Jingui has died from poisoning; Caltrop and Moonbeam blame
each other and are bound. Jingui’s illbred family arrives, and a fight
escalates. Moonbeam asks for Caltrop to be released – Jingui drank poisoned
soup intended for her. Jia Yucun encounters Zhen Shiyin, now a monk in a
dilapidated temple.
Showing posts with label 103. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 103. Show all posts
Friday, 27 July 2012
Chapter 103
施毒计金桂自焚身
昧真禅雨村空遇旧
Lady
Wang and Lian agree that it is better for Zheng – he is not suited to a
provincial post, and is being exploited by all his subordinates. A distressed
old woman enters from the Xues – Jingui is dead. Lian is sent to investigate,
and Aunt Xue explains how she appeared to die from poisoning after Moonbeam
made soup for her and Caltrop; both maids blame the other, and have been locked
together. Baochai arrives and they discuss the situation, deciding to bind both
maids. Jingui’s mother and adopted brother San, who she was trying to seduce,
arrive at the Xues while Lian goes to enlist support at the Board of
Punishment. Jingui’s ill bred mother starts abusing and slandering Aunt Xue;
Zhou Rui’s wife intervenes and Xia San joins in. Lian arrives, stopping the
fight, and Jingui’s mother goes in to see her body. She lunges at Caltrop, but
when Moonbeam reveals that Jingui had been taking her jewellery home, the Jias
accuse Jingui’s mother of being a thief. She turns on Moonbeam, who in turn
asks that Caltrop is released – she explains that she had switched the bowls
for Caltrop and Jingui round, and that Jingui must have been planning to poison
Caltrop. The story is plausible, and Caltrop is released. With the Xias under
suspicion, they are forced to request for the inquest to be dispensed with.
Jia
Yucun is conducting a rural tax collection, when he encounters a Daoist in a
dilapidated temple; he feels a strange familiarity. The monk’s propensity for
puns and references leads him Yucun to recognise him as Zhen Shiyin; however,
he does not show any reciprocal recognition, and a reluctant Yucun moves on.
Reaching a ferry, he turns and sees someone running towards him.
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