Chapter 67

Chapter 67

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Chapter 67: On Seeing Local Gifts, Pinpin Thinks of Her Old Home; On Hearing a Secret, Xifeng Interrogates a Servant

After You Sanjie took her own life, You Laoniang and Erjie, along with Jia Zhen and Jia Lian, were all overcome with grief—of this nothing need be said. They hastily had her body prepared for burial and sent outside the city for interment. Liu Xianglian, upon seeing that You Sanjie had died, had been consumed with tender devotion and longing, but a few cold words from a Daoist priest had shattered the delusion that held him. He cut off his hair, became a monk himself, and followed the mad Daoist into the distance, drifting away like a fleather—no one knew where he went. Let us leave him aside for now.

Now, when Aunt Xue heard that Xianglian had already agreed to marry You Sanjie, she was overjoyed. She was in high spirits, planning to buy a house for them, prepare furnishings, and select an auspicious day for the wedding, to repay him for saving her son's life. Suddenly, a servant boy in the house came shouting, "Third Sister has killed herself!" The little maidservants overheard and informed Aunt Xue. Aunt Xue did not know why, but sighed deeply. While she was still puzzling over it, Baochai came over from the garden, and Aunt Xue said to her, "My child, have you heard? Third Young Lady, your Elder Brother Zhen's sister-in-law's sister—wasn't she already betrothed to your brother's sworn brother Liu Xianglian? For some reason she cut her throat. And that Liu Xianglian has gone off somewhere too. A truly strange thing—beyond anyone's expectations." When Baochai heard this, she paid it no mind and said, "As the old saying goes, 'Storms gather without warning in nature, and a man's fortune may change between morning and evening.' This was their fate from a previous life. The other day Mother discussed making arrangements for him because he saved brother's life. But now the one is dead and the other has gone. In my opinion, there is nothing to do but let it be. Mother need not grieve for them. On the other hand, since brother returned from the south of the Yangtze River some twenty days ago, the goods he traded have presumably all been distributed by now. The clerks who went with him worked very hard—they've been back for several months. Mother and brother should discuss it and give them a feast to show their gratitude. Don't let people think we have no manners."

As mother and daughter were speaking, Xue Pan came in from outside, traces of tears still in his eyes. The moment he stepped through the door, he clapped his hands and said to his mother, "Mother, have you heard about Second Brother Liu and Third Sister You?" Aunt Xue said, "I just heard. I was discussing this very matter with your sister here." Xue Pan said, "Have you heard that Liu Xianglian followed a Daoist priest and became a monk?" Aunt Xue said, "That is even stranger still. How could a young, clever man like Mr. Liu act so foolishly and follow a Daoist priest? Since you were close, and he has no parents or brothers and is alone in the world, you should search for him everywhere. How far can a Daoist priest go? Most likely he's in a temple somewhere nearby." Xue Pan said, "I thought so too. The moment I heard, I immediately took the servant boys and searched everywhere—not a trace of him. I also asked people, but none of them had seen him." Aunt Xue said, "Since you've already searched and found nothing, you've done your duty as a friend. Who knows—perhaps by becoming a monk he has found something better. But now you should attend to your business dealings, and also start preparing for your own marriage. With no one else in the family to manage things, as the saying says, 'The clumsy bird must fly first,' so that nothing is missing at the last moment and people don't laugh at us. Besides, your sister just said that you've been home for over half a month now, so the goods should have been distributed by now. The clerks who went with you should be given a banquet to show your appreciation for their hard work. They accompanied you on a journey of two or three thousand li, enduring four or five months of hardship, and along the way they bore much anxiety and heavy burdens on your behalf." When Xue Pan heard this, he said, "Mother is quite right. Sister is thoughtful too. I've been thinking the same thing, but these past few days distributing goods everywhere has given me a splitting headache. And then I've been busy these days with Second Brother Liu's affair—I ended up achieving nothing and made a lot of empty preparations, while the important matters were neglected. Well then, I'll send out invitations for the day after tomorrow." Aunt Xue said, "Do as you think best."

Before she had finished speaking, a young servant came in to report: “Manager Zhang has sent two crates of things over by messenger. He says these were purchased separately for you and aren’t included in the goods ledger. They were supposed to come earlier, but the crates were buried under the cargo and couldn’t be retrieved. Yesterday the shipment was finally unloaded, so they’re being delivered today.” Even as he spoke, two more servants hauled in two large rattan chests reinforced with cross-boards. Xue Pan exclaimed, “Oh dear—how could I have been so muddle-headed! The things I specially brought back for Mother and my sister—I completely forgot to bring them home from the shop. It’s the clerks who’ve delivered them.” Baochai said, “You only think of it now? If you’d gone to the trouble of bringing them specially, they’ve already sat here twenty days or so. If you hadn’t brought them specially, they probably wouldn’t have been delivered until the end of the year. I really think you’re too careless about everything.” Xue Pan laughed and said, “I suppose someone scared my soul right out of me on the road, and it hasn’t found its way back into my body yet.” At this they all laughed. Then he told a little maid: “Go out and tell the servants to put the things away and go back home.” Aunt Xue and Baochai asked, “What on earth is all this, tied up and bound like that?” Xue Pan ordered the two servants to come in, untie the ropes, remove the cross-boards, and open the locks. This chest was full of silks, satins, brocades, and foreign goods—everyday household items. Xue Pan said with a smile, “The other chest is what I brought for my sister.” He opened it himself. Mother and daughter looked inside and found writing brushes, ink, paper, inkstones, various kinds of decorated note papers, sachets, scented beads, fans, fan tassels, face powder, rouge, and the like. There were also the little mechanical figures from Tiger Hill, drinking-game toys, tiny mercury-filled acrobats that turned somersaults, sand lanterns, sets of clay figurine plays packed in boxes covered with black gauze, and a little clay portrait of Xue Pan molded on Tiger Hill, which looked exactly like him. Baochai paid no attention to the other things, but she took the little portrait of Xue Pan and examined it closely, then looked up at her brother. She couldn’t help laughing. She told Swallow to take several old serving women and carry the things, chest and all, to the Garden. Then she chatted a while with her mother and brother before returning to the Garden herself. Aunt Xue unpacked the chests, sorted everything out carefully, and had Tongxi deliver portions to Grandmother Jia, Lady Wang, and others—but no more of this.

Now Baochai went to her own room and looked over the playthings one by one. After setting aside what she would keep for herself, she divided up the rest in proper portions: some lots contained writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones; others had sachets, fans, and fan tassels; others face powder, hair oil, or simply toys. Only Daiyu’s share was different from the others—and twice as large. When everything was properly arranged, Baochai sent Swallow and an old serving woman to deliver the gifts to each recipient.

All the young ladies received their gifts and rewarded the messengers, saying they would thank Baochai in person later. But when Lin Daiyu saw these things from her old hometown, they stirred her feelings and brought back memories of her parents’ death, her lack of brothers, and her life as a dependent in a relative’s house. Who would ever bring her a few local products like this? The thought made her heartsick again. Zijuan knew Daiyu’s feelings all too well, but did not dare to speak too plainly. She could only coax her from the side: “You’ve been ill these days, taking medicine morning and evening, but these past couple of days you’ve seemed a little better than before. Even though your spirits have picked up a bit, you’re still far from being fully well. Miss Baochai sent these things today, which shows she’s always thought a great deal of you. You ought to be pleased—why are you getting upset instead? Aren’t you letting Miss Baochai’s gift make you miserable? If she heard about it, she’d be embarrassed. Besides, the old ladies here have gone to all kinds of trouble to find good doctors and prepare medicine for your sake, all so you could get better. You’ve only just improved a little, and now you’re crying like this—aren’t you only making yourself worse and adding to the old ladies’ worries? And your illness has always come from worrying too much and injuring your blood and vital energy. You shouldn’t take your precious health so lightly.”

Zijuan was in the middle of comforting her when a little maid called from the courtyard: “Master Bao is here!” Zijuan quickly said, “Please ask him in.”

Presently Baoyu entered the room. Daiyu invited him to sit down, and noticing the tear-stains on her face, he asked, "What's the matter, cousin? Who's been upsetting you again?"

Daiyu forced a smile. "Nobody's upset about anything."

Zijuan, standing nearby, jerked her head toward the table at the back of the bed. Taking the hint, Baoyu went over and saw a pile of packages there. Realizing that Baochai had sent them, he joked, "What's all this? Are you opening a general store?"

Daiyu made no reply.

Zijuan said with a smile, "Don't talk about the things, Second Young Master. When Miss Bao sent them over, our young lady took one look and began crying her heart out. I was just trying to comfort her when you arrived—what perfect timing! You try to cheer her up."

Baoyu knew full well the reason for Daiyu's distress but did not dare broach the subject directly. He merely smiled and said, "I suppose the only reason our cousin is upset is that Miss Bao didn't send enough. Don't worry—next year I'll have someone go down to Jiangnan and bring you back two whole boatloads. That should save you from shedding any more tears."

Daiyu knew Baoyu was trying to distract her. She could neither dismiss his words nor let them pass unchallenged. "I may be inexperienced, but I haven't sunk so low as to be hurt and angry over a few gifts. I'm not a child of two or three. You really do think small of me. I have my own reasons, which you wouldn't understand." As she spoke, her tears began to flow again.

Baoyu hurried to the bedside and sat down beside her. He picked up the packages one by one and examined them closely, deliberately asking what each was called, what it was made of, why it was so neatly crafted, and what it was used for. He remarked that this piece could be placed in front of her, and that one would make a fine antique for the long table. He chattered on about trivialities to divert her attention.

Seeing him behave this way, Daiyu felt she could no longer keep him there. "Stop trying to distract me," she said. "Let's go over to Cousin Bao's place."

Baoyu was only too glad to have her go out and ease her grief. "Miss Bao sent us gifts—we ought to go and thank her," he said.

"We're cousins. That's not necessary. But while we're there, Brother Xue is back and is sure to tell us about the sights and antiquities of the south. I'd like to listen—it would be like going home for a visit." Even as she spoke, her eyes reddened again.

Baoyu stood waiting for her, and Daiyu had no choice but to go out with him to Baochai's quarters.

Now when Xue Pan had heard his mother's words, he hastily sent out invitations and prepared a feast. The next day, when the four shop assistants had all arrived, they naturally discussed matters of trade and shipments. Before long, they sat down to the banquet, and Xue Pan poured wine for each of them in turn. Aunt Xue sent a servant out to convey her regards. As they drank, they chatted casually among themselves.

One of them asked Xue Pan, "Why didn't you invite Master Liu?"

At this, Xue Pan knit his brows and sighed. "Don't mention Master Liu. It's the strangest thing in the world. What Master Liu? He's Master Liu the Taoist now—who knows where he's gone."

Everyone was astonished. "What do you mean?"

Xue Pan then told them everything about Xianglian. The more they listened, the more amazed they grew. "So that explains it. The other day at the shop, we half-heard people shouting that a Taoist had talked someone into becoming a monk with just a few words, and then a gust of wind swept him away. We didn't know who it was. We were busy with shipments and had no leisure to look into it—we still weren't sure whether to believe it. Who would have guessed it was Master Liu! If we'd known, we would have tried to stop him. No matter what, we shouldn't have let him go."

One of them said, "Maybe it wasn't quite like that?"

The others asked what he meant. "Master Liu is such a clever fellow—he may not really have followed the Taoist. He knows some martial arts and has real strength. Perhaps he saw through the Taoist's sorcery and trickery and deliberately went along with him in order to outwit him from behind."

Xue Pan said, "If that were the case, it would be all right. But why doesn't someone put a stop to these people who delude the masses with their wild talk?"

The others said, "Didn't you go looking for him when you found out?"

Xue Pan replied, "I searched everywhere inside and outside the city. Don't laugh at me—when I couldn't find him, I even shed a few tears." He heaved one long sigh after another, looking thoroughly dejected—quite unlike his usual cheerful self. Seeing him in this state, the assistants naturally did not linger. They had a few cups of wine, ate their meal, and dispersed.

Meanwhile, Baoyu went along with Daiyu to Baochai's quarters. When Baoyu saw Baochai, he said, "Elder Brother went to a great deal of trouble to bring those things here. You should keep them for your own use instead of giving them to us." Baochai smiled and said, "They're nothing special, really—just local products brought from a long way off. People simply find them novel, that's all." Daiyu said, "When we were little, we wouldn't have paid any attention to such things. Now that I see them, they really do seem like novelties." Baochai said with a smile, "Sister, you know what the saying goes: 'Things are prized when they leave their homeland.' But really, what are they worth?" Baoyu felt these words struck exactly upon what Daiyu had just been thinking, and quickly changed the subject: "Next year when Elder Brother goes again, he can bring us more for us." Daiyu shot him a glance and said, "If you want something, just say so—there's no need to drag other people into it. Sister, look—Brother Bao hasn't even finished thanking you, and he's already placing an order for next year's goods." At this, both Baochai and Baoyu laughed. The three of them chatted a while longer, and then Daiyu's illness came up. Baochai offered some words of comfort and then said, "If Sister feels unwell, you should still force yourself to get up and walk around a bit, take a stroll—it's better for clearing your mind than sitting cooped up in your room all day. The other two days when I felt listless and feverish and just wanted to lie around, it was also because the season was unhealthy and I was afraid of falling ill, so I found things to occupy myself with. Only in the last couple of days have I started to feel better." Daihu said, "What Sister says is perfectly true. I've been thinking the same thing." They sat together a while longer and then parted. Baoyu escorted Daiyu all the way to the gate of the Bamboo Lodge before each went their separate ways.

Meanwhile, Concubine Zhao, having seen Baochai send Jia Huan some gifts, was extremely pleased. She thought to herself, "No wonder everyone says that girl Baochai is so good—so thoughtful in her dealings with people, so generous. Now I can see it's really true. However many things her brother brought, she's gone door to door delivering them, leaving no one out, and without showing favoritism to anyone—she even thought of us, who have so little luck. If it were that Miss Lin, she wouldn't even give us mother and son a second glance—she'd never send us anything." As she thought this, she turned the things over and over, examining them carefully. It suddenly occurred to her that Baochai was Lady Wang's relative—why not go to Lady Wang and do a good turn? So she scurried over with the things in her hands to Lady Wang's room, stood to one side, and said with a smiling face, "These are the things Miss Baochai just gave to Huan-gēr. It's remarkable how such a young girl can be so thorough in her thinking—truly a young lady from a great family, so dignified and generous, it makes people respect her. No wonder the Old Lady and Madam praise her and dote on her the way they do every day. I didn't presume to keep them on my own authority—I've brought them specially for Madam to look at, so Madam can enjoy them too." Lady Wang understood perfectly well why she had come, and hearing her speak in such a muddled, ill-fitting way, she couldn't very well ignore her, so she said, "Just take them back and let Huan-gēr play with them." Concubine Zhao had come in high spirits, but she ended up with her nose rubbed in the dust. Filled with resentment but not daring to show it, she could only slink out crestfallen. Back in her own room, she tossed the things aside and muttered to herself, "Well, what does this amount to, then?" She sat there nursing her grievance in silence for a while.

Now Ying'er, having escorted the old women to deliver the gifts, returned and reported to Baochai, telling her what everyone had said in thanks and reporting on the silver they had been given as rewards. The old women then left. Ying'er stepped closer, drew near to Baochai, and whispered, "Just now when I went to Second Master Lian's wife's place, I saw the Second Mistress looking very angry. When I came out after delivering the things, I quietly asked Xiao Hong about it. She said the Second Mistress had just come back from the Old Lady's quarters, and she wasn't as cheerful and lively as usual—she called Ping'er over and whispered something to her, I couldn't tell what. From the look of things, it seemed as though something serious had happened. Haven't you heard, miss, if anything is going on at the Old Lady's side?" Baochai was puzzled when she heard this and couldn't figure out why Xifeng was upset. She said, "Every household has its own affairs—it's not our business to meddle. Go pour some tea." Ying'er then went out to pour the tea, and we shall say no more of that.

Meanwhile, after Baoyu had seen Daiyu home, he thought about her loneliness and couldn't help feeling sad for her. He wanted to tell Xiren about it, but when he came in, only Qiuyue and Sheyue were in the room. He asked, "Where has Sister Xiren gone?" Sheyue said, "She can't have gone far—she's probably in one of these courtyards. It's only a moment since she left, and here you are searching for her." Baoyu smiled and said, "I'm not worried she's lost. Just now when I was at Miss Lin's place, I saw that she was feeling sad again. When I asked why, it turned out it was because Sister Baochai had sent her some things—she saw they were local products from her hometown, and it naturally stirred up her feelings. I wanted to tell your Sister Xiren so she could go over sometime when she has a free moment and comfort her." Just then Qingwen came in and asked Baoyu, "You're back—and now who are you going to have someone comfort?" Baoyu repeated what he had just said. Qingwen said, "Sister Xiren just left—I heard her say she was going to Second Master Lian's wife's place. She may well end up going to Miss Lin's too." When Baoyu heard this, he fell silent. Qiuyue brought tea, and Baoyu rinsed his mouth, then handed the cup to a little maidservant. He felt distinctly uncomfortable and lay down casually on the bed.

As for Xiren, after Baoyu went out, she did some needlework for a while, then suddenly remembered that Sister Feng had been unwell and that she hadn't gone to visit her these past few days. Hearing that Jia Lian was not at home, she thought it would be a good opportunity for a chat. She told Qingwen, "Stay properly in the room. Don't all go out and leave it empty, or Master Bao will come back and find no one here." Qingwen said, "Oh my, you're the only one in this room who thinks about him. The rest of us are just idling about, eating our free meals." Xiren smiled, made no reply, and left.

She had just arrived at the banks of the Seeping Fragrance Bridge. It was the end of summer and the beginning of autumn; in the pond, lotus roots and withered leaves mingled together, red and green strewn about. Xiren walked along the embankment, amusing herself for a while. Suddenly she raised her head and saw someone over there beneath the grape trellis, holding a duster and dusting something. Coming closer, she found it was Old Mother Zhu. The old woman saw Xiren and came forward with a smiling face, saying, "What brings the young lady out for a stroll today?" Xiren said, "Indeed. I was just going to visit Second Master Lian's wife. What are you doing here?" The old woman said, "I'm chasing away the bees. There was little rain this year during the dog days, and the fruit trees all have insects on them. They've eaten the fruit and made it so scarred and pitted that quite a lot has fallen down. You probably don't know this, but the wasps are the most hateful—on a single cluster they only bite through two or three, and the juice from the broken ones drips onto the good ones, so the whole cluster ends up rotting. Look, miss—while we've been talking and I haven't been chasing them, a great many have already settled." Xiren said, "Even if you chase them without stopping, you can't get rid of that many. You should tell the steward to have lots of small muslin bags made, and slip one over each cluster. That way the air can still get through, and the fruit won't be ruined." The old woman smiled and said, "What the young lady says is right. I've only been in charge this year—how would I know such a clever method?" Then she added with a smile, "Although the fruit has suffered a bit this year, the flavor is actually quite good. If you don't believe me, pick one and taste it." Xiren said seriously, "That certainly won't do. Not only can you eat unripe fruit, but even when it's ripe, before it's been offered fresh to the ancestors, how could we eat it first? You've been serving in this household for years—how could you not know this rule?" Old Mother Zhu quickly said with a smile, "What the young lady says is right. It was only because I saw that the young lady was pleased that I dared say such a thing. But I've broken the rule—I'm just a foolish old woman." Xiren said, "It's nothing much. It's just that you older women with years of experience shouldn't be the first to lead the way in such things." With that, she went straight out of the garden gate and came to Sister Feng's quarters.

As soon as she entered the courtyard, she heard Sister Feng say, "Heaven and conscience—I've been stewing in this house until I've turned into a proper thief!" Hearing these words, Xiren knew there was some reason behind them, but she could neither turn back nor go in. So she made her footsteps heavier and asked through the window, "Is Sister Ping at home?" Ping'er hurriedly answered and came out to greet her. Xiren then asked, "Is Second Mistress also at home? Is she much better?" As she spoke, she had already walked in. Sister Feng had been lying in bed, but when she saw Xiren come in, she smiled and stood up, saying, "I'm better now. Thank you for thinking of me. Why haven't you come to sit with us these past few days?" Xiren said, "Since Your Ladyship has been unwell, I should have come every day to pay my respects. But I was afraid Your Ladyship might not be feeling well and needed quiet rest, and that our coming might only disturb you." Sister Feng said with a smile, "Disturbance is out of the question. It's just that although there are many people in Brother Bao's room, he relies on you alone to look after him, and truly can't do without you. I often hear Ping'er tell me that you think of me behind my back and ask about me often. That shows your devotion." As she spoke, she told Ping'er to move a stool beside the bed and let Xiren sit down. Feng'er brought in the tea. Xiren half rose and said, "Sister, please sit down." They chatted casually. Then a little maid whispered to Ping'er in the outer room, "Wang'er is here. He's waiting at the second gate." They also heard Ping'er whisper back, "I know. Tell him to go first, and come back later. Don't stand at the gate." Xiren knew they had business to attend to, said a few more words, and then rose to leave. Sister Feng said, "Come sit and chat whenever you're free—it cheers me up." She then told Ping'er, "See your sister out." Ping'er assented and escorted her out. Xiren saw two or three little maids there, all holding their breath and waiting in orderly silence. Not knowing what the matter was, she left on her own.

After seeing Xiren off, P'ing-erh came back and reported, "Wang Erh has just come. Because Xiren was here, I told him to wait outside for a while. Should he be summoned now, or should he wait? Please give your orders, my Lady."

"Send him in," said Phoenix.

P'ing-erh at once told a young maid to fetch Wang Erh. Meanwhile, Phoenix asked P'ing-erh, "How exactly did you hear about this?"

P'ing-erh replied, "It was that young maid from earlier. She said she heard two young pages outside the inner gate saying, 'This new Second Mistress is even more beautiful than our old one, and her temper is better too.' I don't know whether it was Wang Erh or someone else who scolded them sharply, saying, 'What do you mean by new Mistress and old Mistress? Quiet down quickly, or the people inside will have your tongues cut off.'"

Just as P'ing-erh was speaking, a young maid came in to report, "Wang Erh is waiting outside."

Phoenix gave a cold laugh. "Send him in."

The young maid went out and said, "The Lady is calling you."

Wang Erh hastily assented and came in. He paid his respects and stood with his hands at his side by the outer door.

"Come here," said Phoenix. "I have some questions for you."

Wang Erh then moved to stand by the inner door.

"Has your Second Master taken a woman outside? Did you know about it?"

Wang Erh bent his knee in salute and replied, "This servant attends to his duties at the inner gate every day. How could I know what the Second Master does outside?"

Phoenix said with a cold laugh, "Of course you don't know. If you knew, how could you have tried to stop people from talking?"

Hearing this, Wang Erh realized that the earlier conversation had already leaked. He knew he could not conceal the matter, so he knelt down and replied, "This servant truly does not know. It was just Hsing Erh and Hsi Erh chattering together, and I scolded them a couple of times. As for the full details, this servant does not know and does not dare to report falsely. Please ask Hsing Erh—he always accompanies the Second Master when he goes out."

Phoenix spat violently and cursed, "You worthless bunch of heartless, ungrateful wretches! All of you are in league together, thinking I don't know. Go and bring that wretch Hsing Erh here first, and you are not to leave. After I have questioned him thoroughly, I will question you again. Fine, fine, fine—so this is the kind of faithful servant I've been employing!"

Wang Erh could only agree several times, kowtowed, got up, and went out to fetch Hsing Erh.

Now Xing'er had been in the account room amusing himself with the young servants when word came that the Second Mistress wanted him. This gave him quite a start, yet he never imagined this particular affair had been discovered. He hurried in with Wang'er. Wang'er went in first and announced, "Xing'er is here."

Madam Feng's voice cut through the air: "Send him in!"

The moment Xing'er heard that tone, his wits deserted him entirely. Gathering what courage he could, he stepped inside.

The moment Madam Feng saw him, she said, "Well, fine young master you are! What a fine piece of business you and your master have been managing! Just tell me the truth!"

At these words, and taking in Madam Feng's expression and the looks on the faces of the maids on either side, Xing'er went weak with fright. Before he knew it, he had dropped to his knees and could only kowtow.

Madam Feng said, "As far as this business goes, I've heard it said you weren't involved. But the fact that you didn't come and tell me about it sooner — that's where you've failed. If you tell me the truth now, I may let you off. If there's one false word, you'd first better feel how many heads you've got on your shoulders!"

Xing'er trembled and kowtowed upward. "What matter is the Lady asking about? What have I and my master done wrong?"

Madam Feng erupted in fury. "Slap his face!"

Wang'er stepped forward to strike him, but Madam Feng cursed, "What muddled son of a turtle! Let him slap himself — what business is it of yours to strike him? You'll get your own face slapped soon enough, and that won't be the end of it either."

Xing'er then gave himself a dozen or more slaps, right hand and left.

"Stand still!" Madam Feng commanded. Then she asked, "This business of your Second Master marrying some new mistress or old mistress outside — I suppose you don't know anything about it."

When Xing'er heard this matter spoken of outright, he grew still more alarmed. He snatched off his cap and knocked his head against the brick floor with a resounding thud, saying, "I beg the Lady to have mercy — your servant wouldn't dare tell a single lie."

"Speak up!" said Madam Feng.

Xing'er got stiffly to his knees and replied, "Your servant didn't know about this at first. It was on the day the Elder Master of the East Mansion went to the funeral. Yu Lu went to Master Zhen's temple to collect some silver. The Second Master and young Master Rong went to the East Mansion, and along the way the two of them began talking about the two young aunts on the Elder Madam Zhen's side. The Second Master praised them, and young Master Rong coaxed the Second Master, saying he would arrange for the Second Aunt to be given to the Second Master."

At this point Madam Feng spat viciously. "Pah! Shameless son of a turtle! Since when is she any aunt of yours!"

Xing'er hurriedly kowtowed again. "Your servant deserves death!" He glanced up and dared say nothing more.

"Is that all?" said Madam Feng. "Why have you stopped?"

Xing'er then replied, "Only if the Lady pardons your servant will your servant dare to continue."

Madam Feng spat. "Damn your mother — what pardon are we talking about now? You tell me the rest properly, and be quick about it."

Xing'er continued, "When the Second Master heard this, he was pleased. After that, your servant doesn't know how it actually came about."

Madam Feng gave a faint, cold smile. "Naturally. How could you know about it! What you do know is probably all you can manage. Very well — go on with the rest!"

Xing'er replied, "After that, young Master Rong found a house for the Second Master."

Madam Feng quickly asked, "Where is the house now?"

Xing'er said, "Just behind the mansion."

"Oh," said Madam Feng. She turned her head and looked at P'ing-er. "We're all dead, aren't we? Just listen to this!"

P'ing-er did not dare make a sound.

Xing'er continued, "The Elder Master on Master Zhen's side gave the Chang family I don't know how many ounces of silver, and the Chang family stopped asking questions."

Madam Feng said, "What does the Chang family or the Li family have to do with this?"

Xing'er replied, "The Lady doesn't know. This Second Madam..."

He had scarcely said this when he slapped his own face, which made Madam Feng laugh despite herself. The maids on both sides also pursed their lips and smiled.

Xing'er thought for a moment and said, "The Elder Madam Zhen's younger sister..."

Madam Feng took up the thread. "Well? Speak up!"

Xing'er said, "The Elder Madam Zhen's younger sister had been betrothed to someone since childhood. The family name was Chang — a man called Chang Hua. Now he's so poor he's practically begging for food. Master Zhen promised him silver, and he broke off the engagement."

When Madam Feng heard this, she nodded and turned to the maids. "Did you all hear that? Little son of a turtle — earlier he claimed he didn't know!"

Xing'er continued, "After that, the Second Master had the house papered and decorated and brought her in."

Madam Feng said, "Where was she brought from?"

Xing'er replied, "She was carried in from her old mother's house."

"Very well," said Madam Feng. Then she asked, "No one escorted her?"

Xing'er said, "Just young Master Rong. And a few maids and old women. No one else."

Madam Feng said, "Didn't your Elder Madam come?"

Xing'er said, "The Elder Madam came two days later to visit and brought some things."

Madam Feng smiled and turned to P'ing-er. "No wonder those two days the Second Master couldn't stop praising the Elder Madam." She turned her face back to Xing'er. "Who attends her? You, naturally."

Xing'er kowtowed hastily but said nothing.

Madam Feng asked again, "Those days before, when he said he was handling business for that mansion — I suppose that's what he was handling."

Xing'er replied, "There were times he was handling business, and times he was going to the new house."

Madam Feng asked, "Who lives with him there?"

Xing'er said, "His mother and his younger sister. Yesterday his younger sister cut her own throat."

Madam Feng said, "And why was that?"

Xing'er then gave a full account of Liu Xianglian's affair. Xifeng remarked, "That man has had the good fortune to avoid becoming a notorious cuckold." She then asked, "Is there anything else?" Xing'er replied, "As for other matters, your servant knows not. Every word your servant has just spoken is the truth. If even a single falsehood can be found, and Your Ladyship uncovers it, you may beat your servant to death and your servant will bear no grudge." Xifeng lowered her head for a moment, then pointed at Xing'er and said, "You little monkey, you deserve to be beaten to death. What business have you concealing things from me? You think that by hiding them from me, you'll curry favor with your muddle-headed master—your new mistress dotes on you, after all. If I hadn't seen that you were still somewhat frightened just now and dared not lie, I'd have broken your legs for you." With that she barked, "Get up and go!" Xing'er kowtowed, then scrambled to his feet and retreated to the outer doorway, not daring to leave. Xifeng said, "Come here. I have more to say." Xing'er quickly stood at attention with his hands at his sides, ready to listen. Xifeng said, "Why the hurry? Is your new mistress waiting to reward you for something?" Xing'er did not dare raise his head. Xifeng continued, "From today on, you are not to go over there. When I call you, you will come. Try being a moment late and see what happens! Now get out." Xing'er hastily assented with several "Yes, yes," and withdrew from the room. Xifeng called out again, "Xing'er!" Xing'er quickly answered and came back. Xifeng said, "Quickly go out and report to your Second Master, won't you?" Xing'er replied, "Your servant would not dare." Xifeng warned, "If you breathe a single word when you go out, watch your skin!" Xing'er hastily assented and only then departed. Xifeng called again, "Where is Wang'er?" Wang'er quickly answered and came forward. Xifeng fixed him with a piercing stare for the space of two or three sentences before speaking: "Good Wang'er, very good, you may go! If anyone outside breathes a single word, it will all fall on you." Wang'er assented and departed as well.

Xifeng then called for tea. The young maids understood and all withdrew. Only then did Xifeng say to Ping'er, "Did you hear all that? This is good." Ping'er did not dare reply and could only offer an accommodating smile. Xifeng grew the more furious the more she thought of it. She lay back on her pillow, lost in thought, when suddenly her brows knit and a scheme came to her mind. She called, "Ping'er, come here." Ping'er quickly answered and came over. Xifeng said, "I think this matter should be handled in this way—" How Xifeng went about managing the affair will be told in the following chapter.