Breaking Bamboo Read Online Free PDF

aware Wang Bai’s glance had fallen on him. A thoughtful look crossed the sleek Prefect’s face.
    ‘Honoured Uncle,’ he said. ‘She should be sent into the care of a kind man, a good man, who will treat her as she deserves.’
    ‘That is one solution,’ conceded Wang Ting-bo.
    ‘I know just such a man,’ said Wang Bai. ‘Everyone would applaud your noble wisdom. The Twin Cities will ring with your praise!’
    Wang Ting-bo shifted in his chair uncomfortably.
    ‘I suppose that would be the best thing. But where could one find such an unfortunate fellow? In any case, is it really necessary?’
    ‘Think of it,’ continued his nephew, as though musing aloud.
    ‘The girl is of lowly origin. It might confuse her to enter another noble household after living here. If nothing else, people would gossip that she preferred her new master to the old. That is unthinkable.’
    ‘Someone respectable then,’ said Wang Ting-bo. ‘But not too high. Perhaps I will keep her here and never see her.’
    He was like a fish flapping on the hook. Dr Shih kept his eyes downcast. When the powerful grow distressed they often seek relief in punishment.
    ‘I know just the person,’ said Wang Bai. ‘I beg you to trust my judgement, Uncle. Heaven itself has arranged his presence here. Who better than the saviour of your son? I mean, Dr Yun Shih.’
    There was a shocked silence in the room. Wang Ting-bo examined the kneeling doctor.
    ‘You mock me,’ he said, angrily. ‘From me to him . That is not possible.’
    ‘Husband,’ said the Pacification Commissioner’s wife, genuinely distressed. ‘Dr Shih saved our son. . . If nothing else, think of the expense for him! Lu Ying’s wardrobe alone would bankrupt a small town.’
    Wang Bai held up a long finger. His well-proportioned mouth puckered with concern.
    ‘I must disagree, Honoured Aunty,’ he said. ‘Dr Shih deserves a great reward for saving His Excellency’s heir. I, for one, cannot imagine a greater honour. Besides, I have been informed by Dr Du Mau that Dr Shih’s wife is barren. And he is not of high birth, so no comparison with the Pacification Commissioner is possible. Most important of all, he is assuredly kind and patient.’
    Dr Shih looked in amazement between the aristocrats. What exactly were they proposing? He could barely follow their argument.
    ‘I will not allow it.’ spluttered Wang Ting-bo.
    Wang Bai shook his head sadly.
    ‘Then I tremble, sir. To have made so public an oath to Heaven . . . I know your feelings for the girl, but honour is as brittle as the petals of a frozen rose! And your enemies at the Imperial court are full of spite. They will seize on anything.’
    The Pacification Commissioner stared at the floor miserably.
    ‘I must not risk my honour,’ he said.
    ‘Whereas your inner struggle is a sign of great integrity,’
    added Wang Bai, smoothly. ‘Everyone will know you put duty before inclination.’
    All eyes were on the Pacification Commissioner. His Excellency glanced at Shih with suspicion and outrage.
    ‘Very well,’ he said, finally. ‘Let it be as you advise.’
    An involuntary gasp of surprise escaped from many of his servants. He turned to face the tablets on the wall depicting his ancestors, thereby indicating he had nothing further to add.
    Wang Bai blinked rapidly, then looked grave and solemn.
    Still Dr Shih dared not speak. Did they expect him to maintain the girl as a guest? Yet they had talked about conceiving a child. Was she to be his concubine, then? In either case, who would pay for her clothes and perfumes, the other necessities of a fine lady? It was all nonsense, and he waited for his chance to refuse the great honour they offered.
    ‘Bring us Lu Ying,’ ordered Wang Bai hurriedly, before the Pacification Commissioner could change his mind. A servant returned with a slim young lady of exceptional beauty. Her silks glowed in the soft light of dusk, the corals in her hairpins caught the declining sun. Her