by Bangqing Han
“Shall we send a man there to find out?”
He nodded in agreement.
She called Golden over and gave her the instructions. “Get someone to go over to White Fragrance’s house in Generosity Alley and see if the party’s over. Ask Mr. Zhu if there is anything urgent. If not, just say Mr. Hong sends his apologies.”
Golden went downstairs to tell the sedan-chair bearers. Lichee Zhuang reached out for the invitation, asking, “Is it written by Amity?”
“That’s what puzzles me. The invitation is in Prosperity Luo’s handwriting. I wonder who’s the one with the urgent business?” Benevolence replied.
“What does Prosperity Luo do?” asked Lichee.
“He’s a native of Shandong and has an official position as alternate magistrate in Jiangsu province. He’s here in Shanghai on business. Did you see a fat man last night at the House of Satisfaction? That’s him.”
Simplicity Zhao did not know until then that the fat man was called Prosperity Luo. He committed it to memory. The next thing Lichee said to Benevolence was, “If you’re going, you’ve got to play me for a few cups first.”
Benevolence stuck out his fist and played for five cups. The sedan-chair bearers were back by then and reported, “Dinner was about over, but they said to ask Mr. Hong to come with his girl. They’re waiting.”
So Benevolence excused himself and made ready to leave. Simplicity, not daring to detain him, saw him out. The menservants hastened to bring a hot towel. Benevolence gave his face a quick wipe and then went out and walked leisurely to Treasured Merit Street, heading straight for Generosity Alley. By the time he got to White Fragrance’s door, Twin Pearl’s sedan chair was already there waiting for him. They went upstairs together.
All he saw was a table littered with cups and game chips, and men and women sitting around it in some disarray. The party was drawing to a close, and the lamps were burning low. There were only four men at the table. Besides Prosperity Luo and Cloudlet Chen, there was Whistler Tang, a trusted friend of Amity Zhu’s. He saw all three of them quite frequently. Only one man at the table was unknown to him: a tall young man with clean-cut features. When they got talking, Benevolence learned that his name was Ge, Elan to his friends. He was from Suzhou, a well-known heir to a fortune.
Benevolence Hong offered his respects again, bringing his hands together, palm over fist. “My desire to meet you was like a thirst. I’m lucky to have the opportunity today.”
On hearing this fulsome praise, Prosperity Luo pushed a large wine tumbler toward Benevolence, saying, “For you to moisten your throat, so you won’t die of your thirst.”
Benevolence smiled, a little embarrassed. He took the cup and put it on the table and then sat down casually in a vacant chair. Twin Pearl sat behind him. White Fragrance’s maid got him another cup and chopsticks, and White Fragrance poured him a cup of wine herself. But Prosperity Luo insisted that he drain the huge cup of wine.
“You people have finished your feast,” Benevolence said with a smile. “It’s a bit late for me to drink. If you’re serious about inviting me, set another table!”
At this, Prosperity Luo jumped to his feet and said, “Then leave your drink. Let’s go!”
::
1. [A bowling club was set up by the British soon after their concession was founded, and Bowling Alley was created in 1857. The site was subsequently sold, and the building torn down, but locals continued to refer to that junction of First Avenue (now Nanjing Road, see the map on p. 536) as Bowling Alley. One of the exhibits we can see today in the Shanghai History Museum is a tram dating from the Republican era showing “Bowling Alley” as its destination. E.H.]
CHAPTER 4 :: Benevolence acts as comprador to help a friend, and Pearlie signals to her girl to curb her jealousy
Whistler Tang made Prosperity Luo sit down, saying, “What’s the hurry? I suggest that Maestro Lute send a maid home first to make arrangements for a dinner party. Since Benevolence has just got here, we should now let him have his turn as banker. When Amity comes back, we’ll all go over to Lute’s place, and they should be ready by then, right? If you go now, you’d just be waiting around—no point in that, is there?”
“You’re right, you’re perfectly right,” Prosperity Luo said. Of the two girls he had called, one was his steady girl, Lute. She told her maid to go home and see to the preparations. “Come back when the table is set.”
Benevolence looked around and found that Amity Zhu was indeed absent. In his stead, White Fragrance and Whistler Tang were playing host. White Fragrance’s younger sister Green Fragrance, as the “girl at home” summoned by Whistler Tang, also helped out.
Benevolence asked in surprise, “It’s Amity’s party, where’s he gone off to?”
“Script Li sent word for him to go over there. He’ll be back in no time,” replied Whistler Tang.
“Now that you mention Script Li, I’m reminded of something.” Benevolence Hong turned to Cloudlet Chen. “Lichee wants to know if you have taken his list to Script Li.”
“I asked Amity to take it along just now. Seems to me the prices are set a bit too high,” said Cloudlet Chen.
“D’you know where the things came from?” Benevolence Hong said.
“It’s said to be a Cantonese family. I don’t know the details, either.”
“Now it’s my turn to question you: have you become a detective?” Prosperity Luo asked Benevolence Hong. “Our Maestro Twin Pearl here has a Cantonese guest; she doesn’t know enough about him. Have you found out for her?”
Everybody laughed, Benevolence along with them.
“Where would I get a Cantonese guest?” said Twin Pearl. “Now you’ll have to find me one.”
Prosperity Luo was about to retort, but Benevolence intervened. “Don’t talk nonsense. I’ll put up ten cups for the bank, now you try to break it.”
Prosperity Luo rolled up his sleeves to play the finger game and lost the very first round.
“I’ll finish the game first and then drink all the penalty cups in one go,” he said.
He went five rounds and lost them all. Lute drank a penalty cup for him. The other courtesan whom he had just started to see, Green Phoenix, also reached out for the wine.
“No wonder you want to play the finger game,” said Benevolence Hong. “You’ve got all these people to drink for you.”
“All substitutes keep off! I’ll do the drinking myself,” said Prosperity Luo.
Benevolence Hong applauded, laughing.
“Better stick with your substitutes,” said Cloudlet Chen.
Whistler Tang helped pour some wine and passed a cup to Green Phoenix. Knowing that Prosperity Luo was taking the party to Lute’s place, she said, “I have to go now. Shall I drink a couple more penalty cups as a reserve?”
Prosperity Luo shook his head. “Never mind.” So Green Phoenix left.
Whistler Tang persuaded Prosperity Luo to take a break and told Cloudlet Chen to take on Benevolence Hong for five rounds, too. Whistler Tang himself was the next to play. That left only Elan Ge.
Ge had twisted around in his seat to talk to his girl, Snow Scent. They had been whispering into each other’s ears, and he’d never even noticed that Benevolence Hong had been banker all this time. He turned around only when Whistler Tang asked him to play.
“What is it?” he asked.
“I know you’re passionate lovers,” said Prosperity Luo, “but do keep it down at this table. You don’t want to act it out for us to see, do you?”
Snow Scent flung her handkerchief in Prosperity Luo’s face. “As for you, you never have a single decent thing to say.”
Benevolence Hong saluted Elan Ge. “I await your instructions.”
Elan Ge had no choice but to play a couple of rounds and drink up. Then he went back to talking to Snow Scent.
Impatient by now, Prosperity Luo stuck out his fist to challenge Benevolence Hong again, and this time he won. Benevolence lost nine out of his ten cups. Prosperity Luo
thought it was his chance to break the bank, but unfortunately he lost again. Just then, they heard the menservants shout out downstairs, “Mr. Zhu coming up.”
Cloudlet Chen hastened to stop Prosperity Luo. “Let Amity play a round, and we’ll wind up the game.”
It sounded reasonable, so Prosperity Luo played no more. Amity Zhu hurriedly sat down, saying repeatedly, “Forgive my absence.” Then he asked, “Who is banker?”
Instead of continuing the game Benevolence Hong asked, “What’s that important matter you want to consult me on?”
Amity Zhu was bewildered. “Eh? I haven’t got any important matter, not me.”
Prosperity Luo could not help saying with a smile, “Isn’t a dinner party in a sing-song house important enough?”
Benevolence Hong also smiled. “I knew you were the one who made a fuss about nothing.”
“All right, my fault. Quick, play the game before you go.”
“Since there’s only one round left, let’s just forget it. I’ll give everyone a toast instead,” said Amity.
They replied in unison, “Whatever you say.”
Amity Zhu collected six of the large wine cups and filled them. Everyone drank up and left the table to sit casually around the room while the menservants busied themselves preparing hot towels. Lute’s maid, who had reported back a while earlier, now came up again to hasten the guests. Elan Ge, Prosperity Luo, and Amity Zhu had their own sedan chairs, and Cloudlet Chen his private ricksha. All the courtesans were to follow their guests to Lute’s place. Only Whistler Tang and Benevolence Hong were going on foot, so the two of them started out ahead of the party.
They left White Fragrance’s house, and just as they came to the mouth of Generosity Alley, another man was about to turn into it. On seeing them, he quickly moved to one side and stood at attention to greet Benevolence respectfully.
Benevolence Hong saw that it was Talisman, Lotuson Wang’s steward. He asked, “Where’s your master?”
“My master is in Lucky Spring Alley. He hopes you will drop by for a chat, sir.”
“Whose house is he visiting?”
“Name’s Constance, sir. My master has only just started seeing her in the last couple of days.”
On hearing this, Benevolence Hong turned to Whistler Tang and said, “I’ll go over there for a minute; be right with you. Please tell them to start without me at Lute’s.” Whistler Tang told him to hurry back and went on by himself.
Benevolence Hong followed Talisman to Lucky Spring Alley. It was dark in the narrow lane, and they had to feel their way past two or three houses. Then they pushed open a big double door and went in.
“Mr. Hong’s here,” Talisman called aloud.
Somebody answered upstairs, but things remained quiet.
“What about bringing a foreign lamp down here?” Talisman called again.
“Coming, coming!” the voice upstairs answered.
After another long wait, an old serving woman came down the stairs holding a tin plate reflector lamp, saying, “Do please come up, Mr. Hong.”
Benevolence saw rosewood tables and chairs piled up in the parlor; it looked like they were moving house. Upstairs, a paraffin lamp hung in the middle of the room, lighting up all four corners. It was as bright as the full moon, but the place was empty except for a large bed and a dressing table. Even the window curtains, bed curtains, lamps, and mirrors had been packed and cleared away. Lotuson Wang was seated at the dressing table, with four small dishes set before him, having a simple supper. The courtesan eating with him would be Constance.
Benevolence walked into the room and said pleasantly, “So, you’re enjoying yourself alone.”
Lotuson rose to greet him. Seeing the tipsy look on Benevolence’s face, he asked, “Have you been drinking?”
“At two parties,” said Benevolence. “They sent you several invitations. Now Prosperity Luo has taken the party to Lute’s. D’you feel like going?”
Lotuson smiled and shook his head.
As Benevolence perched himself on the bed, Constance brought him a water pipe. Taking it, Benevolence hastened to say, “Don’t stand on ceremony. Please get on with your meal.”
“I’ve finished,” she said with a smile.
Benevolence saw that she had amiability written all over her face. She was kind and approachable, and he guessed that she was probably a second-class courtesan who only entertained at home. “I see that you’re moving, right?” he asked.
She nodded and said yes.
“Where to?”
“Big Feet Yao’s house in East Co-prosperity Alley. My room will be right across from Snow Scent’s.”
“Are you just renting the room, or are you working for them?”
“I’m renting. It costs thirty dollars a month, though!”
“That’s nothing. Mr. Wang alone will be spending five to six hundred a season. There’s no danger of your not making ends meet.”
As they talked, Lotuson had finished eating, wiped his face, and rinsed his mouth. The old serving woman came in with an opium tray. She asked Constance, “Where should I put it?”
“On the bed, of course. Would it be on the floor?” said Constance.
The old woman guffawed and took the tray to the bed. “Oh dear, Mr. Hong will surely kill himself with laughter over this!”
“Go downstairs after you’ve tidied up, and stop chattering,” said Constance.
Only then did the old woman gather up the dishes, cups, and chopsticks and go downstairs.
After that, Constance invited Lotuson to have his smoke. He went over to the bed, lay down opposite Benevolence, and said to him, “I asked you here because I need to buy two things: a marble rosewood couch and a set of lantern panels with pictures of birds framed in spotted bamboo. Best if you could get them for me tomorrow.”
“Where should I send them?” asked Benevolence.
“To Big Feet Yao’s house. The west room on the first floor.”
Benevolence looked at Constance and grinned. “Get somebody else to buy them for you. I’m not doing it. If Little Rouge hears of it, she’s going to slap my face.”
Lotuson smiled and said nothing.
“Mr. Hong, why is it that you, too, are afraid of Little Rouge?” asked Constance.
“Why wouldn’t I be? You ask Mr. Wang. She’s a spitfire!”
“Mr. Hong, I’d be grateful if you would look out for me, for Mr. Wang’s sake,” she said.
“And how will you show your gratitude?”
“I’ll invite you to a dinner party, all right?”
“Who wants dinner parties from you? It’s not as if I’ve never been to any. Are they such a rarity?”
“Then what should I do?”
“Instead of a party, just treat me to your buns. That’s easy for you and won’t cost you anything, right?”
She giggled. “You’re all the same; there’s not one good one among you!”
Benevolence laughed and stood up. “If there’s anything else, tell me now. I have to be going.”
“No, that’s it.” said Lotuson. “I’d like you to come to a dinner party the day after tomorrow. When you see Prosperity and the others, tell them for me. I’ll send you the proper invitations tomorrow.”
Benevolence promised to do so and went on his way to the dinner party at Lute’s place in East Civic Peace Alley.
When Benevolence had gone, Constance came over to the bed and leaned against Lotuson to prepare the opium for him. Lotuson smoked some seven or eight pellets in succession and after that gradually closed his eyes.
“Shall we retire for the night, Mr. Wang?” she whispered.
He nodded his consent, so she removed the opium tray, and they went to bed.
The next day, they did not get up until one in the afternoon. After they had washed, the old serving woman brought congee, and they each ate some. Constance remained at the dressing table to do her hair. The old woman again set the opium tray on the bed, where Lotuson smoked by himself, th
inking that it’d be necessary to go to Little Rouge’s now and tell her a lie. He’d break the news to her gradually. Having made up his mind, he put on his jacket and made ready to go.
“Where’re you going?” Constance was quick to ask.
“I’ll drop in at Little Rouge’s.”
“Won’t you have lunch before you go?” said Constance.
“No, I’m all right.”
“Will you be coming back later?”
He thought for a moment. “What time are you moving over to East Co-prosperity Alley tomorrow?”
“Early in the morning.”
“Then I’ll be there at one in the afternoon.”
“Do drop in later today if you have time.”
He said all right as he ambled downstairs. Talisman followed him out of Lucky Spring Alley, and they headed eastward. As they approached West Floral Alley, Lotuson told Talisman to go home and fetch his sedan chair. He then turned into the alley. The maid, Pearlie, had already caught sight of him.
“Aiyo!” she shouted, “Mr. Wang is here!” She hurried out into the courtyard, grabbed him by the sleeve, and called out again, “Maestro, Mr. Wang is here!” She only let go of him when they got to the staircase.
Lotuson went upstairs at a leisurely pace. Little Rouge came out of her room to greet him with just the semblance of a smile. “I say, Mr. Wang, you’ve got a nerve …” she choked in midsentence.
The sadness on her face made him feel guilty. He put on a grin, went into her room, and sat down. Little Rouge came in after him and leaned against him, holding his hand.
“Tell me, where have you been these three days?”
“I was in the Old City. A friend of mine was celebrating his birthday, and the feast went on for three days.”
She sneered. “D’you think I was born yesterday?”
Pearlie brought him a towel to wipe his face.
“When you were in the Old City, did you go home at night?” Little Rouge asked again.
“No, I just stayed at my friend’s place.”
“So your friend is a brothel keeper,” said Little Rouge.
He could not help laughing.
Little Rouge also laughed. “Pearlie, just listen to him! The day before yesterday I sent Goldie to look for you at your house. They said your sedan chair was there, but you weren’t home. You’ve got good legs, I must say, going all the way to the Old City on foot. Or did you take a carriage and jump over the city wall in it?”
