Note: This story was dynamically reformatted for online reading convenience.
 
 MRS.  XU

   Mei-Ling laid cuddled in Lei-Lan's arms, the warm glows of love making
not yet dissipated.  "You remember tonight?" asked Lei-Lan, her hand
wandered across Mei-Ling's stomach, lingered a bit around the belly button,
then moved on to the younger girl's side.  "Of course, I will remember",
said Mei-Ling, "but what's so special about Mrs.  Xu's place?"

   "There are many thing you still need to learn, dear," answered Lei-Lan.
"You think I know everything?" "So Mrs.  Xu is a story teller?" enquired
Mei-Ling.

   "Get some sleep," almost ordered Lei-Lan.  "Mrs.  Xu is not a story
teller, but she is a very good sculptor.  You will find out tonight." Then
both of them fell into the realm of dreams, like two sated cats.  Half an
hour ago, they still were demanding more from each other, like two tigers
in heat.  Not now.  They are sleeping like two sisters.

   --

   Lei-Lan tapped on Mei-Ling's shoulder, woke her up.  "Hurry but hush. 
We don't want to make Mrs.  Wu wait, but we don't want the other girls know
about it," said Lei-Lan in low voice.  "Put up your best robe, I'll wait
for you in front."

   Lei-Lan was ready to go in her red silk robe.  Her hairs coiffed high,
revealing her ears.  Mei-Ling tied her long hairs into a tail.  She wore
green that night.  She didn't have much choice: either white or green, as
she was only allowed two colors so far.  White at night is a bit too
ghostly, she felt.  Dress code is certainly something Mei-Ling had learned
so far.  Her progress in the other arts was much further along then her
group.  Lei-Lan was a good teacher.

   "Let's hurry," said Lei-Lan, "follow me." The two girls cut through
several backyards and alleys, Mei-Ling didn't even try to note the way
back. It is certainly much farther than the perimeter she dared to venture
out during the day.  As before, they walked fast but not making any big
noise, paused a bit from time to time to avoid being recognized.  Even this
is late hours of night, apart from the patroling parties, people are still
busy around.  The Forbidden City never sleep.

   Finally, they arrived at a small house with many sculptures in the front
yard.  Lei-Lan gave sign to Mei-Ling to stop and be quiet.  That's how
Mei-Ling could appreciate different human and animals forms in the tiny
garden.  The house is modeste, but in order to live in such a house, with a
courtyard, Mrs.  Xu wielded a certain power.  How much scupturing and art
is valued here?  Should Mei-Ling spend less time learning the carnage art
Lei-Lan was teaching her, and take scupturing, painting, dancing and
singing?  Would these improve her chances to become a favorite?

   Lei-Lan went into the house and came back a moment later.  "Mrs.  Xu
told us to wait in the ante-room," said Lei-Lan in a hushed voice.  "Don't
make noise, just watch." They tip-toed through the parlor and entered a
small room.  Lei-Lan pointed to the wall where faint light from the other
side could be seen filtered through small holes.  Faint noises could also
be heard.

   Some of her questions were answered when Mei-Ling glued her eye to one
of the hole.  She almost let out a gasp, surprised by the scene on the
other side.