CHAPTER 108
A birthday party held for Sister Allspice necessitates
a false display of jollity
And ghostly weeping heard at the Naiad’s House provokes
a fresh outburst of grief
We have already told how the Emperor rejected Jia Zheng’s plea to donate both Rong-guo House and Prospect Garden to the throne. None of the Jia family lived in the Garden any longer, and its gates were permanently locked. You-shi and Xi-chun, whose temporary lodgings in Rong-guo House adjoined the Garden wall, found it an eerie and desolate place to be near, and it was partly for this reason that Bao Yong had been appointed caretaker.
Jia Zheng now applied himself in earnest to the practicalities of the household, and in accordance with Grandmother Jia’s instruc?tions endeavoured to implement a gradual reduction in the size of the staff, and a range of other economies. But he soon found the task too much for him, and turned for help to Xi-feng. Although Lady Wang had little affection left for her, Xi-feng was still a favourite of Grandmother Jia’s, and Jia Zheng judged that one way or another, despite everything, she must have retained some of her flair for business. She accepted the responsibility with a good grace, only to discover that the depredations of the Embroidered Jackets and the financial after-effects of the raid had made it impossible to get anything done in Rong-guo House. The necessary funds were simply not forthcoming. The ladies and their maids, from the highest to the lowest, used as they were to a life of ease, and finding that in their new and greatly reduced circumstances many of their old everyday luxuries could no longer be afforded, did nothing but complain. Xi-?feng did her utmost to fulfil her duties, and despite her illness tried to please Grandmother Jia as best she could.
Jia She and Cousin Zhen eventually arrived at their designated places of exile. Thanks to the sums of money they had taken with them, they were comfortable enough, for the present at any rate, and both wrote home that they were well and that the family was not to worry on their account. Grandmother Jia was much relieved, and the news brought a little comfort to their wives.
Some days later, Shi Xiang-yun, who was now married and had paid her Ninth Day visit to her own home, came to call on Grand?mother Jia. The old lady said what a favourable report she had heard of her husband, while Xiang-yun confirmed that married life was turning out happily for her, and begged Grandmother Jia to set her mind at rest. At the mention of Dai-yu’s death they both shed tears, and Grandmother Jia’s distress was further increased by the thought of Ying-chun and her trials. Xiang-yun remained with her for a time, doing her best to cheer her up, then went to call on the others, and returned later in the day to Grandmother Jia’s apartment to rest. The conversation that evening turned to the Xue family, and Xiang-yun learned from Grandmother Jia how as the result of Pan’s escapade the Xues were now facing total ruin. Pan’s death sentence had, it is true, been suspended, and he was still alive in gaol; but there was no telling whether or not they would be able to save his life by having the sentence commuted the following year.
‘And you still haven’t heard about Pan’s wife,’ Grandmother Jia went on. ‘She came to a very nasty end, and there was nearly the most dreadful scandal. But Lord Buddha in his all-seeing wisdom caused her own maid to come forward and tell us the whole story. Mrs Xia for all her antics could do nothing in the face of the truth, and ended up asking herself for the inquest to be waived. Your aunt Xue gave Pan’s wife a makeshift burial. She has young Ke living with her now. What a wonderful lad he is. Such a strong sense of duty! He feels he should postpone his own wedding until his cousin Pan is released from gaol and his murder case has been resolved. Of course that makes things rather hard meanwhile for poor Xiu-yan, who has to stay on with her aunt Xing. And it’s not much better for Bao-qin, who can’t marry her young Mr Mei until after his period of mourning for his father. Dear oh dear! What with one thing and another, our relations seem to be in much the same case as we are ourselves. Let me see now, what other news is there? In the Wang family, your aunt Wang’s elder brother, your great-uncle Zi-teng, has passed away; Fengie’s elder brother Ren has disgraced himself; and her second uncle Zi-sheng, your other great-uncle Wang, has turned out badly too. He couldn’t settle his elder brother’s debts, and had to come running to us to bale him out. We’ve had no news of the Zhens, ever since they too were raided and had their property confiscated.’
‘Have you had any news from Tan since she left?’ asked Xiang?-yun.
‘Since her marriage, your uncle Zheng has returned from his post and he tells me that Tan is very happy at her new home, even though of course it is so far away down there on the coast. We still haven’t heard from her directly, and I do worry about her a great deal. We’ve had so many other troubles to contend with here, I simply haven’t had time to do anything for her. And then there’s Xi-chun. I still haven’t been able to find a husband for her. The less said about young Huan the better. Oh, things have changed greatly since you were here, my dear – greatly for the worse, I’m afraid. Your poor cousin Chai has not had a day’s peace ever since she married into our family. And Bao-yu is still as addle-pated as ever. Dear oh dearie me! We really are in a sorry state!’
‘I grew up here,’ said Xiang-yun, ‘so of course I know everyone very well. I can see for myself how they’ve changed. At first I wondered if perhaps they were just being a little distant towards me, because I’ve been away so long. But then I thought it over and could see it wasn’t that at all. They wanted to be their old cheerful selves with me, but somehow as soon as we started talking they got upset. That’s why I didn’t stay long and came back here to you, Grannie.’
‘I’m old enough to take what’s happened in my stride,’ said Grand-mother Jia. ‘But the young people seem to go to pieces. I wanted to find some way of cheering them all up for a day, but then I just couldn’t summon up the energy.’
‘I have an idea,’ said Xiang-yun. ‘Isn’t it Bao-chai’s birthday the day after tomorrow? Why don’t I stay on to wish her a happy birthday – then we can all enjoy ourselves for a day. What do you say, Grannie?’
‘Goodness! I am getting gaga!’ exclaimed Grandmother Jia. ‘If you hadn’t mentioned it I should have forgotten altogether. Of course you’re right! Tomorrow I’ll give the cooks some money and we’ll have a party. Before Chai married Bao-yu, we must have celebrated her birthday several times. But not since she’s been part of the family. Bao-yu, poor child, who used to be such a bundle of mischief and fun, has been so badly affected by our troubles that he can hardly put two words together. I can still count on Wan. She never changes, whether times are good or bad. She and little Lan still spend their days quietly together. She’s a marvel!’
‘Xi-feng is the most changed,’ said Xiang-yun. ‘She looks so differ?ent for a start, and no longer speaks with her old zest. Tomorrow I must see if I can draw them out and cheer them all up. But I’m afraid that, although they won’t say so, in their hearts they may resent me for being so lucky and for having…
She stopped short and blushed fiercely. Grandmother Jia under?stood what she meant.
‘There’s no cause for you to worry on that score, my dear. You and your cousins grew up together as children. You used to play with each other, you were always chatting and laughing together. Don’t think of them in that way. We should all learn to accept life’s ups and downs. We should know how to enjoy prosperity while it lasts, and how to endure poverty with patience. Your cousin Chai has always taken a broad view of life. In the old days, when her family were so well off, she never used to put on airs; and since they’ve fallen on hard times she has been quite unshaken by it all. Now that she’s part of our family, when Bao-yu is nice to her she is as quiet and content as ever, and if he leads her a bit of a song and dance occasionally, I’ve never seen her get ruffled. That girl seems blessed with the most wonderful disposition. Your cousin Dai-yu was so different – quick to criticize others and take offence herself. It was hardly surprising that she died so young, poor child. As for Feng, she’s seen something of life, she should know better than to let little trials and tribulations get her down. It’s a weakness in her character… Yes, I shall set aside a special sum of money for Chai’s birthday, and we’ll make a jolly little party of it and let her enjoy herself properly for once.’
‘That does sound a good idea, Grandmother,’ replied Xiang-yun. ‘I’ll go ahead then and invite all the girls, and we can have a real reunion!’
‘Yes, you go ahead,’ said Grandmother Jia. In her enthusiasm she called Faithful over and said:
‘Take a hundred taels of silver and tell accounts that we want food and drink for a two-day party, starting tomorrow.’
Faithful gave the money to an old serving-woman to take out to the accounts office. The remainder of that evening and night passed without any further event.
The next day a servant was sent to fetch Ying-chun for the party. Aunt Xue and Bao-qin were invited, and were asked to bring Caltrop with them. Mrs Li was also invited, and later that day she arrived together with Li Wen and Li Qi.
These preparations were kept secret from Bao-chai. One of Grand?mother Jia’s maids simply came to tell her that her mother had called, and to invite her over to the old lady’s apartment. Bao-chai was pleased to hear of her mother’s arrival, and went dressed as she was to greet her. She found her cousin Bao-qin and Caltrop there, and Mrs Li with the Li sisters, and presumed that they had all come to call upon hearing that the family troubles were over. She greeted Mrs Li, then Grandmother Jia, then exchanged a few words with her mother and said hello to the Li sisters.
‘Now, will the ladies please be seated,’ said Xiang-yun from the side, ‘and we can congratulate our cousin and wish her a long and happy life on this very special occasion.’
Bao-chai looked rather bewildered for a moment. Then she thought to herself, ‘Of course! Tomorrow’s my birthday!’ ‘It’s quite right for you to come and visit Grandmother,’ she protested. ‘But you certainly shouldn’t have gone to all this trouble on my account.
Bao-yu heard this as he came in to greet Aunt Xue and Mrs Li. He had originally been thinking of organizing something for Bao-chai’s birthday himself, but had said nothing to Grandmother Jia because of the general confusion of the past few weeks. He was delighted that Xiang-yun had taken the initiative.
‘Yes, tomorrow’s her birthday,’ he said. ‘I was meaning to remind you, Grannie.’
‘Shame on you.’ cried Xiang-yun with a playful laugh. ‘As if Grannie needed you to remind her! Who do you think invited every?one here but Grannie?’
Bao-chai secretly doubted this. But then she heard Grandmother Jia say to her mother:
‘Poor Chai – it’s been more than a year since she married Bao-yu, and somehow with one thing after another, we’ve never celebrated her birthday. Today I wanted to do it properly, so I invited you and Mrs Li over. I thought it would be a nice opportunity for us all to have a chat.’
‘You’re only just starting to feel better, Lady Jia,’ protested Aunt Xue. ‘It is my daughter who should be thinking how best to do her duty and show you her love and respect. You really shouldn’t go to such lengths on young Chai’s account.’
‘Bao-yu is Grannie’s favourite grandson,’ said Xiang-yun, ‘so of course Grannie has a soft spot for Chai as well! Anyway Chai deserves it!’
Bao-chai hung her head in modest silence.
Bao-yu meanwhile was marvelling to himself at Xiang-yun’s forthrightness:
‘I always imagined that Xiang-yun would change once she was married; that’s why yesterday I was rather reserved with her. As a result I suppose she herself decided to keep her distance. But to hear her talk now, she seems quite the same as ever. Why has marriage made my wife more modest and bashful than before, more tongue-tied than ever?’
While these thoughts were passing through his mind, a junior maid came in to announce the arrival of Ying-chun. Shortly after?wards Li Wan and Xi-feng arrived, and they all exchanged greetings. Ying-chun referred to her father’s departure:
‘I wanted to come and see him before he left, but my husband wouldn’t allow me to. He said he didn’t want his family to be infected by our bad luck. He wouldn’t listen to anything I said, and there was nothing I could do. I cried for two or three days.’
‘Why did he let you come today then?’ asked Xi-feng.
‘This time he said that since Uncle Zheng had been given the title, there was no harm in renewing contact.’
She burst into tears.
‘I’ve been feeling quite wretched myself,’ Grandmother Jia up?braided her, ‘and I asked you all here to celebrate my granddaughter?-in-law’s birthday and to have a bit of fun. I thought there’d be lots of laughter to cheer us up – and there you go mentioning this unhappy business of yours and upsetting me all over again.’
Ying-chun and the rest were silenced.
Xi-feng tried her hardest to put on a brave front for the occasion and to jolly the old lady along; but somehow she seemed to have lost the knack of making people laugh, and her efforts all fell flat. Grand?mother Jia herself was anxious to make it a happy occasion for Bao-?chai, and deliberately egged Xi-feng on.
‘You’re a lot more cheerful today, aren’t you, Grannie?’ said Xi-feng, trying her best to oblige. ‘Here we all are gathered together again after such a long time. It’s quite a reunion!’
Even as she said the words, she looked around her, noticed the all too obvious absence of Lady Xing and You-shi, and fell silent. The word ‘reunion’ had also jolted Grandmother Jia’s memory, and she sent word at once to invite the missing ladies. Lady Xing, You-shi and Xi-chun knew they must obey a summons from Grandmother Jia, even though a party was the very last thing they felt like. The mere fact that Grandmother Jia was celebrating Bao-chai’s birthday in the midst of their misfortune was proof enough of where her affections lay. They came into the room looking a picture of misery. Grandmother Jia enquired after Xiu-yan, and Lady Xing concocted an illness that had prevented her niece from attending the party. Grandmother Jia herself knew quite well that Xiu-yan’s absence was prompted by the presence at the party of Aunt Xue, the aunt of her husband-to-be.
Presently wine and sweetmeats were served.
‘There’s no need to send any out to the men,’ said Grandmother Jia. ‘Today can be ladies’ day.’
Though Bao-yu was a married man, as Grannie’s favourite he was allowed to join in the fun. He was placed not at a table with Xiang-?yun and Bao-qin, but on a special chair next to Grandmother Jia. He went round with Bao-chai, pouring a cup of wine for each of the guests on her behalf.
‘Sit down now both of you,’ commanded Grandmother Jia, ‘and let’s all have a drink. Later in the evening you can do your duty to everyone. But if you start getting all formal now and make everyone stand on ceremony, you’ll spoil my mood and take all the fun out of the party.’
They obeyed and sat down. Grandmother Jia turned to the others:
‘For goodness’ sake let’s relax a bit. We only need one or two maids each to wait on us. Faithful, take Suncloud, Parrot, Aroma and Patience off to the back and have a cup of wine together.’
‘But we still haven’t kowtowed to Mrs Bao,’ protested Faithful. ‘How can we go and drink without having done that?’
‘If I say so, then you can. Now, off with you!’ ordered Grand?mother Jia. ‘We’ll send for you later if we need you.’
Faithful and her fellow maids obeyed.
Grandmother Jia now pressed her guests to drink up. But she soon discovered that they were not at all their old party-going selves.
‘What’s the matter with you all?’ she asked fretfully. ‘Why can’t everyone cheer up a bit?’
‘We’re eating and drinking,’ replied Xiang-yun. ‘What more do you expect of us?’
‘When they were still children,’ said Xi-feng, ‘it was easy for them to be carefree and happy. Now that they’re grown up, they’re too self-conscious and well mannered to let themselves go. That’s why they seem so dull.’
Bao-yu said confidentially to Grandmother Jia:
‘It’s best if we don’t say anything, Grannie. If we so much as open our mouths we’re bound to upset someone. Why don’t you suggest a drinking game instead?’
Grandmother Jia had inclined her head to one side to listen to him.
‘If it’s to be a game,’ she replied with a laugh, ‘we’ll have to call Faithful back!’
Bao-yu needed no second bidding, but went straight out to the rear of the apartment to find Faithful.
‘Grandmother wants to play a game and needs your help.’
‘Mr Bao, can’t we relax and drink a cup of wine in peace? Do you have to invent ways of disturbing us?’
‘It’s nothing to do with me. Honestly. It’s Grandmother. She sent me to fetch you.’
‘Oh very well then,’ said Faithful, resigning herself to her fate. ‘You all stay here and drink your wine. I’ll be back shortly.’
She set off to Grandmother Jia’s apartment.
‘There you are!’ cried Grandmother Jia when she appeared. ‘We’re going to play a drinking game.’
‘Mr Bao said you wanted me, Your Old Ladyship,’ said Faithful, ‘so I came straight away. What kind of game were you thinking of playing?’
‘Well not one of those clever bookish ones, for a start. They’re too boring. And not one of those rowdy ones either. Think of something new and entertaining for us.’
Faithful pondered for a moment:
‘As Mrs Xue is one of our visitors, and seeing that she is an elderly lady and won’t want to rack her brains too much, why don’t we just get out the dice-bowl and throw for song-titles? The loser has to drink a cup of wine.’
‘That sounds a good idea,’ said Grandmother Jia. She told one of the maids to put the dice-bowl on the table.
‘We’ll throw four dice,’ said Faithful. ‘If the combination has no particular name, the thrower’s forfeit is one cup of wine. If it does have a name, the number of cups the others have to drink will depend on the combination.’
‘That sounds easy enough,’ they replied. ‘We’ll follow your lead.’
Faithful threw two dice to determine who should start. They insisted that Faithful should drink a cup first herself, then counting from her they came to Aunt Xue, who threw, and came up with four ones.
‘That has a name,’ said Faithful. “‘The Four Old Hermits of Mount Shang”. All senior guests must drink a cup.’
Grandmother Jia, Mrs Li, Lady Xing and Lady Wang complied.
Just as Grandmother Jia was raising her cup to her lips, Faithful said:
‘Since that was Mrs Xue’s throw, she must now think of a song-title to match it; and the person next to her must cap it with a line from “The Standard Poets”. Forfeit for failure in either case is one cup.’
‘This is a plot!’ cried Aunt Xue. ‘I don’t stand a chance!’
‘Go on,’ Grandmother Jia encouraged her. ‘Have a go. You’ll spoil the fun if you back out. I’m next, and I’m sure to fail, so then we’ll be in the same boat.’
Aunt Xue tried her hand:
‘How’s this: “Greybeard sporting in the Flowers”?’
Grandmother Jia nodded, and recited the line:
“‘They deem it idle mimicry of youth…
The dice-bowl passed to Li Wen, who threw two ‘fours’ and two ‘twos’.
‘That has a name too,’ said Faithful. “‘Two Travellers Lost in the Tiantai Mountains
Li Wen proposed the song-title ‘Two Scholars at Peach-blossom Spring’, and Li Wan, who was sitting next to her, recited the line:
“‘Searching for Peach-blossom Spring to flee the tyranny of Qin”.’
Everyone had a drink, and the dice-bowl passed to Grandmother Jia, who threw two ‘twos’ and two ‘threes’.
‘I suppose I shall have to drink a forfeit.’
‘No,’ said Faithful. ‘That has a name. “A Swallow over the River Guiding her Chicks”. Everyone has to drink a cup.’
‘Most of your chicks have flown the nest, haven’t they, Grannie?’ quipped Xi-feng.
They gave her a meaningful look, and she immediately fell silent.
‘Now what shall I say for my song?’ said Grandmother Jia. ‘What about “The Sire Leading his Grandson”?’
Li Qi was next to her, and quoted the line:
‘“Lazily watching the children catch willowfloss”.’
Everyone applauded her choice.
Bao-yu was longing to have a go, but so far the dice-bowl had not reached him. Now at last it was his turn. He threw a ‘two’, two ‘threes’ and a ‘one’.
‘What’s that?’ he asked.
Faithful laughed.
‘A dud! Drink a forfeit and throw again.’
Bao-yu did as he was told. This time he threw two ‘threes’ and two ‘fours’.
‘That’s better,’ said Faithful. ‘That’s “Zhang Chang Painting his Wife’s Eyebrows”.’
Bao-yu knew she was making fun of him, and Bao-chai blushed fiercely too. Xi-feng didn’t seem to have noticed anything out of the ordinary, and told him to hurry up and think of a song.
‘Then we’ll see whose turn it is next.’
Bao-yu was too embarrassed:
‘I’ll pay the forfeit. And there’s no one sitting next to me anyway.’
The bowl came next to Li Wan. She threw, and Faithful announced the name of the combination as ‘The Twelve Beauties’. Bao-yu hurried over to Li Wan’s side and studied the dice: the red and green pips were symmetrically paired.
‘Doesn’t that look pretty!’ he exclaimed.
Suddenly he recalled his dream, and the registers of the Twelve Beauties of Jinling. He wandered back to his seat in a daze.
‘In my dream they were twelve,’ he mused. ‘But of my fair cousins, most have been scattered to the four winds. Why have so few been spared?’
He gazed around him. Xiang-yan and Bao-chai were present that day, it was true; but the absence of Dai-yu struck him with a sudden and overwhelming force and he knew that he was about to burst into tears. Not wanting the others to witness his distress, he pretended to feel hot, and expressed a desire to go and change. He begged leave to ‘hand in his tally’ and left the party.
Xiang-yun noted his departure, and thought he was probably peeved by the fact that he had not had a good throw and had been outshone by the others. She herself began to feel rather bored and irritated by the game.
‘I can’t think of anything,’ said Li Wan, who had thrown the ‘Twelve Beauties’. ‘We are missing one of the party now anyway. I’d better just drink my forfeit and be done with it.’
‘This game is not turning out to be much fun,’ said Grandmother Jia. ‘Why don’t we call it a day? Let Faithful have one last throw.’
A junior maid placed the bowl in front of Faithful, who did as Grandmother Jia told her and threw the dice. She had two ‘twos’ and a ‘five’. As the last dice continued to rattle in the dice-bowl, Faithful cried out:
‘Pray I don’t get another “five”!’
Finally it came to rest; there it was, five pips as plain as could be.
‘Oh dear!’ exclaimed Faithful. ‘I’ve lost.’
‘Doesn’t that have a name?’ asked Grandmother Jia.
‘It does,’ said Faithful. ‘But I’ll never be able to think of a song to match it.’
‘Well, you tell us the name, and I’ll try to think of something.’
‘This one’s called “Waves Sweep the Floating Duckweed”.’
‘There’s nothing particularly hard about that,’ said Grandmother Jia. ‘Here’s a song for you: “Autumn Fish in a Den of Caltrops”.’
Xiang-yun, who was sitting next to Faithful, proposed the line:
‘“The white duckweed moans, as autumn descends on the south?ern river.”‘
‘Very apt!’ they all exclaimed.
‘The game’s finished,’ announced Grandmother Jia. ‘Let’s all have two more cups of wine and then eat our dirmer.’
She looked round and noticed that Bao-yu was still absent.
‘Where’s Bao-yu gone? Why isn’t he back yet?’
‘He went to change,’ Faithful informed her.
‘Who went with him?’
Oriole came forward:
‘When I saw that Mr Bao was going out, I told Aroma to go with him.’
This set the ladies’ minds at rest. They waited a little longer for him to return, and then, since there was still no sign of him, Lady Wang sent one of the junior maids out to look for him. The maid went to his new apartment, but the only person there was Fivey, setting out candles.
‘Where’s Mr Bao gone?’ the maid asked her.
‘He’s over at Her Old Ladyship’s for the party,’ replied Fivey.
‘No he’s not. I’ve just come from there. Her Ladyship sent me to fetch him. She’d hardly do that if he was there in the first place.’
‘Well, in that case, I don’t know where he is. You’d better look somewhere else.’
The maid was obliged to return and on her way met Ripple.
‘Did you see where Mr Bao went?’
‘I’m looking for him too,’ said Ripple. ‘Her Ladyship and the others are waiting for him so that they can start dinner. Where can he have got to? You’d better hurry back and report to Her Old Ladyship. Don’t say we can’t find him, just say the wine didn’t agree with him and he won’t be having any dinner. Say he’ll be over when he’s had a little lie-down. Ask Her Old Ladyship and Their Ladyships to start without him.’
The junior maid carried Ripple’s message to Pearl, who passed it on to Grandmother Jia.
‘He doesn’t usually eat much anyway,’ commented the old lady. ‘He may as well miss out on dinner then, and have a rest. Tell him he needn’t come back at all today. His wife is here, and that will do.’
‘Is that clear?’ said Pearl to the junior maid.
‘Yes, Miss Pearl,’ said the maid, not daring to explain what had really happened. She went out and walked around for a bit, then returned, claiming to have conveyed the message to Bao-yu. No one took a great deal of notice. They ate their dinner and then sat chat?ting.
*
Our narrative leaves them and returns to Bao-yu. Overwhelmed by a sudden sense of grief, he had quit the party and was wandering aimlessly outside. Aroma hurried after him and asked what the matter was.
‘Nothing really,’ he replied. ‘I just feel very miserable all of a sudden. Why don’t we go for a little stroll over to the apartment where Cousin Zhen’s wife is living, and leave them to their drink?ing?’
‘But Mrs Zhen is at the party,’ said Aroma. ‘Who do you want to visit in her apartment?’
‘No one,’ replied Bao-yu. ‘I just thought I might drop in on her for a second. I’d forgotten she was at the party. I’d still like to go and see what sort of an apartment it is that she is living in.’
Aroma went along with him, and the two of them talked as they went. They soon came to You-shi’s apartment, and noticed that the small side gate next to it leading into the Garden was half-ajar. Bao?-yu did not go into You-shi’s apartment at all; instead he went up to the two old serving-women in charge of the side gate, who were sitting there on the threshold having a conversation, and asked them:
‘Is this side gate kept open?’
‘Not usually,’ replied one of them. ‘But today we were told that Her Old Ladyship might be wanting some fruit from the Garden, so it’s to be kept open in case.’
Bao-yu walked slowly up to the gate and, having confirmed for himself that it was open, made as if to go in; but Aroma held him back anxiously.
‘You mustn’t go in there. The Garden is haunted. It’s been empty for ages. You might bump into something nasty like the others did!’
Bao-yu was tipsy enough to feel a little daring, and replied:
‘I’m not afraid of such things!’
Aroma tugged at him with all her might and wouldn’t let go. The serving-woman came up:
‘Nowadays the Garden is ever so quiet and peaceful. Since the priests came and drove away the evil spirits, we often go in on our own to pick flowers and fruit. If Mr Bao wants to have a look, we’ll go in with him. With so many of us, there’s surely nothing to be afraid of.’
Bao-yu was delighted; and Aroma was obliged to abandon her attempts to dissuade him, and followed them in herself.
As Bao-yu entered the Garden, a scene of utter desolation greeted his eyes whichever way he turned. The flowers and trees seemed every one to be wilting, to be more dead than alive, and the paint had long since started to peel from the walls of many of the buildings. In the distance he espied a thicket of bamboo, an isolated patch of brilliant green foliage.
Bao-yu contemplated the view for a moment.
‘Ever since I fell ill and left the Garden,’ he said, ‘I’ve been living at Grannie’s. It must be months since I’ve been here. What a wil?derness it has become in that time! But look over there at that single clump of green bamboo that’s doing so well – surely that’s the Naiad’s House?’
‘You’ve been away too long,’ said Aroma. ‘You’ve lost your sense of direction. While we’ve been talking we’ve already walked past Green Delights. And look-’ (she turned back and pointed) – there’s the Naiad’s House, over there!’
Bao-yu’s eyes followed the direction of her pointing hand.
‘If we’ve already passed it, then let’s go back and have a look.’
‘It’s getting rather late now,’ said Aroma. ‘Her Old Ladyship will be waiting for you to start dinner. We’d better go back to the party.’
Bao-yu said nothing. He walked on, along the route he imagined he had trodden so many times in the past, and began making his way towards his ‘Naiad’s House’. Percipient Reader, it will no doubt have surprised you to hear that Bao-yu had lost his way in the Garden after an absence of less than a year. The truth of the matter is that Bao-yu was quite correct in his orientation; it was Aroma who, anticipating his reaction to the sight of the Naiad’s House, had at first deliberately kept him occupied with conversation, and then when she saw him walking instinctively in that direction despite her efforts – heading, as she feared, straight into the arms of evil spirits- had tried to convince him that they had already walked past the place. Bao-yu’s heart was fixed, however; his compass was firmly set, and he was not to be so easily diverted.
He pressed ahead, and reluctantly Aroma followed. Suddenly he stood still. He seemed to be listening and watching.
‘What is it?’ asked Aroma.
‘Is there someone living there now?’ he asked.
‘I should hardly think so,’ she replied.
‘I could have sworn I heard someone weeping inside! There must be someone!’
‘You’re imagining things,’ said Aroma. ‘It’s because you always used to come here and find Miss Lin crying.’
Bao-yu was unconvinced and still wanted to approach and listen from a closer distance. The old women hurried forward:
‘It’s getting rather late now, sir. Time to be getting back. We’re not afraid of going anywhere else in the Garden, but just here the way is so dark and you never know… We’ve heard tell that since Miss Lin died they’re always hearing sounds of weeping here. No one will come near the place.’
Bao-yu and Aroma both started when they heard this.
‘You see! I told you!’ cried Bao-yu, the tears springing to his eyes. ‘Oh, Cousin Lin! Cousin Lin!’ he sobbed. ‘How could I have wounded you so! Please don’t reproach me! Don’t feel bitter towards me! It was my father and mother who made the choice. In my heart I was always true to you!’
With each word he became more and mote distraught, and finally broke into a great wail of grief. Aroma was wondering what on earth to do, when she saw Ripple hurrying towards her with a cohort of serving-women.
‘Are you quite out of your mind!’ cried Ripple. ‘Bringing Mr Bao here of all places! Her Old Ladyship and Her Ladyship are dreadfully worried and have sent everywhere to look for him. Just now the women on the side gate said they’d seen the two of you come in here. Their Ladyships had the fright of their lives when they heard! They scolded me and told me to form a search party and come straight here. Hurry up now, we’d better be quick!’
Bao-yu was still sobbing pitifully, but Aroma and Ripple dragged him away, wiping the tears from his eyes and chiding him with a description of the anxiety his grandmother was suffering on his account. In the end he gave in and followed them back.
Aroma could imagine only too vividly how worried Grandmother Jia would be and she took Bao-yu straight back to the old lady’s apartment. None of the party had gone home; they were all there waiting for Bao-yu’s return.
‘Aroma!’ cried Grandmother Jia severely. ‘I thought you were a sensible girl. That’s why I’ve always trusted you with Bao-yu. How could you take him into the Garden? He’s only just beginning to get better, and a nasty experience might set him right back. And then where would we be?’
Aroma did not dare say a word in her own defence, but hung her head in shame. Bao-chai for her part was deeply shocked to see how pale Bao-yu seemed on his return. Bao-yu refused to watch Aroma take the blame, and spoke up on her behalf:
‘When we went in it was broad daylight, and there was nothing to be afraid of. I haven’t been for a walk in the Garden for such a long time, and today I’d had a little wine at the party and was feeling in the mood for a stroll. Why did you think I would have a nasty experience?’
At this last remark of his, Xi-feng, who had herself been so badly scared in the Garden, shuddered and said:
‘Bao, you shouldn’t be so reckless!’
‘It’s not recklessness,’ countered Xiang-yun. ‘It’s devotion. He probably went there to find the Hibiscus Fairy. Or maybe it was some other sprite…’
Bao-yu made no reply. Lady Wang seemed too agitated to speak.
‘So there wasn’t anything frightening in the Garden then?’ asked Grandmother Jia. ‘Well, don’t let’s talk about it any more. But in future, if you want to go walking there, you must at least take more people with you. If it hadn’t been for this little escapade of yours, our guests would have left long ago. Off you go now, all of you, and have a good night’s sleep. Come back early in the morning. Tomor?row I shall make up for today and see that you enjoy yourselves properly. And this time we won’t let him spoil things!’
They all said goodbye to Grandmother Jia and the party broke up. Aunt Xue stayed the night with Lady Wang, Xiang-yun with Grand?mother Jia, while Ying-chun went to stay with Xi-chun. The others all returned to their respective apartments.
When Bao-yu reached home, he was still a picture of misery. Bao-chai knew the cause of his endless sighing, and deliberately turned a deaf ear to it. She was concerned however that if he continued like this he might fall into a serious depression and revert to his old idiocy. Going into the inner room she called Aroma aside and ques?tioned her in detail about Bao-yu’s excursion in the Garden. To learn of Aroma’s response, you must read the next chapter.
