The Tale of Kiều
by Nguyễn Du
Ch. 30: Miss Hoạn Thư
Translated by Vuong Thanh 

Chapter 30: Miss Hoạn Thư 

Why tell what our young man went through on the road?

Let’s talk about the mistress of his house instead:

She came from the famous Hoạn clan.

Her name was Hoạn Thư, and a minister’s daughter.

By the happy winds of destiny, she and Thúc met each other.

They have been married for quite some time. 

Of her personal conduct, it’s above reproach.

But when she wants to find some fault

or get one to do something, she’s quite an old hand.

Since she heard that his garden had a new flower,

lot of gossip came from others but not a single word from him.

The fire of anger in her heart kept burning hotter and hotter.

Against that knave, whose inconstant heart has wandered. 

If he’d confessed to me the truth,

I’d have allowed her to be in my good grace.  

It would be foolish for me to lash out in anger

and gain the stigma of a jealous woman.

But no! He covered it up and kept concealing it.

Such childish behaviour that’s so ridiculous!

He thought since he’s not with me, he can hide it from me.

Well, if he wants to play the hiding game, then I will hide it for him!

That girl is nothing for me to worry about.

The ant’s inside the cup, where can it crawl!

I’ll make them not able to look each other in the eye.

I’ll crush her spirit so that she dares not raise her head!

I’ll make them see all this with their own eyes.

I’ll make the betrayer sees the consequences of invoking my wrath.

Her thoughts of revenge, she kept only to herself.

and seemingly turned a deaf ear to everything that others tell.

Next week, there were two persons,

who reported news about her husband to gain her favor.

Hoạn Thư raged furiously:

“I loathed those who weave and embroider things to annoy me!

My husband is not like those people.

These things must be from the slanderers!”

Then she immediately, in a show of authority, gave orders.

Some were slapped, some had their teeth pulled out.

There was complete silence inside the house.

No one dared to say another word!