PREFACE. H. BENCRAFT JOLY, H.B.M. Vice-Consulate, Macao, 1st September, 1891. What are, however, the events
recorded in this work? And my shame forsooth
then knew no bounds; while regret, on the other hand, was of no avail,
as there was not even a remote possibility of a day of remedy. Reader, can you suggest whence the story begins? Their appearance was uncommon, their easy manner remarkable. The Buddhist priest picked it up, and laid it in the
palm of his hand. "What characters may I ask," it consequently inquired, "will you
inscribe? pray, pray explain to me in
lucid terms." Whither, however, he took the stone, is not divulged. "Sir Priest," the stone replied with assurance, "why are you so
excessively dull? Besides, in the pages of these rustic histories,
either the aspersions upon sovereigns and statesmen, or the strictures
upon individuals, their wives, and their daughters, or the deeds of
licentiousness and violence are too numerous to be computed. What is more, these works, throughout all their pages, cannot
help bordering on extreme licence. And though I will not presume to estimate them as superior to the
heroes and heroines in the works of former ages, yet the perusal of the
motives and issues of their experiences, may likewise afford matter
sufficient to banish dulness, and to break the spell of melancholy. Now, Sir Priest, what are your views on the subject?" This then, and no other, is the
origin of the Record of the Stone. In this South-East part
of the world, was situated a walled town, Ku Su by name. Next door to this temple lived the
family of a district official, Chen by surname, Fei by name, and
Shih-yin by style. He had lived over half a century
and had, as yet, no male offspring around his knees. He had one only
child, a daughter, whose infant name was Ying Lien. "The account of these circumstances," the bonze ventured to reply, "is
enough to make you laugh! and if successful in effecting the salvation of a few of
them, will it not be a work meritorious and virtuous?" "This proposal," remarked the Buddhist, "is quite in harmony with my own
views. Half of them
have already fallen into the dusty universe, but the whole number of
them have not, as yet, come together." "Such being the case," the Taoist acquiesced, "I am ready to follow you,
whenever you please to go." "My spiritual lords," he said, as he smiled, "accept my
obeisance." The Buddhist and Taoist priests lost no time in responding
to the compliment, and they exchanged the usual salutations. "This object about which you ask," the Buddhist Bonze responded, "is
intended, I may tell you, by fate to be just glanced at by you." "We have already reached," he exclaimed, "the confines of vision." By that time, half of the
circumstances connected with the dream he had had, had already slipped
from his memory. The Buddhist had a head covered with mange, and went barefooted. The
Taoist had a limping foot, and his hair was all dishevelled. As soon as they reached Shih-yin's door, and they perceived him with
Ying Lien in his arms, the Bonze began to weep aloud. "Part with her and give her to me," the Buddhist still went on to say. After the lapse of three ages, I
shall be at the Pei Mang mount, waiting for you; and we can, after our
reunion, betake ourselves to the Visionary Confines of the Great Void,
there to cancel the name of the stone from the records." exclaimed the Bonze. And at the conclusion of
these words, the two men parted, each going his own way, and no trace
was again seen of them. As soon as Yü-ts'un perceived Shih-yin, he lost no time in saluting him. "My worthy Sir," he observed with a forced smile; "how is it you are
leaning against the door and looking out? "None whatever," replied Shih-yin, as he returned the smile. "Just a
while back, my young daughter was in sobs, and I coaxed her out here to
amuse her. Please walk
into my mean abode, and let us endeavour, in each other's company, to
while away this long summer day." "My dear Sir," answered Yü-ts'un, as he
got up, also in a conceding way, "suit your own convenience. Her deportment was out
of the common; her eyes so bright, her eyebrows so well defined. "This girl," he mused, "is, no doubt, keen-eyed and eminently shrewd,
and one in this world who has seen through me." And on this day, which
happened to be the mid-autumn feast, he could not, as he gazed at the
moon, refrain from cherishing her remembrance. Facing the breeze, her shadow she doth watch,
Who's meet this moonlight night with her to match? "It would be presumption
in my part to think so," he observed. To what, my dear Sir, do I owe the
pleasure of your visit?" he went on to inquire. As he gave expression to these words, he walked off there and then, in
company with Shih-yin, and came over once again into the court in front
of the library. At this very hour, in every house of the neighbourhood, sounded the fife
and lute, while the inmates indulged in music and singing. As he gazed at the moon, he fostered thoughts, to which
he gave vent by the recital of a double couplet. 'Tis what time three meets five, Selene is a globe! Her pure rays fill the court, the jadelike rails enrobe! in the heavens her disk to view doth now arise,
And in the earth below to gaze men lift their eyes. Let me, with my own hands,
pour a glass of wine to pay you my compliments." "Why did you not speak about this
sooner?" Yü-ts'un accepted the money and clothes with but scanty expression of
gratitude. In fact, he paid no thought whatever to the gifts, but went
on, again drinking his wine, as he chattered and laughed. In comfortable circumstances, time indeed goes by with easy stride. The doctor was, day after day, sent for,
and the oracle consulted by means of divination. After consulting with his wife, they betook themselves
to a farm of theirs, where they took up their quarters temporarily. Although only a labourer, he was nevertheless in easy circumstances at
home. This Feng Su, however, only
expended the half of the sum, and pocketed the other half, merely
acquiring for him some fallow land and a dilapidated house. Waste lie their graves, a heap of grass, extinct. All men spiritual life know to be good,
But to forget gold, silver, ill succeed! All men spiritual life hold to be good,
Yet to forget wives, maids, they ne'er succeed! Who speak of grateful love while lives their lord,
And dead their lord, another they pursue. All men spiritual life know to be good,
But sons and grandsons to forget never succeed! he inquired. "All I could hear were a
lot of hao liao (excellent, finality.") You
should know that all things in this world are excellent, when they have
attained finality; when they have attained finality, they are excellent;
but when they have not attained finality, they are not excellent; if
they would be excellent, they should attain finality. "Wait a while," he therefore said smilingly; "let me unravel this
excellent-finality song of yours; do you mind?" While you deplore that the life of others is not long,
You forget that you yourself are approaching death! In one word, it comes to this we make wedding clothes for others! (We sow for others to reap.) "Your interpretation is
explicit," he remarked with a hearty laugh, "your interpretation is
explicit!" This Feng Su had after all, in spite of his daily murmurings against his
bad luck, no help but to submit to the inevitable. The girl, as she peeped out from inside the door, perceived the lictors
and policemen go by two by two; and when unexpectedly in a state chair,
was carried past an official, in black hat and red coat, she was indeed
quite taken aback. "The face of this officer would seem familiar," she argued within
herself; "just as if I had seen him somewhere or other ere this." At night, however, while
she was waiting to go to bed, she suddenly heard a sound like a rap at
the door. It was no earlier than the second watch, when Feng Su returned home; and
they, one and all, pressed him with questions as to what had happened. Then ensued a short conversation, after which I was about to go,
when he presented me with the sum of two taels." His
Majesty lost no time in issuing commands, in reply to the Memorial, that
he should be deprived of his official status. This Lin Ju-hai's
family name was Lin, his name Hai and his style Ju-hai. He
was a native of Kú Su. Neither were
there any connections of the same lineage, or of the same parentage. Ju-hai was at this date past forty; and had only had a son, who had died
the previous year, in the third year of his age. By his wife, née Chia, he had a daughter, to whom the infant name of Tai
Yü was given. She was, at this time, in her fifth year. The walls, inner and outer, in disrepair. Behind ample there is, yet to retract the hand, the mind heeds not,
until. Before the mortal vision lies no path, when comes to turn the will. Upon walking in, he at a glance caught sight of no one else, but of a
very aged bonze, of unkempt appearance, cooking his rice. With easy stride, he accordingly walked up to the place. Scarcely had he passed the threshold of the public house, when he
perceived some one or other among the visitors who had been sitting
sipping their wine on the divan, jump up and come up to greet him, with
a face beaming with laughter. "None of my kindred reside in the capital," rejoined Yü-ts'un with a
smile. exclaimed Yü-ts'un, "did this affair take place in that family? Were we to begin reckoning, we would find the members of my clan to be
anything but limited in number. "To explain this would be indeed a long story," said Leng Tzu-hsing. Outside the front gate
everything was, it is true, lonely and deserted; but at a glance into
the interior over the enclosing wall, I perceived that the halls,
pavilions, two-storied structures and porches presented still a majestic
and lofty appearance. "I was just now alluding to none other than these two establishments,"
Tzu-hsing observed with a sigh; "but let me tell you all. After the death
of the duke of Ning Kuo, his eldest son, Chia Tai-hua, came into the
title. His whole mind is at this time set upon
Taoist doctrines; his sole delight is to burn the pill and refine the
dual powers; while every other thought finds no place in his mind. His parent is, besides, not willing to return to the
original family seat, but lives outside the walls of the capital,
foolishly hobnobbing with all the Taoist priests. The strange occurrence, to which I alluded just
now, came about in this manner. After the demise of the Jung duke, the
eldest son, Chia Tai-shan, inherited the rank. This
Tai Shan is now dead long ago; but his wife is still alive, and the
elder son, Chia She, succeeded to the degree. At barely twenty, he married, but fell ill and died
soon after the birth of a son. Now, tell me, was not this a novel and strange
occurrence? exclaimed Yü-ts'un with a smile; "but I presume the
coming experiences of this being will not be mean." "One and all," he remarked, "entertain the
same idea. On the day of his first birthday, Mr. Cheng readily
entertained a wish to put the bent of his inclinations to the test, and
placed before the child all kinds of things, without number, for him to
grasp from. But his grandmother is the one who, in spite of everything, prizes
him like the breath of her own life. And as for the utterances of
this child, they are no less remarkable. The bones and flesh of woman,
he argues, are made of water, while those of man of mud. Now tell me, are
not these words ridiculous? When those who coexist with
propitious fortune come into life, the world is in order; when those who
coexist with unpropitious fortune come into life, the world is in
danger. "From what you say," observed Tzu-hsing, "success makes (a man) a duke
or a marquis; ruin, a thief!" But they are an affluent family, and withal full of propriety, so that a
school like this was of course not one easy to obtain. Were I to enter into details, you would indeed have a laugh. Otherwise, if left to myself, my head gets all in a muddle.' His obstinacy and
waywardness are, in every respect, out of the common. And though, for this reason, his father has
punished him on more than one occasion, by giving him a sound thrashing,
such as brought him to the verge of death, he cannot however change. The young ladies, who heard him from the inner chambers, subsequently
made fun of him. 'Why,' they said, 'when you are being thrashed, and you
are in pain, your only thought is to bawl out girls! Isn't this absurd, eh?" "Not so!" The names of the senior generation are, in like manner,
adopted from those of their brothers; and there is at present an
instance in support of this. The wife of your present worthy master, Mr.
Lin, is the uterine sister of Mr. Chia. She and Mr. Chia Cheng, and she
went, while at home, under the name of Chia Min. Yü-ts'un clapped his hands and said smiling, "It's so, I know! Strange
enough, this pupil of mine is unique in her speech and deportment, and
in no way like any ordinary young lady. Besides, knowing, as I do now, that she is
the granddaughter of the Jung family, it is no matter of surprise to me
that she is what she is. Poor girl, her mother, after all, died in the
course of the last month." "Of three elderly sisters," he explained, "this
one was the youngest, and she too is gone! "Yes," replied Yü-ts'un. At all events, he has by his side two sons and a
grandson, but what these will grow up to be by and bye, I cannot tell. In looks,
she is also so extremely beautiful, in speech so extremely quick and
fluent, in ingenuity so deep and astute, that even a man could, in no
way, come up to her mark." But reader, if you wish to learn who the man was, listen to the details
given in the following chapter. Dowager lady Chia sends to fetch her granddaughter, out of
commiseration for her being a motherless child. Yü-ts'un accepted the suggestion, and parted from his companion. But my child
was at the time not quite over her illness, and that is why she has not
yet started. I was, this very moment, cogitating to send my daughter to
the capital. But I fear I'm too coarse in my manner,
and could not presume to obtrude myself in his presence." "And yet," he remarked, "this brother-in-law of mine is
after all of one and the same family as your worthy self, for he is the
grandson of the Duke Jung. His name is She, his style
Ngen-hou. My second brother-in-law's name is Cheng, his style is
Tzu-chou. Chia Cheng had, by this time, perused his brother-in-law's letter, and
he speedily asked him to walk in. On the day on which she left the boat, and the
moment she put her foot on shore, there were forthwith at her disposal
chairs for her own use, and carts for the luggage, sent over from the
Jung mansion. Lin Tai-yü had often heard her mother recount how different was her
grandmother's house from that of other people's; and having seen for
herself how above the common run were already the attendants of the
three grades, (sent to wait upon her,) in attire, in their fare, in all
their articles of use, "how much more," (she thought to herself) "now
that I am going to her home, must I be careful at every step, and
circumspect at every moment! In front of these gates, sat, in a row, about ten
men in coloured hats and fine attire. It was
only through the side gates, on the east and west, that people went in
and came out. This was
the Jung Kuo mansion. With the sedans on their shoulders, (the bearers) proceeded about the
distance of the throw of an arrow, when upon turning a corner, they
hastily put down the chairs. Lin Tai-yü entered the door with the creepers, resting on the hand of a
matron. On both sides was a verandah, like two outstretched arms. An Entrance
Hall stood in the centre, in the middle of which was a door-screen of Ta
Li marble, set in an ebony frame. On either side, were covered
avenues, resembling passages through a rock. "Her venerable ladyship,"
they said, "was at this very moment thinking of you, miss, and, by a
strange coincidence, here you are." "This," she said, "is the wife of
your uncle, your mother's elder brother; this is the wife of your uncle,
her second brother; and this is your eldest sister-in-law Chu, the wife
of your senior cousin Chu." She was gracious,
demure, and lovable to look at. Tall and slender was
she in stature, with a face like the egg of a goose. The third was below the medium size, and her mien was, as yet,
childlike. And as they readily noticed the symptoms of a weak
constitution, they went on in consequence to make inquiries as to what
medicines she ordinarily took, and how it was that her complaint had not
been cured. No one heeded the nonsensical talk of this raving priest; but
here am I, up to this very day, dosing myself with ginseng pills as a
tonic." Hardly had she finished these words, when a sound of laughter was heard
from the back courtyard. the voice said, "and not
in time to receive the distant visitor!" In all her splendour and lustre, she looked like a fairy or a
goddess. Her carnation lips, long
before they parted, betrayed a smile. In
Nanking, she went by the appellation of vixen, and if you simply call
her Feng Vixen, it will do." This Hsi-feng laid hold
of Tai-yü's hand, and minutely scrutinised her, for a while, from head
to foot; after which she led her back next to dowager lady Chia, where
they both took a seat. Besides, in the air of her whole person, she
doesn't in fact look like your granddaughter-in-law, our worthy
ancestor, but in every way like your ladyship's own kindred-
granddaughter! Your
cousin has only now arrived from a distant journey, and she is so
delicate to boot! This Hsi-feng, upon hearing these words, lost no time in converting her
sorrow into joy. "Quite right," she remarked. or should the waiting maids or the matrons fail in their duties,
don't forget also to report them to me." Go, as soon as you can, and sweep two lower
rooms and ask them to go and rest." As she spake, tea and refreshments had already been served, and Hsi-feng
herself handed round the cups and offered the fruits. Upon hearing the question further put by her maternal aunt Secunda,
"Whether the issue of the monthly allowances of money had been finished
or not yet?" Having entered three rows of ceremonial gates they actually caught sight
of the main structure, with its vestibules and porches, all of which,
though on a small scale, were full of artistic and unique beauty. I hope therefore that you will, dear aunt,
kindly excuse me." Besides this tablet, were
numberless costly articles bearing the autograph of the Emperor. On one side stood a gold
cup of chased work, while on the other, a crystal casket. On a stove-couch, near the window, was spread a foreign red carpet. On either side, was also one of a pair of high teapoys,
and these teapoys were covered with teacups and flower vases. "My lady requests Miss Lin to come over and sit with her," she remarked
as she put on a smile. But as madame Wang pressed her again and again to sit on the couch,
Tai-yü had at length to take a seat next to her. "Your uncle," madame Wang explained, "is gone to observe this day as a
fast day, but you'll see him by and bye. There's, however, one thing I
want to talk to you about. He
is gone to-day to pay his vows in the temple, and is not back yet, but
you will see him in the evening, when you will readily be able to judge
for yourself. "Her venerable ladyship
over there," she said, "has sent word about the evening meal." Past the
side gate, was a roadway, running north and south. On the north, stood a large screen wall, painted white;
behind it was a very small building, with a door of half the ordinary
size. "You'll know in future your way to come
and find her; and if you ever lack anything, mind you mention it to her,
and she'll make it all right." Dowager lady Chia was
seated all alone on the divan, in the main part of the apartment, on the
two sides of which stood four vacant chairs. "You can all go," observed dowager lady Chia, "and let us alone to have
a chat." Dowager lady Chia, having inquired of Tai-yü what books she was reading,
"I have just begun reading the Four Books," Tai-yü replied. "Books, you say!" exclaimed dowager lady Chia; "why all they know are a
few characters, that's all." As soon as Tai-yü became conscious of his presence, she was quite taken
aback. "Go and see your mother and then come
back," remarked her venerable ladyship; and at once he turned round and
quitted the room. All round his
head, he had a fringe of short hair, plaited into small queues, and
bound with red silk. He had still
round his neck the necklet, precious gem, amulet of Recorded Name,
philacteries, and other ornaments. As he
rolled his eyes, they brimmed with love. When he gave utterance to
speech, he seemed to smile. There are a couple of roundelays, composed by a later poet, (after the
excellent rhythm of the) Hsi Chiang Yueh, which depict Pao-yü in a most
adequate manner. Perverse in bearing, in temper wayward;
For human censure he had no regard. When rich, wealth to enjoy he knew not how;
When poor, to poverty he could not bow. To state, to family what a disgrace! Of ne'er-do-wells below he was the prime,
Unfilial like him none up to this time. She was beautiful, but her whole frame was
the prey of a hereditary disease. Her gait resembled a frail willow,
agitated by the wind. "There you are again with your nonsense," exclaimed lady Chia,
sneeringly; "how could you have seen her before?" "That will do! remarked dowager lady Chia; "such being
the case, you will be the more intimate." he asked. "What is your worthy name, cousin?" "I'll give you a style," suggested Pao-yü smilingly; "won't the double
style 'P'in P'in,' 'knitting brows,' do very well?" "From what part of the standard books does that come?" Besides the
eyebrows of this cousin taper in a way, as if they were contracted, so
that the selection of these two characters is most appropriate, isn't
it?" "This is just another plagiarism, I fear," observed T'an Ch'un, with an
ironic smirk. he went on to inquire, addressing Tai-yü,
(to the discomfiture) of all who could not make out what he meant. "That jade of yours is besides a rare object, and how
could every one have one?" As soon as Pao-yü heard this remark, he at once burst out in a fit of
his raving complaint, and unclasping the gem, he dashed it disdainfully
on the floor. "Rare object, indeed!" he shouted, as he heaped invective
on it; "it has no idea how to discriminate the excellent from the mean,
among human beings; and do tell me, has it any perception or not? All those, who stood below, were startled; and in a body they pressed
forward, vying with each other as to who should pick up the gem. Dowager lady Chia was so distressed that she clasped Pao-yü in her
embrace. "You child of wrath," she exclaimed. and now comes this angelic sort of cousin, and she too has none, so that
it's clear enough that it is no profitable thing." Dowager lady Chia hastened to coax him. Now, how can you ever
compare yourself with her? Mind, your mother may come to know what you have done!" Dowager lady Chia, perceiving that
Hsüeh Yen was too youthful and quite a child in her manner, while nurse
Wang was, on the other hand, too aged, conjectured that Tai-yü would, in
all her wants, not have things as she liked, so she detached two
waiting-maids, who were her own personal attendants, named Tzu Chüan and
Ying Ko, and attached them to Tai-yü's service. Her name was in days gone by, Chen Chu. At night, after nurse Li had fallen asleep, seeing that in the inner
chambers, Tai-yü, Ying Ko and the others had not as yet retired to rest,
she disrobed herself, and with gentle step walked in. Tai-yü at once put on a smile. "Sit down, sister," she rejoined,
pressing her to take a seat. She has cried so to herself, that her eyes were flooded,
as soon as she dried her tears. Now had he broken that jade, as he hurled it on the
ground, wouldn't it have been my fault? They had another chat, which lasted for some time, before they at length
retired to rest for the night. There were also in the room two married women, who had been sent from
madame Wang's elder brother's wife's house to deliver a message. Perceiving how pressing and
perplexing were the matters in which madame Wang was engaged, the young
ladies promptly left her apartments, and came over to the rooms of their
widow sister-in-law, Mrs. Li. "The victim of the assault," the plaintiffs deposed, "was your servants'
master. This kidnapper had, first of all, got hold of our
family's money, and our master had given out that he would on the third
day, which was a propitious day, take her over into the house, but
this kidnapper stealthily sold her over again to the Hsüeh family. When
we came to know of this, we went in search of the seller to lay hold of
him, and bring back the girl by force. he
exclaimed. Yü-t'sun
gave way to secret suspicion, and felt compelled to desist. The Retainer speedily advanced and paid his obeisance. "Honourable people forget many things," remarked the Retainer, as he
smiled. and then
pressed him to take a seat, so as to have a chat with more ease, but the
Retainer would not presume to sit down. This is a
private room; so that if you sat down, what would it matter?" The Retainer thereupon craved permission to take a seat, and sat down
gingerly, all awry. "Why did you, a short while back," Yü-ts'un inquired, "not allow me to
issue the warrants?" They ran as
follows:
The "Chia" family is not "chia," a myth; white jade form the Halls; gold
compose their horses! Scarcely had Yü-ts'un done reading, when suddenly was heard the
announcement, communicated by the beating of a gong, that Mr. Wang had
come to pay his respects. For support and protection, they all have
those to take care of their interests! But
wait, and I'll tell your worship all, with full details. This person,
who succumbed to the assault, was the son of a minor gentry. His age was eighteen or nineteen; and he had a strong
penchant for men's, and not much for women's society. But who would have foreseen the issue? This kidnapper quietly disposed
of her again by sale to the Hsüeh family; his intention being to pocket
the price-money from both parties, and effect his escape. But do you think that young gentleman, Mr. Hsüeh, would yield
his claim to her person? He was then carried back
to his home, where he finally died after the expiry of three days. But, however, enough of this person. "And yet," remarked the Retainer, as he laughed coldly, "this is a
person to whom you are indebted for great obligations; for she is no one
else than the daughter of Mr. Chen, who lived next door to the Hu Lu
temple. exclaimed Yü-ts'un full of surprise. Besides, in the centre of her two eyebrows, she had a
spot, of the size of a grain of rice, of carnation colour, which she has
had ever since she was born into the world. This kidnapper, it also
happened, rented my house to live in; and on a certain day, on which the
kidnapper was not at home, I even set her a few questions. I tried time after
time to induce her to answer me, but she again gave way to tears and
added no more than: 'I don't really remember anything of my youth.' You have to bear suspense only for two or three days, and
what need is there to be sorrowful and dejected?' What is more, he
throws money away as if it were dust. "This was
indeed," he observed, "a retribution in store for them! The only
thing now is how to decide this case, so as to put things right." There are still three more considerations
necessary to insure a safe settlement." "It isn't a safe course! His style was
Wen Ch'i. He had, of course, also been to school, but all he knew
was a limited number of characters, and those not well. She was, in
this year, more or less forty years of age and had only one son: this
Hsüeh P'an. She was beautiful in appearance, and
elegant and refined in deportment. As soon as Hsüeh P'an saw how
_distinguée_ Ying Lien was in her appearance, he formed the
resolution of buying her; and when he encountered Feng Yüan, come with
the object of depriving him of her, he in the assurance of superiority,
called his sturdy menials together, who set upon Feng Yüan and beat him
to death. "I was just lamenting," he
thought, "that on my visit to the capital, I would have my maternal
uncle to exercise control over me, and that I wouldn't be able to gambol
and frisk to my heart's content, but now that he is leaving the capital,
on promotion, it's evident that Heaven accomplishes man's wishes." "Your uncle," remarked his mother, "is, it is true, going on promotion,
but there's besides the house of your aunt, my sister. What is more,
during these last few years from both your uncle's and aunt's have, time
after time, been sent messages, and letters forwarded, asking us to come
over; and now that we've come, is it likely, though your uncle is busy
with his preparations to start on his journey, that your aunt of the
Chia family won't do all she can to press us to stay? They then handed over the various kinds of presents and indigenous
articles, and after the whole family had been introduced, a banquet was
also spread to greet the guests. Chia Cheng sent a messenger to tell madame Wang that "'aunt' Hsüeh had
already seen many springs and autumns, while their nephew was of tender
age, with no experience, so that there was every fear, were he to live
outside, that something would again take place. It was on a small scale, but ingeniously laid out. There were, at
least, over ten structures. At the south-west quarter, there was also a side door, which
communicated with a narrow roadway. To-day, they would come together to drink
wine; the next day to look at flowers. By
daylight they were wont to walk together, and to sit together. At night,
they would desist together, and rest together. What is more, in her ways Pao-Ch'ai was so full of good tact, so
considerate and accommodating, so unlike Tai-yü, who was supercilious,
self-confident, and without any regard for the world below, that the
natural consequence was that she soon completely won the hearts of the
lower classes. Dowager lady Chia and the other
inmates crossed over after their early meal; and they at once promenaded
the Hui Fang (Concentrated Fragrance) Garden. After a little time, Pao-yü felt tired and languid and inclined for his
midday siesta. Just hand him over to my
charge, and he will be quite safe. Dowager lady Chia had always been aware of the fact that Mrs. Ch'in was
a most trustworthy person, naturally courteous and scrupulous, and in
every action likewise so benign and gentle; indeed the most estimable
among the whole number of her great grandsons' wives, so that when she
saw her about to go and attend to Pao-yü, she felt that, for a
certainty, everything would be well. Pao-yü, upon raising his head,
and catching sight of a picture hung on the upper wall, representing a
human figure, in perfect style, the subject of which was a portrait of
Yen Li, speedily felt his heart sink within him. On perusal of these two sentences, albeit the room was sumptuous and
beautifully laid out, he would on no account remain in it. "Let us go at
once," he hastened to observe, "let us go at once." "If this," she said, "is
really not nice, where are you going? if you won't remain here, well
then come into my room." exclaimed Mrs. Ch'in laughing, "I don't mind whether he gets
angry or not (at what I say); but how old can he be as to reverentially
shun all these things? he's, true enough, of the same age as uncle Pao, but
were the two of them to stand side by side, I suspect that he would be
much higher in stature." but you'll see him
some day." As they were talking, they reached the interior of Mrs. Ch'in's
apartments. As soon as they got in, a very faint puff of sweet fragrance
was wafted into their nostrils. The fragrant whiff, which wafts itself into man's nose, is the perfume
of wine! On the table was a mirror, one which had been placed, in days of yore,
in the Mirror Palace of the Emperor Wu Tse-t'ien. On one side stood a
gold platter, in which Fei Yen, who lived in the Ch'ao state, used to
stand and dance. "It's nice in here, it's nice in here," exclaimed Pao-yü with a chuckle. Forsooth, who can it be, so surpassingly beautiful! Pao-yü, upon realising that she was a fairy, was much elated; and with
eagerness advanced and made a bow. "My divine sister," he ventured, as he put on a smile. Nor have I any idea what
this place is, but I make bold to entreat that you would take my hand
and lead me on." Pao-yü, at this proposal, felt elated to such an extraordinary degree
that he could skip from joy, and there and then discarding from his mind
all idea of where Mrs. Ch'in was, he readily followed the Fairy. There were also a pair of scrolls, with the inscription
in large characters:
Passion, alas! Pao-yü, after perusal, communed with his own heart. Henceforward, I must enlighten
myself!" May
I be allowed, I wonder, to do so?" "Through there be," she rejoined, "so
large a number of girls in your honourable province, those only of any
note have been selected and entered in this record. The two presses, on
the two sides, contain those who are second best; while, for all who
remain, as they are of the ordinary run, there are, consequently, no
registers to make any entry of them in." While an actor will, envious lot! He
then went and fetched the "Principal Record," and set to looking it
over. There were in addition these
four lines in verse:
Bitter thy cup will be, e'en were the virtue thine to stop the loom,
Thine though the gift the willow fluff to sing, pity who will thy
doom? High in the trees doth hang the girdle of white jade,
And lo! To Pao-yü the meaning was again, though he read the lines over, quite
unintelligible. The third portion of spring, of the first spring in beauty short will
fall! After this followed a picture of several streaks of fleeting clouds, and
of a creek whose waters were exhausted, with the text:
Riches and honours too what benefit are they? she sleeps under a glimmering light, an old idol for
mate. This was succeeded by a representation of a desolate village, and a
dreary inn. A pretty girl sat in there, spinning thread. When ruin breaks your home, e'en relatives will fail! With ice thy purity will vie, vain their envy will be! "Come along with me," she said smiling, "and see some wonderful
scenery. As soon as they caught sight of Pao-yü,
they all, with one voice, resentfully reproached the Monitory Vision
Fairy. As soon as Pao-yü heard these remarks, he was forthwith plunged in such
a state of consternation that he would have retired, but he found it
impossible to do so. In fact, he felt the consciousness of the foulness
and corruption of his own nature quite intolerable. "This perfume," she said, "is not to be found in the
world, and how could you discern what it is? he therefore
asked; upon which the Fairy explained. Below the windows, were also shreds of velvet sputtered about and a
toilet case stained with the traces of time and smudged with cosmetic;
while on the partition wall was likewise suspended a pair of scrolls,
with the inscription:
A lonesome, small, ethereal, beauteous nook! What help is there, but Heaven's will to brook? (In fact,) the respective Taoist appellations were not of one
and the same kind. In a short while, young maid-servants came in and laid the table, put
the chairs in their places, and spread out wines and eatables. "Take," suggested the Fairy, "the newly-composed Twelve Sections of the
Dream of the Red Chamber, and sing them." If the union will you say, be strange,
how is it then that their love affair will be but empty words? Consider, how many
drops of tears can there be in the eyes? You will be rejoicing that glory is at its
height when hateful death will come once again, and with eyes wide with
horror, you will discard all things, and dimly and softly the fragrant
spirit will waste and dissolve! You will yearn for native home, but
distant will be the way, and lofty the mountains. "Your
child," you will say, "has already trodden the path of death! Oh my
parents, it behoves you to speedily retrace your steps and make good
your escape!" "Father and mother," you
will bid them, "do not think with any anxiety of your child. Though we may now be far apart in two different places, we must each of
us try and preserve good cheer. You will be like a
moon appearing to view when the rain holds up, shedding its rays upon
the Jade Hall; or a gentle breeze (wafting its breath upon it). You will by nature
be so haughty that of the whole human race few will be like you! You
will look upon a meat diet as one of dirt, and treat splendour as coarse
and loathsome! You will be very eager in
your desire after chastity, but the human race will despise you! The Voluptuary. You will be inordinate in your conjugal affections, and look
down upon the beautiful charms of the child of a marquis, as if they
were cat-tail rush or willow; trampling upon the honourable daughter of
a ducal mansion, as if she were one of the common herd. You will beat out the fire of
splendour, and treat solitary retirement as genial! In the same way, this calamity of birth and
the visitation of death, who is able to escape? But I have heard it said
that there grows in the western quarter a tree called the P'o So
(Patient Bearing) which bears the fruit of Immortal life! Are the generals and ministers who have
been from ages of old still in the flesh, forsooth? those who will have conferred benefit will,
even in death, find the means of escape! When the maidens had finished the ballads, they went on to sing the
"Supplementary Record;" but the Monitory Vision Fairy, perceiving the
total absence of any interest in Pao-yü, heaved a sigh. haven't you, even now, attained
perception!" Lo you, who are the object of my love,
are the most lewd being under the heavens from remote ages to the
present time!" "Not so!" exclaimed the Fairy; "lewdness, although one thing in
principle is, as far as meaning goes, subject to different
constructions; as is exemplified by those in the world whose heart is
set upon lewdness. Before
them stretched the course of a black stream, which obstructed their
progress; and over this stream there was, what is more, no bridge to
enable one to cross it. "This is the Ford of Enticement," explained the Fairy. There is simply
a raft, of which Mu Chu-shih directs the rudder, and which Hui Shih chen
punts with the poles. They receive no compensation in the shape of gold
or silver, but when they come across any one whose destiny it is to
cross, they ferry him over. But we must observe that Mrs. Ch'in was just inside the apartment in the
act of recommending the young waiting-maids to be mindful that the cats
and dogs did not start a fight, when she unawares heard Pao-yü, in his
dream, call her by her infant name. A blush suffused Pao-yü's face, and he took Hsi Jen's hand in a tight
grip. "It's a long story," said Pao-yü, "which only a few words will not
suffice to explain." He accordingly recounted minutely, for her benefit, the subject of his
dream. Being covetous of
the influence and affluence of the Wang family, he consequently joined
ancestors with them, and was recognised by them as a nephew. The rest of the family had one and all no idea about them. This ancestor had, at this date, been dead long ago, leaving only one
son called Wang Ch'eng. As the family estate was in a state of ruin, he
once more moved outside the city walls and settled down in his native
village. His family consisted of four, and he earned a living from
farming. (Hence it was that) Kou Erh brought over his mother-in-law, old goody
Liu, to live with them. This goody Liu was an old widow, with a good deal of experience. This year, the autumn had come to an end, winter had commenced, and the
weather had begun to be quite cold. His wife had not the courage to force
herself in his way, and hence goody Liu it was who encouraged him, as
she could not bear to see the state of the domestic affairs. As the size of the bowl we
hold, so is the quantity of the rice we eat. 'But even had I any, they wouldn't be likely, I fear, to pay any
heed to such as ourselves!" Leave it to
me, I'll try and devise some lucky chance for you people! When he furthermore heard what his wife had
to say, he at once caught up the word as he smiled. exclaimed old Goody, "It may very well be said that the
marquis' door is like the wide ocean! even were I to go,
it would be on a wild goose chase." This Chou Jui, at one
time, was connected with my father in some affair or other, and we were
on excellent terms with him." Besides, you're a man, and
with a mouth and phiz like that of yours, you couldn't, on any account,
go on this errand. My daughter is a young woman, and she too couldn't
very well go and expose herself to public gaze. "Gentlemen," she
ventured, "may happiness betide you!" "I've come to look up Mr. Chou, an attendant of my lady's," remarked
goody Liu, as she forced a smile; "which of you, gentlemen, shall I
trouble to do me the favour of asking him to come out?" and turning to goody Liu: "This Mr. Chou," he said, "is gone south: his
house is at the back row; his wife is anyhow at home; so go round this
way, until you reach the door, at the back street, where, if you will
ask about her, you will be on the right track." There were also those who sold things to eat, and
those who sold playthings and toys; and besides these, twenty or thirty
boys bawled and shouted, making quite a noise. "I'd like to ask you just
a word, my young friend," she observed; "there's a Mrs. Chou here; is
she at home?" "Which Mrs. inquired the boy; "we here have three Mrs. Chous; and
there are also two young married ladies of the name of Chou. What are
the duties of the one you want, I wonder ?" "It's easy to get at her," added the boy; "just come along with me." he went on to shout with alacrity; "there's an old lady who wants to see
you." "Who is it?" she asked. "How are you," she inquired, "Mrs. How many years is it since we've
seen each other; tell me, for I forget just now; but please come in and
sit." With these words still in her mouth, they had entered the house,
whereupon Mrs. Chou ordered a hired waiting-maid to pour the tea. While
they were having their tea she remarked, "How Pan Erh has managed to
grow!" and then went on to make inquiries on the subject of various
matters, which had occurred after their separation. "To-day," she also asked of goody Liu, "were you simply passing by? "I've come, the fact is, with an object!" There's only one thing, however, and which you, old lady, don't know. She's the
niece of my lady, and the daughter of my master, the eldest maternal
uncle of by-gone days. inquired promptly goody Liu, after this explanation. what I said about her years back has come out quite
correct; but from all you say, shall I to-day be able to see her?" exclaimed old goody Liu; "I leave it entirely to your
convenience, sister-in-law." All I have to do
is to just utter one word, and what trouble will that be to me." The young waiting-maid went on this errand, and during this while, the
two of them continued a conversation on certain irrelevant matters. But by and bye, when you've seen her,
you'll know all about her! There's only this thing, she can't help being
rather too severe in her treatment of those below her." As soon as Chou Jui's wife heard this news, she speedily got up and
pressed goody Liu to be off at once. "This is," she urged, "just the
hour for her meal, and as she is free we had better first go and wait
for her; for were we to be even one step too late, a crowd of servants
will come with their reports, and it will then be difficult to speak to
her; and after her siesta, she'll have still less time to herself." As she passed these remarks, they all descended the couch together. "She has come to-day," she went on to explain, "from a distance to pay
her obeisance. P'ing Erh and Chou Jui's wife sat face to face, on the
edges of the couch. communed goody Liu in her heart, "What can be
its use?" P'ìng Erh, together with Chou Jui's wife, rose with all haste. "Old
goody Liu," they urged, "do sit down and wait till it's time, when we'll
come and ask you in." As soon as Pan Erh perceived (all these delicacies), he set up such a
noise, and would have some meat to eat, but goody Liu administered to
him such a slap, that he had to keep away. Below the window, on the southern side, was a stove-couch, and
on this couch was spread a crimson carpet. P'ing
Erh stood by the side of the couch, holding a very small lacquered
tea-tray. she said. "This is the old lady about whom I spoke a short while back," speedily
explained Mrs. Chou. Why, in whose household is there anything
substantial? we are merely the denuded skeleton of what we were in days
of old, and no more! Having passed these remarks, she inquired of Mrs. Chou, "Have you let
madame know, yes or no?" "We are now waiting," replied Mrs. Chou, "for my lady's orders." P'ing Erh announced their arrival to lady Feng, who said: "I'm now
engaged in entertaining some guests, so let them come back again in the
evening; but should there be anything pressing then bring it in and I'll
settle it at once." P'ing Erh left the room, but she returned in a short while. "I've asked
them," she observed, "but as there's nothing of any urgency, I told them
to disperse." "I've nothing to say," interposed old goody Liu. "Old goody Liu," she remarked, "you
needn't add anything more." She, at the same time, inquired, "Where's
your master, Mr. His
appearance was handsome, his person slender and graceful. He had on
light furs, a girdle of value, costly clothes and a beautiful cap. At this stage, goody Liu did not know whether it was best to sit down or
to stand up, neither could she find anywhere to hide herself. "Pray sit down," urged lady Feng, with a laugh; "this is my nephew!' Old
goody Liu then wriggled herself, now one way, and then another, on to
the edge of the couch, where she took a seat. "My father," Chia Jung smilingly ventured, "has sent me to ask a favour
of you, aunt. "You're late by a day," replied lady Feng. "It was only yesterday that I
gave it to some one." Chia Jung, upon hearing this, forthwith, with giggles and smiles, made,
near the edge of the couch, a sort of genuflexion. You must have pity upon
your nephew, aunt." the only good way is that you
shouldn't see anything of ours, for as soon as you catch sight of
anything, you at once entertain a wish to carry it off." "Pray, aunt," entreated Chia Jung with a smile, "do show me some
compassion." Chia Jung was so elated that his eyebrows dilated and his eyes smiled. But come after you've had your evening meal, and
I'll then tell you about it. Just now there are visitors here; and
besides, I don't feel in the humour." Chia Jung thereupon retired with gentle step. In a short
while Chou Jui's wife had called for a table of viands for the guests,
which was laid in the room on the eastern side, and then came to take
goody Liu and Pan Erh over to have their repast. If they've anything to say,"
(our lady continued), "tell lady Secunda to do the necessary, and that
will be right." exclaimed lady Feng, as soon as she had heard the
message; "since we are all one family, how is it I'm not familiar even
with so much as their shadow?" "Do pray sit down," she said, "and listen to what I'm
going to tell you. Besides, though to
look at us from outside everything has a grand and splendid aspect,
people aren't aware that large establishments have such great hardships,
which, were we to recount to others, they would hardly like to credit as
true. "We too know," she smilingly remarked, "all about difficulties! As she spake, she stood up. I'll make just one remark, and I don't mind if you do get
angry. "My dear sister-in-law," she replied, "as I gazed
upon her, were my heart and eyes, pray, full of admiration or not? As they were chatting, they reached Chou Jui's house. As soon as she reached the entrance, she caught sight of madame Wang's
waiting-maid, Chin Ch'uan-erh, playing about on the terrace steps, with
a young girl, who had just let her hair grow. exclaimed Pao Ch'ai, with a smile. you should lose really no time in
sending for a doctor to diagnose it, and give you something to make you
all right. And this has, after
all, strange to say, done me a great deal of good." "You'd better not ask for the prescription," rejoined Pao Ch'ai smiling. "Why, its enough to wear one out with perplexity! the necessaries and
ingredients are few, and all easy to get, but it would be difficult to
find the lucky moment! You again want twelve mace
of water, fallen on 'rain water' day....."
"Good gracious!" exclaimed Mrs. Chou promptly, as she laughed. "From all
you say, why you want three years' time! but to wait is also the best thing,
there's nothing else to be done. Besides, you want twelve mace of dew,
collected on 'White Dew' day, and twelve mace of the hoar frost,
gathered on 'Frost Descent' day, and twelve mace of snow, fallen on
'Slight Snow' day! You next take these four kinds of waters and mix them
with the other ingredients, and make pills of the size of a lungngan. cried Mrs. Chou, when she heard all this, bursting out
laughing. "What do you
feel like after all when this complaint manifests itself?" she asked. "Bring that box of flowers," said Mrs. Hsueh. I meant to have sent them over yesterday, but I forgot all
about them. You come to-day most opportunely, and if you will take them
with you, I shall have got them off my hands. With these words on her lips, Chou Jui's wife took the box and walked
out of the door of the room. Perceiving that Chin Ch'uan-erh was still
sunning herself outside, Chou Jui's wife asked her: "Isn't this Hsiang
Ling, the waiting-maid that we've often heard of as having been
purchased just before the departure of the Hsüeh family for the capital,
and on whose account there occurred some case of manslaughter or other?" and also
inquired, "In what year of your teens are you? "She's in that room, isn't she?" inquired the waiting-maids. "I was just telling Chih Neng," remarked Hsi Ch'un laughing, "that I
also purpose shortly shaving my head and becoming a nun; and strange
enough, here you again bring me flowers; but supposing I shave my head,
where can I wear them?" "I can't say," replied Chih Neng. The nurse nodded her head in assent, but as these inquiries were being
made, a sound of laughter came from over the other side, in which lady
Feng's voice could be detected; followed, shortly after, by the sound of
a door opening, and out came P'ing Erh, with a large brass basin in her
hands, which she told Feng Erh to fill with water and take inside. P'ing Erh forthwith entered the room on this side, and upon perceiving
Chou Jui's wife: "What have you come here again for, my old lady?" "I've
come," said she, "to bring you a present of flowers." Upon hearing this, P'ing Erh opened the box, and took out four sprigs,
and, turning round, walked out of the room. In a short while she came
from the inner room with two sprigs in her hand, and calling first of
all Ts'ai Ming, she bade her take the flowers over to the mansion on the
other side and present them to "madame" Jung, after which she asked Mrs.
Chou to express her thanks on her return. "I've been
waiting for ever so long at home, but you never come out! But coming at this time, you
must surely have something or other that you want me to do for you! "Really ma, you're quick at guessing!" exclaimed her daughter with a
smile; "I'll tell you what it's all about. "All right," replied Chou Jui's wife, "of course I will; you are young
yet, and without experience, and that's why you are in this flurry." exclaimed Pao-yü. "Bring them here and let me see them." Tai-yü merely cast a glance at them, as Pao-yü held them. "Have these
flowers," she inquired eagerly, "been sent to me alone, or have all the
other girls got some too?" "Each one of the young ladies has the same," replied Mrs. Chou; "and
these two twigs are intended for you, miss." I see," she observed. "If all the others
hadn't chosen, even these which remain over wouldn't have been given to
me." "Sister Chou, what took you over on the other side?" "She's not quite well," remarked Mrs. Chou. When the lamps were lit, lady Feng came over, after having disrobed
herself, to see madame Wang. "I've already taken charge," she observed,
"of the things sent round to-day by the Chen family. "See," suggested madame Wang, "who has nothing to do; let four maids go
and all will be right! "What have you people invited me to come here for?" You'll find sitting here," she continued, "very dull, and
why not go out and have a stroll?" I think he's in
the library; but why not go and see for yourself, uncle Pao?" "It's a far different thing when he
comes over under the charge of his grandmother, when he's all right." "If that be so," remarked lady Feng, "why not ask the young gentleman to
come in, and then I too can see him. There isn't, I hope, any objection
to my seeing him?" observed Mrs. Yu, smilingly; "it's as well
that you shouldn't see him. This brother of mine is not, like the boys
of our Chia family, accustomed to roughly banging and knocking about. Other people's children are brought up politely and properly, and not in
this vixenish style of yours. Why, you'd ridicule him to death!" "I won't laugh at him then, that's all," smiled lady Feng; "tell them to
bring him in at once." "He's shy," proceeded Mrs. Ch'in, "and has seen nothing much of the
world, so that you are sure to be put out when you see him, sister." exclaimed lady Feng. In a short while she did in fact lead in a young lad, who, compared with
Pao-yü, was somewhat more slight but, from all appearances, superior to
Pao-yü in eyes and eyebrows, (good looks), which were so clear and
well-defined, in white complexion and in ruddy lips, as well as graceful
appearance and pleasing manners. He was however bashful and timid, like
a girl. In a shy and demure way, he made a bow to lady Feng and asked after her
health. Then
readily stooping forward, she took this lad by the hand and asked him to
take a seat next to her. "There are then such beings as he in the world!" he reflected. In wild and inane ideas of the same strain, indulged these two youths! A few
more questions and answers followed; and after about ten remarks, a
greater intimacy sprang up between them. But as, from what
you say, your worthy father is very much exercised on this score, you
should, on your return, tell him all about it, and come over to our
school. suggested Pao-yü. Darkness having set in, Mrs. Yu gave orders that two youths should
accompany Mr. Ch'in home. that mean fellow shouldn't be chosen, but you will go again
and provoke him." "People always maintain," added lady Feng, "that you are far too
lenient. Why, even the gentlemen one and all pay no heed to his doings! your eldest brother, Chia Cheng, he too doesn't notice him. remarked lady Feng; "but
the secret of all this trouble is, that you won't take any decisive
step. Why not pack him off to some distant farm, and have done with
him?" "All ready and waiting," interposed the married women. a nice way you act the steward, indeed! Do you forget
that if Mr. Chiao Ta chose to raise one leg, it would be a good deal
higher than your head! On the contrary, he
shouted with more vigour. Going up to Chia Jung: "Brother Jung," he
said, "don't put on the airs of a master with Chiao Ta. Were it not for Chiao Ta, and him
alone, where would your office, honours, riches and dignity be? on the contrary, you come here and play the master;
don't say a word more, and things may come right; but if you do, I'll
plunge the blade of a knife white in you and extract it red." Why, if you keep him in your house,
won't he be a source of mischief? Chia Jung assented. Chiao Ta abused
even Chia Chen with still more vehemence, and shouted in a boisterous
manner. "I want to go," he cried, "to the family Ancestral Temple and
mourn my old master. not to speak of your
listening, but you must also inquire! "My dear sister," he craved, "I won't venture again to say
anything of the kind"
"My dear brother, if that be so, it's all right!" Reader, do you wish to know what follows? if you do, the next chapter
will unfold it. Dowager lady Chia was, it is true, well on in years,
but was, nevertheless, very fond of enjoyment, so that when the day
arrived and Mrs. Yu came over to invite her round, she forthwith took
madame Wang, Lin Tai-yü, Pao-yü and others along and went to the play. As soon as they
caught sight of Pao-yü, they both readily drew up to him, and as they
smiled, the one put his arm round his waist, while the other grasped him
by the hand. The nurse called out to them and
stopped them, "Have you two gentlemen," she said, "come out from seeing
master?" "Your master," they explained, "is in the Meng
P'o Chai small library having his siesta; so that you can go through
there with no fear." As they uttered these words, they walked away. On seeing Pao-yü approaching, they, in a body, stood still, and hung
down their arms against their sides. But we need not dilate upon matters of no moment, but return to Pao-yü. "Yes," replied
Mrs. Hsüeh, "she's well again. It was very kind of you two days ago to
again think of her, and send round to inquire after her. Pao-yü, upon hearing this, jumped down with alacrity from the
stove-couch, and walked up to the door of the inner room, where he saw
hanging a portière somewhat the worse for use, made of red silk. On the top of
her head was gathered, and made into a knot, her chevelure, black as
lacquer, and glossy like pomade. Her
whole costume was neither too new, neither too old, and displayed no
sign of extravagance. She was sparing in her words, chary in her
talk, so much so that people said that she posed as a simpleton. "I practise simplicity," she would say of
herself. "How are you? are you quite well again, sister?" While uttering this, she pressed him to take a seat on the stove-couch,
and as he sat down on the very edge of the couch, she told Ying Erh to
bring tea and asked likewise after dowager lady Chia and lady Feng. Pao-yü himself approached, and taking it
from his neck, he placed it in Pao Ch'ai's hand. Lost is the subtle life, divine, and real!--gone! Assumed, mean subterfuge! Fortune, when once adverse, how true! In evil days, alas! do let
me too see it." "Don't listen to what she says," remarked Pao Ch'ai, "there are no
characters on it." Otherwise, what pleasure
would there be in carrying a clumsy thing." Give me, cousin, a pill to try." "Oh, I come at a wrong moment!" "Had I known sooner," continued Tai-yü, "that he was here, I would have
kept away." "I can't fathom this meaning of yours," protested Pao Ch'ai. "If one comes," Tai-yü urged smiling, "then all come, and when one
doesn't come, then no one comes. Now were he to come to-day, and I to
come to-morrow, wouldn't there be, by a division of this kind, always
some one with you every day? and in this way, you wouldn't feel too
lonely, nor too crowded. How is it, cousin, that you didn't understand
what I meant to imply?" "It has been snowing for some time," ventured the matrons, who were
standing below. Pao-yü remarked, and Tai-yü readily
laughed. I come, and, of course, he must go at once." Your aunt has, in there, got ready tea and
fruits. I'll tell the waiting-maid to go and fetch your wrapper and the
boys to return home." "With a little wine," added Pao-yü with a
smile, "they would be first rate." "My lady," she said,
"never mind the wine." You don't know, my lady, you have no idea of his
disposition! I won't let him have too much, and
should even the old lady say anything, let the fault be mine." When nurse Li heard these words, she had no alternative but to go for a
time with all the others and have some wine to drink. "You have," interposed Pao Ch'ai smiling, "the good fortune, cousin
Pao-yü, of having daily opportunities of acquiring a knowledge of every
kind of subject, and yet don't you know that the properties of wine are
mostly heating? "You're far too punctilious," remarked Mrs. Hsüeh, "as to entertain such
notions! "You'd better be careful," added nurse Li, "your father is at home
to-day, and see that you're ready to be examined in your lessons." You, old lady, are far
too scrupulous! "Really," she observed, "every remark this girl Lin utters is sharper
than a razor! What's
more, you can stay to dinner with me, and then go home; or if you do get
tipsy, you can sleep with me, that's all." "I'll come," she
continued, "and keep you company while you have two or three cups, after
which we'll have something to eat!" "You remain here," she enjoined, "and mind, be diligent
while I go home and change; when I'll come back again. Don't allow him,"
she also whispered to "aunt" Hsüeh, "to have all his own way and drink
too much." As soon as they saw
that nurse Li had left, they likewise all quietly slipped out, at the
first opportunity they found, while there remained but two
waiting-maids, who were only too glad to curry favour with Pao-yü. Hsüeh Yen and the others, three or four of
them in all, had also had their meal, and came in to wait upon them. "If you want to go," he
observed, "I'll go with you." "We've been here nearly the whole
day," she said, "and ought to be going back." "That will do," hastily exclaimed Pao-yü. let me do
it myself." "Come over here, and I'll put it on for you," suggested Tai-yü, as she
stood on the edge of the couch. "That's right now," she added,
"throw your wrapper over you!" "None of your nurses," hurriedly interposed aunt Hsüeh, "are yet come,
so you had better wait a while." "We have the
waiting-maids to escort us, and surely they should be enough." Were I rid of her, I believe I might live a little longer." While uttering these words, he reached the door of his bedroom, where he
saw pen and ink laid out on the writing table. "Why this man is tipsy," remarked Ch'ing Wen sneeringly. "As you were
going to the other mansion, you told me to stick them over the door. In a short while,
Tai-yü came. Tai-yü raised her head and perceived the three characters: Red, Rue,
Hall. "They're all well done," she rejoined, with a smirk, "How is it
you've written them so well? he went on to inquire. "Well," Pao-yü observed laughing, "there's no harm in it, but its rather
early to sleep. 'Pao-yü,' she said, 'is not likely to eat them, so I'll
take them and give them to my grandson.' "Miss Lin has gone long ago," observed all of them, as they burst out
laughing, "and do you offer her tea?" "I did really put it by," answered Hsi Hsüeh, "but nurse Li came and
drank it, and then went off." She should be packed off, and then we shall all
have peace and quiet." On hearing that he was,
they took their departure with their minds more at ease. His wife had died at an
early period, and as she left no issue, he adopted a son and a daughter
from a foundling asylum. But who would have thought it, the boy also died, and there only
remained the girl, known as Kó Ch'ing in her infancy, who when she grew
up, was beautiful in face and graceful in manners, and who by reason of
some relationship with the Chia family, was consequently united by the
ties of marriage (to one of the household). As for what happened after they came to school, the next chapter will
divulge. Chia Cheng gives good advice to his wayward son. On the day appointed, as soon as it was daylight, Pao-yü turned out of
bed. "My dear sister," he said, "how is it you aren't again yourself? There's only one thing, which is simply that when
engaged in reading your books, you should set your mind on your books;
and that you should think of home when not engaged in reading. This is my view on the subject, and you
should at all times consider it in practice." While Hsi Jen gave utterance to a sentence, Pao-yü nodded his head in
sign of approval of that sentence. Pao-yü, after having gone on to give a few orders to Ch'ing Wen and She
Yueh, at length left his apartments, and coming over, paid his obeisance
to dowager lady Chia. "Venerable Sir," they pleaded, "why need you be so down upon him? He
will, beyond doubt, not behave like a child, as he did in years gone
past. Chia Cheng having inquired, he
heard a suitable reply, "We, Sir!" When Chia Cheng came to scrutinise who they were, and he recognised Li
Kuei, the son of Pao-yü's nurse, he addressed himself to him. It would be well if we were,
from henceforward, to be treated with a certain amount of regard." "My young ancestor," replied Li Kuei, "who presumes to look forward to
an invitation? all I entreat you is to listen to one or two words I have
to say, that's all." Upon hearing Pao-yü mention that he was on his
way to school, she smiled and remarked, "That's right! After a protracted chat, he at length tore himself away and took his
departure. Besides, dowager lady Chia got very fond of Ch'in Chung, and would again
and again keep him to stay with them for three and five days at a time,
treating him as if he were one of her own great-grandsons. Perceiving
that in Ch'in Chung's home there was not much in the way of sufficiency,
she also helped him in clothes and other necessaries; and scarcely had
one or two months elapsed before Ch'in Chung got on friendly terms with
every one in the Jung mansion. There were, it is true, a large number of pupils in this school, but
these consisted of the sons and younger brothers of that same clan, and
of several sons and nephews of family connections. There were also two lovable young scholars, relatives of what branch of
the family is not known, and whose real surnames and names have also not
been ascertained, who, by reason of their good and winsome looks, were,
by the pupils in the whole class, given two nicknames, to one that of
"Hsiang Lin," "Fragrant Love," and to the other "Yü Ai," "Precious
Affection." As soon as Ch'in Chung and Pao-yü had, at this time, come to school, and
they had made the acquaintance of these two fellow-pupils, they too
could not help becoming attached to them and admiring them, but as they
also came to know that they were great friends of Hsüeh P'an, they did
not, in consequence, venture to treat them lightly, or to be unseemly in
their behaviour towards them. But this sentence was scarcely ended, when
they heard a sound of coughing coming from behind. I'll tell you what, however; if you
have anything to say, why not utter it in intelligible language? Were
you allowed to go on in this mysterious manner, what strange doings
would you be up to? But I have sure enough found you out, so what's the
need of still prevaricating? If not, why the whole school will begin to turn
the matter over." "What have you found out?" "What I have now detected," replied Chin Jung smiling, "is the plain
truth!" (These two have been
up to larks, won't you come and have some fun!) Chin Jung too was at one time an intimate friend of his, but ever since
he had acquired the friendship of the two lads, Hsiang Lin and Yü Ai, he
forthwith deposed Chin Jung. Chin Jung became still more haughty, and wagging his head and smacking
his lips, he gave vent to many more abusive epithets; but as it happened
that they also reached Yü Ai's ears, the two of them, though seated
apart, began an altercation in a loud tone of voice. Chin Jung, with obstinate pertinacity, clung to his version. This person was, in fact, one whose name was Chia Se; a grandson
likewise of a main branch of the Ning mansion. His parents had died at
an early period, and he had, ever since his youth, lived with Chia Chen. and if I don't concern myself, such idle tales make, when spoken,
every one feel uncomfortable; and why shouldn't I now devise some means
to hold them in check, so as to stop their mouths, and prevent any loss
of face!" Chia Se presently shuffled his feet, while he designedly adjusted his
dress and looked at the rays of the sun. A fine brat you are indeed, to come out and meddle with your Mr. "Ming Yen," hastily shouted out Chia Jui, "you're not to kick up a
rumpus." Chin Jung was so full of anger that his face was quite yellow. Who had thrown it he
could not say, but it struck the desk where Chia Lan and Chia Chün were
seated. why, doesn't this
amount to all of you taking a share in the fight!" But Li Kuei
temporised by rebuking Ming Yen and others, four in all, and packing
them off. "Bring my horse round," he cried; "I'm going to tell Mr. Chia Tai-ju
that we have been insulted. "My dear sir," replied Li Kuei coaxingly, "don't be so impatient! This is all
you, Mr. Chia Jui, who is to blame; for in the absence of Mr. Chia
Tai-ju, you, sir, are the head in this school, and every one looks to
you to take action. and why did you wait until things came to
such a pass, and didn't even exercise any check?" "I blew them up," pleaded Chia Jui, "but not one of them would listen." "If Chin Jung stays here," interposed Ch'in Chung sobbing, "I mean to go
back home." well, I'll go
at once and speak to her." Chin Jung refused, at the outset, to agree to this, but he ultimately
could find no way out of it, as Chia Jui himself urged him to make some
temporising apology. Chin Jung himself returned home all alone, but the more he pondered on
the occurrence, the more incensed he felt. Besides, in other people's school, tea and eatables
are all ready and found; and these two years that you've been there for
your lessons, we've likewise effected at home a great saving in what
would otherwise have been necessary for your eating and use. Besides, it's only through your being there to study,
that you've come to know Mr. Hsüeh! Now do quietly play for a while, and then go to sleep, and
you'll be ever so much better for it then." Chin Jung thereupon stifled his anger and held his tongue; and, after a
short while, he in fact went to sleep of his own accord. This fact goes, as a matter of course, without saying. Besides, does his conduct consist,
for the most part, of anything that would make one get any face? In
fact, Pao-yü himself shouldn't do injury to himself by condescending to
look at him. Don't trouble yourself
as to who is in the right, and who is in the wrong; for were any
unpleasantness to come out of it, how could we here stand on our legs? And with such a temperament
and deportment as hers, which of our relatives and which of our elders
don't love her?' Now,
sister-in-law, tell me, is my heart sore or not? Besides, as there's
nowadays no good doctor, the mere thought of her complaint makes my
heart feel as if it were actually pricked with needles! But do you and
yours, perchance, know of any good practitioner?" he inquired
of Mrs. Yu; whereupon Mrs. Chin came forward and paid her respects to
Chia Chen. "Invite this lady to have her repast here before she goes," observed
Chia Chen to Mrs. Yu; and as he uttered these words he forthwith walked
into the room on the off side. Besides, as Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu had given her a most
cordial reception, her resentment was transformed into pleasure, so that
after a while spent in a further chat about one thing and another, she
at length returned to her home. "She said nothing much," replied Mrs. Yu. But she
had no request to make. The clothes may be no matter how
fine, but what is their worth, after all? Let's therefore
wait till Dr. Chang has been here and seen her, when we can talk matters
over!" Chia Jung having signified his obedience to each of her recommendations,
and taken his leave, was just in time to meet the youth coming back from
Feng Tzu-ying's house, whither he had gone a short while back to invite
the doctor round. I must therefore
have a night's rest, but, to-morrow for certain, I shall come to the
mansion. It was again at his
instance that I've brought it back; but, Sir, please mention this result
for me (to master)." Chia Jung turned back again, and entering the house delivered the
message to Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu; whereupon he walked out, and, calling
Lai Sheng before him, he transmitted to him the orders to prepare the
banquet for a couple of days. Chia Jung forthwith walked in with him. "Let us go and sit outside," he suggested, after he had concluded
feeling her pulses. Chia Jung readily adjourned, in company with the
Doctor, to the outer apartment, where they seated themselves on the
stove-couch. A matron having served tea; "Please take a cup of tea,
doctor," Chia Jung observed. When tea was over, "Judging," he inquired,
"Doctor, from the present action of the pulses, is there any remedy or
not?" The pulse, under
the forefinger, of the right hand, is gentle and lacks vitality. The action of the forefinger pulse,
of the right wrist, is faint and lacks strength, as the breathing of the
lungs is too weak. "In real truth, Doctor, you speak like a supernatural
being, and there's verily no need for us to say anything! We have now,
ready at hand, in our household, a good number of medical gentlemen, who
are in attendance upon her, but none of these are proficient enough to
speak in this positive manner. May
it please you, sir, now to favour us with your clear directions." Chia Jung, after perusing it, exclaimed. Chia Jung was likewise a person with all his wits about him, so that he
did not press any further minute questions. Chia Jung forthwith escorted the Doctor and saw him off, and taking the
prescription and the diagnosis, he handed them both to Chia Chen for his
perusal, and in like manner recounted to Chia Chen and Mrs. Yu all that
had been said on the subject. "The other doctors have hitherto not expressed any opinions as positive
as this one has done," observed Mrs. Yu, addressing herself to Chia
Chen, "so that the medicines to be used are, I think, surely the right
ones!" But now that we have this man, the illness of our
son's wife may, there is no saying, stand a chance of being cured. But
on that prescription of his there is ginseng mentioned, so you had
better make use of that catty of good quality which was bought the other
day." Chia Jung listened until the conversation came to a close, after which
he left the room, and bade a servant go and buy the medicines, in order
that they should be prepared and administered to Mrs. Ch'in. In honour of Chia Ching's birthday, a family banquet is spread in the
Ning Mansion. At the sight of Hsi-feng, Chia Jui entertains feelings of licentious
love. Salutations
were exchanged between the whole company, and they pressed one another
to take a seat. When Chia Chen heard these words, he smiled. "The other day I heard your eldest sister explain," interposed madame
Wang, "that Chia Jung's wife was anything but well; but what's after all
the matter with her?" "She has," observed Mrs. Yu, "contracted this illness verily in a
strange manner! "It was only yesterday," (she explained,) "that he wrote his
prescription; and all she has had is but one dose, and already to-day
the giddiness in the head is considerably better; as regards the other
symptoms they have as yet shown no marked improvement." how is she, after all, to-day?" "Not well," replied Chia Jung. "But were you, aunt, on your return to go
in and see her, you will find out for yourself." Chia Jung forthwith left the room. There are now in the garden some young actors engaged in making
their preparations?" "It's better in here," madame Wang remarked, as she turned towards
madame Hsing. In a short while, the courses were
all laid out, and Mrs. Yu pressed mesdames Hsing and Wang, as well as
her mother, into the upper seats; while she, together with lady Feng and
Pao-yü, sat at a side table. Chia Jung entered the room. The rest of the family gentlemen have been taken
over by uncle Secundus Mr. Lien, and Mr. Se, to the other side to listen
to the play. But, mother, you should invite the two ladies, your mother
and my aunt, to go over and sit in the garden." observed Mrs. Yu, "but we've only now finished our repast,
and were about to go over." "All right," replied madame Wang; "we should all have been fain to have
paid her a visit, did we not fear lest she should look upon our
disturbing her with displeasure, but just tell her that we would like to
know how she is getting on!" "My dear sister," remarked Mrs. Yu, "as our son's wife has a ready ear
for all you say, do go and cheer her up, (and if you do so,) it will
besides set my own mind at ease; but be quick and come as soon as you
can into the garden." Having entered the door, they with quiet step walked as far as the
entrance of the inner chamber. "Bring the tea in at once," called out Chia Jung, "for aunt and uncle
Secundus have not had any tea in the drawing room." Besides, your nephew, (my husband,) may, it is
true, my dear aunt, be young in years, but he is full of regard for me,
as I have regard for him, and we have had so far no misunderstanding
between us! The fragrant whiff which wafts itself into man's nose, is the perfume
of wine! "Pao-yü," she therefore exclaimed, "you are like an old
woman! Ill, as she is, simply makes her speak in this wise, and how ever
could things come to such a pass! "Brother Pao," urged lady Feng, "your mother told you to go over, as
soon as you could, so that don't stay here, and go on in the way you're
doing, for you after all incite this lady also to feel uneasy at heart. Besides, your mother over there is solicitous on your account." When Chia Jung heard this remark, he promptly crossed over with Pao-yü
into the garden of Concentrated Fragrance, while lady Feng went on both
to cheer her up for a time, and to impart to her, in an undertone, a
good deal of confidential advice. You're bound to get
over this illness; and now, in fact, that you've come across that
renowned doctor, you have really nothing more to fear." What you absolutely need is to cast away all
these notions, and then you'll improve. sister-in-law," exclaimed Chia Jui, "don't you recognise even
me?" "It isn't that I didn't recognise you," explained lady Feng, "but at the
sudden sight of you, I couldn't conceive that it would possibly be you,
sir, in this place!" "This was in fact bound to be," replied Chia Jui; "for there's some
subtle sympathy between me and you, sister-in-law. "It isn't to be wondered at," she
consequently observed, as she smiled hypocritically, "that your eldest
brother should make frequent allusion to your qualities! As soon as they espied lady Feng they put on a smile. "Is your mistress," observed lady Feng, "so like a quick-footed demon?" "Brother Pao," lady Feng exclaimed, "don't be up to too much
mischief!" "The ladies are all sitting upstairs," interposed one of the
maids. "Please, my lady, this is the way up." "You two," remarked Mrs. Yu, smiling, "are so friendly, that having met
you couldn't possibly tear yourself away to come. "Could every one," interposed Mrs. Yu, "resemble you, a person of such
propriety!" The meal over, the whole company adjourned into
the garden, and came and sat in the drawing-room. After tea, they at
length gave orders to get ready the carriages, and they took their leave
of Mrs. Yu's mother. Mrs. Yu, attended by all the secondary wives,
servants, and married women, escorted them out, while Chia Chen, along
with the whole bevy of young men, stood by the vehicles, waiting in a
group for their arrival. After this occasion, lady Feng came in person and paid frequent visits
to Mrs. Ch'in; but as there were some days on which her ailment was
considerably better, and others on which it was considerably worse, Chia
Chen, Mrs. Yu, and Chia Jung were in an awful state of anxiety. should anything happen to her, won't it be enough to make people die
from grief!" but you should likewise make every
subsequent preparation, for it would also be well if you could scour it
away." "I know well enough what to say," replied lady Feng. Without any further delay, lady Feng then sped back. "For the present there's nothing to fear," continued lady Feng; "for her
mien is still good." After the old lady had heard these words, she was plunged for a long
while in deep reflection; and as she turned towards lady Feng, "Go and
divest yourself of your toilette," she said, "and have some rest." P'ing Erh helped lady
Feng to put on the house costume, which she had warmed by the fire, and
lady Feng eventually took a seat and asked "whether there was anything
doing at home?" P'ing Erh then brought the tea, and after going over to hand the cup:
"There's nothing doing," she replied; "as regards the interest on the
three hundred taels, Wang Erh's wife has brought it in, and I've put it
away. Besides this, Mr. Jui sent round to inquire if your ladyship was
at home or not, as he meant to come and pay his respects and to have a
chat." exclaimed lady Feng at these words. P'ing Erh having inquired,
lady Feng readily gave her an account of how she had met him in the
course of the ninth moon in the Ning mansion, and of what had been said
by him. "Wait till he comes," added lady Feng, "when I feel certain I shall find
some way." "What the reason is I cannot tell," lady Feng said by way of reply. "May it not be," Chia Jui smilingly insinuated, "that some fair damsel
has got hold of him on the way, and that he cannot brook to tear himself
from her to come home?" "That makes it plain that there are those among men who fall in love
with any girl they cast their eyes on," hinted lady Feng. "Your remarks are, sister-in-law, incorrect, for I'm none of this kind!" When Chia Jui heard these words, he felt in such high glee that he
rubbed his ears and smoothed his cheeks. "My sister-in-law," he
continued, "you must of course be extremely lonely day after day." "Indeed I am," observed lady Feng, "and I only wish some one would come
and have a chat with me to break my dull monotony." "You are simply fooling me," exclaimed lady Feng laughing. "It's only
because I had all along heard people say that you were a dreadful
person, and that you cannot condone even the slightest shortcoming
committed in your presence, that I was induced to keep back by fear; but
after seeing you, on this occasion, so chatty, so full of fun and most
considerate to others, how can I not come? were it to be the cause of my
death, I would be even willing to come!" "You're really a clever person," lady Feng observed sarcastically. he went on to ask. "Do let me stay a while longer," entreated Chia Jui, "you are indeed
ruthless, my sister-in-law." Chia Jui lent his ear, and listened for ever
so long, but he saw no one appear. for
this offence alone you deserve a beating, and how much more for the lie
imposed upon me." With this purpose, she gave him another assignation. "Don't go over
there," she said, "to-night, but wait for me in the empty rooms giving
on to a small passage at the back of these apartments of mine. But
whatever you do, mind don't be reckless." "Why, who wants to play with you?" "I'll come, I'll come, yea I'll come, were I even to die!" He
however waited and waited, but he saw no one arrive; he listened but not
even the sound of a voice reached his ear. "May it not be," he thought, "that she is not coming again; and that I
may have once more to freeze for another whole night?" Be quick now and
follow me, and let us go and see her." "Letting you off," rejoined Chia Se, "is no difficult thing; but how
much, I wonder, are you likely to give? "This is, in fact, easy enough!" "It's safe enough in this
nest," he observed, "but just squat down quietly and don't utter a
sound; wait until I come back before you venture out." he cried, but he
hastily stopped his mouth with his hands, and did not venture to give
vent to another sound. His whole head and face were a mass of filth, and
his body felt icy cold. "Get off," he shouted, "with all speed! As soon as Chia Jui returned to life again, he bolted with hasty
strides, out of the back gate, and ran the whole way home. The night had
already reached the third watch, so that he had to knock at the door for
it to be opened. inquired the servants, when they saw him in this
sorry plight; (an inquiry) which placed him in the necessity of making
some false excuse. "The night was dark," he explained, "and my foot
slipped and I fell into a gutter." At night, he burnt with fever. During the day, he was
repeatedly under the effects of lassitude. Perspiration was profuse,
while with his expectorations of phlegm, he brought up blood. Tai-ju was very much concerned, and invited doctors from all parts to
attend to him, but none of them could do him any good. And as later on,
he had to take nothing else but decoctions of pure ginseng, Tai-ju could
not of course afford it. "The other day," rejoined
lady Feng, "not long ago, when we concocted some medicine for our
dowager lady, you told us, madame, to keep the pieces that were whole,
to present to the spouse of General Yang to make physic with, and as it
happens it was only yesterday that I sent some one round with them." Or it may possibly be that your elder
brother-in-law Chen, over there, might have a little. he repeatedly
cried out, "save my life!" On no account must you look at the front side; and
you should only gaze at the back of it; this is urgent, this is
expedient! After three days, I shall come and fetch it away; by which
time, I'm sure, it will have made him all right." "This Taoist," he thought, "would seem to
speak sensibly, and why should I not look at it and try its effect?" and opening his eyes, he turned the glass over once more; but
still, as hitherto, stood the skeleton in the back part. But only this remark could he utter, for it was forthwith
beyond his power to say one word more. With all
promptitude they changed him there and then, and carried him to another
bed. they asked. "If we don't destroy
this glass, it will do harm to not a few men in the world!" While uttering these words, he snatched the glass, and,
as all eyes were fixed upon him, he moved away lissomely, as if swayed
by the wind. Of the
Ning Mansion, Chia Chen likewise contributed twenty taels. But who would have thought it, at the close of winter of this year, Lin
Ju-hai contracted a serious illness, and forwarded a letter, by some
one, with the express purpose of fetching Lin Tai-yü back. Pao-yü too was
intensely cut up, but he had no alternative but to defer to the
affection of father and daughter; nor could he very well place any
hindrance in the way. P'ing Erh had already fallen fast asleep; and lady Feng was feeling at
length her sleepy eyes slightly dose, when she faintly discerned Mrs.
Ch'in walk in from outside. "My dear sister-in-law," she said as she smiled, "sleep in peace; I'm on
my way back to-day, and won't even you accompany me just one stage? and of
that other which says that 'if you ascend high, heavy must be your
fall.' "My dear sister-in-law," rejoined Mrs. Ch'in with a sardonic smile,
"you're very simple indeed! When woe has reached its climax, weal
supervenes. But she
had to change her costume, with all possible haste, and to come over to
madame Wang's apartments. But these irrelevant details need not be dilated upon; suffice it to
confine ourselves to Pao-yü. Consequent upon Lin Tai-yü's return home, he was left to his own self
and felt very lonely. Neither would he go and disport himself with
others; but with the daily return of dusk, he was wont to retire quietly
to sleep. He gave vent to bitter tears
for a few minutes, and subsequently paid his salutations to Mrs. Yu. Mrs. Yu, as it happened, had just had a relapse of her old complaint of
pains in the stomach and was lying on her bed. While he gave vent to these words, he again burst into tears, and the
whole company of relatives set to work at once to pacify him. he
exclaimed; "nothing is to be done, but what is within my means." if you just give the workmen a few taels for their
labour, it will be quite sufficient." "My worthy sir," eagerly rejoined Chia Chen, "your surmise on that score
is perfectly correct." Besides, as our child wants to
purchase it, you had better at once write a statement of his
antecedents." The young attendant signified his obedience, and Tai Ch'üan thereupon
took his leave. They then parted company, but close upon this, were heard again the
voices of runners. It was, in fact, the spouse of Shih Ting, the marquis
of Chung Ching, who was just arriving. Shih Hsiang-yun, mesdames Wang,
and Hsing, lady Feng and the rest came out at once, to greet her, and
lead her into the Main Building; when they further saw the sacrificial
presents of the three families, of the marquis of Chin Hsiang, the
marquis of Ch'uan Ning, and the earl of Shou Shan, likewise spread out
in front of the tablet. In a short while, these three noblemen descended from their chairs, and
Chia Chen received them in the Large Hall. There were also two large carmine boards, carved with gilt
inscriptions, erected outside the gate; the designations in bold
characters on the upper sides being: Guard of the Imperial Antechamber,
charged with the protection of the Inner Palace and Roads, in the Red
Prohibited City. "Who is it?" "Everything will indeed be properly carried out," he added laughingly;
"but I must now be going at once." With these words, he drew Pao-yü along, and taking leave of the whole
number of visitors, they forthwith came into the drawing rooms. In the inner apartments there were only a small number
of ladies of close kinship. she
asked; "your eldest cousin is at present staying with your aunt Secunda,
and all you have to do is to speak to her and it will be all right." With these words still on his lips, he made a low bow, but lady Feng had
scarcely had time to return the compliment, before Chia Chen had
directed a servant to fetch the warrant of the Ning mansion, which he
bade Pao-yü hand over to lady Feng. Outside these two concerns, there's
nothing else to disturb my mind." "Do as you like," Chia Chen observed; and after subsequently passing a
few more irrelevant remarks, he at length left the room. These five were, in point of fact, usages in vogue in the Ning mansion. After this inspection, which was got over
in a short time, she continued giving further directions. Indeed, even when relatives or
visitors came or went, she did not go to receive them, or see them off. Pressed round by the servants,
lady Feng made her entry. exclaimed lady Feng, as she forced a smile, "is it you who have been
remiss? "I've come," she explained, "to get an
order, so as to obtain some thread to make tassels for the carriages and
chairs." Having asked them to read out the list of
what they required, she ascertained that they wanted four kinds of
articles in all. With these words, she flung down the requisitions, and the two men went
their way in lower spirits than when they had come. "If to-morrow he were to come late," lady Feng then remarked, "and if
the day after, I were to come late; why by and by there'll be no one
here at all! and
tell them all to disperse, and have done with it!" "We've had our rice, thanks," replied Pao-yü. exclaimed Pao-yü;
"we've really had it over there; in fact, I now come after having had
mine with dowager lady Chia." "In what you say," replied lady Feng, "you take no account of the laws
of the land." "Had you asked me," she remarked, "I can assure you
it would have been ready quick enough." "You too would have been of no use," observed Pao-yü, "for it will
certainly be ready by the time they ought to finish it in." "My dear sister," he added, "do give them the
permits to enable them to obtain the material and effect the repairs." exclaimed Pao-yü. As soon as she put her foot into the Ning
mansion, the inmates of the Jung mansion would follow close upon her
heels; and the moment she got back into the Jung mansion, the servants
again of the Ning mansion would follow her about. The various paraphernalia and ornaments were all brand-new, hurriedly
made for the present occasion, and the uniform lustrous brilliancy they
shed was sufficient to dazzle the eyes. "Which is the gentleman," he
inquired of Chia Chen, "who was born with a piece of jade in his mouth? With the sharp control, however, which
his father exercised over him, he had not been able to gratify his wish. But on this occasion, he saw on the contrary that he came to call him,
and it was but natural that he should be delighted. Lady Peng, née Wang, exercises her authority in the Iron Fence Temple. Ch'in Ching-ch'ing (Ch'ing Chung) amuses himself in the Man-t'ou
(Bread) nunnery. he inquired. As soon as Pao-yü heard this inquiry, he hastened to produce the jade
from inside his clothes and to hand it over to Shih Jung. Taking also his hand in his, he
inquired of Pao-yü what was his age? and what books he was reading at
present, to each of which questions Pao-yü gave suitable answer. and this isn't an
idle compliment which I, a despicable prince, utter in your venerable
presence! When I, a despicable prince, was young, I walked
in this very track, and I presume that your honourable son cannot
likewise but do the same. "This is the first time we meet," he observed. As soon as they reached the city gates Chia She, Chia Cheng,
Chia Chen, and the others again received donations from all their fellow
officers and subordinates, in sacrificial sheds erected by their
respective families, and after they returned thanks to one after
another, they eventually issued from the city walls, and proceeded
eventually along the highway, in the direction of the Temple of the Iron
Fence. Pao-yü took the hint, and, along
with Ch'in Chung, he led off the servant boys and went to romp all over
the place. The various articles in use among the farmers they had not seen before,
with the result that after Pao-yü had inspected them, he thought them
all very strange; but he could neither make out their names nor their
uses. but Pao-yü gave him a nudge and observed, "If you talk
nonsense again, I'll beat you." "My girl Secunda, come over at once;" and the lass
discarded the spinning-wheel and hastily went on her way. In a short while,
they reached the interior of the temple, where additional sacrifices
were offered and Buddhistic services performed; and where altars had
again been erected to burn incense on. In the inner Chambers, the ladies were solely entertained and attended
to by lady Feng. There were those, who, being in
straitened circumstances at home, and easily contented, readily took up
their quarters in the temple. why then did you the other day, when
you were in the old lady's rooms, and there was not a soul present, hold
her in your arms? "If I ask her," Pao-yü observed, "to pour it, she wouldn't be as ready
as she would were you to tell her about it." he said, "bring a cup
of tea." exclaimed the old nun, "It's this; in days gone by, I
first lived in the Ch'ang An district. This Li Ya-nei fell in love at first sight
with her, and would wed Chin Ko as his wife. "If madame doesn't heed them," suggested the old nun, "you, my lady, can
safely assume the direction." As soon as he reached the room at the back, he espied Chih Neng all
alone inside washing the tea cups; and Ch'in Chung forthwith seized her
in his arms and implanted kisses on her cheek. Having spent another day, she on the morrow took leave of the old nun,
whom she advised to come to the mansion after the expiry of three days
to fetch a reply. Chia Yuan-ch'un is, on account of her talents, selected to enter the
Feng Ts'ao Palace. Ch'in Ching-ch'ing departs, in the prime of life, by the yellow spring
road. But we must now return to the two lads, Ch'in Chung and Pao-yü. But as it happened that Ch'in Chung, who was
naturally of an extremely delicate physique, caught somewhat of a chill
in the country and clandestinely indulged, besides, in an intimacy with
Chih Neng, which unavoidably made him fail to take good care of himself,
he was, shortly after his return, troubled with a cough and a feverish
cold, with nausea for drink and food, and fell into such an extremely
poor state of health that he simply kept indoors and nursed himself, and
was not in a fit condition to go to school. But who would have ever anticipated that a
father and mother, whose hearts were set upon position and their
ambition upon wealth, could have brought up a daughter so conscious of
propriety and so full of feeling as to seize the first opportunity,
after she had heard that she had been withdrawn from her former
intended, and been promised to the Li family, to stealthily devise a way
to commit suicide, by means of a handkerchief. Chia Cheng and the others could not even conceive what omen this summons
implied, but he had no alternative but to change his clothes with all
haste and to present himself at Court, while dowager lady Chia and the
inmates of the whole household were, in their hearts, a prey to such
perplexity and uncertainty that they incessantly despatched messengers
on flying steeds to go and bring the news. After the expiry of four hours, they suddenly perceived Lai Ta and three
or four other butlers run in, quite out of breath, through the
ceremonial gate and report the glad tidings. Dowager lady Chia was, at this time, standing, with agitated heart,
under the verandah of the Large Hall waiting for tidings, whilst the two
ladies, mesdames Hsing and Wang, Mrs. Yu, Li Wan, lady Feng, Ying Ch'un
and her sisters, even up to Mrs. Hsüeh and the rest, were congregated in
one place ascertaining what was the news. By and by, Mr. Chia Cheng came
out and also told us the same thing. Dowager lady Chia and the rest in due course offered thanks and returned
home, the relatives and friends came to present their congratulations,
great stir and excitement prevailed during these few days in the two
mansions of Ning and Jung, and every one was in high glee; but he alone
looked upon everything as if it were nothing; taking not the least
interest in anything; and as this reason led the whole family to sneer
at him, the result was that he got more and more doltish. But Pao-yü merely ascertained whether Tai-yü was all right, and did not
even so much as trouble his mind with the rest of what he heard; and he
remained on the tiptoe of expectation, till noon of the morrow; when, in
point of fact, it was announced that Mr. Lien, together with Miss Lin,
had made their entrance into the mansion. exclaimed Tai-yü. "I don't want
any such things;" and as she forthwith dashed them down, and would not
accept them, Pao-yü was under the necessity of taking them back. But for
the time being we will not allude to them, but devote our attention to
Chia Lien. "How dare I presume to such an honour," he added by
way of rejoinder; "I'm unworthy of such attention! Many thanks, many
thanks." P'ing Erh and the whole company of waiting-maids simultaneously paid
their obeisance to him, and this ceremony concluded, they presented tea. When you see him to-morrow, do what you can to
excuse me by him. "Quite so," interposed Chia Lien with a smile. exclaimed lady Feng, "here you are back from a trip to Suchow and
Hang Chow, where you should have seen something of the world! Well, if you wish
to bestow your love on her, there's no difficulty worth speaking of. Scarcely had she time to conclude what she had to say when a youth, on
duty at the second gate, transmitted the announcement that Mr. Chia
Cheng was in the Library waiting for Mr. Secundus. Tell me, my lady, (what's come
to) Wang Erh's wife? and it was you after all, you
vixen, playing these pranks!" Dame Chao," she went on, "just you
taste this Hui Ch'üan wine brought by your foster-son." the one thing to guard against is any excess,
that's all! His assent was of course
well and good, but up to this very moment he still withholds his help. "You'd better," she suggested, "put those two elder
foster brothers of his both under my charge! Which of those foster brothers whom you have
now discarded, isn't clearly better than others? But these words of mine are
also incorrect, eh? "It was about the visit (of Yuan Ch'un) to her parents," Chia Lien
explained. she interposed; "But I'm in very truth quite stupid from old age,
for I've heard every one, high and low, clamouring during these few
days, something or other about 'Hsing Ch'in' or no 'Hsing Ch'in,' but I
didn't really pay any heed to it; and now again, here's something more
about this 'Hsing Ch'in,' but what's it all about, I wonder?" Besides, the fathers and mothers, who remain at home
must long for their daughters, of whom they cannot get even so much as a
glimpse, and if, through this solicitude, they were to contract any
illness, the harmony of heaven would also be seriously impaired, so for
this reason, he memorialised the Emperor, his father, and the Empress
Dowager that every month, on the recurrence of the second and sixth
days, permission should be accorded to the relatives of the imperial
consorts to enter the palace and make application to see their
daughters. exclaimed dame Chao. "Ai ya, ya!" This subject once introduced, lady Feng took up the thread of the
conversation with vehemence. "Our Wang family," she said, "did also make
preparations on one occasion. This saying relates to your family, my lady, and
remains even now in vogue. The Chen family of Chiang Nan has recently
held, oh such a fine old standing! "I'll tell your ladyship and all in one sentence," replied nurse Chao. "Why they simply took the Emperor's money and spent it for the Emperor's
person, that's all! Chia Jung hastily signified his assent by several yes's, and Chia Se
also came forward to deliver his message. Upon hearing this, Chia Lien scrutinised Chia Se. he asked, "are
you able to undertake these commissions? These matters are, it's true,
of no great moment; but there's something more hidden in them!" "The best thing I can do," he remarked, "will be to
execute them in my novice sort of way, that's all." Chia Jung was standing next to lady Feng, out of the light of the lamp,
and stealthily pulled the lapel of her dress. she interposed. but who are those who are,
in every respect, up to the mark? Whence will," he therefore went on to ask, "the money required
for this purpose come from?" 50,000 of our money. 30,000, and let
the balance of Tls. he added. "I was just on the point," he rejoined, "of
asking you, aunt, for the loan of two men, so that this suggestion is a
strange coincidence." As he went on to ascertain what were their names, lady Feng inquired
what they were of nurse Chao. "The one," she hastened to reply, "is called Chao T'ien-liang and the
other Chao T'ien-tung." With these words, she left the room, and Chia Jung promptly followed her
out, and with gentle voice he said to her: "Of whatever you want, aunt,
issue orders that a list be drawn up, and I'll give it to my brother to
take with him, and he'll carry out your commissions according to the
list." If I require anything, I'll of
course write and tell you, but we needn't talk about it." Chia Cheng was not up to these ordinary matters, so that it fell to Chia
She, Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Lai Ta, Lai Sheng, Lin Chih-hsiao, Wu
Hsin-teng, Chan Kuang, Ch'eng Jih-hsing and several others to allot the
sites, to set things in order, (and to look after) the heaping up of
rockeries, the digging of ponds, the construction of two-storied
buildings, the erection of halls, the plantation of bamboos and the
cultivation of flowers, everything connected with the improvement of the
scenery devolving, on the other hand, upon Shan Tzu-yeh to make
provision for, and after leaving Court, he would devote such leisure
moments as he had to merely going everywhere to give a look at the most
important spots, and to consult with Chia She and the others; after
which he troubled his mind no more with anything. Or if he had anything to say, he
sent for Chia Lien, Lai Ta and others to come and receive his
instructions. Chia Jung had the sole direction of the manufacture of the
articles in gold and silver; and as for Chia Se, he had already set out
on his journey to Ku Su. "Mr. Ch'in Chung," observed Ming Yen, "is not well at all." "It was only yesterday," he
hastily added, "that I saw him, and he was still bright and cheery; and
how is it that he's anything but well now?" Upon hearing this news, Pao-yü there and then turned round and told
dowager lady Chia; and the old lady issued directions to depute some
trustworthy persons to accompany him. In a short while,
after pressure had been brought to bear, the carriage arrived, and
speedily mounting the vehicle, he drove up to the door of Ch'in Chung's
house, followed by Li Kuei, Ming Yen and the other servants. Not a soul was about. As soon as Pao-yü realised the
situation, he felt unable to repress himself from bursting forth aloud. "Brother Ching," speedily exclaimed Pao-yü, "Pao-yü is here!" He had just caught sight of a number of recording devils, holding a
warrant and carrying chains, coming to seize him, but Ch'in Chung's soul
would on no account go along with them; and remembering how that there
was in his home no one to assume the direction of domestic affairs, and
feeling concerned that Chih Neng had as yet no home, he consequently
used hundreds of arguments in his entreaties to the recording devils;
but alas! these devils would, none of them, show him any favour. On the
contrary, they heaped invectives upon Ch'in Chung. "Gentlemen, spiritual deputies,"
it exclaimed; "show me a little mercy and allow me to return to make
just one remark to an intimate friend of mine, and I'll be back again." "I told you," he shouted, "to let him go back for a turn; but you would
by no means comply with my words! our humble idea is that mortal as he is, and
immortal as we are, it wouldn't be to our credit if we feared him!" Dowager lady Chia afforded monetary assistance to the amount of several
tens of taels; and exclusive of this, she had sacrificial presents
likewise got ready. "These tablets and scrolls," he remarked, "present however a difficult
task. "This proposal is most apposite," rejoined Chia Cheng. "What's more, the
weather is, I rejoice, fine to-day; so let's all go in a company and
have a look." Chia Cheng had, of late, heard the tutor extol him by saying that he
displayed special ability in rhyming antithetical lines, and that
although he did not like to read his books, he nevertheless possessed
some depraved talents, and hence it was that he was induced at this
moment to promptly bid him follow him into the garden, with the intent
of putting him to the test. As soon as they reached the garden gate, and he caught sight of
Chia Chen, standing on one side, along with several managers: "See that
the garden gate is closed for a time," Chia Cheng exclaimed, "for we'll
first see the outside and then go in." Above, the
cylindrical tiles resembled the backs of mud eels. exclaimed all the companions
with one voice. "Quite so," rejoined all of them. After the conclusion of this remark, they cast a glance ahead of them,
and perceived white rugged rocks looking, either like goblins, or
resembling savage beasts, lying either crossways, or in horizontal or
upright positions; on the surface of which grew moss and lichen with
mottled hues, or parasitic plants, which screened off the light; while,
slightly visible, wound, among the rocks, a narrow pathway like the
intestines of a sheep. "Gentlemen," Chia Cheng observed, as he turned his head round and
smiled, "please look at this spot. And various
kinds of names were proposed, which did not fall short of several tens. But of this intention, Pao-yü himself was likewise
cognizant. After listening to the suggestions, Chia Cheng forthwith turned his head
round and bade Pao-yü think of some motto. This line of past days would, if inscribed, be, in fact,
liberal to boot." After listening to the proposed line, they all sang its praise. A pavilion stood on
the bridge, and in this pavilion Chia Chen and the whole party went and
sat. "Gentlemen," he inquired, "what shall we write about this?" rejoined one of the visitors, "capital! "What do you, gentlemen, think of this argument?" Chia Cheng remarked
sneeringly. Chia Cheng pulled his moustache, nodded his head and did not utter a
word; whereupon the whole party hastily pressed forward with one voice
to eulogize Pao-yü's acquirements as extraordinary. Upon hearing these lines, Chia Cheng gave a faint smile, as he nodded
his head, whilst the whole party went on again to be effusive in their
praise. Chia Cheng inquired, laughingly. suggested one of them. "It's commonplace," observed Chia Cheng. Chia Cheng expostulated. But tell me, are
there any that will do among the mottoes suggested just now by all the
gentlemen?" Chia Cheng gave a sardonic smile. "Would not the four characters: 'a
phoenix comes with dignified air,' be better?" O'er is the game of chess by the still window, but the fingers are yet
cold. Chia Cheng shook his head. Chia Cheng, upon hearing this explanation, readily remembered that with
all these concerns Chia Chen had nothing to do; so that he speedily sent
some one to go and call Chia Lien. Having arrived in a short while, "How many sorts of things are there in
all?" Chia Cheng inquired of him. Of each of these kinds, half have come in, but the whole lot of
them will be complete no later than autumn. Inside this
enclosure, stood several thatched cottages. "This is," Chia Cheng observed chuckling, "the place really imbued with
a certain amount of the right principle; and laid out, though it has
been by human labour, yet when it strikes my eye, it so moves my heart,
that it cannot help arousing in me the wish to return to my native place
and become a farmer. "Gentlemen," observed Chia Cheng, "please suggest something." When Chia Cheng heard this remark, he smiled and said, addressing
himself to Chia Chen: "This just reminds me that although this place is
perfect in every respect, there's still one thing wanting in the shape
of a wine board; and you had better then have one made to-morrow on the
very same pattern as those used outside in villages; and it needn't be
anything gaudy, but hung above the top of a tree by means of bamboos." Chia Cheng rejoined, along with all the party. Chia Cheng, with one shout, interrupted their cries, "You ignorant child
of wrath!" he asked. exclaimed Chia Cheng at these words; "what
you simply fancy as exquisite, with that despicable reliance of yours
upon luxury and display, are two-storied buildings and painted pillars! 'A natural landscape,' says, an ancient
author in four words; and why? "Drive
him off," he shouted; (but as Pao-yü) was on the point of going out, he
again cried out: "Come back! make up," he added, "another couplet, and
if it isn't clear, I'll for all this give you a slap on your mouth." Chia Cheng, after this recital, nodded his head. they all exclaimed; "what beautiful scenery!" "Gentlemen," observed Chia Cheng, "what name do you propose for this
place?" Chia Cheng objected laughingly, "and
likewise antiquated." When Chia Cheng heard these words, he exclaimed: "You're talking still
more stuff and nonsense?" and forthwith entering the grotto, Chia Cheng
went on to ask of Chia Chen, "Are there any boats or not?" "There are to be," replied Chia Chen, "four boats in all from which to
pick the lotus, and one boat for sitting in; but they haven't now as yet
been completed." Chia Cheng answered smilingly, "that we cannot go in." "This house, in a site like this, is perfectly destitute of any charm!" And as they entered the door, abruptly appeared facing them, a large
boulder studded with holes and soaring high in the skies, which was
surrounded on all four sides by rocks of every description, and
completely, in fact, hid from view the rooms situated in the compound. Chia Cheng could not refrain from saying; "the only
thing is that I don't know very much about flowers." That
species is the hypericum plant, this the 'Yü Lu' creeper. There are also those
which go under the appellation of 'Lu T'i,' or something like that;
while there are others that are called something or other like 'Tan
Chiao,' 'Mi Wu' and 'Feng Lien;' reference to which is made in the
'Treatise on the Shu city.' he shouted; which plunged Pao-yü into such a
fright, that he drew back, and did not venture to utter another word. Chia Cheng perceiving that on both sides alike were covered passages
resembling outstretched arms, forthwith continued his steps and entered
the covered way, when he caught sight, at the upper end, of a
five-roomed building, without spot or blemish, with folding blinds
extending in a connected line, and with corridors on all four sides; (a
building) which with its windows so green, and its painted walls,
excelled, in spotless elegance, the other buildings they had seen
before, to which it presented such a contrast. Chia Cheng heaved a sigh. "If one were able," he observed, "to boil his
tea and thrum his lyre in here, there wouldn't even be any need for him
to burn any more incense. "Lugubrious, lugubrious!" Chia Cheng tugged at his moustache and gave way to meditation. Near the T'u Mei to sleep, makes e'en a dream with fragrance full!" "This is," laughed Chia Cheng sneeringly, "an imitation of the line:
"A book when it is made of plaintain leaves, the writing green is also
bound to be! "This is the Main Hall," remarked Chia Cheng; "the only word against it
is that there's a little too much finery." "It should be so," rejoined one and all, "so as to be what it's intended
to be! "It should be 'fairy land,'" suggested all of them, "so as to be
apposite!" Chia Cheng nodded his head and said nothing. But he could not at the
moment recall to mind what year, moon, or day this had happened. Chia Cheng bade him again propose a motto; but Pao-yü was bent upon
thinking over the details of the scenery he had seen on a former
occasion, and gave no thought whatever to this place, so that the whole
company were at a loss what construction to give to his silence, and
came simply to the conclusion that, after the bullying he had had to put
up with for ever so long, his spirits had completely vanished, his
talents become exhausted and his speech impoverished; and that if he
were harassed and pressed, he might perchance, as the result of anxiety,
contract some ailment or other, which would of course not be a suitable
issue, and they lost no time in combining together to dissuade Chia
Cheng. Chia Cheng himself was inwardly afraid lest dowager lady Chia should be
anxious, so that he hastily remarked as he forced a smile. "You beast,
there are, after all, also occasions on which you are no good! I'll give you one day to do it in, and if by to-morrow you haven't
been able to compose anything, I shall certainly not let you off. With these words, he showed the way for the family companions until they
reached a large bridge, with water entering under it, looking like a
curtain made of crystal. This bridge, the fact is, was the dam, which
communicated with the river outside, and from which the stream was
introduced into the grounds. Chia Cheng inquired. "This is," replied Pao-yü, "the main stream of the Hsin Fang river, and
is therefore called the Hsin Fang water-gate." exclaimed Chia Cheng. And as they speedily advanced on their way, they either came across
elegant halls, or thatched cottages; walls made of piled-up stone, or
gates fashioned of twisted plants; either a secluded nunnery or Buddhist
fane, at the foot of some hill; or some unsullied houses, hidden in a
grove, tenanted by rationalistic priestesses; either extensive corridors
and winding grottoes; or square buildings, and circular pavilions. But
Chia Cheng had not the energy to enter any of these places, for as he
had not had any rest for ever so long, his legs felt shaky and his feet
weak. "When we get there," Chia Cheng suggested, "we must have a little rest." Chia Cheng entered the gateway in company with the whole party. "There's a homely tradition that it is because it
emanates from the maiden kingdom that its flowers are most prolific; but
this is likewise erratic talk and devoid of common sense." they all remarked unanimously, and as they expressed these
words, the whole company took their seats on the sofas under the
colonnade. "What about regret?" Chia Cheng asked. "It isn't good! Chia Cheng remonstrated as he shook his
head; and while passing this remark, he conducted the party into the
house, where they noticed that the internal arrangements effected
differed from those in other places, as no partitions could, in fact, be
discerned. The various kinds of designs had been
all carved by renowned hands, in variegated colours, inlaid with gold,
and studded with precious gems; while on shelf upon shelf were either
arranged collections of books, or tripods were laid out; either pens and
inkslabs were distributed about, or vases with flowers set out, or
figured pots were placed about; the designs of the shelves being either
round or square; or similar to sunflowers or banana leaves; or like
links, half overlapping each other. they all exclaimed extollingly; "what a labour
they must have been to carry out!" Chia Cheng had actually stepped in; but scarcely had they reached the
second stage, before the whole party readily lost sight of the way by
which they had come in. They glanced on the left, and there stood a
door, through which they could go. They cast their eyes on the right,
and there was a window which suddenly impeded their progress. They went
forward, but there again they were obstructed by a bookcase. But it was only a mirror. And when
they rounded the mirror, they detected a still larger number of doors. they
cried. "What," he said, "you haven't gone yet! "You've been lucky
enough," he said, "to-day to have been in master's good graces! "I'll give each one of you a tiao," Pao-yü rejoined smirkingly. they all exclaimed, "let's have that
purse of yours, and have done with it!" As soon as Lin Tai-yü heard this remark, she crossed over to him and saw
at a glance that not one single trinket was, in fact, left. "Have you
also given them," she felt constrained to ask, "the purse that I gave
you? Well, by and by, when you again covet anything of mine, I shan't
let you have it." "Look at this!" Lin Tai-yü, upon seeing how much he prized it as to wear it
within his clothes, became alive to the fact that it was done with
intent, as he feared lest any one should take it away; and as this
conviction made her sorry that she had been so impetuous as to have cut
the scented bag, she lowered her head and uttered not a word. With these words, he threw the purse in her lap and walked off; which
vexed Tai-yü so much the more that, after giving way to tears, she took
up the purse in her hands to also destroy it with the scissors, when
Pao-yü precipitately turned round and snatched it from her grasp. "All right, that will do! Tai-yü, unable to put up with Pao-yü's importunity, felt compelled to
rise. "Your object seems to be," she remarked, "not to let me have any
rest. If it is, I'll run away from you." Chia Cheng after this, at length, was slightly composed in mind, and
cheerful at heart; and having further invited dowager lady Chia and
other inmates to go into the garden, he deliberated with them on, and
made arrangements for, every detail in such a befitting manner that not
the least trifle remained for which suitable provision had not been
made; and Chia Cheng eventually mustered courage to indite a memorial,
and on the very day on which the memorial was presented, a decree was
received fixing upon the fifteenth day of the first moon of the ensuing
year, the very day of the Shang Yuan festival, for the honourable
consorts to visit their homes. There were also eunuchs who came to assume the patrol of the grounds and
the direction of the defences; and they brought along with them a good
many minor eunuchs, whose duty it was to look after the safety of the
various localities, to screen the place with enclosing curtains, to
instruct the inmates and officials of the Chia mansion whither to go out
and whence to come in from, what side the viands should be brought in
from, where to report matters, and in the observance of every kind of
etiquette; and for outside the mansion, there were, on the other hand,
officers from the Board of Works, and a superintendent of the Police, of
the "Five Cities," in charge of the sweeping of the streets and roads,
and the clearing away of loungers. Silence and stillness prevailed, and not a man
ventured so much as to cough. Dowager lady Chia and the other ladies immediately left for a time and
suited their own convenience, and as everything in the garden devolved
upon lady Feng to supervise, she ordered the butlers to take the eunuchs
and give them something to eat and drink; and at the same time, she sent
word that candles should be brought in and that the lanterns in the
various places should be lit. After another long interval, a second couple arrived, and went
likewise through the same proceedings. In a short time, drew near about
ten couples, when, at length, were heard the gentle strains of music,
and couple by couple advanced with banners, dragons, with fans made with
phoenix feathers, and palace flabella of pheasant plumes; and those
besides who carried gold-washed censers burning imperial incense. There were likewise eunuchs, who took a part in the procession, holding
scented handkerchiefs and embroidered towels, cups for rinsing the
mouth, dusters and other such objects; and company after company went
past, when, at the rear, approached with stately step eight eunuchs
carrying an imperial sedan chair, of golden yellow, with a gold knob and
embroidered with phoenixes. The various
lanterns, above and below, vied in refulgence. In real truth, it was a
crystal region, a world of pearls and precious stones. And though (his
compositions) were not in the bold style of a writer of note, yet they
were productions of their own family, and would, moreover, be
instrumental, when the Chia consort had her notice attracted by them,
and come to know that they were devised by her beloved brother, in also
not rendering nugatory the anxious interest which she had ever
entertained on his behalf, and he, therefore, purposely adopted what had
been suggested by Pao-yü; while for those places, for which on that day
no devices had been completed, a good number were again subsequently
composed to make up what was wanted. After the Chia consort had, for we shall now return to her, perused the
four characters, she gave a smile. "Why is it," the Chia consort inquired, "that there is no tablet in this
Hall?" "This is the main Hall," he
reverently replied, "and the officials, outside the palace, did not
presume to take upon themselves to suggest any motto." After tea had been thrice presented, the Chia consort descended the
Throne, and the music ceased. But
shortly, I shall be gone, and who knows when we shall be able again to
even see each other!" I may not see." "There are here now," madame Wang rejoined with due respect, "kindred
with outside family names, such as Mrs. Hsüeh, née Wang, Pao-ch'ai, and
Tai-yü waiting for your commands; but as they are distant relatives, and
without official status, they do not venture to arrogate to themselves
the right of entering into your presence." Chia Cheng, on his part endeavoured, to restrain his tears. But all I can do is, in the daytime,
to practise diligence, vigilance at night, and loyalty in my official
duties. Mrs. Yu, lady Feng, and the rest pressed forward. "The
banquet is quite ready," they announced, "and your highness is requested
to favour the place with your presence." There were also tablets with four
characters such as: "the peach blossom and the vernal rain;" "the
autumnal wind prunes the Eloecocca," "the artemisia leaves and the night
snow," and other similar names which could not all be placed on record. As for grand sites like these four,
there should be found some out-of-the-way expressions to insert in the
verses so that they should be felicitous. And Li Wan too succeeded, after much
exertion, in putting together a stanza. Submissive to thy will, on boundless bliss bashful I write! Honoured with thy bequest, my shallow lore fills me with shame. No words could e'er amply exhaust the beauteous skill,
For lo! The "Fragrant Plant" the theme is of the ballad fan, green-made. The bamboo groves, when laid, for the phoenix with dignity to come,
were meant to rise. The very eve before the Empress' stroll, elegant texts were ready and
affixed. If even she her parents comes to see, how filial piety supreme must
be! He had just finished two
stanzas on the Hsiao Hsiang Lodge and the Heng Wu garden, and was just
then engaged in composing a verse on the "Happy red Court." "Does 'green wax,'" Pao-yü inquired, "come out from anywhere?" On hearing these words, Pao-yü's mind suddenly became enlightened. As soon as Pao-yü opened it and glanced at it, he realised that it was a
hundred times better than his own three stanzas, and transcribing it
without loss of time, in a bold writing, he handed up his compositions. On perusal, the Chia Consort read what follows. The shadow will be strewn, mind do not shake
And (Hsieh) from her now long fine dream (awake)! With moist the clothes bedews, that verdure cold! Dreams long and subtle, dream the household Hsieh. The green and red, together matched, transcendent grace display. When the Chia consort had done with the perusal, excessive joy filled
her heart. As soon as the performance
was brought to a close, a eunuch walked in holding a golden salver
containing cakes, sweets, and the like, and inquired who was Ling Kuan;
and Chia Se readily concluding that these articles were presents
bestowed upon Ling Kuan, made haste to take them over, as he bade Ling
Kuan prostrate herself. Chia Lan's
gifts consisted of two necklets, one of gold, the other of silver, and
of two pair of gold ingots. Mrs. Yu, widow Li Wan, lady Feng and the
others had each of them, four ingots of gold and silver; and, in the way
of keepsakes, four pieces of silk. There were, in addition, presents
consisting of twenty-four pieces of silk and a thousand strings of good
cash to be allotted to the nurses, and waiting-maids, in the apartments
of dowager lady Chia, madame Wang and of the respective sisters; while
Chia Chen, Chia Lien, Chia Huan, Chia Jung and the rest had, every one,
for presents, a piece of silk, and a pair of gold and silver ingots. "It is easy enough for us to see each other," (she
said,) "and why should we indulge in any excess of grief? Dowager lady Chia and the other inmates had already cried to such an
extent that sobs choked their throats and they could with difficulty
give utterance to speech. But as what follows is not ascertained, the next
chapter will disclose it. In the vehemence of her feelings, Hua (Hsi Jen) on a quiet evening
admonishes Pao-yü. With the extreme strain on mind and body for successive days, the
strength of one and all was, in point of fact, worn out and their
respective energies exhausted. Upon hearing these words, Pao-yü speedily asked them to change his
clothes; but just as he was ready to start, presents of cream, steamed
with sugar, arrived again when least expected from the Chia Consort, and
Pao-yü recollecting with what relish Hsi Jen had partaken of this dish
on the last occasion forthwith bid them keep it for her; while he went
himself and told dowager lady Chia that he was going over to see the
play. With these thoughts, he hastily betook
himself towards the side-house yonder, and as soon as he came up to the
window, he heard the sound of groans in the room. (he thought), "can that beautiful girl,
possibly, have come to life!" and screwing up his courage, he licked a
hole in the paper of the window and peeped in. exclaimed Pao-yü, aloud, unable to repress himself, and,
stamping one of his feet, he walked into the door to the terror of both
of them, who parting company, shivered with fear, like clothes that are
being shaken. Were your master Mr.
Chen to hear of it, would you die or live?" he shouted, "don't you yet bundle
yourself away!" "As for some nearer place," Ming Yen observed; "to whose house can we
go? Hsi Jen's mother had, on this occasion, united in her home Hsi Jen,
several of her sister's daughters, as well as a few of her nieces, and
they were engaged in partaking of fruits and tea, when they heard some
one outside call out, "Brother Hua." she asked. "I felt awfully dull," Pao-yü rejoined with a smile, "and came to see
what you were up to." "You're again up to your larks," she observed, "but what's the aim of
your visit? explained Ming Yen exultingly;
"only we two do, that's all." 'Don't let us go,' I suggested; 'but if you do insist, well
then let us go and have done.'" "Let things alone," he said; "now that
they're already here, there's no need whatever of much ado. The only
thing is that our mean house with its thatched roof is both so crammed
and so filthy that how could you, sir, sit in it!" Hsi Jen's mother also came out at an early period to receive him, and
Hsi Jen pulled Pao-yü in. But Pao-yü, espying that Hsi Jen's two eyes
were slightly red, and that the powder was shiny and moist, quietly
therefore inquired of Hsi Jen, "Why do you cry for no rhyme or reason?" have you," she asked, "put on again your new clothes for? "Well, sit a while and then go back;" Hsi Jen continued as she nodded
her head; "for this isn't the place for you to come to!" "You'd better be going home now," Pao-yü suggested smirkingly; "where
I've again kept something good for you." "Gently," smiled Hsi Jen, "for were you to let them hear, what figure
would we cut?" "It isn't because of harm," Hsi Jen replied; "but because he may come
across some one from the house." "In this covered bowl," she continued to inquire, "is cream, and why not
give it to me to eat?" "Be quick, and leave it alone!" Nurse Li, at these words, felt both angry and ashamed. I shall, yes, eat it, and we'll see what he'll do! and as it's clear
enough that I've incurred blame, I'll come by and by and receive it!" "Not so!" and to present
likewise, on behalf of her mother and sister, her compliments to all the
girls, who were her companions. In a short while, she changed her
costume and divested herself of her fineries, and Pao-yü bade them fetch
the cream. So it's as well that she has had it, for, had it
been kept here, it would have been wasted all for no use! What I fancy
are dry chestnuts; and while you clean a few for me, I'll go and lay the
bed!" Perceiving at the same time
that none of the party were present in the room, he put on a smile and
inquired of Hsi Jen: "Who were those persons dressed in red to day?" "It isn't that," Pao-yü protested smilingly, "it isn't that; if such a
person as that isn't good enough to be dressed in red, who would
forsooth presume to wear it? and if we could, after all, manage to get her into our family, how nice
it would be then!" Upon hearing the two words "get married," he could not repress himself
from again ejaculating: "Hai hai!" Pao-yü, at these words, felt the more distressed. All the
members of my family are elsewhere, and there's only myself in this
place, so that how could I end my days here?" "If I don't let you go, it will verily be difficult for you to get
away!" They may, in all likelihood, give my family some more
ounces of silver to keep me here; that possibly may come about. But, in
truth, I'm also a person of the most ordinary run, and there are many
more superior to me, yea very many! My faithful attendance is an obligation of my
duties, and is no exceptional service! After lending an ear to this argument, Pao-yü cogitated within himself
for a while. "From what you say," he then observed, "when you say you'll
go, it means that you'll go for certain!" "Yes, that I'll go for certain," Hsi Jen rejoined. Besides, though now father be no more, you two have anyhow by putting
things straight again, so adjusted the family estate that it has resumed
its primitive condition. What is more they had sold her under contract until death, in the
distinct reliance that the Chia family, charitable and generous a family
as it was, would, possibly, after no more than a few entreaties, make
them a present of her person as well as the purchase money. Besides, the servant-girls, who acted as personal attendants in the
apartments of the old as well as of the young, were treated so far
unlike the whole body of domestics in the household that the daughters
even of an ordinary and penniless parentage could not have been so
looked up to. If you positively do wish to keep me, I shall, of
course, not go away!" My dear sister,
my own dear sister, not to speak of two or three, but even two or three
hundred of them I'm quite ready to accept. You will, when that time
comes, let me go where I please, as I'll let you speed where you choose
to go!" "Speak decently," she said; "I was on account of this just
about to admonish you, and now here you are uttering all this still more
loathsome trash." "I won't utter these words again," Pao-yü eagerly added. "This is the first fault that you must change," Hsi Jen replied. and what do you
make other people think of you?" "It isn't right that you should sneer at the bonzes and vilify the
Taoist priests, nor mix cosmetics or prepare rouge," Hsi Jen continued;
"but there's still another thing more important, you shouldn't again
indulge the bad habits of licking the cosmetic, applied by people on
their lips, nor be fond of (girls dressed) in red!" "I'll change in all this," Pao-yü added by way of rejoinder; "I'll
change in all this; and if there's anything more be quick and tell me." "I don't care much about it," she replied;
"and were I even to have such good fortune, I couldn't enjoy such a
right. But allowing I could sit in one, there would be no pleasure in
it!" "It's the
third watch of the night," she observed, "and you should go to sleep. As soon as she had swallowed a dose,
Pao-yü bade her cover herself with her bed-clothes so as to bring on
perspiration; while he himself came into Tai-yü's room to look her up. Perceiving that it was Pao-yü, "You had better go for a stroll," Tai-yü
urged, "for the day before yesterday I was disturbed the whole night,
and up to this day I haven't had rest enough to get over the fatigue. since you wish to remain here," she added, "go over there and sit down
quietly, and let's have a chat." "I'll also recline," Pao-yü suggested. Tai-yü urged, "aren't those pillows outside? Tai-yü at this remark opened her eyes wide, and as she raised herself
up: "You're really," she exclaimed laughingly, "the evil star of my
existence! here, please recline on this pillow!" "Whose nail," she went on
to inquire, "has scratched this open?" he therefore asked. "At Yang Chou," he
said, "there's a hill called the Tai hill; and on this hill stands a
cave called the Lin Tzu." "Go on then," Tai-yü suggested, whereupon Pao-yü prosecuted his
raillery. "In this Lin Tzu cave," he said, "there was once upon a time a
whole swarm of rat-elves. In some year or other and on the seventh day
of the twelfth moon, an old rat ascended the throne to discuss matters. We have now in our cave a short supply of fruits of all kinds, and
it would be well that we should seize this opportunity to steal a few
and bring them over.' the old rat ascertained, 'and
how many species of fruits?' 'I
would like,' he said, 'to go and steal the scented taros.' Go forth you may, but first transform yourself
and let us see you.' he observed, 'wait till I transform myself.' With these words on her lips, she readily gave him a pinch, and Pao-yü
hastened to plead for mercy. "Well, one can't feel
surprised at his doing it; for many have ever been the stories stored up
in his brain. The only pity is that when he should make use of old
stories, he invariably forgets them! and while every one else seemed so
cool, he was in such a flurry that he actually perspired! And yet, at
this moment, he happens once again to have a memory!" Lin Tai-yü uses specious language to make sport of Shih Hsiang-yün's
querulous tone of voice. she said. You saw me well enough, but you paid not the least heed to me! she remarked, "and do you
pay any notice to me? No, none at all! But she had, as luck would have it, lost money in gambling on this
occasion, so that she was ready to visit her resentment upon others. Scarcely had he ended this remark, before Ch'ing Wen, who stood by, put
in her word. she interposed, "and what good
would come by hurting her feelings? "I've no money," She Yüeh replied. do so!" As soon as she caught sight of them both: "You
haven't as yet drunk from the marriage cup," she said with a smile full
of irony, "and have you already put up your hair?" "Now that you've come, let me also comb yours for you," Pao-yü
continued. With this remark still on her lips, she straightway quitted the room,
and during this while, Pao-yü having finished combing her hair, asked
She Yüeh to quietly wait upon him, while he went to sleep, as he would
not like to disturb Hsi Jen. But Ying Erh expostulated,
"It was distinctly an ace," she said. Perceiving him
in this plight, "What is the matter?" Pao-yü
inquired, "if this place isn't nice, why then go somewhere else to play. But from reading books, day after day, you've studied so much that
you've become quite a dunce. exclaimed Mrs. Chao, "who bade you (presume so high) as to get
up into that lofty tray? Brother Huan, come out with
you, and follow me and let us go and enjoy ourselves." On the contrary, you
let all these persons teach you to be depraved in your heart, perverse
in your mind, to be sly, artful, and domineering; and you've, besides,
no respect for your own self, but will go with that low-bred lot! But what
you've lost are simply a few cash, and do you behave in this manner? "I've lost," he explained, "some hundred or two
hundred cash." "You have," rejoined lady Feng, "the good fortune of being a gentleman,
and do you make such a fuss for the loss of a hundred or two hundred
cash!" and turning her head round, "Feng Erh," she added, "go and fetch
a thousand cash; and as the girls are all playing at the back, take him
along to go and play. Lin Tai-yü just happened to be standing by, and having set the question
to Pao-yü "Where do you come from?" "Your words are quite devoid of sense," Tai-yü added; "whether you go or
not what's that to me? "If I do ruin my health," Tai-yü rejoined, "and I die, it's my own
lookout! "I _will_ say die," insisted Tai-yü, "die now, at this very moment! "If all we do is to go on nagging in this way," Pao-yü remarked smiling,
"will I any more be afraid to die? on the contrary, it would be better
to die, and be free!" At the sight of him, Tai-yü sobbed still more
fervently and incessantly, and Pao-yü realising the state she was in,
and knowing well enough how arduous a task it would be to bring her
round, began to join together a hundred, yea a thousand kinds of soft
phrases and tender words to console her. "What have you come back again for?" she asked. "Let me die or live, as
I please, and have done! Pao-yü, after listening to all she had to say, hastened to come up to
her. Tai-yü at these words, lowered her head and said not a word. "I did, but
seeing you get angry I felt suddenly in such a terrible blaze, that I at
once took it off!" "If you imitate her," he interposed, "and get into that
habit, you'll also begin to bite your tongue when you talk." But I'll point out some one, and if you venture to jeer her,
I'll at once submit to you." "Who is it?" Tai-yü after hearing these words, gave a sarcastic smile. "I was
wondering," she observed, "who it was. O-mi-to-fu, won't then your reward be manifest to my
eyes!" But reader, do you want to know the sequel? Well, then listen to the
explanation given in the next chapter. The eminent Hsi Jen, with winsome ways, rails at Pao-yü, with a view
to exhortation. The beauteous P'ing Erh, with soft words, screens Chia Lien. But to resume our story. Lin Tai-yü went in pursuit of her as far as the entrance, when she was
impeded from making further progress by Pao-yü, who stretched his arms
out against the posts of the door. "Were I to spare Yün Erh, I couldn't live!" Lin Tai-yü exclaimed, as she
tugged at his arms. At the sight of her, Pao-yü heaved a sigh. "Even when asleep," he
soliloquised, "she can't be quiet! "First quit the room," Tai-yü suggested, "and let us get up!" But Pao-yü paid not so
much as any heed to her, and there and then called for some salt, with
which he rubbed his teeth, and rinsed his mouth. "I've lost one," Pao-yü rejoined. But in a while Pao-yü arrived, and
Pao-ch'ai at once quitted the apartment. Hsi Jen did not make any reply to his first question, and it was only
when he had repeated it that Hsi Jen remarked: "Do you ask me? With this remark still on her lips, she lay herself down on the
stove-couch and closed her eyes. But Hsi Jen kept her eyes closed and
paid no heed to him, so that Pao-yü was quite at a loss how to act. answered She Yüeh, "examine your own self and you'll
readily know!" But a sound of "hu"
reached her ear, as Pao-yü promptly threw it off and once again closed
his eyes and feigned sleep. Hsi Jen distinctly grasped his idea and,
forthwith nodding her head, she smiled coldly. but from this time forth, I'll become mute, and not say one
word to you; and what if I do?" "What have I been up to
again," he asked, "that you're once more at me with your advice? But when did I
hear you, pray, give me a word of advice of any kind?" "Four," replied Hui Hsiang. "The fourth," answered Hui Hsiang. But here was he, on this
occasion, dull and forlorn, a solitary being, gazing at the lamp with an
absolute lack of pleasure. On the contrary,
he was able to feel happy and contented with his own society. And as they will keep advice to
themselves, there will be no fear of any disagreement. he said, "and be careful where you sleep, as you may catch
cold." Indeed, when
you get surfeited on that side, you come over to this, where there are,
after all, such girls as Fours and Fives (Ssu Erh and Wu Erh) to dance
attendance upon you. "How can you know," Pao-yü answered, "the anguish in my heart!" Hsi Jen observed laughing; "if
you do, then you can judge what the state of my heart is! But be quick
and get up, and wash your face and be off!" As soon as madame Wang and lady Feng heard the tidings, they lost no
time in sending round to ascertain whether she was getting on all right
or not, and the doctor replied: "The symptoms are, it is true, serious,
but favourable; but though after all importing no danger, it's necessary
to get ready the silkworms and pigs' tails." Besides, they were all old friends of this woman,
so that, as soon as they conveyed the proposal, she willingly accepted
it. As soon as he
gazed upon her face, he lost control over his senses, and without even
one word of ordinary greeting or commonplace remark, they forthwith,
fervently indulged in a most endearing tête-à-tête. What is more, her
demonstrative ways and free-and-easy talk put even those of a born
coquette to shame, with the result that while Chia Lien, at this time,
longed to become heart and soul one with her, the woman designedly
indulged in immodest innuendoes. but, you'd better be off at once from me here!" And these
formalities observed, Chia Lien once more moved back into his own
bedroom and was reunited with lady Feng. P'ing Erh understood its import, and taking at once the
hair, she concealed it in her sleeve, and there and then came over into
the room on this side, where she produced the hair, and smirkingly asked
Chia Lien, "What's this?" P'ing Erh laughingly exclaimed, "I conceal this,
with every good purpose, from her knowledge, and come to ask you about
it, and you, on the contrary, fly into a rage! But wait till she comes
back, and I'll tell her, and we'll see what will happen." he
entreated, "give it to me, and I won't venture again to fly into a
passion." As soon as it reached the ear of Chia
Lien, he was at a loss whether it was better to let her go or to snatch
it away, and kept on shouting, "My dear girl! P'ing Erh at once rose to her feet; but lady Feng had already entered
the room; and she went on to bid P'ing Erh be quick and open a box and
find a pattern for madame Wang. P'ing Erh expressed her obedience with
alacrity; but while in search of it, lady Feng caught sight of Chia
Lien; and suddenly remembering something, she hastened to ask P'ing Erh
about it. "The other day," she observed, "some things were taken out, and have you
brought them all in or not?" P'ing Erh assented. P'ing Erh laughed. "It's enough," she rejoined, "that there's nothing
short; and how could there really turn out to be anything over and
above?" With these words still on her lips, she took the patterns and went her
way; whereupon P'ing Erh pointed at her nose, and shook her head to and
fro. "In this matter," she smiled, "how much you should be grateful to
me!" if you treat me kindly, then
well and good! but if you behave unkindly, then we'll at once produce
this thing!" and she's only to hobnob with men, and I'm not to say a word to
any girl! and if I do say aught to a girl, or get anywhere near one, she
must at once give way to suspicion. "You two," continued Chia Lien, "have a mouth full of malicious breath! This sentence was scarcely at an end, when lady Feng walked into the
court. and what do you mean, instead, by running out, and speaking with the
window between?" "You
should ask her," he said. "It would verily seem as if there were a tiger
in the room to eat her up." P'ing Erh hastily asked, as soon as she
had heard what she said. "If they don't allude to you," she
continued, "to whom do they?" Well then, I'll get out of
the way of both of you!" "I'll see where you'll go and hide," lady Feng observed. What it is, is not yet known, but, reader, listen to the account given
in the next chapter. Upon hearing the text of the stanza, Pao-yü comprehends the Buddhistic
spells. exclaimed Chia Lien; "you have made, time and
again, arrangements for ever so many birthdays of grown-up people, and
do you, really, find yourself on this occasion without any resources?" "Do you, pray, mean to
insinuate," she added, "that I'm not aware of even this! "That will do, that will do!" With these words still in his mouth, he forthwith went off. And is this now enough for
wines, and enough for the theatricals?" I myself am looked upon as
having the gift of the gab, but why is it that I can't talk in such a
wise as to put down this monkey? Your mother-in-law herself doesn't dare
to be so overbearing in her speech; and here you are jabber, jabber with
me!" With these words, she again enticed dowager lady Chia to laugh for a
while. As he passed this remark, he pulled her up, and taking her hand in his
own, they walked out of the room and came and had breakfast. Dowager lady Chia was, of course, still more elated. the stage effect is grand, but what is still
better are the apt and elegant passages in it." Pao-yü, upon hearing her speak of such points of beauty, hastily drew
near to her. As soon as Pao-yü had listened to her recital, he was so full of
enthusiasm, that, clapping his knees with his hands, and shaking his
head, he gave vent to incessant praise; after which he went on to extol
Pao-ch'ai, saying: "There's no book that you don't know." But, in due course, the whole
party watched the performance until evening, when they broke up. Shih Hsiang-yün, however, readily took up the conversation. "He
resembles," she interposed, "cousin Lin's face!" "There will be ample time to pack
up, on the day on which we go!" Pao-yü, at these words, lost no time in pressing forward. If others poke fun at her, they all do so with impunity,
while if I say anything, I at once incur blame. "And yet," pleaded Pao-yü, full of perplexity, "I had done it for your
sake; and through this, I've come in for reproach. And though Hsi Jen had, at an early hour, come to know the
circumstances, she could not very well at this juncture tender any
advice. Pao-yü remained standing in such a vacant mood that Tai-yü imagined that
he had gone back; but when she came to open the door she caught sight of
Pao-yü still waiting in there; and as Tai-yü did not feel justified to
again close the door, Pao-yü consequently followed her in. "This offence can, anyhow, be
condoned; but, what is more, why did you also wink at Yün Erh? and had she given me any offence,
what concern would that too have been of yours?" And the more he therefore indulged in
reflection, the more depressed he felt. "What about the whole company, and they and I?" "They all
have their mutual friendships; while I, poor fellow, all forlorn, have
none to care a rap for me." Here's a slip of paper, and
see what there is on it!" and speedily taking what Pao-yü had written a
short while back, she handed it over to Tai-yü to examine. go, come whene'er thou list; 'tis naught to
me. Sorrow or joy, without limit or bound, to indulge thou art free! Even at this time when I look back and think, my mind no pleasure
knows. The three of them crossed over, in point of fact, into Pao-yü's room,
and Tai-yü was the first to smile and observe. "Pao-yü, may I ask you
something? What is most valuable is a precious thing; and what is most
firm is jade, but what value do you possess and what firmness is innate
in you?" While Hsiang-yün also clapped
her hands and laughed, "Cousin Pao has been discomfited." "Which is certainly good; but in my view, its excellence is not as yet
complete! "There should, in very truth, be this adjunct to make it thoroughly
explicit!" "And Hui Neng, who was at this time in the cook-house pounding rice,
overheard this enigma. what I did
amounts to nothing more than nonsensical trash, written, at the spur of
the moment, and nothing else." Those composed by you, young ladies, have likewise
all been guessed; but Her Majesty does not know whether her solutions
are right or not." After the party had listened to these words, they all pressed forward to
see what had been written. "He
says," Mrs. Li stood up and rejoined with a smile, "that as your master
didn't go just then to ask him round, he has no wish to come!" "This refers," she said, "to the name of a fruit." Chia Cheng was already aware that it was a lichee, but he designedly
made a few guesses at random, and was fined several things; but he
subsequently gave, at length, the right answer, and also obtained a
present from her ladyship. and turning his head round, "Be
quick," he cried, "and bring the prizes and present them!" Pao-yü took hold of the decanter, while Ying Ch'un presented the cup of
wine. Chia Cheng signified his obedience, and rising and walking up to the
front of the screen, he noticed the first riddle, which was one composed
by the Imperial consort Yüan, in this strain:
The pluck of devils to repress in influence it abounds,
Like bound silk is its frame, and like thunder its breath resounds. But one report rattles, and men are lo! Chia Cheng inquired. "It is," Pao-yü assented. Chia Cheng then went on to peruse that of Ying-Ch'un's, which referred
to an article of use:
Exhaustless is the principle of heavenly calculations and of human
skill;
Skill may exist, but without proper practice the result to find hard
yet
will be! "It's an abacus," Chia Cheng observed. "It would seem," Chia Cheng suggested, "as if that must be a kite!" Both by the lute and in the quilt, it lacks luck to abide! At midnight, maids no trouble have a new one to provide! The head, it glows during the day, as well as in the night! Its heart, it burns from day to day and 'gain from year to year! Changes might come, but it defies wind, rain, days dark or bright! Chia Cheng inquired. exclaimed Chia Cheng, "my guess is that it's a
looking-glass. he rejoined. "This is, however, anonymous; whose work is it?" Chia Cheng went on to
ask, and dowager lady Chia interposed: "This, I fancy, must have been
composed by Pao-yü," and Chia Cheng then said not a word, but continued
reading the following conundrum, which was that devised by Pao-ch'ai, on
some article or other:
Eyes though it has; eyeballs it has none, and empty 'tis inside! When Chia Cheng finished scanning it, he gave way to reflection. "This
object," he pondered, "must surely be limited in use! As soon as Chia Cheng caught this hint, he speedily assented several
consecutive yes's; and when he had further done his best to induce old
lady Chia to have a cup of wine, he eventually withdrew out of the Hall. "In this," he remarked,
"this line isn't happy; and that one, hasn't been suitably solved!" while he behaved just like a monkey, whose fetters had been let loose. But now, reader, listen to the sequel given in the chapter which
follows. Yes, let this be done!" "Wait a while,"
she observed with a smirk, "and listen to what I've got to tell you! "I know nothing about it," Chia Lien rejoined smilingly, "and as you
have the knack you yourself had better go and tell him!" "Are you speaking in earnest," she inquired, "or are you only
jesting?" "Well if that be really so," Chia Lien rejoined, "it will after all do! But there's only one thing; all I was up to last night was simply to
have some fun with you, but you obstinately and perversely wouldn't." It was, indeed, about the young bonzes, and Chia Lien
readily carried out lady Feng's suggestion. "My precious darling" she urged, "just you go, and I'll
stand by you! But to all he tells you,
whatever you do, mind you acquiesce and it will be all right!" As soon as they caught sight of Pao-yü, they puckered up their
mouths and laughed at him; while Chin Ch'uan grasped Pao-yü with one
hand, and remarked in a low tone of voice: "On these lips of mine has
just been rubbed cosmetic, soaked with perfume, and are you now inclined
to lick it or not?" Chia Cheng
and madame Wang were, in fact, both in the inner rooms, and dame Chou
raised the portière. "Ever since you, mother, bade me take them," Pao-yü rejoined, "Hsi Jen
has daily sent me one, when I was about to turn in." It must, for a certainty, be
Pao-yü!" "Get away, off with you!" In plenteous streams the candles' tears do drop, but for whom do they
weep? The cover over me I'll pull, as I am loth to laugh and talk for long. The banisters of glass, the cool zephyr enjoy flapped by the willow
trees. In the stream-spanning kiosk, the curtains everywhere all at one time
do wave. The sheen, which from Selene flows, pervades the windows of carnation
gauze. The moss-locked, streaked rocks shelter afford to the cranes, plunged
in sleep. The dew, blown on the t'ung tree by the well, doth wet the roosting
rooks. Wrapped in a quilt, the maid comes the gold phoenix coverlet to
spread. The girl, who on the rails did lean, on her return drops the
kingfisher flowers! This quiet night his eyes in sleep he cannot close, as he doth long
for wine. The smoke is stifled, and the fire restirred, when tea is ordered to
be brewed. The picture of a winter night is in this strain:
The sleep of the plum trees, the dream of the bamboos the third watch
have already reached. The shadow of fir trees pervades the court, but cranes are all that
meet the eye. Both far and wide the pear blossom covers the ground, but yet the hawk
cannot be heard. The wish, verses to write, fostered by the damsel with the green
sleeves, has waxéd cold. The master, with the gold sable pelisse, cannot endure much wine. There were besides another sort of
light-headed young men, whose heart was so set upon licentious and
seductive lines, that they even inscribed them on fans and screen-walls,
and time and again kept on humming them and extolling them. But who would have anticipated that he
could ever in his quiet seclusion have become a prey to a spirit of
restlessness? As soon as Pao-yü caught sight
of them, he felt as if he had obtained some gem or jewel. "That's right, well done!" Pao-yü remarked smiling; "come and sweep
these flowers, and throw them into the water yonder. "It isn't right," Lin Tai-yü rejoined, "to throw them into the water. The water, which you see, is clean enough here, but as soon as it finds
its way out, where are situated other people's grounds, what isn't there
in it? Pao-yü, after listening to these words, felt inexpressibly delighted. he smiled, "until I put down my book, and I'll help you to clear
them up!" "Cousin, tell me is it nice or not?" Lin Tai-yü replied exultingly. Lin Tai-yü became, at these words, unconsciously crimson all over her
cheeks, even up to her very ears; and raising, at the same moment, her
two eyebrows, which seemed to knit and yet not to knit, and opening wide
those eyes, which seemed to stare and yet not to stare, while her
peach-like cheeks bore an angry look and on her thin-skinned face lurked
displeasure, she pointed at Pao-yü and exclaimed: "You do deserve death,
for the rubbish you talk! As soon as she pronounced the two words "insult me," her eyeballs at
once were suffused with purple, and turning herself round she there and
then walked away; which filled Pao-yü with so much distress that he
jumped forward to impede her progress, as he pleaded: "My dear cousin, I
earnestly entreat you to spare me this time! "Go on, go on!" Lin Tai-yü readily knew that it was the twelve singing-girls
rehearsing a play; and though she did not give her mind to go and
listen, yet a couple of lines were of a sudden blown into her ears, and
with such clearness, that even one word did not escape. "Really," she thought, "there is
fine diction even in plays! Lin Tai-yü's sentimental reflections
were the while reeling and ravelling in an intricate maze, when
unexpectedly some one from behind gave her a tap, saying: "What are you
up to all alone here?" Lin Tai-yü
replied, "you've given me such a fright! "I've come," she added, "in search of
our young lady, but I can't find her anywhere. But we need not speak of either of them, but
return now to Pao-yü. clinging to her person, as he uttered these words, like
twisted sweetmeat. cried Yüan Yang at once, "come out and see! He's Yün Erh, the son of our fifth
sister-in-law, who lives in the back court!" With this remark still on his lips, he laid hold of the saddle and
mounted his horse; and, followed by the whole bevy of pages, he crossed
over to Chia She's on this side; where having discovered that Chia She
had nothing more the matter with him than a chill which he had suddenly
contracted, he commenced by delivering dowager lady Chia's message, and
next paid his own obeisance. But scarcely had they had tea, before they perceived Chia
Tsung come in to pay his respects to Pao-yü. "My senior aunt, you said you had something to tell me, Pao-yü observed;
what's it, I wonder?" As soon as he saw
Chia Lien, he inquired what business it was that had turned up, and Chia
Lien consequently explained: "The other day something did actually
present itself, but as it happened that your aunt had again and again
entreated me, I gave it to Chia Ch'in; as she promised me that there
would be by and by in the garden several other spots where flowers and
trees would be planted; and that when this job did occur, she would, for
a certainty, give it to you and finish!" With these words, he hastily went at the
back to change his clothes. This Pu Shih-jen, it must be explained, kept, at the
present date, a shop for the sale of spices. He had just returned home
from his shop, and as soon as he noticed Chia Yun, he inquired of him
what business brought him there. "Don't," he said, "again allude to
any such thing as selling on tick! Besides, the stock of these articles is now
short, and were you also to come, with ready money to this our mean shop
to buy any, we wouldn't even have as much to give you. As soon as Ni Erh heard the tone of his voice, he opened wide his
drunken eyes and gave him a look; and realising that it was Chia Yün, he
hastened to loosen his grasp and to remark with a smile, as he staggered
about, "Is it you indeed, master Chia Secundus? After which, he went on to tell Ni Erh
the whole affair with Pu Shih-jen. As soon as Ni Erh heard him, he got
into a frightful rage; "Were he not," he shouted, a "relative of yours,
master Secundus, I would readily give him a bit of my mind! With this remark still on his lips, he produced from his pouch a bundle
of silver. On my return home, I'll write the
customary I.O.U., and send it to you, and all will be in order." "It's only fifteen taels and three mace," he
answered, "and if you insist upon writing an I.O.U., I won't then lend
it to you!" Chia Yün at these words, took over the money, smiling the while. He had, at quite an unexpected juncture, met this piece of luck, so that
his heart was, of course, delighted to the utmost degree. As soon as she saw him enter, she inquired
where he had been the whole day long, in reply to which Chia Yün,
fearing lest his parent should be angry, forthwith made no allusion to
what transpired with Pu Shih-jen, but simply explained that he had been
in the western mansion, waiting for his uncle Secundus, Lien. But as it was already dark, when the lamps
had to be lit, Chia Yün, after partaking of his meal, got ready and
turned in. "You have, indeed, the knack of telling lies!" Even so late as yesterday evening, she alluded to
you, aunt! As soon as lady Feng heard these words, her whole face beamed with
smiles, and she unconsciously halted her steps, while she proceeded to
ask: "How is it that, both your mother and yourself, tattle about me
behind my back, without rhyme or reason?" "There's a reason for it," Chia Yün observed, "which is simply this. With these words still on his lips, he simultaneously produced an
ornamented box, which he handed over to her. As soon as Chia Yün entered the court, he stamped his foot and shouted,
"The monkeys are up to mischief! and, "My dear girl," he consequently went on to say, "go
in and take a message. Say that Mr. Secundus, who lives under the
portico, has come!" and while with his lips he uttered these words, he, with his
eyes, stared at the servant-girl, who was still standing in there. "Of my appeal to uncle, you needn't, aunt, make any
mention; for I'm at this moment full of regret at having made it. But who would
have anticipated that uncle was, after all, a man of no worth!" "You know in truth how to draw a long thread," lady Feng observed
laughing. "But hadn't it been that your uncle had spoken to me on your
account, I wouldn't have concerned myself about you. "I am," rejoined that waiting-maid. "But since you belong to this room, how is it I don't know you?" When the maid heard these words, she forced a laugh. "There are even
many," she explained, "that are strangers to you; and is it only myself? "I too," answered the maid, "find it as difficult to answer such a
question. There's however one thing that I must report to you, master
Secundus. "You barefaced, low-bred thing!" cried Ch'iu Wen, turning towards her
and spurting in her face. But don't we forsooth, even so much as come up to you? "Some one or other called Mr. Yün, living at the back portico," the old
woman observed. she
asked. "Come over," Chia Yün smiled, "and I'll tell you!" Now, reader, do you want to know the sequel? Chap. There are other better and
more complete English translations, but this is the only one we could
find that is in the public domain in the USA. There were far too many punctuation errata that were corrected,
to list them all here. 'Dote, dotes,' etc. was consistently spelled 'doat, doats,' etc. The
word 'speciality' appears only once, and that is the proper British
spelling. There were also variations of use of apostrophes
in proper names, and many were corrected. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Hung Lou Meng, Book I, by Cao Xueqin