They all laughed, even Jia Qiang, whose name had provided the raw material for the joke.
‘Come on, Dumbo!’ he protested. ‘Be fair! I never called you names! Drink a forfeit, there’s a boy!’
Dumbo, who was already a sheet or so in the wind, willingly complied. They all had a few more cups, and in the general state of intoxication Dumbo let fly a few barbed remarks about his sister (Lady Xing), while Wang Ren had a go at desecrating the memory of his (Xi-feng), both of them evincing great bitterness. Their example and the wine lent Jia Huan a little courage, and he too had his fling, complaining how heartless Xi-feng had been, and how she had tried to ruin so many of their lives.
‘Yes, people ought to show a bit of common decency,’ they all agreed. ‘The way she used Lady Jia’s influence to bully everyone was dreadful. Well, she died without giving birth to an heir; she only ever had a daughter. Retribution in her own lifetime!’
Jia Yun, who remembered only too well how harsh Xi-feng had once been towards him, and how Qiao-jie had started bawling the instant she set eyes on him, allowed himself to wade into the general mêlée with some abuse of his own about the two of them. Jia Qiang tried to steer the party in a less vindictive direction:
‘Come on! Drink up! This gossip will get us nowhere!’
‘How old is the young lady you mentioned?’ enquired the two singsong girls. ‘Is she pretty?’
‘Oh yes,’ replied Jia Qiang. ‘Extremely so. She’s about thirteen.’
‘What a pity, in that case, that she was born into a family like yours!’ the girls exclaimed. ‘If only she came from a more humble home, she could soon find herself in a position to bring all her family lots of jobs, and pots of money into the bargain!’
‘What do you mean?’
‘We know of a certain Mongol prince,’ replied the girls. ‘Quite a ladies’ man he is. He is looking for a concubine, and the lady who fits the bill would be able to take her whole family along with her to live in the palace. What a marvellous stroke of luck that would be for somebody!’
None of them seemed to take much notice of this, except for Wang Ren, who looked very thoughtful. For the present he said nothing and continued drinking.
A little later two young lads came in, younger sons of Stewards Lai and Lin.
‘You seem to be having a fine time of it, sirs, by the looks of things!’ they exclaimed.
Everyone rose to greet them.
‘Why have the two of you been such a long time? We’ve been expecting you for ages.’
They explained:
‘Early this morning we heard rather a disturbing rumour that our family was in some sort of official trouble again, so we hurried out to see what news we could glean at the Palace. It turned out to have nothing to do with our family after all.’
‘In that case, why didn’t you come straight here afterwards?’
‘It wasn’t exactly our family, but it was connected with us. It was that Mr Jia Yu-cun. When we were at the Palace we saw him bound in chains. They told us he was being taken to the High Court for questioning. We knew he was a frequent visitor here, and were afraid that the case might somehow involve us, so we followed them to see what happened.’
‘Good thinking, my man!’ exclaimed Jia Yun. ‘We are most obliged to you. Sit down and have a drink, and then tell us all about it.’
The two sat down after a polite show of reluctance, and as they drank continued:
‘This Mr Yu-cun is certainly an able enough fellow, and knows how to pull strings. He’d done extremely well until recently, in fact; but greed was his downfall. There were several charges brought against him, “avarice” and “extortion” being two of them. As we all know, our present August Sovereign is exceptionally wise, compassionate and benevolent. There is one thing that stirs his wrath, however, and that is corruption, any form of tyrannical or bullying behaviour. So His Majesty decreed that the offender in this case should be arrested and brought to trial. If he is found guilty, things will look pretty grim for him; if he is acquitted, then the men who brought the charges will be in for trouble. It is certainly comforting to think what just times we live in! For those lucky enough to be officials in the first place!’
‘Like your elder brother,’ said one of the company, referring to Steward Lai’s eldest son, Lai Shang-rong. ‘He’s a county magistrate. Done very nicely for himself.’
‘True enough,’ replied young Lai. ‘But his conduct still leaves a lot to be desired, I’m afraid. He may not last long at this rate.’
‘Has he been taking squeeze himself?’
Lai nodded and drained his cup.
‘What other news did you pick up at the Palace?’ they asked them.
‘Oh, nothing much. A number of criminals from the coast have apparently been arrested, and sent to the High Court. During their trial they revealed the whereabouts of several others of their kind, lying low here in the capital, watching and waiting for fresh opportunities for crime. Fortunately the present civil and military authorities have such a sound grip on the situation, and are so dedicated to the service of the throne, that these criminal elements will be effectively controlled.’
‘If you’ve heard of such cases, perhaps you have news of our burglary?’ asked one of the party.
‘I’m afraid not,’ came the reply. ‘I heard something about a man from one of the inland provinces who got into trouble here in town for abducting a girl and running off with her to the coast. She put up a fight and he ended by killing her. They arrested him crossing the border, and executed him on the spot.’
‘Wasn’t Sister Adamantina from Green Bower Hermitage abducted in similar circumstances?’ put in one of the others. ‘Couldn’t it have been her?’
‘Bound to have been!’ muttered Jia Huan.
‘How could you know?’ they asked him.
‘She was a sickening creature!’ said Jia Huan. ‘Always giving herself airs and graces. She had only to set eyes on Bao-yu to get a big smile all over her face. But she wouldn’t so much as acknowledge my existence! I hope it is her!’
‘Plenty of people are kidnapped all the time,’ someone commented. ‘It could easily have been someone else.’
‘I can well believe it was her,’ said Jia Yun. ‘The day before yesterday I heard that one of the sisters at the Hermitage had a dream in which she saw Adamantina being killed.’
This was greeted with derision:
‘You can’t take dreams seriously!’
‘Dream or no dream, it’s all one to me,’ protested Dumbo. ‘Let’s get on with the real business of the evening, shall we? Eat up, everyone, and we can start tonight’s Big Game.’
This met with general approval, and as soon as they had finished their meal they began gambling in earnest. They were still at it well after midnight, when suddenly they heard a great commotion coming from the inner apartments. They were eventually informed that Xi-chun had been arguing with You-shi, and the upshot of it was that she had cut all her hair off and gone running to Ladies Xing and Wang. There she kowtowed and begged them to relent and let her have her wish. If they would not, she threatened to put an end to her life there and then. The two ladies were at their wits’ end, and sent for Jia Qiang and Jia Yun to intervene. Jia Yun however knew that this was something Xi-chun had resolved to do long ago, at least since the fateful night of the burglary when she had been left in charge of the house, and to him there seemed little hope in trying to dissuade her now. He talked it over with Jia Qiang:
‘Lady Wang says she wants us to intervene, but I don’t see how we can achieve anything. It’s a heavy responsibility, and they want to off-load it onto us. We’ll have to put on a show of talking Xi-chun out of her decision, and then, when she refuses to listen, we’ll have to pass the matter back to the ladies, and meanwhile write a letter to Uncle Lian, absolving ourselves from any blame.’
They both agreed on this strategy, called on Ladies Xing and Wang, and then went through the motions of trying to dissuade Xi-c
hun, who was every bit as adamant as they had predicted. If she could not take refuge in a convent outside the family mansion, then she said she would make do with a couple of quiet rooms within it, in which to recite her sutras and say her prayers. Eventually You-shi could see that the aunts were not prepared to take the responsibility; her own fear that Xi-chun might commit suicide got the better of her and she forced herself to compromise.
‘I can see I shall have to take the blame. Very well then. Let them say that it was I who could not tolerate my own husband’s sister and drove her to a nunnery! What do I care! But I cannot allow her to leave home. That is out of the question. She will have to stay here. Aunts Xing and Wang, I call you to witness my decision. Qiang, you had better write a letter informing my husband and Cousin Lian of what has happened.’
Jia Qiang acquiesced in You-shi’s decision. But to know whether Lady Xing and Lady Wang did likewise, you will have to turn to the next chapter.
Chapter 118
Provoked by a rankling antipathy, Uncle and Cousin plot the ruin of an innocent maid
Alarmed by riddling utterances, Wife and Concubine remonstrate with their idiot master
Lady Xing and Lady Wang judged from You-shi’s words that the situation was irretrievable.
‘If our niece wishes to become a nun,’ said Lady Wang, in a tone of resignation, ‘then it must have been decreed in some earlier life. This is evidently her karma, and there is nothing we can do to prevent it. But none the less, it would look very bad for a girl from a family such as ours to enter a nunnery. That really is unthinkable.’
She turned to Xi-chun:
‘Your sister-in-law has given you her permission, and we can only lend our approval to hers. But I must ask you not to shave your head. What matters is your state of mind, not your hair-style. After all, Adamantina never shaved hers. Talking of which, I simply cannot understand that dreadful business! How could she have succumbed to temptation so easily? Anyway, if your mind is really and truly made up, then we shall simply have to consider your present apartment your hermitage. Your maids and servants had better be sent for, and we can give them a choice. Those who wish to stay on with you can do so, and we’ll find husbands for the others.’
Xi-chun stopped crying at last, and bowed gratefully to Ladies Xing and Wang, Li Wan, You-shi and the others present.
Lady Wang now addressed Landscape and Xi-chun’s other maids:
‘Which of you wishes to enter the religious life with your mistress?’
‘We will do whatever you command, ma’am,’ was their response.
Lady Wang could tell that they were none of them genuinely willing and tried to think who else would be suitable to wait on Xi-chun in her new life. Aroma was standing behind Bao-yu, fully expecting this decision of Xi-chun’s to move him to tears and provoke one of his fits, but to her surprise and considerable distress, he merely sighed with admiration and exclaimed:
‘What a rare resolve!’
Bao-chai made no comment. But she was constantly on the lookout for telltale signs to help her gauge her husband’s innermost feelings and intentions, and could not help but weep at this further evidence (so she thought) of his deluded mind.
Lady Wang was about to summon all the other maids and question them, when Nightingale suddenly came forward and fell to her knees:
‘Have you decided yet, ma’am, who would be most suitable to wait on Miss Xi-chun?’
‘I have no intention of forcing anyone,’ replied Lady Wang. ‘Whoever is willing must speak up.’
‘Miss Xi-chun has chosen a religious life,’ said Nightingale. ‘But none of her maids, or so it seems, shares this aspiration of hers. I have something I should like to say, ma’am. It’s not that I wish Miss Xi-chun to be parted from her maids. But aspirations differ. I served Miss Lin for a long time, and as you know, ma’am, she treated me with a kindness that I shall never be able to repay. When she died, my one wish was to follow her to the grave; but because she was not a member of this family, and because I also owe so much to all of you, it was hard for me to take that step. Now that Miss Xi-chun wishes to become a nun, I beg Your Ladyships to let me go with her and devote the rest of my days to serving her. If Your Ladyships will only grant me this wish, my life will not have been in vain!’
When Nightingale had finished speaking, and before either Lady Xing or Lady Wang could reply, Bao-yu, who at the initial mention of Dai-yu’s name had begun to show ominous signs of being distressed and tearful, suddenly gave a loud laugh and came forward:
‘I have no business saying this, I know, but since you were so good as to send Nightingale to work in my apartment, Mother, I hope you will forgive me for speaking my mind. Please grant her this request, and allow her to carry out this fine resolution of hers.’
‘If it were any of your other cousins leaving home to get married,’ replied Lady Wang, ‘you would be crying your heart out. But now, when Xi-chun says she wants to leave home and become a nun, so far from trying to dissuade her, you actually praise her for it. I’m afraid I completely fail to understand what’s going on in your mind.’
‘First let me know whether this matter is settled,’ said Bao-yu. ‘Has Xi-chun definitely made up her mind? And has she definitely received your permission? If so, if it is real, then there is something further I should like to tell you, Mother. But if it is still not settled, I shall keep what I know to myself.’
‘What a peculiar way to talk!’ exclaimed Xi-chun. ‘If I were not in earnest, do you honestly think I would have been able to convince my aunts? I feel the same way as Nightingale: if they will let me do as I wish, I shall count myself blessed; if they will not, I should rather die than continue living my present life! So, there’s nothing to fear. Whatever you have to say, just go ahead and say it.’
‘If I do tell you this, it’s hardly divulging a secret,’ said Bao-yu, ‘since it refers to something already predestined. I want you all to listen while I recite a poem.’
‘Honestly!’ they chided him. ‘At a moment like this, with real people really suffering, all you can think about is poetry! It’s sickening!’
‘It’s not something of my own. It’s a poem I once saw somewhere. I’d like you to listen to it.’
‘Oh very well. Hurry up then. Enough of your prattling!’
Bao-yu did not try to explain himself any further, but began to recite:
‘When you see through the spring scene’s transient state,
A nun’s black habit shall replace your own.
Alas, that daughter of so great a house
By Buddha’s altar lamp should sleep alone!’
Li Wan and Bao-chai both cried out in alarm:
‘Lord save us! He’s bewitched!’
Lady Wang shook her head and sighed:
‘Bao-yu, where on earth did you see this poem?’
Bao-yu was reluctant to say any more, and replied:
‘Please don’t ask, Mother. Just take my word for it.’
As the meaning of the poem gradually sank in, Lady Wang began sobbing again:
‘You said you were joking the other day, when you talked of becoming a monk yourself. And now this poem all of a sudden! Enough! I understand. What am I to do? There is nothing I can do, but let you go your own ways. If only you could have waited till I was dead and gone! Then you could all have done as you pleased!’
Bao-chai tried to console her, but was in no fit state to do so. The pain she herself felt was like a knife-wound piercing her heart, and eventually she broke down and burst into tears. Aroma was faint with weeping and had to be supported by Ripple. Bao-yu did not shed a single tear, nor did he try to offer them any solace. He maintained a total silence. Jia Lan and Jia Huan had already left, and it fell to Li Wan to do what she could to save the situation:
‘I’m sure it’s simply that Bao-yu is too upset by this decision of Xi-chun’s to know what he is saying. We should not take it seriously. Nightingale must receive an answer, though; we must let her stand
up. Is she to be granted her request or not?’
‘What difference does it make?’ replied Lady Wang. ‘Her mind is clearly made up in any case, and when a person’s mind is made up there’s no stopping them. No doubt Bao-yu will tell us that this decision of Nightingale’s is predestined too.’
Nightingale kowtowed, and Xi-chun thanked Lady Wang. Nightingale also kowtowed to Bao-yu and Bao-chai.
‘Amida Buddha!’ exclaimed Bao-yu piously. ‘How noble! How rare! I never thought that you would be the first of us to be saved!’
Bao-chai’s self-control failed her again, and Aroma, heedless of Lady Wang’s presence, burst out sobbing and cried:
‘I want to go with Miss Xi-chun too, and spend the rest of my life in prayer!’
Bao-yu smiled:
‘Yours is also a fine aspiration. But alas, a life of seclusion has not been decreed you by fate.’
‘Then I would rather die!’ sobbed Aroma.
Despite his new-found detachment, Bao-yu could not help being moved by this declaration. But he said nothing.
It was already three o’clock in the morning, and he suggested to his mother that she should retire for the night. Li Wan went back to her apartment, and Landscape escorted Xi-chun to her room, where she continued to wait on her for the time being. Husbands were eventually found for each of Xi-chun’s maids, and Nightingale spent the rest of her days faithfully serving her. But we anticipate.
Jia Zheng, meanwhile, was on his way south with Grandmother Jia’s coffin, and had run into an army convoy returning to the capital after the victorious completion of a campaign. The canal was hopelessly congested with military transport boats, and the delay made Jia Zheng extremely fretful. His one consolation was an encounter with an official from the Coastal Defence Yamen, who informed him that the Commandant, Tan-chun’s father-in-law, had been recalled to the capital. Tan-chun would now be able to visit home, although there was no indication when she would be travelling.