From that day forward, Cun Bwe's status rose. While she remained Kim Lian's servant, she was no longer burdened with heavy tasks. Her duties were limited to cleaning the bed and room and serving tea. She was also given clothes and jewelry by Kim Lian, who even taught her to bind her feet to make them smaller. Cun Bwe had a sweet and bright face, liked to be cheerful, different from the awkward Siauw Giok. With Cun Bwe becoming Shi Men's concubine, there were now five beautiful women in his house ready to serve his desires at any time. However, was Shi Men's heart satisfied? Lust, like other desires, is never satisfied. The more it is indulged, the more insatiable and greedy it becomes as we will see in Shi Men's life journey.
A few days later, it was Hua Ce Shu's turn to host a party for his friends. Once the time came, the nine of them gathered in full at Hua Ce Shu's house. They reveled, entertained by two singing girls who, in addition to possessing alluring beauty, were also young with tempting bodies. Their voices were melodious, their delicate fingers skilled at playing the zither, and when they took turns dancing, their bodies were as limber and soft as willow branches in the wind, so alluring and provocative. The girl holding the larger zither was an eighteen-year-old mature girl.
Her companion holding the smaller zither was a fifteen-year-old adolescent girl who was like a budding flower. It was this young girl that Shi Men devoted his attention to, captivated like a starving wolf eyeing a young, tender sheep. After demonstrating their zither playing, singing, and dancing abilities, the two singing girls then left their zithers, rose, and with languid steps approached the table where the nine men sat eating and drinking, and bowed respectfully. Shi Men was so enchanted that in his joy he ordered his lackey, A Thai who always accompanied him, to give a gift of three silver dollars to each of the girls.
“Who are these two girls really?” he asked the host. “They're very talented.” Before Hua could answer, Ying-Tai (Ying the Beggar) cut in.
“Ah, are you so forgetful, Shi-Toako? The girl holding the larger zither is Gin Nio, brother Hua's lover who resides in the pleasure house, while the girl holding the smaller zither is none other than Bi Hwa, whom I often told you about. She's the niece of your second wife, don't you recognize her? "Ah, so this is the niece? It's been three years since I saw her, and she has now become a beautiful and talented young woman. Bi Hwa, how are your aunt (sister) and your mother?" Bi Hwa bowed and thanked him in a melodious voice. As Bi Hwa, with a shy and timid demeanor, approached to refill Shi Men's wine cup, he whispered,
“Bi Hwa, how about later, I, along with two friends, escort you home?”
“Aih, Kongcu, please don't joke. How could your honorable foot step on the threshold of my humble home!”
“I'm not joking.” And Shi Men pulled out a beautiful silk handkerchief and a package of sweets, which he gave to Bi Hwa. The adolescent girl was very happy, thanked him again and whispered.
“When are we leaving? It would be better for me to send my friend home first to inform my mother so she can prepare to welcome you.”
“We'll leave after the party ends.” After the party, Shi Men, accompanied by Ying Po Kui and Cia Ta, rode their horses to escort Bi Hwa, who sat in her sedan chair, towards the pleasure houses situated on the outskirts of town.
Horrible traps and snares within captivating caves await their prey to be seized! Like piles of meat in the butcher's house, here human flesh is traded, women's dignity is trampled, and honor is bartered like merchandise! The madam, in her room, smiles as she counts her income, derived from blood and sweat of wilting flowers. The party arrived at the house of a madam named Auntie Li. The sedan chair carrying Bi Hwa welcomed the visit of the three honored guests and invited them into the living room. Auntie Li immediately came out and with great effort tried to bend her stiff back as a sign of respect,
“Oh, God! What good wind brings the honorable husband of my niece to visit?”
“Don't be angry with me, Auntie Li, but I've been too busy with work to visit here,” said Shi Men. Not long after, the three guests were drinking wine served by Bi Hwa, who had changed into even more beautiful clothes, along with her aunt who also worked as an entertainer there. They both served the guests drinks while playing music, Shi Men, already enticed by Bi Hwa, said,
“We would love to hear Bi Hwa's melodious singing. Would you kindly sing a beautiful song for us. Auntie Li and the two girls certainly understood that in fact, Shi Men was lusting for Bi Hwa, and without discussing it, they agreed that surrendering a virgin as sweet as Bi Hwa should not be sold cheaply. So Bi Hwa's aunt said, "My little sister has been raised very carefully, she's a well-mannered and reserved girl who won't just sing for anyone." Shi Men understood. He then took out five ounces of silver and placed it on the table. "This little silver is to buy makeup, later I will buy silk clothes embroidered with gold thread for her." Bi Hwa stood up and accepted the gift with thanks, she then handed the silver to Auntie Li for safekeeping. Then, with enticing movements, holding the edge of a red silk handkerchief, she sang in her melodious voice. Bi Hwa knew many folk songs, and for Shi Men, she sang a song about a girl longing for her dreamed-of hero's arrival. Shi Men became even more infatuated and promptly sent A Thai to buy beautiful clothes and other gifts for Bi Hwa.
He also gave money to Auntie Li to throw a party to celebrate Bi Hwa's surrender to him! A lot of money was spent on this and Shi Men spent money like sand. He would do anything to achieve his desire, which was to possess the virgin body of Bi Hwa that made him so infatuated. For two weeks, Shi Men never left the pleasure house, satisfying himself with Bi Hwa, his new lover. Goat Toanio sent messengers repeatedly to call him home, but Bi Hwa, aided by Auntie Li, managed to hold him back, even Auntie Li didn't hesitate to hide Shi Men's clothes so the man couldn't go home. Of course, all the wives at home became anxious, also feeling curious and embarrassed. Especially Kim Lian.
She was a young woman with hot blood. Left by the man she loved, who she needed, for nearly two weeks, she was almost unable to bear it. Not only was she angry and restless, but she was also tormented by longing, thirsty for caresses and affection. Almost every night she went out to the garden and pondered while strolling, imagining the romantic moments of happiness with Shi Men. Because Shi Men's birthday was near, Goat Toanio sent A Thai to ask Shi Men to come home first. Kim Lian took this opportunity to send a written message to Shi Men and instructed A Thai to hand the silk cloth with her writing to Shi Men himself. Shi Men was drinking wine accompanied by a few of his friends while holding Bi Hwa when A Thai appeared.
“What brings you here? Did something happen at home?” Shi Men asked his lackey.
“Nothing happened, I was just sent by Toanio to check on Kongcu and ask if Kongcu would like to come home for a while. And I bring a letter from the fifth lady for Kongcu!”
But when A Thai took out the written silk cloth, Bi Hwa herself snatched it. She opened the silk scroll and read aloud,
“Day and night I always remember you, my love
how cruel your heart is to leave me longing and suffering
I'm almost dying of sorrow on the cold pillow even the moon feels pity, peeking through the window
how hardened your heart is, surpassing steel
Glossary
- Cun Bwe: A character in the story, Kim Lian's servant who later became Shi Men's concubine.
- Kim Lian: Another character in the story. Shi Men's wife who was left at home while Shi Men was at the pleasure house.
- Shi Men: The male character who is the focus of this chapter, known for his insatiable lust and disregard for his wives at home.
- Hua Ce Shu: A friend of Shi Men who hosts a party.
- Ying-Tai (Ying the Beggar): Another friend of Shi Men who provides information on the singing girls at Hua's party.
- Gin Nio: A singing girl at Hua Ce Shu's party.
- Bi Hwa: The young singing girl who catches Shi Men's attention and later becomes his lover.
- A Thai: Shi Men's loyal lackey who follows his orders.
- Auntie Li: The madam of the pleasure house.
- Goat Toanio: An unknown character who sends messengers to call Shi Men home.