A Concubine for the Family: A Family Saga in China

by Amy Kwei

  General Chin had a wife and two concubines in Nanking. Although he had many other mistresses in other cities, Bright Crystal was his prized possession. Her natural charm and modern social skills were invaluable to Chin’s numerous business transactions. He thought of himself as a liberal, generous man. He subscribed to the popular understanding that women were toys — though surprisingly clever at times. He permitted the young men in town to hover around Crystal, allowing an occasional indiscretion.

  Bright Crystal could not question General Chin’s values or his control over her life. She did what she could to safeguard her livelihood. She enjoyed whatever limited independence she had, although her relationship with Glorious Dragon had grown beyond the bonds of a casual affair. Their affection for each other defied prudence; their casual game of love had developed into a dangerous entanglement.

  “General Chin is not a person to be dismissed easily, even though I no longer need his financial patronage,” Bright Crystal often told Glorious Dragon. “I loathe serving him. The situation is intolerable!”

  “He has such a stranglehold on our happiness!” Glorious Dragon turned to hug her. “What can we do?”

  “Let’s run away!”

  “Let’s go abroad. We have contacts in America and Europe and can seek refuge there!”

  “Oh, that would be wonderful!”

  “But how can we apply for passports without Chin’s knowledge?”

  “If his secret police got wind of our plans, he could easily kill us.”

  “Where can we go?” Together they collapsed into the bed, each restless with mounting apprehension, tinged with passion. “Even if we went overseas, we could not escape his long arm.”

  “We might still meet his assassins in a strange land.” Dragon snuggled close and began licking her ear and taking off her dress.

  “The general is an old hand at political intrigue.”

  Still, with the threat of war hanging over China, they knew they needed General Chin’s connections and information to counter whatever fate had in store for them.

  “The new maid in the house . . .” Glorious Dragon took off his shirt. “Is she reliable?”

  “Yes, Little Lotus is completely trustworthy.” Crystal helped him out of his pants. “My father made sure of that.”

  “Oh Crystal, Crystal.” He kissed her breasts while she freed herself of her underwear.

  In the midst of lovemaking, Dragon cursed General Chin and the other fatuous young men captivated by Bright Crystal’s charm.

  “No one touches me the way you do,” Crystal murmured. “I need the other men around so General Chin still thinks that you’re just one of them.”

  “No doubt all the others are afraid of Chin.” He pushed her hair away from her face and slowly kissed her every feature. “We belong together.”

  “Yes, my father and you are my family.” She returned his kisses. Her hands traced his spine and played with his hair.

  Soon they were calmer, but the drizzle of dread returned. Crystal asked: “Speaking of family, did you ask your sister’s family to move here?”

  Dragon got up to put his clothes on. “My brother-in-law agrees that we are safer in the foreign concessions because everyone will be considered non-belligerent. But he would never agree to move here without work waiting for him.”

  Having lived with the dread of an imminent government collapse and the uncertainty of war, Crystal swallowed hard to drown out her anguish. She rallied her wits. “I heard the army needs uniforms,” she whispered calmly. She could not tell him that her source of information was General Chin.

  “Oh Crystal,” Glorious Dragon kissed his lover and started to peel off his clothes again. “You take such good care of me!”

  Glorious Dragon allowed several weeks to slip by without implementing his new plan to cause havoc in an opium den. He did not feel safe repeating his old methods. Twice, he had brought a group of drunken foreign soldiers to disrupt a den. Someone might have suspected that the only Chinese man in the party was the instigator. This time, he must put on a disguise and cause the destruction all by himself.

  Persistent gunfire alerted everyone that the Japanese now sat in the harbor. The streets of the International Settlement began to fill with refugees. They lay next to their meager belongings on the sidewalks, sat on the steps of the big banks and insurance companies, and crowded on to the wharves. On August 13, 1937, the Chinese air defense came out in force, strafing the enemy warships. People clogging the congested streets craned their necks to catch sight of the planes. Everyone expected to be safe in the foreign territories. They thought the Japanese would not dare to bomb the Western powers.

  The oppressive summer heat, the crowds on the street, and his unpleasant destination drove Glorious Dragon to the limits of his genial nature. The mere thought of visiting an opium den made him ill. However, he also saw the confusion on the streets as an excellent opportunity to carry through his plan.

  Dressed like a coolie, and buffeted by all the pushing and shoving on the streets, Glorious Dragon almost lost track of where he was. But he found the tenement owned by General Chin, known for its second-floor opium parlor. He ran up the rickety stairs in a fury.

  When he entered the lobby, his eyes adjusted to the perpetual dusk. The proprietor was resting by the front desk, vicariously enjoying the drug by inhaling the sticky sweet smoke. Cursing, Glorious Dragon shoved the debilitated man and hollered, “I must look for my father!”

  In the cavernous room, heavily painted young women hovered over reclining bodies. When they spotted him, they recoiled from him and tried to soothe the smokers. On the opium beds, sweaty, naked torsos gleamed in the heat. Glorious Dragon kicked off the hurricane lamps, flipped over the furniture and stormed through the room while several men appeared from nowhere ready to restrain him.

  He broke lose from them and dove into a private alcove. There, an old man with glazed eyes, clad only in loose dark trousers, lolled over his pipe.

  “You, degenerate turtle!” Glorious Dragon bellowed, knocking the pipe away from this total stranger. Foaming at the mouth, the man sat up. His scrawny hands came up automatically to shield his gaunt face. His unfocused eyes peered from dark sockets. With a terrified whimper, he collapsed back into the bed, averting his face from Dragon’s rage. For a moment, the security men stopped, thinking that the outraged son had found his father — an important patron.

  “Get up!” Glorious Dragon commanded.

  The body did not move, and Glorious Dragon could not lift the slippery torso.

  “You’re a curse to your ancestors! Your mother’s milk rots in your mouth!”

  Suddenly, a thunderous boom rocked the whole building. Windows exploded; sunlight burst into the room; falling plaster, tumbling bricks, billowing smoke and dust filled the atmosphere; flames sprang up everywhere. People screamed and scrambled out from their beds in a rush for the door. Glorious Dragon felt the floor give way beneath him. The body of the old man hurtled toward him.

  When he woke, he was in a hospital bed. Bright Crystal was beside him, sponging his arms and legs. When she saw him open his eyes, she gave a soft shriek of joy.

  “Are you all right? Oh my Dragon, I thought you were dead! There were so many casualties in the streets!”

  Dragon nodded and smiled.

  “Are you in pain?”

  “No.” He shook his head.

  “Those imbeciles! The Chinese air force dropped two bombs on the International Settlement area by mistake! One was in front of the Cathay Hotel, and the other actually went through the Palace Hotel. They say two defective planes caused the mistake. I say their commanders are defective. They’re either stupid or corrupt!” She continued ranting while bathing Dragon.

  “A bomb? The den did not catch fire?” Dragon moaned. For a moment, he had thought his rampage had started the fire.

  “A bomb! Dropped by the Chinese air force by mistake! What were you doing in the opium den?”

  Glorious Dra
gon turned his face toward the wall.

  Amid her sobs and gentle dabs, Crystal informed her lover that most occupants of the opium parlor had survived. Many had suffered shock and smoke inhalation, but had only minor scratches.

  “Fortunately, the tenement building was stronger than it looked,” Crystal said. “You have several broken ribs. Someone said you were looking for your father.” She looked puzzled. ‘But your father died a long time ago!”

  “I was confused. It was so hot.” Glorious Dragon looked on her effervescence with a wan smile. He was ashamed to lie to his Crystal. He turned his eyes away from her dewy face. “You look lovely when you’re all wound up.”

  Suddenly he realized what she might have done to save him. “Did you get General Chin’s help to find me?”

  Bright Crystal dropped the sponge in the basin, stunned by the tone of reproach in his voice. She threw herself, crying, onto his chest.

  Glorious Dragon held her. He stroked her hair, murmuring to her, and controlling the despair in his own heart, he took smooth, even breaths to sooth his Crystal. “Hush, hush,” he said finally. “We’re together. That’s what matters.”

  He lifted her chin and rubbed her wet cheeks with his fingers. “Now, you’ll smile for me.” He gave her a naughty wink. ‘Have you thought of this as a God-sent opportunity? Many foreigners will want to leave. Now we can buy all the real estate we want.”

  Bright Crystal smiled. No, she hadn’t thought of it.

  IN HANGZHOU, LIFE had resumed its usual rhythm after the birthday festivities. One morning in August, Purple Jade sat by the small pond in her courtyard embroidering under the cypress tree.

  “Uncle Dragon is coming, Uncle Dragon is coming!” Silver Bell skipped in trilling.

  “Yes, my heart-and-liver.” Purple Jade looked up, “Your Dragon uncle is coming from Shanghai to have dinner with us.”

  “M-ma, may I please go with Father to meet Uncle Dragon at the station?”

  “Of course, Silver Bell,” her mother said with a smile. “Maybe Golden Bell would like to go with you.”

  “Oh goody! I’m going to tell jei-jei.” Silver Bell skipped away clapping.

  She almost bumped into Comely Brook entering the courtyard.

  Orchid, renamed Comely Brook at the wedding, became pregnant shortly after her marriage. Her body took on a rounded womanly aspect.

  “Look at our second tai-tai, Winter Plum,” Purple Jade said to her new personal maid. Her own eyes avoided Comely Brook, who was a picture of blossoming health. “She has sprouted good fortune. She’s lovely to behold.” Purple Jade never allowed a negative note to slip into her speech. Whenever the sight of Comely Brook made her feel old, she would reproach the red-eyed demon. She would only speak of blessings coming to the family.

  “Yes, Tai-tai has been blessed,” replied the maid. “Second tai-tai has sprouted double good fortune.”

  “With so much harmony in this house, I’m sure we’ll have a son this time.”

  “Morning peace, Tai-tai.” Comely Brook curtsied. “I just came from a walk in the back garden. The mulberry tree is filled with leaves now. We forgot to take the silkworm eggs from the cold house after the birthday celebration.”

  “Brook-mei, how often must I remind you not to call me tai-tai as before. When the young master arrives, he will be embarrassed his mothers do not address each other properly.”

  “Tai, I mean Jei. . . Oh, that’s not important.” Comely Brook blushed. Her heart quivered whenever she thought of the kindness of her former mistress. Yes, Purple Jade had been her mother, sister, teacher, friend and mentor. But she would always address her as Mistress. “I’m not used to such honor.” She lowered her head. “The young master must know you are his true mother.”

  Oh-me-to-fo, let it be a son! Comely Brook prayed silently several times a day. To bear an heir for the family would be a kindness repaid. A son would elevate her present status. Indeed, a son would mean power and honor! But what if . . . no, she wouldn’t think of it. Another daughter would mean ingratitude, disloyalty. Oh, best not think about it.

  “Yes.” Purple Jade savored her eminence and was glad that her moment of sore-hearted envy had passed without a hint of betrayal. “We shall have a son. Did you say the mulberry tree in the back garden is already full of leaves?”

  “Yes, Tai-tai. We’re at least four months late. The weather is so warm now, the eggs should hatch in a few days.”

  “Winter Plum, go and help second tai-tai take down the eggs from the cold house. She shouldn’t strain herself in her condition.”

  “Tai-tai, we saved an extra sheet of eggs last year. Should we prepare three baskets?” Comely Brook was happy to resume her role as assistant.

  “Yes, I shall supervise the preparation myself,” Purple Jade responded. “Ask my daughters and their maids to join us in the south workroom by the back garden.”

  Later, the baskets were lined with soft rice paper; twigs were attached to the baskets to make three treelike tents. The eggs looked like tiny sesame seeds, thickly speckled on strips of paper. Purple Jade placed them in the baskets.

  “Silver Bell and Peony will come for the first watch in the morning; Golden Bell and Iris should come around noon; second tai-tai and I will do our embroidery here in the afternoon. Since it is already August, there is no need to cover them at night with silk blankets. Let’s hope there won’t be any violent summer storms to upset the baskets.” Purple Jade gave the orders, which were essentially the same from year to year.

  Several days later, tiny black, antlike worms emerged. Soft goose-down feathers were used to brush them off the egg paper. Feathers and paper flowers, the silkworms’ traditional ornaments, were then inserted all around the basket.

  The women went into the back garden to harvest mulberry leaves. Silver Bell and Peony giggled and laughed as they climbed the mulberry tree. They picked the tenderest young leaves, and rushed them into the south room to shred them for the baby worms.

  “M-ma,” Silver Bell called from the mulberry tree, “is Uncle Dragon coming this evening?”

  “I think so, my heart-and-liver,” her mother replied. The watery morning sun bathed the garden in a soft flossy hue. A few bees buzzed amid the flowering honeysuckle. A cloyingly sweet fragrance filled the air. Purple Jade stretched and walked among the younger women. By now, she was used to the looser binding on her feet, and walked with deliberate hammering motions.

  The birthday-cum-wedding propelled her adjustment. During the hectic months of preparation and celebration, adrenaline had helped her play the role of wife, hostess, and mother of the bride. And now, without Orchid to lean on, she had grown used to walking on her own. She enjoyed the freedom of movement, and the sense of total mastery in her household. Her newfound power and independence felt almost supernatural.

  As far as she knew, no daughter-in-law in any traditional home had the privilege of having a separate home built to her specifications. But Righteous Virtue had insisted upon this Western practice. He suggested the simpler architectural lines of the early Ming period. Their house was designed with a traditional north and south orientation. Wing-like, earthen-tiles topped the angular lines of posts and beams separated by plain white walls. Rosewood antique pieces added warmth to their living quarters. Ancient scrolls of calligraphy and watercolors, done by generations of Huang ancestors, adorned the walls. Classic blue and white porcelain urns holding miniature trees and flowering bushes were displayed throughout the house. The gardener periodically changed the exhibit when plants reached their full glory. In this back garden, Purple Jade was delighted to feel her growing feet stomping past the budding potted hibiscus, ready for show.

  “I want Uncle Dragon to see our new worms.” Silver Bell resumed her patter, recalling her mother from her labyrinthine thoughts. “Do you think he’ll pay more for our colored cocoons this year?”

  “I don’t think the colors make much difference to the weavers,” Purple Jade answered. “The factory is very clev
er with dyes, but I’m sure you could charm your uncle into paying more for anything.”

  “Oh M-ma, I can’t wait to see the cocoons. Last year I saved one pink, two light green, and several yellow ones. The moths from those cocoons produced our eggs. This year, I hope all will be rainbow-colored!”

  “That’s not likely. The colored cocoons are rare mutations. Of course, if we do get colored cocoons, that’ll be very lovely indeed. Perhaps your uncle Dragon will order the silk untouched, and we could weave a scarf for you.”

  “Oh that would be so beautiful—”

  Golden Bell ran into the garden with a letter in her hand. “M-ma, M-ma, Iris ran away!”

  “What?” Purple Jade gasped. She shook her head as her hand swept the air in front of her. “No! We never mistreat anyone in this house. She must have gone into town without telling you.”

  “No, M-ma.” Golden Bell handed her a letter. “I didn’t see Iris all morning, so I went to look for her in her room. This is the letter she left me.”

  “Pss, the brazen vixen. The letter is written in English!” Purple Jade thrust the letter back to her daughter.

  “Well, Iris studied with me every day since Miss Tyler came.” Golden Bell smiled. “She’s probably better educated than all — I mean Silver Bell.”

  Everyone knew she meant to say “all of you,” since no one else could read the letter.

  “Give me the letter.” Purple Jade stood erect, straightening her shoulders. “Your father will read it tonight and decide what to do.” She would not give her daughter the opportunity to flaunt her audacious foreign learning.

  “Iris has gone to Shanghai,” Golden Bell almost shouted. She handed her mother the letter with a flourish. “She says she’s grateful and will write again when she finds work. She took my pearl earrings that I promised her long ago.”

  “Ungrateful minx! She stole your earrings too? What will people think when they hear of such treachery in this house?” Purple Jade fidgeted with a plum branch. “Why didn’t she ask for her freedom? People will say we’ve been mean masters.” She would have stamped her feet for effect, but a wave of pain in her legs forced her to sit.