Finally, glaring at her husband, she said: “You must revenge me before I die.”
As if stung, Li-dao spun around and started to march out of the room.
Listening to Ma-fan, Xiang-hua was more convinced that she had to examine her. She couldn’t let Li-dao leave before she had permission to examine his wife. She quickly intervened. “Sir, did the bell doctor actually examine your wife and take her pulse?”
He halted. “No, of course not. It wasn’t his place. It would be improper for a woman of my wife’s standing to be touched by a strange man. Any strange man.”
“Then, may I ask on what he based his opinion?”
“Don’t be so bold,” Ma-fan scolded. “Shu has years of experience. He doesn’t need to fondle me.”
Xiang-hua ignored the implication that she had no right to question the bell doctor. Sile
