"Her face belies her," his lady put in, "for she seems very stupid."
"At any rate she isn't ugly," he rejoined, and at this remark his wife threw back her head quickly, and darted an angry glance at Tuen.
"I don't see any beauty," she replied coldly. "Ugh, how scrawny she is!" with a satisfied glance at her own plump person.
"Take her away," he said shortly to Wang, then addressed his wife in the same tones of displeasure.
"As for you, come with me to the Hall of my Ancestors to worship," and he led the way to a small building, shaped like a summer-house, standing at the far end of the court. The floor of this little edifice was of tiling, and the wood-work was fancifully carved and decorated, while many lanterns hung within. At the rear was an altar of costly jade, before which incense was now burning, and upon it stood five wooden tablets about twelve inches long and three broad, bearing the name and the date of death of his ancestors. The Viceroy and his wife prostrated themselves before this altar, knocking their heads nine times upon the floor, as their lips moved in prayer. These rites finished, he burned a quantity of gilt paper in the bowl placed before the tablets for that purpose, and returned with his wife to the court, where tea was served. As he sipped this invigorating beverage, the Viceroy dismissed the servants, and when alone with his wife returned to the former topic of conversation.
"The girl I have bought is no common creature," he informed her, "but of good parentage. I desire peace in my family, and for that reason I shall take no other wives, but see to it that this Tuen is treated well. She might be taught to wait upon you."
"I have maids enough," she answered, "and I do not need this one. Let her work with the other kitchen slaves; that is the place for her." For she had not yet forgiven him for saying that Tuen was not ugly.
"Very well," he replied indifferently. "But she looked like a smart girl."