Chapter 114
Xifeng Has Hallucinations and
Goes Back to Jinling
Zhen Yingjia, Pardoned by the Emperor,
Returns to Court
When Baoyu and Baochai heard that Xifeng was mortally ill, they hastily got up and the maids brought in candles to wait on them. They were on the point of leaving when some of Lady Wang’s servants arrived to report, “Madam Lian is in a bad way, but not yet at her last gasp. The second master and mistress had better not go there just yet. “There is something very strange about her illness, for she has been delirious since midnight, calling for a boat and sedan-chair so that she can hurry back to Jinling to fill in some register. Nobody knows what she means, and she keeps on crying and waiTing. So Master Lian has had to order a paper boat and paper chair for her. They haven’t been delivered yet, and Madam Lian is still waiting, panting for breath. Her Ladyship sent us to tell you not to go over till she has passed away.”
“That’s odd!” exclaimed Baoyu. “Why should she go to Jinling?”
Xiren reminded him softly, “I seem to remember you had a dream one year about some registers, didn’t you? Perhaps that’s where she’s going.”
He nodded. “That’s right. It’s a pity I can’t remember what was written there. It goes to show that all mortals’ fates are predestined. But where can Cousin Lin have gone, I wonder? Now that you’ve reminded me, I feel I have an inkling. If I ever have that dream again I must read those registers carefully so as to be able to foretell the future.”
“You’re impossible to talk to!” protested Xiren. “How can you take a casual remark of mine so seriously? Even if you were able to foresee the future, what could you do about it?”
“I’m afraid it’s out of the question. But if I knew in advance I wouldn’t have to worry about you all.”
Baochai came over at this point to ask, “What are you two discuss
mg?”
Not wanting her to question him Baoyu said, “We were talking about Cousin Xifeng.”
“Why gossip about somebody who’s dying? In the past you blamed me for putting a jinx on people, but that prediction came true, didn’t it?”
Recalling the incident Baoyu clapped his hands. “Quite right, quite right!” he exclaimed. “So you can predict the future. In that case let me ask you to tell my fortune.”
“What nonsense!” Baochai laughed. “I simply guessed at what the oracle meant. How can you take it seriously? You’re as bad as my second sister-in-law. When you lost your jade, she asked Miaoyu to consult the planchette; and when nobody could understand what it wrote she assured me secretly that Maioyu could foretell the future and had attained enlightenment. How is it, then, that Miaoyu didn’t know of the terrible thing that has happened to her now? Can this count as foretelling the future? Even if I hit upon the truth about Xifeng, I didn’t really know what was going to happen to her. I don’t even know what’s going to happen to me, so how can I tell about you? All such auguries are bogus. How can you believe in them?”
“Never mind her. Let’s talk about Cousin Xing,” he said. “What with one trouble after another here, we’ve forgotten about her marriage. It was such an important event in your family, how could you handle it so sloppily, not even inviting relatives and fiiends?”
“You’re wide of the mark again. Our closest relatives are your family and the Wangs. There are no respectable Wangs left now, and we couldn’t invite people from this house just after the old lady’s funeral; so only cousin Lian helped out a little. Of course a few other relatives attended, but since you didn’t go you didn’t know that. My second sister-in-law’s fate seems rather like mine. When she was betrothed to my cousin Ke, mother meant to hold the wedding in style; but with Pan in
Prison Ke didn’t want a big show, and then there was that trouble in our house. However, Cousin Xing was having a thin time of it with the Elder
Mistress, the more so as their property had been confiscated; and she found it hard to put up with Lady Xing’s harshness. That’s why I asked ~other to hold the wedding -but to do it quietly. Now she seems quite
contented and very dutiful to my mother too, ten times better than her real daughter-in-law ever was. She makes an excellent wife for Cousin Ke and is good to Xiangling as well. When he’s away the two of them get on famously together. So though our family is poorer now, mother feels quite comfortable these days and only grieves whenever she thinks of Pan. Besides, he keeps sending home for money, and it’s Ke who copes by raising cash outside. I hear that all but one of our houses in towns are mortgaged, and they’re planning to move over there.”
‘Why move house?” asked Baoyu. “With them here, it’s more convenient for you to drop in. If she moves far away a visit will take a whole day.”
“Even though we are mother and daughter, it’s still better for each to have her own establishment. How can she stay with relatives all her life?~’
Baoyu was about to dispute this when Lady Wang sent a maid to announce, “Madam Lian has breathed her last and everyone’s gone over there. Her Ladyship wants the young master and young mistress to go too now.”
Hearing this Baoyu stamped his foot, on the verge of tears. Baochai although upset too tried to restrain him.
‘~Why mourn here?” she demurred. “We’d better go over.”
They went straight to Xifeng’s quarters, and found many mourners assembled there. When Baochai saw Xifeng already laid out, she gave way to loud weeping. Baoyu, taking Jia Lian’s hand, sobbed bitterly; and Jia Lian too wailed again. As there was no one else present to remonstrate, Pinger stepped forward sadly to urge them to desist; but still they went on lamenting.
Jia Lian, unable to cope, summoned Lai Da and told him to see to the funeral, then reported this to Jia Zheng and obtained his approval. But having little money in hand, he was hard put to i~. The thought of Xifeng’s help in the past increased his wretchedness; and the sight of Qiaojie beside herself with grief made his heart ache even more. He wept till dawn, then sent to ask Xifeng’s brother Wang Ren to come over.
Since the death of Wang Ziteng, as Wang Zisheng was so incompetent Wang Ren had done as he pleased and alienated all his relatives.
When he heard of his younger sister’s death he had to come and mourn; but the shabby way things were being done provoked him.
“My sister worked hard for years running your household, and did nothing wrong,” he said. “So your family ought to take her funeral seriously. Why is nothing ready yet?”
Jia Lian who had never liked him ignored this foolish, injudicious talk. Then Wang Ren called Qiaojie over.
“When your mother was alive,” he said, “she neglected some of her duties and was so set on pleasing the old lady that she paid very little attention to us. Now, niece, you are growing up. Have you ever seen me take any advantage of your family? Now that your mother’s dead you must be guided in everything by your second grand-uncle and me
we’ re your only kinsmen left in her family. I know what your father is like: all he cares about is other people. That year his concubine You died, although I wasn’t in the capital I heard you spent pots of money; yet now that your mother’s dead he’s skimping things like this. Why don’t you protest?”
‘My father would be only too glad to do things handsomely,” Qiaojie replied. “But we’re not as well-off as before. Having no money in hand, we have to economize wherever we can.
“Haven’t you plenty of valuables?” he asked.
“How could we after that raid?”
“So you take that line too? I heard that the old lady gave you lots of things. Now is the time too use them.”
Not liking to say that her father had already sold those heirlooms, Qiaojie denied any knowledge of the matter.
“Ha, I know!” he sneered. “You want to keep them all for your dowry!”
Qiaojie dared not retort and could only sob with rage. But Pinger remonstrated angrily, “If you have any complalnts, sir, wait till our master comes back. What does the child understand?”
“You were looking forward to your mistress’ death so that you could take her place!” he retorted. “I don’t want anything for myself; but you owe it to yourselves to keep up appearances.” He sat down glowering.
Seething with resentment Qiaojie told herself, “It’s not that my father
is heartless. When mama was alive, uncle made off with ever so many of our things; but now he talks as if he had clean hands!” He went down in her estimation.
Wang Ren for his part was convinced that his sister must have sizable savings, so that even after the raid they could hardly be short of silver. He thought, “My niece must be afraid I’ll cadge on them; that’s why she’s taking her father’s side. This minx is no good either!” This made him take a dislike to Qiaojie too.
Jia Lian, unaware of this, was preoccupied with raising money. He had put Lai Da in charge of outside business; but their home expenses were going to be heavy too, and he had no idea where the money was to come from. Pinger appreciated his anxiety.
“Don’t ruin your health by worrying too much,” she urged him.
“To hell with my health!” he exploded. “I haven’t even the money for daily expenses. What’s to be done? And to make matters worse, this fool has come butting in. What do you expect me to do?”
“Don~t worry, Second Master. If you’re short of money, I still have some things which luckily weren’t confiscated. Take them, sir, to be going on with.”
Jia Lian was most relieved. “That’s splendid,” he answered with a smile. “It’ll save me the trouble of borrowing right and left. I’ll pay you back when I’m in funds again~”
“All I have was given me by the mistress, so why talk about paying me back? I just want this funer~ to be properly managed.”
Feeling immensely grateful, Jia Lian raised money on these things of Pinger’s, and thereafter he consulted her on all matters, much to Qiutong’s annoyance
“Now that the mistress is gone, Pinger wants to take her place,” she kept complaining. “I was the Elder Master’s maid, so how can she outrank me?”
Pinger paid no attention to such remarks, but when Jia Lian learned of them he was disgusted and each time he lost his temper would swear at Qiutong. But when Lady Xing knew this she took Qiutong’s side, and he had to control his anger. No more of this.
After the corpse had been laid out for more than ten days, the funeral took place. All this time Jia Zheng, still in mourning for his mother, was staying in the outer study. By now all his proteges and secretaries had left with the exception of Cheng Rixing who often kept him company.
Jia Zheng told him, “Our family’s gone downhill with so many dying one after the other, and the Elder Master and Master Zhen away. We are more hard pressed every day, and I don’t know what’s become of our farm at East Village. All in all, we’re in a bad way!”
“Yes, after all these years here I know the situation,” said Cheng Rixing. “Which of your servants hasn’t been battening on you by filching things from your mansion year after year? Naturally you’re runing shorter every year. On top of that you have to meet the expenses of the Elder Master and Master Zhen, not to mention your debts outside; besides, recently you were robbed, and the police aren’t likely to catch the thieves or recover your stolen property. If you want to set your house in order, sir, you will have to summon your stewards and send one whom you trust to check up everywhere. Some servants should be dismissed; and if there is a deficit anywhere, make the one responsible pay for it. Then you will know where you are. As for that big Garden of yours, no one would dare sell it; but you haven’t put anyone in charge of all its produce. During those years when you were away, these people got up to their tricks pretending the place was haunted so that everybody was afraid to go there. Better check up on your staff and keep on only the servants loyal to you, sending the rest away.”
Jia Zheng nodded. “I don’t mind telling you, sir,” he said, “that quite apart from the servants even my own nephews aren’t to be relied on! If I start investigating, how am I to see to everything myself? Besides, being still in mourning, I can’t attend to these things. And never having paid much attention to family affairs, I’m not clear what the situation is.”
“You are the soul of goodness, sir. If other families owned such a property and fell on hard times, they would be able to get by for five or ten years by applying to these stewards. Some of them, I hear, have had themselves made magistrates.”
“It’s unthinkable to ask one’s servants for money,” objected Jia Zheng. “We shall just have to be more frugal. If the properties entered in our
books really exist, then we should be all right. I only fear they may be empty names.
“Quite true, sir. That’s why I humbly suggest a check-up.”
“I suppose you have heard some talk?”
“Though I have an idea what these stewards are capable of, sir, I wouldn’t dare voice my suspicions.”
Aware that there was something behind this, Jia Zheng sighed, “Since our grandfather’s time we have always been kind masters, never treating our underlings harshly. But they seem to be getting more out of hand every day. If I try to act the stem master now, people will laugh at me!”
Just then one of the gatekeepers announced, “Master Zhen from the Yangtze V~ley has arrived.”
“What brings him to the capital?” ha Zheng asked.
“I inquired, sir, and they say he has been reinstated through the Emperor’s favour.”
“Very well, then. Invite him in at once!”
The man went off to usher in Zhen Yingjia, whose secondary name was Youzhong, the father of Zhen Baoyu. He too was a native of Jinling of noble ancestry and related to the ha family, with whom he had been on close terms. Two years before this, having committed a fault, he had been degraded, his property confiscated. Now the Emperor, out of concern for subjects who had peiformed meritorious service, had restored his hereditary title and summoned him to the capital for an audience. Learning of the Lady Dowager’s recent death, he had prepared sacrificial gifts and come today to pay his respects at her shrine, first calling on Jia Zheng.
Jia Zheng, still in mourning, could not go ou~ to meet him but waited by his study door. Their reunion filled Mr. Zhen with mixed joy and sorrow. As they could not greet each other formally while Jia Zheng was in mourning, they took hands and exchanged a few civilities, then sat down as host and guest and while tea was served described their experiences since their last meeting.
“When did you go to court, sir?” Jia Zheng asked.
“The day before yesterday.”
“I presume the Most High must have given you certain instructions
since he was gracious enough to summon you.
“Yes, the Sovereign’s kindness surpasses heaven. He issued several decrees.”
“What is your good news?”
“Recently pirates have been raiding the southeast coast, giving the people no rest, and the Duke of Anguo is being sent to wipe them out. Since our Sovereign knows that I am familiar with that locality, he has ordered me to pacify the people and to set off straight away. Yesterday I heard of the old laldy’s passing, so to express my condolences I have brought incense to pay my respects at her shrine.”
Jia Zheng bowed his thanks and rejoined, “By going on this mission, sir, you will certainly relieve the Emperor’s anxiety and bring peace to the people. You are bound to achieve great deeds. As I shall be unable to witness them, I can only wait far off for news of your triumph. The garrison commander there happens to be related to me; I hope you will think well of him when you meet.”
“What is your relationship, sir?”
‘When serving as Grain Corninissioner in Jiangxi, I betrothed my young daughter to his son. They’ve been married for three years now. But as pirates have been raiding the coast and some cases there are still under litigation, I have had no news of them. My daughter is much in my thoughts. After your work of pacification, sir, I hope you will spare time to see them. I shall write a few lines to her, and if I may trouble you to pass on my letter I shall be extremely grateful!”
“Who doesn’t feel for his children?” replied Zhen Yingjia. “That reminds me of a favour I’d like to ask of you. When His Majesty graciously summoned me to court, because my son is young and there is no one in charge at home I decided to bring my whole household here as well. But having to travel post-haste I came on ahead, leaving them to follow more slowly, and they have not yet arrived. I have orders to go straight to my post and dare not procrastinate. When my worthless son arrives, I shall certainly leave word for him to come and pay his respects to you, sir. I hope you will give him good advice, and if there is a chance to arrange a suitable match I would be most grateful if you would keep him in mind.”
Jia Zheng assented to these requests, and after a little more talk Zhen Yingjia rose to leave.
“I’ll see you tomorrow outside the city,” he said.
Since he was in too much of a hurry to stay, Jia Zheng saw him out of his study. Jia Lian and Baoyu were waiting outside to see the guest off for him, not having presumed to enter as they had not been summoned. They both stepped forward now to pay their respects. The sight of Baoyu astounded Zhen Yingjia, who thought, “Why, he’s the image of my Baoyu, except that he’s in mourning!”
He greeted them and said, “Though we are close relatives, young gentlemen, we haven’t met for so long that we don’t recognize each other.”
ha Zheng indicated ha Lian and said, “This is my elder brother She’s son, my second nephew Lian.” Then he pointed at Baoyu. “This is my second son, Baoyu.”
Zhen Yingjia clapped his hands in amazement. “How extraordinary !” he exclaimed. “I heard at home that you had a son born with a piece of jade in his mouth, whose name was Baoyu. And I was amazed because he had the same name as my son. Later it seemed nothing unusual, so I thought no more about it. Now that I see him, though, they look exactly alike and bear themselves in the same way as well. This is most extraordinary!” He inquired Baoyu’s age and remarked, “My boy is one year younger.”
Jia Zheng thanked him then for recommending Bao Yong, and referred back to how he had asked the servant about his young master having the same name as his son. Since Zhen Yingjia was so struck by Baoyu, he did not ask about Bao Yong but kept exclaiming “Truly extraordinary!” He took Baoyu attentively by the hand. However, as the Duke of Anguo was about to set out on his journey, he had to go at once to get ready himself and reluctantly took his leave. He asked Baoyu many questio~5 as the two young men saw him out, then left in his carriage. When Jia Lian and Baoyu came back, they reported what the guest had said to Jia Zheng, who then dismissed them. Jia Lian went off to work out the accounts for Xifeng’s funeral.
When Baoyu returned to his own quarters he told Baochai, “I’ve
never had a chance to meet that Zhen Baoyu whom they’re always talking about, but today I’ve seen his father. He says Baoyu will be ~jving here any day now and wants to call on my father. He also says his son looks exactly like me, but I can hardly believe it. If he does come, you must all take a look at him to see whether he’s really my double or not.”
“Oh!” scoffed Baochai. “What nonsense you talk! Claiming that some manis your double and even asking us to look at him!”
Aware of his gaffe Baoyu blushed, wanting to explain. To know how he justified himself, read the next chapter.
