The crowd burst into another round of laughter.
Someone egged her on. "Mother Liu, don't stop! Give it right back!"
"Exactly! Where'd all that swagger from a moment ago go?"
Mother Liu came to her senses and stood in the doorway, head thrown back and hands on her hips. She launched into another tirade at the window, keeping it up for a full quarter of an hour.
The more she cursed, the more smoothly the words flowed. One insult followed another, and not a single one was repeated.
She cursed and gesticulated, clapping her hands one moment and stamping her feet the next. When she got worked up, she even tugged at her collar to fan herself, making her ample bosom sway so much it dazzled the eyes.
Master Bai upstairs wasn't about to be outdone. For every insult her opponent hurled, she sent one back. Every now and then, she even picked up her teacup for a sip. She was so unhurried and composed, you'd think she was chatting with someone.
"Bai Lianhua, you cheap whore who's been ridden by a thousand men and spread your legs for ten thousand! You just wait! I'll send people to smash up your Moon-Gazing Tower tonight!"
Master Bai rose with effortless grace and slammed the window shut. Only one sentence floated out through the crack:
"Mother Liu, you sure talk big. Smash my place? Straighten out those crooked bricks at your own doorway first."
Master Bai's voice disappeared behind the window. Two girls came out of the Cloud-Staying Pavilion and, with a mix of coaxing and tugging, dragged Mother Liu inside.
Perhaps the cursing had worn them both out. Both sides seemed ready to take a breather.
The street gradually quieted, and the crowd dispersed, still hungry for more.
Shen Hui stood