A Dream of Red Mansion

by Cao Xueqin

  Too awed to pen more lines I can but blush.

  Xue Baochai

  A FAIRYLAND FAR FROM THE WORLD OF MEN

  Who knows where this illustrious garden lies?

  Far from the dusty world this paradise.

  Here streams and mountains lend their fair delight

  Enhanced by many a novel scene and sight.

  Scents heady as the wine from Golden Dell

  Bind all in these jade halls with flowery spell;

  Blessed by Imperial favour, we would fain

  Welcome the royal visitant again.

  Lin Daiyu

  Yuanchun praised all these verses, then remarked with a smile, “Cousin Baochai’s and Cousin Daiyu’s are specially good. We others are no match for them.”

  Now Daiyu had intended to outshine them all that night by a great display of her brilliance; but when the Imperial Consort asked them each for merely one inscription and one poem, she knew it would be presumptuous to write more and simply dashed off a verse for the occasion.

  Meanwhile Baoyu was far from finished with his verses. Having written on Bamboo Lodge and Alpinia Park, he was now tackling Happy Red Court. His draft contained the line;

  The green jade leaves in spring are yet furled tight.

  Baochai, glancing at it while no one else was looking, nudged him surreptitiously.

  “She didn’t like ‘Red Fragrance and Green Jade,’“ she whispered. “That’s why she changed it to ‘Happy Red and Delightful Green.’ If you use ‘green jade’ again, won’t that look as if you’re challenging her judgement? Besides, there are plenty of allusions to plantain leaves you could use. Better find another phrase.”

  Baoyu mopped his perspiring forehead. “I can’t for the moment think of any,” he said.

  Baochai smiled. “Just change ‘green jade’ into ‘green wax.”’

  “Is there such an allusion?”

  With a mocking smile and a smack of the lips she nodded. “If you’re in such a state tonight, by the time you sit for the Palace Examination I dare say you’ll even forget the first primer you ever read. Have you forgotten the opening line of that poem on the plantain by the Tang poet Qian Xu, ‘Smokeless the cold candles, the green wax is dry’?”

  Baoyu felt as if a veil had been lifted from his eyes. “How stupid of me!” he chuckled. “Fancy forgetting a ready-made phrase like that. You’re really my ‘one-word-teacher.’ From now on I shall have to address you as ‘master,’ not as ‘sister’ any more.”

  Suppressing a smile Baochai replied, “Hurry up and finish instead of talking such nonsense. Who are you calling ‘sister’? That’s your sister sitting up there in the golden robes. Why call me your sister?” Afraid to delay him by chatting, she slipped away.

  Baoyu persevered until three poems were done and Daiyu, depressed at having no chance to shine, came up to his desk where he was struggling alone, meaning to help him out by writing a couple of poems for him.

  Asked if he had finished, Baoyu said, “I’ve only done three. All left now is Approach to Apricot Tavern.”

  “Well then, let me do that for you, while you copy out the other three.”

  After thinking for a moment with lowered head, she scribbled the poem out on a slip of paper, screwed it into a ball and tossed it to Baoyu. When he smoothed it out he found it ten times better than his own attempts. He was overjoyed. Having hurriedly copied it out with care he presented all four poems to Yuanchun.

  This is what she read:

  WHERE THE PHOENIX ALIGHTS

  The fruit fresh formed on jade stalks rare

  Makes for the phoenix fitting fare;

  So green each stem they seem to drip

  With coolness seeping from each verdant tip.

  Bursting through stones, they change the water’s track;

  Piercing through screens, hold tripod’s incense back;

  Let none disturb these chequered shades.

  That sweetly she may dream till daylight fades.

  PURE SCENT OF ALPINIA AND IRIS

  Alpinia fills the courtyard free from dust,

  By climbing fig its fragrance reinforced;

  Softly they heighten the fresh green of spring,

  Gently they trail their perfume, ring on ring.

  A light mist hides the winding path from view,

  From covered walks drips chill and verdant dew.

  But who will celebrate the pool in song?

  Lost in a dream, at peace, the poet sleeps long.

  HAPPY RED AND DELIGHTFUL GREEN

  In quiet court long days pass tranquilly;

  A charming match, plantain and apple-tree;

  The green wax leaves in spring are yet furled tight,

  The blossom decked in red keeps watch at night;

  With crimson sleeves one sweeps the balustrade,

  One, misty green, is by the rocks arrayed.

  Facing each other in the soft east wind

  They surely bring their mistress peace of mind!

  APPROACH TO APRICOT TAVERN

  A grove of apricots, a tavern-sign,

  And a hillside hamlet beyond;

  Elms, mulberries, swallows on rafters,

  And geese on the caltrop pond.

  In the fields spring leeks are green;

  All round, the paddy flowers scent the breeze;

  None goes hungry in these good times,

  Ploughman and weaver alike can take their ease.

  Yuanchun, delighted with these poems, exclaimed, “He has certainly made great progress!”

  Having pointed out that the last poem was the best, she changed the name “Hemp-Washing Cottage” into “Paddy-Sweet Cottage.” She then made Tanchun copy out all eleven poems on ornamental paper, and a eunuch delivered them to Jia Zheng and the other men waiting outside, who praised them highly. Jia Zheng also presented a panegyric of his own composition entitled The Visitation.

  Yuanchun had junket, ham and other delicacies presented to Baoyu and Jia Lan, who was too young to do more than pay his respects after his mother and uncles, for which reason he has not been previously mentioned.

  Jia Huan had not yet recovered from an illness contracted over New Year and was still convalescing in his own apartments; this is why no mention has been made of him either.

  All this time Jia Qiang was waiting impatiently down below with his twelve young actresses. But now a eunuch ran down to him, exclaiming, “They have finished their poems. Give me your programme, quick!”

  Jia Qiang lost no time in handing him a programme with a brocade cover and a list of the stage names of the twelve players. Presently four pieces were chosen: “The Sumptuous Banquet,” “The Double Seventh Festival,” “Meeting the Immortals” and “The Departure of the Soul.”

  Jia Qiang put on the first item without delay. All his players sang bewitchingly and danced divinely; thus although this was merely a stage performance they conveyed genuine grief and joy.

  No sooner had they finished than a eunuch appeared backstage with a golden tray of cakes and sweetmeats, and asked which of the actresses was Lingguan. Realizing that this was a present for her, Jia Qiang accepted it gladly and made her kowtow her thanks.

  The eunuch announced, “The Imperial Consort says that Lingguan is superb. She is to play in two more pieces of her own choice.”

  Jia Qiang hastily agreed and suggested “A Visit to the Garden” and “The Dream.” But since neither formed part of her repertoire, Lingguan insisted on “The Pledge” and “The Quarrel” instead. And Jia Qiang had to let her have her way.

  The Imperial Consort was so enchanted that she gave special instructions that this girl must be well treated and carefully trained. She gave Lingguan an extra reward of two rolls of Imperial satin, two embroidered pouches, some gold and silver trinkets and various delicacies.

  Then they left the banqueting hall to visit the places Yuanchun had not yet seen, among them a Buddhist convent set among hills, where she washed her hands before going in to b
urn incense and worship Buddha. She chose as inscription for this convent the words, “Ship of Mercy on the Sea of Suffering.” And here she gave additional gifts to the Buddhist nuns and Taoist priestesses.

  Soon a eunuch knelt to report that the list of gifts was ready for her approval. She read it through, found it satisfactory, and gave orders that the presents should be distributed. This was done by the eunuchs.

  The Lady Dowager received two ruyi sceptres, one of gold, the other of jade; a staff made of aloeswood; a chaplet of sandal-wood beads; four lengths of Imperial satin with designs signifying wealth, nobility and eternal youth; four lengths of silk with designs signifying good fortune and long life; ten bars of gold with designs signifying “May Your Wishes Come True,” and ten silver bars with fish and other designs to symbolize felicity and abundance.

  Lady Xing and Lady Wang received the same gifts with the exception of the sceptres, staff and chaplet.

  Jia Jing, Jia She and Jia Zheng each received two new books of His Majesty’s own composition, two cases of rare ink-sticks, four goblets, two of gold and two of silver, and lengths of satin identical with those described above.

  Baochai, Daiyu and the other girls each received one new book, a rare mirror and two pairs of gold and silver trinkets of a new design. Baoyu received the same.

  Jia Lan received one gold and one silver necklet, a pair of gold and a pair of silver medallions.

  To Madam You, Li Wan and Xifeng were given two gold and two silver medallions and four lengths of silk.

  In addition, twenty-four lengths of satin and a hundred strings of newly minted cash were allotted to the women-servants and maids in attendance on the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang and the girls.

  Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan and Jia Rong each received one length of satin and a pair of gold medallions.

  A hundred rolls of variegated satin, a thousand taels of gold and silver, with various delicacies and wine from the Palace were given to those in both mansions responsible for the construction and maintenance of the Garden, the furnishing and upkeep of the various houses in the Garden, the theatre management and the preparation of lanterns. Five hundred strings of newly minted cash were also given as largesse to the cooks, actresses and jugglers.

  It was nearly three in the morning by the time all had expressed their thanks, and the eunuch in charge announced that it was time to leave. At once Yuanchun’s eyes filled with tears again, but forcing a smile she clasped the hands of her grandmother and mother and could not bring herself to let them go.

  “Don’t worry about me,” she begged them, “Just take good care of yourselves. Thanks to the Emperor’s kindness you can now come to the Palace once a month to see me, so we shall have many chances to meet again. There is no need to be upset. If next year by Imperial grace I’m allowed another visit home, you must promise not to be so extravagant.”

  The Lady Dowager and other women were sobbing too bitterly to make any reply. But although Yuanchun could hardly bear to leave, she could not disobey the Imperial regulations and had no alternative but to re-enter her palanquin which carried her away. The whole household did their best to console the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang as they helped them out of the Garden. But more of this in the next chapter.

  Chapter 19

  An Eloquent Maid Offers Earnest Advice One Fine Night

  A Sweet Girl Shows Deep Feeling One Quiet Day

  The day after her return to the Palace the Imperial Consort appeared before the Emperor to thank him for his kindness, and so pleased him with an account of her visit home that he sent rich gifts of satin, gold and silver from his privy store to Jia Zheng and other fathers of visiting ladies. But no more of this.

  The inmates of the Rong and Ning Mansions were completely worn out after their recent exertions, and it took several days to remove and store away all the decorations and other movables from the Garden. The heaviest responsibility devolved upon Xifeng, who, unlike the others, had not a moment’s respite; but she was always so eager to shine, so anxious to give no one a handle against her, that she strove to carry out her many tasks as if they were nothing. Baoyu, on the other hand, was the one with the least to do and the most leisure.

  One morning Xiren’s mother came and asked the Lady Dowager’s permission to take her daughter home to tea and keep her until the evening. So Baoyu was left to amuse himself with the other maids at dice or draughts. He was feeling rather bored when a girl announced that a message had come from Jia Zhen inviting him over to the Ning Mansion to watch some operas and see their New Year lanterns. While Baoyu was changing his clothes before setting out, a gift of sweetened junket arrived from the Imperial Consort. Remembering how Xiren had enjoyed this delicacy the last time they had some, he asked them to keep it for her. Then, having taken his leave of the Lady Dowager, he went over to the other mansion.

  He was rather taken aback to find them performing operas like Master Ding Finds His Father, Huang Boyang Deploys Ghosts in a Battle, Monkey Plays Havoc in Heaven and The Patriarch Jiang Kills Generals and Deifies Them. In all these, especially the two last, gods, ghosts, monsters and ogres took the stage among waving pennants, temple processions, invocations to Buddha and offerings of incense, while the din of gonging, drumming and shouting carried to the street outside. The passers-by commented appreciatively that no other family but the Jias could afford to put on such a lively entertainment. Only Baoyu, disgusted by such rowdy, showy proceedings, soon slipped away to amuse himself elsewhere.

  First he went to the inner rooms to chat with Madam You and tease the maids and concubines there. And when he strolled out of the inner gate they did not see him off, assuming that he was going back to watch the performance. The menfolk—Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Xue Pan and the rest— were having such a good time gaming and drinking that they did not worry about his absence either, taking it for granted that he had gone inside. As for the servants who had come with him, the older ones, not expecting him to leave before dusk, sneaked off to gamble, drink New Year tea with relatives and friends or visit some brothel or tavern, intending to be back by dark. The younger ones, for their part, squeezed into the theatre to watch the fun.

  When Baoyu found himself alone he thought, “There’s a marvellously lifelike painting of a beauty in the small study here. In all this excitement today she must be lonely. I’d better go and cheer her up.” He made his way towards the study.

  As he neared the window he heard a moaning inside which pulled him up with a start, could the beauty in the picture have come to life? Screwing up his Courage, he made a hole in the window-paper with his tongue and peeped through. No, the painted beauty had not come to life, but his page Mingyan was holding down a girl and indulging in the game taught Baoyu by the Goddess of Disenchantment.

  “Heavens above!”

  As Baoyu charged into the room, the trembling lovers quickly broke apart. And when Mingyan saw who it was, he fell on his knees to beg for mercy.

  “A fine way to carry on in broad daylight!” cried Baoyu. “Do you want Lord Jia Zhen to kill you?” Meanwhile he was sizing up the maid, no beauty but a girl with a fair complexion and a certain charm. Red to the ears with shame, she hung her head in silence.

  “Are you going to stand there all day?” He stamped his foot.

  Coming to her senses, she dashed out like the wind. He rushed after her, shouting:

  “Don’t be afraid! I shan’t tell anyone.”

  “Holy ancestors!” swore Mingyan behind him. “Aren’t you telling everyone now?”

  “How old is that girl?”

  “Sixteen or seventeen, I suppose, at most.”

  “If you didn’t even ask her age that shows how little you care for her. She’s wasted on you, poor thing. What’s her name?”

  “That’s quite a story,” replied Mingyan with a guffaw. “It’s really a case of truth being stranger than fiction. She says that just before she was born her mother dreamed that she had a length of brocade with coloured designs of the lucky swastika. S
o she called her daughter Swastika.”

  “That is strange,” agreed Baoyu, chuckling. “Her good fortune may be coining later on.” He looked thoughtful.

  Mingyan asked, “Why aren’t you watching those grand operas, Second Master?”

  “I did watch for a while, then got so bored that I came out to wander around. That’s how I discovered the two of you. Well, what shall we do now?”

  “No one knows where we are.” Mingyan grinned and stepped closer. “If we slip out of town to amuse ourselves and come back later, they won’t be any the wiser.”

  “That won’t do,” replied Baoyu. “We might get kidnapped. Besides, if they did find out what a row there’d be! We’d better go somewhere within easy distance so that it wouldn’t take long to come back.”

  “Yes, but where? That’s the question.”

  “Why not call on Xiren? Let’s see what she’s up to at home.”

  “A fine idea. I’d forgotten her house.” Mingyan chuckled. “But what if they find out and give me a beating for leading you astray?”

  “Leave it to me,” said Baoyu.

  Then Mingyan brought round his horse, and they left by the back gate. Luckily, Xiren’s home was only a few hundred yards away, so that in no time at all they reached its gate. Mingyan went in first to call her brother Hua Zifang.

  Mrs. Hua, having fetched Xiren home, was enjoying tea and sweetmeats with her daughter and a few nieces when they heard shouts of “Brother Hua!” And Hua Zifang was considerably taken aback when he hurried out and found master and servant there. Helping Baoyu to alight, he called out from the yard: “Here’s the young master!”

  This came as a greater surprise to Xiren than to any of the rest. Running out to meet Baoyu she caught his arm and asked, “How did you come here?”

  “I was rather bored,” he told her with a laugh. “I just came to see what you’re doing.”

  Reassured, she gave a cry of exasperation. “So you’re up to mischief again. Why should you come here?” She turned to Mingyan. “Who else is with you?”