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3 The Perfumed Lad y and Hou Fangy u ^ f The gossip about Yang Longyou's scheme to bring together Hou Fangyu and Purity's foster daughter , th e Perfume d Lady , wa s alread y know n t o Che n Dingshen g yesterday. He could not understand why Yang wished to cultivate Hou's friendship, and thought there must be something very extraordinary i n the whole affair. So , in the sam e evening he wrot e a confidential lette r an d bad e Hu th e Secon d t o take it to Hou's abode at Tongji Gate. When Hou left Cai Yisuo's Bookshop to keep the appointment with Secretary Zhou of the Board of Rites, he very much wanted to go to Yang Longyou's residence first. This urge was prompted by the oral message brought from Yang to him earlier through old man Su. The message was an invitation for Yang and Hou to go together the nex t mornin g t o visi t L i th e Perfume d Lad y a t he r home , th e Hom e o f Enchanting Fragrance. He very much hoped to ask Yang what all this was about, but had to give up the idea because he could not drag himself away. Secretary Zhou Zhongyu was a well-respected and very senior member of the Eastern Forest Party. He was tall and lean; his eyes were large; he had a pointed chin, an d a grey, pointed beard . And h e was also fond o f gossiping about othe r people's character. Suffering fro m poor health caused by a bad case of insomnia, his complexio n wa s always sickly an d pale , an d hi s natur e wa s subject t o suc h frequent change s tha t peopl e calle d hi m 'th e lunatic ' behind hi s back. On th e other hand, everybody agreed that he was a good man. Four years ago, he lent his weight behind th e Revival Club's publication o f Public Proclamation to Prevent Disturbance in the Subordinate Capital, by which th e crimes of Ruan Dachen g were revealed. Even now Ruan hated hi m to the ver y bones. 23 The Peach Blossom Fan Secretary Zhou saw that Hou had arrived alone and felt a little piqued. Inviting Hou into the study he asked, 'Why are Chen Dingsheng and Huang Taichong not here?' 'Huang lives at the Clear Cool Temple and is concerned that he might not be able to return before dark. Chen is unable to come because of another engagement. They both asked me to thank you, the old master, for your hospitality!' At this time a serving boy came up with tea. 'Please!' said Zhou. 'Th e wa y I see it , th e situatio n look s bad. Ho w d o you feel?' 'It is difficult t o predict what the situation will be if the three garrisons should fall. General Zuo Liangyu and his army are in Wuhu, I do not know whether h e could get there in time to relieve the garrisons.' Laughing sarcastically, Zhou stroke his grey beard and observed, 'Zuo Liangyu! He is arrogant, and his troops are cruel. Of what use is he?' It was only when he saw the change in Hou's face that he suddenly remembered and said instead, 'I forgot General Zuo was your honourable father the Minister's disciple. I have offended you , offended you! ' — and, 'Nevertheless, General Zuo and his troops can still fight a battle or two. He is countless times better than th e pillaging soldiers of those who harm the nation an d people such as Ma Shiying, Gao Jie, Liu Liangzuo, Liu Zeqing and Huang Degong.' Then, he opened wide his dark eyes and asked, 'Do you know of Ruan Dacheng's dark plans?' 'Kindly enlighten me,' replied Hou. Cursing, Zho u said, 'Th e ambitio n o f this dog of a bearded thie f i s very big indeed! It is not enough that he should conspire with Ma Shiying and Gao Jie, he is also in league with Earl Liu, Earl Zhou and Zhu Tonglui. This fellow Zh u i s a member o f th e roya l cla n an d a captai n unde r Princ e Jianan . Upo n Ruan' s instigation, h e spreads a rumour...

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