第六十二章 枕上托孤心难为妹妹 楼头拼命意终惜卿卿 (Chapter 62: A Deathbed Plea, a Sister's Fate Hangs in the Balance; A Balcony Confrontation, Yet Pity Lingers for the Departed)

After Yang Xingyuan returned home from the Amusement Park, he felt restless and uneasy because of Wu Bibo's words. He thought to himself that he hadn't originally planned to visit the Pine and Bamboo House often, but Li Yun had given him those two gifts. To discard them heartlessly would be to completely disregard her kindness. Yet, if he saw the items and thought of the giver, it would surely stir up heartache. To spare himself this turmoil, his only recourse was not to go. Having reasoned thus, he shifted his mindset and resolved to put Li Yun out of his thoughts.

The next day, he couldn't resist the urge to look at the poetry book. Coincidentally, the red silk handkerchief bundle was lying on the table. When he saw it, he opened the bundle, picked up the handkerchief, and smelled it. It was still fragrant. He thought, this handkerchief was something Li Yun used daily. What could she have meant by sending it to me? If I ignore her, I would truly be treating her poorly. With these thoughts, he found himself slowly wandering back to the Pine and Bamboo House.

Upon entering, he immediately bumped into Amao. Amao smiled and said, "Master Yang is here." She then called out loudly, "Old Seventh, Master Yang is here!" Hearing this, Li Yun lifted the door curtain and leaned halfway out. Seeing it was indeed Yang Xingyuan, she said with a smile, "Oh! So you've come." Yang Xingyuan also smiled and said, "I've come." Li Yun lifted the curtain and let Yang Xingyuan in. Yang Xingyuan saw she was wearing a close-fitting blouse of pink velvet, over which was a black satin vest. A pale green crepe scarf was wrapped around her neck, making her appear even more slender. Yang Xingyuan said, "How have you gotten so thin?" Li Yun replied, "Have I?" She looked down and said, "You say I'm thin. I thought it was because I look sickly, so I've lost weight." Yang Xingyuan asked, "What illness is it?" Li Yun said, "A cough." Yang Xingyuan said, "That's nothing serious. A couple of doses of medicine will cure it." Li Yun said, "I think so too, but I feel terribly lazy and don't want to see a doctor."

Just then, Amao came in with a cup of tea and placed it before Yang Xingyuan. As Yang Xingyuan reached to drink it, Li Yun exclaimed, "Oh! It's scalding hot." Yang Xingyuan withdrew his hand and put the cup down. Li Yun then said to Amao, "Fetch my little fur coat for me." Amao complied and brought the fur coat from the bed. Li Yun didn't put it on properly but just draped it over herself. She then lay down on the bed and said to Yang Xingyuan, "I feel absolutely wretched today. I need to sleep." Yang Xingyuan said, "Go ahead and sleep. I'll sit for a while and then leave." Li Yun said, "Don't go. I have something to tell you."

Yang Xingyuan truly did not leave and sat down on a chair by the bed. Li Yun said, "Let me ask you something. Answer me honestly, no lies allowed." Yang Xingyuan said, "What is it? Ask, and I will certainly tell you the truth." Li Yun said, "Tell me truthfully, am I really pretty?" Yang Xingyuan laughed. "What an unnecessary question. If you weren't pretty, would I be insane enough to come here every day?" Li Yun said, "It's not like that. You men who frequent the brothel are merely playing a part. Where is the true feeling in that? Even if there were true feeling, you have a wife at home. It would never be my turn."

Yang Xingyuan said, "I don't understand. Why would having a wife at home mean it's never your turn?" Li Yun said, "Think about it. With a wife at home, you could never take me back as your own. Dragging on like this, year after year, by the time I'm old, would you still care for me?" Yang Xingyuan said, "You're worrying too far ahead. Life is only a few decades long. Be happy for a day when you can have it. Why dwell on such distant matters?" Li Yun said, "How would you gentlemen ever understand the hardships of us girls?" As she spoke, her voice choked, and her eyes reddened.

Seeing her like this, Yang Xingyuan couldn't help but be moved to pity. He took her hand and said, "Don't be sad. Tell me, what are your troubles? If I can share your sorrows and worries, I will certainly help." Li Yun sighed. "This is all empty talk. How could you possibly share my sorrows? Let me ask you, do you have family?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Only my elderly mother, down south." Li Yun asked, "How many times a year do you return?" Yang Xingyuan said, "Because I'm poor, I haven't been back in over a year."

Li Yun said, "You and I are the same. I have a home I cannot return to, a country I cannot rely on." Yang Xingyuan said, "Now I'm confused. Isn't your family in Suzhou? You could go back anytime." Li Yun said, "Suzhou? I lost my home there long ago." Yang Xingyuan asked, "If you have no home, who are your family members?" Li Yun said, "There's no one." As she spoke, her eyes welled up, and tears began to fall.

Seeing her state, Yang Xingyuan knew she must be carrying some heavy sorrow. He said, "Why not tell me about it?" Li Yun said, "My story is a long one. I'll tell you slowly." Just then, Amao came in and asked, "Will Master Yang be leaving tonight?" Yang Xingyuan said, "That's not decided yet." Li Yun asked, "Will you go or not?" Yang Xingyuan said, "If you ask me to stay, I won't go." Li Yun said to Amao, "You may go out. Close the door behind you. There's nothing for you here."

After Amao left, Li Yun sat up and said to Yang Xingyuan, "I have a bellyful of words to tell you, but I've never had the chance. Tonight's opportunity, however, is perfect." Yang Xingyuan said, "Whatever you have to say, speak freely." Li Yun said, "I'm not from Suzhou. I'm from Yangzhou." Yang Xingyuan said, "Now you're lying. Your usual speech is completely in the Suzhou dialect." Li Yun said, "You couldn't know the reason. I started working in Suzhou as a child. My accent naturally changed."

Yang Xingyuan said, "Where you're from isn't important. Tell me, who exactly is in your family?" Li Yun said, "I have a mother and a younger sister." Yang Xingyuan asked, "How old is your mother?" Li Yun said, "Fifty-three this year." Yang Xingyuan asked, "And your sister?" Li Yun said, "Sixteen this year." Yang Xingyuan asked, "Where are they now?" Li Yun said, "Both are in Yangzhou."

Yang Xingyuan said, "Why don't you bring them to Beijing?" Li Yun sighed. "Ah! How could I possibly have the means for that? My mother, when she was young, was also in a brothel. When she grew older, she married. She gave birth to my sister, but before three years had passed, my father died. My mother had no choice but to send me to Suzhou to learn opera. Later, when I didn't sing well, I switched to this profession. Now my mother and sister in Yangzhou are utterly destitute. They rely solely on the few dollars I send back each month to survive."

Yang Xingyuan said, "Since you have a family, why not return?" Li Yun said, "In my current condition, how could I possibly go back? My mother once said she wanted to send my sister to Beijing to find me, but I refused. Think about it. What kind of work do I do? To drag my sister into this wouldn't that be harming her?" As she spoke, tears fell again.

Yang Xingyuan said, "Don't be sad. Although my strength is limited now and I cannot solve everything for you completely, I will certainly help you. I will devise a plan for you. You must have some security for the latter half of your life." Li Yun said, "What latter half of life do I have? I live day by day, that's all. But my sister... I truly cannot rest easy about her. I only wish that you, Master Yang..." She paused here. Yang Xingyuan asked, "Wish what of me?" Li Yun said, "I wish you could give her a helping hand. Don't let her end up like me."

Yang Xingyuan said, "I understand your words now. You want to entrust your sister to me. Please set your heart at ease. As long as it is within my power, I will certainly help. But didn't you say she's still in Yangzhou? How do you hand her over to me?" Li Yun said, "I will write a letter to my mother now, telling her to send my sister to Beijing. If only you promise to look after her, I can close my eyes in peace." Yang Xingyuan said, "How could it come to that? You only have a slight cough now. I'll call a doctor to see you tomorrow."

Li Yun said, "I know this illness of mine. It won't get better. After I die, I beg you, for the sake of our time together, to watch over my sister. Her temperament is like mine. She cannot bear injustice either." With that, she buried her face in the pillow and began to sob. Seeing her like this, Yang Xingyuan also felt a pang of sorrow. He said, "Your illness may not be that dire. It need not come to death. If, by misfortune, it does, I will naturally take care of your affairs after your passing. And I will certainly treat your sister well."

Li Yun lifted her head and said, "Are those words true?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I never speak falsely. Moreover, how could I lie to you?" Hearing this, Li Yun scrambled up from the bed and kowtowed to Yang Xingyuan. Yang Xingyuan hurriedly helped her up, saying, "What are you doing? We are not strangers. Why such formal ceremony?" Li Yun said, "I thank you. You are truly my benefactor." As she spoke, she began to cry again.

It was now past midnight. Yang Xingyuan said, "You get some proper sleep. I'll come to see you again tomorrow." Li Yun asked, "What time will you come tomorrow?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I'll come in the morning." Li Yun said, "That's good. I still have more to tell you." Yang Xingyuan agreed and walked out, his heart heavy with grief. He thought, such an intelligent girl, fallen to such a state, truly pitiable. He also thought, "She has entrusted her sister to me. If I refused, she would be even more heartbroken. I'll agree for now and see."

The next day, Yang Xingyuan indeed came in the morning. He found Li Yun lying in bed, her face burning crimson, unconscious. Amao stood by, tears in her eyes. Yang Xingyuan asked, "What happened?" Amao said, "Last night, after you left, she fell into a heavy, listless sleep. This morning, the fever took her, and she lost consciousness. We wanted to call you, but she wouldn't allow it." Yang Xingyuan said, "Foolish! When a patient reaches this state, you must call a doctor immediately. If we delay, it could be disastrous."

With that, he went out and made a call, summoning a familiar Western doctor. Soon the doctor arrived. After examining her, he took Yang Xingyuan aside and said, "This illness is pneumonia, and its onset is fierce. I fear there is danger. Tonight is critical. You must be extremely careful." Yang Xingyuan said, "Please, Doctor, do your utmost to save her." The doctor said, "Naturally, I will." He took a prepared injection from his bag and administered it to her. He also left several packets of powdered medicine before departing.

Here, Yang Xingyuan and Amao took turns nursing her. It wasn't until evening that Li Yun regained consciousness. She opened her eyes, saw Yang Xingyuan, and said, "You've come." Yang Xingyuan said, "I came early. You've slept the whole day." Li Yun said, "I feel much clearer today." Yang Xingyuan said, "Don't talk much. Conserve your strength." Li Yun nodded, closed her eyes, and fell asleep again.

By nightfall, her condition worsened again. She gasped for breath incessantly. Yang Xingyuan touched her body. It was burning hot, like the bottom of a hot pot. Suddenly, Li Yun opened her eyes and said to Yang Xingyuan, "I'm afraid it's over for me." Yang Xingyuan said, "Don't let your thoughts run wild. Rest quietly and you will recover naturally." Li Yun said, "I know my own illness. It will not get better. After I die, I beg you..." Here, her breath failed her.

Yang Xingyuan quickly said, "Don't speak. I will remember your words. I will treat your sister well." Hearing this, Li Yun looked at Yang Xingyuan with tears in her eyes and gave a slight nod. She then gestured for Amao to come closer. Amao approached. Li Yun said, "Amao, you've been with me for many years. I've given you little benefit. There are still a few pieces of clothing in my trunk. I leave them to you. After I die, write a letter to my mother for me..." She began gasping again.

Amao cried, "Seventh Young Mistress, you will get better." Li Yun shook her head. She looked once more at Yang Xingyuan, and a teardrop rolled directly from the corner of her eye. Yang Xingyuan's heart felt as if pierced by a knife. He was about to comfort her when he saw her eyes roll upward. A rattling sound came from her throat, and her breath ceased.

Seeing that Li Yun had died, Amao began to wail loudly. Yang Xingyuan too could not hold back his tears. After a while, he said to Amao, "Don't cry now. We must discuss the urgent matter of arranging the funeral." Just then, a great commotion erupted outside the courtyard. Someone was shouting, "Where have you hidden Li Yun? Bring her out at once!"

Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan hurried to the doorway, lifted the curtain, and looked out. He saw a large, dark-complexioned man, staggering drunk. One hand was planted on his hip, the other pointed as he bellowed curses into the courtyard. The other people from the brothel stood at a distance, not daring to approach. Yang Xingyuan asked Amao, "Who is this man?" Amao said, "That's Master Wu. He was Li Yun's old patron. He hasn't come for half a year. I don't know why he's here today."

Yang Xingyuan said, "Go tell him Li Yun is already dead." Amao said, "I don't dare. He's drunk and unreasonable." Yang Xingyuan said, "It's all right. I'll go." He stepped out of the room and addressed the drunkard. "Master Wu, whom are you looking for?" The drunkard glared and said, "I'm looking for Li Yun. Tell her to come out." Yang Xingyuan said, "Li Yun is already dead."

The drunkard said, "Bullshit! I heard her speaking just a moment ago. How could she be dead?" Yang Xingyuan said, "She is truly dead. I was just here seeing her off." The drunkard said, "Who are you? What are you doing seeing her off?" Yang Xingyuan said, "I am her friend." The drunkard said, "You're her friend? Do you know who I am to her? I am her husband! What are you doing here?"

Hearing this, Yang Xingyuan couldn't help but find it ludicrous. He said, "Whoever you are, a person has died. We should allow for some peace. Please leave." The drunkard said, "I refuse to leave. I want to see her." With that, he charged toward Li Yun's room. Yang Xingyuan stood in the doorway, blocking him. "She is already dead. Why do you need to see her?" The drunkard insisted, "I must see her."

By now, Amao had also come out. She said to the drunkard, "Master Wu, Seventh Young Mistress really is dead. Please come another day." The drunkard said, "No!" He shoved Amao aside with a backhand motion, sending her tumbling. He then tried to force his way into the room. Seeing him act so unreasonably, Yang Xingyuan couldn't suppress his anger. He shouted, "Halt!" The drunkard said, "What are you, to order me to halt?"

Yang Xingyuan said, "I told you to halt, so halt." The drunkard said, "I refuse to halt." Yang Xingyuan then stepped forward, blocking his path. The drunkard swung his hand, aiming a slap at Yang Xingyuan's face. Yang Xingyuan sidestepped, and the drunkard lunged into empty air. Seizing the moment, Yang Xingyuan grabbed his wrist, twisted it behind his back, and gave a sharp wrench. With a yelp of pain, the drunkard sank to his knees.

Yang Xingyuan said, "Will you leave or not?" The drunkard said, "I'll leave, I'll leave." Yang Xingyuan released his grip. The drunkard stood up and stumbled toward the exit. At the courtyard gate, he turned his head back and said to Yang Xingyuan, "Fine! You remember this. I'll come back tomorrow to settle accounts with you." Yang Xingyuan said, "I'll be waiting." The drunkard then staggered away, weaving unsteadily.