This prospect was far from pleasing to the unhappy little slave girl, but having delivered this threat the autocrat of the household hobbled away, still scolding beneath her breath. No wonder that the wife of the Viceroy drew a long sigh of relief as she saw the figure of her mother-in-law disappear, and she quite complacently settled herself in her chair and smoothed out the folds of her robe as if nothing had happened. Such scenes as these were of frequent occurrence in this aristocratic yâmen, for by the laws of the land the son's wife must be subject to his parents, and yield them obedience in all things. If she failed in this, her life became a burden dreadful to be borne, for a Chinese mother-in-law is often a thing of terror, and besides it was a satisfactory ground for divorce for the husband to say that his wife was not obedient to his mother. The reign of the mother-in-law thus became a thing not curable, and therefore to be endured with all the patience possible under the circumstances. The wife of the Viceroy possessed a large supply of this valuable article,—patience—and bore in silence the many taunts of her mother-in-law; and now with her serenity unruffled she again addressed Tuen.
"You spoke of the province of Hunan. That must be a long way from here, as I never heard of it before."
"It is very far," Tuen answered, thinking of the weary weeks they had journeyed through the country. Then she added proudly:
"My father is even now returning there, but I shall never go back."
"Of course not," her mistress replied. "Why should you, when you have food and clothes here? Is not that enough?"
Tuen was saved the necessity of a reply, for the Viceroy now appeared on the scene fanning himself violently with a great gauze fan. For a moment he did not recognize Tuen, so marked was the change in her appearance, and he inquired abruptly, not noticing the others:
"What is your name?"
"Tuen, oh great and honored sir," she replied in a trembling voice, bowing to the ground, for she stood in deep awe of this powerful magistrate.
"She is the slave you bought this morning," Wang interposed, and at this the Viceroy pursed up his lips in astonishment. Again he looked at Tuen closely, then turning to his wife said:
"She is young, and has an intelligent look. I am glad I bought her, for there is something in her manner I like, and I am sure she will be useful."