The truth is that Chang had remained three days in the house of a Flower-in-the-Mist.  When he returned and heard of the old woman’s two visits, he hastened to find her.  She said to him: 

“The pledge of love which you entrusted to me is in her hand.  She bade me tell you that her father is dangerous, but that he is to be away for a long time shortly.  She will inform us.”  On his return journey the young man passed by P’an’s house.  Eternal Life was at her window, and they smiled tenderly at one another.

* * * * *

Three months had passed.  Chang was sitting one morning in his library, when his servants told him that four police officers had come with a summons.  He asked himself fearfully whether he had been mixed up in any scandal at a pleasure house; but he had to obey.  He questioned the officers.

“It is a matter of taxes and duties,” they answered.

Reassured, he changed his clothes and went with them, followed by several of his servants.  He was taken at once to the hall where the Court sat, and, standing before the red table, he saluted the magistrate.  The latter looked at him intently, and harshly asked: 

“How did you enter into an intrigue with P’an’s daughter?  How did you kill her father and her mother?”

Chang was a libertine.  That is to say he had neither strength nor energy.  Hearing himself thus unexpectedly accused of a double crime, he shook from head to foot, as if a bolt had fallen on him from a calm sky.  He stammered: 

“Although I had the intention of establishing a connection with her, I have not yet succeeded in doing so.  As yet I have not known her house.”

The Governor thundered: 

“She has just confessed that her relation with you has lasted several months.  How dare you deny it?”

Just then Chang perceived that the young girl was kneeling close to him.  Bewildered and not knowing what to do, he turned to Eternal Life and asked: 

“How can you say that I have been intimate with you?  With what object are you trying to encompass my ruin?”

She sobbed without answering.  Meanwhile the Governor called upon the officers to apply the buskin of torture to the young man.  And they swarmed about him like ants.

Unhappily for him, Chang Loyalty had been brought up in muslin and gauze, and had grown to manhood in a brocade.  How could he endure such torture?  Hardly had he felt the pressure of the buskin before he cried: 

“I confess everything!”

The Governor had a brush and paper given to the accused, that he might himself write out his confession.  The unhappy man wept, saying: 

“What must I write?  I know nothing of the matter!” Then he turned to the young girl and added:  “Do you at least tell me what you have done, so that I may write my confession.”

Eternal Life answered in irritation:  “Did you not look at me with lecherous eyes under my window?  Did you not throw your handkerchief?  Did you not match the pair of my embroidered slippers?”