第九十一回

第九十一回 纵淫心宝蟾工设计 布疑阵宝玉妄谈禅

话说薛蝌正在狐疑，忽听窗外一笑，唬了一跳，心中想道：“不是宝蟾，定是金桂。只不理他们，看他们有什么法儿。”听了半日，却又寂然无声。自己也不敢吃那酒果。掩上房门，刚要脱衣时，只听见窗纸上微微一响。薛蝌此时被宝蟾鬼混了一阵，心中七上八下，竟不知是如何是好。听见窗纸微响，细看时，又无动静，自己反倒疑心起来，掩了怀，坐在灯前，呆呆的细想；又把那果子拿了一块，翻来覆去的细看。猛回头，看见窗上纸湿了一块，走过来觑着眼看时，冷不防外面往里一吹，把薛蝌唬了一大跳。听得吱吱的笑声，薛蝌连忙把灯吹灭了，屏息而卧。只听外面一个人说道：“二爷为什么不喝酒吃果子，就睡了？”这句话仍是宝蟾的语音。薛蝌只不作声装睡。又隔有两句话时，又听得外面似有恨声道：“天下那里有这样没造化的人。”薛蝌听了是宝蟾又似是金桂的语音。这才知道他们原来是这一番意思，翻来覆去，直到五更后才睡着了。

刚到天明，早有人来扣门。薛蝌忙问是谁，外面也不答应。薛蝌只得起来，开了门看时，却是宝蟾，拢着头发，掩着怀，穿一件片锦边琵琶襟[1]小紧身，上面系一条松花绿半新的汗巾，下面并未穿裙，正露着石榴红洒花夹裤，一双新绣红鞋。原来宝蟾尚未梳洗，恐怕人见，赶早来取家伙。薛蝌见他这样打扮便走进来，心中又是一动，只得陪笑问道：“怎么这样早就起来了？”宝蟾把脸红着，并不答言，只管把果子折在一个碟子里，端着就走。薛蝌见他这般，知是昨晚的原故，心里想道：“这也罢了。倒是他们恼了，索性死了心，也省得来缠。”于是把心放下，唤人舀水洗脸。自己打算在家里静坐两天，一则养养心神，二则出去怕人找他。原来和薛蟠好的那些人因见薛家无人，只有薛蝌在那里办事，年纪又轻，便生许多觊觎之心。也有想插在里头做跑腿的；也有能做状子的，认得一二个书役[2]的，要给他上下打点的；甚至有叫他在内趁钱[3]的；也有造作谣言恐吓的：种种不一。薛蝌见了这些人，远远躲避，又不敢面辞，恐怕激出意外之变，只好藏在家中，听候转详。不提。

且说金桂昨夜打发宝蟾送了些酒果去探探薛蝌的消息，宝蟾回来将薛蝌的光景一一的说了。金桂见事有些不大投机，便怕白闹一场，反被宝蟾瞧不起，欲把两三句话遮饰改过口来，又可惜了这个人，心里倒没了主意，怔怔的坐着。那知宝蟾亦知薛蟠难以回家，正欲寻个头路，因怕金桂拿他，所以不敢透漏。今见金桂所为先已开了端了，他便乐得借风使船，先弄薛蝌到手，不怕金桂不依，所以用言挑拨。见薛蝌似非无情，又不甚兜揽，一时也不敢造次。后来见薛蝌吹灯自睡，大觉扫兴，回来告诉金桂，看金桂有甚方法，再作道理。及见金桂怔怔的，似乎无技可施，他也只得陪金桂收拾睡了。夜里那里睡得着，翻来覆去，想出一个法子来：不如明儿一早起来，先去取了家伙，却自己换上一两件动人的衣服，也不梳洗，越显出一番娇媚来。只看薛蝌的神情，自己反倒装出一番恼意，索性不理他。那薛蝌若有悔心，自然移船泊岸[4]，不愁不先到手。及至见了薛蝌，仍是昨晚这般光景，并无邪僻之意，自己只得以假为真，端了碟子回来，却故意留下酒壶，以为再来搭转之地。只见金桂问道：“你拿东西去有人碰见么？”宝蟾道：“没有。”“二爷也没问你什么？”宝蟾道：“也没有。”金桂因一夜不曾睡着，也想不出一个法子来，只得回思道：“若作此事，别人可瞒，宝蟾如何能瞒？不如我分惠于他，他自然没有不尽心的。我又不能自去，少不得要他作脚[5]，倒不如和他商量一个稳便主意。”因带笑说道：“你看二爷到底是个怎么样的人？”宝蟾道：“倒像个糊涂人。”金桂听了笑道：“你如何说起爷们来了。”宝蟾也笑道：“他辜负奶奶的心，我就说得他。”金桂道：“他怎么辜负我的心，你倒得说说。”宝蟾道：“奶奶给他好东西吃，他倒不吃，这不是辜负奶奶的心么。”说着，却把眼溜着金桂一笑。金桂道：“你别胡想。我给他送东西，为大爷的事不辞劳苦，我所以敬他；又怕人说瞎话，所以问你。你这些话向我说，我不懂是什么意思。”宝蟾笑道：“奶奶别多心，我是跟奶奶的，还有两个心么。但是事情要密些，倘或声张起来，不是顽的。”金桂也觉得脸飞红了，因说道：“你这个丫头就不是个好货！想来你心里看上了，却拿我作筏子，是不是呢？”宝蟾道：“只是奶奶那么想罢咧，我倒是替奶奶难受。奶奶要真瞧二爷好，我倒有个主意。奶奶想，那个耗子不偷油呢，他也不过怕事情不密，大家闹出乱子来不好看。依我想，奶奶且别性急，时常在他身上不周不备的去处张罗张罗。他是个小叔子，又没娶媳妇儿，奶奶就多尽点心儿和他贴个好儿，别人也说不出什么来。过几天他感奶奶的情，他自然要谢候奶奶。那时奶奶再备点东西儿在咱们屋里，我帮着奶奶灌醉了他，怕跑了他？他要不应，咱们索性〔一〕闹起来，就说他调戏奶奶。他害怕，他自然得顺着咱们的手儿。他再不应，他也不是人，咱们也不至白丢了脸面。奶奶想怎么样？”金桂听了这话，两颧早已红晕了，笑骂道：“小蹄子，你倒偷过多少汉子的似的，怪不得大爷在家时离不开你。”宝蟾把嘴一撇，笑说道：“罢哟，人家倒替奶奶拉纤，奶奶倒往我们说这个话咧。”从此金桂一心笼络薛蝌，倒无心混闹了。家中也少觉安静。

当日宝蟾自去取了酒壶，仍是稳稳重重一脸的正气。薛蝌偷眼看了，反倒后悔，疑心或者是自己错想了他们，也未可知。果然如此，倒辜负了他这一番美意，保不住日后倒要和自己也闹起来，岂非自惹的呢。过了两天，甚觉安静。薛蝌遇见宝蟾，宝蟾便低头走了，连眼皮儿也不抬；遇见金桂，金桂却一盆火儿的赶着。薛蝌见这般光景，反倒过意不去。这且不表。

且说宝钗母女觉得金桂几天安静，待人忽亲热起来，一家子都为罕事。薛姨妈十分欢喜，想到必是薛蟠娶这媳妇时冲犯了什么，才败坏了这几年。目今闹出这样事来，亏得家里有钱，贾府出力，方才有了指望。媳妇儿忽然安静起来，或者是蟠儿转过运气来了，也未可知，于是自己心里倒以为希有之奇。这日饭后扶了同贵过来，到金桂房里瞧瞧。走到院中，只听一个男人和金桂说话。同贵知机，便说道：“大奶奶，老太太过来了。”说着已到门口。只见一个人影儿在房门后一躲，薛姨妈一吓，倒退了出来。金桂道〔二〕：“太太请里头坐。没有外人，他就是我的过继兄弟，本住在屯里，不惯见人，因没有见过太太。今儿才来，还没去请太太的安。”薛姨妈道：“既是舅爷，不妨见见。”金桂叫兄弟出来，见了薛姨妈，作了一个揖，问了好。薛姨妈也问了好，坐下叙起话来。薛姨妈道：“舅爷上京几时了？”那夏三道：“前月我妈没有人管家，把我过继来的。前日才进京，今日来瞧姐姐。”薛姨妈看那人不尴尬[8]，于是略坐坐儿，便起身道：“舅爷坐着罢。”回头向金桂道：“舅爷头上末下[9]的来，留在咱们这里吃了饭再去罢。”金桂答应着，薛姨妈自去了。金桂见婆婆去了，便向夏三道：“你坐着，今日可是过了明路的了，省得我们二爷查考你。我今日还叫你买些东西，只别叫众人看见。”夏三道：“这个交给我就完了。你要什么，只要有钱，我就买得来。”金桂道：“且别说嘴，你买上了当，我可不收。”说着，二人又笑了一回，然后金桂陪夏三吃了晚饭，又告诉他买的东西，又嘱咐一回，夏三自去。从此夏三往来不绝。虽有个年老的门上人，知是舅爷，也不常回，从此生出无限风波〔三〕，这是后话。不表。

一日薛蟠有信寄回，薛姨妈打开叫宝钗看时，上写：

男在县里也不受苦，母亲放心。但昨日县里书办说，府里已经准详，想是我们的情到了。岂知府里详上去，道[11]里反驳下来。亏得县里主文相公好，即刻做了回文顶上去了。那道里却把知县申饬。现在道里要亲提，若一上去，又要吃苦。必是道里没有托到。母亲见字，快快托人求道爷去。还叫兄弟快来，不然就要解道。银子短不得。火速，火速。

薛姨妈听了，又哭了一场，自不必说。薛蝌一面劝慰，一面说道：“事不宜迟。”薛姨妈没法，只得叫薛蝌到县照料，命人即便收拾行李，兑了银子，家人李祥本在那里照应的，薛蝌又同了一个当中伙计连夜起程。

那时手忙脚乱，虽有下人办理，宝钗又恐他们思想不到，亲来帮着，直闹至四更才歇。到底富家女子娇养惯的，心上又急，又苦劳了一会，晚上就发烧。到了明日，汤水都吃不下。莺儿去回了薛姨妈。薛姨妈急来看时，只见宝钗满面通红，身如燔灼，话都不说。薛姨妈慌了手脚，便哭得死去活来。宝琴扶着劝薛姨妈。秋菱也泪如泉涌，只管叫着。宝钗不能说话，手也不能摇动，眼干鼻塞。叫人请医调治，渐渐苏醒回来。薛姨妈等大家略略放心。早惊动荣宁两府的人，先是凤姐打发人送十香返魂丹[12]来，随后王夫人又送至宝丹[13]来。贾母邢、王二夫人以及尤氏等都打发丫头来问候，却都不叫宝玉知道。一连治了七八天，终不见效，还是他自己想起冷香丸，吃了三丸，才得病好。后来宝玉也知道了，因病好了，没有瞧去。

那时薛蝌又有信回来，薛姨妈看了，怕宝钗耽忧，也不叫他知道。自己来求王夫人，并述了一会子宝钗的病。薛姨妈去后，王夫人又求贾政。贾政道：“此事上头可托，底下难托，必须打点才好。”王夫人又提起宝钗的事来，因说道：“这孩子也苦了。既是我家的人了，也该早些娶了过来才是，别叫他糟踏坏了身子。”贾政道：“我也是这么想。但是他家乱忙，况且如今到了冬底，已经年近岁逼，不无各自要料理些家务。今冬且放了定，明春再过礼，过了老太太的生日，就定日子娶。你把这番话先告诉薛姨太太。”王夫人答应了。

到了明日，王夫人将贾政的话向薛姨妈述了。薛姨妈想着也是。到了饭后，王夫人陪着来到贾母房中，大家让了坐。贾母道：“姨太太才过来？”薛姨妈道：“还是昨儿过来的。因为晚了，没得过来给老太太请安。”王夫人便把贾政昨夜所说的话向贾母述了一遍，贾母甚喜。说着，宝玉进来了。贾母便问道：“吃了饭了没有？”宝玉道：“才打学房里回来，吃了要往学房里去，先见见老太太。又听见说姨妈来了，过来给姨妈请请安。”因问：“宝姐姐可大好了？”薛姨妈笑道：“好了。”原来方才大家正说着，见宝玉进来，都煞住了。宝玉坐了坐，见薛姨妈情形不似从前亲热，“虽是此刻没有心情，也不犯大家都不言语。”满腹猜疑，自往学中去了。

晚间回来，都见过了，便往潇湘馆来。掀帘进来，紫鹃接着，见里间屋内无人，宝玉道：“姑娘那里去了〔四〕？”紫鹃道：“上屋里去了。知道姨太太〔五〕过来，姑娘请安去了。二爷没有到上屋里去么？”宝玉道：“我去了来的，没有见你姑娘。”紫鹃道：“这也奇了。”宝玉问：“姑娘到底那里去了？”紫鹃道：“不定。”宝玉往外便走。刚出屋门，只见黛玉带着雪雁，冉冉而来。宝玉道：“妹妹回来了。”缩身退步进来。

黛玉进来，走入里间屋内，便请宝玉里头坐。紫鹃拿了一件外罩换上，然后坐下，问道：“你上去看见姨妈没有？”宝玉道：“见过了。”黛玉道：“姨妈说起我没有？”宝玉道：“不但没有说起你，连见了我也不像先时亲热。今日我问起宝姐姐病来，他不过笑了一笑，并不答言。难道怪我这两天没有去瞧他么。”黛玉笑了一笑道：“你去瞧过没有？”宝玉道：“头几天不知道；这两天知道了，也没有去。”黛玉道：“可不是。”宝玉道：“老太太不叫我去，太太也不叫我去，老爷又不叫我去，我如何敢去。若是像从前这扇小门走得通的时候，要我一天瞧他十趟也不难。如今把门堵了，要打前头过去，自然不便了。”黛玉道：“他那里知道这个原故。”宝玉道：“宝姐姐为人是最体谅我的。”黛玉道：“你不要自己打错了主意。若论宝姐姐，更不体谅，又不是姨妈病，是宝姐姐病。向来在园中，做诗赏花饮酒，何等热闹，如今隔开了，你看见他家里有事了，他病到那步田地，你像没事人一般，他怎么不恼呢。”宝玉道：“这样难道宝姐姐便不和我好了不成？”黛玉道：“他和你好不好我却不知，我也不过是照理而论。”宝玉听了，瞪着眼呆了半晌。黛玉看见宝玉这样光景，也不睬他，只是自己叫人添了香，又翻出书来细看了一会〔六〕。只见宝玉把眉一皱，把脚一跺道：“我想这个人生他做什么！天地间没有了我，倒也干净！”黛玉道：“原是有了我，便有了人；有了人，便有无数的烦恼生出来，恐怖，颠倒，梦想，更有许多缠碍。——才刚我说的都是顽话，你不过是看见姨妈没精打彩，如何便疑到宝姐姐身上去？姨妈过来原为他的官司事情心绪不宁，那里还来应酬你？都是你自己心上胡思乱想，钻入魔道里去了。”宝玉豁然开朗，笑道：“很是，很是。你的性灵比我竟强远了，怨不得前年我生气的时候，你和我说过几句禅语，我实在对不上来。我虽丈六金身[17]，还借你一茎所化[18]。”黛玉乘此机会说道：“我便问你一句话，你如何回答？”宝玉盘着腿，合着手，闭着眼，嘘着嘴道：“讲来。”黛玉道：“宝姐姐和你好你怎么样？宝姐姐不和你好你怎么样？宝姐姐前儿和你好，如今不和你好你怎么样？今儿和你好，后来不和你好你怎么样？你和他好他偏不和你好你怎么样？你不和他好他偏要和你好你怎么样？”宝玉呆了半晌，忽然大笑道：“任凭弱水三千，我只取一瓢饮[19]。”黛玉道：“瓢之漂水奈何？”宝玉道：“非瓢漂水，水自流，瓢自漂耳！”黛玉道：“水止珠沉，奈何？”宝玉道：“禅心已作沾泥絮[20]，莫向春风舞鹧鸪。”黛玉道：“禅门第一戒是不打诳语的。”宝玉道：“有如三宝[21]。”黛玉低头不语。

只听见檐外老鸹呱呱的叫了几声，便飞向东南上去，宝玉道：“不知主何吉凶。”黛玉道：“人有吉凶事，不在鸟音中。”忽见秋纹走来说道：“请二爷回去。老爷叫人到园里来问过，说二爷打学里回来了没有。袭人姐姐只说已经来了。快去罢。”吓得宝玉站起身来往外忙走，黛玉也不敢相留。未知何事，下回分解。

[1] 琵琶襟——清代便服前襟的一种样式。大襟只掩至胸前，不到腋下；纽扣自大襟领口钉起到立边下方，排列较密。

[2] 书役——犹“书办”、“书吏”。旧时衙门中承办文书簿记等事的官吏。

[3] 趁钱——这里是从中赚钱的意思。

[4] 移船泊岸——喻主动迁就之意。

[5] 作脚——传递信息。

〔一〕 “索性”，原作“索情”，从藤本改。

〔二〕 “金桂道”，原无“道”字，从藤本补。

[8] 不尴尬——这里是不三不四、不正路的意思。

[9] 头上末下——头一回。

〔三〕 “生出无限风波”，“生”原作“起”，从藤本改。

[11] 道——行政区域称谓，设在省以下、县以上。

[12] 十香返魂丹——即十香返生丹。由沉香、僵蚕、丁香、乳香、檀香、礞石、青木香、栝蒌仁、藿香、香附、降香、莲子心、诃子肉、郁金、天麻、甘草、麝香、琥珀、朱砂、牛黄、苏合香油、冰片、安息香等药制成。主治因七情气郁而致的神昏厥逆，牙关紧闭，痰涎壅盛，神志不清，语言狂乱，哭笑失常。

[13] 至宝丹——又名局方至宝丹。由犀角、朱砂、雄黄、玳瑁、琥珀、麝香、冰片、牛黄、安息香等药制成。能开窍安神，清热解毒。主治中暑、中恶、中风、痰迷心窍等症。

〔四〕 “姑娘那里去了”，原无“了”字，从藤本补。

〔五〕 “姨太太”，原作“薛姨妈太太”，从程乙本改

〔六〕 “细看了一会”，“细”原作“停”，从藤本改。

[17] 丈六金身——指佛。《后汉书·天竺传》：“西方有神，名曰佛，其形长丈六而黄金色。”

[18] 一茎所化——佛教传说，佛由莲花化生。一茎：代指莲花。

[19] “任凭”二句——意谓任凭千变万化，我只一颗真心。这里喻爱情的坚贞专一。弱水，河流名。我国古籍中，以弱水为名的河流很多，如《尚书·禹贡》：“导弱水至于合黎。”《十洲记》：“凤麟州在西海之中央，四面有弱水绕之，鸿毛不浮，不可越也。”等等。三千：这里喻水多。

[20] 禅心已作沾泥絮——意谓禅定之心已经像被泥沾住的飞絮一样，静止不动。这里喻爱情的坚贞不渝。宋代释道潜《赠妓诗》：“禅心已作沾泥絮，不逐东风上下狂。”见宋代胡仔《苕溪渔隐丛话》。

[21] 三宝——佛教名词，指佛、法（佛教教义）、僧三者。

CHAPTER 91. In the pursuance of lust, Moonbeam evolves an artful stratagem In a flight of Zen, Bao-yu makes an enigmatic confession

We saw in our last chapter how Xue Ke was startled from his troubled reflections by a sudden splutter of laughter from outside his window.

‘Moonbeam again! Or Jin-gui!’ he thought to himself. ‘I shall ignore them and see what happens.’

He listened for a while but there was no further sound. Not daring to touch the wine and sweetmeats, he closed the door and was about to undress when he heard a faint tap at the paper casement. He was already rattled by Moonbeam’s behaviour and beginning to feel out of his depth. Hearing the tapping and yet unable to detect a presence outside the window, he didn’t know what to think. He did up his gown again and sat down abstractedly by the lamp. He took a sweetmeat from the table and turned it over restlessly in his hand, studying it from every angle. Suddenly something made him look round. A small peephole (of the lick-and-spittle variety) had appeared in the window. Going across and putting his eye to the hole, he squinted through and received a blast of air in the face that quite startled the wits out of him. It was followed by another splutter of laughter. Rushing back, he blew out the lamp and lay down in the darkness, holding his breath.

A voice came from outside:

‘Are you going to sleep without trying the wine and sweetmeats?’

Xue Ke recognized it as Moonbeam’s voice but said nothing and lay there pretending to be asleep.

A few seconds later, in a disgruntled tone:

‘Miserable spoilsport! You don’t know what you’re missing!’

This time he could not identify the voice with any certainty. It sounded like Moonbeam, but there was something of Xia Jin-gui’s expression in it too. Whoever it was, there was no longer any doubt in his mind as to their intentions. He tossed and turned for most of that night, and it was not until after five o’clock that he finally fell asleep.

Shortly after dawn someone knocked at the door.

‘Who’s there?’ Xue Ke called out.

No answer. He got out of bed to open the door and saw Moonbeam, her hair combed simply back, wearing a tight little sleeveless jacket, its gold-striped neck-line cut in the shape of a guitar, its buttons seductively undone. She had a new-looking viridian scarf around her neck and instead of a skirt was sporting pomegranate-red lined-pantaloons of a flowery design, and a pair of smart red embroided slippers. She had come before doing her morning toilet, to remove the sweetmeats before the rest of the household arose. Though rather taken aback to see her advancing into his room en négligé, he asked politely:

‘Why are you up so early this morning?’

Moonbeam blushed in reply, piled the sweetmeats onto one plate and went out holding it in both hands. Xue Ke interpreted this as pique at her failure to seduce him the previous evening.

‘Oh well,’ he thought to himself, ‘it’s too bad if I’ve annoyed them. At least they’ll lose interest and leave me alone.’

He decided that he could forget about the whole business, and called for water to wash his face. It would be wise, he decided, to stay at home and take a couple of days rest, for his own health and peace of mind, and also to avoid the unwelcome attentions of Xue Pan’s so-called friends, who seeing the Xue family deprived of its head and observing his own youth and inexperience, had caught the scent of money in the air. Some of them would have been content to act as messengers; some professed a knowledge of legal phraseology or claimed contacts behind the scenes and offered to deliver bribes to the officials and minions involved in the case; others advised him to make some money out of it for himself, while a few even tried scaring him with false rumours. Since he first encountered them, Xue Ke had done his utmost to avoid these un-savoury elements, but was aware that by openly rebuffing them he might create further trouble for himself. The only safe course, he concluded, was to lie low at home and await the confirmation of Pan’s sentence.

*

To return to Xia Jin-gui. She had sent Moonbeam over on the previous night with the wine and sweetmeats in order to explore Xue Ke’s susceptibility to her charms. When Moonbeam returned and described in detail what had happened, Jin-gui realized that she had miscalculated and that by pursuing such a strategy she would cause herself much pointless trouble and forfeit Moonbeam’s respect. If she were to disguise her disappointment with a few words of feigned indifference, that would do nothing to relieve her own hankering after Xue Ke. Unable for the present to think of any other means of achieving her ends, she sat in moody silence.

She was unaware that Moonbeam had been thinking along exactly the same lines as herself. Moonbeam too reckoned that Xue Pan might not be back for some time and felt in dire need of a substitute. She had only been held back from procuring one by the fear of being caught at it by Jin-gui. Now that Jin-gui had made the first move, however, Moonbeam was only too glad to cruise along in her wake. She would step in first and become Xue Ke’s mistress, and Jin-gui would have no choice but to accept the fait accompli. Such was the reasoning behind her provocative behaviour

Her first impression had been that the young master showed promise. True, he was not exactly leaping into her arms. She would have to play him slowly, which is precisely what she was doing when, to her intense disappointment, he blew out the lamp and went to bed. She reported back to Jin-gui, anxious to see what new course of action she might suggest. As nothing was forthcoming from her mistress however but this moody silence, she helped her prepare for the night and herself went to bed.

She had a sleepless night. As she lay tossing and turning, a new plan began to take shape in her mind. She would rise early and go to Xue Ke’s apartment at once to collect the tray; she would slip on a couple of the more alluring items in her wardrobe, but otherwise not bother with her morning toilet, in order to look as sleepy and seductive as possible, straight from the boudoir… She would observe what effect this had on Xue Ke, while maintaining a show of annoyance and indifference towards him. This surely would be his chance to repent of his folly. She could help him aboard and pip Jin-gui at the post.

In the event Xue Ke the morning after proved as totally incorruptible as he had been the evening before, and Moonbeam found herself obliged to go through in earnest with her charade of walking out in a huff. She did however still keep her wits sufficiently about her to leave behind the wine-jug, as a pretext for one final manoeuvre.

‘Did anyone see you when you fetched the things?’ Jin-gui asked her on her return.

‘Not a soul.’

‘What about Master Ke? Did he have anything to say?’

‘No.’

Jin-gui too had spent a sleepless night, without having thought of any alternative plan of campaign.

‘If I am to go ahead with things,’ she thought to herself, ‘I can hardly hope to keep Moonbeam in the dark much longer. I shall have to bring her in on it. I’m sure she won’t say anything then. Besides I need her to act as a go-between. I can’t go myself. I’d better talk to her and see if we can’t think of a good plan between us.’

She smiled at Moonbeam and asked:

‘What do you make of Master Ke anyway?’

‘He seems rather a fool…’

Jin-gui laughed.

‘How dare you insult one of the masters like that…’

Moonbeam laughed.

‘He’s asking for it, giving you the bird like that…’

‘And just what do you mean by that?’

‘Oh, only the way he wouldn’t touch any of the sweetmeats you sent of course… What else?’

She said this with a smirk and a meaningful look at Jin-gui, who replied:

‘That’s quite enough of your insinuations! I sent those things to thank him for all that he’s done for Mr Pan, and I only asked you what had happened in case people had been gossiping. I have no idea what you are trying to suggest.’

‘There’s no need to worry, ma’am,’ said Moonbeam coolly. ‘I’m on your side, you can count on me. But we must be very discreet. It would be serious if word got around.’

Jin-gui felt her face burning.

‘You little whore! So you’ve fallen for him have you, and think you can use me as a cover for your goings-on, is that it?’

‘Think so if you like, ma’am. I was only trying to help. If you really fancy him, I think I have a plan. “Every mouse will steal oil if he can.” He’s just scared of being found out, and wants to keep out of trouble. You must be patient, ma’am. Find as many little ways as you can of making yourself helpful. He is Mr Pan’s younger cousin, after all, and doesn’t have a wife. If you set your mind to it, I am sure you can get yourself into his good books, and no one will be able to say a word against you for it. In a few days he’ll be ready to show his gratitude by paying you a return visit. You lay on a little party here – I’ll help you get him drunk – and he’s yours! If he won’t play, we’ll create a scene and accuse him of making a pass – that should clinch it. He’ll be too scared to say no then! If he still holds out, why then we’ll know that he’s just a sissy and not worth wasting time over anyway. What do you think?’

Jin-gui was puce in the face.

‘Why you little strumpet! I can see you’ve had a few in your time! No wonder Pan couldn’t let you out of his sight!’

Moonbeam pulled a face and laughed.

‘Is that all the thanks I get for helping to bring the two of you together?’

From now on Jin-gui’s only thought was the conquest of Xue Ke. And as she wished to accomplish this without attracting attention, the Xue compound enjoyed a brief respite from its usual alarms and excursions.

Later that same day Moonbeam went to collect the wine-jug. She was as scrupulously well-behaved as she had been in the morning, and caused Xue Ke, who watched her out of the corner of his eye, a certain amount of remorse and self-doubt.

‘Perhaps I was wrong,’ he thought to himself. ‘Perhaps I’ve been imagining the whole thing, and they really meant well. In which case my ingratitude may have offended her and who knows what trouble this may lead to. And it will all have been my own fault…’

A couple of days went by and all was quiet. Whenever he saw Moonbeam, she lowered her head and walked away without so much as a glance in his direction. Jin-gui, on the other hand, pursued him with an eagerness that made him feel most uncomfortable. But of all this more later.

Aunt Xue and Bao-chai noticed how quiet Jin-gui had become all of a sudden, and how charming she was being to everyone. The change came as a great surprise, but nothing could have pleased Aunt Xue more, and she reasoned to herself about it thus:

‘At the time of his marriage Pan must have crossed some unlucky star, which is what has caused all his subsequent misfortune. Thanks to our financial resources and the efforts of the Jias we have managed to avert disaster in this court-case, and perhaps this sudden change on Jin-gui’s part is a sign that his luck has turned for the good…’

It was in fact not far short of a miracle. One day after lunch Aunt Xue thought she would pay Jin-gui a visit, and set off supported by Prosper. She reached the courtyard in front of Jin-gui’s apartment, when she heard a man’s voice engaged in conversation with Jin-gui outside. Prosper called ahead diplomatically:

‘Mrs Pan, Mrs Xue is here to see you!’

They were already in the doorway. As they advanced the figure of a man could be dimly seen escaping behind the door. Aunt Xue recoiled in alarm.

‘Do please come in and sit down, Mother,’ said Jin-gui. ‘That’s only my adopted brother Xia San. He’s from the country and not used to company. This is the first time he has been here and he has never been introduced. He was intending to call on you to pay his respects.’

‘If he is your brother, then I should be glad to meet him,’ said Aunt Xue.

Jin-gui called her brother out from his hiding-place, and he made a bow and paid his respects. Aunt Xue replied politely and sat down.

‘How long have you been in the capital?’ she asked by way of conversation.

‘I was only adopted into the family two months ago. Mother needed someone to look after household business. I arrived the day before yesterday, and came here today to see my new sister.’

Aunt Xue could see that he was rather an uncouth sort of fellow, and did not like to stay long.

‘I must be going,’ she said. ‘Don’t get up.’

Then turning to Jin-gui:

‘As this is your brother’s first visit, please invite him to stay for dinner.’

‘Yes, Mother.’

Aunt Xue took her leave.

When she was out of the room, Jin-gui turned to Xia San.

‘Sit down. I’ve kept our connection open and above board on purpose, so as to avoid suspicion from young Master Ke. I’ve some things I want you to buy for me in town, and I don’t want anyone to know about them.’

‘Of course, sis. Leave it to me. Give me the cash and I’ll guarantee to deliver the goods.’

‘Not so fast: you’d better be careful not to be swindled, or I might not accept delivery…’

After a little more banter of this kind, Jin-gui had dinner with Xia San, after which she specified her commissions, gave him certain other instructions and he went on his way. From that day on he became a frequent visitor at Jin-gui’s apartment. The old janitor usually let him through without going through the proper procedure of making an announcement, knowing him to be Mrs Pan’s brother. His visits provided the wherewithal for many a plot. But we anticipate.

*

One day a letter arrived from Xue Pan. Aunt Xue opened it and sent for Bao-chai to read it to her. This is what it said:

‘Dear Mother,

I am being reasonably treated here in prison, so please set your mind at rest. I had some bad news yesterday however, from the clerk of the court. My sentence was approved at the prefectural level - I presume the family had been in touch with the prefect. But when the case came up before the circuit court, the Taotai rejected the judgement. The secretary here at the yamen has been very helpful and has sent an immediate petition in defence of the original judgement. But the Taotai has issued an official statement reprimanding the local mandarin for malpractice. He wants me to appear before the circuit court. If I do, I could be in trouble again. We can’t have approached the Taotai yet. Please send someone to do this as soon as my letter reaches you. And send Cousin Ke here at once. Any delay may result in my being sent under escort to the circuit court. On no account stint the money! Extremely urgent!’

This sent Aunt Xue into floods of tears. Bao-chai and Xue Ke did their best to calm her down, while at the same time impressing upon her the need to act swiftly. Once again she was obliged to part with her nephew – bags were packed, money weighed out, and Xue Ke prepared to set off that same night with one of the family shop-assistants. It was a night of feverish activity, and Bao-chai herself stayed up till the early hours, helping and making sure that nothing was overlooked by the servants. The combination of nervous strain and physical exhaustion proved too much for a girl of her gentle nature and refined upbringing, and the next morning she went down with a fever and was unable to swallow water or medicine.

Oriole reported this at once to Aunt Xue, who came hurrying over. Finding Bao-chai unable to speak, her face bright red, her body burning hot to the touch, she immediately panicked and burst into tears. Bao-qin tried to comfort and support her aunt, while Caltrop was so affected by Bao-chai’s appearance that she could only stand by the bedside calling her name and weeping. Bao-chai was too weak to speak or move her hands. Her eyes were dry, her nose blocked. They sent for the doctor, whose prescription gradually brought her round and to the family’s intense relief the immediate crisis seemed to have been averted. The news had already reached the various inner apartments of the Rong-guo and Ning-guo mansions, and a maid soon arrived from Xi-feng’s with one of her Ten Fragrances Revivifying Pills, followed by a maid with one of Lady Wang’s Most Precious Pills. Grandmother Jia, Lady Xing, Lady Wang and all the ladies from both mansions including You-shi all sent maids to inquire how she was getting on, but all agreed that her illness should be kept a secret from Bao-yu. She went on taking various remedies for seven or eight days with no real improvement; it was only when she remembered her own Cold Fragrance Pills and took three of these that she began to recover. By the time Bao-yu learnt of her illness, she was already better and he did not go to visit her.

A letter arrived from Xue Ke, which Aunt Xue did not show to Bao-chai, for fear of upsetting her. She read it herself and went straight to Lady Wang to beg for her help, at the same time giving her an account of Bao-chai’s condition. After Aunt Xue had gone to bed, Lady Wang went in to plead with Jia Zheng.

‘With the higher-ranking officials a word is usually sufficient; but these provincials clearly need a more tangible incentive,’ he said somewhat grimly. ‘We shall have to dip into our pockets.’

Lady Wang went on to talk of Bao-chai:

‘The poor girl! I feel responsible for her: she is almost one of the family. The sooner she and Bao-yu are married the better. It is ruining her health the way things are.’

‘I agree,’ replied Jia Zheng. ‘But her family are very disorganized at present. And besides, it is midwinter. New Year will soon be upon us, and we shall all be busy putting our affairs in order. I propose the following timetable: the betrothal can take place sometime during the winter; early next year they can exchange presents; and the ceremony itself should be fixed for sometime after Mother’s birthday. I should like you to put this to your sister.’

‘I will,’ replied Lady Wang.

The next day she told Aunt Xue, who thought the proposal a good one. After lunch the two of them went to see Grandmother Jia.

‘Have you just come over, my dear?’ inquired Grandmother Jia of Aunt Xue, after the usual courtesies had been exchanged.

‘No, I was here yesterday,’ replied Aunt Xue. ‘But as it was rather late, I was not able to come and pay my respects.’

Lady Wang repeated Jia Zheng’s proposal to Grandmother Jia, who seemed very happy with it. While they were talking, Bao-yu came into the room.

‘Have you had your lunch yet?’ asked his grandmother.

‘I’ve been home for lunch,’ he replied, ‘and now I’m on my way back to school. I called in to see you, Grannie, and also I heard that Aunt Xue was here and wanted to pay my respects.’

Turning to Aunt Xue he continued:

‘Is Cousin Chai quite better now?’

Aunt Xue smiled.

‘Yes she is.’

Bao-yu noticed that his arrival had caused a sudden lull in the conversation. After sitting with them for a few minutes, he also noticed that Aunt Xue was not being as affectionate towards him as usual, and mused to himself:

‘Even if she’s not in a good mood, I don’t see why they have to stop talking to me altogether…’

He set off for school greatly perplexed by what had happened.

That evening on his return he paid his usual evening calls and made his way to the Naiad’s House. Lifting the door-curtain, he went in and was received by Nightingale. Seeing that there was no one in the inner room, he asked Nightingale where Dai-yu had gone, and was informed that she had gone to call on Grandmother Jia.

Miss Lin heard that Mrs Xue was there, said Nightingale, ‘and wanted to pay her respects. Haven’t you been there this evening, Master Bao?’

‘Yes, I’ve just come from there, but I didn’t see Miss Lin.’

‘Wasn’t she there?’

‘No. Where could she have gone?’

‘I’m not sure.’

Bao-yu was about to set off again when he caught sight of the graceful figure of Dai-yu walking slowly towards the door with Snowgoose.

‘You’re back, coz!’ he exclaimed, stepping aside to let her pass, and then following her inside. She walked into the inner room.

‘Do come in and sit down,’ she said to Bao-yu. Nightingale fetched another jacket and helped her into it. She sat down and asked him:

‘Did you see Mrs Xue at Grandmother’s?’

‘Yes, I did,’ replied Bao-yu.

‘Did she mention me at all?’

‘No. And she didn’t seem as friendly as usual towards me either. When I asked after Cousin Chai she just smiled and hardly said anything. I hope I haven’t offended her by not going over to visit Chai this last couple of days.’

Dai-yu gave a short laugh.

‘Have you been to see her?’

‘I didn’t know she was ill at first,’ protested Bao-yu, ‘I only heard a day or two ago, and I still haven’t been…’

‘Well that’s certain to be the reason…’

‘The truth is that neither Grandmother, Mother nor Father would let me go, and how could I without their permission? I used to be able to drop round and see her ten times a day if I felt like it; but now they’ve closed the little side-gate and I have to go round by the front, which is such a performance.’

‘But how’s she supposed to know all that?’

‘You know Chai: she’s sure to make allowances for me.’

‘You shouldn’t take it for granted,’ retorted Dai-yu. ‘Perhaps she won’t. It’s not as if it’s her mother who’s been ill: it’s Chai herself. Think of all the poetry contests, all the pleasures you’ve shared with her in the past – the flowers, the wine, the parties. Now she’s separated from us, and you know the troubles her family are having, yet when she falls seriously ill you behave with complete indifference. She’s bound to be offended.’

Bao-yu: ‘Surely you don’t mean she doesn’t like me any more?’

Dai-yu: ‘I have no idea. I can only surmise how she might reasonably be expected to feel.’

Bao-yu stared in silence. Dai-yu ignored him, told one of her maids to put some more incense on the brazier, took out a book and began reading it. After a minute or two Bao-yu frowned and stamped his foot fretfully.

‘What’s the point in my being alive? The world would be an altogether better place without this thing called “me”.’

‘Can’t you see?’ said Dai-yu. ‘It’s the illusion of “me” that creates the illusion of “others”, and a life lived under these twin illusions is bound to be beset with frustrations, fears, confusion, foolish dreams and a host of other obstacles and entanglements. I wasn’t speaking in earnest earlier on. Mrs Xue was just in low spirits when you saw her. There was no need for you to bring Cousin Chai into it. Mrs Xue came over because of Cousin Pan’s court-case. She was worried, and it’s hardly surprising she wasn’t in the mood to entertain you. You just allowed your imagination to run away with you and lead you astray.’

Her words brought Bao-yu a sudden sense of enlightenment.

‘Of course!’ he exclaimed with a laugh. ‘That’s exactly it! You’re so much more perceptive than I am! No wonder you defeated me with that koan last year, when I was so wrought up. For all my pretensions, I need you to guide me to the truth. This bumptious Buddha bows to your Single Flower!’

‘In that case,’ said Dai-yu, seeing her opportunity, ‘prepare yourself for another inquisition.’

Bao-yu crossed his legs, brought the palms of his hands together, closed his eyes, pursed his lips and said:

‘Pray begin.’

Dai-yu: ‘Now, let the First of my Propositions be that Cousin Chai likes you. Proposition the Second: she likes you not. The Third: she liked you a few days ago, but does no more. The Fourth: she does today, but will not do tomorrow. The Fifth: you like her, but she likes you not. The Sixth and last: she likes you, but you like her not. Consider these Six Propositions well.’

For several minutes Bao-yu was completely silent. Then suddenly he burst out laughing and cried:

‘If all the Seas of Paradise were mine, with my simple gourd I’d be content.’

Dai-yu: ‘What if your gourd is carried away by the stream?’

Bao-yu: ‘Never! Wherever the stream flows, the gourd will always hold its own course.’

Dai-yu: ‘What if the flow comes to an end and your Pearl sinks?’

Bao-yu: ‘ “Like a catkin held fast in a puddle,

This Zen Mind: Not a partridge, gaily cavorting In the spring wind.” ’

Dai-yu: ‘The first rule of Zen is not to tell lies.’

Bao-yu: ‘But it’s the truth, so help me Buddha, the Dharma and the Holy Brotherhood.’

Dai-yu lowered her head in silence. She heard a ‘caw-caw’ outside the window, and a crow flew up into the sky, wheeling towards the south-east.

Bao-yu: ‘What sort of an omen is that?’

Dai-yu: ‘Our fates cannot be learned from the cries of birds.’

Before Bao-yu could think of a reply, Ripple came into the room and said: ‘Master Bao, please hurry! The Master sent someone to the Garden to ask if you were home from school yet. Aroma said you were, so you’d better be quick!’

Bao-yu jumped to his feet and hurried out in alarm. Dai-yu did not try to detain him. For the outcome, please read the next chapter.