Wang. She was used to calling Kim Lian "Miss", treating Kim Lian as if she was still a maiden, and it seemed Kim Lian was pleased with this address as it made her forget that she had become the wife of a man like Bu Toa.
"Lately, I have been reluctant to leave the house, Aunt Wang."
"Does Miss have a calendar at home? I want to choose a date and a good day to go to the tailor."
"What is Aunt going to sew?"
"Oh, this old grandmother has a miserable fate, getting older and older and I have to think of my death, while my son is not at home." “Where is your child, Aunt Wang?”
"He followed a traveling merchant to foreign lands. He never writes and everyday I become more and more anxious thinking about him."
"How old is he, Aunt? “Seventeen years old.”
"Why don't you find him a wife? That way there would be someone to help you with the housework."
"That's true too. But without anyone helping at home, I don't have time to look for a prospective daughter-in-law. However, if he comes back, I will talk to him about this. Lately, I've been suffering from shortness of breath and coughing. My whole body aches. I have to think of my death clothes. Coincidentally, a kind-hearted wealthy man, who often helps me because I like to work as a nurse in his house, or look for servants or concubines for him, this philanthropic wealthy man has gifted me enough good silk to make my death clothes. I have kept these materials for over a year in my closet. But I haven't made clothes yet, now, seeing the state of my health, I can't delay it. But, my regular tailor rejected it, saying, she has a pile of work and doesn't have time to make my clothes. Oh, it seems this old hag still has to struggle by herself, and my eyes are already too weak to thread the needle. Oh, my bad luck." Kim Lian smiled.
"Good Aunt, if only you are not dissatisfied with the results of my work, I'd love to help you. I will sew your clothes in a few days."
"Oh, if only Miss is willing! By wearing death clothes made by you, wow, I can die with my eyes shut. I have heard of your skill in sewing, Miss Kim Lian."
"Don't praise me too much, Aunt, I love to help, because I don't have bothersome work, Well, take this calendar and choose a lucky day to start the sewing."
"But, kind Miss, do I need to go find someone to read the calendar and choose a good day, when Miss herself is a learned person and can read and choose a good day for me?"
"I have long forgotten all that I knew, Aunt."
"Oh, just an excuse, who would believe it? Please, choose a good day for me," The old woman returned the calendar to Kim Lian. Kim Lian didn't pretend anymore and read.
"Tomorrow and the day after are dark days. But the day after that is a lucky day." Mrs. Wang eagerly took the calendar and put it back on the wall. "Why is it so difficult to choose a good day for this? The fact that Miss wants to help me sew is already a great fortune for me."
"If Aunt thinks so, actually if sewing death clothes, dark days are more appropriate," said Kim Lian.
"As long as Miss helps me, any day, will do, good or bad. So, can I expect Miss to visit my hut tomorrow morning?"
"Oh, why? Wouldn't it be better if Aunt came here?"
"I would be delighted to see Miss sewing here, but I can't leave the house because there's no one else at home. I really hope Miss would be willing to come to my house to do the sewing." She persuaded.
"That's true. Alright, Aunt Wang. Tomorrow after breakfast, I will come to your house." Mrs. Wang was overjoyed when she bid farewell and left Kim Lian's house, bowing and expressing her thanks. The first stage of her plan had worked out very well and that night she sent news to Shi Men that her plan had succeeded, and on the third day, the young man was expected to visit as planned.
Kim Lian kept her promise to Aunt Wang. The next day after her husband went out to peddle, she visited Mrs. Wang's house through the back door. The old woman welcomed her with a bowl of strong, hot tea. Kim Lian then began to work, measuring and cutting the silk carefully, using her slender, tiny fingers. Aunt Wang watched her work and praised her endlessly. Kim Lian worked diligently and carefully, unhurriedly because she wanted to make the death clothes as neat as possible. At noon, Mrs. Wang invited Kim Lian for lunch, and the beautiful young woman worked until the day turned evening. When she returned home, it just so happened that Bu Toa just arrived. He saw his wife just came home and immediately asked.
"Where have you been?"
"At Aunt Wang's house. She asked for my help to sew her death clothes and she invited me for lunch at her house."
"Eh, you better not have lunch there. We always receive kindness from her. The food indeed doesn’t mean anything, but it's better if you come home for lunch, so it doesn't burden her. If that's the case, it would be better if when you go to her again tomorrow, you bring some money and give it to her so the account is settled. Neighbors are more important than distant relatives. We have to make sure we don't burden our neighbors. If she rejects your gift, it's better if you do the sewing at home instead." Kim Lian listened without arguing. The next day, when she was sewing at Aunt Wang's house and it was almost noon, she took out three hundred copper coins and handed them to Aunt Wang.
"Here, Aunt Wang, to buy food and drink."
"Hey, what does this mean?" Aunt Wang exclaimed in surprise. "I ask for your help, and you turn around and give me money for food. Perhaps the food I served did not suit your taste, Miss?"
"Not like that, Aunt. It's my stupid husband's idea. If you do not want to accept this money, I have to finish this sewing work at home."
"Ah, your honorable husband is indeed very reserved, Miss. Fine, if Miss insists, I accept your gift." said The old woman quickly because she saw a threat to her plan. She added a few more small coins from her own purse and bought some good wine and delicious dishes for their lunch. As the evening approached, Kim Lian left the house, accompanied by Aunt Wang's repeated thanks. On the third day, while Kim Lian was sewing and Aunt Wang sat accompanying her, suddenly there was a cough outside, followed by a loud voice.
"Hey, Aunt Wang! It's been a long time since I've seen you. Good Aunt!" Aunt Wang squinted her eyes and looked up towards the outside. "Who's out there?"
"It's me, Aunt, it's me Shi Men."
"Ah, so it's Shi-Kongcu (Young Master Shi) who has come. Please come in, Kongcu, please come in!" Then Shi Men appeared, dressed in beautiful and new clothes, swinging his beautiful Se-Cuan fan, his face glowing and handsome. After Shi Men entered, he immediately saw Kim Lian who was sewing. Kim Lian also looked up and saw him, and her beautiful face quickly lowered, a red blush creeping up her already red cheeks.
"Miss Kim Lian, allow me to introduce the giver of the silk cloth for the clothes you are sewing, Young Master Shi Men." Shi Men was captivated and couldn't take his eyes off her beautiful face, which was lowered over the pile of cloth she was sewing, her long black hair cascading from her bun, so sweet. Kim Lian only bowed her head and this attitude further enhanced her charm, causing Shi Men to swallow several times before he could speak.
"Accept my respects, Miss," he said, somewhat trembling. Hearing this, and when she glanced and saw the young man bowing respectfully, Kim Lian was forced to set aside her sewing, and return the respect.
"May Kongcu be happy."
"Good Kongcu, know that until now I have not yet had the opportunity to work on the cloth, which Kongcu gave to me a year ago. And now, thanks to the skilled fingers of Miss Pang Kim Lian, even the clothes have just been sewn. And how neat and beautiful her stitches are, Kongcu, they're amazing! Hard to believe if you don't see it for yourself. Come closer, and see for yourself, how neat and beautiful this stitching is!" Shi Men stepped forward.
Glossary
- Kongcu: A term of respect typically used to address a young master in traditional Chinese society.
- Aunt Wang: A character in the story who seems to be a scheming elderly woman.
- Se-Cuan: A region in China known for its sophisticated crafts and arts.
- Shi Men: The young master or "Kongcu" in the story who seems to be entranced by Kim Lian.
- Kim Lian: A young, beautiful woman in the story who has been asked to sew death clothes.
- Bu Toa: Kim Lian's husband who seems to be a practical and considerate man.