The Willow Pattern

VII

Leaning back in the armchair, Judge Dee looked closely at the tall, slim woman in front of him. She was standing quite still, her arms respectfully half-raised in her wide sleeves, her eyes modestly cast down. She wore a long mourning robe of plain white silk, fastened round her waist by a sash, the ends of which trailed down onto the floor. Her hair was done up in a high chignon, and her pale, handsome face was framed, as it were, by two long golden ear-pendants set with blue stones. The judge put her age at about thirty. He gave a sign to Tao Gan to pour the visitor a cup of tea, then he said:

'You need not have taken the trouble to come here, madam. A message would have sufficed. I am distressed that you had to climb all those stairs.'

'I felt it my duty,' she spoke in a soft, melodious voice, 'to thank your lordship personally for the most generous offer. There are so many things that must be attended to... . The Honourable Yee would have sent some of his retainers to help me, and Mr Hoo also, of course. They were my husband's best friends. But in the present emer­gency, all their personnel being away ...' Her voice trailed off.

'Of course, madam. I fully understand. Tao Gan, call the senior scribe, and tell him to make himself ready to accom­pany Madame Mei with four clerks.' Turning to her, he continued: 'My men will draw up for you the most impor­tant documents concerning your husband's demise. Did the deceased have special wishes regarding the funeral service?’

'My husband wanted Buddhist rites, my lord. Doctor Lew kindly went to the Buddhist temple and made the necessary arrangements. The Abbot consulted the calendar and said that tomorrow night at seven o'clock would be an auspicious hour to commence the service.'

'I shall give myself the honour of attending, madam. I greatly admired your husband. He was the only one of the so-called "old set" here who always took an active part in city life. Most charitable organizations were founded by him, and he had liberally endowed them. It is you who are hit most cruelly by his loss, madam. Yet the thought that the entire city mourns with you shall, I hope, alleviate to a certain extent your deep sorrow. Allow me to offer you a cup of tea.'

She made a bow, and took the teacup with both hands. The judge noticed that she wore on her forefinger a golden ring set with a beautiful, big blue stone that matched the ones of her ear-pendants. He felt great compassion for this quiet, dignified lady.

'You should have left the city, madam. Most ladies did when this terrible visitation struck us, and I thought that a very wise precaution.' So speaking, he pushed the white porcelain plate of cakes towards her.

She was going to take one, but suddenly checked herself. With wide eyes she stared at the cakes. It lasted only a fraction of a second, then she had herself under control again. She shook her head and replied softly:

'I could not well have left my husband alone, my lord. I knew how deeply concerned he was over the suffering of the people, and I was afraid that if I weren't there he would over-exert himself, and fall ill. But he would not listen to me, and now ...'

She covered her face with her sleeve. Judge Dee gave her some time to regain her composure, then he asked:

'Shall I send a messenger to the members of your family up in the mountain villa, madam?'

JUDGE DEE RECEIVES MRS MEI

That is very thoughtful of you, sir. A cousin of my hus­band is staying there, and he must take charge as soon as possible. Unfortunately my husband's two sons by his first wife died young, so there is no direct heir... .'

Tao Gan came back with an elderly gentleman dressed sedately in black.

"The four clerks have gone down to the main gate, sir,' Tao Gan announced. 'They will order a military sedan chair for Mrs Mei.'

The judge rose. 'I apologize for being unable to provide a closed palankeen for you, madam. But as you know all civilian chair-bearers have been enlisted for scavenger ser­vice.'

She made a low bow and went to the stairs, followed by the scribe.

'Handsome lady,' Tao Gan remarked.

Judge Dee had not. heard him. He had taken up the plate with cakes and examined them one by one.

'What's wrong with those cakes, sir?' Tao Gan asked, astonished.

'That's what I am wondering about,' the judge replied with a vexed frown. 'I offered them to Mrs Mei just now, and the sight of those cakes badly frightened her. Yet it's the ordinary kind of rice-cake always served with tea.'

Tao Gan regarded the plate. Then he pointed at the blue landscape decorating its centre.

'Could it have been the design of the plate, sir? It is quite a common motif, though, popular with potters all over the country. The so-called Willow Pattern.'

The judge tilted the porcelain plate so that the small round cakes fell on to the table. He examined the design. It showed an elegant country villa with many pointed roofs and outhouses, built on the waterside. The bank was lined with willow trees. On the left a narrow, curved bridge led to a water-pavilion. Three tiny figures were crossing the bridge, two close together, the third somewhat behind them, waving a stick. In the air flew two birds with long plumage.

'What's the story of this motif again?' he asked.

'There are at least a dozen versions, sir. The most popular one, related by the story-tellers in the market, is that, many centuries ago, the villa with the willows belonged to a wealthy official. He had only one daughter, whom he had promised in marriage to an elderly colleague of his, also a very rich man. The daughter, however, had fallen in love with her father's secretary, a poor young student. The father discovered their secret love-affair. They wanted to flee, but he pursued them across the bridge. Some versions say that the young lovers then drowned themselves in des­pair, and that their souls were changed into a pair of swallows or mandarin ducks. Others say that they had a small boat lying moored under the pavilion, and succeeded in escaping. They settled down in a distant part of the country, and lived happily ever after.'

Judge Dee shrugged his shoulders. 'A nice romantic tale. I can't see anything in it that would frighten a distinguished lady. However, she is very upset about her husband's acci­dent, of course. What is your hurry, Ma Joong?'

Ma Joong, who had been coming up the marble stairs three at a time, quickly stepped on to the terrace.

'Mr Yee has been murdered, sir!’ he announced. 'In his own house. Chiao Tai is there now.'

'Yee? Do you mean the so-called Marquis Yee?'

'Indeed sir. Brother Chiao and I met his doorman on our way downtown.'

'I shall change and go there at once, with Tao Gan. You wait here for Chiao Tai, Ma Joong. Then you two see about those sewers, that is urgent too. Get me a thin cotton robe, Tao Gan.'