Summary

This chapter begins with narration of Fengmo and Linyi’s small (and therefore untraditional) wedding, and how Madame Wu’s quiet contentment is interrupted by the arrival of Ch’iuming who, after the ceremony, reveals privately to Madame Wu that she is pregnant. Struggling to control a wave of unexpected anger, which she releases as she eats some lotus pods, Madame Wu assures the apprehensive Ch’iuming that both she and her child will be wanted. Ch’iuming begs her to give Mr. Wu the news, and Madame Wu reluctantly agrees. She also dismisses Brother Andre: she believes that now Fengmo is married, he will no longer need Brother Andre’s teaching in order to make him appealing to Linyi. Madame Wu, however, is sorry to see Brother Andre go.

The next day, on her way to visit Mr. Wu with the news of...