Virgin Diamond's anger was so strong that his face became the color of the earth. However, he contained himself, saying:
"Let us not publish this family shame abroad. If the news spreads, everybody will laugh at us."
As a matter of course, their mischievous neighbor, Li, had heard their shouting and weeping. He had quickly climbed on to his wall, but had been unable to understand what was happening. Next morning he watched for the first of the women slaves who came out, and drew her into his house. Fifty pieces of copper decided the girl to speak, and the delighted Li, letting her depart, ran to the house of P'ei, to whom he told all that he knew.
P'ei went straight to the house of Liu:
"I know all," he cried. "Give back the gifts, and let no more be said."
Liu's face became red and white by turns. He thought:
"How does he already know what happened in my house but yesterday?"
Then he denied the matter:
"Kinsman, whence come these words with which you are trying to sully my family?"
"Miserable cheat!" cried the other, "you are in very truth an old tortoise."