by Cao Xueqin
“My father would be only too glad to do things handsomely,” Qiaojie replied. “But we’re not as well-off as before. Having no money in hand, we have to economize wherever we can.”
“Haven’t you plenty of valuables?” he asked.
“How could we after that raid?”
“So you take that line too? I heard that the old lady gave you lots of things. Now is the time too use them.”
Not liking to say that her father had already sold those heirlooms, Qiaojie denied any knowledge of the matter.
“Ha, I know!” he sneered. “You want to keep them all for your dowry!”
Qiaojie dared not retort and could only sob with rage. But Pinger remonstrated angrily, “If you have any complaints, sir, wait till our master comes back. What does the child understand?”
“You were looking forward to your mistress’ death so that you could take her place!” he retorted. “I don’t want anything for myself; but you owe it to yourselves to keep up appearances.” He sat down glowering.
Seething with resentment Qiaojie told herself, “It’s not that my father is heartless. When mama was alive, uncle made off with ever so many of our things; but now he talks as if he had clean hands!” He went down in her estimation.
Wang Ren for his part was convinced that his sister must have sizable savings, so that even after the raid they could hardly be short of silver. He thought, “My niece must be afraid I’ll cadge on them; that’s why she’s taking her father’s side. This minx is no good either!” This made him take a dislike to Qiaojie too.
Jia Lian, unaware of this, was preoccupied with raising money. He had put Lai Da in charge of outside business; but their home expenses were going to be heavy too, and he had no idea where the money was to come from. Pinger appreciated his anxiety.
“Don’t ruin your health by worrying too much,” she urged him.
“To hell with my health!” he exploded. “I haven’t even the money for daily expenses. What’s to be done? And to make matters worse, this fool has come butting in. What do you expect me to do?”
“Don’t worry, Second Master. If you’re short of money, I still have some things which luckily weren’t confiscated. Take them, sir, to be going on with.”
Jia Lian was most relieved. “That’s splendid,” he answered with a smile. “It’ll save me the trouble of borrowing right and left. I’ll pay you back when I’m in funds again.”
“All I have was given me by the mistress, so why talk about paying me back? I just want this funeral to be properly managed.”
Feeling immensely grateful, Jia Lian raised money on these things of Pinger’s, and thereafter he consulted her on all matters, much to Qiutong’s annoyance.
“Now that the mistress is gone, Pinger wants to take her place,” she kept complaining. “I was the Elder Master’s maid, so how can she outrank me?”
Pinger paid no attention to such remarks, but when Jia Lian learned of them he was disgusted and each time he lost his temper would swear at Qiutong. But when Lady Xing knew this she took Qiutong’s side, and he had to control his anger. No more of this.
After the corpse had been laid out for more than ten days, the funeral took place. All this time Jia Zheng, still in mourning for his mother, was staying in the outer study. By now all his proteges and secretaries had left with the exception of Cheng Rixing who often kept him company.
Jia Zheng told him, “Our family’s gone downhill with so many dying one after the other, and the Elder Master and Master Zhen away. We are more hard pressed every day, and I don’t know what’s become of our farm at East Village. All in all, we’re in a bad way!”
“Yes, after all these years here I know the situation,” said Cheng Rixing. “Which of your servants hasn’t been battening on you by filching things from your mansion year after year? Naturally you’re running shorter every year. On top of that you have to meet the expenses of the Elder Master and Master Zhen, not to mention your debts outside; besides, recently you were robbed, and the police aren’t likely to catch the thieves or recover your stolen property. If you want to set your house in order, sir, you will have to summon your stewards and send one whom you trust to check up everywhere. Some servants should be dismissed; and if there is a deficit anywhere, make the one responsible pay for it. Then you will know where you are. As for that big Garden of yours, no one would dare sell it; but you haven’t put anyone in charge of all its produce. During those years when you were away, these people got up to their tricks pretending the place was haunted so that everybody was afraid to go there. Better check up on your staff and keep on only the servants loyal to you, sending the rest away.”
Jia Zheng nodded. “I don’t mind telling you, sir,” he said, “that quite apart from the servants even my own nephews aren’t to be relied on! If I start investigating, how am I to see to everything myself? Besides, being still in mourning, I can’t attend to these things. And never having paid much attention to family affairs, I’m not clear what the situation is.”
“You are the soul of goodness, sir. If other families owned such a property and fell on hard times, they would be able to get by for five or ten years by applying to these stewards. Some of them, I hear, have had themselves made magistrates.”
“It’s unthinkable to ask one’s servants for money,” objected Jia Zheng. “We shall just have to be more frugal. If the properties entered in our books really exist, then we should be all right. I only fear they may be empty names.”
“Quite true, sir. That’s why I humbly suggest a check-up.”
“I suppose you have heard some talk?”
“Though I have an idea what these stewards are capable of, sir, I wouldn’t dare voice my suspicions.”
Aware that there was something behind this, Jia Zheng sighed, “Since our grandfather’s time we have always been kind masters, never treating our underlings harshly. But they seem to be getting more out of hand every day. If I try to act the stern master now, people will laugh at me!”
Just then one of the gatekeepers announced, “Master Zhen from the Yangtze Valley has arrived.”
“What brings him to the capital?” Jia Zheng asked.
“I inquired, sir, and they say he has been reinstated through the Emperor’s favour.”
“Very well, then. Invite him in at once!”
The man went off to usher in Zhen Yingjia, whose secondary name was Youzhong, the father of Zhen Baoyu. He too was a native of Jinling of noble ancestry and related to the Jia family, with whom he had been on close terms. Two years before this, having committed a fault, he had been degraded, his property confiscated. Now the Emperor, out of concern for subjects who had performed meritorious service, had restored his hereditary title and summoned him to the capital for an audience. Learning of the Lady Dowager’s recent death, he had prepared sacrificial gifts and come today to pay his respects at her shrine, first calling on Jia Zheng.
Jia Zheng, still in mourning, could not go out to meet him but waited by his study door. Their reunion filled Mr. Zhen with mixed joy and sorrow. As they could not greet each other formally while Jia Zheng was in mourning, they took hands and exchanged a few civilities, then sat down as host and guest and while tea was served described their experiences since their last meeting.
“When did you go to court, sir?” Jia Zheng asked.
“The day before yesterday.”
“I presume the Most High must have given you certain instructions since he was gracious enough to summon you.”
“Yes, the Sovereign’s kindness surpasses heaven. He issued several decrees.”
“What is your good news?”
“Recently pirates have been raiding the southeast coast, giving the people no rest, and the Duke of Anguo is being sent to wipe them out. Since our Sovereign knows that I am familiar with that locality, he has ordered me to pacify the people and to set off straight away. Yesterday I heard of the old lady’s passing, so to express my condolences I have brought incense to pay my respects at
her shrine.”
Jia Zheng bowed his thanks and rejoined, “By going on this mission, sir, you will certainly relieve the Emperor’s anxiety and bring peace to the people. You are bound to achieve great deeds. As I shall be unable to witness them, I can only wait far off for news of your triumph. The garrison commander there happens to be related to me; I hope you will think well of him when you meet.”
“What is your relationship, sir?”
“When serving as Grain Commissioner in Jiangxi, I betrothed my young daughter to his son. They’ve been married for three years now. But as pirates have been raiding the coast and some cases there are still under litigation, I have had no news of them. My daughter is much in my thoughts. After your work of pacification, sir, I hope you will spare time to see them. I shall write a few lines to her, and if I may trouble you to pass on my letter I shall be extremely grateful!”
“Who doesn’t feel for his children?” replied Zhen Yingjia. “That reminds me of a favour I’d like to ask of you. When His Majesty graciously summoned me to court, because my son is young and there is no one in charge at home I decided to bring my whole household here as well. But having to travel post-haste I came on ahead, leaving them to follow more slowly, and they have not yet arrived. I have orders to go straight to my post and dare not procrastinate. When my worthless son arrives, I shall certainly leave word for him to come and pay his respects to you, sir. I hope you will give him good advice, and if there is a chance to arrange a suitable match I would be most grateful if you would keep him in mind.”
Jia Zheng assented to these requests, and after a little more talk Zhen Yingjia rose to leave.
“I’ll see you tomorrow outside the city,” he said.
Since he was in too much of a hurry to stay, Jia Zheng saw him out of his study. Jia Lian and Baoyu were waiting outside to see the guest off for him, not having presumed to enter as they had not been summoned. They both stepped forward now to pay their respects. The sight of Baoyu astounded Zhen Yingjia, who thought, “Why, he’s the image of my Baoyu, except that he’s in mourning!”
He greeted them and said, “Though we are close relatives, young gentlemen, we haven’t met for so long that we don’t recognize each other.”
Jia Zheng indicated Jia Lian and said, “This is my elder brother She’s son, my second nephew Lian.” Then he pointed at Baoyu. “This is my second son, Baoyu.”
Zhen Yingjia clapped his hands in amazement. “How extraordinary!” he exclaimed. “I heard at home that you had a son born with a piece of jade in his mouth, whose name was Baoyu. And I was amazed because he had the same name as my son. Later it seemed nothing unusual, so I thought no more about it. Now that I see him, though, they look exactly alike and bear themselves in the same way as well. This is most extraordinary!” He inquired Baoyu’s age and remarked, “My boy is one year younger.”
Jia Zheng thanked him then for recommending Bao Yong, and referred back to how he had asked the servant about his young master having the same name as his son. Since Zhen Yingjia was so struck by Baoyu, he did not ask about Bao Yong but kept exclaiming “Truly extraordinary!” He took Baoyu attentively by the hand. However, as the Duke of Anguo was about to set out on his journey, he had to go at once to get ready himself and reluctantly took his leave. He asked Baoyu many questions as the two young men saw him out, then left in his carriage. When Jia Lian and Baoyu came back, they reported what the guest had said to Jia Zheng, who then dismissed them. Jia Lian went off to work out the accounts for Xifeng’s funeral.
When Baoyu returned to his own quarters he told Baochai, “I’ve never had a chance to meet that Zhen Baoyu whom they’re always talking about, but today I’ve seen his father. He says Baoyu will be arriving here any day now and wants to call on my father. He also says his son looks exactly like me, but I can hardly believe it. If he does come, you must all take a look at him to see whether he’s really my double or not.”
“Oh!” scoffed Baochai. “What nonsense you talk! Claiming that some man is your double and even asking us to look at him!”
Aware of his gaffe Baoyu blushed, wanting to explain. To know how he justified himself, read the next chapter.
Chapter 115
Personal Prejudice Strengthens Xichun’s Conviction
Baoyu Fails to Find a True Friend in His Double
Baoyu, challenged by Baochai because of his gaffe, was trying to cover it up when Qiuwen came in to announce that the master wanted him in his study. He went there, glad of this chance to slip away.
“I’ll tell you why I sent for you,” said Jia Zheng. “You can’t go to school as long as you are in mourning, but while staying at home you must review those essays you studied before. I am fairly free at present, so I want you to write a few essays to show me a couple of days from now, to see what progress if any you’ve made recently.” When Baoyu had assented he went on, “I have told your brother Huan and your nephew Lan to do some revision too. If your essays are poor, not even up to theirs, that will be disgraceful.”
Not daring to protest Baoyu answered, “Yes sir,” and stood there motionless till his father dismissed him. On his way out he met Lai Da and other stewards coming in with ledgers. He streaked back to his room.
When Baochai ascertained that he had been told to write essays she was delighted and, though reluctant himself, he could not refuse this assignment. As he was sitting down to collect his thoughts, two nuns arrived from Ksitigarbha Nunnery and paid their respects to Baochai, who greeted them coldly then told maids to serve tea. Baoyu would have liked to chat with the nuns but refrained in view of her evident aversion to them. And they, aware that they were being cold-shouldered, very soon took their leave.
“Won’t you stay?” said Baochai.
“We have been chanting sutras in Iron Threshold Temple,” they replied. “That’s why we’ve not come for some time to pay our respects. Today, after calling on Their ladyships, we want to see Miss Xichun too.”
Then she nodded and let them go.
Proceeding to Xichun’s quarters the nuns asked Caiping, “Where is your young lady?”
“You may well ask,” Caiping answered. “These days she won’t eat a thing, just curls up on the kang.”
“What’s the matter?”
“That’s a long story. When you see her, she’ll probably tell you.”
Xichun who had overheard them promptly sat up. “How are you?” she cried. “When our family’s hard up you don’t come near us!”
“Amida Buddha!” they exclaimed. “Whether well or badly off you’re still our patrons, not to say that our nunnery belongs to your family and the old lady was always so good to us. During her funeral we saw all the mistresses except you. It’s because we missed you that we’ve come today especially to see you, miss.”
Xichun inquired after the nuns in Water Moon Convent.
“There was some scandal there; so now your gatemen won’t let them in,” they told her. “Is it true, as we heard the other day, that sister Miaoyu of Green Lattice Nunnery ran off with someone too?”
“What nonsense! Whoever gossips like that should have her tongue cut off! She was kidnapped by bandits. Why spread such wicked rumours?”
“That crankiness of hers—was she putting on an act? Mind, we don’t want to run her down to you, miss. She’s not like us rough creatures who can only chant Buddhist canons or masses for others, and pray to come to a good end ourselves.”
“What do you mean by a good end?”
“Of course a virtuous family like yours has nothing to worry about; but ladies of other houses, however noble, can’t be sure of living in luxury all their lives. When trouble comes, they’ve no way to save themselves. But the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is most kind and compassionate: when she sees anyone in distress she takes pity on her and finds a way to save her. That’s why we all say, ‘All-merciful Avalokitesvara saves souls in distress!’ Those of us in holy orders, though we have a much harder life than ladies, are not in any danger. Even i
f we can’t attain sainthood, we can at least hope for a better future by being reincarnated as men. Then we shan’t have to suffer in silence as we do now, born as women. You don’t realize it, miss, but if you get married you’ll be tied to your husband all your life, worse off than at present. But you have to be in earnest about renouncing the world. Sister Miaoyu, now, with her intelligence, thought herself a cut above us and looked down on us as vulgar. Little did she know that we vulgar ones would come to a good end while she met with such a fearful calamity.”
As these words touched the right chord, ignoring the presence of her maids Xichun told them how Madam You had treated her and how she had been left to watch the house. Pointing at her shorn head she asked, “Do you think me so weak-willed as to hanker after this wretched life? I made up my mind long ago to renounce the world, but just didn’t know how to do it.”
In simulated alarm the nuns demurred, “You mustn’t talk like that, miss. If Madam You heard, she’d drive us away from our nunnery with curses! A lovely young lady like you, from such a fine family too, is bound to make a good match and enjoy a life of luxury and splendour....”
Flushing crimson Xichun cut them short. “If Madam You can drive you away, can’t I?”
Knowing then that she was in earnest, they deliberately goaded her on by saying, “Don’t be angry, miss, if we speak out of turn. But the mistresses would never let you, would they? It wouldn’t be good if trouble came of this. It’s you we’re thinking of, miss.”
“Just wait and see.”