[9] , thisnamethenbecomesanofficialtitle, theinvocationofwhichwillberestrictedtosuperiorsinthebureaucracy, parents, “stylename” , whyshouldn’ttheyshiftatanytimeoranyplaceinaccordancewithsomeone’sever-changingmoods?
[10] InErnvYingxiongZhuan (TheStoryofLoversandHeroes), YoungMasterAnhasan “EastChamberWife” anda “WestChamberWife”.Hecommissionsacarvedplaquetobeplacedabovethedoortotheeasternchamberthatreads “Banxiangshi” (Fragrantpetalboudoir) andoneforthewesternchamberthatreads “Banxiangshi” (Fragrantcompanionboudoir).HegoesontocallhimselftheBanbanzhuren (Petalcompanionlord).WhenOldManAnseesthesesigns, heismostperturbed, -stylefamily, soubiquitousandinvasivethatevenwhenasonchoosesaperfectlyharmlesssobriquet, ’sdesiretoenjoyhisownwives? Andwasitnothisownfatherwhoarrangedhisunionwiththesewomen? Despitetheseobjections, however, IstillhavequiteabitofsympathyforOldManAn, ifonlybecausecreatingsuperfluoussobriquetsis, afterall, aratherinaneoccupation.
[11] Whatifweweretoanalyzethequestiononamorefundamentallevel? Whyeverwouldsomeonefeelcompelledtohaveseveralnamesinthefirstplace? Because, itseems, , , -inflationdoesnoharmtoothers, what’swrongwithusingitasameansofamusingoneself? Asortofspiritualsuperfluityitmaywellbe, butweChinesehavealwayshadapenchantforprofligateindulgenceinbeauty.
