My Lady of the Chinese Courtyard | Page 7

other to hand her the implements of her toilet. While the face
is warm she covers it with honey mixed with perfume, and applies the
rice-powder until her face is as white as the rice itself. Then the cheeks
are rouged, the touch of red is placed upon the lower lip, the eyebrows
are shaped like the true willow leaf, and the hair is dressed. Her hair is
wonderful (but I say within, my hearty not so long or so thick as mine),
and she adorn it with many jewels of jade and pearls. Over her soft
clothing of fine linen she draws the rich embroidered robes of silk and
satin. Then her jewels, earrings, beads, bracelets, rings, the tiny mirror
in the embroidered case, the bag with its rouge and powder fastened to
her side by long red tassels. When all things are in place, she rises a
being glorified, a thing of beauty from her glossy hair to the toe of her
tiny embroidered shoe. I watch her with a little envy, because when
thou wast here I did the same. Now that my husband is away, it is not
meet that I make myself too seemly for other eyes. The rouge brush and
the powder have not been near my face, and I have searched my
clothing chests to find gowns fitting for a woman who is alone.
Thy Mother says poor Li-ti is o'ervain, and repeats to her the saying,
"More precious in a woman is a virtuous heart than a face of beauty."
But I say she is our butterfly, she brings the joys of summer. One must

not expect a lace kerchief to hold tears, and she fulfills her woman's
destiny. Chih-peh, thy brother, is inexpressibly happy. He adores his
pretty blossom. He follows her with eyes worship, and when she is in
disgrace with thine August Mother, he is desolate. When needs be she
is sent to her apartment, he wanders round and round the courtyards
until the Honourable One has retired from sight, then he hurriedly goes
to his beloved. Soon I hear them laughing gaily, and know the storm is
over.
The rains have come and we cannot pass long days upon the terrace.
The whole valley is shrouded in grey mists and the peasants have gone
from the fields. The path down the mountain-side is empty, except for
the men with the great umbrella hats and capes of straw, bringing the
vegetables to the monastery below. The old abbot of the monastery is
in great trouble. Some men have come and wish to erect long poles
with wires on them. It is feared it will interrupt the feng-shui of the
temple, the good spirits of the air cannot pass, and will rest upon these
ugly poles instead of coming to the temple rooftree. The abbot has
wailed and gone to the magistrate; but he will not interfere, as the men
have many tens of thousands of sycee and quite likely will work their
will.
[Illustration: Mylady05.]
Such foolish letters as I write thee! They are filled with the little life
that passes within the women's courtyard. It is all the life I know. My
world is bounded by these walls, and I ask no more.
I am thy loving wife.
7
My Dear One, All thy women-folk have been shopping! A most
unheard-of event for us. We have Li-ti to thank for this great pleasure,
because, but for her, the merchants would have brought their goods to
the courtyard for us to make our choice. Li-ti would not hear of that;
she wanted to see the city, and she wanted to finger the pretty goods
within the shops. She knew exactly what she wished, and life was made

uncomfortable for us all until thy Mother ordered the chairs and we
went into the city. We were a long procession. First, the August One
with her four-bearer chair; then your most humble wife, who has only
two bearers-- as yet; then Li-ti; and after her Mah-li, followed by the
chairs of the servants who came to carry back our purchases.
It was most exciting for us all, as we go rarely within the city gate. It
was market day and the streets were made more narrow by the baskets
of fish and vegetables which lined the way. The flat stones of the
pavements were slippery and it seemed our bearers could not find a
way amongst the crowd of riders on horses and small donkeys, the
coolies with their buckets of hot water swinging from their shoulders,
the sweetmeat sellers, the men with bundles, and the women with small
baskets. They all stepped to one side at the sound of the Ah-yo of our
leader, except a band of coolies carrying the monstrous