第一一二回

第一一二回 活冤孽妙尼遭大劫 死雠仇赵妾赴冥曹

话说凤姐命捆起上夜众女人送营审问，女人跪地哀求。林之孝同贾芸道：“你们求也无益。老爷派我们看家，没有事是造化，如今有了事，上下都担不是，谁救得你。若说是周瑞的干儿子，连太太起，里里外外的都不干净。”凤姐喘吁吁的说道：“这都是命里所招，和他们说什么，带了他们去就是了。这丢的东西你告诉营里去说，实在是老太太的东西，问老爷们才知道。等我们报了去，请了老爷们回来，自然开了失单送来。文官衙门[3]里我们也是这样报。”贾芸林之孝答应出去。

惜春一句话也没有，只是哭道：“这些事我从来没有听见过，为什么偏偏碰在咱们两个人身上！明儿老爷太太回来，叫我怎么见人！说把家里交给咱们，如今闹到这个分儿，还想活着么！”凤姐道：“咱们愿意吗！现在有上夜的人在那里。”惜春道：“你还能说，况且你又病着。我是没有说的。这都是我大嫂子害了我的，他撺掇着太太派我看家的。如今我的脸搁在那里呢！”说着，又痛哭起来。凤姐道：“姑娘，你快别这么想，若说没脸，大家一样的。你若这么糊涂想头，我更搁不住了。”二人正说着，只听见外头院子里有人大嚷的说道：“我说那三姑六婆[4]是再要不得的，我们甄府里从来是一概不许上门的，不想这府里倒不讲究这个呢。昨儿老太太的殡才出去，那个什么庵里的尼姑死要到咱们这里来，我吆喝着不准他们进来，腰门上的老婆子倒骂我，死央及叫放那姑子进去。那腰门子一会儿开着，一会儿关着，不知做什么，我不放心没敢睡，听到四更这里就嚷起来。我来叫门倒不开了，我听见声儿紧了，打开了门，见西边院子里有人站着，我便赶走打死了。我今儿才知道，这是四姑奶奶的屋子。那个姑子就在里头，今儿天没亮溜出去了，可不是那姑子引进来的贼么。”平儿等听着，都说：“这是谁这么没规矩？姑娘奶奶都在这里，敢在外头混嚷吗。”凤姐道：“你听见说‘他甄府里’，别就是甄家荐来的那个厌物罢。”惜春听得明白，更加心里过不的。凤姐接着问惜春道：“那个人混说什么姑子，你们那里弄了个姑子住下了？”惜春便将妙玉来瞧他留着下棋守夜的话说了。凤姐道：“是他么，他怎么肯这样，是再没有的话。但是叫这讨人嫌的东西嚷出来，老爷知道了也不好。”惜春愈想愈怕，站起来要走。凤姐虽说坐不住，又怕惜春害怕弄出事来，只得叫他先别走，“且看着人把偷剩下的东西收起来，再派了人看着才好走呢。”平儿道：“咱们不敢收，等衙门里来了踏看了才好收呢。咱们只好看着。但只不知老爷那里有人去了没有？”凤姐道：“你叫老婆子问去。”一回进来说：“林之孝是走不开，家下人要伺候查验的，再有的是说不清楚的，已经芸二爷去了。”凤姐点头，同惜春坐着发愁。

且说那伙贼原是何三等邀的，偷抢了好些金银财宝接运出去，见人追赶，知道都是那些不中用的人，要往西边屋内偷去，在窗外看见里面灯光底下两个美人：一个姑娘，一个姑子。那些贼那顾性命，顿起不良，就要踹进来，因见包勇来赶，才获赃而逃。只不见了何三。大家且躲入窝家。到第二天打听动静，知是何三被他们打死，已经报了文武衙门。这里是躲不住的，便商量趁早归入海洋大盗一处，去若迟了，通缉文书一行，关津[5]上就过不去了。内中一个人胆子极大，便说：“咱们走是走，我就只舍不得那个姑子，长的实在好看。不知是那个庵里的雏儿[6]呢？”一个人道：“啊呀，我想起来了，必就是贾府园里的什么栊翠庵里的姑子。不是前年外头说他和他们家什么宝二爷有原故，后来不知怎么又害起相思病来了，请大夫吃药的就是他。”那一个人听了，说：“咱们今日躲一天，叫咱们大哥借钱置办些买卖行头[7]，明儿亮钟[8]时候陆续出关。你们在关外二十里坡等我。”众贼议定，分赃俵散[9]。不题。

且说贾政等送殡，到了寺内安厝[10]毕，亲友散去。贾政在外厢房伴灵，邢、王二夫人等在内，一宿无非哭泣。到了第二日，重新上祭。正摆饭时，只见贾芸进来，在老太太灵前磕了个头，忙忙的跑到贾政跟前跪下请了安，喘吁吁的将昨夜被盗，将老太太上房的东西都偷去，包勇赶贼打死了一个，已经呈报文武衙门的话说了一遍。贾政听了发怔。邢、王二夫人等在里头也听见了，都唬得魂不附体，并无一言，只有啼哭。贾政过了一会子问失单怎样开的，贾芸回道：“家里的人都不知道，还没有开单。”贾政道：“还好，咱们动过家[11]的，若开出好的来反担罪名。快叫琏儿。”贾琏领了宝玉等去别处上祭未回，贾政叫人赶了回来。贾琏听了，急得直跳，一见芸儿，也不顾贾政在那里，便把贾芸狠狠的骂了一顿说：“不配抬举的东西，我将这样重任托你，押着人上夜巡更，你是死人么！亏你还有脸来告诉！”说着，往贾芸脸上啐了几口。贾芸垂手站着，不敢回一言。贾政道：“你骂他也无益了。”贾琏然后跪下说：“这便怎么样？”贾政道：“也没法儿，只有报官缉贼。但只是一件：老太太遗下的东西咱们都没动，你说要银子，我想老太太死得几天，谁忍得动他那一项银子。原打谅完了事算了帐还人家，再有的在这里和南边置坟产的，再有东西也没见数儿。如今说文武衙门要失单，若将几件好的东西开上恐有碍，若说金银若干，衣饰若干，又没有实在数目，谎开使不得。倒可笑你如今竟换了一个人了，为什么这样料理不开！你跪在这里是怎么样呢！”贾琏也不敢答言，只得站起来就走。贾政又叫道：“你那里去？”贾琏又跪下道：“赶回去料理清楚再来回。”贾政哼的一声，贾琏把头低下。贾政道：“你进去回了你母亲，叫了老太太的一两个丫头去，叫他们细细的想了开单子。”贾琏心里明知老太太的东西都是鸳鸯经管，他死了问谁？就问珍珠，他们那里记得清楚。只不敢驳回，连连的答应了，起来走到里头。邢、王夫人又埋怨了一顿，叫贾琏快回去，问他们这些看家的说“明儿怎么见我们！”贾琏也只得答应了出来，一面命人套车预备琥珀等进城，自己骑上骡子，跟了几个小厮，如飞的回去。贾芸也不敢再回贾政，斜签着身子慢慢的溜出来，骑上了马来赶贾琏。一路无话。

到回了家中，林之孝请了安，一直跟了进来。贾琏到了老太太上屋，见了凤姐、惜春在那里，心里又恨又说不出来，便问林之孝道：“衙门里瞧了没有？”林之孝自知有罪，便跪下回道：“文武衙门都瞧了，来踪去迹也看了，尸也验了。”贾琏吃惊道：“又验什么尸？”林之孝又将包勇打死的伙贼似周瑞的干儿子的话回了贾琏。贾琏道：“叫芸儿。”贾芸进来也跪着听话。贾琏道：“你见老爷时怎么没有回周瑞的干儿子做了贼被包勇打死的话？”贾芸说道：“上夜的人说像他的，恐怕不真，所以没有回。”贾琏道：“好糊涂东西！你若告诉了我，就带了周瑞来一认可不就知道了。”林之孝回道：“如今衙门里把尸首放在市口儿招认去了。”贾琏道：“这又是个糊涂东西，谁家的人做了贼，被人打死，要偿命么！”林之孝回道：“这不用人家认，奴才就认得是他。”贾琏听了想道：“是啊，我记得珍大爷那一年要打的可不是周瑞家的么。”林之孝回说：“他和鲍二打架来着，还见过的呢。”贾琏听了更生气，便要打上夜的人。林之孝哀告道：“请二爷息怒，那些上夜的人，派了他们，还敢偷懒？只是爷府上的规矩，三门里一个男人不敢进去的，就是奴才们，里头不叫，也不敢进去。奴才在外同芸哥儿刻刻查点，见三门关的严严的，外头的门一重没有开。那贼是从后夹道子来的。”贾琏道：“里头上夜的女人呢。”林之孝将分更上夜奉奶奶的命捆着等爷审问的话回了。贾琏又问“包勇呢？”林之孝说：“又往园里去了。”贾琏便说：“去叫来。”小厮们便将包勇带来。说：“还亏你在这里，若没有你，只怕所有房屋里的东西都抢了去了呢。”包勇也不言语。惜春恐他说出那话，心下着急。凤姐也不敢言语。只见外头说：“琥珀姐姐等回来了。”大家见了，不免又哭一场。

贾琏叫人检点偷剩下的东西，只有些衣服尺头钱箱未动，馀者都没有了。贾琏心里更加着急，想着“外头的棚杠银、厨房的钱都没有付给，明儿拿什么还呢！”便呆想了一会。只见琥珀等进去，哭了一会，见箱柜开着，所有的东西怎能记忆，便胡乱想猜，虚拟了一张失单，命人即送到文武衙门。贾琏复又派人上夜。凤姐、惜春各自回房。贾琏不敢在家安歇，也不及埋怨凤姐，竟自骑马赶出城外。这里凤姐又恐惜春短见，又打发了丰儿过去安慰。

天已二更。不言这里贼去关门，众人更加小心，谁敢睡觉。且说伙贼一心想着妙玉，知是孤庵女众，不难欺负。到了三更夜静，便拿了短兵器，带了些闷香，跳上高墙。远远瞧见栊翠庵内灯光犹亮，便潜身溜下，藏在房头僻处。等到四更，见里头只有一盏海灯，妙玉一人在蒲团上打坐。歇了一会，便嗳声叹气的说道：“我自元墓到京，原想传个名的，为这里请来，不能又栖他处。昨儿好心去瞧四姑娘，反受了这蠢人的气，夜里又受了大惊。今日回来，那蒲团再坐不稳，只觉肉跳心惊。”因素常一个打坐的，今日又不肯叫人相伴。岂知到了五更，寒颤起来。正要叫人，只听见窗外一响，想起昨晚的事，更加害怕，不免叫人。岂知那些婆子都不答应。自己坐着，觉得一股香气透入囟门，便手足麻木，不能动弹，口里也说不出话来，心中更自着急。只见一个人拿着明晃晃的刀进来。此时妙玉心中却是明白，只不能动，想是要杀自己，索性横了心，倒也不怕。那知那个人把刀插在背后，腾出手来将妙玉轻轻的抱起，轻薄了一会子，便拖起背在身上。此时妙玉心中只是如醉如痴。可怜一个极洁极净的女儿，被这强盗的闷香熏住，由着他掇弄了去了。

却说这贼背了妙玉来到园后墙边，搭了软梯，爬上墙跳出去了。外边早有伙计弄了车辆在园外等着，那人将妙玉放倒在车上，反打起官衔灯笼，叫开栅栏，急急行到城门，正是开门之时。门官只知是有公干出城的，也不及查诘。赶出城去，那伙贼加鞭赶到二十里坡和众强徒打了照面，各自分头奔南海而去。不知妙玉被劫或是甘受污辱，还是不屈而死，不知下落，也难妄拟。

只言栊翠庵一个跟妙玉的女尼，他本住在静室后面，睡到五更，听见前面有人声响，只道妙玉打坐不安。后来听见有男人脚步，门窗响动，欲要起来瞧看，只是身子发软懒怠开口，又不听见妙玉言语，只睁着两眼听着。到了天亮，终觉得心里清楚，披衣起来，叫了道婆预备妙玉茶水，他便往前面来看妙玉。岂知妙玉的踪迹全无，门窗大开。心里诧异，昨晚响动甚是疑心，说：“这样早，他到那里去了？”走出院门一看，有一个软梯靠墙立着，地下还有一把刀鞘，一条搭膊，便道：“不好了，昨晚是贼烧了闷香了！”急叫人起来查看，庵门仍是紧闭。那些婆子女侍们都说：“昨夜煤气熏着了，今早都起不起来，这么早叫我们做什么。”那女尼道：“师父不知那里去了。”众人道：“在观音堂打坐呢。”女尼道：“你们还做梦呢，你来瞧瞧。”众人不知，也都着忙，开了庵门，满园里都找到了，“想来或是到四姑娘那里去了。”

众人来叩腰门，又被包勇骂了一顿。众人说道：“我们妙师父昨晚不知去向，所以来找。求你老人家叫开腰门，问一问来了没来就是了。”包勇道：“你们师父引了贼来偷我们，已经偷到手了，他跟了贼去受用去了。”众人道：“阿弥陀佛，说这些话的防着下割舌地狱！”包勇生气道：“胡说，你们再闹我就要打了。”众人陪笑央告道：“求爷叫开门我们瞧瞧，若没有，再不敢惊动你太爷了。”包勇道：“你不信你去找，若没有，回来问你们。”包勇说着叫开腰门，众人找到惜春那里。

惜春正是愁闷，惦着“妙玉清早去后不知听见我们姓包的话了没有，只怕又得罪了他，以后总不肯来。我的知己是没有了。况我现在实难见人。父母早死，嫂子嫌我，头里有老太太，到底还疼我些，如今也死了，留下我孤苦伶仃，如何了局！”想到：“迎春姐姐磨折死了，史姐姐守着病人，三姐姐远去，这都是命里所招，不能自由。独有妙玉如闲云野鹤，无拘无束。我能学他，就造化不小了。但我是世家之女，怎能遂意。这回看家已大担不是，还有何颜在这里。又恐太太们不知我的心事，将来的后事如何呢？”想到其间，便要把自己的青丝绞去，要想出家。彩屏等听见，急忙来劝，岂知已将一半头发绞去。彩屏愈加着忙，说道：“一事不了又出一事，这可怎么好呢！”正在吵闹，只见妙玉的道婆来找妙玉。彩屏问起来由，先唬了一跳，说是昨日一早去了没来。里面惜春听见，急忙问道：“那里去了？”道婆们将昨夜听见的响动，被煤气熏着，今早不见有妙玉，庵内软梯刀鞘的话说了一遍。惜春惊疑不定，想起昨日包勇的话来，必是那些强盗看见了他，昨晚抢去了也未可知。但是他素来孤洁的很，岂肯惜命？“怎么你们都没听见么？”众人道：“怎么不听见！只是我们这些人都是睁着眼连一句话也说不出，必是那贼子烧了闷香。妙姑一人想也被贼闷住，不能言语；况且贼人必多，拿刀弄杖威逼着，他还敢声喊么？”正说着，包勇又在腰门那里嚷，说：“里头快把这些混帐的婆子赶了出来罢，快关腰门！”彩屏听见恐担不是，只得叫婆子出去，叫人关了腰门。惜春于是更加苦楚，无奈彩屏等再三以礼相劝，仍旧将一半青丝笼起。大家商议不必声张，就是妙玉被抢也当作不知，且等老爷太太回来再说。惜春心里的死定下一个出家的念头，暂且不提。

且说贾琏回到铁槛寺，将到家中查点了上夜的人，开了失单报去的话回了。贾政道：“怎样开的？”贾琏便将琥珀所记得的数目单子呈出，并说：“这上头元妃赐的东西已经注明。还有那人家不大有的东西不便开上，等侄儿脱了孝出去托人细细的缉访，少不得弄出来的。”贾政听了合意，就点头不言。贾琏进内见了邢、王二夫人，商量着“劝老爷早些回家才好呢，不然都是乱麻似的。”邢夫人道：“可不是，我们在这里也是惊心吊胆。”贾琏道：“这是我们不敢说的，还是太太的主意二老爷是依的。”邢夫人便与王夫人商议妥了。

过了一夜，贾政也不放心，打发宝玉进来说：“请太太们今日回家，过两三日再来。家人们已经派定了，里头请太太们派人罢。”邢夫人派了鹦哥等一干人伴灵，将周瑞家的等人派了总管，其馀上下人等都回去。一时忙乱套车备马。贾政等在贾母灵前辞别，众人又哭了一场。

都起来正要走时，只见赵姨娘还爬在地下不起。周姨娘打量他还哭，便去拉他。岂知赵姨娘满嘴白沫，眼睛直竖，把舌头吐出，反把家人唬了一大跳。贾环过来乱嚷。赵姨娘醒来说道：“我是不回去的，跟着老太太回南去。”众人道：“老太太那用你来！”赵姨娘道：“我跟了一辈子老太太，大老爷还不依，弄神弄鬼的来算计我。——我想仗着马道婆要出出我的气，银子白花了好些，也没有弄死了一个。如今我回去了，又不知谁来算计我。”众人听见，早知是鸳鸯附在他身上〔一〕。邢、王二夫人都不言语瞅着。只有彩云等代他央告道：“鸳鸯姐姐，你死是自己愿意的，与赵姨娘什么相干，放了他罢。”见邢夫人在这里，也不敢说别的。赵姨娘道：“我不是鸳鸯，他早到仙界去了。我是阎王差人拿我去的，要问我为什么和马婆子用魇魔法的案件。”说着便叫“好琏二奶奶，你在这里老爷面前少顶一句儿罢，我有一千日的不好还有一天的好呢。好二奶奶，亲二奶奶，并不是我要害你，我一时糊涂，听了那个老娼妇的话。”正闹着，贾政打发人进来叫环儿。婆子们去回说：“赵姨娘中了邪了，三爷看着呢。”贾政道：“没有的事，我们先走了。”于是爷们等先回。这里赵姨娘还是混说，一时救不过来。邢夫人恐他又说出什么来，便说：“多派几个人在这里瞧着他，咱们先走，到了城里打发大夫出来瞧罢。”王夫人本嫌他，也打撒手儿。宝钗本是仁厚的人，虽想着他害宝玉的事，心里究竟过不去，背地里托了周姨娘在这里照应。周姨娘也是个好人，便应承了。李纨说道：“我也在这里罢。”王夫人道：“可以不必。”于是大家都要起身。贾环急忙道：“我也在这里吗？”王夫人啐道：“糊涂东西！你姨妈的死活都不知，你还要走吗！”贾环就不敢言语了。宝玉道：“好兄弟，你是走不得的。我进了城打发人来瞧你。”说毕，都上车回家。寺里只有赵姨娘、贾环、鹦哥等人。

贾政、邢夫人等先后到家，到了上房哭了一场。林之孝带了家下众人请了安，跪着。贾政喝道：“去罢！明日问你！”凤姐那日发晕了几次，竟不能出接，只有惜春见了，觉得满面羞惭。邢夫人也不理他，王夫人仍是照常，李纨、宝钗拉着手说了几句话。独有尤氏说道：“姑娘，你操心了，倒照应了好几天！”惜春一言不答，只紫涨了脸。宝钗将尤氏一拉，使了个眼色。尤氏等各自归房去了。贾政略略的看了一看，叹了口气，并不言语。到书房席地坐下[13]，叫了贾琏、贾蓉、贾芸吩咐了几句话。宝玉要在书房来陪贾政，贾政道：“不必。”兰儿仍跟他母亲。一宿无话。

次日，林之孝一早进书房跪着，贾政将前后被盗的事问了一遍。并将周瑞供了出来，又说：“衙门拿住了鲍二，身边搜出了失单上的东西。现在夹讯，要在他身上要这一伙贼呢。”贾政听了大怒道：“家奴负恩，引贼偷窃家主，真是反了！”立刻叫人到城外将周瑞捆了，送到衙门审问。林之孝只管跪着不敢起来。贾政道：“你还跪着做什么？”林之孝道：“奴才该死，求老爷开恩。”正说着，赖大等一干办事家人上来请了安，呈上丧事帐簿。贾政道：“交给琏二爷算明了来回。”吆喝着林之孝起来出去了。贾琏一腿跪着，在贾政身边说了一句话。贾政把眼一瞪道：“胡说，老太太的事，银两被贼偷去，就该罚奴才拿出来么！”贾琏红了脸不敢言语，站起来也不敢动。贾政道：“你媳妇怎么样？”贾琏又跪下说：“看来是不中用了。”贾政叹口气道：“我不料家运衰败一至如此！况且环哥儿他妈尚在庙中病着，也不知是什么症候，你们知道不知道？”贾琏也不敢言语。贾政道：“传出话去，叫人带了大夫瞧去。”贾琏即忙答应着出来，叫人带了大夫到铁槛寺去瞧赵姨娘。未知死活，下回分解。

[1] 死雠（chóu酬）仇——死对头。雠：仇敌。

[2] 冥曹——即阴曹地府。

[3] 文官衙门——这里指管辖京城事务的地方政府，与上文“营里”即武官衙门相对而言。

[4] 三姑六婆——三姑：尼姑，道姑，卦姑；六婆：牙婆（人贩子），媒婆，师婆（巫婆），虔婆（鸨母），药婆，稳婆（收生婆）。见元代陶宗仪《辍耕录》。

[5] 关津——关塞渡口，泛指关卡。

[6] 雏儿——幼禽。此指少女，含有轻薄的意味。

[7] 买卖行头——指做买卖所需的装备用具。

[8] 亮钟——天快亮时更楼上敲的报晓钟。

[9] 俵（biào鳔）散——分给；散开。

[10] 安厝（cuò错）——本为安葬之意。停柩待葬或暂时浅埋以待改葬也称安厝。厝：同措，置放的意思。

[11] 动过家——讳语，指抄过家。

〔一〕 “众人听见，早知是鸳鸯附在他身上”，各本均同底本，唯程乙本作“众人先只说鸳鸯附着他，后头听说马道婆的事，又不像了。”

[13] 席地坐下——旧时居丧守孝的礼节，孝子只能席地坐卧，即所谓“寝苫枕块”。

CHAPTER 112. Adamantina discharges a karmic debt and receives a blow from the Hand of Providence Aunt Zhao concludes a deadly feud and sets out on the road to the Nether World

The women on night-duty went down on their knees and begged Xi-feng to spare them, but Steward Lin and Jia Yun told them they were wasting their breath:

‘The Master left us to mind the house, and now that things have gone wrong, we must all take our share of the blame. You needn’t think anyone’s going to bale you out. If Zhou Rui’s adopted son is involved, then everyone – from Her Ladyship downwards – men and women, masters and servants, is under suspicion.’

‘Fate has brought this on us,’ said Xi-feng, struggling for breath. ‘Why waste words? Just take them away. As for the stolen things, you must be sure to tell the police that they all belonged to Her Old Ladyship. Only the masters know the details. When we’ve sent word to them and they come home, then of course we can make out a list and hand it in to the police. The same statement must be made to the civil authorities.’

‘Yes, ma’am.’ Jia Yun and Steward Lin went out to execute these instructions.

Xi-chun had said nothing throughout this, but now she began to whimper: ‘I’ve never heard of anything so terrible in all my life! Why did it have to be us? When Uncle Zheng and Aunt Wang come home, how am I to face them? They’ll say they left the house in our hands, they’ll blame us for this disaster. I shall die of shame!’

Xi-feng: ‘It’s not our doing. The women on night-duty must take the blame.’

Xi-chun: ‘It’s all very well for you to say that. You were ill anyway. But I’ve got no excuse! It’s exactly what my sister-in-law planned! She wanted me to come to grief! She deliberately talked Aunt Xing into giving me this responsibility. Now I’m quite disgraced!’ She broke down, sobbing violently.

Xi-feng: ‘You mustn’t take it like that. We are all in disgrace. If you adopt such a silly attitude, how am I to hold my head up?’

As they were speaking they heard a man’s voice shouting in the courtyard:

‘I said we should have no truck with such women. They’re witches and whores the lot of them! The Zhen family never allowed people like that in the house, and I didn’t expect things to be so lax here! Her Old Ladyship’s funeral procession was hardly through the front entrance yesterday when that nun from that Hermitage place came pestering to be let in. I told her straight out that she couldn’t, but then the old women on the side gate turned round and gave me some cheek, and begged her to come in. So some of the time the side gate was closed, some of the time it was open – who could tell what was going on! I lay awake worrying about it till two in the morning, and then I heard shouts coming from the house here. So I called at the gate, but they wouldn’t open up, and as the shouting was getting worse I broke the gate down and came in. I saw some men in the west courtyard, chased them and killed one of them. I only found out today that the place I was in was the courtyard of Miss Xi-chun’s apartment. So the nun was there with her at the very time the burglary took place. She slipped out this morning before dawn. She must have been the one who let the burglars in. She’s the traitor in our midst!’

‘Who is that insolent fellow?’ asked Patience. ‘How dare he use such language with Mrs Lian and Miss Xi-chun here inside?’

‘He mentioned the Zhen family,’ said Xi-feng. ‘It must be that vile servant they palmed off on us.’

Xi-chun had heard and understood Bao Yong only too clearly, and felt more wretched than ever as a consequence.

‘Wasn’t there something about a nun in his babblings?’ Xi-feng continued, turning to Xi-chun. ‘How did you come to have a nun staying with you? Where did she spring from?’

Xi-chun told her that Adamantina had visited her, and that she had stayed on to play Go and keep her company during the night.

‘Oh, Adamantina!’ exclaimed Xi-feng. ‘How could she possibly have betrayed us! What a ridiculous idea! But still, it would be most unfortunate if this loathsome creature’s accusations ever reached Sir Zheng’s ears.’

The more Xi-chun thought about the possible consequences for Adamantina the more distressed she became. She rose to leave, but Xi-feng, though anxious herself to return to her own apartment, feared that Xi-chun might do something rash in her present state, and asked her to wait a little.

‘Before we go, we must make sure they have sorted what’s left of Grandmother’s belongings; and we must set a watch.’

Patience: ‘But nothing can be sorted before the authorities carry out their inspection. Till then we should leave everything as it is. Has anyone been sent to inform Sir Zheng?’

Xi-feng: ‘You’d better send one of the serving-women to find out.’

Presently the reply came back:

‘Steward Lin can’t go himself. Most of the servants are needed to be in attendance for the inspection, and those that can be spared are incapable of explaining things clearly to the Master. So Young Master Yun has already gone.’

Xi-feng nodded, and sat down anxiously with Xi-chun to wait.

The gang, who had been brought together by He San and his friend for the express purpose of burgling Rong-guo House, succeeded in laying their hands on a fair amount of gold, silver and valuables and had already passed it out before they were discovered. Even then they were able to see at a glance that their pursuers were nothing to be afraid of, and therefore moved on to the west courtyard to investigate possibilities for burglary there. Through the window they spied two very attractive young ladies sitting together in the lamplight, one of whom was dressed in a nun’s habit. Their baser instincts were immediately aroused, and they would have burst recklessly in had they not a moment later seen the figure of Bao Yong coming in hot pursuit. They then made a quick getaway, leaving the unfortunate He San behind to the fate we have already described, and reassembled afterwards in secret with their ‘fence’. The next day they learned that He San had been stopped and killed, and that the police and civil authorities had been alerted. It was no longer safe for them in town, and after some discussion they decided to make their way back without delay to their headquarters on the coast and rejoin their pirate friends. A general warrant for their arrest would soon be issued, after which it would be impossible for them to pass through the inspection posts.

There was however one especially brazen character among them.

‘It’s all very well saying we ought to leave town,’ he said. ‘But I’ve still got my eye on that little nun. Beautiful little piece of work! I wonder which convent she’s from, the luscious thing!’

‘Aiyo!’ exclaimed one of the others. ‘I’ve just remembered. She must be that nun who lives right on the premises, in Prospect Garden, in that place they call Green Bower Hermitage. Wasn’t there a story going round a year or two ago about her and their Master Bao? She fell head over heels in love with him and in the end they had to call in the doctor. She must be the one!’

‘In that case,’ said the first, ‘let’s lie low tonight and give the skipper time to buy the gear we need to pass as travelling merchants. Tomorrow at dawn bell you can start leaving town at intervals and wait for me at Seven Mile Bank.’

It was settled. They shared out the spoils and went their separate ways.

When Jia Zheng and the rest of the cortège had conveyed the coffins of Lady Jia and Faithful to the temple and had formally deposited them there until such time as they could be placed in a permanent grave, the various relatives and friends who had accompanied them took their leave. Jia Zheng installed himself in one of the outer wings of the temple as his ‘mourning quarters’, while the ladies stayed in the inner room where the coffins had been placed. There was continuous lamentation throughout the night.

The next morning they began the funeral offerings once more, and were in the act of setting out the sacrificial dishes when Jia Yun burst in. First he kowtowed before Grandmother Jia’s coffin, then he hurried over to Jia Zheng, dropped one knee to the ground and proceeded to give a breathless account of the previous night’s burglary and the loss of Grandmother Jia’s belongings. He described how Bao Yong had given chase and had killed one of the robbers, and concluded by saying that the facts had already been laid before the police and civil authorities. Jia Zheng listened to all this aghast, while the ladies, who overheard with horror from the inner room, were also too shocked to speak and could only sob loudly. Eventually Jia Zheng composed himself sufficiently to ask:

‘What sort of an inventory has been made of the stolen items?’

Jia Yun: ‘None of the servants knew what was there, so the inventory has not been made yet.’

Jia Zheng: ‘A good thing too. After the confiscation, if we were to include things of value in the inventory, we’d be guilty of a further infringement of the law. Tell Lian to come here at once.’

Jia Lian had gone with Bao-yu and some of the other young male Jias to make offerings in a different part of the temple, and hurried back on receiving Jia Zheng’s summons. The news put him in a state of extreme agitation, and in front of Jia Zheng he began cursing and swearing at Jia Yun:

‘Miserable wretch! I entrust you with an important responsibility, and expect you to organize the night-watch properly, and look what you have gone and done! Are you half-dead or something? I’m amazed you have the nerve to come here at all!’

He spat in his face. Jia Yun stood there with his hands hanging at his sides, not daring to breathe a word.

Jia Zheng (to Jia Lian): ‘Swearing at him won’t achieve anything.’

Jia Lian (falling to his knees): ‘What are we to do?’

Jia Zheng: ‘There’s nothing we can do, except wait and hope that the authorities apprehend the thieves. The trouble is we never opened any of Grandmother’s boxes. When you came to me for money, I thought it improper to start taking her silver when she’d only been dead a few days. I decided to wait until after the funeral and to settle all our accounts at once and invest any surplus in trust-estates here and in the South. So we don’t even know exactly what she had left. Now the police want an inventory, and we can hardly include anything of value on it; but at the same time we’ll never get away with “sundry quantities of gold and silver and various items of clothing and jewellery”. Come on, what are you still kneeling down there for, you useless creature!’

Jia Lian did not dare say a word, but rose to his feet and began walking out of the room.

Jia Zheng: ‘Where are you off to now?’

Jia Lian retraced his steps.

‘I thought I should go home at once and try to sort this out properly.’

There was a ‘hm’ from Jia Zheng (signifying, ‘I should think so too’), and Jia Lian hung his head abjectly.

Jia Zheng: ‘Report first to your mother. When you go home, take one or two of Grandmother’s maids with you. Tell them to think carefully, and produce something in the way of an inventory …’

Jia Lian knew that Faithful had been in charge of all Grandmother Jia’s personal effects, and that now she was dead it would be useless to ask Pearl or the other maids to remember. But he hadn’t the nerve to contradict Jia Zheng, and responding docilely to his instructions, he went to the inner room, where he had to endure the reproaches of Ladies Xing and Wang, and was then ordered to hurry home and bid the women on night-duty prepare themselves for their mistresses’ wrath. Assuring his mother and aunt with a somewhat ill grace that he would do as they commanded, Jia Lian went out and ordered one of his men to hire a carriage for Amber and Grandmother Jia’s other maids, while he himself mounted a mule and hastened home with a few of his pages. Jia Yun had no stomach for further confrontations with Jia Zheng, and he sneaked out in a sort of sideways slither, mounted horse and caught up with Jia Lian. Their ride into town passed uneventfully.

Jia Lian was greeted at Rong-guo House by Steward Lin, who led him into Grandmother Jia’s apartment, where they found Xi-feng and Xi-chun waiting. Seething as he was with bitterness towards them both, Jia Lian restrained himself and turned to ask Lin:

‘Have the authorities had a look yet?’

Lin (kneeling guiltily): ‘Both the police and the civil authorities have made an inspection, sir. They discovered the burglars’ tracks, and examined the corpse.’

Jia Lian (with considerable surprise): ‘What corpse?’

Steward Lin told him how Bao Yong had killed one of the burglars, and that the dead man showed a strong resemblance to Zhou Rui’s adopted son.

Jia Lian: ‘Send for Jia Yun!’

When Jia Yun came in, he too fell to his knees before Jia Lian.

Jia Lian: ‘Why didn’t you tell Uncle Zheng about this, that one of the burglars was Zhou Rui’s adopted son, and that he had been killed by Bao Yong?’

Jia Yun: ‘The men on night-duty only said that it looked like him. I was afraid they might turn out to be wrong, so I didn’t mention it.’

Jia Lian: ‘Idiot! If you’d told me, I could have brought Zhou Rui with me to identify the corpse. That would have settled any doubt.’

Lin: ‘The authorities have taken the corpse away and exhibited it in the market-place for identification.’

Jia Lian: ‘That’s pretty damned foolish of them! As if anyone would come forward for a man that’s been killed escaping from a burglary!’

Lin: ‘There’s no need for identification anyway, sir. I recognized the man myself.’

Jia Lian pondered for a minute.

‘Of course! Wasn’t it Zhou Rui’s adopted son that Mr Zhen wanted to have flogged a year or so ago?’

Lin: ‘That’s right, sir. He was caught fighting with Bao Er. You must have seen him at the time.’

Jia Lian was made angrier still by this revelation, and wanted to beat the man on night-duty, but Steward Lin pleaded with him to abate his wrath.

‘They had their orders, sir, and I’m sure they did their duty. But it is a strict family regulation that men are not allowed beyond the inner gate. Even we are not allowed in unless expressly sent for. Master Yun and I did our rounds regularly in the outer apartments; the inner gate was firmly closed, and none of the outer gates was left open. The burglars broke in from a back alley.’

Jia Lian: ‘Where are the women who were supposed to be on night-duty in the inner apartments?’

Lin informed him that on Xi-feng’s instructions the women had all been detained and bound, and were waiting to be interrogated.

Jia Lian: ‘And Bao Yong?’

Lin: ‘He has gone back to the Garden.’

Jia Lian: ‘Send for him.’

The pages went to fetch Bao Yong, and when he arrived Jia Lian praised him for his conduct:

‘It’s a good job you were here! Otherwise I dare say everything in the house would have been taken!’

Bao Yong said nothing. Xi-chun was terrified that he was going to open his mouth and start abusing Adamantina. Xi-feng maintained an apprehensive silence.

It was reported meanwhile that Amber and the other maids had arrived from the temple, and they entered and amid much weeping exchanged greetings with the rest of the household. On Jia Lian’s orders the servants searched Grandmother Jia’s apartment to see what if anything the burglars had left behind, and found nothing but clothes, a few lengths of fabric and some caskets of copper cash. Jia Lian was now more distraught than ever. The men working on the awning and the pall-bearers had not been paid, nor had the extra kitchen expenses for the funeral reception been met. Where was he to find the money now? He brooded morosely, while Amber and the other maids went into Grandmother Jia’s inner rooms and broke into a renewed fit of sobbing as they surveyed the havoc. The boxes and cupboards were all flung open, and how could they possibly remember what had been in them? However, they eventually managed to concoct a list of sorts, which they handed to a servant to deliver to the authorities. Jia Lian issued instructions for that night’s watch, and Xi-feng and Xi-chun went back to their rooms. Jia Lian thought it best not to spend the night at home, and did not even find time to reproach Xi-feng for her part in the affair. As soon as he could get away he mounted horse and galloped back to the temple. Xi-feng was still anxious that Xi-chun might be contemplating suicide, and sent Felicity over to comfort her.

At ten o’clock that night the gates were firmly barred – a somewhat superfluous precaution by now – and everyone lay in bed in a state of nervous wakefulness. But our narrative leaves Rong-guo House and returns to the nun-besotted burglar. He knew that the Hermitage occupied an isolated location in the Garden, and that the nun’s only companions there were a few old matrons and novices, who would present no obstacle. He made his plans accordingly. At midnight, when all was quiet, equipped with a knife and a supply of potent narcotic incense, he scaled the Garden wall, and from his vantage point there he could see in the distance lamps burning in the Hermitage. He crept stealthily across and hid himself in an out-of-the-way corner.

By two o’clock, there was only a single night-light still burning. Adamantina was sitting cross-legged on her mat. She took a short break from her meditations, and after several gusty sighs reflected aloud to herself:

‘When I came to the capital from my old home on Mount Xuan-mu, I had hoped to make a name for myself. But then when the Jias invited me to stay here, I could hardly decline their invitation. And now I can’t even do something as simple and innocent as paying a visit to Xi-chun without being heaped with abuse by some coarse creature. And later in the night I had such a fright! How nervous I’ve been all day, ever since my return. I simply can’t settle down properly and meditate.’

She usually meditated alone, and even today had not asked the others to stay up with her. But suddenly at four o’clock she began to tremble with cold and was about to call out to one of her women when she heard a sound through the window. She thought immediately of what had happened the previous evening and gave a terrified cry for help! But it brought no answer. From where she sat she could detect a strange smell seeping right into her head, and she felt her limbs becoming gradually numb and incapable of movement, her mouth incapable of speech. Panic began to grip her. Helplessly she watched as a stranger entered her room, a man, with a knife glistening in his hand. Though she was paralysed, her mind was still clear, and thinking that she was about to be murdered she steeled herself mentally to her fate and found herself surprisingly free of fear. Then to her amazement the man slipped the knife back into the scabbard slung over his shoulder, came towards her and put both his arms softly round her. He fondled her briefly, then hoisted her up onto his back. By now Adamantina was too groggy to understand what was happening to her. The drugs had sent her into a profound stupor, and she surrendered her virginal body into the stranger’s hands, to do with as he pleased.

With Adamantina on his back, the man made his way to the Garden wall, which he scaled with a rope-ladder, climbing down to where some of his accomplices were waiting with the getaway cart. They bundled her in and set off. The impressive-looking official titles inscribed on the carriage lanterns enabled them to pass through the district barricades, and by the time they reached the city gate it was opening time and the gatekeeper did not even bother to ask any questions, thinking they were on official business. Once out of the city, they pressed on to Seven Mile Bank, where they joined the rest of the gang and agreed to make their ways separately to the South coast.

It is not known what eventually became of Adamantina: whether she submitted willingly to her captor’s desires, or whether she resisted and died in so doing. In the absence of conclusive evidence as to her ultimate fate, it would be futile for us to speculate on that subject. Instead, our narrative returns to the Hermitage. One of the old nuns who had her quarters to the rear of Adamantina’s meditation chamber slept that night until four in the morning, when she was awakened by the sound of voices from the front room. Adamantina must be having a restless spell in her meditations, she concluded. But then afterwards she heard heavy (and unmistakably male) footsteps and the sound of doors and windows opening and closing. She would have risen to investigate, but her limbs had become quite weak and she could not so much as open her mouth to speak. No further sound came from Adamantina’s room, and the old nun lay there till dawn in a stupor, with her eyes wide open. It was only then that her head began to clear; she threw on some clothes and told the old matrons to heat the water for Adamantina’s morning tea. Then she went to the front room, but to her alarm found no trace of Adamantina, and door and windows open wide. She began to have suspicions about the sounds she had heard in the night.

‘Where could she have gone so early in the morning?’ she asked aloud.

Walking out into the Garden, she saw a rope-ladder hanging from the wall, and lying on the ground beneath it a scabbard and sash.

‘Oh my goodness! It must have been a burglar last night! He must have put us all to sleep!’

She called the others to rise and make a search of the Hermitage. The main gate was still firmly closed.

‘Oh dear, the fumes from the stove were terrible last night!’ grumbled the old matrons and young novices alike when they were summoned. ‘None of us felt like getting up this morning. What do you want us for at this ungodly hour?’

‘Sister Adamantina has disappeared!’ exclaimed the nun.

‘She’s probably in Our Lady Guan-yin’s chapel meditating.’

‘You’re all still dreaming! Come and have a look.’

The women finally roused themselves in a flurry of alarm, opened the main gate of the Hermitage and searched throughout the Garden. Then it occurred to them that Adamantina might have gone to visit Xi-chun, and they went in a body to knock at the side gate, only to receive another round of abuse from Bao Yong.

‘We don’t know where Sister Adamantina went last night,’ they said. ‘We’re looking for her. Open up, old fellow, and let us into the house. We just want to find out if she’s been visiting there or not.’

‘She was the one who let the burglars in!’ cried Bao Yong. ‘Now they’ve got what they came for, and she’s gone off with them to enjoy it!’

‘Holy name!’ exclaimed one of the women. ‘You’ll have your tongue cut out in hell for such wicked talk!’

Bao Yong (vehemently): ‘Rubbish! Any more trouble from you and I’ll have to use force.’

Women (smiling obsequiously now and pleading): ‘Please sir, we beseech you, open the gate. Just let us have a look. If she’s not there, we’ll never bother you again.’

Bao Yong: ‘Very well. If you don’t believe me, go in and look for yourselves. But if you don’t find her, I shall want an explanation from you on your way back.’

He opened the gate and the women went in to Xi-chun’s apartment.

Xi-chun was in very low spirits that morning, and was still brooding about what had happened the previous day:

‘Adamantina went home so early yesterday. I wonder if she heard what that servant Bao Yong said. If he has offended her again, she’ll never come and visit me; and then I shall have lost my only real friend in the world. With Mother and Father both dead and my own sister-in-law hating me the way she does, I find it so hard to face other people. Before there was always Granny Jia, I knew I could count on her for affection. Now that she’s gone too, I’m utterly alone. What will become of me?’

She thought of the other girls and their various fates:

‘Ying-chun driven to her death; Xiang-yun married to a consumptive; Tan-chun living at the other end of the world … Each one of them had her destiny, and each was powerless to change its course. Adamantina is the only free one among us, free as a wandering cloud or a wild crane. If I could only be like her, how happy I would be! But how can I hope to follow her example? I belong to a wealthy family! And now I’ve let even my family down, and I’m in complete disgrace. Neither Aunt Wang nor Aunt Xing understands how I feel. There’s no telling how life will turn out for me!’

She was more resolved than ever to take the final, irrevocable step, to cut her hair and by so doing signal once and for all her entry into the religious life. Landscape and the other maids heard the snip of the scissors and hurried over, but they were too late. She had already removed a good half of her hair.

‘Before one disaster is over, here’s another!’ cried Landscape in alarm. ‘What are we to do now?’

This was the state of disarray that prevailed in Xi-chun’s apartment when Adamantina’s old women arrived on their search. Landscape enquired what their mission was and was shocked to hear of Adamantina’s disappearance.

‘She left us early yesterday morning and hasn’t been back since,’ she informed them. Xi-chun overheard from inside and asked in alarm:

‘Where has Adamantina gone?’

One of the women told the tale, how they had heard sounds in the night, had been put to sleep by the incense, had found Adamantina missing in the morning and discovered the rope-ladder and scabbard by the Garden wall. Xi-chun was both distressed and puzzled. She recalled Bao Yong’s accusations of the previous day, but dismissed them at once from her mind, reflecting that most probably the burglars had spotted Adamantina and come back during the night to carry her off. But she knew Adamantina; surely a person of such chastity and pride would have died rather than submit to such indignity?

‘Didn’t you hear anything?’ she asked of the women.

‘We heard,’ they replied. ‘But we couldn’t do anything. We could only lie there with our eyes wide open, unable to say a word. The burglars must have put us to sleep by burning some sort of incense. And Sister Adamantina must have been overcome with the fumes too. That’s why she couldn’t speak either. Besides, there were probably a lot of them, armed to the hilt, so she would have been too scared to make a noise or cry out.’

Bao Yong could be heard yelling from the gate:

‘Get those stupid old hags out of here and close the gate at once!’

Landscape, who was afraid of causing fresh trouble, told the women to leave immediately and gave orders for the gate to be closed.

Xi-chun was now more miserable than ever. Landscape and her other maids repeatedly urged her to take a more reasonable view, and persuaded her to put up the remaining portion of her hair.

‘We mustn’t spread the word about Adamantina,’ they all agreed. ‘Even if it is true, we must behave as if we know nothing until Sir Zheng and Lady Wang come home.’

From this day, Xi-chun’s determination to renounce the world was immovable. But of this no more at present.

When Jia Lian returned to the Temple of the Iron Threshold, he reported to Jia Zheng that he had interrogated the men on night-duty and had seen to it that an inventory was prepared and delivered to the authorities.

‘How did you manage with the inventory?’ asked Jia Zheng.

Jia Lian showed him a copy of the list Amber had made up from memory, adding:

‘All Grandmother’s presents from Her Grace are clearly indicated. Any other unusual or conspicuous items have been left off the list. When my period of mourning is over, I shall instigate a search for those items and am confident we shall find them.’

Jia Zheng thought this course of action wise, and nodded his silent approval.

Jia Lian went in to see Ladies Xing and Wang, and begged them to urge Jia Zheng to return home as soon as possible. The longer they stayed away the greater the chaos would be when they got back.

‘I quite agree,’ said Lady Xing. ‘So long as we stay here, we’ll only be in this dreadful suspense anyway.’

‘I would not dare suggest an early departure myself,’ said Jia Lian. ‘But if it came from you, Mother, I am sure Uncle Zheng would agree.’

Lady Xing discussed the matter with Lady Wang, and they both agreed that Lian’s suggestion was a good one.

As it turned out, by the next morning Jia Zheng was himself anxious to return and sent Bao-yu in to the ladies with this message:

‘I propose that we return today and resume our mourning here in two or three days’ time. I have given the necessary instructions to those of my servants who are staying behind; would the ladies be so good as to do likewise?’

Lady Xing instructed Parrot and some of the other maids to stay as mourners, and left Zhou Rui’s wife and a few of the older stewardesses in overall charge. Everyone else was to return home. There was an immediate bustle of activity as carriages were prepared and horses saddled, and Jia Zheng led the family in a final lamentation, bidding ceremonial farewell to Grandmother Jia’s mortal remains.

They had all risen from their prostrations and were about to leave, when they noticed that Aunt Zhao was still down on her knees. Aunt Zhou thought she must still be weeping and came over to help her up. But something more than grief had incapacitated her; she was foaming at the mouth, her eyes were fixed in a glassy stare, her tongue protruded from her face. The sight gave everyone a nasty turn, and Jia Huan came up to his mother crying frantically, which seemed to bring her round momentarily.

‘I won’t go home!’ she began babbling. ‘I’m going back to the South with Lady Jia!’

‘But why should Lady Jia need you to go with her?’ they asked.

‘I’ve been with her all my life. Sir She wanted to separate us and tried all manner of tricks to lay his hands on me. I thought old Mother Ma could help me get my own back but that was all money wasted: it didn’t work, nobody died. Now if I go home, I’m afraid someone may try to take revenge!’

At first they thought she was possessed by the spirit of Faithful, but her subsequent reference to Mother Ma pointed to something quite different. The ladies said nothing, but Suncloud and some of the other maids interceded with the spirit on Aunt Zhao’s behalf:

‘Sister Faithful, your death was of your own choosing; what does it have to do with Mrs Zhao? Please set her free!’

With Lady Xing present they didn’t dare say any more.

‘I’m not Faithful!’ protested Aunt Zhao. ‘I’ve been sent for by King Yama of the Nether World. He wants to question me about Mother Ma and the black magic …’

She dropped her voice to a whisper, and continued:

‘Oh Mrs Lian, put in a good word for me with Lord Yama! For all the bad that I’ve done, there must be some good! Dear Mrs Lian! Dearest Mrs Lian! I never meant to harm you! I was such a fool! I should never have listened to that old slut!’

While this extraordinary scene was taking place, Jia Zheng sent in a servant to fetch Jia Huan. One of the serving-women went out to inform the Master that Aunt Zhao was possessed by some evil spirit, and that Jia Huan was looking after her.

‘What nonsense!’ exclaimed Jia Zheng brusquely. ‘We’re leaving now anyway.’

So the men set off, while Aunt Zhao continued to rave deliriously and no one could bring her to her senses. Lady Xing was afraid she might say something even more indiscreet.

‘Leave some women here to keep an eye on her,’ she ordered. ‘We really must be going. When we reach the city we’ll send a doctor.’

Lady Wang had always disliked Aunt Zhao and was only too glad to abandon her. Bao-chai, on the other hand, was less ill-disposed towards her; she knew that Aunt Zhao had tried to harm Bao-yu, but could not help feeling sorry for her all the same and secretly asked Aunt Zhou to stay behind with her. Aunt Zhou was a good soul, and agreed to do so. Li Wan volunteered to stay as well, but was informed curtly by Lady Wang that her presence would be unnecessary.

They were now ready to leave.

‘What about me?’ asked Jia Huan in some alarm. ‘Do I have to stay too?’

‘You great booby!’ retorted Lady Wang contemptuously (and not a little hypocritically). ‘Would you forsake your own mother when she is at death’s door?’

Jia Huan dared not utter another word.

‘Dear brother,’ said Bao-yu, ‘you really ought to stay. As soon as we get to town, I’ll send someone out to you.’

They climbed into their carriages and returned home, leaving Aunt Zhao with Aunt Zhou, Jia Huan and a few serving-women at the temple.

When they reached home, Jia Zheng, the ladies and the rest of the family went to Grandmother Jia’s apartment and tearfully surveyed the scene. Steward Lin came in at the head of the domestic staff to pay their respects.

‘Get out!’ shouted Jia Zheng as they fell to their knees. ‘I shall deal with you tomorrow!’

Xi-feng had already fainted several times that day, and was too weak to come out and welcome them home. The only person to receive them was Xi-chun, looking extremely ashamed of herself. Lady Xing ignored her entirely, Lady Wang was her reasonable self, while Li Wan and Bao-chai took her by the hand and spoke a few comforting words. You-shi predictably had a barbed comment to make:

‘What a deal of trouble we have put you to these last few days, my dear!’

Xi-chun could say nothing in reply, but only blushed a deep crimson from ear to ear. Bao-chai took You-shi aside and gave her a meaningful look. The ladies went to their rooms.

Jia Zheng examined the extent of the damage, heaving many a silent sigh. He went into his study and, sitting on his mourning mat, sent for Jia Lian, Jia Rong and Jia Yun and gave the three of them a short homily. Bao-yu wanted to wait on him in the study, but Jia Zheng said it would not be necessary. Jia Lian went to his mother’s room. That night passed uneventfully.

First thing next morning Steward Lin came into the study and knelt before Jia Zheng, who asked him for a full account of the calamity. Lin mentioned that Zhou Rui was involved:

‘Mr Lian’s servant Bao Er has been arrested, and some of the items on the inventory of stolen property have been found on his person. He is being interrogated, and they hope to trace the burglars through him.’

This piece of information threw Jia Zheng into a rage:

‘That our servants should have the base ingratitude to betray us to thieves, that they steal from their own masters! It is sheer treason!’

He sent a man at once to the temple to bind Zhou Rui and deliver him to the authorities for questioning. Lin remained kneeling and did not dare rise to his feet.

‘What are you still down there for?’

‘I deserve to die, sir! I beg your forgiveness!’

Lai Da and some of the other stewards now came in to pay their respects and to present the various bills for funeral expenses.

‘Give these to Mr Lian to deal with. He can report back to me afterwards.’

Jia Zheng bellowed at Lin to get up and leave the study. Jia Lian now knelt on one knee and whispered a suggestion in Jia Zheng’s ear.

‘Out of the question!’ snapped Jia Zheng, glowering at Lian. ‘Just because the money for Mother’s funeral has been taken by thieves, does that mean we must stoop to fining our own servants?’

Jia Lian blushed and said nothing further. He stood up but dared not move.

‘How is it with your wife?’ asked Jia Zheng.

Jia Lian knelt again.

‘I’m afraid she is near the end.’

Jia Zheng sighed.

‘I never dreamt that our family would crumble as quickly as this! And now, to add to our misfortunes, Huan’s mother has been taken ill at the temple, and we still don’t know what’s the matter with her. Do you know anything about this?’

Jia Lian did not dare breathe a word.

‘Tell one of the servants,’ said Jia Zheng, ‘to take a doctor out there and have a look at her, will you?’

‘Yes, Uncle.’

Jia Lian went out at once, and executed these instructions. To learn if Aunt Zhao survived or not, please turn to the next chapter.