The Red Pavilion

III

Judge Dee told the manager who came to meet him in the hall that he had been invited to the dinner in honour of Magi­strate Lo. After the man had made a low obeisance, he took the judge up the broad staircase, covered with a thick blue carpet, and ushered him into a large room on the second floor.

An agreeable fresh air greeted the judge, for the room was artificially cooled by two brass basins, filled with ice-blocks. In the middle stood a round dining-table of shining blackwood, loaded with porcelain plates of cold meats and silver wine beakers. Six highbacked chairs of carved ebony with cool marble slabs as seats stood around it. In the bay window four gentle­men were drinking tea and nibbling melon seeds, sitting at an elegant side-table with a red marble top. They looked up, astonished, when Judge Dee entered. A lean, elderly man with long, greying sidewhiskers got up and came to meet him. He asked politely:

'Who might you be looking for, sir?'

'Are you Mr Feng Dai?' Judge Dee asked. When the other nodded, he took Magistrate Lo's authorization from his sleeve and gave it to him, explaining that Lo had asked him to attend the banquet in his place.

Feng Dai returned the document with a low bow, and said:

'I am the warden here, I am completely at Your Honour's service. Allow me to introduce the other guests!'

The thin old man with the small skullcap was presented as Wen Yuan, a wealthy curio-dealer who owned all the antique and souvenir shops of Paradise Island. He had a long face with hollow cheeks, but his small eyes looked very obser­vant, under grey, ragged eyebrows. He had a short, grey mous­tache, and a pointed, neatly trimmed beard. The distinguished-looking younger gentleman, wearing a square gauze cap and seated next to the curio-dealer, proved to be the head of the guild of wine merchants, called Tao Pan-te. And the handsome youngster sitting with his back to the window was introduced as Kia Yu-po, a student on his way to the capital to take part in the literary examinations. Feng added proudly that the young man had already made a name for himself as a poet.

Judge Dee reflected that the company looked more promising than he had expected. He conveyed to the four men in a few polite phrases Magistrate Lo's apologies. 'Since I happened to be passing through here,' he concluded, 'the magistrate charged me with settling the case of the Academician's suicide that occurred three days ago. I am, of course, a newcomer here. Therefore I'd be grateful if you would let me have your views on this case.'

There was an uneasy silence. Then Feng Dai spoke gravely:

'The suicide of the Academician Lee Lien was a most regret­table occurrence, sir. Unfortunately, however, such cases are not rare here. Some visitors who lose heavily at the gaming tables choose that way of ending their troubles.'

'I understood that in this particular case the motive was rather unrequited love,' Judge Dee observed.

Feng cast a quick look at the three others. Tao Pan-te and the young poet looked studiously at their tea cups. The curio-dealer, Wen, pursed his thin lips. Plucking at his goatee, he asked cautiously:

'Did Magistrate Lo say so, sir?'

'Not in so many words,' the judge admitted. 'My colleague was pressed for time, he couldn't give me more than a bare outline.'

Wen gave Feng a significant look. Tao Pan-te regarded the judge with his tired, melancholy eyes, and began quietly:

'The atmosphere of Paradise Island is, unfortunately, con­ducive to emotional conflicts, sir. We who have grown up here have become accustomed to a rather frivolous, casual attitude to love. We have come to regard it as a kind of elegant pastime, a game played for the trifling stakes of a few hours of ephemeral pleasure. The man who meets with success is a happy memory the richer, the loser good-humouredly seeks for a more compla­cent playmate. But people from outside often find it difficult to see their liaisons in this detached manner. And, since our dancing girls and courtesans are skilled in all the arts of love, those outsiders often allow themselves inadvertently to become too deeply involved—with tragic result.'

Judge Dee had not expected such well-chosen words from a wine merchant. He asked curiously:

'Are you a native of this island, Mr Tao?'

'No, Your Honour, we are from the south. About forty years ago my father settled down here and bought all the wine shops. Unfortunately he died much too soon, when I was still a child.'

Feng rose quickly and said, with what sounded to the judge like artificial gaiety:

'It's time for something better than tea, gentlemen! Let's sit down to dinner!'

He led the judge ceremoniously to the seat of honour, facing the entrance. He himself took the seat opposite, with Tao Pan-te on his left and the curio-dealer, Wen Yuan, on his right. He motioned the young poet to sit down on Judge Dee's right side, then proposed a toast to bid the judge welcome to the island.

Judge Dee took a few sips from the strong wine. Then he asked, pointing at the empty chair on his left:

'Is there still another guest coming?'

'Indeed, Your Honour, and a very special guest too!' Feng replied. Again the judge was struck by his forced joviality. 'Later in the evening a beautiful courtesan, the famous Autumn Moon, will join us here.'

The judge raised his eyebrows. Courtesans were supposed either to remain standing, or to sit on tabourets somewhat apart. They should certainly not be seated at the table, as if they were guests. Tao Pan-te had apparently noticed Judge Dee's dubious look, for now he said hurriedly:

'Famous courtesans are an important asset for us, Your Honour, and accordingly receive a somewhat unusual treatment. Next to our gaming tables, it is the courtesans who attract the steady stream of visitors here; they bring in about half of the profits of Paradise Island.'

'Forty per cent of which goes to the government,' the curio-dealer remarked dryly.

Judge Dee silently picked up a piece of salted fish with his chopsticks. He knew that the taxes paid by this great amuse­ment resort provided indeed a not inconsiderable part of the provincial revenue. He said to Feng:

'I suppose that, with all the money that changes hands here, it won't be easy to keep the peace on the island.'

'On the island itself that is not too difficult, sir. I have about sixty men, recruited from the local people, who, after the magistrate has approved them, are appointed special constables. They wear no uniform and therefore can mix freely with the guests in the gambling halls, restaurants and brothels. In an unobtrusive way they keep an eye on everything that goes on. The surrounding area, however, presents quite a problem, we often have highway robbers there, attracted by the possibility of plundering coming or departing visitors. A fortnight ago we had a rather bad case. Five robbers tried to hold up one of my messengers, due here with a box of gold bars. Fortunately two of my men who accompanied him beat off the attack and killed three robbers. The two others made their escape.' He emptied his beaker, then asked: 'I trust that you found comfortable quarters, sir?'

'Yes, in the Hostel of Eternal Bliss. Very nice apartments, they go by the name of the Red Pavilion.'

All four men suddenly stared at the judge. Feng Dai put down his chopsticks and said contritely:

'The manager shouldn't have offered you those rooms, sir. It was there that, three days ago, the Academician killed him­self. I shall at once issue orders that suitable quarters are . . .'

'I don't mind at all!' the judge interrupted quickly. 'Stay­ing there will enable me to get acquainted with the scene of the unfortunate incident. And don't blame the manager, I now remember that he wanted to warn me, but I cut him short. Tell me, in which of the two rooms did it happen?'

Feng was still upset. It was Tao Pan-te who replied in his measured voice:

'In the red bedroom, sir. The door was locked on the inside, Magistrate Lo had it broken open.'

'I noticed that the lock was new. Well, since the key was on the inside of the door, and since the only window is barred with iron bars not more than a span apart, we can at least be certain that there was no interference by outsiders. How did the Aca­demician kill himself?'

'He cut his jugular vein with his own dagger,' Feng Dai spoke up. 'This is what happened. The Academician had dined alone, outside on the veranda; then he went inside, in order to sort out his papers, as he told the waiter. He added that he didn't want to be disturbed. A few hours later, however, the waiter remembered that he had forgotten to bring a tea-basket. When he knocked on the door of the Red Room, there was no answer. He went out on the veranda, to have a look through the window and verify whether the Academician had gone to bed already. Then he saw him lying on his back in front of the bedstead, his breast covered with blood.

'The waiter immediately warned the manager, and he rushed out and informed me. We went together to the inn where Magistrate Lo was staying, and we proceeded with him and his men to the Hostel of Eternal Bliss. The magistrate had the door of the Red Room broken open. The body was conveyed to the Taoist Temple on the other end of the island, and there the autopsy was carried out that same night.'

'Did any special features come to light?' Judge Dee asked.

'No sir. That's to say, yes, I remember now that there were a few thin, long scratches on the Academician's face and fore­arms, of undetermined origin. Well, Magistrate Lo despatched at once a special messenger to the Academician's father, the famous Imperial Censor Dr Lee Wei-djing, who lives in retire­ment in a mountain villa, six miles north of here. The messen­ger came back with the uncle of the deceased, because Dr Lee himself h*s been severely ill for a number of months already. The uncle had the body encoffined, and took it back with him for burial in the family graveyard.'

'Who was the courtesan the Academician had so passionately fallen in love with?' the judge inquired.

Again there was an embarrassed silence. Feng cleared his throat, then replied unhappily:

'It was Autumn Moon, sir. The Queen Flower of this year.'

Judge Dee sighed. So it was just as he had feared!

'The Academician didn't leave a note to her, as is done by most disappointed lovers,' Feng resumed quickly.' But we found that he had drawn two circles on the top sheet of the papers lying on his table. Underneath he had written the name Autumn Moon, three times repeated. Therefore, the magistrate summoned her, and she readily admitted that the Academician had fallen in love with her. He had proposed to redeem her, but she had refused.'

'I happened to meet her earlier this evening,' the judge said coldly. 'She seemed to take a certain pride in people committing suicide because of her. I thought her a spoiled, callous woman. Hence her presence here tonight seems ...'

'I hope,' Tao Pan-te said quickly,' that Your Honour will kindly consent to see her attitude against the peculiar local background. It greatly enhances the fame of a courtesan if someone commits suicide because of her, especially when he is a person of note. Such an affair is talked about all over the province; it attracts many new patrons whose morbid curiosity . . .'

'Deplorable, no matter against what background you see it!' Judge Dee cut him short crossly.

The waiters brought in a large plate with roasted duck. The judge tasted it and had to admit that it was indeed excellent. Here, at least, his friend Lo had informed him correctly.

Three young girls came in and made their bow. One carried a guitar, the second a small hand drum. While these two sat down on tabourets against the wall, the third, an attractive girl with a pleasant face, came up to the table and poured out the wine. Feng introduced her as the courtesan Silver Fairy, a pupil of Autumn Moon.

The poet Kia Yu-po, who had been remarkably silent, now seemed to cheer up. He exchanged some bantering remarks with Silver Fairy, then started a conversation with the judge about ancient ballads. The girl with the guitar struck up a gay melody, her companion indicating the rhythm by beating the drum with the palm of her hand. Just when the tune was finished, Judge Dee heard the curio-dealer ask angrily:

'Why so prudish, my girl?'

He saw that Silver Fairy, her face flushed, was trying to get away from the old man, who had stuck his hand deep in her wide sleeve.

'It's still early in the night, Mr Wen!' the young poet said sharply.

As Wen quickly withdrew his hand, Feng Dai called out:

'Pour Mr Kia a full beaker, Silver Fairy! And be kind to him, soon he'll have to stop his gay bachelor's life!' He added to Judge Dee: 'I am happy to inform you, sir, that in a few days Mr Tao Pan-te here, acting as middle-man, shall announce the betrothal of Mr Kia Yu-po and my only daughter, Jade Ring.'

'Let's drink to that!' Tao Pan-te exclaimed jovially.

Judge Dee was about to congratulate the young poet, but he suddenly checked himself. He looked with dismay at the tall woman of commanding mien who had appeared in the door opening.

She was clad in a gorgeous robe of violet brocade, with a golden pattern of birds and flowers, a high collar and long, trailing sleeves. The broad purple sash, wound tight round her middle, showed to advantage her slender waist and generous bosom. Her hair was done up in a high chignon, bristling with long golden hairpins with jewelled knobs. Her smooth oval face was carefully powdered and rouged, and from her delicate small ears hung long pendants of carved green jade.

Feng bade her a boisterous welcome. She made a perfunctory bow, then quickly surveyed the table and asked him with a frown:

'Has Magistrate Lo not yet arrived?'

Feng hurriedly explained to her that the magistrate had to leave the island unexpectedly, but that His Excellency Dee, the magistrate of the neighbour district, was deputizing for him. He invited her to sit down on the chair next to the judge. Since she was there, Judge Dee thought he might as well get on good terms with her, and gather some information about the dead Academician. So he said cheerfully:

'Now we have been formally introduced! I am really in luck today!'

Autumn Moon gave him a cold stare. 'Fill my cup!' she snapped at Silver Fairy. As the plump girl hastily obeyed, the Queen Flower emptied it in one long draught, and had it refilled at once. Then she casually asked the judge:

'Didn't Magistrate Lo give you a message for me? '

' He charged me with conveying his sincere apologies to the present company,' Judge Dee answered, somewhat astonished. 'That doubtless also included you.'

She made no reply, but silently regarded her winecup for a while, her beautiful eyebrows creased in a deep frown. The judge noticed that the four others were eyeing her anxiously. Suddenly she lifted her head and shouted at the two musicians: 'Don't sit there looking stupid, you two! Play something, that's what you are here for!'

As the two frightened girls began to play, the Queen Flower emptied her cup, again in one draught. Curiously observing his beautiful neighbour, Judge Dee noticed that the cruel lines about her mouth had deepened; she was evidently in a vile temper. She looked up and darted a searching look at Feng. He averted his eyes and quickly began a conversation with Tao Pan-te.

Suddenly the judge understood. On the veranda she had told him that she was to become the wife of a magistrate who was also a poet, and wealthy. And Lo was a poet, and said to have ample private means! Amusedly he reflected that evidently it was his amorous colleague who, during the investigation of the suicide, had become involved with the Queen Flower, and in an unguarded moment had rashly promised to redeem and marry her. That explained his precipitate, nearly stealthy departure. Urgent official business, forsooth! The genial magi­strate must soon have discovered that he had chosen for play­mate an ambitious and ruthless woman, who would not hesitate to put pressure on him, utilizing the fact that he had allowed himself to become intimate with an important witness in a court-case. No wonder he was eager to leave the island! But the confounded fool had left him, his colleague, in a most embarrassing position. Of course Feng and the others knew all about Lo's infatuation, and therefore had invited Autumn Moon. Probably the dinner was even meant to celebrate Magi­strate Lo's buying the girl out! Hence their consternation when they realized that Lo had taken to his heels. They must have understood also that Lo had thrown dust in his eyes, they must take him, solemnly created an Assessor, for an incredible fool! Well, he must try to brazen it out.

He bestowed an amiable smile on the courtesan and said: 'Just now I heard that it was the famous Academician Lee Lien who killed himself because of you. How truly the Ancients observed that talented and handsome young men always fall in love with talented and beautiful women!'

Autumn Moon gave him a sidelong glance. She said, more friendly now:

'Thank you for the compliment. Yes, Lee was a charming fellow, in his own way. He gave me a vial of perfume as a parting present, in an envelope on which he had written a rather sweet poem. Came over to my pavilion specially to present it to me, on the very night the poor man did away with himself. He knew I like expensive scents!' She sighed, then went on pensively: 'I should have encouraged him a bit, after all. He was very considerate, and generous too. I didn't get round yet to opening the envelope, I wonder what perfume it is! He knew I like musk, or Indian sandal essence. I asked him about it when he was taking his leave, but he wouldn't tell me, just said: "See that it reaches its destination!" — mean­ing me! He would have his little jokes! What perfume do you think goes best with my type, sandal or musk?'

Judge Dee started on an elaborate compliment, but he was interrupted by the sounds of a scuffle on the other side of the table. Silver Fairy, who was filling the old curio-dealer's beaker, now made a frantic attempt to push his hands away from her bosom. The wine spilled on his robe.

'You clumsy fool!' Autumn Moon shouted at her. 'Can't you be more careful? And your hair-do is all awry! Go at once to the dressing-room and fix yourself up!'

The Queen Flower eyed the frightened girl speculatively as she scurried to the door. Turning to the judge, she asked coyly:

'Wouldn't you pour me some wine? As a special favour?'

Filling her cup, he noticed that she was looking flushed, the strong wine seemed to be having some effect on her at last. She moistened her lips with the tip of her tongue and smiled softly, her thoughts apparently elsewhere. After she had taken a few sips she suddenly rose, and said: 'I beg to be excused, I'll be back presently!'

After she had gone the judge tried to engage Kia Yu-po in a conversation, but the young poet had relapsed in his morose mood. New dishes were brought in, and all ate with gusto. The two musicians played several fashionable tunes. Judge Dee did not like the new-fangled music, but he had to admit that the food was delicious.

When the last fish course was being served, Autumn Moon came back, apparently in high spirits. While passing behind the curio-dealer she whispered something into his ear, then went on, after playfully tapping his shoulder with her fan. Sitting down, she said to the judge:

'This is turning out to be a most pleasurable evening after all!' She laid her hand on his arm, bent her head so close that he could smell the musk perfume in her hair, and said softly: 'Shall I tell you why I was so curt when we met on the veranda ? Because I hated to admit to myself that I liked you. At first sight!' She gave him a long look, then went on: 'And you didn't dislike me either, did you—as you saw me?'

While Judge Dee was still groping for a suitable reply she squeezed his arm, and resumed quickly:

'It's so nice to meet a wise and experienced man like you! You don't know how utterly those so-called modern, young whippersnappers bore me! It's such a relief to meet a mature man like you, who . . .' She gave him a shy look, then lowered her eyes and added very softly: 'Who knows about... things.'

The judge saw with relief that Wen Yuan had got up from his chair and was preparing to take his leave. He said that an important client was coming to see him after dinner, and asked politely to be excused.

The Queen Flower now began to exchange jokes with Feng and Tao. Although she drank many more cups in quick succes­sion, her speech didn't become slurred, and her retorts were witty and to the point. But at last, after Feng had told a funny story, she suddenly put her hand to her forehead and said plaintively:

'Oh, I have drunk too much! Would you gentlemen think it very rude if I retired now? This is my parting cup!'

She took up Judge Dee's own wine beaker and slowly drank it. Then she bowed and left.

As the judge was staring with disgust at the red smear of lipsalve on the rim of his beaker, Tao Pan-te remarked, with a thin smile:

'You have made a great impression on our Queen Flower, sir!'

'She only wanted to be polite to a stranger,' Judge Dee said deprecatingly.

Kia Yu-po rose and asked to be excused, he said he didn't feel very well. The judge realized with dismay that he himself couldn't leave before another long interval had elapsed, for if he went too soon the others would think he was going after the courtesan. Her drinking from his beaker had been an unequivocal invitation. What a situation that scoundrel Lo had landed him in! With a sigh he started on the sweet soup that marked the approaching end of the dinner.