Chapter 75

Chapter 75

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Chapter 75: An Eerie Omen Is Heard at the Midnight Revels; An Auspicious Prophecy Is Drawn from New Verses at the Mid-Autumn Festival

When Madam You left Xichun's place in a huff, she was on her way to call on Lady Wang. Her old serving women whispered to her, "Don't go to the main apartments yet, madam. Some people from the Zhen family have just arrived with a few things—we don't know what secret business they're about. It might not be convenient for you to go there." Madam You said, "Yesterday I heard your master say that the Zhens had been charged with a crime, their property had been confiscated, and they were being summoned to the capital to answer for their offense. So why would anyone be coming here?" The old serving women replied, "Exactly. Several women just arrived—their complexions were dreadful, all flustered and panicky. They must have something to hide." Having heard this, Madam You did not go forward but instead went to Li Wan's quarters. As it happened, the doctor had just finished taking her pulse and left. Li Wan had been feeling somewhat more clearheaded lately; she sat propped against her pillows, wrapped in her quilt, and was hoping someone would come to chat. When she saw Madam You come in, she was not as warm and affable as usual but just sat there blankly. Li Wan asked, "You've been here half the day now—have you had anything to eat in the other rooms? You must be hungry." She ordered Suyun to look for some fresh pastries and bring a selection. Madam You quickly stopped her, "Don't bother, don't bother. You've been ill all this time—what fresh things could you possibly have? Besides, I'm not hungry." Li Wan said, "That good tea-facepowder your aunt's family sent yesterday—why don't I have someone prepare a bowl for you?" She then ordered someone to make the tea. Madam You sat lost in thought, saying nothing. The maids and serving women who had accompanied her asked, "You haven't even washed your face since midday, madam. Wouldn't this be a good time to freshen up?" Madam You nodded. Li Wan quickly told Suyun to fetch her own toilet case. As Suyun brought it over, she also brought out her own rouge and powder, saying with a smile, "Our mistress is short of these. If you don't mind that they've been used, madam, take some of mine—you're welcome to them." Li Wan said, "Even if I don't have any, you should have gone to fetch some from the young ladies' rooms. How could you openly bring out your own? Fortunately it's her—if it were anyone else, wouldn't they be offended?" Madam You laughed, "What does it matter? Whenever I come over, I've always used whoever's is at hand. Why suddenly be squeamish today?" As she spoke, she sat cross-legged on the edge of the kang. Yindie came forward and quickly removed her bracelets and rings, then covered her lower half with a large bundle of towels and carefully protected her clothes. Little maidservant Chaodou'er carried a large basin of warm water to Madam You, bending at the waist as she held it. Li Wan said, "How improper!" Yindie laughed, "They say we're all so inflexible—one calls a gourd and it's nothing but a dipper. It's only because our mistress is lenient with us at home, and we get away with anything there, that you've grown so presumptuous—carrying on the same way whether at home or abroad, in front of relatives, just doing as you please." Madam You said, "Let her be—she'll be done as soon as she's washed." Chaodou'er hurriedly knelt down. Madam You laughed, "All our people, high and low, know nothing but outward show and false propriety—but when it comes to what they actually do, it's enough to make one despair." When Li Wan heard this, she knew Madam You had learned about the incident of the previous night. She smiled and said, "There must be a reason for that remark. Whose doings are enough to make one despair?" Madam You said, "You ask me! You must have been so ill you nearly died!"

Before she finished speaking, someone announced, "Miss Bao is here." They hurriedly called for her to be invited in, but Baochai had already entered. Madam You quickly wiped her face, rose, and offered her a seat. She asked, "How is it you've come alone all of a sudden? Why aren't any of the other girls here?" Baochai said, "I haven't seen them either. It's just that our grandmother isn't feeling well today, and two of the women in the household are also laid up with seasonal illness and haven't left their kang. The others aren't reliable, so I'm going out tonight to keep the old lady company. I was going to report this to the old lady and Lady Wang, but I didn't think it was anything major, so there was no need to mention it. I'll come back in any event once she's better. So I came to let you know, Sister-in-law Li." Li Wan looked at Madam You and smiled. Madam You looked at Li Wan and smiled. Presently Madam You finished washing, and everyone had some tea-facepowder. Li Wan said with a smile, "Since that's the case, send someone to inquire after your aunt and ask what her illness is. I'm ill myself and can't come in person. Good sister, you go ahead and go—I'll send someone to your place to look after the house. Do come back in a day or two, so I won't be blamed." Baochai laughed, "Blamed for what? This is only natural—you haven't been harboring thieves. In my opinion, there's no need to send anyone over—just invite Sister Yun to come stay with you for a day or two. Wouldn't that be simpler?" Madam You said, "But where has Sister Shi gone?" Baochai said, "I've just sent someone to find your Tanchun and bring her here. I'll explain everything to her clearly."

Just then a servant came in to report, "Miss Yun and Miss San have arrived." After everyone had invited them to be seated, Baochai mentioned she had to leave on an affair. Tanchun said, "Very well. It would be fine if your mother recovered and could come, but even if she didn't recover and couldn't come, that would be all right too." Madam You said with a laugh, "That's a strange thing to say. Why are you driving away relatives?" Tanchun said with a cold laugh, "Indeed. If someone's going to drive people away, I might as well be first. Even if relatives are on good terms, there's no need for them to stay on until they're dead. We're supposed to be one family of close flesh and blood, yet every one of us is like a ravenous bird, wishing it could devour the other!" Madam You said hastily with a laugh, "What bad luck I've had today, running into the bad temper of both sisters." Tanchun said, "Who told you to come to the hot stove?" Then she asked, "Who has offended you?" And she thought it over: "Fourth Sister hasn't provoked you, so who was it?" Madam You only gave a vague reply. Tanchun, knowing she was timid and unwilling to say much, said with a laugh, "Don't play the simpleton. Short of the court punishing you with a capital crime, there's no beheading to fear, so you needn't be so craven. Let me tell you plainly—I beat that old woman Wang Shanbao's wife yesterday, and I'm still bearing the blame for it. It's only that people gossip about me behind my back—surely he won't come and beat me!" Baochai hastily asked why she had beaten her. Tanchun told her everything about how the search had been carried out the night before and how she had beaten her. When Madam You saw that Tanchun had already spoken, she also told them what had happened with Xichun earlier. Tanchun said, "That's her peculiar nature—she's too solitary and aloof. Even we can't outdo her in pride." She also told them, "This morning there was no news, and I heard that Peppercorn Feng was ill again. I sent my nanny out to find out what had happened to Wang Shanbao's wife. She came back and told me that Wang Shanbao's wife had been given a beating, and the Old Lady was angry with her for meddling." Madam You and Li Wan said, "That's only right and proper." Tanchun said with a cold laugh, "Everyone knows how to cover things up like that. We'll wait and see." Madam You and Li Wan both fell silent, having nothing to reply. Presently they reckoned it was time for the meal up front, and Xiangyun and Baochai went back to their rooms to prepare their clothes—no more of this. Madam You and the others then took their leave of Li Wan and went to Grandmother Jia's quarters. Grandmother Jia was reclining on her couch. Lady Wang was telling her how the Zhen family had committed some offense, and that their property had now been confiscated and they had been sent back to the capital to face punishment. Grandmother Jia was feeling quite uneasy when she happened to see the sisters arrive, and she asked, "Where have you come from? How are Sister Feng and her sister-in-law's illnesses today?" Madam You and the others hastily replied, "They're both a bit better today." Grandmother Jia nodded and sighed, "Let's not concern ourselves with other people's affairs. We should discuss the fifteenth of the eighth month—that's when we'll enjoy the moon, and that's the proper business at hand." Lady Wang said with a laugh, "Everything has been prepared. We only wonder where Your Ladyship would like to go. It's just that the garden is empty and the nights are windy and cold." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "What does it matter if we put on more clothes? That's precisely the place for enjoying the moon—how could we not go?" While they were speaking, some maids and serving women had already brought over the table, and Lady Wang and Madam You hurried forward to set out the chopsticks and serve the rice. Grandmother Jia saw that her own dishes had been laid out, and that there were two large trays with several other dishes brought in; she knew this was the old custom of each branch of the family sending offerings. Grandmother Jia asked, "What are these? Several times now I've given orders that these things could be done away with, but you still don't listen. Things aren't what they used to be, when we had abundance." Yuanyang said hastily, "I've said it several times, but no one listens, so I've given up." Lady Wang said with a laugh, "They're just ordinary household things. I'm eating vegetarian today, so there's nothing else. You don't care much for gluten and tofu, so I only picked one dish—pepper oil with pure pickled relish." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "That's just right. I was craving exactly that." When Yuanyang heard this, she moved the dish closer. Baoqin courteously yielded to everyone before taking her seat. Grandmother Jia ordered Tanchun to come and eat with her. Tanchun also yielded to everyone and sat down opposite Baoqin. Shushu hurried to fetch a bowl. Yuangyang also pointed to several dishes and said, "These two—no one can tell what they are—were sent by the Old Master. This bowl is marrow bamboo shoots, sent by the Master from outside." As she spoke, she moved only that bowl of bamboo shoots to the table. Grandmother Jia tasted a couple of bites and then ordered, "Have someone send those two dishes back and tell them I've had them. You needn't send them every day. If I want them, I'll ask for them." The serving women assented and took them away—no more of this. Grandmother Jia asked, "Let me have some congee." Madam You had already brought a bowl over—it was red rice congee. Grandmother Jia took it and ate half a bowl, then instructed, "Take this congee to Sister Feng for her to eat." Then she pointed and said, "Take this bowl of bamboo shoots and this plate of wind-preserved civet cat fruit to Pinny and Baoyu to eat, and that bowl of meat to Little Lan." She said to Madam You, "I've finished eating, so you come and eat now." Madam You assented. After Grandmother Jia had rinsed her mouth and washed her hands, she came down from the couch to chat idly with Lady Wang while digesting her food. Madam You sat down. Tanchun and Baoqin also rose and said, "Forgive us for leaving you." Madam You said with a laugh, "I'm the only one left, and I'm not used to eating at a big table all by myself." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "Yuanyang and Hupo, come take advantage and eat too—then they'll be company." Madam You said with a laugh, "Good, good, good. I was just about to say that." Grandmother Jia said with a laugh, "Having lots of people to eat together is the most fun." She also pointed to Yindie and said, "This child is good too. Come eat along with your mistress. You can establish your rules again after you've left me."

"You, come over here — no need for pretense," said Madam You.

The Old Lady stood with her hands behind her back, watching and enjoying herself. She noticed that the servant attending to the rice was holding a bowl of the servants' coarse rice, while Madam You was still eating polished white rice. The Old Lady asked, "What's the matter with you? Why serve this rice to your mistress?"

The servant replied, "Your Ladyship's rice is finished. We've added an extra young lady today, so there's a shortage."

Yuanyang said, "These days we're cutting the cap to fit the head — there isn't a single bit of surplus to spare."

Lady Wang quickly explained, "For the past year or two, droughts and floods have been unpredictable, and the rice from the fields can't be delivered in full. These finer varieties are even harder to come by, so we apportion everything according to how much is needed, for fear that supplies might run short and we wouldn't be able to buy what suits our taste."

The Old Lady laughed, "As the saying goes, 'Even the cleverest housewife can't make porridge without rice.'" Everyone laughed.

Yuanyang said, "If that's the case, go fetch Third Young Lady's rice and add it — it's just as good. Why be so perverse about it?"

Madam You said, "This is enough for me. No need to fetch more."

Yuanyang said, "You may have enough, but I haven't eaten."

The servants below heard this and hurried off to fetch it. Soon Lady Wang also went to her meal, and Madam You stayed behind to keep the Old Lady company with conversation and jokes. When the first night watch began, the Old Lady said, "It's dark now. Go on over."

Madam You then took her leave. She walked to the front gate and climbed into her carriage. Yindie sat on the side of the carriage. The servants drew the curtain, and taking the little maids with them, they went ahead directly to wait by the main gate on the other side. Since the two mansions' gates were less than an arrow's flight apart, daily visits between them required no elaborate preparations — and since there were even more trips returning between the two houses after dark, the old nursemaids and little maids only needed a few steps to cross over. The gatekeepers at both mansions had already gone to the east-west crossroads and stopped all passersby. Madam You's large carriage needed no draft animals — only seven or eight young servants pulled the rings and hauled the wheels, and it was gently pushed and dragged up onto the stone steps on this side. Then the young servants withdrew beyond the stone lions, the nursemaids raised the curtain, Yindie got down first, and then helped Madam You alight. Seven or eight lanterns of various sizes made everything perfectly visible.

Madam You noticed four or five large carriages parked beneath the stone lions on both sides and knew they belonged who had come for the gambling. She said to Yindie and the others, "Look — those who came by carriage are like this. We don't even know how many came on horseback. The horses are naturally tethered in the stable, so we can't see them. I wonder how much their mothers and fathers earned for them to have such a fine time."

As she spoke, she had already reached the hall. Jia Rong's wife, together with all the serving women and maids of the household, came out to meet them carrying candles. Madam You laughed, "Every day I've wanted to sneak a look at them, but never had the chance. How convenient — today I'll just walk past their windows."

The women servants assented, holding up lanterns to light the way, while one of them went ahead to quietly instruct the young attendants not to make a fuss. So Madam You and her party crept quietly to beneath the windows. From inside they could hear people calling out three and four, with plenty of laughter and jesting — but there was no shortage of cursing at five and scolding at six, nor of angry, resentful voices either.

Now Jia Zhen, being recently in mourning, could not go roaming and enjoying himself as before, nor could he watch actors or listen to music to pass the time. In his extreme boredom, he hit upon a way to dispel his dullness. During the day, on the pretext of practicing archery, he invited the young masters of various noble families and his wealthy friends and relatives to come and compete. He said, "Shooting arrows at random like this is of no use at all — not only will you not improve, but you'll spoil your form. We must establish penalties and wager prizes, so that everyone will have the incentive to try hard." So he set up targets in the archery lane at the Tower of Heavenly Fragrance, and all agreed to come every day after breakfast to shoot at the targets. Jia Zhen did not wish to take the lead openly, so he ordered Jia Rong to act as host. Those who came were all young hereditary scions, every one of them from wealthy households, and all in their youth — a set of dissipated young rakes given to cockfighting, dog racing, visiting sing-song girls, and appraising flowers. So it was agreed among them that each day one of them would take turns hosting the supper, so as not to impose on Jia Rong alone every day they came to shoot. And so every day they slaughtered pigs and sheep, butchered geese and ducks, just like the contest of treasures at Lin-tong, each wanting to show off his own fine cooks and culinary skills. Before half a month had passed, Jia She and Jia Zheng heard of this, and not understanding the real situation, actually said this was only proper — that since literary pursuits had gone wrong, military matters should also be practiced, especially since they came from a military family. Both households then ordered Jia Huan, Jia Cong, Baoyu, and Jia Lan to come after meals and follow Jia Zhen in archery practice before being allowed to return. But Jia Zhen's ambition did not lie in this. After a day or two, he gradually began to use resting his arms and building up his strength as an excuse, and in the evenings they would play dice-and-tiles or bet on who would host the drinking. Later, they gradually moved to wagering money. Now after three or four months, they had actually come to prefer gambling over archery day after day, openly tossing dice and throwing lots, setting up games and running stakes, gambling through the night. The servants all made some profit from this and were delighted that it had gone so far, so it had become an established practice. Outsiders knew not a word of it. Recently Xing Lady's younger brother Xing De-quan had also become passionately fond of such goings-on, so he too joined in. And then there was Xue Pan, the first man in the world for showering money on others — how could he not be happy to find such a place? Although Xing De-quan was Xing Lady's own brother, his disposition and conduct were entirely different from hers. This Xing De-quan knew only drinking wine, gambling money, sleeping with prostitutes, and visiting sing-song girls for pleasure. He spent money recklessly and had no duplicity in his dealings with people. Those who liked wine enjoyed his company; those who did not drink, he did not seek out. Whether high or low, master or servant, he treated everyone with the same spirit, making no distinction of rank. So everyone called him "Uncle Silly." Xue Pan had long been known as the "Stupid Young Master." Today the two of them had come together, both delighting in the brisk game of "Racing to the Finish," so they joined two other parties and played "Racing to the Finish" on the outer kang. Several other parties were playing Fan P'ai at the big table on the floor. In the inner room, a more refined group was playing bone-tile cards and tien-ow. The young servants attending here were all boys under the age of fifteen — grown men were not allowed in this place — which was why Madam You had slipped to the window to peep in secretly. Among those present were two handsome lads of sixteen or seventeen, dressed up like powdered jade, whose job it was to serve the wine. Today Xue Pan had just lost one round and was in a bad temper, but luckily when he threw the second round it turned out that counting it backwards he had actually won, and his spirits rose at once. Jia Zhen said, "Hold off for now — eat something first and then come back." He then asked how the other two groups were doing. The ones playing tien-ow inside had already settled their accounts and were waiting for the meal. The ones playing Fan P'ai had not yet finished and refused to eat. So no one could hurry the others, and a large table was laid first, with Jia Zhen sitting down to eat, telling Jia Rong to sit later and keep the other company company. Xue Pan, in high spirits, threw his arm around one of the handsome lads and drank with him, then ordered that wine be offered to Uncle Silly Xing. Uncle Silly, being on the losing side, was out of sorts. After drinking two bowls he began to feel the wine and complained that the two handsome lads only paid attention to the winners and ignored the losers. He cursed, "You lot of rabbits, you always swim upstream! We're together every day — whose kindness haven't you enjoyed? It's only because I've lost a few taels of silver this round that you start treating me differently — three here, six there, nine somewhere else. Do you mean to say there'll never be a time when you'll need to ask a favor of us?" Seeing that he was drunk, the others all said, "That's right, that's right. Their ways really are no good." They ordered the lads, "Quickly, offer wine and apologize!" The two handsome lads, well rehearsed in their parts, hastily knelt down with wine and said, "People in our trade are taught by our masters that no matter whether someone is close or distant, generous or stingy, we pay court to whoever has money and power at the moment. Even if he were a living Buddha or an immortal spirit, if he lost his money and power, we wouldn't be allowed to pay him any attention. Besides, we're young and in this position — we beg the Great Uncle to be a little indulgent with us, and we'll let it pass." So saying, they raised their wine cups and knelt. Uncle Xing's heart had already softened, but he still put on an angry air and ignored them. The others urged, "These boys are telling the truth. You, old uncle, have always been one to cherish beauty — how is it that today you've turned against them like this? If you don't drink this wine, how are they to get up?" Uncle Xing could hold out no longer and said, "If it weren't for all of you speaking up, I still wouldn't pay them any mind." So saying, he took the cup and drained it in one gulp. Another bowl was poured for him. And now Uncle Xing, stirred by wine and old memories, spoke his true feelings in his drunkenness. He struck the table and sighed to Jia Zhen, "No wonder they value money as if it were their lives! How many families from generations of officials — let the words 'money and power' be mentioned, and they won't even acknowledge their own flesh and blood. My worthy nephew, did you know that yesterday I had a quarrel with your respected aunt on your side?" Jia Zhen said, "I hadn't heard of it." Uncle Xing sighed, "It was all over that damned thing called money. Dangerous, dangerous!" Jia Zhen, knowing full well that he and Lady Xing were on bad terms and that she often vented her spite on him and stirred up resentment, tried to soothe him: "Uncle, you really are too extravagant. If you just keep spending, how much is there for you to spend?" Uncle Xing said, "

"Nephew, you don't know the circumstances of our Xing family. When my mother passed away, I was still small and knew nothing of worldly matters. There were three of us sisters and brothers. Only your esteemed aunt, the eldest, married out, and she took charge of and brought along the entire family fortune. Now though the second sister has also married, her household is in dire straits. The third sister is still at home, and all daily expenses are managed by Wang Shoubao's wife, the dowery chaperone here. When I come asking for money, it's not your Jia family funds I'm after—our Xing family property alone would be enough for me to spend. But to my frustration, I can't get my hands on it. So I have grievances with nowhere to complain."

Jia Zhen, seeing him rambling on after drinking, feared that others might hear and find it unseemly, and quickly tried to smooth things over with some words of comfort.

Outside, Madam You heard everything with perfect clarity. She whispered to Yin Die with a smile, "Did you hear that? That's the Grand Mistress of the North Compound's younger brother complaining about her. If even his own flesh and blood brother speaks of her like this, it's no wonder these others do."

She was about to listen further when, as it happened, the dice players inside stopped to have a drink. Someone asked, "Who just now offended Old Uncle? We didn't quite catch it—tell us about it so we can judge the matter fairly."

Xing Dequan, thus asked, explained how the two boy entertainers had only paid attention to winners and ignored the losers. One young dandy among them said, "In that case, it's perfectly understandable. No wonder His Lordship the Uncle is angry. Let me ask you two this: though His Lordship lost, what he lost was only silver and cash—he didn't lose his—well, you know—so why should they ignore him?" At this, everyone burst into loud laughter, and even Xing Dequan spurted out a mouthful of rice. Outside, Madam You spat in quiet disgust and cursed, "Listen to that pack of shameless little scoundrels! They've barely lost their skull bones and already they're talking obscene nonsense. If they pour more of that yellow swill down their throats, heaven knows what else they'll babble."

So saying, she went inside to remove her makeup and retire for the night. Not until the fourth watch did Jia Zhen's gathering finally break up; he then went to Peifeng's room.

The next morning, someone reported that the watermelons and mooncakes had all arrived and were ready to be distributed to the various households. Jia Zhen instructed Peifeng, "Go ask your mistress to oversee the distribution. I have other matters to attend to."

Peifeng assenting, went and reported to Madam You, who then had to personally arrange for the gifts to be sent out. Before long, Peifeng came again and said, "Master asks whether Madam intends to go out today. He says that since we are in mourning, we cannot observe the festival tomorrow on the fifteenth. But this evening would be suitable—everyone could mark the occasion properly and enjoy some melon, cakes, and wine."

Madam You replied, "I have no wish of going out. Over there, the Elder Lady Zhu has fallen ill, and Sister Feng is laid up too. If I don't go over, there will be even fewer people to manage things. Besides, I have no leisure—what occasion is there to mark?"

Peifeng said, "Master says he has already declined all visitors today—they won't come until the sixteenth. He insists on inviting Madam for a drink, one way or another."

Madam You said with a laugh, "He invites me, but I have no way to return the invitation."

Peifeng left smiling, and shortly came back again, laughing. "Master says he invites Madam for dinner as well. He asks that you return early, and he told me to accompany Madam."

Madam You said, "In that case, what about breakfast? Let me eat quickly so I can be on my way."

Peifeng said, "Master says breakfast will be taken outside; he asks Madam to eat by herself."

Madam You asked, "Who is outside today?"

Peifeng replied, "I hear there are two newcomers from Nanjing, but I don't know who exactly."

While they were talking, Jia Rong's wife also came, having finished her toilet, to pay her respects. Presently the meal was laid out. Madam You sat at the upper place while Jia Rong's wife sat below to keep her company. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law finished eating together. Madam You then changed her clothes and went to the Rong Mansion, not returning until late that evening.

As expected, Jia Zhen had prepared a whole roast pig and a grilled sheep, along with other dishes, vegetables, and fruits too numerous to recount. In the Conglu Hall of the Guo Fang Garden, with peacock screens drawn apart and lotus-patterned cushions spread, he led his wife and concubines in a gathering. They ate first, then drank wine, opening their hearts to enjoy the moonlight and make merry. By the first watch, the breeze was clear and the moonlight brilliant, everything above and below shimmering like silver.

Jia Zhen, wanting to play drinking games, had You Shi summon Pei Feng and three others to join the seats as well. They sat in a row below, playing guessing games and finger-guessing, drinking for a while. Jia Zhen, somewhat intoxicated, grew even happier. He ordered a purple bamboo flute brought and told Pei Feng to play it, while Wen Hua sang. Her voice was clear and her throat young and fresh—truly intoxicating to the soul. After the singing, they resumed their drinking games.

By the third watch, Jia Zhen was eight parts drunk. Everyone was just putting on more clothes, drinking tea, and changing cups to drink afresh when suddenly they heard a long sigh from beyond the wall over there. They all heard it clearly and were struck with dread and suspicion. Jia Zhen at once demanded sharply, "Who's there?" He asked several times, but no one answered. You Shi said, "It must be someone from the household just beyond the wall, I suppose." Jia Zhen said, "Nonsense. There are no servants' quarters on any side of this wall, and besides, that side is right up against the ancestral hall—how could anyone be there?"

Before he finished speaking, they heard a gust of wind that seemed to pass right over the wall. Vaguely, they heard the sound of partition doors opening and closing in the ancestral hall. A chill, eerie air came through, and they felt it was even more cold and dreary than before. The moonlight, too, turned gloomy and was no longer as bright. Everyone's hair stood on end. Jia Zhen was now half sober—he held up better than the others, but his heart was full of dread and suspicion too, and his spirits were thoroughly dampened. He forced himself to sit a while longer, then retired to his rooms for the night.

The next morning, being the fifteenth, he led his sons and nephews to open the ancestral hall for the bi-monthly rites. They examined the hall carefully and found everything as it had been before, perfectly fine, with no trace of anything strange. Jia Zhen concluded he had been imagining things because of the wine, and he did not mention the matter. After the rites, they closed the gates and had them locked and sealed as before.

Jia Zhen and his wife did not visit the Rong Mansion until after the evening meal. They found Jia She and Jia Zheng both sitting in Grandmother Jia's room, chatting and amusing her. Jia Lian, Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan were all standing below. When Jia Zhen arrived, they all greeted each other one by one. After a few words, Grandmother Jia told them to sit, and Jia Zhen took a seat on a small stool near the door, sitting upright at an angle.

Grandmother Jia asked with a smile, "How is your Bao brother's archery coming along these days?" Jia Zhen quickly stood and replied with a smile, "He's made great progress. Not only is his form good, but his bow has gained a full degree of strength." Grandmother Jia said, "That's enough. Don't push too hard—be careful of straining yourself." Jia Zhen hastily responded with several "Yes, ma'am's."

Grandmother Jia continued, "The mooncakes you sent yesterday were good. The watermelon looked fine, but once opened, it was just so-so." Jia Zhen said with a smile, "The mooncakes were made by a new pastry cook. I tested them and found them truly good, so I dared to offer them as a tribute. The watermelon has been acceptable in previous years—I don't know why it's not good this year." Jia Zheng said, "Probably because there's been too much rain this year." Grandmother Jia said with a smile, "The moon is up now. Let's go offer incense." Saying this, she rose, supporting herself on Baoyu's shoulder, and led everyone together into the garden.

The main gate of the garden was now thrown wide open, with great horn lanterns hanging. In front of the Veranda of Charming Shade, on the terrace, offerings of grain-scented incense were burning, wind-protected candles were lit, and melons, cakes, and various fruits were displayed. Lady Xing and the other female guests had been waiting inside for some time. Truly it was a scene of bright moonlight and brilliant lantern light, fragrant smoke and bustling people—so dazzling, so ethereal that words could not describe it. On the ground were spread prayer mats and brocade cushions. The Lady Dowager washed her hands, burned incense, and offered her prayers; then everyone else followed. The Lady Dowager said, "Moon-viewing is best from a mountain." She therefore ordered everything to be set up in the great hall on the mountain ridge. When the others heard this, they hastened to arrange things there. The Lady Dowager rested in the Veranda of Charming Shade, drinking tea and chatting for a while. After a time, a servant reported, "Everything is ready." The Lady Dowager then let herself be supported up the mountain. Lady Xing and the others said, "We are afraid the stone may be slippery with moss. It would be better to go up in bamboo chairs." The Lady Dowager said, "Someone sweeps here every day. Besides, the path is very smooth and wide. Why not stretch our legs a little?" So Jia She and Jia Zheng led the way, while two old women carried horn-handled lanterns. Yuanyang, Hupo, You Shi, and others supported her closely, with Lady Xing and the rest following behind. They wound their way up from below—barely a hundred paces—to the ridge of the mountain, where stood the open hall. Because it sat on the highest ridge of the mountain, it was named Convex Emerald Mountain Villa. In front of the hall, on the terrace, tables and chairs were arranged, and a large screen was set up to divide the space into two sections. All the tables and chairs were round, to signify reunion. In the center, at the top, the Lady Dowager sat down. On the left, in order of precedence, were Jia She, Jia Zhen, Jia Lian, and Jia Rong; on the right, Jia Zheng, Baoyu, Jia Huan, and Jia Lan, seated in a circle. They filled only half the seats; the other half remained empty. The Lady Dowager smiled and said, "On ordinary days I don't notice we are few, but looking at it tonight, our family is still too small—nothing to speak of. In the years gone by, on a night like this there would have been thirty or forty of us, men and women—what a lively scene. Today it's like this, too few. If I were to call more, they all have parents and need to make an appearance at home—it wouldn't do to come. Let us have the girls sit over there instead." So she sent word to invite Yingchun, Tanchun, and Xichun from behind the screen, where Lady Xing and the others were seated. Jia Lian, Baoyu, and the rest all moved out to let the sisters be seated first, then took their places below in order. The Lady Dowager ordered a branch of osmanthus to be broken off and had a maid behind the screen drum while the flower was passed around. Whoever held the flower when the drum stopped was to drink a cup of wine and tell a joke. So they began with the Lady Dowager, then Jia She, each passing it along. After two rounds of drumming, the flower stopped precisely with Jia Zheng, who had no choice but to drink. The younger cousins all secretly tugged at one another and pinched one another under the table, smiling, eager to hear what joke he would tell. Seeing the Lady Dowager in good spirits, Jia Zheng did his best to please her. Just as he was about to speak, the Lady Dowager added with a smile, "If what you tell isn't funny, you'll be penalized again." Jia Zheng smiled and said, "I have only one. If it isn't funny, I'll just have to accept the penalty." He then said: "There was a man in a certain household who was most afraid of his wife." At these words alone, everyone burst out laughing, for they had never heard Jia Zheng tell a joke before. The Lady Dowager said, "That must be a good one." Jia Zheng said, "If it's good, Mother, have another cup." The Lady Dowager said, "Of course." Jia Zheng continued: "This henpecked man never dared take a single step on his own. But one day, it happened to be the fifteenth of the eighth month, and he went out to the street to buy things, where he ran into several friends who insisted on dragging him home for wine. He didn't mean to, but he got drunk and fell asleep at his friends' house. He didn't wake up until the next day. Too late to regret it, he went home to apologize. His wife was washing her feet. She said, 'Since that's the case, lick my feet for me and I'll forgive you.' The man had no choice but to lick them, and he felt so nauseated he nearly vomited. His wife flew into a rage and was about to beat him, saying, 'How dare you be so fresh!' Terrified, the man knelt down quickly and pleaded, 'It's not that your feet are dirty. It's just that I drank too much yellow wine last night and ate a few pieces of mooncake filling, so today I'm a bit... sour.'" This made the Lady Dowager and everyone else laugh. Jia Zheng quickly poured a cup and offered it to the Lady Dowager. She said, "In that case, hurry and bring some warmed wine—don't let you all suffer." Everyone laughed again. Then the drumming resumed, and they began passing from Jia Zheng. It so happened that when the drum stopped, the flower had reached Baoyu. Baoyu, with Jia Zheng present, was naturally anxious and uneasy. The flower had fallen into his hands, and he thought to himself: "If I tell a joke and no one laughs, I'll be told I have no wit—that I can't even tell a joke, let alone anything else—that's one fault. If I tell a good one, I'll be told I'm not serious, that I'm only good at being glib and flippant—that's another fault. Better not to say anything at all." So he stood up and excused himself: "I can't tell jokes. Please let me be tested in some other way." Jia Zheng said, "Very well. I'll give you the word 'autumn.' Compose a poem on the spot, using that theme. If it's good, I'll reward you. If it's not, you'll hear about it tomorrow." The Lady Dowager said quickly, "We're having a pleasant drinking game—why must he compose a poem?" Jia Zheng said, "He's capable." The Lady Dowager said, "If that's the case, then let him compose one." She ordered paper and brush to be brought. Jia Zheng said, "You must not use piled-up phrases like 'ice,' 'jade,' 'crystal,' 'silver,' 'bright,' 'clear,' or 'plain.' You must think for yourself and show me what your mind has been doing these past few years." Baoyu felt this struck him right where it mattered. He immediately composed four lines, wrote them on the paper, and presented them to Jia Zheng. They were... Jia Zheng read them and nodded without speaking. The Lady Dowager, seeing this, knew there was nothing seriously wrong and asked, "How is it?" Jia Zheng, wishing to please the Lady Dowager, said: "He does well enough. It's just that he doesn't..."

But if one's real purpose is study, these lines are, after all, inelegant." The Lady Dowager said, "Very well then. How old is he, after all? You don't expect him to be a great poet, do you? That's exactly why he should be rewarded—it'll make him put even more effort into it from now on." Jia Zheng said, "Indeed." He turned and ordered an old nurse to go out and instruct the pages in the study, "Bring two fans from those I brought back from Hainan." Baoyu hastily bowed his thanks, then returned to his seat and resumed the drinking game. At this point, Jia Lan, seeing Baoyu rewarded, rose from his seat and also composed a poem, which he presented to Jia Zheng. It read… Jia Zheng was overjoyed when he read it and at once recited it to the Lady Dowager, who was also greatly pleased and promptly told Jia Zheng to reward him as well. Thereupon everyone returned to their seats and the drinking game resumed.

This time the flower stopped with Jia She. He had to drink his cup of wine and tell a joke instead. "There was a family with an only son who was extremely filial," he began. "It happened that his mother fell ill. They sought doctors everywhere but found none, so they engaged an old woman who practiced acupuncture. The old woman knew nothing about reading pulses, but declared that the trouble was 'heart fire' and that a few acupuncture needles would set things right. The son was alarmed. 'The heart dies the moment it encounters iron,' he said. 'How can you needle it?' The old woman replied, 'I won't needle the heart. I'll needle the ribs.' 'But the ribs are a long way from the heart,' the son objected. 'How could that do any good?' 'Don't you worry,' said the old woman. 'You don't know how often parents' hearts are off-center.'" Everyone burst out laughing. The Lady Dowager had to drink half her cup of wine and said after a moment, "I could use a few needles from that old woman myself." Jia She realized at once that he had spoken tactlessly and that the Lady Dowager was offended. He rose quickly with a smile to refill her cup and changed the subject. The Lady Dowager let the matter drop, and the game went on.

As it happened, this time the flower landed with Jia Huan. Jia Huan had been making some progress in his studies lately, but like Baoyu he was not inclined to stick to orthodox subjects and enjoyed reading poetry, especially poems about immortals, magic, and ghosts. He had been itching to show off when Baoyu won praise for his poem, but had not dared to take liberties in front of Jia Zheng. Now that the flower had fallen to him by chance, he called for paper and brush and dashed off a quatrain, which he presented to Jia Zheng. Jia Zheng was surprised by its originality, but the language betrayed a distaste for serious study. He frowned. "Clearly you two are brothers. Your words and sentiments are both of the unorthodox school—you're both rascals who refuse to follow the rules. It's a remarkable coincidence that the ancients had their 'Two Difficult Brothers.' You two can also be called that. Only your 'difficult' should be taken in the sense of 'difficult to teach.' Your elder brother openly models himself on Wen Feiqing, and now your younger brother claims to be Cao Tang reborn." This made even Jia She laugh. Jia She asked to see the poem and praised it highly. "In my opinion this poem has real spirit," he said. "Men from a family like ours, unlike those poor scholars, don't need to study by snow-light or firefly-glow and wait for the day when they pass the imperial examinations to make their mark. Our young men should read a little, of course—just enough to be a bit more knowledgeable than others—so that if they get a post they won't disgrace it. Why waste so much effort and turn into bookworms? That's why I like this poem—it preserves the style of a noble house." He turned and ordered his servants to bring many of his curios and trinkets to reward Jia Huan. Then he patted the boy on the head and said with a smile, "Go on like this in future. That's the spirit of our family. You're the one who'll inherit the hereditary title." When Jia Zheng heard this, he said hastily, "He just dashed off something at random. There's no point in talking about such things as if they were settled."

He poured out wine, and they played another round of the game. Then the Lady Dowager said, "You may go now. You must have gentlemen waiting for you outside, and they shouldn't be neglected. Besides, it's past the second watch. When you've dispersed, let me have a little more amusement with the girls before we go to bed." Jia She and the others stopped the game. They all drank one more cup together, then took their sons and nephews and went out. What happened next will be told in the following chapter.