Chapter 15

Chapter 15

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Chapter 15

Wang Xifeng Seizes Power at the Temple of the Iron Threshold;

Qin Zhong Finds Pleasure at the Convent of the Steamed Buns

Baoyu looked up and saw that the Prince of Beijing, Shui Rong, wore on his head a white-jeweled king's cap with silver wings, a white python-embroidered robe with five-clawed dragons riding over waves of river-tooth and sea-water, and a girdle of red leather set with jade. His face was as beautiful as fine jade, his eyes as bright as stars—truly a most handsome figure. Baoyu hastened forward to pay his respects, and Shui Rong at once reached out from his sedan chair to take his hand. He observed that Baoyu wore a silver crown binding his hair, a forehead band with twin dragons emerging from the sea, white python-embroidered riding sleeves, and a silver belt strung with gathered pearls. His face was like a spring flower, his eyes as black as lacquer. Shui Rong smiled and said, "The reputation is well deserved—truly 'gem-like' and 'jade-like'!" He then asked, "Where is the precious thing you were born with?" When asked, Baoyu quickly drew it out from inside his robes and handed it over. Shui Rong examined it closely, read the inscription on it, and then asked, "Does it really work?" Jia Zheng quickly replied, "Though people say so, we have never actually tested it." Shui Rong praised it as a marvelous prodigy, then carefully adjusted the colored tassel and personally fastened it around Baoyu's neck. He also took Baoyu's hand and asked how old he was and what books he studied. Baoyu answered each question in turn.

Shui Rong saw that the boy spoke clearly and with refinement. Turning to Jia Zheng, he said, "Your son is truly a young dragon colt and phoenix chick. If I presume to speak boldly before you, sir, the saying 'The young phoenix's song is purer than the old phoenix's'—his future is beyond measure!" Jia Zheng replied with a polite smile, "How would my worthless son dare to receive such golden praise? Thanks to the blessings of your noble fang, if things are as you say, it is also the good fortune of my humble generation." Shui Rong continued, "There is just one thing. With a son of such qualities, I imagine the old lady and the other ladies of the family dote on him to the utmost. But for young men like us, excessive indulgence is most unwise, for it inevitably leads to the neglect of one's studies. I myself once fell into this error, and I fear your son may be no less susceptible. If he finds it difficult to concentrate on his studies at home, he would be welcome to visit my humble residence often. Though I am unworthy, many distinguished scholars from all over who come to the capital have graciously bestowed their favor upon me. As a result, my residence is frequented by men of talent. If your son were to visit and converse with them from time to time, his learning would advance daily." Jia Zheng bowed and hastily agreed.

Shui Rong then removed a string of prayer beads from his wrist and handed it to Baoyu, saying, "Today is our first meeting, and I have nothing prepared as a gift of respect. This is a string of incense wood prayer beads that His Majesty the Emperor bestowed upon me the other day. Please accept it as a humble token of congratulation." Baoyu quickly received it, turned, and presented it to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng and Baoyu together offered their thanks. Then Jia She, Jia Zhen, and the others came forward to request that the prince return to his sedan chair. Shui Rong said, "The departed has already ascended to the immortal realm—she is no longer one of us mortals of the dusty world. Though I have received Heaven's grace and unworthily inherited a princely title, how dare I presume to advance past the immortal bier?" Seeing that he was firmly resolved not to proceed, Jia She and the others had no choice but to take their leave, express their gratitude, and return. They ordered the musicians to silence their instruments, and the funeral procession passed by in solemn silence. Only then did they allow Shui Rong's sedan chair to return. So much for this.

Now then, the Ning household's funeral procession was proceeding with great pomp and liveliness all along the way. When they reached the city gate, there were the sacrificial pavilions of Jia She, Jia Zheng, Jia Zhen, and various other colleagues and subordinates, who came out to receive the cortège and offer their condolences. Each was thanked in turn, and then they passed through the gate and out of the city, proceeding along the main road to the Temple of the Iron Threshold. At this point, Jia Zhen led Jia Rong before the elder generation and invited them to take their seats in sedan chairs or mount their horses. The older generation—Jia She and the like—each entered their carriages or sedan chairs, while Jia Zhen's generation were about to mount their horses. Xifeng, thinking of Baoyu, feared that he might give free rein to his wild ways in the countryside and not listen to the servants. Jia Zheng could not be bothered with such small matters, and she worried that if anything went wrong, she would have a hard time facing the old lady. So she ordered a page to summon him. Baoyu had no choice but to come to her carriage. Xifeng said with a smile, "Dear brother, you are a person of honor, as delicate as a young lady. Don't learn from those fellows, squatting like monkeys on horseback. Come down—let you and I ride together in the carriage. Wouldn't that be nice?" When Baoyu heard this, he quickly dismounted and climbed into Xifeng's carriage. The two of them chatted and laughed as they rode on. Before long, two riders came galloping toward them from the side. When they were not far from Xifeng's carriage, they both leaped down and, supporting the carriage, reported, "There is a resting place here. Please, madam, stop and rest and change your clothes." Xifeng hastily ordered someone to ask for Lady Xing's and Lady Wang's instructions. The man returned and said, "The ladies say there is no need to rest; they tell madam to do as she pleases." Upon hearing this, Xifeng ordered them to stop and rest. The pages accordingly led the shaft-horses aside, diverting them from the crowd and galloping off to the north. Inside the carriage, Baoyu urgently asked that Qin Zhong be invited. At that moment, Qin Zhong was riding alongside his father's sedan chair when he saw Baoyu's page running over to invite him to stop for refreshments. Qin Zhong looked and saw that Xifeng's carriage was heading north, with Baoyu's horse behind it, saddled and bridled. He realized that Baoyu was riding in the carriage with Xifeng, so he spurred his horse forward and followed, entering together through the gate of a village compound. The household servants had already chased away all the village men. The farmhouses had few rooms, and the women had nowhere to retreat, so they simply let the visitors be. What country woman or village wife would not stare with admiration at the fine looks, clothing, manners, and bearing of Xifeng, Baoyu, and Qin Zhong?

Presently Fengjie entered the thatched cottage and ordered Baoyu and the others to go outside and amuse themselves for a while. Baoyu took the hint and went out together with Qin Zhong, leading the pages to wander about everywhere. They had never seen any of the farming implements used by the peasants. When Baoyu caught sight of spades, hoes, ploughs, and rakes, he thought them all very strange and did not know what they were used for or what they were called. The pages standing by told him each item's name and explained its purpose. Baoyu listened and nodded with a sigh. "No wonder the ancient poet wrote, 'Who knows that the food upon the plate, each grain has cost us toil and pain'—it is precisely for this reason," he said. As he spoke, he came to a room where he saw a spinning wheel on the kang. He asked the pages, "What is this?" The pages again explained its use. Baoyu, upon hearing this, came forward and began turning the wheel to play with it, finding it quite amusing. Just then a village girl of about seventeen or eighteen came running up, shouting, "Don't break it!" The pages hastily shouted at her to stop. Baoyu quickly let go and said with an apologetic smile, "I've never seen one of these before, so I just wanted to try it out." The girl said, "You people wouldn't know how to work it. Stand aside—I'll spin some thread for you to see." Qin Zhong tugged at Baoyu's sleeve and whispered with a smile, "This wench is rather interesting." Baoyu pushed him away and said with a laugh, "You wretch! If you talk such nonsense again, I'll give you a beating." Even as he spoke, the girl began spinning thread. Baoyu was just about to say something when an old woman's voice called from the other side, "Second Girl! Come here quickly!" The girl heard this, put down the spinning wheel, and went off without further ado.

Baoyu felt disappointed and at a loss. Presently Fengjie sent someone to call the two of them inside. Fengjie washed her hands, changed her clothes, and shook off the dust, asking whether they wanted to change too. Baoyu declined, so that was that. The household servants brought along traveling teapots and teacups, lacquer boxes with ten compartments, and various small snacks. After Fengjie and the others had tea and the servants had finished clearing up, they rose and got into the carriage. Outside, Wang'er had prepared gratuities and rewarded the head of the village household. The village women came to kowtow and receive their gifts. Fengjie paid them no mind, but Baoyu watched carefully and noticed that Second Girl was not among them. A short while later they got into the carriage and had not gone far when they saw Second Girl coming toward them, carrying her little brother in her arms and chatting and laughing with several other little girls. Baoyu wished he could get down from the carriage and follow her, but he knew the others would not allow it. He could only gaze after her with longing, but alas the carriage was light and the horses swift, and in the blink of an eye she was gone without a trace.

Before long, they caught up with the funeral procession once more. Already ahead, Buddhist drums and gongs were sounding, streamers and banners and jeweled canopies were displayed, and the monks of the Iron Threshold Temple had all assembled to receive the spirit. In due course they entered the temple, where Buddhist rites were performed anew and a fresh altar of incense was set up. The spirit was installed in a side chamber of the inner hall, and Baozhu was settled in the inner bedchamber to keep it company. Outside, Jia Zhen entertained all the relatives and friends; some stayed for a meal, and some departed without eating. Having thanked them for their trouble in attendance, he saw them off group by group, from dukes and marquises down to viscounts and barons, until the mid-afternoon watch when they had all dispersed at last. Inside, it was Xifeng who managed the reception of the female guests, beginning with those of highest rank and official titles, and they too did not all disperse until the noon hour. Only a few very close relatives remained and would stay until the three-day rites for the settling of the spirit were completed. By then Lady Xing and Lady Wang knew that Xifeng could not possibly return home, so they prepared to go back into the city. Lady Wang wanted to take Baoyu with her, but Baoyu, having just arrived in the countryside, was unwilling to go back and insisted on staying with Xifeng. Lady Wang could do nothing about it, so she entrusted him to Xifeng and returned home. Now, the Iron Threshold Temple had originally been built by the Duke of Ningguo and the Duke of Rongguo in their time, and even now it had endowed lands yielding incense revenue, intended to serve as a convenient resting place in the capital when people passed away. Both yin and yang quarters had been prepared in it, suitable for those accompanying the funeral to lodge in. They had not anticipated that in later generations the family would multiply so, with some rich and some poor, some of compatible temperament and others not. Those whose means were modest and who lived simply would stay there; those who still kept up appearances and had money and influence would say that it was inconvenient and would certainly find lodgings elsewhere, in a village or a nunnery, as a place to withdraw to after the ceremonies. Now, for the funeral of the Qin woman, the various members of the clan were all lodging at the Iron Threshold Temple, but Xifeng, finding it inconvenient, had early on sent a message to Jingxu, the old nun of the Steamed Bun Nunnery, and had two rooms cleared for her quarters. The Steamed Bun Nunnery was in fact the Water Moon Nunnery, and had acquired that nickname because the buns made in its kitchen were especially good; it was not far from the Iron Threshold Temple. By now the monks had finished their devotions and the offerings of tea and food had been made, so Jia Zhen told Jia Rong to invite Xifeng to rest. Xifeng, seeing that there were still a few sisters-in-law keeping the female relatives company, took her leave of everyone and set off for the Water Moon Nunnery, taking Baoyu and Qin Zhong with her. Now Qin Zhong's father, Qin Ye, was old and in poor health and could not stay there; he had only ordered Qin Zhong to wait until the spirit was installed. So Qin Zhong simply followed Xifeng and Baoyu, and in due course they arrived at the Water Moon Nunnery. Jingxu, together with her two disciples Zhishan and Zhineng, came out to welcome them, and they greeted one another. When Xifeng and the others had entered the clean chambers, changed their clothes, and washed their hands, Xifeng noticed that Zhineng had grown taller and her features had become even more striking, and she said, "Why haven't you and your master been over to our place these many days?" Jingxu replied, "It's just that we haven't had a moment to spare these past few days. The Hu family had a son born to them, and the mistress sent ten taels of silver here, asking us to invite several nuns to recite the Blood Bowl Sutra for three days. We've been so busy we've had no leisure at all, so we didn't come to pay our respects to you, madam." Leaving the old nun chatting with Xifeng, let us turn to Qin Zhong and Baoyu, who were amusing themselves in the main hall. Seeing Zhineng approaching, Baoyu smiled and said, "Here comes Neng'er." Qin Zhong said, "Why bother with that creature?" Baoyu smiled and said, "Don't play your tricks. That day in the old lady's room, when there was no one around, what were you doing hugging her? And now you still try to fool me." Qin Zhong smiled and said, "That's nonsense." Baoyu said, "Whether it happened or not is none of my business; just call her over to pour me a bowl of tea, and then you can let her go." Qin Zhong smiled and said, "That's strange too. If you tell her to pour it, she'll pour it. Why do you need me to say it?" Baoyu said, "When you tell her to pour it, there's feeling in it; when I tell her, there's nothing behind it." Qin Zhong had no choice but to say, "Neng'er, pour a bowl of tea for me." Zhineng had grown up visiting the Rong Mansion, and everyone there knew her. She had often joked and played with Baoyu and Qin Zhong. Now that she was older, she was beginning to understand the ways of the world and had taken a fancy to Qin Zhong for his graceful charm, while Qin Zhong was greatly attracted by her beauty. Although they had not yet consummated their feelings, they were already deeply drawn to each other. Now, when Zhineng saw Qin Zhong, her heart and eyes both opened wide, and she went over to pour the tea. Qin Zhong smiled and said, "Give it to me." Baoyu called out, "Give it to me!" Zhineng pursed her lips and smiled. "You're fighting over a single bowl of tea—as if I had honey in my hands!" Baoyu grabbed it first and drank, and was about to ask a question when Zhishan came to call Zhineng to set out the tea cups, and then came to invite the two of them to have tea and fruit and sweetmeats. The two boys had no appetite for such things; they sat for a while and then went back out to play.

Xifeng sat for a short while, then returned to the meditation room to rest, the old nun seeing her off. By this time, the various old wives and young daughters-in-law, seeing there was nothing more to do, had gradually dispersed to take their own rest. Only a few trusted handmaidens remained in attendance. The old nun seized the moment and said, "I have a matter I wish to bring to the Lady's attention at your mansion. I would first seek Your Ladyship's instruction." Xifeng asked what it was.

The old nun said, "Amida Buddha! In the past, when I was a nun at the Good Talents Nunnery in Chang'an County, there was a patron surnamed Zhang, a man of great wealth. He had a daughter called Jingu, who came to our temple one year to offer incense. There she happened to encounter the brother-in-law of the Prefect of Chang'an, Magistrate Li. This Magistrate Li was smitten with her and wanted to marry her, sending people to propose. But Jingu had already been betrothed to the son of the former Garrison Commander of Chang'an. The Zhang family, if they broke the engagement, feared the Garrison Commander would not stand for it, so so they said she was already promised to another. But Mr. Li was obstinate and insisted on marrying her. The Zhang family, caught between two sides and at their wits' end, did not know what to do. Then the Garrison Commander's family heard of this, and without distinguishing right from wrong, came to insult and abuse them, saying they had promised one daughter to several families and would not allow the betrothal gifts to be returned. They took the matter to court. The Zhang family, in desperation, sent someone to the capital to seek connections, determined in a fit of pique to break the engagement. Now, I think that the Military Governor of Chang'an, old Master Yun, is on the closest terms with your household. The Lady could speak to the Master, and a letter could be sent asking Governor Yun to speak to the Garrison Commander. The Garrison Commander would surely not refuse. If this could be done, the Zhang family would willingly give all they possess, even to bankrupting themselves."

Xifeng listened and laughed. "This is no small matter. But the Lady never concerns herself with such things."

The old nun said, "If the Lady will not, Your Ladyship could decide it yourself."

Xifeng laughed. "I don't need the money, and I don't do such things."

Jingxu, having her hopes dashed, sighed after a long pause. "That may be so, but the Zhang family already knows I have come to your household for help. If nothing is done, they won't think you haven't the time or that you disdain their gift—it will look as if your household lacks even this much influence."

When Xifeng heard this, her interest was aroused. "You've known me long enough. I have never believed in hell or karmic retribution. Whatever the matter, if I say it will be done, it will be done. Tell them to bring three thousand taels of silver, and I'll settle this for them."

The old nun was overjoyed and said eagerly, "They have it, they have it! That is no difficulty."

Xifeng added, "I'm not like those people who scheme and maneuver for money. This three thousand taels is merely to cover the traveling expenses of the servant who will carry the letter, so he can earn a little for his trouble. I won't take a single copper for myself. Even thirty thousand taels, I could produce right now."

The old nun hastened to agree, then said, "In that case, perhaps Your Ladyship might grant this favor tomorrow?"

Xifeng said, "Look how busy I am—which affair can do without me? But since I've promised you, I'll see it settled quickly."

The old nun said, "This little matter would throw anyone else into a flurry. But for Your Ladyship, adding a few more would not be enough for you to stretch your abilities. As the saying goes, 'The capable are burdened with much.' The Lady, seeing that Your Ladyship handles all matters great and small so well, has simply handed everything over to you. Your Ladyship must take good care of your precious health." This flattery all the way along made Xifeng feel ever more gratified. Fatigued as she was, she became even more talkative.

Meanwhile, Qin Zhong, taking advantage of the darkness and absence of others, had come looking for Zhineng. He reached the back room and found Zhineng alone washing tea bowls. Qin Zhong ran over and threw his arms around her, kissing her. Zhineng stamped her foot in agitation. "What is this? If you carry on like this, I'll shout."

Qin Zhong pleaded, "Good heart, I'm desperate. If you won't give in today, I'll die right here."

Zhineng said, "What do you want? Unless I escape this prison and leave these people, I won't consent."

Qin Zhong said, "That would be easy enough, but distant water won't quench a present fire." With that, he blew out the lamp. The room went pitch black, and he lifted Zhineng onto the kang and they made love. Zhineng struggled in every way she could, but dared not cry out, and in the end had no choice but to submit. Just as they were at the height of pleasure, someone came in and seized them both, saying nothing. Not knowing who it was, the two of them were terrified and didn't dare move. Then they heard a snort, and the person couldn't help laughing. Recognizing the voice, they realized it was Baoyu. Qin Zhong scrambled up. "What is this for?"

Baoyu laughed. "If you won't give in, let's start shouting."

Zhineng, mortified, slipped away in the dark. Baoyu pulled Qin Zhong out. "Are you still going to be stubborn with me?"

Qin Zhong smiled. "Good heart, just don't let everyone know. I'll do whatever you want."

Baoyu laughed. "No need to talk about that now. Wait until we lie down, and we'll settle accounts in detail."

When the time came to undress and rest, Xifeng was in the inner room, Qin Zhong and Baoyu in the outer room. All over the floor were the household servants, sleeping on mats and keeping watch through the night. Xifeng, fearing the spiritual jade might be lost, waited until Baoyu had fallen asleep, then had someone bring it over and tuck it under her own pillow. What sort of accounts Baoyu and Qin Zhong were to settle, and what exactly happened, was never clearly seen or recorded. This remains a mystery, and one dares not fabricate an account.

Nothing more was said that night. Early the next morning, Lady Dowager and Lady Wang sent people to see how Baoyu was and told him to put more clothes on, adding that if nothing urgent required his presence, he might as well return home. But Baoyu had no intention of leaving; and Qin Zhong, who was infatuated with Zhien, egged Baoyu on to beg Sister Feng to stay one more day. Sister Feng thought it over: although the major funeral arrangements were complete, there were still some minor details that had not been settled. By staying another day, she could oblige Jia Zhen even further; she could also finish off that business with the old nun; and she would please Baoyu, which would surely delight the old lady as well. With these three advantages in mind, she said to Baoyu, "My work is all done. If you insist on lingering here, I suppose I'll just have to put in one more hard day tomorrow—but we absolutely must leave the next day."

When Baoyu heard this, he begged her with a thousand protestations, calling her "Dear Sister" this and "Dear Sister" that. "Just one more day," he pleaded, "and I promise we'll leave the day after." So they stayed another night.

Sister Feng quietly told Lai Wang about the matter of the old nun from the previous day. Lai Wang understood perfectly. He hurried into the city, found the lawyer who handled such matters, and on the pretext that Jia Lian had instructed him, drew up a letter and sent it by night to Chang'an County. The distance was no more than a hundred li, and within two days everything was settled. The military governor, whose name was Yun Guang, had long been indebted to the Jia family, so there was no question of his refusing such a minor favor. He gave Lai Wang a reply and sent him back. But no more of this.

After another day, Sister Feng and the others finally took leave of the old nun, telling her to come to the mansion three days later for news. Qin Zhong and Zhien were loath to part, and they made many secret trysts behind the scenes—but there is no need to go into detail. In the end they had to leave with heavy hearts. Sister Feng also went to the Iron Threshold Temple to look after things there. Baozhu adamantly refused to go home, so Jia Zhen had no choice but to send some women to keep her company. More of this in the next chapter.

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