Page:Romance of the Three Kingdoms - tr. Brewitt-Taylor - Volume 1.djvu/105



he person who collided with the irate Tung Cho was his most trusty adviser Li Ju. Li had not fallen in spite of the shock and at once helped his master to regain his feet and led him inside to the library, where they sat down.

“What were you coming about?”

“Happening to be passing your gates I heard that you had gone into your private garden to look for your adopted son. Then came Lü Pu running and crying out that you wanted to kill him, and I was coming in as fast as I could to intercede for him when I accidentally collided with you. I am very sorry. I deserve death.”

“The wretch! How could I bear to see him toying with my fair one? I will be the death of him yet.”

“Your Graciousness is making a mistake. It is the ‘plucked tassel’ storyover again. But if you remember Prince Chuang of Ch‘u made no fuss about the liberties taken with his lady love, although the hat-tassel in her hand betrayed the culprit. His restraint stood him in good stead, for the same man saved his life when he was hemmed in by the hosts of Ts‘in. After all Cicada is only a woman, but Lü Pu is your trustiest friend and most dreaded commander. If you took this chance of making the girl over to him, your kindness would win his undying gratitude. I beg you, Sir, to think over it well.”

Tung Cho hesitated a long time; he sat murmuring to himself. Presently he said, “What you say is right. I must think over it.”

Li Ju felt satisfied. He took leave of his master and went away. Cho went to his private rooms and called Cicada.

“What were you doing there with Lü Pu?” said he.

She began to weep. “Thy handmaid was in the garden among the flowers, when he rushed in on me. I was frightened and ran away. He asked why I ran away from a son of the family and pursued me right to the pavilion, where you saw us. He had that halberd in his hand all the time. I felt he was a vicious man and would force me to his will so I tried to throw myself into the lily pond, but he caught me in his arms and held me so that I was helpless. Luckily just at that moment you came and saved my life.”

“Suppose I send you to him.”