The Strangers Note

8/8/2019 The Strangers Note

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The Stranger's Note (Lin Yu Tang)

dohop dch

IT WAS toward the noon hour. The day was hot and few passengers were on the street. WangErhs teahouse was situated two streets back of the covered passages and bazaars in thecenter of the East City, where the best restaurants were. The morning crowd, which had cometo his teahouse for a cup of tea and exchange of gossip and news, had dispersed, and WangErh was washing his teapots and stacking them, some two dozen, on a shelf. This done, he

took his pipe and prepared to enjoy a rest, when he saw a tall, well-dressed man walk into hisshop. The visitors bushy eyebrows and deep black eyes gave him a striking appearance.Wang Erh had never seen this man before, but that did not surprise him. All sorts of peoplecame to his shop; that was what made running a teahouse interesting. Businessmen and theirfamilies, scholars, salesmen, gamblers, cheats, and passing strangers all came to rest andrefresh themselves. The tall stranger selected an inside table, and he gave the impression of

being a little secretive, even a little nervous. Wang Erh saw that he was preoccupied, andthought it would be better to leave him alone.


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Soon a boy peddler passed by in the street, calling aloud, Fried partridge hutu! Hey-yo,delicious fried partridge!

The gentleman called him in. The boy, whose head was shaven like a monks, laid his tray onthe table and began to pierce some hutu together on a stick, sprinkling some salt on it.Please, sir, heres your partridge.

Leave it there. Whats your name?

Seng-erh, that is my name, because I look like a little monk, said the boy with an innocentsmile.

Would you like to earn some extra money, little monk?

Certainly. The boys eyes brightened.

I want to ask you to do something for me.

The tall gentleman pointed to a house, number four from the corner, down an alley whichopened on the street at a point just facing the teahouse. Do you know who lives in thathouse? he asked.That is the house of Mr. Huangfu, an officer of the palace, in charge of official uniforms.

Oh, is he? Do you know how many persons are living in the house?

Just three. The palace officer, his young wife, and a little foster daughter.

Good. Do you know the lady?

She seldom comes out of her house. But she often buys partridge from me and I know her.Why do you ask?

The stranger saw that Wang Erh was not looking, so he took out a case and poured some fiftycoins on the boys tray, at which the boys eyes brightened. Thats for you, he said.

He then showed the boy a package, which contained a pair of gold cable bracelets, two shorthair brooches, and a note. Give these three things to that lady. But remember, if you see thehusband, do not give them to him. Is that clear?I am to give these things to the lady. I am not to give them to the palace officer.

Right. After you give the lady the note, wait for an answer. If she does not come with you,

tell me what she says.The boy went to the house, but when he lifted the screen and peeped in, he saw the palaceofficer sitting in the front room looking directly at the door. Huangfu was a short man in hisforties, with broad shoulders and a wide, flat, rather rectangular face. He had been on duty atthe palace for the last three months and had come home only two days ago.

What are you doing here? shouted the officer and ran - after the boy, who had immediatelystarted to run away. Huangfu grabbed him by the shoulder and shook him violently. What


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khng?

l nh ca ng Hong Ph, quan trong triu lo v nghi thc sc phc.

Vy sao? Em c bit bao nhiu ngi sng trong cn nh khng?

Ch c ba ngi. ng quan, b v tr, v c b con gi nui.

Tt lm. Em c quen bit b ch khng?

B ta t ra ngoi lm. Nhng b thng mua g ca em nn em bit. Ti sao ng hi vy?

Ngi khch l ny thy h Vng khng bn ly ra mt ci hp nh v ra nm ming tin vo ci khay ca cu b lm mt cu ta sng r. ng ta ni Cho em !

Ri ng ta a cho cu b mt ci gi trong c i vng xuyn vng, hai ci trm ci tcngn v mt mnh giy. Em a ba ci ny cho b ch nh. Nhng phi nh, nu gp ngchng th ng a cho ng. R ch?

Em phi a my ci ny cho b ch. Em khng c a cho ng quan ca triu nh.

Gii lm. Sau khi a t giy cho b ch ri, ch b ta tr li. Nu b ta khng i vi em,ni cho ti bit b ta ni nhng g.

Cu ta n cn nh dn nhng khi va vn mn v k mt vo, cu ta thy ng quan ngitrong phng nhn thng ra ca. Hong Ph l ngi n ng thp ngi trong tui t tun, vai

rng v khun mt ch in b v phng. ng ta bn lm trong triu nh trong sut bathng rng v ch mi v nh hai hm nay.

My lm g y? v quan ro ln v ui theo, cu b ngay tc tc b chy. Hong Phtm ly vai cu ta v lc mt cch d di. My mun g m nhn ln vo ca nh tao richy trn nh th?

***

A gentleman asked me to deliver a package to your wife. He told me not to give it to you.What is in it?I will not tell you. The gentleman told me not to give it to you.

The officer gave the boys head such a loud whack that the boy winced and reeled.

Hand them to me! he shouted in his throaty, officers voice.


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The boy could only do as he was told, still protesting, They are not for you. They are for her.

Huangfu broke open the package and saw the bracelets, the pair of hair brooches, and thenote which read as follows:

Dear Mrs. Huangfu: You may think this presumptuous of me, but since I saw you at therestaurant, I have not been able to put you out of my mind. I would love to call on you, butthat ass of your husband has returned. May I beg to see you alone? Come with the messengerof this note, or tell me how I can meet you. I am sending these little things as tokens of my

great esteem.

Your admirer, (unsigned)

The officer ground his teeth. Raising his eyebrows, he asked coldly. Who gave you thismessage?

Seng-erh pointed to Wang Erhs shop just outside the alley, and said, A gentleman withbushy eyebrows, great big eyes, a snub nose, and a wide mouth gave them to me.

Huangfu grabbed the boy by the arm and dragged him to the shop. The stranger was gone. Inspite of Wang Erhs protests, the officer took the boy back to his house and locked him in.The boy was now thoroughly frightened.

Huangfu was shaking with anger. He called his wife out with a commanding voice. Theyoung wife was a delicate and rather pretty woman of twenty-four, with a small, intelligentface. She saw that her husband was white and panting, and she could not understand what had

happened.

Look at these! said her husband, grimly staring at her.Mrs. Huangfu seated herself leisurely in a chair. She took out the articles and stared at them.

Read the note!

She read it and slowly shook her head. Is this letter for me? It must be a mistake. Who sentit?

How do I know who sent it? You know! Whom did you have dinner with during the theemonths when I was onduty?

You know me well, replied the young wife gently. I would not do such a thing. We havebeen married for seven years. Have I ever done anything a wife should not do?

Then where does the note come from?


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How can I know?

Unable to explain the letter and clear herself, the wife began weeping. What kind of astrange disaster has fallen out of a clear, blue sky! she wailed. Without warning her husband

struck her on the face. Mrs. Huangfu cried aloud and ran into the house.

The palace officer called for the thirteen-year-old maid, Ying-erh, his foster daughter. Hershort sleeves revealed her plump arms, red from washing. She stood stiffly erect, awaiting anorder, trembling a little as she always did before her master. Fearfully she watched hismovements. He took down from the wall a piece of bamboo and threw it on the floor. Thenhe took a rope and tied the maids hands, swinging the other end of the rope across a beam inthe roof. He hauled the girl up and, holding the bamboo in his hand, he asked, Tell me,whom did the mistress dine with when I was away?

There was no one, replied the girl in a terror-stricken voice.

***

Mt ng nh con a mt gi cho b nh. ng bo con ng a cho ng!

Trong c g vy?

Con khng ni u. ng dn l khng c a cho ng!

Vin quan triu nh nn vo u cu ta mt ci bp ra ting lm cho cu ta co rm v lo

o.

a cho tao! ng ta tht ln vi ging ni khn y uy quyn ca mt v quan.

Cu b ch cn cch lm theo lnh mc d vn chng i, My th ny khng phi cho ng.My th ny l cho b m!

Hong Ph ph bung ci gi v thy my vng xuyn vng v cp trm v l th ngn nhsau:

Knh gi B Hong Ph:Chc l b ang ngh l ti qu ngo mn, nhng t lc gp b trong nh hng, ti khngth no xa c hnh bng ca b khi tm t ca ti. Ti mun tt qua thm b, th nhngci tn chng ca b tr v. Ti van xin c gp ring b mt mnh. Xin b i theo ngia th ny, hay l nhn cho ti bit cch gp ring b. Ti gi t qu mn ny nh lby t s knh trng ca ti dnh cho b.


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K ngng m(Khng c ch k)

V quan triu nh nghin rng. ng ta nhng my v lnh lng hi. Ai a my ci th

ny?

Tng Nhi ch v pha qun tr ca h Vng ngay ngoi ng v ni, Mt ng my rm, mttht b, mi hnh v ming rng a my th ny cho con.

Hong Ph nm cnh tay cu b v li cu ta n qun tr. V khch l i mt. Bt k schng i ca h Vng, Hong Ph a cu b v t gia ri nht li. Cu b by gi kinhhi n tn cng.

Hong Ph vn cn run v tc gin. ng ta ra lnh cho b v ra ngoi. B v tr l mt c gikh p, mnh khnh mi 24 tui, vi khun mt nh, thng thi. Thy chng mnh trng

bch v th hn hn, c khng hiu chuyn g xy ra.

Nhn my ci ny! Chng ca c nhn chm chm vo c, ra lnh.

B Hong Ph thong dong ngi xung gh. C ly my mn ra xem.

c i!

C ta c ri lc u chm ri. Th ny gi cho em sao? Chc l ln ri. M ai gi vy?

Lm sao ti bit ai gi? B bit! B n ti vi ai trong sut ba thng khi ti bn vic?

Anh bit em r m, B v tr nh nhng p li. Em khng bao gi lm nhng chuynnh vy. Chng mnh nn i chng v by nm ri. bao gi em lm g tri vi bn

phn ca ngi v cha?

Th th ci th ny t u n?

Lm sao em bit c?

Khng bit ng no gii thch v l th c trong sch, b v bt u khc nc nv than vn, Tai ha l lng t nhin ri t trn tri xanh ri xung! Khng mt li cnhco, ng chng dng mt c vo mt b v. B Hong Ph khc ln v chy vo trong nh.

Vin quan triu nh ny gi a 13 tui, Dng Nhi, cng l a con gi nui ca ng ta.Tay o ngn ca a b l cnh tay trn, ng do cng vic git gi. C b ng thngmt cch g b v ch lnh, c ta hi run ry nh nhng ln phi i din vi ng ch ca c.


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C b quan st tng c ch ca ng ta mt cch s st. ng ta ly mt thanh tre t bc tngling xung t. Ri ng ta ct hai tay a li vi mt si dy thng, ling u kia ca sidy qua cy x ngang mi nh. ng ta cu c b ln v mt tay cm thanh tre, ng ta chtvn, Ni cho tao bit, b ch dng ba vi ai trong lc tao vng nh?

Khng c ai ht, con b tr li vi ging ni y khip s.

***

Huangfu began to beat the maid with the bamboo, and his wife, inside, trembled hearing herscreams. The flogging and questioning went on for some time. Unable to stand it any longerthe maid at last said, When you were away, Mother slept with a certain person every night.

Thats better, said the master. He let her down and untied her.

Now tell me, who was the fellow who slept with your mother every night in my absence?

The girl wiped her eyes and said with hatred in her voice, I will tell you. She slept everynight with me.

I will get to the bottom of this! he swore, and went out, locking the door behind him.

The wife and foster daughter looked at one another. Mrs. Huangfu saw the bruises on theyoung girls arms and back, and rushed to wash her wounds, crying, The beast!

The wife shuddered at the sight of the blood which had reddened the basin of water. As she

poured it down the gutter, she muttered again, The brutal beast.

The girl stood looking at her kind foster mother and said, If it were not for you, I wouldhave gone back to our village. And you should, too, Mother.

Hush, you mustnt say that.

Mrs. Huangfu looked dazed, unable to understand what had happened. At last, she turned tothe boy, who was cowering in a corner of the room, and asked, What was the stranger like?

The boy repeated the description and told her the story. The wife and her foster daughter satsilent, completely puzzled.

Half an hour later, the husband returned with four officers of the law. Dragging the partridgeboy forward, he said to the men, Take down his name. The men did as they were told,having respect for Huangfus position as a palace officer.

Dont go away yet. There are more persons inside. He called out to his wife and maid and


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demanded that all three be arrested.

How dare we arrest the lady?

You have to. A murder is involved.

Frightened by his words, the men took down the names and escorted the prisoners out of thehouse. A crowd of neighbors had gathered outside. As Mrs. Huangfu stepped out of the doorscreen, she instinctively shrank back, and said to her husband, Koko, I never thought Iwould see this day.

You should have used your head and taken time to find out who sent the letter. Its such adisgrace!

The officers had already pushed her outside the door. The neighbors made way for her to pass.

If you were afraid of disgrace, you shouldnt have done - it, answered her husband.

The wife said to him, Why dont you ask our close neighbors if a man ever stepped insideour door during your absence? The idea of accusing me!I will! replied her husband angrily.

The neighbors, not knowing what the wife was accused of were altogether bewildered. Theysympathized with the wife and shook their heads in answer to the husbands question.

Huangfu went with the accused to proffer charges before the magistrate, Chien of Kaifeng.

Chien had a round, plump face and seemed to be a man of infinite patience, incapable ofbeing excited by anything. The husband submitted the letter and the gifts and made theformal charge. The magistrate ordered the prisoners to be held in detention pendinginvestigation.

Two jail officers, Shan Ting and Shan Chienhsing, were in charge of questioning theprisoners. They began with the wife.

***

Hong Ph bt u nh a con gi bng thanh tre. B v bn trong rng mnh khi nghenhng ting ku go ca c b. Cuc tra tn ko di mt khong thi gian. Khng cn chuni na, a cui cng phi ni, Khi ng ch i vng, ti no M cng ng vi mtngi!

Phi nh vy ch! Hong Ph ni ri h c b xung ri ci tri cho c.

By gi hy ni cho Cha bit ci anh chng ng vi m con mi ti lc Cha vng mt l ai


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vy?

C b lau nc mt v ni vi ging y c cm, Con ni ht cho ng ch nghe. Ti no Mcng ng vi con.

Tao s iu tra n cng! Hong Ph th tht ri kha cht ca li, i ra ngoi.

B v v a con nui nhn nhau. B Hong Ph trng thy nhng vt bm tm trn cnh tayv lng ca c con gi tr vi vng i ra vt thng cho c ta, v ku ln, D th!

C khng khi rng mnh khi thy thau nc trong nhum v mu. Va thau ncxung rnh, c li lm bm, Con th hung c!

C b gi ng nhn ngi m nui t t ca mnh ri ni, Nu khng v m, con tr vlng mnh. M cng nn tr v lng, M !

y cht, con khng c ni nh vy!

B Hong Ph chong vang, khng hiu chuyn g ging xung. Sau cng, c quay vpha cu b ang rt ngi trong mt gc v hi, Ngi n ng hnh dng khun mt rasao?

Cu b k li tng mo ca ngi khch l v cu chuyn cho c nghe. B v v a congi nui ngi yn lng, hon ton mt li.

Na ting sau, ng chng tr v vi bn nhn vin cng lc. Li cu b bn hng rong ti,

ng ni vi h, Ghi tn n xung. Cc nhn vin lm theo lnh v n chc v ca HongPh l mt quan ca triu nh.

Khoan i ! Cn my ngi na bn trong. Hong Ph gi b v v a ra, yu cu culu c ba ngi.

Lm sao chng ti dm bt b nh?

My ng phi bt. C n mng xy ra!

S hi v li ni ca Hong Ph, h ghi tn ba ngi xung ri p ti t nhn ra khi nh.Mt m ng hng xm t tp bn ngoi. Va bc qua bc mn ca, b Hong Ph, theo

bn nng, rm ngi li v ni vi chng, Tng cng, em khng bao gi ngh l em c thc ci ngy ging hm nay. Anh nn dng tr c ca mnh v dnh thi gian khm ph raai l k gi l th . Tht l nhc nh qu!

Cc nhn vin cng lc y c ta ra khi ca. Hng xm tn ra nhng li cho c.


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Nu b s nhc th khng lm chuyn ! ng chng tr li.

C v ni vi chng, Ti sao anh khng hi hng xm lng ging xem c ngi n ngno bc vo ca nh trong lc anh vng mt? m kt ti em!

Ti s lm chuyn ! ng chng bc tc p li.

Hng xm ng ngc khng bit u ui c v b kt ti g. H ng tnh vi c v v tt clc u khi tr li cu hi ca ngi chng.

Hong Ph i cng cc b co ngh ti trng trc quan ta, huyn quan Chien caKaifeng. Chien c b mt trn phng phnh v c v l mt ngi v cng kin nhn, khngth no lay ng bi bt c vic g. Ngi chng a ra l th v tang vt v chnh thc bucti. Quan ta ra lnh giam cc t nhn ch iu tra.

Hai nhn vin ci hun, Shan Ting v Shan Chienhsing ph trch vic tra hi t nhn. H btu vi c v.

***

Mrs. Huangfu stated that she was born in a village near the city, that she had lost her motherearly, and her father at the age of seventeen, and that she had no close relatives.

She had married her husband the following year, and they had been happily married for sevenyears. No relatives or visitors had come to her house during her husbands absence, and she

never dined with anybody at home or in a restaurant, except her husband. She had no ideawho could have sent the note.

Why is it that you never see your relatives? Dont they come and see your

My husband does not like it. Once my cousin, Chang Erh, came to see us to beg my husbandfor a job. He didntget the job because it wasnt easy to get. My husband asked me to stop seeing my relativesafter that, and I did.

You do everything your husband tells you to?

Yes, I do.

Do you often go out to the theatre, where you might be seen by people?

No.


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Why not?

He does not take me.

And you dont go out alone?

No.

Do you go to restaurants for dinner?

Very rarely. I am happy at home. Oh yes, several days ago, the night when he came backfrom the palace, he did not like my food and took me to a restaurant near by.And you two dined alone?

Yes.

The womans neighbors were called in. In general they corroborated the wifes story. Theyhad never seen any visitor at her house, nor had they seen her go out except with her husband.She was a woman who kept very close to the house. The neighbors had a rather good opinionof her and called her Siaoniangtse, Young Mistress, because she was so small, althoughthere was no old mistress in the house. A neighboring woman said the husband was short-tempered and mistreated the wife, who was always meek and submissive and nevercomplained. The neighbor said Mrs. Huangfu looked like a bird feeding from ones hand.

On the third day, Shan Chienhsing was standing in front of the magistrates office, thinkingabout the mystery, when he saw the husband pass by. Huangfu came up to him and gave him

a greeting.

How is the case proceeding? he asked. Three days have passed. Perhaps you havereceived a present from the sender of the note and purposely delayed action.

Nonsense! The case is not so easily concluded. Your wife insists on her innocence and wehave learned nothing to prove otherwise. You did not send the note yourself by any chance?

Dont talk to me like that. We are happily married. Huangfu was angry.

What do you propose to do? asked Shan.

If the court cannot clear the case, I will demand a divorce.

Shan went into his office and prepared the documents. That afternoon he presented his reportto the magistrate. Magistrate Chien ordered the couple and the witnesses to trial the next day.

The magistrate first questioned the little boy. Then he turned to the thirteen-year-old maid as


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the most important witness. He banged the court gavel, an iron paperweight, by way offrightening her and spoke in a harsh, severe voice:

***

B Hong Ph xc nhn l sinh ra trong mt ngi lng gn kinh , c m ci m rtsm, cha c qua i lc c 17 tui v c khng cn b con gn gi.

C lp gia nh vi chng mt nm sau , v h sng chung hnh phc trong 7 nmqua. Trong thi gian chng ca c vng mt, khng c b con hay ai n nh thm ving

Ti sao b khng bao gi thm ving h hng? Ti sao h khng n thm b?

Chng ti khng thch ai thm ving. C mt ln, ng Chng anh h ca ti n gp chngti xin chng ti mt vic lm. ng ta khng c ci vic lm v vic khng d xin.T , chng ti bo ti ng gp b con h hng na, v ti nghe li chng ti.

B lm mi vic chng b bo sao?

D vng.

B c thng i xem vn ngh, ni m ngi ta c th thy b khng?

Khng.

Ti sao khng?

Chng ti khng a ti i.

Vy b khng i ra ngoi mt mnh sao?

Khng.

B c vo qun dng ba khng?

Rt him. Ti thch nh. ng ri, cch y my hm, ba ti khi chng ti t cung nhtr v, ng ta khng thch n ti nu nn a ti n mt nh hng gn nh.

Ch c ng b dng ba vi nhau thi sao?

D.

Nhng ngi hng xm lng ging ca b Hong Ph c triu vo. Nhn chung, h ch lm


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vng thm nhng g c ta va trnh by. H cha tng thy ngi khch no n ving nhc, v h cng cha bao gi thy c i ra ngoi nu khng c chng c cng i. Lng gingc phn ngh tt v c v gi c l Tiu Nng hay l B Ch Nh mc d chng ci Nng no trong nh c, v c ta qu nh nhn. Mt b hng xm tu l ng chng haycu gt v bc i v trong khi ngi v rt hin, ngoan ngon v chng h than phin. B ta

ni B Hong Ph ging nh mt con chim hin lnh m ngi ta c th cho n bng cch n trn tay.

n ngy th ba, Shan Chienhsing ang ng pha trc huyn ng ngh v b n cacu chuyn th thy ng chng i qua. Hong Ph tin n ng ta cho hi.

Din tin ca v kin ti u ri? Hong Ph hi. ba ngy ri. Chc l ci tn gi cith hi l ng nn ng c tr tr cng vic ch g!

By b! v ny khng d dng gii quyt. V ng c nht nh ni mnh v ti v chng tikhng c bng c g chng minh ngc li c. ng khng c t gi ci l th ch,c l no?

ng ng ni chuyn ci kiu vi ti c khng? Chng ti sng vi nhau rt hnhphc. Hong Ph tc gin.

ng c ngh g khng? h Shan hi.

Nu ta khng gii quyt c v ny, ti s yu cu ly d.

H Shan i vo vn phng chun b h s. Tra hm , ng ta trnh by bo co ca

mnh n huyn quan. Quan huyn Chien ra lnh cho v chng Hong Ph v cc nhnchng n hu ta ngy hm sau.

u tin, quan ta cht vn cu b bn rong. Ri ng quay sang a con 13 tui, l nhnchng quan trng nht. da nt c b, ng ta dng ba, phang ci chn giy bng stv dng li l nghim trng v gay gt nht:

***

You know everything that has been going on in the house, dont you?

I do.

Did you see any visitor or visitors when your master was away?

The maid answered impatiently, If there were any visitor, would I not have seen him?


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The magistrate gave another loud bang with his gavel and shouted, You little liar! You dareto lie in my presence! I will send you to jail for this.

The maid was frightened, but she said firmly, Your Honor, I have not lied to you. Mymistress stayed in the house all the time. You cannot wrong a good woman. She broke down

- whimpering and sobbing.The magistrate was impressed by the maids testimony. Now then, he addressed thehusband, a charge of theft must be proven with the stolen goods in the thiefs possession, anda charge of adultery must be proved by producing a co-respondent. I cannot condemn yourwife without more evidence than a note from an anonymous stranger. You may have someenemy who planted this note. He looked at the woman and continued, Certainly some oneis trying to cause trouble. Dont you think you ought to take her home and try to find out whosent the note?

The husband was adamant. Under the circumstances, Your Honor, I am not willing to takeher home,

You may be making a mistake, warned the magistrate. I shall be satisfied if you will grantme a divorce, said Huangfu. He could not help looking at his wife out of the corner of hiseye.

After more questioning, the magistrate said to the woman, Your husband insists on a divorce.I hate to break up marriages. What do you think?

My conscience is clear. But if he wants a divorce, I shall not protest.

The divorce was granted according to the husbands wish. The boy and the maid werereleased and ordered to be taken back to their parents.

The wife completely broke down when the court was adjourned. Divorce was a great disgraceto the woman, and she had not expected it because her guilt had not been established.

I did not know you could be so cruel after seven years of marriage. You know I have noplace to go now, said the wife to her husband. I will rather die than have my namedishonored.

That is none of my business, replied Huangfu and abruptly turned his back.

Only Ying-erh, the girl, stood by her.

Ying-erh, said the wife. Thank you for what you did.

It is of no help now. You can go home to your parents. I have nowhere to go and I cannotkeep you. Go home like a good girl.


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They parted in tears.

The woman, now left all alone, could not completely realize what had happened. Aimlessly,she made her way through the streets and crowds without seeing anything. The day wasdarkening, and she wandered to the Tienhan Bridge on the Pien River where she stoodlooking out at the locks and congested water traffic. The masts of the boats stood closetogether rocking and swaying in the evening wind, giving her a heady sensation, as if shewere rocking with them. She watched the golden disc of the sun disappear behind a distanthill, and realized she had come to the end of her road. She would never see the sun again.

Just as she was about to jump into the river, some one pulled her back. She turned around andsaw an old woman, well over fifty, dressed in black. Her hair was thin and grayish-white.Daughter, what do you take your own life for?

Mrs. Huangfu stared at her.

***

My bit r mi chuyn xy ra trong nh phi khng?

D, con bit.

My c thy ai ti thm ving khi ng ch vng nh khng?

C gi tr li mt cch bc bi, Nu c ngi ti thm, chng l con li khng thy?

Quan huyn g ba thm mt c ku tht ln v tht ln, My dm xo ! Dm ni lo trcmt ng! ng s cho my ngi khm v ci ti ny.

C b s hi nhng qu quyt, Bm quan, con khng ni di vi quan. B ch ca con lcno cng nh. Quan ng gn ti cho mt ngi hin lng. C b thc s suy sp vkhc st mt, tc ti.

Li khai ca c gi cm kch v quan huyn. Th ny, ng ta ni vi ngi chng, Titrm phi c chng minh bng vt trm trong tay k trm. Ti ngoi tnh phi c chngminh bng cch li u tn dm phu ra y. Ti khng th kt ti v ca ng nu khng cthm chng c g ngoi mnh giy t mt k l v danh. ng c th c k th, ngi gici th ny. ng ta nhn ngi ph n ri tip tc, Chc chn l c ngi ang tm cchgy xo trn. ng khng ngh l ng nn a b nh v ri tm cch truy lng k gi cith sao?


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18/36

Va ng lc c ta nh nhy xung ging nc th ai ko c li. C ta quay li th thymt b gi qu ng tun trong y phc en. Tc b ta tha v trng xm. T kt liu imnh lm chi h con gi?B Hong Ph nhn chm chm vo b lo.

***

Do you know me? I dont suppose you do, said the old woman.

No, replied the young woman.

I am your poor auntie. Since your marriage to the palace officer, I have not dared to comeand bother you. It was so long ago when I saw you as a child. The other day I heard from theneighbors that you were involved in a lawsuit with your husband, and I came every day to askfor news. I hear that the magistrate has decreed a divorce. But why jump into the river?

My husband does not want me and I have no place to go. Why should I live?

Come, come, you can stay with your old auntie, said the old woman. Her voice was strongfor her age. Such a young woman trying to end her own life! What nonsense!

Mrs. Huangfu was not at all sure whether this old woman really was her aunt, but she allowedthe woman to take her along, without a will of her own.

They went first to a wine shop where the old woman ordered her a drink. When the young

woman came to the aunts house she found it was situated in a quiet, out-of-the-way alley. Itwas fairly decent looking, furnished with green curtains and armchairs and tables.

Auntie, are you living all alone? How do you support yourself?

The old woman whose name was Hu, answered with a laugh. Oh, I make a living somehow.I used to call you Missie. I forget your name.

My name is Chunmei, answered Mrs. Huangfu, and she did not push her question further.

The old woman, Hu, was very kind to her, and for the first days she made her guest rest.Chunmei lay in bed thinking of the sudden and strange turn of her life.Several days later, the old woman said to her, You must be strong. I am not really yourauntie, but I wanted to save a young girls life when I saw you about to take the jump. Youare young and pretty. You have your life before you. Her old eyes narrowed into slits. Doyou still love your husband who has so brutally disowned you and left you to die?

Chunmei looked up from her pillow and answered, I dont know.


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I dont blame you, said the old woman. But wake up, my daughter. You are still youngand you shouldnt suffer yourself to be pushed around by people. Forget your husband, andget over your misery. Young people sometimes have foolish sentiments, I know. I havecrossed more bridges than you have crossed streets. Life is like that. Up and down, up and

down it goes, round and round in a circle. I lost my husband at twenty-eight. How old areyou? Chunmei gave her age. Well, I was a few years older than you are now, but here I am.Look at me. Even though her face was lined, and the skin of her neck was a little loose, sheseemed in perfect health. You take a good rest and in a little time you will get over it. Life islike going on a road. You fall down. What then? Do you sit down and cry and refuse to getup? No, you pick yourself up and go on again. From what you told me, he is a rascal. Why,he has not deserted you. He has thrown you out. So what are you lying here moping about?

Chunmei listened to her words and felt better. What can I do? I cant be living with youforever.

Dont worry. Take a good rest and get strong again. Then when you are well, find a goodman and remarry. Pretty eyes and a pretty face like yours never need to go hungry.

Thank you, Auntie. I already feel better.

Mrs. Huangfu could not help feeling grateful to the old woman for saving her life and helpingher recover her spirits during this bitter period of her life.

They had dinner together every night. Old woman Hu always liked a little rice wine with hedinner; wine was the water of life, according to her. Theres nothing like a little wine forrecovering your faith in life, she said. At my age, it makes me feel good and young oncemore. Chunmei admired the spirit of this hearty woman.

After dinner, they heard a mans voice calling outside,

Hu potse, Hu potse! The old woman went hastily to open the door.

***

Con c bit d khng? D ngh l con khng bit, b lo ni.

Khng, thiu n tr li.

Ta l b d ng thng ca con n. T khi con ly vin quan ca triu nh, d chng dmn quy ry con. D gp con lc con cn b, lu lm ri. Hm trc d nghe hng xm cacon ni l con b dnh vo v kin ca chng, d n mi ngy theo di tin tc. D nghe


20/36

l huyn quan quyt nh cho ly d. Nhng m con nhy xung sng lm chi vy?

Chng con khng chp nhn con na v con khng cn ni nng thn. Con sng lmg?

Li y, li y con. Con c th sng vi b d gi ny. B lo tht li. Ging ni ca btht khe i vi la tui ca b. Mt thiu n tr p nh th li mun t vn! Tht htbit!B Hong Ph khng c mt t xu nhn nh b lo c phi l b d tht khng nhng c c mc cho b lo dn i khng mt cht suy ngh.

H gh mt qun ru trc v b lo gi nc gii kht cho c gi. Khi thiu n n nhca b d th thy ngi nh c dng mt ni yn tnh trn mt con ng cch bit. Cnnh kh khang trang c by bin vi mn ca xanh lam, nhng chic bn v nhng chicgh bnh...

D i, d mt mnh ? Lm sao m d sinh sng c?

B lo h Ha, va tr li va ci. , d c cch sinh sng m. D thng gi con lB con. Con tn g, d qun ri?

Con tn l Trn Mai, B Hong Ph p, v c chng hi thm na.

B lo h Ha rt t t vi c gi. Trong nhng ngy u, b mun khch ca b ngh ngi.Trn Mai nm trn ging ngh v ci bc ngot tht bt ng v l lng ca cuc i mnh.

Vi hm sau, b lo ni vi c, Con phi vng vng. D tht s khng phi l D ca con,nhng d mun cu mng ca mt c gi tr khi thy con c nh quyn sinh. Con cntr v c nhan sc. Con c cuc sng trc mt. i mt gi ca b nhu li thnh hai cigch ni. Con vn cn yu ngi chng tn bo chi b con v b mc con cht sao?

Trn Mai ang nm trn gi nhn ln tr li, Con khng bit.

D khng trch con, B lo ni. Nhng hy thc tnh, con gi. Con vn cn tr, khng nnt chu kh cho ngi ta x y ch p. Hy qun chng ca con i v vt qua s bt hnh.

Ngi tr thnh thong hay c nhng tnh cm ngu si, d bit. D qua nhiu i [chic cu]hn l con tng bng qua ng. i l th. Ln xung ln xung, quay mng trong mtci vng trn. D mt chng lc 28 tui. Con bao nhiu tui ri? Trn Mai ni tui ca mnh.Nh vy l lc d ln hn con vi tui, nhng d vn cn y, c nhn d by gi n!Mc d mt c np nhn, v da c c hi trn, b lo c v khe mnh vn ton. Conhy ngh ngi cho tht thoi mi ri khng bao lu con s vt qua tt c. Sng trn iging nh i trn mt con l. Con vp ng. Ri sao? Con ngi xung ri khc v khng chung dy sao? Khng, con t ng dy v i na. Qua li con k th chng con tht s l tn


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cn . Ti sao vy? Hn khng b ri con, hn ling con ra khi cuc sng. Vy, con nm y chn nn ci qui g?

Trn Mai lng nghe b lo v cm thy thoi mi hn. Con c th lm c g? Con khngth sng vi d nh vy hoi c.

Con ng lo. C ngh cho khe ri cng cp tr li. Ri khi con khe ri, kim mt ngin ng tt lp gia nh li. i mt p v khun mt p nh con chng bao gi s i!

Cm n d. Con thy d chu hn ri.

B Hong Ph khng th khng cm thy bit n b lo cu mng v gip mnh ly litinh thn trong giai on ng cay ca cuc sng.

H dng ba vi nhau mi ti. B lo h Ha lc no cng thch mt cht ru trong ban; theo b, ru l nc ca i. Chng c g tt hn mt cht ru khi con cn ly linim tin trong cuc sng, b ni. Vi la tui ca d, ru lm d cm thy khe mnh vtr thm mt ln na. Trn Mai thn phc ngh lc ca ngi n b y nhit tm ny.

n ba ti xong, h nghe ging mt ngi n ng gi bn ngoi.

B Ha, B Ha! B lo vi vng ra m ca.

***

Why do you close the door so early? asked the man. It had been raining that day, and shehad locked the door rather early.

The old woman asked him to sit down, but the man said he had to go away immediately, andremained standing.Chunmei saw from the back room that he was tall and had thick eyebrows and big eyes. Herattention was arrested and she looked at him carefully from behind the screen. His mouthcould be called broad, and his nose was not pointed, more or less answering the boys

description. Her heart pounded, but she made no sign of her suspicion.

What is this? asked the tall man in a tone of impatience. It is already a month since yousold the three hundred dollars worth of things. I want the money.

They were sold, as I told you, replied Auntie Hu. They are in my clients place, but whatcan I do if he has not paid up? As soon as he pays, I shall turn over the money to you.


22/36

But this is long enough longer than usual. Bring the money as soon as you receive it.

The gentleman left and Auntie Hu came inside looking quite upset.

Who was the visitor? asked Chunmei.

I will tell you, Chunmei. The gentlemans name is Hung. He says he was the magistrate ofTsaichow and is now retired. I dont believe him. I know he lies, but he is a great fellow. Heoften asks me to sell some of his jewels. He says he is an agent for jewelers. Maybe he is,maybe he isnt. But he has good jewels, and the other day he asked me to sell some for him.They were sold but my client hasnt paid. I dont blame him for being impatient.

Do you know him well?

Yes, in a business way perhaps more. I never saw a fellow quite like him. I cant makehim out. He is liberal with his money. When he sees I am in need of money, he gives mesome without my asking for it. The next time he comes, I will introduce him to you.

Chunmeis interest was greatly aroused, but she tried not to show it.

Hung came again and again, and Chunmei was introduced to him as a relative of Auntie Hu.She was torn between the desire to find out if he was the stranger who had changed her life,and her liking for his undeniable charm. She could not quite get rid of the suspicion that hemight be the very man they had been looking for, and she tried to make his face fit the

partridge boys description of the mysterious stranger. The point which bothered her mostwas whether his nose could be called snub.

At one of their meetings, she sat staring at him, lost in thought.

What are you staring at me for? remarked Hung in his jocular way. Every physiognomisttells me I have a lucky face and lucky ear lobes. He pulled his heavy lobes, and said, See? Ialways brought luck to people.

Hung was alternately amusing, helpful, and attentive. He was flashily dressed andinordinately vain. Because he had traveled a great deal, he could tell entertaining stories, andhis swagger was part of his charm. But he was also interested in others. He asked Chunmei to

tell her story and listened with sympathy. He took her part, interrupting only to express hisdisgust with the ex-husbands outrageous cruelty. His sympathy for her seemed sincere, evenif he might be courting her.

After their second meeting he had asked Chunnei to sew on a button for him. Chunmei wasfascinated. She saw that he really had business transactions to come and see the old womanabout, but now he provided excuses for many more visits. He always brought a bottle withhim, and sweetmeats and new delicacies which he had promised the women he would


23/36

announce that he was coming for supper, complain of hunger, and then have the insolence toteach Chunmei how to prepare a dish of ham and candied ginger in his own way. When aman had the courage to command, it gave a woman pleasure to obey.

What do you think of that rascal? Auntie Hu asked Chunmei when he left.

I think he is an interesting person.

He asked me the other day to do something for him which I have not yet been able to do.

What was it?

***

Ti sao b ng ca sm nh th? Ngi n ng hi. Hm tri ma v b lo ng cac phn hi sm.

B mi anh ta ngi nhng anh ta vn c ng, ni l phi i ngay tc th.

Trn Mai t phng pha sau nhn thy ngi n ng cao ln v c chn my rm vi i mtto. C b li cun nn nhn anh ta t sau tm mn. Ming ca anh ta cng c th cho l rng,v mi ca anh ta khng nhn, khng t th nhiu, ging nh thng b bn rong m t. Timca Trn Mai p thnh thch nhng c khng l ra s nghi ng.

Ci g vy? ngi n ng cao ln ny hi vi ging khng kin nhn. mt thng tkhi b bn c thy hng tr gi ba trm bc. Ti mun tin.

My ci bn ri, nh ti ni vi ng, D Ha p. Hng ang ch khch hngca ti, nhng ti lm g c nu h cha tr tin ht? Khi h tr tin, ti s chuyn giao licho ng ngay tc khc!

Nhng m ln ny l lu qu nhe lu hn bnh thng. em tin n ngay sau khi b nhnc, c khng!

G n ng i khi, D Ha i vo trong vi khun mt cn v kh chu.

Ngi khch l ai vy? Trn Mai hi thm.

D s cho con bit, Trn Mai . ng ta tn Hng. ng ni ng tng l quan huyn ThiChu v v hu. D khng tin. D bit ng ta ni dc nhng ng ta l mt ng bn tuytvi. ng thng nh d bn mt s n trang v kim hon ca ng. ng ni ng l nh il kim hon cho cc ca tim v ngi bn n trang. C th ng ta l i l, c th khng

phi. Nhng hng kim hon ca ng ta rt tt. Hm trc ng nh d bn gim ng t kimhon. Hng bn ri nhng khch hng cha tr tin. D khng trch ng ta nng tnh u.


24/36

D bit r v ng ta h?

, trong cng vic lm n thi m c l l hn vy na. D cha gp ngi no hon tonging nh ng ta. D khng on ni ng ta. ng rt ho phng v tin bc. Khi ng cm

thy d thiu thn, ng di tin cho d m khng cn d phi hi mn hay xin. Ln sau ngti, d s gii thiu ng cho con.

Trn Mai cm thy tht thch th trong lng, nhng nng rng khng l ra ngoi.

Hng n ving v tip tc n na n na. Trn Mai c gii thiu n Hng nh l mta chu gi ca D Ha. Trn Mai nh ng gia ng ba ng: c mun tm hiu xemHng c phi l ngi khch l thay i i nng, v nng cng yu thch v p thu htkhng th ph nhn c ca Hng. Nng khng th dp b s nghi ng rng anh ta chnh lngi m ngi ta ang truy lng, ri nng cn rng tng tng cho khun mt ca Hngging nh l nhng g ch b bn g rong m t ngi n ng xa l b n . im quy rynng nht l khng bit ci mi ca Hng c th gi l mi hnh c khng.

Trong mt ln gp g, Trn Mai ngi nhn chm chm vo Hng nng ang b lc trong ngh ca mnh.

Nhn ti k nh th lm chi vy c nng? Hng a ct. Thy tng s no cng niti c khun mt may mn v di tai may mn. Anh ta ko hai ci di tai tht ln ca mnhv ni, Thy khng? Lc no ti cng em may mn n cho ngi ta.

Hng t ra rt khi hi, ri c tnh gip mi ngi v anh cng t ra chu o. Anh ta n

vn hi ho nhong v c v le lot qu mc. Do tng du lch nhiu, Hng bit k nhngcu chuyn rt th v, v ci iu b khoc loc ca anh ta cng phn no lm cho anh ta ctnh thu ht. Tuy vy, anh ta cng rt quan tm n ngi khc. Hng yu cu Trn Mai kv cu chuyn ca nng v lng nghe nng vi s thng cm. Anh ta t mnh trong vaitr ca nng v lng nghe, ch ngt li nng biu l lng cm phn s c c v nhn oca ngi chng c ca Trn Mai. S thng cm ca Hng trng rt tht lng, cho d lchng ta c th ang tn tnh Trn Mai.

Sau ln gp th hai, Hng nh Trn Mai m gip cho anh ta mt ci nt. Trn Mai nh bthi min. Nng thy anh ta qu tht c cng vic lm n cn phi lui ti nh d nng. Th

nhng by gi anh ta kim c n thm thng xuyn hn. Lc no n anh ta cng mangtheo mt chai ru, v ko mt v nhng mn cao lng m v m anh ta ha vi TrnMai v b D. Anh ta s bo trc l s n dng ba ti, ri than i, ri cn dm c gan dyTrn Mai lm gim bng v ko gng theo cch ca anh ta. Khi mt ngi n ng c lngcan m ra lnh th n cng lm cho ngi ph n thch th vng li.

Con ngh th no v ci tn ranh ny? D Ha hi Trn Mai sau khi Hng ri khi.


25/36

Con ngh l anh l mt ngi rt th v

Hm trc hn c nh d lm gip mt chuyn m d vn cha lm c.

Chuyn g vy?

***

He is living alone. The other day he asked me to find a woman and make a match for him.Why dont you let me make the arrangements and suggest the match to him? I can see that helikes you and will be delighted at the suggestion.

I see, said Chunmei thoughtfully.

You see what? He is a charming man. What is holding you back? If you still havent gotover that ass of an ex-husband of yours, you are the greatest fool I know. isnt he a finefellow? He has money and will be able to take care of you, and you will be off my hands.

I must tell you, Auntie, said Chunmei. I like him, but there is something I should like toclear up.

What is it?

I have an idea he might be the unknown person who sent the note, and broke up ourmarriage.

Auntie Hu broke into such laughter that Chunmei felt embarrassed.

He answers the description, more or less, you know.

What nonsense? How many tall men are there in the world, and how many have heavyeyebrows and big eyes? Is that his fault? Suppose he was that stranger, what then? You have

been punished for eating a cake which you didnt eat. Youve paid the price, and the cake ishere. Its yours. If I were you, I would marry the stranger, just to show him off to that brutewho was your husband.

Chunmei did not know what to think. If Hung was not the stranger, she would be doingherself a lot of good, and if he was, she would be doing her ex-husband no harm. She beganto feel the sweetness of revenge.

The next time Hung came, she was gayer than usual. She had decided to test him.He had brought his own bottle, and said, Come on, drink to my luck in meeting such a fairlady as you.


26/36

No, I will drink to your lucky ear lobes, the young woman replied. The drink helped her alot. She could not contain her curiosity any longer, and in the next breath, she surprisedherself by remarking, The stranger was said to look like you.

Really? I am honored. Think of a man who had the courage to do such a thing! If I had seenyou before, I would have wanted to do the same thing, even if you were married to a duke.Once I did have an affair with a dukes mistress. You dont believe me? I dont suppose youwould. However, heres to my lucky ear lobes! He poured himself another cup and finishedit at one gulp.

See how he lies, remarked Auntie Hu pleasantly.

Be sensible, said Hung, putting down his cup. You have never seen the man. How do youknow whether he is tall or short? But your husband was a brute to leave a pretty woman likeyou.

Yes, he gave me no chance, she said. It is all over now.

What do I care? I am just curious to know who sent the note. In spite of herself, her eyeswere a little red.

Forget about the brute, said Hung. Come on, drink. Such a pretty face is not made fortears. He did not want you, and you are still thinking of him. Oh, what a world, what a world!

Chunmei was completely confused. The old woman encouraged her to drink and forget.

Almost in revenge, she kept on drinking. Later in the evening, she became very gay. For thefirst time she realized she was free. She had never quite felt it before. It gave her a wonderfulfeeling of elation. She kept repeating in a silly way, Yes, I have no husband . . . Yes, I haveno husband.Yes, forget, said Hung.Yes, forget, said Chunmei. Say you are not the stranger, are you?Dont talk nonsense. What would you do if I were?I would love you for setting me free from that brute husband of mine. Would it not be funnyif my husband saw me drinking with the stranger here tonight?

***

ng ta sng mt mnh. Hm trc ng nh d kim mt c lm mai cho ng. Hay l con d sp xp ri gi vi ng ta? D thy l ng ta mn con v s rt vui khi nghe d gi .

Con bit ri, Trn Mai ngh ngi ri ni.

Con bit ci g h? ng ta rt c duyn. C ci g lm con phi ngh ngi? Nu con vn cn


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cha qun ci tn chng c ca con th qu tht con l ngi kh nht m d bit. Khng phiHng l anh chng rt tt sao? Anh ta c tin v c kh nng chm sc con, v d khi phing ti con na.

Con phi ni cho d bit, d , Trn Mai th l. Con thch nh, nhng c mt iu con

mun thng sut.

iu g vy?

Con c tng l anh ta c th l ci ngi l gi th cho con v ph hoi hn nhn cacon.

D Ha khng nn ci ni v ci n ni Trn Mai mc c c mt.

D bit khng? Anh y khng nhiu th t, ging y nh thng b bn rong m t.

Khi hi tht! Trn tri t ny c bao nhiu n ng cao ln, bao nhiu ngi c chn myrm v mt b? u phi l li ca ng ta? Th d nh ng ta l ngi khch xa l thsao? Con b kt ti n mt ci bnh con khng h n. Con tr tin ri, th ci bnh y. Nl ca con!!! Nu d l con, d s ci ci ngi n ng l ch khoe vi ci tn khnnn, chng ca con.

Trn Mai khng bit ngh sao na. Nu Hng khng phi l ngi khch l th qu l ttcho c qu, cn nu anh ta chnh l ngi th c chng lm g c ng chng c. C ta

bt u cm thy c v ngt ca s tr th.

Khi Hng n ving na, Trn Mai vui hn mi ln. C ta quyt nh th anh ta. Hng emtheo chai ru v ni, Ung i, ung mng ti may mn gp c mt c gi p nh c!

Khng, em s ung mng ci di tai may mn ca anh, C gi tr p li. Men ru gip nng tht nhiu. Nng khng cn km c s t m na, trong hi th k, nng ngc nhin chnh mnh khi tht ra, Ngi khch l ngi ta ni l ging anh !

Vy sao? Tht l mt vinh d cho ti. Khng bit ai m c can m dm lm chuyn nhvy nh? Nu qu tht ti c thy c trc y, ti cng mun lm y chang nh ng ta, ngayc khi c l v ca hong t cng vy. c ln ti lng nhng vi v ca mt ng hong.

Em khng tin ti ? Ti khng ngh l em tin. Nhng thi, hy ung mng ci di tai maymn! Hng t rt cho mnh mt chung ru v nc cn trong mt hp.

Thy hn dc t gh cha, D Ha vui v ln ting.

Khn t xu i c em, Hng tht ln, t chung ru xung bn. Em cha bao gi thyngi . Lm sao m bit c ng ta cao hay thp, h? Nhng m chng ca em qu thtl mt tn th vt mi n b mt c gi p nh em!


28/36

. nh hng cho em c hi no ht, nng p li. Mi chuyn qua ri. Em u cnthit tha g n chng em na? Em ch hi hiu k mun bit ci anh chng gi ci th thi. Mc du vy, mt nng c hi .

Qun ci tn khn i, Hng khuyn bo. Ung i no. Khun mt p nh th khngphi ng nc mt u. Hn khng mun em, em li vn ngh v hn. i gii i, ci thgii ny lon ri, lon mt ri!

Trn Mai hon ton ri rm. B lo khuyn khch c ung v qun. Gn nh l tr th,nng ung lin tc. Chiu ti hm , nng tr nn vui v l thng. Ln u tin nng nhn

bit l mnh t do. Ci t do m trc nng cha bao gi cm nhn. N ban cho nng mtcm gic phn chn l lng. Nng v vn lp i lp li ng ri, em u c chng , emkhng c chng.

, qun i em, Hng ni.

, em qun, Trn Mai ni. Hy ni l anh khng phi l ngi khch l , phi khnganh?

ng ni tm by n. M em s lm g nu anh l ngi ?

Em s yu anh v anh ban cho em t do v cu thot em ra khi ci tn chng v loi caem. Gi m chng em thy c em y ti nay ung ru vi ngi khch l . Chc ltc ci lm?

***

Yourformerhusband, I beg your pardon, corrected Hung. You know what it wouldprove? It would prove that you had known the stranger and dined with him before. Thousandsof women have done things behind their husbands backs and are not divorced. You aredivorced without having been unfaithful. What a world!

You are a devil, said Chunmei, and she began to laugh, and her laughter was gay as it hadnever been when she was Mrs. Huangfu.Am I? asked Hung, and he put his arms around her.

She smiled up at him and said dreamily, Hello, stranger, and offered him her lips.Somehow she felt a sense of victory.

After their marriage Hung took her to live in a house far out in the western suburb. She hadnot thought it possible that she could be so happy. They talked and laughed and Chunmeiseemed to be consciously trying to make up for what she had missed before. He often tookher to small restaurants and she went with him gladly. He seemed well-to-do and was liberal


29/36

with his money. He loved to press money into her palms and never asked her for an account,as Huangfu had. Then, too, he had friends whom he often invited home for dinner. It was asdifferent as possible from her life with her former husband.

Hung had never openly admitted that he was the stranger. He always had a way of turning

aside the question, or he would admit it with such a swagger that it seemed impossible to takehim seriously. But one afternoon, after a little drink and some cold partridge, which they hadbought from a street hawker, he was feeling very happy, and for once he made a slip of thetongue. You know I sometimes think of that poor partridge boy he checked himselfimmediately and added lamely from what you told me about him. And Chunmei knew.That night in bed after she had put out the light, Chunmei asked him, Tell me why did yousend that note?

There was a long silence.

He bullied you, didnt he? he said at last.

You knew? You had seen me?

Of course I knew. You dont know what a ridiculous couple you two made, like a swanmarried to a toad.

Where did you see me?

I saw you the first time trailing your feet behind him on Kungchien Street. I stopped to askyou for road directions. He pulled you away roughly with a stern, censorious look I could not

forget. That was last spring. You wouldnt remember. I thought of you as a bird in a cage. Iwas struck by you from the moment I saw you. I will let that bird free, I said to myself. I tooka lot of trouble to find out.You had enemies, you know.

I? Chunmei gasped.

You know that relative of yours, Chang Erh, who stayed in your house for some time to begyour husband for a job?

You know Chang Erh?

Yes. Do you know why your clan people never came to see you? Because of your husbandstreatment of Chang Erh. He came home and told everybody in the village about it. I was inlove with you and it was driving me crazy. I pictured you as a fairy enchained by a monster.

But how could you do such a thing? I never had dinner with you. And I was happy.


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Yes, as happy as a bird in a cage. Remember two days before I sent you that fatal letter,when your husband had just come home, you dined at the Taiho restaurant in the passagewith him? I was there, sitting at the next table. Yes, you were very happy. It didnt take metwo minutes to see that you were afraid of him. I detested the fellow. I noticed that he neveronce consulted you about your food. He ordered what he liked, and you ate humbly, sweetly,

submissively. I was boiling with rage. I tried to arrange to see you, but that partridge boybungled it. I was madly in love with you and followed the trial every day through Auntie Hu.I had hoped he would divorce you, but I did not expect it to turn out exactly as I wished.

Next morning, she saw Hung writing a letter. She waited until he had finished and thenquickly snatched it from him and said laughingly,Do you know what this letter means in my hands, if I hand lt over to the court?

Hung felt a slight shock and immediately recovered himself. You wont, he said.

***

hm, Xin li Chng c, Hng chnh nng. Em bit iu s chng minh c gkhng? N s chng mnh l em bit ngi khch l t trc v dng ba chung ving ta. Hng ngn n b lm nhng chuyn by b sau lng chng m khng b ly d. Cnem khng bao gi ngoi tnh li b chng ly d. Th gii ny in ri!

Anh qu qui tht, Trn Mai tht ln ri bt u ci ln, nhng ting ci vui v nngcha h c khi cn l B Hong Ph.

Tht vy sao? Hng hi v a tay m ly nng.

Nng ngc ln nhn Hng n mt n ci ri ni m mng, Cho ngi khch l, v hindng chng cnh mi xinh p. Chng bit v sao nng cm thy mt cm gic chin thngang dng tro.

Sau hn l, Hng a nng v sng ti mt ngi nh tht xa ti vng min Ty. Cha bao ginng ngh l l nng c th hnh phc nh vy. Hai v chng ci ni m Trn Mai dngnh c tm cch n b nhng g m trc nng thiu vng. Hng thng a nng ncc qun n nh v nng i vi anh mt cch vui v. Anh c v kh gi v ho phng v tin

bc. Anh ta thch di tin vo tay v v khng bao gi hi nng lm g vi s tin anh chonh l Hong Ph. Hn na, anh ta c bn b v anh thng mi h n nh dng ba. Cucsng tht khc bit vi cuc sng c ca nng vi ngi chng c.

Hng khng bao gi cng khai nhn anh l ngi khch l. Anh ta lun c cch trnh ncu hi , hoc anh ta s t nhn vi ci v khoc loc kh ai m tin ni. Th nhng trongmt bui tra, sau khi dng mt cht ru v g g lnh mua t mt ngi bn rong, anh tacm thy khoi tr v ln u tin v tnh tht ln iu khng nn ni. Em bit khng, thnh


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thong anh thy ti nghip cho cu b bn g ghim anh ta vi vng khp khnh sa lit nhng g m em k cho anh nghe v cu b. V Trn Mai bit c s tht.

Ti hm , trn ging sau khi nng thi tt ngn n, Trn Mai hi chng, Ni cho emnghe i, ti sao anh gi ci th vy?

Mt khong trng im lng tri qua

ng n hip em, c ng khng? cui cng chng th l.

Anh bit chuyn sao? Anh thy em trc ?

ng nhin l anh bit. Em c bit l em vi ng l mt cp ht sc tc ci khng? gingnh chim thin nga kt i vi con cc.

Anh thy em u vy?

Anh thy em ln u khi em lm khm lt theo sau ng ph Kungchien. Anh dng li nh em ch ng. ng ko em ra ci rp vi ci b mt nghim khc v cm on m anhth no qun c. Anh b ting st i tnh ngay t ci lc nhn thy em. Anh t nh, mnh

phi phng sanh con chim ny. Kh khn lm anh mi tm c cch . Em c k th, embit khng.

Em? Trn Mai h hc v kinh ngc.

Em bit ci tn anh h ca em, tn Chng, hn nh mt do xin chng em cho vic

lm khng?

Anh bit anh Chng sao?

Bit ch. Em c bit ti sao chng c b con no n thm em khng? Bi v ci tn chngca em i x t hi vi tn Chng. Hn ta v nh v k cho mi ngi trong lng nghe.Anh ang yu em v chuyn lm anh in tit ln. Trong u anh, em l mt nng tinang b mt con qui vt sing li.

Nhng ti sao anh n lm mt chuyn nh vy? Em cha bao gi dng ba vi anh. V em

ang hnh phc.

ng, hnh phc nh chim trong lng. Em nh xem, hai ngy trc khi anh gi ci th nhmnh , khi chng em ch mi v nh, em n trong nh hng i H trong hm vi ng?Anh , ngi bn bn cnh. ng, em rt hnh phc. Khng y hai pht ng h anh cth bit c rng em s ng. Anh ght cay ght ng thng ch. Anh l thng chchng h hi em xem em thch mn g. Thng ch ku nhng mn m thng ch thch, vem n mt cch khim tn, m i v ngoan ngon. Anh ni in ln. Anh th tm cch sp


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xp gp ring em nhng cu b bn g lm hng vic ht. Anh yu em in cung vtheo di phin ta mi ngy qua D Ha. Anh hy vng l thng ch s ly d em, nhng anhkhng ng mi vic u tin trin theo nguyn ca anh.

Sng hm sau, Trn Mai thy Hng ang vit mt l th. Ch chng vit xong ht l th

nng nhanh nhn chp ly ri va ci va ni, anh bit l th ny c ngha g khi n trong tay em, nu em trao n cho ta?

Hng hi git mnh nhng ngay lp tc t trn tnh li. Em s khng lm chuyn ! anh tani.

***

Why wont I?

I know you mean the handwriting, but dont forget that you are living with the adulterer now.At the most, you will merely be convicted of adultery, and the judge cannot convict a persontwice.

You devil!

She bent and kissed him, a long hot kiss.

You are biting me, Hung protested jokingly.

That is how much I love you!

New Year came around. Chunmei used to go with her former husband to Siangkuoshih onthat day to pray for a lucky year. She suggested to Hung their doing it, and they went to thetemple together.

Huangfu, too, remembered their visit at the Siangkuoshih on every New Years Day. He had

been feeling desolate and unhappy since the settlement at court. The mystery of the strangerhad never been solved, and he had gone back to the palace again. Now that he was separatedfrom his wife, he remembered more and more her good qualities, and the more he thoughtabout her, the more he believed in her innocence. Everything pointed to it: her own behaviorduring the arrest and trial, and the testimony of the maid and the neighbors. His remorse was

bitter. He forced himself to put on a good gown, took a box of incense, and went to thetemple.


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As usual, there was a big crowd at the temple on new Years Day. As Huangfu came out, hesaw his former wife going in with a tall man. They did not see him, so he waited outside forthem to come out, chatting idly with a seller of clay dolls. When he saw them come down thetemple steps, he hid himself in the crowd, trembling with anger and jealousy.

He followed them till they got outside the gate, and then he called to her from behind.Chunmei turned around and recognized him with a start. He was shabby and thin, and therewas a new sad look on his face.

Oh, you! she cried with evident annoyance and contempt. Her tone and carriage were sodifferent from his submissive wife that for a moment he thought she must be somebody else.

Chunmei, what are you doing here? Come home, I need you. He glanced at Hung briefly.

Who are you? demanded Hung. I should ask you to stop bothering this lady. Turning toChunmei, he asked, What is this man to you?

He is my former husband, she replied.

Come home, Chunmei. I have forgiven you. I am lonely. I was wrong about you.Huangfus tone was almost plaintive.He is not your husband any more, is he? Hung asked the woman, accenting his wordsslowly and fixing his eyes on her.

Chunmei looked at Hung and answered, No.May I speak to you for a moment? Huangfu asked her again. Chunmei looked at Hung, and

he nodded and stood aside.What do you want? asked Chunmei Her voice was suddenly angry.

Who is this man you are with?

Is it any business of yours what I do now? Her voice was bitter.

For old times sake, he begged. Come home. I want you.

Chunmei went a step closer. Her eyes shone and she raised her voice. Lets make this clear,

she said. You did not want me. I told you I was innocent. You would not believe me, anddid not care whether I lived or died. You said it was none of your business. Luckily I did notdie, and what I do is none of your business now.

***


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Ti sao khng?

Anh bit em mun ni v tung ch ca anh ch g, nhng em qun rng em ang sng vitn dm phu. Nu em a cho ta, cng lm em s ch b kt n ti ngoi tnh, em b ktti ny ri m, quan ta khng th kt n ai hai ln!

Anh qu qui tht!

Nng ci xung tng Hng mt n hn tht lu, tht nng chy.

B ngi ta, c ngi cn tui! Hng a ct chng i.

Em yu anh nhiu nh th !

Tt li n. Trn Mai c thi quen cng Hong Ph thm ving Siangkuoshih ngy tt cuxin mt nm mi may mn. Nng gi r Hng n ch , h cng nhau n cha.

Hong Ph cng nh n nhng ln n Siangkuoshih trong ngy u nm. ng ta cm thyb v v khn kh k t ci ngy v kin kt thc. B n lin quan n ngi khch lcng vn cha gii c v ng ta tr li lm vic ti cung nh. T lc phn ly vi ngiv, ng ta cng ngy cng nh ra nhiu nhng phm hnh tt p ca nng Cng nghnhiu v nng, ng ta li cng tin tng rng nng trong sch. Mi th u dn n iu ny:cch c x ca nng trong cc phin ta, nhng li khai, li nhn nh ca c con gi vca hng xm lng ging. Hong Ph hi hn trong cay ng v au kh. Khng cn chu ni,

ng ta p mnh n mc chnh t, ly mt b hng (nhang) n ving cha.

Vn mt m ng t tp cha trong ngy tt nh ngy no nm xa. Hong Ph bc rangoi v thy v c ca mnh ang i vi mt ngi n ng cao ln. Hai ngi khng thyng ta nn ng ta ch h bn ngoi, cng lc tn dc tp nhp vi ngi bn bp b bngt st. Khi Hong Ph thy h bc xung nc thang cha, ng ta rt vo m ng trn, run ry v gin v ghen.

ng ta bm sau hai ngi cho n khi h ra khi cng cha, ri ku b v c t pha sau.Trn Mai quay ngi li git ny mnh khi nhn ra ng ta. ng ta m v tiu ty, vi mt

khun mt mi m v bun b.

Th ra l ng! C tht ln, khng du dim s bc mnh ln s coi thng. Ging ni vdng iu ca nng tht qu khc ngi v ngoan v d phc tng ca ng ngy xa n nitrong mt lc ng ta tng nng l ngi khc.

Trn Mai, em lm g y? V nh, anh cn em. ng ta lic Hng mt ci.


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ng l ai vy? Hng yu cu. Ti yu cu ng chm dt quy ry b ta. Quay v phaTrn Mai, Hng hi, Ci ng ny l g ca em vy?

ng l chng c ca em, nng p.

V nh i Trn Mai. Anh tha th cho em ri. Anh c n qu. Anh ngh sai v em.Ging ni ca Hong Ph gn nh ch cn l li than vn no nng.

ng u cn l chng em na phi khng? nh mt Hng khng ri khi nng, Hng hinng mt cch chm ri, nhn ging tng ch mt.

Trn Mai nhn Hng v tr li, Khng.

Cho anh ni chuyn vi em t xu c khng? Hong Ph hi nng na. Trn Mai nhnHng. Hng gt u ri ng qua mt bn.

ng mun ci g? Trn Mai hi. Ging ni ca nng bt ng gin d.

Ngi n ng i chung vi em l ai vy?

Khng phi nhng chuyn ti lm lc ny khng lin quan g n ng sao? Ging ni nngm v chua cht.

Anh van em v tnh xa ngha c m tr v, anh ang cn em! Hong Ph ni n.

Trn Mai bc thm mt bc li gn Hong Ph. Mt nng chiu sng, v nng ln ging.

Chng ta nn thng sut chuyn ny, c ni. ng khng mun ti. Ti d ni vi ngl ti trong sch. ng khng mun tin ti v cng khng cn bit ti sng cht th no. ng ni l khng lin can g n ng. May mn l ti khng cht. V nhng vic ti lm tnay khng lin can g n ng, ng r cha?

***

Huangfus face changed. He laid his hands on her tightly, and she struggled to get free,shouting, Let me alone! Let me alone!

The former husband was so surprised that his grip relaxed. She broke away and went to Hung.

Leave her alone, you bully! shouted Hung.

He took her hand, and they walked off without another word. Huangfu stood alone, stupefied.As they walked down the street, they heard him calling to her from behind them:

But I have forgiven you, Chunmei! I have forgiven you!


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(Retold by Lin Yu Tang )

****

Khun mt Hong Ph i sc. ng ta nm ly nng tht cht v nng vng vy thot ra,nng ht ln, Bung ti ra! Bung ti ra!

Ngi chng c ngc nhin n ni tay ng ta phi bung lng. Trn Mai thot ra ri i nHng.

Khng c quy ry b ta, ci lu manh! Hng ln ting.

Hng tay nng, v h cng i khng ni thm li no na. Hong Ph ng mt mnh,sng s. Lc Hng v Trn Mai i n ng l, h nghe ng ta gi tn v c t pha sau:

Nhng anh th li cho em ri m, Trn Mai! Anh tha th em ri m!

(Chuyn c sa v k li bi Gio S Dr. Lin Yu Tang, do dohop rng dch li ra tingVit. Dch xong ngy 8/5/2006 Mi mi cn sa cha!)

*** Knh xin cc cao th ting Hn hay ting Hoa v ting Vit sa gip dohop mi cuvn, c bit l cc cu ting Hn hay ting Hoa (Tic rng dohop khng c nguyn bn chHn) m dohop khng bit dch hay dch sai. Trong qu trnh dch, dohop rng bm st ting

Anh ( tin vic hc ting Anh cho mt s bn) nn khng trnh khi nhiu cu ng nghnh,xin qu ng b, c bc, qu anh ch sa cha gip.

Xin a t.

Nhc dohop -

tng nh LC tm, chng bit bao gi gp li hay nghe ting.

The Strangers Note

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