‘See that great mansion in there?’ said one of the two men, pointing to Rong-guo House. ‘Wonder how they’re managing after that raid the other day …’
‘Oh they’ll be all right!’ replied the other. ‘I’ve heard that one of their daughters was a concubine of His Majesty’s. She’s dead now, but a connection like that doesn’t die so quickly. And they’re on hob-nobbing terms with all sorts of princes, dukes, marquises and earls. They’ll never be short of friends. Take the present Mayor, who used to be Minister of War, he’s from the same family. With people like that to look after them, they’ll always be all right.’
‘Hm!’ replied the first. ‘You may live locally, but I can see you’re rather out of touch. I don’t know about their other friends, but that Mayor Jia you mentioned is a regular bounder! I’ll tell you why I say that. I’ve seen him at Rong-guo House countless times, so I know he’s had a lot to do with them in the past. When the censor brought that indictment against members of the Jia family, the Emperor asked him to look into the matter and establish the facts of the case. And what do you think he did? Because he owed both branches of the family big favours himself, and because he was afraid he’d be suspected of covering up for his own friends, he went to the other extreme. He said the most terrible things about them. That’s what led to both houses being raided. It’s shocking how people treat their friends nowadays, isn’t it!’
This casual conversation happened to fall on the ears of one who understood only too clearly what it meant.
‘That such a scoundrel should live and breathe on this earth!’ thought Bao Yong secretly to himself. ‘I wonder what relation of the Master’s he is? If I so much as set eyes on him, I’ll beat the innards out of him! To hell with the consequences!’
Wild (and somewhat befuddled) thoughts of revenge filled Bao Yong’s loyal breast. Suddenly the cry of official runners could be heard clearing the way, and from where he was standing Bao Yong heard one of the bystanders whisper to the other:
‘Why, here he comes now, the very Mayor Jia we were talking about!’
Bao Yong was seething with righteous indignation, and the wine lent him the final touch of inspiration and courage.
‘Blackguard!’ he yelled recklessly. ‘Scurvy knave! Would you forget the kindness shown you by our masters the Jias?’
From within his sedan Jia Yu-cun heard the name ‘Jia’ and leaned forward to see what was going on. Just another drunken lout in the street, not worth bothering with. His sedan moved on, and Bao Yong swaggered home feeling very pleased with himself and far too drunk to be discreet. He made a few enquiries, and his fellow-servants confirmed that the Mayor did indeed owe his entire career to the patronage of the Jia family.
‘Well he’s an ungrateful scoundrel, and I’ve told him so!’ boasted Bao Yong. ‘After all they’ve done for him, to kick them in the teeth like that! I gave him a piece of my mind, and he didn’t dare answer me back either …’
Until now, the other servants, who were united in their dislike of Bao Yong, had been unable to persuade Jia Zheng to get rid of him. This was the very pretext they had been waiting for, and they seized their chance to report him to the Master for being drunk and disorderly and creating a disturbance in the street. Jia Zheng was extremely nervous of provoking the authorities any further, and was very angry when he heard of Bao Yong’s riotous behaviour. He summoned him and gave him a thorough dressing-down. He still felt that in view of his connection with the Zhens it would be wrong to punish him too severely, and instead transferred him to caretaking duties in the Garden, with strict instructions not to go wandering outside again.
Bao Yong was a straightforward sort of fellow. Once he worked for a man, that man was his master, to serve and protect with every ounce of loyalty he had. He was greatly dismayed that Jia Zheng should have listened to tales and been misled into scolding him in this fashion. But he did not say a word in protest. He merely packed his bags and moved into the Garden to commence his new duties.
To learn what followed, please read the next chapter.
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 instructions 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 Grandmother 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, w
hat 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 Grandmother 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 different 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 understood 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 Grandmother 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-chi 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 everyone 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 afterwards Li Wan and Xi-feng arrived, and the
y 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 upbraided 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. Grandmother 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.