A Dream of Red Mansion

by Cao Xueqin

  At once the Lady Dowager and Lady Wang asked to have the monk brought in. Though Jia Zheng disapproved, he could not disregard his mother’s wishes. He was marvelling, too, that the voice carried so clearly right into the house. So he gave the order to the servants. Then in came a scabby-headed bonze and a lame Taoist. What was he like, this bonze?

  His nose was bulbous and his eyebrows long,

  His two eyes glittered with a starry light;

  Ragged, in shoes of straw, with scabby head,

  This vagrant monk was an obnoxious sight.

  As for the Taoist:

  With one leg short and one leg long,

  All soaked with rain and caked with mud was he;

  If asked from whence he came he would reply:

  “West of the Penglai Isles in Weightless Sea.”

  Jia Zheng asked this pair which monastery they were from.

  “There is no need to inquire into that, sir,” replied the bonze with a smile. “We hear there is illness in your house and have come to cure it.”

  “Yes, two members of the family are bewitched. Have you perhaps some miraculous remedy?”

  “Why ask us for a remedy?” retorted the Taoist. “You already have in your house a rare treasure capable of curing them.”

  With a start Jia Zheng grasped the significance of this remark.

  “It is true that my son was born with a piece of jade in his mouth,” he replied. “And the inscription on it claims that it can ward off evil. But it has proved ineffective.”

  “You do not understand the miraculous powers of that precious jade, sir. It has not proved efficacious because it is confused by music, beauty, riches and lust for gain. Just bring it to me and I think we can restore its powers by incantation.”

  Jia Zheng took the jade from Baoyu’s neck and passed it to them. The monk laid it reverently on the palm of one hand.

  “Thirteen years have passed in a twinkling since we left you at the foot of Blue Ridge Peak,” he said with a sigh. “How quickly time flies in this human world! Yet already you are full of worldly desires. Alas, how much better off you were before!

  Untrammelled by heaven and earth,

  From joy and grief alike your heart was free;

  Then smelting gave you spiritual perception,

  And you came to this world in search of misery.

  What a deplorable state you are in now!

  Powder and rouge have dulled your precious lustre;

  Days and nights within silk chambers entrap your heart;

  But you must wake at last from your sweet dream;

  Poor lovers, when all debts are paid, must part.”

  Having chanted this he rubbed the jade again and muttered some gibberish over it, then handed it back to Jia Zheng.

  “Its power has now been restored,” he said. “But it must not be profaned. Keep the two patients in one room; hang it over the door of that room, and let no women apart from your wife and mother go inside. In thirty-three days’ time, I guarantee they will have recovered completely.”

  With that he and the Taoist turned and left.

  Jia Zheng hurried after them, urging them to sit down and have some tea, for he wanted to offer them some remuneration; but the two men had gone. And when the Lady Dowager sent servants to overtake them, no trace of them could be found.

  Then, following the monk’s instructions, the jade was hung over the doorway of Lady Wang’s bedroom where the two patients were lying; and she herself kept watch there to prevent anyone else from entering. By evening both patients had slowly regained consciousness and said they were hungry. The Lady Dowager and Lady Wang were overjoyed. Some rice gruel was prepared and after eating it they felt better, the evil spirits which had possessed them retreating. At last everyone was able to breathe again. Li Wan, the Jia girls, Baochai and Daiyu were waiting with Pinger and Xiren in the outer room when they heard that the patients had come to and eaten some gruel. Before the rest could say anything, Daiyu exclaimed:

  “Buddha be praised!”

  Baochai mined to look at her and gave a laugh. This passed unnoticed by all but Xichun.

  “What are you laughing at, Cousin Baochai?” she asked.

  “I was thinking how much busier Buddha must be than men are. Apart from expounding the truth and saving all living creatures, he has to preserve the sick and restore them to health, as he has done with Baoyu and Xifeng who are on the mend today. And he’ll have to take care of Miss Lin’s marriage as well. Just think how busy he must be! Don’t you find it amusing?”

  Daiyu flushed and spat in disgust.

  “How horrid you all are! I can’t think what end you’ll come to. Instead of following the example of good people, you’re learning from Xifeng to make vulgar jokes.”

  She swept aside the portiere and went out.

  To learn what followed, turn to the next chapter.

  Chapter 26

  On Wasp-Waist Bridge, Xiaohong Hints at Her Feelings

  In Bamboo Lodge, Drowsy in Spring, Daiyu Bares Her Heart

  After thirty-three days’ convalescence, when Baoyu had completely recovered his strength and the burns on his face had healed, he moved back into the Garden.

  During his illness, Jia Yun had taken in pages to watch day and night beside him and had seen so much of Xiaohong and the other maids there that they were now on a familiar footing. Xiaohong noticed that Jia Yun had a handkerchief very like the one she had lost. She nearly asked him about it, but was too shy. After the visit of the monk and the Taoist, however, there was no further need for male attendants and Jia Yun resumed his tree-planting. Though Xiaohong did not want to drop the matter, neither did she want to arouse the suspicions of others by questioning the young man. She was wondering what to do when a voice called through her window:

  “Are you there, sister?”

  Peeping out she saw that it was Jiahui, another maid who belonged to the same court. She asked her in. Jiahui promptly entered and took a seat on the bed.

  “I’m in luck!” she crowed. “I was washing clothes in the court just now when Baoyu decided to send some tea to Miss Lin, and Xiren gave me the errand. As it happened, the old lady had just sent Miss Lin some money which she was sharing out among the maids. When she saw me she gave me two handfuls of cash—how much it is I don’t know. Will you look after it for me?”

  She unwrapped her handkerchief and poured out the coins, which Xiaohong counted for her: “Five, ten, fifteen...” and then put away.

  “How have you been feeling recently?” continued Jiahui. “Take my advice and go home for a couple of days. Get a doctor to see you and prescribe some medicine, and that should set you right.”

  “What an idea!” countered Xiaohong. “I’m perfectly all right. Why should I go home?”

  “I know what, then. Miss Lin’s so delicate, she’s always taking medicine. Ask her for some. That would do just as well.”

  “Nonsense. You don’t take medicine at random like that.”

  “Well, you can’t go on like this. All your appetite’s gone—what’s to become of you?”

  “What does it matter? The sooner I die the better.”

  “How can you say such things?”

  “You don’t understand how I feel.”

  Jiahui nodded thoughtfully.

  “Well, I don’t blame you,” she said. “Things are difficult here. Just take yesterday, for example. The old lady said everyone worked so hard while Baoyu was ill that, now he’s better and all the vows have been paid, each one would be rewarded according to grade. I don’t mind if the young ones like myself are left out, but why should you be left out? It isn’t fair. I wouldn’t have begrudged Xiren ten times as much either—she deserves it. After all, to be honest, which of us can compare with her? Look how careful and conscientious she always is. And even if she weren’t, she couldn’t be passed over. What annoys me is having people like Qingwen and Yixian counted as top grade and boosted up just because their parents are senior servants her
e. Don’t you call it maddening?”

  “It’s hardly worth being angry with them,” retorted Xiaohong. “The proverb says ‘Even the longest feast must break up at last.’ Who’s going to stay here for life? A few more years and we’ll all go our different ways. When that time comes who will worry about anyone else?”

  These words brought tears to Jiahui’s eyes, but not wanting to cry for no reason she forced a smile.

  “That’s true, of course,” she agreed. “Yet only yesterday Baoyu was talking about how he’s going to rearrange the rooms and the clothes he means to have made, as if we had hundreds of years to put up with here.”

  Xiaohong laughed sarcastically. Before she could say any more in came a little maid who had not yet let her hair grow, to deliver two sheets of paper and some patterns.

  “Here are two patterns for you to trace,” she said, tossing them at Xiaohong.

  “Who are they from?” called Xiaohong as the child scampered off. “Can’t you finish what you have to say before running away? Have you steamed wheatcakes waiting which may get cold?”

  “They’re from Yixian,” cried the little girl through the window, then quickly galloped away.

  Xiaohong crossly threw the patterns aside and rummaged in her drawer for a brush, but could not find any with a pointed tip.

  “Where did I put that new brush the other day?” she muttered. “I can’t remember.... Oh, of course, Yixian borrowed it the evening before last.” She turned to Jiahui. “Do you mind fetching it for me?”

  “Fetch it yourself. Xiren is waiting for me to lift some cases for her.”

  “If she were, could you stay here chatting? You only say she’s waiting because I asked you a favour, you little beast!”

  Xiaohong set out from Happy Red Court to Baochai’s apartments, but stopped at Seeping Fragrance Pavilion when she caught sight of Baoyu’s old nurse, Nanny Li.

  “Where are you off to, Mrs. Li?” she greeted her with a smile. “What brings you here?”

  The old woman halted and clapped her hands.

  “Tell me, why has he taken such a fancy to this tree-planter Yun or Yu, whatever his name is? Nothing would serve but that I go and fetch the fellow. When word of this gets to the Master, there’ll be trouble.”

  “But do you have to give in to all his whims, nanny?”

  “What else can I do?”

  Xiaohong smiled.

  “If that young man has any sense, he won’t come.”

  “He’s not crazy. Why shouldn’t he?”

  “Well, if he does come, you ought to bring him in with you. Not leave him to go blundering round on his own.”

  “Have I time to wait for him? I just gave him the message. I’ll send one of the girls of matrons to show him the way.” She hobbled off on her stick.

  Instead of fetching the brush, Xiaohong stood there lost in thought till a maid came up and asked what she was doing. It was Zhuier, and Xiaohong inquired where she was going.

  “To fetch Master Yun,” cried Zhuier, running off.

  Xiaohong had just reached the gate of Wasp-Waist Bridge by the time Zhuier returned, leading Jia Yun. He cast a sidelong glance at Xiaohong, who stole a glance at him too under cover of talking to Zhuier. When their eyes met she blushed and turned abruptly away, going on to Alpinia Park.

  Jia Yun followed Zhuier by winding paths to Happy Red Court. She went in first to announce him, then ushered him in. The young man had time to scrutinize the courtyard. There were a few scattered artificial rocks with plantains growing between, and two storks were preening their feathers under a pine. In the gallery surrounding the courtyard hung cages of every description containing all manner of rare exotic birds. The five-frame apartment before him had lattice-work carved with ingenious designs, while above its door hung a tablet inscribed with the words: Happy Red and Delightful Green.

  “So that’s why it’s called Happy Red Court,” he thought. “The name comes from that inscription.”

  He heard a laugh from behind one gauze-covered window and someone cried, “Come on in. Imagine my forgetting you for two or three months!”

  Recognizing Baoyu’s voice Jia Yun hurried in. He was dazzled by the glittering gold and emerald and the elegance of all the furnishings, but could see no sign of Baoyu. Turning to the left he noticed a large mirror from behind which emerged two girls in their mid-teens, of about the same build and height, who invited him into the inner room. Assenting without venturing to look at them, he stepped into a chamber screened with green gauze. On a small inlaid lacquer bed there with red curtains embroidered in gold lay Baoyu, informally dressed, in his slippers. At sight of the visitor he threw down the book in his hand and stood up, smiling. Jia Yun advanced to fall upon one knee, and was offered a chair opposite his host.

  “After I saw you that month and invited you to my study,” remarked Baoyu, “a whole lot of things happened to make it slip my mind.”

  “That was my misfortune,” replied Jia Yun with a smile. “And then you fell ill, uncle. Have you recovered completely?”

  “Yes, thank you. I heard you were quite worn out after all those days’ hard work.”

  “That’s just as it should be. Your recovery, uncle, is a blessing to our whole family.”

  A maid had come in to offer him tea, and while talking with Baoyu he glanced surreptitiously at her. Slim with an oval face, she was dressed in a silver-red jacket, black satin sleeveless jacket and pleated white silk damask skirt. Having been in the mansion all through Baoyu’s illness, Jia Yun remembered most of the people of any importance there and knew that this was no other than Xiren, who enjoyed a special status in Happy Red Court. As Baoyu was sitting there while she served tea, Jia Yun rose to his feet with a smile.

  “How can I trouble you to pour the tea for me, sister?” he protested. “Don’t treat me as a guest in my uncle’s rooms. Let me pour tea myself.”

  “Sit down, sit down,” said Baoyu. “Why stand on ceremony with the maids?”

  “I mustn’t forget my manners before the sisters in your apartments, uncle.”

  He sat down to sip tea while Baoyu chatted idly with him, telling him which families had the best actors, the finest gardens, the prettiest maids, the most sumptuous feasts, and the best collections of curios. Jia Yun did his best to respond in the same vein. But when he noticed that his host looked tired, he rose to take his leave and was not pressed to stay.

  “Drop in any time you’re free,” said Baoyu, before telling Zhuier to see the visitor out.

  As no one else was about outside Happy Red Court, Jia Yun slowed down to chat with the maid, asking her age, her name and her father’s trade. How long had she been working for Baoyu? How much did she earn a month? How many other girls worked there? She answered each question in mm readily enough.

  “That girl who spoke to you on our way in,” he said, “isn’t she called Xiaohong?”

  Zhuier laughed.

  “That’s right. Why do you ask?”

  “She said something to you about a handkerchief. As it happens, I’ve picked one up.”

  At this Zhuier smiled.

  “She’s asked me several times whether I’ve seen her handkerchief. As if I had time to bother about such things! She asked me again today and promised to give me something if I found it. I’m not making this up—you heard her for yourself in front of Alpinia Park. If you’ve found it, sir, do give it to me and we’ll see what thanks I get.”

  The fact is that the month before when supervising the planting of trees, Jia Yun had picked up a silk handkerchief in the Garden. He knew it must have been dropped by one of the girls there, but not knowing which had not ventured to take any action. When Xiaohong questioned Zhuier about it, he was delighted to learn that it was Xiaohong’s. And now that Zhuier gave him this opening, he had his plan ready worked out. He took a handkerchief of his own from his sleeve, and handed it her with a smile.

  “All right, here you are,” he told her. “But mind you let me know what reward
you get. No cheating!”

  Zhuier readily took the handkerchief on these conditions and, having seen Jia Yun out, went off to look for Xiaohong.

  But let us return to Baoyu, who felt so lackadaisical after Jia Yun left that he curled up as if for a nap. Xiren seated herself on the edge of his bed and nudged him.

  “You mustn’t fall asleep again,” she said. “If you’re feeling bored, why not go out for a stroll?”

  “I would.” Baoyu took her hand. “But I can’t bear to leave you.”

  “Get up, quick!” she answered laughingly, pulling him up.

  “But where shall I go? I’m thoroughly fed up.”

  “You’ll feel better once you’re out. If you just stay moping here, you’ll only get more fed up.”

  Baoyu listlessly took her advice and pottered out. After playing for a while with the birds in the gallery, he strolled beside the River of Seeping Fragrance to have a look at the goldfish. As he did so, two fawns came bolting from the hillside opposite, and he was wondering what could have frightened them when he saw Jia Lan give chase, a small bow in his hand. Seeing Baoyu ahead of him, the boy stopped short.

  “So you’re at home, uncle,” he said cheerfully. “I thought you’d gone out.”

  “What mischief are you up to now?” asked Baoyu. “Why shoot at those harmless creatures?”

  “I’ve finished my lessons and I’ve nothing to do. I thought I’d practise archery.”

  “I suppose you won’t stop,” said Baoyu, “till you’ve knocked out your teeth.”

  His feet carried him on then to the gate of a courtyard. Bamboos dense as phoenix plumage there made a rustling music. And the board above the gate bore the inscription: Bamboo Lodge. Strolling in he found the bamboo portiere down. Not a voice could be heard. As he approached the window a subtle fragrance drifted through the green gauze. He pressed his face against the gauze and heard a long faint sigh, followed by the words: