“I have consulted with Han Tao Kok,” Auntie Hong said.
“He stated that since it was Taijin himself who took his daughter from him, he believed that his daughter's fate would be good. However, he was confused as to how he, in his destitute condition, could provide for all the wedding necessities.”
“Tell him that he doesn't need to spend a single penny. I will take care of the clothes, bedding, jewelry, and other things. He just needs to buy suitable shoes and sandals for his daughter. Also, tell him that I wish for him to escort his daughter to the Imperial City. I will give him twenty ounces and tell him that Ti-Ciangkun wishes to have a son from him, so that he may become a lady of honor and live in glory and sufficiency.”
“And when will Taijin visit to see his daughter?" "I will visit tomorrow, but he needn't trouble himself for more than a cup of tea. I will only stay briefly, after seeing the girl I will leave again. The following day at dusk, Shi Men went to visit Han Tao Kok's house with his two servants.
When he arrived at the humble home of the Han family, he was received by the lady of the house and her stepdaughter, as Han Tao Kok was still working at Shi Men's shop. However, Auntie Hong was there. During this visit, Shi Men found something that captivated him. He was a man who had been around a variety of beautiful women, so it wasn't easy for him to praise a woman's beauty unless she was truly exceptional. However, when he entered his employee's house and was greeted by the lady of the house, he was captivated. The lady of the house had a beauty that he found extraordinary. Wang Liok Hwa, Han Tao Kok's wife and Mei Li's stepmother, was tall and statuesque, with a curvaceous body that was full and mature.
Her face was so smooth and rosy that it didn't need any makeup, her eyes were sharp and lively, possessing a special charm. And her mouth! That small mouth had a pair of lips that were always red and moist, full and seemed to always challenge to be kissed. Shi Men was captivated and stunned, forgetting to observe Mei Li, the primary purpose of his visit. Eventually, he noticed everyone's shy demeanor and shifted his gaze to the stepdaughter. She was indeed a beautiful young girl, but compared to her stepmother, she was nothing. With a soft and melodious voice, Liok Hwa told her stepdaughter to pay her respects to Shi Men.
Mei Li bowed like a flower in the wind, then saluted by kneeling four times. After that, politely, Mei Li excused herself behind her stepmother. Shi Men was invited to sit, but as he sipped his tea little by little, his eyes, like those of a hungry tiger, were peering from behind his cup. He then called for Siauw Thai, ordering him to take two rolls of floral silk from his horse's saddlebag, four gold rings, and twenty ounces of silver. Auntie Hong was asked to place all of this on a tray and hand it to the lady of the house. Liok Hwa then placed the rings on her daughter's fingers. After ordering Mei Li to express her gratitude, the girl excused herself inside.
“Bring your daughter to my house the day after tomorrow,” Shi Men said.
“She can make her wedding clothes at my house. You can use a little of this money to buy suitable shoes and sandals for her.”
“Because of Taijin's benevolence, our family is able to marry off our daughter properly. Even Taijin has showered us with all kinds of kindness after finding such a noble match for our foolish daughter. Ah, how can we repay Taijin's noble deeds?” They were both polite and when Shi Men left the house, the image of the beautiful lady was still lingering in his mind, making him ride his horse in a daze.
Two days later Wang Liok Hwa or Mrs. Han appeared with her sweet and beautiful daughter, Mei Li at Shi Men's family home. Once again, Father Cou, the tailor was called to make the wedding dress that Mei Li would wear for a few days before being dispatched as a guest of the Shi Men family. On the tenth day of the ninth month, Mei Li departed for the Imperial City, in a carriage drawn by four horses, escorted by her biological father and Lai Pao, as well as several fully armed city guards. A few days after Mei Li left as a bride to become the second wife of Ti-Ciangkun, Shi Men met Auntie Hong on Lion Street. He gave her a piece of silver.
“Here, I give you an additional gift. Eh, did you see how beautiful the stepmother of the bride is?” Auntie Hong was an old woman who had seen much in such matters, so she smiled meaningfully.
“Aih, aih! It seems that after getting the daughter, now Taijin is after her mother! Don't worry, Taijin, that's an easy matter. However, today it is too late, I can't do anything. Please be patient until tomorrow, I will make it happen.”
“Actually, who is she? It's strange, I never saw the wife of one of my employees, even though she is as beautiful as a goddess!”
“She is the younger sister of the butcher Wang, the sixth daughter, hence her name is Liok Hwa (Sixth Flower). She is twenty-three years old, like a blooming flower!” That night, Auntie Hong visited Wang Liok Hwa and started a conversation with the beautiful young woman about her stepdaughter who had just left. Eventually, as if in passing, Auntie Hong said,
“After your daughter left and your husband escorted her to the Imperial City, you were left alone in the house, surely feeling very lonely. How about if I send someone to keep you company here? Would you accept?”
“Who is this someone you are referring to, Auntie Hong?”
“Who else but the noble Shi Men?” And seeing the woman surprised and about to protest, she quickly raised her hand and continued,
“Hear me out! He met with me and said that he felt very sorry to see you alone after your daughter left. He would be delighted to keep you company for half a day whenever he can. What do you think? No one will know, and once you let him in, don't worry about clothes and money. You can get everything.”
With a face changing red from embarrassment, her heart pounding with tension, the young woman pondered. Everyone said that she was a beautiful woman, but during her marriage to Han Tao Kok who was much older, she never enjoyed pleasure and satisfaction. Her husband's situation as an employee could only provide her with a modest lifestyle. And now her husband's boss, a rich man, also a nobleman, handsome and known as a generous man, was inviting her! Eventually, she took a deep breath.
“Fine, if he truly respects me, I will receive him here tomorrow morning.” Of course, Shi Men was overjoyed when he received the news from Auntie Hong. Accompanied by his two henchmen, one tasked with guarding the horse and the other accompanying him, Shi Men visited Wang Liok Hwa or Mrs. Han the next day. He was greeted by the lady of the house who looked fresh and radiant in her new clothes, and the house itself looked sparkling clean, ready to receive its distinguished guest. To start off, their conversation was polite.
“I owe Taijin a great deal of gratitude for all that Taijin has done for the happiness of my daughter Mei Li.”
“Ah, I have been neglecting you and your husband because of my busy schedule, I hope you are not upset.”
“Please don't say that, Taijin, for who else but Taijin has been keeping our family alive all this time?” After Auntie Hong served tea, the conversation became warmer and more friendly, and soon they were sitting in the bedroom. The front door was closed, and Siauw Thai stood guard outside. Auntie Hong, who knew her place, also excused herself, and the two of them switched their tea for sweet wine.
After drinking the warm wine, their bodies and minds became even hotter, and soon words were unnecessary as both surrendered to the wave of lust and allowed themselves to be swept up and lulled in illicit love. They say stolen fruit is sweeter and tastier than one's own. Illicit love is more passionate and intoxicating than open love. This was now felt by Wang Liok Hwa, and for Shi Men, it was just a repetition of the acts he had often done. Satisfied, Shi Men left his new lover's house later that day as night was falling. The next day, Auntie Hong received a gift, and was also sent to find a young servant girl to become Mrs. Han's maid. For this, Shi Men had to spend another four ounces.
And since that first meeting, at least twice a week Shi Men would certainly visit his new lover and stay for half or a full day at Wang Liok Hwa's house. More than a month later, Lai Pao and Han Tao Kok returned from the Imperial City. Ti-Ciangkun was very pleased and satisfied with Mei Li and to express his gratitude, he sent Shi Men a horse from Tungush, and five ounces to the two messengers whom he treated lavishly. Shi Men read Ti-Ciangkun's letter with satisfaction. Especially in his letter, Ti-Ciangkun, who was grateful, regarded Shi Men as a good brother and ally, and promised to do whatever it took to meet Shi Men's needs when the time came. When Han Tao Kok wanted to hand over the fifty ounces from Ti-Ciangkun, Shi Men with a wise and generous attitude said,
“Just keep it for yourself, as a reward for your wisdom in educating your daughter.” When Han Tao Kok politely declined because he had already received a gift from Ti-Ciangkun, Shi Men insisted.
“Take it, or I will be angry. But, don't be extravagant and spend that money.” When he arrived home, Wang Liok Hwa welcomed her husband with joy and eagerly asked about Mei Li's condition after arriving in the Imperial City.
“Oh, she's doing really well. She has her own three rooms and two maids. She lacks nothing in clothes and jewelry. Ti-Ciangkun was very pleased to receive her and apparently loves her very much. Lai Pao and I were received as guests for two days and we were treated to lavish and exquisite hospitality. Then he sent a letter, a black horse, and fifty ounces of silver to be given to boss Shi Men, but imagine, my boss didn't want to accept the money and gave it to me! Here, this is the money.” Liok Hwa received the money with joy and kept it.
“We should give a one-ounce silver gift to Auntie Hong who has been very kind and kept me company while you were gone.” Just then, the young servant came in to serve the tea.
“Eh, who is this?” Han Tao Kok asked. “Our new maid. Come here and pay your respects to your master," and the maid paid her respects to Han Tao Kok. After the maid excused herself to the kitchen, Liok Hwa had to tell her husband about Shi Men's visit. She knew her husband, who was weak and money-minded, so she dared to be honest. She explained how Shi Men felt sorry to see her alone, and came to keep her company, gave her money, bought a maid, and also promised a new house for her. Han Tao Kok was stunned, then nodded.
Glossary
- Shi Men: The main character of the novel, he is a rich man who has an affair with his employee's wife, Wang Liok Hwa.
- Wang Liok Hwa: The wife of Han Tao Kok and the mother of Mei Li. Shi Men becomes infatuated with her.
- Mei Li: The stepdaughter of Wang Liok Hwa, who marries Ti-Ciangkun.
- Han Tao Kok: The husband of Wang Liok Hwa, and Mei Li's father. He works for Shi Men.
- Ti-Ciangkun: A character who is mentioned, but not seen. He marries Mei Li.
- Kotaraja: The Imperial City, where Ti-Ciangkun lives.
- Siauw Thai: One of Shi Men's servants.
- Auntie Hong: An old woman who serves as a go-between for Shi Men and other characters.