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."
And he struck him on the face with his hand.
"Murderer!" cried Liu in a fury. "Do you dare to come to my house and
insult me and strike me?"
And he struck P'ei such a violent blow that the old man fell to the
ground. Then they began to belabor each other. Virgin Diamond and
his mother, hearing their cries, ran up and separated them. Afterward
P'ei, pointing with his finger and trembling, cried:
"You know how to strike, old tortoise! We shall see whether you are as
clever in speaking before the judge."
And he went out swearing. Liu exclaimed:
"It is all Sun's fault. If I do not bring an action against them, they
will even now escape entirely free."
In spite of his son's curses, he hurriedly set about writing an
accusation, and ran to the Governor s palace.
The court was sitting, and Liu, holding his accusation, approached the
judge. P'ei was already there, and reviled him as soon as he saw him.
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