Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Here is the translation:

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Chapter 18: Lin Daiyu Mistakenly Cuts the Scented Pouch; Jia Yuanchun Returns Home to Celebrate the Lantern Festival

When Baoyu arrived outside the courtyard, several young servants who had been attending his father Jia Zheng threw their arms around his waist and held him fast. "We deserve the credit today," they said. "We're the ones who made His Lordship happy. The Old Lady sent people out several times to ask how you were getting on, and we told them you were doing well. Otherwise, if the Old Lady had summoned you inside, you wouldn't have had a chance to show off your talents. Everyone says the poems you wrote today are better than anything the rest of us could do. Now that you've won such a prize, you ought to reward us." Baoyu laughed and said, "One string of cash to each of you." The others said, "Who hasn't seen a string of cash! Give us your pouch instead." With that, one of them began untying his pouch, while another took off his fan case. Without giving him a chance to protest, they stripped off everything Baoyu had been wearing at his belt. Then they said, "Now take these things up properly." One of them picked Baoyu up in his arms, and several others surrounded him and carried him to the second gate of the Lady Dowager's quarters. By this time the Lady Dowager had already sent people to check several times. His nurses and maids hurried after him and, having paid their respects to the Lady Dowager and learned that he had not been made to suffer, were naturally delighted.

Presently Xiren brought tea and, seeing that not a single one of the things he had been wearing at his belt remained, said with a smile, "Your things have been taken away by those shameless creatures again." When Lin Daiyu heard this, she came over to look and found that indeed nothing remained. She turned to Baoyu and said, "Did you give them the pouch I gave you too? If you want anything of mine again, you can be sure you won't get it!" With that, she went back to her room in a huff and took out the scented sachet she had been making for Baoyu the other day—it was only half finished—and in a fit of pique, she seized it and cut it to pieces. Baoyu saw that he had upset her and knew he had been in the wrong. He hurried over, but she had already cut it through. Baoyu had seen the sachet before; although it was not yet finished, it was exquisitely made and had cost her a great deal of effort. Now to see it cut to pieces for no reason at all made him angry too. He quickly unfastened his collar and untied from inside his red-lined jacket the pouch that Daiyu had given him, and held it out for her to see. "Look at this!" he said. "When did I ever give away anything of yours?" When Lin Daiyu saw how carefully he had treasured it by wearing it inside his clothes, she realized that he had done so to prevent anyone else from taking it away. She regretted her rashness and reproached herself for having cut the sachet without first finding out the truth. Ashamed and vexed, she hung her head and said nothing. Baoyu said, "There's no need to cut it. I know you're too lazy to make things for me. How about I return this pouch to you?" With that, he tossed it into her lap and started to leave. This made Daiyu even angrier. Choking with sobs, tears began to roll down her cheeks. She picked up the pouch and cut it again. Seeing this, Baoyu hurried back and snatched it from her, laughing. "Good cousin, spare it!" Daiyu threw down the scissors, wiped her tears, and said, "Don't be nice to me one moment and nasty the next. If you're angry, just have done with me. What does this amount to?" With that, she lay down on the bed facing the wall and wiped her tears. She could not resist when Baoyu came up and began calling "Cousin" this and "Cousin" that, making apologies.

In the meantime, the Lady Dowager was calling for Baoyu from the front. The nurses and maids hurried back to say, "He's in Miss Lin's room." The Lady Dowager said, "Good, good, good! Let the cousins amuse themselves together. His father kept him at his studies all morning—let him enjoy himself for a while. Just don't let them quarrel, and don't let anyone upset him." Everyone promised to obey. Baoyu pestered Daiyu so relentlessly that she had no choice but to get up. "If you won't let me have any peace, I'll leave you," she said, and started walking out. Baoyu laughed and said, "Wherever you go, I'll follow." As he spoke, he picked up the pouch and put it on again. Daiyu reached out and snatched at it. "You said you didn't want it, and now you're wearing it again. I think you ought to be ashamed of yourself!" As she said this, she let out a little laugh. Baoyu said, "Good cousin, make me another sachet tomorrow." Daiyu said, "That depends on whether I feel like it." As they talked, the two of them left the room and went to Lady Wang's quarters, where, as it happened, Baochai was also present.

Meanwhile, Lady Wang's side of the household was in a state of great bustle. Jia Qiang had already returned from Gusu with twelve young girls he had purchased, along with instructors and all the necessary costumes and props. By this time, Aunt Xue had moved to a quiet set of rooms in the northeast corner of the compound, and the Pear Fragrance Court had long since been vacated, refurbished, and put at the disposal of the instructors for rehearsing the actresses. Lady Wang also assigned some elderly women from the household—former singers, now white-haired and bent with age—to oversee and manage the girls. Jia Qiang was put in charge of all daily expenses, disbursements of silver and cash, and the accounts for every manner of supplies and materials. Then Lin Zhixiang's wife came to report: "We have also bought ten young Buddhist nuns and Daoist novices, and twenty sets of new robes have been made for them. There is also one who wears her hair long though she is a nun—a native of Suzhou, from a family of scholars and officials. Because this girl was sickly from childhood, and no substitute novices sent in her place proved of any avail, she herself had to enter the religious life before she recovered. That is why she keeps her hair. She is eighteen this year, and her religious name is Miaoyu. Her parents are now both dead, and she has only two old nurses and one young maid to wait on her. She is extremely well read, has no need to study the sutras, and is remarkably beautiful. Having heard that in the capital Chang'an there are relics of Guanyin and palm-leaf manuscripts, she came up last year with her teacher, and is now staying at the Moumi Temple outside the West Gate. Her teacher was highly skilled in the calculation of fate by the primal numbers, and passed away last winter. Miaoyu had wished to escort the remains back to their hometown, but her teacher's dying words were: 'Your livelihood and dwelling are not suited to returning home. Remain here in seclusion, and in time your destiny will unfold of itself.' So she did not go back." Before the woman had finished, Lady Wang said, "In that case, why don't we invite her here?" Lin Zhixiang's wife replied, "We did ask her, but she said, 'A noble mansion such as yours will surely use its power and position to oppress people. I will not go.'" Lady Wang smiled. "Since she is the daughter of an official family, it is only natural that she should be proud. There can be no harm in sending a formal invitation." Lin Zhixiang's wife withdrew and gave orders to the secretary to write an invitation to Miaoyu. The next day, carriages were sent to bring her—but this is a matter for later; it cannot be related here.

At this point someone came to report that the workmen upstairs were waiting for gauze and damask to paste things and asked Lady Feng to go to the storeroom to select the materials. Someone else came to ask Lady Feng to open the treasury to receive the gold and silver vessels. Even Lady Wang and the maids in the main apartments had not a moment to themselves. Baochai said, "We are only getting in the way here. Let's go find Sister Tan." With that, she, Baoyu, and Daiyu went to Yingchun's rooms to amuse themselves. No more of this.

Lady Wang and the others were in a state of daily confusion right through to the end of the tenth month, when at last everything was ready: the overseers in every section had handed in their accounts, all the antiques and curios had been properly displayed, and every kind of bird—cranes, peacocks, deer, rabbits, chickens, geese, and the rest—had been purchased and turned over to the various scenic spots in the garden for keeping. On Jia Qiang's side, twenty variety plays had been rehearsed, and the young nuns and Daoist novices had learned to recite several chapters of sutras and incantations. Jia Zheng's mind was somewhat eased, and he invited the Dowager and the others into the garden to inspect everything and make sure all was tastefully arranged, with nothing overlooked or out of place. Then he chose a date to present a memorial to the throne. On the day the memorial was submitted, a vermilion edict was received in reply: on the fifteenth day of the first month of the following year, the Imperial Consort would be graciously permitted to visit her family. When this imperial favor reached the Jia household, the bustle redoubled day and night, and the New Year was not properly observed at all.

Before one knew it, the Lantern Festival was at hand. From the eighth day of the first month, eunuchs came out to inspect the premises: where the Consort should change her clothes, where she should rest, where she should receive greetings, where the banquet should be held, and where she should retire. There were also eunuchs in charge of general inspection and security, who brought with them many junior eunuchs. They went to every gate and barrier, set up screens and curtains, and instructed the Jia household staff where to withdraw, where to kneel, where to serve meals, where to present requests—a whole array of ceremonial regulations. Outside, officials from the Ministry of Works and the military commissioners of the five districts swept the streets and drove away idlers. Jia She and the others supervised the workmen in making lanterns and fireworks, and by the fourteenth everything was in place. That night, no one in the household, high or low, slept.

By the fifteenth, at the fifth watch, the Dowager and all those with titles were already in full ceremonial dress. Throughout the garden, screens were draped with coiling dragons, curtains fluttered with phoenixes in brilliant colors, gold and silver shone resplendent, and precious gems vied in splendor. Tripods burned aloeswood incense, and vases held springs of everlasting flowers. All was still; no one so much as coughed. Jia She and his brothers waited outside the West Gate, while the Dowager and her party waited outside the main gate of the Rong Mansion. Every street and lane was sealed off with screens and curtains. They were growing impatient when suddenly a eunuch came riding up on a large horse. The Dowager hurried forward to greet him and ask for news. The eunuch said, "It's still early! She won't finish her evening meal until the beginning of the *wei* period, and at the second quarter of *wei* she must still go to the Baoling Palace to worship the Buddha. At the beginning of the *you* period she will go to the Great Ming Palace to attend the banquet and view the lanterns before receiving the imperial edict. I'm afraid she won't set out until the beginning of the *xu* period." Lady Feng, hearing this, said, "In that case, Old Ancestress and Lady Wang, you might as well go back to your rooms and return when the time comes." So the Dowager and the others withdrew for the time being, and the entire management of the garden was left to Lady Feng. She also ordered the stewards to take the eunuchs off for food and wine.

Presently, servants came in carrying candles in buckets and began lighting lamps throughout the grounds. The moment they finished, the sound of horses galloping outside was heard. Soon a dozen or so eunuchs came running up, panting and clapping their hands. The others understood at once: "She's coming! She's coming!" and each took his appointed station. Jia She led all the male members of the clan to wait outside the West Street Gate, while the Dowager led all the female members to greet her outside the main gate. For a long time all was still. Then a pair of eunuchs in red livery was seen riding slowly up to the West Street Gate, where they dismounted, led their horses out beyond the enclosing screens, and stood with hands hanging down, facing west. After another long interval a second pair arrived and did the same. In due course over ten such pairs had come when the faint strains of music were heard. Then pair by pair there passed dragon pennants and phoenix-feathered canopies, halberds with pheasant-feather tassels and dragon-headed staves, together with gold-incense burners in which imperial incense was burning. Next came a curved-handled golden canopy with seven phoenixes, followed by the imperial robes, girdle, and shoes. Other serving eunuchs carried rosaries, embroidered handkerchiefs, a rinsing bowl, a fly whisk, and so forth. After these had all passed, eight eunuchs bore in a palanquin of gold with a golden-yellow canopy embroidered with phoenixes, moving slowly forward. The Dowager and the others hastily knelt by the roadside. Several eunuchs ran quickly forward to help up the Dowager, Lady Xing, and Lady Wang. The palanquin was carried through the main gate and on through the ceremonial gate to the east, arriving before the gate of a courtyard where a eunuch with a fly whisk knelt and asked her to alight and change her clothes. The palanquin was then carried inside, the eunuchs withdrew, and only Zhaorong and Caibin remained to lead Yuanchun down from it. Inside the courtyard, all manner of lanterns blazed brilliantly—they were all made of gauze and silk, exquisitely fashioned. Above hung a placard lantern bearing the four characters "Tiren Mode" ("Embodying Benevolence, Bathed in Virtue"). Yuanchun entered the house, changed her clothes, and came out again to ascend the palanquin and proceed to the garden. There she saw curling incense smoke, a riot of colored decorations, lights reflected everywhere, and the ceaseless sound of delicate music—it was impossible to describe this scene of peace and prosperity, of wealth and splendor.—At this moment she recalled to herself how desolate and lonely it had been in the Great Barren Mountain and at the foot of Blue Ridge Peak. Had not the Buddhist monk and the Taoist priest brought her here, how could she have witnessed such a world as this? She had thought of writing a "Rhapsody on Lanterns and the Moon" or an "Ode on Visiting One's Parents" to record the events of this day, but she feared it would fall into the hackneyed conventions of other books. Given the scene before her, even a rhapsody or eulogy could not fully capture its beauty; yet if she wrote no rhapsody or eulogy, the splendor and magnificence would still be readily imagined by all who saw it. So she decided to save herself the trouble of brush and ink and come straight to the main matter.

Meanwhile, as the Imperial Consort Jia rode in her sedan through the garden and saw such extravagance both inside and outside, she silently sighed at the excessive luxury. Then a eunuch with a fly whisk knelt and asked her to board a boat, and she descended from the palanquin. Before her stretched a clear stream coiling like a dragon. The stone balustrades on either side were studded with crystal and glass lanterns of every color, lit up like a snowy sea of silver blossoms. Although the willows and apricot trees on the banks had no leaves or flowers, they had been fashioned from pith-silk, gauze, and paper to look natural and attached to the branches, with several lanterns hanging from each. In addition, the ducks, water-plants, and herons in the pool had all been made from shells, mother-of-pearl, and feathers. The lanterns above and below vied in brilliance—truly a world of glass, a universe of jewels. The boat itself was hung with various exquisite miniature gardens and lanterns, pearl curtains, embroidered screens, cassia oars, and orchid-wood paddles—but no need to dwell on these. Presently they entered a stone harbor where a placard lantern bore the four characters "Liaoting Huaxu" ("Marshy Flats and Flowery Banks"). Now these four characters, together with "The Phoenix Alights in Its Proper Place" and the other inscriptions, had been composed by Jia Zheng on the spur of the moment to test Baoyu's talent in the previous chapter. Why were these placards and couplets being taken so seriously today? Besides, the Jia family had been a house of letters for generations, and the guests who frequented their mansion, the attendants who sat in their company, were all men of talent. How could they fail to commission some celebrated writer to compose the inscriptions, instead of making do with a child's random efforts? That would be like some vulgar upstart family squandering money on gaudy paint and plaster, then proudly inscribing "Before the gate green willows trail golden locks; behind the back door blue mountains stand like brocade screens"—and imagining this to be refined taste! Surely this was not the sort of thing the Ning and Rong houses of Jia, as recorded in the whole of this Story of the Stone, would do! Judged by this reasoning, there was a glaring contradiction. Gentlemen may not know the reason, but this fool will explain the circumstances, and then you will understand.

Before this Imperial Consort Jia entered the palace, she had been brought up by the Dowager from childhood. Later, when Baoyun was born, she was his elder sister and he was her young brother. Thinking that her mother was growing old and had only just been given this son, she cherished Baoyu more than her other brothers. And they had always been together with their grandmother, never parted for a moment. Before Baoyu entered school, when he was three or four years old, she had taught him with her own lips and hands several books, so that he already had several thousand characters in his belly. Although in name they were brother and sister, in affection they were like mother and son. After she entered the palace, she constantly sent messages out to her parents saying: "Be sure to bring him up well. If you are too lenient he will never make a man; but if you are too strict something untoward may happen, causing you anxiety." Her tender love and concern for him she could never forget. The other day, when Jia Zheng heard Baoyu's tutor praising behind his back that the boy had quite exceptional talent, Jia Zheng was skeptical. It happened that the garden had just been completed, so he asked Baoyu to compose the inscriptions, partly to test whether his thoughts were pure or muddled. Although the couplets and inscriptions Baoyu drafted were not masterpieces, they were perhaps passable for a child. Even if he had commissioned some famous scholar to write them, it would have been no trouble, but on reflection he thought they would be more interesting if they preserved the family's own flavor. Moreover, when the Imperial Consort Jia saw them, she would know they were the work of her beloved brother, and this might not disappoint the high hopes she had always had for him. For these reasons, then, Baoyu's inscriptions were actually used. Although they were not all completed that day, they were supplemented later.

Here is the translation:

Leaving aside extraneous details, let us return to the scene. The Imperial Consort, having read the two characters, smiled and said, "The two characters 'Hua Xu' are perfectly adequate—why bother with 'Liao Ting'?" The eunuch in attendance heard this, promptly left his small boat, went ashore, and flew to convey the message to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng immediately made the change. Presently the boat approached the inner shore. They disembarked and mounted their sedan chairs, and there before them appeared temples of exquisite grace and cinnamon halls rising in majestic splendor. On the stone archway were clearly inscribed the four characters "Fairyland of Celestial Beauty." The Imperial Consort at once ordered them changed to "Villa for Imperial Visits." Then they entered the traveling palace. Behold—ceremonial torches blazing to the heavens, fragrant powder strewn upon the ground, jeweled trees and precious flowers, golden windows and jade balustrades. No words could describe the rolling shrimp-whisker carpets, the otter-fur rugs spread below, the musk-brain incense wafting from braziers, and the screens adorned with pheasant-tail fans. Truly it was:

A golden-gated, jade-portaled immortal's dwelling;

A cinnamon palace, orchid hall—a consort's home.

The Imperial Consort then asked, "Why does this hall lack a plaque?" The attending eunuch knelt and replied, "This is the main hall. The officials outside did not presume to compose an inscription." The Imperial Consort nodded and said nothing. The ceremonial eunuch knelt and requested that she ascend the throne to receive obeisance. Music rose from both sides of the steps. Two ceremonial eunuchs led Jia She and Jia Zheng to arrange themselves in ranks below the terrace, and the Zhaorong, the Palace Mistress of Ceremonies, announced from above: "You are excused." The eunuchs led Jia She and the others out. Then other eunuchs led the Dowager of the Rong Mansion and the female relatives up the eastern steps to form ranks on the terrace, and the Zhaorong announced once more: "You are excused." Thereupon they withdrew.

After tea had been offered three times, the Imperial Consort descended from her seat. The music ceased. She withdrew to a side hall to change her robes, before preparing her carriage to visit the family. She went to the Dowager's principal chamber and was about to perform the family obeisance, but the Dowager and the others knelt and stopped her repeatedly. Tears filled the Imperial Consort's eyes. Then they came forward to embrace one another. She took the Dowager by one hand and Lady Wang by the other, and the three of them had so much in their hearts to say, yet none of it could find words—they could only sob and weep facing each other. Lady Xing, Li Wan, Wang Xifeng, and the three sisters—Ying, Tan, and Xi—all stood around them, weeping in silence. After a long while, the Imperial Consort forced back her grief and smiled, comforting the Dowager and Lady Wang: "When I was sent to that place where no one could be seen, it was so hard—today I've finally come home and we family members can be together for a while. Instead of talking and laughing, you all start weeping. In a little while I'll be gone again, and who knows when I'll come back!" At this point she could not help choking up again. Lady Xing and the others hurried forward to comfort her. The Dowager and the others invited the Imperial Consort to be seated, and they greeted her one by one, and again there was no avoiding tears. Then the household stewards and functionaries of both mansions performed their obeisance outside the hall, and the stewardesses and maids of both mansions completed their salutations. The Imperial Consort then asked, "Why are Aunt Xue, Baochai, and Daiyu not here?" Lady Wang replied, "The female relatives from outside have no official rank and did not presume to enter." On hearing this, the Imperial Consort at once ordered that they be invited in quickly. Presently Aunt Xue and the others came in and were about to perform the state obeisance, but she ordered it dispensed with, and they came forward to exchange greetings of reunion. Then Baoqin and the other maids whom the Imperial Consort had originally brought into the palace came forward to kowtow. The Dowager and the others quickly raised them and had them entertained in a separate chamber. The steward eunuchs, the court ladies, the Zhaorong, and all the attendants were entertained by the Ning Mansion and Jia She's residence respectively, with only three or four small eunuchs left to attend. The mother and daughters, sisters and brothers spoke at length of their parting and private family matters. Then Jia Zheng came outside the screen to pay his respects, and the Imperial Consort received him through the screen with the prescribed ceremony. Through the tears behind the screen, she said to her father: "In a farming family, even with nothing but pickled vegetables and coarse cloth, they can still enjoy the happiness of family life together. Now, though we have reached the utmost in wealth and honor, our flesh and blood are scattered far apart—and in the end, there is no true joy!" Jia Zheng also replied through tears: "Your servant, from a humble family of common clay—a gathering of crows and sparrows—never dreamed that we would be blessed with the auspicious sign of the phoenix. Now Your Highness has received Heaven's grace above and shed glory upon our ancestors' virtues—all because the essence of mountains and rivers, the spirit of the sun and moon, and the distant virtue of our ancestors have been concentrated in one person, and blessed your servant and his wife. Moreover, the Emperor has manifested the great virtue of giving life to all creatures between Heaven and Earth, bestowing a boundless grace unprecedented in all history. Though we dash out our brains and cover the ground with our bodies, how could a subject repay even a fraction of this! Only by being diligent from morning to night and faithful to my duties besides, and by wishing our Sovereign ten thousand years of life, which would be the shared fortune of all under Heaven, can I do my part. Your Highness must not think of your aging parents in sorrow and resentment, but rather treasure yourself ever more. Only by being reverent, cautious, respectful, and diligent in serving His Majesty can you not fail to repay such extraordinary grace and loving favor." The Imperial Consort also urged him: "Only give your weight to affairs of state; take care of your health in your spare time, and do not think of me." Jia Zheng then said, "All the pavilions and halls in the garden were inscribed by Baoyu. If there are one or two that are even slightly passable, it would be a grace if you would bestow other names upon them." When the Imperial Consort heard that Baoyu had been able to compose inscriptions, she said with a smile: "He has indeed made progress." Jia Zheng withdrew. The Imperial Consort noticed that Baoyu and Lin Daiyu were quite different from the other cousins—truly like delicate flowers and soft jade. She asked, "Why has Baoyu not come in to see me?" The Dowager replied, "Without your command, no male from outside dared enter." The Imperial Consort ordered that he be brought in at once. A small eunuch went out and led Baoyu in. After he had performed the state obeisance, the Imperial Consort bade him come forward. She took him by the hand and drew him into her embrace, then stroked his head and neck, saying: "You've grown quite a bit since..." But before she could finish, her tears fell like rain.

Madam You and Xifeng came forward and reported, "The banquet is ready. May Your Highness proceed to tour the gardens." The Imperial Consort rose, and had Baoyu lead the way. Together they proceeded on foot to the garden gate. Already they could see, amid the brilliance of lanterns and fire trees, all manner of extraordinary displays. Entering the garden, they first visited "The Phoenix Arrives in Splendor," "Red Fragrance and Green Jade," "The Apricot Curtain in Prospect," and "Sweet Scent of Grasses and Orchids," ascending towers and terraces, crossing streams and winding among hills, gazing and lingering in every direction. Each place was furnished differently; each ornament was novel and ingenious. The Imperial Consort praised them profusely, but also urged: "In future, do not be too extravagant. This is already the height of excess." Then they arrived at the main hall. She ordered the ceremonial obeisance dispensed with and the company seated, and the grand banquet began. The Dowager and others attended below, while Madam You, Li Wan, and Xifeng personally served the soup and wine.

The Imperial Consort then ordered that brush and ink be brought forward. Taking up the brush herself, she selected several spots she was most fond of and bestowed names upon them. According to what she wrote:

Plaque: "Gratitude and Reciprocity"

Couplet:

Heaven and Earth bestow great mercy—

Commoners and elders alike feel its grace.

Ancient and modern times share this boundless favor—

All under Heaven receives its glory and honor.

This plaque and couplet were inscribed in the main hall.

She named the garden "Prospect Garden," and bestowed the name "Bamboo Lodge" on "Where the Phoenix Alters Its Course." She changed "Red Fragrance and Green Jade" to "Happy Red and Joyful Green," and named it "Happy Red Court." She named "Pure Fragrance of Vetch and Thoroughwort" "Vetch Blossom Arbour," and named "Apricot Curtain in View" "Hillside Villa of Hemp Washing." The main tower was called "Prospect Tower." The flying tower to the east was named "Brocade Pavilion," and the slanting tower to the west "Fragrance Pavilion." There were further names such as "Smartweed Breeze Veranda," "Lotus Fragrance Gazebo," "Purple Caltrop Isle," and "Water-crowfoot Sandbar," as well as more than ten four-character plaques, such as "Pear Blossoms in Spring Rain," "Paulownia Leaves Cut by Autumn Wind," and "Reeds and Rushes in Night Snow"—all of these could not be fully remembered at the time. She also ordered that all existing plaques and couplets need not be removed.

Then she first composed a quatrain:

With mountains embraced and waters encircled, built with such care—

How much labor was expended before it was complete!

Scenes of Heaven and Earth all assembled here—

This fragrant garden deserves the name "Prospect."

When she had finished writing, she turned to her cousins and said with a smile, "I have never been quick-witted, nor am I skilled at versification—this is well known to you all. Tonight I merely offer this to fulfill the occasion and do not wish to let this scenery go unappreciated. In the future, when I have leisure, I shall certainly compose a 'Record of Prospect Garden' and a 'Rhapsody on the Imperial Visit' to commemorate this day. You must each inscribe a plaque and compose a poem, according to your abilities, and complete them quickly—do not let my meager talent constrain you. Moreover, I am delighted that Baoyu has shown himself capable of inscription and verse—this was beyond my expectation. Of these places, 'Bamboo Lodge' and 'Vetch Blossom Arbour' are my greatest favorites; next come 'Happy Red Court' and 'Hillside Villa of Hemp Washing'—these four principal sites must receive special literary treatment to be fitting. Though the couplets I inscribed earlier are fine, now let each of you compose a pentasyllabic regulated verse, so that I may examine them here and not have wasted the pains of instructing you since childhood." Baoyu could only agree and withdrew to compose his thoughts.

Among Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun, Tanchun was the most accomplished of the cousins, yet she felt she could hardly compete with Xue Baochai or Lin Daiyu and could only do her best to fulfill the task along with the others. Li Wan also managed to compose a single regulated verse. The Imperial Consort first examined the cousins' compositions in order, which read as follows:

Plaque: "A Nature at Leisure, a Spirit Contented"

By Yingchun

The garden complete, its scenery wondrously fine—

I blush to receive the command, inscribing "at leisure, contented."

Who would believe such a realm exists in this world?

Could anyone roam here and not have their spirits uplifted?

Plaque: "Myriad Forms Vie in Splendor"

By Tanchun

A famed garden built, rising majestic and tall—

I receive the command, unashamed though my learning be shallow.

Its exquisite beauty cannot be expressed in a moment—

Truly, all things radiate with glory.

Plaque: "The Creative Power of Literature"

By Xichun

Mountains and waters stretch a thousand li beyond,

Towers and terraces rise high amidst five-colored clouds.

The garden is bathed in the radiance of sun and moon,

Its scenery surpasses the creative power of literature.

Plaque: "Literary Grace and Elegant Style"

By Li Wan

Luminous waters and bright mountains fold and unfold,

Its literary grace and elegance surpass the Isles of the Blest.

Green cuts through song-wandering fans, bewildering fragrant grass,

Red sets off the Hunan skirt as fallen plum blossoms dance.

Pearls and jade should be handed down to this glorious age—

How blessed are the immortals to descend from Jasper Terrace!

Since this famed garden invites wandering and appreciation,

No ordinary mortal is permitted to visit here.

Plaque: "Gathered Radiance, Concentrated Auspice"

By Xue Baochai

The fragrant garden is built to the west of the imperial city—

In splendid daylight and auspicious clouds, enveloped in wonder.

Tall willows rejoice at orioles leaving the valley,

Tall bamboos await the phoenix's coming.

The literary breeze has already marked the evening of the imperial progress,

Filial devotion should flourish at the hour of the homecoming visit.

With sagacious verse and immortal talent filling the colorful brush,

How dare I, in self-doubt, attempt further words?

Plaque: "A Fairyland Beyond the World"

By Lin Daiyu

Where is this famed garden built?

A fairy realm, apart from the dust of the world.

Borrowing the elegance of mountains and rivers,

Adding new splendor to its scenery.

Fragrance mingles with the wines of Golden Valley,

Flowers charm the denizens of Jade Hall.

How blessed to receive such imperial favor—

The palace carriage passes by so often!

When the Imperial Consort had finished reading, she praised them and then said with a smile, "In the end, the compositions of Cousins Xue and Lin are different from the rest—my other cousins cannot be ranked alongside them." The truth was that Lin Daiyu had hoped to display her extraordinary talent that night and outshine everyone, but the Imperial Consort had only commanded one plaque and one poem. She could not disobey the order by writing more, so she casually composed a single pentasyllabic regulated verse merely to suit the occasion.

By this point Baoyu had not yet finished his compositions. He had completed only two poems, on the "Bamboo Lodge" and "All-spice Court," and was in the middle of composing the one on "Happy Red Court" when he drafted the line "The green jade's spring leaves still rolled." Baochai, catching a glance at it, quickly turned and nudged him quietly while no one was paying attention. "Because she disliked the phrase 'red fragrance, green jade,' she changed it to 'Happy Red, Quick Green.' Now you deliberately use the word 'green jade'—aren't you deliberately setting yourself against her? Besides, there are many allusions to plantain leaves. Think of another character and change it," she urged.

When Baoyu heard Baochai say this, he wiped his brow. "It's just that I can't think of any literary allusion or source for the moment."

Baochai smiled. "Just change the character 'jade' in 'green jade' to 'wax.'"

Baoyu asked, "Is there a source for 'green wax'?"

When Baochai was asked this, she pursed her lips and nodded with a quiet smile. "Shame on you—if you're like this even tonight, I suppose in the future, when you sit for the palace examination before the golden throne, you'll even forget the surnames 'Zhao, Qian, Sun, and Li'! The first line of the Tang poet Qian Xu's poem on the plantain reads: 'Cold candles smokeless, green wax dry.' Have you forgotten even this?"

Upon hearing this, Baoyu felt as though a sudden light had opened in his mind. He laughed, "Damnation, damnation! Here was a perfectly ready-made allusion right before my eyes, and for some reason I couldn't think of it. You truly deserve to be called my 'one-character teacher.' From now on I shall call you my teacher, and never call you 'elder sister' again."

Baochai also whispered with a smile, "Hurry up and finish your poem instead of going on about 'elder sister, younger sister.' Who is your elder sister? The one wearing the yellow dragon-robe up there is your elder sister. Don't come claiming me as your elder sister." Even as she spoke and laughed, she feared she might delay him, so she withdrew.

Baoyu had no choice but to continue and complete the poems, ending up with three in all.

At this time Lin Daiyu had not yet had a chance to display her talents, which naturally displeased her. She saw that Baoyu alone was composing four regulated verses, taxing his mind greatly, and thought: why not compose two on his behalf to spare him some of that effort? With this thought, she walked over to Baoyu's desk and asked quietly, "Have you finished them all?"

Baoyu replied, "I've only done three. I'm still missing the one on 'Apricot Curtain in the Distance.'"

Daiyu said, "In that case, just copy out the first three. By the time you've finished writing those three, I'll have composed this last one for you." Having said this, she lowered her head for a moment, and immediately had a complete regulated verse in mind. She wrote it on a slip of paper, crumpled it into a ball, and tossed it to him. Baoyu opened it and read it, and felt at once that this poem was ten times better than the three he had composed himself. Overjoyed, he quickly wrote it out in formal regular script and presented it.

The Imperial Consort read:

**A Phoenix Comes to Roost**

Respectfully composed by Baoyu

The precious jade first ripens its fruit,

Fit to await the phoenix's call.

Stalk by stalk, green as if about to drip,

Each one, coolness born where they fall.

Spilling over the stones, they hinder the water by the steps,

Piercing through the curtains, they block the incense's perfume.

Do not disturb their clear, shattered shadows—

A fine dream grows long, though it's only midday.

**Pure Fragrance of Hengwu**

The all-spice fills the pristine garden,

The creeping vines lend their tender grace.

Softly they set off the spring grasses,

Trailing a thread of fragrance through the place.

Light mist veils the winding path,

Cold emerald drips along the corridor.

Who says the pond's winding shore

Is not Xie's dream of seclusion, long in store?

**Happy Red, Quick Green**

Deep courtyards, long days of stillness,

Pair by pair, the lovely ones appear.

The green wax of spring leaves still rolled,

The red-clad ones awake through the night, I fear.

Leaning on the railing, they trail their crimson sleeves,

Resting on the stone, they guard the blue-green haze.

Standing face to face in the eastern breeze,

Surely their master must pity their graceful ways.

**Apricot Curtain in the Distance**

The apricot curtain beckons the guest to drink,

In the distance there is a mountain farm.

Duckweed and water-mallow where the goslings swim,

Mulberry and elm where the swallows' beams are warm.

A single plot of spring leeks, green and lush,

Ten miles of rice flowers, their fragrance spread.

In a prosperous age, no hunger or want—

Why must they toil at plowing and weaving thread?

When the Imperial Consort finished reading, she was overjoyed and said, "Truly he has made progress!" She also pointed to the "Apricot Curtain" poem as the finest of the four, and accordingly changed the name "Hemp-Washing Farmstead" to "Fragrant Rice Village." She then ordered Tanchun to transcribe all the poems—some ten or more in total—on colored paper and sent a eunuch to pass them outside. When Jia Zheng and the others read them, they all praised them highly. Jia Zheng then presented his "Hymn of the Homecoming." Yuanchun also ordered that jade-like pastries, thinly sliced gold-meat delicacies, and such be bestowed upon Baoyu and Jia Lan. At this time Jia Lan was still very young and did not understand the proceedings; he merely followed his mother and uncle in performing the rites, so nothing more is recorded of him. Jia Huan had been ill since earlier in the year and had not yet recovered; he was resting and recuperating in a quiet place, so nothing more is recorded of him either.

At that time Jia Qiang, who was leading the twelve actresses, had been waiting impatiently downstairs when a eunuch came flying in and said, "The poems are finished—quickly bring the play list!" Jia Qiang hastily presented the brocade-bound program along with the list of the twelve flower-named girls. Shortly after, the eunuch came out and selected only four plays: the first, *The Sumptuous Banquet*; the second, *The Plea for Skill*; the third, *The Immortal Encounter*; and the fourth, *The Parting of Souls*.

Jia Qiang quickly set about arranging the performance. Each actress sang with a voice that could split stone, and danced with the enchantment of celestial beings. Though these were costumed portrayals, they fully expressed every shade of joy and sorrow. The performance had scarcely ended when a eunuch entered carrying a golden tray of pastries and asked, "Which one is Lingguan?" Jia Qiang knew at once that this was a gift for Lingguan, joyfully accepted it, and told Lingguan to kowtow. The eunuch then said, "The Imperial Consort has commanded: 'Lingguan is excellent. Let her perform two more plays—any two she chooses.'" Jia Qiang hastily agreed and ordered Lingguan to perform *The Garden Stroll* and *The Startled Dream*. But Lingguan insisted that these two plays were not originally roles for her type; she was adamant about not performing them and insisted on performing instead *The Lovers' Pledge* and *The Quarrel*. Jia Qiang could not prevail against her and had no choice but to let her do as she wished. The Imperial Consort was greatly pleased and commanded, "Do not make things difficult for this girl—teach her well." She also gave two bolts of palace silk, two pouches, some gold and silver ingots, and foodstuffs as an extra reward.

After this the banquet was cleared, and they went to visit the places they had not yet seen. Suddenly they came upon a Buddhist temple nestled among the mountains. The Imperial Consort promptly washed her hands anew, went in to burn incense and worship Buddha, and inscribed a plaque reading "The Ferry of Mercy on the Bitter Sea." She also bestowed special grace upon the nuns and female Taoists in general.

Presently a eunuch knelt and announced, "All the gifts are ready, Your Grace. Please inspect the list." He presented a summary. Jia Yuanchun reviewed it from beginning to end and found everything in perfect order, so she instructed them to proceed accordingly. The eunuch withdrew and distributed the items one by one. To Grandmother Jia were given: a gold ruyi scepter and a jade ruyi scepter, one sandalwood walking staff, one strand of gharwood prayer bolts, four bolts of palace brocade embroidered with "Wealth and Prosperity Everlasting," four bolts of palace silk embroidered with "Blessings and Longevity Without End," ten gold ingots stamped with "Brush and Ingot, All as You Wish," and ten silver ingots stamped with "Auspicious Joy with Fish." Lady Xing and Lady Wang each received the same, minus the ruyi scepters, walking staff, and prayer bolts. Jia Jing, Jia She, Jia Zheng, and the others each received: two volumes of imperially commissioned new books, two cases of precious ink, two gold goblets, and two silver goblets, with ceremonial gifts as previously specified. Baochai, Daiyu, and the other young ladies each received: one volume of new books, one precious inkstone, and two pairs of newly designed gold and silver ingots. Baoyu received the same. Jia Lan received: two gold and silver neck rings and two pairs of gold and silver ingots. Madam You, Li Wan, and Xifeng each received: four gold and silver ingots and four bolts of ceremonial silk. There were also twenty-four bolts of ceremonial silk outside and one hundred strings of cash, which were given to Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and the nursemaids and maids in the various young ladies' quarters. Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan, and Jia Rong each received: one set of ceremonial gifts and one pair of gold ingots. The remaining gifts—one hundred bolts of colored silk, one thousand taels of gold and silver, imperial wine, and a lavish banquet—were bestowed upon all those in both Mansions who managed the gardens' construction and furnishings, attended to duties, or served as actors and lampliters. Additionally, there were five hundred strings of cash for the cooks, entertainers, musicians, and various other servants.

After everyone had expressed their thanks, the presiding eunuch announced, "It is now the third watch of the Chou hour. Your Grace, please return to the palace." Upon hearing this, Yuanchun could not help but tears streaming down her eyes once more. Yet she forced a smile, took hold of Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang's hands, and held them tightly, reluctant to let go. She urged them again and again: "Do not worry about me. Take good care of yourselves. Thanks to the Emperor's boundless grace, I may visit once a month. We shall see each other often, so why be so grief-stricken? If His Majesty's favor permits another homecoming next year, you must not indulge in such extravagance!" Grandmother Jia and the others were already sobbing too hard to speak. Though Yuanchun could not bear to leave, the imperial regulations allowed no deviation, so she steeled her heart and stepped into her palanquin. Those present managed with great difficulty to comfort and console Grandmother Jia and Lady Wang before helping them out of the garden gate and back to the main quarters. What happened next—read on in the following chapter.