Chapter 104

Chapter 104

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Chapter 104: A Drunken Vajra—a Tiny Loach Stirs Up Great Waves; A Foolish Young Master—Lingering Pain Rouses Old Feelings

Jia Yucun had just been about to cross the river when he saw someone dashing toward him at full speed. The man ran up and called out, "Your Honor! The temple you just entered—it's on fire!" Yucun turned back to look and saw only blazing flames reaching to the sky, blinding him with flying ash. Yucun thought to himself, "This is strange. I only just left and haven't gone far—how could a fire break out from nowhere? Could it be that Shiyin has met with disaster here?" He wanted to go back, but feared he would miss crossing the river; yet if he did not go back, his mind would not be at ease. After thinking it over, he asked, "Did you see that old Taoist priest come out?" The man replied, "This lowly one originally followed Your Honor out, but because of a stomachache, I stepped aside for a moment. When I turned back and saw a sheet of firelight, it turned out to be that temple burning. I hurried here to report to Your Honor. I didn't see anyone come out." Though Yucun was suspicious at heart, he was, after all, a man devoted to fame and profit—how could he be willing to go back and see for himself? He told the man, "You wait here. When the fire is out, go in and see whether that old Taoist is there or not, then come back and report." The man had no choice but to agree and wait on him.

Yucun crossed the river and went on with his inspections. After checking several places, whenever he came to a government hostel he would rest there. The next day he traveled another stage and entered the capital gate. The various yamen runners received him, escorting him with attendants before and behind. Yucun sat in his sedan chair and heard the road-clearing men up ahead shouting and making a commotion. Yucun asked what the matter was. One of the road-clearing men pulled a person over and made him kneel before the sedan chair, reporting, "This man, drunk, failed to clear the way and instead charged straight at us. When I shouted at him, he took advantage of his drunkenness to make trouble—he lay down in the middle of the street and claimed that I had struck him." Yucun said, "I am the official in charge of this district. You are all my subjects. You knew that my honor's procession was passing through, yet after drinking you did not withdraw to avoid it—and you still dare to make trouble!" The man said, "I drank with my own money, and I'm lying on His Majesty's land. Even a great lord like you has no right to interfere." Yucun angrily said, "This man has no regard for law and order. Ask him what his name is." The man replied, "My name is Drunken Vajra, Ni Er." Yucun, hearing this, was enraged and ordered, "Beat this Vajra—let's see whether he's a Vajra or not!" The men-at-arms pinned Ni Er down and gave him several solid lashes. Ni Er, bearing the pain, sobered up and begged for mercy. Yucun laughed from inside his sedan chair, "So this is what kind of Vajra he is. I won't beat you for now—I'll have you taken to the yamen and questioned at leisure." The yamen runners agreed, bound Ni Er, and dragged him away. Ni Er pleaded for mercy, but it was of no use. Yucun went into the palace to report back to the emperor on his mission; he paid no further mind to this matter at all.

The people who had gathered on the street to watch the excitement told each other in small groups, "Ni Er, relying on his strength, used his drunkenness to bully people, and today he's fallen into Lord Jia's hands—I'm afraid he won't get off lightly." This talk had already reached the ears of his wife and daughter. That night, when Ni Er indeed failed to return home, his daughter went to various gambling dens searching for him. Those who gambled all said the same thing, and his daughter wept in distress. Everyone said, "Don't be anxious. That Lord Jia is connected to the Rong Mansion. Some Second Master of the Rong Mansion is a good friend of your father's. You and your mother go find him and ask him to put in a word, and they'll release him." Ni Er's daughter listened and thought it over. "It's true—my Father often said that the Second Master Jia next door was close to him. Why not go find him?" She hurried back and told her mother at once. Mother and daughter went together to find Jia Yun.

That day Jia Yun happened to be at home. When he saw the mother and daughter arrive, he offered them seats. Jia Yun's mother poured tea. The Ni family mother and daughter immediately told him the whole story of Ni Er being taken by Lord Jia. "We beg you, Second Master, to put in a word and have him released." Jia Yun readily agreed, saying, "This is nothing at all. I'll just say a word at the Western Mansion and they'll let him go. That Lord Jia entirely relies on our Western Mansion to have attained such a high post—as long as someone is sent to speak a word, it will be done." The Ni mother and daughter were overjoyed. They returned and told Ni Er at the yamen not to worry—they had already asked Second Master Jia, who had given his full promise and would put in a word to have him released. Ni Er was also pleased when he heard this.

What Jia Yun did not expect was that ever since the day he had brought gifts to Xifeng and she had refused them, he had felt too embarrassed to come in, and he no longer visited the Rong Mansion often. The gatekeepers of the Rong Mansion had always watched how their masters behaved—they would only grant someone a measure of face and go in to announce them if the master wanted to see them. If the master paid little attention, whether it was a relative of the family or not, they would simply not relay the message and send the person away, and that would be the end of it. On that day, Jia Yun went to the mansion and said, "I've come to pay my respects to Second Master Lian." The gatekeeper said, "The Second Master is not at home. When he returns, we will relay your message for you." Jia Yun wanted to say, "I've also come to pay my respects to the Second Mistress," but feared the gatekeeper would find it tiresome, so he went home instead. He was then pressed and urged by the Ni family mother and daughter, who said, "Second Master, you always say that at the mansion, no matter which yamen it is, if a word is spoken no one would dare not comply. Now we are still family with the mansion, and this is no major matter—if even this favor cannot be obtained, then our Second Master is truly worthless." Jia Yun could not save face, but he still spoke tough words: "Yesterday our family had some matter and didn't send anyone to speak on our behalf. No doubt today, once we speak, they will release him. What kind of big deal is it!" The Ni mother and daughter had no choice but to take his word and wait.

Jia Yun had not been able to get in the main gate for days. He tried to reach the Garden by circling around the back to find Baoyu, but the gate was locked, so he returned crestfallen. He remembered how back then Ni Er had lent him silver to buy perfume to present to her, and that was how he got the tree-planting assignment. Now that he had no money to grease the right palms, they shut him out. "He's no great shakes either. He's using the old master's public funds to charge usury, and even our poor clan relatives can't borrow a single tael from him. He thought he'd never be poor in his life, but his reputation outside is terrible. I won't say more, but if I did, he's been involved in more manslaughter lawsuits than anyone can count."

Thinking thus, he arrived home to find Ni Er's wife and daughter waiting. At a loss for words, Jia Yun said, "The West Mansion has already sent word. They say Master Jia won't agree to it. You should try asking our family servant Zhou Rui's relative Leng Zixing instead—he'd be the one to see." When Ni Er's wife and daughter heard this, they said, "If a gentleman as well-connected as you, Second Master, can't manage it, a servant would be even less use." Jia Yun was embarrassed and said impatiently, "You don't know—these days the servants are more powerful than their masters." Having no answer to this, Ni Er's wife and daughter could only give a cold laugh. "Then it was all for nothing, these several days you've run about for us. We'll thank you properly once our man is out." With that they left and found someone else to get Ni Er released. He was given only a few blows and no real sentence.

When Ni Er got home, his wife and daughter told him how the Jia family had refused to intervene. Ni Er had been drinking, and this made so angry that he wanted to find Jia Yun. "That little bastard, that ungrateful wretch! Back when he had no food to eat he came scheming at the mansion, and I, Old Second Master Ni, helped him out. Now that I'm in trouble he won't lift a finger. Fine! If I, Ni Er, make a scene, neither mansion will come out clean!" His wife and daughter hurried to calm him: "Ai, you've been drinking again—you're as reckless as ever. Didn't you get into trouble from being drunk the other day, and aren't you still not recovered from that beating? And now you want to make trouble again." Ni Er said, "Afraid of a beating? I only worry I can't find a pretext! While I was in jail I got to know several friends with a strong sense of justice. From what I hear, it's not just the Jias in the city—there are plenty of Jias in the provinces too. A few days ago they took in several Jia family servants in jail. I said to myself, the younger generation and servants of the Jia family here may not be much, but their elders are decent enough—how could they have committed crimes? I made some inquiries and found out they belong to the same Jia family, all living in the provinces, and were brought here for trial after the case was cleared up. That set my mind at ease. As for this Jia Yun fellow, if he's forgotten all favors and repaid kindness with ingratitude, I'll tell my friends how his family abuses its power to oppress people, how they exploit the common folk, how they force themselves on other men's wives—and get them to make noise about it. Once the rumors reach the ears of the Censor, and this all breaks out, then you'll know what sort of Diamond Ni Er I am!" His wife said, "Go to sleep, you drunkard! Whose woman has he seized? There's no such thing—stop talking nonsense." Ni Er said, "You women at home don't know what's going on outside. Two years ago I ran into Little Zhang at the gambling house and he told me his wife had been taken by the Jia family. He wanted to talk it over with me, and I talked him out of making a fuss. I don't know where Little Zhang is now—haven't seen him these two years. If I ran into him, I'd give Jia Er some advice that would finish him off, and he'd have to properly show his respect to Old Second Master Ni before I'd be satisfied. And you won't even listen to me!" With that he lay on the couch, muttering to himself for a while before falling asleep. His wife and daughter took it for drunken talk and paid no attention. The next morning, Ni Er went back to the gambling house. But let us leave him here.

Let us return to Yucun, who had arrived home and rested for the night. He told his wife about meeting Shi-yin Zhen on the road. His wife reproached him: "Why didn't you go back to see? If he burned to death, wouldn't that make us the heartless ones!" As she spoke, tears fell. Yucun said, "He's a man of the Way—he wouldn't want to be with us." Just then a servant came in from outside to report: "The man you sent the other day to look at the fire at the temple has returned, sir, and wishes to make his report." Yucun walked out. The yamen runner saluted and reported: "This servant followed your orders and went back. Without waiting for the fire to go out, I went in through the flames to look at the Taoist priest. He was sitting in a spot that had been burned badly. I thought for sure the priest must have been burned to death. Then the burned walls and roof collapsed backward, and there wasn't a trace of the priest. Only a rush cushion and a gourd dipper were still intact. I searched everywhere for his body—not a single bone could be found. Afraid you wouldn't believe me, I wanted to bring the cushion and gourd back as proof, but the moment I picked them up, they turned to ash." When Yucun heard this, he understood in his heart that Shi-yin had become an immortal and dismissed the runner. He went back to his room and said nothing about Shi-yin's cremation by fire, fearing his womenfolk wouldn't understand and would only grieve. He simply said there was no trace of him—he must have left beforehand.

Yucun sat alone in his study, just beginning to reflect on Shiyin's words, when a servant suddenly came to report: "The inner court has issued an edict—there are documents to be reviewed." Yucun hurriedly took his sedan chair inside. He heard people saying: "Today Zhou Cunzhou has been impeached in his post as Grain Commissioner of Jiangxi and has returned to court to confess his faults." Yucun rushed to the Grand Secretariat and saw the various ministers. After reading the edict concerning mismanagement of the coastal defense, he went at once to find Jia Zheng, first saying some words commiserating with his injustice, then offering congratulations, and asking, "How was your journey?" Jia Zheng in turn recounted in detail everything that had happened since their parting. Yucun asked, "Has your memorial confessing your faults been submitted?" Jia Zheng said, "It has already been submitted. We shall have to wait until after the imperial meal to see the edict." Just then they heard an edict being issued from within, summoning Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng at once went in. The ministers who were concerned for Jia Zheng all waited inside. After quite a long time, Jia Zheng emerged, his head covered with perspiration. The crowd went up to him and asked, "What was the edict?" Jia Zheng stuck out his tongue. "Terrifying! Terrifying! I am grateful for your concern, but fortunately nothing serious came of it." The others asked, "What did the edict inquire about?" Jia Zheng said, "The edict inquired about the case of privately transporting firearms in Yunnan. The memorial had stated that it was a servant of the former Grand Tutor Jia Hua. His Majesty has always remembered our ancestor's name and asked about it. I hastily knocked my head and explained that our ancestor's name was Daihua. His Majesty smiled and even issued an edict saying: 'Was not the one who was formerly Vice Minister of War and later demoted to Prefect also named Jia Hua?'" Yucun, who was standing nearby, was greatly alarmed. He asked Jia Zheng, "How did you respond?" Jia Zheng said, "I replied slowly: 'The former Grand Tutor Jia Hua was from Yunnan; the current Prefect Jia is from Zhejiang.' His Majesty asked again: 'Is the Jia Fan reported by the Prefect of Suzhou a member of your family?' I knocked my head and replied: 'Yes.' His Majesty changed his expression and said: 'Can it be tolerated that a family servant forcibly seizes the wives and daughters of honest people?' I did not dare say a word. His Majesty asked again: 'What relation is Jia Fan to you?' I hastily replied: 'A distant relation.' His Majesty snorted and issued an edict summoning me out. Wasn't that strange!" The others said, "It really is a coincidence. How could there be two such incidents in a row?" Jia Zheng said: "The incidents themselves are not strange—it is only unfortunate that they all involve the surname Jia. Our humble clan has many branches, and after so many years, they are spread everywhere. Although nothing has come of it now, it is still not good that His Majesty remembers the character 'Jia.'" The others said, "What is true is true, what is false is false. What is there to fear?" Jia Zheng said: "In my heart, I would rather not be an official, but I dare not ask to retire. Our family now holds two hereditary offices—there is nothing to be done about it." Yucun said: "Now that you are still in the Board of Works, I suppose being an official in the capital is safe." Jia Zheng said: "Although being a capital official is safe, I have served twice in provincial posts, so one cannot be sure." The others said: "We all admire your character and conduct, Second Master. Even your elder brother, the First Master, is a good man. You need only be strict with your nephews." Jia Zheng said: "Because I have spent so little time at home, I have not looked into my nephews' affairs, and I am not entirely at ease about it. Since you have raised the subject today, and we are all close friends, perhaps you have heard that my nephews on the East Mansion side have been doing something improper?" The others said: "We have heard nothing else. It is just that some of the vice ministers are not on good terms with each other, and there are also some problems among the eunuchs. Still, I suppose there is nothing to fear, as long as you instruct your nephews on that side to be careful in all matters." With that, the group took their leave and dispersed.

Jia Zheng then returned home. His sons and nephews all came out to welcome him. Jia Zheng went forward to inquire after the Dowager's health, and then his sons and nephews all paid their respects to Jia Zheng, and together they entered the compound. Lady Wang and the others had already gone to the Hall of Glorious Felicity to greet him. Jia Zheng first went to pay his respects to the Dowager and recounted some of the events since their parting. The Dowager asked for news of Tanchun. Jia Zheng reported everything about Tanchun's betrothal, adding: "I left in haste—I shall miss the Double Ninth Festival. Although I did not see her myself, I heard from the bride's family that all is going very well. The young lady's father and mother sent their respects to you. They also said that this winter or next spring, he may be transferred back to the capital. That would be good. But now I hear there are problems on the coastal frontier, so perhaps he cannot be transferred after all." The Dowager had at first been distressed because Jia Zheng had been demoted and recalled, knowing that Tanchun was far away in a foreign place with no relatives or friends. But after Jia Zheng explained the official matters and told her that Tanchun was well, she turned grief into joy and smilingly told Jia Zheng to withdraw. Then the brothers met, the sons and nephews paid their respects, and it was decided that they would visit the ancestral temple early the next morning.

When Jia Zheng returned to his own quarters, Lady Wang and the others greeted him, while Baoyu and Jia Lian paid their respects separately. Jia Zheng observed that Baoyu indeed looked fuller in the face and more composed than before he had left, though he did not know that his son's mind was muddled. This pleased him greatly, and he did not dwell on the demotion in rank, thinking to himself how fortunate it had been that the old lady had managed things so well. He also found Baochai more dignified and composed than in former days, and Lan had grown refined and handsome—all of which made his satisfaction plain to see. Only Huan remained as he had always been, and Jia Zheng could not bring himself to show him much affection. After resting for a while, it suddenly occurred to him: "Why is someone missing today?" Lady Wang knew he was thinking of Daiyu. The family letters had not reported on the matter earlier, and since he had just arrived home and was in good spirits, there was no need to tell him directly. She simply said that she was ill. She did not know that Baoyu's heart was already being wrung as if by a knife; with his father home, he had no choice but to control his feelings and attend to his duties. Lady Wang laid on a farewell dinner, and the younger generations offered toasts. Though Xifeng was a niece-in-law, she was currently managing the household, so she joined Baochai and the others in offering wine. Jia Zheng then had a round of wine passed around and said, "All of you, go and rest." He ordered the servants not to wait on him and told them that after paying respects at the ancestral temple the following morning, they could then come to see him. Once these arrangements were settled, Jia Zheng and Lady Wang spoke of matters from the time of their separation; the rest Lady Wang did not dare mention. It was Jia Zheng who first brought up the matter of Wang Ziteng, and Lady Wang did not allow herself to grieve. Jia Zheng then mentioned Pan's affair, and Lady Wang only said that he had brought it upon himself. She took the opportunity to tell him that Daiyu had already passed away. Jia Zheng was greatly shaken and could not help shedding tears, sighing repeatedly. Lady Wang could no longer hold back and also wept. The maids standing by, Caiyun and the others, quickly pulled at her sleeves. Lady Wang composed herself and spoke again of cheerful matters, and they retired for the night.

The next morning, they went early to the ancestral temple to perform the rites, all the younger sons and nephews accompanying them. Jia Zheng sat down in a side chamber beside the temple and summoned Jia Zhen and Jia Lian to ask about household affairs. Jia Zhen selected what was suitable to report. Jia Zheng then said, "Having just returned home, I am not in a position to inquire too closely, but I have heard from outside that your household is no longer what it once was. You must be cautious in all matters. You are no longer young—the children should be disciplined and taught not to offend others outside. Lian, you should listen to this as well. It is not that I wish to reproach you the moment I return; I speak only because I have heard things. You must be even more careful." Jia Zhen and the others flushed crimson and could only murmur "Yes," daring to say nothing more. Jia Zheng let the matter drop. They returned to the western mansion. After the servants had kowtowed, they proceeded inside again, where the maidservants performed their obeisances—there is no need to dwell on this.

As for Baoyu, because Jia Zheng had asked about Daiyu the day before and Lady Wang had answered that she was ill, he had grieved in secret. When Jia Zheng finally told him to go back, he had already shed many tears along the way. Upon returning to his room and seeing Baochai and Xiren talking, he sat alone in the outer room, sunk in melancholy. Baochai had Xiren bring him tea, guessing that he must be afraid the master would question him about his studies, and so she came over to comfort him. Baoyu took this as an opening and went to Baochai, saying, "You go to sleep early tonight. I need to settle my mind. I am not what I was before—if I am asked three things, I forget two, and the master will think ill of it. You go to sleep first and have Xiren sit with me for a while." Baochai could not force him and nodded her assent.

Baoyu came out and spoke softly to Xiren, entreating her: "Go and call Zijuan here. I have something to ask her. But whenever Zijuan sees me, she always has anger written all over her face. You must first go and talk her around before she'll come." Xiren said, "I was glad to hear you say you wanted to calm your mind—so why have you now fixed your thoughts on this? Can't you ask your questions tomorrow?" Baoyu said, "I happen to be free this evening. Tomorrow, if Father calls on me for something, I'll have no time. Good elder sister, go quickly and call her." Xiren said: "She won't come unless the Second Mistress summons her." Baoyu said: "That's precisely why you need to go and explain things." Xiren said: "What am I supposed to say?" Baoyu said: "Don't you understand her heart and mine? It's all on account of Miss Lin. Tell me I'm not ungrateful—but you people have made me into an ungrateful man!" As he said this, he glanced toward the inner room, pointed at it, and said: "That marriage was never what I wanted. It was all Grandmother and the others who maneuvered it. They ruined a perfectly fine Miss Lin and got her killed. Even if she had to die, they should at least have let me see her and speak things out clearly—then she wouldn't have died resenting me either. You yourself heard what Third Miss and the others said—that she died cursing me. And Zijuan, for her young mistress's sake, hates me beyond all bearing. Do you think I'm a heartless person? Even Qingwen was just a maid, not especially remarkable, yet when she died, I'll tell you plainly—I wrote a sacrificial essay to honor her. Miss Lin saw it with her own eyes. Now that Miss Lin is dead, could she really be less than Qingwen? I can't even offer a sacrifice for her. Besides, Miss Lin must have a spirit after death—wouldn't she resent me even more when she thinks of it?" Xiren said: "If you want to hold a sacrifice, go ahead and do it. Who's stopping you?" Baoyu said: "Ever since I recovered, I've wanted to write a sacrificial essay. I don't know why now I haven't a single spark of inspiration. For sacrificing to someone else, I could manage something passable, but for her, I absolutely cannot be the least bit crude. That's why I want to call Zijuan here to ask what was in her mistress's heart—how she perceived things. Before I was ill, I could still think clearly, but after the illness, I've forgotten it all. You tell me Miss Lin had already recovered—so how did she die so suddenly? When she was well and I didn't go to her, what did she say? When I was ill and she didn't come to me, what did she say? All her things—I tricked them away, but your Second Mistress never lets anyone touch them. I don't know what that means." Xiren said: "The Second Mistress is only afraid you'll be heartbroken. What else could there be?" Baoyu said: "I don't believe it. If Miss Lin cared for me, why did she burn her poems before she died, leaving nothing behind as a memento? And I heard there was music in the sky—she must have become a goddess or ascended to the immortals. I saw the coffin, but I don't know for certain whether she's in it." Xiren said: "Your talk is getting more confused by the minute. How could someone who hasn't died be put in a coffin and treated as dead?" Baoyu said: "No! Generally speaking, when someone becomes an immortal, either the physical body ascends, or the spirit sheds its mortal frame. Good elder sister, please just go and call Zijuan." Xiren said: "Now let me carefully explain your feelings to her. If she's willing to come, well and good. If she refuses, it'll take a lot more talking. Even if she comes, she won't tell you everything in detail when she sees it's you. In my opinion: tomorrow, after the Second Mistress has gone upstairs, I'll ask her slowly—then perhaps I can get the full story. When I have a free moment, I'll tell you everything bit by bit." Baoyu said: "You're right. You don't know how anxious I am inside."

Just then, Sheyue came out and said: "The Second Mistress says it's already the fourth watch of the night. Please, Second Master, come in and go to sleep. Xiren must have gotten so carried away talking that she forgot the time." Xiren said upon hearing this: "Indeed, it's time to sleep. We'll talk more tomorrow." Baoyu had no choice but to go inside, and as he did, he whispered to Xiren: "Tomorrow, whatever you do, don't forget." Xiren smiled and said: "I know." Sheyue, wiping her face, said with a grin: "You two are up to your tricks again. Why don't you just tell the Second Mistress and go sleep at Xiren's place? Talk the night long if you want—we won't stop you." Baoyu waved his hand and said: "Say nothing more." Xiren said angrily: "Little wretch, you're gossiping again. Just wait till tomorrow—I'll tear your mouth apart!" Turning back to Baoyu, she said: "This is all your doing—talking till the fourth watch." As she spoke, she saw Baoyu into the room, and everyone dispersed.

That night Baoyu could not sleep. By the next day, he was still brooding over the matter. Then word came from outside: "Because the Master has returned home, all the relatives and friends want to present theatrical performances to welcome him. The Master declined repeatedly, saying there was no need for opera. Instead, he has prepared wine at home and invited the relatives and friends over to chat together. So a banquet has been arranged for the day after tomorrow to entertain the guests—that's why I've come to tell you." Who the guests might be will be revealed in the next chapter.