The Debt of Tears

by Cao Xueqin

  To learn if she survived this crisis, please read the next chapter.

  Chapter 97

  Lin Dai-yu burns her poems to signal the end of her heart’s folly

  And Xue Bao-chai leaves home to take part in a solemn rite

  We have seen how Dai-yu, on reaching the entrance of the Naiad’s House, and on hearing Nightingale’s cry of relief, slumped forward, vomited blood and almost fainted. Luckily Nightingale and Ripple were both at hand to assist her into the house. When Ripple left, Nightingale and Snowgoose stood by Dai-yu’s bedside and watched her gradually come round.

  ‘Why are you two standing round me crying?’ asked Dai-yu, and Nightingale, greatly reassured to hear her talking sense again, replied:

  ‘On your way back from Her Old Ladyship’s; Miss, you had quite a nasty turn. We were scared and did not know what to do. That’s why we were crying.’

  ‘I am not going to die yet!’ said Dai-yu, with a bitter smile. But before she could even finish this sentence, she was doubled up and gasping for breath once more.

  When she had learned earlier that day that Bao-yu and Bao-chai were to be married, the shock of knowing that what she had feared for so long was now about to come true, had thrown her into such a turmoil that at first she had quite taken leave of her senses. Now that she had brought up the blood, her mind gradually became clearer. Though at first she could remember nothing, when she saw Nightingale crying, Simple’s words slowly came back to her. This time she did not succumb to her emotions, but set her heart instead on a speedy death and final settlement of her debt with fate.

  Nightingale and Snowgoose could only stand by helplessly. They would have gone to inform the ladies, but were afraid of a repetition of the last occasion, when Xi-feng had rebuked them for creating a false alarm. Ripple had already given all away, however, by the look of horror on her face when she returned to Grandmother Jia’s apartment. The old lady, who had just risen from her midday nap, asked her what the matter was, and in her shocked state Ripple told her all that she had just witnessed.

  ‘What a terrible thing!’ exclaimed Grandmother Jia, aghast. She sent for Lady Wang and Xi-feng at once, and told them both the news.

  ‘But I gave instructions to everyone to observe strict secrecy,’ said Xi-feng. ‘Who can have betrayed us? Now we have another problem on our hands.’

  ‘Never mind that for the moment,’ said Grandmother Jia. ‘We must first find out how she is.’

  She took Lady Wang and Xi-feng with her to visit Dai-yu, and they arrived to find her barely conscious, breathing in faint little gasps, her face bloodless and white as snow. After a while she coughed again. A maid brought the spittoon and they watched with horror as she spat out a mouthful of blood and phlegm. Dai-yu faintly opened her eyes, and seeing Grandmother Jia standing at her bedside, struggled to find breath to speak.

  ‘Grandmother! Your love for me has been in vain.’

  Grandmother Jia was most distraught.

  ‘There now, my dear, you must rest. There is nothing to fear.’

  Dai-yu smiled faintly and closed her eyes again. A maid came in to tell Xi-feng that the doctor had arrived. The ladies withdrew, and doctor Wang came in with Jia Lian. He took Dai-yu’s pulses, and said:

  ‘As yet, there is no cause for alarm. An obstruction of morbid humours has affected the liver, which is unable to store the blood, and as a consequence her spirit has been disturbed. I shall prescribe a medicine to check the Yin, and to halt the flow of blood. I think all will be well.’

  Doctor Wang left the room, accompanied by Jia Lian, to write out his prescription.

  Grandmother Jia could tell that this time Dai-yu was seriously ill, and as they left the room, she said to Lady Wang and Xi-feng:

  ‘I do not wish to sound gloomy or bring her bad luck, but I fear she has small hope of recovery, poor child. You must make ready her grave-clothes and coffin. Who knows, such preparations may even turn her luck. She may recover, which will be a mercy for us all. But it would be sensible anyway to be prepared for the worst, and not be taken unawares. We shall be so busy over the next few days.’

  Xi-feng said she would make the necessary arrangements. Grandmother Jia then questioned Nightingale, but she had no idea who it was that had upset Dai-yu. The more she thought about it, the more it puzzled Grandmother Jia, and she said to Xi-feng and Lady Wang:

  ‘I can understand that the two of them should have grown rather fond of one another, after growing up together and playing together as children. But now that they are older and more mature, the time has come for them to observe a certain distance. She must behave properly, if she is to earn my love. It’s quite wrong of her to think she can disregard such things. Then all my love will have been in vain! What you have told me troubles me.’

  She returned to her apartment and sent for Aroma again. Aroma repeated to her all that she had told Lady Wang on the previous occasion, and in addition described the scene earlier that day between Dai-yu and Bao-yu.

  ‘And yet, when I saw her just now,’ said Grandmother Jia, ‘she still seemed able to talk sense. I simply cannot understand it. Ours is a decent family. We do not tolerate unseemly goings-on. And that applies to foolish romantic attachments. If her illness is of a respectable nature, I do not mind how much we have to spend to get her better. But if she is suffering from some form of lovesickness, no amount of medicine will cure it and she can expect no further sympathy from me either.’

  ‘You really shouldn’t worry about Cousin Lin, Grandmother,’ said Xi-feng. ‘Lian will be visiting her regularly with the doctor. We must concentrate on the wedding arrangements. Early this morning I heard that the finishing touches were being put to the bridal courtyard. You and Aunt Wang and I should go over to Aunt Xue’s for a final consultation. There is one thing that occurs to me, however: with Bao-chai there, it will be rather awkward for us to discuss the wedding. Maybe we should ask Aunt Xue to come over here tomorrow evening, and then we can settle everything at once.’

  Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang agreed that her proposal was a good one, and said:

  ‘It is too late today. Tomorrow after lunch, let us all go over together.’

  Grandmother Jia’s dinner was now served, and Xi-feng and Lady Wang returned to their apartments.

  Next day, Xi-feng came over after breakfast. Wishing to sound out Bao-yu according to her plan, she advanced into his room and said:

  ‘Congratulations, Cousin Bao! Uncle Zheng has already chosen a lucky day for your wedding! Isn’t that good news?’

  Bao-yu stared at her with a blank smile, and nodded his head faintly.

  ‘He is marrying you,’ went on Xi-feng, with a studied smile, ‘to your cousin Lin. Are you happy?’

  Bao-yu burst out laughing. Xi-feng watched him carely, but could not make out whether he had understood her, or was simply raving. She went on:

  ‘Uncle Zheng says, you are to marry Miss Lin, if you get better. But not if you carry on behaving like a half-wit.’

  Bao-yu’s expression suddenly changed to one of utter seriousness, as he said:

  ‘I’m not a half-wit. You’re the half-wit.’

  He stood up.

  ‘I am going to see Cousin Lin, to set her mind at rest.’

  Xi-feng quickly put out a hand to stop him.

  ‘She knows already. And, as your bride-to-be, she would be much too embarrassed to receive you now.’

  ‘What about when we’re married? Will she see me then?’

  Xi-feng found this both comic and somewhat disturbing.

  ‘Aroma was right,’ she thought to herself. ‘Mention Dai-yu, and while he still talks like an idiot, he at least seems to understand what’s going on. I can see we shall be in real trouble, if he sees through our scheme and finds out that his bride is not to be Dai-yu after all.’

  In reply to his question, she said, suppressing a smile:

  ‘If you behave, she will see you. But not if you continue to act like an imbecile.’

&n
bsp; To which Bao-yu replied:

  ‘I have given my heart to Cousin Lin. If she marries me, she will bring it with her and put it back in its proper place.’

  Now this was madman’s talk if ever, thought Xi-feng. She left him, and walked back into the outer room, glancing with a smile in Grandmother Jia’s direction. The old lady too found Bao-yu’s words both funny and distressing.

  ‘I heard you both myself,’ she said to Xi-feng. ‘For the present, we must ignore it. Tell Aroma to do her best to calm him down. Come, let us go.’

  Lady Wang joined them, and the three ladies went across to Aunt Xue’s. On arrival there, they pretended to be concerned about the course of Xue Pan’s affair. Aunt Xue expressed her profound gratitude for this concern, and gave them the latest news. After they had all taken tea, Aunt Xue was about to send for Bao-chai, when Xi-feng stopped her, saying:

  ‘There is no need to tell Cousin Chai that we are here, Auntie.’

  With a diplomatic smile, she continued:

  ‘Grandmother’s visit today is not purely a social one. She has something of importance to say, and would like you to come over later so that we can all discuss it together.’

  Aunt Xue nodded.

  ‘Of course.’

  After a little more chat, the three ladies returned.

  That evening Aunt Xue came over as arranged, and after paying her respects to Grandmother Jia, went to her sister’s apartment. First there was the inevitable scene of sisterly commiseration over Wang Zi-teng’s death. Then Aunt Xue said:

  ‘Just now when I was at Lady Jia’s, young Bao came out to greet me and seemed quite well. A little thin perhaps, but certainly not as ill as I had been led to expect from your description and Xi-feng’s.’

  ‘No, it is really not that serious,’ said Xi-feng. ‘It’s only Grandmother who will worry so. Her idea is that it would be reassuring for Sir Zheng to see Bao-yu married before he leaves, as who knows when he will be able to come home from his new posting. And then from Bao-yu’s own point of view, it might be just the thing to turn his luck. With Cousin Chai’s golden locket to counteract the evil influence, he should make a good recovery.’

  Aunt Xue was willing enough to go along with the idea, but was concerned that Bao-chai might feel rather hard done by.

  ‘I see nothing against ..,’ she said. ‘But I think we should all take time to think it over properly.’

  In accordance with Xi-feng’s plan, Lady Wang went on:

  ‘As you have no head of family present, we should like you to dispense with the usual trousseau. Tomorrow you should send Ke to let Pan know that while we proceed with the wedding, we shall continue to do our utmost to settle his court-case.’

  She made no mention of Bao-yu’s feelings for Dai-yu, but continued:

  ‘Since you have given your consent, the sooner they are married, the sooner things will look up for everyone.’

  At this point, Faithful came in to take back a report to Grandmother Jia. Though Aunt Xue was still concerned about Bao-chai’s feelings, she saw that in the circumstances she had no choice, and agreed to everything they had suggested. Faithful reported this to Grandmother Jia, who was delighted and sent her back again to ask Mrs Xue to explain to Bao-chai why it was that things were being done in this way, so that she would not feel unfairly treated. Aunt Xue agreed to do this, and it was settled that Xi-feng and Jia Lian would act as official go-betweens. Xi-feng retired to her apartment, while Aunt Xue and Lady Wang stayed up talking together well into the night.

  Next day, Aunt Xue returned to her apartment and told Bao-chai the details of the proposal, adding:

  ‘I have already given my consent.’

  At first Bao-chai hung her head in silence. Then she began to cry. Aunt Xue said all that she could to comfort her, and went to great lengths to explain the reasoning behind the decision. Bao-chai retired to her room, and Bao-qin went in to keep her company and cheer her up. Aunt Xue also spoke to Ke, instructing him as follows:

  ‘You must leave tomorrow. Find out the latest news of Pan’s judgement, and then convey this message to him. Return as soon as you possibly can.’

  Xue Ke was away for four days, at the end of which time he returned to report to Aunt Xue.

  ‘The Circuit Judge has ratified the verdict of manslaughter, and after the next hearing his final memorial will be presented to the Provincial Supreme Court for confirmation. We should have the commutation money ready. As for Cousin Chai’s affair, Cousin Pan approves entirely of your decision, Aunt. And he says that curtailing the formalities will save us a lot of money too. You are not to wait for him, but should do whatever you think best.’

  Aunt Xue’s mind was greatly eased by the knowledge that Xue Pan would soon be free to come home, and that there were now no further obstacles to the marriage. She could see that Bao-chai was unwilling to be married in this way, but reasoned with herself: ‘Even if this is not what she ideally wants, she is my daughter and has always been obedient and well-bred. She knows I have agreed to it, and will not go against my wishes.’

  She instructed Xue Ke:

  ‘We must prepare the betrothal-card. Take some fine gold-splash paper and write on it the Stems and Branches of Bao-chai’s birth. Then take it to Cousin Lian. Find out which day has been fixed for the exchange of presents, and make all the necessary preparations for sending ours. We shall not be inviting any friends or relatives to the wedding. Pan’s friends are a worthless lot, as you yourself said, while our relations consist mainly of the Jias and the Wangs. The Jias are groom’s family, and there are no Wangs in the capital at present. When Xiang-yun was engaged, the Shis did not invite us, so we need not get in touch with them. The only person I think we should invite is our business manager, Zhang De-hui. He is an older man and experienced in such things, and will be a help to us.’

  Xue Ke carried out these instructions, and sent a servant over with the betrothal-card. Next day, Jia Lian came to visit Aunt Xue. After paying his respects, he said:

  ‘I have consulted the almanac, and tomorrow is a most propitious day. I have come here today to propose that our two families exchange presents tomorrow. And please, Aunt Xue, do not be too critical about the arrangements.’

  He presented the groom’s notice, which bore the date of the wedding. Aunt Xue said a few polite words of acceptance and nodded her assent. Jia Lian returned at once and reported to Jia Zheng.

  ‘Report to your Grandmother,’ said Jia Zheng, ‘and say that as we are not inviting anybody, the wedding should be kept very simple. She can exercise her discretion over the presents. There is no need to consult me any further.’

  Jia Lian bowed, and went in to convey this message to Grandmother Jia. Meanwhile Lady Wang had told Xi-feng to bring in the presents that were being given on Bao-yu’s behalf, for Grandmother Jia’s inspection. She also told Aroma to bring Bao-yu in to see them. He seemed highly amused by the whole business, and said:

  ‘It seems such a waste of everyone’s time, to send all these things from here to the Garden, and then have them brought all the way back, when it’s all in the family anyway!’

  This seemed to Lady Wang and Grandmother Jia sufficient proof that, whatever anyone might have said to the contrary, Bao-yu still had his wits about him, and they said as much to each other in tones of some satisfaction. Faithful and the other maids could not help but smile too. They brought the presents in and displayed them one by one, describing them as they went along:

  ‘A gold necklace and other jewellery in gold and precious stones – altogether eighty pieces; forty bolts of dragon-brocade for formal wear and one hundred and twenty bolts of silks and satins in various colours; one hundred and twenty costumes for the four seasons of the year. They have not had time in the kitchen to prepare the sheep and wine, so this is money in lieu.’

  Grandmother Jia expressed her approval, and said softly to Xi-feng:

  ‘You must tell Mrs Xue not to think of this as an empty formality. In due course, when Pan i
s back and she has that weight off her mind, she can have these made up into dresses for Chai. In the meantime, we shall take care of all the bedcovers for the wedding-day.’

  ‘Yes Grandmother,’ replied Xi-feng, and returned to her apartment. She sent Jia Lian over first to Aunt Xue’s, then summoned Zhou Rui and Brightie to receive their instructions.

  ‘When delivering the presents,’ she said, ‘you are not to use the main gate. Use the little side-gate in the garden, that used to be kept open. I shall be going over myself shortly. The side-gate has the advantage of being a long way from the Naiad’s House. If anyone from any other apartment notices you, you are to tell them on no account to mention it at the Naiad’s House.’

  ‘Yes ma’am.’

  The two men departed for Aunt Xue’s apartment at the head of a contingent of servants bearing the presents.

  Bao-yu was quite taken in by all this. His new feeling of happy anticipation had caused a general improvement in his health, though his manner of speech remained rather eccentric at times. When the present-bearers returned, the whole thing was accomplished without a single name being mentioned. The family and all the staff knew, but were under orders from Xi-feng to maintain absolute secrecy, and no one dared disobey.

  *

  Dai-yu meanwhile, for all the medicine she took, continued to grow iller with every day that passed. Nightingale did her utmost to raise her spirits. Our story finds her standing once more by Dai-yu’s bedside, earnestly beseeching her:

  ‘Miss, now that things have come to this pass, I simply must speak my mind. We know what it is that’s eating your heart out. But can’t you see that your fears are groundless? Why, look at the state Bao-yu is in! How can he possibly get married, when he’s so ill? You must ignore these silly rumours, stop fretting and let yourself get better.’

  Dai-yu gave a wraithlike smile, but said nothing. She started coughing again and brought up a lot more blood. Nightingale and Snowgoose came closer and watched her feebly struggling for breath. They knew that any further attempt to rally her would be to no avail, and could do nothing but stand there watching and weeping. Each day Nightingale went over three or four times to tell Grandmother Jia, but Faithful, judging the old lady’s attitude towards Dai-yu to have hardened of late, intercepted her reports and hardly mentioned Dai-yu to her mistress. Grandmother Jia was preoccupied with the wedding arrangements, and in the absence of any particular news of Dai-yu, did not show a great deal of interest in the girl’s fate, considering it sufficient that she should be receiving medical attention.