The Red Pavilion

Robert Van Gulik The Red Pavilion

DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Note that in Chinese the surname—here printed in capitals—precedes the personal name

Main characters

DEE Jen-djieh Magistrate of the district Poo-yang, in Kiangsu Province. In this novel he is passing through Paradise Island, an amusement resort in the neighbouring district of Chin-hwa

MA Joong one of Judge Dee's lieutenants, who accompanied him on the trip

LO Kwan-choong Magistrate of the district Chin-hwa

Persons connected with 'The Case of the Callous Courtesan'

Autumn Moon famous courtesan, the Queen Flower of Paradise Island

Silver Fairy a courtesan of the second rank

KIA Yu-po a literary student

Persons connected with 'The Case of the Amorous Academician'

LEE Lien a young scholar-official, newly appointed member of the Imperial Academy

LEE "Wei-djing his father, a retired Imperial Censor

FENG Dai warden of Paradise Island, and owner of the gambling halls and brothels

Jade Ring his daughter

Persons connected with 'The Case of the Unlucky Lovers'

TAO Pan-te owner of the restaurants and wine shops of Paradise Island

TAO Kwang his father, who died thirty years before

WEN Yuan owner of the curio- and souvenirshops of Paradise Island

Miss LING a blind courtesan who earns her living as a music teacher

Others

special constables of Warden Feng

The Crab

The Shrimp

I

'With the Festival of the Dead going on, sir, this is our busiest month in summer,' the portly innkeeper said. Then he repeated: 'I am sorry, sir.'

He looked with genuine regret at the tall, bearded gentleman standing before his counter. Although the traveller wore a plain brown robe and his black cap did not show any insignia of rank, his air of authority marked him as a high official—the kind of guest one could charge a good price for a night's lodging.

A vexed look crossed the bearded man's heavy features. Wiping the perspiration from his forehead he said to the burly fellow who was with him:

'I had forgotten about the Festival of the Dead ! The altars put up by the roadside should have reminded me. Well, this is the third hostel we've tried, we'd better give up and ride on to the city of Chin-hwa tonight. What time could we be there? '

His companion shrugged his broad shoulders.

'That's hard to say, sir. I don't know this northern part of the Chin-hwa district too well, and the darkness won't make things easier. We'll have to cross two or three waterways, too. We might get to the city towards midnight—if we are lucky with the ferries, that is.'

The old clerk who was trimming the candle on the counter had succeeded in catching the manager's eye. He now spoke up in a high, piping voice:

'What about letting the gentleman have the Red Pavilion? '

The manager rubbed his round chin, then said doubtfully:

'Fine apartments, of course. They face west, cool all through summer. But they haven't been properly aired, and . . .'

'Since they are empty I'll take them!' the bearded man interrupted hurriedly.' We have been on the road since early this morning.' He added to his companion: 'Fetch our saddlebags and hand our horses to the groom!'

'You are welcome to the apartments, sir,' the innkeeper resumed, ' but it's my duty to inform you that . . .'

'I don't mind paying something extra! ' the other cut him short again.' Give me the register!'

The manager opened the bulky ledger on the page marked ' 28th day of the 7th moon' and pushed it over to him. The guest moistened the writing brush on the inkslab and wrote in a bold hand: 'Dee Jen-djieh, magistrate of the district Poo-yang, on his way from the capital back to his post. Accompanied by one assistant called Ma Joong.' As he gave the ledger back his eye fell on the hostel's name, written on the cover in two large characters: 'Eternal Bliss.'

'A signal honour to have the magistrate of our neighbour district here ! ' the manager said suavely. But when he was staring at their retreating backs he muttered: ' That's awkward! The fellow is a notorious busy-body, I hope he won't find out . . .' He worriedly shook his head.

The old clerk took Judge Dee across the entrance hall to the central courtyard, flanked by large, two-storied buildings. Loud voices and peals of laughter resounded from behind the lighted paper windows. 'All occupied, every single room!' the greybeard muttered as he led the judge through the high ornamental gate at the back of the courtyard.

They were now in a charming, walled-in garden. The moonlight shone on the cleverly arranged flowering shrubs and the still surface of an artificial goldfish pond. Judge Dee wiped off his face with his long sleeve; even out in the open here the air was hot and oppressive. Confused sounds of singing and laughter and the thrumming of stringed instruments came from the house on his right.

'They start early here,' he remarked.

'The morning is the only time one doesn't hear music on Paradise Island, sir!' the old man said proudly. 'All the houses start a little before noon. Thereafter late luncheons merge with early dinners, then again late dinners with early suppers, and all houses also provide breakfast the next morning. You'll find Paradise Island a lively spot, sir. A lively spot!'

'I hope I shan't notice that in my suite. I had a strenuous ride today, and I have to go on tomorrow morning. I want to go to bed early. I trust that my rooms are quiet? '

'Certainly, sir, very quiet indeed!' the greybeard mumbled. He quickly walked on and took the judge into a long, semi-dark corridor. At the end was a high door.

The old clerk raised his lampion and let its light fall on the panels covered with intricate woodcarving, lavishly decorated with gold lacquer. Pushing the heavy door open, he remarked:

'The suite is located right at the back of the hostel, sir. It has a beautiful view on the park. And very quiet'

He showed the judge a small antechamber, with a door on either side. He pulled the door-curtain of the one on the right aside, and preceded him into a spacious room. Going straight to the centre table, he lighted the two silver candelabra standing there, then went to open the door and the window in the back wall.

Judge Dee noticed that the air was rather musty, but the room seemed comfortable enough. The table and the four high-backed chairs were made of carved sandalwood, left its natural colour and polished to a glossy finish. The couch against the wall on the right was of the same material, and so was the elegant dressing-table opposite—all good antique pieces. The scroll paintings of birds and flowers decorating the walls were of superior quality. He saw that the back door opened on a broad veranda, screened on all three sides by thick clusters of wistaria hanging down from the bamboo trellis overhead. In front and below, there was a row of dense, high shrubbery, and beyond a large park, lighted by lampions attached to garlands of coloured silk hung among the tall trees. Farther on stood a two-storied building, half-hidden among the green foliage. Except for the muted music coming from there it was indeed rather quiet.

'This is the sitting-room, sir,' the greybeard said obsequiously. 'The bedroom is over on the other side.'

He took the judge back to the antechamber and unlocked the solid door on the left, using a key of intricate pattern.

'Why such an elaborate lock? ' Judge Dee asked.' One rarely finds locks on inside doors. Are you afraid of thieves?'