Breaking Bamboo Read Online Free PDF Page A

the sick child’s divan, watching him eat wheat cakes and shreds of roast duck, dipped in a vinegary sauce, all conducive to yang . Shih was surprised by the boy’s appetite.
    ‘Well, Little Tortoise,’ he said. ‘Are you feeling stronger?’
    The boy examined him coldly. There was much of the father in the son’s haughty demeanour. Yet he was still a child, un -
    corrupted by the excesses of flattery and ambition, and his grave expression melted into a sudden giggle.
    ‘You made up a rhyme about my name when I was sick. That was funny!’
    ‘Yes, it was. But now I have a riddle for you.’
    ‘What is it?’
    ‘My back is a shield,’ said Shih. ‘But I walk slowly. What am I?’
    ‘Why, a tortoise, of course,’ replied the boy, scornfully.
    ‘But you are a little tortoise! Well then, let’s see if you can walk slowly.’
    He helped the boy upright. The servants stirred anxiously.
    ‘You can,’ said Shih, gently.
    Holding Little Tortoise’s arm, they walked up and down, until the boy grew tired. Third Tutor Hu joyfully clapped his hands three times.
    *
    At dusk Dr Shih found himself on his knees before the Pacification Commissioner of Nancheng Province. He had expected Wang Ting-bo to be happy but the great man’s face bore an ugly flush. As always, his nephew Wang Bai stood silently to one side.
    ‘Ah, Dr Shih,’ said Wang Ting-bo. ‘I hear from Third Tutor Hu that our son is walking round his chamber.’
    ‘He is, Your Excellency.’
    ‘I am grateful to you,’ he said, glancing at his wife. ‘You have brought a painful episode to a close and now we can return to normal. I shall offer thanks at the ancestral altar and everything shall be exactly as it was before.’
    Shih stayed on his knees. He sensed the great people in the room were too preoccupied by matters of their own to notice him.
    The Pacification Commissioner’s wife said quickly:
    ‘Husband, may I remind you that all cannot return to its former condition. What of the girl? You promised before the tablet of your father that if our son lived, she would be sent away as a sacrifice to Heaven. Let it be done at once or the Jade Emperor will surely punish us.’
    Wang Ting-bo shook his head.
    ‘She can hardly be blamed for noxious air leading to a common disease,’ he replied.
    An uncomfortable silence settled. The Pacification Commissioner’s nephew stepped forward.
    ‘Honoured Uncle, hear me out,’ he said. ‘Examine the matter clearly, I beg you. In any case, you have already decided. All that remains is for you to tell us how she should be sent away.
    You have concluded Lu Ying is a source of great disquiet in your household and we all honour your judgement. That is one thing. For the sake of the girl’s feelings, do not prolong her uncertainty. Send her away at once! She may then accustom herself to her changed situation all the sooner.’
    Wang Ting-bo squeezed the arms of his chair.
    ‘It is true that I spoke rash words, fearing for my son’s life, but that does not mean. . .’
    ‘Of course, Uncle!’ urged Wang Bai. ‘Of course your oath has no less validity. I return to the issue at hand. Where is she to be sent?’
    Wang Ting-bo’s eyes flicked to a side door. Dr Shih sensed the girl in question was standing behind it, listening as her fate was thrown back and forth like a wooden ball.
    ‘You know she has no family to return to,’ said the Pacification Commissioner. ‘She is an orphan. Perhaps I should give her a small mansion adjoining Peacock Hill.’
    Wang Ting-bo’s wife and nephew exchanged hurried glances.
    ‘I fear that might give the wrong impression,’ said Wang Bai.
    ‘Your solemn oath was to send her away forever.’
    Dr Shih crouched silently on the audience chamber floor. He was not the only one in this awkward position. Third Tutor Hu knelt beside him, as did an astrologer and various intimate household officials. If only they would dismiss him to the comforts of Apricot Corner Court! He became