Chapter 113

Chapter 113

### Chapter 113

**At the Temple, Jealousy Dooms the Concubine; In the Mansion, Gratitude Touches the Maid**

Now Zhao the concubine had fallen suddenly ill at the temple. As the crowd thinned, her ravings grew wilder, frightening everyone so much that two women had to hold her up. She knelt on the ground, weeping and wailing by turns, sometimes throwing herself down and begging for mercy: "Beat me to death! Old master with the red beard, I won't do it again!" At other times she clasped her hands together, crying out in pain. Her eyes bulged, fresh blood streamed from her mouth, and her hair hung loose. Everyone was terrified and dared not approach. By then it was growing late, and her voice grew hoarse, turning into what sounded like the howling of a demon. No one dared stay near her, so they had to bring in a few bold men to sit with her. She died for a while, then came back to life again, carrying on like this through the whole night. By the next day, she could no longer speak. She only made hideous grimaces and tore at her own clothes with her hands, baring her chest, as if someone were flaying her alive. Poor Zhao the concubine, though she could not utter a word, was suffering agonies that were truly unbearable to watch. Just when her condition was most critical, the doctor arrived, but he dared not examine her. He merely instructed them, "Prepare for the funeral," and with that he turned to leave. The servant who had escorted the doctor pleaded with him: "Please, sir, feel her pulse, so I can report to the master." The doctor reached out and felt for a pulse, but there was none. When Jia Huan heard this, he burst into loud weeping. Everyone attended to Jia Huan; no one bothered with Zhao the concubine. Only Zhou the concubine felt a bitter grief in her heart, thinking: "This is the fate that awaits a concubine! And she had a son at that. When my own death comes, who knows what will become of me!" And so she wept with genuine sorrow. Meanwhile, the servant hurried home to report. Jia Zheng at once sent servants to make the customary arrangements and stayed with Jia Huan for three days before they returned together.

Once the servant had left, word spread from one to ten, and ten to a hundred, until everyone knew that Zhao the concubine had died under the torments of the netherworld, punished for the wicked schemes she had hatched against others. Some even said, "Lian the Second Master's wife probably won't recover either. After all, wasn't it she who brought the accusation?" When these rumors reached Pinger's ears, she was deeply troubled. She could see that Xifeng's condition was truly hopeless, and that Lian no longer showed the affection he once had. With so many things on his hands, he acted as though none of this concerned him. Pinger stayed by Xifeng's side, trying all she could to comfort her, while also reflecting that the two Ladies Xing and Wang had been away for several days and had only sent people to inquire—neither had come in person to visit. This made Xifeng feel even more wretched. When Lian came home, he never spoke a single word of comfort. By now Xifeng only wished for a swift death, and as this thought crossed her mind, all manner of demons crowded in upon her. She saw Second Sister You approaching from behind the door, drawing closer and closer to the bed. "Sister, it has been so long since we met," said Second Sister You. "Your younger sister has missed you terribly and could not find a way to see you. Now I have finally managed to come in and visit. Sister, you have exhausted all your wits. Our Second Master is a fool—he never appreciated your devotion and instead resented you for being too harsh, saying you ruined his prospects and made him a laughingstock. I feel it is unjust, for your sake." In her delirium, Xifeng replied, "I now regret that my heart was too narrow. Sister, you bear no grudge against me and have still come to see me." Pinger, standing nearby, asked, "What is my mistress saying?" Xifeng came to herself with a start and remembered that Second Sister You was already dead—she must have come to claim her life. Pinger had roused her, and though she was frightened inside, she would not say so. She forced herself to speak: "My spirit is unsettled. I must have been talking in my sleep. Pound my legs for me." Pinger began to pound her legs. Just then a young maid came in and said, "Granny Liu is here. The old women have brought her to pay her respects to you." Pinger hurried down and asked, "Where is she?" The young maid replied, "She did not dare come in on her own. She is waiting for your instructions." Pinger nodded, thinking that Xifeng, being ill, would certainly be too weary to receive visitors. She said, "My mistress is resting now. Let her wait a while. Did you ask what brings her here?" The maid answered, "They have already said there is no particular business. They heard of the old lady's passing and came to offer their condolences, only arriving late because they had not been informed earlier." As the maid spoke, Xifeng overheard and called out, "Pinger, come here. These people have come with good intentions. We must not be cold to them. Go and invite Granny Liu in. I would like to chat with her." Pinger had no choice but to go out and ask Granny Liu to take a seat.

Xifeng had just closed her eyes when she saw a man and a woman walking toward the kang as if they meant to climb onto it. Startled, she called out to Pinger, "Where did this man come from, barging in here like this?" She called twice, and only Feng'er and Xiaohong came running in. "What does my mistress want?" they asked. Xifeng opened her eyes and saw no one there. She understood what was happening but would not say so. Instead, she asked Feng'er, "Where has that creature Pinger gone?" Feng'er replied, "Didn't my mistress send her to invite Granny Liu in?" Xifeng composed herself for a moment and said no more.

Only then did they see P'ing-erh and Old Mother Liu come in leading a little girl. "Where is our young mistress?" they asked. P'ing-erh led them to the kang, and Old Mother Liu said, "I wish the young mistress good health." Hsi-feng opened her eyes and was at once overcome with grief. "How are you, Old Mother? Why have you only come now? Look, your great-niece has grown so big." Seeing how thin Hsi-feng was and how distraught she looked, Old Mother Liu's heart ached. "My dear young lady, how can you have fallen so ill in a few months? I'm such a fool. Why didn't I come to pay my respects earlier?" She told Ch'ing-erh to pay her respects to the young mistress. Ch'ing-erh only smiled, but Hsi-feng took a fancy to her and told Hsiao-hung to look after her.

Old Mother Liu said, "People in our village never fall sick; and when they do, they pray to the gods and make vows—they never think of taking medicine. I wonder, young mistress, whether your illness may have been caused by some evil spirit?" Thinking this remark irrational, P'ing-erh plucked Old Mother Liu's sleeve behind her back. Taking the hint, Old Mother Liu said no more. Little did they know that these words chimed with Hsi-feng's own feelings. Struggling up, she said, "You're an old woman and you're right. Did you know that Concubine Chao is dead?" Old Mother Liu was astounded. "Amida Buddha! How could a perfectly healthy person die? I remember she had a little boy too. What will happen to him?" P'ing-erh said, "That doesn't matter, she has the Master and Old Lady to look after her." "You don't understand, miss," said Old Mother Liu. "A mother's own child matters; a stepchild is no use." This remark touched Hsi-feng on the raw, and she started sobbing. The others tried to comfort her.

Chia-niang, hearing her mother's sobs, went to the kang and took Hsi-feng's hand, crying too. "Have you seen Old Mother Liu?" Hsi-feng asked through her tears. "No," said the child. "She's the one who gave you your name. She's like your godmother. Go and pay your respects to her." Chia-niang went over to her, and Old Mother Liu quickly took her hand. "Amida Buddha, don't bring me bad luck! Miss Chia, it's over a year since I last came. Do you still remember me?" "Of course I do. The year we met in the Garden I was small, and when you came the year before last, I asked you for a grasshopper for the next year. You didn't give me one—you must have forgotten." "Dear child, I'm old and muddle-headed. As for grasshoppers, there are plenty in our village, but nobody comes to our part of the world. If anyone did, he could easily get a whole cartload." "Then take her back with you," said Hsi-feng. Old Mother Liu laughed. "A precious girl like her, brought up on fine silk and good food—what could I give her to play with or eat in our village? That would be the death of me." She chuckled. "Well then, let me be her matchmaker. Although we're only villagers, we have rich families with thousands of acres, hundreds of head of cattle, and plenty of silver and money—they just don't have the gold and jade you have here. The young mistress would look down on such people, but to us farmers, rich folk like that are like beings from heaven." "If you find someone, I'm willing," said Hsi-feng. "That's just talk," said Old Mother Liu. "With a young lady like her, great officials and noble families might not be willing to take her—how much less a farmer? Even if you were willing, the ladies upstairs wouldn't allow it." Chia-niang, finding this conversation unpleasant, drifted away to talk to Ch'ing-erh. The two girls hit it off and soon became good friends.

Here, P'ing-erh, fearing that Granny Liu would talk too much and tire Hsi-feng, pulled her aside and said, "You mentioned Her Ladyship—you haven't been to see her yet. I'll have someone take you over. You shouldn't miss that, since you've come all this way."

Granny Liu was about to leave when Hsi-feng said, "Why the hurry? Sit down. Tell me, how have you been managing lately?"

"Thank you, my lady," Granny Liu said gratefully. "If it weren't for Your Ladyship—" She pointed at Ch'ing-erh. "This child's parents would have starved to death. We farmers have a hard life, it's true, but we've managed to acquire several acres of land and dug a well. We grow vegetables, melons and fruit, which bring in quite enough to live on these past two years. And Your Ladyship has often given us clothes and cloth. We're better off than anyone else in the village. Gracious Buddha! The other day, when her father came into town and heard Your Ladyship's household had been moved, I was nearly frightened out of my wits. It was only when someone said it wasn't this household that I felt relieved. Then I heard that the Master here had been promoted, and I was so happy I wanted to come and congratulate you, but the crops were in the way and I couldn't leave. Then yesterday I heard that the Old Lady had passed away. I was out in the bean-field when I was told. I was so frightened I couldn't even pick up my beans. I just sat in the field and cried my heart out. I told my son-in-law, 'I can't worry about you anymore—true or false, I must go into the city and find out for myself.' My daughter and son-in-law are not ungrateful either. When they heard, they wept too. Before dawn today they hurried me into the city. I don't know a single soul here and had nowhere to ask. I went straight to the back gate and saw that the door-gods had been pasted over—that gave me another fright. I went in and looked for Chou's wife, but couldn't find her. Then I ran into a young maid who said Chou's wife had got into trouble and been dismissed. I waited a long time and finally met someone I knew, who got me in here. I never imagined Your Ladyship was so ill." As she spoke, tears fell again.

P'ing-erh, who had been waiting impatiently, didn't let her finish but pulled her away. "You've been talking till your mouth is dry, Granny. Come and have some tea." She led Granny Liu to a side room and seated her there, while Ch'ing-erh stayed with Chiao-chieh.

"I don't need tea," said Granny Liu. "Good girl, have someone take me to pay my respects to Her Ladyship and weep for the Old Lady."

"Don't be in a hurry," said P'ing-erh. "You can't get back to the city today anyway. I hurried you out just now because I was afraid you might say something careless and make our mistress cry. Don't think about it."

"Gracious Buddha! You're worrying too much, my girl. I understand. But what about our mistress's illness? Will she recover?"

"Will it be all right if you go in to see her?"

"It would be presumptuous of me, but from what I can see, she doesn't look well."

Just then they heard Hsi-feng calling again. P'ing-erh went to the bedside, but Hsi-feng said nothing. As P'ing-erh was asking Feng-erh, Chia Lian came in. He glanced at the kang but said nothing, then went into the inner room and sat down in a huff. Only Chiu-t'ung followed him in, poured tea and waited on him attentively, whispering something to him.

After a while Chia Lian called P'ing-erh. "Is your mistress not taking her medicine?"

"She isn't. What about it?"

"How should I know! Just bring me the keys on the cabinet."

Seeing that Chia Lian was angry, P'ing-erh didn't dare ask questions. She went to Hsi-feng's ear and murmured something. Hsi-feng said nothing, so P'ing-erh placed a box before Chia Lian and was about to leave when he snapped, "Is a ghost after you? You've just left that there—who's supposed to take it?"

P'ing-erh swallowed her anger, opened it, took out the keys and unlocked the cabinet. "What do you want?" she asked.

"Do we have anything?"

P'ing-erh burst into tears. "If you have something to say, say it clearly. Even if someone has died, I'd be willing!"

"What's the left to say? It was you people who made all this trouble. Now the Old Lady's funeral is short by four or five thousand taels of silver. His Honor told me to raise money from the family land accounts. Do we have any? Can we pay the debts owed to outsiders without money? Who made me responsible for this? I'll just have to sell the things the Old Lady gave me. You object?"

P'ing-erh said nothing but started taking things out of the cabinet.

Then Hsiao-hung came in. "Sister P'ing, hurry—the mistress is worse!"

P'ing-erh left Chia Lian and rushed over to find Hsi-feng grasping at the air with her hands. She took hold of the hands and wept.

Chia Lian came over to look, stamped his foot and said, "If it's like this, it's the end of me!" Tears fell from his eyes.

Feng-erh came in. "They're looking for the Second Master outside."

Chia Lian had to go out.

Here Xifeng's condition grew worse, and Feng'er and the others could not help but cry. Qiaojie heard this and hurried over. Granny Liu also rushed to the kang, murmuring Buddhist prayers and performing some sort of exorcism, and sure enough Xifeng improved somewhat. Presently Lady Wang, having received word from a maid, also came over. She saw at first that Xifeng was somewhat calmed and felt slightly reassured. Seeing Granny Liu, she said, "Granny Liu, how are you? When did you arrive?" Granny Liu said, "I wish Your Ladyship peace." Without going into detail, she spoke only of Xifeng's illness. After some discussion, Caiyun came in and said, "The Master asks for Your Ladyship." Lady Wang gave Ping'er a few words of instruction and then left. After Xifeng had her spell, she now felt somewhat clearer. Seeing Granny Liu there, she believed in her prayers and incantations, so she sent Feng'er and the others away, had Granny Liu sit by her bedside, and told her of her restless spirit and the ghostly visions she had been seeing. Granny Liu then spoke of which bodhisattvas were efficacious in their village and which temples had shown signs of divine response. Xifeng said, "I beg you to pray on my behalf. Whatever silver is needed for offerings, I have it." She slipped a gold bracelet from her wrist and handed it to her. Granny Liu said, "Madam, there's no need for that. When people in our village make a vow and are healed, they spend a few hundred cash—that's all. Why use something like this? Even if I go pray for you on your behalf, it's still making a vow. When you are well again, you can spend whatever you like yourself." Xifeng knew full well that Granny Liu meant well and could not press her, so she had to let her keep it. She said, "Granny, I entrust my life to you. My Qiaojie is also plagued by a thousand disasters and a hundred ailments—I entrust her to you as well." Granny Liu readily agreed and said, "In that case, as I see it the weather is still early, and I can make it back out of the city, so I'll go now. When you are well tomorrow, come make good on your vow." Xifeng, tormented by the vengeful spirits that beset her, was anxious for her to go at once, so she said, "If you will sincerely pray on my behalf, and if I can sleep peacefully for one night, I will be grateful to you. Let your granddaughter stay here." Granny Liu said, "A farm girl like her has never seen the world—she'd only disgrace herself here. I'd better take her along." Xifeng said, "You worry too much. Since we are all one family, what is there to fear? Though we are poor now, one extra mouth to feed makes no difference." Seeing that Xifeng spoke from the heart, Granny Liu was happy enough to have Qing'er stay a few days—it would also save on food at home. She only feared Qing'er might not agree, so she thought it better to ask her. If she was willing, she could stay. So she spoke a few words to Qing'er. Qing'er, having grown close playing with Qiaojie, and Qiaojie being unwilling to let her go, was happy to stay. Granny Liu gave a few instructions, took leave of Ping'er, and hurried off out of the city. So much for that.

Now the Longcui Nunnery had originally been on the Jia family's land. When the garden was built for the Imperial Visitation, the nunnery was enclosed within it, and its food and incense had never drawn on the Jia family's funds. Now that Miao Yu had been abducted, the nuns had reported it to the authorities—first, to await the officials' pursuit of the bandits, and second, because Miao Yu's property should not be dispersed, so they continued to reside there. They merely informed the Jia household. At that time, though the people of the Jia family all knew of it, Jia Zheng had recently died and their minds were troubled, so they did not consider it worth mentioning such trifling matters. Only Xichun knew of the affair and was uneasy day and night. Gradually word reached Baoyu's ears that Miao Yu had been seized by bandits; some also said that Miao Yu had been moved by worldly passion and had gone off with someone. Baoyu was deeply troubled. He imagined she must have been carried away by ruffians, and that she would never submit—she would surely die rather than yield. But with no news of her, he could not set his mind at ease, and each day he sighed long and short. He said, "Such a person, who called herself 'one beyond the threshold'—how could she come to such an end!" He further thought, "How lively the garden was in those days! Ever since Second Sister was married, some have died and some have wed. I thought she, being so pure and untouched, would be safe—who could have known that a storm would break, and that she would die in an even more extraordinary way than Sister Lin!" From one thought to two, from two to three, as he traced things back, he thought of the words in the *Zhuangzi*—that all is empty and ephemeral, that in this world nothing endures and all must scatter like the wind and clouds—and he burst into weeping. Xiren and the others said his madness was breaking out again and tried every gentle means to comfort him. Baochai, not understanding at first, also tried to admonish him with words. But Baoyu's melancholy would not lift, and his spirit seemed to wander. Baochai could not make sense of it, and after making careful inquiries, she learned that Miao Yu had been abducted and her whereabouts were unknown. She too was saddened, but seeing Baoyu so troubled, she tried to explain things with earnest words. She mentioned, "Since Lan returned from the funeral rites, though he does not attend school, I hear he studies diligently day and night. He is the Old Lady's great-grandson. The Old Lady has always hoped you would make something of yourself, and the Master frets over you day and night. Yet you waste yourself on idle sentiment and foolish passion—what kind of end will there be for those of us who remain by your side?" Baoyu had no answer. After a moment he said, "I have no time for other people's affairs—I can only sigh that our family's fortunes are in decline." Baochai said, "There you go again. The Master and the Old Lady both want you to make something of yourself and carry on the ancestral legacy. You simply refuse to wake from your delusion—what are we to do?" Hearing this, Baoyu felt they were not on the same wavelength, and he leaned on the table and fell asleep. Baochai paid him no mind, told Shueyue to attend to him, and went to bed herself.

Baoyu, noticing how few people were in the room, thought to myself: "Since Zijuan came here, I've never had a heart-to-heart word with her. I've left her so cold and neglected—I feel truly uneasy about it. And she's not like Sheyue or Qiuwen, whom I can easily make myself comfortable with. When I was ill before, she kept me company for quite some time. That little mirror of hers is still in my possession, and her devotion hasn't been shallow either. But lately I can't understand why—whenever she sees me, she's so cold. If it's because of that matter between us, she was closest to Sister Lin, and I've seen that he treated Zijuan quite well too. On days when I wasn't home, Zijuan used to chat and laugh with him; but when I arrived, Zijuan would leave. I suppose it must be because Sister Lin died and then I got married. Ah, Zijuan, Zijuan—such a bright, clever girl as you, can't you even see this much of my suffering!" Then another thought came: "Tonight some are sleeping and some are at their needlework. Why not take this chance and go find her, see what she has to say. If I've somehow offended her, it wouldn't hurt to make an apology." Having made up his up, he quietly slipped out of the room to look for Zijuan.

Zijuan's quarters were in the inner western wing. Baoyu crept up to her window. Seeing light still within, he wet his tongue and poked a hole in the window paper to peek inside. There sat Zijuan, alone with her lamp, not doing anything in particular—just sitting in a daze. Baoyu called softly, "Sister Zijuan, aren't you asleep yet?"

Zijuan started violently. After a long, stunned silence she managed, "Who is it?"

"It's me," said Baoyu.

Zijuan listened. It sounded like Baoyu's voice. She asked, "Is that Master Bao?"

Baoyu softly answered yes from outside.

Zijuan asked, "What do you want?"

Baoyu said, "There's something on my heart I want to say to you. Open the door—let me come in and sit with you."

Zijuan paused a moment, then said, "If you have something to say, Master Bao, it's late. Please go back. We can talk tomorrow."

At this, Baoyu felt half his warmth drain away. He wanted to push his way in, but feared Zijuan might not open the door. Yet if he turned back, all those pent-up feelings—stirred up even more by that one remark of hers—would be unbearable. At last he said, "I don't have much to say. Just one question."

"If it's just one question, then please ask."

For a long while Baoyu said nothing.

Inside, Zijuan heard no reply. Knowing his tendency toward foolish fits, she feared that if she really lashed out at him, it might trigger his old illness—and that would be no good. She stood up and listened carefully, then asked, "Have you gone, or are you just standing there like a fool? If you have something to say, say it, instead of tormenting people here. You've already tormented one person to death—do you want to torment another to death too! What good does that do!" As she spoke, she too peered through the hole Baoyu had made, and saw him standing there listening blankly. Zijuan could say no more. She turned back and trimmed the candle wick.

Suddenly Baoyu sighed and said, "Sister Zijuan, you were never so hard-hearted before. Why won't you even speak a decent word to me lately? I know I'm a vulgar creature, not worthy of your attention. But if I've done anything wrong, I only hope you'll tell me plainly. Even if you never speak to me again for the rest of your life, at least when I die I'll die a knowing ghost!"

Zijuan listened, then said with a cold laugh, "Is that all you have to say, Master Bao? Is there anything more? If that's all, I heard plenty of such talk when our young lady was still alive! And if there's anything we've done wrong—I was sent by you, Master Bao. You should take it up with her. After all, we maids don't count for anything."

Her voice broke as she spoke. She blew her nose. Baoyu, hearing her weeping inside, stamped his foot in distress. "What is this? I've been here for months—what could you not possibly know about my situation? Even if no one else would tell me to you, won't you even let me speak? Do you want me to choke on it until I die!"

And he too began to sob.

Baoyu was standing there in the depths of his sorrow when suddenly someone behind him spoke up: "Who are you asking to speak on your behalf? Who is whose what? You offended someone—you should be the one to beg their pardon. Whether they show you favor or not is their affair. Why must you drag us unimportant folk in to be your stepping-stone?" These words startled both the person inside and the one outside. Who do you think it was? It turned out to be Sheyue. Baoyu felt his face burning with embarrassment. Sheyue went on: "What is the situation, exactly? One side is offering an apology, and the other won't respond. You ought to be begging his pardon quickly now. Ai, our Zijuan is really too hard-hearted. It's so dreadfully cold outside, and he's been begging for such a long time, yet she won't show the least sign of relenting." Then, turning to Baoyu, she said: "Just now the Second Mistress was asking where you are and wondering what time it is. And here you stand all alone under the eaves for no good reason!" From inside, Zijuan chimed in: "What is the meaning of all this? We invited the Second Master in long ago. Whatever you have to say can wait until tomorrow. Why carry on like this?" Baoyu wanted to say more, but seeing Sheyue there, he felt it improper to say anything further. He had no choice but to walk back with Sheyue, saying as he went: "Enough, enough! I shall never in this life be able to make my heart clear! Only Heaven knows!" As he spoke these words, tears—who knew from where—came streaming down without cease. Sheyue said, "Second Master, take my advice and give it up. It's a waste of good tears." Baoyu made no reply and went into the room. He found Baochai asleep, though he knew she was only pretending. Xiren spoke up: "Whatever you had to say couldn't wait until tomorrow? You just had to rush off there and make a scene, and what came of it—" She broke off here, then after a pause continued: "How do you feel? Are you all right?" Baoyu said nothing, only shaking his head. Xiren busied herself helping him to bed. He lay awake the whole night—needless to say.

As for Zijuan, Baoyu's visit had stirred her heart all the more painfully, and she wept straight through the night. Turning it over and over in her mind: "Everyone knew Baoyu was not in his right mind during his illness, so they resorted to all manner of tricks to bring the marriage about. Later, when Baoyu came to his senses, his old illness returned and he weeps and thinks of her constantly—he is no faithless wretch. But the tenderness he showed today is more than anyone can bear. It is so pitiful—our Miss Lin truly had no fortune to receive such love. Looking at it this way, it seems that human destiny is fixed in advance. Before the appointed time arrives, everyone is lost in foolish fantasy. And when there is nothing more to be done, the ones who are less perceptive simply let it go, while those who feel deeply can only face the wind and the moon, shedding tears in grief. The pity is that the dead may not even know, while the living truly suffer heartbreak without end or limit. When all is said and done, one might as well be a plant or a stone—unconscious and unfeeling—for then the heart would be at peace!" Thinking thus, she felt her burning, aching heart turn cold in an instant. She was just about to settle down to sleep when she heard the sounds of commotion from the eastern courtyard. What had happened there? The next chapter will tell.