by Cao Xueqin
Second Sister and old Mrs. You thought he had guessed right, but Third Sister spat in disgust.
“If there were ten of us sisters, would we all have to marry your brothers and cousins?” she asked. “Are there no men outside your family?”
This puzzled them all. Who else could it be? They wondered.
“Forget about the present, sister,” said Third Sister. “Just think back five years and you’ll know.”
As they were talking, Jia Lian’s trusted page Xinger came in to report, “The old master wants you to go over at once, sir. I told him you’d gone to see your uncle, then came straight to fetch you.”
“Did they ask about me at home yesterday?” demanded Jia Lian hastily.
“I told Madam that you were at the family temple making plans for the hundredth day sacrifice with Lord Zhen, so you probably couldn’t come home.”
Jia Lian promptly called for his horse and rode off, accompanied by Longer, leaving Xinger behind to attend to other things. Second Sister ordered two dishes and made him drink a goblet of wine as he squatted by the kang while she questioned him about the Jia family. How old was Madam Lian? Was she really a terror? How old were the old lady and Lady Wang? How many girls were there in the household? Beaming as he ate and drank beside the kang, Xinger regaled old Mrs. You and her daughters with a detailed account of the Rong Mansion.
T keep watch at the inner gate,” he said. “We have two shifts, four men in each, eight altogether. Some of us are trusted by Madam, some by the master. We’re careful not to annoy her men, but they’re always provoking us.
“You ask about our mistress. Well, I shouldn’t really be telling you this, madam, but she’s crafty and vicious with a sharp, quick tongue. Second Master is all right, but he’s under her thumb. Still Miss Pinger in their apartments is good-natured; even though she’s on Madam Lian’s side, behind her back she often does people good turns. If we do anything wrong, Madam won’t let us off; but if we beg Pinger for help she smooths things over.
“There’s no one now in the whole household, barring Their Ladyships, who doesn’t hate her. We just make a show of liking her out of fear. That’s because she looks down on everyone and just sucks up to the old lady and mistress. Whatever she says goes, and no one dares stop her. She tries to save up piles of silver so that Their Ladyships will praise her for being a good manager; but of course we servants are the ones to suffer, while she takes all the credit.
“If anything good happens, she rushes to take the credit before anyone else can report it. If anything bad happens, or if she herself makes some mistake, she ducks and shifts the blame on to other people, stirring up more trouble too on the side. Now even her own mother-in-law, the Elder Mistress, can’t stand her, calling her a fair-weather sparrow, or a black hen that neglects her own nest but keeps butting in everywhere else. If not for the old lady’s backing, her mother-in-law would have fetched her back long ago.”
Second Sister smiled.
“The way you’re talking behind her back makes me wonder what you’ll say about me in future. As I’m lower in status you can lay it on even thicker!”
Xinger hastily fell on his knees.
“If I do, may a thunderbolt strike me dead!” he swore. “If we’d had the luck from the start to have a mistress like you, we wouldn’t have had to put up with so many beatings and cursings or to live in fear and trembling all the time. Why, all our master’s servants keep praising you, behind your back as well, for your goodness and kindness to us. We’ve been talking of asking our master to let us come here to wait on you, madam.”
“You monkey!” she laughed. “Get up quickly. I was only joking—you needn’t be afraid. Why should you all come here? I’ve been meaning, actually, to call on your mistress.”
Xinger threw up his hands in dismay. “On no account do that, madam. Take my word for it, it will be best for you never to meet her all your life. She’ll give you sweet talk when there’s hatred in her heart, she’s so double-faced and tricky. All the time she’s smiling she tries to trip you up, making a show of great warmth while she stabs you in the back. That’s the way she is. I’m afraid not even Third Aunt could outtalk her, so how could a gentle, kindly lady like you be a match for her?”
“If I treat her politely what can she do to me?”
“It’s not that I’m talking wildly because I’m drinking. Even if you treated her with respect, once she saw you were better looking and more popular with people, how could she let you off? If other women are jealous, she’s a hundred times so. If the master happens to cast a second glance at any maid, she’s liable to make a row then and there. Though Miss Pinger’s part of their household, and the master may be allowed to sleep with her once a year, or once in two years, she keeps nagging until Pinger loses her temper and makes a scene. ‘I didn’t ask to be his concubine,’ she says. ‘When I was unwilling you called me disobedient. You forced me into it, yet now you treat me like this!’ Then, generally, she pipes down and even asks Miss Pinger’s pardon.”
“There you’re lying,” said Second Sister with a laugh. “How could a hellion like that be afraid of a concubine?”
“As the proverb says,” he retorted, “‘everyone has to listen to reason.’ Miss Pinger has been her maid since she was a girl, being one of the four she brought here at the time of her marriage. The rest got married or died, leaving only this favourite maid, so she decided to make her a concubine. That was so as to show how broad-minded she was and also to stop the master from chasing after loose women outside.
“There’s another reason too. It’s a rule in our family that when the young gentlemen reach teenage, before they’re married, two girls are always assigned to wait on them. Second Master had two, but within half a year of her arrival she picked fault with them and sent them both packing. Although no one could very well say anything, she knew it didn’t look good, so she forced Pinger to become his concubine. Pinger’s really a good sort. Instead of holding this against her or stirring up trouble between husband and wife, she’s completely loyal to her mistress—that’s why she’s kept on.”
“So that’s the way it is,” remarked Second Sister. “But I hear you’ve another mistress who’s a widow, and several young ladies too. Why do they put up with her if she’s such a shrew?”
Xinger clapped his hands.
“You don’t understand, I see. That widow, Madam Zhu, is such a kindly soul that she’s nicknamed Great Bodhisattva. Besides, the rule in our family is so strict that widows never attend to affairs: all that’s expected of them is to live quietly and chastely. But as there happen to be so many young ladies, they’ve been put in her charge and it’s her job to superintend their studies and teach them needlework and moral principles. She doesn’t have to bother about anything else. It’s only because of Madam Lian’s recent illness and because there’s so much to be done that Madam Zhu’s helping out for a few days. Still, there isn’t much she can do, she simply sticks to the old ways, not throwing her weight about like Madam Lian to show how smart she is.
“As for our eldest young lady, it goes without saying, if she wasn’t so fine in every way she wouldn’t have been blessed with her present good fortune. Our second young lady, the one we call Dumbbell, won’t let out a peep even if she’s pricked with a needle. The third has the nickname Rose.”
“Why’s that?” asked the two You sisters. Xinger chuckled.
“Everyone loves roses, they’re so red and fragrant. But they’re prickly too. And she’s wonderfully clever. The pity is she’s not Lady Wang’s own child but ‘a phoenix from a crow’s nest.’ The fourth, who’s still young, is actually Lord Zhen’s younger sister; but because she lost her mother when she was a child, the old lady made Lady Wang adopt her and bring her up; and she never bothers about family affairs either.
“Then, you may not know, madam, apart from our own young ladies we have two others, the likes of whom are seldom seen on earth or in heaven. One’s Lin Daiyu—her mother was the ol
d lady’s daughter. In looks and figure she’s just as lovely as Third Aunt, with a bellyful of book learning besides; but she’s always falling ill. Even in hot weather like this she wears lined clothes, and a puff of wind can blow her over. Being a disrespectful lot, behind her back we all call her the Sick Beauty.
“Then there’s Aunt Xue’s daughter Baochai, with a skin so white she looks as if made of snow. Whenever we catch a glimpse of them coming out of the gate or getting into a carriage, or in the courtyard, we all seem to be possessed by ghosts or gods! The sight of either of them takes our breath away.”
Second Sister laughed.
“A big family like yours has strict rules. Even though you were taken into service there as children, when you happen to meet any of the young ladies you ought to make yourselves scarce.”
Xinger brushed this aside.
“It’s not that. If you talk about the proper etiquette, it goes without saying we should keep out of the way. But even when we do we still hold our breath because, if we let out a gasp, it might blow Miss Lin over; or being warm, might melt Miss Xue.”
Everybody in the room burst out laughing at this. To know what followed read the next chapter.
Chapter 66
A Girl in Love Is Rejected and Kills Herself
A Cold-Hearted Man Repents and Turns to Religion
Bao Er’s wife slapped Xinger playfully.
“How you do twist the truth and exaggerate!” she teased. “The senseless way you talk sounds as if you were Baoyu’s servant, not Second Master’s.”
Before Second Sister could ask any other questions, Third Sister put in, “By the way, what does he do, that Baoyu of yours, apart from studying?”
“Don’t ask, aunt,” Xinger chuckled. “If I tell you, you won’t believe me. Big as he is, he’s unique in never having had any proper schooling. All earlier generations of our family right down to Second Master studied hard for years; he’s the only one who won’t study, and he’s the old lady’s pet. At first his father tried to discipline him, but he’s long since given that up.
“Baoyu carries on the whole time like a lunatic, talking in a way that no one understands, and what he gets up to goodness only knows. He’s handsome and is taken for an intelligent boy, but for all he looks so smart he’s actually muddle-headed, with nothing to say for himself in company. The only good thing about him is that though he’s never been to a proper school he’s managed to learn to read. He never studies books or practises military arts; and he doesn’t like meeting strangers, instead he just loves to fool about with the maids.
“He has no sense of what’s fitting either. When he sees us, if he’s in the mood he’ll play around with us quite forgetting his station; if he’s not in the mood he’ll go off by himself, ignoring everyone else. If we’re sitting or lying about when he turns up, and we pay no attention to him, he never ticks us off. So nobody’s afraid of him; we know we can behave just as we please.”
“When your master’s lenient you run him down; if he were strict you’d complain,” said Third Sister with a smile. “That shows what a troublesome lot you are.”
“He made a good impression on us” remarked Second Sister. “We didn’t know he was like this. What a pity when he’s such a handsome boy.”
“Don’t believe the nonsense he talks, sister,” said Third Sister. “We’ve met Baoyu several times. The way he behaves and speaks does seem rather effeminate, but that’s because he spends all his time in the inner apartments. You can’t call him muddle-headed. Remember when we were in mourning, that day the monks filed round the coffin? We girls were all standing there and he stepped in front of us, standing in our way. People said he had no manners and should know better; but later didn’t he tell us in confidence, ‘You know, sisters, it’s not that I had no sense of respect, but those monks are so dirty I was afraid you’d find their stench overpowering. ‘
“Then he was drinking tea, and you wanted some too. When that old woman took his bowl to pour some for you, he said at once, ‘I’ve dirtied that bowl; you must wash it first.’ From these two incidents, viewed dispassionately, I saw how obliging he is towards us girls—he knows how to make himself agreeable to us. It just doesn’t seem right to outsiders; that’s why they can’t understand him.”
“It sounds as if the two of you are already of one mind,” Second Sister chuckled. “How would it be if we were to betroth you to him?”
Inhibited by Xinger’s presence, Third Sister just lowered her head and went on cracking melon-seeds.
“As far as looks and behaviour go, they’d make a fine couple,” chortled Xinger. “Only he’s already made his choice, although it hasn’t yet been announced. It’s bound to be Miss Lin. Nothing has been done so far, as she’s so delicate and they’re both still young; but in another two or three years, as soon as the old lady says the word it will certainly be settled.”
As they were chatting, Longer came back to report, “The old master has some business, something extremely important and confidential, that he’s sending Second Master to Pinganzhou to attend to. He’s to set out in a few days and the whole trip there and back will take more than a fortnight. So he can’t come back today. He hopes the old mistress and Second Aunt will see to that matter right away, so that he can make the final decision when he comes tomorrow.” This said, he went off with Xinger.
Second Sister ordered the gate to be closed and they turned in early, but she spent most of the night questioning her sister.
The next day it was after noon before Jia Lian arrived.
“Why be in such a hurry to come when you’ve other important business?” Second Sister asked him. “You mustn’t delay your journey on my account.”
“It’s not all that important,” he told her. “The nuisance is I’ve got to make a long trip, starting early next month, and I shan’t be back for a fortnight.”
“Well, just go with an easy mind. You needn’t worry about anything here. My sister’s not the type that keeps changing her mind. She says she’s going to turn over a new leaf, and she’ll be as good as her word. She’s already made her choice of a man. All you need do is to fall in with her wishes.”
“Who is he?” asked Jia Lian.
“He’s not here now, and there’s no knowing when he’ll come back. But she’s made an intelligent choice. If he stays away for a year, she’ll wait for a year, she says. If he doesn’t return for ten years, she’ll wait for ten years. If he’s dead and never comes back, she’ll gladly shave off her hair and become a nun, fasting and chanting sutras all her life.”
“Who can the fellow be that has won her heart so completely?”
“It’s a long story,” said Second Sister with a smile. “Five years ago, when it was our grandmother’s birthday, my mother took us there to offer congratulations. They’d invited a troupe of amateur actors, among them a certain Liu Xianglian who liked to play the young hero’s part in operas. She took such a fancy to him, she now declares he’s the only man for her. Last year we heard that he’d got into trouble and run away. We don’t know whether he has ever come back.”
“Well, I never!” exclaimed Jia Lian. “So that’s who it is. I was wondering what sort of fellow he could be. Yes, she’s made a good choice. But you know this Second Master Liu, for all he’s so handsome, is cold and stand-offish. He has no time for most people but happens to get on splendidly with Baoyu. Last year after he beat up that fool Xue Pan he left, feeling too embarrassed to see us, and we don’t know where he’s gone. Some people say he’s returned. I suppose we can ask Baoyu’s pages to find out. If he hasn’t come back and is still drifting about, Heaven knows how many years he may stay away. Your sister may wait in vain.”
“No, my sister’s always as good as her word,” she assured him. “Just let her have her way.”
At this point Third Sister joined them.
“Believe me, brother-in-law, I’m not one of those who don’t say what they think,” she declared. “I mean what I say. If Mr. Li
u comes I’ll marry him. Until then I’ll fast, chant sutras and look after my mother while waiting for him to come and marry me, even if I have to wait a hundred years. If he never comes, I’ll go and become a nun.” Drawing a jade pin from her hair she broke it in two, exclaiming, “If I’ve said a single word that isn’t true, may I end up like this pin!”
This said, she went back to her room. And after that she was, indeed, most correct in her speech and behaviour.
There was nothing Jia Lian could do. Having discussed some family business with Second Sister, he went home to tell Xifeng about his trip, then sent to ask Mingyan whether Liu Xianglian had returned or not.
“I don’t know,” said Mingyan. “Probably not. Otherwise I would have heard.”
And Liu’s neighbours when questioned said he had never come back. So Jia Lian had to pass on this information to Second Sister.
As the time for his departure approached he announced that he was leaving two days early, but in fact he spent two nights in Second Sister’s place, starting his journey secretly from there. He observed that Third Sister’s behaviour had indeed changed out of all recognition, and as Second Sister was managing the house diligently and prudently he had no need to worry.
He left the city early in the morning and took the highway to Pinganzhou. He travelled all day, stopping only to refresh himself when he was hungry or thirsty, staying in inns at night, and he had been three days on the way when a caravan of pack-horses came towards him escorted by a dozen or so men on horseback. As they drew near he saw to his astonishment that among them were Xue Pan and Liu Xianglian. At once he spurred his horse forward to meet them, and after exchanging the usual courtesies they chose an inn in which to rest and chat.
Jia Lian said, “After the two of you fell out we were very eager to patch it up between you, but Brother Liu had vanished without a trace. How come you’re together today?”
“Wonders never cease,” said Xue Pan. “I and my assistants bought some goods and started back to the capital this spring. All went well till the other day when we reached Pinganzhou and a band of brigands seized everything we had. Then along came Brother Liu in the nick of time to drive the brigands away, rescues our goods and save our lives into the bargain. When he wouldn’t accept anything for his help, we became sworn brothers and have been travelling together. From now on we shall be like real blood-brothers. But we shall part company at the crossroad in front, as he has to go two hundred li farther south to visit an aunt of his. I shall go to the capital first to finish my business, then find a house for him and a suitable wife, so that we can all settle down there.”