Chapter XI

Chapter XI The Capture of Cheung See

WHEN the young lady had taken her de-

parture, the lady Cheung said to her

daughter and to Cloudlet : " The relation

of our two families, Choi and Cheung, has always

been very close and intimate. Hundreds of times and

more they have intermarried, and in these two

families, from my earliest years, I have seen many

persons of great gifts and beauty, but none just like

Yi See. She is indeed your peer. If you two, gifted

as you are, could become sworn sisters it would

indeed be well."

Cheung See mentioned what Cloudlet had said

regarding Chin See, and added : " Cloudlet has her

doubts about the lady Yi, but her opinion differs

from mine. Besides ability and beauty of face, Yi

See has a distinguished manner and a dignity of be-

haviour that diifers entirely from the ordinary young

women of the city. Although Chin See be as gifted as

she is said to be, how could she ever hope to compare

with one so striking ? If I were to speak as I have

heard rumour say, she has a face and a heart that

answers to the Princess Orchid. Her great ability

agrees thereto likewise, and her loving tender spirit.

I have heard it said, too, that Yi See's face is not

unlike that of the Princess Imperial."

To this the lady Cheung made answer : " I have

never seen the Princess and so cannot definitely say ;

but even though she occupies her high place and

183

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

wears her Imperial name, how could she possibly

equal Yi See ? "

The daughter's reply was : " I am in doubt, and

must send Cloudlet to take note of her surroundings

and behaviour,"

On the second day Miss Cheung and Cloudlet

were talking the matter over when Yi See's servant

arrived to say : " Our lady finds a messenger going to

Chol-dong, where her brother is, and intends to

depart to-morrow. She would like to come to-day

and make her farewell salutation to the lady and her

daughter."

On hearing this, Cheung See ordered the hall to be

specially brightened up and waited breathlessly.

Shortly after Yi See arrived, bowed to the lady and

to Cheung See, and sjioke her message of departure.

The sincerity with which the two took their farewell

was specially touching. They were like two dear

sisters separating one from the other, or a lover bid-

ding a long good-bye to his sweetheart.

Yi See said to the lady Cheung : " Your niece's

separation from her mother and brother now measures

a whole year, and I long so much to see them that I

cannot wait. My heart, however, is bound to your

ladyship and to my dearest friend with an unbreak-

able tie. As I attempt to pull myself away I find that

it grows stronger and stronger. I have one word to

say and one wish to express. I fear, nevertheless,

that Cheung See may not grant my wish, so I mention

it to your ladyship." She hesitated, however, so that

the words failed to express themselves.

The lady said : " What is it that you would like

to ask ? "

184

The Capture of Cheung See

Yi See made answer : "I have just finished an

embroidered picture of the merciful Buddha that I

have v(?orked in memory of my late father. My

brother is now in the county of Chol-dong ; I am a

woman and cannot ask a favour of the literati, so I

have not found anyone to write an inscription on it

for me. I am most desirous that my sister Cheung See

should write two or three lines of verse. Because the

picture is wide in size and difficult to fold or carry,

and in danger of being damaged by a journey, I would

rather not bring it. The only alternative is that I take

her to my home with me and get her to write or com-

pose something there, so that my poor effort on behalf

of my late father may be made perfect and my soul

find delight. I do not know, however, what Cheung

See may think of it, so I did not dare to ask her

directly ; therefore I make my wishes known first to

your ladyship."

The lady looked at her daughter and said : " You

are not accustomed to go to the homes even of your

near relatives, but you have this invitation now which

we cannot but regard. It comes from Yi See's earnest

heart of devotion to her father. Besides her place of

residence is not far away. I think it would be quite

right and proper for you to go and return quickly."

^Cheung See's face clouded at first with hesitation,

but when she thought of it she quieted her appre-

hensions and said : " Yi See's circumstances are

such that her time is very limited, so it would not do

to send Cloudlet instead. I shall avail myself of the

opportunity to see what her world is like and thus

solve the question that is in my mind." This she

said to herself, but to her mother she replied : " If

185

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

Yi See's invitation were an ordinary one I could not

accede to it, but her devotion to her father is some-

thing that all must commerid. How can I refuse ? I

shall wait, however, till evening, and when night

falls I shall go."

Yi See was greatly delighted and thanked her over

and over again, saying : " But if it is too dark it will

be very difficult for you to write. If you dislike the

confusion of the way, my chair, though narrow and

uncomfortable, can easily enough accommodate two

persons like us. Come with me, will you not, please,

and when evening falls you can then return home."

Cheung See made answer : " I am unable to resist

your kind words."

With this she bowed to her mother and said her

adieu. She gave to Cloudlet a little press of the hand

by way of special recognition, and then she and Yi

See rode side by side in the same palanquin, with a

number of serving-women from Justice Cheung's

following behind.

They arrived at Yi See's private room, where the

things displayed were not many in number but were

of a very excellent quality. The fare, also, while not

lavish in quantity, was of the daintiest kind.

Cheung See thought : "I am in greater per-

plexity than ever."

The day passed and the evening gradually grew near,

but Yi See said nothing whatever about the writing.

" Where have you placed the picture of the Merci-

ful Buddha ? " inquired Cheung See. " I would like

so much to make my bow before it."

Yi See said: "Assuredly, I must ask you to come

with me to see it."

1 86

The Capture of Cheung See

Before she had finished speaking, a sound of horses

and chariots was heard from before the door and a

long succession of flags suddenly lined the street- way.

The servants from Justice Cheung's came rushing

in in great fear to say that a company of soldiers had

surrounded the house. " Mistress, mistress," said

they, " what shall we do ? "

Cheung See, already guessing the nature of the

commotion, sat still and unmoved.

Yi See said to her by way of assurance : " Please

do not be alarmed in the least. Your little sister is no

other than Princess Nan-yang, So-wha. Nan-yang

my title and So-wha my given name. My bringing

you here was at the command of the Empress

Dowager."

Cheung See instantly arose from her seat and

made reply : " Though wholly unenlightened my-

self and unsophisticated, I knew by your Highness 's

face and form that you were different from the rest

of the world. But your visiting me was so far beyond

the most extravagant dreams of my fancy that I have

been entirely taken off my guard. I have failed in

the proper forms and have in a hundred other un-

comely ways sinned before you. Please have me

punished as I deserve."

The Princess did not have time to reply before a

servant came in and said : " The palace maids, Sol,

Wang and Wha, have been sent to inquire for your

Highness,"

The Princess then said to Cheung See : " Wait

here for a moment, will you please." She went out

to the main hallway where the three women had

entered in order and gave the ceremonial bow before

187

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

her, saying : " It is now several days since your

Highness left the palace. The Empress Dowager

greatly desires to see you. The Emperor, too, and

the Empress have sent maids-in-waiting to make

inquiry. To-day is the appointed time of your re-

turn, so horses, carriages and other necessaries wait

outside the door. His Majesty has ordered the eunuch

Cho to attend you."

The three maids added : " The Empress Dowager

has commanded that Cheung See ride with you in

the royal palanquin and come to the palace."

The Princess told the maids to wait while she went

in once more, and said to Cheung See : "I have

many things to say to you as soon as we find quiet,

but now the Empress Dowager, my mother, wants to

see you and has come out to the Ma Pavilion, where

she^is waiting. Please come with me at once and be

presented to her."

Cheung See, knowing that she must not refuse,

said in reply : " Your humble servant knows already

how tenderly your Highness loves her, but an un-

couth country girl who never in her life before was

presented at court, fears that she may fail to do the

proper thing, and is very much alarmed."

The Princess replied : " The thought that prompts

the Dowager to see you is the same thought that

makes me love you. Please do not be anxious in the

least, but just come."

Cheung See said : " Will your Highness not pro-

ceed to the palace first ? If you do so I shall return

home to tell my mother and then follow."

But the Princess objected. " The Empress has

already given commands," she said, " that I ride

1 88

The Capture of Cheung See

with you in the same palanquin. Her commands are

very pressing. I urge you not to hesitate."

Cheung See then said : *' I am only a humble child

of a subject ; how could I think of riding in the same

chair with your Highness ? "

" Kan Tai-kong," said the Princess Nan-yang,

" was only a fisher by the Wee River, and yet he rode

in the same chariot with King Moon. Hoo-yong was

only a gatekeeper, and yet he held Prince Sillong's

horse. It is our duty to do honour to those who are

great and good. Why do you call attention to rank

and station ? You yourself are of an old family of the

nobility. Why should you hesitate to ride in the same

chair with your little sister ? " So she took her by the

hand and they mounted the palanquin together.

Cheung See sent one servant home to tell her

mother, while another attended her to the palace.

Thus they went together, the Princess and her

charge, entering by the East Gate, They passed the

nine pagoda arches to the private entrance, where

they dismoimted. The Princess said to lady Wang,

who was in waiting : " You remain here for a little

with my lady Cheung."

Lady Wang replied : " I have, in accordance with

the commands of her Majesty the Dowager, prepared

a special place for the lady Cheung to stay."

The Princess, greatly pleased at this, bade them

wait while she went in and presented herself before

the Empress Dowager.

At first the Dowager had had no desire to meet

Cheung See, but since the Princess had lived in dis-

guise near her, and had won her friendship by means

of the pair of pictures, and had discovered that

189

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

her character and attainments were lovely, her feelings

of interest were kindled likewise. From what had

been reported she had learned to appreciate why Yang

had not wished to give her up ; why her daughter,

the Princess, and Cheung See loved each other ; why

they had made a contract of sisterhood ; and why in

one home they would serve the same husband.

The Empress Dowager had therefore learnt to

understand, and had given consent at last to the

Princess and Cheung See both becoming wives of

General Yang. She now desired- greatly to see her

face, and had devised the plan by which she had been

brought.

r# Cheung See waited for a little in the appointed

place. Presently two maids came out from the inner

palace bearing a box with clothing. They also de-

livered the commands of the Empress Dowager,

which read : " Miss Cheung is a daughter of a

minister and should therefore conform to the required

ceremonies of the nobility. She is now wearing the

dress of an unmarried girl, in which no one can come

into my presence. I am sending herewith a ceremonial

robe of a lady of high rank."

" We maids-in-waiting have taken Her Majesty's

commands," said the attendants. " Please, your

ladyship, dress and enter."

Cheung See bowed, and said : " How can anyone

so unpractised as I dress in a lady's ceremonial robe ?

Though my garb is poor, still it is the dress in which

I appear before my parents. Her Imperial Highness

is the mother of us all, please let me appear in the

dress that I wear before my parents while I go into

audience before her."

190

Mr

1

The Princess Visits Cheung See : Cheung See's Return Visit

The Capture of Cheung See

The maids so reported, and Her Majesty was

greatly delighted with the answer and called her at

once. She followed step by step, and arrived at the

dais. On each side the ladies-in-waiting vied in their

efforts to see, and said in wondering admiration :

" We had thought that all beauty and loveliness be-

longed exclusively to our Princess. Who would have

believed that this little lady Cheung could be so

startlingly beautiful ? "

She made her deepest obeisance and then was led

by the maids up to the dais. There the Empress

made her sit down and gently said to her : " The

issuing of an Imperial command ordering the return

of your marriage gifts to General Yang was an act

of the Government, and not of myself personally.

My daughter objected to it at that time, and said :

* For any man to break a marriage contract pertains

not to the straight and narrow way on which kings

should walk.' She desired instead, and proposed in

fact, that she should serve General Yang along with

you. I counselled with His Majesty, and we have

decided to follow the unselfish wish of our daughter.

We now await the return of Yang in order to have

him once more send his gifts and make you his first

and chief wife. Such kind favour was not known

before, nor was it ever heard or dreamed of, I am

sure. This is what I specially desired to tell you."

Cheung See arose and made reply : " Your

Majesty's kindness is exceedingly great, and of such

a character as no courtier could ever dream. I, in my

lowly station, can make no return for your illimitable

favour. I, your humble subject, am only the daughter

of a minister and ought never to stand on the same

191

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

footing as Her Highness the Crown Princess, nor

accept a place equal to her in station. Even though I

might desire to yield obedience to your commands,

it would be impossible for my parents to consent.

They would rather die than allow me to do so pre-

sumptuous a thing." x

The Dowager replied : " Your humility is most

becoming, yet members of your family for genera-

tions have been marquesses and earls. Your father

was a valued minister of my late husband, and

received special honour in the court. Difference in

rank is not a thing to be troubled about."

But Cheung See said : " A courtier's ready obedi-

ence to his king's commands is as natural as the

course of nature in the changing seasons. Though

you elevate me to the rank of nobility, or degrade me

to the place of servant, how dare I offer opposition,

and yet how could Yang So-yoo accept it with com-

placency ? Your humble subject has no brothers or

sisters, and my parents are already old. My one

supreme wish is to serve them with a faithful heart

during the remaining years of their life."

The Dowager went on to say : " Your devotion to

your parents greatly pleases me, but why should you

stay in a place of obscurity where you will never be

able to attain to a single wish of the heart ? You are

born with all possible graces and gifts. How could

Yang So-yoo think of casting you off ? Also my

daughter here has given proof of a destined affinity

with him by a tune played upon the flute. What God

hath joined together let no man put asunder. Yang

So-yoo is a great general of the highest order. He has

such genius as has not been seen since the days of the

192

The Capture of Cheung See

ancients. What offence against society would it be

his taking two wives ? I had originally two daughters,

but Nan-yang's sister died at ten years of age, and I

have always much regretted Nan-yang's loneliness.

Now that I see you, with your pure heart and

beauty, not inferior in the least to hers, it seems as

though I had got back my dead child. I shall make

you my adopted daughter, and shall get the Emperor

to assign you title and rank. In the first place you

shall be the sign of my love for my dear departed

child ; in the second place you shall be my gift to

Nan-yang ; and in the third place I shall have you

along with her come under the protection of Yang

So-yoo and so settle all these perplexing questions.

What do you say to this ? "

The young lady bowed low and said : "Since

your Majesty has so decided, this humble girl will, I

fear, die under the weight of too great favour. My one

desire is that your Majesty will withdraw the com-

mand, and let this obscure child fly away in peace."

The Empress said : "I have made known my

wishes to His Majesty the Emperor, and he will

definitely decide it. You must not be headstrong^ in

the matter."

She called the Princess and made her come for-

ward near to Cheung See.

The Princess, in ceremonial robes, shining in

glory, sat by her side.

The Dowager laughed and said : " You have

wished to have Cheung See for your sister, and now

it has come to pass. No one could tell who is the

elder, you or she. Have you no regrets now ? " She

took Cheung See by the hand to make her her

193 N

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

adopted daughter. She then stood her close up to

Princess Orchid. The Princess, greatly delighted,

thanked her mother, saying : " Your Highness's

decision is the dearest in the world. You have brought

all my fondest wishes to pass. How can I tell you of

the joy that now fills my soul ? "

The Dowager gave Cheung See a great and mag-

nificent reception, and as they talked of the old poets

she said : " I have heard from the Princess that you

are skilful with the pen and at poetic composition. It

is all quiet here in the palace, and with the delights of

spring about us, will you sing for me once ? Do not

be backward now, but cheer me, my child. Among

the noted ancients there was one famous scholar who

could write a verse before the quick of foot could go

seven courses ; can you do that, my child ? "

Cheung See made reply : " Now that I have

heard your gracious command, I must try with all

the skill I have to please your Majesty."

The Empress picked out from the palace maids

those most nimble, made them stand in a row in

front of the main hall, gave out the subject and

made ready a signal.

But Princess Orchid called to her and said :

" Mother, you must not have Cheung See write all

alone ; 1*11 join her and try also."

The Dowager, pleased with this, gave permission.

She said : " Daughter, your wish is a proper one."

She then thought of a suloject. It was late spring. The

peaches were in bloom outside the pavilion railing,

and the happy jay-birds were calling as they sat upon

the branches. The Dowager pointed to these and

said : "I have decided upon your marriage, and

194

The Capture of Cheung See

yonder jay upon the high tree-tops announces his

delight. He is a lucky omen. Let us make this

the subject, The Peach Flower and the Happy Jay-

bird:'

They were to write a verse before the seven

courses could be run, and each verse was to contain

some reference to their happy marriage.

She told the maids-in-waiting to have everything

in order, pen, ink, and so on, for the Princess and

Cheung See. At the given signal the women in front

of the main hall started on their way, but fearing that

the two would not be able to finish while the seven

courses were being run, they looked back at them

and took their steps slowly. The two pens flew like

swift wind or a sudden squall of rain. Off the lines

were dashed, and they were done before the women

had completed five of the courses.

The Dowager read what Cheung See had written,

and it ran thus :

" The swift wind rocks the tipsy peach

Beioxe the Palace Hall,

While from the height, far out of reach.

There sounds the mavis' call.

The dancer's swing and silken fold

Awake the happy day,

While in the group a magpie bold

Has found her wondering way."

195

The Cloud Dream of the Nine

The Princess's verses ran thus :

" In the court of the Palace a hundred buds blow,

As the jay-bird sweeps in with his spirit aglow.

He bends his strong back o'er the wide Milky Way,

To bear two small dots who are coming to stay."

The Dowager read these and sighed, saying :

" These two are the spirits of Yi Tai-baik and Cho

Cha-gon. If we could mark women as literary gradu-

ates, we should rate them first and second in the

contest of the year." So she exchanged the two com-

positions, giving one to each, and each admired and

praised the other.

The Princess said to Her Majesty : "I have

managed to fill out my couplets, but the sentiment is

one that might be easily expressed by anyone. Cheung

See's, however, are beautifully done. I cannot attain

to such excellence."

" That is so," said the Empress ; " but yours too,

dear,is very well done, and everyone would admire it."

196

Two in One Palanquin : The Poetry Contest