As soon as Shang’s words fell, the palace maid who saw us in bed that day entered, making me feel awkward. Jing’er bowed respectfully: ‘Jing’er is here, what are your orders, Your Majesty?’ Shang said, ‘Bring eight strings of bananas for me.’ How awkward that sounded. Jing’er politely curtsied: ‘Yes.’ Then she withdrew.
Not knowing why, I felt uneasy: ‘Shang, don’t arrange palace maids to serve you in the future.’ Shang was somewhat surprised: ‘Are you jealous?’ I turned my face away: ‘No! Who’s jealous? I’ve never been jealous. Vinegar is so unpleasant. If I were to eat something, wouldn’t I prefer a banana?’ After saying this, I peeled a banana and bit into it, ‘Crunch, crunch… this banana is so delicious!’
Shang looked at me and smiled, a charming smile, but I was too busy eating the banana to notice.
In the evening, I hugged the eight bunches of bananas Shang gave me, sitting under that big tree as usual.”
I looked up at the tree and muttered: “Alas, Mo Ran didn’t come today either! Where has he been these past few days?” I peeled a banana and ate it, carelessly tossing the peel away. The imperial garden is cleaned every day anyway!
Miraculously, my banana peel landed perfectly. A pig-headed ‘big shrimp’ leading the way stepped right on it and fell with a loud crash that shook the ground.
The smaller pig-heads behind stopped in their tracks, avoiding both the peel and their leader. The pig-head leader struggled to get up and pointed a finger at me: “You… you… you…” Stammering from anger, he added, “Me… me… me… what about me?” I mimicked his tone, “Hmph! I’m not afraid of the King of Hell, so why would I be afraid of you? Bring it on!”
His ears turned red with anger; his expression must have been hilarious under that black cloth. “You little brat, you did this on purpose!”
“Sorry, I’m not a little brat, and I didn’t do it on purpose. You didn’t tell me you were going to land here.”
What does it matter to you if I throw a banana peel? Is this place yours? Did you rent it? Is this your lair? I’ll be as arrogant as I want – what can you do to me? Come on, bite me! Pig-head!”
