Chapter 43

Chapter 43

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Chapter 43: A Casual Pleasure—Pooling Gold to Celebrate a Birthday; An Unfinished Feeling—Mounding Earth to Offer Incense

Lady Wang, having observed that the Dowager's slight chill from her day in the Grand View Garden was no serious matter—the doctor's two doses of medicine had set her right—had set her mind at ease and summoned Xifeng to instruct her to prepare things to be sent to Jia Zheng. As they were discussing this, the Dowager sent someone to summon them, and Lady Wang hurried over with Xifeng. Lady Wang asked, "Are you feeling much better now, madam?" The Dowager replied, "Much better today. That little wild chicken broth you sent over just now—I tasted it, and it was quite flavorful. I ate two pieces of the meat too, and it sat very well with me." Lady Wang smiled. "That was Feng girl's offering to you, madam. It shows her devotion—you haven't spoiled her all these years for nothing." The Dowager nodded and smiled. "It's good of her to think of it. If there are any more, fry up two more pieces—nice and salty, good with congee. The broth is fine, but it doesn't go well with thin rice porridge." Xifeng at once assented and sent someone to the kitchen with the instructions.

Here the Dowager turned to Lady Wang with a smile. "I sent for you for no other reason. The second of the month is Feng girl's birthday. These past two years I meant to celebrate it for her, but something major always came up at the last moment and it slipped by. This year everyone is gathered together, and I expect nothing will come up—we should all have a proper day of pleasure." Lady Wang smiled. "I was thinking the same thing. Since you're in the mood, madam, why don't we settle it?" The Dowager said, "I've been thinking—in past years, whoever's birthday it was, everyone just sent their own gifts. That's become rather conventional, and it seems to create distance between people. Today I have a new idea—it won't create distance, and it will be amusing." Lady Wang quickly said, "Whatever you think best, madam, that's how we'll do it." The Dowager said, "I thought—let's do as the lesser families do and pool our contributions. Everyone gives according to their means, and we use the money to make the arrangements. Don't you think that would be fun?" Lady Wang said, "That's a very good idea, but how exactly shall we pool the contributions?" The Dowager, hearing this, grew even more animated and at once sent people to invite Aunt Xing, Aunt Xue, and the Lady Dowager's other relatives, as well as the young ladies and Baoyu. She also summoned Zhen's wife, Lai Da's wife, and all the other prominent and managing wives from the other mansion.

The maids and servants, seeing the Dowager in such high spirits, were all delighted and hurried off in every direction—some to invite, some to pass on the message. Before a meal's time had passed, old and young, high and low, had packed the room in a dense crowd. Only Aunt Xue sat opposite the Dowager; Lady Wang and Lady Xing sat on two chairs just inside the room door. Baochai and her cousins, five or six in all, sat on the kang. Baoyu sat in the Dowager's lap, and the floor below was packed full of people standing. The Dowager quickly ordered several small stools brought for Lai Da's mother and the other elderly and respected nurses to sit on. It was the custom in the Jia household that old family servants who had served one's parents carried more face than the younger masters. So Madam You and Xifeng merely stood below, while Lai Da's mother and three or four other old nurses made their apologies and seated themselves on the small stools.

Grandmother Jia then repeated what had been said, and everyone present was eager to play along. Some were close to Phoenix and were happy to oblige; others feared her and were only too glad to seize the opportunity to curry favor. In any case, they all had the means, so when they heard this proposal, they readily agreed.

Grandmother Jia spoke first. “I'll put in twenty taels.”

Aunt Xue laughed. “I'll follow the old lady's lead and contribute twenty taels as well.”

Lady Xing and Lady Wang said, “We dare not match the old lady. We'll naturally be one tier lower—sixteen taels each.”

Madame You and Li Wan also laughed. “We'll naturally be another tier lower—twelve taels each.”

Grandmother Jia quickly said to Li Wan, “You're a widow with no means of support. How could I let you spend this money? I'll cover it for you.”

Phoenix quickly laughed. “Don't get too carried away, Grandmother. Do the arithmetic before you volunteer. You've already got two shares to your name, and now you want to add another twelve for Sister-in-law Li. You're happy now, but later you'll change your mind and regret it. Then you'll say, 'All this money was spent for the sake of that Phoenix girl,' and you'll find some clever trick to make me secretly pay back three or four shares, and I won't even realize it.”

Everyone laughed. Grandmother Jia said, “Well, what do you suggest then?”

Phoenix said, “The birthday hasn't even arrived yet, and I'm already feeling overwhelmed. I can't spare a single coin, and it makes me uneasy to trouble all these people. Better that I simply cover Sister-in-law Li's share. On the day itself, I'll eat my fill and consider that my blessing.”

Lady Xing and the others all said, “That's fair enough.” Grandmother Jia then agreed.

Phoenix added, “I have one more thing to say. The old lady puts in twenty taels, plus the two shares from Sister Lin and Cousin Bao. Aunt Xue puts in twenty taels, plus Cousin Bao-yu's share. That seems reasonable. But the two ladies each put in sixteen taels, and on top of having less themselves, they don't cover anyone else's share. That's a bit unfair. The old lady is the one who loses out!”

Grandmother Jia laughed. “My Phoenix is truly on my side—that's well said. If it weren't for you, I'd have been cheated by them again.”

Phoenix said, “Just assign those two girls to the two ladies. Each lady takes one, and whatever the difference, each simply covers one share.”

Grandmother Jia said, “That's perfectly fair. Let's do it that way.”

Lai Da's mother stood up and laughed. “Now that's turning things upside down! It makes me angry on behalf of the two ladies. Over there they have sons and daughters-in-law, and here they have a niece, yet instead of favoring their own daughters and daughters-in-law, they favor outsiders. The daughters-in-law become strangers, and the niece becomes an outsider!”

Grandmother Jia and everyone present burst out laughing. Lai Da's mother then asked, “The young ladies contribute twelve taels. We should naturally be one tier lower.”

Grandmother Jia said, “That won't do. Though you should be a tier lower, I know all of you are wealthy. Your rank may be lower, but your money is more than theirs. You should contribute the same amount as they do.”

The older women readily agreed.

Grandmother Jia added, “As for the young ladies, they need only make a token contribution—one month's allowance each will do.” She turned and called for Phoenix, “You gather a few others and come up with something too.”

Phoenix assented and soon returned with Pinger, Aroma, Cai Xia, and several junior maids—some contributing two taels, others one tael.

Grandmother Jia asked Pinger, “Aren't you celebrating your mistress's birthday? Why are you joining in here?”

Pinger laughed. “I've already set aside something privately. This is from the household funds, so I ought to contribute my share.”

Grandmother Jia said, “That's a good girl.”

Phoenix added, “Everyone's covered now. But what about the two concubines? We should ask whether they're contributing or not. It's only proper to give them the chance; otherwise, they'll think we're slighting them.”

Grandmother Jia said, “That's right—how could I have forgotten them? I expect they may not have the time. Send a maid to ask.”

A maid was dispatched immediately and returned after a while to report, “Each will contribute two taels.”

Grandmother Jia said happily, “Bring brush and ink so we can tally up the total.”

Madame You quietly cursed Phoenix: “You insatiable little vixen! All these mothers-in-law and aunts have pooled money for your birthday, and it's still not enough for you? You even drag in those two poor souls—what for?”

Phoenix whispered back with a laugh, “Don't talk nonsense. Once we leave here, I'll settle accounts with you. Why are they poor? Even if they had money, it would just be frittered away on others. Better to collect it and let us enjoy it.”

In no time the accounts were tallied: the total came to over one hundred and fifty taels.

Grandmother Jia said, “That's more than enough for a day's entertainment and feasting.”

Madame You said, “Since we're not inviting outside guests and won't have many tables, it should last two or three days. Best of all, the theatrical troupe costs nothing—we'll save on that.”

Grandmother Jia said, “Phoenix, which company do you recommend? Let's call them.”

Phoenix said, “We're too used to our own troupe. Better to spend a little money and hire another company to hear something different.”

Grandmother Jia said, “I'll entrust this matter to Cousin Zhen's wife. And let's make sure Phoenix doesn't have to worry about a single thing—she should enjoy the whole day.”

Madame You assented. After some more conversation, they all saw that Grandmother Jia was tired, and gradually they dispersed.

Madam You saw off Lady Xing and Lady Wang, then went to Xifeng's room to discuss how to arrange the birthday celebrations. Xifeng said, "Don't ask me. Just watch the Old Lady's expression and act accordingly—that's all." Madam You laughed, "You little creature, you've had the luck of the devil. I thought something important had come up for us to handle, and it turns out it's just this. Not only have we put up the money, but now you want me to fuss over the arrangements too. How are you going to thank me?" Xifeng laughed, "Don't be ridiculous. I didn't ask you to come—why should I thank you? If you're afraid of the trouble, go back to the Old Lady right now and have someone else sent." Madam You laughed, "Look how puffed up she is! I advise you to pull in your horns a bit. If you fill the cup too full, it'll spill over." The two women chatted a while longer before parting.

The next day the silver was delivered to the Ning Mansion. Madam You had just risen and was washing and dressing when she asked who had brought it. The maids replied, "It was Lin Nainain." Madam You ordered them to fetch her. A maid went to the servants' quarters and summoned Lin Zhixiao's wife. Madam You bade her sit on the foot of the bed. As she hurried with her toilet, she asked, "How much silver is in all these packets?" Lin Zhixiao's wife replied, "This is from the household staff—we pooled our contributions and sent them over first. The amounts from the Old Lady and the ladies haven't come yet." Even as she spoke, a maid reported, "The mistress and the concubine from the other mansion have sent over their shares." Madam You scolded with a laugh, "You little wenches, you never forget anything that doesn't matter. Yesterday the Old Lady was just in a good mood and decided, on a whim, to copy the way poor families pool money for a celebration. And you've remembered it and talk about it as if it were a serious business. Hurry up and bring them in, serve them tea properly, and see them off." The maid obeyed, hastening to receive them. There were two packets in all, including even Baochai and Daiyu's shares. Madam You asked whose were still missing. Lin Zhixiao's wife said, "We're still short the Old Lady's, the ladies', the young misses', and the serving girls' contributions." Madam You said, "And what about your eldest young mistress's share?" Lin Zhixiao's wife replied, "When the madam goes over, all this silver will be distributed by the Second Young Mistress—it's all accounted for."

By now Madam You had finished dressing. She ordered the carriage made ready, and soon arrived at the Rong Mansion, going first to see Xifeng. She found that Xifeng had already sealed up the silver and was about to send it off. Madam You asked, "Is it all here?" Xifeng laughed, "Yes, all of it. Take it away quickly—once it's gone, I'm no longer responsible." Madam You laughed, "I'm not quite convinced. I'd like to count it myself." And sure enough, she counted it on the spot—only to find that Li Wan's share was missing. Madam You laughed, "I knew you were up to your tricks! How come your eldest sister-in-law's isn't here?" Xifeng laughed, "Isn't all this enough to go around? Let it fall short by one share—if we run out, I'll give you more." Madam You said, "Yesterday you were putting on a show of generosity before everyone, and now you're trying to cheat me. I absolutely won't allow it. I'll just go to the Old Lady and ask for it." Xifeng laughed, "I see you're a formidable one. Well, if anything comes up tomorrow, I'll be just as exacting—so don't you complain." Madam You laughed, "So you're afraid too. If it weren't for the respect you've always shown me, I wouldn't let you off." With that, she took out Ping'er's share and said, "Ping'er, come here! Take yours back—if we run short, I'll make it up for you." Ping'er understood and said, "You go ahead and use it, madam. If there's anything left over, you can give it to me then." Madam You laughed, "So your mistress is allowed to bend the rules, but I'm not permitted to show a little generosity?" Ping'er had no choice but to accept it. Madam You went on, "Seeing how meticulous your mistress is, where is all this money going to be spent? If she can't use it all, she can take it to her coffin with her." As she spoke, she went on to the Old Lady's quarters. After paying her respects and exchanging a few words, she went to Yuanyang's room to consult with her, intending to follow whatever Yuanyang suggested in order to please the Old Lady. The two of them settled on a plan. Before leaving, Madam You returned two taels of silver to Yuanyang, saying, "This is more than enough." She then went to Lady Wang and spoke with her for a while. Since Lady Wang had retired to her Buddhist chapel, she returned Caiyun's share to her as well. Not seeing Xifeng about, she also returned the shares to Concubine Zhou and Concubine Zhao. The two women hesitated to accept them. Madam You said, "You poor things—where would you get money like this to spare? If Feng Girl finds out, I'll take responsibility." At this, they accepted with profuse thanks. Then Madam You went straight out and drove home home. But no more of this.

Before long it was the second day of the ninth month, and the news had spread through the garden that Madam You was putting on quite a celebration—not only theatricals but also acrobats and storytellers of both sexes, all prepared for everyone's amusement and diversion. Li Wan said to the other young ladies, "Today is the regular meeting day of our poetry club, and we mustn't forget it. Baoyu hasn't come either—I suppose he only wants to join in the fun and has forgotten all about refined pursuits." With that, she ordered a maid to go and see what he was doing and fetch him quickly. The maid was gone for some time and then returned, saying, "Sister Hwa says he left early this morning." Everyone present was astonished and said, "There's no reason at all for him to go out. That girl must be confused—she doesn't know what she's talking about." So they sent Cui Mo instead. Presently Cui Mo came back and said, "He really did go out. They say a friend died, and he's gone to pay a condolence visit." Tanchun said, "That simply cannot be. No matter what, there's no reason for him to go out today. You go and call Xiren; I want to question her." Just as she spoke, Xiren came walking in. Li Wan and the others said, "No matter what he has to do today, he shouldn't have gone out. First, today is your Second Mistress's birthday, and Her Ladyship is in such high spirits—people from both mansions have come to join the celebration, and yet he's gone off. Second, today is the first regular meeting of the poetry club, and he didn't even ask for leave before going off on his own!" Xiren sighed and said, "He said last night that early this morning he had something important to do at the Northern Tranquil Prince's mansion and that he'd be back soon. I advised him not to go, but he absolutely wouldn't listen. He got up early this morning and insisted on wearing plain clothes—I suspect perhaps some important concubine of the Northern Tranquil Prince's household has passed away, though I can't be sure." Li Wan and the others said, "If that's the case, he really should go pay a visit, but he should have come back by now." With that, they discussed the matter and said, "Let's just go ahead with our poetry and punish him when he comes back." Just as they were speaking, a messenger came from the Dowager asking for them, so they all went to the front quarters. Xiren explained the situation regarding Baoyu to the Dowager, who was displeased and ordered someone to go and fetch him.

As it happened, Baoyu had something on his mind. The day before he had told Mingyan, "Early tomorrow morning I want to go out. Have two horses ready and waiting at the back gate, and don't let anyone else follow. Tell Li Kui that I've gone to the Northern Mansion. If anyone comes looking for me, have him stop them from searching and just say I've been kept at the Northern Mansion—I'll be back soon enough." Mingyan couldn't make head or tail of it, but he did as he was told. Early that morning, two horses were indeed waiting at the garden's back gate. When daylight came, Baoyu appeared dressed entirely in plain white, came out through the side gate without a word, mounted his horse, bent low, and galloped off down the street. Mingyan had no choice but to mount and gallop after him, calling out from behind, "Where are we going?" Baoyu said, "Where does this road lead?" Mingyan said, "This is the main road leading out through the North Gate. Once we're out there, it's all desolate—there's nothing amusing to do." Baoyu nodded when he heard this and said, "I want a desolate place, just the right thing." With that, he whipped his horse harder, and the horse had already turned two corners and passed through the city gate. Mingyan was even more at a loss but could only follow closely behind.

After riding hard for seven or eight miles, as the dwellings grew sparse, Baoyu reined in his horse and turned to ask Mingyan, "Is there anyone here who sells incense?" Mingyan said, "Incense, yes, but what kind?" Baoyu thought to himself, "Other kinds of incense won't do—I need sandalwood, rue, and scentèd three kinds." Mingyan laughed and said, "Those three kinds are very hard to come by." Baoyu was at a loss. Seeing his difficulty, Mingyan asked, "What do you want the incense for? I've often seen Your Lordship carry loose incense in a small pouch—why not look for some there?" This remark reminded Baoyu, and he reached back to pull out a pouch from his robe. Feeling inside, he found two small pieces of chenshuda—a precious aromatic wood—and his heart rejoiced. "Only it's not quite respectful." Then he thought that since he had brought it with him personally, it would be even better than buying some. So he asked about stove charcoal. Mingyan said, "That's impossible. Where would we find any in the wilds? If you wanted to use these things, why didn't you say so earlier? Wouldn't it have been easier to bring them along?" Baoyu said, "You stupid thing—if they could have been brought along, I wouldn't have ridden here like this for dear life." Mingyan thought for a while and then laughed, saying, "I've got an idea, but I don't know what Your Lordship thinks. I imagine Your Lordship needs more than just this—probably other things too. But that's not a problem. If we go forward another two li, we'll reach the Water Fairy Nunnery." Baoyu asked eagerly, "The Water Fairy Nunnery is here? Even better—let's go there." With that, he whipped his horse on, turning his head to say to Mingyan, "The nuns from this Water Fairy Nunnery often come to our house. When we get there, if we ask to borrow an incense burner from them, they'll certainly agree." Mingyan said, "Never mind that it's our family's own place of worship—even if it were a temple we didn't know at all, if we asked to borrow from them, they wouldn't dare refuse. Only, I've often seen Your Lordship detest this Water Fairy Nunnery the most, so why do you like it so much today?" Baoyu said, "I have always hated the way ignorant people blindly worship gods and indiscriminately build temples. These were all built by wealthy gentlemen of former days and foolish wealthy women who, upon hearing of some god, would build a temple to worship it—without even knowing who that god was. They believed it because they had heard some unofficial history or novel. For example, this Water Fairy Nunnery worships the Goddess of the Luo River, which is why it's called the Water Fairy Nunnery. But what they don't know is that there never was such a goddess as the Goddess of the Luo River—it was all made up by Cao Zijin. Who would have expected these foolish people to mold an image and worship it? But today it suits my purpose, so I'll make use of it."

By this time they had already arrived at the gate. The old nun, seeing Baoyu coming, was so taken aback that she felt as if a living dragon had dropped from the sky. She hurried forward to greet him and ordered an old Taoist to take his horse. Baoyu went inside and did not bow to the statue of the Goddess of the Luo River; instead, he simply stood admiring it. Though it was made of clay, it truly possessed the grace of "a startled swan in flight, a coiling dragon at rest," and the beauty of "a lotus rising from green waves, the morning sun reflected in rosy clouds." Tears involuntarily rolled down Baoyu's cheeks. The old nun served tea. Baoyu then asked to borrow an incense burner. The nun was gone for quite a while and returned having prepared not only the burner but also offerings and paper horses. Baoyu said, "None of that is needed." He ordered Mingyan to carry the burner out to the back courtyard and find a clean spot, but no suitable place could be found. Mingyan said, "How about the well platform?" Baoyu nodded, and together they went to the well platform and set the burner down.

Mingyan stood to one side. Baoyu took out the incense and lit it, and with tears in his eyes he performed half a bow. Then he turned and told Mingyan to take it away. Mingyan assented but did not collect it right away; instead, he quickly knelt down and knocked his head several times on the ground, praying aloud: "I, Mingyan, have been with Master Er for these few years, and there is nothing of Master Er's heart that I do not know. Only today you did not tell me about this sacrifice, and I did not dare to ask. But though I do not know the name of the departed soul who receives this offering, I imagine she must have been someone unparalleled on earth and unique in heaven—an exceedingly intelligent and elegant elder or younger sister. Since Master Er cannot speak his thoughts aloud, let me offer this prayer on his behalf: If her fragrant soul is sensitive and her spirit full of feeling, though yin and yang separate you, since you were kindred spirits, it would not be impossible for her to come often to visit Master Er. May she protect Master Er in his next life so that he too may be born a girl and be in your company, and never again be reborn as a wretched man." Having finished, he knocked his head several more times before getting up.

Before he had finished speaking, Baoyu could not hold back his laughter and kicked him, saying, "Stop talking nonsense. What if someone hears and laughs at us?" Mingyan got up, collected the incense burner, and walked with Baoyu, saying, "I have already told the nun that Master Er has not eaten, and she has prepared some things for you. Please eat a little. I know that today there is a grand feast inside, very lively, and that is why Master Er came out here to avoid it. In any case, spending a day in quiet here fulfills the obligation. But you must not go without eating." Baoyu said, "Since I won't be drinking at the feast, what harm is there in eating some plain food?" Mingyan said, "That's right. There is one more thing. Since we came here, there may be people who are worried. If no one is worried, what harm would it come back to the city a bit late? But if someone is worried, Master Er must go back into the city and home. First, the Old Lady and Lady Wang will be at ease; second, the obligation will be fulfilled—that is all. Even if you go home to watch the opera and drink wine, it is not as if Master Er is doing it on purpose; it is simply a matter of accompanying his parents and fulfilling his filial duty. If Master Er were to disregard the Old Lady's and Lady Wang's anxiety for the sake of this, then even the departed soul who just received the offering would not rest in peace. What does Master Er think of what I say?" Baoyu laughed and said, "I have guessed what you are thinking. You are the only one who came out with me, and when we go back you are afraid of being blamed, so you use this grand argument to persuade me. I only came to fulfill the obligation; after this I will go back to drink and watch the opera—I never said I would not return to the city for a whole day. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, if I hurry back to the city, everyone will be at ease. Wouldn't that satisfy both sides?" Mingyan said, "That is even better." As they spoke, they arrived at the meditation hall, where the nun had indeed laid out a table of vegetarian dishes. Baoyu ate a little at random, and Mingyan ate as well.

The two then mounted their horses and returned by the same road. Mingyan, riding behind, kept cautioning: "Master Er, ride carefully. This horse has not been ridden much; keep a firm grip on the reins." Even as he spoke, they had already entered the city and went in through the back gate, hurrying to Happy Red Court. Xiren and the others were not in the room; only a few old women were watching the house. When they saw him come, they were overjoyed and said, "Amida Buddha! You're back at last! Miss Hua has been worried to death! The feast has already begun upstairs. Master Er, go quickly!" Baoyu hastily took off his plain clothes, found fine clothes to change into, and asked where the feast was being held. The old women replied that it was in the newly built large flower hall.

Upon hearing this, Baoyu made straight for the flower hall. Even before he arrived, he could faintly catch the strains of singing and music. Just as he reached the covered passage, he saw Yuchuan sitting alone beneath the corridor eaves, weeping. The moment she saw him, she wiped away her tears and said, "The phoenix has come! Go in quickly. Any longer and they'd have all rebelled."

Baoyu said with a conciliatory smile, "Guess where I've been?"

Yuchuan made no reply and went on wiping her tears.

Baoyu hurried into the hall. When the others—the Lady Dowager, Lady Wang, and the rest—saw him, they were as delighted as if they had truly been reunited with a phoenix. Baoyu hastened to pay his respects to Xifeng. The Lady Dowager and Lady Wang both reproached him for his lack of sense.

"Why did you slip away without a word? This simply will not do! If you ever do such a thing again, I shall certainly tell your father to beat you when he returns home."

Then she turned and scolded the pages who had accompanied him for taking orders from him, going wherever he pleased without reporting back. At the same time she asked him where exactly he had gone, whether he had eaten anything, and whether he had been frightened.

Baoyu replied only, "The Prince of Bejing's favorite concubine passed away yesterday. I went to offer my condolences. She wept so piteously that I could not simply leave, so I stayed a while longer."

The Lady Dowager said, "In future, if you go out again without informing us first, I shall certainly have your father beat you."

Baoyu assented. She then wanted to have the pages who had accompanied him beaten, but everyone interceded and urged her, saying, "You need not worry any further, Grandmother. He is back, and now we should all relax and enjoy ourselves."

The Lady Dowager had been anxious and furious at first, but now that she saw him, her joy far outweighed any anger. She no longer harbored resentment. Indeed, she feared he might not be in good spirits, or that he had not eaten his fill elsewhere, or that he had suffered some fright on the road, and so she cosseted him in every possible way. Xiren had already come forward to attend to him. The company resumed watching the opera. That day they were performing *The Story of the Thorn Hairpin*. The Lady Dowager, Aunt Xue, and the others all watched with hearts full of sorrow, shedding tears—some sighing, some cursing.

What happened next will be told in the following chapter.

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