passion; passions; (sexual) desire; craving
farce; charade; person who serves tea; short and humorous improvised sketch (originating from Edo-era kabuki)
the proof of the pudding is in the eating; (lit.) evidence is better than debate
carpet; rug; mat, mattress, quilt etc. spread out on the floor (or ground) and used to sit or sleep on; spread; (cloth) cover
scarlet; crimson; cardinal red
lowly person; lowliness; I
clean; hygienic; sanitary; pure; virtuous; immaculate
the Tiger (third sign of the Chinese zodiac); hour of the Tiger (around 4am, 3-5am, or 4-6am); east-northeast; first month of the lunar calendar
worried look; melancholy air
inner palace (reserved for women); harem; seraglio; consort of the emperor
hunting ground; hunting preserve
sweet (e.g. young girls, flowers blooming); touchingly lovely; cute; pitiful; pitiable
to be within others' sight; to be visible; to be conspicuous; to attract public attention; to come under observation
overdoing (something); doing too much; going too far; overkill
impeachment; denunciation; accusation; censure
talk (of the town); rumour; rumor; gossip
pleasure; delight; enjoyment; rapid (train)
exaggerated; overblown; overdone
selfish; self-indulgent; arbitrary
stain; blot; flaw; disgrace
to use as a pretext; to use as an excuse
having no choice but to ...; all one can do is ...; there's nothing to do except ...; having nothing but ...; there is only ...; having only ...
anyway; by the way; incidentally; well; to change the subject
to surround; to encircle; to enclose; to fawn over (someone); to play up to; to curry favor with
staringly; scrutinizing; scrutinising
solitarily; in a lonely fashion; all alone; by oneself
to feed (e.g. an animal on oats); to let eat; to support (e.g. a family); to provide for; to inflict (damage); to deal (e.g. a blow)
to watch over; to keep watch over; to keep an eye on; to watch intently; to stare; to gaze
to mount (a horse, bicycle, etc.); to straddle; to sit astride; to span (an area, time, etc.); to extend over; to spread over
self-deprecation; self-derision; self-mockery; laughing at oneself
name; title; designation; fame; reputation
to name; to call by name; to mention by name
to live in hiding; to live as a recluse