Chapter 96

Chapter 96

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Chapter 96: Fengjie Concocts a Clever Scheme to Keep the News Secret; Pinxing Loses Her Wages When the Secret Is Out

Jia Lian strode into the study in a rage, holding the false jade. The man there, seeing that Jia Lian was in a bad temper, felt his courage ebb and stood up quickly to greet him. He had barely opened his mouth when Jia Lian said with a cold sneer: "How dare you, you scoundrel! Do you think you can come here to play your tricks?" Turning, he shouted, "Where are those pages?" From outside came a thunderous chorus of assent from several pages. "Get some ropes and tie him up," ordered Jia Lian. "When the master comes back, I'll find out the truth and then send him to the yamen." The pages echoed, "We're ready." But they did not stir. The man was already panic-stricken, and seeing the way things stood, he knew he would not escape justice. He had no choice but to drop to his knees and knock his head on the floor, crying out, "Don't be angry, Your Lordship! I was driven to desperation by poverty and hit on this disgraceful scheme. I borrowed money to make that jade. I don't want it anymore—it's for the young gentleman of this house to play with." He knocked his head repeatedly on the ground. Jia Lian spat at him: "You miserable wretch! We're not so hard up in this house that we need your rotten, worthless trash!" While the commotion was going on, Lai Da came in. He smiled ingratiatingly at Jia Lian and said, "Don't be angry, Second Master. He's beneath notice. Let him off and tell him to get out." "He's really too much," said Jia Lian. Lai Da and Jia Lian pressed him to let the man go, while the others outside shouted, "You mangy dog, why don't you kowtow to the master and Uncle Lai? Clear off fast before we give you a kick in the teeth!" The man hastily knocked his head twice on the ground and fled for his life. After this, the rumor spread through the streets that Jia Baoyu had produced a "false Baoyu."

Now, Jia Zheng had been paying calls that day. Knowing that the Lantern Festival was at hand and that their master was likely to be in a bad temper, the others decided not to tell him about the matter, since it had already been dealt with. They had been busy with the consort's affairs for some time, and lately Baoyu had been ill. Although there was the customary family feast in the offing, no one felt like celebrating, and there was nothing worth recording. On the seventeenth of the first month, Lady Wang had been looking forward to Wang Ziteng's arrival in the capital when Xifeng came in to report: "Second Master heard someone say outside today that our First Lord is hurrying to the capital. He was only about two hundred li from the city when he died on the road. Have you heard this, madam?" Lady Wang was startled. "I've heard nothing about it. His Lordship didn't mention it last night either. Where did he hear this?" "From Lord Zhang of the枢密 Bureau," said Xifeng. Lady Wang was stunned for a while, then tears streamed down her face. Wiping them away, she said, "When Lian comes back, tell him to find out the truth and let me know." Xifeng assented and left. Lady Wang could not help weeping inwardly, mourning her daughter and grieving for her brother, while worrying about Baoyu as well. When misfortunes followed so fast, she could not bear it and developed a pain in her chest and stomach. Jia Lian came back to report what he had found out: "The uncle was exhausted from traveling and happened to catch a cold. He reached a place called Shilitun and called in a doctor. Unfortunately, there were no famous physicians in that area, and the wrong medicine was used. One dose killed him. I don't know whether his family has reached there yet." When Lady Wang heard this, she felt a pang of grief. The pain in her chest was so bad that she could not sit up. She ordered Caicun and the others to help her to the kang. She struggled to tell Jia Lian to report the matter to Jia Zheng: "Pack at once and go there to help with the funeral arrangements. Report back immediately to set your wife's mind at rest." Jia Lian dared not disobey. He took leave of Jia Zheng and set off. Jia Zheng had already heard the news and was deeply distressed. He knew that ever since Baoyu had lost his jade he had been in a dazed state, and no medicine had helped. Lady Wang was also suffering from chest pains. That year was the time of the metropolitan inspection, and the Ministry of Works had recommended Jia Zheng as first-class. In the second month, the Ministry of Personnel took him to an audience. The Emperor, mindful of his diligence and prudence, appointed him Grain Intendant of Jiangxi. He thanked His Majesty for the favor on the same day and reported the date of his departure. Although many relatives and friends came to congratulate him, Jia Zheng had no heart for entertaining them. His only thought was the turmoil in his family, yet he dared not delay his departure. He was at his wits' end when a servant came from the old lady's apartments to ask for him.

Jia Zheng hurried in and saw that Lady Wang, though unwell, was also present. He paid his respects to the Dowager, who bade him sit and said, "You will be leaving for your post any day now. I have much to say to you—but will you listen?" As she spoke, tears fell.

Jia Zheng quickly rose. "Whatever you wish to say, Mother, how could I not obey?"

The Dowager said with a choking voice, "I am eighty-one this year. You are going to a distant post, and though your elder brother is at home, you cannot request to remain to care for me. Once you leave, the one I treasure most is Baoyu, and he has fallen gravely ill with delirium—no one knows what will become of him. Yesterday I sent Madame Lai's daughter-in-law to find someone to tell Baoyu's fortune. The diviner was remarkably accurate: he said Baoyu must be helped by a woman of a metal destiny, and that an auspicious occasion must be arranged to bring him good fortune, or else he might not survive. I know you do not believe in such talk, which is why I have called you here to discuss it. Your wife is here too. You two must deliberate—is it better to do what is good for Baoyu, or simply let things take their course?"

Jia Zheng said with an ingratiating smile, "You have always cherished me, Mother. How could a son not cherish his own son? It is only because Baoyu does not apply himself that I am often angry with him—it is the frustration of loving iron that will not become steel. If you wish to find him a wife, it is only fitting. How could I defy you and fail to show him love? Now that Baoyu is ill, I too am worried. Since you have forbidden me to see him, I have not dared to speak. Let me at least have a look at what ails him."

Lady Wang saw that Jia Zheng's eyes were also reddening and knew that his heart was tender. She told Xiren to help Baoyu in. When Baoyu saw his father, Xiren told him to pay his respects, and he did so. Jia Zheng saw that his son's face was terribly thin, his eyes lifeless, and that he seemed quite mad and muddled. He had Baoyu helped back inside, then thought to himself: "I am nearly sixty, and now I am being sent to an official post—I do not know when I shall return. If this boy truly does not recover, first, I am old and have no heir—though I have a grandson, there is still a generation between us. Second, the Dowager loves Baoyu most of all; if anything were to happen to him, my guilt would be all the heavier." He glanced at Lady Wang, who was brimming with tears, and his thoughts turned once more to Baoyu. He stood again and said: "At your great age, Mother, you think of ways to cherish your grandson—how would a son dare oppose you? Whatever you have decided shall be done. I only wonder whether Aunt Xue has been told and has agreed."

Lady Wang said, "Aunt Xue agreed long ago. It is only because Pan's case has not yet been settled that the matter has not been raised all this time."

Jia Zheng said, "That is the first difficulty. With his brother in prison, how can his sister be married? Moreover, although the Consort's death does not prohibit weddings, Baoyu should observe nine months of mourning for his married elder sister, so it would be difficult for him to take a wife at this time. Furthermore, the date of my departure has already been reported to the court and cannot be delayed. How can all this be accomplished in a few days?"

The Dowager thought for a moment. "What you say is indeed true. If we wait for all these matters to be resolved, his father will have left. And if his illness grows worse by the day, what then? We shall simply have to set aside some of the usual rites."

Having made up her mind, she said: "If you will arrange it for him, I naturally have a plan that will ensure nothing stands in our way. Your wife and I will go in person to beg Aunt Xue. As for Pan, I will ask Kedou to go and tell him that it is to save Baoyu's life—if everything is done simply, he will naturally agree. If we were to speak of a wedding in the proper sense, that truly will not do. Besides, Baoyu is ill and cannot be expected to marry in earnest—it is merely to bring him good fortune. Since both families are willing, and the children already have the bond of gold and jade, there is no need to exchange betrothal gifts. We shall simply choose an auspicious day, carry out the rites according to our family's standing, and select a day for the wedding. All music and drums shall be dispensed with; instead, following the palace style, twelve pairs of lantern-bearers shall lead the way, and an eight-bearer sedan chair shall bring her here. According to southern custom, they shall bow before the hall, share the bed and scatter the wedding fruits—will that not count as a marriage? Baochai has a clear understanding of things and needs no worrying about. And there is Xiren too, a perfectly reliable girl. If there were also a sensible person to counsel him constantly, that would be even better. Moreover, he and Baochai get along well together. Furthermore, Aunt Xue once said that a monk spoke about Baochai's golden locket, saying that whoever possessed the jade would be her destined husband. Who knows—once Baochai arrives, might not the very presence of the golden locket draw out that piece of his jade? From then on, each day would be better than the last—would that not be a blessing for everyone? All that is needed now is to prepare the rooms at once and make the arrangements. The choice of rooms is yours to decide. We shall invite no relatives or friends, and hold no banquet. Once Baoyu has recovered and completed the mourning period, then we shall hold a feast and invite the guests. Everything can be managed in time. You have seen how the two young people are together—you can depart with an easy mind."

Jia Zheng, upon hearing this, was originally unwilling, but since the Dowager had made the decision, he dared not disobey. With a forced smile he said: "What you have thought of, Mother, is indeed very thorough and appropriate. But I must instruct the household servants not to make a clamor that everyone knows—that would be blameworthy. As for Aunt Xue, I fear she may not agree. If she truly consents, then we can only proceed according to your wishes."

The Dowager said, "Leave Aunt Xue to me. You may go."

Jia Zheng withdrew, feeling far from at ease. With the many matters of his new post to attend to—collecting his credentials from the ministry, receiving recommendations from friends and relatives, endless social obligations—he left all matters concerning Baoyu entirely in the hands of the Dowager, entrusting them to

The Lady Feng was now the Lady Wang. She designated only the large annex of some twenty-plus rooms next to Lady Wang's inner apartment behind the Hall of Glorious Felicity for Baoyu; the rest she left entirely to others. The Lady Dowager settled on this plan and had someone inform him. Jia Zheng simply said it was fine. But this belongs to a later part of the story.

To return to Baoyu: after his interview with Jia Zheng, Xiren helped him back to the kang in the inner room. With Jia Zheng in the outer room, no one dared speak to Baoyu, and he drifted into a deep sleep. Not a single word of the conversation between the Lady Dowager and Jia Zheng did Baoyu hear. Xiren and the others, however, heard it all clearly. Before this, they had caught some rumors but were never quite certain; the only thing that had made them believe it was that Baochai had not come over. Now, hearing these words, their minds were at last set at ease, and they felt glad. Xiren thought to herself: "Indeed, the judgment at the top was sound—this match is the right one. I am fortunate too. Once she arrives, I can be relieved of a great many burdens. But his heart holds only one Miss Lin. It is well that he did not hear this; if he knew, goodness knows what lengths he would go to."

At this thought, Xiren's joy turned to sorrow. She reflected: "What is to be done about this? The Old Lady and Her Ladyship have no idea of what passes in their hearts. In a moment of delight, they told him, hoping it would cure him. But if his feelings are the same as before—how, when he first met Miss Lin, he tried to smash his jade; or how, that summer in the garden, he mistook me for Miss Lin and poured out all those intimate words; or how, after Zijuan made some playful remark, he wept as though he would die—if now they tell him he is to marry Miss Baochai and cast Miss Lin aside, unless he were entirely senseless it would not work. Far from bringing him recovery, it might well be the death of him! If I do not speak plainly, will I not be harming all three of them?"

Having resolved on this course, Xiren waited until Jia Zheng had gone out. She asked Qiūwén to watch over Baoyu, then came out from the inner room and went up to Lady Wang. She quietly invited Lady Wang to the room behind the Lady Dowager's quarters to speak with her. The Lady Dowager supposed it was Baoyu who had something to say and paid no attention, remaining where she was, planning how to go through the ceremonies and how to conduct the wedding.

Xiren accompanied Lady Wang to the back room and at once knelt down and wept. Lady Wang, not understanding, took her hand and said: "What is all this about? If you have some grievance, get up and tell me."

Xiren said: "Your slave ought not to speak of this, but at this point there is no other way."

Lady Wang said: "Speak slowly."

Xiren said: "The Old Lady and Your Ladyship have settled Master Bao's marriage to Miss Baochai—naturally this is an excellent thing. But this slave wonders: in Your Ladyship's eyes, is Master Bao better suited to Miss Baochai or to Miss Lin?"

Lady Wang said: "The two of them have been together since childhood, so Master Bao is somewhat closer to Miss Lin."

Xiren said: "Not somewhat closer." And she told Lady Wang, one by one, all the signs of Baoyu's attachment to Daiyu, adding: "These are all things Your Ladyship has witnessed with your own eyes. Only those things from the summer I have never dared mention to anyone else."

Lady Wang took Xiren's hand and said: "I had already noticed something of this from his outward behavior. What you say now confirms it. But he must have heard everything Master said just now—how did he seem?"

Xiren said: "At present, if someone speaks to Master Bao he smiles; if no one speaks to him he sleeps. So he did not hear any of the earlier talk."

Lady Wang said: "But what is to be done about this?"

Xiren said: "This slave has spoken; still, Your Ladyship must inform the Old Lady and devise a plan that is entirely safe."

Lady Wang then said: "Since that is the case, go about your duties. There are people everywhere in the house just now; let us not mention this for the time being. I shall wait for a suitable moment to report to the Old Lady and then decide what is to be done." With this, she returned to the Lady Dowager's side.

The Lady Dowager was discussing matters with Xifeng when Lady Wang came in. "What did Xiren's girl have to say? So furtively," the Lady Dowager asked. Seizing the opportunity, Lady Wang carefully explained Baoyu's feelings to the Lady Dowager. After hearing this, the Lady Dowager was silent for a long time. Neither Lady Wang nor Xifeng spoke again. Finally, the Lady Dowager sighed, "Other matters can be discussed. As for Lin Daiyu, there's nothing much to worry about, but if Baoyu is truly like this, that would put us in a difficult position." Xifeng thought for a moment and then said, "It's not that difficult. I've thought of a plan, but I don't know if my aunt would agree." Lady Wang said, "If you have an idea, just tell the Old Lady. We'll discuss it together, all of us family." Xifeng said, "In my view, there's only one way—the 'switcheroo' method." The Lady Dowager asked, "How do you mean, a switcheroo?" Xifeng said, "Right now, regardless of whether Master Bao understands or not, we spread the word that the Master has decided to betroth Miss Lin to him. Then we'll watch his reaction. If he doesn't care at all, then we won't need to switch anything. But if he shows any signs of liking it, then this matter will require considerable maneuvering." Lady Wang said, "Even if he likes it, how would you manage it?" Xifeng went over to Lady Wang's ear and explained in detail. Lady Wang nodded several times, smiled, and said, "Very well, then." The Lady Dowager asked, "What are you two whispering about? Tell me what's going on." Fearing the Lady Dowager might not understand and that the scheme might be exposed, Xifeng whispered it into her ear as well. The Lady Dowager was indeed confused at first, so Xifeng explained a few more things with a smile. The Lady Dowager said with a smile, "That way is fine too, but it will be hard on Baochai. And if word gets out, what about Lin Daiyu?" Xifeng said, "This talk is only meant for Baoyu's ears. No one outside is to mention it. Who would know?" Just then, a maid came in to announce, "Master Lian is back." Lady Wang, fearing the Lady Dowager would ask questions, gave Xifeng a meaningful look. Xifeng met Jia Lian with a pursing of her lips and went together to Lady Wang's room to wait. After a while, Lady Wang came back in and saw that Xifeng's eyes were red from crying. Jia Lian paid his respects and reported on managing Wang Zitong's funeral at Ten-Li Village. He said, "By imperial grace, he was granted a cabinet position and given the posthumous title Wenqing. He was ordered to be escorted back to his home province with his coffin, with local officials along the route providing assistance. They set out yesterday, taking the whole household south. Madam asked me back to convey her respects and said she never imagined she wouldn't be able to come to the capital—there's so much she cannot say. She heard that my elder brother-in-law is coming to the capital. If they meet on the road, she asked that he come here to explain everything in detail." Lady Wang listened to the end, and her grief need not be described. Xifeng offered some consolation and said, "Please, madam, rest a little first. We'll discuss Baoyu's matter again this evening." With that, she returned to her own quarters with Jia Lian and told him to have someone prepare the new bridal chamber. But let us leave this aside.

One day, after breakfast, Daiyu went to the Dowager's quarters with Zijuan, partly to pay her respects, partly to divert herself. She had left the Bamboo Lodge and walked a few paces when she suddenly remembered she had forgotten her handkerchief. She told Zijuan to go back and fetch it, while she herself walked slowly along, waiting for her. Just as she reached behind the rocks by the Bridge of Seepingly Fragrant Waters, the spot where she had once buried flowers with Baoyu, she sobbed heard someone weeping there. Daiyu stopped to listen but could not make out whose voice it was, nor what the person was sobbing about. Puzzled, she walked slowly forward. When she drew near, she saw a maid with thick brows and large eyes weeping there. Before she had seen the girl, Daiyu had thought that one of the senior maids in the household must have some secret sorrow and had come here to give vent to it; but when she saw this maid, she could not help smiling, thinking: This is a stupid creature, hardly a woman of feeling. She must be a rough-work maid from one of the rooms who has been bullied by the older girls. She looked at the girl closely, but did not recognize her. When the maid saw Daiyu approaching, she dared not go on weeping and stood up to wipe her eyes. Daiyu asked her, "Why are you so upset?" At this the girl burst into tears again and said, "Miss Lin, you be the judge. They were talking and I didn't know anything about it, and when I made one slip of the tongue, my sister went ahead and hit me." Daiyu did not understand what she meant, and asked with a smile, "Which one is your sister?" The girl replied, "Sister Zhenzhu." Daiyu then knew that she was one of the Dowager's maids and asked, "What is your name?" "I'm called Big Foolish," the girl said. Daiyu smiled and asked, "Why did your sister hit you? What did you say wrong?" "Well, it's about the Second Master Baoyu marrying Miss Baochai," the girl said. At these words, Daiyu felt as if a thunderbolt had struck her, and her heart pounded. After she had composed herself somewhat, she said to the girl, "Come with me." The maid followed her to the secluded corner where she had buried peach blossoms, a quiet spot. Daiyu asked, "Why should Second Master Baoyu's marrying Miss Baochai have anything to do with your being hit?" Big Foolish replied, "The Old Lady, Their Ladyship, and the Second Mistress have been discussing it. Because the Master is about to leave, they've decided to go ahead and talk it over with Aunt Xue and marry Miss Baochai right away. First, to bring Second Master Baoyu some luck—" She glanced at Daiyu with a smile before continuing, "And second, they're going to hurry it along and find a match for Miss Lin too." Daiyu was thunderstruck. The girl went on, "I don't know how they planned it all. They don't want anyone to make a noise about it, for fear Miss Baochai might hear and feel embarrassed. I just happened to say to Sister Xiren in Second Master Baoyu's rooms, 'Tomorrow will be even more lively, with Miss Baochai and Second Mistress Baochai both here. How are we going to address her?' Miss Lin, tell me, what did I say to offend Sister Zhenzhu? She came over and slapped my face, saying I was talking nonsense and disobeying orders and she was going to turn me out. Why shouldn't they want anyone to talk about it? They didn't tell me, yet they hit me." And she began crying again.

At this moment, Daiyu's heart seemed to be a confused mixture of oil, sauce, sugar, and vinegar—sweet, bitter, sour, and salty—she could not tell what she felt. After a moment, she said tremulously, "Don't talk nonsense. If you go on talking nonsense and someone hears you, you'll be beaten again. Go now." She turned to go back to the Bamboo Lodge, but her body felt as if it weighed a thousand pounds, and her feet were tugging at cotton—they had gone weak. She could only drag herself along, step by step. She walked for a long time but had not yet reached the Bridge of Seepingly Fragrant Waters. Her legs being so weak, she walked slowly, and in a daze she took a roundabout route, adding two arrow-flights to her journey. When she finally reached the Bridge of Seepingly Fragrant Waters, she unconsciously followed the bank and started walking back the way she had come. Zijuan, who had fetched the handkerchief and could not find Daiyu, was looking around when she saw her, deathly pale, swaying on her feet, her eyes staring blankly as she turned this way and that. She also saw a maid walking ahead in the distance, but could not make out who it was. Alarmed, she hurried over and asked gently, "Why are you going back, miss? Where are you trying to go?" Daiyu, only half hearing, answered vaguely, "I'm going to ask Baoyu something." Zijuan, completely bewildered, had no choice but to support her and lead her to the Dowager's quarters.

Daiyu reached the entrance of the old lady's quarters, and her mind seemed a little clearer. She turned her head and saw Zijuan supporting her, so she stopped and asked, "Why did you come here?"

Zijuan said with a smile, "I found the silk kerchief. I saw you over by the bridge earlier and hurried to ask you something, but you didn't answer me."

Daiyu laughed. "I thought you'd come to see Master Bao, otherwise why would you come this way?"

Zijuan saw that Daiyu was confused and realized she must have overheard what that maid had said. She could only nod and smile. But she was afraid that if Daiyu saw Baoyu—the one already half-mad and the other so bewildered—they might say something improper. What would she do then? Though she thought this, she dared not disobey, and had to help Daiyu inside.

But Daiyu now seemed strange again. She was not as weak as before, and she did not ask Zijuan to raise the portière. She lifted it herself and entered in silence. The old lady was taking her midday rest in the inner room. Some of the maids had slipped away to amuse themselves, some were dozing, and some were attending to the old lady. Xiren heard the portière and came out to take a look. Seeing it was Daiyu, she stepped aside and said, "Please come in and sit down, miss."

Daiyu smiled and asked, "Is Master Bao at home?"

Xiren did not understand what was going on and was just about to answer when she saw Zijuan behind Daiyu, pursing her lips at her, pointing at Daiyu, and shaking her hand. Xiren did not know what this meant and did not dare to speak. Daiyu paid no attention and walked into the room by herself. She saw Baoyu sitting there, but he did not get up to offer her a seat. He just stared at her with a silly grin. Daiyu sat down herself and also stared at Baoyu and smiled. The two of them did not greet each other, did not speak, and did not make any show of courtesy. They just sat facing each other and grinning foolishly.

Xiren saw this scene and was at a loss for what to do, but there was nothing she could do. Then she heard Daiyu say, "Baoyu, why are you ill?"

Baoyu laughed and said, "I fell ill for the sake of Miss Lin."

Xiren and Zijuan were both so frightened that their faces changed color, and they quickly tried to change the subject. But the two of them did not answer and went on grinning foolishly. Xiren saw this and knew that Daiyu was as confused in her mind as Baoyu. She whispered to Zijuan, "The miss has just recovered. I'll ask Sister Qiüwen to go with you and help her back to her room to rest." She turned to Qiüwen and said, "You and Miss Zijuan escort Miss Lin back. Don't say anything careless."

Qiüwen smiled, said nothing, and came to help Zijuan support Daiyu.

Daiyu got up, staring at Baoyu and smiling, nodding her head. Zijuan urged her, "Miss, let's go home and rest."

Daiyu said, "That's right. It's time for me to go back now." With that, she turned and came out smiling. She still did not need the maids' support, but she walked much faster than usual. Zijuan and Qiüwen hurried along behind her. Daiyu left the old lady's courtyard and walked straight ahead. Zijuan quickly took hold of her and called out, "Miss, this way." Daiyu still smiled and followed her to Bamboo Lodge. When they were not far from the gate, Zijuan said, "Bless my soul, we're home at last!"

Before she had finished speaking, Daiyu's body lurched forward. With a cry, she vomited a mouthful of blood.

What happened to her? Read on and you will learn.