 Section 1 of the Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2 by Chao Shui Chin, translated by Henry Pencroft Jolly, Chapter 25, Part 1. By a demonical act, a junior uncle and an elder brother's wife, Pao Yu and Lady Feng, came across five devils. The gem of spiritual perception meets, in a fit of torpor, the two perfect men. Xiaohong, the story continues, was much unsettled in her mind. Her thoughts rolled on in one connected string. But suddenly she became drowsy, and falling asleep, she encountered Xiaoyun, who tried to carry out his intention to drag her near him. She twisted herself round and endeavored to run away, but was tripped over by the doorstep. This gave her such a start that she woke up. Then at length she realized that it was only a dream. But so restlessly did she, in consequence of this fright, keep on rolling and tossing, that she could not close her eyes during the whole night. As soon as the light of the next day dawned, she got up. Several waiting-maids came at once to tell her to go and sweep the floors of the rooms, and to bring water to wash the face with. Xiaohong did not even wait to arrange her hair or perform her ablutions. But, turning towards the looking-glass, she pinned a chevelier up anyhow and rinsing her hands and tying a sash around her waist. She repaired directly to sweep the apartments. Who would have thought it? Pao Yu also had his heart set upon her the moment he caught sight of her the previous day. Yet he feared, in the first place, that if he mentioned her by name and called her over into his service, Xi Jinping and the other girls might feel the pangs of jealousy. He did not, either in the second place, have any idea what her disposition was like. The consequence was that he felt downcast. So much so that when he got up at an early hour, he did not even comb his hair or wash, but simply remain seated and brooded in a state of abstraction. After a while, he lowered the window. Through the girl's frame, from which he could distinctly discern what was going on outside, he aspired several servant girls engaged in sweeping the court. All of them were ruzed and powdered. They had flowers inserted in their hair and were grandly got up. But the only one of whom he failed to get a glimpse was the girl he had met the day before. Pa Yu speedily walked out of the door with slip-shot shoes, under the pretense of admiring the flowers. He glanced, now towards the east, now towards the west. But upon raising his head, he described, in the southwest corner, someone or other leaning by the side of the railing under the covered passage. A crab-apple tree, however, obstructed the view, and he could not see distinctly who it was. So, advancing a step further in, he stared with intent gaze. It was, in point of fact, the waiting-maid of the day before, tearing about, plunged in a reverie. His wish was to go forward and meet her, but he did not, on the other hand, see how he could very well do so. Just as he was cogitating within himself, he, of a sudden perceived peahen, come and ask him to go and wash his face. This reminder placed him under the necessity of taking himself into his room. But we will leave him there, without further details, so as to return to Xiaohong. She was communing with her own thoughts. But unaware, perceiving Xizhen, wave her hand and call her by name, she had to walk up to her. A warring pot is spoiled, Xizhen smiled and said. So go to Miss Lin's over there, and find one for us to use. Xiaohong hastened on her way towards the Xiao Xiang Kun. When she got as far as at Xiyuan Bridge, she saw, on raising her head and looking round, the mounds and lofty places entirely shut in by screens. And she bethought herself that laborers were that day to plant trees in that particular locality. At a great distance off, a band of men were, in very deed, engaged in digging up the soil, while Qiaoyun was seated on a boulder on the hill, superintending the works. The time came for Xiaohong to pass by, but she could not muster the courage to do so. Nevertheless, she had no other cause than to quietly proceed to the Xiao Xiang Kun. Then, getting the water pot, she sped on her way back again. By being in low spirits, she retired alone into her room and lay herself down. One and all, however, simply maintained that she was out of sorts, so they did not pay any heed to her. A day went by. On the morrow fell, in fact, the anniversary of the birth of Wang Zuting's spouse, and someone was dispatched from his residence to come and invite Daoizhe Lady Chia and Madam Wang. Madam Wang found out, however, that Daoizhe Lady Chia would not avail herself of the invitation, and neither would she go. So, Mrs. Xue went along with the Lady Feng and the three sisters of the Chia family and Pau Chai and Pau Yu, and only returned home late in the evening. Madam Wang was seated in Mrs. Xue's apartment, with her she had just crossed when she received Xiaohong come back from school, and she bade him transcribe incantations out of the Qin Kang cannon and intonate them. Chia Huan accordingly came and seated himself on the stove couch occupied by Madam Wang, and directing a servant to light the candles, he started copying in an ostentatious and dashing manner. Now he called Sai Xia to pour a cup of tea for him. Now he called Yu Chuan to take the scissors and cut the snuff off the wick. Qin Chuan, he next cried, you're in the way of the rays of the lamp. The servant girls had all along entertained an antipathy for him, and not one of them therefore worried her mind about what he said. Sai Xia was the only one who still got on well with him, so pouring a cup of tea she handed it to him, but she felt prompted to whisper to him, keep quiet a bit, what's the use of making people dislike you? I know myself how matters stand, Chia Huan rejoined as he cast a steady glance at her, so don't you try and be fool me. Now that you are on intimate terms with Pa Yu, you don't pay much heed to me, I've also seen through it myself. Sai Xia set her teeth together and gave him a phillip on the head. You heartless fellow, she cried, you're like the dog that bit Lu Tung Pin, and you have no idea of what's right and what's wrong. While these two nagged away, they noticed Lady Feng and Madam Wang come across over to them. Madam Wang at once assailed him with questions. She asked him how many ladies had been present on that day, whether the play had been good or bad, and what the banquet had been like. But a brief interval over, Pa Yu too appeared on the scene. After saluting Madam Wang, he also made a few remarks with all decorum and then bidding a servant remove his frontlet, divest him off his long gown and pull off his boots, he rushed head foremost into his mother's lap. Madam Wang caressed and padded him, but while Pa Yu clung to his mother's neck, he spoke to her of one thing and then another. My child said Madam Wang, you've again had too much to drink, your face is scalding hot and if you still keep on rubbing and scraping it, why you'll bind by stir up the fumes of wine. Don't you yet go and lie down quietly over there for a while. Chiding him the while, she directed a servant to fetch a pillow. Pa Yu therefore lay himself down at the back of Madam Wang and called Tsai Xia to come and stroke him. Pa Yu then began to bendy words with Tsai Xia, perceiving that Tsai Xia was reserved and that instead of paying him any attention, she kept her eyes fixed upon Jia Huan. Pa Yu eagerly took her hand. My dear girl, he said, do also heed me a little. And as he gave utterance to this appeal, he kept her hand clasped in his. Tsai Xia, however, drew her hand away and would not let him hold it. If you go on in this way, she vehemently explained, I'll shout out at once. These two were in the act of wrangling when verily Jia Huan overheard what was going on. He had, in fact, all along hated Pa Yu, so when on this occasion he aspired him up to his larks with Tsai Xia, he could much less than ever stifle feelings of resentment in his heart. After some reflection, therefore, an idea suggested itself to his mind. And pretending that it was by a slip of the hand, he shoved the candle, overflowing with tallow into Pa Yu's face. Aiya! Pa Yu was her taste claim. Everyone in the room was plunged in consternation. With precipitate haste, the lantern standing on the floor moved over and with the first ray of light, they discovered that Pa Yu's face was one mass of tallow. Madam Wang gave way to anger as well as anxiety. At one time, she issued directions to the servants to rub and wash Pa Yu clean. At another, she heaped abuse upon Jia Huan. Lady Feng jumped onto the stone couch by leaps and bounds, but while intent upon removing the stuff from Pa Yu's face, she simultaneously ejaculated. Master Tershus, are you still such a trickster? I'll tell you what, you'll never turn to any good account. Yet Dame Chao should ever correct an admonishing. This single remark suggested the idea to Madam Wang and she lost no time in sending for Mrs. Chao to come around. You bring up, she berated her, such a black-hearted offspring like this and don't you, after all, advise and reprove him? Time and again, I paid no notice whatever to what happened and you and he have become more audacious and have gone from worse to worse. Mrs. Chao had no alternative but to suppress every sense of injury, silence all grumblings and go herself and lend a hand to the other's enticing Pa Yu. She then perceived that a whole row of blisters had risen on the left side of Pa Yu's face but that fortunately no injury had been done to his eyes. When Madam Wang's attention was drawn to them, she felt her heart soar. It fell a prey to fears also lest when Dowager Lady Chao made any inquiries about them she should find it difficult to give her any satisfactory reply and so distressed did she get that she gave Mrs. Chao another scolding. But while she tried to comfort Pa Yu, she at the same time fetched more powder for counteracting the effects of the virus and applied it to his face. It's rather sourced at Pa Yu but it's nothing to speak of. Tomorrow, when my old grandmother asks about it, I can simply explain that I scolded it myself. That will be quite enough to tell her. If you say that you scolded it yourself, Lady Feng observed why she'll also call people to task for not looking out and a fit of rage will beyond doubt be the outcome of it all. Madam Wang then ordered the servants to take care and escort Pa Yu back to his room. On their arrival, Xi Zhen and the other attendants saw him and they were all in a great state of flurry. As for Lin Tai Yu, when she found that Pa Yu had gone out of doors, she continued the whole day of pray to Ennui. In the evening, she deputed messages two and three times to go and inquire about him. But when she came to know that he had been scolded, she hired in person to come and see him. She then discovered Pa Yu all alone, holding a glass and scanning his features in it while the left side of his face was plastered all over with some medicine. Lin Tai Yu imagined that the burn was of an extremely serious nature and she hastened to approach him with a view to examine it. Pa Yu however screened his face and, waving his hand, bade her leave the room. For knowing her usual knack for tightness, he did not feel inclined to let her get a glimpse of his face. Tai Yu then gave up the attempt and confined herself to asking him whether it was very painful. It isn't very sore, replied Pa Yu. If I look after it for a day or two, it will get alright. But after another short stay, Lin Tai Yu repaired back to her quarters. The next day Pa Yu saw Dowager Lady Chia. But in spite of his confession that he himself was responsible for the scalding of his face, his grandmother could not refrain from reading another lecture to the servants who had been in attendance. A day after, Ma, a Taoist matron whose name was recorded as Pa Yu's godmother came on a visit to the mansion. Upon perceiving Pa Yu, she was very much taken aback and asked all about the circumstances of the accident. When he explained that he had been scolded, she forthwith shook her head and heaved a sigh. Then, while making with her fingers a few passes over Pa Yu's face, she went on to mutter incantations for several minutes. I can guarantee that he'll get alright, she added, for this is simply a sadden and fleeting accident. Turning towards Dowager Lady Chia, venerable ancestor she observed, venerable Buddha, how could you ever be aware of the existence of the potentious passage in that buddhist classic to the effect that a son of every person who holds the dignity of Prince, Duke, or High Functionary has no sooner come into the world and reached certain age than numerous evil spirits at once secretly haunt him and pinch him and when they find an opportunity or dig their nails into him or knock their his bowl of rice down during meal time or give him a shove and send him over while he is quietly seated. So this is the reason why the majority of the sons and grandsons of those distinguished families do not grow up to attain manhood. Dowager Lady Chia, upon hearing her speak in this wise, eagerly asked, is there any buddhist spell by means of which to check their influence or not? This is an easy job, rejoin the Taoist matron Ma. All one need do is to perform several meritorious deeds on his account so as to counteract the consequences of retribution and everything will then be put right. That canon further explains that in the western part of the world there is a mighty Buddha whose glory illumines all things and whose special charge is to cast his lustre on the evil spirits in dark places. That if any benevolent man or virtuous woman offers him oblations with sincerity of heart he is able to so successfully perpetuate the peace and quiet of their sons and grandsons that there will be no more meat with any calamities arising from being possessed by malevolent demons. But what, I wonder, inquired Dowager Lady Chia could be offered to this God? Nothing of any great value answered the Taoist matron Ma. Exclusive of offerings of scented candles, several catties of scented oil can be added each day to keep the lantern of the great sea alive. This great sea lantern is the visible embodiment and bodistic representation of this divinity so day and night we don't venture to let it go out. For a whole day and a whole night asked Dowager Lady Chia how much oil is needed so that I too should accomplish a good action. There is really no limit as to quantity it rests upon the goodwill of the donor. Ma, the Taoist matron put in by way of reply in my quarters, for instance, I have several lanterns the gifts of the consorts of princes and the spouses of very high officials living in various localities. The consort of the mansion of the Prince of Nanau had been prompted in her beneficence by a liberal spirit. She allows each day 48 catties of oil and a cattie of wiki so that her great sea lamp is only a trifle smaller than a water jar. The spouse of the Ma Kui of Qin Xiang comes next with no more than 20 catties a day but these there are several other families some giving 10 catties, some eight catties some three, some five subject to no fixed rule and of course I feel blown to keep the lanterns alight on their behalf. Taoist lady chaired nodded her head and gave way to reflection. There is still another thing continued the Taoist matron Ma if it be on account of father or mother or seniors any excessive donation would not matter but were you venerable ancestor to bestow too much in your offering for Pa Yu our young master won't I fear be equal to the gift and instead of being benefited his happiness will be snapped if you therefore want to make a liberal gift seven catties will do if a small one than five catties will even be sufficient. Well in that case responded Taoist lady chaired let us fix upon five catties a day and every month come and receive payment of the whole lump sum. Omi Tofu exclaimed Ma the Taoist matron Omerciful and mighty Pusa Taoist lady chaired then called the servants and impressed on their minds that whenever Pa Yu went out of doors in the future they should give several strings of cash to the pages to bestow on charity among the bonsas and Taoist priests and the poor and the needy they might meet on the way. These directions concluded the Taoist matron trudged into the various quarters and paid her respects and then stroll leisurely about. Presently she entered Mrs. Chao's apartments after the two ladies had exchanged salutations Mrs. Chao bade a young sermon girl hand her guest a cup of tea while Mrs. Chao busied herself pasting shoes Ma the Taoist matron a spy piled up on a heap on the stove couch sundry pieces of silks and saddens it just happens she consequently remarked that I have no facings for shoes so my lady do give me a few odd cuttings of silk and satin of no matter what colour to make myself a pair of shoes with Mrs. Chao heaved a sigh look she said whether they will still be among them any pieces good for anything but anything that's worth anything doesn't find its way in there if you don't despise what's worthless you are at liberty to select any two pieces and to take them away and have done the Taoist matron Ma chose with alacrity several pieces and shoved them in her breast the other day Mrs. Chao went on to inquire I sent a servant over with 500 cash have you presented any offerings before the god of medicine or not I've offered them long ago for you the Taoist matron Ma rejoined Omi Tofu ejaculated Mrs. Chao with a sigh were I a little better off I'd also come often and offer gifts but although my will will be boundless my means are insufficient don't trouble yourself on this score suggested Ma the Taoist matron buy and buy when Mr. Huang has grown up into a man and obtained some official post or other will there then be any fear if you're not being able to afford such offerings as you might like to make at these words Mrs. Chao gave a smile enough enough she cried don't again refer to such contingencies the present is a fair criterion for up to whom in this house can my son and I come Pa Yu is still a mere child but he is such that he wins people to love those big people may be partial to him and love him a good deal I've nothing to say to it I can't eat humble pie to this sort of mistress while uttering this remark she stretched out her two fingers Ma the Taoist matron understood the meaning she decided to convey it's your lady Secunda Lian eh? she forthwith asked Mrs. Chao was filled with trepidation hastily waving her hand she got to her feet raised the portier and peeped outside perceiving that there was no one about she at length retraced her footsteps dreadful she then said to the Taoist matron dreadful but speaking of this sort of mistress I'm not so much as a human being if she doesn't manage to shift over into her mother's home the whole of this family estate need you tell me this Ma the Taoist matron at these words remarked with a view to ascertain what she implied haven't I forsooth discovered it all for myself yet it's fortunate that you don't trouble your minds about her for it's far better that you should let her have her own way my dear woman rejoined Mrs. Chao not let her have her own way why is it likely that anyone would have the courage to tell her anything I don't mean to utter any words that may bring upon me retribution added Ma the Taoist matron but you people haven't got the wits but it's no matter of surprise yet if you dare not openly do anything why you should stealthily have devised some plan and you still tarry up to this day Mrs. Chao realized that there lured something in her insinuation and she felt an inward secret joy what plan could I stealthily devise she asked I've got the will right enough but I'm not a person gifted with this sort of gumption so were you to impart to me some way or other would reward you most liberal when the Taoist matron Ma heard this she drew near to her Omi Tofu desisted once from asking me she designedly exclaimed how can I know anything about such matters contrary as they are to what is right there you are again Mrs. Chao replied you're one ever most ready to sucker those in distress and to help those in danger and is it likely that you'll quietly look on while someone comes and compasses my death as well as that of my son are you pray fearful lest I shouldn't give you any reward Ma, the Taoist matron greeted this remark with a smile you're right enough in what you say she ventured of my being unable to bear the sight of yourself and son receiving insult from a third party but as for your mention of rewards why what's there of yours that I still covet this answer slightly reassured Mrs. Chao's mind how is it she speedily urged that an intelligent person like you should have become so dense if indeed the spell proves efficacious and we exterminate them both is there any apprehension that this family estate won't be ours and when that time comes once you get all you may wish at this disclosure Ma, the Taoist matron lowered her head for a long time when everything she observed shall have been settled satisfactorily and when there'll be what's more no proof at all will you still pay any heed to me what's there hard about this remarked Mrs. Chao I've saved several tiles from my own pin money and have besides a good number of clothes and head ornaments so you can first take several of these away with you and I'll further write an IOU and entrust it to you and when that time comes I'll pay you in four that will do answered the Taoist matron Ma Mrs. Chao thereupon dismissed even a young servant girl who happened to be in the room and hastily opening in trunk she produced several articles of clothing and jewelry as well as a few odd pieces of silver from her own pocket money then also writing a promissory note for 50 tiles she surrendered the lot to Ma the Taoist matron take these she said in advance for presence in your temple at the sight of the various articles and of the promissory note the Taoist matron became at once unmindful of what is right and what is wrong and while her mouth was full of assent she stretched out her arm and first and foremost laid hold of the hard cash and next clutched the IOU turning then towards Mrs. Chao she asked for a sheet of paper and taken up a pair of scissors she cut out two human beings and gave them to Mrs. Chao and joining her to write on the upper part of them the respective ages of the two persons in question looking further for a sheet of blue paper she cut out five blue face devils which she bade her place together side by side with the paper men and taking a pin she made them fast when I get home she remarked I'll have recourse to some art which will beyond doubt prove efficacious when she however had done speaking she suddenly saw Madam Wang's waiting maid make her appearance inside the room what my dame are you in here the girl exclaimed why are ladies expecting you the two dames then parted company end of part one section two of the dream of the red chamber book two this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sylvie Roth the dream of the red chamber part two by Zhao Xueqin translated by Henry Bencraft Jolie chapter 25 part two but passing them over we will now allude to Lin Daiyu as Baiyu had scalded his face and did not go out of doors very much she often came to have a chat with him on this particular day she took up after her meal some book or other and read a couple of pages out of it next she busied herself a little with needlework in company with Zijuan she felt however thoroughly dejected and out of sorts so she strolled out of doors along with her but catching sight of the newly sprouted bamboo shoots in front of the pavilion they involuntarily stepped out of the entrance of the court and penetrated into the garden they cast their eyes on all four quarters but not a soul was visible when they became conscious of the splendor of the flowers and the chatter of the birds they, with listless step, turned their course towards the Iihong court there they found several servant girls bailing out water while a bevy of them stood under the veranda watching the thrushes and having their bath they heard also the sound of laughter in the rooms the fact is that Li Gongsai Lady Feng and Bao Chai were assembled inside as soon as they saw them walk in they with one voice shouted smiling now are not these two more we are a full company today laughed Dai Yu but who has issued the cards and invited us here the other day interposed Lady Feng I sent servants with a present of two caddies of tea for you, Miss Lin was it after all good I had just forgotten all about it Dai Yu rejoined many thanks for your kind attention I tasted it observed Bao Yu I did not think it anything good but I don't know how others who've had any of it find it however said Dai Yu is good the only thing is it has no colour it's tribute tea from the last kingdom continued Lady Feng when I tried it I didn't either find it anything very fine it's not up to what we ordinarily drink to my taste it's alright put in Dai Yu but what your palates are like I can't make out as you say it's good suggested by you all I have for your use I've got a great deal more of it over there Lady Feng remarked I'll tell a servant girl to go and fetch it Dai Yu replied no need Lady Feng went on I'll send it over with someone I also have a favour to ask of you tomorrow so I may as well tell the servant to bring it along at the same time when Lin Dai Yu heard these words she put on a smile you just mark this she observed I had today a little tea from her place and she at once begins making a tool of me since you've had some of our tea Lady Feng laughed how is it that you have not yet become a wife in our household the whole party burst out laughing aloud so much so that they found it difficult to repress themselves but Dai Yu's face was suffused with blushes she turned her head the other way and uttered not a word our sister in law Sekunda's jibes are first rate Bao Chai chimed in with a laugh what jibes exclaimed Dai Yu they're purely and simply the prattle of a mean mouth and vile tongue they're enough to evoke people's displeasure saying this she went on to sputter in disgust were you incendiated Lady Feng to become a wife in my family what is there that you would lack pointing then at Bai Yu look here is not this human being worthy of you is not his station in life good enough for you are not our stock in a state sufficient for you and in what slight degree can he make you lose caste Dai Yu rose to her feet and retired immediately but Bao Chai shouted out here's Ping'er in a huff don't you yet come back when you've gone there will really be no fun while calling out to her she jumped up to pull her back and as soon however as she reached the door of the room she beheld Mrs. Zhao, accompanied by Mrs. Zhou both coming to look up Bao Yu Bao Yu and his companions got up in a body and pressed them into his seat Lady Feng was the sole person who did not heed them but just as Bao Chai was about to open her lips she perceived a servant girl attached to Madame Wang's apartments appear on the scene your maternal uncle's wife has come she said and she requests you ladies and young ladies to come out and see her Li Gong Cai hurriedly walked away in company with Lady Feng the two dames, Mrs. Zhao and Mrs. Zhou in like manner took their leave and quitted the room as for me I can't go out, Bao Yu shouted but whatever you do pray don't ask aunt to come in here cousin Lin he went on to say do stay on a while there's something to tell you Lady Feng overheard him turning her head towards Lin Dai Yu there's someone she cried who wants to speak with you and forthwith laying hold of Lin Dai Yu she pushed her back and then trudged away along with Li Gong Cai during this time Bao Yu clasped Dai Yu's hand in his he did nothing more than smile but not a word did he utter Dai Yu naturally therefore got crimson in the face and struggled to escape his importunities I exclaimed Bao Yu how my head is sore it should be rejoined Dai Yu Bao Yu then gave vent to a loud shout his body bounced three or four feet high from the ground his mouth was full of confused shrieks but all he said was rambling talk Dai Yu and the servant girls were full of imagination and with all possible haste they ran in a prize Madame Wang and Dao Ge Lady Jia Wang Tzu Tang's wife was at this time also with them so they all came in a body to see him Bao Yu behaved more and more as if determined to clutch a sword or seize a spear to put an end to his existence he raged in a manner sufficient to subvert the heavens and upset the earth as soon as Dao Ge Lady Jia and Madame Wang caught sight of him they were struck with terror they trembled wildly like a piece of clothing that is being shaken uttering a shout of my son and another of my flesh they burst out into a loud fit of crying presently all the inmates were seized with fright even Jia She Madame Xing Jia Cheng Jia Chen Jia Lian Jia Zheng Jia Yun Jia Ping Mrs. Shui Shui Pan Zhou Rui's wife and the various members of the household whether high or low and the servant girls and married women too rushed into the garden to see what was up the confusion that prevailed was at the moment like entangled flax everyone was at a loss what to do when they aspired Lady Feng dash into the garden a glistening sword in hand and try to cut down everything that came in her way ogle vacantly whomsoever struck her gaze and make forth with an attempt to dispatch them a greater panic than ever broke out among the whole assemblage but placing herself at the head of a handful of sturdy female servants Zhou Rui's wife precipitated herself forward and clasping her tight they succeeded in snatching the sword from her grip and carrying her back into her room Ping Ar Fung Ar and the other girls began to weep they invoked the heavens and appealed to the earth even Jia Cheng was distressed at heart one in all at this stage started shouting some one thing some another some suggested exorcists some cried out for the posture makers to attract the devils others recommended that Cheng the Taoist priest of the Yu Huang temple should catch the evil spirits a thorough turmoil reigned supreme for a long time the gods were implored prayers were offered every kind of remedy was tried but no benefit whatever became visible after sunset the spouse of Wang Xutang said goodbye and took her departure on the ensuing day Wang Xutang himself also came to make enquiries following closely upon him arrived in a body messengers from the young Marquis Xu and their various relatives to ascertain for themselves how Lady Fung and Bao Yu were progressing some brought charm water some recommended bonzes and Taoist priests others spoke highly of doctors but that young fellow and his elder brother's wife fell into such greater and greater stupor that they lost all consciousness their bodies were hot like fire as they lay prostrate on their beds they talked deliriously with the fall of the shades of night their condition aggravated so much so that the matrons and servant girls did not venture to volunteer their attendants they had therefore to be both moved into Madam Wang's quarters where servants were told to take their turn and watch them Dowager Lady Jia Madam Wang Madam Xing and Mrs. Xue did not budge an inch or step from their side around them and did nothing but cry Jia Xu and Jia Cheng too were a prey at this juncture to misgivings less weeping should upset Dowager Lady Jia day and night oil was burnt and fires were mindless of expense kept to light the bustle and confusion was such that no one either master or servant got any rest Jia Xu also sped on every side in search of Buddhists and Taoist priests but Jia Cheng had witnessed how little relief these things could afford and he felt constrained to dissuade Jia Xu from his endeavours the destiny, he argued of our son and daughter is entirely dependent upon the will of heaven and no human strength can prevail the malady of these two persons would not be healed even where every kind of treatment tried and as I feel confident that it is the design of heaven that things should be as they are all we can do is to allow it to carry out its purpose Jia Xu however paid no notice to his remonstrances and continued as hitherto to fuss in every imaginable way in no time three days elapsed Lady Feng and Bao Yu were still confined to their beds their breasts had grown fainter the whole household therefore unanimously arrived at the conclusion that there was no hope and with all dispatch they made every necessary preparation for the subsequent requirements of both their relatives Dowager Lady Jia, Madam Wang Jia Lian, Ping'er Xi Zhen and the others indulged in tears with keener and keener anguish they hung between life and death Mrs. Jia alone was the one who assumed an outward sham air of distress while in her heart she felt her wishes gratified the fourth day arrived at an early hour Bao Yu suddenly opened his eyes and addressed himself to his grandmother Jia from this day forward he said I may no longer abide in your house so you'd better send me off at once these words made Dowager Lady Jia feel as if her very heart had been wrenched out of her Mrs. Jia who stood by exhorted her you shouldn't venerable lady she said indulge in excessive grief this young man has been long ago of no good so wouldn't it be as well to dress him up and let him go back a moment sooner from this world you'll also be thus sparing him considerable suffering but if you persist in not reconciling yourself to the separation and this breath of his is not cut off he will lie there and suffer without any respite her arguments were scarcely ended when she was spat upon by Dowager Lady Jia you rotten-tongued good-for-nothing hag she cried abusively what makes you fancy him of no good you wish him dead and gone but when a benefit will you then derive don't give way to any dreams for if he does die I'll just exact your lives from you it's all because you've been continuously at him inciting urging him to read and write that his spirit has become so intimidated that at the sight of his father he behaves just like a rat trying to get out of the way of a cat and is not all this the result of the bullying of such a mean herd of women as yourselves could you now drive him to death your wishes would immediately be fulfilled but which of you will I let off now she shed tears now she gave vent to abuse Jia Cheng who stood by heard these invectives and they so enhanced his exasperation that he promptly shouted out and made Mrs. Jia withdraw he then exerted himself for a time to console his senior by using kindly accents but suddenly someone came to announce that the two coffins had been completed this announcement pierced like a dagger Dowager Lady Jia to the heart and while weeping with despair more intense she broke forth in violent upbradings who is it she inquired who gave orders to make the coffins bring at once the coffin makers and beat them to death a stir ensued sufficient to convulse the heavens and to subvert the earth but an unforeseen moment resounded in the air the gentle feeling of a wooden fish bell a voice recited the sentence Aave Buddha able to unravel retribution and dispel grievances should any human being lie in sickness and his family be solicitous on his account or should anyone have met with evil spirits and come across any baleful evils we have the means to effect a cure Dowager Lady Jia and Wang at once directed servants to go out into the street and find out who it was it turned out to be in fact a mangy headed bonds and a hobbling dowice priest what was the appearance of the bonds his nose like a suspended gall his two eyebrows so long his eyes resembling radiant stars possess the precious glow his coat in tatters and his shoes of straw without a home rolling in filth and a worse fate his head one mass of boils and the dowice priest what was he like with one leg perched high he comes with one leg low his whole frame drenching wet bespattered all with mud if you perchance meet him ask him where's his home in fairyland west of the weak water he'll say Jia Cheng ordered the servants to invite them to walk in on what hill he asked those two persons do you cultivate the principles of reason worthy official the bonds smiled you must not ask too many questions it's because we've learnt that there are inmates of your honourable mansion in a poor state of health that we come with the express design of working a cure there are explained Jia Cheng two of our members who have been possessed of evil spirits but is there any remedy by means of which they could be healed in your family laughingly observed the dowice priest you have ready at hand a precious thing the like of which is rare to find in the world it possesses the virtue of alleviating the ailment so why need you inquire about remedies Jia Cheng's mind was forthwith aroused it's true he consequently rejoined that my son brought along with him at the time of his birth a piece of jade on the surface of which was inscribed the virtue of dispelling evil influences but we haven't seen any efficacy in it there is worthy officer said the bonds something in it which you do not understand that precious jade was in its primitive state efficacious but consequent upon its having been polluted by music, lewdness property and gain it has lost its spiritual properties but produce now that valuable thing and wait till I have taken it into my hands and pronounced incantations over it when it will become as full of efficacy as of old Jia Cheng accordingly unclassed the piece of jade from Bao Yu's neck and handed it to the two divines the buddhist priest held it with reverence in the palm of his hand and heaving a deep sigh since our parting he cried at the foot of the Qingkang peak about 13 years have elapsed how time flies in this mortal world thy unearthly destiny has not yet been determined alas, alas how admirable were the qualities thou didst possess in those days by heaven unrestrained without constraint from earth no joys lived in thy heart but sorrows none as well yet when perception through refinement thou didst reach thou wentst among mankind to trouble to give rise how sad the lot which thou of late hast had to hear powder prints and rouge stains thy precious luster dim house bars both day and night in cage thee like a duck deep wilt thou sleep but from thy dream at length thou wilt wake thy debtor of vengeance once discharged thou wilt depart at the conclusion of this recital he again rubbed the stone for a while and gave vent to some nonsensical utterances after which he surrendered it to Jia Cheng this object he said has already resumed its efficacy but you shouldn't do anything to desecrate it hang it on the post of the door in his bedroom and with the exception of his own relatives you must not let any outside female pollute it after the expiry of 33 days he will, I can guarantee be alright Jia Cheng then gave orders to present tea but the two priests did already walked away he had however no alternative so they had to lie with their injunctions and Lady Feng and Bao Yu in point of fact got better from day to day little by little they returned to their senses and experienced hunger Dowager Lady Jia and Madam Wang at length felt composed in their minds all the cousins heard the news outside Dai Yu, previous to anything else muttered a prayer to Buddha while Bao Chai laughed and said not a word well inquired Xi Qin what are you laughing for I laugh, replied Bao Chai because the thus come Joss has more to do than any human being he's got to see to the conversion of all mankind and to take care of the ailments to which all flushes air for he restores every one of them at once to health and he has as well to control people's marriages so as to bring them about through his aid and what do you say is it an ample to do or not now isn't this enough to make one laugh huh Lin Dai Yu blushed she exclaimed none of you are good people instead of following the example of worthy persons you try to rival the mean mouth of that Hasi Feng as she uttered these words she raised the portier and made her exit but reader do you want to know any further circumstances if so the next chapter will explain them to you end of section 2 recording by Sylvie Roth section 3 of the dream of the red chamber book 2 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sylvie Roth the dream of the red chamber book 2 by Zhao Xueqin translated by Henry Bencraft Jolie chapter 26 part 1 on the Feng Yao bridge Xiao Hong makes known sentimental matters in equivocal language in the Xiao Xiang lodge Dai Yu gives while under the effects of the spring lassitude expression to her secret feelings after 30 days careful nursing Bao Yu we will now notice not only got strong and hail in body but the scar is even on his face completely healed up so he was able to shift his quarters again into the garden of broad vista but we will banish this topic as it does not deserve any additional explanations let us now turn our attention elsewhere during the time that Bao Yu was of late laid up in bed Jia Yun along with the young pages of the household sat up on watch to keep an eye over him and both day and night they tarried on this side of the mansion but Xiao Hong as well as all the other waiting-maids remained in the same part to nurse Bao Yu so Jia Yun and she saw a good deal of each other on several occasions and gradually an intimacy sprung up between them Xiao Hong observed that Jia Yun held in his hand a handkerchief very much like the one she herself had dropped some time ago and was bent upon asking him for it but she did on the other hand not think she could do so with propriety the unexpected visit of the bonds and Taoist priest rendered however superfluous the services of the various male attendants and Jia Yun had therefore to go again and oversee the man planting the trees now she had a mind to drop the whole question but she could not reconcile herself to it and now she longed to go and ask him about it but fears rose in her mind lest people should entertain any suspicions as to the relations that existed between them but just as she faltered quite irresolute and her heart was thoroughly unsettled she unawares heard someone outside inquire sister are you in the room or not Xiao Hong upon catching this question looked out through a hole in the window and perceiving at a glance that it was no one else than a young servant girl attached to the same court as herself Jia Hui by name she consequently said by way of reply yes I am come in when these words reached her ear Jia Hui ran in taking it once a seat on the bed she observed with a smile how lucky I've been I was a little time back in the court washing a few things when Bao Yu cried out that some tea should be sent over to Miss Lin and sister Hua handed it to me to go on the errand by a strange coincidence our old lady had presented some money to Miss Lin and she was engaged the moment in distributing it among the servant girls as soon therefore as she saw me get there Miss Lin forthwith grasped two handfuls of cash and gave them to me how many there are I don't know but do keep them for me speedily then opening her handkerchief she emptied the cash Xiao Hong counted them for her by fives and tens at a time she was beginning to put it away when Jia Hui remarked how are you after all feeling of late in your mind I'll tell you what you should really go and were you to ask a doctor round and to have a few doses of medicine you'll get all right at once what are you talking about Xiao Hong replied what shall I go home for when there's neither rhyme nor reason for it Miss Lin I remember is naturally of a weak physique and has constantly to take medicines Jia Hui added so were you to ask her for some and bring them over and take them it would come to the same thing rejoin Xiao Hong our medicines also to be recklessly taken you can't go on forever like this continue Jia Hui you're besides loath to eat and loath to drink and what will you be like in the long run what's there to fear observe Xiao Hong won't it anyhow be better to die a little earlier it would be a riddance why do you deliberately come out with all this talk how could you ever know anything of the secrets of my heart Xiao Hong inquired Jia Hui nodded her head and gave way to reflection I don't think it's strange on your part she said after a time for it is really difficult to abide in this place yesterday for instance our Dowager Lady remarked that the servants and attendants that had during all the days that Bao Yu was ill a good deal to put up with and then now that he has recovered incense should be burnt everywhere and the vows fulfilled and she expressed a wish that those in his service should one and all be rewarded according to their grade I and several others can be safely looked upon as young in years and unworthy to presume so high so I don't feel in any way aggrieved but how is it that one like you couldn't be included in the number my heart is much annoyed at it had there been any fear that she run would have got ten times more I could not even then have felt sore against her for she really deserves it I'll just tell you an honest truth who else is there like her not to speak of the diligence and carefulness she has displayed all along even had she not been so diligent and careful she couldn't have been set aside but what is provoking is that that lot like Qing Wan and Qi Sha should have been included in the upper class yet it's because everyone places such reliance on the fine reputation of their father and mother that they exalt them now do tell me is this sufficient to anger one or not it won't do to be angry with them Xiaohong observed the proverb says you may erect a shed a thousand li long but there is no entertainment from which the guests will not disperse and who is it that will tarry here for a whole lifetime in another three years or five years every single one of us will have gone her own way and who will when that time comes worry her mind about anyone else these illusions had the unexpected effect of touching Jiaohui to the heart and in spite of herself the very balls of her eyes got red but so uneasy did she feel like crying for no reason that she had to exert herself to force a smile what you say is true she ventured and yet Baoyu even yesterday explained how the rooms should be arranged by and by and how the clothes should be made just as if he was bound to hang on to dear life for several hundreds of years Xiaohong at these words gave a couple of sardonic smiles but when about to pass some remark she perceived a youthful servant girl who had not as yet let her hair grow walk in holding in her hands several patterns and two sheets of paper you are asked she said to trace these two designs as she spoke she threw them at Xiaohong and twisting herself round she immediately scampered away who's are they after all Xiaohong inquired addressing herself outside couldn't she wait even so much as to conclude what you had to say but flew off at once who is steaming bread and waiting for you or are you afraid for sooth lest it should get cold they belong to sister Qi the young servant girl merely returned for answer from outside the window and raising her feet high she ran tramp-tramp on her way back again Xiaohong lost control over her temper catching the designs she flung them on one side she then rummaged in a drawer for a pencil but finding after a prolonged search that they were all blunt where did I she there upon ejaculated put that brand new pencil the other day how is it I can't remember where it is while she soliloquized she became wrapped in thought after some reflection she at length gave a smile she exclaimed the other evening Ying'er took it away and turning towards Jia Hui fetch it for me she shouted sister Hua Jia Hui rejoined is waiting for me to get a box for her so you had better go for it yourself what remarked Xiaohong she's waiting for you and you're still squatting here chatting leisurely hadn't it been that I asked you to go and fetch it I have been waiting for you you most perverse vixen with these words on her lips she herself walked out of the room and leaving the Yihong court she straightway proceeded in the direction of Baochai's court as soon however as she reached the Xinfang pavilion she saw Daim Li, Baoyu's nurse appear in view from the opposite side so Xiaohong halted and putting on a smile nurse Li she asked are you old Daim bound for how is it you're coming this way nurse Li stopped short and clapped her hands tell me she said has he deliberately again gone and fallen in love with that mister something or other like Yun cloud are you rain they now insist upon my bringing him inside but if they get wind of it by and by in the upper rooms it won't again be a nice thing are you old lady replied Xiaohong smiling taking things in such real earnest that you readily believe them and want to go and ask him in here what can I do rejoin nurse Li why that fellow added Xiaohong laughingly well if he has any idea of decency do the right thing and not come besides he's not a fool pleaded nurse Li so why shouldn't he come in well if he is to come answered Xiaohong it will devolve upon you worthy Daim to lead him along with you for were you by and by to let him penetrate inside all alone and knock recklessly about why it won't do it all have I got all that leisure retorted nurse Li to trudge along with him I'll simply tell him to come and later on I can dispatch a young servant girl or some old woman to bring him in and have done saying this she continued her way leaning on her staff after listening to her rejoinder Xiaohong stood still and plunging in abstraction she did not go and fetch the pencil but presently she caught sight of a servant girl running her way aspiring Xiaohong lingering but sister Hong she cried what are you doing in here Xiaohong raised her head and recognized a young waiting-maid called Jueyar where are you off to Xiaohong asked I've been told to bring in master Secundus Mr. Yun Jueyar replied after which answer she there and then departed with all speed and reached meanwhile the Fengyao bridge as soon as she approached the gateway she perceived Jueyar coming along with Jia Yun from the opposite direction while advancing Jia Yun ogled Xiaohong and Xiaohong too though pretending to be addressing herself to Jueyar cast the glance at Jia Yun and their four eyes as luck would have it met Xiaohong involuntarily blushed all over and turning herself around she walked off towards the Hangwu court but we will leave her there without further remarks during this time Jia Yun followed Jueyar by a circuitous way into the Yihong court Jueyar entered first and made the necessary announcement then subsequently she ushered in Jia Yun when Jia Yun scrutinized the surroundings he perceived there in the court several blocks of rockery among which were planted banana trees on the opposite side were two storks preening their feathers under the fur trees under the covered passage were suspended in a row cages of every description containing all sorts of fairy like rare birds in the upper part were five diminutive ante rooms uniformly carved with unique designs and above the framework of the door was hung a tablet with the inscription in four huge characters Yihong Kualu the happy red and joyful green I thought it strange Jia Yun argued mentally that it should be called the Yihong court but are these in fact the four characters inscribed on the tablet but while he was communing within himself he heard someone laugh and then exclaimed from the inner side of the God's window come in at once how is it that I've forgotten you these two or three months as soon as Jia Yun recognized Bao Yu's voice he entered the room with her headstep on raising his head his eye was attracted by the brilliant splendor emitted by gold and jade and by the dazzling lustre of the elegant arrangements he failed however to detect where Bao Yu was ensconced the moment he turned his head round he aspired on the left side a large glass behind which appeared to view standing side by side two servant girls of fifteen or sixteen years of age Master Secundus they ventured please take a seat in the inner room Jia Yun could not even muster courage to look at them straight in the face but promptly ascending he walked into a green gauze mosquito house where he saw a small lacquered bed hung with curtains of a deep red color with clusters of flowers embroidered in gold Bao Yu wearing a house dress and slip-shod shoes was reclining on the bed a book in hand the moment he perceived Jia Yun walk in he discarded his book and forthwith smiled and raised himself up Jia Yun hurriedly pressed forward and paid his salutation Bao Yu then offered him a seat but he simply chose a chair in the lower part of the apartment ever since the moon in which I came across you Bao Yu observed smilingly and told you to come into the library I've had who would have thought it endless things to continuously attend to so that I forgot all about you it's I indeed who lacked good fortune rejoined Jia Yun with a laugh particularly so as it happened again that you uncle fell ill but are you quite right once more all right answered Bao Yu I heard that you've been put to much trouble and inconvenience on a good number of days had I even had any trouble to bear I did Jia Yun it would have been my duty to bear it but your complete recovery uncle is really a blessing to our whole family as he spoke he discerned a couple of servant maids come to help him to a cup of tea but while conversing with Bao Yu Jia Yun was intent upon scrutinizing the girl with slim figure an oval face and clad in a silvery red jacket a blue satin waistcoat and a white silk petticoat with narrow pleats at the time of Bao Yu's illness Jia Yun had spent a couple of days in the inner apartments so that he remembered half of the inmates of note and the moment he set eyes upon this servant girl he knew it was she Jia Yun and that she was in Bao Yu's rooms on a different standing to the rest now therefore that she brought the tea in herself and that Bao Yu was besides sitting by he rose to his feet with a lacquery and put on a smile sister he said how is it that you're pouring tea for me I came here to pay uncle a visit what's more I'm no stranger so let me pour it with my own hands just you sit down and finish Bao Yu interposed will you also behave in this fashion with servant girls in spite of what you say remarked Jia Yun smiling they are young ladies attached to your rooms uncle and how could I presume to be disorderly in my conduct so saying he took a seat and drank his tea Bao Yu then talked to him about trivial and irrelevant matters and afterwards went on to tell him that the actresses were best and whose gardens were pretty he further mentioned to him in whose quarters the servant girls were handsome whose banquets were sumptuous as well as in whose home where TV found strange things and what family possessed remarkable objects Jia Yun was constrained to humor him in this conversation but after a chat which lasted for some time he noticed that Bao Yu was somewhat listless and he promptly stood up and took his leave but Bao Yu too did not use too much pressure to detain him tomorrow if you have nothing to do do come over he merely observed after which he again bade the young waiting maid Jui Ar see him out having left the I Hong court Jia Yun cast a glance all round and realizing that there was no one about he slackened his pace at once and while proceeding leisurely he conversed in a friendly way with Jui Ar on one thing and another first and foremost he inquired of her what was her age and her name of what standing are your father and mother he said how many years have you been in Uncle Bao's apartments how much money do you get a month in all how many girls are there in Uncle Bao's rooms as Jui Ar heard the question set to her she readily made suitable reply to each the one who was a while back talking to you continued Jia Yun is called Xiaohong isn't she yes her name is Xiaohong replied Jui Ar smiling but why do you ask about her she inquired of you just now about some handkerchief or other answered Jia Yun well I've picked one up Jui Ar greeted this response with a smile many are the times she said that she has asked me whether I had seen her handkerchief but have I got all that lesser to worry my mind about such things she spoke to me about it again today and she suggested that I should find it for her and that she would also recompense me this she told me when we were just now at the entrance of the Hengu court and you too Mr. Secundus overheard her so that I'm not lying but dear Mr. Secundus since you've picked it up give it to me do see what she will give me as a reward the truth is that Jia Yun had the previous moon when he had come into the garden to attend to the planting of trees picked up a handkerchief which he conjectured must have been dropped by some inmate of those grounds but as he was not aware whose it was he did not consequently presume to act within discretion but on this occasion he overheard Xiaohong making quarry of Jui Ar on the subject and concluding that it must belong to her he felt immeasurably delighted seeing besides how important Jui Ar was he at once devised a plan within himself and vehemently producing from his sleeve a handkerchief of his own he observed as he turned towards Jui Ar with a smile as forgiving it to you I'll do so but in the event of you obtaining any present from her you musn't impose on me Jui Ar assented to his proposal profusely and taking the handkerchief she saw Jia Yuan out and then came back in search of Xiaohong but we will leave her there for the present we will now return to Baoyu after dismissing Jia Yuan he laid in such complete listlessness on the bed that he betrayed every sign of being half asleep she ran walked up to him and seated herself on the edge of the bed and pushing him what are you about to go to sleep again she said would it not do your language spirits good if you went out for a bit of a stroll upon hearing her voice Baoyu grasped her hand in his I would like to go out he smiled but I can't reconcile myself to the separation from you get up at once laughed she ran and as she uttered these words she pulled Baoyu up where can I go she blamed Baoyu I'm quite surfeited with everything once out you'll be alright she ran answered but if you simply give way to this langer you'll be more than ever sick of everything at heart Baoyu could not do otherwise dull and out of sorts though he was then exceed to her opportunities strolling leisurely out of the door of the room he amused himself a little with the bird suspended under the veranda then he wended his steps outside the court and followed the course of the sheen-fong stream but after admiring the golden fish for a time he aspired on the opposite hillock two young deer come rushing down a swift as an arrow what they were up to Baoyu could not discern but while abandoning himself to melancholy he caught sight of Jalan following behind with a small bow in his hand and hurrying downhill in pursuit of them as soon as he realized that Baoyu stood ahead of him he speedily halted Uncle Secundus he smiled are you at home I imagined you had gone out of doors you were up to mischief again eh Baoyu rejoined they've done nothing to you and why shoot at them with your arrows I had no studies to attend to just now so being free with nothing to do Jalan replied laughingly I was practising riding an archery shut out pixelane Baoyu when are you not engaged in practising end of section 3 recording by Sylvie Roth section 4 of the dream of the red chamber book 2 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by Sylvie Roth the dream of the red chamber book 2 translated by Henry Bencraft Jolie chapter 26 part 2 saying this he continued his way and straightway reached the entrance of a court here the bamboo foliage was thick and the breeze sighed gently this was the Xiao Xiang lodge Baoyu listlessly rambled in he saw a bamboo portier hanging down to the ground stillness prevailed not a human voice fell on the ear he advanced as far as the window noticing that a whiff of subtle scent stole softly through the green god's casement Baoyu applied his face closely against the frame to peep in but suddenly he caught the faint sound of a deep sigh and the words day after day slumbered drowsily upon overhearing this exclamation Baoyu unconsciously began to feel a prey to inward longings but casting a second glance he saw Daoyu stretching herself on the bed why is it smiled Baoyu from outside the window that your feelings day after day slumbered drowsily so saying he raised the portier in the consciousness that she had not been reticent about her feelings made Daoyu unwittingly flush scarlet taking hold of her sleeve she screened her face and turning her body round towards the inside she pretended to be fast asleep Baoyu drew near her he was about to pull her around when he saw Daoyu's nurse enter the apartment followed by two matrons they said if so we'll ask her over when she wakes up as these words were being spoken Daoyu eagerly twisted herself round and sat up who's asleep she laughed we thought you were fast asleep miss smiled the two or three matrons as soon as they perceived Daoyu get up this greeting over they called Zhuquan your young mistress they said has awoke come in her while calling her they quitted the room in a body Daoyu remained seated on the bed raising her arms she addressed her hair and smilingly she observed to Baoyu when people are asleep what do you walk in for at the sight of her half closed star like eyes and of her fragrant cheeks suffused with a crimson blush Baoyu's feelings were of a sudden so bending his body he took a seat on a chair and asked with a smile what were you saying a short while back I wasn't saying anything Daoyu replied what a lie you're trying to ram down my throat laughed Baoyu I heard all but in the middle of their colloquy they saw Zhuquan enter Baoyu then put on a smiling face Zhuquan he cried pour me a cup of your good tea where's the good tea to be had Zhuquan answered if you want good tea you'd better wait till Xu Zhen comes don't heat him into post Daoyu just go first and draw me some water he's a visitor and of course I should first pour him a cup of tea and then go and draw the water with this answer she started my dear girl Baoyu exclaimed laughingly if I could only share the same bridal curtain with your lovable young mistress would I ever be able to treat you as a servant by making you fold the covers and make the beds Lin Daoyu at once drooped her head what are you saying she remonstrated what did I say anything smiled Baoyu Daoyu burst into tears recently she observed got into a new way whatever slang you happen to hear outside you come and tell me and whenever you read any improper book you poke your fun at me what have I become a laughing stock for gentlemen as she began to cry she jumped down from the bed and promptly left the room Baoyu was at a lot how to act so agitated was he that he hastily ran up to her my dear cousin pleaded I do deserve death but don't go and tell anyone if again I venture to utter such kind of language my blisters grow on my mouth and may my tongue waste away but while appealing to her feelings he saw she's run approach him go back at once she cried and put on your clothes as master wants to see you at the very mention of his father Baoyu felt suddenly as if struck by lightning regardless of everything and anything he rushed as fast as possible back to his room and changing his clothes he came out into the garden here he discovered Beiming standing at the second gateway waiting for him do you perchance know what he wants me for Baoyu inquired master hurry out at once Beiming replied you must of course go and see him when you get there you are sure to find out what it's all about it is said he urged Baoyu on and together they turned past the large pavilion Baoyu was however still labouring under suspicion when he heard from the corner of the wall a loud outburst of laughter upon turning his head round he caught sight of Shweipan jump out clapping his hands hadn't I said that my uncle wanted you he laughed wouldn't you ever have rushed out with such a lacquery Beiming also laughed on his knees but Baoyu remained for a long time under the spell of utter astonishment before he at length realised that it was Shweipan who had invagled him to come out Shweipan hastily made a salutation and a curtsy and confessed his fault he next gave way to entreaty saying don't punish the young servant for it is simply I who begged him go Baoyu too had then no other alternative but to smile I don't mind you're playing your larks on me but why he inquired did you mention my father were I to go and tell my aunts your mother to see to the rights and the wrongs of the case how would you like it my dear cousin remarked Shweipan vehemently the primary idea I had in view was to ask you to come out a moment sooner and I forgot to respectfully shun the expression but by and by when you wish to chaff me just you likewise allude to my father and will thus be square I exclaimed by you you do more than ever deserve death then turning again towards beaming you ruffian he said what are you still kneeling for beaming began to bump his head on the ground for vehemence had it been for anything else Shweipan chimed in I wouldn't have made bold to disturb you but it's simply in connection with my birthday which is tomorrow the third day of the fifth moon Cheng Ruxing who is in that curio shop of ours unexpectedly brought along goodness knows where he fished them from fresh lotus so thick and so long so mealy and so crisp melons of this size and a Siamese porpoise that long and that big smoked with cedar such as sent as tribute from the kingdom of Siam are not these four presents prey rare delicacies the porpoise is not only expensive but difficult to get and that kind of lotus and melon must have cost him no end of trouble to grow I lost no time in presenting some to my mother and at once sent some to your old grandmother and my aunt but a good many of them still remain now and were I to eat them all alone it would I fear be more than I deserve so I concluded after thinking right and left that there was besides myself only you good enough to partake of some that is why I specially invite you to taste them but as luck would have it a young singing boy has also come so what do you say to you and I having a jolly day of it as they talked they walked and as they walked they reached the interior of the library here they discovered a whole assemblage consisting of Tan Kwan Chun Rixing Hu Chi Lai Dan Ting Jun and others and the singing boy as well as soon as these saw bow you walk in some paid their respects to him others inquired how he was and after the interchange of salutations the tea was drunk Shui Pan then gave orders to serve the wine scarcely were the words out of his mouth then the servant lads bustled and fussed for a long while laying the table when at last the necessary arrangements had been completed the company took their seats bow you verily found the melons and lotus of an exceptional description my birthday presents have not as yet been set round he felt impilled to say a smile in his lips and here I come ahead of them to trespass on your hospitality just so retorted Shui Pan but when you come tomorrow to congratulate me we'll consider what novel kind of present you can give me I've got nothing that I can give you retoying to bow you as far as money, clothes eatables and other such articles go they are not really mine all I can call my own are such pages of characters that I may write your references to pictures added Shui Pan smiling reminds me of a book I saw yesterday containing immodest drawings they were truly beautifully done on the front page they figured also a whole lot of characters but I didn't carefully look at them I simply noticed the name of the person who had executed them it was in fact something or other like Kung Huang the pictures were actually exceedingly good this illusion made Bao Yu exercise his mind with innumerable conjectures of pictures drawn from past years to the present I have he said seen a good many but I've never come across any Kung Huang after considerable thought he could not repress himself from bursting out laughing then asking a servant to fetch him a pencil he wrote a couple of words on the palm of his hand this done he went on to inquire of Shui Pan did you see correctly that it read Kung Huang how could I not have seen correctly ejaculated Shui Pan Bao Yu thereupon unclenched his hand and allowed him to peruse what was written on it were they possibly these two characters he remarked these are in point of fact not very dissimilar from what Kung Huang look like on scrutinizing them the company noticed the two words Tang Yin and they all laughed they must we fancy have been these two characters they cried your eyes sir may there's no saying have suddenly grown dim Shui Pan felt really abashed who could have said he smiled whether they were Tang Yin or Guo Yin candied silver or fruit silver as he cracked this joke however a young page came and announced that Mr. Feng had arrived Bao Yu concluded that the newcomer must be Feng Ziying the son of Feng Tang general with the prefix of Shanwu ask him in at once and his companion shouted with one voice but barely were these words out of their mouths then they realized that Feng Ziying had already stepped in talking and laughing as he approached the company speedily rose from table and offered him a seat that's right smiled Feng Ziying you don't go out of doors but remain at home and go in for high fun both Bao Yu and Shui Pan put on a smile we haven't they remarked seen you forever so long is your venerable father strong and hail my father rejoined Ziying is thanks to you strong and hail but my mother recently contracted a sudden chill and has been unwell for a couple of days Shui Pan discerned on his face a slight bluish wound with whom have you again been boxing he laughingly inquired that you've hung up this signboard since the occasion laughed Feng Ziying on which I wounded Lieutenant Colonel Cho's son I've borne the lesson in mind and never lost my temper so how is it you say that I've again been boxing this thing on my face was caused when I was out shooting the other day on the Tie Wang Hills by a flap from the wing of a falcon when was that asked Bao Yu I started Ziying on the 28th day of the third moon and came back only the day before yesterday it isn't to be wondered at then that when I went the other day on the third and fourth to a banquet at friend Shun's house I didn't see you there yet I meant to have inquired about you but I don't know how it slipped from my memory did you go alone or did your venerable father accompany you of course my father went Ziying replied so I had no help but to go for it is likely for Seuth that I've gone mad from lack of anything to do don't we, a goodly number as we are derive enough pleasure from our winebouts and plays that I should go in quest of such kind of fatiguing recreation but in this instance a great piece of good fortune turned up in evil fortune Shui Pan and his companions noticed that he had finished his tea come along they won it all proposed and joined the banquet you can then quietly recount to us all your experiences at this suggestion Feng Ziying there and then rose to his feet according to etiquette he said I should join you in drinking a few cups but today I have still a very urgent matter to see my father about on my return so that I truly cannot accept your invitation Shui Pan, Bao Yu and the other young fellows would on no account listen to his excuses they pulled him vigorously about and would not let him go this is indeed strange laughed Feng Ziying when have you and I had during all these years to have recourse to such proceedings I really am unable to comply with your wishes but if you do insist upon making me have a drink well then bring a large cup and I'll take two cups full and finish after this rejoinder the party could not but give in Shui Pan took hold of the kettle while Bao Yu grasped the cup and they poured two large cups full Feng Ziying stood up and quaffed them with one draft but do after all urged Bao Yu finish this thing about a piece of good fortune in the midst of misfortune before you go to tell you this today smiled Feng Ziying will be no great fun but for this purpose I intend on standing a special entertainment and inviting you all to come and have a long chat and in the second place I've also got a favor to ask of you saying this he pushed his way and was going off at once when Shui Pan interposed has put us more than ever on pins and needles we cannot brook any delay who knows when you will ask his round so better tell us and thus avoid keeping people in suspense the latest rejoined Feng Ziying in ten days the earliest in eight with this answer he went out of the door mounted his horse and took his departure the party resumed their seats at table they had another bout and then eventually dispersed Baoyu returned into the garden in time to find Xiran thinking with solicitude that he had gone to see Zhengzheng and wonder whether it foreboded good or evil as soon as she perceived Baoyu come back in a drunken state she felt urged to inquire the reason of it all Baoyu told her one by one the particulars of what happened people added Xiran wait for you with a serrated heart and anxious mind and there you go and make Mary yet you could very well after all have sent someone with a message didn't I purpose sending a message explained by you of course I did but I failed to do so as on the arrival of friend Feng I got so mixed up that the intention vanished entirely from my mind while excusing himself he saw Baoqai enter the apartment have you tasted any of our new things she asked a smile curling on her lips cousin laughed by you you must have certainly tasted what you've gotten your house long before us Baoqai shook her head and smiled yesterday she said my brother did actually make it a point to ask me to have some but I had none I told him to keep them and send them to others and I told Baoqai that with my mean lot and scanty blessings I little deserved to touch such dainties as she spoke a servant girl poured her a cup of tea and brought it to her while she sipped it she carried on a conversation on irrelevant matters which we need not notice but turn our attention to Lin Da Yu the instant she heard that Jia Zheng had sent for Bao Yu and that he had not come back during the whole day she felt very distressed on his account after supper the news of Bao Yu's return reached her and she keenly longed to see him and ask him what was up step by step she trudged along while aspiring Baoqai going into Bao Yu's garden she herself followed close in her track but on their arrival at the Xin Fang Bridge she caught sight of the various kinds of waterfowl bathing together in the pond and although unable to discriminate the numerous species her gaze became so transfixed by their respective variegated and bright plumage and by their exceptional beauty that she halted and it was after she had spent some considerable time in admiring them that she repaired at last to the Yihong Court the gate was already closed Da Yu however lost no time in knocking but Qing Wen and Bi Hun had who would have thought it been having a tiff and were in a capsious mood so upon unaware of seeing Bao Qai step on the scene Qing Wen had once visited her resentment upon Bao Qai she was just standing in the court giving vent to her wrongs shouting you're always running over and seating yourself here whether you've got good reason for doing so or not and there's no sleep for us at the third watch middle of the night though it be when all of a sudden she heard someone else calling at the door Qing Wen was the more moved to anger without even asking who it was she rapidly bawled out they've all gone to sleep you'd better come tomorrow Lin Da Yu was well aware of the natural peculiarities of the waiting-maids and of their habit of playing practical jokes upon each other so fearing that the girl in the inner room had failed to recognize her voice and had refused to open under the misconception that it was some other servant girl she gave a second shout in a higher pitch it's I! she cried don't you yet open the gates? Qing Wen, as it happened did not still distinguish her voice and in an irritable strain she rejoined it's no matter who you may be Mr. Sugundas has given orders that no one at all should be allowed to come in as these words reached Lin Da Yu's ear she unwittingly was overcome with indignation being left standing outside but when on the point of raising her voice to ask her one or two things or to start a quarrel with her albeit she again argued mentally I can call this my aunt's house and it should be just as if it were my own it's after all a strange place and now that my father and mother are both dead and that I am left with no one to rely upon I have for the present to depend upon my family for a home were I now to therefore give way to a regular fit of anger with her I'd really get no good out of it while indulging in reflection tears trickled from her eyes but just as she was feeling unable to retrace her steps and unable to remain standing any longer and quite at a loss what to do she overheard the sound of jocular language inside and listening carefully she discovered that it was indeed Bao Yu and Bao Chai Linda Yu waxed more wroth after much thought and cogitation the incidents of the morning flashed unawares through her memory it must in fact she mused be because Bao Yu is angry with me for having explained to him the true reasons but why did I ever go and tell you you should however have made inquiries before you lost your temper to such an extent with me in today but is it likely that we shall not by and by meet face to face again the more she gave way to thought the more she felt wounded and agitated and without heating the moss laden with cold dew the path covered with vegetation and the chilly blasts of wind she lingered all alone under the shadow of the bushes of the corner of the wall so thoroughly sad and dejected forth into sobs Lin Dai Yu was indeed endowed with exceptional beauty and with charms rarely met with in the world as soon therefore as she suddenly melted into tears and the birds and rooks roosting on the neighbouring willow boughs and branches of shrubs caught the sound of her plaintive tones they one and all fell into a most terrific flutter and taking to their wings they flew away to distant recesses so little were they able to listen with equanimity to such accents but the spirits of the flowers were at the time silent and devoid of feeling the birds were plunged in dreams and in a state of stupor so why did they start a stanza oppositely assigns the reason Pinar's mental talents and looks must in the world be rare alone clasped in a subtle smell she quits her maiden room the sound of but one single sob scarcely dies away and drooping flowers cover the ground and birds fly in dismay Lin Dai Yu was sobbing in her solitude when a creaking noise struck her ear and the door of the court was flung open who came out is not yet ascertained but reader should you wish to know the next chapter will explain End of section 4 Recording by Sylvie Roth