 CHAPTER 52 PART 1 The beautiful Ping'er endeavours to conceal the lots of the bracelet, made of work as fine as the feelers of a shrimp. The brave Qingwen mends the down-cloak during her indisposition, but let us return to our story. Quite so, was the reply with which Dowager Lady Jia greeted by Lady Feng's proposal. I meant the other day to have suggested this arrangement, but I saw that every one of you had so many urgent matters to attend to, and I thought that, although you would not presume to bear me a grudge, were several duties now again super-added, you would unavoidably imagine that I only regarded those young grandsons and granddaughters of mine at no consideration for any of you who have to look after the house. But since you make this assertion yourself, it's all right. And seeing that Mrs Xue and Cicero-Lor Li were sitting with her, and that Madame Xing and Mrs Yeoh, and the other ladies, who had also crossed over to pay their respects, had not as yet gone to their quarters, old Lady Jia broached the subject with Men and Wang, and the rest of the company. I've never before ventured to give utterance to the remarks that just fell from my lips, she said, as first of all I was in fear and trembling lest I should have made that girl Feng more presumptuous than ever, and next lest I should have incurred the displeasure of one and all of you. But since you are all here today, and every one of you knows what brother's wives and husband's sisters mean, is there, I asked anyone besides her, as full of forethought? Mrs Xue, Cicero-Lor Li, and Mrs Yeoh smiled with one consent. There are indeed but few like her, they cried, that of others is simply a conventional face affection, but she is really fond of her husband's sisters and his young brother. In fact, she's as genuinely filial with you, venerable senior. Dao Jie Lady Jia nodded her head. A bit unfund of her, she sighed. I can't, on the other hand, help disturbing that excessive shrewdness of hers, for it isn't a good thing. You're wrong there, worthy ancestor, Lady Feng laughed with alacrity. People in the world, as a rule, maintain that too shrewd and clever a person can't. It is feared, live long. Now what people of the world invariably say people of the world invariably believe? But a few alone, my dear senior, can know such a thing be a word or believed. For there you are, ancestor mine, a hundred times sharper and cleverer than I, and how is it that you now enjoy both perfect happiness and longevity? But I presume that I shall by and by excel you by a hundred fold, and die at length, after a life of a thousand years when you, venerable senior, shall have departed from these mortal scenes. After everyone is dead and gone, Dao Jie Lady Jia laughingly observed, what pleasure will there be if two antiquated elves, like you and I, will be, remain behind? This joke excited general mirth, but so concerned was Baoyu about Qingwen and other matters that he was the first to make a move and return into the garden. At his arrival at his quarters, he found the rooms full of the fragrance emitted by the medicines. Not a soul did he, however, see about. Xun was reclining all alone on the stove-couch. Her face was feverish and red. When he came to touch it, his hand experienced a scorching sensation. Retracing his steps therefore towards the stove, he warmed his hands and inserted them under the covalet and felt her. Her body, as well, was as hot as fire. If the others have left, he then remarked, there's nothing strange about it. But Ah Shuo Yu and Qiuwen, too, so utterly devoid of feeling, asked to have each gone after her own business. As regards Qiuwen, Qiuwen explained, I told her to go and have a meal. And as for Shuo Yu, Ping'er came just now and caught her out of doors, and there they are, outside, confabbing in a mysterious way. What the drift of their conversation can be, I don't know. But they must be talking about my having fallen ill, and my not leaving this place to go home. Ping'er isn't that sort of a person, barry pleaded. Besides, she had no idea whatever about her illness, so that she couldn't have come especially to see how you were getting on. I fancy her object was to look up Shuo Yu to hobnop with her. But finding unexpectedly that you were not up to the mark, she readily said that she had come on purpose to find what progress you were making. This was quite a natural thing for a person with so wildly a disposition to say, for the sake of preserving harmony. But if you don't go home, it's none of her business. You two have all along been irrespective of other things, on such good terms that she could by no means entertain any desire to injure the friendly relations which exist between you, all on account of something that doesn't concern her. Your remarks are right enough, Tsimura joined, but I do suspect her, as why did she too start all of a sudden imposing upon me? Wait, I'll walk out by the back door, barry smiled, and go to the foot of the window and listen to what she's saying. I'll then come and tell you. Speaking the while, he, in point of fact, sauntered out of the back door, and getting below the window, he lent an ear to the confidences. How did you manage to get it? Shuo Yu inquired with gentle-boys. When I lost sight of it on that day that I washed my hands, Ping-Ran said, Our Lady Sekunda wouldn't let us make a fuss, but the moment she left the garden, she therein then sent word to the nurses stationed in the various places to institute careful search. Our suspicions, however, fell upon Miss Xing's maid, who has ever also been poverty-stricken, surmising that a young girl of her age who had never said eyes upon anything of the kind may possibly have picked it up and taken it, but never did we positively believe that it could be someone from this place of yours. Happily, Our Lady Sekunda wasn't in the room when that nurse Song, who is with you, here went over and said, producing the bracelet, that the young maid, Dreyer, had stolen it, and that she had detected her, and come to lay the matter before Our Lady Sekunda. I promptly took over the bracelet from her, and recollecting how imperious and exacting Baoyu is inclined to be, fond and devoted as he is to each and all of you, held the jade which was pricked the other year by a certain Liang'er, is still, just as the matter has cooled down for the last couple of years, canvassed at times by some people eager to serve their own ends. How someone has now again turned up to perloin this gold trinket, how it was filched to make matters worse, from a neighbour's house, how as luck would have it, she took this of all things, and how it happened to be his own servant to give him a slap on his mouth. I hastened to enjoy the song, too, on no account whatever, let Baoyu know anything about it, but simply pretend that nothing of the kind had transpired, and to make no mention of it to any single soul. In the second place, I said, Our Dowager Lady and Madam One would get angry if they came to hear anything. Thirdly, Siren as well as yourselves were not also cut a very good figure. Since it was that in telling Our Lady's Condor, I merely explained that on my way to our senior mistress, the breeze that got unclapsed, without my knowing it, that it fell among the roots of the grass, that there was no chance of seeing it while the snow was steep, but that when the snow completely disappeared to-day, there it glistened, so yellow and bright, in the rays of the sun, and precisely the very place where it had dropped, and that I then picked it up. Our Lady's Condor at once credited my version. So here I come to let you all know so as to be hence-forward a little on your guard with her, and not get her a job anywhere else, wait until Siren's return, and then devise means to peck her off, and finish with her. This young Vixen has seen things of this kind before, should be ejaculated, and how is it that she was so shallow-eyed? What could, after all, be the weight of this bracelet? It was once our Lady's Condor's. She says that this is called the Shrimp Filler bracelet, but is the pearl which increases this weight. That minks Qingwen is as fiery as a piece of crackling charcoal, so were anything to be told her, she may, so little able is she to curb her temper, flare up suddenly into a huff, and beat or scold her, and kick up as much fuss as she ever has done before. That's why I simply tell you. I still care, and you all be all right. With this warning, she bit her farewell, and went on her way. Her words delighted Vexen grieved Balu. He felt delighted, on account of the consideration shown by Pinger for his own feelings, vexed because Strayer had turned out a petty thief. Grieved, that Strayer, who was otherwise such a smart girl, should have gone in for this disgraceful affair, returning consequently into the house, he told Qingwen every word that Pinger had uttered. She says, she went on to add, that you are so fond of having things all your own way, that were you to hear anything of this business, now that you're ill, you would get worse, and that she only means to broach the subject with you, when you get quite yourself again. Upon hearing this, Qingwen's eye was actually stirred up, and her beautiful mouth-like eyebrows contracted, and her lovely phoenix eyes stared wide like two balls, so she immediately shouted out for Drayer. If you go on walling like that, Balu hastily remonstrated with her, want to show yourself ungrateful for the regard with which Pinger has dealt with you and me, better for us to show ourselves sensible of a kindness, and by and by pack the girl off and finish. Your suggestion is all very good, Qingwen demurred, but how could I suppress this resentment? Was there to feel resentment about, Balu asked, just you take good care of yourself, it's the best thing you can do. Qingwen then took her medicine. When evening came, she had another couple of doses. But though in the course of the night, she broke out into a slight perspiration, she did not see any change for the better in her state. Still she felt feverish, her head sore, her nose stopped, her voice hoarse. The next day, Dr. Wang came again to examine her pulse and see how she was getting on. Besides other things, he increased the proportions of certain medicines in the decoction and reduced others, but in spite of her fever having been somewhat brought down, her head continued to ache as much as ever. Go and fetch the snuff, Balu said to Shoyu, and give it to her to sniff. She'll feel more at ease after she has had several strong sneezes. Shoyu went, in fact, and brought a flat crystal bottle, inlaid with a couple of golden stars, and handed it to Balu. Balu speedily raised the cover of the bottle. Inside it, he discovered, represented on a western animal, a fair-haired young girl, in a state of nature, on whose two sides figured wings of flesh. This bottle contained some really first-rate foreign snuff. Xiongwen's attention was fixedly concentrated on the representation. Sniff a little. Balu urged, if the smell evaporates, it won't be worth anything. Xiongwen, at his advice, promptly dug out a little with a nail and applied it to her nose, but with no effect. So digging out again a good quantity of it, she pressed it into her nostrils. Then suddenly she experienced a sensation in her nose, as if some pungent matter had penetrated into the very duct into the head, and she sneezed five or six consecutive times until tears rolled down from her eyes and mucus trickled from her nostrils. Xiongwen hastily put the bottle away. It's dreadfully pungent, she laughed. Bring some paper, quick! A servant girl at once handed her a pile of fine paper. Xiongwen extracted sheet after sheet, and blew her nose. Well, said Balu, smiling, how are you feeling now? I'm really considerably relieved, Xiongwen rejoined, laughing. The only thing is that my temple still hurt me. Were you to treat yourself exclusively with western medicines, I'm sure you'd get all right. Balu added smilingly, saying this, go, he accordingly desired Xiongwen to a lady's kunda and ask her for some. Tell her that I spoke to you about them. My cousin, over there, often uses some western plaster, which she applies to her temples when she goes to headache. It's called Yvona, so try and get some of it. Xiongwen expressed her readiness. After a protracted absence, she, in very deed, came back with a small bit of the medicine. And going quickly for a piece of red silk's cutting, she got the scissors and slid two round slips off as big as the tip of her finger. After which, she took the medicine and softened it by the fire. She spread it on them with a hairpin. Xiongwen herself laid hold of her looking glass with a handle and stuck the bits on both her temples. While you were lying sick, Xiongwen laughed, you looked like a manly-headed devil. But with this stuff on, now you present a fine sight. As for our Lady Xiongwen, she has been so much in the habit of sticking these things about her that they don't very much show off with her. This joke over. Our Lady Xiongwen said, she resumed, addressing herself to Bao Yu. That tomorrow is her maternal uncle's birthday and that our mistress, your mother, asked her to tell you to go over. That whatever clothes you'll put on tomorrow, she'll be got ready tonight so as to avoid any trouble in the morning. Anything that comes first to hand, Bao Yu observed, will do well enough. There's no getting the whole year round at the end of all the fuss of birthdays. Speaking the while, he rose to his feet and left the room with the idea of preparing to see his quarters to have a look at the painting. As soon as he got outside the door of the courtyard, he unexpectedly spied butting Xiongwen's maid, Xiongwen by name, crossing over from the opposite direction. Bao Yu, with rapid step, strode up to her and inquired of her whether she was going. Our two young ladies, Xiongwen answered with a smile, are in Miss Lin's rooms so I'm also now on my way thither. Catching this answer, Bao Yu wheeled round and came at once with her to the Xiao Xiang Lodge. Here not only did he find Bao Chai and her cousin but Xing Xiuyan as well. The quartet was seated in a circle on a warming frame, carrying on a friendly chat on everyday domestic matters while Zizhen was sitting in the winter apartment working at some needlework by the side of the window. The moment they caught a glimpse of him, their faces beamed with smiles. He there comes someone else, they cried. There's no room for you to sit. What a fine picture of beautiful girls in the winter chamber, Bao Yu smiled. It's a pity I can't travel too late. This room is, at all events, so much warmer than any other that I won't feel cold if I plant myself on this chair. So saying, he made himself comfortable on a favorite chair of Da Yu's, was thrown a grey squirrel cover. But noticing in the winter apartment a jade stone ball full of single nassisi in clusters of three or five, Bao Yu began praising their beauty with all the language he could command. What lovely flowers, he exclaimed. The warmer the room gets, the stronger is the fragrance emitted by these flowers. How is it? I never saw them yesterday. These are, Da Yu laughingly explained, from the two pots of nassisi and the two pots of allspice, sent to Miss Xu Sekunda, by the wife of Lai Da, they had butler in her household. Of these, she gave me a pot of nassisi and to that girl ring, a pot of allspice. I didn't at first mean to keep them, but I was afraid of showing no consideration for her kind attention. But if you want them, I'll, in my turn, present them to you. Well, you have them, eh? I've got two pots of them in my rooms, Bao Yu replied, but they are not up to these. How is it you're ready to let others have what husband Qin has given you? This can on no account do. With me here, Da Yu added, the medicine pot never leaves the fire, the whole day long. I'm only kept together by medicines. How could I ever stand the smell of flowers bunging my nose? It makes me weaker than ever. Besides, if there's the least width of medicine in this room, it will, contrary wise, spoil the fragrance of these flowers. So isn't it better that you should have them carried away? These flowers will then breathe the purer atmosphere and won't have any mixture of smiles to annoy them. I've also got now some one ill in my place, Bao Yu reported with a smile, and medicines are being decocted. How comes it you haven't known nothing about it? This is strange, Da Yu laughed. I was really speaking quite thoughtlessly for whoever knows what's going on in your apartments. But why do you, instead of getting here a little earlier to listen to old stories, come at this moment to bring trouble and vexation upon your own self? Bao Yu gave a laugh. Let's have a meeting tomorrow, he proposed, for we've also got the themes. Let's sing the nasisas and allspice. Never mind, drop that, Da Yu rejoined upon hearing his proposal. I can't venture to write any more verses. Whenever I indict any, I mocked it. So I'd rather not be put to any great shame. While uttering these words, she screened her face with both hands. What's the matter? Bao Yu smiled. Why are you again making fun of me? I'm not afraid of any shame, but Lord, you screen your face. The next time, Bao Yu felt compelled to interpose laughingly, I convene the meeting, we'll have four themes for rows and four for songs, and each one of us will have to write four rows in the four round delays. The theme of the first ode will treat all the plan of the great extreme, the rhyme fixed being xian, and the meter consisting of five words in each line, will have to exhaust every one of the rhymes under xian, and mind, not a single one may be left out. From what you say, Bao Yu smiled only observed, it's evident that you're not an earnest cousin in setting the club on foot. It's clear enough that your object is to embarrass people, but as far as the verses go, we could forcibly turn out a few, just by higgledy-piggledy taking several passages from the canon of changes and inserting them in our own. But after all, what fun would there be in that sort of thing? When I was eight years of age, I went with my father to the Western Seaboard to purchase foreign goods. Who would have thought it? We came across a girl from the Zhenzhen Kingdom. She was in her 18th year, and her features were just like those of the beauties one sees represented in foreign pictures. She has also yellow hair, hanging down, and arranged in endless plates. Her whole head was ornamented with one mass of Cornelian beads, ember, cat eyes, and a friend-mother greenstone. On her person, she wore a chain armor plated with gold and a coat, which was up to the very sleeves, embroidered in foreign style. In a belt, she carried a Japanese sword, also inlaid with gold and studded with precious gems. In very truth, even in pictures, there is no one as beautiful as she. Some people said that she was thoroughly conversant with Chinese literature, and could explain the five classics, that she was able to write o's and devise roundelates. And so my father requested and interpreted to ask her to write something. She, therefore, wrote an original stanza, which all, with one voice, praised for its remarkable beauty and extolled for its extraordinary merits. My dear cousin, eagerly smiled Balu, produced what she wrote, and let's have a look at it. It's foot away, Nanjing, Balty replied with a smile. So how could I at present go and fetch it? Raid was Balu's disappointment at his rejoinder. I've known luck, he cried, to see anything like this in the world. Very laughily laid hold of Baltyn. Don't be humbugging us, she remarked. I know well enough that you are not likely, on a visit like this, to have left any such things of yours at home. You must have brought them along. Yet here you are now again, palming off of Dip on us, by saying that you haven't got them with you. You people may believe what she says, but I, for my part, don't. Baltyn got right in the face, drooping her head against her chest. She gave a faint smile, but she uttered not a word by way of response. Really, Pingu, you've got since you're the habit of talking like this, but I loved. You're too screwed by far. Bring them along, they reurged with a smile, and give her the chance of seeing something and learning something. Don't want to hurt them. There's a whole heap of trunks and baskets, which I have put in laughing, which haven't been yet cleared away. And how could one tell in which particular one they're packed up? Wait a few days, and when things will have been put straight a bit, we'll try and find them, and every one of us can then have a look at them, that will be all right. But if you happen to remember the lines, she pursued, speaking to Baltyn, why not recite them for our benefit? I remember so far that her lines consisted of a stanza with five characters in each line, Baltyn returned for an answer. For a foreign girl, they're very well done. Don't begin for a while, Baltyn exclaimed. Let me send for ringer, so that she too might hear them. At this remark, she called her solo to her. Go to my place, she observed, and tell her that a foreign beauty has come over, who's a splendid, handed poetry. You, who have poetry on the brain, are invited to come and see her, and then lay hold of this verse maniac of ours and bring her along. Selor gave a smile, and went away. After a long time, they heard Sunlin laughingly inquire, what foreign beauty has come? But while asking this question, she made her appearance in company with Sunlin. We heard your voices long before we caught a glimpse of your presence, the party laughed. Baltyn and her companions motioned to her to sit down, and in due course, she reiterated what she had told them a short while back. Be quick, out with it, let's hear what it is. Sunlin's smiley cried. Baltyn thereupon recited. Last night in the purple chamber I dreamt, this evening on the Shreiguo Isle I sing. The clouds while the Isle cover the broad sea. The zephyr from the peaks reaches the woods. The moon has never known present or past, from shallow and deep causes springs love's fate. When I recall my spring south of the Hun, can I not feel this consulate at heart? After listening to her, she does deserve credit, they unanimously shouted, but she really is far superior to us Chinese that we be. But scarcely was this remark out of their lips, when they perceived Shreiguo akin. Madame Wong, she said, has sent a servant to inform you, Master Sukundus, that you are to go at an early hour tomorrow morning to your maternal uncles, and that you are to explain to him that her ladyship isn't feeling quite up to the mark, and that she cannot pay him a visit in person. Balryu precipitately jumped to his feet and signified his ascent by answering yes. He then went on to inquire of Balchai and Baoqing. Are you two going? We're not going, Balchai rejoined. We simply went there yesterday to take our present over, but we left after a short chat. Balryu thereupon pressed his female cousins to go ahead, and he then followed them, but so he called out to him again and stopped him. When is Xiren? After all, coming back, she asked. Xiren naturally came back after she has accompanied the funeral. Balryu retorted. There he had something more she would have liked to tell him, but she found it difficult to shape it into words. After some moment spent in abstraction, off with you, she cried. Balryu too felt that he treasured in his heart many things he would then confide to her, but he did not know what to bring to his lips. So, after cogitating within himself for a time, he likewise observed smilingly. We'll have another chat tomorrow, and as he said so, he went his way down the stairs. Burying his head, he was just about to take a step forward, when he twisted himself round again with a lacquery. Now that the nights are longer than they were, you are sure to cough often and wake several times in the night, eh? He asked. Last night, there he answered, I was all right, I coughed only twice, but I only slept at the fourth watch for a couple of hours, and then I couldn't close my eyes again. I really have something very important to tell you, Balryu proceeded with another smile. It only now crossed my mind, saying this he approached her and added in a confidential tone. I think that the bursnets sent to you by cousin Balryu. Barely, however, had he had time to conclude that his flight to Dane-Jar entered the room to pay Dairu a visit. Miss, have you been all right these last few days? She inquired. Dairu readily guessed that there was an attention extended to her merely as she had on her way back from Tantran's quarters to pass by her door, so speedily smiling a forced smile, she offered her a seat. Many thanks to Dane-Jar, she said, for the trouble of thinking of me and for coming in person in this intense cold. Hesely also bidding a servant to pour the tea, she simultaneously winked at Balryu. Balryu grasped her meaning and forced with quitted the apartment. As this happened to be about dinner time, and he had been enjoined as well by Madame Wang to be back at an early hour, Balryu returned to his quarters and looked on while Tien-Wen took her medicine. Balryu did not desire Tien-Wen this evening to move into the winter apartment, but stayed with Tien-Wen outside and giving orders to bring the warming frame near the winter apartment so he slept on it. End of section 54, recording by Cao Yuxing in Singapore. Section 55 of the Dream of the Red Chamber, book two. This is a Libra box recording. All Libra box recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Libra box.org. Recording by Yuxing in Singapore. The Dream of the Red Chamber, book two by Cao Xueqing. Translated by Harry Bencroft Jolly. Chapter 52, part two. Nothing of any interest worth putting on record transpired during the night. On the morrow, before the break of the day, Tien-Wen arose to show you. You should awake, she said. The only thing is that you haven't had enough sleep. If you go out and tell them to get the water for Tien-Wen ready for him, while I wake him, it will be all right. She'll be immediately jumped up and threw something over her. Let's call him to get up and dress in his fine clothes. She said, we can summon them in after this firebox has been removed. The old nurses told us not to allow him to stay in this room, or fear the virus of the disease should pass on to him. So now if they see us bundled up together in one place, they are bound to kick up another row. That's why they are two, Tien-Wen replied. The two girls were then about to call him when Bobby woke up with his own accord and speedily leaping out of bed. He threw his clothes over him. She'll first cause a young maid into the room and put things to ship shape before she told Tien-Wen and the other servant girls to enter. And along with them, she remained in waiting upon Ba-Ru while he combed his hair and washed his face and hands. This part of his toilet over drew a remark, it's cloudy again, so I suppose it's going to snow. It better therefore wear a woolen overcoat. Ba-Ru nodded his head approvingly and said to work at once to effect the necessary shade in his costume. A young maid he made then presented him a covered ball in a small tea tray containing a decoction made of wojian lotus and red dates. After Ba-Ru had had a couple of mouthfuls, Shuo-Yue also brought him a small plate of brown ginger prepared according to some prescription. Ba-Ru put a piece into his mouth and in pressing some advice on Tien-Wen, he crossed over to dower the lady's sweet of rooms. His grandmother had not yet got out of bed, but she was well aware that Ba-Ru was going out of doors, so having the entrance leading into her bedroom open, she asked Ba-Ru to walk in. Ba-Ru is spied behind the old lady, Ba-Ting lying with her face turned towards the inside and not awake yet from her sleep. Da-Ruja lady Da observed that Ba-Ru was clad in a deep red felt-bringed overcoat with woollen, lighty coloured archery sleeves and with an edging of dark ring glossy satin embroidered with gold rings. What, old lady Da-Ling quiet, is it snowing? There were the roost doll, Ba-Ru replied, but it isn't snowing yet. Da-Ruja lady Da there upon sent for Yun-Yang and hurried her to fetch the peacock down police, finish the day before and give it to him. Yun-Yang signified her obedience and went off and actually returned with what was wanted. When Ba-Ru came to survey it, he found that the green and golden hues glistened with bright lustre, that the jade-like variegated colours on it shone with splendour and that it bore no resemblance to the duck-down cloak which Ba-Ting had been wearing. This, he heard his grandmother smile on her remark, is called bird gold. This is woven of the down of peacocks caught in Russia, twisted into thread. The other day I presented that one with the wild duck-down to a young female cousin, so I now give you this one. Ba-Ru prostrated himself for her, after which he threw the coat over his shoulders. Go and let your mother see it before you start, his grandmother laughingly added. Ba-Ru assented and quitted her apartments when he caught sight of Yun-Yang standing below rubbing her eyes. Ever since the day on which Yun-Yang had sworn to have done with the match, she had not exchanged a single word with Ba-Ru. Ba-Ru was therefore day and night a prey to dejection. So, when he now observed her shook his presses again, Ba-Ru had once advanced up to her and, putting on a smile, my dear girl, he said, do you look at the coat I've got on? Is it nice or not? Yun-Yang shoved his hand away and promptly walked into the elderly jazz quarters. Ba-Ru was thus compelled to repair to Madame Wang's room and let her see his coat. Repressing afterwards his footsteps into the garden, he let Xing-Wen and Shui-Yue also have a look at it and then came and told his grandmother that he had attended to her wishes. My mother, he added, has seen what I've got on but all she said was, what's a pity? And then she went on to enjoy me to be careful with it and not to spoil it. Don't only remain this single one, the elderly jazz observed. So if you spoil it, you can't have another. Even did I want to have one made for you like it now, it would be out of the question. At the close of these words, she went on to advise him. Don't, she said, have too much wine and come back early. Ba-Ru acquiesced by uttering several yeses. An old nurse then followed him out into the pavilion. Here they discovered six attendants, Ba-Yu's milk brother Li Gui and Wang Rong, Zhang Ruo-Jing, Zhao Ye-Hua, Qian Sheng, and Zhou Rui, as well as four young servant lads, Bei-Ning, Ban-He, Chu-Yao, and Sao-Hong. Some carrying bundles of clothes on their backs, some holding cushions in their hands, others leading on white holes with engraved saddle and variegated bristles. They had already been waiting for a good long while. The old nurse went on to issue some directions. And the six servants, hastily expressing their obedience by numerous yeses, quickly caught hold of the saddle and waited the serve down while Ba-Yu mounted lazily. Li Gui and Wang Rong then let the horse ride the bit. Two of them, Qian Sheng and Zhou Rui, walked ahead and showed the way. Zhang Ruo-Jing and Zhao Ye-Hua followed Ba-Yu closely on each side. Brother Zhou and brother Qian Ba-Yu smiled from his seat on his horse. Let's go by the side gate. It will save my having a game to dismount when we reach the entrance to my father's study. Mr. Zhao Zhong is still on his study. Zhou Rui laughed with a courtesy. It has been daily under lock and key so there will be no need for you, master, to get down from your horse. There it be locked up. Ba-Yu smiled, I shall have to dismount all the same. You're quite right in what you say, master. Both Qian Sheng and Li Gui chimed in laughily. But pretend you're lazy and don't get down. In the event of our coming across Mr. Lei Da and no number two Mr. Lin, they are sure, rather awkward, there it be for them to say anything to their master, which is under you one or two words of advice, but throw the whole of the blame upon us. You can also tell them that we had not explained to you what was the right thing to do. Zhou Rui and Qian Sheng accordingly went into their steps straight for the side gate. But while they were keeping up for some sort of conversation, they came face to face with Lei Da on his way in. Ba-Yu's bullies pulled in his horse with the idea of dismounting, but Lei Da hastened to draw near and to clasp his leg. Ba-Yu stood up on his stirrup and, putting on a smile, he took his hand and heaths and made several remarks to him. In quick succession, he also perceived a young servant lad make his appearance inside, leading the way for 20 or 30 servants, laden with brooms and dusk baskets. The moment they espied Ba-Yu, they, one and all, stood along the wall and dropped their arms against their sides with the exception of the head lad who, bending one knee, said, my obeisance to you, sir. Ba-Yu could not record to his mind his name or surname, but, forcing his vain smile, he nodded his head to chew and throw. It was only when the horse had well gone past that the lad eventually let the bevel of servants off and that they went after their business. Presently, they egressed from the side gate. Outside stood the servant lads of the Sixth Domestics, the egue and his companions, as well as several grooms who had, from an early hour, got ready about ten horses and been standing, on special duty, waiting for their arrival. As soon as they reached the further end of the side gate, the egue and each of the other attendants mounted their horses and pressed their head to lead the way. Like a streak of smoke, they got out of sight without any occurrence worth noticing. Qingwen, meanwhile, continued to take her medicines, but still she experienced no relief in her ailment. Such was the state of exasperation into which she worked herself that she abused the doctor right and left. All he's good for, she cried, is to squeeze people's money, but he doesn't know how to prescribe a single dose of efficacious medicine for his patients. You have far too impatient a disposition, Shuiya said, as she advised her with a smile. A disease, the proverb has it, calms like a crumbling mountain and goes like silk that is reeled. Besides, they're not the divine pills of lodging. However, could there be such efficacious medicines? The only thing for you to do is to quietly look after yourself for several days and you're sure to get all right. But the more you work yourself into such a frenzy, the worse you get. Qingwen went on to heap abuse on the head of the young maids. Where have they gone? Have they bored into the sand? She ejaculated. They seem well enough that I'm ill, so they make a bold and run away. But by and by, when I recover, I shall take one by one of you and play all skim off for you. The young maid was struck with dismay and ran up to her with hasty step. Miss, she inquired, what's up with you? Is it likely that the rest are all dead and gone and that there only remains but you? Qingwen exclaimed. But while she spoke, she saw Dreyer also slowly enter the room. Look at this vixen, Qingwen shouted. If I don't ask for her, she won't come. Had there been any monthly allowances issued and fruits distributed here, you would have been the first to run in. But approach a bit. Am I tigerish to gobble you up? Dreyer was under the necessity of advancing a few steps nearer to her. But all of a sudden, Qingwen stooped forward and with a dash clutching her hand, she took a long ping from the side of her pillow and pricked it at random all over. What's the use of such paws? She reeled at her. They don't ply a niddle and they don't touch any thread. All you're good for is to prick things to stuff that mouth of yours with. The skin of your fizz is shallow and those paws of yours are light. But with a shame you bring upon yourself before the world, isn't it right that I should prick you and make minced meat of you? Dreyer shouted so wildly from pain that she really stepped forward and immediately threw them apart. She then pressed Qingwen until she induced her to lie down. You're just perspiring, she remarked, and here you are once more bent upon killing yourself. Wait until you're herself again. One should then be able to give her as many blows as you may like. What's the use of kissing up all this fuss just now? Qingwen bade a servant to tell Nersong to come in. Our master Secundus, Mr. Ba'u, recently asked me to tell you, she remarked on her arrival. That Dreyer is very lazy. He himself gives her orders to her very face, but she is ever ready to raise objections and not to budge. Even when Xiren bids her to do things, she vilifies her behind her back. She must absolutely, therefore, be packed off today. And if Mr. Ba'u himself lays the matter tomorrow before Madame Wang, things will be square. After listening to her grievances, Nersong readily concluded in her mind that the affair of the bracelet had come to be known. What you suggest is well and good is true, she consequently smiled, but is as well to wait until Miss Huai returns and hear about the things. We can then give her the sack. Mr. Ba'u urgently enjoyed this today, Qingwen pursued. So what about Miss Huai, Miss Cao? We've, of course, got rules of propriety here, so you just do as I tell you and be quick and send for someone from her house to come and fetch her away. Well, now let's drop this, surely interposed, whether she goes soon or whether she goes late is one and the same thing. So let them take her away soon, we'll then be the signoclare of her. At these words, Nersong had no alternative but to step out and send for her mother. When she came, she got readily all her effects and then came to see Qingwen and the other girls. Young ladies, she said, what's up? If your niece doesn't behave as she ought to, why call her to account? But why banish her from this place? You should, indeed, leave us a little face. As regards to what you say, Qingwen put in, we've until Ba'u comes and then we can ask him. It's nothing to do with us. The woman gave us her donic smile. How have I got the courage to ask him? She answered, in what matter doesn't he lend a knee to any settlement you young ladies may propose? He invariably agrees to all you say. But if you, young ladies, aren't agreeable, it's really of no avail. When you, for example, spoke just now, it's true that it was on the slide. You called him straight away by his name, Miss. This does very well with you, young ladies, but were we to do anything of the kind we'd be looked upon as very savages? Qingwen, upon hearing her remark, became more than ever exasperated and got crimson in the face. Yes, according by his name, you rejoined. So you'd better go and report me to our old lady and Madame Wang. Tell them I'm a rustic and let them send me to you off. Sister-in-law, I should show you, just you take her away. And if you've got all to say, you can say it by and by. Is this a place for you to ball in and try and explain what is right? Who have you seen discourse upon the rules of variety with us? Not as we could view, Sister-in-law, even Mrs. Leaghan, Mrs. Lin, treats us fairly well. And as for calling him by his name, why, from those of your to the very present, our Dowager Mistress has invariably burdened us do so. Yeah, yourselves are way aware of it. So much did she fear that it would be a difficult job to rear him, that she deliberately wrote his infant name on slips of paper and had them stuck everywhere and anywhere with a design that one-in-all should call him by it. And this, in order that it might exercise a good influence upon his bringing up, even water-coolies and scavenger-coolies indiscriminately addressed him by his name. And how much more such as we, so late, in fact, as yesterday Mrs. Lin gave him, but whinest the title of sir, in our road mistress called even her to task? This is one side of the question. In the next place, we all have to go and make frequent reports to our venerable Dowager Lady and Madame Wang, and don't we, with them, allude him by name in what we have to say? Isn't likely we'd also stall him, sir? What day is there that we don't utter the two words by 200 times? And is it for you, Sister-in-law, to come and pick out this fort? But in a day or so, when you've led her to go to our road mistress and Madame Wang's, your heroes call him by name in their very presence, and then you'll feel convinced. You've never, Sister-in-law, had occasion to fulfill any honourable duties by our old lady and our lady. From one ear's end to the other, all you do is to simply loathe outside the third door. So it's no matter of surprise if you don't have to know anything of the customs which prevail with us inside. But this isn't a place where you, Sister-in-law, can linger for long. In another moment, there won't be any need for us to say anything, for someone will be coming to ask you what you want, and what excuse you'll be able to plead. So take her away and let Mrs. Lin know about it, and commission her to come and find out Mr. Secundus and tell him all. There are in this establishment over a thousand inmates, one comes and another comes, so that though we know people and acquire their names, we can't nevertheless imprint them clearly on our minds. At the close of this long rigmarole, she at once told a young maid to take them up and wash the floors. The woman listened patiently to her arguments, but she could find no words to say anything to her by way of reply, nor did she have the audacity to protract her stay. So flying into a huff, she took Draya along with her, and there and then made her way out. Is it likely, no song hastily observed, that a dame like you doesn't know what man is mean? Your daughter has been in these rooms for some time, so she should, when she's about to go, knock her head before the young ladies. She has no other means of sharing her gratitude. Not that they care much about such things, yet were she to simply knock her head, she would acquit herself of a duty, if nothing more. But how is it that she says I'm going, and oh, she falls with rushes? Draya overheard these words, and felt unabashed the necessity of turning back. Entering there for the apartment, she prostrated herself before the two girls, and then she went in quest of Chowen and her companions, but neither did they pay any notice whatever to her. Hey, ejaculated the woman, and heaving a sigh, for she did not venture to utter a word. She walked off, fostering a grudge in her heart. Qingwen had, while suffering from a cold, got into a fit of anger into the bargain, so instead of being better, she was worse, and she tossed and rolled until the time came for lighting the lamps. By the moment she felt more at ease, she saw Baoyu come back. As soon as he put his foot inside the door, he gave way to an exclamation and stamped his foot. What's the reason of such behaviour? Shuiyue promptly asked him. My old grandmother, Baoyu explained, was in such capital spirits that she gave me this coat today, but he would have thought it I inadvertently burnt part of the back of the maple. Fortunately, however, the evening was advanced, so that neither she nor my mother noticed what had happened. Speaking the while, he took it off. Shuiyue, on inspection, found indeed a hole burnt in it, off the sides of her finger. Please, she said, must have been done by some spark from the hand stove. It's of no consequence. Immediately she called a servant to her. Take this out on a sly, she bade her, and let an experienced weaver patch it. You'll be all right then. So same, she pecked it up in a wrapper and the nurse carried it outside. It should be ready by daybreak, she urged, and by no means let our old lady or madam one know anything about it. The maitreum brought it back again after protracted absence. Not only, she explained, have weavers, first-half tailors and embroiderers, but even those who do women's work been asked about it, and they all have no idea what this is made of. None of them, therefore, will venture to undertake the job. What's to be done, she inquired, but it won't matter if you don't wear it tomorrow. Tomorrow is the very day of the anniversary, while you're rejoined. Run, mother, and my mother bade me, put this on and go and pay my visit, and here I go and burn it on the first day I'll wear it. Now, isn't this enough to throw a damper over my Gucci? See one then aneared to the conversation for a long time, until, unable to restrain herself, she twisted herself round. Bring it here, she chimed in, and let me see it. You haven't been lucky in wearing this, but never mind. These wares were still on Shinwon's lips when the coat was handed to her. This is made, Shinwon observed, of go-threat spun from peacock's feathers. So, will we now to also take go-threats twisted from the feathers of the peacock and darn it closely by imitating the wolf? I think it will pass without detection. The peacock feather thread is ready at hand, she remarked smilingly, but who's there exclusive of you, able to join the threads? I'll needless to say, do my level best to the very cost of my life and finish, Shinwon added. However could this do, by you eagerly interposed, you're just slightly better and how could you take up any need or work? You needn't go on in this chicken-hearted way, Shinwon cried, I knew my own self well enough. With this reply, she set up and, putting her hair up, she threw something over her shoulders. Her head felt heavy, her body light, before her eyes, confusedly flittered golden stirs. In real deed, she could not stand the strain, but when inclined to give up the work, she again dreaded that body would be driven to despair. She, therefore, had perforce to make a supreme effort and, setting her teeth to, she bore the exertion. All the help she asked of Shuyu was to lend her hand in wielding the thread. Shinwon first took hold of her thread and put it side by side with those in the police to compare the two together. This, she remarked, isn't quite like them, but when it's patched up with it, it won't show very much. It will do very well. Baru said, you could also go and hunt up a rotten tailor. Shinwon commenced by unstitching the lining and, inserting under it, a bamboo bow off the side of the mouth of a teacup. She bound it tight at the back. She then turned her mind to the foreside of the aperture and then she loosened by scratching them with a golden knife. Making next two stitches across with a needle, she marked out the warp and a woof. And, following the way the threads were joined, she first and foremost connected the foundation and then keeping to the original lines, she went backwards and forwards, mending the hole, passing her work after every second stitch on the further review. But she did not ply her needle three to five times before she lay herself down on her pillow and indulged in a little rest. Baru was stemling by her side. Now he inquired of her whether she would like a little hot water to drink. Later on, he asked her to repose herself. Now he seized a gray squirrel wrapper and threw it over her shoulders. Shortly after, he took a pillow and propped her up. The way he first so exasperated Shinwon that he bragged and treated him to leave off. My junior ancestor, she exclaimed, do you go to bed and sleep? If you sit up for another half of the night, your eyes will tomorrow look as if they had been scooped out and what good will possibly come out of that? Baru realized her state of exasperation and felt compelled to come and lie down anyhow, but he could not again close his eyes. In a little while, she heard the clock strike full and just managing to finish, he took a small toothbrush and rubbed up to the pile. That will do, Shoya put in. One couldn't detect it unless one examined it carefully. Baru asked with alacrity to be allowed to have a look at it. Really, he smiled, it's quite the same thing. Shinwon cuffed and cuffed time after time so it was only after extreme difficulty that she succeeded in completing what she had to patch. It's mended, it's true, she remarked, but it does not, after all, look anything like it. Yes, I cannot stand the effort anymore. As she shouted, I hear, she lost control over herself and dropped down upon the bed. But, to either, if you choose to know anything more of his state, Baru's the next chapter. End of section 55, recording by Zahori Shin in Singapore. Section 56 of the Dream of the Red Chamber, Book II. This is a Librebox recording. All Librebox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librebox.org, recording by Yuqing in Singapore. The Dream of the Red Chamber, Book II by Cao Xueqing, translated by Harry Bencroft Jolly, chapter 53, part one. In the Ningguo Mansion, sacrifices are offered to their ancestors on the last night of the year. In the Rongguo Mansion, a banquet is given on the evening of the 15th of the first moon. But to resume our story, when Baoyu saw that Qingwen had in her attempt to finish mending the peacock down cloak, exhausted her strength and fatigued herself, he hastily bade a young maid help her massage her and, setting to work, they tapped her for a while, after which they retired to rest. But not much time elapsed before broad daylight set in. He did not, however, go out of doors, but simply called out that they should go out once and ask the doctor around. Presently, Dr. Wang arrived. After feeling her pulse, his suspicions were aroused. Yesterday, he said, she was much better. So how is it that today she is instead weaker and has fallen off so much? She must surely have had too much in a way of drinking or eating, or she must have fatigued herself. A complained arising from outside sources is indeed a light thing, but it's no small matter if one doesn't take proper care of oneself as she has done after perspiring. As he passed these remarks, he walked out of the apartment and, writing a prescription, he entered again. When Baoyu came to examine it, he perceived that he had eliminated the laxatives and all the drugs whose properties were to expel noxious influences, but added Pakema Coco's rhubarb, arolaidulis, and other such medicines, which could stimulate the system and strengthen her physique. Baoyu, on one hand, hastened to direct a servant to go and decock to them, and on the other, he heaved a sigh. "'What's to be done?' he exclaimed. "'Should anything happen to her, "'it will all be through the evil consequences "'of my shortcomings.' "'Hey!' cried Xinguun, "'from where she was reclining on her pillow. "'Dear Mr. Secondos, go and mind your own business. "'Have I got such a dreadful disease?' Baoyu had no alternative but to get out of the way. "'But in the afternoon he gave out "'that he was not feeling up to the mark "'and hurried back to her side again. "'The symptoms of Xinguun's illness were, "'it is true, grave. "'Yet fortunately for her, "'she had ever had to strain her physical strength "'and not to tax the energies of her mind. "'Furthermore, she had always been frugal in her diet "'so that she had never sustained any harm "'from under-over-eating. "'The custom in the Jia Mansion "'was that, as soon as anyone, "'irrespective of masters or servants, "'contracted the slightest chill or cuff, "'quiet and starving should invariably "'be the main things observed. "'The treatment by medicines "'occupying only a secondary place. "'Hence it was that when the other day "'she unawares felt unwell, "'she had once abstained from food "'during two or three days "'while she carefully also nursed herself "'by taking proper medicines. "'And although she recently taxed her strength "'a little too much, she gradually succeeded "'by attending with extra care to her health "'for another few days "'in bringing about her complete recovery. "'Off late, his female cousins, "'who lived in the garden, "'had been having their meals in their rooms, "'so with extreme convenience "'of having a fire to prepare drinks and eatables, "'Bauyu himself was able, "'needless for us to go into details, "'to ask for soups and all the broths for Qinwen, "'with which to recoup her health. "'Xiren returned soon after "'she had followed the funeral of her mother. "'Shuoyue then minutely told Qinren "'all about Drea's affair, "'about Qinwen having sent her off "'and about Baoyu having been "'already informed of the fact, "'and so forth. "'Yet to all this, "'Xiren made no further comment then. "'What a very hasty disposition "'that gold Qinwen has. "'But consequent upon Dliwen, "'being likewise laid up with the cold, "'she got through the inclement of the weather. "'Madame Xing suffering so much from sore eyes "'that Yunchun and Xiuyan had to go "'morning and evening and wait on her, "'while she used such medicines as she had. "'Dliwen's brother, "'having also taken her sister-in-law, Li, "'together with Liwen and Liqi, "'to spend a few days at his home, "'and Baoyu seeing on one hand, "'Xiren brood without intermission "'over the memory of the mother "'and give way to secret grief. "'And Qinwen on the other, "'continuing not quite convalescent. "'There was no one to turn any attention to "'such things as political meetings, "'with the result that several occasions "'on which they were to have assembled "'were passed over without anything being done. "'By this time, the twelfth moon arrived. "'The end of the year was nigh at hand, "'so Madame Wang and Lady Feng "'were engaged in making the necessary "'annual preparations. "'But without alluding to Wang Zeteng, "'who was promoted to be Lord High Commissioner "'over the nine provinces, "'Jia Yunchun, who filled up "'the post of Chief Inspector of Calvary, "'Assistant Grand Consulor "'and Commissioner of Affairs of State, "'we will resume our narrative with Jiazhen "'in the other part of the establishment. "'After having the ancestral hall thrown open, "'he gave orders to the domestics "'to sweep the place, "'to get ready the various articles, "'and bring over the ancestral tablets. "'Then he had the upper rooms cleaned "'so as to be ready to receive the various images "'that were to be hung about. "'In the tomb mentions Ning and Rong, "'inside as well as outside, "'above as well as below, "'everything was, therefore, "'bustled in confusion. "'As soon as Mrs. Yeo, of the name Mansion, "'put a foot out of bed on this day,' "'she said to work, "'with the assistance of Jaron's wife, "'to repair such needlework and presents, "'as had to be sent over "'to dowry the Lady Jia's portion of the establishment, "'when it so happened "'that a servant girl broke in upon them "'with a tea tray in hand, "'containing ingots of silver "'of the kind given the evening before New Year.' "'Sooner,' she said, "'informs your ladyship "'that the pieces of gold in that bundle "'of the other day amount in awe to 153 tales, "'one mace and seven candorines, "'and that the ingots of pure metal "'and those not contained in here "'number altogether 220.' "'With these words, she presented the tray.' "'Mrs. Yeo passed the ingots on a survey. "'She found some resembling Plum Blossom, others Pionis. "'Among them was some with pens "'and as you like, "'and others representing that each precious thing "'linked together for use in springtime.' "'Mrs. Yeo directed that the silver ingots "'should be made up into a parcel, "'and then she bade Xiongou take them "'and deliver them immediately inside. "'The servant girl signified her obedience "'and went away, "'but shortly Jiazhen arrived for his meal "'and Jiazhen's wife withdrew. "'Have we received? "'Their upon inquired Jiazhen. "'The bounty conferred by His Majesty "'for our spring sacrifices or not. "'I've sent Xiongou today to go and receive it, "'Mrs. Yeo rejoined. "'I'll beat,' continued Jiazhen. "'Our family can well do without those poultry tales, "'yet they are, whatever their amount may be, "'an imperial gift to us. "'So take them over as soon as you can "'and send them to a road lady on the other side "'to get ready the sacrifices to our ancestors. "'Above, we shall then receive the emperor's bounty. "'Below, we shall enjoy the goodwill of our progenitors. "'For no matter if we went so far "'as to spend 10,000 ounces of silver "'to present offerings to our forefather's width, "'they could not, in the long run, "'come up with this gift in high repute. "'Add us to this. "'We shall be the participators of grace "'and the recipients of blessings. "'But in one or two households, such as our own aside, "'what resources would those poverty-stricken families "'of hereditary officials have at their command, "'wherewith to offer their sacrifices "'and celebrate the new year "'if they could not rely upon this money? "'In very truth, therefore, "'the imperial favour is vast and all-providing.' "'Your arguments are quite correct,' "'Mrs. Yeo ventured. "'But while these two were indulging in this colloquy, "'the court-side of a messenger, who came and announced, "'Oh, young master has arrived!' "'Dajun, accordingly, enjoined, "'that he should be told to enter, "'whereupon they saw Dajun step into the room "'and present with both hands a small bag "'made of yellow cloth. "'How is it you've been away the whole day?' "'Dajun asked. "'Dajun strained a smile. "'I didn't receive the money today from the Board of Rights.' "'He replied, "'The issue was again made at the treasury of the Guanglu Temple. "'So I had, once more, to trade away to the Guanglu Temple "'before I could get it. "'The various officials in the Guanglu Temple "'fade me present their compliments to you, Father. "'They asked me to tell you "'that they had not seen you for many days "'and that they are really longing for your company.' "'What an idea! Do they care to see me?' "'Dajun laughed. "'Why?' "'Here's the end of the year drawing nigh again. "'So if they don't hanker after my presence, "'they must long encroach on my entertainments.' "'While he spoke, his eye aspired a slip of paper "'affixed to the yellow cloth bag "'bearing the four large characters. "'The imperial favour is everlasting. "'On the other side figured also a row of small characters "'with a seal of director of ancestral worship "'in the Board of Rights. "'These, testified that they enclosed consisted of two shares "'conferred upon the Ningguoduq, Jia Yan "'and the Rongguoduq, Jia Fa, "'as a bounty from the emperor "'for sacrifices to them every spring in perpetuity "'and gave the number of tales computed in pure silver "'and the year, moon and day "'on which they were received in open hall by Jia Rong, "'controlled in the imperial prohibited city "'and expectant officer of the guards. "'The signature of the official in charge of the temple "'for that year was appended below in purple ink. "'After Jia Yan had bruised the inscription, "'he finished his meal, rinsed his mouth, "'and washed his hands. "'This over, he changed his shoes and hat "'and bidding Jia Rong follow him along with the money. "'He went and informed Dowager Lady Jia and Madame Wang "'of the receipt of the imperial bounty "'and repairing back to the nearsight "'communicated the fact to Jia She and Madame Xin. "'After which he at length "'but took himself to his quarters. "'He then emptied the money "'and gave orders that the bag should be taken "'and burned in the large censor in the ancestral hall. "'Go and ask your aunt Tersha yonder. "'He further enjoined Jia Rong, "'whether the day on which the new year wine "'is to be drunk has been fixed or not. "'If it has been determined upon, "'timely notice should be given in the library "'to draw out a proper list in order that "'when we again issue our invitations, "'there should be no chance of two entertainments "'coming off on the same day. "'Last year not sufficient care was exercised "'and several persons were invited "'to both mansions on the very same occasion. "'And people didn't say that we hadn't been careful enough "'but that as far as appearances went, "'the two households had made up their minds "'among themselves to show an empty attention "'prompted by the fear of trouble. "'Jia Rong immediately replied "'that he would attend to his injunctions "'and none would shine a lapse "'before he brought a list mentioning the days "'on which the inmates were to be invited "'to partake of the new year wine. "'Jia Rong examined it. "'Go,' he then said, "'and give it to Lai Sheng "'so that he may see its contents and invite the guests. "'But mind, he doesn't fix anything else "'for the days specified in here.' "'But while washing from the pavilion, "'the servants boys carrying the enclosing screams "'and rubbing the tables, "'and the gold and silver sacrificial utensils, "'he perceived a lad appear on the scene "'holding a petition and a list "'and report that all the haired farmer "'in the Heishan village had arrived.' "'What does this old executioner come for today?' "'Jia Zhen exclaimed. "'Jia Rong took the petition and the list "'and, unfolding them with order's match, "'he held them up to his father. "'Jia Zhen, however, glanced at the papers "'as they were held by Jia Rong, "'puping the while both hands behind his back. "'The petition on red paper ran as follows. "'Your servant, the head farmer, Wu Jingxiao, "'proceries himself before his master and mistress, "'and wishes them every kind of happiness and good health, "'as well as good health to their worthy son and daughter. "'Make great joy, great blessings, "'brilliant honors and peace be their share in the spring, "'wish is about to dawn. "'May official promotion and increase of emoluments "'be their lot. "'May they see in everything "'the accomplishment of their wishes.' "'Jia Zhen smiled. "'For a farmer, he remarked, "'it has several good porments. "'Pay no heed to the style, urges Jia Rong, "'also smiling, but with good wishes.' "'Saying this, he speedily opened the list. "'The articles mentioned were, "'on examination, found to consist of "'30 big deer, 5,000 musk deer, "'50 robot deer, 20 Siamese pigs, "'20 boiled pigs, 20 dragon pigs, "'20 wild pigs, 20 home-sotted pigs, "'20 wild sheep, 20 gray ship, "'20 home-boiled sheep, 20 home-dried sheep, "'200 sturgeon, 200 catties of mixed fish, "'live chickens, ducks and geese, "'200 of each, 200 dried chickens, ducks and geese, "'200 pair of pheasants and heirs, "'200 pair of bears-paws, 20 catties of deer-tendants, "'50 catties of burstamere, "'50 udea-tunks, 50 ox-tunks, "'20 catties of dried clams, "'filbuts, furcons, peaches, apricots and squash, "'200 bands of each, 50 pair of salt-prons, "'200 catties of dry shrimps, "'1000 catties of super-fine-picked charcoal, "'200 catties of medium charcoal, "'20,000 catties of common charcoal, "'2 pickles of red rice, grown in an imperial ground, "'50 bushels of greenish, glutinous rice, "'50 bushels of white glutinous rice, "'50 bushels of pounded, non-glutinous rice, "'50 bushels of various kinds of coral and millet, "'1000 pickers of ordinary common rice, "'exclusive of a cart load of every sort of vegetables, "'and irrespective of 2,500 tails "'derived from the sale of corn and millet "'and every kind of domestic animals. "'Your servant respectfully presents, "'for your honor's delectation, "'2 pair of live deer, "'4 pair of white rabbits, "'4 pair of black rabbits, "'2 pair of live variegated fowls, "'and 2 pair of duck from western countries. "'When Jiazhen had exhausted the list, "'bring him in,' he cried. "'In a little time, "'he perceived Wu Jingxiao make his appearance inside. "'But simply holding in the court, "'he pumped his head on the ground and paid his respects. "'Jiazhen desired a servant to raise him up. "'You are still so hailed,' he smiled. "'I don't deceive you, sir,' Wu Jingxiao observed. "'When I say that your servants are so accustomed to walking, "'that had we not come, "'we wouldn't have felt exceedingly dull. "'Isn't the whole crowd of them "'keying upon coming to see what the world is like "'at the feet of the sun of heaven? "'Yet there are, after all, so young an ears, "'that there's the fear of there going astray on the way. "'But in a few more years, "'I shall be able to appease my solicitude on their account.'" "'How many days have you been on the way?' "'Jiazhen inquired." "'To reply to your question, sir,' Wu Jingxiao ventured. "'So much snow has fallen this year "'that is everywhere out of town, "'four and five feet in depth. "'The other day, the weather suddenly turned mild, "'and with the thaw that set in, "'it became so very hard to make any progress "'that we wasted several days. "'Yet, albeit, we've been a month and two days "'in accomplishing the journey. "'It isn't anything excessive. "'But, as I feared, let's you, sir, "'would be giving way to anxiety. "'Didn't I hurry along to arrive in good time?' "'How is it, I said, that he's come only today?' "'Jiazhen observed. "'But, upon looking over the list just now, "'it seemed to me that you, old fossil, "'had come again to make as much as fun of me "'as if you were putting up a stage for a boxing match.' "'All Jingxiao hastily drew near a couple of steps. "'I must tell you, sir,' he remarked, "'that the harvest this year hasn't really been good. "'Brain set in ever since the third moon, "'and there it went on incessantly straight up "'to the eighth moon. "'Indeed, the weather hasn't kept fine "'for five or six consecutive days. "'In the ninth moon, there came a storm of fail, "'each stone of which was about the size of a saucer. "'And over an area of the neighbouring two or three hundred thee, "'the men and houses, animals and crops, "'which sustained injury, numbered over thousand and ten thousand. "'Hands it is, that the things we've wrought now "'are what they are. "'Your servant will not have the audacity to tell a lie.' "'Jiazhen knitted his eyebrows. "'I had computed. "'He said that the very least you would have brought "'would have been five thousand tales. "'What is this enough for? "'There are only now eight or nine of your farmers, "'and from two localities' reports "'have contrariwise reached us "'during the course of this very year "'of the occurrence of drought. "'And do you people come again to try your larks with us? "'Why, verily, these aren't sufficient "'to see you the new year in with.' "'And yet,' was he so argued, "'your place can be looked upon as having fared well, "'for my brother, who's only over a hundred thee away "'from where I am, has actually fallen in "'with a vastly different lot. "'He has, at present, eight farms of that mansion "'on his control, and these considerably larger "'than those of yours, sir, "'and yet, this year, they too, "'have only produced but a few things. "'So nothing beyond two or three thousand tales "'has me realized. "'What's more, they've had to borrow money.' "'Quite so,' said an exclaimed. "'The state of things in my place here is passable. "'I've got no outside outlay. "'The main thing I have to mind "'is to make provision for a year's necessary expenses. "'If I launch out into luxuries, "'I have to suffer hardships, "'so I must try a little self-denial "'and manage to save something. "'Is the custom the size at the end of the year "'to send presents to people and invite others? "'But I'll thicken the skin of my face a bit "'and dispense with both and have done. "'I am not like the inmates in that mansion "'who have, during the last few years, "'added to so many items of expenditure. "'That is, of course, a matter of impossibility "'for them to avoid loosening their purse strings. "'But they haven't, on the other hand, "'made any addition to their funds and lend it to property. "'During the course of the past year or two, "'they've had to make up many deficits. "'And if they don't appeal to you, to whom can they go?' "'Was in cell laughed. "'It's true,' he said, "'that in that mansion, any items have been added, "'but money goes out and money comes in "'and want the emperors and his majesty, "'the emperor, bestow their favor. "'At these words, D'Argent smilingly faced D'Argent "'and the other inmates. "'Just you listen to his arguments,' he exclaimed. "'Aren't they ridiculous, eh?' "'D'Argent and the rest promptly smiled. "'Among your heels and seaboard, can anything,' "'they observed, the note with regard to this principle, "'is it likely, pray, that the emperors "'will ever make over to us the emperor's treasury? "'Why, even supposing she may yet hard "'entertain any such wish, she herself cannot "'possibly adopt independent action. "'Of course, she does confer her benefits on them, "'but this is at state-at-times and fixed periods, "'and they merely consist of a few colored "'satins, antiquities, and brick-a-brack. "'In fact, when she does bestow a hard catch on them, "'it doesn't exceed a hundred ounces of silver. "'But did she even give them so much "'as a thousand and more tails? "'What would these suffice for? "'During which of the two last years "'have they not had to forecast several thousands of tails? "'In the first year, the imperial consort "'paid a visit to her parents, "'and just calculate how much they must have run through "'in laying out that park, "'and you'll then know how much they stand. "'Why, if in another couple of years "'the emperors comes and pays them a second visit, "'they'll be, I'm inclined to fancy, regular poppers. "'That's why, urge to judge and smile in, "'country people are such unsophisticated creatures "'that though they behold what lies on the surface, "'they have no idea of what is inside hidden from view. "'They're just like a piece of yellow cedar "'made into a mallet for beating the sonorous stones with. "'The exterior looks well enough, but it's all bitter inside.' "'In very truth,' Gero added, laughing also at the while, "'as he addressed himself to Zajun. "'That mention is impoverished. "'The other day, I heard a consultation held on the slide "'between Aunt Secunda and Yuanyang. "'What they wanted was to filter our worthy senior's things "'and go and pawn them in order to raise money.' "'This is just another devilish trick of that mixed fun.' Zajun smiled. "'However could they have reached such straits? "'She's certain to have seen that expenses were great "'and that heavy deficits had to be squared. "'So waiting again to curtail some item or other, "'who knows which, she devised this plan "'as a pre-poetry step. "'In order that when it came to be generally known, "'people should say that they had been reduced "'to such poverty. "'But from the result of this calculation "'that I have arrived at in my mind, "'things haven't as yet attained this climax.' "'Continuing, he issued orders to a servant "'to take Odin Xiao outside "'and treat him with every consideration. "'But no further mention need to be made of him. "'During this while, Zajun gave directions "'to keep from the various prerequisites just received, "'such as would prove serviceable "'for the sacrifices to their ancestors. "'And, selecting a few things of each kind, "'he told Zajun to have them taken to a wrong mention. "'After this, he himself kept what was required "'for his own use at home. "'And then, allotting the rest, "'with due compliance to graduation, "'he had, share after share, piled up "'at the foot of the smooth-shaped platform, "'and sending servants to some of the young men "'of the clan, he distributed them among them. "'In quick succession, numerous contributions "'for the ancestral sacrifices were likewise "'sent from the wrong mention. "'Also, presents for Zajun.' "'Zajun inspected the things, "'and having them removed, he completed "'preparing the sacrificial utensils. "'Then, putting on a pair of slip-shot shoes "'and throwing over his shoulders along police "'with Shirley Sunfer, he bade the servants, "'spread a large wolfskin rug in a sunny place "'on the stone steps below the pillars of the pavilion. "'And with his back to the warm sun, "'he leisurely watched the young people come "'and receive the New Year gifts, "'perceiving that Zajun had also come to fetch his share. "'Zajun called him over. "'How is it that you've come, too?' he asked. "'Who told you to come?' "'Zajun respectfully dropped his arm against his side. "'I heard,' he replied, "'that you, Sinesa, have sent for us to appear before you here "'and receive our presents. "'So I didn't wait for the servants to go and tell me, "'but came straight away.' "'These things,' Zajun added, "'are intended for distribution among all those uncles and cousins "'who have nothing to do and who enjoy no source of income. "'Those two years you had no work, "'I gave you plenty of things, too. "'But you are entrusted at present "'with some charge in the other mansion "'and you exercise in the family temples "'control over the bonuses and Taoist priests "'so that you, as well, derive every month "'your share of an allowance. "'Irrespective of that, the allowances and money "'of the Buddhist priests pass through your hands. "'And do you still come to fetch things of this kind? "'You are far too greedy. "'Just you look at the fineries you wear. "'Why? They look like the habiliments "'of one who has money to spend "'of a regular man of business. "'You said some time back that you had nothing "'which could bring you in any money. "'But how is it that you've got none again now? "'You really don't look as if you were in the same plight "'that you were in once upon a time.' "'I have, in my home, a goodly number of inmates.' "'Doubting explained, some expenses are great. "'Xiazhen gave a set-and-line laugh. "'Are you trying again to excuse yourself with me?' "'He cried, "'Do you flatter yourself "'that I have no idea of your dealings "'in the family temples? "'When you get there, you, of course, "'play the grand personage, "'and no one has the courage to run counter to your wishes. "'Then you've also got the handling of money. "'Besides, you are far away from us, "'so you are arrogant and audacious. "'Night after night, you get bad characters together, "'you gamble for money, "'and you keep women and young boys. "'And though you are now flinging away money "'with such a high hand, "'do you still presume to come and receive gifts? "'But, as you can't manage to felt anything "'to take along with you, "'you will do you good to get beans "'with a pool used for carrying water. "'Wait until the new year is over, "'and then I'll certainly report you to your uncle's kundus. "'Ziaqin got crimson in the face "'and did not venture to utter a single word "'by way of extenuation. "'A servant, however, then announced "'that the prince from bay mansion "'had sent a pair of scrolls and a purse. "'At this announcement, "'Ziaqin immediately told Ziarong to go out "'and entertain the messengers "'and just say,' he added, "'that I'm not at home.' Ziarong went on his way. "'Ziazhen, meanwhile, dismissed Ziaqin "'and, seeing the things taken away, "'returned to his quarters "'and finished his evening meal with Mrs. You, "'but nothing of any note occurred during that night.' End of Section 56, recording by Cao Yuqing in Singapore. Section 57 of the Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2. This is a Librebox recording. All Librebox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit Librebox.org. Recording by Yuqing in Singapore. The Dream of the Red Chamber, Book 2 by Cao Xiuqing. Translated by Harry Bencroft-Shully. Chapter 53, Part 2. The next day he had, needless to say, still more things to give his mind to. Soon arrived the 29th day of the 12th moon and everything was in perfect readiness. In the two mountains alike, the gate-guarding gods and scrolls were renovated. The hanging tablets were newly varnished. The peach charms glistened like new. In the Ningguo mansion, every principal door, starting from the main entrance, the ceremonial gates, the doors of the large pavilions of the winter apartments, and inner pavilions, the inner three gates, the inner ceremonial gates, and the inner boundary gates, straight up to the doors of the main halls, was flung wide open. At the bottom of the steps were placed on either side large and lofty of a million candles of uniform color, which, when lit, presented the appearance of a pair of golden dragons. On the morrow, Dao Deleijia and those with any official status dined the cauldras consistent with their grade and taking first and foremost a retinue of inmates with them. They entered the palace in eight bare estate chairs and presented the congratulations. After acquitting themselves of the ceremonial rights and partaking of the banquet, they betook themselves back and alighted from their chairs on their arrival and the winter hall of the Ningguo mansion. The young men who had not followed the party to court waited, arranged in a proper order in front of the entrance of the king mansion, and subsequently led the way into the ancestral temple. But to return to Baoxing, this was the first occasion on which she put her foot inside to look at the inner precincts of the Jia ancestral temple. And as she did so, she scrutinized with minute attention all the details that met her gaze in the halls dedicated to their far fathers. These consisted, in fact, of a distinct courtyard on the west side of the Ningguo mansion, within the balustrade, painted black stood five apartments. Over the main entrance to these was suspended a flat tablet with the inscription in four characters and ancestral hall of the Jia family. On the side of these was recorded the fact that it had been the handiwork of Wang Xixian, specially promoted to the rank of grand tutor of the heir apparent and formerly chancellor of the Imperial Academy. On either side was one of a pair of scrolls bearing the mortar. Be smear the earth with your liver and brains, all ye people, out of gratitude for the bounty of the emperor's protection. The reputation of the Jia family reaches the very skies. Hundred generations rejoice in the splendor of the sacrifices accorded them. This too had been executed by Wang, the grand tutor. As soon as the court was centered, a raised road was reached, paved with white marble on both sides of which were planted deeper infertories and kingfisher-green cypress trees. On the moon-shaped platform were laid out antiquities, tripods, libation vases, and other similar articles. In front of the antechamber was hang a gold-colored flat tablet with nine dragons and the device. Like a dazzling star is the statesman who assists the emperor. This was the autograph of a former emperor. And both sides figured a pair of antithetical scrolls with a mortal. Their honors equal the sun and moon in luster. Their fame is without bounds. It descends to their sons and grandsons. These lines were likewise from the imperial pencil. Over the five rooms main hall were suspended a tablet being laid with green representing wriggling dragons. The sentiments consisted of mindful of the remotest and heedful of the most distant ancestors. A pair of antithetical scrolls was hung on the sides on which was written. After their death, their sons and grandsons enjoyed their beneficent virtues. After the very present, the masses think of the wrong-ending families. Both these motels owed their origin to the imperial pencil. In size, lanterns and candles burned with resplendent brightness. Embroidered curtains and decorated screens were hung in such profusion that though a large number of ancestral tablets were placed about, they could not be clearly discerned. The main thing that struck the eye was the inmates of the jia mentions standing about on the left and right disposed in the proper order. Jia Jing was the overseer of the sacrifices. Jia She played the part of assistant. Jia Zhen presented the cups for libations. Jia Lian and Jia Zhong offered up the strips of paper. Bao Yu held the incense. Jia Chang and Jia Ling distributed the Hessex and looked after the receptacles for the ashes of jostics. The black-cat musicians discussed music. The libation cups were offered thrice in sacrifice. These devotions over, paper money was burnt and libation of wine were poured. After the observance of the prescribes' rights, the band stopped and withdrew. The whole company then pressed around Thao De Le Di Jia and repaired to the main hall where the images were placed. The embroidered curtains were hung high up. The variegated screens shut in the place from view. The fragrant candles burned with splendour. In the place of honour of the main apartment were suspended the portraits of two progenitors of the Ning and Rong both of whom were tied in costumes ornamented with dragons and clubs with bells of jade. On the right and left of them were also arrayed the likenesses of a number of eminent ancestors. Jia Xing, Jia Zhi and the others of the same status stood according to the proper grace in a roll extending from the inner ceremonial gate straight up to the veranda of the main hall. Outside the balustrade came at last Jia Jing and Jia She. Inside the balustrade figured the various female members of the family. The domestics and pages were arrayed beyond the ceremonial gate. As each set of the eatables arrived they transmitted them as far as the ceremonial gate where Jia Xing, Jia Zhi and his companions were ready to receive them. From one to another they afterwards reached the bottom of the steps and found their way into Jia Jing's hands. Jia Rong, being the eldest grandson of the senior branch was the only person who penetrated within the precincts of the balustrade reserved for the female inmates. So whenever Jia Jing had any offerings to pass on he delivered them to Jia Rong and Jia Rong gave them to his wife who again handed them to Lady Feng, Mrs. You and several ladies. And when these offerings reached the sacrificial altar they were at length surrendered to Madame Wang. Madame Wang, therefore, placed them in dowry to Lady Jia's hands and old Lady Jia deposited them on the altar. Madame Xing stood on the west each side of the sacrificial altar and along with old Lady Jia she offered the oblations and laid them in their proper places. After the vegetables, rice, soup, sweets, wine and tea had been handed up Jia Rong eventually retired outside and resumed his position above Jia Qing. Of the male inmates whose names were composed with a radical Wen literature, Jia Jing was at the time the head. Low followed those with a radical Yu, Jem, led by Jia Jing. Next to these came the inmates with a radical Cao, Raz, headed by Jia Rong. These were arranged in proper order with due regard to left and right. The men figured on the east, the women on the west. When dowry Lady Jia picked up a joystick and prostrated herself to perform her devotions one and all fell simultaneously on their knees packing up the five-roomed principal villain, the inside as well as the outside of the three antechambers, the verandas, the top and the bottom of the stairs, the interior of the two of a million avenues, so closely with all their fineries and embroideries that not the slightest space remained vacant among them. Not so much as the call of a rose dropped the ear. All that was audible was the report of Jingling and Tingling and the sound of the gold bells and jade ornaments slightly rocked to and fro. Besides these, the croaking noise made by the shoes of the inmates while getting up and kneeling down. In a little time, the ceremonies were brought to a close. Jia Jing, Jia She and the rest hastily retired and adjourned to the royal mansion where they waited with a special purpose of paying their abasins to dowry Lady Jia. Mrs. You's drawing rooms were entirely covered with red carpets. In the centre stood a large gold cloisonné brazier with three legs in imitation of rhinoceros tusks washed with gold. On the stove couch in the upper part was laid a new small red hair rug. On it were placed deep red back cushions with embroidered representations of dragons which were embedded among clouds and carved the character Longevity as well as reclining pillows and sitting rugs. Covers made of black fog skin were moreover thrown over the couch along with skins of pure white fogs for sitting cushions. Dowry Lady Jia was invited to place herself on the couch and on the skin rug spread on either side two or three of the sisters-in-law of the same standings as old Lady Jia were urged to sit down. After the necessary arrangements had been concluded, skin rugs were also put on the small couch erected in a horizontal position on the near portion of the apartments. And Madame Xing and the other ladies of her age were motioned to seat themselves. On the two sides stood, face to face on the floor, twelve chairs carved in lacquered over which were thrown untamed casus and small grey squirrel rugs of uniform colour. At the foot of each chair was a large copper footstove. On these chairs Baoxing and the other young ladies were asked to sit down. Mrs. Yao took a tray and with her own hands she presented tea to old Lady Jia. Jia Rong's wife served the rest of the seniors. Subsequently, Mrs. Yao helped Madame Xing too and her contemporaries and Jia Rong's wife then gave tea to the various young ladies while Lady Feng, Li Wan and a few others simply remained below ready to administer to their wants. After their tea, Madame Xing and her compious were the first to rise and come and wage on Dao Jie Lady Jia while she had hers. Dao Jie Lady Jia chatted for a time with her real sisters-in-law and then desired the servants to look to her chair. Lady Feng there speedily walked up and supported her to rise to her feet. The evening meal had long ago been got ready for you, vulnerable ancestor. Mrs. Yao smiled. You've year by year shown no desire to honour us with your presence but tarry a bit on this occasion and partake of some refreshments before you cross over. Isn't likely in fact that we can't come up to let go of Feng? Go on, worthy senior. Loved Lady Feng as your proud old Lady Jia. Let's go home and eat our own. Don't eat what she says. In what bustle and confusion aren't you in over there? Smile to Dao Jie Lady Jia with all the sacrifices to our ancestors and how could you stand all the trouble I'm putting you to? I've never furthermore had every year anything to eat with you but you've always been in the way of sending me things. So isn't it as well that you should again let me have a few and as I'll keep for the next day what I shan't be able to get through won't I first have a good deal more? This remark evoked general laughter. Whatever you do she went on to join her. Mind you depute some reliable persons to sit up at night and look after the incense-fires but they mustn't let their wits go wall-gathering. Mrs. Yao gave her to understand that she would see to it and they salad out at the same time into the four part of the winter apartments. And when Mrs. Yao and her friends went past the screen the pages introduced the bearers who shouldered the sedan and walked out by the main entrance. Then following through in the track of Madam Xing and the other ladies Mrs. Yao repaired in their company into the wrong mansion. Dao Jie Lady Jia's chair had meanwhile got beyond the principal gateway. Here again were deployed on the east side of the street the bearers of Insignia, the Retinue and musicians of the Duke of Ningguo. They crammed the whole extent of the street. Commerce and goers were alike kept back. No thoroughfare was allowed. Shortly the wrong mansion was reached. The large gates and main entrances were also thrown open straight up to the very interior of the compound. On the present occasion however the bearers did not put the chair down by the winter quarters but passing the main hall and turning to the west they rested it on their arrival at the near side of Dao Jie Lady Jia's principal pavilion. The various attendants pressed round old Lady Jia and followed her into her main apartment where decorated mats and embroidered screens had also been placed about and everything looked as if brand new. In the brazier deposited in the center of the room burned fur and cedar incense and a hundred big herbs. The moment Dao Jie Lady Jia esconced herself into a seat an old nurse entered and announced to let the senior ladies had come to pay their respects. Old Lady Jia rose with alacrity to her feet to go and greet them when she perceived that two or three her old sisters in law had already stepped inside so clustering each other's hands they now laughed and now they pressed each other to sit down. After tea they took the departure but Dao Jie Lady Jia only escorted them as far as the inner ceremonial gate and retreating her footsteps she came and resumed the place of honor. Jia Jing Jia Shu and the other seniors then ushered the various junior male members of the household into her apartment. I put you smart old Lady Jia to ever so much trouble and inconvenience from one ear's end to another so don't pay any obeisance. But while she spoke the men formed themselves into one company and the women into another and performed their homage group by group. This over arm chairs were arranged on the left and on the right and on these chairs they too subsequently seated themselves according to the seniority to receive salutations. The men and women's servants and the pages and maize employed in the two mansions then paid in like manner the obeisance consonant with their positions with a high middle or low. And this ceremony observed the new year money was distributed together with purses, gold and silver ingots at other presence of the same description. A rejoicing together banquet was spread. The men set on the east the women on the west. To so new year's day wine was served. Also rejoicing together so propitious fruits and as you like cakes. At the close of the banquet Dao Yelizia rose and penetrated into the inner chamber with the purpose of effecting a change in her costume so the civil inmates present could at last disperse and go their own way. That night incense was burnt and offerings presented at the various altars to Buddha and the kitchen god. In the courtyard of Madame Wang's main quarters paper horses and incense for sacrifices to heaven and earth were all ready. And the principal centre of the garden brought vista with suspended horn lanterns which from their lofty places cast the bright rays on either side. Every place was hung with street lanterns. Every inmate with a high or low was got up in galladress. Throughout the whole night human voices resounded confusedly. The din of talking and laughing filled the air. Strings of crackers and rockers were let off incessantly. The morrow came. At the fifth watch Dao Yelizia and the other senior members of the family darned the grand costumes which accorded with their status and with a complete retinue they entered the palace to present their court congratulations. For that day was, in addition, the anniversary of Yuan Chun's birth. After they had regaled themselves at a collation they wandered their way back and, by taking themselves also into the Ning Mansion they offered their oblations to their ancestors and then returned home and received the conventional salutations after which they put off their finaries and retired to rest. None of the relatives and friends who came to wish the compliments of the season were admitted into old Lady Jia's presence but simply had a friendly chat with Mrs. Xue and citizen Lord Li and studied their own convenience. Or along with Bao Yu, Bao Chai and the other young ladies they amused themselves by playing the game of war or dominoes. Madame Wang and Lady Feng had one day after another their hands full with the invitations they had to issue for the new year wine. In the halls and courts of the other side theatricals and banquets succeeded each other and relations and friends swapped in in an incessant string. Bossel reigned for seven or eight consecutive days before things settled down again. But presently the first of all of the full moon of the first month in Zhu Nian and both mansions, the Ning as well as the Rong were everywhere ornamented with lanterns and decorations. On the 11th, Jiaxu invited Daojiu Lady Jia and the other inmates. On the next day Jiaxu and also entertained his old senior and Madame Wang and Lady Feng. But for us to record on how many consecutive days and invitations were extended to them to go and drink the new year wine would be an impossible task. The 15th came. On this evening Daojiu Lady Jia gave orders to have several banqueting tables laid in the main reception hall to engage a company of young actors to have every place illuminated with flowered lanterns of various colors and to example at a family entertainment all the sons, nephews, nieces, grandchildren and grandchildren's wives and other members of the two mansions of Ning and Rong. As however Jiaxu did not habitually have any wine or take any ordinary food no one went to press him to come. On the 17th he hastened at the close of the ancestral sacrifices out of town to chasten himself. In fact, even during the few days he spent at home he merely frequented retired rooms and lonely places and did not take the least interest in any single concern but he need not detain us any further. As for Jiaxu after he had received Daojiu Lady Jia's presence he said goodbye and went away but old Lady Jia herself was perfectly aware that she could not convene until he tarry any longer on this side so she too followed his example and took a departure. When Jiaxu got home he along with all the guests feasted his eyes on the illuminations and drank wine with them music and singing deafened to the ear. Embroidery's fineries were everywhere visible for his way of seeking an amusement was unlike that customary in this portion of the establishment. In Daojiu Lady Jia's reception hall 10 tables were meanwhile arranged by each table was placed a teapoy. On these teapoys stood sensors and bottles three things in all. In the sensors was burnt by He Paola's incense a gift from his majesty the emperor but small pots about 8 inches long 4 to 5 inches broad and 2 or 3 inches high adorned with scenery in the shape of rockeries were also faced about. All of which contained fresh flowers. Small foreign lacquer trays were likewise being seen laden with diminutive painted tea cups of antique wear. Transparent gore screens with fringes of carved black wood ornamented with a fringe representing flowers and giving the text of verses figured to here and there. In different kinds of small road vases were embroidered together the three friends of winter pine, bamboo and plum as well as jade-hoar, happiness and honour and other fresh flowers. At the upper two tables set sister-in-law Li and Mrs Zhu on the east was only laid a single table but there as well were placed carved screens covered with dragons and a short low fitted couch with a full assortment of black cushions reclining cushions and skin rugs on the couch stood a small teapoy light and handy of foreign lacquer inlaid with gold on the teapoy were arrayed cups, bowls foreign cloth napkins and such things but on it spectacle case was also conspicuous. Dao Jalei Di Jiao was reposing on the couch at one time she chatted and laughed with the whole company at another she took up her spectacles and looked at what was going on on the stage. Make allowances she said for my old age my bones are quite sore so if I be a little out of order in my conduct bear with me let us entertain each other while I remain in a recumbent position. Continuing she desired Hu Po to make herself comfortable on the couch and take a small club and tap her legs. No table stood below the couch but only a high teapoy. On it were a high stand with tassels, flower vases, incense burners and other similar articles but a small high table laden with cups and chopsticks had besides been got ready. And the table next to this the four cousins Baoqing, Xiangyun, Daiyu and Baoyu were told to seat themselves. The various vines and fruits that were brought in were first presented to Dao Jalei Di Jiao for inspection. If they took her fancy she kept them at the small table but once stated by her they were again removed and placed on their table. We could therefore safely say that none but the four cousins set along with their great-grandmother. The seats occupied by Madam Xing and Madam Wang were below. Lower down came Mrs. You, Li Wen, Lady Feng and Jiarong's wife. On the west set Baoqing, Li Wen, Li Qi, Xiuyan, Yingchun and the other cousins. On the large pillars on either side were suspended in groups of three and five glass lanterns ornamented with fringes. In front of each table stood a candlestick in the shape of drooping lotus leaves. The candlesticks contained coloured candles. These lotus leaves were provided with NML springs of boring make so they could be twisted outward thus screening the rays of the light and throwing them on the stage enabling one to watch the place with exceptional distinctness. The window frames and doors had all been removed. In every place figured coloured bridges and various kinds of quartz lanterns. Inside and outside the verandas and under the roofs of the covered passages which stretched on either side were hung lanterns of sheep horn, glass embroidered gauze or silk decorated or painted of satin or of paper. Round different tables set Jiazhen, Jia Lian, Jia Huan, Jia Zhong, Jia Rong, Jia Qing, Jia Yun, Jia Chang, Jia Lian and other male inmates of the family. Daoja Lady Jia had at the early hour likewise sent servants to invite the male and female members of the whole clan. But those advanced in years were not disposed to take part in any excitement. Some had no one at the time to look after things. Others too were detained by ill health and much though these had every wish to be present they were not, after all, in a fit state to come. Some were so envious of bridges and so ashamed of their poverty that they entertained no desire to avail themselves of an invitation. Others, what is more, forced such a dislike and stood in such awe of Lady Feng that they felt bitter towards her and were not accept. Others again were timid and shy and so little accustomed to seeing people that they could not master sufficient courage to come. Hence it was that despite the large number of female relatives in the clan none but Jia Lan's mother, Nei Lou who brought Jia Lan with her. In the way of men there were only Jia Qing, Jia Yun, Jia Chang and Jia Ling. The four of them are no others. The managers at present under Lady Feng's control were however among those who accepted. But albeit there was not a complete gathering of the inmates on this occasion yet for a small family entertainment sufficient animation characterised the proceedings. About this time Ling Zhixiao's wife also made her appearance with half a dozen married women who carried three Da Van tables between them. Each table was covered with a red woolen cloth on which lay a lot of cash picked out clean and of equal size and recently issued from the Mint. These were strung together with a deep red cord. Each couple carried a table so there were in all three tables. Ling Zhixiao's wife directed that two tables should be placed below the festive board round which were seated Mrs Xu and the sister-in-law Li and that one should be put at the foot of Dao Di Li Jia's couch. Place it in the middle or Li Li Jia explained. These women have never known what good manners mean put the table down. Seeing this she picked up this cash and loosening the knots she unstrung them and piled them on the table. The reunion in the western chamber was just being sung. The play was drawing to a close. They had reached apart where Yu Shui Ye runs off at night in high dudgeon and when Baol jokingly cried out he'd go up with a monkey up but as luck would have it this is the very day of the 15th of the first moon and the family banquet is being given by the old lady in the Rongguo mansion. So wait and I'll jump up on this horse and hurry in and ask for something to eat. I must look sharp. The joke made Old Lady Jia and the rest of the company laugh. What a dreadful in-pitch child. Mrs. Shui and the others exclaimed yet poor thing. This child is only nine years of age. Lady Feng interposed. He had really made a clever hit. Dowager Lady Jia laughed. Tip him. She shouted. This shout over. Three married women who has previously got ready several small wicker baskets came up as soon as they heard the word tip and taking the heaps of loose cash piled on the table they each filled the basket full and issuing outside they approached the stage. Dowager Lady Jia Mrs. Shui and the family relative Mrs. Li present Wen Bao this money to purchase something to eat with. They said. At the end of these words they flung the contents of the baskets upon the stage. So all then that fell on the ear was the rattle of the cash flying in every direction over the boards. Jia Zhen and Jia Lian had by this time and joined the pages to fetch big baskets full of cash and have them in readiness. But as reader did you not know as yet in what way these presents were given? Listen to the circumstances detailed in the subsequent chapter. End of section 57 Recording by Cao Yuxun in Singapore