第八十八回

第八十八回 博庭欢宝玉赞孤儿 正家法贾珍鞭悍仆

却说惜春正在那里揣摩棋谱，忽听院内有人叫彩屏，不是别人，却是鸳鸯的声儿。彩屏出去，同着鸳鸯进来。那鸳鸯却带着一个小丫头，提了一个小黄绢包儿。惜春笑问道：“什么事？”鸳鸯道：“老太太因明年八十一岁，是个暗九[1]。许下一场九昼夜的功德，发心要写三千六百五十零一部《金刚经》。这已发出外面人写了。但是俗说《金刚经》就像那道家的符壳〔一〕，《心经》才算是符胆[3]。故此《金刚经》内必要插着《心经》，更有功德。老太太因《心经》是更要紧的，观自在[4]又是女菩萨，所以要几个亲丁奶奶姑娘们写上三百六十五部，如此又虔诚，又洁净。咱们家中除了二奶奶，头一宗他当家没有空儿，二宗他也写不上来，其馀会写字的，不论写得多少，连东府珍大奶奶姨娘们都分了去，本家里头自不用说。”惜春听了，点头道：“别的我做不来，若要写经，我最信心[5]的。你搁下喝茶罢。”鸳鸯才将那小包儿搁在桌上，同惜春坐下。彩屏倒了一钟茶来。惜春笑问道：“你写不写？”鸳鸯道：“姑娘又说笑话了。那几年还好，这三四年来姑娘见我还拿了拿笔儿么。”惜春道：“这却是有功德的。”鸳鸯道：“我也有一件事：向来服侍老太太安歇后，自己念上米佛[6]，已经念了三年多了。我把这个米收好，等老太太做功德的时候，我将他衬在里头供佛施食，也是我一点诚心。”惜春道：“这样说来，老太太做了观音，你就是龙女[7]了。”鸳鸯道：“那里跟得上这个分儿。却是除了老太太，别的也服侍不来，不晓得前世什么缘分儿。”说着要走，叫小丫头把小绢包打开，拿出来道：“这素纸一扎是写《心经》的。”又拿起一子儿藏香[8]道：“这是叫写经时点着写的。”惜春都应了。

鸳鸯遂辞了出来，同小丫头来至贾母房中，回了一遍。看见贾母与李纨打双陆[9]，鸳鸯旁边瞧着。李纨的骰子好，掷下去把老太太的锤[10]打下了好几个去。鸳鸯抿着嘴儿笑。忽见宝玉进来，手中提了两个细篾丝的小笼子，笼内有几个蝈蝈儿，说道：“我听说老太太夜里睡不着，我给老太太留下解解闷。”贾母笑道：“你别瞅着你老子不在家，你只管淘气。”宝玉笑道：“我没有淘气。”贾母道：“你没淘气，不在学房里念书，为什么又弄这个东西呢。”宝玉道：“不是我自己弄的。今儿因师父叫环儿和兰儿对对子，环儿对不来，我悄悄的告诉了他。他说了，师父喜欢，夸了他两句。他感激我的情，买了来孝敬我的。我才拿了来孝敬老太太的。”贾母道：“他没有天天念书么，为什么对不上来？对不上来就叫你儒大爷爷打他的嘴巴子，看他臊不臊。你也够受了，不记得你老子在家时，一叫做诗做词，唬的倒像个小鬼儿似的，这会子又说嘴了。那环儿小子更没出息，求人替做了，就变着方法儿打点人。这么点子孩子就闹鬼闹神的，也不害臊，赶大了还不知是个什么东西呢。”说的满屋子人都笑了。贾母又问道：“兰小子呢，做上来了没有？这该环儿替他了，他又比他小了。是不是？”宝玉笑道：“他倒没有，却是自己对的。”贾母道：“我不信，不然就也是你闹了鬼了。如今你还了得，‘羊群里跑出骆驼来了，就只你大。’你又会做文章了。”宝玉笑道：“实在是他作的。师父还夸他明儿一定有大出息呢。老太太不信，就打发人叫了他来亲自试试，老太太就知道了。”贾母道：“果然这么着我才喜欢。我不过怕你撒谎。既是他做的，这孩子明儿大概还有一点儿出息。”因看着李纨，又想起贾珠来，“这也不枉你大哥哥死了，你大嫂子拉扯他一场，日后也替你大哥哥顶门壮户。”说到这里，不禁流下泪来。李纨听了这话，却也动心，只是贾母已经伤心，自己连忙忍住泪笑劝道：“这是老祖宗的馀德，我们托着老祖宗的福罢咧。只要他应得了老祖宗的话，就是我们的造化了。老祖宗看着也喜欢，怎么倒伤起心来呢。”因又回头向宝玉道：“宝叔叔明儿别这么夸他，他多大孩子，知道什么。你不过是爱惜他的意思，他那里懂得，一来二去，眼大心肥，那里还能够有长进呢。”贾母道：“你嫂子这也说的是。就只他还太小呢，也别逼[11]紧了他。小孩子胆儿小，一时逼急了，弄出点子毛病来，书倒念不成，把你的工夫都白糟踏了。”贾母说到这里，李纨却忍不住扑簌簌掉下泪来，连忙擦了。

只见贾环贾兰也都进来给贾母请了安。贾兰又见过他母亲，然后过来在贾母旁边侍立。贾母道：“我刚才听见你叔叔说你对的好对子，师父夸你来着。”贾兰也不言语，只管抿着嘴儿笑。鸳鸯过来说道：“请示老太太，晚饭伺候下了。”贾母道：“请你姨太太去罢。”琥珀接着便叫人去王夫人那边请薛姨妈。这里宝玉贾环退出。素云和小丫头们过来把双陆收起。李纨尚等着伺候贾母的晚饭，贾兰便跟着他母亲站着。贾母道：“你们娘儿两个跟着我吃罢。”李纨答应了。一时摆上饭来，丫鬟回来禀道：“太太叫回老太太，姨太太这几天浮来暂去，不能过来回老太太，今日饭后家去了。”于是贾母叫贾兰在身旁边坐下，大家吃饭，不必细述。

却说贾母刚吃完了饭，盥漱了，歪在床上说闲话儿。只见小丫头子告诉琥珀，琥珀过来回贾母道：“东府大爷请晚安来了。”贾母道：“你们告诉他，如今他办理家务乏乏的，叫他歇着去罢。我知道了。”小丫头告诉老婆子们，老婆子才告诉贾珍。贾珍然后退出。

到了次日，贾珍过来料理诸事。门上小厮陆续回了几件事，又一个小厮回道：“庄头送果子来了。”贾珍道：“单子呢？”那小厮连忙呈上。贾珍看时，上面写着不过是时鲜果品，还夹带菜蔬野味若干在内。贾珍看完，问向来经管的是谁。门上的回道：“是周瑞。”便叫周瑞：“照帐点清，送往里头交代。等我把来帐抄下一个底子，留着好对。”又叫“告诉厨房，把下菜中添几宗给送果子的来人，照常赏饭给钱。”周瑞答应了。一面叫人搬至凤姐儿院子里去，又把庄上的帐同果子交代明白。出去了一回儿，又进来回贾珍道：“才刚来的果子，大爷曾点过数目没有？”贾珍道：“我那里有工夫点这个呢。给了你帐，你照帐点就是了。”周瑞道：“小的曾点过，也没有少，也不能多出来。大爷既留下底子，再叫送果子来的人问问，他这帐是真的假的。”贾珍道：“这是怎么说，不过是几个果子罢咧，有什么要紧。我又没有疑你。”说着，只见鲍二走来，磕了一个头，说道：“求大爷原旧放小的在外头伺候罢。”贾珍道：“你们这又是怎么着？”鲍二道：“奴才在这里又说不上话来。”贾珍道：“谁叫你说话。”鲍二道：“何苦来，在这里作眼睛珠儿。”周瑞接口道：“奴才在这里经管地租庄子，银钱出入每年也有三五十万来往，老爷太太奶奶们从没有说过话的，何况这些零星东西。若照鲍二说起来，爷们家里的田地房产都被奴才们弄完了。”贾珍想道：“必是鲍二在这里拌嘴，不如叫他出去。”因向鲍二说道：“快滚罢。”又告诉周瑞说：“你也不用说了，你干你的事罢。”二人各自散了。

贾珍正在厢房里歇着，听见门上闹的翻江搅海。叫人去查问，回来说道：“鲍二和周瑞的干儿子打架。”贾珍道：“周瑞的干儿子是谁？”门上的回道：“他叫何三，本来是个没味儿的，天天在家里喝酒闹事，常来门上坐着。听见鲍二与周瑞拌嘴，他就插在里头。”贾珍道：“这却可恶。把鲍二和那个什么何几给我一块儿捆起来！周瑞呢？”门上的回道：“打架时他先走了。”贾珍道：“给我拿了来！这还了得了！”众人答应了。正嚷着，贾琏也回来了，贾珍便告诉了一遍。贾琏道：“这还了得！”又添了人去拿周瑞。周瑞知道躲不过，也找到了。贾珍便叫都捆上。贾琏便向周瑞道：“你们前头的话也不要紧，大爷说开了，很是了。为什么外头又打架！你们打架已经使不得，又弄个野杂种什么何三来闹，你不压伏压伏他们，倒竟走了。”就把周瑞踢了几脚。贾珍道：“单打周瑞不中用。”喝命人把鲍二和何三各人打了五十鞭子，撵了出去，方和贾琏两个商量正事。下人背地里便生出许多议论来：也有说贾珍护短的；也有说不会调停的；也有说他本不是好人，前儿尤家姊妹弄出许多丑事来，那鲍二不是他调停着二爷叫了来的吗，这会子又嫌鲍二不济事，必是鲍二的女人服侍不到了。人多嘴杂，纷纷不一。

却说贾政自从在工部掌印，家人中尽有发财的。那贾芸听见了，也要插手弄一点事儿，便在外头说了几个工头，讲了成数，便买了些时新绣货，要走凤姐儿门子。凤姐正在房中听见丫头们说：“大爷二爷都生了气，在外头打人呢〔二〕。”凤姐听了，不知何故，正要叫人去问问，只见贾琏已进来了，把外面的事告诉了一遍。凤姐道：“事情虽不要紧，但这风俗儿断不可长。此刻还算咱们家里正旺的时候儿，他们就敢打架。以后小辈儿们当了家，他们越发难制伏了。前年我在东府里，亲眼见过焦大吃的烂醉，躺在台阶子底下骂人，不管上上下下一混汤子的混骂。他虽是有过功的人，到底主子奴才的名分，也要存点儿体统才好。珍大奶奶不是我说是个老实头，个个人都叫他养得无法无天的。如今又弄出一个什么鲍二，我还听见是你和珍大爷得用的人，为什么今儿又打他呢？”贾琏听了这话刺心，便觉讪讪的，拿话来支开，借有事，说着就走了。

小红进来回道：“芸二爷在外头要见奶奶。”凤姐一想，“他又来做什么？”便道：“叫他进来罢。”小红出来，瞅着贾芸微微一笑。贾芸赶忙凑近一步问道：“姑娘替我回了没有？”小红红了脸，说道：“我就是见二爷的事多。”贾芸道：“何曾有多少事能到里头来劳动姑娘呢。就是那一年姑娘在宝二叔房里，我才和姑娘——”小红怕人撞见，不等说完，赶忙问道：“那年我换给二爷的一块绢子，二爷见了没有？”那贾芸听了这句话，喜的心花俱开，才要说话，只见一个小丫头从里面出来，贾芸连忙同着小红往里走。两个人一左一右，相离不远，贾芸悄悄的道：“回来我出来还是你送出我来，我告诉你还有笑话儿呢。”小红听了，把脸飞红，瞅了贾芸一眼，也不答言。同他到了凤姐门口，自己先进去回了，然后出来，掀起帘子点手儿，口中却故意说道：“奶奶请芸二爷进来呢。”

贾芸笑了一笑，跟着他走进房来，见了凤姐儿，请了安，并说：“母亲叫问好。”凤姐也问了他母亲好。凤姐道：“你来有什么事？”贾芸道：“侄儿从前承婶娘疼爱，心上时刻想着，总过意不去。欲要孝敬婶娘，又怕婶娘多想。如今重阳时候，略备了一点儿东西。婶娘这里那一件没有，不过是侄儿一点孝心。只怕婶娘不肯赏脸。”凤姐儿笑道：“有话坐下说。”贾芸才侧身坐了，连忙将东西捧着搁在旁边桌上。凤姐又道：“你不是什么有馀的人，何苦又去花钱。我又不等着使。你今日来意是怎么个想头儿，你倒是实说。”贾芸道：“并没有别的想头儿，不过感念婶娘的恩惠，过意不去罢咧。”说着微微的笑了。凤姐道：“不是这么说。你手里窄，我很知道，我何苦白白儿使你的。你要我收下这个东西，须先和我说明白了。要是这么含着骨头露着肉的，我倒不收。”贾芸没法儿，只得站起来陪着笑儿说道：“并不是有什么妄想。前几日听见老爷总办陵工[13]，侄儿有几个朋友办过好些工程，极妥当的，要求婶娘在老爷跟前提一提。办得一两种，侄儿再忘不了婶娘的恩典。若是家里用得着，侄儿也能给婶娘出力。”凤姐道：“若是别的我却可以作主。至于衙门里的事，上头呢，都是堂官司员定的；底下呢，都是那些书办衙役〔三〕们办的。别人只怕插不上手。连自己的家人，也不过跟着老爷服侍服侍。就是你二叔去，亦只是为的是各自家里的事，他也并不能搀越公事。论家事，这里是踩一头儿撬一头儿的，连珍大爷还弹压不住，你的年纪儿又轻，辈数儿又小，那里缠的清这些人呢。况且衙门里头的事差不多儿也要完了，不过吃饭瞎跑。你在家里什么事作不得，难道没了这碗饭吃不成。我这是实在话，你自己回去想想就知道了。你的情意我已经领了，把东西快拿回去，是那里弄来的，仍旧给人家送了去罢。”正说着，只见奶妈子一大起带了巧姐儿进来。那巧姐儿身上穿得锦团花簇，手里拿着好些顽意儿，笑嘻嘻走到凤姐身边学舌。贾芸一见，便站起来笑盈盈的赶着说道：“这就是大妹妹么？你要什么好东西不要？”那巧姐儿便哑的一声哭了。贾芸连忙退下。凤姐道：“乖乖不怕。”连忙将巧姐揽在怀里道：“这是你芸大哥哥，怎么认起生来了。”贾芸道：“妹妹生得好相貌，将来又是个有大造化的。”那巧姐儿回头把贾芸一瞧，又哭起来，叠连几次。贾芸看这光景坐不住，便起身告辞要走。凤姐道：“你把东西带了去罢。”贾芸道：“这一点子婶娘还不赏脸？”凤姐道：“你不带去，我便叫人送到你家去。芸哥儿，你不要这么样，你又不是外人，我这里有机会，少不得打发人去叫你，没有事也没法儿，不在乎这些东东西西上的。”贾芸看见凤姐执意不受，只得红着脸道：“既这么着，我再找得用的东西来孝敬婶娘罢。”凤姐儿便叫小红拿了东西，跟着贾芸送出来。

贾芸走着，一面心中想道：“人说二奶奶利害，果然利害。一点儿都不漏缝，真正斩钉截铁，怪不得没有后世。这巧姐儿更怪，见了我好像前世的冤家似的。真正晦气，白闹了这么一天。”小红见贾芸没得彩头，也不高兴，拿着东西跟出来。贾芸接过来，打开包儿拣了两件，悄悄的递给小红。小红不接，嘴里说道：“二爷别这么着，看奶奶知道了，大家倒不好看。”贾芸道：“你好生收着罢，怕什么，那里就知道了呢。你若不要，就是瞧不起我了。”小红微微一笑，才接过来，说道：“谁要你这些东西，算什么呢。”说了这句话，把脸又飞红了。贾芸也笑道：“我也不是为东西，况且那东西也算不了什么。”说着话儿，两个已走到二门口。贾芸把下剩的仍旧揣在怀内。小红催着贾芸道：“你先去罢，有什么事情，只管来找我。我如今在这院里了，又不隔手。”贾芸点点头儿，说道：“二奶奶太利害，我可惜不能长来。刚才我说的话，你横竖心里明白，得了空儿再告诉你罢。”小红满脸羞红，说道：“你去罢，明儿也长来走走。谁叫你和他生疏呢。”贾芸道：“知道了。”贾芸说着出了院门。这里小红站在门口，怔怔的看他去远了，才回来了。

却说凤姐在房中吩咐预备晚饭，因又问道：“你们熬了粥了没有？”丫鬟们连忙去问，回来回道：“预备了。”凤姐道：“你们把那南边来的糟东西弄一两碟来罢。”秋桐答应了，叫丫头们伺候。平儿走来笑道：“我倒忘了，今儿晌午奶奶在上头老太太那边的时候，水月庵的师父打发人来，要向奶奶讨两瓶南小菜，还要支用几个月的月银，说是身上不受用。我问那道婆来着：‘师父怎么不受用？’他说：‘四五天了，前儿夜里因那些小沙弥小道士里头有几个女孩子睡觉没有吹灯，他说了几次不听。那一夜看见他们三更以后灯还点着呢，他便叫他们吹灯，个个都睡着了，没有人答应，只得自己亲自起来给他们吹灭了。回到炕上，只见有两个人，一男一女，坐在炕上。他赶着问是谁，那里把一根绳子往他脖了上一套，他便叫起人来。众人听见，点上灯火一齐赶来，已经躺在地下，满口吐白沫子，幸亏救醒了。此时还不能吃东西，所以叫来寻些小菜儿的。’我因奶奶不在房中，不便给他。我说：‘奶奶此时没有空儿，在上头呢，回来告诉。’便打发他回去了。才刚听见说起南菜，方想起来了，不然就忘了。”凤姐听了，呆了一呆，说道：“南菜不是还有呢，叫人送些去就是了。那银子过一天叫芹哥来领就是了。”又见小红进来回道：“才刚二爷差人来，说是今晚城外有事，不能回来，先通知一声。”凤姐道：“是了。”

说着，只听见小丫头从后面喘吁吁的嚷着直跑到院子里来，外面平儿接着，还有几个丫头们，咕咕唧唧的说话。凤姐道：“你们说什么呢？”平儿道：“小丫头子有些胆怯，说鬼话。”凤姐叫那一个小丫头进来，问道：“什么鬼话？”那丫头道：“我才刚到后边去叫打杂儿的添煤，只听得三间空屋子里哗喇哗喇的响，我还道是猫儿耗子，又听得嗳的一声，像个人出气儿的似的。我害怕，就跑回来了。”凤姐骂道：“胡说！我这里断不兴说神说鬼，我从来不信这些个话。快滚出去罢。”那小丫头出去了。凤姐便叫彩明将一天零碎日用帐对过一遍，时已将近二更。大家又歇了一回，略说些闲话，遂叫各人安歇去罢。凤姐也睡下了。

将近三更，凤姐似睡不睡，觉得身上寒毛一乍，自己惊醒了，越躺着越发起渗[15]来，因叫平儿秋桐过来作伴。二人也不解何意。那秋桐本来不顺凤姐，后来贾琏因尤二姐之事不大爱惜他了，凤姐又笼络他，如今倒也安静，只是心里比平儿差多了，外面情儿。今见凤姐不受用，只得端上茶来。凤姐喝了一口，道：“难为你，睡去罢，只留平儿在这里就够了。”秋桐却要献勤儿，因说道：“奶奶睡不着，倒是我们两个轮流坐坐也使得。”凤姐一面说，一面睡着了。平儿秋桐看见凤姐已睡，只听得远远的鸡叫了，二人方都穿着衣服略躺了一躺，就天亮了，连忙起来服侍凤姐梳洗。凤姐因夜中之事，心神恍惚不宁，只是一味要强，仍然扎挣起来。正坐着纳闷，忽听个小丫头子在院里问道：“平姑娘在屋里么？”平儿答应了一声，那小丫头掀起帘子进来，却是王夫人打发过来来找贾琏，说：“外头有人回要紧的官事。老爷才出了门，太太叫快请二爷过去呢。”凤姐听见唬了一跳。未知何事，下回分解。

[1] 暗九——九：数之极限。《素问》：“天地之至数，始于一，终于九焉。”旧时迷信，认为八十一为九九相乘而得，暗藏两个九字，故称“暗九”，又称“暗坎”（含有过不去之意），故八十一岁是个不吉利的岁数，须诵经参佛、消灾祈福。

〔一〕 “符壳”，“壳”原作“彀”，从程乙本改。

[3] 《金刚经》、《心经》、符壳、符胆——《金刚经》即《金刚般若波罗密经》。《心经》即《般若波罗密多心经》。两者都属《般若经》（印度佛教一个流派所收集的大丛书）。《心经》经文极简，概括了《般若经》精义，旧时与《金刚经》合印，故书中有“符胆”、“符壳”之喻。符胆：指道家符箓的精义所在。符壳：指符箓的图形，笔画屈曲怪诞，道家认为有驱使神鬼、祓除灾疫的作用。

[4] 观自在——即观世音，亦称观音菩萨。

[5] 信心——归依信仰之心，即虔诚。

[6] 念米佛——旧时念佛的方式之一。边念佛边数米粒，念一声数一粒，谓之念米佛。

[7] 龙女——相传为婆竭罗龙王的女儿，八岁到灵鹫山拜释迦牟尼，后成道。

[8] 一子儿藏香——一子儿：一束。藏香：本为西藏所产之香。

[9] 双陆——又名“双鹿”。古代博戏之一，传自天竺（印度），盛于南北朝、隋、唐。下铺一特制盘子，左右各六陆。

[10] 锤——双陆之“马”为棒槌形，类今之跳棋，故俗称“锤”。

[11] 逼——逼迫。

〔二〕 “在外头打人呢”，原作“在外头对打人呢”，程乙本无“对”字，从。

[13] 陵工——营缮帝王陵墓寝庙的工程。属工部的屯田司主管，上由一名工部郎中总负责。《清史稿》卷一百十四：“屯田掌修陵寝大工，办王、公、百官坟茔制度。”

〔三〕 “书办衙役”，“办”原作“班”，从梦稿本改。

[15] 渗（shèn肾）——恐惧不安。同“瘆”，《集韵》：“瘆，骇恐貌。”

CHAPTER 88. Bao-yu gratifies his grandmother by praising a fatherless child Cousin Zhen rectifies family discipline by chastising two unruly servants

Xi-chun was puzzling over her Go Handbook when she heard someone calling outside:

‘Landscape!’

She recognized the voice as Faithful’s. Landscape went out into the courtyard, and reappeared with Faithful, followed by a younger maid carrying a small parcel wrapped in yellow silk.

‘What’s that?’ asked Xi-chun, her curiosity aroused. Faithful explained.

‘Next year is Her Old Ladyship’s eighty-first birthday, and since eighty-one is nine times nine, she has pledged herself to hold a nine-day mass, and to have three thousand six hundred and fifty-one copies made of the Sutra of the Immaculate Diamond. That has all been handed out to copyists. But there is a popular saying: “If the Diamond Sutra is the outer shell of the magic, its core is the Sutra of the Heart of Wisdom.” In other words, to enhance one’s merit, one should slip in a Heart Sutra too. So now Her Old Ladyship wants copies of that as well, and because of its greater importance as scripture and its connection with Our Lady of Mercy, she wants three hundred and sixty-five copies to be done by the young ladies and young mistresses of the family. Apart from Mrs Lian, who’s too busy running the household, and can’t write anyway, all the ladies that can write at all are being given a share in this act of piety and devotion, even Mrs Zhen and Mr Zhen’s other ladies in the Eastern Mansion. Of course, everyone in the inner family will be expected to take part.’

Xi-chun nodded.

‘Sutra-copying is one thing I can do with conviction. Leave it there, will you? Would you like some tea?’ Faithful deposited the little package on the table, and sat down with Xi-chun, while Landscape poured her a cup of tea.

‘Will you be doing some copying too?’ asked Xi-chun with a smile.

‘Don’t tease, Miss!’ answered Faithful. ‘Three or four years ago I might have, perhaps. But I’m so out of practice now. When did you last see me with a brush in my hand?’

‘But think of the merit you’d acquire.’

‘I’ve already seen to that,’ replied Faithful. ‘Every day, after settling Her Old Ladyship down to sleep, I’ve been saying Lord Buddha’s name and counting my “Buddha Rice”. I’ve been collecting the rice-grains for more than three years and putting them by for just such an occasion as this, to dedicate them to Buddha and add my contribution, my little act of charity and devotion, to Her Old Ladyship’s.’

‘It sounds as if when Lady Jia becomes Our Lady of Mercy,’ said Xi-chun, ‘you’ll have to be her inseparable companion, the Dragon King’s daughter!’

‘Oh no, Miss!’ protested Faithful. ‘That’s too grand for me. It is true though, I could never serve anyone but Her Old Ladyship. I must be bound to her by some karma from a past life.’

With these words Faithful rose to leave, bidding the younger maid untie the little parcel, and exhibiting its contents to Xi-chun.

‘This roll of plain paper is to be used for the sutra. And while you write,’ she went on, handing her a bundle of Tibetan incense-sticks, ‘you are to light one of these.’

Xi-chun nodded, and Faithful returned with the other maid to Grandmother Jia’s apartment, where she reported on her errand and stood watching the game of backgammon that was in progress between the old lady and Li Wan. Li Wan with her next throw removed several of Grandmother Jia’s pins to the bar, and Faithful had difficulty in keeping a straight face.

They were presently distracted from their game by the arrival of Bao-yu, carrying in each hand a little bamboo-splint cage containing crickets.

‘I heard you weren’t sleeping very well, Grannie,’ he said, ‘so I brought you these to help you relax.’

Grandmother Jia laughed.

‘You naughty boy! Just because your father’s not at home…’

When he protested his innocence, Grandmother Jia asked:

‘Why aren’t you at school then? What are you up to with those things anyway?’

‘They weren’t my idea, Grannie,’ explained Bao-yu. ‘What happened was that a day or two ago Huan and Lan each had a couplet to complete in class, and as Huan got stuck, I whispered something to help him out. When he recited it, the Preceptor was impressed and praised him highly for it. Huan bought me the crickets as a thank-you present. I should like to give them to you.’

‘Hasn’t that boy been doing any work, for heaven’s sake!’ exclaimed Grandmother Jia. ‘Surely he can manage a couplet on his own? If not, then he deserves a good spanking from the Preceptor. It might teach him a thing or two. As for you, have you forgotten the state you got into when your father was at home and asked you for a few lines of verse? Don’t you go getting too full of yourself now. What a little rascal that Huan is! To go begging for help, and then look around for a nice present to butter you up with! He certainly seems precocious enough when it comes to cheating – he should be ashamed of himself! Heaven alone knows how he’ll turn out when he grows up…’

A ripple of laughter spread through the room.

‘But tell me about young Lan,’ went on Grandmother Jia. ‘How did he manage? As the youngest, strictly speaking he should have been helped by Huan…’

Bao-yu detected the note of sarcasm in her voice and laughed.

‘Oh no! He didn’t need any help. He could manage on his own.’

‘I don’t believe you!’ said Grandmother Jia. ‘It was you at your tricks again, I’ll be bound. Hark at you! A camel among sheep! Just because you’re so grown-up now, and so good at your compositions…’

Bao-yu smiled.

‘No, seriously, Lan managed perfectly well on his own. The Preceptor was very pleased and said he had a brilliant future ahead of him. If you don’t believe me, Grannie, send for him and test him yourself.’

‘If that is the truth,’ said Grandmother Jia, ‘then I am overjoyed to hear it. But I have a feeling that you are making it all up. If he really can do such things at his age, he may well distinguish himself when he grows up.’

She looked at Li Wan, and thought of Lan’s father Jia Zhu.

‘What a consolation that would be for your elder brother’s death,’ she went on, addressing Bao-yu again. ‘And what a well-earned reward for all his mother’s efforts in bringing him up! In time he will be a pillar of support to the family, as his father would have been!’

The thought brought tears to her eyes. Li Wan was also moved, but seeing the old lady becoming somewhat emotional, she checked her own tears and said with a brave smile:

‘Whatever good fortune we may enjoy, Grannie, we owe it all to you. I only pray that Lan will live up to your expectations and bring fortune to the whole family. His progress should be a source of joy. Please don’t go upsetting yourself.’

She turned to Bao-yu.

‘And please don’t you go giving him exaggerated ideas of his achievements, Bao. He is only a child, remember. He may take you seriously and not realize that you are only trying to encourage him; and then he will become proud and conceited and never do well.’

‘Well said, my dear,’ commented Grandmother Jia. ‘But remember too that he is still very young and should not be driven too hard. Children only have a certain amount of strength. Push them too soon and you can ruin them. Then they may never be able to study properly, and all your efforts will have been in vain.’

Li Wan could contain herself no longer and burst into floods of tears. As she was hurriedly drying her eyes, Jia Huan and Jia Lan came into the room to pay their evening respects to Grandmother Jia. Lan then greeted his mother and returned to stand respectfully at his great-grandmother’s side.

‘I have just been hearing from your uncle Bao,’ said Grandmother Jia, ‘how well you did with your couplet, and what praises you won from the Preceptor.’

Lan smiled modestly. Faithful now came over to say that dinner was ready.

‘I want to invite Mrs Xue,’ said Grandmother Jia, and Amber promptly sent a maid over to Lady Wang’s apartment. Bao-yu and Jia Huan withdrew from the room, while Li Wan’s maid Candida and the younger maids came forward to clear away the backgammon pieces. Li Wan stayed to wait on Grandmother Jia, and Jia Lan stood at his mother’s side.

‘The two of you can stay to dinner with me,’ said Grandmother Jia.

‘Yes Grandmother,’ replied Li Wan. A minute or two later dinner was brought in, and the maid returned from Lady Wang’s apartment with the following message:

‘Her Ladyship says that Mrs Xue will not be able to come. She was only over on a short visit and went home after lunch.’

Grandmother Jia told Jia Lan to occupy the seat next to her. Our narrative omits any further details of that evening’s meal. After dinner, when she had washed her hands and rinsed her mouth, Grandmother Jia reclined on her couch and chatted idly with her granddaughter-in-law and great-grandson. A junior maid came in and asked Amber to say that Mr Zhen (who, in the temporary absence of Jia Zheng and Jia Lian, had that day been supervising business at Rong-guo House) was waiting outside to pay his evening respects.

Tell him that I have been informed,’ said Grandmother Jia, ‘but that he need not bother to come in. He can go home and rest. He must be tired after the day’s work.’

The maid relayed this to the old women outside, Cousin Zhen was informed, and returned to Ning-guo House.

*

The following day he came over again to Rong-guo House, to see to the day’s business. After the pages on the gate had produced a series of miscellaneous matters for his attention, it was reported by another page that the farm-bailiff had arrived with the seasonal produce. Cousin Zhen asked to see the inventory, which was presented to him by the page, and he proceeded to read through the various items, mostly fresh fruit, with some game and vegetables.

‘Who usually looks after this department?’ asked Cousin Zhen.

‘Zhou Rui, sir.’

Zhou Rui was summoned and Cousin Zhen instructed him:

‘Check through all the items on this list and have them delivered. Have a copy made for my reference. And tell the kitchen to cook some extra dishes when they are preparing lunch for the servants. The bailiff is to have something to eat before he goes, and the usual tip.’

‘Yes sir.’

Zhou Rui told the servants to carry the goods into Xi-feng’s courtyard, and gave instructions for them to be checked against the inventory. Then he went off, only to reappear shortly afterwards before Cousin Zhen:

‘Excuse me sir, have you checked the entries yet?’

‘Do you think I have time to do that?’ replied Cousin Zhen impatiently. ‘I have given you the list and leave the matter entirely in your hands.’

‘I have checked all the items through to the best of my ability sir, and everything seems in order. But perhaps you would like to send for the bailiff, as you have a copy yourself, to make sure the list is genuine…’

‘What a lot of fuss over a bit of fruit!’ exclaimed Cousin Zhen. ‘It’s really not that important. I take your word for it.’

At this moment Bao Er came into the room and kotowed to Cousin Zhen. (This Bao Er, it may be remembered, was the servant who had in the past been useful to both Cousin Zhen and Jia Lian. On this occasion he had come over for the day to assist Cousin Zhen.)

‘I beg to be released, sir,’ he said, ‘and put back on external duties.’

‘What is the meaning of this?’ asked Cousin Zhen, addressing Bao Er and Zhou Rui simultaneously.

‘What’s the point of my being here if no one listens to my opinion?’ replied Bao Er.

‘Who asked for your opinion?’ said Cousin Zhen brusquely.

‘I’m tired of spying for other people!’ muttered Bao Er to himself.

‘Sir,’ put in Zhou Rui promptly, ‘I have been in charge of farm rents and income here for years, and on average I should say around four hundred thousand taels’ worth passes through my hands each year, and I have never had a word of complaint from the Master or their Ladyships or the young mistresses about anything, let alone such a small matter as this. According to him, we are supposed to have made off with the family’s entire property and estates!’

‘It looks as if Bao Er has started some sort of quarrel,’ thought Cousin Zhen to himself. ‘Better get rid of him.’

‘Out of my sight!’ he barked. Then turning from Bao Er to Zhou Rui:

‘That is all. Carry on with your work.’

The two servants left.

Not long afterwards Cousin Zhen was resting in the study when he heard the most terrific din break out in the direction of the main gate. He sent a servant to inquire, who came back to report that a fight had started between Bao Er and an adopted son of Zhou Rui’s.

‘Who is this adopted son?’ asked Cousin Zhen.

‘He San is his name, sir,’ replied the servant. ‘A worthless fellow who spends most of his time drinking and causing trouble. He sometimes comes round here and hangs about in the porter’s lodge. Apparently he got involved in the argument between Bao Er and Zhou Rui.’

‘This is the limit!’ exclaimed Cousin Zhen. ‘Have Bao Er and this He San character bound immediately! What about Zhou Rui?’

‘He disappeared when the fighting started, sir.’

‘Find him at once! This is preposterous!’

‘Yes, sir!’

In the midst of this commotion, Jia Lian returned and Cousin Zhen told him what had happened in his absence.

‘What next!’ cried Lian. He sent an extra servant to help apprehend Zhou Rui, who soon realized that escape was impossible, gave himself up and was led before the masters.

‘Tie him up as well!’ ordered Cousin Zhen, and Jia Lian added, addressing himself principally to Zhou Rui:

‘Mr Zhen settled your petty differences once and for all. Why go out and start fighting all over again? And as if that wasn’t bad enough, you have to drag in this brat of yours, He San! And when you should have been bringing them to heel, you disappear and leave them to it!’

He dealt Zhou Rui a few hefty kicks.

‘It’s no good punishing only him,’ said Cousin Zhen grimly, and ordered his men to give Bao Er and He San fifty lashes each and send them packing. This done, he and Jia Lian sat down to discuss family business.

In the servants’ quarters this incident became the subject of many a private exchange of opinions. Some saw it as an attempt on Cousin Zhen’s part to cover up for incompetence; others said he was just inept at handling people; while others saw it as yet another instance of his unpleasant character. ‘Wasn’t it he who recommended Bao Er to Mr Lian in that sordid business with the You sisters? What’s probably happened is that Bao Er’s wife won’t oblige Mr Zhen as she did Mr Lian, so now he’s taken it out on the husband…’ There were many differing interpretations.

Meanwhile the Jia clan lost no time in turning Jia Zheng’s promotion at the Ministry of Works to their financial advantage. Jia Yun was certainly not going to be left out, but went around promising work to contractors (and negotiating percentages for himself), and having bought a quantity of fashionable embroideries, made his way to the apartment of his erstwhile patroness.

Xi-feng, who had just learnt from one of her maids that ‘Mr Zhen and Mr Lian were in a temper and beating the servants’, was on the point of sending someone to discover the details when she saw Jia Lian himself walk in, and was able to hear the full story from him.

‘It may all have been over a trifle,’ she commented, ‘but we must put a stop to such behaviour at all costs. If they think they can get away with it now, when the family fortunes are supposed to be flourishing, what is going to happen when the younger generation takes over? They’ll have a mutiny on their hands. I remember a year or so ago witnessing the most appalling scene at Ning-guo House – Big Jiao sprawled all over the steps, blind drunk and swearing sixteen to the dozen. None of us was spared. I don’t care if he has rendered distinguished services in the past. Servants should know their place, and show a proper sense of respect. The trouble with Cousin Zhen’s wife – please don’t misunderstand me – is that she is much too unsuspecting and lets her staff get away with anything. This Bao Er of theirs – or whatever his name is – is typical. Come to think of it, hasn’t he been rather useful to you and Zhen in the past? Aren’t you being a bit ungrateful to start flogging him now?’

Stung to the quick, Jia Lian sheepishly tried to change the subject. Presently he remembered a pressing engagement and left.

Crimson now came in to report the arrival of Jia Yun.

‘I wonder what he’s after this time?’ mused Xi-feng to herself. Then aloud to Crimson:

‘You’d better show him in.’

Crimson went out. She looked Jia Yun in the face and gave him a cheeky smile. He (swift on the uptake as ever) advanced towards her and said:

‘Did you tell Mrs Lian that I was here, Miss Crimson?’

She blushed.

‘I suppose you have a lot of important business, Mr Yun…’

‘On the contrary, I only wish I had had cause to come here and trouble you more often, Miss Crimson… I remember last year when you were employed at Uncle Bao’s…’

He was about to say more but Crimson, who was afraid someone might interrupt them, asked in haste:

‘Did you ever get my handkerchief?’

Her words provoked Jia Yun to such a pitch of excitement that he was ready to burst. But before he could say a word a maid came out from Xi-feng’s room, and he and Crimson were obliged to go in together at once. They walked side by side, close enough for him to whisper:

‘When I leave, be sure to see me out. I’ve something to tell you that might amuse you…’

She blushed fiercely and flashed her eyes at him without a word. Going ahead to inform Xi-feng of his approach, she returned to usher him in, lifting the door-curtain and beckoning to him, while announcing in her most formal tone of voice:

‘Madam will be pleased to see you now, sir.’

With a smile Jia Yun advanced with her into the room and greeted Xi-feng. He conveyed his mother’s regards, which Xi-feng returned politely before asking:

‘And what brings you here today?’

Jia Yun embarked upon his speech:

‘Auntie’s great kindness to me in the past has been ever present in my mind and a source of endless gratification. I have been awaiting an opportunity to present a token of my esteem and have only held back for fear that you might consider such a gesture inappropriate. The forthcoming Double Ninth Festival finally seemed sufficient justification for my purchasing a little something which, though I know you have more than enough of everything here already, I humbly pray you to do me the honour of accepting as an earnest of my humble devotion.’

Xi-feng laughed.

‘Come on. Cut the cackle. What’s it all about? Sit down and tell me.’

Jia Yun took a perch and deposited his offering gingerly with both hands on the surface of an adjacent table.

‘I know you’re pretty hard up,’ Xi-feng went on, ‘so why go spending money like this? I have no need of such things and don’t expect them. Come on now, tell me what you have really come for.’

‘Truly for no other reason than my deep and hitherto unexpressed sense of gratitude…’

There was however by now a trace of a smile.

‘Come off it,’ said Xi-feng. ‘I am perfectly familiar with the state of your finances. Don’t expect me to go taking things from you for nothing. If you want me to accept your present then tell me the truth. If you carry on beatmg about the bush like this, I shall certainly not accept anything from you.’

Jia Yun was forced to come to the point. He rose to his feet and donned his most obsequious smile.

‘I did entertain one modest and I trust not altogether unreasonable hope. It reached my ears a few days ago that Sir Zheng had been given the overall supervision of mausoleum construction at the Ministry, and as I have one or two friends with considerable experience in that line – extremely competent people, I might add – I would just like to ask if it would be at all possible for you to put in a word for them with Sir Zheng. If a job or two were to come their way I should be indebted to you for eternity. And need I add that my own services are always at your disposal should anything materialize in the way of work here at the mansion.’

‘In most matters I know I have a certain amount of influence,’ replied Xi-feng. ‘But when it comes to this sort of thing, the major contracts are completely in the pockets of the President and other senior officials, while the smaller jobs are handed out by the clerks and runners. No one else gets so much as a look in, I’m afraid. Our own people can only work for Sir Zheng as his personal staff. Even your uncle Lian only goes in when there’s something directly connected with the family. He has nothing to do with official business. At home, as soon as things are patched up in one place they break out in another – even Mr Zhen can’t keep order properly. A junior like you would never be able to cope. No, I’m afraid whatever jobs there might have been at the Ministry have nearly all gone. People are desperate for work. Surely there’s something you can turn your hand to at home, to keep body and soul together? I’m being serious. Go home and think it over. As for your gratitude, consider it expressed. And take these things back to wherever they came from.’

While she was speaking, a group of nannies had come into the room with little Qiao-jie, dressed in a colourfully embroidered smock and clutching an armful of toys. She went running over to her mother, laughing and prattling away, and Jia Yun stood up once more and swiftly transferred his attentions and unctuous smiles from Xi-feng to her daughter.

‘So this is my respected cousin? Now is there any little present you would like me to get you, dearie?’

A loud Waaah! burst from Qiao-jie’s lips and Jia Yun retreated hastily.

‘There, there, my darling! Come here!’ Xi-feng held the child closely to her. ‘This is your cousin Yun. Don’t be shy.’

Jia Yun tried again.

‘What a sweet little girl! Such a pretty face promises a lifetime of happiness.’

Qiao-jie turned her little head to take another peep at him and immediately burst out crying again. Jia Yun sensed that he was no longer welcome and rose to leave.

‘Don’t forget your things,’ insisted Xi-feng.

‘Oh please, Aunt Feng! Do me this one favour…’

‘If you don’t take them yourself, I shall send someone after you with them. Honestly Yun, this is not the way to go about things. You are not a stranger here. If something crops up I will certainly let you know. Until then there is nothing I can do, and there is nothing to be gained by wasting your time and money like this.’

Jia Yun could see that she was not going to relent. His face flushed as he took his leave.

‘I shall nevertheless continue to search for an acceptable present.’

‘Crimson, carry these things to the hall for Mr Yun,’ said Xi-feng curtly, ‘and see him out.’

‘People are right,’ thought Yun to himself on his way out. ‘She’s a real tyrant! Won’t budge an inch! Hard as nails! Serves her right if she can’t produce an heir. That little girl of hers gave me a queer feeling too…She seemed to take against me, almost as if we had some feud from a past life. What damnable luck! All that work for nothing!’

His rebuff came as a disappointment to Crimson too, who picked up the parcel and followed him out. He took it from her and, when no one was looking, undid the wrapping, took out a couple of pieces of embroidery and gave them to her. At first she would not accept them and protested under her breath:

‘You shouldn’t, Mr Yun. Think how dreadful it would look for both of us if Mrs Lian found out.’

‘Don’t be silly. Keep them. She’ll never know. If you don’t, I’ll take it as a personal insult.’

Crimson smiled vainly and took them from him.

‘If you insist. But I don’t want them. I really don’t know what to think…’

Her face was burning again. Jia Yun laughed, and said:

‘It’s the thought that counts…’

By now they had reached the inner gate and Jia Yun concealed the remaining gifts inside his gown while Crimson urged him on his way.

‘You must go now,’ she said. ‘If ever you want anything here, contact me. Now that I’m in service with Mrs Lian, you can approach me directly.’

Yun shook his head bitterly.

‘She’s too much of a tyrant. I shan’t be coming back in a hurry. Don’t forget what I said just now though. If I do have a chance to see you again, I’ve more to tell you.’

Crimson blushed from ear to ear.

‘You’d really better go now. Come again as often as you like. If you’ve become distant from Mrs Lian, you’ve only yourself to blame.

‘All right, I understand.’

Jia Yun went on his way and Crimson stood in the gateway, following him into the distance with a thoughtful gaze. Then she turned and went inside again.

Xi-feng meanwhile was giving instructions for her dinner, and asked the maids if they had cooked her congee. They hurried off to inquire, and returned after a short while to report that the congee was ready.

‘I should like a couple of dishes of those pickled vegetables that have just come up from the South, to go with it,’ Xi-feng said. Autumn took charge of this and detailed the other maids to proceed with service. Patience came in and said with a smile:

‘There’s something I forgot to mention earlier, ma’am. At midday, while you were over at Her Old Ladyship’s, one of the prioress’s women from Water-moon Priory came to see you, to ask for a couple of jars of southern pickle and for an advance of a few months’ allowance. The prioress has been in poor health, she told me. I asked what the matter was, and she said it had all started four or five days ago. She had been having trouble with some of the Buddhist and Taoist novices at the Priory, who despite several warnings kept leaving their lights on at night. Then one night she noticed the lamps still burning at midnight, and called to them several times. Hearing no reply and thinking that they must have fallen asleep with their lights on, she went herself to put them out. When she came back to her room, the strangest thing happened: she saw a man and a woman sitting together on the kang, and when she asked them who they were, had a noose slipped round her neck by way of reply. Her cries for help aroused the other sisters, who lit their lamps and came hurrying to the scene to find her prostrate on the floor and foaming at the mouth. Thank heavens they managed to bring her round. She still cannot eat proper meals, which is why she thought of asking for some pickles. Since you were not in, I felt I could hardly give her any on my own authority, so I explained where you were, said that I would mention it to you later, and sent her back to the Priory. I should have forgotten all about it if I hadn’t heard you asking for pickles just now yourself.’

Xi-feng stared thoughtfully for a moment.

There’s no shortage of pickles,’ she said at last. ‘Send her some by all means. You can see Mr Qin in a day or two about the money.’

As she was speaking, Crimson came in to report the arrival of a messenger from Jia Lian. Business had detained him out of town, and he would not be back that night. This had received a perfunctory acknowledgement from Xi-feng, when suddenly there was a burst of crying from the back of the house and one of the junior maids came running breathlessly into the courtyard. Patience was already there and now several of the other maids gathered round and began whispering among themselves.

‘What’s going on out there?’ asked Xi-feng.

‘One of the maids has had a bit of a fright,’ replied Patience. ‘She says she’s seen a ghost or something…’

‘Which maid?’ asked Xi-feng sharply. The maid in question entered the room.

‘What’s all this nonsense about ghosts?’ asked Xi-feng.

‘I was out at the back just now, ma’am,’ replied the maid, ‘asking one of the women for more charcoal to put on the braziers, when I heard this eerie noise coming from that small empty building. At first I thought it was just a cat chasing a mouse, but then I heard it go whee like somebody sighing. I was very frightened and came running back.’

‘Stupid creature!’ snapped Xi-feng. ‘I won’t have people talking such superstitious nonsense in my presence! I’ve never believed in such things. Go on – get out of my sight!’

The maid fled. Xi-feng sent for Sunshine and checked through the day’s remaining accounts. It was nearly nine o’clock by the time they finished. She and the others sat for a while chatting, and then she sent the servants off duty for the night and went to bed herself. Just before eleven o’clock she was lying in bed still half-asleep, when suddenly her flesh begin to creep and she awoke with a start. She lay there trembling in ever-increasing terror until she could bear it no longer, and called Patience and Autumn to come over and keep her company. Neither of them could understand the strange state she was in.

Autumn had originally been rather hostile to Xi-feng, but she had fallen from favour with Jia Lian because of the part she played in the persecution of You Er-jie and had subsequently been drawn into Xi-feng’s camp, though her loyalty remained a matter of convenience and did not compare with the devotion of Patience. On this occasion, seeing her mistress in such a troubled state, she stood dutifully by the bedside and served her with tea. Xi-feng took a sip and said:

‘Thank you. You can go back to sleep now. I shall be quite all right with Patience here.’

But Autumn was eager to please, and protested:

‘Surely ma’am, if you can’t get to sleep, it would be best if we took it in turns to sit up with you?’

Xi-feng had already dozed off. The maids heard a distant cockcrow and, seeing that Xi-feng was now fast asleep, both lay down fully dressed until daybreak, when they rose and busily began making preparations for her morning toilet. When she awoke, Xi-feng’s mind was still haunted by the terrors of the night. Despite her shaky state, her habitual determination to keep going at all costs prevailed, and with a great effort she struggled up. She was sitting rapt in thought when she heard a maid in the courtyard calling:

‘Is Patience in?’

Patience called out in reply, and the maid lifted the door-curtain and came in. It turned out that she had been sent by Lady Wang to summon Jia Lian.

‘There’s a messenger from the yamen on urgent business,’ she said, ‘and as the Master has just gone out, Her Ladyship sent me to ask for Mr Lian to come over.’

Xi-feng caught her breath in alarm. To ascertain the. nature of this urgent business, please turn to the next chapter.